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Amongst functional materials, shape-memory alloys occupy a special place. Discovered in the beginning of 1960th in XX century, these alloys attracted quite an attention because of the possibility to restore significant deformation amounts at certain stress–temperature conditions due to the martensitic diffusionless phase transformation involved in a process. It was possible to exploit not only the so-called ‘shape-memory’ effect, but also superelasticity and high damping capacity. Over the years, more than 10 000 patents on shape-memory alloys were filed, appreciating not only the possibility to exploit energy transformation to ensure the response (feedback) at the change in independent thermodynamic parameters (temperature, stress, pressure, electric or magnetic field, etc.), but the significant work output as well. Applications ranged from different gadgets to automotive, aerospace industries, machine building, civil construction, etc. Unfortunately, the structural and functional fatigue restricted successful business applications to the medical sector with nitinol shape-memory alloy (different implants, stents, cardiovascular valves, etc.). Emerging high-entropy shape-memory alloys can be considered as a chance to overcome fatigue problems of existing industrial shape-memory alloys due to their specific structure that ensures superior resistance to irreversible plastic deformation.

An electron-microscopic, optical and morphometric study of a series of negatives of the microvessels of the blood microcirculatory tract (MCT) of the myocardium of the complex «left ventricle + interventricular septum» (LV + IVS) of Wistar rats aged from birth to 45 days was carried out. In a series of electron microscopic images (50 negatives of (6.5 x 9) cm2 in size, obtained at a magnification of an electron microscope of 2000x ), the relative volumes (%), absolute volumes (μm3) and average daily growth rate (μm3/ day) of MCT, capillaries, complex of microvessels (venules + arterioles). The obtained digital morphometry data made it possible to determine the regularities of the development kinetics of MCT components in the myocardium of rats during their early postnatal development. It was established that in the time interval (birth to 45 days) of the postnatal development of Wistar rats, the structural and functional elements of the blood-flowing MCR of the myocardium gradually reach their final development. For 45 days after the birth of rats, the dominant component in the blood MCT of the myocardial complex (LV + IVS) is the capillary link. In the process of postnatal angiogenesis, the source of the formation of arterioles and venules in the blood MCT of the myocardium (LV + IVS) are the existing capillaries. Intensive development of the capillary link in the MCT of the myocardium occurs during the first 10 days after birth of rats. During this period of time, the average daily growth rate of the absolute volume of capillaries in the MCT of the myocardium increases (from 0.20 to a maximum of 0.915) x109 μm3 / day. Gradual development of the microvascular complex (arterioles + venules) and increase in their absolute volume in the MCT of the myocardium occurs during the first 25 days after birth of rats. During this period of time, the average daily growth rate of the absolute volume of the microvascular complex (a + v) increases ≈ 52 times (from 0.006 to a maximum of 0.310) x 109 μm3 / day. In the MCТ of the myocardium of newborn rats, the ratio of microvascular volume (a + v) / cap was 1:44.1. Within 45 days after the birth of rats, there is a significant increase of microvascular volume (a + v) / cap in the MCT to 1: 3.1.

Shape-memory alloys belong to the functional materials, which exhibit shape memory, superelasticity and high damping-capacity phenomena. Cu-Al-Mn shape-memory alloys remain of particular interest as they show good machinability and are much cheaper than nitinol. In addition, their functional performance is quite attractive as well. The present paper is dedicated to the changes in shape memory and internal friction induced by the grain-size reduction in low-temperature cast Cu69.26Al25.86Mn4.88 alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After 15 days of postnatal development of rats, in cardiomyocytes (CMC) of the left ventricle there is a longitudinal splitting of myofibrils, which leads to an increase in their number in the contractile apparatus (CA). In newborn (n/b) rats, the number of myofibrils (MF) in the contractile apparatus of the cardiomyocytic (CMC) does not exceed 12-13 pieces. In the CMC of 45-day-old animals, this figure is 80 pieces. If we take the thrust of one CMC of newborn rats, for one conventional unit Fcmc (n/b) = 1conditional unit (c.u.). The thrust of one CMC of 45-dayold rats will be equal to Fcmc = (80 MF: 12 MF) ≈ 6.5 c.u. conditional unit. Thus, the total thrust of all CMC (Ncmc = 0.72 x 107 ) in the myocardium of newborn rats theoretically is ∑Fcmc = 0.72 x 107 c.u. The traction force of all CMC (Ncmc = 1.56 x 107 ) in the myocardium of 45 day-old rats will be: ∑Fcmc = 1.56 x 107 х 6.5 c.u ≈ 108 c.u In the time interval (n/b) – 45 days, there is a fluctuation of digital values of the cross-sectional area of the MF in the narrow range SØmf ϵ[0.65-1.05] μm2 . “Increase ↔ decrease” of the volume of sarcomeres in the MF occurs as result of fluctuations in the composition of each sarcomere of the number of structural elements – hundreds. In the center of the honeycomb is one thick, and around the perimeter of 12 thin filaments. Six thin filaments area ttached to the Z-disk on one side of the thick filament, the other six to the Z-disk on the other side of the thick filament. The area of one cell is 6,225 х 10-4 μm2 . During the period of postnatal maturation of the CMC (45 days), the number of cells in the sarcomere ranges from 1044 to 1690. Thus, in the time interval (n/r – 45) days of postnatal maturation of the CMC, the increase in the absolute volume of the contractile apparatus of the CMC occurs under the influence of the following intracellular mechanisms. 1. Increasing the length of myofibrils in 3.2 times from 25 μm to 81 μm. 2. Increasing the number of MF in the contractile apparatus of cardiomyocytes in ≈ 6.5 times from 12-13 pieces to 80 pieces. 3. Fluctuations in the cross-sectional area of myofibrils in the range [0,65-1,05] μm2 . 4. Neoplasms of honeycombs – structural and functional units in the sarcomere from 1044 to 1690 pieces. As a result of increasing the number of CMC in ≈ 2.17 times and the number of myofibrils in each CMC in ≈ 6.7 times there is an increase in the contractile force of myocardial traction in 14 times.

Within 45 days in the 2nd-CMC there is a continuous increase in the absolute (Vma), relative (Vvma) MA volumes, the total surface area ƩSnmm and the average volume of one MX (∆Vmt). The graphs of the growth of Vma, ƩSnmm and ∆Vmt values have the form of an S-like curve, which indicates the presence of three consecutive periods of monotonic development of MA and its components. In the process of postnatal morphogenesis of MA in the 2n-CMC, the biological law “division ↔ fusion” is realized. The essence of the law is that the ontogenetic regulation of the MT number in the 2n-CMC is carried out by two biological mechanisms: the division of MT, which leads to an increase in the number of organelles in the CMC, and the fusion of MT, as a result of which the number of organelles decreases, but the volume of each MT increases. The expediency of “fusion ↔ division” of MC in the process of ontogenesis of CMC is as follows. During division, the number of MT increases and, at the same time, the number of copies of mt-DNA in 2n-CMC increases. Intensive division of MC occurs in the time interval (n / p -15) days. When MT fusion occurs, duplication of mt-DNA copies occurs in each MT, which was formed after the fusion of two previous organelles. The doubled content of mx-DNA in MT 2n-CMC correlates with an increase in the number of cristae in these organelles and the area of NMM. The fusion of MT is observed in the time interval (15-30) days. This is a period of intensive growth of MA 2n-CMC, which coincides with the third period of doubling the body weight of white rats and the activation of their motor activity.

In the work were used: 15-16 and 20-21 daily embryos of rats, newborns, 1 45 daily rats Wistar males. A morphometric analysis of the myocardial parenchyma of the complex left ventricle + interventricular septum (LV + IVF) was performed. It was established that in the process of prenatal and postnatal cardiomyogenesis (15 days before and 45 days after) birth, the total number of CMC (? cmc = N1-ñ 1st cmc + N2-ñ cmc) in the parenchyma (LV + IVF) increases by 4,34 times (from 0.35 to 1.52) x 107 cmc. During the period of embryonic cardiomyogenesis (15-21) days, the values of L cmc increase by 2 times (from 0.35 to 0.74) x 107 cmc. In the process of postnatal cardiomyogenesis, in the time interval (newborns 15 daily rats), the volume of values cmc also increases by 2 times (from 0.77 to 1.52) x 107 cmc. In the time interval (1545) days, the total number of cmc does not change ? cmc ? const ? (1.51 ± 0.02) x 107 cmc. During the embryonic period of cardiomyogenesis continuous proliferation of cmc occurs with a maximum speed of 3.75 x 104 cmc/h or 625 cmc/min in the myocardial parenchyma of the newborn rat pups. After birth a significant decrease in the rate of proliferative processes in the myocardial parenchyma is observed. at t > 15 days, ?N cmc/day > 0. The formation of the 2nd cmc population in the myocardium of the complex (LV + IVF) begins from the 19th day of embryogenesis in rats. In the process of cardiomyogenesis (18 days before and 15 days after) the birth of rat pups as a result of polyploidy the number of 2nd cmc in the parenchyma (LV + IVF) increases 1000 times! (from 0.00144 to 1.44) x 107 cmc. In the time interval tº (15 45) days the digital values of the index N 2cmc ? const ? 1.44 x 107 cmc. Therefore, after the completion of the postnatal period of cardiomyogenesis, the number of 2nd cmc does not change and amounts to ? 94 95% of the total number of myocytes in the myocardial parenchyma of the complex (LV + IVF). The most active polyploidy process of cmc occurs within 5 days after the birth of rat pups. The maximum speed of polyploidy of cmc is determined on the 5th day and is equal to 73 x 103 cmc/h or 1215 cmc/min.

