High-resolution large-scale plasmonic laser color printing for jewelry applications.

We offer to use optical features of surface plasmon resonance in Ag nanoparticles for jewelry application as a method for the well-controlled decoration of silver items. The novel approach of silver nanoparticles formation with sizes from 5 to 50 nm via nanosecond direct laser writing allows for controlling the reflectance spectra, thus creating a color image on precious metals with a high resolution of about 450 dpi without dyes or hazardous chemicals. Moreover, the large-scale color image can be applied in single-step processing with significant productivity of 2 cm2 per minute. This work opens a strong direction for the practical application in the jewelry industry, art, and coining.

Controlled nanostructures formation on stainless steel by short laser pulses for products protection against falsification.

The coloration of stainless steel surface due to the formation of spatially periodic structures induced by laser pulses of nanosecond duration is demonstrated. The period of microstructures corresponds to the laser wavelength, and their orientation angle depends on the adjustment of laser polarization. The marking algorithm for the development of authentication patterns is presented. Such patterns provide several levels of protection against falsification (visual, colorimetric and structural) along with high recording speed and capability of automated reading.

Application of metal-organic frameworks for purification of vegetable oils.

Reported here is the synthesis of aluminum-, zinc- and titanium-containing metal-organic frameworks based on terephthalic acid and an investigation on the possibility of using these compounds as adsorbents for the purification of unrefined vegetable oils. It is found that aluminum-, zinc- and titanium-containing metal-organic frameworks improve the physicochemical properties of unrefined vegetable oils (more pleasant taste and odor) due to the binding of free fatty acids and peroxide compounds. It is established that the synthesized materials are more effective in these respects as compared with traditional adsorbents. An adsorption mechanism of free fatty acids and peroxides is proposed. Last but not least, the used MOF can be easily recycled at least five times, via solvent washing.

[Changes in plasmic and platelet hemostasis in patients with chronic renal failure in hemodialysis].

Plasmic and platelet components of hemostasis were examined in 50 patients with terminal chronic renal failure (CRF) aged 23 to 67 years and 30 healthy controls of the same age. A plasmic hemostasis component was studied basing on 11 parameters of coagulogram. A platelet hemostasis component was studied by platelet aggregation: spontaneous and induced by ADP (in concentration 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 mkg/ml), collagen, adrenalin and ristomycin. All CRF patients before hemodialysis had a significant alterations of 6 indices of a plasmic component of hemostasis: activated partial thromboplastic time, content of soluble fibrinmonomeric complexes, thrombine time; of 3 from 7 tests of aggregatogram (ADP, collagen, ristomycin induced aggregation). After hemodialysis severity of the above pathological shifts deteriorated (1.5 to 5 times). Thus, CRF patients on hemodialysis showed aggrevation of impairment of all hemostasis components. They are at risk of hypercoagulation, DIC-syndrome, massive thromboembolism. The above impairment of hemostasis should be considered in prescription of anticoagulant therapy to CRF patients. Monitoring of hemodialysis and adequate correction of the hemostasis system defects may contribute to improvement of quality of life of patients with terminal CRF and lowering of their mortality rate.

[Dynamics of morphometric parameters of peripheral blood platelets as a criterion in assessing thrombogenicity of dialysis membranes].

The study enrolled 45 patients with terminal chronic renal failure (CRF) aged 24-57 years on hemodialysis (a study group) and 30 healthy subjects of matched age (a control group). Morphofunctional condition of circulating platelets in situ was assessed by vital computer morphometry using computer phase-interference microscope, the analysis was made of opticogeometric parameters and morphological features of live platelets reflecting the degree of their activation. CRF patients' proportion of different platelet types in circulating population was 56.5, 34, 8.7 and 0.8% (platelets in situ, platelets with low, high activation, degenerative) versus 59.4, 28.1, 10.5 and 2% in the controls, respectively. Changes in morphological composition and opticogeometric parameters of circulating platelets were found in the dialysis membrane after a hemodialysis procedure. The changes were less or more pronounced depending on the dialysis membrane type. Thus, vital morphometric platelet parameters reflect condition of the platelets allowing quantitative assessment of impairment of the structure and functional activity of the cells in CRF progression. Hemodialysis procedure results in characteristic alterations of morphofunctional status of circulating platelets related, to a certain degree, to the material of extracorporeal outline. This dictates necessity of objective evaluation of such impact and prognosis of thrombogenic complications. Morphometric parameters of platelets can serve objective criteria of dialysis membrane thromboginicity.