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Obesity impairs tissue insulin sensitivity and signaling, promoting type-2 diabetes. Although improving insulin signaling is key to reversing diabetes, the multi-organ mechanisms regulating this process are poorly defined. Here, we screen the secretome and receptome in Drosophila to identify the hormonal crosstalk affecting diet-induced insulin resistance and obesity. We discover a complex interplay between muscle, neuronal, and adipose tissues, mediated by Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling and the hormone Bursicon, that enhances insulin signaling and sugar tolerance. Muscle-derived BMP signaling, induced by sugar, governs neuronal Bursicon signaling. Bursicon, through its receptor Rickets, a Leucine-rich-repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor (LGR), improves insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue, mitigating hyperglycemia. In mouse adipocytes, loss of the Rickets ortholog LGR4 blunts insulin responses, showing an essential role of LGR4 in adipocyte insulin sensitivity. Our findings reveal a muscle-neuronal-fat-tissue axis driving metabolic adaptation to high-sugar conditions, identifying LGR4 as a critical mediator in this regulatory network. Obesity induces insulin resistance and impairs insulin signaling, causing diabetes. Here, the authors show that BMP and LGR signaling mediate communication between muscle, neuronal, and adipose tissues to enhance insulin signaling, identifying LGR as key in protecting against insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry is an analytical method that provides information about molecular environments, even for NMR "silent" molecules (spin-0), by analyzing the properties of NMR signals versus the magnitude of the longitudinal field. Conventionally, this technique is performed at fields much higher than Earth's magnetic field, but our work focuses on NMR relaxometry at zero and ultra-low magnetic fields (ZULFs). Operating under such conditions allows us to investigate slow (bio)chemical processes occurring on a timescale from milliseconds to seconds, which coincide with spin evolution. ZULFs also minimize T2 line broadening in heterogeneous samples resulting from magnetic susceptibility. Here, we use ZULF NMR relaxometry to analyze (bio)chemical compounds containing 1H-13C, 1H-15N, and 1H-31P spin pairs. We also detected high-quality ULF NMR spectra of human whole-blood at 0.8 μT, despite a shortening of spin relaxation by blood proteomes (e.g., hemoglobin). Information on proton relaxation times of blood, a potential early biomarker of inflammation, can be acquired in under a minute using inexpensive, portable/small-size NMR spectrometers based on atomic magnetometers. NMR relaxometry can provide information on paramagnetic as well as diamagnetic compounds in solution by analyzing nuclear-spin relaxation times, and, operated at ultra-low magnetic fields, slow processes can be studied. Here, the authors employ zero and ultra-low magnetic fields using an atomic magnetometer as a simple, portable, robust, inexpensive, and sensitive tool to analyze chemical solutions and biofluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied different types of the vascular response to direct intraoperative low-frequency electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve after autoneuroplasty of its tibial portion and analyzed their effects on the limb function recovery. Rats (n=20) underwent 40-min intraoperative electrical stimulation, and hemodynamics in the leg was recorded by photoplethysmography. Functional recovery of the tibial nerve was assessed using a walking path analysis within 12 weeks after surgery. Three types of the vascular response to electrical stimulation were identified: the absence of pronounced hemodynamic changes during the electrostimulation session, hyperkinetic type of hemodynamics, and venous outflow disturbances. In rats demonstrating vascular responses of types I and II during the postoperative period, the functional index of the tibial nerve partially recovered within 12 weeks; in type III, no recovery was observed. It was concluded that the type of hemodynamics during intraoperative electrical stimulation of the damaged nerve subjected to autoneuroplasty affects further restoration of the motor function of the limb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "SiO2 core–TiO2 shell" composite particles are synthesized and their properties are studied. Using the method of X-ray diffraction analysis, it is found that titanium dioxide in the composite is in the anatase crystal modification with crystallites 6–8 nm in size. The core–shell composites with a titanium dioxide content of 32 wt % have a specific surface area of 220 m2/g and a sorption volume of about 0.3 cm3/g. The effect of SiO2 core–TiO2 shell composite introduced into the electrolyte on the cathodic polarization of the electrochemical deposition of Sn–Ni alloy in the fluoride–chloride electrolyte is determined using the method of voltammetry. The morphology (SEM) and phase composition (XRD) of electrochemical coatings, which were deposited from the electrolytes with various concentrations of the composite, are studied. It is shown that the introduced SiO2 core–TiO2 shell composite has an effect on the activation energy of electrodeposition of the coatings based on the tin–nickel alloy. The concentration of SiO2 core–TiO2 shell composite in the electrolyte should be 2 g/dm3. The titanium content in the coating is 0.19 wt %. The dependence of microroughness and hardness of the coatings on the concentration of the composite in the electrolyte is studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intestine is a central regulator of metabolic homeostasis. Dietary inputs are absorbed through the gut, which senses their nutritional value and relays hormonal information to other organs to coordinate systemic energy balance. However, the gut-derived hormones affecting metabolic and behavioral responses are poorly defined. Here we show that the endocrine cells of the Drosophila gut sense nutrient stress through a mechanism that involves the TOR pathway and in response secrete the peptide hormone allatostatin C, a Drosophila somatostatin homolog. Gut-derived allatostatin C induces secretion of glucagon-like adipokinetic hormone to coordinate food intake and energy mobilization. Loss of gut Allatostatin C or its receptor in the adipokinetic-hormone-producing cells impairs lipid and sugar mobilization during fasting, leading to hypoglycemia. Our findings illustrate a nutrient-responsive endocrine mechanism that maintains energy homeostasis under nutrient-stress conditions, a function that is essential to health and whose failure can lead to metabolic disorders. Intestinal nutrient-sensing is important in metabolic control. Here the authors show that the gut-derived hormone Allatostatin C, a somatostatin homolog in fruit flies, links enteric nutrient sensing to behavioral and metabolic adaptations that maintain energetic homeostasis in Drosophila melanogaster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Segmentation of organs from chest X-ray images is an essential task for an accurate and reliable diagnosis of lung diseases and chest organ morphometry. In this study, we investigated the benefits of augmenting state-of-the-art deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for image segmentation with organ contour information and evaluated the performance of such augmentation on segmentation of lung fields, heart, and clavicles from chest X-ray images. Methods: Three state-of-the-art CNNs were augmented, namely the UNet and LinkNet architecture with the ResNeXt feature extraction backbone, and the Tiramisu architecture with the DenseNet. All CNN architectures were trained on ground-truth segmentation masks and additionally on the corresponding contours. The contribution of such contour-based augmentation was evaluated against the contour-free architectures, and 20 existing algorithms for lung field segmentation. Results: The proposed contour-aware segmentation improved the segmentation performance, and when compared against existing algorithms on the same publicly available database of 247 chest X-ray images, the UNet architecture with the ResNeXt50 encoder combined with the contour-aware approach resulted in the best overall segmentation performance, achieving a Jaccard overlap coefficient of 0.971, 0.933, and 0.903 for the lung fields, heart, and clavicles, respectively. Conclusion: In this study, we proposed to augment CNN architectures for CXR segmentation with organ contour information and were able to significantly improve segmentation accuracy and outperform all existing solution using a public chest X-ray database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper is an essential element, but at high concentrations, it is toxic for living organisms. The present study investigated the responses of goldfish, Carassius auratus, to 96 h exposure to 30, 300, or 700 μg L−1 of copper II chloride (Cu2+). The content of protein carbonyls was higher in kidney (by 158%) after exposure to 700 mg L−1 copper, whereas in gills, liver, and brain, we observed lower content of protein carbonyls after exposure to copper compared with control values. Exposure to copper resulted in increased levels of lipid peroxides in gills (76%) and liver (95-110%) after exposure to 300 and 700 μg L−1 Cu2+. Low molecular mass thiols were depleted by 23-40% in liver and by 29-67% in kidney in response to copper treatment and can be used as biomarkers toxicity of copper. The activities of primary antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, were increased in liver as a result of Cu2+ exposure, whereas in kidney catalase activity was decreased. The activities of glutathione-related enzymes, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione reductase were decreased as a result of copper exposure, but glutathione reductase activity increased by 25-40% in liver. Taken together, these data show that exposure of fish to Cu2+ ions results in the development of low/high intensity oxidative stress reflected in enhanced