Molecular phylogeny of Demospongiae: implications for classification and scenarios of character evolution

An analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of the 13 orders of Demospongiae, based on 18S and C1, D1 and C2 domains of 28S rRNA (for, respectively, 26 and 32 taxa) has been performed. The class Demospongiae as traditionally defined is not found to be monophyletic. Instead, a clade comprising all demosponges except Homoscleromorpha is well-supported, and we define phylogenetically the name Demospongiae in this more restricted sense to preclude the possibility of drastic alterations of the meaning of Demospongiae in the future, depending on the position of Homoscleromorpha. Within this clade Demospongiae s.s., ceractinomorphs and tetractinomorphs are polyphyletic, implying homoplastic evolution of characters such as reproductive strategies (viviparity vs. oviparity) and skeleton architecture (reticulate vs. radiate). The topology derived from our molecular data provides a basis for proposing a new classification of Demospongiae s.s., and suggests a reverse polarity of some characters, with respect to traditional conceptions: viviparity, presence of monaxon spicules and of spongin appear to be ancestral, whereas oviparity, and presence of tetraxon spicules appear as derived characters.     

Updated classification of hemangiomas and other vascular anomalies

Vascular anomalies comprise a widely heterogenous group of tumors and malformations. Great confusion has arisen because of the term hemangioma has been and is continued to be used to represent a multitude of vascular entities. This review presents the updated classification of vascular anomalies with the goal of clarifying the term hemangioma. In addition, newer clinical concepts in hemangiomas and other vascular tumors is presented. Hemangioma subtypes and hemangioma variants are also discussed, and a brief review of pyogenic granuloma and Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma is provided. Finally, the immunohistochemical marker GLUT1 is reviewed, a marker that heralds a new era in vascular anomalies research.     

A bioluminescent sensor for high throughput toxicity classification

A high throughput toxicity monitoring and classification biosensor system has been successfully developed using four immobilized bioluminescent Escherichia coli strains, DPD2511, DPD2540, DPD2794 and TV1061, which have plasmids bearing a fusion of a specific promoter to the luxCDABE operon. The bioluminescence of DPD2511 increases in the presence of oxidative damage, DPD2540 by membrane damage, DPD2794 by DNA damage and TV1061 by protein damage. In the developed biosensor these strains are immobilized in a single 96 well plate using an LB-agar matrix, and are able to detect the toxicities of hydrogen peroxide, phenol and mitomycin C in water samples. As the concentration of each chemical was increased, the bioluminescence levels from the corresponding wells, containing either DPD2511, DPD2540, DPD2794 or TV1061, increased. This increase in bioluminescence followed a dose dependent response to the toxic chemicals within a specific concentration range. In particular, each test requires only 4 h to give clear bioluminescent response signature. Storage of the biosensor at 4 degrees C for 2 weeks caused no change in its dose-dependent response. The fast and easy detection of oxidative, membrane, protein and DNA damaging agents in aqueous environments is possible due to the high throughput capability of this biosensor.     

面向健康的城市水系生态修复方案优选方法

生态系统健康是水体生态修复的目标,但河段尺度的健康理念无法为城市水系生态修复提供明确指导,生态修复方案缺乏优选方法.识别了城市水系健康内涵,认为城市水系健康包括水量、水质与水生态健康,还应具有时空分布上的同质性.基于健康理念,提出城市水系生态修复方案优选技术路线,构建包括水量、水质与水生态的平均满足度、空间标准差和时间标准差等9项指标的城市水生态修复方案优选指标体系,提出多人多准则决策方法(TOPSIS),可实现灵活、快捷的方案优选.     

