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The study focuses on the local dynamics of precipitation and temperature in the mountainous regions of the Dagestan Republic (North Caucasus, eastern part). A shift in the secondary maximum of the precipitation annual distribution in the low-mountainous part of the region from August to September was found. The wettest years in the highlands in the periods 1966--1978 and 1996--2013 are discovered. The period from the beginning of the current century until now is identified as the wettest in the low-mountain zone. It was found that the trends of seasonal temperatures are positive. At the same time, the dynamics of spring temperatures remained insignificant in the low-mountain zone until 2010. It was revealed that the statistically reliable increase of temperature in February and March and unidirectional tendencies in the daily characteristics of precipitation is the local pattern of the climate change in this part of the North Caucasus. In this season the increase in the average and maximum daily precipitation intensity is reliable.

The student population has been highly vulnerable to the risk of mental health deterioration during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to reveal the prevalence and predictors of mental health among students in Poland, Slovenia, Czechia, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Turkey, Israel, and Colombia in a socioeconomic context during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted among 2349 students (69% women) from May-July 2020. Data were collected by means of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Gender Inequality Index (GII), Standard & Poor's Global Ratings, the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT), and a sociodemographic survey. Descriptive statistics and Bayesian multilevel skew-normal regression analyses were conducted. The prevalence of high stress, depression, and generalized anxiety symptoms in the total sample was 61.30%, 40.3%, and 30%, respectively. The multilevel Bayesian model showed that female sex was a credible predictor of PSS-10, GAD-7, and PHQ-8 scores. In addition, place of residence (town) and educational level (first-cycle studies) were risk factors for the PHQ-8. This study showed that mental health issues are alarming in the student population. Regular psychological support should be provided to students by universities., Projekt DEAL, Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.

This study aimed to reveal differences in exposure to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during the first (W1) and the second (W2) waves of the pandemic in six countries among university students and to show the prevalence and associations between exposure to COVID-19 and coronavirus-related post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) risk during W2. The repeated cross-sectional study was conducted among university students from Germany, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey, and Ukraine (W1: n = 1684; W2: n = 1741). Eight items measured exposure to COVID-19 (regarding COVID-19 symptoms, testing, hospitalizing quarantine, infected relatives, death of relatives, job loss, and worsening economic status due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Coronavirus-related PTSD risk was evaluated by PCL-S. The exposure to COVID-19 symptoms was higher during W2 than W1 among students from all countries, except Germany, where, in contrast, the increase in testing was the strongest. Students from Poland, Turkey, and the total sample were more frequently hospitalized for COVID-19 in W2. In these countries, and Ukraine, students were more often in quarantine. In all countries, participants were more exposed to infected friends/relatives and the loss of a family member due to COVID-19 in W2 than W1. The increase in job loss due to COVID-19 was only noted in Ukraine. Economic status during W2 only worsened in Poland and improved in Russia. This was due to the significant wave of restrictions in Russia and more stringent restrictions in Poland. The prevalence of coronavirus-related PTSD risk at three cutoff scores (25, 44, and 50) was 78.20%, 32.70%, and 23.10%, respectively. The prediction models for different severity of PTSD risk differed. Female gender, a prior diagnosis of depression, a loss of friends/relatives, job loss, and worsening economic status due to the COVID-19 were positively associated with high and very high coronavirus-related PTSD risk, while female gender, a prior PTSD diagnosis, experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, testing for COVID-19, having infected friends/relatives and worsening economic status were associated with moderate risk.

The mental health of young adults, particularly students, is at high risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in mental health between university students in nine countries during the pandemic. The study encompassed 2349 university students (69% female) from Colombia, the Czech Republic (Czechia), Germany, Israel, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Participants underwent the following tests: Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Exposure to COVID-19 (EC-19), Perceived Impact of Coronavirus (PIC) on students’ well-being, Physical Activity (PA), and General Self-Reported Health (GSRH). The one-way ANOVA showed significant differences between countries. The highest depression and anxiety risk occurred in Turkey, the lowest depression in the Czech Republic and the lowest anxiety in Germany. The χ2 independence test showed that EC-19, PIC, and GSRH were associated with anxiety and depression in most of the countries, whereas PA was associated in less than half of the countries. Logistic regression showed distinct risk factors for each country. Gender and EC-19 were the most frequent predictors of depression and anxiety across the countries. The role of gender and PA for depression and anxiety is not universal and depends on cross-cultural differences. Students’ mental health should be addressed from a cross-cultural perspective.

