Structure of the capsular polysaccharide of Acinetobacter baumannii 1053 having the KL91 capsule biosynthesis gene locus

© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Acinetobacter baumannii 1053 is the type strain for the maintenance of specific bacteriophage AP22, which infects a fairly broad range of A. baumannii strains circulating in Russian clinics and hospitals. A capsular polysaccharide (CPS) was isolated from cells of strain 1053 and studied by sugar analysis along with 1D and 2D 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The following structure of the linear trisaccharide repeating unit was established: →4)-β-D-ManpNAcA-(1→4)-β-D-ManpNAcA-(1→3)-α-D-FucpNAc-(1→ where ManNAcA and FucNAc indicate 2-acetamido-2-deoxymannuronic acid and 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxygalactose, respectively. A polysaccharide having the same repeating unit but a shorter chain was isolated by the phenol-water extraction of bacterial cells. Sequencing of the CPS biosynthesis gene locus showed that A. baumannii 1053 belongs to a new group designated KL91. The gene functions assigned putatively by a comparison with available databases were in agreement with the CPS structure established

K19 capsular polysaccharide of acinetobacter baumannii is produced via a Wzy polymerase encoded in a small genomic island rather than the KL19 capsule gene cluster

© 2016 The Authors.Polymerization of the oligosaccharides (K units) of complex capsular polysaccharides (CPSs) requires a Wzy polymerase, which is usually encoded in the gene cluster that directs K unit synthesis. Here, a gene cluster at the Acinetobacter K locus (KL) that lacks a wzy gene, KL19, was found in Acinetobacter baumannii ST111 isolates 28 and RBH2 recovered from hospitals in the Russian Federation and Australia, respectively. However, these isolates produced long-chain capsule, and a wzy gene was found in a 6.1 kb genomic island (GI) located adjacent to the cpn60 gene. The GI also includes an acetyltransferase gene, atr25, which is interrupted by an insertion sequence (IS) in RBH2. The capsule structure from both strains was→3)-α-D-GalpNAc-(1→4)-α-D-GalpNAcA-(1→3)-β-D-QuipNAc4NAc-(1→, determined using NMR spectroscopy. Biosynthesis of the K unit was inferred to be initiated with QuiNAc4NAc, and hence the Wzy forms the β-(1→3) linkage between QuipNAc4NAc and GalpNAc. The GalpNAc residue is 6-O-acetylated in isolate 28 only, showing that atr25 is responsible for this acetylation. The same GI with or without an IS in atr25 was found in draft genomes of other KL19 isolates, as well as ones carrying a closely related CPS gene cluster, KL39, which differs from KL19 only in a gene for an acyltransferase in the QuiNAc4NR synthesis pathway. Isolates carrying a KL1 variant with the wzy and atr genes each interrupted by an ISAba125 also have this GI. To our knowledge, this study is the first report of genes involved in capsule biosynthesis normally found at the KL located elsewhere in A. baumannii genomes

Discovery of Nitro-azolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines with Anti-Inflammatory and Protective Activity against LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury

Acute lung injury remains a challenging clinical condition, necessitating the development of novel, safe and efficient treatments. The prevention of macrophage M1-polarization is a viable venue to tackle excessive inflammation. We performed a phenotypic screening campaign to identify azolopyrimidine compounds that effectively inhibit LPS-induced NO synthesis and interleukin 6 (IL-6) secretion. We identified lead compound 9g that inhibits IL-6 secretion with IC50 of 3.72 µM without apparent cytotoxicity and with minimal suppression of macrophage phagocytosis in contrast to dexamethasone. In a mouse model of LPS-induced acute lung injury, 30 mg/kg i.p. 9g ameliorated anxiety-like behavior, inhibited IL-6 release, and limited neutrophil infiltration and pulmonary edema. A histological study confirmed the protective activity of 9g. Treatment with compound 9g prevented the migration of CD68+ macrophages and the incidence of hemorrhage. Hence, we have identified a promising pharmacological approach for the treatment of acute lung injury that may hold promise for the development of novel drugs against cytokine-mediated complications of bacterial and viral infections. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, Minobrnauka: 075-15-2020-777Funding: This research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Agreement on the provision of grants from the federal budget in the form of subsidies under paragraph 4 of Article 78.1 of the Budget Code of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 1 October 2020 No. 075-15-2020-777)

