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Herd Immunity to the Measles, Mumps and Rubella Viruses Among the Belgradian Population in May, 2024
No full textBackground/Objectives: In the Republic of Serbia, measles vaccination was first introduced in 1971, while combined vaccination (measles, mumps, rubella) was made mandatory in 1996 as part of the national vaccination program. Reported prevalence values for 2023 were <0.75 cases per 100K population for measles, 0.09 cases per 100K for mumps, and no cases of rubella. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in May, 2024 as part of the project “Herd Immunity to Vaccine-Preventable and Other Relevant Infections in the Belgradian Population.” It focused on assessing herd immunity to measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) among residents insofar as these remain a public concern despite the availability of vaccines. A total of 2533 subjects were distributed across nine age groups, covering those aged 1–70+ years and various professional groups residing in Belgrade. Participants were stratified by age and activity. Upon obtaining individual information by online questionnaire and receiving a signed statement of informed consent, blood samples were obtained for IgG antibody testing (ELISA) to determine MMR serological status. The results were compared to national and international immunization standards to evaluate herd immunity levels. Results: Our results indicate varying levels of immunity for each virus, with specific demographic groups showing different immunity levels. Total measles seroprevalence during this study was 74.7%, with significant variation across all age groups. While high seropositivity was observed in both children (90.7%) and elder age groups (98.4%), middle-aged individuals in the age group 30–49 years showed significantly lower IgG levels. Between 2021 and 2023, there were no registered cases of rubella detected in Serbia, which indicates a high level of immunity. This was confirmed here with consistently high IgG levels across all age groups, with an average seropositivity of 94.8%. Average mumps seropositivity across all age groups was 85.1%. The lowest value was in the young child (1–5 years) age group (76.1%); the highest was in the elderly group (92.6%). Conclusions: The current findings suggest that the Belgradian population has strong overall immunity to MMR, yet with some concerns regarding measles immunity in middle-aged adults, suggesting a potential need for catch-up vaccinations. While rubella status indicates strong herd immunity and minimal risk of outbreaks, mumps immunity in some groups (children, middle-aged adults) is below the protective threshold. While it is still sufficient to prevent widespread transmission, it should be closely observed. To our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to provide data about MMR seroprevalence in Belgrade. Findings indicate the need for constant surveillance and revaccination of vulnerable/seronegative groups
Bioinformatic Selection of Mannose-Specific Lectins from Allium genus as SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitors Analysing Protein–Protein Interaction
No full textMannose-specific lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins known for their antiviral potential. This study uses a bioinformatic approach to investigate the possibility of lectins from Allium sativum (garlic) and Allium ursinum (wild garlic) as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 entry. The information spectrum method (ISM) identified key interaction frequencies between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and these lectins, explicitly targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and glycosylated asparagine residues, including N234. Lectins from Allium species showed a high affinity for oligomannose-type glycans on the spike protein, potentially blocking virus entry by preventing the spike-ACE2 receptor interaction. We propose that Allium lectins are promising candidates for further experimental validation as SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors, offering potential therapeutic applications in managing viral infections
Isolations and Characterization of Novel Bacterial Species from Cyprinus Carpio and Its Use in Biodegradation of Polystyrene with Emphasis on SDG 3 for Ensuring Healthy Lives and Well-Being for All Humans and Animals
No full textObjective: This research aims to investigate the feasibility of employing beneficial bacterial species present in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in order to biodegrade microplastics (MP), which can provide healthy lives for both humans and animals. Theoretical framework: the main concept in this research is that the bacterial communities found in (GIT) of both people and animals can produce beneficial effects. Microorganisms that are beneficial to the host and are typically found in GIT are generally referred to as probiotics: Method: The 16S rRNA sequencing method was utilized to determine the species present in the bacterial community of Cyprinus carpio. The novel species Hafnia parallel UUNT_MP29 was utilized to conduct the biodegradation investigation. PS was used as the sole source of carbon. Discussion and the Results: During the PS batch experiment, this strain reached its highest point on the fifteenth day, displaying an incubation rate of 1.3x108 CFU/mL. Following that, the microbe entered a stationary phase, which it remained in until the experiment was finished on the 20th. According to the results, this strain appears to be a new indigenous variation capable of biodegrading PS compounds. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by discovering bacterial species from common carp that have the potential to degrade PS. The possible application of Hafnia paralvei UUNT_MP29 in the rehabilitation of wastewater polluted by microplastics demonstrates the significance and utility of this research
Insights into Isolation and Purification Strategies of Egg Allergens
No full textEggs are a great source of protein in the human diet. They are consumed in tens of millions of tons globally per year. In addition, egg proteins, which are known food allergens, are included in many food products due to their excellent techno-functional properties. Hen’s eggs are the most consumed, but other edible avian eggs are occasionally used as gourmet ingredients or delicacies. With a high presence in the food market, the risk of accidental exposure to egg allergens is high. Hen egg allergy ranks among the top three food allergens in infants and young children. The complex structure and similar physicochemical properties of egg proteins limit their separation and purification, making further research challenging. Egg composition is influenced by age, disease, medicine, and environmental stress, and the target protein is often present in negligible amounts or polymorphic forms. To investigate the immunoreactivity of proteins from eggs of different bird species, it is necessary to consistently and quantitatively extract and purify proteins while avoiding harsh conditions. The conformational shape of allergens is impacted by denaturation, which can remove or expose IgE-binding epitopes and change the allergenic potential of proteins. This review presents findings from a literature survey on the isolation and purification strategies utilized for egg allergens from culinary-relevant bird eggs
Amino Acid Substitutions in Bacteriocin Lactolisterin BU Reveal Functional Domains Involved in Biological Activity Against Staphylococcus aureus
No full textThe emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens has driven the development of novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as therapeutic alternatives. Lactolisterin LBU (LBU) is a bacteriocin with promising activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus. In this study, we designed and evaluated a panel of amino acid variants of LBU to investigate domain–activity relationships and improve activity. Peptides were commercially synthesized, and their effect was evaluated for minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC), hemolytic activity, cytotoxicity, in vivo toxicity, and virulence modulation. AlphaFold3 structural prediction of LBU revealed a four-helix topology with amphipathic and hydrophobic segments. Helical wheel projections identified helices I and IV as amphipathic, suggesting their potential involvement in membrane interaction and activity. Glycine-to-alanine substitutions at helix I markedly increased antimicrobial activity but altered toxicity profiles. In contrast, changes at helix junctions and kinks reduced antimicrobial activity. We also showed differential regulation of virulence genes upon sub-MIC treatment. Overall, rational substitution enabled identification of residues critical for activity and toxicity, providing insights into therapeutic tuning of lactolisterin-based peptides
Expression of terminal galactose and sialic acid on serum IgA in IgA multiple myeloma
No full textIntroduction/Objective. IgA multiple myeloma has a poor prognosis, and altered glycosylation of myeloma IgA may be one of contributing factors. This study examined the expression of terminal galactose and sialic acid (SA) on serum IgA oligosaccharides in patients with IgA myeloma, compared to healthy control sera. Methods. Serum samples from 15 IgA myeloma patients and pooled serum from 100 healthy donors were analyzed. IgA was purified using peptide M affinity chromatography. Terminal galactose and SA expression on isolated IgA was analyzed by Ricinus communis agglutinin I and Sambucus nigra agglutinin lectin blotting. Results. IgA-heavy chains from both healthy individuals and all myeloma patients expressed galactose. SA was present in healthy control and in 14 out of 15 myeloma patients. Compared to controls, myeloma IgA showed 12–63% a reduction in galactose and a 67–97% reduction in SA expression on heavy chains. Notable galactosylation of IgA-light chains was observed in only three, while weak SA expression was seen in 14 myeloma cases. Healthy IgA was predominantly monomeric and expressed both galactose and SA. Myeloma IgA existed in both and polymeric forms expressing detectable galactose level, though with different expression levels among individuals. At the same time, SA was undetectable. Conclusion. The results of this study showed altered glycosylation of myeloma IgA. Compared to healthy control, myeloma IgA-heavy chains expressed reduced terminal galactose and SA. Notable galactosylation of light chains was observed in three cases. Unlike SA, galactose was detectable on intact monomeric and polymeric multiple myeloma IgA
