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New risks make bank marketing especially relevant in modern conditions, e.g., COVID-19 restrictions, political issues, economic sanctions, etc. These risks affect the activities of banks, which have to look for new ways to create and promote their services and products. Bank products are quite peculiar: on the one hand, they are difficult to perceive by potential customers; on the other hand, digital technologies provide banks with additional promotion andexpansion opportunities. Global trends in bank marketing include such new technologies as artificial intelligence and digital platforms, new mobile applications, new sales channels and competition with other banks in this sphere, cybersecurity, winning the trust of customers, etc. New risks force banks to fight for customers and expand their market share using bank marketing concepts and tools. Digital marketing includes not only new promotion channels but also such new approaches as brand performance. Banks strive to meet customers halfway and to conquer new age groups by using gamification and financial education. The authors used the 7P marketing model to analyze AO Bank.DOM.RF as an average Russian bank and to recommend new options of bank marketing in practice. The analysis included strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

We previously demonstrated that boundary cap neural crest stem cells (BCs) induce the proliferation of beta-cells in vitro, increase survival of pancreatic islets (PIs) in vivo after transplantation, and themselves strongly increase their proliferation capacity after exposure to space conditions. Therefore, we asked if space conditions can induce the proliferation of beta-cells when PIs are alone or together with BCs in free-floating or 3D-printed form. During the MASER 15 sounding rocket experiment, half of the cells were exposed to 6 min of microgravity (µg), whereas another group of cells were kept in 1 g conditions in a centrifuge onboard. The proliferation marker EdU was added to the cells just before the rocket reached µg conditions. The morphological assessment revealed that PIs successfully survived and strongly proliferated, particularly in the free-floating condition, though the fusion of PIs hampered statistical analysis. Proliferation of beta-cells was displayed in 3D-printed islets two weeks after µg exposure, suggesting that the effects of µg may be delayed. Thus, PIs in 3D-printed scaffolds did not fuse, and this preparation is more suitable than free-floating specimens for morphological analysis in µg studies. PIs maintained their increased proliferation capacity for weeks after µg exposure, an effect that may not appear directly, but can emerge after a delay.

Exposure to microgravity (μg) results in a range of systemic changes in the organism, but may also have beneficial cellular effects. In a previous study we detected increased proliferation capacity and upregulation of genes related to proliferation and survival in boundary cap neural crest stem cells (BC) after MASER14 sounding rocket flight compared to ground-based controls. However, whether these changes were due to μg or hypergravity was not clarified. In the current MASER15 experiment BCs were exposed simultaneously to μg and 1 g conditions provided by an onboard centrifuge. BCs exposed to μg displayed a markedly increased proliferation capacity compared to 1 g on board controls, and genetic analysis of BCs harvested 5 h after flight revealed an upregulation, specifically in μg-exposed BCs, of Zfp462 transcription factor, a key regulator of cell pluripotency and neuronal fate. This was associated with alterations in exosome microRNA content between μg and 1 g exposed MASER15 specimens. Since the specimens from MASER14 were obtained for analysis with 1 week’s delay, we examined whether gene expression and exosome content were different compared to the current MASER15 experiments, in which specimens were harvested 5 h after flight. The overall pattern of gene expression was different and Zfp462 expression was down-regulated in MASER14 BC μg compared to directly harvested specimens (MASER15). MicroRNA exosome content was markedly altered in medium harvested with delay compared to directly collected samples. In conclusion, our analysis indicates that even short exposure to μg alters gene expression, leading to increased BC capacity for proliferation and survival, lasting for a long time after μg exposure. With delayed harvest of specimens, a situation which may occur due to special post-flight circumstances, the exosome microRNA content is modified compared to fast specimen harvest, and the direct effects from μg exposure may be partially attenuated, whereas other effects can last for a long time after return to ground conditions.

