Statistical Data Processing Research Articles

Selected Blood Biochemical Parameters after Right and Left Nephrectomy in Clinical Practice

Introduction. Radical nephrectomy is considered as a common operation associated with significant changes in the topography of the upper abdominal cavity which appear in the postoperative period. Analysis of the literature fails to provide sufficient information about functional changes in the parenchymatous abdominal organs that occur after nephrectomy. Aim. To investigate a number of liver and pancreatic enzymes in the blood of patients at the pre­ and post­ operative stages of the radical nephrectomy. Materials and methods. The study involved a retrospective analysis of medical records of 111 patients after radical nephrectomy. The patients underwent biochemical examination at the pre­operative stage, on day 1, and day 7 after the operation: ALT, AST, amylase, diastase. The examination was performed by means of biochemistry analyzers Bio Systems BA 400 and Beckman Coulter AU 480. Statistical data processing was carried out using Statistica 10.0. Results. The analysis of the obtained materials shows that the level of liver and pancreatic enzymes increases after radical nephrectomy. A side of the operation was revealed significant: left­sided nephrectomy leads to an increase in the level of blood amylase and diastase, right­sided nephrectomy results in an increase in the level of ALT and AST. No dependence on the sex of patients was determined. No increase in the level of the studied enzymes was found in a number of patients in the postoperative period; however, almost half of patients were detected with a significant, 1.5–2 times and higher, increase in the level of enzymes, thus requiring special control and correction. The maximum level of ALT reached 245 U/L (norm 0–35 U/L), the maximum level of AST comprised 184 IU/L (norm 0–35 IU/L). Discussion. The obtained results indicate the interrelation of functional disorders of the liver and pancreas and changes in their topography after radical nephrectomy. Conclusion. Radical nephrectomy is associated with significant functional disorders of the liver and pancreas depending on the side of the operation: the level of blood amylase and diastase increases after left nephrectomy, the level of ALT and AST grows after right nephrectomy. The level of enzymes exceeds the norm by 1.5–2 times in almost half of patients.

Prospects for Economic Cooperation between Russia and China in the Current Geopolitical Situation

Introduction. The article examines the topical issues of relations between the two countries amidst the current foreign policy situation. Relations between Russia and China are of great importance for both countries as well as for the global political and economic situation as a whole. Cooperation between these two largest states plays an important role in the formation of multipolarity in the world arena, weakening unipolar tendencies. The article analyzes the main aspects of cooperation between Russia and China, the components of their mutually beneficial partnership, and considers the challenges and prospects that both countries face in the changing geopolitical situation. Particular attention is paid to the economic and political aspects of interaction between Russia and China, and potential ways to strengthen and expand cooperation in the future are identified.Materials and methods. To analyze the current dynamics of bilateral relations, analytical methods of processing statistical data provided by government agencies of the Russian Federation were used, as well as the method of mirror statistics in order to identify the positions and shares of Russia in the geographical structure of China's foreign trade partners based on information provided by the State Customs Service of China. The paper also presents data obtained through expert assessment and social surveys. To conduct a systemic analysis, the authors applied the methods of induction, deduction, generalization, synthesis, and comparison.Results of the study. In the course of the study, the foreign policy agenda of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China was analyzed, and the areas of cooperation that are of greatest mutual interest to the two countries were identified - trade, investment, implementation of joint infrastructure, energy and other projects in the real sector of the economy.In addition, the authors of the article analyzed the dynamics and structure of bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Russia and China; factors of growth in trade turnover, Russian exports to China and Russian imports from China were identified. Next, the largest Russian-Chinese investment projects in the automotive industry, fuel and energy complex and infrastructure were considered. As a result, an assessment of the prospects for further development of bilateral trade and joint projects in the concerned areas was made.An analysis of the data obtained as part of a sociological survey was conducted, which made it possible to identify the most popular areas of cooperation between the two countries that are of greatest interest to the population of the PRC in the foresee[1] able future, including the creation of new transport corridors within the framework of the conjugation of the One Belt, One Road projects and the Eurasian Economic Union.Discussion and conclusion. Economic relations play a key role in the agenda of bilateral cooperation between Russia and China and have a multifaceted nature. The projected economic growth of Russian-Chinese cooperation in 2024 and beyond presupposes diversification of the structure of bilateral trade and an increase in the volume of goods and services offered. In the context of this forecast, special attention is paid to the focus on increasing gas exports from Russia to China, which leads to an expected increase in the share of gas supplies compared to oil supplies. In addition, an important factor contributing to the stimulation of economic growth is the increase in the volume of Russian agricultural exports to China, as well as the development of cooperation in the services sector.In order to achieve even more impressive results of economic cooperation with Russia's eastern neighbor, it is necessary to pay attention to solving urgent foreign trade problems of a structural nature, namely, working on export diversification and increasing the competitiveness of the expanding range of goods and services supplied to the Asian market. It is also necessary to provide comprehensive measures to support promising manufacturing and service sectors for export. The increase in trade turnover between the two countries stimulates the development of investment partnerships and the growth in the number of jointly implemented projects in the production and infrastructure sectors, which, in turn, creates conditions for deepening interregional cooperation and the formation of a more predictable and stable world order in the foreseeable future.

