F-ATPase is a motor protein that couples the rotation of its rotary [Formula: see text] subunit with ATP synthesis or hydrolysis. Single-molecule experiments indicate that nucleotide binding and release events occur almost simultaneously during the synthesis cycle, allowing the energy gain due to spontaneous binding of ADP to one catalytic [Formula: see text] subunit to be directly harnessed for driving the release of ATP from another rather than being dissipated as heat. Here, we examine the unknown mechanism of this coupling that is critical for an exceptionally high mechanochemical efficiency of F-ATPase by means of all-atom free-energy simulations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe rate of progression of geomorphological phenomena is greatly influenced by freeze-thaw processes. In the face of air temperature increasing over the past few decades, a question of the future impact of these processes arises, notably in the temperate and cold climate zones. Using the mean, maximum and minimum daily air temperature data in the period 1951-2018 obtained from three weather stations located in the vicinity of Jeziorsko reservoir (central Poland), we have determined the mathematical correlation, described with a polynomial function, between the mean monthly air temperature and the monthly number of freeze-thaw days (FTD).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this study was to test the accuracy of ultrasonography performed by gynecological oncologists for the preoperative assessment of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) spread in the pelvis and abdominal cavity. A prospective, observational cohort study was performed at a single tertiary cancer care unit. Patients with suspected EOC were recruited and underwent comprehensive transvaginal and abdominal ultrasonography performed by a gynecological oncologist.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Pre-operative discrimination of malignant from benign adnexal masses is crucial for planning additional imaging, preparation, surgery and postoperative care. This study aimed to define key ultrasound and clinical variables and develop a predictive model for calculating preoperative ovarian tumor malignancy risk in a gynecologic oncology referral center. We compared our model to a subjective ultrasound assessment (SUA) method and previously described models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInteract Cardiovasc Thorac Surg
March 2019
Objectives: Pathological tumour, node and metastasis (TNM) stage remains the most significant prognostic factor of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Meanwhile, age, gender, pulmonary function tests, the extent of surgical resection and the presence of concomitant diseases are commonly used to complete the prognostic profile of the patient with early stage of NSCLC. The aim of this study is to assess how the result of a 6-min walk test (6MWT) further assists in predicting the prognosis of NSCLC surgical candidates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF