Indicator Of Viability Research Articles

Techno-economic viability of integrating satellite communication in 4G networks to bridge the broadband digital divide

Bridging the broadband digital divide between urban and rural areas in Europe is one of the main targets of the Digital Agenda for Europe. Though many technological options are proposed in literature, satellite communication has been identified as the only possible solution for the most rural areas, due to its global coverage. However, deploying an end-to-end satellite solution might, in some cases, not be cost-effective. The aim of this study is to give insights into the economic effectiveness of integrating satellite communications into 4G networks in order to connect the most rural areas (also referred to as white areas) in Europe. To this end, this paper proposes a converged solution that combines satellite communication as a backhaul network with 4G as a fronthaul network to bring enhanced broadband connectivity to European rural areas, along with a techno-economic model to analyse the economic viability of this integration. The model is based on a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model for 5 years, taking into account both capital and operational expenditures, and aims to calculate the TCO as well as the Average Cost Per User (ACPU) for the studied scenarios. We evaluate the suggested model by simulating a hypothetical use case for two scenarios. The first scenario is based on a radio access network connecting to the 4G core network via a satellite link. Results for this scenario show high operational costs. In order to reduce these costs, we propose a second scenario, consisting of caching the popular content on the edge to reduce the traffic carried over the satellite link. This scenario demonstrates a significant operational cost decrease (more than 60%), which also means a significant ACPU decrease. We evaluate the robustness of the results by simulating for a range of population densities, hereby also providing an indication of the economic viability of our proposed solution across a wider range of areas.

Підсумки інвентаризації Pinus Nigra Arn. у складі вуличних насаджень міста Умань

Досліджено таксономічний склад та проведено географічний аналіз P. nigra у вуличних насадженнях Умані. На підставі відповідності віковим параметрам діаметра та висоти її окремих екземплярів, відзначено високу стійкість рослин до складних умов урбанізованого середовища та встановлено перспективність використання виду, за дії на нього чисельних антропогенних факторів. Результати показують, що всі досліджувані рослини P. nigra мають високі показники життєздатності та належать до першої групи перспективності. Значення акліматизаційних чисел свідчать про перспективність інтродукції P. nigra та успішність акліматизації в умовах урбанізованого середовища. Оцінивши декоративні якості P. nigra, виявлено, що в основному вона виділяється на фоні інших видів своєю компактною овальною чи конусоподібною кроною, темно-сірою з різними відтінками тріщинуватою корою та довгою темно-зеленою хвоєю. Саме завдяки цим якостям вона зберігає привабливий вигляд протягом усього року, навіть у зимовий період. На підставі отриманих результатів, сумарний річний показник декоративності основних ознак P. nigra становить 4 бали і свідчить про наявність високих декоративних якостей рослин цього виду. Отже, використання P. nigra в урбанізованому середовищі покращує екологічні умови міста та позитивно впливає на емоційний стан населення.

β-Carboline-1-propionic acid alkaloid: antileishmanial and cytotoxic effects

Pentavalent antimonials and amphotericin B remain as the main drugs to treat human leishmaniasis. However, the high toxicity and variable efficacy of treatment have stimulated the search for novel drug candidates. Naturally occurring alkaloids have a long history of antileishmanial activity. Here, we investigate the effects of the β-carboline-1-propionic acid alkaloid isolated from Quassia amara L., Simaroubaceae, against Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania infatum. The alkaloid was isolated after liquid-liquid fractionation followed by chromatographic purification of the Q. amara methanol extract. The antileishmanial activity was evaluated by the microdilution method, using resazurin as the viability indicator. In addition, annexin and propidium iodide were used to detect parasites undergoing apoptosis. The anti-amastigote activity of the β-carboline-1-propionic acid alkaloid was determined by the infection of RAW 264.7 macrophages. The alkaloid displayed leishmanicidal activity against Leishmania amazonensis and L. infantum promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes with 50% inhibitory concentration ranging from 2.7±0.82 to 9.4±0.5μg/ml and selectivity indexes >10. Moreover, apoptotic Leishmania amazonensis (19.5%) and L. infantum (40.4%) promastigotes were detected after 5 h incubation with the alkaloid. Finally, the β-carboline-1-propionic acid alkaloid inhibited the production of NO of infected macrophages, suggesting that the intracellular amastigote elimination occurs in a nitrosative stress-independent way. The results shown here suggest that the β-carboline-1-propionic acid alkaloid has potential as an antileishmanial agent.

Variable performance of metamorphosis success indicators in an in vitro culture of freshwater mussel glochidia

The in vitro cultivation of parasitic larvae (glochidia) is becoming an important constituent of culture methods of freshwater mussels (order Unionida) worldwide. Despite rapid methodological progress, published methods for the vast majority of freshwater mussel species do not exist. In the present study, we tested the performance of current approaches to evaluate in vitro culture success quantification. A full factorial design was used to culture Anodonta anatina glochidia in vitro in separate media (M199 and DMEM), antibiotic concentrations and postincubation treatments (dilution methods). The glochidia metamorphosis success (the proportion of successfully transformed glochidia) in each treatment was quantified at two different time points, and the postlarval growth (8 days) of the juveniles was also estimated. The results showed a significant effect of medium type on metamorphosis success at the first time point (day 13) (M199 = 60.98 ± 20.20%, DMEM = 36.10 ± 23.61%; generalized mixed effect models, GLMMs, p < .001) but not at the second (day 21). Similarly, the dilution approach showed a significant variation in metamorphosis success only at the first quantification time point (water and medium = 33.97 ± 24.16%, water only = 63.11 ± 16.03%; GLMM p < .001). In contrast, the postlarval growth quantification showed an increased growth increment in the juveniles in the M199 medium (M199: 65.90 ± 24.20 μm, DMEM = 52.90 ± 19.84 μm; linear mixed effect model p < .001). The study shows that with current methods, the metamorphosis success assessment of in vitro culture protocols can be influenced by the effects of assessment time and dilution approach, two aspects that are not well standardized in the current methodology. Greater emphasis should be placed on the optimization of indicators with direct links to the final criteria, such as postlarval growth or physiology-based parameters. The optimization of metamorphosis success and viability indicators can be an important step towards the increased efficacy of current juvenile production by in vitro techniques and the development of new protocols.

Protective effect of polysaccharides from Pholiota nameko on Lactobacillus casei ATCC 334 subjected to freeze-drying

This paper evaluated the benefit of the polysaccharides from Pholiota Nameko (PNPS-1) as a cryoprotectant for maintaining the viability of Lactobacillus casei ATCC 334 during freeze-drying and subsequent storage. The data showed that all the freeze-dried L. casei ATCC 334 samples added with PNPS-1 conformed to the three evaluation indicators of residual viability (>107 CFU/g), moisture content (<7% wet basis) and water activity (<0.6), which were usually used as the quality standards of the freeze-dried powdered starter products. At the same adding concentration of 0.04 mg/ml, PNPS-1 showed only a little weaker than skim milk in the protection for L. casei ATCC 334. However, the combined cryoprotectants contained 0.04 or 0.02 mg/ml PNPS-1 were significantly higher than 0.04 mg/ml skim milk. PNPS-1 could improve the membrane fluidity and membrane integrity compared with the blank control sample. In addition, acid tolerance, bile tolerance and heat tolerance of the freeze-dried cells were all ameliorated by the PNPS-1 protection. This study revealed the novel application of PNPS-1 as a new cryoprotective agent for the freeze-dried L. casei ATCC 334 preservation.

Can haematologic parameters be used to predict testicular viability in testicular torsion?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of haematologic parameters for testicular survival in torsion. Children with testicular torsion (TT) treated in Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2006 to December 2018 were enrolled in this study. Patient data collected in this study included age, symptom duration, preoperative preparation time, cryptorchidism testicular torsion or not, spermatic cord torsion degree, orchiectomy/orchiopexy, testicular volume 3months after operation by ultrasound in orchiopexy patients and haematologic parameters. The orchiopexy group comprised of 54 patients with a mean age of 135.6±43.73months,andthe orchiectomy group included 58 patients with a mean age of 119.36±60.82months.The multivariate analysis showed that symptom duration (Odds Ratio=1.11, p<0.001), spermatic cord torsion degree (Odds Ratio=1.006, p=0.002) and mean platelet volume (MPV; Odds Ratio=3.697, p=0.044) were significant predictors of orchiectomy. The cut-off value for MPV during window time for orchiectomy was 10.55fl (10-9 L) and provided a sensitivity of 47.8% and a specificity of 92.6%. This study found that symptom duration, spermatic cord torsion degree and MPV could be indicators of testicular viability in testicular torsion. MPV can provide valuable information before operation which can guide doctors and family members of the patients to select the appropriate treatment.

Protective Effects of Nutria Bile against Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Injury in Mice.

Several eradication programs have been developed and executed to curb alien invasive species that tend to damage the ecological environments they colonize; however, only few studies have evaluated the utilization of carcasses of these species after eradication. Nutria (Myocastor coypus) is an invasive rodent species targeted by eradication programs in many countries. We noted that nutria produce large amounts of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in their bile. UDCA is a unique component responsible for the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects exerted by bear bile. Therefore, we sought to examine the medicinal utility of nutria carcasses by investigating the hepatoprotective effect of their bile in mice. C57BL/6 mice were injected with thioacetamide (TAA), which induced liver damage by increasing Kupffer cell infiltration. Administration of nutria bile reduced hepatic inflammation, improved hepatic function, and increased the levels of senescence marker protein 30 (an indicator of hepatocyte viability). Our results show that nutria bile exerts protective effects against TAA-induced liver injury in mice, suggesting that nutria carcasses may be used for the treatment of liver injuries.

Approaches to estimation the farm-level economic viability and sustainability in agriculture: A literature review

Estimation of farm economic sustainability and viability became more topical when redesigning the Common Agricultural Policy which should stabilise farm income and make agribusiness more viable and sustainable (typically in Czech areas facing natural constraints). The key question is how to calculate the income of farms or farm households not only to survive but also to grow sustainably. The article summarises and compares knowledge from 51 studies to provide a comprehensive discussion on different ways how to measure economic viability and sustainability to set income support for farms in the areas with natural constraints optimally. The authors found family farms and off-farm income as important limitations of FADN database (Farm Accountancy Data Network) for evaluation of the economic sustainability of farm household. Moreover, some financial ratios (Return on Assets – ROA and assets turnover) are not suitable viability indicators for farms with a high share of hired land (typically large legal entities). Joining family farms and legal entities, the authors recommend using modified Farm Net Value Added (MFNVA) allowing for opportunity costs of own land and non-land assets. The average wage in the economy or region is a better proxy for opportunity labour costs of unpaid work rather than average agricultural wage.&lt;br /&gt;

A Fast and Easy ATP-Based Approach Enables MIC Testing for Non-resuscitating VBNC Pathogens.

Many bacteria enter the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state to maximize resources and increase their tolerance to harmful conditions to cope with environmental stress, which has been described for a plethora of important human and foodborne pathogens. VBNC pathogens can potentially present a serious risk to human health as they are invisible to routine microbiological culture-based methods. Of high importance is the increased tolerance to antibiotics or disinfectant measures while in the VBNC state. The greatest remaining challenge for such investigations is the lack of an appropriate, cost-effective multi-species screening method due to experimental constraints. In this study, we investigated if de novo ATP production of cells in the VBNC state is a suitable indicator for overall cell viability that can be utilized to determine the minimum ATP inhibitory concentration (MAIC) of antibiotics and other antimicrobials. To validate this approach, heat-stress time-kill experiments were performed with both culturable and VBNC cells. We developed a comprehensive experimental setup and demonstrated the applicability of this VBNC–MIC assay for testing the tolerance of 12 strains of 4 important bacterial species (Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Listeria monocytogenes) in the VBNC state to eight important antimicrobials including four different antibiotics. We confirmed that bacteria in the VBNC state were resistant to all tested antibiotics (ampicillin, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin) and additionally insensitive to disinfectants (benzalkonium chloride and trioctylmethylammonium chloride) and preservatives (bronopol and sodium azide). These data emphasize the need for further research regarding the characteristics of bacterial pathogens in the VBNC state and present the advantages and high-throughput capabilities of ATP determinations to investigate tolerance of VBNC pathogens to antimicrobials. The presented method should be helpful in order to identify appropriate countermeasures, treatments, or disinfectants when confronted with bacterial pathogens in the VBNC state.

