Predominance of influenza B/Yamagata lineage viruses in Bulgaria during the 2017/2018 season.

In this study, we investigated the antigenic and genetic characteristics of influenza viruses circulating in Bulgaria during the 2017/2018 season. The detection and typing/subtyping of influenza viruses were performed using real-time RT-PCR. Results of antigenic characterisation, phylogenetic and amino acid sequence analyses of representative influenza strains are presented. The season was characterised by the predominance of B/Yamagata viruses, accounting for 77% of detected influenza viruses, followed by A(H1N1)pdm09 (17%), B/Victoria (3.7%) and A(H3N2) (2.4%). The sequenced B/Yamagata, B/Victoria, A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses belonged to the genetic groups 3, 1A, 6B.1 and 3C.2a1, respectively. Amino acid analysis of B/Yamagata isolates revealed the presence of three changes in haemagglutinin (HA), eight changes in neuraminidase (NA) and a number of substitutions in internal proteins compared with the B/Phucket/3073/2013 vaccine virus. Despite the amino acid changes, B/Yamagata viruses remained antigenically related to the vaccine strain. B/Victoria isolates fell into a group of viruses with double deletion (Δ162-163) in HA1. Substitutions in HA and NA sequences of B/Victoria, A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses were also identified compared with the vaccine strains, including in antigenic sites. The results of this study confirm the genetic variability of circulating influenza viruses and the need for continual antigenic and molecular surveillance.

DFT study of the molecular and crystal structure and vibrational analysis of cisplatin.

DFT and periodic-DFT (PAW-PBE method, code VASP) calculations have been performed to study the structural and vibrational characteristics of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) at molecular and outside molecular level. To estimate the effect of the intermolecular interactions in crystal on the structural and vibrational properties of cisplatin, three theoretical models are considered in the present study: monomer (isolated molecule), hydrogen bonded dimer and periodic solid state structures. The work focused on the role of the theoretical models for correct modeling and prediction of geometrical and vibrational parameters of cisplatin. It has been found that the elaborate three-dimensional intermolecular hydrogen bonding network in the crystalline cisplatin significantly influences the structural and vibrational pattern of cisplatin and therefore the isolated cisplatin molecule is not the correct computational model regardless of the theoretical level used. To account for the whole intermolecular hydrogen bonding network in direction of both a and c axis and for more reliable calculations of structural and vibrational parameters periodic DFT calculations were carried out in the full crystalline periodic environment with the known lattice parameters for each cisplatin polymorph phase. The model calculations performed both at molecular level and for the periodic structures of alpha and beta cisplatin polymorph forms revealed the decisive role of the extended theoretical model for reliable prediction of the structural and vibrational characteristics of cisplatin. The powder diffraction pattern and the calculated IR and Raman spectra predicted beta polymorph form of our cisplatin sample freshly synthesized for the purposes of the present study using the Dhara's method. The various rotamers realized in the polymorph forms of cisplatin were explained by the low population of the large number of rotamers in solution as well as with the high rotamer interconversion rate due to the low energy barrier.

Opinions of key stakeholders concerning involuntary admission of patients under the Mental Health Act 2001.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the opinions of key stakeholders involved in the involuntary admission and treatment of patients under the Mental Health Act (MHA) 2001 regarding their views towards the operation of the legislation. METHODS: We employed a descriptive survey design. A questionnaire was distributed to stakeholders involved in the operation of the MHA 2001 (except service users, whose views were explored in a separate qualitative study) via paper or online versions evaluating their opinions regarding the operation of the MHA 2001 in relation to assessment, care, rights, transfer and information available. RESULTS: Stakeholders agreed that in their opinion that patients generally benefit from the care they receive (79%) and that the MHA 2001 ensures an independent and fair review of the person's detention (65%). However, only 23% of stakeholders were satisfied with the process of transferring patients to hospital and with the clinical assessment procedures therein (37%), with the greatest levels of dissatisfaction amongst Gardai (Police), general practitioners (GPs) and family members. CONCLUSIONS: While the introduction of the MHA 2001 has assisted delivery of care to patients with improved adherence to international human rights frameworks applicable at the time of its enactment, substantial dissatisfaction with the implementation of the MHA 2001 in practice is experienced by stakeholders particularly at the distressing phase of clinical assessment and transfer to hospital.

