Economic potential and development prospects of small businesses in rural areas

The article examines the role of small business in the development of rural areas by the example of bakery production. Moreover, it demonstrates the need for the interaction of small bakery businesses with large enterprises of the industry and grain processors. The article reveals the development trends of small bakery production in rural areas. The conditions for the participation of small bakery businesses in rural areas in the development of the production of functional and specialized bread are substantiated. The article proposes the directions and mechanisms of support for small bakery production at the level of rural territories. The development of modern methods of redistribution of bakery production in proportion to the living population, measures of state support for small bakery production and expansion of the range of bread products that contribute to improving the health of the population of Russia, is the theme of this study. The object of the research is the development of small bakery production as a condition for improving the quality of life of the population in rural areas. The subject of the research is production and management relations that ensure the development of small bakery production and its impact on the quality of life of the population in rural areas.peer-reviewe

Metal vapor lasers with increased reliability

Results of investigation and development of an excitation pulse generator with magnetic pulse compression by saturation chokes for pumping of active media of CuBr, Sr, and Ca vapor lasers are presented. A high-power IGBT transistor is used as a commutator. The generator can operate at excitation pulse repetition frequencies up to 20 kHz. The total average power for all laser lines of the CuBr laser pumped by this generator is ~6.0 W; it is ~1.3–1.7 W for the Sr and Ca lasers

El Tor cholera at the contemporary stage of the seventh pandemia: pathogen evolution, clinical and epidemiological features, laboratory diagnostics

The phenotypic and molecular genetic properties of 133 strains of genetically modified (genovariant) Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor biovar isolated from patients in Dagestan (1993, 1994, 1998), and compared with 246 strains of a typical toxigenic cholera vibrio El Tor biovar isolated in 1970–1990 at the Caucasus Region. It was found that 48.7% of the studied genetically modified strain variants had mixed phenotypic properties of the El Tor and classic biovars that evidences about a need to include the marker genes of the classical biovar (ctxBCl+, rtxC–) and the El Tor biovar (ctxBEl+, rtxC+) into the existing biotyping scheme. The genes of the El Tor biovar, isolated from patients in Dagestan, contain in addition to the El Tor ones, the genes of the classical biovar (ctxBCl and/or rstRCl), as well as the typical toxigenic cholera vibrios of El Tor, islands of persistence (EPI), pathogenicity (VPI-1 and VPI-2) and pandemicity (VSP-I and VSP-II). However, only the El Tor biovar genovariants were found to bear an integrative and conjugative SXT element with antibiotic polyresistance genes. Epidemic cholera outbreaks caused by the El Tor biovar genovariants that occurred in 1993–1998 at the Caucasus Region, correspond to classical (Asian) cholera based on disease severity. The epidemiological features of modern cholera were studied: the main way for transmission via fecal-oral route for typical El Tor cholera vibrio is waterborne, whereas for the El Tor gene variant — household. Primary infections upon water drinking and using domestic water from surface water bodies infected with typical El Tor vibrios occur outside the family hearth. In case of cholera caused by hybrid El Tor variants, infection is transmitted among family members via domestic factors under low sanitary level. The development of laboratory diagnostics and epidemiological surveillance of modern El Tor cholera is based on the development of PCR test systems taking into account the evolutionary genome transformations

