Introducing controllable 3D features into dense collagen constructs for tissue engineering applications

Plastic compression of collagen is based on unidirectional expulsion of fluid from hydrated collagen gel. The process results in dense collagen sheet, with higher density of collagen at the fluid leaving surface (FLS) than non-FLS. Compression process is completely cell-independent and at the same time cell-friendly. However, engineered tissues should replicate not only components of tissues in vivo (extracellular matrix and cells) but also their complex micro-architecture. Therefore the aim of this work was to develop collagen-based scaffolds with controllable micro-architecture for biomedical and tissue engineering applications using plastic compression (PC) of collagen. The objectives of this project were: i. to test formation of progressively opening channels in the PC collagen, ii. to investigate stable and predictable PC collagen patterning, iii. to adapt PC method in a upward-flow system as a route to process automation, iv. to investigate formation of channels using in layered PC collagen constructs. Two approaches were used in this work. Firstly, internal channels were introduced using lost fibre approach, where soluble glass fibres are incorporated in the scaffold and leave channel when dissolved. Shape and potentially progression of the channels’ opening is controlled by the shape of the template. The shape of the fibres was altered from cylindrical to conical in a controlled manner and incorporated into the PC constructs, resulting in conically-shaped channels, giving predictable internal 3D structures. The second approach relied on formation of dense collagen zone at the fluid leaving surface of the compressed collagen constructs. Formation of the densely packed collagen zone at the fluid leaving surface is essential for stable and faithful pattern formation in the process of micro-moulding. This finding has been applied in a novel upward-flow compression system to create channels using a ‘roofing’ technique. ‘Roof’ is formed by a compression of a new collagen gel on top of a patterned one; process results in open lumen channels. This appears to be due to a combination of the small dimension of the grooves in the base layer and viscosity of the collagen in the upper layer. This work demonstrates a new, previously unknown level of subtlety by which collagen fibrils can be packed and aggregated due to directional fluid flow. The outcome of this work is important for understanding pattern formation in PC collagen in vitro and potentially tissue morphogenesis in vivo. It also introduces new generation of implantable living tissue equivalents with complex micro-architecture. The multi-well compression technique has already been implemented in semi-automative working station for biomedical applications

The Influence of Socio-Economic Situation in the Regions of the North Caucasus Federal District of the Russian Federation on The Sources of Terrorist Crimes

It was found that over the past 5 years a number of crimes of a terrorist nature has greatly increased. The hypothesis appeared that the adverse socio-economic situation creates conditions for the growth of crimes of a terrorist nature. As a result, the analysis revealed an inverse relationship between the "actual final consumption per person in thousand rubles ", average cash income per month in thousand rubles and the number of crimes of a terrorist nature. Keywords: socio-economic development, crimes of a terrorist nature, region, North-Wes

ASSESSING THE LEVEL OF INFORMATIZATION CONTROL AND SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND THE PROSPECTS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THIS DIRECTION

The authors estimate the level of informatization control and supervisory authorities of the Russian Federation, analyze the problems and complexities of the introduction of electronic technologies in the process of governance. Are identified areas introduction of information technologies in the management of the state, considered the problem of informatization of public authorities. The authors provide recommendations for informatization that improve the efficiency of the control and supervision of public authorities

Russia's anti-offshore policy in the global economic system

© 2014, Mediterranean Center of Social and Educational Research. All rights reserved. Role of offshores in the global economy is rather controversial. It depends on effectiveness of national policy. In whole, offshores have started playing a critical part in global capital and assets flow. In the estimation of specialists, in 1990-s offshores have controlled nearly 20% of total world wealth, and almost 22% of external bank assets have been placed there. Today up to 60% of world money are located in offshore zones, nearly half of financial transactions passes through these zones. World experience has shown that offshore capital is not going to disappear in the foreseeable future. It will undergo essential transformation, growing more transparent and predictable. Yet tax competition and investment potential of certain jurisdictions will keep on determining capital flow in the world economy. Under WTO conditions the authors' suggestions to develop free and special economic zones, using the world experience, will allow Russia to develop regional social infrastructure, to attract investments, including foreign investments, into national economy

Roofed grooves: Rapid layer engineering of perfusion channels in collagen tissue models

Surface patterning (micro-moulding) of dense, biomimetic collagen is a simple tool to produce complex tissues using layer-by-layer assembly. The aim here was to channelise three-dimensional constructs for improved perfusion. Firstly, collagen fibril accumulation was measured by comparative image analysis to understand the mechanisms of structure formation in plastically compressed collagen during µ-moulding. This showed that shape (circular or rectangular) and dimensions of the template affected collagen distribution around moulded grooves and consequently their stability. In the second part, this was used for effective fabrication of multi-layered plastically compressed collagen constructs with internal channels by roofing the grooves with a second layer. Using rectangular templates of 25/50/100 µm widths and 75 µm depth, grooves were µ-moulded into the fluid-leaving surface of collagen layers with predictable width/depth fidelities. These grooves were then roofed by addition of a second plastically compressed collagen layer on top to produce µ-channels. Resulting µ-channels retained their dimensions and were stable over time in culture with fibroblasts and could be cell seeded with a lining layer by simple transfer of epithelial cells. The results of this study provide a valuable platform for rapid fabrication of complex collagen-based tissues in particular for provision of perfusing microchannels through the bulk material for improved core nutrient supply

PReS-FINAL-2041: Macrophage activation syndrome in the children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis during the course of tocilizumab

Background Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common among individuals with a mental disorder, but symptoms often go undetected and untreated. Methods The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of PTSD among a large sample of adults with psychiatric diagnoses and to establish factors associated with symptoms going undetected. Participants were 1,946 adults recruited by the National Centre for Mental Health. Structured interviews and validated self-report questionnaires were used to ascertain clinical and demographic information for analysis. Results The prevalence of participants screening positive for PTSD that had not been detected by clinical services was 13.9% [12.4–15.5%, 95% confidence interval]). Factors associated with undetected PTSD were female gender, younger age of first contact with psychiatric services, and lower household income. Especially, poor rates of detection were observed after traumatic events, such as child abuse and sexual assault. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate the need for routine assessment of trauma histories and symptoms of PTSD among individuals with anymental disorder