Quantum geometrodynamics of the Bianchi IX model in extended phase space

A way of constructing mathematically correct quantum geometrodynamics of a closed universe is presented. The resulting theory appears to be gauge-noninvariant and thus consistent with the observation conditions of a closed universe, by that being considerably distinguished from the conventional Wheeler - DeWitt one. For the Bianchi-IX cosmological model it is shown that a normalizable wave function of the Universe depends on time, allows the standard probability interpretation and satisfies a gauge-noninvariant dynamical Schrodinger equation. The Wheeler - DeWitt quantum geometrodynamics is represented by a singular, BRST-invariant solution to the Schrodinger equation having no property of normalizability.Comment: LaTeX, 18 pages, to be published in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

Prospects for the use of fecal microbiota transplantation in obese patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for weight loss and improvement of insulin sensitivity

Concerning the uncontrolled growth in the incidence of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), numerous research have been carried out to study the pathogenetic mechanisms of progress of these diseases and development of new methods for their prevention and treatment in recent years. T2DM is known to be a multifactorial disease, in the development of which both lifestyle and various environmental factors, and genetic predisposition are involved. At the same time, in recent years, a theory has been discussed that intestinal dysbiosis, which is caused with quantitative and qualitative changes in the gut microbiota (GM) is one of the mechanisms of obesity and T2DM development. At the moment, various methods have been proposed for restoring the normal composition of GM, including the administration of prebiotics and metabiotics that stimulate the growth of gut flora, as well as probiotics, which directly include the necessary beneficial bacteria (mainly Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus). Fecal microflora transplantation (FMT), which allows transferring an entire microbial community into the recipient's body, rather than individual bacteria is the newest and least studied method of GM normalization. In this connection, this method of GM influencing is of great interest for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases

Efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide in Russian patients with type 2 diabetes: subgroup analysis of PIONEER 1, 2, 3 trials

INTRODUCTION. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are the treatment options with comprehensive action on different aspects of type 2 diabetes. Due to its peptide nature GLP-1 RAs, until recent time the delivery of these agents into patients’ organism was via injectable devices. In 2019, the first time in history oral semaglutide was registered based on the results of PIONEER clinical trial program, since 2021 this drug is available in Russia. However, the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and local treatment approaches may differ in different populations; this can lead to the differences in the efficacy and safety of newly registered drug. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the response in different populations. In this paper we report the result of subanalysis of efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide in Russian patients.OBJECTIVE. The aim of this analysis is to evaluate efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide in Russian patients, who participated in semaglutide clinical development program, as well as to evaluate consistency and applicability of the results obtained from global population in that program.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Patients from PIONEER 1, 2, 3 were included in the analysis: 150 patients from Russian, 1956 — the rest patients from these trials. Reductions in HbA1c and body weight were analyzed in both cohorts, and treatment differences were tested for interaction. Similarly, the rate of adverse events was analyzed.RESULTS. Reduction in HbA1c in oral semaglutide arms in both cohorts showed numerically similar and consistent result. Interaction test showed statistical difference in PIONEER 1 data (p=0.0268) — the effect was due to diminishing influence of substantial response in placebo arm in Russian cohort. In longer-term trials (PIONEER 2 and 3) this finding was not confirmed (p=0.7459 and p=0.4906, respectively). In regard to body weight reduction there were more numerically pronounced results in Russian cohort compared to global population; although statistical significance were not reached in any of the trial (p>0.05). There was lower rate of reported adverse events in Russian patients compared to the rest cohort.CONCLUSION. This analysis showed similar efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide in Russian patients compared to global population of patients from clinical program

On the centenary of the insulin discovery

The discovery of insulin and the beginning of its use in 1921–1922 made a revolution in endocrinology and in medicine in general. This significant event gave millions of patients with diabetes not only the opportunity to live, but also the hope that their life with this disease would be full.The article examines the history of insulin discovery, as well as the evolution of several generations of insulin preparations and the advantages of each of the generations that have radically changed not only life expectancy, but also its quality.The first generation — insulins of animal origin and the solution of the first tasks of their sufficient production and purification. The next generation is human insulins, the purification of which was also a problem. The third generation is insulin analogues, the action of which became closer to the action profile of natural insulin. And the last generation — insulin analogues, most closely mimicking the action of endogenous insulin.Along with the development of insulin preparations, the article traces the evolution of the devices of its administration

Flexible management in industry as a factor of region’s sustainable development

This article discusses the development of flexible management technologies in industry in current conditions. The main goal of the research is to study the features of functioning and develop a mechanism for the development of flexible technologies for managing industrial enterprises in Russia as one of the factors for the sustainable development of regions. Taking into account the goal set, the main tasks have been defined. It consists of studying the structure, a number of industrial enterprises by sectors, districts and the Russian Federation’s constituent entities; allocation of the varieties of flexible management technologies; development of a conceptual scheme and stages of the process of forming tools for the development mechanism of industrial enterprises based on flexible management technologies. The study used modern methods of collecting and statistical processing of initial information, in particular, the method of analytical groupings, the method of classifications and typologies, methods of economic, situational and system analysis. The paper deals with issues related to the analysis of the industrial production indices dynamics by entities of the Russian Federation. The problems are identified, the mechanism and stages of development of industrial enterprises have been formed on the basis of flexible management technologies. The main provisions and conclusions reflect the significance of the research and can be used by industrial enterprises in activities aimed at their development in the conditions of economic transformation. The authors’ recommendations will help to increase the competitiveness of enterprises, their sustainable functioning and development in the regions

