Petersburg Residents Research Articles

Event communication of university museums and scientific organizations (based on the experience of the “Night of Museums – 2024” in St. Petersburg)

The article is devoted to the consideration of event communication using the example of participation in the all-Russian event “Night of Museums” by museums of universities and scientific organizations of St. Petersburg in 2024. A sociological survey of St. Petersburg residents showed sufficient awareness of the “Night of Museums” event: every second person knows both about the event and about its holding in 2024 in the Northern capital. However, those wishing to take part in it in 2024 did not exceed 20%, especially to visit museums of universities and scientific institutions (2%). Analyzing the category ‘event communication’ at the intersection of methodological approaches of political science and discourse science, the author considers it promising to study the mutual influence of three discursive constructs: museum discourse – discourse of state memory policy – discourse of national identity, considered in relation to modern political realities of Russia in the context of the implementation of the national security strategy.

Comprehensive analysis of the perception of commemoration sites by St. Petersburg residents

The paper represents the author’s model of comprehensive analysis of perception, as well as the experience of using it to diagnose the perception of the commemoration sites by the residents of St. Petersburg and to identify the features of perception os such places by “generation Z” representatives. Perception in the work is considered as a complex phenomenon, whereas the subject of perception records the formal, meaningful and dynamic parameters of object, forms, and then represents (returns) its image. To assess the characteristics of the perception process, the author use the approach based on three types of analysis: phenomenological, structural, dynamic. Commemoration sites are considered as objects typical of the natural, psychosocial and social environment. The field study is based on the survey of residents of St. Petersburg of four generations are presented (from “generation Z” to “generation raised in the USSR”). Such stratification allows us to consider the space of memory of St. Petersburg through the prism of the transfer of social capital. The study used locations identified by respondents as commemoration sites. Based on the results of the analysis of the respondents’ answers, the authors obtained the results showing the reproduction of commemoration sites as social, historical and cultural objects of perception, noted the evolution of the semantic load on individual locations, and confirmed the hypothesis about the preservation of the basic model of perception in all generations.

ФАКТОРЫ ОНЛАЙН-ДОВЕРИЯ ПРИ ОБЩЕНИИ С РЕГИОНАЛЬНЫМИ ВЛАСТЯМИ: НА ПРИМЕРЕ САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГА

Regional governments commonly use e-government technologies when setting out to deliver value to the public. While the use of technology has become a standard of modern public management, risks and limitations associated with its use, such as lack of trust from constituents, need to be carefully examined in light of city experiences, an endeavor that is still scarcely undertaken in the context of smart city initiatives. This paper examines trust regarding online platform usage in St. Petersburg, Russia. The research questionnaire was based on a set of variables that characterize the experience of using information technologies in different areas and in terms of attitudes towards them. A survey of 800 St. Petersburg residents was conducted (the sampling error does not exceed 4%, the confidence level is 95%) and statistical methods (correlation analysis, multiple regression, principal component analysis) were applied. Findings suggest that online trust is multidimensional and influenced by factors related to positive perceptions of institutions, political efficacy of online initiatives, and satisfactory past experience. The implications of these findings and future directions are presented in the context of the e-government research agenda.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ТРАНСПОРТНОЙ РЕФОРМЫ НА ВЫБОР СПОСОБА ПЕРЕМЕЩЕНИЯ ПО ГОРОДУ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГА)

More and more cities in Russia and around the world are following the path of reforming public transportation (PT) system to solve the problem of traffic congestion. Transport reforms imply significant changes in the transportation system, e. g., a change in the economic model of PT organization, changes in the route network configuration, and integration of various PT modes. Significant changes have taken place in the transport system of St. Petersburg under the sign of a transportation reform in 2022. The aim of this study is to analyze changes in the transport behavior of the St. Petersburg residents after the implementation of the transportation reform and compare them with the target indicators. The data for this study were collected in two stages: in March 2022, before the start of changes in the city’s transport system, and in April 2023, a year after the PT reform launch. Based on their analysis and benchmarking, possible further directions in the development of the St. Petersburg system are discussed.

Distribution Peculiarities of Y-Chromosome Haplogroups in the Population of St. Petersburg in Connection with the Problem of Creation Reference Data Bases

In the sample of male residents of St. Petersburg, Y-chromosome haplogroups were determined by genotyping 18 STR Y-chromosome (DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS19, DYS385A, DYS385B, DYS456, DYS437, DYS438, DYS447, DYS448, DYS449, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS439, DYS635 and DYS576) and data on genetic demography were collected by means of a questionnaire. The distribution of Y-chromosome haplogroups in St. Petersburg residents generally corresponds to the published data on Russian gene pool, with the most frequent haplogroups R1a, R1b, E1b1b1, N, T, I1, I2, J1 and J2, and with the predominance of haplogroup R1a. The presence of “southern by origin” haplogroups (C3, G2a, G2c, J1, J2, L, O2, O3, Q, R2 and T) entering the megalopolis with a flow of migrants, with a total frequency of 16% (in Moscow – 18.1%) was noted. A comparative analysis of the frequency distributions of Y-chromosome haplogroups in residents of St. Petersburg and Moscow revealed statistically significant differences in the frequency of haplogroup E1b1b1, and differences in the ratio of I1 and I2, determined by geographic position. Based on the survey data, a sample of Russian men who had no ancestors of another ethnicity in the male line in the two previous generations was formed. Significant differences in the frequency of “southern-origin” haplogroups were established between the initial sample of residents of St. Petersburg (16%) and the sample of men with Russian ancestors in two previous generations (4.1%). The obtained result confirms the spectrum of haplogroups of “southern origin” as penetrating into the gene pool of the population of a megalopolis with migrant flows and indicates the need for genetic and demographic questionnaires when forming reference databases for a megalopolis, as well as for their timely updating due to changes in the gene pool under the influence of migration.

Formation of civil orientations of social competence of the younger generation (on the example of the activities of the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian schoolchildren’s movement)

This article analyzes the process of formation of civic guidelines of social competence of the younger generation on the example of the Russian Schoolchildren’s Movement (RSM). The materials of a qualitative research conducted on the basis of the St. Petersburg branch of RSM in 2022 are presented, in the course of which the practices related to civic education of young St. Petersburg residents were investigated in detail. The significant role of RSM in the process of educating future citizens of the Russian Federation is shown. It is emphasized that, despite the presence of shortcomings and “birth traumas” in its activities, RSM successfully creates new forms of representation of civic guidelines in the context of the formation of social competence of the younger generation, as well as provides participants with a wide range of directions and types of activities. The author also made a conclusion about the dominance of models based on the value of patriotism among the civic orientations of social competence in RSM activities, as well as about the prevalence of representations of patriotism inextricably linked to military themes, especially the events of the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945. At the same time, the tendencies of “fatigue” from the above narratives have been identified, which may indicate the need to search for new forms of representation of civic values in the context of the formation of social competence of the younger generation.

Association of fecal zonulin and calprotectin levels with cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage in a sample of patients with metabolic disorders

Surrogate markers quantifying the severity of intestinal inflammation (fecal calprotectin) and permeability (fecal zonulin) are currently considered nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors.Aim. To study the associations of fecal zonulin and calprotectin levels with cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage among participants with metabolic disorders from a population sample of St. Petersburg residents aged 35-75 years.Material and methods. In-depth phenotyping was performed on patients from a cohort of St. Petersburg residents metabolic disorders (overweight, hyperglycemia) invited for reexamination as part of the ESSE-RF epidemiological study. All patients underwent a questionnaire examination (physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, sleep, stress, anxiety and depression, assessment of digestive system complaints, frequency of food consumption). In addition, blood pressure and pulse measurements, anthropometry, biochemical and hormonal blood tests, echocardiography, applanation tonometry, volume sphygmography, duplex carotid scanning, and determination of fecal zonulin and calprotectin levels were carried out.Results. The examined cohort (n=86; mean age, 56 [44,7;63,5] years; men, 49,5%) was characterized by a high prevalence of abdominal obesity (80,2%), dyslipidemia (low-density lipoproteins >3 mmol/l — 76,7%, triglycerides ³1,7 mmol/l — 43%, total cholesterol >4,9 mmol/l — 77,9%) and insulin resistance (64%) with slight sex differences. An increase in calprotectin occurs in 23,3% of patients, zonulin — in 30,3%, while an increase in calprotectin and/or zonulin occurs in almost half of those examined (47,7%). Fecal calprotectin levels are associated with indicators of dyslipidemia, obesity, inflammation and atherosclerotic vascular disease, as well as dietary patterns and socioeconomic indicators. Zonulin levels are associated with N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide levels and the presence of vitamin D deficiency, gallbladder disease, and dietary patterns.Conclusion. Increase of at least one marker of intestinal permeability and inflammation occur in approximately half of the participants with metabolic disorders from a population sample of St. Petersburg residents. In addition to the association of calprotectin and zonulin with metabolic risk factors and dietary patterns, calprotectin levels were associated with atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries.