Recently, the frequency of treatment of patients with various deformities of the anterior abdominal wall has increased dramatically. Abdominoplasty is a large-scale surgical intervention that entails a number of complications, such as impaired lymphatic drainage, chronic seroma, the formation of “dog ears”, displacement of the navel from the central line. A technology of Scarpa’s fascia preservation (SFP) has been developed to prevent these complications. The aim of this work is to study the effectiveness of treating patients with correction of the tissues of the anterior abdominal wall using SFP technology in comparison with standard abdominoplasty.Material and мethods. The study involved 30 males and females aged 35 to 60 years with class I-II obesity who underwent complex plastic surgery of the anterior abdominal wall. Patients were divided into 2 groups of 15 people: in the 1st group, classical abdominoplasty was performed, in the 2nd, complex plastic surgery of the anterior abdominal wall using SFP technology. Observation of the patients took place in the early and late postoperative periods.Results. Group 2 patients lacked both early postsurgical and chronic seromas, did not develop so-called “dog ears”, which indicates the most favorable course of the postoperative rehabilitation period and the achievement of the best aesthetic results. Also, when using the SFP technology, there were no longterm inflammatory processes, the amount of postoperative exudative fluid in the drains decreased, the pain syndrome was significantly lower, and earlier restoration of the sensitivity of the anterior abdominal wall was noted in comparison with patients who underwent classical abdominoplasty. Complex plastic surgery of the anterior abdominal wall using SFP technology makes it possible to reduce the intensity of pain on the first day by 1.75 times (to 4 ± 1 points, p ≤ 0.05), to speed up the removal of drains (reduce the duration of exudation) by 3 times (to 16 ± 1 h, p ≤ 0.05). According to the BODY-Q scale, in the main group, satisfaction with the aesthetic result was 2 times higher than in the comparison group.Conclusions. Complex anterior abdominal wall plastics with Scarpa’s fascia preservation has a number of significant advantages over classical abdominoplasty.

Bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus are significant challenge for medicine, as many species are resistant to multiple antibiotics and some are even to all of the antibiotics we use. One of the approaches to developing new therapeutics to treat staphylococcal infections is the use of bacteriophages specific to these bacteria or the lytic enzymes of such bacteriophages, which are capable of hydrolyzing the cell walls of these bacteria. In this study, a new bacteriophage vB_SepP_134 (St 134) specific to Staphylococcus epidermidis was described. This podophage, with a genome of 18,275 bp, belongs to the Andhravirus genus. St 134 was able to infect various strains of 12 of the 21 tested coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species and one clinical strain from the Staphylococcus aureus complex. The genes encoding endolysin (LysSte134_1) and tail tip lysin (LysSte134_2) were identified in the St 134 genome. Both enzymes were cloned and produced in Escherichia coli cells. The endolysin LysSte134_1 demonstrated catalytic activity against peptidoglycans isolated from S. aureus, S. epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Staphylococcus warneri. LysSte134_1 was active against S. aureus and S. epidermidis planktonic cells and destroyed the biofilms formed by clinical strains of S. aureus and S. epidermidis.

The frequency of reoperations associated with complications after mammoplasty reaches 15 % during the first year. There are many ways and means for processing the soft tissues of the breast during mammoplasty, helping to reduce the risk of postoperative complications. The purpose of this work was to develop an algorithm for the application of the argon plasma technique for tissue treatment in mammoplasty. Material and methods. The study included 30 females aged 23 to 46 who underwent mammoplasty. The patients were divided into 2 groups of 15 people. In group 1, standard methods of processing soft tissues were used, and in group 2, the argon plasma technique was used in conjunction with the use of Aristo glue. Patients were observed in the early, late and distant postoperative period. Results. In the course of the study, in addition to the excellent coagulation and bactericidal action of argon plasma, the effect of “pulling up” the soft tissues of the mammary gland was found, which, in case of ptosis of I and II degrees, made it possible to use a smaller implant to achieve an optimal aesthetic result. Also, when using the argon plasma technology, no inflammatory processes were observed, the amount of exudative fluid in the drains decreased, the pain syndrome was significantly less pronounced in comparison with patients who underwent the standard method of tissue processing. Conclusions. This study confirms the fact that the use of argon plasma coagulation in the processing of breast tissue has a significant number of advantages compared to standard methods.

