Cross-Validation of the Adolescent Behavioral Classification Project Instrument: a Factor Analytic Study.

The Adolescent Behavioral Classification Project is one aspect of the larger Behavioral Classification Project, a long-term project designed to develop a behaviorally-based taxonomy of emotional disorders. The Adolescent Behavioral Classification Project (ABCP) instrument is a comprehensive list of 518 behavioral items and 3 demographic variables that cover the range of emotional problems of youth 13 to 18 years of age. This research concerns the cross-validation of the ABCP instrument on a sample of clinic and nonclinic youngsters. Results from a total of 810 questionnaires, 300 from subjects seen in clinics and 510 from nonclinic subjects, were submitted to a principal components analysis using the VAND-500 computer program. Fourteen factors corresponded well with factors found in the initial standardization study

Calcium levels correlate with cell cycle phase and affect the level of the cyclin B transcript in Dictyostelium discoideum

In pre-aggregation amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum, phenotypic differences with respect to cellular Ca2+ and cell cycle phases are known to bias post-aggregative cell-type choice. Using chlortetracycline fluorescence as an indicator, we found that cellular Ca2+ is highest at the S phase of the cell cycle. Upon increasing the level of Ca2+ with the help of the calcium ionophore A23187, there is a significant decrease in the cyclin B (clb1) mRNA level; the cdc2 mRNA level shows a marginal decrease. These results suggest that the effect of Ca2+ and the cell cycle on cell fate could be exerted at the level of transcription, or message stability, of specific genes

Microbiological characterization of psychro-mezo-thermophilic endospore-producing Bacillus species isolated from industrial probiotics particles

Probiotics are either bacteria which naturally and steadily reside in the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT), such as certain Lactobacillus sp., or are bimodal, i.e. capable of proliferation both in GIT, as well as in the external environment, these include certain Bacillus sp. In this report we characterize a mixture of Bacillus species present in widely used commercial preparations, present in lyophilized particles. Four endospore-producing species were detected through MALDI TOF mass spectrometry and microbiological analyses: Bacillus mojavensis, Bacillus vallismortis, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis. They exhibit an exceptionally wide range of growth temperature: from 20°C to 58oC, thus they are environmentally multi-modal and cover areas occupied both by psychrophiles, mesophiles and thermophiles. Thus, they are exceedingly adaptive to different environments and able to proliferate in highly diverse niches, including the human GIT. Considering that all of the four characterized species have similar characteristics, including endospore production and growth in a wide range of pH, which allows them to survive in transiently low pH during GIT passage, as well as their widespread occurrence in the environment, it is very likely that they have evolved along with mammals as their natural, transient or permanent, GIT inhabitants, though they are not limited to this niche. Acknowledgments: the project was supported GRUPA INCO S.A., ul. Wspolna 25, 00-519 Warsaw, Poland, NCBiR grant no POIG.01.04.00-02-181/13 and by University of Gdansk task funds no. DS 530-8645-D509-15

Construction of bionanoparticles with the use of a recombinant DNA vector-enzymatic system, containing artificial poliepitopic proteins, for the delivery of new generation vaccines

DNA/RNA amplification technologies, such as the Polymerase Chain Reaction have revolutionized modern biology, medical diagnostics and forensic analyses, among others. A number of alternative nucleic acids amplification methods have been developed, tailored to specific applications. Here we present a refined version of a DNA fragment amplification technology, which enables the construction of ordered concatemers in a head-to-tail-orientation. A very high number of DNA segments, at least 500 copies, can be consecutively linked. Other key features include: (i) the application of a dedicated vector-enzymatic system, including selected subtype IIS restriction endonucleases, which has been designed to automatically generate long Open Reading Frames and (ii) an amplification-expression vector with a built-in strong transcription promoter along with optimal translation initiation signals, which allow for a high level of expression of the constructed artificial poliepitopic protein. This highly advanced technology makes it possible to obtain ordered polymers of monomeric, synthetic or natural, DNA far beyond the capabilities of current chemical synthesis methods. The constructed poliepitopic proteins are further used for construction of several types of nanoparticles, including inclusion bodies and bacteriophages, containing multiple genetic fusion with poliepitopic proteins.The technology offers significant advances in a number of scientific, industrial and medical applications, including new vaccines and tissue pro-regenerative methods. The technology is protected by an international patent application and is available for licensing. Acknowledgments: project was supported by National Center for Research and Development, Warsaw, Poland, grant no STRATEGMED1/235077/9/NCBR/2014 and POIG.01.04.00-22-140/12; Jagiellonian Center for Innovation, Krakow, Poland; SATUS VC, Warsaw, Poland and BioVentures Institute Ltd, Poznan, Poland

