Connexins and Aging-Associated Respiratory Disorders: The Role in Intercellular Communications.

This article reviews the contemporary understanding of the functional role of connexins in intercellular communications, their involvement in maintaining cellular and tissue homeostasis, and in aging-associated respiratory disease pathogenesis. Connexins are discussed as potential therapeutic targets. The review particularly focuses on the involvement of gap junction connexins and hemichannels in the transfer of calcium ions, metabolite molecules, ATP, and mitochondria through the cell membrane.

Effects of Algicidal Macrophyte Metabolites on Cyanobacteria, Microcystins, Other Plankton, and Fish in Microcosms.

To control harmful algae blooms (HABs), methods based on natural mechanisms are now required. We investigated the effects of an algicide derived from macrophyte metabolites, namely mixtures of gallic, tetradecanoic, heptanoic, and octanoic acids (1:1:1:1 mass ratio, a total concentration of 14 mg/L), on the biomass of cyanobacteria and other plankton and the production of microcystins under experimental conditions. Two types of microcosms have been created: simple (microalgae, cyanobacteria, and zooplankton) and complex (microalgae, cyanobacteria, zooplankton, and planktivorous fish).

The Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Complex Treatment of Kidney Tuberculosis (Experimental Study).

In recent years, the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been recognized as a promising method for treatment of different diseases associated with inflammation and sclerosis, which include nephrotuberculosis. The aim of our study is to investigate the effectiveness of MSCs in the complex therapy of experimental rabbit kidney tuberculosis and to evaluate the effect of cell therapy on the reparative processes. Methods: To simulate kidney tuberculosis, a suspension of the standard strain Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (10 CFU) was used, which was injected into the cortical layer of the lower pole parenchyma of the left kidney under ultrasound control in rabbits.

Potential of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pea (Pisum sativum) for remediation of soils contaminated with bromides and PAHs.

The aim of the research was to study a removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phytoextraction of bromine (Br) from contaminated soils. The experiments using pea and wheat seedlings as potential candidates for soil remediation were performed. The soil for the experiments was collected from a site slightly contaminated by some PAHs.