FIT FOR THE FUTURE - MODERNISATION OF MASTER CURRICULUM IN ICT FOR ENHANCING STUDENT EMPLOYABILITY IN BELARUS

The Belarusian ICT industry grows fast, but the full potential has not been reached yet. To increase the ICT industry’s position as a central soil for the Belarusian economy, factors that hinder further growth, need to be identified and improved. Two of such factors are the inefficient dialogue between the ICT industry and higher education and a rather passive role of universities in framing trends on the market. This paper describes the concept and the implementation plan of the Erasmus+-project “Modernisation of Master Curriculum in ICT for Enhancing Student Employability in Belarus” (MaCICT). MaCICT is aimed to enhance the employability of ICT master students, foster entrepreneurship and establishment of SMEs in the ICT industry, and to upscale the position of higher education. For this, MaCICT updates the ICT study programmes to become more labor market and society oriented, practice-based, and student-centered. This forces universities to combine the traditional professional skills and competencies with soft and transferable skills and to focus more on multidisciplinary studies and internationalization of the study environment

Cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: prevalence, pathogenetic mechanisms, the effect of antidiabetic drugs

In recent years, a large amount of data has been accumulated on the relationship between cognitive impairment, dementia and diabetes mellitus. This article presents an overview of modern literature, including the definition of cognitive functions, the modern classification of cognitive impairment, pathogenetic mechanisms of diabetes mellitus influence on the development of cognitive impairment and dementia (neurogenesis, integrity of the blood-brain barrier, systemic inflammatory reactions, hyper- and hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, vascular dysfunction of the microvasculature and increase in glucocorticosteroids). The influence of anti-diabetic medications on cognitive functions has been examined in detail: insulin preparations, oral hypoglycemic agents of the biguanide group (metformin), thiazolidinediones (rosiglitazone and pioglitazone), sulfonylurea derivatives (glycazide, glipizide), a-glucosidase (acarbose) inhibitors, incretin-directed therapy (receptor agonists glucan-like peptide (exenatide and liraglutide) and inhibitors of dipeptidylpeptidase type 4 (sitagliptin, vildagliptin and alogliptin)), sodium glucose inhibitors cotransporter type 2. The data demonstrating a multidirectional effect on the cognitive functions of various antidiabetic drugs is presented, the possible influence on the rate of progression of cognitive impairment and the risk of dementia of intensive control of plasma glucose level in comparison with the standard decrease in patients with type 2 diabetes is analyzed

Psychosocial aspects of the usage of modern technologies in diabetes mellitus

This article represents a review of trials on the relationship between the use of modern technologies in the treatment of diabetes, such as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and the psychological characteristics of patients. The review includes Russian studies and foreign publications. The analysis showed that the psychological aspects of using CSII are considered more often than CGM. Most Russian authors agree that the use of technology is associated with an increased psychological well-being of patients. Foreign researchers generally agree with the same point of view but also report a weaker correlation. One of the most significant conclusions of this analysis is that the use of modern technologies itself does not guarantee an improved quality of life (QOL) and psychological well-being, but technologies such as CSII and CGM provide patients with opportunities to achieve greater effectiveness in treating diabetes, improving clinical and metabolic parameters and therefore improving QOL. However, the use of these devices, as well as many other technological tools, is associated with certain psychological problems, both in terms of their acquisition and influence on patients’ subjective well-being. Early diagnosis and prevention of such problems should be one of the tasks in preparing patients for the use of modern technologies. A positive effect on both clinical and metabolic indicators as well as on the mental sphere and social life of patients can be achieved only by combining complete training (optimally—according to specialised programmes) with medical support

Molecular Diagnostics of Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a systemic fungal disease that occurs worldwide. The highest incidence of the disease is reported on the American continent. It also occurs in China, India, South-Eastern Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. Clinical syndromes of histoplasmosis are not specific and in most cases immunocompetent individuals are asymptomatic or present mild influenza-like disease. Immunocompromised patients especially individuals with AIDS, can develop a severe and fatal disease due to fungal dissemination to many organs. Etiological agent of histoplasmosis is the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, which inhabits the soils contaminated with bird or bat droppings. Three biological varieties are considered for this fungus: H. capsulatum var. capsulatum, H. capsulatum var. duboissii and H. capsulatum var. farciminosum. Genetic differences are observed among H. capsulatum strains from diverse regions of the world. The main molecular methodologies for genetic typing of fungi are based on DNA fingerprinting. They have been an important instrument to identify possible sources of infection in outbreaks of histoplasmosis. Genetic profiles of H. capsulatum, isolated from bats and humans, helped to understand the distribution of the disease in certain endemic regions. The con-ventional diagnosis of histoplasmosis is performed by means of cultural and microscopic examination of samples from the respiratory tract and biologic fluids. However, these techniques yield positive results in only 50 % of cases. In the last two decades, approaches for the detecting of H. capsulatum in clinical samples, using different molecular targets, based on PCR assay have been developed. Their use can shorten the time span of analysis for diagnosis confirmation. Molecular methods have high specificity and sensitivity and reduce the risk of infection for the laboratory personnel. In this study we reviewed the recently published data on the use of main molecular methods for diagnosis of histoplasmosis

Prioritizing Environmental Issues around the World: Opinions from an International Central and Eastern European Environmental Health Conference

BACKGROUND: As the next generation of scientists enters the field of environmental health, it is imperative that they view their contributions in the context of global environmental stewardship. In this commentary, a group of international graduate students facilitated by three experienced environmental health scientists present their views on what they consider to be the global environmental health concerns of today. This group convened initially in October 2004 at an international health conference in Prague, Czech Republic. OBJECTIVES: In this report we identify perceived environmental health concerns that exist around the world, with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe. Additionally, we address these perceived problems and offers some potential solutions. DISCUSSION: At the meeting, students were invited to participate in two panel discussions. One group of young international scientists identified several significant global environmental health concerns, including air pollution, occupational hazards, and risk factors that may exacerbate current environmental health issues. The second panel determined that communication, education, and regulation were the mechanisms for addressing current environmental challenges. CONCLUSIONS: In this commentary we expand on the views presented at the meeting and represent the concerns of young investigators from nine different countries. We provide ideas about and support the exchange of information between developed and developing countries on how to handle the environmental health challenges that face the world today

Multiple Wavelength InGaAs Quantum Dot Lasers Using Ion Implantation Induced Intermixing

We demonstrate multiple wavelength InGaAs quantum dot lasers using ion implantation induced intermixing. Proton implantation, followed by annealing is used to create differential interdiffusion in the active region of the devices. The characteristics (lasing-spectra, threshold currents and slope efficiencies) of the multi-wavelength devices are compared to those of as-grown devices and the differences are explained in terms of altered energy level spacing in the annealed quantum dots

Маркеры активности экзогенных интерстициальных заболеваний легких

The aim of this study was to investigate values of pulmonary fibrosis markers alveomucin and KL-16 and the airway damage marker CC-16 for evaluating activity and progressing of extrinsic interstitial lung diseases (ILD) in dependence on etiology. Methods. Levels of Krebs von den Lungen-6 glycoprotein (KL-6), alveomucin and Clara cell protein (CC16) were measured using the ELISA method. The study involved 13 patients with pneumoconiosis, 26 patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) and 20 patients with extrinsic toxic alveolitis (ETA) both in active and stable status. Results. KL-6 and alveomucin were found to be more valuable markers for assessing activity of extrinsic fibrosing alveolitis compared to CC16. Alveomucin had higher specificity but lower sensitivity compared to KL-6. Conclusion. Alveomucin could be used as a screening test in cases with clinical susceptibility for extrinsic alveolitis. On contrary, KL-6 and alveomucin could be used for assessing therapeutic efficacy of EAA and ETA.Уровень гликопротеина Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), альвеоломуцина и белка булавчатых клеток (club cells) – СС16 при экзогенных интерстициальных заболеваниях легких был исследован методом иммуноферментного анализа. Обследованы больные пневмокониозом (n = 13), экзогенным аллергическим (n = 26) и экзогенным токсическим (n = 20) альвеолитом в период активности и ремиссии заболевания. Установлено, что KL-6 и альвеоломуцин являются более информативными маркерами для оценки активности экзогенных фиброзирующих альвеолитов по сравнению с СС16. Альвеоломуцин обладает более высокой специфичностью, но меньшей чувствительностью, чем KL-6, и может применяться для скринингового исследования при подозрении на экзогенные альвеолиты. Для оценки эффективности терапии экзогенных аллергических и токсических альвеолитов целесообразно мониторировать уровень KL-6 и альвеоломуцина сыворотки крови

Mechanisms of gap gene expression canalization in the Drosophila blastoderm

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Extensive variation in early gap gene expression in the <it>Drosophila </it>blastoderm is reduced over time because of gap gene cross regulation. This phenomenon is a manifestation of canalization, the ability of an organism to produce a consistent phenotype despite variations in genotype or environment. The canalization of gap gene expression can be understood as arising from the actions of attractors in the gap gene dynamical system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In order to better understand the processes of developmental robustness and canalization in the early <it>Drosophila </it>embryo, we investigated the dynamical effects of varying spatial profiles of Bicoid protein concentration on the formation of the expression border of the gap gene <it>hunchback</it>. At several positions on the anterior-posterior axis of the embryo, we analyzed attractors and their basins of attraction in a dynamical model describing expression of four gap genes with the Bicoid concentration profile accounted as a given input in the model equations. This model was tested against a family of Bicoid gradients obtained from individual embryos. These gradients were normalized by two independent methods, which are based on distinct biological hypotheses and provide different magnitudes for Bicoid spatial variability. We showed how the border formation is dictated by the biological initial conditions (the concentration gradient of maternal Hunchback protein) being attracted to specific attracting sets in a local vicinity of the border. Different types of these attracting sets (point attractors or one dimensional attracting manifolds) define several possible mechanisms of border formation. The <it>hunchback </it>border formation is associated with intersection of the spatial gradient of the maternal Hunchback protein and a boundary between the attraction basins of two different point attractors. We demonstrated how the positional variability for <it>hunchback </it>is related to the corresponding variability of the basin boundaries. The observed reduction in variability of the <it>hunchback </it>gene expression can be accounted for by specific geometrical properties of the basin boundaries.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We clarified the mechanisms of gap gene expression canalization in early <it>Drosophila </it>embryos. These mechanisms were specified in the case of <it>hunchback </it>in well defined terms of the dynamical system theory.</p

Prioritizing Environmental Issues around the World: Opinions from an International Central & Eastern European Environmental Health Conference

BackgroundAs the next generation of scientists enters the field of environmental health, it is imperative that they view their contributions in the context of global environmental stewardship. In this commentary, a group of international graduate students facilitated by three experienced environmental health scientists present their views on what they consider to be the global environmental health concerns of today. This group convened initially in October 2004 at an international health conference in Prague, Czech Republic.ObjectivesIn this report we identify perceived environmental health concerns that exist around the world, with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe. Additionally, we address these perceived problems and offers some potential solutions.DiscussionAt the meeting, students were invited to participate in two panel discussions. One group of young international scientists identified several significant global environmental health concerns, including air pollution, occupational hazards, and risk factors that may exacerbate current environmental health issues. The second panel determined that communication, education, and regulation were the mechanisms for addressing current environmental challenges.ConclusionsIn this commentary we expand on the views presented at the meeting and represent the concerns of young investigators from nine different countries. We provide ideas about and support the exchange of information between developed and developing countries on how to handle the environmental health challenges that face the world today

CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTOIMMUNE INFLAMMATION IN THE PATIENTS WITH LUNG TUBERCULOSIS

Tuberculosis is a granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, being characterized by the development of caseous granulomas in various organs, mainly in lungs. M. tuberculosis is known to be a trigger for autoimmune inflammation, due to the possible mimicry of bacterial proteins as autoantigens. Recently, a significance of mesenchymal vimentin as an autoantigen in mycobacterial infections has been actively discussed. The aim of the present study was to determine autoantibodies for various vimentin modifications in the patients with tuberculosis.The study was performed in 2014-2017 and included 28 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (group I), 30 patients with nonspecific lung diseases (group II): 15 with granulomatous polyangiitis, and 15 with different alveolites. Control group consisted of healthy subjects (n = 40). Concentration of antibodies to mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) was measured using ELISA (ORGENTEC, Germany). The patients with elevated anti-MCV levels were tested for antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) using ELISA technique (EUROIMMUN, Germany). Statistical analysis was carried out using GraphPad Prism 6 (GraphPad Software, USA), Statistica 10 (Statsoft, USA) using nonparametric analysis of samples with Mann-Whitney and Chi-square criteria, and Spearman method for correlation analysis. The differences were considered statistically significant at p &lt; 0.05.The anti-MCV concentrations were significantly higher in patients with tuberculosis (group I, 60.7% of cases, 17/28) than in group II, and control group (23.6 and 25.0% of cases, respectively). No statistically significant differences were revealed between the results of anti-MVC and anti-CCP levels in comparison group with the control group (p = 0.18).High levels of anti-MCV antibodies in the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis reflect an opportunity of developing autoimmune process in the disease pathogenesis. Measurement of plasma anti-MCV antibody concentrations may be important for correction of the therapy, especially upon administration of immunosuppressive and hormonal corticosteroid drugs. It has been shown that anti-CCP are not characteristic to the lung diseases