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Despite benefits such as lower water and working volume requirements, thermophilic high solids anaerobic digestion (THSAD) often fails due to the rapid build-up of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and the associated drop in pH. Use of conductive materials (CM) can promote THSAD through stimulation of direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET), while the need for their constant dosing due to poor separation from effluent impairs economic feasibility. This study used an approach of spatially separating magnetite and granular activated carbon (GAC) from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) in a single reactor for THSAD. GAC and magnetite addition could both mitigate the severe inhibition of methanogenesis after VFAs build-up to ∼28-30 g/L, while negligible methane production was observed in the control group. The highest methane yield (286 mL CH 4 /g volatile solids (VS)) was achieved in magnetite-added reactors, while the highest maximum CH 4 production rates (26.38 mL CH 4 /g VS/d) and lowest lag-phase (2.83 days) were obtained in GAC-added reactors. The enrichment of GAC and magnetite biofilms with various syntrophic and potentially electroactive microbial groups (Ruminiclostridium 1, Clostridia MBA03, Defluviitoga, Lentimicrobiaceae) in different relative abundances indicates the existence of specific preferences of these groups for the nature of CM. According to predicted basic metabolic functions, CM can enhance cellular processes and signals, lipid transport and metabolism, and methane metabolism, resulting in improved methane production. Rearrangement of metabolic pathways, formation of pili-like structures, enrichment of biofilms with electroactive groups and a significant improvement in THSAD performance was attributed to the enhancement of the DIET pathway. Promising results obtained in this work due to the spatial separation of the bulk OFMSW and CM can be useful for modeling larger-scale THSAD systems with better recovery of CM and cost-effectiveness., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains an unmet medical need. Recently, fusogens, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), have been proven effective in restoring sensorimotor function after complete transection of the spinal cord at different levels and in different species. Here, we report on the use of a PEG-chitosan combo in a different animal model (swine)., Methods: Five Hungarian Mangalica pigs were subjected to complete transection of the thoracic cord (T7-9). Three animals were treated with locally injected PEG-chitosan (Neuro-PEG) gel; two acted as controls. PEG-600 was also injected intra- and post-operatively intravenously. Animals were submitted to rehabilitation, including electrical myostimulation. Results were assessed after 60 days using the Individual Limb Motor Score, the Porcine Thoracic Spinal Cord Injured Behavioral Scale, and the modified motor Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scale; sensory and sphincter functions were also assessed. Animals underwent in vivo spinal cord tracing with DiI. Immunofluorescence histology included NF-200, DAPI, and a fluorochrome-conjugated secondary antibody., Results: Starting on postoperative day (POD) 2, neuro-PEG-treated animals evinced the first signs of recovery, and on POD 60, they could all support their weight and were mobile. Controls never recovered any useful function. Fluorescence microscopy in the experimental group revealed axons passing through the site of injury, while degenerative post-traumatic changes were noted in controls., Conclusion: Neuro-PEG affords sensorimotor recovery after complete spinal cord transection. This opens the door to human experimentation, including trials of spinal cord transplantation., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Surgical Neurology International.)

Background: The aim was to study functional recovery in experimental animals (rabbits) with transected spinal cords treated with a combination of photo-cross-linked chitosan in a homogeneous mixture with polyethylene glycol (PEG-chitosan)., Methods: 20 rabbits ( n = 10 experimental and n = 10 controls) were submitted to complete spinal cord transection at T9. The experimental group received an intraoperative injection of PEG-chitosan. Neurological recovery was assessed using the modified Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scale., Results: In the experimental group, partial recovery of movements, sensory function, and sphincter control were all observed by postoperative day 30. Paraplegia and anesthesia persisted in the control group; 4 controls died versus none in the test group., Conclusion: PEG-chitosan is a candidate for neurological restoration after spinal paralysis., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Surgical Neurology International.)

