bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PRESENTATION FOR ECS236TH MEETING ON 17 OCT, 11:30AM AT A05-LITHIUM ION BATTERIES
Authors: sharma snigdha
Published: October 2019

This paper presents a unique cheaper battery safety test bench for electrical and mechanical performance evaluation of lithium-ion batteries where mechanical performance is tested using software and electrical characteristic is tested using hardware. In this work, simulation of mechanical performance of lithium-ion battery such as thermal modelling test at various temperature has been carried out using Comsol software, where battery voltage and temperature are monitored as a control input during a drive cycle and state of charge of the battery on the positive (65-80%) and a negative electrode (14-29%) is monitored and triggered as a control output. A hardware test bench has been developed to execute various electrical tests for evaluating battery performance during a discharge cycle. These electrical tests have been carried out on the LabVIEW software to obtain real-time data and display the battery related information such as voltage and current curves. Further, a battery safety test like external short circuit test has been performed and also for improving the battery efficiency capacitors are connected parallelly with varied load condition. Overall, in this exploration, a newly evolved, accurate, affordable battery testing and monitoring system has been developed
Incidental Diagnosis of a Rare Case of Corkscrew Aorta
Authors: Petullà M. , Mazzarella G. , Critelli L. , Paone L. , Laganà D.
Published: October 2019

The corkscrew aorta is a variant of the normal anatomical course of the aorta. This rare condition is characterized by a marked tortuosity of the aorta. In our experience it concerns the tract of subrenal aorta, that is an unusual condition, since there are no other cases in the literature. It is characterized by the presence of at least two kinking, and a coiling interposed among them. It is diagnosed by Angio-CT and its response is incidental, being from an asymptomatic clinical point of view.
Multilevel Collapsibility of Loess under Irrigation in Jinya Town, Gansu Province, China
Authors: Zhang Xiaozhou , Lu Yudong , Li Xin , Lu Yangchun , Sun Jianzhong , Pan Wangsheng
Published: October 2019

The collapsibility of loess has constantly been a major problem in engineering geology. The determination of the collapsibility process and characteristics of loess are crucial to foundation construction and residents’ life in the Loess Plateau. Thus, a large‐scale in situ irrigation collapse experiment was conducted on a 10 m2 test pit. A total of 79 benchmarks are used in this experiment. These benchmarks are divided into three categories, namely, deep‐buried steel pipe benchmarks, ground benchmarks inside the pit, and ground benchmarks outside the pit. The irrigation and observation time spanned 40 days. In the entire irrigation experiment, a three‐day water suspension period resulted in two peaks on the collapsibility velocity curve, thereby showing a remarkable difference in the collapsibility curve from the standard one. In terms of the microstructural deformation types of loess and infiltration process of irrigation water, we found that the collapsibility of loess is a dynamic process apart from being particularly sensitive to water. That is, even after a full collapse of the irrigation process, new pores will eventually form once the water content in the loess begins to decline, thereby providing conditions for another loess collapse. Therefore, multilevel collapsibility can occur during continuous irrigation, which is a problem that has been unexplored in previous applications.
Design and Synthesis of Ag Nanocluster Molecular Beacon for Adenosine Triphosphate Detection
Authors: Li Xiaoshuang , Zhang Hao , Zhao Ying , Lian Lili , Wang Xiyue , Gao Wenxiu , Zhu Bo , Lou Dawei
Published: October 2019

This study presents a fluorescence method for detecting adenosine triphosphate (ATP) based on a label-free Ag nanocluster molecular beacon (MB) with high sensitivity. The sensor contains a hairpin-shaped MB, two short single-stranded DNA strands, and T4 DNA ligase. The MB consists of three parts, which are the template DNA sequence for synthesizing Ag nanoclusters at the 5′ end, the middle DNA with a hairpin-shaped structure, and the guanine base-rich DNA sequence at the 3′ end. The sensor exhibits high fluorescence intensity in the absence of ATP. However, when the probe is used for ATP detection, the two short DNA sequences in the sensor would form a long sequence by enzymatic ligation reaction; this long sequence opens the hairpin-shaped structure of the MB and decreases the fluorescence of the system. Under optimal analytical conditions, a clear linear relationship is observed between ATP concentration and fluorescence intensity in the range of 0.1–10 μM. The interference presented by other small molecules during ATP detection is evaluated, and results confirm the good selectivity of the proposed sensor. Compared with traditional methods, the sensor is label free, easy to operate, inexpensive, and highly sensitive.
Cytotoxic Phenolic Compounds from Fruit Glandular Trichomes of Macaranga tanarius
Authors: Doan Thi Mai Huong , Nguyen Thuy Linh , Trinh Thi Thanh Van , Vu Van Nam , Phi Thi Dao , Litaudon Marc , Roussi Fanny , Chau Van Minh , Pham Van Cuong
Published: October 2019

