Mid-IR lasing in HgCdTe multiple quantum well edge-emitting ridges.

Thin HgCdTe/CdHgTe quantum wells (QWs) grown on alternative GaAs (013) substrates have been recently proposed as a material for coherent emitters in the mid-IR region. In this work, we develop a technological process for the fabrication of ridge microresonators in waveguide heterostructures with multiple HgCdTe QWs via photolithography and ion etching. We process two samples with different ridge heights and analyze their emission spectra measured under optical excitation. The width of the emission spectra dropped by an order of magnitude compared to the nonprocessed as-grown structure, allowing one to conclude that lasing at 9.2-7.1 µm takes place within the 8-120 K temperature range. However, both samples demonstrated faster temperature quenching of lasing than that of the single-pass stimulated emission from the nonprocessed structure, as well as a drop in the carrier lifetimes. These figures of merit are likely to be compromised not by the Q factor of the cavities, but due to defects induced during the etching process. Finally, the implications for HgCdTe-based lasers for the 3-5 µm transparency window and longer wavelengths (beyond 20 µm) are discussed.

Incorporation of Pectin into Vaterite Microparticles Prevented Effects of Adsorbed Mucin on Neutrophil Activation.

The application of vaterite microparticles for mucosal delivery depends on their interaction with mucin and immune cells. As we have shown previously, the binding of mucin onto particles enhances the generation of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils. The attenuation of the pro-oxidant effect of the bound mucin through the modification of vaterite could improve its biocompatibility. Hybrid microparticles composed of vaterite and pectin (CCP) were prepared using co-precipitation. In comparison with vaterite (CC), they had a smaller diameter and pores, a greater surface area, and a negative zeta-potential. We aimed to study the cytotoxicity and mucin-dependent neutrophil-activating effect of CCP microparticles. The incorporated pectin did not influence the neutrophil damage according to a lactate dehydrogenase test. The difference in the CC- and CCP-elicited luminol or lucigenin chemiluminescence of neutrophils was insignificant, with no direct pro- or antioxidant effects from the incorporated pectin. Unlike soluble pectin, the CCP particles were ineffective at scavenging radicals in an ABAP-luminol test. The fluorescence of SYTOX Green demonstrated a CCP-stimulated formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The pre-treatment of CC and CCP with mucin resulted in a 2.5-times-higher CL response of neutrophils to the CC-mucin than to the CCP-mucin. Thus, the incorporation of pectin into vaterite microspheres enabled an antioxidant effect to be reached when the neutrophils were activated by mucin-treated microparticles, presumably via exposed ligands.

Activation of Neutrophils by Mucin-Vaterite Microparticles.

Nano- and microparticles enter the body through the respiratory airways and the digestive system, or form as biominerals in the gall bladder, salivary glands, urinary bladder, kidney, or diabetic pancreas. Calcium, magnesium, and phosphate ions can precipitate from biological fluids in the presence of mucin as hybrid nanoparticles. Calcium carbonate nanocrystallites also trap mucin and are assembled into hybrid microparticles. Both mucin and calcium carbonate polymorphs (calcite, aragonite, and vaterite) are known to be components of such biominerals as gallstones which provoke inflammatory reactions. Our study was aimed at evaluation of neutrophil activation by hybrid vaterite-mucin microparticles (CCM). Vaterite microparticles (CC) and CCM were prepared under standard conditions. The diameter of CC and CCM was 3.3 ± 0.8 µm and 5.8 ± 0.7 µm, with ƺ-potentials of -1 ± 1 mV and -7 ± 1 mV, respectively. CC microparticles injured less than 2% of erythrocytes in 2 h at 1.5 mg mL-1, and no hemolysis was detected with CCM; this let us exclude direct damage of cellular membranes by microparticles. Activation of neutrophils was analyzed by luminol- and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (Lum-CL and Luc-CL), by cytokine gene expression (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) and release (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α), and by light microscopy of stained smears. There was a 10-fold and higher increase in the amplitude of Lum-CL and Luc-CL after stimulation of neutrophils with CCM relative to CC. Adsorption of mucin onto prefabricated CC microparticles also contributed to activation of neutrophil CL, unlike mucin adsorption onto yeast cell walls (zymosan); adsorbed mucin partially suppressed zymosan-stimulated production of oxidants by neutrophils. Preliminary treatment of CCM with 0.1-10 mM NaOCl decreased subsequent activation of Lum-CL and Luc-CL of neutrophils depending on the used NaOCl concentration, presumably because of the surface mucin oxidation. Based on the results of ELISA, incubation of neutrophils with CCM downregulated IL-6 production but upregulated that of IL-8. IL-6 and IL-8 gene expression in neutrophils was not affected by CC or CCM according to RT2-PCR data, which means that post-translational regulation was involved. Light microscopy revealed adhesion of CC and CCM microparticles onto the neutrophils; CCM increased neutrophil aggregation with a tendency to form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). We came to the conclusion that the main features of neutrophil reaction to mucin-vaterite hybrid microparticles are increased oxidant production, cell aggregation, and NET-like structure formation, but without significant cytokine release (except for IL-8). This effect of mucin is not anion-specific since particles of powdered kidney stone (mainly calcium oxalate) in the present study or calcium phosphate nanowires in our previous report also activated Lum-CL and Luc-CL response of neutrophils after mucin sorption.

