Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional effects of the MICA-129 dimorphism on NK cell activity and association with the outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The MHC class I chain-related molecule A (MICA) is a highly polymorphic ligand for the activating natural killer (NK) cell receptor NKG2D (NK group 2, member D). The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position 454 (A → G, rs1051792) leads to an amino acid substitution of methionine by valine (Met → Val) at position 129 in the α2 domain of the MICA protein. In this study, we evaluated how the MICA-129Met/Val polymorphism affects NK cell function and whether it is associated with the outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Results of the functional analyses using transfected cell lines and recombinant proteins for both variants revealed differences between both MICA-129 variants. The MICA-129Met isoform was characterized by higher NKG2D binding avidity (P = 0.0016), faster and stronger NKG2D signaling, triggering of more NK cell cytotoxicity (granule exocytosis, P = 0.0174; target cell lysis, P = 0.0044) and interferon-gamma (IFN-y) release (P < 0.0001) but also increased NKG2D down-regulation (P ≤ 0.0006). Especially at low MICA expression intensity, the Met variant had stronger functional effects than the Val variant. However, the degree of NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production increased steadily with expression intensity of the MICA-129Val variant, whereas an enhanced expression of the MICA-129Met isoform had no or even a negative effect on NK cell function. These data demonstrate a strong interdependency of the MICA expression intensity and the MICA-129 genotype. To elucidate whether the differences between the MICA variants are indeed clinically relevant, the MICA-129 dimorphism was determined in a cohort of patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the University Medical Center Gottingen (320 genotyped patient/donor (P/D) pairs with clinical characteristics). In recipients matched on the MICA-129 genotype, MICA-129Met variants increased the chance of survival (P = 0.0395) and reduced the risk to die due to acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD, P = 0.0117), although homozygous carriers had an increased risk to experience this complication (P = 0.0361) after HSCT. Thus, the presence of the high avidity variant of MICA may lead to a favorable outcome of HSCT due to initially stronger NKG2D signaling followed, however, by a more rapid NKG2D counter-regulation. Taken together, these data indicate that the MICA-129Met/Val polymorphism is functionally relevant and fine-tunes NK cell activity suggesting that it has direct effects on the outcome of HSCT but the intensity of MICA expression is a major confounding factor.
A new species of the hermit crab genus Diogenes Dana, 1851 (Decapoda, Anomura, Diogenidae) from Lombok, Indonesia

A new hermit crab species of the family Diogenidae, Diogenes takedai sp. nov., is described from sea grass beds of Lombok Island, Indonesia. The new species appears closest to D. tirmiziae Siddiqui & McLaughlin, 2003, in having banded ocular peduncles and pereopods and similar armatures of the antennal peduncle and left chela, but is distinguished from that species by the tapered ocular peduncles and moderately narrow corneas, and the propodi of the second and third pereopods without spines on the dorsal margin. The new species is compared to other similar congenerics from Indo-West Pacific. The species of Diogenes known from Indonesian waters are briefly reviewed.
Defining the genetic and physiological basis of Triticum sphaerococcum Perc.

II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.IV TABLE OF CONTENTS.VI LIST OF FIGURES.X ABBREVIATIONS.XI CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION.1 Overview.1 1.1. Origin and evolution of wheat.3 1.1.1. Origin of A genome.4 1.1.2. Origin of the B and G genomes.5 1.1.3. Origin of the D genome.5 1.1.4. Origin of Triticum sphaerococcum Perc.6 1.2. Domestication and spread of wheat cultivation.7 1.3. The significance of the Rht genes.13 1.3. 1. Physiology and genetics of the Rht gene.13 1.3. 2. Gibberellin signal transduction.14 1.4. Plant breeding.18 1.4. 1. Wheat breeding.19 1.4. 2. Methods in wheat breeding.19 1.4. 2.1. Bulk population breeding.20 1.4. 2.2. Single seed descent.20 1.4. 2.3. Pedigree method.21 1.4. 2.4. Back cross breeding.21 1.4. 2.5. Marker assisted selection (MAS). 22 1.4. 2.6. Haploids and doubled haploids in wheat breeding and genetics.24 Wide hybridisation for haploid production in wheat.25 Doubled haploids in genetic studies.26 1.5. The Sphaerococcum wheat (T. sphaerococcum Perc.). 27
Laboratory Manual for Classification and Morphology of Rumen Ciliate Protozoa

Preface. Classification of Rumen Ciliate Protozoa. Key for Identifying Genera of Rumen Protozoa. Rumen Protozoa in the Orders Prostomatida and Trichostomatida. Rumen Protozoa in the Order Entodiniomorphida. Family Ophryoscolecidae. Subfamily Diplodiniinae. Subfamily Ophryoscolecinae. Family Cycloposthiidae. Comparative Size of Different Genera and Species of Rumen Protozoa. References. Appendix.
The Role ofEntrepreneurial Orientation on Business Performance- A Case of KinondoniMunicipality

The objective of this research was to assess the Role of Entrepreneurial Orientation on Business Performance. This was assessed by determining the relationship between the EO and Business Performance in Kinondoni Municipal. The methodology employed Descriptive Statistics, Factor Analysis as well as Multiple Linear Regression. The study used a sample of 150 entrepreneurs who are registered and doing business in Kinondoni Municipal. Questionnaires were used to collect data, Factor Analysis, Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis were used to analyze data so as to make it easier to interpret in which the EO was the independent variable where as Business Performance was the Dependent Variable. The study revealed that the study Predictors (proactiveness, Innovation, Risk Taking, Competitive Aggressiveness and Autonomy) as the dimensions of EO as well as Sales growth, profit and market share as the dimensions of Business Performance. The study found a positive relationship between the dimensions of EO and Business Performance. Moreover the study confirms the dimensions of EO as important in the success of the Business and therefore suggests that all SME’s in Kinondoni District should adopt EO strategies for the success of their businesses by putting policies and procedures that enable employees to be innovative, proactively and encourage autonomy, which will help to attain competitive aggressiveness.
Charakterisierung von Hühner CRTAM

During a search for immunomodulatory receptors in the chicken genome, we identified a previously cloned chicken sequence as CRTAM homologue by its overall identity and several conserved sequence features. For further characterization, we generated a CRTAM specific mab. No staining was detectable in freshly isolated cell preparations from thymus, bursa, caecal tonsils, spleen, blood and intestine. Activation of splenocytes with recombinant IL-2 increased rapid CRTAM expression within a 2 h period on about 30% of the cells. These CRTAM + cells were identified as CD8 + γδ T lymphocytes. In contrast, CRTAM expression could not be stimulated on PBL with IL-2, even within a 48 h stimulation period. As a second means of activation, T cell receptor (TCR) crosslinking using an anti-αβ-TCR induced CRTAM on both PBL and splenocytes. While CRTAM expression was again rapidly upregulated on splenocytes within 2 h, it took 48 h to reach maximum levels of CRTAM expression in PBL. Strikingly, albeit the stimulation of splenocytes was performed with anti-αβ-TCR, CRTAM expression after 2 h was mainly restricted to CD8 + γδ T lymphocytes, however, the longer anti-TCR stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) resulted in CRTAM expression on αβ T lymphocytes. In order to characterize the potential ligand we cloned and expressed chicken Necl-2, a member of the nectin and nectin-like family which is highly homologous to its mammalian counterpart. Three independent assays including a reporter assay, staining with a CRTAM-Ig fusion protein and a cell conjugate assay confirmed the interaction of CRTAM with Necl-2 which could also be blocked by a soluble CRTAM-Ig fusion protein or a CRTAM specific mab. These results suggest that chicken CRTAM represents an early activation antigen on CD8 + T cells which binds to Necl-2 and is upregulated with distinct kinetics on αβ versus γδ T lymphocytes.
Quecksilber(II)-Resistenzgene in natürlichen Bakterienpopulationen der Nordsee

Large populations of the phytoflagellates Cryptomonas rostratiformis, C.phaseolus, C.undulata and the phototrophic bacterium Chromatium cf. okenii have been observed in the oxic/anoxic boundary layer of the slightly eutrophic, dimictic lake Schlachtensee during the summer stratification. Vertical distribution of these populations was studied with the help of a new close-interval sampler and by in situ fluorescence measurements with fine spatial (cm to dm) and temporal (h) resolution on four days in 1991, 1994 and 1995. All populations lived close to the chemocline but showed a regular diel vertical migration with daytime ascent and night-time descent and a low migration amplitude. At least for one species - C.rostratiformis - the pattern of migration suggests, that this behaviour has an endogenous origin. As a result of diel vertical migration, the population of C.rostratiformis was spatially separated from the other dominating populations during daytime. Ultimate cause of diel vertical migration was a better light supply of all populations. Another probable advantage was the reduction in grazing pressure, as large percentages of all populations moved into the anoxic, hydrogen sulphide containing water layers during night-time.
SOME DIPTERANS COLLECTED ON PIG CARCASSES IN PORTUGAL (DIPTERA: CARNIDAE, HELEOMYZIDAE, LAUXANIIDAE AND SPHAEROCERIDAE)

