Essential role of proteasomes in maintaining self-renewal in neural progenitor cells

Protein turnover and homeostasis are regulated by the proteasomal system, which is critical for cell function and viability. Pluripotency of stem cells also relies on normal proteasomal activity that mitigates senescent phenotypes induced by intensive cell replications, as previously demonstrated in human bone marrow stromal cells. In this study, we investigated the role of proteasomes in self-renewal of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Through both in vivo and in vitro analyses, we found that the expression of proteasomes was progressively decreased during aging. Likewise, proliferation and self-renewal of NPCs were also impaired in aged mice, suggesting that the down-regulation of proteasomes might be responsible for this senescent phenotype. Lowering proteasomal activity by loss-of-function manipulations mimicked the senescence of NPCs both in vitro and in vivo; conversely, enhancing proteasomal activity restored and improved self-renewal in aged NPCs. These results collectively indicate that proteasomes work as a key regulator in promoting self-renewal of NPCs. This potentially provides a promising therapeutic target for age-dependent neurodegenerative diseases

Brand champion behaviour: Its role in corporate branding

yesBrand champions are responsible for encouraging employee commitment to the corporate brand strategy. They strongly believe in and identify with the brand concept—the company’s selected brand meaning, which underpins corporate brand strategy implementation. We conducted research to explore why and how brand champion behaviour operates within companies implementing a new corporate brand strategy. Against a backdrop of growing interest in brand champion behaviour in corporate branding research, we grounded our study in social identity theory and rhetorical theory from change management literature. Our findings show that articulating a compelling brand vision, taking responsibility, and getting the right people involved are the most widely used strategies by brand champions. We uncover how rhetorical strategies within brand champion behaviour generate employee commitment to a new corporate brand strategy. The dimension of brand champion behaviour that is effective depends on the type of brand evolution, involving shifts in the brand concept. We make suggestions for further studies underpinned by social identity theory and rhetorical theory to investigate brand champion behaviour processes within companies introducing a new corporate brand strategy

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Fabrication of high surface area ribbon electrodes for use in redox flow batteries via coaxial electrospinning

A method for the preparation of electrospun with fibers possessing a ribbon-like cross-sectional shape was developed. These materials could prove beneficial as flow-through electrodes, since ribbons provide a higher surface-to-volume ratio compared to fibers, thereby providing higher reactive surface area at a given porosity. Fabrication of these materials was accomplished by electrospinning a coaxial fiber with a polystyrene core and polyacrylonitrile shell, followed by leaching of the core material leading to the collapse of the shell into a flat ribbon. The surviving shell was then carbonized to make an electrically conductive and electrochemically reactive fibrous structure. Analysis by x-ray computed tomography showed that ribbons of approximately 400 nm × 800 nm were produced, and experimental characterization revealed that they did indeed offer higher volumetric surface area than previously reported electrospun cylindrical fiber electrodes. The electrodes were characterized for various physical and transport properties and compared to commercial Freudenberg H23 carbon paper in terms of performance in a vanadium redox flow battery. The ribbon-based electrode had better performance and higher power density than commercial Freudenberg H23 electrode in the activation region, though suffered early onset of mass transfer limitations

Reproductive strategies and food sources used by Acerophagus n. sp. near coccois, a new successful parasitoid of the invasive mealybug Phenacoccus peruvianus

Phenacoccus peruvianus Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a new invasive mealybug that causes important damages in ornamental plants in urban landscapes and nurseries in Southern Europe. Recently, a new species of genus Acerophagus Smith (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) has been recorded as the main parasitoid of P. peruvianus in Spain, displacing the native parasitoid Leptomastix epona Walker (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). In this work, we have determined some traits of the reproductive and feeding strategies of Acerophagus sp.: fecundity, immature developmental time, host instar suitability, and preference when parasitizing P. peruvianus, and the effect of natural occurring sugar sources on adult longevity. Acerophagus sp. egg load reached its maximum when it was 5 days old. Second and third nymphal instars and adults were suitable for parasitism and immature development (efficient encapsulation was low). Immature development lasted between 20 and 22 days. Acerophagus sp. developed as a solitary parasitoid in the second instar and as a gregarious parasitoid in older instars (2-4 parasitoids per host). All the emerged offspring were females. Acerophagus sp. always preferred older instars when different host instars were available. Finally, adults lived more than 20 days when fed on honey, but they lived fewer than 3 days when fed on naturally occurring sugar sources (host honeydew and host plant flowers, Bougainvillea glabra). The consequences of these characteristics on biological control and parasitoid rearing are discussed.This research was supported by one predoctoral grant [FPU (A. Beltra)] and a postdoctoral fellowship [Juan de la Cierva (A. Tena)] from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. English corrections were funded by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Spain.Beltrà Ivars, A.; Tena Barreda, A.; Soto Sánchez, AI. (2013). 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Europe's response to China’s rise : competing strategic visions

First Online: 24 March 2017How should Europe respond to China’s growing economic and military capabilities, and to the more assertive foreign policy behavior it has generated? Should it seek to check or even resist China’s rise, or should it instead rely on a strategy of engagement and accommodation? Three distinct and coherent strategic visions exist that could guide Europe’s policy and strategy toward China and the Asia Pacific over the next 10 or 15 years. These range from narrow commitments to Europe’s own security and material prosperity to more ambitious and expansive efforts to shape and influence events in the Asia Pacific. These three strategic visions are (1) balancing, (2) engagement, and (3) retrenchment. After outlining and evaluating each strategic vision, this article then offers a brief review and analysis of Europe’s current approach toward China, which is a hodgepodge of engagement and retrenchment. The article concludes by examining what might cause Europe to pursue a clearer and more consistent strategic approach toward China in the years ahead