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The hemocompatibility of arabinogalactan, betulin and its derivatives was evaluated in vitro and samples suitable for creation of nanostructures or materials in contact with blood were selected. The prospects of arabinogalactan as a component of the construct (nanostructure) for drug delivery are due to the fact that it did not affect blood/plasma coagulation (at concentrations of 0.0033-3.333 mg/ml and 0.00465-4.65 mg/ml, respectively), platelet aggregation (0.00182-0.182 mg/ml), and demonstrated the degree of erythrocyte hemolysis less than 3%. Sodium salt of betulin monosulfate, diarginine salt of betulin disulfate (up to 0.465 mg/ml), and especially betulin and allobetulin formate with procoagulant properties (degree of hemolysis less than 2%) can be used to create a material, for example, sponge, gel, active against blood coagulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CRISPR/Cas technology of targeted genome editing made it possible to carry out genetic engineering manipulations with eukaryotic genomes with a high efficiency. Targeted induction of site-specific DNA breaks is one of the key stages of the technology. The cell repairs the breaks via one of the two pathways, nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) and homology-driven repair (HDR). The choice of the DNA repair pathway is determined by the architecture of the DNA break region formed as a result of terminal resection and depends on the cell cycle phase. NHEJ is the main pathway of double-strand break (DSB) repair in mammalian cells and involves a nonspecific ligation reaction. The reaction accuracy depends on the structure of break ends, and various insertions or deletions may arise as a result in the target genome region. Integration of a necessary sequence into the genome occurs via HDR, which requires a template with homology regions flanking a DSB. Introducing a genetic construct into a particular genomic locus is an important task, but is currently intricate and laborious to perform. However, the choice of the repair pathway can be of principal importance for basic research of gene functions and construction of animal models of human diseases to develop therapies. The review summarizes and systematizes the available information on strategies designed to increase the HDR efficiency. The strategies that most efficiently shift the balance towards HDR include use of NHEJ inhibitors, regulation of the key factors of homologous recombination, control of the cell cycle and chromatin status, and construction of HDR templates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern genetic engineering technologies, such as base editing and prime editing (PE), have proven to provide the efficient and reliable genome editing tools that obviate the need for donor templates and double-strand breaks (DSBs) introduced in DNA. Relatively new, they quickly gained recognition for their accuracy, simplicity, and multiplexing capabilities. The review summarizes the new literature on the technologies and considers their architecture, methods to create editors, specificity, efficiency, and versatility. Advantages and disadvantages of the editors are discussed along with their prospective use in basic and applied research. The review may be useful for planning genome editing studies and analyzing their results to solve various problems of fundamental biology, biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a procedure to design two-dimensional acoustic structures with prescribed scattering properties. The structures are designed from targeted properties in the reciprocal space so that their structure factors, i.e. their scattering patterns under the Born approximation, exactly follow the desired scattering properties for a set of wavelengths. The structures are made of a distribution of rigid circular cross-sectional cylinders embedded in air. We demonstrate the efficiency of the procedure by designing two-dimensional stealth acoustic materials with broadband back-scattering suppression independent of the angle of incidence and equiluminous acoustic materials exhibiting broadband scattering of equal intensity also independent of the angle of incidence. The scattering intensities are described in terms of both single and multiple scattering formalisms, showing excellent agreement with each other, thus validating the scattering properties of each material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blood coagulation system is actively involved in the development of cancer. Many solid tumors express tissue factor (TF) that triggers a plasma coagulation cascade leading to an increased risk of cancer-associated thrombosis and venous thrombosis in cancer patients. The main components of the blood clots, platelets are also well known for their role in cancer metastasis as they bind to tumor cells once they enter blood vessels and "shield" them to escape immune surveillance. Platelets also promote adhesion and extravasation of circulating tumor cells into tissues and subsequent metastasis formation. Moreover, being mobile carriers of various growth factors, platelets are actively recruited and, in some cases, engulfed by the tumor, contributing thereby to tumor development and vascularization. Platelet recruitment occurs through both tumor-induced thrombin activation and exposing of platelet-adhesive surfaces by the tumor. Activated in the tumor proximity, platelets attract and induce neutrophil activation and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), thus modulating the tumor microenvironment. Apart from direct interaction, platelets and tumor cells exchange mRNA, miRNA and other regulatory molecules via microvesicles, with platelets serving as "containers" that