Increasing of barley productivity and adaptability by using genetic modification technologies

The review presents the achievements in the research of barley stress tolerance molecular mechanisms to improve its economically valuable traits as a crop of agricultural production. Possible genetic engineering approaches developed in order to increase the barley resistance to abiotic stresses have been described. Special attention is paid to the genome improvement through the integration of heterologous genes. The targeted genes and promotors perspective for transformations, their efficiency in dependence to other transformation factors have been summarized and analyzed. The latest technologies of targeted mutagenesis used for genome editing (ZFN, TALEN and CRISPR/Cas9 systems) are observed. The examples of creation of new barley forms with increased resistance to drought, soil acidity, aluminum toxicity and salt stress by using gene technologies are given. It is shown that genetic modification allows not only to accelerate the experiment process of new genotypes creation, but also represents a research tool for the analysis and identification of gene functions. А large number of sequences encoding valuable traits of barley were identified by means of silencing and RNA interference techniques. The prospects of development of post-genomic technologies for use in practical breeding of this culture are discussed

Chronic gastritis and functional dyspepsia. Unity and struggle of two opposites

The review article describes the epidemiology, clinical picture, pathogenesis, approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of chronic gastritis and functional dyspepsia. Chronic gastritis is an unreasonably common diagnosis in our clinical practice, which is diagnosed in patients with disturbing dyspeptic complaints. According to the agreement documents, chronic gastritis is primarily a morphological concept. Chronic gastritis has no pathognomonic clinical signs and should be diagnosed during the histological examination of the gastric mucosa. Functional dyspepsia is a diagnosis that reflects the presence of a certain symptom complex (pain  or burning sensation in  the  epigastrium, a  feeling of  fullness or early satiety) in  the  absence of  diseases that could explain the symptoms. Secondary dyspepsia is diagnosed in patients with organic diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract, metabolic or systemic diseases that cause dyspeptic syndrome. In the process of examining a patient with disturbing dyspeptic complaints, it is advisable for the doctor to use the diagnosis “unspecified dyspepsia” – a preliminary diagnosis before laboratory and instrumental examination aimed at identifying the cause of the dyspeptic syndrome. Dyspepsia associated with H. pylori is diagnosed in patients with H. pylori infection. The diagnosis is revised over time and is competent if complaints have been relieved within 6 months after effective H. pylori eradication.The main drugs for the treatment of patients with dyspeptic complaints are proton pump inhibitors and prokinetics. Omeprazole with domperidone sustained release (SR) in a fixed dose combination is characterized by optimal efficacy and a good safety profile in patients with both functional and secondary dyspepsia and ensures a high level of treatment adherence

Management of risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are used to prevent and treat thrombosis and thromboembolic events in patients with various diseases. Despite its high efficacy and safety, DOAC therapy is accompanied by increased risk of hemorrhage, including gastrointestinal bleeding. Bleeding risk depends on individual patient profile and their risk factors. An increased risk of bleeding is associated with manifesting effect of DOACs on existing mucosal defects, active Helicobacter pylori infection. To reduce the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in clinical practice, changing of following modifiable risk factors is required: H. pylori eradication; dose-adjusted DOAC therapy; prophylactic proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) administration to patients with HAS-BLED score ≥3, receiving dual or triple antithrombotic therapy, taking DOACs in combination with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, to those with upper gastrointestinal diseases. In addition to PPIs, patients may be prescribed with rebamipide, bismuth tripotassium dicitrate, ursodeoxycholic acid. DOAC rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) has pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic advantages, a convenient single dosing regimen and a favorable safety profile, which provides effective protection against thrombosis and thromboembolic events in combination with low risk of gastrointestinal bleeding

DNA markers in oat breeding for crown rust resistance (a review)

