Novel Selectable Marker Sesquiterpenoid Antibiotic Pentalenolactone.

Antibiotic resistance has been and remains a major problem in our society. The main solution to this problem is to search and study the mechanisms of antibiotic action. Many groups of secondary metabolites, including antimicrobial ones, are produced by the phylum.

The Use of AgNP-Containing Nanocomposites Based on Galactomannan and κ-Carrageenan for the Creation of Hydrogels with Antiradical Activity.

Series of composites containing 2.5-17.0% Ag and consisting of spherical silver nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 5.

Methods for Detection and Mapping of Methylated and Hydroxymethylated Cytosine in DNA.

The chemical modifications of DNA are of pivotal importance in the epigenetic regulation of cellular processes. Although the function of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) has been extensively investigated, the significance of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) has only recently been acknowledged. Conventional methods for the detection of DNA methylation frequently lack the capacity to distinguish between 5mC and 5hmC, resulting in the combined reporting of both.

A highly specific aptamer for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from the authentic strain.

DNA aptamers are oligonucleotides that specifically bind to target molecules, similar to how antibodies bind to antigens. We identified an aptamer named MEZ that is highly specific to the receptor-binding domain, RBD, of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain. The SELEX procedure was utilized to enrich the initial 31-mer oligonucleotide library with the target aptamer.

The Use of Polysaccharide Matrices as a Basis for the Formation of Tellurium Nanoparticles with Different Morphologies.

The widening of possible areas of practical uses for zero-valent tellurium nanoparticles (TeNPs) from biomedicine to optoelectronic and thermoelectric applications determines the actuality of the development of simple and affordable methods for their preparation. Among the existing variety of approaches to the synthesis of TeNPs, special attention should be paid to chemical methods, and especially to "green" approaches, which are based on the use of precursors of tellurium in their powder bulk form and natural galactose-containing polysaccharides-arabinogalactan (Ar-Gal), galactomannan-(GM-dP) and κ-carrageenan (κ-CG) acting as ligands stabilizing the surface of the TeNPs. The use of basic-reduction system "NH HO-NaOH" for preliminary activation of bulk-Te and Ar-Gal, GM-dP and κ-CG allowed us to obtain in aqueous medium a number of stable nanocomposites consisting of TeNPs stabilized by the polysaccharides' macromolecules.

Direct Determination of the Structure of Single Biopolymer Molecules Using Nanopore Sequencing.

This review highlights operational principles, features, and modern aspects of the development of third-generation sequencing technology of biopolymers focusing on the nucleic acids analysis, namely the nanopore sequencing system. Basics of the method and technical solutions used for its realization are considered, from the first works showing the possibility of creation of these systems to the easy-to-handle procedure developed by Oxford Nanopore Technologies company. Moreover, this review focuses on applications, which were developed and realized using equipment developed by the Oxford Nanopore Technologies, including assembly of whole genomes, methagenomics, direct analysis of the presence of modified bases.

Complete genome sequence of new sp. strain ET2, isolated from roots of leafless orchid.

Whole-genome sequence of ET2 strain, isolated from the roots of leafless orchid, constitutes a single circular chromosome of 3,604,840 bp (69.44% G + C content). BLAST+-based average nucleotide identity (ANIb) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values indicate that ET2 may be a novel species.

The use of a chemiluminescence in the assessment of the nanomaterials antioxidant activity.

Nanomaterials are one of the most promising classes of advanced materials with fine-tuned biological activities. This is evidenced by the presence of redox activity of a number of nanoparticles aimed at inhibiting free radicals and/or mimicking the functions of enzymes. At the same time, it is impossible to study the expression of these biological properties without the use of well-standardized, representative techniques that provide availability, high precision, sensitivity, and selectivity of the measured characteristics.

Conserved G-Quadruplex-Forming Sequences in Mammalian Promoters and Their Effect on Mutation Frequency.

Somatic mutations in the promoter region of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase () gene have been identified in many types of cancer. The promoter is known to be enriched with sequences that enable the formation of G-quadruplex (G4) structures, whose presence is associated with elevated mutagenicity and genome instability. Here, we used a bioinformatics tool (QGRS mapper) to search for G4-forming sequences (G4 motifs) in the 1000 bp promoter regions of 141 mammalian species belonging to 20 orders, 5 of which, including primates and predators, contain more than 10 species.

Synthesis and DC Electrical Conductivity of Nanocomposites Based on Poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) and Thermoelectric Tellurium Nanoparticles.

In this work, the structural characteristics and DC electrical conductivity of firstly synthesized organic-inorganic nanocomposites of thermoelectric Te nanoparticles (1.4, 2.8, 4.

The TERT Promoter: A Key Player in the Fight for Cancer Cell Immortality.

The review describes the role of telomeres and telomerase in tumor progression, as well as various mechanisms of the activation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression in CNS tumors and other cancers. The main mechanism of TERT activation involves acquisition of somatic mutations by the TERT gene promoter (TERTp). The article presents information on the TERTp structure and transcription factors directly interacting with TERTp and regulating its transcription.

Draft Genome Sequence of sp. Strain 4228-Ro, a Thermophilic Bacterium Isolated from a Kamchatka Hot Spring.

The genome of sp. strain 4228-Ro, an aerobic thermophilic bacterium isolated from a Kamchatka hot spring, was sequenced and analyzed. The genome assembly comprises 13 contigs with a total length of 3,068,448 bp.

