Celebración

Fil: Jereb, Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Artes y Diseñ

Interferon alpha (IFN-[alpha]) in treatment of malignant diseases

There are several natural varieties of IFN-alpha in clinical use. Although IFNs were the first cytokines in use as a new treatment modality, we still know little about their mode of action in malignancies. IFN-alpha can inhibit cell growth, but it has been shown only recently, on malignant cells from patients with multiple myeloma, that IFN-alpha can exert a direct cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. The treatment with natural leucocyte IFN-alpha in dosesused in the early clinical trials, are still most widely used. It has been shown that through a high local concentration by local application in malignant melanoma, basalioma, pleural carcinosis, glioblastoma, total local tumor control may be achieved. it is thys not known what the optimal doses of IFN-alpha are, and they may vary by the tumor type, as well as from patient topatient. The neccessary duration of treatment also remains an open question.IFNs are a tool for treatment of malignant tumors. Their cytotoxic effect, however, is not strong enough and does not last. At present, there is a vast field of investigative work stil open-but in the meantime it seems necessary to proceed with clinical trials of different types of IFN, the natural IFN-alpha again beeing the most interesting one

Deconvoluting Cell-Type Specific 3\u27UTR Isoform Expression in the Adult and Developing Cerebellum

Alternative polyadenylation has been implicated in the regulation of mRNA translation and stability, as well as mRNA and protein localization. However, it is unclear to what extent alternative polyadenylation regulates these processes uniquely in specific cell types. Using a newly developed technique, termed conditionally-tagged poly(A) binding protein-mediated mRNA 3’ end retrieval by crosslinking immunoprecipitation (cTag-PAPERCLIP), we discovered significant differences in alternative polyadenylation between granule and Purkinje cells in the mouse cerebellum, as well as between proliferating and adult granule cells. Interestingly, among transcripts that differed in alternative polyadenylation in both these comparisons, many were involved in key neuronal functions. We further characterize one such transcript, Memo1, which changed poly(A) site usage during granule cell development, and was concomitantly downregulated. We show that miR-124 specifically targets the long isoform of Memo1, which provides a mechanism for its downregulation during development. Our findings give insight into the roles for alternative polyadenylation in specific cell types and developmental stages, and help establish a platform for further functional studies

[Trasjugularni intrahepatalni portosistemski šant (TIPS)]

Background. A clear presentation of TIPS indications and contraindications, which can be divided into absolute and relative, is given. Absolute indications are fresh and renewed bleeding of varices and inveterate ascites. Relative indications, on the other hand, are splenomegaly with hypersplenism, Budd-Chiari syndrome, liver transplantation and hepatorenal syndrome. Absolutecontraindications are severe liver dysfunction and right heart failure, while the relative ones polycystic liver degeneration, neoplasm, obstruction of the portal vein and severe local and systemic infection. Beforethe TIPS procedure, the level of dysfunction of the liver, right heart and kidneys is determined. Biochemical and blood tests, including a blood coagulation test, are made, the ammonia level in the serum is determined and possible obstructions/strictures of the portal vein are checked. A detailed description of the procedure, a care for patient and a operative monitoring are given. The success rate of the procedure is between 93% and 100% and the mortality rate within 30 days because TIPS is between 1% and 3%. The hemorrhage is stopped in 95% to 100%, the ascites is improved in 87% to 92% and the kidney function in 81%. In case of hypersplenism the thrombocytopenia is improved in 75% and leucopenia in 50% of patients. There are relatively fewcomplications during the procedure. Postoperative complications are more frequent due to stricture and obstruction of the shunt. After a two-year treatment the shunt is passable in 50% of patients. Thus, in a group of 29 patients, who were treated in the period of four years with an average monitoring period of two years, 22 patients (75,9%) are still alive and only 7died (24,1%). Six of dead patients suffered from alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. In two cases the cause of death was not related to the TIPS and the cirrhosis of the liver. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters).Izhodišča. Avtorji prikazujejo indikacije in kontraincikacije za transjugularni intrahepatalni portosistemski šant, ki jih delimo na absolutne in relativne. Absolutne indikacije so sveža in ponovna krvavitev iz varic požiralnika in trdovratni ascites. Relativne indikacije so splenomegalija s hipersplenizmom, Budd-Chariev sindrom, preprečevanje zapletov pred presaditvijo jeter in hepatorenalni sindrom. Absolutni kontraindikaciji sta huda okvara jeter in odpoved desnega srca, relativne pa so policistična degeneracija jeter, novotvorbe, zapora portalne vene in hujša lokalna ali sistemska okužba. Pred posegom določimo stopnjo okvare jeter, desnega srca in ledvic, naredimo biokemične in krvne preiskave s testi koagulacije ter določimo koncentracijo amoniaka v serumu in preverimo prehodnost portalne vene. Natančno je pisana izvedba posega, skrb za bolnika in njegovo spremljanje po posegu. Poseg je uspešen v 93-100%, smrtnost znotraj 30 dni zaradi transjugularnega intrahepatalnega portosistemskega šanta je 1-3%. Krvavitev ustavimo v 95-100%, ascites se izboljša v 87-92% in ledvično delovanje v 81%, pri hipersplenizmu se trombocitopenija izboljša pri 75% in levkopenija pri 50% bolnikov. Zapletov ob posegu je relativno malo, več jih jekasneje zaradi zožitev in zapor šanta. Po dveh letih je šant prehoden pri 50% bolnikov. V naši skupini 29 bolnikov, zdravljenih v obdobju štirih let, s povprečnim časom opazovanja 2 leti je še živih (75,9%) bolnikov, umrlo jih je 7 (24,1%). Šest umrlih bolnikov je imelo alkoholno cirozo jeter, pri dveh bolnikih pa vzrok smrti ni povezan s transjugularnim intrahepatalnim portosistemskim šantom oziroma cirozo jeter. Zaključki. TIPS je zlasti učinkovita metoda za ustavljanje svežih varikoznih krvavitev. (Izvleček prekinjen pri 2000 znakih)

