Evaluation of age-related distribution of measles cases with primary and secondary immune response in Russian Federation, 2010-2016

In 2010—2016, blood serum samples were examined from 5539 patients, aged < 1—60 years, with clinically and laboratory confirmed measles. Primary or secondary type of immune response was determined for all measles cases. Studies were performed with children aged < 1—14 years (2381), adolescents, 15—17 years old (189), and adults aged 18—60 years (2969). Serum measles-specific IgM antibodies were measured by “VektoKor’ IgM” ELISA test system (Russia), concentration and avidity of specific IgG — by using “Anti-Measles Viruses ELISA/IgG” and “Avidity: Anti-Measles Viruses ELISA/ IgG” (Euroimmun, Germany). Primary immune response was identified based on the presence of serum measles-specific low avidity IgM and IgG antibodies, whereas secondary immune response was characterized by detecting high avidity IgM and IgG antibodies at concentration of ≥ 5.0 IU/ml. Analyzing measles-specific IgM antibodies in 2010—2016 demonstrated that measles morbidity was mainly due to children, aged 1—2 years reaching up to 39.9% of the total number of children with measles aged < 1—14 years as well as adults aged 18—40 years old comprising as high as 80.1% total number of patients aged 15—60 years. Serum measles-specific IgG testing showed that in 15.0% of cases they were detected at concentration of ≥ 5.0 IU/ml. Further serum dilution resulted in finding IgG titer ranging within 8.5—45.0 IU/ml (21.4+0.36) and high avidity antibodies in 80—100% (92.5+0.2) cases. The remaining 85.0% cases found low avidity measles-specific IgG antibodies (< 30%) at concentration of 0.2—3.46 IU/ml (1.73+0.03). An age-related analysis of our data demonstrated that all children under 14 with laboratory-confirmed measles developed primary immune response. Moreover, in 73.7% of measles patients aged 15—60 with primary immune response measles might be prevented by timely vaccination, whereas persons with “vaccine failure” comprised 26.3%. In 2010 (0.09 per 100,000 subjects) and 2016 (0.12 per 100,000 subjects), frequency of patients with “vaccine failure” during relative epidemic well-being was 35.3% and 18.2%, respectively, exceeding 9.9% (p < 0.001) serving as a hallmark 2014 high measles incidence rate (3.24 per 100,000 subjects).The data obtained indicate that measles virus circulate among people with “vaccine failure,” which may account for potential to spread and infect unprotected population cohorts as well as cause measles outbreaks during periods of epidemic well-being

«VOICE-TO-TEXT-CONVERTER» - PLUGIN FOR TRANSLATING VOICE MESSAGES

The article discusses the development of a plugin to translate voice messages into text and its implementation in the social network VKontakte.В статье рассматривается разработка плагина по переводу голосовых сообщений в текст и его реализация в социальной сети ВКонтакте

