Results of Monitoring over the West Nile Fever Pathogen in the Territory of the Russian Federation in 2017. Forecast of Epidemic Situation Development in Russia in 2018

In Europe, in the epidemic season 2017, the incidence of West Nile fever did not exceed the index of the previous season. In the US and Canada, there was an increase in the incidence of cases. West Nile fever morbidity rates in the Russian Federation and in separate constituent entities were below the average long-term index and had the lowest value for the period since 2008. 41.6 % of WNF cases were imported to Russia from the distant countries. Analysis of the monitoring results indicated the circulation of WNF virus markers in carriers of the pathogen in 6 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and the presence of IgG antibodies in healthy population cohorts in 24 RF entities. According to molecular-genetic typing of WNF virus samples from mosquito Culex modestus from the Volgograd Region, WNF virus genotype II was established. Forecasting of epidemiological situation development for the year 2018 does not rule out the possibility of local increase in WNF incidence in certain regions of Russia

Peculiarities of the Epidemic Situation on West Nile Fever in the Territory of the Russian Federation in 2018 and Forecast of its Development in 2019

The epidemic rise in the incidence of West Nile fever (WNF) in the season of 2018 was observed in the countries of the European Union (EU) and bordering states and exceeded the values of all previously recorded epidemic rises of 2010–2012. An increase in the incidence rate was registered in the USA and Canada, however, it did not exceed the indicators of epidemic rises of 2007–2012. In the territory of the Russian Federation, the WNF epidemiological process became more intense mainly in the territory of the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts. In general, in Russia, the incidence rates were 2 times lower than the average annual rates, but significantly exceeded those of 2017. The epidemic process had a number of peculiarities in the seasonality, the structure of morbidity and the clinical manifestation of WNF. Genotyping of the isolated WNV RNA fragments from clinical and biological material showed that I, II and IV West Nile virus genotypes were circulating in the European part of Russia. Forecast of epidemic situation development in 2019 reveals further increase in the incidence and does not exclude the possibility of a significant localincrease of WNF incidence in certain regions of Russia

Cytoskeletal protein kinases: titin and its relations in mechanosensing

Titin, the giant elastic ruler protein of striated muscle sarcomeres, contains a catalytic kinase domain related to a family of intrasterically regulated protein kinases. The most extensively studied member of this branch of the human kinome is the Ca2+–calmodulin (CaM)-regulated myosin light-chain kinases (MLCK). However, not all kinases of the MLCK branch are functional MLCKs, and about half lack a CaM binding site in their C-terminal autoinhibitory tail (AI). A unifying feature is their association with the cytoskeleton, mostly via actin and myosin filaments. Titin kinase, similar to its invertebrate analogue twitchin kinase and likely other “MLCKs”, is not Ca2+–calmodulin-activated. Recently, local protein unfolding of the C-terminal AI has emerged as a common mechanism in the activation of CaM kinases. Single-molecule data suggested that opening of the TK active site could also be achieved by mechanical unfolding of the AI. Mechanical modulation of catalytic activity might thus allow cytoskeletal signalling proteins to act as mechanosensors, creating feedback mechanisms between cytoskeletal tension and tension generation or cellular remodelling. Similar to other MLCK-like kinases like DRAK2 and DAPK1, TK is linked to protein turnover regulation via the autophagy/lysosomal system, suggesting the MLCK-like kinases have common functions beyond contraction regulation

Conformation-regulated mechanosensory control via titin domains in cardiac muscle

The giant filamentous protein titin is ideally positioned in the muscle sarcomere to sense mechanical stimuli and transform them into biochemical signals, such as those triggering cardiac hypertrophy. In this review, we ponder the evidence for signaling hotspots along the titin filament involved in mechanosensory control mechanisms. On the way, we distinguish between stress and strain as triggers of mechanical signaling events at the cardiac sarcomere. Whereas the Z-disk and M-band regions of titin may be prominently involved in sensing mechanical stress, signaling hotspots within the elastic I-band titin segment may respond primarily to mechanical strain. Common to both stress and strain sensor elements is their regulation by conformational changes in protein domains

Влияние фазового состава и локальной кристаллической структуры на транспортные свойства твердых растворов ZrO2—Y2O3 и ZrO2—Gd2O3