In the modern concept of treatment of patients with injuries of peripheral nerves, the main thing is to understand the mechanism of its sliding and the peculiarities of blood supply. Studying the nerve topographic anatomy, we are convinced that the mobility of the nerve exists not only in relation to the tissues surrounding it, but also at the level of its inner bundles. In this article, we report on the different degree of nerve mobility depending on its location zone, and that the ulnar and median nerves have the highest degree of mobility at the level of the forearm distal third. To calculate the change in the glide of the nerves, a mathematical model was constructed to measure their mobility during flexion and extension in the elbow joint, allowing to personalize the flap plasty depending on the length of the autograph vascular pedicle. The anatomical and topographic features of the angioarchitectonics of the nerve at various levels were studied, the presence and variability of the location of the vascular pedicle of blood-supplied autografts were studied. The obtained knowledge is necessary for carrying out revascularization of the damaged nerve zone with various types of autografts with autonomous blood flow. Conclusions. Knowledge of the anatomical and topographic features of peripheral nerves, their blood supply and mobility is necessary for their recovery for various injuries.

The research goal is to analyze the existing and most frequently used methods and competency-based approaches to distance learning of a foreign language. The tasks are formulated to achieve the goal. They involve classifying the methods of foreign language teaching based on the competency approach and identifying the effective methods. The methodological basis of this research includes methods of analyzing the practical experience of foreign language teaching based on a competency-based approach, synthesis of national and international experience, comparison of national models of the language environment, and generalization of sociological data. As a result of the conducted research, it has been revealed that among various methods, approaches related to information and communication technologies [ICT] are utilized most often. We believe that when teachers conduct courses using synchronous computer-mediated communication [SCMC] tools or platforms, students should be given opportunities to express their opinions. Most teachers recognize the creation of instructional videos as the most effective. According to the students, this type of activity also has the greatest learning effect and stimulates creativity. The scientific novelty of the research is the study of foreign language teaching methods based on a competency-based approach within the framework of online distance learning and the relationship of all interested parties, in other words, teachers, students, and educational institutions.

Multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria, including bacteria from the genus Staphylococcus, are currently a challenge for medicine. Therefore, the development of new antimicrobials is required. Promising candidates for new antistaphylococcal drugs are phage endolysins, including endolysins from thermophilic phages against other Gram-positive bacteria. In this study, the recombinant endolysin LysAP45 from the thermophilic Aeribacillus phage AP45 was obtained and characterized. The recombinant endolysin LysAP45 was produced in Escherichia coli M15 cells. It was shown that LysAP45 is able to hydrolyze staphylococcal peptidoglycans from five species and eleven strains. Thermostability tests showed that LysAP45 retained its hydrolytic activity after incubation at 80 °C for at least 30 min. The enzymatically active domain of the recombinant endolysin LysAP45 completely disrupted biofilms formed by multidrug-resistant S. aureus, S. haemolyticus, and S. epidermidis. The results suggested that LysAP45 is a novel thermostable antimicrobial agent capable of destroying biofilms formed by various species of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus. An unusual putative cell-binding domain was found at the C-terminus of LysAP45. No domains with similar sequences were found among the described endolysins.

Biosensors based on an oxygen electrode, a mediator electrode, and a mediator microbial biofuel cell (MFC) using the bacteria Gluconobacter oxydans B-1280 were formed and tested to determine the integral toxicity. G. oxydans bacteria exhibited high sensitivity to the toxic effects of phenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, salicylic and trichloroacetic acid, and a number of heavy metal ions. The system “G. oxydans bacteria–ferrocene–graphite-paste electrode” was superior in sensitivity to biosensors formed using an oxygen electrode and MFC, in particular regarding heavy metal ions (EC50 of Cr3+, Mn2+, and Cd2+ was 0.8 mg/dm3, 0.3 mg/dm3 and 1.6 mg/dm3, respectively). It was determined that the period of stable functioning of electrochemical systems during measurements was reduced by half (from 30 to 15 days) due to changes in the enzyme system of microbial cells when exposed to toxicants. Samples of the products made from polymeric materials were analyzed using developed biosensor systems and standard biotesting methods based on inhibiting the growth of duckweed Lemna minor, reducing the motility of bull sperm, and quenching the luminescence of the commercial test system “Ecolum”. The developed bioelectrocatalytic systems were comparable in sensitivity to commercial biosensors, which made it possible to correlate the results and identify, by all methods, a highly toxic sample containing diphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate according to GC-MS data.

