@article{AkimbekovDigelSherelkhanetal.2020,
  author    = {Akimbekov, Nuraly S. and Digel, Ilya and Sherelkhan, Dinara K. and Lutfor, Afzalunnessa B. and Razzaque, Mohammed S.},
  title     = {Vitamin D and the Host-Gut Microbiome: A Brief Overview},
  series = {Acta Histochemica et Cytochemica},
  volume    = {53},
  journal   = {Acta Histochemica et Cytochemica},
  number    = {3},
  publisher = {Japan Society of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry},
  address   = {Osaka},
  issn      = {1347-5800},
  doi       = {10.1267/ahc.20011},
  pages     = {33 -- 42},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {There is a growing body of evidence for the effects of vitamin D on intestinal host-microbiome interactions related to gut dysbiosis and bowel inflammation. This brief review highlights the potential links between vitamin D and gut health, emphasizing the role of vitamin D in microbiological and immunological mechanisms of inflammatory bowel diseases. A comprehensive literature search was carried out in PubMed and Google Scholar using combinations of keywords "vitamin D," "intestines," "gut microflora," "bowel inflammation". Only articles published in English and related to the study topic are included in the review. We discuss how vitamin D (a) modulates intestinal microbiome function, (b) controls antimicrobial peptide expression, and (c) has a protective effect on epithelial barriers in the gut mucosa. Vitamin D and its nuclear receptor (VDR) regulate intestinal barrier integrity, and control innate and adaptive immunity in the gut. Metabolites from the gut microbiota may also regulate expression of VDR, while vitamin D may influence the gut microbiota and exert anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects. The underlying mechanism of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of bowel diseases is not fully understood, but maintaining an optimal vitamin D status appears to be beneficial for gut health. Future studies will shed light on the molecular mechanisms through which vitamin D and VDR interactions affect intestinal mucosal immunity, pathogen invasion, symbiont colonization, and antimicrobial peptide expression.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{AkimbekovQiaoDigeletal.2020,
  author    = {Akimbekov, Nuraly and Qiao, Xiaohui and Digel, Ilya and Abdieva, Gulzhamal and Ualieva, Perizat and Zhubanova, Azhar},
  title     = {The effect of leonardite-derived amendments on soil microbiome structure and potato yield},
  series = {Agriculture},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Agriculture},
  number    = {Art. 147},
  publisher = {MDPI},
  address   = {Basel},
  doi       = {10.3390/agriculture10050147},
  pages     = {1 -- 17},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Humic substances originating from various organic matters can ameliorate soil properties, stimulate plant growth, and improve nutrient uptake. Due to the low calorific heating value, leonardite is rather unsuitable as fuel. However, it may serve as a potential source of humic substances. This study was aimed at characterizing the leonardite-based soil amendments and examining the effect of their application on the soil microbial community, as well as on potato growth and tuber yield. A high yield (71.1\%) of humic acid (LHA) from leonardite has been demonstrated. Parental leonardite (PL) and LHA were applied to soil prior to potato cultivation. The 16S rRNA sequencing of soil samples revealed distinct relationships between microbial community composition and the application of leonardite-based soil amendments. Potato tubers were planted in pots in greenhouse conditions. The tubers were harvested at the mature stage for the determination of growth and yield parameters. The results demonstrated that the LHA treatments had a significant effect on increasing potato growth (54.9\%) and tuber yield (66.4\%) when compared to the control. The findings highlight the importance of amending leonardite-based humic products for maintaining the biogeochemical stability of soils, for keeping their healthy microbial community structure, and for increasing the agronomic productivity of potato plants.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BayerTemizArtmannDigeletal.2020,
  author    = {Bayer, Robin and Temiz Artmann, Ayseg{\"u}l and Digel, Ilya and Falkenstein, Julia and Artmann, Gerhard and Creutz, Till and Hescheler, J{\"u}rgen},
  title     = {Mechano-pharmacological testing of L-Type Ca²⁺ channel modulators via human vascular celldrum model},
  series = {Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry},
  volume    = {54},
  journal   = {Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry},
  publisher = {Cell Physiol Biochem Press},
  address   = {D{\"u}sseldorf},
  issn      = {1421-9778},
  doi       = {10.33594/000000225},
