The correlation of mutations and expressions of genes within the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in breast cancer : a preliminary study

There is an urgent need to seek new molecular biomarkers helpful in diagnosing and treating breast cancer. In this elaboration, we performed a molecular analysis of mutations and expression of genes within the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in patients with ductal breast cancer of various malignancy levels. We recognized significant correlations between the expression levels of the studied genes. We also performed a bioinformatics analysis of the data available on the international database TCGA and compared them with our own research. Studies on mutations and expression of genes were conducted using High-Resolution Melt PCR (HRM-PCR), Allele-Specific-quantitative PCR (ASP-qPCR), Real-Time PCR molecular methods in a group of women with ductal breast cancer. Bioinformatics analysis was carried out using web source Ualcan and bc-GenExMiner. In the studied group of women, it was observed that the prevalence of mutations in the studied PIK3CA and AKT1 genes was 29.63%. It was stated that the average expression level of the PIK3CA, PIK3R1, PTEN genes in the group of breast cancer patients is lower in comparison to the control group, while the average expression level of the AKT1 and mTOR genes in the studied group was higher in comparison to the control group. It was also indicated that in the group of patients with mutations in the area of the PIK3CA and AKT1 genes, the PIK3CA gene expression level is statistically significantly lower than in the group without mutations. According to our knowledge, we demonstrate, for the first time, that there is a very strong positive correlation between the levels of AKT1 and mTOR gene expression in the case of patients with mutations and without mutations

The use of the sluice gate discharge equations to estimate the volumetric flow rate in the irrigation channels

The paper attempts to assess the possibility of using typical check structures equipped with sluice gates to measure the volumetric flow rate in the irrigation channels. The submerged flow through the sluice gate was considered. Experimental tests on a model of typical check structure in 1:2 scale were carried out. The conducted analyzes confirmed the possibility of using discharge equation for submerged flow through the sluice gate to estimate the water flow rate in the irrigation channels. In order to obtain accurate values of flow rate, the downstream tailwater depth should be measured at the appriopriate distance from the sluice gate. For different values of gate-opening height, the downstream water depth measurement locations allowing for a correct flow estimation were indicated. This approach might be useful in calibration of other designs of sluice gates for flow measurements

Practical aspects of the use of the sluice gate discharge equations to estimate the volumetric flow rate in the irrigation channels

The article presents the experimental results of the calibration of the typical check structure with sluice gates installed in a trapezoidal irrigation channel. Hydraulic experiments on sluice gate discharge capacity were performed on a model made in a 1:2 scale. It has been explained how the method of measuring the downstream water depth below the sluice gate in the check structures installed in a trapezoidal irrigation channels affects the measured depth values. On the basis of hydraulic measurements, regression relationships were developed for the discharge coefficients for submerged outflow through the sluice gate in two types of sluice gates installed in irrigation channels. The formulas allow to calculate the volumetric flow rate below the submerged sluice gate after determining the water depth upstream and below the sluice gate and the gate opening height. The differences in volumetric flow rates calculated from regression relationships and measured values do not exceed 10%, which confirms their practical suitability for calculating the discharge through a sluice gate mounted in a trapezoidal channel. The values of the discharge coefficients determined in the channels with rectangular cross-sections are not useful for the discharge coefficients of sluice gates check structures installed in trapezoidal channels. Nomograms and relationships for discharge coefficients of the analysed sluice gate were developed

Flow Measurements Using a Sluice Gate; Analysis of Applicability

This study analyzes the possibilities of using an irrigation sluice gate in submerged conditions to measure water flow rate. Hydraulic experiments on sluice gate discharge capacity were performed on a model made on a 1:2 scale. Measurements were taken for the submerged flow of the sluice gate. Nomograms and relationships for discharge coefficients of the analyzed sluice gate were developed. The possibility of using the existing nomogram for discharge capacity of the submerged sluice gate to determine the discharge capacity of the modeled gate was also investigated. The effect of narrowing of the sluice gate cross-section resulting from different mounting techniques on its capacity was explained. The analyses confirmed the possibility of using the formulas for the submerged sluice gate to estimate the flow through the irrigation sluice gate

Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Operating Conditions of a Circular Flap Gate for an Automatic Upstream Water Level Control

This article introduces a flow controller for an upstream water head designed for pipe culverts used in drainage ditches or wells. The regulator is applicable to water flow rates in the range of Qmin < Q < Qmax and the water depth H0, exceeding which causes the gate to open. Qmin flow denotes the minimum flow rate that allows water to accumulate upstream of the controller. Above the maximum flow rate Qmax, the gate remains in the open position. In the present study, the position of the regulator’s gate axis was related to the water depth H0 in front of the device. Derived dependencies were verified in hydraulic experiments. The results confirmed the regulator’s usefulness for controlling the water level

Rozkłady prędkości w korycie rzecznym o złożonym przekroju poprzecznym z roślinnością wysoką w terenach zalewowych

Wykorzystano model Shiono i Knighta [1991] do obliczania poprzecznego rozkładu prędkości wody uśrednionych na głębokości i natężenia przepływu w korytach rzecznych o złożonym przekroju poprzecznym, z roślinnością wysoką w terenach zalewowych. Model wykorzystuje analityczne rozwiązania równania Naviera-Stokesa z uwzględnieniem wpływu roślinności. Opływ roślinności uwzględniano przez wprowadzenie w równaniu Naviera-Stokesa dodatkowej siły oporu. Wyznaczono wartości współczynników charakteryzujących lepkość wirową i przepływy wtórne, wykorzystywanych w obliczeniach. Wyniki obliczeń porównano z wynikami pomiarów hydraulicznych laboratoryjnych i terenowych. Obliczone rozkłady poprzecznej prędkości uśrednionej na głębokości i natężenia przepływu wykazały dobrą zgodność z wartościami zmierzonymi w laboratorium hydraulicznym i w badaniach terenowych

Apparent Friction Coefficient Used for Flow Calculation in Straight Compound Channels

Water flow in channels with a compound cross-section involves an exchange of water mass and momentum between the slower flowing water in the floodplains and the faster water in the main channel. This process is called the streams interaction. As a result, the water velocity in the main channel decreases, and at the same time the velocity and depth of flow increase in the part of the floodplains adjacent to the main channel. Diversification of the surface roughness of the main channel and floodplains significantly affects the form of interactions. The results of laboratory experiments were used to characterize the influence of interactions on the discharge capacity of the channel with diversified roughness. The reduction in velocity of the main channel caused by the stream interactions is described with the apparent friction coefficients introduced at the boundary between the main channel and the floodplain. The obtained values of resistance coefficients, supplemented with the values from experiments reported in the literature, were used to establish a relationship useful in assessing the discharge capacity of such channels

Innovative devices for measuring and controlling water flow rate in drainage and irrigation canals

Celem pracy było opracowanie innowacyjnych urządzeń służących do pomiaru i regulacji natężenia przepływu wody w systemach nawodnień podsiąkowych. Są to: zasuwa dwudzielna z przelewem prostokątnym do pomiaru i regulacji natężenia przepływu wody, zasuwa dwudzielna z przelewem trójkątnym do pomiaru i regulacji natężenia przepływu wody, zestaw przelewów do regulacji piętrzenia oraz pomiaru i regulacji przepływu wody na przepustozastawce oraz regulator piętrzenia wody w rowie. Praca powstała na podstawie wiedzy eksperckiej, studium literatury oraz wizji terenowych. Opracowane prototypowe urządzenia charakteryzują się dużą funkcjonalnością, gdyż mogą być instalowane na istniejących piętrzących budowlach melioracyjnych oraz służą nie tylko do pomiaru i regulacji natężenia przepływu wody, lecz również do regulacji piętrzenia wody w rowach odwadniająco-nawadniających na trwałych użytkach zielonych. Zainstalowane na obiektach nawodnień podsiąkowych prototypy będą badane pod kątem dokładności i zakresu prowadzonego pomiaru oraz ich użyteczności w warunkach odwodnień i nawodnień poprzez regulację położenia wody w rowach melioracyjnych.The aim of the work was to develop innovative devices for measuring and regulating flow rate in irrigation systems. These are: double-split gate with rectangular weir for measuring and regulating the water flow rate, double-split gate with triangular weir for measuring and regulating water flow rate, set of weirs for the damming regulation, measurement and regulation of water flow on the check designed for the maximum damming level and hinged gate in the pipeline. The work is based on the expertise, the study of literature and field vision. The developed prototype devices are characterized by high functionality, as they can be installed on existing irrigation structures and can be used not only to measure and regulate the water flow rate, but also to control water retention in drainage and irrigation ditches in agricultural areas. The prototypes installed in the sub-irrigation systems will be tested in terms of the accuracy and complexity of the measurements and usefulness in irrigation conditions for controlling the water retention in ditches