Faunistic information obtained from the study of a part of the dipterous fauna attracted by dead piglets in Lisbon (Por- tugal) is presented. A total of 770 specimens, belonging to 4 families (Carnidae, Heleomyzidae, Lauxaniidae and Sphaeroceri- dae), have been studied and 42 species identified. Among the results we would like to highlight the following new records: a) 1 species (Telomerina levifrons Spuler) new to the Iberian Peninsula, b) 5 genera and 28 species new to Portugal, and c) 3 fami- lies, 13 genera and 12 species new to the Lisbon district. The paper makes a significant contribution to the dipterological knowledge of Portugal. Algunos dipteros recogidos sobre cadaveres de cerdo en Portugal (Diptera: Carnidae, Heleomyzidae, Lauxaniidae and Sphaeroceridae) Resumen: Se presentan los resultados faunisticos obtenidos tras el estudio de parte del material dipterologico capturado so- bre cerdos muertos en Lisboa. Se han estudiado 770 ejemplares pertenecientes a 4 familias (Carnidae, Heleomyzidae, Lauxa- niidae y Sphaeroceridae) y se han identificado 42 especies. Entre los resultados destacamos las siguientes citas nuevas: a) 1 especie (Telomerina levifrons Spuler) nueva para la Peninsula Iberica, b) 5 generos y 28 especies nuevos para Portugal, y c) 3 familias, 13 generos y 12 especies nuevos para el distrito de Lisboa. Con todo ello se aumenta notablemente el conocimiento dipterologico de Portugal. Palabras clave: Diptera, Carnidae, Heleomyzidae, Lauxaniidae, Sphaeroceridae, cadaveres de cerdo, faunistica, Portugal, Lisboa.
Comparison of three non-linear models for describing Japanese quail growth curve

This study has focused on the comparison of Richards, Gompertz and Logistic growth models (functions) for describing the growth characteristics of three meat-type lines of Japanese quail. The live body weight data of wild-type, doted-white and extended-brown quail lines over time were collected and fitted to the three non-linear equations. The prediction performance of the models was evaluated by statistical error tests: mean percentage error (MPE), mean bias error (MBE), root mean square error (RMSE), and confidence interval test (CIT) using the data of three out bred lines of Japanese quails (dotted white, extended brown and wild in plumage colour). The prediction performance of the growth functions for the quail growth curves depends on the line and sex of quails as shown by the results of statistical error tests. In general, Richards function predicted the weight of quails better than other two growth functions. Commonly used statistical error tests (MPE, MBE and RMSE) may not reflect the prediction performance of growth models as accurately as confidence interval test. Confidence interval tests generated likeness percentage values between 82.35 and 100% for Richards growth function.
TESTE DE PATERNIDADE E AVALIAÇÕES AGRONÔMICAS DE POSSÍVEIS HÍBRIDOS DE TANGERINEIRA ‘SUNKI’

Citrus production is spread all over the world. In Brazil citrus represent the major volume of fruit production. The rootstock is extremely important to establish a good-quality orchard. At the Estacao Experimental Agronomica of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul was established placed a hybrid citrus plants orchard, originated from open-pollination with ‘Lee’ tangelo [ Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan. x ( C. tangerina Hort. ex Tan. x C. paradisi Macf.)] as female parent. Amongst those hybrids, fourteen plants were selected with characteristics alike to those of the rootstock ‘Sunki’ tangerine ( Citrus sunki Hort. ex. Tan.) In order to confirm hybrids paternity, single sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used. The molecular analysis allowed to identify eleven hybrids that did not have ‘Sunki’ tangerine as male parent. The hybrids 49, 77 and 92, potencialy hybrids of ‘Sunki’, stood out for higher poliembriony, higher number of emerged seedling per seed and higher number of seeds per fruit in comparison to ‘Sunki’.
The Role of Prostaglandin E2/EP4 Prostanoid Receptor Signaling in Colorectal Carcinogenesis

12 CHAPTER 1: 14 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 14 Colorectal Cancer: a Public Health Perspective 14 Management of Colorectal Cancer 16 Advances in Early Detection 17 Advances in Surgery 18 Advances in Chemotherapy 20 Advances in Chemoprevention 23 The Multistep Model of Colorectal Carcinogenesis 25 The Role of Inflammation in Colorectal Cancer 30 Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and Colorectal Carcinogenesis 32 Prostaglandin E (PGE ) 2 2 39 Intracellular Signaling via EP Receptors 42 PGE Signaling via the EP4 Receptor 2 44 Statement of the Problem 47 Overall Hypothesis: 47 Specific Aims: 47 CHAPTER 2: 48 MATERIALS AND METHODS 48 Chemicals and Antibiotics 48 Cell Culture and Maintenance of Cell Lines 48 Drug Treatments 49 SRB Cell Survival Assay 49 Methylene Blue Colony Formation Assay 50 Immunofluorescence 51 Isolation and Purification of Plasmid DNA 51 Stable Transfection of Mammalian Cells 53 Isolation of RNA from Mammalian Cell Lines 54
Functional & molecular analysis of Bod1 in mitotic chromosome segregation

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Mechanism of Inhibition of Influenza A Virus M2 Proton Channel