Favorable pattern of arterial stiffness and vascular aging in a unique cohort of offspring of early life famine survivors

The impact of adverse factors in the early life can affect the rate of vascular aging in adulthood and be passed on to the next generations.Aim. To study the characteristics of arterial stiffness and vascular aging phenotypes in two generations of descendants (children and grandchildren) of the siege of Leningrad survivors, compared to a control group.Material and methods. Residents of the siege of Leningrad who experienced famine during early childhood in the Great Patriotic War (19411944) underwent examination between 2009 and 2014. In 2020-2021, 76 descendants of Leningrad siege survivors, aged 18 to 63 years (children — 54 (first generation) and grandchildren — 22 (second generation)), without diagnosed cardiovascular diseases, were examined. Questioning, measurement of blood pressure (BP) and biochemical blood tests were carried out. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) was determined using the VaSera VS-1500 system (Fukuda Denshi, Japan). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) was assessed using applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor, AtCor, Australia). The phenomenon of supernormal vascular aging was diagnosed with cfPWV £10th percentile of the reference European population, normal vascular aging with cfPWV of 10th-90th percentiles, and early vascular aging with cfPWV ³90th percentile, taking into account age and BP (MattaceRaso F et al., 2010). Several control respondents from the ESSE-RF study (St. Petersburg residents aged 25-64 years) were selected for each descendant, considering generation, sex, age, and BMI. The statistical significance of results was adjusted for multiple comparisons.Results. The average age of descendants of Leningrad blockade survivors was 50 [36,7-55,0] years, which was comparable to the controls, who were 51 [37,5-55,0] years old (p=0,44). The proportion of men in the samples was also comparable — 43,4% vs 42,3% (p=0,88). The cfPWV values were similar in the study and control groups (p=0,4). Only CAVI values were lower in descendants compared to controls, with significant differences observed only in the first generation, regardless of sex (men — 7,6 [7,1;8,3] in the experimental group vs 8,6 [7,6;9,3] in the control group, p=0,02; women — 7,2 [6,7;7,8] in the experimental group vs 7,8 [7,3;8,2] in the control group, p=0,03). The phenotype of early vascular aging was found only in one participant from the experimental group, while the phenomenon of supernormal vascular aging was significantly more prevalent in the age group of 40-49 years in descendants of Leningrad blockade survivors compared to the control group — 25% vs 0% (p=0,01).Conclusion. Only in the first generation of descendants of Leningrad blockade survivors, a favorable pattern of arterial stiffness and a tendency towards a higher prevalence of supernormal vascular aging were observed compared to the control group.

Частота генотипа гиполактазии взрослых (первичной лактазной недостаточности) у больных хроническим полипозным риносинуситом

