bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Trichothecene Metabolite from Myrothecium cinctum 910 and its Biological Activity
Authors: Tsyhanenko K.S. , Pavlychenko A.K. , Andrienko O.V. , Savchuk Ya.I.
Published: April 2024

Fungi of the Myrothecium genus are well-known producers of macrocyclic trichothecenes, characterized by the acute toxic effect on warm-blooded organisms and fungicidal action against a wide range of fungi. At the same time, as established by us earlier, M. cinctum (current name Striaticonidium cinctum) 910 shows a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity: along with antifungal activity against mycelial, yeast-like and phytopathogenic test-cultures it strongly inhibited the growth of gram-positive test-strains and to lesser extend – the growth of gram-negative and phytopathogenic bacteria. This strain also revealed significant phytotoxic potential suppressing the growth of green algae Chlorella strains. The aim of the work was to isolate, to purify and to obtain in crystalline form the biological active metabolites of M. cinctum 910 and to study their physicochemical characteristics and biological activity. Methods. To obtain biologically active metabolites in the purified crystalline form, the extraction followed by separation by column chromatography and recrystallization was used; physicochemical methods and microbiological tests were used for characterization of their properties. Results. Three substances which showed the wide spectrum of biological activity to indicator test-cultures were obtained in crystalline form: preparation МС910 with high antibiotic activity and preparations from fractions 8/2 and 9 with high antifungal and phytotoxic activities. Taking into account the data of spectroscopy in the UV-range of spectrum, of spectrums of antibiotic activity and of qualitative reaction with 4-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridine, it can be concluded that active fractions  8/2 and  9 contain macrocyclic trichothecenes whereas the metabolite МС910 (which is proved by data of IR-spectroscopy) belongs to simple trichothecenes – substances like to macrocyclic trichothecenes but without macrocyclic fragment in their structure. Conclusions. Antibiotic properties of M. cinctum 910 are due to the complex of biological active metabolites with different biological and physicochemical properties. In view on the biological activity of MC910, it can be argued that it has atypical for trichothecenes, including macrocyclc trichothecenes, antibacterial properties as well as it is non-toxic and does not reveal dermatocidal activity in studied concentrations. Therefore, we assume that MC910 is new, not described earlier metabolite of trichothecene nature, which needs further studies. At the same time, active metabolites from fractions 8/2 and 9 are represented by macrocyclic trichothecenes, which is also indicated by the spectra of their biological activity.
Non-Pigmented Antarctic Yeasts and Their Resistance to Toxic Metals
Authors: Gladka G.V. , Hovorukha V.M. , Havryliuk О.А. , Bida I.O. , Yastremska L.S. , Tashyrev O.B.
Published: April 2024

Despite the key role in biogeochemical processes and in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, yeasts of Antarctic regions still remain insufficiently studied. The study and analysis of the composition of Antarctic microbial communities remains relevant and is carried out using molecular biological approaches. The investigation of their resistance to toxic metal ions is essential to select industrially promising strains that can contribute to the development of new methods of metals detoxification via microorganisms. Aim. To determine the taxonomic position of non-pigmented Antarctic yeasts and investigate their resistance to toxic metal ions. Methods. The objects of the research are yeasts isolated from Antarctic phytocenoses. They were grown on malt wort (pH 5.0–5.5, temperature 18–20 °C). Isolation of genomic DNA was performed via the commercial DNA-sorb kit. Amplification of DNA was carried out using primers NL1 and NL4. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted by construction of trees (dendrograms) showing the position of the studied strains among closely related and typical species. The resistance of yeasts to toxic metal ions was established by cultivation in the concentration gradient of Ni2+, Co2+, CrO42-, and Сu2+. The ecophysiological traits of the isolated yeast strains including psychro- and halotolerance were determined. Results. Phylogenetic analysis showed a high percentage of similarity (99.5–99.6 %) of sequences of 18S rRNA genes of Antarctic yeast strains with the yeast sequences from the GenBank database. Psychrotolerant and halotolerant Antarctic yeast strains S11 and S12 were identified as Leucosporidium scottii and Debaryomyces hansenii, respectively. The studied yeast strains were found to be the most resistant to metal ions Ni2+ and Co2+. Strain of L. scottii S11 grew at 800 mg/L of Co2+, and D. hansenii S12 – at 750 mg/L of Ni2+. The yeasts were the least resistant to CrO42-: the L. scottii S11 and D. hansenii S12 strains grew at concentrations of 25 mg/L and 150 mg/L, respectively. In the presence of Cu2+, they grew at the same concentration – 600 mg/L. The combined action of toxic metal ions resulted in the increased toxic effects on the studied yeasts. Conclusions. The nucleotide sequences of 18S rRNA gene fragment of yeast strains S11 and S12 were included in the GenBank database under the numbers LT220858 and LT220859. Metal-resistant psychrotolerant yeast strains can be used to evaluate the metals content in polar regions as well as to bioremediate metal-contaminated ecosystems. However, further research is needed to develop and optimize bioremediation processes.
Distribution, Properties, and Practical Significance of α-Galactosidase
Authors: Borzova N.V. , Varbanets L.D.
Published: April 2024

The achievements of modern enzymology have greatly expanded the possibilities of practical use of enzymes, primarily in medicine and the food industry, which is due to their advantages over chemical catalysts: selectivity and stereospecificity of action, the possibility of achieving high rates of conversion of substrates under relatively mild technological conditions, harmlessness to the environment and humans. The microbial producers have proven themselves as a convenient and economical source of biotechnologically important enzyme preparations of hydrolytic action. One of such enzymes is α-galactosidase, which has the ability to cleave terminal α-linked galactosyl residues from a wide range of natural and synthetic compounds. The review presents data on the spread of the enzyme among different groups of microorganisms and provides a comparative description of their catalytic properties. A range of issues related to the physiological role of the enzyme in plant and animal organisms, localization and functional properties in bacteria and fungi are outlined. The place of α-galactosidase of microorganisms in the modern hierarchical classification of glycosidases is shown. The areas of possible use of the enzyme as an efficient tool for the modification of oligo- and polysaccharides in various industries are described.
Analysis of temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind velocity on dengue hemorrhagic fever in Bandung municipality
Authors: Sutriyawan A. , Kurniati N. , Novianti Novianti , Farida U. , Yusanti L. , Destriani S.N. , Saputra M.K.F.
Published: April 2024

The trend of dengue hemorrhagic fever prevalence every year continues to show an increase and number of deaths. This is due to an increase in the population of aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Climate change has the potential to affect mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever, which is a vulnerability for residents in Bandung Municipality. This research aims to analyse the relationship between temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind velocity with dengue hemorrhagic fever in Bandung Municipality. The methodology research used in this study is descriptive analysis with a cross-sectional approach. This research was conducted in Bandung Municipality. The study samples were taken from data on dengue hemorrhagic fever sufferers, as well as data on temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind speed. This study used secondary data. The data collected is in the form of data on temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind speed, and the number of cases. To assess the correlation between variables using the person correlation test. To test the effect of all four variables simultaneously on the incidence of dengue hemorrhagic fever using a linear regression test. Average value of air temperature is 25.8°C, air humidity is 69.9%, rainfall is 201.5 mm, and the wind velocity is 1.8 knots. The prevalence of dengue hemorrhagic fever is 232.5 cases. There is a significant relationship between humidity with dengue hemorrhagic fever prevalency (p = 0.018, r = 0.873). Wind velocity with dengue hemorrhagic fever prevalency (p = 0.018, r = 0.629). The result of the coefficient of determination test on temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind velocity with DHF cases is R2 = 0.745. The increase in dengue prevalence in Bandung City occurred from January to June, the decrease in prevalence occurred from July to December. Variations in temperature, humidity, rainfall and wind speed can simultaneously affect the incidence of dengue fever in Bandung. Therefore, in the future it is necessary to increase mosquito nest eradication activities to prevent dengue transmission considering that this disease has the potential to spread at any time.
Comparatively analyzed pattern of Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 genovariant dominated COVID-19 incidence in the population of the Saratov region
Authors: Zimirova A. A. , Kuklev V. E. , Safronov V. A. , Vyatkin I. N.
Published: April 2024

Despite the stable decline in SARS-CoV-2 virus-caused COVID-19 incidence in most countries worldwide by the end of 2023, spreading of this infection on a global scale remains relevant. Among all known SARS-CoV-2 genovariants, within the last about two years Omicron remains dominant. The distinctive properties of this genovariant are presented by short incubation period (1–5 days), high contagiousness, and a relatively mild disease course due to largest number of genomic mutations among all SARS-CoV-2 genovariants. The first case of Omicron genovariant-caused infection in Russia was recorded in early December 2021. Over many month-monitoring after active spread of the genovariant in Russia, it is obvious that in a number of key characteristics it differs profoundly from previous SARS-CoV-2 genovariants. Analyzing major patterns inherent in COVID-19 epidemic process particularly uncovering geographic features is one of the most crucial activities in COVID-19 surveillance. Here, we provide a comparatively analyzed pattern of Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 genovariant dominated COVID-19 incidence in the population of the Saratov region. For this, there was used statistical reporting from the Office of Rospotrebnadzor for the Saratov Region. The main research method is based on epidemiological analysis. The study data showed that upon Omicron genovariant dominance, an increased percentage in COVID-19 cases among children of varying age, increased rate of infected subjects with unknown source of infection as well as improved clinical disease course were recorded. Regardless of the circulating genovariant, elderly people remain to be in risk group. Thus, after three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mutual adaptation for SARS-CoV-2 and human population can be observed, which is accompanied by altered biological properties of the former and the accumulation of herd immunity. Alleviated disease symptoms and decreased mortality rate among Omicron genovariant-infected individuals evidence in favor of further COVID-19 transformation into a seasonal infection.
Characteristics of antibiotic sensitivity of Acinetobacter baumannii bv. tryptophandestruens and Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates
Authors: Sivolodskii E. P. , Kraeva L. A. , Melnikova E. V. , Gorelova G. V.
Published: April 2024

