Monoclonal antibodies differentially affect the interaction between the hemagglutinin of H9 influenza virus escape mutants and sialic receptors

AbstractTo determine the receptor binding properties of various H9 influenza virus escape mutants in the presence and absence of antibody, sialyloligosaccharides conjugated with biotinylated polyacrylamide were used. A mutant virus with a L226Q substitution showed an increased affinity for the Neu5Acα2-3Galβ1-4Glc. Several escape mutants viruses carrying the mutation N193D bound to Neu5Acα2-6Galβ1-4GlcNAc considerably stronger than to Neu5Acα2-6Galβ1-4Glc. Several monoclonal antibodies unable to neutralize the escape mutants preserved the ability to bind to the hemagglutinin as revealed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In each case, the bound monoclonal antibodies did not prevent the binding of the mutant HA to high affinity substrates and did not displace them from the virus binding sites. Together, these data suggest that amino acid changes selected by antibody pressure may be involved in the specificity of host-cell recognition by H9 hemagglutinin and in the ability of viruses with these mutations to escape the neutralizing effect of antibodies in a differential way, depending on the specificity of the host cell receptor. It may be important in the natural evolution of the H9 subtype, a plausible candidate for the agent likely to cause a future pandemic

Late Antiquity: The Regional Specific Nature of Intellectual Tradition

The primary purpose of the study is to investigate the specifics of the intellectual tradition prevailing in some regions of the Late Antique world. For the purpose of a comprehensive review of the problem, the authors focus on well-known intellectuals of the 5th–6th centuries, representing Gaul (Ausonius, Sidonius, Ennodius et al.), Alexandria (John Philoponus, Hypatia, Sinesius of Cyrene et al.), Africa (Fulgentius, Priscian, Corippus), Isauria (Candidus Isaurus). Despite the fact that, under the influence of objective factors (Christianization, barbarians), the intellectual tradition changed from its ancient model to the medieval one, it fulfilled its most important task - to preserve the best from the treasury of ancient thought and adapt the ancient heritage to a changing world. In conclusion, the outcomes of the study demonstrate various examples of intellectual tradition and the fortunes of “people of written culture” (literati)

Mutations in the genome of avian influenza viruses of the H1 and H5 subtypes responsible for adaptation to mammals

Avian influenza viruses of the H1 and H5 subtypes were involved in the formation of highly pathogenic viruses that caused pandemics and panzootics in the 20th–21st centuries. In order to assess the zoonotic potential of viruses of these subtypes, two viruses of the H1N1 and H5N3 subtypes have been isolated from wild ducks in Moscow and adapted for growth in mouse lungs. Their phenotypic properties were studied, and the genetic changes that occurred during adaptation were identified. The original A/duck/Moscow/4970/2013 (H1N1) and A/duck/Moscow/4182-C/2010 (H5N3) viruses were apathogenic for mice but became pathogenic after 7–10 passages in mouse lungs. Complete genome sequencing revealed 2 amino acid substitutions in the proteins of the H1N1 mouse-adapted variant (Glu627Lys in PB2 and Asp35Asn in hemagglutinin (HA) – numbering according to H3) and 6 mutations in the proteins of H5N3 virus (Glu627lys in PB2, Val113Ala in PB1, Ser82Pro in PB1-F2, Lys52Arg in HA2, Arg65Lys in NP, and Ser-59Ile in NA). The increase in virulence is most likely due to a Glu627Lys substitution in the protein PB2 found in both viruses. The replacement Asp35Asn in HA of the mouse-adapted H1N1 virus is associated with an increase in the pH value of the HA transition to 5.5 versus 5.0 for that of the wild virus. The mutations found in the HA, NA, and PB1-F2 proteins of the adapted H5N3 variant are unique. The mutations Glu627Lys in PB2, Arg65Lys in NP, and Val113Ala in PB1 are most likely host adaptive

The adaptive potential of North American subtype H7N2 avian influenza viruses to mammals

Introduction. H7 subtype avian influenza viruses causing severe epizootics among birds are phylogenetically different in the Eastern and Western hemispheres. Numerous human infections caused by these viruses in the Eastern hemisphere indicate that H7 viruses can overcome the interspecies barrier and pose a potential threat of a new pandemic.The H7N2 viruses with deletion of amino acids 221–228 (H3 numbering) in hemagglutinin (HA) had been circulating among poultry in the Western Hemisphere during 1996–2006, and had once again been detected in 2016 in an animal shelter, where they caused cat diseases. The objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanism of adaptation to mammals of North American H7N2 influenza viruses with deletion in HA. Materials and methods. The A/chicken/New Jersey/294598-12/2004 (H7N2) virus was adapted to mice by the lung passages. Complete genomes of original and mouse-adapted viruses were analyzed. The receptor specificity and thermostability of viruses, HA activation pH and virulence for mice were determined. Results. The non-pathogenic H7N2 avian influenza virus became pathogenic after 10 passages in mice. Amino acid substitutions occurred in five viral proteins: one in PB2 (E627K), NA (K127N), NEP (E14Q), four in HA and six in NS1. Mutations in HA slightly changed receptor specificity but increased the pH of HA activation by 0.4 units. The NS1 protein undergone the greatest changes in the positions (N73T, S114G, K118R, G171A, F214L and G224R), where amino acid polymorphisms were observed in the original virus, but only minor amino acid variants have been preserved in the mouse adapted variant. Conclusion. The results show that H7N2 viruses have the potential to adapt to mammals. The increase in virulence is most likely due to the adaptive E627K mutation in PB2 and possibly in HA

