Need For Standard Nomenclature Research Articles

Giants and monsters: Unexpected characters in the story of cancer recurrence.

Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCC) constitute a dangerous subpopulation of cancer cells and are a driving force in cancer recurrence. These unique cells arise from diploid tumor cells in response to stress encountered in the tumor microenvironment or during cancer therapy. PGCC are greatly dedifferentiated, acquire pluripotency, and are able to replicate through a form of asymmetric division called neosis, which results in new populations that are themselves able to differentiate into new cell types or to re-establish tumors. Progeny tend to be more genetically unstable than the founding population due to the dysregulation required to transition through a PGCC state. Therefore, cancers that escape stressors through this mechanism tend to re-emerge with a more aggressive phenotype that is therapy resistant. This review focuses on the clinical significance of PGCC, the need for standardized nomenclature and molecular markers, as well as possible avenues to develop therapies aimed at PGCC and the process of neosis. The biology underlying the development of PGCC including cell cycle checkpoint dysregulation, stress responses, dedifferentiation, stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition is discussed.

Summary of IAU Joint Discussion 16, “The International Celestial Reference System, Maintenance and Future Realizations

AbstractThe IAU Joint Discussion 16 (JD16) was held in conjunction with the XXVth General Assembly in July, 2003. Papers related to the maintenance of the International Celestial Reference System were presented in the one-day session, and these were followed by discussion that pointed out the need for standard nomenclature. This issue was addressed by the formation of a Division 1 Working Group on the subject. JD16 also pointed out the requirement for a dynamical expression for precession which was addressed by the creation of a Division 1 Working Group on Precession and the Ecliptic. It also showed that although plans are being implemented to provide reference frames for the future, there is a need for improved coordination of astrometric observations. Finally it should be noted that the discussion pointed out the concern for the future organization of IAU Division 1.