Susceptibility of SARS COV-2 nucleocapsid and spike proteins to reactive oxygen species and role in inflammation.

Chemiluminescence was used to test the susceptibility of the SARS-CoV-2 N and S proteins to oxidation by reactive oxygen species (ROS) at pH 7.4 and pH 8.5. The Fenton's system generates various ROS (H2O2, OH, -OH, OOH). All proteins were found to significantly suppress oxidation (the viral proteins exhibited 25-60% effect compared to albumin). In the second system, H2O2 was used both as a strong oxidant and as a ROS. A similar effect was observed (30-70%); N protein approached the effect of albumin at physiological pH (∼45%). In the O2.--generation system, albumin was most effective in the suppression of generated radicals (75%, pH 7.4). The viral proteins were more susceptible to oxidation (inhibition effect no more than 20%, compared to albumin). The standard antioxidant assay confirmed the strong antioxidant capacity of both viral proteins (1.5-1.7 fold higher than albumin). These results demonstrate the effective and significant inhibition of ROS-induced oxidation by the proteins. Obviously, the viral proteins could not be involved in the oxidative stress reactions during the course of the infection. They even suppress the metabolites involved in its progression. These results can be explained by their structure. Probably, an evolutionary self-defense mechanism of the virus has been developed.

Enhancing the Organisational Culture related to Cyber Security during the University Digital Transformation

The digital transformation (digitalisation) becomes an important item in strategies and plans for development and improvement of higher education. The implementation of new approaches in education, new ways of information sharing and group work are expected to improve and transform all processes and services within the higher education institutions. The digital transformation should not underestimate the security aspects of ICT use and specific Cyber Security Culture (CSC), part of the wider organisational culture should be directed, shaped and supported. CSC of organizations refers to the knowledge, beliefs, perceptions, attitudes, assumptions, norms and values of people regarding cybersecurity and how they are manifested in people's behaviour with information technologies. The attitude towards security measures in academic organisations is usually oriented towards free and open sharing of information and knowledge. This positive direction has to be maintained and preserved, but also to be changed and adapted to current threats and security environment. The balance between openness and security has to be analysed, rationally implemented, and monitored through establishment of organisational programme dedicated to CSC as a measure to influence the human factor in cybersecurity. This article presents best practices of universities' digitalisation from the cyber security and CRC point of view. ENISA's CSC development guidance was used as the main tool for developing the general CSC programme for universities. The required changes of CSC and possible programme implementation are considered based on cases from several Bulgarian universities.