Regulatory networks define phenotypic classes of human stem cell lines

Stem cells are defined as self-renewing cell populations that can differentiate into multiple distinct cell types. However, hundreds of different human cell lines from embryonic, fetal and adult sources have been called stem cells, even though they range from pluripotent cells-typified by embryonic stem cells, which are capable of virtually unlimited proliferation and differentiation-to adult stem cell lines, which can generate a far more limited repertoire of differentiated cell types. The rapid increase in reports of new sources of stem cells and their anticipated value to regenerative medicine has highlighted the need for a general, reproducible method for classification of these cells. We report here the creation and analysis of a database of global gene expression profiles (which we call the 'stem cell matrix') that enables the classification of cultured human stem cells in the context of a wide variety of pluripotent, multipotent and differentiated cell types. Using an unsupervised clustering method to categorize a collection of approximately 150 cell samples, we discovered that pluripotent stem cell lines group together, whereas other cell types, including brain-derived neural stem cell lines, are very diverse. Using further bioinformatic analysis we uncovered a protein-protein network (PluriNet) that is shared by the pluripotent cells (embryonic stem cells, embryonal carcinomas and induced pluripotent cells). Analysis of published data showed that the PluriNet seems to be a common characteristic of pluripotent cells, including mouse embryonic stem and induced pluripotent cells and human oocytes. Our results offer a new strategy for classifying stem cells and support the idea that pluripotency and self-renewal are under tight control by specific molecular networks.     

Cell lines producing human T-cell lymphoma virus show altered HLA expression

Human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV) can be identified in fresh and cultured T-lymphocytes from patients with adult T-cell malignancies. HLA typing of the peripheral blood lymphocytes and cultured cell lines from the patient from which the virus was originally isolated suggested the expression of additional HLA-A and -B locus antigens on the HTLV positive cultured T-cells that were not present on the EBV transformed B-cell line or on the peripheral blood lymphocytes. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and T-cell lines established from patients and cord blood lymphocytes, infected with virus by co-culture with T-cell lines, were typed for HLA antigens with alloantisera and in addition tested for reactivity with a monoclonal antibody (4D12) which recognizes a polymorphic HLA class-I antigen. In all HTLV positive cells, with demonstrable provirus replication, altered HLA alloantigen expression was observed. This may be explained by the observations reported in the accompanying paper which shows homology between the envelope gene region of HTLV and the region of an HLA-B locus gene which codes for the extracellular portion of a class I histocompatibility antigen.     

From Cars to Bicycles: an Ecosystem View of Montreal Traffic as a Wicked Problem

Systemic Practice and Action Research - In this paper, we share our reflections based on a process consultation project in collaboration with the Montreal Bicycle Advisory Committee. We put forward...     

Regulation of long-distance transport of mitochondria along microtubules

Mitochondria are cellular organelles of crucial importance, playing roles in cellular life and death. In certain cell types, such as neurons, mitochondria must travel long distances so as to meet metabolic demands of the cell. Mitochondrial movement is essentially microtubule (MT) based and is executed by two main motor proteins, Dynein and Kinesin. The organization of the cellular MT network and the identity of motors dictate mitochondrial transport. Tight coupling between MTs, motors, and the mitochondria is needed for the organelle precise localization. Two adaptor proteins are involved directly in mitochondria-motor coupling, namely Milton known also as TRAK, which is the motor adaptor, and Miro, which is the mitochondrial protein. Here, we discuss the active mitochondria transport process, as well as motor–mitochondria coupling in the context of MT organization in different cell types. We focus on mitochondrial trafficking in different cell types, specifically neurons, migrating cells, and polarized epithelial cells.     

3-D Design and Numerical Simulation of Two-Phase Flow in the Laser Rapid Prototyping Coaxial Powder Delivery System

The metal powder direct and rapid prototyping technology is one of the most developing methods in the laser rapid prototyping technique. The coaxial powder delivery system is the key technique. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new type of coaxial powder delivery system and simulate the metal powder and shield gas flow in the powder nozzle. 2-D and 3-D model of the new coaxial powder delivery system are established. Then gas-solid two-phase flow model and the k-ε turbulent model are selected to simulate the flow of metal powder in powder nozzle. The Euler-Lagrange method is used in the simulating computation. The results show that the new coaxial powder delivery system has stable performance, uniform powder flux, high cooling efficiency, and long useful life.     

Intracellular NAD(H) levels control motility and invasion of glioma cells

Oncogenic transformation involves reprogramming of cell metabolism, whereby steady-state levels of intracellular NAD⁺ and NADH can undergo dramatic changes while ATP concentration is generally well maintained. Altered expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), the rate-limiting enzyme of NAD⁺-salvage, accompanies the changes in NAD(H) during tumorigenesis. Here, we show by genetic and pharmacological inhibition of NAMPT in glioma cells that fluctuation in intracellular [NAD(H)] differentially affects cell growth and morphodynamics, with motility/invasion capacity showing the highest sensitivity to [NAD(H)] decrease. Extracellular supplementation of NAD⁺ or re-expression of NAMPT abolished the effects. The effects of NAD(H) decrease on cell motility appeared parallel coupled with diminished pyruvate-lactate conversion by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and with changes in intracellular and extracellular pH. The addition of lactic acid rescued and knockdown of LDH-A replicated the effects of [NAD(H)] on motility. Combined, our observations demonstrate that [NAD(H)] is an important metabolic component of cancer cell motility. Nutrient or drug-mediated modulation of NAD(H) levels may therefore represent a new option for blocking the invasive behavior of tumors.     

3-D Design and Numerical Simulation of Two-Phase Flow in the Laser Rapid Prototyping Coaxial Powder Delivery System

The metal powder direct and rapid prototyping technology is one of the most developing methods in the laser rapid prototyping technique. The coaxial powder delivery system is the key technique. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new type of coaxial powder delivery system and simulate the metal powder and shield gas flow in the powder nozzle. 2-D and 3-D model of the new coaxial powder delivery system are established. Then gas-solid two-phase flow model and the k-? turbulent model are selected to simulate the flow of metal powder in powder nozzle. The Euler-Lagrange method is used in the simulating computation. The results show that the new coaxial powder delivery system has stable performance, uniform powder flux, high cooling efficiency, and long useful life.     

玻璃微球敏化乳化炸药爆速特性

建立了乳化炸药实验室制备工艺，并自制了玻璃微球敏化的乳化炸药试样，通过对试样的爆速测试，研究了乳化炸药爆速与其密度及玻璃微球含量等因素的关系，分析了这种工业炸药爆速的特点，结果表明，这种乳化炸药的爆速随其密度的增大而增大到最大值后逐渐降低，直到被压死。     

基于AHP的秀山县生物资源可持续发展力评价

为了实现秀山县生物资源的可持续性发展,构建了秀山县生物资源的经济发展系统、社会发展系统、生物资源基础系统、可持续发展实施系统4项准则层和人均GDP等21项指标的评价体系。运用AHP层次分析方法,两两比较得出判断矩阵,进而算出各项指标权重,通过多目标加权函数方法,最终得出秀山县可持续发展力得分为6.79,处于可持续发展力一般的阶段。通过评价结果,分析了秀山县生物资源可持续发展的主要问题,提出了生物资源可持续发展的建议与对策。