Search

Computed tomography has become increasingly common for diagnosing socially significant diseases in recent years. In foreign practice, screening schemes for lung cancer in people belonging to risk categories have been developed and implemented. These schemes have been successfully used over the past 10 years. In this case, “low-dose” scanning protocols are used, which make it possible to perform examination with patient effective dose several times lower compared to standard protocols. Lung cancer screening methods using low-dose computed tomography are beginning to be introduced in the Russian Federation. To ensure the radiation safety of those individuals eligible for inclusion in screening programs or participating in biomedical research testing lung cancer screening, it is necessary to evaluate effective doses from low-dose computed tomography and compare these doses to established radiation dose limits. This study assessed the patients’ effective doses who underwent different types of low-dose computed tomography of chest at two medical organizations. The results of the study show that it is possible to achieve non-exceedance of the current annual effective dose limit of 1 mSv only for patients weighing less than 90 kg. For patients with higher body weight, the minimum effective dose will be in the range of 1.2 – 1.4 mSv. The results of the study indicate the need to make changes to the current regulatory and methodological documents of Rospotrebnadzor to ensure the possibility of using low-dose computed tomography as part of screening for all categories of people.

Diagnostic reference levels are one of the effective tools for optimizing patient radiation doses in diagnostic radiology. The staff of domestic radiology departments does not have an understanding of the development process and use of diagnostic reference levels during X-ray examinations, although this tool is a generally accepted in practice abroad. The article shows the experience of forming regional diagnostic reference levels based on measurements provided by the accredited testing laboratory of the Scientific and Practical Clinical Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Technologies of the Moscow Healthcare Department. The diagnostic reference levels for radiography in Moscow were developed for eight of the most common types of examinations based on the operation of 216 digital X-ray machines. The resulting levels, expressed in the dose-area product (cGy-cm2) and effective dose (mSv), were compared with the local diagnostic reference levels for the Ryazan region, Russia, and national diagnostic reference levels for other countries. The analysis showed continuity in the values. Some types of studies have been optimized. The developed diagnostic reference levels are the quality performance indicators foe diagnostic radiology departments and will be used to optimize a patient radiation dose during diagnostic studies in Moscow.

The study assessed the acceptability of the currently existing approach to calculating shielding in computed tomography rooms and formulated proposals for its improvement, taking into account the parameters of research in domestic medical practice. It is proposed to use the dose-length product as the main measured parameter in the new approach to calculating shielding. Typical tomograph workload values of dose-length product, typical for examinations in the Russian Federation, were assessed. Using thermoluminescent detectors, the experimental assessment of the distribution of absorbed dose in the air in a computed tomography room was carried out. The experimental results showed that the distribution of of X-ray exposure in the central plane is not isotropic. Due to the attenuation of exposure by the gantry design, “shadow” zones are observed, where the absorbed dose reduction in the air reaches 10-13 times compared to its level in the direction of couch movement. Based on the results of measurements of the distribution of absorbed dose in air, the relative scatter coefficients were calculated. The workload was determined for 7 tomographs (1 in St. Petersburg and 6 in Moscow). For each tomograph, the average weekly number of head and body examinations and the values of dose-length product for these areas were assessed, taking into account the number of multiphase examinations. The obtained workload values turned out to be one or two orders of magnitude higher than those currently used in calculating shielding. Based on the results of the study and literature data, the work proposes a new approach to calculating shielding in computed tomography rooms, based on the value of measured dose-length product during the examination and allowing to take into account the specifics of the operation of the device.

Neurological immune-related adverse events (irAE) are rare but potentially fatal complications associated with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Recently, there has been a trend towards an increase in the incidence of these cases. We present two case reports of demyelinating polyneuropathy in patients with skin melanoma treated with pembrolizumab or nivolumab. Unawareness of neurological irAE induced by ICI leads to delayed diagnosis and medical treatment, and this may result in persistent neurological deficit or even patients’ death. Neurological irAEs include myasthenia gravis, aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis, inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy, myositis or their combinations, etc. Considering their variability in patients treated with ICI and poor representation in publications, each case report can be of practical value.

The article presents the analysis of the structure of computed tomography diagnostics according to the forms of the federal state statistical observation (radiation-hygienic passports in 2011–2021, forms № 3-DOZ in 2011-2021 and forms № 30 in 2014–2020) in order to assess the status of CT diagnostics in the Russian Federation and identify the main trends in the development of this type of radiation diagnostics and patient doses. In 2011–2021, there was a sharp development of CT diagnostics in the Russian Federation – an increase in the number of CT examinations per 1000 people (up to a factor of 5.9 – from 32 CT examinations per 1000 people to 189 CT examinations per 1000 people) and the contribution of CT in the collective dose from medical diagnostic exposure (3 times from 26% to 77%). The number of CT examinations per 1 CT device from 2014 to 2019 increased by 2 thousand (52%), and in 2020 by another 1.85 thousand (32% compared to 2019) and reached 7.7 thousand. The increase in the number of CT examinations was mainly due to the increased use of CT equipment. The main contribution to the structure and collective dose of computed tomography in 2021 is made by examinations of chest (58%/65%), abdomen (8%/14%), pelvis and hips (3%/4%), skull and maxillofacial area (18%/7%). In 2011-2021 for chest CT examinations, the average effective dose was in the range from 4.2 to 5.9 mSv per examination, for abdomen – from 6.5 to 9.2 mSv, for pelvis and hips – 5 to 6.7 mSv, for skull and maxillofacial area – 1.5 to 2.4 mSv. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021 caused a change in the structure of CT examinations and collective dose in the Russian Federation – the chest CT examinations occupied the first place of the contribution to the number of examinations and the collective dose. The number of CT examinations per 1000 people and the contribution of CT to the collective dose from medical diagnostic exposure in the Russian Federation were significantly lower than those in foreign countries (up to a factor of 3.5 in the number of CT examinations per 1000 people and up to a factor of 1.6 of the contribution of CT to the collective dose).

The form of federal governmental statistical surveillance № 3-DOZ, titled “Data on patient doses from medical X-ray examinations,” has changed significantly by the order of Rosstat N 880. In particular, the structure of the form’s has been revised: studies involving high doses were dedicated from the rest; the section on radionuclide diagnostics has been redesigned; the information on the levels of patient exposure when using individual radionuclides and in hybrid studies have been displayed; information on the number of radiological studies and collective doses for pediatric patients have been introduced; and the number of studies for which typical (average) effective doses of patients are presented has been reduced. The structure of the updated form № 3-DOZ is presented within the framework of this work. In this article, recommendations for filling out № 3-DOZ have been developed in order to increase the reliability of the data provided and reduce the number of procedural errors. This work is a continuation of the article Vodovatov A.V., Chipiga L.A., Bratilova A.A., Druzhinina P.S., Shatskiy I.G., Petryakova A.V., Sarycheva S.S., Biblin A.M., Akhmatdinov R.R., Kapyrina Yu.N., Soldatov I.V., Puzyrev V.G., and Ryzhov S.A. “Update of the federal governmental statistical surveillance form № 3-DOZ “Data on patient doses from medical X-ray examinations”. Perquisites for the update, published in the journal Radiatsionnaya Gygiena (2023. Vol. 16, N 2. P. 126–136. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21514/1998-426X-2023-16-2-126-136).

BACKGROUND: Currently, no systematic data are available on fetal radiation exposure as a result of radiographic studies during pregnancy. Consequently, there are no approved methods of its calculation that can be used in clinical practice. It is especially relevant for computed tomography scans as it is a widely used and highly informative method of diagnostic imaging associated with high exposure levels. AIM: to systematize currently available data on radiation dose absorbed by the fetus from computed tomography scans in pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The search for publications in Russian and English was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and еLibrary. The final analysis included 12 papers including 8 studies using human body phantoms, 3 retrospective studies and one prospective clinical study. RESULTS: Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography scans as well as whole-body scans were found to be associated with the highest fetal radiation exposure. However, in none of the publications the fetal exposure limit was exceeded. CONCLUSION: Clinically indicated non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans in pregnant women are not likely to be associated with the fetal absorbed doses that exceed the limit of 100 mGy regardless of the scanned area. However, this limit might be exceeded in case of performing multiple studies or if multiphase abdominal or pelvic computed tomography scans, or whole-body computed tomography scans are performed in patients with multiple trauma. In these cases, a decision regarding the need for these investigations should be made by a multi-disciplinary team (including radiation safety specialists, diagnostic radiologists and clinicians) based on the results of additional risk assessment.

Analysis of levels of exposure of public of the Russian Federation by sources of ionizing exposure is one of main parts of the activities conducted by the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing. Data on the doses of public of the Russian Federation from medical exposure on facility, regional and federal levels is collected using the form of federal governmental statistical surveillance № 3-DOZ “Data on patient doses from medical X-ray examinations”, that is active since 2000. For the last 20 years there were no significant updates of the form № 3-DOZ. According to the decision of the Board of the Rospotrebnadzor from 11.09.2020, a complex program on update and modernization of form № 3-DOZ was initiated, that has resulted in the approvement of new form № 3-DOZ by the order of Rosstat № 880. The form has been significantly changed to reflect the modern condition of X-ray diagnostics in the Russian Federation. The aim of the current study was to analyze main components of medical exposure dose data collection system that required update and modernization. The study was performed based on the results of assessment of the forms № 3-DOZ from different medical facilities and regions in 2015-2020. The results of the study allowed developing main approaches to the update of the form № 3-DOZ that were implemented in a new edition of the form.

The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which have a pronounced immunomodulatory activity, is a promising direction in the development of biomedical cell preparations (BMCPs). In oncohematology, the use of BMCPs containing MSCs is aimed at supporting hematopoiesis during cotransplantation with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and suppressing immune conflicts during allogeneic unrelated transplantation and severe autoimmune processes. An obligatory stage of registration of BMCPs is confirmation of the identity of the MSC cell line (CL), which includes the establishment of morphological characteristics, evaluation of the expression of specific markers and proteins, and confirmation of the genetic stability of CL during cultivation. Determination of markers of genetic stability is possible using various methods, however, according to the recommendations of the American National Standardization Institute, the standard is the analysis of short tandem repeats (STR analysis). The purpose of the study is to develop an algorithm for determining the authenticity of BMCPs containing MSCs, including STR analysis. Material and methods. Identification of MSC cells in BMCP was performed according to the criteria of the International Society for Cell Therapy. Viable cells were counted in a Goryaev chamber. Immunophenotypic characteristics of MSCs were determined by flow cytometry. The level of production of specific proteins was assessed using enzyme immunoassay. Genetic stability markers were identified by STR analysis. Results and discussion. The methods were tested in triplicate for ten BMCP samples to confirm the reproducibility and reliability of the results. The developed algorithm for determining the authenticity of BMCP has a high accuracy, as it includes the STR analysis technique, which makes it possible to identify 19 polymorphic STR markers located on different alleles. Using the method will allow BMCP manufacturers to go through the procedure of state registration of drugs.

The article describes the mechanism of adaptation support to work and development of employment and career centers in universities by enlisting volunteers and reveals key components of this mechanism. It can be labour markets of young people; requirements of business entities to personnel competences; the process of employment and career in universities; basic goals, objectives and principles of setting-up and developing such centers; analysis of advantages and drawbacks of their work, building and developing the administration system; use of volunteers’ work; academic and methodological tools; organizational and economic features and trends in center development; appraisal of such centers work and development; programs of development. All these mechanisms of adaptation support of work and development of employment and career centers in universities were studied and analyzed in view of volunteers’ role in these centers’ work. It gives an opportunity to provide comparable development of volunteer movement and net apprenticeship, to use different methods of interaction with labour market participants depending of factors of surroundings impact and to meet social request on specialists of certain professions with regard to goals of state policy of population employment.

