How does training of the working memory effect the memory performance in young people?

One of the quality indicators of the medical education is a good study performance, which is very much influenced by the capacity of the working memory. Recent studies have reported that working memory can be improved by training. In this study, we were looking for association between the training of the working memory and its performance in healthy students at Kazakh National Medical University. A total of 676 students participated: 346 in study group and 346 – in control. Reading span test (RST) was used for working memory training and Dual N-back test was used for measurement of results. According to the results obtained, one-and-a-half-month RST training of the memory (RAM) statistically significantly increases the amount of the working memory on average by 12.3 %: min on 9.9 %; max on 15.5 % (р<0.001). Тhe present study examined the relationship of the working memory training and increase in its level in healthy young adults. Our findings indirectly confirm that training not only increases the level of the working memory, but also stimulates other cognitive functions: improving auditory and spatial memory in parallel to the visual one

Bis[2-(hy­droxy­imino­meth­yl)phenolato]nickel(II): a second monoclinic polymorph

The title compound, [Ni(C7H6NO2)2], (I), is a second monoclinic polymorph of the compound, (II), reported by Srivastava et al. [Acta Cryst. (1967), 22, 922] and Mereiter [Private communication (2002) CCDC refcode NISALO01]. The bond lengths and angles are similar in both structures. The mol­ecule in both structures lies on a crystallographic inversion center and both have an inter­nal hydrogen bond. The title compound crystallizes in the space group P21/c (Z = 2), whereas compound (II) is in the space group P21/n (Z = 2) with a similar cell volume but different cell parameters. In both polymorphs, mol­ecules are arranged in the layers but in contrast to the previously published compound (II) where the dihedral angle between the layers is 86.3°, in the title polymorph the same dihedral angle is 29.4°. The structure of (I) is stabilized by strong intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding between the O—H group and the phenolate O atom

Diaqua­bis­(propane-1,3-diamine)­nickel(II) bis­(propane-1,3-diamine)­disulfato­nickelate(II)

The ionic NiII title complex, [Ni(C3H10N2)2(H2O)2][Ni(SO4)2(C3H10N2)2], is built up of [Ni(dipr)2(H2O)2]2+ complex cations and [Ni(dipr)2(SO4)2]2− complex anions (dipr is propane-1,3-diamine). Both NiII atoms display a slightly distorted octa­hedral coordination and are located on inversion centers. There are several types of hydrogen-bonding inter­actions, which connect complex cations and anions into a two-dimensional network parallel to (010). Hydrogen bonds formed by the axially coordinated water mol­ecule of the complex cation and one of the O atoms of the sulfate groups of the complex anion (first type) link them into chains along the c axis. These chains are linked to each other through hydrogen bonds formed by an O atom (second type) of the SO4 groups and NH2 groups of the ligand of the complex cations from neighboring chains, forming a two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded net perpendicular to the b axis. The third type of O atoms of the sulfate groups of the complex anion are also linked into chains by a combination of both previously described types of H-atom connections

EPIZOOTIOLOGICAL-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION ON BRUCELLOSIS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN 2016 AND PROGNOSIS FOR 2017

The article presents analysis of human and animal incidence of brucellosis in the Russian Federation in 2016. Epidemiological situation on brucellosis is characterized as unstable. Outlined has been the decrease in the number of newly diagnosed brucellosis cases in humans (15.8 %) against the background of the increasing trend for distress and deterioration of the epizootiological situation on brucellosis among the cattle in the regions with well-developed animal husbandry. Cases of group infection among the population in three constituent entities (Stavropol Region, Samara and Leningrad Regions) have been registered, which are of sporadic nature. According to the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, mid-term forecast of epizootiological situation on brucellosis in Russia is unfavorable, which under the current trend constitutes a real risk of widespread brucellosis among the livestock in the regions of the Central and Volga Federal Districts. In 2017, we can predict maintaining of the unstable situation on the disease, morbidity rates among the population varying within the range of 340–370 cases

Сatalase antibodies in patients with systemic scleroderma as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of the disease

The study covered 30 apparently healthy individuals and 38 patients with systemic scleroderma. The patients gave their consent to participate in the study in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki in the current (2013) version (ACR/EULAR). The donors and patients had their blood tested for catalase antibodies with immunoenzyme assay and using magnetic sorbents upon hospital admission and before discharge. It was found that the patients with systemic scleroderma had a reduced oxidase activity of catalase as well as elevated catalase antibodies, compared with the controls. We revealed a statistically significant regularity that the concentration of catalase immunoglobulins is associated with activity and course of the disease. To assess the activity of systemic scleroderma we performed a complex evaluation of two parameters: enzymatic activity and catalase antibody levels. It was established that catalase autoantibodies are mostly revealed in patients with high-activity scleroderma, subacute and acute course of the disease, and when the lungs, skin, kidneys, joints and nervous system were involved, which was conclusively confirmed by a correlation analysis. It is especially important that catalase antibodies should be revealed at early stage of the disease development; they are of especial diagnostic importance, and their changes over time may form the basis for assessing efficiency of administered therapy. The changes in biochemical activity of catalase, elevated antibody titers provide additional criteria of diagnosis in systemic scleroderma. Monitoring of these parameters in hospital settings helps to evaluate the effectiveness of administered therapy and adjust its correction, which is confirmed by inclusion of such extracorporal techniques as plasma separation into the combined treatment schedules. Studying biochemical activity of catalase and formation of catalase antibodies expands our understanding of scleroderma development and opens new avenues for research

DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF CERULOPLASMIN IN SYSTEMIC SCLERODERMA

Objective of study: refining immune diagnostics of systemic scleroderma through determining ceruloplasmin antibodies, its amount and enzymatic activity, as well as control of effectiveness of therapy with ceruloplasmin-based immobilized magnetocontrollable immunosorbents.Materials and methods. 30 apparently healthy individuals and 68 patients with systemic scleroderma were examined. The study included patients with referral diagnosis of systemic scleroderma who signed an informed consent. The study was performed in accordance with the principles of World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki rev. 2013 (ACR/EULAR). All participants had their blood tested with the method of immunoenzymatic determination of antibodies to ceruloplasmin upon admission to hospital and prior to discharge.Results. It was established that patients with systemic scleroderma show reduced oxidase activity of ceruloplasmin, increased ceruloplasmin levels, as well as elevated antibodies to ceruloplasmin compared with the control group. A link between the amount of antibodies to the studied enzyme, and the activity, nature, course and stage of the disease was established. It was found that there is a reliable negative correlation between the level of ceruloplasmin antibodies, and the amount of RBCs, the hemoglobin level. For the first time a complex assessment of three parameters was employed, the parameters being the enzymatic activity, ceruloplasmin amount, and antibodies to ceruloplasmin. It was established that autoantibodies to ceruloplasmin are more often found in systemic scleroderma patients who show a high disease activity, subacute course with involvement of the liver, lungs, and with anemia. It was found that antibodies to ceruloplasmin are detected at early stages of systemic scleroderma development and can be used in timely diagnosis of the condition. It was shown that the change of parameters under study over time can serve as a basis on which to evaluate the effectiveness of administered therapy.Conclusion. Decreased enzymatic activity of ceruloplasmin, its elevated amount and increased antibodies to ceruloplasmin can be taken as additional diagnostic tools in evaluation of systemic scleroderma activity. These parameters promote a more accurate assessment of the disease activity and of the nature of the pathologic process; they can serve as an indication of a variety of clinical forms of the disease. Employing these parameters for monitoring of administered therapy in hospital settings permits a more accurate assessment of its effectiveness and making adjustments. Studying ceruloplasmin antibody formation, amount of ceruloplasmin and its biochemical activity extends the existing concept of rheumatic disease pathogeny, outlines a way forward for further research and reflects the involvement of antioxidant system in immune disorders

The results of prophylactic medical examination of certain adult groups after opening department of medical prevention at CRH Alapayevsk, Sverdlovsk region

The study found that in the efficiency of prophylactic medical examination plays the important role of opening departments provide medical prevention. Measures of quality improvement organization of clinical examination together with efficient organization of follow-up, will bring real prevention component in the practice of the local therapist.Исследование показало, что в эффективности диспансеризации играет важную роль открытия отделения медицинской профилактики. Меры качества организации по улучшению клинического обследования вместе с эффективной организации последующей деятельности, принесет реальный профилактический компонент в практике участкового терапевта

Coherent fluctuation nephelometry in clinical microbiology

In this article data concerning coherent fluctuation nephelometry (CFN) use in clinical microbiology is presented. CFN-analyzer allows to solve two important problems – fast urine screening for bacteriuria within 2-4 hours and antibiotic susceptibility testing within 3-6 hours. Altogether more than 650 urine samples were tested, and the effectivity of CFN-analyzer for preliminary selection of samples for further analysis was shown. Method allows to detect negative samples, reducing the number of urine analyses by 70-80%. Simultaneous analysis of growth curves and concentration of microorganisms shows high sensitivity and specificity (95.2% и 96.9%). Also more than 250 antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using CFN-analyzer to show its effectiveness for determination of resistant properties of both pure cultures and urine microflora without isolation of bacteria. The agreement with traditional methods was from 84% to 88%. The use of CFN-analyzer with express methods of identification of microorganisms (chromogenic nutrient broths or mass-spectrometry) allows to make full urine analysis within 1-2 days. In the future CFN-analyzer gives an opportunity to screen different human biological liquids, and finds an application for other microbiological tasks, including standardization and speeding-up in sanitary bacteriology

Overview of Epizootological and Epidemiological Situation on Brucellosis in the Russian Federation in 2017 and Prognosis for 2018

Analysis of brucellosis morbidity rates in humans and animals across the Russian Federation in 2017 is presented. Epidemic situation on the infection is characterized as unstable, the incidence and number of people with brucellosis are reduced in reference to the average long-term indicators by more than 20 %, against the background of epizootic situation aggravation as regards brucellosis of farm animals. There are cases of group outbreaks of brucellosis in the Stavropol Territory, Lipetsk and Penza Regions. According to the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, analysis of the cumulative epizootic state of the population of epidemically significant species of cattle and small cattle in 2017 defines the risk of brucellosis in the Russian Federation as “high.” In 2018, the unstable epidemic situation on brucellosis will remain; there is high probability of outbreaks with cluster human incidence, including in the territory that is free from brucellosis. Predicted for 2018 morbidity rates on brucellosis in humans will be below the level of the average long-term morbidity and may be within the range of 330–360 cases