Distribution of the DAZ gene transcripts in human testis.

Involvement of variety of genes, especially located on Y chromosome, is critical for the regulation of spermatogenesis. In particular, fertility candidate genes such as deleted in azoospermia (DAZ) are believed to have important function in sperm production, since DAZ is frequently deleted in azoospermic and severy oligozoospermic men. The role of the DAZ gene is supported by its exclusive expression in the testis and by its deletion in about 10% of azoospermic and severely oligozoospermic patients. The distribution of DAZ transcripts in seminiferous epithelium of human testis is reported in the present study. The use of Adobe Photoshop and Scion Image softwares allowed for semi-quantitative analysis of in situ RT-PCR (ISRT-PCR) results. The intensity of ISRT-PCR product's fluorescence was different within individual seminiferous tubules. It was clearly shown by using the pseudocolour scale and transforming the intensity of the fluorescence into levels of greyscale images. The more intense fluorescence characterised single spermatogonia and those organized in small groups inside separate tubules. The most intense accumulation of DAZ mRNA was observed in spermatogonia

Population genetic analysis of Plasmodium knowlesi reveals differential selection and exchange events between Borneo and Peninsular sub-populations

Funding: A.T. was funded by a Newton Institutional Links Grant (British Council, no. 261868591). S.C. was funded by BloomsburySET and Medical Research Council UK grants (MR/M01360X/1, MR/R025576/1, MR/R020973/1, and MR/X005895/1). T.G.C. was funded by the Medical Research Council UK (Grant nos. MR/M01360X/1, MR/N010469/1, MR/R025576/1, MR/R020973/1, and MR/X005895/1).The zoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi parasite is a growing public health concern in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia, where elimination of P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria has been the focus of control efforts. Understanding of the genetic diversity of P. knowlesi parasites can provide insights into its evolution, population structure, diagnostics, transmission dynamics, and the emergence of drug resistance. Previous work has revealed that P. knowlesi fall into three main sub-populations distinguished by a combination of geographical location and macaque host (Macaca fascicularis and M. nemestrina). It has been shown that Malaysian Borneo groups display profound heterogeneity with long regions of high or low divergence resulting in mosaic patterns between sub-populations, with some evidence of chromosomal-segment exchanges. However, the genetic structure of non-Borneo sub-populations is less clear. By gathering one of the largest collections of P. knowlesi whole-genome sequencing data, we studied structural genomic changes across sub-populations, with the analysis revealing differences in Borneo clusters linked to mosquito-related stages of the parasite cycle, in contrast to differences in host-related stages for the Peninsular group. Our work identifies new genetic exchange events, including introgressions between Malaysian Peninsular and M. nemestrina-associated clusters on various chromosomes, including in parasite invasion genes (DBPβ, NBPXα and NBPXβ), and important proteins expressed in the vertebrate parasite stages. Recombination events appear to have occurred between the Peninsular and M. fascicularis-associated groups, including in the DBPβ and DBPγ invasion associated genes. Overall, our work finds that genetic exchange events have occurred among the recognised contemporary groups of P. knowlesi parasites during their evolutionary history, leading to apparent mosaicism between these sub-populations. These findings generate new hypotheses relevant to parasite evolutionary biology and P. knowlesi epidemiology, which can inform malaria control approaches to containing the impact of zoonotic malaria on human communities.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Population genetic analysis of Plasmodium knowlesi reveals differential selection and exchange events between Borneo and Peninsular sub-populations.

The zoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi parasite is a growing public health concern in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia, where elimination of P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria has been the focus of control efforts. Understanding of the genetic diversity of P. knowlesi parasites can provide insights into its evolution, population structure, diagnostics, transmission dynamics, and the emergence of drug resistance. Previous work has revealed that P. knowlesi fall into three main sub-populations distinguished by a combination of geographical location and macaque host (Macaca fascicularis and M. nemestrina). It has been shown that Malaysian Borneo groups display profound heterogeneity with long regions of high or low divergence resulting in mosaic patterns between sub-populations, with some evidence of chromosomal-segment exchanges. However, the genetic structure of non-Borneo sub-populations is less clear. By gathering one of the largest collections of P. knowlesi whole-genome sequencing data, we studied structural genomic changes across sub-populations, with the analysis revealing differences in Borneo clusters linked to mosquito-related stages of the parasite cycle, in contrast to differences in host-related stages for the Peninsular group. Our work identifies new genetic exchange events, including introgressions between Malaysian Peninsular and M. nemestrina-associated clusters on various chromosomes, including in parasite invasion genes (DBP[Formula: see text], NBPX[Formula: see text] and NBPX[Formula: see text]), and important proteins expressed in the vertebrate parasite stages. Recombination events appear to have occurred between the Peninsular and M. fascicularis-associated groups, including in the DBP[Formula: see text] and DBP[Formula: see text] invasion associated genes. Overall, our work finds that genetic exchange events have occurred among the recognised contemporary groups of P. knowlesi parasites during their evolutionary history, leading to apparent mosaicism between these sub-populations. These findings generate new hypotheses relevant to parasite evolutionary biology and P. knowlesi epidemiology, which can inform malaria control approaches to containing the impact of zoonotic malaria on human communities

Wpływ kruszyw ze skał magmowych na wytrzymałość betonu na zginanie i ściskanie

The test results presented concern ordinary concretes containing 5 coarse crushed aggregates made from igneous rocks and one made from gravel. The two aggregates i.e. granite and basalt were from southwest Poland and three i.e. granite, basalt, granodiorite were from West Ukraine. Natural gravel was comparatively tested as well. The tests of aggregates dealt with bulk density, grinding ratio, content of irregular grains and content of mineral powder. Flexural and compressive strength of concretes were tested after 28 and 365 days. Better strength properties of concretes containing Polish aggregates in relation to comparable petrographic Ukrainian aggregates were found

Modulus of Elasticity of Concretes from Polish and Ukrainian Crushed Aggregates from Igneous Rocks

Przedstawiane wyniki badań dotyczą modułu sprężystości i wytrzymałości na ściskanie betonów zwykłych z różnymi kruszywami grubymi. Analizowane są także wyniki badań kruszyw (3 łamanych granitowych, 3 bazaltowych, granodiorytowego i naturalnego żwiru). Czynnikiem zmiennym w badaniach jest rodzaj kruszywa grubego. Na podstawie analiz regresji i korelacji stwierdzono statystycznie istotny wpływ wskaźnika rozkruszenia kruszywa na moduł sprężystości betonu w przeciwieństwie do nieistotnego wpływu wytrzymałości betonu na moduł. W przypadku 4 betonów: z 2 granitami polskimi, granitem ukraińskim oraz bazaltem ukraińskim, stwierdzono mniejsze wartości modułów sprężystości w porównaniu z odpowiednimi wartościami normowymi.Test results concern modulus of elasticity and compressive strength of ordinary concretes made of various coarse aggregates from igneous rocks. Test results of some properties of these aggregates (3 crushed granites, 3 basalts, granodiorite, natural gravel) are also considered. The variable factor of the studies is the type of coarse aggregate. According to the analyses of regression and correlation there occurs a significant effect of the aggregate grinding ratio on the modulus of elasticity of concretes contrary to insignificant effect of the compressive strength. The modulus of elasticity of 4 concretes from Polish and Ukrainian granites and basalt aggregates is lower than respective standard values of the modulus

Biocide testing for the application in the oil and gas industry

The paper discusses tests for effectiveness of three antibacterial substances for application in the national oil and gas industry. The substances were tested with reference to active cultures of microorganisms. These cultures were isolated, inter alia, from drilling fluids, produced waters and extraction sludge, and then multiplied and used in tests discussed in this publication. The tests demonstrated differences in particular tested substances in respect of effectiveness of their impact on aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and fungi. The results of the work will be used in industrial treatments in order to eliminate biogenic contamination, counteract biodegradation of drilling muds, and also for disinfection of reservoirs designed for storing water and other technological fluids

Mine rescue in Legnicko-Głogowskie Copper Basin

W artykule przypomniano krótką historię ratownictwa w górnictwie węglowym. Nawiązując do niej, przedstawiono rozwój ratownictwa w górnictwie miedziowym Legnicko-Głogowskiego Okręgu Miedziowego (LGOM). Specyfiką powstałej w 1997 roku Jednostki Ratownictwa Górniczo-Hutniczego (JRGH) jest obecność w jej strukturze organizacyjnej również ratownictwa powierzchniowego. Dzięki temu JRGH niesie niezbędną pomoc nie tylko zagrożonym załogom górniczym, ale również włącza się w likwidację skutków pożarów, klęsk żywiołowych i innych naruszeń bezpieczeństwa powszechnego na obszarze LGOM. Opisano trzy wybrane „niegórnicze” akcje ratownicze, potwierdzające wszechstronność i duży potencjał ratownictwa górniczego LGOM.A brief history of mine rescue in coal mining was recalled. That was the base for the introduction of the development of mine rescue in copper mining (in Legnicko-Głogowskie Copper Basin – LGOM). In 1997 special Mining and Metallurgic Rescue Unit (abbrev. from Polish JRGH) was created and its engagement in the structure of surface rescue organizations is considered in the article as an unique feature. According to this, JRGH provides necessary help not only to the miners but also deals with surface fires, natural disasters and other disturbances of public safety within LGOM area. Three “non-mining” operations were described. It proves comprehensiveness and great potential of mine rescue in LGOM