Morphological Characters of the Thickbody Skate Amblyraja frerichsi (Krefft 1968) (Rajiformes: Rajidae), with Notes on Its Biology

Detailed descriptions of morphological features, morphometrics, neurocranium anatomy, clasper structure and egg case descriptions are provided for the thickbody skate Amblyraja frerichsi; a rare, deep-water species from Chile, Argentina and Falkland Islands. The species diagnosis is complemented from new observations and aspects such as colour, size and distribution are described. Geographic and bathymetric distributional ranges are discussed as relevant features of this taxońs biology. Additionally, the conservation status is assessed including bycatch records from Chilean fisheries

Longitudinal Evaluation of an N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea-Created Murine Model with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a neurodegenerative disorder that usually occurs late in adult life. Clinically, the cardinal features include gait disturbances, urinary incontinence, and cognitive decline.Herein we report the characterization of a novel mouse model of NPH (designated p23-ST1), created by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced mutagenesis. The ventricular size in the brain was measured by 3-dimensional micro-magnetic resonance imaging (3D-MRI) and was found to be enlarged. Intracranial pressure was measured and was found to fall within a normal range. A histological assessment and tracer flow study revealed that the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) pathway of p23-ST1 mice was normal without obstruction. Motor functions were assessed using a rotarod apparatus and a CatWalk gait automatic analyzer. Mutant mice showed poor rotarod performance and gait disturbances. Cognitive function was evaluated using auditory fear-conditioned responses with the mutant displaying both short- and long-term memory deficits. With an increase in urination frequency and volume, the mutant showed features of incontinence. Nissl substance staining and cell-type-specific markers were used to examine the brain pathology. These studies revealed concurrent glial activation and neuronal loss in the periventricular regions of mutant animals. In particular, chronically activated microglia were found in septal areas at a relatively young age, implying that microglial activation might contribute to the pathogenesis of NPH. These defects were transmitted in an autosomal dominant mode with reduced penetrance. Using a whole-genome scan employing 287 single-nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers and further refinement using six additional SNP markers and four microsatellite markers, the causative mutation was mapped to a 5.3-cM region on chromosome 4.Our results collectively demonstrate that the p23-ST1 mouse is a novel mouse model of human NPH. Clinical observations suggest that dysfunctions and alterations in the brains of patients with NPH might occur much earlier than the appearance of clinical signs. p23-ST1 mice provide a unique opportunity to characterize molecular changes and the pathogenic mechanism of NPH

Bilge water systems management on contemporary cargo vessels with diesel propulsion

W ramach użytkowanych systemów poruszono kwestie jakości wód zęzowych przechowywanych w prze-strzeni siłowni okrętowych w trakcie normalnej eksploatacji statków oraz trudności obsługowych systemu wód zęzowych. Prezentowana analiza dotyczy współczesnych statków towarowych, w których napęd główny stanowi tłokowy silnik spalinowy. W artykule przedstawiono propozycję rozwiązania systemu, który zdaniem autorów pozwoli na zwiększenie rzeczywistej wydajności usuwania wód zęzowych za burtę statku i może w znaczący sposób przyczynić się do zmniejszenia liczby przypadków łamania umów międzynarodowych o zanieczyszczaniu środowiska morskiego. Docelowo proponowany system wód zęzowych może prowadzić do obniżenia kosztów eksploatacji statku i podwyższyć efektywność pracy działu maszynowego.The quality of bilge waters collected in the machinery space during normal conditions and difficulties with the bilge water systems have been considered. Analyzed systems concern contemporary cargo vessels in which the reciprocating diesel engines constitute the ships propulsion. The proposal of the bilge water system, as part of the existing bilge water installations, has been presented. That system will increase the bilge water efficiency that is pumped out overboard of the ship, decreasing the number of the international law violations. More over the proposed bilge water system can lead to decreasing the operational ships costs and raise the operational effectiveness of the engineers department