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Background: Zona pellucida is one of the main selective barriers for the spermatozoa before reaching the oocyte. Using native zona in the sperm selection prior to Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) has been proven effective but inconvenient approach in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) laboratory. The application of autologous solubilised zonae pellucidae in the sperm selection prior to ICSI has not been studied yet. Objectives: To compare the assisted reproductive treatment (ART) outcomes (implantation, pregnancy, live birth, and miscarriage rates) after ICSI performed with spermatozoa selected on their ability to adhere to immobilised solubilised zonae pellucidae and conventionally selected spermatozoa. Materials and methods: In total, 500 couples fulfilled the inclusion criteria and 368 of them were included in the study. After random allocation, 192 couples had spermatozoa selected by sperm–zona adhesion for ICSI (study group) and 176 patients underwent standard ICSI (control group). In the study group, patients' own zonae were acid solubilised and immobilised on petri dishes. The partner's motile spermatozoa were placed in the dishes and the adhered spermatozoa were used for ICSI. For the control group, the conventional sperm selection by morphological criteria was applied prior ICSI. All women underwent frozen ET with euploid embryos. Chi square test was used to compare the data. Results: The sperm selection by zona adhesion resulted in significantly higher implantation rate (50.4% vs. 37.0%, p = 0.003), clinical pregnancy rate (43.8% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.018) and live birth rate (38.0% vs. 25.9%, p = 0.004) and significantly lower incidence of miscarriage (11.3% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.044) in comparison to the conventional method of the sperm selection. Discussion and conclusion: The application of solubilised zonae pellucidae in the sperm selection for ICSI benefits ART outcomes in couples with unexplained infertility. Moreover, sperm–zona selection significantly reduces the risk of miscarriages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aetiology and progression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) resulted from a complex sequence of events generated both from genetic and epigenetic processes. In the current research, the effect of methyl‐supplemented nutrition on the development of SLE was studied in the pristane‐induced mouse model of the disease. The results clearly demonstrated decreased anti‐dsDNA antibody and proteinuria levels, modulation of cytokines and protected renal structures in the group of treated mice. An additional increase in the DNA methylation of mouse B lymphocytes was also observed. The beneficial effect of the diet is due to the methyl‐containing micronutrients with possible anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulating effects on cell proliferation and gene expression. Since these components are responsible for maintaining the physiological methylation level of DNA, the results point to the central role of methylation processes in environmentally triggered lupus. As nutrition represents one of the major epigenetic factors, these micronutrients may be considered novel agents with significant therapeutic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Developing a hierarchical classification system for classes, orders and alliances of the diverse dry grasslands of the Central and Eastern Balkan Peninsula and translating this into an electronic expert system (ES) for the automatic assignment of plots. Location: Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and northern Greece. Methods: We extracted 5734 plots from the Balkan Dry Grassland Database corresponding to eight classes of dry grasslands reported from the region, using the EuroVegChecklist ES. This data set and later the plots within each derived subunit were subjected to a new numerical approach: starting with an initial partitioning (expert‐interpreted TWINSPAN classification), diagnostic species were determined based on their phi‐values for the target vegetation type and the differences in phi‐values to the next similar types. These diagnostic species were fed into an ES to create a new partitioning, a procedure which was iterated until diagnostic species and species of the ES converged. Then the same approach was applied within each of the derived units to define the units of the next‐lower level. Results: The iterative cluster optimisation (ICO) converged in all cases. The resulting hierarchical expert system (HES) classified 95% of all plots to alliances. We distinguished four classes with eight orders and 12 alliances: (1) Tuberarietea guttatae (Romuleion); (2) Stipo‐Brachypodietea distachyi (Clinopodio alpini‐Thymion striati); (3) Festuco‐Brometea with Brachypodietalia pinnati (Chrysopogono‐Danthonion