North-West Region Of Russia Research Articles

Molecular characterization of B-thalassemia at the North-West region of Russia

Molecular characterization of B-thalassemia at the North-West region of Russia

Simulation of Soybean Phenology with the Use of Artificial Neural Networks

The phenology of soybean explicitly indicates environmental changes and strongly depends on temperature and day length. We adapted an artificial neural network model to predict the time to flowering in nine early maturing soybean accessions in the Northwest region of Russia. We added scaling constants for network inputs, optimized the high and low temperature thresholds and base day length, and implemented a new model written in Python using the Keras and TensorFlow libraries. Experimental data obtained in 1999–2013 in Pushkin (in the Leningrad region) and Kuban were used for training 121 model parameters; after training the mean-root-square error became smaller, 0.026. The investigated accessions had a reduced upper temperature threshold compared to the literature data (23 instead of 30°С) and increased low temperature threshold (12 instead of 5°С). The extension of day length from 12 to 13 h confirmed the adaptation to a longer day. The average prediction error was improved by approximately 2 days compared to the previous model of temperature minima. We generated daily weather for different future greenhouse gas emission scenarios and predicted time to flowering for nine soybean accessions in a changing climate for 2019–2030 and two planting days, that is, May 1 and May 10. The predicted time to flowering decreases to 2030 for most accessions and scenarios but may remain constant or fluctuate in several cases. The difference in the mean between 39.21 days in the experimental data and 36.33 days in the modeling results for 2030 is statistically significant according to Mann–Witney–Wilcoxon criterion (5423.5, P = 0.0097 < 0.01). Consequently, the results confirmed the predictive power of the developed model.

Тенденции и взаимообусловленность эпидемического процесса по ВИЧ-инфекции и туберкулезу на Северо-Западе России (аналитический обзор)

According to WHO, tuberculosis still remains the leading cause of death from infectious diseases in the world, ahead of HIV/ AIDS. The main causes of luck of the TB situation are the HIV pandemic and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in all countries. The aim of the analytical review is to determine the trends and interdependence of the HIV and tuberculosis epidemic in North-West Region of Russia. The materials and methodological basis of the epidemiological analysis were the state statistical reporting forms on HIV-infection and tuberculosis from 2007-2017, some data - from 2000. Results. In the North-West Region of Russia, as well as in the whole country, the TB situation is improving. However, the main HIV indicators, in contrast to the federal data, have tended to decline during the recent years, especially in the Kaliningrad region, which came out of the number of territories with a high burden of HIV. However, there has been an increase in the number of patients with proficient HIV stages and in heterosexual route in the spread of human immunodeficiency virus. Conclusion. The HIV epidemic with an accumulation of patients with advanced HIV-stages and potentiated by the growth of the heterosexual route is the main factor in maintaining the tension of the TB situation in the North-West Region, as well as in the whole Russia, which requires strengthening measures to tackle HIV epidemic in the federal level.

Исследование микрофлоры спонтанных заквасок для хлебопекарного производства из географически отдаленных мест Северо-Западного региона России

Исследование микрофлоры спонтанных заквасок для хлебопекарного производства из географически отдаленных мест Северо-Западного региона России

Качество муки из зерна тритикале, рекомендуемого для выращивания в северо-западном регионе России

Качество муки из зерна тритикале, рекомендуемого для выращивания в северо-западном регионе России

Urgent natural foci infections transmitted by ticks in Saint-Petersburg

Purpose: to conduct a comparative analysis and to identify the epidemiological and clinical features of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and Lyme borreliosis as a mono- and coinfections in St. Petersburg. Materials and methods. 718 cases of TBE, 4353 cases of Lyme borreliosis and 127 combined diseases registered by the St. Petersburg epidemiological bureau in 2006-2017 were studied. Identification of combined diseases was carried out by a special software that allows to identify co-morbid diseases from the array of monoinfections. To identify clinical and epidemiological features, 144 cases of TBE, 286 Lyme borreliosis, and 43 cases of co-infection were studied. Age and sex characteristics, places of human contagion, infection rates of ticks, clinical forms of mono- and associated diseases, morbidity dynamics changes and patients’ IgM seropositivity were studied. Results. The long-term dynamics of TBE and Lyme borreliosis incidence had did not have significant upward or downward trends, it was characterized by synchronous fluctuations. The priority of the incidence of men over women is revealed. 61–69% cases of TBE and Lyme borreliosis occurred in Leningrad region, 19–30% – in the adjacent territories of Russia, 5,7–6,7% of cases were imported from other countries. High tick infection rates of TBE virus and Borrelia was revealed. Borrelia аnd virus of TBE and were detected in 81,6–87,5% of the examined ticks removed from patients with a later established diagnosis. Seasonal distribution of Lyme borreliosis was shifted by a month to the right in comparison with TBE. The clinical forms of both diseases did not differ in their structure from the country data, however after 2012 subclinical forms were more common in women. The proportion of non-erythematous forms of Lyme borreliosis in 2011–2015 compared with the 2006–2010 observation period increased almost 1,5-fold mainly forms, including those with co-infection. The IgM seropositivity rate in the dynamics of the disease testifies to the incomplete rehabilitation of patients. Conclusion. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of TBE, Lyme borreliosis and combined infection in the North-West region of Russia, with the example of St. Petersburg, have certain distinctive features. The reasons for the revealed features need further study.

Fetoinfantile losses in the north-west region of Russia

In order to assess fetoinfantile losses in the North-West of Russia, the official and operational data of the Federal State Statistics Service and the Central Research Institute of Health Organization and Informatization of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for 2010-2016 were studied. It is established that the indicator of fetoinfantile losses in the North-West region is much lower than fetoinfantile losses in the whole Russia. The evaluation of the dynamic coefficient of fetoinfantile losses showed a decrease for the years 2012-2016, as in Russia in general and in the North-West region. The structure of fetoinfantile losses in 2016 in the Russian Federation was significantly dominated by the share of infant mortality, and in the North-West Federal district – stillbirth. In the structure of fetoinfantile losses attributable to the period of infant mortality, the largest share accounted for mortality in the early neonatal period. Reduction of fetoinfantile losses due to infant mortality has been achieved mainly due to early neonatal mortality. Level of fetoinfantile losses attributable to the period of early neonatal deaths had a direct correlation with mortality level of children with a body weight of 1000 grams or more in the departments of pathology of newborns. The frequency of deaths in children weighing 1000 grams or more in the neonatal pathology departments of the North-West Federal district is significantly higher than in the whole Russia. The survival rate of children with extremely low birth weight from the total number of children born with a body weight of 500-999 grams in the North-Western region exceeded the figure for the whole Russia by 48.32%.

A return to geopolitics? The future of the security community in the Baltic Sea Region

ABSTRACTOne key question for the European security community is whether today’s confrontation between the EU member states and Russia is the end of its spread to the Baltic Sea region, including Russian districts, and the beginning of a return of geopolitical rivalry in the region. This article investigates the possibilities of avoiding such a negative downward spiral by drawing on security community theory and discussing two different methods of security community building – “top-down” and “bottom-up”. It points to the need for the EU institutions to return to the Monnet method to find a way out of the geopolitical “zero-sum” game increasingly played by the governments in the region. This implies not putting restrictions on participants from the north-west regions of Russia in strategically chosen areas of cooperation, and a more pronounced bottom-up, long-term and macro-regional approach built on joint problem-solving projects and people-to-people contacts that generate “win-win” games.

SNCA variants and alpha-synuclein level in CD45+ blood cells in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most frequent neurodegenerative disorder. Impaired metabolism of alpha-synuclein (SNCA) and its aggregation are implicated in PD pathogenesis. SNCA has been identified as a highly significant genetic risk loci associated with the sporadic form of PD in across populations in GWAS and replicative studies.In this study we conducted a genetic analysis of five SNCA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs356219, rs2619364, rs11931074, rs2583988, rs356168) in 458 PD patients and 353 from North-West region of Russia. We also assessed an association of studied SNPs with alpha-synuclein levels in homogeneous cell fraction of CD45+ blood cells in PD patients and controls. An association with PD was shown for SNPs rs356219, rs11931074, rs356168. After correction for covariates the significant association with the disease only for rs11931074 and rs356168 was shown. Alpha-synuclein level in peripheral blood CD45+ cells was significantly increased in PD patients compared to control subjects (р = 0.02). The effect of SNCA rs356219 and rs356168 on CD45+ alpha-synuclein level in PD patients and control groups was shown. At the same tame the increase of CD45+ alpha-synuclein level in PD patients was revealed only in risk allele carriers as for rs356219 and rs356168 SNPs. Therefore, our study was the first that demonstrated the increased level of alpha-synuclein in CD45+ blood cells in PD patients and showed that it could be influenced by SNCA rs356168 and rs356219. In conclusion we confirmed the significance of the SNCA locus in the PD development.

