Critical Quality Parameters Research Articles

IoT Water Quality Monitoring and Control System in Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor to Reduce Total Ammonia Nitrogen.

Traditional aquaculture systems appear challenged by the high levels of total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) produced, which can harm aquatic life. As demand for global fish production continues to increase, farmers should adopt recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) equipped with biofilters to improve the water quality of the culture. The biofilter plays a crucial role in ammonia removal. Therefore, a biofilter such as a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) biofilter is usually used in the RAS to reduce ammonia. However, the disadvantage of biofilter operation is that it requires an automatic system with a water quality monitoring and control system to ensure optimal performance. Therefore, this study focuses on developing an Internet of Things (IoT) system to monitor and control water quality to achieve optimal biofilm performance in laboratory-scale MBBR. From 35 days into the experiment, water quality was maintained by an aerator's on/off control to provide oxygen levels suitable for the aquatic environment while monitoring the pH, temperature, and total dissolved solids (TDS). When the amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the MBBR was optimal, the highest TAN removal efficiency was 50%, with the biofilm thickness reaching 119.88 μm. The forthcoming applications of the IoT water quality monitoring and control system in MBBR enable farmers to set up a system in RAS that can perform real-time measurements, alerts, and adjustments of critical water quality parameters such as TAN levels.

Phytoplankton community structure and water quality assessment in Xuanwu Lake, China

Phytoplankton community structure influences the water quality of freshwater lakes and attracts the attention worldwide. The physicochemical parameters including dissolved oxygen (DO), total nitrogen, total phosphorus, NH4+-N and CODMn and biological index such as Chl.a concentrations were measured in water of different sites of Xuanwu Lake, China in varied seasons. The Trophic level index (TLI) was calculated to evaluate the trophic status of the lake based on critical water quality parameters. The phytoplankton community structure and biomass in the water was also identified and detected. Obvious change of physicochemical parameters and biological index was detected in varied sampling time. The results showed that TN, TP, NH4+-N, CODMn and Chl.a had higher concentrations in June and August with higher temperature. Obtained Trophic level index values from key water quality indicators revealed that Xuanwu Lake exhibited a state of mesotrophic level in December 2021, mild eutrophic level in October and February, and remained in a state of moderate eutrophication during other periods having higher temperature. Chlorophyta exhibited the highest species diversity and accounted for 48.1% of the entire community. Cyanobacteria had higher density compared to other phytoplankton, which suggesting the potential ecological risk in the lake. These findings aligned with the outcomes of the analysis of the phytoplankton community structure, underscoring a certain degree of correlation between the primary water quality indicators and phytoplankton abundance in Xuanwu Lake. That is, higher discharge of contaminant including nutrients potentially dominated the phytoplankton community structure. The continuous monitoring of phytoplankton community and water quality enabled the assessment of its trophic status of urban lake. Appropriate measures such as adjustment of phytoplankton community structure were proposed to mitigate the eutrophication status of lake. The investigation indicated that phytoplankton variation was the important indicator of water quality and supplied direct evidence for the water quality management and ecosystem restoration of urban lakes.

Inter seasonal validation of non-contact NIR spectroscopy for measurement of total soluble solids in high tunnel strawberries

Autonomous field robots are being developed for picking of fruit, where each fruit needs to be individually graded and handled. There is therefore a need for rapid and non-destructive sensing to measure critical fruit quality parameters. In this article we report how total soluble solids (TSS), a measure for total sugar content, can be measured in strawberries in the field by non-contact near-infrared (NIR) interaction spectroscopy. A specially designed prototype system working in the wavelength range 760–1080 nm was tested for this purpose. This novel instrument was compared with a commercial handheld NIR reflection instrument working in the range 900–1600 nm. The instruments were calibrated in the lab using data collected from 200 strawberries of two varieties and tested in a strawberry field on 50 berries in 2022 and 100 berries in 2023. Both systems performed well during calibration with root mean square errors of cross validation for TSS around 0.49 % and 0.57 %, for interaction and reflection, respectively. For prediction of TSS in new berries in 2023, the interaction system was superior, with a prediction error of 1.0 % versus 8.1 % for the reflection system, most likely because interaction probes deeper into the berries. The results suggest that interaction measurements of average TSS are more robust and would most likely require less calibration maintenance compared to reflection measurements. The non-contact feature is important since it reduces the spread of diseases and physical damage to the berries.

Profound regional disparities shaping the ecological risk in surface waters: A case study on cadmium across China

The scientific advancement of water quality criteria (WQC) stands as one of the paramount challenges in ensuring the security of aquatic ecosystem. The region-dependent species distribution and water quality characteristics would impact the toxicity of pollutant, which would further affect the derivation of WQC across regions. Presently, however, numerous countries adhere to singular WQC values. The “One-size-fits-all” WQC value for a given pollutant may lead to either “over-protection” or “under-protection” of organisms in specific region. In this study, we used cadmium(Cd) pollution in surface waters of China as a case study to shed light on this issue. This study evaluated critical water quality parameters and species distribution characteristics to modify WQC for Cd across distinct regions, thus unveiling the geographical variations in ecological risk for Cd throughout China. Notably, regional disparities in ecological risk emerged a substantial correlation with water hardness, while species-related distinctions magnified these regional variations. After considering the aforementioned factors, the variation in long-term WQC among different areas reached 84-fold, while the divergence in risk quotient extended to 280-fold. This study delineated zones of both heightened and diminished ecological susceptibility of Cd, thereby establishing a foundation for regionally differentiated management strategies.

Electrospun nanofiber drug delivery systems and recent applications: An overview

Fiber technology plays a significant role in advancing drug research. While developing drug delivery systems, nanofiber technology has gained importance due to its high surface area to volume ratio and porosity. The most preferred nanofiber production method is the electrospinning method. This review focuses on electrospun nanofiber drug delivery systems, including analysis of critical process parameters affecting electrospinning and nanofiber properties. Moreover, the design strategies for nanofiber drug delivery systems are explored, including equipment preferences and design types. Given to these design strategies, it is possible to design either nanofiber mat or nanofiber itself. It has been shown that a tailor-made drug delivery system can be prepared using axial-based nozzles and other equipment options. In addition, the prominent features and usage areas of frequently used polymers are mentioned. General characterization studies of post-production nanofibers are discussed. Examples of areas of use for pharmaceutical purposes are presented. Finally, drug release kinetics were evaluated on electrospun nanofiber drug delivery systems. As a result of exhaustive evaluations, various effective applications in the literature have been shown to achieve remarkable results such as drug release manipulation, drug targeting, self-assembling formulation strategies. Therefore, it is clear that in the field of electrospun nanofiber technology, it is possible to modify all the process options and develop a unique drug delivery product, thanks to a comprehensive evaluation of the critical quality parameters of the drug product.

Image Processing-Based System for Apple Sorting

This study sheds light on the evolution of the agricultural industry and highlights advances in production area. The salient recognition of fruit size and shape as critical quality parameters underscores the significance of the research. In response to this challenge, the research introduces specialized image processing techniques designed to streamline the sorting of apples in agricultural settings, specifically emphasizing accurate apple width estimation. A purpose-built machine was designed, featuring an enclosure box housing a cost-effective camera for the vision system and a chain conveyor for classifying Malus domestica Borkh kind apples. These goals were successfully achieved by implementing image preprocessing, segmentation, and measurement techniques to facilitate sorting. The proposed methodology classifies apples into three distinct classes, attaining an impressive accuracy of 94% in Class 1, 92% in Class 2, and 86% in Class 3. This represents an efficient and economical solution for apple classification and size estimation, promising substantial enhancements to sorting processes and pushing the boundaries of automation in the agricultural sector.

The Optimisation of Storage Conditions for Pomegranate Juice during Its Maritime Transport

It is estimated that the transport of plant-based food may be responsible for 50% of total CO2 emissions. The situation becomes highly unfavourable when the transported cargo deteriorates. Therefore, the optimisation of storage conditions during transport is a part of the concept of reducing food loss and waste. Moreover, it is an essential element of sustainable development. This study aimed to compare the stability of selected quality parameters of pomegranate juice under simulated conditions imitating maritime transport. The content of polyphenols and the ability to reduce free radicals were considered the critical quality parameters of this juice. The Folin–Ciocalteu method (polyphenols content) and the Brand-Williams method (ability to reduce free radicals) were used during the study. The simulation of maritime transport conditions consisted of different juice storage conditions. The differentiation was conducted regarding temperature, type of gas that filled the packaging, and mixing related to the ship’s motions during transport. The highest quality of pomegranate juice was ensured by modifying the atmosphere with nitrogen and lowering the temperature. It is also important that mixing the juice does not reduce its quality but stabilises it.

