In this paper we describe the use of CREAM and CEMonitor services for job submission and management within the gLite Grid middleware. Both CREAM and CEMonitor address one of the most fundamental ...operations of a Grid middleware, that is job submission and management. Specifically, CREAM is a job management service used for submitting, managing and monitoring computational jobs. CEMonitor is an event notification framework, which can be coupled with CREAM to provide the users with asynchronous job status change notifications. Both components have been integrated in the gLite Workload Management System by means of ICE (Interface to CREAM Environment). These software components have been released for production in the EGEE Grid infrastructure and, for what concerns the CEMonitor service, also in the OSG Grid. In this paper we report the current status of these services, the achieved results, and the issues that still have to be addressed.
High-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell rescue has been reported as feasible and effective in HIV-associated lymphoma. Although a sufficient number of stem cells seems ...achievable in most patients, there are cases of stem cell harvest failure. The aim of this study was to describe the mobilization policies used in HIV-associated lymphoma, evaluate the failure rate and identify factors influencing mobilization results. We analyzed 155 patients who underwent attempted stem cell mobilization at 10 European centers from 2000-2012. One hundred and twenty patients had non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 35 Hodgkin lymphoma; 31% had complete remission, 57% chemosensitive disease, 10% refractory disease, 2% untested relapse. Patients were mobilized with chemotherapy + G-CSF (86%) or G-CSF alone (14%); 73% of patients collected >2 and 48% >5 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg. Low CD4+ count and refractory disease were associated with mobilization failure. Low CD4(+) count, low platelet count and mobilization with G-CSF correlated with lower probability to achieve >5 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg, whereas cyclophosphamide ≥ 3 g/m(2) + G-CSF predicted higher collections. Circulating CD34(+) cells and CD34/WBC ratio were strongly associated with collection result. HIV infection alone should not preclude an attempt to obtain stem cells in candidates for autologous transplant as the results are comparable to the HIV-negative population.
The paper studies the co-evolution of industrial turbulence and financial volatility in the early phase of the life-cycle of an old high-tech industry and a new high-tech industry: the U.S. auto ...industry from 1899–1929 and the U.S. PC industry from 1974–2000. In both industries, the first three decades were characterized by industrial turbulence: radical technological change, high entry and exit rates, and rapidly falling prices. However, unlike in the auto industry, in the PC industry technological change and new entry did not lead to strong instability of market shares—at the core of the monopoly-destroying effect of Schumpeterian creative destruction—until the 1990s, when the lead of the incumbents from the pre-existing mainframe and minicomputer industries was undermined. In both industries, stock prices were the most volatile and idiosyncratic during those years in which technological change disrupted market shares the most (Autos: 1918–1928; PCs: 1990–2000). Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: L11, 030, G12.
We found that the interaction of platelets with immobilized von Willebrand factor (VWF) under flow induces distinct elevations of cytosolic Ca++ concentration (Ca++i) that are associated with ...sequential stages of integrin αIIbβ3 activation. Fluid-dynamic conditions that are compatible with the existence of tensile stress on the bonds between glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα) and the VWF A1 domain led to Ca++ release from intracellular stores (type α/β peaks), which preceded stationary platelet adhesion. Raised levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate, as well as membrane-permeable calcium chelators, inhibited these Ca++ioscillations and prevented stable adhesion without affecting the dynamic characteristics of the typical platelet translocation on VWF mediated by GPIbα. Once adhesion was established through the integrin αIIbβ3, new Ca++i oscillations (type γ) of greater amplitude and duration, and involving a transmembrane ion flux, developed in association with the recruitment of additional platelets into aggregates. Degradation of released adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to AMP or inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) prevented this response without affecting stationary adhesion and blocked aggregation. These findings indicate that an initial signal induced by stressed GPIbα-VWF bonds leads to αIIbβ3 activation sufficient to support localized platelet adhesion. Then, additional signals from ADP receptors and possibly ligand-occupied αIIbβ3, with the contribution of a pathway involving PI3-K, amplify platelet activation to the level required for aggregation. Our conclusions modify those proposed by others regarding the mechanisms that regulate signaling between GPIbα and αIIbβ3 and lead to platelet adhesion and aggregation on immobilized VWF.