Radiomics in the differential diagnosis of focal brain lesions: a retrospective study

INTRODUCTION: Glioblastoma and solitary metastases are the most common malignant neoplasms of the brain, characterized by high mortality and severe disability in patients. The method of choice for neuroimaging glioblastomas and metastases is contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. However, differentiation between the two is often difficult due to similar radiological features on MRI. Radiomics and machine learning can differentiate the primary origin of brain metastases and identify pathological tumor types noninvasively.OBJECTIVE: Application of texture analysis for differential diagnosis of glioblastomas and metastases of different etiologies.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 169 MRI studies from the RSCRR database were used in the study, 11 of which visualized morphologically differentiated glioblastoma of the brain, 55 lung cancer metastases and 103 breast cancer metastases. Segmentation of the regions of interest was performed semi-automatically in the free 3D-Slicer software with the ability to upload radiomic features from the regions of interest. For each lesion, 107 radiomic features were calculated from T1 and T2 sequences. Statistics: The calculation of statistical indicators was performed in a computer program for statistical data processing IBMSPSS Statistics 23. In statistical data processing, the Mann-Whitney statistical criterion for quantitative indicators and correlation analysis using the Pearson criterion were used to reduce the feature space. The reduction of the feature space and the selection of predictors by the feature_importances measure based on decision forests were carried out. Machine learning models were built in Python 3.10 using specialized libraries.RESULTS: For the model based on radiomic features extracted from T1 sequence, random forest showed the most efficient result, ROC-AUC=0.815 [0.749; 0.874]. For the model based on the radiomic features extracted from the T2 sequence, random forest showed the most effective result, ROC-AUC=0.817 [0.743; 0.873]. For the complex model based on radiomic features extracted from T1 and T2 sequences, random forest showed the most efficient result, ROC-AUC=0.855 [0.789; 0.906].DISCUSSION: The classification models and their metrics obtained by us indicate that the radiomic features extracted from T2 weighted MR images make it possible to differentiate breast cancer metastases from lung cancer metastases with higher sensitivity than the features extracted from T1 weighted MR images. We also identified a large number of significantly different indicators in the construction of models for the differentiation of glioblastomas from metastases, which demonstrates the prospects of this direction. It is planned to continue the study with the expansion of samples. Our conclusions are also confirmed by the research results of our foreign colleagues.CONCLUSION: The models we have obtained are highly accurate and sensitive to the differentiation of metastases of various etiologies and demonstrate significant potential in continuing this study with an expansion of samples.

Assessment of the effectiveness of management at the regional level based on the analysis of the activities of authorities

Relevance. The problem of effective management of regional development is becoming more and more urgent due to the emergence of new conditions (obstacles) of functioning, which pose the task of creating programs for the most effective management of subjects to the regions of Russia and executive authorities. It is important to note the choice of the subject: the Kursk region is an important region of the Central Federal District due to its potential and geographical location.The subject has a specialization in important sectors of the entire Russian economy, but at the same time may face inefficient management, which will cause a decline in the regional economy. The purpose is to assess the effectiveness of management of an economic entity on the example of the Kursk region by analyzing the activities of executive authorities.Objectives: to establish the parameters of effective management; to study regional policy as a means of increasing the effectiveness of regional development; to study methods for assessing the effectiveness of regional development through the prism of actions of public authorities; to compare the economic structures of the Kursk region and neighboring regions of the region using specific methodologies; to identify the main problems in the development of the Kursk region.Methodology. To carry out the research, methods of system analysis and synthesis, statistical data processing, as well as comparative and expert analysis are used. The results of the study include an analysis of the effectiveness of regional policy in the Kursk region and the identification of the main problems in the activities of government agencies that affect the economic growth of the subject.Conclusions. The Kursk Region is an ambiguous region regarding the quality of regional economic management. Studying the state support of subjects, their management by authorities, we can say that in the field of ecology and industrial development, the state supports the region sufficiently, since these areas are specialized in the region, which cannot be said about other areas. Despite the weak development of other industries, the state needs to provide significant support to such specialized sectors as agriculture and industry.

