Weighted Attribute-Based Proxy Re-Encryption Scheme with Distributed Multi-Authority Attributes.

Existing attribute-based proxy re-encryption schemes suffer from issues like complex access policies, large ciphertext storage space consumption, and an excessive authority of the authorization center, leading to weak security and controllability of data sharing in cloud storage. This study proposes a Weighted Attribute Authority Multi-Authority Proxy Re-Encryption (WAMA-PRE) scheme that introduces attribute weights to elevate the expression of access policies from binary to multi-valued, simplifying policies and reducing ciphertext storage space. Simultaneously, the multiple attribute authorities and the authorization center construct a joint key, reducing reliance on a single authorization center. The proposed distributed attribute authority network enhances the anti-attack capability of cloud storage. Experimental results show that introducing attribute weights can reduce ciphertext storage space by 50%, proxy re-encryption saves 63% time compared to repeated encryption, and the joint key construction time is only 1% of the benchmark scheme. Security analysis proves that WAMA-PRE achieves CPA security under the decisional q-parallel BDHE assumption in the random oracle model. This study provides an effective solution for secure data sharing in cloud storage.

Supermolecular Nanoentities of Vitamin B12 Derivative as a Link in the Evolution of the Parent Molecules During Self-Assembly at the Air-Water Interface.

Nanoarchitectures with promising properties have now been formed from many important biomolecules. However, the preparation of nanoparticles of vitamin B12 and its derivatives remains an ongoing research challenge. This paper describes the formation of supermolecular nanoentities (SMEs) of vitamin B12 derivatives, unique nanoparticles with strong noncovalent intermolecular interactions, emerging properties, and activity. These were created by a nanoarchitectonic approach using directed assembly of layers at the air-water interface as a link in the chain of evolution of the parent molecules under specially created conditions. Such layers can be represented as a nanocosm, where, at a critical density, the assemblies act as nanoreactors in which the transformation of the original material occurs. The discovered SMEs not only replicate the functioning of vitamin B12 assemblies with proteins in living organisms and act as vitamin B12-depended enzymes but also demonstrate important advantages over vitamin B12. They are more efficient in oxygen reduction/evolution reactions and in transformation into other forms. These SMEs, in performing advanced tasks, are an alternative to widely used materials based on noble metals for catalysis, medicine, and environment protection. Our findings open new perspectives both for the fabrication of novel SMEs of biomolecules and for a better understanding of the evolution of biomolecules in nature.

Comprehensive study of health effects of plasma technology occupational environment: Exposure to high frequency and intensity noise and toxic gases.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate on animal models the health effects of the combined or separate exposure to main chemical and physical hazards of plasma-based material processing technology environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were exposed to actual levels of hazardous factors in plasma technology occupational environment: i.e., ozone and nitrogen oxides (O3 and NOx) in respective concentrations of 0.5 mg/m3 and 1.0 mg/m3 and high-frequency (1000-1600 Hz) of 112 dB intensity noise for 3 h/day, 5 days/week for 12 weeks, with a recovery period of 1 month. RESULTS: Exposure to noise or its combination with chemical factors (ozone, nitrogen oxides) causes non-specific CNS changes testifying for significant excitation dominance, especially in the case of joint exposure. Histological examination of rats' brain in experimental revealed a pronounced increase in blood filling of small vessels on the tenth day of the experiment, with subsequent intensification of vascular alterations and eventually to cerebral edema. The exposure to noise significantly reduced total thymus, bone marrow and spleen cell numbers and these was also more pronounced under the joint impact of noise and toxic gases. Thymus, but not bone marrow or spleen, mitotic activity was as well reduced under the same modes of exposure. Cytological investigation of film preparations of subcutaneous connective tissue revealed that joint exposure led to microcirculatory disorders, increased number of dark mast cells and reduced degranulation processes indicative of increased autoregulatory processes effective at microvasculature level. CONCLUSIONS: High-frequency and intensity noise is main stressor factor that has negative impact on CNS and immune system, morphology and functioning of hematopoietic organs (spleen, bone marrow, thymus) and connective tissue. Its negative impact is significantly potentiated by concurrent exposure to ozone and nitrogen oxide, while exposure only to these toxic gases has no significant effect on the above targets.

Toxic Kidney Damage in Rats Following Subchronic Intraperitoneal Exposure to Element Oxide Nanoparticles.

Chronic diseases of the urogenital tract, such as bladder cancer, prostate cancer, reproductive disorders, and nephropathies, can develop under the effects of chemical hazards in the working environment. In this respect, nanosized particles generated as by-products in many industrial processes seem to be particularly dangerous to organs such as the testes and the kidneys. Nephrotoxicity of element oxide particles has been studied in animal experiments with repeated intraperitoneal injections of Al2O3, TiO2, SiO2, PbO, CdO, CuO, and SeO nanoparticles (NPs) in total doses ranging from 4.5 to 45 mg/kg body weight of rats. NPs were synthesized by laser ablation. After cessation of exposure, we measured kidney weight and analyzed selected biochemical parameters in blood and urine, characterizing the state of the excretory system. We also examined histological sections of kidneys and estimated proportions of different cells in imprint smears of this organ. All element oxide NPs under investigation demonstrated a nephrotoxic effect following subchronic exposure. Following the exposure to SeO and SiO2 NPs, we observed a decrease in serum creatinine and urea, respectively. Exposure to Al2O3 NPs caused an increase in urinary creatinine and urea, while changes in total protein were controversial, as it increased under the effect of Al2O3 NPs and was reduced after exposure to CuO NPs. Histomorphological changes in kidneys are associated with desquamation of the epithelium (following the exposure to all NPs except those of Al2O3 and SiO2) and loss of the brush border (following the exposure to all NPs, except those of Al2O3, TiO2, and SiO2). The cytomorphological evaluation showed greater destruction of proximal sections of renal tubules. Compared to the controls, we observed statistically significant alterations in 42.1% (8 of 19) of parameters following the exposure to PbO, CuO, and SeO NPs in 21.1% (4 of 19)-following that, to CdO and Al2O3 NPs-and in 15.8% (3 of 19) and 10.5% (2 of 19) of indicators, following the exposure to TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles, respectively. Histomorphological changes in kidneys are associated with desquamation of epithelium and loss of the brush border. The cytomorphological evaluation showed greater destruction of proximal sections of renal tubules. The severity of cyto- and histological structural changes in kidneys depends on the chemical nature of NPs. These alterations are not always consistent with biochemical ones, thus impeding early clinical diagnosis of renal damage. Unambiguous ranking of the NPs examined by the degree of their nephrotoxicity is difficult. Additional studies are necessary to establish key indicators of the nephrotoxic effect, which can facilitate early diagnosis of occupational and nonoccupational nephropathies.

Electrochemical Study of Semiconductor Properties for Bismuth Silicate-Based Photocatalysts Obtained via Hydro-/Solvothermal Approach.

Three bismuth silicate-based photocatalysts (composites of Bi2SiO5 and Bi12SiO20) prepared via the hydro-/solvothermal approach were studied using electrochemical methods. The characteristic parameters of semiconductors, such as flat band potential, donor density, and mobility of their charge carriers, were obtained and compared with the materials' photocatalytic activity. An attempt was made to study the effect of solution components on the semiconductor/liquid interface (SLI). In particular, the Mott-Schottky characterization was made in a common model electrolyte (Na2SO4) and with the addition of glycerol as a model organic compound for photocatalysis. Thus, a medium close to those in photocatalytic experiments was simulated, at least within the limits allowed by electrochemical measurements. Zeta-potential measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to reveal the processes taking place at the SLI. It was found that the medium in which measurements were carried out dramatically impacted the results. The flat band potential values (Efb) obtained via the Mott-Schottky technique were shown to differ significantly depending on the solution used in the experiment, which is explained by different processes taking place at the SLI. A strong influence of specific adsorption of commonly used sulfate ions and neutral molecules on the measured values of Efb was shown.

Subchronic systemic toxicity and bioaccumulation of Fe3O4 nano- and microparticles following repeated intraperitoneal administration to rats.

Aqueous suspensions of 10 nm, 50 nm, or 1 µm Fe(3)O(4) particles were injected intraperitoneally (ip) to rats at a dose of 500 mg/kg in 4 mL of sterile deionized water 3 times a week for 5 weeks. Following exposure, functional and biochemical indices and histopathological examinations of spleen and liver tissues of exposed rats were evaluated for signs of toxicity. The iron content of the blood was measured photometrically, and that of the liver and the spleen by atomic adsorption spectroscopy (AAS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) methods. It was found that, given equal mass doses, Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles possess considerably higher systemic toxicity than microparticles, but within the nanometric range the relationship between particle size and resorptive toxicity is intricate and nonunique. The latter fact may be attributed to differences in different nanoparticles' toxicokinetics, which are controlled by both more or less substantial direct penetration of nanoparticles through biological barriers and their unequal solubility.

Some peculiarities of pulmonary clearance mechanisms in rats after intratracheal instillation of magnetite (Fe3O4) suspensions with different particle sizes in the nanometer and micrometer ranges: are we defenseless against nanoparticles?

We studied differences between phagocytic responses to nanoparticles (NPs) versus microparticles in the pulmonary region by synthesizing magnetite of different sizes and instilling suspensions of these particles intratracheally into rats' lungs. Ten and 50 nm particles caused a greater increase in cell counts of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) than the instillation of microparticles. The response to 10 nm particles was weaker than to 50 nm ones, and the smaller NPs were more cytotoxic; both were more cytotoxic than the microparticles. Phagocytic activity was also studied using optical and atomic force microscopy. Phagocytes were more "loaded" in the lungs instilled with 10 nm particles as compared with those instilled with 50 nm particles; NPs of both sizes were engulfed more avidly than microparticles. We found in a separate comparative experiment that magnetite NPs were more cytotoxic than titanium dioxide and quartz suspensions having particle size distribution typical of industrial dusts.

Validation of the Russian Version of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-Ru) and Normative Data.

