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Synthesis and Application of the Doxaz-MARCKS Prodrug
Chemotherapeutic prodrugs have demonstrated success in killing cancer cells; however they also pose harm to healthy cells. The objective of this project was to synthesize an improved prodrug that is selectively activated only in the cancer microenvironment, thus minimally affecting healthy tissue. A photolabile linker was hypothesized to achieve said objective. The Yin group discovered that the MARCKS-ED peptide can localize to the exosome via curvature sensing and electrostatic interactions. In addition, the Koch group determined that Doxazolidine (Doxaz) is more cytotoxic than its clinical drug precursor. Also, no cancer cell lines have shown resistance to this anthracycline. Based on these studies, we decided to synthesize a prodrug containing a photolabile linker, MARCKS-ED peptide, and the Doxaz anthracycline. We hypothesized that a specific sequence of synthesis and purification steps would generate the prodrug. I carried out steps and characterized the products using NMR, HPLC and ESI-MS+. The results confirmed that the desired product was produced. Preliminary in-vitro experiments also showed that the prodrug was endocytosed by cells. It was then predicted that application of UV light will activate the prodrug and cause cell death
Corporate governance in modern Russia: axiological resources and their development
The paper offers a way to optimize corporate governance basing on the axiological resources that serve as guidelines for social and professional activitie
Prevalence and factors associated with the use of alternative (folk) medicine practitioners in 8 countries of the former Soviet Union.
BACKGROUND: Research suggests that since the collapse of the Soviet Union there has been a sharp growth in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in some former Soviet countries. However, as yet, comparatively little is known about the use of CAM in the countries throughout this region. Against this background, the aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of using alternative (folk) medicine practitioners in eight countries of the former Soviet Union (fSU) and to examine factors associated with their use. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Living Conditions, Lifestyles and Health (LLH) survey undertaken in eight former Soviet countries (Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine) in 2001. In this nationally representative cross-sectional survey, 18428 respondents were asked about how they treated 10 symptoms, with options including the use of alternative (folk) medicine practitioners. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with the treatment of differing symptoms by such practitioners in these countries. RESULTS: The prevalence of using an alternative (folk) medicine practitioner for symptom treatment varied widely between countries, ranging from 3.5% in Armenia to 25.0% in Kyrgyzstan. For nearly every symptom, respondents living in rural locations were more likely to use an alternative (folk) medicine practitioner than urban residents. Greater wealth was also associated with using these practitioners, while distrust of doctors played a role in the treatment of some symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The widespread use of alternative (folk) medicine practitioners in some fSU countries and the growth of this form of health care provision in the post-Soviet period in conditions of variable licensing and regulation, highlights the urgent need for more research on this phenomenon and its potential effects on population health in the countries in this region
Bioavailability of metals occurring in polluted soil and its accumulation in plant food
Bioavailability of metals occurring in soil is the basic source of its accumulation in plant food. The impact of soil pollution (due to urban and mining areas) on the food chain presents a challenge for many investigations. Bioavailability of metals in a potentially polluted soil and their possible transfer and bioaccumulation in several vegetable species and herbs was examined. Three extraction methods were implemented for determination of bioavailable metals in the soil. Microwave digestion was applied for total digestion of the plant tissues, while on the soil samples open wet digestion with a mixture of acids was applied. Atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma was used for determination of total elements contents. Significant enrichments in agricultural soil for As, Pb and Zn (in urban area), Cd, Cu and Ni (in a copper mine area), compared with the respective values from European standards were detected. On the basis of three different extraction methods, higher availability was assumed for both lithogenic and anthropogenic elements. Translocation factors higher than 1 were obtained for As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Higher root to shoot translocation of these metals indicated that plants species have vital characteristics to be used for phytoextraction of these metals. The obtained data also suggested that S. oleracea and R. acetosa were singled out to have a phytostabilization potential for Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb, while U. dioica only for Cu. Rumex acetosa has a potential for phytoextraction of Cd in urban and copper polluted areas
Relationship between somatic cell count in goat milk and mature Kashkaval cheese parameters
Received: February 1st, 2021 ; Accepted: March 28th, 2021 ; Published: April 16th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] is challenging to ensure Kashkaval cheese consistent quality during the production
process which is directly correlated to the somatic cell count (SCC) and bacterial presence. This
is one of the most popular and widely discussed topic areas in the dairy industry. SCC is used to
limit the inflammatory process and to predict the health status of the animal’s mammary glands.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality characteristics of mature Kashkaval cheese
was produced from goat milk with different SCC (below 1,200 thous cells mL-1
- group I (low),
above 1,750 thous cells mL-1
- group II (high) and up to 1,600 thous cells mL-1
- group III
(medium)) and samples were evaluated on the 1st and 60th day of ripening by chemical,
microbiological and sensory profile. The results showed a significant relation (P < 0.05) between
the levels of SCC and Kashkaval cheese water content during ripening. For all analysed samples,
the total lactic acid bacterial count was the highest between the 15th and 45th day of ripening and
reached values up to 6.0 log cfu g
-1
. Pathogenic microorganisms (Listeria monocytogenes,
Coagulase-positive staphylococci) and coliforms were not detected. The highest number of
psychrotrophic microorganisms was observed in Kashkaval samples with high SCC. The sensory
evaluation revealed a higher score for cheese samples with low and medium SCC in comparison
to the cheese sample with a high SCC
Dyslipidemia and Hyperglycemia in Psoriatic Inpatients
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic cutaneous T-cell mediated disease, which has been associated with many comorbidities, especially with metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, many of which are themselves risk factors for other diseases. The goal of this study was to evaluate the presence of dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia in patients with psoriasis.
Methods: We compared 48 inpatients with plaque psoriasis aged 29-79, hospitalized between March 2018 and February 2019, to 48 age- and gender-matched controls. We evaluated dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia using enzymatic methods as part of a standard blood test, or medication history indicative of ongoing treatment of dyslipidemia and/or hyperglycemia. Hypertension was evaluated by registering blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg or ongoing antihypertensive treatment. Smoking habits were also noted.
Results: There were statistically significant differences between psoriasis patients and controls for elevated total cholesterol (p=0,028), elevated LDL (p=0,015), hypertriglyceridemia (p=0,006), and hyperglycemia (p=0,021). The two groups had statistically insignificant differences for lowered HDL (p=0,084), hypertension (p=1), and smoking (p=0,836).
Conclusion: Hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, and elevated LDL cholesterol were more prevalent in the group containing psoriatic patients compared to the control group. This indicates that further investigation of metabolic abnormalities should be conducted in psoriatic patients which could greatly benefit from early treatment of the aforementioned underlying conditions
Collision trajectories and regularisation of two-body problem on
In this paper, we investigate collision orbits of two identical bodies placed
on the surface of a two-dimensional sphere and interacting via an attracting
potential of the form , where is the angle formed by the
position vectors of the two bodies. We describe the -limit set of the
variables in the symplectically reduced system corresponding to initial data
that lead to collisions. Furthermore we provide a geometric description of the
dynamics. Lastly, we regularise the system and investigate its behaviour on
near collision orbits. This involves the study of completely degenerate
equilibria and the use of high-dimensional non-homogenous blow-ups
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