1,720,975 research outputs found
Ancient varieties of legumes: studies on the pathogenesis related genes-nematode interactions
Full text linkThe legumes are important protein source for the human, animal and soil health.
Unfortunately these crops (e.g., chickpea), present low productivity, because of several biotic and
abiotic stresses typical of the semi-arid tropical regions where they are mainly cultivated.
Among biotic stresses, plant-parasitic nematodes have been estimated to be responsible for a
14% loss in annual yield.
Root-knot nematodes, included Meloidogyne spp., and cyst-forming nematode (Heterodera
spp.) can attack the legumes plant roots, and their symptoms are a consistent limitation in crop
production. New improved cultural management practices have been adopted, moreover studies on
the systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in plants, have been routinely use for the defense status of
plants.
PR proteins are the downstream components of SAR, being induced in response to attack by
pathogens. Host plants are able to coordinate the expression of specific PR genes in response to
infection by nematode, at the molecular level.
Interactions studies between legumes and phytoparasitic nematodes have been conducted in
order to 1) find out marker genes to detect the response induced by the nematode stress, 2) identify
and characterize the Pathogenesis Related genes in Apulian ancient varieties of legumes, 3)analyze
the expression of PR genes by means of qRT-PCR, in response to nematode infections
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Comparative Analysis of the TRB Locus in the Camelus Genus
Full text linkT cells can be separated into two major subsets based on the heterodimer that forms their T cell receptors. αβ T cells have receptors consisting of α and β chains, while γδ T cells are composed of γ and δ chains. αβ T cells play an essential role within the adaptive immune responses against pathogens. The recent genomic characterization of the Camelus dromedarius T cell receptor β (TRB) locus has allowed us to infer the structure of this locus from the draft genome sequences of its wild and domestic Bactrian congeners, Camelus ferus and Camelus bactrianus. The general structural organization of the wild and domestic Bactrian TRB locus is similar to that of the dromedary, with a pool of TRBV genes positioned at the 5′ end of D-J-C clusters, followed by a single TRBV gene located at the 3′ end with an inverted transcriptional orientation. Despite the fragmented nature of the assemblies, comparative genomics reveals the existence of a perfect co-linearity between the three Old World camel TRB genomic sequences, which enables the transfer of information from one sequence to another and the filling of gaps in the genomic sequences. A virtual camelid TRB locus is hypothesized with the presence of 33 TRBV genes distributed in 26 subgroups. Likewise, in the artiodactyl species, three in-tandem D-J-C clusters, each composed of one TRBD gene, six or seven TRBJ genes, and one TRBC gene, are placed at the 3′ end of the locus. As reported in the ruminant species, a group of four functional TRY genes at the 5′ end and only one gene at the 3′ end, complete the camelid TRB locus. Although the gene content is similar, differences are observed in the TRBV functional repertoire, and genes that are functional in one species are pseudogenes in the other species. Hence, variations in the functional repertoire between dromedary, wild and domestic Bactrian camels, rather than differences in the gene content, may represent the molecular basis explaining the disparity in the TRB repertoire between the Camelus species. Finally, our data contribute to the knowledge about the evolutionary history of Old World camelids
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Bone Disease in Cystic Fibrosis: Insights into Etiopathogenesis and Advances in Treatment Management
No full textCystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystemic genetic disorder caused by dysfunctional CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, leading to impaired chloride and bicarbonate transport. Advances in care have increased patient lifetime, revealing chronic complications such as CF-related bone disease (CFBD), characterized by low bone mineral density and increased fracture risk. CFBD results from a complex interplay of factors including chronic inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and impaired glucose metabolism. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8) promote osteoclastogenesis, disrupting bone remodeling via the RANK/RANKL/OPG pathway. In vivo murine and in vitro studies have elucidated the pathogenic mechanisms underlying CFBD, highlighting CFTR's role in bone cell function. Diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation, bone densitometry, and laboratory assessments of bone metabolism markers. In this narrative review we highlight the recent scientific evidence on the etiopathogenesis and the current strategies for management of CFBD
The genomic organisation of the tra/trd locus validates the peculiar characteristics of dromedary δ-chain expression
Full text linkThe role of γδ T cells in vertebrate immunity is still an unsolved puzzle. Species such as humans and mice display a low percentage of these T lymphocytes (i.e., “γδ low species”) with a restricted diversity of γδ T cell receptors (TR). Conversely, artiodactyl species (i.e., “γδ high species”) account for a high proportion of γδ T cells with large γ and δ chain repertoires. The genomic organisation of the TR γ (TRG) and δ (TRD) loci has been determined in sheep and cattle, noting that a wide number of germline genes that encode for γ and δ chains characterise their genomes. Taking advantage of the current improved version of the genome assembly, we have investigated the genomic structure and gene content of the dromedary TRD locus, which, as in the other mammalian species, is nested within the TR α (TRA) genes. The most remarkable finding was the identification of a very limited number of variable germline genes (TRDV) compared to sheep and cattle, which supports our previous expression analyses for which the somatic hypermutation mechanism is able to enlarge and diversify the primary repertoire of dromedary δ chains. Furthermore, the comparison between genomic and expressed sequences reveals that D genes, up to four incorporated in a transcript, greatly contribute to the increased diversity of the dromedary δ chain antigen binding-site
A first survey of the genomic organization of the T cell receptor gamma locus in Tursiops truncatus
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