ESTIMATION OF GASTRIC TRANSPLANT MORPHOFUNCTIONAL STATUS IN REMOTE PERIOD AFTER ESOPHAGOPLASTY

35 patients were examined in 3-10 years after transhiatus esophageolpastics on account of esophageal achalasia were examined. It was determined at X-ray and. endoscopic examination that transplant held tubular shape without considerable deformations, tended to the atrophy and moderate focal hyperemia of mucous tunic and also underwent bile reflux. In 5 cases we revealed first time appeared stenosis of esophagogastric anastomosis, permeability of which was restored by endoscopic method in all patients. Dystrophic changes and. high secretion of superficial epithelium dystrophy and. focal atrophy of fundus glands, cellular infiltration of stroma, thickening and. fibrosis of muscular layer of mucous tunic of gastric tube were revealed microscopically in biopsy material. Revealed morphofunctional peculiarities of transplant testify to the realization of a complex of adjustments and. pathological reactions in it and. dynamic control of course of these reactions is considered necessary at the patients' mass health examination

GASTROINTESTINAL INDEX OF LIFE QUALITY OF PATIENTS AFTER ESOPHAGOPLASTY

After one-stage transhiatal esophagoplasty more than 1 year ago for benign esophageal diseases GIQLI questionnaire was completed by 30 patients after esophageal extirpation with gastric tube esophagoplasty and 25 patients after bypassing esophagoplasty with left colon. Based on type of esophagoplasty and. follow-up period. (1-3 years, 3 and. more years) patients were divided up into 4 groups. Statistic analysis revealed evidently (

Invited Article: CO_2 laser production of fused silica fibers for use in interferometric gravitational wave detector mirror suspensions

In 2000 the first mirror suspensions to use a quasi-monolithic final stage were installed at the GEO600 detector site outside Hannover, pioneering the use of fused silica suspension fibers in long baseline interferometric detectors to reduce suspension thermal noise. Since that time, development of the production methods of fused silica fibers has continued. We present here a review of a novel CO_2 laser-based fiber pulling machine developed for the production of fused silica suspensions for the next generation of interferometric gravitational wave detectors and for use in experiments requiring low thermal noise suspensions. We discuss tolerances, strengths, and thermal noise performance requirements for the next generation of gravitational wave detectors. Measurements made on fibers produced using this machine show a 0.8% variation in vertical stiffness and 0.05% tolerance on length, with average strengths exceeding 4 GPa, and mechanical dissipation which meets the requirements for Advanced LIGO thermal noise performance

Identification of apple genes <i>Md-Exp7</i> and <i>Md-PG1</i> alleles in advanced selections resistant to scab

The creation of apple varieties with a high level of flesh firmness and long shelf life is one of the important goals in breeding. Among the genes controlling these traits, the role of the endogenous ethylene biosynthesis control gene, Md-ACS1, the expansin gene, Md-Exp7, and the polygalacturonase gene, Md-PG1, has been established. The use of DNA marker analysis to solve problems in breeding for fruit quality traits allows one not only to track several target genes simultaneously, but also to cull plants with undesirable alleles at the early stages of development. In order to select complex donors of breeding traits, molecular genetic identification of the genes that determine the quality traits of apple fruits Md-Exp7 and Md-PG1 was performed in 256 breeding selections carrying the scab resistance gene Rvi6 and valuable allelic variants of the Md-ACS-1 gene, which determines the endogenous synthesis of ethylene in fruits: 90 samples with the Md-ACS1 allele (2/2) and 166 samples with Md-ACS1 (1/2). As a result of the study, an allelic combination for the Md-Exp7 and Md-PG1 genes was established. Analysis of the parental cultivars (Renet Simirenko, Modi, Smeralda, Renoir, Fulzhion and Granny Smith) used to obtain hybrid selections revealed three alleles 198, 202, 214 bp according to the DNA marker of the Md-Exp7 gene. The SSR marker for the Md-PG1 gene amplified three alleles (289, 292, 298 bp) on the abovementioned cultivars. Within the 256 breeding selections samples that have the most priority for breeding alleles of the desired genes in combination with the Rvi6 gene and/or with selection-priority allelic variants of the Md-ACS-1 gene were identified. Of the most valuable for breeding, 46 accessions carrying the combination Md-Exp7 (202:202) + Md-ACS1 (2/2) were distinguished. Hybrids with alleles Md-PG1 (292:292) + Md-ACS1 (2/2) are also most valuable for use in breeding and as donors of selection-valuable alleles; 21 samples were identified. Accessions with a complex of breeding-valuable target alleles are valuable complex donors, as well as valuable breeding material for creating varieties with improved fruit quality characteristics and scab resistance

