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Background. Mastocytosis is a rare myeloproliferative disease based on clonal hematopoiesis of mast cells, with accumulation of mast cells in various tissues and organs. The cutaneous mastocytosis is common in the pediatric population and, in general, progression to aggressive forms is not typical. In the adult population, there is systemic mastocytosis with a predominance of indolent and smoldering forms according to the literature, but there aren’t epidemiological data for the Russian Federation.Aim. To evaluate the results of primary diagnostics obtained during the examination of 70 patients with suspected systemic mastocytosis.Materials and methods. The histological studies of the skin and bone marrow, mutations in the c-kit gene in the bone marrow and serum tryptase level were examined in the Raisa Gorbacheva Memorial Research Institute for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplantation in accordance with WHO 2017 criteria.Results. The diagnostic results of 70 patients with suspected mastocytosis, the diagnosis was confirmed in 71.4 % (n = 50) of patients, of which systemic mastocytosis accounted for 82 % (n = 41). The 2 most common categories were identified: indolent systemic mastocytosis in 23 (56 %) patients and widespread forms in 15 (36.5 %), with a median time of diagnosis of 12 and 5 years, respectively.Conclusion. The late diagnosis is noted in all subgroups of systemic mastocytosis.

Using phase delays at spaced stations and satellite observations in the magnetosphere during two events, we have studied azimuthal propagation of resonant bursts of geomagnetic pulsations in the Pc5 range. We have also examined propagation of equivalent current vortices during these events. It has been found that the pulsations, observed in the magnetosphere and ionosphere, and the equivalent current vortices in the ionosphere propagate in the azimuthal direction from the dayside to the nightside. Propagation velocities according to ground-based observations are 5–25 km/s; according to satellite observations, 114–236 km/s. Propagation velocities according to satellite observations do not exceed the Alfvén velocity in the magnetosphere, which is 620–1006 km/s. According to data from various instruments, there are signatures of fast magnetosonic and Alfvén waves at a time in one of the events on the satellite. This clearly reflects the transformation of these waves. The geomagnetic latitude of registration of vortex centers coincides with the latitude of the maximum amplitude of geomagnetic pulsations (field line resonances) and decreases by ~15° toward the early hours of MLT. The observed dynamics of Pc5 pulsations and vortices is assumed to reflect MHD wave propagation in the magnetosphere.

This paper studies the problem of raising product quality, which can be achieved due to the use of platform corporate programs that are combined with digital technologies. In the context of the research, we identify rmine the system character of the process of management of product quality and characterise its components. They include the corresponding standards, philosophy of total quality management, tools, and program solutions. The purpose of this research is to reveal the connection between the processes of digitalisation of economic subjects and the level of the use of platform solutions to raise product quality. Within this research, we formed an array of data which characterises the level of digital maturity of organisations in different sectors of the economies of the EU countries. Based on this, we identified a high level of differentiation of digital maturity of organisations in different countries and spheres of economy. We also determined the presence of a close direct connection between the level of digital maturity of organisations and the level of the use of platform solutions for product quality management. These solutions include the domination of ERP platforms. We also substantiated the necessity of integrating them with other types of programs and digital technologies.

Background. The paper focuses on the urgent problem of foreign language vocational training of prospective specialists and its significance in students’ research activities. Nowadays, the current concept of teaching foreign languages at non-linguistic university training emphasizes the teaching system combining vocational training and language acquisition. In other words, it is crucial to consider the competencies for prospective occupation and the ability of students to use their professional language skills in a dynamically changing environment. Based on the modern standards of higher education, with an emphasis on project and research activities, the programs of teaching foreign languages consider the student’s research activities one of the most important motivation tools for mastering a foreign language. These activities allow students to creatively apply the achievements of scientific and technological progress in practice. Purpose. The aim of the research is to present a description of the structure of the electronic educational environment of the university and to identify the specifics of foreign language teaching for research activities of students. Materials and methods. The competence approach, in particular foreign-language professional-oriented competence, is considered as the methodological basis of the study. Achievement of the set research goal was carried out on the basis of theoretical and methodological analysis, systematisation and generalisation of scientific literature on the given problem. Quantitative indicators were used as an element of describing the dynamics of changes in the educational environment of the university. Using the given methods, the students should obtain foreign language competencies, including the extensive application of electronic educational resources and research skills. We described the approaches to organizing the teaching process, focusing on the concept of a computer-based environment, including electronic educational resources. Results. The experience of Sevastopol State University (Sevastopol, Russia) serves as an example of the positive experience of the electronic educational environment, which underlines the scientific novelty of the study. Practice shows that using an electronic educational environment is essential in engaging students in research activities. Such an environment promotes the formation of creative skills among students and increases the level of their vocational training.

Abstract Invasive fungal disease (IFD) presents a life-threatening condition in immunocompromised patients, thus often prompting empirical administration of antifungal treatment, without adequate mycological evidence. Over the past years, wide use of antifungal prophylaxis resulted in decreased occurrence of IFD but has contributed to changes in the spectrum of fungal pathogens, revealing the occurrence of previously rare fungal genera causing breakthrough infections. The expanding spectrum of clinically relevant fungal pathogens required the implementation of screening approaches permitting broad rather than targeted fungus detection to support timely onset of pre-emptive antifungal treatment. To address this diagnostically important aspect in a prospective setting, we analyzed 935 serial peripheral blood (PB) samples from 195 pediatric and adult patients at high risk for IFD, involving individuals displaying febrile neutropenia during treatment of hematological malignancies or following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Two different panfungal-PCR-screening methods combined with ensuing fungal genus identification by Sanger sequencing were employed. In the great majority of PB-specimens displaying fungal DNAemia, the findings were transient and revealed fungi commonly regarded as non-pathogenic or rarely pathogenic even in the highly immunocompromised patient setting. Hence, to adequately exploit the diagnostic potential of panfungal-PCR approaches for detecting IFD, particularly if caused by hitherto rarely observed fungal pathogens, it is necessary to confirm the findings by repeated testing and to identify the fungal genus present by ensuing analysis. If applied appropriately, panfungal-PCR-screening can help prevent unnecessary empirical therapy, and conversely, contribute to timely employment of effective pre-emptive antifungal treatment strategies.

The volcanoes of Kamchatka are a World Heritage Site. They are of aesthetic, conservation, and scientific value; therefore, they must be protected from negative anthropogenic influences. However, according to the recent assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, this site inspires significant concern. A similar viewpoint was also expressed in the local press. A part of the site, Avachinsky Pass, inspires a particular concern. This is a place between the volcanoes Koryaksky and Avachinsky. An excessive number of visitors was considered the main threat because it resulted in the trampling of soil and the extirpation of threatened animals. We performed a survey of the Avachinsky Pass aiming to estimate its state. Based on aerial pictures and observation we composed a scheme of habitats over the area around Avachinsky Pass revealing the disturbed plots of land. Moreover, we registered vertebrates considering them as biological indicators. It became clear that tourism has a significant impact on the state of the Avachinsky Pass, but the affected area is relatively small. Despite a large number of visitors, the survey revealed high biodiversity. We registered 19 species of birds and 9 species of mammals. Among them, black-capped marmots are especially informative as they have a settled way of life; they do occur on the Pass. The absence of grazing and logging contributes to the conservation of elfin forests and other plant communities on the slopes making the object resistant to anthropogenic impacts. Off-road vehicles pose the biggest threat to bare-ground revegetation.

Education refers to the spheres of human activity that are most susceptible to digitalization. Within the framework of this article, the trends of digital transformation of foreign language training of university students of non-linguistic specialties are considered in the context of education 4.0, including digital space, digital technologies, and directions of the organization of educational activities. Longitudinal observations, pedagogical experiments, and analysis of educational data have been used in the research. The results suggest that the use of advanced digital learning technologies contributes to the activation of interaction between professors and students in an electronic educational environment, personalization of the educational process, increased motivation for the independent cognitive activity of students, as well as the formation of a wide range of competencies during foreign language training. Digital technologies in a foreign language(s) training, which are implemented in the educational process of the university and constitute a scientific and methodological foundation in the development and use of all types of digital educational resources, are identified. The expediency of their introduction to foreign language teaching is substantiated. One of the most effective directions of digital transformation is the introduction of virtual reality technologies. The analysis of the current use of VR technologies in the electronic educational environment of the university shows the positive impact of immersive on the cognitive functions of students.