spread tumor genetic material (circulating nucleic acids) throughout the organism. In this review, we address the molecular mechanisms behind the platelet involvement in the growth and metastasis of solid tumors, and discuss possible options for the pharmacological interruption of platelet–tumor cell interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cadmium mercury telluride solid solution is one of the most important infrared photoelectronic materials in the world. In obtaining this compound, molecular beam epitaxy has a number of advantages over other methods. At the same time, this solid solution is quite demanding on the pre-growth processing of substrates. In this study, the polishing processes are the primary development in mastering the production of cadmium mercury telluride (211) wafers. A roughness value of ~1 nm is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of studying the ash content of twig and leaf debris from forest plants of primary midmountain tropical forests of Central Vietnam (Bidoup Núi Bà National Park) in order to identify and clarify the elements that enter the soil during their decomposition. The difference in the ratio of twig and leaf debris in mortmass samples collected in different landscape conditions is shown. At the same time, the influence of periodical and stagnant moisture conditions on the conduct of migratory soil processes is considered. The sampling points of the twig and leaf debris correspond to the locations of the soil catena within the structural ridge and its top, slope, and foothill. This allows us to relate the results obtained on the elemental composition of the twig and leaf debris to the geochemical migration of chemical elements in different geochemical landscape conditions, from automorphic to accumulative. An attempt has been made to establish the volumes of matter migrating from the mortmass into the soil together with the aqueous solution. Differences in the accumulation of ash elements in the twig and leaf debris depending on the position in different landscape conditions are revealed. The composition of elements entering the soil with twig and leaf debris and involved in geochemical migration is established, and the contribution of leaves and twig debris to the accumulation and migration of elements under different moisture conditions is evaluated. The dependence of geochemical migration processes on the position of the elementary geochemical landscape facies in the catena is pointed out, which manifests itself in a change not only in the total ash content of the twig and leaf debris, but also in the ratio of ash content of twig debris to that of leaf debris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Betulin and its derivatives belonging to the series of lupane triterpenoids attract a great interest due to a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological activity. However, poor solubility of triterpenoids in aqueous media reduces significantly their bioavailability. The production of cocrystals, that is, multicomponent crystal systems containing active pharmaceutical ingredients and nontoxic partner molecules in their structure, is used in pharmacy to change physical and chemical properties of the drugs, including dissolution rate and solubility. In this work, cocrystals of betulin with suberic acid were obtained by a mechanochemical processing when adding small amounts of organic solvents of different polarity: ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, chloroform, toluene, dioxane. The production of cocrystals was confirmed by the methods of X-ray phase analysis, IR spectroscopy, as well as the methods of thermal analysis. It was demonstrated that cocrystals of betulin with suberic acid contain water molecules in their structure, while anhydrous cocrystals can be obtained by heating the physical mixture of reagents until the acid melts. In comparison with data for cocrystals of betulin with adipic acid, the results of the experiments on the dissolution of cocrystals of betulin with suberic acid demonstrated that an increase in the length of aliphatic acid chain leads to a decrease in the rate of betulin release into the solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In tropical forests, especially in the Southeast Asia, there are only fragmentary estimates of coarse woody debris (CWD) pools and dynamics. Our study examines the volume and structural diversity of CWD in forests not affected by commercial felling in the territories of the Bidoup Núi Bà and Bù Gia M p National Parks of the Republic of Vietnam. In the lowland Dipterocarp forests of Bù Gia M p National Park, the average volume of CWD was almost two times lower than the average CWD stock in the mixed montane forests of Bidoup Núi Bà national park: 44 m3 ha–1 versus 78 m3 ha–1. The mass of CWD depended linearly on its volume and averaged 24 t ha–1. The projective cover of CWD averaged 269 m2 ha–1. Snags prevailed among the substrate categories (position types), accounting for 42 and 31% in the Bidoup Núi Bà and Bù Gia M p forests, respectively. The proportion of large branches in the montane forests of Bidoup Núi Bà National Park was 8%, while in the lowland forests of Bù Gia M p it reached 33% of the CWD volume. Very high termite activity was noted in the Bù Gia M p National Park—in 73% of the studied CWD pieces. The percentage of thermite tunnels partially filled with soil was, on average, 32% of the CWD volume. The high projective cover of CWD with various types of mass loss: consumption by invertebrates, white- and brown-rot decay suggests a significant role of CWD in the soil-forming processes. The similarities were revealed in the volume and size of CWD in the studied monsoon tropical forests of South Vietnam and in the primeval