Terrorist Crimes in the Era of Digitalization: Forms of Activity and Measures for Counteraction

Objective: to elaborate recommendations on counteraction against terrorist crimes committed in the digital (cyber-) space and/or using digital technologies.Methods: the methodological basis of the research are the universal dialectic method of cognition, the integrity of general and specific scientific methods such as analysis, synthesis, logical method, ascent from the abstract to the specific, induction, deduction, etc.Results: it was determined that the development of the digital (cyber-) space and digital technologies promotes the intensity of terrorism and has led to the change of the mechanism of terrorist crimes commitment. A conclusion was made that, to provide the efficiency of measures for counteracting terrorist crimes committed in the digital (cyber-) space and/or using digital technologies, a distinct strategy is necessary, as well as the appropriate regulatory basis.Scientific novelty: the article analyzes such forms of criminal activities of terrorist groups, committed in the digital (cyber-) space and/or using digital technologies, as dissemination of the ideology of violence and propaganda of terrorist activity, recruiting new members and their training, implementing digital technologies for preparation and immediate terrorist activity, and funding. The advantages were revealed of the use of digital space and/or digital technologies when committing terrorist crimes. In the author’s opinion, the change of the mechanism of terrorist crimes commitment associated with the use of digital technologies should be taken into account during criminalization (change of the intensity of penalization) of publicly dangerous deeds. The important areas of state policy in the sphere of counteraction against these crimes are education and enlightenment activity, training of the personnel of law-enforcement agencies, broadening their authorities to ensure a clear and effective control over digital content.Practical significance: is due to the possibility to use the formulated conclusions and proposals for further scientific elaboration of the state criminal policy in the sphere of counteraction against terrorist crimes committed in the digital (cyber-) space and/or using digital technologies

Evaluation of the elastic properties and topography of leukocytes’ surface in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using atomic force microscope

The aim of study was to examine some morphometrical parameters (height, diameter) of the leukocytes (white blood cells - WBCs), their specific surface morphology (globular prominences and depression in WBCs) as well as their local elastic properties (Young’s modulus) in healthy persons and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by means of the atomic force microscopy (AFM). Morphological and morphometrical parameters of human leukocytes were evaluated by AFM in tapped mod

Strawberry resistance to the major fungal phytopathogens: R-genes and their DNA markers

The garden strawberry Fragaria × ananassa (Duchesne ex Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier (1785) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Rosaceae family; it is cultivated all around the world. It accounts for more than half of the global volume of berries production. In Russia, more than 160 tons of garden strawberries are grown annually, but according to Russian scientists, this crop has a much higher productivity potential. Various pathogens, including bacterial, viral and fungal infections, negatively affect the productivity of strawberry. Anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum Corda.), crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum Lebert & Cohn), red core disease (Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae Hickman), fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sр. fragariae Winks & Williams ) and strawberry powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis [Sphaerotheca macularis] (Wallr.) U. Braun & S. Takam) are among the most important fungal diseases of strawberry. This review discusses the current data about the known genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with resistance to listed plant pathogens. The review also offers information about molecular markers of different types: SDRF, AFLP, SSR, SCAR, SNP, associated with these genes/QTLs and used in the molecular screening of strawberry collections for practical purposes

Molecular screening of the VIR strawberry varieties collection for the presence of a marker for the anthracnose black rot resistance gene <i>Rca2</i>

Background. Anthracnose black rot caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum acutatum Simmonds became an extremely harmful disease of strawberries in Southern Russia. The disease is widespread throughout the world, and relatively recently it appeared in Russia. Yield losses due to the disease reach up to 80%; besides, the pathogen causes significant plant losses in mother plantations. The most reliable protection against the pathogen is the cultivation of resistant varieties. In strawberries, resistance is controlled by different genes, including Rca2. To identify this gene, molecular markers STS_Rca2_240 and STS-Rca2_417 have been developed. The purpose of this study was to use the markers for screening the VIR collection of strawberry varieties at the VIR Maikop Experiment Station (Maikop ES VIR). Material and methods. The present work studied 135 varieties of Fragaria × ananassa (Duchesne ex Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier, 83 domestic and 52 foreign ones. The domestic varieties included 17 created at the Maikop ES. Plants were evaluated for anthracnose field resistance in the Republic of Adygea from 2018 to 2021. Molecular screening was performed using STS_Rca2_240 and STS-Rca2_417, the molecular markers closely linked to the Rca2 gene. Microsatellite primers EMFv020 were used to control the PCR. The cultivar ‘Sudarushka’, in which the presence of STS_Rca2_240 marker was described in the literature, served as a positive control. Results and discussion. The marker Rca2_240 was detected in 22 cultivars from 135 studied. Among domestic varieties, the frequency of the marker was 18.1%, while among the foreign varieties it was slightly lower and amounted to 13.0%. Among the 17 varieties created at the Maykop SE, the marker was found in three: ‘Majkopskaya rannyaya’, ‘Peryt’, and ‘Shapsugskaya’. The association of the diagnostic fragment with resistance was 73.0%. The marker efficiency was not very high due to the significant number of resistant varieties which do not generate the diagnostic fragments. The resistance in such varieties can be provided by other genes, for example, FaRCa1. The STS-Rca2_417 marker was not effective during screening. Conclusion. Twenty-two varieties with the STS_Rca2_240 marker were identified in the VIR collection, maintained at the Maykop ES VIR, 16 of which were resistant to C. acutatum. These varieties represent a valuable breeding material. The STS-Rca2_240 marker can be used as an important diagnostic trait for the certification of varieties

Prognostic value of the proportion of the sclerosing component in fibrolamellar liver carcinoma