Monitoring Total Suspended Solids and Chlorophyll-a Concentrations in Turbid Waters: A Case Study of the Pearl River Estuary and Coast Using Machine Learning

Total suspended solids (TSS) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) are critical water quality parameters. Focusing on the Pearl River Estuary and its coastal waters, this study compared the performance of XGBoost- and BPNN-based algorithms in estimating TSS and Chl-a levels. The XGBoost-based algorithm demonstrated better performance and was then used to estimate TSS and Chl-a in the Pearl River Estuary and coastal waters from 2000 to 2021. According to our results, TSS and Chl-a were relatively high mainly in the northwest and low in the southeast. Furthermore, values were high in spring and summer and low in fall and winter, with high values emerging near the estuary of the Pearl River. In summer, a band zone with high Chl-a was observed from south of Yamen to south of Hong Kong. In terms of trends, TSS and Chl-a concentrations in the area around the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge tended to decrease from 2000 to 2021. As the construction of the bridge began, changes in water flow caused by the bridge piers and artificial islands were influenced, the change in the rate of TSS in the west area of the bridge was greater than 0, and the TSS in the upstream area of the west side changed from decreasing to increasing trends. Concerning Chl-a concentrations, the change in the rate in the downstream area of the west side of the bridge was greater than 0. The study may provide a helpful example for similar estuarine and coastal waters in other coastal areas.

Aquaculture 4.0: hybrid neural network multivariate water quality parameters forecasting model

This study examined the efficiency of hybrid deep neural network and multivariate water quality forecasting model in aquaculture ecosystem. Accurate forecasting of critical water quality parameters can allow for timely identification of possible problem areas and enable decision-makers to take pre-emptive remedial actions that can significantly improve water quality management in aquaculture industry. A novel hybrid deep learning neural network multivariate water quality parameters forecasting model is developed with the aid of ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) method, deep learning long-short term memory (LSTM) neural network (NN), and multivariate linear regression (MLR) method. The presented water quality forecasting model (shortened as EEMD–MLR–LSTM NN model) is developed using multivariate time-series water quality sensor data collected from Loch Duart company, a Salmon offshore aquaculture farm based around Scourie, northwest Scotland. The performance of the novel hybrid water quality forecasting model is validated by comparing the forecast result with measured water quality parameters data and the real Phytoplankton data count from the aquaculture farm. The forecast accuracy of the results suggests that the novel hybrid water quality forecasting model can be used as a valuable support tool for water quality management in aquaculture industries.

Flavour enhancement strategy for herbal beverages and kinetic modelling of their antioxidant and sensory properties in accelerated storage conditions

Herbal infusions and beverages are part of culinary practices and home remedies of many ethnic groups globally. Centella asiatica, Enhydra fluctuans, Eryngium foetidum and Marsilea minuta are four important herbs that used to be consumed in different East and South Asian countries due to their health benefit. The herbs are not very acceptable by the millennials due to their off flavour and bitterness. In this study, Centella asiaitica was found to be an appropriate candidate for herbal beverages among the said four herbs. A Centella based beverage was developed that can deliver high antioxidant activity together with acceptable sensory properties. Out of the two common methods of herbal beverage preparation (i.e., infusion and decoction), infused beverage was adopted owing to its better sensory acceptance. The grassy flavour of the Centella infused beverage was masked with Khasi mandarin (Citrus reticulata) peel powder (90% Centella asiatica powder with 10% Khasi mandarin peel powder). Further, the accelerated storage study revealed that Centella asiatica powder was stable during ambient storage conditions (RH 61% and 32 °C), whereas the sensory acceptability, physicochemical properties, and the antioxidant potential of the powder degraded significantly at higher temperature (45 °C and RH 82%) especially with UV exposure. The impact of storage conditions on the most critical quality parameters i.e., colour, pH, and antioxidant capacity was estimated with a first-order degradation model. All the antioxidant capacity values showed different intrinsic rates of decay and the half-life of lipid peroxidation values was shortest among the four antioxidant capacity values. This work reports a unique accelerated stability study protocol to screen the packaging and storage conditions for herbal powders. Additionally, the results suggested, Citrus peel blending is a novel approach to make herbal beverages more acceptable to consumers due to better sensory perception and enhanced stability of the herbal powder.

Evaluation of Dual-Band Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometric Analysis for Rapid Quantification of Multi-Quality Parameters of Soy Sauce Stewed Meat.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) systems operated in dual band for the non-destructive measurement of the fat, protein, collagen, ash, and Na contents of soy sauce stewed meat (SSSM). Spectra in the waveband ranges of 650-950 nm and 960-1660 nm were acquired from vacuum-packed ready-to-eat samples that were purchased from 97 different brands. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was employed to develop models predicting the five critical quality parameters. The results showed the best predictions were for the fat (Rp = 0.808; RMSEP = 2.013 g/kg; RPD = 1.666) and protein (Rp = 0.863; RMSEP = 3.372 g/kg; RPD = 1.863) contents, while barely sufficient performances were found for the collagen (Rp = 0.524; RMSEP = 1.970 g/kg; RPD = 0.936), ash (Rp = 0.384; RMSEP = 0.524 g/kg; RPD = 0.953), and Na (Rp = 0.242; RMSEP = 2.097 g/kg; RPD = 1.042) contents of the SSSM. The quality of the content predicted by the spectrum of 960-1660 nm was generally better than that for the 650-950 nm range, which was retained in the further prediction of fat and protein. To simplify the models and make them practical, regression models were established using a few wavelengths selected by the random frog (RF) or regression coefficients (RCs) method. Consequently, ten wavelengths (1048 nm, 1051 nm, 1184 nm, 1191 nm, 1222 nm, 1225 nm, 1228 nm, 1450 nm, 1456 nm, 1510 nm) selected by RF and eight wavelengths (1019 nm, 1097 nm, 1160 nm, 1194 nm, 1245 nm, 1413 nm, 1441 nm, 1489 nm) selected by RCs were individually chosen for the fat and protein contents to build multi-spectral PLSR models. New models led to the best predictive ability of Rp, RMSEP, and RPD of 0.812 and 0.855, 1.930 g/kg and 3.367 g/kg, and 1.737 and 1.866, respectively. These two simplified models both yielded comparable performances to their corresponding full-spectra models, demonstrating the effectiveness of these selected variables. The overall results indicate that NIRS, especially in the spectral range of 960-1660 nm, is a potential tool in the rapid estimation of the fat and protein contents of SSSM, while not providing particularly good prediction statistics for collagen, ash, and Na contents.

Application and validation of machine vision inspection for efficient in-process monitoring of complex biomechanical device manufacturing

A technique is presented for shifting the manufacturing quality control of complex biomechanical catheters away from destructive testing of finished parts. This technique uses a more efficient real-time in-process monitoring through the application of machine vision inspection of patient critical quality parameters. The approach acknowledges the challenge of this industry operating in a strict regulated environment. The higher standards of built-in quality are achieved by developing automated inspection solutions that are more accurate and repeatable. Machine vision system and associated inspection job tools are developed and used to detect defects at crucial stages of manufacturing. The vision system is then tested for its robustness using a statistical approach to ensure its measurement capability is within the allowable process range and tolerances. The integrated solution developed is proven to be robust and highly precise in maintaining the manufacturing process stable. It enabled the manufacturing process to move away from a destructive double sampling plan with a standard LTPD of 5% to an otherwise real-time 100% non-destructive verification of units. This technique provides an alternative to otherwise cost-inefficient quality control inspections utilized in regulated manufacturing environment. It gives confidence to these conservative industries to move towards adopting digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0 practices.

Assessment of Near-Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy as Analytical Tools to Predict Viscosity of Ice Cream Mixes.

Ice cream is a complex product containing four different phases that affect its microstructure. Viscosity is a critical ice cream quality parameter that is typically measured using off-line methodologies, such as rheometry. In-line viscosity measurements allow continuous and instant analysis compared to off-line methodologies, yet they still constitute a challenge. This work focused on the preliminary study of the potential application of near-infrared (NIR) and Raman spectroscopy as analytical tools to assess the viscosity of ice cream mixes. Historically, partial least squares regression (PLSR) is a standard algorithm used for analysis of spectral data and in the development of predictive models. This methodology was implemented over a range of viscosity values, obtained by varying the ice cream fat content and homogenization conditions. Individual PLSR models showed some predictive ability and better performance compared to the integrated model obtained by data fusion. Lower prediction errors and higher coefficients of determination were obtained for NIR, making this technique more suitable based on model performance. However, other considerations should be accounted during the selection of the best method, such as implementation limitations. This study offers a preliminary comparison of the spectroscopic methods for quantitative analysis of viscosity of aged ice cream mixes and a starting point for an in-situ application study.

Monitoring Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Changes During a Massive Fish Kill Using Multitemporal Landsat-8 Satellite Images in Maninjau Lake, Indonesia

Maninjau Lake is one of Indonesia's lakes for hydroelectric power plants, tourism, and fish farming activities. Some activities around the lake cause pollution, leading to massive fish kill. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor water quality regularly. One of the critical water quality parameters is biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). This study aimed to analyze BOD changes using a remote sensing approach during massive fish kills in Maninjau Lake, Indonesia. Multi-temporal Landsat-8 satellite images are processed to estimate the BOD level based on Wang Algorithm. After that, the estimated BOD value is validated using in situ data measurement. The results of the average BOD concentration that occurred in Lake Maninjau was 1.85 mg/L and showed that R2 was 0.8334, and the standard error was 0.076 between the estimated BOD and in situ data. Furthermore, the average concentration of BOD obtained on 23rd August 2017, 13th December 2017, 30th January 2018, 19th March 2018, and 7th July 2018 are 4.96 mg/L, 4.82 mg/L, 5.31 mg/L, 6.94 mg/L, and 6.60 mg/L, respectively. Increased BOD concentration in January 2018 indicates moderate pollution in the waters. BOD concentration increases after the massive fish kill due to the decaying fish across the lake.

Response of total suspended matter to natural and anthropogenic factors since 1990 in China's large lakes

Total suspended matter (TSM) as a critical water quality parameter is closely linked with nutrients, micropollutants, and heavy metals threatening the ecological health of aquatic ecosystems. However, the long-term spatiotemporal dynamics of lake TSM in China and their response to natural and anthropogenic factors are rarely explored. In this study, based on Landsat top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance embedded in GEE and in-situ TSM data collecting in the periods 2014–2020, we developed a unified empirical model (R2 = 0.87, RMSE = 10.16 mg/L, and MAPE = 38.37 %) to retrieve the autumn TSM of lakes at national scale. This model exhibited stable and reliable performances through transferability validation and comparative analysis with published TSM models, and was implemented to generate autumn TSM maps for large lakes (≥50 km2) across China during 1990–2020.We found that 78.03 % of large lakes with TSM < 20 mg/L were dominant in 2020 across China, and these lakes were mainly located in the plateau and mountain regions. In the first gradient terrain (FGT) and second gradient terrain (SGT), the number of lakes showing significant (p < 0.05) decreasing TSM trends increased from 1990–2004 to 2004–2020, while those with opposite directions in TSM decreased. Lakes in the third gradient terrain (TGT) exhibited the inverse quantitative change in these two TSM trends compared with the FGT and SGT. A relative contribution analysis at the watershed level indicated that the first two leading factors that control TSM significant change in the FGT were lake area and wind speed, in the SGT were lake area and NDVI, and in the TGT were population and NDVI, respectively. The impacts of anthropogenic factors on lakes are continuing, particularly in eastern China, and more efforts are needed to improve and protect the water environment in the future. Our findings might help water resource managers better grasp the current state of water quality.

Methods and Analysis of Biological Contaminants in the Biomanufacturing Industry

The advent of bioprocessing has revolutionized the biomanufacturing industry, leading to the rise of biotherapeutics derived from biologic products such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells used for targeted cancer treatment and the Vero cell line for the production of viral vectors and vaccines. Despite these promising developments, most biologic products are characterized by fragile macromolecular structures that are heterogenous with a purity profile that varies with each batch making them susceptible to microorganism contamination. Regulatory oversight of biologic products is imperative to ensure adherence to good manufacturing practices and compliance with quality management systems. Current quality assurance protocols during production include monoclonality during cell line development, real-time monitoring of process parameters, flow cytometry for microbial monitoring, polymerase chain reaction, and immunoassay techniques to amplify DNA sequences related to bacterial or biological contaminants. FDA guidance recommends the implementation of process analytical technology within biomanufacturing production to measure critical quality parameters, which includes screening for potential biological contamination. Future advancements in bioprocess monitoring and control should capitalize on providing cheap, real-time, and sensitive detection. Biosensors, mass spectrometry, and polymerase chain reaction present robust, rapid, and real-time capabilities for multiplexed detection of contaminant analytes and have shown promise in meeting these needs. This review discusses the main biological contaminants of bioprocesses, European Union and FDA regulatory guidelines for monitoring and control within biologics production, existing methods and their limitations, and future advancements for biological contamination detection.

Characterization of a HIR-Fab-IDS, Novel Iduronate 2-Sulfatase Fusion Protein for the Treatment of Neuropathic Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (Hunter Syndrome)

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II is a severe lysosomal storage disease caused by deficient activity of the enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase. The only medicinal product approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for enzyme replacement therapy, recombinant iduronate-2-sulfatase (idursulfase, Elaprase®), is a large molecule that is not able to cross the blood-brain barrier and neutralize progressive damage of the central nervous system caused by the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans. Novel chimeric protein HIR-Fab-IDS is an anti-human insulin receptor Fab fragment fused to recombinant modified iduronate-2-sulfatase. This modification provides a highly selective interaction with the human insulin receptor, which leads to the HIR-Fab-IDS crossing the blood-brain barrier owing to internalization of the hybrid molecule by transcytosis into endothelial cells adjacent to the nervous system by the principle of a 'molecular Trojan horse'. In this work, the physicochemical and biological characterization of a blood-brain barrier-penetrating fusion protein, HIR-Fab-IDS, is carried out. HIR-Fab-IDS consists of an anti-human insulin receptor Fab fragment fused to recombinant iduronate-2-sulfatase. Comprehensive analytical characterization utilizing modern techniques (including surface plasmon resonance and mass spectrometry) was performed using preclinical and clinical batches of HIR-Fab-IDS. Critical quality parameters that determine the therapeutic effect of iduronate-2-sulfatase, as well as IDS enzymatic activity and in vitro cell uptake activity were evaluated in comparison with the marketed IDS product Elaprase® (IDS RP). In vivo efficiency of HIR-Fab-IDS in reversing mucopolysaccharidosis type II pathology in IDS-deficient mice was also investigated. The affinity of the chimeric molecule for the INSR was also determined by both an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and surface plasmon resonance. We also compared the distribution of 125I-radiolabeled HIR-Fab-IDS and IDS RP in the tissues and brain of cynomolgus monkeys after intravenous administration. The HIR-Fab-IDS primary structure investigation showed no significant post-translational modifications that could affect IDS activity, except for the formylglycine content, which was significantly higher for HIR-Fab-IDS compared with that for IDS RP (~76.5 vs ~67.7%). Because of this fact, the specific enzyme activity of HIR-Fab-IDS was slightly higher than that of IDS RP (~2.73 × 106U/μmol vs ~2.16 × 106U/μmol). However, differences were found in the glycosylation patterns of the compared IDS products, causing a minor reduced in vitro cellular uptake of HIR-Fab-IDS by mucopolysaccharidosis type II fibroblasts compared with IDS RP (half-maximal effective concentration ~26.0 vs ~23.0nM). The efficacy of HIR-Fab-IDS in IDS-deficient mice has demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the level of glycosaminoglycans in the urine and tissues of the main organs to the level of healthy animals. The HIR-Fab-IDS has revealed high in vitro affinity for human and monkey insulin receptors, and the radioactively labeled product has been shown to penetrate to all parts of the brain and peripheral tissues after intravenous administration to cynomolgus monkeys. These findings indicate that HIR-Fab-IDS, a novel iduronate-2-sulfatase fusion protein, is a promising candidate for the treatment of central nervous system manifestations in neurological mucopolysaccharidosis type II.

Insight into oral amphiphilic cyclodextrin nanoparticles for colorectal cancer: comprehensive mathematical model of drug release kinetic studies and antitumoral efficacy in 3D spheroid colon tumors.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most diagnosed cancer type globally and ranks second in cancer-related deaths. With the current treatment possibilities, a definitive, safe, and effective treatment approach for CRC has not been presented yet. However, new drug delivery systems show promise in this field. Amphiphilic cyclodextrin-based nanocarriers are innovative and interesting formulation approaches for targeting the colon through oral administration. In our previous studies, oral chemotherapy for colon tumors was aimed and promising results were obtained with formulation development studies, mucin interaction, mucus penetration, cytotoxicity, and permeability in 2D cell culture, and furthermore in vivo antitumoral and antimetastatic efficacy in early and late-stage colon cancer models and biodistribution after single dose oral administration. This study was carried out to further elucidate oral camptothecin (CPT)-loaded amphiphilic cyclodextrin nanoparticles for the local treatment of colorectal tumors in terms of their drug release behavior and efficacy in 3-dimensional tumor models to predict the in vivo efficacy of different nanocarriers. The main objective was to build a bridge between formulation development and in vitro phase and animal studies. In this context, CPT-loaded polycationic-β-cyclodextrin nanoparticles caused reduced cell viability in CT26 and HT29 colon carcinoma spheroid tumors of mice and human origin, respectively. In addition, the release profile, which is one of the critical quality parameters in new drug delivery systems, was investigated mathematically by release kinetic modeling for the first time. The overall findings indicated that the strategy of orally targeting anticancer drugs such as CPT with positively charged poly-β-CD-C6 nanoparticles to colon tumors for local and/or systemic efficacy is a promising approach.

Optimisation of Safe Loading Density for Live Transportation of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792), Yearlings in Plastic Bags

A field study evaluated the safe loading density for live transportation of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792), yearlings in plastic bags of super-oxygenated water. The experimental fish (197.5 ± 40 g) were starved for 72 h and mildly sedated with clove oil (40 µL.L-1 for 2–3 min) before packing. Three loading densities of live rainbow trout (120, 170, 230 g.L-1) were packed in plastic bags containing 6 L of stream water and 10–12 L of medical-grade oxygen gas. Six replicate bags per loading density were then subjected to 10 h of transportation by road at ~10 °C. On arrival at the destination, important water quality indicators and fish survival were recorded from each plastic bag. With increasing fish loading density, there was a corresponding increase in the concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), free ammonia (NH3), total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations and specific conductivity in the transport water, and a decrease in dissolved oxygen (DO, R2 = 0.91-0.99). These differences in vital water quality indicators were significantly more in the 230 g.L-1 group. However, there was no mortality even at the highest loading density, as the critical water quality parameters did not cross the acute lethal thresholds for rainbow trout. Based on the findings, it is recommended that a loading density of 230 g.L-1 is safe for live transportation of rainbow trout yearlings in plastic bags over a transport duration of 10 h at ~10 °C, following adequate starvation and mild sedation.

ЦИФРОВАЯ ТРАНСФОРМАЦИЯ КОРПОРАТИВНОЙ КУЛЬТУРЫ В ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯХ ПОСРЕДСТВОМ МЕТАВСЕЛЕННЫХ: РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ И ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ

This article discusses the use of virtual metaverses for the development of corporate culture in organizations. The authors gave a classification of metaverses for different types of market and presented an overview of the achievements of companies in the use of metaverses in business. The scientific work contains an overview of the research of Russian and foreign researchers, statistical data of analytical reports on the development of the trend of remote employment in companies, on the issue of the interest of the corporate community in the metaverse. With the help of business analysis tools (7 questions about Matthew O'Connor's innovations and a tree of critical quality parameters), an assessment of the potential of introducing metaverses into the corporate culture of organizations of various profiles was prepared.