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The purpose of this research is to study the relationship between parents of pupils with multiple disabilities and their teachers. This, in order to understand the needs for special education teacher training programmes as these are perceived by the teachers who experienced an abrupt transition to distance learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The data was collected through an online questionnaire which included open and closed questions. The closed questions were analysed through frequency mapping and percentages and the open questions were analysed through content analysis method. The participants of the research were 48 teachers from schools for pupils with multiple disabilities who were teaching via distance learning during the 2019-2020 school year at the time of the first lockdown. Thematic analysis resulted in the identification of three main themes: (1) Factors challenging the cooperation between parents and the teachers; (2) supportive needs of parents; (3) Recommendations for training of teachers. There is no doubt that the teachers' toolbox must encompass two central aspects: First is the inclusion of hands-on digital experience in the teachers' training. The second includes the incorporation of skills focusing involving parents when teaching via distance learning; that is, training parents how to use the assistive technology during distance learning.

The secretomes of a virulent Bacillus anthracis strain and of avirulent strains (cured of the virulence plasmids pXO1 and pXO2), cultured in rich and minimal media, were studied by a comparative proteomic approach. More than 400 protein spots, representing the products of 64 genes, were identified, and a unique pattern of protein relative abundance with respect to the presence of the virulence plasmids was revealed. In minimal medium under high C[O.sub.2] tension, conditions considered to simulate those encountered in the host, the presence of the plasmids leads to enhanced expression of 12 chromosome-carried genes (10 of which could not be detected in the absence of the plasmids) in addition to expression of 5 pXO1-encoded proteins. Furthermore, under these conditions, the presence of the pXO1 and pXO2 plasmids leads to the repression of 14 chromosomal genes. On the other hand, in minimal aerobic medium not supplemented with C[O.sub.2], the virulent and avirulent B. anthracis strains manifest very similar protein signatures, and most strikingly, two proteins (the metalloproteases InhA1 and NprB, orthologs of gene products attributed to the Bacillus cereus group PlcR regulon) represent over 90% of the total secretome. Interestingly, of the 64 identified gene products, at least 31 harbor features characteristic of virulence determinants (such as toxins, proteases, nucleotidases, sulfatases, transporters, and detoxification factors), 22 of which are differentially regulated in a plasmid-dependent manner. The nature and the expression patterns of proteins in the various secretomes suggest that distinct C[O.sub.2]-responsive chromosome- and plasmid-encoded regulatory factors modulate the secretion of potential novel virulence factors, most of which are associated with extracellular proteolytic activities.

Research has been conducted on the catalytic histidine 447. The nature of the putitive array of interactions optimizing histidine 447 orientation has been explored and the details are reported.

Research has been conducted on the active center gorge of the human acetylcholinesterase and human butyrylcholinesterase. The reactivity difference between these enzymes has been investigated.

The dynamic behavior of the cysteine loop plays an important role in the conformational state of Trp at position 86, which regulates the mechanism of allosteric effect in acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Substitutions of residues Asp74, Trp286 and Tyr72, parts of the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of human AChE, affect the binding and inhibition by propidium. Mutations in the residues Trp86 and Tyr133 have no influence on binding though they affect inhibition indicating that the allosteric mechanism of inhibition mediated by PAS involves changes in these residues.

Abstract Background Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), infects ~8 million annually culminating in ~2 million deaths. Moreover, about one third of the population is latently infected, 10% of which develop disease during lifetime. Current approved prophylactic TB vaccines (BCG and derivatives thereof) are of variable efficiency in adult protection against pulmonary TB (0%–80%), and directed essentially against early phase infection. Methods A genome-scale dataset was constructed by analyzing published data of: (1) global gene expression studies under conditions which simulate intra-macrophage stress, dormancy, persistence and/or reactivation; (2) cellular and humoral immunity, and vaccine potential. This information was compiled along with revised annotation/bioinformatic characterization of selected gene products and in silico mapping of T-cell epitopes. Protocols for scoring, ranking and prioritization of the antigens were developed and applied. Results Cross-matching of literature and in silico-derived data, in conjunction with the prioritization scheme and biological rationale, allowed for selection of 189 putative vaccine candidates from the entire genome. Within the 189 set, the relative distribution of antigens in 3 functional categories differs significantly from their distribution in the whole genome, with reduction in the Conserved hypothetical category (due to improved annotation) and enrichment in Lipid and in Virulence categories. Other prominent representatives in the 189 set are the PE/PPE proteins; iron sequestration, nitroreductases and proteases, all within the Intermediary metabolism and respiration category; ESX secretion systems, resuscitation promoting factors and lipoproteins, all within the Cell wall category. Application of a ranking scheme based on qualitative and quantitative scores, resulted in a list of 45 best-scoring antigens, of which: 74% belong to the dormancy/reactivation/resuscitation classes; 30% belong to the Cell wall category; 13% are classical vaccine candidates; 9% are categorized Conserved hypotheticals, all potentially very potent T-cell antigens. Conclusion The comprehensive literature and in silico-based analyses allowed for the selection of a repertoire of 189 vaccine candidates, out of the whole-genome 3989 ORF products. This repertoire, which was ranked to generate a list of 45 top-hits antigens, is a platform for selection of genes covering all stages of M. tuberculosis infection, to be incorporated in rBCG or subunit-based vaccines.

The functional architecture of the human acetylcholinesterase (HuAChE) and its selected active center mutants, using the four stereomers of 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (soman), were investigated. The stereoselectivity of the phosphonylation reaction and the influences of adduct configuration on the aging process were examined. The results showed the pronounced selectivity of HuAChE with respect to the phosphorus chirality. However,this cannot be solely attributed to the steric interference at the acyl pocket.