To explore the pharmacological mechanism of action using digital twin

With the advent of medical technology and science, the number of animals used in research has increased. For decades, the use of animals in research and product testing has been a point of conflict. Experts and pharmaceutical manufacturers are harming animals worldwide during laboratory research. Animals have also played a significant role in the advancement of science; animal testing has enabled the discovery of various novel drugs. The misery, suffering, and deaths of animals are not worth the potential human benefits. As a result, animals must not be exploited in research to assess the drug mechanism of action (MOA). Apart from the ethical concern, animal testing has a few more downsides, including the requirement for skilled labor, lengthy processes, and cost. Because it is critical to investigate adverse effects and toxicities in the development of potentially viable drugs. Assessment of each target will consume the range of resources as well as disturb living nature. As the digital twin works in an autonomous virtual world without influencing the physical structure and biological system. Our proposed framework suggests that the digital twin is a great reliable model of the physical system that will be beneficial in assessing the possible MOA prior to time without harming animals. The study describes the creation of a digital twin to combine the information and knowledge obtained by studying the different drug targets and diseases. Mechanism of Action using Digital twin (MOA-DT) will enable the experts to use an innovative approach without physical testing to save animals, time, and resources. DT reflects and simulates the actual drug and its relationships with its target, however presenting a more accurate depiction of the drug, which leads to maximize efficacy and decrease the toxicity of a drug. In conclusion, it has been shown that drug discovery and development can be safe, effective, and economical in no time through the combination of the digital and physical models of a pharmaceutical as compared to experimental animals.

Membrane applications in the food industry

Current trends in the food industry for the application of membrane techniques are presented. Industrial solutions as well as laboratory research, which can contribute to the improvement of membrane efficiency and performance in this field, are widely discussed. Special attention is given to the main food industries related to dairy, sugar and biotechnology. In addition, the potential of membrane techniques to assist in the treatment of waste sources arising from food production is highlighted.

Dental Pulp Stem Cell Heterogeneity: Finding Superior Quality “Needles” in a Dental Pulpal “Haystack” for Regenerative Medicine-Based Applications

Human dental pulp stem/stromal cells (hDPSCs) derived from the permanent secondary dentition are recognised to possess certain advantageous traits, which support their potential use as a viable source of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) for regenerative medicine-based applications. However, the well-established heterogeneous nature of hDPSC subpopulations, coupled with their limited numbers within dental pulp tissues, has impeded our understanding of hDPSC biology and the translation of sufficient quantities of these cells from laboratory research, through successful therapy development and clinical applications. This article reviews our current understanding of hDPSC biology and the evidence underpinning the molecular basis of their heterogeneity, which may be exploited to distinguish individual subpopulations with specific or superior characteristics for regenerative medicine applications. Pertinent unanswered questions which still remain, regarding the developmental origins, hierarchical organisation, and stem cell niche locations of hDPSC subpopulations and their roles in hDPSC heterogeneity and functions, will further be explored. Ultimately, a greater understanding of how key features, such as specific cell surface, senescence and other relevant genes, and protein and metabolic markers, delineate between hDPSC subpopulations with contrasting stemness, proliferative, multipotency, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and other relevant properties is required. Such knowledge advancements will undoubtedly lead to the development of novel screening, isolation, and purification strategies, permitting the routine and effective identification, enrichment, and expansion of more desirable hDPSC subpopulations for regenerative medicine-based applications. Furthermore, such innovative measures could lead to improved cell expansion, manufacture, and banking procedures, thereby supporting the translational development of hDPSC-based therapies in the future.

Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Instrumentation of the Technological Process of the Activated Carbon Material Production

The article discusses significance of the development of activated carbon materials with a high specific surface area and high porosity. The features of the course of chemical activation and the factors influencing the characteristics of the obtained material have been established. The main stages of the activation of the carbon material, including the preliminary raw carbon material carbonization, its alkaline activation, and the post-processing of the created material, have been determined. The mutual influence of temperature and flow rate of an inert gas on the characteristics of a carbon material obtained with a BET specific surface in the range of 2550–2700 m2/g is experimentally investigated. The analysis of the obtained results has been carried out. Recommendations are given for reducing ambiguity and uncertainty during the transition from laboratory research to pilot production. The resulting activated carbon material can be used as a sorbent in gas purification systems, gas accumulators and for solving various environmental problems.

Use Of Alternative Aggregates In Pavement Concrete: Research And Practice In Belgium

Alternative aggregates, including recycled (concrete) aggregates as well as artificial aggregates (such as crushed stainless steel slag), are being increasingly used in road construction in the context of a more circular economy, e.g. in base and subbase layers. As these materials are applied higher up in the structure (surface and binder courses), stricter requirements are made to allow for higher loads and the stronger influence of the environment, and the application of these aggregates becomes less straightforward. The Belgian standard specifications, for instance, allow incorporation of recycled concrete aggregates in concrete pavements or linear elements in concrete, but only if certain stringent requirements are met and only up to certain percentages of substitution of the natural coarse aggregates. Furthermore, artificial aggregates originating from stainless steel slag are not even allowed for the time being in pavement quality concrete, although a Belgian standardization working group has recently been installed to investigate this matter in more detail. This paper presents an overview of laboratory research conducted in Belgium to characterize several types of alternative aggregates and concrete mixtures incorporating them, while focusing on practical execution as well as on the durability of pavement concrete. In addition, several concomitant pilot applications in Belgium are discussed in view of future perspectives for the application of alternative (recycled and/or artificial) aggregates in road construction.

THE ROLE OF TECHNICAL AND NATURAL SCIENCES IN STONE MONUMENTS CARE

Stone monuments maintenance requires the systematic approach which should be based on the cooperation among specialist through more branches, especially from humanities, natural and technical sciences. The main aim of this article is to present the benefit of the cooperation among geologists and civil engineers and share preliminary results of the Czech Ministry of Culture project DG20P02OVV021 “Stone surface topography and its application in stone element restoration field”. Historic stone surfaces often contain stonemasons tool traces as an undoubtable part of historical monument value. The study and protection of the testimony of past is therefore very important. As a part of our project, we are conducting field and laboratory research of historic stone surfaces bearing the original tool traces. The studied area is the Prague urban conservation zone for its stone monuments richness from Romanesque to present days. First, the geological research of the stone masonry surface is conducted in the cooperation with archaeologists. The tool traces are documented, and the state of stone is described. Because of the negative influence of weathering processes on the stone durability, respectively tool traces, we decided to monitor the chosen historical stone surface using the hyperspectral analysis. Based on the analysis results we will be able to better understand the behaviour of stone surface and traces on it during the time.

Glycosides for Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Potential Medicinal Components

Neuropathic pain is a refractory disease that occurs across the world and pharmacotherapy has limited efficacy and/or safety. This disease imposes a significant burden on both the somatic and mental health of patients; indeed, some patients have referred to neuropathic pain as being ‘worse than death’. The pharmacological agents that are used to treat neuropathic pain at present can produce mild effects in certain patients, and induce many adverse reactions, such as sedation, dizziness, vomiting, and peripheral oedema. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover novel drugs that are safer and more effective. Natural compounds from medical plants have become potential sources of analgesics, and evidence has shown that glycosides alleviated neuropathic pain via regulating oxidative stress, transcriptional regulation, ion channels, membrane receptors and so on. In this review, we summarize the epidemiology of neuropathic pain and the existing therapeutic drugs used for disease prevention and treatment. We also demonstrate how glycosides exhibit an antinociceptive effect on neuropathic pain in laboratory research and describe the antinociceptive mechanisms involved to facilitate the discovery of new drugs to improve the quality of life of patients experiencing neuropathic pain.

Mutu Gizi Aneka Kudapan Cokibus

Snacks are small meals usually served with drinks, both for daily use and for special occasions. Cokibus snack is a snack that is made to complement the intake of nutrients, especially for children who experience stunting. Makassar City has more malnourished children than other cities/districts, namely 22.1% underweight, 25.2% stunting, and 9.4% wasting. This study aims to determine changes in nutritional quality, namely the levels of macronutrients, iron, and calcium in various Cokibus snacks. This type of research is laboratory research. The sample consisted of 4 kinds of snacks, 1 type of Cokibus consisting of standard, and one substitution treatment of 10% snakehead fish meal. Each sample was repeated twice, so there were 16 samples in total. The research was conducted at the Food Technology Laboratory, Department of Nutrition, Poltekkes, Ministry of Health, Makassar, and the sample was examined at the Quality Control Laboratory of SMTI Makassar. The results showed that per 100 grams of various Cokibuses, the average carbohydrate content decreased -0.1%, protein content increased between 0.21% to 0.72%, fat increased 0.02% to 0.12%, iron increased between 0.43% to 0.63%. Calcium also increased between 0.29% to 0.85%. The snack with the highest increase in nutritional content was Charrot muffins, and the lowest increase in nutritional value was Chobus cupcakes.

CATTLE NECROBACTERIOSIS IN THE LIVESTOCK FACILITIES OF THE ALMATY REGION

Necrobacteriosis affects many species of animals. The most susceptible and sensitive to Fusobacterium necrophorum are reindeer, cattle and small cattle, pigs, and rabbits. A constant carriership of the causative agent of necrobacteriosis in the rumen and intestines of ruminants has been established, causative agent is found in food particles during chewing, as well as in feces. The causative agent of necrobacteriosis is widespread in the environment (livestock buildings, walking yards, manure, soil, pastures, stagnant reservoirs, etc.). Infestation of animals occurs when the pathogen enters the injured areas of the skin or mucous membranes of animals. Disturbed blood circulation, cracks and peeling of the horn happen as a result of long-term keeping of animals in damp premices, grazing them in damp, swampy areas, and also maceration of the limb tissues. Four cultures of the causative agent of cattle necrobacteriosis Fusobacterium necrophorum were isolated from sick animals with symptoms of lameness, their biological properties were studied. The pathogenicity of the isolated cultures was studied in laboratory animals. The work was conducted in laboratory and production conditions in "KazSRVI" LLP and at the dairy farm at "Arkabay" human settlement (village) of Talgar district of Almaty region, where stall keeping of animals is practiced. Slices from the diseased hoof of cows were taken at the border of the diseased and healthy tissue. Samples of the selected biological material were plated on Kitt-Tarozzi medium at the sampling site on the farm. The biological material taken from sick animals was studied within several hours after sampling in accordance with the guidelines for laboratory diagnosis of necrobacteriosis. Material for laboratory research (sections from the horny tissue of the hoof on the border with the healthy one) were taken fresh and inoculated on a nutrient medium for anaerobes. The results of cultivation of the necrobacteriosis causative agent on liquid and solid nutrient media under anaerobic conditions are presented. To get rid of the accompanying microflora and obtain a pure culture of F. necrophorum, a bioassay was set on laboratory animals - rabbits. All isolated cultures were highly pathogenic for rabbits. On the 14-15th day after infection, the experimental rabbits died. A pure culture of F. necrophorum, not contaminated with extraneous microflora, was sown from the internal organs of rabbits. It was found that rabbits are the optimal biomodel for purification of the F. necrophorum culture. The biochemical properties of the isolated cultures have been studied. It was found that epizootic cultures of the causative agent of necrobacteriosis emitted hydrogen sulfide and had hemolytic properties. In experiments in vitro and in vivo, it was found that the isolated cultures of F. necrophorum showed hyaluronidase activity. Cultures of F. necrophorum had a high catalase activity, they split hydrogen peroxide with the formation of oxygen (gas bubbles). When studying biochemical properties, it was found that F. necrophorum releases ammonia within 2-3 hours. Four cultures of F. necrophorum isolated from biological material from cattle were identical in biological properties.

Predictors of the development of hepatorenal syndrome

Objective. To identify the predictors of the development of hepatorenal syndrome in patients with liver cirrhosis.Materials and methods. We analyzed the medical records of 79 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. The laboratory research included general and biochemical blood tests. The general blood test measured erythrocyte and leukocyte counts. The biochemical blood test measured the content of ALT (U/L), AST (E/L), total bilirubin (μmol/L), direct bilirubin (μmol/L), indirect bilirubin (μmol/L), alkaline phosphatase (U/L), albumin (g/L), urea (mmol/L), creatinine (mmol/L), cholesterol (mmol/L).Viral hepatitis markers were determined for all the patients.Results. The predictors of the development of hepatorenal syndrome were identified: increased leukocyte count, increased total and indirect bilirubin levels, urea level and decreased erythrocyte count and albumin level. The most specific predictors were the amount of indirect bilirubin (98 %) and the content of albumin in the serum (89.8 %), and the most sensitive predictors were AST (96.7 %) and the content of red blood cells and creatinine (73.3 %).Conclusion. The most significant predictors of the development obtained will contribute to the diagnosis of the development of hepatorenal syndrome in patients with liver cirrhosis.