Stenotrophomonas rhizophila was first discovered in soil; it is associated with the rhizosphere and capable of both protecting roots and stimulating plant growth. Therefore, it has a great potential to be used in biocontrol. The study of S. rhizophila phages is important for a further evaluation of their effect on the fitness and properties of host bacteria. A novel phage StenR_269 and its bacterial host S. rhizophila were isolated from a soil sample in the remediation area of a coal mine. Electron microscopy revealed a large capsid (~Ø80 nm) connected with a short tail, which corresponds to the podovirus morphotype. The length of the genomic sequence of the StenR_269 was 66,322 bp and it contained 103 putative genes; 40 of them encoded proteins with predicted functions, 3 corresponded to tRNAs, and the remaining 60 were identified as hypothetical ones. Comparative analysis indicated that the StenR_269 phage had a similar genome organization to that of the unclassified Xanthomonas phage DES1, despite their low protein similarity. In addition, the signature proteins of StenR_269 and DES1 had low similarity and these proteins clustered far from the corresponding proteins of classified phages. Thus, the StenR_269 genome is orphan and the analyzed data suggest a new family in the class Caudoviricetes.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was discovered as a soil bacterium associated with the rhizosphere. Later, S. maltophilia was found to be a multidrug-resistant hospital-associated pathogen. Lytic bacteriophages are prospective antimicrobials; therefore, there is a need for the isolation and characterization of new Stenotrophomonas phages. The phage StenM_174 was isolated from litter at a poultry farm using a clinical strain of S. maltophilia as the host. StenM_174 reproduced in a wide range of clinical and environmental strains of Stenotrophomonas, mainly S. maltophilia, and it had a podovirus morphotype. The length of the genomic sequence of StenM_174 was 42,956 bp, and it contained 52 putative genes. All genes were unidirectional, and 31 of them encoded proteins with predicted functions, while the remaining 21 were identified as hypothetical ones. Two tail spike proteins of StenM_174 were predicted using AlphaFold2 structural modeling. A comparative analysis of the genome shows that the Stenotrophomonas phage StenM_174, along with the phages Ponderosa, Pepon, Ptah, and TS-10, can be members of the new putative genus Ponderosavirus in the Autographiviridae family. In addition, the analyzed data suggest a new subfamily within this family.

On clinical models of infectious, somatic, malignant, and other diseases, the ability of immune responses to induce pathological processes due to competition, “pathogenicity”, hypersensitivity, and insufficiency has been shown. We are talking about the competitiveness of antibacterial and antiviral immunity, when the deployment of cellular and humoral immune responses weaken both defense mechanisms, competition of allergy and immune deficiency, which aggravates and modifies it, and antiviral immunity often induces a number of pathological conditions of the body. This is due to the inability of antiviral antibodies to completely inactivate the antireceptor structures of virions, interact with them without changing their function, and even stimulate a viral infection, induce autoimmune reactions. The protective system of interferons, which often cause side reactions, is also faulty. In the body, immunopathological reactions develop, manifested by immediate and delayed hypersensitivity, which have alternative properties – protective and damaging and autoimmune reactions, mainly with a negative effect. The mechanisms of the processes are discussed in detail in the review. The “inferiority” of immune reactions, respectively, cellular, humoral, phagocytic links, incomplete consistency of anticancer immunity, virus-induced immunodeficiencies are comprehensively covered. Such “alternativeness” of the considered immune reactions, at the same time, turns out to be a necessary condition for eliminating the emerging disorders of the organism’s reactivity. These include specificity and non-specificity, stimulation and suppression, variability and integration of immune responses. At the same time, immunoregulatory reactions are individual and interrelated, develop regionally and systemically and provide degradation of exogenous and endogenous objects and immune activation. All these aspects are discussed in detail in the review.