An assumption has been made about the role of lactase deficiency in the pathogenesis of polypous rhinosinusitis in the domestic literature. Objective. A pilot study of the frequency of carriage of the genetic marker of adult hypolactasia of the C/C(-13910) polymorphism of the MCM6 gene in patients with chronic polypous rhinosinusitis; analysis of modern literature data on the prevalence of C/T(-13910) polymorphism of the MCM6 gene in the population of the European part of Russia. Patients and methods. 16 Caucasian patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) were examined. The prevalence of the nasal polyposis was assessed on the basis of computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses, the determination of the genetic marker of the C/T(-13910) polymorphism of the MCM6 gene was determined by real-time PCR. Results. Severe course of CRSwNP based on CT data of the paranasal sinuses was established in 69% of cases. Concomitant pathology of the respiratory tract was detected in 75% of patients: a combination of CRSwNP, bronchial asthma (BA), and allergic rhinitis (AR) 31%; CRSwNP and BA 19%; CRSwNP and AR 25% of cases. The CC genotype associated with primary hypolactasia was detected in 37.5% of cases. The genotypes associated with lactase persistence were established: CT in 56.25%, TT in 6.25% of patients. Allele frequency C 0.65, T 0.34. The distribution of genotype frequencies corresponds to the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium distribution (χ2 test 0.97, Hardy–Weinberg exact equilibrium test p = 0.43). 67% of carriers of the CC genotype in patients with CRSwNP did not have any clinical signs of lactase deficiency. Among 3 patients with CRSwNP who noted intestinal discomfort after eating dairy products, CC genotype was in 2 people (33% of genotype carriers), CT in 1 patient (11% of heterozygotes). Conclusion. The frequency of carriage of the CC genotype of the single nucleotide polymorphism C/T (-13910) of the MCM6 gene associated with low lactase activity in patients with CRSwNP (Saint Petersburg residents) was detected at the level of 37.5%, which does not exceed the prevalence of the primary hypolactasia genotype in the general population of the European part of Russia.

ИНФРАСТРУКТУРНЫЕ ВЫЗОВЫ ГЛОБАЛЬНЫХ ГОРОДОВ: ПРИМЕР ТРАНСПОРТНОЙ СИСТЕМЫ САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГА

One of the consequences of globalization in the second half of the twentieth century has been the emergence of global cities, a key characteristic of which is their attractiveness to foreign direct investment. Global cities are tightly integrated into the international flow of financial and human capital, goods, and services, and for this reason, the economy of global cities is the most vulnerable to global challenges. The deterioration in the city’s economy has a negative impact on the state of the city’s infrastructure, an integral part of which is the city’s transport system. Thus, one of the tasks of urban development is the preservation and development of transport infrastructure, regardless of the state of the external environment of the city. The aim of this paper is to present recommendations for the development of a sustainable and adaptive transport system in global cities. The object of this study is the transport system of St. Petersburg, which has undergone significant changes in recent decades, adapting to the changing needs of citizens. Based on primary data, we track how the transport behavior of St. Petersburg residents changed in 2019–2022 under the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences for business and society. The theoretical contribution of our study is to form a new view on the functioning of transport systems from the point of view of the global status of cities. In addition, based on the results of the study, we form recommendations for building a sustainable and adaptive transport system in global cities.

Digital Technologies in the Healthcare Practices of St. Petersburg Residents

Digital Technologies in the Healthcare Practices of St. Petersburg Residents

Urban fertility in Russia in 1859-1913: on commencement of demographic transition

In the late Imperial period, a significant share of population of European Russia has demonstrated improved demographic indicators. The most important sign of demographic modernization is individual birth control. The available data suggest that transition from spontaneous fertility to the controlled one was first noted in St. Petersburg residents around the middle of the XIX century, disseminating among the entire urban population in the second half of the century, and extending to the rural population in the early twentieth century. Commencement of the demographic transition in Russia has been neglected by researchers for two reasons. First, demographic processes were studied country-wide, without any breakdown on urban and rural areas. With this approach, the urban population, accounting for only 10% in 1863 and 15% in 1914, blended with the general population; therefore, it was difficult to understand specifics of its reproduction. Second, age-specific and total fertility rates were not included in the analysis.

The impact of vaccination against the new coronavirus infection on the morbidity of university students

BACKGROUND: Vaccination is currently considered the most successful strategy against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, cases of infection despite vaccination, so-called breakthrough infections, have been reported worldwide.
 AIM: To evaluate the impact of vaccination against the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 on the morbidity of university students.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The incidence of new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) among the students of North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov (further University) from September 1 to December 15, 2020 and 2021 was analyzed. There were 4876 and 4681 students under observation. Data on vaccination, probable site of transmission infection were collected by interviewing the ill people. Statistical processing of data was performed using EpiInfo software.
 RESULTS: For the analyzed period 191 cases of COVID-19 among students were detected, the incidence of COVID-19 was 4.08 per 100 students, for the same period of the academic year 2020 it was 5.50, despite the fact that the incidence among St. Petersburg residents in 2021 was 1.75 times higher than in 2020. Re-infection was detected in 35 (18.3%) cases, 18 of whom were also vaccinated against COVID-19. A probable place of transmission infection was established in 36.1% of the cases, the most frequent being contact with a patient at their place of work in a health-care facility. By December 15, 2021, a total of 62.8% of students had been vaccinated against COVID-19. The incidence among vaccinated students was 2.72 per 100 students and 4.94 per 100 among unvaccinated students. A risk factor for breakthrough infections after vaccination was close contact with the source of infection: vaccinated persons had close contact in 50% of cases, compared with 28.9% of unvaccinated persons. The most important were contact with a patient in a health care setting and having multiple sources of infection, 31.1% and 5.6%, respectively.
 CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination against COVID-19 was an effective preventive intervention. A risk factor for disease after vaccination is close contact with the source of infection. Establishment of collective immunity after vaccination is decisive for the vaccination-to-disease ratio, which starts to develop with 70-80% of vaccinated individuals. The use of a mask in public places and social distancing remain important preventive measures.

Иноземное население Санкт-Петербурга первой половины XVIII столетия: опыт статистической реконструкции

The article systematizes data about the number of St. Petersburg foreign population in the first half of the 18th century, for the first time cites quantitative and qualitative indicators characterizing the religious, national and social composition of its foreign diaspora. The materials for the statistical reconstruction were the results of the analysis of the St. Petersburg Catholic and Protestant parish registers and the foreigners' databases created on the basis of these church books. To identify demographic structures, the authors used the methods of descriptive statistics and comparative analysis of statistical indicators, and to determine the number of foreigners (“inozemtsy”), they used the method of reconstructing values using constant coefficients expressing the ratio of the adult believers' number to the sum of church rites for a certain time period. As a result, they found that the greatest concentration of foreigners (at the level of 10-13%) in St. Petersburg was observed in the Petrine era, and under Anna Ioannovna and Empress Elizabeth Petrovna their share fell to 6-7%. The number of foreigners was a relatively constant value and amounted to about 4 thousands adult men and women at the end of the reign of Peter the Great, and about 4-5 thousand people of both sexes in the 1730s and 1740s. As parts of the foreign population, the authors separately took into account groups of Germans, French, Italians, Poles, Dutch people, Finns, Swedes, Armenians, Tatars, and other nationalities. The authors publish the results of a special study, during which the size of various religious groups of St. Petersburg residents was determined - such as Catholics, Lutherans, Calvinists, believers of the Armenian Apostolic Church. They substantiate the conclusion that initially it was not Germans, as is traditionally considered, but Swedes and Finns that prevailed among the foreigners of St. Petersburg, and only by the middle of the 18th century the Germans became the most common group of foreigners, accounting for about half of their number. The largest social stratum of the foreign population in the city was the craft-working (future petty-bourgeois), they included masters and apprentices of the guild craft, artisans, all kinds of civilian specialists and persons who were in service. In the 1730s, this layer of Petersburgians incorporated about three thousand foreigners of both sexes, they made up a significant percentage of the commercial and industrial population of the city and strengthened the stratum of Posadsky residents. Turning to the questions of the socioprofessional composition of the St. Petersburg foreign society of the first half of the 18th century, the authors came to the conclusion that the confessional factor affected the choosing of the type of activity by foreigners.

ФАКТОРЫ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ТРАНСПОРТНОГО ПОВЕДЕНИЯ ГОРОЖАН (НА ПРИМЕРЕ САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГА)

Successful implementation of public transportation reform cannot be achieved without studying transportation behavior of citizens. The results of an empirical analysis of the behavior of St. Petersburg residents presented in this article make it possible to assess what transportation policies will be successful in attracting car users to travel by public transport. The aim of the study was to identify the patterns of transportation behavior in St. Petersburg: attractiveness of various transportation modes, mode choice factors as well as satisfaction with public transport and transportation policies aimed at stimulating the use of public transport. The research methodology includes survey of the population and the analysis of descriptive information from the data obtained. In addition, principal component analysis was applied for travel factors grouping. The results of this study may be used in elaboration of transportation policies aimed at changing transportation behavior of the citizens. The main finding of this study is the relative importance of trip time for public transport in contrast to private car.

