Identification of a Novel Triterpenoid Saponin from Pisum sativum as a Specific Inhibitor of the Diguanylate Cyclase of Acetobacter xylinum

A specific and highly potent inhibitor of diguanylate cyclase,the key regulatory enzyme of the cellulose synthesizing apparatusin the bacterium Acetobacter xylinum, was isolated from extractsof etiolated pea shoots (Pisum sativum). The inhibitor has beenpurified by a multistep procedure, and sufficient amounts ofhighly purified compound (3-8 mg) for spectral analysis wereobtained. The structure of this compound was established as3-O-a-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(l     

Distribution of C4 plants in sand habitats of different climatic regions

Sand dunes of warm regions provide suitable habitats for C4 plants because of their water and nitrogen use efficiency under high temperature and their high tolerance to ecological stress such as salinity, aridity and disturbance. We studied the distribution patterns of C4 plant species in five habitat types of sand dune ecosystems in three climatic regions (Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian and Hyrcanian). We compared the relative abundance of C4 plants in terms of richness and cover and aimed at identifying their habitat preferences in sand ecosystems. Our results revealed that C4 species notably contribute to the vegetation cover, despite their rather low contribution to the richness in comparison with C3 species. Generally, C4 plants were more prominent in mobile dunes, saltmarshes and disturbed sandy ground, but they showed regional differences in habitat preference. In northern and central Iran, C4 plants had the highest relative abundance in mobile dunes whereas in northeastern Greece they dominated disturbed sandy ground. The abundance of C4 plants appears to be influenced by climatic conditions. Central Iran, the driest and warmest among our study regions, has the highest proportion of C4 species in terms of number and cover. We observed an increasing trend in richness and cover of C4 plants with increasing aridity. As the number of C4 species alone may not fully reflect their role in a given area, the C4 plant total vegetation cover is shown to be an additional important parameter in ecological studies.     

Controlled Access under Review: Improving the Governance of Genomic Data Access

In parallel with massive genomic data production, data sharing practices have rapidly expanded over the last decade. To ensure authorized access to data, access review by data access committees (DACs) has been utilized as one potential solution. Here we discuss core elements to be integrated into the fabric of access review by both established and emerging DACs in order to foster fair, efficient, and responsible access to datasets. We particularly highlight the fact that the access review process could be adversely influenced by the potential conflicts of interest of data producers, particularly when they are directly involved in DACs management. Therefore, in structuring DACs and access procedures, possible data withholding by data producers should receive thorough attention.     

Nano-Biotechnology and Challenges of Drug Delivery System in Cancer Treatment Pathway: Review Article

In this review, we discuss Nanotechnology models, which have been developed recently in cancer treatment. Nanotechnology manipulates matter at the atomic and molecular scale to create materials with new and advanced properties. Nano-biotechnology consists of the branches of nanotechnology that have been applied in biology (molecular and cellular genetics) and biotechnology. Nano-biotechnology allows us to put components and compounds into cells and build new materials using new methods like assembly. Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body. Its therapeutic methods include chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, but the effects of these techniques are not only on tumor tissue and may affect healthy tissues. Nano-Biotech applications regarding cancer include drug delivery, treatment, and foresight therapy. This review article aims to obtain a proper mentality of the current technologies of Nano-biotechnology for cancer treatment.     

Induction of glycyrrhizin and total phenolic compound production in licorice by using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have mutualistic symbiosis with higher plants, increasing plant resistance to environmental stresses and nutrient uptake and improving soil. During arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, a range of chemical and biological factors are affected. In this study, two species of arbuscular mycorrhiza (Glomus mosseae and G. intraradices) were used to assess the effects of inoculation on licorice growth and secondary metabolite production. After successful inoculation, the increase in the growth rate, P and Zn uptake, and the accumulation of secondary metabolites in licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) roots were observed in two periods of 3 and 6 months compared to control. After 6 months, more increments in growth, secondary metabolites, and P and Zn uptake were observed compared with the first 3-months period. Two groups of secondary metabolites arising from phenolic and terpenoid metabolism obviously responded to mycorrhizal fungi colonization in licorice roots.     

The Data Governance Act and the EU's move towards facilitating data sharing

The implementation of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has had significant impacts on biomedical research, often complicating data sharing among researchers. The recently announced proposal for a new EU Data Governance Act is a promising step towards facilitating data sharing, if it can interplay well with the GDPR.Subject Categories: S&S: Ethics

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has affected biomedical research, often complicating data sharing. The recently announced proposal for a new EU Data Governance Act, is a promising step towards facilitating data sharing.

In an attempt to improve and increase data sharing in the EU and to optimize the re‐use of personal and non‐personal data, the European Commission has recently announced the proposal for a new EU Data Governance Act (https://ec.europa.eu/digital‐single‐market/en/news/proposal‐regulation‐european‐data‐governance‐data‐governance‐act). If approved, it will enable the creation and regulation of “secure spaces” where various types of data, including health data, can be shared and re‐used for both commercial and altruistic purposes, including scientific research. The Data Governance Act, within the framework of a European Strategy for Data, (https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/communication‐european‐strategy‐dat‐19feb2020_en.pdf), would address some of the shortcomings and drawbacks of the current regulatory framework which holds back sharing and re‐using data for biomedical research purposes.While the proposed Act would apply to all types of personal and non‐personal data, the increasing demand for sharing health data has most likely been a major rationale for this new legislation of data governance. Notably, sharing health and genetic data for scientific research entails an extra layer of complexity, owing to concerns over data protection and privacy when sharing sensitive personal data. Vice versa, there are also concerns in the scientific community over the negative impact of regulatory restrictions on sharing health data in data‐driven biomedical research. The pressing question here is how far the EU’s proposed legislative and policy framework can offset either concerns?