Search

The effect of the molecular structure of indotricarbocyanine dyes on their luminescence spectral and redox properties was studied. The introduction of a chlorine-substituted bridge into the polymethine chain leads to a significant hypsochromic shift of the absorption and fluorescence spectra, whereas change in the structure of substituents at the indolenine terminal groups only has a weak effect on the spectra. The electrochemical properties of the polymethine dyes were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The oxidation and reduction potentials of the dyes were determined, and the corresponding energies of the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals were calculated. Reduction of the molecules of the dye is an irreversible process, whereas the reversibility of the oxidation process depends on the structure of the polymethine chain and the nature of the counterion. Introduction of a chlorine–orthophenylene bridge into the polymethine chain leads to a significant increase in the reversibility of the oxidation reaction of the dyes on account of increase in the stability of the dication-radicals. It was shown that oxidation of the bromide ions occurs at lower potentials compared with oxidation of the dyes with a substituted polymethine chain, which probably leads to decrease in the reversibility of electrochemical oxidation of the dyes when bromide ions are present in solution.

The removal of phenol compounds (such as phenol (Ph), 4-chlorophenol (4-CPh), and 4-phenolsulfonic acid (4-APS)) was studied using catalytic ozonation and cerium oxide (CeO2) as the catalyst. Conve...

Using the method of niobia electrochemical anodizing via the porous alumina, three types of nanostructures: skittle-, medusa- and goblet-like niobia embryos were formed. Their morphology and formation boundary conditions were investigated. Established up to 37 V embryos are formed like skittles, in the region from 53 to 100 V medusa-like are formed, and above 150 V – goblet-like. To research the optical column-like niobia nanostructure properties inside porous alumina, embryos 53 V like medusa were formed on a glass substrate and re-anodized to a voltage of 230 V not to leave the metallic niobium. Investigations have shown the complete absorbance of the ultraviolet range and the presence of transmittance, reflectance and absorbance in the visible and infrared range with significant oscillations, which indicates the presence of Fabry-Perot interference.

Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a pollutant which can be found on soils as a result of its widespread application in plastic industry. Soil contaminated with DEP requires the application of different chemical methods to attain its remediation. Among these methods, ozonation has proven to be effective against toxic soil pollutants. The presence of metal oxides in soil is a possible source of catalytic effect. In this study, it was analyzed the catalytic effect of goethite (α-FeOOH), hematite (α-Fe2O3), and gibbsite (γ-Al(OH)3) in combination with O3 to achieve DEP decomposition. The DEP elimination efficiency by ozonation on the sand increased according to the following order: without catalyst

The present study details the validation of a simple mathematical model of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) ozonation distributed on sand (as a model soil) and the agricultural soil (real soil). The propos...

Плотные и мезопористые пленки диоксида титана получены на титановых подложках методами термического окисления, гидролиза полибутилтитаната, нанесения золя диоксида титана, ультразвуковой обработки и анодного окисления и охарактеризованы с помощью сканирующей электронной микроскопии, просвечивающей электронной микроскопии и спектроскопии комбинационного рассеяния света. Электрохимическая активность диоксидтитановых пленок, исходных и модифицированных наночастицами золота, в реакции восстановления кислорода в щелочной среде исследована методом циклической вольтамперометрии. Показано, что эффективность протекания реакции восстановления кислорода на плотных и мезопористых диоксидтитановых пленках определяется их морфологией, структурой, а также степенью упорядоченности пор. Модифицирование пленок диоксида титана наночастицами золота приводит к снижению перенапряжения реакции электровосстановления кислорода. Установлено, что электроды, состоящие из высокоупорядоченных слоев нанотрубок диоксида титана с нанесенными наночастицами золота, демонстрируют существенно большую электрокаталитическую активность в реакции восстановления по сравнению с TiO2/Au-системами на основе плотных пленок и мезопористых пленок с неупорядоченной структурой пор. Свойства электрохимического поведения системы TiO2/Au (нанотрубки/наночастицы) объясняются особенностями транспорта электронов к поверхности электродов и структурой области пространственного заряда в мезопористой пленке оксида.

In the paper, experimental results concerning the dynamics of the counter interaction of high-energy plasma flows in a magnetic field with an induction of up to 2 T are presented and discussed. Plasma flows with velocities (2–4) × 107 cm/s, ion density (2–4) × 1015 cm–3, and energy content of 70–100 kJ were formed by two electrodynamic coaxial accelerators with pulsed gas injection. Nitrogen and neon, as well as their mixtures with deuterium, were used as working gases. A description of the 2MK-200 facility, where the experiments were carried out, and diagnostic equipment are presented. Experimental results obtained in various operating modes of the facility are reported and discussed.