Abstract. The results of investigation of crystal structure, ion conductivity and local structure of solid solutions (ZrO2)1−x(Gd2O3)x and (ZrO2)1−x(Y2O3)x (x = 0.04, 0.08, 0.10, 0.12, 0.14). The crystals were grown by directional crystallization of the melt in a cold container. The phase composition of the crystals was studied by X−ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy. Transport characteristics were studied by impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range 400—900 °C. The local crystal structure was studied by optical spectroscopy. Eu3+ ions were used as a spectroscopic probe. The results of the study of the local structure of solid solutions of ZrO2—Y2O3 and ZrO2—Gd2O3 systems revealed the peculiarities of the formation of optical centers, which reflect the nature of the localization of oxygen vacancies in the crystal lattice depending on the stabilizing oxide concentration. It is established that the local crystal environment of Eu3+ Ions in solid solutions (ZrO2)1−x(Y2O3)x and (ZrO2)1−x(Gd2O3)x is determined by the stabilizing oxide concentration and practically does not depend on the type of stabilizing oxide (Y2O3 or Gd2O3). The maximum conductivity at 900 °C was observed in crystals containing 10 mol.% Gd2O3 and 8 mol.% Y2O3. These compositions correspond to the t′′−phase and are close to the boundary between the regions of the cubic and tetragonal phases. It was found that in the system ZrO2—Y2O3 stabilization of the highly symmetric phase occurs at a lower stabilizing oxide concentration than in the system ZrO2—Gd2O3. Analysis of the data obtained allows us to conclude that in this range of compositions the main influence on the concentration dependence of the ion conductivity has a phase composition, rather than the nature of the localization of oxygen vacancies in the crystal lattice.Аннотация. Приведены результаты исследования кристаллической структуры, ионной проводимости и локальной структуры твердых растворов (ZrO2)1−х(Gd2O3)х и (ZrO2)1−х(Y2O3)х при (x = 0,04, 0,08, 0,10, 0,12, 0,14). Кристаллы выращивали методом направленной кристаллизации расплава в холодном контейнере. Исследования фазового состава кристаллов проводили методом рентгеновской дифрактометрии и просвечивающей электронной микроскопии. Транспортные характеристики изучали методом импедансной спектроскопии в температурном диапазоне 400—900 °С. Исследование локальной структуры кристаллов выполняли методом оптической спектроскопии. В качестве спектроскопического зонда использовали ионы Eu3+. В результате исследования локальной структуры твердых растворов систем ZrO2—Y2O3 и ZrO2—Gd2O3 выявлены особенности формирования оптических центров, которые отражают характер локализации кислородных вакансий в кристаллической решетке в зависимости от концентрации стабилизирующего оксида. Установлено, что локальное кристаллическое окружение ионов Eu3+ в твердых растворах (ZrO2)1−х(Y2O3)х и (ZrO2)1−х(Gd2O3)х определяется концентрацией стабилизирующего оксида и практически не зависит в рассмотренном случае от вида стабилизирующего оксида (Y2O3 или Gd2O3). Максимальная проводимость при температуре 900 °С выявлена в кристаллах, содержащих 10 % (мол.) Gd2O3 и 8 % (мол.) Y2O3. Эти составы соответствуют t′′−фазе и близки к границе между областями кубической и тетрагональной фаз. Установлено, что в системе ZrO2—Y2O3 стабилизация высокосимметричной фазы происходит при меньшей концентрации стабилизирующего оксида, чем в системе ZrO2—Gd2O3. Анализ полученных данных позволяет сделать вывод о том, что в этом диапазоне составов основное влияние на концентрационную зависимость ионной проводимости оказывает фазовый состав, а не характер локализации кислородных вакансий в кристаллической решетке

Use of parenteral vitamin B complexes in treatment of polyneuropathy

The article considers the ethiological factors for the formation of such a widespread disease of the peripheral nervous system as polyneuropathy. The classification, modern approaches to the diagnosis of various types of diseases are presented. The authors emphasize on the therapeutic approaches to the treatment of such common forms as diabetic and alcoholic polyneuropathies. Particular attention is paid to the complex of B vitamins. The effectiveness and safety of the injectable form of vitamins for the therapy of polyneuropathies are demonstrated

Polymorphic variants of IL2 and IL4 genes as markers of infertility in case of genital endometriosis

92 patients with genital endometriosis and diagnosed infertility were clinically examined and went through molecular-genetical testing and therapy. Complex therapy included laparoscopic surgery and the course of hormonal therapy (gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists, combined oral contraceptives). The effect of the therapy increases as increases the possibility of pregnancy in the presence of IL2 gene T-330G TT polymorphism variant and IL4 gene C-590T CC polymorphism variant in the genotype of a woman. The decreased effect of infertility treatment with the diagnosed endometriosis is associated with the presence of the hazardous genotype combination: IL2 gene T-330G GG polymorphism and IL4 gene C-590T TT polymorphism

CaO-SiO₂-B₂O₃ Glass as a Sealant for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising devices for electrical power generation from hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels. The paper reports our study of CaO-SiO2-B2O3 material with composition 36 mol.% SiO2, 26 mol.% B2O3, and 38 mol.% CaO as a high-temperature sealant for SOFCs with an operating temperature of 850 °C. The material was studied as an alternative to presently existing commercial glass and glass-ceramics sealants for SOFCs with operating temperature of 850 °C. Many of these sealants have limited adhesion to the surface of Crofer 22APU steel, commonly used in these SOFCs. The present study included X-ray diffraction, dilatometric, thermal, and microstructural analysis The study has shown that the softening point of the CaO-SiO2-B2O3 glass is around 900 °C, allowing sealing of the SOFCs with this glass at convenient temperature of 925 °C. The CaO-SiO2-B2O3 glass sealant has shown excellent adhesion to the surface of Crofer 22APU steel; SEM images demonstrated evidences of chemical reaction and formation of strong interface on sealant–steel contact surface. Furthermore, the glass has shown a coefficient of thermal expansion about 8.4 × 10−6 1/K after sealing, making it thermomechanically compatible with the existing SOFC materials

CaO-SiO2-B2O3 Glass as a Sealant for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising devices for electrical power generation from hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels. The paper reports our study of CaO-SiO2-B2O3 material with composition 36 mol.% SiO2, 26 mol.% B2O3, and 38 mol.% CaO as a high-temperature sealant for SOFCs with an operating temperature of 850 °C. The material was studied as an alternative to presently existing commercial glass and glass-ceramics sealants for SOFCs with operating temperature of 850 °C. Many of these sealants have limited adhesion to the surface of Crofer 22APU steel, commonly used in these SOFCs. The present study included X-ray diffraction, dilatometric, thermal, and microstructural analysis The study has shown that the softening point of the CaO-SiO2-B2O3 glass is around 900 °C, allowing sealing of the SOFCs with this glass at convenient temperature of 925 °C. The CaO-SiO2-B2O3 glass sealant has shown excellent adhesion to the surface of Crofer 22APU steel; SEM images demonstrated evidences of chemical reaction and formation of strong interface on sealant–steel contact surface. Furthermore, the glass has shown a coefficient of thermal expansion about 8.4 × 10−6 1/K after sealing, making it thermomechanically compatible with the existing SOFC materials