Rapid one-step biotinylation of biological and non-biological surfaces

We describe a rapid one-step method to biotinylate virtually any biological or non-biological surface. Contacting a solution of biotin-spacer-lipid constructs with a surface will form a coating within seconds on non-biological surfaces or within minutes on most biological membranes including membrane viruses. The resultant biotinylated surface can then be used to interact with avidinylated conjugates, beads, vesicles, surfaces or cells

Ultra-fast Glyco-coating of Non-biological Surfaces

The ability to glycosylate surfaces has medical and diagnostic applications, but there is no technology currently recognized as being able to coat any surface without the need for prior chemical modification of the surface. Recently, a family of constructs called function-spacer-lipids (FSL) has been used to glycosylate cells. Because it is known that lipid-based material can adsorb onto surfaces, we explored the potential and performance of cell-labelling FSL constructs to “glycosylate” non-biological surfaces. Using blood group A antigen as an indicator, the performance of a several variations of FSL constructs to modify a large variety of non-biological surfaces was evaluated. It was found the FSL constructs when optimised could in a few seconds glycosylate almost any non-biological surface including metals, glass, plastics, rubbers and other polymers. Although the FSL glycan coating was non-covalent, and therefore temporary, it was sufficiently robust with appropriate selection of spacer and surface that it could capture anti-glycan antibodies, immobilize cells (via antibody), and withstand incubation in serum and extensive buffer washing, making it suitable for diagnostic and research applications

Professional self-affirmation of a teacher as a functional activity system

© 2016 by iSER, International Society of Educational Research. The significance of the issue under study can be explained by the multiple attempts to develop a strategy for teachers’ professional self-affirmation as a holistic systemic formation. The purpose of this paper is to describe the functional system of professional self-affirmation at their component and structure-and-function levels. The leading approach and methodological basis for the study of this problem have been built on systems genetics concept of professional activity, and systems genesis of professional self-affirmation, which allow to describe professional self-affirmation as the dynamic process of developing its components and creating new constituents due to mutual collaboration of components. The experimental part of the study describes the features of teacher self-affirmation system in three aspects: successful implementation, crisis, and dysfunction. On the basis of studies made, psychological characteristics of teachers with different levels of professional self-affirmation functional systems have been determined. Information that the paper deals with may be used in the context of vocational training and further teachers development, as well as contribute to the selection of psychological treatment methods and correction of dysfunctions in professional performance of teachers

ЭФФЕКТИВНАЯ КОРПОРАТИВНАЯ КУЛЬТУРА КАК НЕОБХОДИМОЕ УСЛОВИЕ СТРАТЕГИЧЕСКОЙ УСТОЙЧИВОСТИ ПРЕДПРИЯТИЯ

During global economic crisis, conflict situations at Russian enterprises should be overcome by improving the corporate culture. Corporate culture helps companies to adapt to changing external and internal business environment.Преодоление кризисных и конфликтных ситуаций на предприятиях России в условиях мирового экономического кризиса следует вести путем совершенствования корпоративной культуры. Корпоративная культура позволяет компании адаптироваться к изменениям внешней и внутренней среды

Neoglycolipids Micelle-like Structures as a Basis for Drug Delivery Systems

Targeted drug delivery is one of the most promising tasks of nanomedicine, as this is a real way to increase the effectiveness of therapeutic effects against many diseases. In this regard, the development of new inexpensive highly effective stimulating and non-immunogenic drug delivery systems (DDS) is of great importance. In this work new molecular candidates were proposed and studied for the creation of such systems based on the use of new compounds, neoglycolipids. It is shown that these compounds are capable of self-association in aqueous solutions and can serve as potential carriers of drug compounds with targeted delivery determined by their terminal groups (in particular, glycans). The processes of their associates formation and features of their structure are investigated. The results show that these selforganizing nanoscale systems can be used as a basis for developing new drug delivery systems. Keywords: neoglycolipids, micelle-like structures, small-angle X-ray scattering, molecular dynamics simulatio

Features of the ancestral bilaterian inferred from Platynereis dumerilii ParaHox genes

Background The ParaHox gene cluster is the evolutionary sister to the Hox cluster. Whilst the role of the Hox cluster in patterning the anterior-posterior axis of bilaterian animals is well established, and the organisation of vertebrate Hox clusters is intimately linked to gene regulation, much less is known about the more recently discovered ParaHox cluster. ParaHox gene clustering, and its relationship to expression, has only been described in deuterostomes. Conventional protostome models (Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans) are secondarily derived with respect to ParaHox genes, suffering gene loss and cluster break-up. Results We provide the first evidence for ParaHox gene clustering from a less-derived protostome animal, the annelid Platynereis dumerilii. Clustering of these genes is thus not a sole preserve of the deuterostome lineage within Bilateria. This protostome ParaHox cluster is not entirely intact however, with Pdu-Cdx being on the opposite end of the same chromosome arm from Pdu-Gsx and Pdu-Xlox. From the genomic sequence around the P. dumerilii ParaHox genes the neighbouring genes are identified, compared with other taxa, and the ancestral arrangement deduced. Conclusion We relate the organisation of the ParaHox genes to their expression, and from comparisons with other taxa hypothesise that a relatively complex pattern of ParaHox gene expression existed in the protostome-deuterostome ancestor, which was secondarily simplified along several invertebrate lineages. Detailed comparisons of the gene content around the ParaHox genes enables the reconstruction of the genome surrounding the ParaHox cluster of the protostome-deuterostome ancestor, which existed over 550 million years ago.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Метрологическое обеспечение газовых калориметров и анализаторов числа Воббе

The paper describes research on metrological assurance of such measuring instruments as gas calorimeters and Wobbe index analysers. The purpose of the performed research is development of reference materials for gases with certified value of net volume-basis calorific value traceable to Russian state primary standard. Input set of candidate gases is hydrogen, methane, ethane and propane, as well as the target uncertainty of lower volumetric combustion energy value equal to 0,3 % – both were selected basing on results of metrological characteristics analysis of calorimetric equipment. The certified value of lower volumetric combustion energy is traceable to the State Primary Standard of combustion energy, specific combustion energy and volumetric combustion energy units GET 16. The certified value of selected gases and the uncertainty of this value were estimated with usage of comparing calorimeters for the combustion of high- and low-calorie gases «USVG» and «USNG» included in GET 16. Results obtained during investigational study and reference materials characterisation confirmed the stated accuracy. The continuance in prospect may allow development of reference materials for gas imitating mixtures of natural and casing-head gases as well as include Wobbe index in the list of certified characteristics.В статье рассматриваются вопросы метрологического обеспечения средств измерений – газовых калориметров и анализаторов числа Воббе. Цель проведенного исследования – разработка стандартных образцов газов с аттестованным значением низшей объемной энергии сгорания, прослеживаемым к государственному первичному эталону. Исходные чистые газы-кандидаты – водород, метан, этан и пропан, а также целевая неопределенность значения низшей объемной энергии сгорания – 0,3 %, были выбраны на основе результатов анализа метрологических характеристик парка калориметрического оборудования. Аттестованное значение низшей объёмной энергии сгорания прослеживается к государственному первичному эталону единиц энергии сгорания, удельной энергии сгорания и объемной энергии сгорания ГЭТ 16. Аттестованное значение для выбранных газов и его неопределенность были оценены с применением эталонных калориметров-компараторов для сжигания высоко- и низкокалорийных газов «УСВГ» и «УСНГ» из состава ГЭТ 16. Результаты, полученные в ходе экспериментальных исследований и характеризации стандартных образцов, подтвердили заявленные показатели точности. Продолжение исследований позволит в перспективе разработать стандартные образцы газовых смесей-имитаторов природного, попутного и других газов, а также включить число Воббе в список аттестуемых характеристик

Three deaf mice: mouse models for TECTA-based human hereditary deafness reveal domain-specific structural phenotypes in the tectorial membrane