A new flavonoid, macatanarin D (1), together with five known stilbenes (2-6), was isolated from fruit glandular trichomes of Macaranga tanarius. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods and through comparison with data reported in the literature. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against KB and MCF-7 cell lines. Compounds 3, 4, and 5 showed the strongest activities against both cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 0.03–0.12 μM, and compound 2 only showed a significant cytotoxicity against KB cell line (IC50 = 0.26 μM) and a moderate cytotoxicity against MCF-7 (IC50 = 10.4 μM). Compounds 1 and 6 showed weak cytotoxic activities against KB cell line with IC50 values of 29.3 and 24.7 μM, respectively.
“Wireline + Wireless” Networking Remote Monitoring Technology for Analysing the Unloading Deformation Characteristics of the Fractured Surrounding Rock Mass Induced by Underground Excavation
Authors: Hu Bin , Sheng Jianlong , Li Jing , Pan Peng-Zhi , Zhang Guangquan , Ye Zuyang
Published: October 2019

Collapse or large deformation of fractured surrounding rock mass occurs frequently in underground tunnelling and results in many casualties and extensive property damage. This paper proposed a new type of remote telemetry system for monitoring the mechanical responses of underground tunnels during unloading. This system adopted both wired and wireless networking schemes, including a signal collection and transmission subsystem, a management analysis subsystem, and a remote receiving subsystem, in the tunnels. The application of this new approach in a subway tunnel indicated that the complete unloading performance of a surrounding rock mass can be captured in real time and high frequency using this method, recording the deformation of the surrounding rock, the stress in the bolts, and the stress in the shotcrete between the surrounding rock and steel arch. The in situ experimental study also found that deformation of the fractured surrounding rock mass in the Dashizi Tunnel showed a step‐like fluctuating growth pattern. Additionally, the mechanical response of the surrounding rock mass during unloading tended to stabilize when the opening face was approximately 35 m away from the monitoring section, providing new ways to optimize the excavation process and support measure.
A Unique Case of IGF-2 Induced Hypoglycemia Associated with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Rana Prachi , Kim Brian
Published: October 2019

Tumor-induced hypoglycemia (TIH) associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) results from tumor production of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2), resulting in recurrent hypoglycemia. Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2), or pro-insulin-like growth factor 2 (pro-IGF-2) are required for the diagnosis. However, due to the limited availability of testing in many laboratories, this condition is often overlooked. As this condition is often overlooked, prompt recognition and implementation of tumor directed therapies and/or systemic therapies can help mitigate the consequences of hypoglycemia. We present a 38-year-old man with advanced multifocal HCC who presented with abdominal pain and was found to have recurrent symptomatic hypoglycemia. Evaluation revealed elevated levels of IGF-2, suggesting a diagnosis of HCC with production of IGF-2.
Rs4846049 Polymorphism at the 3′-UTR of MTHFR Gene: Association with Susceptibility to Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Li Xiaolei , Zhang Shunguo , Yu Feng
Published: October 2019

Background. Accumulating evidence has suggested the polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) were associated with susceptibility to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, the known conclusions of currently known polymorphic loci (677 C > T and 1298 A > C) remain controversial. This study was to investigate new genetic biomarkers for ALL by analyzing the MTHFR polymorphisms at the 3′-untranslated region, which is a location bound by miRNAs. Methods. Polymorphisms of rs4846049 (miR-555 binding) were assessed by PCR amplification and direct sequencing in 110 ALL patients and 105 healthy controls. The relative expression of MTHFR was detected by qRT-PCR. Results. Overall, genotype distribution or allele carrier frequencies were not significantly different between patients with ALL and healthy controls (P>0.05). Subgroup analysis results showed that T allele (OR = 0.134, 95% CI = 0.028–0.639; P=0.005) or genotypes with T allele (TT + GT) (OR = 0.133, 95% CI: 0.024–0.727; P=0.017) may be a protective factor for ALL susceptibility in patients with age >8 years. This conclusion was also true for the group only focusing on the precursor B-cell ALL patients. Furthermore, karyotype abnormality was more commonly observed in patients with the GG genotype (56.0%) compared to carriers of TT (0%) or GT (40.6%) genotypes, while c-myc break frequency was significantly higher in TT carriers (33%) than that of patients with GT (3.1%) or GG (0%) genotypes. PCR analysis showed patients carrying the GG genotype of rs4846049 exhibited the reduced mRNA expression of MTHFR. Conclusion. MTHFR rs4846049 polymorphism may be associated with increased risk of childhood with ALL and MTHFR mRNA expression.
Losartan Reverses Hippocampal Increase of Kynurenic Acid in Type 1 Diabetic Rats: A Novel Procognitive Aspect of Sartan Action
Authors: Chmiel-Perzyńska Iwona , Perzyński Adam , Olajossy Bartosz , Gil-Kulik Paulina , Kocki Janusz , Urbańska Ewa M.
Published: October 2019

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 1 and 2 are at a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia; however, the underlying pathology is poorly understood. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), endogenous kynurenine metabolite, displays pleiotropic effects, including a blockade of glutamatergic and cholinergic receptors. Apart from well-known glial origin, kynurenic acid is robustly synthesized in the endothelium and its serum levels correlate with homocysteine, a risk factor for cognitive decline. Studies in an experimental DM model suggest that a selective, hippocampal increase of the kynurenic acid level may be an important factor contributing to diabetes-related cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of chronic, four-week administration of losartan, angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), on the brain KYNA in diabetic rats. Chromatographic and rt-PCR techniques were used to measure the level of KYNA and the expression of genes encoding kynurenine aminotransferases, KYNA biosynthetic enzymes, in the hippocampi of rats with streptozotocin-induced DM, treated with losartan. The effect of losartan on KYNA synthesis de novo was also evaluated in vitro, in brain cortical slices. The hippocampal increase of KYNA content occurred in diabetic rats treated and nontreated with insulin. Losartan did not affect KYNA levels when administered per se to naïve or diabetic animals but normalized KYNA content in diabetic rats receiving concomitantly insulin. The expression of CCBL1 (kat 1), AADAT (kat 2), and KAT3 (kat 3) genes did not differ between analyzed groups. Low concentrations of losartan did not affect KYNA production in vitro. The neuroprotective effect of ARBs in diabetic individuals may be, at least partially, linked to modulation of KYNA metabolism. The ability of ARB to modulate synthesis of KYNA in diabetic brain does not seem to result from changed expression of genes encoding KATs. We propose possible involvement of angiotensin AT4 receptors in the observed action of losartan.
Isolated Crohn’s Disease of the Appendix Presenting as Acute Appendicitis in a 60-Year-Old South Asian Female: A Case Report, Review of Literature, and Follow-Up Recommendations
Authors: Gnanaselvam Pamathy , Weerakoon Dhanushka N. , Wijayasuriya W. A. M. , Mohottala Vishva Samidi , Sinhakumara B. M. E. S. , Jayarajah Umesh , Banagala Anura S. K.
Published: October 2019

The isolated appendiceal Crohn’s disease without preceding bowel symptoms is a rare phenomenon, especially in older patients. In this case report, we present a 60-year-old female with isolated appendiceal Crohn’s disease presenting with acute appendicitis. She presented with classical features of appendicitis with elevated inflammatory markers. She underwent an appendectomy which showed an excessively swollen, oedematous, and reddish appendix with swelling extending to the base of the caecum. Histological evaluation was suggestive of Crohn’s disease, and subsequent colonoscopy was unremarkable. Following appendectomy, she was asymptomatic without any recurrence of disease. The atypical morphological appearance of the appendix should raise suspicion of Crohn’s disease. This case highlights the importance of histopathological analysis of the specimen, especially in abnormal clinical findings. The prognosis of such patients seems to be good, and additional treatment is rarely needed.
Study on Dynamic Service Migration Strategy with Energy Optimization in Mobile Edge Computing
Authors: Hu Jintian , Wang Gaocai , Xu Xiaotong , Lu Yuting
Published: October 2019

In the mobile edge computing (MEC) platform, tasks that are being performed often change due to mobile device migration. In order to improve the energy utilization of the MEC platform and the migration process of the mobile terminal and to ensure effective and continuous operation of services, dynamic service migration strategy with energy optimization is required. Aiming at the problem of energy consumption optimization of dynamic service migration with the far-near effect in mobile networks, this article proposes a dynamic service migration strategy with energy optimization, which ensures the performance requirements of the service by considering the minimum energy cost of the relevant equipment during the dynamic migration process. First, by analyzing the relationship between migration distance and equipment transmit power, the energy consumption model associated with the migration distance is established. Then, according to the task dynamic service migration scenario, the dynamic service migration energy consumption model is constructed, so as to obtain the reward function for migrating energy consumption. Finally, the dynamic service migration strategy with energy optimization is realized through the optimal migration energy consumption expectation, which is obtained by the optimal stopping theory. The experimental results show that the optimization strategy proposed in this article can effectively reduce the energy consumption of dynamic service migration in different simulation environments and can improve the dynamic migration performance.
Rare Mutations in AHDC1 in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Yang Song , Li Kun , Zhu Miao-Miao , Yuan Xian-Dao , Jiao Xiao-Lu , Yang Yun-Yun , Li Juan , Li Linyi , Zhang Hui-Na , Du Yun-Hui , Wei Yong-Xiang , Qin Yan-Wen
Published: October 2019

Objectives. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Mutations ofAT-hook DNA-binding motif containing 1 (AHDC1)gene have been implicated which could cause rare syndromes presenting OSA. This study aims to investigate some rare mutations ofAHDC1in Chinese Han individuals with OSA.Patients and Methods. Three hundred and seventy-five patients with OSA and one hundred and nine control individuals underwent polysomnography. A targeted sequencing experiment was taken in 100 patients with moderate-to-severe OSA, and genotyping was taken in 157 moderate-to-severe OSA and 100 control individuals. The effect of mutations was validated by the luciferase reporter assay.Results. One rare missense mutation (AHDC1: p.G1484D) and two mutations (c.-88C>T; c.-781C>G) in 5′-untranslated region (UTR) ofAHDC1were identified. The rare mutation (c.-781C>G) in 5′-UTR that was identified in several patients presenting more severe clinical manifestations affects expression ofAHDC1. Conclusions. Our results revealed three rare mutations ofAHDC1in patients with OSA in Chinese Hanindividuals.
A Case Report Illustrating the Postoperative Course of Descemetorhexis without Endothelial Keratoplasty with Topical Netarsudil Therapy
Authors: Ploysangam Pimpiroon , Patel Sangita P.
Published: October 2019

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the most common indication for corneal transplantation in the United States. Recently, descemetorhexis without endothelial keratoplasty (DWEK) or Descemet’s stripping only (DSO) has become an attractive alternative to corneal transplantation for these patients. DSO circumvents the challenges associated with cadaveric donor corneal transplantation by tapping into the potential of the patient’s own corneal endothelium to repair defects. Outcomes have been variable with emerging knowledge on predictive factors for success. Our case describes a 51-year-old patient with visually significant confluent central guttae from FECD who underwent a successful DSO with immediate post-operative use of the Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor (netarsudil). We report the preoperative and post-operative slit lamp images, specular microscopy data, and corneal topography, thickness, and densitometry data. These represent a unique data set for this new surgical treatment option for FECD. Despite a small descemetorhexis, we show the improvement in corneal thickness and opacity extends beyond the boundaries of the descemetorhexis. Early initiation of a ROCK inhibitor was a successful treatment for this patient.
Gene Selection via a New Hybrid Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm for Cancer Classification in High-Dimensional Data
Authors: Bir-Jmel Ahmed , Douiri Sidi Mohamed , Elbernoussi Souad
Published: October 2019

The recent advance in the microarray data analysis makes it easy to simultaneously measure the expression levels of several thousand genes. These levels can be used to distinguish cancerous tissues from normal ones. In this work, we are interested in gene expression data dimension reduction for cancer classification, which is a common task in most microarray data analysis studies. This reduction has an essential role in enhancing the accuracy of the classification task and helping biologists accurately predict cancer in the body; this is carried out by selecting a small subset of relevant genes and eliminating the redundant or noisy genes. In this context, we propose a hybrid approach (MWIS-ACO-LS) for the gene selection problem, based on the combination of a new graph-based approach for gene selection (MWIS), in which we seek to minimize the redundancy between genes by considering the correlation between the latter and maximize gene-ranking (Fisher) scores, and a modified ACO coupled with a local search (LS) algorithm using the classifier 1NN for measuring the quality of the candidate subsets. In order to evaluate the proposed method, we tested MWIS-ACO-LS on ten well-replicated microarray datasets of high dimensions varying from 2308 to 12600 genes. The experimental results based on ten high-dimensional microarray classification problems demonstrated the effectiveness of our proposed method.
Experimental Study on Seismic Response of a Large‐Span and Column‐Free Subway Station in Composite Strata
Authors: Liu Tingjin , Zheng Siyuan , Tang Xinwei , Xu Weixing
Published: October 2019

In this paper, a shaking table test was conducted to investigate the seismic response of the large‐span and column‐free subway station in the upper‐soft and lower‐hard strata. The acceleration of the structure and the soil, the dynamic soil pressure, and the strain response of the subway station were obtained and analyzed. The results demonstrate the reasonable test design as the boundary effect was eliminated. The seismic response of the structure and soil became more severe as the acceleration amplitude of the input motion increased. It is indicated that possible shear damage of the soil and irreversible plastic deformation of the structure might have occurred as the test proceeded. The soft clay had a greater effect on the structure than that of the artificial rock. For the model structure, the tensile strain amplitude in the support region was larger than that in the midspan region. The support regions of the roof slab, lateral wall, and middle slab were the vulnerable components of the model structure during earthquakes.
The Role of MicroRNA in Paediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: Challenges for Diagnosis and Therapy
Authors: Grobbelaar Carle , Ford Anthony M.
Published: October 2019

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common cancer of childhood. Although the overall survival of children with ALL is now more than 90%, leukaemia remains one of the leading causes of death from disease. In developed countries, the overall survival of patients with ALL has increased to more than 80%; however, those children cured from ALL still show a significant risk of short- and long-term complications as a consequence of their treatment. Accordingly, there is a need not only to develop new methods of diagnosis and prognosis but also to provide patients with less toxic therapies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small ribonucleic acids (RNA), usually without coding potential, that regulate gene expression by directing their target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for degradation or translational suppression. In paediatric ALL, several miRNAs have been observed to be overexpressed or underexpressed in patient cohorts compared to healthy individuals, while numerous studies have identified specific miRNAs that can be used as biomarkers to diagnose ALL, classify it into subgroups, and predict prognosis. Likewise, a variety of miRNAs identify as candidate targets for treatment, although there are numerous obstacles to overcome before their clinical use in patients. Here, we summarise the roles played by different miRNAs in childhood leukaemia, focussing primarily on their use as diagnostic tools and potential therapeutic targets, as well as a role in predicting treatment outcome. Finally, we discuss the potential roles of miRNA in immunotherapy and the novel contributions made by gut miRNAs to regulation of the host microbiome.
Early Prognostic Utility of Gp210 Antibody-Positive Rate in Primary Biliary Cholangitis: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Huang Chunyang , Han Weijia , Wang Chuanmin , Liu Yanmin , Chen Yue , Duan Zhongping
Published: October 2019

Background. The prevalence of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), which is an autoimmune liver disease, has increased over time. PBC often leads to severe consequences, such as liver failure and death. Stratification tools using biochemical liver tests are needed to assess and predict the progression of this disease at the time of PBC diagnosis. Methods. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase for studies focused on the relationship between positive rates of Gp210 antibodies and poor prognosis of PBC. The primary end point was the number of PBC patients with poor outcome in the Gp210 antibody (+) and Gp210 antibody (−) groups. The secondary end point was the basic serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), and IgM in the two groups. The age and number of female patients were also measured. Results. A total of 5 studies, comprising 737 patients, were included in this analysis. A positive rate of Gp210 antibodies was positively correlated with poor outcomes and with many types of progression in PBC, especially liver failure. Mortality was also higher in the Gp210 antibody (+) group. Furthermore, the serum levels of ALP and IgM were associated with the positive rate of Gp210 antibodies, while the serum levels of ALT and TBIL were not. The age and number of female patients were also not associated with the positive rate of Gp210 antibodies. Conclusion. PBC-specific Gp120 antibodies are optimal predictors of PBC prognosis at the time of diagnosis. Some other liver function indicators, such as ALP and IgM, can be used as predictors to complement Gp210 antibodies to establish a stratification tool to predict the prognosis of PBC at the time of diagnosis.
Health Care Professionals’ Knowledge of Stalking Perpetrators, Victims, Behaviors, and Coping Strategies: A Preliminary Study among Italian Hospitals
Authors: Maran Daniela Acquadro , Loera Barbara , D’Argenio Alberto
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate health care professionals’ level of in-depth understanding about the various types and characteristics of stalking. In particular, the study examines knowledge on the characteristics of stalkers and their victims, acted behaviors, and coping strategies used to stop the harassment. The data were collected by means of an ad hoc questionnaire. The sample comprised 210 participants working in local health units in Turin, a large city located in the northern part of Italy. The majority were women (160, 76.2%). The participants were aged 20–64 years, and the mean age was 41.63 years (SD = 11.18). The majority of participants were psychologists (99, 47.1%), 31 (14.8%) were nurses, 31 (14.8%) had an unspecified medical profession, 29 (13.8%) were psychiatrists, and 20 (9.5%) were general practitioners. According to the findings, interventions with male victims of stalking, especially when the stalker is a woman, require attention in particular. Underestimating the stalking experience is a risk, so health care professionals in their interventions must explain to the men the emotive and physical consequences of the victimization. Moreover, in suggesting coping strategies, health care professionals must consider the victim’s fear of reporting the incident not only to law enforcement authorities but also to family and friends. The findings showed that health care professionals need a better understanding of the stalking phenomenon. Education courses are a valuable tool to identify characteristics of the phenomenon, validate existing knowledge, and decrease the level of missing information to develop the skills needed to take appropriate action in cases of stalking.
Chemical Reactivity Properties, Solubilities, and Bioactivity Scores of Some Pigments Derived from Carotenoids of Marine Origin through Conceptual DFT Descriptors
Authors: Flores-Holguín Norma , Frau Juan , Glossman-Mitnik Daniel
Published: October 2019

Five density functionals, CAM-B3LYP, LC-ωHPBE, MN12SX, N12SX, and ωB97XD, in connection with the Def2TZVP basis set were assessed together with the SMD solvation model for the calculation of the molecular properties, chemical reactivities, and solubilities of some pigments derived from astaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, fucoxanthin, myxol, siphonaxanthin, siphonein, and zeaxanthin marine carotenoids in the presence of different solvents (hexane, methanol, ethanol, and water). All the chemical reactivity descriptors for the systems were calculated via conceptual density functional theory (CDFT). Finally, the potential bioavailability and druggability as well as the bioactivity scores for the marine carotenoid pigments were predicted through different methodologies already reported in the literature, which have been previously validated during the study of other natural products obtained from marine sources.
Capitalist Outcomes, Ideal Types, Historical Realities
Authors: Davidson Neil
Published: October 2019

This article is a response to some of the criticisms made of How Revolutionary were the Bourgeois Revolutions? by Gerstenberger, Post and Riley. In particular, it focuses on two issues of definition – that of capitalism and the capitalist nation-state – which arise from the book’s ‘consequentialist’ claim that bourgeois revolutions are defined by a particular outcome: the establishment of nation-states dedicated to the accumulation of capital.
In Search of a Long-Term Development Path for China: Starting from Differences between Assigning Responsibility and Contracting
Authors: Huang Philip C. C.
Published: October 2019

The “third sphere” born of the interacting of a market economy with a centralized state, and of a system of market contracting 合同 with administrative “assigning responsibility” 发包/承包, has become a key characteristic of the new political-economic system of Reform China. It has imported the private enterprise market economy of the modern West, but has also retained the (revolutionary) tradition of a socialist party-state and its ownership of the principal means of production. Its administrative system resembles more and more the modern West’s (Weberian) bureaucratic system, but it has also retained the traditional imperial Chinese “centralized minimalism” and “parcelized despotism” characteristics. It cannot be grasped by the either/or dualistic opposites mode of thinking, but can only be understood in terms of the combining and interacting of dualistic opposites. The combination may be understood as one concrete and substantive meaning of the officialized term of a “socialist market economy.”
Project-Based State Intervention and Agrarian Change in Contemporary China: The Case of Rice Production in Pingwan County, Hunan
Authors: Gong Weigang , Gürel Burak
Published: October 2019

This article analyzes the role of the state in the development of capitalist agriculture in contemporary China by focusing on the implementation of the central-government-sponsored National Grain Security Project and Agricultural Industrialization Project in Pingwan county of Hunan province since 2009. It demonstrates that by providing significant (formal and informal) subsidies and transferring large tracts of farmland to large farmers and agribusinesses, the Chinese government has made the capitalist transformation of rice production possible. We stress that in the absence of private property rights, the local governments’ strong control over farmland transactions makes it relatively easy to transfer large tracts quickly, helping agribusinesses and large farmers avoid significant transaction costs they would otherwise have to face under a system of private landownership. The article also shows that existing policies support the transfer of farmland in regions with favorable geographic and climatic conditions over other regions and therefore lack the capacity to significantly decrease regional inequalities.
Phylogeny and Classification of Hymenoptera*
Authors: SHARKEY MICHAEL J.
Published: October 2019

An overview of recent advances in our understanding of the higher phylogeny and classification is presented. Molecular and morphological cladistic and pre-cladistic studies are summarized. A superfamily-level classification of the Hymenoptera is offered to reflect recent advances in our understanding of the phylogenetic relationships of the Hymenoptera. It differs from most recent classifications in the recognition of the Diaprioidea, to include Diapriidae, Monomachidae, and Maamingidae.
Invertebrate taxonomy and evolutionary developmental biology*
Authors: MINELLI ALESSANDRO
Published: October 2019

Evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) is a new research area where the traditions of evolutionary biology and developmental biology merge together. As in the past there has been a fruitful two-way exchange between evolutionary biology and taxonomy, and also between developmental biology and taxonomy, now the way is open for two-way exchanges between taxonomy and evolutionary developmental biology.
Nomina zoologica linnaeana*
Authors: DUBOIS ALAIN
Published: October 2019

A complete survey of the classification of the animal kingdom in Linnaeus (1758)’s tenth edition of the Systema Naturae shows that 5222 taxa were recognized and diagnosed in this book. Some of these taxa were diagnosed in the text, and some in tables which clearly show the hierarchical relationships between taxa according to Linnaeus. Most of the taxa (4735, i.e., 90.7 %) were referred to four primary key ranks (classis, ordo, genus, species) and these were all named. The remaining 487 taxa were distributed among 12 optional ranks (from “subregnum” to “infravarietas”), and only 215 of them (44.1 %) were named. Most of these nomina (173, i.e. 80.5 %) are of “subgeneric” and “infrasubgeneric” ranks above species, and they are unavailable in zoological nomenclature, having being invalidated by Opinion 124 of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. However, thirteen “subgeneric” nomina were “revalidated” and are still in use in zoology. Besides, five nomina for taxa above the rank genus and 31 for taxa below the rank species, although ignored by many zoologists until now, are nomenclaturally available. This unconventional analysis shows that the idea of having a complex hierarchy of ranks, some of which are “mandatory”, whereas the others are optional and can be used if the need appears, is as old as the “Linnaean” system itself. It also stresses the difference between taxonomy and nomenclature, which is sometimes misunderstood: it is fully possible to discover, recognize and diagnose a taxon without naming it, and this has been so since the Systema Naturae.
Two new species of Manahunca, redescription of its type species, current conservation status of the genus and a survey of male glands in Stenostygninae (Opiliones: Laniatores: Biantidae)
Authors: ALEGRE AYLIN , GAINETT GUILHERME , IBORRA GERMÁN LÓPEZ , GIRIBET GONZALO
Published: October 2019

Manahunca bielawskii Šilhavý, 1973, the type species of the genus Manahunca Šilhavý, 1973, is redescribed based on abundant material from the type locality, including new data on its morphological variability and penis morphology. A neotype for M. bielawskii is herein designated due to the unknown whereabouts of the original holotype. Manahunca silhavyi Avram, 1977, is regarded as a new junior subjective synonym of M. bielawskii. In addition, two new species of Manahunca are described, M. turquino Alegre, Gainett & Giribet, n. sp. and M. matazon Alegre, Gainett & Giribet, n. sp. based on additional specimens from eastern Cuba, for which we provide new data on their geographical distribution, intraspecific variability and habitat. A new diagnosis and emended geographic distribution of the known species of Manahunca are provided, with hints on the current conservation status. The sexually dimorphic glandular structures found on the metatarsus III of males are explored for taxonomic significance in ten species of Stenostygninae. The existence of male dimorphism, most evident in the robustness of the chelicerae, is reported for two of the studied Manahunca species.
Cytotoxic Injury to Thymic Stroma and Impaired Reconstitution.
Authors: Prockop Susan E. , O’Reilly Richard J. , Petrie Howard
Published: October 2019

A key component of long-term outcome after stem cell transplant (SCT) is successful reconstitution of the immune system. Effective reconstitution of antigen-specific T-cell immunity requires de novo T cell generation. Bone marrow derived progenitors seed the thymus and undergo a complex process involving lineage commitment, proliferation and selection. Coordinated interaction of marrow-derived lymphoid progenitors with thymic stromal cells is required for successful T lymphopoiesis in the post-natal thymus. Disruption of the microenvironment can result in disrupted T cell lymphopoiesis. One cause of prolonged defects in generating functional T lymphocytes after BMT is damage to the thymic microenvironment induced by radiation or cytotoxic therapy. However, the impact of individual agents, administered at myeloablative or non-myeloablative doses, on the thymic microenvironment has not been fully evaluated. In addition, mechanisms by which stromal injury modifies T cell production and maturation have only begun to be understood. We have developed a model system using immunodeficient mice as a platform on which to assess thymic reconstitution. The thymus of mice deficient for the alpha chain of the IL-7 receptor (IL7R−/−) is relatively depleted of lymphoid cells and can be reconstituted following transplant of wild type marrow administered without myeloablative or immunosuppressive treatment. Injection of low doses of wild type bone marrow into these mice results in low levels of marrow chimerism and a normally cellular thymus repopulated with donor-derived lymphocytes. The ability to achieve this reconstitution appears to depend on absolute numbers of early intra-thymic precursors, rather than on total thymic cellularity. We have exploited this model to differentially assess the effects of cytotoxic agents including radiation and immunosuppressive drugs, on the capacity of the thymic microenvironment to support the maturation of normal lympoid progenitors (Figure 1). We demonstrate that some agents do not affect the ability of the thymic microenvironment to support reconstitution (eg fludarabine), others nearly ablate it (cyclophosphamide). We are also able to show dose, schedule, and synergistic effects on the ability of the thymic microenvironment to support de novo T cell lymphopoeisis. Distinct morphologic and phenotypic effects can be demonstrated by different agents (eg busulfan versus thiotepa) with preliminary data suggesting that the effects are mediated by injury to different stromal subsets. It is anticipated that this information will lead to strategies to both minimize delayed immune reconstitution and to augment T cell lymphopoiesis post-transplant. In addition, further evaluation of impaired thymic reconstitution will augment the understanding of lymphostromal interactions crucial to normal T cell lymphopoiesis.
Non Myeloablative Transplant in Patients with Indolent Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL): Results of Two Prospectives Multicenter Trials.
Authors: Caballero M.D. , Martino R. , Mateos M.V. , Briones J. , de la Serna J. , Tomas J.F. , Arranz R. , Diez J.L. , Rubio V. , Ribera Josep Maria , Moraleda J.M. , Sanz G. , Urbano A. , Sarrá J. , Sampol A. , Sierra J.
Published: October 2019

Myeloablative transplant has been investigated in poor prognosis indolent lymphoma; although recurrence rate is low it is associated with high mortality; the use of non-myeloablative conditioning regimens could reduce TRM maintaining the GVH effect.

Up to February 2004, 40 patients with indolent NHL(87% Folicular lymphoma(FL) 5% a lymphocytic well differenciate lymphoma (WDLL) 5% Waldenström Macroglobulinemia(WM) and 3% a Marginal Lymphoma(MZL) have been registered in two prospective multicenter trials;Conditioning regimen consisted of Fludarabine 150 mg and Melphalan 70–140 mg. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of CSA plus short-course MTX. All patients received filgrastim-stimulated peripheral blood stem cells from a HLA related identical donor.Median age at transplant was 50 years (34–67) and 15(40%) had received a previous autologous transplant. At transplant, 5 patients (13%) were in CR1 (after several lines of chemotherapy), 9 (22%) in >CR1, 16 (40%) in PR, 1(2%) had stable disease (after 3 chemotherapy lines) and 9(23%) progressive disease. All patients engrafted. Acute GVHD developed in 22 patients (55%) (18 patients grade II–IV). Chronic GVHD developed in 22 out of 27 patients at risk (81%), being extensive in 13; Disease was evaluated at day +100 and at that moment 22 patients(58%) were in CR, 3 (8%) in PR, two (5%) had stable disease and 11 patients (27%) have died. With a median follow up of 30 months (range: 10–56 months), 24 patients (60%) are alive disease free, 16 (39%) have died, 14 of them (35%) due to transplant toxicity and 2 patients (5%) due to progression. Overall Survival (OS) and Event Free Survival (EFS) are 60 and 58 % respectively. Analysing variables which influence on OS and EFS, patients ≥55 years have a OS significantly shorter than patients < 55 years old (22% vs 66%; p:0,01). Moreover, patients who develop chronic GVHD have an OS and EFS significantly better than those which do not develop it (OS: 89,7 vs 57%; p=0,02 (HR: 9,3-IC95% (2,08–41,5); EFS: 89 vs 42%; p=0,002 (HR: 11,08-IC95% (2,49–49,28)). In conclusion, our results demonstrates the efficacy of non-myeloablative transplant in indolent NHL with a very low relapse rate, indicating the important role of chronic GVHD in the control of the disease; however, mortality rate is still high, mainly in patients ≥55 years
Swine Bone Marrow Derived Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells.
Authors: Zeng Lepeng , Zhang Jianyi , Verfaillie Catherine M.
Published: October 2019

We have previously reported that multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) can be isolated from the bone marrow of rodents and humans. Here we describe isolation of similar cells, fetal swine MAPCs (fsMAPCs) from fetal swine bone marrow (BM). BM was obtained from 5 fetal swine donors. BM mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) were plated into fibronectin-coated T150 flasks at 2x104 cells/cm2 in 58% LG-DMEM and 40% MCDB-201, supplemented with ITS, LA-BSA, 10−8 M dexamethasone, 10−4 M ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, 2% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 10ng/ml EGF and 10ng/ml PDGF-BB. Small clusters of cells appeared by day 5, were detached with 0.25% trypsin-EDTA on day 7 and sub-cloned at 1 cell/well in 96 well plates. Once populations of small cells appeared (40% of wells), they were culture expanded by plating at 500 cells/cm2. Cells were replated at 500cells/cm2 once they divided 2–3 times. Population doubling (PD) time was 24h for the initial 30–40 PDs, and 48 h at higher PDs. 3/5 fetal swine populations have been maintained for more than 100 PDs without cytogenetic abnormalities. For two of the populations, telomere length was evaluated on day-0, 40PDs and 80PDS, and no telomere shortening was seen. The phenotype of cultured cells before 30 PDs is CD45 and MHC class I negative, CD44 and MHC class II positive, while the phenotype after 60 PDs was CD44, CD45, MHC class I and II negative. FsMAPCs, cultured on Matrigel with fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF-4) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), differentiated into epitheloid cells that expressed cytokeratin 18 (CK18), hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 (HNF-1), albumin protein on day 14–28. Cells differentiated for 21 days secreted 10pg/cell/hour urea (Urea Production Test), as is seen for primary hepatocytes. More functional tests for hepatocytes are ongoing, including LDL uptake, glycogen storage, cytochrome-p450 activity. When treated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fsMAPCs differentiated into endothelium-like cells that expressed CD31, CD34, VEGF-Receptor, vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-Cadherin) and von willebrand factor (VWF) protein and mRNA at day 14–28, formed vascular tube on extracellular matrix and took up LDL. Neuroectoderm differentiation studies are ongoing. Finally, we have preliminary evidence that fsMAPCs may differentiate into cells with cardiomyocyte markers. FsMAPCs, plated at 1,500 cells/cm2, were cultured with dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) and 0.75% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 1 day, followed by bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), FGF-8, FGF-4, Dkk-1 for 21 days. Cells acquired muscle morphology after d6. By day 21, cells expressed cardiac Troponin T, cardiac myosin heavy chain (cMHC), phospholamban protein, and Nkx2.5, Cardiac Troponin T, cMHC, GATA-4, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) mRNA. Although suggestive that the cells may differentiate into cardiomyocytes, they did not beat regularly. Electrophysiology studies are ongoing to determine whether the cells have functional characteristics of cardiomyocytes.
Efficient Generation of Neural Stem Cell Lines from Adult Bone Marrow Using Serum Free Defined Media.
Authors: Wiersema Anita , Weersing Ellen , Copray Sjef , de Haan Gerald
Published: October 2019

Adult bone marrow (BM) derived stem cells may have the ability to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers, including neural cells. However, the efficient and large-scale generation of such cells is still a great challenge. Unfractionated BM cells were cultured at high density (5x106 cells/well) in vitro in serum-free media supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor. After one month in culture, many cells had died and most of the surviving cells attached to the bottom, where they consistently formed cyst-like structures. Cellular aggregates in the shape of spheres originated from these cysts and started to expand. Comparing these BM-derived spheres (BM-NSC) with neurospheres isolated from fetal brain (NSC), revealed similar morphology and equal expression of the neural precursor marker Nestin. BM-NSC showed a high proliferating capacity, increasing 1000-fold over a period of 50 days. Single cell cultures were initiated to assess clonogenic potential. 35% of single BM-NSC produced a neurosphere colony within 7 days, compared to 21% of NSC. To assess to what extent BM-NSC and NSC were comparable at the molecular level, array analysis, interrogating 5000 cDNAs were performed. A striking overlap in gene expression patterns between the two populations was observed, while comparison of BM-NSC to hematopoietic stem cells resulted in no overlap at all. We have cultured these spheres for more than 1 year in vitro and they have been successfully cryopreserved and thawed. Multilineage neural differentiation was induced by sphere dissociation and plating cells onto poly-L-Lysine/laminin-coated dishes, without FGF and EGF, in the presence of Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor and Ciliary Neurotropic Factor. Immunocytochemistry was performed at day 4 and day 12 and revealed that BM derived NSCs expressed several neuronal markers. Differentiating cells expressed the early neuronal maker Nestin at day 4 and also Map2 and occasionally some cells were positive for GFAP. In some cells Nestin was co-localized with Map2. At day 12 cells where positive for Neun and Map2 and infrequently some cells stained positive for O4. Expression patterns were confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. This indicates that BM-NSC, like their brain-derived counterparts, have neuronal, astrocyte, and pre-oligodendrocyte potential. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that it is feasible to generate a self-renewing population of neural stem cells from BM that are indistinguishable from brain-derived stem cells. We are currently using highly purified BM cell populations to identify the origin of these BM-NSC cells.