Problems and perspectives of formation of agricultural clusters for increasing food security of developing countries

The authors of the article develop the proprietary methodology of integral approach to formation of the projects and programs of socio-economic development, which allows differentiating the sub-system of previously viewed indicators as to the level of users’ demands. The sense of cluster approach to increasing the competitiveness of agro-industrial complex is analyzed, and the problems and perspectives for formation of agricultural clusters for the growth of food security of developing countries are determined. As a result of the research, the authors came to the conclusion that agricultural clusters are a perspective course of increasing food security of developing countries, as they improve competitiveness of domestic agricultural producers and increase food independence and food self-sufficiency of economic systems. However, implementation of internal cluster cooperation requires reconsidering the existing notions of management, related to the level of methods and control, protection of intellectual property, education, and integration. The created system of relations should allow economic agents to keep balance between self-organizing and manageable behavior, combining innovational diversity and freedom of actions with the necessary level of integration. Intercompany cooperation in this regard should be similar to cooperation of ecosystem elements.peer-reviewe

Provision of economic security by creating innovation network of transnational cluster initiatives

The article is devoted to the study of perspectives of creating innovational network of transnational cluster initiatives for provision of economic security of modern economic systems. The authors determine the notion of transnational cluster initiatives and allocate their peculiar features as compared to traditional clusters. The authors analyze statistical information about economic security of developed and developing countries of the world and build a model of economic security of modern economic system before and after creation of innovational network of transnational cluster initiatives. The advantage of forming transnational clusters for national economy consists in expansion of international innovational and technological cooperation and use of world practice of commercialization of technologies which covers the whole innovational cycle – from fundamental research to realization of final products in the world market, including marketing of science-intensive goods and services.peer-reviewe

Сравнение методов аттестации микропримесей олова, сурьмы и свинца в стандартных образцах сталей

Development and introduction of new metallurgical technologies, new additional chemical compound indexes controlled in metallurgical materials demand to develop the new, more advanced methods of analytical control. The particular attention should be paid to identify the traces of stannic, stinium and lead because of their influence on metal characteristics.Развитие и внедрение новых металлургических технологий, появление дополнительных показателей химического состава, контролируемых в металлургических материалах требует разработки новых, более современных методов аналитического контроля. Особое внимание уделяется определению низких концентраций олова, сурьмы, свинца и цинка, так как их присутствие влияет на свойства металла

Mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine–metabolic disorder affecting a vast population worldwide; it is linked with anovulation, mitochondrial dysfunctions and hormonal disbalance. Mutations in mtDNA have been identified in PCOS patients and likely play an important role in PCOS aetiology and pathogenesis; however, their causative role in PCOS development requires further investigation. As a low-grade chronic inflammation disease, PCOS patients have permanently elevated levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, CRP, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18). In this review, we summarise recent data regarding the role of mtDNA mutations and mitochondrial malfunctions in PCOS pathogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss recent papers dedicated to the identification of novel biomarkers for early PCOS diagnosis. Finally, traditional and new mitochondria-targeted treatments are discussed. This review intends to emphasise the key role of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in PCOS pathogenesis; however, the exact molecular mechanism is mostly unknown and requires further investigation.Funding: This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (Grant #20-15-00337).Scopu

Безопасность и эффективность 23-валентной полисахаридной пневмококковой вакцины у больных системной красной волчанкой

