Russia and the World Wide Web in the sustainable human development framework

У статті проаналізовано основні тенденції та характеристики використання інтернет-технологій в Росії. Продемонстровано, яким чином Інтернет сприяє стійкому людському розвитку та розвитку можливостей людини у сферах здоров'я, освіти, пошуку роботи та політики. Визначено необхідність активного впровадження політики охорони навколишнього середовища в сфері ІКТ з метою уникнення негативного ефекту Інтернету та ІКТ в цілому на навколишнє середовище в найближчому майбутньому При цитуванні документа, використовуйте посилання http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/29192В статье анализируются основные тенденции и характеристики использования интернет-технологий в России. Показано, каким образом Интернет способствует устойчивому человеческому развитию и развитию возможностей человека в области здоровья, образования, поиска работы и политики. Определено необходимость активного внедрения политики охраны окружающей среды в сфере ИКТ с целью избежания негативного эффекта Интернета и ИКТ в общем на окружающую среду в ближайшем будущем При цитировании документа, используйте ссылку http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/29192The paper analyzes trends and characteristics of the use of Internet technologies in Russia. It demonstrates how Internet promotes sustainable human development and helps to build basic human capabilities in education, health, job search, and empowerment. However, to avoid harmful effects of Internet and information and communication technology (ICT) in general on environment in the near future green ICT policies have to be actively implemented. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/2919

Plasma levels of apolipoprotein-E in residents of the European North of Russia

Background: Apolipoprotein-E (apoE) is one of the metabolically active apoproteins and plays an important role in lipid metabolism. However, there are no data on levels of apoE in residents of the North in spite of the fact that specific features of lipid metabolism in the northerners are described. The present work was designed to study plasma levels of apoE in residents of the European North of Russia. Methods: A total of 937 native residents of the European North of Russia (463 men and 474 women) aged 13–60 years were included in the study. ApoE concentrations in the blood plasma were measured by immunoturbidimetric method. Results: Plasma levels of apoE in residents of the European North of Russia were low. ApoE concentrations below the defined normal values were detected in 57.0% of the men and in 59.2% of the women. The mean plasma levels of apoE did not significantly differ in men and women (2.80 mg/dl vs 2.87 mg/dl). Plasma apoE concentrations in residents of the European North of Russia changed with age. Plasma levels of apoE decreased from 13 to 21 years in men and from 13 to 35 years in women and then increased in both sexes (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The limits of variation of plasma apoE levels in residents of the European North of Russia shift towards lower values. Plasma levels of apoE below normal values were observed in approximately half of investigation subjects

Novel anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects of the human melanocortin MC1 receptor agonist BMS-470539 dihydrochloride and human melanocortin MC3 receptor agonist PG-990 on lipopolysaccharide activated chondrocytes

Human melanocortin MC1 and MC3 receptors expressed on C-20/A4 chondrocytes exhibit chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects when activated by melanocortin peptides. Nearly 9 million people in the UK suffer from osteoarthritis, and bacterial infections play a role in its development. Here, we evaluate the effect of a panel of melanocortin peptides with different selectivity for human melanocortin MC1 (alpha-MSH, BMS-470539 dihydrochloride) and MC3 receptors ([DTrp8]-g-MSH, PG-990) and C-terminal peptide alpha-MSH11-13(KPV), on inhibiting LPS-induced chondrocyte death, pro-inflammatory mediators and induction of anti-inflammatory proteins. C-20/A4 chondrocytes were treated with a panel of melanocortin peptides prophylactically and therapeutically in presence of LPS (0.1 ug/ml). The chondroprotective properties of these peptides determined by cell viability assay, RT-PCR, ELISA for detection of changes in inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8 and MMP-1, -3 and -13) and western blotting for expression of the anti-inflammatory protein heme-oxygenase-1. C-20/A4 expressed human melanocortin MC1 and MC3 receptors and melanocortin peptides elevated cAMP. LPS stimulation caused a reduction in C-20/A4 viability, attenuated by the human melanocortin MC1 receptor agonist BMS-470539 dihydrochloride, and MC3 receptor agonists PG-990 and [DTrp8]-g-MSH. Prophylactic and therapeutic regimes of [DTrp8]-g-MSH significantly inhibited LPS-induced modulation of cartilage-damaging IL-6, IL-8, MMPs -1,-3 and -13 mediators both prophylactically and therapeutically, whilst human melanocortin MC1 and MC3 receptor agonists promoted an increase in HO-1 production. In the presence of LPS, activation of human melanocortin MC1 and MC3 receptors provided potent chondroprotection, upregulation of anti-inflammatory proteins and downregulation of inflammatory and proteolytic mediators involved in cartilage degradation, suggesting a new avenue for osteoarthritis treatment

