Role of non-profit organizations in developing and implementing the anti-corruption policy of the Russian Federation: analytical research

Objective to determine the importance of nonprofit organizations as subjects of national anticorruption policy in the Russian Federation. Methods systemstructural approach that promotes a comprehensive study of process or phenomenon as a whole comparative historical method aimed at identifying the dynamics of processes or phenomena reporting method that allows obtaining data from official reporting monitoring method that facilitates the analysis of information on Internet sites logical methods. nbsp Results based on the analysis of the Russian legislation scientific works monitoring of the dynamics and activities of nonprofit organizations it can be stated that today in Russia 293 nonprofit organizations are directly involved in the sphere of corruption counteraction i.e. 0.13 of their total number 219642. Anticorruption NPOs ANPOs implement such activities as anticorruption enlightenment in health care construction housing public procurement etc. research in the field of anticorruption activities legal assistance implementation of public control measures training of public experts and instructors. Specific organizational forms of the above activities include lectures seminars round tables trainings etc. Some ANPOsrsquo activities have a local character and are usually reduced to a discussion of the wellknown news related to the detection of committing a corruption offense. Some ANPOs do not seek cooperation with reputable NPOs and public authorities considering such interaction as subordination and deprivation of autonomy. There is also a lack of readiness of state bodies in particular law enforcement agencies for comprehensive and effective cooperation with civil society institutions. Scientific novelty for the first time the article comprehensively explores the area of practical implementation of the principle of nonprofit organizationsrsquo participation in struggling against corruption in Russia. The paper proposes to clarify the legal status of ANPOs their rights and obligations types and guarantees of activities methods of work forms of interaction with state authorities other state and local selfgovernment bodies financing etc. To improve the efficiency of ANPOsrsquo activities it is recommended to create ANPO portal where information could be published on successfully implemented anticorruption projects. Also ANPO39s activities can be included in the list of socially useful services and criteria for assessing their quality approved by the Decree of the Russian Federation Government No. 1096 of 27 October 2016. Practical significance on the basis of the study of scientifictheoretical normative sociological and practical aspects of corruption counteraction the authors formulate proposals to improve the activities of nonprofit organizations in the field of corruption counteraction in Russia

Observation of Cytotoxicity of Phosphonium Derivatives Is Explained: Metabolism Inhibition and Adhesion Alteration

The search for new antibiotics, substances that kill prokaryotic cells and do not kill eukaryotic cells, is an urgent need for modern medicine. Among the most promising are derivatives of triphenylphosphonium, which can protect the infected organs of mammals and heal damaged cells as mitochondria-targeted antioxidants. In addition to the antioxidant action, triphenylphosphonium derivatives exhibit antibacterial activity. It has recently been reported that triphenylphosphonium derivatives cause either cytotoxic effects or inhibition of cellular metabolism at submicromolar concentrations. In this work, we analyzed the MTT data using microscopy and compared them with data on changes in the luminescence of bacteria. We have shown that, at submicromolar concentrations, only metabolism is inhibited, while an increase in alkyltriphenylphosphonium (CnTPP) concentration leads to adhesion alteration. Thus, our data on eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells confirm a decrease in the metabolic activity of cells by CnTPPs but do not confirm a cytocidal effect of TPPs at submicromolar concentrations. This allows us to consider CnTPP as a non-toxic antibacterial drug at low concentrations and a relatively safe vector for delivering other antibacterial substances into bacterial cells

Conjugates of Chloramphenicol Amine and Berberine as Antimicrobial Agents

In order to obtain antimicrobial compounds with improved properties, new conjugates comprising two different biologically active agents within a single chimeric molecule based on chloramphenicol (CHL) and a hydrophobic cation were synthesized and studied. Chloramphenicol amine (CAM), derived from the ribosome-targeting antibiotic CHL, and the plant isoquinoline alkaloid berberine (BER) are connected by alkyl linkers of different lengths in structures of these conjugates. Using competition binding, double reporter system, and toeprinting assays, we showed that synthesized CAM-Cn-BER compounds bound to the bacterial ribosome and inhibited protein synthesis like the parent CHL. The mechanism of action of CAM-C5-BER and CAM-C8-BER on the process of bacterial translations was similar to CHL. Experiments with bacteria demonstrated that CAM-Cn-BERs suppressed the growth of laboratory strains of CHL and macrolides-resistant bacteria. CAM-C8-BER acted against mycobacteria and more selectively inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria than the parent CHL and the berberine derivative lacking the CAM moiety (CH3-C8-BER). Using a potential-sensitive fluorescent probe, we found that CAM-C8-BER significantly reduced the membrane potential in B. subtilis cells. Crystal violet assays were used to demonstrate the absence of induction of biofilm formation under the action of CAM-C8-BER on E. coli bacteria. Thus, we showed that CAM-C8-BER could act both on the ribosome and on the cell membrane of bacteria, with the alkylated berberine fragment of the compound making a significant contribution to the inhibitory effect on bacterial growth. Moreover, we showed that CAM-Cn-BERs did not inhibit eukaryotic translation in vitro and were non-toxic for eukaryotic cells

Triphenilphosphonium Analogs of Chloramphenicol as Dual-Acting Antimicrobial and Antiproliferating Agents

In the current work, in continuation of our recent research, we synthesized and studied new chimeric compounds, including the ribosome-targeting antibiotic chloramphenicol (CHL) and the membrane-penetrating cation triphenylphosphonium (TPP), which are linked by alkyl groups of different lengths. Using various biochemical assays, we showed that these CAM-Cn-TPP compounds bind to the bacterial ribosome, inhibit protein synthesis in vitro and in vivo in a way similar to that of the parent CHL, and significantly reduce membrane potential. Similar to CAM-C4-TPP, the mode of action of CAM-C10-TPP and CAM-C14-TPP in bacterial ribosomes differs from that of CHL. By simulating the dynamics of CAM-Cn-TPP complexes with bacterial ribosomes, we proposed a possible explanation for the specificity of the action of these analogs in the translation process. CAM-C10-TPP and CAM-C14-TPP more strongly inhibit the growth of the Gram-positive bacteria, as compared to CHL, and suppress some CHL-resistant bacterial strains. Thus, we have shown that TPP derivatives of CHL are dual-acting compounds targeting both the ribosomes and cellular membranes of bacteria. The TPP fragment of CAM-Cn-TPP compounds has an inhibitory effect on bacteria. Moreover, since the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells possess qualities similar to those of their prokaryotic ancestors, we demonstrate the possibility of targeting chemoresistant cancer cells with these compounds

Terahertz biophotonics as a tool for studies of dielectric and spectral properties of biological tissues and liquids

In this review, we describe dielectric properties of biological tissues and liquids in the context of terahertz (THz) biophotonics. We discuss a model of the THz dielectric permittivity of water and water-containing media, which yields analysis of the relaxation and damped resonant molecules modes. We briefly describe modern techniques of THz spectroscopy and imaging employed in biophotonics with a strong emphasize on a THz time-domain spectroscopy. Furthermore, we consider the methods of sub-wavelength resolution THz imaging and the problem of THz wave delivery to hard to access tissues and internal organs. We consider the THz dielectric properties of biological solutions and liquids. Although strong absorption by water molecules prevents THz-waves from penetration of hydrated tissues and probing biological molecules in aqueous solutions, we discuss approaches for overcoming these drawbacks – novel techniques of freezing and temporal dehydration by application of hyperosmotic agents which have a potential for cancer detection. We review recent applications of THz technology in diagnosis of malignancies and aiding histology paying particular attention to the origin of contrast observed between healthy and pathological tissues. We consider recent applications of THz reflectometry in sensing the thinning dynamics of human pre-corneal tear film. Modern modalities of THz imaging, which relies on the concepts of multi-spectral and multi-temporal domains and employing the principles of color vision, phase analysis and tomography are discussed. Novel methods of THz spectra analysis based on machine learning, pattern recognition, chemical imaging and the revealing of the spatial distribution of various substances in a tissue, are analyzed. Advanced thermal model describing biological object irradiated by THz waves and phantoms mimicking the optical properties of tissues at THz frequencies are presented. Finally, application of the high-resolution THz spectroscopy in analytic chemistry, biology and medicine are described

Terahertz biophotonics as a tool for studies of dielectric and spectral properties of biological tissues and liquids

In this review, we describe dielectric properties of biological tissues and liquids in the context of terahertz (THz) biophotonics. We discuss a model of the THz dielectric permittivity of water and water-containing media, which yields analysis of the relaxation and damped resonant molecules modes. We briefly describe modern techniques of THz spectroscopy and imaging employed in biophotonics with a strong emphasize on a THz time-domain spectroscopy. Furthermore, we consider the methods of sub-wavelength resolution THz imaging and the problem of THz wave delivery to hard to access tissues and internal organs. We consider the THz dielectric properties of biological solutions and liquids. Although strong absorption by water molecules prevents THz-waves from penetration of hydrated tissues and probing biological molecules in aqueous solutions, we discuss approaches for overcoming these drawbacks – novel techniques of freezing and temporal dehydration by application of hyperosmotic agents which have a potential for cancer detection. We review recent applications of THz technology in diagnosis of malignancies and aiding histology paying particular attention to the origin of contrast observed between healthy and pathological tissues. We consider recent applications of THz reflectometry in sensing the thinning dynamics of human pre-corneal tear film. Modern modalities of THz imaging, which relies on the concepts of multi-spectral and multi-temporal domains and employing the principles of color vision, phase analysis and tomography are discussed. Novel methods of THz spectra analysis based on machine learning, pattern recognition, chemical imaging and the revealing of the spatial distribution of various substances in a tissue, are analyzed. Advanced thermal model describing biological object irradiated by THz waves and phantoms mimicking the optical properties of tissues at THz frequencies are presented. Finally, application of the high-resolution THz spectroscopy in analytic chemistry, biology and medicine are described

Triple F-a comet nucleus sample return mission

The Triple F (Fresh From the Fridge) mission, a Comet Nucleus Sample Return, has been proposed to ESA’s Cosmic Vision program. A sample return from a comet enables us to reach the ultimate goal of cometary research. Since comets are the least processed bodies in the solar system, the proposal goes far beyond cometary science topics (like the explanation of cometary activity) and delivers invaluable information about the formation of the solar system and the interstellar molecular cloud from which it formed. The proposed mission would extract three sample cores of the upper 50 cm from three locations on a cometary nucleus and return them cooled to Earth for analysis in the laboratory. The simple mission concept with a touch-and-go sampling by a single spacecraft was proposed as an M-class mission in collaboration with the Russian space agency ROSCOSMOS.ISSN:0922-6435ISSN:1572-950