Tools for visualization and analysis of molecular networks, pathways, and -omics data.

Biological pathways have become the standard way to represent the coordinated reactions and actions of a series of molecules in a cell. A series of interconnected pathways is referred to as a biological network, which denotes a more holistic view on the entanglement of cellular reactions. Biological pathways and networks are not only an appropriate approach to visualize molecular reactions. They have also become one leading method in -omics data analysis and visualization. Here, we review a set of pathway and network visualization and analysis methods and take a look at potential future developments in the field

On the Security of an Efficient Group Key Agreement Scheme for MANETs

Yang et al. have proposed an efficient group key agreement scheme for Mobile Adhoc Networks. The scheme is efficient as only one bilinear computation is required for group members to obtain the session key. The scheme is analyzed for security without random oracle model. However, we prove that their scheme is not secure. In particular, we show that any passive adversary (or non-group member) can compute the session key without having access to the individual secret keys of the group members. Hence, Yang et al. scheme cannot be used for secure group communication. We also show that, the scheme cannot be used for secure group communication unless there exists a central entity, and hence cannot be used for secure communication in mobile adhoc networks

Salinity Tolerance of Forage Range Legumes during Germination and Early Seedling Growth

Salinity is one of the rising problems causing tremendous yield losses in many regions of the world especially in arid and semiarid regions. In India, about 5.95M ha areas were affected by salinity. Five states viz. Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh accounts for 48% of the total salt affected soils of the country. Establishment of seedlings at early growth stages of crop plants as one of the most important determinants of high yield is severely affected by soil salinity. Increasing salinity levels significantly decreased germination parameters, shoot and root length, shoot and root fresh and dry weights of some forage sorghum cultivars (Kandil et al., 2012). Therefore, in the present investigation three forage range legumes namely centro, clitoria and siratro were tested for their relative salt tolerance to increasing levels of salinity in those combinations of salts which nearly exist in the natural salt affected soils

An Efficient Information Extraction Mechanism with Page Ranking and a Classification Strategy based on Similarity Learning of Web Text Documents

Users have recently had more access to information thanks to the growth of the www information system. In these situations, search engines have developed into an essential tool for consumers to find information in a big space. The difficulty of handling this wealth of knowledge grows more difficult every day. Although search engines are crucial for information gathering, many of the results they offer are not required by the user because they are ranked according on user string matches. As a result, there were semantic disparities between the terms used in the user inquiry and the importance of catch phrases in the results. The problem of grouping relevant information into categories of related topics hasn't been solved. A Ranking Based Similarity Learning Approach and SVM based classification frame work of web text to estimate the semantic comparison between words to improve extraction of information is proposed in the work. The results of the experiment suggest improvisation in order to obtain better results by retrieving more relevant results

Photophysics of some styryl thiazolo quinoxaline dyes in organic media

The photophysics of a new class of styryl dyes, 2-styryl thiazolo quinoxaline (STQ) based structures was investigated in organic solvents and organized molecular assemblies. The absorption, steady state and time-resolved fluorescence characteristics of the STQ dyes in low-viscosity organic solvents are consistent with a single species in the ground and excited state. The one electron electrochemical oxidation and reduction potentials of the dyes are within ±1V vs. NHE. The spectral shifts of the dyes in organic solvents are linearly correlated with the variation of solvent polarity parameters. The dipole moments in the ground and excited state of the dyes were calculated without assuming a value for the cavity radius. The temperature dependence of the nonradiative rate of STQ dye in DMSO indicated an activation barrier (ΔE=10.7 kJ/mol) which is comparable to the activation energy (Ea=13.7 kJ/mol) of viscous friction in DMSO. In dichloromethane, the activation barrier is 34.0 kJ/mol which is very high compared to Ea=6.64 kJ/mol. Formation of a dye–solvent complex is suggested in dichloromethane. The fluorescence decay of STQ dye is multiexponential in a viscous solvent (2-octanol) or when bound to a protein (Lysozyme), micelle or lipid membrane. In 2-octanol, the decay parameters are wavelength dependent and the results are consistent with the mechanism of excited state kinetics of solvent relaxation. In other systems, the multiexponential decay is due to multiple sites of solubilization of the dye in the organized molecular assembly

The feasibility of milkfish (Chanos chanos) aquaculture in Solomon Islands

Fish is crucial to food and nutrition security in Solomon Islands, and demand is expected to increase due to a growing population. However, it is projected that current capture fisheries production will not meet this growing demand. Aquaculture has the potential to mitigate the capture fishery shortfall, and the Government of Solomon Islands is prioritizing aquaculture as a solution to meet future food and income needs. Aquaculture in Solomon Islands is still in early development. Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is farmed for household consumption, but its prolific reproductive rate and resulting slow growth limit its potential as a commercial aquaculture species. More productive fish species that are not indigenous to Solomon Islands but are successfully farmed overseas could be introduced; however, such a decision needs to take into account the potential ecological or social impacts. For land-based pond aquaculture, the only indigenous species that has been farmed extensively elsewhere is milkfish (Chanos chanos). This report presents a feasibility assessment for milkfish farming in Solomon Islands. It synthesizes the current knowledge about milkfish farming and presents results of a 4-year study on the potential for milkfish aquaculture in Solomon Islands

Endometriosis through an immunological lens: a pathophysiology based in immune dysregulation

Endometriosis (EMS) is an inflammatory, gynaecologic disease characterized by the growth of endometrial tissues outside the uterus. With no satisfactory therapies or non-invasive diagnostics available, a shift in perspectives on EMS pathophysiology is overdue. The implication of immune dysregulation in EMS pathogenesis and disease progression has been an evolving area of research, with numerous immune and inflammatory pathways identified. Traditional theories regarding the establishment of endometriotic lesions have lacked mechanistic explanations for their proliferation and survival until recent research unearthed the involvement of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in a complex network of immune-endocrine signaling. The unique immunology of EMS is likely owing to estrogen dominance, as endocrine imbalance reliably cultivates immune dysregulation. Many of the phenomena observed in EMS parallel immune biology seen in various cancers, including accelerated somatic mutations in endometrial epithelial cells. Here, the high mutational load leads to EMS neoantigen development which potentially contributes to the lesion immune microenvironment. As well, EMS manifests comorbidity with several chronic inflammatory diseases that share common dysregulation of the interleukin-23 (IL-23)/IL-17 pathway (as seen in inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis). EMS is especially relevant to the study of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) as 60% of EMS patients experience this symptom and chronic inflammation is believed to be central to the process of pain sensitization. Since the onset of the disease usually occurs in adolescence, and diagnosis only occurs years later once moderate to severe symptoms have developed, it is vital to innovate non-invasive diagnostic tools for earlier detection. Several potential biomarkers are being studied, including some cytokines, gene signatures, and extracellular vesicle (EV) signatures. By incorporating the immune perspectives of EMS into our research, approaches to diagnosis, and treatment solutions, the field has more promising avenues to clearly define EMS and offer patients relief

Fermented wheat germ extract - nutritional supplement or anticancer drug?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) is a multisubstance composition and, besides others, contains 2-methoxy benzoquinone and 2, 6-dimethoxy benzoquinone which are likely to exert some of its biological effects. FWGE interferes with anaerobic glycolysis, pentose cycle and ribonucleotide reductase. It has significant antiproliferative effects and kills tumor cells by the induction of apoptosis via the caspase-poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase-pathway. FWGE interacts synergistically with a variety of different anticancer drugs and exerted antimetastatic properties in mouse models. In addition, FWGE modulates immune response by downregulation of MHC-I complex and the induction of TNF-α and various interleukins. Data in the F-344 rat model provide evidence for a colon cancer preventing effect of FWGE.</p> <p>Clinical data from a randomized phase II trial in melanoma patients indicate a significant benefit for patients treated with dacarbazine in combination with FWGE in terms of progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Similarly, data from studies in colorectal cancer suggested a benefit of FWGE treatment. Besides extension of OS and PFS, FWGE improved the quality of life in several studies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, available data so far, justify the use of FWGE as a non-prescription medical nutriment for cancer patients. Further randomized, controlled and large scale clinical studies are mandatory, to further clarify the value of FWGE as a drug component of future chemotherapy regimens.</p