The 2010 Field Demonstration of the Solar Carbothermal Reduction of Regolith to Produce Oxygen

The Moon and other space exploration destinations are comprised of a variety of oxygen-bearing minerals, providing a virtually unlimited quantity of raw material which can be processed to produce oxygen. One attractive method to extract oxygen from the regolith is the carbothermal reduction process, which is not sensitive to variations in the mineral composition of the regolith. It also creates other valuable resources within the processed regolith, such as iron and silicon metals. Using funding from NASA, ORBITEC recently built and tested the Carbothermal Regolith Reduction Module to process lunar regolith simulants using concentrated solar energy. This paper summarizes the experimental test results obtained during a demonstration of the system at a lunar analog test site on the Mauna Kea volcano on Hawaii in February 2010

Phytochemical analysis and antisenescence activity of Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz and Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb fruits

In Italy, many spontaneous plants are used as food in folk traditions and are now being re-evaluated as healthy products with high nutritional value. In the ethnobotanical field, we selected a fruit tree that modern gastronomy has forgotten: the "Ciavardello" (Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz). The Italian phyto-alimentary tradition (1) uses its fruits to make jams, jellies, syrups, fresh snacks and, less often, alcoholic beverages. The "Ciavardello" is a species of Sorbus native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor and it is a member of the Rosaceae family. It is a deciduous tree or shrub which grows 1-7 m tall (sometimes reaching 20 m) and it is a slow-growing and long-lived species found in forests of broadleaf trees. The trunk is straight and the crown is expanded, globose and dense, while the bark is smooth and greyish. The leaves are alternate, simple, glabrous, petiole, ovate (4–10 cm long and 2–8 cm wide), with five to nine acute lobes, serrate and dark green colored on both sides. The flowers are hermaphrodite, 5-merous, with white petals and they are produced in corymbs. It blooms in spring (April-May) and bears fruit in autumn (September-October). The fruit is a globose to ovoid pome 10–15 mm in diameter and it is greenish to russet or brown and patterned with small and pale lenticel spots when ripe, with a pleasantly acidulous taste (2). Another interesting plant is ‘Albero dei coralli’ (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.), an allochthonous species belonging to the Elaeagnaceae family. It is cultivated in Italy for ornamental purposes, while the fruits are eaten fresh, a custom that was imported from tropical and temperate Asia, its native region. The "Albero dei coralli" is a deciduous shrub or tree, more or less spiny, which grows 3-5 m tall. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate (4-10 cm x 2-4 cm), with wavy margins, green colored above and covered with silvery scales below. The flowers are hermaphrodite, fragrant, whitish, tubular and 4-lobed and they are found in the leaf axils in clusters of 1-7 elements. The fruits are small roundish drupes (3-9 mm diameter), reddish to pink, dotted with scales and they are pulpy, juicy and sweet. It blooms in the spring and its fruits ripen in the fall (2). Both fresh fruits, collected in the Tuscany region (Italy), were extracted at room temperature with EtOH-H2O 80% (three times, every 24 h) and obtained residues were partitioned between n-BuOH and H2O. The n-butanolic extracts were finally analyzed by HPLC-PDA/UV-ESI-MS/MS techniques. The chemical profile of S. torminalis revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonol glycosides (3), while E. umbellata extract was rich especially in quercetin and kaempferol derivatives. In the scenario of regenerative medicine, the gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) have arisen as a promising tool to repair damaged tissues. Herein, the GMSCs were used to investigate the beneficial effects of n-butanolic extract of investigated fruits. Both extracts were able to increase the GMSC proliferation and decrease the intracellular accumulation of ROS. Furthermore, the extracts were able to counteract the senescence phenomena in GMSC with different extent. In particular, they contrast the ROS production mediated by hydroxyurea and hydrogen peroxide and reduced the age-related phenotypic changes (SA-β-gal staining). In conclusion, these results highlight S. torminalis and E. umbellata fruit extracts as novel sources of antioxidant phytocomplexes able to decrease the senescence process in mesenchymal cells. The ability of both extracts per se to ameliorate the GMSC well-being and decrease cellular senescence shed light on their possible use in regenerative medicine and in particular in all the GMSC in vitro application

P-Glycoprotein and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein in Canine Inflammatory and Noninflammatory Grade III Mammary Carcinomas

P-glycoprotein (P-gp/ABCB1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) expression are frequently related to multidrug resistance (MDR) in neoplastic cells. Canine inflammatory and grade III noninflammatory mammary carcinomas (IMC and non-IMC) are aggressive tumors that could benefit from chemotherapy. This study describes the immunohistochemical detection of P-gp and BCRP in 20 IMCs and 18 non-IMCs from dogs that had not received chemotherapy. Our aim was to determine if P-gp and BCRP expression was related to the \u201cinflammatory\u201d phenotype, to establish a basis for future studies analyzing the response to chemotherapy in dogs with highly malignant mammary cancer. Immunolabeling was primarily membranous for P-gp with a more intense labeling in emboli, and immunolabeling was membranous and cytoplasmic for BCRP. P-gp was expressed in 17 of 20 (85%) IMCs compared to 7 of 18 (39%) non-IMCs (P = 0.006). BCRP was expressed within emboli in 15 of 19 (79%) emboli in IMC, 12 of 15 (80%) primary IMCs, and 12 of 18 (67%) non-IMCs, without statistically significant differences (P >.05). All IMCs and 67% of non-IMCs expressed at least 1 of the 2 transporters, and 63% (12/19) of IMCs and 39% (7/18) of non-IMCs expressed both P-gp and BCRP. P-gp and BCRP evaluation might help select patients for chemotherapy. P-gp, expressed in a significantly higher percentage of IMCs vs non-IMCs, might play a specific role in the chemoresistance of IMC

