The chemical exfoliation phenomena in layered GaSe-polyaniline composite

To elucidate the nature of polyaniline (PANI)-GaSe mutual interaction, we carried out structural studies of nano-GaSe powders encapsulated by PANI, exploiting X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Mechanically and ultrasonically dispersed GaSe crystals were mixed with aniline, which then underwent polymerization. After such treatment, GaSe nanocrystals (as shown by HRTEM) consist of few elementary monolayer sandwiches of hexagonal GaSe structure along the crystallographic axis c with a mean diameter of 9.2 nm. There was a significant expansion of interplanar distances (up to 0.833 nm) for all of the nanocrystals observed compared to 0.796 nm for the single crystals

Using Dextran Instead of Egg Yolk in Extender for Cryopreservation of Spermatozoa of Dogs of Different Ages

Egg yolk is a very common supplement of extenders aimed to protect sperm from cryoinjury, but due to their biological risks and difficulties with media standardization, there is a search for alternative. In addition, sperm cryoresistance can be affected by the initial decrease of their functional characteristics caused by age. The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of using dextran (molecular weight 500 kDa) in the extenders instead of egg yolk for the cryopreservation of spermatozoa of dogs (Chinese Crested breed) of different ages. The obtained ejaculates were divided into three groups depending on the animal’s age: 1–3, 4–6 and 7–10 years old. Sperm was cryopreserved by using 7% glycerol and 20% egg yolk, or 20% dextran. The cryoresistance of spermatozoa of the oldest age category was dramatically decreased, which was manifested in their morphology, motility, and DNA fragmentation rate. There were no differences between the cryoprotectant effect of the dextran-based extender on spermatozoa and the egg yolk-based extender in all age categories of dogs. However, given the benefits of dextran-containing media, its use for the cryopreservation of canine spermatozoa has potential benefits that need to be confirmed by sperm fertilization outcomes

Studies of the Influence of Gold Nanoparticles on Characteristics of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The aim of the present study is to determine what effect the different concentrations of 15 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) will have on the immunophenotype, synthesis collagen type I, ability to direct differentiation and spectroscopic characteristics of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The AuNPs in concentrations of 1.5–9 μg/ml did not lead to changes in the level of expression of CD 45, CD 90, and CD 73. It should be noted that AuNPs in concentrations of 6 and 9 μg/ml led to a decrease in CD 44 cells by 6% and 9%, respectively. The content of CD 105 cells was reduced by 5% when AuNPs were applied at a concentration of 9 μg/ml. It was found that AuNPs in concentrations of 1.5–6 μg/ml are safe for MSCs, while the increase up to 9 μg/ml has a toxic effect, manifested by the reduction of synthesis collagen type I and ability of adipogenic differentiation. IR spectroscopy data have shown that the AuNPs at concentrations of 9 μg/ml under conditions of adipogenic differentiation to MSCs lead to the destruction processes in the cells. The obtained results are related to the field of applied nanotechnology, which extends to regenerative medicine, especially in development of bioimplantology

Клітинні культури стромального походження в терапії експериментальної тендопатії

The article deals with a comparative study of the use of cell cultures of the stromal origin for treating degenerative-dystrophic damages of the Achilles tendon in rats. With help of histological and biomechanical methods it is shown that a local introduction of cultures of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells and chorion cells facilitates restoration of the damaged structure of tendons and normalization of their strength.Представлено сравнительное исследование применения клеточных культур стромального происхождения для лечения дегенеративно-дистрофического повреждения ахилловых сухожилий у крыс. При помощи гистологических и биомеханических методов показано, что локальное введение культур мезенхимальных стромальных клеток костного мозга и клеток хориона способствует восстановлению поврежденной структуры сухожилий и нормализации их прочности.Представлено порівняльне дослідження застосування клітинних культур стромального походження для лікування дегенеративно-дистрофічного ушкодження ахіллових сухожилків щурів. За допомогою гістологічних і біомеханічних методів показано, що локальне введення культур мезенхімальних стромальних клітин кісткового мозку і клітин хоріона сприяє відновленню ушкодженої структури сухожилків і нормалізації їх міцності

In Vitro Study of Influence of Au Nanoparticles on HT29 and SPEV Cell Lines

Abstract Cell culture models are excellent tools for potential toxicity of nanoparticles and fundamental investigations in cancer research. Thus, information about AuNP potential toxicity and effects on human health is necessary for the use of nanomaterials in clinical settings. The aim of our research is to examine the effects of AuNPs on the epithelial origin cell lines: continuous and oncogenic. Embryonic porcine kidney epithelial inoculated (SPEV) cell line and colorectal carcinoma cell line (HT29) were used. In the test cultures, the cell proliferation, necrosis/apoptosis, and multicellular spheroids generation were evaluated. We demonstrated that AuNP concentrations of 6–12 μg/ml reduced the proliferation of SPEV and HT29 cells and increased the cell number at early and late stages of apoptosis and necrosis. It was shown that small concentrations of AuNPs (1–3 μg/ml) stimulate multicellular spheroid formation by HT29 and SPEV cells. However, higher AuNP concentrations (6–12 μg/ml) had both cytotoxic and anti-cohesive effects on cell in suspension. The large sensitiveness to the action of AuNPs was shown by the line of HT29 (6 μg/ml) as compared to the SPEV cells (12 μg/ml). This experimental study of the effect of AuNPs on SPEV and HT29 cell lines will justify their further application in AuNP-mediated anticancer treatment

Ecological State of the Sula River Within the Sumy Region

У статті описано оцінку екологічного стану річки Сули, заплави, змін, що сталися за останні роки. З’ясовано гострі екологічні проблеми річки Сули, створено рекомендації щодо водоохоронних заходів. Екологічний стан річки Сули в межах Сумської області оцінено як «задовільний» та «незадовільний».The article describes the assessment of the ecological state of the Sula River, its floodplains, and the changes that have occurred in recent years. The acute environmental problems of the Sula River have been identified, and recommendations for water protection measures have been created. The ecological condition of the Sula River within the Sumy region was assessed as "satisfactory" and "unsatisfactory"

Zofenopril and Ramipril in Combination with Acetyl Salicylic Acid in Postmyocardial Infarction Patients with Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction: A Retrospective Analysis of the SMILE-4 Randomized, Double-Blind Study in Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE: In the SMILE-4 study, zofenopril + acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) was more effective than ramipril + ASA on 1-year prevention of major cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by left ventricular dysfunction. In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated drug efficacy in subgroups of patients, according to a history of diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The primary study endpoint was 1-year combined occurrence of death or hospitalization for cardiovascular causes. Diabetes was defined according to medical history (previous known diagnosis). RESULTS: A total of 562 of 693 (81.0%) patients were classified as nondiabetics and 131 (18.9%) as diabetics. The adjusted rate of MACE was lower under zofenopril than under ramipril in both nondiabetics [27.9% vs. 34.9% ramipril; odds ratio, OR and 95% confidence interval: 0.55 (0.35, 0.86)] and diabetics [30.9% vs. 41.3%; 0.56 (0.18, 1.73)], although the difference was statistically significant only for the nondiabetic group (P = 0.013). Zofenopril was superior to ramipril as regards to the primary study endpoint in the subgroup of 157 patients with uncontrolled blood glucose (≥126 mg/dL), regardless of a previous diagnosis of diabetes [0.31 (0.10, 0.90), P = 0.030]. Zofenopril significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular causes in both nondiabetics [0.64 (0.43, 0.96), P = 0.030] and diabetics [0.38 (0.15, 0.95), P = 0.038], whereas it was not better than ramipril in terms of prevention of cardiovascular deaths. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis of the SMILE-4 study confirmed the good efficacy of zofenopril plus ASA in the prevention of long-term MACE also in the subgroup of patients with diabetes mellitus