The Feeding Behaviour Of The Ghost Ants, Tapinoma Melanocephalum (Fabricius) And Tapinoma Indicum (Forel) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Thesis ini bertumpu kepada perilaku pemakanan dua spesies semut mayat, Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius) dan Tapinoma indicum (Forel). This thesis focuses on the feeding behaviour of two species of the ghost ant, namely Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius) and Tapinoma indicum (Forel)

The Feeding Behaviour Of The Ghost Ants,Tapinoma elanocephalum (Fabricius) And Tapinoma Indicum (Forel) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) [QL568.F7 W872 2007 f rb].

Thesis ini bertumpu kepada perilaku pemakanan dua spesies semut mayat, Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius) dan Tapinoma indicum (Forel). This thesis focuses on the feeding behaviour of two species of the ghost ant, namely Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius) and Tapinoma indicum (Forel)

Hierarchical Multi-Bottleneck Classification Method And Its Application to DNA Microarray Expression Data

The recent development of DNA microarray technology is creating a wealth of gene expression data. Typically these datasets have high dimensionality and a lot of varieties. Analysis of DNA microarray expression data is a fast growing research area that interfaces various disciplines such as biology, biochemistry, computer science and statistics. It is concluded that clustering and classification techniques can be successfully employed to group genes based on the similarity of their expression patterns. In this paper, a hierarchical multi-bottleneck classification method is proposed, and it is applied to classify a publicly available gene microarray expression data of budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA

Gamified mathematics practice: Designing with e-commerce and computational concepts.

learning Mathematics: first, students who face difficulty understanding and are too shy to participate in discussions and subsequently do not manage to resolve their doubts, and second, dull e-learning websites. The many rules in Mathematics compounds the problem further. We thus aim to address these problems through a gamified-commerce oriented Mathematics learning practice system, Alzebra, for informal learning. Focusing on principles of Information Systems Analysis and Design, e-commerceoriented computational concepts are embedded in the game to motivate online practice. The system concept, design methodology and user testing outcomes are presented. Significance lies in deriving perception towards gamification and components which users liked or disliked and the efficacy of our hybrid approach in systems development

Genome sequence and genetic linkage analysis of Shiitake mushroom _Lentinula edodes_

_Lentinula edodes_ (Shiitake/Xianggu) is an important cultivated mushroom. Understanding the genomics and functional genomics of _L. edodes_ allows us to improve its cultivation and quality. Genome sequence is a key to develop molecular genetic markers for breeding and genetic manipulation. We sequenced the genome of _L. edodes_ monokaryon L54A using Roche 454 and ABI SOLiD genome sequencing. Sequencing reads of about 1400Mb were de novo assembled into a 40.2 Mb genome sequence. We compiled the genome sequence into a searchable database with which we have been annotating the genes and analyzing the metabolic pathways. In addition, we have been using many molecular techniques to analyze genes differentially expressed during development. Gene ortholog groups of _L. edodes_ genome sequence compared across genomes of several fungi including mushrooms identified gene families unique to mushroom-forming fungi. We used a mapping population of haploid basidiospores of dikaryon L54 for genetic linkage analysis. High-quality variations such as single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertions, and deletions of the mapping population formed a high-density genetic linkage map. We compared the linkage map to the _L. edodes_ L54A genome sequence and located selected quantitative trait loci. The Shiitake community will benefit from these resources for genetic studies and breeding.
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Northern Chinese dental ages estimated from southern Chinese reference datasets closely correlate with chronological age

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MicroRNA 744-3p promotes MMP-9-mediated metastasis by simultaneously suppressing PDCD4 and PTEN in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

MicroRNA controls cancer invasion by governing the expression of gene regulating migration and invasion. Here, we reported a novel regulatory pathway controlled by miR-744-3p, which enhanced expression of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). We profiled the differential micoRNA expression pattern in LSCC cell lines and normal epithelial cultures derived from the head and neck mucosa using microRNA microarray. MiR-7-1-3p, miR-196a/b and miR-744-3p were expressed differentially in the LSCC cell lines. Subsequent validation using real-time PCR revealed that high miR-744-3p level was positively correlated with regional lymph node metastasis of LSCC. Real-time cellular kinetic analysis showed that suppressing miR-744-3p could inhibit migration and invasion of LSCC cell lines and reduce the number of lung metastatic nodules in nude mice modules. In silico analysis revealed that miR-744-3p targeted 2 distinct signaling cascades which eventually upregulated MMP-9 expression in LSCC. First, miR-744-3p could suppress programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), a direct suppressor of NF-κB (p65). PDCD4 could also prevent AKT activation and suppress MMP-9 expression. Further, suppressing miR-744-3p expression could restore phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression. PTEN could inhibit AKT activation and inhibit MMP-9 expression in LSCC cells. The results revealed that suppressing miR-744-3p was effective to inhibit LSCC metastasis by inactivating AKT/mTOR and NF-κB (p65) signaling cascade. Targeting miR-744-3p could be a valuable therapeutic intervention to suppress the aggressiveness of LSCC.published_or_final_versio

Replication and Meta-analysis of the Association between BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism and Cognitive Impairment in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy.

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) adversely affects cancer patients. We had previously demonstrated that the BDNF Val66Met genetic polymorphism is associated with lower odds of subjective CRCI in the multitasking and verbal ability domains among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. To further assess our previous findings, we evaluated the association of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism with subjective and objective CRCI in a temporally separate cohort of patients and pooled findings from both the original (n = 145) and current (n = 193) cohorts in a meta-analysis. Subjective CRCI was assessed using FACT-Cog. Objective CRCI was evaluated using computerized neuropsychological tests. Genotyping was carried out using Sanger sequencing. The association of BDNF Val66Met genotypes and CRCI was examined with logistic regression. A fixed-effect meta-analysis was conducted using the inverse variance method. In the meta-analysis (n = 338), significantly lower odds of CRCI were associated with Met allele carriers based on the global FACT-Cog score (OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.29-0.94). Furthermore, Met allele carriers were at lower odds of developing impairment in the domains of memory (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17-0.70), multitasking (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.18-0.59), and verbal ability (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.24-0.88). Consistent with the previous study, lower odds of subjective CRCI among patients with the BDNF Met allele was observed after adjusting for potential confounders in the multitasking (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.14-0.67) domain. In conclusion, carriers of the BDNF Met allele were protected against global subjective CRCI, particularly in the domains of memory, multitasking, and verbal ability. Our findings further contribute to the understanding of CRCI pathophysiology

The information and decision support needs of older women (>75 yrs) facing treatment choices for breast cancer : a qualitative study

Objective Primary Endocrine Therapy (PET) is a good alternative to surgery for breast cancer in older frailer women. Overall survival rates are equivalent although rates of local control are inferior. There is little research regarding the decision support needs of older patients faced with this choice. This qualitative study aimed to explore these among older breast cancer patients offered a choice of treatment, as the basis to develop an appropriate decision support tool. Methods Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with older women (>75 years) with breast cancer who had been offered a choice of PET or surgery at diagnosis. Women's involvement in their treatment decision and support for the process were explored and analysed using framework analysis. Results Thirty-three interviews were undertaken (median age 82, range 75–95 years, 22 PET, 11 surgery). Most women, regardless of treatment choice, wanted tailored information about the different treatment options, their impact on independence, the practicalities of treatment and the risk of recurrence and spread. Surgery was the treatment of choice in women wanting optimal disease control; those choosing PET felt that they were ‘too old’ for surgery and wanted minimal disruption. Conclusions Older women described making active treatment decisions. However, some knowledge was inaccurate. Women wanted information and decision support from their clinicians along with a specific tailored information booklet to support this proces

Anti–SARS-CoV Immunoglobulin G in Healthcare Workers, Guangzhou, China

Low level of immunity for SARS-CoV among well healthcare workers reinforces the need for infection control measures in hospitals to prevent epidemics