Fontisphaera persica gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic hydrolytic bacterium from a hot spring of Baikal lake region, and proposal of Fontisphaeraceae fam. nov., and Limisphaeraceae fam. nov. within the Limisphaerales ord. nov. (Verrucomicrobiota)

A novel facultatively anaerobic moderately thermophilic bacterium, strain B-154 ^T, was isolated from a terrestrial hot spring in the Baikal lake region (Russian Federation). Gram-negative, motile, spherical cells were present singly, in pairs, or aggregates, and reproduced by binary fission. The strain grew at 30-57 °C and within a pH range of 5.1-8.4 with the optimum at 50 °C and pH 6.8-7.1. Strain B-154 ^T was a chemoorganoheterotroph, growing on mono-, di- and polysaccharides (xylan, starch, galactan, galactomannan, glucomannan, xyloglucan, pullulan, arabinan, lichenan, beta-glucan, pachyman, locust bean gum, xanthan gum). It did not require sodium chloride or yeast extract for growth. Major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and iso-C_14:0. The respiratory quinone was MK-7. The complete genome of strain B-154 ^T was 4.73 Mbp in size; its G + C content was 61%. According to the phylogenomic analysis strain B-154 ^T forms a separate family-level phylogenetic lineage. Moreover, together with Limisphaera ngatamarikiensis and "Pedosphaera parvula" this strain forms a separate order-level phylogenetic lineage within Verrucomicrobiae class. Hence, we propose a novel order, Limisphaerales ord. nov., with two families Limisphaeraceae fam. nov. and Fontisphaeraceae fam. nov., and a novel genus and species Fontisphaera persica gen. nov., sp. nov. with type strain B-154 ^T. Ecogenomic analysis showed that representatives of the Limisphaerales are widespread in various environments. Although some of them were detected in hot springs the majority of Limisphaerales (54% of the studied metagenome-assembled genomes) were found in marine habitats. This study allowed a better understanding of physiology and ecology of Verrucomicrobiota - a rather understudied bacterial phylum.

Obligate autotrophy at the thermodynamic limit of life in a new acetogenic bacterium

One of the important current issues of bioenergetics is the establishment of the thermodynamic limits of life. There is still no final understanding of what is the minimum value of the energy yield of a reaction that is sufficient to be used by an organism (the so-called "biological quantum of energy"). A reasonable model for determination of the minimal energy yield would be microorganisms capable of living on low-energy substrates, such as acetogenic prokaryotes. The most prominent metabolic feature of acetogens is autotrophic growth with molecular hydrogen and carbon dioxide as the substrates, which is hardly competitive in environments. Most probably, that is why only facultative autotrophic acetogens have been known so far. Here, we describe the first obligately autotrophic acetogenic bacterium Aceticella autotrophica gen. nov., sp. nov., strain 3443-3Ac^T. Phylogenetically, the new genus falls into a monophyletic group of heterotrophic bacteria of the genera Thermoanaerobacterium, Thermoanaerobacter, and Caldanaerobacter (hereinafter referred to as TTC group), where the sole acetogenic representative has so far been the facultatively autotrophic Thermoanaerobacter kivui. A. autotrophica and T. kivui both are acetogens employing energy-converting hydrogenase (Ech-acetogens) that are likely to have inherited the acetogenesis capacity vertically from common ancestor. However, their acetogenic machineries have undergone different adjustments by gene replacements due to horizontal gene transfers from different donors. Obligate autotrophy of A. autotrophica is associated with the lack of many sugar transport systems and carbohydrate catabolism enzymes that are present in other TTC group representatives, including T. kivui.

Laser Derived Electron Transport Layers with Embedded p-n Heterointerfaces Enabling Planar Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficiency over 25

Electron transport layers (ETLs) with pronounced electron conducting capability are essential for high performance planar photovoltaics, with the great challenge being that the most widely used metal oxide ETLs unfortunately have intrinsically low carrier mobility. Herein is demonstrated that by simply addressing the carrier loss at particle boundaries of TiO₂ ETLs, through embedding in ETL p-n heterointerfaces, the electron mobility of the ETLs can be boosted by three orders of magnitude. Such embedding is also encouragingly favorable for both inhibiting the formation of rutile phase TiO₂ in ETL, and initiating the growth of the top high-quality and large-grain perovskite films with less defect states. By virtue of these merits, creation of formamidinium lead iodide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with a champion efficiency of 25.05% is achieved, setting a new benchmark for planar PSCs employing TiO₂ ETLs. Unencapsulated PSCs employing such ETLs also deliver much-improved environmental stability, i.e., more than 80% of their initial efficiency after 9000 h of air storage under RH of 40%, and over 90% of their initial efficiency at maximum power point under continuous illumination for 500 h. Further work exploring other laser-generated p-type nanocrystals for embedding warrants the proposed strategy as a universal alternative for addressing the low-carrier mobility of metal oxide based ETLs, from the view point of particle boundaries engineering. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic value of screening methods for the determination of antinuclear antibodies using indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells and enzyme immunoassay in autoimmune liver diseases

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are a heterogeneous group of autoantibodies that react with various components of the cell nucleus and cytoplasm. ANA is the main serological marker for autoimmune liver disease (AILD). The aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic value of two methods of screening for the determination of ANA (indirect immunofluorescence reaction on HEp-2 cells (IIF -HEp-2) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the sera of AILD patients. The sera of 118 patients with AILD (51 with autoimmune hepatitis - AIH, 19 with primary biliary cholangitis - PBC, 48 with overlapping syndrome - OVERLAP), 30 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and 30 healthy donors (HD) were studied. Determination of ANA by the IIF-HEp-2 method was carried out by visual assessment of samples under an AXIOSKOP 40 microscope, by ELISA - on an Alegria automatic analyzer. A weak degree of agreement between the positive and negative results of the ANA screening study using IIF-HEp-2 and ELISA (Cohen's kappa coefficient æ=0.4) was noted. Screening determination of ANA in patients with AILD by the IIF-HEp-2 method was distinguished by greater diagnostic sensitivity (DS) (68.6%) and a lower frequency of false negative results (31.4%) compared with ELISA (35.6% and 64.4 % respectively, p<0.05). The overall diagnostic specificity (DS) of the ANA study in IIF-HEp-2 was lower than with ELISA (66.7% and 86.7%, respectively, p<0.05). Both screening methods for determining ANA (IIF-HEp-2 and ELISA) were useful for diagnosing AILD (positive likelihood ratio - LR+: 2.1 and 2.6, respectively). In terms of the negative likelihood ratio (LR-), screening for ANA by the IIF-HEp-2 method, in contrast to ELISA, served as a "useful" test to exclude the diagnosis of AILD (0.5 and 0.8, respectively). The determination of ANA using IIF-HEp-2 is the most sensitive and "useful" screening test for the diagnosis of AILD, and ELISA is classified as a less "useful" screening method due to low diagnostic sensitivity and a high false-negative rate.

Epinephrine extensively changes the biofilm matrix composition in Micrococcus luteus C01 isolated from human skin

The importance of the impact of human hormones on commensal microbiota and microbial biofilms is established in lots of studies. In the present investigation, we continued and extended the research of epinephrine effects on the skin commensal Micrococcus luteus C01 and its biofilms, and also the matrix changes during the biofilm growth. Epinephrine in concentration 4.9 × 10-9 M which is close to normal blood plasma level increased the amount of polysaccharides and extracellular DNA in the matrix, changed extensively its protein, lipid and polysaccharide composition. The Ef-Tu factor was one of the most abundant proteins in the matrix and its amount increased in the presence of the hormone. One of the glucose-mannose polysaccharide was absent in the matrix in presence of epinephrine after 24 h of incubation. The matrix phospholipids were also eradicated by the addition of the hormone. Hence, epinephrine has a great impact on the M. luteus biofilms and their matrix composition, and this fact opens wide perspectives for the future research.

