Combining many interaction networks to predict gene function and analyze gene lists

In this article, we review how interaction networks can be used alone or in combination in an automated fashion to provide insight into gene and protein function. We describe the concept of a "gene-recommender system" that can be applied to any large collection of interaction networks to make predictions about gene or protein function based on a query list of proteins that share a function of interest. We discuss these systems in general and focus on one specific system, GeneMANIA, that has unique features and uses different algorithms from the majority of other systems.     

Vegetation Mapping of the Mond Protected Area of Bushehr Province (South-west Iran)

Add regions of the wodd occupy up to 35% of the earth's surface, the basis of various definitions of climatic conditions,vegetation types or potential for food production. Due to their high ecological value, monitoring of add regions is necessary and modem vegetation studies can help in the conservation and management of these areas. The use of remote sensing for mapping of desert vegetation is difficult due to mixing of the spectral reflectance of bright desert soils with the weak spectral response of sparse vegetation. We studied the vegetation types in the semiarid to arid region of Mond Protected Area, south-west Iran, based on unsupervised classification of the Spot XS bands and then produced updated maps.Sixteen map units covering t2 vegetation types were recognized in the area based on both field works and satellite mapping. Halocnemum strobilaceum and Suaeda fruticosa vegetation types were the dominant types and Ephedra foliata,Salicornia europaaa-Suaeda heterophylla vegetation types were the smallest. Vegetation coverage decreased sharply with the increase in salinity towards the coastal areas of the Persian Gulf. The highest vegetation coverage belonged to the riparian vegetation along the Mond River, which represents the northern boundary of the protected area. The location of vegetation types was studied on the separate soil and habitat diversity maps of the study area, which helped in final refinements of the vegetation map produced.     

Gliclazide Microcrystals Prepared by Two Methods of <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Situ</Emphasis> Micronization: Pharmacokinetic Studies in Diabetic and Normal Rats

The low water-solubility of gliclazide (GL) leads to a low dissolution rate and variable bioavailability. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of micronization on the absorption and pharmacokinetics of GL after oral administration in rats. GL microcrystals were prepared using solvent-change and pH-shift methods. Scanning electron microscopy showed considerable changes in the shape and size of crystals using both methods. In the optimized formulation of each method, the particle size of treated GL was reduced about 30 (from 290 to 9.9 μm) and 61 times (to 4.76 μm) by solvent-change and pH-shift methods, respectively. Recrystallized samples showed faster dissolution rate than untreated GL particles. Glucose-lowering effect, C _max, and area under the drug concentration-time profile (area under the curve (AUC)) were compared in diabetic and normal rats. AUC and C _max were increased by microcrystals in both groups of animals. Administration of 40 mg/kg of GL in the form of untreated drug and microcrystals obtained by solvent-change and pH-shift methods caused 12.49% and 21.04% enhancement in glucose-lowering effect of GL in diabetic rats, respectively.     

Bacterial l-asparaginases for cancer therapy: Current knowledge and future perspectives

l -Asparaginases hydrolyzing plasma l -asparagine and l -glutamine has attracted tremendous attention in recent years owing to remarkable anticancer properties. This enzyme is efficiently used for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphosarcoma and emerged against ALL in children, neoplasia, and some other malignancies. Cancer cells reduce the expression of l -asparaginase leading to their elimination. The l -asparaginase anticancerous application approach has made incredible breakthrough in the field of modern oncology through depletion of plasma l -asparagine to inhibit the cancer cells growth; particularly among children. High level of l -asparaginase enzyme production by Escherichia coli, Erwinia species, Streptomyces, and Bacillus subtilis species is highly desirable as bacterial alternative enzyme sources for anticancer therapy. Thermal or harsh conditions stability of those from the two latter bacterial species is considerable. Some enzymes from marine bacteria have conferred stability in adverse conditions being more advantageous in cancer therapy. Several side effects exerted by l -asparaginases such as hypersensitivity should be hindered or decreased through alternative therapies or use of immune-suppressor drugs. The l -asparaginase from Erwinia species has displayed remarkable traits in children with this regard. Noticeably, Erwinia chrysanthemi l -asparaginase exhibited negligible glutaminase activity representing a promising efficiency mitigating related side effects. Application of software such as RSM would optimize conditions for higher levels of enzyme production. Additionally, genetic recombination of the encoding gene would indisputably help improving enzyme traits. Furthermore, the possibility of anticancer combination therapy using two or more l -asparaginases from various sources is plausible in future studies to achieve better therapeutic outcomes with lower side effects.     

Using PCR for early diagnosis of bovine leukemia virus infection in some native cattle

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV), the causative agent of enzootic bovine leukosis, is an exogenous, B lymphotropic retrovirus belonging to the Retroviridae family that induces persistent lymphocytosis in cattle and sheep. PCR has proven to be particularly suitable for investigating herds of cattle with a very low incidence of BLV infection and for clarifying doubtful serological results obtained by immunodiffusion or ELISA. The native Iranian and Russian cattle have a series of valuable traits that discriminate them as unique breeds that are well able to compete with western analogues. However, their gene pools have not been analyzed with molecular markers, including detection of BLV by PCR. Two pairs of primers were used: gag1 and gag2, and pol1 and pol2, which encompass 347- and 599-bp fragments of the BLV gene, respectively. Sixty-five Iranian Sistani, 120 Yaroslavl, 50 Mongolian, and 35 Black Pied cows were investigated. Among these 270 animals, we obtained 42 positive and 15 doubtful results in the first PCR. The second PCR was very effective in increasing BLV test reliability data to support detection of BLV.     

Inheritance of resistance to wheat yellow rust at adult plant stage

In order to investigate on inheritance and gene action for resistance to yellow rust, the resistant line C.B227 was crossed with the susceptible variety Avocet. Parents (P1 and P2) and the resulting F1, F2 and F3 generations were planted in a randomised complete block design with two replications in the field. The plants were inoculated with 70E0A⁺ pathotype of yellow rust in the research station of Gharakhil, Iran, and evaluated for resistance at adult plant stage. Disease severity and infection type of flag leaf were recorded for each single plant and final coefficient of infection was calculated. The results of weighted ANOVA indicated that the difference among the generations was significant (p?<?0.01) for the trait final infection type. Generation mean analysis showed that dominant effect was more important than additive one. The degree of dominance indicated the presence of complete dominance. Additive, dominance and epistasic additive?×?additive [i] effects were important in genetic control of resistance. The results of generation variance analysis were consistent with generation mean analysis.