Viral metagenomics in wild ducks reveals the presence of seadornaviruses in Siberia.

Seadornavirus is a genus of mosquito-borne viruses that includes Banna virus, which was first discovered in human patients with encephalitis and fever, as well as Kadipiro virus and Liao ning virus. In this study, we used metagenomics to investigate the diversity of viruses in wild ducks and detected both Banna virus and Kadipiro virus in wild birds in Siberia. These data suggest that seadornaviruses, which were previously only found in South East Asia, are also circulating in Northern Eurasia.

London dispersion forces and steric effects within nanocomposites tune interaction energies and chain conformation.

The interplay between attractive London dispersion forces and steric effects due to repulsive forces resulting from the Pauli principle often determines the geometry and stability of nanostructures. Aromatic polyimides (PI) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) were chosen as building blocks as two components in the hetero delocalized electron nanostructures. Two PIs, having the same diamine part and different linkage substituents between two phenyl rings of dianhydride part, one linked with ether bond (C-O-C) (OPI), the other with C-(CF3)2 (FPI), were investigated.

The First Multiomics Association Study of Trace Element and Mineral Concentration and RNA Sequencing Profiles in Human Cancers.

Integration of various types of omics data is an important trend in contemporary molecular oncology. In this regard, high-throughput analysis of trace and essential elements in cancer biosamples is an emerging field that has not yet been sufficiently addressed. For the first time, we simultaneously obtained gene expression profiles (RNA sequencing) and essential and trace element profiles (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) for a set of human cancer samples.

Effect of 8-Oxo-1,-Ethenoadenine Derivatives on the Activity of RNA Polymerases from SARS-CoV-2 and .

Bacterial and viral RNA polymerases are promising targets for the development of new transcription inhibitors. One of the potential blockers of RNA synthesis is 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-1,-ethenoadenine (oxo-εA), a synthetic compound that combines two adenine modifications: 8-oxoadenine and 1,-ethenoadenine. In this study, we synthesized oxo-εA triphosphate (oxo-εATP) and showed that it could be incorporated by the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 into synthesized RNA opposite template residues A and G in the presence of Mn ions.

Role of Non-Canonical Stacking Interactions of Heterocyclic RNA Bases in Ribosome Function.

Identification and analysis of repetitive elements (motifs) in DNA, RNA, and protein macromolecules is an important step in studying structure and functions of these biopolymers. Functional role of NA-BSE (non-adjacent base-stacking element, a widespread tertiary structure motif in various RNAs) in RNA-RNA interactions at various stages of the ribosome function during translation has been investigated in this work. Motifs of this type have been described to date that are reversibly formed during mRNA decoding, moving of the ribosome subunits relative to each other, and moving mRNA and tRNA along the ribosome during translocation.

Effect of C- and N-Terminal Polyhistidine Tags on Aggregation of Influenza A Virus Nuclear Export Protein.

Nuclear export protein (NEP) of the influenza A virus, being one of the key components of the virus life cycle, is a promising model for studying characteristics of formation of amyloids by viral proteins. Using atomic force microscopy, comparative study of aggregation properties of the recombinant NEP variants, including the protein of natural structure, as well as modified variants with N- and C-terminal affinity His-tags, was carried out. All protein variants under physiological conditions are capable of forming aggregates of various morphologies: micelle-like nanoparticles, flexible protofibrils, rigid amyloid fibrils, etc.

Combination of Carbonic Anhydrase Isoform IX Inhibitors and Gefitinib Suppresses on the Invasive Potential of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells.

Human carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) plays a key role in maintaining pH homeostasis of malignant neoplasms, thus creating a favorable microenvironment for the growth, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. Recent studies have established that inhibition of CAIX expressed on the surface of tumor cells significantly increases the efficacy of classical chemotherapeutic agents and makes it possible to suppress the resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapy, as well as to increase their sensitivity to drugs (in particular, to reduce the required dose of cytostatic agents). In this work, we studied the ability of new CAIX inhibitors based on substituted 1,2,4-oxadiazole-containing primary aromatic sulfonamides, to potentiate the cytostatic effect of gefitinib (selective inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase domain) under hypoxic conditions.

Auxin Triggers AHR Pathway Activation in the Auxin-Inducible Degron System in Mammalian Cells.

