Mapping of multiple muscles with transcranial magnetic stimulation: Absolute and relative test-retest reliability

The spatial accuracy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be as small as a few millimeters. Despite such great potential, navigated TMS (nTMS) mapping is still underused for the assessment of motor plasticity, particularly in clinical settings. Here, we investigate the within‐limb somatotopy gradient as well as absolute and relative reliability of three hand muscle cortical representations (MCRs) using a comprehensive grid‐based sulcus‐informed nTMS motor mapping. We enrolled 22 young healthy male volunteers. Two nTMS mapping sessions were separated by 5–10 days. Motor evoked potentials were obtained from abductor pollicis brevis (APB), abductor digiti minimi, and extensor digitorum communis. In addition to individual MRI‐based analysis, we studied normalized MNI MCRs. For the reliability assessment, we calculated intraclass correlation and the smallest detectable change. Our results revealed a somatotopy gradient reflected by APB MCR having the most lateral location. Reliability analysis showed that the commonly used metrics of MCRs, such as areas, volumes, centers of gravity (COGs), and hotspots had a high relative and low absolute reliability for all three muscles. For within‐limb TMS somatotopy, the most common metrics such as the shifts between MCR COGs and hotspots had poor relative reliability. However, overlaps between different muscle MCRs were highly reliable. We, thus, provide novel evidence that inter‐muscle MCR interaction can be reliably traced using MCR overlaps while shifts between the COGs and hotspots of different MCRs are not suitable for this purpose. Our results have implications for the interpretation of nTMS motor mapping results in healthy subjects and patients with neurological conditions

Effect of the Sc/Zr ratio on the corrosion resistance of Al-Mg cast alloys

The results of investigations of the corrosion resistance of Al-Mg-Sc-Zr alloys with varying Mg content and different Sc/Zr ratios are presented. The objects of investigations were the Al-Mg-Sc-Zr alloys with total Sc + Zr content of 0.32 wt%. The concentration of Sc and Zr in the alloys varied with the increments of 0.02 wt%. The alloys were produced by induction casting. The effect of annealing temperature on the microhardness and electrical resistivity of the Al-Mg-Sc-Zr alloys was investigated. Corrosion tests were carried out in a medium simulating intergranular corrosion in aluminum alloys. Electrochemical studies and mass loss tests were performed. An increase in the Sc concentration and a decrease in the Zr one were shown to result in an increase in the corrosion rate. The primary Al3(ScxZr1-x) particles were found to have the main effect on the corrosion resistance of Al-Mg-Sc-Zr alloys. The dependence of the corrosion current on the annealing temperature of the Al-Mg-Sc-Zr alloy was found to have a non-monotonous character (with a maximum).Comment: 29 pages, 2 tables, 11 figures, 58 reference

The willingness of teachers to use modern educational technologies in educational process

Among the most significant trends in the development of vocational education, introduction and use of educational technologies can be distinguished. Since the main goal of higher schools is to prepare a competent competitive specialist, they search for the most suitable methods that contribute to rapid achievement of results. The use of technologies by educational institutions is explained by their advantage over other methods of developing professional competence. Due to implementation of a certain algorithm of actions, they allow you to achieve guaranteed results in a timely manner. The purpose of the article is to form future teachers ' the level of competency development, reflecting students’ willingness to adapt, adjust and use educational technologies in professional teaching activities. To do this, we checked the level of motivation of future teachers, the level of knowledge of the theoretical foundations of educational technologies, their design and implementation in professional and pedagogical activities, and the level of formation of the ability to reflect. The development of competencies reflecting the student’s readiness to adapt, adjust and use educational technologies in professional pedagogical activity was carried out in a certain logical sequence, so that the student possessed versatile knowledge about educational technologies, was capable of their systematic creative application and his reflective activity was associated with self-actualization and striving for the implementation of constructive professional activities. The development process was carried out in the course of students solving research and design problems. Research activity was carried out by students in the study of the course “Pedagogical technologies”, fundamental for future teachers of vocational training. The implementation of the projects was carried out during the development of the course "Project Activities of a Professional Education Teacher"

Screening and Characterization of the Antagonistic Properties of Microorganisms Isolated From Natural Sources

BACKGROUND: Human infectious diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens present a serious problem for clinical medicine. Causative agents of nosocomial infections, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp., are the most common among them. An active search for antimicrobial agents that can effectively combat drugresistant pathogens is underway. Antimicrobial substances of bacterial origin are of particular interest. Promising sources of microorganisms with antibiotic properties are natural sources: Soil, water, plants, etc. AIM: The purpose of this work is to screen and characterize the antagonistic properties of microorganisms isolated from natural sources in connection with the creation of new pharmaceutical substances. METHODS: The material for the isolation of microorganisms was the soil, water bodies, and plant objects of various municipal districts of the Kemerovo Region. Identification of the isolated microorganisms was carried out using the methods proposed in the directory “Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology” and in the monograph Nesterenko et al. The selection of strains from soil samples was carried out according to standard methods described in “Methods of soil microbiological control. Methodical recommendations,” cultural-morphological properties of isolates were studied using conventional microbiological methods. RESULTS: The following results are obtained: (1) Lactic acid bacteria and other microorganisms antagonists from natural sources were isolated: Soil, water bodies, and plant objects; 20 isolates were isolated, their cultural and morphological properties were studied; isolated microorganisms were found to belong presumably to the genera Bacillus, Leuconostoc, Pedio-coccus, Lactobacillus, and Bacteroides; (2) Antimicrobial properties of lactic acid bacteria and other antagonistic microorganisms isolated from natural sources on solid and liquid nutrient media were studied; (3) 12 strains of 20 isolates with maximum antimicrobial properties were selected for further studies. CONCLUSION: Further research on the biochemical properties of lactic acid bacteria and other antagonist microorganisms isolated from natural sources, the study of antibiotic resistance of lactic acid bacteria and other antagonist microorganisms isolated from natural sources, as well as other more detailed studies will be conducted with selected 12 strains with maximum antimicrobial properties

Storage Time of Filtered Red Blood Cells and Post-Transfusion Complications (Review)

Red blood cells are the most required blood transfusion products worldwide. Safety and efficacy of blood transfusion are still relevant issues. Clarification of the causes and mechanisms of post-transfusion complications requires additional research.Aim of the review is to summarize the data of clinical and research studies on transfusion of red blood cell suspension with various storage times.Material. We selected 76 sources from Web of Science, Scopus, and RSCI databases containing pertinent clinical and scientific research data, as well as blood transfusion guidelines.Results. We reviewed the main stages of preparation and storage of filtered red blood cells, described biochemical and structural alterations occurring during blood storage, summarized clinical data on post-transfusion complications, and analyzed clinical consequences and molecular structure abnormalities of red blood cells in relation to their storage time.Conclusion. During long-term storage, red blood cells undergo significant structural and metabolic changes. The clinical use of relatively «old» red blood cells increases the risk of post-transfusion complications. However, the pathophysiological differences between «young» and «old» erythrocytes remain unclear. Large clinical and molecular research studies may add to our understanding of the complex issues related to blood transfusion

Сроки хранения фильтрованных эритроцитов и посттрансфузионные осложнения (обзор)

Red blood cells are the most required blood transfusion products worldwide. Safety and efficacy of blood transfusion are still relevant issues. Clarification of the causes and mechanisms of post-transfusion complications requires additional research.Aim of the review is to summarize the data of clinical and research studies on transfusion of red blood cell suspension with various storage times.Material. We selected 76 sources from Web of Science, Scopus, and RSCI databases containing pertinent clinical and scientific research data, as well as blood transfusion guidelines.Results. We reviewed the main stages of preparation and storage of filtered red blood cells, described biochemical and structural alterations occurring during blood storage, summarized clinical data on post-transfusion complications, and analyzed clinical consequences and molecular structure abnormalities of red blood cells in relation to their storage time.Conclusion. During long-term storage, red blood cells undergo significant structural and metabolic changes. The clinical use of relatively «old» red blood cells increases the risk of post-transfusion complications. However, the pathophysiological differences between «young» and «old» erythrocytes remain unclear. Large clinical and molecular research studies may add to our understanding of the complex issues related to blood transfusion.Эритроциты являются наиболее востребованным продуктом для переливания крови во всем мире. При этом вопрос безопасности и эффективности гемотрансфузии остается актуальным. Неясна причина и патогенез возникновения посттрансфузионных осложнений.Цель обзора — обобщить данные клинических и научных исследований по эффективности гемотрансфузии эритроцитарной взвеси различных сроков хранения.Материал. В базах данных Web of Science, Scopus и РИНЦ отобрали 76 источников, содержавших актуальные данные клинических и научных исследований по теме данного обзора, а также рекомендации по переливанию крови.Результаты. Рассмотрели основные этапы заготовки и условия хранения фильтрованных эритроцитов; описали биохимические и структурные изменения, которые происходят во время ее хранения; привели клинические данные, касающиеся посттрансфузионных осложнений; проанализировали клинические последствия и нарушения молекулярной структуры эритроцитов в зависимости от срока их хранения.Заключение. Во время длительного хранения эритроциты подвергаются значительным структурным и метаболическим изменениям. Использование в клинике относительно «старых» эритроцитов увеличивает риск возникновения посттрансфузионных осложнений. Однако остается неясно, в чем состоят патофизиологические отличия «молодых» и «старых» эритроцитов. Проведение больших клинических и научных исследований на молекулярном уровне в совокупности могут найти ответы на эти вопросы

Data on the distribution of the <i>Haemaphysalis concinna</i> tick in the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia

The ixodid tick Haemaphysalis concinna (Koch, 1844) is a carrier of pathogens of vector-borne diseases of viral, bacterial and protozoal etiology. This tick was previously considered an adventive relict species in the Baikal region, but has recently shown a tendency to increase its numbers and expand its habitat. The aim of the study. To generalize the available and newly received information on the distribution of the H. concinna tick in the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia; to carry out the comparative analysis of the results in order to identify the dynamics of the development of populations of this species of ixodid ticks in the Baikal region. Materials and methods. The coordinates of H. concinna detection points in our studies were obtained using a GPS navigator directly in the field. Ticks were caught during the period of their maximum activity from plants using a flannel flag. Approximate geographic coordinates of H. concinna tick detection points were established when analyzing the maps published by other researchers. Results. As a result of the generalization of our own data and data from literary sources, 52 georeferenced detection points of H. concinna were obtained on the territory of the Baikal region. A map showing the distribution of H. concinna in the territory of the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia is presented. It is shown that in a number of surveyed areas there are stable populations of this species of tick, which tend to increase in their numbers and expand their range. Conclusions. Considering these data, as well as the fact that H. concinna ticks are actively involved in the circulation of pathogens of natural focal diseases in humans and animals, we can conclude that it is necessary to systematically monitor the populations of this vector species in the Baikal region