The Quartile Index Calculation for the Leading Russian Universities and its Pairwise Correlations with Other Scientific Metrics

The historical survey of the foundation and development of the quartile index in different fields of knowledge, as well as that one of the percentile index in scientometrics, was conducted. The calculations of three types of such indices, based on the CiteScore, SNIP and SJR impact factors for 45 leading Russian universities at the levels of 2019 and 2020, were carried ou

Solid-state active media of tunable organic-compound lasers pumped with a laser. I. An XeCl laser

Оцифровано в НБ ТГ

Study of the selective phenolic inhibitors of arginase 2 acute toxicity

We have previously shown that the isolated arginase 2 inhibitors have a pronounced endothelioprotective level. A strategy is proposed for the targeted search for isolated arginase 2 inhibitors among compounds of a phenolic nature. Received 3 compounds, isolated arginase inhibitors 2. As a result of the study, the acute toxicity of the compounds obtained was studie

Digital receivers for low-frequency radio telescopes UTR-2, URAN, GURT

This paper describes digital radio astronomical receivers used for decameter and meter wavelength observations. This paper describes digital radio astronomical receivers used for decameter and meter wavelength observations. Since 1998, digital receivers performing on-the-fly dynamic spectrum calculations or waveform data recording without data loss have been used at the UTR-2 radio telescope, the URAN VLBI system, and the GURT new generation radio telescope. Here we detail these receivers developed for operation in the strong interference environment that prevails in the decameter wavelength range. Data collected with these receivers allowed us to discover numerous radio astronomical objects and phenomena at low frequencies, a summary of which is also presented.Comment: 24 pages, 15 figure

17-OHPC to Prevent Recurrent Preterm Birth in Singleton Gestations (PROLONG Study): A Multicenter, International, Randomized Double-Blind Trial

Background âwomen with a history of spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) are at a significantly increased risk for recurrent preterm birth (PTB). To date, only one large U.S. clinical trial comparing 17-OHPC (17-α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate or 17P) to placebo has been published, and this trial was stopped early due to a large treatment benefit. Objective âThis study aimed to assess whether 17-OHPC decreases recurrent PTB and neonatal morbidity in women with a prior SPTB in a singleton gestation. Study Design âThis was a double-blind, placebo-controlled international trial involving women with a previous singleton SPTB (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT 01004029). Women were enrolled at 93 clinical centers (41 in the United States and 52 outside the United States) between 16 0/7 to 20 6/7 weeks in a 2:1 ratio, to receive either weekly intramuscular (IM) injections of 250 mg of 17-OHPC or an inert oil placebo; treatment was continued until delivery or 36 weeks. Co-primary outcomes were PTB < 35 weeks and a neonatal morbidity composite index. The composite included any of the following: Neonatal death, grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage, respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, or proven sepsis. A planned sample size of 1,707 patients was estimated to provide 98% power to detect a 30% reduction in PTB < 35 weeks (30% to 21%) and 90% power to detect a 35% reduction in neonatal composite index (17%-11%) using a two-sided type-I error of 5%. Finally, this sample size would also provide 82.8% power to rule out a doubling in the risk of fetal/early infant death assuming a 4% fetal/early infant death rate. Analysis was performed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Results âaseline characteristics between the 1,130 women who received 17-OHPC and 578 women who received placebo were similar. Overall, 87% of enrolled women were Caucasian, 12% had >1 prior SPTB, 7% smoked cigarettes, and 89% were married/lived with partner. Prior to receiving study drug, 73% women had a transvaginal cervical length measurement performed and <2% had cervical shortening <25 mm. There were no significant differences in the frequency of PTB < 35 weeks (17-OHPC 11.0% vs. placebo 11.5%; relative risk = 0.95 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71-1.26]) or neonatal morbidity index (17-OHPC 5.6% vs. placebo 5.0%; relative risk = 1.12 [95% CI: 0.68-1.61]). There were also no differences in frequency of fetal/early infant death (17-OHPC 1.7% vs. placebo 1.9%; relative risk = 0.87 [95% CI: 0.4-1.81]. Maternal outcomes were also similar. In the subgroup of women enrolled in the United States (n = 391; 23% of all patients), although the rate of PTB < 35 weeks was higher than the overall study population, there were no statistically significant differences between groups (15.6% vs. 17.6%; relative risk = 0.88 [95% CI: 0.55, 1.40]. Conclusion âin this study population, 17-OHPC did not decrease recurrent PTB and was not associated with increased fetal/early infant death

