Insights into the biocompatibility of biodegradable metallic molybdenum for cardiovascular applications-a critical review

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. The gold standard of treatment is the implantation of a permanent stent implant that is often associated with complications such as thrombus formation, vascular neointimal response, and stent fracture, which altogether decrease the long-term safety and efficacy of the stent. Biodegradable metallic materials have become an attractive alternative because of the ability to facilitate a more physiological healing response while the metal degrades. Recently, Molybdenum (Mo) has been considered as a potential candidate due to its excellent mechanical and medical imaging properties. Moreover, the biomedical research studies performed to date have shown minimal adverse effects in vitro and in vivo. However, there are still concerns of toxicity at high doses, and the impact of the biochemical mechanisms of Mo on material performance especially in pathophysiological environments are yet to be explored. Mo is an essential co factor for enzymes such as xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) that plays a critical role in vascular homeostasis and ACD progression. Herein, this review will focus on the biochemistry of Mo, its physiological and pathological effects with an emphasis on cardiovascular disease as well as the recent studies on Mo for cardiovascular applications and its advantages over other biodegradable metals. The limitations of Mo research studies will also be discussed and concluded with an outlook to move this revolutionary metallic biomaterial from the bench to the bedside

Uncovering genetic diversity and adaptive candidate genes in the Mugalzhar horse breed using whole-genome sequencing data

Simple Summary Mugalzhar horses are a native breed of Kazakhstan valued for their ability to produce milk and meat and adapt to harsh environments. This study explored the genetic diversity of these horses and identified regions of their DNA affected by natural selection using advanced genome analysis techniques. Using more than 21 million genetic variants, we found that most of them occurred in non-coding regions of the genome, with only a small fraction affecting certain genes directly as candidates for adaptation to a harsh climate. Despite the presence of rare genetic markers associated with traits like coat color and gait, no harmful segregating genetic mutations linked to diseases with Mendelian inheritance were identified. These results suggest that Mugalzhar horses have maintained a moderate genetic diversity, exhibiting traces of historical selection and no signs of inbreeding. This study provides useful insights into the genetic makeup of this breed, which can help to preserve and improve it in breeding programs. Abstract Mugalzhar horses are a relatively young native breed of Kazakhstan, prized for meat and milk production and adaptation. This study was conducted to investigate genetic diversity and pinpoint genomic regions associated with selection signatures in this breed using whole-genome sequence data. Variant calling yielded a total of 21,722,393 high-quality variants, including 19,495,163 SNPs and 2,227,230 indels. Most variants were located in introns and intergenic regions, while only 1.94% were exonic. Estimates of genetic diversity were moderate, with expected and observed heterozygosity and nucleotide diversity of 0.2325, 0.2402, and 0.0021, respectively. We identified nine adaptive candidate genes (SCAPER, FHAD1, MMP15, ADGRE1, CMKLR1, MRPL15, ZNF667, CCDC66, and LOC100055310), harboring high-impact exonic variants in the homozygote state for an alternative allele. No deleterious segregating variants associated with Mendelian traits were found in this population, while seven variants linked to coat color and gaitedness were detected in a low frequency heterozygous state. Our findings suggest that there are certain genomic regions subjected to ancient selection footprints during the ancestor breed formation and adaptation. The outcome of this study serves as a foundation for future genomic-driven strategies, a broader utilization of this breed, and a reference for genomic studies on other horse breeds