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The work is devoted to investigations of laser welding of rolled metal of a medical functional Ti-Ni system alloy. On the basis of the analysis of literary sources and the results of own investigations of the influence of laser welding parameters on functional characteristics of Ti-Ni shape memory alloy, the challenging directions of the further investigations are established. According to the results of the investigations of welds microstructure, concentration dependence of absolute values of recovery deformation during measurement of the shape memory effect, and investigations of phase transitions, it is established that the processes, occurring in welding zone, affect not only the strength of a joint, but also the parameters of martensitic transformation. As established, due to laser radiation and subsequent recrystallization of material in the weld area, the feasibility of shape recovery by the material of the weld body is saved, but characteristic temperatures of direct and reverse martensitic transformations grow up. The direct martensitic transformation in the region of welded joints is observed in the temperature range from 45°С to 20°С. Shape recovery in material of welded joints is observed at temperature range of 60-100°С. The obtained results allow determining the ranges of values in which it is expedient to optimize the parameters of laser treatment modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction were employed to study the effect of intense mechanical treatment on the surface chemical state, composition and structure of a commercial biomedical CoCrMo alloy ('Bondi-Loy'). The ultrasonic impact treatment of the alloy in air with duration up to 30 s was found to cause the deformation-enhanced oxidation and deformation-induced surface segregation of the components and impurities from the bulk. The compositionally inhomogeneous mixed oxide layer formed under impact treatment was composed mainly of Cr2O3 and silicon oxide with admixture of CoO, MoO2, MoO3 and iron oxide/hydroxide, the latter being transferred onto the alloy surface from the steel pin. The impact treatment promoted a progressive accumulation of carbon on the alloy surface due to its deformation-induced segregation from the bulk and deformation-induced uptake of hydrocarbons from the ambient; concurrently, the dissolution/refinement of carbides originally present in the as-cast CoCrMo alloy occurred. The impact treatment gave rise to a two-fold increase in the volume fraction of the martensitic hcp ε-phase, a 30% increase in the surface microhardness and improved resistance to corrosion in the solution of artificial saliva compared to the as-polished alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant mental health challenges, particularly for vulnerable populations, including non-binary gender individuals. The COMET international study aimed to investigate specific risk factors for clinical depression or distress during the pandemic, also in these special populations., Methods: Chi-square tests were used for initial screening to select only those variables which would show an initial significance. Risk Ratios (RR) were calculated, and a Multiple Backward Stepwise Linear Regression Analysis (MBSLRA) was followed with those variables given significant results at screening and with the presence of distress or depression or the lack of both of them., Results: The most important risk factors for depression were female (RR = 1.59-5.49) and non-binary gender (RR = 1.56-7.41), unemployment (RR = 1.41-6.57), not working during lockdowns (RR = 1.43-5.79), bad general health (RR = 2.74-9.98), chronic somatic disorder (RR = 1.22-5.57), history of mental disorders (depression RR = 2.31-9.47; suicide attempt RR = 2.33-9.75; psychosis RR = 2.14-10.08; Bipolar disorder RR = 2.75-12.86), smoking status (RR = 1.15-5.31) and substance use (RR = 1.77-8.01). The risk factors for distress or depression that survived MBSLRA were younger age, being widowed, living alone, bad general health, being a carer, chronic somatic disorder, not working during lockdowns, being single, self-reported history of depression, bipolar disorder, self-harm, suicide attempts and of other mental disorders, smoking, alcohol, and substance use., Conclusions: Targeted preventive interventions are crucial to safeguard the mental health of vulnerable groups, emphasizing the importance of diverse samples in future research., Limitations: Online data collection may have resulted in the underrepresentation of certain population groups., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None pertaining to the current paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: The prevalence of medical illnesses is high among patients with psychiatric disorders. The current study aimed to investigate multi-comorbidity in patients with psychiatric disorders in comparison to the general population. Secondary aims were to investigate factors associated with metabolic syndrome and treatment appropriateness of mental disorders., Methods: The sample included 54,826 subjects (64.73% females; 34.15% males; 1.11% nonbinary gender) from 40 countries (COMET-G study). The analysis was based on the registration of previous history that could serve as a fair approximation for the lifetime prevalence of various medical conditions., Results: About 24.5% reported a history of somatic and 26.14% of mental disorders. Mental disorders were by far the most prevalent group of medical conditions. Comorbidity of any somatic with any mental disorder was reported by 8.21%. One-third to almost two-thirds of somatic patients were also suffering from a mental disorder depending on the severity and multicomorbidity. Bipolar and psychotic patients and to a lesser extent depressives, manifested an earlier (15-20 years) manifestation of somatic multicomorbidity, severe disability, and probably earlier death. The overwhelming majority of patients with mental disorders were not receiving treatment or were being treated in a way that was not recommended. Antipsychotics and antidepressants were not related to the development of metabolic syndrome., Conclusions: The finding that one-third to almost two-thirds of somatic patients also suffered from a mental disorder strongly suggests that psychiatry is the field with the most trans-specialty and interdisciplinary value and application points to the importance of teaching psychiatry and mental health in medical schools and also to the need for more technocratically oriented training of psychiatric residents.

