Cooperative Avant-garde: Rhetoric and Social Values of the New World of Arts in the System of the All-Russian Union of Artists’ Cooperatives ’Vsekokhudozhnik’

The article discusses the early period (1928-1932) in the development of the first national organization of Soviet artists - cooperative ’Vsekokhudozhnik’ - within the framework of institutional history and criticism. The main principles of this institution are analyzed and compared with the key ideas of left avant-garde trends in the Soviet art. The analysis of institutional characteristics of ’Vsekokhudozhnik’ relies on materials of central and regional archives. Parallels are drawn between the key characteristics of this cooperative and the Russian avant-garde’s aspirations to radically transform the art world. The author demonstrates the following overlapping views: ideas about the new identity of an artist; the new status of material objects; depersonalization of art and promotion of collective forms of production; importance of independent art and the need for overcoming (through negation and destruction) the bourgeois market institutional model of art. The conclusion is made that the system of artists’ cooperatives served as a platform for testing the principles of political economy of Soviet art and that many of these principles are consistent with manifests of avant-garde movements in the 1920s (production art and literature of fact). In later periods, this platform was used to establish the economic institutional model of socialist realism (planned art production, mass production of copies, system for distribution of commissions, censorship, and so on).   Keywords: Cooperative ’Vsekokhudozhnik’, avant-garde, Soviet art, Solomon Nikritin, Soviet art marke

The Impact of Covid-19 on Supply Chain Management and Global Economy Development

Abstract—The impact of COVID-19 on our inter-connected economies and businesses has been significant, putting supply chains around the world under unprecedented pressure and severely disrupting global trade. Social distancing adopted by the governments in most countries of the world to contain the outbreak of the virus has many implications for the financial reporting of economic entities. The aim of the article is to consider the potential consequences of coronavirus for the presentation and disclosure of information in financial statements by economic entities. Emphasis is placed on assessing the international economic situation caused by the pandemic, the restrictions adopted by the authorities to curb the spread of coronavirus and the actions of financial reporting compilers in terms of reflecting adjusting and non-adjusting events after the reporting period and assuming going concern. As a result of the study the world economic situation and the negative risks and factors that the financial reporting compilers should pay particular attention during the presentation and disclosure of information are examine

Disclosure of ESG-factors in the integrated reporting of oil producing organizations as a basis for making investment decisions

Today organizations of the oil-producing complex are not limited to financial reporting forms that are mandatory for submission by national and international standards, but also compile reports on sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, environmental reporting, collectively referred to as integrated reporting. The increased attention of interested users and, mainly, investors, to environmental and social problems determine the importance and importance of the formation of integrated reporting by companies, disclosing information on both financial and non-financial indicators. In modern conditions, when the problem of climate change becomes more acute, the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the fight against corruption is underway, companies will apply the practice of disclosing ESG investment factors in reporting. Accordingly, in order to attract investors, Russian firms need to strive to meet the ESG criteria. Key and potential investors need objective, timely, complete and reliable information to make decisions about investing resources in an enterprise. The disclosure of these components in the reporting is the basis for meeting the information needs of a wide range of users and mainly plays an important role in making investment decisions. The information presented in the integrated reporting is primarily interesting and useful to investors — individuals and legal entities who make or plan to invest their capital in the company’s securities in order to obtain economic benefits and (or) exercise control, since the completeness and transparency of information disclosure in the integrated reporting reflects the investment attractiveness of the company and future benefits. The purpose of the study is to assess the degree of disclosure of information necessary for investors in the integrated reporting of large Russian organizations of the oil production complex. The research method is a quantitative and qualitative rating assessment of the specific weight of ESG factors in the integrated reporting of oil companies. As a result of the study, key ESG factors have been identified, which are currently insufficiently disclosed in non-financial statements of companies. The results of the study can be useful to companies when making decisions about the disclosure of ESG factors in integrated reporting

The international and legal framework for transregionalization of trade and economic cooperation of the BRICS countries

The emergence of a multipolar world is an integral part of the globalization processes. Strategic partnership at the regional, interregional and transregional levels is becoming a new institution and at the same time an instrument of modern international relations. The international and legal framework for the cooperation of BRICS as a transregional association is considered herein. The importance of converging the positions of the BRICS countries in the global political and economic system is emphasized. The research is aimed at the analysis of the international legal foundations of trade and economic cooperation of the BRICS countries within the system of transregional relations, factors, conditions and prospects for development. The measures to enhance and expand mutually beneficial trade and economic partnerships within the framework of BRICS will most effectively utilize their resource, technological, and trade and economic potential, creating the basis for the sustainable growth of the national economy and competitiveness in global development. The practical significance of the study lies in the analysis of the mechanisms of integration of BRICS. The results obtained may be useful in shaping the strategy of trade and economic cooperation within the framework of BRICS.peer-reviewe

Age-related features of anthropometric and biochemical status of men from infertile couples

