Development, study, and comparison of models of cross-immunity to the influenza virus using statistical methods and machine learning.

Introduction: The World Health Organization considers the values of antibody titers in the hemagglutination inhibition assay as one of the most important criteria for assessing successful vaccination. Mathematical modeling of cross-immunity allows for identification on a real-time basis of new antigenic variants, which is of paramount importance for human health.

Materials And Methods: This study uses statistical methods and machine learning techniques from simple to complex: logistic regression model, random forest method, and gradient boosting.

Antibody to Endogenous Cardiotonic Steroid Reverses Vascular Fibrosis and Restores Vasorelaxation in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Marinobufagenin (MBG) is implicated in chronic kidney disease, where it removes Fli1-induced inhibition of the collagen-1. We hypothesized that (i) in nephrectomized rats, aortic fibrosis develops due to elevated plasma MBG and inhibited Fli1, and (ii) that the antibody to MBG reduces collagen-1 and improves vasodilatation. A partial nephrectomy was performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Interfacial Interaction in MeO/MWNTs (Me-Cu, Ni) Nanostructures as Efficient Electrode Materials for High-Performance Supercapacitors.

Due to their unique physical and chemical properties, complex nanostructures based on carbon nanotubes and transition metal oxides are considered promising electrode materials for the fabrication of high-performance supercapacitors with a fast charge rate, high power density, and long cycle life. The crucial role in determining their efficiency is played by the properties of the interface in such nanostructures, among them, the type of chemical bonds between their components. The complementary theoretical and experimental methods, including dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D3) within GGA-PBE approximation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, X-ray photoelectron, and X-ray absorption spectroscopies, were applied in the present work for the comprehensive investigation of surface morphology, structure, and electronic properties in CuOx/MWCNTs and NiO/MWCNTs.

[Mathematical model for assessing the level of cross-immunity between strains of influenza virus subtype HN].

Introduction: The WHO regularly updates influenza vaccine recommendations to maximize their match with circulating strains. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the influenza A vaccine, specifically its H3N2 component, has been low for several seasons. The aim of the study is to develop a mathematical model of cross-immunity based on the array of published WHO hemagglutination inhibition assay (HAI) data.

Silencing of Fli1 Gene Mimics Effects of Preeclampsia and Induces Collagen Synthesis in Human Umbilical Arteries.

Background: Previously we demonstrated that in patients with preeclampsia elevated levels of endogenous Na/K-ATPase inhibitor, marinobufagenin, cause inhibition of Friend leukemia virus integration 1 (Fli1), a negative regulator of collagen-1 synthesis. We hypothesized that in vitro silencing of Fli1 in healthy human umbilical arteries would be associated with an increase in collagen-1 output, similar to the effect of preeclampsia in rat and human tissues.

Methods: The isolated segments of healthy human umbilical arteries were tested for sensitivity to MBG and Fli1 silencing with Fli1 siRNA or control siRNA.

Canrenone Restores Vasorelaxation Impaired by Marinobufagenin in Human Preeclampsia.

Previous studies implicated cardiotonic steroids, including Na/K-ATPase inhibitor marinobufagenin (MBG), in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). Recently, we demonstrated that (i) MBG induces fibrosis in rat tissues via a mechanism involving Fli1, a negative regulator of collagen-1 synthesis, and (ii) MBG sensitive Na/K-ATPase inhibition is reversed by mineralocorticoid antagonists. We hypothesized that in human PE elevated MBG level is associated with the development of fibrosis of the umbilical arteries and that this fibrosis can be attenuated by canrenone.

Responses of Aquatic Organisms to Cyanobacteria and Elodea in Microcosms.

The aim of the present study is investigation of the impact of mass development of cyanobacteria and Elodea on population characteristics (abundance, biomass, fecundity) and "health" parameters (the state of embryos, heart rate, and thermal resistance) of aquatic invertebrates in experiments with controlled conditions. In July-August 2018, in four variants of microcosms, the conditions were modeled characteristic of the coastal zone of the Rybinsk Reservoir in the period of mass development of cyanobacteria. Mass species were placed in microcosms of planktonic (with domination (80%) Daphnia longispina) and bottom animals (Unio pictorum, Gmelinoides fasciatus, Asellus aquaticus), as well as Elodea canadensis.

Antibody against Na/K-ATPase Inhibitor Lowers Blood Pressure and Increases Vascular Fli1 in Experimental Preeclampsia.

Background: Previous studies implicated cardiotonic steroids, including Na/K-ATPase inhibitor marinobufagenin (MBG), in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). We demonstrated that MBG induces fibrosis via mechanism involving inhibition of Fli1, a nuclear transcription factor and a negative regulator of collagen-1 synthesis. We hypothesized that PE blockade of increased MBG with antibody would lessen the fibrosis of umbilical arteries and lower the blood pressure in rats with PE.

Remote measurement of sunflower seed moisture content by the use of microwaves.

Background: Modern agriculture demands new methods and equipment that allow operators to conduct the instant control of moisture content over a wide area of agricultural fields with the purpose of providing farmers with the optimal moment of harvesting mature seeds and crops. Here the authors propose a new method and experimentally investigate the possibility to accomplish remote sensing of the moisture content of sunflower seeds using microwave radiation in the millimeter range.

