Tribological Aspects of the Process of Winding the Steel Rope Around the Winch Drum

Proper winding of the steel rope around the winch drum is great importance, mostly for: prolonging the service life of the rope, reduction of deformations of the body and the sides of the drum if the winding of the rope is multilayered, increasing of the safety factors, easier unwinding of the rope while lowering the load, even running of the drive unit, etc. The focus of this paper is on the analysis of the friction which occurs in the process of winding and unwinding the rope around the winch drum. Friction force is in its highest intensity when the rope passes from one layer to another, if the winding of the rope is multilayered. As the result of the research, certain mechanisms of winding of the rope from the aspects of the friction force were obtained, and the effects of the forces on the sides of the drum were analyzed

Varijabilnost biohemijskih parametara krvnog seruma karakačanske ovce

Karakachan sheep represents an endangered, indigenous sheep breed from Balkan Peninsula. There is relatively little information about the characteristics of this sheep breed in the veterinary scientific literature. The aim of this research was an examination of certain metabolic profile parameters of the Karakachan sheep blood serum, and variability of their concentrations in comparison to age and some other indigenous sheep breeds from Balkans. Examination was conducted on 14 clinically healthy sheep divided in two age groups. Blood samples were collected by puncture of v. jugularis and blood serum was separated after spontaneous coagulation. The concentrations of total protein, albumin, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, aspartate amino transferase (AST) and γ- glutamyl transferase (GGT) were determined. In relation to age of Karakachan sheep, statistically significant difference between the calculated mean values of examined parameters was not observed. A statistically significant difference was found between the mean concentrations of the studied parameters in Karakachan sheep and other breeds in total protein (Tsigai, Dubrovnik and Dalmatian sheep), albumin (Dalmatian), calcium and inorganic phosphorus (Tsigai, Dubrovnik) and AST's (Dalmatian, Karakachan sheep from Bulgaria).Karakačanska ovca je ugrožena autohtona rasa ovaca sa Balkanskog poluostrva, o čijim rasnim karakteristikama postoji relativno malo podataka. Cilj ovog rada je bio da se u uzorcima krvnog seruma ispitaju određeni biohemijski parametri karakačanske ovce i ustanove odstupanja njihovih vrednosti u odnosu na starost karakačanske ovce, kao i u odnosu na vrednosti istih parametara kod drugih autohtonih rasa ovaca Balkana. Ispitivanjem je obuhvaćeno 14 klinički zdravih ovaca podeljenih u dve starosne grupe. Uzorci krvi uzimani su punkcijom v. jugularis iz kojih je, nakon spontane koagulacije i centrifugovanja, izdvojen krvni serum. Određivane su koncentracije ukupnih proteina, albumina, kalcijuma, neorganskog fosfora, aspartat amino transferaze (AST) i γ-glutamil transferaze (GGT). U odnosu na starost karakačanske ovce, nije ustanovljena statistički značajna razlika između izračunatih srednjih vrednosti ispitivanih parametara. Statistički značajna razlika je ustanovljena između srednjih vrednosti koncentracija ispitivanih parametara karakačanske ovce i drugih rasa za: ukupne proteine (cigaja, dubrovačka i dalmatinska ovca), albumin (dalmatinska), kalcijum i neorganski P (cigaja i dubrovačka) i aktivnosti AST-a (dalmatinska, karakačanska ovca iz Bugarske)

Procena energetskog statusa krava na osnovu telesne kondicije i parametara metaboličkog profila