Combinatorial Use of Chitosan Nanoparticles, Reversine, and Ionising Radiation on Breast Cancer Cells Associated with Mitosis Deregulation.

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women worldwide and the second most common cancer overall. The development of new therapies to treat this devastating malignancy is needed urgently. Nanoparticles are one class of nanomaterial with multiple applications in medicine, ranging from their use as drug delivery systems and the promotion of changes in cell morphology to the control of gene transcription. Nanoparticles made of the natural polymer chitosan are easy to produce, have a very low immunogenic profile, and diffuse easily into cells. One hallmark feature of cancer, including breast tumours, is the genome instability caused by defects in the spindle-assembly checkpoint (SAC), the molecular signalling mechanism that ensures the timely and high-fidelity transmission of the genetic material to an offspring. In recent years, the use of nanoparticles to treat cancer cells has gained momentum. This is in part because nanoparticles made of different materials can sensitise cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These advances prompted us to study the potential sensitising effect of chitosan-based nanoparticles on breast cancer cells treated with reversine, which is a small molecule inhibitor of Mps1 and Aurora B that induces premature exit from mitosis, aneuploidy, and cell death, before and after exposure of the cancer cells to X-ray irradiation. Our measurements of metabolic activity as an indicator of cell viability, DNA damage by alkaline comet assay, and immunofluorescence using anti-P-H3 as a mitotic biomarker indicate that chitosan nanoparticles elicit cellular responses that affect mitosis and cell viability and can sensitise breast cancer cells to X-ray radiation (2Gy). We also show that such a sensitisation effect is not caused by direct damage to the DNA by the nanoparticles. Taken together, our data indicates that chitosan nanoparticles have potential application for the treatment of breast cancer as adjunct to radiotherapy.

METABOLISM OF HOMOCYSTEIN AND GLUTATHIONE IN ERYTHROCYTES IN HYPOTHERMAL STORAGE

When hypothermic storage of red blood cellsб there is a decrease in the level of glutathione and an increase in the concentration of homocysteine, at the same time, inclusion in the medium of substrate amino-acids of the synthesis of glutathione activates the utilization of this cytotoxin. Moreover, stimulation of the synthesis of glutathione reduces the loss of membrane proteins and lowers the intensity of hemoglobin oxidation that ensures the preservation of the osmotic stability of erythrocytes. Red blood cells as a component of the body redox homeostasis absorb and neutralize reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which normally determine a certain antioxidant potential and are not enough to maintain the structural and functional state of red blood cells after isolation from donor blood and storage. Oxidative stress in cells, including red blood cells, in various pathologies usually causes a decrease in the level of glutathione and an impairment of its synthesis that leads to an increase in the production of homocysteine ​​and its entry into the blood plasma. Homocysteine ​​is a cytotoxic amino acid that enhances the production of superoxide, limits the bioavailability of nitric oxide and causes the development of vascular pathology. The data presented in the review indicate that stimulation of the antioxidant potential of erythrocytes during the storage may prevent the development of oxidative stress and inflammation during subsequent transfusion. In addition, the preservation of the viability indicators of various cells during cryopreservation in a medium with substrate amino-acids shows that stimulation of the antioxidant potential contributes to an increase in the cell resistance to the damaging factors of freeze-thawing.

Viability and infectivity of viable but nonculturable Legionella pneumophila strains induced at high temperatures

Thermal disinfection is commonly used to prevent the proliferation of culturable Legionella in engineered water systems (EWS). In response to such stress, culturable Legionella populations can switch into a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state. The importance of such VBNC Legionella cells is currently hotly debated. Here, we investigated the stress response patterns and transitions of the bacteria to the VBNC state at 55 °C, 60 °C and 70 °C on two L. pneumophila strains for >80 days using a combination of cell-based viability indicators. Complete loss of culturability at 55 °C, 60 °C and 70 °C occurred after 3–8 h, 60 min and <2 min, respectively. In contrast, L. pneumophila strains required 9 days at 55 °C, 8 h at 60 °C and 20 min at 70 °C to achieve a 2 log reduction in cells with intact membranes and high esterase activity; a 4 log reduction was achieved only after 150, 8–15 and 1–4 days, respectively. In parallel, the presence of diagnostic outer-membrane epitopes (OMEs) and changes in the infectivity patterns of the two strains towards amoebae and THP-1 cells were assessed. OMEs were more persistent than viability indicators, showing their potential as targets for VBNC Legionella detection. L. pneumophila strains infected amoebae and THP-1 cells for at least 85 days at 55 °C and 60 °C and for up to 8 days at 70 °C. However, they did so with reduced efficiency, requiring prolonged co-incubation times with the hosts and higher Legionella cell numbers in comparison to culturable cells. Consequently, infection of amoebae by thermally induced VBNC L. pneumophila with lowered virulence can be expected in EWS. Although the gold standard method cannot detect VBNC Legionella, it provides important information about the most virulent bacterial subpopulations. Our results indicate that a prolonged thermal regime ≥60 °C at the central parts of warm water systems is not only effective against culturable L. pneumophila but in the long run even against VBNC cells.

Application of WST-8 based colorimetric NAD(P)H detection for quantitative dehydrogenase assays

BackgroundThe reduction of tetrazolium salts by NAD(P)H to formazan product has been widely used to determine the metabolic activity of cells, and as an indicator of cell viability. However, the application of a WST-8 based assay for the quantitative measurement of dehydrogenase enzyme activity has not been described before. In this study, we reported the application of an assay based on the tetrazolium salt WST-8 for the quantitative measurement of dehydrogenase activity. The assay is performed in a microplate format, where a single endpoint is measured at 450 nm.ResultsThe optimized dehydrogenase-WST-8 assay conditions, the limit of detection (LOD), accuracy, and precision for measuring NAD(P)H, were demonstrated. The sensitivity of the WST-8 assay for detecting NAD(P)H was 5-fold greater than the spectrophotometric measurement of NAD(P)H absorption at 340 nm (LOD of 0.3 nmole vs 1.7 nmole, respectively). In the dehydrogenase assay, the colorimetric WST-8 method exhibits excellent assay reproducibility with a Z’ factor of 0.9. The WST-8 assay was also used to determine dehydrogenase activity in biological samples, and for screening the substrate of uncharacterized short-chain dehydrogenase/oxidoreductase from Burkholderia pseudomallei.ConclusionThe results suggest that the WST-8 assay is a sensitive and rapid method for determining NAD(P)H concentration and dehydrogenase enzyme activity, which can be further applied for the high-throughput screening of dehydrogenases.

Noninvasive and safe cell viability assay for Euglena gracilis using natural food pigment.

Noninvasive and safe cell viability assay is required in many fields such as regenerative medicine, genetic engineering, single-cell analysis, and microbial food culture. In this case, a safe and inexpensive method which is a small load on cells and the environment is preferable without requiring expensive and space-consuming equipment and a technician to operate. We examined eight typical natural food pigments to find Monascus pigment (MP) or anthocyanin pigment (AP) works as a good viability indicator of dye exclusion test (DET) for Euglena gracilis which is an edible photosynthetic green microalga. This is the first report using natural food pigments as cell viability assay. Euglena gracilis stained by MP or AP can be visually judged with a bright field microscope. This was spectrally confirmed by scan-free, non-invasive absorbance spectral imaging A(x, y, λ) microscopy of single live cells and principal component analysis (PCA). To confirm the ability of staining dead cells and examine the load on the cells, these two natural pigments were compared with trypan blue (TB) and methylene blue (MP), which are synthetic dyes conventionally used for DET. As a result, MP and AP had as good ability of staining dead cells treated with microwave as TB and MB and showed faster and more uniform staining for dead cells in benzalkonium chloride than them. The growth curve and the ratio of dead cells in the culture showed that the synthetic dyes inhibit the growth of E. gracilis, but the natural pigments do not. As the cell density increased, however, AP increased the ratio of stained cells, which was prevented by the addition of glucose. MP can stain dead cells in a shorter time than AP, while AP is more stable in color against long-term irradiation of intense light than MP. Due to the low toxicity of these pigments, viability of cells in culture can be monitored with them over a long period.

Economic analysis and risk-based assessment of the financial losses of domestic rainwater harvesting systems

The considerable potential for rainwater harvesting (RWH) opens the door for the study of economic viability and risk indicators in this kind of system. The aim of this paper was to present economic and risk analyses of three RWH systems intended for water supply to single-family residences. The systems were analyzed based on water demand, degree of treatment and distribution arrangement. Economic, sensitivity and risk analyses were performed. The system with the basic treatment of rainwater and distribution by pressure (BX Pressure) was the most economically viable. The Net Present Value and the Intern Return Rate of the BX Pressure system was 480.36 USD and 6.85%, respectively. In the sensitivity analysis, both basic treatment systems were viable at any considered discount rate (0.00%–10.00%) and at a water price ranging from 1.58 USD to 2.72 USD for BX Pressure. In the risk analysis, BX Pressure was also the most viable system, presenting a risk probability of viability of 95.9% at current water prices. Water price, demand, lower discount rates and initial investment costs determined the greater economic viability and lower economic risk associated with domestic RWH systems.

Screening of Natural Product Library for the Discovery of Novel Antibiotics that target Monocytic Leukemia Cells.

Leukemia is the leading cause of death in children. The discovery of effective cancer therapies is imperative to combat this deadly disease. The National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) has comprised a library of over 4,000 organic extracts derived from plants, fungi, marine, and algae species with potential anti-cancer properties. In partnership with NCNPR, we have developed a rapid and effective method for screening large quantities of these organic compounds for anti-cancer efficacy against THP-1 cells (a monocytic leukemia cell line). A microtiter-based AlamarBlue Assay was used to identify extracts that reduced the viability of the THP-1 cells. For this assay, THP-1 cells were treated with an extract from the NCNPR library and were incubated at 37˚C, 5% CO2 for 24 hours. Subsequently, resazurin was incubated for an additional 24 hours. Change to a red color was an indicator of viability. Cells treated with extracts that produced little to no color change were identified as leads. 149 lead extracts have been further evaluated for toxicity to HeLa cells (a cervical cancer cell line) to determine whether these compounds may be more broadly applicable. Further testing among Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) cells to narrow down those extracts cytotoxic to non-cancerous mammalian cells.

Abstract WP352: Mitochondrial Electron Transport Support as a New Mechanism of Action of Carbon Nano-particles in the Treatment of Stroke

Introduction: Mitochondrial damage, including electron leakage and oxidative stress, likely contributes to stroke pathophysiology and is a potential therapeutic target. We recently reported robust protection when non-toxic graphene-derived PEGylated hydrophilic carbon clusters (PEG-HCCs) were administered at a realistic time point in severe reversible stroke rodent models (Front Neurol 2018). We attributed this efficacy to their high capacity, catalytic antioxidant features (PNAS 2015). Here we report a new action, the shuttling of electrons between mitochondrial constituents, consistent with their unique electrochemistry. Methods: We examined the redox chemistry of PEG-HCCs interaction with mitochondrial constituents, the reductants NAD(P)H, ascorbic acid and their targets, cytochrome C (CytC) and the mitochondrial viability indicator, resazurin. Subcellular distribution was visualized with deconvolution microscopy. In-vitro protection against mitochondrial toxins was assessed. Results: PEG-HCCs showed a broad redox wave ranging from -0 to -1500 V similar to the endogenous shuttle ubiquinone. They dramatically catalyzed the reduction of resazurin and CytC by NAD(P)H and ascorbic acid through a ternary complex. PEG-HCCs were co-localized with mitochondrial membranes within 5 min of incubation in cultured neurons (Fig. blue: nucleus; green: mitochondria; yellow: colocalized PEG-HCCs). PEG-HCCs give protection in-vitro from mitochondrial complex toxins including sodium cyanide (NaCN) (5 mM NaCN 54% of baseline viability vs 104% with PEG-HCCs + NaCN; p=0.0065). Conclusions: These experiments indicate PEG-HCCs are able to support electron shuttling as a potential mechanism of sustaining mitochondria after injury. In-vitro studies indicate cells can be protected from mitochondrial toxins. Work is ongoing to identify the functional groups that facilitate this shuttling effect to optimize their potential as stroke therapies.

Photodynamic Therapy in a 3D Model of Ovarian Cancer.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), is a clinically-approved light-based anti-cancer treatment modality in which a photoactivatable photosensitizer is irradiated with an appropriate wavelength of light to generate cytotoxic molecules to kill cancer cells. In this article, we describe an in vitro PDT protocol using a 3-dimensional (3D) model of ovarian cancer that was established on beds of Matrigel. PDT was performed using a liposomal formulation of verteporfin photosensitizer (Visudyne®). The cancer cells were genetically-labeled with the fluorescent protein mCherry to facilitate the evaluation of the treatment response. This protocol is advantageous because the mCherry fluorescence is an indicator of cell viability, eliminating the need for external dyes, which often exhibit limited penetration and diffusion into 3D organoids. Additionally, Visudyne PDT achieves significant tumor-killing efficacy in a 3D model for ovarian cancer.

Protective effects of trimetazidine and coenzyme Q10 on cisplatin-induced cardiotoxicity by alleviating oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Objective:The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of trimetazidine (TMZ) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on cisplatin-induced cardiotoxicity in rat cardiomyocytes.Methods:Rat cardiomyocytes were isolated and subjected to cisplatin (200 µM) treatment with and without TMZ (200 µM) and CoQ10 (200 mg/L) pretreatment. The cell viability, apoptosis, oxidant and antioxidant indicators, and mitochondrial dysfunction were examined.Results:TMZ or CoQ10 significantly attenuated cisplatin-induced cell viability inhibition (p<0.01) and apoptosis (p<0.001), and the combined use of TMZ and CoQ10 pretreatment exerted a pronounced effect compared to the effects of using each of these agents individually (p<0.05). TMZ or CoQ10 inhibited the levels of reactive oxidative species (ROS, p<0.01) and malondialdehyde (MDA, p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively), elevated the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD, p<0.01) and catalase (CAT, p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively), evidently enhanced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2, p<0.05), alleviated mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) loss (p<0.05), and down-regulated the release of cytochrome c (cyto-c) into the cytosol (p<0.01) in cisplatin-treated cells. The combined use of TMZ and CoQ10 treatment was more effective than using either agent alone (p<0.01 for ROS, MDA, CAT, and cytosolic cyto-c; p<0.05 for SOD, nuclear Nrf2, and ΔΨm loss).Conclusion:TMZ and CoQ10 showed protective effects against cisplatin-induced cardiotoxicity via attenuating oxidative stress.

Features of viability of students with different levels of autonomy of the individual

There is a contradiction between the need to increase the ability of young people to overcome difficult life situations and the lack of understanding of ways and means to increase their viability. The hypothesis of the study is that students with different levels of autonomy have different severity of viability indicators. The study involved 107 girls and 70 young men. Researchers used the survey method. We used Student's t-test to identify the significance of differences in indicators. The article describes the levels of autonomy – low, medium and high. Autonomous, with external support, girls and boys predominate. There are more dependent girls than boys. Autonomous girls have high activity, self-esteem, social competency, adaptive styles of behaviour. Autonomous young men have high activity, positive attitudes, self-esteem,social competency, adaptive styles, self-efficacy, perseverance, internal locus, coping with stress, and satisfaction with relationships. Autonomous students with external support and autonomous students with internal support have high viability scores.