Validation of EST-derived STS markers localized on Qfhs.ndsu-3BS for Fusarium head blight resistance in wheat using a 'Wangshuibai' derived population

A few EST-derived STS markers localized on Qfhs.ndsu-3BS, a major QTL for resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat, have been previously identified in the 'Sumai 3'/'Stoa' population. In this study, we used a 'Wangshuibai' (resistant)/'Seri82' (susceptible) derived population, linkage group, QTL, and quantitative gene expression analysis to assess the genetic background dependence and stability of the EST-derived STS markers for use in marker aided selection to improve FHB resistance in wheat. Based on our results, a QTL in the map interval of Xsts3B-138_1-Xgwm493 on chromosome 3BS was detected for FHB resistance, which accounted for up to 16% of the phenotypic variation. BLASTN analysis indicated that Xsts3B-138_1 sequence had significant similarity with the resistance gene analogue. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the relative expression of Xsts3B-1381 in 'Wangshuibai' at 96 h after inoculation was 2.6 times higher than 'Seri82'. Our results underlined that EST-derived STS3B-138 markers could be predominantly used in marker aided selection to improve FHB resistance in wheat.     

Novel antiviral agents: a medicinal plant perspective

Several hundred plant and herb species that have potential as novel antiviral agents have been studied, with surprisingly little overlap. A wide variety of active phytochemicals, including the flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, sulphides, polyphenolics, coumarins, saponins, furyl compounds, alkaloids, polyines, thiophenes, proteins and peptides have been identified. Some volatile essential oils of commonly used culinary herbs, spices and herbal teas have also exhibited a high level of antiviral activity. However, given the few classes of compounds investigated, most of the pharmacopoeia of compounds in medicinal plants with antiviral activity is still not known. Several of these phytochemicals have complementary and overlapping mechanisms of action, including antiviral effects by either inhibiting the formation of viral DNA or RNA or inhibiting the activity of viral reproduction. Assay methods to determine antiviral activity include multiple-arm trials, randomized crossover studies, and more compromised designs such as nonrandomized crossovers and pre- and post-treatment analyses. Methods are needed to link antiviral efficacy/potency- and laboratory-based research. Nevertheless, the relative success achieved recently using medicinal plant/herb extracts of various species that are capable of acting therapeutically in various viral infections has raised optimism about the future of phyto-antiviral agents. As this review illustrates, there are innumerable potentially useful medicinal plants and herbs waiting to be evaluated and exploited for therapeutic applications against genetically and functionally diverse viruses families such as Retroviridae, Hepadnaviridae and Herpesviridae     

Impaired CD4 T cell activation due to reliance upon B cell-mediated costimulation in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice

Diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice results from the activation of I-A(g7)-restricted, islet-reactive T cells. This study delineates several characteristics of NOD CD4 T cell activation, which, independent of I-A(g7), are likely to promote a dysregulated state of peripheral T cell tolerance. NOD CD4 T cell activation was found to be resistant to antigenic stimulation via the TCR complex, using the progression of cell division as a measure. The extent of NOD CD4 T cell division was highly sensitive to changes in Ag ligand density. Moreover, even upon maximal TCR complex-mediated stimulation, NOD CD4 T cell division prematurely terminated. Maximally stimulated NOD CD4 T cells failed to achieve the threshold number of division cycles required for optimal susceptibility to activation-induced death, a critical mechanism for the regulation of peripheral T cell tolerance. Importantly, these aberrant activation characteristics were not T cell-intrinsic but resulted from reliance on B cell costimulatory function in NOD mice. Costimulation delivered by nonautoimmune strain APCs normalized NOD CD4 T cell division and the extent of activation-induced death. Thus, by disrupting the progression of CD4 T cell division, polarization of APC costimulatory function to the B cell compartment could allow the persistence and activation of diabetogenic cells in NOD mice.     

The UNSIN project: exploring the molecular physiology of sins

Although active learning works, promoting it in large undergraduate science classes is difficult. Here, three students (F. Naji, L. Salci, and G. Hoit) join their teacher (P. K. Rangachari) in describing one such attempt. Two cohorts in a first-year undergraduate biology course explored the molecular underpinnings of human misbehavior. Students were divided into 18 groups and randomly allotted to deal with one of the four deadly sins: sloth, gluttony, lust, and wrath. Students were expected to read primary sources to devise molecular ways to counter these sins. Group progress was monitored over the 12-wk period by the preceptor (P. K. Rangachari) at scheduled intervals. A single randomly selected student was questioned about the work done, and future directions were provided by the preceptor. At the end of the term, randomly selected students defended their group's approaches to the entire class. A final written report was graded. The following multiple target molecules were considered for each sin: gluttony (cholecystokinin, ghrelin, GABA, leptin, peptide YY, neuropeptide Y, and the melanocortin 4 receptor); sloth (dopamine, glutamate, GABA, and orexin); wrath (serotonin, GABA, glutamate, and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2); and lust (prolactin, testosterone, oxytocin, dopamine, and estrogen). Students noted that the project provided a valuable learning experience, and the random selection approach gave students a greater sense of responsibility to their group. The project helped students hone their skills at searching, synthesizing, sharing, and presenting information, fostered group interactions, and provided a solid knowledge base for subsequent courses.     

Protein tyrosine kinases as new potential targets against human schistosomiasis

In spite of the numerous efforts made to control their transmission, parasite schistosomes still represent a serious public health concern and a major economic problem in many developing countries. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for the treatment of schistosomiasis and the only one that is available for mass chemotherapy. However, its widespread use and its inefficacy on juvenile parasites raise fears that schistosomes will develop drug resistance, and make the development of alternative drugs highly desirable. Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are key molecules that control cell differentiation and proliferation and they already represent important targets for molecular cancer therapy. The recent characterization in Schistosoma mansoni of several cytosolic and receptor PTKs, with properties similar but also divergent from their vertebrate counterparts, opens new perspectives for the development of novel strategies in chemotherapy of schistosomiasis, which could be based on the use of parasite-specific tyrosine phosphorylation inhibitors.     

DCHG-TS: a deadline-constrained and cost-effective hybrid genetic algorithm for scientific workflow scheduling in cloud computing

Cluster Computing - Cloud infrastructures are suitable environments for processing large scientific workflows. Nowadays, new challenges are emerging in the field of optimizing workflows such that...     

RANKL/OPG in primary cultures of osteoblasts from post-menopausal women. Differences between osteoporotic hip fractures and osteoarthritis

The OPG/RANKL/RANK system is important in the balance between bone formation and resorption.We used primary human osteoblasts (hOBs) cells to examine the impact of 17-β-estradiol (E2) or/and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D) in OPG/RANKL system in 28 post-menopausal (PM) women; (a) with hip fracture (OP) or (b) with osteoarthritis (OA). The hOB from OP patients proliferated slower during the first stage, than the OA women (31.5 ± 2.6 and 21.4 ± 1.3 days, respectively, p < 0.05). The OP group secreted significantly higher OPG protein levels than the OA women (10.1 ± 2.6 and 4.4 ± 0.8 pmol/L, respectively, p < 0.05). The 1,25D and 1,25D+E2 induce an increase in RANKL and RANKL/OPG mRNA expression in OP patients above 200% (p < 0.05).HOBs from the osteoporotic hip initially proliferate slower but after reaching the first cellular confluence, the proliferation rate is equal in both groups. Furthermore, hOBs from hips with OP present a higher protein secretion of OPG, and higher RANKL and RANKL/OPG expression ratio in response to 1,25D and 1,25D+E2, than hOBs from OA women. All this could suggest that the greater bone loss that characterizes OP patients can be mediated due to differences in the secretion and expression of the RANKL/OPG system in response to different stimuli.