Effects of Medicinal Leech-Related Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides on Human Blood Cells and Plasma.

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are considered as next-generation antibiotics with a lower probability of developing bacterial resistance. In view of potential clinical use, studies on CAMP biocompatibility are important. This work aimed to evaluate the behavior of synthetic short CAMPs (designed using bioinformatic analysis of the medicinal leech genome and microbiome) in direct contact with blood cells and plasma. Eight CAMPs were included in the study. Hemolysis and lactate dehydrogenase assays showed that the potency to disrupt erythrocyte, neutrophil and mononuclear cell membranes descended in the order pept_1 > pept_3 ~ pept_5 > pept_2 ~ pept_4. Pept_3 caused both cell lysis and aggregation. Blood plasma and albumin inhibited the CAMP-induced hemolysis. The chemiluminescence method allowed the detection of pept_3-mediated neutrophil activation. In plasma coagulation assays, pept_3 prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (at 50 µM by 75% and 320%, respectively). Pept_3 was also capable of causing fibrinogen aggregation. Pept_6 prolonged APTT (at 50 µM by 115%). Pept_2 was found to combine higher bactericidal activity with lower effects on cells and coagulation. Our data emphasize the necessity of investigating CAMP interaction with plasma.

Spatial architecture of biliary tree in mammals: Fractal and Euclidean geometric features.

The study of the fractal architecture of various organs and structures expanded the possibilities for determining the ranges of their functioning and structural arrangement, which, as a result, was reflected in the development of new approaches to diagnostics and therapeutic impacts. The architecture of the excretory duct systems, similar to the hemo- and lymph- circulatory beds and the bronchial tree, is considered fractal. At the same time, information about hitherto unknown structures of the biliary tree continues to appear in the literature. We aimed to study the features of the spatial geometry of the biliary tree and assess the significance of both its fractal and Euclidean characteristics for the development of approaches that facilitate comprehensive description of intrahepatic biliary tract architecture. We investigated the architecture of the biliary trees of six men, seven male canines, and seven male Wistar rats using the corrosion casting method. Corrosion casts were prepared by injecting solidifying latexes into the bile ducts. The preparations were studied using a light stereomicroscope and a scanning electron microscope. Biliary tree branching is of various types. In addition, the correlation between variations in the caliber and length of the bile ducts and their order is not significant. Therefore, the biliary tree should not be considered as a classical fractal and it consists of the main modules, represented by the network of the bile canaliculi (first nonfractal module) and a biliary tree with a fractal branching (second module) that drains the bile canaliculi mesh and the additional modules represented by the mucosal biliary glands (in mammals with the gallbladder) or the periportal biliary plexus (in mammals without a gallbladder) and the aberrant biliary ducts. Such a configuration of the biliary bed should optimally ensure the smooth implementation of the physiological function of the liver, as well as its adaptation to different pathologies accompanied by biliary hypertension. It also might be considered in the diagnosis and assessment of ductular reaction, biliary regeneration, and/or carcinogenesis.

