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PFRED a software application for the design, analysis, and visualization of antisense oligonucleotides and siRNA is described. The software provides an intuitive user-interface for scientists to design a library of siRNA or antisense oligonucleotides that target a specific gene of interest. Moreover, the tool facilitates the incorporation of various design criteria that have been shown to be important for stability and potency. PFRED has been made available as an open-source project so the code can be easily modified to address the future needs of the oligonucleotide research community. A compiled version is available for downloading at https://github.com/pfred/pfred-gui/releases/tag/v1.0 as a java Jar file. The source code and the links for downloading the precompiled version can be found at https://github.com/pfred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Marine natural products are a rich source of potent, selective, and structurally novel compounds. Marine bacteria are considered the most promising source of biologically active compounds which can be applied to treat a wide range of diseases. Objective: The current study was designed to establish the bases for a future marine exploration in the Ecuadorian coast based on the molecular identification of a marine bacterium and its potential use as an antibacterial or cytotoxic compounds source. Materials and methods: Isolation and characterization of the marine bacterium were carried out through microbiological methods from desiccated sediment. Molecular identification was made by means of 16S rDNA analysis. MIC was measured by the microdilution broth method against six pathogenic bacteria: two Gram positive and four Gram negative strains. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by Crystal violet assay against breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) and ductal carcinoma (T47D and ZR-75-30). Results: Our present study has shown that EtOAc extract and fraction A1 obtained from marineStreptomycessp. revealed the maximal antibacterial and cytotoxic activity.Enterococcus faecaliswas found to be more sensitive strain (MIC 0.78 μg/ml) than the other five bacteria tested. ZR-75-30 and T47D cell lines were found to be more sensitive (IC50value, 31.88 ± 0.05 and 68.35 ± 0.12 μg/ml) than adenocarcinoma MCF7 (IC50value was 83.65 ± 0.06 μg/ml). Discussion and conclusion: The results obtained herein indicate that EtOAc extract ofStreptomycessp. has shown a strong antibacterial activity as well as moderate cytotoxic activity which make it a good candidate for metabolite isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Premise of the study: The presence of compatible fungi is necessary for epiphytic orchid recruitment. Thus, identifying associated mycorrhizal fungi at the population level is essential for orchid conservation. Recruitment patterns may also be conditioned by factors such as seed dispersal range and specific environmental characteristics. * Methods: In a forest plot, all trees with a diameter at breast height > 1 cm and all individuals of the epiphytic orchid Epidendrum rhopalostele were identified and mapped. Additionally, one flowering individual of E. rhopalostele per each host tree was randomly selected for root sampling and DNA extraction. * Key results: A total of 239 E. rhopalostele individuals were located in 25 of the 714 potential host trees. Light microscopy of sampled roots showed mycorrhizal fungi in 22 of the 25 sampled orchids. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences yielded two Tulasnella clades. In four cases, plants were found to be associated with both clades. The difference between univariate and bivariate K functions was consistent with the random labeling null model at all spatial scales, indicating that trees hosting clades A and B of Tulasnella are not spatially segregated. The analysis of the inhomogenous K function showed that host trees are not clustered, suggesting no limitations to population-scale dispersal. χ²analysis of contingency tables showed that E. rhopalostele is more frequent on dead trees than expected. * Conclusions: Epidendrum rhopalostele establishes mycorrhizal associations with at least two different Tulasnella species. The analysis of the distribution patterns of this orchid suggests a microsite preference for dead trees and no seed dispersal limitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linear elastic fracture modeling coupled with empirical material tensile data result in good quantitative agreement with the experimental determination of mode I fracture for both brittle and toughened epoxy nanocomposites. The nanocomposites are comprised of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A cured with Jeffamine D-230 and some were filled with core-shell rubber nanoparticles of varying concentrations. The quasi-static single-edge notched bending (SENB) test is modeled using both the surface-based cohesive zone (CZS) and extended finite element methods (XFEM) implemented in the Abaqus software. For each material considered, the critical load predicted by the simulated SENB test is used to calculate the mode I fracture toughness. Damage initiates in these models when nodes at the simulated crack tip attain the experimentally measured yield stress. Prediction of fracture processes using a generalized truncated linear traction–separation law (TSL) was significantly improved by considering the case of a linear softening function. There are no adjustable parameters in the XFEM model. The CZS model requires only optimization of the element displacement at the fracture parameter. Thus, these continuum methods describe these materials in mode I fracture with a minimum number of independent parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The immune system generates inflammatory responses through cytokines like Interleukin 6 (IL‐6) and the Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF α); these cytokines mediate cellular responses aided by the presence of soluble receptors such as: Soluble Interleukin 6 Receptor (sIL6R) and Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptors Type 1 and 2 (sTNFR1, sTNFR2); the literature is limited about the relationship between this cytokines and the role of its soluble receptors. Objectives: This study is to determine a possible relationship between specific inflammatory markers and their soluble receptors with the autonomic nervous system's activity and body composition. Methods: 27 subjects (13 men of 19.3 ± 1.6 years old and 14 women of 19.1 ± 1.7 years old) were evaluated. Body composition, autonomic nervous system activity and plasma concentration of inflammatory markers IL‐6, TNF α, sIL6R, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 were measured using bio‐impedance, heart rate variability and ELISA respectively. Results: A positive association between body‐fat percentage and the sIL6R (0.47, p =.013) as well as inverse relationship between muscular mass and the sIL6R (−0.45, p =.019) were found. The sIL6R was also positively correlated with sympathetic activity markers: Relation LF/HF (0.52, p =.006), cardiac sympathetic index (0.45, p =.008), and cardiac vagal index (−0.44, p =.022). Conclusion: This study suggested that the IL‐6 trans‐signaling involving both the soluble receptor, sIL6R, and gp130 membrane co‐receptor could produce inflammatory responses that generate an impact on the autonomic nervous system, possibly due to its direct action on the hypothalamus, the solitary tract nucleus, or the heart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]