Post-surgery sequelae unrelated to disease progression and chemotherapy revealed in follow-up of patients with stage III colon cancer.

Background: We studied the poorly-known dynamics of circulating DNA (cir-nDNA), as monitored prospectively over an extended post-surgery period, in patients with cancer.

Methods: On patients with stage III colon cancer (N = 120), using personalised molecular tags we carried out the prospective, multicenter, blinded cohort study of the post-surgery serial analysis of cir-nDNA concentration. 74 patients were included and 357 plasma samples tested.

Association of the immediate perioperative dynamics of circulating DNA levels and neutrophil extracellular traps formation in cancer patients.

Objectives: Elevated circulating DNA (cirDNA) concentrations were found to be associated with trauma or tissue damage which suggests involvement of inflammation or cell death in post-operative cirDNA release. We carried out the first prospective, multicenter study of the dynamics of cirDNA and neutrophil extracellular trap (NETs) markers during the perioperative period from 24 h before surgery up to 72 h after curative surgery in cancer patients.

Methods: We examined the plasma levels of two NETs protein markers [myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neutrophil elastase (NE)], as well as levels of cirDNA of nuclear (cir-nDNA) and mitochondrial (cir-mtDNA) origin in 29 colon, prostate, and breast cancer patients and in 114 healthy individuals (HI).

Safety and Immunogenicity of Betuvax-CoV-2, an RBD-Fc-Based SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant Vaccine: Preliminary Results of the First-in-Human, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase I/II Clinical Trial.

Unlabelled: COVID-19, being a life-threatening infection that evolves rapidly, remains a major public health concern calling for the development of vaccines with broad protection against different pathogenic strains and high immunogenicity. Aside from this, other concerns in mass immunization settings are also the scalability of production and relative affordability of the technology. In that regard, adjuvanted protein vaccines with particles mimicking the virus stand out among known vaccine technologies.

Neutrophil extracellular traps have auto-catabolic activity and produce mononucleosome-associated circulating DNA.

Background: As circulating DNA (cirDNA) is mainly detected as mononucleosome-associated circulating DNA (mono-N cirDNA) in blood, apoptosis has until now been considered as the main source of cirDNA. The mechanism of cirDNA release into the circulation, however, is still not fully understood. This work addresses that knowledge gap, working from the postulate that neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) may be a source of cirDNA, and by investigating whether NET may directly produce mono-N cirDNA.

Persistence of neutrophil extracellular traps and anticardiolipin auto-antibodies in post-acute phase COVID-19 patients.

In the early phase of the pandemic, we were among the first to postulate that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a key role in COVID-19 pathogenesis. This exploratory prospective study based on 279 individuals showed that plasma levels of neutrophil elastase, myeloperoxidase and circulating DNA of nuclear and mitochondrial origins in nonsevere (NS), severe (S) and postacute phase (PAP) COVID-19 patients were statistically different as compared to the levels in healthy individuals, and revealed the high diagnostic power of these NETs markers in respect to the disease severity. The diagnostic power of NE, MPO, and cir-nDNA as determined by the Area Under Receiver Operating Curves (AUROC) was 0.

SARS-CoV-2 Subunit Virus-like Vaccine Demonstrates High Safety Profile and Protective Efficacy: Preclinical Study.

Public health threat coming from a rapidly developing COVID-19 pandemic calls for developing safe and effective vaccines with innovative designs. This paper presents preclinical trial results of "Betuvax-CoV-2", a vaccine developed as a subunit vaccine containing a recombinant RBD-Fc fusion protein and betulin-based spherical virus-like nanoparticles as an adjuvant ("Betuspheres"). The study aimed to demonstrate vaccine safety in mice, rats, and Chinchilla rabbits through acute, subchronic, and reproductive toxicity studies.

Immune Escape Associated with RBD Omicron Mutations and SARS-CoV-2 Evolution Dynamics.

The evolution and the emergence of new mutations of viruses affect their transmissibility and/or pathogenicity features, depending on different evolutionary scenarios of virus adaptation to the host. A typical trade-off scenario of SARS-CoV-2 evolution has been proposed, which leads to the appearance of an Omicron strain with lowered lethality, yet enhanced transmissibility. This direction of evolution might be partly explained by virus adaptation to therapeutic agents and enhanced escape from vaccine-induced and natural immunity formed by other SARS-CoV-2 strains.

Design and Immunological Properties of the Novel Subunit Virus-like Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

The COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, and the need for safe and effective vaccines to prevent infection and to control spread of the virus remains urgent. Here, we report the development of a SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine candidate (Betuvax-CoV-2) based on RBD and SD1 domains of the spike (S) protein fused to a human IgG1 Fc fragment. The antigen is adsorbed on betulin adjuvant, forming spherical particles with a size of 100-180 nm, mimicking the size of viral particles.

Can melatonin reduce the severity of COVID-19 pandemic?

The current COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most devastating events in recent history. The virus causes relatively minor damage to young, healthy populations, imposing life-threatening danger to the elderly and people with diseases of chronic inflammation. Therefore, if we could reduce the risk for vulnerable populations, it would make the COVID-19 pandemic more similar to other typical outbreaks.

First-Line Cetuximab Monotherapy in KRAS/NRAS/BRAF Mutation-Negative Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Background: Colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) are sensitive to treatment by anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies only if they do not carry activating mutations in down-stream EGFR targets (KRAS/NRAS/BRAF). Most clinical trials for chemo-naive CRC patients involved combination of targeted agents and chemotherapy, while single-agent cetuximab or panitumumab studies included either heavily pretreated patients or subjects who were not selected on the basis of molecular tests. We hypothesized that anti-EGFR therapy would have significant efficacy in chemo-naive patients with KRAS/NRAS/BRAF mutation-negative CRC.

Radio frequency source of a weakly expanding wedge-shaped xenon ion beam for contactless removal of large-sized space debris objects.

A theoretical-experimental research has been carried out to determine the characteristics of a radio frequency (RF) ion source for the generation of a weakly expanding wedge-shaped xenon ion beam. Such ion beam geometry is of interest as a prototype of an on-board ion injector for contactless "ion shepherding" by service spacecraft to remove large space debris objects from geostationary orbits. The wedge shape of the ion beam increases its range.

Femtosecond and Picosecond Dynamics of Recombinant Bacteriorhodopsin Primary Reactions Compared to the Native Protein in Trimeric and Monomeric Forms.

Photochemical reaction dynamics of the primary events in recombinant bacteriorhodopsin (bR) was studied by femtosecond laser absorption spectroscopy with 25-fs time resolution. bR was produced in an Escherichia coli expression system. Since bR was prepared in a DMPC-CHAPS micelle system in the monomeric form, its comparison with trimeric and monomeric forms of the native bacteriorhodopsin (bR and bR, respectively) was carried out.

[Genetic diversity of modern Russian durum wheat cultivars at the gliadin-coding loci].

The allelic diversity at four gliadin-coding loci was examined in modern cultivars of the spring and winter durum wheat Triticum durum Desf. Comparative analysis of the allelic diversity showed that the gene pools of these two types of durum wheat, having different life styles, were considerably different. For the modern spring durum wheat cultivars, a certain reduction of the genetic diversity was observed compared to the cultivars bred in the 20th century.

[Characterization of the Bellevalia sarmatica (Georgi) woronow populations from Volgograd oblast using molecular genetic identification].

DNA samples obtained from the populations of the Red Data Book species Bellevalia sarmatica (Georgi) Worovow from Volgograd oblast were examined using RAPD and AFLP analyses. DNA marking revealed considerable differences in the levels of interpopulation and intraspecific polymorphism of the Bellevalia. Furthermore, RAPD analysis, despite of lower levels of interpopulation polymorphism identified, made it possible to obtain clearer data on population subdivision upon statistical treatment of the results.

[Genetic monitoring of populations of Matthiola fragrans (Bunge) using RAPD and AFLP analysis].

The possibility of using RAPD and AFLP methods for genetic monitoring of populations of Matthiola fragrans (Bunge), a species included in the Red Book of the USSR, was shown for the first time. An analysis of inter- and intrapopulation and interspecies genome polymorphism was performed. Differences in the genetic structure of Matthiola populations from various geographical collection points were revealed.

