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The Russian federal policy in the Arctic has stimulated a significant intensification of economic activity over a vast territory. We identified the system of Arctic investment projects: projects on the Arctic land and on the continental shelf, infrastructure initiatives. This problem is particularly relevant because it relied on borrowing foreign production potential before the start of the economic confrontation with the West. Simultaneously little attention was paid to the development of their own technological solutions. It is determined that in the current conditions for the Russian economy, the issue of maintaining the realistic plans for the development of the Arctic without foreign partners is extremely important. The paper examines the support for designated projects (mining, offshore, oil and gas), public-private partnerships in the implementation of Arctic infrastructure initiatives (the Northern Latitudinal Railway, the Northern Sea Route). It is emphasized that despite all the economic difficulties in 2022, the implementation of the largest Arctic investment projects continues as planned. The author concludes that the pace of their implementation may be lower than previously planned. The research results have show that special attention to the development of own production capacities is needed, the creation of an «Arctic section» in the Plan of Priority Actions to ensure the development of the Russian economy in the face of external sanctions pressure, and to combine the efforts of the state and business.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) causes 1.6 million deaths annually. Active tuberculosis correlates with a neutrophil-driven type I interferon (IFN) signature, but the cellular mechanisms underlying tuberculosis pathogenesis remain poorly understood. We found that interstitial macrophages (IMs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are dominant producers of type I IFN during Mtb infection in mice and non-human primates, and pDCs localize near human Mtb granulomas. Depletion of pDCs reduces Mtb burdens, implicating pDCs in tuberculosis pathogenesis. During IFN-driven disease, we observe abundant DNA-containing neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) described to activate pDCs. Cell-type-specific disruption of the type I IFN receptor suggests that IFNs act on IMs to inhibit Mtb control. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) indicates that type I IFN-responsive cells are defective in their response to IFNγ, a cytokine critical for Mtb control. We propose that pDC-derived type I IFNs act on IMs to permit bacterial replication, driving further neutrophil recruitment and active tuberculosis disease.

The article is devoted to the foreign policy views of Prince Vladimir P. Meshchersky (1839–1914), a famous Russian conservative political writer. Three articles by Meshchersky are introduced into scientific circulation. They were published on the eve of the First World War in the Vienna newspaper Neue Freie Presse and aimed at changing public opinion in Austria-Hungary regarding the foreign policy of the Russian emperor. Wishing to prevent the impending military conflict with Germany and Austria-Hungary, the prince sought to convince readers of the influential Vienna newspaper of the indifference of a significant part of Russian society to the Balkan issue, the absence of Germanophobia among most representatives of the Russian elite, and peacefulness of the tsar and the Russian Foreign Ministry. Laying the main blame for the aggravation of Russo-German relations on the nationalist-minded press, which formed the public opinion of European countries, as well as on the adventurism of Balkan politicians, Meshchersky called on Vienna and Berlin to be reasonable, convincing them that an alliance between Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey should be the guarantor of European peace and the pacification of the Balkans. It is shown that the series of articles by Meshchersky, published in German a few months before the outbreak of World War I, largely coincided with the theses of the famous P. Durnovo Memorandum as well as with the views of a significant part of the Russian right-wingers of the early 20th century who opposed the aggravation of relations with Germany and Austria-Hungary over the Balkan issue and preferred good-neighborly relations with these countries. Meshchersky’s articles are also of undoubted interest as one of the latest attempts by the Russian conservative camp to change the foreign policy course taken by St Petersburg, Berlin, and Vienna. Meshchersky’s publications in the Austrian press are interesting for many valuable observations and are a vivid illustration of the pre-war sentiments of the part of Russian society that made desperate attempts to prevent Russia from being drawn into conflict with continental European monarchies on the eve of the war.