European boreal Norway spruce forests with fine-scale gap dynamics. The predominance of snags among the CWD categories and the nearly bell-shaped distribution of the CWD volume by decay classes complement the similarity of the CWD pool in tropical lowland and montane mixed forests with that in uneven-aged spruce boreal forests. However, a high proportion of branches in the structure of CWD, especially in lowland deciduous mixed forests distinguishes the CWD in tropical forests from the CWD in boreal and temperate forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sol-gel process for making thin-film oxide materials is a low-cost and versatile way of creating nanostructures. This method provides a uniform distribution of elements of multicomponent systems over the surface of various solids. The thickness and morphology of the surface of oxide films are largely determined by the composition, structure, and processes occurring in the sols from which the films are obtained. The selection of precursors is essential in this method to acquire the desired composite oxide materials. In this paper, we present an overview of the results of studies on the sol-gel production of thin-film oxide materials based on SiO2–ExOy (E = a rare earth element (REE), Sn, Mn, Co, Ni, Ca, P), TiO2–ExOy (E = Si, Sn, Co, Ni), SnO2–ExOy (E = In, Sb, Ce), and ZrO2. In the main part of the work, we consider sol-gel processes (hydrolysis, polycondensation, complex formation) involving tetraethoxysilane, tetrabutoxytitanium, antimony(III), and tin(II, IV) acetylacetonate complexes, as well as polynuclear zirconium(IV) clusters. We explore the processes of obtaining a sol, leading to its film-forming ability, the composition of micelles, the size of colloidal particles, and the change in the composition of micelles when an additive is introduced to the tetraethoxysilane-based sol. We discuss the effect of adding salts of various natures, organic ligands, and solvents on the time stability of sols. We then consider the effect of the hydrolyzing ability of doubly charged nickel, manganese, and cobalt cations on the rate of hydrolysis and polycondensation of tetraethoxysilane. Based on the studies mentioned above, we propose a general technological approach for creating sols that are resistant to film formation, using the example of tetraethoxysilane and tetrabutoxytitanium sols. We consider the relationship between the network structure of a tetraethoxysilane sol and the network structure of oxide films by the example of SiO2–CeO2, SiO2–NiO, SiO2–Mn2O3, and SiO2–Co3O4. The effect of the rate of thermal treatment of gels on the morphology of oxide films is also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cocrystal of betulin (BE) with adipic acid (AA) was prepared using a liquid-assisted grinding method. The formation of BE-AA cocrystal was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis methods. It was assumed that 1:1 BE-AA cocrystal hydrate was formed when liquid-assisted grinding was carried out using water-miscible liquids in which the solubility of adipic acid was higher than in others. The cocrystal hydrate was stable under room temperature and rather high relative humidity. Nevertheless, the betulin–adipic acid cocrystal was found to decompose under heating after the loss of water molecules, followed by phase transformation. An anhydrous BE-AA cocrystal was also prepared by the BE-AA physical mixture heating up to the point of adipic acid melting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We identified compounds that do not independently provoke aggregation of human platelets and do not affect hemolysis of human erythrocytes in vitro: lacking anticoagulant activity sulfated galactoglucomannan (polydispersity 1.43; degree of sulfation 0.66) in concentrations ≤0.2 mg/ml; exhibiting anticoagulant activity (in concentrations up to 0.002 mg/ml) sulfated galactoglucomannan (polydispersity 1.5; degree of sulfation 1.81) and galactomannan obtained by sulfation with the sulfamic acid—urea complex (polydispersity 2.75; degree of sulfation 1.25) and galactomannans obtained by sulfation with chlorosulfonic acid in 1,4-dioxane (polydispersity 1.61/22.27; degree of sulfation 1.00/0.74). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optimization of sulfation of abies ethanol lignin by complexes of sulfuric anhydride with pyridine and 1,4-dioxane has been performed. Conditions for the implementation of the sulfation of abies ethanol lignin by complexes of sulfur trioxide with 1,4-dioxane and pyridine that provide a high sulfur content (12.0–12.6%) have been experimentally found. It has been shown that a high sulfur content of 12.0–13.5% (mass) in the resulting ethanol lignin sulfate is achieved at a chlorosulfonic acid to ethanol lignin ratio of 20.22 : 1 mmol : g and a duration of the process of 60–120 min and does not depend on the origin of the sulfation complex. The structure and the composition of water-soluble sulfated ethanol lignin have been confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, gel-permeation chromatography, and elemental analysis. The IR spectra of sulfated abies ethanol lignin, as compared with the IR spectra of initial ethanol lignin, have absorption bands in the regions of 1270–1260, 1220–1212, and 861–803 cm–1, which correspond to the vibrations of sulfate groups. Sulfated ethanol lignin from abies wood has a low degree of polydispersity as compared with initial lignin. In particular, an increase in Mw from ~1.5 to ~3.4 kDa in lignin sulfated for 30 min and a decrease in polydispersity from 2.59 to 1.22 in comparison with the initial ethanol lignin were observed. As the time of sulfation increased, the profile of the curve of the molecular weight distribution shifted toward the high-molecular-weight region with a simultaneous increase in polydispersity to 1.5 and in the mean molecular weight to ~4.3 kDa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stealthy hyperuniform point patterns are characterized by a vanishing spatial Fourier transform around the origin of the reciprocal vector space. The long-range point density fluctuations are suppressed as well in materials consisting of such distribution of scatterers, opening up opportunities to control waves. Beside wave transport in such structured materials are driven by several elements, such as the acoustic properties of the host material, the scatterer characteristics, i.e., dimensions or resonant features, and the scatterer distribution patterns. The effects of these three basic elements on the wave transport properties are usually hard to discriminate. In this work, we analyze the transport properties of acoustic waves in one-dimensional phononic materials constituted of either non-resonant or resonant scatterers distributed along stealthy hyperuniform patterns in air. The pattern is controlled by the stealthiness, allowing us to continuously vary from random phononic materials to phononic crystals. The properties of the scatterers are controlled by their size and/or the resonant frequencies. The properties of the host material are controlled by the viscothermal losses. Transport properties of stealthy hyperuniform materials are found to be robust to both the scatterer dimensions and inherent viscothermal losses, while strongly affected by the scatterer resonances, which introduce sharp dips in the transmission coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We theoretically, numerically and experimentally report the localization of an acoustic wave at the interface between two one-dimensional hyperuniform materials of different geometrical representations. These materials suppress the acoustic scattering in the long wavelength regime, being rather disordered and degenerate, while possessing a wide band gap. In this work, these hyperuniform materials are made of an air-filled acoustic waveguide with rigid diaphragms acting as scatterers. A wide band gap and the emergence of the edge modes provide promising applications in wave control devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used the visualization of hypo‐intense regions on liver‐specific MRI to directly quantify stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) spatial delivery accuracy. Additionally, the interfractional motion of the liver region was determined and compared with the MRI‐based evaluation of liver SBRT spatial treatment delivery accuracy. Primovist®‐enhanced MRI scans were acquired from 17 patients, 8–12 weeks following the completion of liver SBRT treatment. Direct visualization of radiation‐induced focal liver reaction in the form of hypo‐intensity was determined. The auto‐delineation approach was used to localize these regions, and center‐of‐mass (COM) discrepancy was quantified between the MRI hypo‐intensity and the CT‐based treatment plan. To assess the interfractional motion of the liver region, a planning CT was registered to a Cone Beam CT obtained before each treatment fraction. The interfractional motion assessed from this approach was then compared against the localized hypo‐intense MRI regions. The mean ± SD COM discrepancy was 1.4 ± 1.3 mm in the left‐right direction, 2.6 ± 1.8 mm in an anteroposterior direction, and 1.9 ± 2.6 mm in the craniocaudal direction. A high correlation was observed between interfractional motion of visualized hypo‐intensity and interfractional motion of planning treatment volume (PTV); the quantified Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.96. The lack of correlation was observed between Primovist® MRI‐based spatial accuracy and interfractional motion of the liver, where Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from −0.01 to −0.26. The highest random and systematic errors quantified from interfractional motion were in the craniocaudal direction. This work demonstrates a novel framework for the direct evaluation of liver SBRT spatial delivery accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder primarily focus on grandiosity and significance. In psychotherapeutic work, it is important to distinguish two subtypes of pathological narcissism: narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability. One of the manifestations of narcissistic traits is unstable or unformed self-esteem, manifested in attempts to conform to ideals. A part of modern society perceives the female body as an object that "needs to be looked at". Self-objectification refers to a learned pattern of self-assessment of the importance of one's body and appearance compared to other aspects of the self. Self-observation and comparison of oneself with others is one of the manifestations of self-objectification. With acts of auto aggression, the body becomes a tool or a means to solve psychological problems. In order for this to become possible, the ability to objectify your body "to look at it from the outside" plays an important role. Objectives: Analysis of the relationship between non-suicidal self-injurious behavior and narcissistic personality traits in young women with depression and young women without a psychiatric diagnosis. Methods: Тhe study included 49 women divided into two groups. The first group included 24 patients with depression undergoing inpatient treatment (mean age 18.4). The second group included 25 healthy subjects (mean age 18 years). The methods: The answer to the question "Sometimes I purposely injure myself" was used as an indicator of self-harm (NSSI) (five-point Likert scale); "Ich structure test" (ISTA); "Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised" (PACS-R). Results: In the clinical group, a significant association of severity of NSSI with indicators of "deficit narcissism" was revealed (Spearman r=,534*). Correlations were found between the severity of NSSI and PACS-R (r=,344**). In the clinical group, there was no connection between "Comparison with others" and narcissistic traits. In a group of healthy subjects, significant associations of NSSI severity with "destructive narcissism" (,572**) and PACS-R (,576**) were revealed. In the clinical group, the severity of NSSI is associated with a more serious pathology - the lack of formation of "normal" narcissism, and in the healthy group it is more likely to be deformed narcissism. Self-objectification and comparison of oneself with others in the clinical group is not associated with manifestations of narcissistic traits, such connections are demonstrated in the group of healthy young women. Conclusions: It is shown that in the clinical group of depressed young women, the severity of self-harming behavior is associated with "deficit narcissism", and in healthy young women, first of all, with "destructive narcissism" with an increased need to compare themselves with others. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixtures of iron(III) oxide polymorphs with a high content of ε-Fe2O3 were obtained by the decomposition of iron(III) nitrate in voids of a close packing of silica spheres. It was shown that the phase composition of Fe2O3 nanopowders can be controlled by using silica spheres of various sizes. The critical sizes of Fe2O3 nanoparticles that correspond to the γ-Fe2O3 → ε-Fe2O3 and ε-Fe2O3 → α-Fe2O3 transitions were determined to be 10 ± 2 and 28 ± 3 nm, respectively. The maximum ε-Fe2O3 content is reached at a silica sphere size of 110 nm and is 83%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physicochemical properties of hyaline cartilage homogenates were studied by the method of microcalorimetry. Collagen hydrolysates were obtained after homogenization of hyaline cartilages under high pressure conditions at the temperatures that denaturate collagen. Thermodynamic parameters of thermal transition of collagen in cartilage suspension were determined. Enthalpy of thermal transition ΔН decreases in comparison with the control. Thermal transition half-width ΔТ varies with temperature. More denatured and homogeneous samples were obtained at homogenization temperature 80°C. According to spectral studies, particles in the samples obtained at the temperature of 80°C were smaller. The temperature of 80°C is preferred for homogenizing hyaline cartilages and obtaining collagen type II short peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the precipitant nature of the tin(II) hydroxoform on the composition, structure, and surface morphology of samples based on tin(II) oxide prepared by precipitation under the same conditions with various precipitants: NaOH, a mixture of NaOH with hexamethylenetetramine, and NH3 solution, was studied. It was found by X-ray phase analysis with Rietveld refinement that the SnO structure is sensitive to the composition of the precipitant. The addition of hexamethylenetetramine to NaOH leads to the formation of SnO with a distorted tetragonal lattice due to a decrease in the distance between the Sn–Sn atoms. It is shown that the temperature of SnO formation determines the shape of particles, porosity, size of agglomerates, and the width of the forbidden zone of the oxide. The possibility and conditions of preparing SnO samples, which exhibit photocatalytic activity in the model reaction of methyl orange decomposition, have been revealed. It was found that the photocatalytic activity is exhibited by SnO samples without SnO2 impurities with a specific surface area of 5.4, 5.9, 6.8 m2 g–1 and a pore volume of 0.026, 0.034, 0.025 cm3 g–1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparison of IR spectra and molecular weight distribution of arabinogalactan sulfates as sodium and ammonium salts obtained using various sulfating reagents was performed. According to the data, sulfated derivatives of arabinogalactan differ from each other in the nature of hydrogen bonds and molecular weight distribution. Using coagulological tests during activation of coagulation of platelet-poor human plasma in vitro, the anticoagulant properties of sulfated arabinogalactan derivatives in various salt forms differing in the preparation method, sulfation degree, and molecular weight were studied. It was found that the sample in the form of the sodium salt of sulfated arabinogalactan (SAG 1) with a sulfur content of 13.2 wt % and a polydispersity degree of 1.52 exhibited twofold greater anticoagulant activity than the sample in the form of the ammonium salt of sulfated arabinogalactan (SAG 2) with a sulfur content of 6.6 wt % and a polydispersity degree of 1.30. The antithrombin (aIIa) activity of the samples obtained by sulfation with a complex of pyridine and sulfuric anhydride (SAG 1) and a complex of sulfamic acid (SAG 2) was 23.42 ± 1.86 and 10.20 ± 1.50 U/mg, respectively; the value of the antifactor Xa activity of SAG 1 and SAG 2 was 2.13 ± 0.42 and 0.37 ± 0.08 U/mg; the aIIa/aXa ratio for SAG 1 and SAG 2 was 11 and 28, respectively. The antifactor Xa (aXa) activity of SAG, which is lower than that of unfractionated heparin (UFH), and a high aIIa/aXa activity ratio may contribute to less provocation of bleeding by SAG samples compared to UFH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of a study of the electrophysical characteristics of ITO films obtained by magnetron sputtering are presented. It is shown that a significant increase in the electrical conductivity of ITO films is facilitated by high-temperature annealing due to two processes. First, the high-temperature