calycinae and Cirsio‐Brachypodion pinnati), Festucetalia valesiacae (Festucion valesiacae), an unnamed order of rocky steppes (with Pimpinello‐Thymion zygioidis) and Koelerietalia splendentis (Centaureo‐Bromion fibrosi, Saturejion montanae and Diantho haematocalycis‐Festucion hirtovaginatae); (four) Koelerio‐Corynephoretea with Sedo acris‐Festucetalia (Festucion vaginatae) and Trifolio arvensis‐Festucetalia ovinae (Armerio rumelicae‐Potentillion and Minuartio montanae‐Poion molinerii all. nov.). Conclusions: We created a unified hierarchical classification with an electronic ES using diagnostic species defined by phi‐values. Our new approach (ICO‐HES: iterative cluster optimisation for hierarchical expert systems) allows dividing large data sets into meaningful units at several hierarchical levels, and thus has high potential for complex classifications. Importantly, it overcomes the divide between ES species and diagnostic species and re‐unites them into one concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epigenetic modifications of genomes are of particular interest as numerous studies indicate the correlation between DNA methylation and the development of systemic lupus. As a major methyl group donor, folic acid is an important participant in this process. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of low or high dose folate co‐culturing with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) on the secretion of interleukin (IL)10 from regulatory cells from lupus patients or from healthy volunteers. Methods: PBMCs from lupus patients and healthy volunteers were isolated and separated CD19+ B cell populations were cultured in the presence of 4 μg/mL or of 16 μg/mL of folic acid and the DNA methylation level as well as the percentages of B lymphocytes were measured. In another experiment, PBMCs were stimulated in vitro for IL10 production with 1 μg/mL recombinant human CD40L and with 2.5 μg/mL unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and cultured in the presence of 4 μg/mL or of 16 μg/mL of folic acid. Results: Although co‐culturing with low or high folic acid concentrations had no effect on the methylation level of B lymphocytes, particular patients showed an increase in the population of CD19+ IL10+ as well as of CD19– IL10+ cells. Conclusion: The observed increase may be a consequence of additional indirect or direct methylation of DNA in specific loci of the targeted cells. However, further analysis would clarify the exact mechanism of action of folate and would reveal its immunomodulating potential in this autoimmune disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Improvement and harmonization of European clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT) education is urgently required. Because digital educational resources can be easily shared, adapted to local situations and re‐used widely across a variety of educational systems, they may be ideally suited for this purpose. Methods: With a cross‐sectional survey among principal CPT teachers in 279 out of 304 European medical schools, an overview and classification of digital resources was compiled. Results: Teachers from 95 (34%) medical schools in 26 of 28 EU countries responded, 66 (70%) of whom used digital educational resources in their CPT curriculum. A total of 89 of such resources were described in detail, including e‐learning (24%), simulators to teach pharmacokinetics and/or pharmacodynamics (10%), virtual patients (8%), and serious games (5%). Together, these resources covered 235 knowledge‐based learning objectives, 88 skills, and 13 attitudes. Only one third (27) of the resources were in‐part or totally free and only two were licensed open educational resources (free to use, distribute and adapt). A narrative overview of the largest, free and most novel resources is given. Conclusion: Digital educational resources, ranging from e‐learning to virtual patients and games, are widely used for CPT education in EU medical schools. Learning objectives are based largely on knowledge rather than skills or attitudes. This may be improved by including more real‐life clinical case scenarios. Moreover, the majority of resources are neither free nor open. Therefore, with a view to harmonizing international CPT education, more needs to be learned about why CPT teachers are not currently sharing their educational materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutron spin‐echo spectroscopy is a unique experimental method for the investigation of polymer dynamics. The combination of neutron spin‐echo spectroscopy with grazing‐incidence geometry (GINSES) opens the possibility to probe the dynamics of soft‐matter materials in the vicinity of the solid substrate in the time range up to 100 ns. However, the usage of the GINSES technique has some peculiarities and, due to the novelty of the method and complexity of the scattering geometry, difficulties in further data analysis occur. The