Activating a Semiconductor-Liquid Junction via Laser-Derived Dual Interfacial Layers for Boosted Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

The semiconductor-liquid junction (SCLJ), the dominant place in photoelectrochemical (PEC) catalysis, determines the interfacial activity and stability of photoelectrodes, whcih directly affects the viability of PEC hydrogen generation. Though efforts dedicated in past decades, a challenge remains regarding creating a synchronously active and stable SCLJ, owing to the technical hurdles of simultaneously overlaying the two advantages. The present work demonstrates that creating an SCLJ with a unique configuration of the dual interfacial layers can yield BiVO₄ photoanodes with synchronously boosted photoelectrochemical activity and operational stability, with values located at the top in the records of such photoelectrodes. The bespoke dual interfacial layers, accessed via grafting laser-generated carbon dots with phenolic hydroxyl groups (LGCDs-PHGs), are experimentally verified effective, not only in generating the uniform layer of LGCDs with covalent anchoring for inhibited photocorrosion, but also in activating, respectively, the charge separation and transfer in each layer for boosted charge-carrier kinetics, resulting in FeNiOOH-LGCDs-PHGs-MBVO photoanodes with a dual configuration with the photocurrent density of 6.08 mA cm^-2 @ 1.23 V_RHE , and operational stability up to 120 h @ 1.23 V_RHE . Further work exploring LGCDs-PHGs from catecholic molecules warrants the proposed strategy as being a universal alternative for addressing the interfacial charge-carrier kinetics and operational stability of semiconductor photoelectrodes.

[Adaptation of Microarray Assay for Serum Amyloid A Analysis in Human Serum]

Serum amyloid A is an inflammatory biomarker whose concentration changes during infectious and inflammatory diseases. SAA's tendency for aggregation and complex formation makes it difficult to determine its concentration in samples, especially when there is an increased level of it. Immunofluorescence SAA determination on a microarray was adapted for SAA quantification in human serum. Both the procedure and the diluent for the calibrator samples were chosen to obtain a dynamic range between 1 and 100 μg/mL. Mixtures of animal (rabbit, goat, mouse) sera with recombinant antigen diluted in certain concentrations were used for the calibrator samples. The method was tested using serum samples from 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis and 9 healthy donors. The results obtained on the microarray demonstrated a good correlation with the results determined by ELISA (Pearson's correlation coefficient is 0.93). The method developed could be a convenient tool for assessing SAA levels in a number of diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or infections of various etiologies, characterized by a significant increase in the level of this protein in the blood. The use of a microarray for the analysis allows the determination of the SAA concentration simultaneously with other inflammatory biomarkers.

Natural Nanoclay-Based Silver-Phosphomolybdic Acid Composite with a Dual Antimicrobial Effect

The problem of microbial growth on various surfaces has increased concern in society in the context of antibiotic misuse and the spreading of hospital infections. Thus, the development of new, antibiotic-free antibacterial strategies is required to combat bacteria resistant to usual antibiotic treatments. This work reports a new method for producing an antibiotic-free antibacterial halloysite-based nanocomposite with silver nanoparticles and phosphomolybdic acid as biocides, which can be used as components of smart antimicrobial coatings. The composite was characterized by using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The release of phosphomolybdic acid from the nanocomposite was studied by using UV-vis spectroscopy. It was shown that the antibiotic-free nanocomposite consisting of halloysite nanotubes decorated with silver nanoparticles loaded with phosphomolybdic acid and treated with calcium chloride possesses broad antibacterial properties, including the complete growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria at a 0.5 g × L^-1 concentration and Acinetobacter baumannii at a 0.25 g × L^-1 concentration.

Analysis of rheumatoid factor and acute phase proteins using microarrays in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

One of the biomarkers of biggest clinical importance in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is rheumatoid factor (IgM RF). The rheumatoid factor has insufficient sensitivity and specificity, therefore, to increase the diagnostic information of the test, acute phase proteins were used as concomitant biomarkers. Using biological microchips, we measured IgM RF, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Serum amyloid protein A (SAA) in patients with RA (n = 60), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (n=55), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n=20) and healthy donors (HD) (n=9). It was shown that the medians of IgM RF concentrations are significantly higher (p<0.01) in patients with RA compared to patients suffering from other diseases and healthy donors. CRP and SAA were also significantly increased (p<0.05) in patients with RA and AS compared with SLE and HD. It has been shown that the complex determination of three biomarkers in differentiating RA patients with the comparison group had a higher diagnostic sensitivity than the isolated determination of IgM RF, while the addition of SAA makes the greatest contribution to improving the diagnostic characteristics of the biomarker panel: the use of a logistic regression model based on IgM RF and SAA allowed to increase the diagnostic sensitivity of the analysis from 58.3% to 65%. Thus, the developed microarray-based method can be used to detect and elucidate the diagnostic characteristics of RA biomarkers; however, further use requires validation of the obtained results on an expanded sampling.

Dataset for the interfacial tension and phase properties of the ternary system water - 2-butoxyethanol - toluene

Two-phase samples containing water, 2-butoxyethanol, and toluene in the different mass ratios were gravimetrically prepared in the jacketed cells at T=293.15 K and p=0.100 MPa and equilibrated for 24 h. The samples were volumetrically titrated until homogeneous. Then new samples were prepared in the two-phase region with compositions in the immediate proximity to the expected separation boundary and titrated until homogeneous. The critical point was located, keeping the phase ratio of 1:1 during the titration. The density of homogeneous samples obtained during titration was measured using the density meter. These data were used to construct an interpolation of the density along the separation boundary. New two-phase samples were prepared; the interfacial tension, density, and viscosity were measured. Thus, interfacial tension isotherm and viscosity isotherm were obtained using density interpolation to determine the composition of the equilibrated phases. The obtained data can be used to prepare the two-phase samples with desired properties, design the oil-water separation processes, and develop new oil spill dispersants containing 2-butoxyethanol. This article is a co-submission with a paper [1].

Novel hyperthermophilic crenarchaeon Infirmifilum lucidum gen. nov. sp. nov., reclassification of Thermofilum uzonense as Infirmifilum uzonense comb. nov. and assignment of the family Thermofilaceae to the order Thermofilales ord. nov

A novel hyperthermophilic crenarchaeon, strain 3507LT^T, was isolated from a terrestrial hot spring near Tinguiririca volcano, Chile. Cells were non-motile thin, slightly curved filamentous rods. It grew at 73-93 °C and pH range of 5 to 7.5 with an optimum at 85 °C and pH 6.0-6.7. The presence of culture broth filtrate of another hyperthemophilic archaeon as well as yeast extract was obligatory for growth of the novel isolate. Strain 3507LT^T is an anaerobic chemoorganoheterotroph, fermenting monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides (lichenan, starch, xanthan gum, xyloglucan, alpha-cellulose and amorphous cellulose). No growth stimulation was detected when nitrate, thiosulfate, selenate or elemental sulfur were added as the electron acceptors. The complete genome of strain 3507LT^T consisted of a single circular chromosome with size of 1.63 Mbp. The DNA G+C content was 53.9%. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence as well as conserved protein sequences phylogenetic analyses, strain 3507LT^T together with Thermofilum uzonense formed a separate cluster within a Thermofilaceae family (Thermoproteales/Thermoprotei/Crenarchaeota). Based on phenotypic characteristics, phylogeny as well as AAI comparisons, a novel genus and species Infirmifilum lucidum strain 3507LT^T (=VKM B-3376^T = KCTC 15797^T) gen. nov. sp. nov. was proposed. Its closest relative, Thermofilum uzonense strain 1807-2^T should be reclassified as Infirmifilum uzonense strain 1807-2^T comb. nov. Finally, based on phylogenomic and comparative genome analyses of representatives of Thermofilaceae family and other representatives of Thermoproteales order, a proposal of transfer of the family Thermofilaceae into a separate order Thermofilales ord. nov. was made.

Detection of bacterial colonization by the spectral changes of surface-enhanced Raman reporters

In times of widespread multiple antibiotic resistance, the bacterial colonization of crucial medical surfaces should be detected as fast as possible. In this work, we present the non-destructive SERS method for the detection of bacterial colonization. SERS is an excellent tool for the monitoring of suitable substances in low concentrations. The SERS substrate was prepared by the aggregation of citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles and the adsorption of the reporters (crystal violet, thiamine, and adenine). We have tested the substrate for the detection of clinically relevant S. aureus and P. aeruginosa bacteria. The SERS spectra before and after the substrate incubation revealed the degradation of the reporter by the growing bacteria. The growth of P. aeruginosa was detected using the substrates with preadsorbed crystal violet or adenine. The suitable reporter for the detection of S. aureus remains to be discovered. The selection of the reporters resistant to exposure but easily degraded by bacteria will open the way for the in situ monitoring of bacterial colonization, thus complementing the arsenal of methods in the battle against hospital infections.

Analysis of Natural Gas Using a Portable Hollow-Core Photonic Crystal Coupled Raman Spectrometer

The low accessibility of natural gas fields and transporting pipelines requires portable online analyzers of the composition of natural gas, ensuring nearly chromatographic precision and capable of in situ analysis of a wide range of gases, including infrared-inactive ones (hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine). We have developed an express method of gas analysis meeting all the requirements for analysis of natural gas and its derivative mixtures using a portable 532 nm Raman spectrometer rigidly connected to a hollow-core crystal photonic fiber.

Thermogemmata fonticola gen. nov., sp. nov., the first thermophilic planctomycete of the order Gemmatales from a Kamchatka hot spring

A novel aerobic moderately thermophilic bacterium, designated strain 2918^T, was isolated from a terrestrial hot spring of Kamchatka, Russian Federation. Gram-negative, motile, spherical cells were present singly, in pairs, or aggregates, and reproduced by budding. The strain grew at 25-60°C and within a pH range of 5.0-8.0 with an optimum at 54-60°C and pH 7.5. Strain 2918^T did not require sodium chloride or yeast extract for growth. It was a chemoorganoheterotroph, growing on mono-, di- and polysaccharides (starch, lichenan, galactan, arabinan, xanthan gum, beta-glucan). No growth was observed under anaerobic conditions neither in the presence of sulfur, nitrate, or thiosulfate nor without adding any electron acceptor. Major cellular fatty acids were C_18:0 and C_20:0. The respiratory quinone was MK-6. The size of the genome of strain 2918^T was 4.81 Mb. Genomic DNA G+C content was 60.4mol%. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence and conserved protein sequences phylogenies, strain 2918^T represented a distinct lineage of the order Gemmatales within Planctomycetes. Based on phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic features, the novel isolate was assigned to a novel genus in the Gemmatales for which the name Thermogemmata gen. nov. is proposed. Strain 2918^T (=KCTC 72012^T =VKM B-3161^T) represents its first species Thermogemmata fonticola sp. nov.

Highly Stable Energy Capsules with Nano-SiO2 Pickering Shell for Thermal Energy Storage and Release

Phase change materials (PCMs) store latent heat energy as they melt and release it upon freezing. However, they suffer from chemical instability and poor thermal conductivity, which can be improved by encapsulation. Here, we encapsulated a salt hydrate PCM (Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O) within all-silica nanocapsules using a Pickering emulsion template. Electron microscopy analysis demonstrated robust silica-silica (RSS) shell formed inner silica layer of approximately 45 nm thickness, with silica Pickering emulsifiers anchored to the surface. The RSS nanostructured capsules are 300-1000 nm in size and have far superior thermal and chemical stability compared with that of the bulk salt hydrate. Differential scanning calorimetry showed encapsulated PCMs were stable over 500+ melt/freeze cycles (equivalent to 500+ day/night temperature difference) with a latent heat of 112.8 J·g^-1. Thermogravimetric analysis displayed their impressive thermal stability, with as little as 37.2% mass loss at 800 °C. Raman spectroscopy proved the presence of salt hydrate within RSS capsules and illustrated the improved chemical stability compared to non-encapsulated Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O. Energy capsule behavior compared with the bulk material was also observed at the macroscale with thermal imaging, showing that the melting/freezing behavior of the PCM is confined to the nanocapsule core. The thermal conductivity of the silica shell measured by laser flash thermal conductivity method is 1.4 ± 0.2 W·(m·K)^-1, which is around 7 times more than the thermal conductivity of the polymer shell (0.2 W·(m·K)^-1). RSS capsules containing PCMs have improved thermal stability and conductivity compared to polymer-based capsules and have good potential for thermoregulation or energy storage applications.

Arenimonas fontis sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from Chukotka hot spring, Arctic region, Russia

A moderately thermophilic, neutrophilic, aerobic, Gram-negative bacterium, strain 3729k^T, was isolated from a thermal spring of the Chukotka Peninsula, Arctic region, Russia. It grew chemoorganoheterotrophically, utilizing proteinaceous substrates, including highly rigid keratins as well as various polysaccharides (glucomannan, locust bean gum, gum guar and xanthan gum). The major fatty acids of strain 3729k^T were iso-C_15 : 0 (60.9%), iso-C_17 : 0 (12.0%), C_16 : 0 (9.9%) and iso-C_16 : 0 (7.4%). Isoprenoid quinones were Q-8 (95%) and Q-9 (5%). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine and three unidentified polar lipids. Strain 3729k^T was inhibited by chloramphenicol, neomycin, novobiocin, kanamycin, tetracycline, ampicillin and polymyxin B, but resistant to rifampicin, vancomycin and streptomycin. At the same time, strain 3729k^T inhibited growth of Micrococcus luteus and its genome possessed genes for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (a single putative bacteriocin and several secreted lysozymes and peptidoglycan lytic transglycosylases). The DNA G+C content was 69.8 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis placed strain 3729k^T into a distinct species/genus-level branch within the family Xanthomonadaceae (Proteobacteria). Phylogenetic analysis of 120 conservative protein sequences of all Xanthomonadaceae with validly published names and publicly available genomic sequences supported a species-level position of strain 3729k^T within the genus Arenimonas. Pairwise ANI values between strain 3729k^T and other Arenimonas species were of 75-80 %, supporting the proposal of a novel species. Accordingly, Arenimonas fontis sp. nov., with the type strain 3729k^T (=VMK В-3232^Т=DSM 105847^T), was proposed.

