45 research outputs found
Avidity characterization of genetically engineered T-cells with novel and established approaches
No full textBackground: Adoptive transfer of genetically engineered autologous T-cells is becoming a successful therapy for cancer. The avidity of the engineered T-cells is of crucial importance for therapy success. We have in the past cloned a T-cell receptor (TCR) that recognizes an HLA-A2 (MHC class I)-restricted peptide from the prostate and breast cancer- associated antigen TARP. Herein we perform a side-by-side comparison of the TARP-specific TCR (TARP-TCR) with a newly cloned TCR specific for an HLA-A2-restricted peptide from the cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65 antigen. Results: Both CD8(+) T-cells and CD4(+) T-cells transduced with the HLA-A2-restricted TARP-TCR could readily be detected by multimer analysis, indicating that the binding is rather strong, since binding occured also without the CD8 co-receptor of HLA-A2. Not surprisingly, the TARP-TCR, which is directed against a self-antigen, had weaker binding to the HLA-A2/peptide complex than the CMV pp65-specific TCR (pp65-TCR), which is directed against a viral epitope. Higher peptide concentrations were needed to achieve efficient cytokine release and killing of target cells when the TARP- TCR was used. We further introduce the LigandTracer technology to study cell-cell interactions in real time by evaluating the interaction between TCR-engineered T-cells and peptide-pulsed cancer cells. We were able to successfully detect TCR-engineered T-cell binding kinetics to the target cells. We also used the xCELLigence technology to analyzed cell growth of target cells to assess the killing potency of the TCR-engineered T-cells. T-cells transduced with the pp65 - TCR exhibited more pronounced cytotoxicity, being able to kill their targets at both lower effector to target ratios and lower peptide concentrations. Conclusion: The combination of binding assay with functional assays yields data suggesting that TARP- TCR-engineered T-cells bind to their target, but need more antigen stimulation compared to the pp65-TCR to achieve full effector response. Nonetheless, we believe that the TARP- TCR is an attractive candidate for immunotherapy development for prostate and/or breast cancer
Variability and heritability estimates of yield and yield components in some Nigerian lowland rice genotypes
No full textThis article 'Variability and heritability estimates of yield and yield components in some Nigerian lowland rice genotypes' appeared in the International Rice Research Notes series, created by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to expedite communication among scientists concerned with the development of improved technology for rice and rice-based systems. The series is a mechanism to help scientists keep each other informed of current rice research findings. The concise scientific notes are meant to encourage rice scientists to communicate with one another to obtain details on the research reported
Evaluation of seed vigor of lowland selected rice in Makurdi, Nigeria
No full textThis article 'Evaluation of seed vigor of lowland selected rice in Makurdi, Nigeria' appeared in the International Rice Research Notes series, created by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to expedite communication among scientists concerned with the development of improved technology for rice and rice-based systems. The series is a mechanism to help scientists keep each other informed of current rice research findings. The concise scientific notes are meant to encourage rice scientists to communicate with one another to obtain details on the research reported
Stability Analysis of Six Improved Sorghum Genotypes across Four Environments in the Southern Guinea Savanna Agroecological Zone of Nigeria
No full textSix sorghum genotypes from the Institute for Agric Research Zaria were evaluated for stabilitystudy in four environments in the Southern Guinea Savanna in the 2009 & 2010 croppingseasons using Randomized Complete Block Designs (RCBD) with four replications in each ofthe locations. Analysis of Variance was carried out for each set of data collected and wheresignificant difference was observed, mean separations was done using Duncan MultipleRange test. The regression coefficient (b) of Finlay and Wilkinson (1966), ecovalence (W2)and mean squares of deviation from regression (S2d) of Eberhart and Russel (1966) were usedas stability parameters. The highest yield genotype was SSV2006019 (6.06t/ha) while the leastyield was SSV2006043 (4.02t/ha), based on the stability parameters, Genotypes SSV2006019,SSV2006039 and SSV2006040 with ecovalence values of 0.28, 0.003 and 0.14 and b values of0.99, 0.84 and 1.01 respectively appeared to be stable and adapted to the test environmentswhile SSV2006002 and SSV2006006 with yield values of 4.82 and 4.47t/ha respectivelyappears to be good for poor environments
Performance of medium duration lowland rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i>) genotypes and correlation studies evaluated under rainfed conditions in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria
No full textAssessment of Drumstick Tree (M. deifera) Accessions for Genetic Diversity in the Southern guinea Region of Nigeria
No full textPerformance of medium duration lowland rice (Oryza sativa) genotypes and correlation studies evaluated under rainfed conditions in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria
No full textNo Abstract.Nigerian Journal of Genetics Vol. 15 2000: pp. 15-2
HIV pathogenesis in the female genital tract during chronic HIV infection : the impact of inflammation, T cell memory differentiation status and homeostatic cytokines on mucosal T cell immunity
No full textIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 124-150).The female genital tract serves as the major portal of entry for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Local immune factors unique to the mucosal micro-environment such as the genital tract cytokine milieu or the activation/differentiation status of T cells may play a significant role in heterosexual transmission of HIV and subsequent pathogenesis. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the persistent recruitment, activation and differentiation of mucosal T cells will give crucial insight into potential therapeutic targets to restore effective local immunity
Økologisk tilstand i naturlig åpne områder under skoggrensa. Bakgrunn, forslag til indikatorer og kunnskapsbehov
No full textEvju, M., Olsen, S.L., Prestø, T., Vange, V., Bratli, H. & Töpper, J. 2023. Økologisk tilstand i naturlig åpne områder under skoggrensa. Bakgrunn, forslag til indikatorer og kunnskapsbehov. NINA Rapport 2341. Norsk institutt for naturforskning.
