In pediatric lymphoblastic leukemia of B-cell origin, a small population of primitive blast cells is noncycling, suggesting them to be leukemia stem cell candidates

Kinetic investigations in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are based on all blast cells and, therefore, reflect the proliferative characteristics of the predominant immunophenotype of leukemic cells. Nothing is known about proliferation of immunologically defined rare subpopulations of leukemic cells. In this study, mononuclear cells from the bone marrow of 15 children with untreated CD19 B-cell precursor ALL were examined for proliferative features according to the immunophenotype. After exclusion of highly proliferating residual normal hematopoietic cells, ∼ 3% of blast cells were CD19 and showed a low percentage of cells in S-phase assessed by the bromodeoxyuridine labeling index (BrdU-LI): median BrdU-LI, 0.19% [interquartile range (IQR), 0.15-0.40%]. In contrast, a median BrdU-LI of 7.2% (IQR, 5.7-8.8%) was found for the major CD19 blast cell compartment. Staining smears of sorted CD19 cells for CD10 or CD34 revealed a small fraction of CD19CD10 or CD19CD34 blast cells. These cells were almost nonproliferating with a median BrdU-LI of <0.1% (IQR, 0-0.2%). This proliferative behavior is suggestive of a stem/progenitor cell function and, in addition, the low proliferative activity might render them more resistant to an antiproliferation-based chemotherapy. However, xenotransplantation experiments will be necessary to demonstrate a possible stem cell function.

Clinical and intravascular imaging outcomes at 1 and 2 years after implantation of absorb everolimus eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds in small vessels. Late lumen enlargement: does bioresorption matter with small vessel size? Insight from the ABSORB cohort B trial

BACKGROUND The long-term results after second generation everolimus eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (Absorb BVS) placement in small vessels are unknown. Therefore, we investigated the impact of vessel size on long-term outcomes, after Absorb BVS implantation. METHODS In ABSORB Cohort B Trial, out of the total study population (101 patients), 45 patients were assigned to undergo 6-month and 2-year angiographic follow-up (Cohort B1) and 56 patients to have angiographic follow-up at 1-year (Cohort B2). The pre-reference vessel diameter (RVD) was <2.5 mm (small-vessel group) in 41 patients (41 lesions) and ≥2.5 mm (large-vessel group) in 60 patients (61 lesions). Outcomes were compared according to pre-RVD. RESULTS At 2-year angiographic follow-up no differences in late lumen loss (0.29±0.16 mm vs 0.25±0.22 mm, p=0.4391), and in-segment binary restenosis (5.3% vs 5.3% p=1.0000) were demonstrated between groups. In the small-vessel group, intravascular ultrasound analysis showed a significant increase in vessel area (12.25±3.47 mm(2) vs 13.09±3.38 mm(2) p=0.0015), scaffold area (5.76±0.96 mm(2) vs 6.41±1.30 mm(2) p=0.0008) and lumen area (5.71±0.98 mm(2) vs 6.20±1.27 mm(2) p=0.0155) between 6-months and 2-year follow-up. No differences in plaque composition were reported between groups at either time point. At 2-year clinical follow-up, no differences in ischaemia-driven major adverse cardiac events (7.3% vs 10.2%, p=0.7335), myocardial infarction (4.9% vs 1.7%, p=0.5662) or ischaemia-driven target lesion revascularisation (2.4% vs 8.5%, p=0.3962) were reported between small and large vessels. No deaths or scaffold thrombosis were observed. CONCLUSIONS Similar clinical and angiographic outcomes at 2-year follow-up were reported in small and large vessel groups. A significant late lumen enlargement and positive vessel remodelling were observed in small vessels.

Benzo1,2-b:4,5-b 'difuran-based sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells

Two BDF-based organic sensitizers, as first examples for their use in dye-sensitized solar cells, are prepared and characterized. They yield promising power conversion efficiencies of up to 5.5 and high open circuit voltages up to 0.82 V. This work demonstrates that the BDF chromophore acts as an effective donor in organic sensitizers.

Geschichte der badischen Juden seit der Regierung Karl Friedrichs : 1738 - 1909

von Adolf Lewin

Gute Arbeit gibt herrlichen Lohn, in einer Predigt über das Evangelium am Sonntage Septuagesimae, Math. XX. 1. - 16. in der Kirche St. Leonhard in Stutgard, 1738 : mit einer eingeflossenen Anweisung, wie die vorsehende Execution des verurtheilten Juden, Joseph Süß Oppenheimers, christlich anzusehen und zu gebrauchen seye, ...

von Georg Cunrad Rieger

Characterisation of a Natural Quartz Crystal as a Reference Material for Microanalytical Determination of Ti, Al, Li, Fe, Mn, Ga and Ge