activities of antioxidant and associated enzymes in different goldfish tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper addresses the problem of determination of the energy and momentum coefficients for flows through a partly vegetated channel. These coefficients are applied to express the fluid kinetic energy and momentum equations as functions of a mean velocity. The study is based on laboratory measurements of water velocity distributions in a straight rectangular flume with stiff and flexible stems and plastic imitations of the Canadian waterweed. The coefficients were established for the vegetation layer, surface layer and the whole flow area. The results indicate that the energy and momentum coefficients increase significantly with water depth and the number of stems per unit channel area. New regression relationships for both coefficients are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The permeability of the dura mater (DM) of the dog spinal cord for low molecular weight serum components - urea, creatinine, glucose, lactate, cholesterol, calcium, and inorganic phosphate - was studied in in vitro conditions. DM permeability for a high molecular weight serum component - albumin - was assessed as a reference compound. Most of the study components had permeabilities of 8-15%. The greatest DM permeability was for lactate (33.6%) and the lowest was for cholesterol (1.3%). Values for urea and creatinine were 8.0 and 7.5%, respectively; there was a nonlinear relationship between permeability and the initial substrate concentration in the serum. The DM permeability threshold for urea was 4.83 mM and that for creatinine was 97 μM. The functional characteristics of DM permeability may be determined by its structural features - dense packing of fibrillar connective tissues structures, high content of sulfated and the absence of nonsulfated glycosaminoglycans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the many characteristics of coal relating to its use as blast-furnace fuel, few characteristics have been proposed to predict the productivity of the furnace and its coke consumption. Drum tests of coke permit ample assessment of its ability to withstand mechanical loads (in particular, abrasive and impact forces). At the same time, models of coke failure in the blast furnace indicate that the crushing forces on the coke play an important role. Thanks to those forces, the mean piece size of the coke declines as it falls though the furnace. The method used to determine the coke's ability to withstand abrasive and impact forces has been codified in GOST State Standards (in terms of the strength indices M , M , and M ). However, there is no standard method for assessing the ability of the coke to withstand crushing forces. To address that deficiency, a compact system for determination of the coke's ability to withstand crushing forces is proposed: it consists of a press for the creation of compressive forces; a matrix with a punch in which the coke sample may be placed; and an instrument for measuring the compressive force (the crushing force). Values of the compressive strength determined using the new system are presented for various coke samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional model for vertical profiles of longitudinal velocities in open-channel flows is verified against laboratory data obtained in an open channel with artificial plants. Those plants simulate Canadian waterweed which in nature usually forms dense stands that reach all the way to the water surface. The model works particularly well for densely spaced plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods of computing the deflections of flexible vegetation elements under the dynamic pressure of water were presented in the paper. Two methods, based on Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, were discussed, one designed for small deflections and the other, generalized one, also for larger deflections. The choice of the method for computations of deflections was discussed from the perspective of the computation of flow velocities above flexible vegetation. Computational results were compared with laboratory experiments and it was found that the simplified, computationally less expensive method may be used in many practical situations without deterioration of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Taste and smell alterations (TSAs) are among the most frequent and troublesome symptoms reported by head and neck cancer (HNC) patients after treatment. Little is known about the relationship between TSAs and quality of life (QoL) among HNC patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of TSAs on overall QoL among tube-fed and orally fed HNC patients before treatment, at end of treatment and at 2.5-month follow-up.Methods: Data were collected in a longitudinal study prior to treatment (n = 126), at end of treatment (n = 100) and at 2.5-month follow-up (n = 85). Chemosensory Complaint Score (CCS) and the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire version 3 were used to assess TSAs and