Evaluation of laboratory and on-farm tests to estimate colostrum quality for dairy cows.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate different analytical methods to determine colostrum quality in dairy cattle, including one laboratory-based method (ELISA) and 4 on-farm tests. We hypothesized that the colostral IgG concentration using different analytical methods, such as ELISA (mg/mL), digital Brix refractometer (% Brix), colostrometer (specific gravity and mg/mL), an outflow funnel (seconds), and a lateral flow assay (mg/mL), were highly correlated with the reference method, radial immunodiffusion (RID; mg/mL) and would generate comparable results. Colostrum samples were collected from 209 Holstein Friesian cows on 2 commercial dairy farms in Germany. Colostrum weight and colostrum temperature were measured. Test characteristics, such as optimum thresholds, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) were determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve analyses for each test. Out of 209 colostrum samples assessed by RID, 186 (89%) samples had high quality (≥50 mg IgG/mL), while 23 colostrum samples (11%) showed poor quality with IgG concentrations less than 50 mg/mL. The mean IgG concentration (±SD) was 101.3 ± 45.9 mg/mL and the range was 6.0 to 244.3 mg/mL. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between RID and ELISA was r = 0.78. In comparison to RID, Pearson correlation coefficients for the on-farm tests were: r = 0.79 (digital Brix refractometry), r = 0.58 (colostrometer: specific gravity), r = 0.61 (colostrometer: temperature corrected), r = 0.26 (outflow funnel) and r = 0.43 (lateral flow assay), respectively. The optimal threshold to identify high-quality colostrum using ELISA was 50.8 mg/mL with sensitivity 91.3%, specificity 92.3%, and AUC of 0.94. For the on-farm tests sensitivity ranged from 95.7% (Brix refractometry) to 60.9% (lateral flow assay). Specificity ranged from 88.6% (lateral flow assay) to 75.9% (colostrometer: temperature corrected). The AUC ranged from 0.93 (Brix refractometry) to 0.73 (outflow funnel). Based on the AUC, ELISA (0.94) and Brix refractometry (0.93) can be considered highly accurate. In conclusion, the ELISA is accurate to assess colostrum quality. Regarding the on-farm tests only the digital Brix refractometer and the colostrometer were adequate to determine colostrum quality.

The effect of transdermal flunixin meglumine on blood cortisol levels in dairy calves after cautery disbudding with local anesthesia.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug transdermal flunixin meglumine (Finadyne Transdermal) on plasma cortisol, average daily weight gain, and standing and lying behavior of calves, when given at the time of disbudding combined with local anesthesia. A sedative was not used to minimize pharmacological interactions. Seventy-one female Holstein Friesian calves aged 13 ± 2 d, with an average weight of 48.9 ± 4.26 kg were enrolled in the study. All calves were randomly assigned to one of 3 treatment groups: (1) control group (CON, n = 27), (2) 1-flunixin group (1-FLU, n = 26) with a single administration of transdermal flunixin meglumine at disbudding, and (3) 2-flunixin group (2-FLU, n = 24) with 2 administrations of transdermal flunixin meglumine, the first treatment at disbudding and the second 6 h after disbudding. Although the CON group received a placebo, 1-FLU and 2-FLU received flunixin meglumine transdermally. To account for plasma cortisol changes due to manipulation and handling of the calves, a sham disbudding procedure was performed one week before disbudding took place. Sham disbudding was conducted by using a cold cautery dehorner applied to each horn bud for 10 s. Disbudding was performed in a similar way by using a hot cautery dehorner. Plasma samples were collected to measure the stress biomarker cortisol at 7 different time points. Body weights were measured 4 times in 2 wk. Standing and lying behavior was assessed via 3-dimensional accelerometer. During sham disbudding and disbudding mean plasma cortisol concentrations were 6.09 ± 2.5 ng/mL and 5.16 ± 2.8 ng/mL, respectively. Treatment tended to have an effect on plasma cortisol concentrations during sham disbudding and had an effect on plasma cortisol concentrations during disbudding. Plasma cortisol concentrations were affected by treatment 2 h after disbudding in comparison to CON group. Furthermore, there was a significant effect on plasma cortisol concentrations 6 h after disbudding in contrast to CON. A return to baseline plasma cortisol levels (initial concentrations) was not achieved in CON during disbudding. There was no statistical difference between average daily weight gain and the treatment procedure. Total lying time was not affected by treatment after disbudding. In conclusion, transdermal flunixin meglumine given at the time of disbudding combined with local anesthesia decreased concentrations of the stress biomarker cortisol, but a second dose 6 h after disbudding had no further effect on plasma cortisol levels.

Management of people with Type 2 diabetes shared between a specialized outpatient clinic and primary health care is noninferior to management in a specialized outpatient clinic: a randomized, noninferiority trial.

AIM: To evaluate whether management of people with Type 2 diabetes shared between a specialized outpatient clinic and primary health care has noninferior HbA1c outcomes compared with mono-sectorial management in a specialized outpatient clinic. METHODS: A randomized controlled, noninferiority study. People with moderate hyperglycaemia, hypertension and/or incipient complications were eligible for the study. All participants had annual comprehensive check-ups at the outpatient clinic. Quarterly check-ups were conducted by general practitioners (GPs) for the shared care group and by endocrinologists at the outpatient clinic for the control group. The primary outcome was the mean difference in HbA1c from baseline to 12 months of follow-up. The noninferiority margin for HbA1c was 4.4 mmol/mol. RESULTS: A total of 140 people were randomized [age 65.0 ± 0.9 years, HbA1c 52 ± 0.8 mmol/mol (6.9 ± 0.1%), systolic BP 135.6 ± 1.1 mmHg; all mean ± sem]. Peripheral neuropathy was present in 68% of participants and microalbuminuria in 19%; 15% had history of a previous major cardiovascular event. Among study completers (n = 133), HbA1c increased by 2.3 mmol/mol (0.2%) in the shared care group and by 1.0 mmol/mol (0.1%) in the control group, with a between-group difference of 1.3 mmol/mol [90% confidence interval (CI) -1.3, 3.9] (0.1%, 90% CI -0.1, 0.4). Noninferiority was confirmed in both per protocol and intention to treat analyses. CONCLUSION: We found that our shared care programme was noninferior to specialized outpatient management in maintaining glycaemic control in this group of people with Type 2 diabetes. Shared care should be considered for the future diabetes management of Type 2 diabetes.

Prostate artery embolisation for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) is a new minimally invasive treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The purpose of this study was to review the efficacy and safety of PAE in the treatment of BPH with LUTS. METHODS: A systematic review performed according to the PRISMA guidelines with a pre-specified search strategy for PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase databases protocol (PROSPERO ID: CRD42017059196). Trials studying the efficacy of prostate artery embolisation to treat LUTS with more than ten participants and follow-up longer than 6 months were included by two independent authors. Outcomes investigated were International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), prostate volume (PV), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), peak void flow (Qmax), post-void residual (PVR) and complications. To summarise mean change from baseline, a meta-analysis was done using the random-effects model. RESULTS: The search returned 210 references, of which 13 studies met the inclusion criteria, representing 1,254 patients. Patients in the included studies with data available for meta-analysis had moderate to severe LUTS and a mean IPSS of 23.5. Statistically significant (p value < 0.05) improvements of all investigated outcomes were seen at 12-month follow-up. Major complications were reported in 0.3% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that PAE can reduce moderate to severe LUTS in men with BPH with a low risk of complications. KEY POINTS: • Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) improved International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) by 67%. • Major complications after PAE are very rare. • Use of cone-beam CT may reduce risk of non-target embolisation.

Risk of prostate cancer diagnosis and mortality in men with a benign initial transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy set: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The risk of missing prostate cancer in the transrectal ultrasound-guided systematic biopsies of the prostate in men with suspected prostate cancer is a key problem in urological oncology. Repeat biopsy or MRI-guided biopsies have been suggested to increase sensitivity for diagnosis of prostate cancer, but the risk of disease-specific mortality in men who present with raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration and a benign initial biopsy result remains unknown. We investigated the risk of overall and prostate cancer-specific mortality in men with a benign initial biopsy set. METHODS: Data were extracted from the Danish Prostate Cancer Registry-a population-based registry including all men undergoing histopathological assessment of prostate tissue. All men who were referred for transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy for assessment of suspected prostate cancer between Jan 1, 1995, and Dec 31, 2011, in Denmark were eligible for inclusion. Follow-up data were obtained on April 28, 2015. The primary endpoint was the cumulative incidence of prostate cancer-specific mortality, analysed in a competing risk setting, with death from other causes as the competing event. FINDINGS: Between Jan 1, 1995, and Dec 31, 2011, 64 430 men were referred for transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy, of whom 63 454 were eligible for inclusion. Median follow-up was 5·9 years (IQR 3·8-8·5) and the total follow-up time, from the enrolment of the first patient on Jan 1, 1995, until the extraction of causes of death on April 28, 2015, was 20 years. 10 407 (30%) of 35 159 men with malignant initial biopsy sets died from prostate cancer, compared with 541 (2%) of 27 181 men with benign initial biopsy sets. Estimated overall 20-year mortality was 76·1% (95% CI 73·0-79·2). In all men referred for transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy, the cumulative incidence of prostate cancer-specific mortality after 20 years was 25·6% (24·7-26·5) versus 50·5% (47·5-53·5) for mortality from other causes. In men with benign initial biopsy sets, the cumulative incidence of prostate cancer-specific mortality was 5·2% (3·9-6·5) versus 59·9% (55·2-64·6) for mortality from other causes. In men with PSA concentrations 10 µg/L or lower and benign initial biopsy sets (2779 men), the cumulative incidence of prostate cancer-specific mortality was 0·7% (0·2-1·3). Cumulative incidence of prostate cancer specific mortality in men with benign initial biopsy sets was 3·6% (95% CI 0·1-7·2) for men with a PSA higher than 10 ng/mL but 20 ng/mL or less (855 men) and 17·6% (12·7-22·4) and for men with a PSA higher than 20 ng/mL (454 men). INTERPRETATION: The first systematic transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy set holds important prognostic information. The 20-year risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality in men with benign initial results is low. Our findings question whether men with low PSA concentration and a benign initial biopsy set should undergo further diagnostic assessment in view of the high risk of mortality from other causes. FUNDING: Capital Region of Denmark's Fund for Health Research, Danish Cancer Society, Danish Association for Cancer Research, and Krista and Viggo Petersen's Foundation.

Potential and limits to unravel the genetic architecture and predict the variation of Fusarium head blight resistance in European winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Genome-wide mapping approaches in diverse populations are powerful tools to unravel the genetic architecture of complex traits. The main goals of our study were to investigate the potential and limits to unravel the genetic architecture and to identify the factors determining the accuracy of prediction of the genotypic variation of Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) based on data collected with a diverse panel of 372 European varieties. The wheat lines were phenotyped in multi-location field trials for FHB resistance and genotyped with 782 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and 9k and 90k single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. We applied genome-wide association mapping in combination with fivefold cross-validations and observed surprisingly high accuracies of prediction for marker-assisted selection based on the detected quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Using a random sample of markers not selected for marker-trait associations revealed only a slight decrease in prediction accuracy compared with marker-based selection exploiting the QTL information. The same picture was confirmed in a simulation study, suggesting that relatedness is a main driver of the accuracy of prediction in marker-assisted selection of FHB resistance. When the accuracy of prediction of three genomic selection models was contrasted for the three marker data sets, no significant differences in accuracies among marker platforms and genomic selection models were observed. Marker density impacted the accuracy of prediction only marginally. Consequently, genomic selection of FHB resistance can be implemented most cost-efficiently based on low- to medium-density SNP arrays.

[Social Security Needs Social Medicine: Self-image of Physicians Practicing Social Medicine in Statutory Health Insurances and Social Security Systems]. / Soziale Sicherheit braucht Sozialmedizin Selbstverständnis von Ärztinnen und Ärzten in der sozialmedizinischen Begutachtung und Beratung.

OBJECTIVE: In January, 2014, the division "Social Medicine in Practice and Rehabilitation" of the German Society for Social Medicine and Prevention established a working group on the self-image of the physicians active in the field of social medicine (medical expertise and counseling). METHODS: The result of this work is the contribution presented here after consensus was achieved by specialists of social medicine from different fields and institutions (social security etc.) and in good cooperation with Prof. Dr. Gostomzyk and Prof. Dr. Robra. RESULTS: Based on the importance of an up to date social medicine for claimants and recipients of benefits on the one hand and the social security system on the other, and also on a description of the subjects, objectives and methods the following aspects are presented: · The perspective of social medicine. · Qualification in social medicine, concerning specialist training and continuing medical education. · The fields of duty of experts in social medicine. · The proceedings in social medicine. The working group identified challenges for the specialists in social medicine by a narrowed perception of social medicine by physicians in hospitals and practice, accompanied by an enlarged importance of expertise in social medicine, by the demand for more "patient orientation" and gain of transparency, and concerning the scientific foundation of social medicine. CONCLUSIONS: The working group postulates: · The perspective of social medicine should be spread more widely.. · Confidence in experts of social medicine and their independency should be strengthened.. · The not case-related consulting of the staff and executives should be expanded.. · Social medicine in practice needs support by politics and society, and especially by research and teaching.. · Good cooperation and transfer of experiences of the different branches of social security are essential for the impact of social medicine..

Nuclear deformation and neutron excess as competing effects for dipole strength in the pygmy region.

The electromagnetic dipole strength below the neutron-separation energy has been studied for the xenon isotopes with mass numbers A=124, 128, 132, and 134 in nuclear resonance fluorescence experiments using the γELBE bremsstrahlung facility at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and the HIγS facility at Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory Durham. The systematic study gained new information about the influence of the neutron excess as well as of nuclear deformation on the strength in the region of the pygmy dipole resonance. The results are compared with those obtained for the chain of molybdenum isotopes and with predictions of a random-phase approximation in a deformed basis. It turned out that the effect of nuclear deformation plays a minor role compared with the one caused by neutron excess. A global parametrization of the strength in terms of neutron and proton numbers allowed us to derive a formula capable of predicting the summed E1 strengths in the pygmy region for a wide mass range of nuclides.

Active surveillance for clinically localized prostate cancer--a systematic review.

Active surveillance (AS) has been introduced as an observational strategy to delay or avoid curative treatment without compromising long-term cancer-specific survival. The 10 studies included in this review, published between 2008 and 2013, generally agreed upon patients selection for the AS strategy and how they should be managed within the program. However, uncertainties persists concerning optimal patient selection and reliable progression criteria, as well as the long-term safety of AS.

[Detection of genetic determinants that define the difference of near-isogenic Triticum aestivum L. Lines in photoperiodic sensitivity].

Identification of genetic determinants that define different degrees of line sensitivity to the photoperiod was conducted on material of near-isogenic lines of the soft hexaploid wheat Triticum aestivum L. using SSR markers and markers specific to the Vrn and Ppd genes. It was established that the Ppd-s line contains a dominant Ppd-Dla allele located on chromosome 2D. This allele is characterized by a vast deletion in the gene promoter region. For two other lines (Ppd-m and Ppd-w), introgression of the Ppd-B1 gene on chromosome 2B was shown from the parental Sonora variety, which is slightly sensitive to the length of the day; however, the previously described Ppd-Bla. 1 allele was not found. Another polymorphism that can cause weak photoperiodic sensitivity, an increased amount of the Ppd-B1 gene copies, was detected for these lines.

[Comparative Characteristic of Triticum aestivum/Triticum durum and Triticum aestivum/Triticum dicoccum hybrid lines by genomic composition and resistance to fungal diseases under different environmental conditions].

The genetic diversity of common wheat hybrid lines Triticum aestivum/Triticum durum and Triticum aestivum/Triticum dicoccum (2n = 42, F(6-7)) using chromosome-specific microsatellite (SSR) markers and C-staining of chromosomes was studied. Cluster analysis of data obtained by 42 SSR markers indicated that the hybrid lines can be broken into three groups according to their origin. There were two cases of complete genetic similarity between lines 183(2)-2/184(1)-6 and-208-3/213-1, which were obtained using common wheat as the parental plants. In cross combinations, when the stabilization of the nuclear genome of hexaploid lines occurred against a background of the cytoplasmic genome of tetraploid wheats, there was a high level of divergence between sister lines, in some cases exceeding 50%. The evaluation of the degree of susceptibility of the lines to powdery mildew, leaf and stem rust, and septoria leafblotch was performed under different environmental conditions. It was shown that resistance to powdery mildew and leaf rust significantly depended on the region where assays were conducted. An evaluation of the field data showed that he lines 195-3, 196-1, and 221-1 with T. durum genetic material displayed complex resistance to fungal pathogens in Western Siberia and the Republic of Belarus. For lines 195-3 and 196-1, one shows a possible contribution of chromosomes 4B and 5B in the formation of complex resistance to diseases. Hybrid lines with complex resistance can be used to expand the genetic diversity of modern common wheat cultivars for genes of immunity.

Full-genome RNAi profiling of early embryogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans.

A key challenge of functional genomics today is to generate well-annotated data sets that can be interpreted across different platforms and technologies. Large-scale functional genomics data often fail to connect to standard experimental approaches of gene characterization in individual laboratories. Furthermore, a lack of universal annotation standards for phenotypic data sets makes it difficult to compare different screening approaches. Here we address this problem in a screen designed to identify all genes required for the first two rounds of cell division in the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo. We used RNA-mediated interference to target 98% of all genes predicted in the C. elegans genome in combination with differential interference contrast time-lapse microscopy. Through systematic annotation of the resulting movies, we developed a phenotypic profiling system, which shows high correlation with cellular processes and biochemical pathways, thus enabling us to predict new functions for previously uncharacterized genes.

Assessment of genetic diversity among Syrian durum (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using SSR markers.

Genetic diversity among 49 wheat varieties (37 durum and 12 bread wheat) was assayed using 32 microsatellites representing 34 loci covering almost the whole wheat genome. The polymorphic information content (PIC) across the tested loci ranged from 0 to 0.88 with average values of 0.57 and 0.65 for durum and bread wheat respectively. B genome had the highest mean number of alleles (10.91) followed by A genome (8.3) whereas D genome had the lowest number (4.73). The correlation between PIC and allele number was significant in all genome groups accounting for 0.87, 074 and 0.84 for A, B and D genomes respectively, and over all genomes, the correlation was higher in tetraploid (0.8) than in hexaploid wheat varieties (0.5). The cluster analysis discriminated all varieties and clearly divided the two ploidy levels into two separate clusters that reflect the differences in genetic diversity within each cluster. This study demonstrates that microsatellites markers have unique advantages compared to other molecular and biochemical fingerprinting techniques in revealing the genetic diversity in Syrian wheat varieties that is crucial for wheat improvement.

Palliative Prostate Artery Embolization for Prostate Cancer: A Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is recognized as a treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. LUTS and urinary retention are common in men with prostate cancer (PCa). The purpose of this study was to estimate the efficacy and safety of palliative PAE on LUTS or urinary retention in men with advanced PCa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, single-center trial was conducted from March 2017 to November 2018. The trial protocol was registered online (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03104907). Only men with advanced PCa suffering from LUTS or urinary retention were included. The primary outcome was the ability to void without a catheter and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) in non-catheter-dependent patients. The paired t test was used to analyze changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were assessed for eligibility, and 15 patients with a mean age of 73.8 years were enrolled. Four men did not complete follow-up: cancer-related death (n = 2), lost to follow-up (n = 1), and unsuccessful embolization due to severe atherosclerosis (n = 1). Bilateral embolization was achieved in ten cases, and urinary retention resolved in one of six patients. LUTS improved in the remaining (n = 5) patients by a mean 12.2-point reduction in IPSS (95% CI - 23.53; - 0.87). According to the CIRSE classification, two grade 1 and two grade 3 complications occurred. CONCLUSION: In this study, palliative PAE was safe and efficient for treatment for LUTS associated with PCa. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4, Case Series. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03104907.

Active Surveillance Versus Radical Prostatectomy in Favorable-risk Localized Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Active surveillance (AS) and radical prostatectomy (RP) are both accepted treatments for men with favorable-risk localized prostate cancer (PCa) (ie, clinical tumor category 1-2b, Gleason Grade Group 1-2, and prostate-specific antigen < 20 ng/mL). However, head-to-head studies comparing oncologic outcomes and survival between these 2 treatment strategies are warranted. The objective of this study was to compare the use of prostate cancer treatments and PCa death in men managed on AS and men who underwent immediate RP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an observational study including 647 men on AS and 647 men treated with RP propensity score matched. We examined the 10-year cumulative incidence of salvage radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, castration-resistant PCa, and PCa death. RESULTS: The 10-year curative treatment-free survival for men on AS was 61% (95% confidence interval [CI], 57%-65%). No differences in use of salvage radiotherapy (AS, 2.7%; 95% CI, 1.4%-4.1% vs. RP 5.4%; 95% CI, 3.4%-7.3%), hormonal therapy (AS, 6.9%; 95% CI, 4.4%-9.4% vs. RP, 4.1%; 95% CI, 2.5%-5.6%), developing castration-resistant PCa (AS, 1.7%; 95% CI, 0.5%-2.9% vs. RP, 2.0%; 95% CI, 0.7%-3.4%), or cumulative PCa mortality (AS, 0.4%; 95% CI, 0%-1.0% vs. RP, 0.5%; 95% CI, 0%-1.5%) were observed between the treatment strategies. The main limitation was the non-random allocation to treatment strategy. CONCLUSION: In this observational study on men with favorable-risk localized PCa, we found similar PCa mortality at 10 years between men on AS and men who underwent immediate RP. Moreover, there were no differences in the use of PCa therapies between the groups. Our study supports active surveillance as a treatment strategy for men with favorable-risk localized PCa.

[Transurethral enucleation of the prostate with the holmium: YAG laser system: how much power is necessary?]. / Transurethrale Laserenukleation der Prostata mit dem Holmiumlaser : Wie viel Leistung ist notwendig?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intermediate power (50 W) holmium:YAG laser system for transurethral enucleation of the prostate (TULP) with the use of a new mechanical morcellator. Our results are compared with the results of high-powered holmium laser enucleation (HoLEP) presented in the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From December 2003 to January 2008, 129 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were treated by TULP. In 45 cases (group A; 2.0, 12 Hz) we used a bipolar resectoscope (VISTA/ACMI) for morcellation, whereas after that morcellation was accomplished with a modified endoscopic shaver (Wolf). Thirty-nine patients were treated using 25 W (group B; 2.0 J, 12 Hz), and 45 patients were treated using 40 W (group C; 2.2 J 18 Hz), who were compared with 45 matched-pair patients who received transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP; group D). Finally, the literature on HoLEP was reviewed. RESULTS: Bipolar morcellation significantly prolonged the operating time (135 vs. 131 vs. 96 min). The morcellation speed averaged 2.8 (range 1.3-5.2) g/min with no complications. The resection speed (retrieval rate) of 40-W TULP was comparable to that for TURP (0.71 vs. 0.76 g/min). The transfusion rate was lower than for TURP (8% vs. 12%), with a smaller Hb difference (3.1 vs. 3.8 mg/dl). Catheter times (3.4 vs. 4.1 days) were similar; however, hospital stay was significantly shorter after TULP (5.2 vs. 6.8 days). The complication rate was significantly lower (6.6% vs. 13.3%). The efficacy of HoLEP significantly improved with introduction of the morcellator: Resection speed increased from 0.34-0.61 g/min to 0.48-0.82 g/min. HoLEP was better than 40-W TULP regarding transfusion rate (0-4% vs. 8%) and catheter time (1.1-1.5 vs. 3.4 days). Complications and functional results were similar. CONCLUSION[UBERSCHRIFT]: The intermediate-power 50-W holmium laser together with the new morcellator enable safe transurethral enucleation of the prostate. As with HoLEP, the procedure has a significant learning curve. The retrieval times of TULP are similar to those for HoLEP, but the risk of bleeding is higher. New modifications (i.e., thullium laser) will further improve the technique of laser enucleation.

[Genetic analysis and location of loci controlling leaf rust resistance of introgressive Triticum aestivum x Triticum timopheevii].

Introgressive lines resulting from crossing common wheat Triticum aestivum with the tetraploid T. timopheevii are characterized by effective resistance to leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks. Molecular analysis using 350 specific short sequence repeat (SSR) markers was used to locate the T. timopheevii genome to chromosomes 1A, 2A, 2B, 5A, 5B, and 6B. A population of F2 offspring of crossing hybrid line 842-2 with common wheat cultivar Skala was obtained for mapping the loci controlling leaf rust resistance. Analysis of association of phenotypic and genotypic data by means of simple interval mapping (SIM) and composite interval mapping (CIM) has shown that the resistance of adult plants is determined by two loci in chromosomes 5B and 2A. The major locus QLr.icg-5B transferred from T. timopheevii chromosome 5G mapped to the interval of microsatellite loci Xgwm408-Xgwm1257 controls 72% of the phenotypic diversity of the trait. The other, minor locus QLr.icg-2A located to chromosome 2A at a distance of 10 cM from Xgwm312 accounts for 7% of the trait expression. Microsatellite markers located near these loci may be used for controlling the transfer of commercially valuable loci when new lines and cultivars are created.

[Mapping of the quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with grain quality characteristics of the common wheat grown under different environmental conditions].

The quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with individual characteristics of grain and flour quality in wheat lines grown under contrasting environmental conditions were mapped. Overall, 22 QTL that manifested under contrasting environmental conditions with various significances were detected on 10 chromosomes. Grain hardness and vitreousness were associated with three loci on chromosomes 5D, 6A, and 3A, while the gluten content, with two loci on chromosomes 5B and 7A. Dough extensibility was associated with only one QTL localized in the region of Glu-A1 locus. One of the loci determining flour and dough strengths is located in the region of Gli-B1 and Glu-B3 loci and the rest, in various regions of chromosomes 1B, 5D, and 4B, where no particular genes associated with grain quality have been yet found. The detected QTL can be used in further experiments on genetic control of gluten formation and quality in wheat.

[Mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with activity of disulfide reductase and lipoxygenase in grains of durum wheat Triticum aestivum L. seeds].

Activity of two enzymes of thiol-disulfide cell metabolism, lipoxygenase (LOX, EC 1.13.11.12) and disulfide-reductase (TPDO, EC 1.8.4.2) was studied in recombinant inbred lines of common wheat ITMI. Their activity in the caryopsis may be connected with the gluten quality, one of the most important traits significant for selection. The activity of lipoxygenase under favorable and droughty environmental conditions was shown to be associated with the quantitative trait locus (QTL) located on chromosome 4BS near the structural gene of a subunit of this enzyme. However, no QTL common to this enzyme and any characteristic of gluten quality have been found. Four loci responsible for the activity of disulfide reductase were identified on chromosomes 4A, 5D, 6A, and7D. Previously, indicators of grain and flour properties, such as elasticity, flour vigor, and grain hardiness were mapped at the same loci. This indicates that the given enzyme participates in the formation of the protein complex upon maturation of wheatgrain. The detected QTL can be involved in further genetic studies designed to establish the regularities of gluten formation.