Seedling and adult plant resistance to leaf rust in some Bulgarian common wheat lines.

The response of 250 common winter wheat breeding lines was investigated for resistance to the causative agent of Puccinia triticina under conditions of an infected field on the territory of Dobrudzha Agricultural Institute - General Toshevo, Bulgaria, during three successive seasons. Twenty lines with different degrees of resistance under field conditions were selected. Multi-pathotype testing was used to study the response of these lines at seedling stage under greenhouse conditions to individual pathotypes of P. triticina. Based on the response of the lines at seedling and adult stages, we found out that 20 % of them carried race-specific resistance. One of the lines (99/08-52) reacted with full resistance to the pathotypes used under greenhouse conditions. The reaction demonstrated by this line coincided with the response of isogenic lines carrying the genes Lr9, Lr19, Lr22a, Lr22b and Lr25. The other three lines (19/06- 108, 82/08-43 and 82/08-35) showed a resistant reaction to 6 or 5 of the pathotypes used in the study. Their response partially coincided with the reaction of 5 isogenic lines, and the presence of some of these genes in the above lines is quite possible. Lines carrying this type of resistance are to be subjected to further genetic and breeding investigations to prove the presence of a race-specific gene. Twenty-five percent of the lines combined partial race-specific resistance at seedling stage with the resistance of race non-specific nature at adult stage. Forty percent of all studied lines carried race non-specific resistance, and 15 % of the lines possessed resistance of the "slow rusting" type. As a result of the study we carried out, the lines that demonstrated stable resistance to leaf rust can provide sufficient protection of the host and can be included in the breeding programs for developing varieties resistant to P. triticina.

EPA Consensus Project Paper: Accuracy of Conventional and Digital Workflows in Partially Edentulous Cases Restored with FPDs over Implants. A Systematic Review

PURPOSE: To compare conventional and digital workflows in terms of accuracy in partially edentulous cases restored with implant-supported restorations. METHODS: An electronic search in the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web Of Science, and CENTRAL was conducted to identify relevant publications, comparing digital and conventional workflows in partially edentulous cases restored with implant-supported prostheses. RESULTS: 18 articles were included in the systematic review. Ten of the studies were in-vitro, and eight were clinical. Sample sizes varied considerably from 20 to 100. In three studies, three implants were investigated, whereas, in all other instances, accuracy was evaluated on two implants. Substantial heterogeneity in the methodology of the selected studies is evident, which prevents summarising the accuracy outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Digital impressions showed similar results in terms of accuracy compared to the conventional approach. There is a lack of uniform criteria for the tolerable misfit, which hampers the ability to transfer in-vitro results to clinical situations. A need for a standardised approach in the evaluation of impression and workflow accuracy is warranted to enable the systematisation and analysis of results from different studies.

Characteristics of Myocardial Blood Vessels in Preterm Rats in the Late Postnatal Ontogeny.

Immunohistochemical study (CD31 detection) and morphometric analysis (evaluation of specific volumes of cardiomyocytes and blood capillaries, diameter of blood capillaries, trophic index, and pericapillary diffusion zone) of the left ventricular myocardium in preterm (12 h and 24 h preterm) Wistar rats was carried out on postnatal days 56 and 180. A decrease in the trophic index and an increase in the zone of pericapillary diffusion in the myocardium of the left ventricle in preterm rats were shown, which indicates deterioration of the heart supply during the postnatal ontogeny.

[The history of the discovery of the Helicobacter pylori].

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the stomach lining. The presence of a microorganism in humans was described more than a century ago, but from detection to recognition of its role in the etiology and pathogenesis of diseases of the stomach, researchers had to overcome a long path of criticism and mistrust. Coiled bacteria have been mentioned several times in the medical literature, but these bacteria were thought to be contaminants, and any evidence of the bacteria in the stomach was ignored by the medical community. The discovery of H. pylori led to a revolutionary rethinking of the mechanisms of development of a number of diseases: the role of bacteria in the development of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, stomach cancer and MALT lymphoma was proved. The principles of their prevention and treatment have changed. For this discovery in 2005, Barry Marshall and Robin Warren were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology.