QoL, respectively. Generalized estimated equation modeling was used to estimate the effect of CCS on QoL.Results: At end of treatment, QoL and CCS had declined for both tube-fed and orally fed patients and thereafter improved, but not to pre-treatment levels. Neither QoL nor CCS mean scores were different between the two groups at any time point. CCS was a significant predictor of overall QoL (β = -1.82, p < 0.0001), social-emotional (β = -1.76, p < 0.0001), physical (β = -1.12, p < 0.0001) and overall functions (β = -1.15, p < 0.0001) at a multivariate level. Taste was reported as an important symptom for both tube-fed and orally fed groups at end of treatment and follow-up.Conclusions: TSAs are an important symptom and an independent predictor of QoL for both tube-fed and orally fed HNC patients. HNC patients need support to manage TSAs, regardless of the method of nutritional intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, more than 70% of maize is used for food and fodder; therefore, an improvement in grain quality can increase its nutritive and energy value. A deficiency of two essential amino acids (lysine and tryptophan) significantly reduces the nutritional quality of maize proteins. However, in comparison to conventional maize varieties, opaque2 ( o2) mutants have greater contents of lysine and tryptophan in their endosperm proteins and their bioavailability is better. The aim of the study was to identify the maize accessions with high-quality protein. A collection of maize accessions of various ecogeographical origins was studied by molecular methods. This approach was expected to improve the maize's breeding efficiency. We collected 54 maize genotypes differing in grain quality performance. Amplification with three specific markers for the opaque-2 gene (phi057, phi112, and umc1066) revealed homozygous recessive o2 genotypes associated with an improved nutritional quality of the protein. UREA-PAG electrophoresis of zein proteins was used for Quality Protein Maize (QPM) identification. In addition to the mutant o2 allele, QPM contains genetic modifiers that convert the starchy endosperm of the o2 mutant to the hard vitreous phenotype. The selected QPM accessions are of interest for maize breeding programs aimed at improving grain quality. The use of the markers for o2 and modifier genes accelerates the development of QPM varieties and significantly reduces the labor and financial costs of their production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

in order to predict the genetic capabilities of the tomato F, the opportunity of using simple sequence research (SSR) markers was studied. It was shown that assessment of the SSR-polymorphism may be useful. However, the method has some limitations, because only part of the F heterotic advantage may be explained by the level of the genetic divergence (GD) of the parents. In order to understand the genetic bases and effective practical use of heterosis, it is necessary to detail the GD evaluation to select the 'positive' markers, which reveal part of the heterogeneity associated with the expression of heterosis in F. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin films of amorphous silicon with inclusions of a nanocrystalline silicon phase have been obtained by the method of gas-phase chemical deposition with hot-wire activation of the precursor. The influence of the gas pressure and of the hydrogen-monosilane ratio on the rate of growth and the degree of crystallinity of the deposited silicon has been investigated. Characteristic values of the synthesis parameters for obtaining silicon films of various degrees of crystallinity have been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We slightly extend results of Evens and Mirković and 'compute' the characteristic cycles of intersection cohomology sheaves on transversal slices in a double affine Grassmannian. We propose a conjecture relating the hyperbolic stalks and microlocalization at a torus-fixed point in a Poisson variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physicochemical properties of soils exposed to emissions from the Severonikel industrial complex (one of the largest sources of SO and heavy metals in northern Europe) for 70 years were studied. The results showed that even after the long-term impact of heavy SO emissions, the $$pH_{H_2 O}$$, the content of exchangeable bases, and the base saturation remained at the medium and high levels inherent to undisturbed soils of the region studied. An exclusion was the illuvial horizon of the podzols, where a relative reduction of the $$pH_{H_2 O}$$ (at the level of low values of the natural variation) was revealed. At the same time, the hydrolytic acidity and cation exchange capacity in most samples of podzols, peat eutrophic, and mountain soils in the zone exposed to emissions (local zone) were also reduced. This fact is explained by indirect effects of the emissions: the gradual decrease in the organic matter content in the soils due to the destruction of the vegetation, the absence of fresh plant falloff, the development of erosion, and the disturbance