Angiogenesis-Related Factors in Early Pregnancy Loss

The habitual loss of early pregnancy is one of the major problems of obstetrics nowadays, provided that the cause of more than 50% of all early pregnancy losses is unknown. Adequate angiogenesis is one of the main indicators of proper formation of placental system, making the basis of fetal life support. The objective description of angiogenesis in physiological development of pregnancy and in pathological conditions is complicated by the difficulties in obtaining and characterizing placental tissue in early pregnancy. Thus, angiogenesis‐related factors are promising indicators to characterize angiogenesis in pregnancy. This chapter draws attention to alteration in angiogenesis‐related factors in peripheral blood of patients with habitual early pregnancy losses. Investigation of factors (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), sFlt‐1, sKDR, metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2, MMP‐9, tissue inhibitor (TIMP)‐1, TIMP‐2 and placental growth factor (PLGF)), which specifically and nonspecifically regulate angiogenesis in pregnancy, was performed in the most significant terms for placentogenesis: 6 weeks, 7–8 weeks and 11–14 weeks of pregnancy. It was found that in a missed abortion there was a significant imbalance of angiogenesis‐related factors compared with normal pregnancy. These results reflect a disturbance of angiogenesis in a missed abortion and point to the importance of the studied factors in the pathogenesis of early pregnancy losses

Preparations of Bacillus pumilus secreted RNase: One enzyme or two?

© 2015, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. Immunochemical analysis of the following purified preparations of Bacillus pumilus RNase (binase) was carried out: industrially manufactured enzyme (Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia) and the enzymes isolated from the culture liquid of the native B. pumilus producer and from the Escherichia coli BL21 recombinant strain bearing the pGEMGX1/ent/Bi plasmid. Electrophoresis of all three samples of purified binase revealed two protein fractions with ribonuclease activity possessing molecular masses of ∼12 and 25 kDa. The possible presence of binase II, a second secreted RNase, was ruled out. Both high- and low-molecular mass proteins interacted with binase-specific antibodies in the immunoblotting reaction, which indicated their antigenic identity. The difference in molecular mass between these proteins indicated the possible presence of two forms of binase in solution, a monomer and a dimer

Three-step procedure for preparation of pure Bacillus altitudinis ribonuclease

© 2015 The Authors. Published by FEBS Press and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.Ribonucleases are considered as promising tools for anticancer treatment due to their selective cytotoxicity against tumor cells. We investigated a new RNase from Bacillus altitudinis termed BALNASE (B. altitudinisRNase). Balnase is a close homolog of the well-known cytotoxic binase, differing by only one amino acid residue: nonpolar hydrophobic alanine at position 106 in the balnase molecule is replaced by a polar uncharged threonine in binase. The most exciting question is how the physico-chemical properties and biological effects of RNase might be changed by A106T substitution. Here, we have developed a chromatography-based rapid and modern technique for the purification of this new RNase which allowed us to get a protein sample of high quality with specific activity of 1.2 × 106 units in preparative amounts, suitable for further investigation of its biological properties

Binase Immobilized on halloysite nanotubes exerts enhanced cytotoxicity toward human colon adenocarcinoma cells

© 2017 Khodzhaeva, Makeeva, Ulyanova. Many ribonucleases (RNases) are considered as promising tools for antitumor therapy because of their selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells. Binase, the RNase from Bacillus pumilus, triggers apoptotic response in cancer cells expressing RAS oncogene which is mutated in a large percentage of prevalent and deadly malignancies including colorectal cancer. The specific antitumor effect of binase toward RAS-transformed cells is due to its direct binding of RAS protein and inhibition of downstream signaling. However, the delivery of proteins to the intestine is complicated by their degradation in the digestive tract and subsequent loss of therapeutic activity. Therefore, the search of new systems for effective delivery of therapeutic proteins is an actual task. This study is aimed to the investigation of antitumor effect of binase immobilized on natural halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). Here, we have developed the method of binase immobilization on HNTs and optimized the conditions for the enzyme loading and release (i); we have found the non-toxic concentration of pure HNTs which allows to distinguish HNTs- and binase-induced cytotoxic effects (ii); using dark-field and fluorescent microscopy we have proved the absorption of binase-loaded HNTs on the cell surface (iii) and demonstrated that binase-halloysite nanoformulations possessed twice enhanced cytotoxicity toward tumor colon cells as compared to the cytotoxicity of binase itself (iv). The enhanced antitumor activity of biocompatible binase-HNTs complex confirms the advisability of its future development for clinical practice

Adaptation of cotton varieties to irrigated and rainfed lands in the south of Russia

Purpose: adaptation of early-ripening cotton varieties to irrigated and rainfed lands in the south of Russia. Materials and methods. The studies were conducted in 2022–2023. The objects of the studies were the medium-fiber cotton varieties Phoenix and Favorit. Biometric and phenological observations and yield records were carried out. Statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out according to the methodology of B. A. Dospekhov. Results. When cultivating cotton under irrigated conditions, the best biometric and economically valuable indicators were obtained in a medium-dry year in the Phoenix variety during the ripening phase: plant height – 105.4 cm, dry biomass – 7.38 t/ha, raw cotton weight of one boll – 5.45 g, fiber yield – 38.9 %. Research on the cultivation of cotton under rainfed conditions in the Stavropol Territory has shown that the highest height (61 cm) and the number of bolls (7.4 pcs.) were obtained in 2022 in the Phoenix variety. The Favorit variety should be singled out for its economically valuable traits. Conclusions. In Rostov region, when cultivating the Phoenix and Favorit cotton varieties under irrigation, the highest raw cotton yields were obtained in the moderately dry year of 2023 – 16.70 and 13.35 q/ha, respectively, against 8.20 and 4.70 q/ha in the very dry year of 2022. Research in the Stavropol Territory without irrigation showed that the maximum yield was obtained in 2023 when cultivating the Favorit variety – 19.5 q/ha. The Phoenix variety showed the yield lower by 2.2 q/ha in 2022 and in 2023 lower by 1.9 q/ha than the Favorit variety

Notes for genera: basal clades of Fungi (including Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota)

Compared to the higher fungi (Dikarya), taxonomic and evolutionary studies on the basal clades of fungi are fewer in number. Thus, the generic boundaries and higher ranks in the basal clades of fungi are poorly known. Recent DNA based taxonomic studies have provided reliable and accurate information. It is therefore necessary to compile all available information since basal clades genera lack updated checklists or outlines. Recently, Tedersoo et al. (MycoKeys 13:1--20, 2016) accepted Aphelidiomycota and Rozellomycota in Fungal clade. Thus, we regard both these phyla as members in Kingdom Fungi. We accept 16 phyla in basal clades viz. Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota. Thus, 611 genera in 153 families, 43 orders and 18 classes are provided with details of classification, synonyms, life modes, distribution, recent literature and genomic data. Moreover, Catenariaceae Couch is proposed to be conserved, Cladochytriales Mozl.-Standr. is emended and the family Nephridiophagaceae is introduced

ER-Mitochondria Communication in Cells of the Innate Immune System: Review

In cells the interorganelle communication comprises vesicular and non-vesicular mechanisms. Non-vesicular material transfer predominantly takes place at regions of close organelle apposition termed membrane contact sites and is facilitated by a growing number of specialized proteins. Contacts of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria are now recognized to be essential for diverse biological processes such as calcium homeostasis, phospholipid biosynthesis, apoptosis, and autophagy. In addition to these universal roles, ER-mitochondria communication serves also cell type-specific functions. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on ER-mitochondria contacts in cells of the innate immune system, especially in macrophages. We discuss ER- mitochondria communication in the context of macrophage fatty acid metabolism linked to inflammatory and ER stress responses, its roles in apoptotic cell engulfment, activation of the inflammasome, and antiviral defense

Preparations of Bacillus pumilus secreted RNase: One enzyme or two?

© 2015, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. Immunochemical analysis of the following purified preparations of Bacillus pumilus RNase (binase) was carried out: industrially manufactured enzyme (Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia) and the enzymes isolated from the culture liquid of the native B. pumilus producer and from the Escherichia coli BL21 recombinant strain bearing the pGEMGX1/ent/Bi plasmid. Electrophoresis of all three samples of purified binase revealed two protein fractions with ribonuclease activity possessing molecular masses of ∼12 and 25 kDa. The possible presence of binase II, a second secreted RNase, was ruled out. Both high- and low-molecular mass proteins interacted with binase-specific antibodies in the immunoblotting reaction, which indicated their antigenic identity. The difference in molecular mass between these proteins indicated the possible presence of two forms of binase in solution, a monomer and a dimer

Preparations of Bacillus pumilus secreted RNase: One enzyme or two?

© 2015, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. Immunochemical analysis of the following purified preparations of Bacillus pumilus RNase (binase) was carried out: industrially manufactured enzyme (Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia) and the enzymes isolated from the culture liquid of the native B. pumilus producer and from the Escherichia coli BL21 recombinant strain bearing the pGEMGX1/ent/Bi plasmid. Electrophoresis of all three samples of purified binase revealed two protein fractions with ribonuclease activity possessing molecular masses of ∼12 and 25 kDa. The possible presence of binase II, a second secreted RNase, was ruled out. Both high- and low-molecular mass proteins interacted with binase-specific antibodies in the immunoblotting reaction, which indicated their antigenic identity. The difference in molecular mass between these proteins indicated the possible presence of two forms of binase in solution, a monomer and a dimer

Preparations of Bacillus pumilus secreted RNase: One enzyme or two?

© 2015, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. Immunochemical analysis of the following purified preparations of Bacillus pumilus RNase (binase) was carried out: industrially manufactured enzyme (Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia) and the enzymes isolated from the culture liquid of the native B. pumilus producer and from the Escherichia coli BL21 recombinant strain bearing the pGEMGX1/ent/Bi plasmid. Electrophoresis of all three samples of purified binase revealed two protein fractions with ribonuclease activity possessing molecular masses of ∼12 and 25 kDa. The possible presence of binase II, a second secreted RNase, was ruled out. Both high- and low-molecular mass proteins interacted with binase-specific antibodies in the immunoblotting reaction, which indicated their antigenic identity. The difference in molecular mass between these proteins indicated the possible presence of two forms of binase in solution, a monomer and a dimer