The carbamazepine (CBZ) abatement is herein evaluated using catalytic ozonation at different NiO concentrations as catalyst: 100, 300, and 500 mg L−1, revealing its total destruction after 5 min of reaction either by conventional or catalytic ozonation. The NiO incorporation in the reactor does not increase the destruction rate, but the catalyst presence enhances the partial mineralization of the contaminant by conversion into oxalic and formic acids and the removal of total organic carbon (TOC) associated with the formation of oxidant species such as hydroxyl radical. Evidence for this behavior is the accumulation rate of the above acids which rise proportionally to the NiO concentration. The highest NiO concentration (500 mg L−1) reached a maximum TOC removal of 79.2%, which exceeds by 50% the outcome of the conventional treatment. The accumulation-decomposition profiles of oxalic and formic acids suggest the occurrence of simultaneous reaction mechanisms (hydroxyl radicals and complex formations) on the catalyst during CBZ ozonation. According to XPS analysis, the presence of nitrogen species in the NiO-ozonated was attributable to byproducts of CBZ decomposition. The toxicity bioassay based on Lactuca sativa seeds demonstrate that ozonated samples attained similar plant germination than the reference substance (water) after 120 min of treatment. This result is comparable with or without the catalyst presence, indicating the formation of non-toxic accumulated byproducts at the end of the ozonation reaction.

Epoxy based composites filled with RhB-loaded TiO2 containers were prepared. SEM, EDX mapping, and Raman spectroscopy showed a uniform distribution of the TiO2 particles in the polymeric matrix. The sensitivity of the composites to UV irradiation was studied. Efficiency of the composite decolorization was found to depend on the amount of RhB-loaded TiO2 containers incorporated into the coating. Accelerated decomposition of Rhodamine B in the composite under UV irradiation takes place due to photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 particles. The prepared composites can be used as UV-sensor material.

The influence of arsenazo-I additive on electrochemical anodizing of pure aluminum foil in malonic acid was studied. Aluminum dissolution increased with increasing arsenazo-I concentration. The addition of arsenazo-I also led to an increase in the volume expansion factor up to 2.3 due to the incorporation of organic compounds and an increased number of hydroxyl groups in the porous aluminum oxide film. At a current density of 15 mA·cm−2 and an arsenazo-I concentration 3.5 g·L−1, the carbon content in the anodic alumina of 49 at. % was achieved. An increase in the current density and concentration of arsenazo-I caused the formation of an arsenic-containing compound with the formula Na1,5Al2(OH)4,5(AsO4)3·7H2O in the porous aluminum oxide film phase. These film modifications cause a higher number of defects and, thus, increase the ionic conductivity, leading to a reduced electric field in galvanostatic anodizing tests. A self-adjusting growth mechanism, which leads to a higher degree of self-ordering in the arsenazo-free electrolyte, is not operative under the same conditions when arsenazo-I is added. Instead, a dielectric breakdown mechanism was observed, which caused the disordered porous aluminum oxide film structure.

The current study presents the treatment of water contaminated with the dye Direct Red 28 in the presence of Na2SO4 at three different concentrations (10, 40 and 80 g/L) by simple ozonation. This w...

The peculiarities of morphology, crystalline structure and chemical composition of TiO 2 nanotubular layers (TNT) and TiO 2 nanoparticulate (NP) layers obtained by fluoride-mediated transformation of TNT have been described in the present paper. The annealing of amorphous TNT in a confined space under limited air access conditions leads to TNT-to-NP transformation accompanied by fluorine doping of the titania matrix as supported by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigations. The collapse of tubular structure as well as the formation of nanoparticles was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Electrocatalytic activity of both TNT and NP electrodes toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has been examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The positive shift of ORR wave of the NP layers in comparison with TNT makes the NP-based electrodes more suitable for oxygen reduction. The improved activity of the NP electrodes is attributed to the increased concentration of redox active Ti 3+ species owing to fluorine doping of TiO 2 which plays a crucial role in electroreduction of oxygen molecules.

In this work, the degradation of terephthalic acid (TA) by vanadium oxide (VxOy) supported on zinc oxide (ZnO) was evaluated in a photocatalytic ozonation treatment based on two UV-A LEDs distribut...

