Long-term Resistance Research Articles

Carbon fate and potential carbon metabolism effects during in-situ cyanobacterial inhibition by artemisinin sustained-release algaecides.

Carbon pools and microbial carbon metabolism can be significantly altered due to the diverse organic matter properties and low pH characteristics of artemisinin sustained-release algaecides (ASAs). These effects have still not been systematically studied, leading to uncertainty in the application of ASAs for cyanobacterial management in natural waters. This study assessed the effects of ASAs on carbon fate, carbon metabolism and potential ecological impacts during in-situ cyanobacterial inhibition. In the initial phase of ASAs-induced cyanobacterial inhibition (2-10 days), the carbon pool underwent significant changes due to the increased proportion of C4 plant-derived organic matter (97%), humification level (FI =0.9-1.5), and inorganic carbon concentration (TIC = 80-110mg/L). The cyanobacterial apoptosis triggered by ASAs produced particulate organic carbon, which provided a bioavailable carbon source for bacterial metabolism. ASAs enhanced the connection between bacteria and the carbon pool, as well as their carbon metabolism capabilities, by increasing the relative abundance of Proteobacteria (33.1%-37.3%), bacterial diversity, the proportion of Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria (19.3%-29.5%) involved in carbon metabolism, and the complexity of the environment-bacteria co-occurrence network. These effects contributed to maintaining long-term ecosystem stability and resistance to cyanobacterial proliferation. Our findings elucidate the influence of bacterial carbon metabolism by ASAs as one of an important mechanism for achieving cyanobacterial inhibition in natural water, and emphasize the important role of bacteria in maintaining ecological stability during in situ cyanobacterial management.

Long-term skid resistance evolution and influence mechanism of asphalt pavement based on self-developed wear equipment

Skid resistance decay is the critical functional distress of asphalt pavement, directly restricting its safety and service life. In order to grasp the characteristics and mechanism of long-term skid resistance evolution, this study developed a laboratory wheel-accelerated wear equipment (WAWE) and its testing methodology for asphalt pavement and coarse aggregate. Five coarse aggregates and five gradations combinations were selected to investigate the evolution. The accuracy of the evolution model and the loading conversion relationship were analyzed based on the Research Institute of Highway (RIOH) Track. Finally, the pavement anti-skid texture tester (PATT) was used to investigate the evolution characteristics of coarse aggregate microtexture. Results showed that the Asymptotic evolution model could characterize the skid resistance under the influence of coarse aggregate and gradation. RIOH Track verified the model's accuracy and showed that a single WAWE wear was equivalent to 265 loading times on actual pavement. The long-term skid resistance could be improved by increasing the nominal maximum particle size and the gradation fractal dimension indexes D and Df. The microtexture roughness of the coarse aggregate decreased after wear, then stabilized and fluctuated, which showed "regeneration" characteristics. The study can guide asphalt mixture design and maintenance timing decisions based on long-term skid resistance.

Preparation of hydrophilic PVDF membranes through in situ assembly of phytate-polyethyleneimine-Fe3+ for efficient separation of herbal volatile oil from oily water.

In the realm of oil-water separation technologies, membrane-based separation emerges as an efficacious approach. Nevertheless, crafting a hydrophilic membrane capable of effectively segregating herbal volatile oil remains a formidable challenge. Our study introduces a facile in situ assembly strategy for fabricating a double-crosslinked composite coating comprising phytate (PA)-polyethyleneimine (PEI) polyelectrolyte complexes and PA-Fe3⁺ assemblies. The PA within the PA-PEI/Fe3⁺ coatings form a double cross-linking layer through interactions with amine groups and metal ions, thereby enhancing interfacial interactions and structural integrity of the membranes. Consequently, the resultant PVDF/PA-PEI/Fe3⁺ membranes exhibit improved coating stability, pronounced hydrophilicity, and exceptional antifouling capabilities, rendering them highly suitable for the separation of diverse herbal volatile oil-in-water emulsions. Furthermore, they possess the capability for reuse with an average retention ratio exceeding 90% and a pure water flux reaching up to 3200 L·m⁻2·h⁻1. Additionally, they demonstrate long-term stability and resistance to corrosion. With a simplistic yet efficient preparation process, the PVDF/PA-PEI/Fe3⁺ membrane holds significant potential for the extraction of oils from herbal volatile oil-in-water emulsions.

Microbial education plays a crucial role in harnessing the beneficial properties of microbiota for infectious disease protection in Crassostrea gigas.

The increase in marine diseases, particularly in economically important mollusks, is a growing concern. Among them, the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) production faces challenges from several diseases, such as the Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) or vibriosis. The microbial education, which consists of exposing the host immune system to beneficial microorganisms during early life stages is a promising approach against diseases. This study explores the concept of microbial education using controlled and pathogen-free bacterial communities and assesses its protective effects against POMS and Vibrio aestuarianus infections, highlighting potential applications in oyster production. We demonstrate that it is possible to educate the oyster immune system by adding microorganisms during the larval stage. Adding culture based bacterial mixes to larvae protects only against the POMS disease while adding whole microbial communities from oyster donors protects against both POMS and vibriosis. The efficiency of immune protection depends both on oyster origin and on the composition of the bacterial mixes used for exposure. No preferential protection was observed when the oysters were stimulated with their sympatric strains. Furthermore, the added bacteria were not maintained into the oyster microbiota, but this bacterial addition induced long term changes in the microbiota composition and oyster immune gene expression. Our study reveals successful immune system education of oysters by introducing beneficial microorganisms during the larval stage. We improved the long-term resistance of oysters against critical diseases (POMS disease and Vibrio aestuarianus infections) highlighting the potential of microbial education in aquaculture.

Constructing dual-ligand Ce-MOF on graphene oxide modified with polydopamine endowing polyurethane coating with long-term smart anti-corrosion and mechanical robustness

Traditional mono-functional anti-corrosion coatings are unable to meet the long-term corrosion resistance requirements of metal materials, therefore developing multifunctional anti-corrosion coatings have broad application prospects. In this work, long-lasting anti-corrosion coatings with superhydrophobic and self-healing properties were successfully prepared by in-situ growth of dual-ligand cerium-based metal–organic framework (Ce-MOF) on the surface of graphene oxide (GO), followed by chemical modification with polydopamine (PDA), resulting in 5B level of adhesion and excellent mechanical robustness. The superhydrophobic surface, as the external armor of the coating, can effectively block the penetrating path of corrosive media. Meanwhile, the MOF structure formed by the coordination of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (2-M) with cerium ions endows the coating with smart self-healing properties and long-lasting corrosion resistance. Electrochemical tests showed that the low-frequency impedance modulus value of the superhydrophobic coating still reached 3.82 × 108 Ω cm2 after 30 days salt immersion. Due to the formation of protective films and insoluble precipitates at the defect site by 2-M and cerium ions, the scratches on the coating were significantly reduced after 40 days salt spray experiment, demonstrating the self-healing ability of the coating. This multifunctional anti-corrosion coating provides a new approach for preparing coatings with long-term effective corrosion resistance.

Novel Large-scale Integrated Non-Precious Metal Electrodes for Efficient and Stable Oxygen Evolution Reaction at High Current Density in 2.5 kW Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis

The utilization of non-precious catalysts to substitute precious metal catalysts on anode side under high current density conditions and with long-term resistance is crucial for the implementation of alkaline anion-exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) applications. To accommodate industrial applications, a combination of chemical solution and electrodeposition was used to construct NiFeCo layered double hydroxide and NiS nanosheet heterostructures on Ni foam (NiFeCo LDH/NiS/NF). Both experiments and theoretical calculations show that the heterogeneous structure reduces the activation energy barrier of the catalytic reaction and provides an appropriate electronic structure. This not only guarantees the exposure of the active site but also adjusts the local coordination environment and chemisorption properties. Consequently, the reduction in energy barrier affects the rate-determining step (RDS) from *O to *OOH, as well as the energy barriers of all four steps in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Consequently, the optimized NiFeCo LDH/NiS/NF catalyst demonstrates a low voltage of 288mV to operate 1.0Acm-2. Additionally, the catalyst was conducted with commercial Pt/C coated onto carbon paper (Pt/C/CP) for 2×2 cm2 AEMWE exhibited 1.63V cell voltag to attain 1Acm−2 and operated for 2100h from 1Acm-2 to 2.5Acm-2 (1.69V to 1.92V). Further, the catalyst was prepared scalable to 15×15 cm2 for application into a 2.5kW AEMWE device, which required only 1.77V at 60 °C to catch 1Acm-2 for 1000h, which shows extremally promising application for stable AEMWE device.

Sustainable synthesis of PVA@ZnO:Ga3+ nanocomposite films for UV shielding, food preservation, shape memory and anti-counterfeiting applications

Herein, we successfully fabricated transparent and highly flexible polyvinyl alcohol@ZnO:Ga3+ (PVA@ZnO:Ga3+) nanocomposites (NCs) films by simple solution casting method. Upon excitation at 266 nm, both the ZnO:Ga3+ nanoparticles (NPs) and the PVA@ZnO:Ga3+ NCs exhibit a prominent peak at 385 nm and a broad peak around 550 nm. The optimized PVA@ZnO:Ga3+ NCs demonstrated the most effective ultra violet (UV) blockage across the UV-A (99.99 %), UV-B (100 %) and UV-C (100 %) and high energy blue light HEBL (94.63 %). However, PVA alone absorbed <25 % of the light in all UV regions. Packaging of fresh cherry fruit with PVA@ZnO:Ga3+ (0.1 wt%) NCs enhanced the shelf-life up-to 15 days of storage under room temperature. These innovative NCs packaging films could provide a green, environment-friendly and antimicrobial system to combat the shorter shelf life of cherry fruit. The optimized NCs exhibited excellent shape recovery under pH conditions of 1, 7 and 13 and at a temperature of 70 °C, returning to its original shape within 120, 150, 160 and 6 sec, respectively. This emphasizes the NCs remarkable water-induced shape memory ability. Further, PVA@ZnO:Ga3+ NCs security ink offers strong anti-counterfeiting (AC) properties with UV luminescence and stability against UV exposure, aging and temperature effect. It adheres well to various substrates, ensuring long-term durability and resistance to replication. Overall, the results clearly show that ZnO:Ga3+ NPs hold great promise for applications in AC technology, UV blocking and the food packaging industry, thanks to their low cost, biocompatibility, flexibility and transparency.

A Ni-Cu/CuPP composite coating with good wear resistance and long-term corrosion resistance for seawater applications

A Ni-Cu/CuPP composite coating with good wear resistance and long-term corrosion resistance for seawater applications

Finite-element investigations on the influence of material selection and geometrical parameters on dental implant performance

Abstract Dental implants provide functional and aesthetically pleasing dental replacements, but their longevity depends on biomechanical factors, physical characteristics, and patient variability. The present study used finite-element analysis to reveal the biomechanical response and potential modes of failure of dental implant systems subjected to normal occlusal loads. A generalized comparative assessment was carried out to measure the effect of the choice of crown material with zirconia, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and ceramic crowns. Such simulations showed complex patterns of stress distribution and deformation in the implant assembly with significant variation due to the mechanical properties of the crown material. Stiffer zirconia crowns magnified stress concentrations by 12.6, 10.8, 11.4, and 9.1% in the implant fixture, crown, cortical bone, and cancellous bone, respectively, compared with more compliant ceramic crowns. Furthermore, the maximal deformation of both the cortical and cancellous bone induced by zirconia crowns was higher by 21.1 and 19.2%, respectively, compared with the ceramic crowns. These results emphasize that the crown material properties are significant for controlling and modulation biomechanical load transfer, which plays a decisive role in the long-term durability and resistance to failure mechanisms such as interfacial debonding, bone resorption, and fatigue cracking. This study provides valuable information for optimizing implant designs and material selection that may improve clinical results, positively affecting patient satisfaction with dental implant therapy.

ZSTK474 targeting PIK3R3 inhibits the Wilms' tumor through G0 / G1 phase arrest.

Wilms' tumor (WT), also known as nephroblastoma, is the predominant form of primary malignant renal cancer. The unfavorable prognoses linked to anaplastic nephroblastoma and recurrent nephroblastoma emphasize the crucial requirement for the exploration of innovative treatment modalities for WT. Our study conducted one-way Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses using TARGET-WT nephroblastoma data to identify differentially expressed genes in nephroblastoma and evaluate their prognostic relevance. Utilizing the Connectivity Map database, ZSTK474 emerged as a viable therapeutic option for WT. The effect of ZSTK474 on WT and related underlying mechanisms were further investigated through in vitro and in vivo investigations. The in vivo experiment results indicated that ZSTK474 effectively inhibited subcutaneous tumor growth in WT mice. CCK-8 assays revealed two nephroblastoma cell lines exhibited half-inhibitory concentrations of 2μM and 2.51μM for ZSTK474, respectively. ZSTK474 was shown to inhibit the migration and invasion capabilities of WT cells in both Transwell and wound healing assays. Flow cytometry apoptosis and TUNEL assays demonstrated that ZSTK474 induced apoptosis in WT cells. Cell cycle analysis revealed that ZSTK474 led to the induction of G0/G1 phase arrest. Sequencing of ZSTK474-treated WiT49 cells suggested that the impact of ZSTK474 on WT might be mediated by the PI3K/Akt pathway, specifically by inhibiting PIK3R3. Knock-down of PIK3R3 confirmed that ZSTK474 downregulated PIK3R3, reducing Akt phosphorylation, cyclin D and CDK4 levels and elevating P21 expression in nephroblastoma cells. However, current research has limitations, including a lack of understanding of the long-term effects and potential resistance mechanisms of new therapies. This research provides insight into the potential of ZSTK474 and other PI3K inhibitors for treating nephroblastoma.

C/C-(Hf0.5Zr0.3Ti0.2)C–W–Cu composites: Long-term ablation resistance based on active-passive protection at 2600 °C

Compared with the traditional C/C composites modified by ultra-high-temperature ceramics (C/C-UHTCs), those modified by metal/medium-entropy ceramics have excellent mechanical properties, thermophysical properties, and long-term ablation resistance. These composites have great potential towards improving the high-temperature resistance and service life of thermal protection systems for spacecraft. In this study, a new type of (Hf0.5Zr0.3Ti0.2)C–W–Cu cermet-modified C/C composites (C/C-(Hf0.5Zr0.3Ti0.2)C–W–Cu) was prepared at 1500 °C. Compared with C/C-UHTCs, the bending strength and fracture toughness of C/C-(Hf0.5Zr0.3Ti0.2)C–W–Cu increased by 70 % and 110 % to 364.25 MPa and 14.64 MPa m1/2, respectively. Due to the high thermal conductivity of Cu and W, the thermal conductivity of this new composite was 106 % higher than that of C/C-(Hf0.5Zr0.3Ti0.2)C (44.26 versus 21.53 W/m·K). Under a high heat flow of 4.18 MW/m2, this material exhibited very low mass and linear ablation rates (−0.163 mg/s and −0.193 μm/s, respectively). Active and passive protection occur during ablation due to the evaporative cooling of Cu, CuO, and WO3 as well as a dense outer oxide layer that inhibits oxygen diffusion. The internal oxide layer forms a Hf-Zr-Ti-C-O framework mingled with Ti-rich Ti-Hf-Zr-C-O and an unoxidised W–Cu structure, effectively reducing the osmotic oxygen content. This work provides a new direction for developing thermal protection materials capable of long-term service in ultra-high-temperature environments.

Investigation into the long-term alkali resistance of basalt fibers

To more accurately simulate the alkaline environment of basalt fiber in cement-based materials, this study innovatively employs the benchmark cement supernatant as the alkaline solution for the long-term corrosion testing of basalt fiber (BF). Additionally, through mechanical performance testing of mortar containing basalt fiber at different ages, the study reveals the corrosion behavior of basalt fiber in an alkaline environment. The results indicate that basalt fiber undergoes corrosion in the benchmark cement supernatant, where the OH− ions in the solution react with SiO2 in the basalt fibers, thereby disrupting the silicate framework of the fibers and causing pitting corrosion on the fiber surface. The black and white binarization analysis of the SEM images of BF7 after 360d erosion revealed that the corrosion pits covered 31.50 % of the fiber surface area, indicating severe corrosion. Furthermore, the study on the long-term mechanical properties of basalt fiber mortar demonstrated an initial increase in performance, followed by a gradual decline as the curing age progressed. Notably, after 360d of curing, the flexural strength of basalt fiber mortar was lower than that at 30d. For instance, the 360d flexural strength of BF1-0.1 and BF7-0.1 decreased by 18.85 % and 14.54 %, respectively, compared to 30d. This decline is primarily attributed to the corrosion of basalt fibers in alkaline environments, leading to a decrease in their mechanical properties. Therefore, it is essential to enhance the alkali resistance of basalt fibers when used in cement-based materials.

INVESTIGATING CUDC-101 EFFECT AND MECHANISM OF ACTION AGAINST GLIOBLASTOMA IN VITRO

Abstract AIMS Glioblastoma (GB) has complex pathophysiology, difficult treatment and resultant poor prognosis. Its median survival rate is approximately 15 months. The aggressive nature of GB results in rapid disease progression in 60-70% patients often within 12 weeks. Limited treatment options include maximal safe surgical resection, followed by radiotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ). The blood brain barrier restricts chemotherapeutic entry and increases dosage leading to increased side effects and decreased treatment tolerance. Furthermore, significant disease heterogeneity means reoccurrence is expected in most cases, for which there are no standard treatment routes. This coupled with inefficient treatment with temozolomide (TMZ) due to the blood brain barrier, highlights the requirement for novel treatments. METHOD Histone deacetylases (HDAC) and endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) are mutated and upregulated in GB allowing tumour infiltration and proliferation. CUDC-101 is known to target both HDAC and EGFR in other cancers making it a promising therapeutic to trial in GB. Cell viability of U251, T98G and U87MG human cells was measured post-CUDC-101 administration at 24, 48 and 72hrs. SVGp19 embryonic non-cancerous human glial cells were used as a control to establish CUDC-101 preliminary specificity. Targeting another major hallmark of GB, wound healing assays were performed to assess CUDC-101 capacity to inhibit migration. In addition to this, long-term cellular resistance was investigated through clonogenic assays. Western blotting was then used to identify non-/treated expression levels of activated EGFR and acetylated histone H3. Expression levels in non/-treated cells were then visualised with fluorescent microscopy. In addition, flow cytometry was utilised to observe cell cycle changes. RESULTS Overall, results indicate CUDC-101 has a dose-dependent effect on cell viability (long-term and short-term) and migration. Additionally, fluorescent images show treatment does increase histone acetylation and decrease total EGFR. CONCLUSION Future work will solidify these datasets and show changes in activated EGFR and acetylated histone H3 using western blotting.

Long-Term Resistance to Phase Change-Induced Wetting Transition on Biphilic Armored Superhydrophobic Surfaces.

Material surfaces maintaining a liquid super-repellent is crucial in fields such as anti-fouling, drag reduction, and heat transfer. Superhydrophobic surfaces provide an effective approach but suffer from phase change-induced wetting transitions, hindering their practical applications. In this work, Biphilic armored superhydrophobic surfaces (BASS) are designed by integrating hydrophilic interconnected surface frames with superhydrophobic nanostructures. The hydrophilic top of the frame provides spatial selectivity for condensate droplet nucleation, and superhydrophobic nanostructures enable staying dry. Further growth, coalescence, jumping, and roll-off of the condensate droplets on BASS, show remarkable resistance to phase change-induced wetting transition. It still maintains stable superhydrophobicity when exposed to 100°C of steam for 240 h, at least two orders of magnitude improvement over traditional superhydrophobic surfaces. Such a designing BASS provides an effective approach to address the phase change-induced wetting transition, thereby extending the practical application in the fields of condensation heat transfer, anti-fouling, and fluid transportation of superhydrophobic surfaces.

Microbiology of periprosthetic infections following implant-based breast reconstruction surgery: a multicentric retrospective study.

Implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) is the predominant breast reconstruction technique post-mastectomy, with bacterial infections being a significant complication affecting patient recovery and quality of life. The following study aimed to determine the microbiological features of the causative agents responsible for breast implant infections, with more attention paid to the comparative analysis of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and their presentation. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 214 patients who presented with periprosthetic infection and underwent implant removal following implant-based breast reconstruction at Humanitas Research Hospital and Istituto Europeo di Oncologia between January 2018 and March 2024. The study revealed that Gram-positive bacteria were more prevalent, with Staphylococcus species, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, being the most isolated pathogen in both institutions (∼39.96%). In contrast, Gram-negative bacteria were less frequent, with a higher proportion of these pathogens being multi-resistant strains. A significant difference was observed (p = 0.007), indicating that individuals with normal BMI have a higher prevalence of Gram-positive infections (88.46%), whereas obese and overweight patients had higher proportions of Gram-negative infections (23.53% and 28.89%, respectively). In addition, smoking status was also significantly associated with pathogen distribution (p = 0.032), with active and past smokers being related to higher percentages of polymicrobial infections. Furthermore, positive prophylactic MSSA/MRSA swabs were significantly more associated with Staphylococcus aureus infections compared to those with negative results (p = <0.001). Gram-positive bacteria, especially Staphylococcus species, dominate the microbiological landscape of implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) infections. Our findings provide insights into this critical issue, facilitating a more precise choice of empiric antibiotic treatment and prevention strategies. This analysis underscores the necessity for prophylactic protocols and therapeutic approaches tailored to the predominant bacterial groups. Further research is needed to explore long-term trends and resistance mechanisms to improve patient management.

Scorpion-inspired multi-scale contact enabled multifunctional piezoresistive pressure sensor based on hybrid nanofiber decoration

Inspired by the slit organs of scorpions, an array narrow orifice configuration (ANOC) piezoresistive foam sensors are developed by decorating hybrid polypyrrole (PPy)/ carbon nanotubes (CNT) nanofibers on the foam strut. The developed ANOC composite foam exhibits a unique multi-scale contact sensing mechanism enabled by the macro-scale internal dome structures, the micro-scale struts of the porous foam, the nano-scale PPy/CNT hybrid conductive networks, and the nano-scale friction of the rough CNT/PPy hybrid nanofibers (NFs), which rendered the ANOC composite foam an ultra-high sensitivity of 1.8 kPa−1 at low pressure within 1.5 kPa. When used as a piezoresistive pressure sensor, the ANOC composite foam exhibits a wide detection range (0 %-70 %), fast response/recover time (120/90 ms), and long-term stability and fatigue resistance (over 80000 s), and demonstrated capability to monitor various human activities. A smart cushion integrated with an array of foam sensors can accurately identify the human sitting positions and posture rectifying. Moreover, owing to the highly porous conductive network and the doped ions, the ANOC composite foam can generate energy from saline water and serve as a water-induced energy generation (WIEG) device for direct energy supply. This research paves the way for the development of multifunctional high-performance.

Exploring wear, corrosion, and microstructure in PEO coatings via laser surface treatments on aluminum substrates

The inadequate resistance to corrosion and wear of Al-based alloys is a major hindrance to their extensive use. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), a common and efficient coating technique, creates an oxide coating similar to ceramic on the surface of Al-based alloys, thereby improving their ability to withstand corrosion and wear. Studies have shown that PEO treatment can significantly enhance the short-term corrosion and wear resistance of Al-based alloys. To improve the long-term corrosion resistance of PEO coatings, researchers are now exploring the combination of laser processes with the PEO process. Laser processing is a simple yet efficient technique known for its flexibility, precision, and control. Various laser procedures are recognized for their ability to improve the resistance to wear and corrosion of PEO coatings applied on Al substrates and their alloys. Laser melting procedures have the capability to standardize and modify the microstructure of aluminum-based alloys. This review focuses on enhancing the anti-corrosion and anti-wear properties of aluminum alloys through the integration of laser surface treatments with PEO technology.

Autophagy Alterations in White and Brown Adipose Tissues of Mice Exercised under Different Training Protocols.

Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process that promotes cellular homeostasis and health. Although exercise is a well-established inducer of this pathway, little is known about the effects of different types of training protocols on the autophagy levels of tissues that are tightly linked to age-related metabolic syndromes (like brown adipose tissue) but are not easily accessible in humans. Here, we take advantage of animal models to assess the effects of short- and long-term resistance and endurance training in both white and brown adipose tissue, reporting distinct alterations on autophagy proteins microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (MAP1LC3B, or LC3B) and sequestosome-1 (SQSTM1/p62). Additionally, we also analyzed the repercussions of these interventions in fat tissues of mice lacking autophagy-related protein 4 homolog B (ATG4B), further assessing the impact of exercise in these dynamic, regulatory organs when autophagy is limited. In wild-type mice, both short-term endurance and resistance training protocols increased the levels of autophagy markers in white adipose tissue before this similarity diverges during long training, while autophagy regulation appears to be far more complex in brown adipose tissue. Meanwhile, in ATG4B-deficient mice, only resistance training could slightly increase the presence of lipidated LC3B, while p62 levels increased in white adipose tissue after short-term training but decreased in brown adipose tissue after long-term training. Altogether, our study suggests an intricated regulation of exercise-induced autophagy in adipose tissues that is dependent on the training protocol and the autophagy competence of the organism.

THE POTENTIAL OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN IMPROVING THE PROCESS OF TRAINING AND RETRAINING OF MILITARY DOCTORS

The issue of improving the process of training and retraining of military doctors is determined by changes in the security environment of the state today, and the need to develop the military medical sector in the conditions of long-term resistance to russian aggression. This article highlights the potential of using digital technologies to improve the process of training and retraining of military doctors. The results of a survey of trainees at the Ukrainian Military Medical Academy (a higher military medical educational institution that provides training, retraining and advanced training of specialists in almost all specialties for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military establishment of Ukraine) are presented. It is shown that for the implementation of changes in the system of training and retraining of military doctors the Academy provides for a number of measures: introducing innovative changes in the content and methodology of education; introduction of flexible technology for planning and organizing the educational process, focused on personalization of learning; development of international scientific and scientific-medical collaborations. Based on the conducted research, it was determined that in the conditions of active hostilities in Ukraine, it is digital technologies that make it possible to quickly introduce changes in the process of training and retraining of military doctors by improving the educational and informational environment. It was established that improving the readiness of military doctors to use digital technologies in their professional activities requires their end-to-end use in the entire training system. The article provides examples of the use of digital technologies in the process of training and retraining of military doctors.

Proanthocyanidins modification of the mineralized collagen scaffold based on synchronous self-assembly/mineralization for bone regeneration

Proteoglycans (PG) is crucial for regulating collagen formation and mineralization during bone tissue development. A wide variety of PG-modified collagen scaffolds have been proposed for bone engineering application to promote biological responses and work as artificial matrices that guide tissue regeneration. However, poor performance of theses biomaterials against infections has led to an unmet need for clinical prevention. Therefore, we utilized proanthocyanidins (PA) to simulate the functions of PG, including mediating the collagen assembly and intrafibrillar mineralization, to optimize scaffolds performance. The excellent antibacterial properties of PA can endow the scaffolds with anti-infection effects in the process of tissue regeneration. When PA was added during fibrillogenesis, the collagen fibrils appeared irregular aggregation and the mineralization degree was reduced. In contrast, the addition of PA after collagen self-assembly improved the latter’s ability to act as a deposition template and remarkably promoted mineral ions infiltration, thus enhancing intrafibrillar mineralization. The PA-modified scaffold displayed a highly hydrophilicity behaviour and long-term resistance to degradation. The sustained release of PA effectively inhibited the activity of Staphylococcus aureus. The scaffold also showed excellent biocompatibility and improved bone regeneration in calvarial critical-size defect models. The application of PA enables a dual-function scaffold with favourable intrafibrillar mineralization and anti-bacterial properties for bone regeneration.