The effect of myeloperoxidase isoforms on biophysical properties of red blood cells.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), an oxidant-producing enzyme, stored in azurophilic granules of neutrophils has been recently shown to influence red blood cell (RBC) deformability leading to abnormalities in blood microcirculation. Native MPO is a homodimer, consisting of two identical protomers (monomeric MPO) connected by a single disulfide bond but in inflammatory foci as a result of disulfide cleavage monomeric MPO (hemi-MPO) can also be produced. This study investigated if two MPO isoforms have distinct effects on biophysical properties of RBCs. We have found that hemi-MPO, as well as the dimeric form, bind to the glycophorins A/B and band 3 protein on RBC's plasma membrane, that lead to reduced cell resistance to osmotic and acidic hemolysis, reduction in cell elasticity, significant changes in cell volume, morphology, and the conductance of RBC plasma membrane ion channels. Furthermore, we have shown for the first time that both dimeric and hemi-MPO lead to phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure on the outer leaflet of RBC membrane. However, the effects of hemi-MPO on the structural and functional properties of RBCs were lower compared to those of dimeric MPO. These findings suggest that the ability of MPO protein to influence RBC's biophysical properties depends on its conformation (dimeric or monomeric isoform). It is intriguing to speculate that hemi-MPO appearance in blood during inflammation can serve as a regulatory mechanism addressed to reduce abnormalities on RBC response, induced by dimeric MPO.

Extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation enhances neutrophil response to particulate agonists.

The growing use of extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation (EHF EMR) in information and communication technology and in biomedical applications has raised concerns regarding the potential biological impact of millimeter waves (MMWs). Here, we elucidated the effects of MMW radiation on neutrophil activation induced by opsonized zymosan or E. coli in whole blood ex vivo. After agonist addition to blood, two samples were prepared. A control sample was incubated at ambient conditions without any treatment, and a test sample was exposed to EHF EMR (32.9-39.6 GHz, 100 W/m2 ). We used methods that allowed us to assess the functional status of neutrophils immediately after exposure: oxidant production levels were measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, and morphofunctional changes to neutrophils were observed in blood smears. Results revealed that the response of neutrophils to both agonists was intensified if blood was exposed to MMW radiation for 15 min. Neutrophils were intact in both the control and irradiated samples if no agonist was added to blood before incubation. Similarly, exposing suspensions of isolated neutrophils in plasma to MMW radiation enhanced cell response to both zymosan and E. coli. Heating blood samples was shown to be the primary mechanism underlying enhanced EHF EMR-induced oxidant production by neutrophils in response to particulate agonists. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:144-155, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Association of Polymorphisms of Serotonin Transporter (5HTTLPR) and 5-HT2C Receptor Genes with Criminal Behavior in Russian Criminal Offenders.

BACKGROUND: Human aggression is a heterogeneous behavior with biological, psychological, and social backgrounds. As the biological mechanisms that regulate aggression are components of both reward-seeking and adversity-fleeing behavior, these phenomena are difficult to disentangle into separate neurochemical processes. Nevertheless, evidence exists linking some forms of aggression to aberrant serotonergic neurotransmission. We determined possible associations between 6 serotonergic neurotransmission-related gene variants and severe criminal offenses. METHODS: Male Russian prisoners who were convicted for murder (n = 117) or theft (n = 77) were genotyped for variants of the serotonin transporter (5HTTLPR), tryptophan hydroxylase, tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase, or type 2C (5-HT2C) receptor genes and compared with general-population male controls (n = 161). Prisoners were psychologically phenotyped using the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: No differences were found between murderers and thieves either concerning genotypes or concerning psychological measures. Comparison of polymorphism distribution between groups of prisoners and controls revealed highly significant associations of 5HTTLPR and 5-HTR2C (rs6318) gene polymorphisms with being convicted for criminal behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of biological differences between the 2 groups of prisoners indicates that the studied 5HT-related genes do not differentiate between the types of crimes committed.