A natural smoky quartz crystal from Shandong province, China, was characterised by laser ablation ICP-MS, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and solution ICP-MS to determine the concentration of twenty-four trace and ultra trace elements. Our main focus was on Ti quantification because of the increased use of this element for titanium in- quartz (TitaniQ) thermobarometry. Pieces of a uniform growth zone of 9 mm thickness within the quartz crystal were analysed in four different LA-ICP-MS laboratories, three EPMA laboratories and one solution-ICP-MS laboratory. The results reveal reproducible concentrations of Ti (57 ± 4 lg g-1),Al (154 ± 15 lg g-1), Li (30 ± 2 lg g-1), Fe (2.2 ± 0.3 lg g-1), Mn (0.34 ± 0.04 lg g-1), Ge (1.7 ± 0.2 lg g-1) and Ga (0.020 ± 0.002 lg g-1) and detectable, but less reproducible, concentrations of Be, B, Na, Cu, Zr, Sn and Pb. oncentrations of K, Ca, Sr, Mo, Ag, Sb, Ba and Au were below the limits of detection of all three techniques. The uncertainties on the average concentration determinations by multiple techniques and laboratories for Ti, Al, Li, Fe, Mn, Ga and Ge are low; hence, this quartz can serve as a reference material or a secondary reference material for microanalytical applications involving the quantification of trace elements in quartz.

Le-Shabat ṿe-li-yeme ḥol

Für Kantor und Chor a cappella

Sēfer Menôrat ham-mā'ôr : we-ze maʿaśē ham-menôrā ʿim 7 nērôt ... ʿim haʿtāqā li-lšôn aškenaz

ḥibbērô ... Yiṣḥāq Ab��hab

ʿAmmûdê hal-lāšôn : ham-meyûssādîm ʿal adnê hā-higgāyôn le-tôʿelet hat-talmîdîm ha-ḥafeśîm li-lemôd śefat ʿēver ; di elemenṭe der hebrešn šprache nach logišn printzipien en wikelṭ ... ; ein handbuch fir lehrer

fon Joel B. J. L.

Novel MesoPorous BioGlass/silk scaffold containing adPDGF-B and adBMP7 for the repair of periodontal defects in beagle dogs

AIM The local delivery of growth factors via gene therapy has gained tremendous awareness in recent years due to their sustained growth factor delivery to target tissues. The aim of this study was to fabricate and investigate a scaffold able to release growth factors via gene therapy for the repair of periodontal tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS Novel mesoporous bioglass (MBG)/silk fibrin scaffold combined with BMP7 and/or PDGF-B adenovirus was fabricated and tested in vitro for cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, acute-type buccal dehiscence periodontal defects (mesiodistal width × depth: 5 × 5 mm) were created on the buccal portion of the maxillary premolars in five normal male beagle dogs (12 months old, 15.0 ± 2.0 kg) and histologically examined for periodontal regeneration following implantation of the following five groups: (1) no scaffold, (2) MBG/silk scaffold alone, (3) scaffold + adPDGF-B, (4) scaffold + adBMP7, (5) scaffold + adPDGF-b + adBMP7. RESULTS In vitro findings demonstrated that adPDGF-B was able to rapidly recruit periodontal ligament (PDL) cells over sixfold more effectively than adBMP7, whereas adBMP7 was more able to induce osteoblast differentiation of PDL cells. In vivo findings demonstrate that scaffolds loaded with adPDGF-B were able to partially regenerate the periodontal ligament while adBMP7 scaffolds primarily improved new bone formation. The combination of both adPDGF-B and adBMP7 synergistically promoted periodontal regeneration by allowing up to two times greater regeneration of the periodontal ligament, alveolar bone and cementum when compared to each adenovirus used alone. CONCLUSIONS Although both PDGF-B and BMP7 are individually capable of promoting periodontal regeneration to some degree, their combination synergistically promotes wound healing in acute-type buccal dehiscence periodontal defects when delivered simultaneously. This study demonstrates the promise for successful delivery of low-cost, effective growth factor delivery via gene therapy for the treatment of periodontal defects.

Lewin, Adolf. Geschichte der badischen Juden seit der Gegierung Karl Friedrichs (1738 - 1909) [Rezension]

