Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunophylogenetic aspects of a Gorgonian coral

OF THE DISSERTATION IMMUNOPHYLOGENETIC ASPECTS OF A GORGONIAN CORAL by Larry J, Dishaw Florida International University, 2002 Miami, Florida Professor Charles H. Bigger, Major Professor One goal of comparative immunology is to derive inferences about evolutionary pathways in the development of immune-defense systems. Almost 700 million years ago, a major divergence occurred in the phylogeny of animals, spitting all descendants into either the protostome or deuterostome (includes vertebrates) lineages. Genes have evolved independently along these lineages for that amount of time. Cnidarians originated before that divergence event, and can hold clues as to which immune response genes are homologous to both lineages. This work uses the gorgonian coral, Swiftia exserf a, for two major reasons: 1) because of their phylogenetic position, corals are an important animal model in studies concerning the phylogeny of immune-response genes, and 2) nothing is known about the genes controlling immunocompetence in corals. The work described here has important implications in both innate and adaptive immunity. The vertebrate complement system is a major component of innate immunity. C3 is a critical component of the three pathways of complement. Because of its opsonic properties, a C3-like protein is expected to have evolved early. However, currently available data suggests that complement-like components are unique to the deuterostome lineage. This work describes the cloning and characterization of a C3like gene from S. exserta. The deduced polypeptide sequence reveals conservation of multiple, functionally critical, sites while sharing physiochemical and structural properties with the complement components C3/C4/C5. Antigen processing, via intracellular enzymatic proteasomes, is a major requirement of vertebrate adaptive immunity. These organelles have a catalytic core, through which pass intracellular proteins for degradation into peptides presentable to the immune system. LMP 7 is one component of the paralogous “immunoproteasome”. LMP 7 is a paralog of the ubiquitous LMP X, but is restricted to vertebrates. While LMP 7 is absent in the coral, this work describes a coral LMP X gene. Phylogenetic analyses, along with hydropathy profiling of a critical portion of the invertebrate and vertebrate paralogous genes, suggests that some invertebrates have two diverging LMP X genes. In some cases, one LMP X protein shares characteristics with vertebrate LMP 7. This work presents new evidence for how the LMP X and 7 genes evolved. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE
Determining heat tolerance of interspecific (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata) inbred line of squash ‘Maxchata’ and its parents through photosynthetic response

Abstract Development of heat tolerant cultivars is the need of hour to combat the challenges of global warming and food supply to increasing population. This study was conducted to determine the extent of heat tolerance of newly developed interspecific inbred line of squash named as ‘ Maxchata ’ through comparing its photosynthetic attributes with its parents C. maxima and C. moschata . Plants of these three cultivars were subjected to three different temperatures i.e 30 ° C day/ 25 ° C night as control, 37 ° C day/ 32 ° C night as moderate heat stress and 42 ° C day/ 37 ° C night as severe heat stress, for seven days. Results showed that various gas exchange attributes like photosynthetic rate ( P N ), stomatal conductance (g s ) and transpiration rate (E) as well as chlorophyll florescence (F v /F m ) all dropped significantly in the studied cultivars with increasing temperature, while intercellular CO 2 concentration ( Ci ) increased pointing to the nonstomatal limitations. Further, chlorophyll pigments also degraded with heat shocks resulting in more Chl a to b ratio and decreased chlorophyll carotenoids ratio. However, these trends were more abrupt in C. maxima , chased by ‘ Maxchata’ and then C. moschata . Hence, C. moschata had the best photosynthetic machinery to sustain the heat regimes, followed by ‘ Maxchata ’, while, C. maxima was the most susceptible. So, ‘ Maxchata ’ with some degree of heat tolerance has the ability to cope with the climate change.
Effects of bis-chelated copper in growth performance and gut health in broiler chickens subject to coccidiosis vaccination or coccidia challenge

