Rabies re-emergence after long-term disease freedom (Amur Oblast, Russia)

Retrospective descriptive epizootological study was conducted in the Amur Oblast (Russian Far East), where a rabies outbreak was reported in 2018. The aim of the study was to analyze probable routes of rabies introduction and features of its spatial and temporal spread in the territory that remained free from this infection from 1972 to 2018. In 2018–2021, altogether 1,416 animals were examined for the infection with the rabies virus. Forty-seven animal rabies cases were confirmed; the proportion of wild animals (Vulpes vulpes, Nyctereutes procyonoides, Canis lupus) amounted to 66%. The first cases were detected within 30 km from the state border with China. Nucleotide sequences of the nucleoprotein gene of three rabies virus isolates were determined and their belonging to the Arctic-like-2 genetic lineage was established. Genetically closest rabies virus isolates have been found in Heilongjiang Province (China, 2011, 2018) and Jewish Autonomous Oblast (Russia, 1980). GIS and open Earth remote sensing data were used to map the rabies cases. After 2018, the epizootic spread within the forest-steppe landscapes of the Zeya-Bureya Plain, where human and animal rabies cases had been earlier reported (until 1972). The front of the epizootic spread in a north-eastern direction at an average speed of 59 (16–302) km during one epizootic cycle. The introduction of the rabies virus was most likely along the Amur River valley from downstream regions of Russia and China that are rabies infected

Molecular characterization of a Chinese variant of the Flury-LEP strain

The entire genome of rabies virus vaccine strain Flury-LEP-C, a Chinese variant of the rabies virus vaccine strain Flury-LEP, was sequenced. The overall length of the genome of Flury-LEP-C strain was 11 924 nucleotides (nt), comprising a leader sequence of 58 nt, nucleoprotein (N) gene of 1353 nt, phosphoprotein (P) gene of 894 nt, matrix protein (M) gene of 609 nt, glycoprotein (G) gene of 1575 nt, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp, L) gene of 6384 nt, and a trailer region of 70 nt. There was TGAAAAAAA (TGA7) consensus sequence in the end of each gene in Flury-LEP-C genome, except G gene which had a GAGAAAAAAA sequence in the end of the non-coding G-L region. There were AACAYYYCT consensus start signal close to the TGA7. Flury-LEP-C has 310 nucleotides more than HEP-Flury in G-L intergenic region. The analysis showed that the residue at 333 of the mature G protein was Arg, which was reported to be related to pathogenicity. Compared with FluryLEP, there were 19 different amino acids (AAs) in five proteins of Flury-LEP-C, including 15 AAs which were identical with corresponding residues of Hep-Flury, and 4 AAs which were neither identical with the residues of FluryLEP nor with the residues of Hep-Flury. The results showed the topology of the phylogenetic trees generated by two protein sequences were similar. It was demonstrated that HN10, BD06, FJ009, FJ008, D02, D01, F04, F02 have a close relationship to CTN-1 and CTN181, and MRV was closely related to Flury-LEP, HEP-Flury and Flury-LEP-C

(Diaqua)hexakis(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(1-methyl-1<i>H</i>-pyrazol-4-yl)butane-1,3-dionato-κ²O,O’)(μ-(1,4-dioxane))digadolinium (III), Solvate with Two Molecules of 1,4-Dioxane

A binuclear gadolinium (III) complex was obtained through the interaction of GdCl3·6H2O, 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)butane-1,3-dione and NaOH in MeOH solution. Molar ration of reagents equal to 1:3:3 was used. Upon recrystallization of wet 1,4-dioxane, an intermediate hydrated complex formed stable crystalline solvate with the composition [(Gd2(L)3(H2O))2(C4H8O2)]•2(C4H8O2). The structured of complex was established by single crystal XRD experiment. Furthermore, some photophysical properties of the complex were measured. Thus, the energy of the first exited triplet state for the diketonate ligand was found to be 22400 cm−1, which makes 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)butane-1,3-dione a promising ligand for the preparation of highly luminescent Eu3+ and Sm3+ complexes

United States Bureau of Mines Bulletin 600

From Introduction: "Although the objectives and plans have emerged from studies of the Fischer-Trophsch reaction, the most general purpose has been to conduct fundamental studies on the mechanism of catalytic action. With few exceptions, this report work performed through 1957.

