Rsp5 ubiquitin ligase affects isoprenoid pathway and cell wall organization in S. cerevisiae.

Dimethylallyl diphosphate, an isomer of isopentenyl diphosphate, is a common substrate of Mod5p, a tRNA modifying enzyme, and the farnesyl diphosphate synthase Erg20p, the key enzyme of the isoprenoid pathway. rsp5 mutants, defective in the Rsp5 ubiquitin-protein ligase, were isolated and characterized as altering the mitochondrial/cytosolic distribution of Mod5p. To understand better how competition for the substrate determines the regulation at the molecular level, we analyzed the effect of the rsp5-13 mutation on Erg20p expression. The level of Erg20p was three times lower in rsp5-13 compared to the wild type strain and this effect was dependent on active Mod5p. Northern blot analysis indicated a regulatory role of Rsp5p in ERG20 transcription. ERG20 expression was also impaired in pkc1Δ lacking a component of the cell wall integrity signaling pathway. Low expression of Erg20p in rsp5 cells was accompanied by low level of ergosterol, the main end product of the isoprenoid pathway. Additionally, rsp5 strains were resistant to nystatin, which binds to ergosterol present in the plasma membrane, and sensitive to calcofluor white, a drug destabilizing cell wall integrity by binding to chitin. Furthermore, the cell wall structure appeared abnormal in most rsp5-13 cells investigated by electron microscopy and chitin level in the cell wall was increased two-fold. These results indicate that Rsp5p affects the isoprenoid pathway which has important roles in ergosterol biosynthesis, protein glycosylation and transport and in this way may influence the composition of the plasma membrane and cell wall

Flow Rate Control by Means of Flow Meter and PLC Controller

This paper presents a design of a flow meter based on a programmable logic controller (PLC). The new construction of a flow meter controlled by PLC increases the possibilities for the control and automation of fluid flow. Additionally, the didactic potential of the use of simple automation in the form of a programmable logic controller was considered. A device enabling the measurement of fluid flow rate based on a PLC controller was designed, constructed, and tested. The choice of device was the Gems Sensors FT-210 series turbine flow sensor, which is characterized by low purchase and maintenance costs. The properties and the chemical resistance of polyamide-12, the material the sensor is made of, make it possible to test the flow of various types of fluids. As part of the work, an algorithm and a program controlling the device was developed based on the APB Soft software, enabling the accurate reading of the number of impulses sent by the turbine flow sensor. The results of the designed flow meter were compared with the results obtained for the Krohne VA-40 high accuracy rotameter

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on solid organ transplantation during 2020 in Poland compared with countries in western Europe, Asia, and North America: A review

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, due to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which began in March 2020, affected organ donor acceptance and rates of heart, lung, kidney, and liver transplants worldwide. According to data reported to POLTRANSPLANT, the number of solid organ transplants decreased by over 35% and the number of patients enlisted de novo for organ transplantation was reduced to 70% of its pre-COVID-19 volume in Poland. Most transplant centers in Western Europe and the USA have also drastically reduced their activity when compared to the pre-pandemic era. Areas of high SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence, like Italy, Spain, and France, were most affected. Significant decreases in organ donation and number of transplant procedures and increase in waitlist deaths have been noted due to overload of the healthcare system as well as uncertainty of donor SARS-CoV-2 status. Intensive care unit bed shortages and less intensive care resources available for donor management are major factors limiting access to organ procurement. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on transplant activities was not so adverse in Asia, as a result of a strategy based on experience gained during a previous SARS pandemic. This review aims to compare the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on solid organ transplantation during 2020 in Poland with countries in Western Europe, North America, and Asia

Monitoring of Measuring Devices Using a Programmable Logic Controller and a Dedicated Desktop Application

An appropriate control and measurement system is one of the elements that allows for the safe and effective operation of a technological installation. Such a system may have a diverse structure that corresponds to the expectations and needs of its user. The devices of various manufacturers, including PLC (programmable logic controllers), can be used as a source of measurement data. This enables flexible measurement–control installations, which are adapted to the technological installations, to be built. This paper presents a system, which was created by the authors, for monitoring the temperature, pressure and flow rate of fluids. It uses the operational and IT properties of the PLC and is adapted to an existing installation on the test stand for multiphase spraying processes. In addition, as a part of the research, an application written in Python language, which allows collected data to be displayed, stored and exported, was implemented

Why Determining the Native Length Change Pattern of Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Is Still a Challenge: State-of-the-Art Review of Potential Sources of Heterogeneity within Studies Evaluating Isometry of MPFL

Background: In the literature there are divergent results as to the native MPFL length change pattern. The reason for such divergent results may be the heterogeneity of design of studies analyzing MPFL isometry. The hypothesis of this review was that studies assessing MPFL length change pattern are highly heterogenous. The aim was to present a state-of-the-art review of sources of this heterogeneity. Materials and Methods: A total of 816 records were identified through the initial search of MEDLINE and Scopus databases. After eligibility assessment, 10 original articles and five reviews were included. In the included studies, the following 15 potential sources of heterogeneity were assessed: number of patients/cadavers, age, males to females ratio (demographics), identification of measured fibers, measurement method, measurement precision, quadriceps muscle activity, iliotibial band activity, hamstrings activity (study design), patellar height, trochlear or patellar dysplasia, femoral anteversion, mechanical axis of the limb, tibial tubercle–trochlear groove distance, and condylar anteroposterior dimensions (morphology). Each variable was graded in every included article with 1 point if reported precisely and not introducing bias; or with 0 points if reported not precisely, introducing bias, or not reported at all. Results: Within original articles, the highest achieved score was 10 out of 15 possible points with mean score of 6.7, SD = 2.37, and minimum score of just 3 out of 15 points. In the demographics section, mean score was 2.4, SD = 0.8 (80% of maximum possible score of 3); in the study design section it was 3.1, SD = 1.87 (52% of maximum possible score of 6); and in the morphology section it was 1.5, SD = 1.43 (25% of maximum possible score of 6). Conclusions: There is high heterogeneity and incomplete reporting of potential sources of bias in studies assessing native MPFL length change pattern. Future investigators should be aware of the presented factors and their potential impact on MPFL isometry. All methodologic factors should be meticulously reported. Detailed description of demographic data is already a standard; however, authors should more extensively report variables concerning study design and morphology of patients’ patellofemoral joint. Furthermore, future studies should try to meticulously simulate the real-life working environment of MPFL and ensure usage of proper measurement methods

Viruses in transplantology.

The 3 leading causes of death in patients after solid organ transplantation (SOT) include cardiovascular diseases, malignancies, and infections. According to our current understanding, the latter play the key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Similarly, infections (mainly viral) are implicated in the pathogenesis of at least 20% of known neoplasms. In other words, the implications of acute and chronic infectious diseases in modern medicine, not only transplantology, are significant and ever‑increasing. Immunosuppressive treatment impairs the immune function, which renders the patient more susceptible to infections. Furthermore, treatment of infections in immunocompromised patients poses a challenge and SOT. The current publication provides a brief summary of the key information provided in 20 lectures on viral infections in patients after SOT delivered during the 9th Practical Transplantology Course in Warsaw, Poland on September 15-16, 2017