The aim of this study was to assess the significance of body condition scoring and metabolic profile test for estimation of energy status of healthy high-yielding dairy cows. Twenty one healthy cows (primiparous and secundiparous) were divided into three groups: dry cows, early puerperal cows and early lactating cows. Cow's energy status was estimated by the analysis of blood samples for beta-hydroxybutirate (BHBA) and glucose. Additionally, urea, total bilirubine and total protein were measured in blood serum samples. According to body condition scores (BCS) results dry cows were overweight (4.03±0.29 points). Immediately after calving, cows lost their weight significantly, since BCS was 2.85±0.46 points at puerperal period and 3.12±0.33 points at day 60 of lactation (p lt 0.001 compared to dry period, respectively). Glucose concentration did not change significantly between dry and puerperal period, while BHBA increased significantly (0.46±0.14 mmol/l at dry period to 1.08±0.21 mmol/l at puerperal period; p lt 0.001). Urea concentration did not change significantly during examined period. Total bilirubin concentration significantly increased from dry (6.31±0.37 mmol/l) to puerperal period (7.63±2.52 mmol/l; p lt 0.001 compared to dry period) and remained high until day 60 of lactation (7.62±0.13 mmol/l; p lt 0.001 compared to dry period). Total protein concentration decreased from dry to puerperal period (69.59±6.14 g/l to 58.87±3.29 g/l; p lt 0.001). According to obtained results it can be concluded that cows were not in adequate energy status during transition period. Our results also indicate that, body condition scoring, BHBA and total bilirubin concentrations can be used as reliable indicators of cow's energy status even when there are not clinically visible health disorders.Cilj istraživanja bio je da se ukaže na značaj metaboličkog profila i telesne kondicije u oceni energetskog statusa visoko-mlečnih krava holštajn rase. Za ispitivanje su odabrane tri grupe po sedam krava. Uzorci krvi uzimani su u zasušenju (15 dana pre očekivanog teljenja), ranom puerperijumu (7 dana nakon teljenja) i 60. dana laktacije. U uzorcima sveže krvi određivana je koncentracija glukoze i beta hidroksi-buterne kiseline (BHBA), a u uzorcima krvnog seruma koncentracija ukupnih proteina, ureje i ukupnog bilirubina. Rezultati ocene telesne kondicije pokazuju da su krave u periodu zasušenja preuhranjene (X=4,03±0,29 poena), dok su u puerperijumu (X=2,85±0,46 poena) i 60. dana laktacije (X=3,12±0,33 poena) u značajno slabijoj telesnoj kondiciji (p lt 0,001 u odnosu na zasušenje). Rezultati ispitivanja parametara metaboličkog profila ukazuju da je koncentracija proteina jedino u periodu ranog puerperijuma bila niža od fiziološke vrednosti (X=56,87±3,29 g/l). Koncentracija glukoze nije se statistički značajno menjala tokom ispitivanih perioda, dok je neposredno posle teljenja došlo do značajnog povećanja koncentracije BHBA (p lt 0,001 u odnosu na zasušenje). Uremija u periodu zasušenja (X=7,73±2,34 mmol/l), ranom puerperijumu (X=8,07±3,09 mmol/l) i 60. dana laktacije (X=7,41±2,03 mmol/l) bila je veća od gornje fiziološke granice. Koncentracija ukupnog bilirubina u periodu zasušenja je bila značajno niža (p lt 0,001) u odnosu na oba ispitivana perioda nakon teljenja. Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata može se zaključiti da krave nisu adekvatno pripremljene za nastupajuću laktaciju, zbog čega je kod njih došlo do značajnog odstupanja u telesnoj kondiciji i vrednostima parametara metaboličkog profila. Ova odstupanja ukazuju na nedovoljnu sposobnost životinja da se prilagode u uslovima negativnog bilansa energije na početku laktacije

Variability of blood serum biochemical parameters in Karakachan sheep

Karakachan sheep represents an endangered, indigenous sheep breed from Balkan Peninsula. There is relatively little information about the characteristics of this sheep breed in the veterinary scientific literature. The aim of this research was an examination of certain metabolic profile parameters of the Karakachan sheep blood serum, and variability of their concentrations in comparison to age and some other indigenous sheep breeds from Balkans. Examination was conducted on 14 clinically healthy sheep divided in two age groups. Blood samples were collected by puncture of v. jugularis and blood serum was separated after spontaneous coagulation. The concentrations of total protein, albumin, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, aspartate amino transferase (AST) and γ- glutamyl transferase (GGT) were determined. In relation to age of Karakachan sheep, statistically significant difference between the calculated mean values of examined parameters was not observed. A statistically significant difference was found between the mean concentrations of the studied parameters in Karakachan sheep and other breeds in total protein (Tsigai, Dubrovnik and Dalmatian sheep), albumin (Dalmatian), calcium and inorganic phosphorus (Tsigai, Dubrovnik) and AST's (Dalmatian, Karakachan sheep from Bulgaria)