Testing dustiness of nanomaterials with a rotating drum

W ostatnich latach jest obserwowany dynamiczny rozwój nanotechnologii w bardzo wielu dziedzinach przemysłu. Z tego względu, coraz istotniejsze stają się badania mające na celu prognozowani narażenia na nanomateriały podczas procesu ich wytwarzania i wykorzystywania. Jednym z parametrów wpływającym m.in. na narażenie inhalacyjne na nanomateriały (w postaci proszków) jest ich pylistość. Dotychczas opracowano wiele metod badania pylistości materiałów. W większości tych metod do badania pylistości materiałów zastosowano metodę grawimetryczną. Metoda ta jest jednak metodą niewystarczającą podczas charakteryzowania pyłu uwalnianego z nanomateriałów. Pylistość jest bowiem parametrem, który jest uzależniony nie tylko od właściwości badanego materiału, lecz także od metody, jaką została ona określona, dlatego istnieje potrzeba opracowania znormalizowanego podejścia do zagadnienia badania pylistości nanomateriałów. Prace nad opracowaniem znormalizowanego podejścia do zagadnienia badania pylistości nanomateriałów są obecnie prowadzone w ramach współpracy międzynarodowej na zlecenie Komisji Europejskiej. W artykule omówiono zagadnienia związane z badaniem pylistości materiałów, przedstawiono działania prowadzone nad przystosowaniem już istniejących metod badawczych do charakteryzowania pyłu uwalnianego z nanomateriałów oraz działania związane z opracowywaniem nowych metod badania pylistości nanomateriałów. W artykule opisano metodę małego bębna obrotowego do badania pylistości nanomateriałów. Metoda polega na generowaniu aerozolu w ściśle określonych warunkach podczas ruchu obrotowego bębna. Uwolniony podczas procesu pył jest analizowany grawimetrycznie oraz metodami matematycznymi.Nanotechnology is a fast-growing area in many industries. Therefore, research related to potential risks (especially inhalation exposure) linked to the processes of production and handling of nanomaterials is even more important. Dustiness of nanomaterials is a major risk factor in inhalation exposure to airborne particles released from powdered nanomaterials. There are many methods for evaluating the dustiness of materials. Most of them use gravimetric analysis, which is insufficient to characterize dust released from nanomaterials. Since dustiness is a parameter that depends not only on the properties of a material, but also on the method of its determination, it is necessary to develop a standardized approach. This has been commissioned by the European Commission. This paper describes issues related to methods of testing dustiness, adapting existing methods and creating new methods for characterizing dust released from nanomaterials. It also describes a method of testing dustiness of nanomaterials with a small rotating drum. This method generates an aerosol under controlled conditions during drum rotation. Dust released during the process is analysed gravimetrically and by counting

Coalescing filters used in filtration of liquid aerosols

Wykorzystywane w przemyśle chemicznym i w pokrewnych gałęziach przemysłu substancje ciekłe mogą niekorzystnie wpływać na narażonych pracowników oraz na środowisko naturalne, dlatego też ich eliminacja z gazów odlotowych jest ważnym zagadnieniem z punktu widzenia bezpieczeństwa pracy oraz ochrony środowiska. Ważną rolę w procesie usuwania tych zanieczyszczeń odgrywają filtry koalescencyjne tj. umożliwiające usuwanie fazy ciekłej poprzez łączenie się kropel i ich ociekanie. Na całym świecie prowadzone są badania nad nowymi strukturami filtracyjnymi i zwiększaniem ich możliwości aplikacyjnych. W artykule przeglądowym przedstawiono informacje dotyczące zasady działania filtrów koalescencyjnych (przede wszystkim w odniesieniu do filtracji aerozoli), czynników wpływających na ich skuteczność oraz obszarów ich zastosowań.Liquids used in the chemical industry and in related industries may be a threat to exposed workers and they may have an adverse environmental effect; therefore, their elimination from exhaust gases is an important challenge from the point of view of work safety and environment protection. Coalescing filters, which make it possible to remove the liquid phase by combining and draining droplets, play an important role in removing those impurities. Researchers around the world are working on new structures and on increasing their possible applications. This review paper presents information on the operating principles of coalescing filters (especially in aerosol filtration), factors influencing their efficiency and application areas

Metrological properties in the near field of microwave antennas

W artykule omówiono definicję impedancji pola elektromagnetycznego w polu bliskim anten mikrofalowych oraz przedstawiono obliczenia wartości tej impedancji w odniesieniu do przykładowej anteny stacji bazowej GSM. Parametr ten został wprowadzony w rozporządzeniu ministra pracy ustanawiającym najwyższe dopuszczalne natężenia pól elektromagnetycznych dla pracowników. Uzyskane dane porównano z wartością impedancji falowej ośrodka. Przeprowadzona analiza wykazuje, że natężenia pola elektrycznego oraz magnetycznego są bardziej poprawnymi parametrami do pomiarów i oceny narażenia na pola mikrofalowe w polu bliskim anteny aniżeli gęstość mocy.In the paper a definition of electromagnetic field impedance in the near field of microwave antenas has been discussed. This parameter was introduced in the Ministry of Labour regulation on the Maximal Admissible Intensity of an electromagnetic field for workers. Values of electromagnetic field impedance for a GSM mobile base station antenna have been calculated and the received data were compared to the intrinsic impedance value. It has been proved that electric and magnetic field strengths are more suitable parameters than power density for measurements and assessment of workers' exposure to microwaves

Evaluation of bone marrow with particular consideration of the megakaryocyte lineage and coagulation profile in the pregnant fallow deer (Dama dama)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the megakaryocyte lineage of bone marrow and coagulation parameters in fallow deer during the last month of pregnancy. The animals were managed in the barn-feeding system. Twenty female fallow deer, aged 2-3 years, divided into 2 groups were used in the study. Group 1 comprised the females in the last month of pregnancy, and the non-pregnant females were used as the control. All the animals were clinically healthy. Coagulation parameters were measured in all the deer: thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and plasma concentrations of fibrinogen, D-dimer, and antithrombin III. A quantitative assessment of bone marrow was carried out for the erythroblastic, myeloid, lymphoid, monocyte-macrophage, and megakaryopoietic cell lines. A detailed analysis of megakaryocyte lineage was performed after whole blood and platelet count. There were no significant differences in the erythroblast, granulocyte, monocyte-macrophage and lymphoid systems between the animal groups. Thrombocyte count in the pregnant deer was lower than that found in the control group. Bone marrow smears revealed a slightly decreased megakaryocyte count, while the megakaryoblast and promegakaryocyte counts were unchanged. The analysis of coagulation parameters showed increased levels of fibrinogen, thrombin time, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time in the pregnant animals. The study suggested a hyperactivation of the coagulation system with a slight reduction in the megakaryocyte count in bone marrow, and a reduction in platelet count in peripheral blood at the end of pregnancy

Dustiness test methods for nanomaterials

W artykule przedstawiono zagadnienia związane ze standardowymi i alternatywnymi metodami badania pylistości materiałów w odniesieniu do ich frakcji wymiarowych (wdychalnej, torakalnej i respirabilnej), zgodnie z wytycznymi zawartymi w normie EN 15051:2006 (PN-EN 15051:2006)2. Podano zasady kategoryzacji pylistości materiałów określonych standardowymi lub alternatywnymi metodami. Omówiono także działania zmierzające do opracowania metod badania pylistości nanomateriałów, które powinny obejmować zarówno badania związane z frakcjami wymiarowymi określonymi metodą grawimetryczną, jak również badania konieczne z uwagi na nanospecyfikę tych materiałów, a mianowicie określanie co najmniej stężenia liczbowego i rozkładu wymiarowego nanoobiektów.This article presents issues associated with standard and alternative dustiness test methods for materials with reference to their size fractions (inhalable, thoracic and respirable) according to standard EN 15051: 2006 (PN-EN 15051: 2006). It discusses the principles of classifying the dustiness of materials determined with the standard or alternative methods. The article also discusses developing methods for testing dustiness for nanomaterials, which should embrace both investigations associated with size fractions determined with the gravimetric method and necessary due to the nanospecificity of those materials, i.e., at least determining the number concentration and the size distribution of the nano-objects