Crimes of passion (An Irresistible Impulse) in Kazakhstan

The article presents the main results of theoretical review on the study of the phenomenon of affect and definition, classification, legal aspects of affective states, as well as the results of statistical processing of data on crimes in the state of affect are provided in Kazakhstan for the last 5 years according to the provided statistical data from the database of the General Prosecutor's Office of the CLSaSA (Committee on Legal Statistics and Special Accounts) of the RK. The relevance of this study is the study of the phenomenon of affect in Kazakhstan, as well as the processing of statistical data on affective suicide, as little-studied and not sufficiently developed phenomena. It is important to note the difference in approaches to understanding the term physiological affects (PA), which actually has no direct analogue in the English-language bibliography. In some respects, the concept of an "irresistible impulse" based on passion corresponds to it. Both conditions can significantly affect a person's behavior and their ability to control their actions, while both can serve as mitigating circumstances in law. At the same time, physiological affect is usually short-lived and characteristic of sane individuals, while an irresistible impulse can be a chronic condition associated with a mental disorder. Subsequent research may be devoted to the issues of comparing the two above concepts from a forensic perspective.

To the issue of vagosympathetic balance assessment in patients with facial phlegmon

Objective. To assess the influence of the autonomic nervous system tone on the activity of the inflammatory process in facial phlegmon. Materials and methods. A group of patients with facial phlegmon (n = 74) was divided into two parts according to the predominant type of ANS. To identify the dominant type of ANS the method of A.M. Vayne was used. The content of leukocytes and their types was assessed in peripheral blood samples. The concentration of glucose, total protein, C-reactive protein was determined in the patients` blood serum. Statistical data processing was carried out using Student's t-test. Results. Significant differences in laboratory parameters of patients with facial phlegmons with different types of the autonomic nervous system are demonstrated. In patients with prevailing sympathetic division, leukocytosis with a shift of the formula to the left was more pronounced. When the parasympathetic division dominated, a higher concentration of C-reactive protein was observed. Conclusion. Assessment of the autonomic nervous system tone in case of facial phlegmons indicates its significant impact on the activity of the inflammatory process, which affects the duration of inpatient treatment.

Long-term trends of cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents aged 14–18 years in Novosibirsk (1989–2024)

High prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the Russian population dictates the need to identify and prevent risk factors for these diseases from adolescence. Objective: to study the prevalence and long-term trends in cardiometabolic risk factors in an adolescent population sample of Novosibirsk (1989–2024).Methods. In 1989–2024, cross-sectional population studies of random representative samples of schoolchildren aged 14–18 of both sexes were conducted in Novosibirsk with an interval of 5 years. 8 screenings were conducted. A total of 5106 adolescents (43–46 % boys) were examined. Approval was received from the Local Ethics Committee of the Research Institute of Preventive and Internal Medicine – Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; all children and their parents signed informed consent for the examination. The program was uniform for all screenings and included a survey using a standard questionnaire, 2-fold measurement of blood pressure, anthropometry (height, body weight, chest, waist and hip circumferences), and a biochemical blood test for lipid profile. The levels of cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed in accordance with the latest Russian and international recommendations. Statistical data processing was performed using the SPSS for Windows 13 package.Results. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in adolescents in Novosibirsk over 35 years decreased from 22.3 to 3.0 % in boys and from 31.8 to 10.6 % in girls (p < 0.001). The highest prevalence of hypertension in adolescents was observed in 1989, then by 1994 its levels decreased and remained relatively stable until a decrease in 2014 with a subsequent increase, especially among boys, the prevalence of hypertension among whom in 2024 reached the 1989 level (17.3 % and 16.9 %, respectively). The greatest decrease in the frequency of excessive weight in adolescents relative to 1989 was observed in 1999: in boys – 2.7 times, in girls – 3.2 times. Since 2003, there has been a consistent increase in the prevalence of overweight among adolescents, primarily among boys, and by 2014 it exceeded the baseline values of the 1989 screening by 8 % in boys (21.6 versus 13.9 % (p < 0.01)) and by 3 % in girls (14.3 versus 11.5 % (p = 0.05)). At subsequent screenings, the frequency of overweight remained unchanged. The frequency of smoking among adolescents of both sexes decreased almost 10-fold from 1989 to 2024: from 45 % in 1989 to 5.5 % in 2024 among boys, and from 19 % to 2% among girls (p < 0.01), however, an increase in electronic smoking was noted. Over the past 5 years (2019–2024), the use of electronic cigarettes and gadgets among boys has doubled (from 6 up to 12 %) and three times among girls (from 3 to 9 %). The prevalence of reduced physical activity among adolescents remained high throughout the period, but in the last 15 years it has clearly decreased among boys (62 % in 2009 versus 37 % in 2024 (p < 0.01). Since 2009, screen time has increased: from 18 hours/week in 2009 for boys and 15 for girls to 30 hours/week in 2014 and remained at the same level in 2019. In 2024, screen time of the computer decreased, but phone time increased, which in total did not exceed the figures for 2014 and 2019 (33–35 hours/ week).Conclusions. Based on population screening of adolescents conducted in Novosibirsk over 35 years, the prevalence and long-term trends of cardiometabolic risk factors (arterial hypertension, dyslipoproteinemia, overweight and obesity, smoking and low physical activity) were identified.