Ecotourism as a form of sustainable development

The article discusses the specificity and current trends of ecological tourism in the context of sustainable development. The authors performed a literary review of the concept of “sustainable development”, grouped the views of various authors on the definition of this concept. The modern normative-legal base of the Russian Federation in the field of steady development is analysed, the list of operating statutory acts in this sphere is revealed. The world practice of tourism development has been studied. The basic principles regulating natural ecological tourism are revealed, plans of strategic development at various levels of management are studied. The authors concluded that the current high tourism potential of the Russian Federation is underused. Ecological tourism can become one of the effective means of nature protection and formation of ecological culture

COVID-19 and kidneys

COVID-19 poses a real threat to patients with comorbid conditions such as diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, cardiovascular, renal or hepatic disorders. Kidney damage is very likely in people with diabetes who have undergone a new infection, and the risk of developing acute renal injury is associated with mortality. Potential mechanisms of kidney involvement in the clinical picture of the disease may include cytokine damage, cross-organ damage, and systemic effects that determine the treatment strategy. These mechanisms are closely interrelated and are important for individuals on extracorporeal therapy and kidney transplants. Autopsy data provide evidence of SARS-CoV-2 virus invasion into kidney tissue with damage to tubular epithelium cells and podocytes, and red blood cell aggregation in severely COVID-19 patients. By including individuals with chronic kidney disease in planned COVID-19 research protocols, an evidence base for effective and safe treatments can be generated

ANIMAL WELFARE: EUROPEAN STANDARDS AS A BASIS FOR REFORMING NATIONAL LEGISLATION IN UKRAINE

ABSTRACT: Nowadays, Ukraine faces numerous challenges in animal welfare, including ensuring animal welfare, keeping and veterinary care for stray animals, protecting them from cruelty, and preserving endangered species. These areas are important and create the need to improve national legislation and its application. The problem is also becoming more urgent within the framework of Ukraine’s European integration vector, accompanied by the harmonization of national legislation with EU law and the ratification and implementation of European standards in the relevant area. The subject matter of the study necessitated the use of dialectical, systemic, structural-functional and informational approaches. The article aims to study the legal regulation of animal rights protection in Ukraine and analyze the animal treatment standards in foreign countries and international organizations. Keywords: animals; animal protection; international standards; animal cruelty; animal rights.   Bem-estar animal: Padrões europeus como base para reformar a legislação nacional na Ucrânia   RESUMO: Atualmente, a Ucrânia enfrenta inúmeros desafios na área de bem-estar animal, incluindo as garantias e manutenção dos cuidados veterinários de animais perdidos, a proteção da crueldade e preservação de espécies ameaçadas de extinção. Estas áreas são importantes e criam a necessidade de melhorar a legislação nacional e a sua aplicação. O problema também se torna mais urgente no quadro do vetor de integração europeia da Ucrânia, acompanhado pela harmonização da legislação nacional com a legislação da União Européia (EU), e consequentemente, pela ratificação e implementação das normas europeias dessa área relevante, no território nacional. O objeto do estudo exigiu o uso de abordagens dialéticas, sistêmicas, estrutural-funcionais e informacionais. O artigo visa estudar a regulamentação legal da proteção dos direitos dos animais na Ucrânia e analisar os padrões de tratamento animal em países estrangeiros e organizações internacionais da UE. Palavras-chave: animais; proteção animal; padrões internacionais; crueldade animal; direito dos animais.ABSTRACT: Nowadays, Ukraine faces numerous challenges in animal welfare, including ensuring animal welfare, keeping and veterinary care for stray animals, protecting them from cruelty, and preserving endangered species. These areas are important and create the need to improve national legislation and its application. The problem is also becoming more urgent within the framework of Ukraine’s European integration vector, accompanied by the harmonization of national legislation with EU law and the ratification and implementation of European standards in the relevant area. The subject matter of the study necessitated the use of dialectical, systemic, structural-functional and informational approaches. The article aims to study the legal regulation of animal rights protection in Ukraine and analyze the animal treatment standards in foreign countries and international organizations. Keywords: animals; animal protection; international standards; animal cruelty; animal rights.   Bem-estar animal: Padrões europeus como base para reformar a legislação nacional na Ucrânia   RESUMO: Atualmente, a Ucrânia enfrenta inúmeros desafios na área de bem-estar animal, incluindo as garantias e manutenção dos cuidados veterinários de animais perdidos, a proteção da crueldade e preservação de espécies ameaçadas de extinção. Estas áreas são importantes e criam a necessidade de melhorar a legislação nacional e a sua aplicação. O problema também se torna mais urgente no quadro do vetor de integração europeia da Ucrânia, acompanhado pela harmonização da legislação nacional com a legislação da União Européia (EU), e consequentemente, pela ratificação e implementação das normas europeias dessa área relevante, no território nacional. O objeto do estudo exigiu o uso de abordagens dialéticas, sistêmicas, estrutural-funcionais e informacionais. O artigo visa estudar a regulamentação legal da proteção dos direitos dos animais na Ucrânia e analisar os padrões de tratamento animal em países estrangeiros e organizações internacionais da UE. Palavras-chave: animais; proteção animal; padrões internacionais; crueldade animal; direito dos animais