The performance and kinetics response of thermophilic semi-continuous dark fermentation (DF) of simulated complex carbohydrate-rich waste was investigated at various hydraulic retention times (HRT) (2, 2.5, and 3 d) and compared with data obtained from biochemical hydrogen potential assay (BHP). A culture of Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum was used as the inoculum and dominated both in BHP and semi-continuous reactor. Both the modified Gompertz and first-order models described the DF kinetics well (R 2  = 0.97-1.00). HRT of 2.5 d was found to be optimal in terms of maximum hydrogen production rate and hydrogen potential, which were 3.97 and 1.26 times higher, respectively, than in BHP. The hydrolysis constant was highest at HRT of 3 d and was closest to the value obtained in the BHP. Overall, BHP has been shown to be a useful tool for predicting H 2 potential and the hydrolysis constant, while the maximum H 2 production rate is greatly underestimated., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Currently, there is no effective method of treating complete spinal cord intersection. One of the promising experimental approaches is substances promoting repair and fusion of axonal membranes., Objective: To study clinical and functional recovery in experimental animals with transected spinal cord after management with photo-cross-linked chitosan in a homogeneous mixture with polyethylene glycol., Material and Methods: We studied 20 rabbits with a model of complete spinal cord transection at the level of Th9. There were control and experimental groups ( n =10; n =10). In the experimental group, we intraoperatively injected photo-cross-linked chitosan in a homogeneous mixture with polyethylene glycol. Neurological status was assessed using the modified Basso Beattie Bresnahan scale. Histological examination was performed after removing the animals from the experiment., Results: In the experimental group, significant regression of neurological disorders was accompanied by partial recovery of movements, sensitivity and control of pelvic functions by the 30 th day of the experiment. There was no mortality in the experimental group. Paraplegia and anesthesia persisted in the control group while mortality was 40% ( n =4). Histological analysis in the main group revealed axonal «bridges» in the area of injury and spread of DiI dye through this area., Conclusion: These phenomena confirm the positive effect of chitosan and polyethylene glycol on functional recovery after experimental spinal cord injury. These data are consistent with histological findings.

The activation of direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) by the supplementation of conductive materials is one of the effective and available methods to enhance anaerobic digestion (AD). Microorganisms that colonize the surface of these materials form biofilms, the study of which could provide new insights into the character of the DIET process and its effect on AD. The present study focused on AD performance, microbial community, as well as morphological and topological features of biofilms on various materials used to promote DIET during AD of low-concentration swine manure. The best AD characteristics were observed in stainless steel mesh (SM)/digested cow manure (CM) and polyester felt (PF)/digested sewage sludge (SS) combinations used as material/inoculum, respectively. Thus, potential methane yields in CM-SM and SS-PF were up to 26.4% and 26.2% higher compared to the corresponding controls. Microbial analysis of biofilms revealed the dominance of putatively syntrophic bacteria of the MBA03 group of the Limnochordia class in CM inoculated reactors, and syntrophic proteolytic bacteria of the genus Coprothermobacter and acetogenic Clostridium sensu stricto 1, known for their ability to carry out DIET, in SS inoculated reactors. Biofilms on non-conductive materials contained pili-like structures, which were observed only in SS inoculated reactors. Polyester felt tended to biofoul better than carbon felt, resulting in up to 2.8, 3.2 and 1.8 higher nucleic acid, extracellular polymeric substances, and total biomass content, respectively, depending on the inoculum. These results provide new insights into the different types of DIET that can occur in low-loaded AD systems with attached growth., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Plague is a highly dangerous vector-borne infectious disease that has left a significant mark on history of humankind. There are 13 natural plague foci in the Caucasus, located on the territory of the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. We performed whole-genome sequencing of Y. pestis strains, isolated in the natural foci of the Caucasus and Transcaucasia. Using the data of whole-genome SNP analysis and Bayesian phylogeny methods, we carried out an evolutionary-phylogeographic analysis of modern population of the plague pathogen in order to determine the phylogenetic relationships of Y. pestis strains from the Caucasus with the strains from other countries., Results: We used 345 Y. pestis genomes to construct a global evolutionary phylogenetic reconstruction of species based on whole-genome SNP analysis. The genomes of 16 isolates were sequenced in this study, the remaining 329 genomes were obtained from the GenBank database. Analysis of the core genome revealed 3315 SNPs that allow differentiation of strains. The evolutionary phylogeographic analysis showed that the studied Y. pestis strains belong to the genetic lineages 0.PE2, 2.MED0, and 2.MED1. It was shown that the Y. pestis strains isolated on the territory of the East Caucasian high-mountain, the Transcaucasian high-mountain and the Priaraksinsky low-mountain plague foci belong to the most ancient of all existing genetic lineages - 0.PE2., Conclusions: On the basis of the whole-genome SNP analysis of 345 Y. pestis strains, we describe the modern population structure of the plague pathogen and specify the place of the strains isolated in the natural foci of the Caucasus and Transcaucasia in the structure of the global population of Y. pestis. As a result of the retrospective evolutionary-phylogeographic analysis of the current population of the pathogen, we determined the probable time frame of the divergence of the genetic lineages of Y. pestis, as well as suggested the possible paths of the historical spread of the plague pathogen., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Bacillus anthracis is a pathogenic bacterium, which causes anthrax disease. The ability of this bacterium to form spores, which can be preserved in soil for decades and cause outbreaks later on, makes this pathogen a serious problem for veterinary and health services of many countries. Siberia is one of the most anthrax-influenced regions of Russia. In this research we report on the results of genotyping based on whole genome SNP analysis of 15 strains, isolated on the territory of Eastern Siberia and the Far East in 1956-2018. In this research, we sequenced 15 genomes of B. anthracis strains isolated from infected humans and animals, and from soil samples from the territory of Eastern Siberia and the Far East in the period from 1956 to 2018. We used genomic sequences obtained in this study and 219 B. anthracis genomes available in the international GenBank database to perform a comparative analysis. As a result we detected 6400 chromosomal SNPs which allowed to differentiate the studied strains. We built phylogenetic reconstruction of the global B. anthracis population based on the detected SNPs using the Maximum Likelihood Method and described genetic diversity of the strains isolated on the territory of Eastern Siberia and the Far East. Strains, isolated on this territory from 1956 to 2018 belong to 5 different genetic groups: "Ames", "STI", "Tsiankovskii", "Siberia" and "Asia". The greatest diversity of the strains is registered for two regions of the southern part of Eastern Siberia - Tyva and Buryatia. This research expands current understanding of genetic diversity of B. anthracis strains circulating on the territory of Russia., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The review summarizes data on the practical aspects of the interaction of nucleic acids with diazapyrene derivatives. The information on biological activity is given and the probable mechanisms underlying the action of diazapyrenes are analyzed. It contains 119 references., (© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020.)

Background: Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The most anthrax-endemic regions of Russia are Siberia and North Caucasus. Previously, genotyping of Russian B.anthracis isolates was carried out using canSNP and MLVA data; these methods yield lower resolution results compared to whole genome SNP analysis (wgSNP). In this research, we have used wgSNP method for genotyping of 10 B.anthracis isolates, obtained during 1961-2016 in Russia on territory of Western Siberia., Results: We have analyzed 185 B.anthracis genomes available in GenBank database and genomes of 10 isolates obtained in this study to determine the place of Russian isolates in the global phylogeny of B.anthracis. For the studied genomes we have detected 7203 SNPs, which were used for building a phylogenetic reconstruction with Maximum Likelihood Method. Results of the phylogenetic analysis indicate that Russian strains belong to three different genetic groups. Three strains belong to genetic group "Ames", two strains - to "STI" group. Five strains belong to the main genetic line B, and four of them form a subcluster, described for the first time, which we have named "Siberia"., Conclusions: In this study, the data on genetic diversity of B.anthracis strains on the territory of Western Siberia is presented for the first time. As a result of complex phylogenetic analysis, the place of these isolates was determined in the global phylogenetic structure of the B.anthracis population. We describe a new cluster in the main genetic line B for the first time.