Submitted by Andrei Salak (salak@ua.pt) on 2019-10-19T11:36:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 cc55_6878.pdf: 2775247 bytes, checksum: b1198431c6c7cf6a693896e510b5ee54 (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Diana Silva (dianasilva@ua.pt) on 2019-10-22T08:56:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 cc55_6878.pdf: 2775247 bytes, checksum: b1198431c6c7cf6a693896e510b5ee54 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-22T08:56:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 cc55_6878.pdf: 2775247 bytes, checksum: b1198431c6c7cf6a693896e510b5ee54 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019 published

Atherosclerosis is a well-known global health problem. Despite the high prevalence of the disease, numerous aspects of pathogenesis remain unclear. Subsequently, there are still no cure or adequate preventive measures available. Atherogenesis is now considered a complex interplay between lipid metabolism alterations, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Inflammation in atherogenesis involves cellular elements of both innate (such as macrophages and monocytes) and adaptive immunity (such as B-cells and T-cells), as well as various cytokines cascades. Because inflammation is, in general, a well-investigated therapeutic target, and strategies for controlling inflammation have been successfully used to combat a number of other diseases, inflammation seems to be the preferred target for the treatment of atherosclerosis as well. In this review, we summarized data on targeting the most studied inflammatory molecular targets, CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. Studies in animal models have shown the efficacy of anti-inflammatory therapy, while clinical studies revealed the incompetence of existing data, which blocks the development of an effective atheroprotective drug. However, all data on cytokine targeting give evidence that anti-inflammatory therapy can be a part of a complex treatment.

COVID-19 is a highly contagious new infection caused by the single-stranded RNA Sars-CoV-2 virus. For the first time, this infection was recorded in December 2019 in the Chinese province of Wuhan. The virus presumably crossed the interspecies barrier and passed to humans from a bat. Initially, the disease was considered exclusively in the context of damage to the respiratory system, but it quickly became clear that the disease also entails serious consequences from various systems, including the cardiovascular system. Among these consequences are myocarditis, myocardial damage, subsequent heart failure, myocardial infarction, and Takotsubo syndrome. On the other hand, clinical data indicate that the presence of chronic diseases in a patient aggravates the course and outcome of coronavirus infection. In this context, the relationship between COVID-19 and atherosclerosis, a condition preceding cardiovascular disease and other disorders of the heart and blood vessels, is particularly interesting. The renin-angiotensin system is essential for the pathogenesis of both coronavirus disease and atherosclerosis. In particular, it has been shown that ACE2, an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, plays a key role in Sars-CoV-2 infection due to its receptor activity. It is noteworthy that this enzyme is important for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system. Disruptions in its production and functioning can lead to various disorders, including atherosclerosis.

Cardiovascular pathologies maintain the leading position in mortality worldwide. Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease that can result in a variety of serious complications, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Inflammation and lipid metabolism alterations play a crucial role in atherogenesis, but the details of relationships and causality of these fundamental processes remain not clear. The oxidation of LDL was considered the main atherogenic modification of LDL within the vascular wall for decades. However, recent investigations provided a growing body of evidence in support of the multiple LDL modification theory. It suggests that LDL particles undergo numerous modifications that change their size, density, and chemical properties within the blood flow and vascular wall. Oxidation is the last stage in this cascade resulting in the atherogenic properties. Moreover, recent investigations have discovered that oxLDL may have both anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory properties. Oxidized LDL can trigger inflammation through the activation of macrophages and other cells. After all, oxidized LDL is still a promising object for further investigations that have the potential to clarify the unknown parts of the atherogenic process. In this review, we discuss the role of oxLDL in atherosclerosis development on different levels.

Niobium and tantalum anodic oxide nanocolumn arrays by porous anodic alumina assisted anodizing were produced and the optical reflectance was studied.

Atherosclerosis is a major cause of disease-related mortality around the globe. The main characteristic of the disease is an accumulation of plaque on the arterial wall and subsequent erosion or rupture of some plaques. Atherosclerosis often leads to cardiovascular disease and such acute complications as myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke due to thrombus formation. Most recent advances in atherosclerotic research state that the modifications of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are one of the most significant stages in the disease initiation, and among these modifications desialylation is of particular interest. Sialic acids are widely expressed on all types of cells of many organisms and participate in numerous biological processes. Regarding atherosclerosis, sialidases that are responsible for the regulation of the sialic component of different molecules, are probably one of the most crucial enzymatic families. Sufficient sialylation of vascular endothelium defines its susceptibility to an atherogenic plaque formation. Moreover, the desialylation of LDL provokes an accumulation of cholesterol and lipids in the arterial walls. According to the multiple involvements of sialic acids and related enzymes, sialidases, in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis, the deeper understanding of their exact role, as well as cellular and molecular mechanisms, will allow creating more targeted and effective therapeutic and diagnostic approaches.

Atherosclerosis is a serious disorder, with numerous potential complications such as cardiovascular disease, ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction. The origin of atherosclerosis is related to chronic inflammation, lipid metabolism alterations, and oxidative stress. Inflammasomes are the cytoplasmic multiprotein complex triggering the activation of inflammatory response. NLRP3 inflammasomes have a specific activation pathway that involves numerous stimuli, including a wide range of PAMPs and DAMPs. Recent studies of atherosclerotic pathology are focused on the mitochondria that appear to be a promising target for therapeutic approach development. Mitochondria are the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated with oxidative stress. It was previously shown that NLRP3 inflammasome activation results in mitochondrial damage, but the exact mechanisms of this need to be specified. In this review, we focused on the features of NLRP3 inflammasomes and their significance for atherosclerosis, especially concerning mitochondria.

The structure and composition of a zinc‑aluminum layered double hydroxide (Zn2Al LDH) with the intercalated 2-mercaptobenzothiazole corrosion inhibitor (a.k.a. benzo[d]thiazole-2-thiol) are interpreted by means of atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results concerning the proportion of intercalated 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and water species in the Zn2Al LDH interlayer were correlated with experimental X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data of samples obtained at pH 8.5, 10 and 11.5. While the sample synthesized at the lowest pH is almost free of contaminants, the sample obtained at the highest pH is contaminated by a small fraction of a material with intercalated OH−. The comparison of the calculated and XRD interlayer distances suggests that the most stable structure has a ratio of ~4.5 water molecules per intercalated organic species, which is higher than the ratio of ~2 typically reported in the literature. The distribution of molecules in the LDH interlayer consists of a layer of water near the hydroxides, a second layer grown over the first layer, with the 2-mercaptobenzothiazole species adopting conformations with the sulfur of the thioamide group facing the hydroxide/water layers and the 6-member ring oriented towards the middle of the interlayer. Different structural analyses were done to explain the equilibria between the different species in the interlayer space, and their molecular interactions with the LDH metal hydroxide layers.

Atherosclerosis is the cause of the development of serious cardiovascular disorders, leading to disability and death. Numerous processes are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, including inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism disorders. Reverse transport of cholesterol is a mechanism presumably underlying the atheroprotective effect of high-density lipoprotein. In this review, we examined disorders of cholesterol metabolism and their possible effect on atherogenesis. We paid special attention to the reverse transport of cholesterol. Transformed cholesterol metabolism results in dyslipidemia and early atherosclerosis. Reverse cholesterol transport is an endogenous mechanism by which cells export cholesterol and maintain homeostasis. It is known that one of the main factors leading to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels are multiple modifications of low-density lipoprotein, and the formation of foam cells following them.

For more than a decade, atherosclerosis has been one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. The issue of treatment and prevention of the disease is especially acute. Despite the huge amount of basic and clinical research, a significant number of gaps remain in our understanding of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and only their closure will bring us closer to understanding the causes of the disease at the cellular and molecular levels and, accordingly, to the development of an effective treatment. One of the seemingly well-studied elements of atherogenesis is the mTOR signaling pathway. However, more and more new details are still being clarified. Therapeutic strategies associated with rapamycin have worked well in a number of different diseases, and there is every reason to believe that targeting components of the mTOR pathway may pay off in atherosclerosis as well.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been deposited on titania nanotubular layers (TNT) via photocatalytic deposition, and the activity of the obtained AuNPs-TNT systems toward oxygen electroreduction reaction (ORR) in an alkaline medium has been studied and compared with the activity of AuNPs-TNT composites prepared from Au colloidal solutions. Two photodeposition methods were utilized for anchoring of AuNPs: direct UV-irradiation of a TNT electrode immersed into a HAuCl4 containing solution (TNT-Au1 composites) and initial adsorption of AuCl4- ions on TNT followed by UV-irradiation (TNT-Au2 composites). The size, spatial distribution, structure and surface of AuNPs deposited on TNT layers were studied via scanning and transmission electron microscopy, optical spectroscopy and underpotential deposition of lead ad-atoms on gold. It was found that these parameters depend on the photodeposition method. The TNT-Au2 composites have smaller size, higher surface concentration and more uniform distribution of AuNPs in the TNT layers as compared with the TNT-Au1 systems. The electrocatalytic efficiency of Au-TNT electrodes in ORR was found to depend on various factors such as doping level of TNT support (governed by annealing temperature), AuNPs size and their loading amount. The electroreduction of oxygen was observed at less negative potentials when Au nanoparticles were grown on the TNT surface by photoreduction in comparison with the TNT electrodes modified with AuNPs from sols. The enhanced activity of the photocatalytically prepared AuNPs-TNT composites can be explained by the consolidation of the interface between gold nanoparticles and TiO2 support and the absence of ligands on the AuNPs surface.

