The TGF-beta — SMAD pathway is inactivated in cronic lymphocytic leukemia cells

Aim: To study the status of the tumor growth factor beta (TGFB) pathway in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells and to uncover molecular details underlying CLL cell genesis. Objects and Methods: The study was conducted on peripheral blood samples of patients with CLL using the following methods: RNA isolation, analysis of expression of transcription factors using RT2 profiler assay, bioinformatics analysis of publicly available data bases on expression. Results: We have shown that the TGFB — SMAD canonical pathway is not active in CLL cells. SMAD-responsive genes, such as BCL2L1 (BCL-XL), CCND2 (Cyclin D2), and MYC, are down-regulated in CLL cells compared with peripheral blood B cells of healthy donors. Conclusions: The TGFB-mediated signaling is not active in CLL cells due to low (or absent) expression of SMAD1, -4, -5, -9, and ATF-3. Expression and phosphorylation status of SMAD2 and -3 should be further elucidated in the future studies

The TGF-beta — SMAD pathway is inactivated in cronic lymphocytic leukemia cells

Aim: To study the status of the tumor growth factor beta (TGFB) pathway in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells and to uncover molecular details underlying CLL cell genesis. Objects and Methods: The study was conducted on peripheral blood samples of patients with CLL using the following methods: RNA isolation, analysis of expression of transcription factors using RT2 profiler assay, bioinformatics analysis of publicly available data bases on expression. Results: We have shown that the TGFB — SMAD canonical pathway is not active in CLL cells. SMAD-responsive genes, such as BCL2L1 (BCL-XL), CCND2 (Cyclin D2), and MYC, are down-regulated in CLL cells compared with peripheral blood B cells of healthy donors. Conclusions: The TGFB-mediated signaling is not active in CLL cells due to low (or absent) expression of SMAD1, -4, -5, -9, and ATF-3. Expression and phosphorylation status of SMAD2 and -3 should be further elucidated in the future studies

On Students Training in a New Masters Program “Molecular Biology and Plant Agrobiotechnology” at SaintPetersburg State University (SPbSU)

The development of an agro-industrial complex under present-day conditions is impossible to imagine without the development of agro-biotechnology, which in turn requires specialists with profound knowledge of biology, chemistry and related sciences. In this regard, training of personnel is needed to ensure active implementation of modern technologies in agricultural sciences. Until recently, such specialists have not been trained at classical universities, to which St. Petersburg State University belongs. To deal with this challenge, a Masters Program «Molecular Biology and Agrobiotechnology of Plants» has been developed and is being implemented in SPbSU. Teaching staff from eight departments of the Biological Faculty of SPbSU is involved in the creation and implementation of the Program. The Program in question is focused on familiarizing students with the modern problems, achievements, methodology of agro-biotechnology of plants, as well as on practical application of the obtained knowledge. Special attention is paid to the formation of trainees’ perceptions of the possibility and necessity of bringing plant breeding to the level of requirements and possibilities of the «post-genome era» to achieve high productivity and sustainability of agricultural production with minimal environmental risks. The Program seamlessly integrates practical exercises and students’ research work in the SPbSU facilities, as well as that performed at St. Petersburg research institutes. Much attention is paid to the development of students’ skills in conducting scientific discussions and in presenting their scientific data in different formats, for instance in English, which is very important for monitoring current scientific trends and integrating own research into world science. The Program is popular with students and many of its graduates have been employed by the leading biological and agricultural research institutes

Cartoon Image of the Mother, Its Perception by Elementary School Students and Correction in the Process of Media Education

Received 11 June 2021. Accepted 8 September 2021. Published online 11 October 2021.This article presents a psychological study of the mother image projected in cartoons and its perception by elementary school students. The research provides evidence for the importance of an integral approach to the analysis of media texts addressed to children, as well as for the necessity of considering their narrative, verbal, and descriptive components. A psychological analysis was conducted on the material of three cartoons: “Chunya” (USSR), “Barboskiny” [The Barkers] (Russia), and “Peppa Pig” (UK). Hypotheses were formulated about the potential influence of the cartoons on the younger audience. 70 elementary school students (χ = 9.5 years old) took part in the study. The research was conducted using the method of semantic differential; the data obtained were processed using factor analysis. The results show that the categorization of images follows the factors of “education”, “love”, “patience”, and “respect”. Differences in the semantic assessment of the cartoons under study are presented. Children perceive the events taking place in a cartoon directly, without reflection. Artistic mediation—polysemy, metaphors, and the category of the comic—does not evoke an aesthetic reaction in children, as assumed by the authors. It was found that the semantic assessment of the word “mother” by elementary school students did not agree with the traditional cultural status of a mother. Thus, the respondents ranked such indicators as “understanding” and “prestige” at a low level. A developmental experiment was conducted to correct the mother image as perceived by elementary school students. During the experimental program (8 lessons in total), the schoolchildren watched and discussed the cartoons together with a psychologist. At the end of the experiment, the semantic assessment of the verbal stimulus “mom” by the respondents showed a statistically significantly increase (р ≤ 0.05) in the indicators of “understanding” and “prestige”

Управление рисками безопасного использования высокоавтоматизированных транспортных средств в мегаполисе: системно-правовой анализ

The article presents the results of a scientific study of current issues of risk management associated with ensuring safe operation of unmanned vehicles, obtained by the authors as a result of implementation of the second stage of a scientific project supported by the Russian Science Foundation. The conclusions presented in the article are based on the results of a study of legal and organisational problems of ensuring the safe use of unmanned vehicles in a metropolis, carried out during the first stage of the project.The study confirmed the authors’ assumption that solving the problem of ensuring the safe use of unmanned vehicles is possible based on scientific research into the risks arising during their operation. It is substantiated that identification, differentiation, monitoring of risks determined by appearance of unmanned vehicles on highways is a necessary condition for development of a scientifically based system of legal measures of general and private prevention, including measures of legal liability for relevant offenses, based on categorisation of risks and threats of violation of mandatory requirements adopted to ensure transport safety and traffic management using this type of vehicle.The fundamental provisions are analysed and comprehended underlying the application of the risk­based approach in homogeneous and single-type social relations.В статье представлены результаты научного исследования актуальных вопросов управления рисками, связанными с обеспечением безопасной эксплуатации беспилотных автомобилей, полученные авторами в результатах реализации второго этапа научного проекта, поддержанного Российским научным фондом. Выводы, представленные в статье, основываются на результатах исследования правовых и организационных проблем обеспечения безопасного использования беспилотных автомобилей в условиях мегаполиса, осуществленного в период первого этапа проекта.В ходе исследования подтвердилось предположение авторов, что решение задачи обеспечения безопасного использования беспилотных автомобилей возможно на основе научного исследования рисков, возникающих при их эксплуатации. Обосновывается, что выявление, дифференциация, мониторинг рисков, детерминированных появлением на автомобильных дорогах беспилотных автомобилей, является необходимым условием для выработки научно обоснованной системы правовых мер общей и частной превенции, включающей меры юридической ответственности за соответствующие правонарушения, основанной на категорировании рисков и угроз нарушения обязательных требований, устанавливаемых в целях обеспечения безопасности на транспорте и организации дорожного движения с использованием такого рода транспортных средств.Проанализированы принципиальные положения, заложенные в основу применения риск-ориентированного подхода воднородных и одновидовых общественных отношениях

STUDENT SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPECTATIONS FROM STUDYING IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION: SATISFACTION DEGREE AND IMPLEMENTATION EVALUATION

O objetivo do estudo é analisar a implementação das expectativas dos alunos de estudar na Universidade. O método principal para o estudo desse problema é o método do questionário, que permite o estudo mais qualitativo e aprofundado das expectativas dos jovens em relação ao ensino superior. É revelado que os problemas existentes têm um impacto negativo na atitude dos alunos em relação à sua instituição educacional e, consequentemente, reduzir sua imagem aos olhos dos futuros alunos e do público em geral. Os dados obtidos neste trabalho podem ser utilizados nas áreas de psicologia da educação, psicologia da idade, psicologia social, pedagogia, sociologia, bem como para o desenvolvimento teórico adicional desta questão.El objetivo del estudio es analizar la implementación de las expectativas de los estudiantes al estudiar en la Universidad. El método principal para el estudio de este problema es el método del cuestionario, que permite el estudio más cualitativo y profundo de las expectativas de los jóvenes en relación con la educación superior. Se revela que los problemas existentes tienen un impacto negativo. sobre la actitud de los estudiantes hacia su institución educativa y, en consecuencia, reducir su imagen ante los futuros estudiantes y el público en general. Los datos obtenidos en este trabajo pueden utilizarse en psicología de la educación, psicología de la edad, psicología social, pedagogía, sociología, así como para un mayor desarrollo teórico de este tema.The aim of the study is to analyze the implementation of students' expectations from studying at the University. The leading method for the study of this problem is the method of the questionnaire, which allows the most qualitative and in-depth study of the expectations of young people in relation to higher education.. It is revealed that the existing problems have a negative impact on the attitude of students to their educational institution and, consequently, reduce its image in the eyes of future students and the public as a whole. The data obtained in this work can be used in the psychology of education, age psychology, social psychology, pedagogy, sociology, as well as for further theoretical development of this issue

Проблемные вопросы правового регулирования использования автомобилей с автоматизированной системой вождения