treatment of ITO films after their synthesis promotes the formation of a crystal structure, which leads to an increase in the mobility of charge carriers. Second, as a result of high-temperature annealing, the impurity in ITO films becomes completely electrically active, which leads to an increase in the concentration of conduction electrons and a change of the semiconductor mechanism of electrical conductivity to the metallic one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of sulfated organosolv lignins derived from fir (Abies sibirica) and larch (Larix sibirica) (SLf and SLl; 4-3-7.5% sulfur, median-weight molecular mass 2960-4888 Da), on human blood/plasma clotting, platelet aggregation, and erythrocyte hemolysis were studied in vitro. Antithrombin activities of the samples were below 2 U/mg. Specimens of SLf (sulfur content 6.5, 6.6, and 7.5%, molecular weights 3503, 3487, and 3580 Da, respectively) and SLl (4.3 and 6.3%, 2960 and 3497 Da) in a concentration of 0.01 mg/ml did not prolong the blood clotting time, did not provoke human platelet aggregation, did not destroy erythrocyte membranes, and could be used for construction of drug delivery systems. The SLf sample (6.5%, sulfur, 3503 Da) in concentrations from 0.09 to 1.82 mg/ml did not stimulate platelet aggregation, reduced ADP-induced platelet aggregation, and 2-fold prolonged the blood/plasma clotting time 2-fold in comparison with control and could be used for creation of biomaterial with clot-resistant surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with ZnO, ZnO:Al 5 wt.% and ZnO:Al 5 wt.% – SiO2 5 wt.% thin films obtained on glass substrates by the sol gel process from film-forming solutions Zn[C6H4OHCOO]NO3, Al(NO3)3·9H2O and Si(OC2H5)4. The film properties such as transmission in the visible region, surface resistance and photocatalysis are investigated. It is shown that the aluminum addition has no effect on the ZnO film transmission in the visible region, but improves the film conductivity through the decrease in the surface resistance down to 107 Ohm. The ZnO:Al – SiO2 film has the highest transmission of 95%. The addition of SiO2 has no effect on the ZnO:Al film transmission. The maximum photocatalytic activity is observed in the ZnO:Al film. The photodecomposition velocity of methyl orange is 1.47 ∙10–2 min–1, that is by one order higher as compared to that in the presence of Degussa P25 adsorptive photocatalyst. The SiO2 addition lowers the degree of crystallinity of the ZnO:Al film and its photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By recrystallization with different solvents as well as decomposition of betulin ethanol solvate at room temperature a new crystalline form of the biologically active compound betulin, namely hemihydrate of betulin, is obtained. By single crystal X-ray diffraction data the crystal structure of hemihydrate of betulin is determined. By powder X-ray thermodiffraction and differential scanning calorimetry it is found that when hemihydrate of betulin is heated to melting, Н2О molecules are removed and solid-phase transformations occur, which are related to the formation of an intermediate crystalline form and an orthorhombic modification of betulin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the mechanisms of Aspergillus niger AM1 and AM2 resistance to white phosphorus were studied. It was shown that the presence of white phosphorus (P4) at a concentration of 0.25% in the medium had a marginal impact on the ratio of living to dead cells during fungal cultivation, which indicates a high resistance of the strains to P4. Observations made with electron microscopy showed an increase in the thickness of the fungal cell wall, which is a barrier to the penetration of white phosphorus. MALDI results revealed the biosynthesis of new protein enzymes that could potentially participate in the neutralization of white phosphorus. In addition, white phosphorus caused activation of the metabolism, accompanied by an increase in the number of mitochondria in the cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furfural derivatives prepared from vegetable raw materials have recently become popular as high-performance fuel additives. Furfural oxygenates are particularly of interest. A lot of research has been devoted to preparing new materials from furfural, however, there is much to be discovered about their effect on physicochemical properties of fuels. The possibility of using furfural derivatives, obtained by their hydrogenation on copper and nickel catalysts with full conversion of furfural, as additives to fuel is considered in this article. Their impact on antiknock properties and chemical stability is evaluated. It has been found that futons are mostly effective in low-octane hydrocarbon bases, such as hydrocracking gasoline, at a concentration of 5-30 wt. %. A high concentration of potential resins can lead to the formation of deposits in the combustion chamber of the engine, which, in turn, requires additional research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of porosity on diffusion characteristics of scaffolds and invasive capacity of MCF-7 and PC-3 tumor cells was studied for gelatin hydrogels. According to MTS test results, the efficiency of population of a macroporous cryogel by cells applied by different techniques increased in the following order: migration from the monolayer

The review summarizes the data on pro- and eukaryotic RNA (C5-cytosine) methyltransferases. The structure, intracellular location, RNA targets, and catalytic mechanisms of these enzymes, as well as the functional role of methylated cytosine residues in RNA are presented. The functions of RNA (C5-cytosine) methyltransferases unassociated with their methylation activity are discussed. Special attention is given to the similarities and differences in the structures and mechanisms of action of RNA and DNA methyltransferases. The data on the association of mutations in the RNA (C5-cytosine) methyltransferases genes and human diseases are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The effect of porosity on diffusion characteristics of scaffolds and invasive capacity of MCF-7 and PC-3 tumor cells was studied for gelatin hydrogels. According to MTS test results, the efficiency of population of a macroporous cryogel by cells applied by different techniques increased in the following order: migration from the monolayer

The article evaluates the state of high-tech and knowledge-intensive business in the regions of the Siberian Federal District and identifies their development constraints and prospects. Approaches to defining high-tech business are compared. Estimates are given for the spatial and sectoral structure of high-tech and knowledge-intensive business. An outline is given of the challenges and opportunities for the development of high-tech manufacturers and service-providers. It is shown that the role of high-tech and knowledge-intensive business in Siberia remains low: they form less than 10% of the regional economy. The service economy, represented by high-tech services, is developing at a higher pace in Siberia: air transportation services come first, followed by high-tech industrial services and small high-tech processing companies. Large high-tech companies are dependent on the government strategy. A strong differentiation exists between the regions of the Siberian Federal District in terms of presence and development of high-tech business. Novosibirsk oblast, Krasnoyarsk krai, and Irkutsk oblast can be considered regional leaders in high-tech production. Empirical data confirms that the most favorable conditions for the development of the new economy exist in regions with advanced science and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MoO3−TiO2−SiO2 composites with spherical shape of agglomerates were prepared by thermal decomposition of TOKEM-400 and TOKEM-840 anion-exchange resins preliminarily loaded with Mo 7 OO 24 6 − ions with the applied sol based on tetrabutoxytitanium with tetraethoxysilane. The phase and chemical compositions of the composites were determined by X-ray diffraction and electron probe microanalysis. The influence of the resin type on the surface morphology of MoO3−TiO2−SiO2 composites was demonstrated. To obtain the MoO3−TiO2−SiO2 composite with the spherical shape of agglomerates, it is necessary to use TOKEM-400 resin characterized by higher sorption capacity for Mo 7 O 24 6 − . ions due to exchange of the OH− ions of the resin for Mo 7 O 24 6 − . The temperature conditions for preparing spherical MoO3−TiO2−SiO2 composites were suggested. The total capacity and sorption capacity for Mo 7 O 24 6 − of TOKEM-400 and TOKEM-840 anion-exchange resins were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Betulin diacetate (BDA) has a variety of biological activities, but poor solubility in water limits its application. The use of arabinogalactan (AG) as a complexing agent is a promising method for solving the problem of solubilization of drugs. In this study, effect of microwave (MW) irradiation on the properties of AG and BDA and their interaction in aqueous suspension with the formation of a water-soluble supramolecular complex was studied. It is shown that the microwave heating of AG under harsh conditions can lead to degradation of the biopolymer. The use of microwave heating could significantly reduce the complex preparation time compared to the conventional synthesis in a water bath. The preliminary mechanical treatment of the mixture of components, leading to the formation of mechanocomposites, inhibited the reaction between the components in the aqueous suspension under microwave irradiation. The IR spectroscopy method has shown that a supramolecular complex formed under microwave irradiation similar to that formed by conventional heating. The BDA-AG complex was isolated from a microwave heated solution as a thin film, which may be a promising material for pharmaceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Financial & Credit Activity: Problems of Theory & Practice is the property of University of Banking of the National Bank of Ukraine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The effect of the conditions of the acetylation process of raw and activated birch bark on the yield and composition of the products is investigated. The structure of biologically active betulin diacetate (BDA) is confirmed with physicochemical methods. The optimal regimes of the one-step original method for the production of BDA from raw and activated birch bark are established using the experimental and computational techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction of copper(II) and iron(III) from nickel sulfate electrolytes by means of solutions of binary extractants such as methyltrioctylammonium, tetraoctylammonium and trioctylammonium caprylates, 2-ethylheptylcarboxylates, and di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphates in toluene has been studied. It has been shown that an efficient copper extraction is observed in the systems with methyltrioctyl ammonium dialkyl carboxylate and caprylate, whereas methyltrioocylammonium, and tetraoctylammonium salts can be used to extract iron. The stripping of copper and iron can be carried out using dilute sulfuric acid solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical model of a control system for the hydraulic transmission of a transportation robot is developed. Position control for the pump rate regulator is implemented using a traverse speed-feedback loop. An operation