Корь и краснуха на Северо-Западе России на этапе их элиминации

Aim: To evaluate the epidemic situation on measles and rubella and to carry out the laboratory diagnostics of these infections in the North-West of Russia in the period of elimination.Materials and Methods. In 2016-2019 a total of 534 blood serum samples from patients with measles diagnosis, 210 – from patients with rubella diagnosis and 1251 – from patients with exanthema were studied by ELISA using “VectoMeasles-IgM” and “EIA-Rubella-IgM” test-systems.Results. Measles incidence in NWR varied from 0 to 0.96 per 100,000 in 2016 and 2019, respectively. Among measles patients the proportion of children and adults changed in 2018-2019, adults constituted 65.9%. Patients not vaccinated against measles and those with the unknown vaccination status were mainly involved in epidemic process (85%). High level of patients with revaccination status was revealed in 2018 (18.4%). These patients demonstrated high levels of IgG (>3.0 IU/ml) as well as high percentage of IgG avidity (>94.3%) on 4-7th day of rash onset thus evidencing secondary immune response. Molecular studies of the samples from patients revealed the circulation of D8 and B3 genotypes of measles virus. Strains of D8 and B3 genotypes were represented by 3 and 4 variants, respectively. Rubella incidence did not exceed 0.13 per 100,000. Strains of rubella virus of genotype 1E were detected.Conclusion. The data of annual measles incidence and molecular studies of circulating wild type measles viruses prove the on-going measles elimination process in the NorthWest of Russia. For rubella, the persistent phase of elimination was demonstrated in the region. Цель. Изучение эпидемиологии кори и краснухи на Северо-Западе России на этапе их элиминации.Материалы и методы. В 2016–2019 гг. были исследованы 534 сыворотки крови от больных с диагнозом «Корь», 210 сывороток крови от больных с диагнозом «Краснуха», 1251 сыворотка крови от больных с экзантемными заболеваниями в ИФА c помощью тестсистем «ВектоКорь IgM» и «ИФА-Краснуха-IgM».Результаты. Заболеваемость корью на Северо-Западе России колебалась от 0 в 2017 г. до 0,96 на 100 000 населения в 2019 г. В 2018–2019 гг. изменилось соотношение детей и взрослых среди больных, на долю взрослых приходилось 65,9%. Эпидемический процесс поддерживали непривитые лица и лица с неизвестным анамнезом (85,0%). В 2018 г. отмечен высокий процент больных, имевших ревакцинацию (18,4%). У этой группы больных на 4–7-й дни был выявлен высокий уровень антител класса IgG к вирусу кори (более 3,0 МЕ/мл), а также высокий процент авидности IgG-корь антител (более 94,3%), что свидетельствует о вторичном иммунном ответе. Молекулярно-биологический мониторинг циркуляции диких штаммов вируса кори показал, что на Северо-Западе России в этот период циркулировали вирусы кори двух генотипов: D8 и B3. Штаммы, относящиеся к генотипу D8, были представлены 3 вариантами, к генотипу B3 – 4 вариантами. Заболеваемость краснухой носила спорадический характер и не превышала 0,13 на 100 000 населения. При молекулярно-генетическом исследовании биологического материала были идентифицированы штаммы вируса краснухи генотипа 1Е.Заключение. Данные по ежегодной заболеваемости корью и результаты генотипирования циркулирующих диких штаммов вируса кори свидетельствуют о том, что территории находятся в процессе элиминации кори. В отношении краснухи все показатели подтверждают, что на территориях Северо-Запада России сохраняется устойчивая фаза элиминации краснухи.

