Mutations designed to modify the NS gene mRNA secondary structure affect influenza A pathogenicity in vivo

The influenza A virus genome consists of eight segments of negative-sense RNA that encode up to 18 proteins. During the process of viral replication, positive-sense (+)RNA (cRNA) or messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized. Today, there is only a partial understanding of the function of several secondary structures within vRNA and cRNA promoters, and splice sites in the M and NS genes. The most precise secondary structure of (+)RNA has been determined for the NS segment of influenza A virus.  The influenza A virus NS gene features two regions with a conserved mRNA secondary structure located near splice sites. Here, we compared 4 variants of the A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 strain featuring different combinations of secondary structures at the NS segment (+)RNA regions 82-148 and 497-564. We found that RNA structures did not affect viral replication in cell culture. However, one of the viruses demonstrated lower NS1 and NEP expression levels during early stage cell infection as well as reduced pathogenicity in mice compared to other variants. In particular, this virus is characterized by an RNA hairpin in the 82-148 region and a stable hairpin in the 497-564 region.The influenza A virus genome consists of eight segments of negative-sense RNA that encode up to 18 proteins. During the process of viral replication, positive-sense (+)RNA (cRNA) or messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized. Today, there is only a partial understanding of the function of several secondary structures within vRNA and cRNA promoters, and splice sites in the M and NS genes. The most precise secondary structure of (+)RNA has been determined for the NS segment of influenza A virus.  The influenza A virus NS gene features two regions with a conserved mRNA secondary structure located near splice sites. Here, we compared 4 variants of the A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 strain featuring different combinations of secondary structures at the NS segment (+)RNA regions 82-148 and 497-564. We found that RNA structures did not affect viral replication in cell culture. However, one of the viruses demonstrated lower NS1 and NEP expression levels during early stage cell infection as well as reduced pathogenicity in mice compared to other variants. In particular, this virus is characterized by an RNA hairpin in the 82-148 region and a stable hairpin in the 497-564 region

Radioactive elements in the environment

Indicated role of natural radioactive elements (U, Th) in geospherical layers and various environmental components is discussed. Induced radionuclide problems are examine

Распространенность бронхиальной астмы среди взрослого населения г. Томска

The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence of asthma in adults at industrial city Tomsk. A total of 2000 responders aged 18 to 75 yrs participated in the study. Prevalence of asthma-like symptoms was estimated using the standardized questionnaire ECRHS. Two hundred patients with asthma-like symptoms underwent clinical, functional, and allergological examination. Asthma-like symptoms were revealed in 37.8 % of the studied population. Prevalence of asthma was 9.8 %. These findings significantly exceed official data. Asthma was newly diagnosed in 60 % of symptomatic adults that is evidence of late detection of the disease.Цель данного исследования – изучить распространенность бронхиальной астмы (БА) у взрослого населения в промышленном городе Томске. На 1-м этапе проводился анкетный скрининг 2 000 человек в возрасте от 18 до 75 лет с использованием вопросника ECRHS. На 2-м этапе проводилось клиническое, функциональное и аллергологическое обследование пациентов с астмоподобными симптомами. Астмоподобные симптомы выявлены у 37,8 % человек. Распространенность БА составила 9,8 %, что значительно превышает данные официальной статистики. Впервые выявленная БА была диагностирована в 60 % случаев. Показатели распространенности БА, установленные в ходе эпидемиологического исследования, значительно превосходят данные официальной статистики, что свидетельствует о поздней диагностике БА в общей лечебной сети г. Томска

Эпидемиологические и клинические характеристики острых респираторных инфекций в Санкт-Петербурге в эпидемические сезоны 2017–2018 гг. и 2018–2019 гг.

Objective: to analyze the epidemiological and clinical features of acute respiratory infections occurring during the St. Petersburg 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 epidemic seasons.Materials and methods: the study included 457 patients, treated in St. Petersburg clinics from 2017–2019, displaying symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI), including evaluation of their clinical histories. Pathogen types were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data analysis was carried out using mathematical statistics methods using the Statistica 10 software package (StatSoft Inc.).Results: in this study, we examined the epidemiological and clinical features of acute respiratory infections in St. Petersburg occurring during two epidemic seasons, 2017–2018 and 2018–2019. The 2017–2018 season was characterized by a prevalence of infections caused by influenza B viruses and influenza A subtype H3N2 viruses. In the 2018–2019 season, there was a greater number of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVIs) and infections caused by influenza A subtype H1N1pdm; influenza B virus was detected only in isolated cases. In the 2017–2018 sore throats and muscle aches were a characteristic symptom of influenza A H1N1pdm infections, of bacterial infections – only sore throats. It was shown that throat pain and vasodilation of the scleral and soft palate vessels were significantly more frequent in the 2017–2018 season, compared to the 2018–2019 season. Cough and redness of the posterior pharyngeal wall were hallmark signs of ARVIs in the 2018–2019 season.Conclusion: according to the data, each epidemic season is characterized not only by its own type-specific acute respiratory infection frequencies, but also by different clinical manifestation frequencies. For global monitoring, treatment effectiveness evaluation, and refined study of acute respiratory infection clinical features, it is advisable to use approaches which incorporate accurate, specific, and rapid molecular biological methods capable of identifying a broad range of pathogens. Цель: сравнительный анализ эпидемиологических данных и клинических характеристик течения острых респираторных инфекций у больных в Санкт-Петербурге в эпидемические сезоны 2017–2018 гг. и 2018–2019 гг.Материалы и методы: в исследование включено 457 пациентов, находившихся на лечении в клиниках Санкт-Петербурга в 2017–2019 гг., с симптомами острых респираторных инфекций, проведен анализ эпидемиологических данных и клинических характеристик течения заболевания. Методом полимеразной цепной реакции определен вид патогена. Статистический анализ проведен с использованием методов математической статистики при помощи пакета Statistica 10, StatSoft Inc.Результаты. В сезон 2017–2018 гг. было характерно превалирование инфекций, вызванных вирусами гриппа В и А (H3N2). В сезоне 2018–2019 гг. было отмечено большее число случаев острых респираторных вирусных инфекций, в том числе гриппа, вызванного вирусом гриппа А (H1N1pdm); вирус гриппа В регистрировали в единичных случаях. Характерным симптомом в сезоне 2017–2018 гг. для гриппа А (H1N1pdm) были мышечные боли и боли в горле, для бактериальных инфекций – также боли в горле. Боли в горле и инъекции сосудов склер и мягкого неба достоверно чаще были отмечены в сезоне 2017–2018 гг. по сравнению с сезоном 2018–2019 гг. Кашель и гиперемия задней стенки глотки были характерными симптомами для ОРВИ в сезоне 2018–2019 гг.Заключение: рассмотренные два эпидемических сезона характеризовались не только различной частотой острых респираторных инфекций, но и различной частотой их клинических проявлений. Для глобального мониторинга, оценки эффективности лечения и более детального изучения клинических особенностей острых респираторных инфекций целесообразно использовать точные, специфичные и быстрые молекулярно-биологические методы с большим количеством определяемых патогенов.

Features of Students’ Attributional Style

Attributional style or explanatory style is a cognitive personal feature reflecting a standard specific way of explaining the reasons of events in which people are involved. This concept is key in M. Seligman’s theory of learned helplessness and depression. M. Seligman and his followers experimentally proved that the person becomes helpless in case he is convinced that nothing depends on his active actions, that evil events happen accidentally, and it is impossible to change them. The paper describes features of attributional style of junior students and provides recommendations on overcoming its negative consequences

Epidemiological and clinical features of acute respiratory infections occurring in St. Petersburg during the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 epidemic seasons

Objective: to analyze the epidemiological and clinical features of acute respiratory infections occurring during the St. Petersburg 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 epidemic seasons.Materials and methods: the study included 457 patients, treated in St. Petersburg clinics from 2017–2019, displaying symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI), including evaluation of their clinical histories. Pathogen types were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data analysis was carried out using mathematical statistics methods using the Statistica 10 software package (StatSoft Inc.).Results: in this study, we examined the epidemiological and clinical features of acute respiratory infections in St. Petersburg occurring during two epidemic seasons, 2017–2018 and 2018–2019. The 2017–2018 season was characterized by a prevalence of infections caused by influenza B viruses and influenza A subtype H3N2 viruses. In the 2018–2019 season, there was a greater number of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVIs) and infections caused by influenza A subtype H1N1pdm; influenza B virus was detected only in isolated cases. In the 2017–2018 sore throats and muscle aches were a characteristic symptom of influenza A H1N1pdm infections, of bacterial infections – only sore throats. It was shown that throat pain and vasodilation of the scleral and soft palate vessels were significantly more frequent in the 2017–2018 season, compared to the 2018–2019 season. Cough and redness of the posterior pharyngeal wall were hallmark signs of ARVIs in the 2018–2019 season.Conclusion: according to the data, each epidemic season is characterized not only by its own type-specific acute respiratory infection frequencies, but also by different clinical manifestation frequencies. For global monitoring, treatment effectiveness evaluation, and refined study of acute respiratory infection clinical features, it is advisable to use approaches which incorporate accurate, specific, and rapid molecular biological methods capable of identifying a broad range of pathogens

