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

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

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

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

Biochemical and technological properties of moose (<i>Alces alces</i>) recombinant chymosin

Recombinant chymosins (rСhns) of the cow and the camel are currently considered as standard milk coagulants for cheese-making. The search for a new type of milk-clotting enzymes that may exist in nature and can surpass the existing “cheese-making” standards is an urgent biotechnological task. Within this study, we for the first time constructed an expression vector allowing production of a recombinant analog of moose chymosin in the expression system of Escherichia coli (strain SHuffle express). We built a model of the spatial structure of moose chymosin and compared the topography of positive and negative surface charges with the correspondent structures of cow and camel chymosins. We found that the distribution of charges on the surface of moose chymosin has common features with that of cow and camel chymosins. However, the moose enzyme carries a unique positively charged patch, which is likely to affect its interaction with the substrate. Biochemical and technological properties of the moose rChn were studied. Commercial rСhns of cow and camel were used as comparison enzymes. In some technological parameters, the moose rChn proved to be superior to the reference enzymes. Сompared with the cow and camel rСhns, the moose chymosin specific activity is less dependent on the changes in CaCl2 concentration in the range of 1–5 mM and pH in the range of 6–7, which is an attractive technological property. The total proteolytic activity of the moose rСhn occupies an intermediate position between the rСhns of cow and camel. The combination of biochemical and technological properties of the moose rСhn argues for further study of this enzyme

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

Нейрорадиологические признаки синдрома восстановления иммунитета при ВИЧ-инфекции

The introduction of antiretroviral therapy has changed the human immunodeficiency virus pandemic. Some patients with HIV infection after starting or resuming ART develop a paradoxical worsening of clinical status, called Immune Reсоnstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS). However, if clinical and laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of this syndrome have been formulated, IRIS neuroradiological criteria do not exist yet. The present study presents neuroradiological features and diagnostic algorithm for identification of IRIS involving central nervous system.Внедрение антиретровирусной терапии изменило характер пандемии вируса иммунодефицита человека. У некоторых пациентов с ВИЧ-инфекцией после начала или возобновления АРВТ развивается парадоксальное ухудшение клинического статуса, названное синдромом восстановления иммунитета. Однако если клинико- лабораторные критерии диагноза данного синдрома сформулированы, то радиологических критериев не существует. В настоящем исследовании сформулирован диагностический алгоритм выявления синдрома восстановления иммунитета с вовлечением ЦНС, определены его нейрорадиологические особенности

Russian consensus on exoand endocrine pancreatic insufficiency after surgical treatment

The Russian consensus on exo - and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency after surgical treatment was prepared on the initiative of the Russian "Pancreatic Club" on the Delphi method. His goal was to clarify and consolidate the opinions of specialists on the most relevant issues of diagnosis and treatment of exo - and endocrine insufficiency after surgical interventions on the pancreas. An interdisciplinary approach is provided by the participation of leading gastroenterologists and surgeons