To defend or to attack? Antagonistic interactions between Serratia plymuthica and fungal plant pathogens, a species-specific volatile dialogue

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are involved in microbial interspecies communication and in the mode of action of various antagonistic interactions. They are important for balancing host-microbe interactions and provide the basis for developing biological control strategies to control plant pathogens. We studied the interactions between the bacterial antagonist Serratia plymuthica HRO-C48 and three fungal plant pathogens Rhizoctonia solani, Leptosphaeria maculans and Verticillium longisporum. Significant differences in fungal growth inhibition by the Serratia-emitted VOCs in pairwise dual culture assays and changes in the transcriptome of the bacterium and in the volatilomes of both interacting partners were observed. Even though the rate of fungal growth inhibition by Serratia was variable, the confrontation of the bacterium with the VOCs of all three fungi changed the levels of expression of the genes involved in stress response, biofilm formation, and the production of antimicrobial VOCs. Pairwise interacting microorganisms switched between defense (downregulation of gene expression) and attack (upregulation of gene expression and metabolism followed by growth inhibition of the interacting partner) modes, subject to the combinations of microorganisms that were interacting. In the attack mode HRO-C48 significantly inhibited the growth of R. solani while simultaneously boosting its own metabolism; by contrast, its metabolism was downregulated when HRO-C48 went into a defense mode that was induced by the L. maculans and V. longisporum VOCs. L. maculans growth was slightly reduced by the one bacterial VOC methyl acetate that induced a strong downregulation of expression of genes involved in almost all metabolic functions in S. plymuthica. Similarly, the interaction between S. plymuthica and V. longisporum resulted in an insignificant growth reduction of the fungus and repressed the rate of bacterial metabolism on the transcriptional level, accompanied by an intense volatile dialogue. Overall, our results indicate that VOCs substantially contribute to the highly break species-specific interactions between pathogens and their natural antagonists and thus deserving of increased consideration for pathogen control

Dynamic network participation of functional connectivity hubs assessed by resting-state fMRI

Network studies of large-scale brain connectivity have demonstrated that highly connected areas, or "hubs," are a key feature of human functional and structural brain organization. We use resting-state functional MRI data and connectivity clustering to identify multi-network hubs and show that while hubs can belong to multiple networks their degree of integration into these different networks varies dynamically over time. The extent of the network variation was related to the connectedness of the hub. In addition, we found that these network dynamics were inversely related to positive self-generated thoughts reported by individuals and were further decreased with older age. Moreover, the left caudate varied its degree of participation between a default mode subnetwork and a limbic network. This variation was predictive of individual differences in the reports of past-related thoughts. These results support an association between ongoing thought processes and network dynamics and offer a new approach to investigate the brain dynamics underlying mental experience

Combined PET/CT-perfusion in patients with head and neck cancers

Objectives: Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) can provide information about angiogenesis and blood-flow characteristics in tumours. [18F]Fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is one of the major oncological imaging techniques which provides information about viability of the tumour cell and partly also about its aggressiveness. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between FDG and CTP data in patients with head and neck cancers. Materials and methods: Forty-one patients with a clinically suspected head and neck cancer were prospectively included. All patients underwent a combined PET/CT with an integrated CTP examination in the area of the head and neck tumour. CTP data (BF, BV and MTT) and PET data (SUVmax, SUVmean, TLG, PETvol) were compared between tumours and (1) healthy contralateral tissue, (2) inflammatory lesions, (3) metastatic lymph nodes, and CTP data and PET data were correlated in tumours. Results: Thirty-five patients had a head and neck cancer. All CTP data were statistically different between tumours, inflammatory lesions, healthy tissue and metastatic lymph nodes; PET/CT data were in part significantly different. CTP and PET parameters were not significantly correlated. Conclusion: CTP and PET parameters were not significantly correlated; thus, the additional CTP values provide additional insights into tumour behaviour and their glycolytic status. Key Points : • Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) can be performed in combined positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. • CTP in addition to PET provides additional insights into tumour behaviour. • CTP can possibly differentiate between head and neck tumours and inflammatory lesions. • PET/CT with integrated CTP is possible without additional contrast medi