Residents' evaluation of urban environments: attraction of urban life and anxiety associated with traffic accidents and urban crimes

The results of questionnaire and interview surveys conducted in Mitaka and Musashino cities are presented for investigating of residents' evaluation of their urban environment, particularly regarding its attractiveness. A special attention was paid to residents' evaluation with regard to anxiety associated with traffic accidents and urban crimes. The urban infrastructure and residents' responses were examined using a Geographic Information System (GIS). Attractiveness associated with the urban environment was classified into two categories: "attractiveness in daily life" and "attractiveness in non-daily life." The residents valued opportunities for relaxing and living in comfort. In non-daily life, the residents specifically valued improved living conditions and harmony between the natural environment and commercial facilities. They attributed crime anxiety to trees, narrow streets, obstructed views, dark areas and a gloomy atmosphere. Residents regarded violent crimes as being prevalent, but considered trespassing and property crimes infrequent. The residents' anxiety about traffic accidents was caused by reckless driving habits, narrow streets, lack of separation between roadway and pedestrians' ways, heavy traffic, and obstructed views. Residents cited main roads and intersections as locations of anxiety, which concurred with frequent accidents.     

Holoprosencephaly and midline facial anomalies: redefining classification and management.

Holoprosencephaly encompasses a series of midline defects of the brain and face. Most cases are associated with severe malformations of the brain which are incompatible with life. At the other end of the spectrum, however, are patients with midline facial defects and normal or near-normal brain development. Although some are mentally retarded, others have the potential for achieving near-normal mentality and a full life expectancy. The latter patients do not fit clearly into the previously defined classification system. Proposed is a new classification focusing on those patients with normal or lobar brain morphology but with a wide range of facial anomalies. The classification aids in planning treatment. Coupled with CT scan findings of the brain and a period of observation, patients unlikely to thrive can be distinguished from those who will benefit from surgical intervention. Repair of the false median cleft lip and palate may suffice in patients with moderate mental retardation. Patients exhibiting normal or near-normal mentality with hypotelorbitism and nasomaxillary hypoplasia can be treated with a simultaneous midface advancement, facial bipartition expansion, and nasal reconstruction.     

Classification for congenital anomalies of the hand: the IFSSH classification and the JSSH modification

The purpose of a classification for clinical problems which, except for a few specialized centers, occur only sporadically is to provide a system where these cases can be stored. This should allow all involved investigators to speak the same language; so-doing syndromes can be delinated, frequencies of occurence established and results of--different--treatments compared. A classification system should be simple to use, reliable and uniformly accepted. It should allow space for adaptations and/or extensions. The IFSSH proposed a 7 categories classification based on the proposed classification of Swanson et al. in 1976. This classification, was based on, which was thought in the seventies, etiopathogenic pathways. These 7 groups are: I. Failure of formation; transverse (A), or longitudinal (B) II. Failure of differentiation III. Polydactyly IV. Overgrowth V. Undergrowth VI. Amniotic band syndrome VII. Generalized skeletal syndromes. The extended classification proposed by IFSSH was used to classify 1013 hand differences in 925 hands of 650 patients. We found associated anomalies in 26.7%. The classification was straightforward in 86%, difficult in 6.6% and not possible in 7.8%. Group II was the most numerous group including 513 anomalies. We propose to include in this group the Madelung deformity, the Kirner deformity and congenital trigger fingers and trigger thumbs. In group I the radial and ulnar deficiencies, limited to the hand without forearm deficlencies should be Included. Triphalangeal thumbs are a problem, we suggest it to be listed in group III and consider it as a duplication in length. It is not always possible to evaluate the (transverse) absence of the fingers or hand. Longitudinal deficiencies (group IIB), symbrachydactyly (group V), and amniotic bands (group IV) occasionally develop a phenotype similar to the genuine transverse deficiency (group IA). Recently, the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand (JSSH) (16) proposed an extension/modification of the IFSSH classification. Based on newer knowledge on teratology, symbrachydactyly in all stages were transfered to group I. Two new groups were introduced. A group "failure of finger ray induction" including typical cleft hand (IC), central polydactyly (III) and (bony) syndactyly (II)--was included. Also a group of "unclassifiable" cases was added. This Japanese proposed classification is a real improvement and most clinicians and surgeons tend to use it in the future.     

Practical and configurable network traffic classification using probabilistic machine learning

Cluster Computing - Network traffic classification that is widely applicable and highly accurate is valuable for many network security and management tasks. A flexible and easily configurable...     