Feminist foreign policy (FFP) is a relatively new approach in the theory of international relations. Disclosing the heuristic potential of the concept is especially relevant due to the new political challenges of international conflicts that have different consequences for men and women. For the first time in Russian political science, this article analyzes the conceptual history of the FFP and the factors that influenced the implementation of this concept at the global level. The research is based on the publications and works of women, historical documents of international womens forums, scientific works on feminism theory and the international relations theory, policy papers of political parties, speeches of political leaders, government documents on the conduct of the FFP, UN resolutions. In addition to general scientific methods, the authors use the comparative-historical and systemic methods. The article presents the intellectual origins of the FFP, the role of the womens suffrage and pacifist movements in the development of the concept, the importance of women/gender/feminist academic research for the conceptualization of the FFP, as well as the contribution of politicians from leading world powers to the development of the concept. The authors analyze in detail the Hillary Doctrine and the UN feminist resolutions as forerunners of the official introduction of the term FFP into the theory and practice of international relations. The article assesses the potential of the FFP as an international strategy for gender equality and sustainable development. The authors conclude that a feminist political perspective works hand in hand with the vision of sustainable development policies and represents an increasingly relevant concept and practice that can be a strategic step towards the culture of peace.

Aim. To evaluate the relationship between the clinical decision support system use (CDSS) and adherence to clinical guidelines.Materials and methods. Medical records of 300 patients with atrial fibrillation and hypertension from the electronic medical database of the Almazov National Medical Research Center were analyzed. Demographic and clinical data, as well as information on anticoagulant, antiarrhythmic and antihypertensive prescriptions were analyzed. The primary endpoint was adherence of prescribed treatment to current clinical guidelines for each of the three therapies. Firstly, a group of independent clinical experts assessed primary endpoint for retrospective prescriptions. Secondly, new prescriptions were simulated by another group of clinical experts using CDSS and blinded to previous therapy. Primary endpoint at the second step was analysed by independent experts. We compared adherence to relevant clinical guidelines with and without use of CDSS. Additionally, we analyzed predictors of failing to meet the current recommendations in the retrospective records.Results. Out of 300 patients, only 291 (97%) had all characteristics and were included in the analysis. In 26 patients (18%), all three treatment strategies were in accordance with current clinical guidelines. Anticoagulant therapy was adherent to the guidelines in 92% of cases. Experts who used CDSS were 15% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10-21%) more likely to prescribe novel oral anticoagulants and 14% (95% CI, 10-19%) less likely to prescribe warfarin compared to baseline. Antiarrhythmic therapy was adherent to the guidelines in 69% of cases. When the CDSS platform was applied, experts were 14% (95% CI 4-19%) more likely to prefer antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) monotherapy and 32% (95% CI 26-37%) more often prescribed radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of left atrium. At baseline, antihypertensive therapy combinations were adherent clinical guidelines in 28% of cases. The use of the CDSS platform by experts was significantly associated with an increase in the frequency of prescribing dual and triple antihypertensive therapy.Conclusion. CDSS use is associated with improved adherence to current clinical guidelines. Prospective randomized trials are needed to evaluate the CDSS effectiveness in the prevention of cardiovascular events.

Objective: to assess the efficacy of fluorescence sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection with indocyanine green (ICG) in patients with cervical cancer.Materials and methods. We analyzed the results of examination and treatment in 80 patients with morphologically verified stage IA1–IIA1 cervical cancer. All patients underwent laparoscopic surgery with fluorescence SLN detection with ICG using a high-resolution infrared camera.Results. SLNs were detected in 78 out of 80 patients (97.5 %); the rate of bilateral SLN detection was 80.0 % (64 out of 80). SLNs were not identified in 2 patients only (2.5 %). The majority of SLNs (99 out of 176; 56.28 %) were located in the internal group of lymph nodes, near to the common iliac artery bifurcation. Eleven out of 80 patients (13.75 %) were found to have pelvic lymph node metastasis. SLN metastatic lesions were observed in 10 out of 80 patients (12.5 %), whereas only one participant had non-SLN metastasis. Therefore, the sensitivity of the fluorescence method with ICG was 98.75 %.Conclusion. Fluorescence SLN mapping with ICG in patients with stage IA1–IIA1 cervical cancer is an effective diagnostic method allowing SLN topical diagnosis, intraoperative restaging, and correction of the treatment strategy.