Våren 2022 ga Miljødirektoratet NINA i oppdrag å utvikle indikatorer for økologisk tilstand i våtmark, seminaturlig mark og naturlig åpne områder under skoggrensa på nasjonal og regional skala. Prosjektet er et ledd i å kunne gjennomføre framtidige tilstandsvurderinger for disse økosystemene. Utviklingen av indikatorer skulle bygge på eksisterende kunnskapsgrunnlag, og eventuelle kunnskapsbehov skal bygge på og samkjøres med eksisterende overvåking der det er mulig.
Da Fagsystem for økologisk tilstand ble utviklet, ble det ikke gjennomgått eksisterende data eller vurdert indikatorer for økologisk tilstand i naturlig åpne områder under skoggrensa. Det er dermed behov for mer systematiske søk etter egnede data og forslag til konkrete indikatorer. Et eget delprosjekt for hovedøkosystemet ble derfor etablert i 2022. Denne rapporten sammenfatter arbeidet som er gjennomført i delprosjektet «Naturlig åpne områder under skoggrensa» i 2022 og 2023. Ambisjonen var å komme med konkrete forslag til indikatorer som dekker naturtypene som inngår i økosystemet, og som også dekker egenskapene for økologisk tilstand, i tillegg til å påpeke kunnskapshull og foreslå tiltak for å tette disse.
Naturlig åpne områder under skoggrensa er viktige områder for biologisk mangfold og forekommer ofte i pressområder. Naturtypene som inngår, er svært forskjellige og dekker i hovedsak lite areal. Flere av naturtypene er rødlistet. Som en første tilnærming til å identifisere egnede indikatorer, gjennomgikk vi relevante kilder for kunnskap om naturtypene, supplerte med egen kunnskap, og laget en oversikt over hva som kjennetegner naturtypene, hvilke naturlige forstyrrelses- og endringsprosesser som er viktige, viktige negative påvirkninger, og hva som karakteriserer naturtypene i referansetilstand og god tilstand. Basert på gjennomgangen foreslås en inndeling i fire naturtypegrupper: kystnære områder, vassdragsnære områder, områder med naturlig tynt/manglende jordsmonn og ras- og skredutsatte områder, der naturtypegruppe-spesifikke indikatorer kan være aktuelle. En bruttoliste over aktuelle indikatorer presenteres, og et utvalg av disse konkretiseres.
Fordi naturtypene i hovedsak forekommer naturlig sjeldent og med små forekomster, er datagrunnlaget fra arealrepresentativ naturovervåking lite. I tillegg varierer kunnskapsstatusen for naturlig åpne naturtyper, og for en del naturtyper er ny kunnskapsinnhenting nødvendig dersom det er en målsetning om å vurdere økologisk tilstand for hele hovedøkosystemet. Naturtypene lar seg dessuten vanskelig avgrense ved hjelp av fjernmåling og økosystemkart, både nå og sannsynligvis i framtiden, noe som gjør mange av indikatorene utviklet i hovedprosjektet, lite egnet. En full vurdering av økologisk tilstand av naturlig åpne områder under skoggrensa ligger dermed langt fram i tid.
Det er flere måter å prioritere kunnskapsinnhenting på. Vi foreslår ulike tilnærminger, men kanskje bør flere tilnærminger velges samtidig, f.eks. å få bedre kunnskap om naturtyper med særlig dårlig kunnskapsgrunnlag, og bedre kunnskap om naturtyper under press. Overvåkingen av åpen grunnlendt kalkmark viser at et godt datagrunnlag kan skaffes til veie også for sjeldent forekommende naturtyper, og uttestingen av vegetasjonsindikatorene viser at økologisk tilstand kan vurderes med et godt datagrunnlag.
I det videre arbeidet anbefales å gjennomføre en første vurdering av økologisk tilstand i åpen grunnlendt kalkmark i boreonemoral sone. Videre anbefales en utvikling av arealrepresentativ naturovervåking i kystnære områder, som omfatter flere rødlistede naturtyper, både naturlige og semi-naturlige, som i liten grad er fanget opp i dagens arealrepresentative overvåking. En «kyst-ANO» vil bidra både med data til feltbaserte tilstandsindikatorer og gi viktig input til fjernmålingsbaserte indikatorer gjennom å skaffe bakkesannheter for naturtyper og tilstand.Evju, M., Olsen, S.L., Prestø, T., Vange, V., Bratli, H. & Töpper, J. 2023. Ecological condition of naturally open areas below the forest line. Background, proposed indicators, and knowledge needs. NINA Report 2341. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research.
In the spring 2022 the Environment Agency assigned to NINA a project to develop indicators for ecological condition in wetlands, semi-natural ecosystems and in naturally open areas below the forest line, at national and regional scales. The project is a part to implement future condition assessments in these ecosystems. The development of indicators should be based on existing knowledge bases, and potential knowledge gaps should build on existing monitoring where possible.
When the system for ecological condition assessment was developed, no review of existing data or potential indicators was undertaken for naturally open areas below the forest line. There is thus a need for concrete suggestions for indicators and systematic searches for suitable data. A separate sub-project for the ecosystem was therefore established in 2022. This report summarizes the work carried out in the sub-project “Naturally open areas below the forest line” in 2022 and 2023. The ambition was to present concrete suggestions for indicators that cover the nature types that constitute the ecosystem, and that also cover the characteristics of ecosystems in good ecological condition, in addition to addressing knowledge gaps and suggest actions to close these gaps.
Naturally open areas below the forest line are important areas for biodiversity and often occur in areas with high human impact. The nature types composing the ecosystem are very different and mainly cover small areas. Several of the nature types are red listed. As a first approach to identifying suitable indicators for the ecosystem, we reviewed relevant sources for knowledge, supplied with our own knowledge, and created an overview of the characteristics of the nature types, the naturally occurring disturbances, important negative factors, and how to characterize the nature types in reference condition and good ecological condition. Based on this review a division into four nature type-groups is proposed: coastal areas, areas close to watercourses, areas with thin or lacking soil, and areas prone to landslides, where nature type group-specific indicators may be relevant. A gross list of relevant indicators is presented, and a selection of these is specified.
Because the nature types mainly are naturally rare and with small occurrences, there is little data from area-representative nature monitoring. In addition, the knowledge status for naturally open nature types varies, and for some nature types, new knowledge acquisition is necessary if there is an objective to assess the ecological condition of the entire ecosystem. In addition, the nature types are difficult to delineate with the help of remote sensing and ecosystem maps, both now and probably in the future, which makes many of the indicators developed in the main project, not suitable. A full assessment of the ecological condition of naturally open areas below the forest line is thus far in the future.
We propose several approaches to prioritizing to fil knowledge gaps about the ecosystem, but probably a combination of approaches should be used, e.g., to increase knowledge of nature types with large gaps, and to increase knowledge of nature types under large human pressure. The monitoring of dry calcareous grasslands in the boreonemoral zone shows that a good data base can be obtained also for rare nature types, and the testing of the vegetation indicators for shows that it is possible to assess ecological condition if the data quality is good.
In the future it is recommended to carry out an initial assessment of the ecological condition in dry calcareous grasslands in the boreonemoral zone. Furthermore, the development of area-representative nature monitoring in coastal areas is recommended. Coastal areas include several red-listed nature types, both natural and semi-natural, and are to a small extent captured in the current area-representative monitoring. A "coastal ANO" will contribute both with data to field-based condition indicators and provide important input to remote sensing-based indicators
Evaluation of soybean lines for resistance to rust (phakopsorapachyrhizi)
No full textAmong the diseases that can reduce soybean production is rust disease caused by the fungus Phakopsorapachyrhizi. The aim is to evaluate the resistance of soybean genotypes to rust disease and to study there interactions between agronomic traits. The study was conducted at field and screen house in the University of Agriculture Makurdibetween julyto november2016. A total of 10 soybean genotypes were evaluated for resistance to rust disease. After inoculation in the laboratory, three lines TGX-1835-10E, TGX-1987-10F and TGX1945-4F showed a consistent moderate resistance to Phakopsorapachyrhizi. These soybeanGenotypeowered earlier and had the highest seed yield per plant (799.51kg/ha, 766.75K g/ha and 742.63 respectively). In contrast, the lines TGX-1949-10F and TGX-1485-1D which is the control , flowered at about 43 days after planting, had seed yield per plant of (404.30 and 254.23kg/ha, respectively),these lines had significantly lower yield and susceptible to rust. In the field, four lines had seed weight per plant significantly heavier than TGX-1949-10F and TGX-1485-1D, namely TGX-1835-10E, TGX-1987-10F, TGX-1904-6F and TGX-1945-4E and using a polygon view, the best performing lines were visualized as TGX-1987-10F was best in Environments one and TGX-1835-10E in two.Base on average environment coordination (AEC) procedure, TGX-1945-1F and TGX-1945-4E had yields above the grand means and stable while TGX-1945-4F and TGX-1935-3F were identified with high but unstable yield, the soybean lines with heavier seed weight per plant should potentially serve as genetic material to develop high yielding soybean varieties and resistant to rust disease
