Effect of the material of primary packaging containers on providing of visual inspection of pharmaceutical products

Introduction:Today all over the world requirements to drug quality have become more and more strict and its evaluation is one of the most important tasks. Usually input quality control of medicines and other groups of goods is carried out organoleptically (mainly visually) by authorized persons of pharmaceutical establishments. Primary packaging is one of the most critical components in this process, because it strongly influences on possibility of visual control of goods and, of coarse, it should be transparent. Aim:The aim of this article was to analyze primary packaging of some drugs and possibility of their identification and quality evaluation.Materials and Methods:Objects of this study were primary packages of 65 randomly taken drugs produced by some leading manufacturers in different dosage forms. Inspection analysis of quality of the researched medicinal products was provided in 8 steps: checking of the accompanying documents, checking quantity of the goods, organoleptic control of packaging, checking of labeling, checking of barcodes, checking of completeness, visual control of a product, composing of documentation for acceptance of the goods.Results and Conclusion:All investigated drugs passed the first 6 stages of inspection analysis positively. 46 samples among 65 (or 71%) could not be visually controlled (stage 7) and their appearance was impossible to check because of non-transparency of the containers. If in terms of dosage forms 53% of studied tablet drugs, 88% of eye drops and 100% of suppositories can not be evaluated visually

Experiments on rehabilitation of radioactive metallic waste (RMW) of reactor stainless steels of Siberian chemical plant

Stainless steel pipes, used to cool a reactor plant, have a high cost, and aftertaking a reactor out of service they must be buried together with other radioactivewaste. Therefore, the relevant problem is the rinse of pipes from contamination,followed by returning to operation

Project-based method

Ongoing social and economic changes in the world demand active and creative people from the modern society who will be able to adapt to changing working conditions, perform work efficiently and be good at self-education, self-improvement and self-development. The project-based method, aimed at students’ individual work, envisages rational balance between academic knowledge and pragmatic skills. A teacher can tell students about new sources of information, or guide a student in the right direction for individual searching work, stimulate interest in some problems and using the project-based method, which is expected to resolve one or a number of problems, show how gained knowledge can be used in practiceПроисходящие социально-экономические изменения в мире требуют от современного общества активных, деятельных людей, которые смогут быстро приспосабливаться к изменяющимся условиям труда, эффективно выполнять работу, способных к самообразованию, самовоспитанию, саморазвитию. Метод проектов, ориентированный на самостоятельную деятельность обучающихся, предполагает разумный баланс между академическими знаниями и прагматическими умениями. Учитель может подсказать новые источники информации, а может направить мысль учеников в нужном направлении для самостоятельного поиска, стимулировать интерес к определенным проблемам и через проектную деятельность, предусматривающую решение одной или целого ряда проблем, показать практическое применение полученных знани

Visual mining pedagogical forecasting

The goal of the study is to create the model of the “average” student of civil engineering educational institution by EDM tools.Цель исследования: разработка технологии визуального экспресс-анализа (EducationalVisualDataMining) образовательных результатов студентов инженерно-строительного вуза для поиска дисциплин, которые даются большинству студентов сложнее всего, как индикаторов технологической готовности

Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidant SkQ1 Improves Dermal Wound Healing in Genetically Diabetic Mice

Oxidative stress is widely recognized as an important factor in the delayed wound healing in diabetes. However, the role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in this process is unknown. It was assumed that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species are involved in many wound-healing processes in both diabetic humans and animals. We have applied the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant 10-(6′-plastoquinonyl)decyltriphenylphosphonium (SkQ1) to explore the role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in the wound healing of genetically diabetic mice. Healing of full-thickness excisional dermal wounds in diabetic C57BL/KsJ-db−/db− mice was significantly enhanced after long-term (12 weeks) administration of SkQ1. SkQ1 accelerated wound closure and stimulated epithelization, granulation tissue formation, and vascularization. On the 7th day after wounding, SkQ1 treatment increased the number of α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells (myofibroblasts), reduced the number of neutrophils, and increased macrophage infiltration. SkQ1 lowered lipid peroxidation level but did not change the level of the circulatory IL-6 and TNF. SkQ1 pretreatment also stimulated cell migration in a scratch-wound assay in vitro under hyperglycemic condition. Thus, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant normalized both inflammatory and regenerative phases of wound healing in diabetic mice. Our results pointed to nearly all the major steps of wound healing as the target of excessive mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production in type II diabetes

Composite building materials based on nanomodified cement systems

ABSTRACT: Introduction. This research work investigates the combined influence of nano-sized silicon dioxide (nano-SiO2 ), carbon nanotubes and surfactants on the structural and technological characteristics of cement compositions. Materials and research methods. The paper reveals the findings of a study on the effects of various dispersion techniques of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in surfactants, such as mechanical dispersion, ultrasonic treatment, and a combined method. It considers the uniformity of CNT distribution within the plasticizer and within the cement system, along with their impacts on the physical and mechanical properties of cement stone and concrete. Differential thermal and electron microscopic analysis of aqueous dispersions of carbon nanotubes and hardened activated nanomodified cement stone was carried out. Results and discussion. It has been experimentally proven that mixing nanotubes in dry cement does not allow them to be evenly distributed throughout the volume of the mixture. When using carbon nanotubes, the maximum effect is achieved when they are introduced into aqueous dispersions of plasticizers. The percentage of plasticizer was 1%, CNT 0,1% per 1 liter of water. The most effective method of dispersing carbon nanotubes in a plasticizer is a combined one. The results obtained were used in the preparation of cement stone and concrete compositions. Conclusion. The results show that complex additives consisting of nano-SiO2 and aqueous dispersions of carbon nanotubes have a positive effect on the physical-mechanical and structural-technological properties of cement stone and concrete. Graphic dependencies are shown indicating the effectiveness of using complex additives in the production of cement composite

Substantiation of approaches to the correction of lipid metabolism disorders and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children with exogenous obesity

BACKGROUND: According to the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of obesity, the plasma level of coenzyme q10 in the correlation relationship with lipid metabolism disorders and functional liver state is of interest to study.AIM: Substantiation of approaches to the correction of lipid metabolism disorders and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children with exogenous obesity based on the content of coenzyme Q10 and its relationship with lipid profile and liver enzymes.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The single-center cross-sectional study enlisted the control (n=32, -1.0≤BMI SD score ≤+2.0) and obese (n=40, BMI SD score>+2.0) groups of children with the mean age of 12 yr. In all children BMI, lipidogram, liver enzymes (ALT and AST), plasma coenzyme Q10 and liver ultrasound examination were assessed.RESULTS: Patients of both groups were comparable (p> 0.05) in age and gender. The level of coenzyme Q10 in the compared groups was comparable (p> 0.05) and did not differ in patients with different degrees of obesity. According to the results of the study of the lipid profile in the obese children, the level of HDL was lower, and the level of LDL was higher than that in control group. The highest value of HDL was obtained in the patients with the 1st degree of obesity and the highest level of triglycerides — in the patients with the 4th degree of obesity. The control group demonstrated moderate correlations between endogenous coenzyme Q10 and total cholesterol (r=0.474, p=0.009) which persists in patients with the first degree of obesity (r = 0.548, p = 0.035). There was no difference in AST in the study groups, however, the main group demonstrated elevated ALT and ALT/AST ratio (p <0.001). The highest ALT and ALT / AST ratio were observed in patients with greatest degree of obesity. Eighteen obese children (45%) had ALT / AST ratio ≥1 (in the control group –one patient (3%) (p <0.001), while fourteen patients showed liver enlargement and structure change according to ultrasound (80%). The control group demonstrated moderate correlations between endogenous coenzyme Q10 and total cholesterol (r=0.474, p=0.009) and between coenzyme Q10 and ALT / AST ratio (r=0.412, p=0.023) . In the obese group there was correlation between AI and ALT / AST (r = 0.436, p = 0.006) and in patients with the 1st degree of obesity — between also coenzyme Q10 and ALT (r = 0.875, p <0.001).CONCLUSION: The disturbances in adequate control of cholesterol by coenzyme Q10 in obese children possibly confirming the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can serve as indication to use coenzyme Q10 in order to correct these complications

Макрофагальный и цитокиновый спектры бронхоальвеолярного смыва при впервые выявленном и рецидивирующем саркоидозе органов дыхания

Goal of the study: to investigate structural and functional specific features of macrophages and cytokine profiles of bronchoalveolar lavage in new and relapsing respiratory sarcoidosis (RS).Materials and methods. The study included comparative light optical and electronic microscopic examinations of macrophages, macrophage formula and cytokine profile of bronchoalveolar lavage in 120 patients suffering from different forms of RS. It was found that in case of new RS mostly macrophages of M1 phenotype were detected in the lavage. They had high level of IL-8, IL-2, IL-1β production and ultrastructural signs of hypersecretion which was especially typical of platycytes. High level of IL-4, IL-5 content is typical of relapsing sarcoidosis: additionally to macrophages of M1 phenotype, there are macrophages of M2 phenotype with ultrastructural signs of phagocytic function which can be used for diagnostics of this form of RS.Цель исследования: изучить структурно-функциональные особенности макрофагов и цитокиновый спектр бронхоальвеолярного лаважа при впервые выявленном и рецидивирующем саркоидозе органов дыхания (СОД).Материалы и методы. Проведено сравнительное светооптическое и электронно-микроскопическое изучение макрофагов, определены макрофагальная формула и цитокиновый спектр бронхоальвеолярного смыва у 120 больных с различными вариантами СОД. Показано, что при впервые выявленном СОД в лаваже определяются преимущественно макрофаги М1-фенотипа. Они отличаются высоким уровнем продукции IL-8, IL-2, IL-1β и ультраструктурными признаками гиперсекреции, что особенно характерно для эпителиоидных клеток. Для рецидивирующего саркоидоза характерно повышенное содержание IL-4, IL-5: помимо макрофагов с М1-фенотипом, появляются макрофаги М2-фенотипа с ультраструктурными признаками фагоцитарной функции, что может быть использовано в диагностике этой формы СОД

РАДИОНУКЛИДНАЯ ОЦЕНКА АЛЬВЕОЛЯРНО КАПИЛЛЯРНОЙ ПРОНИЦАЕМОСТИ ДЛЯ ДИФФЕРЕНЦИАЛЬНОЙ ДИАГНОСТИКИ ЛЕГОЧНОГО ИНФИЛЬТРАТА

Summary.Ventilation scintigraphy of the lungs with analysis of alveolar-capillary permeability (ACP) was performed in patients with confirmed diagnoses of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP, n = 40), infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis (IPT, n = 20), distal pulmonary embolism (DPE, n = 11),peripheral lung carcinoma (PLC, n = 17), and in 22 healthy volunteers. ACP values were higher in affected and intact lungs in patients with CAP at 10 and 30 min of the investigation vs those with DPE and were higher at 30 min in the affected lung in patients with CAP compared to patients with IPT. Comparison of ACPs in DPE and IPT patients revealed the ACP reduction in affected and intact lungs of DPE patients at 30 min of the investigation. PLC patients demonstrated the ACP reduction in affected lung compared to contralateral lung. Therefore, ACP gave additional information for differential diagnosis of CAP, IPT, DPE and PLCРезюме. У 88 пациентов с верифицированными диагнозами: внебольничная пневмония (ВП) – 40, инфильтративный туберкулез легких(ИТЛ) – 20, тромбоэмболия дистальных ветвей легочной артерии (ТДВЛА) – 11, периферический рак легких (ПРЛ) – 17, а также у 22 здоровых добровольцев проведена вентиляционная пульмоносцинтиграфия с анализом альвеолярно-капиллярной проницаемости (АКП). При ВП, в отличие от ТДВЛА и ИТЛ, АКП была выше на 10-й и 30-й мин исследования в пораженном и интактном легких по сравнению с ТДВЛА и на 30-й мин исследования – в пораженном легком по сравнению с ИТЛ. Сопоставление значений АКП у больных ТДВЛА и ИТЛ показало снижение АКП на 30-й мин исследования у больных ТДВЛА в пораженном и интактном легких. У пациентов с ПРЛ регистрировалось снижение АКП на стороне поражения по сравнению с контралатеральным легким. Таким образом, оценка АКП позволяет расширить возможности дифференциальной диагностики ВП, ИТЛ, ТДВЛА и ПРЛ

Using C. elegans to decipher the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders

Prova tipográfica (uncorrected proof)Neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy, intellectual disability (ID), and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) occur in over 2 % of the population, as the result of genetic mutations, environmental factors, or combination of both. In the last years, use of large-scale genomic techniques allowed important advances in the identification of genes/loci associated with these disorders. Nevertheless, following association of novel genes with a given disease, interpretation of findings is often difficult due to lack of information on gene function and effect of a given mutation in the corresponding protein. This brings the need to validate genetic associations from a functional perspective in model systems in a relatively fast but effective manner. In this context, the small nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, presents a good compromise between the simplicity of cell models and the complexity of rodent nervous systems. In this article, we review the features that make C. elegans a good model for the study of neurodevelopmental diseases. We discuss its nervous system architecture and function as well as the molecular basis of behaviors that seem important in the context of different neurodevelopmental disorders. We review methodologies used to assess memory, learning, and social behavior as well as susceptibility to seizures in this organism. We will also discuss technological progresses applied in C. elegans neurobiology research, such as use of microfluidics and optogenetic tools. Finally, we will present some interesting examples of the functional analysis of genes associated with human neurodevelopmental disorders and how we can move from genes to therapies using this simple model organism.The authors would like to acknowledge Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) (PTDC/SAU-GMG/112577/2009). AJR and CB are recipients of FCT fellowships: SFRH/BPD/33611/2009 and SFRH/BPD/74452/2010, respectively