Research Laboratory Research Articles

QTA Gitterchip Technology: Relationship Between Individual User Observations and Experimental Preclinical Data

Subjective evaluations, such as individual observations and anecdotal evidence, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and impact of devices providing beneficial health effects. In the present study the relationship between subjective user oberservations and controlled preclinical laboratory research was examined in detail for the beneficial health effects of devices using the QTA Gitterchip technology. The term "QTA" stands for "Quantum Tunneling Accelerator". Both devices of the present evaluation, QiOne® 2 Pro and QiBracelet®, aim to influence biological systems by affecting the quantum properties of water. This was achieved particularly through the modification of electron and proton tunneling processes. A total of 171 individually posted user observations were evaluated in detail. No formal questionnaire was used; users posted their subjective observations voluntarily and independently on social media forums. The corresponding experimental preclinical data were based on our publications during the last two years with cell culture techniques. The most predominant user observations were more calmless and serenity as well as a deeper and more relaxing sleep. This was reported in 20% of the user observations. In addition, about 17% of the users reported more energy and vitality and a better well-being and attitude of life. The other beneficial individual observations were below 10% such as an increased regeneration, more mind power and less pain and illness. Most of the user observations are related to a reduction of environmental oxidative stress, which is confirmed by the preclinical experimental studies, which were conducted independently during a period of two years. In conclusion, the present user observations and experimental investigations have shown that the QTA Gitterchip technology has a positive impact on cells by increasing their resistance against environmental stressors resulting in a positive impact on the human body. Thus, the use of the QTA Gitterchip technology improves and maintains well-being and health as well as the attitude of life

Biology of Spodoptera Eridania (Cramer, 1792) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) at Different Temperatures and Diet Sources

Objective: This work aimed to study the biological aspects of Spodoptera eridania, reared at different temperatures; and fed artificial and natural diets. Methods: In climatic chambers, the insects were subjected to six constant temperatures (15, 19, 23, 27, 31, and 35 °C). At all temperatures, both types of diet were offered to obtain data on cycle duration, viability, and total oviposition. Results and Conclusion: The different temperatures and diets influenced the insect development stages and the egg-adult cycle. The development of S. eridania is inversely proportional to the increase in temperature. Research Implications: The study confirmed differences in insect development in different diet sources and at different temperatures, and can be applied to S. eridania breeding techniques in research laboratories. Originality/Value: This research contributes by exploring the developmental biology of the pest organism, and can be used in research laboratory methodologies for pest breeding and commercialization for studies of more sustainable agricultural practices.

Sports-Related Concussion in Collegiate Athletes: The Potential Benefits of Using Graded Neuropsychological Tests With High Ceilings

Objective: Sports-related concussion management in collegiate athletes has been focused on return-to-play. However, resuming schoolwork without a gradual stepwise reintroduction contributes to symptom exacerbation, delayed recovery, and adverse academic performance. Return-to-learn guidelines are limited by a lack of sensitivity in methods monitoring cognitive function. This study evaluated 2 neuropsychological tests, the Sternberg test and the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), with high ceilings for sensitivity to deficits in speed of information processing, cognitive efficiency, and complex attention. Setting: Academic center research laboratory. Participants: We recruited 56 male and female collegiate contact and noncontact sports athletes. They were categorized into as follows: (1) nonconcussed (n = 23; 7F, 16M); (2) chronic (n = 21; 4F, 17M), at least 1 year from their last concussion; and (3) acute (n = 12; 1F, 11M), within 2 weeks from concussion. Design: Observational cohort study. Main Measures: The PASAT assesses complex attention. The Sternberg test examines processing speed and cognitive efficiency. Cognitive difficulty increases with progression through the tasks for both the PASAT and the Sternberg test. The mean outcome differences of the 3 groups (nonconcussed, acute, and chronic) across the 3 or 4 conditions (difficulty level) were measured with repeated-measures analysis of variance and subsequent pairwise comparison. Results: For processing speed (Sternberg reaction time), the acute group responded slower than the chronic group on the medium (P = .021, Bonferroni corrected) and hard difficulty tasks (P = .030, Bonferroni corrected). For cognitive efficiency (Sternberg reaction time variability), the acute group had increased reaction time variability compared with the chronic group on the medium difficulty task (P = .04, Bonferroni corrected). For complex attention (PASAT omissions), there was a difference between the acute and nonconcussed groups on the moderate-hard difficulty trial (P = .023, least significant difference [LSD] corrected) and between the acute and chronic groups for hard difficulty trial (P = .020, LSD corrected). The acute group performed worse, with progressively shorter interstimulus intervals. Conclusion: Neuropsychological testing without ceiling effects can capture higher-level cognitive dysfunction and use of such tests can contribute to the understanding of how collegiate athletes are affected by SRC. Future studies can investigate optimal testing batteries that include neuropsychological testing with high ceilings and whether the pattern of performance has implications for the return-to-learn process after SRC in the college setting.