Optimization of human capital in the agrarian sphere: goals, principles and methods

Sufficient provision of agricultural enterprises with labor resources, their territorial and structural balance, rational use, high level of labor productivity are the key directions of effective functioning of agro-industrial complex, growth of production volumes and increase of its efficiency. Purpose - to analyze the criteria of human capital optimization in the agrarian sphere, to identify existing problems and to determine promising directions. Methods - the study used quantitative and qualitative analysis methods, including the collection and processing of statistical data, questionnaire survey of employees of the agrarian sector, as well as interviews with farm managers. Using the correlation and regression method, the influence of the studied factors on the optimization of labor activity was substantiated. Results - the article identifies the main issues of agricultural staffing, which consist in the decline in the professional qualification level of specialists, low staffing levels, outflow of able-bodied population from rural areas, loss of prestige of agricultural professions. Conclusions - this study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to the management of labor potential in agro-industrial production of the republic. The introduction of advanced training programs, improvement of working conditions and social infrastructure is the basis for sustainable development of the industry. It is also recommended to strengthen state support and stimulate the attraction of capital of domestic and foreign private investors and investment funds in rural regions to ensure stable activity of agricultural enterprises. It shows further prospects for increasing human resources to ensure the competitiveness of domestic agricultural producers and as the main driving element in the establishment of innovation economy and the expansion of globalization processes.

The Awareness of Philosophical Issues Among Fifth-Grade Literary Students

This study aimed to know the level of awareness of philosophical issues at the fifth-grade students in the preparatory and secondary schools in Salah al-Din. The second scheme 2023-2024. Researchers have randomly chosen the fifth fifth grade students at Al-Baroudi High School and High School for Girls to be a sample. The researchers used two approaches: the descriptive approach and semi-demo curriculum. The descriptive approach was used to identify philosophical issues, identify female students, measurement procedures, and semi-pilot curriculum to test the study. To verify the objectives of the study, researchers have prepared a list of appropriate philosophical issues for sample personnel and intellectual levels. The awareness gauge for philosophical issues included a test (7) issues and security of each case there are three alternatives. After applying the scale on female students and statistical data processing, the results of the study showed that students enjoy a high level of awareness of philosophical issues. At the end of the study, researchers reached a range of results, conclusions, recommendations and proposals.

Research of the personal characteristics of patients with vegetative disorders in relation to clinical and instrumental indicators

The aim of the research was to study the personality traits of patients with vegetative disorders (VD) and the identification of their psychosomatic relationships with heart rate variability (HRV) and with a clinical degree of severity of vegetative manifestations.The military personnel of Petrozavodsk were examined: the main group (MG) — 104 people with VD (average age 36,8±7,7 years, gender index 1:1); control group (СG) — 30 healthy individuals (average age 36,1±5,5 years; gender index 1:1; p=0,761).We used: «A questionnaire to identify signs of vegetative changes» (Vane A. M., 2003); cardiointervalography with an assessment of integrative indicators (standard deviation of RR — intervals (SDNN, ms) and total power of the spectrum (TR, ms2)). Personality traits were examined using the «Big Five» test (The Big Five Inventory–2 Short Form (BFI–2–S)). Statistical processing of experimental data was carried out in Excel 14.0 environment using Statistica 6.0 software packages. It was revealed that in patients with VD, compared with healthy ones, there is a moderate vegetative imbalance (36,63±10,50 / 2,67±1,96 points according to the A. M. Vane questionnaire); and a decrease in the level of vegetative regulation (with a predominance of sympathetic) with a decrease in adaptive capabilities (TP 1512,69±1005,38 ms2 and 6548,80±3898,95 ms2; SDNN 38,34±13,27 ms and 80,17±23,59 ms in MG and СG, respectively; p<0,05).The results of BFI–2–S indicated that patients with VD have an increased level of neuroticism against the background of a weakening of such personal qualities as: extraversion, benevolence, good faith, openness to experience. Neuroticism is a characteristic personality trait that, through a system of psychosomatic relationships, exacerbates the clinical and neurological manifestations of the disease. It directly correlates with the severity of vegetative imbalance (according to the A. M. Vane questionnaire; R = 0,66), and vice versa — with heart rate variability (R = — 0,56 for SPNN; R = — 0,53 for TP). The results of the study make it possible to optimize personalized strategies for the medical and psychological rehabilitation of people with VD.

Investment attractiveness of agricultural enterprises as a factor in ensuring their competitiveness

Purpose - the study of theoretical and practical aspects of investment attractiveness of agricultural enterprises in Kazakhstan based on the analysis of the volume of attracted investments in the agro-industrial complex. Methods - research, descriptive and analytical types of strategies are used in combination with methods of formalization, abstraction, statistical processing and visualization of data. Results - in the authors' opinion, despite the fact that the agrarian sector is economically and socially significant for the rural areas of the republic, it remains unattractive for investors. Investment in the agrarian sector and the growth of investment projects in the agro-industrial complex are constrained by the acute shortage of financial resources, underdeveloped material, technical and technological base, and low effective demand of the population. Investments form the production potential and determine the competitive position of regions. The article considers the problems that hinder the increase in investment activity. The role of the state in the management of investment processes is revealed. The factors hindering the inflow of investment and measures to increase the volume of financial injections into agriculture are shown. Conclusions - creation of favorable investment climate in agro-industrial production and activation of investment activity of economic entities is one of the most urgent tasks of agro-industrial complex development. Based on the realities of the economic situation in the agricultural sector, it is necessary to mobilize its internal reserves, the formation of an effective market infrastructure, the growth of solvency of agricultural producers, the strengthening of state support. Only in this case the conditions for investment attractiveness will be formed and the degree of saturation of the food market of the country with the products of own production will increase, the possibility of renewal of fixed assets of the industry will appear.

Rock exfoliation in the unstable formations during underground mine working driving and selection of efficient adhesive compositions for strengthening

Purpose is to identify factors favouring rock exfoliation in roof of underground mine workings while operating Akbakay deposit and determine optimum structure of adhesive reagents for the rock strengthening taking into consideration mineralogical composition of the formation. Methods. The research was carried out in a lab environment. Chemical and ultimate composition of the rock mass samples was determined through x-ray diffraction method; the x-ray phase identification approach helped define their mineralogical composition. The optimum composition of adhesive reagents has been determined based upon the ambient temperature and hardening time. Viscosity durability of the adhesive compounds was assessed using a technique of uniaxial crack of the immovable samples. Statistical data processing involved determination of the required number of the samples to achieve the preset accuracy degree. Findings. Exfoliation of the fragments of both fractured and unstable rocks from Akbakai deposit depends upon availabi-lity of such chemically and mechanically unstable salts as dolomite, albite, and mirror stone. Epoxide reagent in 9 to 1 ratio with polyethylenepolyamine catalyzer has been identified as the most effective adhesive compound. Epoxy adhesives have demonstrated higher cohesive resistance to compare with polyurethane analogues, and better compliance with requirements as for viscosity and hardening time. Originality. Use of epoxy to strengthen both fissured and unstable rocks of Akbakai deposit containing mineral salts, helps increase tensile properties up to three times. Moreover, epoxies also demonstrate high adhesive characteristics; and they are resistant to moisture and temperature attacks being typical for mine environment. New logarithmic dependencies have been identified describing rock mass stability while applying the modified polyurethane with polyethylenepolyamine catalyzer in 9 to 1 ratio. Practical implications. Various types of reagents have been considered for safe and effective strengthening of underground mine workings in the fractured rock masses having a tendency to caving. The proposed adhesive reagents resist efficiently the external share loads and stresses increasing structural stability and safety of rock masses.

Analytical Techniques for the Authenticity Evaluation of Chokeberry, Blackberry and Raspberry Fruit Wines: Exploring FT-MIR Analysis and Chemometrics

The modern analytical technique of Fourier-transform mid-infrared spectroscopy (FT-MIR) has found its place in routine wine quality control. It allows rapid and nondestructive analysis, with easy sample preparation and without the need for chemical pretreatment or expensive reagents. The objective of this research was to apply these advantages to fruit wines in order to create a tool for the authentication of fruit wines produced from different fruit species (chokeberry, blackberry, and raspberry). The aim of this work was to establish a chemometric model from FT-MIR spectra and to find a “fingerprint” of specific fruit wines, enabling the classification of fruit wines by plant species. Physicochemical analysis of 111 Croatian fruit wine samples (38 liqueur fruit wines and 73 fruit wines) revealed content levels of the following parameters: alcoholic strength (5.0–15.2% vol.), total dry extract (60.4–253.3 g/L), total sugars (1.2–229.9 g/L), pH (3.13–4.98), total acidity (4.2–18.3 g/L) and volatile acidity (0.2–1.5 g/L). For statistical data processing, spectral ranges between 926 and 1450 cm−1 and between 1801 and 2951 cm−1 were used. The first principal component (PC1) explained 70.4% of the observed variation, and the second component (PC2) explained 16.7%, clearly separating chokeberry fruit wines from blackberry and raspberry fruit wines. Soft Independent Modeling Class Analogy (SIMCA) was performed following the development of a PCA model showing that the chokeberry and blackberry wine samples form clearly separated clusters. Key discriminators for classifying chokeberry vs. blackberry wines were identified at 1157, 1304, and 1435 cm−1, demonstrating high discrimination power (DP 26, 17, and 14, respectively). FT-MIR spectroscopy, in combination with chemometric methods, has shown promising potential for the authenticity assessment of fruit wines.