Background: Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus anthracis. In Russia, there are more than 35 thousand anthrax stationary unfavourable sites. At the same time, there is very little published information about the isolates of B. anthracis from the territory of Russia. In this study, we report the use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) and bioinformatics analysis to characterize B. anthracis 81/1 strain isolated in Russia in 1969 from a person during an outbreak of the disease in the Stavropol region., Results: We used 232 B. anthracis genomes, which are currently available in the GenBank database, to determine the place of the Russian isolate in the global phylogeny of B. anthracis. The studied strain was characterized by PCR-based genetic methods, such as Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA), canonical single nucleotide polymorphisms (canSNP), as well as the method of full-genomic analysis of nucleotide polymorphisms (wgSNP). The results indicate that the Russian B. anthracis 81/1 strain belongs to Trans-Eurasion (TEA) group, the most representative in the world., Conclusions: In this study, the full genomic sequence of virulent B. anthracis strain from Russia was characterized for the first time. As a result of complex phylogenetic analysis, the place of this isolate was determined in the global phylogenetic structure of the B. anthracis population, expanding our knowledge of anthrax phylogeography in Russia.

Background: Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease. Annually in the world more than 500,000 new cases of brucellosis in humans are registered. In this study, we propose an evolutionary model of the historical distribution of B. melitensis based on the full-genomic SNP analysis of 98 strains., Results: We performed an analysis of the SNP of the complete genomes of 98 B. melitensis strains isolated in different geographical regions of the world to obtain relevant information on the population structure, genetic diversity and the evolution history of the species. Using genomic sequences of 21 strains of B. melitensis isolated in Russia and WGS data from the NCBI database, it was possible to identify five main genotypes and 13 species genotypes for analysis. Data analysis based on the Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography method allowed to determine the regions of geographical origin and the expected pathways of distribution of the main lines (genotypes and subgenotypes) of the pathogen., Conclusions: Within the framework of our study, the model of global evolution and phylogeography of B. melitensis strains isolated in various regions of the planet was proposed for the first time. The sets of unique specific SNPs described in our study, for all identified genotypes and subgenotypes, can be used to develop new bacterial typing and identification systems for B. melitensis.

The aim of this research was to study the influence of two drying methods: freeze-drying sublimation and dry-air drying on the selected nutritional properties and hypolipidemic potential of fruiting bodies of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). The criteria for evaluation of the food properties were the color, the morphological structure, regidratation capacity, the total level of soluble proteins, fats, polysaccharides, free amino acids and monosaccharides. Lipid-lowering potential of oyster mushroom was evaluated by the concentration of lovastatin and the level of antioxidant activity. It has been experimentally revealed that the value of optical density of hydro-alcohol extracts of dried oyster mushrooms at a wavelength of 295 nm most clearly characterized its color which intensity was almost twice less in sublimated mushrooms, than шт the sample dried by dry-air method. Histological data showed that dry-air drying lead to the destruction of the mushroom cells and to the formation of a dense layered structure. Sublimation drying preserved the ordered cell structure and provided less deformation and shrinkage of the tissues. Using X-ray microtomography it was reported that freeze-dried mushrooms had uniform pore volume distribution. Dry-air dehydration method lead to the formation of larger cavities. The average percentage of the open pores was: 29.41±0.52% (after dry-air method), 11.10±0.41% (after freeze-drying method). Respectively the number of closed pores, which reflected the true value of porosity, was 0.99±0.01 and 1.75±0.01%. Structural differences of the samples of the dry oyster mushroom combined with their unequal hydration ability. Indicator of rehydration for oyster mushroom dried by sublimation method was 5.4±0.1, and for samples obtained by dry-air method it was 3.2±0.1. Respectively the average time of maximum water absorption was 22.7±1.8 and 45.3±2.9 minutes. It was found that the freeze-drying sublimation conditions were more conducive for the preservation of the biologically active protein and polysaccharide components of oyster mushrooms and on the other hand dry-air drying method increased the nutritional value of oyster mushrooms due to the reactions of polysaccharides autohydrolysis. The number of proteins and polysaccharides of the Oyster mushrooms samples dried by dry-air method and freeze-drying method was 72.0% and 56.0% respectively. Concentrations of free amino acids and glucose in the samples dried by freeze-drying and dry-air methods were 11.60±0.31%; 175.20±6.10 mg% and 7.00±0.28%; 144.0±5.7 mg% respectively. It has been experimentally recorded that the conditions of freeze drying were optimal in terms of ensuring the preservation of the content of natural statin and the antioxidant capacity of oyster mushrooms that provided its hypolipidemic potential. The amount of lovastatin in an the freeze-dried samples was 342±9.0 mg/kg, and was significantly higher than in the samples received by dry-air method - 190±6.0 mg/kg. The level of antioxidant activity of the oyster mushrooms samples were respectively 3.83±0.02 against 2.0±0.03 mmol/100 g. The conducted researches proved that for the production of dry oyster mushroom as a potential biologically active feedstock for the functional food products with lipid-regulating directivity the choice of the drying method had a fundamental importance., (Copyright© GEOTAR-Media Publishing Group.)

The article concerns converting waste from vegetable processing facilities into methane in anaerobic reactors with a small amount of inoculum (8.4%). Anaerobic digestion of vegetable waste with a high content of organic acids and carbohydrates makes it possible to achieve a methanogenesis productivity of 273–436 L CH4/kg of volatile solidis, which is comparable to or higher than the productivity of such reactors in the world (according to the literature). The contents of ammonia nitrogen and soluble phosphorus in the form of on undiluted substrate basis in the digested vegetable wastes ranged from 3.39 to 5.06 and from 0.78 to 1.03 g/L respectively. Thus, mineralized vegetable waste can be used as an organic fertilizer with a high nutrient content. The results show the feasibility of the technology of conversion of organic waste from vegetable processing facilities into methane and organic fertilizer in anaerobic fermenters (digesters).

Aim: Retrospective analysis of biological and molecular-genetic properties of strains - cau- sative agents of cholera - isolated in the period of epidemics in Ukraine in 1994 - 2011., Materials and Methods: Phenotypic and molecular-genetic properties of 5 strains of cholera vibrios, biovar El Tor isolated from cholera patients and 4 strains from the environmental samples were studied using traditional bacteriological and genetic methods. Detection of DNA for toxigenicity genes and genes characteristic for El Tor and classic biovar were carried out by PCR method using rea- gent kits <> and <> an experimental test system). Sequencing of genomes of 4 strains of causative agents of cholera was carried out in genetic analyzer Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine., Results: Strains of cholera vibrios identified in Ukraine in 1994 and 2011 such as a typical toxigenic biovar El Tor (V cholerae Ο1, El Tor, Ogawa, Hly-, ctxA+, tcpA+) contain genes ofthe classic cholera vibrio in their genome and are genetically altered (hybrid) variants of cholera vibrio biovar El Tor producing enterotoxin CTI and having increased virulence, that was clinically manifested in predominance of severe forms of cholera in Mariupol of Donetsk region in 2011. Genome sequences ofthe 4 studied strains were deposited into the international database DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank., Conclusion: The studied isolates were established to belong to a clade of strains associated with cholera outbreaks in Haiti and Asian continent, from where genetically altered strains of cholera vibrios biovar El Tor were introduced to Haiti in 2010, based on results of comparison of genomic sequences of the studied strains with genomes of V cholera strains from the international database GenBank.

This paper investigates the structure of androgen receptor gene (AR) in the Russian breed of Dzhalginsky Merino sheep. Polymorphisms of the gene were detected using NimbleGen sequencing technology (Roche, United States). Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two insertions were detected. Five of these SNPs (c.335T>G, c.339G>A, c.342T>C, c.2491-327T>A, and c.2491-325A>T) and both insertions were identified for the first time. Three SNPs and the insertions are located in the coding part of exon. Insertion c.336&#95;337 is found in most of the animals of this breed and can be used as a genomic marker of the breed. Animals with mutant variant of SNP c.1496+15T>C have significantly lower live weight and body size compared with the wild type genotype. This SNP can be used as a genetic marker of meat production in marker-assisted selection.

Cholera is a water-borne, severe enteric infection essentially caused by toxigenic strains of Vibrio cholera O1 and O139 serogroups. An outbreak of cholera was registered during May-July 2011 in Mariupol, Ukraine, with 33 cholera cases and 25 carriers of cholera. Following this outbreak, the toxigenic strain of V. cholerae 2011EL-301 was isolated from seawater in the recreation area of Taganrog city on the territory of Russia. The aim of our study was to understand genomic features of Mariupol isolates as well as to evaluate hypothesis about possible interconnection between the outbreak of cholera in Mariupol and the single case of isolation of V. cholerae from the Sea of Azov in Russia. Mariupol isolates were phenotypically characterized and subsequently subjected to whole genome sequencing procedure. Phylogenetic analysis based on high-quality SNPs of V. cholera O1 El Tor isolates of the 7th pandemic clade from different regions showed that clinical and environmental isolates from Mariupol outbreak were attributable to a unique phylogenetic clade within wave 3 of V. cholera O1 El Tor isolates and characterized by six clade-specific SNPs. Whereas Taganrog isolate belonged to distantly related clade which allows us to reject the hypothesis of transmission the outbreak strain of V. cholerae O1 from Ukraine to Russia in 2011. Mariupol isolates shared a common ancestor with Haiti\Nepal-4\India clade indicating that outbreak progenitor strain most likely originated in the South Asia region and later was introduced to Ukraine. Moreover, genomic data both based on hqSNPs and similarity of virulence-associated mobile genomic elements of Mariupol isolates suggests that environmental and clinical isolates are a part of joint outbreak which confirms the role of contaminated domestic sewage, as an element of the complex chain of infection spread during cholera outbreak. In general, the genome-wide comparative analysis of both genes and genomic regions of epidemiological importance indicates accessory of this isolates to 'new' clone of toxigenic multiple drug resistance atypical variant of V. cholerae O1 El Tor., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim: Carry out comparative analysis using time-of-flight mass-spectrometry with matrix laser desorption/ionization (MALDI-TOF MS) of protein profiles of brucellosis causative agents (Brucella melitensis Rev-1 and Brucella abortus 19BA), cultivated in various nutrient media: Albimi agar, brucellagar and erythrit-agar., Materials and Methods: Vaccine,strains: Brucella melitensis Rev-1 and Brucella abortus 19BA. Protein profiling in linear mode on Microflex "Bruker Daltonics" MALDI-TOF mass-spectrometer., Results: A number of characteristic features of brucella mass-spectra was detected: in particular, preservation of the total qualitative composition of protein profiles of cultures and significant differences in the intensity of separate peaks depending on the nutrient medium used., Conclusion: Based on the analysis of the data obtained, use of Albimi agar as the nutrient medium for preparation of brucella culture samples for mass-spectrometric analysis was shown to be optimal.

This article provides the example of postmortem forensic medical diagnostics of fulminant sepsis caused by Gram-negative bacterium (Capnocitophaga canimorsus) following a dog bite. In order to identify the etiological factor of fulminant sepsis, the expert carried out the study of the autopsy materials with the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This method has only recently been introduced into postmortem diagnostics of fulminant sepsis in this country; it has no analogs abroad and can be employed for the purpose of forensic medical expertise and pathological anatomic studies.

Aim: Improvement of laboratory diagnostics of cholera taking into the account appearance of hybrid variants of cholera vibrio El Tor biovar in the 1990s., Materials and Methods: Phenotypic and molecular-genetic properties of typical toxigenic (151 strains) and hybrid (102 strains) variants of El Tor biovar cholera vibrios, isolated in the Caucuses in 1970-1990 and 1993-1998, respectively, were studied. Toxigenicity gene DNA fragments, inherent to El Tor biovars or classic, were detected by using a reagent kit "Genes of Vibrio cholerae variant ctxB-rstR-rstC, REF" developed by us., Results: Reagent kit "Genes of V. cholerae variant ctxB-rstR-rstC, REF" is proposed to be used for laboratory diagnostics of cholera during study of material from humans or environmental objects and for identification of V. cholerae 01 on genome level in PCR-analysis as a necessary addition to the classic scheme of bacteriological analysis., Conclusion: Laboratory diagnostics of cholera due to genetically altered (hybrid) variants of cholera vibrio El Tor biovar is based on a complex study of material from humans and environmental objects by routine bacteriologic and PCR-analysis methods with the aim of detection of gene DNA fragments in the studied material, that determine biovar (classic or El Tor), identification of V. cholerae O1 strains with differentiation of El Tor vibrios into typical and altered, as well as determination of enterotoxin, produced by the specific cholera vibrio strain (by the presence ctxB(El) or ctxB(Cl) gene DNA fragment, coding biosynthesis of CT-2 or CT-1, respectively).

Aim: To study features of pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin as a part of anion PEGylated niosomes on a basis of sorbitan monostearate (Span 60) to experimental white mice per os., Materials and Methods: Ofloxacin was entrapped in niosomes consisting of Span 60, cholesterol, PEG 4000 and dicetylphosphate. Sizes of niosomes estimated by means of probe microscopy. Efficiency of inclusion of an antibiotic in niosomes defined after removal of free drug by a centrifugation. The analysis of the quantitative contents of ofloxacin in samples carried out a method of a high performance liquid chromatography., Results: We studied the main pharmacokinetic parameters of ofloxacin when used free and niosomal forms of antibiotic to experimental white mice per os. It is shown that use of oral niosomal forms leads to decrease of maximal concentration in serum and increase of ofloxacin half-life by 7,4 times in average compared to the free form. It is determined that bioavailability of ofloxacin in the niosomal form is 154% relative to the free form of the antibiotic., Conclusions: Niosomal microcontainers are perspective technology of encapsulation and the directe transport of antibacterial preparations through biological barriers. Using of niosomal formulation of ofloxacin is able to afford to increase considerably efficiency of treatment in comparison with a free form and significantly decrease negative effects of antibiotic therapy.

Unlabelled: The methods of molecular-genetic differentiation to strain level acquire increasing significance in the current system of struggle with brucellosis. MLVA (multiple locus variable number tandem repeats analysis) was selected for molecular-genetic differentiation to strain level and simultaneous establishment of the genetic relationship of investigated Brucella strains. The goal of this work was MLVA typing of three pathogenic Brucella species strains with the analysis of stability of chosen loci, discrimination power and concordance to conventional phenotypic methods of the Brucella differentiation for use in systematization of brucellosis causing agents., Materials and Methods: Twenty six Brucella strains representing reference (n = 15), vaccine (n = 2) and field strains of three pathogenic Brucella species were tested: B. melitensis (n = 3), B. abortus (n = 2), B. suis (n = 2), and isolates (n = 2) with unidentified taxonomic position using MLVA with 9 pairs primers on known variable loci of Brucella genome. The analysis of the stability of chosen loci, discrimination power on Hunter-Gaston discrimination index (HGDI) and consistency to phenotypic methods of identification was performed., Results: MLVA was confirmed for the results of phenotypic methods of identification, stability of the chosen loci in majority reference, and vaccine strains with a high index of variability HGDI 0.9969 for all loci. A dendrogram was plotted on the basis of MLVA data on distributed Brucella strains in related clusters according to its taxonomic species and biovar positions and construction of 25 genotypes. B. melitensis strains formed cluster related to the reference strain of B. melitensis 63/9 biovar 2. Australian isolates of Brucella 83-4 and Brucella 83-6 isolated from rodents formed a cluster distant from other strains of Brucella., Conclusion: MLVA is a promising method for differentiation of Brucella strains with known and unresolved taxonomic status for their systematization and creation of MLVA genotype catalogue that will promote qualitative improvement of brucellosis surveillance system in Russia.