The influence of the processes of digitalization of the economy on the activities of non-financial institutions

The driver of the modern global economy is digital technologies under the influence of which not only new kinds of professions, goods and services are formed, but also challenges for enterprises and the organization of various fields of activity. Digitalization affected the IT-sphere, the activities of financial organizations, production, marketing, healthcare. In the Russian Federation the development of digital technologies in various fields of activity is of great importance, which is reflected in official documents, targeted government programs, business analysts and business practices. All this actualizes the study of the problem of management transformation in non-financial organizations under the influence of the spread of digital technologies.The article examines the strategic challenges facing non-financial organizations of Russia in the digital economy. In the course of solving the tasks set, the formation and development of the digital economy, its essence and content, as well as the prospects for its development in our country, were studied; the program documents and directions of the state program for the development of the digital economy are analyzed. It is proved that involvement in the digitalization processes of not only financial but also non-financial organizations carries a huge potential in terms of improving the value environment of Russian business, since it makes transactions in the shadow economy, corruption schemes, etc. transparent. The authors have proved that the revival of traditional values of Russian entrepreneurship on a new modern basis will increase the level of trust in society, will promote the development of innovations in industry, energy, agro-industrial complex, education and sustainable development of the economy as a whole. The authors structured the challenges of the digital economy for non-financial organizations in our country and formulated proposals for improving the ecosystem of the digital economy

Chanzyme TRPM7 protects against cardiovascular inflammation and fibrosis

Aims: Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 (TRPM7) cation channel is a chanzyme (channel + kinase) that influences cellular Mg2+ homeostasis and vascular signalling. However, the pathophysiological significance of TRPM7 in the cardiovascular system is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of this chanzyme in the cardiovascular system focusing on inflammation and fibrosis. Methods and results: TRPM7-deficient mice with deletion of the kinase domain (TRPM7+/Δkinase) were studied and molecular mechanisms investigated in TRPM7+/Δkinase bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) and co-culture systems with cardiac fibroblasts. TRPM7-deficient mice had significant cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation. Cardiac collagen and fibronectin content, expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (SMAD3, TGFβ) and cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12, tumour necrosis factor-α] and phosphorylation of the pro-inflammatory signalling molecule Stat1, were increased in TRPM7+/Δkinase mice. These processes were associated with infiltration of inflammatory cells (F4/80+CD206+ cardiac macrophages) and increased galectin-3 expression. Cardiac [Mg2+]i, but not [Ca2+]i, was reduced in TRPM7+/Δkinase mice. Calpain, a downstream TRPM7 target, was upregulated (increased expression and activation) in TRPM7+/Δkinase hearts. Vascular functional and inflammatory responses, assessed in vivo by intra-vital microscopy, demonstrated impaired neutrophil rolling, increased neutrophil: endothelial attachment and transmigration of leucocytes in TRPM7+/Δkinase mice. TRPM7+/Δkinase BMDMs had increased levels of galectin-3, IL-10, and IL-6. In co-culture systems, TRPM7+/Δkinase macrophages increased expression of fibronectin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and TGFβ in cardiac fibroblasts from wild-type mice, effects ameliorated by MgCl2 treatment. Conclusions: We identify a novel anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic role for TRPM7 and suggest that its protective effects are mediated, in part, through Mg2+-sensitive processes

Using CAST-test to investigate human specific hypersensitivity to the anthrax pathogen

We present the results of applying functional cytometric test of antigen-stimulated activation basophils to assess specific immunological reactivity in the people with anthrax, and immunized with anthrax vaccine. As a criterion for antigen-specific basophil activation, we measured expression of the CD63 membrane receptor, which reflects the process of anaphylactic basophil degranulation. To determine spontaneous and antigen-induced activation of basophils (CCR3+CD63+), a FlowCAST reagent kit (Buhlmann laboratories AG, Switzerland) was used. Anthraxin, an experimental anthrax allergen (a hydrolysate the Bacillus anthracis STI-1 strain), manufactured by the Stavropol Anti-Plague Institute, was used as a specific antigen. As based on clinical and experimental data, a threshold value of > 10% of anthraxin-activated (CCR3+CD63+) basophils was accepted for the in vitro immunodiagnostic CAST test, as a laboratory criterion for the subjects exhibiting specific immune response, i.e., IgE-mediated sensitization. It was shown that, in anthrax patients within one week after onset of the disease (3-7 days), a positive CAST result was obtained in 92.3% cases; the levels of specific basophil activation with anthraxin averaged 37.9% (12.01 ÷ 78.9%). Immunological examination of individuals three weeks (21 days) after vaccination against anthrax revealed CAST-positivity in all the vaccinated persons. Intensity of anthraxin-induced basophil activation the vaccinated subjects was ranged from 10.87 to 30.03%, averaging 17.86%. The overall values of spontaneous and specific activation ranged within 12.39 ÷ 41.46%. The study opens prospectives for implementation of basophil antigenic activation test in the Flow CAST format in diagnostics of anthrax and to identify specific immune rearrangements after vaccination in humans, as an index of actual vaccination rates. Usage of CAST test with anthraxin makes it possible to identify anthrax patients at the early stages (2-4 days after onset of the disease) including, among patients with an increased CCR3+CD63+ background values, evaluation of immunological efficiency in the cohorts at risk for vaccination. At the same time, it was found that a significant decrease in diagnostic sensitivity of CAST test could be observed in the patients immune to anthrax pathogen who received intensive antibacterial and pathogenetic therapy at the early stages of infection, including glucocorticosteroids (anti-inflammatory drugs) and desensitizing agents that inhibit the degree of hypersensitivity development and its expression