Russian border regions in the economic corridor of China-Mongolia-Russia

The object of the paper are the border regions of Siberia as a part of the planned China-MongoliaRussia economic corridor in China’s foreign policy initiative “One Belt One Road”. The aim of the study is to reveal the nature of the interaction of these regions with the outside world to determine the ways of their development within a common economic space of the corridor. The study is based on the analysis of foreign investment flows to the border regions using macro- and microeconomic methods. The volume foreign capital goes mainly to mining, while other industries are dominated by small enterprises formed by foreign citizens, not corporations. In these areas, intermediary business prevails, which does not require increased human capital. China is gradually replacing other counter-partners in the use of natural resources, including mineral and forest ones. The problems of development of the border regions in common economic space of the corridor due to similar resource specialisation and weak development of the embedded economy have been identified. With the development of transit infrastructure, it is necessary to develop local industries integrated into large projects and capable of using this infrastructure to expand sales markets

Advanced training of personnel for the coal mining industry in the educational ecosystem of the region

Changes in the social and economic life of society, an understanding of the forces currently at play require changes in the fields of education philosophy, education technology education curriculum and design for education at all levels. There is a need in transformation and redefining curriculum agendas for educational institutions related to the training of qualified, competitive, professionally mobile staff, who are ready to design and implement the activities of coal mining enterprises. Kemerovo region is one of the most important regions of the country for coal mining and metallurgy development, which almost completely supplies the entire country with coal. Training of personnel for the coal mining industry assumes increasing importance and orientation necessary for the future of the country. Our research has shown that the structure of young people’s self-awareness, their personal life and professional intentions are changing. It is necessary that young people should be ready for making independent decisions in choosing a profession required in the region. The socio- economic development of the region is characterized by the emergence of various innovations in the system of vocational, occupational and human resources management training for the coal mining industry. Based on the results of our research we consider it necessary to create clusters aimed at integrating and concentrating the activities of educational organizations, scientific institutions, supplementary education organizations, industrial enterprises that are located on the same territory, in the same region, in order to prepare qualified personnel for the coal mining industry of the region

Advanced training concept for the coal mining industry in the region

The article presents the concept of advanced training of personnel for the coal mining industry in the conditions of an education and technology cluster associated with the training of personnel for the region, professionally mobile, ready to implement life and professional selfdetermination. A clear understanding of a wide scope of theory, practice and critique in relation to learning environments prompts the further development of education and technology clusters aimed at integrating and concentrating the activities of educational institutions of general secondary, secondary vocational and higher education in collaboration with coalmining industry enterprises for socio-economic development of the region

THE LANGUAGE OF POWER IN THE CONTEMPORARY DIGITAL MEDIA DISCOURSE SPACE AND ITS EFFECT ON YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONSCIOUSNESS

The research demonstrates the study of the functioning of „power" concept in the media discourse space of Russian and English-speaking media. It also aims at understanding the role of discursive power in the life of the younger generation whose consciousness is much more exposed to the influence of the present-day media and consequently to the language of power in the digital media context. To better perceive the "power" concept and its effect on the young people's consciousness, free associative and graphic experiments were conducted in this work. In the end, the main conclusions of the degree of importance of the "power" phenomenon in the life of the youth were introduced. Generally, it is noted that that the "power" concept is a complex and multifaceted linguocultural phenomenon realized through a variety of linguistic and extralinguistic means

Perspective on Terahertz Applications of Molecular Crystals

In this review, we present a survey on the use of molecular nonlinear crystals in the context of terahertz (THz) photonics. The fundamentals of nonlinear optics for converting optical and infrared radiation into THz radiation with the basic theory of femtosecond optical rectification and difference frequency generation are described. Various types of phase-matching conditions that can be achieved in molecular crystals are discussed. It is shown that one of the unique features of molecular crystals is the ability to generate tunable narrowband terahertz radiation using femtosecond lasers. We also provide a detailed description of the most commonly used and promising molecular crystals such as DAST, DSTMS, OH1, HMQ-TMS, DCMBI, and GUHP. This review also presents a description of recent publications which show the prospects of using molecular nonlinear optical crystals in THz photonics

Influence of Growth Conditions on Mechanical Properties of K₂Ni_XCo_(1−X) (SO₄)₂·6H₂O Crystals

K2NiXCo(1−X) (SO4)2·6H2O (KCNSH) mixed crystal is a promising material for solar blind optical filters, combining high transparency in the ultraviolet range with effective suppression of the visible spectral region. Increasing the mechanical strength of these crystals is important to enable them to be machined in the manufacture of optical elements. A comprehensive study of the inhomogeneities and crack resistance of KCNSH crystal as a function of the growth conditions was carried out. The influence of the radial and mosaic inhomogeneity, as well as other structural defects, on the crack resistance of the crystals was analyzed. To assess the crack resistance of crystals, the parameters ca (crack length), c/a (the ratio of crack length to the size of the indentation), and KC (fracture toughness) were used. The correctness of the obtained results was analyzed. The conditions for growing KCNSH crystals with the best crack resistance were determined on the basis of the results of the study. It is shown that growing the mixed crystals using the temperature difference technique with a peripheral solution supply into the shaper provides the best crystal quality