Development of a Sensitive Digital Droplet PCR Screening Assay for the Detection of Non-Coding Mutations in Bladder Cancer Urine Liquid Biopsies.

Recent whole-genome sequencing studies identified two novel recurrent mutations in the enhancer region of in urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) tumor samples. This mutational hotspot is the second most common after the promoter in UBC. The aim of the study was to develop a digital droplet PCR screening assay for the simultaneous detection of mutations in a single tube.

New DNA Plasmid Model for Studying DNA Mismatch Repair Response to the G4 Structure.

G-quadruplexes (G4s), the most widely studied alternative DNA structures, are implicated in the regulation of the key cellular processes. In recent years, their involvement in DNA repair machinery has become the subject of intense research. Here, we evaluated the effect of G4 on the prokaryotic DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathway from two bacterial sources with different mismatch repair mechanisms.

Protein CD133 as a tumor stem cell marker.

The CD133 protein is a large transmembrane glycoprotein. Despite multiple studies, the role of CD133 protein in cells is still poorly understood. Nevertheless, there is an association of CD133 protein with neoplastic transformation.

TERT Promoter Mutations as Simple and Non-Invasive Urinary Biomarkers for the Detection of Urothelial Bladder Cancer in a High-Risk Region.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the 10th most common cancer in the world. While there are FDA-approved urinary assays to detect BC, none have demonstrated sufficient sensitivity and specificity to be integrated into clinical practice. Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase () gene mutations have been identified as the most common BC mutations that could potentially be used as non-invasive urinary biomarkers to detect BC.

Model of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus for Development of a DNA-Modified, Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Sensor with a Novel Hybrid Plasmonic Platform in Sandwich Mode.

The recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has posed a great challenge for the development of ultra-fast methods for virus identification based on sensor principles. We created a structure modeling surface and size of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and used it in comparison with the standard antigen SARS-CoV-2-the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S-protein of the envelope of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from the Wuhan strain-for the development of detection of coronaviruses using a DNA-modified, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based aptasensor in sandwich mode: a primary aptamer attached to the plasmonic surface-RBD-covered Ag nanoparticle-the Cy3-labeled secondary aptamer. Fabricated novel hybrid plasmonic structures based on "Ag mirror-SiO-nanostructured Ag" demonstrate sensitivity for the detection of investigated analytes due to the combination of localized surface plasmons in nanostructured silver surface and the gap surface plasmons in a thin dielectric layer of SiO between silver layers.

G-Quadruplex Formed by the Promoter Region of the Gene: Structure-Driven Effects on DNA Mismatch Repair Functions.

G-quadruplexes (G4s) are a unique class of noncanonical DNAs that play a key role in cellular processes and neoplastic transformation. Herein, we focused on the promoter region of human TERT oncogene, whose product is responsible for the immortality of cancer cells. It has been shown by chemical probing and spectroscopic methods that synthetic 96-nt DNAs modeling the wild-type G-rich strand of the hTERT promoter and its variants with G>A point substitutions corresponding to somatic driver mutations fold into three stacked parallel G4s with sites of local G4 destabilization caused by G>A substitutions in the G4 motif.

Monomeric form of C-reactive protein in the assessment of the residual inflammatory cardiovascular risk in patients with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

Aim      To study the relationship between monomeric C-reactive protein (mCRP) and the progression of asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis in patients with a moderate risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as assessed with the SCORE model.Material and methods  The study included 80 men and women aged 53.1±5.

The Analysis of Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Silver Selenide Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Arabinogalactan Polymer Matrix.

The acute and subacute toxicity of a newly synthesized silver selenide nanoparticles encapsulated in a natural polymeric matrix of arabinogalactan study has been studied. The nanocomposite is a promising material for the design of diagnostic and therapeutic drugs. It can also be used for the preparation of fluorescent labels and in thermal oncotherapy.

Nanopore Sequencing for De Novo Bacterial Genome Assembly and Search for Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism.

Nanopore sequencing (ONT) is a new and rapidly developing method for determining nucleotide sequences in DNA and RNA. It serves the ability to obtain long reads of thousands of nucleotides without assembly and amplification during sequencing compared to next-generation sequencing. Nanopore sequencing can help for determination of genetic changes leading to antibiotics resistance.

The monomeric C-reactive protein level is associated with the increase in carotid plaque number in patients with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) assay measures the level of the pentameric form of CRP in blood. Currently, there are no available assays measuring the level of the monomeric form of CRP (mCRP), produced at sites of local inflammation. We developed an assay measuring the mCRP level in blood plasma with functional beads for flow cytometry.

[Clinical and psychological assessment of the variability of schizotypal personality disorder in children and adolescents].

Objective: To analyze the variability of violations of cognitive and emotional-personal parameters in schizotypal disorder (STD) in children and adolescents according to the pathopsychological profile.

Material And Methods: 47 patients with STD were examined, 21 of them with psychopathic variant (F21.4), 16 with neurotic (F21.

Identification of a Novel Small RNA Encoded in the Mouse Urokinase Receptor uPAR Gene () and Its Molecular Target .

Urokinase receptor (uPAR) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored receptor of urokinase (uPA), which is involved in brain development, nerve regeneration, wound healing and tissue remodeling. We have recently shown that , which encodes uPAR, is an early response gene in murine brain. Assumingly, diverse functions of might be attributed to hypothetical, unidentified microRNAs encoded within introns of the gene.