The aim of the study was to determine the sensitivity of the bacteria of the biovar Acinetobacter baumannii bv. tryptophandestruens to antibiotics used to treat Acinetobacter-infection. The object of the study was 86 primary clinical isolates of A. baumannii, of which 34 strains of A. baumannii bv. tryptophandestruens isolated in the microbiological laboratory of the Military Medical Academy in 2021–2022. Species identification of bacteria was carried out by MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry. The biovar tryptophandestruens of A. baumannii was determined on a dense chromogenic medium. The sensitivity of A. baumannii isolates to antibiotics was determined by a “Vitek 2 compact” microbiological analyzer (bioMerieux, France). Clinical categories of isolates sensitivity to antibiotics (S) were identified based on the boundary values of minimum suppressive concentrations (MSC, mg/L) established by the European Committee for the Determination of Sensitivity to Antimicrobial Preparates (EUCAST), version 11.0. Isolates of A. baumannii bv. tryptophandestruens and groups of isolates of other A. baumannii very rarely sensitive to meropenem (8.8±4.6%; 3.8±2.6%, respectively, p 0.05), ciprofloxacin (5.8±4.0; 9.6±4.1%, p 0.05). Strains sensitive to gentamicin are rarely represented in both groups (26.7±7.55; 19.3±5.5%, p 0.05) trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (38.8±8.3%; 23.6±5.3%, p 0.05). Sensitivity to polymyxin B was preserved in all strains of both groups (100%). Strains of the tryptophandestruens biovar A. baumannii group surpass strains of the other strain of A. baumannii group in the frequency of isolates with MSC50% tigecycline (MSC50% — 0.5 mg/l; MSC50% — 2 mg/l, respectively), and also have significantly more strains with MSC 0.5 mg/l (52.9% and 15.4%, respectively, p 0.01 ). Thus, the clinical isolates of the biovar A. baumannii bv. tryptophandestruens have no significant differences with isolates of other strains of A. baumannii in the frequency of strains sensitive (S) to meropenem, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, polymyxin B, but they differ in terms of sensitivity to tigecycline — a higher frequency of strains with an MSC of 0.5 mg/l (p 0.01) and an MSC of 50%.
Characteristics of children living with HIV in a referral center in Iran: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hassannezhad M. , Abdolsalehi M.R. , Manshadi S.A.D. , Asadi S.M. , Shahmohamadi E. , Abbaspour F. , Jahani S. , SeyedAlinaghi S.
Published: April 2024

Background. With an estimated 38.4 million people worldwide living with HIV in 2021, including 2.73 million children, there is a pressing need to understand and address HIV transmission and its impact on children’s health. This study aims to describe the demographic characteristics, clinical profiles, and outcomes of Iranian children living with HIV referred to one of the largest center for counseling HIV patients in Iran.
Materials and methods. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, we assessed clinical and biological markers in HIV-infected children treated at the counseling center for behavioral diseases in a referral Hospital in Tehran. The study included a total of 60 records of children and adolescents under the age of 18, spanning from 2004 to 2020. We collected detailed clinical and laboratory data, including demographic information, treatment history, comorbidities, opportunistic infections, adherence to treatment, side effects of HIV treatment, and laboratory test results. Additionally, the study investigated any history of COVID-19 infection during the follow-up period, which coincided with the pandemic.
Results. Out of the 60 patients included in the study, there were 23 females (38.3%) and 37 males (61.6%), with a mean age of 10.03 years. About 16.7% of patients had at least one comorbidity, including epilepsy, ADHD, autoimmune hepatitis, ITP, allergic asthma, alopecia areata, and cystic fibrosis. Among the mothers of these children, 93.9% were HIV-positive. Out of the 60 mothers, 6.7% were not infected with the virus, 60% were receiving treatment, and 10% had passed away. Treatment adherence was acceptable in 93.3% of patients. Opportunistic infectious diseases were experienced by 36.7% of patients, with oral candidiasis being the most common. Hospitalizations occurred in 21 patients, primarily due to pneumonia, fever, weakness, lethargy, and oral thrush.
Conclusions. Investigating the demographic, clinical profile, and long-term outcomes of pediatric HIV is crucial for policymakers to effectively address the ongoing HIV epidemic. Given the significant knowledge gap on pediatric HIV in Iran, further studies in this area are necessary to improve understanding and inform strategies for the prevention, management, and treatment of HIV in children in the country.
Geographical distribution of COVID-19 infection across Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aldossari H.M. , Abdul Salam A.
Published: April 2024

Background. Saudi Arabia, a large country in terms of population size and geographical area, is divided into administrative areas and governorates. It has metropolises, cities (large, medium sized, and small), towns, villages and rural neighborhoods, classifiable into well equipped, rapidly expanding, and others. The COVID-19 epidemics spread all over the country with differentials in infection rates, percentages, and affected persons, alongside daily increases. This analysis, focused on administrative areas, aimed to comprehend the spread and escalation of the epidemic, in addition to highlighting the distribution of the infected population with a special emphasis on geographical spread and seasonal variations.
Materials and methods. This analysis of data compiled from COVID-19 daily reports published by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health considers into account administrative areas and localities (neighborhoods) to demonstrate the distribution of spread, increase in infection, and the proportion of population infected between March 21, 2020 and May 4, 2023.
Results. A large majority of the infected cases were reported in three major administrative areas including Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern Region. Other regions had a smaller number of infected cases. However, some locations, especially medium-sized upcoming towns and neighborhoods experienced greater number of people seriously affected at a rapid pace, with seasonal differentials, in medium sized upcoming cities — the governorate headquarters and promising future cities, apart from the major cities.
Conclusions. COVID-19 spread in the country followed a certain regional pattern. Beyond the populous administrative areas, upcoming cities in fast changing areas had a high impact. Thus, having a categorization of major, medium or low spread is necessary. Such detailing of COVID-19 infection would be useful not only to develop combating strategies but also to create epidemic and emergency preparedness.
Infection prevention and control programs in Armenian Psychoneurological Hospitals
Authors: Palozyan G. O. , Avetisyan Sh. M. , Abovyan R. A. , Melik-Andreasyan G. G.
Published: April 2024

Aim of the study: to characterize the integration and implementation of the main components of infection prevention and control (IPC), defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), in psychoneurological hospitals in Armenia.
Materials and methods. The study was conducted over the period from 2019 to 2022 in all 8 psychoneurological hospitals in Armenia. The research tool was based on using the IPCAF (Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework) questionnaire translated into Armenian, consisting of 8 sections. In accordance with the WHO scoring methodology, each possible answer to the question was scored. The maximum total score for each core component could be 100 points, and the final score — 800. Descriptive epidemiology was used during the study.
Results. The average final score for all IPCAF components for all neuropsychiatric hospitals in Armenia over the entire study period was increased by 1.46 times (from 345.0±10.7 points in 2019 to 502.5±32.5 in 2022; р 0.01) and in 2022 was characterized as an “intermediate level”. Analysis by individual IPC core components (CC) found that the highest average scores in 2022 were obtained for components CC2 (IPC guidelines) — 81.6 points, CC8 (Built environment, materials and equipment for IPC at the facility level) — 72.8 points, and CC5 (Multimodal strategies) — 70.0 points. The lowest average scores were obtained for the key components: CC4 (Health care-associated infection (HAI) surveillance) — 45.0 points, and for CC3 (IPC education and training) — 56.3 points and CC7 (Workload, staffing and bed occupancy) — 56.9 points.
Conclusion. Our study demonstrated for the first time an opportunity for using the IPCAF questionnaire to evaluate IPC programs in neuropsychiatric hospitals and identify gaps in various areas of IPC. Information was received regarding the state of key IPC component implementation in psychoneurological hospitals in Armenia. Analysis by individual core components identified gaps that need to be addressed. It is recommended to implement continuous monitoring of compliance with various aspects of IPC in order to prevent weakening of control and deterioration of epidemiological situation.
Immune system parameters in patients with chronic opistorchiasis based on genetic polymorphism associated with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders
Authors: Bakshtanovskaya I. V. , Grigorieva S. A. , Stepanova K. B. , Stepanova T. F. , Ozerova A. N. , Kalgina G. A. , Kurlaeva L. V.
Published: April 2024

A study assessing differences in the immunopathogenesis of chronic opisthorchiasis with or without genetic polymorphisms in patients associated with predisposition to type II diabetes mellitus and lipid metabolism disorders was carried out. Venous blood samples from 89 patients were collected to analyze immunological parameters and genetic polymorphisms by using pyrosequencing. In the presence of mutations affecting regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, patients with opisthorchiasis had less pronouncedly increased phagocytic activity, a lower monocyte count, higher total T-lymphocyte count, lower T-cytotoxic cell and B-lymphocyte counts, lower IgA, IgG but higher IgM concentration. This indicates a moderately compromised nonspecific resistance, imbalanced effector T- and B-immunity, but in most cases (PPARG, TCF7L2 rs12255372, CDKAL1, CDKN2A/2B, SLC30A8) aggravated humoral immune reaction to invasion particularly revealed by lower B-lymphocyte count. The presence of polymorphisms that alter lipid metabolism regulation bidirectionally affects the parameters of immune response. An increased B-lymphocyte count and other indicators of humoral immune activation to invasion, which are detected in groups with mutations in the APOE (rs429358), PCSK9, ABCA1, APOC3 rs2854117 genes, can contribute to a more effective response to sustained antigenic stimulation. Changes in the T-lymphocytes subpopulations, characteristic of opisthorchiasis invasion, are aggravated in the presence of mutations in the PCSK9, ABCA1, and APOC3 rs2854117 genes. Mutations in the genes APOC3 rs5128, LPL rs268 activate patients’ nonspecific resistance, although this effect may also be associated with exhaustion of neutrophil bactericidal reserve. In general, minor alleles of the APOE (rs429358), APOC3 rs2854117, LPL rs268, LPL rs328, PON1 rs662 genes can be considered “protective” for the immunopathogenesis of chronic opisthorchiasis. Thus, patients with chronic opisthorchiasis with different genotypes predisposing to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders had significant differences in immune system parameters, which can also affect the disease course. Mutations in different loci of the PCSK9, ABCA1, APOE, APOC3, and PON1 genes have opposite effects on the analyzed immune parameters. In the presence of mutations in other genes (PPARG, TCF7L2 rs12255372, CDKAL1, CDKN2A/2B, SLC30A8, LPL), opisthorchiasis invasion leads to more pronounced alterations in immune response; mutations in the lipoprotein lipase gene may have some “protective” immune-related effect in opisthorchiasis. The effect of all studied genetic polymorphisms associated with a predisposition to developing type II diabetes mellitus was predominantly negative.
Investigating SARS-CoV-2 virion material trafficking in syrian hamster neocortecal neurons
Authors: Chepur S. V. , Paramonova N. M. , Myasnikova I. A. , Pluzhnikov N. N. , Tyunin M. A. , Kanevsky B. A. , Ilyinsky N. S.
Published: April 2024

