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Background and Aim: Adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (AAV2) represents a promising basis for developing a virus-vector vaccine against African swine fever (ASF). This study aimed to create genetic constructs based on AAV2 to deliver the immunodominant genes of ASF virus (ASFV) and to evaluate their functionality in vitro . The efficiency and specificity of transgene expression, as well as their non-toxicity in cells of target animals, were evaluated., Materials and Methods: Bioinformatics analysis methods were used to identify the immunodominant genes of ASFV. The target genes B646L , E183L , CP204L , and CP530R were identified and subsequently cloned into the pAAV-MCS vector. Assembly of recombinant AAV2 (rAAV2) was performed by cotransfection of AAV293 cells with the following plasmids: pAAV-MCS with the gene of interest, envelope, and packaging. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the AAV2 titer. The functionality of the constructs was evaluated in HEK293 and SPEV cells by determining the presence of mature proteins in the cell lysate and the expression levels of messenger RNA. The specificity of the target proteins in cell lysates was confirmed by Western blotting., Results: The proposed AAV2 assembly protocol makes it possible to achieve a concentration of mature viral particles of at least 280 billion/mL of virus-containing material. The rAAV2 could effectively transduce host SPEV cells. The expression of both cistrons was detectable during the transduction of cells; therefore, the combined expression of immunogens in the cells of target animals should be possible using this method., Conclusion: This study demonstrated the potential of using genetic constructs based on AAV2 for the delivery of ASFV genes in vitro ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright: © Ravilov, et al.)

To obtain fiber materials with pronounced chemical-biological protection, metal (Zn or Ta) nanoparticles were jointly applied with polyelectrolyte complexes of enzymes and polypeptides being their stabilizers. Computer modeling revealed the preferences between certain polyelectrolyte partners for N -acyl-homoserine lactone acylase and hexahistidine-tagged organophosphorus hydrolase (His 6 -OPH) possessing the quorum quenching (QQ) behavior with bacterial cells. The combinations of metal nanoparticles and enzymes appeared to function better as compared to the combinations of the same QQ-enzymes with antibiotics (polymyxins), making it possible to decrease the applied quantities by orders of magnitude while giving the same effect. The elimination of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cells from doubly modified fiber materials notably increased (up to 2.9-fold), whereas His 6 -OPH retained its hydrolytic activity in reaction with organophosphorus compounds (up to 74% of initially applied activity). Materials with the certain enzyme and Zn nanoparticles were more efficient against Bacillus subtilis cells (up to 2.1-fold), and Ta nanoparticles acted preferentially against E scherichia coli (up to 1.5-fold). Some materials were proved to be more suitable for combined modification by metal nanoparticles and His 6 -OPH complexes as antimicrobial protectants.

A wide variety of microbiological hazards stimulates a constant development of new protective materials against them. For that, the application of some nanomaterials seems to be very promising. Modification of usual fibers with different metal nanoparticles was successfully illustrated in the work. Tantal nanoparticles have shown the highest antibacterial potency within fibrous materials against both gram-positive ( Bacillus subtilis ) and gram-negative ( Escherichia coli ) bacteria. Besides, the effect of tantal nanoparticles towards luminescent Photobacterium phosphoreum cells estimating the general sample ecotoxicity was issued for the first time.

Heating a mixture of boron (impurities: carbon ∼ B 50 C 2 , boric acid - H 3 BO 3 ) and tantalum (Ta) powders in nitrogen flow in a xenon high-flux optical furnace was performed. As-received powder composed of h-BN, H 3 BO 3 , TaB 2 , B 9 H 11 and a number of other phases including β-rhombohedral boron, apparently, heavily doped with Ta. FT-IR examination of any sample of the material reveals the complicated vibration spectrum containing, in particular, an absorption band near 2260 cm -1 . The shapes of these bands are different for samples because powders were synthesized at different temperatures. Known, that in β-rhombohedral boron lattice, there are nano-sized voids of different types, which allow an accommodation of single atoms or small groups of atoms. Theoretical calculations performed by the method of quasi-classical type yields the same value, 2260 cm -1 , for the vibrations frequency of Ta atoms in D-type crystallographic voids in β-rhombohedral boron lattice. Since, Ta atoms are known to prefer accommodation just in D-voids the experimentally detected bands can be identified with localized vibrations of Ta atoms.

The article deals with the main tasks of health-care provision to the rescue and other emergency operations (ROEO) and organization of medical evacuation system FMBA of Russia in case of radiation accidents. The risk (threat) for workers engaged in ROEO, depending on the level of exposure of the radiation factor, is analyzed and recommendations for protective measures are considered. The authors showed the important role of the practical skills and knowledge of staff of institutions of FMBA of Russia and emergency response teams of radiation-hazardous facilities for address issues of healthcare provision to ROEO.

Analysis of the results of surgical treatment in 105 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis revealed that 25 patients had postoperative complications. Complications, outcomes, dysfunctions, and life quality were analyzed in late postoperative periods after 4 types of operations: segmentectomy (n = 52), lobectomy (n = 26), pulmonectomy (n = 12), palliative operations (n = 15). The best immediate and long-term results were achieved after segmentectomy in patients with antibiotic-sensitive forms of MBT.