IntroductionCirculating anti-podocyte antibodies have been proposed as potential factors contributing to increased permeability in primary podocytopathies, such as Minimal Change Disease (MCD) and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The aim of the study was to to assess the levels of antibodies targeting synaptopodin and annexin 1 in the blood serum of patients diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, with the aim of evaluating their potential utility in diagnosing primary podocytopathies and predicting therapeutic response.MethodsThe study included a total of 72 patients diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, alongside 21 healthy subjects for comparison. Among the patients, 38 were diagnosed with FSGS, 12 with MCD, and 22 with MN. The levels of anti-synaptopodin and anti-annexin-1 antibodies were quantified using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.ResultsThe levels of antibodies to annexin 1 and anti-synaptopodin in the blood were found to be higher in patients diagnosed with MCD and FSGS compared to those with MN and healthy individuals. The elevated levels of antibodies to annexin 1 and synaptopodin showed area under the curve values of 0.826 (95% CI 0.732–0.923) and 0.827 (95% CI 0.741–0.879), respectively. However, a model incorporating both antibodies demonstrated higher sensitivity (80.9%) and specificity (81.3%) with an AUC of 0.859 (95% CI 0.760-0.957). Notably, serum levels of annexin 1 and anti-synaptopodin antibodies did not predict the response to prednisolone and/or CNI therapy.DiscussionLevels of antibodies targeting synaptopodin and annexin 1 were notably elevated in patients diagnosed with MCD and FSGS compared to those with MN and healthy controls. A panel comprising both antibodies demonstrated moderate to high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis MCD or FSGS.

The Dicer protein is an indispensable player in such fundamental cell pathways as miRNA biogenesis and regulation of protein expression in a cell. Most recently, both germline and somatic mutations in DICER1 have been identified in diverse types of cancers, which suggests Dicer mutations can lead to cancer progression. In addition to well-known hotspot mutations in RNAase III domains, DICER1 is characterized by a wide spectrum of variants in all the functional domains; most are of uncertain significance and unstated clinical effects. Moreover, various new somatic DICER1 mutations continuously appear in cancer genome sequencing. The latest contemporary methods of variant effect prediction utilize machine learning algorithms on bulk data, yielding suboptimal correlation with biological data. Consequently, such analysis should be conducted based on the functional and structural characteristics of each protein, using a well-grounded targeted dataset rather than relying on large amounts of unsupervised data. Domains are the functional and evolutionary units of a protein; the analysis of the whole protein should be based on separate and independent examinations of each domain by their evolutionary reconstruction. Dicer represents a hallmark example of a multidomain protein, and we confirmed the phylogenetic multidomain approach being beneficial for the clinical effect prediction of Dicer variants. Because Dicer was suggested to have a putative role in hematological malignancies, we examined variants of DICER1 occurring outside the well-known hotspots of the RNase III domain in this type of cancer using phylogenetic reconstruction of individual domain history. Examined substitutions might disrupt the Dicer function, which was demonstrated by molecular dynamic simulation, where distinct structural alterations were observed for each mutation. Our approach can be utilized to study other multidomain proteins and to improve clinical effect evaluation.

The objective was to assess the prognostic value of D-dimer level in peripheral venous blood and arterial blood to the risk of developing complications in the short-term period after open reconstructive surgery on the aortoiliac segment.Methods and materials. The study included 89 patients who were determined the D-dimer level in peripheral venous blood, as well as arterial blood intraoperatively.Results. Statistically significant differences in the D-dimer level were established depending on the presence or absence of early postoperative complications.Conclusions. The intraoperative D-dimer level in arterial blood has a predictive ability in relation to the development of early postoperative complications.

Libman–Sachs endocarditis (nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis, NBTE) may be one of the cardiac manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is characterized by the presence of sterile platelet thrombi on previously normal heart valves. The diagnosis of NBTE is difficult as it is often asymptomatic until complications such as systemic emboli or valvular dysfunction occur. Patients with Libman–Sachs endocarditis and SLE are treated with immunosuppressive and anticoagulant therapy and, if it is ineffective, surgical treatment.A clinical case of SLE and Libman–Sachs endocarditis is presented. The clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods and treatment of NBTE in SLE are discussed. The difficulties in differential diagnosis and selection of optimal treatment tactics faced by physicians are highlighted.

The application of a multi-scale approach to the study of socio-economic processes makes it possible to see the importance of large (first, second and third in terms of population in their regions) cities for the formation of a territorial production system of supra-regional education as a whole. In this paper, based on data on the population and the value of the manufacturing industry of large cities of the Volga-Ural macroregion, their dynamics in the period 2005–2021 was traced.Theoretical analysis.The necessity of analyzing the existing territorial structures of the economy at the supra-regional level (macroregion level) is substantiated. The change in the contribution of the largest cities of the VolgaUral macro-region to the population and output of the manufacturing industry of the regions is traced, on the basis of which a typology of cities by the nature of their influence on the socio-economic space is made. Based on the gravitational approach, the potential of the industrial interaction field withinthemacroregion is shown. The problems of its broken configuration are discussed, as well as regional differences in output by industry. Conclusion The analysis made it possible to identify the comparative dynamics of the socio-economic development of large cities of the Volga-Ural macroregion over a fairly long period and typologize it. The analysis showed the isolated nature of the individual cores of the territorial production system within the macroregion, as well as the need for industrial policy for a positive transformation of the system.

Abstract There is an increased risk of GVHD and of non-relapse mortality (NRM) after allogeneic stem cell transplantations (alloSCT) when mismatched unrelated donors (MMUD) are used. In Europe, it is standard practice to use rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) to reduce the high NRM and GVHD risks after MMUD alloSCT. As an alternative to rATG, post-transplantation Cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is in increasing clinical use. It is currently impossible to give general recommendations regarding preference for one method over another since comparative evidence from larger data sets is lacking. To improve the evidence base, we analyzed the outcome of rATG vs. PTCy prophylaxis in adult patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing first peripheral blood alloSCT from MMUD (9/10 antigen match) between Jan 2018 and June 2021 in the database of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). We performed multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional-hazards regression model. We included 2123 patients in the final analyses (PTCy, n = 583; rATG, n = 1540). p values and hazard ratios (HR) presented here are multivariate outcomes. Two years after alloSCT we found a lower NRM in the PTCy group of 18% vs. 24.9% in the rATG group; p = 0.028, HR 0.74. Overall survival in the PTCy cohort was higher with 65.7% vs. 55.7% in the rATG cohort; p