B. B.

Molecular studies of human high grade B cell non -Hodgkin's lymphomas

The non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphomas are a diverse group of neoplastic diseases. The incidence rate of the malignant tumors has been rising rapidly over the past twenty years in the United States and worldwide. The lack of insight to pathogenesis of the disease poses a significant problem in the early detection and effective treatment of the human malignancies. These studies attempted to investigate the molecular basis of pathogenesis of the human high grade B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with a reverse genetic approach. The specific objective was to clone gene(s) which may play roles in development and progression of human high grade B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.^ The messenger RNAs from two high grade B cell lymphoma lines, CJ and RR, were used for construction of cDNA libraries. Differential screening of the derived cDNA libraries yielded a 1.4 kb cDNA clone. The gene, designated as NHL-B1.4, was shown to be highly amplified and over-expressed in the high grade B cell lymphoma lines. It was not expressed in the peripheral blood lymphoid cells from normal donors. However, it was inducible in peripheral blood T lymphocytes by a T cell mitogen, PHA, but could not be activated in normal B cells by B cell mitogen PMA. Further molecular characterization revealed that the gene may have been rearranged in the RR and some other B cell lymphoma lines. The coding capacity of the cDNA has been confirmed by a rabbit reticulocyte lysate and wheat germ protein synthesis system. A recombinant protein with a molecular weight of approximate 30 kDa was visualized in autoradiogram. Polyclonal antisera have been generated by immunization of two rabbits with the NHL-B1.4 recombinant protein produced in the E. coli JM109. The derived antibody can recognize a natural protein with molecular weight of 49 kDa in cell lysate of activated peripheral T lymphocytes of normal donors and both the cell lysate and supernatant of RR B cell lymphoma lines. The possible biologic functions of the molecule has been tested preliminarily in a B lymphocyte proliferation assay. It was found that the Q-sepharose chromatograph purified supernatant of COS cell transfection could increase tritiated thymidine uptake by B lymphocytes but not by T lymphocytes. The B cell stimulatory activity of the supernatant of COS cell tranfection could be neutralized by the polyclonal antisera, indicating that the NHL-B1.4 gene product may be a molecule with BCGF-like activity.^ The expression profiles of NHL-B1.4 in normal and neoplastic lymphoid cells were consistent with the current B lymphocyte activation model and autocrine hypothesis of high grade B cell lymphomagenesis. These results suggested that the NHL-B1.4 cDNA may be a disease-related gene of human high grade B cell lymphomas, which may codes for a postulated B cell autocrine growth factor. ^

(Table 1) Biological and chemical characteristics of surface water stations during Nathaniel B. Palmer cruise NBP06-08 to the Ross Sea

We present results from a field study of inorganic carbon (C) acquisition by Ross Sea phytoplankton during Phaeocystis-dominated early season blooms. Isotope disequilibrium experiments revealed that HCO3? was the primary inorganic C source for photosynthesis in all phytoplankton assemblages. From these experiments, we also derived relative enhancement factors for HCO3?/CO2 interconversion as a measure of extracellular carbonic anhydrase activity (eCA). The enhancement factors ranged from 1.0 (no apparent eCA activity) to 6.4, with an overall mean of 2.9. Additional eCA measurements, made using membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS), yielded activities ranging from 2.4 to 6.9 U/[?g chl a] (mean 4.1). Measurements of short-term C-fixation parameters revealed saturation kinetics with respect to external inorganic carbon, with a mean half-saturation constant for inorganic carbon uptake (K1/2) of ~380 ?M. Comparison of our early springtime results with published data from late-season Ross Sea assemblages showed that neither HCO3? utilization nor eCA activity was significantly correlated to ambient CO2 levels or phytoplankton taxonomic composition. We did, however, observe a strong negative relationship between surface water pCO2 and short-term 14C-fixation rates for the early season survey. Direct incubation experiments showed no statistically significant effects of pCO2 (10 to 80 Pa) on relative HCO3? utilization or eCA activity. Our results provide insight into the seasonal regulation of C uptake by Ross Sea phytoplankton across a range of pCO2 and phytoplankton taxonomic composition.

Nitrate limitation and ocean acidification interact with UV-B to reduce photosynthetic performance in the diatom

It has been proposed that ocean acidification (OA) will interact with other environmental factors to influence the overall impact of global change on biological systems. Accordingly we investigated the influence of nitrogen limitation and OA on the physiology of diatoms by growing the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin under elevated (1000 µatm; high CO2- HC) or ambient (390 µatm; low CO2-LC) levels of CO2 with replete (110 µmol/L; high nitrate-HN) or reduced (10 ?mol/L; low nitrate-LN) levels of NO3- and subjecting the cells to solar radiation with or without UV irradiance to determine their susceptibility to UV radiation (UVR, 280-400 nm). Our results indicate that OA and UVB induced significantly higher inhibition of both the photosynthetic rate and quantum yield under LN than under HN conditions. UVA or/and UVB increased the cells' non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) regardless of the CO2 levels. Under LN and OA conditions, activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were enhanced, along with the highest sensitivity to UVB and the lowest ratio of repair to damage of PSII. HC-grown cells showed a faster recovery rate of yield under HN but not under LN conditions. We conclude therefore that nutrient limitation makes cells more prone to the deleterious effects of UV radiation and that HC conditions (ocean acidification) exacerbate this effect. The finding that nitrate limitation and ocean acidification interact with UV-B to reduce photosynthetic performance of the diatom P. tricornutum implies that ocean primary production and the marine biological C pump will be affected by OA under multiple stressors.