Tecta is a modular, non-collagenous protein of the tectorial membrane, an extracellular matrix of the cochlea essential for normal hearing. Missense mutations in Tecta cause dominant forms of nonsyndromic deafness and a genotype-phenotype correlation has been reported in humans, with mutations in different Tecta domains causing mid- or high-frequency hearing impairments that are either stable or progressive. Three mutant mice were created as models for human Tecta mutations; the TectaL1820F, G1824D/+ mouse for zona pellucida (ZP) domain mutations causing stable mid-frequency hearing loss in a Belgian family, the TectaC1837G/+ mouse for a ZP-domain mutation underlying progressive mid-frequency hearing loss in a Spanish family, and the TectaC1619S/+ mouse for a zonadhesin-like (ZA) domain mutation responsible for progressive, high-frequency hearing loss in a French family. Mutations in the ZP and ZA domains generate distinctly different changes in the structure of the tectorial membrane. ABR thresholds in the 8-40 kHz range are elevated by 30-40 dB in the ZP-domain mutants, whilst those in the ZA-domain mutant are elevated by 20-30 dB. The phenotypes are stable and no evidence has been found for a progressive deterioration in tectorial membrane structure or auditory function. Despite elevated auditory thresholds, the Tecta mutant mice all exhibit an enhanced tendency to have audiogenic seizures in response to white noise stimuli at low sound pressure levels (≤84 dB SPL), revealing a previously unrecognised consequence of Tecta mutations. These results, together with those from previous studies, establish an allelic series for Tecta unequivocally demonstrating an association between genotype and phenotype

ПЛАНИРУЕМОЕ МНОГОЦЕНТРОВОЕ РАНДОМИЗИРОВАННОЕ КЛИНИЧЕСКОЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ II ФАЗЫ: НЕОАДЪЮВАНТНАЯ ХИМИОЛУЧЕВАЯ ТЕРАПИЯ С ПОСЛЕДУЮЩЕЙ ГАСТРЭКТОМИЕЙ D2 И АДЪЮВАНТНОЙ ХИМИОТЕРАПИЕЙ У БОЛЬНЫХ МЕСТНОРАСПРОСТРАНЕННЫМ РАКОМ ЖЕЛУДКА

Introduction. The prognosis for surgical treatment of locally advanced gastric cancer remains disappointing. Neoadjuvant chemo-radiation therapy is relatively new and the least researched method of treatment, it is attracting more and more attention, mainly abroad in recent years. The aims of neoadjuvant therapy is the earliest start of systemic therapy, damage of the primary tumor and regional metastases, an increase in the percentage of radical operations, improving treatment outcome. Material and methods. The planning study is a multicenter, randomized clinical phase II trial. Patients of the first (experimental) group will be treated as the followes: neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (total tumor dose of 46 Gy in 23 fractions with the concurrent modified CapOX scheme) followed by D2 gastrectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients of the second (control) group will be treated with D2 gastrectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy will be carried out under the following schemes (optional for the researchers): CapOX or FOLFOX. Toxicity evaluation of neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy will be conducted with NCI CTC Toxicity Scale Version 3.0. The main objectives of the trial are to assess the safety and immediate effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy according to the criteria of the frequency and severity of postoperative complications and mortality, and tumor response. We are planning to include 80 patients with morphologically confirmed gastric cancer сT2–4N1–3, сT3–4N0–3; М0. The proposed trial will be carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration, it has been approved by local ethic committees of the participated institutions. Results. As a result of this multicenter randomized trial it is planned to show the reproducibility of obtained in MRRC and a number of foreign centers results – that is, the safety and high immediate effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. Conclusion. If we reach the goals of the planning trial, the results would allow to reasonably recommend the start of large international phase III trials for the final evaluation of the proposed neoadjuvant treatment as a standard one in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer.Введение. Прогноз при хирургическом лечении местнораспространенного рака желудка остается неутешительным. Неоадъювантная химиолучевая терапия является относительно новым и наименее исследованным методом лечения, привлекающим к себе в последние годы все большее внимание, преимущественно за рубежом. Цели неоадъювантной терапии состоят в максимально раннем начале системной терапии, повреждении первичной опухоли и регионарных метастазов, увеличении процента выполнения радикальных операций, улучшении результатов лечения. Материал и методы. Исследование является многоцентровым рандомизированным клиническим исследованием II фазы. Больным первой (исследуемой) группы будет проведено лечение в составе: неоадъювантная химиолучевая терапия (СОД 46 Гр за 23 фракции на фоне модифицированного режима CapOX) с последующей гастрэктомией D2 и адъювантной химиотерапией. Больным второй (контрольной) группы будет выполнена гастрэктомия D2 и адъювантная химиотерапия. Адъювантная химиотерапия будет проводиться по следующим схемам (на выбор исследователя): САРОX или FOLFOX. Оценка токсичности неоадъювантной химиолучевой терапии и адъювантной химиотерапии будет проводиться с помощью шкалы токсичности NCI CTC, версия 3.0. Основные цели состоят в оценке безопасности и непосредственной эффективности неоадъювантной химиолучевой терапии по критерию частоты и степени выраженности послеоперационных осложнений и летальности, и терапевтического патоморфоза. Планируется включение 80 больных морфологически верифицированным раком желудка сT2–4N1–3, сT3–4N0–3; М0. Исследование выполняется в соответствии с принципами Хельсинкской декларации, оно одобрено локальными этическими комитетами учреждений-соисполнителей. Результаты. В результате проведения данного многоцентрового рандомизированного исследования планируется показать воспроизводимость полученных в МРНЦ и ряде зарубежных Центров результатов – то есть безопасность и высокую непосредственную эффективность неоадъювантной химиолучевой терапии у больных местнораспространенным раком желудка. Заключение. В случае достижения поставленных целей полученные результаты позволят обоснованно рекомендовать проведение крупных международных исследований III фазы для окончательного изучения предложенного метода в качестве стандартного у больных местнораспространенным раком желудка