The article discusses the prospects of using the online format for additional professional education of specialists in the sphere of trade. The research presented in the article analyzes statistical data on the development of additional education and the use of digital technologies to expand the opportunities for trade specialists to master a wide range of professional competencies. The authors explore the potential of digital technologies in professional additional education of trade specialists. Official statistical databases, used for conclusions, are drawn about the most promising areas of additional professional education for specialists of commercial enterprises. The sociological research of additional professional education courses and statistical data of the official state statistical service of the Russian Federation allowed us to describe the main directions of development of digital technologies in the field of additional professional education of specialists of commercial enterprises. Development of modern professional competencies, skills and knowledge of trade specialists with the use of remote technologies involves the study of the latest technologies and scientific developments in the framework of additional professional education, which allow students to master the high standard of modern trading. The development of scientific approaches within the framework of the professional development program will allow students to test their skills and knowledge in the educational process

In the context of dynamic changes in the business environment, updating the business model based on innovation is becoming a strategic priority for business leaders. Innovations in the supply chain through digital technologies hold great potential for creating new value, sustainable growth, increasing efficiency and business competitiveness. However, the innovative activity of Russian companies has not yet become a determining factor in ensuring economic growth and the formation of their competitive advantages. The purpose of this paper is to understand the significance of business models updating and explore their connections with business strategy and innovation management. The methodology of research is based on methods case study design, event-structure analysis and also the "strategy as practice" research program. The paper examines the experience of a successful Russian company in the formation and updating its business model based on innovations in the logistics chain through digital technologies, which led to an increase in efficiency and ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the business. The paper presents the results of the analysis of changes in the business model and business processes based on different types of innovations, which ensured the company's success and maintained its leadership in the building materials market. The paper has a practical focus and contributes to an understanding of business model updating processes and their connections with business strategy and innovations. Its results can be useful for both novice and experienced managers to understand the innovative mechanism of business growth and the formation of strategic competitive advantages. They can also be used in modern business education to develop the strategic thinking skills of managers and entrepreneurs.

ChemistryOpen 9(6), 641 - 648 (2020). doi:10.1002/open.201900276, The synthetic function‐spacer‐lipid (FSL) amphiphile biotin‐CMG‐DOPE is widely used for delicate ligation of living cells with biotin residues under physiological conditions. Since this molecule has an “apolar‐polar‐hydrophobic” gemini structure, the supramolecular organization is expected to differ significantly from the classical micelle. Its organization is investigated with experimental methods and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS). Although the linear length of a single biotin‐CMG‐DOPE molecule is 9.5 nm, the size of the dominant supramer globule is only 14.6 nm. Investigations found that while the DOPE tails form a hydrophobic core, the polar CMG spacer folds back upon itself and predominantly places the biotin reside inside the globule or planar layer. MDS demonstrates that, Published by Wiley-VCH-Verl., Weinheim

The article considers the problems of staff training for trade in connection with the main modern trends in the economy of developed countries. On the one hand, information processes are rapidly developing in all areas of economic activity. On the other hand, the labor market has undergone structural changes related to the aging of the population. For successful competition, modern retail chains require qualified specialists of secondary education and skilled workers with digital technology skills. At the same time, there are large number of older professionals work in the trade, who do not have skills of using of digital equipment and plan to improve their skills. In addition, modern Russian technical schools and colleges do not train special skills of working with digital equipment for trading. The article suggests ways to transform the training system for trade in accordance with the requirements of the digital environment.

The modern foreign and domestic studies consider the digital transformation of the economy mostly as a combination of effects arising under the influence of a number of implemented digital innovations, which result in the emergence of new economic structures, new business practices, as well as new values and beliefs in the business environment. The article is devoted to the research of logistics networks development features in the context of globalization and digitalization of the economy. Issues of increasing the efficiency of the functioning of logistics networks using digital technologies through the creation of information logistics platforms also considered. As the scientific novelty of the study, it should be noted the highlighted advantages of digitalization of logistics platforms. The digital economy, in which modern logistics networks operate, is characterized by the following main features the global nature, the use of network principles for coordinating society and markets, operations with intangible benefits: information and relationships, ideas. Modern management of international logistics systems is based on the integration of digital control in the system of automatic regulation and control of the road situation and the transport situation. Thus, within the framework of the platform economy, there is a complete transformation of the existing business models. The authors prove that the features of logistics digitalization cause a significant impact on the process of logistics networks development with the necessary theoretical and methodological support for the design process of international trading.