Patients with COVID-19 can develop pneumonia, severe symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome, and multiple organ failure. Nevertheless, the variety of forms of this disease requires further research on the pathogenesis of this disease. Based on the analysis of published data and original experiments on the concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 in biological fluids of the nasopharynx, lungs, and intestines and using a developed modular model of the virus distribution in human tissue and organs, an assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 reproduction in various compartments of the body is presented. Most of the viral particles can transport to the esophagus from the nasopharynx. The viral particles entering the gastrointestinal tract will obviously be accompanied by the infection of the intestinal epithelium and accumulation of the virus in the intestinal lumen in an amount proportional to their secretory and protein-synthetic activities. The relatively low concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in tissues implies an essential role of transport processes and redistribution of the virus from the nasopharynx and intestines to the lungs. The model simulations also suppose that sanitation of the nasopharynx mucosa at the initial stage of the infectious process has prospects for the use in medical practice.

Three-dimensional (3D) cultures, so-called organoids, have emerged as an attractive tool for disease modeling and therapeutic innovations. Here, we aim to determine if boundary cap neural crest stem cells (BC) can survive and differentiate in gelatin-based 3D bioprinted bioink scaffolds in order to establish an enabling technology for the fabrication of spinal cord organoids on a chip. BC previously demonstrated the ability to support survival and differentiation of co-implanted or co-cultured cells and supported motor neuron survival in excitotoxically challenged spinal cord slice cultures. We tested different combinations of bioink and cross-linked material, analyzed the survival of BC on the surface and inside the scaffolds, and then tested if human iPSC-derived neural cells (motor neuron precursors and astrocytes) can be printed with the same protocol, which was developed for BC. We showed that this protocol is applicable for human cells. Neural differentiation was more prominent in the peripheral compared to central parts of the printed construct, presumably because of easier access to differentiation-promoting factors in the medium. These findings show that the gelatin-based and enzymatically cross-linked hydrogel is a suitable bioink for building a multicellular, bioprinted spinal cord organoid, but that further measures are still required to achieve uniform neural differentiation.

Staphylococci are capable of penetrating many human tissues and organs, causing superficial and deep purulent infections, respiratory and urinary tract infections, food poisoning and intoxication. Last years, coagulase­negative staphylococci were the cause of infection in many cases. Infectious agents, namely Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Staphylococcus hominis, were detected more often as nosocomial infections. A particular danger of these infections is a high virulence and pathogenicity of bacterial strains and their resistance to various anti ­ biotics. Methicillin­resistant staphylococci are especially difficult to treat. The correct identification of staphylococci and their sensitivity to antibiotics are important for clinical diagnosis and appointment of adequate drug therapy. Rapid and accurate identification of Staphylococcus species and detection of their sensitivity to antibiotics is quite important. The aim of this study was to study staphylococci isolated in Novosibirsk from human, animal and environmental samples. A collection of 100 staphylococcus strains was analyzed. Staphylococcus species were identified by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Eleven staphylococcus species were identified. Among the strains obtained from hospitalized patients, Staphylococcus aure us dominated (79.1 %), Staphylococcus epidermidis amounted to about 12.5 %. However, S. aureus and S. epi dermidis strains were isolated in an approximately equal proportion from community­associated samples. Identification of coagulase positive strains was performed using a standard biochemical method and by real­time PCR of the coa gene. 100 % coincidence between the presence of the gene and coagulase activity for S. aureus strains was recorded, which suggests that detection of the coa gene can be used as a correct method for S. aure us identification. A high coincidence rate (99 %) was reveal ed between the phenotypic resistance to oxacillin and the presence of the staphylococcal mecA gene. The study of staphylococci for the presence of the mecA gene can be considered as an alternative to the phenotypical method for identification of methicillin­resistant strains of staphylococci.

