Humoral Immune Responses in Patients with Severe COVID-19: A Comparative Pilot Study between Individuals Infected by SARS-CoV-2 during the Wild-Type and the Delta Periods.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, humanity has experienced the spread and circulation of several SARS-CoV-2 variants that differed in transmissibility, contagiousness, and the ability to escape from vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies. However, issues related to the differences in the variant-specific immune responses remain insufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to compare the parameters of the humoral immune responses in two groups of patients with acute COVID-19 who were infected during the circulation period of the D614G and the Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2.

East palearctic treefrog past and present habitat suitability using ecological niche models.

Ecological niche modeling is a tool used to determine current potential species' distribution or habitat suitability models which can then be used to project suitable areas in time. Projections of suitability into past climates can identify locations of climate refugia, or areas with high climatic stability likely to contain the highest levels of genetic diversity and stable populations when climatic conditions are less suitable in other parts of the range. Modeling habitat suitability for closely related species in recent past can also reveal potential periods and regions of contact and possible admixture.

Using the 2020 global pandemic as a springboard to highlight the need for amphibian conservation in eastern Asia.

Unlabelled: Emerging infectious diseases are on the rise in many different taxa, including, among others, the amphibian batrachochytrids, the snake fungal disease and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, responsible for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in mammals. Following the onset of the pandemic linked to COVID-19, eastern Asia has shown strong leadership, taking actions to regulate the trade of potential vector species in several regions. These actions were taken in response to an increase in public awareness, and the need for a quick reaction to mitigate against further pandemics.

From Gondwana to the Yellow Sea, evolutionary diversifications of true toads sp. in the Eastern Palearctic and a revisit of species boundaries for Asian lineages.

Taxa with vast distribution ranges often display unresolved phylogeographic structures and unclear taxonomic boundaries resulting in hidden diversity. This hypothesis-driven study reveals the evolutionary history of Bufonidae, covering the phylogeographic patterns found in Holarctic bufonids from the West Gondwana to the phylogenetic taxonomy of Asiatic true toads in the Eastern Palearctic. We used an integrative approach relying on fossilized birth-death calibrations, population dynamics, gene-flow, species distribution, and species delimitation modeling to resolve the biogeography of the clade and highlight cryptic lineages.

Finite Element Analysis of Customized Acetabular Implant and Bone after Pelvic Tumour Resection throughout the Gait Cycle.

The aim of this paper is to investigate and compare the stress distribution of a reconstructed pelvis under different screw forces in a typical walking pattern. Computer-aided design models of the pelvic bones and sacrum made based on computer tomography images and individually designed implants are the basis for creating finite element models, which are imported into ABAQUS software. The screws provide compression loading and bring the implant and pelvic bones together.

Acquisition of the L452R Mutation in the ACE2-Binding Interface of Spike Protein Triggers Recent Massive Expansion of SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

We report that there is a recent global expansion of numerous independent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with mutation L452R in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein. The massive emergence of L452R variants was first linked to lineage B.1.

Update on Distribution and Conservation Status of Amphibians in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Conclusions Based on Field Surveys, Environmental Modelling, Molecular Analyses and Call Properties.

Determining the range, status, ecology and behaviour of species from areas where surveys and samplings are uncommon or difficult to conduct is a challenge, such as in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPR Korea). Here, we used genetic samples, field surveys, call recordings, photographic identification and a literature review to estimate the presence, range and status of amphibians in the DPR Korea. From our combined results and based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, we were able to estimate the national threat levels for most species.

Acquisition of the L452R mutation in the ACE2-binding interface of Spike protein triggers recent massive expansion of SARS-Cov-2 variants.

The recent rise in mutational variants of SARS-CoV-2, especially with changes in the Spike protein, is of significant concern due to the potential ability for these mutations to increase viral infectivity, virulence and/or ability to escape protective antibodies. Here, we investigated genetic variations in a 414-583 amino acid region of the Spike protein, partially encompassing the ACE2 receptor-binding domain (RBD), across a subset of 570 nasopharyngeal samples isolated between April 2020 and February 2021, from Washington, California, Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota and Illinois. We found that samples isolated since November have an increased number of amino acid mutations in the region, with L452R being the dominant mutation.

[Role of the infection and inflammation in atherosclerosis development (literature review)].

ecent researches have shown that the atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. In particular, chronic inflammation plays a key role in coronary artery plaque instability and subsequent occlusive thrombosis. Inflammatory and immune mechanisms, employing monocytes, innate receptors, cytokines are suggested to be involved in atherogenesis.

Central & Eastern Europe and Central Asia: police raids and violence put sex workers at risk of HIV.

In most of the countries of Central & Eastern Europe and Central Asia, sex workers report very high levels of abuse from police, particularly in the context of police raids. In this article, based on an oral presentation at the conference, the Sex Workers' Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN) report on the results of a study conducted among sex workers in several countries in the region. The authors make the link between police violence and general violence, and between violence against sex workers and vulnerability to HIV infection.

[Effectiveness of Leukostim, a Russian preparation of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with malignant tumors].

Recombinant preparation of human G-CSF-Leukostim (Russia)--(filgrastim; analog of Neupogen)--was administered in 31 patients (breast cancer--28; ovarian carcinoma--3) to treat or prevent chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. The latter was aborted after 2-6 injections. Due to use of Leukostim, another course of chemotherapy (10 cycles) was successfully used in 5 breast cancer patients: no inhibition of hemopoiesis followed although the patients had suffered acute and persistent neutropenia from previous chemotherapy.

[Problems of a physician-patient interaction and control of arterial hypertension in Russia. Main results of scientific-practical program ARGUS-2].

Objective: To study the problems of physician-patient cooperation, patient- and physician related barrieres to target blood pressure (BP) achievement and to demonstrate improvement of BP control with indapamide SR 1.5 mg, when given to patients remaining uncontrolled while receiving antihypertensive therapy without thiazide diuretics (TD).

Methods: The trial Improvement of Arterial Hypertension Control in High-Risk Hypertensive Patients (ARGUS-2) run in 15 Russian centres during the year 2006.

[Antibodies to Yersinia enterocolitica and Proteus mirabilis in blood sera of rheumatoid arthritis patients].

Data on specific antibodies to the bacterial antigens of Yersinia enterocolitica (serovars 03, 09) and Proteus mirabilis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are presented. According to the data of some researchers, these organisms play some role in the pathogenesis of RA. The highest level of IgG antibodies to Y.

[Results of a phase I-II clinical trial of Emoxyl, a novel antineoplastic anthracycline].

Emoxyl (ruboxyl) is a product of chemical modification of daunorubicin mediated by a stable free radical. The drug was given to 63 patients with different malignancies stages I-II. Inhibition of hemopoiesis (leukopenia and thrombocytopenia) was identified as the dose-limiting toxicity level.

Functional electron microscopy in studies of plant response and adaptation to anaerobic stress.

This article reviews the contribution made by functional electron microscopy towards identifying and understanding the reactions of plant roots and shoots to anaerobic stress. Topics examined include: (1) unexpected hypersensitivity, rather than hyper-resistance, to anoxia of root tips of flooding-tolerant plants; (2) protective, rather than damaging, effects of a stimulated energy metabolism (glycolysis and fermentation) under anaerobic conditions; (3) the concept of two main strategies of plant adaptation to anaerobic environments, namely avoidance of anaerobiosis on the whole plant level, termed 'apparent' tolerance, and metabolic adaptation at the cellular and molecular levels, termed 'true' tolerance; (4) the importance of protein synthesis during hypoxia and anoxia for enhanced energy production and metabolic adaptation; (5) a general adaptive syndrome in plants to stress at the ultrastructural level and a possible molecular mechanism for its realization under anoxia; (6) the physiological role of anaerobically synthesized lipids and nitrate as alternative electron acceptors in an oxygen-free medium; and (7) the selection of cell lines derived from callus cultures that possess enhanced tolerance to anoxia and can regenerate whole plants with improved tolerance of soil waterlogging.

[Genetic aspects of congenital pathology of the larynx and trachea].

Medical-genetic examination covered 24 families of patients with congenital defects of the larynx and trachea. These developmental defects can be attributed to multiple unestablished defects (66.7%) or can be part of some congenital-hereditary syndromes (25%) such as chromosomal, genetic, teratogenic, of unknown etiology.

[Congenital juvenile respiratory papillomatosis of the larynx].

The data obtained by foreign and national investigators on pathogenesis of congenital juvenile papillomatosis allow to confirm the existence of a congenital form of juvenile respiratory papillomatosis of the larynx.

[Treatment of children with congenital diseases of the larynx and trachea].

+33 cases of vascular tumors, 15 of congenital membranes, 12 of papillomatosis, 5 of cysts, 12 of abnormal laryngeal cartilages, 3 of tracheomalacia, 9 of stridor, 1 of fibrous polyp and 1 of mucous membrane folding in the interarytenoid region are reported. Operative interventions primarily endoscopic laser surgery were performed in children with congenital vascular tumors, membranes, cysts. Removal of papillomas in congenital papillomatosis conducted with the use of micro-instruments and CO2-laser was combined with immunomodulation.

[Variants and early symptoms of congenital diseases of larynx and trachea].

Congenital laryngeal and tracheal anomalies found in 1980-1995 in 91 children consisted of vascular tumors, laryngeal membranes, laryngeal cartilage anomaly, tracheomalacia, laryngeal papillomatosis, cysts, stridor (36.2%, 16.5%, 13.

[Experience in the use of viferon suppositories in young children with juvenile respiratory papillomatosis (preliminary report)].

The authors tried a new medical form of interferon, rectal suppositories viferon, to treat severe juvenile respiratory papillomatosis in young children. Side effects were absent, antibodies to interferon in low titers were registered in 2 patients only. Further studies are needed to specify the promising effects of the above treatment.