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Conservation of grapevine genetic resources is an important and long lasting task. Here, partners of the InWiGrape Activity of the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources have proposed a set of descriptors that will assist in identification, conservation and study of genetic resources of Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris. A distribution map of Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris populations in Europe was produced, with on-line access through the European Vitis Database. The several different aspects of conservation of Vitis vinifera L. subsp. sylvestris including bibliographical references, identification in the wild, in situ and ex situ conservation have been discussed. The descriptors and the map will assist different stakeholders, working on biodiversity and ecosystems in more effective conservation of wild grapevine genetic resources., VITIS - Journal of Grapevine Research, Vol 56 No 3 (2017): Vitis

Aufgrund der durchgeführten Untersuchungen über die Intensität der Photosynthese, den Aminosäurengehalt und die Feinstruktur der wichtigsten Organellen in den Mesophyllzellen von Rebenblättern kann man folgern, daß die Photosynthese in unmittelbarer Korrelation zu anderen synthetischen Prozessen und zur Struktur des Blattparenchyms steht. Zur Zeit des intensiven Wachstums der Blätter sind die Aminosäurensynthese und die Bildung der Lamellarstruktur in den Chloroplasten sehr ausgeprägt, und die Intensitätssteigerung der Photosynthese ist verlangsamt. Zu Beginn der Vegetationsperiode, solange die Masse der Rebenblätter noch kleiner ist, ist der Aminosäurengehalt in den Blättern relativ größer als später, wenn die Blattmasse vermehrt ist. In den Blättern, die näher am Triebgrund wachsen, differenziert sich die Lamellarstrutkur der Chloroplasten langsamer und vollständiger, und das relativ hohe Niveau der Photosynthese dauert länger an. Die Blätter, die mehr apikal austreiben, erreichen rasch eine sehr hohe Intenistät der Photosynthese, aber deren Dauer ist - in Übereinstimmung mit der unvollkommenen Feinstruktur der Chloroplasten - relativ kurz. Photosynthesis, amino-acid content, and ultrastructure of the leaf parenchyma in grape-vines Investigations were carried out on the intensity of photosynthesis, the amino-acid content and the ultrastructure of the most important organelles in the mesophyl cells of vine leaves. lt can be concluded that the photosynthesis is direct correlated to other synthetic processes and to the structure of the leaf parenchyma. In the period of intensive leaf-growth, the amino-acid synthesis and the development of the structure of lamellae in the chloroplasts are very intensive and simultaneously photosynthesis is retarded. At the beginning of the vegetative period, the amino-acid content is higher in the rather small vine leaves than at a later stage when number and size of the leaves have increased. The structure of lamellae of the chloroplasts differentiates more slowly and more entirely in the leaves of the proximal part of the shoot, accompanied by a lang lasting high intensity of photosynthesis. The apical leaves attein very quickly a high intensity of photosynthesis, the duration of which, however, is comparatively short in correspondence with the incomplete ultrastructure of the chloroplasts., VITIS - Journal of Grapevine Research, Vol. 12 No. 4 (1973): Vitis

Altres ajuts: This work was supported by Celyad, SA (Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium). Celyad has received research grants from the Walloon Region (Belgium, DG06 funding). Cardiopoietic cells, produced through cardiogenic conditioning of patients' mesenchymal stem cells, have shown preliminary efficacy. The Congestive Heart Failure Cardiopoietic Regenerative Therapy (CHART-1) trial aimed to validate cardiopoiesis-based biotherapy in a larger heart failure cohort. This multinational, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study was conducted in 39 hospitals. Patients with symptomatic ischaemic heart failure on guideline-directed therapy (n = 484) were screened; n = 348 underwent bone marrow harvest and mesenchymal stem cell expansion. Those achieving > 24 million mesenchymal stem cells (n = 315) were randomized to cardiopoietic cells delivered endomyocardially with a retention-enhanced catheter (n = 157) or sham procedure (n = 158). Procedures were performed as randomized in 271 patients (n = 120 cardiopoietic cells, n = 151 sham). The primary efficacy endpoint was a Finkelstein–Schoenfeld hierarchical composite (all-cause mortality, worsening heart failure, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score, 6-min walk distance, left ventricular end-systolic volume, and ejection fraction) at 39 weeks. The primary outcome was neutral (Mann–Whitney estimator 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47–0.61 [value > 0.5 favours cell treatment], P = 0.27). Exploratory analyses suggested a benefit of cell treatment on the primary composite in patients with baseline left ventricular end-diastolic volume 200–370 mL (60% of patients) (Mann–Whitney estimator 0.61, 95% CI 0.52–0.70, P = 0.015). No difference was observed in serious adverse events. One (0.9%) cardiopoietic cell patient and 9 (5.4%) sham patients experienced aborted or sudden cardiac death. The primary endpoint was neutral, with safety demonstrated across the cohort. Further evaluation of cardiopoietic cell therapy in patients with elevated end-diastolic volume is warranted.

