Development of Ultrasound Contrast Agents for Targeted Drug and Gene Delivery

Today, ultrasound (US) applications in medicine are so extensive that one cannot imagine routine clinical practice without them. US applications provide non-invasive, cost-efficient and well-developed modalities for imaging and diagnostics. In addition, several therapeutic approaches involving US have gained public acceptance and compliance. For example, highintensity focused US (HIFU) is used to ablate solid tumors and tissue regions, and lithotripter shockwaves are used to destroy kidney stones. The introducing of the first microbubble US contrast agents (MBs) has brought a great improvement in US diagnostics. Until the 1990’s, they were mainly used for right heart opacification and cardiac shunt diagnostics. This approach was limited due to MBs’ low stability and large size, making them unable to pass pulmonary capillaries after intravenous injection. Developing stable and sufficiently small gas filled MBs allowed systemic circulation of an effective US contrast agent after intravenous injection, thus opening a wide range of new diagnostic applications. More recently, such MBs have evolved into a promising carrier for therapeutic substances. This work will focus on the aspects of pharmaceutical developing of MB carriers for site specific tumor and gene therapy

Choosing a Scenario for Improving the Sustainability of Supply Chains in Construction

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine acceptable methods for choosing directions for increasing the sustainability of supply chains in construction. The  study  also determinate   the  factors  affecting the sustainability of supply chains in construction   Theoretical framework: Supply chain integration in many industries is based on integrated enterprise resource and relationship processing systems (ERP), but the construction industry has traditionally lagged behind in these processes. The need to create effective relationships in supply chains and increase the resilience of supply chains in construction has become evident in the context of the pandemic. However, the weak formalization of these processes in construction has led to the need to find acceptable methods for choosing directions for increasing the sustainability of supply chains in this industry.   Methodology: This is a  descriptive-based  study.  Approaches to factors of the supply chain stability were researched and systemized and from this the situations for the increasing stability of the supply chains are determinated. The choice of a model of the increasing stability of the supply chains was determined by the analytic hierarchy process.  Hierarchy analysis was used as a method for selecting a scenario for increasing the sustainability of supply chains in construction.   Findings: The results of the research carried out to conduct a multi-criteria choice using the opinions of experts in the construction industry. The choice of scenarios for increasing sustainability is due to the fact that the introduction of adaptive information technologies allows to take into account all groups of selected factors, while ensuring synchronization of production planning, product shipment and inventory management, increasing market feedback, ensuring that production volumes correspond to product demand, as well as reducing logistics costs and the price of products for the end customer.   Research, Practical  &  Social  Implication: The  study  contributes  to  a  better understanding crucial factors of the sustainability of supply chains in construction. The processes  of  analyzing   and evaluating   factors contribute  to improving  the sustainability of supply chains in construction,  by  focusing  on  critical  factors,    adopting  them  according  to  the requirements  of the construction. Originality/value: Based on the presented results, concluded that the scenario formation of increasing sustainability of the sustainability of supply chains  by the introduction of adaptive information technologies allows to take into account all groups of selected factors, while ensuring synchronization of production planning, product shipment and inventory management, increasing market feedback, ensuring that production volumes correspond to product demand, as well as reducing logistics costs and the price of products for the end customer

Enhancing environmental education for students by designing regional weekend hikes

The article deals with the main problems related to environmental education of students. The analysis of activities aimed at environmental education is given. The plan of measures to enhance environmental education, which included practise-orientated tasks that improve environmental literacy and motivation of students, consisted of activities divided into components: environmental literacy activities; environmental planning activities; project implementation activities. The plan was implemented at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports of Orel State University named after I.S. Turgenev. The diagnostic toolkit, questionnaires, and expert assessments have proved the effectiveness of the activities. Diagnostics included the evaluation criteria: cognitive, value, activity, and creative components. The study showed that the introduction of additional activities, such as the design and implementation of weekend hikes, increases the level of environmental education

Surface Reconstruction: Noble Metals

The paper reviews the most important achievements in the study of the surface-reconstruction phase transition on the low-index single crystals of Pt, Ir, and Au. A number of methods very sensitive to the surface layers are used to study the stable and metastable structures of the (100), (110), and (111) faces. Detailed consideration of the kinetics, critical parameters, activation energy, and geometrical models for 2D-surface phase transitions are presented. Main theoretical results based on the Ising 2D-model, calculations of the free energy with an embedded-atom method, and equilibrium Monte Carlo simulations are also given.В обзоре рассмотрены последние достижения в исследовании реконструкционных фазовых превращений в поверхностных слоях монокристаллов Pt, Ir и Au. Приведены результаты, полученные с помощью различных поверхностно-чувствительных экспериментальных методов. Наиболее подробно рассмотрены вопросы, относящиеся к кинетике, энергии активации, геометрическим моделям, критическим параметрам 2D-фазовых превращений. Представлены также результаты теоретических исследований, основанных на 2D-модели Изинга, методе внедренного атома и моделировании методом Монте-Карло.В обзорі розглянуто останні досягнення в дослідженні реконструкційніх фазових перетворень в поверхневих шарах монокристалів Pt, Ir та Au. Наведено результати, які отримані за допомогою різних повехнево-чутливих експериментальних методів. Найбільш детально розглянуто питання, що відносяться до кінетики, енергії активації, геометричних моделей, критичних параметрів 2D-фазових перетворень. Представлено також результати теоретичних досліджень, що базовані на 2D-моделі Ізінга, методі зануреного атому та моделюванні за методом Монте-Карло

BXD recombinant inbred mice as a model to study neurotoxicity

BXD recombinant inbred (RI) lines represent a genetic reference population derived from a cross between C57BL/6J mice (B6) and DBA/2J mice (D2), which through meiotic recombination events possesses recombinant chromosomes containing B6 or D2 haplotype segments. The quantitative trait loci (QTLs) are the locations of segregating genetic polymorphisms and are fundamental to understanding genetic diversity in human disease susceptibility and severity. QTL mapping represents the typical approach for identifying naturally occurring polymorphisms that influence complex phenotypes. In this process, genotypic values at markers of known genomic locations are associated with phenotypic values measured in a segregating population. Indeed, BXD RI strains provide a powerful tool to study neurotoxicity induced by different substances. In this review, we describe the use of BXD RI lines to understand the underlying mechanisms of neurotoxicity in response to ethanol and cocaine, as well as metals and pesticide exposures. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Oxygen and structure transformations of h-BN in focal zone of an optical furnace

In this contribution the recent results on a synthesis of the new structures of boron nitride are presented. Light-induced catalyst-free heating of fine-grained graphite-like h-BN powders was performed in the flow of dried and purified nitrogen in an optical furnace. The new structures of boron nitride were obtained. Scanning electron microscopy JSM-6490 supplemented with combined Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) provided information about structures, phase and element transformation of fine-grained graphite-like h-BN powders. The coarse structures, thread-like nanostructures (whiskers or dendritic structures) and new morphologies were formed due to the interaction of BN plume with nitrogen ambient on the surface of the heated compacted h-BN samples. Complicated structure and element composition of the whiskers which were formed on the surface of heated samples of compacted h-BN powders were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray Diffraction (XRD) study demonstrates presence of amorphous phase, pure boron of different modifications and boron nitride of different phase compositions on the surface of these substrates. The process of the synthesis, formation and growth of the nanostructures in an optical furnace was analyzed and understood. A role of oxygen in formation and growth mechanism of BN whiskers was proposed

The role of toxic metals and metalloids in nrf2 signaling

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), an emerging regulator of cellular resis-tance to oxidants, serves as one of the key defensive factors against a range of pathological processessuch as oxidative damage, carcinogenesis, as well as various harmful chemicals, including metals.An increase in human exposure to toxic metals via air, food, and water has been recently observed,which is mainly due to anthropogenic activities. The relationship between environmental exposureto heavy metals, particularly cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni), as well asmetaloid arsenic (As), and transition metal chromium (Cr), and the development of various humandiseases has been extensively investigated. Their ability to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS)production through direct and indirect actions and cause oxidative stress has been documentedin various organs. Taking into account that Nrf2 signaling represents an important pathway inmaintaining antioxidant balance, recent research indicates that it can play a dual role depending onthe specific biological context. On one side, Nrf2 represents a potential crucial protective mechanismin metal-induced toxicity, but on the other hand, it can also be a trigger of metal-induced carcinogen-esis under conditions of prolonged exposure and continuous activation. Thus, this review aims tosummarize the state-of-the-art knowledge regarding the functional interrelation between the toxicmetals and Nrf2 signaling

The aging kidney—as influenced by heavy metal exposure and selenium supplementation

The aging process in the kidneys has been well studied. It is known that the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declines with age in subjects older than 50–60 years. However, there is still insufficient knowledge regarding the response of the aged kidney to environmental toxicants such as mercury, cadmium, and lead. Here, we present a review on the functional decline and proposed mechanisms in the aging kidney as influenced by metal pollutants. Due to the prevalence of these toxicants in the environment, human exposure is nearly unavoidable. Further, it is well known that acute and chronic exposures to toxic metals may be detrimental to kidneys of normal adults, thus it may be hypothesized that exposure of individuals with reduced GFR will result in additional reductions in renal function. Individuals with compromised renal function, either from aging or from a combination of aging and disease, may be particularly susceptible to environmental toxicants. The available data appear to show an association between exposure to mercury, cadmium and/or lead and an increase in incidence and severity of renal disease in elderly individuals. Furthermore, some physiological thiols, as well as adequate selenium status, appear to exert a protective action. Further studies providing improved insight into the mechanisms by which nephrotoxic metals are handled by aging kidneys, as well as possibilities of therapeutic protection, are of utmost importance

The Role of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Obesity: A Review of Laboratory and Epidemiological Studies

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are considered as potential obesogens that may affect adipose tissue development and functioning, thus promoting obesity. However, various POPs may have different mechanisms of action. The objective of the present review is to discuss the key mechanisms linking exposure to POPs to adipose tissue dysfunction and obesity. Laboratory data clearly demonstrate that the mechanisms associated with the interference of exposure to POPs with obesity include: (a) dysregulation of adipogenesis regulators (PPAR and C/EBP); (b) affinity and binding to nuclear receptors; (c) epigenetic effects; and/or (d) proinflammatory activity. Although in vivo data are generally corroborative of the in vitro results, studies in living organisms have shown that the impact of POPs on adipogenesis is affected by biological factors such as sex, age, and period of exposure. Epidemiological data demonstrate a significant association between exposure to POPs and obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disturbances (e.g., type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome), although the existing data are considered insufficient. In conclusion, both laboratory and epidemiological data underline the significant role of POPs as environmental obesogens. However, further studies are required to better characterize both the mechanisms and the dose/concentration-response effects of exposure to POPs in the development of obesity and other metabolic diseases