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Abstract Bruch´s membrane (BM) is firmly connected posteriorly to the optic nerve head through the peripapillary choroidal border tissue, and anteriorly through the longitudinal ciliary muscle to the scleral spur. We assessed, whether a difference in the contractile state of the ciliary muscle influences the position of the posterior BM by lifting the posterior BM pole, i.e., induces changes in the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT). Healthy young adult individuals received one drop of cyclopentolate 1% into their right eyes and one drop of pilocarpine 1% into their left eyes. Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), three examiners measured independently SFCT and choroidal thickness in the fundus midperiphery at baseline and 30 min after eye drop instillation. The study included 21 healthy individuals (age:21.9 ± 2.6 years; range:15.7–25.8 years; axial length:24.4 ± 1.2 mm). In the right eyes, SFCT changed by 8.7 ± 34.9 μm (examiner 1), -2.9 ± 18.6 μm (examiner 2), and 10.5 ± 21.8 μm (examiner 3), respectively, and the midperipheral choroidal thickness changed by -10.6 ± 25.9 μm (examiner 1), 0.9 ± 17.5 μm (examiner 2), and 4.2 ± 24.7 μm (examiner 3), respectively, without significant differences between the measurements taken before and after eye drop application (all P > 0.05). In the left eyes, SFCT changed by 5.8 ± 22.2 μm (examiner 1), 5.5 ± 36.5 μm (examiner 2), and 3.9 ± 29.5 μm (examiner 3), respectively, and the midperipheral choroidal thickness changed by -6.9 ± 47.9 μm (examiner 1), -3.5 ± 28.7 μm (examiner 2), and 16.0 ± 28.2 μm (examiner3), respectively, without significant differences between baseline and study end (all P > 0.05). Application of cyclopentolate 1% and of pilocarpine 1% did not result in a statistically significant change in choroidal thickness in young healthy adults.

Background and Aim: Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan and a major foodborne pathogen worldwide. Nearly, all warm-blooded animals are susceptible to toxoplasmosis, with raw and undercooked meat and animal products serving as the primary transmission routes. To date, the distribution of T. gondii among farm animals in Kazakhstan has been inadequately studied. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of antibodies against T. gondii in cattle and sheep in the Akmola and Kostanay regions. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were randomly collected from 437 cattle and 397 sheep from two regions of Kazakhstan: Akmola and Kostanay. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on the native protein Toxoplasma surface antigen 1 was used for serological analysis. Results: The occurrences of T. gondii were 8.0% and 3.8% among cattle and 42.1% and 19.0% among sheep in the Akmola and Kostanay regions, respectively. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in all study areas. The greatest frequency of seropositive reactions in cattle was observed in the Arshaly region (9.0%), whereas the least frequent was observed in Arkalyk (3.3%). The highest occurrence of seropositive reactions among sheep was found in the Zerenda region (54.5%), whereas the lowest was found in the Auliekol region (15.6%). Conclusion: The obtained results confirmed the circulation of the T. gondii pathogen among cattle and sheep in the investigated regions. These findings provide insight into the current distribution of this zoonotic parasite among farm animals in Kazakhstan.

The issue of digitalization in chemical technology production is currently quite pressing, and the available computational infrastructure is insufficient for assessing the technological properties of the products obtained through mathematical modeling tools. This problem is particularly relevant for polymer synthesis processes, where standard empirical evaluations require enormous computational resources, and existing methods and algorithms prove ineffective when organizing multiple computational trials to select optimal production scenarios. The aim of this study is to develop a cloud-based digital service that enables comprehensive research into complex physicochemical processes occurring via polymerization mechanisms. The implementation of all algorithms is based on the use of kinetic and statistical approaches to modeling, and the embedded calculation methods are adapted to the specifics of polymerization processes. The conceptual framework of the developed cloud service is represented by a three-tier network architecture, and the established mechanism of network interaction allows the service to operate in a 24-hour multi-user mode. Task execution in the remote environment and the distribution of computational resources are handled using Docker containerization technology, which provides software-level virtualization within the operating system. The storage subsystem is managed by the MongoDB database management system, which supports distributed information storage functions. The organization of test computational experiments in evaluating the detailed properties of polymer products allowed for the assessment of the system’s core logic in web interface mode and the adequacy of the obtained calculation results. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-06-023 Full Text: PDF