Encapsulated metal nanostructures were prepared using the powerful pulsed discharge method. Metal nanorods were obtained in porous titania and alumina matrix by direct electrodeposition from 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride-based ionic liquids. The deposition process was characterized by cyclic voltammetry. Morphology of the encapsulated structures was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) for morphological and elemental analysis. It was found that the most efficient method for electrodeposition of pure aluminum into titania nanotubes is the potential cycling method, while for deposition of the Al-Ti alloy in alumina pores a pulsed method with three different steps is preferable. Closing the titania nanotubes was found to be possible both with empty and metal-filled pores, whereas in alumina matrix this procedure can be performed only when pores are filled with a conductive material. The obtained results throw light on the mechanism of porous film encapsulation under high-voltage pulses and allow preparing encapsulated nanostructures in the oxide films.

Results are presented from experimental studies of a pulsed source of soft X-ray (SXR) emission with photon energies in the range of 0.4–1 keV and an output energy of 2–10 kJ. SXR pulses with a duration of 10–15 μs were generated in collisions of two plasma flows propagating toward one another in a longitudinal magnetic field. The plasma flows with velocities of (2–4) × 107 cm/s and energy contents of 70–100 kJ were produced by two electrodynamic coaxial accelerators with pulsed gas injection. Nitrogen and neon, as well as their mixtures with deuterium, were used as working gases. The diagnostic equipment is described, and the experimental results obtained under different operating conditions are discussed. In particular, X-ray spectroscopy was used to study the high-temperature plasma produced in a collision of two plasma flows. The observed intensities of spectral lines are compared with the results of detailed kinetic calculations performed in a steady-state approximation. The calculations of the nitrogen and neon kinetics have shown that the electron temperature of a nitrogen plasma can be most conveniently determined from the intensity ratio of the resonance lines of He- and H-like nitrogen ions, while that of a neon plasma, from the intensity ratio between the resonance line of He-like Ne IX ions and the 3p−2s line of Li-like Ne VIII ions. In the experiments with plasma flows containing nitrogen ions, the electron temperature was found to be ≈120 eV, whereas in the experiments with plasma flows containing neon ions, it was 160–170 eV.

We have investigated the influence of the ratio cement:fly-ash and the temperature of mixing water on the properties of aerated concrete mixes and aerated concrete. It was established that the rational cement-fly ash ratio is 1:1; the mixing water temperature is 40 °C. Experimental research confirmed that the introduction of waste from salt processing and metakaolin to the formulation of binding compositions leads to the formation, rather than the metastable hexagonal calcium hydro-aluminates, of the stable compounds in the structure of partitions between pores of the hydrocalumite and hydrocarboaluminate type. That allowed the targeted structure formation of partitions between pores of the non-autoclaved aerated concrete, which improves the density of partitions and the strength of aerated concrete. It is shown that the introduction of polypropylene fibers to composition of aerated concrete does not affect the kinetics of swelling of the aerated concrete array. However, the introduction of polypropylene fibers improves the strength of aerated concrete based on the modified binding composition containing metakaolin by 47 %, the modified binding composition containing carbonate-containing waste ‒ by 32 %. For the aerated concrete of the В1.5–В2 class of strength, at a density within 615‒625 kg/m 3 , the estimated coefficient of thermal conductivity is 0.16 W/(m∙K), which makes it possible to reduce heat losses through external enclosures. Thus, there is reason to assert the possibility of the targeted control over the processes of forming a strong structure of partitions between pores using the modified binding compositions containing supplementary cementitious materials. The application of polypropylene fibers enables the reinforcement of aerated -concrete array, forming a strong structural frame of partitions between pores, and ensuring greater strength of the non-autoclaved aerated concrete.

This work reports the study of the decomposition of three PAHs (anthracene, phenanthrene, and fluorene) in aqueous solution at different pHs (2, 7, and 11) and in the presence of methanol as a co-s...

Three microbial consortia (C2, C4, C5) grown under photoheterotrophic conditions assimilated acetate and butyrate, as individual and mixed substrates. By controlling the culture conditions, it was possible to manipulate the microbial population composition and thus the yield of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) accumulation. Under limited ammonium conditions, pH control, and a sequential two-step process, C2 and C4 produced PHA. C4 showed the highest production of 44% of the cell dry mass (CDM), close to the theoretical value calculated with a stoichiometric balance. Analysis of the confocal microscopy images confirmed the accumulated biopolymer percentages produced by each consortium, and it was in close correlation with microbial distribution and substrate consumption pattern. 1H, 13C, NMR, and MALDI-TOF spectra identified the primary structure of the obtained biopolymers as copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV). This composition allows for better mechanical properties compared to the PHB homopolymer. Microbial characterization showed a similar microbial population with different proportions for C2 and C4. The highest PHA production in C4 was associated with higher abundances of PHA producers, including Clostridium (29%), Pseudomonas (8%) and Rhodopseudomonas (5%). Both microbial consortia showed that a portion of their microbial populations were able to perform syntrophic reactions (Dysgonomonas and Clostridium).

Background Given the scarcity of alcohol prevention and use disorder treatments in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the World Health Organization has launched an eHealth portal that includes the web-based self-help program “Alcohol e-Health.” Objective We aimed to test the effectiveness of the Alcohol e-Health program in a randomized controlled trial. Methods This was a two-arm, individually randomized, and controlled trial across four LMICs comparing the self-help program and a psychoeducation and internet access as usual waiting list. Participants were broadly recruited from community samples in Belarus, Brazil, India, and Mexico from January 2016 through January 2019. The primary outcome measure was change in the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score with a time frame of 6 months between baseline and follow-up. Secondary outcomes included self-reported numbers of standard drinks over the previous week and cessation of harmful or hazardous drinking (AUDIT score Results For this study, we recruited 1400 predominantly male (n=982, 70.1%) at least harmful or hazardous alcohol drinkers. The mean age was 37.6 years (SD 10.5). The participants were recruited from Brazil (n=587), Mexico (n=509), India (n=212), and Belarus (n=92). Overall, complete case analysis identified higher AUDIT changes in the intervention group (B=−4.18, 95% CI −5.42 to −2.93, P Conclusions The expansion of the Alcohol e-Health program to other LMICs with underdeveloped alcohol prevention and treatment systems for alcohol use disorders should be considered after successful replication of the present results. Trial Registration ISRCTN ISRCTN14037475; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14037475 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1111/add.14034

Atherosclerosis is the major cause of the development of cardiovascular disease, which, in turn, is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. From the point of view of pathogenesis, atherosclerosis is an extremely complex disease. A huge variety of processes, such as violation of mitophagy, oxidative stress, damage to the endothelium, and others, are involved in atherogenesis; however, the main components of atherogenesis are considered to be inflammation and alterations of lipid metabolism. In this review, we want to focus on inflammation, and more specifically on the cellular elements of adaptive immunity, T and B cells. It is known that various T cells are widely represented directly in atherosclerotic plaques, while B cells can be found, for example, in the adventitia layer. Of course, such widespread and well-studied cells have attracted attention as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis. Various approaches have been developed and tested for their efficacy.

The aim of this article is to study the in vivo effect of the ozonation degree of vegetal oils on two related clinical tests, such as inflammation and wound-healing in healthy and diabetic mice, respectively. Ozonated grape seed (GS) and sunflower (SF) oils were used for this purpose. The ozonation degree (from 0 to 44%) of oils was determined by the total unsaturation method (TU). This technique served to quantify the oxidizable substrate of oils and tissue’s lipids. For inflammation studies, an ear edema was induced by croton oil. The latter was treated with GS and SF oils with different ozonation degree, ozonated physiological solution and indomethacin, as reference. To evaluate the wound-healing effect, a circular section was surgically removed from the dorsal side of mice. The wound was treated with ozonated oils, Furacin® ointment (nitrofurazone 2%) and their combination. The TU of lipids (TUL) extracted from inflamed tissues was proposed to identify the biochemical changes in those tissues....