Computed tomography has become the main method of early diagnostics of COVID-19 during the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection. Based on results of computed tomography of the chest it is possible to diagnose viral pneumonia associated with COVIS-19, to quickly assess the lung damage volume and severity of changes, to perform quick routing of patients and to start antiviral treatment. Hence, 2020 was associated with a rapid increase in the number of computed tomography examinations with corresponding changes in the structure of X-ray diagnostics. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection on the structure of X-ray diagnostics and collective doses from medical exposure in the Russian Federation in 2019-2020. The study was based on the results of analysis of the federal state statistical surveillance forms №3-DOZ and №30 as well as on the data on Covid-19 morbidity in the regions of the Russian Federation. The results of the study indicate that there were no significant changes in the structure of X-ray diagnostics in 2020 compared to 2019 except for the increase in the number of computed tomography examinations. Their contribution to the total number of X-ray examinations has increased to 8,2% in 2020 compared to 4,6% in 2019. Contribution of other imaging modalities to the total number of X-ray examinations has not changed significantly. In 2020 the number of X-ray examinations decreased by 20% in average, varying from 6% for diagnostic nuclear medicine to 42% for interventional examinations. At the same time, the number of computed tomography examinations has rapidly increased by 60%. The structure of collective dose from medical exposure has significantly changed in 2020. Contribution of computed tomography to the collective dose in 2020 accounted for to 74% compared to 57% in 2019. Contribution of other imaging modalities has decreased by the factor of 1,5-2. Contribution of radiography examinations has decreased to 10,5% compared to 19% in 2019. Collective doses have correspondingly decreased by 20-30% for all imaging modalities except for computed tomography. Collective dose from computed tomography has increased by 71% compared to 2019. The number of all X-ray examinations in the Russian Federation has decreased by 12%: from 294 million in 2019 to 258 million in 2020. Collective dose from medical exposure has rapidly increased in 2020 by 30% to 115 thousand man. -Sv compared to 88 thousand man. -Sv in 2019. In average, in regions of the Russian Federation in 2020 each second computed tomography examination has been performed as a part of COVID-19 diagnostics with 2,3 computed tomography examinations per person infected with COVID.

The aim of the search was to compare the sources of information and evaluate dynamics of changes of the patients doses during x-ray and radionuclide examinations in medical organizations in Moscow from 2017 to 2020. Material and methods: Reporting forms № 3-DOZ, № 30 and Radiation-Hygienic Passport for 2017–2020 from Moscow organizations of different forms of ownership were collected and analyzed. The analysis was performed of the main indicators that determine the radiation safety in medical exposure: the number of medical organizations operating sources of ionizing radiation, the equipment of radiation diagnostics, the structure of radiation diagnostics and collective doses from medical exposure. Results: The analysis of trends of the development of radiation diagnostics in Moscow presented in the paper shows that the number of organizations operating ionizing radiation sources is increasing every year; the number of computed tomography scanners is growing by an average of 10% per year, and there is approximately the same increase in the number of computed tomography examinations. Therefore, in 2017-2019 the annual increase in the number of examinations was 10%; it was 30% in 2019–2020, which is associated with the epidemic of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19. The increase in the collective dose from medical exposure corresponds to the increase in the number of X-ray examinations. Comparison of the considered reporting forms and data from the unified X-ray information system shows that all reporting forms have their advantages and disadvantages, which are discussed in detail in the paper. For a comprehensive assessment of the condition of radiation diagnostics, it is necessary to compile data from different statistical reporting forms, which negatively affects the reliability and representativeness of the data. It should be noted that all the considered statistical reporting forms provide no data on individual and accumulated patients doses, as well as standard (typical) doses for the equipment of X-ray and radionuclide diagnostics. The existing procedure of data collection does not allow to receive and analyze the data online. Conclusion: Among the analyzed statistical reporting forms, there is no one that fully provides the tasks of the current assessment of the situation and operational management of public radiation doses. Some of the data in fact duplicate each other, and the existing discrepancies are more likely express difficulties in collecting and summarizing information than differences in reporting forms. Current statistical reporting forms require revision, consolidation, clarification and automation of data collection processes. Further implementation of electronic systems for recording and controlling patients doses, and generation monitoring and reporting systems, as well as interdepartmental interaction systems and the creation of an electronic office of organizations will reduce the rate of non-submission of reporting documentation. That makes it more objective and provides all the data necessary to optimize radiation protection of patients.

Modern graduates of educational institutions of higher education (hereinafter referred to as OOVO) demonstrate a significant level of anxiety, which is due to the difficulties of finding a job, possible employment. They do not have the skills of behavior in relation to the labor market, as well as the effective use of technologies for search and employment [2, 9, 12]. Therefore, many CSOs are increasingly beginning to pay attention to a set of issues to promote employment, as well as the adaptation of graduates in the national and regional labor markets. The purpose of this article is to theoretically substantiate and develop an organizational and economic mechanism for the development of employment and career centers at higher educational institutions. The theoretical and methodological basis of the article is the scientific works of leading domestic and foreign scientists and specialists in the field of labor economics and management theory. In solving theoretical and practical problems of ensuring effective employment and career planning, general scientific research methods, methods of systematic and comparative analysis, expert assessments, strategic planning, organization and management of volunteer activities were used The article formulates a comprehensive scientific approach to solving the problems of regulatory, economic, social, organizational and managerial, personnel, scientific and methodological, information technology, logistical and service support for the activities of the Center for Employment and Career at an economic higher educational institution with the involvement of volunteers. The main program measures for the development of the Center have been identified in accordance with the stages of the employment and career management process, which make it possible to form the contours of programs and at the same time develop roadmaps for the development of the Center for the next planning period. The scientific novelty of the article consists in the theoretical substantiation and development of an organizational and economic mechanism for the development of employment and career centers at higher educational institutions, which allows, on the basis of comparable development of the volunteer movement and network mentoring, to effectively manage the processes of labor market and employment research, professional development, vocational guidance, career planning and employment of graduates of the The article offers practical recommendations that will allow economic organizations to improve the organizational structure and ways of forming strategies for the development of employment and career centers; use a system of indicators for evaluating the activities and development of these centers; organize the training of volunteers to work in the centers and develop programs for the development of centers taking into account the specifics of the labor market and employment; monitor the employment of graduates.

The regulation of plant biomass degradation by fungi is critical to the carbon cycle, and applications in bioproducts and biocontrol. Trichoderma harzianum is an important plant biomass degrader, enzyme producer, and biocontrol agent, but few putative major transcriptional regulators have been deleted in this species. The T. harzianum ortholog of the transcriptional activator XYR1/XlnR/XLR-1 was deleted, and the mutant strains were analyzed through growth profiling, enzymatic activities, and transcriptomics on cellulose. From plate cultures, the Δxyr1 mutant had reduced growth on D-xylose, xylan, and cellulose, and from shake-flask cultures with cellulose, the Δxyr1 mutant had ~90% lower β-glucosidase activity, and no detectable β-xylosidase or cellulase activity. The comparison of the transcriptomes from 18 h shake-flask cultures on D-fructose, without a carbon source, and cellulose, showed major effects of XYR1 deletion whereby the Δxyr1 mutant on cellulose was transcriptionally most similar to the cultures without a carbon source. The cellulose induced 43 plant biomass-degrading CAZymes including xylanases as well as cellulases, and most of these had massively lower expression in the Δxyr1 mutant. The expression of a subset of carbon catabolic enzymes, other transcription factors, and sugar transporters was also lower in the Δxyr1 mutant on cellulose. In summary, T. harzianum XYR1 is the master regulator of cellulases and xylanases, as well as regulating carbon catabolic enzymes.

Cancer morbidity among patients examined using computed tomography within 10 years follow-up period depending on various factors has been retrospectively analyzed. Information on Ozyorsk residents examined at the Kasli District Hospital was retrospectively collected. The data collection period started in 2009 when the first computed tomography examination has been performed in the X-ray department of Kasli District Hospital, and ended by December 31, 2018. The data obtained in the study were linked to the local Cancer registry, the Death registry, and the “CT Registry” database to receive information about the vital status, cancer morbidity and CT examinations performed outside the Kasli District Hospital. Cumulative incidence has been accounted in terms of predisposed conditions associated with cancer, cancer diagnoses stated before the date of the first CT examination and CT-confirmed malignancy cases. As a result of the study, information on 275 examinations of 246 residents of the Ozyorsk urban district has been derived. By the end of the observation period, 46 cases of malignant tumors were accumulated in the study group. The average time from 1st CT to the end of follow-up was 6.5 years. The distribution of carcinogenic effects among patients examined using CT has been shown retrospectively from the date of birth to the date of the end of follow-up. The cumulative cancer incidence adjusted for predisposing conditions has been compared with the LSS data. No epidemiological data were found on the relationship between the detected cases of malignant tumors and the diagnostic radiation from CT scans. The data obtained in the study provide information on the long-term oncological effects among Ozyorsk residents examined using CT as a source of additional information for a comprehensive assessment of the low dose effects associated with diagnostic exposure in the Ozyorsk Computed Tomography Cohort study.

Computed tomography is associated with high patient doses. CT is actively used for pediatric, however, currently there is no reliable data on the pediatric patient doses in the Russian Federation. The current study presents the data on the anthropometric characteristics of 5, 10 and 15-year-old pediatric patients, as well as the results of a comparative assessment of the effective doses of these patients during CT-examinations of chest, considering their anthropometric data. The effective doses were calculated using three methods: based on the actual guidelines (MU 2.6.1.3584-19) using the age specific conversion coefficients; using the conversion coefficients considered patient body mass and effective diameter; using a specialized software NCICT 3.0. The difference between effective doses according to actual guidelines and considering patient body mass and effective diameter was about 7.1 % (max-65 %). High deviations were observed in patients with abnormally large or abnormally low body mass. Effective doses calculated using NCICT 3.0 were higher compared to doses calculated according to actual guidelines on average by 18 % (max — 53 %). Such differences are explained by the fact that in MU 2.6.1.3584-19 conversion coefficients are presented for the most common CT-scan parameters of protocols, and in NCICT 3.0 the calculation considers individual scan parameters for each patient. The difference between effective doses according to NCICT 3.0 and considering patient body mass and effective diameter was about 32 % (max-70 %). This difference can be explained by the differences in the anthropometric data of some patients, and by the use of different types of phantoms: a stylized phantom (Golikov et al) and a voxel phantom in NCICT 3.0.

The number and contribution of high dose imaging modalities, computed tomography in particular, is rapidly increasing both in the 'Russian Federation and other developed countries. Maximal increase in the number of computed tomography examinations in Russia was observed in 2020 due to the full-scale application of this imaging modality for the diagnostics of the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19. The use of computed tomography for the examination of the chest for the pregnant women is associated with several issues. An internationally accepted approach for the provision of the radiation safety of the pregnant patients is the assessment of the absorbed dose in the fetus after each X-ray examination. However, there are no existingn approved methods for the assessment of the absorbed dose in the fetus in the Russian Federation. The aim of the current study was to assess the doses in the fetus for the pregnant women undergoing computed tomography of the chest due to the COVID-19 and to estimate the probability of the development of the deterministic effects for the fetus. The study was based on the collection of the parameter of Russian and international computed tomography protocols. Parameters of the international computed tomography protocols were collected viameta-analysis of the existing publications; Russian protocols — via data collection in computed tomography departments in St-Petersburg hospitals. Absorbed dose in the uterus of the female patient and effective dose for the fetus were calculated using NCICT 3.0 software for 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 38 weeks of pregnancy. The results of the calculations indicate the lack of significant differences between absorbed doses in the uterus and effective doses for the fetus for all stages of pregnancy. Maximal doses for the selected computed tomog­ raphy protocols were in the range of 0.5 mGy (mSv) for 8-25 weeks, 0.6 mGy (mSv) for 30 week, 1.4 mGy (mSv) for 35 week and 2.7 mGy (mSv) for 38 week. The threshold for the development of the deterministic effects equal to 100 mGy cannot be exceeded even for repeated (10-15) computed tomography chest scans. Hence, the use of computed tomography as the primary method of COVID-19 diagnostics and staging will not be associated with the development of deterministic effects in the fetus.

Every university graduate faces a problem of employment. A young specialist without work experience can hardly find a job by his/her specialization, which would allow them not only to use the acquired knowledge but also to get an adequate estimation of their efforts. Today Russian universities adopt the overseas experience in career promotion by helping graduates in their career planning, as today's higher education institutions in Russia are extremely interested in graduate's career development and at the same time in successful functioning of the university in general. The article grounds the necessity to set up Employment and Career Centers at universities, whose organizational and economic characteristics and trends of development can give an opportunity to accumulate and allocate the best practices of graduates' career planning and technical and technological support of interaction with business partners for different categories of graduates. Here a young specialist can find consultations of career experts, help in compiling a competitive CV and assistance in searching for a suitable vacancy. At the same time the Employment and Career Center at the university can carry out an important function of informing university employees about the necessity and importance of graduates' career planning and stimulating graduates' interest in self-organization and professional self-development.

To ensure the quality assurance of CT-examinations, it is necessary to obtain the high-quality diagnostic information and maintain the optimal exposure levels of patients and medical staff. This paper is focused on the requirements and main aspects of quality assurance of CT-examinations, which include quality control of the equipment, methods of CT-image quality control, optimization of radiation protection, as well as management of the unintended and accidental medical exposure. The paper contains recommendations on quality control of diagnostic equipment, methods for monitoring the quality control of CT-images, values of diagnostic reference levels for the detection of abnormally high patient doses and optimization of the radiation protection of patients, as well as the recommendations for management of radiation and non-radiation accidents. All main sections of the paper represent an unified quality assurance system in computed tomography.

ABSTRACT The Pythium (Peronosporales, Oomycota) genus includes devastating plant pathogens that cause widespread diseases and severe crop losses. Here, we have uncovered a far greater arsenal of virulence factor-related genes in the necrotrophic Pythium myriotylum than in other Pythium plant pathogens. The genome of a plant-virulent P. myriotylum strain (~70 Mb and 19,878 genes) isolated from a diseased rhizome of ginger (Zingiber officinale) encodes the largest repertoire of putative effectors, proteases, and plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) among the studied species. P. myriotylum has twice as many predicted secreted proteins than any other Pythium plant pathogen. Arrays of tandem duplications appear to be a key factor of the enrichment of the virulence factor-related genes in P. myriotylum. The transcriptomic analysis performed on two P. myriotylum isolates infecting ginger leaves showed that proteases were a major part of the upregulated genes along with PCWDEs, Nep1-like proteins (NLPs), and elicitin-like proteins. A subset of P. myriotylum NLPs were analyzed and found to have necrosis-inducing ability from agroinfiltration of tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) leaves. One of the heterologously produced infection-upregulated putative cutinases found in a tandem array showed esterase activity with preferences for longer-chain-length substrates and neutral to alkaline pH levels. Our results allow the development of science-based targets for the management of P. myriotylum-caused disease, as insights from the genome and transcriptome show that gene expansion of virulence factor-related genes play a bigger role in the plant parasitism of Pythium spp. than previously thought. IMPORTANCE Pythium species are oomycetes, an evolutionarily distinct group of filamentous fungus-like stramenopiles. The Pythium genus includes several pathogens of important crop species, e.g., the spice ginger. Analysis of our genome from the plant pathogen Pythium myriotylum uncovered a far larger arsenal of virulence factor-related genes than found in other Pythium plant pathogens, and these genes contribute to the infection of the plant host. The increase in the number of virulence factor-related genes appears to have occurred through the mechanism of tandem gene duplication events. Genes from particular virulence factor-related categories that were increased in number and switched on during infection of ginger leaves had their activities tested. These genes have toxic activities toward plant cells or activities to hydrolyze polymeric components of the plant. The research suggests targets to better manage diseases caused by P. myriotylum and prompts renewed attention to the genomics of Pythium plant pathogens.

Ultrasound of the brachial plexus (BP) is a readily available and informative imaging method. Good knowledge of normal BP anatomy and its variations, as well as the ultrasound technique for examining the BP, is the key to success. We present an ultrasound technique for BP assessment in healthy adults and patients with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

ABSTRACT True fungi (Fungi) and fungus-like organisms (e.g. Mycetozoa, Oomycota) constitute the second largest group of organisms based on global richness estimates, with around 3 million predicted species. Compared to plants and animals, fungi have simple body plans with often morphologically and ecologically obscure structures. This poses challenges for accurate and precise identifications. Here we provide a conceptual framework for the identification of fungi, encouraging the approach of integrative (polyphasic) taxonomy for species delimitation, i.e. the combination of genealogy (phylogeny), phenotype (including autecology), and reproductive biology (when feasible). This allows objective evaluation of diagnostic characters, either phenotypic or molecular or both. Verification of identifications is crucial but often neglected. Because of clade-specific evolutionary histories, there is currently no single tool for the identification of fungi, although DNA barcoding using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) remains a first diagnosis, particularly in metabarcoding studies. Secondary DNA barcodes are increasingly implemented for groups where ITS does not provide sufficient precision. Issues of pairwise sequence similarity-based identifications and OTU clustering are discussed, and multiple sequence alignment-based phylogenetic approaches with subsequent verification are recommended as more accurate alternatives. In metabarcoding approaches, the trade-off between speed and accuracy and precision of molecular identifications must be carefully considered. Intragenomic variation of the ITS and other barcoding markers should be properly documented, as phylotype diversity is not necessarily a proxy of species richness. Important strategies to improve molecular identification of fungi are: (1) broadly document intraspecific and intragenomic variation of barcoding markers; (2) substantially expand sequence repositories, focusing on undersampled clades and missing taxa; (3) improve curation of sequence labels in primary repositories and substantially increase the number of sequences based on verified material; (4) link sequence data to digital information of voucher specimens including imagery. In parallel, technological improvements to genome sequencing offer promising alternatives to DNA barcoding in the future. Despite the prevalence of DNA-based fungal taxonomy, phenotype-based approaches remain an important strategy to catalog the global diversity of fungi and establish initial species hypotheses.

Introduction. Difficulties in determining the compression of the neurovascular bundle with the thoracic outlet syndrome raises the question of finding an accessible and reproducible method for the neuroimaging of the brachial plexus and surrounding tissues.Purpose of the study – to develop an ultrasound diagnostic algorithm using a stress test to determine the level and cause of brachial plexus compression in comparison with the results of a clinical assessment.Materials and methods. 111 patients with verified compression of the brachial plexus at the level of the interstitial (65.7 %) and bone-clavicular space (21.6 %), as well as the tendon of the pectoralis minor muscle (12.6 %) were examined. The study protocol including the Adson ultrasound stress test, the assessment of the lower trunk in the interstitial space, and the test with ultrasound evaluation of the axillary artery at the level of the tendon of the pectoralis minor muscle with passive abduction of the arm back and up was used.Conclusion. An ultrasound study of the brachial plexus demonstrated informativeness in assessing the level and possible cause of compression, which opens up the possibility of using the method in routine neurological practice.

Higher fungi can rapidly produce large numbers of spores suitable for aerial dispersal. The efficiency of the dispersal and spore resilience to abiotic stresses correlate with their hydrophobicity provided by the unique amphiphilic and superior surface-active proteins-hydrophobins (HFBs)-that self-assemble at hydrophobic/hydrophilic interfaces and thus modulate surface properties. Using the HFB-enriched mold Trichoderma (Hypocreales, Ascomycota) and the HFB-free yeast Pichia pastoris (Saccharomycetales, Ascomycota), we revealed that the rapid release of HFBs by aerial hyphae shortly prior to conidiation is associated with their intracellular accumulation in vacuoles and/or lipid-enriched organelles. The occasional internalization of the latter organelles in vacuoles can provide the hydrophobic/hydrophilic interface for the assembly of HFB layers and thus result in the formation of HFB-enriched vesicles and vacuolar multicisternal structures (VMSs) putatively lined up by HFBs. These HFB-enriched vesicles and VMSs can become fused in large tonoplast-like organelles or move to the periplasm for secretion. The tonoplast-like structures can contribute to the maintenance of turgor pressure in aerial hyphae supporting the erection of sporogenic structures (e.g., conidiophores) and provide intracellular force to squeeze out HFB-enriched vesicles and VMSs from the periplasm through the cell wall. We also show that the secretion of HFBs occurs prior to the conidiation and reveal that the even spore coating of HFBs deposited in the extracellular matrix requires microscopic water droplets that can be either guttated by the hyphae or obtained from the environment. Furthermore, we demonstrate that at least one HFB, HFB4 in T. guizhouense, is produced and secreted by wetted spores. We show that this protein possibly controls spore dormancy and contributes to the water sensing mechanism required for the detection of germination conditions. Thus, intracellular HFBs have a range of pleiotropic functions in aerial hyphae and spores and are essential for fungal development and fitness.

Biological control is a promising approach to suppress diseases caused by Pythium spp. such as Pythium soft rot of ginger caused by P. myriotylum. Unusually for a single genus, it also includes species that can antagonize Pythium plant pathogens, such as Pythium oligandrum. We investigated if a new isolate of P. oligandrum could antagonize P. myriotylum, what changes occurred in gene expression when P. oligandrum (antagonist) and P. myriotylum (host) interacted, and whether P. oligandrum could control soft-rot of ginger caused by P. myriotylum. An isolate of P. oligandrum, GAQ1, recovered from soil could antagonize P. myriotylum in a plate-based confrontation assay whereby P. myriotylum became non-viable. The loss of viability of P. myriotylum coupled with how P. oligandrum hyphae could coil around and penetrate the hyphae of P. myriotylum, indicated a predatory interaction. We investigated the transcriptional responses of P. myriotylum and P. oligandrum using dual-RNAseq at a stage in the confrontation where similar levels of total transcripts were measured from each species. As part of the transcriptional response of P. myriotylum to the presence of P. oligandrum, genes including a subset of putative Kazal-type protease inhibitors were strongly upregulated along with cellulases, elicitin-like proteins and genes involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks. In P. oligandrum, proteases, cellulases, and peroxidases featured prominently in the upregulated genes. The upregulation along with constitutive expression of P. oligandrum proteases appeared to be responded to by the upregulation of putative protease inhibitors from P. myriotylum, suggesting a P. myriotylum defensive strategy. Notwithstanding this P. myriotylum defensive strategy, P. oligandrum had a strong disease control effect on soft-rot of ginger caused by P. myriotylum. The newly isolated strain of P. oligandrum is a promising biocontrol agent for suppressing the soft-rot of ginger. The dual-RNAseq approach highlights responses of P. myriotylum that suggests features of a defensive strategy, and are perhaps another factor that may contribute to the variable success and durability of biological attempts to control diseases caused by Pythium spp.

Abstract Background The morphological structures of organisms form tightly integrated but mutually independent character complexes (modules) linked through common development and function. Even though their abundance, diversity, and complex caste systems make camponotine ants ideal subjects to research developmental modularity and phenotypic integration, no studies investigating these phenomena have been conducted in this taxonomic group. This study attempts to identify and visualize integrated character complexes in 14 taxa from the genera Camponotus and Colobopsis using statistical analyses of morphometry. Results The identified modules differ between castes: Minor workers have small heads and long extremities, while major workers have enlarged heads modified for defence, and short, thick appendages; extremities (legs and antennae) are strongly correlated in both worker castes. Gynes show weaker integration of extremities, but a strong correlation of mesosoma and eyes, and highly variable median ocellus size. Gynes infested by mermithid nematodes exhibit reduction of gyne-specific characters and altered patterns of phenotypic integration. Conclusion The integrated character complexes described herein can largely be interpreted as functional, caste-specific modules related to behavioural ecology and task allocation within ant colonies. This modular nature of the body plan is hypothesized to facilitate the evolution of novel phenotypes and thus contributes to the tremendous evolutionary success of ants. The study of these modules can help to further elucidate the evolution and ontogeny of castes in camponotine ants, as well as the effects of parasite infestation on the phenotype.

Abstract Background The growing importance of the ubiquitous fungal genus Trichoderma (Hypocreales, Ascomycota) requires understanding of its biology and evolution. Many Trichoderma species are used as biofertilizers and biofungicides and T. reesei is the model organism for industrial production of cellulolytic enzymes. In addition, some highly opportunistic species devastate mushroom farms and can become pathogens of humans. A comparative analysis of the first three whole genomes revealed mycoparasitism as the innate feature of Trichoderma. However, the evolution of these traits is not yet understood. Results We selected 12 most commonly occurring Trichoderma species and studied the evolution of their genome sequences. Trichoderma evolved in the time of the Cretaceous-Palaeogene extinction event 66 (±15) mya, but the formation of extant sections (Longibrachiatum, Trichoderma) or clades (Harzianum/Virens) happened in Oligocene. The evolution of the Harzianum clade and section Trichoderma was accompanied by significant gene gain, but the ancestor of section Longibrachiatum experienced rapid gene loss. The highest number of genes gained encoded ankyrins, HET domain proteins and transcription factors. We also identified the Trichoderma core genome, completely curated its annotation, investigated several gene families in detail and compared the results to those of other fungi. Eighty percent of those genes for which a function could be predicted were also found in other fungi, but only 67% of those without a predictable function. Conclusions Our study presents a time scaled pattern of genome evolution in 12 Trichoderma species from three phylogenetically distant clades/sections and a comprehensive analysis of their genes. The data offer insights in the evolution of a mycoparasite towards a generalist.

Abstract Background Cytochrome P450s form an important group of enzymes involved in xenobiotics degradation and metabolism, both primary and secondary. These enzymes are also useful in industry as biotechnological tools for bioconversion and a few are reported to be involved in pathogenicity. Trichoderma spp. are widely used in industry and agriculture and are known for their biosynthetic potential of a large number of secondary metabolites. For realising the full biosynthetic potential of an organism, it is important to do a genome-wide annotation and cataloguing of these enzymes. Results Here, we have studied the genomes of seven species (T. asperellum, T. atroviride, T. citrinoviride, T. longibrachiatum, T. reesei , T. harzianum and T. virens) and identified a total of 477 cytochrome P450s. We present here the classification, evolution and structure as well as predicted function of these proteins. This study would pave the way for functional characterization of these groups of enzymes and will also help in realization of their full economic potential. Conclusion Our CYPome annotation and evolutionary studies of the seven Trichoderma species now provides opportunities for exploration of research-driven strategies to select Trichoderma species for various applications especially in relation to secondary metabolism and degradation of environmental pollutants.

A taxonomic description of all castes of Colobopsis explodens Laciny & Zettel, sp. n. from Borneo, Thailand, and Malaysia is provided, which serves as a model species for biological studies on “exploding ants” in Southeast Asia. The new species is a member of the Colobopsis cylindrica (COCY) group and falls into a species complex that has been repeatedly summarized under the name Colobopsis saundersi (Emery, 1889) (formerly Camponotus saundersi). The COCY species group is known under its vernacular name “exploding ants” for a unique behaviour: during territorial combat, workers of some species sacrifice themselves by rupturing their gaster and releasing sticky and irritant contents of their hypertrophied mandibular gland reservoirs to kill or repel rivals. This study includes first illustrations and morphometric characterizations of males of the COCY group: Colobopsis explodens Laciny & Zettel, sp. n. and Colobopsis badia (Smith, 1857). Characters of male genitalia and external morphology are compared with other selected taxa of Camponotini. Preliminary notes on the biology of C. explodens Laciny & Zettel, sp. n. are provided. To fix the species identity of the closely related C. badia, a lectotype from Singapore is designated. The following taxonomic changes within the C. saundersi complex are proposed: Colobopsis solenobia (Menozzi, 1926), syn. n. and Colobopsis trieterica (Menozzi, 1926), syn. n. are synonymized with Colobopsis corallina Roger, 1863, a common endemic species of the Philippines. Colobopsis saginata Stitz, 1925, stat. n., hitherto a subspecies of C. badia, is raised to species level.

Summary Lignocellulosic biomass, which mainly consists of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, is the most abundant renewable source for production of biofuel and biorefinery products. The industrial use of plant biomass involves mechanical milling or chipping, followed by chemical or physicochemical pretreatment steps to make the material more susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis. Thereby the cost of enzyme production still presents the major bottleneck, mostly because some of the produced enzymes have low catalytic activity under industrial conditions and/or because the rate of hydrolysis of some enzymes in the secreted enzyme mixture is limiting. Almost all of the lignocellulolytic enzyme cocktails needed for the hydrolysis step are produced by fermentation of the ascomycete Trichoderma reesei (Hypocreales). For this reason, the structure and mechanism of the enzymes involved, the regulation of their expression and the pathways of their formation and secretion have been investigated in T. reesei in considerable details. Several of the findings thereby obtained have been used to improve the formation of the T. reesei cellulases and their properties. In this article, we will review the achievements that have already been made and also show promising fields for further progress.

This study examined the structural diversity and bioactivity of peptaibol compounds produced by species from the phylogenetically separated Longibrachiatum Clade of the filamentous fungal genus Trichoderma, which contains several biotechnologically, agriculturally and clinically important species. HPLC-ESI-MS investigations of crude extracts from 17 species of the Longibrachiatum Clade (T. aethiopicum, T. andinense, T. capillare, T. citrinoviride, T. effusum, T. flagellatum, T. ghanense, T. konilangbra, T. longibrachiatum, T. novae-zelandiae, T. pinnatum, T. parareesei, T. pseudokoningii, T. reesei, T. saturnisporum, T. sinensis, and T. orientale) revealed several new and recurrent 20-residue peptaibols related to trichobrachins, paracelsins, suzukacillins, saturnisporins, trichoaureocins, trichocellins, longibrachins, hyporientalins, trichokonins, trilongins, metanicins, trichosporins, gliodeliquescins, alamethicins and hypophellins, as well as eight 19-residue sequences from a new subfamily of peptaibols named brevicelsins. Non-ribosomal peptide synthetase genes were mined from the available genome sequences of the Longibrachiatum Clade. Their annotation and product prediction were performed in silico and revealed full agreement in 11 out of 20 positions regarding the amino acids predicted based on the signature sequences and the detected amino acids incorporated. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed for structural characterization of four selected peptaibol sequences: paracelsins B, H and their 19-residue counterparts brevicelsins I and IV. Loss of position R6 in brevicelsins resulted in smaller helical structures with higher atomic fluctuation for every residue than the structures formed by paracelsins. We observed the formation of highly bent, almost hairpin-like, helical structures throughout the trajectory, along with linear conformation. Bioactivity tests were performed on the purified peptaibol extract of T. reesei on clinically and phytopathologically important filamentous fungi, mammalian cells, and Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Porcine kidney cells and boar spermatozoa proved to be sensitive to the purified peptaibol extract. Peptaibol concentrations ≥0.3 mg ml−1 deterred the growth of A. thaliana. However, negative effects to plants were not detected at concentrations below 0.1 mg ml−1, which could still inhibit plant pathogenic filamentous fungi, suggesting that those peptaibols reported here may have applications for plant protection.

Unlike most other fungi, molds of the genus Trichoderma (Hypocreales, Ascomycota) are aggressive parasites of other fungi and efficient decomposers of plant biomass. Although nutritional shifts are common among hypocrealean fungi, there are no examples of such broad substrate versatility as that observed in Trichoderma. A phylogenomic analysis of 23 hypocrealean fungi (including nine Trichoderma spp. and the related Escovopsis weberi) revealed that the genus Trichoderma has evolved from an ancestor with limited cellulolytic capability that fed on either fungi or arthropods. The evolutionary analysis of Trichoderma genes encoding plant cell wall-degrading carbohydrate-active enzymes and auxiliary proteins (pcwdCAZome, 122 gene families) based on a gene tree / species tree reconciliation demonstrated that the formation of the genus was accompanied by an unprecedented extent of lateral gene transfer (LGT). Nearly one-half of the genes in Trichoderma pcwdCAZome (41%) were obtained via LGT from plant-associated filamentous fungi belonging to different classes of Ascomycota, while no LGT was observed from other potential donors. In addition to the ability to feed on unrelated fungi (such as Basidiomycota), we also showed that Trichoderma is capable of endoparasitism on a broad range of Ascomycota, including extant LGT donors. This phenomenon was not observed in E. weberi and rarely in other mycoparasitic hypocrealean fungi. Thus, our study suggests that LGT is linked to the ability of Trichoderma to parasitize taxonomically related fungi (up to adelphoparasitism in strict sense). This may have allowed primarily mycotrophic Trichoderma fungi to evolve into decomposers of plant biomass.

(1) Background: Mechanisms of cellular and molecular adaptation of fungi to salinity have been commonly drawn from halotolerant strains and few studies in basidiomycete fungi. These studies have been conducted in settings where cells are subjected to stress, either hypo- or hyperosmotic, which can be a confounding factor in describing physiological mechanisms related to salinity. (2) Methods: We have studied transcriptomic changes in Aspergillus sydowii, a halophilic species, when growing in three different salinity conditions (No NaCl, 0.5 M, and 2.0 M NaCl). (3) Results: In this fungus, major physiological modifications occur under high salinity (2.0 M NaCl) and not when cultured under optimal conditions (0.5 M NaCl), suggesting that most of the mechanisms described for halophilic growth are a consequence of saline stress response and not an adaptation to saline conditions. Cell wall modifications occur exclusively at extreme salinity, with an increase in cell wall thickness and lamellar structure, which seem to involve a decrease in chitin content and an augmented content of alfa and beta-glucans. Additionally, three hydrophobin genes were differentially expressed under hypo- or hyperosmotic stress but not when the fungus grows optimally. Regarding compatible solutes, glycerol is the main compound accumulated in salt stress conditions, whereas trehalose is accumulated in the absence of salt. (4) Conclusions: Physiological responses to salinity vary greatly between optimal and high salt concentrations and are not a simple graded effect as the salt concentration increases. Our results highlight the influence of stress in reshaping the response of extremophiles to environmental challenges.

Forty-five volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified or annotated in the mandibular gland reservoir content (MGRC) of the Southeast Asian ant Colobopsis explodens Laciny and Zettel, 2018 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid extraction combined with GC-MS. In extension of previous reports on VOCs of C. explodens, members of different compound classes, such as alkanes, aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids, and phenolics, were detected. The ketone 2-heptanone and the biochemically related phenolics benzene-1,3,5-triol (phloroglucinol, PG), 1-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)ethanone (monoacetylphloroglucinol, MAPG), 5,7-dihydroxy-2-methylchromen-4-one (noreugenin), and 1-(3-Acetyl-2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)ethanone (2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, DAPG) dominated the GC-MS chromatograms. The identities of the main phenolics MAPG and noreugenin were further verified by liquid chromatography-high resolution-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). A comparative study of MGRC samples originating from three distinct field expeditions revealed differences in the VOC profiles, but the presence and relative abundances of the dominating constituents were largely consistent in all samples. Our study considerably extends the knowledge about the number and type of VOCs occurring in the MGRC of C. explodens. Based on the type of the detected compounds, we propose that the likely irritant and antibiotic phenolic constituents play a role in defense against arthropod opponents or in protection against microbial pathogens.