Plasma fibrin clot properties are unfavorably altered in women following venous thromboembolism associated with combined hormonal contraception

The use of hormonal contraception is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Unfavorably altered fibrin clot phenotype has been reported in patients following unprovoked VTE who are at risk of recurrences. It remains unknown whether fibrin clot characteristics in women with contraception-related VTE differ from those in unprovoked VTE. We studied three age-matched groups of women: (1) after contraception-related VTE, () (2) after unprovoked VTE (), and (3) controls (). Plasma fibrin clot permeability (), turbidity of clot formation, efficiency of fibrinolysis using clot lysis time (CLT), and rate of increase in D-dimer during lytic clot degradation (D-Drate), along with thrombin generation and fibrinolysis proteins were determined. Compared with the controls, patients following contraception-related and unprovoked VTE formed faster (lag phase, -8.8% and -20.4%, respectively) fibrin clots of increased density (, -8.6% and -13.4%, respectively) displaying impaired fibrinolysis as evidenced by prolonged CLT (+11.5% and +14.5%, respectively) and lower D-Drate (-7.1% and -5.6%, respectively), accompanied with higher plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1, +14.9% and +17.8%, respectively) and elevated peak thrombin generation (+63.8% and +36.7%, respectively). The only differences between women with unprovoked and contraception-related VTE were lower fibrin mass in plasma clots (D-Dmax, -8.6%), along with higher peak thrombin generation (+19.8%) and shorter lag phase (-6.8%) in the latter group. This study suggests that women after contraception-related VTE, similar to those following unprovoked VTE, have denser fibrin clot formation and impaired clot lysis. These findings might imply higher risk of VTE recurrence in women with the prothrombotic clot phenotype

The first evidence of a host-to-parasite mitochondrial gene transfer in Orobanchaceae

Several parasitic plants are known to have acquired mitochondrial genes via a horizontal transfer from their hosts. However, mitochondrial gene transfer in this direction has not yet been found in the parasite-rich family Orobanchaceae. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial atp6 gene in selected species of Orobanche s.l., we provide evidence of a host-to-parasite transfer of this gene in O. coerulescens, which is a Eurasiatic species that parasitises Artemisia (Asteraceae). We did not find the original Orobanche atp6 gene in this species, which suggests that it has been replaced by a gene that was acquired from Asteraceae. In addition, our data suggest the occurrence of a second HGT event in the atp6 sequence - from Asteraceae to Phelipanche. Our results support the view that the transfer of genetic material from hosts to parasites influences the mitochondrial genome evolution in the latter

Investigation of chiral smectic phases and conformationally disordered crystal phases of the liquid crystalline 3F5FPhH6 compound partially fluorinated at the terminal chain and rigid core

Complementary methods are applied to investigate the phase transitions and crystallization kinetics of the liquid crystalline compound denoted as 3F5FPhH6. Two crystal phases are confirmed, and one of them is the conformationally disordered (CONDIS) phase. Complexity of the melt crystallization process is revealed by the analysis with Friedman’s isoconversional method. The melt crystallization of 3F5FPhH6 shows different mechanisms depending on temperature, which is explained by the relation between the thermodynamic driving force and the thermal energy of translational degrees of freedom. The studied compound crystallizes even during fast cooling (30 K/min), unlike similar compounds with different fluorosubstitutions of the benzene ring, which form the smectic glass for moderate cooling rates. The tendency to vitrification of the smectic phase decreases apparently with the decreasing stability width of the $SmC_{A}$* phase and the increasing relaxation time of the collective relaxation process in this phase, at least for homologues differing from 3F5FPhH6 only by the type of fluorosubstitution

Phylogeny and historical biogeography analysis support Caucasian and Mediterranean centres of origin of key holoparasitic Orobancheae (Orobanchaceae) lineages

