Production of GcMAF with Anti-Inflammatory Properties and Its Effect on Models of Induced Arthritis in Mice and Cystitis in Rats.

Vitamin D transporter (DBP) is a multifunctional protein. Site-specific deglycosylation results in its conversion to group-specific component protein-derived macrophage activating factor (GcMAF), which is capable of activating macrophages. It has been shown that depending on precursor conversion conditions, the resulting GcMAF activates mouse peritoneal macrophages towards synthesis of either pro- (IL-1β, TNF-α-M1 phenotype) or anti-inflammatory (TGF-β, IL-10-M2 phenotype) cytokines.

[Evaluation of the accuracy of modern intraocular lens calculation formulas when optical biometry is not possible].

Purpose: This study evaluates the accuracy of modern intraocular lens (IOL) calculation formulas using axial length (AL) data obtained by ultrasound biometry (UBM) compared to the third-generation SRK/T calculator.

Material And Methods: The study included 230 patients (267 eyes) with severe lens opacities that prevented optical biometry, who underwent phacoemulsification (PE) with IOL implantation. IOL power calculation according to the SRK/T formula was based on AL and anterior chamber depth obtained by UBM (Tomey Biometer Al-100) and keratometry on the Topcon KR 8800 autorefractometer.

An Investigation of Severe Influenza Cases in Russia during the 2022-2023 Epidemic Season and an Analysis of HA-D222G/N Polymorphism in Newly Emerged and Dominant Clade 6B.1A.5a.2a A(H1N1)pdm09 Viruses.

In Russia, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in influenza circulation was initially observed. Influenza circulation re-emerged with the dominance of new clades of A(H3N2) viruses in 2021-2022 and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses in 2022-2023. In this study, we aimed to characterize influenza viruses during the 2022-2023 season in Russia, as well as investigate A(H1N1)pdm09 HA-D222G/N polymorphism associated with increased disease severity.

The Molecular Aspects of Functional Activity of Macrophage-Activating Factor GcMAF.

Group-specific component macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) is the vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) deglycosylated at Thr. The protein is believed to exhibit a wide range of therapeutic properties associated with the activation of macrophagal immunity. An original method for GcMAF production, DBP conversion to GcMAF, and the analysis of the activating potency of GcMAF was developed in this study.

Assessment of Safety and Prophylactic Efficacy of the EpiVacCorona Peptide Vaccine for COVID-19 Prevention (Phase III).

The State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "VECTOR" of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) has developed the peptide-based EpiVacCorona vaccine, which is the first synthetic peptide-based antiviral vaccine for mass immunization in international vaccinology. An early clinical trial (Phase I-II) demonstrated that the EpiVacCorona vaccine is a safe product. The "Multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled, comparative, randomized trial to assess the tolerability, safety, immunogenicity and prophylactic efficacy of the EpiVacCorona COVID-19 vaccine based on peptide antigens in 3000 volunteers aged 18 years and older" was performed regarding vaccine safety.

SARS-CoV-2 RBD Conjugated to Polyglucin, Spermidine, and dsRNA Elicits a Strong Immune Response in Mice.

Despite the rapid development and approval of several COVID vaccines based on the full-length spike protein, there is a need for safe, potent, and high-volume vaccines. Considering the predominance of the production of neutralizing antibodies targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of S-protein after natural infection or vaccination, it makes sense to choose RBD as a vaccine immunogen. However, due to its small size, RBD exhibits relatively poor immunogenicity.

[Analysis of intraocular lens displacement relative to the haptic plane by ultrasound biomicroscopy data].

Purpose: This study analyzed cases with postoperative displacement of intraocular lens (IOL) relative to the haptic plane using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM).

Material And Methods: The study analyzed biometry data of 231 patients (277 eyes) aged 72.39±7.

Safety and Pharmacokinetics of the Substance of the Anti-Smallpox Drug NIOCH-14 after Oral Administration to Laboratory Animals.

Background: Since most of the modern human population has no anti-smallpox immunity, it is extremely important to develop and implement effective drugs for the treatment of smallpox and other orthopoxvirus infections. The objective of this study is to determine the main characteristics of the chemical substance NIOCH-14 and its safety and bioavailability in the body of laboratory animals.

Methods: The safety of NIOCH-14 upon single- or multiple-dose intragastric administration was assessed according to its effect on the main hematological and pathomorphological parameters of laboratory mice and rats.

Unusual Trigger for Contractile Movements of Optic Disc in Peripapillary Staphyloma.

Purpose: To report a case of contractile movements of the optic disc in peripapillary staphyloma.

Methods: A 65-year-old female received a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, multimodal imaging, and computed tomography.

Results: The patient was diagnosed with peripapillary staphyloma in her right eye.

Self-Assembled Particles Combining SARS-CoV-2 RBD Protein and RBD DNA Vaccine Induce Synergistic Enhancement of the Humoral Response in Mice.

Despite the fact that a range of vaccines against COVID-19 have already been created and are used for mass vaccination, the development of effective, safe, technological, and affordable vaccines continues. We have designed a vaccine that combines the recombinant protein and DNA vaccine approaches in a self-assembled particle. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 was conjugated to polyglucin:spermidine and mixed with DNA vaccine (pVAXrbd), which led to the formation of particles of combined coronavirus vaccine (CCV-RBD) that contain the DNA vaccine inside and RBD protein on the surface.

[Algorithm for predicting axial displacement of the optic part of IOL after phacoemulsification].

Purpose: To test a prediction algorithm for deflection of the optical part of IOL after uncomplicated phacoemulsification.

Material And Methods: The study included 226 patients (287 eyes) who underwent phacoemulsification with implantation of intracapsular AcrySof IOL. Preoperative examination included IOLMaster, Lenstar LS 900 biometry and Pentacam HR keratotopography.

[Development of drugs on the basis of high-polymeric double-stranded RNA for antiviral and antitumor therapy].

The review summarizes literature data on the development of drugs based on natural and synthetic high-polymeric double-stranded RNA, and their antiviral, immunoadjuvant and antitumor properties. Special attention is paid to cell receptors responding to exogenous dsRNA, the paths of dsRNA-dependent antiviral reaction, ability of dsRNA to inhibit growth and induce apoptosis ofmalignant cells. It has been shown that enhancing the innate immune response with dsRNA can be an effective component in improving methods for treating and preventing infectious and cancer diseases.

Development of Drugs Based on High-Polymeric Double-Stranded RNA for Antiviral and Antitumor Therapy.

-The review summarizes literature data on the development of drugs based on natural and synthetic high-polymeric double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), their antiviral, immunoadjuvant, and antitumor properties. Special attention is paid to cell receptors responding to exogenous dsRNA, pathways of dsRNA-dependent antiviral reaction, ability of dsRNA to inhibit growth and induce apoptosis of malignant cells. It has been shown that enhancing the innate immune response with dsRNA can be an effective component in improving methods for treating and preventing infectious and cancer diseases.

[An antitumor osteotropic agent based on tumor necrosis factor].

A novel drug for treatment of bone metastases based on human recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) has been designed. The drug is a molecular structure containing yeast double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) covered by the conjugate of polyanion dextran with TNF-alpha and bisphosphonate, alendronic acid. The structure is characterized by the combination of substances possessing antitumor activity (TNF-alpha, dsRNA) and a vector molecule (bisphosphonate) providing tropism to hydroxyapatite, the main mineral component of the bone tissue matrix.

Attenuated Salmonella enteritidis E23 as a vehicle for the rectal delivery of DNA vaccine coding for HIV-1 polyepitope CTL immunogen.

This study is focusing on elucidation of the capacity of attenuated Salmonella enteritidis E23 (cya, crp) to serve as a vehicle for the rectal delivery of the DNA vaccine. Earlier for creation HIV-1 candidate DNA vaccine we have designed the polyepitope protein TCI (T-cell immunogen), which comprises over 80 CTL epitopes from subtype A, B and C HIV-1 proteins. The gene coding for TCI protein was used to construct the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA-TCI.

[Biological properties of a prolonged action interferon inductor].

Aim: Evaluation of composite formulation of yeast double stranded RNA with polyglucinum (dsRNA-PG) effect on non-specific antiviral resistance factors in mice in comparison with commercial formulation Ridostin.

Materials And Methods: dsRNA and Ridostin formulations were injected intramuscularly once at the dose of 5 mg/ml, polyglucinum--at the dose of 3.75 mg/ml.

Pharmacokinetics and antitumor effects of the drug containing TNF-α in nanoparticles.

Antitumor activity of TNF-α incorporated in nanoparticles (VLP-TNF-α) and dynamics of its accumulation and elimination from the blood and tumor tissue were studied in ICR mice. The VLP-TNF-α preparation exhibited higher antitumor activity compared to free TNF-α, presumably due to longer circulation of the cytokine in the blood and its more intensive accumulation by tumor tissue.

[Antitumor properties of a liposomal form of a differentiation factor HLDF fragment in cultured cells].

Cytotoxic properties of a liposomal form of the HLDF6 hexapeptide, representing an HL-60 cell differentiation factor fragment, have been studied on a murine primary lymphosarcoma cell culture. It is established that the liposomal HLDF6 peptide is capable of inhibiting proliferation and enhancing death of the cells of both LS and RLS lymphosarcoma strains distinguished by their sensitivity to cytostatic agents. The effect of the preparation is determined by its antiproliferative and apoptogenic actions on the cells.

[Detection of the markers of hepatites B and C and herpesvirus infection during pregnancy].

Aim: Identification of clinico-epidemiologic features of pareneteral hepatites (HB and HC) and herpesvirus infections (cytomegalovirus, CMVand herpes simplexvirus, HSV) duringpregnancy.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred pregnant women as well as 150 women--blood donors who comprised a control group were tested in Cheboksary (Chuvash Republic). There were no persons vaccinated against HB in both groups.

Antitumor and immunomodulating effects of a fragment of HL-60 cell differentiation factor in mice with lewis pulmonary carcinoma.

A six-member HLDF6 peptide, fragment of HL-60 cell differentiation factor, exhibited antimetastatic and immunomodulating effects.

[Investigation of antitumor activity of the hexamer fraction of HLDF-6 peptide as a differentiation factor in hemoblastoma-bearing mice].

A study of antitumor properties of HLDF-6 was carried out in DBA/2 mice with transplantable ascites lympholeukemia P-388 as well as in tumor cell culture. Immunomodulating characteristics were evaluated. Five-fold administration of HLDF-6 peptide to tumor-bearing mice inhibited tumor growth thus extending survival.

Combined virus-like particle-based polyepitope DNA/protein HIV-1 vaccine design, immunogenicity and toxicity studies.

We have previously described designing of polyepitope immunogens TBI and TCI, to stimulate the humoral and cellular immune responses to HIV-1. Here, immunogens TBI and TCI were used to create new vaccine construct named CombiHIVvac (Combined HIV-1 vaccine). CombiHIVvac is a virus-like particles (VLP) containing the DNA vaccine pcDNA-TCI as a core encapsulated within a spermidine-polyglucin-TBI conjugate.

[Outlooks for using the interferon inducers in the treatment and prevention of influenza and acute respiratory viral diseases].

The methods of treatment by using the stimulators of the non-specific resistance system have been growing even more topical. Drugs based on interferon (INF) and its inducers belong to the group. IFN is of key importance in the regulation of antiviral immunity.