Photophysical Properties of Eu³⁺ β-Diketonates with Extended π-Conjugation in the Aromatic Moiety

The influence of the degree of π-conjugation in biaroylmethane ligands upon Eu3+ luminescence efficiency in corresponding neutral tris-complexes was investigated in depth. The data obtained by both steady-state and time-resolved luminescence measurements gave an inside into electronic energy transfer mechanisms in the abovementioned complexes. It was shown that extension of the π-system in the naphthalene moiety in comparison to the phenyl one lead to a substantial decrease of both the S1 and T1 energy of the corresponding symmetrical β-diketones, which, in turn, led to a decrease of the total quantum yield of respective Eu3+ complexes. The obtained results are of interest for the rational design of highly luminescent complexes with NIR-emitting lanthanides, as the resonant levels energies are low and can hardly be sensitized by common ligands

Lessons learnt from measures taken to prevent rabies introduction and spread into a long rabies free territory (case study of the Irkutsk Oblast)

Rabies is endemic on the considerable part of the Russian Federation, and it is associated with current natural outbreaks of the infection. The highest animal morbidity rates are reported in the central and southern regions of the European part of Russia and in the southern part of Western Siberia. The Irkutsk Oblast is among the few regions of our country, which are rabies free for several decades. The research was aimed at the analysis of factors aiding to the maintenance of the rabies free status of the region. Retrospective study of archive and previously published reports on human and animal rabies cases in the Irkutsk Oblast starting from 1954 was performed. Epidemics of urban rabies ceased in the region in 1970s. Sporadic rabies cases in dogs, reported in 1976 and later, could be imported or could result from the infection from bats. Diagnostic errors were also possible. Rabies is reported in foxes in the Subjects bordering the Irkutsk Oblast: Krasnoyarsk Krai and Republic of Buryatia. It is supposed that in case of the infection introduction the forest-steppe agricultural areas near the Angara River are likely to be affected due to high population of foxes. Relative geographic isolation of the Irkutsk Oblast favors to the long animal rabies freedom of this territory. The vast area of mountain taiga with low fox population serves as an ecological barrier. In 2007–2009 and in 2019, barrier oral vaccination was carried out along the border with the Krasnoyarsk Krai and on the west coast of Baikal Lake. Measures for anti-rabies vaccination of dogs and cats were intensified. Active virological monitoring is performed on a regular basis. The paper demonstrates cartograms of fox and wolf population density along with designation of sites, where oral vaccination of wild carnivores was performed

SARS-CоV-2 spread in humans and animals

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses and they are wide spread in animals and humans. They can cause respiratory tract illnesses of various severity. The latest recently discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is an agent ofCOVID-19. The first human cases were reported in Wuhan (People’s Republic of China) in December2019. Since then, the disease infected over 153 million people and became the cause of more than 3 million deaths all over the world. Among the leaders in the confirmed cases are the USA, India, Brazil, France, Turkey and Russia. In February 2020, it was determined that some animal species, including domestic cats and dogs, can be infected with SARS-CоV-2. Reports of animal infection in zoos were submitted from the USA, Argentina, Czech Republic, Sweden, Spain, Estonia, RSA and India. Cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in fur-farmed minks were reported by 13countries. The most large-scale COVID-19 outbreak in minks that involved about 300 mink farms was reported in Denmark. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the agent’s transmission from humans to canines (Canidae), felines (Felidae), mustelids (Mustelidae) and hominids (Hominidae) was confirmed. As of early May2021, the disease cases in animals were reported by 33countries. Due to COVID-19 epidemic spread and detection of animal infection cases, diagnosis tools and methods were developed in the Russian Federation, and screening tests were performed in susceptible animal populations in different regions of the country. COVID-19 monitoring results demonstrated the virus in two cats (in Moscow and Tyumen)