  pages     = {371 -- 383},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Background/Aims: This study aimed to establish a precise and well-defined working model, assessing pharmaceutical effects on vascular smooth muscle cell monolayer in-vitro. It describes various analysis techniques to determine the most suitable to measure the biomechanical impact of vasoactive agents by using CellDrum technology. Methods: The so-called CellDrum technology was applied to analyse the biomechanical properties of confluent human aorta muscle cells (haSMC) in monolayer. The cell generated tensions deviations in the range of a few N/m² are evaluated by the CellDrum technology. This study focuses on the dilative and contractive effects of L-type Ca²⁺ channel agonists and antagonists, respectively. We analyzed the effects of Bay K8644, nifedipine and verapamil. Three different measurement modes were developed and applied to determine the most appropriate analysis technique for the study purpose. These three operation modes are called, particular time mode" (PTM), "long term mode" (LTM) and "real-time mode" (RTM). Results: It was possible to quantify the biomechanical response of haSMCs to the addition of vasoactive agents using CellDrum technology. Due to the supplementation of 100nM Bay K8644, the tension increased approximately 10.6\% from initial tension maximum, whereas, the treatment with nifedipine and verapamil caused a significant decrease in cellular tension: 10nM nifedipine decreased the biomechanical stress around 6,5\% and 50nM verapamil by 2,8\%, compared to the initial tension maximum. Additionally, all tested measurement modes provide similar results while focusing on different analysis parameters. Conclusion: The CellDrum technology allows highly sensitive biomechanical stress measurements of cultured haSMC monolayers. The mechanical stress responses evoked by the application of vasoactive calcium channel modulators were quantified functionally (N/m²). All tested operation modes resulted in equal findings, whereas each mode features operation-related data analysis.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{DigelKernGeenenetal.2020,
  author    = {Digel, Ilya and Kern, Inna and Geenen, Eva-Maria and Akimbekov, Nuraly},
  title     = {Dental plaque removal by ultrasonic toothbrushes},
  series = {dentistry journal},
  volume    = {8},
  journal   = {dentistry journal},
  number    = {28},
  publisher = {MDPI},
  address   = {Basel},
  issn      = {2304-6767},
  doi       = {10.3390/dj8010028},
  pages     = {1 -- 13},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {With the variety of toothbrushes on the market, the question arises, which toothbrush is best suited to maintain oral health? This thematic review focuses first on plaque formation mechanisms and then on the plaque removal effectiveness of ultrasonic toothbrushes and their potential in preventing oral diseases like periodontitis, gingivitis, and caries. We overviewed the physical effects that occurred during brushing and tried to address the question of whether ultrasonic toothbrushes effectively reduced the microbial burden by increasing the hydrodynamic forces. The results of published studies show that electric toothbrushes, which combine ultrasonic and sonic (or acoustic and mechanic) actions, may have the most promising effect on good oral health. Existing ultrasonic/sonic toothbrush models do not significantly differ regarding the removal of dental biofilm and the reduction of gingival inflammation compared with other electrically powered toothbrushes, whereas the manual toothbrushes show a lower effectiveness.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{PogorelovaRogachevDigeletal.2020,
  author    = {Pogorelova, Natalia and Rogachev, Evgeniy and Digel, Ilya and Chernigova, Svetlana and Nardin, Dmitry},
  title     = {Bacterial Cellulose Nanocomposites: Morphology and Mechanical Properties},
  series = {Materials},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {Materials},
  number    = {12},
  publisher = {MDPI},
  address   = {Basel},
  isbn      = {1996-1944},
  doi       = {10.3390/ma13122849},
  pages     = {1 -- 16},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a promising material for biomedical applications due to its unique properties such as high mechanical strength and biocompatibility. This article describes the microbiological synthesis, modification, and characterization of the obtained BC-nanocomposites originating from symbiotic consortium Medusomyces gisevii. Two BC-modifications have been obtained: BC-Ag and BC-calcium phosphate (BC-Ca3(PO4)2). Structure and physicochemical properties of the BC and its modifications were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and infrared Fourier spectroscopy as well as by measurements of mechanical and water holding/absorbing capacities. Topographic analysis of the surface revealed multicomponent thick fibrils (150-160 nm in diameter and about 15 µm in length) constituted by 50-60 nm nanofibrils weaved into a left-hand helix. Distinctive features of Ca-phosphate-modified BC samples were (a) the presence of 500-700 nm entanglements and (b) inclusions of Ca3(PO4)2 crystals. The samples impregnated with Ag nanoparticles exhibited numerous roundish inclusions, about 110 nm in diameter. The boundaries between the organic and inorganic phases were very distinct in both cases. The Ag-modified samples also showed a prominent waving pattern in the packing of nanofibrils. The obtained BC gel films possessed water-holding capacity of about 62.35 g/g. However, the dried (to a constant mass) BC-films later exhibited a low water absorption capacity (3.82 g/g). It was found that decellularized BC samples had 2.4 times larger Young's modulus and 2.2 times greater tensile strength as compared to dehydrated native BC films. We presume that this was caused by molecular compaction of the BC structure.},
  language  = {en}
}