Vascular aging phenotypes in Russian population — biological, social, and behavioral determinants

Aim. To assess the association of cardiovascular risk factors with various vascular aging phenotypes using the St. Petersburg population sample as part of the Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases and their Risk Factors in Regions of Russian Federation (ESSE-RF) study.Material and methods. The current analysis, performed within the ESSE-RF multicenter observational study, included 1600 St. Petersburg residents. The participants filled out a questionnaire to assess risk factors. In addition, blood biochemical parameters, anthropometric characteristics, and blood pressure were evaluated. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was assessed by applanation tonometry using the SphygmoCor device (AtCor, Australia) in 524 people. For analysis, 485 participants without prior cardiovascular events were selected. PWV ≤10 percentile of PWV for healthy individuals in each age group was considered as the criterion for supernormal vascular aging (SUPERNOVA) phenotype, the PWV ≥90 percentile — early vascular aging (EVA), the PWV of 10-90 percentile — normal vascular aging (NVA).Results. The prevalence of SUPERNOVA phenotype was 9,7%, EVA — 18,8%, NVA — 71,5%. Patients with EVA phenotype were more likely to have HTN (60,4%) in comparison with those with SUPERNOVA phenotype (17%) and, less likely — high physical activity (39,6 vs 53,2%). Obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hypercholesterolemia, dyslipoproteinemia, and excessive alcohol consumption were significantly less common in participants with SUPERNOVA phenotype compared with those with EVA phenotype.Conclusion. In addition to HTN and dyslipoproteinemia, a significant predictor of premature aging was the cumulative effect of obesity, insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia. Among behavioral risk factors, higher physical activity and adequate alcohol consumption were factors associated with supernormal aging.

Analysis of statistical indicators of the population of Saint Petersburg with malignant neoplasms of pancreas

Morbidity and mortality from pancreatic cancer is an urgent medical and social problem. Evaluation of statistical indicators in dynamics makes it possible to identify organizational and clinical problems in providing care to patients with malignant neoplasms of the pancreas. Medical and statistical indicators of incidence of malignant pancreatic neoplasms in St. Petersburg residents are evaluated. The assessment of medical and statistical indicators of the incidence of malignant neoplasms of the pancreas in residents of St. Petersburg. Statistical data were studied for the period from 2014 to 2019. The increase in the "rough" indicator of primary morbidity changed from 417.99 per 100 thousand population in 2014 to 505.6 in 2019. In the structure of primary cancer incidence, the indicator of active detection of pancreatic cancer glands in 2014 amounted to 3.6%, in 2019 3.8%. The proportion of patients with diagnoses confirmed morphologically increased from 48.9% to 61.4%. The proportion of patients with newly diagnosed stage IV of the disease changed from 39.5% in 2014 to 51.4% in 2019, and in patients with stage III in 2019 it was 33.3% (a decrease in comparison with 2014 15.3%). In 2019, the disease was diagnosed at stage II in 15.2% of patients. The proportion of patients with stage I in 2019 was 6.6%, this indicator in 2014 was registered at the level of 19.2%. From 2014 to 2019, the one-year mortality rate did not change and amounted to 67.9 and 67.4%, respectively (the decrease was 0.7%). Over the past 5 years, there has been no significant downward trend in the "rough" incidence and mortality rates from pancreatic cancer. However, in the dynamics, there was an increase in the number of patients registered for 5 or more years, and an increase in the accumulation index of the contingent of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Hormonal determinants of prehypertension in a random sample of St. Petersburg residents: data from the ESSE-RF study

