Biological Olympiads in the USSR

Biological Olympiads are the sort of intellectual competition widely spread nowadays, especially among high school students. Olympiads, often an integral part of the curriculum, stimulate the pupils\u27 interest in acquiring knowledge and help to evaluate the level of their knowledge. Biological Olympiads in this country differ greatly from the science Olympiad in the USA. First of all, they include only biological material and can be compared only with USA Science Olympiad events such as A is for Anatomy, Bio-Process Lab, Designer Genes or Don\u27t Bug Me. Secondly, it is a personal competition with no official teams. Current Olympiads start at the school level and the winners take part in local and then federal Olympiads

Botanicals as Prospective Agents Against SARS-CoV-2 Virus

The COVID-19 high morbidity and mortality resulted in a worldwide healthcare emergency that triggered accelerated and amplified efforts in the relevant areas of health sciences research and practice. Purpose: To assess the potential role of botanicals as therapeutic agents against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Methods: This narrative review examined the potential role of botanicals as therapeutic agents against the SARS-CoV-2 virus based on the references limited to the English language and published up to February 2022 and retrieved from common academic search engines using multiple keywords and their combinations. The scientific names of plant species were confirmed using World Flora Online (https://wfoplantlist.org/). Results: The role of botanicals in targeting druggable points in the virus replication cycle has been evaluated. This includes the potential role of phytochemicals and medicinal plant concoctions in preventing the virus from entering the cell. Furthermore, the agents have been shown to hinder the attachment of S protein to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, block RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase, inhibit 3-chymotrypsin like protease, main protease, neuraminidase, and other enzymes involved in virus replication. Special attention was played to the role of botanicals as immunomodulators and adaptogens. Conclusion: Botanicals have a high potential as prospective agents in managing viral diseases. Botanicals\u27 mode of action(s) may be based on their direct interference with the virus\u27s ability to enter human cells, virus replication, or their activation of the immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory responses. In addition, the adjuvant treatments with botanicals have the potential to result in advances in symptom resolution, decrease disease burden and shorten disease duration

The Pedagogical Value of Mobile Devices and Content-Specific Application Software in the A&P Laboratory

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pedagogical utility of mobile devices and content-specific application software in the Anatomy and Physiology laboratory. Four core topics were examined: Tissues and Integument, Skeletal System, Muscle System, and the Heart. Five lab instructors were involved; each instructor taught one “experimental” lab section where students used mobile devices with histology and anatomy apps, and taught a second “control” lab section in which students used their lab manuals. The experimental students’ metacognitive responses were measured via exit surveys; the instructors were also surveyed and interviewed. Using a Likert-type scale we analyzed the student response, which indicated that overall the students reacted positively to the digital technology in the lab, felt that this modality was effective in motivating them to learn the subject matter, and considered the apps to be more effective as a learning tool than the lab manual

New strategy for the search of natural biologically active substances.

The modern pharmaceutics actively screens an immense diversity of substances occurring in plants and other natural resources in the search for new effective medicinal agents. The Global Institute for Bioexploration (GIBEX) established by joint efforts of Rutgers University and the University of Illinois (United States) represents the organizational core of international scientific community whose activity is directed towards the search and development of new medicinal preparations from natural raw materials. The basis of GIBEX activity is the transfer of modern screening technologies to countries and geographical regions characterized by remarkable biodiversity. The GIBEX goals are to encourage the search for new natural biologically active substances, to maintain biodiversity, and to monitor the natural resources conservation

Insights Into Using Plants in Management of Viral Diseases.

Botanical therapeutics possess a unique potential in the treatment of viral diseases. The pharmacological base and clinical use of botanical therapeutics have been extensively reviewed. The mode of action(s) may be built either on the direct interference with the virus\u27s ability to enter human cells, virus replication, or exerting immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. The adjuvant treatment with botanical therapeutics has the potential to result in advances in symptom resolution, decrease in disease burden and shortening its duration

Biodiversity of medicinal plants in the highlands: problems and perspectives

Climate change is affecting medicinal plants around the world and could ultimately lead to losses of some key species, in particular species endemic to a region and causing plants to migrate to new ranges. As the situation unfolds, climate change may become a pressing issue for the herbal community, affecting medicinal plant supply chains with varying requirements for plant cultivation, resource management in the wild, harvesting, processing, and importantly marketing