Copper (Cu) is widely used at high levels as growth promoter in poultry, the alternative source of Cu to replace the high level of inorganic Cu at poultry farm remains to be determined. Three floor pen experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of Cu methionine hydroxy-analogue chelate (Cu-MHAC, MINTREX®Cu, Novus International, Inc.) on growth performance and gut health in broilers in comparison to CuSO4 and/or tribasic copper chloride (TBCC). There were 3 treatments in experiment#1 (0, 30 and 75 ppm Cu-MHAC) and experiment#2 (15 and 30 ppm Cu-MHAC, and 125 ppm CuSO4), and 4 treatments in experiment #3 (15 and 30 ppm Cu-MHAC, 125 ppm CuSO4 and 125 ppm TBCC) with nine replicates pens of 10–13 birds in each treatment. The levels of other minerals were equal among all treatments within each experiment. All birds were orally gavaged with a coccidiosis vaccine at 1x recommended dose on d0 in experiment#1 and #2 and 10x recommended dose on d15 in experiment #3. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, means were separated by Fisher’s protected LSD test. A p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically different. In experiment #1, 30 and 75 ppm Cu-MHAC improved FCR during grower phase, increased jejunal villus height and reduced jejunal crypt depth, 30 ppm Cu-MHAC increased cecal Lactobacillus spp. abundance in 41 days broilers. In experiment #2, compared to CuSO4, 15ppm Cu-MHAC increased cumulative performance index in 28 days broilers, 15 and/or 30 ppm Cu-MHAC improved gut morphometry, and 30 ppm Cu-MHAC reduced the abundance of E. coli and Enterobacteriaceae in cecum in 43 days broilers. In experiment #3, 15 ppm and 30 ppm Cu-MHAC improved FCR vs. CuSO4 during starter phase, reduced the percentage of E. coli of total bacteria vs. TBCC, 30 ppm Cu-MHAC increased the percentages of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus spp. and Clostridium cluster XIVa of total bacteria vs. both CuSO4 and TBCC in the cecum of 27 days broilers. In summary, low doses of Cu-MHAC had comparable growth performance to high dose of TBCC and CuSO4 while improving gut microflora and gut morphometry in broilers subject to coccidiosis vaccination or coccidia challenge, indicating that low doses of bis-chelated Cu could be used as a complimentary strategy to improve animal gut health.
Development of a hemi-nested PCR assay for the specific detection of Melissococcus pluton

SUMMARYA pair of oligonucleotide primers (MP1 and MP2) were used for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a 486 base pair (bp) fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of 26 geographically diverse Australian Melissococcus pluton (causative agent of European foulbrood) isolates. PCR primers spanning a region of the 16S rRNA gene from position 893–1377 failed to amplify a product when template DNA from a wide range of pathogenic and saprophytic bacteria were used including Paenibacillus larvae, Paenibacillus alvei, Enterococcus faecium and Spiroplasma melliferum. The PCR did, however, reliably amplify a 486 bp fragment (when the annealing temperature was lowered by 5°C) using template DNA isolated from the phylogenetically-related bacterium Enterococcus faecalis. PCR amplicons generated from E. faecalis and M. pluton were readily distinguished by digestion with the restriction endonuclease Hinfl and electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose or by electrophoresis in 1% agarose containing bis-benzidene/polyethylen.
Actividad antioxidante, análisis fitoquímico y micrografía analítica de hojas de Castela tweedii (Simaroubaceae)

Castela tweedii es un arbol de bajo porte perteneciente a la Familia Simaroubaceae, las infusiones de sus hojas son utilizadas en la medicina popular Argentina para el tratamiento de desordenes gastrointestinales y diarreas. Con el objetivo de fundamentar el uso popular de esta especie se evaluo la actividad antioxidante de los extractos etanolicos y diclorometanicos de forma cuantitativa y cualitativa frente al radical 2,2-difenilpicrilhidrazilo (DPPH); el extracto etanolico demostro actividad obteniendose una CI50= 0,1288 mg/mL. El analisis fitoquimico mostro que los compuestos responsables de esta actividad fueron taninos, flavonoides y acidos fenilcarboxilicos, entre ellos se identifico rutina y acido clorogenico. Ademas se realizo el estudio morfoanatomico e histoquimico de las hojas que aporto datos de valor diagnostico para el control de calidad de la droga vegetal: presencia de una hipodermis mucilaginosa, estructura dorsiventral con una a dos hileras de parenquima en empalizada conteniendo taninos, estomas anomociticos solo en la epidermis abaxial y tricomas simples unicelulares en ambas epidermis.
Role of Melanoma Secreted Thrombospondin-1 on Induction of Immunosuppressive Regulatory T Cells through CD47

AIM: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) represent an important immune escape mechanism in advanced melanoma. Essential factors required for Treg induction by melanoma remain unidentified. The matricellular protein thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) has recently been discovered to generate Tregs through its receptor, CD47. We speculated that melanoma might induce Tregs by secreting TSP-1. METHODS: We examined circulating levels of TSP-1 and Tregs in melanoma patients and normal subjects. We then examined TSP-1 secretion by metastatic melanoma cell lines in melanoma-conditioned media (MCM). The ability of MCM to induce functional Treg from normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), with or without TSP-1 or CD47 blockade was determined. Finally, we investigated the ability of recombinant TSP-1 or the CD47-binding peptide 4N1K alone to induce Tregs. RESULTS: Advanced melanoma patients had elevated levels of circulating TSP-1 which correlated with the proportion of peripheral Tregs. Furthermore, MCM contained high levels of TSP-1 and were able to induce Tregs from normal PBMCs. These Tregs were Foxp3(superscript +) and suppressed the proliferation of stimulated T responder cells. The amount of TSP-1 in the conditioned media was proportional to the degree of Treg induction and blockade of CD47 or TSP-1 abrogated this induction. However, recombinant TSP-1 or the CD47-binding peptide 4N1K were unable alone to induce Tregs. CONCLUSION: TSP-1 appears to be necessary but not sufficient alone for Treg induction by melanoma. This mechanism provides further understanding of the subversion of immune surveillance by melanoma and may provide a therapeutic target for immune therapies in this and in other malignancies.
Penerapan Strategi Social Media Marketing Untuk Meningkatkan Penjualan Pada Dealer Mobil Toyota, Daihatsu dan Honda Bandung

Social media is one of the information media that is currently widely used by several companies and personally to convey information, with the presence of social media companies no longer need to spread offers through print media, they can use information technology tools in this case social media to submit offers the products they sell to users globally through social media. This social media marketing technique is the process of reaching visits by internet users to certain sites or public attention through social media sites. Marketing activities using social media are usually centered on the efforts of a company to create content that attracts attention, thus encouraging readers to share the content through their social media networks. The application of the QMS method is certainly not only submitted through search engine webmasters, but also on a website keywords must be applied that relate to the contents of the website content, because with the keyword it will automatically attract visitors to the university website based on keyword phrases that they type in the search engine. With Search Media Marketing Technique (SMM) is one of the techniques that must be applied in conducting sales promotions, especially in car dealers in Bandung, it is considered important because each product requires price, feature and convenience socialization through social media so that sales traffic can increase. Each dealer should be able to apply the techniques of Social Media Marketing (SMM) well so that car sales can reach the expected target and provide profits for sales as car sellers in the field.
Innovating and Growing Service-Based Entrepreneurial Business - Development Model Based on European and Asian Case Studies

The main purpose of this paper is analysis of development patterns of service-based entrepreneurial businesses in line with their ability to innovate and grow. The qualitative analysis using process perspective is based on cased studies of the early stage companies from Poland, UK, Vietnam and Indonesia. The study, using systematic grounded theory approach was conducted in the years 2010–2018. The analysis reveals similar development patterns of service-based entrepreneurial businesses in all countries, thus enabling a formulation of 5-stages development model, which is highly knowledge intensive and allows service-based companies to propose radical innovations at the later stages. By providing insights into innovation generation and implementation by service-based entrepreneurial businesses, results of the study enrich the idea of how innovativeness of small service companies can be measured and supported. #0#
Molecular distribution and stable carbon isotopic compositions of dicarboxylic acids and related SOA from biogenic sources in the summertime atmosphere of Mt. Tai in the North China Plain

