Geometric Models for Seed Shape Description and Quantification in the Cactaceae

Seed shape in species of the Cactaceae is described by comparison with geometric models. Three new groups of models are presented, two for symmetric seeds, and a third group for asymmetric seeds. The first two groups correspond, respectively, to superellipses and the combined equations of two semi-ellipses. The third group contains models derived from the representation of polar equations of Archimedean spirals that define the shape of asymmetric seeds in genera of different subfamilies. Some of the new models are geometric curves, while others are composed with a part resulting from the average silhouettes of seeds. The application of models to seed shape quantification permits the analysis of variation in seed populations, as well as the comparison of shape between species. The embryos of the Cactaceae are of the peripheral type, strongly curved and in contact with the inner surface of the seed coat. A relationship is found between seed elongation and the models, in which the genera with elongated seeds are represented by models with longer trajectories of the spiral. The analysis of seed shape opens new opportunities for taxonomy and allows quantification of seed shape in species of the Cactaceae.

Impact of Pituitary Stalk Preservation on Tumor Recurrence/Progression and Surgically Induced Endocrinopathy After Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of Suprasellar Craniopharyngiomas

Objective: To investigate the factors associated with recurrence/progression after endoscopic endonasal resection of suprasellar craniopharyngiomas. Special attention was paid to assess the impact of pituitary stalk preservation on tumor recurrence/progression and endocrinological outcomes.Methods: We retrospectively recruited 73 patients with suprasellar craniopharyngiomas undergone endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) surgery from September 2014 to May 2019 and assessed their clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes, and recurrence/progression. Stalk preservation or sacrifice was determined by reviewing operative records, videos, and post-operative magnetic resonance imaging.Results: Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 51 cases (69.9%). Tumor recurrence was seen in 5 cases (9.8%) and progression was seen in 8 cases (36.4%), respectively. GTR (OR = 0.248 CI 0.081–0.759; p = 0.015) was the only independent factor influencing recurrence/progression. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the mean recurrence/progression-free survival were 53 (95% CI 48–59) and 39 (95% CI 28–50) months, respectively, in patients with and without GTR (p = 0.011). Pituitary stalk preservation was more common in cases with peripheral type tumors (83% vs. 30%, p < 0.01). Preserving the pituitary stalk does not appear to decrease the percentage of GTR (75.5% vs. 55.0%, p = 0.089), or increase the rate of tumor recurrence (12.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.508) or progression (46.2% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.486). However, surgically induced hypothyroidism (60.5% vs. 100%, p = 0.041) and diabetes insipidus (35.1% vs. 81.8%, p = 0.017) were significantly lower in patients with stalk preservation. For patients who had hypopituitarism before EEA, there was no difference between those with and without stalk preservation regarding post-operative hypopituitarism (p > 0.05).Conclusion: GTR is the only independent predictor of recurrence/progression after EEA surgery for suprasellar craniopharyngiomas. Preserving the pituitary stalk does not appear to increase the risk of non-GTR and tumor recurrence/progression and might help reduce the risk of surgically induced hypothyroidism and diabetes insipidus. We recommend preserving the pituitary stalk in peripheral type suprasellar craniopharyngiomas with normal pituitary function, especially in cases without hypothyroidism or diabetes insipidus. On the other hand, stalk sacrifice could be considered in central type tumors with severe pre-operative endocrinopathy.

An Unusual Presentation of Peripheral Ossifying Fibroma in an Elderly Male - A Case Report

Peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) is a reactive process of the gingiva that develops due to irritation or minor trauma. Females are more affected than males suggesting a hormonal influence. This case report describes a case of peripheral ossifying fibroma in a 48-year-old male patient in 33, 34 regions in contrast to its common occurrence in young females. Histopathological examination is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice to prevent recurrence. One year follow up of the case showed no signs of recurrence. Gingival overgrowth is a common feature of the various types of gingival disease in the oral cavity. Gingival diseases and conditions can be due to genetic disorder, specific infections, inflammatory and immune conditions and lesions, reactive processes, neoplasms, endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases, traumatic lesions and gingival pigmentation.1 Reactive processes are non-neoplastic nodular swellings that develop in response to local irritation or minor trauma. The term epulis is exophytic processes confined to the gingiva.2 Kfir et al. classified epulides into fibrous epulis, peripheral ossifying fibroma, pyogenic granuloma (vascular epulis), peripheral giant cell granuloma (or central).3 Ossifying fibromas in the oral cavity can be classified into central and peripheral type. The central type expands from the medullary cavity of the bone, arising from the endosteum or the periodontal ligament (PDL) adjacent to the root apex. Peripheral type arises from the soft tissues overlying the alveolar process which is contiguous with the periodontal ligament. 4 This article presents a case of POF in a male patient.

SPATIAL MODEL “CORE–PERIPHERY”: TESTING THE LABOR POTENTIAL OF THE KYIV REGION

Already in most segments of the economy there are new facts of labor shortage for Ukraine. The formation and use of Ukraine’s labor potential is quite polarized. First, it is due to the varying degrees of favorable geographical location of the administrative-territorial units of the country. Secondly, the existence of uneven social development of the regions of Ukraine creates different conditions for the functioning of the labor market and the reproduction of labor resources. Third, the development of labor potential of any region of the country depends mainly on diverse programs and strategies of socio-economic development at different taxonomic levels of government.To spatially delimit the development of labor potential of Kyiv region, the dynamics of the integrated rank of labor potential development for 2010–2016 was analyzed.The main methods of work were the use of index methods, factor and cluster analysis. The task of the study was to test the provisions of the concept of “Core–Periphery” on the materials of the labor potential of the population of Kyiv region.The results of the analysis helped to identify four different types of districts of Kyiv region by the core-peripheral feature of labor potential development during 2010–2016: 1) central-type districts or core-districts/central districts; 2) areas of semi-peripheral type or semi-peripheral areas; 3) peripheral areas or peripheral areas; 4) lacunar-type areas or lacunar areas (areas that are exceptions to the rules of center-peripheral spatial distribution).This structure is a consequence of the territorial concentration of different levels of labor potential development in the studied micro-regions, as a result of this concentration there is an accumulation and generation of various innovations that directly or indirectly affect the labor potential of districts. Core areas or central areas are areas-leaders in the level of labor potential development, which in fact form a single zone of advanced development of labor potential among all studied areas. The semi-periphery of labor potential development in Kyiv region combines all possible palette of districts-neighbors of Kyiv, which is quite strong in the nature and level of labor potential development of each semi-peripheral micro-region. Peripheral microregions are outsider districts in terms of the level of labor potential development. The type of lacunar areas has only one representative, which forms a separate spatial center in the territorial organization of the center-periphery of labor potential development.Key words: core, periphery, Kyiv region, labor potential. Уже зараз у більшості сегментів економіки виникають нові для України факти дефіциту трудових ресурсів. Формування та використання трудового потенціалу України є досить поляризованим. По-перше, це зумовлено різним ступенем сприятливості суспільно-географічного положення адміністративно-територіальних утворень країни. По-друге, що за своєю суттю є досить вираженим наслідком із першого, існування нерівномірності соціально-економічного розвитку регіонів України створює різні умови функціонування ринку праці та відтворення трудових ресурсів. По-третє, розвиток трудового потенціалу будь-якого регіону країни в основному залежить від різносторонніх програм і стратегій соціально-економічного розвитку на різних таксономічних рівнях управління.Для просторової делімітації центр–периферії розвитку трудового потенціалу Київської області було проаналізовано динаміку інтегрального рангу розвитку трудового потенціалу за 2010–2016 рр. у розрізі районів, кластеризацію районів за рівнем розвитку трудового потенціалу, типі-зацію районів за величиною базового приросту інтегрального рангу розвитку трудового потенціалу та порядок сусідства районів стосовно м. Києва. Основними методами роботи стали сполучне застосування індексних методів, факторного та кластерного аналізу. Завданням дослідження стало тестування положень концепції «Центр–Периферія» на матеріалах трудового потенціалу населення Київської області.Результати аналізу допомогли ідентифікувати чотири різні типи районів Київської області за центр-периферійною ознакою розвитку трудового потенціалу протягом 2010–2016 рр.: 1) райони центрального типу, або райони-ядра/центральні райони; 2) райони напівпериферійного типу, або напівпериферійні райони; 3) райони периферійного типу, або периферійні райони; 4) райони лакунарного типу, або лакунарні райони (райони, що є винятками із правил центр-периферій-ного просторового розподілу). Райони-ядра, або центральні райони, – це райони-лідери за рівнем розвитку трудового потенціалу, що фактично формують єдиний пояс випереджаючого розвитку трудового потенціалу серед усіх досліджуваних районів. Напівпериферія розвитку трудового потенціалу у Київській області об’єднує у собі всю можливу палітру районів-сусідів Києва, що досить сильно проявляється на характері та рівні розвитку трудового потенціалу кожного напівп-ериферійного мікрорегіону. Мікрорегіони периферійного типу – райони-аутсайдери за рівнем розвитку трудового потенціалу. Тип лакунарних районів має лише одного представника, який формує окремий просторовий осередок у територіальній організації центр–периферії розвитку трудового потенціалу.Ключові слова: центр, периферія, Київська область, трудовий потенціал.

Thyroid-Like Cholangiocarcinoma: Histopathological, Immunohistochemical, In-Situ Hybridization and Molecular Studies on an Uncommon Emerging Entity

Thyroid-like cholangiocarcinoma is a very uncommon variant of peripheral-type cholangiocarcinoma. To date, only 4 prior cases have been reported. The molecular features of this tumor have not been described. We report a case of a 60-year-old woman with a tumor that evolved over a period of 10 years. A left hepatectomy specimen showed an 11 cm tumor that on histology exhibited areas reminiscent of a thyroid tumor with follicular and insular features which were positive on immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin 7 and in-situ hybridization for albumin. A detailed molecular analysis failed to show mutations common to cholangiocarcinomas but revealed frameshift mutations in 2 chromatin-remodeling genes, CREBBP and KMNT2A. This case confirms that thyroid-like cholangiocarcinoma is a histologic variant of this tumor that is associated with relatively low growth. As most cholangiocarcinomas, it is diffusely positive for cytokeratin 7 and albumin by in-situ hybridization. Given its rarity, the molecular alterations in this specific histologic subtype remain to be fully elucidated.

UTTERANCE NOMINALIZATION PECULIARITIES BY MEANS OF PERSON NAMES IN THE ENGLISH AND TATAR LANGUAGES

В данной статье анализируются высказывания из национальных лингвистических корпусов татарского и английского языков с точки зрения возможности их номинализации посредством наименований лица, включенных в состав данных высказываний. Рассмотрены как традиционно выделяемые типы номинализации - события, факта, пропозиции, так и номинализация посредством наименования лица как периферийный тип. Установлено, что как английское, так и татарское номинативное предложение не выполняет по отношению к называемому одушевленному лицу функции субституции и конкретное наименование лица, выражая признак, обладает лишь предикативной референцией. Выявлены сходства и различия в функционировании наименований лица как средства номинализации в английских и татарских высказываниях. Сделаны выводы о том, что в английском языке автономное функционирование наименования лица как отдельного предложения возможно только в разговорной речи. В стилистически нейтральных высказываниях английского языка всегда имеет место глагол. В татарском языке оценка может выражаться как наименованием лица, так и прилагательным. В обоих языках достаточно частотными являются наименования лица, образованные от имен прилагательных путем инверсии. И в английском, и в татарском языках исследуемые примеры довольно часто содержат сопровождающее местоимение второго лица. This article analyzes the statements from the national linguistic corpus of the Tatar and English languages from the point of view of their nominalization potential by means of the person names in these above-mentioned statements. The author considered both the traditionally distinguished types of nominalization (events, facts, propositions) and nominalization by the person name as a peripheral type. It has been established that both the English and Tatar nominative sentences do not fulfill the function of substitution in relation to the named animate person, and the specific person name expressing the feature has only a predicative reference. The similarities and differences in the functioning of the person names as the means of nominalization in English and Tatar expressions have been revealed. The author concluded that in English the autonomous functioning of the person name as a separate sentence is possible only in colloquial speech. In stylistically neutral expressions of the English language, a verb always occurs. In the Tatar language, the assessment can be expressed both by the person name and by the adjective. In both languages, the person names formed from adjectives by means of inversion are quite frequent. In both the English and Tatar languages, the studied examples quite often contain an accompanying second person pronoun

Mannan-MOG35-55 Reverses Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis, Inducing a Peripheral Type 2 Myeloid Response, Reducing CNS Inflammation, and Preserving Axons in Spinal Cord Lesions

CNS autoantigens conjugated to oxidized mannan (OM) induce antigen-specific T cell tolerance and protect mice against autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). To investigate whether OM-peptides treat EAE initiated by human MHC class II molecules, we administered OM-conjugated murine myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35-55 (OM-MOG) to humanized HLA-DR2b transgenic mice (DR2b.Ab°), which are susceptible to MOG-EAE. OM-MOG protected DR2b.Ab° mice against MOG-EAE by both prophylactic and therapeutic applications. OM-MOG reversed clinical symptoms, reduced spinal cord inflammation, demyelination, and neuronal damage in DR2b.Ab° mice, while preserving axons within lesions and inducing the expression of genes associated with myelin (Mbp) and neuron (Snap25) recovery in B6 mice. OM-MOG-induced tolerance was peptide-specific, not affecting PLP178-191-induced EAE or polyclonal T cell proliferation responses. OM-MOG-induced immune tolerance involved rapid induction of PD-L1- and IL-10-producing myeloid cells, increased expression of Chi3l3 (Ym1) in secondary lymphoid organs and characteristics of anergy in MOG-specific CD4+ T cells. The results show that OM-MOG treats MOG-EAE in a peptide-specific manner, across mouse/human MHC class II barriers, through induction of a peripheral type 2 myeloid cell response and T cell anergy, and suggest that OM-peptides might be useful for suppressing antigen-specific CD4+ T cell responses in the context of human autoimmune CNS demyelination.