An interview with Dr. Giuseppe Viglietto on his highly cited paper published in Cell Cycle

Comment on: Activating E17K mutation in the gene encoding the protein kinase AKT in a subset of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung Donatella Malanga, Marianna Scrima, Carmela De Marco, Fernanda Fabiani, Nicola De Rosa , Silvia de Gisi, Natalia Malara, Rocco Savino, Gaetano Rocco, Gennaro Chiappetta, Gennaro Chiappetta, Renato Franco, Virginia Tirino, Giuseppe Pirozzi and Giuseppe Viglietto. Cell Cycle 2009; 7:665-9.     

COVID-19 prophylaxis in immunosuppressed patients: Beyond vaccination

Ivan Gentile and Nicola Schiano Moriello discuss the potential of monoclonal antibody prophylaxis against COVID-19 infection in immunocompromised patients.     

Steps of glucocorticoid action in normal and diabetic rat placenta

This investigation examined the effects of Streptozotocin diabetes in pregnancy on several parameters of glucocorticoid action in the rat placenta. Pregnant diabetic rats showed reduced body weight, increased adrenal weight and serum corticosterone concentrations. Glucocorticoid receptors in placental cytosol of labyrinthine zone, measured in the absence of MoO4Na2 were similar in control and diabetic rats, but after addition of MoO4Na2 receptor number were moderately, but significantly reduced in diabetic placentas (P less than 0.01). No changes in affinity were detected in saturation analysis. Furthermore, transformation of the receptor assessed by its capacity for binding to DNA-cellulose, was enhanced in diabetic animals, suggesting increased efficiency of the receptor-bound hormone. Since the function of the glucocorticoid receptor of rat placenta may be the inhibition of local progesterone production (Heller and De Nicola, J. steroid Biochem. 19 (1983) 1339-1343), we determined progesterone synthesis in vitro and found that diabetic placentas synthesized significantly less progesterone than control tissue (P less than 0.05). Lastly, we found that the metabolism of corticosterone to 11-dehydrocorticosterone, while declining in control placentas as pregnancy advanced, it was sustained in diabetic pregnancy. It is suggested that diabetic rat placentas showed increased activity towards the glucocorticoid receptor, resulting in reduction in progesterone synthesis and sustained catabolism of corticosterone. The latter may possibly constitute a compensatory mechanism to protect the fetal compartment from high levels of maternal glucocorticoids.     

Role of certain potato tubers constituents in their resistance to bacterial soft rot caused by Erwinia carotovora pv. carotovora

Erwinia soft rot causes destructive and serious damages to many vegetable crops including potato, in the field, transit and storage periods. The role of certain potato tuber constituents in the physiology of disease resistance has been investigated. Pectin substances and calcium contents of potato tuber had a pronounced role in the physiology of disease resistance. Alpha and Santa (less susceptible cultivars) contained the higher amount of pectin and calcium compared by Mirkal, Diamant, Askort, Geganite and Nicola cultivars (more susceptible cultivars). Tubers extracts of all healthy tested potato tubers cultivars contained fructose except Santa cultivar and glucose except Alpha and Mirkal cultivars. Tuber extracts of the more susceptible cultivars (Nicola and Askort) contained a higher concentration of glucose and fructose than those of less susceptible cultivars (Geganite, Mirkal, Santa, Alpha and Diamant).     

Merit and Blessing in Mainland Southeast Asia in Comparative Perspective

Merit and Blessing in Mainland Southeast Asia in Comparative Perspective. Cornelia Ann Kammerer and Nicola Tannenbaum. eds. Yale Southeast Asia Studies, 45. New Haven, CT: Yale University Southeast Asia Studies, 1996. 263 pp.     

The Food Intake of Plants

Schank, Roger C. with Peter C. Childers The Cognitive Computer: On Language, Learning, and Artificial Intelligence Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 1984 268 pp. $17.95. Reviewed by Gerald R. Rising.

Brown, Vinson Building Your Own Nature Museum for Study and Pleasure, 2d ed. New York: Arco Pub., 1984 161 pp. $12.95 hardcover, $7.95 paper. Reviewed by A. Gilbert Wright.

Heppenheimer, T. A. The Man-Made Sun: The Quest for Fusion Power Boston, Mass.: Little, Brown and Co., 1984 347 pp., $19.95 hardcover. Reviewed by Laurence A. Marschall.

Stiebing, William H., Jr. Ancient Astronauts, Cosmic Collisions, and Other Popular Theories About Man's Past Buffalo, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 1984 217 pp. $19.95 hardcover, $9.95 paper. Reviewed by Joseph S. Tenn.

Finucane, R. C. Appearances of the Dead: A Cultural History of Ghosts Buffalo, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 1984 232 pp. $18.95 hardcover. Reviewed by Russell F. Trimble.

De Carlo, Nicola Alberto Psychological Games New York: Facts on File, 1984 184 pp. $22.95 hardcover, $12.95 paper. Reviewed by Barry Guinagh.     

Rethinking Power and Culture in Anthropology

Who Can Compete against the World? Power-Protection and Buddhism in Shan Woridview. Nicola Tannenbaum. Ann Arbor, MI: Association of Asian Studies, 1995.228 pp.
State Power and Culture in Thailand. E. Paul Durrenberger. ed. Yale Southeast Asia Studies Monograph, 44. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1996. 200 pp.     

Étude géomorphologique et écologique du gisement quaternaire de la terrasse de “Piano San Nicola” près Novasiri Scalo (italie du Sud)

The quaternary marine terrace of «Piano San Nicola is situated on a raising-up country ofthe Apennines. Stratigraphy and geomorphology of the terrace is presented, with an ecologic study of the associated molluscan fauna.A paleoecological and sedimentological reconstitution is drawn up as a synthesis of those data.(Shallow slimy to sandy marine bottom with euryhaline animals).A new interpretation of the terrace is given: more recent than Eutyrrhenian, while precedent studies founded upon no chronological value foraminifera, described it older.     

In vitro induction of axillary potato microtubers and improvement of their quality

Germinated tubers of selected cultivars Kera, Resy, Nicola and Oreb were made healthier by heat treatment. They were derived from germ explants on MS media with the addition of BAP 1 mg 1^-1 and IAA 0.2 mg 1⁻¹. After sufficient multiplication of stems, optimum conditions of the photoperiod were followed for the induction of axillary microtubers on stem segments in media with BAP 10 mg 1^-1 and 8% sucrose. The ability of tuberization is different: the early cvs. Kera and Resy induce earlier tubers at a long photoperiod and late cvs. Nicola and Oreb tuber rather at a short photoperiod. In suitable photoperiods the inhibitory substances accelerate the induction of axillary tubers and limit the formation of adventitious roots. Synthetic inhibitors applied in induction media increase the number of the tubers. The quality of tubers was affected by the addition of a mixture of amino acids: aspartic, glutamic, lysine and proline in concentrations of 12.5, 25 and 50 mg.1^-1 into the induction media. In the course of cultivation the types which were growing well, formed tubers and increased the volume were selected. The representation of amino acids in the tubers was not significantly affected, there was only an increase in proline. The higher content of amino acids was reflected in the increase of proteins in the tubers. The selected clones are further multiplied.     

不同采样设计评估鱼类群落效果比较

鱼类群落生态学研究结果的准确性很大程度上依赖于采样设计的合理性和准确性,正确的采样调查设计不仅可以降低调查成本,其结果也对渔业资源的评估或者管理起到相当重要的作用.本文利用计算机模拟定点采样、简单随机采样和分层采样,比较了3种采样设计的采样效果、相对误差及相对偏差.结果表明： 定点采样设计的采样效果 (采样效果平均值为3.37)要弱于简单随机采样和分层随机采样 (采样效果平均值为0.961).3种采样设计中,分层采样设计在鱼类群落丰富度评估时表现最好,其采样效果、相对误差和相对偏差表现最佳.随着采样数的增加,分层采样设计的采样效果有所下降,但其采样精度提高.     

A defective signal peptide in a 19-kD alpha-zein protein causes the unfolded protein response and an opaque endosperm phenotype in the maize De*-B30 mutant

Defective endosperm* (De*)-B30 is a dominant maize (Zea mays) mutation that depresses zein synthesis in the developing endosperm. The mutant kernels have an opaque, starchy phenotype, malformed zein protein bodies, and highly increased levels of binding protein and other chaperone proteins in the endosperm. Immunoblotting revealed a novel alpha-zein protein in De*-B30 that migrates between the 22- and 19-kD alpha-zein bands. Because the De*-B30 mutation maps in a cluster of 19-kD alpha-zein genes, we characterized cDNA clones encoding these proteins from a developing endosperm library. This led to the identification of a 19-kD alpha-zein cDNA in which proline replaces serine at the 15th position of the signal peptide. Although the corresponding gene does not appear to be highly expressed in De*-B30, it was found to be tightly linked with the mutant phenotype in a segregating F2 population. Furthermore, when the protein was synthesized in yeast cells, the signal peptide appeared to be less efficiently processed than when serine replaced proline. To test whether this gene is responsible for the De*-B30 mutation, transgenic maize plants expressing this sequence were created. T1 seeds originating from the transformants manifested an opaque kernel phenotype with enhanced levels of binding protein in the endosperm, similar to De*-B30. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the De*-B30 mutation causes a defective signal peptide in a 19-kD alpha-zein protein.     