Einsatz und Etablierung von Raubmilben zur nachhaltigen Spinnmilbenkontrolle in der Sonderkultur Hopfen

From 2013 2015, the release and establishment of predatory mites for the control of two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae, was conducted in five hop gardens of The species compared were the autochthonous mites Typhlodromus pyri, Amblyseius andersoni and a mix of the two allochthonous species Neoseiulus californicus and phytoseiulus persimilis. Main objective was the establishment of a permanent population of T. pyri in a hop garden by providing the predators with structures for their hibernation by undersown crops. We chose seeding of tall fescue Festuca arundinacea, a grassland seed mixture and strawberries as an intercrop in the wheel lanes. During the three project years, 15 trials were conducted of which however only two yielded meaningful results. We found that the cheapest and most effective way to release T. pyri in hops is the transfer of vine cuttings gathered during the pruning of vines in late winter. Besides, the mixture of P. persimilis and N. californicus proved to be very effective. During samplings of the undersown crop of tall fescue in spring, predatory mites were recorded in low numbers. This is evidence that tall fescue can serve as a hibernation quarter for predatory mites. More studies are however needed to give more detailed answers to this thematic constellation

Osip in uspešnost študentov pri e-študiju

This paper deals with the dropout rate for e-learning academic courses in correlation with student satisfaction with distance education. This study explores two main ideas: student satisfaction with e-learning and the locus of control. The results show that the main reason for persistence with e-learning academic courses is a significantly high level of satisfaction with e-learning and satisfaction with the students' own academic performance.Prispevek obravnava osip študentov e-študija in razloge, ki študente vodijo k opustitvi študija. Osredotoči se na povezavo med zadovoljstvom študentov z e-okoljem in uspešnostjo pri študiju, pri čemer upošteva tudi lokus kontrole. Rezultati kažejo, da so glavni razlogi, ki študente e-študija odvračajo od opustitve študija, zelo visok nivo zadovoljstva z e-študijem in z lastno uspešnostjo pri študiju

Measurement of the logistic customer service level in commercial cargo motor transport companies

The term of logistic customer service is defined as the abilities or skills to meet the customer\u27s requirements and expectations, chiefly in terms of the time and place of deliveries, while using all available forms of logistic activity, including transport, storage, and the management of inventories, information and packages. As eac h of the logistic activities has an effect on the customer receiving right product or service, in its proper condition, in the correct time and space, and at reasonable costs, so seeking the proper service comes down to managing logistic activities in such a manner, as to achieve the essential level of customer satisfaction at the lowest possible costs. The identified elements of logistic customer service in an organization are placed on a specific level, as assessed from the perspective of the purchasers\u27 expectations. Among various methods for measuring customer service level, or quality, which are described in the literature on the subject, the SERVQUAL is recognized as one of the most effective. The SERVQUAL method relies on measuring the differences th at exist between the quality, as perceived by a customer, and the quality demanded by that customer from a specific service. In order to determine the difference, both the customer\u27s expectations for the service level, and their fulfilment by a specific or ganization need to be examined at the same time. The elements of logistic customer service of the Silesian Province\u27s (region in southern Poland) commercial cargo motor transport enterprises under study are placed on a measurable level, as evaluated from t he perspective of the recipients of offered transport services. The measurement of the logistic customer service level, as found in the entities examined, was made using the SERVQUAL method. The survey questionnaire used in the study was constructed based on 22 logistic customer service determinants. Questionnaire forms were filled by 294 customers of 147 Silesian Province\u27s commercial cargo motor transport enterprises examined, i.e. two customers of each enterprise. The article presents theoretical basis for the measurement of the logistic customer service level by the SERVQUAL method, description of acquiring the research material, analysis of examination results and conclusions