Assessment of the Effectiveness of Using Magnoimmunosorbents for the Selective Concentration of Anthrax Agent Spores

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the developed anthrax magnoimmunosorbents (MIS) for the selective concentration of Bacillus anthracis spores and to increase the sensitivity of anthrax agent detection techniques, including when testing soil samples.Materials and methods. We used 10 vaccine strains of B. anthracis and 30 strains of closely related bacilli of the genus Bacillus (B. cereus – 15, B. thuringiensis – 10, B. megaterium – 5) with typical species properties. The work was performed on three experimental batches of magnoimmunosorbents. DNA extraction and PCR setting was carried out in compliance with the instructions for reagent panel for B. anthracis DNA detection “ApliSens Bacillus anthracis-FRT”.Results and discussion. It is shown that when using MIS, the sensitivity of the cultural method is increased by at least 7 times (taking into account the possibility of sorption of 1–10 or more spores on a sorbent particle). The sensitivity of the PCR method is improved by 10 times and amounts to 50 B. anthracis spores per 1 ml for the samples concentrated with the help of MIS. The sensitivity of the bacteriological method using MIS increases by a factor of 7.5 when testing the artificially contaminated with B. anthracis soil samples. Hence, application of the developed MIS makes it possible to significantly enhance the sensitivity of anthrax agent detection methods and can be considered as an effective means of sample preparation for the investigation of environmental objects (soil)

ORGANIZATION OF ANTI-EPIDEMIC MEASURES DURING THE ANTHRAX OUTBREAK IN THE YAMALO-NENETS AUTONOMOUS DISTRICT IN 2016

The organizational peculiarities of anti-epidemic measures during the anthrax outbreak in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District in 2016 are presented. Complex of these measures provided for anthrax patients active identification and hospitalization, preventive immunization and emergency antibiotic prophylaxis of risk groups, vaccination of reindeer, utilization of fallen animals. Disinfection, deratization and desinsection measures were performed. Native residents were evacuated from infection focus and sensitization campaign among the population was carried out. Organized were sanitary inspection stations and temporary accommodation points. Due to operational implementation of anti-epidemic measures in the interagency format the anthrax focus was localized within one incubation period

Evaluation of Anthrax Morbidity Rate in 2012, Prognosis for 2013

Evaluated are epidemiological and epizootiological situations on anthrax in the Russian Federation and around the world in 2012. Displayed is the morbidity rate prognosis for 2013

Construction and Approval of the Test-System for the Detection of Antibodies to Anthrax Agent Using Indirect Fluorescent Immunoassay

Constructed and validated has been the test-system for the detection of antibodies to anthrax agent using indirect fluorescent immunoassay. The panel consists of antigen preparation, positive control sample, negative control, and FITS-labeled rabbit antibodies. Studied have been 10 acapsular B. anthracis strains with different plasmid content and colony morphology. B. anthracis vaccine strain STI-1 is demonstrated to be the optimal one as antigen preparation. Sensitivity of this test-system is not less than 1:40, the working dilution of FITC-conjugate being 1:16. Specificity of the panel has been studied using 100 sera of healthy donors. Approved is 100 % reproducibility of the technique at different time intervals, as well as when carried by different specialists. The test-system allows for confirmation of anthrax diagnosis in humans

Experimental Peroxidase Conjugate for Detection of Specific Antibodies to Anthrax Agent in Enzyme Immunoassay

Anthrax poses a pressing issue for veterinary medicine and public health in many countries, including the Russian Federation, which necessitates the improvement and development of new, sensitive and specific diagnostic tools.The aim of the work was to create an experimental peroxidase conjugate for the detection of specific antibodies to the anthrax pathogen and to optimize the conditions for performing enzyme immunoassay (ELISA).Materials and methods. The peroxidase conjugate was constructed using horseradish peroxidase and Staphylococcus aureus protein A (Sigma-Aldrich, USA). Bacterial antigens isolated from strains of Bacillus anthracis 55ΔTPA-1Spo, B. anthracis Sterne 34 F2 were used as sensitizing agents. The developed experimental batches of the conjugate were tested in ELISA for the ability to bind antibodies in the blood sera of anthrax patients and vaccinated individuals. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the method were calculated using the built-in functions of the ROCR software package.Results and discussion. The peroxidase conjugate to detect specific antibodies to the anthrax pathogen in the study of clinical material has been developed; conditions for the ELISA performance have been optimized. To interpret the results of the study, a threshold value of the positivity coefficient was used, below which the result was considered negative, and at an equal or higher value, positive. The test demonstrated significant differences in the “positivity coefficient” indicator for the “Healthy”/“Sick” and “Healthy”/“Vaccinated” groups, while the differences between the “Sick”/“Vaccinated” groups were statistically insignificant. The maximum accuracy of the method was observed at blood serum dilutions of 1:250 and 1:500. 100 % intra-run, run-to-run and series-to-series reproducibility has been established for all positive samples. The sensitivity and specificity of the experimental peroxidase conjugates were 100 and 95.8 %, respectively, and the accuracy was 97.6 %