Establishment and in-house validation of stem-loop rt pcr method for microrna398 expression analysis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to the class of small non-coding RNAs which have important roles throughout development as well as in plant response to diverse environmental stresses. Some of plant miRNAs are essential for regulation and maintenance of nutritive homeostasis when nutrients are in excess or shortage comparing to optimal concentration for certain plant species. Better understanding of miRNAs functions implies development of efficient technology for profiling their gene expression. We set out to establish validate the methodology for miRNA gene expression analysis in cucumber grown under suboptimal mineral nutrient regimes, including iron deficiency. Reverse transcription by "stem-loop" primers in combination with Real time PCR method is one of potential approaches for quantification of miRNA gene expression. In this paper we presented a method for "stem loop" primer design specific for miR398, as well as reaction optimization and determination of Real time PCR efficiency. Proving the accuracy of this method was imperative as "stem loop" RT which consider separate transcription of target and endogenous control. The method was verified by comparison of the obtained data with results of miR398 expression achieved using a commercial kit based on simultaneous conversion of all RNAs in cDNAs

Silicon mitigates oxidative stress in cucumber at copper excess

Beneficial effects of silicon (Si) are well demonstrated for many crop species, although its essentiality is SI still not proven. Some mechanisms of Si-mediated alleviation of different stresses in plants have been proposed in the literature, however the molecular bases of these mechanisms are poorly understood. Metal toxicity It, considered as an important environmental problem in many agricultural soils worldwide. Copper (Cu) is an essential microelement for plant growth and development. As a redox-active transition metal, Cu is a cofactor in many proteins involved in electron transfer chains including respiration and photosynthesis. However, in excess Cu can induce oxidative stress via several proposed mechanisms, including direct generation of ro active oxygen species (ROS) through the Fenton reaction. The aim of th is study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism of Si-mediated alleviation of oxidative stress caused by excess Cu in cucumber. Hydroponically grown plants were subjected to different Cu concentrations, with or without Si supply. The high Cu-treated plants showed higher biomass and better root growth when Si was applied. The parameters of oxidative stress lipid peroxidation, total phenolics and tissue Cu concentrations were measured. Expressions of the genes involved in antioxidative defense and biosynthesis of phenolics were in accordance with the biochemical findings, clearly demonstrating the multiple role of Si in alleviation the harmful effects of ROS in cucumber

Optimization of electricity trading using linear programming

In the last two decades, the liberalization of the electricity markets have been established in order to increase efficiency, harmonize and reduce electricity prices, make a better use of resources, give customers the right to choose their supplier and provide customers with a better service. This change made the electricity market competitive and introduced several new subjects. In this paper, we study one of these subjects: Electricity Trading Company (ETC) and its daily trading process. We present a linear mathematical model of total daily profit maximization subject to flow constraints. It is assumed that the demand and supply are known and some of them are arranged. Possible transmission capacities are known but also additional capacities can be purchased. All trading, transmission prices and amounts are subject of auctions. First, we present energy trading problem as directed multiple-source and multiple-sink network and then model it using linear programming. Also, we provide one realistic example which is slightly changed in order to save confidentiality of the given data

Applying eXplainable AI Techniques to Interpret Machine Learning Predictive Models for the Analysis of Problematic Internet Use among Adolescents

This research focusses on the potential application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in the analysis of behavioural addictions, specifically addressing problematic Internet use among adolescents. Using tabular data from a representative sample from Serbian high schools, the authors investigated the feasibility of employing eXplainable AI (XAI) techniques, placing special emphasis on feature selection and feature importance methods. The results indicate a successful application to tabular data, with global interpretations that effectively describe predictive models. These findings align with previous research, which confirms both relevance and accuracy. Interpretations of individual predictions reveal the impact of features, especially in cases of misclassified instances, underscoring the significance of XAI techniques in error analysis and resolution. Although AI’s influence on the medical domain is substantial, the current state of XAI techniques, although useful, is not yet advanced enough for the reliable interpretation of predictions. Nevertheless, XAI techniques play a crucial role in problem identification and the validation of AI models

ONE-YEAR CARDIOVASCULAR OUTCOME IN PATIENTS ON CLOPIDOGREL ANTI-PLATELET THERAPY AFTER ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors in patients on clopidogrel anti-platelet therapy after acute myocardial infarction, for cardiovascular mortality, re-hospitalization and admission to emergency care unit. We followed 175 patients on dual antiplatelet therapy, with clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid, for 1 year after acute myocardial infarction, both STEMI and NSTEMI. Beside demographic and clinical characteristics, genetic ABCB1, CYP2C19 and CYP2C9 profile was analyzed using Cox-regression analysis. End-points used were: mortality, re-hospitalization and emergency care visits, all related to cardiovascular system. During the accrual and follow-up period, 8 patients (4.6%) died, mostly as a direct consequence of an acute myocardial infarction. Re-hospitalization was needed in 27 patients (15.4%), in nine patients (33.3%) with the diagnosis of re-infarction. Thirty-two patients (18.3%) were admitted to emergency care unit due to cardiovascular causes, up to 15 times during the follow-up. NSTEMI was an independent predictor of all three events registered (mortality OR=7.4, p<0.05; re-hospitalization OR=2.8, p<0.05); emergency care visit OR=2.4, p<0.05). Other significant predictors were related to kidney function (urea and creatinine level, creatinine clearance), co-morbidities such as arterial hypertension and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, as well as clopidogrel dosing regimen. As a conclusion, it may be suggested that one of the most significant predictors of cardiovascular events (mortality, re-hospitalization and emergency care visits) is NSTEMI. Besides, clopidogrel administration according to up-to-date guidelines, with high loading doses and initial doubled maintenance doses, improves 1-year prognosis in patients with AMI