International Accreditations as a Development Tool for Faculty Engagement

В настоящее время наблюдается рост значимости международных аккредитаций как инструмента внешней независимой оценки качества образования. Вместе с тем академическая среда неоднозначно воспринимает роль международных аккредитаций и справедливо указывает на существующую опасность бюрократизации процессов и подмены качества результатов качеством отчетности. Однако участие в подготовке к международным аккредитациям способствует рефлексии работников университета по итогам своей деятельности, определению зон развития, поиску решения проблем. В статье раскрывается потенциал международных аккредитаций для управления вовлеченностью научно-педагогических работников бизнес-школ и университетов. Авторы статьи рассматривают вовлеченность как важнейший концепт развития, отраженный как в миссиях ведущих университетов, так и в требованиях международных аккредитаций. Проводится сравнительный анализ стандартов, критериев и процедур крупнейших международных аккредитаций: AACSB, ЕFMD и AMBA. Показана взаимосвязь между международными аккредитациями и развитием вовлеченности преподавателей. Управление вовлеченностью преподавателей в рамках подготовки к международным аккредитациям и во взаимосвязи с их требованиями анализируется на примере Санкт-Петербургской школы экономики и менеджмента НИУ ВШЭ.In the current educational landscape, international accreditations are becoming an increasingly important tool of external evaluation of quality. Academia has ambivalent views on the role of international accreditations and points out the perils of bureaucratization and substitution of quality of outcomes with the quality of reporting. However, preparation for international accreditations stimulates self-reflection of faculty members with respect to their activities, definition development areas and problem-solving. The article discusses the potential of international accreditations in terms of engagement management in business schools and universities. The authors consider faculty engagement as a major development concept reflected in the missions of modern universities and requirements of international accreditations. The article presents comparative analysis of standards, criteria and processes of international accreditations in business education: AACSB, ЕFMD и AMBA and makes a linkage to international accreditations and the development of faculty engagement. The case of HSE St Petersburg School of Economics and Management is provided as an example of managing faculty engagement in the context of international accreditations

Impact of graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis on immune reconstitution in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is among the most common complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The main tools for GVHD prevention remain calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporin A, tacrolimus), methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil. Upon implementation of reduced-intensity conditioning regimens, antithymocyte globulin was widely introduced. However, negative effects upon reconstitution of T-cell immunity have been noted, thus increasing risk of severe infectious complications and disease relapse. With extended practice of HSCT from alternative (partially matched or haploidentical) donors, cyclophosphamide was increasingly used. Our aim was to study reconstitution of immune cell subpopulations in the patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT), when using different GVHD prophylaxis regimens, including the schedules with post-transplant CP usage. The study concerned 44 cases classified into 2 groups. The first one included patients with standard immunosuppressive therapy, antithymocyte therapy, cyclosporine A, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil. The second group included the patients who received CP as immunosuppressive drug combined with other treatments (cyclosporine A, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil). At specified control terms, (D+14, +30, +60, +90) the blood leukocyte subpopulations were assayed by means of multicolor flow cytometry. Absolute counts of CD4+ cells in HSCT recipients treated with CP post-BMT proved to be sufficiently lower at D+14 and +30, than in those treated with classical immunosuppressive therapy. However, at later terms, (D+60, +90), these differences were not observed. Moreover, in CP-treated bone marrow recipients, absolute numbers of CD8+ cells was significantly higher, compared to the patients who received conventional GVHD prophylaxis. Reconstitution of the studied lymphocyte populations in hematopoietic cell recipients did not depend on the GVHD prophylaxis regimen. Usage of CP combined with bone marrow as a source of stem cells, brings about sufficient decrease of some cell populations (CD4+; CD8+; NK cells) at early terms post-transplant. Administration of CP combined with hematopoietic stem cells as the source of hematopoietic graft seems to be more reasonable

ЛУЧЕВАЯ И МОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ КАРТИНА ФИБРОЗИРУЮЩИХ БОЛЕЗНЕЙ ЛЕГКИХ: ОТ РАННИХ ПРИЗНАКОВ ДО ИСХОДА

