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This paper presents the results of the study of interaction of gear wheels carbonitrided surfaces in parallel-shaft reducers. The study was carried out on an experimental four-square torque loop device. The conducted experiment allowed to establish the dependence of the electric current intensity consumed by an electric motor to overcome friction force in gearings and frictionless bearings on the load intensity taken by a test stand. Using this dependence, we determined the rule according to which friction coefficient is altered depending on nominal pressure on the gearwheel contacting surfaces. The research proves that, firstly, a resilient contact is formed between the friction surfaces if they are treated with carbonitride. Secondly, an increase in surface roughness parameter and the nominal pressure leads to a decrease in friction coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells (PDCs) infiltrating solid tumor tissues and draining lymph nodes of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) show an impaired immune response. In addition to an attenuated secretion of IFN-α little is known about other HNSCC-induced functional alterations in PDCs. Particular objectives in this project were to gain new insights regarding tumor-induced phenotypical and functional alterations in the PDC population. We showed by FACS analysis and RT-PCR that HNSCC orchestrates an as yet unknown subpopulation exhibiting functional autonomy in-vitro and in-vivo besides bearing phenotypical resemblance to PDCs and T cells. A subset, positive for the PDC markers CD123, BDCA- 2, HLA-DR and the T cell receptor αβ (TCR-αβ) was significantly induced subsequent to stimulation with HNSCC in-vitro (p = 0.009) and also present in metastatic lymph nodes in-vivo. This subgroup could be functionally distinguished due to an enhanced production of IL-2 (p = 0.02), IL-6 (p = 0.0007) and TGF-β (not significant). Furthermore, after exposure to HNSCC cells, mRNA levels revealed a D-J-beta rearrangement of the TCR-beta chain besides a strong enhancement of the CD3ϵ chain in the PDC population. Our data indicate an interface between the PDC and T cell lineage. These findings will improve our understanding of phenotypical and functional intricacies concerning the very heterogeneous PDC population in-vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Hematology is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Importance: The etiology of pediatric cancers is often unclear; however, advancements in genetics have identified significant roles for genetic disorders in their development. Over time, the number of cancer predisposition syndromes (CPSs) and awareness of them have increased, providing the possibility of cancer prevention and early detection. Purpose: In this study, we present data concerning the number and type of oncological cases and their correlation with CPS occurrence in a cohort of Central and Eastern European pediatric patients. Materials: The data were collected between 2000 and 2019 at the Karol Jonscher Clinical Hospital of Poznan University of Medical Sciences, resulting in a cohort of 2190 cases in total, of which 193 children (8.81%) were confirmed to have a CPS. Results: CPSs occurred most frequently in infancy (22.90% of all children suffering from any diagnosed cancer during the first year of life; p < 0.0001), accounting for more than one-quarter of all CPS cases in our cohort. CPSs were least likely to be observed in patients aged 14 and 15 years (2.17% and 2.44% of children diagnosed with any of the listed cancers at the exact age, respectively; p < 0.05). Among CPSs, the most common were neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), Li–Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), and Down syndrome (DS). Conclusions: To conclude, it is important to emphasize the need for personalized treatment for each patient affected by both CPSs and subsequent cancer in order to reduce the toxicity of therapy and improve quality of life by reducing the risk of side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article focuses on von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease, a rare genetic disorder characterized by the development of tumors and cysts throughout the body. It discusses the following aspects of the disease. Genetics: VHL disease is caused by mutations in the VHL tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 3. These mutations can be inherited or occur spontaneously. This article details the different types of mutations and their associated clinical features. Pathophysiology: The underlying cause of VHL disease is the loss of function of the VHL protein (pVHL). This protein normally regulates hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which are involved in cell growth and survival. When pVHL is dysfunctional, HIF levels become elevated, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation. Clinical Manifestations: VHL disease can affect various organs, including the brain, spinal cord, retina, kidneys, pancreas, and adrenal glands. Symptoms depend on the location and size of the tumors. Diagnosis: Diagnosis of VHL disease involves a combination of clinical criteria, imaging studies, and genetic testing. Treatment: Treatment options for VHL disease depend on the type and location of the tumors. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment, but other options like radiation therapy may also be used. Challenges: This article highlights the challenges in VHL disease management, including the lack of effective therapies for some tumor types and the need for better methods to monitor disease progression. In conclusion, we emphasize the importance of ongoing research to develop new and improved treatments for VHL disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based gene editing has begun to transform the treatment landscape of genetic diseases. The history of the discovery of CRISPR/CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins/single-guide RNA (sgRNA)-based gene editing since the first report of repetitive sequences of unknown significance in 1987 is fascinating, highly instructive, and inspiring for future advances in medicine. The recent approval of CRISPR-Cas9-based gene therapy to treat patients with severe sickle cell anemia and transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia has renewed hope for treating other hematologic diseases, including patients with a germline predisposition to hematologic malignancies, who would benefit greatly from the development of CRISPR-inspired gene therapies. The purpose of this paper is three-fold: first, a chronological description of the history of CRISPR-Cas9-sgRNA-based gene editing; second, a brief description of the current state of clinical research in hematologic diseases, including selected applications in treating hematologic diseases with CRISPR-based gene therapy, preceded by a brief description of the current tools being used in clinical genome editing; and third, a presentation of the current progress in gene therapies in inherited hematologic diseases and bone marrow failure syndromes, to hopefully stimulate efforts towards developing these therapies for patients with inherited bone marrow failure syndromes and other inherited conditions with a germline predisposition to hematologic malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The declining sturgeon population has prompted increased efforts for protection and recovery, resulting in its listing on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. Conservation and restoration efforts for sturgeon populations are vital within the context of aquaculture. The substantial growth of knowledge in this field between 1970 and 2022 underscores the need for a comprehensive bibliographic review. This review aims to categorize and optimize existing research to advance the sustainable development of sturgeon populations. Using bibliometric indicators and tools such as VOSviewer, R, Maxqda, and Publish or Perish, this study examined 1,118 peer‐reviewed articles collected from the Scopus database. The review provides an overview of studies on sturgeon conservation and sustainable development. Our analysis suggests that future research should focus on six key factors: environmental impacts, management practices, genetic data, nutritional status, sturgeon characteristics, and the capabilities of sturgeon sperm. The results emphasize that the conservation of sturgeon is a multifaceted concept associated with changes in environmental conditions and human activities as well as sturgeon morphology, physiology, and genetics. This review aims to guide future research toward enhanced sturgeon protection by presenting the results of various analyses, identifying scientific and research gaps, and specifying research priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) is the smallest-bodied endangered species among the six native sturgeon species of the Danube River, and self-sustaining populations still inhabit the Hungarian section of the Danube River and its largest tributary, the Tisza River. Their populations are drastically decreasing; however, they still have natural reproduction in these habitats. For the genetic conservation of the species, an ex situ gene bank is maintained in Hungary. The present study aimed to analyze the genetic resources of a gene bank with a near 40-year history and to compare it with natural populations and farmed stocks. Twelve microsatellites were used for population genetics analyses and individual genotyping of 268 specimens from two natural habitats (Danube and Tisza Rivers) and three captive stocks (a gene bank broodstock and two farms). Microsatellites revealed similar patterns among wild populations and gene bank stocks and did not show genetic differentiation (FST: 0.016–0.017) among them. These results confirmed that the gene bank broodstock properly represents the genetic background of the Danube and Tisza populations and is suitable as a source of breeding materials for the restocking programs. Negative trends were detected in the farmed stocks, reflected in reduced polymorphism at a few loci. The results of the principal component analyses indicate the farm stocks' separation from the wild and gene bank stocks. The present genetic characterization study reveals a valuable captive stock of the endangered sterlet populations and provides unique information about the genetic similarities and differences among farms and wild stocks in Hungary. Our results provide information that contributes to preserving the genetic structure and variability in sterlet populations and supports the management of gene bank broodstock—avoiding inbreeding and preserving the unique genetic background of the Carpathian basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diatoms are important primary producers in marine and freshwater environments, but little is known about the signalling mechanisms they use to detect changes in their environment. All eukaryotic organisms use Ca2+ signalling to perceive and respond to environmental stimuli, employing a range of Ca2+-permeable ion channels to facilitate the movement of Ca2+ across cellular membranes. We investigated the distribution of different families of Ca2+ channels in diatom genomes, with comparison to other members of the stramenopile lineage. The four-domain voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (Cav) are present in some centric diatoms but almost completely absent in pennate diatoms, whereas single-domain voltage-gated EukCatA channels were found in all diatoms. Glutamate receptors (GLRs) and pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) also appear to have been lost in several pennate species. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are present in all diatoms, but have not undergone the significant expansion seen in brown algae. All diatom species analysed lacked the mitochondrial uniporter (MCU), a highly conserved channel type found in many eukaryotes, including several stramenopile lineages. These results highlight the unique Ca2+-signalling toolkit of diatoms and indicate that evolutionary gains or losses of different Ca2+ channels may contribute to differences in cellular-signalling mechanisms between species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft tissue injuries (STIs) are the most common cause of extremity pain and motion dysfunction. Persistent inflammatory activation of immune cells characterized by senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and mitochondrial stress are considered the primary causes of STIs, a pathological process also termed inflammaging. Meanwhile, scavenging excessive "cellular waste" in the inflammaging microenvironment and further activating tissue repair processes remain elusive. Herein, an anti‐inflammaging photothermal hydrogel microneedle patch for treating STIs is developed. Taurine‐loaded Prussian blue nanoparticles (Taurine@PB) are encapsulated in a methacrylate‐based hyaluronic acid hydrogel (HAMA) and further fabricated into taurine@PB@HAMA@microneedles (TPH@MN) patches. The acidic microenvironment of chronic inflammation and mild photothermal effects promote taurine release and anti‐inflammaging immunomodulation, inhibiting mitochondrial stress via the SIRT3‐NF‐κB axis to promote glycolytic metabolic microenvironment of neutrophils reprogramming toward oxidative phosphorylation metabolism. Furthermore, TPH@MN activates macrophage efferocytosis and initiates the process of tissue repair. In mouse models of chronic diabetic wounds and tibialis anterior (TA) muscle injury, TPH@MN inhibits SASP expression and promotes STIs healing through thermosensitized anti‐inflammaging immunomodulation. In summary, TPH@MN circumvents the side effects of systemic administration, providing new translatable options in the treatment modalities for patients suffering from STIs worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurocutaneous disorders, also known as phakomatoses, are congenital and acquired syndromes resulting in simultaneous neurologic and cutaneous involvement. In several of these conditions, the genetic phenomenon is understood, providing a pivotal role in the development of therapeutic options. This review encompasses the discussion of the genetic and clinical involvement of neurocutaneous disorders, and examines clinical management and treatment options. With the current advances in genetics, the role of precision medicine and targeted therapy play a substantial role in addressing the management of these conditions. The interconnectedness between therapeutic options highlights the importance of precision medicine in treating each disorder's unique molecular pathway. This review provides an extensive synthesis of ongoing and current therapeutics in the management of such clinically unique and challenging conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new, simplified protocol for determining particulate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels allows for the assessment of microbial biomass distribution in aquatic systems at a high temporal and spatial resolution. A comparison of ATP data with related variables, such as particulate carbon, nitrogen, chlorophyll, and turbidity in pelagic samples, yielded significant and strong correlations in a gradient from the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay (sigma-t = 8) to the open North Atlantic (sigma-t = 29). Correlations varied between ATP and biomass depending on the microscopic method employed. Despite the much greater effort involved, biomass determined by microscopy correlated poorly with other indicator variables including carbon, nitrogen, and chlorophyll. The ATP values presented here fit well within the range of ATP biomass estimates in the literature for similar environments. A compilation of prior research data from a wide range of marine habitats demonstrated that ATP values can be ranked according to broad trophic gradients, from the deep sea to eutrophic inland waters. Using a mass-based conversion factor of 250, the contribution of biomass to overall particulate organic carbon (POC) ranged from 15% to 30% along the gradient, from the open ocean to locations in the Chesapeake Bay respectively. Our data corroborate the notion that ATP, due to its consistency and simplicity, is a promising high-throughput indicator of cytoplasm volume with distinct benefits over cell counts and measures of chlorophyll or POC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The idea of the article was to verify the thesis that acoustic studies of ichthyofauna in lakes provide sufficient information to determine the necessity (or lack thereof) of carrying out a full procedure for assessing the ecological status based on fish. The manuscript compares acoustic data collected in 2008 and 2021 in Lake Dejguny (Poland) as a result of acquisition carried out with the same EY-500 echosounder, on the same routes (transects), and the echogram analyses were carried out using software dedicated to this echosounder. Target strength (TS) distribution was determined in the lake and in individual water layers with a thickness of 2 m, as well as, using the mapping method, changes in the distribution of fish in selected water layers. Large changes in TS distribution in the vertical profile were demonstrated between both years of the study, as well as a clear reduction in the space available for fish in waters below 24 m in 2021, which was associated with a reduction in the concentration of dissolved oxygen below this depth to a value lower than 2.5 mg L−1. It was suggested that it could be possible to develop a simple index