of the hydrological regime of the soils and landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve means of determining the electrical resistivity of coke powder, existing methods are analyzed. Their basic deficiency is that it is difficult to identify and eliminate the influence of transient electrical resistance between the electrodes and the coke-powder sample, because it is impossible to ensure constant packing density of the powder column at constant pressure. Therefore, to eliminate fluctuations in the transient resistance, constant packing density of the sample is required. That may be ensured if the pressure varies over the sample. The influence of transient resistances on the measurement result may be eliminated by improving the pressing system and constructing a two-probe cell and also by replacing the potentiometer, milliammeter, voltmeter, rheostat, and battery with an up-to-date measuring module. Recommendations for improvement in the apparatus and method used in determining the resistivity of coke are developed, for use in a prototype system. In improving the resistivity determination, the constant parameters are the sample mass; the volume of the sample (and hence its density); and the current passing through the sample. The variable is the pressure applied to the coke sample. A method of determining the electrical resistivity of coke powder is developed, and three improved systems are created. Two undergo industrial tests at PAO Zaporozhkoks and ChAO Makeevkoks. The tests confirm the known dependence of the resistivity on the final coke temperature (in the range 900-1150°C) and the possibility of using the resistivity in judging the condition of the coke and correcting the coking temperature of the batch. Since the final coking temperature determines the size and strength of the coke particles, other conditions being equal, the condition of the coke (its readiness for use) may be assessed on the basis of a set of physicochemical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An express method for optimally tuning analog PI and PID controllers is considered. An integral quality criterion with minimizing the control output is proposed for optimizing control systems. The suggested criterion differs from existing ones in that the control output applied to the technological process is taken into account in a correct manner, due to which it becomes possible to maximally reduce the expenditure of material and/or energy resources in performing control of industrial equipment sets. With control organized in such manner, smaller wear and longer service life of control devices are achieved. A unimodal nature of the proposed criterion for optimally tuning a controller is numerically demonstrated using the methods of optimization theory. A functional interrelation between the optimal controller parameters and dynamic properties of a controlled plant is numerically determined for a single-loop control system. The results obtained from simulation of transients in a control system carried out using the proposed and existing functional dependences are compared with each other. The proposed calculation formulas differ from the existing ones by a simple structure and highly accurate search for the optimal controller tuning parameters. The obtained calculation formulas are recommended for being used by specialists in automation for design and optimization of control systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of exposure to the widely used herbicide, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), at environmentally permitted (1 mg L −1), slightly toxic (10 mg L −1), and highly toxic (100 mg L −1) concentrations were analyzed in gills of goldfish, Carassius auratus, a popular fish model for ecotoxicological research. Fish were exposed to the pesticide in water for 96 h and an additional group of fish were treated by the highest 2,4-D concentration and then allowed to recover for further 96 h. Among markers of oxidative stress, goldfish exposure to 2,4-D did not affect carbonyl protein levels in the gills, but fish exposure to 100 mg L −1 of 2,4-D enhanced lipid peroxide concentrations (by 58 %) and oxidized glutathione levels (by 49 %), the latter also significantly increasing (by 33 %) oxidized/total glutathione ratio. Activities of three enzymes of antioxidant defence also increased under 2,4-D exposure: superoxide dismutase (by 29–35 %), catalase (by 41 %), and glutathione peroxidase (by 19–33 %). Activities of other antioxidant associated enzymes as well as other potential markers of stress (e.g. aminotransferase enzymes, acetylcholinesterase, lactate metabolism) showed little or no response in gills to 2,4-D exposure. However, virtually all affected parameters returned to control values during recovery period. A combination of selected indices of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence, measured in fish gills, may provide to be effective biomarkers to assess environmental hazards of 2,4-D to freshwater ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to validate the Head and Neck Patient