Crown rust is the most harmful disease of oat (Avena sativa L.) around the world. The purpose of this review is to analyze and generalize the available information about DNA markers developed for oat breeding for resistance to crown rust. The review reveals the mechanisms of the A. sativa resistance to the fungus Puccinia coronata Corda f. sp. avenae Erikss. which causes crown rust disease. Special attention is paid to the race-specific resistance caused by the action of Pc genes and the nonspecific resistance controlled mainly by the loci of quantitative traits. Strategies for creating resistant genotypes and the role of molecular markers in oat breeding for crown rust resistance are discussed. Currently, research is focused mainly on the search for and development of molecular markers related to the oat race-specific resistance to P. coronata.The article presents the technological advantages and disadvantages of the existing DNA markers. KASP, TaqMan and HRM markers are currently the most promising technologies for identifying crown rust resistance genes. The validated SCAR and STS markers for the Pc39, Pc68, Pc91, Pc94 genes are recommended as the most available for implementation in practical oat breeding. The results of recent studies on identifying loci of nonspecific resistance to P. coronata are also presented. In general, the use of DNA markers has significant potential for creating oat genotypes resistant to crown rust under present-day conditions. DNA markers of various types are recommended for practical use, in particular for pyramiding genes and increasing the resistance period of new cultivars. Introduction of DNA markers into oat breeding will increase with the growth of molecular genetic data and the improvement of technologies for identifying genes and loci associated with both race-specific and nonspecific resistance of oat to P. coronata

КОНТРАФАКТ - СВЯЗУЮЩЕЕ ЗВЕНО В ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЙ ЦЕПОЧКЕ БАНКРОТСТВ

The current crisis in 2015 is a consequence of the sanctions policy of the Western countries against Russia. To the worsening economic situation in the country affects the totality of the echoes of the previous crisis in 2008 and the restrictions adopted in respect of Russian-member countries of the EEC. State of the economy beginning to deteriorate sharply in 2014, and was mainly caused by the sanctions of Western countries and the United Statesfollowing the events in Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea to the Russian Federation composition. The crisis in 2014-2015 in Russia was triggered by a sharp decline in prices on the delivered energy to Europe. This article in detail describes the mechanism of the negative economic impact of counterfeit goods on the domestic producers, the system functioning of markets of counterfeit products, illegal strategies companies use to sell products as well as innovative measures to combat counterfeit products and the protection of the national economy and Russian citizens against counterfeiting. Today, when the Russian economy has experienced prolonged economic crisis, this system can help to stabilize the economy, to raise additional funds in the state budget and increase national economic security.Текущий кризис 2015 г. является следствием санкционной политики стран Запада против России. На ухудшение экономической ситуации в стране влияет совокупность отголосков предыдущего кризиса 2008 г. и ограничений, принятых в отношении России странами - участницами ЕЭС. Состояние экономики начало резко ухудшаться уже в 2014 г., что было вызвано в основном санкциями западных стран и США, последовавшими за событиями на Украине и присоединением Крыма к составу Российской Федерации. Кризис в России 2014-2015 гг. был спровоцирован резким спадом цен на поставляемые в страны Европы энергоресурсы.Как следствие, российский производственный сектор лишился основных притоков инвестиций, что привело к полной его неконкурентоспособности.В статье описаны механизм негативного экономического воздействия контрафактной продукции на национальных производителей, система функционирования рынков контрафактной продукции, стратегии нелегальных компаний, используемые для реализации продукции, а также инновационные меры борьбы против контрафактной продукции и защиты национальной экономики и российских граждан от контрафакта. Сегодня, когда в российской экономике наблюдается затяжной экономический кризис, данная система может помочь стабилизировать экономику, привлечь дополнительные средства в государственный бюджет и повысить национальную экономическую безопасность

Green Energy for Belt and Road Initiative: Economic Aspects Today and in the Future

