Rise in 2017-2018 measles morbidity in Serbia and northwest Russia

In 2017, the WHO registered 23,927 measles cases in 44 out of 53 countries in the European region. In 2018, measles incidence rate increased up to 82,599 cases registered in 48 countries of the region, with a large number of measles-associated deaths. Overall, 72 measles fatalities were registered in 10 European countries, including Serbia (15 cases). Aim of the study: to characterize 2017-2018 epidemiological upsurge of measles incidence rate observed in the Republic of Serbia (RS) and the Northwestern Federal District (NWFD) of the Russian Federation. Materials and methods. During the 2017-2018 season, 944 serum samples were collected from patients with measles, rubella, or exanthematous diseases in the NWFD and tested in the Laboratory of Virology at the St. Petersburg Regional Centre for Measles Surveillance (SPbRC). In 2017-2018, 2,946 serum samples from the Republic of Serbia were analyzed in the SPbRC by using ELISA with IgM measles test system (Vector-Best, Russia; or Siemens, Germany). Urine and swab samples were examined by RT-PCR and used for isolation and genotyping of measles viruses. Results. From 2017 to 2018, 5,798 measles cases were registered in the RS, among which 2,946 were laboratory-confirmed (serological testing and/or PCR). Unvaccinated subjects or those with unknown vaccination status accounted for majority of the cases. Children under 5 years of age and adults aged 30 years and over dominated among measles patients. During this season, 15 deaths were reported. Several genotypes of measles virus circulated in the RS, e.g. B3 Dublin, D8 Gir Somnath, and D8 Herborn. In 2018, 109 measles cases were recorded in the NWFD, 5 of which were imported from abroad. Among patients, adults comprised 64.2%, wherein 74.3% were covered by unvaccinated subjects or those with unknown vaccination status. Rise in measles incidence rate linked to multiple importations of various measles virus genotypes: B3 Kabul; B3 Dublin; D8 Frankfurt; D8 Cambridge; and D8 Gir Somnath

Параоксоназа: универсальный фактор антиоксидантной защиты организма человека

The paraoxonase (PON) gene family includes three members: PON1, PON2, and PON3 aligned in tandem on chromosome 7 in humans. All PON proteins share considerable structural homology and have the capacity to protect cells from oxidative stress; therefore, they have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases, particularly atherosclerosis. Increased production of reactive oxygen species as a result of decreased activities of mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes plays a role in the development of many inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. PON1 and PON3 proteins can be detected in plasma and reside in the high-density lipoprotein fraction and protect against oxidative stress by hydrolyzing certain oxidized lipids in lipoproteins, macrophages, and atherosclerotic lesions. Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) possesses antiatherogenic properties and is associated with lower ROS levels. PON2 is involved in the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory response in intestinal epithelial cells. In contrast to PON1 and PON3, PON2 is cell-associated and is not found in plasma. It is widely expressed in a variety of tissues, including the kidney, and protects against cellular oxidative stress. Overexpression of PON2 reduces oxidative status, prevents apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells, and inhibits cell-mediated low density lipoprotein oxidation. PON2 also inhibits the development of atherosclerosis, via mechanisms involving the reduction of oxidative stress. In this review we explore the physiological roles of PON in disease development and modulation of PONs by infective (bacterial, viral) agents.Параоксоназы – это семейство ферментов, представленное PON1, PON2 и PON3, которые обладают широкой специфичностью и каталитической универсальностью. PON1 и PON3 циркулируют в плазме в состоянии, связанном с липопротеинами высокой плотности, предотвращают окисление липропротеинов, уменьшают образование липидных пероксидов и снижают риск развития атеросклероза. PON2 является внутриклеточным ферментом и не обнаруживается в плазме.  PON2 обнаружена во многих тканях организма, включая печень, легкие, трахею, почки, сердце, поджелудочную железу, тонкий кишечник, мышцы, семенники и эндотелиальные клетки. PON2 также присутствует в дофаминергических областях головного мозга и в астроцитах. На субклеточном уровне, PON2 локализуется в митохондриях, где предотвращает накопление триглицеридов и развитие окислительного стресса. PON3 - последняя из открытых параоксоназ обладает более выраженной антиксидантной активностью. PON3 обнаружена в клетках кожи, слюнных железах, железистом эпителии желудка, кишечника, эндометрии, гепатоцитах,  клетках поджелудочной железы, сердце, жировой ткани и в легочном эпителии. PON3 недостаточно изучена, но доказано ее антиоксидантное, противовоспалительное и противомикробное действие  за счет блокирования кворум-зависимых систем бактерий. Избыточная экспрессия PON3 уменьшает образование атеросклеротических бляшек и препятствует развитию ожирения, количество PON3 увеличивается при онкологических заболеваниях, повышая сопротивление опухолевых клеток к оксидативному стрессу и апоптозу. В обзоре представлена информация о физиологической роди параоксоназ, а также их участии в развитии заболеваний, ассоциированных с окислительным стрессом (атеросклероз, эндометриоз, болезнь Паркинсона, цирроз печени, бактериальные и вирусные инфекции и опухолевые процессы)

Establishment of murine hybridoma cells producing antibodies against spike protein of sars‐cov‐2

In 2020 the world faced the pandemic of COVID‐19 severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by a new type of coronavirus named SARS‐CoV‐2. To stop the spread of the disease, it is crucial to create molecular tools allowing the investigation, diagnoses and treatment of COVID‐19. One of such tools are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). In this study we describe the development of hybridoma cells that can produce mouse mAbs against receptor binding domain of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike (S) protein. These mAbs are able to specifically detect native and denatured S proteins in all tested applications, including immunoblotting, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence staining of cells and immunohistochemical staining of paraffin embedded patients’ tissue samples. In addition, we showed that the obtained mAbs can efficiently block SARS‐ CoV‐2 infection in in vitro experiments. Finally, we determined the amino acid sequence of light and heavy chains of the mAbs. This information will allow the use of corresponding peptides to establish genetically engineered therapeutic antibodies. To date multiple mAbs against SARS‐CoV‐ 2 proteins have been established, however, bigger sets of various antibodies will allow the detection and neutralization of SARS‐CoV‐2, even if the virus acquires novel mutations. © 2020, MDPI AG. All rights reserved

Effect of deuterium on the morpho-functional characteristics of normal and cancer cells in vitro

Objective: The aim of our study was to describe effects of different deuterium concentration on morphology and migratory activity of normal stem cells and cancer cell lines in vitro. Materials and methosj51 Water with different deuterium content was used for the culture media preparation: deuterium-depleted water (ddw, D/H = 1 ppm), deutereted (deuterium-rich) water (D/H = 99 abs. At. D%); water with natural deuterium content (MiliQ system) (D/H = 150 ppm) served as control. The cells were cultured in DMEM: F12 supplemented with 10% FBS, 2 mM L-glutamine, and 1 ng/mL FGF-2 in a multi-gas incubator at 5% CO2 and 5% O-2. The morphology of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) was observed after 24 and 72 hours cultivation in experimental media. After incubating for 0, 12, 24, and 48 hours, the gap width of scratch re-population was measured and recorded, and then compared with the initial gap size at 0 hours. Results: High deuterium concentration in culture medium leads to significant morphological changes in normal ADSCs that are associated with cellular stress. Moreover, the migratory activity of ADSCs was inhibited under the deutereted water. At the same time. ddw did not influence morphology or migration of ADSCs. Bothdeutereted water and ddw strongly inhibited migration of cancer cell lines A549 and HT29. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that deuterium could act as regulator of biological properties of normal and cancer cells in vitro. However, the mechanisms that underlie the deuterium-mediated effect on different cellular types need to be further investigated

PECULIARITIES OF BREAST FEEDING OF PREMATURE CHILDREN

The article presents main strategies of breast feeding of prematurely born infants support, such as use of Philips AVENT breast pumpfor lactation formation and feeding of the infant with native breast milk.Key words: premature infants, nursing mother, breast feeding support, modern accessories for breast feeding support. (Voprosy sovremennoi pediatrii — Current Pediatrics. 2011; 10 (6): 170–175

Effect of deuterium on the morpho-functional characteristics of normal and cancer cells in vitro