Unraveling the cellular and molecular mechanisms of spinal cord injury is fundamental for our possibility to develop successful therapeutic approaches. These approaches need to address the issues of the emergence of a non-permissive environment for axonal growth in the spinal cord, in combination with a failure of injured neurons to mount an effective regeneration program. Experimental in vivo models are of critical importance for exploring the potential clinical relevance of mechanistic findings and therapeutic innovations. However, the highly complex organization of the spinal cord, comprising multiple types of neurons, which form local neural networks, as well as short and long-ranging ascending or descending pathways, complicates detailed dissection of mechanistic processes, as well as identification/verification of therapeutic targets. Inducing different types of dorsal root injury at specific proximo-distal locations provide opportunities to distinguish key components underlying spinal cord regeneration failure. Crushing or cutting the dorsal root allows detailed analysis of the regeneration program of the sensory neurons, as well as of the glial response at the dorsal root-spinal cord interface without direct trauma to the spinal cord. At the same time, a lesion at this interface creates a localized injury of the spinal cord itself, but with an initial neuronal injury affecting only the axons of dorsal root ganglion neurons, and still a glial cell response closely resembling the one seen after direct spinal cord injury. In this review, we provide examples of previous research on dorsal root injury models and how these models can help future exploration of mechanisms and potential therapies for spinal cord injury repair.

The article deals with the issues of increasing the efficiency of insurance companies on the basis of using new non-traditional distribution channels. The relevance of the topic is justified by the automation of management processes, a new generation of consumers focused on new technologies, the use of the Internet, growing and selling functional mobile gadgets. The insurance companies use new distribution channels via the Internet network along with the traditional means for the expansion of the insurance portfolio and attracting active and passive consumers. The calculations carried out on the basis of the data of the Bank of Russia show that the share of such sales is growing, but not leading. The use of the Internet depends on many factors, but primarily on the types of insurance. The authors carry out calculations on the use of distribution channels in various types of insurance. The complexity and variety of products on life insurance requires qualified intermediaries, therefore, the use of new distribution channels here is not widespread in contrast to classical accident insurance or compulsory insurance, where sales are more efficient when organizing through the Internet. Selling through Internet has a number of advantages that reduce the cost of doing business, reduce the agency network, the cost of print advertising to attract passive and strengthen the relationship with active consumers. The authors also conduct analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of using mobile gadgets to work with potential customers, quantitative and qualitative benefits of implementing mobile apps in the work of insurance companies. The conclusions are made about the complexity of calculation of economic efficiency of implementing mobile applications. The possible directions of increasing the efficiency of using new distribution channels by insurance companies are defined.

Mutations in superoxide dismutase (SOD1) are the second most common cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by the death of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. SOD1 neurotoxicity has been attributed to aberrant accumulation of misfolded SOD1, which in its soluble form binds to intracellular organelles, such as mitochondria and ER, disrupting their functions. Here, we demonstrate that mutant SOD1 binds specifically to the N-terminal domain of the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC1), an outer mitochondrial membrane protein controlling cell energy, metabolic and survival pathways. Mutant SOD1G93A and SOD1G85R, but not wild type SOD1, directly interact with VDAC1 and reduce its channel conductance. No such interaction with N-terminal-truncated VDAC1 occurs. Moreover, a VDAC1-derived N-terminal peptide inhibited mutant SOD1-induced toxicity. Incubation of motor neuron-like NSC-34 cells expressing mutant SOD1 or mouse embryonic stem cell-derived motor neurons with different VDAC1 N-terminal peptides resulted in enhanced cell survival. Taken together, our results establish a direct link between mutant SOD1 toxicity and the VDAC1 N-terminal domain and suggest that VDAC1 N-terminal peptides targeting mutant SOD1 provide potential new therapeutic strategies for ALS.

