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© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.This paper presents a clinical case of successful ulnar pseudarthrosis treatment using a gene-activated bone allograft containing VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and BMP2 (bone morphogenetic protein 2) in the form of a multicystron plasmid. Demineralized bone matrix with applied recombinant plasmid DNA was grafted into the bone defect using the classical open surgical approach. Two months after the surgery, the patient noticed the disappearance of pain including pain during activity. On X-rays of ulna, signs of union in the form of callus formation were found.

© Gomzikova et al. Naturally occurring extracellular vesicles (EVs) play essential roles in intracellular communication and delivery of bioactive molecules. Therefore it has been suggested that EVs could be used for delivery of therapeutics. However, to date the therapeutic application of EVs has been limited by number of factors, including limited yield and full understanding of their biological activities. To address these issues, we analyzed the morphology, molecular composition, fusion capacity and biological activity of Cytochalasin B-induced membrane vesicles (CIMVs). The size of these vesicles was comparable to that of naturally occurring EVs. In addition, we have shown that CIMVs from human SH-SY5Y cells contain elevated levels of VEGF as compared to the parental cells, and stimulate angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.Though normally bone regenerates well, non-union, delayed union, or defective bone formation can occur. Since impaired healing is often caused by local trophic disorders, standard fracture management is often ineffective. Gene therapy is a promising field for bone engineering. We have created a recombinant plasmid construct encoding the genes for pro-angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor 165A (VEGF165A) and pro-osteogenic bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) with kanamycin resistance (pBudKan-VEGF165A-BMP2). This plasmid has the potential for use in treatment of trauma and skeletal system disorders, especially in cases of low trophicity.

© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.In this study, we have generated a dual expression cassette plasmid DNA (pDNA) construct containing the species-specific horse (Equus caballus) codon optimized sequence encoding potent pro-angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF164) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) under eukaryotic promoters (EF-1α and CMV promoters, respectively). We have demonstrated effective and simultaneous recombinant proteins expression in vitro. Resulting pDNA is suitable for potential gene therapy applications in horses.

Polyimides thanks to the unique properties such us thermal stability, good mechanical and electrical characteristic, resistance to high energy a wide temp erature range, excellent planarization popular in engineering and technology, particular in microelectronics. The production efficiency can be improved by providing photoresist properties to the polyimide materials using in microelectronics technology due to reduction of process steps and low bad production. Conversation is about, the creation of photosensitive pol-yimides negative and positive type containing reactive groups, which can by capable of being polymerized by UV-light with photo initiator. The main aim of this work increase the sensitivity, resolution and heat resistance of the material, on the base of a photosensitive polyimide composition. A new photosensitive polyimide composition based on polyamide acid solution in an organic solvent, tetramaleinamidoasid with the light-sensitive component. As show in the article, the possibility to create polymer cposs-linked structure which can explain solubility difference after UV-radiation exposure in the chemical natural of the compounds. The composition has shown good results in photosensitivity and other properties.

The effectiveness of application of biodegradable conduit (NeuraGen; INTEGRA, USA) in combination with adipose derived multipotent mesenchymal stem cells and fibrin sealant (Tissucol-Kit; Baxter AG, Austria) on posttraumatic peripheral nerve regeneration was investigated using a rat model of sciatic nerve injury. We demonstrate that our proposed cell therapy confers a neuroprotective effect under our experimental design.

© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.Microglia are the main defenders of the central nervous system and at the same time are involved in the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders. Microglia hyperactivity or phagocytic impairment exacerbates degenerative processes in nervous tissue leading to further loss of function. A variety of factors and cytokines may modify microglia function. In our study, it was shown that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a well-known neuroprotective molecule, decreases phagocytic activity of microglia in vitro model of spinal cord injury. Recombinant adenovirus encoding GDNF (Ad5-GDNF) transfected microglia have shown the same effect and can be potentially used as a therapeutic agent in case of neurotrauma due to its debris phagocytic and GDNF-associated neuroprotective role.