Over the past thirty years, optimization modeling techniques have begun to be actively used in supply chain planning and management. Given the specifics of planning tasks in supply chains, linear programming and its methods such as dynamic programming, stochastic programming and scenario planning have become the most popular. These methods make it possible to optimize the supply chain across numerous databases, each of which corresponds to a scenario describing different options for development in an uncertain future. Despite quite intensive research in this area, dynamic and stochastic programming is still underused by managers to solve application tasks in various fields, including supply chain management. Hence, there is a need for development of new planning models in logistics and supply chain management in the context of incomplete information and methods that are used to investigate situations of risk and uncertainty.

We describe a rapid one-step method to biotinylate virtually any biological or non-biological surface. Contacting a solution of biotin-spacer-lipid constructs with a surface will form a coating within seconds on non-biological surfaces or within minutes on most biological membranes including membrane viruses. The resultant biotinylated surface can then be used to interact with avidinylated conjugates, beads, vesicles, surfaces or cells.

Synthesis of the glycan part of Forssman glycolipid GalNAcα1-3GalNAcβ1-3Galα1-4Galβ1-4Glc–Cer in the form of 2-aminoethyl glycoside has been carried out. The glycoside has been converted into a lipophilic derivative capable of controlled inserting into erythrocytes. The obtained surface-modified cells, termed kodecytes, revealed a high level of the blood group system FORS serological activity.

The BRICS Group unites the most rapidly developing large countries, the trade and economic interaction between which can make a significant contribution to both the region’s and world’s development. The purpose of this article is to analyze the development of trade and economic interaction and logistics infrastructure in the BRICS countries, as well as to develop an analytical concept of the BRICS Digital Logistics Platform (DLP) as a tool for the BRICS development. The research methodology includes methods for statistical data analysis, a case study of the DLP development in the BRICS countries, an analysis of the existing definitions and methods for developing DLP, and methods of systemic analysis. The research results present the trade and logistics interaction between the BRICS countries. The level of logistics development in these countries is analyzed based on the World Bank Logistics Performance Index. The article highlights the existing restrictions for the expansion of the economic interaction between countries, one of which is the uneven development of the logistics infrastructure. The article states that the BRICS DLP can be a tool for overcoming the limitation of uneven logistics infrastructure and intensifying trade interaction between the BRICS countries. The experience of creating national DLPs in each of the BRICS countries is analyzed. It is shown that the BRICS countries cannot join one of the existing national DLPs because of the risks for the national sovereignty of the participants. Therefore, an original analytical description for the international BRICS DLP is proposed. It will focus on the simplicity and transparency of the interaction between all of the participants of trade and economic interactions at various levels, as well as on the reduction of economic and logistics risks.

Modification of the cell surface with synthetic glycolipids opens up a wide range of possibilities for studying the function of glycolipids. Synthetic glycolipids called Function-Spacer-Lipids (FSL; where F is a glycan or label, S is a spacer, and L is dioleoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine) easily and controllably modify the membrane of a living cells. This current study investigates the dynamics and mechanism of the FSL insertion and release/loss. FSL insert into the cell membrane (~1 million molecules per cell) within tens of minutes, almost regardless of the nature of the cells (including the thickness of their glycocalyx) and the size of the FSL glycan. FSLs do not accumulate uniformly, but instead form patches >300 nm in size either entrapped in the glycocalyx, or integrated in the plane of the plasma membrane, but always outside the cell rafts. The natural release (loss) of FSL from the modified cell was two orders of magnitude slower than attachment/insertion and occurred mainly in the form of released microvesicles with a size of 140 ± 5 nm. The accumulation of FSL as patches in the cell membrane is similar to the coalescence of natural glycosphingolipids and supports (along with their long residence time in the membrane) the use of FSL as probes for the study of glycosphingolipid-protein interactions.

Background Human blood contains a big variety of natural antibodies, circulating throughout life at constant concentration. Previously, we have found natural antibodies capable of binding to trisaccharide Galα1-4Galβ1-4Glc (P k ) practically in all humans. Intriguingly, the same trisaccharide is a key fragment of glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3Cer) – normal component of erythrocyte and endothelial cell membrane, i.e. the antibodies and their cognate antigen coexist without any immunological reaction. Aim To explain the inertness of human anti-P k antibodies towards own cells. Materials and methods We used a combination of immunochemical and molecular dynamics (MD) experiments. Antibodies were isolated using affinity media with P k trisaccharide, their epitope specificity was characterized using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) with a set of synthetic glycans related to P k synthetic glycans and FACS (Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting) analysis of cells with inserted natural Gb3Cer and its synthetic analogue. Conformations and clustering of glycolipids immersed into a lipid bilayer were studied using MD simulations. Results Isolated specific antibodies were completely unable to bind natural Gb3Cer both inserted into cells and in artificial membrane, whereas strong interaction took place with synthetic analogue differing by the presence of a spacer between trisaccharide and lipid part. MD simulations revealed: i) although membrane-bound glycans do not form stable long-living aggregates, their transient packing is more compact in natural Gb3 as compared with the synthetic analog, ii) similar conformation of P k glycan in composition of the glycolipids, iii) no effect on the mentioned above results when cholesterol was inserted into membrane, and iv) better accessibility of the synthetic version for interaction with proteins. Conclusions Both immunochemical and molecular dynamics data argue that the reason of the “tolerance” of natural anti-P k antibodies towards cell-bound Gb3Cer is the spatial inaccessibility of P k glycotope for interaction. We can conclude that the antibodies are not related to the blood group P system.

Gram scale synthesis of A (type 2) and B (type 2) tetrasaccharides in the form of 3-aminopropyl glycosides is proposed starting from 3-O-benzoyl-1,6-anhydro-N-acetylglucosamine. Its galactosylation followed by re-protection gave lactosamine derivative with single free 2′-OH group in total yield 75%. Standard fucosylation and next run of re-protection in total yield 88% gave a trisaccharide Fuc-Gal-anhydroGlcNAc with single free 3′-OH group. Its standard α-galactosylation gave protected B (type 2) tetrasaccharide. For synthesis of correspondent A tetrasaccharide seven different 2-azido-2-deoxygalactosyl (GalN3) donors were tested: 6-O-acetyl-3,4-O-isopropylidene-GalN3 thioglycoside was shown to provide the best yield (89%) and stereoselectivity (α/β = 24:1). Further 1,6-anhydro cycle opening, spacer-arming and complete deprotection resulted in the target 3-aminopropyl glycosides of A (type 2) and B (type 2) tetrasaccharides, yields 87 and 85% correspondingly.

The article is devoted to the problem of applying a business model for developing strategic thinking skills in a partnership between universities and industrial enterprises. The strategic thinking is a key competence of enterprise managers in modern conditions. However, there is still no complete clarity on how to develop it. The tasks of developing strategic thinking of managers can be successfully solved through design and application of business models. The use of strategic partnerships between universities and enterprises in this process allows us to improve the quality of training and ensure its relevance to the Russian business practice. The article proposes an integrated approach for the strategic thinking skills development based on the use of business models. The process model was developed and tested in the training groups of the masters of management and practicing managers. Positive dynamics was revealed in the development of strategic thinking skills, as well as an increase in the level of student satisfaction. The results of this work can be interested for business education, and may also be useful in management practice for strategic sessions holding.

Nowadays online education is developing rapidly and gradually replacing the traditional format of education. This is due to a number of fundamental advantages of online courses: a geographic accessibility, a convenient training format, and low cost. These advantages allow enterprises to train their specialists at the best universities educational programs without interruption of production process, in the convenient time and place, and also save money for such training. At the same time, statistics show that even on the leading online education platforms, the number of students who successfully complete their online courses is extremely small. This is due to a number of shortcomings and limitations of online learning. The paper presents the results of a study of the Russian student’s online learning experience and attitude. The research results allow us to identify the limitations of online learning and offer special measures to overcome them in order to improve the quality of training of highly qualified personnel.

Research background: The processes of globalization in the world economy lead to international competition of professional education. Providing the labor market with qualified specialists is based on a flexible system of financing additional education. The article analyzes of public-private partnership in the field of additional professional education. Special attention is paid to the interaction of business, universities, the state and public organizations in the framework of public-private partnership in the implementation of programs of additional professional education. Purpose of the article: The main goal of the study is to consider options for public-private partnership in the system of additional professional education based on pooling resources and distribution of income and risks between the state and private sector. Methods: The research uses methods of analysis of statistical data of various forms of public-private partnership in the education system, the method of comparative analysis of corporate reports of additional professional education. Findings & Value added: The forms of public-private partnership should be used differentially in accordance with the effectiveness of projects.The processes of globalization require expanding the forms of professional adult education based on interaction with labor market actors, legislative authorities, representatives of regional business, and public organizations, which will not only provide funding for adult education, but also meet the requirements of the innovative economy.

The article discusses modern concepts and approaches to the strategic planning development and managers’ strategic thinking formation. Today the strategic thinking is considered as one of the most important and most demanded management competencies. However, there is still no understanding how managers can develop that competencies. The article proposes an integrative approach based on the use of competence, process and situational approaches. The article deals with a process model of the formation of managers’ strategic thinking skills based on the use of the concept of a business model, strategic analysis, and case study. The results obtained help to increase the managers’ training effectiveness and ensure its relevance to business practice. They can also be useful for practicing managers in conducting strategic sessions and strategic planning, as well as for professionals in the field of business education.

