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The concept of ecological niches plays an important role in the prediction of the potential distribution of species in an invasive range and in the development of strategies for managing the invasive process. To test the hypothesis, we used models of ecological niches of the 100 most dangerous invasive species in Russia. Our results show that invasive species occupy a position similar to their native niches in the space of predictor variables and there is a very limited expansion of niches in invasive part of the range. The results generally support the niche conservatism hypothesis. We also found important exceptional cases of rejection of this hypothesis. The key mechanisms that determine the niche conservation increase our confidence in the suitability of the proposed models to predict the response of species to global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metric studies of teeth is a rapidly developing direction in odontological research, which is supported by means of corresponding imaging techniques for obtaining detailed digital reconstructions, and by application of image analysis methods. The current article presents methodological extension of teeth 3D models' orientation tactics, which have been used in measurement techniques in dental, palaeoanthropological and palaeontological studies. Today image analysis has sufficient potential to perform orientation of teeth on the bases of their natural features; at the same time teeth possesses all necessary morphological structures for performing orientation on 3D reconstructions obtained by means of widely used today imaging techniques. Our aim is in providing an approach to orientation of teeth for its further use in morphologically relevant, accurate and applicable for various types of research, measurement techniques. The palaeoanthropological material presented in this paper, on which the proposed technique has been tested, is from territories of European part of Russian Federation and Republic of Armenia; it has been classified as related to the Middle Bronze Age, and is planned to be studied in a wider scope in the future. X-ray micro-focus tomography has been used for obtaining reconstructions of lower molars, which were segmented from semi-mandible 3D models. These teeth were used for setting vertical axis direction by means of surface curvature analysis and calculations based on points' coordinates, which delineate functionally and morphologically important parts of teeth. This approach to accurate and morphologically relevant orientation of the studied teeth uses more than one structure at a time for choosing correct orientation according to aims of research and features of the studied material. This provides the proposed technique necessary potential to be applied for measurements of teeth and studies of their functional changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Open access to occurrence records of the most dangerous invasive species in a standardised format have important potential applications for ecological research and management, including the assessment of invasion risks, formulation of preventative and management plans in the context of global climate and land use changes in the short and long perspective. The striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius Pallas, 1771) is a common species in the temperate latitudes of the Palaearctic. Due to land use and global climate changes, several waves of expansion of the range of this species have been observed or inferred. By intrusion into new regions, the striped field mouse has become an alien species there. Apodemus agrarius causes significant harm to agriculture and is one of the most important pests of grain crops. In tree nurseries, A. agrarius destroys seeds of valuable tree species and gnaws at the bark of saplings of broadleaf species and berry bushes. It is one of the most epidemiologically important rodents, involved in the circulation of the causative agents of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and many other zoonotic infections. The foregoing allows us to classify the striped field mouse as a dangerous invasive alien species in the expanding part of the range. A lot of data accumulated for this species are of interest from both ecological and applied points of view. The accumulation and aggregation of data on the occurrence records of A. agrarius is relevant for the study of ecology, biogeography and construction of the spatial distribution and ecological niche models in the context of global climate change. We have created a dataset of 1603 occurrence records of this species, collected from 1936 to December 2020 by various zoologists, previously published or original. These records relate to a significant part of the striped field mouse's range in Russia (1264 records) and neighbouring countries (339 records). The dataset shows the position of the northern and central parts of A. agrarius range, the disjunction of the range in Transbaikalia and isolated populations in the north of the range. The data were obtained in different formats from literature, indicating different degrees of accuracy of geographic coordinates and with several variations of the species' name. In the process of aggregating and fixing errors, we created a set of georeferenced occurrence records, adopted a controlled vocabulary, removed duplicates and standardised the format of records using unified data structure. We examined the dataset for inconsistencies with the taxonomic position of A. agrarius and removed the incorrect records. This paper presents the resulting dataset of A. agrarius occurrence records in the