Book review: fragile conviction: changing ideological landscapes in urban Kyrgyzstan by Mathijs Pelkmans

In Fragile Conviction: Changing Ideological Landscapes in Urban Kyrgyzstan, Mathijs Pelkmans offers an ethnography of everyday life in a former mining town in southern Kyrgyzstan that focuses on the epistemic and existential crises experienced following the collapse of the Soviet Union, and how this has led to ephemeral faith in different ideologies and religions within the country. Rooted in the author’s deep understanding of Kyrgyz society, this is a complex, well-structured and nuanced text, finds Julia Sinitsky

Design, validation and implementation of a virtual reality high fidelity laparoscopic appendicectomy curriculum

INTRODUCTION: The treatment for acute appendicitis is laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA), usually performed by trainees who face significant challenges to training. Simulation curricula are being increasingly utilised and optimised to accelerate learning and improve skill retention in a safe environment. The aim of this study is to produce and implement a virtual reality (VR) curriculum for laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) on the high-fidelity LAP Mentor VR simulator. METHODOLOGY: Performance data of randomised experts and novices were compared to assess the construct validity of the LAP Mentor basic skills (BS) and LA modules. Face validity of the simulator and module was assessed by questionnaire. These results informed the construction of a VR LA curriculum on an evidence-based theoretical framework. The curriculum was implemented and evaluated by analysis of participant diaries. RESULTS: Thirty-five novices and 25 experienced surgeons performed either BS, five LA procedural tasks or the LA full procedure. Both modules demonstrated construct validity. The LA module was deemed moderately realistic and useful for developing laparoscopic psychomotor skills. Seven novice trainees completed the new LA curriculum (three others dropped out). Analysis of participants diaries revealed the presence of frustration, the benefits of feedback sessions and the advantages and pitfalls of open access. DISCUSSION: Evaluations of the implementation of similar curricula are rare and participant diaries led to critical insights. The curriculum was difficult and sometimes frustrating, mitigated by rewarding experiences and coaching. The latter facilitated deliberate practice. Scheduling issues were mitigated by open access. Limitations of the curricula include the invariability in the presentation of appendicitis, and the reason for dropouts are not known. CONCLUSION: Several BS and all LA tasks are construct-valid. A new VR LA curriculum was implemented and analysis of participant diaries yielded critical insights into real-world implementation. Future study should investigate its effect on real-world performance and patient outcomes

Разнообразие субпопуляций регуляторных Т-клеток

Regulatory T-lymphocytes play a central role in the immunological tolerance system. To date, existence of many different subpopulations of regulatory T-cells have been described. However, a number of questions related to the function, differentiation, and homeostasis of these subpopulations in a body remain unclear. Interactions between the previously discovered pairs of helper and regulatory T-lymphocytes require further study. The main topic is identification and establishment of the functions of regulatory memory cells. Interstitial migration of activated regulatory T-lymphocytes is also a promising direction. In this review, we summarized the main findings in multiple subsets of regulatory T-lymphocytes, discussed unclear data that will require further studies, and  showed an application for regulatory T-lymphocytes in medicine.Регуляторные Т-лимфоциты являются центральными клетками системы иммунологической толерантности. В настоящее время описано существование множества различных субпопуляций регуляторных Т-клеток (Treg), однако большое количество вопросов, касающихся функционального назначения, путей дифференцировки и гомеостаза этих субпопуляций в организме, остаются неизученными. Продемонстрированные ранее пары хелперов и соответствующих им регуляторных Т-лимфоцитов требуют дальнейшего изучения их взаимодействий друг с другом. Актуальной темой является идентификация и установление функций клеток регуляторной памяти. Тканевая миграция активированных регуляторных Т-лимфоцитов также является перспективным направлением. В этом обзоре собраны и систематизированы данные о различных субпопуляциях регуляторных Т-лимфоцитов, выделены актуальные вопросы данной тематики, требующие дальнейшего изучения, а также затронуты пути развития области в клинической медицине

Free radical processes in patients suffering from noncarrying of pregnancy

There have been studied lipid peroxidation and blood serum protein carbonylization results in 30 patients with noncanying of pregnancy and in 30 women with normal reproductive function. In patients with noncarrying pregnancy it was established peroxidation of polar lipids and proteins functioning in water phase activation. At the same time non-polar lipids extracted by heptane in fact do not subject to free-radical impairment. It makes expedient to use antioxidants acting in water phase in course of female rehabilitation after spontaneous miscarriage.Изучены показатели перекисного окисления липидов и карбонилирования белков сыворотки крови у 30 пациенток с невынашиванием беременности и 30 женщин с ненарушенной репродуктивной функцией. У пациенток с невынашиванием беременности установлена активация перекисного окисления полярных липидов и белков, функционирующих в водной фазе. В то же время неполярные липиды, экстрагируемые гептаном, фактически не подвергаются свободнорадикальному повреждению. Это обусловливает целесообразность применения антиоксидантов, действующих в водной фазе, в программе реабилитации женщин после самопроизвольного выкидыша

