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Examining immune arms in mice immunized with site-specific influenza virus mutants [ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ОТДЕЛЬНЫХ ЗВЕНЬЕВ ИММУННОЙ СИСТЕМЫ МЫШЕЙ, ИММУНИЗИРОВАННЫХ САЙТ-СПЕЦИФИЧЕСКИМИ МУТАНТАМИ ВИРУСА ГРИППА]
No full textSite-specific mutants as candidates for live influenza vaccines were resulted from directly introducing into the genome of the pathogenic influenza virus A/WSN/33 (H1N1) strain ts mutations derived from the genes encoding the polymerase complex proteins from some cold-adapted strains serving as attenuation donor. Here we present the data of a comparative study examining immune system arms in mice immunized intranasally with influenza virus mutants and classical cold-adapted reassortant obtained by crossing cold-adapted strain Donor A/Krasnodar/101/35/59 (H2N2) with strain A/WSN/33 (H1N1) bearing surface antigens (hemagglutinin and neuraminidase) similar to mutants. Immunophenotyping mononuclear leukocytes from immunized mice indicated at moderate suppressive effect after using site-specific mutant and the HA reassortant viruses on some immune cell subsets. All viruses in immunized mice resulted in activation of certain lymphocyte subsets including MHC II-positive cells, CD45+/CD19+ B lymphocytes and natural killer cells (CD16/32+/CD3–). Timescale and magnitude of activation markedly differed for each cell subsets. Mice immunized with mutants M26 and U2 peaked with count of CD16/32+/CD3–expressing cells on day 2 after the second immunization compared with control (p < 0.05) that may suggest about an important role for NK cells in activating immune response. In contrast, no significant changes were observed during the study in percentage of CD4+/CD25+/Fox P3 regulatory T cells, CD4+ T helpers and CD8+ cytotoxic cells, except for a sharply decreased count of activated CD4+/CD25+ cells (4-fold) on day 7 after immunization with mutant virus M26. Moreover, mutants U2 and M26 more moderately increased percentage of TLR2- and TLR4-positive cells. The viruses studied ambiguously affected count of TLR9-expressing cells in immunized animals. All viruses increased phagocytic activity in monocytes, but not neutrophils. Despite the moderate activation of innate and adaptive immunity arms, site-specific mutants more profoundly affected humoral reactions inducing increased antibody titers, so that immunogenicity of mutant viruses was higher than that of the cold-adapted reassortant. Thus, the findings hold a promise of using site-specific mutants as live influenza vaccines. © 2020 Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institute. All rights reserved
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Rheumatological Prospects/Relevance.
No full textIn December 2019, an outbreak of a novel infection under the working name 2019-nCoV was registered in Wuhan (the Hubei Province located in China's central region), which has quickly spread throughout almost the entire world and become pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a new name coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for this disease, whereas the International Committee on Virus Taxonomy renamed 2019-nCov as SARS-Cov-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2). The development of the COVID-19 pandemic is not only of great social importance, but also draws the attention of a medical community to the fundamentally new clinical and fundamental problems of the immunopathology of human diseases that are yet to be formulated. The unique experience gained in rheumatology from studies of the pathogenetic mechanisms and pharmacotherapy of immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IMIRDs) can be of great importance for deciphering the nature of the pathological processes that underlie the severe, potentially fatal complications of COVID-19, and may assist in improving their therapy. As for prospects in patients with IMIRDs, although the development of COVID-19 in the presence of IMIRDs has not yet fortunately been described, infection with SARS-CoV-2, like other viruses, can be assumed to cause an exacerbation of the pathological process, whereas severe immune system pathology and comorbidities can worsen the course of infection. Since, according to the current concepts, it is the «hyperimmune» response, and not just the effect only of the virus itself, that underlies lung damage and deaths from COVID-19, special attention is drawn to the effects of antirheumatic therapy that includes glucocorticoids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biological agents, and targeted DMARDs, which can have a multidirectional effect on the course of COVID-19. There are significant theoretical prerequisites for the repurposing of some drugs widely used in rheumatology for the treatment of COVID-19 and its complications. Consideration is given to the prospects of studying the immunopathology of COVID-19 and to the theoretical justifications for the use of antimalarial 4-aminoquinolines, anti-cytokine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and Janus kinase inhibitors for the prevention of complications and for the treatment of COVID-19. © 2020 Ima-Press Publishing House. All rights reserved
