Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis techniques for paratuberculosis

This report reviews the currently available diagnostic techniques applied for detection of M. paratuberculosis infection in dairy cattle. Available techniques are based on detection of the etiologic agent or detection of the immune response of the host. Traditional culture is still widely used, but alternative methods, such as radiometric culture media, have proven superior to traditional culture in analytical sensitivity and speed of detection. IS900 based Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) may become an alternative if problems of PCR inhibition are efficiently overcome. The absorbed indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-technique is the preferred method for detection of antibodies to M. paratuberculosis. However, antibody detection can only be applied on cattle no younger than 15 months of age. Detection of cell-mediated immunity, by interferon-γ enzyme immunoassay, may become preferable for early diagnosis of paratuberculosis if problems of unspecific antigens and uncertainty in interpretation are overcome. A combination of immunological tests for screening purposes and herd-level information, and agent detection-based techniques for diagnosis confirmation are preferable. The application of more than one test and quantitative interpretation of test results provide valuable tools for diagnosis of paratuberculosis.
Separating oil from water: suspension-feeding goldfish ingest liquid vegetable oil

We show that goldfish (Carassius auratus) voluntarily ingest liquid canola oil at the surface of the water and can swallow significant quantities of oil. The ability of fish to separate floating oil from water has not been tested previously, and the mechanisms used to retain oil in the form of suspended droplets, globules, or a surface film are unknown. Chromatograms of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) prepared from gut samples confirmed that goldfish were able to obtain a substantial proportion of their daily lipid intake from canola oil at the surface of laboratory aquaria. Quantification of goldfish suspension-feeding, processing, and spitting behavior suggested that upper jaw protrusion with a closed mouth during processing was important for the handling of different food types, including oil. Crossflow filtration and the generation of vortices could be involved in oil retention by goldfish, as these processes are used industrially to separate oil from water. These results have implications for the up.
Mechanisms of NOD1-induced inflammation in vascular tissue

5 Publications . 6 Abstracts . 7s . 7 Prizes . 9 Abbreviations . 10 List of Figures . 17 List of Tables . 21 Chapter 1: Introduction . 23 1.1 Pathogens and human disease . 24 1.1.2 Pathogens and the lung . 25 1.1.3 The immune response . 26 1.2 Discovery of the Pattern Recognition Receptors . 28 1.3 Toll-like receptor family . 31 1. 3.1 TLR4 function . 38 1.3. 2 TLR4 activation ligands, adaptor proteins and binding: . 39 1.3. 3 Negative regulation of TLR4 responses . 41 1.4 The Nucleotide-binding, leucine rich repeat protein (NLR) family . 42 1.4. 1 Structure and nomenclature of the NLRs . 43 1.4. 2 Function of the NOD receptors . 46 1.5 Target genes of NOD and TLR signalling . 50 1.6 NOD/TLR interaction . 51 1.7 Disease associations of TLR4 and NODs . 52 1.8 Pattern recognition receptor biology and the vasculature. 53 1.8. 1 Structure of the blood vessel . 53 1.8. 2 Function of the endothelium . 54 1.8. 3 Function of the vascular smooth muscle . 58 1.8. 4 Primary Inflammatory mediators measured in thesis. 59 1.8. 5 Activity of PRRs in blood vessels . 61 1.9 PRRs as therapeutic targets . 64 1.10 Summary . 65
Culturable Whitefly Associated Bacteria and Their Potential as Biological Control Agents

Bio-pesticides play an important role in reducing the deleterious effects associated with using conventional insecticides. For this reason, the potential of eleven whitefly-associated bacterial isolates as biological control agents was studied under lab conditions. These bacteria were three gram negatives; Erwinia persicinus, Pseudomonas plecoglossicida and Pseudomonas putida, and 8 gram positives; Brevibacterium casei, Staphylococcus gallinarum, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Exiquobacterium acetylicum, Exiguobacterium undae, and Micrococcus caseolyticus. Results revealed that Erwinia persicinus, Bacillus pumilus and Exiquobacterium acetylicum were the most effective in reducing Bemisia tabaci 2 nd
Vine weevil control in Ireland with entomopathogenic nematodes: optimal time of application

Outdoor trials with potted primroses (1997 and 1998) and field-grown strawberries (1998) artificially infected with vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) were conducted in Ireland to assess the best time of nematode (Heterorhabditis megidis, isolate UK211) application in autumn. Approximately 75 to 85% control was obtained in primrose in both years when nematodes were applied at the end of September to mid-October. The 1997 primrose trial showed that an early September nematode application helped to avoid plant damage (important when protecting young and vulnerable plants), but that October and November nematode applications gave a higher (95%), but delayed, control level when left until spring. Control in strawberry was similar to that in primrose, with maximum 76% control. Maximum control levels obtained with nema todes were similar to those obtained with chlorpyrifos (Dursban) in strawberry and gamma HCH (Lindane) in primrose. These results clearly show that nematodes can be applied successfully outdoors, under Irish weather conditions, until mid-October.
Effect of halophyte Salicornia bigelovii Torr and graded levels of dietary crude protein on feed performance and carcass traits of camels

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of source of roughage and crude protein level on feeding performance and carcass traits of Majaheem camels (Camelus dromedarius). Forty-eight male calf-camels weighing 203.3±5.1 kg were equally assigned to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of two sources of roughage (Rhodes grass hay and dry salicornia biomass) and three dietary crude protein levels (12, 14.5, and 17%); the feeding trial lasted for 18 weeks. The results showed that slaughter and hot carcass weights, average daily gain, dry matter intake, feed efficiency, and separable fat from 9th-11th rib joint increased as the crude protein in the diets increased from 12 to 14.5%, whereas increasing crude protein to 17% resulted in no further changes. Slaughter weight, average daily gain, hot carcass weight, rib eye area, and separable lean did not differ between Rhodes grass and salicornia diets, but salicornia-fed camels had higher dry matter intake and produced heavier kidney fat and separable fat weights than camels fed Rhodes grass diets. It is suggested that the inclusion of salicornia biomass as a roughage ingredient up to 25% in the diet containing not greater than 14.5% crude protein can be utilized without adverse effect on feeding performance of calf-camels.
Revision and phylogenetic affinities of Elosuchus (Crocodyliformes)

Elosuchidae is a clade of longirostrine Crocodyliformes currently confined to Barremian through Cenomanian deposits in north-west Africa and Great Britain. The clade is currently composed of Elosuchus cherifiensis (Lavocat, 1955), Elosuchus felixi de Lapparent de Broin, 2002, Sarcosuchus imperator Broin & Taquet, 1966, Sarcosuchus hartii Buffetaut & Taquet, 1977, Vectisuchus leptognathus Buffetaut & Hutt, 1980 and, by some authors, Stolokrosuchus lapparenti Larsson & Gado, 2000. We redescribe Elosuchus from assigned and new material. This genus occurs in terrestrial Cenomanian deposits in Morocco and Algeria and known from multiple relatively complete skulls. The holotype is unknown but the assigned lectotype in the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle (Paris, France) is composed of a fragmentary ventral braincase. Referred paralectotype material housed in the same museum includes multiple fragmentary specimens and two nearly complete skulls. These and additional material in the Canadian Museum of Nature and Royal Ontario Museum were used to re-examine the genus. The original and new material show a number of autapomorphies among crocodyliforms: a unique contribution of the squamosal and jugal to the postorbital anterolateral process and a highly modified suborbital fenestra that displaces the antorbital cavity anteriorly and forms a bony wall separating the cavity from the orbit. Two diagnosable morphotypes are revealed, one from the Kem Kem beds, Morocco, and the other from Gara Samani, Algeria. We retain Elosuchus cherifiensis for the Kem Kem form and erect a new species Elosuchus broinae sp. nov. for the Algerian form. The revised diagnosis for Elosuchus questions the validity of E. felixi. Elosuchus is incorporated into a phylogenetic analysis that includes extensive revisions to character scores for relevant taxa. The resulting topologies recover Elosuchus sister to Meridiosaurus vallisparidisi Mones, 1980, within a complex of ‘Pholidosauridae’ that includes elosuchids and dyrosaurids but excludes Stolokrosuchus. This phylogenetic revision is used to discuss the evolution of this clade and its contribution to crocodyliform diversity during the Cretaceous.
Increase in Citrate and KCl Consumption during Morphine Withdrawal Period is Associated with Reduced Levels of Zinc and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor, and Poor Neurogenesis in Male Isolated Rats

Introduction: Sustained remission from substance abuse is often difficult to achieve. However, there are certain factors that may predict the remission from substance dependence during drug withdrawal period. The aim of this study was to assess the possible predictors and patterns associated with drug abuse remission. Methods and Materials: Fifty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups 1) socialized group 2) isolated group 3) withdrawal-socialized group 4) withdrawal-isolated group. Rats first received morphine for 7 days and then, were withdrawn from it. BrdU (5-bromo-2’deoxyuridine) was injected from day 1 to day 14 of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, Original Research Article Famitafreshi et al.; ARRB, 11(1): 1-14, 2016; Article no.ARRB. 28084 2 BDNF, MDA and zinc levels were assessed. We used Open-Field Test (OFT) to study drug sensitization and anxiety levels. Furthermore, citrate and KCl consumption, mood state, and neurogenesis were also evaluated. Results: Zinc and BDNF levels were markedly higher is withdrawal-socialized group. Furthermore, withdrawal-isolated group consumed more citrate and KCl and demonstrated more drug sensitization than the withdrawal-socialized group. In addition, anxiety, MDA, and corticosterone levels were significantly elevated in withdrawal-isolated rats. Both socialized groups had more BrdUpositive cells as compared to isolated groups. Conclusion: Socialization during the withdrawal period may facilitate remission from drug abuse and improve neurogenesis.
Study of Genetic Diversity of Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner Accessions by RAPD Markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to assess the level of genetic variability among 35 robusta coffee accessions consisting exotic and private estate collections having good yield performance under drought conditions DR (drought resistance) accessions. Seventeen informative RAPD markers were generated 212 loci, of which 122 loci found polymorphic (58%). The dendrogram was drawn to visualize relationships among the accessions, wherein three major clusters were formed, where in exotic collections showed closely relatedness with local estate collections demonstrated the narrow genetic base but no trends of significant genetic variance. Even in the dissimilarity matrix constructed by Squared Euclidean Distances (SED) and three-dimensional Principal Component Analysis (PCA) also conferred close distribution of the accessions. The correlation between dissimilarity matrices generated by these methods (r = 0.3) indicated they are positively associated but the relationship was non-significant. However, Drought Resistance (DR) accessions grouped distinctly, which can be phenotyped and used as genetic material for breeding for drought resistance.
Identification of Circulating Biomarkers of HIV Disease Progression by

Understanding the ability of Nonprogressors (NP) to control HIV disease progression may lead to novel therapeutic strategies and vaccines, with the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of public health. A small percentage of HIV infected individuals control HIV disease progression for many years without therapeutic intervention, defined as long-term nonprogressors (NP). We have demonstrated that all professional antigen presenting cells (APC) (B cells, dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages) from NP have the unique inability to mediate HIV trans infection of autologous and heterologous CD4+T cells. We have linked this phenotype to alterations in cholesterol metabolism in APC, specifically an increased activity of the reverse cholesterol transporter ABCA-1, and to depletion of cholesterol in cell membrane lipid rafts. ABCA1 activity could be modulated by transcriptional or post transcriptional factors. Our data show that plasma from NP elicit higher cholesterol efflux from macrophages in males and females than Progressors (PR). It was also our aim to identify soluble, circulating biomarkers that could modulate ABCA1 activity, thus being associated with control of HIV disease progression. A bioactive fatty acid screen was performed on a subset of NP and PR samples that have been well-characterized by testing for APC mediated trans infection. Analysis by liquid-chromatography-mass spectrophotometry identified metabolites present at a higher level in NP than PR, specifically 5oxo-eicosatetranoic acid (5-Oxo-ETE). Preliminary data of 5-oxo show that treatment of APC at
Treatment of distillery wastewater using a thermophilic high-rate hybrid anaerobic reactor in industrial scale

A conventional thermophilic anaerobic digester was converted into a thermophilic high-rate hybrid anaerobic reactor (THAR) for treating distillery wastewater. The THAR has been operating successfully since May 1995 at a loading rate of 5.45 to 11.52 kg/m 3 /d (maximum of 15.02). The THAR has demonstrated a soluble Chemical Oxygen Demand (sCOD) removal efficiency of 85 to 91% and a total COD (tCOD) removal efficiency of as much as 72 to 84%. Product gas had a methane content of 59 to 68%. The tCOD removal rates were 4.31 to 5.43, 6.26 to 6.89, and 9.03 to 9.78 kg tCOD/m 3 /d for tapioca, corn, and naked-barley wastewater, respectively. The sCOD removal rates ranged from 3.75 to 4.79, 3.28 to 4.89, and 5.57 to 6.21 kg sCOD/m 3 /d for tapioca, corn, and naked-barley wastewater, respectively. There were unknown substances in a naked-barley distillery wastewater that were identified as being toxic for microorganisms. However, the THAR treated naked-barley wastewater continuously for 26 days, operating at an average tCOD loading of 11.08 kg/ m 3 /d without any signs of deterioration in either COD removal efficiency or gas production rate. During this period, the average removal efficiencies of tCOD and sCOD were 84% and 91%, respectively, and the gas production rate averaged 6.61 to 7.57 m 3 /m 3 reactor/d which produced 0.57 to 0.69 m 3 biogas/kg tCOD From tapioca and corn wastewater, the reactor showed an average gas production rate of 3.18 to 3.46 and 4.91 to 5.22 m 3 /m 3 reactor/d which produced 0.53 to 0.69 and 0.62 to 0.71 m 3 /kg tCOD respectively.
Germination, growth and physiological responses of Senegalia senegal (L.) Britton, Vachellia seyal (Delile) P. Hurter and Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC to salinity stress in greenhouse conditions

Salinity is among the most widespread environmental threats to global plant production, especially in arid and semi-arid climates. Thus, the selection of salt tolerant species is necessary for sustainable plant productivity. The purpose of this study was to measure and understand the salt tolerance of three multipurpose trees used in reforestation programs in many Sahelian countries (Senegalia senegal, Syn. Acacia senegal; Vachellia seyal, Syn. A. seyal, and Prosopis juliflora) . The effect of salinity was evaluated at seed germination stage on Petri dishes containing water agar (0.9%, w/v) with seven concentrations of NaCl (0, 86, 171, 257, 342, 428, and 514 mM). Our results showed that all the species had a germination rate higher than 85% at 257 mM. However, it decreased at 342 mM with a reduction of 70 and 20%, respectively for S. senegal and V. seyal. For plants growth and physiological responses, seedlings were individually cultivated in plastic bags (25×12 cm) containing non-sterile soil and watered with four salt solutions (0, 86, 171 and 257 mM NaCl). Four months after the plants’ cultivation, the results showed that for all species, the salinity reduced significantly the height, the collar diameter, the shoot and root dry biomass as well as the total chlorophyll, K + and K + /Na + ratio. In the meantime, proline content, Cl - and Na + accumulation in leaves were increased. It was also found that S. senegal and V. seyal tolerated high concentrations of NaCl (257 mM) and developed physiological and molecular mechanisms, such as salt tolerance genes (NHX1), which allow them to be considered as moderated salt tolerant species and seemed to be potential species for the restoration of salt-affected land as P. juliflora . Key words : Multipurpose leguminous trees, abiotic stress, salt tolerance, Senegal.
THE ROLE OF HEME REGULATORY ENZYMES IN MYOCYTES UNDER STRESS