Range of values for lipid accumulation product (LAP) in healthy residents of the European north of Russia

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major health problem in modern society and its prevalence throughout the world has reached the epidemic level. The unfavorable outcomes of obesity are associated with a high risk of numerous diseases due to metabolic disorders. Finding of diagnostic criteria for early detection of obesity is a priority in biomedical research. Therefore, of particular interest is the new visceral obesity marker &ndash; lipid accumulation product (LAP). Meanwhile, to date, the reference values for LAP are not defined, and data on sex- and age-related changes are contradictory. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the variation range, sex and age differences in LAP values in healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on apparently healthy subjects (455 men and 286 women) aged 20&ndash;59 years selected at routine examinations at the base of the central clinic in Arkhangelsk. Examination of subjects consisted of physical examination with measurement of anthropometric and clinical parameters, filling out a questionnaire, and evaluation of serum lipid levels. RESULTS: The LAP values in the subjects varied in a wide range (0.5&ndash;156.5 cm&times;mmol/l in men; 0.4 to 116.2 cm&times;mmol/l in women), but at the same they in 75% of the participants did not exceed 30 cm&times;mmol/l. Sex differences in LAP with the prevalence of values in men were observed in the age groups up to 40 years old, later they disappeared. LAP in men and women increased with age, but these changes were unequal. The LAP values increased to reach a plateau in men up to 30 years of age and in women up to 40 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: LAP is a combined index that simultaneously reflects distribution of adipose tissue and changes in blood lipids, and is considered a marker of obesity associated with the risk of metabolic disorders. This study was the first to determine the variation range, sex differences and age dynamics for LAP in the apparently healthy subjects

Novel anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects of the human melanocortin MC1 receptor agonist BMS-470539 dihydrochloride and human melanocortin MC3 receptor agonist PG-990 on lipopolysaccharide activated chondrocytes

Human melanocortin MC1 and MC3 receptors expressed on C-20/A4 chondrocytes exhibit chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects when activated by melanocortin peptides. Nearly 9 million people in the UK suffer from osteoarthritis, and bacterial infections play a role in its development. Here, we evaluate the effect of a panel of melanocortin peptides with different selectivity for human melanocortin MC1 (α-MSH, BMS-470539 dihydrochloride) and MC3 ([DTrp8]-γ-MSH, PG-990) receptors and C-terminal peptide α-MSH11-13(KPV), on inhibiting LPS-induced chondrocyte death, pro-inflammatory mediators and induction of anti-inflammatory proteins. C-20/A4 chondrocytes were treated with a panel of melanocortin peptides prophylactically and therapeutically in presence of LPS (0.1 μg/ml). The chondroprotective properties of these peptides determined by cell viability assay, RT-PCR, ELISA for detection of changes in inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8 and MMP-1, -3 and -13) and western blotting for expression of the anti-inflammatory protein heme-oxygenase-1. C-20/A4 expressed human melanocortin MC1 and MC3 receptors and melanocortin peptides elevated cAMP. LPS stimulation caused a reduction in C-20/A4 viability, attenuated by the human melanocortin MC1 receptor agonist BMS-470539 dihydrochloride, and MC3 receptor agonists PG-990 and [DTrp8]-γ-MSH. Prophylactic and therapeutic regimes of [DTrp8]-γ-MSH significantly inhibited LPS-induced modulation of cartilage-damaging IL-6, IL-8, MMPs −1,-3 and −13 mediators both prophylactically and therapeutically, whilst human melanocortin MC1 and MC3 receptor agonists promoted an increase in HO-1 production. In the presence of LPS, activation of human melanocortin MC1 and MC3 receptors provided potent chondroprotection, upregulation of anti-inflammatory proteins and downregulation of inflammatory and proteolytic mediators involved in cartilage degradation, suggesting a new avenue for osteoarthritis treatment