Antioxidant potential of antiviral drug umifenovir
No full textFree radical reactions play an important role in biological functions of living systems. The balance between oxidants and antioxidants is necessary for the normal homeostasis of cells and organisms. Experimental works demonstrate the role of oxidative stress that is caused by influenza virus as well as the toxic effects of some antiviral drugs. Therefore, antiviral drugs should be characterized by its pro- and antioxidant activity, because it can affect its therapeutic efficiency. The aim of the study was to quantify the antioxidant capacity and propose the mechanism of the antioxidant effect of the antiviral drug Umifenovir (Arbidol®). The kinetic chemiluminescence with the 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride + luminol system was used to quantify the antioxidant capacity of Umifenovir relative to the standard compound Trolox. With computer simulation, the reaction scheme and rate constants were proposed. The antioxidant capacity of 0.9 μM Umifenovir (maximum concentration of Umifenovir in blood after oral administration of 200 mg) was as high as 1.65 ± 0.18 μM of Trolox. Thus, the total antioxidant capacity of Umifenovir is comparable to the antioxidant capacity of Trolox. Unlike Trolox, Umifenovir reacts with free radicals in two stages. For Trolox, the free radical scavenging rate constant was k = 2000 nM−1 min.−1, for Umifenovir k1 = 300 nM−1min.−1, k2 = 4 nM−1min.−1. Slower kinetics of Umifenovir provides the prolonged antioxidant effect when compared to Trolox. This phenomenon can make a serious contribution to the compensation of oxidative stress that is caused by a viral disease and the therapeutic effect of the drug. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Metabolic syndrome and its associations with socio-demographic and behavioral risk factors in the Russian population aged 25-64 years
No full textAim. To assess the associations of metabolic syndrome (MS) with sociodemographic and behavioral factors in the Russian population aged 25-64 years. Material and methods. As part of the ESSE-RF 2 study, representative samples of the population of four Russian regions (Krasnodar Krai, Omsk and Ryazan Oblasts, Republic of Karelia) were examined: Men (n=3011) and women (n=3721) aged 25-64 years. The response rate was approximately 80%. The study was approved by the Independent Ethics Committee of National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine. All subjects were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. We analyzed the region and type of residence (urban/rural area), age, educational level, marital and economic status, behavioral habits, and medical history data. Anthropometric measurements were performed. Blood pressure (BP) was measured with an Omron BP monitor. Lipid profile were assessed. MS was diagnosed according to the IDF criteria (2006). Statistical analysis was performed using the R 3.6.1 software package. Results. Abdominal obesity (AO) was found in 49,7% of men and 61,6% of women. Obesity according to body mass index was noted in 31,6% of subjects (men-28,6% and women-34%). MS prevalence in the entire sample was 33,0% and increased with age. In the group of subjects 35-44 years old, the prevalence of MS was significantly higher among men, and among those 55-64 years old- A mong women. We also found that AO in combination with two MS components was observed in 17,2% of participants; AO with three components-in 11,8%, AO with four components-in 4%. The highest prevalence of MS was noted in the Ryazan region (men-42,0%, women-37,4%), the lowest-in the Republic of Karelia (men-25,8%, women-29,6%). In men, age-adjusted univariate logistic regression revealed significant associations of MS with former smoking, low physical activity, and alcohol abuse. Elevated BP and lipid profile abnormalities were significantly associated with low income level. AO was significantly associated with marriage. Similarly, the risk of diabetes and elevated blood glucose levels was lower in single men. Among women, the risk of MS was higher in those without higher education, with low income, smoking, and low consumption of vegetables and fruits. Women living in rural areas have a higher risk of AO and high BP. The risk of lipid metabolism disorders was higher among women with secondary education. Most of these associations were confirmed by multivariate analysis. Conclusion. MS was diagnosed in 33% of Russians aged 25-64 years. The proportion of people with MS increases with age, which, due to the life expectancy increase, suggests an increase in the total number of MS people. Risk factors associated with MS in women are smoking, insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruits, no higher education, and low income. In men, MS are associated with excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and low physical activity. MS prevalence can be reduced by changing the lifestyle and habits, and if necessary, in combination with drug therapy. © 2020 Vserossiiskoe Obshchestvo Kardiologov. All rights reserved
Possibilities of regulating stress-protective activity of food products to improve immunity under the conditions of the covid-19 pandemic [ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ РЕГУЛИРОВАНИЯ СТРЕССПРОТЕКТОРНЫХ СВОЙСТВ ПРОДУКТОВ ПИТАНИЯ ДЛЯ ПОВЫШЕНИЯ ИММУНИТЕТА ОРГАНИЗМА ЧЕЛОВЕКА В УСЛОВИЯХ ПАНДЕМИИ COVID-19]
No full textAim. The paper aims to develop food products that contribute to the resistance of active people to stress factors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods. The cohort study was conducted in three parallel groups of volunteers aged from 20 to 40 years (n = 45) who were consistently involved in sports (low-intensity training at least 3 times a week). As food products with stress-protective activity, freeze-dried taxifolin nanoemulsion and wholewheat flour from wheatgrass were used. As mental and informational stress, media coverage of global and Russian COVID-2019 dynamics was used. To assess the impact of the developed products on stress resistance, a study of health and psychoemotional status (the SF-36 questionnaire) and biochemical blood analysis (leukocyte formula and cortisol) were carried out. Results. The results demonstrated the possibility of using stress-protective food products such as freeze-dried taxifolin nanoemulsion and whole-wheat flour from wheatgrass for improving immunity. The assessment of the psychoemotional status revealed an equally positive effect from the inclusion of taxifolin nanoemulsion and whole-wheat flour from wheatgrass in the composition of food products. Biochemical blood analysis and leukocyte indices revealed a greater positive effect of taxifolin nanoemulsion on the human body, while regular consumption of whole-wheat flour-based products from wheatgrass reduces blood cortisol and increases the body's resistance to stress factors. Conclusion. People involved in low-intensity sports are recommended to consume foods enriched with taxifolin nanoemulsion and whole-wheat flour from wheatgrass to improve their psychoemotional status and resistance to stress factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2020 South Ural State University - Institute of Sport, Tourism and Service. All rights reserved
Quito's coronavirus curfew: Escalating tropospheric ozone pollution
No full textThe effect of the curfew due to the pandemic of Covid-19 virus on the levels of air pollution in the historic center of Quito was evaluated with a focus on tropospheric ozone (O3). During the curfew period the daily O3 mean concentration increased by 96%, 109% and 95% in comparison to the concentrations for the same period in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019. This increase is mainly explained by considerable reduction in NOx emissions, thus there was little titration of ozone accumulated in the city environment due to its shallow boundary layer by NO, reaching its maximum concentration at midday. Among studied pollutants that influence O3 formation (CO, NO2, PM2.5) during the curfew the contaminant that showed the greatest reduction in the mean concentration compared to three previous years was NO2, followed by CO and PM2.5. The daily O3 8-hour mean concentrations during the curfew both on weekdays and weekends were lower than the limit values. These results are relevant for designing abatement policies of secondary pollutants such as O3 under strict measures of control of primary pollutant emissions. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2020
Methodology of interdisciplinary research on the example of scientific research of the human genome
No full textThe problems of methodology of scientific research activity are actual to-day due to discoveries in Physics, Biology and Cosmology Due to widespread international cooperation and advances in the field of genomics (especially in sequence analysis), as well as major advances in computing technology, a «rough draft» of the genome was finished in 2000. This first available rough draft assembly of the genome was completed by the Genome Bioinformatics Group at the University of California. The OECD Project «Human Genome» is the first experience of application of methodology of scientific research activity based on mathematic modeling and cipher technology. The institutions, companies, and laboratories, engaged in OECD Human Genome Project, form a system based on laws and regulations, treaties and agreements, contracts and regulatory orders. This Model of methodological approach might have been used in other interdisciplinary scientific research activities. The study was carried out with the financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research in the framework of research project No. 18-29-14025 on the topic: "Legal regulation of genomic research and the use of their results: comparative legal aspect of research». © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2020
The "pandemic" period of the education system crisis: Peculiarities of the modern telecommunication systems and messenger's implementation as the alternative didactic platforms for the linguistic disciplines teaching
No full textThe article aims to highlight the problems of a Higher education during the period of self-isolation caused by the 2019-nCoV (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in Russia and describe an analysis of a personal pedagogical experience of the authors. It is noted that despite the technical difficulties appeared at the beginning of a transition to a new learning model by the means of online educational platforms, pedagogical activity during the pandemic was an example of a competent organization of the educational process. The article focuses on the positive aspects of distance learning in terms of improving the skills of independent work using telecommunication technologies and messengers, but nevertheless points out some serious drawbacks of online learning. It is emphasized that the quality of classes conducted in distance way was not reduced due to the creative approach of teachers using classical and media-educational technologies as innovative. The results of a distance educational activity during the pandemic are considered as a preparatory stage of a teaching society to overcome the crisis in education by combination of traditional and distance methods of teaching. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2020
Forecast and assessment of the role of small agribusiness in the development of the agricultural sector of the Russian economy in the post-pandemic reality
No full textThe article presents the role of small agribusiness in the development of the agricultural sector of the Russian economy in the post-pandemic reality, on the basis of forecast calculations and assessment of current trends in the development of the domestic agricultural sector, the effectiveness of which depends on ensuring sustainable rural development, preserving the historical appearance and territorial integrity of the country. The article examines the impact factors of Covid 19 that determine the development of Russian agriculture in the medium term and proves the need for the development of a large-scale agricultural sector of the economy. The calculation and analytical tools of the study are based on the methods of economic statistics, which allowed us to analyze the structural dynamics of the country's agricultural sector and determine the forecast parameters for the development of small agribusiness. The main forecast volumes of production by small agribusiness in rural areas of such types of food as grain, sunflower, meat and milk for the period up to 2025 are determined. Examples of adaptation of the agricultural sector to the conditions of post-pandemic reality abroad are given. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2020
Immunobiotics mechanisms of action and prospects of use in veterinary medicine
No full textProbiotics are becoming more and more common means of combating intestinal diseases of various origins: infectious pathologies, chronic inflammation, autoimmune disorders. The complex action, coupled with low side effects, makes probiotics promising drugs, especially in veterinary medicine, with an increasing trend towards the inefficient use of antibiotics in the livestock industry. One of the main mechanisms of probiotics action - modulation of host immunity - is perhaps the most difficult and, at the same time, the most actively studied since it is crucial for therapy. Immunobiotics (probiotics that modulate the host's immune response) interact with various innate and adaptive immune cells, changing the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This action is provided by both the cellular components of probiotic microorganisms and their metabolites and is primarily associated with the host's immunocompetent cells' pattern-recognition receptors, although other molecular mechanisms also exist. This review aims to briefly describe both the molecular mechanisms of immunomodulation by probiotics and the prospects for their use in veterinary medicine. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2020