mRNA-Based Vaccines – Challenges in the Manufacturing Process
No full textPandemija COVID-19 je poslužila kao katalizator za ubrzani razvoj i primenu iRNK vakcina,
ističući njihovu ključnu ulogu u suzbijanju infektivnih bolesti. Brzina razvoja iRNK vakcina, uz
istovremeno ispunjavanje strogih bezbednosnih standarda, potvrdila je superiornost ove tehnologije
u odgovoru na globalne zdravstvene izazove. U cilju postizanja optimalne efikasnosti, stabilnosti i
bezbednosti, primenjuju se napredne tehnike, uključujući upotrebu modifikovanog uridina i/ili samoreplikujuće iRNK, čime se obezbeđuje adekvatan i dugotrajan imunski odgovor, uz usklađenost sa
regulatornim i kliničkim zahtevima. Takođe, jedna od ključnih prednosti ove vakcinalne platforme je
brzina i fleksibilnost proizvodnje u odnosu na tradicionalne vakcine, pri čemu standarizovani procesi i
modularna priroda omogućavaju jednostavnu adaptaciju na nove varijante patogena, bez potrebe za
značajnim izmenama proizvodnog postupka. Proizvodni postupak počinje dizajniranjem i
proizvodnjom plazmidne DNK, koja se nakon prečišćavanja linearizuje, a zatim koristi kao matrica za
sintezu iRNK molekula u reakciji in vitro transkripcije. Sintetisana iRNK mora proći kroz nekoliko faza
prečišćavanja kako bi se eliminisali kontaminanti poput DNK, proteina i dr. Sledeći i najznačajni korak
za stabilnost je enkapsulaciju iRNK, najčešće pomoću lipidnih nano-čestica (LNP) ili polimernih nanočestica, čime se omogućava efikasna dostava do ciljnih ćelija. Svi koraci proizvodnje su u skladu sa
regulatornim standardima i praćeni strogim testovima kontrole kvaliteta, kako bi se osigurala
bezbednost, efikasnost i konzistentnost vakcine. Trenutno su u kliničkim ispitivanjima iRNK vakcine
protiv različitih virusnih i bakterijskih infekcija. Osim toga, iRNK tehnologija pokazuje veliki potencijal
za personalizovanu terapiju, uključujući lečenje retkih genetskih i autoimunih bolesti, kao i razvoj
individualizovanih onkoloških terapija.The rapid development of mRNA vaccines, while simultaneously meeting safety standards, has
confirmed the superiority of this technology in responding to global health challenges, especially
during the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve optimal efficacy, stability, and safety of mRNA vaccines,
advanced techniques such as the use of modified uridine and/or self-amplifying mRNA are employed,
ensuring a robust and durable immune response while maintaining compliance with regulatory and
clinical requirements. Additionally, one of the key advantages of mRNA vaccine platform is the speed
and flexibility of production compared to traditional vaccines. Standardized processes and the
modular nature of mRNA technology allow for easy adaptation to new pathogen variants without
significant modifications to the manufacturing process. The production process begins with the design
and synthesis of plasmid DNA, which is linearized and then used as a template for synthesizing mRNA
molecules via in vitro transcription. The synthesized mRNA undergoes multiple purification steps to
remove contaminants such as residual DNA, proteins, and other impurities. The next and most crucial
step for stability is mRNA encapsulation, typically using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) or polymeric
nanoparticles, enabling efficient delivery to target cells. All manufacturing steps comply with
regulatory standards and are accompanied by rigorous quality control testing to ensure the safety,
efficacy, and consistency of the vaccine. Currently, mRNA vaccines are undergoing clinical trials for
various viral and bacterial infections. Furthermore, mRNA technology holds great potential for
personalized therapies, including the treatment of rare genetic and autoimmune diseases, as well as
the development of individualized cancer therapies
Supplementary information for the article: Miljković, R.; Marinković, E.; Prodić, I.; Kovačević, A.; Protić-Rosić, I.; Vasić, M.; Lukić, I.; Gavrović-Jankulović, M.; Stojanović, M. Ameliorative Effect of Banana Lectin in TNBS-Induced Colitis in C57BL/6 Mice Relies on the Promotion of Antioxidative Mechanisms in the Colon. Biomolecules 2025, 15 (4), 476. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15040476.
No full textSupplementary Table S1. Histology scoring for estimation of disease severitySupplementary material for: [https://intor.torlakinstitut.com/handle/123456789/987]
Related to the published version: [https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15040476]Related to the published version: [https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15040476
Regulation of Erythropoietin Activity in Clear Renal Cell Carcinoma
No full textAbstract: Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is associated with the mutated von
Hippel–Lindau (VHL) gene leading to the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1A (HIF1A)
and subsequent overexpression of erythropoietin (EPO). We analyzed tumor and healthy
tissues from 43 ccRCC patients after radical nephrectomy and cultured 786-O (biallelic VHL
inactivation) and Caki-1 (wild-type VHL) cells in normal (21% O2) and low oxygen (3% O2)
with 10% and 2% fetal bovine serum (FBS). DNA sequencing, including Sanger sequencing,
MLPA and LOH, revealed 27 somatic mutations of VHL in ccRCC. HIF1A protein showed
decreased or no expression in tumors compared to healthy tissue, independent of VHL
alteration. The 786-O cells showed increased HIF1A protein expression after 48 h under
low oxygen and 10% FBS. EPO and erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) were significantly
decreased in ccRCC without HIF1A expression. EPO mRNA increased in the 786-O cells at
3% O2 after 48 h, while the Caki-1 cells had low or no EPO expression. Hypoxia increased
EPOR mRNA in the Caki-1 cells at 10% FBS, but decreased in the 786-O cells at 2% FBS
after 48 h. JAK2/STAT5A activity was increased only in HIF1A-positive tumors. These
results suggest that EPO/EPOR activation in ccRCC is mainly driven by low oxygen, not
VHL regulation of hypoxia-related responses
Memantine reduces the expression of IFN-gamma and IL-17 by CD4+ t cells in aged EAE rats
No full textThe average age of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has risen in recent decades. The
incidence of late-onset MS has also increased. More than half of people living with an MS
diagnosis are over 55. Ageing affects the composition and function of N-methyl-D-aspartate
receptors (NMDARs), regardless of whether they are expressed on neuronal or immune cells.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of memantine, a non-competitive NMDAR
antagonist, on CD4
+ T lymphocytes in young and aged rats immunized for experimental
autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Memantine was administered by oral gavage to 3- and
24-month-old female Dark Agouti rats for 7 consecutive days from the first day
post-immunization (dpi) or from the 7
th dpi. Mononuclear cells were isolated from the lymph
nodes draining the site of immunization or the spinal cord and analysed by flow cytometry. A
histopathologic analysis of the spinal cord was performed. Memantine administration more
effectively reduced the mean neurological score and histological score in aged rats. Memantine
reduced the expression of IFN-gamma and IL-17 by CD4
+ T lymphocytes derived from draining
lymph nodes or the spinal cord to a greater extent in aged rats. On the other hand, there was no
difference in apoptosis of CD4
+ T lymphocytes between control and memantine-treated young
rats, whereas apoptosis of these cells was significantly reduced in memantine-treated aged rats.
NMDARs have a greater effect on IFN-gamma and IL-17 synthesis by CD4
+ T cells and
apoptosis of these cells in aged than in young EAE rats