EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ON THE FUNCTION OF THE VISUAL SYSTEM IN PATIENTS OF GLAUCOMA

At present, significant advances have been made in the surgical and conservative treatment of glaucoma. However, in patients with a prolonged course of the disease, even against the background of normalized intraocular pressure, progressive deterioration of visual functions occurs with the transition of the disease to a more severe stage. Effects directed solely at lowering the intraocular pressure are not able to fully ensure the preservation of visual functions, so its normalization cannot ensure the stabilization of the glaucoma process. Dysfunction of the nervous system and vascular disorders play a significant role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. In this regard, the treatment of this disease should be comprehensive and include neuroprotective therapy aimed at correction of metabolic disorders that occur in glaucoma in the optic nerve head, improvement of local microcirculation and trophism of tissues, normalization the rheological properties of the blood. Conventional conservative therapy does not provide adequate blood supply to the optic nerve and prevent the deterioration of visual functions in more than half of patients. The purpose of this study was to study the effectiveness of reflexotherapy in patients with glaucoma after surgery and normalization of intraocular pressure. In the study, 18 patients with a diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma were treated. It has been established that reflexotherapy improves significantly the functions of the visual system and the general condition, normalizes arterial pressure and psycho-emotional state of patients

Clinical case of acupuncture treatment of hemicrania continua with ophthalmic symptoms

A clinical case of successful treatment of hemicrania continua with ophthalmic symptoms using acupuncture is presented.Chronic headache (CH) is an important medical and social problem. The fact is that CH is treated mainly medication-based. About 63 % of patients have to take analgesic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a long time, while in most cases there are signs of drug overdose, which increases the risk of complications and side effects.The presented clinical case showed the acupuncture effectiveness in hemicrania continua with ophthalmic symptoms in a 23-year-old patient.Since the age of 13, the patient has been observed and repeatedly treated with complaints of persistent headaches on the left, pain in the left eye and decreased vision, accompanied by nausea, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, sleep disturbance. In 2019, against the background of constant daily intake of indomethacin, at a dosage of 9 tablets (225 mg) and a short course of glucocorticosteroids, positive dynamics of the left eye side and relative remission on the part of the pain syndrome were achieved. At the same time, choroidal ischemia with retinal edema persisted, headaches periodically occurred. Acupuncture had been performed during 6 months, 1–2 times every 14–28 days, depending on the patient’s condition, against the background of a gradual reduction in the dose of indomethacin. Complete remission has been achieved. After the end of treatment and complete withdrawal of the drug the patient has been under control for more than 3 months. The patient’s condition is satisfactory, no complaints

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Significance Communicating in ways that motivate engagement in social distancing remains a critical global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study tested motivational qualities of messages about social distancing (those that promoted choice and agency vs. those that were forceful and shaming) in 25,718 people in 89 countries. The autonomy-supportive message decreased feelings of defying social distancing recommendations relative to the controlling message, and the controlling message increased controlled motivation, a less effective form of motivation, relative to no message. Message type did not impact intentions to socially distance, but people’s existing motivations were related to intentions. Findings were generalizable across a geographically diverse sample and may inform public health communication strategies in this and future global health emergencies. Abstract Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e. a controlling message) compared to no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly-internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared to the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly-internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing: Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

Features of development of small and medium-sized businesses under external constraints

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Russia are characterized by a large number and, at the same time, vulnerability: due to limited capital, SMEs are unable to independently cope with the challenges of the external environment and need state support. In the current economic conditions, SMEs experience a number of difficulties associated with both limited access to resources and high competition in the market. In addition, the sanctions imposed against Russia have complicated the activities of SMEs in the areas of supply, procurement, information and advertising, which determined the relevance of the study. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the face of external constraints. The object of the study is small and medium-sized businesses in Russia in general and the Orenburg region, as one of the border regions. The choice for the study of the Orenburg region is justified by the strategically important economic and geographical position of this region. The research methodology was based on general scientific methods of cognition, as well as logical-comparative, causal and correlation-regression analysis. The study carried out a retrospective analysis of the development of small and medium-sized businesses in Russia and the Orenburg region, considered the areas of activity in respect of which anti-Russian sanctions were imposed, and also identified the main patterns of the modern development of small and medium-sized businesses in Russia. Considerable attention is paid to the mechanisms of state support for small and medium-sized businesses in Russia and the Orenburg region. Based on the analysis of statistical data, the main problem of the development of SMEs and its support in the Orenburg region was identified. The study analyzed the experience of successful implementation of small and medium-sized businesses in Russia and the Orenburg region. It is shown that digitalization is an urgent and most promising direction for the development of small and medium-sized businesses. The practical significance of the study is to determine the features and promising directions for the development of SMEs in Russia and the Orenburg region in the context of external restrictions, taking into account import substitution. The results of the analysis of key economic sectors and the functioning of SMEs presented in the article will be useful to their management, as well as to the scientific community for further research in the following areas: identifying import substitution factors at SMEs under external restrictions and sanctions, identifying objective and subjective conditions of negative impact on the subjects SMEs, the distribution of the productive forces of SMEs, the spatial specialization of SMEs, planning and forecasting the development of SMEs under external constraints, and a number of others

Assessment of the effect of cardiac rhythm and conduction disorders on the course and outcome of pregnancy: data of the Arrhythmia Center

Aim. To assess the effect of cardiac rhythm and conduction disorders on the course and outcome of pregnancy against the background of treatment.Material and methods. We analyzed 44 case histories of pregnant women examined in the department of surgical treatment of severe cardiac rhythm and conduction disorders during the period from 2012 to 2017 The patients’ age averaged 31,2±5,04 years. The survey was conducted during pregnancy from 12 to 37 weeks (average 28,0±6,4).Results. In most cases, rhythm disorders had idiopathic nature (57%), and in the remaining patients, diseases of the cardiovascular system were verified. Rhythm disorders before pregnancy were reported in 33 (75%) women. In two cases, ventricular tachycardia was hemodynamically significant. Therefore radiofrequency ablation was performed on 26 and 27 weeks of pregnancy. Radiofrequency ablation of supraventricular tachycardia was performed in three patients at the 27th, 29th and 31st week of pregnancy. One patient had an implanted pacemaker due to an atrioventricular block.Conclusion. Rhythm disorders observed in the patients did not require termination of the pregnancy. Antiarrhythmic therapy, prescribed for symptomatic, hemody-namically significant and life-threatening disorders, and surgical treatment made it possible to effectively manage pregnant women before delivery. Most patients had delivery on time, rhythm disorders in labor were not observed. Newborns had high Apgar scores

Relationships of growth factors, proinflammatory cytokines, and anti-inflammatory cytokines with long-term clinical results of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation in STEMI

AIM

Relationships of growth factors, proinflammatory cytokines, and anti-inflammatory cytokines with long-term clinical results of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation in STEMI

<div><p>Aim</p><p>The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis suggesting that the pre-intervention levels of proinflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and angiogenic growth factors predict the long-term clinical results of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell (ABMMC) transplantation in patients with primary ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).</p><p>Methods and results</p><p>From 2003 to 2006, a total of 62 patients with primary STEMI were enrolled in an open randomized study registered under the title ESTABOMA. Patients were randomized into two groups: group 1 included patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and ABMMC transplantation (n = 28); group 2 comprised patients treated only with PCI (n = 34). Follow-up study was performed 7.96 ± 0.96 years after STEMI and involved physical examination, six-minute walk test, echocardiography, and determination of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. The total and cardiovascular mortality rates were higher in group 1 compared with group 2: 36% (n = 10) vs. 12% (n = 4) (p = 0.02) and 29% (n = 8) vs. 6% (n = 2) (p = 0.03), respectively. Lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines were observed in group 1 after PCI and ABMMC transplantation. Serum levels of FGF, VEGF, and IL-10, determined before PCI and ABMMC transplantation were prognostically significant long-term indicators of unfavorable course of CAD after STEMI.</p></div