Thomson scattering diagnostics at the Globus M2 tokamak

The paper is devoted to the Thomson scattering (TS) diagnostics recently developed for the Globus-M2 spherical tokamak and prototyping the ITER divertor TS diagnostics. The distinctive features of the system are the use of spectrometers, acquisition system and lasers that meet the base requirements for ITER TS diagnostics. The paper describes the diagnostic system that allows precise measurements of TS signals, as well as the results of the first measurements of electron temperature and density in both central region of the plasma column and scrape-off layer. The system provides measurements of electron temperature $T_{e}$ in the range of 5 eV to 5 keV and density $n_{e}$ in the range of $5{\cdot}10^{17}{\div}3.25{\cdot}10^{20} m^{-3}$. The use of two ITER-grade probing lasers of different wavelengths (Nd:YAG 1064.5 nm and Nd:YLF 1047.3 nm) allows reliable measurement of $T_{e}$ in multi-colour mode, i.e., assuming that spectral calibration is unknown

Исследование биоэквивалентности комбинированного препарата Лозартан + амлодипин + розувастатин Санофи по сравнению с совместно принимаемыми двухкомпонентным препаратом Лозап® АМ и монокомпонентным препаратом Крестор® с участием здоровых добровольцев

   Introduction. The advantages of fixed-dose combination losartan + amlodipine + rosuvastatin compared to mono-drugs and two-component combinations are to increase the therapeutic efficacy, to reduce the cost of the product and to make the drug easier to take which helps to improve patient adherence to therapy. A bioequivalence study of the three-component fixed-dose combinations Losartan + amlodipine + rosuvastatin Sanofi with coadministered Lozap® AM (Losartan+Amlodipine) and Crestor® (Rosuvastatin) was conducted.   Aim. The purpose of the bioequivalence trial was a comparative study of the pharmacokinetics and evidence of the bioequivalence of two strengths of fixed-dose combination: 1) Losartan + amlodipine + rosuvastatin Sanofi (tablets, 50 mg + 5 mg + 10 mg) in comparison with coadministrated drugs Lozap® AM (losartan + amlodipine, tablets, 50 mg + 5 mg,) and Crestor® (rosuvastatin, tablets, 10 mg) in fasting healthy volunteers after a single administration; 2) Losartan + amlodipine + rosuvastatin Sanofi (tablets, 100 mg + 5 mg + 20 mg) in comparison with coadministrated drugs Lozap® AM (losartan + amlodipine, tablets, 100 mg + 5 mg) and Crestor® (rosuvastatin, tablets, 20 mg) in fasting healthy volunteers 18–45 years old after a single dose.   Materials and methods. To prove bioequivalence, an open label, comparative, randomized, crossover four-period clinical trial was conducted for each strengths of fixed-dose combination. The concentrations of losartan, amlodipine and rosuvastatin in blood plasma samples obtained from volunteers were determined by a validated HPLC-MS/MS method. A pharmacokinetic and statistical analysis was performed and confidence intervals (CI) for the pharmacokinetic parameters Сmax, AUC0-72 (for amlodipine) and AUC0-t (for losartan and rosuvastatin) were calculated.      Results and discussion. Based on the results of statistical and pharmacokinetic analysis, it was shown that the studied formulations are bioequivalent in terms of pharmacokinetic parameters of losartan, amlodipine and rosuvastatin. 90 % CI were in the acceptable range for Сmax (of amlodipine), AUC0-72 (of amlodipine) and AUC0-t (of losartan and rosuvastatin). 90 % CI for Сmax of losartan and rosuvastatin were in the acceptable extended calculated range according to the protocol.   Conclusion. Thus, according to the criteria used in the studies, the three-component fixed-dose combinations Losartan + amlodipine + rosuvastatin Sanofi are proved to be bioequivalent in comparison with coadministered Lozap® AM and Crestor®.   Актуальность. Основными преимуществами соединения лозартана, амлодипина и розувастатина в форме фиксированной комбинации по сравнению с монопрепаратами и двухкомпонентными комбинациями являются повышение терапевтической эффективности, снижение стоимости и облегчение приёма препарата пациентом, что, в целом, способствует улучшению приверженности пациента терапии. Проведены исследования биоэквивалентности комбинированного трёхкомпонентного препарата Лозартан + амлодипин + розувастатин Санофи относительно совместно принимаемых препаратов Лозап® АМ (лозартан + амлодипин) и Крестор® (розувастатин).   Цель. Целью данного исследования являлось сравнительное изучение фармакокинетики и подтверждение биоэквивалентности двух дозировок комбинированного препарата: 1) Лозартан + амлодипин + розувастатин Санофи (таблетки, 50 мг + 5 мг + 10 мг) относительно совместно принимаемых препаратов Лозап® АМ (лозартан + амлодипин, таблетки, 50 мг + 5 мг) и Крестор® (розувастатин, таблетки, 10 мг) у здоровых добровольцев после однократного приёма натощак; 2) Лозартан + амлодипин + розувастатин Санофи (таблетки, 100 мг + 5 мг + 20 мг) относительно совместно принимаемых препаратов Лозап® АМ (лозартан + амлодипин, таблетки, 100 мг + 5 мг) и Крестор® (розувастатин, таблетки, 20 мг), у здоровых добровольцев в возрасте 18–45 лет после однократного приёма натощак.   Методы. Для подтверждения биоэквивалентности было проведено открытое, сравнительное, рандомизированное, перекрёстное клиническое исследование с четырьмя периодами для каждой из исследуемых дозировок комбинированного препарата. В полученных от добровольцев образцах плазмы крови при помощи валидированной ВЭЖХ-МС/МС методики определялись концентрации лозартана, амлодипина и розувастатина.   Результаты. На основании результатов статистического и фармакокинетического анализа было показано, что фармакокинетические параметры сравниваемых препаратов характеризуются высоким сходством в отношении лозартана, амлодипина и розувастатина. 90 % ДИ находились в пределах диапазона биоэквивалентности для Сmax (амлодипина), AUC0-72 (для амлодипина) и AUC0-t (для лозартана и розувастатина). 90 % ДИ для Сmax лозартана и розувастатина находились в пределах расчётных расширенных границ биоэквивалентности в соответствии с протоколом исследования.   Заключение. Таким образом, согласно применяемым критериям, препараты Лозартан + амлодипин + розувастатин Санофи и совместно принимаемые двухкомпонентный препарат Лозап® АМ и монокомпонентный препарат Крестор® признаны биоэквивалентными

