Background Connective tissue dysplasia (CTD) is a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders. Changes caused by disorganization of collagen and elastin fibers lead to the inability of withstanding heavy mechanical stress. In clinical practice, diagnosis of these disorders depends on physical and anthropomorphic evaluation. Methods Forty-eight patients with frequent post-exercise musculoskeletal disorders were evaluated for CTD. The control group included 36 healthy participants. Both groups were evaluated via therapeutic examination with assessment of anthropometric indicators and physical-physiological evaluation, surveying and gathering of anamnesis. Based on testing results, study participants were evaluated on CTD presence and risk factors. Results All experimental group patients had connective tissue dysplasia of moderate and severe degree, with a total score of 49.44 ± 13.1. Certain morphological characteristics showed prevalence, allowing to determine pathognomonic predictors of high predisposition to frequent post-exercise musculoskeletal disorders. Back pain (100%), asthenic syndrome and kyphotic spinal deformation (75%), high gothic palate, hypermobility of joints and the auricles, excessive elasticity (63%), varicose veins of the lower extremities (56%) and hemorrhoids (56%), changes in the shape of the legs and temporomandibular joint (50%) showed to be significant clinical factors indicating possible connective tissue dysplasia. Conclusions The presence of these diagnostically significant morphological signs of CTD in humans is a pathognomonic predictor of a high predisposition to frequent injuries. Their early detection helps promote proper appointment of adequate physical activity regimen and develop treatment for the underlying cause.

Background: Numerous studies have shown an effect of rapidly spreading SARS-COV-2 on combined anxiety-depressive disorders and maladjustment syndrome occurrences. Objective: To determine the primary medical students’ reactive anxiety level and the final scores of their educational progress in distance learning during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The study involved 824 students at medical universities in Saratov and Moscow. The assessment of the reactive anxiety level was carried out according to the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI; the average score of students' academic performance was calculated according to the data of the technological platform "1C: Enterprise" version 8.4.1. The survey was completed during distance learning in May 2020. The quality of distance learning was compared to a similar score for 2019, when students were trained in a traditional way. Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistica 6.0. Results: It was shown the presence of moderately severe disorders among the primary medical students according to the average score of reactive anxiety (43.28 ± 12.85), that expressed more in females s (p<0.05), After distance learning, lasting 25% of the whole course, the overall performance score in theoretical knowledge did not change significantly (p>0.05) but the practical skills suffered much especially in time trend (p<0.05). Novelty: It was found that a high level of the reactive anxiety negatively affects the students' adaptive capabilities and the education quality. The specificity of programs at different faculties can determine the state of the students' psychological status. Findings:Timely transition to online classes during pandemics helps to preserve the students' mental well-being and the quality of the educational process. The duration of distance learning for a practical course should not exceed 25% of the whole course. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-SPER-07 Full Text: PDF

Background: The role of preventive measures increases significantly in the absence of effective specific COVID-19 treatment. Mass population immunization and the achievement of collective immunity are of particular importance. The future development of public attitudes towards SARS-CoV-2 immunization depends significantly on medical students, as future physicians. Therefore, it seemed relevant to determine the percentage of COVID-19-vaccinated medical students and to identify the factors significantly affecting this indicator. Methods: A total of 2890 medical students from years one to six, studying at nine leading Russian medical universities, participated in an anonymous sociological survey. The study was performed in accordance with the STROBE guidelines. Results: It was found that the percentage of vaccinated Russian medical students at the beginning of the academic year 2021 was 58.8 ± 7.69%, which did not significantly differ from the vaccination coverage of the general population in the corresponding regions (54.19 ± 4.83%). Student vaccination rate was largely determined by the region-specific epidemiological situation. The level of student vaccination coverage did not depend on the gender or student residence (in a family or in a university dormitory). The group of senior students had a higher number of COVID-19 vaccine completers than the group of junior students. The lack of reliable information about COVID-19 vaccines had a pronounced negative impact on the SARS-CoV-2 immunization process. Significant information sources influencing student attitudes toward vaccination included medical professionals, medical universities, academic conferences, and manuscripts, which at that time provided the least information. Conclusion: The obtained results make it possible to develop recommendations to promote SARS-CoV-2 immunoprophylaxis among students and the general population and to increase collective immunity.

The human intestines are constantly under the influence of numerous pathological factors: enteropathogenic microorganisms, food antigens, physico‐chemical stress associated with digestion and bacterial metabolism, therefore it must be provided with a system of protection against adverse impact. Recent studies have shown that Paneth cells play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis of the small intestines. Paneth cells perform many vital functions aimed at maintaining a homeostatic balance between normal microbiota, infectious pathogens and the human body, regulate the qualitative composition and number of intestinal microorganisms, prevent the introduction of potentially pathogenic species, and protect stem cells from damage. Paneth cells take part in adaptive and protective‐inflammatory reactions. Paneth cells maintain dynamic balance between microbial populations, and the macroorganism, preventing the development of intestinal infections and cancer. They play a crucial role in gastrointestinal homeostasis and may be key factors in the etiopathological progression of intestinal diseases.

A necessary condition for public health maintenance is regular physical activity. A significant increase in the number of musculoskeletal injuries, occurring during physical education and sport activities, actualizes the development of effective measures for their prevention. Early diagnosis of injury predisposition, based on identification of connective tissue dysplasia indicators specific for different age periods, is of particular importance for the prevention of such injuries. The study, performed in accordance to STROBE guidelines, included 78 persons separated into two age subgroups: Group 1 (age 22–35) and Group 2 (age 36–47). Morphometric signs of connective tissue dysplasia and clinical symptoms associated with predisposition to chronic injury were assessed. For persons in Group 1, these indicators included: asthenic body type, joint hypermobility, thin elastic skin, keloid scars, and soft auricles. For the second group: kyphosis, skin hyperpigmentation above the spine, flatfeet, valgus installation, rectus muscles diastasis, atrophic striae, recurrent hernias, and lower-limb varicosity. Universal pathognomonic indicators, such as “crunching” in the temporomandibular joint, gothic palate, altered chest shape, scoliosis, and X- and O-shaped legs are significant at any age. The established pathognomonic indicators will promote early diagnosis of injury predisposition help, and develop effective measures of their prevention and public health preservation during physical activity.

Aim. The article deals with establishing the character of the correlations between the somatometrical features and morphological signs of connective tissue dysplasia in persons with frequent post exercise structural and functional disorders of the locomotor apparatus. This is required for creating treatment and disease preventive measures and recommendations to choose an adequate physical activity. Materials and methods. A comprehensive medical and anthropological examination of 48 people aged from 18 to 47 years (mean age 36.38 ± 6.02 years) with frequent post exercise structural and functional disorders of the locomotor apparatus was carried out. A questionnaire was developed to assess the status of their connective tissue. The control group consisted of 36 apparently healthy people aged 18.85 ± 0.56 years. Statistical processing of the data obtained was performed using Microsoft Excel 2010. Results. All patients with frequent post exercise structural and functional disorders of the locomotor apparatus had connective tissue dysplasia of moderate and severe degree, the total score of which was 49.44 ± 13.1. The analysis of the frequency of connective tissue dysplasia morphological signs occurrence depending on their diagnostic significance, made it possible to establish the pathognomonic predictors of high susceptibility to frequent disorders of the locomotor apparatus. Conclusion. Early diagnostics of frequent disorders of the locomotor apparatus will contribute to timely preventive measures in terms of physical load and a corresponding rehabilitation for eliminating the deve­lopment of the main disorder.

No abstract

No abstract