Deletion in the EVC2 gene causes chondrodysplastic dwarfism in Tyrolean grey cattle

During the summer of 2013 seven Italian Tyrolean Grey calves were born with abnormally short limbs. Detailed clinical and pathological examination revealed similarities to chondrodysplastic dwarfism. Pedigree analysis showed a common founder, assuming autosomal monogenic recessive transmission of the defective allele. A positional cloning approach combining genome wide association and homozygosity mapping identified a single 1.6 Mb genomic region on BTA 6 that was associated with the disease. Whole genome re-sequencing of an affected calf revealed a single candidate causal mutation in the Ellis van Creveld syndrome 2 (EVC2) gene. This gene is known to be associated with chondrodysplastic dwarfism in Japanese Brown cattle, and dwarfism, abnormal nails and teeth, and dysostosis in humans with Ellis-van Creveld syndrome. Sanger sequencing confirmed the presence of a 2 bp deletion in exon 19 (c.2993_2994ACdel) that led to a premature stop codon in the coding sequence of bovine EVC2, and was concordant with the recessive pattern of inheritance in affected and carrier animals. This loss of function mutation confirms the important role of EVC2 in bone development. Genetic testing can now be used to eliminate this form of chondrodysplastic dwarfism from Tyrolean Grey cattle

Canine smooth muscle tumors: A clinicopathological study

Canine smooth muscle tumors (SMTs) commonly develop in the alimentary and female genital tracts and less frequently in soft tissue. The definition of histological criteria of malignancy is less detailed for SMTs in dogs than in humans. This study evaluated the clinicopathologic features of canine SMTs and compared the veterinary and human medical criteria of malignancy. A total of 105 canine SMTs were evaluated histologically and classified according to both veterinary and human criteria. The Ki67 labeling index was assessed in all SMTs. Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression was evaluated for soft tissue SMTs. Follow-up data were available in 25 cases. SMTs were diagnosed in the female genital tract (42%), alimentary tract (22%), and soft tissue (20%). Soft tissue SMTs frequently arose in the perigenital area, pelvic cavity, and retroperitoneum. A subset of soft tissue SMTs expressed ER and/or PR, resembling the gynecologic type of soft tissue SMT in humans. SMTs were less frequently malignant when assessed with human criteria than with veterinary criteria, better reflecting their benign behavior, especially in the genital tract where human criteria tolerate a higher mitotic count for leiomyoma. Decreased differentiation was correlated with increased proliferation, necrosis, and reduced desmin expression. Mitotic count, Ki67 labeling index, and necrosis were correlated with metastases and tumor-related death. Further prognostic studies are warranted to confirm the better performance of the human criteria when assessing SMT malignancy, especially genital cases, to confirm their usefulness in ER/PR-expressing soft tissue SMTs, and to better define the most useful prognostic parameters for canine SMTs

Phytochemical profile, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) from Mali, as source of health-promoting compounds

Background: Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae), also known as baobab, is a tree attracting recent interest especially due to the high nutritional value of the fruit pulp. However, few studies are reported on the secondary metabolite content, showing high variability due to geographic region. Methods: In this study, the chemical profiles of Malian commercial baobab fruits and leaves, focused on phenolic content, were investigated by HPLC coupled with a photodiode array (PDA)/UV and an electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometer (MS) and gas chromatography (GC)/MS. In addition, the extracts of fruit pulps obtained from three different markets (Fruits 1, 2, and 3) were evaluated for their total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibition. Results: Baobab fruit pulps were found to be rich in procyanidins and flavonol glycosides, with tiliroside as the major constituent. The baobab leaves showed a similar profile respect to the fruits, but with more detected phenolics. All fruit pulp extracts exerted antioxidant activity (highest for Fruit 3) and higher α-glucosidase inhibition than acarbose used as standard. Conclusions: This study confirmed the variability of baobab with different origins and indicated Malian species baobab as promising source of health-promoting substances

Pathological features and molecular phenotype of mmtv like‐positive feline mammary carcinomas

