Chinese innovations in infrastructure

This article examines the solutions which China uses to become a modern

CRISPR

This review summarizes recent advances in endonuclease-mediated genome editing tools and research progress of genome-edited pigs as personalized test-systems for preclinical trials and as donors of organs with human-fit antigen profil

Multicolour CCD photometric study of galactic star clusters SAI 63 and SAI 75

We present U B V I CCD photometric observations obtained in the field of open clusters SAI 63 and SAI 75. CCD optical data obtained for the first time for these clusters are used to derive the fundamental parameters of the clusters. Stellar surface density profile indicates that radii of SAI 63 and SAI 75 are ∼3′.5 and 2′.5 respectively. The reddenings E(B−V) are 0.44±0.05 and 0.34±0.05 mag for SAI 63 and SAI 75 respectively while the corresponding distances are 2.2 ± 0.2 and 3.5±0.3 kpc. An age of 450 ± 50 Myr for SAI 63 and 90 ± 10 Myr for SAI 75 is determined using the theoretical isochrones of Z=0.019. Our analysis shows that reddening law is normal towards SAI 75

PROBLEMS OF DIAGNOSIS AND SURGICAL TREATMENT OF HALLUX VALGUS (LITERATURE REVIEW)

Treatment of valgus deformity of the first toe is today one of the intensively developing areas of modern orthopedics. The complexity of treatment of this pathology is predetermined, first of all, by its multicomponent nature. Forefoot deformities are often the main cause of a decreased quality of life, which makes the patient irritable, inactive, and also makes it impossible to use standard footwear, and sometimes even orthopedic one. The purpose of our study was the analysis of scientific literature devoted to the problems of diagnosis and surgical treatment of valgus deviation of the 1st toe (hallux valgus). The materials of the study were domestic and foreign articles, reviews and monographs on the surgical treatment of hallux valgus, with mandatory analysis of long-term treatment outcomes. The history of the development of treatment of this pathology is presented with the analysis of surgical treatment methods aimed at different links of pathogenesis, as well as complications arising from the use of different techniques. The article presents modern trends in development and ways to improve the methods of surgical treatment of valgus deviation of the first toe. The analysis of the literature data showed significant success in the surgical treatment of valgus deviation of the first toe. However the current percentage of relapses may be due to the lack of an accurate method for determining proximal articular set angle (PASA) in the preoperative period, as well as the lack of the hallux valgus treatment able to eliminate valgus deviation of the first toe and avoid recurrence of the disease due to a more accurate correction of PASA

The study of agronomical traits determining productivity of Triticum aestivum/Triticum timopheevii introgression lines with resistance to fungal diseases

Development of resistant cultivars is one of the effective ways for protection of common wheat T. aestivum L. from fungal pathogens. The gene pool of wild and cultivated wheat relatives is often used for widening the wheat genetic diversity of resistance genes. However, alien genetic material introgressed into the wheat genome can contain genetic factors negatively affecting agronomically important traits. T. aestivum/ T. timopheevii introgression lines derived from different common wheat cultivars have characteristically good resistance to leaf rust and powdery mildew. A comparative assessment of these lines and initial wheat varieties during four field seasons revealed a significant effect of environmental factors on the phenotypic differences between traits that have relevance to productivity. Averaged data obtained for individual introgression lines and for cross combinations revealed both positive and negative tendencies in variations of agronomical traits. The positive effects include a significant increase in the numbers of tillers and spikelets per spike of the lines derived from cv. Skala. Reduction in spike productivity was found in groups of the lines derived from cv. Tselinnaya 20 and cv. Novosibirskaya 67. However, no significant differences in 1000-grain weight were found between most lines and original wheat cultivars. Analysis of the data obtained showed no apparent correlation between the reduction of agronomic traits and the amount of alien genetic material introgressed into the common wheat genome. T. aestivum/T. timopheevii introgression lines can be used as a source of resistance genes without reducing the yield of wheat cultivars

Localization of the quantitative trait loci related to lodging resistance in spring bread wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.)