Introduction: The current study aimed to investigate the rates of anxiety, clinical depression, and suicidality and their changes in health professionals during the COVID-19 outbreak., Materials and Methods: The data came from the larger COMET-G study. The study sample includes 12,792 health professionals from 40 countries (62.40% women aged 39.76 ± 11.70; 36.81% men aged 35.91 ± 11.00 and 0.78% non-binary gender aged 35.15 ± 13.03). Distress and clinical depression were identified with the use of a previously developed cut-off and algorithm, respectively., Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square tests, multiple forward stepwise linear regression analyses, and Factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tested relations among variables., Results: Clinical depression was detected in 13.16% with male doctors and 'non-binary genders' having the lowest rates (7.89 and 5.88% respectively) and 'non-binary gender' nurses and administrative staff had the highest (37.50%); distress was present in 15.19%. A significant percentage reported a deterioration in mental state, family dynamics, and everyday lifestyle. Persons with a history of mental disorders had higher rates of current depression (24.64% vs. 9.62%; p < 0.0001). Suicidal tendencies were at least doubled in terms of RASS scores. Approximately one-third of participants were accepting (at least to a moderate degree) a non-bizarre conspiracy. The highest Relative Risk (RR) to develop clinical depression was associated with a history of Bipolar disorder (RR = 4.23)., Conclusions: The current study reported findings in health care professionals similar in magnitude and quality to those reported earlier in the general population although rates of clinical depression, suicidal tendencies, and adherence to conspiracy theories were much lower. However, the general model of factors interplay seems to be the same and this could be of practical utility since many of these factors are modifiable., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.)

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic various degrees of lockdown were applied by countries around the world. It is considered that such measures have an adverse effect on mental health but the relationship of measure intensity with the mental health effect has not been thoroughly studied. Here we report data from the larger COMET-G study pertaining to this question., Material and Methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic, data were gathered with an online questionnaire from 55,589 participants from 40 countries (64.85% females aged 35.80 ± 13.61; 34.05% males aged 34.90±13.29 and 1.10% other aged 31.64±13.15). Anxiety was measured with the STAI, depression with the CES-D and suicidality with the RASS. Distress and probable depression were identified with the use of a previously developed cut-off and algorithm respectively., Statistical Analysis: It included the calculation of Relative Risk (RR), Factorial ANOVA and Multiple backwards stepwise linear regression analysis RESULTS: Approximately two-thirds were currently living under significant restrictions due to lockdown. For both males and females the risk to develop clinical depression correlated significantly with each and every level of increasing lockdown degree (RR 1.72 and 1.90 respectively). The combined lockdown and psychiatric history increased RR to 6.88 The overall relationship of lockdown with severity of depression, though significant was small., Conclusions: The current study is the first which reports an almost linear relationship between lockdown degree and effect in mental health. Our findings, support previous suggestions concerning the need for a proactive targeted intervention to protect mental health more specifically in vulnerable groups., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic healthcare workers have been under pressure of high workload and an increased risk of contracting the SARS-Cov-2 virus, while confronting the most tragic and devastating aspects of the pandemic-related medical realities. These factors could lead to severe distress with potential consequences for productivity in performing professional duties, and substantially increased risk for affective reactions, including clinical states of anxiety, depression and suicidality as compared to the general population. Thus, we aimed to investigate the changes in rates of anxiety, depression and suicidality in response to the pandemic among medical staff as compared to a sample of the general population and to the period of prepandemic time., Subjects and Methods: This study is part of the large-scale, international multicentre COMET-G project. We assessed the extents of anxiety, depression and suicidality risks using the Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) with a cut-off score 39/40, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) with a cut-off score 23/24, and the Risk Assessment Suicidality Scale (RASS) with a cut-off score 499/500, respectively, in samples of Russian healthcare workers and the general population., Results: Among 7777 respondents participating in the study, responses to a query about occupation indicated 1216 healthcare workers. 45.8% of medical staff vs 40.4% of non-medical staff (χ 2 =12.42, p<0.001) reported the increased anxiety, in excess of the clinical anxiety state threshold score of 39 according to the STAI. High suicidality risks, according to a RASS score > 500, were reported by 8.2% of medical professionals vs 10.6% of non-medical personnel (χ 2 =6.35, p=0.012). The increase in depression rates, including cases of clinical depression according to the threshold of CES-D ≥ 24, did not differ between the groups., Conclusions: A larger proportion of healthcare system staff, as compared to the general population, reported a significant increase in anxiety in response to the pandemic. Compared to medical doctors, other healthcare system workers had a significantly higher prevalence of depression and suicidality rates. Exploratory analysis suggested that it was not the occupation per se, but rather the burden of meaningful working duties that could be associated with psychological defense mechanisms against depression and suicidality among medical staff.

Background: Suicidality is a complex clinical phenomenon reflecting vulnerability to suicidal behavior which can be explained via the biopsychosocial paradigm and in relationship with a variety of country-specific factors. Data on suicides within the Russian population are inconsistent (from 11.7 up to 25.1 per 100.000), whereas the population's suicidality risks have not been investigated in detail. Suicidality estimates during the multifactorial influence of the COVID-19 pandemic could serve as a basis to learn more about this mental health indicator., Methods: The current study is a part of the COMET-G international project (40 countries, n =55.589), which represents an analysis of data collected from Russia's general population ( n =7714, 33±12 y.o., 61% female) to estimate suicidality using the Risk Assessment Suicidality Scale (RASS) and its relationships with socio-demographic, clinical, and life-habit characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation of the statistical data (descriptive statistics, ANOVA, LASSO linear regression, significant at α =0.05) was undertaken using TIBCO Statistica., Results: According to the RASS, at least 20.68%, and up to 29.15%, of the general population in Russia demonstrated increased risk of suicidality during the pandemic. Modelling these risks pointed to the key vulnerabilities related to mental and behavioral disorders, such as (i) current severe depression and a history of mental disorders, (ii) bipolar disorder, (iii) use of illicit drugs surprisingly outranking the alcohol misuse, and psychiatric compounds (hypnotics), highlighting sleep quality deterioration, (iv) a history of suicide attempts and self-harm - though not self-reported changes in depression - in response were predictors of the risk of suicidality, which can be explained by the phenomenon of "learned suicidality", a habitual behavioral suicidality pattern completion accumulated over the background. Such (v) socio-demographic indicators as younger age (disregarding the gender factor), a marital status of single, having no children, living with fewer people in the household, a recent increase in family conflicts, increased need for emotional support, decreased need for communication, and not believing in precautionary measures against COVID-19, contributed to the increase of suicidality risk in the context of the pandemic., Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed new suicide risk factors that should be taken into account in suicidality risk assessments for the Russian population and in the implementation of suicide prevention programs in the region., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None to declare., (© Authors, 2022.)