Introduction. The obesity seems to grow into a real pandemic. As one of the consequences of obesity we observe a significant increase of infertility in married couples, including male infertility. As the situation with male fertility continues to deteriorate, we consider further investigation of etiology and pathogenesis of male infertility important. Aim of the study was to investigate age-related anthropometric characteristics and metabolic status in men from infertile couples. Material and methods. 426 men from infertile couples were divided into 5 groups according to age: 1) < 30 years old, 2) 30.0-34.9 years old, 3) 35.0-39,9 years old, 4) 40.0-44.9 years old, 5) ≥ 45 years old. We carried out anthropometric examination and biochemical blood analysis. Results. Within groups 2 to 4 we observed group-to- group consecutive increase in body weight, body mass index values, waist circumference and waist circumference to hip circumference values which are related to the increase of adipose tissue mass in the abdominal region. We also detected the increase of hyperglycemia occurrence. Higher values of the abovementioned anthropometric parameters were detected for the test subjects of the group 1 despite the younger age. We observed 60 and 40 % of upper and lower types of abdominal fat distribution respectively for the group 1 test subjects. Conclusions. Based on the anthropometric parameters we conclude that the infertility can be caused by negative influence of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue accumulation for the youngest test subjects (age < 30 years). For the older test subjects, infertility results of the cumulative effect of abdominal obesity and other medical and social factors. Group 4 test subjects (age 40-45) exhibit the most frequent abdominal obesity and associated with metabolic status disorders

The features of psychological state, eating behavior, hormonal and adipokine regulation of metabolism in men with subcutaneous and abdominal fat distribution

BACKGROUND: development of obesity and obesity related conditions are directly associated with eating disorders and psychological state. There is increasing focus on the assessment the characteristics of these indicators in men with subcutaneous and central fat distribution, which are associated with various hormonal and adipokine mechanisms that effect on parameters of metabolism and eating behavior. AIMS: to study the characteristics of the psychologycal state, eating behavior and their relationship with hormonal and adipokine status in men with different fat distribution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: a single-center, cross-sectional study of 99 men aged 27 to 68 years was performed. 4 groups of men were formed after anthropometric examination. Group 1 (comparison) consisted of men with normal body weight. Group 2 consisted of overweight men, class I obesity and lower subcutaneous fat distribution (SFD). Group 3 consisted of overweight men, men with class I obesity and abdominal fat distribution (AFD); group 4 - men with class II obesity and class III obesity AFD. Eating behavior were determined with DEBQ questionnaire, severity of anxiety-depressive disorders were investigated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; body image satisfaction was assessed with body image questionnaire. Serum glucose, triglycerides, insulin, leptin and adiponectin were estimated. RESULTS: it was shown, that men with AFD had severe metabolic disorders: hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, hyperleptinemia and hypoadiponectinemia, than men with SFD. Men with AFD had an external type of eating behavior, with sever expressed depressive disorders and body image dissatisfaction. Men with SFD had an emotional type of eating behavior and higher body image satisfaction. A comparative analysis between men from 3 and 4 groups with AFD showed that in group 4 in men had higher hyperleptinemia and insulin resistance and there are no differences in severity of eating disorders, anxiety and depression between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: adipose tissue topography is associated with the psychophysiological, metabolic, hormonal and adipokine characteristics that underlie the development of primary obesity in men

Association of сarriage of the rs4646994 polymorphism of the ACE gene with obesity and androgen deficiency in men

BACKGROUND: Obesity and androgen deficiency (AnD) are characterized by similar disturbances in metabolic parameters, the presence of signs of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and vascular complications. These facts indicate the possibility of the presence of common mechanisms that determine the predisposition to the development of obesity and AnD, which may include genetic factors, in particular, the rs4646994 polymorphism of the ACE gene, which, according to recent data, is associated with the risk of developing CVD, hypertension, and obesity.AIM: To study the association of the carriage of polymorphic variants of the rs4646994 locus of the ACE gene with the features of anthropometric and androgenic status in men.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period from April 2020 to October 2021 there were observed male patients aged 18–75 years old, who were hospitalized in a therapeutic hospital because of comorbid somatic pathology (hypertension, coronary heart disease, dorsopathy, vegetative-vascular dystonia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and others). Anthropometry, a study of the content of hormones of the reproductive system in the blood serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), as well as a genetic study for the carriage of polymorphic variants of the rs4646994 locus of the ACE gene by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, followed by electrophoresis of PCR products, were carried out. RESULTS: 82 patients took part in research. According to the results of genetic analysis, 17 people were assigned to the group of homozygotes for the wild type (I/I, G1), 41 people were assigned to the group of heterozygotes (I/D, G2), and 41 people were assigned to the group of homozygotes for the mutant allele (D/D, G3) 24 people. Body weight, chest circumference, waist and hips, body mass index in patients carrying the D allele of the rs4646994 polymorphism were statistically significantly higher than in I/I homozygotes. Differences in hormonal status also turned out to be statistically significant: patients from G1 compared with G2 and G3 had higher levels of total testosterone; from G1 compared to G3 — a higher level of free testosterone.CONCLUSION: An association of the carriage of the D allele of the rs4646994 polymorphic locus of the ACE gene with overweight and ADI was revealed

Hormonal characteristics of androgen status and their relationship with the anthropometric and metabolic parameter in men depending on the severity of hypertension

Background. According to the literature data, long-term and poorly controlled hypertension (HTN) leads to target organs damage, and in some cases, to the development of associated diseases, the severity of which in men may be partly due to the characteristics of the androgenic status.The aim: to reveal the features of hormonal indicators of androgen status and their relationship with the anthropometric and metabolic characteristics of the therapeutic clinic male patients, depending on the severity of HTN.Materials and methods. 296 men aged 59,0 [54,0; 65,0] years with confirmed HTN were examined. All study participants in the morning on an empty stomach underwent anthropometry, determination of metabolic and androgenic status, and assessment of comorbid burden. Depending on the severity of hypertension, all patients were divided into two groups (G): G1 (n = 134) – patients with hypertension without a history of coronary artery disease or stroke; G2 (n = 162) – patients with hypertension with a history of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and/or stroke.Results. In male patients of G2 with severe HTN, a decrease in the levels of free testosterone (FT) and, to a greater extent, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), as well as total cholesterol, high and low density lipoproteins, was revealed. The correlation analysis performed revealed statistically significant negative correlations between the levels of total testosterone (TT) and FT with body mass index, the value of the ratio of waist circumference to hips, only the level of FT – with the presence of IHD, chronic heart failure (CHF), disorders of carbohydrate metabolism and abdominal type of fat distribution, and the level of DHEA-S – with the presence of IHD and CHF.Conclusion. A decrease in FT and DHEA-S is associated with early progression of atherosclerosis and the risk of developing HTN-associated cardiovascular events, which can aggravate the course of HTN

Association of rs9939609 polymorphism in the FTO gene with features of androgen status in men

The purpose of the study was to investigate the association of carriage of rs9939609 polymorphism in the FTO gene with features of androgen status in men.Material and methods. The observational one-stage examination of 139 male patients aged 22 to 69 years, admitted to a therapeutic hospital in a planned manner has been carried out in the Clinic of the Federal Research Center for Fundamental and Translational Medicine in the period 2020–2021. All fasting men in the morning (8:00–8:30) were carried out of an anthropometric examination to determine physical development, sampling of venous blood from the cubital vein to assess the hormonal parameters of androgen status, and taking a sample of the buccal epithelium for molecular genetic research. Based on the carriage of the rs9939609 (T>A) polymorphism of the FTO gene, the following groups (G) of patients were distinguished: G1 – wild-type homozygotes (WT/WT), G2 – heterozygotes (WT/A), G3 – homozygotes for the mutant allele (A/A).Results and discussion. The statistically significant differences were found in the levels of total testosterone between G1 and G3 (11.6 vs 14.5 nmol/L, p = 0.010), as well as free testosterone in G1 compared to G2 (0.233 vs 0.287 nmol/L, p = 0.012) and G3 (0.233 vs 0.321 nmol/L, p = 0.002) when analyzing the clinical-anthropometric and hormonal features of the androgen status of the examined male patients in the selected groups. Assessment of the association revealed statistically significant positive correlations between the carriage of the mutant allele and the levels of total (r = 0.247; p = 0.013) and free (r = 0.296; p = 0.003) testosterone, and negative - with the frequency of androgen deficiency according to the free testosterone criteria (r = –0.240; p = 0.016).Conclusions. It has been shown that the carriage of the A/A genotype of rs9939609 polymorphism of the FTO gene is associated with an increase in the levels of total and free testosterone, that indicates a protective effect against the development of androgen deficiency in men. The obtained results suggest that this effect is due to the epigenetic effect of the FTO gene protein product on the expression of other genes involved in the synthesis of androgens in the gonads, but also in the adrenal cortex since no association of the carriage of the rs9939609 polymorphism of the FTO gene with the DHEA-C level was found

The Role of Phosphatidic Acid and Cardiolipin in Stability of the Tetrameric Assembly of Potassium Channel KcsA

In this study, the roles of two anionic phospholipids—phosphatidic acid (PA), which is an important signaling molecule, and cardiolipin (CL), which plays a crucial role in the bioenergetics of the cell—in stabilizing the oligomeric structure of potassium channel KcsA were determined. The stability of KcsA was drastically increased as a function of PA or CL content (mol%) in phosphatidylcholine (PC) bilayers. Deletion of the membrane-associated N terminus significantly reduced channel stability at high levels of PA content; however, the intrinsic stability of this protein was marginally affected in the presence of CL. These studies indicate that the electrostatic-hydrogen bond switch between PA and N terminus, involving basic residues, is much stronger than the stabilizing effect of CL. Furthermore, the unique properties of the PA headgroup alter protein assembly and folding properties differently from the CL headgroup, and both lipids stabilize the tetrameric assembly via their specific interaction on the extra- or the intracellular side of KcsA