A herd immunity to rubella virus in selected geographical regions

Since 2017, the incidence rate of rubella in the Russian Federation has been below 1 case per million total population. In addition, no circulation of endemic strains of the rubella virus is recorded evidencing about achieving infection elimination phase. In modern conditions, it is important to constantly monitor the level of herd immunity to the rubella virus to identify epidemically significant population groups, especially in countries lacking rubella vaccination or featured with insufficient disease control. Purpose: to study herd immunity to the rubella virus in selected countries in Eurasia and Africa. Materials and methods. Between 2018 and 2021, 15,594 samples of blood sera were tested for IgG and IgM antibodies to the rubella virus from subjects of different ages obtained from regional measles and rubella surveillance centers in the Northwestern Federal District (NWFD) of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Serbia, South Vietnam, and the Republic of Guinea. The “Anti-Rubella Virus ELISA (IgМ)” and “Anti-Rubella Virus ELISA (IgG)” (Euroimmun, Germany) test kits were used. Statistical data processing was carried out using the MS Excel, Prizm 5.0 (GraphPad Software Inc.), and Statistica 8.0 (StatSoft Inc.) software package. Results. During the observation period (2018–2020) the population seroprevalence of the to the rubella virus in the NWFD of the Russian Federation was 96.6–97.7% and fluctuated slightly both in separate years and among individual age groups evidencing about high coverage of rubella vaccination. In the Republic of Serbia conducting two-fold immunization against rubella the overall seroprevalence rate was lower than in the Russian Federation and comprising 86.8%. The minimum number of IgGpositive sera was recorded in the 2–4-year-old age group pointing to the shortcomings of routine vaccination. In South Vietnam, children aged 1–3 years (41.9%) predominated among those recovering from rubella, i.e. the age cohort that should be protected by vaccination at the age of 18 months. No rubella vaccination is carried out in Guinea. The total proportion of seropositive individuals was 75%; herd immunity to the rubella virus was established mainly among children and adolescents, reaching 90% only in the older age group. 30% of unprotected subjects of the most active reproductive age were identified among the females surveyed in Guinea. Conclusion. Insufficient herd immunity to the rubella virus, identified in a number of countries, may contribute to the maintenance of the infectious process and the spread of infection. Globalization contributes to the virus importation into regions being at the stage of measles and rubella elimination. The results obtained suggest about a need to continue efforts aimed at maintaining epidemiological wellbeing regarding rubella in diverse countries of the world.Начиная с 2017 г. в Российской Федерации показатель заболеваемости краснухой находится на уровне ниже 1 случая на 1 млн населения. Также отсутствует циркуляция эндемичных штаммов вируса краснухи. Это свидетельствует о достижении фазы элиминации инфекции. В современных условиях важным является постоянный мониторинг уровня коллективного иммунитета к вирусу краснухи для выявления эпидемически значимых групп населения, особенно в странах, где вакцинация против краснухи не проводится или контроль недостаточен. Цель исследования: изучение коллективного иммунитета к вирусу краснухи в ряде стран Евразии и Африки. Материалы и методы. В период с 2017 по 2021 г. на IgG- и IgM-антитела к вирусу краснухи исследовано 15 594 образца сывороток крови лиц разного возраста, полученные из региональных центров по надзору за корью и краснухой в СЗФО РФ, Республике Сербия, в Южном Вьетнаме, в Гвинейской Республике. Использовали ИФА тест-наборы «Anti-Rubella Virus ELISA IgМ» и «Anti-Rubella Virus ELISA (IgG)» (Euroimmun, Германия). Статистическая обработка результатов проводилась с помощью пакета программ MS Excel, Prizm 5.0 (GraphPadSoftware Inc.), Statistica 8.0 (StatSoft Inc.). Результаты. В СЗФО РФ за период наблюдения серопревалентность населения к вирусу краснухи составляла 96,6–97,7% и колебалась незначительно как по отельным годам, так и среди отдельных возрастных групп, что свидетельствуют о высоком охвате вакцинацией против краснухи. В Республике Сербия общий показатель серопревалентности оказался ниже, чем в РФ, и составил 86,8%. Наименьшее количество IgG-положительных сывороток регистрировали в возрастной группе 2–4 года, что говорит о недостатках плановой вакцинации. В Южном Вьетнаме среди переболевших краснухой преобладали дети в возрасте 1–3 года (41,9%), то есть та группа, которая должна быть максимально защищена плановой прививкой против краснухи в 18 месяцев. В Гвинее специфическая профилактика краснухи не проводится. Общая доля серопозитивных лиц составила 75%, коллективный иммунитет к вирусу краснухи формировался, в основном, среди детей и подростков, достигая 90% лишь в старшей возрастной группе. Среди обследованных женщин Гвинеи выявлено 30% незащищенных лиц наиболее активного репродуктивного возраста. Заключение. Недостаточный уровень коллективного иммунитета к вирусу краснухи, выявленный в ряде стран, может способствовать распространению инфекции, а условия глобализации — импортированию вируса в регионы, находящиеся на этапе элиминации кори и краснухи. Полученные результаты свидетельствуют о необходимости продолжения усилий, направленных на поддержание эпидемиологического благополучия в отношении краснухи в разных странах мира

The Suppressor of AAC2 Lethality SAL1 Modulates Sensitivity of Heterologously Expressed Artemia ADP/ATP Carrier to Bongkrekate in Yeast

The ADP/ATP carrier protein (AAC) expressed in Artemia franciscana is refractory to bongkrekate. We generated two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae where AAC1 and AAC3 were inactivated and the AAC2 isoform was replaced with Artemia AAC containing a hemagglutinin tag (ArAAC-HA). In one of the strains the suppressor of ΔAAC2 lethality, SAL1, was also inactivated but a plasmid coding for yeast AAC2 was included, because the ArAACΔsal1Δ strain was lethal. In both strains ArAAC-HA was expressed and correctly localized to the mitochondria. Peptide sequencing of ArAAC expressed in Artemia and that expressed in the modified yeasts revealed identical amino acid sequences. The isolated mitochondria from both modified strains developed 85% of the membrane potential attained by mitochondria of control strains, and addition of ADP yielded bongkrekate-sensitive depolarizations implying acquired sensitivity of ArAAC-mediated adenine nucleotide exchange to this poison, independent from SAL1. However, growth of ArAAC-expressing yeasts in glycerol-containing media was arrested by bongkrekate only in the presence of SAL1. We conclude that the mitochondrial environment of yeasts relying on respiratory growth conferred sensitivity of ArAAC to bongkrekate in a SAL1-dependent manner. © 2013 Wysocka-Kapcinska et al

Isostatic Hot Pressed W–Cu Composites with Nanosized Grain Boundaries: Microstructure, Structure and Radiation Shielding Efficiency against Gamma Rays