Модернизация автоматизированной системы управления блока подготовки метанола на установке комплексной подготовки газа

Объектом исследования является блок подготовки метанола на установке комплексной подготовки газа. Цель работы – модернизация автоматизированной системы управления блоком подготовки метанола на установке комплексной подготовки газа с использованием программируемого логического контроллера, на основе выбранной SCADA-системы. В выпускной квалификационной работа была разработана система контроля и управления технологическим процессом на базе промышленных контроллеров Siemens S7-400, с применением SCADA-системы WinCC. Разработанная система может применяться в системах контроля, управления и сбора данных на различных промышленных предприятиях. Данная система позволит увеличить производительность, повысить качество, точность и надежность измерений в системе и на производственном процессе.The object of the study is the methanol preparation unit at the complex gas treatment unit. The purpose of the work is the modernization of the automated control system for the methanol preparation unit in the complex gas treatment unit using a programmable logic controller based on the selected SCADA system. In the final qualifying work, a system for monitoring and controlling the process was developed on the basis of industrial controllers Siemens S7-400, using the SCADA system WinCC. The developed system can be used in monitoring, control and data collection systems at various industrial enterprises. This system will increase the productivity, improve the quality, accuracy and reliability of measurements

Cross-Kingdom RNAi of Pathogen Effectors Leads to Quantitative Adult Plant Resistance in Wheat

Cross-kingdom RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process allowing plants to transfer small regulatory RNAs to invading pathogens to trigger the silencing of target virulence genes. Transient assays in cereal powdery mildews suggest that silencing of one or two effectors could lead to near loss of virulence, but evidence from stable RNAi lines is lacking. We established transient host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) in wheat, and demonstrate that targeting an essential housekeeping gene in the wheat powdery mildew pathogen (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) results in significant reduction of virulence at an early stage of infection. We generated stable transgenic RNAi wheat lines encoding a HIGS construct simultaneously silencing three B.g. tritici effectors including SvrPm3(a1/f1), a virulence factor involved in the suppression of the Pm3 powdery mildew resistance gene. We show that all targeted effectors are effectively downregulated by HIGS, resulting in reduced fungal virulence on adult wheat plants. Our findings demonstrate that stable HIGS of effector genes can lead to quantitative gain of resistance without major pleiotropic effects in wheat

On the role of extinction in failed gamma-ray burst optical/IR afterglows

While all but one Gamma-Ray Bursts observed in the X-ray band showed an X-ray afterglow, about 60 per cent of them have not been detected in the optical band. We demonstrate that in many cases this is not due to adverse observing conditions, or delay in performing the observations. We also show that the optically non-detected afterglows are not affected by particularly large Galactic absorbing columns, since its distribution is similar for both the detected and non-detected burst subclasses. We then investigate the hypothesis that the failure of detecting the optical afterglow is due to absorption at the source location. We find that this is a marginally viable interpretation, but only if the X-ray burst and afterglow emission and the possible optical/UV flash do not destroy the dust responsible for absorption in the optical band. If dust is efficiently destroyed, we are led to conclude that bursts with no detected optical afterglow are intrinsically different. Prompt infrared observations are the key to solve this issue.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, changes in the tables and in the statistical analysi

Optical afterglows of gamma-ray bursts: a bimodal distribution?"

The luminosities of the optical afterglows of Gamma Ray Bursts, 12 hours (rest frame time) after the trigger, show a surprising clustering, with a minority of events being at a significant smaller luminosity. If real, this dichotomy would be a crucial clue to understand the nature of optically dark afterglows, i.e. bursts that are detected in the X-ray band, but not in the optical. We investigate this issue by studying bursts of the pre-Swift era, both detected and undetected in the optical. The limiting magnitudes of the undetected ones are used to construct the probability that a generic bursts is observed down to a given magnitude limit. Then, by simulating a large number of bursts with pre-assigned characteristics, we can compare the properties of the observed optical luminosity distribution with the simulated one. Our results suggest that the hints of bimodality present in the observed distribution reflects a real bimodality: either the optical luminosity distributions of bursts is intrinsically bimodal, or there exists a population of bursts with a quite significant grey absorption, i.e. wavelength independent extinction. This population of intrinsically weak or grey-absorbed events can be associated to dark bursts.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Электрооборудование и электропривод подъема кислородной фурмы

В выпускной квалификационной работе был произведён расчёт и выбор силового оборудования для электропривода подъёма кислородной фурмы. Выполнен расчёт параметров силовой цепи. Результатом расчёта является выбор асинхронного электродвигателя фирмы SIEMENS серии 1LG4310-8AB-Z мощностью 55 кВт; преобразователь частоты типа MICROMASTER 440 фирмы SIEMENS шкафного исполнения мощностью 75кВт. Исследованы переходные процессы в программе MATLAB, динамические показатели качества при отработке воздействий по управлению и возмущению во всем диапазоне регулирования скорости полностью удовлетворяют требованиям технического задания.In the final qualifying work, the calculation and selection of power equipment for the electric drive of lifting the oxygen lance was made. The parameters of the power circuit are calculated. The result of the calculation is the selection of an asynchronous electric motor from SIEMENS series 1LG4310-8AB-Z with a power of 55 kW; frequency converter type MICROMASTER 440 firm SIEMENS cabinet version 75kW. The transient processes in the MATLAB program have been studied, the dynamic quality indices during the development of control and disturbance influences in the whole range of speed regulation fully satisfy the requirements of the technical assignment

Efficacy and Toxicity of Different Chemotherapy Protocols for Concurrent Chemoradiation in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer—A Secondary Analysis of the PET Plan Trial

(1) Background: The optimal chemotherapy (CHT) regimen for concurrent chemoradiation (cCRT) is not well defined. In this secondary analysis of the international randomized PET-Plan trial, we evaluate the efficacy of different CHT. (2) Methods: Patients with inoperable NSCLC were randomized at a 1:1 ratio regarding the target volume definition and received isotoxically dose-escalated cCRT using cisplatin 80 mg/m2 (day 1, 22) and vinorelbin 15 mg/m2 (day 1, 8, 22, 29) (P1) or cisplatin 20 mg/m2 (day 1–5, 29–33) and vinorelbin 12.5 mg/m2 (day 1, 8, 15, 29, 36, 43) (P2) or carboplatin AUC1 (day 1–5, 29–33) and vinorelbin 12.5 mg/m2 (day 1, 8, 15, 29, 36, 43) (P3) or other CHT at the treating physician’s discretion. (3) Results: Between 05/2009 and 11/2016, 205 patients were randomized and 172 included in the per-protocol analysis. Patients treated in P1 or P2 had a better overall survival (OS) compared to P3 (p = 0.015, p = 0.01, respectively). Patients treated with carboplatin had a worse OS compared to cisplatin (HR 1.78, p = 0.03), but the difference did not remain significant after adjusting for age, ECOG, cardiac function creatinine and completeness of CHT. (4) Conclusions: Carboplatin doublets show no significant difference compared to cisplatin, after adjusting for possibly relevant factors, probably due to existing selection bias

Oncogenic ERBB3 Mutations in Human Cancers

SummaryThe human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family of tyrosine kinases is deregulated in multiple cancers either through amplification, overexpression, or mutation. ERBB3/HER3, the only member with an impaired kinase domain, although amplified or overexpressed in some cancers, has not been reported to carry oncogenic mutations. Here, we report the identification of ERBB3 somatic mutations in ∼11% of colon and gastric cancers. We found that the ERBB3 mutants transformed colonic and breast epithelial cells in a ligand-independent manner. However, the mutant ERBB3 oncogenic activity was dependent on kinase-active ERBB2. Furthermore, we found that anti-ERBB antibodies and small molecule inhibitors effectively blocked mutant ERBB3-mediated oncogenic signaling and disease progression in vivo