Binding of human myeloperoxidase to red blood cells: Molecular targets and biophysical consequences at the plasma membrane level.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an oxidant-producing enzyme that can also bind to cellular surface proteins. We found that band 3 protein and glycophorins A and B were the key MPO-binding targets of human red blood cells (RBCs). The interaction of MPO with RBC proteins was mostly electrostatic in nature because it was inhibited by desialation, exogenic sialic acid, high ionic strength, and extreme pH. In addition, MPO failed to interfere with the lectin-induced agglutination of RBCs, suggesting a minor role of glycan-recognizing mechanisms in MPO binding. Multiple biophysical properties of RBCs were altered in the presence of native (i.e., not hypochlorous acid-damaged) MPO. These changes included transmembrane potential, availability of intracellular Ca(2+), and lipid organization in the plasma membrane. MPO-treated erythrocytes became larger in size, structurally more rigid, and hypersensitive to acidic and osmotic hemolysis. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between the plasma MPO concentration and RBC rigidity index in type-2 diabetes patients with coronary heart disease. These findings suggest that MPO functions as a mediator of novel regulatory mechanism in microcirculation, indicating the influence of MPO-induced abnormalities on RBC deformability under pathological stress conditions.

Arthroscopic Sandwich Autografting Technique for Massive Glenoid Bone Defect Using Iliac Crest and Coracoid Process Grafts.

Shoulder joint instability can lead to bone loss on both the glenoid side and the posterior part of the humeral head, known as bipolar bone loss. To restore glenoid defects, bone procedures like the Latarjet operation or free bone block transfer from the iliac crest are the primary options, restoring defects of up to 25% to 30%. However, in some cases, the glenoid defect may exceed 40%. This article discusses a unique technique for restoring glenoid bone defects up to 50%, using 2 bone grafts-a free graft from the iliac crest and the coracoid process with conjoint tendon complex. This technique is called "double block sandwich technique."

Effects of Additives on the Mechanical and Fire Resistance Properties of Pultruded Composites.

Under high temperatures, fiber-reinforced polymers are destroyed, releasing heat, smoke, and harmful volatile substances. Therefore, composite structural elements must have sufficient fire resistance to meet the requirements established by building codes and regulations. Fire resistance of composite materials can be improved by using mineral fillers as flame-retardant additives in resin compositions. This article analyzes the effect of fire-retardant additives on mechanical properties and fire behavior of pultruded composite profiles. Five resin mixtures based on vinyl ester epoxy and on brominated vinyl ester epoxy modified with alumina trihydrate and triphenyl phosphate were prepared for pultrusion of strip profiles of 150 mm × 3.5 mm. A series of tests have been conducted to determine mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, compression, and interlaminar shear) and fire behavior (ignitability, flammability, combustibility, toxicity, smoke generation, and flame spread) of composites. It was found that additives impair mechanical properties of materials, as they the take place of reinforcing fibers and reduce the volume fraction of reinforcing fibers. Profiles based on non-brominated vinyl ester epoxy have higher tensile, compressive, and flexural properties than those based on brominated vinyl ester epoxy by 7%, 30%, and 36%, respectively. Profiles based on non-brominated epoxy resin emit less smoke compared to those based on brominated epoxy resin. Brominated epoxy-based profiles have a flue gas temperature which is seven times lower compared to those based on the non-brominated epoxy. Mineral fillers retard the spread of flame over the composite material surface by as much as 4 times and reduce smoke generation by 30%.

New Approaches to the Synthesis and Stabilization of Polymer Microspheres with a Narrow Size Distribution.

This article presents the results of investigations on heterophase polymerization of vinyl monomers in the presence of organosilicon compounds of different structures. On the basis of the detailed study of the kinetic and topochemical regularities of the heterophase polymerization of vinyl monomers, the conditions for the synthesis of polymer suspensions with a narrow particle-size distribution using a one-step method have been determined.

PEGylated single-walled carbon nanotubes activate neutrophils to increase production of hypochlorous acid, the oxidant capable of degrading nanotubes.

Perspectives for the use of carbon nanotubes in biomedical applications depend largely on their ability to degrade in the body into products that can be easily cleared out. Carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes (c-SWCNTs) were shown to be degraded by oxidants generated by peroxidases in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. In the present study we demonstrated that conjugation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to c-SWCNTs does not interfere with their degradation by peroxidase/H(2)O(2) system or by hypochlorite. Comparison of different heme-containing proteins for their ability to degrade PEG-SWCNTs has led us to conclude that the myeloperoxidase (MPO) product hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is the major oxidant that may be responsible for biodegradation of PEG-SWCNTs in vivo. MPO is secreted mainly by neutrophils upon activation. We hypothesize that SWCNTs may enhance neutrophil activation and therefore stimulate their own biodegradation due to MPO-generated HOCl. PEG-SWCNTs at concentrations similar to those commonly used in in vivo studies were found to activate isolated human neutrophils to produce HOCl. Both PEG-SWCNTs and c-SWCNTs enhanced HOCl generation from isolated neutrophils upon serum-opsonized zymosan stimulation. Both types of nanotubes were also found to activate neutrophils in whole blood samples. Intraperitoneal injection of a low dose of PEG-SWCNTs into mice induced an increase in percentage of circulating neutrophils and activation of neutrophils and macrophages in the peritoneal cavity, suggesting the evolution of an inflammatory response. Activated neutrophils can produce high local concentrations of HOCl, thereby creating the conditions favorable for degradation of the nanotubes.

Effects of the Pre-Consolidated Materials Manufacturing Method on the Mechanical Properties of Pultruded Thermoplastic Composites.

The choice of a manufacturing process, raw materials, and process parameters affects the quality of produced pre-consolidated tapes used in thermoplastic pultrusion. In this study, we used two types of pre-consolidated GF/PP tapes-commercially available (ApATeCh-Tape Company, Moscow, Russia) and inhouse-made tapes produced from commingled yarns (Jushi Holdings Inc., Boca Raton, FL, USA)-to produce pultruded thermoplastic Ø 6 mm bars and 75 mm × 3.5 mm flat laminates. Flat laminates produced from inhouse-made pre-consolidated tapes demonstrated higher flexural, tensile, and apparent interlaminar shear strength compared to laminates produced from commercial pre-consolidated tapes by as much as 106%, 6.4%, and 27.6%, respectively. Differences in pre-consolidated tape manufacturing methods determine the differences in glass fiber impregnation and, thus, differences in the mechanical properties of corresponding pultruded composites. The use of commingled yarns (consisting of matrix and glass fibers properly intermingled over the whole length of prepreg material) makes it possible to achieve a more uniform impregnation of inhouse-made pre-consolidated tapes and to prevent formation of un-impregnated regions and matrix cracks within the center portion of the fiber bundles, which were observed in the case of commercial pre-consolidated tapes. The proposed method of producing pre-consolidated tapes made it possible to obtain pultruded composite laminates with larger cross sections than their counterparts described in the literature, featuring better mechanical properties compared to those produced from commercial pre-consolidated tapes.

Methylglyoxal-Modified Human Serum Albumin Binds to Leukocyte Myeloperoxidase and Inhibits its Enzymatic Activity.

Hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus induces modification of proteins by glucose and its derivative methylglyoxal (MG). Neutrophils perform their bactericidal activity mainly via reactive halogen (RHS) and oxygen (ROS) species generation catalyzed by myeloperoxidase (MPO) stored in neutrophil azurophilic granules (AGs) and membrane NADPH oxidase, respectively. Herein, we study the binding of human serum albumin (HSA) modified with MG (HSA-MG) to MPO and its effects on MPO activity and release by neutrophils. Peroxidase activity of MPO was registered by oxidation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt, and chlorinating activity by decolorization of Celestine blue B dye. Binding of HSA-MG to MPO was studied by affinity chromatography, disc-electrophoresis, ligand Western blotting and enzyme-linked solid phase immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to MPO. ROS and RHS generation were detected by lucigenin (Luc) and luminol (Lum) chemiluminescence (CL), respectively. Neutrophil degranulation was assessed by flow cytometry using fluorescent labeled antibodies to the marker proteins CD63 from AGs and CD11b from peroxidase-negative granules (PNGs). NETosis was assayed by quantifying DNA network-like structures (NET-like structures) in blood smears stained by Romanowsky. HSA-MG bound to MPO, giving a stable complex (Kd = 1.5 nM) and competing with mAbs, and non-competitively inhibited peroxidase and chlorinating MPO activity and induced degranulation of PNGs but not of AGs. HSA-MG enhanced Luc-CL per se or following PMA, unlike Lum-CL, and did not affect spontaneous or PMA-stimulated NETosis. Thus, HSA modified under hyperglycemia-like conditions stimulated NADPH oxidase of neutrophils but dampened their functions dependent on activity of MPO, with no effect on its release via degranulation or NETosis. This phenomenon could underlie the downregulation of bactericidal activity of MPO and neutrophils, and hence of innate immunity, giving rise to wound healing impairment and susceptibility to infection in patients with hyperglycemia.

Multifunctional Elastic Nanocomposites with Extremely Low Concentrations of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

Stretchable and flexible electronics has attracted broad attention over the last years. Nanocomposites based on elastomers and carbon nanotubes are a promising material for soft electronic applications. Despite the fact that single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) based nanocomposites often demonstrate superior properties, the vast majority of the studies were devoted to those based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) mainly because of their higher availability and easier processing procedures. Moreover, high weight concentrations of MWCNTs are often required for high performance of the nanocomposites in electronic applications. Inspired by the recent drop in the SWCNT price, we have focused on fabrication of elastic nanocomposites with very low concentrations of SWCNTs to reduce the cost of nanocomposites further. In this work, we use a fast method of coagulation (antisolvent) precipitation to fabricate elastic composites based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and SWCNTs with a homogeneous distribution of SWCNTs in bulk TPU. Applicability of the approach is confirmed by extra low percolation threshold of 0.006 wt % and, as a consequence, by the state-of-the-art performance of fabricated elastic nanocomposites at very low SWCNT concentrations for strain sensing (gauge factor of 82 at 0.05 wt %) and EMI shielding (efficiency of 30 dB mm-1 at 0.01 wt %).

Effect of Vitamin D3 in combination with Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on NETosis in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

An understanding of the consequences of oxidative/halogenative stress triggered by neutrophil activation is impossible without considering NETosis. NETosis, formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), is known to promote microthrombus formation and impair wound healing in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Therefore, there is a need to search for drugs and treatment approaches that could prevent excessive NET formation. We aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D3 in combination with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (vitamin D3/omega-3 PUFAs) on NETosis in T2DM patients with purulent necrotizing lesions of the lower extremities. Patients and healthy subjects had vitamin D3 deficiency. Patients received, beyond standard treatment, 6000 IU of vitamin D3 and 480 mg of omega-3 PUFAs, and healthy subjects 1000 IU of vitamin D3 and 240 mg of omega-3 PUFAs daily for seven days. Neutrophil activation in ex vivo blood by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) was used as a NETosis model. The percentage of blood NETs relative to leukocytes (NETbackground) before vitamin D3/omega-3 PUFA supplementation was 3.2%-4.9% in healthy subjects and 1.7%-10.8% in patients. These values rose, respectively, to 7.7%-9.1% and 4.0%-17.9% upon PMA-induced NETosis. In addition, the leukocyte count decreased by 700-1300 per 1 µL in healthy subjects and 700-4000 per 1 µL in patients. For both patients and healthy subjects, taking vitamin D3/omega-3 PUFAs had no effect on NETbackground but completely inhibited PMA-induced NET formation, though neutrophils exhibited morphological features of activation. Also, leukocyte loss was reduced (to 500 per 1 µL). For patients on standard treatment alone, changes occurred neither in background NETs and leukocytes nor in their amount after PMA stimulation. The decreased ability of neutrophils to generate NETs, which can be achieved by vitamin D3/omega-3 PUFA supplementation, could have a positive effect on wound healing in T2DM patients and reduce the incidence and severity of complications.

Porous Polymer Scaffolds based on Cross-Linked Poly-EGDMA and PLA: Manufacture, Antibiotics Encapsulation, and In Vitro Study.

Porous polymer materials derived from poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (poly-EGDMA) and antibiotic containing polylactide (PLA) are obtained for the first time. Porous poly-EGDMA monoliths with a system of open interconnected pores are synthesized by a visible light-induced radical polymerization of EGDMA in the presence of 70 wt% of porogenic agent, e.g., 1-butanol, 1-hexanol, 1-octanol, or cyclohexanol. The porosity of the obtained polymers is 75-78%. A modal pore size depends on the nature of the porogen and varies from 0.5 µm (cyclohexanol) to 12 µm (1-butanol). The polymer matrix made with 1-butanol features the presence of pores ranging from 1 to 100 µm. The pore surface of poly-EGDMA matrices is inlayered with poly-D,L-lactide (Mn  23 × 103  Da, PDI 1.31). The PLA-modified poly-EGDMA retains a porous structure that is similar to the initial poly-EGDMA but with improved strength characteristics. The presence of antibiotic containing PLA ensures a high and continuous antibacterial activity of the hybrid polymeric material for 7 days. The nontoxicity of all the porous matrices studied makes them promising for clinical tests as osteoplastic materials.

New corrosion cast media and its ability for SEM and light microscope investigation.

SEM of corrosion casts (CC) provides the opportunities to study the vessels and ducts in the phyllogenetic and ontogenetic (age-related) settings, as well as the pathogenesis, compensation, and sanogenesis in different diseases and experimental models. Along with the refinement of SEM CC, the requirements toward casting media (CM) as nontoxicity, low viscosity, quick polymerization, resistance to corrosion solutions, availability, and so on, gradually has developed. We aimed to adapt the sets widely used in dental practice toward the modern requirements to the CC. The following ratio of the components of Protacryl-M and Aycryl-C sets were used for the preparation CM-0.25 g MAYCRYL Powder +0.08 g Benzoyl Peroxide +5.0 ml Protacryl-M liquid component +0.2 Redont Colour (dye concentrate). The obtained solidifying mass was injected in the blood vessels and biliary ducts of the adult Wistar white rats. The SEM of CC of different organs' vascular networks, as well as a biliary tract, reveals that offered CM excellently replicates the forms and branching features of studied tubular structures of all sizes and gives the adequate imprinting of their luminal surfaces. Besides, CM may provide the replication of perivascular spaces and give the casts having no analogous in the appropriate literature. The CM prepared by us perfectly reproduces all possibilities of famous rubbers widely used for the casting of different vascular-ductular structures. Besides, it presents the new implications, which should be implemented in the profound research of the connective-tissue skeleton of different organs.

Liver structural transformation after partial hepatectomy and repeated partial hepatectomy in rats: A renewed view on liver regeneration.

BACKGROUND: The phenomenon of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) is still a subject of considerable interest due to the increasing frequency of half liver transplantation on the one hand, and on the other hand, new surgical approaches which allow removal of massive space-occupying hepatic tumors, which earlier was considered as inoperable. Interestingly, the mechanisms of liver regeneration are extensively studied after PH but less attention is paid to the architectonics of the regenerated organ. Because of this, the question "How does the structure of regenerated liver differ from normal, regular liver?" has not been fully answered yet. Furthermore, almost without any attention is left the liver's structural transformation after repeated hepatectomy (of the re-regenereted liver). AIM: To compare the architectonics of the lobules and circulatory bed of normal, re-generated and re-regenerated livers. METHODS: The livers of 40 adult, male, albino Wistar rats were studied. 14 rats were subjected to PH - the 1st study group (SG1); 10 rats underwent repeated PH - the 2nd study group (SG2); 16 rats were subjected to sham operation - control group (CG); The livers were studied after 9 months from PH, and after 6 months from repeated PH. Cytological (Schiff reaction for the determination of DNA concen-tration), histological (H&E, Masson trichrome, CK8 Immunohistochemical marker, transparent slides after Indian Ink injection, ), morphometrical (hepatocytes areas, perimeters and ploidy) and Electron Microscopical (Scanning Electron Microscopy of corrosion casts) methods were used. RESULTS: In the SG1 and SG2, the area of hepatocytes and their perimeter are increased compared to the CG (P < 0.05). However, the areas and perimeters of the hepatocytes of the SG1 and SG2 groups reveal a lesser difference. In regenerated (SG1) and re-regenerated (SG2) livers, the hepatocytes form the remodeled lobules, which size (300-1200 µm) exceeds the sizes of the lobules from CG (300-600 µm). The remodeled lobules (especially the "mega-lobules" with the sizes 1000-1200 µm) contain the transformed meshworks of the sinusoids, the part of which is dilated asymmetrically. This meshwork might have originated from the several portal venules (interlobular and/or inlet). The boundaries between the adjacent lobules (including mega-lobules) are widened and filled by connective tissue fibers, which gives the liver parenchyma a nodular look. In SG2 the unevenness of sinusoid diameters, as well as the boundaries between the lobules (including the mega-lobules) are more vividly expressed in comparison with SG1. The liver tissue of both SG1 and SG2 is featured by the slightly expressed ductular reaction. CONCLUSION: Regenerated and re-regenerated livers in comparison with normal liver contain hypertrophied hepatocytes with increased ploidy which together with transformed sinusoidal and biliary meshworks form the remodeled lobulli.