Results: An experimental device for measuring the coefficient of reflection of electromagnetic waves from sunflower inflorescences in the frequency range 25.

[Mathematic prognosis of cagocel effectiveness for prophylaxis and therapy of influenza].

The possibility of using a mathematic model of influenza epidemic in evaluation of effectiveness of an etiotropic preparation cagocel for prophylaxis and therapy of influenza as well as determination of possible damage from influenza epidemics and outbreaks in major cities of Russia is shown.

Tuning the band structure, magnetic and transport properties of the zigzag graphene nanoribbons/hexagonal boron nitride heterostructures by transverse electric field.

The paper presents the results of ab initio study of the opportunities for tuning the band structure, magnetic and transport properties of zigzag graphene nanoribbon (8-ZGNR) on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN(0001)) semiconductor heterostructure by transverse electric field (E(ext)). This study was performed within the framework of the density functional theory (DFT) using Grimme's (DFT-D2) scheme. We established the critical values of E(ext) for the 8-ZGNR/h-BN(0001) heterostructure, thereby providing for semiconductor-halfmetal transition in one of electron spin configurations.

[A prognostic model of the effect of the antiviral drug Relenza on the epidemic of A(H1N1)/2009 influenza].

The paper gives the results of calculation-theoretical studies estimating the effect of the etiotropic agent Relenza (in preventing influenza in its susceptible patients an in treating patients ill with influenza) on the epidemic of pandemic A(H1N1)/2009 influenza in a large city of Russia. The values of its effect (the number of prevented cases of influenza and that of prevented deaths from its complications) have been calculated on a computer, by applying a modified PSEEI2RF influenza epidemic model (a Russian Baroyan-Rvachev model) with the A(H1N1)/2009 influenza pathogen that dominated in the 2009-2010 season in many countries of the world. Predictive estimates of the action of Relenza on the epidemic of A(H1N1)/2009 influenza have been obtained for 5 scenarios while implementing measures to treat patients with the illness and to prevent its susceptible patients in a large city with a population of one million.

[Screening of potential antibiotics, inhibitors of the nonmevalonate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis--2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-2,4-cyclodiphosphate derivatives].

The recently discovered nonmevalonate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis is a prospective target in screening of new antibiotics. Because of the absence of the pathway in the animal cells, the specific inhibitors of the pathway will be a new class of antibiotics against many pathogens (which cause, e.g.

[2-(14)C-Methylerythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate incorporation into bacterial and plant isoprenoids].

To work out a test system for studying the inhibition of isoprenoid biosynthesis through non-mevalonate pathway, the conversion of 2-(14)C-methylerythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate (14C-MEC) into isoprenoids of three bacteria species and into plastids of 11 higher plant species was studied. The highest efficiency (up to 63%) of the process was observed with chromoplasts from narcissus (Narcissus pseudonarcissus L.) and celandine (Chelidonium majus L.

[The role of 2-C-methylerythritol-2,4-cyclopyrophosphate in the resuscitation of the "nonculturable" forms of Mycobacterium smegmatis].

2-C-Methyl-D-erythritol-2,4-cyclopyrophosphate (MEC), an intermediate of the biosynthesis of isoprenoid compounds in bacteria, was found to be capable of exerting a resuscitating effect on resting Mycobacterium smegmatis cells. The introduction of an additional copy of the ispE gene encoding cytidyl-methylerythritol kinase, an enzyme involved in MEC synthesis in M. smegmatis, resulted in the emergence of a capacity for spontaneous reactivation of "nonculturable" M.

[2-C-Methylerythritol phosphate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis as a target in identifying of new antibiotics, herbicides, and immunomodulators (Review) ].

Specific inhibitors of 2-C-methylerythritol phosphate pathway (MEP-pathway), including compounds obtained based on its metabolites, may compose a new class of antibiotics combining high efficiency and low toxicity. MEP-pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis is a promising target in identifying new herbicides, immunomodulators, and other physiologically active compounds.

[Quasichemical models of dynamics of cell populations after treatment with growth inhibitors and activators].

A uniform procedure is proposed, whereby growth characteristics of biological populations of various levels can be described as quantum chemistry equations. Using approaches of the kinetics of chain processes expressions have been derived, which make it possible to assess the effects of individual chemical substances and mixtures thereof on population dynamics. These expressions describe quantitatively synergistic and antagonistic effects of the substances.

[IR-spectroscopic study of the interaction of chromium salts with native DNA].

Infrared spectra of some unoriented films of DNA contained CrCl3, K2Cr2O7 and Cr2(SO4)3 have been obtained at relative humidities (r.h.) 0 to 93%.

[The character of the interaction of beta-carotene-15,15'-dioxygenase from rabbit small intestine with lycopene, 15,15'-dehydro-beta-carotene, lutein, and astaxanthine].

Interaction of rabbit small intestine mucosa beta-carotene 15,15'-dioxygenase with lycopene, 15,15'-dehydro-beta-carotene, lutein and astaxanthine is unaccompanied by the formation of products of enzymatic cleavage of the central double bond of these carotenoid molecules. Apo-carotenoids of lutein and lycopene are formed by nonenzymatic oxidation. Lycopene and 15,15'-dehydro-beta-carotene competitively inhibit the enzymatic oxidation of beta-carotene.