Internal combustion engine as electrical machine

The features of the development of power units of power machines are considered. Competition, imposed by the construction of electric vehicles, requires a review of the physical processes occurring in the internal combustion engine (ICE). The combustion gases are a plasma. An important act is the emission of free electrons. It is proposed to consider ICE as an electric machine. The modernization of the structural elements of the combustion chamber is being discussed. They must become sources of free electrons. Thermodynamic processes are considered to be electrodynamic. The goal is the formation of increased concentrations of free electrons. It is proposed to place electron emission catalysts on the inner surfaces of the combustion chamber. Vibrations of the internal elements of the combustion chamber are considered as a source of triboelectricity

Exploring Antibiotic Susceptibility, Resistome and Mobilome Structure of Planctomycetes from Gemmataceae Family

The family Gemmataceae accomodates aerobic, chemoorganotrophic planctomycetes with large genome sizes, is mostly distributed in freshwater and terrestrial environments. However, these bacteria have recently also been found in locations relevant to human health. Since the antimicrobial resistance genes (AMR) from environmental resistome have the potential to be transferred to pathogens, it is essential to explore the resistant capabilities of environmental bacteria. In this study, the reconstruction of in silico resistome was performed for all nine available gemmata genomes. Furthermore, the genome of the newly isolated yet-undescribed strain G18 was sequenced and added to all analyses steps. Selected genomes were screened for the presence of mobile genetic elements. The flanking location of mobilizable genomic milieu around the AMR genes was of particular interest since such colocalization may appear to promote the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events. Moreover the antibiotic susceptibility profile of six phylogenetically distinct strains of Gemmataceae planctomycetes was determined