enabling the assessment of changes in fish structure, based, similarly to the Large Fish Index, on the ratio of the number of large fish to small fish. The obtained results confirmed that the proposed methods of acoustic data analysis can be the basis for the decision on the necessity (or lack thereof) of conducting an assessment using the Polish national LFI-EN method based on the results of one-off fishing with Nordic multimesh gillnets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical signalling is the primary means by which cells communicate in the embryo. The underlying principle refers to a group of ligand-producing cells and a group of cells that respond to this signal because they express the appropriate receptors1,2. In the zebrafish embryo, Wnt5b binds to the receptor Ror2 to trigger the Wnt–planar cell polarity (PCP) signalling pathway to regulate tissue polarity and cell migration3,4. However, it remains unclear how this lipophilic ligand is transported from the source cells through the aqueous extracellular space to the target tissue. In this study, we provide evidence that Wnt5b, together with Ror2, is loaded on long protrusions called cytonemes. Our data further suggest that the active Wnt5b–Ror2 complexes form in the producing cell and are handed over from these cytonemes to the receiving cell. Then, the receiving cell has the capacity to initiate Wnt–PCP signalling, irrespective of its functional Ror2 receptor status. On the tissue level, we further show that cytoneme-dependent spreading of active Wnt5b–Ror2 affects convergence and extension in the zebrafish gastrula. We suggest that cytoneme-mediated transfer of ligand–receptor complexes is a vital mechanism for paracrine signalling. This may prompt a reevaluation of the conventional concept of characterizing responsive and non-responsive tissues solely on the basis of the expression of receptors.In zebrafish embryos, active complexes of Wnt5b and its membrane-bound receptor Ror2 are transported between cells via cellular protrusions called cytonemes to initiate paracrine Wnt5b signalling in cells that do not endogenously express the receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Improvement of the gene pool of the cultivated form of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) through interspecific hybridisation with Solanum aethiopicum L. and gametic breeding; analysis of the interspecific lines for a set of valuable quantitative traits determining the yield structure. Methods. Studies for the comprehensive evaluation of eggplant lines of interspecific origin were carried out during 2021-2023 in protected soil conditions at the experimental base of the Institute of Vegetable and Melon Growing of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. Phenological observations and biometric measurements of plants of four lines were carried out. The stability of the manifestation of seven quantitative traits during the research years was determined by the methods of variation statistics [calculation of the mean square deviation (σ), coefficient of variation (V), Pearson's paired linear correlation (rp)]. Results. The analysis identified eggplant lines of interspecific origin that were superior to the standard variety 'Almaz' in terms of the level and stability of quantitative traits. Thus, F6(Pavlotas-20 / 'Almaz')I1 and ВС1[F5 (Pavlotas-20 / 'Almaz')]I1 showed a statistically significant increase in fruit width (by 16.48% and 14.85%, respectively). Meanwhile, line BC2[F5 (Pavlotas-20 / 'Almaz')]I1 exhibited higher productivity (by 18.11%) compared to the standard variety. The correlation analysis shows that the trait "Productivity of one plant" has a strong positive relationship with the trait "Number of fruits per plant" (rp = 0.75) and a strong negative relationship with "Average fruit width" (rp = -0.70) and "Duration of the period from mass germination to technical fruit maturity" (rp = -0.72). The selected line BC2[F5 (Pavlotas-20 / 'Almaz')]I1 exhibited a four-day shorter period from mass germination to technical fruit maturity compared to the standard variety. Conclusions. The line BC2[F5 (Pavlotas-20 / 'Almaz')]I1 was isolated based on the complex of quantitative traits. It underwent an additional stage of gametophytic breeding, resulting in a high adaptive potential to growing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of organic technology for growing vegetable plants will help to reduce the environmental burden of pesticides and produce safe vegetable products with high yields. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of biological preparations on the organic cultivation of vegetable plants. Field, measuring and weighing, mathematical and statistical methods were used to determine the efficacy of the preparations. The study was conducted in 2018-2021 in different regions of Ukraine. It was established that the systemic use of biologies during the growing season of vegetable plants provided rapid growth and development, helped to increase immunity to diseases, reduced the activity of pathogenic microorganisms in the soil, and provided an increase in overall yield. The general use of biologic preparations in open ground conditions contributed to a total potato yield of 25.4 t/ha, and the complex use of preparations on Brussels sprouts forms a larger number of heads - 90 units. The Organic Balance biological product provided an increase in yield of up to 3.5 t/ha and 90% marketability of products when growing Chinese cabbage. Chemical analysis showed that the use of biologics increased the dry matter in tomato fruits by 1.03% - in the Rio Fuego variety and 1.39% - in the Missouri variety. The yield increase in the studied varieties of asparagus beans Laura and Purpurova was 0.5 and 0.6 t/ha compared to the variants without seed inoculation. The use of biological preparations provided a higher yield in tomato plants of the Asvon variety by 2.2 t/ha, significantly reduced the content of nitrates in fruits to 50-80 mg/kg, while in the control - 110-170 mg/kg, increased the content of dry matter by 1.03 and 1.39%, depending on the variety. The gross yield of winter garlic with the use of biologics increased by 5%, and the marketability of potato tubers increased by 5%. Organic technologies would allow farmers to minimise the use of pesticides, produce environmentally friendly products, and increase yields [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of unmalted grain is one of the methods for improving quality, reducing production costs, and creating new types of beer. However, the enzymatic activity of such raw materials is zero, so the use of enzyme preparations is relevant. The purpose of the study was to compare the quality indicators of 100% malt beer and beer with the replacement of malt with unmalted barley using enzymes. Methods of technical and chemical analysis were used to determine the organoleptic and physico-chemical parameters of beer. Recommendations have been developed for intensifying the preparation of wort using various types of grain raw materials - unmalted barley and rice grits with the addition of enzyme preparations from Novozymes (Denmark) at different stages of brewing were developed. When testing new enzyme preparations (β-glucanase complex, xylanase), the filtration time, wort viscosity, and the content of β-glucans and arabinoxylans decreased by about 20% compared to the control samples. The use of a new enzyme preparation resulted in better breakdown of substances, which affected the quality and duration of filtration. This leads to an improvement of wort quality, reducing the duration of the process and reducing the cost of raw materials. To ensure the required ratio of substances in the wort, it is necessary to introduce complex enzyme preparations - peptidhydrolase, α-amylase, endo-β-glucanase (Ceremis Plus). Preparations containing endo-β-glucanase (Ultraflo Max) should be used at the beginning of mashing to improve the rheological properties of the wort and reduce its viscosity, which improves the filtration process. To obtain beer with the required degree of fermentation during mashing, it is better to use new enzyme preparations (glucoamylase). The practical significance of the study lies in the use of large amounts of unmalted grain together with exoenzymes such as Ultraflo Max and Ceremis Plus, which will allow brewers to produce wort and beer of the same composition and quality as premium wort and beer, using only malt [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article substantiates the importance of the activities of a modern teacher in solving existing problems in the field of education. Scientific and practical approaches to a comprehensive analysis of the educational environment, the modern image of a teacher and the conditions of learning and development are presented. made it possible to develop mechanisms for creating a structural model of pedagogical activity. Explanations and meanings of some terms are given. The requirements for a teacher are determined not only by the great importance, but also by the rare originality of pedagogical activity. A teacher is a special profession. These are the people who are always in sight; students, colleagues, and parents are next to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the emerging trends in modern analytical and bioanalytical chemistry involves the substitution of enzyme labels (such as horseradish peroxidase) with nanozymes (nanoparticles possessing enzyme-like catalytic activity). Since enzymes and nanozymes typically operate through different catalytic mechanisms, it is expected that optimal reaction conditions will also differ. The optimization of substrates for nanozymes usually focuses on determining the ideal pH and temperature. However, in some cases, even this step is overlooked, and commercial substrate formulations designed for enzymes are utilized. This paper demonstrates that not only the pH but also the composition of the substrate buffer, including the buffer species and additives, significantly impact the analytical signal generated by nanozymes. The presence of enhancers such as imidazole in commercial substrates diminishes the catalytic activity of nanozymes, which is demonstrated herein through the use of 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and Prussian Blue as a model chromogenic substrate and nanozyme. Conversely, a simple modification to the substrate buffer greatly enhances the performance of nanozymes. Specifically, in this paper, it is demonstrated that buffers such as citrate, MES, HEPES, and TRIS, containing 1.5–2 M NaCl or NH4Cl, substantially increase DAB oxidation by Prussian Blue and yield a higher signal compared to commercial DAB formulations. The central message of this paper is that the optimization of substrate composition should be an integral step in the development of nanozyme-based assays. Herein, a step-by-step optimization of the DAB substrate composition for Prussian Blue nanozymes is presented. The optimized substrate outperforms commercial formulations in terms of efficiency. The effectiveness of the optimized DAB substrate is affirmed through its application in several commonly used immunostaining techniques, including tissue staining, Western blotting assays of immunoglobulins, and dot blot assays of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a model species frequently used to study lipid metabolism in diatoms. When exposed to a nutrient limitation or starvation, diatoms are known to accumulate neutral lipids in cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs). Those lipids are produced partly de novo and partly from the recycle of plastid membrane lipids. Under a nitrogen resupply, the accumulated lipids are catabolized, a phenomenon about which only a few data are available. Various strains of P. tricornutum have been isolated around the world that may differ in lipid accumulation patterns. Methods: To get further information on this topic, two genetically distant ecotypes of P. tricornutum (Pt1 and Pt4) have been cultivated under nitrogen deprivation during 11 days followed by a resupply period of 3 days. The importance of cytoplasmic LDs relative to the plastid was assessed by a combination of confocal laser scanning microscopy and cell volume estimation using bright field microscopy pictures. Results and discussion: We observed that in addition to a basal population of small LDs (0.005 μm3 to 0.7 μm3) present in both strains all along the experiment, Pt4 cells immediately produced two large LDs (up to 12 μm³ after 11 days) while Pt1 cells progressively produced a higher number of smaller LDs (up to 7 μm³ after 11 days). In this work we showed that, in addition to intracellular available space, lipid accumulation may be limited by the pre-starvation size of the plastid as a source of membrane lipids to be recycled. After resupplying nitrogen and for both ecotypes, a fragmentation of the largest LDs was observed as well as a possible migration of LDs to the vacuoles that would suggest an autophagic degradation. Altogether, our results deepen the understanding of LDs dynamics and open research avenues for a better knowledge of lipid degradation in diatoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To use cluster analysis of morphological characters to simplify the identification of Brassica oleracea var. italica and form groups of similar varieties for the test of difference. Methods. Analytical, mathematical and statistical methods were used in the work. As input information for the statistical processing of the obtained results, information on the results of the examination for distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) from the database of the Automated Information System of the Ukrainian Institute for Plant Varieties Examination was used. Cluster modelling was carried out using the IBM SPSS Statistics "Statistical Package for the Social Sciences". Results. A morphological description of broccoli varieties was carried out on the basis of 32 characteristics for the examination of distinctness, uniformity and stability. The morphological code formulae of the latter, composed of the corresponding codes for the manifestation of identifying characteristics of vegetative and generative organs of plants, served as a source of initial data. Out of 41 varieties described by 32 morphological characteristics, only two groups were found to be similar in terms of the identifying characteristics of the varieties. Two types of variables were used as parameters of the model: target - characteristic "Head: anthocyanin colour", focal - "Head: colour". The full list of characteristics was as follows "plant: by height (at harvest maturity)", "leaf: position (at beginning of head formation)", "leaf blade: wavy edge", "leaf blade: blistering", "petiole: by length", "head: colour", "head: anthocyanin colour", "head: by density", "flower: colour", "flower: intensity of yellow colour", "male sterility". Using computer modelling, clusters of 17 similar broccoli varieties and 9 control objects (varieties) were formed, the identification of which involved eleven morphological characteristics. Conclusions. In order to search for distinguishing characteristics in the process of testing the difference of cabbage varieties, broccoli was grouped into clusters according to such morphological characteristics as the position of the leaf at the beginning of the formation of the head; waviness of the edge of the leaf blade; blistering of the leaf plate; petiole length; head colour; presence of anthocyanin and intensity of yellow colour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Plant & Soil Science is the property of National University of Life & Environmental Sciences of Ukraine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) has found a broad application for testing in point-of-care (POC) settings. LFIA is performed using test strips—fully integrated multimembrane assemblies containing all reagents for assay performance. Migration of liquid sample along the test strip initiates the formation of labeled immunocomplexes, which are detected visually or instrumentally. The tradeoff of LFIA's rapidity and user-friendliness is its relatively low sensitivity (high limit of detection), which restricts its applicability for detecting low-abundant targets. An increase in LFIA's sensitivity has attracted many efforts and is often considered one of the primary directions in developing immunochemical POC assays. Post-assay enhancements based on chemical reactions facilitate high sensitivity. In this critical review, we explain the performance of post-assay chemical enhancements, discuss their advantages, limitations, compared limit of detection (LOD) improvements, and required time for the enhancement procedures. We raise concerns about the performance of enhanced LFIA and discuss the bottlenecks in the existing experiments. Finally, we suggest the experimental workflow for step-by-step development and validation of enhanced LFIA. This review summarizes the state-of-art of LFIA with chemical enhancement, offers ways to overcome existing limitations, and discusses future outlooks for highly sensitive testing in POC conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rational choice of pumping units and the effective usage of the corresponding pumping equipment are urgent problems in terms of ensuring the energy efficiency of up-to-date enterprises. The research aims to develop an energy efficiency indicator for torque flow pump usage to improve the decision-making procedure for choosing the corresponding pumping equipment for specific production conditions. Based on a study of the requirements of international standards for