The article considers the possibility of developing the economy of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, taking into account the preservation of the ecological system of the region and the national and cultural characteristics of the indigenous population. The analysis of the resource potential of the region is given, recommendations for the development of the region's economy using the labor potential of the population living there are offered. The article analyzes the development of the region and the possibility of creating eco-friendly enterprises, the work of which does not violate the natural balance of the Arctic. The article highlights the main elements of the Arctic economic system that require support at the level of strategic development of the state and determine the key positions in the development of the region. The article considers the constraints and problems that hinder the economic development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and the conditions for preserving the uniqueness of the nature and culture of the indigenous peoples of the region. The potential of the economic development of the region is investigated. Innovative options for the development of the region in combination with modern technologies for preserving the unique ecological system and the identity of the indigenous population are considered. Promising directions of economic development of the Arctic region while preserving the uniqueness of nature and cultural traditions of indigenous peoples are proposed.

A rapid and simple method of biofunctionalising nylon, cellulose acetate and polyvinyl butyral electrospun nanofibres with blood group glycans was achieved by preparing function-spacer-lipid constructs and simply contacting them to fibres with a piezo inkjet printer. A series of water dispersible amphipathic glycan-spacer constructs were synthesized representing a range ABO and related blood group antigens. After immediate contact of the amphipathic glycan-spacer constructs with nanofibre surfaces they self-assembled and were detectable by enzyme immunoassays with high sensitivity and specificity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Human Gb3/CD77 synthase (α1,4-galactosyltransferase, P(k) synthase), encoded by A4GALT gene, is known for synthesis of Gal(α1-4)Gal moiety in globotriaosylceramide (Gb3Cer, CD77, P(k) blood group antigen), a glycosphingolipid of the globo series. Recently, it was shown that c.631C > G mutation in A4GALT, which causes p.Q211E substitution in the open reading frame of the enzyme, broadens the enzyme specificity, making it able also to synthesize Gal(α1-4)GalNAc moiety, which constitutes the defining terminal disaccharide of the NOR antigen (carried by two glycosphingolipids: NOR1 and NOR2). Terminal Gal(α1-4)Gal disaccharide is also present in another glycosphingolipid blood group antigen, called P1, which together with P(k) and NOR comprises the P1PK blood group system. Despite several attempts, it was never clearly shown that P1 antigen is synthesized by Gb3/CD77 synthase, leaving open an alternative hypothesis that there are two homologous α1,4-galactosyltransferases in humans. In this study, using recombinant Gb3/CD77 synthase produced in insect cells, we show that the consensus enzyme synthesizes both the P(k) and P1 antigens, while its p.Q211E variant additionally synthesizes the NOR antigen. This is the first direct biochemical evidence that Gb3/CD77 synthase is able to synthesize two different glycosphingolipid antigens: P(k) and P1, and when p.Q211E substitution is present, the NOR antigen is also synthesized.

The development of innovative technologies in Russian retail is connected with the change of consumers’ relations models. They acquire a new format, accents and technologies of trade presentation change. Nowadays the omni-channel concept replaces the traditional selling concept. The key goal of the paper is to determine the main directions of digitalization in retail. The sub goals are to study the customers’ preferences in the use of digital sales channels and to identify the prospects of creating an information customer base that available for all sales channels. The study was conducted on the basis of statistical analysis methodology. The study results have showed that the omni-channel concept represents an integrated and systematic approach to sales. The modern customers’ tastes and needs are changing very fast and the priority purchase channels are also changing along with them. The desire of a particular person to make a purchase arises as a result of the impact of diverse and multidirectional information. The purchase decision requires access to a sales channel. It can be offline store, online store, mobile devices, social networks, phone call, etc. A seller that uses all possible sales channels gains a significant competitive advantage. The buyer will be guided by the principles of speed, convenience and minimum costs.

In the modern world, a new category of travelers (global shoppers) has appeared. They are people who spend their time for shopping on abroad trips. The article considers the problem of understanding the consumer behavior of Russian tourists (Russian global shoppers) in duty-free shops. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of consumer behavior, motives and habits of Russian tourists when shopping at duty free stores at airports. A pilot study was conducted by questionnaire survey at the airport. The results of the study showed that Russian tourists consider shopping (duty free) as part of their trip abroad. They are looking for a favorable price / quality ratio. Many of them do not plan their shopping in advance, but adhere to certain budget restrictions. The paper offers suggestions to improve customer satisfaction. The results of the study are useful for business persons and marketing managers in the international trade sphere.

