Molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant receptor engagement and antibody evasion and neutralization

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant exhibits striking immune evasion and is spreading globally at an unprecedented speed. Understanding the underlying structural basis of the high transmissibility and greatly enhanced immune evasion of Omicron is of high importance. Here through cryo-EM analysis, we present both the closed and open states of the Omicron spike, which appear more compact than the counterparts of the G614 strain, potentially related to the Omicron substitution induced enhanced protomer-protomer and S1-S2 interactions. The closed state showing dominant population may indicate a conformational masking mechanism of immune evasion for Omicron spike. Moreover, we capture two states for the Omicron S/ACE2 complex with S binding one or two ACE2s, revealing that the substitutions on the Omicron RBM result in new salt bridges/H-bonds and more favorable electrostatic surface properties, together strengthened interaction with ACE2, in line with the higher ACE2 affinity of the Omicron relative to the G614 strain. Furthermore, we determine cryo-EM structures of the Omicron S/S3H3 Fab, an antibody able to cross-neutralize major variants of concern including Omicron, elucidating the structural basis for S3H3-mediated broad-spectrum neutralization. Our findings shed new lights on the high transmissibility and immune evasion of the Omicron variant and may also inform design of broadly effective vaccines against emerging variants.

Ways of innovative development of meat industry enterprises

Современные условия развития экономики вынуждают предприятия активнее применять методы инновационного развития, и перерабатывающая промышленность не является исключением. Высокая значимость проблемы поиска и практического внедрения инноваций в сферу рационального использования (переработки) отходов мясоперерабатывающей промышленности подчеркивает актуальность темы настоящего исследования. Оно позволит вывести предприятия мясоперерабатывающей отрасли на качественно новый уровень развития. Решение данной проблемы также тесно связано и с проблемами в сфере экологии и условий жизни населения нашей страны. В данной статье отражены итоги проведенного авторами исследования вариантов практического внедрения инноваций в сферу рационального использования (переработки) отходов мясоперерабатывающей промышленности. Modern conditions of economic development force enterprises to more actively apply methods of innovative development, and the processing industry is no exception. The high importance of the problem of finding and practical implementation of innovations in the sphere of rational use (processing) of wastes from the meat processing industry emphasizes the relevance of the topic of this study. The study of this problem will help bring the meat processing industry to a qualitatively new level of development. The solution to this problem is also closely related to problems in the field of ecology and living conditions of the population of our country. This article reflects the results of the research carried out by the authors of the options for the practical implementation of innovations in the sphere of rational use (processing) of waste from the meat processing industry.

Pope Gregory the Great’s Arguments Against the Ecumenical Title of the Patriarch of Constantinople: Analysis of the Letters from 595

Introduction. At the end of the sixth century a dispute broke out between the popes and the patriarchs of Constantinople – first of all, between pope Gregory I the Great (590–604) and patriarch John IV the Faster (582–595) – over the epithet “Ecumenical”, which appeared in the title of John of Constantinople. This dispute is quite widely represented in the scientific literature, but since researchers almost always pay attention to this topic in general, their papers often miss many nuances contained in the texts of the letters of pope Gregory. Methods. This article attempts a detailed analysis of the first series of letters of pope Gregory dedicated to the dispute and related to 595. These are letters to emperor Maurice (582–602), empress Constantina, the patriarch John IV of Constantinople, and the papal apocrisiary in Constantinople, deacon Sabinianus. The purpose of this study is to reconstruct pope Gregory’s argumentation system against the use of the Ecumenical title. Analysis. The author identifies several types of arguments that pope Gregory puts forward in his polemic against the title: canonical, biblical, dogmatic, ecclesiastical, political, pastoral and ascetic. Results. The article shows, on the one hand, what the letters have in common, and on the other, how the arguments of the pope vary depending on the recipient. Generally, pope Gregory expresses a sharply negative attitude to the title, and many researchers tend to see this fact as a contradiction to the concept of papal primacy, as it developed in a later period. Basing on the significant differences in argumentation between the letters to the emperor, the empress and the patriarch John – with the same purpose of all the messages – the article makes a conclusion about the care with which pope Gregory selects arguments. This can serve as one of the indirect indicators of the high importance of the dispute over the Ecumenical title for him, and also characterizes his perception of the idea of Church power in general.

Trial design of umbrella type shell structures

To create aesthetically expressive and functional small architectural forms, it is advisable to use reinforced concrete umbrella type shells in the shape of surfaces that can be specified in an analytical form. Hard landscaping is a suitable field of application for insufficiently studied and tested structures, in contrast to large structures of high importance class. The paper gives an example of a trial variant design of a small garden and park structure in the form of an umbrella type shell, during which different types of umbrella surfaces were analyzed and three variants were selected. Among the studied forms are the following surfaces: a paraboloid of rotation, an umbrella-type surface with a sinusoidal generator, an umbrella-type surface with radial waves based on cubic parabolas (with central flat point). The calculation of stress-strain state of three shells under their own weight was carried out using the finite element method and the peculiarities of working under load of each type of structures were revealed, recommendations are given when designing similar structures.