Introduction: There are few published empirical data on the effects of COVID-19 on mental health, and until now, there is no large international study., Material and Methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic, an online questionnaire gathered data from 55,589 participants from 40 countries (64.85% females aged 35.80 ± 13.61; 34.05% males aged 34.90±13.29 and 1.10% other aged 31.64±13.15). Distress and probable depression were identified with the use of a previously developed cut-off and algorithm respectively., Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square tests, multiple forward stepwise linear regression analyses and Factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tested relations among variables., Results: Probable depression was detected in 17.80% and distress in 16.71%. A significant percentage reported a deterioration in mental state, family dynamics and everyday lifestyle. Persons with a history of mental disorders had higher rates of current depression (31.82% vs. 13.07%). At least half of participants were accepting (at least to a moderate degree) a non-bizarre conspiracy. The highest Relative Risk (RR) to develop depression was associated with history of Bipolar disorder and self-harm/attempts (RR = 5.88). Suicidality was not increased in persons without a history of any mental disorder. Based on these results a model was developed., Conclusions: The final model revealed multiple vulnerabilities and an interplay leading from simple anxiety to probable depression and suicidality through distress. This could be of practical utility since many of these factors are modifiable. Future research and interventions should specifically focus on them., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest None pertaining to the current paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved.)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially contributed to increased anxiety rates among the general population worldwide. Pandemic-related health anxiety and worries about getting COVID-19 can lead to generalized anxiety and anxiety somatization, which, together with insalubrious daily life habits, are risk factors of worsening somatic health in people with SARS-Cov-2 infection., Subjects and Methods: The current study is a part of the COMET-G project (40 countries, n=55589; approved by the Ethics Committee of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), which represents an intermediate analysis of data collected anonymously via online links from a national sample of the Russian general population (n=9936, 31.09±12.16 y.o., 58.7% females) to estimate anxiety using STAI-S and self-reported changes in anxiety and life habits (physical activity, nutrition and weight, internet use, sleep) during the lockdown. All statistical calculations (descriptive statistics, between group comparisons using chi-square test, MANOVA, ANOVA, significant at p<0.05) were performed with IBM SPSS 27., Results: Overall STAI-S scores were 29±5.4, a subjective feeling of anxiety increase was reported in 40.3% of respondents (43.9% significantly > in females), worsening to clinical anxiety in 2.1% (2.4% > in females). 54.2% of respondents reported decreased physical activity, 33.1% gained weight, 72% used internet more often, 52.6% experienced worries related to the information about COVID-19 (56.8% > in females). 88% experienced worsened sleep quality, 69.2% stayed up until late, 23.2% took sleeping pills, and 31% had nightmares in which they felt trapped. To ANOVA, such life habits as reduced physical activity during the lockdown, increased time spent online, internet browsing about COVID-19, tendency to stay up late, use of sleeping pills and disturbing dreams with scenario of being trapped were significantly related to worsening of clinical anxiety. However, eating behaviour, weight changes, and social media use did not contribute to the clinical anxiety increase., Conclusions: Factors of decreased physical activity and sleep disturbances related to the lockdown, as well as excessive internet browsing for information about COVID-19, emerged as risk factors for increased anxiety, more notably in women than in men. Preventive measures should be targeted against relevant factors imparting anxiety in the vulnerable population.

Background: The specific role of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene polymorphisms in emotional support seeking, related to social norms and culturally normative behavior, has been discussed in several studies. Evidence on the association between aggression and OXTR polymorphisms has also been reported. The goal of the current study was to analyze the effect of the OXTR rs53576 polymorphism, prenatal testosterone effect (second-to-fourth digit ratio, or 2D:4D), and culture on aggression assessed with the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ)., Methods: The data were collected in Russia and Tanzania and included seven ethnic groups of European, Asian, and African origin. The total sample included 1705 adults (837 males, 868 females). All the subjects were evaluated with the BPAQ. As a measure of prenatal androgenization, the second and fourth digits were measured directly from hand, and the digit ratios were calculated. All the participants provided buccal samples, from which genomic DNA was extracted, and the OXTR gene rs53576 polymorphism was genotyped. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0; the alpha level for all analyses was set at 0.05., Results: The ethnic group factor was the most significant predictor of ratings on BPAQ (medium effect size for physical aggression, anger and hostility scales, and low for verbal aggression). To study the effect of sex, the OXTR polymorphism, and prenatal androgenization, we conducted the z-score transformation for BPAQ scales and 2D:4D for each ethnic group and pooled these data into new z-score variables. According to the GLM analysis after leveling the effects of culture (z-transformation), all four scales of BPAQ demonstrated association with sex (main effects), with men scoring higher on physical and verbal aggression and women scoring higher on anger and hostility. Anger and hostility scales were also associated with OXTR polymorphism and 2D:4D of the right hand. The lowest levels of anger and hostility were observed in individuals with the AA genotype, especially in men., Conclusions: Our data suggest that both oxytocin (OXTR gene polymorphism) and fetal testosterone (2D:4D) may significantly affect emotional (anger) and cognitive (hostility) aggression in humans, given the leveling the role of culture.

In this work, biomedical Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy is subjected to ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT). XRD, TEM and SAED analyses show that the plastic deformation induced by the UIT process results in a complex microstructural formation in surface layer of Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy. The peculiar feature observed in the alloy structure by TEM is the formation of Lomer-Cottrell locks originated by simultaneous sliding of Shockley partial dislocations in intersecting planes. At the beginning of the UIT process (till the strain extent e ≈ 0.2), dislocation pile-ups are gathered in front of the Lomer-Cottrell locks stimulating the formation of a great number of chaotic stacking faults (SFs) packets (incompletely transformed martensite), which are predominant with regard to the occurrence of ε-martensite and micro-twins. The incompletely transformed martensite hinders the shear translation through the twin boundaries and suppresses grain subdivision in surface layer of Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy at the UIT process used. On-going deformation to e ≈ 0.4 leads to further modification of microstructure in the micron-scale γ-grains, which consists of numerous Lomer-Cottrell locks, chaotic subtraction SFs, intersected nano-twins and fine lathes of ε-martensite with average size of approx. 50-100 nm. The observed structural features (at e ≈ 0.4) allow adequately explaining noticeable increase in microhardness without any cracks/cleavages in surface layer. Enhanced corrosion resistance of Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy, which manifests itself with less negative corrosion potential and lower corrosion and passivity currents in potentiodynamic curve, is promoted by the UIT induced oxide films and the following structural features: the CSL type of γ/ε interfacial boundaries, uniformly distributed fine carbides, and high fraction of the grains oriented with close packed (111)γ and (0002)ε planes parallel to the surface of the UIT-processed specimen., (Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The rise of allergic diseases warrants an investigation of various environmental factors that are able to influence man negatively. By interacting with the human organism, bacteria and their decomposition products are well-known to stimulate different immunological reactions. The 24-month study has indicated that the total bacterial contamination of dust and the typical diversity of microbes depend on the season. In winter the occurrence ofgram-negative bacteria is high. The latter is indicative of that the dust of flats may contain high levels of endotoxin and thus the less comfort of life in the individuals who are genetically predisposed to hypersensitivity.

Effects of non-invasive electric stimulation on hearing were studied in cats with depressed periphery of the acoustic analyser. Experimental neurosensory hypoacusis was induced by large doses of canamycin (25-30 mg/kg). The hearing was assessed by short-latent stem and cortical long-latent evoked potentials (EP). Consideration was also given to changes in the amplitude of the wave V of short-latent EP in varying intensity of the sound stimulus. When deep suppression was reached, 8-day course of electric stimulation was started with registration of EP. It was found that canamycin elevates thresholds of identification of wave V of short-latent stem EP and thresholds of emergence of long-latent stem EP. The curve amplitude/intensity was also affected. The course of electrical stimulation returned the above parameters of the thresholds and the curve to the baseline levels. This is the evidence of therapeutic action of non-invasive electrical stimulation.

Multifactorial prophylaxis on the individual basis was conducted for 5 years among the population of 2047 males aged 40-59 years with ischemic heart disease (IHD) or its risk factors. Compared to the comparison group of 2101 subjects, in the study group the investigators achieved a 37% reduction in the mean population profile of myocardial infarction risk due to less prevalence of 3 main risk factor: arterial hypertension, low physical activity, smoking. Unbalance of the groups by age and education made the effect of the prevention measures on cardiovascular mortality menostrable only at statistical Cox's model.