Tepidiforma bonchosmolovskayae gen. nov., sp. nov., a moderately thermophilic Chloroflexi bacterium from a Chukotka hot spring (Arctic, Russia), representing a novel class, Tepidiformia, which includes the previously uncultivated lineage OLB14

A novel aerobic moderately thermophilic bacterium, strain 3753O^T, was isolated from a Chukotka hot spring (Arctic, Russia) using the newly developed technology of laser engineering of microbial systems. Сells were regular short rods, 0.4×0.8-2.0 µm in size, with a monoderm-type envelope and a single flagellum. The temperature and pH ranges for growth were 42-60 °C and pH 6.5-8.5, the optima being 50-54 °C and pH 7.3. Strain 3753O^T grew chemoorganoheterotrophically on a number of carbohydrates or peptidic substrates and volatile fatty acids, and chemolithoautotrophically with siderite (FeCO₃) as the electron donor. The major cellular fatty acid was branched C_19 : 0. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified phospholipids as well as two yellow carotenoid-type pigments were detected in the polar lipid extract. Strain 3753O^T was inhibited by chloramphenicol, polymyxin B, vancomycin, streptomycin, neomycin and kanamycin, but resistant to the action of novobiocin and ampicillin. The DNA G+C content was 69.9 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene as well as 51 conservative protein sequence-based phylogenetic analyses placed strain 3753O^T within the previously uncultivated lineage OLB14 in the phylum Chloroflexi. Taking into account the phylogenetic position as well as phenotypic properties of the novel isolate, the novel genus and species Tepidiforma bonchosmolovskayae gen. nov., sp. nov., within the Tepidiformaceae fam. nov., the Tepidiformales ord. nov. and the Tepidiformia classis nov. are proposed. The type strain of Tepidiforma bonchosmolovskayae is 3753O^T (=VKM B-3389^T=KTCT 72284^T).

[Dual-energy computed tomography in the diagnostics of urolithiasis]

THE AIM

To assess the diagnostic performance of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in the evaluation of the composition of urinary stones "in vivo".

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 91 patients aged from 20 to 70 years old (mean 42.7) with urinary stone disease were examined at Sechenov University, including 68 men (75%) and 23 women (25%). Prior to surgery, all patients underwent DECT (Canon, Japan) in order to predict the chemical composition of urinary stones in vivo. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and ureteroscopy (URS) was performed in 53 (58.2%), 18 (19.7%) and 20 (22.1%) patients, respectively. Postoperatively, all stones or stone fragments (n=91; 100%) were examined using a comprehensive physical and chemical analysis (X-ray phase analysis, electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy).

RESULTS

In 6 patients (6.6%) staghorn stones were diagnosed, while in 15 (16.5%), 17 (18.7%), 22 (24.2%) and 31 (34.1%) stones were located in ureteropelvic junction, pelvis and ureter, respectively, including 24 patients with lower ureteric stones (26.4%). Prediction of the stone composition in vivo was carried out on the basis of the one indicator, the dual energy ratio (DER). The threshold values of DER for different types of stones were taken from the literature. All stones were divided into 4 groups according to the DECT results: vevellite stones (n=40, 43.9%), Ca-containing stones without vevellite (n=34, 37.3%), uric acid stones (n=10, 10.9%) and struvite stones (n=7, 7.9%). Thus, when comparing the results of DECT and physical and chemical analysis, in the first group four stones were incorrectly assigned by DECT to the group of Ca-containing stones without vevellite and three stones were incorrectly assigned to the group of struvite stones; in the second group four stones were incorrectly assigned to the group of vevellite stones; in the third group one stone was incorrectly assigned to the group of struvite stones; in the fourth group one stone was incorrectly assigned to the group of vevellite stones and one stone in the group of uric acid stones. In order to increase the diagnostic efficiency of DECT, we performed a comprehensive analysis of five specific DECT indicators (stone density at 135 kV, Z eff of the stone, DER, DEI, DED) using discriminant analysis. Thus, the sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy of DECT with the use of just one indicator (DER) were 83.3%, 89.8%, 86.8% for vevellite, 88.2%, 92.9%, 91.2% for Ca-containing stones without vevellite, 90%, 98.8%, 97.8% for uric acid stones and 60%, 95.3%, 93.4% for struvite stones, respectively. When using discriminant analysis with five specific DECT indicators, higher values of sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy were seen: 95.2%, 89.8%, 92.3% for a vevellite, 85,3%, 96,4%, 92,3% for Ca-containing stones without a vevellite and 100%, 100% and 100% for both uric acid and struvite stones, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Dual-energy computed tomography is a highly informative method which allows to perform preoperatively the reliable assessment of the chemical composition. DECT in patients with urinary stone disease allows to optimize the treatment strategy and carry out preventive measures on individual basis, taking into account the stone type.

Study of acoustic and low-pressure exposure on the temperature of the evaporation of a liquid with free interface before it freezes

On the basis of the first law of thermodynamics, a thermodynamic physical and mathematical model of the process of evaporation and freezing in a partially filled closed volume of a liquid under acoustic exposure (AE) and pressure reduction has been developed. The acoustic effect on the liquid is taken as a component on the heating of the liquid in the closed volume. The experimental studies performed under AE (amplitude 2.0 μm, frequency 25 kHz), initial temperature, and mass of the liquid 300.85 K, 7 g, respectively, the pressure decreases from 101 to 0.5 kPa showed a close coincidence of the actual and calculated moments of freezing start liquid surfaces, as well as close calculated and experimental values of liquid temperatures during the experiment.

Generic Nature of Interfacial Phenomena in Solutions of Nonionic Hydrotropes

Nonionic hydrotropes (low-molecular-weight amphiphiles) demonstrate striking dual actions in bulk solutions and interfaces, exhibiting both surfactant-like and co-solvent properties. We report on peculiar, strongly affected by this duality, liquid-liquid and air-liquid-liquid interfacial behavior in aqueous ternary systems, containing hydrotropes and hydrocarbons, in a broad range of compositions and at various temperatures. Phase diagrams of the studied systems, containing tertiary butanol (TBA), as a hydrotrope, are of Type 1: the hydrotrope, at the experimental conditions, is completely miscible with water and with all investigated hydrocarbons [cyclohexane (CHX), toluene (TOL), and n-decane (DEC)], whereas the ternary mixtures exhibit liquid-liquid phase separation terminated at corresponding critical points. The shape and location of the phase separation boundary are only weakly dependent on temperature and the hydrocarbon's nature; however, the critical point in the water-TBA-DEC system is significantly shifted toward a higher TBA concentration. For the experimentally studied systems and for available data reported in the literature, we confirmed an apparently generic (for nonionic hydrotropes) phenomenon of a dual action at water-oil interfaces (earlier found in water-TBA-CHX [J. Phys. Chem. C 2017, 121, 16423]): at low concentrations, hydrotropes saturate the water-oil interface like a surfactant, whereas at higher concentrations they act as co-solvents, resulting in vanishing interfacial tension at the liquid-liquid critical point. We suggest a universal crossover function that accurately interpolates the two theoretically based limits of interfacial behavior. This crossover function also accounts for earlier deviations from Langmuir-von Szyszkowski limiting behavior in the water-TBA-DEC system, caused by lower solubility (relative to other studied hydrocarbons) of DEC in water. An intriguing correlation between the dual action of hydrotropes at the water-oil interface and the behavior of the liquid-air interfaces is also discussed.

[Clinical value of multiplex immune assay of antinuclear antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.]