energy efficiency, a methodology for evaluating torque flow pumps according to the energy efficiency indicators is proposed, as the ratio between the values of the average compensated network power and the reference pump inlet power can determine the degree of reduced energy equipment operation efficiency in terms of the energy efficiency of pumping liquids. It was proposed to apply the base point method to determine the so-called compromise point of energy consumption for liquid pumping. This is a point for which another point, by the Pareto compromise, is likely to have a more significant (worse) value for energy consumption than the rest of the set of possible values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus mitis, a normal inhabitant of the oral cavity, is a member of Viridans Group Streptococci (VGS). Generally recognized as a causative agent of invasive diseases in immunocompromised patients, S. mitis is considered to have low pathogenic potential in immunocompetent individuals. We present a rare case of sinusitis complicated by meningitis and cerebral sino-venous thrombosis (CSVT) caused by S. mitis in a previously healthy 12-year-old boy with poor oral health status. With the aim of understanding the real pathogenic role of this microorganism, an extensive review of the literature about invasive diseases due to S. mitis in pediatric patients was performed. Our data define the critical role of this microorganism in invasive infections, especially in immunocompetent children and in the presence of apparently harmful conditions such as sinusitis and caries. Attention should be paid to the choice of therapy because of VGS's emerging antimicrobial resistance patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potash fertilizer production is one of the most important economic activities. Historically, potash mining has had a significant impact on the environment, often with catastrophic consequences. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the results of studies on the environmental impact of potash mining using the example of the Verkhnekamskoe potash deposit. The deposit is located in the central part of the Solikamsk depression in the Pre-Ural foredeep (Perm Krai, Russia). All the main features and problems of underground mining of water-soluble ores and potassium fertilizer production are considered using the example of one of the world's largest potash deposits. This paper looks into the specifics of the material composition of waste, its disposal, underground mining issues associated with the solubility of salts, and the risks of groundwater inflow into the mine workings, which causes flooding of mines. The results of all surveys show that potash mining affects the atmosphere, surface water, groundwater, soil, and vegetation. The most effective measure to reduce the adverse environmental impact of potash mining at the Verkhnekamskoe Deposit is hydraulic backfilling of mine chambers, which protects the underground mines from flooding, minimizes ground subsidence, and reduces the area of potash waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On behalf of the 1st Pediatric Exercise Oncology Congress, we are pleased to present the abstracts from the 2022 Conference, the inaugural gathering of an international congress. The conference was held virtually on 7 and 8 April 2022. This conference brought together key stakeholders in pediatric exercise oncology, including multidisciplinary professionals from exercise, rehabilitation medicine, psychology, nursing, and medicine. The participants included clinicians, researchers, and community-based organizations. Twenty-four abstracts were selected for presentations (10–15-min oral presentations). In addition, there were five invited speakers with 20 min presentations and two keynotes with 45 min presentations. We congratulate all the presenters on their research work and contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its numerous advantages, such as excellent drug accessibility, rapid absorption, and bypass of first-pass metabolism, the route of drug administration that involves crossing the oral mucosa is highly favored. As a result, there is significant interest in investigating the permeability of drugs through this region. The purpose of this review is to describe the various ex vivo and in vitro models used to study the permeability of conveyed and non-conveyed drugs through the oral mucosa, with a focus on the most effective models. Currently, there is a growing need for standardized models of this mucosa that can be used for developing new drug delivery systems. Oral Mucosa Equivalents (OMEs) may provide a promising future perspective as they are capable of overcoming limitations present in many existing models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporosis, a chronic complication of diabetes mellitus, is characterized by a reduction in bone mass, destruction of bone microarchitecture, decreased bone strength, and increased bone fragility. Because of its insidious onset, osteoporosis renders patients highly susceptible to pathological fractures, leading to increased disability and mortality rates. However, the specific pathogenesis of osteoporosis induced by chronic hyperglycemia has not yet been fully elucidated. But it is currently known that the disruption of Wnt signaling triggered by chronic hyperglycemia is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic osteoporosis. There are two main types of Wnt signaling pathways, the canonical Wnt signaling pathway (β-catenin-dependent) and the non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway (non-β-catenin-dependent), both of which play an important role in regulating the balance between bone formation and bone resorption. Therefore, this review systematically describes the effects of abnormal Wnt pathway signaling on bone homeostasis under hyperglycemia, hoping to reveal the