Особливості формоутворення модульних меблів-трансформерів

This article focuses on the formation by the application of transforming furniture. The survey was conducted on modern examples of modular transforming furniture. The author's development examples of transformable modular furniture.Статья посвящена особенностям формобразования и применению трансформируемой мебели. Исследование проведено на современных примерах модульной мебели. Предложена авторская разработка трансформируемой модульной мебели.Стаття присвячена виявленню особливостей формоутворення та областей застосуванню меблів–трансформерів. Дослідження проведене на сучасних прикладах модульних меблів. Представлена авторська розробка трансформованих модульних меблів для студентського гуртожитку

Current insights and advances into plant male sterility: new precision breeding technology based on genome editing applications

Plant male sterility (MS) represents the inability of the plant to generate functional anthers, pollen, or male gametes. Developing MS lines represents one of the most important challenges in plant breeding programs, since the establishment of MS lines is a major goal in F1 hybrid production. For these reasons, MS lines have been developed in several species of economic interest, particularly in horticultural crops and ornamental plants. Over the years, MS has been accomplished through many different techniques ranging from approaches based on cross-mediated conventional breeding methods, to advanced devices based on knowledge of genetics and genomics to the most advanced molecular technologies based on genome editing (GE). GE methods, in particular gene knockout mediated by CRISPR/Cas-related tools, have resulted in flexible and successful strategic ideas used to alter the function of key genes, regulating numerous biological processes including MS. These precision breeding technologies are less time-consuming and can accelerate the creation of new genetic variability with the accumulation of favorable alleles, able to dramatically change the biological process and resulting in a potential efficiency of cultivar development bypassing sexual crosses. The main goal of this manuscript is to provide a general overview of insights and advances into plant male sterility, focusing the attention on the recent new breeding GE-based applications capable of inducing MS by targeting specific nuclear genic loci. A summary of the mechanisms underlying the recent CRISPR technology and relative success applications are described for the main crop and ornamental species. The future challenges and new potential applications of CRISPR/Cas systems in MS mutant production and other potential opportunities will be discussed, as generating CRISPR-edited DNA-free by transient transformation system and transgenerational gene editing for introducing desirable alleles and for precision breeding strategies

Mitochondrial DNA Suggests a Western Eurasian origin for Ancient (Proto-) Bulgarians

Ancient (proto-) Bulgarians have long been thought to as a Turkic population. However, evidence found in the past three decades show that this is not the case. Until now, this evidence does not include ancient mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. In order to fill this void, we have collected human remains from the VIII-X century AD located in three necropolises in Bulgaria: Nojarevo (Silistra region) and Monastery of Mostich (Shumen region), both in Northeast Bulgaria and Tuhovishte (Satovcha region) in Southwest Bulgaria. The phylogenetic analysis of 13 ancient DNA samples (extracted from teeth) identified 12 independent haplotypes, which we further classified into mtDNA haplogroups found in present-day European and Western Eurasian populations. Our results suggest a Western Eurasian matrilineal origin for proto-Bulgarians as well as a genetic similarity between proto- and modern Bulgarians. Our future work will provide additional data which will further clarify proto-Bulgarian origins; thereby adding new clues to current understanding of European genetic evolution

Macrophage profile in primary versus secondary liver tumors

Macrophages are important components of the tumor-associated infiltrate and are qualified as one of the major players of the cancer-related inflammation. It was shown that tumor cells can either stimulate or mediate apoptosis of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). To date, there is no general agreement regarding the influence of TAMs and their numbers on the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepaticmetastases (HM). To analyze the presence of TAMs and compare their numbers in intratumoral (IT) and peritumoral (PT) areas with the clinical outcome of HCC and HM patients. Biopsies from 35 HCC and 39 HM cases were analyzed. Clinical and follow-up data was enrolled for each case; the colorectal cancer was the origin of 26 HM patients. TAMs were identified by immunohistochemistry using anti-CD68 monoclonal antibody. The quantitative assessment was performed by determining the mean number of CD68-positive cells in IT and PT areas in HCC and HM. Two threshold methods were applied: threshold 1 (T1) was calculated with the use of (-log) Cox method; threshold 2 (T2) was considered as 1/3 TAMs number of group’s mean. For statistical analyses Mann-Whitney U-test, Spearman’s correlation, Cox proportional hazard and Kaplan-Meier tests were applied. To date, 36.12% HCC and 27.78% HM patients were alive, median survival was 5 and 17 months for HCC and HM, respectively (P = 0.05). We found significant two-fold decrease of TAMs numbers between IT vs. PT territories in both HCC and HM. A positive correlation between numbers of PT and IT TAMs was observed in HM group (rs = 0.48, P < 0.05) but not in HCC. The number of TAMs was not associated with any studied clinical factor. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that tumor stage ≤ II (P = 0.01) and increased number of PT TAMs (P = 0.06, only when T2 value was applied) were associated with favorable prognosis in HCC (HR = 2.614 and 2.457, respectively). Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses in HM revealed favorable prognosis for histological grade ≤ G2 and one lobe tumors (P = 0.021 and 0.045; HR = 0.395 and 0.438, respectively). Survival analysis retained the impact of increased TAMs numbers in peritumoral areas (P = 0.03), tumor stages in HCC (P = 0.007), lobes’ number (P = 0.007) and histological grade (P = 0.005) on HM patients’ outcome. In HCC and HM the low number of TAMs in intratumoral areas was related to the tumor cell microenvironment. The increased peritumoral TAMs number in primary liver tumors was associated with better prognosis