The importance of metabolic syndrome (MetS) lies in its associated risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as other harmful conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In this report, the available scientific evidence on the associations between lifestyle changes and MetS and its components is reviewed to derive recommendations for MetS prevention and management. Weight loss through an energy-restricted diet together with increased energy expenditure through physical activity contribute to the prevention and treatment of MetS. A Mediterranean-type diet, with or without energy restriction, is an effective treatment component. This dietary pattern should be built upon an increased intake of unsaturated fat, primarily from olive oil, and emphasize the consumption of legumes, cereals (whole grains), fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and low-fat dairy products, as well as moderate consumption of alcohol. Other dietary patterns (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, new Nordic, and vegetarian diets) have also been proposed as alternatives for preventing MetS. Quitting smoking and reducing intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and meat and meat products are mandatory. Nevertheless, there are inconsistencies and gaps in the evidence, and additional research is needed to define the most appropriate therapies for MetS. In conclusion, a healthy lifestyle is critical to prevent or delay the onset of MetS in susceptible individuals and to prevent cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in those with existing MetS. The recommendations provided in this article should help patients and clinicians understand and implement the most effective approaches for lifestyle change to prevent MetS and improve cardiometabolic health.

arthroplasty (TKA) patients and to determine the association of fear of movement with established outcome measures.A prospective study included 78 patients with primary TKA for osteorthritis. The occurence of fear of movement was assessed by Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). The patients were assessed at three time points: 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 6 months after the surgery. Pain and flexion were measured at all the three time points while function according to the Oxford knee score 1 was evaluated only at 6 month after surgery.Fear of movement occurred in 17 patients (21.8%). Patients with a high degree of fear of movement showed significantly poorer results compared to those with a low degree in terms of pain, flexion and function. Improvement in pain and flexion over time was achieved in both groups but it was significantly greater in the low degree fear of movement group.Our study showed that postoperative fear of movement was significantly associated with pain, flexion and function. Other authors found that preoperative level of fear of movement was a predictor of postoperative functional limitations.Fear of movement occurred in a substantial proportion of patients after TKA and it was associated with knee pain, flexion and function. According to our results fear of movement may represent a risk for poor TKA outcome.RiassuntoLo scopo dello studio è quello di verificare l’incidenza del timore postoperatorio ai movimenti nei pazienti sottoposti ad artroplastica totale del ginocchio (TKA) e di determinare l’associazione di questo timore con i provvedimenti da adottare. Lo studio prospettico riguarda 78 pazienti sottoposti ad TKA primaria per osteoartrite. L’incidenza di timore al movimento è stata detenninata con l’uso della Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). I pazienti sono stati valutati in tre fasi temporali: 2 settimane. 4 settimane e 6 mesi dopo l’intervento chirurgico. In tutte e tre le fasi sono stati valutati il dolore e l’entità della flessione, mentre l’aspetto funzionale è stato preso in considerazione soltanto sei mesi dopo l’intervento, secondo la Oxford knee score 1. Il timore al movimento è stato registrato in 17 pazienti (21,8%). Quelli con maggiore entità di timore hanno dimostrato di conseguire risultati significativamente meno buoni in termini di dolore, grado di flessione e funzionalità rispetto a quelli con limitata paura. Miglioramento del dolore e della flessione sono stati progressivamente conseguiti nel tempo in entrambi i gruppi, ma i risultati migliori vengono raggiunti nel gruppo con minore paura al movimento. Lo studio ha dimostrato che la paura postoperatoria alla motilità si associa significativamente con il dolore, l’entità della flessione e la funzionalità del ginocchio. Altri Autori haImo rilevato che il timore preoperatorio alla motilità del ginocchio fa prevedere limitazioni funzionali postoperatorie. In conclusione il timore della motilità si rileva in una significativa proporzione dei pazienti dopo TKA e si associa con gonalgia, e minore flessione e funzionalità, e dunaue questa paura rappresenta un richio di scarsi risultati dopo artroplastica totale del ginocchio.

This paper presents achieved results of the first stage of the TEMPUS project (544257-TEMPUS-1-2013-1-ME-TEMPUS-JPCR) titled Modernizing and Harmonizing Maritime Education in Montenegro and Albania, MArED Project. The main objective of MArED project is to overcome a problem of competent and qualified human resources in maritime sector in Montenegro and Albania. It will be achieved through the modernization and harmonization of educational and training system in accordance to IMO and STCW Convention requirements. The paper is divided into following sections: First section is an explanation of the background of the MArED project. Secondly, a general overview of the whole project and activities is described. After, a revision of the existing maritime undergraduate study programmes is carried out and taking into account the results obtained from this initial analysis; the development and design of a programme which meets the new requirements of the STCW for the University of Montenegro and Albania (PC) is explained in third section. Fourth section is focused in the identification of the STCW 95/2010 competencies within the nautical and engine degrees (considering Barcelona School of Nautical Studies (FNB) curricula) and which of them can be evaluated by approved simulator training and also (re) training of PC teaching staff is described. Finally, achieved results and conclusions are presented.

Two approaches were utilized to increase the throughput of pulsed ultrafiltration assays of ligand binding to human serum albumin, reducing the volume of the ultrafiltration chamber and combining pulsed ultrafiltration with high performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Affinity constants for binding of ligands to human serum albumin were determined using pulsed ultrafiltration with ultraviolet absorbance detection. The first affinity constants (Ka1) were measured for the binding of dansylsarcosine, dansylamide, 7-anilinocoumarin-4-acetic acid and warfarin, and were determined to be 1.8 x 105, 5 x 104, 8 x 104, and 2.0 x 105 M-1, respectively. The throughput of pulsed ultrafiltration analyses was tripled compared to previous pulsed ultrafiltration measurements by reducing the volume of the chamber. In addition, the use of LC-MS with pulsed ultrafiltration permitted the simultaneous comparison and rank ordering of ligand mixtures for binding to serum albumin. For example, the throughput of these pulsed ultrafiltration measurements was tripled by analyzing three ligands as a mixture.

The experiment compared the physiological function (insulin secretory capacity) and membrane integrity of human adult pancreatic islets incubated in culture at 37 degrees C and 24 degrees C. Pancreatic tissue was digested with Collagenase XI, using a non-automated method. Cultures were incubated at 37 degrees C and 24 degrees C. Secretory capacity of the islets is determined by measuring of the stimulation index (SI) on the 3rd and 7th day of cultivation. Membrane integrity of the islets was determined by dithizone staining. Both groups of examined cultures show a slight increase in SI during the incubation. However islets incubated at 24 degrees C show higher SI values than those incubated at 37 degrees C on the 1st, 3rd and 7th day of incubation. And on the first day of incubation, this difference was statistically significant (p LT 0.05). Islets incubated at 37 degrees C showed preservation of membrane integrity, the islets are regular spherical shape, while those incubated at 24 degrees C lose such an organization. During the seven-day cultivation, islets incubated at a standard temperature of 37 degrees C show less preserve physiological functions in relation to cultures incubated at 24 degrees C, but islets incubated at 37 degrees C show more regular morphological forms.

We have investigated the reason for significant discrepancies between the results of two recent, similar computational methods [ Zatsarinny et al. Astron. Astrophys. 426 699 (2004); Gu Astrophys. J. 590 1131 (2003)] for dielectronic recombination (DR) of Mg2+. It is found that the choice of orbital description can lead to discrepancies by as much as a factor of 2 between total peak DR rate coefficients resulting from otherwise-identical computations. These unexpected differences are attributed to the large sensitivity to bound-orbital relaxation and continuum-orbital description effects on the computed radiative and autoionizing transitions arising from accidental cancellation. In order to obviate these effects, an approach, using a separate, nonorthogonal orbital basis for each configuration, is employed to yield a DR rate coefficient that we assess to be more reliable than all earlier published results.

Although contaminated gas makes up a small amount of the world’s reserves, those reserves are becoming increasingly important to international oil companies (IOCs). National oil companies (NOCs) are capitalizing on easier-to-produce sweet gas reserves and leaving the more difficult contaminated reservoirs for the IOCs.

The interpretation of cosmic spectra relies on a vast sea of atomic data which are not readily obtainable from analytic expressions or simple calculations. Rather, their evaluation typically requires state-of-the-art atomic physics calculations, with the inclusion of weaker effects (spin-orbit and configuration interactions, relaxation, Auger broadening, etc.), to achieve the level of accuracy needed for use by astrophysicists. Our NASA-supported research program is focused on calculating data for three important atomic processes, 1) dielectronic recombination (DR), 2) inner-shell photoabsorption, and 3) fluorescence and Auger decay of inner-shell vacancy states. Some additional details and examples of our recent findings are given below.