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This paper presents a method for modeling the dynamic properties of steel-polymer concrete beams, the basic structural components of machine tools, assembly lines, vibratory machines, and other structures subjected to time-varying loads during operation. The presented method of modeling steel-polymer concrete beams was developed using the finite element method. Three models of beams differing in cross-sectional dimensions showed high agreement with experimental data relative error in the case of natural frequencies did not exceed 5% (2.2% on average), the models were characterized by the full agreement of mode shapes and high agreement of frequency response functions with the results of experimental tests. Additionally, the developed beam models supported the reliable description of complex structures, as demonstrated on a spatial frame, obtaining a relative error for natural frequencies of less than 3% (on average 1.7%). Full agreement with the mode shapes and high agreement with the frequency response functions were achieved in the analyzed frequency range.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, inflammatory disease of the joints and surrounding tissues. RA manifests itself with severe joint pain, articular inflammation, and oxidative stress. RA is associated with certain types of cancer. We have assumed that RA patients’ increased susceptibility to cancer may be linked with genomic instability induced by impaired DNA repair and sensitivity to DNA damaging agents. The aim of this work was to analyze the sensitivity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from RA patients to DNA damaging agents tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH), bleomycin, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and calculate the repair efficiency. TBH induce oxidative DNA lesions repaired mainly by base excision repair (BER). Bleomycin induced mainly DNA double-strand breaks repaired by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination repair (HRR). selleck chemicals We included 20 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 20 healthy controls and used an alkaline version of the comet assay with modification to measure sensitivity to DNA damaging agents and DNA repair efficiency. We found an increased number of DNA breaks and alkali-labile sites in the RA patients compared to those in the controls. Exposure to DNA damaging agents evoked the same increased damage in both groups, but we observed statistically higher PMBC sensitivity to TBH, MMS, bleomycin as well as UV. Examination of the repair kinetics of both groups revealed that the DNA lesions induced by TBH and bleomycin were more efficiently repaired in the controls than in the patients. These data suggest impaired DNA repair in RA patients, which may accelerate PBMC aging and/or lead to higher cancer incidence among RA patients.The recent availability of a high-throughput milk analyzer performing a partial differential somatic cell count (DSCC) opened new opportunities in investigations on bovine udder health. This analyzer has a potential limitation on the accuracy of measurements when the somatic cell count (SCC) is below 50,000 cells/mL, values characterizing a good proportion of lactating cows in many herds. We obtained data for cows below this threshold, assessed the repeatability of these measurements and investigated the relationship between DSCC and udder health, milk composition and yield. Overall, 3022 cow milk test records performed on a Fossomatic™ 7/DC (Foss A/S, Hillerød, Denmark) were considered; 901 of them had an SCC ≤ 50,000 cells/mL. These latter samples were analyzed by qPCR to identify the presence of bacteria. Overall, 20.75% of the samples (187) were positive. However, the health status did not have any significant association with DSCC. The analysis of the association of DSCC on milk fat, protein and casein showed a significant decrease in their proportions as the DSCC increased, whereas it was not observed for milk yield and lactose. Therefore, DSCC in very low SCC cows may be suggested as a marker to identify early changes in milk composition.Lactobacillus plantarum ZJUFT17 (T17) is a potential probiotic bacterium isolated from Chinese traditional sourdough. The purpose of this study was to investigate its weight-reducing effects in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and further to elucidate possible mechanisms. Male C57BL/6J mice fed HFD were given T17 (2-4×108 cfu) intragastrically for 10 weeks. The results showed that the administration of T17 significantly suppressed HFD-induced body weight gain, alleviated HFD-induced increase in serum lipids and decreased energy intake. The serum levels of obesity-related metabolic signaling molecules, including insulin, adiponectin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, were markedly improved. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that T17 administration dramatically modulated the gut microbiota, suppressing pathogenic and pro-inflammatory microbes and stimulating the microbes favoring anti-obesity. The weight-reducing efficacy of T17 may be explained by its ability to ameliorate systemic inflammation and insulin resistance mediated by gut microbiota. This study revealed that T17 could ameliorate obesity and the concomitant metabolic syndrome in mice and that the lactic acid bacteria in the sourdough ecosystem may also possess anti-obesity/weight-reducing properties.Periodontal diseases are caused by bacterial infection and may progress to chronic dental disease; severe inflammation may result in bone loss. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent bacterial infection or control inflammation. Periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) are responsible for the maintenance of tissue integrity and immune and inflammatory events in periodontal diseases. The formation of bacterial complexes by Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis is crucial in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. F. nucleatum is a facultative anaerobic species, considered to be a key mediator of dental plaque maturation and aggregation of other oral bacteria. P. gingivalis is an obligate anaerobic species that induces gingival inflammation by secreting virulence factors. In this study, we investigated whether Osmunda japonica extract exerted anti-inflammatory effects in primary PDLFs stimulated by oral pathogens. PDLFs were stimulated with F. nucleatum or P. gingivalis. We showed that pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6 and IL-8) expression was induced by LPS or bacterial infection but decreased by treatment with O.