Rat Blood Leukocytes after Intravenous Injection of Magnetoliposomes on the Basis of Nanomagnetite.

The structure of blood neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes and differential white blood count in adult rats were studied over 120 days after a single intravenous injection of magnetoliposomes based on nanomagnetite. Magnetoliposomes had no effect on the structure of neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes. At the same time, injection of a suspension of magnetoliposomes based on magnetite nanoparticles led to a decrease in lymphocyte count and an increase in the count of monocytes and band and segmented neutrophils in the blood. These changes were transient and the parameters returned to normal by day 40-60 after injection.

[Carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients: the real-life experience].

BACKGROUND: Carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) have been approved for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) based on ASPIRE clinical trial. AIM: Analysis of efficacy and safety of KRd in routine clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective analysis included patients with MM who received at least one line of previous therapy. The inclusion criteria were relapse/progression; refractoriness; lack of very good partial response (VGPR) and more after the first line of therapy. Since February 2016, we used KRd like in ASPIRE trial, since October 2019, carfilzomib has been used at a dose of 56 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT), consolidation (KRd) and maintenance therapy (Rd) were regarded as one line of therapy. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We evaluated 77 patients with median age at the time of diagnosis is 55 (3072) years. For 56% (n=43) of patients KRd was applied as the second line (group 1), for 44% (n=34) as the third and more (group 2). In 23/43 patients from group 1, an early change in therapy was made due to insufficient effectiveness (after 24 courses of VCD or PAD). KRd served as a "bridge" to autoHSCT in 25 (32%) patients (21 of 25 in group 1). Another 7 patients underwent collection of autoHSC (all from group 1). The overall response rate (ORR) was 80.5%, with 33.8% complete response (CR) and 26% VGPR. ORR in group 1 was 98% versus 65.6% in group 2; 24-month overall survival (OS) was 70%, progression free survival (PFS) 49.8%. In group 1, 24-month OS was 85.6% versus 50.0% in group 2, 24-month PFS was 67.8% versus 25.5% (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Our analysis confirmed the high efficiency of KRd in the treatment of RRMM in real-life practice. Early correction of therapy with insufficient effectiveness of the first line made it possible to implement the strategy of high-dose consolidation and autoHSCT in a larger percentage of patients with MM.

[Ultrastructural changes in the endocardium and endocrine cardiomyocytes in the wall of the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation]. / Ul'trastrukturnye izmeneniya endokarda i endokrinnykh kardiomiotsitov v stenke levogo ushka bol'nykh s fibrillyatsiei predserdii.

OBJECTIVE: To study ultrastructural changes in endocardial tissues and endocrine cardiomyocytes of the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Electron microscopy was used to examine the endocardium and endocrine cardiomyocytes of the left atrial appendage in 8 patients with long-standing paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation and in one patient with coronary heart disease without rhythm disturbance (a control group). RESULTS: The investigation revealed that all the patients with atrial fibrillation had similar ultrastructural changes in all endocardial layers and endocrine cardiomyocytes of the left atrial appendage. The endothelium showed massive desquamation of endothelial cells. Predominantly single sharply flattened cells and small cytoplasmic fragments remained on the endocardial surface. The latter devoid of endothelial coating was represented by subendothelial loose connective tissue with noticeable signs of edema. The latter was also observed in the dense fibrous connective tissue of the endocardium. The accumulation of large amounts of edema fluid in the subendothelium led to endothelial cell flattening and desquamation. There was no leukocytic infiltration in the tissue of the endocardium or fibrin and desquamated endothelial cell accumulation on its surface. The endocrine cardiomyocytes exhibited disorders as cytoplasmic swelling, complete or partial lysis (necrosis) of individual myofibrils, and lower levels of endocrine granules and their location near or in direct contact with the sarcolemma. CONCLUSION: The study has shown that long-standing atrial fibrillation deteriorates the main factors that determine normal endothelial function: edema in subendothelial tissue disrupts its interaction with endothelial cells and leads the latter to detach from the endocardium; ultrastructural changes in the endocrine cardiomyocytes that produce hormones can impair systemic blood pressure control and intracardiac hemodynamics.

