Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induction of cell-mediated immune responses with effector functions by antigens of Tritrichomonas foetus

Bovine trichomoniasis is an abortifacient sexually transmitted disease caused by the parasitic protozoa Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus'). In this dissertation project, the immune responses of cattle to purified and crude antigens of T. foetus were examined including examination of possible effector mechanisms and mechanisms of pathogenesis to address the following hypothesis. Acquired immunity can be induced in cattle in response to infection and certain antigens of T. foetus. Examination of cell-mediated immune responses induced by parasite antigens should reveal mechanisms of pathogenesis and/or host effector mechanisms of protection. Immunoaffmity chromatography was used to purify the adhesin Tfl 90. Silver stained SDS-PAGE gels showed the presence of two immunogenic subunits of Tfl 90 at 140kDa and 60kDa. The presence of carbohydrates and lipids previously shown to be in the LPG of T. foetus were demonstrated. Subcutaneous injections of antigen preparations primed bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as demonstrated by antigen specific proliferation and cytokine production upon ex vivo antigen exposure ofPBMC. Antigenspecific T cells derived from PBMC responded by production of IFNy message and protein. Reactions of antibody from cattle parenterally immunized with Tfl 90 revealed antigen specificity and Tf 190-sensitization and significant increases in IgGi and IgGaImmune sera also significantly inhibited parasite adhesion to mammalian cell lines as compared to pre-immune sera. Intranasal immunization with Tfl 90 resulted in significant increases in parasite specific IgA in cervical mucus secretions from immunized animals that were more resistant to intravaginal challenge with T. foetus compared to controls. Mouse infection models revealed innate mechanisms of immunity (PMN and macrophage influx) upon intravaginal exposure to T. foetus and the human trichomonad Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis). Examination of the effects of parasites on macrophages revealed the ability of T foetus and T vaginalis to directly induce TNFa message and protein demonstrating the presence of a known mechanism of pathogenesis that is detrimental to pregnancy outcome. Finally, the ability of activated macrophages to suppress the growth, and in some instances destroy, Tfoetus was demonstrated. The studies presented here show for the first time antigen specific T cell responses resulting in the production of protective antibody responses. Furthermore, anamnestic H7Ny responses in T foetus antigen primed animals and subsequent in vitro evidence of direct TNFa activation support a mechanism for activating macrophages for production of NO, possibly resulting in the observed parasite suppression, and or destruction of parasites, elucidating potential effector pathways of protection and/or pathogenesis.
Evaluation of a Nondestructive Method for Determining Fat Stores in Small Birds and Mammals

A rapid and nondestructive method for determining lean body mass and lipid stores in live animals is described. This technique relies on use of a commercial device to determine lean body mass from a noninvasive determination of total body electrical conductivity. The method yields adequate data for birds and mammals in a size range of 40-600 g if care is taken to ensure that animals are held in a standard position and are maintained at near normal levels of hydration and body temperature.
The influence of diet on the effectiveness of garlic oil and cinnamaldehyde to manipulate in vitro ruminal fermentation and methane production.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing doses [0 (control: CON), 20, 60, 180 and 540 mg/L incubation medium] of garlic oil (GO) and cinnamaldehyde (CIN) on in vitro ruminal fermentation of two diets. Batch cultures of mixed ruminal microorganisms were inoculated with ruminal fluid from four sheep fed a medium-concentrate diet (MC; 50 : 50 alfalfa hay : concentrate) or four sheep fed a high-concentrate diet (HC; 15 : 85 barley straw : concentrate). Diets MC and HC were representative of those fed to dairy and fattening ruminants, respectively. Samples of each diet were used as incubation substrates for the corresponding inoculum, and the incubation was repeated on 4 different days (four replicates per experimental treatment). There were GO × diet-type and CIN × diet-type interactions (P 0.05) total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production at any dose. For MC diet, GO at 60, 180 and 540 mg/L decreased (P 0.05) on butyrate proportion were detected. Methane/VFA ratio was reduced (P < 0.05) by GO at 60, 180 and 540 mg/L for MC diet (0.23, 0.16 and 0.10 mol/mol, respectively), and by GO at 20, 60, 180 and 540 mg/L for HC diet (0.19, 0.19, 0.16 and 0.08 mol/mol, respectively), compared with CON (0.26 and 0.21 mol/mol for MC and HC diets, respectively). No effects (P = 0.16–0.85) of GO on final pH and concentrations of NH3-N and lactate were detected. For both diet types, the highest CIN dose decreased (P < 0.05) production of total VFA, gas and methane, which would indicate an inhibition of fermentation. Compared with CON, CIN at 180 mg/L increased (P < 0.05) acetate proportion for the MC (629 and 644 mmol/mol total VFA for CON and CIN, respectively) and HC (525 and 540 mmol/mol total VFA, respectively) diets, without affecting the proportions of any other VFA or total VFA production. Whereas for MC diet CIN at 60 and 180 mg/L decreased (P < 0.05) NH3-N concentrations compared with CON, only a trend (P < 0.10) was observed for CIN at 180 mg/L with the HC diet. Supplementation of CIN up to 180 mg/L did not affect (P = 0.18–0.99) lactate concentrations and production of gas and methane for any diet. The results show that effectiveness of GO and CIN to modify ruminal fermentation may depend on diet type, which would have practical implications if they are confirmed in vivo.
Orthodontic finishing: Ten steps to success*