Heat shock factor-1 modulates p53 activity in the transcriptional response to DNA damage

Here we define an important role for heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) in the cellular response to genotoxic agents. We demonstrate for the first time that HSF1 can complex with nuclear p53 and that both proteins are co-operatively recruited to p53-responsive genes such as p21. Analysis of natural and synthetic cis elements demonstrates that HSF1 can enhance p53-mediated transcription, whilst depletion of HSF1 reduces the expression of p53-responsive transcripts. We find that HSF1 is required for optimal p21 expression and p53-mediated cell-cycle arrest in response to genotoxins while loss of HSF1 attenuates apoptosis in response to these agents. To explain these novel properties of HSF1 we show that HSF1 can complex with DNA damage kinases ATR and Chk1 to effect p53 phosphorylation in response to DNA damage. Our data reveal HSF1 as a key transcriptional regulator in response to genotoxic compounds widely used in the clinical setting, and suggest that HSF1 will contribute to the efficacy of these agents

Protein Kinase A Binds and Activates Heat Shock Factor 1

BACKGROUND. Many inducible transcription factors are regulated through batteries of posttranslational modifications that couple their activity to inducing stimuli. We have studied such regulation of Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1), a key protein in control of the heat shock response, and a participant in carcinogenisis, neurological health and aging. As the mechanisms involved in the intracellular regulation of HSF1 in good health and its dysregulation in disease are still incomplete we are investigating the role of posttranslational modifications in such regulation. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS. In a proteomic study of HSF1 binding partners, we have discovered its association with the pleiotropic protein kinase A (PKA). HSF1 binds avidly to the catalytic subunit of PKA, (PKAca) and becomes phosphorylated on a novel serine phosphorylation site within its central regulatory domain (serine 320 or S320), both in vitro and in vivo. Intracellular PKAca levels and phosphorylation of HSF1 at S320 were both required for HSF1 to be localized to the nucleus, bind to response elements in the promoter of an HSF1 target gene (hsp70.1) and activate hsp70.1 after stress. Reduction in PKAca levels by small hairpin RNA led to HSF1 exclusion from the nucleus, its exodus from the hsp70.1 promoter and decreased hsp70.1 transcription. Likewise, null mutation of HSF1 at S320 by alanine substitution for serine led to an HSF1 species excluded from the nucleus and deficient in hsp70.1 activation. CONCLUSIONS. These findings of PKA regulation of HSF1 through S320 phosphorylation add to our knowledge of the signaling networks converging on this factor and may contribute to elucidating its complex roles in the stress response and understanding HSF1 dysregulation in disease.National Institutes of Health (2RO1CA047407, RO1CA077465

The disruption of proteostasis in neurodegenerative diseases

Cells count on surveillance systems to monitor and protect the cellular proteome which, besides being highly heterogeneous, is constantly being challenged by intrinsic and environmental factors. In this context, the proteostasis network (PN) is essential to achieve a stable and functional proteome. Disruption of the PN is associated with aging and can lead to and/or potentiate the occurrence of many neurodegenerative diseases (ND). This not only emphasizes the importance of the PN in health span and aging but also how its modulation can be a potential target for intervention and treatment of human diseases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Novel DNA-binding protein from Drosophila embryos identified by binding site selection

The DNA sequence C/AGAGCGC/AGA, related to binding sites for GAF and Zeste transcription factors, was selected from a pool of degenerate PCR fragments for binding to the cytoplasmic protein of Drosophila preblastoderm embryos, identical DNA binding activity was also detected in embryonic nuclei, Based on several criteria, such as size, intracellular distribution, sensitivity to ATP and protein kinase inhibitor 6-DMAP, kinetics during development and lack of cross-reaction with rabbit anti-GAF serum, protein recognizing selected sequence was shown to differ from either Zeste or GAF