Effect of the nanocapsulated adjuvant Sapomax on the expression of some immune response genes.

The use of the nanocapsulated adjuvant Sapomax increased the expression of innate immunity genes (H2Q10, Ddx58, Tyk2, Tlr3, Tlr7, and TNF) responsible for the primary recognition of influenza virus, i.e., those belonging to the RLR and TLR families; genes involved in stimulating the production of type I and III IFN and pro-inflammatory cytokines; and Th1 and Th2 cellular immunity genes (Ccr4, Ccr5, IFNγ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10) responsible for triggering regulatory immune mechanisms in the cell. The high immunological activity of the plant-derived nanocapsulated adjuvant Sapomax may be used to enhance the efficacy of vaccines.

Antiviral activities of extremophilic actinomycetes extracts from Kazakhstan's unique ecosystems against influenza viruses and paramyxoviruses.

BACKGROUND: Commercially available antiviral drugs, when used in the treatment of viral infections, do not always result in success. This is an urgent problem currently that needs to be addressed because several viruses including influenza and paramyxoviruses are acquiring multi-drug resistance. A potential solution for this emerging issue is to create new antiviral drugs from available compounds of natural products. It is known that the majority of drugs have been developed using compounds derived from actinomycetes, which are naturally occurring gram-positive bacteria. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antiviral properties of extremophilic actinomycetes extracts from strains that were isolated from extreme environments in Kazakhstan. METHODS: Five strains of extremophilic actinomycetes isolated from the unique ecosystems of Kazakhstan were extracted and tested for antiviral activity against influenza viruses (strains H7N1, H5N3, H1N1 and H3N2) and paramyxoviruses (Sendai Virus and Newcastle Disease Virus). The antiviral activity of these selected extracts was tested by checking their effect on hemagglutination and neuraminidase activities of the studied viruses. Additionally, actinomycetes extracts were compared with commercially available antiviral drugs and some plant preparations that have been shown to exhibit antiviral properties. RESULTS: The main findings show that extracts from strains K-192, K-340, K-362, K-522 and K525 showed antiviral activities when tested using influenza viruses, Sendai Virus, and Newcastle Disease Virus. These activities were comparable to those shown by Rimantadine and Tamiflu drugs, and "Virospan" and "Flavovir" plant preparations. CONCLUSIONS: We identified several extracts with antiviral activities against several strains of influenza viruses and paramyxoviruses. Our research findings can be applied towards characterization and development of new antiviral drugs from the active actinomycetes extracts.

Monitoring of Newcastle disease virus in environmental samples.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an important pathogen in poultry. Waterfowl and a number of other avian species serve as the host for NDV. Severity of the disease is variable and infected animals mainly develop respiratory and neurological symptoms. Outbreaks of NDV in poultry are recorded regularly in the Republic of Kazakhstan despite the widespread use of vaccines. Here we present evidence that nucleic acid found in open water bodies in Kazakhstan can be detected by means of next-generation sequencing and belongs to at least three distinct genotypes of NDV.

Complete Genome Sequence of vB_EcoP_PR_Kaz2018, a T7-Like Bacteriophage.

Here, we describe the complete genome sequence of the Escherichia coli bacteriophage vB_EcoP_PR_Kaz2018, isolated from a water sample. vB_EcoP_PR_Kaz2018 is a linear double-stranded DNA T7-like podophage with a genome of 39,704 bp containing 45 predicted open reading frames (ORFs).

Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia-Infecting Phage CEC_KAZ_2018, Isolated from Soil.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) bacteria are one of the main problems of the poultry industry. An effective way to combat colibacillosis is to use a phage preparation that lyses the bacteria. Here, we report the isolation of an E. coli-infecting phage, CEC_KAZ_2018, isolated from soil.

Comparative study of viromes from freshwater samples of the Ile-Balkhash region of Kazakhstan captured through metagenomic analysis.

Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on Earth and can be found in a variety of environments. A high prevalence of viruses in marine and freshwater systems was initially reported by Spencer in 1955, but the ecological significance of viruses is insufficiently known even until the present day. Viruses are known to play a key role in the biology of freshwater bacteria: controlling the bacterial abundance, composition of species, and acting as intermediaries in the transfer of genes between bacterial populations. In our study a variety of viromes of the Ile-Balkhash water basin were identified. It was found that the composition of viruses of the Ile-Balkhash region is made up not only of a wide variety of autochthonous viruses typical for phytoplankton hydro ecosystems, but also of representatives of allochthonous viruses-such families as Coronaviridae, Reoviridae and Herpesviridae-indicating anthropogenic pollution of the basin. The research designed to investigate the viral abundance, spread, infectious cycle, seasonal dynamics, composition of the viral community, and the influence of viruses on the bacteria, phytoplankton and recycling of nutrients, as well as the impact of environmental factors on the viral ecology in a variety of marine and freshwater systems is very relevant nowadays.

New functionally-enhanced soy proteins as food ingredients with anti-viral activity.

Respiratory viruses are a major public health problem because of their prevalence and high morbidity rate leading to considerable social and economic implications. Cranberry has therapeutic potential attributed to a comprehensive list of phytochemicals including anthocyanins, flavonols, and unique A-type proanthocyanidins. Soy flavonoids, including isoflavones, have demonstrated anti-viral effects in vitro and in vivo. Recently, it was demonstrated that edible proteins can efficiently sorb and concentrate cranberry polyphenols, including anthocyanins and proanthocyanins, providing greatly stabilized matrices suitable for food products. The combination of cranberry and soy phytoactives may be an effective dietary anti-viral resource. Anti-viral properties of both cranberry juice-enriched and cranberry pomace polyphenol-enriched soy protein isolate (CB-SPI and CBP-SPI) were tested against influenza viruses (H7N1, H5N3, H3N2), Newcastle disease virus and Sendai virus in vitro and in ovo. In our experiments, preincubation with CB-SPI or CBP-SPI resulted in inhibition of virus adsorption to chicken red blood cells and reduction in virus nucleic acid content up to 16-fold, however, CB-SPI and CBP-SPI did not affect hemagglutination. Additionally, CB-SPI and CBP-SPI inhibited viral replication and infectivity more effectively than the commercially available anti-viral drug Amizon. Results suggest CB-SPI and CBP-SPI may have preventative and therapeutic potential against viral infections that cause diseases of the respiratory and gastro-intestinal tract.