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The interaction of acetamidine and phenylamidine with peri-R-ethynyl-9,10-anthraquinones in refluxing n-butanol leads to the formation of cascade transformations products: addition/elimination/cyclization―2-R-7H-dibenzo[de,h]quinolin-7-ones and(or) 2-R-3-aroyl-7H-dibenzo[de,h]quinolin-7-ones. The anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties of the new 2-R-7H-dibenzo[de,h]quinolin-7-ones were investigated in vivo, in vitro, and in silico. The synthesized compounds exhibit high anti-inflammatory activity at dose 20 mg/kg (intraperitoneal injection) in the models of exudative (histamine-induced) and immunogenic (concanavalin A-induced) inflammation. Molecular docking data demonstrate that quinolinones can potentially intercalate into DNA similarly to the antitumor drug doxorubicin.

Multifunctional biomaterials can pave a way to novel types of micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems providing benefits in mimicking of biological functions in implantable, wearable structures. The production of biocomposites that hold both superior electrical and mechanical properties is still a challenging task. In this study, we aim to fabricate 3D printed hydrogel from a biocomposite of bovine serum albumin with graphene oxide (BSA@GO) using femtosecond laser processing. We have developed the method for functional BSA@GO composite nanostructuring based on both two-photon polymerization of nanofilaments and direct laser writing. The atomic-force microscopy was used to probe local electrical and mechanical properties of hydrogel BSA@GO nanowires. The improved local mechanical properties demonstrate synergistic effect in interaction of femtosecond laser pulses and novel composite structure.

Aim. Hemodynamic shifts in the brain, developing due to carotid surgery (carotid endarterectomy or stenting) might be the cause of perioperation strokes. Assessment for hemodynamic shifts is important. The aim of current study was to develop methodics of cerebral hemodynamics assessment at pre-operation and post-operation periods of carotid endarterectomy.Material and methods. The authors propose a mathematical model for preoperation analysis of hemodynamics changes in extracranial regions of brachiocephalic arteries after carotid endarterctomy. The development of mathematical model was based upon the data from pre- and postsurgery duplex scan and CT-angiography.Results. The results showed good prediction capacity for the shifts in cerebral hemodynamics, using the developed mathematical model.Conclusion. Study results make it to assess cerebral hemodynamis without supplementary investigations. The model includes and represents real anatomy and quantitative hemodynamics parameters by the CT-angiography and duplex scan of the vessels.

Acute cerebrovascular accident (ACVA) and transient ischemic attack are among the leading causes of morbidity, disability, and mortality in the Russian Federation and the world. Ischemic strokes account for 70—80% of all ACVAs, with 20—30% of them being associated with stenotic atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries (BCA). The paper describes modern views on the problem of asymptomatic BCA atherosclerosis and considers the possibilities of identifying risk groups among the patients with asymptomatic atherosclerosis of the BCA.

We study a process of the photodisintegration of some Borromean light nuclei into three clusters. This study is performed within a three-cluster microscopic model. In Reference [1] this model was applied to obtain parameters of resonance states in 9Be and 9B and to establish their nature. Main aim of the present investigations is to describe the dipole transition probability from the ground state of 9Be to the states of three-cluster α+α+n continuum by using the same model. That model exploits the hyperspherical harmonics basis (HHB) and thus reduces many-channel Schrödinger equation to the algebraic matrix (AM) form. The dipole transitions from the ground 3/2- state to the 1/2+ states of three-cluster continuum were studied in detail. The role of resonance states in three-cluster continuum to this process is investigated in detail. The dominant channels with the maximal dipole strength due to the coupling between the ground and scattering states are discovered

This article describes a new technique for the preparation of hollow fiber (HF) membrane samples using an automatic manipulator unit. The manipulator uses a syringe needle to form a HF of a given geometry. The needle in automatic mode is sequentially immersed, first into the polymer solution and then into the coagulation bath. The possibility of using a manipulator to obtain HF samples was studied on the known polysulfone (PSf)/N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP)/pore-forming additive system. A series of HF membrane samples were made within 29 h from twelve 1 mL PSf casting solutions. This was 15 times faster than obtaining samples of HF membranes at the multifunctional research laboratory facility. From the point of view of the consumption of the components of the casting solution, the use of the manipulator was 30 times more economical, and the consumption of water for precipitation and washing was 8000 times less. The developed method made it possible to study samples of HF by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultrafiltration, and evaluate its mechanical properties without spinning the membranes. Using the new technique, the optimal composition of the casting solution for the wet spinning of HF PSf membranes was selected during two weeks. Thus, the manipulator makes it possible to significantly reduce the time of the new membrane preparation, reduce the volume of used polymer, and thus makes it promising to study expensive or new membrane materials.

Lithium-rich geothermal waters are considered as an alternative source, and further concentration of lithium is required for its effective recovery. In this work, we have simulated a three-stage lithium recovery process including the brine softening by precipitation Ca2+/Mg2+ cations with sodium carbonate (calculated in PHREEQC), followed by an integrated system consisting of membrane distillation unit (water evaporation), crystallizer (NaCl precipitation), and membrane extraction (Li+ recovery), which was simulated in Simulink/MATLAB. It was shown that the deterioration of membrane performance in time due to scaling/fouling plays a critical role in the performance of the system resulting in the dramatic increase of the replaced membrane modules by a factor of 5. Low cost membranes are required. The process simulation based on the experimental and literature data on the high salinity solutions with the membrane distillation revealed that the specific productivity can be achieved in the range of 9.9–880 g (Li+) per square meter of membranes in the module used before its replacement. The increase of energy efficiency is needed. The mass-flow-rate of saline solution circulated to the crystallizer was set at its almost minimum value as 6.5 kg/min to enable its successful operation at the given parameters of the membrane distillation unit. In other words, the operation of the integrated system having 140 kg of saline solution in the loop and a membrane module of 2.5 m2 for concentration of lithium presence from 0.11 up to 2.3 g/kg would be associated with the circulation of about of 259 tons of saline solution per month between the distillation unit (60 °C) and the crystallizer (15 °C) to yield of up to 1.4 kg of lithium ions. The comprehensive summary and discussion are presented in the conclusions section.

Aim: Restorative proctectomy is commonly associated with significant bowel dysfunction, known as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), which has a negative impact on patients' quality of life. We developed an online patient‐centred application on LARS (eLARS) for rectal cancer survivors. The primary objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of eLARS for rectal cancer survivors with LARS following restorative proctectomy. The secondary objective was to explore participants' experiences with LARS and the eLARS application. Methods: This was a mixed methods study, which included a feasibility and qualitative analysis. Participants were rectal cancer survivors who underwent restorative proctectomy for rectal cancer within 3 years, completed all adjuvant treatment, and suffered from bowel dysfunction postoperatively. Participants were given access to the application over a 2‐month study period. Feasibility was defined as 75% of study participants using the application ≥4 times per month. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with participants after the study period and were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Our sample included eight rectal cancer survivors, five women and three men. The median age was 58.5 years (56.5–64.5). Most participants (75%) were >1‐year post‐restorative proctectomy. 75% of study participants used the application ≥4 times per month for 2 months. Our thematic analysis revealed that participants felt that they lacked access to credible information and emotional support around the time of ileostomy closure, and found that eLARS addressed these challenges. Conclusion: eLARS is a feasible educational and supportive care intervention for patients with LARS and has the potential to improve patients' quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Toba Caldera is the site of the largest Pleistocene eruption at 74,000 years ago, yet the magmatic plumbing system remains poorly understood. Here, Koulakov et al. present a new seismic tomography model highlighting a complex multilevel plumbing magmatic system under Toba.