On-demand test suite reduction

Most test suite reduction techniques aim to select, from a given test suite, a minimal representative subset of test cases that retains the same code coverage as the suite. Empirical studies have shown, however, that test suites reduced in this manner may lose fault detection capability. Techniques have been proposed to retain certain redundant test cases in the reduced test suite so as to reduce the loss in fault-detection capability, but these still do concede some degree of loss. Thus, these techniques may be applicable only in cases where loose demands are placed on the upper limit of loss in fault-detection capability. In this work we present an on-demand test suite reduction approach, which attempts to select a representative subset satisfying the same test requirements as an initial test suite conceding at most l% loss in fault-detection capability for at least c% of the instances in which it is applied. Our technique collects statistics about loss in fault-detection capability at the level of individual statements and models the problem of test suite reduction as an integer linear programming problem. We have evaluated our approach in the contexts of three scenarios in which it might be used. Our results show that most test suites reduced by our approach satisfy given fault detection capability demands, and that the approach compares favorably with an existing test suite reduction approach. ? 2012 IEEE.EI

Mold and Stain Resistance of Bamboo Treated with Pyraclostrobin Fungicide

Bamboo is rich in starch and sugars and can be infected by mold and stain fungi, degrading its performance, shortening its service life, and reducing its utilization value. It is crucial to investigate how to protect bamboo against mold and stain fungi. The zone of inhibition test was used to evaluate the antifungal activity of azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl, pyraclostrobin and 3-iodo-2-propynyl-butylcarbamate (IPBC) against stain fungi (Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium moniliforme, and Alternaria alternate) and mold fungi (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum, and Trichoderma viride) to develop new chemicals to protect bamboo against stain fungi and molds. The inhibitory activity of the composite pyraclostrobin and IPBC with different ratios was evaluated. Water-based formulations of the fungi were used to treat the bamboo, and the mold and stain resistance of the bamboo was investigated at different chemical retention rates. The results showed that the antifungal activity of pyraclostrobin was significantly higher than that of azoxystrobin and kresoxim-methyl. Different degrees of inhibitory activities against the stain and mold fungi were observed, and the inhibitory activity was higher against stain fungi than against molds. The three stain fungi were completely inhibited at a 7:3 ratio of pyraclostrobin to IPBC and 0.1% concentration. As the ratio increased, the inhibitory effect against mixed mold strains improved. The control efficacy of the pyraclostrobin formulations Str-1 and Str-2 at 0.1% concentration was 100% against Alternaria alternate and 70.8% against Fusarium moniliforme. The control efficacy of the composite formulations SI-1 and SI-2 at 0.1% concentration was 100% against all three stain fungi and greater than 91.8% against the mixed mold strains. This study provides new insights into the utilization of pyraclostrobin and its composite formulations as new bamboo antifungal agents

Maximum Entropy Niche-Based Modeling (Maxent) of Potential Geographical Distributions of Lobesia Botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in China

Part 1: Simulation, Optimization, Monitoring and Control TechnologyInternational audienceLobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is one of the most destructive pests of grape in the Palearctic region. The potential geographical distribution of this pest is important to agriculture security. In this study, Maxent and ArcGIS were used to project the potential geographical distribution of L. botrana in China under the current climate. The result indicated that L. botrana was suitable in most parts of middle and southern China and the Maxent model was highly accurate for the AUC value of 0.970. Jackknife analysis revealed that low temperature influence the potential distribution of L. botrana. This study would be a decision-support of surveillance and quarantine measures

Genome-Wide Analysis of Type-III Polyketide Synthases in Wheat and Possible Roles in Wheat Sheath-Blight Resistance