Abstract: The W–Cu composites with nanosized grain boundaries and high effective density were fabricated using a new fast isostatic hot pressing method. A significantly faster method was proposed for the formation of W–Cu composites in comparison to the traditional ones. The influence of both the high temperature and pressure conditions on the microstructure, structure, chemical composition, and density values were observed. It has been shown that W–Cu samples have a polycrystalline well-packed microstructure. The copper performs the function of a matrix that surrounds the tungsten grains. The W–Cu composites have mixed bcc-W (sp. gr. Im 3 m) and fcc-Cu (sp. gr. Fm 3 m) phases. The W crystallite sizes vary from 107 to 175 nm depending on the sintering conditions. The optimal sintering regimes of the W–Cu composites with the highest density value of 16.37 g/cm3 were determined. Tungsten–copper composites with thicknesses of 0.06–0.27 cm have been fabricated for the radiation protection efficiency investigation against gamma rays. It has been shown that W–Cu samples have a high shielding efficiency from gamma radiation in the 0.276–1.25 MeV range of energies, which makes them excellent candidates as materials for radiation protection. © 2022 by the authorsLicensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, Minobrnauka: 075-15-2020-926Funding: M.V.S. acknowledges financial support from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation within the framework of state support for the creation and development of World-Class Research Centers “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare” No. 075-15-2020-926

A Study of Ta2O5 Nanopillars with Ni Tips Prepared by Porous Anodic Alumina Through-Mask Anodization

The paper discusses the formation of Ta2O5 pillars with Ni tips during thin porous anodic alumina through-mask anodization on Si/SiO2 substrates. The tantalum nanopillars were formed through porous masks in electrolytes of phosphoric and oxalic acid. The Ni tips on the Ta2O5 pillars were formed via vacuum evaporation through the porous mask. The morphology, structure, and magnetic properties at 4.2 and 300 K of the Ta2O5 nanopillars with Ni tips have been studied using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The main mechanism of the formation of the Ta2O5 pillars during through-mask anodization was revealed. The superparamagnetic behavior of the magnetic hysteresis loop of the Ta2O5 nanopillars with Ni tips was observed. Such nanostructures can be used to develop novel functional nanomaterials for magnetic, electronic, biomedical, and optical nano-scale devices

Паразиты дальневосточного леопарда (Panthera pardus orientalis) на юго-западе Приморского края России

The results of long-term studies of invasions of the Panthera pardus orientalis, Schlegel 1857. The study of parasitic invasions of the Far Eastern leopard was carried out by two methods. The first method included the study of excrement of the Far Eastern leopard collected in different seasons of the year from January 2009 to December 2014 by the Kotelnikov-Khrenov method. The second method is a complete parasitologic autopsy on Scriabin, the dead animals on the basis of PGHS. The autopsy was conducted by the chief veterinarian of the Primorsky Krai, and the autopsy report was compiled. To analyze the data obtained, the indicator was used - the index of occurrence, expressed as a percentage. As a result, the species composition of helminths parasitizing the Far Eastern leopard is supplemented by species of nematodes - Ancylostoma sp., Gnathostoma spinigerum Capillaria sp., Dirofilaria sp; cestodes - Taenia sp., Dipylidium caninum, Spirometra erinaceieuropei, Mesocestoides lineatus; trematodes - Nanophyetus salmicola schikhobalowi, Clonorchis sinensis, Metagonimus yokogawa. Dominiruet monoinvasion (66,6%). Di-invasion and triinvasia are much less common - 17,7% and 4,4%. Of the protozoans, oocysts were found isospora rivolta. On the body of the dead animals were found ixodid mites - Haemaphysalis flava, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis japonica douglasi, Haemaphysalis punctate. It indicates the presence in the excrement of fleas of genus Ctenocephala и клещей рода and mites of the genus Otodectes.Цель исследования - выявить экто- и эндопаразитов дальневосточного леопарда (Panthera pardus orientalis, Schlegel 1857). Материалы и методы. Изучение паразитарных инвазий дальневосточного леопарда проводили двумя методами. Первый метод включал исследование фекалий дальневосточного леопарда, собранных в разные сезоны года с января 2009 г. по декабрь 2014 г. методом Котельникова-Хренова. Второй метод включал полное гельминтологическое вскрытие по Скрябину погибших животных на базе Приморской государственной сельскохозяйственной академии. Вскрытие проводили главным ветеринарным врачом Приморского края; составлен протокол вскрытия. Собранных паразитов фиксировали и обрабатывали стандартными методиками. Определение вида клещей проводили по определителю Н. A. Филипповой (1997). Для анализа полученных данных использовали показатель - индекс встречаемости, выраженный в процентах. Результаты и обсуждение. Видовой состав гельминтов, паразитирующих у дальневосточного леопарда, дополнен видами нематод - Ancylostoma sp., Gnathostoma spinigerum, Capillaria sp., Dirofilaria sp; цестод - Taenia sp., Dipylidium caninum, Spirometra erinaceieuropei, Mesocestoides lineatus; трематод - Nanophyetus salmicola schikhobalowi, Clonorchis sinensis, Metagonimus yokogawa. Доминирует моноинвазия (66,6 %). Дииинвазия и триинвазия наблюдаются гораздо реже - 17,7 и 4,4 % соответственно. Из простейших были обнаружены ооцисты Isospora rivolta. На теле погибших животных были найдены иксодовые клещи Haemaphysalis flava, H. longicornis, H. japonica douglasi, H. punctate. Указывается на нахождение в фекалиях блох рода Ctenocephala и клещей рода Оtodectes

