Human-Like Receptor Specificity Does Not Affect the Neuraminidase-Inhibitor Susceptibility of H5N1 Influenza Viruses

If highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses acquire affinity for human rather than avian respiratory epithelium, will their susceptibility to neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors (the likely first line of defense against an influenza pandemic) change as well? Adequate pandemic preparedness requires that this question be answered. We generated and tested 31 recombinants of A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) influenza virus carrying single, double, or triple mutations located within or near the receptor binding site in the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein that alter H5 HA binding affinity or specificity. To gain insight into how combinations of HA and NA mutations can affect the sensitivity of H5N1 virus to NA inhibitors, we also rescued viruses carrying the HA changes together with the H274Y NA substitution, which was reported to confer resistance to the NA inhibitor oseltamivir. Twenty viruses were genetically stable. The triple N158S/Q226L/N248D HA mutation (which eliminates a glycosylation site at position 158) caused a switch from avian to human receptor specificity. In cultures of differentiated human airway epithelial (NHBE) cells, which provide an ex vivo model that recapitulates the receptors in the human respiratory tract, none of the HA-mutant recombinants showed reduced susceptibility to antiviral drugs (oseltamivir or zanamivir). This finding was consistent with the results of NA enzyme inhibition assay, which appears to predict influenza virus susceptibility in vivo. Therefore, acquisition of human-like receptor specificity does not affect susceptibility to NA inhibitors. Sequence analysis of the NA gene alone, rather than analysis of both the NA and HA genes, and phenotypic assays in NHBE cells are likely to adequately identify drug-resistant H5N1 variants isolated from humans during an outbreak

Effect of Neuraminidase Inhibitor–Resistant Mutations on Pathogenicity of Clade 2.2 A/Turkey/15/06 (H5N1) Influenza Virus in Ferrets

The acquisition of neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor resistance by H5N1 influenza viruses has serious clinical implications, as this class of drugs can be an essential component of pandemic control measures. The continuous evolution of the highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses results in the emergence of natural NA gene variations whose impact on viral fitness and NA inhibitor susceptibility are poorly defined. We generated seven genetically stable recombinant clade 2.2 A/Turkey/15/06-like (H5N1) influenza viruses carrying NA mutations located either in the framework residues (E119A, H274Y, N294S) or in close proximity to the NA enzyme active site (V116A, I117V, K150N, Y252H). NA enzyme inhibition assays showed that NA mutations at positions 116, 117, 274, and 294 reduced susceptibility to oseltamivir carboxylate (IC50s increased 5- to 940-fold). Importantly, the E119A NA mutation (previously reported to confer resistance in the N2 NA subtype) was stable in the clade 2.2 H5N1 virus background and induced cross-resistance to oseltamivir carboxylate and zanamivir. We demonstrated that Y252H NA mutation contributed for decreased susceptibility of clade 2.2 H5N1 viruses to oseltamivir carboxylate as compared to clade 1 viruses. The enzyme kinetic parameters (Vmax, Km and Ki) of the avian-like N1 NA glycoproteins were highly consistent with their IC50 values. None of the recombinant H5N1 viruses had attenuated virulence in ferrets inoculated with 106 EID50 dose. Most infected ferrets showed mild clinical disease signs that differed in duration. However, H5N1 viruses carrying the E119A or the N294S NA mutation were lethal to 1 of 3 inoculated animals and were associated with significantly higher virus titers (P<0.01) and inflammation in the lungs compared to the wild-type virus. Our results suggest that highly pathogenic H5N1 variants carrying mutations within the NA active site that decrease susceptibility to NA inhibitors may possess increased virulence in mammalian hosts compared to drug-sensitive viruses. There is a need for novel anti-influenza drugs that target different virus/host factors and can limit the emergence of resistance

Oseltamivir–Resistant Pandemic H1N1/2009 Influenza Virus Possesses Lower Transmissibility and Fitness in Ferrets

The neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor oseltamivir offers an important immediate option for the control of influenza, and its clinical use has increased substantially during the recent H1N1 pandemic. In view of the high prevalence of oseltamivir-resistant seasonal H1N1 influenza viruses in 2007–2008, there is an urgent need to characterize the transmissibility and fitness of oseltamivir-resistant H1N1/2009 viruses, although resistant variants have been isolated at a low rate. Here we studied the transmissibility of a closely matched pair of pandemic H1N1/2009 clinical isolates, one oseltamivir-sensitive and one resistant, in the ferret model. The resistant H275Y mutant was derived from a patient on oseltamivir prophylaxis and was the first oseltamivir-resistant isolate of the pandemic virus. Full genome sequencing revealed that the pair of viruses differed only at NA amino acid position 275. We found that the oseltamivir-resistant H1N1/2009 virus was not transmitted efficiently in ferrets via respiratory droplets (0/2), while it retained efficient transmission via direct contact (2/2). The sensitive H1N1/2009 virus was efficiently transmitted via both routes (2/2 and 1/2, respectively). The wild-type H1N1/2009 and the resistant mutant appeared to cause a similar disease course in ferrets without apparent attenuation of clinical signs. We compared viral fitness within the host by co-infecting a ferret with oseltamivir-sensitive and -resistant H1N1/2009 viruses and found that the resistant virus showed less growth capability (fitness). The NA of the resistant virus showed reduced substrate-binding affinity and catalytic activity in vitro and delayed initial growth in MDCK and MDCK-SIAT1 cells. These findings may in part explain its less efficient transmission. The fact that the oseltamivir-resistant H1N1/2009 virus retained efficient transmission through direct contact underlines the necessity of continuous monitoring of drug resistance and characterization of possible evolving viral proteins during the pandemic