Symptom Checklist(©) (HNSC(©)) by tracing the prevalence and interference with eating of nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) over time and by examining relationships among NIS included in the HNSC, energy intake, and weight loss.Methods: Height, weight, 3-day diet records, and HNSC(©) were obtained at baseline, posttreatment, and 2.5 month follow-up for 52 treatment-naive head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Relationships among energy intake, weight loss, age, sex, treatment, tumor stage, and NIS were evaluated using general estimating equation (GEE) modeling. Cumulative hazard (CH) analysis was used to determine the time and risk of weight loss.Results: From baseline to posttreatment, 71 % of patients had 5 % body weight loss. Despite energy intakes returning to baseline levels at follow-up, 88 % of patients continued to lose weight. At posttreatment, 100 % of patients reported 2 or more NIS (range 2-12); these symptoms were still present at follow-up in 83 % of the patients. Univariate GEE analysis demonstrated that most NIS predicted energy intake and weight loss, while multivariate GEE analysis showed that depression, dysphagia, and sore mouth predicted energy intake, and dysphagia and sore mouth predicted weight loss. CH analysis showed that NIS accelerated the time and probability of weight loss.Conclusions: The HNSC(©) is a valid tool for assessing NIS in HNC. Identification of NIS may aid in the management of symptoms associated with reduced energy intake and weight loss and thus decrease the malnutrition risk in HNC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the validity of the Head and Neck Patient Symptom Checklist (HNSC). Methods: Three hundred and sixty-eight treatment-naive individuals with head and neck cancer prospectively completed the HNSC and the Patient-Generated Symptom Global Assessment (PG-SGA). The predictive validity was determined by comparing the HNSC symptoms interference scores to the PG-SGA scores. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the HNSC symptoms scores associated with reduced dietary intake, ≥5 % weight loss over 6 months, and reduced functional performance (FP). Results: HNSC sensitivity (79-98 %), specificity (99-100 %), positive predictive value (92-100 %), and negative predictive value (94-100 %) were excellent, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.92. The multivariate logistic regression showed that advanced tumor stage, pain, loss of appetite (LOA), and difficulty swallowing significantly predicted dietary intake. Advanced tumor stage, LOA, and difficulty swallowing were also significant predictors of ≥5 % weight loss over 6 months. LOA, difficulty swallowing, feeling full, and lack of energy were significant predictors of reduced FP. Conclusions: The HNSC appears to be a valid tool for determining symptoms interfering with dietary intake of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. This instrument may aid in early identification of symptoms that place HNC patients at risk for reductions in dietary intake, weight, and functional performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of two-dimensional mathematical modelling of heated cooling water discharges into running waters is considered in the paper. Two models - one for the evaluation of 2D turbulent velocity field and the other, developed by authors of the study, for 2D heat transport in open-channels - were used in the calculations. Relevant scenarios of the spread of heated water discharged from a designed gas-stem power plant to be constructed at the Vistula River were presented. Environmentally most friendly variant of the discharge of the thermal pollution was selected from among four various variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The method has been modernized for obtaining the parameter estimation of the fine structure of LFM signals (linear-frequency-modulated signals) at small values of the signal-to-noise ratio. The development of this method was based on the analysis of the signal time-frequency distribution (TFD) and the Hough transform. The specific feature of this method is correction of the time-frequency parameters in the TFD image considered and the use of the principle of detecting the straight line by the Hough transform that allows us to obtain estimates of parameters of LFM signals from the radio signal received within a shorter time interval at small signal-to-noise ratios. The results of simulation modeling demonstrate the capabilities of the method proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prospective randomised study compared two palliative radiotherapy schedules for inoperable symptomatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). After stratification, 100 patients were randomly assigned to 20 Gy/5 fractions (fr)/5 days (arm A) or 16 Gy/2 fr/day 1 and 8 (arm B). There were 90 men and 10 women aged 47-81 years (mean 66), performance status 1-4 (median 2). The major clinical characteristics and incidence and degree of initial disease-related symptoms were similar in both groups. Treatment