Control of the Rate of Fibroblast Migration and Spreading by Defensin Oligopeptide Fragment.

The elaboration of modes for directed regulation of cell transition from the nonmotile fixed status to the motile state, and vice versa, is referred to the most important problems of practical medicine. Nowadays, the creation of biopreparations on the basis of naturally occurring compounds for the minimization or elimination of negative consequences at the cell malignization is an actual problem. The effect of synthetic peptide GERA (a fragment of antimicrobial polypeptides defensins) on the spreading and migration of embryonic fibroblasts was studied. The peptide was found to increase the number of spread cells in cell population compared to the control cells. In addition, the GERA peptide stimulates the directed migration of fibroblasts to wounded zone of cell monolayer (i.e., substrate areas free from cells). The most probable cell targets in spreading and migrating fibroblasts under peptide action are the structural and regulatory components of focal adhesions.

Rat Blood Leukocytes after Intravenous Injection of Chitosan-Modified Magnetic Nanospheres.

Nanosized magnetite particles (magnetic nanospheres) are a prospective basis for creation of new diagnostic and therapeutic agents. The structure of blood leukocytes and the leukocytic formula are studied in adult rats over a period of 120 days after a single intravenous injection of chitosan-modified nanosized magnetite particles. No effects of chitosan-modified magnetic nanospheres on the structure of rat blood leukocytes are detected. Injection of suspension of chitosan-modified magnetite nanospheres is associated with an increase in the levels of monocytes, segmented and stab neutrophils, and a decrease in lymphocyte counts in the blood of rats. The shifts in the leukogram parameters are transitory, the picture returned to normal by day 40 postinjection.

Diseño de Sonrisa Digital / Digital Smile Desinge

Nowadays, a lot of people need in reconstruction of the teeth in connection with their loss. Before prosthetics or any other manipulations, a person wants to quickly see the aesthetic appearance of his future tooth. At the moment, many dentists use the option of verbal explanation to the patient, what will look like a smile or a front row of teeth after treatment, but the visual representation of the person remains aside. But now this can be achieved with the help of "Digital smile design", which shows the person the final result of the dentition. This technology has a number of advantages. Some of them are the rapid creation of a prototype model and high accuracy in the manufacture of work. Thanks to these technologies, communication between the specialist and the patient has been facilitated. The digital smile design has simplified the doctor's work process and reduced patient data processing time. From now on, achieving aesthetic results in the reconstruction of teeth for the dentist is not a problem.

Influence of Sialadenectomy on the Development of Spermatogenesis in Rats: Ultrastructural Characteristics of Spermatogenic Epithelium and Leydig Cells.

Sialadenectomy in young rats modifies the development of the spermatogenic and steroidogenic functions of the testes. Sialadenectomy causes ultrastructural changes in spermatogenic cells, sustentocytes, and Leydig cells that disappear by week 8 of the experiment due to realization of compensatory and adaptive mechanisms. The effects of endocrine factors of the greater salivary glands on the spermatogenic cells are realized directly and indirectly via interstitial endocrinocytes and sustentocytes.

Structure of Rat Testicles after Intravenous Injection of Nanosized Magnetite Particles.

The structure of the testicles was studied in adult rats in 120 days after a single intravenous injection of chitosan-modified (magnetic nanospheres) and lipid-modified (magnetoliposomes) nanosized magnetite particles. Perls histochemical reaction detected in the testicular interstitial connective tissue the cells which absorbed and accumulated magnetite nanoparticles. The dynamics of spermatogenesis index and the count of Perls+ cells in the rat testicles were traced throughout the experiment. The studied modified nanosized magnetite particles did not penetrate through the blood-testicle barrier in rats.

Von-Willebrand factor as a predictor of three-month mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis compared to MELD score.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Endothelial dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension and in the progression of liver disease. As an indicator of endothelial dysfunction, von Willebrand factor (vWF-Ag) can be a useful mortality predictor in patients with liver cirrhosis. The aim of the study is to compare the predictive value of vWF-Ag with the predictive value of MELD score regarding the three-month mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 70 patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension we measured the vWF-Ag concentration and we followed the patients for 90 days. We registered all manifestations and complications of liver cirrhosis and the three-month mortality was the main end-point. RESULTS: We registered mean vWF-Ag of 341.9±155.8%, median 312%, IQR (214-410), vWF-Ag significantly correlated with MELD score (R=0.3713 ; p<0.05) and vWF-Ag median was higher in the uncensored compared to the median in the censored patients (p<0.0067). vWF-Ag and MELD score were significantly associated with three-month mortality, with no significant difference in the diagnostic performance between the two parameters [AUC=0.735, p=0.007 for vWF-Ag ; AUC=0.885, p=0.000 for MELD score], (Z=1.473, p=0.1407). CONCLUSION: In patients with liver cirrhosis vWF-Ag is a relevant predictor of three-month mortality that equals the MELD score.

Ultrastructural Characteristics of the Testicular Interstitial Endocrinocytes of Adult Rats Subjected to Total Sialoadenectomy.

The major salivary glands of rats release into the saliva and blood a wide spectrum of bioactive substances, essential for many organs, including the testes. Sialoadenectomy leads to the development of degenerative changes in the cells of the twisted testicular tubules. However, the effects of bioactive factors released by the major salivary glands on the morphology and function of Leydig cells remain little studied. Sialoadenectomy in adult rats led (in 1-4 weeks) to a decrease in the nuclear and cytoplasmatic areas of Leydig cells, violation of the plasmalemma integrity, dilatation of perinuclear space and agranular endoplasmatic reticulum vesicles, and to destruction of the mitochondria. Ultrastructural changes caused by sialoadenectomy completely resolved by week 6 of the experiment at the expense of compensatory activation of the synthesis of the major salivary gland factors by other sources in the organism of rats.

The 6 September 2017 X-Class Solar Flares and Their Impacts on the Ionosphere, GNSS, and HF Radio Wave Propagation.

On 6 September 2017, the Sun emitted two significant solar flares (SFs). The first SF, classified X2.2, peaked at 09:10 UT. The second one, X9.3, which is the most intensive SF in the current solar cycle, peaked at 12:02 UT and was accompanied by solar radio emission. In this work, we study ionospheric response to the two X-class SFs and their impact on the Global Navigation Satellite Systems and high-frequency (HF) propagation. In the ionospheric absolute vertical total electron content (TEC), the X2.2 SF caused an overall increase of 2-4 TECU on the dayside. The X9.3 SF produced a sudden increase of ~8-10 TECU at midlatitudes and of ~15-16 TECU enhancement at low latitudes. These vertical TEC enhancements lasted longer than the duration of the EUV emission. In TEC variations within 2-20 min range, the two SFs provoked sudden increases of ~0.2 TECU and 1.3 TECU. Variations in TEC from geostationary and GPS/GLONASS satellites show similar results with TEC derivative of ~1.3-1.7 TECU/min for X9.3 and 0.18-0.24 TECU/min for X2.2 in the subsolar region. Further, analysis of the impact of the two SFs on the Global Navigation Satellite Systems-based navigation showed that the SF did not cause losses-of-lock in the GPS, GLONASS, or Galileo systems, while the positioning error increased by ~3 times in GPS precise point positioning solution. The two X-class SFs had an impact on HF radio wave propagation causing blackouts at <30 MHz in the subsolar region and <15 MHz in the postmidday sector.

Digestive and Nondigestive Functions of Rodents' Salivary Glands.

Major salivary glands play a role not only in digestion, but also in regulation of other functions in rodents. In this review, we analyzed and summarized the data about the rodents' parotid, submandibular and sublingual salivary glands functions, which is not limited to the production of saliva and action of its hydrolytic enzymes on food in the oral cavity. In recent decades significantly expanded understanding of major salivary glands nondigestive functions. They are involved in excretion of metabolic products, maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance. Special attention has been paid to the characteristics of specific (parotin, sialorphin, etc.) and nonspecific (epidermal growth factor, nerve growth factor, kallikrein, etc.) active substances of the major salivary glands and their involvement in wound healing, mineral metabolism, regulation of hematopoiesis and immunity system. Summarized and analyzed major salivary glands endocrine function in the organs and systems. Available literature data suggest: the structure of the major salivary glands, as well as the synthesis and secretion of a number of biologically active substances are controlled by sex hormones. In turn, these biologically active factors of the salivary glands, as epidermal growth factor, and parotin, sialorphin, whose expression is regulated by androgens, have an impact on the morphological and functional state of the gonads. Thus, major salivary glands operate a wide range of functions and involved in the regulation of sexual behavior of reproductive function and maintaining homeostasis in the body.

Ultrastructure of Rat Kidneys after Intravenous Administration of Modified Magnetite Nanoparticles.

The ultrastructure of nephrocytes of the proximal and distal convoluted tubules, podocytes, mesangial cells, and macrophages of the interstitial connective tissue was studied after single intravenous administration of magnetite nanoparticles modified with chitosan (magnetic nanospheres) or lipids (magnetic liposomes). Transmission electron microscopy showed ultrastructural features of absorption of magnetite nanoparticles. The shape, size, and number of vesicles containing nanoparticles in nephrocytes of convoluted tubules and macrophages after administration of the suspensions of magnetic nanospheres and magnetic liposomes were described.

Thirty autosomal insertion-deletion polymorphisms analyzed using the Investigator® DIPplex Kit in populations from Iraq, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Turkey.

Thirty autosomal insertion-deletion (InDel) polymorphisms were analyzed in four populations from Iraq, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Turkey using the commercial kit Investigator® DIPplex. Genotyping issues were encountered for five of the 30 InDels. They were most probably caused by polymorphisms located in the primer binding sites. Population and forensic parameters were calculated. No significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium or significant linkage disequilibrium were detected. The observed heterozygosities ranged from 33% to 61% depending on the marker and the population. The combined probability of exclusion for the 30 markers was 99.7% in all four populations and the matching probabilities were 1 in 3-4×1012 individuals. The multidimensional scaling plot drawn from FST distances showed a good concordance between the relative position of the 15 populations included in the plot and their geographic locations.

[RECONSTRUCTIVE AND COSMETIC SURGERY IN TREATMENT OF VULVAR CANCER].

UNLABELLED: The aim of our research work was to show our results in the field of reconstructive and cosmetic surgery for vulvar cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 18 patients for 10 years period. RESULTS: We applied all surgical techniques that are possible at the moment in the world: laps from mons pubis, rhomboid flaps, myocutaneous flaps from gluteal region. We used surgical techniques with the following muscle groups: musculus gracilis, musculus gluteus maximus, musculus tensor fasciae latae, musculus rectus abdominis. CONCLUSIONS: With our research work we tried to better the quality of life of our patients, to achieve better esthetic and cosmetic effect after very radical surgical interventions connected with vulvar cancer.

High intensity proton injector for facility of antiproton and ion research.

The high current ion source with the low energy beam transport (LEBT) will serve as injector into the proton LINAC to provide primary proton beam for the production of antiprotons. The pulsed ion source developed and built in CEA/Saclay operates with a frequency of 2.45 GHz based on ECR plasma production with two coils with 87.5 mT magnetic field necessary for the electron cyclotron resonance. The compact LEBT consists of two solenoids with a maximum magnetic field of 500 mT including two integrated magnetic steerers to adjust the horizontal and vertical beam positions. The total length of the compact LEBT is 2.3 m and was made as short as possible to reduced emittance growth along the beam line. To measure ion beam intensity behind the pentode extraction system, between solenoids and at the end of the beam line, two current transformers and a Faraday cup are installed. To get information about the beam quality and position, the diagnostic chamber with different equipment will be installed between the two solenoids. This article reports the current status of the proton injector for the facility of antiproton and ion research.