Functional Analysis of Technological Innovation System with Inclusion of Sectoral and Spatial Perspectives: The Case of the Biogas Industry in Russia

This study aims to conduct a functional analysis of the technological innovation system with the inclusion of sectoral and spatial perspectives. This involves the impact analysis of a variety of sectors’ integration into the biogas value chain and a more explicit review of spatial and institutional contexts of the transition process. By applying mixed methods research, this approach is illustrated by examining the development of the biogas industry in Russia. As a result, the adjusted framework enables us to understand how technological innovation develops, diffuses, and uses in specific segments and places. Such an advanced insight of the analyzed case also helps to give accurate recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners, who seek to initiate or expand the diffusion of biogas technologies in Russia. © 2022 The Author.Regarding bioenergy itself, the Russian government adopted the Comprehensive Program on Development of Biotechnology through 2020 (BIO 2020) in April 2012, which was supported by the Roadmap for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Development Tatiana Nevzorova acknowledges the financial support of the Global Education Program fellowship, the Russian Federation [grant number 450]. An earlier version of the paper was presented at the “5th Network of Early Career Researchers in Sustainability Transitions Conference 2020″ held online from May 6–8, 2020

Antibodies to DNA stimulates death of mononuclear cells of healthy persons in vitro

We have shown that polyclonal antibody IgG to native DNA leads to increased levels of apoptosis of nonuclear cells of healthy persons in vitro. Possible biological role of antibodies to DNA is discussed

Impact and intracellular localization of antibodies to DNA in MDCK cells

A study was performed with liquid chromatography of highly purified antibodies to DNA of IgG from blood serum of healthy donors-SLE or RA patients and their clinically healthy relatives. It was shown that, depending on the pathology, these antibodies were distinguished by DNA-hydrolyzing activity. These antibodies were incubated with MDCK cells. It was found that they were mostly localized in the vicinity of the nucleus and affected the cellular morphology, number of viable cells, and chromatin of MDCK cells differently. The biological role of antibodies to DNA is discussed. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

Influence of serum antibodies to DNA on the Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells in vitro in depend of immunoreactive regions of the IgG molecule

The data obtained on cell lines MDCK showed that for implementation of the biological function of antibodies to DNA both normal and pathological need the participation as Fab- and Fc-fragments of molecules of IgG. However, antigen-binding region is responsible for the manifestation of the biological function of SLE antibodies to DNA more immunoreactive than antibodies in normal and constant region is probably responsible for the active conformation of antibody for pathobiological function of antibodies to DNA in the cell

The role of Advocacy Coalitions in Shaping the Technological Innovation Systems: The Case of the Russian Renewable Energy Policy

Many hydrocarbon‐rich countries have recognized the global shift towards renewable energy sources, and Russia is not an exception. Drawing on two strands of literature—technological innovation systems and the advocacy coalition framework—we investigate the roles of actors and coalitions in shaping the Russian renewable energy policy and explore why particular renewable energy sources have progressed more than others, and what the main reasons are for their sudden development. The results show that the more successful renewable energy industries are those that were promoted by influential actors from traditional energy industries. Moreover, these actors also promoted the specific design of support schemes for renewable energy policy in Russia. We discuss the importance of policy process theories for understanding energy transition studies and provide specific policy recommendations for policy creation in the renewables industry. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Special features of the DNA-hydrolyzing activity of the antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus

Two types of IgG anti-DNA antibodies exhibiting DNA-hydrolyzing activity have been isolated from blood serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. This DNase activity of antibodies differs from serum DNases by the non-processive mode, temperature resistance, pH optimum, and the rate of DNA hydrolysis. It is suggested that the anti-DNA antibody molecule possessing DNase activity contains two sites: one site determines specificity of antibody-DNA interaction, whereas the other is responsible for manifestation of the catalytic activity

Molecular characterization and susceptibility of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus isolates from hospitals and the community in Vladivostok, Russia