Exploring the Relationship Between Time Perspective and Emerging Adulthood Traits Among Young Adults in Relation to Work Experience

Introduction. The work aims to study the manifestations of time perspective and the traits of emerging adulthood, as well as their interrelationships in young people with and without work experience. The relevance of the study is explained by the current trend towards infantilization of young people, expressed in the increase in the average age of the beginning of professional and family life. The novelty of the work lies in the fact that the perspective of time and work experience are considered as the main predictors of increased manifestation of traits of emerging adulthood.Objective. Examine the relationships between the temporal perspective of personality and emerging adulthood traits in youth with and without work experience.Materials and Methods. In the course of the study, 47 people aged 18 to 25 years were interviewed, among whom 26 people had experience in professional activities and 21 people had no work experience. To achieve the goal of the study, the following techniques were used: the technique “Traits of emerging adulthood”, the technique “Level of infantilism expression”, the questionnaire “Time perspective of Zimbardo personality”, as well as the author’s questionnaire-questionnaire. The reliability of the results obtained is ensured by the use of statistical data processing methods.Results. Young people without work experience were found to be more oriented towards the present with a fatalistic and hedonistic attitude toward it. They are also more prone to experimentation, self-directedness, and an increase in some traits of infantilism compared to young people with work experience. Statistically significant correlations were found between temporal orientations of personality and traits of maturing maturity, infantilism, which can change depending on the presence of work experience.Discussion. The research confirms the existence of a trend of delayed adulthood among young people. The manifestation of traits of a more childish position of young people, such as self-directedness, experimentation, disordered behavior, infantilism, low indicators of work motivation can be explained by the imbalance of their time perspective. The orientation towards a fatalistic and hedonistic present demonstrated by young people may act as a mechanism of adaptation of young people in the conditions of uncertainty of their social position.

Особенности личностно-смысловой сферы студентов с разным индексом склонности к когнитивным ошибкам

Introduction. Cognitive errors (distortions) are of a semantic nature; they are based on distortions in the semantic sphere of personality, first of all, at its deep levels related to beliefs, semantic attitudes, life orientations, and metacognitive characteristics. However, there is currently a shortage of studies that would set a goal to prove this statement. The purpose of the work: to identify the peculiarities of the personal and semantic sphere of students with different indexes of propensity to cognitive errors. The materials and methods. The study was conducted using the Google Forms platform for creating and administering surveys and online forms. The sample size was 485 respondents, including 433 men and 52 women aged 17-25 years. The Cognitive Mistakes Questionnaire (CMQ − CMQ) (A. Freeman, R. Devulf, adapted by A.E. Bobrov and E.V. Faizrakhmanova) was used to study the propensity of personality to cognitive errors. The following methods were used to study the personal and semantic sphere of the respondents: the method of diagnostics of socio-psychological adaptation (SPA) (C. Rogers, R. Diamond, adapted by A.K. Osnitsky), “Big Five” (BFI) (R. McCrae, P. Costa, adapted by A.B. Khromov), Irrational Attitudes Diagnostic Methodology (A. Ellis), Basic Beliefs Scale (WASWorld assumptions scale) (R. Janov-Bulman, adapted by O. Kravtsova), Biographical Questionnaire for the Diagnosis of Behavioural Disorders (BIVBiographisches Inventar zur Diagnose von Verhaltensstoerungen) (Bottscher, Jager, Lischer), Life Orientations Questionnaire (LOQ) (E. Yu. Kravtsova), The Questionnaire to determine the content of the system of life meanings (V.Y. Kotlyakov), the method of diagnostics of coping mechanisms (E. Heim). Kruskal-Wallis H-criterion was used as a method of statistical data processing. The results of the research. It was revealed that there are statistically significant differences in the following indicators of the personal and semantic sphere of students with different indexes of propensity to cognitive errors: in adaptability in interpersonal relations; in the indicators of extraversion, emotional instability and expressiveness; in the expression of irrational attitudes and such basic beliefs as the benevolence of the world, the kindness of people, the value of one's own self, the degree of luck, the conviction in one's own value; in the indicators of family deficit syndrome; in such life orientation as transsituational mobility; in communicative life meanings and dominant coping mechanisms. The conclusion. The study revealed differences in the indicators of the personal and semantic sphere in students with different indexes of propensity to cognitive errors.

Comparative analysis of developing traditional and platform employment relations

Platform employment covers an increasing proportion of the population. What are its modern features? What are the common features and differences compared to traditional employment? What changes are possible and necessary in the future? The purpose of this article is to determine the directions of their evolution in traditional and platform forms of interaction based on a comparative analysis of developing the relations between employees and employers. Research methodology: institutional and post–Keynesian approaches, theories of personnel management – concepts of scientific management, administrative, human resources and relations, behavioral, human. The methods used are comparative analysis, statistical data processing and interviews. This made it possible to define criteria for comparing traditional and platform employment relationships. These include the legal status of performers, social guarantees, labor incentives, and institutional forms of protection. A common feature is the convergence of forms of regulation of the types of employment under consideration. The difference lies in a greater flexibility and riskiness of platform employment compared to traditional employment. This determines the attractiveness of interaction with labor digital platforms (LDP) which is a new kind of social institutions involved in the process of expanding social responsibility. The implementation of modern theories of personnel management in the traditional sector of the economy has led to forming a new type of an employee. Its LDF are growing creativity, initiative, and risk-taking. The number of people interested in self-provision of works and services is increasing. The shopping centers have created additional opportunities for this. The trends in the development of traditional and platform employment coincide. For platform employment, the deadlines for their implementation are shorter. To solve the social problems of individuals, it is necessary to preserve institutional approaches to employment relations. The article offers practical recommendations to resolve this contradiction in each of the criteria for comparing traditional and platform employment.

Differential use of various types of pessaries in isthmic-cervical insufficiency for prevention of preterm birth: A randomized prospective trial

Background. Obstetric pessary comprises one of the methods for treatment of isthmic-cervical insufficiency. Despite the variety of pessaries produced, the common purpose of their use consists in preventing premature birth. Various types of pessaries correct different cervical parameters, which is not always taken into account by doctors when choosing a pessary and reduces their potential effectiveness. Objective. To substantiate a differentiated approach to the selection of pessary type for correcting isthmic-cervical insufficiency and preventing preterm birth based on the evaluation of cervical parameters. Methods. A randomized prospective study enrolled 90 pregnant women diagnosed with isthmic-cervical insufficiency (ICD-10 code — О.34.3) at 19–24 weeks of gestation. Of these, 41 women underwent correction of isthmic-cervical insufficiency with an obstetric unloading pessary and 49 women — with a perforated cervical pessary. Transvaginal ultrasound cervicometry evaluated the parameters of the cervix before correcting isthmic-cervical insufficiency and in dynamics (once every 4 weeks) after inserting various types of pessaries. Statistical data processing was carried out using Statistica 10.0 (StatSoft, Tulsa, USA) and MedCalc 10.2.0.0 (MedCalc, Mariakerke, Belgium). The differences were considered to be statistically significant at p <0.05. Results. Inserting an obstetric unloading pessary in isthmic-cervical insufficiency decreased the uterocervical angle from 115 (110; 130)° to 100 (90; 115)° (p = 0.021). A decrease in the uterocervical angle was observed during 16-week-use of obstetric unloading pessary. After insertion of perforated cervical pessaries, the length of the closed part of the cervical region increased from 23 (21; 24) mm to 25 (21; 27) mm (p = 0.009) for a period of 4 weeks with a subsequent decrease in this parameter. The effectiveness of both types of pessaries in preventing preterm birth was found to be identical. Urgent delivery occurred in 61% of cases of using an obstetric unloading pessary and in 64.7% of cases of using a perforated cervical pessary (p = 0.993). The gestational age at preterm birth against the background of the use of obstetric unloading pessaries and perforated cervical pessaries was found comparable and amounted to 247 (230; 253) days and 245 (225; 254) days, respectively (p = 0.870). Conclusion. A differentiated approach to selecting a type of pessary for the prevention of premature birth in isthmic-cervical insufficiency is determined by the initial ultrasound parameters of the cervix. Thus, an increase in the uterocervical angle serves as an indication for an obstetric unloading pessary, while a shortened part of the cervical region without an increase in the utero-cervical angle determines the use of a perforated cervical pessary. Additional dynamic ultrasound control after inserting pessaries of any type allows such complications as pessary displacement, cervical edema, amniotic fluid sludge, prolapse of fetal membranes in the vagina, and increased myometrial tone to be timely diagnosed and corrected, thereby increasing the effectiveness of using pessaries.

Clinical and pathogenetic significance of the phenomenon of functional heterogeneity of oxygen-dependent functions of neutrophils in ankylosing spondylitis

