Positive Effect of Cognitive Training in Older Adults with Different Genotypes and COVID-19 History: A 1-Year Follow-Up Cohort Study.

(1) Background: Older people suffer from cognitive decline; several risk factors contribute to greater cognitive decline. We used acquired (COVID-19 infection) and non-modifiable (presence of rs429358 and rs7412 polymorphisms) factors to study the progression of subjective cognitive impairment while observing patients for one year. Cognitive training was used as a protective factor.

[Influence of platelets growth factors on spermatogenesis after electronic irradiation].

Background: The number of cases of male infertility is steadily growing every year, and therefore it is necessary to develop new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. It is known that plasma enriched with platelets, the α-granules of which contain growth factors, possesses high regenerative activity; therefore, we can expect positive results from its use for the restoration of spermatogenic epithelium.

Objective: Morphological assessment of spermatogenesis after local β-irradiation with a dose of 8 Gy and the introduction of growth factors.

Comparative Immunological Study in Mice of Inactivated Influenza Vaccines Used in the Russian Immunization Program.

A series of commercial inactivated influenza vaccines (IIVs) used in the Russian National Immunization Program were characterized to evaluate their protective properties on an animal model. Standard methods for quantifying immune response, such as hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay and virus neutralization (VN) assay, allowed us to distinguish the immunogenic effect of various IIVs from that of placebo. However, these standard approaches are not suitable to determine the role of various vaccine components in immune response maturation.

Characterization of Inactivated Influenza Vaccines Used in the Russian National Immunization Program.

Background: today's standard quality control methods used to control the protein composition of inactivated influenza vaccines only take into account a few key reference components. They do not allow for thorough characterization of protein compositions. As a result, observation of unpredictable variations in major viral constituents and admixtures of cellular proteins within manufactured vaccines that may seriously influence the immunogenicity and safety of such vaccines has become a pressing issue in vaccinology.

Schizophrenia and toxoplasmosis: association with catatonic symptoms.

Introduction: The association between schizophrenia and toxoplasmosis has been demonstrated in a number of studies: the prevalence of schizophrenia is significantly higher in toxoplasmosis positive subjects than in those with negative status. However, the clinical significance of this association remains poorly understood.

Objectives: To identify clinical phenomena that are typical for toxoplasmosis-associated ( seropositive) schizophrenia compared to Toxoplasma-seronegative schizophrenia.

Genetic diversity of group A rotaviruses in Moscow in 2018-2019.

Here, we present the results of a study in which 639 samples obtained between October 2018 and April 2019 from patients with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis were tested for the presence of a rotavirus infection. The antigen of group A rotavirus was detected in 160 samples (25% of those tested). To study the genetic diversity of group A rotavirus, RNA was isolated from the samples, and polymerase chain reaction combined with reverse transcription (RT-PCR) with primers specific for the VP4, VP6, and VP7 genes of group A rotaviruses was performed.

Taxonomy of the order Bunyavirales: second update 2018.

In October 2018, the order Bunyavirales was amended by inclusion of the family Arenaviridae, abolishment of three families, creation of three new families, 19 new genera, and 14 new species, and renaming of three genera and 22 species. This article presents the updated taxonomy of the order Bunyavirales as now accepted by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).

Taxonomy of the family Arenaviridae and the order Bunyavirales: update 2018.

In 2018, the family Arenaviridae was expanded by inclusion of 1 new genus and 5 novel species. At the same time, the recently established order Bunyavirales was expanded by 3 species. This article presents the updated taxonomy of the family Arenaviridae and the order Bunyavirales as now accepted by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) and summarizes additional taxonomic proposals that may affect the order in the near future.

[Molecular epidemiological analysis of HIV-1 variants circulating in Russia in 1987-2015].

Aim: To simultaneously analyze HIV-1 samples from all Russian regions to characterize the epidemiology of HIV infection in the country as a whole.

Subjects And Methods: The most extensive study was conducted to examine nucleotide sequences of the pol gene of HIV-1 samples isolated from HIV-positive persons in different regions of Russia, with the diagnosis date being fixed during 1987-2015. The nucleotide sequences of the HIV-1 genome were analyzed using computer programs and on-line applications to identify a virus subtype and new recombinant forms.

[Lymphocyte subpopulations, levels of interferon, and expression of their receptors in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C: Correlation with the species of viruses and the degree of liver fibrosis].

Aim: To determine whether there is a correlation of the composition of circulating lymphocyte subpopulations, the serum concentrations of interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-γ, and IFN-λ3, and the lymphocyte expression of types I and II IFN receptors with the species of a disease pathogen and the degree of liver fibrosis (LF) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and in those with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Subjects And Methods: The investigation enrolled 44 patients with CHC, 9 patients with CHB, and 13 clinically healthy donors. The degree of LF in the patients was determined using transient elastography.

Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (rhBMP-2) with Additional Protein Domain Synthesized in E. coli: In Vivo Osteoinductivity in Experimental Models on Small and Large Laboratory Animals.

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 with an additional s-tag domain (s-tag-BMP-2) synthesized in E. coli is characterized by higher solubility and activity than the protein without additional s-tag domain, which increases the yield during purification and simplifies protein introduction into the osteoplastic materials. The high osteoinductivity of the demineralized bone matrix with s-tag-BMP-2 was shown on the model of regeneration of cranial defects of a critical size in mice and on the model of implantation of porous titanium matrix into defects of femoral and tibial bones in rabbits.

Genetic characterization of bank vole virus (BaVV), a new paramyxovirus isolated from kidneys of bank voles in Russia.

A genome of bank vole virus (BaVV), isolated from kidney tissues of bank voles (Myodes glareolus) in Russia in 1973, was sequenced. The genomic organization of BaVV (3'-N-P/V/C-M-F-G-L-5', 16,992 nt in length; GenBank accession number MF943130) is most similar to that of Mossman virus (MoV) and Nariva virus (NarPV), two ungrouped paramyxoviruses isolated from rodents in Australia and Trinidad, respectively. The proteins of BaVV have the highest level of sequence identity (ranging from 23-28% for G protein to 66-73% for M protein) to proteins of MoV and NarPV.

Isolation and genetic characterization of encephalomyocarditis virus 1 from a deceased captive hamadryas baboon.

In 2007, numerous hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) died suddenly in an aviary of a primate institute in Sochi, Russia, in the absence of prior clinical signs. Necropsies were suggestive of encephalomyocarditis virus infection, but RT-PCR assays with commonly used primers were negative. Here we report the histopathological results obtained during necropsies and the isolation and genomic characterization of a divergent strain of encephalomyocarditis virus 1 (EMCV-1) from heart tissue of one of the succumbed hamadryas baboons.

Pretreatment with Antiviral Preparation Kagocel Normalizes the Content of Bone Marrow Multipotent Stromal Cells and TNFα in Blood Serum of CBA Mice Disturbed by Administration of S. typhimurium Antigen Complex In Vivo and Maintains High Concentration of IL-10 and Th1 Cytokines.

Pretreatment with the active substance of antiviral preparation Kagocel, inductor of type I endogenous IFN, in a daily therapeutic dose (30 μg/mouse) 3 h prior to administration of S. typhimurium antigens to CBA mice reduced the number of bone marrow multipotent stromal cell (significantly increased by 3.2 times on the next day after antigen injection) to the initial level.

Complete Genome Coding Sequences of Artashat, Burana, Caspiy, Chim, Geran, Tamdy, and Uzun-Agach Viruses (: : ).

The bunyaviral monogeneric family currently includes 12 species for 35 distinct viruses. Here, we present the complete genome coding sequences of an additional seven nairoviruses. Five of them can be assigned to established species, whereas two of them (Artashat and Chim viruses) ought to be assigned to two novel species.

[A porous coral-like structure - a new insight into the morphology of the inner limiting membrane of the retina?].

Unlabelled: To date, the internal limiting membrane (ILM), specifically, the side facing the retina, has never been studied by two parallel, mutually complementary methods. This is an attempt to explain favorable results of ILM peeling in various macular pathologies.

Aim: By employing scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), to identify morphological features of epiretinal samples removed during vitrectomy in patients with lamellar macular hole (LMH) or epiretinal membrane (ERM).

Mosaic structure of Mycobacterium bovis BCG genomes as a representation of phage sequences' mobility.

Background: The control of genome stability is relevant for the worldwide BCG vaccine preventing the acute forms of childhood tuberculosis. BCG sub-strains whole genome comparative analysis and revealing the triggers of sub-strains transition were the purpose of our investigation.

Results: Whole genome sequencing of three BCG Russia seed lots (1963, 1982, 2006 years) confirmed the stability of vaccine sub-strain genome.

Biofilm Regulating Operon and Its Distribution in Bacterial Genomes.

Biofilm formation by spp. is a principal cause of lung chronic infections in cystic fibrosis patients. A "lacking biofilm production" (LBP) strain GIMC4587:Bct370-19 has been obtained by insertion modification of clinical strain with plasposon mutagenesis.

[Intrauterine Pneumocystis infection].

Pneumocystosis is well known as an opportunistic infection that is presently most frequently registered in patients with HIV infection and in those with other immunodeficiency states. Earlier, after the Second World War, Pneumocystis pneumonia was most commonly detected in debilitated and premature children; nosocomial outbreaks of pneumocystosis were studied in detail in the 1960s and 1970s. The pathogen is transmitted through the air, but a number of references indicate that it can be transmitted through the placenta.

New polyprenyl phosphate based preparation Fortepren(®) as promising cytokine regulationg antiviral remedy.

Fortepren(®), a product of the phosphorylation of polyprenols from fir needles (with sodium polyprenyl phosphate being the main active ingredient), belongs to the class of antiviral drugs with immunomodulating activity. Fortepren(®) may be used as the drug of choice in the treatment of herpes diseases. It was shown that treatment with Fortepren(®) of patients with a chronic recurrent herpes infection after acute phase termination with acyclovir decreased the recurrence rate, as well as the severity of local symptoms.

[Description of a case of severe Q fever].

The paper considers a rare clinical case of severe Q fever in a young man with no compromised premorbid background. It describes and analyzes clinical manifestations and laboratory findings with consideration for the current data available in the literature. The issues of the differential diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis, and treatment of Q fever are discussed.

[Clinical and immunological comparisons of therapeutic regimens for corneal infiltrates secondary to adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis].

Unlabelled: The problem with post-adenoviral corneal infiltrates is that they cause a significant and persistent decrease in visual function, while corticosteroids in monotherapy bring only temporary improvement.

Aim: to perform a comparative evaluation of topical corticosteroids and 0.05% cyclosporine A efficacy in the treatment of post-adenoviral corneal infiltrates on the basis of clinical presentation and local cytokine status.

The Variability of the Order Burkholderiales Representatives in the Healthcare Units.

Background And Aim: The order Burkholderiales became more abundant in the healthcare units since the late 1970s; it is especially dangerous for intensive care unit patients and patients with chronic lung diseases. The goal of this investigation was to reveal the real variability of the order Burkholderiales representatives and to estimate their phylogenetic relationships.

Methods: 16S rDNA and genes of the Burkholderia cenocepacia complex (Bcc) Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) scheme were used for the bacteria detection.

Historical Outbreaks of Simian Hemorrhagic Fever in Captive Macaques Were Caused by Distinct Arteriviruses.

Simian hemorrhagic fever (SHF) is lethal for macaques. Based on clinical presentation and serological diagnosis, all reported SHF outbreaks were thought to be caused by different strains of the same virus, simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV; Arteriviridae). Here we show that the SHF outbreaks in Sukhumi in 1964 and in Alamogordo in 1989 were caused not by SHFV but by two novel divergent arteriviruses.