The study presents an analysis of the environmental consequences of tourism development in the territories adjacent to Lake Baikal; management practice of domestic waste is discussed. The research was conducted on the basis of in-depth interview’s series with experts in the field of ecology and tourism. In the process of research, four main groups of negative factors of tourism on the state of the region's natural environment were identified; the impact of waste management was discovered. They are: soil erosion; mechanical effect on plants; destruction of the wild animals’ habitat, as well as pollution of water bodies and threat of accumulation of domestic garbage. The results of the analysis help to formulate recommendations on reducing the negative impact of the identified factors and make preserving the unique natural environment of the region possible.

Agglutination of red blood cells (RBCs) remains the only practical method for routine use for ABH typing in clinical practice. However, exact mechanistic details of agglutination are not yet thoroughly studied. In this research, RBCs of blood group O were converted to blood group A through two approaches: by chemical ligation of the cells' glycocalyx with synthetic blood group A tetrasaccharide, and by insertion of synthetic glycolipid carrying the same A antigen into the cells' membranes. The O→A ligated RBCs and natural A RBCs showed comparable agglutination characteristics with antibodies. As expected, RBCs with inserted glycolipid showed lower agglutination scores. This approach could help cell biologists in site-specific and cell-friendly modification of glycocalyx by other ligands.

BACKGROUND Lewis serologic reagents frequently give inaccurate phenotyping results. Furthermore these serologic reagents are often used in nonserologic assays such as inhibition and immunohistochemistry. In both scenarios knowledge of the fine specificity and cross-reactivity of these reagents will improve the quality of results obtained. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A range of contemporary and historical workshop and developmental Lewis reagents including mouse monoclonal (MoAb) and human and goat polyclonal (PoAb) reagents were evaluated. All were evaluated both against Lewis kodecytes expressing only single Le(a) , Le(b) , ALe(b) , BLe(b) , Le(x) , Le(y) , ALe(y) , or BLe(y) antigens and against the same antigens inkjet printed on a paper-based microplate and analyzed by enzyme immunoassay. Nine clinical samples were also evaluated. A kodecyte antigen dilution sensitivity assay was used to establish the ratio of Le(b) antigen between group A1 /A2 and O RBCs. RESULTS A continuum of cross-reactivity from Le(x) through to H was observed with MoAbs. All PoAb and few MoAb anti-Le(a) samples and reagents cross-reacted to some degree with Le(b) antigen. Some PoAb and MoAb anti-Le(b) did not cross-react with Le(a) . All polyclonal goat anti-Le(b) reagents showed substantial activity against ALe(b) and BLe(b) , while no MoAb reagent had this activity. A1 RBCs had less than half the Le(b) antigen of A2 /O RBCs. CONCLUSIONS Substantial cross-reactivity of both MoAbs and PoAbs with related antigens highlights the risks of using serologic reagents in nonserologic assays or against synthetic antigens. The lack of ALe(b) activity in anti-Le(b) MoAbs explains their poor performance against blood group A1 Le(a-b+) phenotypes.

A major aspect of carbohydrate-dependent galectin functionality is their cross-linking capacity. Using a cell surface as biorelevant platform for galectin binding and a panel of 40 glycans as sensor part of a fluorescent polyacrylamide neoglycopolymer for profiling galectin reactivity, properties of related proteins can be comparatively analyzed. The group of the chicken galectins (CGs) is an especially suited system toward this end due to its relatively small size, compared with mammalian galectins. The experiments reveal particularly strong reactivity toward N-acetyllactosamine repeats for all tested CGs and shared reactivity of CG-1A and CG-2 to histo-blood group ABH determinants. In cross-species comparison, CG-1B's properties closely resembled those of human galectin-1, as was the case for the galectin-2 (but not galectin-3) ortholog pair. Although binding-site architectures are rather similar, reactivity patterns can well differ.

AIMS: Intravascular inflammatory events during ischaemia/reperfusion injury following coronary angioplasty alter and denudate the endothelium of its natural anticoagulant heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) layer, contributing to myocardial tissue damage. We propose that locally targeted cytoprotection of ischaemic myocardium with the glycosaminoglycan analogue dextran sulfate (DXS, MW 5000) may protect damaged tissue from reperfusion injury by functional restoration of HSPG. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a closed chest porcine model of acute myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury (60 min ischaemia, 120 min reperfusion), DXS was administered intracoronarily into the area at risk 5 min prior to reperfusion. Despite similar areas at risk in both groups (39+/-8% and 42+/-9% of left ventricular mass), DXS significantly decreased myocardial infarct size from 61+/-12% of the area at risk for vehicle controls to 39+/-14%. Cardioprotection correlated with reduced cardiac enzyme release creatine kinase (CK-MB, troponin-I). DXS abrogated myocardial complement deposition and substantially decreased vascular expression of pro-coagulant tissue factor in ischaemic myocardium. DXS binding, detected using fluorescein-labelled agent, localized to ischaemically damaged blood vessels/myocardium and correlated with reduced vascular staining of HSPG. CONCLUSION: The significant cardioprotection obtained through targeted cytoprotection of ischaemic tissue prior to reperfusion in this model of acute myocardial infarction suggests a possible role for the local modulation of vascular inflammation by glycosaminoglycan analogues as a novel therapy to reduce reperfusion injury.