Introduction. Taking into account the experience on the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 pandemic, the relevance of studies assessing the cellular processes of SARS-CoV-2 virus assembly and transport to justify the choice of pharmacological action points has now markedly increased. The study was aimed at analyzing morphologically assessed events of SARS-CoV-2 life cycle in neocortical neurons using electron microscopy based on its traced wide prevalence in vivo and ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier accounts.
Materials and methods. Patient-derived SARS-CoV-2 virus was obtained and accumulated in Vero(B) cell culture. An electron microscopy study (EMR) of the viral particle transport was carried out in male Syrian hamsters. Animals were inoculated intranasally with 26 μl of virus culture in an amount of 4 × 104 TCID50/ml. Animals were euthanized on day 3, 7, and 28 post-infection. The extracted brain was prepared for EMR according to methods previously described in the literature. The results were recorded using an FEI Tecnai G2 Spitit BioTWIN electron microscope.
Results. Using EMR, the morphological equivalents of virus transport variants in neocortical neurons were traced dynamically during infectious process in Syrian hamsters. After synthesis, viral membrane proteins are included in transport vesicles in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) terminal tubules and enter the intermediate compartment (IC), a collection of smooth-walled membrane vesicles between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi apparatus (AG). In the first 3 days post-infection, viral copies are included in the Ag in PC membrane-formed transport vesicles. Due to the large size, viral particles are restricted to the expanded ends of the mobile AG tanks. Morphologically, destruction of AG membranes was revealed on day 7 post-infection, which indicates an interaction between PC vesicles and preserved AG membrane elements or the implementation of their independent transport function to deliver SARS-CoV-2 virus to the cell periphery and further into the intercellular space. In the neuronal processes, the transport of mature SARS-CoV-2 viral particles associated with cytoskeletal elements was observed, which was not detected in other loci of virus persistence.
Conclusion. Based on data obtained, it is possible to hypothesize about a cumulative importance for progression and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cortical neurons. Early signs of neuron infection are represented by characteristic changes in the nuclei, ER hypertrophy and formation of “viral factories” based on the ER, PC and AG. The formation of viral biomass occurs inside neurons; virion exit from target cells is more accompanied by cell death rather than if a virus becomes incorporated in the lysosomal-endosomal system.
Level of influenza virus strain antibodies in healthy vaccinated people at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Iushkova S. V. , Kostinov M. P. , Gladkova L. S. , Kameleva A. A. , Kachnova A. S. , Kostinova A. M. , Solovyeva I. L. , Andreeva N. P. , Dagil Yu. A. , Nastaeva N. Yu. , Kryukova N. O. , Loktionova M. N.
Published: April 2024

Introduction. Abnormally low global influenza detection rates were observed at the peak of ongoing COVID-19 infection. In the 2021–2022 season, influenza resumed circulation, and in December 2022 its incidence rate returned to the 2015–2016 season levels, which exceeded the highest value recorded in 2018 worldwide. There is a need to assess changes in pattern of population immunity after influenza vaccination during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The study was aimed at analyzing level of vaccine influenza virus strain antibodies in healthy people formed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Materials and methods. A total of 123 healthy volunteers immunized with influenza quadrivalent inactivated subunit adjuvanted vaccine and 47 unimmunized volunteers were enrolled in the study. Influenza virus strains antibodies were assessed by performing a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test one month after vaccination.
Results. A significantly increased seroprotection rate (SPR) (p 0.05) was show in main group that reached 78.9% against the A/Victoria/2570/2019(H1N1)pdm09 strain, 94.3% — against A/H3N2/Darwin strain /9/2021, 69.1% — against B/Phuket/3073/13 strain and 48.8% — against B/Austria/1359417/2021 strain one month after vaccination. The GMT ratio to influenza A(H1N1), B (Victoria) and B (Yamagata) viruses exceeded the required minimum value (p 0.05) and comprised 4.1 (CI 3.68–4.54), 3.80 (CI 3.33–4.33) and 4.76 (CI 3.87–5.47), respectively. The post-vaccination GMT ratio to influenza A(H3N2) virus was 2.45, which is lower than the required level of 2.50 (p 0.05). The seroconversion rate (SCR) for strains A/Victoria/2570/2019(H1N1)pdm09, B/Phuket/3073/2013 and B/Austria/1359417/2021 was 56.1%, 50.4% and 51.2%, respectively. The SCR of the influenza A(H3N2) virus like GMT ratio was minimal among the four strains (p 0.05) and comprised 38.2%.
Conclusion. The vaccine-related immunogenic activity met the requirements for inactivated seasonal influenza vaccines by at least one criterion.
Microbiological and molecular genetic characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, extracted under conditions of cardiac surgery hospital
Authors: Kuznetsova M. V. , Sergevnin V. I. , Mikhailovskaya V. S. , Kudryavtseva L. G. , Pegushina О. G.
Published: April 2024