Objective: to study the safety and efficacy of the 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (PPV-23) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Patients and methods. The study included 75 patients with definite diagnosis of SLE at the age of 19–68 years, 10 (13%) of them had high SLE activity, 18 (24%) – moderate, 42 (56%) – low, in 5 (7%) patients the disease was in remission. PPV-23 was injected subcutaneously in a single dose of 0.5 ml. In 60 patients the follow-up period was ≥12 months, in 15 – from 2 to 6 months. Patients were examined before and 1, 3 and 12 months after immunization.Results and discussion. In 38 (50.7%) patients, standard local vaccination reactions of mild and moderate severity were noted, in 1 (1.3%) – a general reaction of mild severity, in 2 (2.7%) – mild diarrhea during 1 day, in 1 (1.3%) – a hyperergic reaction of the Artyus phenomenon type, the symptoms were relieved within 7 days. During 12 months of follow-up, neither exacerbations of SLE, reliably associated with vaccination, nor new autoimmune phenomena, were detected. After 1 year of observation, the number of responders to vaccination was 58%, non-responders – 42%. The duration and activity of the disease, age over 50 years, glucocorticoid therapy > 10 mg per day, did not significantly affect the vaccine response. There was a decrease in the immune response in patients on biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs) therapy compared to patients without such treatment (43 and 68% of cases, respectively), p=0.058. There was no difference between rituximab and belimumab treated subjects. There was a tendency for the prevalence of vaccination responses among patients, who received bDMARDs <1 year before immunization, as well as among patients in whom this therapy was initiated after the administration of PPV-23. There was a positive trend in decrease of pneumonia, acute and exacerbations of chronic bronchitis episodes and sinusitis.Conclusion. Sufficient immunogenicity, good tolerability and clinical efficacy of PPV-23 in patients with SLE, including those who received combined immunosuppressive therapy, have been shown. The use of bDMARDs reduces the number of patients with a vaccine response. The number of responders to vaccination increases when immunization is carried out before the initiation of therapy with bDMARDs or when this therapy is initiated <1 year before immunization. Further long-term prospective studies in large patient cohorts are required.Цель исследования – изучение безопасности и эффективности 23-валентной полисахаридной пневмококковой вакцины (ППВ-23) у больных системной красной волчанкой (СКВ).Пациенты и методы. В исследование включено 75 пациентов с достоверным диагнозом СКВ в возрасте 19–68 лет, 10 (13%) из них имели высокую активность СКВ, 18 (24%) – среднюю, 42 (56%) – низкую, у 5 (7%) – выявлена ремиссия заболевания. ППВ-23 вводили подкожно в разовой дозе 0,5 мл. У 60 пациентов срок наблюдения составлял ≥12 мес, у 15 – от 2 до 6 мес. Больных обследовали до и через 1, 3 и 12 мес после иммунизации.Результаты и обсуждение. У 38 (50,7%) пациентов отмечались стандартные местные вакцинальные реакции легкой и средней степени выраженности, у 1 (1,3%) – общая реакция легкой степени выраженности, у 2 (2,7%) – легкая диарея в течение 1 сут, у 1 (1,3%) – гиперергическая реакция по типу феномена Артюса, симптомы которой были купированы за 7 дней. На протяжении 12 мес наблюдения не выявлено ни одного случая обострения СКВ, достоверно связанного с вакцинацией, а также новых аутоиммунных феноменов. Через 1 год наблюдения число ответивших на вакцинацию составило 58%, не ответивших – 42%. Длительность и активность заболевания, возраст старше 50 лет, прием глюкокортикоидов в дозе >10 мг/сут значимо не влияли на вакцинальный ответ. Отмечено снижение иммунного ответа на фоне терапии генно-инженерными биологическими препаратами (ГИБП) по сравнению с отсутствием данного лечения (43 и 68% случаев соответственно), р=0,058. Различий на фоне применения ритуксимаба и белимумаба не установлено. Обнаружена тенденция к преобладанию ответивших на вакцинацию среди больных, получавших ГИБП <1 года до иммунизации, а также среди пациентов, которым эта терапия была инициирована после введения ППВ-23. Наблюдалась положительная динамика в виде уменьшения эпизодов пневмоний, острого и обострения хронического бронхита, синуситов.Заключение. Показаны достаточная иммуногенность, хорошая переносимость и клиническая эффективность ППВ-23 у больных СКВ, в том числе получавших комбинированную иммуносупрессивную терапию. Применение ГИБП уменьшает число пациентов с вакцинальным ответом. Если иммунизацию проводить до начала терапии ГИБП или на фоне такого лечения длительностью <1 года, то число ответивших на вакцинацию возрастает. Необходимы дальнейшие длительные проспективные исследования на больших выборках пациентов