The research is devoted to a problem of assessment the effectiveness of social investments and Corporate Social Performance (CSP). We offer the original methodological approach to assess the effectiveness of CSP and social investments based on the conducted analysis. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the research. In our approach the effectiveness combines: the result (effect) of actions depend on goals that were set, comparison of the result and recourses invested (economy), comparison of goal setting and problems, including social problems, that can be solved (advisability). Moreover the approach considers the importance of both results for the subject and for the object of social investments (for business and for society). We focus on measurement not just social or economic effectiveness but social-economic performance. The methodological approach has been approved in the course of research included more than forty Russian companies. Approbation of the methodological approach proved the correlations between social investments costs and financial and reputation performance indicators. The offered methodological approach allows companies to realize self-assessment of CSP effectiveness, to highlight the priority departments and indicators of social investments, to improve corporate social strategy, to be prepared for Public Ratings / Contests on CSP. In addition, this methodological approach can be used for internal assessment of social investments effectiveness that can improve planning of rational social investments. The presented methodological approach of assessment of CSP effectiveness opens an opportunity to compare the effectiveness of CSP of different companies of a region or industry.

Direct labeling of virus particles is a powerful tool for the visualization of virus-cell interaction events. However, this technique involves the chemical modification of viral proteins that affects viral biological properties. Here we describe an alternative approach of influenza virus labeling that utilizes Function-Spacer-Lipid (FSL) constructs that can be gently inserted into the virus membrane. We assessed whether labeling with fluorescent (fluo-Ad-DOPE) or biotin-labeled (biot-CMG(2)-DOPE) probes has any deleterious effect on influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) receptor specificity, neuraminidase (NA) activity, or replicative ability in vitro. Our data clearly show that neither construct significantly affected influenza virus infectivity or viral affinity to sialyl receptors. Neither construct influenced the NA activities of the influenza viruses tested, except the A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) strain. Our data indicate that lipid labeling provides a powerful tool to analyze influenza virus infection in vitro.

Background The FORS blood group system (originally recognized as the Apae phenotype) was discovered by sporadic activity against polyclonal anti-A reagents and activity against the lectin Helix pomatia. The extent of monoclonal anti-A reagent activity against the FORS1 antigen is serologically and immunochemically incomplete. Study Design and Methods In the absence of natural FORS1-positive red blood cells (RBCs), kodecytes were created with synthetic disaccharide and pentasaccharide Forssman function-spacer-lipid (FSL) constructs, Fsdi-kodecytes, and FORS1-kodecytes, respectively. FSL constructs were also applied to solid surfaces and used in solid-phase enzyme immunoassays. A range of characterized monoclonal anti-A and anti-B reagents were then serologically and immunochemically characterized against these Forssman antigens. Polyclonal human anti-A, anti-B, the lectin H. pomatia serologic reagents; and canine RBCs were used as serologic controls. Results None of 19 different monoclonal anti-A reagents were able to detect the pentasaccharide Forssman on FORS1-kodecytes, while three reagents were able to detect disaccharide Forssman on Fsdi-kodecytes. Most anti-A reagents were immunochemically reactive with both the di- and the pentasaccharide Forssman antigens in the solid-phase assays. Historic polyclonal human anti-A and the lectin H. pomatia reacted strongly with the FORS1-kodecytes, correlating with the discovery of the Apae phenotype and supporting the use of FORS1-kodecytes as FORS1 surrogates. Conclusions Monoclonal anti-A reagents, despite showing reactivity against the FORS1 antigen in solid-phase assays are unlikely to cause the agglutination of FORS1 antigen–positive RBCs.

