Vol. 59 No. 3 (267) (2025)

The binding interactions of newly designed/synthesized 1-morpholin-4-yl-3- {[2-(3-nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]thio}-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroisoquinoline-4-carbonitrile (C1) with transporting protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied using UV/Vis and FTIR spectroscopy methods. The antioxidant properties of C1 were evaluated using DPPH˙  assay. FTIR spectra deconvolution of BSA amide I band (1600–1700 cm⁻¹) was used to analyze changes in the secondary structure of BSA upon binding with C1. It was shown that C1 binds to BSA reversibly with K_B = (3.52 ± 0.01)‧105 M^–1 and the binding induces pronounced changes in the secondary structure of BSA. The obtained results demonstrate that C1 can be characterized as a compound with high radical (DPPH˙ ) scavenging capacity.

Species of the genus Juniperus have been used in traditional medicine since antiquity due to their wide ecological distribution and potent bioactivity. In Armenia, five species: J. sabina, J. polycarpos, J. foetidissima, J. excelsa, and J. oblonga are of ecological and pharmacological significance. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of their taxonomy, pharmacognostic characteristics, essential oil composition, and pharmacological and toxicological activities. Based on approximately 60 scientific sources, the study identifies key bioactive compounds and the analytical methods used for their evaluation. Special emphasis is placed on the Armenian species and their potential for further applied research and utilization.

Rare-earth hexaborides (RB₆) are attractive materials for photonic, electronic, and energy applications owing to their unique crystal and electronic structures. Conventional synthesis methods, however, are limited by very high temperatures, long reaction times, and the use of complex precursors. In this work, we report a rapid and energy-efficient microwave-assisted synthesis (MS) method for the preparation of RB₆ powders. Using simple precursors (lanthanide oxides and elemental boron), hexaborides of La and Pr were successfully obtained within only 10 min, despite the thermodynamic constraints of the R₂O₃/B → RB₆ reaction systems. Structural and morphological characterizations (XRD, XPS, SEM/EDS) confirmed the formation of highly crystalline cubic phases with uniform particle sizes in the 1–5 μm range. For heavier lanthanides (Gd, Ho, Er), mixed boride and borate phases were observed instead of pure hexaborides. These results demonstrate the potential of MS for overcoming thermodynamic barriers and enabling fast, energy-efficient synthesis of selected lanthanide hexaborides.

Currently, personalized implants are becoming increasingly interesting topic, with additive manufacturing being one of the most effective solutions. Numerous research papers focus on enhancing mechanical properties while maintaining biocompatibility. A frequently utilized polymer in implant printing is polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), which is additionally employed as a scaffold for antibiotics to prevent oral consumption and reduce the negative side effects of antibiotics on the human body. One of the most common photoinitiators used to polymerize the PEGDA is trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), which is hazardous. This study aims to explore a technique for the selective removal of TPO from an implant to reduce the potential hazard, ensuring that the antibiotic remains intact. Two solvents were utilized: saline and a 96% ethanol solution. Consequently, ethanol demonstrated improved extraction efficiency of TPO from the polymer matrix, while maintaining the antibiotic content. This demonstrates that the TPO can be selectively extracted from the implant, thereby minimizing potential risks.

It was observed that a 30-day exposure to noise resulted in significant decreases in the total number of erythrocytes, reticulocytes, and hemoglobin levels, along with a marked reduction in blood oxygen capacity. In contrast, the 30-day combined exposure to noise and licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) led to a significant increase in these hematological parameters, thereby promoting homeostasis under conditions of prolonged exposure to noise as a stress factor.

This study investigates the therapeutic potential of herbal extracts to mitigate bone marrow damage during DMBA-induced breast cancer and its treatment in rats. Untreated tumor-bearing rats showed elevated arginase activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels with reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Treatment with herbal extract combined with the arginase inhibitor nor-NOHA, significantly reduced MDA and restored NO levels, demonstrating antioxidant and protective effects on the bone marrow. Conversely, combining a NOS inhibitor (L-NAME) with herbal extract exacerbated oxidative damage. The findings support using specific phytotherapeutics as adjuvants to conventional cancer therapy to maintain bone marrow integrity.

This study aimed to evaluate the morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of local wheat ("Sateni-22") under salinity stress and to assess its phytodesalination potential. Experiments were conducted under controlled conditions using different NaCl concentrations. The results showed that under conditions of low NaCl concentrations, as a result of the activation of adaptive mechanisms, morphophysiological indicators were able to be somewhat preserved, but at high concentrations they were significantly reduced. It should also be noted that, in parallel with the increase in salinity, the content of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions in the above-ground organs of the plant significantly increased. These findings indicate a moderate adaptive capacity of local wheat and its potential efficiency for soil phytodesalination in saline environments.

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, as well as overall life satisfaction, among school-aged children and adolescents in Armenia during COVID-19-related quarantine and school closures. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 395 children aged 6–17 years attending secondary schools in Yerevan from March to April 2023. The Armenian version of the depression, anxiety and stress scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to measure psychological distress. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and the Spielberger-Hanin anxiety test were also employed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics (t-test, ANOVA, Nonparametric tests, and χ² test) were applied. Most schoolchildren demonstrated moderate levels of personal (48.1%) and situational (49.6%) anxiety. Girls showed significantly higher levels of both personal and situational anxiety compared to boys (p < 0.05). Mean anxiety scores were also higher in girls. According to DASS-21, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were found in 59.9%, 57.2%, and 70.4% of participants, respectively, with the highest scores among adolescents aged 15–17. Younger children (6–10 years) had the lowest levels of psychological distress. The FCV-19S scale showed no significant differences by age or gender and demonstrated good reliability in assessing fear of COVID-19. DASS-21 demonstrated perfect age-group concordance, good predictive validity, and excellent internal consistency. Further evaluations of DASS-21 in different age groups are needed to optimize the scale. The international DASS-21 questionnaire is a sensitive and valid test for assessing depression, anxiety, and stress after COVID in school-aged children in Armenia.