Artificial Intelligence: moving forward to a new era of education

Educational apps and interactive digital content have become commonplace. These platforms have ushered in a revolution in education by providing a versatile digital toolkit. They now incorporate advanced assessment mechanisms, including machine learning-based grading. This revolution has paved the way for blended and online learning approaches, enhancing accessibility and flexibility in higher education. It is also undeniable that the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated the adoption of remote and online learning technologies. The internet connects students to a global repository of knowledge. AI, exemplified by ChatGPT, can perform exceptionally well in the classroom and can even become a potential replacement for lecturers. While the potential threats of AI have been discussed extensively, there is also a point of view that AI can be seen as a productivity tool that assists in assignments and presentations, akin to tools used for creating charts and graphs. With the assistance of AI, students can develop critical skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity, which are increasingly vital for addressing complex societal challenges. Consequently, pedagogical approaches in pharmacy education need to adapt and align with the opportunities offered by technology. Technology in education is more than content delivery and formative assessments, it should encourage individual inquiry, investigation, and discovery, thus promoting a deeper understanding of subjects

Pulling the Plug on Microscopes in the Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory

Virtual microscopy (VM) has been widely available for more than a decade, especially in clinical settings and medical schools. In recent years the movement away from conventional optical microscopy (OM) and towards VM has been accelerating and several VM websites are now available online and readily accessible to educators. VM can enhance the instructor’s ability to teach the histology component of anatomy and physiology classes, facilitate student learning, save time for both students and instructors, and ultimately save money that can be more productively used for other facets of the laboratory. The many pedagogical and practical advantages provided by VM suggest that now is the time for undergraduate anatomy and physiology programs to consider a transition to VM

Etiology and Clinical Patterns of Uveitis at Three Ophthalmic Clinics in Tajikistan

A prospective observational study was conducted at three ophthalmic clinics to assess the clinical patterns and etiology of uveitis in the Central Asia Republic of Tajikistan. All patients underwent physical and ophthalmologic examinations. Extensive efforts were made to determine the etiology of uveitis, including workups for Behçet\u27s Disease (BD) and Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) syndrome. All patients were tested for the presence of HLA-B27. Presence and/or history of tuberculosis and syphilis were ruled out. HSV, CMV, Chlamydia trachomatis and HIV antibody titers were determined by ELISA. Uveitis was diagnosed in 51 patient ages 14 to 60 were with women accounted for 60.8%. Bilateral uveitis was presented in 74.5% cases and dominated in all age groups. Seven HLA-B27-positive patients had isolated uveitis without systemic manifestations and five had uveitis associated with spondyloarthritis (SpA). In total, uveitis was associated most commonly with SpA (23.5%), BD (9.8%), and VKH syndrome (5.9%). In 41.2% of uveitis cases, etiology was unknown. Conclusions: The overall clinical patterns and etiology of uveitis in Tajikistan are comparable to those reported from outside the Central Asia region. Bilateral uveitis dominated in all age groups with HLA-B27-positive uveitis present in 23.5% of patients and more common in men

Can Avicenna Help Manage the Diabetes Epidemic in Central Asia?

Objectives: The fast-rising rate of diabetes incidents is a growing concern in Central Asian countries. This article reviews the current understanding of type 2 diabetes etiology, progression and treatment options along with opportunities for utilizing Avicenna’s legacy in developing novel botanical therapeutics. Methods: Analysis of relevant publications, including a variety of Avicenna’s work in Arabic, English and Russian. Results: With conventional treatment strategy shifting from single-component drugs aimed at one target to multitherapeutic combinations addressing the complex nature of many diseases and conditions, the role of multicomponent botanical preparations may increase. Diabetes mellitus is a serious chronic, progressive disease characterized by hyperglycemia, which is associated with a variety of comorbidities because of considerable damage, dysfunction and failure of multiple organs developed through the disease’s progression. Multidisciplinary collaborative research that encompasses innovative tools could be used for effective development of new comprehensive therapeutic products and treatments based on knowledge of traditional medicine and supported by contemporary scientific validation. Conclusion: Comprehensive analysis of Avicenna’s 1,000-year-old approach to the treatment of prediabetes and diabetes provides valuable directions in the search for plant-based treatments. Botanical therapeutics may provide relatively inexpensive and safe methods for diabetes treatment