Objective: The aim of our study was to describe effects of different deuterium concentration on morphology and migratory activity of normal stem cells and cancer cell lines in vitro. Materials and methosj51 Water with different deuterium content was used for the culture media preparation: deuterium-depleted water (ddw, D/H = 1 ppm), deutereted (deuterium-rich) water (D/H = 99 abs. At. D%); water with natural deuterium content (MiliQ system) (D/H = 150 ppm) served as control. The cells were cultured in DMEM: F12 supplemented with 10% FBS, 2 mM L-glutamine, and 1 ng/mL FGF-2 in a multi-gas incubator at 5% CO2 and 5% O-2. The morphology of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) was observed after 24 and 72 hours cultivation in experimental media. After incubating for 0, 12, 24, and 48 hours, the gap width of scratch re-population was measured and recorded, and then compared with the initial gap size at 0 hours. Results: High deuterium concentration in culture medium leads to significant morphological changes in normal ADSCs that are associated with cellular stress. Moreover, the migratory activity of ADSCs was inhibited under the deutereted water. At the same time. ddw did not influence morphology or migration of ADSCs. Bothdeutereted water and ddw strongly inhibited migration of cancer cell lines A549 and HT29. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that deuterium could act as regulator of biological properties of normal and cancer cells in vitro. However, the mechanisms that underlie the deuterium-mediated effect on different cellular types need to be further investigated

Paraoxonase: The universal factor of antioxidant defense in Human Body

The paraoxonase (PON) gene family includes three members: PON1, PON2, and PON3 aligned in tandem on chromosome 7 in humans. All PON proteins share considerable structural homology and have the capacity to protect cells from oxidative stress; therefore, they have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases, particularly atherosclerosis. Increased production of reactive oxygen species as a result of decreased activities of mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes plays a role in the development of many inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. PON1 and PON3 proteins can be detected in plasma and reside in the high-density lipoprotein fraction and protect against oxidative stress by hydrolyzing certain oxidized lipids in lipoproteins, macrophages, and atherosclerotic lesions. Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) possesses antiatherogenic properties and is associated with lower ROS levels. PON2 is involved in the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory response in intestinal epithelial cells. In contrast to PON1 and PON3, PON2 is cell-associated and is not found in plasma. It is widely expressed in a variety of tissues, including the kidney, and protects against cellular oxidative stress. Overexpression of PON2 reduces oxidative status, prevents apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells, and inhibits cell-mediated low density lipoprotein oxidation. PON2 also inhibits the development of atherosclerosis, via mechanisms involving the reduction of oxidative stress. In this review we explore the physiological roles of PON in disease development and modulation of PONs by infective (bacterial, viral) agents

Paraoxonase: The universal factor of antioxidant defense in Human Body

The paraoxonase (PON) gene family includes three members: PON1, PON2, and PON3 aligned in tandem on chromosome 7 in humans. All PON proteins share considerable structural homology and have the capacity to protect cells from oxidative stress; therefore, they have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases, particularly atherosclerosis. Increased production of reactive oxygen species as a result of decreased activities of mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes plays a role in the development of many inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. PON1 and PON3 proteins can be detected in plasma and reside in the high-density lipoprotein fraction and protect against oxidative stress by hydrolyzing certain oxidized lipids in lipoproteins, macrophages, and atherosclerotic lesions. Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) possesses antiatherogenic properties and is associated with lower ROS levels. PON2 is involved in the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory response in intestinal epithelial cells. In contrast to PON1 and PON3, PON2 is cell-associated and is not found in plasma. It is widely expressed in a variety of tissues, including the kidney, and protects against cellular oxidative stress. Overexpression of PON2 reduces oxidative status, prevents apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells, and inhibits cell-mediated low density lipoprotein oxidation. PON2 also inhibits the development of atherosclerosis, via mechanisms involving the reduction of oxidative stress. In this review we explore the physiological roles of PON in disease development and modulation of PONs by infective (bacterial, viral) agents

The role of paraoxonases in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and infectious diseases and cancer

The paraoxonase (PON) gene family contains three members: PON1, PON2, and PON3. All the three members of the family possess antioxidant properties and lipo-lactonase activity, and play a role in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. Recent studies have demonstrated that the intracellular paraoxonases PON2 and PON3 associated with mitochondria and mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes regulate mitochondrial superoxide production and prevent apoptosis. As oxidative stress is a result of mitochondrial dysfunction and is involved in the development of inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis and cancer, the studies of the enzymes PON2 and PON3 can initiate many epidemiological surveys conducted to search for a relationship between the paraoxonase genes and the development of many inflammatory diseases. Understanding these mechanisms will be able to introduce new treatments for oxidative stress-related diseases. © Bionika Media Ltd.. All rights reserved