55 research outputs found
100 Years after the death of Vincentas Svirskis’: new discoveries of his creative work revealed
No full textVincas Svirskis – žymiausias savamokslis Vidurio Lietuvos dievdirbys ir kryždirbys. 2015 m. buvo minimos šio garsaus lietuvių liaudies skulptoriaus 180-osios gimimo metinės, 2016-aisiais – mirties šimtmečio sukaktis. 1966 m pasirodė pirmoji išsami kultūros tyrinėtojos Irenos Kostkevičiūtės studija apie kryždirbio gyvenimą ir kūrybą – „Vincas Svirskas“. Knygoje autorė atskleidė liaudies kūrėjo asmenybę, aptarė originalią paminklų, sodybose, pakelėse, kapinėse stovinčių kryžių meninę formą, perteikė išsamų kūrybos vaizdą, publikavo liaudies meistro kūrinių nuotraukas ir paskelbė žemėlapį, kuriame pažymėtos 63 žinomų jo kurtų paminklų stovėjimo vietos. Daugiausia jų pastatyta Kėdainių ir Panevėžio apylinkėse, abipus Nevėžio esančiuose kaimuose, taip pat Kauno, Raseinių, Radviliškio apylinkėse. Tačiau kai kurie kūriniai tuo metu buvo nežinomi. Straipsnyje nagrinėjami neseniai atrasti V. Svirskio darbai, saugomi Panevėžio, Kėdainių apylinkių bažnyčiose. Teigiama, kad jis užsiėmė ne vien kryždirbyste, bet drožė ir angelų, šventųjų skulptūras bei Nukryžiuotuosius bažnyčių altoriams bei interjerams, katafalkų ir procesijų kryžius. Šių darbų meninė raiška atspindi meistro skulptūriniams kryžiams, koplytstulpiams būdingus bruožus, savitą, individualų ir nepakartojamą meninį stilių. Bažnyčioms sukurtos V. Svirskio skulptūros, į kurias jo tyrinėtojai neatkreipė dėmesio ir kurios iki šiol buvo neskelbtos ir nežinomos, leidžia geriau pažinti liaudies menininko kūrybinį palikimą, naujai įvertinti jo darbų paplitimą, patikslinti kūrybinę biografiją. Reikšminiai žodžiai: Dievdirbiai; Kryždirbys; Kryžiai; Medžio drožiniai; Religinio pobūdžio skulptūra; Skulptūra; Unikalus stilius; Vincas Svirskis; Craftsmen; Croses; Crosscrafter; Lithuania; Religious sculpture; Sculpture; Unique artistic style; Vincas Svirskis; Wood carvingsVincas Svirskis is the most prominent self-taught god-carver and crosscrafter of Lithuania. In 2015 the 180th birth anniversary of the famous Lithuanian folk sculptor was commemorated and 2016 marked 100 years after his death. The first comprehensive monograph about the cross-crafter’s life and work appeared in 1966 by cultural researcher Irena Kostkevičiūtė who published the study “Vincas Svirskis”. The author revealed the folks artist’s personality, discussed artistic form of artworks standing in farmsteads, on roadsides, in cemeteries, gave detailed analysis of Svirskis’ artworks with photos of the folk master’s works, and published a map of his best-known monuments. Most of them were built in the surrounding areas of Kėdainiai and Panevėžys, also in surrounding areas of Kaunas, Raseiniai and Radviliškis. However, some artworks were not known at the time. These recently discovered artworks of Svirskis, preserved in Panevėžys and Kėdainiai district churches, were studied by the author of this article. She claims that, in addition to cross-crafting, Svirskis also carved angels, saints, crucifixions for altars of churches and their interiors, as well as crosses for hearses and processions. Artistic expression of these artworks reflects characteristic features of sculptor’s masterpieces, individual and unique artistic styles. There are no researches on Svirskis’ church sculptures. Analysing them allows getting a better understanding of creative heritage of the folk artist, as well as re-evaluating spread of his artworks and revising his biography
Work of Vincas Svirskis in publications released by the Lithuanian national museum of art
No full text2021 m. pabaigoje pasirodė Lietuvos nacionalinio dailės muziejaus (LNDM) leidinys „Vinco Svirskio mediniai stebuklai“ anglų kalba.1 2019 m. išleistas lietuviškas leidinys, o vos po dvejų metų – ir angliškas leidimas. Jis šiek tiek papildytas, gaila, kad tituliniame puslapyje tai nenurodyta. Lietuvišką leidinį prieš pat pandemijos suvaržymus dar spėta pristatyti visuomenei 2020 m. Vilniaus knygų mugėje. Jis taip pat sulaukė ir recenzijos kultūrinėje spaudoje. Šiais dviem solidžiais leidiniais ne tik Lietuvos, bet ir pasaulio skaitytojams pristatomas vienas iškiliausių lietuvių dievdirbių ir kryždirbių Vincas Svirskis (1835–1916), kurio kūryba nepaliauja stebinti ir meno žinovų, ir daugumos žiūrovų, kurie pamato V. Svirskio kūrinius muziejuose ar išvysta leidiniuose. Nesuklysiu sakydama, kad V. Svirskį žino visi, kurie domisi etninės kultūros paveldu, tautodaile, o dažnai ir su šiomis sritimis nesusiję asmenys.2019 saw the release of a LNMA publication Vinco Svirskio mediniai stebuklai (editor Margarita Matulytė); at the end of 2021 an English version was also published (Vincas Svirskis’ Wooden Miracles). These two significant books present to readers in Lithuania and abroad one of the most prominent Lithuanian god carvers and cross carvers – Vincas Svirskis (1835–1916). The author of the Lithuanian preface was the former long-serving director of the Lithuanian Art Museum Romualdas Budrys, while the English version has a preface by Dr Margarita Matulytė. There is also a reflection on Svirskis’ work by cultural researcher Viktorija Daujotytė, the text by Margarita Matulytė revealed the temporal context, the issue of heritage protection of these works and problems associated with their attribution and identification was also raised (S. Urbonienė). The other significant part of these publications was made up of a digest of the still-surviving legacy of Svirskis’ work found in various institutions and in private collections, complete with photographs and descriptions and a topographic map. The visual account presented in the books takes readers from the authentic surroundings of Svirskis’ crosses to the memory institutions some are found in today, comprehensively presenting one of the most authentic and distinctive Lithuanian folk artists
The role of pharmacist in diagnostics and prevention of tumors in Latvia and world
No full textMaģistra darbā tiek analizēta ļaundabīgo veidojumu izplatība Latvijā un pasaulē, to optimālās ārstēšanas metodes (ķirurģiskās un farmakoloģiskās), izmantojot Latvijā esošās klīniskās vadlīnijas onkoģinekoloģijā. Tiek noskaidroti profilakses paņēmieni, agrīnās diagnostikas metodes un ārstēšanas iespējas.
Darba teorētiskajā daļā autore analizē pieejamo teorētisko literatūru un statistiskas datus.
Materiālu un metožu nodaļā darba autore apraksta izmantotās pētījumu metodes.
Rezultātu nodaļā tiek apkopoti un analizēti pieejamie statistikas dati no SPKC un NVD par to, cik daudz sieviešu laika posmā no 2009. gada līdz 2013. gada novembrim izmantoja iespēju veikt dzemdes kakla vēža profilaktisko pārbaudi valsts apmaksātās programmas ietvaros, kā arī analizēti dati par šī skrīninga rezultātiem.
Apkopojot secinājumus, darba autore izstrādā priekšlikumus, kā palielināt farmaceitu lomu slimības profilaksē.Master's thesis analyzes the spread of tumors is Latvian and the world, the optimal method of treatment (surgical and pharmacological) with Latvian existing clinical guidelines oncologycal ginekology. It is cleared prevention methods, early diagnostic methods and treatment options.
The theoretical part the author analyzes the available theoretical literature and statistical data.
Materials and methods section, the author describes the research methods.
Results section, the author summarized and analyzed statistical data available from SPKC and NSA about how many women during the period of the 2009th year to November 2013 was used to carry out cervical cancer preventive testing state-funded program, as well as analysis of data on the screening results.
To sum up the conclusion, the author propose how to increase the role of pharmacists in the prevention
Human herpesvirus-6 and-7 in the brain microenvironment of persons with neurological pathology and healthy people
No full textFunding Information: This research was supported by the Latvian Council of Science Grant Nr.478/2012 and fundamental and applied research project of the Latvian Council of Science LZP-2020/2-0069. The authors would like to thank Svetlana Chapenko for nPCR data curation, and Silvija Roga, certified pathologist, and Ojars Teteris certified pathologist, for collecting of study material. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.During persistent human beta-herpesvirus (HHV) infection, clinical manifestations may not appear. However, the lifelong influence of HHV is often associated with pathological changes in the central nervous system. Herein, we evaluated possible associations between immunoex-pression of HHV-6,-7, and cellular immune response across different brain regions. The study aimed to explore HHV-6,-7 infection within the cortical lobes in cases of unspecified encephalo-pathy (UEP) and nonpathological conditions. We confirmed the presence of viral DNA by nPCR and viral antigens by immunohistochemistry. Overall, we have shown a significant increase (p < 0.001) of HHV antigen expression, especially HHV-7 in the temporal gray matter. Although HHV-infected neurons were found notably in the case of HHV-7, our observations suggest that higher (p < 0.001) cell tropism is associated with glial and endothelial cells in both UEP group and controls. HHV-6, predominantly detected in oligodendrocytes (p < 0.001), and HHV-7, predominantly detected in both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes (p < 0.001), exhibit varying effects on neural homeostasis. This indicates a high number (p < 0.001) of activated microglia observed in the temporal lobe in the UEP group. The question remains of whether human HHV contributes to neurological diseases or are markers for some aspect of the disease process.Peer reviewe
Curcumin effect on copper transport in HepG2 cells
No full textFunding Information: Acknowledgments: The authors appreciate the support and advice of Uldis Berkis. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from EU 7th Framework program project “Unlocking infectious disease research potential at R¯ıga Stradin,š University” (BALTINFECT) (grant agreement No. 316275). Publisher Copyright: © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Copyright: Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background and Objective: In Wilson’s disease, copper metabolism is impaired due to defective copper transporting protein ATP7B, resulting in copper accumulation in liver and brain and causing damage to liver and brain tissues. Published data suggest that one of the possible treatments for Wilson’s disease is curcumin—a compound found in the root of Curcuma longa. In this study, we tested whether curcumin affects copper transport and excretion in HepG2 hepatocytes carrying wildtype ATP7B. Materials and Methods: We examined the impact of 5 µM and 25 µM curcumin on the transport of copper in HepG2 cells incubated with 20 µM and 100 µM CuCl2, as well as copper excretion from cells. First, immunofluorescent staining and co-localization analysis were carried out in HepG2 cells using confocal laser scanning microscope and Nikon NIS Elements software. Second, a concentration of copper extracted into cell culture medium was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The analysis of the co-localization between Golgi complex and ATP7B revealed that both 5 µM and 25 µM doses of curcumin improve the ability of liver cells to transport copper to plasma membrane at 20 µM CuCl2, but not at 100 µM CuCl2 concentration. However, atomic absorption spectrometry showed that curcumin rather promotes copper absorption into liver cell line HepG2 than excretion of it. Conclusions: Curcumin accelerates the transport of copper within liver cells, but does not promote copper excretion from HepG2 cells.Peer reviewe
Evidence of Human Parvovirus B19 Infection in the Post-Mortem Brain Tissue of the Elderly
No full textAfter primary exposure, the human parvovirus B19 (B19V) genome may remain in the central nervous system (CNS), establishing a lifelong latency. The structural characteristics and functions of the infected cells are essential for the virus to complete its life cycle. Although B19V has been detected in the brain tissue by sequencing PCR products, little is known about its in vivo cell tropism and pathogenic potential in the CNS. To detect B19V and investigate the distribution of its target cells in the CNS, we studied brain autopsies of elderly subjects using molecular virology, and optical and electron microscopy methods. Our study detected B19V in brain tissue samples from both encephalopathy and control groups, suggesting virus persistence within the CNS throughout the host’s lifetime. It appears that within the CNS, the main target of B19V is oligodendrocytes. The greatest number of B19V-positive oligodendrocytes was found in the white matter of the frontal lobe. The number was significantly lower in the gray matter of the frontal lobe (p = 0.008) and the gray and white matter of the temporal lobes (p < 0.0001). The morphological changes observed in the encephalopathy group, propose a possible B19V involvement in the demyelination process
Exploring the Joint Potential of Inflammation, Immunity, and Receptor-Based Biomarkers for Evaluating ME/CFS Progression
No full textCopyright © 2023 Berkis, Svirskis, Krumina, Gravelsina, Vilmane, Araja, Nora-Krukle and Murovska.Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating chronic condition with no identified diagnostic biomarkers to date. Its prevalence is as high as 0.89% according to metastudies, with a quarter of patients bed- or home-bound, which presents a serious public health challenge. Investigations into the inflammation-immunity axis is encouraged by links to outbreaks and disease waves. Recently, research of our group revealed that antibodies to beta2-adrenergic (anti-β2AdR) and muscarinic acetylcholine (anti-M4) receptors demonstrate sensitivity to the progression of ME/CFS. The purpose of this study is to investigate the joint potential of inflammatome - characterized by interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-21, Il-23, IL-6, IL-17A, Activin-B, immunome (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgM, IgA) and receptor-based biomarkers (anti-M3, anti-M4, anti-β2AdR) determined -, for evaluating ME/CFS progression, and to identify an optimal selection for future validation in prospective clinical studies. Methods: A dataset was used originating from 188 persons, including 54 healthy controls, 30 patients classified as "mild" by severity, 73 as "moderate," and 31 as "severe," clinically assessed by Fukuda/CDC 1994 and International consensus criteria. Markers characterizing inflammatome, immunome, and receptor-based biomarkers were determined in blood plasma via ELISA and multiplex methods. Statistical analysis was done via correlation analysis, principal component, and linear discriminant analysis, and random forest classification; inter-group differences tested via nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis H test followed by the two-stage linear step-up procedure of Benjamini, Krieger, and Yekutieli, and via Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The association between inflammatome and immunome markers is broader and stronger (coupling) in severe group. Principal component factoring separate components affiliated with inflammatome, immunome, and receptor biomarkers. Random forest modeling demonstrates an out-of-box accuracy for splitting healthy/with condition groups of over 90%, and of 45% for healthy/severity groups. Classifiers with the highest potential are anti-β2AdR, anti-M4, IgG4, IL-2, and IL-6. Discussion: Association between inflammatome and immunome markers is a candidate for controlled clinical study of ME/CFS progression markers that could be used for treatment individualization. Thus, coupling effects between inflammation and immunity have a potential for the identification of prognostic factors in the context of ME/CFS progression mechanism studies.Peer reviewe
Human Herpesvirus 6 Activates NF-κB Signalling and CD163-Positive Macrophage Recruitment in Alcohol-Induced Hepatic Injury
No full textHuman herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) establishes lifelong latency in immune cells and may contribute to the progression of ethanol-induced liver injury. To elucidate the contribution of HHV-6 to alcohol-induced hepatic injury, this study evaluated HHV-6 protein expression, NF-κB signalling, and CD163-positive macrophage recruitment in liver samples from control subjects, young individuals with recent alcohol exposure, and individuals with long-term chronic alcohol use. Liver lobules displaying HHV-6 positivity were more frequent in alcohol users (64% in young and 72% in chronic users) compared to controls (48%). CD163-positive macrophage counts were higher in both young and chronic alcohol users compared to controls, with the greatest increase in HHV-6-positive chronic users. NF-κB expression intensity was elevated in alcohol users (p < 0.005), and further increased in HHV-6-positive samples (p = 0.02). These findings indicate an association between HHV-6 persistence, NF-κB pathway activation, and CD163-positive macrophage-driven inflammatory responses in liver tissue under conditions of chronic alcohol use. Further research is warranted to uncover the mechanisms underlying the interaction between HHV-6 and ethanol in liver injury
Bifurcations of emergent bursting in a neuronal network
No full textComplex neuronal networks are an important tool to help explain paradoxical phenomena observed in biological recordings. Here we present a general approach to mathematically tackle a complex neuronal network so that we can fully understand the underlying mechanisms. Using a previously developed network model of the milk-ejection reflex in oxytocin cells, we show how we can reduce a complex model with many variables and complex network topologies to a tractable model with two variables, while retaining all key qualitative features of the original model. The approach enables us to uncover how emergent synchronous bursting can arise from a neuronal network which embodies known biological features. Surprisingly, the bursting mechanisms are similar to those found in other systems reported in the literature, and illustrate a generic way to exhibit emergent and multiple time scale oscillations at the membrane potential level and the firing rate level
Presence of B19V in Patients with Thyroid Gland Disorders
No full textBackground and Objectives: Viral infections are frequently cited as a major environmental factor implicated in thyroid gland diseases. This work aimed to estimate the presence of B19V infection in patients with thyroid gland disorders. Materials and Methods: Thyroid gland tissue and blood samples of 50 patients with autoimmune thyroid gland diseases (AITDs), 76 patients with non-autoimmune thyroid gland diseases (non-AITDs), and 35 deceased subjects whose histories did not show any autoimmune or thyroid diseases (control group) were enrolled in the study. Virus-specific IgM and IgG were detected using ELISA, and the presence and viral load of B19V in the tissue and blood were detected using PCRs. Results: B19V IgG antibodies were detected in 35/50 AITDs patients and in 51/76 non-AITDs patients, and B19V IgM antibodies were detected in 1/50 patients with AITDs and in none of the 76 patients with non-AITDs. The B19V NS sequence was found in the tissue DNA of 10/50 patients with AITDs, in 30/76 with non-AITDs, and in 1/35 control group individuals. The median B19V load in the tissue of patients with AITDs and non-AITDs was 423.00 copies/µg DNA (IQR: 22.50–756.8) and 43.00 copies/µg DNA (IQR: 11.50–826.5), respectively. The viral load in one of the 35 nPCR B19V-positive thyroid tissue samples from the deceased subjects was 13.82 copies/µg DNA. The viral load in the tissue of patients with AITDs was higher than in whole blood, which possibly indicates B19V persistency in thyrocytes (p = 0.0076). Conclusion: The fact that the genoprevalence of B19V NS was significantly higher in patients with non-AITDs compared to the control group and in the thyroid gland tissue of patients with AITDs, and that the non-AITDs viral load was higher than in tissue derived from the control group individuals, suggest the possibility that B19V infection could be involved in the development of thyroid gland diseases
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