Accuracy research of microsatellite orientation definition by means of interactive orientation system computer model

Представлені результати досліджень точності визначення орієнтації мікросупутника, за допомогою алгоритму TRIAD. Для вирішення даної задачі, розроблена і реалізована інтерактивна комп'ютерна модель системи орієнтації мікросупутника (МС), яка дозволяє в діалоговому режимі досліджувати вплив інструментальних похибок вимірювачів на точність системи орієнтації МС.Results of orientation definition precision research of a satellite due to TRIAD algorithm are described in this article. Investigation was conducted at referenced maximal admissible meanings of measurement unit errors and also elucidated vectors coordinate displacement in dependence of microsatellite orientation angles initial values at which the greatest errors of determining orientation angles could have place. Findings of performed researches will give an opportunity of orientation angles definition accuracy increasing of a spacecraft. Investigation of orientation accuracy is considered to be a quite cumbersome and time consuming challenge so as a consequence for resolving this problem interactive computer model of microsatellite orientation system was developed and created including a special tab for orientation angles accuracy studying of microsatellite by means of TRIAD algorithm. Interactive computer model allows in dialog mode to consider measurement unit instrumental errors effect on orientation system accuracy of microsatellite. Satellite dynamic features also are built into this model which makes possible to analyze precision of satellite orientation system in whole. It is easy to change algorithm of orientation determining, for instance, to QUEST algorithm. In its turn it helps estimate one more important task – to compare different algorithm efficiency of satellite orientation.Представлены результаты исследований точности определения ориентации микроспутника, при помощи алгоритма TRIAD. Для решения данной задачи, разработана и реализована интерактивная компьютерная модель системы ориентации микроспутник (МС), которая позволяет в диалоговом режиме исследовать влияние инструментальных погрешностей измерителей на точность системы ориентации МС

Synthesis of a Fractional-order PIλDμ-controller for a Closed System of Switched Reluctance Motor Control

The relevance of creating high-quality control systems for electric drives with a switched reluctance motor (SRM) was substantiated. Using methods of mathematical modeling, transient characteristics of the process of turn-on of SRMs with various moments of inertia were obtained. Based on analysis of the obtained transient characteristics, features of the SRM turn-on process determined by dynamic change of parameters of the SRM during its turn-on were shown.Low accuracy of SRM identification using a fractionally rational function of rat34 class was shown. Regression coefficient of the resulting model was 85 %. Based on analysis of transient characteristics of the SRM turn-on process, a hypothesis was put forward about the possibility of identifying the SRM by means of a fractional-order transfer function. Using the methods of mathematical modeling, transient characteristics of the process of turning-on the SRMs with various moments of inertia were obtained. Using the FOMCON MATLAB Toolbox, identification of the SRM turn-on process with the help of a fractional-order transfer function of second order was performed. Regression coefficient of the resulting model was 93–96 %.For the obtained fractional-order transfer functions, a method of synthesis of a fractional-order PIλDμ controller optimized in terms of minimum integral square error of the transition function of the closed system of fractional-order control of objects was implemented. The FOMCON MATLAB Toolbox was used for synthesis of the PIλDμ controller.Comparative analysis of the SRM turn-on processes in both open and closed control systems with a classical integer-order PID controller and with a fractional-order PIλDμ controller was made. Use of the fractional-order PIλDμ controller in comparison with the classical integer-order regulator makes it possible to reduce overshoot from 13.3 % to 2.64 %, increase speed of the closed ACS, decrease regulation time from 1.48 s to 0.53 s while reducing variability of transient characteristics. The study results can be used to improve performance of closed systems for controlling angular velocity of the SR