Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B and hepatitis C in three large regions of Kazakhstan

Background & aims Kazakhstan has implemented comprehensive programs to reduce the incidence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. This study aims to assess seroprevalence and risk factors for HBsAg and anti-HCV positivity in three large regions of Kazakhstan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in three regions geographically remote from each other. Participants were randomly selected using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling and were surveyed by a questionnaire based on the WHO STEP survey instrument. Blood samples were collected for HBsAg and anti-HCV testing. Results A total of 4,620 participants were enrolled. The seroprevalence was 5.5% (95%CI: 3.6%-8.4%) for HBsAg and 5.1% (95%CI: 3.5%-7.5%) for anti-HCV antibodies. Both were more prevalent in the western and northern regions than in the southern. A history of blood transfusion was significantly associated with anti-HCV presence, with odds ratios (ORs) of 2.10 (95%CI: 1.37–3.21) and was borderline associated with HBsAg 1.39 (95%CI: 0.92–2.10), respectively. Having a family member with viral hepatitis was also borderline associated (2.09 (95%CI: 0.97–4.50)) with anti-HCV positivity. Conclusions This study found a high-intermediate level of endemicity for HBsAg and a high level of endemicity for anti-HCV antibodies in three large regions of Kazakhstan. We found that history of surgery was not associated with HbsAg neither with anti-HCV seropositivity rates. Blood transfusion was associated with anti-HCV seropositivity, however, to investigate effectiveness of the introduced comprehensive preventive measures in health care settings, there is a need to conduct further epidemiological studies.

Bacteriological control of milk and effectiveness of antimastitis measures in cows

Under the current conditions of livestock development, the main task of farms is the systematic bacteriological control of milk and the development of comprehensive programs for the control and prevention of mastitis in cows. These measures will make it possible to establish control over this pathology, reduce veterinary treatment costs, improve milk quality, increase average hopes for lactation, increase the productive use of cows, and more. It was found that among the forms of clinical mastitis in the farm registered catarrhal and purulent-catarrhal (65.0 %), serous (12.0 %), and less often – fibrinous (11.5 %), hemorrhagic (11.0 %), and abscess udder (0.5 %). Bacteriological studies of milk taken from cows proved the presence of Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Escherichia coli, β-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. Microbiological studies showed that the isolated cultures of microorganisms were sensitive to tetracycline, neomycin, and cloxacycline; conditionally sensitive to streptomycin, doxycillin; no sensitivity to amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, norfloxacin and gatifloxacin. A treatment scheme was proposed for patients with purulent-catarrhal mastitis of cows, included intra-tank injections of the drug “Mastidev-Linko,” intramuscular injections of the drug “Tseftiodev 5%” and external application of the ointment “Dibutaliastin.” As a result of studies on the therapeutic efficiency of the proposed veterinary drugs when used in cows of Holstein-Friesian and black-spotted breed, patients with purulent-catarrhal mastitis, 91.6 % therapeutic efficiency of drugs was established. It is recommended that animals infected with infectious agents should be milked last and milking machines thoroughly disinfected; apply the pre- and post-milking treatment of udder teats with disinfectants (dips); periodically check in the laboratory the disinfecting ability of drugs for udder treatment and disinfection of accessories; use only proven tools; control the correct preparation of solutions and treatment of the udder with disinfectants (dips); to reject animals that do not respond to treatment (chronically ill).

Strategic Analysis of the Region's Competitive Advantages in the Context of Industrial Tourism Development

Introduction. Industrial tourism is a niche tourism area that combines a unique emotional experience, educational functionality, and cultural and historical component in a single tourist product. Government and business have realized the strategic importance of industrial tourism. Together with the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI), they are implementing comprehensive programs for the development of industrial tourism in regions with significant industrial heritage. Study objects and methods. The present research was based on the theory of strategy and methodology of strategizing developed by Professor V.L. Kvint. The authors performed an in-depth analysis of the competitive advantages and resource provision of the regions that signed an agreement with the ASI. Various economic, social, and other reasons force regional authorities to develop industrial tourism. However, unjustified development of industrial tourism may diffuse the limited regional, municipal, or company budgets. Results and discussion. Statistical indicators and strategic documents showed that the regions under discussion have certain industrial potential for the development of this type of tourism. However, poor transport infrastructure, transport accessibility, and tourist infrastructure reduce the chances to diversify the local economy through industrial tourism. Conclusion. Not all regions that have the ASI agreement have sufficient competitive advantages and resources for this strategic opportunity. New members must undergo a strategic analysis of the competitive advantages and priority directions. Regions with good competitive advantages should develop a special program or a strategy for the development of industrial tourism.

SEARCH ASSOCIATION OF POLYMORPHISM rs3918242 IN MMP9 GENE WITH GUM RECESSION OF CHILDREN

Subject. Gingival recession is a complex multifactorial disease, the development of which is influenced by the interaction of many genes and environmental factors (orthodontic and mucogingival anomalies, bad habits, muscle hypertonicity). Since, in addition to environmental factors, genes also influence the development of this pathology, the study of the molecular genetic basis of gum recession is an urgent task of modern dentistry. Such studies can make a decisive contribution to the creation of a concept describing the development of gingival recession, will help determine the prospects for its personalization and will allow the development of scientifically based comprehensive programs for the prevention of periodontal pathology. The aim is to study the association of the rs3918242 of the metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) gene in children with the development of gum recession citizensof the Republic of Tatarstan. Methodology. The study sample included 284 patients, of which 200 relatively healthy ones constituted the control group (intact periodontium) and 84 - the observation group (gingival recession). DNA was isolated from buccal epithelial cells. Further genotyping of the rs3918242 polymorphism of the MMP9gene was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction on a CFX96 amplifier (BioRad, USA) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions (Sib-DNA, Novosibirsk). Statistical analysis was performed to assess the differences between the study groups. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of alleles and genotypes of the rs3918242 polymorphism of the MMP9 gene between the study groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions. The role of the rs3918242 polymorphism of the MMP9 gene in the development of gum recession in children living in the Republic of Tatarstan has not been established using the case-control methodological approach.