Retinoic acid (RA) plays an important role in vertebrate development and regeneration. RA signalling directly regulates the expression of Hox genes, being in this way involved in the patterning of the anterior-posterior (AP) axis of vertebrate embryos. So far the relationship between retinoic acid signalling and Hox genes has been shown only for chordates. In this study we incubated juvenile worms and regenerating worms of two polychaete species from the family Nereididae, Alitta virens and Platynereis dumerilii, with all-trans-retinal, the precursor of retinoic acid. Under the influence of all-trans-retinal the anterior expression boundary of Post2 Нох gene shifted towards the anterior end both in intact and in regenerating worms of both species. Our data indicate the existence of a relationship between RA signalling and Нох genes in Protostomia.

The aim of this study was to characterize the ozone reaction with phenanthrene adsorbed in two types of soils (sand and agricultural). The effect of soil physicochemical properties (texture, bulk density, particle density, porosity, elemental composition, permeability, surface area and pore volume) on the phenanthrene decomposition was evaluated. Commercial sand has a uniform morphology (spherical) with a particle size range between 0.178 and 0.150 mm in diameter, regular elemental composition SiO2, specific density of 1701.38 kg/m3, a true density of 2492.50 kg/m3, with an effective porosity of 31%. On the other hand, the agricultural soil had heterogeneous morphology, particle size between 0.1779 and 0.05 mm in diameter, elemental composition was montmorrillonite silicon oxide, apparent density of 999.52 kg/m3, a true density of 2673.55 kg/m3, surface area of 34.92 m2/g and porosity of 57%. The percentage of phenanthrene decomposition in the sand was 79% after 2 h of treatment. On the other hand, the phenanthrene degradation in the agricultural soil was 95% during the same reaction time. The pore volume of soil limited the crystal size of phenanthrene and increased the contact surface with ozone confirming the direct impact of physicochemical properties of soils on the decomposition kinetics of phenanthrene. In the case of agricultural soil, the effect of organic matter on phenanthrene decomposition efficiency was also investigated. A faster decomposition of initial contaminant and byproducts formed in ozonation was obtained in natural agricultural soil compared to the sand. The partial identification of intermediates and final accumulated products produced by phenanthrene decomposition in ozonation was developed. Among others, phenanthroquinone, hydroquinone, phenanthrol, catechol as well as phthalic, diphenic, maleic and oxalic acids were identified.

In the present study, ozone was applied for the removal of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) from soil. The effect of several experimental parameters was investigated considering, the initial DMP concentration, ozone flow, the type of soil (sand and agricultural soil) and the presence of α-FeOOH as a potential catalyst in the reaction system with sand. The elimination of DMP using ozone is significantly affected by the type of soil. In the case of sand, conventional ozonation was capable to degrade 74% of the initial DMP concentration (0.5 mg g−1) after 8 h of the reaction, however, the mineralization degree was below 50%. Under the same experimental conditions, the complete elimination of DMP was achieved when calcined agricultural soil was present reaching a 70% of mineralization. The presence of metal oxides in calcined agricultural soil combined with ozone produced oxidants species which were responsible of incrementing the mineralization degree (around 20% in comparison with the sand). The toxicity tests on lettuce seed demonstrated lower toxicity of DMP byproducts after ozonation. The DMP high removal efficiencies and the lower toxicity of generated byproducts in soil prove the applicability of ozone treatment for soil remediation.

This work evaluated the inhibition effect of low molecular weight alcohol (ethanol) on naproxen (NAP) degradation by conventional and catalytic ozonation. The reaction system considered the ethanol as complementary organic matter in water. The conventional ozonation and in the presence of nickel oxide (O3–NiO) achieved 98% NAP degradation during the first 15 min of reaction despite the presence of ethanol. However, NAP degradation presented a delaying effect during the first minutes of treatment with this alcohol. The latter phenomenon indicates that ethanol concentration played a meaningful role in ozonation effectiveness in comparison with the presence of NiO catalyst. The presence of NiO did not generate differences in the byproducts in comparison with conventional ozonation. The intermediates were detected using the Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry technique and have only one aromatic ring in their chemical structure. In samples without ethanol, these byproducts appeared only in the first 5 min of reaction. The TOC study demonstrated the increment of 25% in the mineralization degree with the presence of NiO due to the formation of ·OH species.

Background: Atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Atherosclerosis development involves several pathological processes, including alterations of the blood lipid profile, chronic inflammation and thrombogenesis. The existing therapies for atherosclerosis are aimed at normalization of the lipid profile, reduction of cardiovascular risks and inflammation and alleviation of symptoms. Despite the certain progress made in the field, more efficient and direct approaches are needed to battle the disease effectively. Enzymes that are up-regulated or play key roles in various pathologies are traditionally regarded as potential therapeutic targets. Methods and findings: We searched MEDLINE for recent articles reporting on the three enzymes that are involved in atherosclerosis development: matrix metallo-proteinases, neuraminidase/sialidases and NADPH oxidases. These enzymes participate in matrix remodeling, atherogenic modifications of LDL particles, and oxidative stress correspondingly. Conclusion: The enzymes involved in atherosclerosis development, such as metalloproteinases, sialidases, and NADPH oxidases, appear to be potential therapeutic targets for the disease prevention and/or treatment. However, more selective and potent inhibitors of these enzymes need to be discovered before they become relevant for clinical treatment of atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis has complex pathogenesis, which involves at least three serious aspects: inflammation, lipid metabolism alterations, and endothelial injury. There are no effective treatment options, as well as preventive measures for atherosclerosis. However, this disease has various severe complications, the most severe of which is cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is important to note, that CVD is among the leading causes of death worldwide. The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) is an important part of inflammatory response regulation. This system contributes to the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the injured site and stimulates the production of various cytokines, such as IL-6, TNF-a, and COX-2. There is also an association between RAAS and oxidative stress, which is also an important player in atherogenesis. Angiotensin-II induces plaque formation at early stages, and this is one of the most crucial impacts on atherogenesis from the RAAS. Importantly, while stimulating the production of ROS, Angiotensin-II at the same time decreases the generation of NO. The endothelium is known as a major contributor to vascular function. Oxidative stress is the main trigger of endothelial dysfunction, and, once again, links RAAS to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. All these implications of RAAS in atherogenesis lead to an explicable conclusion that elements of RAAS can be promising targets for atherosclerosis treatment. In this review, we also summarize the data on treatment approaches involving cytokine targeting in CVD, which can contribute to a better understanding of atherogenesis and even its prevention.

Three types of niobia nanostructured films (so-called native, planarized, and column-like) were formed on glass substrates by porous alumina assisted anodizing in a 0.2 M aqueous solution of oxalic acid in a potentiostatic mode at a 53 V and then reanodizing in an electrolyte containing 0.5 M boric acid and 0.05 M sodium tetraborate in a potentiodynamic mode by raising the voltage to 230 V, and chemical post-processing. Anodic behaviors, morphology, and optical properties of the films have been investigated. The interference pattern of native film served as the basis for calculating the effective refractive index which varies within 1.75–1.54 in the wavelength range 190–1100 nm. Refractive index spectral characteristics made it possible to distinguish a number of absorbance bands of the native film. Based on the analysis of literature data, the identified oxide absorbance bands were assigned. The effective refractive index of native film was also calculated using the effective-medium models, and was in the range of 1.63–1.68. The reflectance spectra of all films show peaks in short- and long-wave regions. The presence of these peaks is due to the periodically varying refractive index in the layers of films in two dimensions. FDTD simulation was carried out and the morphology of a potential 2-D photonic crystal with 92% (wavelength 462 nm) reflectance, based on the third type of films, was proposed.

The volumetric growth, composition, and morphology of porous alumina films fabricated by reduced temperature 280 K galvanostatic anodizing of aluminum foil in 0.4, 1.0, and 2.0 M aqueous sulfuric acid with 0.5–10 mA·cm−2 current densities were investigated. It appeared that an increase in the solution concentration from 0.4 to 2 M has no significant effect on the anodizing rate, but leads to an increase in the porous alumina film growth. The volumetric growth coefficient increases from 1.26 to 1.67 with increasing current density from 0.5 to 10 mA·cm−2 and decreases with increasing solution concentration from 0.4 to 2.0 M. In addition, in the anodized samples, metallic aluminum phases are identified, and a tendency towards a decrease in the aluminum content with an increase in solution concentration is observed. Anodizing at 0.5 mA·cm−2 in 2.0 M sulfuric acid leads to formation of a non-typical nanostructured porous alumina film, consisting of ordered hemispheres containing radially diverging pores.