Neutrophils are able to exert a variety of effects on other cells of the immune system, which indicates their heterogeneity. In various rheumatic diseases, neutrophils are involved in the immunopathological process. The study of the phenomenon of functional heterogeneity of neutrophils associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases is a promising area of research in immunology and rheumatology. The purpose of the research: study of factors influencing oxygen-dependent neutrophil functions in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A total of 82 patients with AS were examined. The functional activity of neutrophils was assessed according to the data of determining the indicators of oxygen-dependent functions by the chemiluminescence method. Functional neutrophil reserve (FNR) was assessed by activation coefficients (the ratio of chemiluminescence induced by suspension of heat-killed staphylococcus cells to spontaneous value). Statistical data processing was carried out using Statistica 10.0 program. An increase in oxygen-dependent neutrophil functions in AS was accompanied by an increase in disease activity. The greatest influence on the increase in the functional activity of cells was exerted by the age of patients, the stage of the disease and the level of circulating immune complexes. The process of stabilizing the metabolic activity of neutrophils was significantly influenced by the age of patients, ESR, ã-globulins, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Among the laboratory parameters, the majority of AS patients with moderate and high FNR had elevated levels of ESR, CRP, and IgM; there was a tendency to increase IgA in AS patients with high FNR. Statistical analyses showed an association between FNR and disease activity; there was no statistically significant dependence of FNR on the stage, course, and form of AS. The study of the metabolic activity of neutrophils during dynamic observation revealed a group of patients with stabilization of FNR parameters against the background of therapy with the achievement of a normal level of oxygen-dependent metabolism. Thus, in ankylosing spondylitis, the functional heterogeneity of neutrophils associated with disease activity was established according to the determination of oxygen-dependent metabolism.

Comparison between Traditional and Novel NMR Methods for the Analysis of Sicilian Monovarietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils: Metabolic Profile Is Influenced by Micro-Pedoclimatic Zones.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomic analysis was applied to investigate the differences within nineteen Sicilian Nocellara del Belice monovarietal extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs), grown in two zones that are different in altitude and soil composition. Several classes of endogenous olive oil metabolites were quantified through a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) three-experiment protocol coupled with a yet-developed data-processing called MARA-NMR (Multiple Assignment Recovered Analysis by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). This method, taking around one-hour of experimental time per sample, faces the possible quantification of different class of compounds at different concentration ranges, which would require at least three alternative traditional methods. NMR results were compared with the data of traditional analytical methods to quantify free fatty acidity (FFA), fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), and total phenol content. The presented NMR methodology is compared with traditional analytical practices, and its consistency is also tested through slightly different data treatment. Despite the rich literature about the NMR of EVOOs, the paper points out that there are still several advances potentially improving this general analysis and overcoming the other cumbersome and multi-device analytical strategies. Monovarietal EVOO's composition is mainly affected by pedoclimatic conditions, in turn relying upon the nutritional properties, quality, and authenticity. Data collection, analysis, and statistical processing are discussed, touching on the important issues related to the climate changes in Sicily and to the specific influence of pedoclimatic conditions.

Changes in cytokine profile as a criterion for severity prediction of skin toxicity in cancer patients receiving epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors

BACKGROUND: Globally, colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer with an increased incidence of 1.93 million cases in 2020 according to World Health Organization. Approximately one quarter of the initial manifestations of colorectal cancer are metastatic, and 40–50% of individuals with early-stage disease eventually develop metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Targeted drugs, which include epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRi), are a frequent choice in the therapy of metastatic colorectal cancer. Clinical observations and in vivo studies have established a significant association between the administration of EGFRi drugs and skin inflammation, particularly acute in the first 3 months. However, the role of proinflammatory cytokines in the formation of severe skin lesions has not been definitively studied. Here we present clinical evidence of the involvement of a few cytokines in the formation of the pathologic cascade of reactions during EGFR blockade on keratinocyte membranes. AIM: Evaluation of changes in cytokine profile parameters based on the MILLIPLEX Analyte MAP panel to identify predictors of the severity of unwanted skin toxicity associated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood serum samples from 81 patients aged 18–80 years who were taking EGFRi for oncologic disease and had adverse dermatologic reactions of severity 2 or more were analyzed. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and R 4.3.1 programming language and tidyverse, rstatix packages. Detected changes with p 0.05 were analyzed considering subgroup analysis on the basis of selected cutaneous toxicity severity degrees based on the criteria developed by the US National Cancer Institute NCI-CTC v. 4. RESULTS: Blocking of EGF receptor inhibits the expression and release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is the main inducer of vascular proliferation, the consequence of which is inflammation of vascular endothelium of skin capillaries. Significant increase of IFN-γ and decrease of IFN-α2 level was found in patients with manifestations of skin toxicity of 2 and more severity degree. Also, a significant criterion of severity of the skin process was an increase in the level of TNF-α. At such dissociation there is induction of STING protein (interferon gene stimulator) and increase of TNF-β production that, in its turn, leads to increase of concentration of proinflammatory cytokines G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-α2, IFN-γ, IL-15, IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-3, IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, TNF-α, TGF-α, IL-9. This contributes not only to the maintenance of tissue inflammation, but also to the formation of a vicious circle leading to an increase in the severity of class-mediated inflammatory response against the background of further EGFRi administration. CONCLUSION: Determination of predictors of severity of adverse dermatologic reactions is extremely important for predicting the development of severity and further personalized tactics for correction of adverse events.