The present article deals with the development and study of new coatings based on industrially produced melamine-alkyd varnish of improved performance characteristics. It describes the synthesis of a dis-oligomeric amineimido modifier which is soluble in ethyl cellosolve and polar aprotic solvent, various formulations of varnish composition being also investigated. The physical-mechanical properties of coatings prepared from the compositions involved have been analyzed. Due to the formation of additional network structure, the introduction of the proposed modifier allows to increase the hardness of coatings, their impact and water resistance, as well as to improve adhesion while maintaining coating elasticity. The composition developed contributes to a significant increase in th e life of the coating for automobiles, buses, trolley buses, agricultural and other machinery and steel structures.

© 2015, Mediterranean Center of Social and Educational Research. All rights reserved. For free orientation in the flow of information people should possess information competence as one of the components of professionalism. In this regard, the article reveals the structure and content of the information competence of students, including motivational and values, cognitive, activity, communicative and health saving components that are in relationships and are aimed at ensuring the integrity and continuity of the process of students’ information competence forming in conditions of modern high school.The article also describes the problem of the teachers’ functions’ expansion involved in this process. The article can be recommended for use in modern practice of educational institutions, as well as in the system of teacher training.

© 2015, Springer-Verlag Italia.Traumatic brain injuries and degenerative neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s dementia, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and many others are characterized by loss of brain cells and supporting structures. Restoring microanatomy and function using stem cells is a promising therapeutic approach. Among the many various sources, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are one of the most easily harvested alternatives, they multiply rapidly, and they demonstrate low immunogenicity with an ability to differentiate into several cell types. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of xenotransplanted human ADSCs on post-traumatic regeneration of rat sciatic nerve. Peripheral reconstruction following complete sciatic transection and autonerve grafting was complemented by intra-operative injection of hADSCs into the proximal and distal stumps. The injury caused gliosis and apoptosis of sensory neurons in the lumbar 5 (L5) ganglia in the control rodents; however, animals treated with hADSCs demonstrated a smaller amount of cellular loss. Formation of amputation neuroma, which hinders axonal repair, was less prominent in the experimental group, and immunohistochemical analysis of myelin basic protein showed good myelination 65 days after surgery. At this point, control groups still exhibited high levels of microglia/macrophage-specific marker Iba-1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, the mark of an ongoing inflammation and incomplete axonal growth 2 months after the injury. This report demonstrates that hADSCs promote neuronal survival in the spinal ganglion, fuel axonal repair and stimulate the regeneration of peripheral nerves.

The trapping-recombination processes occurring in YAlO3 single crystals are investigated by wavelength-resolved thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) studies from 10 to 300 K after x-ray irradiation at 10 K. Undoped crystals and crystals doped with rare earth ions are studied. The results obtained on undoped, Yb3+ -, Eu3+ -, and Tm3+ -doped samples indicate the existence of seven glow peaks due to intrinsic hole traps. Three of them (at 154, 190, and 232 K) are related to different variants of O centers, as demonstrated by the correspondence between the thermal stabilities of such centers detected by electron paramagnetic resonance and the glow peak temperatures. From the analysis of the TSL emission spectra it is found that rare earth ions, after capturing electrons during irradiation, play the role of recombination centers. The thermal depths and the room-temperature lifetimes of the traps are also evaluated. After doping with rare earth ions which are expected to act as hole traps such as Ce3+, Pr3+, and Tb3+ only one main peak is observed, preceded by a nearly temperature-independent emission which is completely suppressed at temperatures higher than the glow peak temperature. For each particular dopant the peak coincides with one of those observed in the undoped crystal while the TSL spectral emission is characteristic of the rare earth ion dopant. To interpret such results we suggest the existence of defect complexes, involving intrinsic defects coupled to Ce3+, Pr3+, and Tb3+ rare earth ions, in which carriers can be transferred from intrinsic levels to the rare earth ion levels, where the radiative recombination occurs. © 2009 The American Physical Society.

Here we present case report of restoration of tear in the anterior cruciate ligament of a dog (Labrador) using gene therapy. We injected plasmid DNA pBud-clVEGF-clBMP2 simultaneously expressing combination of two therapeutic canine proteins - VEGF (isoform 164) and BMP2. Effect of treatment was assessed using clinical observation and X-ray.

Article is devoted to receiving and research of compositions on the basis of industrially made polyamide6 modified by N,N '-bis-maleamidoacid of metaphenylenediamine. Existence in macromolecules of polyamides reactive carboxyl, amide and amino groups, capable to interact with multifunctional monomeric and oligomeric modifiers, gives the chance of receiving the materials possessing properties of sewed polymers. As a result the use of bis-amidoacid as a modifying additive in the system of aliphatic polyamide-6 provides the improvement of strength properties and thermal characteristics of a polymeric material.

Article is devoted to the development and research of new film materials based on epoxy resins with improved properties. Evaluation of protective properties is determined by electrochemical and physico-mechanical methods of research that provides the most complete picture of the corrosion processes occurring under the paint film . These studies allowed to adjust the coating composition to the individual applications in order to achieve a high degree of protection of metal surfaces.

The paper presents the results of a comprehensive study of changes in the properties of filmforming compositions based on epoxydiane oligomer. Curing was carried out by a modified hardener. The degree of structurization changes depending on the amount of the hardener. The effect of timetemperature conditions, ratio of initial oligomers, and nature of the solvent on the process of epoxydiane resin curing by modified polyamide was determined.

The results of studies on the synthesis of modified by oil alkyd resin with the use of bicyclo [2,2,2] oct5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid anhydride as acylation agent in the polycondensation reaction with polyols for obtaining lacquer coatings and the study of their operational properties are presented in this article. It is found that the chemical modification of alkyd resin by replacing phthalic anhydride on bicyclic dicarboxylic acid anhydride allows to increase hardness, strength, adhesion of coatings formed on steel substrates.

The compounds RE4FeGa12-xGex (RE = Sm, Tb) were discovered in reactions employing molten Ga as a solvent at 850 degreesC. However, the isostructural Y4FeGa12-xGex was prepared from a direct combination reaction. The crystal structure is cubic with space group Im (3) over barm, Z = 2, and a = 8.657(4) Angstrom and 8.5620(9) Angstrom for the Sm and Tb analogues, respectively. Structure refinement based on full-matrix least squares on F-0(2) resulted in R-1 = 1.47% and wR(2) = 4.13% [1 > 2sigma(1)] for RE = Sm and R-1 = 2.29% and wR(2) = 7.12% [1 > 2sigma(l)] for RE = Tb. The compounds crystallize in the U4Re7Si6 structure type, where the RE atoms are located on 8c (1/4, 1/4, 1/4) sites and the Fe atoms on 2a (0, 0, 0) sites. The distribution of Ga and Ge in the structure, investigated with single-crystal neutron diffraction on the Tb analogue, revealed that these atoms are disordered over the 12d (1/4, 0, 1/2) and 12e (x, 0, 0) sites. The amount of Ga/Ge occupying the 12d and 12e sites refined to 89(4)/11 and 70(4)/30%, respectively. Transport property measurements indicate that these compounds are metallic conductors. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and Mossbauer spectroscopy performed on the Tb analogue show a nonmagnetic state for Fe, while the Tb atoms carry a magnetic moment corresponding to a mu(eff) of 9.25 mu(B). Inorg Chem

The paper analyzes the amino acid sequence of the receptor-binding site of hemagglutinin (HA) in the variants of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 swl from 18 patients with moderate (n=1) and fatal (n=17) forms of the disease in 2009. Nine samples contained asparaginic acid at position 222 of HA1 (D). This site exhibited mutations in 9 samples: D222G (n=3), D222N (n=3), and D222G/D222N (n=3). In one patient with the moderate form of the disease, D222G mutation was revealed after the second passage in the developing chick embryos; this mutation was not found in the primary sample from the patient. The findings suggest the mutant variants of the virus start to circulate among the population, which requires, firstly, continuation of molecular virological monitoring of the pandemic situation and, secondly, further study of the impact of amino acid substitutions at the receptor-binding site of HA1 on the increased virulence of influenza A virus.

The receptor specificity (RS) of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 virus strains deposited into the State Collection of Viruses of the Russian Federation, D. I. Ivanovsky Research Institute of Virology, Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia, in the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 epidemic seasons to a panel of 9 sialoglycopolymers (SGP). The strains were divided into 3 groups according to the W(3/6) index proposed by the authors, which was equal to the amount of reactivities to unbranched alpha2-3-SGP to that of reactivities to unbranched alphal-6-SGP: W(3/6)or = 1.0; 1.0W(3/6)or = 1.5. The W(3/6)or = 1.5 group showed a predominance of a2-3-RS, attended by the high incidence of fatal primary viral pneumonias (FPVP) (60.0%) and amino acid replacements in the HA1 receptor-binding site (RBS) (80.0%): D222{G, N} and Q223R. The 1.0W(3/6)or = 1.5 group was characterized by mixed alpha2-3/alpha2-6-RS with the incidence of FPVP (29.7%) and amino acid replacements in the HA1 RBS (40.5%) (D222{G, N, V} and Q223), respectively. In the W(3/6)or = 1.0 group, alpha2-6-RS was prevalent, FPVPs were absent and amino acid replacements in HA1 RBS (D222{G, E}) were seen only in 6.0% of cases. The number of strains with increased specificity to alpha2-3-sialosides increased in the 2010-2011 epidemic season as compared to the previous season. With their further spread among the population, there may be a rise in cases of severe primary viral pneumonias with possible fatal outcomes, which can be, however, accompanied by a decrease in the capacity of mutants to air-dropwise transmission.

The paper gives the results of sequence analysis of 150 positive samples in real-time RT-PCR, including 47 autopsy materials from patients (including 10 pregnant women), who died from fatal pneumonia mainly in November-December 2009, in whom the lifetime etiological diagnosis had not been made and hence no early etiotropic therapy performed. 70% of the primary materials from the deceased patients were found to have pandemic influenza A(H1N1) v mutants in the lung tissue with D222G (15%), D222N (15%), D222E (2%) substitutions, as well as a mixture of mutants (38%). Nasopharyngeal lavages from 3 Chukotka deceased patients exhibited only consensus (nonmutant) D222 virus variants; there was a mixture of consensus and mutant virus variants in the trachea and a mixture of mutant ones in the lung. Preliminary data from the study of the interaction of the hemagglutinin of two strains having D222G and D222N mutations with 9 oligosaccharides imitating the variants of cell receptors for influenza A virus suggest that there is a double receptor specificity for alpha2'-3' and alpha2'-6'-sialosides with a preponderance of alpha2'-3'-specificity. Further spread of the mutants that have acquired a high virulence and preserved their capacity for the respiratory route of human infection may lead to the situation similar to that seen in the 1918-1919 pandemic. Another scenario for evolution of the virus is to preserve its receptor specificity for alpha2'-3'-sialosides and high virulence with losses of alpha2'-6' specificity and capacity for aerosol transmission, by damping the pandemic.

The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB, rcsb.org), the US data center for the global PDB archive, serves thousands of Data Depositors in the Americas and Oceania and makes 3D macromolecular structure data available at no charge and without usage restrictions to more than 1 million rcsb.org Users worldwide and 600 000 pdb101.rcsb.org education-focused Users around the globe. PDB Data Depositors include structural biologists using macromolecular crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and 3D electron microscopy. PDB Data Consumers include researchers, educators and students studying Fundamental Biology, Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Energy. Recent reorganization of RCSB PDB activities into four integrated, interdependent services is described in detail, together with tools and resources added over the past 2 years to RCSB PDB web portals in support of a ‘Structural View of Biology.’

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is the single global archive of experimentally determined three-dimensional (3D) structure data of biological macromolecules. Since 2003, the PDB has been managed by the Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB; wwpdb.org), an international consortium that collaboratively oversees deposition, validation, biocuration, and open access dissemination of 3D macromolecular structure data. The PDB Core Archive houses 3D atomic coordinates of more than 144 000 structural models of proteins, DNA/RNA, and their complexes with metals and small molecules and related experimental data and metadata. Structure and experimental data/metadata are also stored in the PDB Core Archive using the readily extensible wwPDB PDBx/mmCIF master data format, which will continue to evolve as data/metadata from new experimental techniques and structure determination methods are incorporated by the wwPDB. Impacts of the recently developed universal wwPDB OneDep deposition/validation/biocuration system and various methods-specific wwPDB Validation Task Forces on improving the quality of structures and data housed in the PDB Core Archive are described together with current challenges and future plans.

OneDep, a unified system for deposition, biocuration, and validation of experimentally determined structures of biological macromolecules to the Protein Data Bank (PDB) archive, has been developed as a global collaboration by the Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB) partners. This new system was designed to ensure that the wwPDB could meet the evolving archiving requirements of the scientific community over the coming decades. OneDep unifies deposition, biocuration, and validation pipelines across all wwPDB, EMDB, and BMRB deposition sites with improved focus on data quality and completeness in these archives, while supporting growth in the number of depositions and increases in their average size and complexity. In this paper, we describe the design, functional operation, and supporting infrastructure of the OneDep system, and provide initial performance assessments.

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is the single global repository for experimentally determined 3D structures of biological macromolecules and their complexes with ligands. The worldwide PDB (wwPDB) is the international collaboration that manages the PDB archive according to the FAIR principles: Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability. The wwPDB recently developed OneDep, a unified tool for deposition, validation and biocuration of structures of biological macromolecules. All data deposited to the PDB undergo critical review by wwPDB Biocurators. This article outlines the importance of biocuration for structural biology data deposited to the PDB and describes wwPDB biocuration processes and the role of expert Biocurators in sustaining a high-quality archive. Structural data submitted to the PDB are examined for self-consistency, standardized using controlled vocabularies, cross-referenced with other biological data resources and validated for scientific/technical accuracy. We illustrate how biocuration is integral to PDB data archiving, as it facilitates accurate, consistent and comprehensive representation of biological structure data, allowing efficient and effective usage by research scientists, educators, students and the curious public worldwide. Database URL: https://www.wwpdb.org/

A numerous set of Pr-doped YAP single crystals was prepared using Czochralski and micro-pulling down methods. Crystals codoped by bi-, tri- and tetravalent ions were prepared by the latter method as well. The scintillation performance of all the prepared materials was evaluated using radioluminescence, photoelectron yield and scintillation decay measurements at room temperature. The influence of shallow traps was studied by means of thermoluminescence in the 10-350 K temperature range. Though the intrinsic scintillation efficiency of Pr-doped YAP is higher than that of YAP:Ce, enhanced delayed radiative recombination processes are found to be responsible for lower-than-expected photoelectron yield of the former system. The possibilities of further optimization of Pr-doped YAP scintillator are discussed. © 2010 IEEE.

This paper deals with Pr-doped and Pr, Si-codoped YAlO3 single crystal growth by the micro-pulling-down method and investigation of their spectroscopic and scintillating properties. The Pr3+ 5d -4f radioluminescence intensity is more than 10 times higher than that of Bi4Ge3O12 standard sample, but the Si-codoping decreases it. Absorption spectra of as-grown and air-annealed Si,Pr-codoped YAlO3 samples show along with an onset of 4f -5d transition round 230 nm the induced absorption band at 400 nm which possibly related to a hole center absorption (Pr4+ or O-). Thermoluminescence measurements above the room temperature were performed in order to monitor deep electron traps. Strong concentration dependence of thermoluminescence was observed for Pr:YAlO3 glow curves. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is the single global repository for three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules and their complexes, and its more than 100 000 structures contain more than 20 000 distinct ligands or small molecules bound to proteins and nucleic acids. Information about these small molecules and their interactions with proteins and nucleic acids is crucial for our understanding of biochemical processes and vital for structure-based drug design. Small molecules present in a deposited structure may be attached to a polymer or may occur as a separate, non-covalently linked ligand. During curation of a newly deposited structure by wwPDB annotation staff, each molecule is cross-referenced to the PDB Chemical Component Dictionary (CCD). If the molecule is new to the PDB, a dictionary description is created for it. The information about all small molecule components found in the PDB is distributed via the ftp archive as an external reference file. Small molecule annotation in the PDB also includes information about ligand-binding sites and about covalent and other linkages between ligands and macromolecules. During the remediation of the peptide-like antibiotics and inhibitors present in the PDB archive in 2011, it became clear that additional annotation was required for consistent representation of these molecules, which are quite often composed of several sequential subcomponents including modified amino acids and other chemical groups. The connectivity information of the modified amino acids is necessary for correct representation of these biologically interesting molecules. The combined information is made available via a new resource called the Biologically Interesting molecules Reference Dictionary, which is complementary to the CCD and is now routinely used for annotation of peptide-like antibiotics and inhibitors.

Zr,Pr-codoped and Si,Pr-codoped YAlO3 single crystals were grown from the melt by the micro-pulling-down method. The effect of Zr/Si-codoping on YAlO3:Pr scintillation properties, such as radioluminescence, scintillation light yield and decay time, was investigated. Absorption spectra of as-grown and air-annealed samples reveal the presence of color centers. The possible nature of the charge traps detected by high temperature thermoluminescence is discussed.