Human Melanoma and Glioblastoma Cells Express Cathepsins Supporting Reovirus Moscow Strain Infection.

This study evaluates the oncolytic potential of the Moscow strain of reovirus against human metastatic melanoma and glioblastoma cells. The Moscow strain effectively infects and replicates within human melanoma cell lines and primary glioblastoma cells, while sparing non-malignant human cells. Infection leads to the selective destruction of neoplastic cells, mediated by functional viral replication.

PD1-Targeted Transgene Delivery to Treg Cells.

Achieving the precise targeting of lentiviral vectors (LVs) to specific cell populations is crucial for effective gene therapy, particularly in cancer treatment where the modulation of the tumor microenvironment can enhance anti-tumor immunity. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is overexpressed on activated tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes, including regulatory T cells that suppress immune responses via FOXP3 expression. We developed PD1-targeted LVs by incorporating the anti-PD1 nanobody nb102c3 into receptor-blinded measles virus H and VSV-G glycoproteins.

Discovery of Potent Dengue Virus NS2B-NS3 Protease Inhibitors Among Glycyrrhizic Acid Conjugates with Amino Acids and Dipeptides Esters.

This study investigated a library of known and novel glycyrrhizic acid (GL) conjugates with amino acids and dipeptide esters, as inhibitors of the DENV NS2B-NS3 protease. We utilized docking algorithms to evaluate the interactions of these GL derivatives with key residues (His51, Asp75, Ser135, and Gly153) within 10 Å of the DENV-2 NS2B-NS3 protease binding pocket (PDB ID: 2FOM). It was found that compounds and exhibited unique binding patterns, forming hydrogen bonds with Asp75, Tyr150, and Gly153.

Genetic Diversity and Epidemiology of Enteroviruses and Rhinoviruses in Children Hospitalized with Acute Respiratory Infections in Novosibirsk, Russia (2023-2024).

Rhinoviruses and respiratory enteroviruses remain among the leading causes of acute respiratory infections, particularly in children. Little is known about the genetic diversity of enteroviruses and rhinoviruses in pediatric patients with acute respiratory infections in Russia. We assessed the prevalence of human rhinoviruses/enteroviruses (HRV/EV) in 1992 children aged 0 to 17 years hospitalized with acute respiratory infections during the 2023-2024 epidemic season using PCR.

Unique Nucleotide Polymorphism of African Swine Fever Virus Circulating in East Asia and Central Russia.

The lack of data on the whole-genome analysis of genotype II African swine fever virus (ASFV) isolates significantly hinders our understanding of its molecular evolution, and as a result, the range of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) necessary to describe a more accurate and complete scheme of its circulation. In this regard, this study aimed to identify unique SNPs, conduct phylogenetic analysis, and determine the level of homology of isolates obtained in the period from 2019 to 2022 in the central and eastern regions of Russia. Twenty-one whole-genome sequences of genotype II ASFV isolates were assembled, analyzed, and submitted to GenBank.

Sxt1, Isolated from a Therapeutic Phage Cocktail, Is a Broader Host Range Relative of the Phage T3.

Using BW25113 as a host, we isolated a novel lytic phage from the commercial poly-specific therapeutic phage cocktail Sextaphage (Microgen, Russia). We provide genetic and phenotypic characterization of the phage and describe its host range on the ECOR collection of reference strains. The phage, hereafter named Sxt1, is a close relative of classical coliphage T3 and belongs to the genus, yet its internal virion proteins, forming an ejectosome, differ from those of T3.

Genome Analysis of Anti-Phage Defense Systems and Defense Islands in : Preservation and Variability.

Anti-phage defense systems are widespread in bacteria due to the latter continuous adaptation to infection by bacteriophages (phages). has a high degree of intrinsic antibiotic resistance, which makes phage therapy relevant for the treatment of infections caused by this species. Studying the array of anti-phage defense systems that could be found in helps in better adapting the phages to the systems present in the pathogenic bacteria.

Lytic Spectra of Tailed Bacteriophages: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

As natural predators of bacteria, tailed bacteriophages can be used in biocontrol applications, including antimicrobial therapy. Also, phage lysis is a detrimental factor in technological processes based on bacterial growth and metabolism. The spectrum of bacteria bacteriophages interact with is known as the host range.

Construction of the First Russian Recombinant Live Attenuated Vaccine Strain and Evaluation of Its Protection Efficacy Against Two African Swine Fever Virus Heterologous Strains of Serotype 8.

The spread of African swine fever virus (ASFV) has led to major economic losses to pork worldwide. In Russia, there are no developed or registered vaccines against ASFV genotype II, which is associated with numerous ASFV outbreaks in populations of domestic pigs and wild boars in the country. We introduced deletions of the six MGF360 and MGF505 genes of the ASFV virulent Stavropol_01/08 strain, isolated in Russia in 2008.

An Inactivated West Nile Virus Vaccine Candidate Based on the Lineage 2 Strain.

: West Nile virus (WNV) is a rapidly growing problem worldwide. The lack of emergency treatment and a safe licensed vaccine against WNV allows the virus to cause sporadic outbreaks of human disease, including fatal cases. Formalin-inactivated vaccines have been used for a long time and have been shown to be very safe and effective, especially in susceptible populations.

Senolytic Vaccines from the Central and Peripheral Tolerance Perspective.

Preventive medicine has proven its long-term effectiveness and economic feasibility. Over the last century, vaccination has saved more lives than any other medical technology. At present, preventative measures against most infectious diseases are successfully used worldwide; in addition, vaccination platforms against oncological and even autoimmune diseases are being actively developed.

Antibody Avidity Maturation Following Booster Vaccination with an Intranasal Adenovirus Salnavac Vaccine.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid development of new vaccines and methods of testing vaccine-induced immunity. Despite the extensive research that has been conducted on the level of specific antibodies, less attention has been paid to studying the avidity of these antibodies. The avidity of serum antibodies is associated with a vaccine showing high effectiveness and reflects the process of affinity maturation.

Protective Antimicrobial Effect of the Potential Vaccine Created on the Basis of the Structure of the IgA1 Protease from .

IgA1 protease is one of the virulence factors of , and other pathogens causing bacterial meningitis. The aim of this research is to create recombinant proteins based on fragments of the mature IgA1 protease A-P from serogroup B strain H44/76. These proteins are potential components of an antimeningococcal vaccine for protection against infections caused by pathogenic strains of and other bacteria producing serine-type IgA1 proteases.

Neuraminidase Antibody Response to Homologous and Drifted Influenza A Viruses After Immunization with Seasonal Influenza Vaccines.

Background/objectives: Humoral immunity directed against neuraminidase (NA) of the influenza virus may soften the severity of infection caused by new antigenic variants of the influenza viruses. Evaluation of NA-inhibiting (NI) antibodies in combination with antibodies to hemagglutinin (HA) may enhance research on the antibody response to influenza vaccines.

Methods: The study examined 64 pairs of serum samples from patients vaccinated with seasonal inactivated trivalent influenza vaccines (IIVs) in 2018 according to the formula recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the 2018-2019 flu season.

Differential Neutralization Profiles of 17DD Vaccinated Population to 17D-204 and 17DD Vaccine Strains.

: Yellow fever virus (YFV) (, ) is the etiologic agent of yellow fever (YF), a vector-borne disease with significant morbidity and mortality across the tropics and neotropics, despite having a highly efficacious and safe vaccine (17D). Vaccination provides lifelong protection from YF disease mediated by humoral immunity. There are several versions of the original 17D vaccine: 17D-204 (marketed in the USA as YF-VAX, in France as Stamaril, and in China as Tiantan-V), 17D-213 (Russian Federation), and 17DD (by FIOCRUZ in Brazil).

Safety, Immunogenicity and Protective Activity of a Modified Trivalent Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine for Combined Protection Against Seasonal Influenza and COVID-19 in Golden Syrian Hamsters.

Background/objectives: Influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2 are currently cocirculating with similar seasonality, and both pathogens are characterized by a high mutational rate which results in reduced vaccine effectiveness and thus requires regular updating of vaccine compositions. Vaccine formulations combining seasonal influenza and SARS-CoV-2 strains can be considered promising and cost-effective tools for protection against both infections.

Methods: We used a licensed seasonal trivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (3×LAIV) as a basis for the development of a modified 3×LAIV/CoV-2 vaccine, where H1N1 and H3N2 LAIV strains encoded an immunogenic cassette enriched with conserved T-cell epitopes of SARS-CoV-2, whereas a B/Victoria lineage LAIV strain was unmodified.

Influence of Lamb Wave Anisotropy on Detection of Water-to-Ice Phase Transition.

An important technical task is to develop methods for recording the phase transitions of water to ice. At present, many sensors based on various types of acoustic waves are suggested for solving this challenge. This paper focuses on the theoretical and experimental study of the effect of water-to-ice phase transition on the properties of Lamb and quasi shear horizontal (QSH) acoustic waves of a higher order propagating in different directions in piezoelectric plates with strong anisotropy.

Biomedical Application Prospects of Gadolinium Oxide Nanoparticles for Regenerative Medicine.

Background/objectives: The aim was to study the possibilities of biomedical application of gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (GdO NPs) synthesized under industrial conditions, and evaluate their physicochemical properties, redox activity, biological activity, and safety using different human cell lines.

Methods: The powder of GdO NPs was obtained by a process of thermal decomposition of gadolinium carbonate precipitated from nitrate solution, and was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX). The redox activity of different concentrations of GdO NPs was studied by the optical spectroscopy (OS) method in the photochemical degradation process of methylene blue dye upon irradiation with an optical source.

Natural Gomesin-like Peptides with More Selective Antifungal Activities.

: Antimicrobial peptides are generally considered promising drug candidates for combating resistant bacterial infections. However, the selectivity of their action may vary significantly. Natural gomesin, isolated from haemocytes of the tarantula , demonstrates a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities, being the most effective against pathogenic fungi.

Newly Designed PCL-Wrapped Cryogel-Based Conduit Activated with IKVAV Peptide Derivative for Peripheral Nerve Repair.

The combination of macroporous cryogels with synthetic peptide factors represents a promising but poorly explored strategy for the development of extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking scaffolds for peripheral nerve (PN) repair. In this study, IKVAV peptide was functionalized with terminal lysine residues to allow its in situ cross-linking with gelatin macromer, resulting in the formation of IKVAV-containing proteinaceous cryogels. The controllable inclusion and distribution of the peptide molecules within the scaffold was verified using a fluorescently labelled peptide counterpart.

Photodynamic Therapy in Cancer: Principles, State of the Art, and Future Directions.

Since its discovery more than 100 years ago, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has become a potent strategy for the treatment of many types of cancer [...

Improvement of End-of-Synthesis Radiochemical Purity of Lu-DOTA-PSMA-Ligands with Alternative Synthesis Approaches: Conversion Upswing and Side-Products Minimization.

Background: Radiochemical purity is a key criterion for the quality of radiopharmaceuticals used in clinical practice. The joint improvement of analytical methods capable of identifying related radiochemical impurities and determining the actual radiochemical purity, as well as the improvement of synthesis methods to minimize the formation of possible radiochemical impurities, is integral to the implementation of high-tech nuclear medicine procedures. PSMA-targeted radionuclide therapy with lutetium-177 has emerged as an effective treatment option for prostate cancer, and [Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 and [Lu]Lu-PSMA have achieved global recognition as viable radiopharmaceuticals.

Manifestation of Donor-Acceptor Properties of N-Doped Polymer Carbon Dots During Hydrogen Bonds Formation in Different Solvents.

The effective use of polymer carbon dots (PCD) in various fields of science and technology requires a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms of their photoluminescence formation and change as a result of their interaction with the environment. In this study, PCD synthesized via a hydrothermal method from citric acid and ethylenediamine are studied in various solvents using FTIR spectroscopy, optical absorption spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. As a result of the analysis of the obtained dependencies of such PCD spectral characteristics as the photoluminescence FWHM, the photoluminescence quantum yield, the photoluminescence lifetime on the acidity and basicity of the solvent, a hypothesis was formulated on the formation mechanism of hydrogen bonds between the PCD surface groups and the molecules of the environment, and conclusions were made about the donor-acceptor nature of the synthesized PCD.

Temperature Areas of Local Inelasticity in Polyoxymethylene.

The spectra of internal friction and temperature dependencies of the frequency of a free-damped oscillation process excited in the specimens of an amorphous-crystalline copolymer of polyoxymethylene with the co-monomer trioxane (POM-C) with a degree of crystallinity ~60% in the temperature range from -150 °C to +170 °C has been studied. It has been established that the spectra of internal friction show five local dissipative processes of varying intensity, manifested in different temperature ranges of the spectrum. An anomalous decrease in the frequency of the oscillatory process was detected in the temperature ranges where the most intense dissipative losses appear on the spectrum of internal friction.

Ultrasonic Effect on the Growth of Crystals from Aqueous Electrolyte Solutions on Polymer Substrates: The Role of Isotopic Composition of Liquid.

The peculiarities of the crystal formation from supersaturated aqueous solutions of CuSO on polymer substrates were studied using X-ray diffractometry. During the crystal formation, the test solutions were irradiated with one or two counter-propagating ultrasonic beams. Test solutions were prepared using natural deionized water with a deuterium content of 157 ± 1 ppm.