The subject of inter-sectoral balance has been adequately developed in scientific community, however, we think that insufficient attention was paid to inserting price rates of industries in the model of inter-sectoral relations, as they produce a serious impact on making decisions concerning each industry production. The article deals with working-out a mathematic approach to modeling industry behavior in view of price policy development. The theoretical base of the research was formed by key provisions of the economic theory and the theory of inter-sectoral balance. The authors analyze dynamics of product prices set by industries with regard to inter-sectoral dependence and respective changes in output, added value, margin and volumes of sold products in each industry. As a result of the research the inter-sectoral model of shaping price policy of industries was built, which takes into account parameters of demand and urge of every industry for maximum profits. Different scenarios of changing demand parameters and production interactions were studied. Model experiments allowed authors to come to the conclusion that a rise in demand for one industry product cannot always increase production of related industries. As product price in the industry goes up, costs of other industries also rise, which can have an adverse effect on their product demand on the part of end customer. And on the contrary, a drop in demand for one industry product can support other related industries on constant demand factors at the expense of cost cutting. The proposed model could be useful for private and state sectors in planning investment policy at the same time it could reveal macro-economic trends, which is necessary to resolve problems of tardy or inadequate response of business entity on possible risks.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations and survival of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA).Methods. A retrospective study included 166 patients with newly diagnosed GCA. Clinical, laboratory and instrumental data, three sets of classification criteria were used to confirm the diagnosis: the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990, the revised ACR criteria of 2016 and/or the new ACR and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2022 criteria. Some of the patients underwent instrumental investigations: temporal artery ultrasound Doppler (n=61), contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) (n=5), CT angiography (n=6), magnetic resonance imaging (n=4), magnetic resonance angiography (n=3) and 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/CT (n=47). Overall and recurrence-free survival were analyzed using survival tables, Kaplan – Meier method.Results. The most frequent first manifestations of GCA were headache (81.8%), weakness (64%), fever (63.8%) and symptoms of rheumatic polymyalgia (56.6%). Changes of temporal arteries in color duplex scanning were detected in 44 out of 61 patients. GCs therapy was performed in all patients who agreed to be treated (n=158), methotrexate was used in 49 out of 158 patients, leflunomide – in 9 patients. In 45 (28.5%) out of 158 patients a stable remission was achieved as a result of GCs monotherapy, in 120 (75.9%) patients long-term maintenance therapy with GCs was required to prevent exacerbations, including 71 (44.9%) patients – in combination with methotrexate or other immunosuppressive drugs. The follow-up period of patients with a history of relapses was 21.0 (8.0–54.0) months. Relapses developed in 73 (46.2%) patients. The overall one-year survival rate was 97.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): 94.3; 99.9], and the five-year survival rate of patients was 94.6% [95% CI: 90.2; 99.0]. The one-year relapse-free survival rate was 86.4% [95% CI: 80.5; 92.3], and the five-year relapse-free survival rate was 52.4% [95% CI: 42.0; 62.8]. 12 (7.2%) of 166 patients died. The cause of death was myocardial infarction in two patients, stroke in two patients, and breast cancer in one patient; in the remaining seven cases, the cause of death was not determined.Conclusion. Given the high frequency of disease exacerbation, patients with GCA require long-term follow-up, especially during the first year after diagnosis.

Due to the oncoming climate changes, various environmental stresses (drought, salinity, heavy-metals, low or high temperatures, etc.) might dramatically affect crop yields and the quality of produced foods. Therefore, to meet the growing food demand of the human population, improvement of stress tolerance of the currently cultured crops is required. The knowledge of the molecular underlying mechanisms provides a versatile instrument to correct plant metabolism via chemical tools and to thereby increase their adaptive potential. This will preserve crop productivity and quality under abiotic stress conditions. Endogenously produced nitric oxide (NO) is one of the key signaling factors activating stress tolerance mechanisms in plants. Thus, the application of synthetic NO donors as stress-protective phytoeffectors might support maintaining plant growth and productivity under stressful conditions. Sydnone imines (sydnonimines) are a class of clinically established mesoionic heterocyclic NO donors which represent a promising candidate group for such phytoeffectors. Therefore, here, we provide an overview of the current progress in the application of sydnone imines as exogenous NO donors in plants, with a special emphasis on their potential as herbicides as well as herbicide antidotes, growth stimulants and stress protectors triggering plant tolerance mechanisms. We specifically address the structure–activity relationships in the context of the growth modulating activity of sydnone imines. Growth stimulating or antidote effects are typical for 4-α-hydroxybenzyl derivatives of sydnone imines containing an alkyl substituent in position N-3. The nature of the substituent of the N-6 atom has a significant influence on the activity profile and the intensity of the effect. Nevertheless, further investigations are necessary to establish reliable structure–activity relationships (SAR). Consequently, sydnone imines might be considered promising phytoeffector candidates, which are expected to exert either protective effects on plants growing under unfavorable conditions, or herbicidal ones, depending on the exact structure.

Abstract Background Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterised by rashes and progressive muscle weakness. The recent ProDERM (Progress in DERMatomyositis) study is the first large randomised, placebo-controlled trial to establish the efficacy and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in adult patients with dermatomyositis. Objectives of this analysis were to closely examine the safety and tolerability of IVIg in patients from the ProDERM study. Methods ProDERM was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre, phase 3 study. In the first period (weeks 0–16), adults with active dermatomyositis received 2.0 g/kg IVIg (Octagam 10%; Octapharma AG) or placebo every 4 weeks. In the open-label extension period (weeks 16–40), all patients received IVIg for 6 additional cycles; dose reduction (1.0 g/kg) was permitted if patients were stable. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were documented. Results The 95 patients enrolled were randomised to receive IVIg (N = 47) or placebo (N = 48) in the first period, with 5 switching from placebo to IVIg. Overall, 664 IVIg infusion cycles were administered. During the first period, 113 TEAEs were possibly/probably related to treatment in 30/52 patients (57.7%) receiving IVIg and 38 in 11 patients (22.9%) on placebo. Eight patients discontinued therapy due to IVIg-related TEAEs. Eight thromboembolic events (TEEs) occurred in six patients on IVIg; six in five patients were deemed possibly/probably related to IVIg. Patients with TEEs exhibited more baseline TEE risk factors than those without TEEs (2.4–15.2-fold higher). Lowering infusion rate reduced the rate of TEEs, and none occurred at the lower IVIg dose. No haemolytic transfusion reactions or deaths occurred. Conclusions Results from this study demonstrate that IVIg has a favourable safety profile for treatment of adult dermatomyositis patients and provides evidence that will help to inform treatment choice for these patients. Dermatomyositis patients receiving high-dose IVIg should be monitored for TEEs, and a low rate of infusion should be used to minimise TEE risk, particularly in those with pre-existing risk factors. Trial registration ProDERM study (NCT02728752).

Introduction. Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a high risk group of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Since tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) were introduced, controversial data have been obtained on the efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (allo-HSCT) in the first complete remission.The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of allo-HSCT in the first complete remission of Ph-positive ALL in adult patients after remission induction with continuous chemotherapeutic exposure in combination with TKIs.Methods and materials. The retrospective analysis included 74 patients with a median age of 32 years (range 18–59) after allo-HSCT in the first complete remission and 58 patients with a median age of 39 years (range 18–65) in the first complete remission after conservative therapy. Ninety-one per cent and 83 % of patients received imatinib as TKIs in remission induction in the allo-HSCT and conservative therapy groups, respectively. The median time from the first complete remission to allo-HSCT was 7 months (range 2–33). Thirty-six patients (49 %) had positive minimal residual disease (MRD) status prior to allo-HSCT. Eighteen patients (14 %) over 40 years underwent allo-HSCT in the first complete remission.Results. Allo-HSCT improves overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) and by 9 months since the achievement of the first complete remission, they were 70.1 (95 % CI 56.4–88.6) in the allo-HSCT group versus 45.1 (95 % CI 33.4–61.0) in the conservative group, p=0.025 and 63.3 % (95 % CI 47.6–84.1) in the allo-HSCT group versus 44.8 % (95 % CI 33.2–60.4) in the conservative therapy group, p=0.04, respectively. Allo-HSCT in patients over 40 years does not improve 5-year OS and RFS and were 57.2 % (95 % CI 30.0–84.4) versus 59.8 % (95 % CI 36.9– 82.7), p=0.69, and 42.6 % (95 % CI 14.0–71.2) vs. 50.9 % (95 % CI 29.5–72.3), p=0, 88, respectively.Conclusion. Allo-HSCT performed before 9 months from achievement of the first complete remission after induction with imatinib is the preferred method of remission consolidation in patients from 18 to 40 years old. The optimal therapy for patients older than 40 years in the first complete remission is a conservative approach in combination with TKIs.

In the center of the author’s attention are the percussion instruments of jazz origin from the 1950s. The purpose of the paper consists in the analysis of the interpretative features developed within two main currents of jazz from this period, namely: West Coast Jazz and East Coast Jazz. The stylistic specificity of the cool style drummers stands out through the restrained way of expression – both in the accompanying and solo fragments. C. Hamilton was one of the first modern drummers who had the courage to abandon the jazz rhythms of the classical period. The performer created distinctive and memorable rhythmic patterns, later using them as accompaniment. Instead of using ride cymbals and high-hats in the accompaniment, C. Hamilton implemented the snare drum or tom-tom as the main voice. Therefore, each piece had individualized rhythmic patterns and its own coloring. The main style of East Coast jazz was hard bop, represented by great drummers such as Philly Joe Jones, Roy Brooks, Louis Hayes, Art Taylor, Roy Haynes, Roger Humphries, Elvin Jones, Lex Humphries, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Mickey Roker, Ben Riley, Jimmy Cobb, Frankie Dunlop, Billy Higgins.

Nammalvar, a Tamil poet who lived in IX-X centuries, is revered as one of the great mystics of India. His four poetic works are equated with the sacred hymns and are part of the ritual worship in the temples of South India. Artistic images of Nammalvar formed the basis of the philosophy of Vishishta-Advaita several centuries later. The poem “Thiruviruttam” is considered as his early work, where he combines the canons of ancient Tamil poetry and his devoted love for Vishnu-Tirumal. The study presents a religious and philosophical interpretation of the poem. The secret of the poem is its dualism: external beauty and sacred meaning. There is a spiritual meaning in symbols of Tamil poetry. Nammalvar takes canons of his predecessors, poets of the Sangam era. However, he fills one with new content. The author compares ancient Tamil poetry and the work of Nammalvar. The plot describes the love between God and the soul. The poet reveals several types of bhakti or devoted love. The description of bhakti subsequently formed the basis for the classification of souls in the philosophy of vishishta-advaita. Bhakti leads to the transition to Vaikuntha or the heaven city. Sri Vaishnavism teachers turned the description of relationship soul-Vishnu into a spiritual practice. The artistic images of Nammalvar are compared with Hindu concepts such as transcendence, darshan, divine grace and moksha. In South India “Thiruviruttam” is considered the Tamil Rig Veda. Poem is performed at home, in the temple, during festive processes. It helps to find the roots of Vaishnavism and understand its poetic origin.

Properties of the broad line region (BLR) in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are commonly used to estimate the mass of the supermassive black hole (SMBH) that powers an AGN. However, the understanding of the physics behind the BLR remains incomplete. The AGNs exhibit strong optical variability, observed in the change of the profiles and fluxes of broad emission lines. Utilizing this variability provides an opportunity to constrain the physics of the BLR, and understand the interplay of the BLR with SMBH and surrounding regions. Here, we present the long-term monitoring campaign of a sample of the known broad-line AGNs (identified as LoTerm AGN). The aim of this study is to show the importance of sustained and dedicated campaigns that continually collect spectroscopic data of the known AGNs over extended timescales, providing unique insight into the origin and structure of the BLR. LoTerm AGN is a collaborative network of seven moderate-size telescopes equipped for spectroscopy. We focus on the recent spectral data of the known changing-look AGN, NGC 3516. Specifically, we examine the broad hydrogen Balmer Hα line observed in the period 2020–2023, demonstrating that this AGN remains active with the BLR signatures observed in the spectra. No significant change in the broad line profile of Hα line is observed during this recent period.

Immune-mediated kidney diseases like glomerulonephritis and tubulointerstitial nephritis are not the most common cause of chronic kidney disease in the population, however the difficulties in their management, as well as a more rapid deterioration of kidney function, compared to diabetes mellitus and hypertension, justify the importance of this problem for internal medicine. Due to the fundamental discoveries in pathology and to the introduction of various methods of laboratory and instrumental investigation in the second half of the XX century substantial progress was made in the diagnostic approaches and treatment of these conditions. State-of-the-art diagnostic approach requires complex evaluation of the clinical, laboratory and morphological data to identify the nosological form of the disease. The accumulation of knowledge in the field of diseases’ pathogenesis led to the revision of the current classification of glomerulonephritis that should be based on the immunopathogenesis of these conditions. The following phenotypes were suggested: autoimmunity-related, autoinflammation-related, alloimmunity-related, infections-related, and monoclonal gammopathy-related. The assessment of disease activity and chronicity in the kidney tissue should be mandatory. Personalized selection of the optimal treatment modality on the basis of the diagnosis, severity, and individual features of the patient is currently possible. The leading trends include rational prescription of glucocorticoids (steroid-sparing regimens) and cytotoxic agents, e.g. cyclophosphamide, as well as the introduction of multitarget regimens that include biologic agents or small molecules selectively suppressing B-cells or various complement pathways. Another mandatory component of treatment on par with immune suppression is nephroprotective therapy, which currently comprises not only traditional renin-angiotensin-aldosterone antagonists, but also endothelin receptor antagonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. Current guidelines emphasize the importance of the non-pharmacological interventions for the implementation of the nephroprotective strategy. Rational combination of the aforementioned approaches allows for the optimization of the management of patients with immune-mediated kidney diseases, although it requires high competencies and strict adherence to the principles of the evidence-based medicine from the healthcare providers.

Scientific relevance. Hypromellose phthalate is a component of enteric coatings used to modify active substance release from oral medicinal products in the small intestine. The release rate directly depends on the non-stoichiometric composition of the polymer, first of all, on the proportion of phthalate groups in the macromolecule. It is therefore necessary to develop reliable analytical procedures for determining the structure of hypromellose phthalate to evaluate the dissolution rate of medicinal products containing the polymer.Aim. The study aimed to develop an analytical procedure for quantifying the proportion of phthalate groups in hypromellose phthalate samples using NMR spectroscopy and to determine the relationship between the polymer dissolution rate in aqueous buffer solutions and its structural features (degree of molar substitution and molecular mass).Materials and methods. The study examined hypromellose phthalate samples isolated from enteric coatings of proton-pump inhibitors and used the reference standard for hypromellose phthalate. The non-stoichiometric composition of the polymer was determined by 13C NMR spectroscopy.Results. The authors established the conditions required to separate hypromellose phthalate from the other coating components and identified the characteristic 13C NMR signals that may be used to differentiate between the structural fragments of hypromellose phthalate. The study demonstrated the relationship between the dissolution rate and the structure of the polymer. Commercial grades of hypromellose phthalate were shown to differ in composition and, as a result, in their dissolution kinetics (in particular, the threshold pH for the onset of dissolution (5.0–5.5), as well as the dissolution rates at the same pH).Conclusions. The authors developed NMR-based procedures to determine the proportion of phthalate groups on the basis of their mass fraction in a weighted hypromellose phthalate sample and the degree of molar substitution of the polymer. The results support the applicability of these analytical procedures to the characterisation of sample composition in polymer dissolution rate studies. In principle, it is possible to derive a multiple linear regression equation that describes the dissolution rate of hypromellose phthalate as a function of the molecular mass and the molar substitution with phthalate groups. Further investigation of a larger number of polymer samples with different compositions is needed to improve the regression model and demonstrate its statistical significance. In addition to the proportion of phthalate groups, the pharmacopoeial analysis of hypromellose phthalate should also control the molecular mass of the polymer.

In the proposed work, we consider a heterogeneous queueing system with a Markov renewal process and an unlimited number of servers. The service time for requests on the servers is a positive random variable with an exponential probability distribution. The service parameters depend on the state of the Markov chain nested over the renewal moments. It should be noted that these parameters do not change their values until the end of maintenance. Thus, the devices in the system under consideration are heterogeneous. The object of the study is a multidimensional random process - the number of servers of each type being served with different intensities in the stationary regime. The method of asymptotic analysis under the condition of equivalent growing of service times in the units of servers is applied for the study. The method of asymptotic analysis is implemented in the construction of a sequence of asymptotic of increasing order, in which the asymptotic of the first order determines the asymptotic mean value of the number of occupied servers. The second-order asymptotic allows one to construct a Gaussian approximation of the probability distribution of the number of occupied servers in the system. It is shown that this approximation coincides with the Gaussian distribution.

Objectives: The most important phase in the endometrial pathologies diagnostics is the histological examination of tissue biopsies obtained under visual hysteroscopic control. However, the unclear visual diagnostics characteristics of subtle focal endometrial pathologies often lead to selection errors regarding suspicious endometrial lesions and to a subsequent false pathological diagnosis/underestimation of precancer or early-stage cancer. Methods: In this study, we investigate the potential of Multimodal Optical Coherence Tomography (MM OCT) to verify suspicious endometrial lesion regions before biopsy collection. We study the polarization (by cross-polarization OCT, CP OCT) and elastic (by compression OCT-elastography, C-OCE) properties of ex vivo endometrial tissue samples in normal conditions (proliferative and secretory phases to the menstrual cycle, atrophic endometrium) with endometrial hyperplasia (non-atypical and endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia) and endometrial cancer subtypes (low-grade, high-grade, clear cell and serous). Results: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first quantitative assessment of relevant OCT parameters (depth-resolved attenuation coefficient in co-[Att(co) values] and cross-[(Att(cross) values] polarizations and Young’s elastic modulus [stiffness values]) for the selection of the most objective criteria to identify the clinically significant endometrial pathologies: endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia and endometrial cancer. The study demonstrates the possibility of detecting endometrial pathologies and establishing optimal threshold values of MM OCT criteria for the identification of endometrial cancer using CP OCT (by Att(co) values = 3.69 mm−1, Sensitivity (Se) = 86.1%, Specificity (Sp) = 92.6%; by Att(cross) values = 2.27 mm−1, Se = 86.8%, Sp = 87.0%) and C-OCE (by stiffness values = 122 kPa, Se = 93.2%, Sp = 91.1%). The study also differentiates endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia from non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia and normal endometrium using C-OCE (by stiffness values = 95 kPa, Se = 87.2%, Sp = 90.1%). Conclusions: The results are indicative of the efficacy and potential of clinical implementation of in vivo hysteroscopic-like MM OCT in the diagnosis of endometrial pathologies.

CAR-T cells are in standard clinical use to treat relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies, such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Owing to the rapidly progressing field of CAR-T cell therapy and the lack of generally accepted treatment guidelines, we hypothesized significant differences between European centers in prevention, diagnosis and management of short- and long-term complications. To capture the current CAR-T cell management among EBMT centers and to determine the medical need and specific areas for future clinical research the EBMT Transplant Complications Working Party performed a survey among 227 EBMT CAR-T cell centers. We received complete servey answers from 106 centers (47%) addressing questions in the areas of product selection, CAR-T cell logistics, management of cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome as well as management in later phases including prolonged cytopenias. We identified common patterns in complication management, but also significant variety in clinical management of the centers in important aspects. Our results demonstrate a high medical need for treatment harmonization and future clinical research in the following areas: treatment of steroid-refractory and very severe CRS/neurotoxicity, treatment of cytopenia, early discharge and outpatient management, as well as immunoglobulin substitution.

Modeling of workflows of electromechanical systems with linear electromagnetic motors (LEMM) is an integral tool for their improvement in relation to discrete operations, processes and technologies of the agricultural industry or the processing of agricultural products. At the same time, the use of typical application packages for the construction and analysis of low-cost virtual models seems to be especially convenient and relevant. (The purpose of the study) To evaluate the influence of the characteristics of a hollow (non-magnetic) axial channel in the LEMM magnetic system on the allowable changes in the output indicators of the electromechanical system by virtual simulation. (Materials and Methods) Using the specialized software COMSOL Multiphysics 4.3b (CM) Matlab, Simulink, a model of an armored cylindrical two-gap LEMM with a variable geometry of a hollow (air) axial channel, which determines the characteristics of the motor magnetic system and its output energy indicators, is obtained and analyzed. (Results and discussion) Based on the results of the analysis of the inductance matrices formed by the CM simulation, the field distribution in the LEMM magnetic system is presented and the most stressed, in terms of induction values, sections of the magnetic circuit that contribute to the deterioration of the motor properties are identified. Integral indicators are given that determine the quantitative estimates of the permissible decrease in the output characteristics of a LEMM with an axial channel in a magnetic system. (Conclusions) By comparative analysis of the output static characteristics of the motor, the range of ratios of the annular section of the ferromagnetic - non-magnetic (axial channel) parts of the LEMM cylindrical armature is substantiated, for which an acceptable decrease in the output mechanical parameters of the system is provided.

Abstract The posttransplant relapse in Ph-positive ALL increases the risk of death. There is an unmet need for instruments to predict the risk of relapse and plan prophylaxis. In this study, we analyzed posttransplant data by machine learning algorithms. Seventy-four Ph-positive ALL patients with a median age of 30 (range 18–55) years who previously underwent allo-HSCT, were retrospectively enrolled. Ninety-three percent of patients received prophylactic/preemptive TKIs after allo-HSCT. The values of the BCR::ABL1 level at serial assessments and over variables were collected in specified intervals after allo-HSCT. They were used to model relapse risk with several machine-learning approaches. GBM proved superior to the other algorithms and provided a maximal AUC score of 0.91. BCR::ABL1 level before and after allo-HSCT, prediction moment, and chronic GvHD had the highest value in the model. It was shown that after Day + 100, both error rates do not exceed 22%, while before D + 100, the model fails to make accurate predictions. As a result, we determined BCR::ABL1 levels at which the relapse risk remains low. Thus, the current BCR::ABL1 level less than 0.06% in patients with chronic GvHD predicts low risk of relapse. At the same time, patients without chronic GVHD after allo-HSCT should be classified as high risk with any level of BCR::ABL1. GBM model with posttransplant laboratory values of BCR::ABL1 provides a high prediction of relapse after allo-HSCT in the era of TKIs prophylaxis. Validation of this approach is warranted.

Research objectives: This study investigates the development of the embassy service in the post-Horde states, with a specific focus on identifying its structure and analyzing its personnel composition. Research materials: The research primarily relies on the analysis of Russian embassy books and chronicles. Results and novelty of the research: The examination of Russian documents reveals that Khan’s embassies followed a three-part structure: Ambassador (elchi)-deputy (tet)-secretary (bakshi). The Russian chancellery was notably reluctant to use the term “tet,” likely because individuals with this title were responsible for collecting specific duties from Russian lands in favor of the Khan. It is possible that the Russian documents referred to the “tet” as a toll collector; in any case, we know that ambassadors could be accompanied by “toll collectors.” After 1475, these duties were abolished. In total, 7 mentions of Crimean tets and 6 Kazan tets were identified. References to baksheys in embassies are better preserved, with a total of 18 Crimean, 8 Kazan, 2 Nogai, and 1 Siberian bakshi identified. One of the primary responsibilities of baksheys was to compile a certificate. Thus, the observation of the embassy mission’s composition relies on source-based evidence. Even when there is no specific information about shoring, the mere presence of a bakshey serves as a reliable indicator that the outcome of the negotiations was expected to involve shoring. The study reveals that we can discuss the process of forming the diplomatic service in the post-Horde Chingisid states.

Scientific relevance. Hypromellose phthalate is used in enteric coatings for oral medicinal products. The proportion of phthalate groups in the polymer is standardised because it has a significant effect on solubility. Whereas, the molecular mass of hypromellose phthalate is not controlled, and its impact on solubility in media with different pH values is understudied.Aim. The study aimed to employ NMR spectroscopy to investigate the effect the molecular mass of hypromellose phthalate may have on the dissolution kinetics at the pH value declared by the polymer manufacturer.Materials and methods. The study analysed hypromellose phthalate isolated from proton-pump inhibitor enteric coatings and the hypromellose phthalate reference standard. The molecular mass of the polymer was estimated by diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) with polyethylene glycols of known molecular masses for calibration. The authors studied the dissolution profiles of hypromellose phthalates of different molecular masses using 1H NMR spectra.Results. The authors developed a procedure for estimating the average molecular mass of hypromellose phthalate by DOSY. The procedure showed variations in the molecular mass of the polymer in the test samples; the molecular mass scatter amounted to 10 kDa. The dissolution profile of the test samples in an aqueous buffer solution (pH 5.59) was described by a linear function during the first hour. The slope characterising the dissolution rate varied from 10° to 36°.Conclusions. The variation in the molecular mass of hypromellose phthalate significantly affects the dissolution rate of the test samples. The function of the dissolution rate against the molecular mass of hypromellose phthalate is non-linear. The article provides a compelling reason for further research to derive a correlation equation for the dissolution rate of hypromellose phthalate as a function of two variables (molecular mass and proportion of phthalate groups in the polymer).

