Genetic Structure of Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus Populations in Russia

Background: Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus was found for the first time in 2011 on the Black Sea coast in Russia, and dur­ing 2011–2019, the species expanded over two climate zones Cfa and Csa. Methods: Here, we studied the sequence diversity of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene, 1317–1433bp in length. In total, 131 specimens of Ae. albopictus sampled from 21 locations in Russia and Abkhazia were examined. Results: Two of the six identified mitochondrial haplotypes were detected for the first time. Four COI haplotypes were shared by at least two studied local populations. The most prevalent H1 and H2 haplotypes dominated in all the sampled localities in the Cfa zone. The H3 haplotype was prevalent in the Csa zone. Other haplotypes were rare. Phylogenetic analyses, spatial isolation and limited gene flow revealed that the samples from the Csa zone differed significantly from those from the Cfa zone

Investing in well-being: experiences of implementing the ESG agenda by Russian oil and gas companies

The article is devoted to the study of the role of ESG policy in ensuring environmental well-being of oil and gas regions of the Russian Federation. In the framework of scientific research the main problems of its implementation were identified: commercial interpretation of ESG policy, lack of a transparent system of evaluation criteria and management remuneration, lack of a developed market infrastructure allowing to use ESG policy as a tool of competitive advantages. Prospects for increasing the role of ESG policy in providing environmental well-being of oil and gas regions of the Russian Federation: 1) development and implementation by the sector regulator of ESG policy code for oil and gas companies; 2) popularization of ESG methodology among oil and gas companies by putting them on a separate quotation list of PJSC Moscow Exchange; 3) national technological audit of development strategies of oil and gas companies with attraction of experts from venture capital sphere, marketing agencies for development of road maps; 4) formation of a national library of the best practices in the field of green technologies and greening of activities; 5) financial support for innovation infrastructure facilities (technoparks, technopolises, business incubators), focused on the development of import substitution in the field of green technologies

Angiotensin II and transforming growth factor β affect cardiovascular and renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: benefits of dpp-4 inhibitors treatment

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is associated with impaired glucose metabolism and peripheral insulin resistance, which is accompanied by an high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and nephropathy. Metabolic syndrome and T2DM are accompanied by renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activation, which is also associated with increased risk of CVD and kidney damage. Obesity lead to a wide range of pathophysiological changes, that stimulate cardiac fibrosis, and various fibrosis processes initiation, including activation of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). AIMS: To determine activity of angiotensin II (Ang II) and TGF-β in patients with obesity and T2DM and their association with heart and kidney damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ang II and TGF-β were identified in the peripheral blood of 66 obese patients aged 48-65 years. The first group included 21 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and T2DM; The second group included 22 patients with T2DM and excluded CHD; The third group – 20 patients with normal glucose metabolism and excluded CHD. RESULTS: The values of TGF-β in the 1st group (patients with CHD) were statistically lower than in the group of metabolically healthy obesity (p=0.021). Patients who received DPP-4 inhibitors had a lower Ang II level compared to patients with other hypoglycemic therapy (p=0.005). TGF-β positively correlated with glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in all patients (r=-0.414, p=0.006). TGF-β negatively correlated with the degree of internal carotid artery stenosis in patients of the 2nd group (r=-0.42, p=0.09) and LDL-cholesterol in all patients (r=-0.426, p=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: TGF-β negatively correlated with the factors that contribute to CVD progression. TGF-β correlated with pathological angiogenesis and changes in normal cardiac geometry in obesity, T2DM and CHD. DPP-4 inhibitors can improve the cardiovascular prognosis in this group of patients by affecting Ang II level. Low levels of TGF-β were associated with higher cardiovascular risk and were commonly found in patients with more severe nephropathy

Development of Human Capital of the Central Black Earth Macroregion Through the Creation of an Interregional Digital Platform