Leucine-rich repeats are a conserved structural motif, of yet undefined significance, found in a group of proteins from different species. Among these are the four components of the human platelet ...glycoprotein Ib-IX-V complex, a membrane receptor that performs an essential role in the thrombogenic function of platelets by interacting with the adhesive protein, von Willebrand factor. We have found that a single amino acid substitution (Ala156-->Val) within one of the six leucine-rich repeats in the alpha-subunit of glycoprotein Ib results in a variant form of the congenital bleeding disorder, Bernard-Soulier syndrome, characterized by giant dysfunctional platelets. Genetic studies of the propositus and his family members were complemented by immunological and functional analysis of expressed recombinant GP Ib alpha fragments to demonstrate that the observed mutation is the cause of defective von Willebrand factor binding. These studies define the molecular basis of the Bernard-Soulier syndrome within this family and demonstrate that structural integrity of a leucine-rich repeat is necessary for normal function of the glycoprotein Ib-IX-V receptor complex and, possibly, for normal platelet morphology.
Background and Objectives The aim of our study was to test a platelet-rich plasma releasate (PRP-R/SRGF) from CaCl sub(2)-activated platelets as a source of growth factors for the expansion of ...mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). PRP-R/SRGF, obtained with a low-cost procedure, is characterized by a reduced variability of growth factor release. Materials and Methods PRP-R/SRGF is a clinical-grade quality solution obtained from CaCl sub(2)-activated platelets. Its activity was evaluated by measuring the proliferation, the phenotype, the differentiation potential and the immunosuppressive properties of MSCs derived from bone marrow (BM) and adipose tissue (AT). Results PRP-R/SRGF was more active than FBS to expand BM- and AT-derived MSCs. PRP-R/SRGF treatment did not affect the expression of typical MSCs surface markers, neither MSCs differentiation potential nor their capability to inhibit activated T-cell proliferation. Conclusions The clinical-grade PRP-R/SRGF may be used in the clinical setting for the expansion of MSCs.
Background and Objectives
The aim of our study was to test a platelet‐rich plasma releasate (PRP‐R/SRGF) from CaCl
2
‐activated platelets as a source of growth factors for the expansion of ...mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). PRP‐R/SRGF, obtained with a low‐cost procedure, is characterized by a reduced variability of growth factor release.
Materials and Methods
PRP‐R/SRGF is a clinical‐grade quality solution obtained from CaCl
2
‐activated platelets. Its activity was evaluated by measuring the proliferation, the phenotype, the differentiation potential and the immunosuppressive properties of MSCs derived from bone marrow (BM) and adipose tissue (AT).
Results
PRP‐R/SRGF was more active than FBS to expand BM‐ and AT‐derived MSCs. PRP‐R/SRGF treatment did not affect the expression of typical MSCs surface markers, neither MSCs differentiation potential nor their capability to inhibit activated T‐cell proliferation.
Conclusions
The clinical‐grade PRP‐R/SRGF may be used in the clinical setting for the expansion of MSCs.
The paper studies the patterns of volatility in firm growth rates and stock prices during the early phase of the life-cycle of an old economy industry, the US automobile industry from 1900-1930, and ...a new economy industry, the US PC industry from 1974-2000. In both industries, firm growth rates are more volatile in the period in which innovation is the most "radical". This is also the period in which stock prices are more volatile. The comparison sheds light on the co-evolution of industrial and financial volatility and the relationship between this co-evolution and mechanisms of Schumpetarian creative destruction. Results provide insight into the debate on whether the statistical behavior of firm growth rates is well represented by Gibrat's Law.
PDF