MIK2 is a candidate gene of the S-locus for sporophytic self-incompatibility in chicory (Cichorium intybus, Asteraceae)

The Cichorium genus offers a unique opportunity to study the sporophytic self-incompatibility (SSI) system, being composed of species characterized by highly efficient self-incompatibility (e.g., C. intybus) and complete self-compatibility (e.g., C. endivia). To this end, the chicory genome was used to map seven previously identified SSI locus-associated markers. The region containing the S-locus was therefore restricted to an similar to 4 M bp window on chromosome 5. Among the genes predicted in this region, MDIS1 INTERACTING RECEPTOR LIKE KINASE 2 (ciMIK2) was particularly promising as a candidate for SSI. Its ortholog in Arabidopsis (atMIK2) is involved in pollen-stigma recognition reactions, and its protein structure is similar to that of S-receptor kinase (SRK), a key component of the SSI system in the Brassica genus. The amplification and sequencing of MIK2 in chicory and endive accessions revealed two contrasting scenarios. In C. endivia, MIK2 was fully conserved even when comparing different botanical varieties (i.e., smooth and curly endive). In C. intybus, 387 polymorphic positions and 3 INDELs were identified when comparing accessions of different biotypes all belonging to the same botanical variety (i.e., radicchio). The polymorphism distribution throughout the gene was uneven, with hypervariable domains preferentially localized in the LRR-rich extracellular region, putatively identified as the receptor domain. The gene was hypothesized to be under positive selection, as the nonsynonymous mutations were more than double the synonymous ones (dN/dS = 2.17). An analogous situation was observed when analyzing the first 500 bp of the MIK2 promoter: no SNPs were observed among the endive samples, whereas 44 SNPs and 6 INDELs were detected among the chicory samples. Further analyses are needed to confirm the role of MIK2 in SSI and to demonstrate whether the 23 species-specific nonsynonymous SNPs in the CDS and/or the species-specific 10 bp-INDEL found in a CCAAT box region of the promoter are responsible for the contrasting sexual behaviors of chicory and endive

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СИНДРОМУ ЕМОЦІЙНОГО ВИГОРАННЯ У МЕДИЧНИХ ПРАЦІВНИКІВ

The article presents current theoretical approaches to the syndrome of emotional burnout as a form of professional deformation of health workers. Attention is drawn to the factors that cause burnout and phases of the emotional burnout syndrome.У статті розглянуто сучасні теоретичні підходи до синдрому емоційного вигорання як форми професійної деформації медичних працівників. Звернено увагу на фактори, що викликають вигорання та фази розвитку синдрому емоційного вигорання

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СИНДРОМУ ЕМОЦІЙНОГО ВИГОРАННЯ У МЕДИЧНИХ СЕСТЕР ТЕРАПЕВТИЧНИХ ТА ХІРУРГІЧНИХ ВІДДІЛЕНЬ

The article presents current theoretical approaches to the syndrome of emotional burnout as a form of professional deformation of medical stuff. Attention is drawn to the features of severity of emotional burnout syndrome in nurses of therapeutic and surgical departments.У статті розглянуто сучасні теоретичні підходи до синдрому емоційного вигорання як форми професійної деформації медичних працівників. Звернено увагу на особливості вираження синдрому емоційного вигорання у медичних сестер терапевтичних та хірургічних відділень