В современных трансформационных условиях развития экономики и преобладания технократической эксплуатации человеческий капитал становится функциональной базой социально-экономической системы региона. При этом человеческому капиталу как сложной экономической категории присуща и качественная, и количественная характеристика. Трансформационные процессы следует рассматривать не только с позиции структурных, но и с позиции функциональных изменений. На наш взгляд, трансформация представлена процессом интеграции цифровых технологий в систему региона с целью переориентирования его социально-экономической системы на новый уровень развития. Цифровая трансформация ставит новые задачи развития человеческого капитала перед регионами. Человеческий капитал выступает как основополагающий фактор, который, в зависимости от ситуации, может привести или к увеличению, или к уменьшению цифровых преобразований региона. Очевидно, что разработка эффективной региональной политики по обеспечению процессов развития человеческого капитала в условиях цифровизации является крайне актуальной, что обуславливает актуальность нашего исследованияIn modern transformational conditions of economic development and the predominance of technocratic exploitation, human capital becomes the functional base of the socio-economic system of the region. At the same time, human capital, as a complex economic category, is characterized by both qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Transformational processes should be considered not only from the standpoint of structural, but also from the standpoint of functional changes. In our opinion, the transformation is represented by the process of integrating digital technologies into the system of the region in order to reorient its socio-economic system to a new level of development. Digital transformation poses new challenges for the development of human capital for the regions. Human capital acts as a fundamental factor, which, depending on the situation, can lead either to an increase or decrease in the digital transformation of the region. It is obvious that the development of an effective regional policy to ensure the development of human capital in the context of digitalization is extremely relevant, which determines the relevance of our stud

Opisthorchis felineus infection, risks, and morbidity in rural Western Siberia, Russian Federation

The liver fluke, Opisthorchis felineus, is widely distributed throughout Europe and large parts of the Russian Federation. In Western Siberia, information about opisthorchiasis is lacking although infection may lead to severe liver and bile duct diseases. We aimed to assess the current prevalence of O. felineus infection along with associated risk factors and morbidity in rural Western Siberia.; We conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study in the rural Shegarskiy district, Tomsk Oblast, Russian Federation. All household members (≥ 7 years) present on the survey day were enrolled (n = 600). Two stool samples per person were examined for helminth eggs, using PARASEP (DiaSys Ltd, UK). The number of eggs per gram (EPG) of feces was recorded. Each study participant was interviewed to determine risk factors, using a pre-tested questionnaire. An abdominal ultrasonography examination of liver and bile ducts was performed with a mobile, high resolution ultrasound device. In total, 488 persons completed assessments (two stool samples, completed questionnaires); of those, 436 individuals had an ultrasonography (US) examination.; We observed a prevalence of O. felineus infection of 60.2%. Significant risk factors for infection were the consumption of river fish (odds ratio from adjusted analysis [aOR] 2.4, 95% CI 1.52-3.95, p<0.001), particularly stock fish (OR from multivariable analysis [mOR] 3.2, 95% CI 2.63-3.80, p<0.001), smoked fish (mOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.24-1.72, p<0.001), frozen fish (mOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.29-2.02, p<0.001), and raw fish (mOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.05-1.84, p = 0.02); and fishing activities (mOR 1.2, 95% CI 1.03-1.43, p = 0.019). Women had a higher risk of infection than men. Infection was associated positively with age and negatively with socio-economic status. The respondents' general awareness of opisthorchiasis was quite high (93.2%), but their knowledge about infection transmission and prevention was insufficient. Children aged 7-18 years old had a lower level of awareness compared to adults. The abdominal ultrasonography results demonstrated a strong association between O. felineus infection and gallbladder stones (mOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.33-6.04, p = 0.007) and periductal fibrosis of intrahepatic bile ducts (mOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.08-3.46, p = 0.026).; O. felineus infection is highly prevalent in rural regions of Western Siberia, and associated with severe hepatobiliary pathology. Identified risk factors will be used to develop a comprehensive targeted O. felineus infection control program