current work discusses how virtual experiments within the distorted‐wave Born approximation using the BornAgain software can improve GINSES data treatment and aid the understanding of polymer dynamics in the vicinity of the solid surface. With two examples, poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) brushes and poly(ethylene glycol) microgels on Si surfaces, the simulation as well as the application of the simulation to the GINSES data analysis are presented. The approach allowed a deeper insight to be gained of the background effect and scattering contribution of different layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative importance of global versus local environmental factors for growth and thus carbon uptake of the bryophyte genus Sphagnum—the main peat‐former and ecosystem engineer in northern peatlands—remains unclear.We measured length growth and net primary production (NPP) of two abundant Sphagnum species across 99 Holarctic peatlands. We tested the importance of previously proposed abiotic and biotic drivers for peatland carbon uptake (climate, N deposition, water table depth and vascular plant cover) on these two responses. Employing structural equation models (SEMs), we explored both indirect and direct effects of drivers on Sphagnum growth.Variation in growth was large, but similar within and between peatlands. Length growth showed a stronger response to predictors than NPP. Moreover, the smaller and denser Sphagnum fuscum growing on hummocks had weaker responses to climatic variation than the larger and looser Sphagnum magellanicum growing in the wetter conditions. Growth decreased with increasing vascular plant cover within a site. Between sites, precipitation and temperature increased growth for S. magellanicum. The SEMs indicate that indirect effects are important. For example, vascular plant cover increased with a deeper water table, increased nitrogen deposition, precipitation and temperature. These factors also influenced Sphagnum growth indirectly by affecting moss shoot density.Synthesis. Our results imply that in a warmer climate, S. magellanicum will increase length growth as long as precipitation is not reduced, while S. fuscum is more resistant to decreased precipitation, but also less able to take advantage of increased precipitation and temperature. Such species‐specific sensitivity to climate may affect competitive outcomes in a changing environment, and potentially the future carbon sink function of peatlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sperm abnormalities may negatively affect embryo development. Objectives: To determine the influence of sperm abnormalities (morphology, motility, DNA fragmentation) on embryo morphokinetic variables and clinical outcome of conventional IVF. Materials and methods: Participants were 86 couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Sperm morphology was evaluated according to the strict criteria proposed by Kruger/Tygerberg. CASA system was applied for sperm motility assessment. Sperm DNA fragmentation was assessed by the chromatin structure assay (SCSA). Morphokinetic parameters were determined in 223 embryos obtained from conventional IVF only and cultured in a single‐step medium using time‐lapse imaging technology. Results: Time‐lapse variables from the initial embryo development, such as time of pronuclei fading (tPNf) and time for two cells (t2), were those more strongly related with abnormalities of sperm motility, morphology, and DNA fragmentation. Sperm morphological abnormalities rather than sperm motility were more closely associated with embryo morphokinetics. Sperm head defects were mainly correlated with the last stages of embryonic development (t9 to tHB), sperm midpiece defects with intermediate cleaving embryos (t5‐t9), and sperm tail defects with the initial stages of embryonic development (tPNa‐t4). Excess residual cytoplasm was positively correlated with all embryo morphokinetic parameters except t2 and tM. Absence of acrosomes, pinheads, coiled tails, and multiple sperm morphological defects correlated negatively with time‐lapse embryo morphokinetic variables. Discussion: A large number of sperm‐related variables, including frequency of specific morphological defects, morphological indexes, DNA fragmentation and motility, and time‐lapse embryo variables, such as time intervals based mainly of 15 time points were recorded. Conclusion: There were strong associations between specific sperm defects of the head, midpiece, and tail with certain stages of embryonic development from observation of pronuclei to the hatched blastocyst. Coiled tail, cumulative head defects, and multiple abnormalities index (MAI) were associated both with embryo morphokinetics and the implantation success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BornAgain is a free and open‐source multi‐platform software framework for simulating and fitting X‐ray and neutron reflectometry, off‐specular scattering, and grazing‐incidence small‐angle scattering (GISAS). This paper concentrates on GISAS. Support for reflectometry and off‐specular scattering has been added more recently, is still under intense development and will be described in a later publication. BornAgain supports neutron polarization and magnetic scattering. Users can define sample and instrument models through Python scripting. A large subset of the functionality is also available through a graphical user interface. This paper describes the software in terms of the realized non‐functional and functional requirements. The web site https://www.bornagainproject.org/ provides further documentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physiological, biochemical and morpho-anatomical traits that determine the phenotypic plasticity of plants under drought were tested in two Arundinoideae with contrasting habitats, growth traits and metabolism: the fast-growing Arundo donax, which also is a strong isoprene emitter, and the slow-growing Hakonechloa macra that does not invest on isoprene biosynthesis. In control conditions, A. donax displayed not only higher photosynthesis but also higher concentration of carotenoids and lower phenylpropanoid content than H. macra. In drought-stressed plants, photosynthesis was similarly inhibited in both species, but substantially recovered only in A. donax after rewatering. Decline of photochemical and biochemical parameters, increased concentration of CO2 inside leaves, and impairment of chloroplast ultrastructure were only observed in H. macra indicating damage of photosynthetic machinery under drought. It is suggested that volatile and non-volatile isoprenoids produced by A. donax efficiently preserve the chloroplasts from transient drought damage, while H. macra invests on phenylpropanoids that are less efficient in preserving photosynthesis but likely offer better antioxidant protection under prolonged stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This work presents a novel approach for the recovery and purification of superoxide dismutase ( SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) produced in the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus var. bulgaricus ( NBIMCC 1984). Electroextraction was evaluated as an alternative to bead milling for SOD release. Seven anion exchange resins were studied in order to optimize SOD purification using ion exchange chromatography. Results Electroextraction produced an enzyme solution with a specific activity 13 times higher than with mechanical extraction, demonstrating the potential of this novel technique for the selective liberation of SOD. Regarding the anion exchange resins that were studied, Amberlite™ IRA-96 and Q Sepharose™ XL were chosen as the best options for purifying SOD using chromatography in negative adsorption mode. The process developed, involving electroextraction, enzyme concentration and negative anion exchange chromatography, rendered a highly active and pure SOD preparation (specific activity: 2056 U mg−1 and 66-fold purification) with an overall recovery yield of 84%. Conclusion The results presented herein demonstrate the potential of the process developed for the recovery and purification of SOD from the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus var. bulgaricus ( NBIMCC 1984). The preparation obtained could be used in the food industry as an antioxidant agent. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparison of quadrupole mass spectrometric (QMS) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) characterization of silver nano-cluster deposition produced by a nano-cluster source consisting of a planar DC magnetron sputter source in a high pressure gas aggregation chamber is presented and discussed. Cluster sizes and size distributions detected by the two different techniques are compared and the differences are discussed. The effects of He to Ar ratio, gas flow and magnetron power on the cluster size distribution are evaluated. The influence of the target erosion and aging effects are mentioned, too (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 6 figures and 1 table Abstract The karyotypic constitution of a wheat- Aegilops geniculata 2Mg(2A) disomic substitution line, isolated from backcross progenies of a wheat- Ae. geniculata amphiploid, was determined using multicolour fluorescence in situ hybridization and genomic in situ hybridization. The ability of the 2Mg chromosome to compensate for wheat chromosome 2A was studied in relation to phenotypic traits and the growth and physiological responses of seedlings to polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced osmotic stress. Plants of the substitution line had altered spike and seed morphologies, increased tillering, moderately reduced productivity and maintained better seedling growth in stress conditions. PEG treatment caused severe stress, resulting in considerable water loss from