Activation of melanocortin receptors MC1 and MC5 attenuates retinal damage in experimental diabetic retinopathy

We hypothesize that melanocortin receptors (MC) could activate tissue protective circuit in a model of streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic retinopathy (DR) in mice. At 12–16 weeks after diabetes induction, fluorescein angiography (FAG) revealed an approximate incidence of 80% microvascular changes, typical of DR, in the animals, without signs of vascular leakage. Occludin progressively decreased in the retina of mice developing retinopathy. qPCR of murine retina revealed expression of two MC receptors, Mc1r and Mc5r. The intravitreal injection (5 \u1d707L) of the selective MC1 small molecule agonist BMS-470539 (33 \u1d707mol) and the MC5 peptidomimetic agonist PG-901 (7.32 nM) elicited significant protection with regular course and caliber of retinal vessels, as quantified at weeks 12 and 16 after diabetes induction. Mouse retina homogenate settings indicated an augmented release of IL-1\u1d6fc, IL-1\u1d6fd, IL-6, MIP-1\u1d6fc, MIP-2\u1d6fc, MIP-3\u1d6fc, and VEGF from diabetic compared to nondiabetic mice. Application of PG20N or AGRP and MC5 and MC1 antagonist, respectively, augmented the release of cytokines, while the agonists BMS-470539 and PG-901 almost restored normal pattern of these mediators back to nondiabetic values. Similar changes were quantified with respect to Ki-67 staining. Finally, application of MC3-MC4 agonist/antagonists resulted to be inactive with respect to all parameters under assessment

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ОСНОВНЫХ ПОРОДООБРАЗУЮЩИХ ЭЛЕМЕНТОВ, СТРОНЦИЯ И ЦИРКОНИЯ РЕНТГЕНОФЛУОРЕСЦЕНТНЫМ МЕТОДОМ ДЛЯ ГЕОХИМИЧЕСКОЙ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ ДОННЫХ ОТЛОЖЕНИЙ

Quantitative X-ray fluorescence determination of major rock-forming oxides (Na2O, MgO, Al2O3, SiO2, P2O5, K2O, CaO, TiO2, MnO and Fe2O3) and some microelements (Sr and Zr) was performed in the samples of 143 cm-long sediment core of Lake Baunt (Buryat Republic) by the wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis on the S8 Tiger spectrometer. Calibration curves were obtained by measuring the certified reference materials of the sedimentary rocks. Both analyzed and reference samples were prepared as glass beads by fusion of 110 mg of sample with1.1 g of lithium metaborate. We have used 110 mg mass to ensure the formation of beads with appropriate 10 to 12 mm size across to be measured by the spectrometer with8 mm mask. Rh Kα Compton line was used as a background standard for Sr and Zr determination. The repeatability did not exceed the allowable standard deviation for a wide range of concentrations. Results of major rock-forming oxides determination were compared with the data of spectrophotometry and flame photometry techniques, results of Sr and Zr determination were compared with the data of synchrotron radiation excited X-ray fluorescence technique. All results of the X-ray fluorescence analysis were accepted as satisfactory. Quantitative analysis of each centimeter of Lake Baunt sediment core allowed building first reconstructions of the local environment during the last 7000 years with unique resolution of about 100 years.Keywords: wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis, synchrotron radiation induced X-ray fluorescence analysis, sediments, paleoclimate (Russian)DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15826/analitika.2017.21.1.003A.A. Amosova, V.M. Chubarov,E.V. Kaneva, Iu.N. MarkovaVinogradov Institute of Geochemistry, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Favorsky, 1A, Irkutsk, 664033, Russian FederationМетодика, разработанная для количественного рентгенофлуоресцентного анализа малых навесок изверженных горных пород, применена для осадочных горных пород, которые существенно отличаются по химическому и минеральному составу, в частности, могут содержать более 15 % органической составляющей. Градуировочные уравнения были построены с использованием стандартных образцов континентальных рыхлых отложений, речных и морских илов и глин. Были прокалены и сплавлены в форме стеклянных дисков с метаборатом лития 143 образца керна донных отложений континентального озера Баунт (республика Бурятия). Правильность определения основных породообразующих компонентов (Na2O, MgO, Al2O3, SiO2, P2O5, K2O, CaO, TiO2, MnO, Fe2O3) и некоторых микроэлементов (Sr, Zr) рентгенофлуоресцентным методом оценена сопоставлением полученных результатов с данными анализа методами спектрофотометрии, пламенной фотометрии и рентгенофлуоресцентного анализа с возбуждением синхротронным излучением. Полученные результаты соответствуют требованиям количественного химического анализа. Рентгенофлуоресцентный анализ каждого сантиметра керна донных отложений озера Баунт позволил выявить за последние 7000 лет значительные вариации содержаний элементов, их соотношений и геохимических индексов, важных при палеоклиматических реконструкциях изменений региональных условий окружающей среды.Ключевые слова: рентгенофлуоресцентный анализ с волновой дисперсией, рентгенофлуоресцентный анализ с возбуждением синхротронным излучением, донные отложения, палеоклиматDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15826/analitika.2017.21.1.00

Budget Policy of Social Development

The monograph is devoted to the development of methodological and institutional framework for the formation of fiscal policy to ensure social development. The essence and role of budget regulation in supporting the processes of endogenous economic growth are revealed. The experience of the implementation of fiscal policy in countries with developed and transformational economies is systematized. The directions of increasing the efficiency and strengthening the regulatory potential of the state tax policy are proposed. An assessment of the tax burden on labor and consumption in 2001–2017 is carried out; a comparative analysis of the values of the corresponding indicators in Ukraine and the European Union member countries is carried out. The factors that affect the fiscal significance of the value added tax, excise tax, income tax, personal income tax are identified. Provisions for enhancing the effectiveness of the institutional architectonics of the budget system are improved. Directions for improving the efficiency of budget expenditures are substantiated. The analysis of the influence of the main factors on the dynamics of changes in the ratio of public debt to GDP is carried out; it is established that inflation affected the most, and the exchange rate influenced the increase. An approach to assessing the state of debt security of the country is proposed, the conceptual framework for managing the budget deficit and public debt is defined. Provisions for the implementation of long-term budget planning and forecasting are developed. Institutional framework for the formation of the budget strategy is improved. The conceptual foundations of state financial support for human development are defined. A long-term budget strategy is developed, taking into account the cyclical nature of economic development. The conducted scientific research allows identifying the possibilities of positive influence of the budget policy on social development in the context of improving the quality of the institutional environment

Targeted Sequencing of Candidate Regions Associated with Sagittal and Metopic Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis (CS) is a major birth defect in which one or more skull sutures fuse prematurely. We previously performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for sagittal nonsyndromic CS (sNCS), identifying associations downstream from BMP2 on 20p12.3 and intronic to BBS9 on 7p14.3; analyses of imputed variants in DLG1 on 3q29 were also genome-wide significant. We followed this work with a GWAS for metopic non-syndromic NCS (mNCS), discovering a significant association intronic to BMP7 on 20q13.31. In the current study, we sequenced the associated regions on 3q29, 7p14.3, and 20p12.3, including two candidate genes (BMP2 and BMPER) near some of these regions in 83 sNCS child-parent trios, and sequenced regions on 7p14.3 and 20q13.2-q13.32 in 80 mNCS child-parent trios. These child-parent trios were selected from the original GWAS co-horts if the probands carried at least one copy of the top associated GWAS variant (rs1884302 C allele for sNCS; rs6127972 T allele for mNCS). Many of the variants sequenced in these targeted regions are strongly predicted to be within binding sites for transcription factors involved in crani-ofacial development or bone morphogenesis. Variants enriched in more than one trio and predicted to be damaging to gene function are prioritized for functional studies