Foreign aid, grassroots activism, and the strength of applied community studies in aid-receiving countries: the case of community psychology / La ayuda exterior, el activismo de base y el valor de los estudios comunitarios aplicados en los países receptores de ayuda: el caso de la psicología comunitaria

What influences the strength of community psychology as an academic and professional field in countries receiving foreign aid? What impact does aid itself have? While capacity development is a major focus for donor countries and other international development agencies, there has been no empirical study of the relationship of aid to the strength of applied social research training in recipient countries. We coded the strength of community psychology in 67 aid-receiving nations and analyzed the factors predicting it, including nonviolent activism and development aid. As hypothesized according to dependency theory, aid is negatively correlated to the strength of community psychology in each country, and significantly explains the variance of the strength of the discipline over and above the influence of GDP per capita, income inequality, educational infrastructure, civil liberties, and nonviolent activism. We also find that the less aid received, the more strongly nonviolent activism predicts the strength of community psychology. Based on the case study literature, our findings support the observation that aid is managed in ways that exclude locally trained researchers and practitioners. We hypothesize how this might occur and offer suggestions for further qualitative research

¿Qué influye en la fuerza de la psicología comunitaria como campo académico y profesional en los países que reciben ayuda extranjera? ¿Qué repercusión tiene esta ayuda en sí misma? Si bien el desarrollo de capacidades es un elemento esencial para los países donantes y otras agencias internacionales de desarrollo, no ha habido un estudio empírico sobre la relación de la ayuda con la fuerza de la formación en investigación social aplicada en los países receptores. Codificamos la fortaleza de la psicología comunitaria en 67 países receptores de ayuda y analizamos los factores que la predicen, incluido el activismo no violento y la ayuda al desarrollo. Como hipótesis y según la teoría de la dependencia, la ayuda se correlaciona negativamente con la fortaleza de la psicología comunitaria en cada país y explica significativamente la variación de la fortaleza de la disciplina más allá de la influencia del PIB per cápita, la desigualdad de ingresos, la infraestructura educativa, las libertades civiles y el activismo no violento. También encontramos que cuanto menos ayuda se recibe, mejor predice el activismo no violento más extremo la fuerza de la psicología comunitaria. De acuerdo con la literatura de estudio de casos, nuestros hallazgos respaldan la observación de que esta ayuda se gestiona de manera que excluye a investigadores y profesionales formados localmente. Proponemos una hipótesis sobre cómo puede ocurrir esto y ofrecemos sugerencias para futuras investigaciones cualitativas

[Jejunum intersticium in mongolian gerbils after the flight on spacecraft Foton-M3].

Methods of light optical microscopy were used to explore histoarchitectonics, topography and tinctorial properties of the extracellular phase of fibers of jejunum wall intersticium in Mongolian gerbils following 12-day orbital flight aboard Foton-M3, ground-based simulation of the spaceflight factors in the KONTUR-L facility, and in the group of biological control Postflight destructive changes were found in reticulin fibers (type-III collagen) of villi stroma, intercrypt intersticium and submucosa. Local acidophilia and fiber homogenization formed in type I collagen present in the intestinal subserous layer, muscular layers endomysium and submucose against the background of progressing edema and arterial, venous plethora and lymphostasis. Elastic component of the intersticium was disarranged in the structures of internal elastic membrane of submucous vessels, fragmented and partly reduced. Simulation of the orbital factors, except for microgravity, in the KONTUR-L facility called forth similar, although less often and diffuse, changes in intersticium fibers. The results of examination of intestinal intersticium fibers in the vivarium control gerbils discovered expressed species characters that should be taken into account by investigators, especially when comparing with data obtained from other animal species.

Long-term follow-up of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients on long-term oxygen treatment.