Introduction. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Russian Federation, comprehensive response measures were taken. One of these measures was the development of a viral genome aggregation platform (VGARus) to monitor virus variability. The aim of this paper is to describe the role of the VGARus platform in tracking genetic variation in SARS-CoV-2. Materials and methods. VGARus utilizes sequencing data and bioinformatics tools to monitor genetic variations in SARS-CoV-2. The viral genomes were aligned using NextClade, which also translated them into amino acids and identified mutations. The viral variability over time was analyzed by counting the number of amino acid changes compared to the reference sequence. Results. The analysis of data within VGARus enabled the identification of new virus variants, contributing to improved diagnostic tests and vaccine development. The platform allowed for the prediction of epidemiologic trends, facilitating a rapid response to changes in the epidemiologic situation. For example, using VGARus, an increase in COVID-19 incidence was accurately predicted in the summer of 2022 and early 2023, which were associated with the emergence of Omicron subvariants BA.5 and XBB. Data from the platform helps validate the effectiveness of primers and DNA probes to ensure high diagnostic accuracy and reduce the risk of false negatives. Conclusion. VGARus demonstrates the growing role of genomic surveillance in combating COVID-19 and improving preparedness for future infectious disease outbreaks. The platform is a powerful tool for generating evidence-based solutions to combat a pandemic and mitigate its health, economic and societal impacts. It provides the ability to promptly obtain information on the epidemiologic situation in a particular region of the Russian Federation, use genomic data for phylogenetic analysis, compare the mutational spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 sequences with foreign samples. VGARus data allow for both retrospective analysis and predictive hypotheses. For example, we can clearly see the dynamics of the change of different virus variants: sequences belonging to the Alpha, Beta, Delta, Omicron lineages and many less common ones, clearly form the upsurges of morbidity, the interaction of which is reflected in the epidemiological picture. It is also currently being expanded to monitor other pathogens, increasing its public health relevance.

The incidence of extended ureteral strictures has been on the rise in the past decade. This increase is attributed to the growing number of endoscopic surgeries, expanded criteria for surgical treatment of cancer patients, and complications from radiation therapy. When correcting an extended ureteral stricture, if there is a lack of urinary system tissues to replace the defect or if they are involved in the pathological process, replacement reconstruction using a segment of small or large intestine becomes necessary. Options for ureteral reconstructions using ileum and colon sections were discussed, as well as the use of the appendix as a graft. Data on the effectiveness and frequency of postoperative complications were analysed, and the pros and cons of different surgical techniques for ureteroplasty were evaluated. It is necessary to conduct further scientific and practical research and evaluation of long-term results to solve the remaining unclear problems and to inform the doctors of our country about the existence of this pathology.

Introduction. Renal colic during pregnancy is a common cause of pain in the lower back. Currently, with a diagnosed kidney or ureter stone, the standard treatment is serial drainage of the urine tract using an internal ureter stent, with replacement of the drainage before delivery, followed by surgery to remove the stone after delivery.Objective. To study the effectiveness and safety of ureteroscopic interventions in the treatment of urolithiasis in pregnant women in comparison with the method of serial drainage of the upper urinary tract during gestation followed by surgical treatment of urolithiasis 4 weeks after delivery.Materials & methods. The study group consisted of 119 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of urolothiasis using instrumental diagnostic methods and a gestational age up to and including the 27th week. Two groups were formed based on treatment approaches for urolithiasis: group 1 included 59 patients (49.6%) who underwent surgical removal of the stone; group 2 included 60 patients (50.4%) who underwent internal ureteral stent replacement every 4 – 6 weeks prior to delivery and subsequent ureteroscopy There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, or number of pregnancies between the two groups.Results. The frequency of complete stone removal in groups 1 and 2 was 96.6 and 96.7%, respectively. The median amount of time spent on urolithiasis treatment in groups 1 and 2 was 60 [45; 72] and 97 [54; 105] minutes, respectively (p = 0.002). Migration of the ureteral stent in group 2 was observed in 13.3% of cases (p = 0.05). Among group 1 patients who underwent ureteroscopic intervention aimed at stone removal, the incidence of internal drainage dislocation was 3.4%. Encrustation of the ureteral stent in groups 1 and 2 was observed among 2 (3.4%) and 17 (28.3%) patients, respectively (p < 0.001). The bed-day (median time in days spent in hospital for drainage replacement and time of surgical treatment of urolithiasis) in groups 1 and 2 was four and eight days, respectively (p < 0.05). The frequency of natural childbirth in groups 1 and 2 was 81.35% and 55.0%, respectively (p = 0.002).Conclusion. Urolithiasis among pregnant women is a complex multifactorial disease that affects not only the health of the mother, but also the condition of the developing foetus. It is possible to perform surgical treatment with high efficiency and low complication rate, which improves the quality of life.

