A novel diffuse large B-cell lymphoma-associated cancer testis antigen encoding a PAS domain protein

Here we report that the OX-TES-1 SEREX antigen, which showed immunological reactivity with serum from four out of 10 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients, is encoded by a novel gene, PAS domain containing 1 (PASD1). PASD1_v1 cDNA encodes a 639 amino-acid (aa) protein product, while an alternatively spliced variant (PASD1_v2), lacking intron 14, encodes a 773 aa protein, the first 638 aa of which are common to both proteins. The PASD1-predicted protein contains a PAS domain that, together with a putative leucine zipper and nuclear localisation signal, suggests it encodes a transcription factor. The expression of PASD1_v1 mRNA was confirmed by RT-PCR in seven DLBCL-derived cell lines, while PASD1_v2 mRNA appears to be preferentially expressed in cell lines derived from non-germinal centre DLBCL. Immunophenotyping studies of de novo DLBCL patients' tumours with antibodies to CD10, BCL-6 and MUM1 indicated that two patients mounting an immune response to PASD1 were of a poor prognosis non-germinal centre subtype. Expression of PASD1 mRNA was restricted to normal testis, while frequent expression was observed in solid tumours (25 out of 68), thus fulfilling the criteria for a novel cancer testis antigen. PASD1 has potential for lymphoma vaccine development that may also be widely applicable to other tumour types

Mechanism of and Threshold Biomechanical Conditions for Falsetto Voice Onset

The sound source of a voice is produced by the self-excited oscillation of the vocal folds. In modal voice production, a drastic increase in transglottal pressure after vocal fold closure works as a driving force that develops self-excitation. Another type of vocal fold oscillation with less pronounced glottal closure observed in falsetto voice production has been accounted for by the mucosal wave theory. The classical theory assumes a quasi-steady flow, and the expected driving force onto the vocal folds under wavelike motion is derived from the Bernoulli effect. However, wavelike motion is not always observed during falsetto voice production. More importantly, the application of the quasi-steady assumption to a falsetto voice with a fundamental frequency of several hundred hertz is unsupported by experiments. These considerations suggested that the mechanism of falsetto voice onset may be essentially different from that explained by the mucosal wave theory. In this paper, an alternative mechanism is submitted that explains how self-excitation reminiscent of the falsetto voice could be produced independent of the glottal closure and wavelike motion. This new explanation is derived through analytical procedures by employing only general unsteady equations of motion for flow and solids. The analysis demonstrated that a convective acceleration of a flow induced by rapid wall movement functions as a negative damping force, leading to the self-excitation of the vocal folds. The critical subglottal pressure and volume flow are expressed as functions of vocal fold biomechanical properties, geometry, and voice fundamental frequency. The analytically derived conditions are qualitatively and quantitatively reasonable in view of reported measurement data of the thresholds required for falsetto voice onset. Understanding of the voice onset mechanism and the explicit mathematical descriptions of thresholds would be beneficial for the diagnosis and treatment of voice diseases and the development of artificial vocal folds

Maroon Archaeology Beyond the Americas: A View From Kenya

Archaeological research on Maroons—that is, runaway slaves—has been largely confined to the Americas. This essay advocates a more global approach. It specifically uses two runaway slave communities in 19th-century coastal Kenya to rethink prominent interpretive themes in the field, including “Africanisms,” Maroons’ connections to indigenous groups, and Maroon group cohesion and identity. This article’s analysis demonstrates that the comparisons enabled by a more globalized perspective benefit the field. Instead of eliding historical and cultural context, these comparisons support the development of more localized and historically specific understandings of individual runaway slave communities both in Kenya and throughout the New World

Ion homeostasis in the Chloroplast

peer reviewedThe chloroplast is an organelle of high demand for macro- and micro-nutrient ions, which are required for the maintenance of the photosynthetic process. To avoid deficiency while preventing excess, homeostasis mechanisms must be tightly regulated. Here, we describe the needs for nutrient ions in the chloroplast and briefly highlight their functions in the chloroplastidial metabolism. We further discuss the impact of nutrient deficiency on chloroplasts and the acclimation mechanisms that evolved to preserve the photosynthetic apparatus. We finally present what is known about import and export mechanisms for these ions. Whenever possible, a comparison between cyanobacteria, algae and plants is provided to add an evolutionary perspective to the description of ion homeostasis mechanisms in photosynthesis