Features of Fixing the Folklore of Peoples of Yakutia (1930-1970): the Method of Selecting Informants according to G. U. Ergis

Methods and approaches in the selection of informants for fixing folklore works of Russians, Evens, Yakuts, who have inhabited the North-East of Yakutia since ancient times, are considered. The authors dwell on such issues as ways of finding informants; clarification of the status (narrator, singer and performer); concretization of the performer’s personality and his repertoire. The novelty of the research is seen in the fact that at the present stage, methods of selecting informants are being studied; the approaches to the selection of performers of song folklore, used by M.N.Zhirkov, are specified; the change in the status of the storytellers of Russian folklore is traced; the main features of the performance of the Even epic by the narrators are analyzed. The relevance of the research is due to the fact that the history of the study of the epic and song heritage of personalities-performers of the song-prose epic of the Russians Ustye, Evens and Yakuts by the staff of the Institute of Language and Culture is examined. Methods and approaches of M. N. Zhirkov in the selection of performers, as well as their repertoire to be fixed, are revealed. The importance of summarizing the already achieved results and setting new tasks in collecting and fixing folklore and musical material in the context of the extinction of folklore tradition and a reduction in the number of experts of traditional culture is affirmed

EQ-5D in Central and Eastern Europe : 2000-2015

Objective: Cost per quality-adjusted life year data are required for reimbursement decisions in many Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. EQ-5D is by far the most commonly used instrument to generate utility values in CEE. This study aims to systematically review the literature on EQ-5D from eight CEE countries. Methods: An electronic database search was performed up to July 1, 2015 to identify original EQ-5D studies from the countries of interest. We analysed the use of EQ-5D with respect to clinical areas, methodological rigor, population norms and value sets. Results: We identified 143 studies providing 152 country-specific results with a total sample size of 81,619: Austria (n=11), Bulgaria (n=6), Czech Republic (n=18), Hungary (n=47), Poland (n=51), Romania (n=2), Slovakia (n=3) and Slovenia (n=14). Cardiovascular (20%), neurologic (16%), musculoskeletal (15%) and endocrine/nutritional/metabolic diseases (14%) were the most frequently studied clinical areas. Overall 112 (78%) of the studies reported EQ VAS results and 86 (60%) EQ-5D index scores, of which 27 (31%) did not specify the applied tariff. Hungary, Poland and Slovenia have population norms. Poland and Slovenia also have a national value set. Conclusions: Increasing use of EQ-5D is observed throughout CEE. The spread of health technology assessment activities in countries seems to be reflected in the number of EQ-5D studies. However, improvement in informed use and methodological quality of reporting is needed. In jurisdictions where no national value set is available, in order to ensure comparability we recommend to apply the most frequently used UK tariff. Regional collaboration between CEE countries should be strengthened

pH-Sensitive Drug Delivery System Based on Chitin Nanowhiskers–Sodium Alginate Polyelectrolyte Complex

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), based on partially deacetylated chitin nanowhiskers (CNWs) and anionic polysaccharides, are characterized by their variability of properties (particle size, ζ-potential, and pH-sensitivity) depending on the preparation conditions, thereby allowing the development of polymeric nanoplatforms with a sustained release profile for active pharmaceutical substances. This study is focused on the development of hydrogels based on PECs of CNWs and sodium alginate (ALG) for potential vaginal administration that provide controlled pH-dependent antibiotic release in an acidic vaginal environment, as well as prolonged pharmacological action due to both the sustained drug release profile and the mucoadhesive properties of the polysaccharides. The desired hydrogels were formed as a result of both electrostatic interactions between CNWs and ALG (PEC formation), and the subsequent molecular entanglement of ALG chains, and the formation of additional hydrogen bonds. Metronidazole (MET) delivery systems with the desired properties were obtained at pH 5.5 and an CNW:ALG ratio of 1:2. The MET–CNW–ALG microparticles in the hydrogel composition had an apparent hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 1.7 µm and a ζ-potential of −43 mV. In vitro release studies showed a prolonged pH-sensitive drug release from the designed hydrogels; 37 and 67% of MET were released within 24 h at pH 7.4 and pH 4.5, respectively. The introduction of CNWs into the MET–ALG system not only prolonged the drug release, but also increased the mucoadhesive properties by about 1.3 times. Thus, novel CNW–ALG hydrogels are promising carriers for pH sensitive drug delivery carriers

Transient ischemic attack is a multidisciplinary problem

The paper discusses the issues associated with the definition of the concept «transient ischemic attack» (TIA) and with the prognosis of cerebrovascular disease after prior TIA. It is stated that following TIA, there is a high risk for ischemic stroke and a risk for evolving and progressive cognitive impairments. Approaches to organizing a therapeutic and diagnostic process in patients with TIA are covered

Female population of state village in trans-urals according to mass statistic sources of 17-19 centuries

Автором рассмотрены особенности формирования социального статуса женщины в условиях традиционного сообщества в динамике, с ХVII до конца Х1Х в. по материалам зауральской государственной деревни. На основе анализа документов фискального учета, расспросных речей, текущего делопроизводства волостных правлений и сельских обществ реконструирована функциональная роль женщины через призму тяглого фиска, домохозяйства, сельского мира, . The author considers the woman social status formation in a traditional society (ХVII-Х1Х centuries) on the materials of the Ural state village. The analysis of book- keeping, guestionaires, сurrent volost clerikal work and rural society helps to reconstruct the functional role of woman through the prism of fisc, house holding and family

Criminal situation in tobolsk region (the last third part of the 19th century

Статья посвящена изучению преступности в регионе, где в тот момент сосредотачивалось множество противоречий: край, получая импульсы для ускоренного развития, при этом оставался местом ссылки, территорией с особым правосознанием населения и обилием вызовов со стороны криминального . This article is devoted to the study of crime in the region, where at that moment there were a lot of contradictions: the region, being given impetus for a rapid development, remained at the same time a place of exile, a territory with a particular sense of justice and a number of challenges from the criminal world

Silver Nanoparticles on Chitosan/Silica Nanofibers: Characterization and Antibacterial Activity

A simple, low-cost, and reproducible method for creating materials with even silver nanoparticles (AgNP) dispersion was established. Chitosan nanofibers with silica phase (CS/silica) were synthesized by an electrospinning technique to obtain highly porous 3D nanofiber scaffolds. Silver nanoparticles in the form of a well-dispersed metallic phase were synthesized in an external preparation step and embedded in the CS/silica nanofibers by deposition for obtaining chitosan nanofibers with silica phase decorated by silver nanoparticles (Ag/CS/silica). The antibacterial activity of investigated materials was tested using Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results were compared with the properties of the nanocomposite without silver nanoparticles and a colloidal solution of AgNP. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of obtained AgNP against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) ATCC25923 and Escherichia coli (E. coli) ATCC25922 was determined. The physicochemical characterization of Ag/CS/silica nanofibers using various analytical techniques, as well as the applicability of these techniques in the characterization of this type of nanocomposite, is presented. The resulting Ag/CS/silica nanocomposites (Ag/CS/silica nanofibers) were characterized by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The morphology of the AgNP in solution, both initial and extracted from composite, the properties of composites, the size, and crystallinity of the nanoparticles, and the characteristics of the chitosan fibers were determined by electron microscopy (SEM and TEM)

Comparative Analysis of the Functional Properties of Films Based on Carrageenans, Chitosan, and Their Polyelectrolyte Complexes

The influence of the structural features of carrageenan on the functional properties of the films was studied. The carrageenans and chitosan films, as well as three-layer films containing a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) of the two, were prepared. The X-ray diffractograms of carrageenan films reflected its amorphous structure, whereas chitosan and three-layer films were characterized by strong reflection in the regions of 20° and 15° angles, respectively. The SEM of the cross-sectional morphology showed dense packing of the chitosan film, as well as the layer-by-layer structure of different densities for the PEC. Among the tested samples, κ/β-carrageenan and chitosan films showed the highest tensile strength and maximum elongation. Films containing the drug substance echinochrome were obtained. Mucoadhesive properties were assessed as the ability of the films to swell on the mucous tissue and their erosion after contact with the mucosa. All studied films exhibited mucoadhesive properties. All studied films exhibited mucoadhesive properties which depended on the carrageenans structure. Multilayer films are stronger than single-layer carrageenan films due to PEC formation. The resulting puncture strength of the obtained films was comparable to that of commercial samples described in the literature

Cytocompatibility of Bilayer Scaffolds Electrospun from Chitosan/Alginate-Chitin Nanowhiskers

In this work, a bilayer chitosan/sodium alginate scaffold was prepared via a needleless electrospinning technique. The layer of sodium alginate was electrospun over the layer of chitosan. The introduction of partially deacetylated chitin nanowhiskers (CNW) stabilized the electrospinning and increased the spinnability of the sodium alginate solution. A CNW concentration of 7.5% provided optimal solution viscosity and structurization due to electrostatic interactions and the formation of a polyelectrolyte complex. This allowed electrospinning of defectless alginate nanofibers with an average diameter of 200–300 nm. The overall porosity of the bilayer scaffold was slightly lower than that of a chitosan monolayer, while the average pore size of up to 2 μm was larger for the bilayer scaffold. This high porosity promoted mesenchymal stem cell proliferation. The cells formed spherical colonies on the chitosan nanofibers, but formed flatter colonies and monolayers on alginate nanofibers. The fabricated chitosan/sodium alginate bilayer material was deemed promising for tissue engineering applications