Acne Vulgaris Burden, Risk Factors, Lifestyle Modification Influence and Treatment Options – A Review

Acne vulgaris is a widespread health issue affecting teenagers, young adults, and adults. The prevalence of this unpleasant condition varies between populations. A thorough literature review was carried out to discuss this underestimated issue through multiple perspectives. The search found that acne vulgaris has a substantial negative psychological impact on individuals leading to low quality of life and less productivity, yet it is usually neglected. Various factors, modifiable and non-modifiable) were associated with the progression of acne, such as family history, genetics, and diet, yet others were controversial. Lifestyle modifications are of high importance since they may contribute to the development of acne. Numerous anti-acne drugs are available in the form of topical and systemic, however, topical treatment options in general are preferred thanks to their effectiveness and less severe side effects.

Synthesis of Cyclohexanones by a Tandem Photocatalyzed Annulation

The rapid synthesis of cyclic scaffolds is of high importance to the chemistry community. Strategies for the convergent synthesis of substi-tuted carbocycles and heterocycles remain underexplored despite the plethora of applications that these cyclic motifs have in the phar-maceutical and materials industries. Reported herein is a tandem carbene and photoredox-catalyzed process for the convergent synthesis of substituted cycloalkanones via a formal [5+1] cycloaddition. Featuring two distinct photoredox cycles and a novel α-oxidation of ben-zylic ketones, this reaction offers a mild approach to construct two contiguous C–C bonds and eliminates the need for strong bases or expensive metal catalysts. The utility of this method is highlighted through various product diversification reactions that allow access to a range of important cyclic scaffolds.

Potential of Impedance Flow Cytometry to Assess the Viability and Quantity of Cannabis sativa L. Pollen

Over the last decade, efforts to breed new Cannabis sativa L. cultivars with high Cannabidiol (CBD) and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids with low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels have increased. In this context, the identification of the viability and quantity of pollen, which represents the fitness of male gametophytes, to accomplish successful pollination is of high importance. The present study aims to evaluate the potential of impedance flow cytometry (IFC) for the assessment of pollen viability (PV) and total number of pollen cells (TPC) in two phytocannabinoid-rich cannabis genotypes, KANADA (KAN) and A4 treated with two different chemical solutions, silver thiosulfate solution (STS) and gibberellic acid (GA3). Pollen was collected over a period of 8 to 24 days after flowering (DAF) in a greenhouse experiment. Impedance flow cytometry (IFC) technology was used with Cannabis sativa to assess the viability and quantity of pollen. The results showed that the number of flowers per plant was highest at 24 DAF for both genotypes, A4 (317.78) and KAN (189.74). TPC induced by STS was significantly higher compared to GA3 over the collection period of 8 to 24 DAF with the highest mean TPC of 1.54 × 105 at 14 DAF. STS showed significantly higher viability of pollen compared to GA3 in genotype KAN, with the highest PV of 78.18% 11 DAF. Genotype A4 also showed significantly higher PV with STS at 8 (45.66%), 14 (77.88%), 18 (79.37%), and 24 (51.92%) DAF compared to GA3. Furthermore, counting the numbers of flowers did not provide insights into the quality and quantity of pollen; the results showed that PV was highest at 18 DAF with A4; however, the number of flowers per plant was 150.33 at 18 DAF and was thus not the maximum of produced flowers within the experiment. IFC technology successfully estimated the TPC and differentiated between viable and non-viable cells over a period of 8 to 24 DAF in tested genotypes of Cannabis sativa. IFC seems to be an efficient and reliable method to estimate PV, opening new chances for plant breeding and plant production processes in cannabis.

Accounting of goods in pharmacies

Pharmacies belong to the category of wholesale and retail trade, but their goods are of high importance for the population, since they allow you to maintain or correct an important quality of a person — health. The implementation of operations for the movement of a wide range of medicines and medical products from suppliers through pharmacies to end-users at the same time differs in its similarity when reflected in the accounting process. Differences are observed in the approaches to setting a trade mark-up for each category of goods, depending on the frequency of purchases, or assigning them to a price segment. The exception to the rules for setting the price is vital medicines, for which the maximum price is set by the state. But the accounting of these pharmacy products also has the same mechanism as the goods without restrictions in the margin. In this case, the object of VAT taxation appears, the accounting of which has its own specifics, depending on the applicable tax regime.

Efficiency of choosing promising walnut forms in the case of Uzbekistan

Walnut (Juglans regia L) is one of the most important tree species in Uzbekistan. Natural walnuts have a valuable gene pool, among which there are many forms with different bioecological properties. In particular, biodiversity in terms of kernel quality is highly variable within the species. This article provides information on the analysis of quality indicators of walnut kernels in natural and local nuts. Among the indicators of kernel quality in the selected forms, the yield of walnut kernels was of high importance as the main indicator, and in the selected forms this indicator was 38.2-63.3. According to international indicators, Parkent-2, Boysun-1 and Humson-5 forms are recommended for wide use, given that the form with a yield rate of more than 50% is promising.

Macrophage-Osteoclast Associations: Origin, Polarization, and Subgroups

Cellular associations in the bone microenvironment are involved in modulating the balance between bone remodeling and resorption, which is necessary for maintaining a normal bone morphology. Macrophages and osteoclasts are both vital components of the bone marrow. Macrophages can interact with osteoclasts and regulate bone metabolism by secreting a variety of cytokines, which make a significant contribution to the associations. Although, recent studies have fully explored either macrophages or osteoclasts, indicating the significance of these two types of cells. However, it is of high importance to report the latest discoveries on the relationships between these two myeloid-derived cells in the field of osteoimmunology. Therefore, this paper reviews this topic from three novel aspects of the origin, polarization, and subgroups based on the previous work, to provide a reference for future research and treatment of bone-related diseases.