The role of CD180 in hematological malignancies and inflammatory disorders.

Toll-like receptors play a significant role in the innate immune system and are also involved in the pathophysiology of many different diseases. Over the past 35 years, there have been a growing number of publications exploring the role of the orphan toll-like receptor, CD180. We therefore set out to provide a narrative review of the current evidence surrounding CD180 in both health and disease. We first explore the evidence surrounding the role of CD180 in physiology including its expression, function and signaling in antigen presenting cells (APCs) (dendritic cells, monocytes, and B cells). We particularly focus on the role of CD180 as a modulator of other TLRs including TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9. We then discuss the role of CD180 in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, as well as in hematological malignancies of B cell origin, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Based on this evidence we produce a current model for CD180 in disease and explore the potential role for CD180 as both a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target. Throughout, we highlight specific areas of research which should be addressed to further the understanding of CD180 biology and the translational potential of research into CD180 in various diseases

Experimental study of intrinsic multiple Andreev reflections effect in GdO(F)FeAs superconductor array junctions

We report the first observation of the intrinsic multiple Andreev reflections effect (IMARE) in S-n-S-...-S-arrays (S = superconductor, n = normal metal) formed by "break-junction" technique in GdO(F)FeAs superconductor (Tc = 48 - 53 K). We show that superconducting gap peculiarities at dI/dV-spectra sharpen dramatically in the arrays as compared with that in the single-contact spectra; this enables to improve significantly accuracy of the bulk superconducting parameters determination. Using IMARE, we determined the large and the small gap values \Delta_L = 11 +- 1.1 meV and \Delta_S = 2.6 +- 0.4 meV. The BCS-ratio 2\Delta_L/kTc^{local} = 5.0 - 5.9 > 3.52 (Tc^{local} is the contact area critical temperature) evidences for a strong electron-boson coupling. The results obtained agree well with our previous data by Andreev spectroscopy for single SnS-contacts.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure

Electrochemical Sensing of Interactions between DNA and Charged Macrocycles

In this work, we investigated aggregation of native DNA and thiacalix[4]arene derivative bearing eight terminal amino groups in cone configuration using various redox probes on the glassy carbon electrode. It was shown that sorption transfer of the aggregates on the surface of the electrode covered with carbon black resulted in changes in electrostatic interactions and diffusional permeability of the surface layer. Such changes alter the signals of ferricyanide ion, methylene green and hydroquinone as redox probes to a degree depending on their specific interactions with DNA and own charge. Inclusion of DNA in the surface layer was independently confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and experiments with doxorubicin as a model intercalator. Thermal denaturing of DNA affected the charge separation on the electrode interface and the signals of redox probes. Using hydroquinone, less sensitive to electrostatic interactions, made it possible to determine from 10 pM to 1.0 nM doxorubicin (limit of detection 3 pM) after 10 min incubation. Stabilizers present in the commercial medications did not alter the signal. The DNA sensors developed can find future application in the assessment of the complexes formed by DNA and macrocycles as delivery agents for small chemical species. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Funding: This research was funded by Russian Science Foundation (grant no. 21-73-20067)

РАСЧЕТ ТЕРМОДИНАМИЧЕСКИХ СВОЙСТВ ПЕРРЕНАТОВ МЕТАЛЛОВ И ИХ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ ПРИ МОДЕЛИРОВАНИИ ПОДГОТОВКИ ПРОБ К ХИМИЧЕСКОМУ АНАЛИЗУ

Thermodynamic properties, namely standard molar enthalpy of formation (ΔHf°298), standard molar entropy (S°298), and temperature dependence of heat capacity (Ср(Т)) of crystalline metal perrhenates, were assessed by the semi-empirical methods. In this work, ΔHf°298, S°298 and coefficients a, b and c for Cp = а + 0.001×b×T + 105×c×T –2equation were calculated using several methods and averaged. These thermodynamic properties were calculated for the following perrhenates metals: Li, N, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ba, Fe, Ca, Cd, Co, Mg, Mn, Pb, Sr, Zn, Al, Crи Fe. The calculated values of the thermodynamic properties were in good accordance with the known literature data. New data were applied to the thermodynamic simulation of rhenium-containing sample pretreatment processes for the chemical analysis. The thermodynamic simulation of the sintering sample with the magnesium oxide with/without oxidizing agents was carried out using HSC 6.1 software with new data about the perrhenates. According to the calculated results, the addition of the oxidizing agent (NaNO3 or K2S2O7) to the magnesium oxide was needed and its presence ensured the rhenium transition into the solution without losses. In this case, rhenium was present at the temperature of the sintering predominantly as NaReO4c or KReO4c. Calculation results and estimation of perrhenates thermodynamic properties could be used for the thermodynamic simulation of different processes as well as in analytical chemistry and in metallurgy.Keywords: perrhenates, thermodynamic properties, thermodynamic simulation, sintering, oxidizing agent, rhenium(Russian) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15826/analitika.2019.23.4.015 O.V. Melchakova1, P.V. Zaitceva1, A.V. Maiorova1,2, T.V. Kulikova1,2, N.V. Pechishcheva1, K.Yu. Shunyaev1,21Institute of Metallurgy of the Ural Branch of the Russian academy of Sciences, 101, Amundsen street, Ekaterinburg, 620016, Russian Federation, 2Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin,19, Mira street, Ekaterinburg, 620002, Russian FederationС помощью полуэмпирических методов оценены термодинамические свойства перренатов металлов (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ba, Fe, Ca, Cd, Co, Mg, Mn, Pb, Sr, Zn, Al, Crи Fe) в кристаллическом состоянии: стандартная энтальпия образования (ΔH°298), стандартная энтропия (S°298)и температурная зависимость теплоемкости (Ср(Т)) в диапазоне температур 298.15 – 1200 K. Методы, основанные на методе групповых составляющих, были использованы для оценки ΔH°298 (эмпирический метод Ле Вана, инкрементный метод и метод Мостафа)и S°298 (инкрементный метод Кумока и правило Неймана – Коппа). Для расчета коэффициентов a, b, c в уравнении Cp = а + 0.001×b×T + 105×c×T –2 были использованы аддитивный метод, эмпирические формулы Абашидзе и Цагарейшвили и метод Мостафа. Значения величин, полученные различными методами, были усреднены и использованы в термодинамическом моделировании. С использованием программного комплекса HSC 6.1, дополненного рассчитанными и усредненными термодинамическими свойствами перренатов металлов, выполнено термодинамическое моделирование процесса спекания ренийсодержащих материалов. Рассмотрено спекание проб, содержащих рений, с оксидом магния в отсутствии и присутствии окислительной добавки (NaNO3 или K2S2O7). Показано, что добавление окислительной добавки приводит к минимизации газообразных потерь рения в процессе спекания. Полученные теоретические результаты согласуются с экспериментальными, что говорит о применимости рассчитанных нами термодинамических свойств перренатов металлов. Рассчитанные термодинамические свойства перренатов металлов могут быть использованы для различных термодинамических расчетов как в аналитической химии, так и в металлургии.Ключевые слова: перренаты, термодинамические свойства, термодинамическое моделирование, спекание, окислительная добавка, ренийDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15826/analitika.2019.23.4.01

Priorities for nucleotide trace, sequence and annotation data capture at the Ensembl Trace Archive and the EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Database

The Ensembl Trace Archive (http://trace.ensembl.org/) and the EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Database (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/embl/), known together as the European Nucleotide Archive, continue to see growth in data volume and diversity. Selected major developments of 2007 are presented briefly, along with data submission and retrieval information. In the face of increasing requirements for nucleotide trace, sequence and annotation data archiving, data capture priority decisions have been taken at the European Nucleotide Archive. Priorities are discussed in terms of how reliably information can be captured, the long-term benefits of its capture and the ease with which it can be captured

Study of the Two-Gap Superconductivity in GdO(F)FeAs by ScS-Andreev Spectroscopy

Current-voltage characteristics and dynamic conductance of the superconductor - constriction - superconductor junctions in GdO(F)FeAs polycrystalline samples with critical temperatures Tc^local = 46 - 53 K were investigated. Two superconducting gaps, the large Delta_L = 10.5 +- 2 meV, and the small one Delta_S = 2.3 +- 0.4 meV were clearly observed at T = 4.2 K. The 2Delta_L/kTc^local = 5.5 +- 1 ratio gives support to the strong coupling mechanism which is responsible for the high Tc value. Temperature dependence of the large gap Delta_L(T) indicates the presence of intrinsic proximity effect (in k-space) between two superconducting condensates.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures. Submitted to Journal of Physics: Conference Serie

Distribution of immunodeficiency fact files with XML – from Web to WAP

BACKGROUND: Although biomedical information is growing rapidly, it is difficult to find and retrieve validated data especially for rare hereditary diseases. There is an increased need for services capable of integrating and validating information as well as proving it in a logically organized structure. A XML-based language enables creation of open source databases for storage, maintenance and delivery for different platforms. METHODS: Here we present a new data model called fact file and an XML-based specification Inherited Disease Markup Language (IDML), that were developed to facilitate disease information integration, storage and exchange. The data model was applied to primary immunodeficiencies, but it can be used for any hereditary disease. Fact files integrate biomedical, genetic and clinical information related to hereditary diseases. RESULTS: IDML and fact files were used to build a comprehensive Web and WAP accessible knowledge base ImmunoDeficiency Resource (IDR) available at . A fact file is a user oriented user interface, which serves as a starting point to explore information on hereditary diseases. CONCLUSION: The IDML enables the seamless integration and presentation of genetic and disease information resources in the Internet. IDML can be used to build information services for all kinds of inherited diseases. The open source specification and related programs are available at

Coevolution between a Family of Parasite Virulence Effectors and a Class of LINE-1 Retrotransposons

Parasites are able to evolve rapidly and overcome host defense mechanisms, but the molecular basis of this adaptation is poorly understood. Powdery mildew fungi (Erysiphales, Ascomycota) are obligate biotrophic parasites infecting nearly 10,000 plant genera. They obtain their nutrients from host plants through specialized feeding structures known as haustoria. We previously identified the AVRk1 powdery mildew-specific gene family encoding effectors that contribute to the successful establishment of haustoria. Here, we report the extensive proliferation of the AVRk1 gene family throughout the genome of B. graminis, with sequences diverging in formae speciales adapted to infect different hosts. Also, importantly, we have discovered that the effectors have coevolved with a particular family of LINE-1 retrotransposons, named TE1a. The coevolution of these two entities indicates a mutual benefit to the association, which could ultimately contribute to parasite adaptation and success. We propose that the association would benefit 1) the powdery mildew fungus, by providing a mechanism for amplifying and diversifying effectors and 2) the associated retrotransposons, by providing a basis for their maintenance through selection in the fungal genome