Assessing the impact of a construction virtual reality game on design review skills of construction student

Being able to perform an effective design review is a fundamental skill that every design or construction student should possess. Performing a design review requires critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills. To support the acquisition of these skills, this study investigated the impact of a virtual reality game, the design review simulator (DRS), in a classroom environment. To assess the impact of the game, the authors performed a crossover experiment with 120 students. The students were split into groups and were asked to perform design reviews in two treatment conditions, 2D drawings or the DRS. A knowledge test was administered at the end of different treatments to collect quantitative data on the students’ performance. Results from this research indicate that the DRS supported students in identifying a higher number of design mistakes. Furthermore, students that played with the DRS after performing 2D drawings reviews scored significantly higher in the knowledge test. The research results contribute to the growing knowledge base on the implementation of VR in the classroom and in supporting students in meeting learning objectives related to design review skills. In particular, the research illustrated that the benefits of VR found in the construction industry in terms of improved communication, user involvement, and feedback collection could be translated into the classroom environment

Reperfusion therapy for ST elevation acute myocardial infarction 2010/2011: current status in 37 ESC countries

Aims Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the preferred reperfusion therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We conducted this study to evaluate the contemporary status on the use and type of reperfusion therapy in patients admitted with STEMI in the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) member countries. Methods and results A cross-sectional descriptive study based on aggregated country-level data on the use of reperfusion therapy in patients admitted with STEMI during 2010 or 2011. Thirty-seven ESC countries were able to provide data from existing national or regional registries. In countries where no such registries exist, data were based on best expert estimates. Data were collected on the use of STEMI reperfusion treatment and mortality, the numbers of cardiologists, and the availability of PPCI facilities in each country. Our survey provides a brief data summary of the degree of variation in reperfusion therapy across Europe. The number of PPCI procedures varied between countries, ranging from 23 to 884 per million inhabitants. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention and thrombolysis were the dominant reperfusion strategy in 33 and 4 countries, respectively. The mean population served by a single PPCI centre with a 24-h service 7 days a week ranged from 31 300 inhabitants per centre to 6 533 000 inhabitants per centre. Twenty-seven of the total 37 countries participated in a former survey from 2007, and major increases in PPCI utilization were observed in 13 of these countries. Conclusion Large variations in reperfusion treatment are still present across Europe. Countries in Eastern and Southern Europe reported that a substantial number of STEMI patients are not receiving any reperfusion therapy. Implementation of the best reperfusion therapy as recommended in the guidelines should be encourage

The influence of antioxidant and post-synthetic treatment on the properties of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate)s modified with poly(propylene oxide)

Novel poly(ester–ether)s based on poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) as the hard segments and 30 mass % of poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) as the soft segments were synthesized with varying amount of the antioxidant (N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, DPPD). The influences of the addition of DPPD and the impact of post-synthetic treatment by precipitation on the molecular structure, thermal and physical properties, as well as on the storage stability of the biodegradable aliphatic copolyesters, were investigated. The structure and composition of the copolymers were determined by means of 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weight and polydispersity of the poly(ester–ether)s were evaluated from solution viscosity and GPC measurements. The thermal properties and stability were evaluated, respecttively, by means of DSC and non-isothermal thermogravimetry in an inert nitrogen atmosphere. The biodegradability potential of the polymers was studied in hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation tests with Candida cylindracea lipase by monitoring the weight loss of polymer films after incubation. The weight losses of the samples increased with time and were in the range from 1 to 5 mass % after 4 weeks. GPC analysis confirmed that there were changes in the molecular weight of the copolyesters during both hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation tests, leading to the conclusion that the degradation mechanism of poly(butylenes succinate) modified with PPO occurred through surface erosion and bulk degradation

Gestational Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome: Can Obesity and Small, Dense Low Density Lipoproteins Be Key Mediators Of This Association?

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a state of glucose intolerance with first appearance or recognition during pregnancy, associated with an inadequate pancreatic response to the progressive insulin resistance of the later stages of gestation, and accompanied by increasing beta-cell mass and insulin secretion. Women with a history of GDM exhibit a greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Additionally, previous GDM has been proposed as independently associated with increased atherosclerosis risk in a healthy population, similar to the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and independently of the presence of established CVD risk factors. Available data indicate multiple metabolic abnormalities common in women with GDM, including a high small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) concentration and a resultant high prevalence of CVD and MetS. Preliminary data indicate that measurement of sdLDL is worthwhile in women with GDM during pregnancy as well as the postpartum period. A close follow up of these women should be emphasized in clinical practice because GDM is a predictor not only of future health risks for these mothers, but also their offspring. Thus, an improvement in care and risk modification of women with GDM may not only contribute towards improved CVD profile, but also potentially prevent adverse outcomes in their offspring. Lifestyle changes should be promoted in order to prevent excessive weight gain during pregnancy and decrease the risk of MetS in the postpartum and long-term