A new kind of flexible pneumatic wall-climbing robot,named WALKMAN-I,was proposed. WALKMAN-I is basically composed of a flexible pneumatic actuator (FPA),a flexible pneumatic spherical joint and six suction cups. It h...A new kind of flexible pneumatic wall-climbing robot,named WALKMAN-I,was proposed. WALKMAN-I is basically composed of a flexible pneumatic actuator (FPA),a flexible pneumatic spherical joint and six suction cups. It has many characteristics of low-cost,lightweight,simple structure and good flexibility. Its operating principle was introduced. Then three basic locomotion modes,which are linear motion,curvilinear motion and crossing the orthogonal planes,were presented. The safety conditions of WALKMAN-I were discussed and built. Finally,the control system was designed and experiments were carried out. Experimental results show that WALKMAN-I is able to climb on the vertical wall surface along a straight line or a curved path,and has the ability of crossing orthogonal planes and obstacles. The maximum rotation angle reaches 90°,the maximum velocity reaches 5 mm/s,and the rotation angle and the moving velocity of WALKMAN-I can be easily controlled.展开更多
＂Emotion is a specific manner of apprehending the world＂ and transforming the world rather than an ＂accidental modification of a subject who is surrounded by an unchanged world,＂ according to Jean-Paul Sartre. Bot...＂Emotion is a specific manner of apprehending the world＂ and transforming the world rather than an ＂accidental modification of a subject who is surrounded by an unchanged world,＂ according to Jean-Paul Sartre. Both Sketch for a Theory of the Emotions and Being and Nothingness set out to investigate these relationships in broadly two ways. One, consciousness of the world of others is experienced through our emotions （anger, fear, shame, and pride for instance） as a body that escapes our grasp in being-seen-by-another. Two, we apprehend the world through our emotions in the process of magical transformation （for example, fear, melancholy, and sadness）. This paper examines emotions on two levels： how we experience our ontological state as being-for-itself-in-itself and being-in-the-world-for-others; and how we conceive emotions as ＂magic＂ changing its relationship with the world ＂so that the world should change its qualities.＂ What is of critical interest here is the relationship between consciousness and emotions. Situating this discussion in the context of Satre＇s critique on psychology, it proceeds to advance his existential psychoanalysis, starting with establishing a place for emotions and concluding with its transformative power to escape their situations.展开更多
AIM： To screen for genes related to metabotropic re- ceptors that might be involved in the development of chronic hepatitis. METHODS： Assessment of 20 genes associated with metabotropic receptors was performed in li...AIM： To screen for genes related to metabotropic re- ceptors that might be involved in the development of chronic hepatitis. METHODS： Assessment of 20 genes associated with metabotropic receptors was performed in liver speci- mens obtained by punch biopsy from 12 patients with autoimmune and chronic hepatitis type B and C. For this purpose, a microarray with low integrity grade and with oligonucleotide DNA probes complementary to target transcripts was used. Evaluation of gene expression was performed in relation to transcript level, correlation between samples and grouping of clinical parameters used in chronic hepatitis assessment. Clini- cal markers of chronic hepatitis included alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, ~,-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and cholinesterase activity, levels of iron ions, total cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, glucose, hemoglobin, platelets, histological analysis of inflammatory and necrotic status, fibrosis according to METAVIR score, steatosis, as well as anthropometric body mass index, waist/hip index, percentage of adi- pose tissue and liver size in ultrasound examination. Gender, age, concomitant diseases and drugs were also taken into account. Validation of oligonucleotide microarray gene expression results was done with the use of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （qRT-PCR）. RESULTS： The highest （0.002 〈 P 〈 0.046） expres- sion among genes encoding main components of metabotropic receptor pathways, such as the a subunit of G-coupled protein, phosphoinositol-dependent pro- tein kinase or arrestin was comparable to that of an- giotensinogen synthesized in the liver. Carcinogenesis suppressor genes, such as chemokine ligand 4, tran- scription factor early growth response protein 1 and lysophosphatidic acid receptor, were characterized by the lowest expression （0.002 〈 P 〈 0.046）, while the factor potentially triggering hepatic cancer, transcrip- tion factor JUN-B, had a 20-fold higher expression. The correlation between expression of genes of protein kinases PDPK1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase and protein kinase A （Spearman＇s coefficient range： 0.762-0.769） confirmed a functional link between these enzymes. Gender （P = 0.0046） and inflammation severity, mea- sured by alanine aminotransferase activity （P = 0.035）, were characterized by diverse metabotropic receptor gene expression patterns. The Pearson＇s coefficient ranging from -0.35 to 0.99 from the results of qRT-PCR and microarray indicated that qRT-PCR had certainlimitations as a validation tool for oligonucleotide mi- croarray studies. CONCLUSION： A microarray-based analysis of hepa- tocyte metabotropic G-protein-related gene expression can reveal the molecular basis of chronic hepatitis.展开更多
Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms(GEP-NENs) frequently present with distant metastases at the time of diagnosis and the liver is the most frequent site of spreading. The early identification of metastati...Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms(GEP-NENs) frequently present with distant metastases at the time of diagnosis and the liver is the most frequent site of spreading. The early identification of metastatic disease represents a major prognostic factor for GEP-NENs patients. Radical surgical resection, which is feasible for a minority of patients, is considered the only curative option, while the best management for patients with unresectable liver metastases is still being debated. In the last few years, a number of locoregional and systemic treatments has become available for GEP-NEN patients metastatic to the liver. However, to date only a few prospective studies have compared those therapies and the optimal management option is based on clinical judgement. Additionally, locoregional treatments appear feasible and safe for disease control for patients with limited liver involvement and effective in symptoms control for patients with diffuse liver metastases. Considering the lack of randomized controlled trials comparing the locoregional treatments of liver metastatic NEN patients, clinical judgment remains key to set the most appropriate therapeutic pathway. Prospective data may ultimately lead to more personalized and optimized treatments. The present review analyzes all the locoregional therapy modalities(i.e., surgery, ablative treatments and transarterial approach) and aims to provide clinicians with a useful algorithm to best treat GEP-NEN patients metastatic to the liver.展开更多
Measuring fitness is essential for understanding the potential impacts of hybridisation between transgenic crops and their wild relatives. Transgenic CrylAc cotton Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense hybridise, the l...Measuring fitness is essential for understanding the potential impacts of hybridisation between transgenic crops and their wild relatives. Transgenic CrylAc cotton Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense hybridise, the latter being valued as backyard cotton and an important genetic resource. G. barbadense was outcrossed to G. hirsutum containing the gene CrylAc and the isoline and the offspring evaluated for fitness as a measure of resistance to common pests and other growth parameters, Resistance to Pectinophora gossypiella and Alabama argillacea were greater in transgenic plants. Number of seeds per plant was higher in the F1 hybrids and G. hirsutum, F2 populations were intermediary; G. barbadense produced the least seeds per plant during the period of analysis. Anthesis of the first flower and opening of the first boll occurred earlier for G. hirsutum and Ft hybrids than F2; latest for G. barbadense. The observed-performance of resistance to the worms in the hybrids suggests that among FI and F2 populations transgenic hybrids may exhibit a competitive advantage over non-transgenic plants as a result of gene flow.展开更多
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans(DFSP), the most common dermal sarcoma, is a low-grade, slow growing fibroblastic malignant neoplasm that most frequently affects middle aged adults and is characterized by a high local ...Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans(DFSP), the most common dermal sarcoma, is a low-grade, slow growing fibroblastic malignant neoplasm that most frequently affects middle aged adults and is characterized by a high local recurrence rate and a low propensity for metastasis. Wide surgical resection or Mohs micrographic surgery(MMS) are the preferred approaches for localized disease, while radiation therapy is warranted for inoperable disease or for cases with positive margins where re-excision is not possible. DFSP is generally regarded as refractory to conventional chemotherapy. Treatment options for systemic disease were limited until the discovery of a unique translocation, t(17;22)(q22;q13)(COL1A1;PDGFB) found in a majority of cases. In recent years, imatinib, a PDGFβR, ABL and KIT inhibitor, has revolutionized systemic therapy in DFSP. In this review, we summarize the epidemiological, clinical, histological and genetic characteristics of DFSP and update the readers on its current management.展开更多
Purpose： This study aimed to investigate the construct of external visual imagery （EVI） vs. internal visual imagery （IV/） by comparing the athletes＇ imagery ability with their levels of skill and types of sports...Purpose： This study aimed to investigate the construct of external visual imagery （EVI） vs. internal visual imagery （IV/） by comparing the athletes＇ imagery ability with their levels of skill and types of sports. Methods： Seventy-two young athletes in open （n = 45） or closed （n = 27） sports and with different skill levels completed 2 custom-designed tasks. The EVI task involved the subject generating and visualizing the rotated images of different body parts, whereas the IVI task involved the subject visualizing himself or herself performing specific movements. Results： The significant Skill-Level x Sport Type interactions for the EVI task revealed that participants who specialized in open sports and had higher skill-levels had a higher accuracy rate as compared to the other subgroups. For the IVI task, the differences between the groups were less clear： those with higher skill-levels or open sports had a higher accuracy rate than those with lower skill-levels or closed sports. Conclusion： EVI involves the visualization of others and the environment, and would be relevant to higher skill-level athletes who engage in open sports. IVI, in contrast, tends to be more self-oriented and would be relevant for utilization by higher skill-level athletes regardless of sport type.展开更多
This article investigates the role of the body in Jean-Luc Nancy＇s powerful essay Corpus, and critiques it from the standpoint of Agamben＇s biopolitics. For Nancy, the body becomes the privileged site of both existe...This article investigates the role of the body in Jean-Luc Nancy＇s powerful essay Corpus, and critiques it from the standpoint of Agamben＇s biopolitics. For Nancy, the body becomes the privileged site of both existence and sense in a way that threatens to obscure the logic of exceptional decision that Agamben takes from Carl Schmitt. As an alternative to Nancy＇s understanding of the body, we can see in Deleuze a series of bodies that works in parallel to a series of sense or language, where sense and body do not get collapsed into each other. At the same time, contemporary continental philosophy resists the idealistic separation of thinking and embodiment. Deleuze calls this relation between sense and body a cut, but we could also consider a parallax, following Slavoj Zizek. Finally, African-American historian of religion Charles H. Long＇s work complements some of Deleuze＇s insights in a more explicitly postcolonial context.展开更多
Objective To determine over-expression of a truncated type ⅡTGF-β receptor in down-regulating TGF-β1 auto production in normal dermal fibroblasts. Methods In vitro cultured dermal fibroblasts were treated with rhT...Objective To determine over-expression of a truncated type ⅡTGF-β receptor in down-regulating TGF-β1 auto production in normal dermal fibroblasts. Methods In vitro cultured dermal fibroblasts were treated with rhTGF-β1 (5ng/ml) or recombinant adenovirus containing α truncated type Ⅱ TGF-β receptor gene (50 pfu/cell). Their effects on regulating gene expression of TGF-β1 were observed with Northern Blot. Results rh TGF-β1 up-regulated the gene expression of TGF-β1, (34 %-150%) and type Ⅰ pro-collagen( 13 %- 190%). Overexpression of a truncated receptor Ⅱ decreased the gene expression of TGF-β1 (53%-66%). Conclusion Over-expression of the truncated TGF-β receptor Ⅱdown-regulated TGF-β1 autoproduction via blocking signal transduction of TGF-β. This study may provide a new strategy for scar gene therapy.展开更多
基金Project (50575206) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject (BX102716) supported by Xinmiao Program of Zhejiang Province, China
文摘A new kind of flexible pneumatic wall-climbing robot,named WALKMAN-I,was proposed. WALKMAN-I is basically composed of a flexible pneumatic actuator (FPA),a flexible pneumatic spherical joint and six suction cups. It has many characteristics of low-cost,lightweight,simple structure and good flexibility. Its operating principle was introduced. Then three basic locomotion modes,which are linear motion,curvilinear motion and crossing the orthogonal planes,were presented. The safety conditions of WALKMAN-I were discussed and built. Finally,the control system was designed and experiments were carried out. Experimental results show that WALKMAN-I is able to climb on the vertical wall surface along a straight line or a curved path,and has the ability of crossing orthogonal planes and obstacles. The maximum rotation angle reaches 90°,the maximum velocity reaches 5 mm/s,and the rotation angle and the moving velocity of WALKMAN-I can be easily controlled.
文摘＂Emotion is a specific manner of apprehending the world＂ and transforming the world rather than an ＂accidental modification of a subject who is surrounded by an unchanged world,＂ according to Jean-Paul Sartre. Both Sketch for a Theory of the Emotions and Being and Nothingness set out to investigate these relationships in broadly two ways. One, consciousness of the world of others is experienced through our emotions （anger, fear, shame, and pride for instance） as a body that escapes our grasp in being-seen-by-another. Two, we apprehend the world through our emotions in the process of magical transformation （for example, fear, melancholy, and sadness）. This paper examines emotions on two levels： how we experience our ontological state as being-for-itself-in-itself and being-in-the-world-for-others; and how we conceive emotions as ＂magic＂ changing its relationship with the world ＂so that the world should change its qualities.＂ What is of critical interest here is the relationship between consciousness and emotions. Situating this discussion in the context of Satre＇s critique on psychology, it proceeds to advance his existential psychoanalysis, starting with establishing a place for emotions and concluding with its transformative power to escape their situations.
文摘AIM： To screen for genes related to metabotropic re- ceptors that might be involved in the development of chronic hepatitis. METHODS： Assessment of 20 genes associated with metabotropic receptors was performed in liver speci- mens obtained by punch biopsy from 12 patients with autoimmune and chronic hepatitis type B and C. For this purpose, a microarray with low integrity grade and with oligonucleotide DNA probes complementary to target transcripts was used. Evaluation of gene expression was performed in relation to transcript level, correlation between samples and grouping of clinical parameters used in chronic hepatitis assessment. Clini- cal markers of chronic hepatitis included alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, ~,-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and cholinesterase activity, levels of iron ions, total cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, glucose, hemoglobin, platelets, histological analysis of inflammatory and necrotic status, fibrosis according to METAVIR score, steatosis, as well as anthropometric body mass index, waist/hip index, percentage of adi- pose tissue and liver size in ultrasound examination. Gender, age, concomitant diseases and drugs were also taken into account. Validation of oligonucleotide microarray gene expression results was done with the use of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （qRT-PCR）. RESULTS： The highest （0.002 〈 P 〈 0.046） expres- sion among genes encoding main components of metabotropic receptor pathways, such as the a subunit of G-coupled protein, phosphoinositol-dependent pro- tein kinase or arrestin was comparable to that of an- giotensinogen synthesized in the liver. Carcinogenesis suppressor genes, such as chemokine ligand 4, tran- scription factor early growth response protein 1 and lysophosphatidic acid receptor, were characterized by the lowest expression （0.002 〈 P 〈 0.046）, while the factor potentially triggering hepatic cancer, transcrip- tion factor JUN-B, had a 20-fold higher expression. The correlation between expression of genes of protein kinases PDPK1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase and protein kinase A （Spearman＇s coefficient range： 0.762-0.769） confirmed a functional link between these enzymes. Gender （P = 0.0046） and inflammation severity, mea- sured by alanine aminotransferase activity （P = 0.035）, were characterized by diverse metabotropic receptor gene expression patterns. The Pearson＇s coefficient ranging from -0.35 to 0.99 from the results of qRT-PCR and microarray indicated that qRT-PCR had certainlimitations as a validation tool for oligonucleotide mi- croarray studies. CONCLUSION： A microarray-based analysis of hepa- tocyte metabotropic G-protein-related gene expression can reveal the molecular basis of chronic hepatitis.
文摘Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms(GEP-NENs) frequently present with distant metastases at the time of diagnosis and the liver is the most frequent site of spreading. The early identification of metastatic disease represents a major prognostic factor for GEP-NENs patients. Radical surgical resection, which is feasible for a minority of patients, is considered the only curative option, while the best management for patients with unresectable liver metastases is still being debated. In the last few years, a number of locoregional and systemic treatments has become available for GEP-NEN patients metastatic to the liver. However, to date only a few prospective studies have compared those therapies and the optimal management option is based on clinical judgement. Additionally, locoregional treatments appear feasible and safe for disease control for patients with limited liver involvement and effective in symptoms control for patients with diffuse liver metastases. Considering the lack of randomized controlled trials comparing the locoregional treatments of liver metastatic NEN patients, clinical judgment remains key to set the most appropriate therapeutic pathway. Prospective data may ultimately lead to more personalized and optimized treatments. The present review analyzes all the locoregional therapy modalities(i.e., surgery, ablative treatments and transarterial approach) and aims to provide clinicians with a useful algorithm to best treat GEP-NEN patients metastatic to the liver.
文摘Measuring fitness is essential for understanding the potential impacts of hybridisation between transgenic crops and their wild relatives. Transgenic CrylAc cotton Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense hybridise, the latter being valued as backyard cotton and an important genetic resource. G. barbadense was outcrossed to G. hirsutum containing the gene CrylAc and the isoline and the offspring evaluated for fitness as a measure of resistance to common pests and other growth parameters, Resistance to Pectinophora gossypiella and Alabama argillacea were greater in transgenic plants. Number of seeds per plant was higher in the F1 hybrids and G. hirsutum, F2 populations were intermediary; G. barbadense produced the least seeds per plant during the period of analysis. Anthesis of the first flower and opening of the first boll occurred earlier for G. hirsutum and Ft hybrids than F2; latest for G. barbadense. The observed-performance of resistance to the worms in the hybrids suggests that among FI and F2 populations transgenic hybrids may exhibit a competitive advantage over non-transgenic plants as a result of gene flow.