The effect of temperature and exposure time on redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) and yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila) seed mortality in the natural soil seedbank

Abstract Heat disinfection of soil can be used to reduce the content of the soil seedbank. However, species differ in the lethal temperature needed for seed destruction and mortality. Laboratory research was conducted on the seeds of two weed species, redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) and yellow foxtail [Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult]. The soil samples were collected at the experimental station Šašinovečki Lug, Zagreb, Croatia (45.850289°N, 16.180465°E), and exposed to linearly increasing constant temperatures of 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, and 120 C and exposure times of 30, 60, and 90 min in a laboratory oven. Weed seeds were then extracted from the soil using the sieve separation method and survival was measured by germinating seeds on filter paper. Germination counts were converted into percentages of mortality compared with untreated seeds. The results show that both temperature and exposure time significantly affected seed mortality of both weed species. Amaranthus retroflexus shows a greater susceptibility to high temperatures than S. pumila. A fitted three-parameter sigmoid model was used to define the relationship between temperature and exposure time needed for 50% (LT50) and 90% (LT90) seed mortality. The estimated LT50 values for A. retroflexus are 58.89 to 46.08 C over the 30- to 90-min exposure times; the estimated LT90 values were 113.36 to 65.72 C for the same durations. The estimated LT50 values for S. pumila over the 30- to 90-min exposure times ranged from 91.33 to 75.15 C; the estimated LT90 ranged from 98.79 to 90.32 C over the same durations. The research results contribute to the knowledge about the thermal sensitivity of seeds. Estimating efficacy of soil-heating treatments is essential when comparing the environmental, economic, and social costs of alternatives to conventional weed control methods.

Evaluation of the Digestibility of Diets Containing Soy Okara in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Fries Raised in a Controlled Environment in Benin

Aims: To evaluate the digestibility of diets containing soy okara in Clarias gariepinus fries. Study Design: Random complete block design. Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Hydrology and Wetland Research, Faculty of Sciences and technics, University of Abomey-calavi, between June 2019 and July 2019. Methodology: Four diets containing different levels of soy okara (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) respectively noted T0, T1, T2 and T3 were tested. Twelve 40L tanks were randomly distributed into 04 batches with 03 repetitions for each of the 04 diets. The fries with an initial average weight of 10.47 +/- 2g were fed ad libitum three times a day (8 A.M., 12 P.M., 4 P.M.) for 30 days. Survival rate, cannibalism rate, average daily gain, specific growth rate, weight-length relationship, condition factor, consumption index, ingested protein, protein efficiency coefficient and digestive utilization coefficients were measured. Results: The specific growth rates (SGR) ranged between 2.25 +/- 0.165 and 2.58 +/- 0.115 with the best rate for the treatment containing 0% soy okara. The consumption index varied from 1.18 +/- 0.009 to 1.41 +/- 0.132 with the best index for the T3 treatment. Furthermore, the mortality rates were 0% for treatments containing 20% and 30% soy okara. The results indicate that it is possible to incorporate up to 30% soybean okara into the diet of Clarias gariepinus fry without hindering their zootechnical performance. The digestive protein utilization coefficients of the diets were calculated and are 95.12; 88.47; 92.21 and 90.37 for diets containing 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% soy okara respectively. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that among the different diets tested, treatment T2, containing 20% soy okara, proved to be the most favorable in terms of zootechnical performance. These results suggest that T2 treatment can be considered as a promising option for feeding Clarias gariepinus fries.

From plate to profile: investigating the influence of dietary habits and inactive lifestyle on lipid profile in medical students at clerkship

BackgroundDietary habits have a strong association with body lipid levels and hyperlipidemia increases the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Dietary habits have been a major concern among medical students due to busy schedules and demanding tasks. This study was designed to know the dietary habits and lifestyle of medical students and its association with their lipid profile.MethodsWe recruited 120 medical students at clerkship of the age of 18 and above. Weekly dietary habits were evaluated by an 18-item questionnaire. Five ml blood was drawn from the students and lipid profiles were measured at Dow Diagnostic Research and Reference Laboratory (DDRRL). Data was analyzed by SPSS V.22.ResultsWe found 70% of students were not involved in any physical activity throughout the week. Only 15.83% were following a regular diet plan. 65% of students were eating junk food for more than 3 days a week in their weekly diet. Moreover, 19.2%, 39.2%, 32.5%, and 25.84% of students were having their total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL levels above the optimum ranges respectively which were frequently found in students of final year (p < 0.05). There was high total cholesterol and LDL in males as compared to females (p value < 0.05). Total cholesterol and LDL were associated with skipped meal, use of junk food and carbonated drinks for more than 3 days a week (p < 0.05).ConclusionThere was a notable number of students with poor dietary habits, inactive lifestyle and lipid levels above the optimum ranges defined by American Heart Association (AHA) that have an association with dietary habits. This is alarming and can impact the health of future healthcare workers. There is a need to investigate the factors and remedies to help medical students to follow a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Radiation Exposure and Safety Considerations in Interventional Radiology: Comparison of a Twin Robotic X-ray System to a Conventional Angiography System.

Background/Objectives: To evaluate radiation exposure in standard interventional radiology procedures using a twin robotic X-ray system compared to a state-of-the-art conventional angiography system. Methods: Standard interventional radiology procedures (port implantation, SIRT, and pelvic angiography) were simulated using an anthropomorphic Alderson RANDO phantom (Alderson Research Laboratories Inc. Stamford, CT, USA) on an above-the-table twin robotic X-ray scanner (Multitom Rax, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany) and a conventional below-the-table angiography system (Artis Zeego, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany). The phantom's radiation exposure (representing the potential patient on the procedure table) was measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters. Height-dependent dose curves were generated for examiners and radiation technologists in representative positions using a RaySafe X2 system (RaySafe, Billdal, Sweden). Results: For all scenarios, the device-specific dose distribution differs depending on the imaging chain, with specific advantages and disadvantages. Radiation exposure for the patient is significantly increased when using the Multitom Rax for pelvic angiography compared to the Artis Zeego, which is evident in the dose progression through the phantom's body as well as in the organ-related radiation exposure. In line with these findings, there is an increased radiation exposure for the performing proceduralist, especially at eye level, which can be significantly minimized by using protective equipment (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this study, the state-of-the-art conventional below-the-table angiography system is associated with lower radiation dose exposures for both the patient and the interventional radiology physician compared to an above-the-table twin robotic X-ray system for pelvic angiographies. However, in other clinical scenarios (port implantation or SIRT), both devices are suitable options with acceptable radiation exposure.

INTESTINAL PARASITISM IN WORKING HORSES AND ASSOCIATED ZOONOTIC RISKS IN LOWLANDS OF NEPAL

The presence of intestinal parasites influences equines' well-being and working performance. However, the scenario of parasitism in working horses in the lowlands of Nepal is yet to be explored. The present study aimed to reveal the prevalence and diversity of intestinal parasites (protozoa and helminths) and to list the zoonotic species in working horses in the lowlands of Nepal. Fresh fecal samples (N=102) from horses were collected at two locations (Chitwan and Birgunj) in the lowlands of Terai and were transferred to the research laboratory. Coproscopy was carried out via direct wet mount, formalin ethyl acetate (FEA) sedimentation, saturated salt flotation, and acid-fast staining techniques. Coproscopy revealed an overall prevalence rate of 90.2% (92/102) with 15 known diverse species of parasites (Protozoa: 5 and Helminths: 10) and an unknown coccidian, out of which eight possess zoonotic potential. The prevalence and diversity of intestinal parasites were higher in adult than in young animals (90.7%; 15 spp. vs. 88.9%; 11 spp.) The overall prevalence of helminths was double that of protozoa (89.2% vs. 43.1%). Furthermore, polyparasitism was much more prevalent than monoparasitism (85.3% vs 4.9%). Co-infection with two parasite species (37%) was higher in young horses. In comparison, triplet infection (34%) was higher in adults, and a maximum concurrency of up to six species of parasites at a time was recorded. Following it, the differences in the prevalence rate of parasites based on the predictor of risks, like sex, grazing, domestication type, nature of the floor, and medication practices, were statistically significant. Working horses in the lowlands of Terai harbored a significant variety of intestinal parasites with important prevalence. Since eight of the reported parasitic species were zoonotic, infected horses pose a zoonotic risk to the owners. Therefore, timely deworming, pasture management, and reduction in working pressure are highly recommended.

Motion Capture Technology in Sports Scenarios: A Survey.

Motion capture technology plays a crucial role in optimizing athletes' skills, techniques, and strategies by providing detailed feedback on motion data. This article presents a comprehensive survey aimed at guiding researchers in selecting the most suitable motion capture technology for sports science investigations. By comparing and analyzing the characters and applications of different motion capture technologies in sports scenarios, it is observed that cinematography motion capture technology remains the gold standard in biomechanical analysis and continues to dominate sports research applications. Wearable sensor-based motion capture technology has gained significant traction in specialized areas such as winter sports, owing to its reliable system performance. Computer vision-based motion capture technology has made significant advancements in recognition accuracy and system reliability, enabling its application in various sports scenarios, from single-person technique analysis to multi-person tactical analysis. Moreover, the emerging field of multimodal motion capture technology, which harmonizes data from various sources with the integration of artificial intelligence, has proven to be a robust research method for complex scenarios. A comprehensive review of the literature from the past 10 years underscores the increasing significance of motion capture technology in sports, with a notable shift from laboratory research to practical training applications on sports fields. Future developments in this field should prioritize research and technological advancements that cater to practical sports scenarios, addressing challenges such as occlusion, outdoor capture, and real-time feedback.

Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Slow Skeletal Muscle Mass and Contractile Functions in Type 2 Diabetic Male Sprague Dawley Rats

Objective: To see the Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) supplementation on slow skeletal muscle mass andcontractile functions in type 2 diabetic male Sprague Dawley rats.Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Physiology Research Lab, Army MedicalCollege, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from June 2019 to April 2021 in collaboration with the National Institute of Health(NIH) Islamabad, Pakistan.Methods: Sixty adult SD rats were divided into three equal groups. Rats were fed on a standard diet as per NIHprotocols. After 2 weeks type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was induced in groups 2 and 3 by injecting low dose35mg of streptozotocin (STZ) in the abdomen intraperitoneally. T2DM was successfully developed andconfirmed by measuring glucose levels through a glucometer. Group 3 was injected with Alpha Lipoic acid30mg/kg/day at the lower abdomen for the next two weeks. After 04 weeks, soleus muscles were dissected.The animal data acquisition unit (iWorx) was used for assessing the contractile functions of soleus.Results: Alpha Lipoic acid group showed improvement in muscle mass, muscle tension strength, and recoveryfrom fatigue after applying fatigue protocol as compared to group 2.Conclusion: Alpha Lipoic acid supplementation improves contractile force and delays fatigue in the soleusmuscles of diabetic rats. How to cite this: Khan BU, Yousef I, Arshad S, Ikram F, Ali A, Ullah I. Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Slow Skeletal Muscle Mass and Contractile Functions in Type 2 Diabetic Male Sprague Dawley Rats. Life and Science. 2024; 5(2): 216-221. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.408

CyberGrid: an IEC61850 protocol-based substation automation virtual cyber range for cybersecurity research in the smart grid

ABSTRACT A cyber range provides a controlled environment for simulating mission-critical systems for cybersecurity research following the high risks involved in conducting experiments in real-life systems. Existing cyber ranges do not provide close emulation of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) in the Smart Grid Networks (SGNs), with emphasis on industry-based proprietary and IED protocols. This paper presents CyberGrid Testbed – a virtual Cyber-Range developed by the CyberSCADA Research Laboratory at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, which emulates Substation Automation processes with IEC61850 and Modbus/TCP protocols and support for MMS, and IED. This was built on OpenPLC6185, simulating Twelve attack patterns, and four attack types.

A Streamlined and Standardized Procedure for Generating High-Titer, High-Quality Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors Utilizing a Cell Factory Platform.

Preclinical gene therapy research, particularly in rodent and large animal models, necessitates the production of AAV vectors with high yield and purity. Traditional approaches in research laboratories often involve extensive use of cell culture dishes to cultivate HEK293T cells, a process that can be both laborious and problematic. Here, a unique in-house method is presented, which simplifies this process with a specific cell factory (or cell stacks, CF10) platform. An integration of polyethylene glycol/aqueous two-phase partitioning with iodixanol gradient ultracentrifugation improves both the yield and purity of the generated AAV vectors. The purity of the AAV vectors is verified through SDS-PAGE and silver staining, while the ratio of full to empty particles is determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This approach offers an efficient cell factory platform for the production of AAV vectors at high yields, coupled with an improved purification method to meet the quality demands for in vivo studies.

Zinc tungstate integrated onto zinc oxide h-MDs-based flexible piezoelectric power device: A new energy technology for real-time indoor laboratory safety warning system

With the rapid development of research world, the number of researchers and research laboratories is increasing rapidly. Simultaneously, accidents in laboratories are on the rise, drawing significant attention from everyone. To address this issue, the current study demonstrates a real-time safety early warning alarm system aimed at preventing accidents and enhancing safety management in laboratories. We developed a zinc tungstate nanoparticles (NPs) integrated on zinc oxide hexagonal microdiscks (h-MDs) (ZnO–ZnWO4@PDMS) composite based on a novel flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator (FPENG). The observed piezoelectric response was 1.32 V, which is ∼4 times better than that of pure ZnWO4, owing to the synergistic effect of ZnO–ZnWO4@PDMS. When subjected to finger-tapping motion, the FPENG can charge a 1 μF capacitor, and it reached 81 mV within 56 s. Subsequently, the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are powered with amplification. The FPENG system was demonstrated and validated through real-time application in the laboratory setting, marked as a “caution/restricted” line. The application of the system demonstrated its capability to simultaneously illuminate LEDs and sound alarms when people touch or cross the caution line. Furthermore, the proposed FPENG exhibited ∼660 mV even ∼90 % humidity, with no noticeable electrical changes under different solvents, confirming that the proposed FPENG is not affected by varying humidity and various indoor conditions. These outstanding results and real-time demonstrations unequivocally establish the feasibility of this system in contexts such as bank lockers, metro systems, hilly areas, and more.

Isolation and Culture of Primary Human Mammary Epithelial Cells.

The mammary gland is a fundamental structure of the breast and plays an essential role in reproduction. Human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs), which are the origin cells of breast cancer and other breast-related inflammatory diseases, have garnered considerable attention. However, isolating and culturing primary HMECs in vitro for research purposes has been challenging due to their highly differentiated, keratinized nature and their short lifespan. Therefore, developing a simple and efficient method to isolate and culture HMECs is of great scientific value for the study of breast biology and breast-related diseases. In this study, we successfully isolated primary HMECs from small amounts of mammary tissue by digestion with a mixture of enzymes combined with an initial culture in 5% fetal bovine serum-DMEM containing the Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632, followed by culture expansion in serum-free keratinocyte medium. This approach selectively promotes the growth of epithelial cells, resulting in an optimized cell yield. The simplicity and convenience of this method make it suitable for both laboratory and clinical research, which should provide valuable insights into these important areas of study.

The digital lab manager: Automating research support

Laboratory management automation is essential for achieving interoperability in the domain of experimental research and accelerating scientific discovery. The integration of resources and the sharing of knowledge across organisations enable scientific discoveries to be accelerated by increasing the productivity of laboratories, optimising funding efficiency, and addressing emerging global challenges. This paper presents a novel framework for digitalising and automating the administration of research laboratories through The World Avatar, an all-encompassing dynamic knowledge graph. This Digital Laboratory Framework serves as a flexible tool, enabling users to efficiently leverage data from diverse systems and formats without being confined to a specific software or protocol. Establishing dedicated ontologies and agents and combining them with technologies such as QR codes, RFID tags, and mobile apps, enabled us to develop modular applications that tackle some key challenges related to lab management. Here, we showcase an automated tracking and intervention system for explosive chemicals as well as an easy-to-use mobile application for asset management and information retrieval. Implementing these, we have achieved semantic linking of BIM and BMS data with laboratory inventory and chemical knowledge. Our approach can capture the crucial data points and reduce inventory processing time. All data provenance is recorded following the FAIR principles, ensuring its accessibility and interoperability.

Striatal cholinergic interneuron development in models of DYT1 dystonia

Dystonia is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe involuntary twisting movements, hypothesized to arise from a dysfunctional motor network involving the cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. Within this network, striatal cholinergic interneurons have been identified as possible contributors to dystonia pathophysiology. However, little is known about striatal cholinergic interneuron development in the mammalian brain, limiting our understanding of its role in dystonia and therapeutic potential. Here, I review striatal cholinergic interneuron development in the context of early-onset DYT1 (or “DYT-TOR1A”) dystonia. I discuss clinical and laboratory research findings that support cholinergic dysfunction in DYT1 dystonia and the implications of abnormal cholinergic cell development on disease penetrance and striatal connectivity.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of standard nerve agent medical countermeasures in Göttingen Minipigs

Animal research continues to serve a critical role in the testing and development of medical countermeasures. The Göttingen minipig, developed for laboratory research, may provide many benefits for addressing research questions within chemical defense. Targeted development of the Göttingen minipig model could reduce reliance upon non-human primates, and improve study design, statistical power, and throughput to advance medical countermeasures for regulatory approval and fielding. In this vein, we completed foundational pharmacokinetics and physiological safety studies of intramuscularly administered atropine sulfate, pralidoxime chloride (2-PAM), and diazepam across a broad range of doses (1–6 autoinjector equivalent) using adult male Göttingen minipigs (n=11; n=4–8/study) surgically implanted with vascular access ports and telemetric devices to monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, arterial pressure, and temperature signals. Pharmacokinetic data were orderly and the concentration maximum mirrored available human data at comparably scaled doses clearly for atropine, moderately for 2-PAM, and poorly for diazepam. Time to peak concentration approximated 2, 7, and 20 min for atropine, 2-PAM, and diazepam, respectively, and the elimination half-life of these drugs approximated 2 hr (atropine), 3 hr (2-PAM), and 8 hr (diazepam). Atropine sulfate dose-dependently increased the magnitude and duration of tachycardia and decreased the PR and ST intervals (consistent with findings obtained from other species). Mild hypothermia was observed at the highest diazepam dose. Göttingen minipigs appear to provide a ready and appropriate large animal alternative to non-human primates, and further development and evaluation of novel nerve agent medical countermeasures and treatment strategies in this model are justified.

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ СТРУКТУРЫ ПОВЕРХНОСТИ ЭМАЛИ ЗУБОВ ПОСЛЕ ОБРАБОТКИ ВОЗДУШНО-ПОРОШКОВЫМИ СИСТЕМАМИ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ ПОКОЛЕНИЙ

Subject. Today, there are many different air-powder systems (APS) for professional oral hygiene (PAH). The problem of selecting a powder for performing PPGP is still relevant. Objectives. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different air-powder systems on the structure of tooth enamel. Matodology. The study consisted of 2 parts: experimental and clinical-laboratory. The experimental part of the study consisted in the allocation of experimental groups, their subsequent processing depending on the active component of the UPP (sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, their mixture, glycine, trehalose) and study by scanning electron microscopy. Clinical and laboratory research is aimed at studying the time spent on the removal of soft pigmented plaque; the degree of cleaning of the tooth surface; the amount of powder required to perform PGPR; as well as the atomization of powder during the procedure; the traumatic effect of these systems on the structure of tooth enamel by interpreting the index of tooth sensitivity of L.Yu. Orekhova – S.B. Ulitovsky (TS-O-U index, %); and studying the average linear (Vas) velocity of blood flow in periodontal tissues using the method of Doppler ultrasound. Results. Powders with a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate have the greatest damaging effect on tooth enamel structure, and powders with trehalose and glycine have the least damaging effect. On the basis of clinical study it was revealed that powders based on trehalose and glycine have less damaging effect both on tooth enamel and periodontal tissues, which is confirmed by the index of tooth sensitivity of L.Yu. Orekhova – S.B. Ulitovsky and the results of ultrasound Dopplerography. Conclusions. The conducted research allows recommending therapeutic dentists, periodontists, as well as dental hygienists to use glycine- and trehalose-based UPDs in their clinical practice due to their effective, safe and ergonomic use.

Changes in the structural and functional state of the thyroid gland of small mammals when exposed to low-intensity chronic radiation.

The study gives a morphofunctional assessment of the state of the thyroid gland of tundra voles (Microtus oeconomus Pall.) in conditions of an increased radiation background (the Ukhta district of the Komi Republic (Russia) and the 30-km zone of the Chernobyl NPP), as well as in an experiment with chronic external gamma irradiation in the low dose range. The work summarizes the experience of more than 35 years of field and laboratory research. The authors have noted the high sensitivity of the thyroid gland to chronic radiation against the general irradiation of the organism both in natural conditions and in the experiment. The repeatability of the observed effects in voles from natural populations and the comparability of some effects with the morphological changes occurring in animals after exposure to ionizing radiation in the experiment indicates the radiation nature of these effects. The tundra voles living in conditions of increased radiation background have been identified for a greater variety of morphological rearrangements in the thyroid parenchyma than the experimental animals. The complex and ambiguous nature of the thyroid gland responses to radiation exposure indicates the possibility of a significant increase in the risk of negative effects of ionizing radiation in contrast with the expected results of biological effects' extrapolation from high to low doses.

About this title - Geology, Tectonics and Natural Resources of Arabia and its Surroundings

The diverse and excellently exposed geology and tectonics of the Arabian Plate and its surroundings provide a natural laboratory for scientific research as well as for the exploration of its natural resources. This volume offers a range of chapters improving our geological understanding of the region and its energy/mineral resources.