Coronavirus and my life: What children say

At the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) responded to key questions about the impact of the pandemic on children’s mental health. It highlighted potential anxieties that children and young people may have about the virus and stressed the importance of providing opportunities for them to share their feelings in caring and supportive environments. In response, professionals and parents found creative and child-friendly ways of informing children about Coronavirus as well as supporting them. However, there appeared to be few attempts at involving children in decision-making or at systematically gathering their views and experiences. As a result, Children Heard launched an initiative in March 2020 for children to express their experiences. This featured an online 16-question interview schedule for parents/carers to use with their children, as a means of facilitating a space for expressions both verbally and through art. After six months, 504 children had completed the survey in one of four languages: English, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Slovenian. Children Heard then invited The Open University’s Children’s Research Centre (CRC) to lead the rapid response analysis of the survey responses. The analysis involved two elements, a quantitative analysis of survey responses and a qualitative multi-phase process of thematic analysis. The focus of the analysis was on the 240 children aged 3-12 (48 Early Years and 192 primary school age participants) who took part in the survey. Children in this younger age group are historically neglected in research and continue to be neglected in contemporary research about Coronavirus and the pandemic. The outcome of the analysis and the collaboration between Children Heard and the CRC has led to this report, which highlights children as competent and agentic interpreters of their own lives and focuses attention upon their lived experiences

Genetic basis of anthracyclines cardiotoxicity: Literature review

The purpose of this review was to systematize data on molecular genetic markers of increased risk of cardiotoxic effects, as well as to search for risk and protective variants of candidate genes. Today, the therapy of malignant neoplasms is based on the use of anthracyclines – drugs of the cytostatic mechanism of action. Along with their effectiveness, these drugs can have a cardiotoxic effect on cardiomyocytes by increasing the amount of reactive oxygen species and disrupting mitochondrial biogenesis. Pathological disorders lead to an increased risk of myocardial dysfunction and a number of other cardiovascular pathologies in patients receiving chemotherapy using anthracyclines. The cardiotoxic effect of anthracyclines leads to cardiomyopathy, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and thrombosis. Early detection of cardiotoxic damage leads to reducing the negative effects of these drugs due to changes in chemotherapy tactics. It is known that the risk of cardiotoxic myocardial damage is genetically determined and controlled by more than 80 genes. In this review, the description of basic molecules such as ATP-binding cassette transporters and solute carrier family (SLC transporters), carbonyl reductase, molecules of antioxidant defense, xenobiotic and iron metabolism was performed. In addition, a special attention is paid to the study of epigenetic and post-translational regulation. The available data are characterized by some inconsistency that may be explained by the ethnic differences of the studied populations. Thus, a more detailed research of various ethnic groups, gene-gene interactions between potential candidate genes and epigenetic regulation is necessary. Thus, understanding the contribution of genetic polymorphism to the development of cardiotoxicity will help to assess the individual risks of cardiovascular pathology in patients with various types of cancer, as well as reduce the risk of myocardial damage by developing individual preventive measures and correcting chemotherapy

РОЛЬ МУТАГЕНЕЗА В РАЗВИТИИ АТЕРОСКЛЕРОЗА

Atherosclerosis causing by endothelial dysfunction following vascular inflammation can lead to thrombosis and artery occlusion, resulting in myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or peripheral artery disease. There is a convincing evidence on the impact of endogenous and exogenous mutagenesis in atherosclerosis; therefore, it can be partially considered as a neoplastic process. Here we describe the seminal papers in the field and provide the arguments on the association of mutagenesis with atherosclerosis. In particular, we underline the importance of oxidative stress, telomere dysfunction, DNA damage syndromes, and cytotoxic chemotherapy/radiotherapy. We also consider the therapeutical applications of antimutagens, particularly statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.Атеросклероз, развивающийся в результате вызванного дисфункцией эндотелия внутрисосудистого воспаления и клинически проявляющийся ишемической болезнью сердца, острым нарушением мозгового кровообращения и заболеваниями периферических артерий, продолжает оставаться абсолютно ведущей причиной смертности. За последние четыре десятилетия было накоплено достаточно доказательств роли эндогенного и экзогенного мутагенеза в развитии атеросклероза, что позволяет рассматривать это заболевание как в некоторой степени неопластический процесс. В данном обзоре кратко освещены классические работы в этом направлении и описаны основные аргументы, подтверждающие связь мутагенеза и атеросклероза. К наиболее весомым аргументам можно отнести стимулирование развития атеросклероза активными формами кислорода, нарушение регуляции длины теломер при атеросклерозе и ускоренное развитие атеросклероза у пациентов с наследственными синдромами нарушения репарации ДНК, а также у больных, перенесших химиотерапию и лучевую терапию. Кроме того, проанализированы возможные терапевтические применения знаний о роли мутагенеза в развитии атеросклероза; в частности, подчеркнут антимутагенный эффект статинов и ингибиторов ангиотензинпревращающего фермента, что может быть дополнительной причиной их эффективности в терапии клинических осложнений атеросклероза