Marker-assisted selection in the development of advanced apple-tree forms and donors combining scab resistance with increased fruit storability

Background. Cultivation of scab-resistant apple cultivars with better fruit storability increases the economic efficiency and environmental friendliness of horticulture. Hence, the development of such cultivars is an important task in modern apple-tree breeding.Materials and methods. A set of 646 hybrid plants obtained in six cross combinations (Renet Simirenko/Modi, Renet Simirenko/Smeralda, Renet Simirenko/Renoir, Renet Simirenko/Fujion, Renoir/Granny Smith, and Modi/Granny Smith) was studied. Their scab resistance was assessed under natural infection pressure for two years using a quantitative scale. The Rvi6 gene was identified using the PCR analysis with the primer pair VfC1+VfC. The Md-ACS1 gene alleles were detected with a known SCAR DNA marker. The chi-square test was applied for statistical confirmation of the data.Results. Based on the DNA marker analysis, 328 plants carrying the dominant allele of the Rvi6 gene were identified. The results of the phenotypic resistance assessment confirmed the correspondence of the resistant phenotype / dominant allele of the gene for most plants. Molecular genetics analysis of the Md-ACS1 gene disclosed its allelic combinations. A total of 190, 322, and 126 plants carrying allelic variants of Md-ACS1-2/2, Md-ACS1-1/2, and Md-ACS1-1/1, respectively, were identified. Among the plants with the dominant allele of the scab resistance Rvi6 gene, 92 plant forms were identified with Md-ACS1-2/2, and 143 heterozygous ones (Md-ACS1-1/2), also valuable for breeders.Conclusion. A wide range of apple breeding forms carrying valuable alleles of the Rvi6 and Md-ACS1 genes were selected. Hybrid forms with target alleles of both genes responsible for important agronomic traits would contribute to the intensification of breeding efforts aimed at producing scab-resistant apple cultivars with increased fruit storability. They can also be used for breeding purposes as complex donors

Characterisation of native Dagestan grape cultivars using SSR-analysis and the main ampelographic features of the leaves

Local, ancient grape cultivars of different cultivation regions are important part of grapevine genetic resources. Dagestan is one of the oldest regions of viticulture in the Russian Federation. Some Dagestan aboriginal grape varieties are cultivated on an industrial scale, while others are found in single numbers. The study of the native gene pool is given special attention in all grapes producing countries of the world. Currently, the most informative method of plant genotypes analysis is the study at the DNA level. The main features of the leaves of grape varieties are a key ampelographical characteristic. We studied cultivars Agadai, Alyi terskyi, Bor kara, Buday shuli, Gok ala, Gok izyum, Mahbor cibil, Yai izyum beliy, Yai izyum rozovyi by using these approaches. DNA profiles of 9 local Dagestan grape cultivars were obtained on microsatellite loci VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD27, VVS2, VrZAG62 and VrZAG79 using an automated genetic analyzer ABI Prism 3130. The SSR-markers are recommended as the main for Vitis vinifera L. genotyping. The cultivars analyzed have different sets of allele combination by the loci studied. Evaluation of the genetic similarity of cultivars according to the results of microsatellite analysis showed that the genotypes of Mahbоr cibil and Aliy terskiy are closer to the Western European gene pool of V. vinifera L. than any other native varieties in the sample studied. In addition, the grapevine cultivars studied were described for the main features of the formed leaves according to the method of the international organization of vine and wine. The similarity of cultivars Gok Ala and Agadai was shown by the results of analysis of the leaves characteristics and according to SSR-profiling

Expression level of androgen receptors in tumor tissue and its prognostic significance in primary operable luminal breast cancer without overexpression of Her2/neu in postmenopausal women

Aim. To evaluate the expression level and prognostic significance of androgen in primary operable luminal breast cancer without overexpression of Her2/neu in postmenopausal women. Methods. We analyzed treatment outcomes of 60 cases of primary operable (T1-2N0M0) luminal breast cancer without overexpression of Her2/neu in postmenopausal women. The follow-up period was 5 years. All cases were divided by immunohistochemical method into luminal A (20 females) and luminal B (40 patients) subtypes. Along with the standard panel of immunohistochemical markers, expression of nuclear androgen receptors was measured in tumor tissues of all patients. Depending on the expression levels, patients with luminal A and B subtypes were divided into three groups: (1) with high, (2) moderate and (3) low or negative expression. Results. Mean levels of androgen receptor expression in the nuclei of tumor cells in patients with luminal A subtype (57.3±5.9%) were higher than those of luminal B subtype (21.4±4.04%) by 62.7% (Mann-Whitney test, р=0.0026). In patients with luminal A subtype, the maximal accumulation of androgen receptors in the nuclei of tumor cells was 2.7 times higher (р=0.0023) than in patients with luminal B subtype. All cases diagnosed with the disease progression were characterized by low or negative level of nuclear androgen receptor expression. Conclusion. Negative and low levels of androgen receptor expression in tumor tissues of postmenopausal patients with luminal primary operable breast cancer without overexpression of Her2/neu might be an independent factor associated with poor prognosis

Nomenclatural standards and genetic certificates for apple-tree cultivars developed at the North Caucasian Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture, Viticulture, wine-making

Background. The development of genetic certificates and nomenclatural standards for newly released cultivars of Malus domestica Borkh. (apple tree) ensures an opportunity to preserve the original and authentic genetic and morphological information on domestic cultivars promising for the south of Russia. The purpose of this study was to develop genetic certificates and nomenclatural standards for 7 apple-tree cultivars developed at the North Caucasian Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture, Viticulture, Wine-making (NCFSCHVW), five of which were released jointly with the All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK).Materials and methods. The materials included apple-tree cultivars resistant or immune to scab (Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) G. Winter) from the NCFSCHVW collection stock. Conventional herbarization and DNA fingerprinting methods were used. For cultivar certification, an improved technique of DNA sampling and 12 microsatellite markers were applied.Results. Unique DNA profile certificates and nomenclatural standards were produced for 7 apple-tree cultivars: ‘Vasilisa’, ‘Karmen’, ‘Krasny Yantar’, ‘Soyuz’ and ‘Rassvet’ (with the Rvi6 gene) released jointly by the NCFSCHVW and VNIISPK, plus ‘Zolotoye Letneye’ and ‘Feya’ developed at the NCFSCHVW. The apple-tree herbarium specimens were placed for perpetual storage in the WIR Herbarium of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR).Conclusion. The results obtained are promising for identification and authenticity verification of new domestic apple-tree cultivars during their reproduction and cultivation

Upper limit map of a background of gravitational waves (Physical Review D - Particles, Fields, Gravitation and Cosmology (2007) 76, (082003))

This paper was published online on 29 October 2007 with a formatting error in the fiftieth affiliation in the author list.The affiliation should read as ‘‘University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.’’ The affiliation has beencorrected as of 4 March 2008. The affiliation is incorrect in the printed version of the journal

Genetic polymorphism of local Abkhazian grape cultivars

Local grape cultivars from different countries of the world are an important part of the gene pool of this culture. Of particular interest are the genotypes of the most ancient regions of viticulture. The territories of the subtropical zone of Georgia and the central part of Abkhazia belong to one of the centers of origin of the cultural grapevine. The purpose of the work was to genotype native Abkhazian grape cultivars, to study their genetic diversity based on DNA profiling data and to compare them with the genotypes of local varieties of other viticultural regions. Samples of plants were taken on the territory of the Republic of Abkhazia in private farmsteads and in the collection of the agricultural firm “Vina i Vody Abkhazii“ (“Wines and Waters of Abkhazia”). The genotyping of the Abkhazian cultivars Avasirhva, Agbizh, Azhapsh, Azhizhkvakva, Azhikvaca, Atvizh, Atyrkuazh, Achkykazh, Kachich was carried out using 14 DNA markers, 9 of which are standard microsatellite markers recommended for the identification of grape varieties. To improve our knowledge about the sizes of the identified alleles, we used the DNA of grape cultivars with a known allelic composition at the analyzed loci. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the observed heterozygosity for the analyzed loci exceeded expected values, which indicates a genetic polymorphism of the studied sample of varieties. Evaluation of genetic similarity within the analyzed group based on the results of genotyping at 14 loci showed that the cultivars Kachich and Azhapsh differed from the other Abkhazian varieties. The obtained DNA profiles of the Abkhazian cultivars were checked for compliance with DNA-fingerprints of grape varieties in the Vitis International Variety Catalogue. The Georgian varieties Azhizhkvakva and Tsitska turned out to be synonyms according to DNA profiles, two varieties from the Database (Italian Albana bianca and Georgian Ojaleshi) have differences in DNA-fingerprints from the varieties Atyrkuazh and Azhikvatsa only in one allele, respectively. When comparing the identified Abkhazian grape genotypes, their difference from the sample of Dagestan, Don, Greek, Turkish, Italian, Spanish, and French varieties and genetic similarity with the genotypes of Georgian grapes were shown