Вариант вируса гриппа в, адаптированный к мышам, для изучения лечебной и профилактической эффективности противовирусных препаратов in vitro и in vivo

Objective: to develop a new antigenic relevance influenza B virus suitable for modeling influenza infection in mice to assess of in vivo and in vitro therapeutic and preventive efficacy of antiviral drugs.Materials and methods: was carried out an adaptation of influenza B virus in BALB/c mice. Was performed, comparative assessment of in vivo and in vitro pathogenicity of the parenta! virus and. adapted, influenza B virus. Was assessed, inhibition of neuraminidase with antiviral drugs (oseltamivir ethoxyacrylate and. Tamiflu) in relation to the adapted, influenza B virus.Results: adapted  influenza B virus (B/Novosibirsk/40/2017-MA strain) models non-lethal influenza infection with pronounced, clinical signs of the disease in experimental animals. Were described the destructive changes in lungs and. brain that increases during infection. Analysis of internal organs (lungs, brain, liver, heart, kidneys, spleen) were revealed viral load only in the lungs. Were evaluated, in vivo and in vitro efficacy of antiviral drugs (oseltamivir ethoxysuccinate and Tamiflu®) on the model of influenza infection. Were proved, the high, efficiency of the innovative drug — oseltamivir ethoxysuccinate.Conclusion: the antigen-relevant adapted, influenza B virus (B/Novosibirsk/40/2017-MA strain) can be used, to assess the drug effectiveness against influenza, as well as an additional tool for predicting the effectiveness of the vaccine against drifting strains.Цель: разработка нового, обладающего антигенной актуальностью, штамма вируса гриппа типа В, пригодного для моделирования гриппозной инфекции у экспериментальных мышей для оценки лечебной и профилактической эффективности противовирусных препаратов in vivo и in vitro.Mатериалы и методы: была проведена адаптация вируса гриппа В на мышах линии BALB/c. Выполнена сравнительная оценка патогенности родительского и адаптированного вариантов вируса гриппа В в экспериментах in vivo и in vitro. Используя адаптированный вариант вируса гриппа В, проведена оценка ингибирования нейраминидазы с помощью противовирусных лекарственных средств (осельтамивира этоксисукцинат, и Тамифлю®).Результаты: полученный адаптированный вариант, вируса гриппа В штамм. В/Novosibirsk/40/2017-MA моделирует у экспериментальных животных нелетальную гриппозную инфекцию с выраженными клиническими признаками заболевания. Описаны, деструктивные изменения в лёгких и головном, мозге, нарастающие в ходе инфекции. Вирусологический анализ внутренних органов (лёгкие, головной мозг, печень, сердце, почки, селезёнка) выявил репликацию вируса гриппа только в лёгких. На данной модели гриппозной инфекции проведена оценка эффективности противовирусных лекарственных средств (осель-тамивира этоксисукцинат, и Тамифлю®) in vivo и in vitro. Доказана высокая эффективность инновационного лекарственного средства осельтамивира этоксисукцинат..Заключение: полученный антигенно актуальный вирус гриппа В штамм В/Novosibirsk/40/2017-MA может, быть использован, для оценки эффективности противогриппозных препаратов, а также в качестве дополнительного инструмента прогнозирования эффективности вакцины, против дрейфующих штаммов