Objective: The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) is widely used to assess psychopathology. The Russian version (PANSSRu) has not been validated, and normative data for the Russian-speaking population currently do not exist. The aims of this study were to 1) complete linguistic validation for the PANSSRu, 2) perform psychometric validation of the Russian translation, and 3) present norms for the Russian and Belarusian population. Design: Validation and norms of the PANSS-Ru occurred in three stages-Stage I: linguistic validation; Stage II: psychometric validation of the translated version for 40 inpatients with schizophrenia and other psychoses; and Stage III: norms for 533 census-matched inpatients, outpatients, and healthy control subjects. Results: The rating criteria (PANSS-Ru), interview guide (SCI-PANSSRu), informant questionnaire (IQ-PANSS-Ru), and scoring form (PANSS QuikScore-Ru) were linguistically and psychometrically validated. Convergent validity between the PANSS subscale scores and total score with the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity Scale (CGI-S) were moderate (r=0.41-0.60) to high (r=0.61-0.80). Cronbach's α (0.88) verified internal consistency, and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) comparisons had a range of 0.83. Percentile normative data collected from 533 subjects are presented. Conclusion: This is the largest population-based study providing linguistic and psychometric validation of the PANSS-Ru. Normative data can provide clinicians with a benchmark of psychopathology and inform the efficacy of treatment interventions.

Prenatal and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure and respiratory health in Russian children.

BACKGROUND: Only few studies have assessed the relative impact of prenatal and postnatal exposure to tobacco smoke on the child's later asthma or chronic respiratory symptoms and to our knowledge no studies have elaborated respiratory infections and allergies in this context. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure to tobacco smoke on respiratory health of Russian school children. METHODS: We studied a population of 5951 children (8 to 12 years old) from 9 Russian cities, whose parents answered a questionnaire on their children's respiratory health, home environment, and housing characteristics. The main health outcomes were asthma, allergies, chronic respiratory symptoms, chronic bronchitis, and upper respiratory infections. We used adjusted odds ratios (ORs) from logistic regression analyses as measures of effect. RESULTS: Prenatal exposure due to maternal smoking had the strongest effects on asthma (adjusted OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.19-5.08), chronic bronchitis (adjusted OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.08-1.96) and respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing (adjusted OR 1.30, 95% CI 0.90-1.89). The associations were weaker for exposure during early-life (adjusted ORs 1.38/1.27/1.15 respectively) and after 2 years of age (adjusted ORs 1.45/1.34/1.18) compared to prenatal exposure and the weakest or non-existent for current exposure (adjusted ORs 1.05/1.09/1.06). Upper respiratory infections were associated more strongly with early-life exposure (adjusted OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.09-1.42) than with prenatal (adjusted OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.54-1.01) or current exposure (adjusted OR1.05, 95% CI 0.92-1.20). The risk of allergies was also related to early life exposure to tobacco smoke (adjusted OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13-1.42). CONCLUSION: Adverse effects of tobacco smoke on asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic respiratory symptoms are strongest when smoking takes place during pregnancy. The relations are weaker for exposure during early-life and after 2 years of age and weakest or non-existent for current exposure.

Application of aluminum phthalocyanine nanoparticles for fluorescent diagnostics in dentistry and skin autotransplantology.

This paper deals with the possibility of application of aluminum phthalocyanine (AlPc) nanoparticles in clinical practice. AlPc fluoresces in the molecular form but in the form of nanoparticles it does not. Separation of molecules from an AlPc nanoparticle and therefore the appearance of fluorescence occurs under the effect of a number of biochemo-physical factors. Owing to this feature the application of AlPc nanoparticles followed by the measurement of fluorescence spectra is proposed as a diagnostics method. It was shown that after AlPc nanoparticle application on a tooth surface the fluorescence intensity in the enamel microdamage area is 2-3 times higher than that in the normal enamel area. The appearance of fluorescence after application of AlPc nanoparticles on skin autografts testifies to the presence of inflammation.

Problems of Prophylaxis of Secondary Immunodeficiency States.

An attempt is made in this paper to draw up some results of long-term studies conducted by the "Immunoprophylaxis" Center of RANS on such studies. The results of mass and individual studies among 250 thousand blue- and white-collar workers in Russian industrial enterprises are processed in the data bank of the Center, including an analysis of the immunological reactions of 30 thousand individuals studied. An analysis of the results shows that secondary immunodeficiency is encountered in 30% of the people occupied in industrial positions, in 40% of professional athletes and in more than 60% of the children studied. It should be emphasized that in enterprises where there is substantial excessive environmental harm, the frequency of development of immunodeficiency also exceeded the 60% mark. There are many reasons for the development of immunological deficiency and they depend on a large number of factors. Among them, in the first place, is the anthropogenic effect on the environment, which results in contamination of working zones, the earth, water and, as a consequence, food products, the use of which inevitably results in immunodepression. A special place in this problem is occupied by stress, which accompanies almost any professional activity. There is no doubt concerning the opinion that normal functioning of the immune system provides a sufficiently effective "interdiction" against the development of many diseases. Immune deficiency "opens the door" to illness. In other words, immunodeficiency is a detonator for the growth of a pathology.