Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Horizontal Transmission of Salmonella and Campylobacter Among Caged and Cage-Free Laying Hens

SUMMARY. In each of five sequential trials, laying hens (56–72 wk of age) were challenged with Salmonella and Campylobacter, and 1 wk postinoculation, the challenged hens (n = 3) were commingled with nonchallenged hens (n = 12) in conventional wire cages, on all-wire slats, or on all-shavings floor housing systems. After 12 days, challenged and nonchallenged hens were euthanatized for sample collection. Ceca were aseptically collected from all hens, and the spleen, liver/gallbladder (LGB), lower (LRT) and upper (URT) reproductive tracts, and ovarian follicles (mature and immature) were collected from only the challenged hens after commingling. Samples were divided equally and cultured separately for Salmonella and Campylobacter. Differences in the horizontal transmission of the challenge Salmonella to nonchallenged hens housed in cages (12%), on slats (15%), and on shavings (14%) were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the challenged pen-mate hens over the five trials. However, with the inclusion of residual environmental Salmonella, the recovery of Salmonella from nonchallenged hens housed in cages was lowest at 15%, intermediate for hens on slats at 20%, and highest for hens on shavings at 38%. Among challenged hens housed in cages, Salmonella was recovered from only 27% of the cecum and LRT samples. From challenged hens housed on slats, Salmonella was recovered from 38% of the cecum, 12% of the spleen, 19% of the LGB, 44% of the LRT, and 19% of the URT samples. From challenged hens housed on shavings, Salmonella was recovered from 31% of the cecum; 15% of the spleen, LGB, and URT; and 31% of the LRT samples. Horizontal transmission of Campylobacter among nonchallenged pen-mate hens was significantly lower for hens housed in cages at 28% than for hens on shavings at 47%, with hens on slats being intermediate at 36%. For challenged hens housed in cages, Campylobacter was recovered from 27% of the cecum, 13% of the LRT, 7% of the URT, and 17% of the follicle samples. Among the challenged hens housed on slats, Campylobacter was recovered from 44% of the cecum, 6% of the spleen, 19% of the LGB, 12% of the LRT, 6% of the URT, and 14% of the follicle samples. Among challenged hens housed on shavings, Campylobacter was recovered from 46% of the cecum, 8% of the LRT and URT, and 40% of the follicle samples. The overall results of this study indicate that the caged housing system provided the lowest horizontal transmission level of Salmonella and Campylobacter among egg-laying hens.
The effect of Chinese economic growth on South Africa's exports to China

iv List of tables and figures.vii Abbreviations . viii Chapter one: Introduction 1.0. Introduction.1 1.1. Background and motivation.1 1.2. Problem statement.4 1.3. Objectives of the study.4 1.3.1. Specific objectives of the study.5 1.4. Limitations of the study.5 Chapter two: Literature review 2.0. Introduction.6 2.1. Theoretical review.6 2.1.1. Analysing trade relationship and benefits among nations.6 2.1.2. Sharing benefits arising from international trade.9 2.1.3. Effects of international trade.12 2.2. Empirical review.14 2.2.1. Empirical studies on effects of China’s economic growth.14 2.2.2. Empirical studies on factors affecting South Africa’s international trade.18 Chapter three: Country-based literature review 3.0. Introduction . 21 3.1. China review.21 3.1.1. History of China’s economic growth.21 3.1.2. China’s exports and their influence on Chinese economic growth.23 3.2. South Africa’s country review.25 3.2.1. South Africa’s international trade growth.25 3.2.2. The patterns of South Africa’s trade with its major trading partners . 29
Hemin and Magnesium-Protoporphyrin IX Induce Global Changes in Gene Expression in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii[C][W]

