СРАВНЕНИЕ МОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ И ХИМИЧЕСКИХ СВОЙСТВ СФЕРИЧЕСКИХ И ИГОЛЬЧАТЫХ КАЛЬЦИЙ-ФОСФАТНЫХ БИОНОВ

Aim. To compare morphological properties, mineral, and organic profile of spherical calcium phosphate bions (SCPB) and needle calcium phosphate bions (NCPB) for the assessment of the CPB-specific endothelial toxicity in models of mild or severe hypercalcemia/hyperphosphatemia in the further studies.Methods. Both SCPB and NCPB were artificially synthesized employing blood-mimetic medium either moderately or significantly supersaturated of calcium and phosphorus salts. Size and shape of SCPB and NCPB were investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Elemental analysis was performed utilizing energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic emission spectroscopy, and CHNSO analysis, functional groups were examined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy while chemical formula was identified by X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Protein profile of SCPB and NCPB was screened employing sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis following silver staining.Results. SCPB were visualized as crystalline spherical spongeous particles of 80-200 nm diameter and mean diameter of around 120 nm while NCPB represented needle crystals of a similar diameter. Both SCPB and NCPB had similar crystallinity, surface charge and tended to form clusters of several particles. Furthermore, both SCPB and NCPB were composed of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus, contained phosphate (PO4 3-), carbonate (CO3 2-), and hydroxyl (OH- ) functional groups, and consisted of hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4 )6 (OH)2 ) and carbonate-hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)3 (CO3)3 (OH)2 ). In addition, protein profile of SCPB and NCPB was similar and notable for the abundant albumin and fetuin A levels.Conclusion. Having similar size, surface charge, extent of crystallinity, and chemical composition, SCPB and NCPB possess a different shape. Цель Сравнить морфологию, минеральный и органический профиль сферических кальций-фосфатных бионов (СКФБ) и игольчатых кальций-фосфатных бионов (ИКФБ), необходимых для оценки эндотелиотоксического действия КФБ при моделировании умеренной и тяжелой гиперкальциемии/гиперфосфатемии в последующих исследованиях. Материалы и методы СКФБ и ИКФБ были искусственно синтезированы посредством умеренного и выраженного перенасыщения имитирующей состав крови среды солями кальция и фосфора. Размерность и форма СКФБ и ИКФБ были изучены при помощи сканирующей и просвечивающей электронной микроскопии и атомно-силовой микроскопии. Элементный анализ проводился посредством энергодисперсионной рентгеновской спектроскопии, атомно-эмиссионной спектроскопии и CHNSO-анализа, функциональные группы идентифицировались при помощи инфракрасной спектроскопии с преобразованием Фурье и спектроскопии комбинационного рассеяния света, формула входящих в состав бионов химических соединений и степень их кристалличности определялась методом рентгеновской порошковой дифрактометрии. Белковый профиль СКФБ и ИКФБ был исследован путем электрофореза в полиакриламидном геле в присутствии додецилсульфата натрия с последующим окрашиванием нитратом серебра. Результаты СКФБ визуализировались как кристаллические сферические частицы губчатой структуры диаметром 80–200 нм и средним диаметром около 120 нм, в то время как ИКФБ представляли собой игольчатые кристаллы такого же диаметра. Как СКФБ, так и ИКФБ имели схожий поверхностный заряд и были склонны к агрегации. СКФБ и ИКФБ состояли из углерода, кислорода, водорода, азота, кальция и фосфора, содержали фосфатные (PO4 3-), карбонатные (CO3 2-) и гидроксильные (OH- ) группы и состояли из гидроксиапатита (Ca10(PO4 ) 6 (OH)2 ) и карбонат-гидроксиапатита (Ca10(PO4 ) 3 (CO3 ) 3 (OH)2 ). Кроме того, СКФБ и ИКФБ обладали идентичной степенью кристалличности и схожим белковым профилем с преобладанием альбумина и фетуина-А над остальными белками. Заключение СКФБ и ИКФБ отличаются лишь формой, имея схожие размерность, поверхностный заряд, степень кристалличности и химический соста

HYDROCARBON POLLUTION IN THE NORTH-WESTERN PART OF THE CASPIAN SEA

Aim. The paper is aimed to estimate the current level of hydrocarbon pollution of the marine environment in the North-Western part of the Caspian Sea.Methods. The paper discusses the results of three-year studies conducted in 2012-2014 within the framework of Roshydromet’s Programme of monitoring of transboundary waters of the Caspian Sea. Spatial distribution of concentrations of hydrocarbons (total and polyaromatic) in water and bottom sediments of the area was analysed. Concentrations of total hydrocarbons were determined by means of infrared spectrometry and PAHs – of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry.Results. The range of the total hydrocarbons in the area’s water is from slight traces to 240 µg/l, in sediments – from traces to 114 µg/g (dry weight). Total concentrations of PAHs in water varied from traces to 321 ng/l, in sediments – from traces to 699 ng/g (dry weight). For the source identification, data of satellite monitoring of the area were used. The data showed increasing input of hydrocarbons coming into the marine environment with discharges from vessels.Conclusion. The results of these studies are compared to those of previous research and show that the level of hydrocarbons in the area is typical for slightly polluted areas

HYDROCARBON POLLUTION IN THE NORTH-WESTERN PART OF THE CASPIAN SEA

Aim. The paper is aimed to estimate the current level of hydrocarbon pollution of the marine environment in the North-Western part of the Caspian Sea.Methods. The paper discusses the results of three-year studies conducted in 2012-2014 within the framework of Roshydromet’s Programme of monitoring of transboundary waters of the Caspian Sea. Spatial distribution of concentrations of hydrocarbons (total and polyaromatic) in water and bottom sediments of the area was analysed. Concentrations of total hydrocarbons were determined by means of infrared spectrometry and PAHs – of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry.Results. The range of the total hydrocarbons in the area’s water is from slight traces to 240 µg/l, in sediments – from traces to 114 µg/g (dry weight). Total concentrations of PAHs in water varied from traces to 321 ng/l, in sediments – from traces to 699 ng/g (dry weight). For the source identification, data of satellite monitoring of the area were used. The data showed increasing input of hydrocarbons coming into the marine environment with discharges from vessels.Conclusion. The results of these studies are compared to those of previous research and show that the level of hydrocarbons in the area is typical for slightly polluted areas

Detector response and calibration of the cosmic-ray detector of the Sileye-3/Alteino experiment

The experiment Sileye-3/Alteino is constituted by a cosmic-ray silicon detector and an electroencephalograph. The main scientific aims include the investigation of the Light Flash phenomenon, the study of astronaut brain activity in space when subject to cosmic rays, the measurement of cosmic rays and the radiation environment inside the International Space Station. The experiment was operating on board the station from 27 April to 5 May 2002. The cosmic-ray detector is composed of eight silicon strip planes triggered by two scintillators placed on top and bottom of the stack. The detector is capable of identifying nuclei from B to As in the energy range above similar or equal to 60 MeV/n. Also protons and lighter particles are registered although with a reduced efficiency. The instrument was active in the Pits module of the station for 130 h. In this work, we describe the silicon strip detector characteristics and its calibration performed using cosmic-ray nuclei. (c) 2005 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved