Role of NFKB2 on the early myeloid differentiation of CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells

To better understand the early events regulating lineage-specific hematopoietic differentiation, we analyzed the transcriptional profiles of CD34+ human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) subjected to differentiation stimulus. CD34+ cells were cultured for 12 and 40 h in liquid cultures with supplemented media favoring myeloid or erythroid commitment. Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was employed to generate four independent libraries. By analyzing the differentially expressed regulated transcripts between the un-stimulated and the stimulated CD34+ cells, we observed a set of genes that was initially up-regulated at 12 h but were then down-regulated at 40 h, exclusively after myeloid stimulus. Among those we found transcripts for NFKB2, RELB, IL1B, LTB, LTBR, TNFRSF4, TGFB1, and IKBKA. Also, the inhibitor NFKBIA (IKBA) was more expressed at 12 h. All those transcripts code for signaling proteins of the nuclear factor kappaB pathway. NFKB2 is a subunit of the NF-kappa B transcription factor that with RELB mediates the non-canonical NF-kappa B pathway. Interference RNA (RNAi) against NFKB1, NFKB2 and control RNAi were transfected into bone marrow CD34+HSPC. The percentage and the size of the myeloid colonies derived from the CD34+ cells decreased after inhibition of NFKB2. Altogether, our results indicate that NFKB2 gene has a role in the early commitment of CD34+HSPC towards the myeloid lineage. (C) 2010 International Society of Differentiation. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Individual and societal bases of national identity - A comparative multi-level analysis

In a previous study (Jones and Smith, 1999) we established that much the same core pattern of national identity characterizes many developed countries. Using the national identity module from the 1995 International Social Survey Programme, we identified two dimensions of national identity: an ascriptive dimension resembling the concept of ethnic identity described in the historical and theoretical literature, and a voluntarist dimension closer to the notion of civic identity. Some writers view these dimensions in terms of a historical sequence but we find that both constructs coexist in the minds of individual respondents in the nations we examine (we exclude Bulgaria and the Philippines from the present but not the earlier analysis). The dataset used for the multilevel analyses reported here consists of 28 589 respondents in the remaining 21 countries included in the national identity database for the 1995 round of surveys. The macrosociological literature on national identity does not offer well-defined predictions about what precise patterns of national identification we might expect to find among the masses of the developed countries. There are, however, recurring themes from which one can construct plausible hypotheses about how countries might differ according to their level of development, broadly conceived. Thus, we hypothesize that forces such as post-industrialism and globalization tend to favour the more open voluntaristic form of national identity over the more restrictive ascribed form. We develop different multi-level models in order to evaluate specific hypotheses pertaining to such issues, by simultaneously relating individual and societal characteristics to the relative strength of individual commitment to these different types of national identity.

Brief opportunistic intervention: The role of psychologists in initiating self-change amongst problem drinkers

Excessive consumption of alcohol is a serious public health problem. While intensive treatments are suitable for those who are physically dependent on alcohol, they are not cost-effective options for the vast majority of problem drinkers who are not dependent. There is good evidence that brief interventions are effective in reducing overall alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, and health-care utilisation among nondependent problem drinkers. Psychologists are in an ideal position to opportunistically detect people who drink excessively and to offer them brief advice to reduce their drinking. In this paper we outline the process involved in providing brief opportunistic screening and intervention for problem drinkers. We also discuss methods that psychologists can employ if a client is not ready to reduce drinking, or is ambivalent about change. Depending on the client's level of motivation to change, psychologists can engage in either an education-clarification approach, a commitment-enhancement approach, or a skills-training approach. Routine engagement in opportunistic intervention is an important public-health approach to reducing alcohol-related harm in the community.

Investigation of the effects of chrome ball charge on slurry rheology and milling performance

Ten surveys of the ball milling circuit at the Mt Isa Mines (MIM) Copper Concentrator were conducted aiming to identify any changes in slurry theology caused by the use of chrome balls charge, and the associated effect on grinding performance. Slurry theology was measured using an on-line viscometer. The data were mass balanced and analysed with statistical tools. Comparison of the rheogram demonstrated that slurry density and fines content affected slurry rheology significantly, while the effect of the chrome ball charge being negligible. Statistical analysis showed the effects of mill throughput and cyclone efficiency on the Grinding Index (a term describing the overall breakage). There was no difference in the Grinding Index between using the chrome ball charge and the ordinary steel ball charge. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Viscoelasticity of radiation-formed PVA/PVP hydrogel

The dynamic theological behaviour of gamma-irradiated 12.8 wt% poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), 12.8 wt% poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), and a blend of 8 wt% PVA and 4.8 wt% PVP aqueous solutions have been studied pre- and post-gelation. The non-irradiated solutions displayed theological behaviour typical of dilute to semi-dilute polymer solutions, with the complex viscosity being independent of the frequency and shear rate (i.e. Newtonian behaviour) over the range of frequencies tested and the loss modulus G(omega) and storage modulus G(omega) being nearly proportional to omega and omega(2) respectively. After a set of doses of gamma-radiation, the magnitudes of the dynamic moduli G'(omega) and G(omega) increased as the absorbed dose increased, with notable differences between the two homopolymers and the blend. The stages of gelation were effectively monitored by means of dynamic theological measurements, allowing the possible mechanisms of network formation to be elucidated. The doses required for gelation of the PVA, PVP, and blend samples, determined on the basis of the Winter and Chambon criteria for gelation, were found to be 12 kGy for the 12.8 wt% PVA, 4 kGy for the 12.8 wt% PVP, and 5 kGy for the 8 wt% PVA/4.8 wt% PVP solutions. The unexpected lower gelation dose demonstrated by the blend sample, compared with predictions based on the blend composition, and the associated gelation mechanism are also discussed.

The Utility of the Human Security Agenda for Policy-makers

The idea of “human security” is gaining attention among policy-makers and security analysts. Little scholarly attention has been given to the questions of why states accept (or reject) a human security agenda or how such an agenda is incorporated into policy practices. The article suggests that a human security approach is most likely to be applied when both humanitarian and national interests combine. Yet when states or organisations adopt a human security approach, they often misjudge the complex and long-term commitment required of such an approach. There is also the potential for such an agenda to be manipulated to justify questionable courses of action. These issues frame an analysis of six recent case studies.