The influenza A virus integral membrane protein, M2, is a proton-conducting channel. The ability of influenza A virus to unpack its genome, replicate, and infect its host is contingent upon the M2-mediated acidification of the viral interior. The antiviral drugs amantadine and rimantadine were previously effective in blocking proton influx through M2; however, mutations in the proton channel have rendered these drugs ineffective. Multiple models for the inhibiting mechanism of the adamantane drugs have been hypothesized. In an attempt to better understand the mechanism of M2 inhibition, and ultimately to assist in the development of a replacement M2-targeting antiviral drug, we have set out to determine the site of interaction between rimantadine and M2 using native chemical ligation, a reaction that will result in the formation of a peptide bond between the cysteine residue of mutated M2 and a rimantadine thiol group. We report that we have made significant progress towards growth, harvest, and purification of the M2 (22-62) mutants S31C and G34C (mutation names being based on the full-length protein residue numbers). Additionally, we have successfully synthesized the second to last intermediate, an azido alcohol, of our rimantadine thiol synthesis scheme with 82% yield. This report indicates our progress towards the completion of our project, a project which we believe will assist with further understanding the interaction between M2 and antiviral drugs.
Evolutionary genomics of divergence and adaptation within the model fungi Neurospora crassa and Neurospora tetrasperma

The work presented in this dissertation involves the interpretation of patterns of DNA and gene expression variation to infer ways in which evolutionary events and processes have shaped the life histories of species of filamentous fungi within the genus Neurospora . The first chapter involves a comparison between genome sequences from both mating types of the self-fertile fungus Neurospora tetrasperma . Self-fertility in this species is associated with a large, sex-linked region of suppressed recombination. The structural rearrangements involved in the suppression of recombination are identified here for the first time and a model for the evolution of this non-recombining chromosomal region is developed. Additionally, evidence is presented that suggests the mat a -linked region of suppressed recombination is accumulating deleterious alleles at a faster rate than the mat A -linked region and thus may be in the early stages of degeneration.Discovering the genetic basis behind adaptive phenotypes has long been considered the holy grail of evolutionary genetics, yet most instances where adaptive alleles have been identified involved targeting candidate genes based on their having a function related to an obvious phenotype such as pigmentation. This forward-ecology approach is difficult for most fungi because they lack obvious phenotypes. In the second chapter of this dissertation, a reverse-ecology approach is utilized to identify candidate genes involved in local adaptation to cold temperature in two recently diverged populations of Neurospora crassa . High-resolution genome scans between populations were performed to identify genomic islands of extreme divergence. Two such islands were identified and found to contain genes whose functions, pattern of nucleotide polymorphism, and null phenotype are consistent with local adaptation.The third chapter extends the DNA-based analyses presented in the second chapter to explore natural variation in gene expression within and between these same N. crassa populations. Intrapopulation variation in gene expression is harnessed to identify regulatory modules and to provide a tool for inferring functional information for unannotated genes. Divergence in regulatory networks between populations is assessed, providing insight into potential functional differences between these populations.
Neurofibromin and IL-4 as Regulators of T Cell Development, Function, and Homeostasis

Acknowledgements There are so many people who have helped and supported me while I completed this dissertation. The following is my attempt to acknowledge and thank them all. First, I thank my advisor, Phil King, for teaching me to approach research critically and to communicate my work clearly and concisely, for interesting, and often humorous conversation, for fostering a friendly and cooperative work environment, and for providing me with the opportunity to work on a dream project. In the same vein, I thank my current lab mates, and honorary lab mate Natasha Del Cid, as well as past lab mate Tim Bauler, for assistance with research, help with the navigation of graduate school, and their invaluable friendship. I was proud to work with all of them in the King lab. Next, I would like to thank all of my committee members for their careful attention to my research projects and for their helpful comments and suggestions. I would also like to thank various members of the assistance with experimental design, implementation, and analysis. I would next like iii to acknowledge the staff of University Laboratory Animal Management (ULAM), as well as all of the mice that were sacrificed for these experiments. I would like to thank all of my friends, both near and far, for their continuous support through good times and bad. Special thanks go to the music ministry at Sacred Heart Parish in Dearborn, MI, for allowing me the creative outlet of making music with a most excellent and talented group of musicians. Thanks also go to the PhD Phorummers, who provided valuable advice and humor throughout my career as a graduate student, and to the ladies formerly of CAF, who have provided me with much-needed support and laughter. Finally, I wish to thank my family, both immediate and extended. My parents have always encouraged me to follow my dreams, and have sacrificed much that I could do so. Their love and support have been invaluable and I am proud to be their daughter. My in-laws have welcomed me as one of their own, and I am very grateful for their love and understanding. My best friend has been like a sister to me for many years, and I am grateful for our rich friendship. Last but certainly not least, I thank my husband, Jeff, for being my staunchest supporter and for encouraging me to return to school. …