The auxin-inducible degron (AID) system is widely used to study function of various proteins. The plant hormone auxin is used as an inducer in this system, which easily penetrates into the cells and causes proteasomal degradation of the protein of interest fused to a small degron tag. It is often assumed that as a plant hormone, auxin does not significantly affect physiology of animal cells.

Novel Rhamnose-Containing Glycopolymers from the Cell Wall of VKM Ac-1390.

VKM Ac-1390 (family Microbacteriaceae, class Actinomycetes) contains three rhamnose-containing glycopolymers in the cell wall, the structures of which were established by chemical and NMR spectroscopy methods. The first polymer, a rhamnomannan, consists of repeating tetrasaccharide units with xylopyranose side residues, →2)-α-[β-D-Xyl-(1→3)]-D-Rha-(1→3)-α-D-Man-(1→2)-α-D-Rha-(1→3)-α-D-Man-(1→. The second polymer found in minor amounts, is a rhamnan, →2)-α-D-Rha-(1→3)-α-D-Rha-(1→.

Characterization of Carbohydrate Specificity of Monoclonal Antibodies to Fungal Antigenic Markers Using Biotinylated Oligosaccharides as Coating Antigens.

Mannan and β-(1→3)-glucan are two polysaccharide markers that are characteristic for a number of fungal pathogens, including , which is the most common cause of invasive mycoses in humans. In this study, we examined epitope specificity of two monoclonal antibodies, CM532 and FG70, which recognize certain oligosaccharide fragments of these fungal polysaccharides. Using a panel of biotinylated oligosaccharides as coating antigens, we found that the CM532 antibody obtained by immunization with the pentamannoside β-Man-(1→2)-β-Man-(1→2)-α-Man-(1→2)-α-Man-(1→2)-α-Man KLH conjugate, selectively recognizes the trisaccharide β-Man-(1→2)-α-Man-(1→2)-α-Man epitope.

Post-Selection Design of Aptamers: Comparative Study of Affinity of the DNA Aptamers to Recombinant Extracellular Domain of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors.

The current work presents comparative assessment of affinity of the designed DNA aptamers for extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR*). The affinity data of the 20 previously published aptamers are summarized. Diversity of the aptamer selection methods and techniques requires unification of the comparison algorithms, which is also necessary for designing aptamers used in the post-selection fitting to the target EGFR* protein.

Deciphering the Ligand-Binding Site in a DNA Aptamer Targeting Deoxynivalenol.

Food safety is one of the primary demands of modern society. Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites of food-contaminating fungi. Fungi enter the food chain by infecting crops and irreversibly contaminate them due to the structural stability of mycotoxins.

Activation of P38 MAPK Signaling Cascade is Linked with Clinical Outcomes and Therapeutic Responses in Human Cancers.

Activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways is vital in regulating cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and stress response, significantly affecting tumorigenesis and cancer progression. We developed a bioinformatic technique to construct an interactome network-based molecular pathways for genes of interest and quantify their activation levels using high-throughput gene expression data. This study is focused on the p38α, p38β, p38γ, and p38δ kinases, examining their activation levels (PALs) based on transcriptomic data and their associations with survival and drug responsiveness across various cancer types.

Effects of the RNA-Binding Protein Sam68 on Poly(ADP-Ribose)polymerase 1 Activity.

Taking into account involvement of the RNA-binding proteins in regulation of activity of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), a key factor of DNA repair, the effect of the intrinsically disordered protein Sam68 (Src-associated substrate during mitosis of 68 kDa) on catalytic activity of this enzyme was studied. Plasmid containing coding sequence of the Sam68 protein was obtained. Using the obtained construct, conditions for the Sam68 expression in cells were optimized and procedure for protein purification was developed.

Metabolomic Profiles of Siberian Wood Frog in Hypoxia and Upon Reoxygenation.

Hypoxia poses a serious challenge for all animals; however, certain animals exhibit a remarkable resilience in the case of prolonged and severe hypoxia. The Siberian wood frog is a unique amphibian capable of surviving for up to several months at almost complete anoxia. We investigated changes in the metabolome of at the onset of hypoxia (day 1) and within 1 h of reoxygenation after a long-term hypoxia using H NMR.