Abstract. Molecular distributions and stable carbon isotopic (δ13C values) compositions of dicarboxylic acids and related secondary organic aerosols (SOA) in PM2.5 aerosols collected on a day/night basis at the summit of Mt. Tai (1534 m a.s.l.) in the summer of 2016 were analyzed to investigate the sources and photochemical aging process of organic aerosols in the forested highland region of the North China Plain. The molecular distributions of dicarboxylic acids and related SOA are characterized by the dominance of oxalic acid (C2), followed by malonic (C3), succinic (C4) and azelaic (C9) acids. The concentration ratios of C2 ∕ C4, diacid-C ∕ OC and C2 ∕ total diacids are larger in the daytime than in the nighttime, suggesting that the daytime aerosols are more photochemically aged than those in the nighttime due to the higher temperature and stronger solar radiation. Both ratios of C2 ∕ C4 (R2>0.5) and C3 ∕ C4 (R2>0.5) correlated strongly with the ambient temperatures, indicating that SOA in the mountaintop atmosphere are mainly derived from the photochemical oxidation of local emissions rather than long-range transport. The mass ratios of azelaic acid to adipic acid (C9 ∕ C6), azelaic acid to phthalic aid (C9 ∕ Ph) and glyoxal to methylglyoxal (Gly ∕ mGly) and the strong linear correlations of major dicarboxylic acids and related SOA (i.e., C2, C3, C4, ωC2, Pyr, Gly and mGly) with biogenic precursors (SOA tracers derived from isoprene, α/β-pinene and β-caryophyllene) further suggest that aerosols in this region are mainly originated from biogenic sources (i.e., tree emissions). C2 concentrations correlated well with aerosol pH, indicating that particle acidity favors the organic acid formation. The stable carbon isotopic compositions (δ13C) of the dicarboxylic acids are higher in the daytime than in the nighttime, with the highest value (-16.5±1.9 ‰) found for C2 and the lowest value (-25.2±2.7 ‰) found for C9. An increase in δ13C values of C2 along with increases in C2 ∕ Gly and C2 ∕ mGly ratios was observed, largely due to the isotopic fractionation effect during the precursor oxidation process.
Comparação entre os métodos de quadrantes e prodan para análises florística, fitossociológica e volumétrica

Objetivou-se neste estudo comparar a exatidao das estimativas da composicao floristica, da analise fitossociologica e volumetrica, utilizando os metodos de quadrantes e de Prodan (1968). Alem disso, objetivou-se comparar, para o metodo de quadrantes, os estimadores propostos por Cottan & Curtis (1956) e Pollard (1971). O estudo foi realizado em um fragmento de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual Montana em Lavras, Minas Gerais, onde foi inventariado 100% dos individuos com DAP maior ou igual a 5cm. Para a analise floristica, o metodo de Prodan (1968) identificou um maior numero de familias (33), generos (64) e especies (79), mostrando-se mais eficiente que o metodo de quadrantes (28 familias, 52 generos e 63 especies). Quanto a analise fitossociologica, os dois metodos foram eficientes para as especies que apresentaram altos indices de valor de importância (IVI). Tambem apresentaram indices de diversidade e equabilidade semelhantes aos valores parametricos. Para analise floristica e fitossociologica os estimadores de Cottan & Curtis (1956) e Pollard (1971) apresentam os mesmos resultados. O metodo de amostragem por quadrantes, subestimou o volume total para os estimadores de Cottan & Curtis (1956) e Pollard (1971), sendo que o primeiro apresentou resultados mais proximos do valor parametrico. O mesmo aconteceu para os volumes calculados por especie. Ja o metodo de Prodan (1968) apresentou o pior desempenho, subestimando o volume total, enquanto na estimativa do volume por especie, esse superestimou os valores para especies que apresentaram baixa dominância.
High-throughput protein analysis using mass spectrometry-based methods

AThe combination of immuno-based methods and mass spectrometry detection has great potential in the field of quantitative proteomics. Here, we describe a new method (immuno-SILAC) for the absolute quantification of proteins in complex samples based on polyclonal antibodies and stable isotope-labeled recombinant protein fragments to allow affinity enrichment prior to mass spectrometry analysis and accurate quantification. We took advantage of the antibody resources publicly available from the Human Protein Atlas project covering more than 80% of all human protein-coding genes. Epitope mapping revealed that a majority of the polyclonal antibodies recognized multiple linear epitopes, and based on these results, a semi-automated method was developed for peptide enrichment using polyclonal antibodies immobilized on protein A-coated magnetic beads. A protocol based on the simultaneous multiplex capture of more than 40 protein targets showed that approximately half of the antibodies enriched at least one functional peptide detected in the subsequent mass spectrometry analysis. The approach was further developed to also generate quantitative data via the addition of heavy isotope-labeled recombinant protein fragment standards prior to trypsin digestion. Here, we show that we were able to use small amounts of antibodies (50 ng per target) in this manner for efficient multiplex analysis of quantitative levels of proteins in a human HeLa cell lysate. The results suggest that polyclonal antibodies generated via immunization of recombinant protein fragments could be used for the enrichment of target peptides to allow for rapid mass spectrometry analysis taking advantage of a substantial reduction in sample complexity. The possibility of building up a proteome-wide resource for immuno-SILAC assays based on publicly available antibody resources is discussed.
B cell responses in the gut and mesenteric lymph nodes of mice to infection with Eimeria falciformis

The B cell response to infection with Eimeria falciformis (Eimer, 1870) Schneider, 1875, was investigated in naive and immune mice after a single inoculation with the parasite. BALB/cByJ mice were divided into three groups. Group 1 remained untreated throughout the study. Group 2 received only one parasite inoculation of approximately.1000 oocysts on day 16, and Group 3 was given approximately 1000 oocysts on day 0, and 1000 oocysts on day 16. Four mice from each group were killed at 6 hr and 24 hr after inoculation on day 16, and then every other day through day 13 post-inoculation (PI). The large intestine, cecum and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) were collected and processed for histological examination. An avidin-biotin immunoper-oxidase procedure was used to stain for IgA-, IgMand IgG-containing lymphocytes. Primary and secondary IgA, IgM and IgG lymphocyte responses were seen in the large intestine of non-immune (group 2) and immune (group 3) mice, respectively. IgA-containing lymphocytes were the largest population of responding cells in this tissue. Cell numbers peaked 11 days PI in naive, inoculated mice (group 2), and 9 days postchallenge (PC) in immunized, challenged mice (group 3). IgM+ lymphocyte counts were highest 11 days PI in group 2 and 9 days PC in group 3, and IgG+ cell numbers were greatest on days 11-13 PI in non-immune mice (group 2), and on. days 9-11 PC in immune mice (group 3). There were no IgA or IgM responses in the cecum, but IgG+ cells exhibited both primary and anamnestic responses to infection. There were primary but no secondary responses in the MLN, and immunized mice had reduced IgA+ and IgG+ cell numbers in the nodes after challenge. The largest population of responding cells in the lymph nodes contained IgG. Peak IgG and IgA lymphocyte numbers were observed on day 11 PC in both groups of infected mice. IgM+ cell numbers peaked on day 9 PC in both groups. IgA appears to be the most important antibody in the mucosal response to E. falciform is infection, while IgG and IgM probably play a minor role in local immunity. IgG may contribute substantially to the systemic response. B CELL RESPONSES IN THE GUT AND MESENTERIC LYMPH NODES OF MICE TO INFECTION. WITH EIMERIA FALCIFORMTS by Patricia Varga Nash A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in