Harmonisation framework for health based evaluation of indoor emissions from construction products in the European Union using the EU-LCI concept

This report describes a harmonised procedure for establishing a list of compounds and their associated LCI (Lowest Concentration of Interest) values for the evaluation of emissions from construction products taking into account existing procedures used in some Member States (i.e. ANSES in France and AgBB in Germany). It provides an appropriate health‐protective, science-based and transparent yet pragmatic approach with a flexible framework that enables review of the procedure to take into account new knowledge (e.g. data resulting from the REACH implementation process) for future revision of the EU-LCI master list in terms of both the compounds listed and their EU-LCI values.JRC.I.1-Chemical Assessment and Testin

Synthesis and in-vitro cytotoxicity of dendrimer cytostatic conjugates

Bendamustin und Melphalan sind Stickstoff-Lost-Derivate aus der Gruppe der Alkylanzien und werden für die Behandlung von verschiedenen Tumorerkrankungen z.B. chronischer lymphatischer Leukämie (CLL) oder Brustkrebs eingesetzt. Ihre Anwendung wird jedoch durch zahlreiche Nebenwirkungen begrenzt. Daher wurden 1,3,5-Tris(3-aminopropyl)benzene (G0) und sein G1 analog 1,3,5-Tris[3,5-bis(3-aminopropyl)-N-propylbenzamid]benzene ausgewählt, um Zytostatika-Dendrimer-Konjugate zu synthetisieren und um ‚Tumortargeting’ durch den EPR Effekt und Anreicherung in den Tumorzellen durch Endocytose zu erreichen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde eine neue Reihe von Dendrimer- und Dendrimer-Spacer-Derivate mit den Zytostatika Melphalan und Bendamustin erfolgreich synthetisiert. Die antiproliferative Wirkung dieser Verbindungen und deren Maleinimid-Vorstufen wurde an den MCF-7 und MDA-MB-231 Brustkrebszelllinien ermittelt, wobei keine Selektivität für eine der Zelllinien beobachtet werden konnte. Die Zytotoxizität von Melphalan war von einer freien Aminogruppe abhängig. Die Art der Bindung an den Spacer oder am Dendrimer hatte keinen Einfluss auf die Antitumoraktivität. Die Veresterung von Bendamustin mit dem N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)maleinimid Spacer reduzierte die Hydrolyse, was eine starke Erhöhung der antiproliferativen Wirkung zur Folge hatte. Im Vergleich dazu führte die direkte Amidbindung an das G0 zu der Inaktivierung der Verbindung. Daher ist es sehr wahrscheinlich, dass der Zelltod durch das intakte freigesetzte Bendamustin nach dem Transport in die Tumorzellen verursacht wird. Des Weiteren wurden Zytostatika-Spacer-Diamin- Derivate synthetisiert und ihre antiproliferative Wirkung an den MCF-7 und MDA-MB-231 Brustkrebszelllinien untersucht. Allerdings wurden die bivalenten Verbindungen als Isomerengemisch erhalten und getestet. Die in vitro Tests der bivalenten Bendamustin-Derivate zeigten eine wesentliche Erhöhung der Antitumoraktivität dieser Derivate im Vergleich zum freien Bendamustin. Mit Ausnahme des Diaminododecan-Derivates, haben alle bivalenten Verbindungen zytotoxische Effekte an beiden Zelllinien aufgewiesen. Die analogen Melphalan- Derivate waren viel aktiver und erreichten zytozide Wirkungen in den höchsten Konzentrationen. Die Dimere mit C7, C8 und C12 haben eine etwa 10-mal höhere Zytotoxizität als Melphalan gezeigt.Bendamustine and melphalan are nitrogen mustard derivatives from the group of alkylating agents and are used for the treatment of various cancers such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or breast cancer. However their use is limited by numerous side effects. Therefore, 1,3,5-tris(3-aminopropyl)benzene (G0) and the G1 analogous 1,3,5-tris[3,5-bis(3-aminopropyl)-N-propylbenzamide]benzene were chosen to synthesize cytostatic-dendrimer conjugates and to achieve ‘tumor targeting' through the EPR-effect and accumulation in the tumor cells by endocytosis. In this work a new series of dendrimer and dendrimer-spacer derivatives with the cytostatics melphalan and bendamustine was successfully synthesized. The antiproliferative effects of these compounds and their maleimide precursors were determined on the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, with no selectivity observed for any of the cell lines. The cytotoxicity of melphalan was dependent on the presence of a free amino group. The type of binding to the spacer or dendrimer had no effect on the antitumor activity. The esterification of bendamustine with the N-(2-hydroxyethyl)maleimide spacer reduced the hydrolysis and a strong increase of antiproliferative effects could be demonstrated. By comparison, the direct amide bond to the G0 led to the inactivation of the conjugate. It is therefore very likely that cell death is caused by the intact bendamustine released after transport into the tumor cells. In addition, cytostatic-spacer-diamine conjugates were synthesized and their antiproliferative effect on the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines was investigated. However, the bivalent compounds have been obtained as a mixture of isomers and tested as such. The in vitro tests of the bivalent derivatives with bendamustine showed a significant increase in the antitumor activity of these conjugates compared to free bendamustine. With the exception of the diaminododecane derivative, all bivalent compounds showed cytotoxic effects on both cell lines. The analogue melphalan derivatives were much more active and reached cytocidal effects in the highest concentrations. The dimers with C7, C8 and C12 exhibited an approximately 10-times higher cytotoxicity than melphalan

Adder Box Used in the Heavy Trucks Transmission Noise Reduction

The paper aims to analyze the vibrations of a summing box, used in heavy vehicles. An experimental setup is proposed and used for the analysis of these vibrations transmitted by the box housing, based on the measurement of the mechanical impedance. It is then shown that a simpler measurement, namely that of the generated noise spectrum, can provide equally useful results, with less effort and in a shorter time. The experimental setup is much simpler, involving a sonometer arranged in the experimental assembly. The symmetry of the box allows us to facilitate the execution of the experimental assembly, and the use of the symmetrical structure to facilitate the calculation of vibrations. The results obtained using this method in the case of a redesigned adder box are presented in the paper

POSSIBILITY AND NECESSITY OF TARTARIC ACID PRODUCTION IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

The wine industry has been and remains a source of natural- tartaric acid. The tartaric acid can be obtained from such wastes as grape marcs, yeast, vinasse and wine stone. But the use of these wastes was limited in the Republic of Moldova by the production of tartaric acid lime (calcium tartrate) and wine stone, which were shipped to Ukraine and Armenia where the finished product is obtained. Currently, tartaric acid is used in considerable quantities in the winemaking and food industry, being a quite expensive imported product. The Department of Oenology and Chemistry has developed a complete technological scheme for the use of wine wastes to obtain the finished product – tartaric acid. The realization of the proposed tartaric acid production in the Republic of Moldova is important for the country's economy and it does not require large investments. Wineries can also help to organize tartaric acid production by providing calcium tartrate, wine stone, pressed or dried yeast, and other ingredients

ECA report no. 27 on “Harmonisation framework for indoor products labelling schemes in the EU”

Harmonisation of indoor products labelling schemes in the EU is an important aspect of the European Commission’s policy making process in the field of indoor air quality and associated health effects. This report describes the outcome of recent activities and a roadmap setting out the steps being taken by a preparatory working group led by the European Commission for establishing an EU wide harmonisation framework for labelling schemes which consists of core and transitional criteria. The harmonization framework proposed in ECA report no. 27 will help the convergence of existing mandatory and voluntary labelling schemes in EU. This report is the final product of an initiative, coordinated by the JRC-IHCP at Ispra and integrated into the EU strategy on indoor air quality led by the EC Directorate General for Health and Consumer Affairs. This initiative started in 2010 with an international workshop “Harmonized framework on indoor material labeling schemes: challenge with a global perspective”. Member States, the industry and the consumers are concerned by it. Labeling of products will help building designers and consumers making informed choices about the products (existing or new) in the market which are used in indoor environments and also removing existing barriers in trade of consumer products used indoors.JRC.I.1-Chemical Assessment and Testin

Research and Science Today No. 1(7)/2014

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE TODAY is a biannual science journal established in 2011. The journal is an informational platform that publishes assessment articles and the results of various scientific research carried out by academics. We provide the authors with the opportunity to create and/or perfect their science writing skills. Thus, each issue of the journal (two per year and at least two supplements) will contain professional articles from any academic field, authored by domestic and international academics. The goal of this journal is to pass on relevant information to undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students as well as to fellow academics and researchers; the topics covered are unlimited, considering its multi-disciplinary profile. Regarding the national and international visibility of Research and Science Today, it is indexed in over 30 international databases (IDB) and is present in over 200 online libraries and catalogues; therefore, anybody can easily consult the articles featured in each issue by accessing the databases or simply the website

PROMEHS Kurikul za promicanje mentalnoga zdravlja u vrtićima i školama: Priručnik za odgajatelje i učitelje u svrhu promicanja mentalnoga zdravlja djece u dobi od 3. do 10. godine

Svrha ovog priručnika je primjena PROMEHS kurikula za mentalno zdravlje djece u vrtićima i školama, konkretno za rad odgajatelja I učitelja s djecom i učenicima u dobi od 3. do 10. godine. Sadržajno obuhvaća metodičko- didaktički prikaz aktivnosti koje odgajatelji i učitelji razredne nastave mogu provoditi s ciljem osnaživanja mentalnoga zdravlja, otpornosti i socijalno-emocionalnih kompetencija djece i učenika. Aktivnosti prikazane u priručniku provode se u sklopu postojećih kurikula dječjih vrtića i osnovnih škola kao suvremeni program za promociju i prevenciju teškoća iz područja mentalno zdravlja djece I učenika, a sadržajno i metodički su povezani s priručnikom za djecu I učenike