The Influence of Manga on the Graphic Novel

This material has been published in The Cambridge History of the Graphic Novel edited by Jan Baetens, Hugo Frey, Stephen E. Tabachnick. This version is free to view and download for personal use only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © Cambridge University PressProviding a range of cogent examples, this chapter describes the influences of the Manga genre of comics strip on the Graphic Novel genre, over the last 35 years, considering the functions of domestication, foreignisation and transmedia on readers, markets and forms

Upregulation of endothelial cell adhesion molecules characterizes veins close to granulomatous infiltrates in the renal cortex of cats with feline infectious peritonitis and is indirectly triggered by feline infectious peritonitis virus-infected monocytes in vitro

One of the most characteristic pathological changes in cats that have succumbed to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a multifocal granulomatous phlebitis. Although it is now well established that leukocyte extravasation elicits the inflammation typically associated with FIP lesions, relatively few studies have aimed at elucidating this key pathogenic event. The upregulation of adhesion molecules on the endothelium is a prerequisite for stable leukocyte-endothelial cell (EC) adhesion that necessarily precedes leukocyte diapedesis. Therefore, the present work focused on the expression of the EC adhesion molecules and possible triggers of EC activation during the development of FIP. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that the endothelial expression of P-selectin, E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) was elevated in veins close to granulomatous infiltrates in the renal cortex of FIP patients compared to non-infiltrated regions and specimens from healthy cats. Next, we showed that feline venous ECs become activated when exposed to supernatant from feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV)-infected monocytes, as indicated by increased adhesion molecule expression. Active viral replication seemed to be required to induce the EC-stimulating activity in monocytes. Finally, adhesion assays revealed an increased adhesion of naive monocytes to ECs treated with supernatant from FIPV-infected monocytes. Taken together, our results strongly indicate that FIPV activates ECs to increase monocyte adhesion by an indirect route, in which proinflammatory factors released from virus-infected monocytes act as key intermediates

Flexible, scalable, and efficient targeted resequencing on a benchtop sequencer for variant detection in clinical practice

The release of benchtop next-generation sequencing (NGS) instruments has paved the way to implement the technology in clinical setting. The need for flexible, qualitative, and cost-efficient workflows is high. We used singleplex-PCR for highly efficient target enrichment, allowing us to reach the quality standards set in Sanger sequencing-based diagnostics. For the library preparation, a modified NexteraXT protocol was used, followed by sequencing on a MiSeq instrument. With an innovative pooling strategy, high flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency were obtained, independent of the availability of commercial kits. The approach was validated for approximate to 250 genes associated with monogenic disorders. An overall sensitivity (>99%) similar to Sanger sequencing was observed in combination with a positive predictive value of >98%. The distribution of coverage was highly uniform, guaranteeing a minimal number of gaps to be filled with alternative methods. ISO15189-accreditation was obtained for the workflow. A major asset of the singleplex PCR-based enrichment is that new targets can be easily implemented. Diagnostic laboratories have validated assays available ensuring that the proposed workflow can easily be adopted. Although our platform was optimized for constitutional variant detection of monogenic disease genes, it is now also used as a model for somatic mutation detection in acquired diseases

Q586B2 is a crucial virulence factor during the early stages of Trypanosoma brucei infection that is conserved amongst trypanosomatids

Abstract Human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, is characterized by the manipulation of the host’s immune response to ensure parasite invasion and persistence. Uncovering key molecules that support parasite establishment is a prerequisite to interfere with this process. We identified Q586B2 as a T. brucei protein that induces IL-10 in myeloid cells, which promotes parasite infection invasiveness. Q586B2 is expressed during all T. brucei life stages and is conserved in all Trypanosomatidae. Deleting the Q586B2-encoding Tb927.6.4140 gene in T. brucei results in a decreased peak parasitemia and prolonged survival, without affecting parasite fitness in vitro, yet promoting short stumpy differentiation in vivo. Accordingly, neutralization of Q586B2 with newly generated nanobodies could hamper myeloid-derived IL-10 production and reduce parasitemia. In addition, immunization with Q586B2 delays mortality upon a challenge with various trypanosomes, including Trypanosoma cruzi. Collectively, we uncovered a conserved protein playing an important regulatory role in Trypanosomatid infection establishment

Construct validity of the assessment of balance in children who are developing typically and in children with hearing impairments

Background. Children with hearing impairments have a higher risk for deficits in balance and gross motor skills compared with children who are developing typically. As balance is a fundamental ability for the motor development of children, a valid and reliable assessment to identify weaknesses in balance is crucial. Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the construct validity of posturography and clinical balance tests in children with hearing impairments and in children who are developing typically. Methods. The study involved 53 children with typical development and 23 children with hearing impairments who were between 6 and 12 years of age and without neuromotor or orthopedic disorders. All participants completed 3 posturography tests (modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction of Balance [mCTSIB], unilateral stance, and tandem stance) and 4 clinical balance tests (one-leg stance with eyes open and with eyes closed, balance beam walking, and one-leg hopping). Results. Three conditions of the mCTSIB, unilateral stance, and 2 clinical balance tests were able to distinguish significantly between the 2 groups. Children with hearing impairments showed more difficulties in balance tasks compared with children who were developing typically when 1 or 2 types of sensory information were eliminated or disturbed. The study showed only low to moderate correlations among the different methods of evaluating balance. Conclusions. Clinical balance tests and posturography offer different but complementary information. An assessment protocol for balance consisting of posturography and clinical balance tasks is proposed. Static and dynamic balance abilities could not be differentiated and seem not to be a valid dichotomy

E-Graphic Novels

peer reviewedThis chapter presents an overview of how the contemporary graphic novel intersects with digital culture, focusing on three dimensions: the resistance to the digital and the complex relationship to print culture, practices of digitization and their impact on the reading process, and finally born digital e-graphic novels experimenting with digital technologies