New chromosome 21 DNA markers isolated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis from an ETS2-containing Down syndrome chromosomal region

To generate new chromosome 21 markers in a region that is critical for the pathogenesis of Down syndrome (D21S55-MX1), we used pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to isolate a 600-kb NruI DNA fragment from the WA17 hybrid cell line, which has retained chromosome 21 as the only human material. This fragment, which contains the oncogene ETS2, was used to construct a partial genomic library. Among the 14 unique sequences that were isolated, 3 were polymorphic markers and contained sequences that are conserved in mammals. Five of these markers mapped on the ETS2-containing NruI fragment and allowed us to define an 800-kb high-resolution PFGE map.     

A gene silencing of V‐ATPase subunit A interferes with survival and development of the tomato leafminer,Tuta absoluta

RNA interference (RNAi) technology is not only considered as a tool to analyze gene function, but it is also potentially considered as a strategy to develop novel biopesticide. In the current study, a double‐stranded RNA specific to v‐ATPase subunit A of the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick; Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), was orally administered. A gradual decrease in the expression of the gene was observed from Day 1 to 3 and resulted in significant larval mortality. These results suggest that v‐ATPases A can be considered as a promising target gene by RNAi technology to be used in the management of the tomato leafminer.     

Role of mechanosignaling on pathology of varicose vein

Varicose veins are the most common vascular disease in humans. Veins have valves that help the blood return gradually to the heart without leaking blood. When these valves become weak, blood and fluid collect and pool by pressing against the walls of the veins, causing varicose veins. In the cardiovascular system, mechanical forces are important determinants of vascular homeostasis and pathological processes. Blood vessels are constantly exposed to a variety of hemodynamic forces, including shear stress and environmental strains caused by the blood flow. In varicose veins within the leg, venous blood pressure rises in the vein of the lower extremities due to prolonged standing, creating a peripheral tension in the vessel wall thereby causing mechanical stimulation of endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle. Studies have shown that long-term increased exposure to vascular wall tension is associated with the overexpression of HIF-1α and HIF-2α and increased levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9, thereby reducing venous contraction and progressive venous dilatation, which is involved in the development of varicose veins. Following the expression of metalloproteinase, the expression of type 1 collagen increases, and the amount of type 3 collagen decreases. Therefore, collagen imbalance will cause the varicose veins to not stretch. Loss of structural proteins (type 3 collagen and elastin) in the vessel wall causes the loss of the biophysical properties of the varicose vein wall. This review article tries to elaborate on the effect of mechanical forces and sensors of these forces on the vascular wall in creating the mechanism of mechanosignaling, as well as the role of the onset of molecular signaling cascades in the pathology of varicose veins.     

The Crosstalk Between Brain Mediators Regulating Food Intake Behavior in Birds: A Review

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Appetite is controlled by a complex system of central and peripheral signals interacting to modulate the ingestion response. Several...     

Evaluating the effectiveness of conservation site networks under climate change: accounting for uncertainty

We forecasted potential impacts of climate change on the ability of a network of key sites for bird conservation (Important Bird Areas; IBAs) to provide suitable climate for 370 bird species of current conservation concern in two Asian biodiversity hotspots: the Eastern Himalaya and Lower Mekong. Comparable studies have largely not accounted for uncertainty, which may lead to inappropriate conclusions. We quantified the contribution of four sources of variation (choice of general circulation models, emission scenarios and species distribution modelling methods and variation in species distribution data) to uncertainty in forecasts and tested if our projections were robust to these uncertainties. Declines in the availability of suitable climate within the IBA network by 2100 were forecast as ‘extremely likely’ for 45% of species, whereas increases were projected for only 2%. Thus, we predict almost 24 times as many ‘losers’ as ‘winners’. However, for no species was suitable climate ‘extremely likely’ to be completely lost from the network. Considerable turnover (median = 43%, 95% CI = 35–69%) in species compositions of most IBAs were projected by 2100. Climatic conditions in 47% of IBAs were projected as ‘extremely likely’ to become suitable for fewer priority species. However, no IBA was forecast to become suitable for more species. Variation among General Circulation Models and Species Distribution Models contributed most to uncertainty among forecasts. This uncertainty precluded firm conclusions for 53% of species and IBAs because 95% confidence intervals included projections of no change. Considering this uncertainty, however, allows robust recommendations concerning the remaining species and IBAs. Overall, while the IBA network will continue to sustain bird conservation, climate change will modify which species each site will be suitable for. Thus, adaptive management of the network, including modified site conservation strategies and facilitating species' movement among sites, is critical to ensure effective future conservation.     

Population statistics and biological traits of Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) affected by LC30 of thiamethoxam and pirimicarb

Although selective pesticides are recommended to use in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes, they could adversely affect biological agents. So, the aim of the current study was to investigate the LC₃₀ of pirimicarb and thiamethoxam on Hippodamia variegata. Two pesticides, pirimicarb and thiamethoxam, when applied at concentrations of 1522.8 and 251.3?mg (ai)/L, respectively, on the third instar larvae of the insect, produced 30% mortality. Also, results showed that neither pirimicarb nor thiamethoxam affect stage age distribution (c_x), fecundity (eggs/female) and adult development time. These two pesticides extended preadult duration significantly (p?<?0.0001, F?=?31.22, df?=?122). Also, survival rate (l_x) and age-specific reproductive value (v_x) decreased and some changes in age-specific life expectancy (e_x) happened. Generally, more adverse effects were found in the population treated by thiamethoxam. The results showed that pirimicarb and thiamethoxam have potential to harm the predatory ladybird in IPM programme, though in sublethal doses.     

Probing the interaction of silver nanoparticles with tau protein and neuroblastoma cell line as nervous system models

Interestingly pharmaceutical sciences are using nanoparticles (NPs) to design and develop nanomaterials-based drugs. However, up to recently, it has not been well realized that NPs themselves may impose risks to the biological systems. In this study, the interaction of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with tau protein and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line, as potential nervous system models, was examined with a range of techniques including intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) dual staining method. Fluorescence study showed that AgNPs with a diameter of around 10–20 nm spontaneously form a static complex with tau protein via hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions. CD experiment revealed that AgNPs did not change the random coil structure of tau protein. Moreover, AgNPs showed to induce SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell mortality through fragmentation of DNA which is a key feature of apoptosis. In conclusion, AgNPs may induce slight changes on the tau protein structure. Also, the concentration of AgNPs is the main factor which influences their cytotoxicity. Since, all adverse effects of NPs are not well detected, so probably additional more specific testing would be needed.     

Investigation of cytocrom c oxidase gene subunits expression on the Multiple sclerosis

INTRODUCTION:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflamatory disease, which affects the (Central Nervous System) and leads to the destruction of myelin and atrophy of the axons. Genetic factors, in addition to environmental ones, seem to play a role in MS. Numerous studies have reported mitochondrial defects including a reduction in cytochrome c oxidase (COX) complex function related to the reduction of mitochondrial genes expression in the cortex tissue of patients with MS have been reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This study aimed to assess COX5B and COX2 genes expression in MS patients and compare it with normal subjects. We determine expression levels of genes COX5B and COX2, and also gene reference ß-actine using real–time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Data were obtained and obtained and standardized with the gene reference and were analyzed using independent sample t-test with SPSS and Excel programs.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

The resultshowed COX5B gene expression reduced significant in MS patients compared to normal subjects (P < −0.05) whereas, there was no significant difference in the COX2 gene expression between normal subjects and patients. Thus, it can be claimed that down-regulation of mitochondrial electron transport chain genes supported the hypothesis that hypoxia-like tissue injury in MS may be due to mitochondrial genes, different expression impairment.     

Ethanol and value‐added byproducts from rice straw by dimorphic fungus Mucor hiemalis

Different morphologies of Mucor hiemalis were induced and used for the production of ethanol and biomass from rice straw through a separate hydrolysis and fermentation process. The yield of enzymatic hydrolysis was improved from 40.4% for the untreated straw to 80–93% by employing sodium hydroxide and concentrated phosphoric acid pretreatments with or without ultrasonication. The best hydrolysis performance was achieved after pretreatment by sodium hydroxide assisted with ultrasonication. The ethanol yields from the hydrolysates were 0.39–0.44 g/g depending on the pretreatment method and the fungus morphology. The yeast‐like form of the fungus showed faster glucose assimilation and slightly higher ethanol yield compared to the other morphologies. The biomass yield of mostly yeast‐like cells was more than the other morphologies (0.202–0.282 g/g glucose). Moreover, the biomass of the yeast‐like cells had more protein content (46.7–52.4 %) compared to filamentous cells (37.7–46.3 %). The cell wall, alkali‐insoluble material (AIM) of the biomass, represented 16.3–20.1% of the biomass. On average, total chitin‐chitosan content of AIM of the biomass of purely filamentous, mostly filamentous, mostly yeast‐like, and purely yeast‐like forms of the fungus was 0.460, 0.373, 0.330, and 0.336 g/g AIM of the biomass, respectively.