Evaluation of response in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with intratumoral dendritic cell vaccination using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI and histogram analysis

Background Immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an emerging method with promising results. Immunotherapy can have an antitumor effect without affecting tumor size, calling for functional imaging methods for response evaluation. Purpose To evaluate the response to intratumoral injections with the immune primer ilixadencel in HCCs with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and histogram analysis. Material and Methods A total of 17 patients with advanced HCC were treated with intratumoral injections with ilixadencel on three occasions 2–5 weeks apart. The patients were examined with IVIM before each injection as well as approximately three months after the first injection. Results The 10th percentile of perfusion-related parameter D* decreased significantly after the first and second intratumoral injections of ilixadencel compared to baseline ( P < 0.05). There was a non-significant trend of lower median region of interest f (perfusion fraction) before injection 2 compared to baseline ( P = 0.07). There were significant correlations between the 10th percentile and median of D at baseline and change in tumor size after three months ( r = 0.79, P < 0.01 and r = 0.72, P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion DW-MRI with IVIM and histogram analysis revealed significant reductions of D* early after treatment as well as an association between D at baseline and smaller tumor growth at three months. The lower percentiles (10th and 50th) were found more important. Further research is needed to confirm our preliminary findings of reduced perfusion after ilixadencel vaccinations, suggesting a treatment effect on HCC.

Pseudoscopas carbonelli n. sp. (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae) from southern Brazil, including chromosome complement

New species of Pseudoscopas (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Melanoplinae). Pseudoscopas carbonelli n. sp. from São Francisco de Paula, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil is described, and a key to the species of Pseudoscopas Hebard, 1931 is added. Morphological descriptions are provided together with illustrations emphasizing the most significant diagnostic features of external morphology and male genitalia. Pseudoscopas carbonelli n. sp. differs from the other species known by epiproct with six protuberances in the median region, and extremities of the apical region of the epiproct sclerotized, as well as the lophi with sclerotization. Chromosome analyses were performed using standard staining procedures, showing diploid number of 2n = 23, X0♂/24, XX♀, and the karyotype made up of exclusively acrocentric chromosomes, including a medium-size megameric chromosome. Information is given about type specimens, material examined and geographic distribution.

Karyomorphology, Meiotic Behaviours and Pollen Fertility of Calendula officinalis L. (Calenduleae- Asteraceae)

The present study includes chromosome number, karyomorphology, meiotic behaviors and pollen fertility of the species Calendula officinalis L.collected from central Nepal was cytologically carried out using two percent aceto-orcein for somatic chromosome determination and one percent aceto-carmine for meiotic study. Pollen fertility was based on stainability test using Muntzing solution. Somatic chromosome number determined for this taxon were 2n=28, haploid chromosome number n=14 and pollen fertility found to be 84.4 percent in the present study. In karyotype analysis chromosome length ranged from 0.4 to 2.6 µm and mean length was 1.5 µm. Likewise, absolute length found to be 21.9 µm and karyotype formula obtained was M16+m4+ sm8. Three types of chromosomes centromere at middle point, at median region and at sub –median region were observed. Meiosis with regular and irregular behaviors was observed in this study. The variations in chromosome numbers, irregularities in meiotic behaviors, variations in karyomorphological structure and high fertility rate shows evolve nature of this species which play a great role in evolution. Pollen fertility was also affected by meiotic abnormalities. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 9(1): 75-79

Clinical Evaluation of Bone-Anchored Intraoral Bodily Molar Distalizer

Introduction: Correction of Class II has become a routine with the introduction of mini-implants. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficiency of bone-anchored intraoral bodily molar distalizer (BAIBMD) as compared to bone-anchored pendulum appliance (BAPA). Materials and Methods: This split-mouth study included 11 subjects (6 boys and 5 girls) who required molar distalization. BAPA constructed on one side and BAIBMD on the other side. Both the appliances were anchored to the bone, using a single 2 × 8 mm titanium mini-screw placed in the anterior para-median region of the mid-palatal suture with its head embedded into the Nance button during construction. The force delivery mechanism on both the sides consisted of 200 g-force application, using an activated 0.032˝ titanium molybdenum alloy (TMA)[A]:Author: Please provide expansion for “TMA.” springs fabricated with respective designs and inserted into the lingual sheaths of the first molar bands. The rate, duration, and nature of tooth movement for both the sides were compared. Descriptive statistics for various parameters were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Clinically successful distalization was achieved on both sides. No statistical difference was found in the rate of distalization. Differences in the treatment duration between the two groups were statistically significant, with less duration taken for distalization with BAPA. Statistically significant molar tipping was observed in BAPA. Conclusion: While both the appliances provided a similar rate of distalization, BAIBMD took more duration than BAPA but produced a predominantly translatory type of distal tooth movement.

A new species of Loricaria (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Turiaçu River basin, Eastern Amazon region, Brazil

A new species of Loricaria is herein described from the Turiaçu River basin, Eastern Amazon region, Maranhão state, Brazil, within the Maranhão Hydrological Unit (MHU). Loricaria turi differs from its congeners mainly by the following combination of characters: abdominal plate development confined to the posterior median region, pectoral girdle mostly naked, with cluster of plates near pectoral fin bases; large eyes (minimum orbital diameter 16.2–20.7% of HL and maximum orbital diameter 19.8–24.0% of HL), 214.4 mm of maximum standard length, and large basicaudal plate (16.6–29.2% of HL). The description of this new species strengthens the hypothesis that the Maranhão Hydrological Unit (MHU) is a possible area of endemism for freshwater fishes and contributes to the knowledge of the freshwater fish diversity and composition of the region.

Interaction Between Public Authorities and Stakeholders in Social Media (Comparative Analysis of the Regional Practician)

The wide functionality of social media allows the authorities of the territorial subject to choose a variety of models for using this information resource for organizing interaction in the space of public communications. The purpose of the present research is to explore the practice of public authorities organizing interaction with stakeholders in social media. The study took into consideration official accounts of regional state and municipal structures, as well as regional accounts of federal executive authorities in social networks ”Vkontakte”, ”Odnoklassniki”, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The analysis has shown that in the median region, the number of government accounts is almost twice as high as the social network “Vkontakte”, while the structure of official accounts of Moscow authorities is more differentiated by social networks. Despite a 10-fold increase in the number of Muscovites over residents of the Kursk region, the share of subscribers to official government accounts in them among the General population is comparable. The intensity of the use of feedback forms for official accounts of the authorities of the Kursk region exceeds similar indicators of Moscow city. But at the same time, the publication activity of official accounts the Kursk region authorities is lower than in Moscow. Keywords: public administration, regional governance, public communications, social media, stakeholders

Structure and function of secretory glochids and nectar composition in two Opuntioideae (Cactaceae) species

Cactaceae exhibit highly modified spines that are considered to be extrafloral nectaries (EFNs). Despite their ecological and taxonomical relevance in this family, little is known on their structure and function. We have described the anatomy, ontogenesis, and ultrastructure of the secretory glochids in two Opuntioideae species. Young cladodes of Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis (Willd.) A. Berger and Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck were processed for light and electron microscopy studies. The composition of the secretions was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The secretory glochids were soft, massive, and barbed, as well as translucent. Hyaline droplets on the secretory glochid apex were collected by aggressive ants. The secretory glochids originated from the areolar meristem, beginning as small protuberances formed by protoderm and ground meristem. Mature secretory glochids consisted of a central multiseriate axis of ground cells covered by uniseriate epidermis with a continuous cuticle, and exhibited three regions: (i) dilated vascularized base with parenchyma cells exhibiting features associated to nectar secretion; (ii) elongated median region with juxtaposed fusiform non-lignified parenchyma cells; and (iii) tapered apical portion with immature fibers loosely arranged cells. The exudate was sucrose-dominant with a similar amino acid profile in both species. Our results shed light on the secretory activity of glochids in Cactaceae and their role in cactus–ant interactions.

New combination and redescription of Bumba humile, description of four new species and new records from Brazil (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae)

The taxonomic history of Bumba Pérez-Miles, Bonaldo &amp; Miglio, 2014 is mainly based on the inclusion of the new species. Bumba have been characterized by the type IV urticating setae present, retrolateral process on male palpal tibia, palpal bulb resting in a ventral distal excavation of palpal tibia, metatarsus I passes between the two branches of tibial apophysis when flexed, presence of spiniform setae on prolateral and retrolateral sides of maxillae and coxae I-IV. In this paper we include the row of teeth (denticulate row) in the median region of the inferior prolateral keel in all male palps. This structure range from a residual tooth to a ridge of up to five teeth. Both, the denticulate row and the retrolateral process on male palpal tibia in males could be considered as putative synapomorphies for Bumba. Here, Homoeomma humile Vellard, 1924 is transferred to Bumba and redescribed, while the female is described for the first time. Bumba cabocla (Pérez-Miles, 2000) is synonymyzed with B. horrida (Schmidt, 1994). Bumba pulcherrimaklaasi (Schmidt, 1991) is transferred to Cyclosternum Ausserer, 1871. Four new species are described and illustrated: Bumba tapajossp. nov. from state of Pará, Bumba cuiabasp. nov. and Bumba rondoniasp. nov., both from states of Rondônia and Mato Grosso, respectively, and Bumba mineirossp. nov. from Paraguay and the Brazilian states of Goiás, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. Diagnosis of B. horrida and B. lennoni are extended and figures of this species are presented.

A data-driven analysis of fiber type architecture over the entire muscle

Background Skeletal muscle function is inferred from the spatial arrangement of muscle fibers architecture, which corresponds to myofiber molecular and metabolic features. Myofiber types can be distinguished by the expression of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms, representing contraction properties. In most studies, myofiber typing is determined from a local sampling, typically obtained from the muscle median region. This median region is assumed to represent the entire muscle. However, it remains largely unknown to what extent this local sampling represents the entire muscle. Methods We present here a pipeline to study the architecture of muscle fiber type over the entire muscle, from sectioning, staining, imaging to image quantification and data-driven analysis. Results We reconstructed muscle architecture from consecutive cross-sections stained for laminin and MyHC isoforms. Examining the entire muscle using consecutive cross-sections is extremely laborious, we provide consideration to reduce dataset and yet to cover the entire muscle. Analyses of over 15,000 myofibers, showed spatial variations in myofiber geometric features, myofiber type and the distribution of neuromuscular junctions along the entire muscle. Conclusions We suggest that asymmetric spatial distribution of myofiber types, geometric features of myofibers and the neuromuscular junctions along the muscle could affect muscle function. Therefore, instead of a single sampling from a median region, representative regions covering the entire muscle should be investigated in future studies.