A promising trend in the diagnosis of systemic autoimmune diseases is the multiplex immune assay (MIA) of autoantibodies and other laboratory biomarkers using microchips. The aim of the work was to study the diagnostic and prognostic significance of MIA antinuclear antibody (ANA) profiles in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). 94 patients with SLE, 70 patients with other rheumatic diseases and 30 healthy donors were examined. ANA (antibodies to doublestranded - dsDNA, Sm, SS-A/Ro, SS-B/La antigens, nucleosomes, ribosomal protein P-RibP and ribonucleoprotein - RNP-70) were determined in the serum by MIA using the xMAP technology. In MIA, antibodies to dsDNA, Sm and RibP have a high diagnostic specificity (Sp) (95.0-99.0%) and a likelihood ratio of positive results (LR+) (9.67-15.0), i.e. are the most "useful" diagnostic tests, and antibodies to RNP-70, SS-A/Ro and nucleosomes are classified as "useful" tests for the diagnosis of SLE (Sp: 84.0-95.0%, LR+> 2.0). Determination of profiles from 3 or more antigen-specific ANA by MIA increases the Sp method to 98.0-100%, and the LR+ - to the maximum values. Profiles from 7 subpopulations of ANA (antibodies to dsDNA, Sm, RibP, SS-A/Ro,SS-B/La, nucleosomes and RNP-70, 57.9%, 71.9%, 82.5%, 61.4 %, 84.2%, 50.9%, 84.2%) were found in the chronic variant of SLE. In the acute course of the disease, 4 subpopulations of ANA are simultaneously detected (antibodies to dsDNA, Sm, SS-A/Ro and nucleosomes, 77.3%, 45.5%, 40.9% and 72.7%); in subacute course there are 2 subpopulations of ANA (antibodies to dsDNA and nucleosomes, 53.3% and 46.7%). The activity index of SLEDAI-2K positively correlates with the concentration of antibodies to dsDNA (r = 0.55, p < 0.05), nucleosomes (r = 0.65, p < 0.05), RibP (r = 0.32; p < 0.05) and Sm (r = 0.36, p < 0.05) in the blood. There was no reliable relationship between the production of varieties of ANA and the index of organ damage. Mucocutaneous disorders, lupus-nephritis and neurolupus were most often associated with the detection of antibodies to dsDNA (53.2-64.0%), nucleosomes (55.3-66.0%), SS-A/Ro (38.0-40.4%) and Sm (27.8-36.2%). MIA of ANA profiles is an important tool for implementing a personalized approach to diagnosis, evaluation of activity, course and clinical and immunologic subtypes of SLE.

[Modern look at the problems of investigation of antinuclear antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus (literature review).]

In the review, topical aspects of the study of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are considered. ANA is the main serological marker of SLE. In the sera of patients with SLE, antibodies to DNA, histones, nucleosomes, extractable nuclear antigens (Sm, U1 ribonucleoprotein, Ro / SSA, La / SSB, ribosomal protein P), nucleolar antigens and other cellular structures are detected. The ANA study using indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells (IIF-HEp-2) is recommended as a standard screening test for the diagnosis of SLE. The use of automated systems for the interpretation of cellular fluorescent tests contributes to the standardization and improvement of the reproducibility of the IIF. A new international nomenclature of types of nuclear, nucleolar (nucleolar), cytoplasmic and mitotic luminescence of ANA in IIF-HEp-2, including 28 variants of anticell ("Anti-cell" - AC) patterns was developed. In the practice of clinical diagnostic laboratories, high-performance automated methods for the determination of ANA based on ELISA, immunoblot, fluorescent, chemiluminescent and multiplex immunoassay are widely used. New mono- and multiplex methods of solid-phase analysis are expediently used as confirmatory reflex tests for the detection of varieties of antigen-specific ANA in patients with SLE with positive results of IIF-HEp-2. Identification of ANA profiles using multiplex technologies is a useful tool for implementing a personalized approach to diagnosis, evaluation of activity, prognosis, clinical and immunological subtypes, and the effectiveness of SLE therapy. The need for an ANA study not only to confirm the diagnosis of SLE, but also to identify the disease in the early and preclinical stages with the intention to prevent the development of the pathological process is discussed. Detection of monospecific anti-DFS70 antibodies allows to exclude the diagnosis of SLE inANA IIF-HEp-2 positive subjects. Presented is a modern algorithm for testing ANA with SLE.

Thioflexithrix psekupsensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a filamentous gliding sulfur bacterium from the family Beggiatoaceae

A sulfur-oxidizing, filamentous, gliding micro-organism, strain D3^T, was isolated from a sulfidic spring in Goryachy Klyuch, Krasnodar, Russia. The cell walls were Gram-negative. The new isolate was a microaerophilic facultative anaerobe and an obligate chemolithoautotroph. The pH range for growth was pH 6.8-7.6, with an optimum at pH 7.2. The temperature range for growth was 10-46 °C, with an optimum at 32 °C. The G+C content of DNA was 42.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that strain D3^T belongs to the family Beggiatoaceae, order Thiotrichales and was distantly related to the genera of the family Beggiatoaceae(86-88 % sequence similarity). The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-6. Major fatty acids were C18:1 ω7 (37.6 %), C16 : 0 (34.7 %) and C16: 1 ω7 (27.7 %). On the basis of its physiological properties and the results of phylogenetic analysis, strain D3^T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Thioflexithrix psekupsensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D3^T (=KCTC 62399=UNIQEM U981).

Fluorescence and Cytotoxicity of Cadmium Sulfide Quantum Dots Stabilized on Clay Nanotubes

Quantum dots (QD) are widely used for cellular labeling due to enhanced brightness, resistance to photobleaching, and multicolor light emissions. CdS and CdxZn₁-xS nanoparticles with sizes of 6⁻8 nm were synthesized via a ligand assisted technique inside and outside of 50 nm diameter halloysite clay nanotubes (QD were immobilized on the tube's surface). The halloysite⁻QD composites were tested by labeling human skin fibroblasts and prostate cancer cells. In human cell cultures, halloysite⁻QD systems were internalized by living cells, and demonstrated intense and stable fluorescence combined with pronounced nanotube light scattering. The best signal stability was observed for QD that were synthesized externally on the amino-grafted halloysite. The best cell viability was observed for CdxZn₁-xS QD immobilized onto the azine-grafted halloysite. The possibility to use QD clay nanotube core-shell nanoarchitectures for the intracellular labeling was demonstrated. A pronounced scattering and fluorescence by halloysite⁻QD systems allows for their promising usage as markers for biomedical applications.

Nanoparticles Formed onto/into Halloysite Clay Tubules: Architectural Synthesis and Applications

Nanoparticles, being objects with high surface area are prone to agglomeration. Immobilization onto solid supports is a promising method to increase their stability and it allows for scalable industrial applications, such as metal nanoparticles adsorbed to mesoporous ceramic carriers. Tubular nanoclay - halloysite - can be an efficient solid support, enabling the fast and practical architectural (inside / outside) synthesis of stable metal nanoparticles. The obtained halloysite-nanoparticle composites can be employed as advanced catalysts, ion-conducting membrane modifiers, inorganic pigments, and optical markers for biomedical studies. Here, we discuss the possibilities to synthesize halloysite decorated with metal, metal chalcogenide, and carbon nanoparticles, and to use these materials in various fields, especially in catalysis and petroleum refinery.

[The influence of STAT4 rs7574865 (G/T) polymorphism on the risk of clinical and immunological phenotypes of systemic sclerosis in a Russian patient population: Results of a pilot study]

AIM

To examine the association of signal transducer and activator transcription 4 (STAT4) rs7574865 G/T polymorphism with a predisposition to systemic sclerosis (SSC) and associated clinical and autoimmune phenotypes in a Russian population.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 102 patients with SSC and 103 healthy individuals as controls were examined. STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism was investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The carriers of the T allele showed a statistically significant association with SSC, a diffuse form (DF), the presence of interstitial lung disease (ILD), cardiac injury (CI), and seropositivity for anti-topoisomerase I antibodies (ATA).

CONCLUSION

The findings results confirm the important role of STAT4 gene in the predisposition to SSC and its phenotypes, such as DF, ILD, CI, and ATA in the Russian population.

[THE CLINICAL INFORMATIVENESS OF AUTOMATED METHODS OF SCREENING DETECTION OF ANTI-NUCLEAR ANTIBODIES USING INDIRECT REACTION OF IMMUNE FLUORESCENCE, ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY AND MULTIPLEX XMAP TECHNOLOGY UNDER SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS]

Thew antinuclear antibodies (ANA) consist heterogeneous group of auto antibodies reacting with various components of nucleus and cytoplasm. The ANA is a main serological marker of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The implementation in clinical practice of new highly productive techniques of immune analysis using automated systems sets up prerequisites for standardization and amelioration of reproducibility of detection of ANA. The study was carried out to compare diagnostic significance of automated techniques of screening detection of ANA (indirect immunofluorescence test on cells HEp-2 (IIFT-HEp-2)), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and multi-complex immune analysis (MIA, using suspension technology xMAP) in serum of patients with SLE. The serums from 94 patients with SLE were analyzed. The comparison group included 70 patients with other rheumatic diseases. The control group consisted of 30 healthy donors. The screening detection of ANA using technique IIFT-HEp-2 was implemented on automated platform AKLIDES, ELISA - on automated analyzer ALEGRIA and MIA on automated analyzer BioPlex 2200. The technique IIFT-HEp-2 demonstrated the most high diagnostic sensitivity as compared with ELISA and MIA- BioPlex 2200 (96.8%; 79.8% and 82.9% correspondingly). The general diagnostic specificity of detection of ANA using technique IIFT-HEp-2 was lower than in case of ELISA and MIO-BioPlex 2200 (40%, 70% and 57% correspondingly). In the group of healthy donors the lowest diagnostic specificity was observed in ANA screening analysis using MIA-BioPlex 2200 (80%) while in case of applying IIFT-HEp-2 and ELISA indices of diagnostic specificity made up 93.3% and 96.7% correspondingly. The ANA analysis of mix of 26 nuclear antigens using ELISA technique was a reliable laboratory test for diagnostic of SLE (likelihood ratio of positive result - 2.66). By the level of likelihood ratio of negative result of the IIFT-HEp-2 technique was more informative test for exclusion of diagnosis of SLE than techniques of ELISA and MIA-BioPlex 2200 (0.08; 0.29 and 0.3 correspondingly). The detection of ANA using technique of is the most preferable primary screening test for diagnostic of SLE. The ELISA of antibodies to mix of nuclear antigens and MIA on the basis of xMAP technology are less preferable screening tests for diagnostic of SLE as compared with IIFT-HEp-2 because of false-negative results in 20% and 17% of cases correspondingly. ELISA and MIA are to applied as confirmatory screening tests permitting to detect antigen-specific ANA in patients with SLE with positive results of IIFT-HEp-2.

Thermodesulfitimonas autotrophica gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic, obligate sulfite-reducing bacterium isolated from a terrestrial hot spring

A novel thermophilic, anaerobic, chemolithoautotrophic bacterium, strain SF97T, was isolated from a terrestrial hot spring (Kuril Islands, Russia). Cells of strain SF97T were rod-shaped and motile with a Gram-positive cell-wall type. The novel isolate grew at 45-72 °C (optimum 65 °C) and pH 5.5-8.5 (optimum 6.0-6.5). The strain grew chemolithoautotrophically with molecular hydrogen as an electron donor, sodium sulfite or SO2 gas as an electron acceptor and bicarbonate/CO2 as a carbon source. Sulfate, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, Fe(III) or nitrate were not used as electron acceptors either with H2 or organic electron donors. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolate belonged to the family Thermoanaerobacteraceae, order Thermoanaerobacterales, and was distantly related to species of the genus Ammonifex (92-93 % sequence similarity). On the basis of its physiological properties and results of phylogenetic analyses, strain SF97T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Thermodesulfitimonas autotrophica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Thermodesulfitimonas autotrophica is SF97T (=DSM 102936T=VKM B-2961T). T. autotrophica is the first reported obligate sulfite-reducing micro-organism.

Inmirania thermothiophila gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic, facultatively autotrophic, sulfur-oxidizing gammaproteobacterium isolated from a shallow-sea hydrothermal vent

A novel thermophilic, facultatively autotrophic bacterium, strain S2479T, was isolated from a thermal spring located in a tidal zone of a geothermally heated beach (Kuril Islands, Russia). Cells of strain S2479T were rod-shaped and motile with a Gram-negative cell-wall type. The temperature range for growth was 35-68 °C (optimum 65 °C), and the pH range for growth was pH 5.5-8.8 (optimum pH 6.5). Growth of strain S2479T was observed in the presence of NaCl concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 3.5 % (w/v) (optimum 1.5-2.0 %). The strain oxidized sulfur and thiosulfate as sole energy sources for autotrophic growth under anaerobic conditions with nitrate as electron acceptor. Strain S2479T was also capable of heterotrophic growth by reduction of nitrate with oxidation of low-chain fatty acids and a limited number of other carboxylic acids or with complex proteinaceous compounds. Nitrate was reduced to N2. Sulfur compounds were oxidized to sulfate. Strain S2479T did not grow aerobically during incubation at atmospheric concentration of oxygen but was able to grow microaerobically (1 % of oxygen in gas phase). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain was a member of the family Ectothiorhodospiraceae, order Chromatiales, class Gammaproteobacteria. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic properties, strain S2479T represents a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Inmirania thermothiophila gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is S2479T ( = DSM 100275T = VKM B-2962T).

[Left and right ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis before prescribing disease-modifying antirheumatic therapy]

AIM

To estimate the rate of diastolic dysfunction (DD) of the left and right ventricles (LV and RV) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before using disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) therapy and to investigate its association with traditional risk factors (TRFs) for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and inflammatory markers.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The investigation enrolled 74 patients with a valid diagnosis of RA, including 56 (74%) women (median age, 54 years; disease duration, 7 months); the patients who were seropositive for rheumatoid factor (RF) (87%) and/or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies (100%) who had not been on DMARDs or glucocorticosteroids. TRFs for CVD and carotid artery atherosclerosis were assessed from duplex scanning data and echocardiography was performed in all the patients with early RA before starting the therapy. The ratio of the maximum blood flow velocity during early diastolic filling (E) to that during atrial systole (A) was used as a criterion for LVDD and RVDD. There were 3 types of impaired ventricular filling: 1) E/A <1; 2) E/A = 1-2; 3) E/A > 2.

RESULTS

LVDD and RVDD were detected in 35 (48%) and 17 (23%) patients, respectively. RVDD was recorded only in conjunction with LVDD. Among LVDD and RVDD, the former was prevalent. All the patients with early RA were divided into 3 groups: 1) patients with LVDD and RVDD; 2) those with LVDD; 3) those without ventricular DD. All the three groups were matched for the level of DAS28, anti-CCP antibodies, and RF. The incidence of arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity was higher in the patients of Groups 1 and 2 than in those of Group 3. There was a progressive decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations and increases in triglyceride (TG) levels and atherogenic index from Group 3 to Group 1, with the concentrations of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol being similar in the 3 groups. Coronary heart disease was recorded more frequently in Group 2 than in Group 3. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) proved to be also significantly higher in the patients with DD than in those without DD. Correlations were found between LV E/A and ESR, CRP, HDL cholesterol, TG, RV E/A and ESR, DAS28, TG.

