Quantum mechanical investigations revealed that the Zn(II) ion adsorption on ZnBS1 is more favorable, having higher binding energy (BE) (-178.1 kcal/mol) and ∆H (-169.8), and making tridentate complex with the N and S sites of the chelating ligand. The negative ∆G and BE values suggest highly spontaneous Zn(II) adsorption on the modified silica even at low temperatures.Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common malignant tumor of the eye with extremely high metastatic potential. UM tumor cells can disseminate only hematogenously, thus, angiogenic signals have a particular role in the prognosis of the disease. Although the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in densely vascularized UMs has been reported previously, their role in the process of hematogenous spread of UM has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the regulation of angiogenesis in UM in correlation with the presence of CSCs. Seventy UM samples were collected to analyze the expression of CSC markers and angiogenic factors. The expression of CSC markers was studied by RT-PCR, Western blotting techniques and IHC-TMA technique. RT-PCR showed high expression of CSC markers, particularly nestin, FZD6 and SOX10 and somewhat lower expression of NGFR. The protein expression of FZD6, HIF-1α and VEGFA was further evaluated in 52 UM samples by the IHC-TMA technique. We report here for the first time a significant correlation between FZD6 and VEGFA expression in UM samples. The observed correlation between FZD6 and VEGFA suggests the presence of CSCs in UM that are associated with the vascularization process.Fish is a very perishable food and therefore several storage strategies need to be employed to increase its shelf-life, guaranteeing its safety and quality from catch to consumption. Despite the advances in modern fish storage technologies, chilling and freezing are still the most common preservation methods used onboard. The present review aims to summarize strategies to increase the shelf-life of fresh (chilled) and frozen fish, as whole, gutted, or fillet, involving the assessment of different traditional cooling and freezing conditions of different fish species caught in different locations. Although there are other factors that influence the fish shelf-life, such as the fish species and the stress suffered during catch, storage time and temperature and the amount of ice are some of the most important. In addition, the way that fish is stored (whole, fillet, or gutted) also contributes to the final quality of the product. In most studies, whole chilled and frozen fish present longer shelf-life than those preserved as gutted and filleted. However, it should be noted that other factors related to the organism, capture method, and transport to the preparation/processing industry should be considered for shelf-life extension.This study determinates the persistence of retention force in Akers-clasps for removable partial dentures made from Co-Cr alloy. Therefore, standardized computer-aided designed (CAD) clasp #1 specimens were made by direct metal laser melting (DMLM, n = 10) and by lost-wax dental casting (DC) of computer-aided manufactured (CAM) replicas (n = 10, DC) from two comparable Co-Cr alloys. The retention force was tested after manufacturing for 9000 cycles of setting and removal from a molar tooth crown analog made from zirconia; simulating in-vitro a duration of six years in service. The first and last 360 cycles (T0 and T1, 3 months each) of all specimens were selected for comparison of retention forces between the materials. A constant decrease of 6% from the initial retention force (T0 = 4.86 N, SD = 0.077; T1 = 4.57 N, SD = 0.037) was detected at the DC specimens, and an increase of 4% in DMLM specimens (T0 = 5.69 N, SD = 0.078; T1 = 5.92 N, SD = 0.077); all differences were statistically significant (p less then 0.0001). Even if these deviations are not of clinical relevance, further studies and applications should investigate the fatigue behavior of laser melted Co-Cr-alloys for dental application.The Brassica genus contains abundant economically important vegetable and oilseed crops, which are under threat of diseases caused by fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens. Resistance gene analogues (RGAs) are associated with quantitative and qualitative disease resistance and the identification of candidate RGAs associated with disease resistance is crucial for understanding the mechanism and management of diseases through breeding. The availability of Brassica genome assemblies has greatly facilitated reference-based quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for disease resistance. In addition, pangenomes, which characterise both core and variable genes, have been constructed for B. rapa, B. oleracea and B. napus. Genome-wide characterisation of RGAs using conserved domains and motifs in reference genomes and pangenomes reveals their clustered arrangements and presence of structural variations. Here, we comprehensively review RGA identification in important Brassica genome and pangenome assemblies. Comparison of the RGAs in QTL between resistant and susceptible individuals allows for efficient identification of candidate disease resistance genes. However, the reference-based QTL mapping and RGA candidate identification approach is restricted by the under-represented RGA diversity characterised in the limited number of Brassica assemblies. The species-wide repertoire of RGAs make up the pan-resistance gene analogue genome (pan-RGAome). Building a pan-RGAome, through either whole genome resequencing or resistance gene enrichment sequencing, would effectively capture RGA diversity, greatly expanding breeding resources that can be utilised for crop improvement.Various medicinal plant parts and extracts have been proven to be sources of biologically active compounds, many of which have been incorporated in the production of new pharmaceutical compounds. Thus, the aim of this study was to increase the antimicrobial properties of a glass ionomer cement (GIC) through its modification with a mixture of plant extracts, which were evaluated along with a 0.5% chlorohexidine-modified GIC (CHX-GIC) with regard to the water sorption, solubility, and flexural strength. MethodsSalvadora persica, Olea europaea, and Ficus carcia leaves were prepared for extraction with ethyll alcohol using a Soxhlet extractor for 12 h. The plant extract mixture (PE) was added in three different concentrations to the water used for preparation of a conventional freeze-dried GIC (groups 11, 21, and 12). Specimens were then mixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and tested against the unmodified GIC (control) and a GIC modified with 0.5% chlorhexidine. Water sorption and solubility were was improved by the addition of the plant extract at higher concentrations.In the present study, the influence of thermally induced damage of reinforced concrete (RC) frames on their static and dynamic response is experimentally and numerically investigated. In the experimental test, the RC frame is first pre-damaged through fire exposure and then loaded from the side with the impact of a steel pendulum. To verify the recently developed coupled thermo-mechanical model for concrete, transient 3D FE simulation is carried out. The rate and temperature-dependent microplane model is used as a constitutive law for concrete. It is first shown that the simulation is able to realistically replicate the experimental test. Subsequently, the numerical parametric study is performed where the dynamic and static response of RC frame is simulated for both hot and cold states. It is shown that the pre-damage of RC frame through fire exposure significantly reduces the resistance and changes the response. Finally, it is demonstrated that for the impact load the rate sensitive constitutive law of concrete significantly contributes to the response of RC frame.Diabetes mellitus (DM) is caused by insufficient insulin function […].

Lasers are widely used in medicine in soft and hard tissue surgeries and biostimulation. Studies found in literature typically compare the effects of single-wavelength lasers on tissues or cell cultures. In our study, we used a diode laser capable of emitting three components of visible light (640 nm, red; 520 nm, green; 450 nm, blue) and combining them in a single beam. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of laser radiation in the visible spectrum on tissue in vitro, depending on the wavelength and pulse width.

All irradiations were performed using the same output power (1.5 W). We used various duty cycles 10, 50, 80 and 100% with 100 Hz frequency. Maximum superficial temperature, rate of temperature increase and lesion depth were investigated.

Maximum superficial temperature was observed for 450 + 520 nm irradiation (100% duty cycle). The highest rate of increase of temperature was noted for 450 + 520 nm (100% duty cycle). Maximum lesion depth was observed in case of three-wavelength irradiation (450 + 520 + 640 nm) for 100, 80 and 50% duty cycles.

The synergistic effect of two-wavelength (450 + 520 nm) irradiation was observed in case of maximum temperature measurement. The deepest depth of lesion was noted after three-wavelength irradiation (450 + 520 + 640 nm).

The synergistic effect of two-wavelength (450 + 520 nm) irradiation was observed in case of maximum temperature measurement. The deepest depth of lesion was noted after three-wavelength irradiation (450 + 520 + 640 nm).Canine malignant mammary gland tumors present with a poor prognosis due to metastasis to other organs, such as lung and lymph node metastases. Unlike in human studies where obesity has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer, this has not been well studied in veterinary science. In our preliminary study, we discovered that leptin downregulated cathepsin A, which is responsible for lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2a (LAMP2a) degradation. LAMP2a is a rate-limiting factor in chaperone-mediated autophagy and is highly active in malignant cancers. Therefore, in this study, alterations in metastatic capacity through cathepsin A by leptin, which are secreted at high levels in the blood of obese patients, were investigated. We used a canine inflammatory mammary gland adenocarcinoma (CHMp) cell line cultured with RPMI-1640 and 10% fetal bovine serum. The samples were then subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, immunocytochemistry, and lysosome isolation to investigate and visualize the metastasis and chaperone-mediated autophagy-related proteins. Results showed that leptin downregulated cathepsin A expression at both transcript and protein levels, whereas LAMP2a, the rate-limiting factor of chaperone-mediated autophagy, was upregulated by inhibition of LAMP2a degradation. Furthermore, leptin promoted LAMP2a multimerization through the lysosomal mTORC2 (mTOR complex 2)/PH domain and leucine rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1)/AKT1 (Serine/threonine-protein kinase 1) pathway. These findings suggest that targeting leptin receptors can alleviate mammary gland cancer cell metastasis in dogs.Exposure to sunlight is the major source of vitamin D and the main environmental cause of non-melanocytic skin cancers. Vitamin D, partly mediated through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), has potential therapeutic applications in skin cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of BsmI and ApaI VDR polymorphisms among patients with non-melanoma cancers and controls. An observational case-control study was conducted in a sample of 154 subjects. We observed no significant effects between these polymorphisms and skin cancer risk. When stratified for gender, GG and AG BsmI polymorphisms significantly increased the risk of basal cell carcinomas in males. In relation to ApaI, all three polymorphisms significantly increased the risk of basal cell carcinoma in males. When stratified for age, we found that being 70 years of age or younger was a protective factor against both skin cancers. Being a female and 70 years old or younger was a protective factor for basal cell carcinoma. A comparison of the frequencies of the VDR genotypes in patients older than 70 years vs.