基金support from the NIHR Royal Marsden/ICR Biomedical Research Center
文摘Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans(DFSP), the most common dermal sarcoma, is a low-grade, slow growing fibroblastic malignant neoplasm that most frequently affects middle aged adults and is characterized by a high local recurrence rate and a low propensity for metastasis. Wide surgical resection or Mohs micrographic surgery(MMS) are the preferred approaches for localized disease, while radiation therapy is warranted for inoperable disease or for cases with positive margins where re-excision is not possible. DFSP is generally regarded as refractory to conventional chemotherapy. Treatment options for systemic disease were limited until the discovery of a unique translocation, t(17;22)(q22;q13)(COL1A1;PDGFB) found in a majority of cases. In recent years, imatinib, a PDGFβR, ABL and KIT inhibitor, has revolutionized systemic therapy in DFSP. In this review, we summarize the epidemiological, clinical, histological and genetic characteristics of DFSP and update the readers on its current management.
基金supported by the Dr.and Mrs.Sui Kau Chan donation grant for sports training and rehabilitation held by Chetwyn C.H.Chan and Amy S.N.Fuand by an internal grant awarded to Chetwyn C.H.Chan by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
文摘Purpose： This study aimed to investigate the construct of external visual imagery （EVI） vs. internal visual imagery （IV/） by comparing the athletes＇ imagery ability with their levels of skill and types of sports. Methods： Seventy-two young athletes in open （n = 45） or closed （n = 27） sports and with different skill levels completed 2 custom-designed tasks. The EVI task involved the subject generating and visualizing the rotated images of different body parts, whereas the IVI task involved the subject visualizing himself or herself performing specific movements. Results： The significant Skill-Level x Sport Type interactions for the EVI task revealed that participants who specialized in open sports and had higher skill-levels had a higher accuracy rate as compared to the other subgroups. For the IVI task, the differences between the groups were less clear： those with higher skill-levels or open sports had a higher accuracy rate than those with lower skill-levels or closed sports. Conclusion： EVI involves the visualization of others and the environment, and would be relevant to higher skill-level athletes who engage in open sports. IVI, in contrast, tends to be more self-oriented and would be relevant for utilization by higher skill-level athletes regardless of sport type.
文摘This article investigates the role of the body in Jean-Luc Nancy＇s powerful essay Corpus, and critiques it from the standpoint of Agamben＇s biopolitics. For Nancy, the body becomes the privileged site of both existence and sense in a way that threatens to obscure the logic of exceptional decision that Agamben takes from Carl Schmitt. As an alternative to Nancy＇s understanding of the body, we can see in Deleuze a series of bodies that works in parallel to a series of sense or language, where sense and body do not get collapsed into each other. At the same time, contemporary continental philosophy resists the idealistic separation of thinking and embodiment. Deleuze calls this relation between sense and body a cut, but we could also consider a parallax, following Slavoj Zizek. Finally, African-American historian of religion Charles H. Long＇s work complements some of Deleuze＇s insights in a more explicitly postcolonial context.
基金Supported by Shanghai Science and Technology Development Foundation(00JC14032)
文摘Objective To determine over-expression of a truncated type ⅡTGF-β receptor in down-regulating TGF-β1 auto production in normal dermal fibroblasts. Methods In vitro cultured dermal fibroblasts were treated with rhTGF-β1 (5ng/ml) or recombinant adenovirus containing α truncated type Ⅱ TGF-β receptor gene (50 pfu/cell). Their effects on regulating gene expression of TGF-β1 were observed with Northern Blot. Results rh TGF-β1 up-regulated the gene expression of TGF-β1, (34 %-150%) and type Ⅰ pro-collagen( 13 %- 190%). Overexpression of a truncated receptor Ⅱ decreased the gene expression of TGF-β1 (53%-66%). Conclusion Over-expression of the truncated TGF-β receptor Ⅱdown-regulated TGF-β1 autoproduction via blocking signal transduction of TGF-β. This study may provide a new strategy for scar gene therapy.