Pathogenesis-Associated Bacterial Amyloids: The Network of Interactions.

Amyloids are protein fibrils with a characteristic cross-β structure that is responsible for the unusual resistance of amyloids to various physical and chemical factors, as well as numerous pathogenic and functional consequences of amyloidogenesis. The greatest diversity of functional amyloids was identified in bacteria. The majority of bacterial amyloids are involved in virulence and pathogenesis either via facilitating formation of biofilms and adaptation of bacteria to colonization of a host organism or through direct regulation of toxicity.

Troponins and Skeletal Muscle Pathologies.

Skeletal muscles account for ~30-40% of the total weight of human body and are responsible for its most important functions, including movement, respiration, thermogenesis, and glucose and protein metabolism. Skeletal muscle damage negatively impacts the whole-body functioning, leading to deterioration of the quality of life and, in severe cases, death. Therefore, timely diagnosis and therapy for skeletal muscle dysfunction are important goals of modern medicine.

Functional properties of aged hypothalamic cells.

The hypothalamus, in addition to controlling the main body's vital functions, is also involved in aging regulation. The aging process in the hypothalamus is accompanied by disturbed intracellular pathways, including Ca signaling and neuronal excitability in the brain. Intrinsic electrophysiological properties of individual neurons and synaptic transmission between cells is disrupted in the central nervous system of old animals.

Combined irradiation by gamma-rays and carbon-12 nuclei caused hyperlocomotion and change in striatal metabolism of rats.

Exposure to ionizing radiation during manned deep space missions to Mars could lead to functional impairments of the central nervous system, which may compromise the success of the mission and affect the quality of life for returning astronauts. Along with radiation-induced changes in cognitive abilities and emotional status, the effects of increased motor activity were observed. The mechanisms behind these phenomena still remain unresolved.

Dose measurements with the Pille-ISS thermoluminescent dosimeter system during extravehicular activities (2004-2022).

One of the most problematic goals for radiation safety during spaceflight is an assessment of additional doses received by astronauts during extravehicular activity (EVA). The Pille-ISS thermoluminescent dosimeter developed by the predecessor of the Hungarian Research Network (HUN-REN) Centre for Energy Research (Budapest, Hungary) is designed for the routine dose measurements not only inside the spacecraft compartments, but also for personal dosimetric control for EVA. During almost two decades of the International Space Station (ISS) operation, the unique set of 131 EVA doses were recorded in different conditions, such as: solar activity, ISS trajectory along the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), and shielding conditions provided by two kinds of spacesuits: the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) and Orlan.

Transcriptome analysis reveals significant discrepancies between two in vitro models of host-trematode interaction.

Cell models emulating an in vitro parasitic infection can greatly improve our understanding of helminthiases. Nonetheless, it remains challenging to select an appropriate in vitro model to study molecular pathogenesis of infections by trematodes having a complex life cycle. Therefore, adequate models are in high demand.

Mobile Health App as an Auxiliary Tool in Management of Atopic Dermatitis in Children: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Mobile health apps can boost treatment adherence and support disease management at home. The Atopic App and web-based Atopic School patient education program offer a chance to enhance adherence to atopic dermatitis (AD) management.

Objective: We aim to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the Atopic App mobile health intervention in the managing of AD in children.

The effects of autophagy-modifying drugs chloroquine and lithium on the skin melanoma microenvironment.

Background: Skin melanoma is a highly metastatic cancer with an increasing global incidence. Despite advancements in immunotherapy, new treatment strategies based on tumor biology are essential for improving outcomes and developing novel therapies. Autophagy plays a critical role in melanoma cell metabolism and affects the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Stress, resilience and sense of self-efficacy among Ukrainian, Polish, Romanian, and Slovak women during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to determine the levels of stress, resilience and the sense of self-efficacy, as well as the influence of resilience and the sense of self-efficacy in shaping stress levels, in a sample of women from various countries of origin.

Methods: The study was carried out on a sample of Ukrainian (N = 82), Polish (N = 102), Slovak (N = 79), and Romanian (N = 42) women using the Sense of Stress Questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Brief Resilience Scale.

Results: Highest total stress levels were found among Ukrainian women, while the lowest were found among Polish women.