Generation of iPS cells using defined factors linked via the self-cleaving 2A sequences in a single open reading frame

Generation of induced pluripotent stem （iPS） cells from somatic cells has been achieved successfully by simultaneous viral transduction of defined reprogramming transcription factors （TFs）. However, the process requires multiple viral vectors for gene delivery. As a result, generated iPS cells harbor numerous viral integration sites in their genomes. This can increase the probability of gene mutagenesis and genomic instability, and present significant barriers to both research and clinical application studies of iPS cells. In this paper, we present a simple lentivirus reprogramming system in which defined factors are fused in-frame into a single open reading frame （ORF） via self-cleaving 2A sequences. A GFP marker is placed downstream of the transgene to enable tracking of transgene expression. We demonstrate that this polycistronic expression system efficiently generates iPS cells. The generated iPS cells have normal karyotypes and are similar to mouse embryonic stem cells in morphology and gene expression. Moreover, they can differentiate into cell types of the three embryonic germ layers in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Remarkably, most of these iPS cells only harbor a single copy of viral vector. This system provides a valuable tool for generation of iPS cells, and our data suggest that the balance of expression of transduced reprogramming TFs in each cell is essential for the reprogramming process. More importantly, when delivered by non-integrating gene-delivery systems, this re-engineered single ORF will facilitate efficient generation of human iPS cells free of genetic modifications.

Cross-Layer Framework for Fine-Grained Channel Access in Next Generation High-Density Wi Fi Networks

Densely deployed Wi Fi networks will play a crucial role in providing the capacity for next generation mobile internet. However, due to increasing interference, overlapped channels in Wi Fi networks and throughput efficiency degradation, densely deployed Wi Fi networks is not a guarantee to obtain higher throughput. An emergent challenge is how to effi ciently utilize scarce spectrum resources, by matching physical layer resources to traffi c demand. In this aspect, access control allocation strategies play a pivotal role but remain too coarse-grained. As a solution, this research proposes a flexible framework for fine-grained channel width adaptation and multi-channel access in Wi Fi networks. This approach, named SFCA(Subcarrier Fine-grained Channel Access), adopts DOFDM(Discontinuous Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) at the PHY layer. It allocates the frequency resource with a subcarrier granularity, which facilitates the channel width adaptation for multi-channel access and thus brings more fl exibility and higher frequency efficiency. The MAC layer uses a frequencytime domain backoff scheme, which combines the popular time-domain BEB scheme with a frequency-domain backoff to decrease access collision, resulting in higher access probability for the contending nodes. SFCA is compared with FICA(an established access scheme)showing significant outperformance. Finally we present results for next generation 802.11 ac Wi Fi networks.

Safety and Efficacy of Frameless Stereotactic Brain Biopsy Techniques

Objective To explore the safety and efficacy of frameless stereotactic brain biopsy.Methods Diagnostic accuracy was calculated by comparing biopsy diagnosis with definitive pathology in 62 patients who underwent frameless stereotactic brain biopsy between January 2008 and December 2010 in Xiamen University Southeast Hospital.Preoperative characteristics and histological diagnosis were reviewed and then information was analysed to identify factors associated with the biopsy not yielding a diagnosis and complications.Results Diagnostic yield was 93.5%.No differences were found between pathological diagnosis and frozen pathological diagnosis.The most common lesions were astrocytic lesions,included 16 cases of low-grade glioma and 12 cases of malignant glioma.Remote hemorrhage,metastasis,and lymphoma were following in incidence.Multiple brain lesions were found in 17 cases (27.4%).Eleven cases were frontal lesions (17.7%),8 were frontotemporal (12.9%),6 were frontoparietal (9.7%),and 5 each were temporal,parietal,and parietotemporal lesions (8.1%).Postoperative complications occurred in 21.0% of the patients after biopsies,including 10 haemorrhages (16.1%) and 3 temporary neurological deficits (1 epilepsy,1 headache,and 1 partial hemiparesis).No patient required operation for hematoma evacuation.Conclusion Frameless stereotactic biopsy is an effective and safe technique for histologic diagnosis of brain lesions,particularly for multifocal and frontal lesions.