Aim. To study demographic, clinical, serological and morphological features of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF), compare survival in IPAF and interstitial lung disease in connective tissue diseases (CTD-ILD), and identify predictors of mortality and transformation to CTD in the IPAF group. Materials and methods. The IPAF group included 48 patients (75.0% women, median age 57.5 years), CTD-ILD 49 patients (79.6% women, median age 60.0 years). The analysis of demographic, clinical, laboratory and instrumental data was performed, as well as comparison of survival with the KaplanMeier method and the log-rank test in the IPAF and CTD-ILD groups. In the IPAF group, predictors of mortality and the development of CTD were studied with multivariate regression analysis. Results. Duration of observation period did not differ significantly in the IPAF and CTD-ILD groups (40.0 and 37.0 months, respectively). Clinical criteria of IPAF were observed in 25 (52.1%) patients, serological in 44 (91.7%), morphological in 44 (91.7%). Mortality in the IPAF group was significantly higher than in the CTD-ILD group (29.2 and 6.1%, respectively; p=0.023). The presence of diabetes mellitus, CT-pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia, and an initial low forced vital capacity value were independent predictors of mortality in the IPAF group. During the observation period, the development of CTD was noted in 4 (8.3%) patients with IPAF. The independent predictor of the CTD development was the increased C-reactive protein level. Conclusion. IPAF is characterized by a lower survival rate compared to CTD-ILD, and a relatively low risk of CTD transformation.

Dose-intensive cytostatic therapy and antibiotic treatment in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) cause severe abnormalities in a composition of gut microbiota as well as the emergence of antibiotic resistance. The data on the longitudinal recovery of major bacterial phyla and the expansion of genes associated with antibiotic resistance are limited. We collected regular stool samples during the first year after allo-HSCT from 12 adult patients with oncohematological disorders after allo-HSCT and performed 16SrRNA sequencing, multiplex PCR, conventional bacteriology and CHROMagar testing. We observed a decline in Shannon microbiota diversity index as early as day 0 of allo-HSCT (p = 0.034) before any administration of antibiotics, which persisted up to 1 year after transplantation, when the Shannon index returned to pre-transplant levels (p = 0.91). The study confirmed the previously shown decline in Bacillota (Firmicutes) genera and the expansion of E. coli/Shigella, Klebsiella and Enterococci. The recovery of Firmicutes was slower than that of other phyla and occurred only a year post-transplant. A positive correlation was observed between the expansion of E. coli/Shigella genera and blaKPC, blaCTX-M-1 and blaTEM (p < 0.001), Klebsiella spp. and blaOXA-48-like, blaNDM, blaCTX-M-1, blaTEM, and blaSHV (p < 0.001), Pseudomonas spp. and blaNDM (p = 0.002), Enterococcus spp. and blaOXA-48-like, blaNDM, blaCTX-M-1, blaSHV (p < 0.01). The correlation was observed between the expansion of Enterobacterales and and carbapenemase-positive CHROMagar samples (p < 0.001). Samples positive for carbapenem-resitant bacteria were at their maximum levels on day +30, and were gradually diminishing one year after allo-HSCT. From day +30 to +60, all isolated K. pneumoniae strains in fecal samples proved to be resistant to the main antibiotic groups (carbapenems, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, third-generation cephalosporins). One year after HSCT, we documented the spontaneous decolonization of K. pneumoniae. The sensitivity of molecular biology techniques in the search for total and antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella seems to be superior to common bacteriological cultures. Future studies should be focused on searching for novel approaches to the efficient reconstitution and/or maintenance of strictly anaerobic microbiota in oncological patients.

Hypophosphatasia is rare genetic disease caused by tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase deficiency due to the mutation in the ALPL gene. Disease can manifest in utero, in childhood or in adults depending on its form and severity. This article presents modern data on the epidemiology, etiology, and clinical signs of hypophosphatasia in children, covers in details differential diagnostic search, and gives guidelines for its evidence-based treatment. Without timely treatment the prognosis of the disease is unfavorable in most cases. Such patients require follow-up by multidisciplinary team of physicians. The only effective method of treatment is enzyme replacement therapy with asfotase alfa. Symptomatic therapy is also crucial as well as physiotherapeutic procedures and therapeutic exercise programs (at rehabilitation stage).

Since 1950s corticosteroids (CS) have remained the cornerstone of immunosuppressive therapy for immune-mediated kidney diseases. However multiple adverse events, associated with the prolonged CS therapy, became the basis for the development of novel treatment approaches. Current evidence supports the implementation of the steroid-sparing regimens for the treatment of different types of glomerulonephritis. Randomised controlled trial PEXIVAS demonstrated the efficacy and safety of early steroid tapering, starting from the second week of therapy, in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis with kidney involvement. Several trials showed the efficacy of oral prednisolone 0.30.5 mg/kg/daily as a part of multitarget therapy for severe proliferative lupus nephritis. A combination of calcineurin inhibitors and low-dose CS are effective for remission induction in membranous nephropathy, as well as the steroid-free rituximab regimen for the patients with moderate risk of disease progression. Medium dose CS showed promising effect in patients with IgA-nephropathy. Long-term high dose CS remain the standard-of-care for the treatment of minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, however patients with steroid-dependent and relapsing disease tacrolimus and rituximab can help to achieve steroid-sparing effect. The role of CS pulse-therapy is currently debated, nevertheless it remains a compulsory treatment in several conditions. Thus, overall trend is directed towards the minimization of the maximal doses of CS and/or treatment duration. However, to implement this approach morphological verification of the diagnosis and personalized assessment of the potential risk and benefit are required.

Background. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a primary podocytopathy characterized by primary podocyte detection and high proteinuria. The search for biomarkers and factors associated with the progression of this disease is an important task nowdays. Aim. To assess the proteomic profile of urine in patients with FSGS and to isolate urinary biomarkers of podocytopathies. Materials and methods. The study included 41 patients diagnosed with chronic glomerulonephritis, 27 men and 14 women. According to the morphological study, 28 patients were diagnosed with FSGS, 9 with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome and 14 with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. The comparison group included 13 patients with membranous nephropathy. The study of the urinary proteome was carried out by targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry using multiple reaction monitoring with synthetic stable isotope labelled peptide standards. Results. The main differences in the protein profile of urine were found in the subgroups of steroid-sensitive (SS) and steroid-resistant (SR) FSGS. In the FSGS SR group, at the onset of the disease, there was a high concentration of proteins reflecting damage to the glomerular filter (apo-lipoprotein A-IV, orosomucoid, cadherin, hemopexin, vitronectin), as well as proteins associated with tubulo-interstitial inflammation and accumulation of extracellular matrix (retinol- and vitamin D-binding proteins, kininogen-1, lumican and neurophilin-2). Compared with the membranous nephropathy group, FSGS patients had significantly higher urinary concentrations of carnosinase, orosomucoid, cadherin-13, tenascin X, osteopontin, and zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein. Conclusion. Thus, in patients with SR FSGS, the proteomic profile of urine includes more proteins at elevated concentrations, which reflects severe damage to various parts of the nephron compared with patients with SS FSGS and membranous nephropathy.

Gentamicin sulfate is a broad-spectrum bactericidal aminoglycoside antibiotic produced by Micromonospora purpurea and used in clinical practice as an active substance containing a mixture of gentamicins C1 and C2. Gentamicin content is a standardised parameter controlled as part of a pharmaceutical product review. Currently, the quality control of the active substance gentamicin sulfate involves the use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the indirect identification of the component composition by comparison with a reference standard and for its quantification by calibration against the reference standard.The aim of the study was to develop a procedure for identifying and quantifying the components of the active substance gentamicin sulfate using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy that would not require reference standards.Materials and methods. The authors studied a sample of the active substance gentamicin sulfate using an Agilent DD2 NMR spectrometer operating at 600 MHz to record NMR spectra and an Agilent 1200 HPLC system equipped with a multiple wavelength detector (MWD) to obtain chromatograms.Results. Having determined the spectral properties of the C1, C1A, C2, C2A and C2B gentamicins comprising the active substance, the authors observed characteristic signals of the same type that corresponded to each of the gentamicins and did not overlap with other signals in the 1H and 13C spectra. These characteristic signals provided spectral markers indicative of the gentamicins of interest in the sample, with normalised integrated intensities equal to the mole fractions of the analytes. The authors compared NMR and HPLC measurements of the active substance composition.Conclusions. The authors developed a procedure for identifying and quantifying the constituents of the active substance gentamicin sulfate by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, which requires less effort than HPLC procedures and no reference standards for the intended applications.

