Cytocompatible cellulose nanofibers from invasive plant species Agave americana L. and Ricinus communis L.: a renewable green source of highly crystalline nanocellulose

: In this study, the fibers of invasive species Agave americana L. and Ricinus communis L. were successfully used for the first time as new sources to produce cytocompatible and highly crystalline cellulose nanofibers. Cellulose nanofibers were obtained by two methods, based on either alkaline or acid hydrolysis. The morphology, chemical composition, and crystallinity of the obtained materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) together with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The crystallinity indexes (CIs) of the cellulose nanofibers extracted from A. americana and R. communis were very high (94.1% and 92.7%, respectively). Biological studies evaluating the cytotoxic effects of the prepared cellulose nanofibers on human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells were also performed. The nanofibers obtained using the two different extraction methods were all shown to be cytocompatible in the concentration range assayed (i.e., 0‒500 µg/mL). Our results showed that the nanocellulose extracted from A. americana and R. communis fibers has high potential as a new renewable green source of highly crystalline cellulose-based cytocompatible nanomaterials for biomedical applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The assessment features of the third type permitted use land plots

The article deals with the problem of assessing agricultural land used for the placement of objects (buildings, structures, structures) used for the production, storage and primary processing of agricultural products. The problem is that the owner who has provided (sold) a land plot for an object can rightly claim a part of the future profit that arises from the synergistic effect of adding two assets - land and improvements. The work purpose is to formulate a methodology for assessing agricultural land located under buildings, taking into account the synergistic effect and their properties. In the course of the study, two approaches were considered for determining the entrepreneur's profit for the evaluated objects: first, on the basis of the economic results of the agricultural enterprises activities; secondly, on the basis of the invested funds alternative investment possibility. It was revealed that the owner of the land that will be built up, as a co-investor of the project, has the right to add to the value of the land in the amount of the rate of return on invested capital - 26.28%. The market (in this case, the cadastral) value of the surrounding land can be obtained from the results of the assessment of lands of the first type of use (arable land, pastures, hayfields)

Assessing trigeminal microstructure changes in patients with classical trigeminal neuralgia

Introduction. The crucial role of neuro-vascular conflict (NVC) in trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is getting increasingly challenged. Microstructural changes can be assessed using fractional anisotropy (FA) in diffusion tensor images (DTI). Objective. To evaluate usefulness of FA in brain MRI with DTI for TN lateralization assessment. Materials and methods. The study included 51 patients with classical TN divided into two groups: neurosurgical intervention free, post radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and a control group (patients without facial pain). All the patients were tested for NVC with FIESTA (Fast Imaging Employing Steady State Acquisition) brain MRI at 3Т. Difference in thickness of trigeminal roots on the intact and symptomatic sides was assessed for each group. The findings were compared to those in the control group. The MRI protocol was supplemented with DTI. The FA difference in thickness of the intact and symptomatic roots (∆FA) was calculated for each study group to assess microstructural root changes. The results were compared to those in the control group. Results. In trigeminal root DTIs, ∆FA over 0.075 [0.029; 0.146] is statistically significant to establish NVC-associated microstructural changes on the symptomatic side in patients without any past surgeries (p = 0,030). In patients with a history of trigeminal ganglion RFA, statistically significant (p = 0.026) thinned symptomatic trigeminal root (difference in thickness of trigeminal roots over 0.45 cm [0.4; 0.6]) was found as compared to that of the control patients. Conclusion. FA may be used as a quantitative demyelination biomarker in clinical TN. Trigeminal ganglion RFA leads to hypotrophy throughout the trigeminal nerve root

Formation of Amyloid-Like Fibrils by Y-Box Binding Protein 1 (YB-1) Is Mediated by Its Cold Shock Domain and Modulated by Disordered Terminal Domains

YB-1, a multifunctional DNA- and RNA-binding nucleocytoplasmic protein, is involved in the majority of DNA- and mRNA-dependent events in the cell. It consists of three structurally different domains: its central cold shock domain has the structure of a β-barrel, while the flanking domains are predicted to be intrinsically disordered. Recently, we showed that YB-1 is capable of forming elongated fibrils under high ionic strength conditions. Here we report that it is the cold shock domain that is responsible for formation of YB-1 fibrils, while the terminal domains differentially modulate this process depending on salt conditions. We demonstrate that YB-1 fibrils have amyloid-like features, including affinity for specific dyes and a typical X-ray diffraction pattern, and that in contrast to most of amyloids, they disassemble under nearly physiological conditions

Hybrid Drug Delivery Patches Based on Spherical Cellulose Nanocrystals and Colloid Titania—Synthesis and Antibacterial Properties

Spherical cellulose nanocrystal-based hybrids grafted with titania nanoparticles were successfully produced for topical drug delivery. The conventional analytical filter paper was used as a precursor material for cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) production. Cellulose nanocrystals were extracted via a simple and quick two-step process based on first the complexation with Cu(II) solution in aqueous ammonia followed by acid hydrolysis with diluted H2SO4. Triclosan was selected as a model drug for complexation with titania and further introduction into the nanocellulose based composite. Obtained materials were characterized by a broad variety of microscopic, spectroscopic, and thermal analysis methods. The drug release studies showed long-term release profiles of triclosan from the titania based nanocomposite that agreed with Higuchi model. The bacterial susceptibility tests demonstrated that released triclosan retained its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. It was found that a small amount of titania significantly improved the antibacterial activity of obtained nanocomposites, even without immobilization of model drug. Thus, the developed hybrid patches are highly promising candidates for potential application as antibacterial agents

Using a smartphone in the learning process: the experience of the 2020 pandemic

In the last decade, the problem of using smartphones in education has become one of the most relevant topics of scientific discussion. As in the discussion of any other problem, it also identified both expressed supporters and equally serious opponents of the use of the gadgets in question in the educational process. Within the framework of this work, we present materials that reflect the expectations and concerns of teachers, doctors and other representatives of modern society on the topic we have identified. In different countries of the world, the pedagogical and hygienic significance and the impact of smartphones on the health and success of students’ educational activities are evaluated in absolutely different ways. At the same time, the events of the past – 2020 have identified the need to use smartphones, often almost as an alternative and forced measure

Information technology in financial sector Russian Federation - driver of the formation of the Russian economy

The digital changes taking place in all areas of society are most evident in certain sectors, especially in financial sector. One of the drivers of the modern development of a sustainable economy is the digitalization of society associated with the rapid development of information technologies. Informatization of this sector in Russia is associated with the synthesis of changes in the legal, economic, social, political nature. The article is devoted to key trends in the informatization of the financial sector of Russia. Analysis of the main suppliers of information technologies in the financial sphere and their products was made. Priority directions of development of information technologies in the financial sector and ways of their implementation are identified. The main approaches to strengthening information security and reliability of financial technologies in Russia have been studied. Synthesis of materials on information technologies researches in the financial sector of Russia was carried out

Historiographic aspect of the problem of the intellectuals in political and sociocultural development of Russia

The article discusses the historiographic aspect of the issues related to the intellectuals: origin, classification, activity, etymology of concepts such as “intelligentzia” and “intelligence”, and therefore stand out features of their perception and evaluation of domestic and foreign research literature. The authors also pay attention to a particular direction of historiography concerning the problems of interaction between the intellectuals and power in political and sociocultural development of Russia especially in the multi-ethnic region of Chuvashia