TEX264 coordinates p97- and SPRTN-mediated resolution of topoisomerase 1-DNA adducts

Eukaryotic topoisomerase 1 (TOP1) regulates DNA topology to ensure efficient DNA replication and transcription. TOP1 is also a major driver of endogenous genome instability, particularly when its catalytic intermediate—a covalent TOP1-DNA adduct known as a TOP1 cleavage complex (TOP1cc)—is stabilised. TOP1ccs are highly cytotoxic and a failure to resolve them underlies the pathology of neurological disorders but is also exploited in cancer therapy where TOP1ccs are the target of widely used frontline anti-cancer drugs. A critical enzyme for TOP1cc resolution is the tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase (TDP1), which hydrolyses the bond that links a tyrosine in the active site of TOP1 to a 3’ phosphate group on a single-stranded (ss)DNA break. However, TDP1 can only process small peptide fragments from ssDNA ends, raising the question of how the ~90 kDa TOP1 protein is processed upstream of TDP1. Here we find that TEX264 fulfils this role by forming a complex with the p97 ATPase and the SPRTN metalloprotease. We show that TEX264 recognises both unmodified and SUMO1-modifed TOP1 and initiates TOP1cc repair by recruiting p97 and SPRTN. TEX264 localises to the nuclear periphery, associates with DNA replication forks, and counteracts TOP1ccs during DNA replication. Altogether, our study elucidates the existence of a specialised repair complex required for upstream proteolysis of TOP1ccs and their subsequent resolution

Вспышка кори в детской больнице Санкт-Петербурга в 2012 году

Measles was imported to Saint-Petersburg from the Chechen Republic by the patient admitted to the Children’s Clinical Hospital where the measles focus out of 94 cases was formed within the period of January – March, 2012. The typical clinical form of infection was revealed for all measles cases. The general signs of the infection were fever, rash, cough, rhinitis, conjunctivitis. Children under 17 years old consisted three quarters of patients. Among measles patients 75% of cases were the non vaccinated children in the age of 5 months – 14 years. Measles was confirmed by detection of IgM antibodies to measles virus in ELISA in 93.6% of sera samples. Molecular studies of the biological samples from the patient who was the source of the infection as well as from the other patients revealed the measles virus genotype D4 “Iran 2010”. This genotype widely circulated in Iran, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan as well as in some regions of Russia in 2010–2012. The later diagnostic and isolation of the first measles patient in this hospital facilitated the transmission of measles virus infection in the Hospital where the most part of the non vaccinated children were also treated.В январе–марте 2012 г. в результате заноса кори в детскую городскую больницу пациентом, прибывшим из Чеченской Республики, сформировался очаг кори с 94 случаями заболеваний. У всех больных выявлена типичная клиническая форма кори. Доминирующими симптомами заболевания были высокая температура тела, сыпь, кашель, ринит, конъюнктивит. Среди заболевших в очаге три четверти составили дети в возрасте до 17 лет. Среди больных 75% были непривитые дети от 5 мес. до 14 лет, которые были не вакцинированы либо по возрасту, либо по медицинским показаниям. В сыворотках крови 93,6% больных из очага были обнаружены IgM коревые антитела в ИФА. В биологическом материале от источника инфекции и других больных был выявлен вирус кори генотипа D4 «Иран 2010», который широко циркулировал в 2010–2012 гг. в Иране, Узбекистане, Казахстане и на ряде территорий России. Распространению инфекции способствовали поздняя диагностика и изоляция первого заболевшего корью, пребывание источника инфекции в отделении, где было сосредоточено большое количество детей, не привитых против кори по возрасту и состоянию здоровья, госпитализация больного в инфекционное отделение, не изолированное от других отделений больницы, перемещение больного корью по стационару для получения лечебных процедур