Activation of T cells requires at least two signals: an antigen-specific signal delivered through the T-cell receptor and a costimulatory signal mediated through molecules designated B7-1 and B7-2. Previous studies have shown that introduction of B7-1 and B7-2 into tumors using retroviral vectors has led to enhanced antitumor effects. A limiting factor for potential clinical applications using ...

The present research was conducted to mitigate the environmental contamination and with the aim of evaluating the possible impacts of the application of sugarcane bagasse sewage sludge-based compost (BSC), vermicompost, and fish compost on different aspects of physiology, growth, and development of Lilliumlongiflorum var Ceb-Dazzle. The bulbs were planted in four different prepared soil mixture...

B7-DC, one of the recently described B7 family members, has the capacity to inhibit T cell responses via engagement of the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif-containing inhibitory PD-1 receptor as well as enhance responses via an as yet unidentified costimulatory receptor. B7-DC is highly homologous to a coinhibitory B7 family member, B7-H1, which also binds PD-1. It is currently un...

The system for production of inoculum of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) using sand and vermiculite irrigated with nutrient solution is promising. However, organic amendments added to the substrate can stimulate sporulation of AMF and replace the nutrient solution. The aim of this study was to maximize the production of AMF (Acaulospora longula, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Dentiscutata heter...

Pineapple wastes, an abundant organic waste in Accra, Ghana, were vermicomposted using native earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg) collected from the banks of streams and around bath houses of this city. Triplicate pilot-scale vermidigesters containing about 90 earthworms and three other control boxes with no earthworms were fed pineapple pulp or peels, and the loss of wet mass was monitored ...

Globally, there are a number of treatments indicated for the control of invasive alien plant species like parthenium. The production and use of vermicomposts from weeds or other wastes in agriculture is economical and eco-friendly. The unique advantage of using vermicomposting is that it helps to build and sustain soil condition and fertility for sustainable agricultural activities. The present...

We previously reported that cytokine gene transfer into weakly immunogenic tumor cells could enhance the generation of precursor cells of tumor-reactive T cells and subsequently augment antitumor efficacy of adoptive immunotherapy. We investigated whether such potent antitumor effector T cells could be generated from mice bearing poorly immunogenic tumors. In contrast to similarly modified weak...