algorithm of the automatic control mechanism for the hydraulic transmission of a transportation robot based on SF programming is suggested. Finally, the simulation results of automatic mechanism operation under nonlinear motion characteristics are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sea ice in the Arctic has shrunk significantly in the last decades. The transport pattern has as a result partly changed with more traffic in remote areas. This change may influence on the risk pattern. The critical factors are harsh weather, ice conditions, remoteness and vulnerability of nature. In this paper, we look into the risk of accidents in Atlantic Arctic based on previous ship accidents and the changes in maritime activity. The risk has to be assessed to ensure a proper level of emergency response. The consequences of incidents depend on the incident type, scale and location. As accidents are rare, there are limited statistics available for Arctic maritime accidents. Hence, this study offers a qualitative analysis and an expert-based risk assessment. Implications for the emergency preparedness system of the Arctic region are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfated derivatives of xylan (isolated from Bétula pubéscens wood) with average molecular weight ~34 kDa, sulfur content of 11.3-17.5%, a degree of substitution of 0.74-1.64 are anticoagulants of direct type of action. Antithrombin and antifactor Xa activities in three tested xylan samples did not differ and reached 30.8-31.8 and 13.5-14.3 U/mg, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetometric systems based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID) were developed for bio-medical applications. The characteristics of existing SQUID systems that can be used in magnetocardiography (MCG) are discussed. The results of clinical MCG studies of a group of volunteers with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and a group of apparently healthy persons are presented as an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TaO-SiO composites containing 10, 50, and 90 wt % SiO have been prepared by a sol-gel process in ethanolic solutions of tantalum(V) chloride with tetraethyl orthosilicate. The physicochemical aspects of their formation have been studied by IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray microanalysis, and thermal analysis in combination with mass spectrometry. The results demonstrate that the SiO content of the TaO-SiO composites influences the uniformity of the tantalum and oxygen distributions on the surface of the materials and that heat-treatment conditions influence their crystallinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Financial & Credit Activity: Problems of Theory & Practice is the property of University of Banking of the National Bank of Ukraine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The formation of carbon phases by reacting formaldehyde with sulfuric acid under hydrothermal conditions was studied. The final products of the reaction were found to be amorphous carbon, diamond-like carbon, α- and β-graphite phases, fullerenes C and C, fullerites, carbolite, and chaoite. Hydrocarbons of various compositions were detected in reaction products, namely cyclic hydrocarbons, including aromatic ones, and naphthene hydrocarbons. A formation scheme is suggested for carbon structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species endemic to Vietnam are described: Trichosanthes conferta and Trichosanthes epibracteata. Trichosanthes laceribractea is a new record for Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments on rabbits showed that increasing the dose of intravenously administered cellulose sulfate from wheat straw (dynamic viscosity 3.4 cP, sulfur content 14.1%) increased plasma clotting time in some coagulation tests and plasma anticoagulant activity. When cellulose sulfate was administered in the dose of 1 mg/kg, plasma clotting time in the presence of the anticoagulant (5 min after administration) was ~3-fold higher than after saline administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method has been proposed for the synthesis of catalytically active 80 wt % SnO + 20 wt % CeO materials supported on glass fiber, which involves the use of an ethanolic film-forming solution based on cerium(III) nitrate and salicylic acid, with the addition of tin(IV) chloride. We have studied the morphology of the materials thus prepared and assessed their catalytic activity for the deep oxidation of methane. The results indicate that the appreciable catalytic activity of the materials is ensured by their uniform distribution over the support surface and the small oxide aggregate size ( 10 μm), which is due to the use of the filmforming solution of the proposed composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the conditions of consecutive carbonization-activation of the bark of larch, fir tree, and birch in a fluidized bed reactor on the yield, textural characteristics, and sorption properties of the resulting porous carbon materials was studied. The rate of temperature increase at the stage of the pyrolysis of bark exerted the greatest effect on the specific surface area, total pore volume, and sorption capacity of porous carbon materials for iodine and methylene blue. The porous carbon materials obtained by the slow pyrolysis (5 K/min) of larch bark with an isothermal exposure for 60 min at 600°C and the subsequent activation with CO at 850°C for 30 min were characterized by a maximum sorption activity. The porous carbon materials obtained from bark by consecutive carbonization-activation in a fluidized bed were similar to commercial powder sorbents from wood in their characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]