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a comprehensive megaproject, which includes numerous projects in the sphere of green energy. The effectiveness of these projects is often doubted. The article reveals the main mechanisms of green energy projects' influence on the economy and through the research of 8 BRI countries demonstrates the method of green energy projects efficiency estimation. China is considered to be the main driver for green energy proliferation in Asia, receiving economic benefits through its policy. The authors prove this to be right, but the effects for PRC differ in short and long-run periods. The main findings of the paper are that the BRI green energy dissemination is just the first step to building a tightly interconnected Asian energy infrastructure, and that the BRI least developed countries have less positive long-run effects from green energy investment, while in short-term they get a boost for their economies. Keywords: BRI, green energy, energy, Asian region, China, JEL Classifications: F21; K32; O44 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.804

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rebamipide. New possibilities of therapy: A review

The MedLine database contains 570 publications, including 71 randomized clinical trials and 6 meta-analyses on the rebamipide molecule in 2022. Indications for the use of rebamipide are gastric ulcer, chronic gastritis with hyperacidityin the acute stage, erosive gastritis, prevention of damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa while taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, eradication of Helicobacter pylori. Currently trials are studying the efficacy and safety of the drug in gouty and rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, Sjgren's syndrome, bronchial asthma, vitiligo, atherosclerosis, diseases of the kidneys and liver; using in traumatology to accelerate bone regeneration; in ophthalmology to improve the regeneration of corneal epithelium; in oncology to reduce inflammatory changes in the oral mucosa after chemoradiotherapy. The review article is about the main pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of rebamipide. A detailed understanding of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics allows for individual selection of therapy based on the characteristics of the patient's body gender, age, comorbidities; choose the optimal route of administration and dosing regimen; predict adverse effects and drug interactions; be determined with new clinical indications

Прогностическая сила МРТ-критериев в диагностике синдрома восстановления иммунитета у ВИЧ-инфицированных пациентов на примере сравнения классификации методом решающих деревьев и ROC-анализ

Introduction. Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome involving the central nervous system (CNS-IRIS) is a dangerous complication in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The radiologic features of this syndrome have been little studied and are presented in isolated works. The diagnosis is difficult because there are no generally accepted criteria for IRIS. Our study is devoted to radiology of IRIS. Based on the results of brain MRI, together with clinical and laboratory data, MRI criteria for IRIS were formulated.Purpose and goals. To determine the prognostic value of MRI signs of CNS-IRIS using in a cohort of HIV-positive patients with neurological symptoms.Materials and methods. The analysis includes data from 68 HIV-infected patients who underwent brain MRI. In 14 of them were diagnosed IRIS with involvement of the central nervous system. To determine the diagnostic efficiency of the formulated MRI criteria, the STATISTICA program was used, decision trees were built, and a ROC analysis was performed.Results. Five decision tree models were built with different predictive values. The models took into account the categorical predictors (MRI criteria) in different order and quantity. The best performance has model #5, which can be considered a clinically useful predictive model.Conclusion. Brain MRI is an essential diagnostic step in HIV-infected patients on ART. It is necessary to expand the indications and conditions for radiological studies of the brain in patients with suspected immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.Введение. Синдром восстановления иммунитета с вовлечением центральной нервной системы (ЦНС-СВИ) является опасным осложнением у ВИЧ-инфицированных пациентов, принимающих антиретровирусную терапию (АРТ). Лучевая семиотика данного синдрома мало изучена и представлена в единичных работах. Отсутствуют общепринятые критерии СВИ, что затрудняет диагностику. Наше исследование посвящено изучению лучевой картины СВИ. По результатам МРТ головного мозга в совокупности с клиническими и лабораторными данными были сформулированы МРТ-критерии диагноза СВИ.Цели и задачи. Определить прогностическую силу совокупности лучевых признаков, выявляемых при ЦНС-СВИ с помощью МРТ головного мозга в когорте ВИЧ-положительных пациентов с неврологической симптоматикой.Материалы и методы. В анализ включены данные 68 ВИЧ-инфицированных пациентов, которым была выполнена МРТ головного мозга. У 14 из них был диагностирован СВИ с вовлечением ЦНС. Для определения диагностической эффективности сформулированных МРТ-критериев была использована программа STATISTICA, построены деревья решений, проведен ROC-анализ.Результаты. Были построены 5 моделей деревьев решений, обладающие различной прогнозирующей ценностью. Модели учитывали категориальные предикторы (МРТ-критерии) в различном порядке и количестве. Наилучшими характеристиками обладала модель № 5, которую можно считать клинически полезной прогностической моделью.Заключение. Проведение МРТ головного мозга у ВИЧ-инфицированных пациентов, принимающих АРТ, является неотъемлемым этапом диагностики. Необходимо расширение показаний и условий для проведения радиологических исследований головного мозга при подозрении на синдром восстановления иммунитета