Nucleotide excision repair is a potential therapeutic target in multiple myeloma

Despite the development of novel drugs, alkylating agents remain an important component of therapy in multiple myeloma (MM). DNA repair processes contribute towards sensitivity to alkylating agents and therefore we here evaluate the role of nucleotide excision repair (NER), which is involved in the removal of bulky adducts and DNA crosslinks in MM. We first evaluated NER activity using a novel functional assay and observed a heterogeneous NER efficiency in MM cell lines and patient samples. Using next-generation sequencing data, we identified that expression of the canonical NER gene, excision repair cross-complementation group 3 (ERCC3), significantly impacted the outcome in newly diagnosed MM patients treated with alkylating agents. Next, using small RNA interference, stable knockdown and overexpression, and small-molecule inhibitors targeting xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group B (XPB), the DNA helicase encoded by ERCC3, we demonstrate that NER inhibition significantly increases sensitivity and overcomes resistance to alkylating agents in MM. Moreover, inhibiting XPB leads to the dual inhibition of NER and transcription and is particularly efficient in myeloma cells. Altogether, we show that NER impacts alkylating agents sensitivity in myeloma cells and identify ERCC3 as a potential therapeutic target in MM

Особенности этиологической структуры ОРВИ в отдельных возрастных и профессиональных группах населения Санкт-Петербурга в эпидемический сезон 2013-2014 гг .