Background Monoclonal (MoAb) reagents are routinely used and are usually very reliable for the serologic determination of ABO blood types. However, the fine specificity and cross-reactivity of these reagents are often unknown, particularly against synthetic antigens used in some diagnostic assays. If nonserologic assays or very sensitive techniques other than those specifically prescribed by the manufacturer are used, then there is a risk of incorrect interpretation of results. Study Design and Methods Forty-seven MoAbs and two polyclonal ABO reagents were tested against red blood cell (RBC) kodecytes prepared with A trisaccharide, A Type 1, A Type 2, A Type 3, A Type 4, B trisaccharide, B Type 1, B Type 2, acquired B trisaccharide, and Lea trisaccharide function-spacer-lipid (FSL) constructs. Natural RBCs were tested in parallel. In addition these FSL constructs were printed onto paper with a desktop inkjet printer and used in a novel immunoassay that identifies reactivity through the appearance of alphanumeric characters. Results Mapping of MoAbs with kodecytes and printed FSL constructs revealed a series of broad recognition patterns. All ABO MoAbs tested were reactive with the RBC dominant Type 2 ABO antigens. Unexpectedly some anti-A reagents were reactive against the B Type 1 antigen, while others were poorly reactive with trisaccharide antigens. Conclusions All ABO MoAbs detect the RBC dominant Type 2 ABO antigens; however, some reagents may show minor reactivity with inappropriate blood group antigens, which needs to be considered when using these reagents in alternative or highly sensitive analytic systems.

The article addresses the treatment of applying the method of dynamic linear programming to solve the task of choosing the optimal strategy for the containers dispatch, taking into account the significant unevenness of loading and shipment of containers. The optimizing container transportation dynamic planning could be treated as mathematical model of the dynamic multi-period task of the loaded containers shipment, which allows the choice of the optimal strategy for sending containers, taking into account the significant unevenness of their loading and dispatch from the railway freight station. The efficiency of considered method is proved by numerical calculation being presented to disclose the dynamic linear programming algorithm implementing to solve the problem.

The scientific task of the research consists in solving the difficult contradiction between the need to decrease the expenses according to the ant-crisis policy on one hand and the necessity to implement innovations for increasing efficiency of supply chain on the other hand. The features of modelling of the process of innovations implementations are studied regarding the seaport as an important element I supply chain infrastructure. Seaports are the main links of the global transport infrastructure. They make it possible to have trade partnership between countries. Here the process of innovation implementation on the example of anti-crisis measures for the ports as institutional and operational clusters is presented. Theoretical framework to conceptualize innovations at a commercial seaport as anti-crisis complex process. The primary objective for the commercial seaport is marine terminals’ modernization through rational distribution of cargo flows and reconstruction of capacities for certain types of cargo. New tools and technologies as well as modern intelligent control systems of industrial and economic processes can add up to the innovative component in the development of the commercial seaport. Active implementation of logistics transport and technological systems is proven to be the most effective route in the field of innovative development.

Seven lipophilic constructs containing Lewis (Lea, Leb, Ley) or chimeric Lewis/ABH (ALeb, BLeb, ALey, BLey) glycans were obtained starting from corresponding oligosaccharides in form of 3-aminopropyl glycosides. ALeb and BLeb pentasaccharides were synthesized via [3 + 1] blockwise approach. The constructs (neoglycolipids, or FSLs) were inserted in erythrocyte membrane, and obtained “kodecytes” were used to map the immunochemical specificity of historical and contemporary monoclonal and polyclonal blood group system Lewis reagents.

Herein we report the synthesis of 3-aminopropyl glycosides of A (type 2) and B (type 2) tetrasaccharides via [3 + 1] block scheme. Peracetylated trichloroacetimidates of A and B trisaccharides were used as glycosyl donors. The well-known low reactivity of 4-OH group of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine forced us to test four glucosamine derivatives (3-Bz-1,6-anhydro-GlcNAc and 3-trifluoroacetamidopropyl β-glycosides of 3-Ac-6-Bn-GlcNAc, 3-Ac-6-Bn-GlcN3, and 3-Ac-6-Bn-GlcNAc2) to select the best glycosyl acceptor for the synthesis of type 2 tetrasaccharides. The desired tetrasacchrides were not isolated, when 3-trifluoroacetamidopropyl glycosyde of 3-Ac-6-Bn-GlcNAcβ was glycosylated. Glycosylation of 3-Bz-1,6-anhydro-GlcNAc derivative resulted in α-glycoside as a major product. High stereospecificity was achieved only in the synthesis of B (type 2) tetrasaccharide, when 3-trifluoroacetamidopropyl 3-Ac-6-Bn-GlcNAc2β was applied as the glycosyl acceptor (β/α 5:1), whereas glycosylation with trichloroacetimidate of A trisaccharide was not stereospecific (β/α 1.3:1). Glycosylation of 3-trifluoroacetamidopropyl glycoside of 3-Ac-6-Bn-GlcN3β with trichloroacetimidates of A and B trisaccharides provided the same stereochemical yield (β/α 1.5:1).