territory of Russia and neighbouring countries in a standardised format. New information This is a validated and comprehensive dataset of occurrence records of A. agrarius, including both our own observations and records from literature. This dataset is available for extension by other researchers using a standard format in accordance with Darwin Core standards. In different countries, there are a lot of occurrence records for the striped field mouse, but the overwhelming part of them is presented in separate literary sources, stored in the form of maps and in zoological collections. Prior to this project, such information was not available to a wide range of researchers and did not allow the use of these spatial data for further processing by modern methods of analysis, based on geographic information systems (GIS technologies). The created dataset combines species occurrence records of many Soviet zoologists who studied the distribution of the striped field mouse over a significant part of its recent range, in Russia and neighbouring countries (within the former USSR). The final set of records was created by combining the species occurrence records using a uniform data structure, checking geographic coordinates and removing duplicate and erroneous records. The dataset expands the available information on the spatial and temporal distribution of the dangerous invasive species in Russia and neighbouring countries of the former USSR (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the relationships between arterial stiffness, frailty and fall-related injuries among community-dwelling older adults.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of a random sample of older adults aged 60 years and older was conducted. Main study parameters: arterial stiffness was measured by the determining the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI); Frailty status was defined using a 7-item frailty screening scale, developed in Russia. This questionnaire included question about falls and fall-related injuries. Orthostatic test and anthropometric tests were done. Medical history (comorbidity, medications), the Osteoporosis Self-assessment Tool (OST), nutritional, physical, cognitive and functional status were evaluated.Results: The study population included 163 people aged 60-89 years. The average predicted value of CAVI in women aged 60-69 was 9.13 ± 0.13, in men, 9.49 ± 0.05; in women aged 70-79, it was 9.49 ± 0.16, in men, 9.73 ±0.11; in women aged 80 and older it was 10.04 ±0.18, in men, 10.24 ±0.10 units. The CAVI above the predicted value was associated with fall-related injuries even after adjustment for age, sex, use of β-blockers (BBs), history of stroke, and region of residence with the odds ratio 3.52 (95% CI: 1.03 -12.04).Conclusion: Our study revealed an independent association between arterial stiffness and fall-related injuries in older adults over 60 years. The findings suggest that clinicians, especially geriatricians, should pay attention to arterial stiffness of patients with fall-related injuries. Similarly, the patients with CAVI above age-predicted value should be evaluated for risk of falls for prevention of fall-related injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The t-complex includes a complex system of genes localized in the proximal region of chromosome 17 of house mouse Mus musculus. The results of microsatellite analysis of laboratory stocks of house mice carrying t12, tw5, tw12, and tw73 haplotypes and wild mice from natural populations of Russia (Volgograd, Rostov, Saratov oblasts, and Kalmykia), Armenia, Bulgaria, Iran, and Mongolia performed by the PCR method with the use of eight pairs of D17Mit primers (16, 21, 23, 28, 32, 57, 63, 78) are presented. These pairs of primers amplify microsatellite DNA sequences on mouse chromosome 17 in the region from 7.6 to 18.8 cM that correspond to inversions (In (17) 3.4). Each pair of primers recognized three to six variants of nucleotide sequences ranging in size from 90–120 bp (D17Mit 16) to 300–330 bp (D17Mit 57). In most cases, two variants of nucleotide sequences were detected in each individual, i. e., most individuals were heterozygous for the microsatellite loci under study. The highest similarity of the spectra of microsatellite DNA fragments was revealed in laboratory stocks of house mice carrying the tw5 and tw73 haplotypes. The spectra of animals from the Rostov and Volgograd oblasts appeard to be most similar to them. The microsatellite spectra of individuals from Iran closely resemble the spectrum of an individual from Armenia. It was demonstrated that amplified microsatellite fragments localized in the region of the t-complex can be used to identify representatives of the Mus genus from wild populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the introduction of the norms of social justice and transplantation in economic relations of Russia. It discusses the importance of the institution of social justice in economic relations in the country's system of socioeconomic institutions. It provides the significant role of the institutional mechanism in ensuring social justice in economic relations carried out by its two main whereas the economic subject should upgrade his competitiveness and should be motivated to stick to the principles of social justice.

Discusses the dependence of the seasonal dynamics of movements of female polar bears in the Russian Arctic on their reproductive status based on satellite biotelemetry data. Measurement of the seasonal activity of polar bears; Significance of differences between mean distances traveled by different groups of bears; Results of comparative analysis of total seasonal movements.

Strengthening of foundations by the jet technique, which is not traditional in our country, has made it possible over short periods to carry out large work volumes without uncovering old foundations in the reconstruction of a deformed historic building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulated population dynamics of Eurasian and North American beavers in 6 habitats of European Russia • Two-species model predicts the outcome of interactions between beavers. • Case study concerns the competition between the native (Cf) and alien (Cc) species. • The model is calibrated on survey data of Cf population dynamics in 6 Reserves. • The Reserves are located in the north, south, and central part of the Cf range. • Model predicts the exclusion of Cf by Cc in all Reserves, at various exclusion times. Our goal is to assess consequences of the introduction of alien North American (Castor öanadensis (Cc)) beaver into the Nature Reserves inhabited by Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber (Cf)) in European Russia using a mathematical model. For this reason, we have developed a two-species model of population dynamics. Long-term (1934–2015) monitoring data on Cf population dynamics in six Nature Reserves are used in computer modelling of competitive interactions between native Cf and alien Cö. The Reserves are located in the European part of Russia in the north, south, and central part of Cf range. We have simulated the dynamics of both species populations after the introduction of Cö into the habitats occupied by Cf. The model demonstrates that Cf is displaced by Cc in all the Reserves after the introduction of 2 – 24 individuals of Cö. However, the duration of exclusion of one species by the other varies as a function of ecological conditions, initial number of individuals, and fecundities. Our model shows that, in case of introduction of 12 Cö beavers, the size of Cf population starts to decrease after 31–146 years as a result of competition. We study the conditions providing the coexistence of both species and find that Cö population dynamics after Cf exclusion can be described by four patterns: irruptive (Lapland Reserve), single-stage (Prioksko-Terrasny Reserve), multi-stage (Darwin, Central-Forest, and Khoper Reserves) and logistic population growth (Oka Reserve). Species biology in terms of the fecundity, family size, rate of individual development until sexual maturity, life-span, and the age structure of populations are compared between species to detect the mechanisms providing the competitive advantage of Cö over Cf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cicatricial deformity of the uterine cervix is a relevant and understudied problem in medicine. It is important to conduct preoperative preparation aimed at creating a favorable background for operative treatment as well as to conduct post-operative treatment for improving and accelerating the reparative processes. Objective: Improving the results of surgical treatment of cicatricial deformity of the uterine cervix with the help of preoperative preparation and evaluating the efficiency of application of the Flamena gel complex in the post-operative period. Method: There were 30 patients having cicatricial deformity of the uterine cervix aged 25 to 45 under observation. With all patients, the clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination was conducted which included: microscopic examination of the intensity of leukocytosis in the vaginal and cervical secretion, cytological examination, bacteriological inoculation from the cervical canal, the PCR method test for sexually transmitted infections (the STIs), detection of the human papillomavirus, the content of immunoglobulines (IgA, IgG, IgM) in the venous blood serum and in the mucous secretion of the cervical canal, colposcopy, ultrasonography, and histological examination of the uterine cervix. Results: After normalizing the biocenosis of the vagina, the Superlimf 25 units immunomodulating agent was prescribed to all patients, as another preoperative preparation stage. Then surgical treatment was performed. In the post-operative period, the Flamena gel complex was prescribed. The combined therapy contributed to improving the results of the surgical treatment. Conclusion: The algorithm suggested by the authors which includes preoperative preparation, surgical treatment and post-operative care can be used as an integrated approach to the management of patients having cicatricial deformity of the uterine cervix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) is one of the regions where the HIV epidemic continues to grow at a concerning rate. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage in EECA countries has significantly increased during the last decade, which can lead to an increase in the risk of emergence, transmission, and spread of HIV variants with drug resistance (DR) that cannot be controlled. Because HIV genotyping cannot be performed in these countries, data about HIV DR are limited or unavailable., Objectives: To monitor circulating HIV-1 genetic variants, assess the prevalence of HIV DR among patients starting antiretroviral therapy, and reveal potential transmission clusters among patients in six EECA countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan., Materials and Methods: We analyzed 1071 HIV-1 pol-gene fragment sequences (2253-3369 bp) from patients who were initiating or reinitiating first-line ART in six EECA counties, i.e., Armenia (n = 120), Azerbaijan (n = 96), Belarus (n = 158), Russia (n = 465), Tajikistan (n = 54), and Uzbekistan (n = 178), between 2017 and 2019. HIV Pretreatment DR (PDR) and drug resistance mutation (DRM) prevalence was estimated using the Stanford HIV Resistance Database. The PDR level was interpreted according to the WHO standard PDR survey protocols. HIV-1 subtypes were determined using the Stanford HIV Resistance Database and subsequently confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Transmission clusters were determined using Cluster Picker., Results: Analyses of HIV subtypes showed that EECA, in general, has the same HIV genetic variants of sub-subtype A6, CRF63_02A1, and subtype B, with different frequencies and representation for each country. The prevalence of PDR to any drug class was 2.8% in Uzbekistan, 4.2% in Azerbaijan, 4.5% in Russia, 9.2% in Armenia, 13.9% in Belarus, and 16.7% in Tajikistan. PDR to protease inhibitors (PIs) was not detected in any country. PDR to nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) was not detected among patients in Azerbaijan, and was relatively low in other countries, with the highest prevalence in Tajikistan (5.6%). The prevalence of PDR to nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) was the lowest in Uzbekistan (2.8%) and reached 11.1% and 11.4% in Tajikistan and Belarus, respectively. Genetic transmission network analyses identified 226/1071 (21.1%) linked individuals, forming 93 transmission clusters mainly containing two or three sequences. We found that the time since HIV diagnosis in clustered patients was significantly shorter than that in unclustered patients (1.26 years vs 2.74 years). Additionally, the K103N/S mutation was mainly observed in clustered sequences (6.2% vs 2.8%)., Conclusions: Our study demonstrated different PDR prevalence rates and DR dynamics in six EECA countries, with worrying levels of PDR in Tajikistan and Belarus, where prevalence exceeded the 10% threshold recommended by the WHO for immediate public health action. Because DR testing for clinical purposes is not common in EECA, it is currently extremely important to conduct surveillance of HIV DR in EECA due to the increased ART coverage in this region., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.