AbstractA prospective study was conducted during an 8-month period, from August 2006 to April 2007, to describe the epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus-associated infections. In addition, the molecular characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibilities and antibiotic resistance determinants were identified in S. aureus isolates from hospitals and the community in Vladivostok, Russia. Among the 63 S. aureus isolates eligible for this study, methicillin resistance was observed in 48% (n = 30). Hospital-acquired strains accounted for 93% (28/30) of all methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates. The major MRSA clone (sequence type (ST) 239, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type III, Panton--Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-negative, with two related staphylococcal protein A gene (spa) types (types 3 and 351)) represented 90% of all of the MRSA isolates. This clone was multidrug-resistant, and 41% of isolates showed resistance to rifampicin. Community-acquired MRSA isolates (n = 2) were categorized as ST30, SCCmecIV, spa type 19, and PVL--positive, and as ST8, SCCmecIV, of a novel spa type 826, and PVL-negative. Eight different STs were detected among methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates, of which 55% were PVL--positive. One MSSA clone, which was categorized as ST121, spa type 273, and PVL--positive, caused fatal community-acquired pneumonia infections. The strains predominantly isolated in hospitals in Russia belonged to the multidrug-resistant Brazilian/Hungarian ST239 MRSA clone; however, this clone has new antibiotic susceptibilities. Additionally, the emergence of PVL--positive MSSA strains with enhanced virulence was observed, warranting continued surveillance

Essential Dynamics of DNA-Antibody Complexes

© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.Antibodies against double-stranded DNA play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Structural analysis of antibody-DNA complexes contributes to our understanding of the role of DNA-containing immune complexes in human pathologies and may help in designing novel treatments. In this paper, we study dynamics of the full-atomic structure of the molecular complexes formed by an antibody Fab fragment with double-stranded DNA, containing or not containing a thymine dimer. Molecular dynamics simulations are used in conjunction with the Principle Component Analysis technique. We found that removing a covalent bond from the thymine dimer results in changes of the structural dynamics of the light and heavy chains of Fab as well as in the DNA strands. A significant increase in mobility of the Fab light chain was observed throughout the entire simulation runs with a higher amplitude of fluctuations at the interface with DNA. Essential dynamics analysis of simulation trajectories of the antibody-dsDNA complexes shows that fluctuations in the low-frequency eigenvectors are localized at the ends of the DNA sequences, suggesting that these bending motions are important for the DNA-antibody interactions

An anti-DNA antibody prefers damaged dsDNA over native

© 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.DNA–protein interactions, including DNA–antibody complexes, have both fundamental and practical significance. In particular, antibodies against double-stranded DNA play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Elucidation of structural mechanisms of an antigen recognition and interaction of anti-DNA antibodies provides a basis for understanding the role of DNA-containing immune complexes in human pathologies and for new treatments. Here we used Molecular Dynamic simulations of bimolecular complexes of a segment of dsDNA with a monoclonal anti-DNA antibody’s Fab-fragment to obtain detailed structural and physical characteristics of the dynamic intermolecular interactions. Using a computationally modified crystal structure of a Fab–DNA complex (PDB: 3VW3), we studied in silico equilibrium Molecular Dynamics of the Fab-fragment associated with two homologous dsDNA fragments, containing or not containing dimerized thymine, a product of DNA photodamage. The Fab-fragment interactions with the thymine dimer-containing DNA was thermodynamically more stable than with the native DNA. The amino acid residues constituting a paratope and the complementary nucleotide epitopes for both Fab–DNA constructs were identified. Stacking and electrostatic interactions were shown to play the main role in the antibody–dsDNA contacts, while hydrogen bonds were less significant. The aggregate of data show that the chemically modified dsDNA (containing a covalent thymine dimer) has a higher affinity toward the antibody and forms a stronger immune complex. These findings provide a mechanistic insight into formation and properties of the pathogenic anti-DNA antibodies in autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, associated with skin photosensibilization and DNA photodamage

Optimizing DNA visualization with a solver P47H atomic-force microscope

The conditions for visualizing DNA molecules with a Solver P47H atomic-force microscope (NT-MTD, Moscow, Russia) were optimized. The DNA samples had different sizes, types, and conformations (pBR-322 plasmid DNA and chicken erythrocyte DNA) and were immobilized on mica. The microscope was equipped with a Smena-B detecting head and was operated in a tapping mode. The dependence of the amplitude of tip oscillations on the spacing between the tip and the test sample's surface was used to determine the optimum parameters of scanning. The highest quality and reproducibility of the DNA images were attained by scanning with a small initial amplitude (9-23 nm) of cantilever oscillations and an optimum gain (0.08-0.3). Images with the highest contrast were obtained in the amplitude curve's region corresponding to a repulsive interaction regime. The operating amplitude was set at one-half (or slightly less than) the initial amplitude of tip oscillations. © 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc