The inactivation of p53 and PTEN tumor suppressor genes is a common genetic event in lung cancer. However, data on the effect of the joint inactivation of tumor-suppressor genes in non–small cell ...lung carcinoma (NSCLC) are lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the alterations in PTEN and p53 genes, as well as to evaluate their mutual role in NSCLC pathogenesis and their impact on survival rate. To that end, polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP), sequencing, methylation-specific PCR, and fragment analysis were used. The results obtained were correlated with clinicopathologic parameters, the level of genomic instability, and patient survival. Overall, 13% of specimens had aberrant p53 only, 13% had inactive PTEN only, and 50% of samples had both genes altered. Correlation analyses showed that the mutual inactivation of p53 and PTEN was a frequent event that was associated significantly with the increased level of genomic instability and lymph node invasion implying their synergistic effect in promoting metastatic phenotype of this kind of cancer. In addition, our results revealed a significant association of joint alterations of these genes with dramatically shortened survival indicating that aberrant p53 and PTEN could be used as an adverse prognostic factor for NSCLC patients’ outcome. Our findings established the relevance of the combinatorial inactivation of p53 and PTEN in NSCLC progression and identified a subgroup of patients with a particularly aggressive disease.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
In maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs, it is very important to define a genetic distance of inbred lines and to establish criteria and biometric methods for the satisfactory germplasm ...classification. A total of 29 inbred lines from Maize Research Institute "Zemun Polje" (MRIZP) breeding program, Belgrade, Serbia, were used to compare similarities obtained by morphological (according to UPOV - Union Internationale pour la Protection des Obtentions Vegetales) and molecular (simple sequence repeats, SSR) markers. The aim was to assess discriminative power of applied markers in the separation of related lines, and to determine the possibility of their application in choosing parental lines for breeding programs. Application of different marker types resulted in adequate separation of inbreds into divergent groups, which facilitates the choice of parental lines. However, there were still many inconsistencies between the field and laboratory results. The quality of information from morphological markers was improved by the application of the appropriate descriptor, measurement scale and the biometric method. According to the correspondence analysis, increased number of SSR markers will enable more reliable results. Regression analysis of morphological visual assessment (MVG) and SSR similarity of individual inbreds pointed out that in some cases morphological, and in others molecular markers more accurately reflected known pedigree information of tested maize lines. In the early generations of maize inbred lines testing, we propose utilization of information resulting from morphological markers, according to UPOV descriptor. However, application of adequate number of molecular (SSR) markers has an economic justification on a smaller number of elite lines in the later generations of line testing. Key words: Maize breeding, genetic relationships, SSR, UPOV descriptor, Zea mays.
In the second half of 20th century the awareness of importance of landraces for the future, led to organized collecting missions for numerous plant species. A total of 2217 maize (Zea mays L.) ...landraces, collected in the former Yugoslavia, are stored at Maize Research Institute (MRIZP) gene bank. During 2014, new collecting missions were organized in the eastern and western parts of Macedonia. According to collecting site and kernel type, 14 samples from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food, R. Macedonia were chosen for the comparison and identification of possible duplicates, through coupling with the 16 MRIZP gene bank accessions from the same area and kernel characteristics. Phenotypic characterization was done for 21 traits according to International Board for Plant Genetic Resources descriptors for maize. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identifies five PCs with Eigenvalue > 1, explaining 80% of the total phenotypic variation. The most discriminative traits with the strongest positive associations were tasseling and silking dates, plant height, leaf length and ear length. Compared to the exsitu populations, the number of alleles and the number of specific alleles, showed a significant decrease in the in situ populations. Twelve unique alleles were detected in samples from MRIZP gene bank, and only four were found in new Macedonian samples. Cluster analysis of morphological and molecular markers distinguished groups of maize accessions with distinctive morphological traits and genetic profiles that will be useful for conservation, and management of gene bank collection, as well as for possible utilization in breeding.
Hermann?s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is among the conservation priorities in the European Union. Consequently, it is included in Annexes II and IV of the EU Habitats Directive, Annex II of the Bern ...Convention, and Annex II of the CITES Convention. Hermann?s tortoise conservation programs compile insights on the threats affecting population viability, along with factors shaping the species? distribution. Serbian populations of the eastern subspecies (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) seem numerous and therefore prosperous, but recent population viability analyses revealed that they are susceptible to rapid demographic changes and/or habitat destruction. This implies the need for effective population monitoring and protection, as well as mapping and preservation of suitable habitats. In this paper we summarized current knowledge about the geographic distribution of Hermann?s tortoise in Serbia and modeled its ecological niche. Our results corroborate and uphold the known species? distribution in Serbia. Most suitable habitats are situated in the lowland areas of eastern, central and southern Serbia, under semi-open habitats, such as pastures and shrubs, broadleaf forests, and all successional stages in between. The results provided in this paper should be considered in the selection and shaping of NATURA 2000 sites in Serbia. Projects of the
Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant
no. 173043 and Grant no. 173025
nema
In maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs, it is very important to define a genetic distance of inbred lines and to establish criteria and biometric methods for the satisfactory germplasm ...classification. A total of 29 inbred lines from Maize Research Institute "Zemun Polje" (MRIZP) breeding program, Belgrade, Serbia, were used to compare similarities obtained by morphological (according to UPOV - Union Internationale pour la Protection des Obtentions Vegetales) and molecular (simple sequence repeats, SSR) markers. The aim was to assess discriminative power of applied markers in the separation of related lines, and to determine the possibility of their application in choosing parental lines for breeding programs. Application of different marker types resulted in adequate separation of inbreds into divergent groups, which facilitates the choice of parental lines. However, there were still many inconsistencies between the field and laboratory results. The quality of information from morphological markers was improved by the application of the appropriate descriptor, measurement scale and the biometric method. According to the correspondence analysis, increased number of SSR markers will enable more reliable results. Regression analysis of morphological visual assessment (MVG) and SSR similarity of individual inbreds pointed out that in some cases morphological, and in others molecular markers more accurately reflected known pedigree information of tested maize lines. In the early generations of maize inbred lines testing, we propose utilization of information resulting from morphological markers, according to UPOV descriptor. However, application of adequate number of molecular (SSR) markers has an economic justification on a smaller number of elite lines in the later generations of line testing.
Panels of diverse materials have proven to be very useful in evaluation of
the organization of genetic diversity available for breeding at phenotypic
and genotypic levels. In this study, a panel ...consisting of several groups of
maize inbreds was tested using microstelite markers. The aim of this study
was to test genetic diversity and define population structure of twenty-four
genotypes differing in kernel type (dent, flint, popcorn, sweet maize) and
kernel color (white, yellow, orange) with 21 SSRs. Genetic diversity
parameters such as number of alleles, gene diversity, observed
heterozygosity, PIC (Polymorphism Information Content) and number of unique
alleles were determined. In addition, genetic distances according to Rogers
distance were calculated. The values for all parameters were high,
reflecting high genetic divergence of analyzed germplasm. Distance matrix
based on UPGMA cluster analysis showed moderate congruence to available
pedigree/origin or kernel type/color data. Genetic structure of tested
genotypes was defined using Bayesian model-based clustering, without a
considerable difference in comparison to cluster data analysis. The
determined diversity parameters along with the results concerning genetic
structure analysis provided a valuable information for improved selection
efficiency.
As part of the research carried out in the field of processing systems and the production process of oil-hydraulic cylinders of large dimensions and power, the specifics of fluid power transmission, ...in the functioning of hydropower facilities, were analyzed. The research also includes the optimization of the physical–mathematical model of non-stationary processes, which take place inside the chamber of a large hydrocylinder. In parallel with the definition of the optimization model, the work parameters that affect the process of fluid flow and piston movement were determined. The operating and technological construction parameters of the hydraulic cylinder, which most significantly affect the operation of the hydraulic cylinder, were defined, and the observed parameters were optimized, based on which a prototype with improved characteristics compared to existing solutions was realized.
The purpose of this study is to investigate empirically how determinant attributes of price and brand, based on relationship marketing concept, influence customer-perceived value as well as long-term ...profit in the Serbian sunflower oil industry. For the purpose of this study, a self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to 125 respondents. This questionnaire has been created to collect primary data and it has a structure that reflects statements which show customers ' satisfaction determinant attributes. A descriptive and multiple regression analysis was used to identify which factors of determinant attributes of customers 'satisfaction influenced customer-perceived value. Therefore, we perceive the influence of satisfaction and its attributes as non-financial measures on financial measures which are related to enterprise performance. This study found that factors of determinant attributes ofprice and brand significantly and statistically influenced the satisfaction, whereas the manufacturer 's brand has the greatest influence. Furthermore, analyzing the loyalty of customers as a second key factor of relationship marketing, the results ofthis study undoubtedly confirmed that only the brand significantly influenced customers ' loyalty. The price represents a significant factor in providing immediate customers ' satisfaction. But, in the long run, the focus of customers is on those oil manufacturers who have a powerful brand (corporate reputation). The study opens possibilities of discussion in the existing literature due to the fact that it reveals how determinant attributes of customers ' satisfaction and loyalty influences the creation ofsuperior value for the customer as well as the creation of long-term value for the enterprise. This study found that the process of creation enterprise 's value was not based on a traditional formula, where it began with input and ended with the output. The mere input for the creation of enterprise 's output emerges from interaction with customers. In this context, it's very important to take into account the economic effect between the consistent creation of superior value for the customer and long-term profit. Moreover, the importance of this study emerges from research results which show that modern market conditions impose the need for tailoring financial statements that are based on various interest groups. In this way, additional non-financial measures of success are provided as well as information in relation to those that can be obtained from existing basic financial statements.
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Dense vegetation cover undoubtedly offers certain advantages for small and slow-moving animals, but its disadvantages concerning some aspects of spatial ecology (e.g. movements) were neglected in ...previous studies. Tortoises could get stuck in vegetation by protuberant part of the shell and thus succumb to overheating, dehydration or predators. To examine how vegetation cover shapes behavioural responses of ‘trapped’ tortoises, we tested adults of six populations from habitats with contrasting vegetation cover. The tortoises were fitted with a non-stretchable rope, representing a piece of vegetation, stuck on the protruding front part of the plastron. Results suggested the existence of two distinct releasing techniques. First, and only successful in this study, is frequent changing of the movement direction, with a minimal pulling force, until the obstacle detached. The other involved the maximal pulling force aimed at ripping out the constraint. Tortoises from shrub habitats had more releasing success, used less pulling force and needed shorter time period to release, contrary to tortoises from herbaceous habitats. Although sexes showed similar releasing success, females obtained lower number of direction changes and higher yanking force compared to males, suggesting slightly different liberating strategies between the sexes. For immobilized tortoises without suitable shelter from overheating and dehydration, appropriate behavioural response could be vital, especially during drought years, due to increased physiological stresses. Variability of behavioural patterns among tortoise populations, described in this study, could have an adaptive significance.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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