The yield and grain quality of spring and winter wheat significantly depends on varieties’ resistance to lodging, the genetic basis of this trait being quantitative and controlled by a large number of loci. Therefore, the study of the genetic architecture of the trait becomes necessary for the creation and improvement of modern wheat varieties. Here we present the results of localization of the genomic regions associated with resistance to lodging, plant height, and upper internode diameter in Russian bread wheat varieties. Phenotypic screening of 97 spring varieties and breeding lines was carried out in the field conditions of the West Siberian region during 2017–2019. It was found that 54 % of the varieties could be characterized as medium and highly resistant to lodging. At the same time, it was noted that the trait varied over the years. Twelve varieties showed a low level of resistance in all years of evaluation. Plant height-based grouping of the varieties showed that 19 samples belonged to semi-dwarfs (60–84 cm), and the rest were included in the group of standard-height plants (85–100 cm). Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was performed by means of genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 9285 SNP markers. For lodging resistance, plant height, and upper internode diameter, 26 significant associations (–log p &gt; 3) were found in chromosomes 1B, 2A, 3A, 3D, 4A, 5A, 5B, 5D, 6A, and 7B. The results obtained suggest that the regions of 700–711 and 597–618 Mb in chromosomes 3A and 6A, respectively, may contain clusters of genes that affect lodging resistance and plant height. No chromosome regions colocalized with the QTLs associated with lodging resistance or upper internode diameter were found. The present GWAS results may be important for the development of approaches for creating lodging-resistant varieties through marker-assisted and genomic selection

Using biodegradable screws in treatment of hallux valgus

The aim of the research was to assess using biodegradable screws in treatment of hallux valgus. We managed 40 female patients (average age 50 ± 2.51) with hallux valgus who where admitted to the orthopedic unit of Irkutsk Scientific Center of Surgery and Traumatology for operative treatment. All patients had X-ray, MRI and intraoperational examination of affected foot before the surgery and in postoperative period. All patients were operated using own surgical technique. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (22 patients) - osteosynthesis using biodegradable (PLGA) screws; group 2 (18 patients) - osteosynthesis using metal cannulated screws. In group 1 postoperative values of M1P1 angle were within normal range (9.67 ± 0.78°). According to MRI, proximal articular set angle (PASA) was corrected from 21.5 ± 0.35 to 4.17 ± 0.09°. 6 patients of the group 1 were complaining of pain and discomfort in the area of screw-head contacting soft tissues. The result of operative treatment in the group 2 resulted in the correction of M1P1 angle from 34 ± 1.63 to 7.67 ± 0.75°. After the surgery intraoperative PASA was back to the normal range (4.33 ± 0.34°). The comparison of the results of treatment of patients of groups 1 and 2 didn't reveal any statistically significant differences in the values of М1Р1, М1М2, М1М5 angles and PASA. The advantage of using biodegradable screws, compared to the metal ones, in the treatment of hallux valgus is the possibility of postoperative MRI of the foot with calculation of PASA to evaluate treatment results. The disadvantage of using biodegradable screws is engineering deficiency preventing screw-head from dipping into bone tissue and causing soft tissue traumatizing. Biodegradable and metal screws allow to obtain similar results of hallux valgus treatment

SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING OF THE STAFF OF ENTERPRISES WITH DIFFERENT INVOLVEMENT IN INNOVATIVE PROCESSES: AGE ASPECT

The results of empirical investigations of subjective well-being of multi-age engineering staff at successful innovative enterprise and the enterprise with long-term problems of transition to innovative development format have been presented. Subjective well-being has been сonsidered as emotional regulator of labor activity and staff acceptance of innovations factor. Readiness for innovative changes, self-esteem of fatigue, health status, stress and age state of health has been studied as indicators of well-being. It has been shown that at ordinary enterprise the most unpleasant indicators of subjective well-being are typical for young staff, but at the innovative enterprise the staff regardless of age have a high level of subjective well-being which is manifested in a commitment to innovative values and personal involvement in the labor process

Surgical Treatment of Severe Deformities of the Toes in Rheumatoid Arthritis

The article presents the case of successful surgical treatment of a female patient with severe deformities of the toes arising from rheumatoid arthritis. After clinical and radiological examination the patient was diagnosed with a hallux valgus deviation of the first toe, with 64 degrees of valgus deviation angle, and a valgus-hammered deformity of the II, III, IV toes with a dislocation of the III and IV toes. There was a violation of the stato-dynamic function of the foot, severe pain. Two techniques of joint-preserving surgical treatment were selected. Correction of deformation of the first toe was carried out according to the author's technology, to correct the deformation of other toes, the Helal technique was used in the author's modification. The result of the treatment was the achievement of correction of the deformation of the first toe and the elimination of the deformation of the second, third, and fourth toes. The patient is satisfied with the outcome, the appearance of the left foot, its function, the ability to walk without pain and wear ordinary shoes.This clinical case of surgical treatment of severe deformities of the toes with rheumatoid arthritis shows the possibility and importance of joint-saving operations to obtain a good cosmetic and functional result. Performing osteotomy of the metatarsal bones in the proposed modifications allows to correct the hallux valgus deviation of the first toe and deformation of the other toes. As a result of using these technologies, it is possible to maintain metatarsophalangeal joints, eliminate dislocations and subluxations, restore joint function, form an arch of the transverse arch of the foot, relieve pain, thereby improving the anatomical and functional state of the entire foot

Effect of triazavirine on the outcome of a lethal influenza infection and secondary bacterial pneumonia following influenza in mice

Pneumonia often occurs as secondary infection post influenza disease and accounts for a large proportion of the morbidity and mortality associated with seasonal and pandemic influenza outbreaks. The antiviral drug triazavirine is licensed in Russia for the treatment and prophylaxis of acute respiratory infections, including influenza A and B viruses. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of triazavirine in a mouse model of secondary Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia following A/California/04/2009 (H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus infection. We also performed a study of the efficacy of triazavirine against the A/California/04/2009 (H1N1)pdm09 lethal influenza infection in mice. In this model, triazavirine at the dose of 25 mg/kg/day significantly enhanced the survival of animals (60% compared to 20%) and the mean survival time to death, prevented weight loss, and reduced viral titer in the lungs of mice infected with influenza virus. At doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day, triazavirine was highly effective in the treatment of the secondary bacterial pneumonia following influenza infection in mice. At these doses, triazavirine protected 67-75% of animals against death, increased the mean survival time to death by twofold, and reduced the virus titer by 2.2-3.0 log10TCID50/ml compared to the mice in the control group. These findings suggest the possible benefit of triazavirine treatment in reducing post influenza pneumonia incidence in humans.Pneumonia often occurs as secondary infection post influenza disease and accounts for a large proportion of the morbidity and mortality associated with seasonal and pandemic influenza outbreaks. The antiviral drug triazavirine is licensed in Russia for the treatment and prophylaxis of acute respiratory infections, including influenza A and B viruses. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of triazavirine in a mouse model of secondary Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia following A/California/04/2009 (H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus infection. We also performed a study of the efficacy of triazavirine against the A/California/04/2009 (H1N1)pdm09 lethal influenza infection in mice. In this model, triazavirine at the dose of 25 mg/kg/day significantly enhanced the survival of animals (60% compared to 20%) and the mean survival time to death, prevented weight loss, and reduced viral titer in the lungs of mice infected with influenza virus. At doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day, triazavirine was highly effective in the treatment of the secondary bacterial pneumonia following influenza infection in mice. At these doses, triazavirine protected 67-75% of animals against death, increased the mean survival time to death by twofold, and reduced the virus titer by 2.2-3.0 log10TCID50/ml compared to the mice in the control group. These findings suggest the possible benefit of triazavirine treatment in reducing post influenza pneumonia incidence in humans