In the last few years MMTV‐like nucleotide sequences were detected in some feline and canine mammary tumours. Due to the confirmed role of cats in the epidemiology of the MMTV‐like virus, the aim of this study was to investigate the main pathological features of positive feline mammary carcinomas (FMCs). Twenty‐four FMCs were collected at the University of Bologna, submitted to laser microdissection and analysed by nested fluorescence‐PCR using primer sets specific for MMTV env sequence. For immunohistochemistry, an antibody against MMTV protein 14 (p14) was used. MMTV‐like sequences were detected in three out of 24 FMCs (12.5%), one tubular carcinoma, one tubulopapillary carcinoma and one ductal carcinoma. All PCR‐positive tumours were also positive for p14. Multiple nucleotide alignment has shown similarity to MMTV ranging from 98% to 100%. All the 102 examined FMCs were submitted to immunohistochemistry for molecular pheno-typing. Of the nine MMTV‐like positive FMCs, six were basal‐like and three luminal‐like. Our results demonstrate MMTV‐like sequences and protein in FMCs of different geographic areas. Molecular phenotyping could contribute to understand the possible role of MMTV‐like virus in FMC tumor biology

Doxorubicin treatment modulates chemoresistance and affects the cell cycle in two canine mammary tumour cell lines

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used in both human and veterinary oncology although the onset of multidrug resistance (MDR) in neoplastic cells often leads to chemotherapy failure. Better understanding of the cellular mechanisms that circumvent chemotherapy efficacy is paramount. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of two canine mammary tumour cell lines, CIPp from a primary tumour and CIPm, from its lymph node metastasis, to exposure to EC50(20h) DOX at 12, 24 and 48 h of treatment. We assessed the uptake and subcellular distribution of DOX, the expression and function of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP), two important MDR mediators. To better understand this phenomenon the effects of DOX on the cell cycle and Ki67 cell proliferation index and the expression of p53 and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) were also evaluated by immunocytochemistry (ICC). Results: Both cell lines were able to uptake DOX within the nucleus at 3 h treatment while at 48 h DOX was absent from the intracellular compartment (assessed by fluorescence microscope) in all the surviving cells. CIPm, originated from the metastatic tumour, were more efficient in extruding P-gp substrates. By ICC and qRT-PCR an overall increase in both P-gp and BCRP were observed at 48 h of EC50(20h) DOX treatment in both cell lines and were associated with a striking increase in the percentage of p53 and TERT expressing cells by ICC. The cell proliferation fraction was decreased at 48 h in both cell lines and cell cycle analysis showed a DOX-induced arrest in the S phase for CIPp, while CIPm had an increase in cellular death without arrest. Both cells lines were therefore composed by a fraction of cells sensible to DOX that underwent apoptosis/necrosis. Conclusions: DOX administration results in interlinked modifications in the cellular population including a substantial effect on the cell cycle, in particular arrest in the S phase for CIPp and the selection of a subpopulation of neoplastic cells bearing MDR phenotype characterized by P-gp and BCRP expression, TERT activation, p53 accumulation and decrease in the proliferating fraction. Important information is given for understanding the dynamic and mechanisms of the onset of drug resistance in a neoplastic cell population

Modeling the response of a fast ion loss detector using orbit tracing techniques in a neutral beam prompt-loss study on the DIII-D tokamak

A numerical model describing the expected measurements of neutral beam prompt-losses by anewly commissioned fast ion loss detector FILD in DIII-D is presented. This model incorporatesthe well understood neutral beam deposition profiles from all eight DIII-D beamlines to construct aprompt-loss source distribution. The full range of detectable ion orbit phase space available to theFILD is used to calculate ion trajectories that overlap with neutral beam injection footprints. Weightfunctions are applied to account for the level of overlap between these detectable orbits and thespatial and velocity pitch properties of ionized beam neutrals. An experimental comparison isperformed by firing each neutral beam individually in the presence of a ramping plasma current.Fast ion losses determined from the model are in agreement with measured losses.© 2010American Institute of Physics.US Department of Energy SC-G903402, DE-AC02-09CH11466, DE-FC02-04ER5469

Mars Atmosphere Resource Verification INsitu (MARVIN) - In Situ Resource Demonstration for the Mars 2020 Mission

The making of oxygen from resources in the Martian atmosphere, known as In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), has the potential to provide substantial benefits for future robotic and human exploration. In particular, the ability to produce oxygen on Mars for use in propulsion, life support, and power systems can provide significant mission benefits such as a reducing launch mass, lander size, and mission and crew risk. To advance ISRU for possible incorporation into future human missions to Mars, NASA proposed including an ISRU instrument on the Mars 2020 rover mission, through an announcement of opportunity (AO). The purpose of the the Mars Atmosphere Resource Verification INsitu or (MARVIN) instrument is to provide the first demonstration on Mars of oxygen production from acquired and stored Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide, as well as take measurements of atmospheric pressure and temperature, and of suspended dust particle sizes and amounts entrained in collected atmosphere gases at different times of the Mars day and year. The hardware performance and environmental data obtained will be critical for future ISRU systems that will reduce the mass of propellants and other consumables launched from Earth for robotic and human exploration, for better understanding of Mars dust and mitigation techniques to improve crew safety, and to help further define Mars global circulation models and better understand the regional atmospheric dynamics on Mars. The technologies selected for MARVIN are also scalable for future robotic sample return and human missions to Mars using ISRU