Introduction. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection with high-risk HPVs is an etiological factor in the development of cervical cancer, with HPV type 16 (HPV16) being the most common. The mechanisms leading to disruption of viral oncogene expression and initiation of epithelial cell transformation are poorly understood. Epigenetic regulatory factors, including cellular miRNAs, may play an important role in HPV-induced carcinogenesis, and aberrantly expressed miRNAs may be promising markers for the diagnosis of HPV-associated lesions.Aim. To search for miRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of HPV16-associated cervical cancer and to evaluate their diagnostic potential for the detection of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions.Materials and methods. MiRNA expression in clinical samples was assessed by both next generation sequencing and quantitative stem-loop polymerase chain reaction (sl-qPCR). Plasma miRNAs from patients with precancerous and cancerous lesions and healthy donors were analyzed using sl-qPCR. Loss of heterozygosity in cervical cancer samples was assessed by copy number ratio of MIR135A1 and ACTB genes. A total of 67 patients with cervical cancer, 21 with precancerous cervical lesions and 24 healthy donors were included in the study. The effect of DNA methylation on miRNA-135A1 expression was evaluated after treatment with a demethylating agent of the cervical HPV16-positive SiHa cell line. Changes in the expression of the HPV16 E6 oncogene were analyzed after transfection with synthetic analogues of the mature forms of miRNA-135А1 (miRNA-135a-3p and miRNA-135a-5p).Results. A significant decrease in the expression of miRNA-135A1 and miRNA-135A2 was detected in tumor tissue samples from HPV16-positive cervical cancer, which was confirmed by sl-qPCR in an independent panel of tumor samples. A decrease in miRNA-135A1 expression was shown to result from both loss of heterozygosity of the gene and aberrant DNA methylation. Transfection of mature forms of miRNA-135A1 into SiHa cells resulted in decreased expression of the E6 oncogene of HPV16. Blood plasma samples from patients with cervical cancer and precancerous lesions showed lower levels of miRNA-135a-3p than healthy donors, and ROC analysis indicated its high diagnostic potential.Conclusion. Levels of miRNA-135A1 are significantly reduced in cervical lesions, both in tumor tissue and plasma, and the ability of this miRNA to suppress the expression of the HPV16 E6 oncogene suggests its oncosuppressive properties. Thus, miRNA-135A1 can be used as a promising new marker for the diagnosis of HPV-associated lesions.

It has now been shown that overweight and obesity are associated with the development of at least 13 types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon and rectum, endometrium, esophagus (adenocarcinoma), gallbladder, stomach, kidney (renal cell), liver, ovaries, pancreas and thyroid glands, as well as multiple myeloma. Obesity-related cancers account for about 40% of all cancers. Thus, obesity is ahead of smoking as the most common modifiable risk factor for carcinogenesis. This review collects the latest data on the impact of obesity phenotypes on the risk of developing cancer, including a discussion of the contribution of the metabolically healthy obesity phenotype (MHO) to tumorigenesis. Possible mechanisms contributing to the emergence and progression of cancer are analyzed, for example: stimulation of cell proliferation, evasion of growth suppressors, inhibition of apoptosis and provision of replicative immortality, induction of angiogenesis, activation of invasion and metastasis, influence on genome instability, as well as chronic low-grade inflammation that contributes to the development of cancer. Understanding how obesity influences the above mechanisms may facilitate the development of new cancer prevention and treatment strategies for obese populations.

This study determined the effectiveness of a developed MOOC ‘Statistical Analysis and Information Processing for Research’ in enhancing Kazakhstan’s young researchers’ research skills. This study employed pedagogical experience generalization, pedagogical observation, discussion, questioning, and mathematical statistics to process experimental results. Criteria were selected to assess MOOCs’ impact on participants’ skills. Pearson’s goodness-of-fit criterion was utilized as the experimental results were categorized into high, sufficient, and low levels. Following the MOOC’s implementation, the experimental testing results showed a significant improvement compared to the control group. This comparison was valid for a random selection of students with a probability of 0.99, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9. Our study encompassed 340 participants. The MOOC’s implementation led to a 12.1% increase in the number of experimental group students receiving high assessments for their scientific work, a 14.1% increase in the number of experimental group students obtaining average scores, and a 26.2% increase in the number of control group students who did not partake in the MOOC and obtained low grades. An experimental evaluation of the effectiveness of implementing the MOOC in three languages confirmed the hypothesis that MOOC-based learning technology is more effective than traditional methods in enhancing Kazakhstan’s young researchers’ research skills.

