ABSTRACT
Background: the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions may be particularly harmful for adolescents;however, evidence about changes in adolescent mental health during the pandemic is inconsistent. The aim was to examine changes in levels of Russian adolescent mental health and rates of substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants and methods: two cohorts of 11–18-year-old adolescents were recruited from Siberian cities in 2015–18 (n = 1774, 47% male) and in 2020–21 (n = 1747, 43% male). Participants completed identical sets of questionnaires: the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Body Image and Eating Distress scale and items on tobacco, alcohol and drug use. We examined the effect of cohort, gender and age using linear models. Results: in the 2020–21 cohort, depression, anxiety and psychosomatic symptoms, total mental health problems and levels of substance use were higher than in the 2015–18 cohort. Increases in emotional symptoms and total mental health problems were similar in both genders, whereas increases in rates of smoking and alcohol use were significant only among girls. Conclusions: the present findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic experience was likely to be stressful for adolescents. Therefore, more research on risk and protective factors of Russian adolescent mental health is needed. The findings also suggest that preventative interventions should be based on gender-specific patterns of adolescent substance use © 2023, Psychiatry (Moscow). All rights reserved
ABSTRACT
Aim of the study: to discuss available information on vaccination of pregnant and breastfeeding women against COVID-19. Pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19 and adverse outcomes due to increased rates of preterm birth, caesarean section, and neonatal admissions to the intensive care unit. Concomitant chronic diseases increase the number of maternal and fetal complications. Taking into account the passive immunization of the newborn by transplacental transfer of maternal protective antibodies into the fetus and newborn blood circulation and then through breast milk, the role of vaccination in pregnant and breastfeeding women increases. Conclusions: after an individual risk-benefit assessment, COVID-19 vaccine should be recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
ABSTRACT
Iron is needed for life-essential processes, but free iron overload causes dangerous clinical consequences. The study of the role of red blood cells (RBCs) in the influence of excess free iron in the blood on the pathological consequences in an organism is relevant. Here, in a direct biophysical experiment in vitro, we studied the action of free iron overload on the packed red blood cell (pRBC) characteristics. In experiments, we incubated pRBCs with the ferrous sulfate solution (Fe2+). Wе used free iron in a wide range of concentrations. High Fe2+ concentrations made us possible to establish the pattern of the toxic effect of excess iron on pRBCs during a reduced incubation time in a biophysical experiment in vitro. It was found that excess free iron causes changes in pRBC morphology, the appearance of bridges between cells, and the formation of clots, increasing the membrane stiffness and methemoglobin concentration. We created a kinetic model of changes in the hemoglobin derivatives. The complex of simultaneous distortions of pRBCs established in our experiments can be taken into account when studying the mechanism of the toxic influence of excess free iron in the blood on pathological changes in an organism.
ABSTRACT
In the context of widespread digitalization of businesses and academia due to COVID-19, the new effective tool has become necessary to drive innovations. This paper observes the international scientific experiment VRE-IP that tested the hypothesis of the advantages of using virtual reality for teamwork, creativity, and innovation. VRE-IP experiment was based on design thinking methodology and supported SAP innovation process. The analysis of the trends of using virtual reality for educational and business development goals, and VRE-IP experiment revealed that employing virtual reality technology to organize workshops, distant meetings, plenary reports, and other tasks is exceptionally efficient, improves the engagement rate and creativity and contributes to the process of innovative ideas stimulation. The experiment also demonstrated the need for building a hybrid model for teamwork. The combination of traditional teamwork instruments and virtual technologies is proposed as the most sustainable and systematic model for online collaboration at the current stage of technological development. © 2022, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
In all developed countries, the creation of high-quality jobs, the acquisition of professional skills by employees, and the improvement of their skills are considered as a key link in solving the problem of ensuring sustainable economic growth [1, p. 4]. In Russia, this problem is superimposed on the aging of the population [2], which causes the acceleration of the reduction of its labor force and increases the value of the contribution of each employee [3, p. 2]. The analysis of the current state of adult education and the barriers to adult education in Russia is becoming increasingly relevant. The experience of developed countries, as well as the experience of Eastern Europe, can be used to develop a state strategy for adult education in rapidly changing technological conditions (Industry 4.0) and critical conditions of society (the spread of the Covid-19 virus infection). © 2021 IEEE.