x List of Abbreviations Used . xi Acknowledgements . xiv Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Clinical Characteristics and Management of Heart Failure . 1 1.1.1 Heart Failure Resulting from an Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) . 3 1.1.2 Heart Failure Resulting from Hypertension (Pressure Overload) . 4 1.1.3 Clinical Management of Heart Failure . 5 1.2 Preclinical Models of Heart Failure . 6 1.2.1 Heart Failure by AMI . 7 1.2.2 Heart Failure by Chronic Hypertension . 8 1.3 Hypoxia in Heart Failure . 9 1.3. 1 Acute and Chronic Hypoxia in AMIand Hypertension-Derived Heart Failure . 9 1.4. Molecular Response to Cellular Hypoxia . 10 1.4. 1 Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIF1 and HIF2) . 10 1.4. 2 Regulation of Rate-Limiting Enzymes in Heme Metabolism . 13 1.5 HMOX1 in Heart Failure . 17 1.5. 1 Therapeutic Potential of HMOX1 Induction . 17 1.5. 2 Paradoxical Expression of HMOX1 in Human Failing Hearts . 18 1.6 Summative Rationale . 18 1.7 Hypothesis and Objectives . 20 Chapter 2: Materials and Methods . 22 2.1 In Silico Microarray Analyses of Human Failing Hearts . 22 2.2 Animal Care and Preclinical Models . 22 2.2.1 Volume Overload Heart Failure (AMI) . 22 2.2.2 Pressure Overload Heart failure by Transverse Aortic Constriction (TAC) . 25 2.2. 3 Tissue Collection and Preparation . 25
Phylogenetic studies of Petaurista petauri based on complete mitochondrial DNA sequences

Abstract The giant flying squirrel Petaurista petauri is a large rodent studied by few researchers. Here, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of P. petauri. Similar to the typical vertebrate mitochondrial genome, the mtDNA of P. petauri also contained 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes) and a noncoding region (D-loop). We also analyzed the phylogenetic relationship of P. Petauri to 14 other closely related species using the Bayesian inference. This work will contribute to our understanding of this species’ evolution and conservation.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Salmo trutta fario Linnaeus (Salmoniformes, Salmoninae)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome of Salmo trutta fario Linnaeus was obtained by PCR amplification and sequencing. It was 16,684 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA and a control region. The arrangement of genes was identical to that of most other bony fishes. Nucleotide identity between Salmo trutta fario Linnaeus and 44 other Salmonidae species across nucleotide sequence of 12 protein-coding genes on the heavy strand was 90.0–97.5%.
Differentiation and Stability in the Development of Nicotiana rustica

Stability, or homeostasis, is that property of the organism buffering it against small random fluctuations of the environment and accidents of development. A means of measuring, within the individual, the stability of expression of one foliar and two floral characters is given. Data are presented from a set of diallel crosses among five varieties of Nicotiana rustica y derived from different populations and grown in two successive seasons. This allows stability to be examined over a number of genotypes in the parent and Fx generations, in two differing environments. The leaf characters show some change from node to node, i.e. manifesting a gradual differentiation, as well as random fluctuations which are taken as evidence of instability. Like stability, this differentiation rate varies from genotype to genotype and shows genetic control. Some attempt is made to find to what extent the different phenomena are related.
Bamboo Culm Extract Downregulated Activation of NKT- and B- cells and Production of IL-6 in Pristane-Induced Lupus Mice

Lupus is characterized by immunoregulatory abnormalities between T- and B-cells leading to autoantibody production and multiorgan injuries. We investigated whether bamboo culm extract (BC) ameliorates aberrant activation of T cells and B cells and attenuate production of IL-6 in pristane-induced lupus mice. Lupus was induced by i.p. a single injection of 0.5 ml of pristane in female BALB/c mice, which, later about 4 months, were used as a lupus model. The pristane-induced lupus mice and healthy mice were injected i.p. with BC 5 /kg or PBS once a day for 3 weeks. These results demonstrated that BC significantly decreased levels of serum and BAL IL-6 and production of IL-6 by macrophages with/without LPS, and downregulated expression of NKT cell and CD86+ CD45R/B220+, but not CD80+CD45R/B220+ and CD69+CD4+ in the splenocytes in pristaneinduced lupus mice. Moreover, BC greatly increased Con A-stimulated production of IL-6, IL-10 and IFN- by splenocytes obtained from pristane-induced lupus mice. Therefore, our findings suggest that BC may ameliorate lupus pathogenesis in pristane-induced lupus mice via downregulation of aberrant activation of NKT cells and B cells and inhibition of production of IL-6.