Research into Morphofunctional Characteristics of Erythrocytes in COVID-19 Patients.

In this paper, the erythrocytes of healthy donors and people with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were tested by Raman spectroscopy and laser interference microscopy. We argue that erythrocytes (red blood cells) in COVID-19 patients have an irregular shape, and their morphometric characteristics are impaired in comparison to healthy red blood cells. Raman spectroscopy also allows us to detect a decreased oxygen transport function of these erythrocytes. The combination of these methods-Raman spectroscopy and laser interference microscopy-is a highly effective method for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2.

Modification of bacterial cells for in vivo remotely guided systems.

It was shown recently that bacterial strains, which can act specifically against malignant cells, can be used efficiently in cancer therapy. Many appropriate bacterial strains are either pathogenic or invasive and there is a substantial shortage of methods with which to monitor in vivo the distribution of bacteria used in this way. Here, it is proposed to use a Layer-by-Layer (LbL) approach that can encapsulate individual bacterial cells with fluorescently labeled polyelectrolytes (PE)s and magnetite nanoparticles (NP)s. The NP enable remote direction in vivo to the site in question and the labeled shells in the far-red emission spectra allow non-invasive monitoring of the distribution of bacteria in the body. The magnetic entrapment of the modified bacteria causes the local concentration of the bacteria to increase by a factor of at least 5. The PEs create a strong barrier, and it has been shown in vitro experiments that the division time of bacterial cells coated in this way can be regulated, resulting in control of their invasion into tissues. That animals used in the study survived and did not suffer septic shock, which can be attributed to PE capsules that prevent release of endotoxins from bacterial cells.

Endovascular addressing improves the effectiveness of magnetic targeting of drug carrier. Comparison with the conventional administration method.

Many nanomedicine approaches are struggling to reach high enough effectiveness in delivery if applied systemically. The perspective is sought to explore the clinical practices currently used for localized treatment. In this study, we combine in vivo targeting of carriers sensitive to the external magnetic field with clinically used endovascular delivery to specific site. Fluorescent micron-size capsules made of biodegradable polymers and containing magnetite nanoparticles incorporated in the capsule wall were explored in vivo using Near-Infrared Fluorescence Live Imaging for Real-Time. Comparison of systemic (intravenous) and directed (intra-arterial) administration of the magnetic microcapsule targeting in the hindpaw vessels demonstrated that using femoral artery injection in combination with magnetic field exposure is 4 times more efficient than tail vein injection. Thus, endovascular targeting significantly improves the capabilities of nanoengineered drug delivery systems reducing the systemic side effects of therapy.

The Effect of Resveratrol on the Composition and State of Lipids and the Activity of Phospholipase A2 During the Excitation and Regeneration of Somatic Nerves.

It has been shown that in the somatic nerve's lipids, both during excitation and transection, changes occur with the composition of individual phospholipids and in phospholipids fatty acids, which changes the phase state of the myelin and nerve fiber axolemma lipid bilayer. A main contribution in the nerve degenerative processes is dependent on the composition phospholipid's fatty acid changes during the activation of both Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 forms. At the same time, we studded changes in phosphoinisitol (PI) and diacylglycerol (DAG), which depend on the phosphoinositide cycle function during nerve excitation and degeneration processes. It was found that myelin lipids and nerve fiber axolemmas are involved not only in the functioning of the peripheral nerves, but also the pathological processes underlying deep functional and structural disorders. The effect of resveratrol on regeneration processes in the damaged rat sciatic nerve has also been investigated.

Use of Submicron Vaterite Particles Serves as an Effective Delivery Vehicle to the Respiratory Portion of the Lung.

Nano- and microencapsulation has proven to be a useful technique for the construction of drug delivery vehicles for use in vascular medicine. However, the possibility of using these techniques within the lung as an inhalation delivery mechanism has not been previously considered. A critical element of particle delivery to the lung is the degree of penetrance that can be achieved with respect to the airway tree. In this study we examined the effectiveness of near infrared (NIR) dye (Cy7) labeled calcium carbonate (vaterite) particles of 3.15, 1.35, and 0.65 µm diameter in reaching the respiratory portion of the lung. First of all, it was shown that, interaction vaterite particles and the components of the pulmonary surfactant occurs a very strong retardation of the recrystallization and dissolution of the particles, which can subsequently be used to create systems with a prolonging release of bioactive substances after the particles penetrate the distal sections of the lungs. Submicro- and microparticles, coated with Cy7 labeled albumin as a model compound, were delivered to mouse lungs via tracheostomy with subsequent imaging performed 24, 48, and 72 h after delivery by in vivo fluorescence. 20 min post administration particles of all three sizes were visible in the lung, with the deepest penetrance observed with 0.65 µm particles. In vivo biodistribution was confirmed by fluorescence tomography imaging of excised organs post 72 h. Laser scanning confocal microscopy shows 0.65 µm particles reaching the alveolar space. The delivery of fluorophore to the blood was assessed using Cy7 labeled 0.65 µm particles. Cy7 labeled 0.65 µm particles efficiently delivered fluorescent material to the blood with a peak 3 h after particle administration. The pharmacokinetics of NIR fluorescence dye will be shown. These studies establish that by using 0.65 µm particles loaded with Cy7 we can efficiently access the respiratory portion of the lung, which represents a potentially efficient delivery mechanism for both the lung and the vasculature.

Formulation for Oral Delivery of Lactoferrin Based on Bovine Serum Albumin and Tannic Acid Multilayer Microcapsules.

Lactoferrin (Lf) has considerable potential as a functional ingredient in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. However, the bioavailability of Lf is limited as it is susceptible to digestive enzymes in gastrointestinal tract. The shells comprising alternate layers of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and tannic acid (TA) were tested as Lf encapsulation system for oral administration. Lf absorption by freshly prepared porous 3 µm CaCO3 particles followed by Layer-by-Layer assembly of the BSA-TA shells and dissolution of the CaCO3 cores was suggested as the most efficient and harmless Lf loading method. The microcapsules showed high stability in gastric conditions and effectively protected encapsulated proteins from digestion. Protective efficiency was found to be 76 ± 6% and 85 ± 2%, for (BSA-TA)4 and (BSA-TA)8 shells, respectively. The transit of Lf along the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of mice was followed in vivo and ex vivo using NIR luminescence. We have demonstrated that microcapsules released Lf in small intestine allowing 6.5 times higher concentration than in control group dosed with the same amount of free Lf. Significant amounts of Lf released from microcapsules were then absorbed into bloodstream and accumulated in liver. Suggested encapsulation system has a great potential for functional foods providing lactoferrin.