The extensive diversity of the tribe Orobancheae, the most species-rich lineage of holoparasitic Orobanchaceae, is concentrated in the Caucasus and Mediterranean regions of the Old World. This extant diversity has inspired hypotheses that these regions are also centres of origin of its key lineages, however the ability to test hypotheses has been limited by a lack of sampling and phylogenetic information about the species, especially in the Caucasus region. First, we assessed the phylogenetic relationships of several poorly known, problematic, or newly described species and host-races of four genera of Orobancheae occurring in the Caucasus region–Cistanche, Phelypaea, Phelipanche and Orobanche–using nuclear ribosomal (ITS) and plastid (trnL–trnF) sequence data. Then we applied a probablistic dispersal-extinction-cladogenesis model of historical biogeography across a more inclusive clade of holoparasites, to explicitly test hypotheses of Orobancheae diversification and historical biogeography shifts. In sum, we sampled 548 sequences (including 196 newly generated) from 13 genera, 140 species, and 175 taxa across 44 countries. We find that the Western Asia (particularly the Caucasus) and the Mediterranean are the centre of origin for large clades of holoparasitic Orobancheae within the last 6 million years. In the Caucasus, the centres of diversity are composed both of long-branch taxa and shallow, recently diversified clades, while Orobancheae diversity in the Mediterranean appears to represent mainly recent diversification

Zmiany mRNA wariantów alternatywnego składania C-endopeptydazy prokolagenu w mięśniakach macicy w zależności od fazy cyklu miesięcznego i u kobiet w okresie klimakterium

Summary Leiomyoma uteri is a monoclonal tumour of the uterus muscle layer. It is characterized by excessive, abnormal growth of extracellular matrix. The collagen types I and III are the major components of extracellular matrix. Removal of the C-propeptides in procollagens type I, II, and III by procollagen C-endopeptidase leads to spontaneous selfassembly of collagen fibrils. Thus, the procollagen C-endopeptidase is a key regulator of extracellular matrix production, its quality, and other developmental processes including angiogenesis. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the three alternatively spliced variants of the BMP1 gene product including the procollagen C-endopeptidase, in leiomyoma uteri tumors in comparison to normal myometrium in women being in first or second menstrual phase or in time of climacterium. Material and Methods: In the study we analyzed samples from the control and cancerous tissues from 52 women. Expression of the three alternatively spliced variants of BMP1 gene transcript were assayed by RT-PCR, following densytometric analysis. Statistical significance (p≤0,05) of the observed differences was assessed with the use of Anova test, Least Significance Different Test, and Student’s T-test. Results: Analysis of RT-PCR products revealed the presence of all alternatively spliced variants of BMP-1 mRNA and the changes in their alternative splicing intensity, depending on the phase of menstrual cycle or postmenopausal state. In the second phase of the cycle, in control tissue, the expression level of BMP-1 variant decreased when compared to women in I phase of the cycle or postmenopausal women. In the tumour, postmenopausal women showed increased expression of BMP-1at, when compared with women in the second phase of the cycle. The presence of mTLD in the tumour tissue at II phase of the cycle and in postmenopausal state was less strong when compared to women at I phase of the cycle. In control tissue this type of change was not observed. The BMP-1/HIS was present at higher level in control tissue, during II phase of the menstrual cycle and in postmenopausal state, whereas in the tumour tissue its lowest level was at II phase of the cycle. Conclusions: Regulation of alternative splicing of mRNA for procollagen C-endopeptidase in leiomyomas and myometrium depends mainly on the hormonal status of women.Streszczenie Wstęp: Mięśniak gładkokomórkowy macicy (Leiomyoma uteri) jest niezłośliwym nowotworem monoklonalnym błony mięśniowej macicy. Rozwój guza charakteryzuje nadmierny i nieprawidłowy rozrost macierzy pozakomórkowej. Główne składniki macierzy pozakomórkowej to kolageny typu I i III. Odcięcie C-propeptydow w prokolagenach typu I, II i III przez C-endopeptydazę prokolagenu wzbudza samoistne składanie włókien kolagenowych. Endopeptydaza jest kluczowym regulatorem wytwarzania macierzy pozakomórkowej, kontroli jej jakości oraz procesów rozwojowych, takich jak rozwój kości czy naczyń krwionośnych. Cel pracy: Celem pracy jest analiza syntezy trzech wariantów mRNA powstających w wyniku alternatywnego składania transkryptów genu BMP1, kodującego C-endopeptydazę prokolagenu, w mięśniakach macicy, w porównaniu do prawidłowej błony mięśniowej macicy u kobiet w I i II fazie cyklu miesiączkowego oraz w klimakterium. Materiał i Metody: W badaniach analizowano materiał pochodzący z leiomyoma uteri i tkanek kontrolnych uzyskanych od 52 pacjentek. Proces alternatywnego składania wariantów mRNA genu BMP1 był oznaczany metodą densytometryczną produktów otrzymanych z reakcji RT-PCR. Znamienność statystyczną wykrytych różnic sprawdzano testami ANOVA i Najmniejszych Istotnych Różnic (LSD) w programie mSTATC oraz testem t-Studenta dla p≤0,05. Wyniki: Analiza produktów RT-PCR ujawniła obecność mRNA trzech wariantów alternatywnego składania transkryptu genu BMP1 oraz zmiany w natężeniu alternatywnego składania wariantów zależnie od fazy cyklu menstruacyjnego lub klimakterium. W drugiej fazie cyklu, w tkance kontrolnej spadało nasilenie ekspresji wariantu BMP-1 w porównaniu do fazy pierwszej i klimakterium. Natomiast w guzie, u kobiet w okresie klimakterium, w porównaniu z kobietami w drugiej fazie cyklu zaobserwowano nasilenie ekspresji wariantu BMP-1. Poszukiwanie wariantu mTLD w tkance guzowej u kobiet w drugiej fazie cyklu i w klimakterium, z kobietami w pierwszej fazie cyklu ujawniło jego zanikanie, podczas gdy w tkance kontrolnej nie obserwowano takiej zmiany. Obecność wariantu BMP-1/HIS była najsilniej zaznaczona, w tkance kontrolnej w drugiej fazie cyklu i klimakterium, a w tkance guzowej słabiej zaznaczyła się jego obecność w drugiej fazie cyklu. Wnioski: Regulacja alternatywnego składania wariantów C-endopeptydazy prokolagenu w guzach leiomyoma uteri i błonie mięśniowej macicy zależy, przede wszystkim od fazy cyklu miesięcznego

The use of CA125, human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA), risk of malignancy index (RMI) and subjective assessment (SA) in preoperative diagnosing of ovarian tumors

Objectives: To compare utility of CA125, human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA), risk of malignancy index (RMI) and subjective assessment (SA) in preoperative diagnosis of ovarian tumors. Material and methods: Research was conducted among 456 patients qualified for surgery due to ovarian tumor. Preoperatively, CA125 and HE4 serum levels were estimated, and transvaginal ultrasound was performed. ROMA and RMI values and SA qualifications were obtained. Results were compared with pathomorphological findings. Results: Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC)-Area Under Curve (AUC) values for CA125, HE4, ROMA, RMI and SA in preoperative diagnosis of malignant lesions were 0.819, 0.909, 0.911, 0.895 and 0.895, respectively. Combinations of biochemical and sonographic methods increased sensitivity in diagnosis of ovarian tumors. Combinations utilizing serum HE4 concentrations were most useful. Conclusions: CA125, HE4, ROMA, RMI and SA proved to be useful in preoperative diagnosis of ovarian tumors. HE4 and ROMA occurred to be the most useful. Ultrasonographic methods are considerably useful in diagnosis of ovarian tumors. RMI and SA present similar overall diagnostic value

Baptismal names in the parish of Saint Matthias in Andrychów.