Splenectomy through the laparoscopic approach and how I do it

Scopul lucrării. Studierea cazurilor de splenectomie prin abord laparoscopic și clasic în vederea stabilirii cauzalității tip procedurăincidente perioperatorii și demonstrării superiorității abordului laparoscopic. Materiale și metode. Au fost selectate cazurile de splenectomie efectuate prin abord clasic și laparoscopic în Clinica de Chirurgie Colțea, perioada 01.01.2019-31.12.2022. Am revăzut filmările intraoperatorii, am evaluat factorii generali și locali asociați abordului chirurgical preferat. Rezultate. Au fost selectate 29 de cazuri, vârsta medie 54.8 ani, 72.4% femei, 27.6% barbati, 55.2% (16) cu multiple comorbidități: antecedente chirurgicale majore, insuficiența cardiacă, asmul bronșic sever etc. Cazurile au fost împărțite în 2 grupe: Gr. I- cu abord laparoscopic 34.5% (10), Gr. II- cu abord clasic 65.5% (19). Incidența comorbidităților a fost de 10% (1) în Gr.I, cu dimensiunea medie a splinei de 13.2 cm (min 8.5 cm, max 21 cm) și 84.2 % (16) în Gr.II cu dimensiunea medie a splinei de 20.4 cm (min 10 cm, max 34 cm). Doar în Gr.II au fost înregistrate sângerări intraoperatorii în 78.9% (15), iar in 15.8% (3) au fost complicații postoperatorii. Pacienții din Gr.I au avut o perioadă de spitalizare postoperatorie medie de 4 zile, iar cei din Gr. II de 7 zile și au fost externați cu o evoluție postoperatorie favorabilă. Concluzie. Abordul laparoscopic are aceleași indicații ca abordul clasic conform EAES, cu avantajul complicațiilor perioperatorii mult reduse și o spitalizare postoperatorie mai mică comparativ cu abordul clasic, iar în cazul echipelor experimentate este posibil abordul laparoscopic inclusiv la pacienții cu splenomegalii masive (>20cm), care poate fi asistat manual.Aim of study. Study of cases of splenectomy by laparoscopic and classic approach in order to establish causality type procedureperioperative incidents and demonstrate the superiority of the laparoscopic approach. Materials and methods. The cases of splenectomy performed by classical and laparoscopic approach in the Colțea Surgery Clinic, period 01.01.2019-31.12.2022, were selected. We reviewed intraoperative films, assessed general and local factors associated with the preferred surgical approach. Results. 29 cases were selected, average age 54.8 years, 72.4% women, 27.6% men, 55.2% (16) with multiple comorbidities: major surgical antecedents, heart failure, severe bronchial asthma, etc. The cases were divided into 2 groups: Gr. I- with laparoscopic approach 34.5% (10), Gr. II- with classic approach 65.5% (19). The incidence of comorbidities was 10% (1) in Gr.I, with mean spleen size of 13.2 cm (min 8.5 cm, max 21 cm) and 84.2% (16) in Gr.II with mean spleen size of 20.4 cm (min 10 cm, max 34 cm). Only in Gr.II, intraoperative bleeding was recorded in 78.9% (15), and in 15.8% (3) there were postoperative complications. The patients in Gr. I had an average postoperative hospitalization period of 4 days, and those in Gr. II of 7 days, and were discharged with a favorable postoperative evolution. Conclusions. The laparoscopic approach has the same indications as the classic one according to EAES, with the advantage of reduced perioperative complications and a shorter postoperative hospitalization, and in the case of experienced teams, the laparoscopic approach is possible, including patients with massive splenomegaly (>20cm), being manually assisted

Genome-Wide Association Meta-Analysis of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism during Therapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoma in Caucasian Children

Symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurs in five percent of children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but whether a genetic predisposition exists across different ALL treatment regimens has not been well studied. Methods: We undertook a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis for VTE in consecutively treated children in the Nordic/Baltic acute lymphoblastic leukemia 2008 (ALL2008) cohort and the Australian Evaluation of Risk of ALL Treatment-Related Side-Effects (ERASE) cohort. A total of 92 cases and 1481 controls of European ancestry were included. Results: No SNPs reached genome-wide significance (p <5 x 10(-8)) in either cohort. Among the top 34 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (p <1 x 10(-6)), two loci had concordant effects in both cohorts: ALOX15B (rs1804772) (MAF: 1%; p = 3.95 x 10(-7)) that influences arachidonic acid metabolism and thus platelet aggregation, and KALRN (rs570684) (MAF: 1%; p = 4.34 x 10(-7)) that has been previously associated with risk of ischemic stroke, atherosclerosis, and early-onset coronary artery disease. Conclusion: This represents the largest GWAS meta-analysis conducted to date associating SNPs to VTE in children and adolescents treated on childhood ALL protocols. Validation of these findings is needed and may then lead to patient stratification for VTE preventive interventions. As VTE hemostasis involves multiple pathways, a more powerful GWAS is needed to detect combination of variants associated with VTE.Peer reviewe