AIMS: Few studies exist on influence of long-term oxygen treatment (LTOT) on survival of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. This study was designed to determine whether LTOT improves survival or not in severely hypoxaemic COPD patients. MATERIALS: COPD patients prescribed oxygen concentrator were consecutively included. Patients' baseline characteristics were noted. During follow-up, patients were divided into three groups according to LTOT utilisation: (i) non-utilisers, (ii) intermittent utilisers (< 15 h/day) and (iii) true utilisers (≥ 15 h/day). Patients' status (live or death) and, if died, the date of death were checked throughout the study. The factors which might influence mortality during 5-year period were analysed. RESULTS: Two-hundred and twenty-eight patients completed the study. Of these patients, 55 were in Group 1, 112 were in Group 2 and 61 were in Group 3. Regarding the initial characteristics, there was not any significant difference between groups. Mean follow-up for whole group was 27.8 ± 18.5 months. Median survivals were similar between groups (19.5 ± 5.6, 32.5 ± 4.1 and 30.0 ± 5.7 months respectively) (p > 0.05). Compared with Group 1, survival was improved in Group 2 (p < 0.05) and there was a positive trend for Group 3 during first 2-year period. However, this improvement disappeared during further follow-up. Analysis of multiple factors which might influence mortality during 5-year period did not yield statistically significant parameter. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We found that, regarding survival, any kind of LTOT proved to be beneficial over no LTOT only in the first 2 years of follow-up, and that there was not any difference between intermittent and true LTOT utilisation.

[Tissue-specific reaction of the mucous coat of herbals' small gut under the influence of spaceflight factors on board biosat "Foton M3"].

Methods of light-optical microscopy, morpho- and cytometry and histochemisty were used to study the epithelial lining of herbal's small gut after 12-day flight in biosat "Foton M3". Changes in mucous coat histoarchitectonics included branching of villi and cystic lumps lined with prismatic epithelium. Shortening of the mucous membrane villi was accompanied by reduction of prismatic epithelium height, increase in the number of goblet cells and change of their dislocation, stimulation of excretion of biosynthesis products on the brush border surface pointing to impairment of the interstitial barrier function. Nothing evidenced change in mitotic index of the crypts epithelium in animals of the vivarium control, in the Kontur facility simulating the flight condition, and in the space flown herbals. There was a minor individual variability of changes in the epithelium mucous membrane due to the simulated flight factors.

[Rna content of gerbil hepatocytes after the flight aboard space platform Foton-M3].

The paper compares and contrasts the results of measuring the hepatocyte cytoplasm area and RNA content in 35 gerbils in three series of experiments, i.e. the vivarium control, modeled space flight (synchronous control) and exposure to the factors of 12-d Foton-M3 orbital flight. Central, intermediate and peripheral zones of hepatic lobes were subjected to histological and histochemical analyses to measure the hepatocyte cytoplasm area; the RNA content was determined from the level of cytoplasm basophilia after azure staining. Cytometric and cytophotometric investigations were performed using image analyzer Video-7-Test-Morpho. In the vivarium animals, hepatocytes with the largest cytoplasm localized predominantly in the intermediate and central zones of the lobes. Judging from the results of microdensitometry, the RNA content was particularly high in binucleate hepatocytes of the intermediate zone. In the synchronous control, hepatocytes tended to grow in size, in the peripheral zone specifically, whereas RNA content was largely equal no matter hepatocyte topography. After space flight, cytoplasm enlargement transcended this process in the vivarium animals. The cytoplasm RNA content along the entire liver parenchyma made a significant decrease equally as compared with the vivarium and synchronous control animals.

[Morphofunctional state of hepatocytes nuclear apparatus in Mongolian herbils after the flight on space apparatus Foton-M3].

Morphofunctional state of hepatocytes nuclear apparatus was analyzed in the liver of Mongolian gerbils Meriones unguiculatus returned from 12-d space flight of Foton-M3 (SF) and their vivarium and ground synchronous controls. Volume, ploidy and number of hepatocyte nuclei, nucleolus dimensions and number as well as contacts with karyolemma were determined in the central, intermediate and peripheral areas of the liver classical lobe. Also, total number of mitoses and amitoses was determined in the liver parenchyma. The vivarium control animals displayed specifics of the nucleus apparatus structure that depended on intralobe topography. Based on the selected criteria, high functional activity was characteristic of cells in the intermediate area. According to the criteria, nuclear apparatus in the synchronous control tended to down the functional activity The adaptive adjustment of nuclei in SF seemed to have been initiated by changes in the hepatic blood flow: volumes of hepatocyte nuclei and nucleoli increased as did the number of nuclei in cell, whereas ploidy made a decrease, especially in the intermediate area. Under the SF conditions, particularly important compensatory mechanism for the liver function was intensification of amitosis and consequent increase of the population of dinuclear hepatocytes.

[On the effect of centrifugal force upon antitumor resistance of organism].

The influence of the centrifugal force of 2 g combined with attendant factors, such as noise and electromagnetic field (in all ten exposures, 5 min each, at three- to four-day intervals), on tumor growth in C57Bl/6 mice has been studied. It was shown that the combined treatment leads to an enhancement of carcinogenesis. Increasing the centrifugal force to 3 g and the duration of exposure to 15 and 30 min increases the antitumor resistance of the organism and the life-span. It is assumed that the effect is related to the influence of the centrifugal force on metabolism and to the regularities of adaptation responses of the organism.

Venous thromboemboli and exacerbations of COPD.

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD patients hospitalised with an exacerbation were included consecutively. Symptoms, signs and clinical, haematological and epidemiological parameters on admission were noted. All patients underwent computed tomographic angiography and ultrasonographic examination for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE). Wells and Geneva scores were calculated. Patients were followed-up for 1 yr in order to determine mortality. Deep vein thrombosis and PE were detected in 14 and 18 patients, respectively. The prevalence of VTE was three times higher in patients with an exacerbation of unknown origin than in patients with an exacerbation of known origin (p = 0.016). Of patients with VTE, 20 (95%) had high D-dimer levels. The negative predictive value of D-dimer testing was 0.98. Although the moderate- and high-risk categories of both the Wells and Geneva methods covered all PE patients, the Wells method identified 49% less potential patients for PE investigation. Mortality at 1 yr was higher (61.9% versus 31.8%) in VTE patients (p = 0.013). VTE is a common problem in COPD patients hospitalised with an exacerbation, leading to high long-term mortality. D-dimer levels and the Wells criteria can be used to determine whether or not these patients are assessed for a thromboembolic event.

[Gerbil experiment in the flight of spacecraft "Foton-M3"].

The 12-d mission of Russian spacecraft Foton-M3 in September of 2007 was used as an opportunity to fly an experiment with 12 male gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) at the age of 4-4.5 mos. and mean body weight of 51.6 grams. Considering the behavior pattern of these animals, selection and preparation of the experimental groups continued in the course of 2.5-3 months. The flight animals were contained in module Kontur-L outfitted with a self-sustained system of life support. In orbit, the animals received a palletized hydrogenous feed. The physiological and hygienic parameters of the gerbil environment during the flight complied with the official standards. Analysis of the video recorded behavior of animals in microgravity showed that virtually throughout the flight they moved chaotically along the cage never attempting to stabilize position catching at the wire netting of the cage. The animals were decapitated in 21-24 hours after landing. The investigations showed that structural and functional changes in gerbil organs and tissues were generally of the same type as in rats following fights of comparable duration. However, some differences between the animals were attributed to the specifics of water turnover in gerbils.

[Handling and maintenance of gerbils during the spacecraft Foton-M3 mission].

Pressurized low-sized module Kontur with an independent life support system (LSS) was developed by the Institute of Biomedical Problems cooperatively with the Special Design Bureau of Experimental Equipment to house gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) aboard robotic technology-purpose spacecraft. Design of the module precludes pollution of the environment The fully equipped module weighs 69 kg; average daily power consumption is 62 watts. The environmental parameters for 12 animals flown on Foton-M3 in the period of September 14-26, 2007 were controlled within the following ranges: pO2 - 143-156 mm Hg, (mean 150 mm Hg), pCO2 - 0.76 mm Hg maximum (mean 0.64 mm Hg), temperature - 23-28 degrees C (mean 26.7 degrees C), relative humidity - 29% and 57% at the beginning and end of the flight, respectively (mean 39%). The animals consumed the palletized food prepared of natural products with a moisture content of approx. 20%. The day-night periods were 12 hrs. long. The daytime video recording of the animals went on continuously in the throughout the flight. The experiment showed that the module meets the requirements of experiments with mammals aboard returnable robotic spacecraft and piloted space stations. At the moment, the model is being redesigned for a 30-day BION-M1 mission.