Encyclopedia of Autographa californica Nucleopolyhedrovirus Genes

The Autographa californica multiple capsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) was the first baculovirus for which the complete nucleotide sequence became known. Since then 15 years lapsed and much research has been performed to elucidate putative functions of the annotated open reading frames of this virus and this endeavour is still ongoing. AcMNPV is the most well-known and well-studied baculovirus species, not in the least for its application as a vector for the high-level expression of foreign genes in insect cells. This article is the first monograph of a single baculovirus and gives a current overview of what is known about the 151 AcMNPV ORFs, including (putative) function and temporal and spatial presence of transcripts and protein. To date 60 ORFs have a proven function, another 19 ORFs have homologs for which functions are known in other baculoviruses and 72 ORFs are still enigmatic. This paper should assist the reader in quickly finding the essentials of AcMNPV.

SQoE KQIs Anomaly Detection in Cellular Networks: Fast Online Detection Framework with Hourglass Clustering

The explosive growth of data volume in mobile networks makes fast online diagnose a pressing search problem. In this paper, an object-oriented detection framework with a two-step clustering, named as Hourglass Clustering, is given. Where three object parameters are chosen as Synthetical Quality of Experience（SQo E） Key Quality Indicators（KQIs） to reflect accessibility, integrality, and maintainability of networks. Then, we choose represented Key Performance Indicators（r KPIs） as cause parameters with correlation analysis. For these two kinds of parameters, a hybrid algorithm combining the self-organizing map（SOM） and

Product-Library-Derived Specification Parameters in Building Information Models Augmentation

This paper conceptualizes a framework for bridging the BIM （building information modelling）-specifications divide through augmenting objects within BIM with specification parameters derived from a product library. We demonstrate how model information, enriched with data at various LODs （levels of development）, can evolve simultaneously with design and construction using different representation of a window object embedded in a wall as lifeeyele phase exemplars at different levels of granularity. The conceptual standpoint is informed by the need for exploring a methodological approach which extends beyond current limitations of current modelling platforms in enhancing the information content of BIM models. Therefore, this work demonstrates that BIM objects can be augmented with construction specification parameters leveraging product libraries.

Human Cytomegalovirus UL138 Open Reading Frame Is Highly Conserved in Clinical Strains

Objective To investigate the variability of human cytomegalovirus （HCMV） UL138 open reading frame （ORF） in clinical strains. Methods HCMV UL138 ORF was amplified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and PCR amplification products were sequenced directly, and the data were analyzed in 19 clinical strains. Results LIL138 ORF in all 30 clinical strains was amplified successfully. Compared with that of Toledo strain, the nucleotide and amino acid sequence identifies of LIL138 ORF in all strains were 97.41% to 99.41% and 98.24% to 99.42%, respectively. All of the nucleofide mutations were substitutions. The spatial structure and post-translational modification sites of HL138 encoded proteins were conserved. The result of phylogenetic tree showed that HCMV HL138 sequence variations were not definitely related with different clinical symptoms. Conclusion HCMV UL138 ORF in clinical strains is high conservation, which might be helpful for UL138 encoded protein to play a role in latent infection of HCMV.

为梦追逐“石油红”——记中国石油天然气集团公司采油技能专家杨海波

26岁破格聘为采油技师,30岁聘为采油高级技师,33岁成为大庆油田公司采油技能专家,36岁成为中国石油天然气集团公司采油技能专家。她就是大庆油田第四采油厂第一油矿北六队女工——杨海波。杨海波身材高挑,一身生机勃勃的红工装,秀气的脸上架一副细框眼镜,嘴角微微上翘,气质沉静。外表虽然文弱,但杨海波凭着对采油工作的热爱和那股子不服输的劲儿,从一名普通的石油技校毕业生,一路成长为技能专家。

Homogeneous wavelets and framelets with the refinable structure

Homogeneous wavelets and framelets have been extensively investigated in the classical theory of wavelets and they are often constructed from refinable functions via the multiresolution analysis. On the other hand, nonhomogeneous wavelets and framelets enjoy many desirable theoretical properties and are often intrinsically linked to the refinable structure and multiresolution analysis. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive study on connecting homogeneous wavelets and framelets to nonhomogeneous ones with the refinable structure. This allows us to understand better the structure of homogeneous wavelets and framelets as well as their connections to the refinable structure and multiresolution analysis.

Encapsulation of live cells by metal-organic frameworks for viability protection

In this study, a yeast@ZIF-8 core–shell composite material was successfully synthesized under room temperature in aqueous solution. The ZIF-8 shell endowed the inner yeast cells with a considerably extended lifetime without any nutrients at 4°C. Compared with the bare yeast cells, most coated yeast cells were kept alive even when cultured in zymolyase solution for 3h. Furthermore, the encapsulated yeast cells could be reactivated and regrown by dissolving the ZIF-8 shell with competitive coordination interactions.