Detection of renal anomalies by abdominal palpation in newborn infants.

In a new technique of palpation for renal anomalies in the newborn one hand supports the infant while the fingers of the other hand support the loin and the thumb explores the abdomen. In a series of 11 000 otherwise normal newborn children superficial palpation detected 11 renal anomalies, and deep palpation led to the discovery of another 42 anomalies. One of two other series in which palpation was performed bimanually gave a similar incidence of renal anomalies (0-5%). Early discovery of an asymptomatic anomaly enables early treatment of the complications that are often found in patients with congenital renal anomalies detected in later life.     

Molecular phylogenetic evaluation of classification and scenarios of character evolution in calcareous sponges (Porifera, Class Calcarea)

Calcareous sponges (Phylum Porifera, Class Calcarea) are known to be taxonomically difficult. Previous molecular studies have revealed many discrepancies between classically recognized taxa and the observed relationships at the order, family and genus levels; these inconsistencies question underlying hypotheses regarding the evolution of certain morphological characters. Therefore, we extended the available taxa and character set by sequencing the complete small subunit (SSU) rDNA and the almost complete large subunit (LSU) rDNA of additional key species and complemented this dataset by substantially increasing the length of available LSU sequences. Phylogenetic analyses provided new hypotheses about the relationships of Calcarea and about the evolution of certain morphological characters. We tested our phylogeny against competing phylogenetic hypotheses presented by previous classification systems. Our data reject the current order-level classification by again finding non-monophyletic Leucosolenida, Clathrinida and Murrayonida. In the subclass Calcinea, we recovered a clade that includes all species with a cortex, which is largely consistent with the previously proposed order Leucettida. Other orders that had been rejected in the current system were not found, but could not be rejected in our tests either. We found several additional families and genera polyphyletic: the families Leucascidae and Leucaltidae and the genus Leucetta in Calcinea, and in Calcaronea the family Amphoriscidae and the genus Ute. Our phylogeny also provided support for the vaguely suspected close relationship of several members of Grantiidae with giantortical diactines to members of Heteropiidae. Similarly, our analyses revealed several unexpected affinities, such as a sister group relationship between Leucettusa (Leucaltidae) and Leucettidae and between Leucascandra (Jenkinidae) and Sycon carteri (Sycettidae). According to our results, the taxonomy of Calcarea is in desperate need of a thorough revision, which cannot be achieved by considering morphology alone or relying on a taxon sampling based on the current classification below the subclass level.     

Molecular pathogenesis of vascular anomalies: classification into three categories based upon clinical and biochemical characteristics

Vascular tumors and malformations can be challenging to diagnose. Although they can resemble one another, their classification into tumors, such as hemangiomas of infancy, and malformations, such as venous or arteriovenous malformations, is based not only on their divergent biological behavior, but also on their pathogenesis. This review examines the molecular pathobiology of the processes involved in the development of these vascular birthmarks as they are currently understood. The terms hemangioma, hemangiosarcoma, and vascular proliferation are often used interchangeably, even though these entities are clinically and biochemically distinct. A more precise classification is necessary to facilitate communication between basic scientists and clinicians. Vasculogenesis, the in situ differentiation of blood vessels, occurs very early in the developing embryo. In vivo and in vitro studies, as well as knockout models, seem to indicate that this mechanism is unlikely to be involved in the development of either vascular malformations or hemangiomas of infancy. Recent advances in embryonic angiogenesis, especially explorations of mechanisms of vascular remodeling, have brought new understanding of the pathogenesis of vascular malformations. Vascular remodeling, an integral part of angiogenesis that centers upon the interactions between pericytes and endothelial cells, has been shown to be defective in certain experimental models and in some familial cases of vascular malformation. The occurrences of arteriovenous malformations in territories susceptible to increased remodeling also point towards epigenetic events in the development of vascular malformations.     

Detection of,and sampling procedures for,the citrus blackfly in urban southern Florida

The dispersion pattern of the citrus blackfly (CBF)Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby on urban citrus trees was studied in southern Florida. There was no usable correlation (r²=0.41) between the % of older leaves infested with CBF versus that on the newest mature flush, but there was a strong correlation (r²=0.87) between the % of leaves in the newest mature flush infested with CBF and log_e, where is the number of egg spirals of CBF/leaf on the same leaves. CBF egg spirals are distributed among the flushes in groups rather than singly and the flushes are not over-dispersed. Visual surveys proved superior to sticky traps for the detection of CBF at low densities (<5% leaves infested) on citrus trees in an urban setting. A sampling procedure is described herein based upon visual surveys.     

Microbial degradation of street dust polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in microcosms simulating diffuse pollution of urban soil

Diffuse pollution with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of topsoil in urban regions has caused increasing concerns in recent years. We simulated diffuse pollution of soil in microcosms by spiking sandy topsoil (A-horizon) and coarse, mineral subsoil (C-horizon) with street dust (PM63) isolated from municipal street sweepings from central Copenhagen. The microbial communities adapted to PAH degradation in microcosms spiked with street dust in both A-horizon and C-horizon soils, in spite of low PAH-concentrations. The increased potential for PAH degradation was demonstrated on several levels: by slowly diminishing PAH-concentrations, increased mineralization of 14C-PAHs, increasing numbers of PAH degraders and increased prevalence of nah and pdo1 PAH degradation genes, i.e. the microbial communities quickly adapted to PAH degradation. Three- and 4-ring PAHs from the street dust were biodegraded to some extent (10-20%), but 5- and 6-ring PAHs were not biodegraded in spite of frequent soil mixing and high PAH degradation potentials. In addition to biodegradation, leaching of 2-, 3- and 4-ring PAHs from the A-horizon to the C-horizon seems to reduce PAH-levels in surface soil. Over time, levels of 2-, 3- and 4-ring PAHs in surface soil may reach equilibrium between input and the combination of biodegradation and leaching. However, levels of the environmentally critical 5- and 6-ring PAHs will probably continue to rise. We presume that sorption to black carbon particles is responsible for the persistence and low bioaccessibility of 5- and 6-ring PAHs in diffusely polluted soil.     

Modelling of different circular end-of-use scenarios for smartphones

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment - Repairing, refurbishing and remanufacturing are three strategies of the Circular Economy (CE), aiming at closing product cycles and maintaining...     

Selective scenarios for the emergence of natural language

The recent blossoming of evolutionary linguistics has resulted in a variety of theories that attempt to provide a selective scenario for the evolution of early language. However, their overabundance makes many researchers sceptical of such theorising. Here, we suggest that a more rigorous approach is needed towards their construction although, despite justified scepticism, there is no agreement as to the criteria that should be used to determine the validity of the various competing theories. We attempt to fill this gap by providing criteria upon which the various historical narratives can be judged. Although individually none of these criteria are highly constraining, taken together they could provide a useful evolutionary framework for thinking about the evolution of human language.     

Detection of anomalies in cell-surface carbohydrates on thrombasthenic platelets using 125I-labeled lectins

The composition of carbohydrates on the surface of platelets from a patient with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and from seven normal donors were determined and compared. To this end, binding studies were performed using nine different purified 125I-labeled lectins; Concanavalin A, P-Phytohaemagglutinin, Wheat Germ Agglutinin, Dolichos biflorus, Pisum sativum, Ricinus communis II Agglutinin, Tetragonolobus purpureus, Lens culinaris and Soybean Agglutinin. These studies show that thrombasthenic platelets bear significantly decreased numbers of receptors for Concanavalin A and Lens culinaris, both with a specificity for D-mannose, and Ricinus communis II, with specificity for D-galactose. There were no detectable differences in the numbers of other lectin receptors. These results provide further evidence of molecular defects in thrombasthenic platelets. Moreover, the use of 125I-labeled lectins, as shown here, provides a fast and reliable technique for identifying abnormalities in the carbohydrate composition on the surface of platelets in various thrombopathies.