Przedmiotem mojej pracy jest analiza ksiąg chrztów parafii św. Macieja w Andrychowie. Podjęłam się próby zbadania tendencji kulturowych nadawania imion chrzestnych dziewczynkom i chłopcom w trzech różnych okresach: 1899-1909, 1935-1945, 2007-2017. Wybrane dziesięciolecia przypadają na czasy bardzo zróżnicowane historycznie. Niewola i wojna mogły mieć wpływ na nadawanie imion, głównie tych po bohaterach historycznych czy literackich. Podtrzymanie tożsamości narodowej odgrywało znaczącą rolę szczególnie, gdy Polska nie istniała na mapie Europy. Czasy współczesne – XXI wiek to z jednej strony pojawienie się imion nowych, czasem obcojęzycznych ale także powrót do imion starodawnych. W związku z powyższym warto zauważyć, że czasy w których żyjemy mają duży wpływ na to, jakie imię otrzymuje dziecko na chrzcie. Kiedyś częściej nadawano imiona po przodkach, a tradycja rodzinna była pierwszym źródłem imion. Dziś są to bohaterki i bohaterowie telewizji czy Internetu. W niniejszej pracy krótko omówię historię imion. Księgi chrztu, na podstawie których oparłam analizę imion pochodzą z parafii św. Macieja w Andrychowie, dlatego też w swojej pracy przybliżyłam historię parafii i miasta. W części badawczej analizując księgi parafialne poruszam zagadnienia imienniczej mody, atrakcyjności imion w danym dziesięcioleciu, specyfikę imion męskich i damskich. W opracowanym słowniku imion znajduje się szczegółowy opis wszystkich imion.The subject of my work is the analysis of baptism books of the parish of St. Maciej in Andrychów. I have attempted to examine the cultural trends of giving godfather names to girls and boys in three different periods: 1899-1909, 1935-1945, 2007-2017. Selected decades fall on times that are very historically diverse. Captivity and war may have affected the naming, mainly of those after historical or literary heroes. Maintaining national identity played a significant role especially when Poland did not exist on the map of Europe. Modern times - the 21st century is on the one hand the appearance of new, sometimes foreign-language names, but also a return to ancient names. In connection with the above, it is worth noting that the times we live in have a great impact on what name a child receives at baptism. Once, names were more often given after ancestors, and family tradition was the first source of names. Today they are heroines and heroes of television or the Internet. In this work, I will briefly discuss the history of names. Baptism books, based on which I based the analysis of names come from the parish of St. Maciej in Andrychów, which is why I presented the history of the parish and city in my work. In the research part, analyzing parish books, I address the issues of name fashion, the attractiveness of names in a given decade, and the specificity of male and female names. The developed name dictionary contains a detailed description of all names

Success factors in project management on the example of a selected construction industry enterprise

Introduction/background: The success of project management depends on a number of factors, and identifying and addressing them in the project management process increases the chance of success. New industrial, residential, or road construction projects are driving the growth of the construction industry. Construction projects are associated not only with the creation of new facilities and expansion of infrastructure, but also with the modernization of existing facilities, and their implementation takes place in a changing and turbulent environment. The above makes it important, especially in times of crisis and uncertainty, to identify factors associated with achieving success when managing these projects. Aim of the paper: Identification and analysis of key success factors in project management in a selected construction company. Materials and methods: To identify and analyse key success factors in construction industry project management, a diagnostic survey was conducted using a survey questionnaire. The survey was conducted among project team members working on construction industry projects in the selected entity. Results and conclusions: Success factors do not represent a universal set that will contribute to the success of every implemented project. On the basis of the empirical research carried out, a list of key success factors in construction industry project management was created, i.e. those factors that contribute most to success in this type of project. Furthermore, on the basis of the empirical research carried out, recommendations were developed for the management of projects in the selected entity, with particular attention paid to identified factors

Orobanche grenieri (Orobanchaceae), a southwestern european species newly found in Asia

We report occurrences of Orobanche grenieri (Orobanchaceae) in the Lesser Caucasus in southern Georgia (western Asia), and in Badakhshan in Tajikistan (central Asia). These localities are more than 3000 and 5000 km apart from its previously known distribution areas in Spain and France, respectively. We used morphological evidence as well as nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid rbcL sequences to test the taxonomic assignment of the Georgian plants to O. grenieri and to determine their phylogenetic position. We list the features that differentiate O. grenieri from morphologically similar species, provide illustrations, a distribution map, and we propose an IUCN conservation status for the Georgian populations