Subject. In the face of significant change, with companies suspending or completely terminating their operations in the Russian Federation, there are supply and logistical challenges, and planning issues arise. It is still necessary to plan financial support for industries that are most likely to be affected by these changes. The changes affect not only the output, but also the employment and wages in the sectors. A comprehensive analysis of the developments is required to make the most effective decisions. In this study, we considered the relationship between sectors of the economy in terms of average wages, which is an important factor reflecting the development vector in the sector. Objectives. The purpose of the study was to analyse the specific features of the Russian labour market, based on average wages by sector and to identify similar sectors. Methodology. In the study, we used the classification of economic sectors based on the methodology developed by the Federal State Statistics Service. Throughout the study, the terms “economic sector” and “industry” are used as synonyms. The following scientific methods were used: measurement, description, and modelling. The research is based on reviewing topical scientific literature, both Russian and foreign. Results. We grouped economic sectors based on characteristics such as chained rate of increase, average rate of increase, minimum and maximum value, standard deviation, and the range of the studied time series. The resulting clusters reflect the specific features of the industries included, which supports the results of the analysis. Conclusions. The analysis revealed three clusters with industries sharing a common development dynamic. The first cluster includes industries that are part of the primary sector of the economy. The second cluster includes state-supported industries, while the third cluster represents industries that are part of the manufacturing sector.

The article summarizes the results of the All-Russian Scientific Conference with International Participation “Problems of Sarmatian Archeology and History” dedicated to the memory of Prof. Anatoly S. Skripkin. The leading theme of the conference is “Chronology and periodization of the Sauromat and Sarmatian cultures: Regional features”. The conference was held in Volgograd in May 2023 on the base of Volgograd State University.

Climate has changed sufficiently over the last 150 years and forced out upper treeline advance at the most studied sites around the world. The rate of advance has been extremely variable – from tens to hundreds meters in altitude. This is because the degree at which tree frontal populations respond to climate change depends on the complex interaction of biological and physical factors. The resulting stand pattern is the consequence of the interaction between dispersal and survival functions. A few publications have addressed the question of how this pattern is generated. In order to understand how the spatial structure of tree stands was formed at the upper limit of their distribution in the Ural Mountains, we assessed the distance and direction of dispersal of offspring from maternal individuals. We found that in frontal Larix sibirica Ledeb. populations, ‘effective’ dispersal of offspring ranges from 3 to 758 ​m (with a median of 20–33 ​m in open forest and 219 ​m in single-tree tundra in the Polar Urals and 107 ​m in open forest in the Northern Urals). We revealed that most of the offspring effectively dispersed not only in the direction of the prevailing winds, but also in the opposite direction up the slope, and the distance can reach 500–760 ​m. The data obtained can be used to develop an individual-based model which is capable of simulating in detail the dynamics of tree stands at the upper limit of their growth and reliably predicting the future position and pattern of treeline ecotone as growth conditions continue to improve in the face of observed climate change.

Neutral hydrogen (H i ) is the primary component of the cool interstellar medium (ISM) and is the reservoir of fuel for star formation. Owing to the sensitivity of existing radio telescopes, our understanding of the evolution of the ISM in galaxies remains limited, as it is based on only a few hundred galaxies detected in H i beyond the local Universe. With the high sensitivity of the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), we carried out a blind H i search, the FAST Ultra-Deep Survey, which extends to redshifts up to 0.42 and a sensitivity of 50 μ Jy beam ^−1 . Here, we report the first discovery of six galaxies in H i at z > 0.38. For these galaxies, the FAST angular resolution of ∼4′ corresponds to a mean linear size of $\sim 1.3\,{h}_{70}^{-1}\,$ Mpc. These galaxies are among the most distant H i emission detections known, with one having the most massive H i content ( ${10}^{10.93\pm 0.04}\,{h}_{70}^{-2}\,{M}_{\odot }$ ). Using recent data from the DESI survey and new observations with the Hale, Big Telescope Alt-azimuth, and Keck telescopes, optical counterparts are detected for all galaxies within the 3 σ positional uncertainty ( $0.5\,{h}_{70}^{-1}\,$ Mpc) and 200 km s ^−1 in recession velocity. Assuming that the dominant source of H i is the identified optical counterpart, we find evidence of evolution in the H i content of galaxies over the last 4.2 Gyr. Our new high-redshift H i galaxy sample provides the opportunity to better investigate the evolution of cool gas in galaxies. A larger sample size in the future will allow us to refine our knowledge of the formation and evolution of galaxies.

Background We previously reported that the “Endothelial Activation and Stress Index” (EASIX; ((creatinine×lactate dehydrogenase)÷thrombocytes)) measured before start of conditioning predicts mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) when used as continuous score. For broad clinical implementation, a prospectively validated EASIX-pre cut-off is needed that defines a high-risk cohort and is easy to use.Method In the current study, we first performed a retrospective cohort analysis in n=2022 alloSCT recipients and identified an optimal cut-off for predicting non-relapse mortality (NRM) as EASIX-pre=3. For cut-off validation, we conducted a multicenter prospective study with inclusion of n=317 first alloSCTs from peripheral blood stem cell in adult patients with acute leukemia, lymphoma or myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasms in the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation network.Results Twenty-three % (n=74) of alloSCT recipients had EASIX-pre ≥3 taken before conditioning. NRM at 2 years was 31.1% in the high EASIX group versus 11.5% in the low EASIX group (p

IntroductionExtracorporal Photophoresis (ECP) is in clinical use for steroid-refractory and steroid-dependent acute GVHD (SR-aGVHD). Based on recent Phase-III study results, ruxolitinib has become the new standard of care for SR-aGVHD. Our aim was to collect comparative data between ruxolitinib and ECP in SR-aGVHD in order to improve the evidence base for clinical decision making. MethodsWe asked EBMT centers if they were willing to participate in this study by completing a data form (Med-C) with detailed information on GVHD grading, -therapy, -dosing, -response and complications for each included patient.Results31 centers responded positively (14%) and we included all patients receiving alloSCT between 1/2017-7/2019 and treated with ECP or ruxolitinib for SR-aGVHD grades II-IV from these centers. We identified 53 and 40 patients with grades II-IV SR-aGVHD who were treated with ECP and ruxolitinib, respectively. We performed multivariate analyses adjusted on grading and type of SR-aGVHD (steroid dependent vs. refractory). At day+90 after initiation of treatment for SR-aGVHD we found no statistically significant differences in overall response. The odds ratio in the ruxolitinib group to achieve overall response vs. the ECP group was 1.13 (95% CI = [0.41; 3.22], p = 0.81). In line, we detected no statistically significant differences in overall survival, progression-free survival, non-relapse mortality and relapse incidence.DiscussionThe clinical significance is limited by the retrospective study design and the current data can’t replace prospective studies on ECP in SR-aGVHD. However, the present results contribute to the accumulating evidence on ECP as an effective treatment option in SR-aGVHD.

The relevance of the paper is defined by significant impact of financial shocks on various sectors of the Russian economy, which undermines the stability of the country’s economic system. Therefore, it is essential to study the sources of financial shocks, the mechanisms of their distribution and ways to manage them. The purpose of the paper is to specify the impact of financial stress on industrial stress in the Russian economy and to determine the role of monetary policy in their interaction. The novelty of the research consists in the development of a methodology for constructing financial and industrial stress indices, the establishment of the mechanism of their interaction under different monetary regimes of the central bank. The construction of stress indices is carried out on the basis of the selected indicators of the financial market and industrial sector of the economy, the use of the principal component analysis for their aggregation, and mathematical transformation of the first principal component. The direction of interaction between financial and industrial stress in the Russian economy is determined using the Granger causality test. The construction of autoregressive distributed lag models (ARDL models) allows estimating the impact of financial stress, as well as monetary policy parameters (the scale of lending by the central bank to commercial banks and the deviation of the central bank’s key rate from the market rate borrowing) on industrial stress in the Russian economy. The research results in estimates of the strength of the relationship between financial and industrial stress in the Russian economy in two periods: before the change in the monetary regime (2006 — end of 2014) and after the change in the monetary regime (end of 2014–2019). It is concluded that in the first period the impact of financial stress on industrial stress was faster and stronger. In the second period, the weakening and distancing of this influence in time is explained by the change of the monetary regime of the Bank of Russia, which indicates an increase in the effectiveness of the monetary policy instruments of the Bank of Russia to counter “financial contagion” of the industrial sector.

