Studying at medical universities involves a high academic workload, frequent movement between clinics, and, in some cases, employment in medical institutions. These factors may impair cognitive function and contribute to the development of anxiety, sleep disturbances, and daytime sleepiness.  This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of sleep disorders among medical university students in a megalopolis. We used the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Spiegel Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MOS-SS) to anonymously survey 1,627 students (1,329 females and 298 males) from all years and faculties at St. Petersburg Pediatric Medical University. It was found that 86.7% of students feel daytime sleepiness of varying severity, and it is much more common in females (96.0%) than in males (45.2%; p = 0.0000). Various sleep-quality disturbances were identified in 94.5% of students; girls had them more often (99.6%) than boys (71.9%; p < 0.0000). We found a moderate positive correlation between daytime sleepiness and sleep disorder severity (r = 0.45; p < 0.05). The study findings substantiate the need for preventive measures aimed at improving sleep quality and adjusting academic workload, as well as for specialist consultations in cases of severe sleep disorders.
VIEWS 437
Intensification of livestock farming creates conditions for the accumulation and circulation of pathogenic and opportunistic fungi with the development of antifungal resistance. The study aimed to perform comprehensive assessment of fungal contamination of production environment in various areas of livestock farms and determine sensitivity of the extracted isolates to common antifungal agent. The presence of fungal contamination in the air of all working areas of the studied production facility was established. Predominance of Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans was revealed. In 50% of cases, mixed contamination with different types of mold fungi was observed. The highest contamination levels were reported for the bedding material. Resistance of microorganisms to several antifungal drugs with different mechanisms of action at once has been revealed. The study confirmed systemic contamination of the livestock complex production environment with potentially pathogenic fungi forming stable communities in feed and bedding. The reported sanitary and microbiological approaches to assessing fungal contamination at livestock production facilities have a pronounced comprehensive preventive focus, which makes it possible to improve the farm employees’ working conditions, as well as provide measures to improve the livestock complex production environment.
VIEWS 490
The large body of accumulated scientific material requires not only literature reviews, but also an analysis of authors’ current publication activity and a search for possible research priority areas. This study aimed to analyze publications addressing the physical development of children and adolescents during the past ten years. We searched for papers in https://elibrary.ru/, narrowing the selection only to sources belonging to the core of the RSCI. The search spanned the period from the beginning of 2014 to the first quarter of 2025. The keywords were "physical development," "children and adolescents." We found that more than 500 studies on the topic have been published in 33 journals over the past decade. This study highlights the most cited publications, outlines the range of current research topics, and discusses the prospects of future investigations. The analysis of publication activity related to the studies considering physical development of children, adolescents and youth has demonstrated continued relevance of research in this area. However, it should rely on big data, cross-discipline approach involving leading schools of thought, monitoring of previously published papers to avoid duplication, fundamental research as basis of the efforts, and domestic scholar traditions. Other prerequisites of efficient studies in this field include exchange of scientific experience and cross-citation of papers that supports comparisons of the results.
VIEWS 510
Despite restrictive measures adopted by many governments worldwide, nicotine addiction remains a serious global health problem. In recent years, adolescents and young people have been strongly encouraged to use nicotine-containing products (NCPs), as the market has seen the emergence of new nicotine delivery vehicles such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). This study aimed to analyze the patterns of use of NCPs by students. We surveyed 866 young people using standardized questionnaires, including the WHO Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) and the Fagerström Test. Over the course of their lives, 65.6% of respondents (n = 568) had consumed NCPs. E-cigarettes are the most popular product among current users (31.5% of respondents, n = 273), ahead of traditional cigarettes and hookahs. A significant portion of users (67.3%, n = 233) combine several types of NCPs. The median age at first nicotine use was 16.0 [14.0–18.0] years for boys and 17.0 [15.0–18.0] years for girls; among adolescents who had ever tried nicotine (n = 256), 44.4% reported e-cigarettes as their first product. High nicotine addiction was identified in 22.5% of users (n = 78). The main reason for the first try is curiosity (63.5%, n = 366), and continued (current) consumption is mainly motivated by the desire to relax and get distracted from problems. The results of this study emphasize the need to develop targeted prevention programs that take into account current trends and psychological mechanisms of formation of addiction in adolescents and youth.
VIEWS 444
The problem of inadequate nutrition among students is especially significant at medical universities, where the academic workload is high. It is particularly important because the years spent in higher education are when long-term eating habits are formed, and the body undergoes its final stages of development. In this work, we aimed to assess how the intensity of the educational process affects daily diet and eating behavior of students, and suggest substantiated preventive measures. The cross-sectional study involved 199 second-year students (114 women and 85 men; mean age 19.5 ± 1.5 years), who completed a questionnaire; the results were then processed using descriptive statistical methods. We assessed the caloric and macronutrient composition of the diet, dietary regime, and behavioral factors. The mean dietary energy intake was 1597.3 ± 27.1 kcal; the diet was calorie‑deficient for 122 participants (61.3%) and adequate for 59 (29.6%) (p < 0.001). By nutrient, 122 participants (61.3%) did not consume enough protein, 117 (58.8%) lacked sufficient fat, and 100 (50.3%) had insufficient carbohydrate intake. Young men consumed more energy than young women (1701.6 ± 31.8 vs. 1520.4 ± 25.3 kcal; p < 0.001). Only 44.4% of the respondents ate three meals a day, while 24.2% ate two or less. Regular consumption of fast food products was admitted by 157 students (78.9%). The resulting data indicate systemic nutritional deficiencies and the need to implement preventive measures in educational settings.
VIEWS 1208