[Glycogen content in gerbil's liver following the spacecraft Foton-M3 mission].

Glycogen cytochemistry and distribution in hepatocytes of the classic liver lobules were studied in three groups of gerbils Meriones unguiculatus: vivarium, synchronous control and flown in the 12-d Foton-M3 mission. The control animals were shown to have the central glycogen distribution with a large pool of polysaccharides found in hepatocytes of the pericentral and intermediate lobules and a small pool in the periportal area. Glycogen in hepatocyte plasm was within the physiological norm in the alpha- and beta-granules, typically localized on the cell periphery. Exposure to the spaceflight conditions decreased significantly glycogen concentrations in each functional region of the hepatic lobules and reduced the gradient of polysaccharide distribution from the portal triads toward the central vein. In parallel, high glycogen heterogeneity formed in adjacent hepatocytes and loci. The presence of glycosomes evidenced disturbance of carbohydrates metabolism. In addition, intracellular topography of glycogen granules in cytoplasm was altered. Trends of glycogen in gerbils of the synchronous control were similar to the space flown animals but much less pronounced.

[Histological study of the visceral organs of Mongolian gerbil Meriones unguiculatus as a subject in spaceflight experiments].

Survey histological study of the heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, adrenals, thymus, spleen, testicles of the Mongolian gerbil Meriones unguiculatus with a body mass of about 27 g showed their macro- and microscopic similarity with the organs of laboratory rats and mice notwithstanding some slight differences. For instance, the ascending knee of Hengle's loop in the gerbil kidney is much better developed and forms in whole a kind of a singular cortical fiber bordering the medulla. It is the well-developed parts of Hengle's ascending loop in gerbil that ensures a more complete water reabsorption decrease the quantity of urine and sharply reduce the amount of exogenous fluid vitally important for animals in arid areas. The Mongolian gerbil is distinguished by large adrenals and small corticosteroid-sensitive thymus and spleen suggesting high sensitivity of this animal to stresses. Spleen abundance of both mature and immature megacariosities--thrombogoniums--explains the rapid coagulability as compared with rats and mice.

[Programme "BION": from the past to the future].

In the period when Russia had embarked on construction of long-duration orbital stations, few data was collected about potential damaging effects of space flight (SF) factors, first of all microgravity, on structure and functions of various tissues, organs and physiological systems. At the same time designers of space vehicles requested from doctors and biologists the scientific substantiation of the feasibility of long-term SF by humans. Recognizing the necessity of a comprehensive approach to the issue, it was decided to fulfill fundamental and applied biological investigations aboard dedicated satellites of the BION series. Implementation of Programme BION and development of associated equipment required cooperation of dozens of organizations. Later on, investigations from Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, China, Poland, Romania, USA, France and Czechoslovakia joined in the programme. Eleven biosats were launched successfully in the period between 1973 and 1986. Cell and tissues cultures, single-celled organisms, insects, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, bird eggs and mammals, such as Wistar rats and primates Macaca Rhesus, were flown in space 5 to 22.5 days. Data from these investigations helped, on the one hand, obtain further insight into the patterns of structural and functional reactions of living systems to the SF conditions and, on the other, contribute to finding practical solutions for the system of crew medical support. The Federal space research programme of Russia for 2006-2015 provides development and launch of 3 biosats BION-M. The paper presents conceivable scenarios of researches in these flights.

The role of nebulised budesonide in the treatment of exacerbations of COPD.

The present study was designed to evaluate the hypothesis that nebulised budesonide (NB) might be an alternative to systemic corticosteroids (SC) in the treatment of patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ECOPD). Patients hospitalised with ECOPD (n = 159) were randomised into three groups. Group 1 received only standard bronchodilator treatment (SBDT), group 2 received SC (40 mg prednisolone) plus SBDT, and group 3 received NB (1,500 microg q.i.d.) plus SBDT. Improvement during 10-day hospitalisation was compared with exacerbation and rehospitalisation rates after discharge. While mean+/-sd age was 64.1+/-8.9 yrs (female/male = 0.1), mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) at admission was found to be 37.2+/-12.2% predicted. Arterial blood gases and spirograms recovered faster in groups 2 and 3. While improvements in arterial oxygen tension (P(a,O(2))) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in group 2, and improvements in P(a,O(2)), FVC and FEV(1) in group 3, became significant at 24-h control, the first significant improvement in group 1 appeared in arterial oxygen saturation at 72-h control. The mean improvement of P(a,O(2)) after 10 days was 1.20 and 1.06 kPa (9 and 8 mmHg) higher in group 2 and 3, respectively, than in group 1. Blood glucose exhibited an upward trend only in group 2. The study demonstrates that nebulised budesonide may be an effective and safe alternative to systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

[Target organs involvement in arterial hypertension. The role of heredity and environment (study of twins)]. / Porazhenie organov-mishenei pri arterial'noi gipertonii. Rol' nasledstvennosti i sredy (bliznetsovoe issledovanie).

AIM: To elucidate relationship between hereditary and environmental factors in development of target organ damage in hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The state of myocardium, central nervous system, blood vessels (including funduscopic examination) was assessed in 64 pairs of mono- and dizygous hypertensive twins (mean age 57.2+/-3.2 years) and clinical and genetic analysis of qualitative and quantitative signs was carried out. RESULTS: Hypertensive twins had similar qualitative features of target organs involvement irrespective of duration of hypertension. Concordance of signs of target organ damage in homozygous twins was more than twice higher than that of same signs in dizygous twin pairs. Left ventricular myocardial mass and intima-media thickness were mainly determined by hereditary factors. Their contribution into overall phenotypic variability of a sign exceeded 70%.

[Problems of exobiology: the origin of life on Earth]. / Problemy ekzobiologii: vozniknovenie zhizni na Zemle.

The basic problem of exobiology is origin and evolution of life as a space phenomenon. Consideration is given to the facts for the space origin, spreading in the interstellar space of and invasion of the surface of planets by organic compounds, constituents of archetypes of living systems. The authors bring up to discussion the issues of life development under the conditions of Earth, and formation of the main properties of the living organisms differing in the level of organization. Outlined are some international projects on exobiological research in experiments with bio-objects on space platforms.

[The role of heredity and environment in formation of 24-hour blood pressure profile in patients with hypertension (a study of twins)]. / Rol' nasledstvennosti i sredy v formirovanii sutochnogo profilia arterial'nogo davleniia u bol'nykh arterial'noi gipertoniei (bliznetsovoe issledovanie).

Twenty four hour blood pressure monitoring was carried out in 64 sex concordant pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic hypertensive twins (mean age 52.7-/+3.2 years). Clinico-genetic analysis of quantitative parameters showed that during day awake time systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures were mainly determined by environmental factors while pulse pressure and heart rate were predominantly affected by genetic factors. Formation of parameters of variability of blood pressure and its biphasic rhythm were under the influence of random (intrafamily) environmental factors.

[Botox in children with cerebral palsy and triceps syndrome]. / Botoks pri tritseps-sindrome u detei s tserebral'nym paralichom.

Botulinum toxin (botox) therapy was used in the children with cerebral palsy. Nine children, aged 3-6 years, with "triceps-syndrome" domination in a clinical picture, have been examined and treated. Control group included 9 children who have not been treated with botox. A three-week rehabilitation course has been prescribed to all the patients. Children treated by botulinum toxin injections performed better back of the foot bending, some electroneuromyographical indices being also optimized. The results obtained imply a use of botox for treatment of children with spastic forms of cerebral palsy.