Study of genitalia morphometric variability of the two Species Helix aperta and Helix aspersa (gasteropoda, pulmonata)

Our research aims for, firstly, the study of genitalia morphometric variability of the two species Helix aperta and Helix aspersa, and the relation of this variability with individual’s weight and shell size. Secondly, differences in dimensions of the genital organs between the two studied species were investigated. This study showed, first, the existence of an important dimensional variability of genital organs in both studied species, then, a positive correlation between organs’ measurements and those of weight and shell. Finally, two genital organs, that are flagellum and proximal duct of bursa copulatrix, proved to be interesting to discriminate between the two species Helix aperta and Helix aspersa, because both organs are greater in Helix aspersa.Key-words: Genitalia, Helix aperta, Helix aspersa, morphometric variability, positive correlation, weight, shell size, discriminating characters

A versatile method for the preparation of conjugates of peptides with DNA/PNA/analog by employing chemo-selective click reaction in water

The specific 1,3 dipolar Hüisgen cycloaddition reaction known as ‘click-reaction’ between azide and alkyne groups is employed for the synthesis of peptide–oligonucleotide conjugates. The peptide nucleic acids (PNA)/DNA and peptides may be appended either by azide or alkyne groups. The cycloaddition reaction between the azide and alkyne appended substrates allows the synthesis of the desired conjugates in high purity and yields irrespective of the sequence and functional groups on either of the two substrates. The versatile approach could also be employed to generate the conjugates of peptides with thioacetamido nucleic acid (TANA) analog. The click reaction is catalyzed by Cu (I) in either water or in organic medium. In water, ∼3-fold excess of the peptide-alkyne/azide drives the reaction to completion in 2 h with no side products

Inhibition of Multidrug Resistance by SV40 Pseudovirion Delivery of an Antigene Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) in Cultured Cells

Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is known to bind with extraordinarily high affinity and sequence-specificity to complementary nucleic acid sequences and can be used to suppress gene expression. However, effective delivery into cells is a major obstacle to the development of PNA for gene therapy applications. Here, we present a novel method for the in vitro delivery of antigene PNA to cells. By using a nucleocapsid protein derived from Simian virus 40, we have been able to package PNA into pseudovirions, facilitating the delivery of the packaged PNA into cells. We demonstrate that this system can be used effectively to suppress gene expression associated with multidrug resistance in cancer cells, as shown by RT-PCR, flow cytometry, Western blotting, and cell viability under chemotherapy. The combination of PNA with the SV40-based delivery system is a method for suppressing a gene of interest that could be broadly applied to numerous targets

Time to revise classification of phyllodes tumors of breast? Results of a French multicentric study

OBJECTIVE: To assess prognostic factors of recurrence of phyllodes tumors (PT) of the breast. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, multicentric cohort study, including all patients who underwent breast surgery for grade 1 (benign), 2 (borderline) or 3 (malignant) PT between 2000 and 2016 in five tertiary University hospitals, diagnosed according to World Health Organisation classification. RESULTS: 230 patients were included: 144 (63%), 60 (26%) and 26 (11%) with grade 1, 2 and 3 PT, respectively. Recurrence occurred in 10 (7%), 7 (12%) and 5 (19%) patients with grade 1, 2 and 3 PT, respectively. In univariate analysis, moderate to severe nuclear stromal pleomorphism (HR 8.00 [95% CI: 1.65-38.73], p < 0.009) was correlated with recurrence in all groups including grade 1 (HR 14.3 [95% CI: 1.29-160], p = 0.031). In multivariate analysis, surgical margin >5 mm, (HR 0.20 [95% CI: 0.06-0.63], p = 0.013) were significantly correlated with less recurrence in all PT grades. For grade 1 PT, there was also significantly less recurrence with surgical margin >5 mm, (HR 0.09 [95% CI: 0.01-0.85], p = 0.047) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The surgical margin should be at least 5 mm whatever the grade of PT. Moderate to severe nuclear stromal pleomorphism identified a subgroup of grade 1 PT with a higher rate of recurrence. This suggests that the WHO classification could be revised with the introduction of nuclear stromal pleomorphism to tailor PT management

Управление финансовым состоянием предприятия (на примере СП ОАО «Спартак»)

The purpose of this paper is to explore the characteristics of information systems (IS) maintenance within an IT and organizational setting. We discuss the characteristics of maintenance objects’ focus and content. Our results are based on qualitative case studies. In this paper a case study of a Swedish Bank is used to illustrate our discussion. Our findings show that maintenance objects can be defined by processes and/or functions or products and/or services within an organizational setting. This is done in order to increase a business perspective in maintenance management and to clarify roles of responsibility for organizational changes required from new IT capabilities. According to our findings maintenance objects can contain business solutions and IT solutions. This implies that business beneficial maintenance is supported by close cooperation between actors from the organizational setting and the IT organization. The result of the paper is a characterization of IS maintenance through definition of maintenance objects’ focus and content

Mechanisms and strategies for effective delivery of antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides

The potential use of antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides as therapeutic agents has elicited a great deal of interest. However, a major issue for oligonucleotide-based therapeutics involves effective intracellular delivery of the active molecules. In this Survey and Summary, we review recent reports on delivery strategies, including conjugates of oligonucleotides with various ligands, as well as use of nanocarrier approaches. These are discussed in the context of intracellular trafficking pathways and issues regarding in vivo biodistribution of molecules and nanoparticles. Molecular-sized chemical conjugates and supramolecular nanocarriers each display advantages and disadvantages in terms of effective and nontoxic delivery. Thus, choice of an optimal delivery modality will likely depend on the therapeutic context

Pollinator-flower interactions in gardens during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown of 2020

During the main COVID-19 global pandemic lockdown period of 2020 an impromptu set of pollination ecologists came together via social media and personal contacts to carry out standardised surveys of the flower visits and plants in gardens. The surveys involved 67 rural, suburban and urban gardens, of various sizes, ranging from 61.18° North in Norway to 37.96° South in Australia, resulting in a data set of 25,174 rows, with each row being a unique interaction record for that date/site/plant species, and comprising almost 47,000 visits to flowers, as well as records of flowers that were not visited by pollinators, for over 1,000 species and varieties belonging to more than 460genera and 96plant families. The more than 650 species of flower visitors belong to 12 orders of invertebrates and four of vertebrates. In this first publication from the project, we present a brief description of the data and make it freely available for any researchers to use in the future, the only restriction being that they cite this paper in the first instance. The data generated from these global surveys will provide scientific evidence to help us understand the role that private gardens (in urban, rural and suburban areas) can play in conserving insect pollinators and identify management actions to enhance their potential