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the main causative agents of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) worldwide. The study was aimed at molecular characterization of beta-lactam antibiotic resistance in K. pneumoniae isolated in the cardiac surgery hospital, identify hypervirulent isolates and assess isolate genetic relatedness. K. pneumoniae isolated from the clinical material of patients (n = 50) at cardiac surgery departments as well as anesthesiology and reanimation department treated at the cardiovascular surgery hospital in Perm from July 2021 to December 2022 were analyzed. Bacteriological studies were performed on an automatic analyzer WalkAway-96Plus (Beckman Coulter, USA). The sensitivity to thirteen antimicrobials, production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype were assessed. The string test was used to screen hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae. Isolate relatedness (ERIC-PCR), presence of beta-lactamase genes (blaTEM, blaCTX-M, blaSHV, blaOXA, blaKPC, blaVIM-2, blaIMP-1, blaNDM-1), as well as genes associated with hypervirulence (prmpA, iucA, peg-344, wzyK2, magA) were analyzed by PCR. Amplifications were performed in a DNA Engine Dyad Thermal Cycler (Bio-Rad, USA). Gel documentation system Gel-Doc XR (Bio-Rad, USA) was used for band visualization and data documentation. According to the study results, it was found that carbapenem-resistant isolates accounted for almost 76% of all isolates, the ESBL-phenotype had 90%, and MDR-phenotype — 88% of studied isolates. According to the string test results, 8% of K. pneumoniae isolates had a hypermucoviscous phenotype. As for genes associated with hypervirulence, it was shown that the iucA gene was the most common, amplified in 54% of isolates, prmpA was detected in 38% of isolates, 48% of isolates had wzyK2 or magA genes encoding capsular type K1/K2. Almost a third of K. pneumoniae samples contained a combination of the rmpA and iucA genes, and they were isolated more often in the group of patients with active infection. Only carbapenem-sensitive microorganisms had hypermucoviscous phenotype, K1 capsular type, and a combination of prmpA, iucA, peg-344 genes, whereas the K2 capsular type was most common among carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae. Based on molecular genetic typing, it was found that 24% of K. pneumoniae isolates were assigned to four genome groups of identical cultures, 76% of the isolates had individual profiles. Closely related isolates were found among patients from different departments that indicates a potential pathogen circulation in the closed circuit “surgery department–department of anesthesiology” and “reanimation–surgery department”.
Oxidative stress induced by the human microbiota yeast component as a micromycetes pathogenicity factor
Authors: Prokopyev V. V. , Kuklina N. V. , Mazko O. N. , Makarova O. G.
Published: April 2024

The introduction of MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry into routine microbiological diagnostics has led to a widely extended list of identified microorganisms. This phenomenon also affected mycological studies. Rare basidiomycetes and ascomycetes began to be detected in various types of pathological material. It is often difficult to assess a role of isolated micromycetes in the pathogenesis of a certain disease. In addition to generally admitted pathogenicity factors, such as aggression enzymes, adhesive activity, and toxin formation, induction or inhibition of reactive oxygen species can play a prominent role in pathogenesis of infectious diseases. In our study, we evaluated the total prooxidant and total antioxidant activity of cultivated ascomycete and basidiomycete yeasts from the human intestinal mycobiome. The strains of micromycetes assessed here were obtained from a fecal culture study from patients with gastrointestinal tract pathology and healthy people undergoing a routine medical examination. Identification was carried out analyzing morphological, cultural, biochemical properties and confirmed by mass spectrometry. The total prooxidant and antioxidant activity was assessed by the induced or inhibited malondialdehyde formation during Tween-80 oxidation. It was found that the level of total prooxidant activity in Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Geotrichum candidum, Candida albicans, Pichia kudriavzevii significantly exceeds the level of total antioxidant activity, and the Pichia kudriavzevii prooxidase activity was more than twice as high as in other studied micromycetes. The revealed ability of some fungi to induce oxidase stress can be considered as one of significant pathogenicity factors of microorganisms that cause pathomorphological changes in human intestinal tissues.
A rare case of urinary tract infection by Burkholderia cepacia
Authors: Seitopoulou C. , Stamouli M. , Kalliora G. , Mourtzikou A.
Published: April 2024

Burkholderia cepacia is a motile, aerobic, non-fermentative, gram-negative bacillus and has been widely documented as a lung pathogen in patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic granulomatous disease. It is documented as an important emerging cause of multi-drug resistant nosocomial infections, and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. A 64-year-old male patient visited the Nikea Primary Healthcare Center, Piraeus, Greece, referred by the family doctor (GP), for follow-up due a history of prostate cancer (patient on immunosuppression) and recurrent UTIs with subsequent admission to the hospital. Patient history revealed diabetes mellitus type 2, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, history of recurrent UTIs, with 4 hospitalizations in a tertiary hospital during the last 2 years, prostatic hypertrophy, 2 episodes of prostatitis before the diagnosis of prostate cancer Gleason score 6, at the end of 2019, with subsequent total prostatectomy, and radiotherapy. Patient history also revealed dysuria, frequent urination, pain and burning sensation during urination and erectile dysfunction. Urinalysis showed intense pyuria, abundance of micro-organisms and abundance of red blood cells. The urine culture grew monomicrobial Burkholderia cepacia 105 CFU/ml. The bacterium was identified by the RapID™ REMEL ONE identification system (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed susceptibility to antibiotics such as, Ceftazidime, Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Levofloxacin and Imipenem.The patient received treatment with Levofloxacin. Burkholderia cepacia infections outside the respiratory system are rare. Moreover, recurrent UTIs with B. cepacia is a rare finding, which highlights the importance of our study. UTIs with B. cepacia have been associated with bladder irrigation or use of contaminated hospital objects and liquids. B. cepacia is one of the most antimicrobial-resistant organisms and treatment options are limited. The patient was treated with Levofloxacin (3rd generation fluoroquinolone — Tavanic) 500 mg daily per os for 2 weeks, due to his history.
Relationship between the outcomes of intensive phase therapy in patients with newly diagnosed infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis and activity of purine metabolism enzymes as well as CD3+CD8+ lymphocyte level
Authors: Dyakova M. Ye. , Serebryanaya N. B. , Esmedlyaeva D. S. , Yablonskiy P. K.
Published: April 2024