An excellent orthodontic finishing is essential and involves a series of procedures such as a good diagnosis, appropriate treatment plan, and implementing the treatment plan. However, the most critical phase corresponds to finish properly or closely to the appliance removal. It is not enough only to say that it was a good finish. Specifically why, or what details are needed to be observed and obtained, and in what order to conclude that a great orthodontic finishing was done. In this article, I intend to discuss and propose procedures considered indispensable for the excellence in orthodontic finish. The goals are results with excellent oral health; facial, dental and smile harmony; functional occlusion; and especially long-term stability. In this matter, it is important to follow a series of procedures that can be summarized in 10 steps: (1) define clearly your goals; (2) have a checklist; (3) improve bracket placement; (4) repositioning of brackets; (5) make adjustments in the archwires; (6) look at the face, teeth and smile, not the appliance; (7) improve the functional occlusion; (8) reshape teeth anatomically; (9) plan the retention; and (10) plan the appliance removal. The conclusions are that following this steps and keeping in mind that in clinical orthodontic practice is necessary to clearly define the objectives, to know the basic and have technical domain; the result will be inevitable: Success.
Determination of the predictive factors for significant liver fibrosis assessed through transient elastography

Several studies have reported the accuracy of transient elastography (TE), a noninvasive, reproducible, and reliable method for predicting liver fibrosis. This study evaluated the predictive factors associated with significant liver fibrosis assessed through TE. This study enrolled 1799 consecutive patients who underwent TE at Taipei Medical University Hospital between February 2014 and June 2015, including 810 patients with normal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (<40 U/L). We evaluated the risk factors for significant liver fibrosis (liver stiffness measurement [LSM] > 7 kPa) assessed through TE and compared the results with those of the aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/platelet ratio index (APRI), a validated serum marker of liver fibrosis, in 672 patients with detailed laboratory data. Significant liver fibrosis was defined as an APRI score of >0.7. Significant liver fibrosis was detected through TE in 103 (12.7%) of 810 patients with normal serum ALT levels and in 91 (19.4%), 17 (18.7%), and 13 (5.8%) patients with chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, respectively. Univariate analysis of patients with detailed biochemical test data showed that compared with without significant fibrosis, patients with significant fibrosis in the LSM > 7 kPa group were older; had higher body mass index (BMI) values; had higher fasting glucose, ALT, AST, total bilirubin, gamma‐glutamyltransferase, and ferritin levels; had higher APRI and fibrosis index based on four factors scores; had lower serum albumin levels and platelet counts; and higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, hepatitis C virus (HCV) positivity, splenomegaly, and hepatocellular carcinoma than those without significant fibrosis. Multivariate analysis disclosed that high BMI (P < 0.001), high AST levels (P = 0.006), low platelet counts (P < 0.001), and low albumin levels (P = 0.008) were the independent factors associated with significant liver fibrosis. In patients with normal serum ALT levels, the factors determining significant liver fibrosis were high BMI (P < 0.001), high AST levels (P < 0.001), low platelet counts (P = 0.001), and anti‐HCV positive (P = 0.006). LSM exhibited a moderate correlation with APRI scores (R2 = 0.325, P < 0.001). Among patients with normal serum ALT levels, the percentage of significant liver fibrosis defined as LSM > 7 kPa (11.2%) was higher than that of significant liver fibrosis defined as APRI > 0.7 (2.6%) (P < 0.001). Significant liver fibrosis is not uncommon in patients with chronic hepatitis and normal serum ALT levels. TE is a reliable method for assessing the degree of liver fibrosis. High BMI values, high AST levels, low platelet counts, and low albumin levels are correlated with the diagnosis of significant liver fibrosis through TE.
Bacillus thuringiensis in Brazil: geographical distribution and fermentation media for production.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address : Embrapa Milho e Sorgo. Caixa Postal 151, Sete Lagoas, MG, Brazil, 35 701 – 970. Tel:31 3779 1184. Fax: 31 3779 1179. Email: valicent@cnpms.embrapa. br larvae. Concentrations of 106, 107 and 108 spores/ mL were used. In a first bioassay, sterilized rice was used to grow three strains, T09 (from Institut Pasteur) and 344 (from Embrapa) (both Bt serovar tolworthi) and 1644 (from Embrapa). A total of 50 and 100 g of sterilized rice were inoculated with 20 mL and 40 mL of Bt fermented in liquid media (LB supplemented with salts (MgSO4, FeSO4, ZnSO4 and MnSO4) pH of 7.5), respectively. After 5 days of incubation at 30oC, the rice was washed 5 times with water. Following determination of the spores count, the Bt strains were tested against S. frugiperda larvae. In a second bioassay, glucose and soybean flour were added to 50 and 100 g of rice before
Schistosoma mansoni: functional expression and characterisation of cathepsin L1 and cathepsin L2

The cysteine proteinases, cathepsins LI (SmCLl) and L2 (SmCL2) from the parasitic helminth Schistosoma mansoni were functionally expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. By transforming the yeast with cDNAs encoding the complete pre-pro-enzymes, the recombinant proteinases were secreted into the culture medium from which they were purified by gel filtration and/or anion exchange chromatography. The enzymes were secreted by the yeast cells in their mature, active form and demonstrated characteristics typical of cathepsin L-like cysteine proteinases. Proteins in the purified fractions were reactive with anti-sera prepared against the recombinant enzymes which had been expressed in, and purified from extracts of Escherichia coli. Yeast-expressed SmCLl and SmCL2 displayed distinct differences in their specificities for synthetic peptide substrates; SmCLl favours substrates containing aliphatic (P3)-aliphatic (P2)-positive or polar hydrophobic (Pi) residues, whereas SmCL2 showing a preference for aliphatic (P3)-aromatic (P2)-positive (Pi). SmCLl cleaved a broader range of substrates tested and was also active over a wider pH range than SmCL2. SmCLl showed a pH optimum of 6.5 for activity against Z-Phe-Arg-NHMec, while SmCL2 was optimally active at pH 5.5 against this substrate. RT-PCR and immunoblotting studies revealed expression profiles of these proteinases also differed in the various life cycle stages of S. mansoni; both proteinases are expressed in male and female adults but at different levels, and the pro-form of SmCLl is also expressed in cercariae. Immunolocalisation experiments demonstrated that SmCLl was expressed in the gastrodermal cells lining the schistosome gut, as well as in the tegument of adult worms. Immunoblotting studies which detected the presence of SmCLl in the excretory/secretory products of adult worms suggests that this enzyme is secreted by the parasite. Moreover, recombinant yeast-expressed SmCLl had a marked preference for haemoglobin as substrate. Collectively, these results suggest that SmCLl plays some role in the degradation of host haemoglobin in the schistosome gut. SmCL2 has been localised to the reproductive organs of adult schistosomes by another laboratory and has been implicated to be involved in egg formation in female parasites. Therefore, SmCLl and SmCL2 perform different functions in schistosomes. Both these enzymes now represent novel targets at which chemotherapy and/or immunoprophylaxis may be directed.
A retrospective study of febrile seizures among children admitted in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Convulsion is the most common neurologic finding in children (10%). Prevention of febrile convulsions is therefore desirable, and is of particular relevance in children with factors carrying a high risk of recurrence. Aim and Objectives were to study the demographic profile and some risk factors of febrile seizures among children.Methods: A record based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at paediatric department of Dr. S.C. GMC, Nanded. Considering inclusion & exclusion criteria all children in the 6 month to 6 year age who were diagnosed as having febrile convulsion admitted during January to December 2015 were included in the study.Results: Of the 288 children 173 (60.1%) were boys and 115 (39.9%) were girls. 46.9% children were in the 1-3 year age group. Mean age of occurrence was 2.8 years (±1.5 years). In this study, 80.2% (231) of the patients had simple and 19.8% (57) had the complex form of febrile seizure. In our study, 51.73% (149) of affected children had positive family history of febrile seizure. URTI (9.7%) followed by AGE (7.3%) was the most common co-morbidity. 54.2% children were hospitalized for 1-3 days.Conclusions: Most of the children had a positive family history and the most common causative factor was URTI, LRTI, AGE etc. are associated with febrile convulsion and these diseases can be managed effectively thereby reducing the occurrence of febrile convulsion.
Antibodies to the αq subfamily of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein α subunits attenuate activation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis by hormones

Abstract The subfamily of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory (G proteins) designated Gq has been shown to regulate the activity of phospholipase C by reconstitution. However, the role of these proteins in hormonal regulation of this activity has not been demonstrated. Two antisera were used in attempts to interrupt this pathway. Antiserum W082, developed against a peptide representing an internal sequence in alpha q, was specific for alpha q by immunoblots but did not recognize the native protein. Antiserum X384 was developed against a peptide representing the 12 amino acids of the common carboxyl termini of alpha q and alpha 11. It had a broader specificity for this subfamily of G protein alpha subunits and recognized the native proteins. Antiserum X384 specifically immunoprecipitated alpha q and its homologs from purified preparations and detergent extracts of membranes. Affinity-purified antibodies attenuated stimulation of phosphatidylinositide 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis by bradykinin, angiotensin, and histamine in membranes derived from NG108-15 cells, rat liver, and 1321N1 cells, respectively. Activation of the phospholipase C activity by guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate alone was also inhibited. Inclusion of the peptide to which the antisera were raised blocked the effect of the antibody. In contrast, affinity-purified W082, which did not recognize native proteins, did not alter regulation of phospholipase C. This indicates that the Gq family of signaling proteins can couple to several receptors and is responsible for the hormonal regulation of phospholipase C in these diverse systems. The further generality of this regulatory pathway remains to be established.
Secondary cell wall polysaccharides in Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cereus strains

Members of the Bacillus cereus group contain cell wall carbohydrates that vary in their glycosyl compositions. Recent multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) refined the relatedness of B. cereus group members by separating them into clades and lineages. Based on MLST, we selected several B. anthracis, B. cereus and B. thuringiensis strains and compared their cell wall carbohydrates. The cell walls of different B. anthracis strains (Clade 1/Anthracis) were composed of glucose (Glc), galactose (Gal), N-acetyl mannosamine (ManNAc), and N-acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc). In contrast, the cell walls from Clade 2 strains (B. cereus type strain ATCC 14579, and of B. thuringiensis strains) lacked Gal, and contained N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc). The B. cereus Clade 1 strains had cell walls that were similar in composition to B. anthracis in that they all contained Gal. However, the cell walls from some Clade 1 strains also contained GalNAc which was not present in B. anthracis cell walls. Three recently identified Clade 1 strains of B. cereus that caused severe pneumonia, i.e. strains 03BB102, 03BB87, and G9241, had cell wall compositions that closely resembled those of the B. anthracis strains. It was also observed that B. anthracis strains cell wall glycosyl compositions differed from one another in a plasmid-dependent manner. When plasmid pXO2 was absent, the ManNAc/Gal ratio decreased while the Glc/Gal ratio increased. Also, deletion of atxA, a global regulatory gene, from a pXO2-minus strain resulted in cell walls with an even greater level of Glc. Requests for reprints should be addressed to Russell W. Carlson, Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, TEL: 706542-4439, FAX: 706-542-4412, EMAIL: rcarlson@ccrc.uga. edu
Hormones, brain and stress

The stress system orchestrates body and brain responses to the environment. This action exerted by the mediators of the stress system has two modes of operation. The immediate response mode driven by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) organises via CRH-1 receptors the behavioural, sympathetic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) responses to a stressor. In the other - slower - mode, which facilitates behavioural adaptation, the urocortins acting through CRH-2 receptors seem prominent. Corticosteroid hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex are implicated in both modes through their high affinity type 1 (mineralocorticoid receptors - MR) and lower affinity type 2 (glucocorticoid receptors - GR) receptors that are co-localised in limbic neural circuitry. Current data suggest that MR controls in specific afferents the threshold or sensitivity of the fast CRH-1 driven stress system mode and thus prevents disturbance of homeostasis, while GR facilitates its recovery by restraining in these very same circuits stress responses and by mobilising energy resources. In preparation for future events GR facilitates behavioural adaptation and promotes storage of energy. The balance in the two stress system modes is thought to be essential for cell homeostasis, mental performance and health. Imbalance induced by genetic modification or chronic stressors changes specific neural signalling pathways underlying psychic domains of cognition and emotion, anxiety and aggression. This Yin-Yang stress concept is fundamental for genomic strategies to understand the mechanistic underpinning of cortisol-induced stress-related disorders such as i.e. severe forms of depression and co-morbid diseases.
Rôle du stress oxydant dans la sénescence et l'initiation cancéreuse des cellules épithéliales

Apres un certain nombre de divisions, les cellules primaires entrent en senescence, un etat caracterise par des modifications morphologiques, biochimiques et un arret de croissance. Deux principaux mecanismes concourent a l'etablissement de la senescence: le raccourcissement Apres un certain nombre de divisions, les cellules primaires entrent en senescence, un etat caracterise par des modifications des telomeres et l'accumulation de dommages oxydants. La senescence est generalement consideree comme une barriere au developpement tumoral. Nous montrons dans ce travail que la senescence pourrait aussi contribuer a l'initiation cancereuse. En effet, dans des cultures de keratinocytes senescents nous observons l'emergence systematique de cellules transformees et tumorigenes. Ces cellules se forment a partir d'une fraction de cellules senescentes, par un mecanisme de mitose atypique. La senescence des keratinocytes s'accompagne d'une accumulation de dommages oxydants mutagenes (cassures simple brin, guanines oxydees et pontages moleculaires). Par ailleurs, les telomeres ne sont que tres peu erodes et les voies d'arret dans le cycle cellulaire induites par les cassures double-brin ne sont pas activees. Pour comparaison, dans les fibroblastes, qui n'emergent jamais, on observe a la senescence moins de dommages oxydants dans le noyau, des telomeres devenus tres courts et l'activation des voies d'arret dans le cycle. Ainsi, l'emergence resulterait de l'effet mutagene du stress oxydant associe et necessiterait des telomeres suffisamment longs. En conclusion, nous mettons en evidence dans ces travaux un nouveau mecanisme potentiel de cancerisation des cellules epitheliales, dans lequel la senescence constituerait l'etape initiale et le stress oxydant jouerait le role de carcinogene endogene.
Differential rooting and sprouting behaviour of two Jatropha species and associated physiological and biochemical changes.

CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 89, NO. 6, 25 SEPTEMBER 2005 936 20. Hasan, M. R. , Roy, P. K. and Akand, A. M. , In Fish Nutrition Research in Asia (ed. De Silva, S. S.), Asian Fisheries Society, Manila, 1994, pp. 69–76. 21. Nandeesha, M. C. , Devaraj, K. V. and Sudhakara, N. S. , Proceedings of the First Asian Fish Forum, Manila, 1986, pp. 25– 31. 22. Pantastico, J. B. , In Fish Nutrition Research is Asia (ed. De Silva, S. S.), Heinemann, Singapore, 1988, pp. 71–87. 23. Penaflorida, V. D. , Aquaculture, 1989, 83, 319–330. 24. Santiago, C. B. and Lovell, R. T. , In Fish Nutrition Research is Asia (ed. De Silva, S. S.), Asian Fisheries Society, Manila, pp. 1–9. 25. Wilson, R. P., Robinson, E. H. and Poe, W. B. , J. Nutr. , 1978, 108, 1595–1599.