CONCLUSION

The patients with early-stage RA were found to have high incidence rates of LVDD and RVDD, which is related to the high prevalence of CVD, the high spread of TRF for CVD, and the high activity of an inflammatory process.

[The automated analysis of anti-nuclear antibodies using technique of indirect reaction of immunofluorescence with application of HEP-2-cells]

The identification of antinuclear antibodies in blood serum based on indirect reaction of immunofluorescence using cells of line HEp-2 (IRIF HEp-2)--a "golden standard" and key screening technique of laboratory diagnostic of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The automated systems of interpretation of samples offluorescence promote standardization and increase effectiveness of detection of content of antinuclear antibodies with IRIF HEp-2 technique. The study was organized to comparatively analyze automated and visual interpretation of results of IRIF HEp-2 in detection of content antinuclear antibodies in patients with rheumatic diseases. The level of antinuclear antibodies in blood serums of 1178 patients with rheumatic diseases was detected using IRIF HEp-2 technique. The results of IRIF HEp-2 were evaluated by visual microscopy and using automated platform "AKLIDES". The degree of consistency of positive/negative results of detection (k = 0.5), types (k = 0.7) and titers/intensity of fluorescence (k = 0.45) of antinuclear antibodies under automated and traditional interpretation of IRIF HEp-2 was "good". The discordance of positive/negative results of analysis of content of IRIF HEp-2 was established in 18.5% of patients. The automated technique more often detected homogeneous (37.6%) and speckled (32.3%) fluorescence of nucleus. At the same time, there were no differentiation of type of fluorescence in 21.4% of patients. The visual technique detected mixed type of fluorescence in blood serums of most of the patients (72.8%). The mixed fluorescence was identified by system "AKLIDES" as homogeneous (40.5%), speckled (32.7%), nucleolar (2.4%), centromeric (0.9%), undifferentiated (23.5%). Under visual analysis of samples of fluorescence with undifferentiated type of fluorescence was identified as mixed (79.8%), homogeneous (5.9%) and speckled (14.3%). The titers of antinuclear antibodies less than 1:160 associated with intensity of fluorescence 0/B±; 1:160-0, B±, +, ++; more than 1:1280--+++, ++++. In common practice the automated system "AKLIDES" permits identifying positive/negative results of detection of content of antinuclear antibodies comparably with "classic" visual technique of interpretation of IRIF HEp-2 and prognosticate maximal finite titer of antinuclear antibodies in serums in patients with rheumatic diseases according intensity of fluorescence. To confirm results of automated evaluation of types of nuclear fluorescence and to specify titers of antinuclear antibodies it is recommended to apply additional expert visual analysis of positive samples of fluorescence.

[The clinical informativeness of detection of antibodies to citrullinated proteins under rheumatoid arthritis]

The main diagnostic laboratory markers of rheumatoid arthritis are IgM rheumatoid factor and antibodies to citrullinated proteins. The IgM rheumatoid factor is a sensitive but insufficiently specific marker of rheumatoid arthritis. The antibodies to citrullinated proteins have a higher specificity for diagnostic of rheumatoid arthritis. The antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide and modified citrullinated vimentin are the main representatives of family of antibodies to citrullinated proteins applying in clinical diagnostic practice. The study was carried out to deternine the role of antibodies to citrullinated proteins and modified citrullinated vimentin in diagnostic, evaluation of activity and severity of destructive alterations under rheumatoid arthritis. The samplings of 993 patients with reliable diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. 179 patients with other rheumatoid diseases and 30 healthy donors were examined. The measurement of serum concentration of IgM rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein was implemented by immune nephelometric analysis and antibodies to citrullinated proteins were analyzed by enzymoimmunoassay The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was established using the Westergreen technique. It was established that antibodies to modified citrullinated vimentin had the highest diagnostic specificity (83%), antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide had the highest diagnostic specificity (87%). The diagnostic specificity of joint detection of IgM rheumatoid factor, antibodies to citrullinated proteins and antibodies to modified citrullinated vimentin made up to 87%. In patients negative to rheumatoid factor the rate ofdetection of antibodies to citrullinated proteins made up to 34% and antibodies to modified citrullinated vimentin made up to 48%. The diagnostic effectiveness of detection of antibodies to citrullinitted proteins (ratio of likelihood of positive and negative results of test was correspondingly 5.5 and 0.3; area under ROC curve 0.8) and antibodies to modified citrullinated vimentin (ratio of likelihood of positive and negative results of test was correspondingly 4.4 and 0.2; area under ROC curve 0.9) surpassed the same in analysis of IgM rheumatoid factor (ratio of likelihood of positive results--3.2, ratio of likelihood of negative results--0.4, area under ROC curve--0.8). The weak positive correlation relationship was established between concentration of antibodies to cyclic citrillinatedpeptide/antibodies to modified citrullinated vimentin in blood serum and indicators of clinical laboratory activity of rheumatoid arthritis (ESR, CRP DAS 28, (r-0.2. p < 0.05). The high positive levels of antibodies to modified citrullinated vimentin associated with expressed destructive affection of joints (p < 0.02). The antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide are the most highly specific and clinically informative laboratory diagnostic marker of rheumatoid arthritis. The detection of antibodies to modified citrullinated vimentin is an important additional serological test to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis in IgM rheumatoid factor-negative and/or antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide-negative patients and to forecast severe destructive affection of joints under the given disease. The joint study of IgM rheumatoid factor, antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide and antibodies to modified citrullinated vimentin under rheumatoid arthritis has higher diagnostic sensitivity as compared with isolated antibodies to citrullinated proteins.

Thermogutta terrifontis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Thermogutta hypogea sp. nov., thermophilic anaerobic representatives of the phylum Planctomycetes

Two novel strains of thermophilic planctomycetes were recovered from terrestrial and subterranean habitats. Strain R1(T) was isolated from a hot spring (Kunashir Island, Russia) and strain SBP2(T) was isolated from a deep gold mine (South Africa). Both isolates grew in the temperature range 30-60 °C and pH range 5.0-8.0. Strain R1(T) grew optimally at 60 °C and pH 6.0-6.5; for SBP2(T) optimal conditions were at 52 °C and pH 7.5-8.0. Both strains were capable of anaerobic respiration with nitrate and nitrite as electron acceptors as well as of microaerobic growth. They also could grow by fermentation of mono-, di- and polysaccharides. Based on their phylogenetic position and phenotypic features we suggest that the new isolates represent two novel species belonging to a new genus in the order Planctomycetales, for which the names Thermogutta terrifontis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Thermogutta hypogea sp. nov. are proposed. The type strain of Thermogutta terrifontis, the type species of the genus, is R1(T) ( = DSM 26237(T) = VKM B-2805(T)), and the type strain of Thermogutta hypogea is SBP2(T) ( = JCM 19991(T) = VKM B-2782(T)).