Monitoring activity of inflammatory process and lymphocyte subsets can help assess the effectiveness of intensive phase therapy (IPT) already in the early stages of treatment. The goal is to evaluate changes in the concentration and activity of enzymes associated with purine metabolism and peripheral blood lymphocyte subset composition, and to determine their relationship with IPT effectiveness in patients with newly diagnosed infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis (IPTb).
Materials and methods. In 141 IPTb patients, the IPT data were presented as follows: “significant improvement” (SI) — disappearance of intoxication symptoms, abacillation, closure of decay cavities; “less pronounced improvement” (LMI) — eliminated symptoms of intoxication, abacillation, pronounced resorption of focal and infiltrative changes, reduction of decay cavities. We assessed the activity of adenosine deaminase in blood serum (eADA-1, 2), mononuclear cells and neutrophils, the concentration of blood serum ecto-5'-nucleotidase (eHT5E), CD26 (DPPV) in blood serum (s, soluble form) and mononuclear cells (m, membrane form), subpopulation composition.
Results. Patients exhibit increased concentrations of eNT5E, mCD26 (DPPIV) and eADA-2 activity, and decreased intracellular ADA-1 activity. In the “LMI” group, after IPT, an increased sCD26 (DPPV) level was noted. The groups differed in lymphocyte counts and percentage of CD3+CD8+ cells. eADA-2 activity was higher in the LMI group and increased after IPT, in contrast to comparison group. mCD26 (DPPIV) concentrations are higher in PD patients before therapy and after IPT.
Conclusion. Thus, the outcome of IPT in IPTb patients is associated with altered T-lymphocyte populations and severity of the inflammatory process. Studying the activity of membrane and soluble eADA-2, CD26 (DPPIV) and percentage of CD3+CD8+ T-lymphocytes in the early stages of therapy can provide the necessary information for correcting personalized pathogenetic therapy of patients with newly diagnosed IPTb.
Strategies for tularemia pathogen survival, spread and virulence
Authors: Kudryavtseva Tamara Yu. , Mokrievich Alexander N.
Published: April 2024

The bacterium Francisella tularensis is the etiological agent of tularemia, a natural focal, especially dangerous infection, which, “thanks to” its low infectious dose and ability to be transmitted to humans via all possible routes, is a potential bioterrorism agent. This pathogen has been known to mankind for over a hundred years, but it is still impossible to prevent massive human disease outbreaks and sporadic incidence cases, whereas tularemia diagnosis may be verified within several days-to-weeks. The basis for tularemia causative agent virulence is based on its ability to disrupt phagocyte function. In animals and humans, the various Francisella tularensis systems work together to bypass host immune system, attach to and enter eukaryotic cells, block phagosome-lysosome fusion, multiply in various host cells without being detected, inhibit their destruction and cause host cell death to release bacteria and infect neighboring tissue cells, thus developing an infectious disease in different organs. This is achieved through a unique complement-dependent penetration process into host cell, called loop phagocytosis, and an unusual inert endotoxin as well as variation in diverse forms of “free” lipid A modifications and lipid A in the LPS composition, its dynamic acyl chain length regulation, and specifically combined regulatory factors to induce the “pathogenicity island” protein synthesis. Accumulated point mutations, intragenomic rearrangements, deletions, insertions, duplications, transpositions, gene degradation, variation in the number of copies in repeated DNA sequences, as well as homologous and non-homologous recombinations underlie a markedly expanded potential for existence of the tularemia causative agent: they contribute to the holarctic subspecies strain survival in varying conditions, including osmotic shock, to form multiple resistance to various toxic substances and alter F. tularensis subspecies virulence. Analyzing a whole body of publications on the abovementioned aspects for tularemia causative agent life activity attempts to combine the differences, structural features and “tricks” of the F. tularensis species cells allowing them to be a powerful pathogen, with a high potential to adapt upon low pathogen variability and a limited genome length compared with other specially dangerous bacteria.
Sustained immunological memory to SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Three years of observation
Authors: Afridonova Z. E. , Toptygina A. P. , Semikina E. L.
Published: April 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has ended, but SARS-CoV-2 continues to actively circulate and mutate in the human population. In this regard, it is important to understand for how long post-infectious and post-vaccination immunity may last and how effectively established immunity could act against new mutant SARS-CoV-2 strains. The aim was to study humoral and cellular immunity in a group of COVID-19 convalescent subjects within 3 years after the primary infection. The longitudinal study included 38 adults aged 23–72 years with PCR-confirmed mild or moderate COVID-19 in the second half of 2020. Within three-year follow-up after the onset, the subjects were examined every 6 months for the level of humoral and cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2 antigens. The parameters of humoral immunity were assessed by enzyme immunoassay using “SARS-CoV-2-IgG quantitative-ELISA-BEST” kits (Vector-Best JSC, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation) for S-protein and “N-CoV-2-IgG PS” (Saint-Petersburg Pasteur Institute, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation) specific to the N-protein. Cellular anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity was analyzed by evaluating surface CD107a expression on CD8high lymphocytes stimulated with the SARS-CoV-2 S- or N-antigens. It was shown that the dynamics of antibody levels against SARS-COV-2 antigens depends on antigen (S- or N-protein) type, antibody class (IgG or IgA) as well as individual contact history with new SARS-CoV-2 strains. The dynamics of cytotoxic CD8highCD107a+ lymphocyte percentage is moderately positively correlated with that of the corresponding anti-S or N antibody levels. At the same time, change in the levels of both humoral and T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 S- or N-protein antigens are weakly negatively correlated with each other. A strong positive correlation was found between changes in the anti-S IgG antibody level and avidity. Avoiding the anti-S IgG neutralization due to frequent mutations of new SARS-CoV-2 strains leads to induced new primary immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 antigens along with the activation of existing responses formed to previous coronavirus strains. The study of immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 antigens allows to predict the persistence of high SARS-CoV-2 anti-S antibody and T-cell response levels.
"Art Cinema’s Suicidal Posthuman Women”
Authors: Molloy Missy , Duncan Pansy , Henry Claire , Lynch Caitlin
Published: April 2024