International Consensus on Guiding Recommendations for Management of Patients with Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs Induced Gastropathy-ICON-G

Introduction: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), one of the most commonly used medications worldwide, are frequently associated with gastrointestinal adverse events. Primary care physicians often face the challenge of achieving adequate pain relief with NSAIDs, while keeping their adverse events to a minimum. This is especially true when long-term use of NSAIDs is required such as in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. To help primary care physicians deal with such challenges more effectively, a panel of expert gastroenterologists came together with the aim of developing practice recommendations. Methods: A modified ‘Delphi’ process was used to reach consensus and develop practice recommendations. Twelve gastroenterologists from nine countries provided their expert inputs to formulate the recommendations. These recommendations were carefully developed taking into account existing literature, current practices, and expert opinion of the panelists. Results: The expert panel developed a total of fifteen practice recommendations. Following are the key recommendations: NSAIDs should be prescribed only when necessary; before prescribing NSAIDs, associated modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors should be considered; H. pylori infection should be considered and treated before initiating NSAIDs; patients should be properly educated regarding NSAIDs use; patients who need to be on long-term NSAIDs should be prescribed a gastroprotective agent, preferably a proton pump inhibitor and these patients should be closely monitored for any untoward adverse events. Conclusion/clinical significance: These practice recommendations will serve as an important tool for primary care physicians and will guide them in making appropriate therapeutic choices for their patients. Keywords: Gastropathy, Gastroprotective agents, Non-prescription drugs, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents, Proton pump inhibitor. How to cite this article: Hunt R, Lazebnik LB, Marakhouski YC, Manuc M, Ramesh GN, Aye KS, Bordin DS, Bakulina NV, Iskakov BS, Khamraev AA, Stepanov YM, Ally R, Garg A. International Consensus on Guiding Recommendations for Management of Patients with Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Induced Gastropathy-ICON-G. Euroasian J Hepatogastroenterol, 2018;8(2):148-160. Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: Richard Hunt has served as a consultant for INSYS, Dr Reddy's, Takeda, and Novartis. He has received an honorarium from Novartis, Danone, Dr Reddy's, and Takeda. He has been on the speaker's bureau for Takeda and Dr Reddy's and on scientific advisory board for INSYS. Dmitry S Bordin has served as a lecturer for Astellas, AstraZeneca, KRKA and Abbott. For the remaining authors, there are no conflicts of interest

The Black Sea Region Energy Cooperation: Current Trends and Prospects

The Black Sea region is one of the most complex regions in terms of energy development. It hosts several major powers and some developing countries that need to cut energy costs. In general, the region is controversial. It is influenced by external actors, and therefore regional stability is very difficult to achieve. In addition, institutional players such as the EU, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, etc., have their own vision of the future of the Black Sea region. The article is aimed at assessing the regional balance of power and estimating the interests of the countries of the region. Based on this assessment, the authors have classified the countries in the region, predicted potential alliances, and provided recommendations on how the countries should behave in the region. The key findings comprise the rejection of the two hypotheses: the countries of the region cooperate mainly through similar institutions; and the countries of the region can efficiently cooperate within the framework of a single strategy. The novelty of the article is in a new look on the regional distribution of power and new strategies for cooperation between countries in the region.Keywords: The Black Sea region, energy sector, strategy, institutions, balance of powerJEL Classifications: F59, Q48DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.11247</p