Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is currently regarded as a multisystem disorder accompanied by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, hypoxemia, and endothelial dysfunction. These mechanisms may potentially lead to ocular involvement, primarily affecting the retina, choroid, and optic nerve. Objective. To analyze current literature   data on the association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ophthalmological diseases, and morphofunctional changes in the organ of vision. Materials and methods. A narrative literature review with elements of a systematized search was performed. The search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, eLibrary, CyberLeninka, and on official   journal websites for the period from 2020 to 2025. Russian- and English-language search queries related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the retina, choroid, optic nerve, age-related macular degeneration, cataract, optical coherence tomography, and optical coherence tomography angiography were used. Original clinical studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and relevant Russian-language publications were included in the review. Results and discussion. Current evidence indicates that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with changes in the retina, choroid, and optic nerve. The most consistently reported findings include thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer, reduced vascular density of the retina and peripapillary region, and choroidal changes. These abnormalities are more pronounced in patients with more severe disease and lower oxygen saturation. In addition, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration, while long-term corticosteroid therapy is associated with a higher likelihood of cataract development. Conclusion. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should be regarded as a systemic disease with potential involvement of the organ of vision, which justifies the need for an interdisciplinary approach and ophthalmological monitoring of patients at risk.

The system of targeted education in medical universities is a strategic tool for providing regions with personnel; however, it is associated with a set of risks that reduce its effectiveness and contribute to the outflow of young specialists. Objective. To analyze and assess the significance of risks associated with the admission and training of medical students under targeted admission programs. Materials and methods. A single-stage cross-sectional online study was conducted in October–November 2025 using a questionnaire on the Yandex Forms platform. The sample included 200 first- and sixth-year students of Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Astrakhan State Medical University” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, enrolled in targeted admission programs in the specialty “General Medicine”. A specially designed questionnaire consisting of 27 questions grouped into thematic blocks was used. Results. Three key risk groups were identified: organizational and managerial risks, including formal interaction with the employer (53.0 % of respondents), irregular stipend payments (48.5 %), and lack of internship at the target institution (58.0 %); motivational and psychological risks, characterized by the dominance of preferential incentives (guaranteed employment – 36.0 %) and a high level of contractual pressure (40.0 %); professional and adaptive risks associated with expectations of low wages (67.0 %), outdated equipment (61.0 %), and limited career growth (30.0 %). Significant differences in risk perception between first- and sixth-year students were established. Conclusion: The risks of targeted programs are systemic and interrelated. To improve the system's effectiveness, comprehensive measures from universities, healthcare authorities, and employers are required, including enhanced student support, psychological assistance, and practical training.

This study assessed treatment adherence in children with asthma, revealing that up to 90 % of patients exhibit low adherence associated with poor disease control. A single, individualized training session was shown to significantly reduce inhalation technique errors, especially when using metered-dose inhalers and nebulizers. The authors emphasize the need for comprehensive measures, including regular training and digital monitoring, to improve this situation. The aim of the study was to comprehensively assess treatment adherence in children with asthma, identify clinical, demographic, and organizational factors influencing it, and evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions to correct inhalation technique errors. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study included 30 children with bronchial asthma. Clinical and anamnestic data were collected, disease control was assessed using Asthma Control Test and the Morisky – Green adherence scale. Inhalation technique was analyzed using metered-dose inhalers, metered-dose powder inhalers, and nebulizers, followed by individual training and reassessment. Results: Most patients had low adherence (up to 90 % according to the Morisky – Green scale), and this indicator was practically independent of age and asthma severity, but was associated with an increased frequency of uncontrolled disease according to the results of asthma control tests, especially in moderate and severe asthma. Before training, the highest frequency of critical errors was observed with metered-dose powder inhalers and aerosol inhalers, whereas after a single individual training session, the proportion of patients without inhalation technique errors significantly increased, especially among users of metered-dose inhalers and nebulizers. Conclusion: Low adherence to asthma therapy in children is almost universal and requires comprehensive interventions, including regular inhalation skill assessment, individualized age-appropriate training, and the use of digital monitoring technologies.

Gerbils have been used as an object of biomedical research since the mid-20th century. These animals are easy to handle and care for, and their anatomy and physiology, with a few exceptions, are similar to those of other rodents most widely used in scientific researches: rats and mice. Due to a number of physiological and anatomical features, the gerbils can reproduce pathophysiological conditions that are difficult (or impossible) to model in rats and mice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anxiety level and exploratory activity of female great gerbils (Rhombomys opimus) after a vital stress in the “Open field” test of the Multi Conditioning TSE 2.0 system. Materials and methods. For this study, 50 female great gerbils were captured using live traps in the Central Karakum Desert 6 months prior to the experiments. During the 6-month adaptation period of the gerbils to laboratory conditions, 5 of them died for various reasons. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 10 rodents each. Ten intact great gerbils, not subjected to the stress, served as controls. The average weight of the great gerbils was 115.0 ± 7.3 g. The animals were kept under standard vivarium conditions in the accordance with rules for the care and maintenance of laboratory rodents outlined in the book “Guide to the Care and Maintenance of Laboratory Animals” (Eurasian Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification, Minsk, 2014). Results. Analysis of behavioral data in the “Open field” test showed that the orientation-exploratory response, expressed as the number of stance and horizontal motor activity, the stability of neural processes reflected in the number of reverse turns, the time spent visiting the central brightly lit squares, the vegetative and emotional response determined by the time of grooming in the experimental animals under stress, are significantly reduced, which reflects the natural restructuring of the activity level of brain processes under the stress. Conclusion. The exploratory behavior and the anxiety level of the great gerbils in the “Open field” test to various stimuli causes stress, which may impact cognitive functions of animals.

Liver cirrhosis is a pressing problem in clinical gastroenterology. It is characterized by a prolonged, asymptomatic course, frequent sudden decompensation, and high mortality. Objective. To present a clinical case of decompensated cryptogenic liver cirrhosis and to review current data on its possible causes, natural history, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Materials and methods. A 42-year-old female patient underwent clinical, laboratory, and instrumental assessment, including abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography, and oesophagogastroduodenoscopy; current Russian and international literature was also analysed. Results. The patient had ascites, portal hypertension, splenomegaly, hypersplenism, oesophageal varices, and grade II hepatic encephalopathy. Viral hepatitis, alcohol misuse, autoimmune liver disease, and hereditary liver disorders were excluded, which allowed the diagnosis of cryptogenic liver cirrhosis to be established. Conclusion. Cryptogenic liver cirrhosis is a diagnosis of exclusion and often represents the end stage of previously unrecognised metabolically associated steatotic liver disease. Early comprehensive diagnosis and timely correction of complications are crucial for prognosis.