[The immunologic predictors of effect of anti-B-cell therapy under rheumatoid arthritis]

The article deals with results of study targeted to reveal laboratory biomarkers which can be useful in prognosis of effectiveness of rituximab therapy under rheumatoid arthritis. The sampling consisted of 34 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (31 women, average age 49 years, 42-64 years, mean duration of disease 66, 36-132 months). All patients were examined and received two infusions of rituximab intravenously with interval in 2 weeks against the background of standard therapy. The serum concentration of C-reactive protein, IgM rheumatoid factor IgG, IgM, IgA were measured using immune nephelometric method. The level of cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, modified citrullinated vimentin antibodies and IgA rheumatoid factor was measured using method of immune enzyme analysis. The panel of 27 cytokines was measured using multiplex technology xMAP. Before rituximab therapy indices DAS28 (6,12; 5. 52-6, 81), SDA1 (34.3; 23, 8-45, 9) and CDAI (31.3; 21, 8-38.5) corresponded to high activity of rheumatoid arthritis. Up to 24th week of therapy good response on criteria EULAR was registered in 15 patients, moderate response in 18 patients and was absent in 1 patient. The remission on DAS achieved more rarely in patients with initially negative/ low positive values of IgM rheumatoid factor, basal level of IgM less than 2.4 g/l and duration of disease more than 40 months. In the group of patients who attained remission on CDAI up to 24th week of therapy higher basal level of IL-IRA, IL-2, IL-8, IL-15, Eotaxin, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, MIP-1alpha and TNF-alpha was registered In patients who attained remission on DAS 28 higher level of IL-1beta. IL-2, IL-6, G-CSF, IFN-gamma, MIP-1alpha and TNF-alpha was registered in comparison with patients with disease in active mode. The detection of basal level of IgM rheumatoid factor, IgM and also certain cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-IRA, IL-2, IL-8, IL-15, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, MIP-1alpha, Eotaxin, TNF-alpha) can be useful in prognosis of effectiveness of rituximab therapy under rheumatoid arthritis.

Rapid optimization of metal nanoparticle surface modification with high-throughput gel electrophoresis

The ability to effectively control and optimize surface modification of metal nanoparticles is paramount to the ability to employ metal nanoparticles as diagnostic and therapeutic agents in biology and medicine. Here we present a high-throughput two-dimensional-grid gel electrophoresis cell (2D-GEC)-based method, capable of optimizing the surface modification of as many as 96 samples of metal nanoparticles in approximately 1 h. The 2D-GEC method determines not only the average zeta-potential of the modified particles but also the homogeneity of the surface modification by measuring the distance between the front of the sample track and the area where the maximum optical density is achieved. The method was tested for optimizing pH and concentration of the modifiers (pM) for functionalizing gold nanorod thiol-containing acidic agents.

Spectroscopy of scattered light for the characterization of micro and nanoscale objects in biology and medicine

The biomedical uses for the spectroscopy of scattered light by micro and nanoscale objects can broadly be classified into two areas. The first, often called light scattering spectroscopy (LSS), deals with light scattered by dielectric particles, such as cellular and sub-cellular organelles, and is employed to measure their size or other physical characteristics. Examples include the use of LSS to measure the size distributions of nuclei or mitochondria. The native contrast that is achieved with LSS can serve as a non-invasive diagnostic and scientific tool. The other area for the use of the spectroscopy of scattered light in biology and medicine involves using conducting metal nanoparticles to obtain either contrast or electric field enhancement through the effect of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Gold and silver metal nanoparticles are non-toxic, they do not photobleach, are relatively inexpensive, are wavelength-tunable, and can be labeled with antibodies. This makes them very promising candidates for spectrally encoded molecular imaging. Metal nanoparticles can also serve as electric field enhancers of Raman signals. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful method for detecting and identifying molecules down to single molecule concentrations. In this review, we will concentrate on the common physical principles, which allow one to understand these apparently different areas using similar physical and mathematical approaches. We will also describe the major advancements in each of these areas, as well as some of the exciting recent developments.

[Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases in 2013: problems of laboratory diagnosis]

Progress in the laboratory diagnosis of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SRAD) is caused by the ever increasing clinical introduction of new highly productive methods for immune analysis using computer-aided systems and multiplex proteomic technologies. The urgent problem in the laboratory diagnosis of SRAD is the standardization of current methods for the detection of autoantibodies (autoAb), including the preparation of international reference materials for the calibration and external quality assessment of immunological assay. New autoAb technologies have a higher analytical validity than the previously used classical techniques immunodiffusion, agglutination, and immunofluorescence; however, their diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for SRAD have been poorly studied. Particular emphasis is laid on the standardization of the methods for examining antinuclear antibodies (ANAb), the major serologic marker of SRAD. According to the EULAR/ACR guidelines, indirect immunofluorescence reaction (IIFR) using human HEp-2 cells as substrate is the gold standard and a primary screening ANAb method. New methods for solid-phase analysis (enzyme immunoassay, multiplex test systems, etc.) cannot substitute the primary screening of ANAb using IIFR-HEp-2 as they identify antibodies to the limited number of antigens, increasing the number of false- negative results. The computer-aided systems for interpreting cell fluorescence tests contribute to the standardization and enhancement of the efficiency of detection of ANAb and other autoAb by IIFR. The use of complex diagnostic indices based on the multiparametric analysis of laboratory biomarkers in the serum makes it possible to most fully and objectively assess complex molecular mechanisms for the pathogenesis of SRAD, thus radically improving the early diagnosis, the estimation of the activity and severity of disease, the prediction of the outcomes of a pathological process and the response to treatment.

[The importance of cytokine profile characteristics for evaluating the therapeutic effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies against IL-6 receptors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

AIM

To evaluate dynamics of cytokine profile characteristics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tocilizumab and to identify parameters that can be used to predict the effectiveness of therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

42 patients (32 women) aged 43-55 (mean 50.5) years with the duration of disease 23-81 (mean 56.5 months), DAS28 6.4 (5.8-7.05). Each patient was given 6 i/v infusions of 8 mg tocilizumab/day at 4 week intervals in addition to standard therapy. Serum levels of IL-1b, IL-1Pa, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, Eotaxin, FGF-basic, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-g, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1b, PDGF bb, RANTES, TNF-alpha, VEGF were determined by xMAP multiplex technology.

RESULTS

Good therapeutic effect in accordance with EULAR criteria was documented in 35 and satisfactory one in 7 patients; remission based on CDAI occurred in 33% of the cases. The levels of proinflammatory (IL-1b, -2, -6, -12, -15, -17, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, -5, -9, -10, -13) cytokines, hemokines (IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1a, MIP-1b, MIP-1b) and growth factors (IL-7, GM-CSF, VEGF, FGF basic, IP-10) dropped down by week 24 of the treatment (p < 0.05). Remission based on CDAI was associated with higher baseline levels of IL-1b, -2, GM-CSF and TNF-alpha and good outcome according to EULAR criteria with the rapid fall in IL-10 and -13 levels.

CONCLUSION

Therapy with tocilizumab results in the rapid and well apparent decrease in the concentration of the practically entire spectrum of cytokines. Measurement of IL-1b, -2, -10, -13, GM-CSF and TNF-alpha may be useful for the prediction of the effectiveness of therapy of RA with tocilizumab.

[Immunogenetic aspects of early rheumatoid arthritis]

The study is aimed to investigate the distribution of alleles of HLA-DRB1 gene in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and healthy individuals in Russian population, and evaluate their significance as molecular genetic markers of rheumatoid arthritis predisposition and protection. The association between alleles of HLA-DRB1 genes, antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides and IgM rheumatoid factor was also studied. Low and high resolution HLA-DRB1 genotyping were compared. In the cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, the alleles of HLA-DRB1 gene were found to be markers of rheumatoid arthritis protection/risk, especially in the homozygous state. They determined production of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides but were not associated with rheumatoid factor IgM levels. These findings support different autoimmune mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis.