bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drawing from Merleau-Ponty’s Conception of Movement as Primordial Expression
Authors: Angelino Lucia
Published: September 2015

In this paper I intend to show that Merleau-Ponty’s conception of movement as primordial expression, whereby movement is a shaping force that can be discerned in the forms it creates, allows us to go beyond the superficial definition of movement as “change of place” and discover its most essential characteristic: that is the expression of a motion—intrinsic to feeling—which can take on the form of either a generative thrust or an act that traces out and sheds light on the reserve of shapes that everything we have felt has silently traced within us. My argument will unfold in three main stages. First, I intend to show that from Merleau-Ponty’s reflections on pictorial movement there emerges a richer and more refined definition of movement that brings together the two meanings of Aristotelian dunamis (δύναμις): potentia passiva, or being acted upon, and potentia activa, or tending towards act. Second, I will show that this particular understanding of movement allows us to uncover the lived dimension of movement that is intrinsic to sense experience and enacts the metamorphosis of our impressions into the expression that reveals to us the carnal obverse [envers charnel] of our experiences of the visible world. Finally, I will show that this particular understanding of movement proves to be a strategy for thinking of both the emergence of sense within the flesh of the world and the advent of history that unravels at its heart.
The Descent into Solidarity
Authors: Cahill Jonathan
Published: September 2015

In the Apostle’s Creed, undoubtedly the most enigmatic phrase is Christ “descendit ad inferos,” descended into hell. After surveying various interpretations of the doctrine, this paper seeks to integrate the Reformed tradition’s view of the descent as the subjective experience of God-forsakenness with Hans Urs von Balthasar’s proposal that Christ entered into solidarity with the dead in hell with no hope of being found by God. The paper then draws three ethical implications from this reading of the descent: the importance of self-surrender, the necessity of solidarity with the oppressed and a chastened confidence towards the prospect for social change in our world.
The Visibility of the Invisible God
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: September 2015

This article addresses the potential theological impact that the beatific vision might have regarding the (in)visibility of the triune God. First, we will consider the roots of the doctrine of divine invisibility within the classical theological tradition. Second, we should turn to the biblical promise of the beatific vision and the ways in which its scriptural exposition touches upon the divine character. Third, we will unpack the Trinitarian shape of God’s (in)visibility. Fourth, then, we will be in a position to reflect upon the claims that God is invisible and visible, their theological merits, and their synthetic relations.
1928
Authors: Monday Chris
Published: September 2015

This article describes the Soviet ‘educational-adventure’ film Albidum: A Victory over the Sun (1928). This movie romanticized the peasant household, cooperatives, and genetics. Abram Bragin (an organizer of the Jewish colonization of the Crimea) and the agricultural economist Alexander Chayanov wrote its scenario. This article places the movie in the context of Russian populism and Stalinist collectivization.
Neue und bemerkenswerte Moosfunde aus Zaire
Authors: Müller Frank
Published: September 2015

Interesting records of bryophytes from Zaire are listed, of which 24 taxa are reported for the first time for this country. Pohlia proligera is recorded as new for tropical Africa.
Mosses New to Hong Kong (II)
Authors: So M. L. , Yip K. L.
Published: September 2015

Ten moss species - Thamnobryum plicatulum (Lac.) Iwats., Ditrichum pallidum (Hedw.) Hampe, Brachythecium moriense Besch., Eurhynchium hians (Hedw.) Lac., Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) P. Beauv., Bryum coronatum Schwaegr., Pseudoleskeopsis zippelii (Dozy & Molk.) Broth., Weissia controversa Hedw., Trichosteleum mammosum (C. Muell.) Jaeg. and Vesicularia reticulata (Dozy & Molk.) Broth. are reported new to Hong Kong. Among them, seven are new to Guangdong Province of China.
Mosses new to Hong Kong (IV)
Authors: So M. L.
Published: September 2015

Sixteen moss species - Eurhynchium asperisetum (C. Muell.) Tak.; Rhynchostegium pallidifolium (Mitt.) Jaeg.; Bryum argenteum Hedw.; Bryum caespiticium Hedw.; Bryum capillare Hedw.; Platyhynidium riarioides (Hedw.) Dix.; Dicranella varia (Hedw.) Schimp.;Entodon virudulus Card.; Fissidens strictulus C. Muell.; Ectropothecium obtusulum (Card.) Iwats.; Caduciella guangdongensis Enroth.; Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T. Kop.; Plagiomnium vesicatum (Besch.) T. Kop.; Pyrrhobryum spiniforme (Hedw.) Mitt., Taxithelium nepalense (Schwaegr.) Broth. and Claopodium aciculum (Broth.) Broth. are reported new to Hong Kong. Among them, four are new to Guangdong Province of China.
Taxonomy of the Quedius mukuensis group (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini: Quediina) with descriptions of four new species from China
Authors: CAI YAN-PENG , ZHAO ZONG-YI , ZHOU HONG-ZHANG
Published: September 2015

Four new species of the subgenus Microsaurus Dejean, 1833 of the genus Quedius Stephens, 1829 are described based on specimens collected from China: Q. (Microsaurus) indigestus sp. nov., Q. (Microsaurus) purus sp. nov. and Q. (Microsaurus) rectus sp. nov. from Sichuan, and Q. (Microsaurus) medius sp. nov. from Hubei. The new species all belong to the Quedius mukuensis group, which is now increased to a total of 16 species. Line drawings and color illustrations of the adults, and the genitalia of the new species and some other ones are given. A key to all the species of this group is provided.
Additions of new species and records to the Tanaidomorpha (Crustacea: Tanaidacea) of Taiwan
Authors: TZENG YOU-WEI , HSUEH PAN-WEN
Published: September 2015

This study reports two new species and one new species record of tanaidomorphan tanaidaceans from Taiwan. The leptocheliid Leptochelia taitungensis sp. nov. can be separated from the most similar species, Leptochelia tarda, in the Leptochelia dubia/savignyi group by having long distal spines on the maxilliped endites and the male having two-articled uropod exopods. The tanaidid Zeuxo shitipingensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from Z. normani in the Zeuxo normani species-complex by having a triangular left mandible lacinia mobilis, only one seta on the pleopod endopod inner margin, and the uropod endopod with five to six articles in most adult specimens. Morphological comparisons between Leptochelia taitungensis sp. nov. and its congeners within the dubia/savignyi group, as well as between Zeuxo shitipingensis sp. nov. and its congeners, are tabulated.
Eriocaenus (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea), a new genus from Equisetum spp. (Equisetaceae): morphological and molecular delimitation of two morphologically similar species
Authors: PETANOVIĆ RADMILA U. , AMRINE JAMES W.  JR , CHETVERIKOV PHILIPP E. , CVRKOVIĆ TATJANA K.
Published: September 2015

Surveys conducted on horsetails, Equisetum spp. (Equisetaceae), in Serbia led to the discovery of a new eriophyoid mite genus while searching for a classical biological control agent against these weeds in New Zealand. Eriocaenus gen. n. is described based on the type species Aceria equiseti Farkas, 1960 (transferred to Eriophyes by Farkas 1965; herein reassigned to the new genus) and Eriocaenus ramosissimi n. sp., a new species discovered on Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. in Serbia. Eriocaenus equiseti (Farkas, 1960), previously only known from Hungary, was found in Serbia for the first time on Equisetum arvense L. and Equisetum telmateia Ehrh., and is redescribed. Species descriptions include line drawings as well as phase contrast (PCLM), differential interference contrast (DIC) and scanning electron (SEM) micrographs. The differential diagnosis between the two Eriocaenus species is supplemented by molecular differentiation of 28S rDNA sequences including D2 fragments for both mites.
Contribution to the genus Omalus Panzer, 1801 of China, with descriptions of two new species (Hymenoptera, Chrysididae)
Authors: ROSA PAOLO , WEI NA-SEN , XU ZAI-FU
Published: September 2015

In spite of that Chinese species of the genus Omalus Panzer, 1801 were recently revised by Wei et al. (2014), the study of more material has revealed the presence of other four species: two of them are new, O. corrugatus Rosa, Wei & Xu, sp. nov. (China, Guangdong) and O. hainanensis Rosa, Wei & Xu, sp. nov. (China, Hainan); the other two are newly recorded from China, O. stella (Semenov & Nikol'skaya, 1954) and O. timidus (Nurse, 1902), comb. nov. (from the genus Holophris Mocsáry, 1890). An update key to Chinese species and illustrations are provided.
Bythaelurus tenuicephalus n. sp., a new deep-water catshark (Carcharhiniformes, Scyliorhinidae) from the western Indian Ocean
Authors: KASCHNER CARINA JULIA , WEIGMANN SIMON , THIEL RALF
Published: September 2015

A new dwarf deep-water catshark, Bythaelurus tenuicephalus, is described based on one adult and one juvenile male specimen from off Tanzania and Mozambique in the western Indian Ocean. The new species differs from its congeners by its slender head and snout, which is only slightly bell-shaped in dorsoventral view without distinct lateral indention. All other Bythaelurus species have distinctly bell-shaped snouts with a strong lateral indention anterior to outer nostrils. Compared to its congeners in the western Indian Ocean, B. tenuicephalus n. sp. also has broader claspers in adult males (base width 2.1% TL vs. 1.5–1.8% TL). It further differs from B. clevai by attaining a smaller maximum size and having a color pattern of fewer and smaller blotches, larger oral papillae, a shorter snout, and broader claspers without knob-like apex and with a smaller envelope and a subtriangular (vs. subrectangular) exorhipidion. Compared to B. hispidus, the new species has a longer snout, a longer dorsal-caudal space, broader clasper without knob-like apex, and fewer vertebral centra. In contrast to B. lutarius, B. tenuicephalus attains a smaller maximum size and has a blotched (vs. largely plain) coloration, numerous (vs. lacking) oral papillae, shorter anterior nasal flaps, a longer caudal fin, a shorter pelvic anal space, and shorter and broader claspers.
Terminologia religijna w rosyjskiej gwarze staroobrzędowców w Polsce i Bułgarii. Zapisy z lat 1969–1973
Authors: Grek-Pabisowa Iryda
Published: September 2015

Religious terminology in Russian dialect of Old Believers in Poland and Bulgaria (records from the years 1969–1973)Records of religious terminology in Bulgaria were conducted by the author, records in Poland were done by people from the community of Old Believers as well. The material was collected in three centres of Old Believers in Poland – in Augustów, Suwałki and Mrągowo counties (the Masurian district). The basis for gathering the material was a special questionnaire formulated by the author which contained peculiarities of religion and culture of Old Believers. The questionnaire consists of 220 questions concerning the following topics: sacred buildings, belfry, monastery, cemetary, icons, religious books, Old Believer­ rosary, thurible, candles, a so called podrucznik (i.e. a small cushion used for kneeling and putting hands during bowing), christening, marriage, funeral, ritual food, lent, holidays, names of confessions, clergy, ritual clothes and other names (clergymen and other). The sound of names provided by informants was preserved. The records were done using simplified phonetic transcription. A small dictionary attached to the questionnaire explains less known terms and phrases.  Религиозная терминология в старообрядческих островных говорах в Польше и в Болгарии (записи 1969–1973 годов)Записи были проведены автором в старообрядческих деревнях в авгус­товском и мронговском районе (Мазурия) в Польше и в варненском и силистерском районе в Болгарии. Материал собирался по особому вопроснику, разработанному с учетом характерных черт старообрядческой религиозной культуры. Учтены следующие темы: церковные постройки, колокольня, мо­настырь, кладбище, иконы, кресты, книги, лестовка, кадильница, свечи, под­ручник, крещение, венчание, похороны, обрядовые блюда, посты, праздни­ки, названия вероисповеданий, духовенство, обрядовая одежда – церковные ризы; другие названия – божественные и духовные особы и другие.Вопросник насчитывает 220 вопросов. Для записей применена фонети­ческая транскрипция. Автором не вводились корректуры ответов – они даны в форме высказанной респондентами. Пояснение менее известных терминов и определений приводится в приложенном к материалу словарике.
Clinical Presentation, Management, and Outcomes of Deep Vein Thrombosis Based on Doppler Ultrasonography Examination
Authors: Al-Thani Hassan , El-Menyar Ayman , Asim Mohammad , Kiliyanni Abdul Salim
Published: September 2015

We studied the frequency, clinical presentation, and outcomes of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Serial Doppler ultrasonography was performed between 2008 and 2013 for 6420 patients with suspected DVT. Diagnosis was confirmed in 662 (10.3%) participants (mean age: 50 ± 17 years; 51% females). Obesity, diabetes mellitus, and malignancy were reported in 47%, 28%, and 16%, respectively. Abnormal protein C, protein S, factor V Leiden, or antithrombin III were found in 9%, 7%, 3.8%, and 4%, respectively. Left, right, and both legs were involved in 55%, 37%, and 8%, respectively. Common femoral, popliteal, and posterior tibial veins were affected in 48.5%, 72%, and 71%, respectively. Postthrombotic syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and death were reported in 50%, 12.2%, and 15% of cases, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression analysis showed that gender had no impact on mortality during follow-up; however, age (>50 years) was associated with greater risk of death (hazard ratio: 6.54; 95% confidence interval: 3.2-13.3). These findings will improve our understanding of the various risk factors and help develop institutional guidelines for the management of patients with DVT.
Housing Relocation Policy and Violence
Authors: Casas Andrea , Duell Jessica , O’Malley Teagen , Documet Patricia , Garland Richard , Albert Steven , Fabio Anthony
Published: September 2015

This article summarizes and reviews the cross-discipline literature on violent crime in destination neighborhoods postrelocation in order to build a more comprehensive picture of risk factors for violence, as well as how and why housing policies influence risk of violence. High rates of violent crime continue to be a persistent problem in areas of concentrated poverty and public housing. Modern housing programs such as Moving to Opportunity and Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere are popular interventions for reducing the density of low-income people receiving public housing assistance by relocating residents of distressed housing projects. However, evidence suggests that relocated residents may not experience less violence or improved safety in their new communities.
Perpetrators’ and Victims’ Attributions for IPV: A Critical Review of the Literature
Authors: Neal Angela M. , Edwards Katie M.
Published: September 2015

Research shows that there are a variety of reasons why people self-report engaging in intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, but few studies report victims’ attributions for their partners’ IPV perpetration. Because there are two acting partners in relationships, as well as the IPV incidents that occur in the relationships, to fully understand the dynamics of IPV, both partners’ perceptions of why the incidents occur must be understood. The authors of this article systematically reviewed the available empirical evidence regarding male and female perpetrators’ endorsed attributions for their IPV perpetration, as well victims’ attributions for their partners’ IPV perpetration. Several literature databases were explored, resulting in 50 articles that met the criteria for inclusion in this review. IPV perpetrators’ commonly endorsed attributions for physical and psychological IPV consisted of control, anger, retaliation, self-defense, to get attention, and an inability to express oneself verbally. Research has not examined endorsed attributions for coercive control. The few studies examining attributions for sexual IPV found that it was attributed to dominance or hedonism. Themes regarding victims’ attributions were largely similar to those of the perpetrators, however, there were some differences. Victims’ attributions for physical IPV perpetration consisted of anger, control, jealousy, and the influence of drugs/alcohol, which are similar to perpetrators’ self-reported attributions for engaging in IPV perpetration. Victims’ attributions for their partners’ psychological IPV perpetration consisted of the perpetrator’s personality, relationship dissolution, alcohol, and their partners’ jealousy. Victims’ attributions for their partners’ sexual IPV perpetration, however, differed from perpetrators’ attributions, consisting of the victim believing that the perpetrator thought they wanted it, being under the influence of alcohol/drugs, and doing it out of love. Methodological inconsistencies, directions for future research, and treatment implications are also discussed.
Paving Paths Toward Transformation With Incarcerated Women
Authors: Sandoval Carolyn L. , Baumgartner Lisa M. , Clark M. Carolyn
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this study was to elicit the experiences of women who participated in a gender-responsive program in jail. Through the collection of life history interviews, this article highlights the transformative learning experiences of 13 women participants. Research questions included (1) how did the program foster transformative learning? (2) What effect did the program have on participants’ thinking, feeling, and behavior? Despite the highly regimented and regulated jail context—an environment where the women’s bodies are literally imprisoned—the results indicate the holistic programming and learning environment served as an emancipatory context in which transformation could occur through interpersonal and intrapersonal engagement. The results of this study also reveal the need for more and targeted advocacy and education for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women.
Establishing Video Game Genres Using Data-Driven Modeling and Product Databases
Authors: Faisal Ali , Peltoniemi Mirva
Published: September 2015

Establishing genres is the first step toward analyzing games and how the genre landscape evolves over the years. We use data-driven modeling that distils genres from textual descriptions of a large collection of games. We analyze the evolution of game genres from 1979 till 2010. Our results indicate that until 1990, there have been many genres competing for dominance, but thereafter sport-racing, strategy, and action have become the most prevalent genres. Moreover, we find that games vary to a great extent as to whether they belong mostly to one genre or to a combination of several genres. We also compare the results of our data-driven model with two product databases, Metacritic and Mobygames, and observe that the classifications of games to different genres are substantially different, even between product databases. We conclude with discussion on potential future applications and how they may further our understanding of video game genres.
Workplace Bullying: A Review of the Defining Features, Measurement Methods and Prevalence across Continents
Authors: Ciby Mariam , Raya R.P.
Published: September 2015

Over the past 25 years, academic researchers across the globe have extensively studied the concept, definition and the prevalence of workplace bullying. Even though researchers around the globe explain bullying with multiple terminologies, certain key features define the phenomenon. The researchers have used various methods and tools to measure the prevalence of the phenomenon. Therefore, this article aims to review and present the key defining features, various measuring methods and the prevalence of workplace bullying across various continents, such as, Scandinavia, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, Asia and Africa. The findings from the review of prevalence highlights that workplace bullying is highest in Asia and lowest in Scandinavia. The review draws attention to the various key directions for future research.
An iconic traditional apiculture of park fringe communities of Borena Sayint National Park, north eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Adal Hussien , Asfaw Zemede , Woldu Zerihun , Demissew Sebsebe , van Damme Patrick
Published: September 2015

Background

Traditional apiculture has been practised in Ethiopia over a long historical period and still remains a benign means to extract direct benefits from natural ecosystems. While its contribution to economic development and watershed protection is increasingly recognized its cultural significance is however, seldom noticed. This study was conducted using an ethnobotanical study approach to document the honey bee flora and associated indigenous knowledge of local communities in Borena Sayint National Park (BSNP), north eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

Data were collected from 170 informants through semi-structured interviews and guided field walks, focus group discussion with 37 informants and 14 key informants and analyzed using standard analytical tools including ranking, comparisons and multivariate analyses.

Results

In total, 152 bee forage species in 133 genera and 74 families were documented. The Asteraceae and Rosaceae were represented with six species each over the other plant families. Percentage of mentions per species ranged between 76.9 and 13.5 % for the most salient bee forage species. Dombeya torrida, Erica arborea, and Olinia rochetiana captured high community consensus as measured by rank order of popularity and designated as local appellation names of honey. Cluster analysis of priority ranking data showed relationships between key informants with respect to preferences, but ordination analysis did not indicate environmental proximity as a determinant of their responses. Five honey harvesting seasons occur each corresponding to the floral calendar of a dominant bee forage species that stipulate relocation of hives to appropriate locations within the national park.

Conclusion

The apicultural tradition is iconic with economic value and forming part of the local peoples’ cultural identity apt to be preserved as a bequest for posterity.
Development of metabolic and inflammatory mediator biomarker phenotyping for early diagnosis and triage of pediatric sepsis
Authors: Mickiewicz Beata , Thompson Graham C. , Blackwood Jaime , Jenne Craig N. , Winston Brent W. , Vogel Hans J. , Joffe Ari R. ,   for the Alberta Sepsis Network
Published: September 2015

Introduction

The first steps in goal-directed therapy for sepsis are early diagnosis followed by appropriate triage. These steps are usually left to the physician’s judgment, as there is no accepted biomarker available. We aimed to determine biomarker phenotypes that differentiate children with sepsis who require intensive care from those who do not.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational nested cohort study at two pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and one pediatric emergency department (ED). Children ages 2–17 years presenting to the PICU or ED with sepsis or presenting for procedural sedation to the ED were enrolled. We used the judgment of regional pediatric ED and PICU attending physicians as the standard to determine triage location (PICU or ED). We performed metabolic and inflammatory protein mediator profiling with serum and plasma samples, respectively, collected upon presentation, followed by multivariate statistical analysis.

Results

Ninety-four PICU sepsis, 81 ED sepsis, and 63 ED control patients were included. Metabolomic profiling revealed clear separation of groups, differentiating PICU sepsis from ED sepsis with accuracy of 0.89, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.96 (standard deviation [SD] 0.01), and predictive ability (Q2) of 0.60. Protein mediator profiling also showed clear separation of the groups, differentiating PICU sepsis from ED sepsis with accuracy of 0.78 and AUROC of 0.88 (SD 0.03). Combining metabolomic and protein mediator profiling improved the model (Q2 =0.62), differentiating PICU sepsis from ED sepsis with accuracy of 0.87 and AUROC of 0.95 (SD 0.01). Separation of PICU sepsis or ED sepsis from ED controls was even more accurate. Prespecified age subgroups (2–5 years old and 6–17 years old) improved model accuracy minimally. Seventeen metabolites or protein mediators accounted for separation of PICU sepsis and ED sepsis with 95 % confidence.

Conclusions

In children ages 2–17 years, combining metabolomic and inflammatory protein mediator profiling early after presentation may differentiate children with sepsis requiring care in a PICU from children with or without sepsis safely cared for outside a PICU. This may aid in making triage decisions, particularly in an ED without pediatric expertise. This finding requires validation in an independent cohort.
Ex vivo identification and characterization of a population of CD13high CD105+ CD45− mesenchymal stem cells in human bone marrow
Authors: Muñiz Carmen , Teodosio Cristina , Mayado Andrea , Amaral Ana Teresa , Matarraz Sergio , Bárcena Paloma , Sanchez Maria Luz , Alvarez-Twose Iván , Diez-Campelo María , García-Montero Andrés C. , Blanco Juan F. , Del Cañizo Maria Consuelo , del Pino Montes Javier , Orfao Alberto
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells capable of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation. Their multipotential capacity and immunomodulatory properties have led to an increasing interest in their biological properties and therapeutic applications. Currently, the definition of MSCs relies on a combination of phenotypic, morphological and functional characteristics which are typically evaluated upon in vitro expansion, a process that may ultimately lead to modulation of the immunophenotypic, functional and/or genetic features of these cells. Therefore, at present there is great interest in providing markers and phenotypes for direct in vivo and ex vivo identification and isolation of MSCs.

Methods

Multiparameter flow cytometry immunophenotypic studies were performed on 65 bone marrow (BM) samples for characterization of CD13highCD105+CD45–cells. Isolation and expansion of these cells was performed in a subset of samples in parallel to the expansion of MSCs from mononuclear cells following currently established procedures. The protein expression profile of these cells was further assessed on (paired) primary and in vitro expanded BM MSCs, and their adipogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential was also determined.

Results

Our results show that the CD13highCD105+CD45−immunophenotype defines a minor subset of cells that are systematically present ex vivo in normal/reactive BM (n = 65) and that display immunophenotypic features, plastic adherence ability, and osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation capacities fully compatible with those of MSCs. In addition, we also show that in vitro expansion of these cells modulates their immunophenotypic characteristics, including changes in the expression of markers currently used for the definition of MSCs, such as CD105, CD146 and HLA-DR.

Conclusions

BM MSCs can be identified ex vivo in normal/reactive BM, based on a robust CD13highCD105+and CD45−immunophenotypic profile. Furthermore, in vitro expansion of these cells is associated with significant changes in the immunophenotypic profile of MSCs.
Mesenchymal stromal cells enhance the engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells in an autologous mouse transplantation model
Authors: Fernández-García María , Yañez Rosa M. , Sánchez-Domínguez Rebeca , Hernando-Rodriguez Miriam , Peces-Barba Miguel , Herrera Guadalupe , O’Connor Jose E. , Segovia José C. , Bueren Juan A. , Lamana María L.
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Studies have proposed that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) improve the hematopoietic engraftment in allogeneic or xenogeneic transplants and this is probably due to the MSCs’ immunosuppressive properties. Our study aimed to discern, for the first time, whether MSC infusion could facilitate the engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in autologous transplantations models, where no immune rejection of donor HSCs is expected.

Methods

Recipient mice (CD45.2) mice, conditioned with moderate doses of radiation (5-7 Gy), were transplanted with low numbers of HSCs (CD45.1/CD45.2) either as a sole population or co-infused with increasing numbers of adipose-derived-MSCs (Ad-MSCs). The influence of Ad-MSC infusion on the short-term and long-term engraftment of donor HSCs was investigated. Additionally, homing assays and studies related with the administration route and with the Ad-MSC/HSC interaction were conducted.

Results

Our data show that the co-infusion of Ad-MSCs with low numbers of purified HSCs significantly improves the short-term and long-term hematopoietic reconstitution of recipients conditioned with moderate irradiation doses. This effect was Ad-MSC dose-dependent and associated with an increased homing of transplanted HSCs in recipients’ bone marrow. In vivo and in vitro experiments also indicate that the Ad-MSC effects observed in this autologous transplant model are not due to paracrine effects but rather are related to Ad-MSC and HSC interactions, allowing us to propose that Ad-MSCs may act as HSC carriers, facilitating the migration and homing of the HSCs to recipient bone marrow niches.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that Ad-MSCs facilitate the engraftment of purified HSCs in an autologous mouse transplantation model, opening new perspectives in the application of Ad-MSCs in autologous transplants, including HSC gene therapy.
miR-17 promotes expansion and adhesion of human cord blood CD34+ cells in vitro
Authors: Yang Yuxia , Wang Saifeng , Miao Zhenchuan , Ma Wei , Zhang Yanju , Su Li , Hu Mengyu , Zou Junhua , Yin Yuxin , Luo Jianyuan
Published: September 2015

Introduction

We have recently found that miR-17 is necessary in the cell-extrinsic control of cord blood (CB) CD34+ cell function. Here, we demonstrated that the proper level of miR-17 is also necessary in the cell-intrinsic control of the hematopoietic properties of CB CD34+ cells.

Methods

The miR-17 overexpression and knockdown models were created using primary CB CD34+ cells transfected by the indicated vectors. Long-term culture, colony forming, adhesion and trans-well migration assays were carried out to investigate the function of miR-17 on CB CD34+ cells in vitro. NOD prkdc
scid
Il2rg
null
mice were used in a SCID repopulating cell assay to investigate the function of miR-17 on CB CD34+ cells in vivo. A two-tailed Student’s t-test was used for statistical comparisons.

Results

In vitro assays revealed that ectopic expression of miR-17 promoted long-term expansion, especially in the colony-forming of CB CD34+ cells and CD34+CD38− cells. Conversely, downregulation of miR-17 inhibited the expansion of CB CD34+ cells. However, the overexpression of miR-17 in vivo reduced the hematopoietic reconstitution potential of CB CD34+ cells compared to that of control cells. The increased expression of major adhesion molecules in miR-17 overexpressed CB CD34+ cells suggests that the adhesion between miR-17 overexpressed CB CD34+ cells and their niche in vivo is regulated abnormally, which may further lead to the reduced hematopoietic reconstitution capability of 17/OE cells in engrafted mice.

Conclusion

We conclude that the proper expression of miR-17 is required, at least partly, for normal hematopoietic stem cell–niche interaction and for the regulation of adult hematopoiesis.
Osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells in two-dimensional and three-dimensional cultures without animal serum
Authors: Castrén Eeva , Sillat Tarvo , Oja Sofia , Noro Ariel , Laitinen Anita , Konttinen Yrjö T , Lehenkari Petri , Hukkanen Mika , Korhonen Matti
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been intensely studied for the purpose of developing solutions for clinical tissue engineering. Autologous MSCs can potentially be used to replace tissue defects, but the procedure also carries risks such as immunization and xenogeneic infection. Replacement of the commonly used fetal calf serum (FCS) with human platelet lysate and plasma (PLP) to support cell growth may reduce some of these risks. Altered media could, however, influence stem cell differentiation and we address this experimentally.

Methods

We examined human MSC differentiation into the osteoblast lineage using in vitro two- and three-dimensional cultures with PLP or FCS as cell culture medium supplements. Differentiation was followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and alkaline phosphatase activity, matrix formation and matrix calcium content were quantified.

Results

Three-dimensional culture, where human MSCs were grown on collagen sponges, markedly stimulated osteoblast differentiation; a fourfold increase in calcium deposition could be observed in both PLP and FCS groups. PLP-grown cells showed robust osteogenic differentiation both in two- and three-dimensional MSC cultures. The calcium content of the matrix in the two-dimensional PLP group at day 14 was 2.2-fold higher in comparison to the FCS group (p < 0.0001), and at day 21 it was still 1.3-fold higher (p < 0.001), suggesting earlier calcium accumulation to the matrix in the PLP group. This was supported by stronger Alizarin Red staining in the PLP group at day 14. In two-dimesional PLP cultures, cellular proliferation appeared to decrease during later stages of differentiation, while in the FCS group the number of cells increased throughout the experiment. In three-dimensional experiments, the PLP and FCS groups behaved more congruently, except for the alkaline phosphatase activity and mRNA levels which were markedly increased by PLP.

Conclusions

Human PLP was at least equal to FCS in supporting osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs in two- and three-dimensional conditions; however, proliferation was inferior. As PLP is free of animal components, and thus represents reduced risk for xenogeneic infection, its use for human MSC-induced bone repair in the clinic by the three-dimensional live implants presented here appears a promising therapy option.
Small intestinal submucosa-derived extracellular matrix bioscaffold significantly enhances angiogenic factor secretion from human mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Lin Xin , Robinson Mikella , Petrie Tye , Spandler Veronica , Boyd W. Douglas , Sondergaard Claus Svane
Published: September 2015

Introduction

The in vivo therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is currently believed to be tightly linked to their paracrine secretion ability. However, insufficient or imprecise cell delivery, low cell survival and retention post-transplant, along with harsh donor site microenvironments, are major barriers to the clinical success of MSC therapies. Here we tested a small intestinal submucosa (SIS)-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) bioscaffold augmented with MSCs, with the hypothesis that they will facilitate the precise delivery of increased numbers of MSCs therefore improving cell viability and retention.

Methods

In this study, we evaluated the secretion of angiogenic factors from three human MSC lines cultured on SIS ECM. We used human antibody array and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure the level of angiogenic factors released from MSCs when cultured on SIS ECM or regular tissue culture plastic. We tested MSCs cultured for three different time points.

Results

We found that the SIS ECM culture environment can significantly enhance the release of several angiogenic factors when compared to MSCs cultured on standard tissue culture plastic. Specifically, vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-8 secretion was significantly increased at 24, 48 and 72 hours postseeding onto SIS ECM whereas vascular endothelial growth factor release for cells cultured on plastic surface remained the same during these time points. We also observed significant donor to donor variation in cytokine production.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that MSCs transplanted onto a SIS ECM may greatly increase their therapeutic potential through an increase in pro-angiogenic cytokine release.
The immune response of stem cells in subretinal transplantation
Authors: Xian Bikun , Huang Bing
Published: September 2015

Stem cell transplantation is a potential curative treatment for degenerative diseases of the retina. Among cell injection sites, the subretinal space (SRS) is particularly advantageous as it is maintained as an immune privileged site by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer. Thus, the success of subretinal transplantation depends on maintenance of RPE integrity. Moreover, both embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have negligible immunogenicity and in fact are immunosuppressive. Indeed, many studies have demonstrated that immunosuppressive drugs are not necessary for subretinal transplantation of stem cells if the blood-retinal barrier is not breached during surgery. The immunogenicity of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) appears more complex, and requires careful study before clinical application. Despite low rates of graft rejection in animal models, survival rates for ESCs, MSCs, and iPSCs in retina are generally poor, possibly due to resident microglia activated by cell transplantation. To improve graft survival in SRS transplantation, damage to the blood-retinal barrier must be minimized using appropriate surgical techniques. In addition, agents that inhibit microglial activation may be required. Finally, immunosuppressants may be required, at least temporarily, until the blood-retinal barrier heals. We review surgical methods and drug regimens to enhance the likelihood of graft survival after SRS transplantation.
An extension of the contraction mapping principle to Lipschitzian mappings
Authors: Udo-utun Xavier A , Siddiqui Zakawat U , Balla Mohammed Y
Published: September 2015

Very recently, Udo-utun (Fixed Point Theory Appl. 2014:65, 2014) established a property possessed by contractive operators with nonempty fixed point sets and used it to prove the existence of fixed points of nonexpansive maps. We extend these results and prove the existence of fixed points for L-Lipschitzian maps that possess this property. Our results generalize and unify results concerning asymptotic fixed point theory of contractive mappings. An application in ordinary differential equations is illustrated via a formulation of the global existence theorem for initial value problems.
Tentacle: distributed quantification of genes in metagenomes
Authors: Boulund Fredrik , Sjören Anders , Kristiansson Erik
Published: September 2015

Background

In metagenomics, microbial communities are sequenced at increasingly high resolution, generating datasets with billions of DNA fragments. Novel methods that can efficiently process the growing volumes of sequence data are necessary for the accurate analysis and interpretation of existing and upcoming metagenomes.

Findings

Here we present Tentacle, which is a novel framework that uses distributed computational resources for gene quantification in metagenomes. Tentacle is implemented using a dynamic master-worker approach in which DNA fragments are streamed via a network and processed in parallel on worker nodes. Tentacle is modular, extensible, and comes with support for six commonly used sequence aligners. It is easy to adapt Tentacle to different applications in metagenomics and easy to integrate into existing workflows.

Conclusions

Evaluations show that Tentacle scales very well with increasing computing resources. We illustrate the versatility of Tentacle on three different use cases. Tentacle is written for Linux in Python 2.7 and is published as open source under the GNU General Public License (v3). Documentation, tutorials, installation instructions, and the source code are freely available online at: http://bioinformatics.math.chalmers.se/tentacle
Polycistronic transcription of fused cassettes and identification of translation initiation signals in an unusual gene cassette array from Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Fonseca Érica L. , Vicente Ana Carolina Paulo
Published: September 2015

The gene cassettes found in class 1 integrons are generally promoterless units composed by an open reading frame (ORF), a short 5’ untranslated region (UTR) and a 3’ recombination site (attC). Fused gene cassettes are generated by partial or total loss of the attC from the first cassette in an array, creating, in some cases, a fusion with the ORF from the next cassette. These structures are rare and little is known about their mechanisms of mobilization and expression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamic of mobilization and transcription of the gcu14-blaGES-1/aacA4 gene cassette array, which harbours a fused gene cassette represented by blaGES-1/aacA4. The cassette array was analyzed by Northern blot and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in order to assess the transcription mechanism of blaGES-1/aacA4 fused cassette. Also, inverse polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were performed to detect the free circular forms of gcu14, blaGES-1 and aacA4. The Northern blot and real time RT-PCR revealed a polycistronic transcription, in which the fused cassette blaGES-1/aacA4 is transcribed as a unique gene, while gcu14 (with a canonical attC recombination site) has a monocistronic transcription. The gcu14 cassette, closer to the weak configuration of cassette promoter (PcW), had a higher transcription level than blaGES-1/aacA4, indicating that the cassette position affects the transcript amounts. The presence of ORF-11 at attI1, immediately preceding gcu14, and of a Shine-Dalgarno sequence upstream blaGES-1/aacA4 composes a scenario for the occurrence of array translation. Inverse PCR generated amplicons corresponding to gcu14, gcu14-aacA4 and gcu14-blaGES-1/aacA4 free circular forms, but not to blaGES-1 and aacA4 alone, indicating that the GES-1 truncated attC is not substrate of integrase activity and that these genes are mobilized together as a unique cassette. This study was original in showing the transcription of fused cassettes and in correlating cassette position with transcription.
Recent developments in osteogenesis imperfecta
Authors: Shaker Joseph L. , Albert Carolyne , Fritz Jessica , Harris Gerald
Published: September 2015

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is an uncommon genetic bone disease associated with brittle bones and fractures in children and adults. Although OI is most commonly associated with mutations of the genes for type I collagen, many other genes (some associated with type I collagen processing) have now been identified. The genetics of OI and advances in our understanding of the biomechanical properties of OI bone are reviewed in this article. Treatment includes physiotherapy, fall prevention, and sometimes orthopedic procedures. In this brief review, we will also discuss current understanding of pharmacologic therapies for treatment of OI.
Individuality, phenotypic differentiation, dormancy and ‘persistence’ in culturable bacterial systems: commonalities shared by environmental, laboratory, and clinical microbiology
Authors: Kell Douglas , Potgieter Marnie , Pretorius Etheresia
Published: September 2015

For bacteria, replication mainly involves growth by binary fission. However, in a very great many natural environments there are examples of phenotypically dormant, non-growing cells that do not replicate immediately and that are phenotypically ‘nonculturable’ on media that normally admit their growth. They thereby evade detection by conventional culture-based methods. Such dormant cells may also be observed in laboratory cultures and in clinical microbiology. They are usually more tolerant to stresses such as antibiotics, and in clinical microbiology they are typically referred to as ‘persisters’. Bacterial cultures necessarily share a great deal of relatedness, and inclusive fitness theory implies that there are conceptual evolutionary advantages in trading a variation in growth rate against its mean, equivalent to hedging one’s bets. There is much evidence that bacteria exploit this strategy widely. We here bring together data that show the commonality of these phenomena across environmental, laboratory and clinical microbiology. Considerable evidence, using methods similar to those common in environmental microbiology, now suggests that many supposedly non-communicable, chronic and inflammatory diseases are exacerbated (if not indeed largely caused) by the presence of dormant or persistent bacteria (the ability of whose components to cause inflammation is well known). This dormancy (and resuscitation therefrom) often reflects the extent of the availability of free iron. Together, these phenomena can provide a ready explanation for the continuing inflammation common to such chronic diseases and its correlation with iron dysregulation. This implies that measures designed to assess and to inhibit or remove such organisms (or their access to iron) might be of much therapeutic benefit.
How to avoid pitfalls in antibody use
Authors: Pauly Diana , Hanack Katja
Published: September 2015

Antibody use is ubiquitous in the biomedical sciences. However, determining best research practices has not been trivial. Many commercially available antibodies and antibody-conjugates are poorly characterized and lack proper validation. Uncritical application of such useless tools has contributed to the reproducibility crisis in biomedical research. Despite early initiatives such as MIAPAR or PSI-PAR, a best practice guideline for antibody characterization is still not in prospect. Here, we analyze 24 antibody-related databases and compare their content with regard to validation aspects and coverage. We also provide a flowchart for end-users with all necessary steps to facilitate finding and choosing specific and sensitive antibodies for their experiments. Based on a growing demand for better and standardized validation procedures and characterization guidelines for antibody molecules we have summarized our findings in a five-point plan. We intend to keep the discussion alive and hope that properly used antibodies will remain as central to biomedicine as they are today.
Exhibition Reviews
Authors: Magee Carol , I. Williams Gwyneth
Published: September 2015

Tchotchke: Mass-Produced Sentimental Objects in Contemp orary Art, Gund Gallery, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, 16 January–31 May 2015

Women Fashion Power: Not a Multiple Choice, Design Museum, London, UK , 29 October 2014–26 Ap ril 2015