[Novel reference gene RPN1 for normalization of quantitative data in lung and kidney cancer].

Quantitative methods of gene expression analysis in tumors require accurate data normalization, which allows comparison of different mRNA/cDNA samples with unknown concentration. For this purpose reference genes with stable expression level (such as GAPDH, ACTB, HPRT1, TBP) are used. The choice of appropriate reference genes is still actual because well-known reference genes are not suitable for certain cancer types frequently and their unreasonable use without additional tests lead to wrong conclusions.

[Assessment of the results of 24-hour arterial pressure monitoring in patients with arterial hypertension treated with fixed combinations of co-renitec and gyzaar with and without acupuncture reflexotherapy].

This study has demonstrated that the treatment of patients with grade II-III arterial hypertension using fixed combinations of corinetec and gyzaar supplemented by acupuncture reflexotherapy resulted in a significantly more pronounced decrease of daily monitored arterial pressure than in patients who received the drug therapy without acupuncture.

[Responses of thymocytes and splenocytes to low-intensity extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation in normal mice and in mice with systemic inflammation].

Changes in T cell subsets and expression of cytokine genes in thymocytes and splenocytes after exposure of BAL/c mice to low-intensity extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation (42.2 GHz, 0.1 mW/cm2, exposure duration 20 min) under normal conditions and in systemic inflammation were studied using flow cytometry and the methods of reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction.

[Comparative characteristic of various methods of hernioplasty for inguinal hernias].

The experience of performance of elective and urgent herniotomy intervention in 1548 patients for inguinal hernia was analyzed. There were compared the results of laparoscopic hernioplasty according to TAPP method and Lichtenstein operation. It was established, that achieving similarly good and excellent results, laparoscopic method owes several advantages and can be used as a method of choice in the treatment of inguinal hernia.

[Global diversity of durum wheat Triticum durum desf. for alleles of gliadin-coding loci].

Genetic diversity for the alleles of gliadin-coding loci was studied with 465 durum wheat cultivars from 42 countries. A total of 108 alleles were identified for four loci; 60 alleles were described for the first time. Broad diversity of rare gliadin-coding alleles was observed.

[Allelic diversity at gliadin-coding gene loci in cultivars of spring durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) bred in Russia and former Soviet Republics in the 20th century].

Allelic diversity at five gliadin-coding gene loci has been studied in the most important spring durum wheat cultivars released in Russia and former Soviet republics in the 20th century (66 cultivars). Seven, 5, 8, 13, and 2 allelic variants of blocks of gliadin components controlled by the loci Gli-A1d, Gli-B1d, Gli-A2d, Gli-B2d, and Gli-B5d, respectively, have been identified. The allelic diversity did not exhibit a consistent trend during the period studied.

[Molecular genetic marker-based approaches to the verification of lilac Syringa vulgaris L. in in vitro collections].

RAPD analysis was used to verify the varieties in an in vitro germplasm collection of lilac Syringa vulgaris L. RAPD patterns were obtained with 16 decanucleotide primers for 46 accessions (microclones and corresponding reference varieties). The RAPD patterns of a microclone and the corresponding reference variety often differed in composition; consequently, it was infeasible to verify the accessions by direct comparison of the RAPD patterns.

[Combined inhibiting action of new salicylic acid derivatives with alpha-tocopherol of the oxidation of methyl oleate].

The inhibitory action of compositions of alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TP) and salicylic acid derivatives on the process of initiated oxidation of methyl oleate (MO), alpha-TP and the salicilyc acid derivatives exhibited the synergistic affect, which was demonstrated by the methods of UV-spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

[Prooxidant and cytotoxic action of N-acetylcysteine and glutathione combined with vitamin Bl2b].

We studied the prooxidant and cytotoxic action of thiols N-acetylcystein (NAC) and glutathione (GSH) combined with vitamin Bl2b. The synergism of action of the thiols and Bl2b resulted in human carcinoma cell damage was found. It was shown that GSH and NAC in physiological doses combined with Bl2b caused the initiation of apoptosis.