effects were assessed using patient's chart, doctor's scoring of symptomatic change and chest X-ray. Study end points included degree and duration of symptomatic relief, treatment side effects, objective response rates and overall survival. A total of 55 patients were assigned to arm A and 45 to arm B. In all, 98 patients received assigned treatment, whereas two patients died before its termination. Treatment tolerance was good and did not differ between study arms. No significant differences between study arms were observed in the degree of relief of all analysed symptoms. Overall survival time differed significantly in favour of arm B (median 8.0 vs 5.3 months; P=0.016). Both irradiation schedules provided comparable, effective palliation of tumour-related symptoms. The improved overall survival and treatment convenience of 2-fraction schedule suggest its usefulness in the routine management of symptomatic inoperable NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic diversity of flax isozyme patterns of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, glutamate-oxalo-acetate transaminase, and cytochrome-c-oxidase in leaves, as well as the level and the relative amounts of fatty acids in seed oil were studied in flax species. The isozyme loci examined were found to be polymorphic. It was shown that each of the flax species studied was characterized by strictly defined amounts and proportions of fatty acids, i.e., the fatty acid composition of the seed oil may be used as a species diagnostic trait. Our results suggest that all of the flax species studied have the same ancestor.Linum grandiflorumwas shown to be a phylogenetic branch split at an early stage of the flax evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild-type Streptomyces sp. strains, able to utilise both naturally occurring and synthetic organophosphonates, were isolated. High levels of inorganic phosphate were necessary for their growth in complete medium as well as in medium, supplemented with phosphonates as the sole carbon or nitrogen source. Isolate StA expressed detectable enzymatic activity against 2-aminoethylphosphonate in vivo. Streptomycete StC had a surprising ability to degrade N-phosphonomethylglycine (glyphosate) in a phosphate-independent manner via C–P bond cleavage accompanied by sarcosine formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose an in vitro method for studying permeability of spinal cord dura mater for components of autological serum using an original device. Sixty native samples of the spinal cord dura mater obtained from 12 mongrel dogs were used for testing of the device. The coefficient of permeability variation (V) for blood serum substances did not exceed 5% in most cases excluding lactate (V=8.03%). Analysis of spinal cord dura mater permeability in vitro for various substances using the developed device provides reproducible results with acceptable variability (5-10%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WAY-121,520 inhibited human synovial fluid PLA (HSF-PLA) (IC=4 μ M) using arachidonic acid-labeled E. coli as substrate. Further biochemical characterization of WAY-121,520 demonstrated potent inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) activity in the murine macrophage (LTC, IC=4n M) and rat PMN (LTB, IC=10 n M) and an ability to antagonize LTD binding to isolated guinea-pig trachea (p K=6.0). In vivo anti-inflammatory activity was noted in murine TPA-induced (ED=91 μg/ear) and arachidonic acid-induced (66% inhibition at 400 μg/ear) ear edema and in leukotriene-dependent antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea pig (73% inhibition at 50 mg/kg, p.o.). WAY-121,520 represents a novel series of indomethacin-based inhibitors of PLA with anti-inflammatory activity resulting from a combination of biochemical activities (inhibition of 5-LO and PLA and LTD antagonism). This agent may provide added therapeutic efficacy over more selective inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We were intrigued by reports of the inhibition of phospholipase A (PLA) by indomethacin. In order to increase the potency of the indomethacin system as an inhibitor of PLA, it was decided to make more lipophilic analogs. Indeed, covalent attachment of a quinoline ring to the methoxy substituent of indomethacin affords WAY-122,220 which is almost an order of magnitude more potent than indomethacin in inhibiting human synovial fluid PLA (IC=15 and 145 μ M, respectively). The N−p-chloro-benzyl analog of this compound, WAY-121,520, was an even more potent inhibitor of PLA (IC=4 μ M). Structural analyses and molecular modeling suggest that these compounds may inhibit PLA by mimicking arachidonic acid. WAY-121,520 is also a potent leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitor both in the rat PMN and mouse macrophage assays (IC=10 and 4 n M, respectively), possibly acting via a 5-LO (5-lipoxygenase) translocation inhibition mechanism. The multiple actions of WAY-121,520 may contribute to its favorable anti-inflammatory profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]