Introduction. Circumcision is one of the most common surgical procedures for men. WHO programs aimed at reducing HIV transmission have led to the development of various circumcision devices designed to standardize surgical techniques, reduce operating time and the number of complications.Objective. To examine available data on the efficacy and safety of different methods of device-based circumcision.Materials & methods. The results of a search in scientific databases such as eLibrary and PubMed were analyzed using the keywords: "circumcision", "circumcision device", and "phimosis". The search was conducted without regard to date or language of publication. After reviewing the literature, 25 articles were selected that best reflect the topic of device-assisted circumcision for further analysis.Results. Device-based circumcision can significantly reduce surgical time, regardless of the type of device used. Device-based circumcision is the safe treatment method; however, it may have a higher incidence of adverse events compared to the standard circumcision technique. The use of self-suturing devices is preferred over ring devices due to fewer complications, better cosmetic results, and greater patient satisfaction. The article is supplemented with a description of the surgical technique of various options for device-based circumcision.Conclusion. Device-based circumcision is effective and safe treatment method on an outpatient basis, which successfully competes with conventional circumcision of the foreskin.

Introduction. The use of oral mucosa in augmentation and replacement urethroplasty is the gold standard for several reasons. Most commonly, the mucous membrane of the cheek, the underside of the tongue or lip is employed. Assessing postoperative complications in the donor area is crucial as it impacts patients' quality of life.Objective. To evaluate early and late postoperative changes in the donor area after oral graft extraction for urethroplastyMaterials & methods. A retrospective analysis of the results of surgical treatment using oral mucosa from 2017 to 2022 was carried out. The study included 65 patients. The intensity of pain syndrome in the graft sampling area was assessed by patients on a visual analog scale (VAS). The donor area was sutured only in the case of tongue and lip mucosa sampling.Results. The mucous membrane of the oral cavity was harvested from different sites in 65 patients. Specifically, it was taken from the inside of the cheek in 49 patients (75.38%), from both inner sides of the cheeks in 13 (20.0%), the lower lip in two (3.07%) and the lower surface of the tongue in one (1.54%) patient, respectively. On the first day after surgery, the median pain level according to VAS was 4 points (range: 2 – 7), at the time of discharge — 3 points (1 – 6). After 120 days, a follow-up examination showed a regression of pain symptoms: the median was 0 points (0–1). In the late postoperative period, incomplete opening of the mouth was recorded in two patients (3.07%), cosmetic defect in the donor area in two (3.07%), discomfort during meals in six (9.23%), impaired sensitivity in the donor area in two (3.07%), exacerbation of chronic stomatitis and hypersalivation in two (3.07%) patients, respectively.Conclusion. The incidence of complications in the donor area is low, but for some patients this can result in a reduced quality of life. Using proper technique when extracting oral mucosa grafts reduces pain and the likelihood of early- and late-stage postoperative complications in this area.

VR-based technologies are in demand in modern education. They create virtual environment and simulate processes similar to real ones. As a result, students can practice actions that form and consolidate the necessary competencies. This article describes the possibilities of using virtual reality to teach food-industry university students to design production sites, e.g., an independent virtual simulation where students could work on their own projects and developments. The proposed technology offers an improved import-substituting software that creates realistic models of food production, e.g., virtual food processing workshops where students could test and improve their skills in dealing with key parameters and technological processes. The program recreates technological solutions in virtual reality, which simplifies, speeds up, and reduces the cost of developing skills in production site design. This application is the most promising direction for VR technology in education. The software product was developed in the VR laboratory of Kemerovo State University. It allows students to design industrial buildings of various sizes, workshops, and production facilities of various capacities, as well as public catering places and their interior, open public spaces, e.g., city parks, etc. The product has a database for storing and using education materials, design blanks, and ready-made 3D models of equipment created in Unreal Engine. The 3D model database contains digital models of real-life devices and equipment used at food industry enterprises. The projects can be displayed in a visual digital environment to study the principles of equipment operation, monitor and change their parameters, and simulate faults and deviations. The database makes it possible to design small enterprises and large industrial complexes for food production in virtual environment.

Human capital depends on many variables, e.g., financial crises, state economy, education, geopolitical conflicts, competition, etc. The article introduces various tools that could increase the efficiency of human capital in industrial enterprises, as well as determines corporate activities that increase organizational stability. The author used standard research methods to identify the features of corporate culture in small businesses and big corporations. The analysis relied on the minimal and maximal investments that improve the quality of human capital. It resulted in a set of recommendations for improving corporate policy. The review part covered the best practices for improving the personnel management efficiency. The article describes the early personnel improvement projects, the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning on the automation of employee activities, the informal connections in sustainable corporate culture, the current demands of Russian business for better performance, etc. Russian companies are facing global challenges, e.g., increasing their automation while retaining and retraining experienced employees. Employers have to reduce the risks of staff outflow by investing in the internal corporate processes.