Purpose. To evaluate radiological and morphological patterns of IPF in their long-term monitoring.Materials and methods. 676 patients with clinical and radiological patterns of IPF (53,3±15,2g, f/m — 412/264). HRCT, SPECT, PFTs, echocardiography.Results. UIP was characterized by increase in size and spread of «honeycomb lung», the appearance of new areas of subpleural «GGO» and their transformation first into honeycombing, in 142 patients (21,0%) on a CT-scan. SPECT revealed apparent decrease in pulmonary microcirculation. Patients did  not need morphological verification, their DLCO was less than 30% D. NSIP was found in 439 patients (64,9%), CT showed subpleural reticulation changes and «GGO» without «honeycombing», but during the monitoring they transformed into honeycombing. Morphologically it was «honeycombing», SPECT showed growing abnormalities, DLCO was 50% D. The exacerbation of IPF was found in 24 patients (3,5%) on a CT-scan and SPECT and histologically it was manifested by acute interstitial pneumonia and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. It led to the progression of fibrosis in 11 patients. Early manifestations of IPF: CT showed subpleural areas with «GGO» and reticulation changes in 32 patients (4,7%), later they transformed into IPF in 21 patients. SPECT showed minimal abnormalities in microcirculation. Primary fibrosing morphological changes, DLCO is 70% D.Conclusions: The accumulation of experience of clinical and radiological examination of patients with IPF justifies a need to develop new approaches to diagnosing and treatment.Цель. Оценить изменение лучевой и морфологической картины фиброзирующих болезней легких (ФБЛ) при их длительном наблюдении.Материалы и методы. Проанализированы данные 676 больных ФБЛ, возраст 53,3±15,2 года (ж/м — 412/264). Выполнены ВРКТ, ОФЭКТ, КИФВД (с ДСЛ), эхокардиография.Результаты. ОИП у 142 больных (21,0%, ДСЛ менее 30% от Д) характеризовалась на КТ и ОФЭКТ нарастанием размеров и распространенности «сот», появлением новых субплевральных участков «матового стекла» и их трансформацией в «соты», выраженным снижением микроциркуляции в легких. НСИП у 439 пациентов (64,9%, ДСЛ — 50% от Д) на КТ и ОФЭКТ проявлялась субплевральными ретикулярными изменениями и «матовым стеклом» без «сотового легкого», трансформировались в  «соты». Обострение ФБЛ у 24 пациентов (3,5%) на КТ, ОФЭКТ и гистологически  проявлялось ОсИП и КОП. У 11 больных привело к прогрессированию фиброза. Ранние признаки ФБЛ у 32 больных (4,7%, ДСЛ 70% от Д) на КТ, ОФЭКТ и морфологии проявлялись минимальными изменениями, трансформировались в картину ФБЛ у 21 пациента.Заключение. Накопление опыта клинико-лучевого обследования пациентов с ФБЛ обусловливает необходимость разработки новых подходов в диагностической и лечебной тактике

МОРФОФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНЫЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ АОРТАЛЬНОГО ГРАФТА ПОСЛЕ ДЕЦЕЛЛЮЛЯРИЗАЦИИ

Purpose. The aim is to analyze the features of aortic valve allografts decellularized with trypsin solution or a combination of the sodium dodecyl sulfate/deoxycholate solution.Materials and methods. We performed histological, bacteriological and mechanical testing of graft.Results. It was found that after the removal of cellular elements with trypsin the strength of allograft significantly decreased compared with the control group and the samples exposed to detergent treatment. Histological analysis of aortic allograft specimens showed signifi cantly impaired spatial organization of the connective tissue framework of the valve after the enzymatic treatment.Conclusion. Detergent decellularization is the preferred method for obtaining cell-free aortic allografts because it can effectively remove the donor cells and maintain the microstructure and biomechanical properties of the valve graft. Цель. Анализ особенности аллографтов аортального клапана, децеллюляризованных с помощью раствора трипсина или комбинированного действия растворов додецилсульфата и дезоксихолата натрия.Материалы и методы. Проводили гистологические, бактериологические и мехнические испытания графта.Результаты. После удаления клеточных элементов трипсином достоверно снижалась прочность аллографта по сравнению с группой контроля и образцов после детергентной обработки. Гистологический анализ образцов аортальных аллографтов достоверно показал выраженное нарушение пространственной организации соединительнотканного каркаса клапана после ферментной обработки.Заключение. Детергентная децеллюляризация является предпочтительным методом получения бесклеточного аортального аллографта, т. к. позволяет эффективно удалить клетки донора и сохранить микроструктуру и биомеханические свойства графта.