Clinical approbation of human recombinant yeast human interleukin-2 (rIL-2) was carried out in 10 patients with III-IV stages of tumor that have undergone 65 intravenous drop by drop infusions of the drug as a course of 5-11 injections in the dosage of 1-8 mln/un. The drug toxicity was shown in 4 mln and especially, in 8 mln/un dose administration. That's why the dose of 1-2 mln/un is recommended. This dose was not followed by any serious complications, and the number of slightly complicated cases was significantly decreased as compared to similar rIL-2 drug made by the "Cetus Corporation" firm. Immunostimulating effect of yeast rIL-2 was found which appeared to be able to reach it's maximum by 3-4 administrations, with it's following disappearance or inversion, which may cause immunosuppression.

Results of treatment of 24 patients with neglected colorectal tumors in the period from 1988 till 1994 are presented. Six patients had stage C and 18 patients had stage D after Dukes. Methods of combined action on the tumor including dissection of the tumor and its metastases, using immunoadoptive therapy as extracorporal connection with the donor porcine spleen, intravenous infusions of interleukin-2 and chemotherapy were employed. All the patients with stage C according to Dukes are alive: the average period of observations was 1143 +/- 206 days with intervals within the limits of 4,5-1,5 years. Seven patients of 18 with stage D after Dukes are alive with the average period of observations 1331 +/- 216 days and an interval of observations within the limits from 6 to 2 years. Dead patients with stage D after Dukes lived 525 +/-98 days on the average, i.e. about 1,4 year. The employed method of combined treatment of colorectal tumors improves survival, prolongs the lifetime of patients with neglected forms of the disease.

Terms of consolidation of fractures and working ability were studied in 273 patients. Patients with multiple fractures of bones and with fractures associated with cranio-cerebral traumas were found to have slow consolidation (in 66.41%) or formation of a false joint (in 6.1%) due to severity of the trauma. It is just the cause of prolonged treatment and disability of the I or II group (in 66.6%). Active surgical treatment of such patients is necessary.

The study was concerned with comparison of the results of application of two procedures of plastic surgery using vascularized flaps for treatment of localized recurrent malignant tumors of the skin, soft tissues of the head, arms, legs and the trunk. According to one procedure (28 patients), large wound defects caused by extensive excision of tumor were treated using tissue flaps and microvascular anastomosis. In the other group of 10 patients, large defects were treated with skin-muscular flaps sitting on a fixed vascular-neural pedicle. But for these two procedures, some cases would not have been operated on at all due to considerable local extension of tumor.

The two-stage sociological survey of public opinion has become an integral and, as the whole course of work showed, important part of the introduction of new economic mechanism into public health with a view of its optimization. However, it should be stressed that such a survey of public opinion is only one part of our complex programme. It seems to us that the most prospective survey appears to be the study of psychological aspects of management under new economic conditions. We are convinced that the knowledge of "human factor" and proper decision-making process under transition to the new economic methods of management would enable our followers to avoid many difficulties we have met with.

The stop-smoking campaign constitutes a component of the cardiovascular and oncology disease-prevention programme. In the study, laser-acupuncture was used in heavy smoking elderly patients with peripheral vascular diseases, as well as in those with lung cancer, to relieve the nicotine abstinence symptoms at the preoperational management stage. To produce a stable negative response to nicotine there was additionally applied steel needle (Seirlin-Kasei & Co., F.R.G.) insertion at cavity of concha, tragus and antitragus areas. In each of 85 patients there were noted positive trends, vegetative and somatic manifestations of abstinence were eliminated, desire to smoke was reduced. Most of them (71%) stopped smoking completely. The results have proven the high therapeutic value of laser-acupuncture in treating for chronic smoking.

A modified method of skeletal traction by the pelvis and bones of the lower extremities was used in 18 patients with the complicated trauma of the thoracic and lumbar parts of the spine. The method was shown to be highly efficient to prevent decubitus and facilitated management of the patients resulting in a simultaneous correction and fixation of the injured segments of the spine.

Under study were results of treatment of 150 patients with multiple and associated injuries of the upper extremities. Shock took place in 44% of the patients. Early fixation of the fractures of the upper extremities allowed a successful treatment of other injuries as well. The primary invalidization made up 12% mainly because of the amputation of the upper extremities.

Eight cases of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (3 males and 5 females aged 15-65) are described. Morphological examination revealed in all cases biphasal tumor consisting of the chondroid tissue of varying maturity and undifferentiated tissue. Combination and complex treatment was given to 6 patients. In 4 cases, radiotherapy was carried out in combination with chemotherapy and local electromagnetic hyperthermia. Out of 8 patients, seven are still alive and are examined at 4 month - 11 year intervals (average of 39.7 months). One female patient died 12 months after the beginning of treatment. Combined and complex procedures should be recommended for treatment of such patients.