This article presents a novel simulation approach for solving the inverse problem of kinetic heterogeneity in polymerization processes, specifically focusing on the production of polyisoprene using a gadolinium chloride solvate-based catalytic system. The proposed method is based on the assumption that the distribution of active centers (ACs) can be described by model distributions. By utilizing primary physicochemical data, such as the polymerization rate and molecular weight distribution, the simulation approach automatically identifies the kinetic parameters, determining the Frenkel statistical parameter and solving the problem of kinetic heterogeneity. The experimental results revealed the presence of at least three distinct types of ACs, each contributing different proportions to the polymerization process. The simulation approach offers valuable insights into the complexities of catalytic systems and their role in polymerization, paving the way for optimizing reaction conditions and advancing industrial polymer synthesis processes. This study marks a significant step forward in understanding and controlling polymerization reactions, with potential implications for the development of innovative materials and industrial applications.

Objective: This study examined the impact of family size and type on maternal rejection and its relationship with emotional-behavioral difficulties in children with ADHD compared to those typically developing. Method: The participants were mothers of 7- to 12-year-old children with ADHD (n = 102) and mothers of typically developing children (n = 102) in Kazakhstan. In this cross-sectional study, multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between variables. Results: Family size affected maternal rejection after accounting for children's emotional-behavioral difficulties only in mothers of children with ADHD. The effect of family type on maternal rejection was statistically significant in both groups. Family size exacerbated the relationship between children's emotional-behavioral difficulties and maternal rejection only in children with ADHD. The moderating effect of family type was not found in either group. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that family size and type contribute to maternal rejection of children with ADHD.

Secondary corneal dystrophy is a group of diseases characterized by an inflammatory–dystrophic process in the cornea of the eye. This pathology is accompanied by a pronounced pain syndrome and leads to an irreversible decrease in vision, up to complete blindness. To date, many aspects of pathomorphological changes of the cornea in secondary dystrophies remain insufficiently studied due to the impossibility of conducting an intravital study of the cornea tissue. The article presents a case of morphological analysis of a tissue fragment of a pathologically altered cornea in secondary posttraumatic corneal dystrophy. Destructive changes in corneal tissue revealed during light microscopy indicate the presence of signs of fibrinoid swelling in the shell stroma with gross disorganization of the base substance and neovascularization. The study made it possible to correlate the data of pathomorphological changes and the clinical picture, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the chosen method of treatment of this pathology (intrastromal injection of a suspension of autologous mononuclear leukocytes of blood into the stroma of the damaged cornea).

The incidence and prevalence of oncological diseases, which are the second most frequent cause of death, is steadily increasing among the population of the Russian Federation. The advances in translational medicine, including immunotherapy, have revolutionized the cancer treatment strategies. A particular breakthrough has been achieved in two areas of immunotherapy that have modernized the cancer treatment: chimeric T-cell receptors and antibodies known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, which block cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and ligand programmed cell death receptor (PD-L1). Immune checkpoint inhibitors enhance the immune response of the tumor and can cause adverse effects as a result of hyperactivation of T cells. In turn, immunosuppressive drugs, which are often prescribed to mitigate the side effects associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, are a risk factor for the development of infectious processes. The purpose of this review is to analyze the possible relationships between immune checkpoint inhibitors and the risk of infection, as well as to discuss the possible benefits of immune checkpoint inhibitors as a treatment for various types of infections, including viral, parasitic and fungal infections, as well as sepsis. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated the ability to significantly increase the life expectancy of patients with advanced cancer, they often lead to adverse events, which often require a treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, including corticosteroids, anti-TNF and other biological agents. The overall effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors on human infections remains poorly understood. Further research is needed to understand the basic mechanisms of the immunological effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors on various types of infections, since in some cases such effects may be beneficial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus and obesity are two closely related diseases that are a global public health problem. Obesity is characterized by an increase in the volume of adipose tissue and a change in the production and function of adipocytokines, which leads to a violation of the regulation of insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, contributing to the development of insulin resistance and diabetic pathology.AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of individual adipocytokines and metabolic hormones in patients with DM2 and without diabetes, depending on the presence/absence of abdominal obesity (AO).MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center observational cross-sectional study was conducted. A population subsample of men and women aged 25–44 years was examined. Socio-demographic data were collected, anthropometric measurements were performed. The levels of amylin, C-peptide, ghrelin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), glucagon, were determined in blood serum by multiplex analysis using a set of reagents Human Metabolic Hormone V3 (USA) and Human Adipokine Panel 1 (USA) on a Luminex MAGPIX flow fluorimeter (USA). interleukin 6, insulin, leptin, monocytic chemotactic factor 1 (MCP-1), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), peptide YY (PYY), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), adiponectin, adipsin, lipocalin-2, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and resistin.RESULTS: The study included 105 people. The main group consisted of 35 people with diabetes mellitus, 11 of them without AO and 24 with AO, the control group consisted of 70 people without diabetes mellitus (35 people with AO and 35 without AO), comparable in gender and age with the main group. In individuals with abdominal obesity, regardless of the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, the levels of C-peptide, GLP-1, insulin, leptin and TNF-alpha are higher than in individuals without abdominal obesity. The chance of having diabetes mellitus and AO is associated with an increase in leptin levels (OR=1.367, 95% CI: 1.050–1.779, p=0.020).CONCLUSION: The results of our study show that the indicators of the adipocytokine profile differ significantly in individuals with the presence/absence of abdominal obesity. According to our data, leptin makes the greatest contribution to the development of SD2 against the background of AO. Further research is needed to identify causal relationships and determine whether treatment that regulates adipocytokine levels can help in personalized approaches to the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) impacts the quality of life and is the most frequently reported cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Aims: To assess the changes in the exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in patients with vs. without ischemic heart disease (IHD) confirmed by stress computed tomography myocardial perfusion (CTP) imaging. Objectives: IHD early diagnosis and management remain underestimated due to the poor diagnostic and therapeutic strategies including the primary prevention methods. Materials and Methods: A single center observational study included 80 participants. The participants were aged ≥ 40 years and given an informed written consent to participate in the study and publish any associated figures. Both groups, G1 (n = 31) with and G2 (n = 49) without post stress-induced myocardial perfusion defect, passed cardiologist consultation, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and pulse rate measurements, echocardiography, real time breathing at rest into PTR-TOF-MS-1000, cardio-ankle vascular index, bicycle ergometry, and immediately after performing bicycle ergometry repeating the breathing analysis into the PTR-TOF-MS-1000, and after three minutes from the end of the second breath, repeat the breath into the PTR-TOF-MS-1000, then performing CTP. LASSO regression with nested cross-validation was used to find the association between the exhaled VOCs and existence of myocardial perfusion defect. Statistical processing performed with R programming language v4.2 and Python v.3.10 [^R], STATISTICA program v.12, and IBM SPSS v.28. Results: The VOCs specificity 77.6% [95% confidence interval (CI); 0.666; 0.889], sensitivity 83.9% [95% CI; 0.692; 0.964], and diagnostic accuracy; area under the curve (AUC) 83.8% [95% CI; 0.73655857; 0.91493173]. Whereas the AUC of the bicycle ergometry 50.7% [95% CI; 0.388; 0.625], specificity 53.1% [95% CI; 0.392; 0.673], and sensitivity 48.4% [95% CI; 0.306; 0.657]. Conclusions: The VOCs analysis appear to discriminate individuals with vs. without IHD using machine learning models. Other: The exhaled breath analysis reflects the myocardiocytes metabolomic signature and related intercellular homeostasis changes and regulation perturbances. Exhaled breath analysis poses a promise result to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the physical stress tests using machine learning models.

Introduction. Because of high demand for polymer products, there are constantly modernized the technological aspects of their production, a huge share of which is based on the use of microheterogeneous catalytic systems. Physicochemical properties of polymer products can be improved through targeted hydrodynamic effect in turbulent flows. The study of physicochemical patterns of polymer product synthesis in the presence of modified catalytic systems is of great interest. Aim of the Article. The article is aimed at evaluating the efficiency of hydrodynamic influence in turbulent flows on the type of catalyst heterogeneity and the kinetics of polymer production processes. Materials and Methods. In the study of polymer synthesis processes, there is used a simulation approach to the system model description that is based on the idea of reproducing various scenarios of uninterrupted production and conducting the necessary empirical analysis. Parallel programming and cloud computing technologies are used in simulation modeling to increase computational speed. Results. A methodology for solving inverse problems has been developed to determine the influence of external factors on the kinetic activity and heterogeneity of active centers on the basis of known physicochemical information. The use of simulation modeling with the application of cloud computing technology makes it possible to unambiguously determine the type of kinetic heterogeneity in the conditions of averaging the reactive capacity of active centers. Discussion and Conclusion. Approbation of the new simulation approach to the solution of the inverse problem allowed evaluating the efficiency of the influence of the tube turbulent apparatus on the kinetics of producing polyisoprene in the presence of titanium catalyst and identifying the presence of two active centers: type ATi − lnM = 13.4, type BTi − lnM = 11.7, while the proportion of active centers type ATi is 0.91; type BTi – 0.09. Based on the data obtained, it becomes possible to formulate and solve inverse problems of identifying kinetic parameters for further model description of the system.