An increase in the yield of the main cereal crops in the context of global climate changes requires additional impacts on plants. Natural and synthetic plant growth regulators (PGRs) are used to increase plant productivity and reduce the injury level caused by abiotic stressors. There is a growing need for novel highly effective plant growth stimulants to exhibit their effects at low doses and to not pose an environmental threat or injury to the crop quality. The derivatives of sydnone imine (SI), a mesoionic heterocycle possessing a 1,2,3-oxadiazole core, have been used as medicines until now but have not been used for agricultural applications. Some SI derivatives have recently been found to exhibit PGR properties. Herein, we report on the study of the PGR potential of nine SI derivatives bearing variable substituents at N(3), C(4), and N6 positions of the heterocycle designed to disclose the “molecular structure-PGR activity” relationship in this family. The SI derivatives were used in a wide concentration range (10−9–10−4 mol/L) for a pre-sowing treatment of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., two cultivars) and maize (Zea mays L., two hybrids) seeds in germinating experiments. All compounds were found to affect the growth of the axial organs of germinants, with the growth-stimulating or -inhibitory effect as well as its rate being considerably different for wheat and maize and, in many cases, also for roots and shoots. In addition, a pronounced concentration dependence of the effect was disclosed for many cases. The features of the molecular structure of SIs affecting their growth-regulating properties were elucidated. Compounds 4, 6, 7, and 8, which had exhibited a growth-promoting effect in germinating experiments, were used at appropriate concentrations for pot experiments on the same crops. For all compounds, the experiments showed a stimulating effect on the growth of roots (up to 80%), shoots (up to 112%), leaf area (up to 113%), fresh weights of roots (up to 83%), and aerial parts of the plants (up to 87%) or only on some of these parameters. The obtained results show a healthy outlook for the use of SI derivatives as promoting agents for improving the growth of cereal crop plants.

A model of the movement of a robotic platform adapted to the conditions of an industrial orchard is proposed. (Research purpose) Development of a motion control system for an autonomous robotic wheeled platform based on inertial and satellite navigation and traversed path calculation, which will allow it to move in an apple orchard and automatically perform various technological operations, such as fertilization, growth diseases control of, fruit harvesting. (Materials and methods) A mathematical model was developed to control the movement of a robotic platform, taking into account the turning radii of three types, the length of the arc of the performed circle, the speed of movement in the garden plantation rows using a garden electronic map. The method used allows implementing a program for the robotic platform automatic movement around a typical orchard using a minimum set of sensors, significantly reducing the load on the onboard computer processor and memory. Software, developed in the Python programming language, enables plotting the robotic platform route, displaying the movement trajectory, and indicating the positioning accuracy at each point in relation to the trees in the garden plantation rows, the movement speed and the wheel rotation angle. (Results and discussion) The robotic platform managed to autonomously pass the preset routes, while the interaction of the software and the robotic platform hardware was provided. A field testing of the developed software was performed. (Conclusions) The specified accuracy of the robotic platform positioning was confirmed for the 3.5-meter aisles of intensive orchards. The maximum deviation from the task map using satellite and inertial navigation system was 164 millimeters, which complies with the agrotechnical requirements for mechanized fruit harvesting.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology, characterized not only by joint destruction, but also by visceral organ involvement. Interstitial lung disease is considered the most common and serious pulmonary complication of RA, with a prevalence of about 50% according to most studies. As a rule, involvement of the lungs occurs several years after the onset of RA. The article presents a description of a clinical case of the development of respiratory disorders (severe dyspnea) as early as a month after RA onset.

Objective – to evaluate the long-term outcomes of HCV eradication with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in patients with hepatitis C-associated cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (HCV-CV)Materials and methods. We retrospectively assessed 48 patients with HCV-CV treated with DAAs. The activity of HCV-CV was assessed by using Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score version 3 (BVAS v. 3). In patients with HCV-CV the rate of sustained virologic (defined as undetectable HCV-RNA levels 12 weeks after treatment cessation) and immunological (defined as absence of circulating cryoglobulins, rheumatoid factor and normal C4 level) response; and the rate of complete (defined by a BVAS v. 3 score of 0) and partial (defined as BVAS v. 3 score

Introduction. Modern transplantation and biological therapy methods are associated with a wide range of adverse events and complications. Incidence and variety of neurological complications mostly depend on myelo- and immunosuppression severity and duration as well as on donor's and recipient's characteristics. The most frequent complications involving the nervous system include neurotoxic reactions, infections, autoimmune and lymphoproliferative diseases, and dysmetabolic conditions as well as cerebrovascular complications that potentially affect transplantation outcomes. Objective. To evaluate the impact of post-transplantation cerebrovascular events (CVEs) on transplantation outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies. Materials and methods. We analyzed 899 transplantations performed at the Raisa Gorbacheva Memorial Research Institute for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Transplantation, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, from 2016 to 2018. We assessed transplantation parameters and donor's and recipient's characteristics by intergroup comparison, pseudo-randomization (propensity score matching), KaplanMeier survival analysis, and log-rank tests. Results. Post-transplantatively, CVEs developed in 2.6% (n = 23) of cases: 13 (1.4%) ischemic strokes and 11 (1.2%) hemorrhagic strokes or intracranial hemorrhages were diagnosed. CVEs developed on days 99.5 39.2 post hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). There were more patients with non-malignant conditions in the CVE group as compared to the non-CVE group (21.7% vs 7.9%; p = 0.017). Patients with CVE had a significantly lower Karnofsky index (75.6 21.3 vs 85.2 14.9; p = 0.008). Statistically, we also note some non-significant trends: patients with CVE more often underwent allogenic HSCT (82.6% vs 64.0%; p = 0.077) while donors were more often partially (rather than totally) HLA compatible for recipients (39.1% vs 21.1%; p = 0.33). Patients with CVE more often had a history of venous thromboses (13.3% vs 4.2%; p = 0.077). Post-HSCT stroke decreased post-transplantation longevity by approximately 3 times (331.8 81.6 vs 897.9 25.4 post HSCT; p = 0.0001). In the CVE group, survival during first 180 days post HSCT (landmarks post-HSCT Day+60 and Day+180) was significantly lower as compared to that in the CVE-free group. If CVE developed during first 30 days and 100 days post HSCT, vascular catastrophe did not affect post-HSCT survival significantly. Conclusion. Whereas ischemic stroke is a long-term HSCT complication (beyond D+100 post transplantation), hemorrhagic stroke is a short-term complication (D0D+100 post HSCT). CVEs affect survival in patients with hematologic malignancies, especially those developed between D+60 and D+180 post HSCT. History of venous abnormalities, low Karnofsky index at HSCT initiation, and the type of allogenic HSCT, especially from half-matched donors, can be considered as negative outcome risk factors in post-HSCT CVE.

The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of arterial lesions of various localizations in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) according to positron emission and computed tomography (PET/CT) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG).Methods. Patients over 50 years of age diagnosed with GCA (with or without polymyalgia rheumatica) were included in a retrospective study. Damage to extracranial arteries was assessed based on the accumulation of 18F-FDG in the walls of large vessels according to PET/CT data.Results. The study included 47 patients, 14 (30%) men and 33 (70%) women, with a median age of 65 [57; 68] years. In 32 (68%) patients, 18F-FDG-PET/CT was performed before the start of therapy with glucocorticosteroids (GCS), in 15 (32%) after the start of treatment. In 40 (91%) patients, signs of damage to extracranial vessels of various localization were revealed, most often in the thoracic and abdominal aorta (72% and 64%, respectively).Conclusions. According to 18F-FDG-PET/CT data, in most patients with GCA, not only the arteries of the head and neck, but also vessels of other localization are involved in the pathological process.

Rheumatoid factor became the first laboratory marker of rheumatoid arthritis and one of the first serological markers used to recognize the major autoimmune diseases. Details of the discovery with special regard to contribution of E. Waaler and H. Rose are presented in this historical review. Same assays used to exam the rheumatoid factor, its frequency and modern view on diagnostic significance in different diseases are described in this article.