In the context of a fundamental change in the fundamental approaches to building a traffic management system, traditionally based on establishing the driver’s duty to ensure constant control over the traffic situation and, accordingly, presuming his responsibility for harm caused by a source of increased danger, the problem of legal regulation of the use of highly automated vehicles equipped with an automated driving system that does not provide for participation of the driver in the dynamic control of the car becomes not only relevant in theoretical, but also especially significant from practical aspects.The objective of the comprehensive study being conducted by the authors was to identify and visualise key groups of problems of legal regulation of the operation of cars with an automated driving system, to formulate proposals for their solution as part of a subsequent systemic legal study. This article is devoted to the results of consideration of the first block of the identified issues.Using the methods of the system-legal approach, formal-logical and formal-dogmatic analysis, the authors have identified the most problematic issues of legalising the terminology used in positive law and scientific sources. In particular, options for identifying the essential features of highly automated cars are proposed with the purpose to further legislatively determine the cars that should be classified as highly automated, to reveal which software and hardware complex can be considered an automated driving system, etc.Based on the results of solving the scientific problem, which consists in determining the directions for adapting the legislation governing the requirements for safety of vehicles and the procedure for their admission to operation for the needs of the widespread introduction of highly automated vehicles, the research can be carried out in two directions at the same time: to develop upper-level, essential requirements to safety and to develop specific, purely technical requirements for automated driving systems, as well as to develop a methodology for testing them.As a part of the taxonomic analysis carried out by the authors to determine, on a fundamentally new basis, the range of rights and obligations of the participants in the relations under the study, it is proposed to highlight the problem of distinguishing between situations in which the driver needs to take an active part in driving a car from situations in which he is not required to be actively involved. into this process.When considering issues of liability for harm caused by a car with an automated driving system, the article focuses on the need to solve the problem of balancing the responsibility of the car owner and the manufacturer, which can be facilitated by the application of methods of comparative legal analysis.В условиях коренного изменения принципиальных подходов к построению системы организации дорожного движения, традиционно основанной на установлении обязанности водителя обеспечивать постоянный контроль за дорожной обстановкой и, соответственно, презюмировании его ответственности за вред, причинённый источником повышенной опасности, проблема правового регулирования применения высокоавтоматизированных транспортных средств, оснащённых автоматизированной системой вождения, не предусматривающей участия водителя в динамическом управлении автомобилем, становится не только актуальной в теоретическом, но и особо значимой в практическом аспектах.Целями ведущегося авторами комплексного исследования стали выявление и визуализация ключевых групп проблем правового обеспечения использования автомобилей с автоматизированной системой вождения, формулирование предложений по их решению в рамках последующего системно-правового исследования. В данной публикации приведены результаты рассмотрения первого блока обозначенных вопросов.С использованием методик системно-правового подхода, формальнологического и формально-догматического анализа авторами определены наиболее проблемные вопросы легализации терминологии, используемой в позитивном праве и научных источниках. В частности, предложены варианты выявления сущностных признаков высокоавтоматизированных автомобилей в интересах последующего законодательного определения того, какие автомобили должны быть отнесены к высокоавтоматизированным, какой программно-аппаратный комплекс может считаться автоматизированной системой вождения и т.п.По результатам решения научной задачи, состоящей в определении направлений адаптации законодательства, регулирующего требования к безопасности транспортных средств и процедуру их допуска к эксплуатации к потребностям широкого внедрения высокоавтоматизированных автомобилей, авторами сделан вывод, что данная работа может вестись в двух направлениях одновременно: по разработке верхнеуровневых, сущностных требований к безопасности и по выработке точечных, сугубо технических требований к автоматизированным системам вождения, а также по разработке методологии их испытаний.В рамках осуществления таксономического анализа, осуществлённого авторами в целях определения круга прав и обязанностей участников исследуемых отношений предлагается особо выделить проблему разграничения ситуаций, в которых водителю необходимо принимать активное участие в управлении автомобилем, от ситуаций, в которых от него не требуется активного вовлечения в этот процесс.При рассмотрении вопросов ответственности за вред, причинённый автомобилем с автоматизированной системой вождения, делается акцент на необходимость решения проблемы баланса ответственности владельца автомобиля и изготовителя, чему может способствовать применение методов компаративно-правового анализа

Atorvastatin: old friend in the light of novel coronavirus infection’s pandemia

The COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 2019) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2) continues to be a global threat to people and health systems. As of March 21, 2022, there are more than 460 million cases and more than 6 million deaths worldwide, and more than 17 million and 360,000 respectively in the Russian Federation. Due to the rapid spread of the new coronavirus infection, since the beginning of the pandemic, tremendous efforts have been made to create new pharmacological agents to reduce morbidity and mortality, and tactics have been used to repurpose existing medications in treatment regimens for patients with COVID-19, particularly statins. Statins represent one of the most widely used and prescribed classes of drugs in the world. The hypolipidemic properties of statins are actively used to treat hyperlipidemia and primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and their complications. Statins have a known safety profile, are inexpensive and accessible. In addition to their hypolipidemic effects, statins have a wide range of pleiotropic anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antithrombotic effects potentially useful in the treatment of COVID-19. Presumably, the use of statins can reduce SARS-CoV-2-induced organ and tissue damage and improve lung function. The use of statins, particularly atorvastatin, as one of the most effective, widely prescribed and studied drugs in this class, as a safe, affordable and relatively inexpensive therapy may be a promising therapeutic approach in the fight against a new coronavirus infection