The objective. To study etiological structure of acute respiratory viral diseases in the hospitalized patients of different age groups and to reveal their peculiarities in children and adults, as well as in adults of draft age (18–26 years) among civilians and military recruits.Materials and methods. 2202 in patients with acute respiratory diseases of moderate and severe degree, including 1123 patients (51.0%) aged up to 18 years and 1079 patients (49,0%) aged 18 years and above, were examined during the epidemic season since September 2013 till July 2014. RNA or DNA of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2), influenza B, types 1–4parainfluenza, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, rino-, metapneumo-, corona-, entero- and boca- viruses were determinedin nasopharyngeal swabs, sputum and brohchoalveolar lavage by real time PCR method. Significance of differences (p<0,05) in cases incidence of compared independent groups were assessed by the Pearson,s χ2 (chi-squared) test.Results. Genetic material of viruses causing ARD was revealed in 1343 cases (61,0%). Influenza viruses A and B (30,3%), RS viruses (23,6%), rinoviruses (22,8%) and adenoviruses (12,5%) prevail among ARD viral pathogens. The parainfluenza virus infection was laboratory confirmed in 8,7%, coronavirus – in 4,4%, bocavirus – in 1,2%, enterovirus – in 0,7% of cases. Assessment of age-related features of ARD etiologic structure showed that RS virus (37,6%, p<0,05) and parainfluenza virus (11,3%, p<0,05) infections were registered significantly often among children. Influenza viruses (46,4%, p<0,05), adenovirus (26,3%, p<0,05) and rinovirus (25,7%, p<0,05) were verified significantly often among adults. Etiologic ARD structure of military personnel 18–26 years old was characterized by significant prevalence of adenovirus infection (53,9%, p<0,05).Conclusion. The study has shown that acute respiratory diseases caused by RS and parainfluenza viruses predominated among children, by influenza viruses – among adults (civilians) and by adenovirus – among military personnel.Цель. Исследовать этиологическую структуру острых респираторных вирусных заболеваний у госпитализированных больных в разных возрастных и профессиональных группах и выявить ее особенности у детей и взрослых, а также у взрослых призывного возраста (18– 26 лет) из числа гражданских лиц и военнослужащих.Материалы и методы. В эпидемический сезон с сентября 2013 г. по июль 2014 г. обследовано 2202 стационарных больных острыми респираторными заболеваниями средней и тяжелой степенями тяжести, в том числе в возрасте до 18 лет – 1123 пациента (51,0%), 18 лет и старше – 1079 пациентов (49,0%). РНК или ДНК вирусов гриппа А(H1N1)pdm09 и А(H3N2), гриппа В, парагриппа 1–4 типов, аденовирусов, респираторно-синцитиального вируса, рино-, метапневмо-, корона-, бока- и энтеровирусов определяли в носоглоточных смывах, мокроте и бронхоальвеолярном лаваже методом ПЦР. Достоверность различия (p<0,05) частоты встречаемости случаев в сравниваемых независимых группах оценивали по критерию χ2 (хи-квадрат) Пирсена.Результаты. При обследовании больных генетический материал вирусов, вызывающих ОРЗ, выявлен в 1343 случаях (61,0%). Среди респираторных вирусов в качестве возбудителей ОРЗ доминируют вирусы гриппа А и В (30,3%), РС-вирусы (23,6%), риновирусы (22,8%) и аденовирусы (12,5%). Парагриппозная инфекция установлена в 8,7%, коронавирусная – в 4,4%, бокавирусная – в 1,2%, энтеровирусная – в 0,7% случаев. При оценке возрастных особенностей этиологической структуры ОРЗ выявлено, что среди детей достоверно чаще регистрировали РС-вирусную (37,6%, p<0,05) и парагриппозную (11,3%, p<0,05) инфекции. У взрослых достоверно чаще верифицировали грипп (46,4%, p<0,05), аденовирусную (26,3%, p<0,05) и риновирусную (25,7%, p<0,05) инфекции. Особенностью этиологической структуры ОРЗ у военнослужащих в возрасте 18–26 лет является достоверное преобладание аденовирусной инфекции (53,9%, p<0,05).Заключение. Исследование показало, что в структуре ОРЗ среди детей достоверно чаще регистрируют РС-вирусные заболевания и парагрипп, среди взрослых –грипп (у гражданских лиц) и аденовирусную инфекцию (у военнослужащих)

Recent developments in genetics and medically assisted reproduction : from research to clinical applications

Two leading European professional societies, the European Society of Human Genetics and the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology, have worked together since 2004 to evaluate the impact of fast research advances at the interface of assisted reproduction and genetics, including their application into clinical practice. In September 2016, the expert panel met for the third time. The topics discussed highlighted important issues covering the impacts of expanded carrier screening, direct-to-consumer genetic testing, voiding of the presumed anonymity of gamete donors by advanced genetic testing, advances in the research of genetic causes underlying male and female infertility, utilisation of massively parallel sequencing in preimplantation genetic testing and non-invasive prenatal screening, mitochondrial replacement in human oocytes, and additionally, issues related to cross-generational epigenetic inheritance following IVF and germline genome editing. The resulting paper represents a consensus of both professional societies involved.Peer reviewe

National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic

Changing collective behaviour and supporting non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important component in mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic. In a large international collaboration (Study 1, N = 49,968 across 67 countries), we investigated self-reported factors associated with public health behaviours (e.g., spatial distancing and stricter hygiene) and endorsed public policy interventions (e.g., closing bars and restaurants) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Respondents who reported identifying more strongly with their nation consistently reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies. Results were similar for representative and non-representative national samples. Study 2 (N = 42 countries) conceptually replicated the central finding using aggregate indices of national identity (obtained using the World Values Survey) and a measure of actual behaviour change during the pandemic (obtained from Google mobility reports). Higher levels of national identification prior to the pandemic predicted lower mobility during the early stage of the pandemic (r = −0.40). We discuss the potential implications of links between national identity, leadership, and public health for managing COVID-19 and future pandemics