The enzymes in the chalcone synthase family, also known as type-III polyketide synthases (PKSs), play important roles in the biosynthesis of various plant secondary metabolites and plant adaptation to environmental stresses. There have been few detailed reports regarding the gene and tissue expression profiles of the PKS (TaPKS) family members in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, 81 candidate TaPKS genes were identified in the wheat genome, which were designated as TaPKS1–81. Phylogenetic analysis divided the TaPKS genes into two groups. TaPKS gene family expansion mainly occurred via tandem duplication and fragment duplication. In addition, we analyzed the physical and chemical properties, gene structures, and cis-acting elements of TaPKS gene family members. RNA-seq analysis showed that the expression of TaPKS genes was tissue-specific, and their expression levels differed before and after infection with Rhizoctonia cerealis. The expression levels of four TaPKS genes were also analyzed via qRT-PCR after treatment with methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, abscisic acid, and ethylene. In the present study, we systematically identified and analyzed TaPKS gene family members in wheat, and our findings may facilitate the cloning of candidate genes associated with resistance to sheath blight in wheat

The Effects of the Recombinant CCR5 T4 Lysozyme Fusion Protein on HIV-1 Infection.

Insertion of T4 lysozyme (T4L) into the GPCR successfully enhanced GPCR protein stability and solubilization. However, the biological functions of the recombinant GPCR protein have not been analyzed.We engineered the CCR5-T4L mutant and expressed and purified the soluble recombinant protein using an E.coli expression system. The antiviral effects of this recombinant protein in THP-1 cell lines, primary human macrophages, and PBMCs from different donors were investigated. We also explored the possible mechanisms underlying the observed antiviral effects.Our data showed the biphasic inhibitory and promotion effects of different concentrations of soluble recombinant CCR5-T4L protein on R5 tropic human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in THP-1 cell lines, human macrophages, and PBMCs from clinical isolates. We demonstrated that soluble recombinant CCR5-T4L acts as a HIV-1 co-receptor, interacts with wild type CCR5, down-regulates the surface CCR5 expression in human macrophages, and interacts with CCL5 to inhibit macrophage migration. Using binding assays, we further determined that recombinant CCR5-T4L and [125I]-CCL5 compete for the same binding site on wild type CCR5.Our results suggest that recombinant CCR5-T4L protein marginally promotes HIV-1 infection at low concentrations and markedly inhibits infection at higher concentrations. This recombinant protein may be helpful in the future development of anti-HIV-1 therapeutic agents

Tricin promoted ATG-7 dependent autophagic degradation of α-synuclein and dopamine release for improving cognitive and motor deficits in Parkinson's disease

Tricin, a natural nontoxic flavonoid distributed in grasses and euphorbia plants, has been reported to scavenge free radicals, possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. However, its autophagic effect on Parkinson's disease (PD) has not been elucidated. By adopting cellular and C. elegans models of PD, the autophagic effect of tricin was identified based on the level of autophagy markers (LC3-II and p62). Besides, the pharmacological effects on neurotransmitters (dopamine), inflammatory cytokines (IFN γ, TNFα, MCP-1, IL-10, IL-6 and IL-17A), histology (hematoxylin & eosin and Nissl staining) and behavioural pathology (open-field test, hindlimb clasping, Y-maze, Morris water-maze and nest building test) were also confirmed in the A53T-α-synuclein transgenic PD mouse model. Further experiments demonstrated that tricin induced autophagic flux and lowered the level of α-synuclein through AMPK-p70s6K- and ATG7-dependent mechanism. Compared to the existing clinical PD drugs, tricin mitigated pathogenesis and symptoms of PD with no observable side effects. In summary, tricin is proposed as a potential adjuvant remedy or nutraceutical for the prevention and treatment of PD

Recombinant CCR5-T4L down-regulates surface CCR5 expression in MDMs, and inhibits MDM migration and binding properties.

<p>A and B) Effect of soluble recombinant CCR5-T4L or CCL5 on surface CCR5 expression in MDMs. MDMs were treated with soluble recombinant CCR5-T4L (1 μg/ml), CCL5 (1 μg/ml), or PBS for 24 h at 37°C. Surface (A) and intracellular CCR5 (B) were analyzed using flow cytometry and the PE-conjugated monoclonal antibody (2D7). Recombinant CCL5 protein was used as a control. The cellular distribution of CCR5 receptors was analyzed by fixing and permeabilizing cells using BD Cytofix/Cytoperm buffer. Data shown are from one representative experiment that was independently repeated at least three times. C) Dose-dependent effects of CCR5-T4L or CCL5 on surface CCR5 expression in MDM. D and E) Dose-dependent effects on MDM migration by CCR5-T4L (D) or CCL5 (100 nM) plus different concentrations of CCR5-T4L protein (E). F and G) Dose-dependent effects on [125I]-CCR5 binding by CCR5-T4L (F) or CCL5 (100 nM) plus different concentrations of CCR5-T4L protein (G). H and I) Dose-dependent effects on CCL5-induced [³⁵S]GTPγS binding to membranes from human macrophages cells treated with CCR5-T4L (H) or CCL5 (100 nM) plus different concentrations of CCR5-T4L protein (I). Data are the mean ± SD of triplicate cultures, which are representative of three experiments.</p

Expression and purification of soluble recombinant CCR5-T4L protein in an <i>E</i>. <i>coli</i> system.

<p>A) Large scale purification and identification of recombinant CCR5-T4L. Recombinant CCR5-T4L was expressed in <i>E</i>. <i>coli</i>. The pET-20b expression vector was transformed into Rosetta 2 (DE3) golden BL21 pLysS cells and analyzed using Coomassie brilliant blue R-250. Lane M: protein marker; lane 1: uninduced bacterial lysate; lane 2: IPTG-induced bacteria lysate; lane 3: small amount of soluble fraction purified on a Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) histidine-binding column; lane 4: small amount of membrane fraction purified using a Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) histidine-binding column; lane 5: large amount of soluble fraction purified by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) using an AKTA purifier; lane 6: large amount of membrane fraction purified by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) using an AKTA purifier. B and C) Western blot analyses using the anti-6×His tag monoclonal or anti-human CCR5 monoclonal antibodies (3A9).</p

Soluble recombinant CCR5-T4L suppresses HIV infection in macrophages.

<p>A and B) Effect of soluble recombinant CCR5-T4L or CCL5 on macrophages using cell-cell fusion assays (A) and single round virus infection assays (B). Macrophages cultured for 7 days were stimulated for 24 h at 37°C with CCR5-T4L (1 μg/ml) or CCL5 (1 μg/ml) prior to HIV-1 Env-mediated cell-cell fusion or single round virus infection. C, D, G, H, and I) Effect of soluble recombinant CCR5-T4L on HIV BaL infection in macrophages. Macrophages cultured for 7 days were stimulated with CCR5-T4L (1 μg/ml) for 24 h at 37°C prior to HIV-1 Bal infection. Cultured supernatant was collected 8 days post-infection, and cells were collected 12 days post-infection. Supernatants were subjected to RT assays (C), total RNA was evaluated for HIV-1 <i>gag</i> expression using real-time PCR (D), and total protein extracted from cells was evaluated for HIV-1 p24 protein expression by western blot analyses (G and H) and GAPDH (I). Representative blots from three independent experiments are shown. Densitometry analyses of the blot were performed using Image J 1.44 software (NIH) and plotted into graphs (n = 3). E and F) CCR5-T4L suppresses HIV-1 replication in macrophages. Macrophages were cultured at 37°C for 24 h in conditioned media in the presence or absence of CCR5-T4L (1 μg/ml) prior to HIV-1 infection or simultaneously or 8 h post-infection. Supernatants were collected 8 days post-infection, and cells were collected 12 days post-infection. Supernatants were subjected to RT assays (E) and total RNA was evaluated for HIV-1 gag expression using real-time PCR (F). Data are expressed as RNA levels relative to control. The results represent the mean ± SD of three independent experiments.</p