Polymer-based magnetoelectric composite materials have attracted a lot of attention due to their high potential in various types of applications as magnetic field sensors, energy harvesting, and biomedical devices. Current researches are focused on the increase in the efficiency of magnetoelectric transformation. In this work, a new strategy of arrangement of clusters of magnetic nanoparticles by an external magnetic field in PVDF and PFVD-TrFE matrixes is proposed to increase the voltage coefficient (αME) of the magnetoelectric effect. Another strategy is the use of 3-component composites through the inclusion of piezoelectric BaTiO3 particles. Developed strategies allow us to increase the αME value from ~5 mV/cm·Oe for the composite of randomly distributed CoFe2O4 nanoparticles in PVDF matrix to ~18.5 mV/cm·Oe for a composite of magnetic particles in PVDF-TrFE matrix with 5%wt of piezoelectric particles. The applicability of such materials as bioactive surface is demonstrated on neural crest stem cell cultures.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently attracted a great deal of interest as they may represent a new biosignaling paradigm. According to the mode of biogenesis, size and composition, two broad categories of EVs have been described, exosomes and microvesicles. EVs have been shown to carry cargoes of signaling proteins, RNA species, DNA and lipids. Once released, their content is selectively taken up by near or distant target cells, influencing their behavior. Exosomes are involved in cell–cell communication in a wide range of embryonic developmental processes and in fetal–maternal communication. In the present review, an outline of the role of EVs in neural development, regeneration and diseases is presented. EVs can act as regulators of normal homeostasis, but they can also promote either neuroinflammation/degeneration or tissue repair in pathological conditions, depending on their content. Since EV molecular cargo constitutes a representation of the origin cell status, EVs can be exploited in the diagnosis of several diseases. Due to their capability to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), EVs not only have been suggested for the diagnosis of central nervous system disorders by means of minimally invasive procedures, i.e., “liquid biopsies”, but they are also considered attractive tools for targeted drug delivery across the BBB. From the therapeutic perspective, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent one of the most promising sources of EVs. In particular, the neuroprotective properties of MSCs derived from the dental pulp are here discussed.

The paper focuses on ecological insurance, its concept, ambiguous treatments in the legislation, legal regulation and development in the Russian Federation. Ecological insurance is not develop properly within environment protection, damages are generally paid at the expense of the budget. The concept of ecological insurance as the complex look including compensation of harm to property, life, health, and also environment is offered. Expediency of introduction of obligatory ecological insurance is proved and measures which will use methods of insurance protection, for environmental protection as well, are offered.

The paper considers the issues of minimization of bank risks by means of insurance. The concept of bank risk is specified and a relevant classification of bank risks based on bank operations is offered. The concept of insurance of bank risks is introduced and the analysis of leading insurance companies’ offers on bank risks insurance is carried out. The conclusion is drawn that there is no full insurance of bank risks, and the reasons slowing down its development are established.

The aim of present work was to study IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα levels in the patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) accompanied by anxiety and depression. We have revealed a significant increase in IL-6 and TNFα in the patients with ischemic CAD associated with comorbid affective disturbances, as compared to the persons with CAD free of mood disorders. Our results support a «cytokine» hypothesis of affective disturbances in CAD patients, i.e., in cases associated with anxiety and depression.

The patients with gastrointestinal cancer exhibit high contents of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ, IL-1Ra and increased levels of anti-IFNα antibodies. Significant correlations are detected between histopathological parameters of the tumors, and the levels of TNFα, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IFNα, IFNγ, as well as antibodies against TNFα и IFNα. Moreover, we have determined diagnostically significant levels of cytokines and their combinations. On the basis of estimated diagnostic values, one may evaluate both current status of the tumor, as well as its potential malignancy grade.

Recently the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has obtained images, which cover landing sites from previous missions to the Moon in unprecedented high resolution (up to 0.3 m/pixel). These new data allow us to carry out a precision mapping of the Lunokhod landing sites, combining orbital high resolution images with surface panoramas taken by the rovers during their missions. Unfortunately, a lot of supplementary information about the missions, the rovers and their instrumentation is lost, which includes timing information and exterior orientation parameters. So, we have developed new methods and techniques of Lunokhod panorama processing by means of modern photogrammetric software supported by LRO data