Aim. To determine the association of prehypertension (PHTN) with cardiometabolic and hormonal factors in a population sample of St. Petersburg residents.Material and methods. As part of the ESSE-RF epidemiological study, a random sample of 1600 residents of St. Petersburg at the age of 25-64 was examined. All participants signed informed consent and completed the questionnaires. Anthropometry, fasting venous blood sampling, blood pressure (BP) measurements were performed. BP was measured by the OMRON BP monitor (Japan) twice on the right hand in a sitting position. Mean BP was calculated. Respondents, depending on the BP level and availability of antihypertensive therapy, were divided into 3 groups: optimal BP (<120/80 mm Hg), PHTN (120-139/80-89 mm Hg) and HTN (≥140/90 mm Hg or antihypertensive therapy). Blood levels of insulin, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), thyroid-stimulating hormone, C-reactive protein (CRP), morning cortisol, leptin, adiponectin were assessed. The insulin resistance index was calculated using the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) according to the following equation: glucose (mmol/l) × insulin (μIU/ml))÷22,5. Mathematical and statistical data analysis was carried out using the SPSS Statistics 26 program.Results. The data from 1591 participants were analyzed. Among the surveyed persons, women predominated (n=1025; 64,4%). With BP increase from optimal to PHTN, HTN, the levels of CRP, insulin, HOMA-IR and leptin increases in male and female respondents. In addition, there is an increased prevalence of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in the female population. Multiple logistic regression, adjusted for sex, age, obesity ( body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) and waist circumference (≥102 cm for men and 88 cm for women), revealed associations of PHTN with an increase in insulin >173,0 pmol/L (2,99 [1,22; 7,36], p=0,017), HOMA-IR >2,9 (2,12 [1,42; 3,19], p<0,0001) and associations of HTN with an increase in insulin >173,0 pmol/L (2,14 [1,30; 3,54], p=0,003), HOMA-IR >2,9 (1,83 [1,39; 2,42 ], p536 nmol/L (1,59 [1,25; 2,05], p125 pg/ml (2,05 [1,32; 3,20], p=0,002).Conclusion. In a random sample of St. Petersburg residents, the presence of hyperinsulinemia increases the risk of PHTN and insulin resistance by 3 and 2 times, respectively.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF CORTISOL LEVELS WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IN RESIDENTS OF ST. PETERSBURG

Abstract Objective: Introduction. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands which can reflects stress and contributes to the development of elevated blood pressure. The aim of our work was to assess the association of increased morning cortisol with normal high blood pressure (BP) and hypertension (HT) in St. Petersburg residents. Design and method: Methods. A epidemiological survey of cardiovascular risk was performed in a multi-step stratified random sample of approximately 1600 participants of Saint = Petersburg in 2012–2013. 1600 participants aged 25–65 years were recruited. All subjects signed informed consent and filled validated questionnaires regarding lifestyle, concomitant disease and medication. Fasting blood sampling was performed according to standard procedures. Office BP was registered by OMRON (Japan) twice on right hand in sitting position with calculation of mean BP. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics 20. Results: Results. Data analysis was possible in 1591 participants (566 (35,6%) males and 1025 (64,4%) females). The prevalence of different BP levels varies statistically significantly depending on gender, p less 0,0001. The average level of morning cortisol was significantly higher in males 526.65 [405.05;633.23] vs females 470.90 [362.55;597.25], p less 0,0001. Increased morning cortisol more than 536 nmol/l was significantly more often determined among males 263 (46.8%) comparing with females 371 (36.5%), p less 0,0001. The table 1 shows the prevalence of increased cortisol levels in groups different in BP. According to the binary regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, abdominal obesity the association of cortisol level (morning) > 536 nmol/l with presence of normal high BP (OR 1.48 [1.04;2.11], p = 0.028) and HT (OR 1.59 [1.25;2.05], p less 0.0001) was revealed. Conclusions: Conclusions. Among the residents of St. Petersburg elevated cortisol levels was associated not only with hypertension but also with normal high blood pressure. Men had higher levels of the cortisol which was accompanied by higher prevalence of normal high blood pressure and hypertension compared to women.

Motivation for citizen e-participation in urban development: The case of “Our St. Petersburg” portal

The article gives an overview of the literature on electronic participation in the urban development, the analysis of the main characteristics and principles of the portal “Our St. Petersburg” as one of the main platforms for electronic participation of the citizens. The purpose of this study is to develop recommendations for increasing the level of electronic participation of citizens in the urban development of St. Petersburg. Based on the data collected during the focus groups interviews as well as the survey of the portal users and those who do not use it, the main drivers and barriers to e-participation in urban development were identified, and the recommendations for increasing public participation were proposed. The cluster analysis made it possible to identify several groups of St. Petersburg residents with similar drivers and barriers to e-participation and formulate recommendations for improving e-participation of citizens on the basis of management of the Portal individual characteristics.