Air Doll (Kûki ningyô, dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda, 2009) introduces a posthuman perspective through its protagonist Nozomi, an inflatable sex doll who miraculously comes to consciousness. Meanwhile, On Body and Soul (Testről és lélekről, dir. Ildikó Enyedi, 2017) centers on a surreal romance between Mária and Endre that thrives, in part, on their posthuman connections to animals and objects. Strong narrative, erotic and traumatic elements bind these films—in particular, their treatments of their posthuman women protagonists—which video editing offered the ideal method for unpacking. Air Doll and On Body and Soul explore the posthuman possibilities inherent in their protagonists’ nonhuman and neurodivergent subjectivities, yet the films’ handling of Nozomi and Mária's leaky bodies reveals their confinement within humanist norms. Left bleeding and deflated, what do Nozomi and Mária foretell for posthuman cinema?
Racialización económica del trabajo en la frontera dominico-haitiana: el caso de CODEVI
Authors: Mendoza-Vargas Edwin Oscar , Garibay-Orozco Claudio
Published: May 2024

En el presente artículo se analiza la política racial de cierre de frontera que desde 1937 se ha instaurado en la zona dominico-haitiana, situación que ha resultado beneficiosa para corporativos globales que han incrementado sus márgenes de ganancia aprovechado el contexto de pobreza, violencia y racismo que vive la población haitiana. Se estudia el caso de la empresa textil Compagnie Développement Industriel (CODEVI), la cual ha desarrollado un sofisticado emplazamiento industrial sobre esta línea fronteriza. Metodológicamente se realiza un trabajo antropológico y geográfico que consistió en entrevistas y visitas tanto a personas trabajadoras como funcionarias de la empresa, además de una revisión documental de la política económica de ambos países y de legislaciones de corporaciones trasnacionales. De este modo, se exponen los ingeniosos dispositivos políticos, legales, técnicos y territoriales utilizados para explotar la mano de obra barata haitiana, evidenciando la segregación nacional y racial que impone la empresa textil. Se concluye que este sistema de explotación laboral obtiene grandes ganancias económicas a cambio de una mínima inversión que no contribuye significativamente a superar la extrema pobreza que viven trabajadores y trabajadoras que residen en la depauperada ciudad fronteriza haitiana de Ouanaminthe.
Engelli Bireylerin Rekreatif Alan Kullanım Engelleri ve Tercih Etkenleri
Authors: Özdil Sümeyye , Ayyıldız Durhan Tebessüm
Published: April 2024

Çalışmada rekreatif alan kullanımında engelli bireylerin yaşadıkları engellerin ve rekreatif alanları tercih etme sebepleri incelenmiştir. Araştırmaya farklı engel gruplarında olan 221 engelli birey katılmıştır. Çeşitli değişkenlerin rekreatif alan kullanımına yönelik engelleri ve tercih etkenlerini değiştirme durumları incelenmiş, aynı zamanda rekreatif alan kullanımında yaşanan engellerin tercih etkenlerini etkileme düzeyi belirlenmiştir. Veriler demografik soru formunun yanı sıra, Gümüş ve Alay Özgül’ün 2017 yılında geliştirdikleri “Rekreasyon Alanı Katılım Engelleri” ve “Rekreasyon Alanı Tercih Etkenleri Ölçekleri” ile elde edilmiştir. Verilerin analizinde demografik özellikler için frekans ve yüzde hesaplamaları, değişkenler ve ölçüm araçları arasındaki farkların belirlenmesine yönelik bağımsız örneklem t testi ve ANOVA testi, grup içi karşılaştırmalar için post hoc testi ve ölçüm araçları arasındaki etkinin belirlenmesinde regresyon testi uygulanmıştır. Ortalama puanların altında rekreatif alan kullanım engeli yaşayan katılımcıların ortalamanın üzerinde tercih etkenleri düzeyi sergilenmiştir. Cinsiyet, yaş, algılanan gelir, eğitim düzeyi, özel araca sahip olma, ikamet edilen ilçe, engel türü, engel durumu, ailede başka engelli olma durumu ve rekreasyonel alana geliş nedeni ile rekreatif alan kullanım engelleri ve tercih etkenleri arasında anlamlı farklılıklar belirlenmiştir. Aynı zamanda rekreatif alan kullanımına yönelik engellerin tercih etkenlerini %16 oranında etkilediği saptanmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda engellilerin rekreatif alanların kullanımına yönelik engellerini ortadan kaldırmak ve tercih faktörlerini iyileştirmek için bireysel sınırlılıkların ve yapısal zorlukların ortadan kaldırılması bakımından daha fazla bilimsel araştırmaya ve planlamaya ihtiyaç duyulduğu söylenebilir.