Вакцинация при системной красной волчанке: современное состояние проблемы

Vaccination plays an important role in the prevention of infectious diseases in patients with immunoinflammatory diseases. When vaccinating patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as with other immunoinflammatory rheumatic diseases, its safety is of great importance, including mitigating the risks of the primary disease or the development of new autoimmune phenomena. Many practitioners continue to consider autoimmune diseases as a contraindication for vaccination due to the perceived possibility of their exacerbation and reduced vaccine effectiveness during active immunosuppressive therapy.The lecture presents current data on the immunogenicity, efficacy and safety of vaccines against a number of infections caused by influenza viruses, hepatitis B, Herpes zoster, human papilloma viruses, COVID-19 and pneumococcus in patients with SLE. It has been shown that the benefits of vaccination in patients with SLE significantly outweigh the risk of adverse events or exacerbations of the disease. At the same time, it was noted that the problem of vaccination of such patients requires further study.Вакцинация играет важную роль в профилактике инфекций у пациентов с иммуновоспалительными заболеваниями. При вакцинации пациентов с системной красной волчанкой (СКВ), как и с другими иммуновоспалительными ревматическими заболеваниями, большое значение придается ее безопасности, включая нивелирование рисков основного заболевания или развития новых аутоиммунных феноменов. Многие практикующие врачи продолжают считать аутоиммунные заболевания противопоказанием для вакцинации из-за предполагаемой возможности их обострения и снижения эффективности вакцины на фоне активной иммуносупрессивной терапии.В лекции представлены современные данные об иммуногенности, эффективности и безопасности вакцин против ряда инфекций, вызываемых вирусами гриппа, гепатита В, Herpes zoster, папилломы человека, COVID-19 и пневмококком, у больных СКВ.Показано, что преимущества вакцинации у больных СКВ существенно превосходят риск нежелательных явлений или обострений заболевания. В то же время отмечено, что проблема вакцинации таких пациентов требует дальнейшего изучения

HEMITSELLYULOZA AND THEIR NANOBIOCOMPOSITES - PERSPECTIVE NANOSTRUCTURED SINBIOTICS

Natural nanocomposites hemicellulose arabinogalactan and flavonoids isolated (from Siberian larch) and characterized. Additionally nitro- and sulfo-esters of arabinogalactan and its calcium salt are synthesized and. characterized. All of the derivatives of the beta-hemicellulose arabinogalactan. are water-soluble and are promising prebiotics on the example test-strain Bifidobacterium bifidum. (except for the nitrate esters of arabinogalactan)

Assessment of Seroprevalence to SARS-CoV-2 in Various Population Cohorts Using Logit Regression Models During Initial Period of Herd Immunity Formation

The aim of the study was to assess the dynamics of seroprevalence to SARS-CoV-2 in various population groups during the initial period of herd immunity formation based on multivariate analysis using logit regression models.Materials and methods. The study involved 1561 individuals divided into three population cohorts: people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), healthy blood donors, medical workers. The presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was determined in blood serum through ELISA using commercial reagent kits. Multivariate analysis of the dynamics of seroprevalence to SARS-CoV-2 was carried out using logistic regression models.Results and discussion. It has been revealed that probability of detecting IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 significantly increased among the donors and medical workers in the spring-autumn 2020 series (p=0.005 и p<0.001, respectively), which corresponds to seroprevalence shift in the general population. Groups of donors and medical workers can be considered as indicator groups that characterize the herd immunity in reference to SARS-CoV-2, as well as the intensity of COVID-19 epidemic process. Seroprevalence to SARS-CoV-2 in PLHA group was at a consistently high level throughout the observation period. The generated logistic regression models made it possible to determine the trends in the development of the epidemic situation based on multifactorial analysis of the dynamics of seroprevalence to SARS-CoV-2

Species substrate specificity of growth of lactobacilli isolated from vaginal biotope on culture medium with inclusions of different types of natural nanopolysaccharides

The article presents the research of substrate and prebiotic properties of natural nanopolysaccharides for several species of lactobacilli isolated from vaginal biotope of women, with assessment of their species combinations. Most of typeable lactobacilli species prefer to grow on media containing polysaccharides, mainly in nutrient broth supplemented with galactomannan and carageenan. Using galactomannan increases the frequency of detection, as compared with the isolation from the starting material, twice