Effect of 5-day dry immersion on the human foot morphology evaluated by computer plantography and soft tissues stiffness measuring.

16 participants have been subjected to Dry Immersion model (DI) for 5 days. DI reproduces the space flight factors such as lack of support, mechanical and axial unloading, physical inactivity, elimination of vertical vascular gradient. Long-term bed rest is also associated with similar factors, so the results of the study may be useful for clinical medicine.

Plant-produced hepatitis B core protein chimera carrying anthrax protective antigen domain-4.

The hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) can generate a strong immune response and is recognized as an effective carrier for foreign epitopes. The domain-4 epitope of the anthrax protective antigen (PA-D4) plays an essential role in generating protective immunity against virulent Bacillus anthracis. Here we report the successful production of a recombinant protein comprised of the antigenic PA-D4 integrated into the c/e1 loop of HBcAg in transgenic low-alkaloid Nicotiana tabacum.

Influenza H5 virus escape mutants: immune protection and antibody production in mice.

Avian H5N1 influenza A viruses are considered to be of high pandemic potential as they are able to cross the avian-human species barrier and cause disease in humans. In the present study we assessed the impact of amino acid substitutions in the hemagglutinin (HA) of antigenic escape mutants of influenza A/Mallard/Pennsylvania/10218/84 (H5N2) (Mld/PA/84-MA) virus on the level of neutralizing antibodies and the ability to protect mice against challenge with the wild type H5 influenza virus. beta-Propiolactone-inactivated vaccines prepared from eight different H5 escape mutants could be separated into two groups based on levels of protection.

Structure of antigenic sites on the haemagglutinin molecule of H5 avian influenza virus and phenotypic variation of escape mutants.

To elucidate the structure of the antigenic sites of avian H5 influenza virus haemagglutinin (HA) we analysed escape mutants of a mouse-adapted variant of the H5N2 strain A/Mallard/Pennsylvania/10218/84. A panel of five anti-H5 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was used to select 16 escape mutants. The mutants were tested by ELISA and haemagglutination inhibition with this panel of anti-H5 mAbs and the HA genes of the mutants were sequenced.