OPPORTUNISTIC FUNGI IN THE POLLUTED SOILS OF KOLA PENINSULA

The species diversity and the structure of the opportunistic fungi complexes in the forest Albic Podzols under the impact of the Aluminum and Copper-Nickel Plants emissions, as well as in the Hortic Anthrosol contaminated by the oil products (diesel fuel, gas condensate, mazut) in the north-west region of Russia (the Kola Peninsula) have been investigated. The share of the opportunistic fungi increase up to 15% in the zones of the Aluminum and Copper-Nickel Plants emissions comparable to the background soil, and up to 20-25% in the soils contaminated by the oil products has been revealed. The majority of the fungi species belong to the following genera: Penicillium, Aspergillus, Mucor, Lecanicillium, Phoma and Cladosporium. The structure of the fungal complexes has changed in the polluted soil, that is, the species abundance and the frequency of the opportunistic fungi occurrence have increased. The strains of the fungi isolated from the contaminated soil reveal the potential pathogenicity in a greater degree, than the strains isolated from the clean soil. 55% of the total amount of fungi strains isolated from the soils contaminated by the Aluminum Plant emissions had the potential pathogenicity. The most dangerous for a human’s health were Amorphotheca resinae, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger, Paecilomyces variotii, Penicillium commune, P. purpurеogenum, Trichoderma viride isolated from the soils contaminated by the Aluminum Plant emissions; and P. aurantiogriseum, P. glabrum, P. commune, P. simplicissimum, Rhizopus nigricans isolated from the soils contaminated by the oil products. Those species revealed protease, phospholipase activity, as well as the growth ability at the temperature 37°C

Virus diseases of potatoes in the North-West of Russia

Potato is one of the most affected crops. It is often damaged by diseases caused by fungi, phytoplasmas, bacteria and nematodes, including quarantine objects. A complex of viruses are among the most dangerous pathogens. More than 37 species can infect potatoes under natural conditions. The article presents the results of monitoring seed potatoes fields to identify and clarify the species composition of viral infections in the period of 2017–2018 in the North-West region of Russia: Novgorod, Pskov, Vologda regions. On the basis of laboratory testing by ELISA, IHA for the rapid determination of Y-, S-, M-, A-X-viruses of potatoes and leaf curl viruses were analyzed 430 samples (leaf test). The prevailing damage of plants by Y-potato virus (Y0, Yn) on the plantings of all categories was observed. As for concominant diseases, an increase in the occurrence of bacterioses was noted, namely ring rot caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and blackleg caused by Dickeya dianthicola.

Пространственно-временные характеристики распределения радиационных заморозков по территории Северо-Западного региона России

To plan agrotechnical measures in changing climate it is necessary to track the dynamics of spatial and temporal changes in agrometeorological factors. Late spring and early autumn frosts are a limiting factor for agricultural crop production. In general, such frosts are of the radiation type. To study the spatial and temporal characteristics of the radiation frosts distribution in the North-West region of Russia, data of daily observations of the standard meteorological network from 1966 to 2015 were used. The change over the time in the average number of days with radiation frosts was calculated for two 25-year periods: from 1966 to 1990 and from 1991 to 2015. Two zones of multidirectional change of the average number of days with radiation frosts in the period from 1991 to 2015 were revealed. The decrease in the average number of days with radiation frosts during this period was recorded at the weather stations of Vologda and Leningrad (except for the weather station Belogorka) and the meteorological station Velikie Luky (Pskov region). At the same time all the weather stations of this zone (with the exception of the Vyborg weather station) are characterized by the higher number of days with radiation frosts then the weather station of the other zone. The increase in the average number of days with radiation frosts during this period was noted at the weather stations of the Pskov, Novgorod, Kaliningrad regions and the weather station Belogorka (Leningrad region).

The Key to the Cardiovascular Diseases Situation Improvement in Conditions of North-West Region of Russia

The purpose of research - studying patients’ adherence of arterial hypertension and ischemic illness of heart to treatment in conditions of Northwest region of Russia. In the period from 2012 to 2013 by analogy with a “Regular Treatment and Prevention as the Key to Improving CVD Situation in Russia - RELIEF” large-scale study on assessing patients adherence to doctor's recommendations was conducted. The study analyzed the factors that have more or less significant impact on the quality of treatment and the adherence to treatment of hypertension and CHD. Assessment of adherence to treatment of patients is given according to data received from 28 district doctors/general practitioners who have included 78 patients with proven hypertension/CHD. Analysis of the received data is performed with the help of Program Statistica 10, Stat Soft. There is insufficient awareness among respondents about risk factors and disease outcome. A radical change has been proposed for principles of preventive care for patients, taking into account all the prevention elements for hypertension/CHD in cardiac treatment centers or preventive medicine and rehabilitation centers, with creating dynamic active register of patients with hypertension/CHD and related complications.

ЭКОЛОГО-ГИГИЕНИЧЕСКИЕ АСПЕКТЫ НЕИНФЕКЦИОННОЙ ЗАБОЛЕВАЕМОСТИ ВЗРОСЛОГО НАСЕЛЕНИЯ КРУПНОГО ПРОМЫШЛЕННОГО ГОРОДА

It is shown that the Cherepovets is a major industrial center of the North-West region of Russia, in which the concentrated enterprises of metallurgy and chemistry. The analysis of morbidity by disease classes included in the International Classification (MBK-10). The paper presents data on total morbidity according negotiability adult population (18 years and older) for the period from 2010 to 2014. During this period, the overall incidence increased by 70,9 ‰, which is slightly lower incidence of growth in the Russian Federation. In the first rank place are diseases of the circulatory system, the second – respiratory diseases, and the third – diseases of the skin and subcutaneous fat. Studied primary morbidity of the population over five years of observations, the level of which does not exceed the nationwide figures. Comparative analysis of primary morbidity in dynamics shows its decline to 23,4 ‰. The incidence of the primary structure of the first rank place occupied by respiratory diseases, second and third place – injuries, poisonings and other consequences of external causes, diseases of the skin and subcutaneous fat.

The logging waste as inexhaustible resource for alternative energy

The article shows that during the production and consumption of fuel wood for bioenergy projects in the organization of the Northwest and other regions of Russia there is the problem of lack of raw materials. It is established that the waste timber, during cutting on average, about 20% of the stock of standing timber. This value varies according to region, type forest resources and the skills, and technical equipment performer. Therefore, the main purpose of the article is a system evaluation of the use of forest residues in Russia. The authors present data on volumes of raw materials for production of wood chips and pellets on example, the Northwest region of Russia. Only about 30% of wood chips are now received from wood waste, bulk wood chips, and pellets produced from the wood of stems. Small volume of use of bark, twigs, branches, tops, stumps, and roots is due imperfection of processing technologies. Another important issue addressed in the article ? the lack of standards and guides taxation inventory valuation and structure of the waste in many regions of Russia. This primarily relates to the hardwood. Research has shown that, depending on tree species, the structure and volume of waste are significantly different. Expert evaluation conducted by the authors shows that the proportion of forest residues from 5 to 20% of the stock of wood. It is found that in different forest types share twigs, branches, stumps, and roots vary considerably according to species of tree. But even within the forest reserves such as twigs, branches, and underground parts of the same species depend strongly on the age of stands and their completeness, and the differences may reach 2 to 5 times the size.

Epidemiological features of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the North-West region of Russia (Results of an open multicenter prospective study DIREG 2)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly recognized as an important problem that can lead to cirrhosis and hepatic failure. It may be the most prevalent liver disease. However,knowledge of the epidemiology is limited. These findings encourage to conduct a larger sample size study to evaluate the real prevalence of NAFLD in the Russian population. It is important to know current prevalence of NAFLD. DIREG 2 study was performed under umbrella of leading Russian professional societies in partnership with Sanofi Russia. Objective: to estimate the prevalence of NAFLD within the general practitioner’s and gastroenterologist’s patient flow. It is important to know current prevalence of NAFLD in North-West region and to compare with DIREG 2 results. Materials and methods.Epidemiologic, observational, multicenter study assessing the prevalence of NAFLD among patients outpatient practice. A total of 50 145 patients (3769 in North-West region) including those suspected of having NAFLD criteria were enrolled in the Program. The investigators were qualified doctors (GPs therapist’s gastroenterologists), providing outpatient care for the population. The epidemiological data were obtained, recorded during two routine patient visits to investigating centers. Study results. Percentage of patients with revealed NAFLD within the patient flow primary or consistently coming to selected doctors for any reason including those suspected of having NAFLD was 37,3 % in Russia vs 49,1 % in North West Region. Conclusion. Prevalence of NAFLD among patient flow of doctors in Russia is quite high. It has been revealed a high prevalence of NANCFLD within the patient flow primary or consistently coming to selected by doctors for any reason. Refs 55. Figs 4. Table 1.

Scientific substantiation of approaches to organization and conducting radiation surveys at the rehabilitated radiation sites

The article is concerned with the scientific justification of approaches to the organization of the final radiation survey of facilities having radioactive contamination, after their rehabilitation. Scientific publications on the previous experience in rehabilitation of facilities contaminated with radionuclides, the organization and conducting a radiation survey before the start of the decontamination, during its implementation and after its completion were analyzed. The experience in the rehabilitation of the site for the temporary storage of spent fuel and radioactive waste in Andreeva Bay in the North-West region of Russia, the locations of peaceful nuclear explosions, experimental nuclear power plants, a radiochemical laboratory, and metallurgical plants, that do not belong to radiation facilities, has been studied. It has been established that, besides the surface contamination of the soil, areas of radioactive contamination on sites of decommissioned radiation facilities with significant depth up to 15 m along the profile are available. These local zones with depth soil contamination are persistent contaminants of the groundwater. The experience in the radiation survey of the peaceful nuclear explosions sites shows the removal of radionuclides from cavities, formed with the use of nuclear explosive technologies for peaceful purposes, on the earth’s surface. An optimized list of radionuclides to be monitored during the radiological survey of rehabilitated facilities was proposed based on the analysis of the composition of radionuclides detected at radiation sites subjected to decontamination. The optimized list includes 14 radionuclides with the half-lives of more than three years.

АГРОТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ ПРИЕМЫ ВЫРАЩИВАНИЯ ВЫСОКОКАЧЕСТВЕННЫХ САЖЕНЦЕВ ПЛОДОВЫХ КУЛЬТУР В УСЛОВИЯХ СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНОГО РЕГИОНА РОССИИ

АГРОТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ ПРИЕМЫ ВЫРАЩИВАНИЯ ВЫСОКОКАЧЕСТВЕННЫХ САЖЕНЦЕВ ПЛОДОВЫХ КУЛЬТУР В УСЛОВИЯХ СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНОГО РЕГИОНА РОССИИ

Структурно-функциональные характеристики зообентоса озер, расположенных в природных и урбанистических ландшафтах Северо-Западного региона России

Структурно-функциональные характеристики зообентоса озер, расположенных в природных и урбанистических ландшафтах Северо-Западного региона России

Dancing to the tune of the employer? Union–management relationships at Nordic subsidiaries in Russia

This research concerns the labour–management relationship at Nordic-owned industrial enterprises in Russia. The analysis draws upon case study data from four unionized factories in the northwest region of Russia that represent different union–management (U-M) relationships representing varying degrees of confrontation and cooperation. Although the long-run dynamics of the U-M relationship at all the factories is heading for partnership (‘dancing’), short-term dynamics may contain periods of antagonism (‘boxing’). There is little indication of a Nordic-type ‘healthy combination’ of recurring dialogue between boxing and dancing at the factories. Moreover, the managements have set limitations in the action allowed and the scope for partnership, and there are discrepancies in the cultural and identity dimensions of ‘dancing’ at the factories. The findings support the hybridization approach to the IR model transfer of multinational companies as Nordic employers seek to escape standards that are in place in their home IR regimes.