Characterization and homology modelling of a novel multi-modular and multi-functional Paenibacillus mucilaginosus glycoside hydrolase

Extremophiles - Glycoside hydrolases, particularly cellulases, xylanases and mannanases, are essential for the depolymerisation of lignocellulosic substrates in various industrial bio-processes. In...     

Effect of chronic stimulation of rats with intact and deafferented hypothalamuses on lipid metabolism and the adrenal cortex

Chronic irritation of the falsely operated rats and those with the deafferentated hypothalamus led to reduction of total blood cholesterol and the accumulation of triglycerides in the liver. Dexamethasone administration was accompanied by an increase of blood cholesterol and triglycerides and the triglyceride accumulation in the liver. The action of dexamethasone was more pronounced in the animals with the deafferentated hypothalamus. The rate of 11-oxycorticosteroid secretion into the adrenal vein is reduced in the latter.     

Comparative economic evaluation of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination in Belarus and Uzbekistan

Background

Hib vaccine has gradually been introduced into more and more countries during the past two decades, partly due to GAVI Alliance support to low-income countries. However, since Hib disease burden is difficult to establish in settings with limited diagnostic capacities and since the vaccine continues to be relatively expensive, some Governments remain doubtful about its value leading to concerns about financial sustainability. Similarly, several middle-income countries have not introduced the vaccine. The aim of this study is to estimate and compare the cost-effectiveness of Hib vaccination in a country relying on self-financing (Belarus) and a country eligible for GAVI Alliance support (Uzbekistan).

Methods and Findings

A decision analytic model was used to estimate morbidity and mortality from Hib meningitis, Hib pneumonia and other types of Hib disease with and without the vaccine. Treatment costs were attached to each disease event. Data on disease incidence, case fatality ratios and costs were primarily determined from national sources. For the Belarus 2009 birth cohort, Hib vaccine is estimated to prevent 467 invasive disease cases, 4 cases of meningitis sequelae, and 3 deaths, while in Uzbekistan 3,069 invasive cases, 34 sequelae cases and 341 deaths are prevented. Estimated costs per discounted DALY averted are US$ 9,323 in Belarus and US$ 267 in Uzbekistan.

Conclusion

The primary reason why the cost-effectiveness values are more favourable in Uzbekistan than in Belarus is that relatively more deaths are averted in Uzbekistan due to higher baseline mortality burden. Two other explanations are that the vaccine price is lower in Uzbekistan and that Uzbekistan uses a three dose schedule compared to four doses in Belarus. However, when seen in the context of the relative ability to pay for public health, the vaccine can be considered cost-effective in both countries.     

A quorum sensing‐defective mutant of Pectobacterium carotovorum ssp. brasiliense 1692 is attenuated in virulence and unable to occlude xylem tissue of susceptible potato plant stems

Pectobacterium carotovorum ssp. brasiliense 1692 (Pcb1692) is an important emerging pathogen of potatoes causing blackleg in the field and soft rot during post‐harvest storage. Blackleg diseases involve the bacterial colonization of vascular tissue and the formation of aggregates, also known as biofilms. To understand the role of quorum sensing in vascular colonization by Pcb1692, we generated a Pcb1692ΔexpI mutant strain. Inactivation of expI led to the reduced production of plant cell wall‐degrading enzymes (PCWDEs), the inability to produce acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) and reduced virulence in potato tubers and stems. Complementation of the mutant strain with the wild‐type expI gene in trans successfully restored AHL and PCWDE production as well as virulence. Transmission electron microscopy and in vitro motility assays demonstrated hyperpiliation and loss of flagella and swimming motility in the mutant strain compared with the wild‐type Pcb1692. Furthermore, we noted that, in the early stages of infection, Pcb1692 wild‐type cells had intact flagella which were shed at the later stages of infection. Confocal laser microscopy of PcbΔexpI‐inoculated plants showed that the mutant strain tended to aggregate in intercellular spaces, but was unable to transit to xylem tissue. On the contrary, the wild‐type strain was often observed forming aggregates within xylem tissue of potato stems. Gene expression analyses confirmed that flagella are part of the quorum sensing regulon, whereas fimbriae and pili appear to be negatively regulated by quorum sensing. The relative expression levels of other important putative virulence genes, such as those encoding different groups of PCWDEs, were down‐regulated in the mutant compared with the wild‐type strain.     

Enzymes as a subject of invention

A patent-legal situation is analyzed which has arisen in the world in connection with the problem on protection of native enzymes as objects of invention. The objects under study are shown to correspond to the demands of novelty, essential distinctions and positive practical effect which are made by the legislation of the USSR to inventions. Possibility of legal protection of enzymes as substances with unstated structure obtained microbiologically is determined in terms of acting standard statements. A set of characters necessary and sufficient for recognition of enzymes and substantiation of their novelty is suggested for characteristics of enzymes in original papers and patent documents. General approaches to optimization of native enzyme examination for the novelty and essential characteristics are developed.     

Hyperthermia as a Method to Increase the Radiosensitivity of Tumor Cells Unsusceptible to Pharmacological Radiosensitizers

Biology Bulletin - The possibility of using hyperthermia for the efficient radiosensitization of tumor cells with radio- and chemoresistant phenotype was tested in an in vitro model. The work was...     

Design of a stable cell line producing recombinant darbepoetin alpha based on CHO cells

A stable cell line that is based on CHO cells and produces 100 mg per liter of culture medium of recombinant darbepoetin alpha with a target glycosylated isoforms effective yield of about 30% has been selected. The expression product of the cell line was characterized and compared to the originator (Aranesp, Amgen). It was shown that the obtained preparation contained all isoforms characteristic of the originator. The created cell line can be used for the development of industrial cultivation and a purification scheme for recombinant darbepoetin alpha production.