Lanthanide and transition metal complexes of bioactive coumarins: molecular modeling and spectroscopic studies.

The present paper summarizes theoretical and spectroscopic investigations on a series of active coumarins and their lanthanide and transition metal complexes with application in medicine and pharmacy. Molecular modeling as well as IR, Raman, NMR and electronic spectral simulations at different levels of theory were performed to obtain important molecular descriptors: total energy, formation energy, binding energy, stability, conformations, structural parameters, electron density distribution, molecular electrostatic potential, Fukui functions, atomic charges, and reactive indexes. The computations are performed both in gas phase and in solution with consideration of the solvent effect on the molecular structural and energetic parameters. The investigations have shown that the advanced computational methods are reliable for prediction of the metal-coumarin binding mode, electron density distribution, thermodynamic properties as well as the strength and nature of the metal-coumarin interaction (not experimentally accessible) and correctly interpret the experimental spectroscopic data. Known results from biological tests for cytotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, spasmolytic and anti-HIV activities on the studied metal complexes are reported and discussed.

Molecular structure and spectroscopic studies on novel complexes of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid with Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and Mn(II) ions based on density functional theory.

Novel Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and Mn(II) complexes of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid (HCCA) were studied at experimental and theoretical levels. The complexes were characterised by elemental analyses, FT-IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy and by magnetic susceptibility measurements. The binding modes of the ligand and the spin states of the metal complexes were established by means of molecular modelling of the complexes studied and calculation of their IR, NMR and absorption spectra at DFT(TDDFT)/B3LYP level. The experimental and calculated data verified high spin Ni(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) complexes and a bidentate binding through the carboxylic oxygen atoms (CCA2). The model calculations predicted pseudo octahedral trans-[M(CCA2)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] structures for the Zn(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes and a binuclear [Mn(2)(CCA2)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] structure. Experimental and calculated (1)H, (13)C NMR, IR and UV-Vis data were used to distinguish the two possible bidentate binding modes (CCA1 and CCA2) as well as mononuclear and binuclear structures of the metal complexes.

ZM447439, a novel promising aurora kinase inhibitor, provokes antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects alone and in combination with bio- and chemotherapeutic agents in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic approaches to gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are still not satisfactory. A new direction in treatment options could be the novel aurora kinase inhibitor ZM447439, which was previously reported to interfere with the mitotic spindle integrity checkpoint and chromosome segregation, but does not interfere with other kinases when used up to 5 muM. METHODS: We evaluated the antineoplastic effects of ZM447439 on growth and apoptosis of the GEP-NET cell lines BON, QGP-1 and MIP-101, representing the different malignant tumor types, using standard cell biological tests as crystal violet assays, caspase activation, DNA fragmentation and cell cycle analysis. RESULTS: ZM447439 dose-dependently inhibited proliferation of all three cell lines with IC(50) values in the nanomolar to low micromolar range. Moreover, aurora kinase inhibition by ZM447439 potently induced apoptosis, which was accompanied by DNA fragmentation and caspase 3 and 7 activation. Furthermore, we observed cell cycle arrest at G(0)/G(1) phase as well as a block in G(2)/M transition. In addition, combined treatment with the chemotherapeutic agents streptozocin and cisplatin augmented significantly the antiproliferative effects of those agents. CONCLUSION: Aurora kinase inhibition by ZM447439 seems to be a promising new therapeutic approach in GEP-NETs, which should be evaluated in further clinical trials.

Bonding analyses, formation energies, and vibrational properties of M-R2dtc complexes (M=Ag(I), Ni(II), Cu(II), or Zn(II)).