relationship between Wnt signaling and diabetic osteoporosis to further improve understanding of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a multifactorial disease occurring as a consequence of premature birth, as well as antenatal and postnatal injury to the developing lung. BPD morbidity and severity depend on a complex interplay between prenatal and postnatal inflammation, mechanical ventilation, and oxygen therapy as well as associated prematurity-related complications. These initial hits result in ill-explored aberrant immune and reparative response, activation of pro-fibrotic and anti-angiogenic factors, which further perpetuate the injury. Histologically, the disease presents primarily by impaired lung development and an arrest in lung microvascular maturation. Consequently, BPD leads to respiratory complications beyond the neonatal period and may result in premature aging of the lung. While the numerous prenatal and postnatal stimuli contributing to BPD pathogenesis are relatively well known, the specific cell populations driving the injury, as well as underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. Recently, an effort to gain a more detailed insight into the cellular composition of the developing lung and its progenitor populations has unfold. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding perinatal origin of BPD and discuss underlying mechanisms, as well as novel approaches to study the perturbed lung development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-phase phosphors that emit broadband white-light are needed for white-light-emitting diodes (wLEDs) to reach their full potential. However, it is challenging to achieve broad white-light emission from single-phase materials. Consequently, polycrystalline inorganic bulk compounds that emit white-light sans doping are rare. We report on broadband white-light emission from a well-known garnet compound, i.e., yttrium iron garnet (YIG), without activator-ion doping. Upon near-UV excitation at 370 nm, polycrystalline bulk YIG emits broadband white-light with (1931) Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates as (0.28, 0.35) and correlated color temperature (CCT) as 8029 K. Variable excitation wavelengths ranging from 280 to 600 nm enable color-tunable emission as cyan-white-blue-green-yellow-orange-red, including near-white-light emission for a broad range of excitation from 325 to 390 nm. Moreover, a short lifetime (sub-nanosecond) is obtained, which is desirable for LED and other applications. We demonstrated the propriety of YIG as a single-phase converting phosphor for illumination by fabricating prototype wLEDs using commercial InGaN UV-LED chips (λ = 380 nm) for excitation. The CIE coordinates and CCT of prototype wLEDs were obtained as (0.34, 0.37) and 5284 K, respectively. We believe that the reported findings signify the great potential of YIG as a single-phase white-light-emitting phosphor for broadband emission, which offers a new perspective and a viable approach for the development of wLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incremental forming (IF) is an advanced manufacturing process in which a forming tool locally deforms sheet material into a desired geometry through successive passes at incremental depths. An inherent benefit to the IF process is its formability improvement over conventional stamping; however, further enhancements will enable the forming of increasingly complex geometries. To progress the IF process towards heavy industrial use, the modeling of such processes must be further developed. Single point incremental forming (SPIF) of AA2024-T3 was modeled herein utilizing explicit formulations. The model geometry featured a nominally rectangular-shaped clamping region. A friction factor was experimentally determined and utilized within the model, which is a novel addition to this work. Formability was determined and forming limit diagrams were composed. It was found that the present model shows greater formability and underestimates plastic strain compared to experimental testing. The generation of forming limit diagrams for this material processed by IF is also a novel addition to this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs), also called nanozymes, are very attractive as an alternative to horseradish peroxidase in immunoassay development due to their simple and low-cost synthesis, stability and high catalytic activity. Today, there is a method for highly effective PBNP synthesis based on the reduction of an FeCl 3 /K 3 [Fe(CN) 6 ] mixture by hydrogen peroxide. However, there is a lack of research showcasing the use of these highly effective PBNPs for specific target detection in clinical settings, as well as a lack of comprehensive comparisons with conventional methods. To address this gap, we prepared diagnostic reagents based on highly effective PBNPs by modifying them using gelatin and attaching anti-C-reactive protein (CRP) monoclonal antibodies through cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. As a result, a solid-phase colorimetric immunoassay in a sandwich format (nanozyme-linked immunosorbent assay [NLISA]) using highly effective PBNPs as a label for CRP detection has been demonstrated for the first time. The assay demonstrated a detection limit of 21.8 pg/mL, along with acceptable selectivity, precision (CV < 25%) and accuracy (the recovery index was within acceptable limits (75-125%) for LLOQ /ULOQ range. The analytical performance of this method is on par with sensitive assays developed in the last 5 years. Notably, the results obtained from NLISA align with those from an immunofluorescence assay conducted by a certified clinical laboratory. Furthermore, this study underscores the technological challenges involved in constructing an analysis that necessitate further exploration., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE part of Springer Nature.)