the leaves. Under this stress, the substitution line retained better leaf water status and suffered less oxidative damage than the wheat parent, as indicated by higher relative water content and lower malondialdehyde accumulation. These changes were consistent with more sustained membrane stability in the substitution line, evidenced by the lower value of the membrane injury index and the less-prominent increase in ion efflux from the apoplast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two wheat lines (TL3 and TL5) derived from selection for Cu tolerance among wheat – Aegilops sharonensis hybrids were compared when grown as hydroponics at zero (control), 10−6 and 10−5 m CuSO4. The morphometric measurements showed that the line TL5 with a more inhibited root system under 10−6 m CuSO4 had a less inhibited shoot growth under 10−5 m CuSO4 as compared to TL3. The decreased maximum efficiency of photosystem II and the more pronounced trend towards increased catalase activity suggested that despite the better shoot growth, the leaves of TL5 were more functionally injured. The increased content of carotenoids at excess Cu and the higher peroxidase and catalase activities of TL3 in control plants might contribute to its better stress tolerance. While no significant changes in enzyme activities were found at 10−6 m Cu, at 10−5 m the activities tended to increase. Although the close values of free phenolics concentrations in control plants, at Cu excess their content was higher in TL5 compared to TL3. The free phenolics content in roots at 10−6 m Cu decreased, and although higher at 10−5 m Cu, it remained below the control in TL3, and above the control in TL5. From the obtained results TL3 emerged to be more tolerant to excess Cu than TL5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare but severe drug reaction, most commonly to aromatic anticonvulsants with a delayed onset, variable clinical presentation and protracted course. The exact incidence of DRESS syndrome is not known because of the variability in clinical presentation, lack of strict diagnostic criteria and universally accepted nomenclature. We report four cases of DRESS syndrome associated with the use of carbamazepine. The clinical manifestation was similar: a maculopapular eruption progressing to exfoliative erythroderma, fever, and lymphadenopathy. Leukocytosis, atypical lymphocytes and liver injury (in 2 patients) were also observed. Assessment of causality using the Naranjo algorithm established a “probable” relationship with carbamazepine in three of the cases and a “possible” relationship in one case. Detection of DRESS syndrome is dependent on the exclusion of a variety of diseases with similar manifestations and may be delayed in time. DRESS syndrome is a potentially life-threatening multisystem adverse drug reaction, and accidental reexposure or drug provocation tests must be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of individual chromosomes of the wheat variety ‘Bezostaya 1’ on plant resistance to low temperatures was studied using the available set of intervarietal ‘Cappelle Desprez’ (‘Bezostaya 1’) chromosome substitution lines. The number of plants surviving after freezing at −12, −15 and −17°C was determined for both parents and lines in trials in 2004/2005 and 2005/2006. Significant differences between the three temperature treatments and between lines were found, implying that two factors, the level of temperature stress and chromosome substitutions, were influencing plant survival. Improved frost resistance in both trials was associated with genes located on five chromosomes: 5A, 2D, 4A, 5D and 6A. An increase in the plant frost resistance because of the effects of 7A and 1A chromosomes was also observed in the 2005/2006 trial, when the overall autumn and winter (January) temperatures were lower than in 2004/2005. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The N-banded karyotype of an Aegilops ovata (2n = 4x = 28) accession was produced, and the chromosomal constitution of its partial amphiploid with bread wheat Triticum aestivum 'Chinese Spring' was established. All A. ovata chromosomes showed specific N-banding patterns and can easily be distinguished from each other. As a result of irregular meiotic behaviour of the chromosomes in the amphiploid, some structural rearrangements have probably occurred in most of the A. ovata chromosomes. The wheat chromosomes remained unmodified in their morphology and the N-banding patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of the wheat–rye translocation 1RS.1BL was studied in 31 winter wheat varieties from Bulgaria. The presence of the translocation was verified in 17 varieties using chromosome N-banding analysis, PAGE-analysis of grain storage proteins and DNA-marker analysis. The 1RS.1BL has been transmitted in 54% of varieties with a known source of the translocation in their pedigree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]