Detailed theoretical studies based on density functional theory (DFT)/B3LYP calculations of dimethyl- and diethyldithiocarbamate complexes of Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Ag(I) are performed to characterize the metal-ligand bonding type as well as the metal-ligand bonding strength depending on the metal and the dialkyl substituent. The metal-ligand interactions in the studied complexes are investigated by means of charge decomposition analysis, energy partitioning analysis (EPA), and natural bond orbital analysis. According to the EPA calculations, the electrostatic attraction is the dominant contribution to the M-S2(R2dtc) (dtc=dithiocarbamate) bonding. The electrostatic and the orbital energies follow the order of the total binding energy, and hence both contributions are responsible for the binding energy order of M(R2dtc)2 complexes. The stability of the M(R2dtc)2 complexes is estimated by means of calculated formation reaction energies in the gas phase and solution, and it decreases in the order Ni(R2dtc)2>Cu(R2dtc)2>Zn(R2dtc)2. Larger formation reaction energies are found for M(Et2dtc)2 than for M(Me2dtc)2 complexes. The calculations predict stabilization of M(II)(R2dtc)2 complexes going from the gas phase to a polar solvent and destabilization of the bidentate AgR2dtc complex in a polar solvent. Gas-phase frequency calculations of all possible bonding types, symmetrical, asymmetrical, and uni- and bidentate, predict one band due to the nu(CS) IR absorption, and therefore the number of the bands in the 1060-920 cm(-1) region could not be used to discern the metal-ligand bonding type. Periodic DFT frequency calculations for Cu(Et2dtc)2 reveal that the splitting observed in the solid-state spectra of the complexes arises from the nonplanar MS4 fragment and intermolecular contacts but not from asymmetrical bonding. The calculations suggest that the important vibrational characteristic that can be used to discern uni- and bidentate bonding is the Raman activity of the nu(CS) band: It is very high for the unidentate dtc bonding (nu(C=S)) and low for the bidentate bonding (nuas(CS)).

Excited state properties of 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin in the gas phase and in solution. A theoretical study.

TDDFT/B3LYP and RI-CC2 calculations with different basis sets have been performed for vertical and adiabatic excitations and emission properties of the lowest singlet states for the neutral (enol and keto), protonated and deprotonated forms of 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (7H4MC) in the gas phase and in solution. The effect of 7H4MC-solvent (water) interactions on the lowest excited and fluorescence states were computed using the Polarizable Continuum Method (PCM), 7H4MC-water clusters and a combination of both approaches. The calculations revealed that in aqueous solution the pi pi* energy is the lowest one for excitation and fluorescence transitions of all forms of 7H4MC studied. The calculated excitation and fluorescence energies in aqueous solution are in good agreement with experiment. It was found that, depending on the polarity of the medium, the solvent shifts vary, leading to a change in the character of the lowest excitation and fluorescence transition. The dipole-moment and electron-density changes of the excited states relative to the ground state correlate with the solvation effect on the singlet excited states and on transition energies, respectively. The calculations show that, in contrast to the ground state, the keto form has a lower energy in the pi pi* state as compared to enol, demonstrating from this point of view the energetic possibility of proton transfer from the enol to the keto form in the excited state.

Coordination properties of the oxime analogue of glycine to Cu(II).

The coordination of Cu2+ by glyoxilic acid oxime (gao)--the oxime analogue of glycine amino acid--and its deprotonated (gao- and gao2-) species has been studied with different density functional methods. Single-point calculations have also been carried out at the single- and double- (triple) excitation coupled-cluster (CCSD(T)) level of theory. The isomers studied involve coordination of Cu2+ to electron-rich sites (O,N) of neutral, anionic, and dianionic gao species in different conformations. In contrast to Cu2+-glycine, for which the ground-state structure is bidentate with the CO2(-) terminus of zwitterionic glycine, for Cu2+-gao the most stable isomer shows monodentate binding of Cu2+ with the carbonylic oxygen of the neutral form. The most stable complexes of Cu2+ interacting with deprotonated gao species (gao- and gao2-) also take place through the carboxylic oxygens but in a bidentate manner. The results with different functionals show that, for these open shell (Cu2+-L) systems, the relative stability of complexes with different coordination environments (and so, different spin distribution) can be quite sensitive to the amount of "Hartree-Fock" exchange included in the functional. Among all the functionals tested in this work, the BHandHLYP is the one that better compares to CCSD(T) results.

Vibrational study of new Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes with functionalized nitrogen-containing tertiary phosphine oxides. Ab initio study of ortho-, meta- and para-dimethylphosphinylmethyleneoxyaniline.

Vibrational study of new Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes of functionalized nitrogen-containing tertiary phosphine oxides, namely ortho-, meta- and para-dimethylphosphinylmethyleneoxyaniline (o-, m- and p-dpmoa), (CH3)2P(O)CH2OC6H4NH2, have been presented. Geometry optimization of the ligands was performed at HF/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-31G* levels of the theory. Harmonic frequencies were calculated at HF/6-31G* optimized geometries. Relative gas-phase and solution-phase (H2O and CH3CN) basicities of o-, m- and p-dpmoa ligands have been determined by ab initio calculations at STO-3G level with the Onsager reaction field model. On the basis of the vibrational study, physical and analytical data it was suggested that the ligands in the complexes studied coordinate through the amino group and form square-planar platinum and palladium complexes of the general formula ML2Cl2 (M = Pt, Pd, L = o-, m- and p-dpmoa).

Platinum (II) Compounds With Antitumor Activity Studied by Molecular Mechanics.

A SERIES OF PT(LL) COMPLEXES WITH ANTITUMOR PROPERTIES: [1,2-bis(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine]PtL(2) (meso-1-PtL(2)) and [erythro-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(2-halo-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine]PtL(2), [2L=2Cl-,2I-,SO(4) (2)-; halo = F (erythro-8-PtL(2)),halo = Cl (erythro-9-PtL(2))] has been modelled by molecular mechanics (MM). The MM calculations were carried out for different isomers and ligand conformations meso-delta, meso-lambda, d,l-delta, d,I-lambda. The compounds with the lowest MM energies have the same geometries as those obtained by X-ray analysis. The calculated MMX energy orders: meso-1-PtL(2) < erythro-9-PtL(2) < erythro-8-PtL(2) for L=I-, Cl- and SO(4) (2-) are reverse to the known antitumor activity order - the lowest energy complex (the most stable one)is the one with the highest estrogen activity (meso-1-PtL(2)). The type of the leaving group (L) does not alter the energy order, which is in agreement with the biological experiments that show a slight dependence of the estrogen properties on the leaving group type.

[Metablism of DL-selenomethionine in growing chicks]. / Obmiana na DL-selenomethionine v organizma na rastiashti pileta.

The experiments made use of growing male birds. They were given orally 4 muCi of 75Se per kg liveweight each under the form of DL-selenium-methionine, and were bled (via the wing vein) at fixed intervals. Studied was the radioactivity in the liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, brain, testes, femoral muscles, and breast bone. The amount of 75Se excreted through the feces and urine was examined at the 24th, 48th, and 72nd hour following the introduction of selenium-methionine. It was found that the resorption of 75Se-selenium-methionine through the digestive tract of birds as registered by the radioactivity of the blood was most intensive between the 3rd and the 6th hour, after which a decline was observed. Most intensive was the metabolism of selenium-methionine in the kidneys, spleen, testes, and pancreas, Comparatively lower is the metabolism of this agent in the breast bone and in the brain. Radioactivity of selenium-methionine was lowest in the femoral muscle. No substantial differences were established in its metabolism in the various organs and tissues studied at the 6th, 24th, 48th, and 72nd hour. As musch as 18.19 per cent of the introduced amount of selenium-methionine was excreted for 72 hours through the feces and urine.

Spontaneous chromosomal aberration levels in human peripheral lymphocytes.

Spontaneous levels of structural chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral lymphocytes were studied cytogenetically in 49 female and 56 male subjects. With a total of 16 267 metaphase spreads examined, 191 cells were found to contain chromosomal aberrations, giving a rate of 1.17%. The rates of individual aberration types were as follows: chromatid fragments, 0.39%; chromosome fragments, 0.71% dicentrics, 0.06%; symmetrical and asymmetrical chromatid exchanges, 0.01%; and rings, 0.006%. There were significant differences in aberration yields between females aged 20--29 yr. and 60--70 yr., whereas males aged 20--50 yr. showed no difference. The two sexes differed significantly in chromatid fragments, chromosome fragments and aberrants cells.

[Chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes induced by exposure to different doses of chronic gamma irradiation in vitro]. / Khromosomnye aberratsii v limfotsitakh cheloveka, vyzvannye vozdeistviem razlichnykh doz khronicheskogo gamma-oblucheniia in vitro.

Non-stimulated with phytohemagglutinin human blood was chronically gamma-irradiated (226Ra, 99 mg) in vitro at 37 derees C. The dose rates were 8.2 (irradiation doses 8.2, 16.4, 41 and 162.2 rads) and 25.3 (irradiation doses 8.4, 16.9, 42.2, 168.2, 337.3 and 506 rads) rads/hour. Quantitative analysis of different types of structural chromosome aberrations was carried out. The data on aberrant cells and dicentrics were statistically interpreted. The frequency of aberrant cells, observed at both dose rates, was statistically described by the equation y = a + bD, where y = 7.11 (+/- 0.56) + 11.38 (+/- 2.32) . 10(-2) D, and y = 5.23 (+/- 0.23 + 13.20 (+/- 1.11) . 10(-2) D at dose rates 8.2 and 25.3 rads respectively. The dicentrics yield was described by the equation y = alphaD + betaD2 + C, where y = 3.19 (+/- 0.22) . 10(-2) D + 7.0 (+/- 0.46) . 10(-5) D2 + 0.42, and y = 5.05 (+/- 0.38) . 10(-2) D + 7.1 (+/- 0.41) . 10(-5) D2 + 0.42 at 8.2 and 25.3 dose rates. Statistically reliable differences in the dicentric yield in lymphocytes irradiated with different dose rates are observed. The results obtained show that the increase in the dose rate results in the increase of the dicentric yield, originated in one-track process, while the dicentric yield from two-track process remains constant.

[Effect of blood storage and nutrient medium on the frequency of chromosomal cell aberrations after subsequent x-irradiation]. / Vliianie khraneniia krovi i pitatel'noi sredy na chastotu khromosomnykh kletochnykh aberratsii pri posleduiushchem rentgenovskom obluchenii.

Cytogenetic investigations are carried out in order to study the yield of chromosome aberrations depending on storage conditions of intact and X-irradiated blood and 199 nutrient medium containing calf serum in glass and plexiglas bottles at 20 degrees C within 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours. The yield of chromosome aberrations in blood stored in glass for 24, 48 and 72 hours and then X-irradiated at a dose of 250 r is the same as in freshly irradiated (at the same dose) blood. Statistically significant differences in the yield of chromosome aberrations were observed in blood stored for 24, 48 and 72 hours in plexiglas bottles as compared with freshly irradiated and stored in glass before the irradiation (at a dose of 250 r) blood. No chromosome changes in hereditary structures of lymphocytes were observed in non-irradiated blood, incubated with nutrient medium which was stored for 24, 48 and 72 hours in plexiglas bottles and then irradiated at a dose of 250 r. Non-irradiated blood stored for 24, 48 and 72 hours in glass and plexiglas bottles produced the same chromosome aberration yield as fresh non-irradiated blood. Thus, sensibilization of hereditary lymphocyte structures was observed only in X-irradiated blood stored in plexiglas bottles.

[Spontaneous chromosome aberrations in the lymphocytes of human peripheral blood]. / Spontanni khromozomni aberatsii v limfotsiti ot choveshka periferna kruv.

The authors carried out cytogenetic studies on lymphocytes from human peripheral blood of 105 persons--49 women and 56 men in order to examine spontaneous frequency of the structural chromosomal abberations in the somatic cells. There were 191 cells with abberations (1,17%), out of 16,267 analyzed metaphasic plates. They found 0,39% of chromatid fragments, 0,71% of chromosomal fragments, 0,06% dicentricets, 0,01% of symetric and asymetric chromatid exchanges and 0,006% of rings. There were no statistically significant differences in the discovery of the spontaneous abberations in the examined persons at various age and sex.