Retrograde signaling is a pathway of communication from mitochondria and plastids to the nucleus in the context of cell differentiation, development, and stress response. In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the tetrapyrroles magnesium-protoporphyrin IX and heme are only synthesized within the chloroplast, and they have been implicated in the retrograde control of nuclear gene expression in this unicellular green alga. Feeding the two tetrapyrroles to Chlamydomonas cultures was previously shown to transiently induce five nuclear genes, three of which encode the heat shock proteins HSP70A, HSP70B, and HSP70E. In contrast, controversial results exist on the possible role of magnesium-protoporphyrin IX in the repression of genes for light-harvesting proteins in higher plants, raising the question of how important this mode of regulation is. Here, we used genome-wide transcriptional profiling to measure the global impact of these tetrapyrroles on gene regulation and the scope of the response. We identified almost 1,000 genes whose expression level changed transiently but significantly. Among them were only a few genes for photosynthetic proteins but several encoding enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, heme-binding proteins, stress-response proteins, as well as proteins involved in protein folding and degradation. More than 50% of the latter class of genes was also regulated by heat shock. The observed drastic fold changes at the RNA level did not correlate with similar changes in protein concentrations under the tested experimental conditions. Phylogenetic profiling revealed that genes of putative endosymbiontic origin are not overrepresented among the responding genes. This and the transient nature of changes in gene expression suggest a signaling role of both tetrapyrroles as secondary messengers for adaptive responses affecting the entire cell and not only organellar proteins.
Study of the osteoconductive capacity of hydroxyapatite implanted into the femur of ovariectomized rats

Osteoporosis is a global public health that affects postmenopausal women due to the deficiency of estrogen, a hormone that plays an important role in the microarchitecture of bone tissue. Osteoporosis predisposes to pathological bone fracture that can be repaired by conventional methods. However, depending on the severity and quantity of bone loss, the use of autogenous grafts or biomaterials such as hydroxyapatite might be necessary. The latter has received increasing attention in the medical field because of its good biological properties such as osteoconductivity and biocompatibility with bone tissue. The objective of this study was to evaluate using histologic and radiographic analyses, the osteogenic capacity of hydroxyapatite implanted into the femur of rats with ovariectomy‐induced osteoporosis. Eighteen rats were divided into three groups with six animals in each: group nonovariectomized, bilaterally ovariectomized not receiving estrogen replacement therapy, and bilaterally ovariectomized submitted to estrogen replacement therapy. Defects were created experimentally in the distal epiphysis of the femur with a surgical drill and filled with porous hydroxyapatite granules. The animals were sacrificed 8 weeks after surgery. The volume of newly formed bone in the implant area was quantified by morphometrical methods. The results were analyzed by ANOVA followed by the Tukey test (P < 0.05). The hydroxyapatite granules showed good radiopacity. Histological analysis revealed less quantity of newly formed bone in the ovariectomized group not submitted to hormone replacement therapy. In conclusion, bone neoformation can be expected even in bones compromised by estrogen deficiency, but the quantity and velocity of bone formation are lower. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diploid spermatozoa in rabbit semen and their experimental separation from haploid spermatozoa.

In rabbits, 1112 diploid (2N) spermatozoa were recognized by their large heads which were found to have an area in optical projection of 1.532 ( 0.034 SE) times the area of those deemed to be normal haploids (iN). This ratio is of the same order as the theoretical figure of 1.587 for a ratio of quadratic dimensions involving objects expected to differ twofold in volume. 2N spermatozoan heads are stockier in shape and more pear-shaped than those of haploids. A frequent partial or complete doubling of the tail (37% of 2N spermatozoa) indicates some prior cytological doubling event consistent with diploid status. Partial tail doubling is nearly always proximal, in the midpiece segment, and arguments relating to centriolar function can be developed. The heads of 2N spermatozoa can bear one, two, or (very exceptionally) three separate tails. Motile specimens have been observed of all types of 2N spermatozoa with partial or complete tail doubling, or with single tails. Twentyseven percent of 2N spermatozoa are “live” (unstained by nigrosin-eosin) and bear one tail. A further 19% are “live” but with partial or complete tail doubling. A survey of eight potential sources of variation in AS-strain rabbits aged 29 weeks showed that the incidence of 2N spermatozoa (mean 0.31%) varied between brothers but otherwise exhibited little variation in relation to kinship, nor between duplicate ejaculates or duplicate miscroscope preparations, and the heritability estimate in this partially inbred strain was zero. In a search for material with a higher incidence of 2N spermatozoa, three strains (AS, AD and R) were sampled from 26 to 192 weeks of age and marked strain and age effects were apparent, with a prominent strain/age interaction such that young males of AD-strain had the unusually high incidence of ca. 1.5% 2N spermatozoa. These young AD-strain males provide the highest known natural incidence of 2N spermatozoa. Colchicine injection failed to increase the incidence. When whole semen of young AD-strain males (average incidence 1.6% 2N spermatozoa in controls) was centrifuged in a dextran-based density gradient, an upper fraction with 0.4% 2N spermatozoa was recovered from the tubes, and a lower fraction with 2.9%. The two figures differ significantly from each other and from the control figure for whole semen. The technique was highly repeatable and constitutes a success in physical separation of living spermatozoa in accordance with their genetic content. Improvement in the degree of separation is under investigation. The fraction with a high incidence provides a new source of 2N spermatozoa for further experiments. In the fraction with a low incidence, genetically deleterious spermatozoa have been removed from mammalian semen by artificial means, and the results can be viewed as a pilot experiment of interest in a medical context.
Analysis of variables affecting wound healing after musculoskeletal sarcoma resections

Adjuvant treatment modalities, nutritional parameters, and allogeneic blood transfusions are investigated as possible contributing variables which may adversely affect wound healing after tumor resections for musculoskeletal sarcomas. Statistical analysis determined that preoperative chemotherapy, depressed preoperative hematocrit, and allogeneic blood transfusions (probably immunosuppression mediated) were the only significant factors affecting wound healing outcome. Suggestions to improve postoperative infection rates are discussed. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Homocysteine induces metalloproteinase and shedding of β‐1 integrin in microvessel endothelial cells

Although studies have suggested microvessel endothelial cells (MVEC) activation and induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by homocysteine (Hcy), the transduction mechanism leading to endothelial activation was unclear. We hypothesized that Hcy induced metalloproteinase and altered the levels of integrin in MVEC. MVEC from mouse brain were isolated and characterized by CD‐31 (PECAM‐1) FITC labeling. The MVEC were activated with different doses (6–40 μM) of Hcy. The cultured‐conditioned‐medium was analyzed for MMP activity by gelatin gel‐zymography. TIMP‐1, ‐4, β‐1 integrin, and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase‐12 (ADAM‐12) were quantified by Western blot analysis. We used MVEC in cell culture to study the effect of increasing concentrations of Hcy upon the secretion of various proteins into the culture medium. MMP‐9, β‐1 integrin, ADAM‐12, and TIMP‐1 were found in increased concentrations in the culture medium of Hcy‐treated cells whereas TIMP‐4 was decreased. We have shown that purified TIMP‐4 blocked the increase of β‐1 integrin shedding in Hcy‐treated cells. Interestingly, our results suggest that TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐4 function antagonistically in Hcy‐induced signaling pathways. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alternative Education Programs: An In-Depth Analysis of an Individualized Learning Experience

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS: AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF AN INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING EXPERIENCE Robin Lafferty Advisor: University of Guelph, 2015 Professor W. O’Grady Alternative education programs are becoming increasingly available in North America, yet they are understudied. In-depth research that addresses the structure of alternative education programs was undertaken to understand if these programs are useful and, if they are, why they are beneficial to students. This research addresses current gaps in the sociology of education literature with respect to understanding the school culture and school climate of alternative high schools within a school board in Southern Ontario. Findings show that student success is primarily defined and measured individually since alternative students are deemed at-risk youth who have a wide range of academic and non-academic needs. Symbolic interactionism, as well as a class-based analysis, to some extent, is useful to explain how student success is defined and measured among alternative students.
Feline Cystic Rete Ovarii

Cysts of the rete ovarii system from 20 cats are described. The cellular morphology of these cysts varies because the normal rete ovarii in the cat consists of three anatomically distinct parts. Cysts arise in the ovarian medulla or at the tubal extremity of the ovary, expand into ovarian stroma rather than the mesovarium, and are lined by ciliated columnar to flattened epithelium. Their functional significance is unknown.
Coexpression of TIGIT and FCRL3 Identifies Helios+ Human Memory Regulatory T Cells

Two distinct subsets of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells have been described based on the differential expression of Helios, a transcription factor of the Ikaros family. Efforts to understand the origin and biological roles of these Treg populations in regulating immune responses have, however, been hindered by the lack of reliable surface markers to distinguish and isolate them for subsequent functional studies. Using a single-cell cloning strategy coupled with microarray analysis of different Treg functional subsets in humans, we identify the mRNA and protein expression of TIGIT and FCRL3 as a novel surface marker combination that distinguishes Helios+FOXP3+ from Helios−FOXP3+ memory cells. Unlike conventional markers that are modulated on conventional T cells upon activation, we show that the TIGIT/FCRL3 combination allows reliable identification of Helios+ Treg cells even in highly activated conditions in vitro as well as in PBMCs of autoimmune patients. We also demonstrate that the Helios−FOXP3+ Treg subpopulation harbors a larger proportion of nonsuppressive clones compared with the Helios+FOXP3+ cell subset, which is highly enriched for suppressive clones. Moreover, we find that Helios− cells are exclusively responsible for the productions of the inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-17 in FOXP3+ cells ex vivo, highlighting important functional differences between Helios+ and Helios− Treg cells. Thus, we identify novel surface markers for the consistent identification and isolation of Helios+ and Helios− memory Treg cells in health and disease, and we further reveal functional differences between these two populations. These new markers should facilitate further elucidation of the functional roles of Helios-based Treg heterogeneity.
Quality of life in autism across the lifespan: A meta-analysis

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder, with a known impact on quality of life. Yet the developmental trajectory of quality of life is not well understood. First, the effect of age on quality of life was studied with a meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis included 10 studies (published between 2004 and 2012) with a combined sample size of 486 people with autism and 17,776 controls. Second, as there were no studies on quality of life of the elderly with autism, we conducted an empirical study on quality of life of the elderly (age range 53–83) with autism (N = 24) and without autism (N = 24). The meta-analysis showed that quality of life is lower for people with autism compared to people without autism, and that the mean effect is large (Cohen’s d = −0.96). Age did not have an effect on quality of life. The study concerning the elderly with autism showed that the difference in quality of life is similar in the elderly. Age, IQ and symptom severity did not predict quality of life in this sample. Across the lifespan, people with autism experience a much lower quality of life compared to people without autism. Hence, the quality of life seemed to be independent of someone’s age.
Refractive errors in students from Middle Eastern backgrounds living and undertaking schooling in Australia

Background: Environmental factors associated with schooling systems in various countries have been implicated in the rising prevalence of myopia, making the comparison of prevalence of refractive errors in migrant populations of interest. This study aims to determine the prevalence of refractive errors in children of Middle Eastern descent, raised and living in urban Australia but actively maintaining strong ties to their ethnic culture, and to compare them with those in the Middle East where myopia prevalence is generally low.
Cell context-dependent dual effects of EFEMP1 stabilizes subpopulation equilibrium in responding to changes of in vivo growth environment

Conflicting functions of EFEMP1 in cancer have been reported. Using two syngeneic glioma cell lines (U251 and U251-NS) carrying two different principal cell subpopulations that express high or low EGFR, and that are able to interconvert via mis-segregation of chromosome 7 (Chr7), we studied EFEMP1's cell-context-dependent functions in regulating subpopulation equilibrium, here defined by the percentage of cells carrying different copies of Chr7. We found that EFEMP1 attenuated levels of EGFR and cellular respiration in high-EGFR-expressing cells, but increased levels of NOTCH1, MMP2, cell invasiveness, and both oxidative phosphorylation and glycolytic respiration in low-EGFR-expressing cells. Consistently, EFEMP1 suppressed intracranial xenograft formation in U251 and promoted its formation in U251-NS. Interestingly, subpopulation equilibria in xenografts of U251-NS without EFEMP1 overexpression were responsive to inoculum size (1, 10 and 100 thousand cells), which may change the tumor-onset environment. It was not observed in xenografts of U251-NS with EFEMP1 overexpression. The anti-EGFR function of EFEMP1 suppressed acceleration of growth of U251-NS, but not the subpopulation equilibrium, when serially passed under a different (serum-containing adherent) culture condition. Overall, the data suggest that the orthotopic environment of the brain tumor supports EFEMP1 in carrying out both its anti-EGFR and pro-invasive/cancer stem cell-transforming functions in the two glioma cell subpopulations during formation of a single tumor, where EFEMP1 stabilizes the subpopulation equilibrium in response to alterations of the growth environment. This finding implies that EFEMP1 may restrain cancer plasticity in coping with ever-changing tumor microenvironments and/or therapeutic-intervention stresses.
Monetary Policy and Asset Mispricing

This paper investigates whether conventional interest rate policy of central banks is a suitable instrument to attenuate excessive mispricing in stocks as suggested by the proponents of a "leaning against the wind" (LATW) monetary policy. For this, we decompose the stock price into a fundamental, a risk premium and a mispricing component. We argue that mispricing can arise for two reasons: (i) from false subjective expectations of investors about future fundamentals and equity premia, and (ii) from the inherent indeterminacy in asset pricing in line with rational bubbles. Employing a partial equilibrium asset pricing model, we show that the response of the excessive stock price component to a monetary policy shock is ambiguous in both the short- and long-run, and depends on the nature of the mispricing. Subsequently, we evaluate the scope for a LATW policy empirically by employing a time-varying parameter VAR with a flexible identification scheme based on impact and long-run restrictions using data for the S&P500 index from 1962Q1 to 2014Q4. We find that a contractionary monetary policy shock in fact lowers stock prices beyond what is implied by the response of their underlying fundamentals.
Societal Empowerment and Europeanization: Revisiting the EU's Impact on Democratization

The Europeanization literature predominantly credits the empowerment of pro‐reform political elites through the EU's incentives for the democratization of non‐EU countries. The existing studies under‐emphasize the societal dimension of the EU's impact and the normative context in which the EU's leverage is applied. Taking a societal perspective, this article examines societal empowerment as an alternative to elite empowerment and proposes four mechanisms of EU influence on democratization through societies taking into account the EU's structural power and actorness, and considering their effects on the societal sphere and societal actions. Applying the mechanisms to a tough case for societal mobilization for democracy – Bulgaria – the article shows how the EU, through representing a legitimate model of democratic governance, has created a strong pro‐reform societal constituency that can sustain the democratic dynamic. The article also demonstrates the relevance of cross‐national diffusion processes for pro‐democracy societal mobilization.
Transfusion‐transmitted diseases: risks, prevention and perspectives

Abstract: During the past decades major improvements in blood safety have been achieved, both in developed and developing countries. The introduction of donor counseling and screening for different pathogens has made blood a very safe product, especially in developed countries. However, even in these countries, there is still a residual risk for the transmission of several pathogens. For viruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the hepatitis viruses B and C, this is due mainly to window‐period donations. Furthermore, the threat of newly emerging pathogens which can affect blood safety is always present. For example, the implications of the agent causing new variant Creutzfeld‐Jakob disease for transfusion practice are not yet clear. Finally, there are several pathogens, e.g. CMV and parvo B19, which are common in the general donor population, and might pose a serious threat in selected groups of immunosuppressed patients. In the future, further improvements in blood safety are expected from the introduction of polymerase chain reaction for testing and from the implementation of photochemical decontamination for cellular blood products. The situation in transfusion medicine in the developing world is much less favorable, due mainly to a higher incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases.