Analysis and Design of Simulation Experiments with Linear Approximation Models

There is a necessity in a number of IIASA's researches to deal with analyzing the properties of the computerized versions of complex models. The use of simulation experiments is one of the most successful tools in solving this problem. In this paper, the package of programs for the design and analysis of simulation experiments is described. The package was prepared in the All-Union Institute of Systems Studies in Moscow. It is one of the first attempts in this field, and the authors did not expect to have constructed a very comprehensive variant, but hope that more experience, remarks and critiques will help to improve and extend the package in a most useful and practical way

Inclusion of beta-carotene in various courses of chemotherapy of lympholeucosis L1210

Possibility of including of synthetic beta-carotene in variuos courses of chemotherapy of lympholeucosis of mice BDF1 was investigated. In experimental models cyclophosphan and platidiam (50, 100, 200 and 8 mg/kg b.w. respectively) was used as anticancer drugs. Beta-carotene (5, 10, 20, 50 mg/kg b.w.) was administrated to mice in different schemes. During experiments it was observed that beta-carotene does not effect the rapeutic action of cyclophósphan and platidiam during treatment of lympholeucosis L1210

Updated CLIC parameters 2005

This note presents the CLIC parameter set as of mid 2005 and describes the different sub-systems, stressing how the design of the different components is driven. This design emerged from a better understanding of limitations for normal conducting accelerating structures, which led to a new optimised design for the CLIC 30 GHz accelerating structure. The structure parameters and improvements in other sub-systems have resulted in a major revision of the parameters. The overall layout and efciencies for CLIC with this updated parameter-set are presented

Ribosome engineering reveals the importance of 5S rRNA autonomy for ribosome assembly

5S rRNA is an indispensable component of cytoplasmic ribosomes in all species. The functions of 5S rRNA and the reasons for its evolutionary preservation as an independent molecule remain unclear. Here we used ribosome engineering to investigate whether 5S rRNA autonomy is critical for ribosome function and cell survival. By linking circularly permutated 5S rRNA with 23S rRNA we generated a bacterial strain devoid of free 5S rRNA. Viability of the engineered cells demonstrates that autonomous 5S rRNA is dispensable for cell growth under standard conditions and is unlikely to have essential functions outside the ribosome. The fully assembled ribosomes carrying 23S-5S rRNA are highly active in translation. However, the engineered cells accumulate aberrant 50S subunits unable to form stable 70S ribosomes. Cryo-EM analysis revealed a malformed peptidyl transferase center in the misassembled 50S subunits. Our results argue that the autonomy of 5S rRNA is preserved due to its role in ribosome biogenesis

SNP-Based Chromosomal Microarray Analysis for Detecting DNA Copy Number Variations in Fetuses with a Thickened Nuchal Fold

The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic potential of SNP-based chromosomal microarray analysis for detecting pathogenic copies number variations (CNVs) in fetuses with a normal karyotype, in which an increase in the nuchal translucence of >2.5 mm was detected by ultrasound at a gestational age of 11 weeks to 13 weeks 6 days. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 225 pregnant women who underwent invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures following the detection of an isolated thickening of the fetal nuchal fold. The fetal material obtained was examined using a cytogenetic test; if a normal karyotype was confirmed, chromosomal microarray analysis was performed as a second-line test. RESULTS: Pathogenic CNVs were detected in 22 of 225 fetuses (9.8%) with a normal karyotype. Of these 22 fetuses, pathogenic CNVs not classified as syndromes were detected in 14 cases (63.6%), and those previously described as syndromes — in 8 cases (36.4%). In 9 fetuses (41%), CNVs in two non-homologous chromosomes were determined; these findings indicated a high likelihood of carrying balanced translocations in the parents. Indeed, when analyzing the parent’s karyotype, in 8 out of 9 couples, balanced translocations were found in one of the parents. CONCLUSION: Using chromosomal microarray analysis in fetuses with a thickened nuchal fold makes it possible to increase the ability to detect chromosomal imbalances, including those caused by pathological meiotic segregation of parental reciprocal translocation