Locomotive syndrome: a new view of fragility in older age

Locomotive syndrome is a geriatric syndrome that corresponds to the model of autonomy loss and the emergence of addictions due to pathology of the musculoskeletal system with a heavy medical and social burden. Combination of musculoskeletal system diseases, including osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, dorsopathy, sarcopenia, neuropathy, together with impaired physical functioning are the clinical characteristics of locomotive syndrome. Only comprehensive programs, including pain treatment, the risk of osteoporetic fractures, prevention of falls, correction of sarcopenia, physical training, psychotherapeutic methods, etc., can increase the mobility of patients with locomotive syndrome and help reduce addictions in older age.

The Future of Math Teacher Professional Learning

We summarize the results of a field scan that set out to describe the current state of math teacher learning and promising future directions for improving math teaching and learning for all learners, particularly those most underestimated by the education system. We share five key learnings: (1) math teacher learning is in a "steady state," where schools and districts generally use three approaches to support math educators: professional learning communities (PLCs), instructional coaching, and professional learning workshops, (2) researchers have not been able to document a strong link between each of these three approaches and teacher and student learning, with the exception of coaching which shows benefits for teachers but not direct evidence of student learning, (3) comprehensive programs that apply several of these approaches simultaneously with sufficient supports can improve math outcomes for students, but gains often dissipate when supports decline, (4) there are a few "points of light" of innovative new approaches including teacher-led learning innovations, teacher pipeline initiatives, practice-embedded models, and digital clinical simulations, and (5) there are opportunities for new initiatives in math education to pay greater attention to the implications for teacher learning. We discuss important critiques of our report and offer a "call to action" for stakeholders in the field.

Religious Fanaticism and Changing Patterns of Violent Crime in Nigeria

Fanaticism has brewed into different forms in the Nigerian context – and the gravest is religious fanaticism. It has taken hold of most clans, religions, and ethnic groups across Nigeria. Religion has always existed in Nigerian societies and also has fanaticism but the level of violence precipitated by this fanaticism is apparently unprecedented. This paper journeys into the beginning of religious fanaticism in Nigeria and its changing patterns of violence. It highlights the root causes of religious violence in Nigeria and visible patterns in this violence. The paper adopted structural-functionalism theoretical formation and gathered data from textbooks, e-books, journals, online articles, newspapers, and magazines. At the end, the paper recommends that Nigerian governments initiate comprehensive programs to reconcile the religious differences that have evolved over time between Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religions.

First-Generation College Students’ Integration into Higher Education

First-generation college students face many challenges transitioning into school. This research included details relating to the difficulties facing the scholars and how college educators can address the needs. Understanding the concerns of first-generation college students is critical for the implementation of comprehensive programs to provide support for first-generation students. Appropriate support is not being put in place, and the problem is college educators do not understand first-generation college students’ burdens. An insufficient exploration of the issues surrounding institutional structures within the higher education community to support this population represents a gap in the literature. The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study was to explore the perspectives of the first-generation students and university representatives regarding the necessary interventions designed for learning. Research questions helped to identify the viewpoints of the scholars and set the foundation for all-inclusive plans. 26 participants were interviewed, 15 of whom were included in four small focus groups and 17 of whom participated in in-depth interviews. Program policy documents were reviewed as well. The analysis involved coding the information for themes and interpretations, which findings suggest providing a more collaborative system with comprehensive support for first-generation college students. Best practices for transformational changes were linked to maintaining sustainable relationships and integrating cultural competence for the learners.

The social and physical consequences of weight stigma in obese adolescents – primary care view

Negative attitudes regarding obese adolescents are learned early in life. Weight stigmatizing experiences occur frequently in the context of personal relationships with peers, teachers, family members, and health professionals. Adolescents’ weight stigma is insufficiently considered in the obesity’s management, and this contributes to negative health outcomes and behaviors that act as obesogenic factors into adulthood. Primary care professionals provide opportunity for translating expert recommendations for healthy behavior changes of obese adolescents, having facilities and staff to implement them in the community. However, comprehensive programs for controlling body weight and stigmatizing obese adolescents are not sufficiently addressed in primary care because they require psycho-educational skills development and dedicated time. In the framework of the curricular reform of the family medicine residency program a study design in the community served by the family physician trainer and carried out with the family medicine residents involvement was included. We describe an integrative community-based educational program dedicated to the social and physical health consequences of obese adolescents’ weight stigma that should be implemented in primary care. Conclusions. Psycho-educational skills development in the future family doctors training will lead to greater efficacy in addressing emotional needs of obese adolescents. Their increased involvement in counseling parents will help better cope with their children's eating disorders and weight-based victimization.

Cardiovascular comorbidity of osteoarthritis: clinical significance and therapy strategies

The comorbidity of osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease is the most frequent and typical polymorbidity in older patients. The identity of risk factors, low intensity pathogenetic effect of systemic inflammation, dyslipidemia define a greater degree and progression of both osteoarthritis and cardiovascular diseases in patients with a combination thereof. There is a significant decline in physical functioning and loss of autonomy. There is a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality in osteoarthritis patients. Only comprehensive programs involving physical rehabilitation, nutraceutical support, and pharmaceutical substances of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate can supply effective and safe treatment in patients with osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease.