Novel silver/poly-1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole nanocomposite materials—possessing antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria—have been synthesized and characterized in the solid state and aqueous solution by complex of modern physical-chemical and biologic methods. TEM-monitoring has revealed the main stages of microbial cell (E. coli) destruction by novel nanocomposite. The concept of direct polarized destruction of microbes by nanosilver proposed by the authors allows the relationship between physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of novel nanocomposites. At the same time, it was shown that the nanocomposite was nontoxic to the fibroblast cell culture. Thus, the synthesized nanocomposite combining antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as the absence of toxic effects on mammalian cells is a promising material for the development of catheters, coatings for medical devices.

A bright far-red emitting unsymmetrical meso-CF₃-BODIPY fluorescent dye with phenyl and pyrazolyl substituents was synthesized by condensation of trifluoropyrrolylethanol with pyrazolyl-pyrrole, with subsequent oxidation and complexation of the formed dipyrromethane. This BODIPY dye exhibits optical absorption at λ_ab ≈ 610–620 nm and emission at λ_em ≈ 640–650 nm. The BODIPY was studied on Ehrlich carcinoma cells as a lysosome-specific fluorescent dye that allows intravital staining of cell structures with subsequent real-time monitoring of changes occurring in the cells. It was also shown that the rate of uptake by cells, the rate of intracellular transport into lysosomes, and the rate of saturation of cells with the dye depend on its concentration in the culture medium. A concentration of 5 μM was chosen as the most suitable BODIPY concentration for fluorescent staining of living cell lysosomes, while a concentration of 100 μM was found to be toxic to Ehrlich carcinoma cells.

The review is devoted to the compilation of data on the toxicity and safety of using nanosized forms of selenium. It is shown that in nature selenium exists mainly in the form of selenate (Se6+), selenite (Se4+), selenide (Se2–) and elemen-tal selenium (Se0), while the latter is insoluble in aqueous media, less toxic and biologically inert. Elemental selenium in the form of nanosized particles is not only biocompatible, but also has antitumor and antimicrobial activity. It was shown that elemental selenium in the form of nanoparticles can modulate the activity of the antioxidant and detoxification systems. A data on the dose-dependent effect of selenium in nanosized form was presented. It was demonstrated that selenium nanoparticles in high concentrations (above 2 mg of Se per 1 kg of animal weight) can cause the development of selenium-induced toxicity in mammals. It was shown that elemental selenium in the form of nanoparticles can affect immunoregulation, reproductive func-tion, kidney and liver function, can modulate the activity of the antioxidant and detoxification systems, and in high concentrations (above 2 mg of Se per 1 kg of animal weight) it can cause the development of selenium-induced toxicity both in mammals and fish. At the same time, it was shown that for fish selenium nanoparticles are more toxic than inorganic selenium and cause a more acute reaction of the body to exposure to even low concentrations, which is possibly associated with hyperaccumulation of selenium in tissues. This fact once again reminds us of the need to take into account the problems of ecotoxicity of selenium nanocomposites.

A new original copper nanocomposite based on poly-N-vinylimidazole was synthesized and characterized by a complex of modern physicochemical and biological methods. The low cytotoxicity of the copper nanocomposite in relation to the cultured hepatocyte cells was found. The possibility to involve the copper from the nanocomposite in the functioning of the copper-dependent enzyme systems was evaluated during the incubation of the hepatocyte culture with this nanocomposite introduced to the nutrient medium. The synthesized new water-soluble copper-containing nanocomposite is promising for biotechnological and biomedical research as a new non-toxic hydrophilic preparation that is allowed to regulate the work of key enzymes involved in energy metabolism and antioxidant protection as well as potentially serving as an additional source of copper.

Клеточные технологии в травматологии: от клетки до тканевой инженерии

Fibroproliferative diseases have been described in the lungs, kidneys, liver, eyes, heart, skin, and abdomen. Each fibrous pathology has causal factors and pathological manifestations characteristic of this organ and this condition. However, there are common mechanisms underlying many fibrous pathologies. This gives potential value to studies focused on specific processes, among which is the adhesive process in the abdominal cavity. The study of growth factors in the formation of connective tissue contributes to a better understanding of the pathogenetic picture in this pathology. It is shown that vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor, platelet growth factor, insulin-like growth factor and keratinocyte growth factor participate in the development of abdominal adhesions. Each of these factors contributes significantly to the formation of peritoneal fibrosis.Thus, damage to any tissue initiates a complex multistage process, which is regulated by a large number of cytokines and growth factors. Growth factors control cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. In addition, they are able to influence the expression of other factors involved in the regenerative response. Understanding the process that develops during the formation of the adhesive process in the abdominal cavity and the growth factors affecting it is important for their further use in order to prevent the pathological process.