Chinese herbal formula, Bing De Ling, enhances antitumor effects and ameliorates weight loss induced by 5-fluorouracil in the mouse CT26 tumor model

The use of complementary and alternative medicines-including a variety of herbal therapies-by patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy has been well documented. Despite such widespread use, however, the benefits and potential mechanisms of such herbal medicines remain largely anecdotal. In this study we examined the effects of a Chinese herbal formula, Bing De Ling, when administered as an adjunct to chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the CT26 mouse colon cancer model. 5-FU and Bing De Ling were administered to both nave and CT26 mouse colon cancer-bearing BALB/c mice. Our results indicate that although the herbal formula alone did not result in antitumor effects under experimental conditions, it significantly enhanced 5-FU-induced tumor growth inhibition. Oral administration of Bing De Ling also increased survival rates of both tumor-bearing and tumor-free mice treated with 5-FU. Furthermore, oral administration of Bing De Ling reduced weight loss in tumor-free mice receiving 5-FU when compared to tumor-free mice that received 5-FU alone. Our data further show that 5-FU upregulates serum levels of IL-6, known to contribute to weight loss, in tumor-free mice, and that this increase in IL-6 is significantly less in mice that received Bing De Ling in addition to 5-FU. These data show Bing De Ling both enhances the antitumor responses of 5-FU and ameliorates side effects.     

Parsimony analysis of unaligned sequence data: some clarifications

De Laet (2015) claimed that minimization of ad hoc hypotheses of homoplasy does not lead to a preference for trivial optimizations when analysing unaligned sequence data, as claimed by Wheeler (2012; see also Kluge and Grant, 2006). In addition, De Laet asserted that Kluge and Grant's (2006) parsimony rationale is internally inconsistent in terms of Baker's (2003) theoretical framework. We argue that De Laet used extraneous presuppositions to critique Wheeler's position and, as such, his criticism should be considered cautiously in terms of its scope. Finally, we demonstrate that considering Kluge and Grant's parsimony rationale as inconsistent rests on De Laet's misunderstanding of the ideographic character concept and the consequences of relating it to Baker's rationale.     

"Critical Ethnocentrism" and the Ethnology of Ernesto De Martino

Italian anthropologist, folklorist, and historian of religions Ernesto De Martino was an eclectic and creative intellectual who fostered a whole generation of studies on popular culture in Italy. In this article, I focus on one particular aspect of his work, a method referred to as "critical ethnocentrism," attempting to situate De Martino's concerns in the historical moment of postwar ideological struggles. De Martino's approach, however, has a wider relevance to understanding the relationships between the ethnographer and the subjects of the research, as well as the historical and political contexts in which they meet.     

The West Indian species of Encyrtidae described by L. D. Howard, 1894 and 1897 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea)

Abstract. The following species of encyrtids described by Howard (1894, 1897) from St Vincent and Grenada are redescribed or dealt with in some other way. The current generic placements and synonymies are indicated in parentheses. Archinus occupants (Archinus), Aphycus amoenus (Metaphycus comb.n.), Aratus scutellatus (= brasiliensis Subba Rao syn.n., Zeteticontus), Blastothrix insolitus ( Anagyrus comb .n. ), Bothriothorax insularis (Zeteticontus), Cerchysius terebratus (Anagyrus), Cerchysius pulchricornis (Anagyrus), Chieloneurus funiculus (= cupreicollis Ashmead syn.n., Cheiloneurus), Cheiloneurus nigrescens (= longisetaceus De Santis syn.n., Cheiloneurus), Copidosoma diversicomis (Apoanagyrus comb.n.), Encyrtus argentipes (Zaomma), Encyrtus crassus (= Encyrtus gargaris Walker syn.n. = Giraultella lopesi Costa Lima & Ferreira syn. n, Coelopencyrtus comb.n.), Encyrtus conformis (Encyrtus), Encyrtus convexus (= Encyrtus nitidus (Howard) syn. n.), Encyrtus flaviclavus (Encyrtus), Encyrtus hirtus (Hunterellus comb.n.), Encyrtus moderatus (= Adelencyrtus femoralis Compere & Annecke syn. n. = Adelencyrtus miyarai Tachikawa syn. n., Adelencyrtus comb.n.), Encyrtus nitidus (= Protyndarichus proximus De Santis syn. n., Protyndarichus comb.n.), Encyrtus quadricolor (Encyrtus), Encyrtus rotundiformis (Psyllaephagus comb.n.), Encyrtus sordidus (Forcipestricis comb.n.), Encyrtus submetallicus (Ooencyrtus), Habrolepoidea glauca (Habrolepoidea) and Homalopoda cristata (Homalopoda). Xiphomastix De Santis is synonymized with Anagyrus Howards (syn. n.), both included species ( X. nigriceps De Santis and X. bellator De Santis) being transferred to the latter. Propsyllaephagus Blanchard is synonymized with Psyllaephagus Ashmead (syn.n), Aratiscus laevigatus De Santis is transferred to Zeteticontus Silvestri (comb n.) and a key to the South American species of the genus is provided.     

Cell surface glycoproteins of hepatocytes and hepatoma cells identified by monoclonal antibodies

Eight hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies (MABs) directed to cell surface components of rat hepatocytes were isolated. The antigens of seven MABs were identified as glycosylated plasma membrane proteins. The presence of these glycoproteins on normal hepatocytes and hepatocellular carcinoma cells was analyzed. A semi-quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that only two MABs (Be 8.7, Ne 11.3) recognized proteins which were expressed not only in normal liver but also in chemically induced transplantable Morris hepatomas and hepatoma-derived cell lines. The expression of six antigens was found to be sensitive to transformation. The domain specificity of the MABs was determined by indirect immunofluorescence on sections of liver tissue containing neoplastic nodules. Three MABs (Be 8.4, Ne 11.1, Ne 11.3) specifically bound to the sinusoidal domain and two MABs (Be 9.2, De 13.4) to the bile canalicular domain. These five antigens were transformation-sensitive except for the glycoprotein recognized by the MAB Ne 11.3. Three MABs (Be 8.7, Be 9.1, De 13.2) also showed intracellular immunofluorescence. Two of the antigens (Be 9.1, De 13.2) were not present in hepatomas. The relative molar masses (Mr) of the glycoproteins were determined after protein immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. Four MABs (Be 8.7, Be 9.1, Be 9.2, De 13.4) recognized antigens with a Mr of 110 000 but did not mutually cross-react. The antigen recognized by MAB De 13.4 was identified as the ectoenzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (EC 3.4.14.-).     

Rates of diffusion of fluorescent molecules via cell-to-cell membrane channels in a developing tissue

Diffusion coefficients for the intercellular movement of fluorescent tracers have been measured in the epidermis of a larval beetle. Fluorescent tracer was injected into a cell and the spread of tracer from cell to cell in this monolayer was recorded by a TV camera. Fluorescence intensities were digitized from the TV images at successive times after the start of injection at various distances from the source by a microcomputer interfaced with a video analyzer. From the relationship between concentration (measured as light intensity), time and distance, an effective diffusion coefficient (De) is calculated for the tracer in the tissue. In newly ecdysed epidermis, De for carboxyfluorescein (CF) is 2.7 X 10(-7) cm2/s, and De for lissamine rhodamine B (LRB) is 1.2 X 10(-7) cm2/s, whereas in intermolt epidermis the De's for CF and LRB are 3.7 X 10(-7) and 1.2 X 10(-7) cm2/s, respectively. These diffusion coefficients are only an order of magnitude lower than their values in water. The ratio of De for the two tracers at these two stages of development differs from the ratio predicted in cytoplasm alone, with the movement of the slightly larger molecule (LRB) being impeded relative to that of the smaller molecule (CF). This suggests that the properties of the membrane channels amplify differences in the rates of movement of molecules of similar size. This may be important during cell patterning in development. De for CF was also monitored as junctional resistance was increased in the epidermis. During 30 min of exposure to 0.25 mM chlorpromazine, De dropped to 20% of its initial value of 5 X 10(-7) cm2/s, implying that the junctional membrane, rather than cytoplasm, is the major barrier to molecular diffusion among the cells.     

The American scale insect genus Udinia De Lotto (Coccidae)

Udinia, an Ethiopian coccid genus, is redefined and a key is given to the thirteen species now recognised: bruncki sp. n. , catori (Green) comb. n. [= Lecanium subhirsutum Newstead syn. n. ], farquharsoni (Newstead) [= U.exoleta (De Lotto) syn. n. ], glabra De Lotto, ikoyensis sp. n. , lobayana (Balachowsky & Ferrero) comb. n. , newsteadi sp. n. , nigeriensis sp. n. , pattersoni sp. n. , paupercula De Lotto, pterolobina De Lotto, scitula De Lotto, setigera (Newstead). Five species are described as new and three species are redescribed and for these lectotypes are designated. The morphological characters used are discussed and listed and intraspecific variations shown by two of the species are tabulated. The distribution of all the species is recorded on two maps and the literature dealing with associations between ants and Udinia and related coccid genera is briefly reviewed.