Introduction. Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC), which develops most often in the younger population. In FLC, variable histoarchitectonics are noted, possibly the presence of a sclerosing component, foci of necrosis and dystrophy of tumor cells.Objective. Assessment of the influence of the proportion of the sclerosing component in fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) of the liver on the course and prognosis of the disease. Determination of the relationship between the proportion of the sclerosing component in the tumor and the frequency of microvascular invasion.Materials and methods. A retrospective study included 34 patients with a diagnosis of FLC, who underwent radical surgical treatment at the first stage. A histological assessment of the proportion (%) of the sclerosing component in FLC was made. The effect of  the  proportion of  the  sclerosing component on overall (OS) and relapse-free (DFS) survival was assessed. The  analysis of the relationship between the proportion of the sclerosing component in the tumor and the frequency of microvascular invasion was carried out.Results. Significantly worse RFS was achieved in the groups of patients with a sclerosing component in FLC &gt; 5% than in the group of patients with a sclerosing component in FLC ≤ 5% (p = 0.0010; p = 0.024; log – rank test). Median DDS in group 1 is 107 (95% CI, 22–192) months; at 2 – 11 (95% CI, 8–14) months; in 3 – 21 (95% CI, 8–33). The frequency of histologically confirmed microvascular invasion in the compared groups was 29, 74, 87.5%, respectively. OS was significantly worse in 2 groups (27 patients in total) with a sclerosing component in FLC &gt; 5% than in the group of patients with a sclerosing component in FLC ≤ 5%. Median OS in group 1 120 (95% CI, 60–180) months; at 2 – 41 (95% CI, 15–92) months; in 3 – 69 (95% CI, 35–103). A direct relationship was found between an increase in the proportion of the sclerosing component in a tumor and an increase in the frequency of microvascular invasion.Conclusions. We can assume that the severity of the sclerosing component in the FLK tumor can serve as an effective morphological marker of a less favorable prognosis for this HCC subtype and correlate with the frequency of microvascular invasion

Molecular markers in the genetic diversity studies of representatives of the genus <i>Rubus</i> L. and prospects of their application in breeding

According to estimates of various taxonomists, the genus Rubus L. (Rosaceae Juss.) consists of 12-16 subgenera comprising ~750 species. The two largest subgenera are Idaeobatus (Focke) Focke, which includes raspberries, and the type subgenus Rubus (=Eubatus Focke), which contains blackberry species. Representatives of the genus Rubus have high nutritional and economic values, as well as medicinal properties. Breeding programs are aimed at broadening genetic diversity and creating new varieties of raspberries and blackberries that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stressors and have high fruit quality. Modern breeding and genetic programs increasingly use the achievements of molecular genetics and genomics. This paper reviews the literature data on the application of molecular markers in fundamental and applied research aimed at studying the genetic diversity of cultivated and wild species of the genus Rubus. The review describes the main types of molecular markers (RFLP, RAPD, SCoT, SSR, ISSR, AFLP, SCAR, SSCP) and their application for studying the species of the genus Rubus. The results of the work on the use of DNA markers for solving different tasks are presented, including: studying the phylogenetic relationships of species, clarifying controversial issues of taxonomy, analyzing interspecific and intraspecific diversity, genotyping and pedigree analysis of raspberry and blackberry varieties, studying somaclonal variation and others. The most important applied result is the development of molecular genetic maps for raspberry and blackberry species, on which numerous genes and QTLs conferring various valuable traits have been mapped. At the same time, the number of markers that are promising for effective molecular screening is still insufficient

Nomenclatural standards and genetic passports of potato cultivars bred by the Tatar Research Institute of Agriculture «Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences»

Breeding of potato cultivars adapted to the climatic conditions of the Middle Volga region and resistant to various harmful organisms has always been an urgent task for breeders of the Tatarstan Republic. In the present paper, the potato cultivars bred at the Tatar Research Institute of Agriculture – Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, were taken as an example for demonstrating the results of application and elaboration of methodological approaches that are currently developed at the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) for the preparing of nomenclatural standards and their genotyping. At the initiative of the VIR researchers in collaboration with the authors of potato cultivars E.A. Gimaeva and Z. Stashevski plant material was collected and nomenclatural standards for potato cultivars bred at the Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences were prepared. Four nomenclatural standards for Tatarstan potato cultivars (‘Zumba’, ‘Kortni’, ‘Reggi’, ‘Samba’) were prepared in accordance with the provisions of the International Code of Nomenclature For Cultivated Plants, registered in the VIR Herbarium Database, and transferred to the VIR herbarium type collection. Besides, voucher specimens of cv. ‘Tango’ and breeding clone ‘Sal’sa’, which is undergoing the State Variety Test at present, were produced. Genetic passports of Tatarstan varieties (‘Zumba’, ‘Kortni’, ‘Reggi’, ‘Samba’) and one breeding clone (‘Sal’sa’)* were developed using DNA samples from plant material transferred by the authors of the cultivars to the VIR herbarium. The genetic passports include information of the polymorphism of eight chromosome-specific microsatellites, data on the presence/ absence of the diagnostic fragments of 15 markers of the 11 R-genes conferring resistance to various harmful organisms and the information about cytoplasm types. A comparison of the data from genetic passports developed using DNA samples from nomenclatural standard specimens with the results of genotyping of 22 samples of Tatarstan cultivars obtained from different sources (e.g., samples undergoing ecogeographic tests within the framework of the Comprehensive Research Plan of the subprogram “Development of potato breeding and seed production in the Russian Federation”; as well as accessions from the VIR in vitro collection) made it possible to assess the authenticity and uniformity of the studied plant material