Radiation is an important modality for cervical and upper-thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Delineating the lymph node clinical target volume (CTVn) for EC remains a challenging task. The present paper retrospectively analyzes the distribution of affected lymph nodes of cervical and upper thoracic ESCC on CT images to provide a reference for determination of CTVn. The cases of untreated cervical or upper-thoracic ESCC patients with regional lymph node metastases at diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed. CT scans were done to assess the extent of circumferential involvement and the local-regional lymph node status. Based on the CT criteria (cervical, mediastinal and upper abdominal lymph nodes were considered to be positive for malignancy when they were larger than 8-12 mm in short-axis diameter according to different station respectively). Detailed lymph node stations were recorded for every case and the distribution information of loco-regional node metastasis for these patients was analyzed. A total of 256 patients were diagnosed with node metastasis and qualified for the study, including 206 men and 50 women (age range 37-85 years, median 60). This included 205 upper thoracic cases and 51 of cervical lesion. The length of the primary tumors ranged from 1.0 cm to 9.0 cm, median 4.5 cm. The size of the enlarged lymph nodes ranged from 0.8 to 5.0 cm median 1.4 cm, mean 1.61 cm. The number of involved stations ranged from 1 to 7 median 2. The lymph node stations, with an involved probability of 10% or more, included the upper and middle neck, supraclavicular and lower neck, upper paraesophageal and upper paratracheal area for cervical lesions, and the supraclavicular and lower neck, upper paraesophageal, upper paratracheal, lower paratracheal, aortopulmonary and subcarinal areas for upper thoracic EC, respectively. The mid-upper neck nodes were more likely to be involved in cervical EC than thoracic EC (X 2 test, p=0.000). Fewer cervical EC involved the station 7 nodes than upper thoracic EC(X 2 test, p=0.006), and the supraclavicular nodes were more often involved in cervical lesions than upper thoracic lesions (X 2 test, p=0.029). However, the abdominal nodes showed a similar possibility of involvement (X 2 test, p=0.546). Our data suggest that the periesophageal and supraclavicular stations are the predominant involved areas for cervical and upper EC cases. The neck and upper mediastinal nodal station (above the arcus aortae level) should be electively irradiated for cervical EC and the supraclavicular, upper mediastinal and subcarinal area (station 7) should be included for upper thoracic EC. This study provides complementary data for the CTVn delineation, especially for advanced stage ESCC.

The Balkan millipede genus Serboiulus Strasser, 1962, is reviewed, and a new species, S. kresnik n. sp, isdescribed. The new species differs from all other congeners in a number of gonopod details. The distribution of the species of Serboiulus is mapped and discussed. A new key is provided for all four currently known serboiulid species.

Pseudoscorpions collected from southern Laos, Champasak Province, are described. One new species of the family Chthoniidae Daday 1888 is identified and illustrated under the name of Tyrannochthonius etu sp. nov. Five species belonging to five family are reported from Laos for the first time: Apocheiridium pelagicum (Redikorzev, 1938), Lagynochthonius tonkinensis (Beier, 1951), Geogarypus longidigitatus (Rainbow, 1897), Nhatrangia dawydoffi Redikorzev, 1938, Indolpium funebrum (Redikorzev, 1938).

A novel MDR-type ABC transporter cDNA (designated as Gbmdr1) was cloned and characterized for the first time from the gymnosperm plant species, Ginkgo biloba, using RACE technique. The full-length cDNA of Gbmdr1 was 4275 bp, and it contained a 3840 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 1279 amino acid with a predicted isoelectric point of 8.22 and molecular mass of 139.6 kDa. The deduced GbMDR1 protein consisted of four domains in- cluding two TMDs (74-351, 716-993) and two NBDs (428-607, 1067-1251). The promoter of the Gbmdr1 was also cloned by the Genome Walking method. Sequence analysis demonstrated that there were many regulatory elements in the Gb- mdr1 promoter and the TATA box was located at -52~-56 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site. Sequence alignment and molecular evolution analysis revealed that GbMDR1 was a plant MDR-like ABC transporter protein, and that it has a further relationship with most other MDRs of plant species. Southern blot analysis indicated that Gbmdr1 belonged to a small multi-gene family. Tissue expression analysis indicated that Gbmdr1 expression was high in stems and leaves but low in roots. These results show that GbMDR1 is a MDR-like ABC transporter protein that may be involved in the transport and accumulation of secondary metabolites.

Glucose and glycated hemoglobin (Hb) in the blood of camel (Camelus dromedarius) and cow (Bos taurus) were analyzed and compared with human values. Camel displayed high blood glucose concentration (9.7±2.8 mM) but a low level of glycated-Hb (3.4± 0.23%).Cow blood samples did not show sufficient variations in glucose concentrations (5.7±0.73 mM) or glycated Hb levels (3.2± 0.11%) compared to human values. The low glycation of camel Hb at higher glucose concentrations suggest that certain factors protect the Hb from glycation at high glucose concentrations. Camel Hb also exhibited a higher electrophoretic mobility than normal hemoglobin of human or cow. Camel Hb migrated at a rate corresponding to that of human Hb-C. Bioinformatics tools were used to explore the biochemical basis for the difference in camel Hb migratory position and its apparent resistance to glycation.

A new eyeless false scorpion, Microchthonius elegantissimus n. sp. from inside an underground (cave) system, i.e. Jama Golubinka u Kalaševin Dugin Njivaman Cave (= Kalaševa Jama Pit), Kladnjice, Croatia, is described. This new pseudoscorpion differs from all other congeners. There exists a probability that the new false scorpion belongs to relicts of an old tropical area incorporating the northern subtropical part of the Mediterranean. Morphometric ratios, linear measurements and figures of the taxon are presented in detail.

In 2010-2011, a study of the occurrence of aphids was carried out in three parks in Bydgoszcz, the Balaton Park, the Jan Kochanowski Park and the Park by Unii Lubelskiej. Observations were made every ten days by monitoring trees and shrubs as soon as aphids appeared, i.e. from the end of April to the beginning of August. The counts of aphids were replicated three times, on each plant species where the insects were observed. Based on the collected material, 14 aphid species were found on 16 plant species in the Jan Kochanowski Park, 16 species of aphids on 14 plant species in the Balaton Park and in the Park by Unii Lubelskiej, only 12 species feeding on 16 plant species. In both years of the study, of aphid species feeding on trees and shrubs, Aphis fabae, Aphis sambuci, Aphis spiraephaga and Hyalopterus pruni, occurred most frequently. The Balaton Park was characterized by the largest number of aphids colonizing plants; in contrast, the number of tree and bush species on which they fed was the lowest.

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (?-3 LC-PUFAs) are thought to be important for normal dopaminergic, glutamatergic and serotonergic neurotransmission. Depression is less prevalent in societies with high fish consumption, and depressed patients have significantly lower red blood cell ?-3 levels. Studies with ?-3 supplementation have led to controversial results. A significantly longer remission of bipolar symptomatology has been confirmed from a high-dose DHA and EPA mixture. Greater seafood consumption per capita has been connected with a lower prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorders. Reduced levels of ?-6 and ?-3 PUFAs were found in patients with schizophrenia.

There is little information about the exact trigger mechanisms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in hematolymphoid malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of VEGF in malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), in terms of its immunohistochemical distribution and clinicopathological significance. We evaluated the distribution in tumor cells, macrophages and in non-tumoral cells. VEGF immunoreactivity was esti- mated according to this score: 0 (0% positive cells); 1 ( 30%). Histopathological evaluation revealed 18 cases of diffuse type lymphoma and 3 cases of follicular type lymphoma. VEGF was positive in 95.23% of cases and in one case, VEGF was negative in all cell types. We noticed a significant correlation in VEGF expression between tumor cells and macrophages (p=0,001), tumor cells and non-tumoral cells (p=0,002). In non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the main mecha- nism of angiogenesis seems to be dependent on the VEGF pathway and its expression particularly by stromal cells.

The paper presents environmental conditions and morphological characteristics of pyramidal fir (Abies alba var. pyramidalis) in the locality of Ogorijevac in southwestern Serbia. Pyramidal fir trees grow in three localities in Europe, but only as individual trees. A site of pyramidal fir (Abies alba var. pyramidalis) in the locality of Ogorijevac near the town of Sjenica in Serbia was first studied by Tosic in 1963, who described some characteristics of the locality in which the pyramidal fir occurs and some morphological characteristics of the trees. This paper provides a detailed description of the parent rock, soil, climate characteristics of the locality and morphological characteristics of the trees.