Management of the Engineers Mathematical Education Processes via Nomotex DLS

The paper presents innovative approaches using the Big Data concept to the management of the educational process, implemented in digital media content - the Nomotex information and educational environment (Nomotex DLS), created at the Department of Computational Mathematics and Mathematical Physics of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University

Blended Learning on Mathematical Analysis in Nomotex Digital Learning System

The paper discusses the methodology and technology of teaching the discipline «Mathematical Analysis» using the new Digital Learning System Nomotex (the Nomotex DLS), developed at the Department of «Computational Mathematics and Mathematical Physics» Bauman Moscow State Technical University (BMSTU). A new conceptual model for conducting lectures and practical classes in blended learning is presented. Examples of interactive computer visualization of some mathematical concepts within the discipline «Mathematical analysis» are presented

Integral Calculus via Nomotex DLS

The paper describes the peculiarities of the development of an innovative digital course “Integral calculus of functions of one variable” in the digital learning system Nomotex (DLS “NOMOTEX”) [1], designed for classroom and remote classes with digital educational resources

Designing of Mathematical E-courses in the Digital Learning System NOMOTEX

The paper describes a methodology for the design of digital mathematical courses for engineers in the digital learnig system Nomotex (DLS “NOMOTEX”) [1], developed at the Department of Computational Mathematics and Mathematical Physics, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, based on the usage of the Knowledge Base created in the DLS “NOMOTEX”. The technique allows one to create mathematical courses of varying complexity and resulting level of knowledge, depending on the direction of training (specialty)

Pharmacological correction of retinal ischemia/reperfusion by minoxidil

Introduction/Objective. The objective of this paper was to increase the effectiveness of pharmacological correction of retinal ischemia-reperfusion by using minoxidil. Methods. The research was carried out on 180 Wistar rats. A modification of the retinal ischemia-reperfusion model was used, in which an increase in intraocular pressure is carried out by mechanical pressure (110 mmHg) to the front chamber of the eye for 30 minutes. Protective effects of minoxidil at a dose 0.5 mg/kg on the model of retinal ischemia-reperfusion were estimated by the changes in the level of retinal microcirculation (laser Doppler flowmetry), electroretinogram amplitude, morphometry of retinal layers after 1 hour and 72 hours of reperfusion. Results. Minoxidil at a dose 0.5 mg/kg of rat mass improves retinal microcirculation, its electrophysiological state after 1 hour and 72 hours of reperfusion, and prevents the development of degenerative changes in the retina caused by ischemic damage to a greater extent than recombinant erythropoietin at a dose of 50 IU/kg and sildenafil at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg in monotherapy. The protective effects of minoxidil were eliminated by the preliminary administration of glibenclamide at a dose of 5 mg/kg, which indicates the presence of the preconditioning effect of minoxidil, realized through adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channels. Conclusion. Minoxidil at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg of rat mass protects the retina from ischemic-reperfusion injury. Protective effects of minoxidil are carried out by a preconditioning action, as evidenced by the lack of positive effects with the administration of glibenclamide

Automation of Checking Math Tasks on the Analytical Geometry Nomotex E-course

In this article, the authors consider the problem of automatic check of tasks on the example of tasks on the topic of lines and planes. The authors raise the question of the influence of arithmetic errors on automatic verification. The paper discusses methods that will reduce the impact of arithmetic error on automated problem checking. The article provides several examples that are given to students to solve at control events held at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University

The Role of Visualization in Mathematics and its Implementation in Nomotex DLS

In this paper, visualizations of second-order curves are considered, created in the Digital Learning System (DLS) Nomotex. Engineering and mathematical examples related to these concepts are given. The visualization collection created on the basis of the Nomotex platform is used for training engineers at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. Engineering examples help students better understand the essence of mathematical concepts, as well as learn where this section of mathematics is applied. The paper provides mathematical and engineering examples on this topic, in particular, various images of an ellipse and its properties are given, an elliptical reflector is demonstrated. The article discusses the feasibility of using engineering examples for a particular specialty. The paper compares the performance of students using the Nomotex platform and students studying in the traditional way. The authors estimate the time required to create such visualizations. The authors note the expediency of creating a collection of visual mathematics, which would contain similar visualizations for all mathematical concepts. All examples are implemented using Phyton language facilities