Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Escherichia coli J5: imunização de fêmeas bovinas leiteiras contra mastites causadas por Escherichia coli

This paper aims to review the main aspects of coliform mastitis, specifically Escherichia coli, emphasizing the immunization of dairy cows with Escherichia coli J5 vaccine, as well as the animal risk factors. Coliforms are widespread in the environment and are of particular importance in farming systems in which the search for a greater milk quality guarantee low somatic cell counts (<150,000 cells ml-1). The dry period is an extremely important moment that plays crucial role in the occurrence of mastitis caused by environmental pathogens during the immediate postpartum. The dry cow therapy against environmental infections has lost effectiveness leading to the need for the combination with other methods such as immunization with Escherichia coli J5 vaccine. Due to a relatively exposed nuclear antigen, the Escherichia coli strain J5 can stimulate the production of immunoglobulins that cross-react with nuclear antigens from other bacteria. It results in immunity against a variety of bacterial genres and strains. It has been shown that the use of Escherichia coli J5 vaccine can reduce the occurrence, intensity and duration of clinical cases of Escherichia coli mastitis, besides increase the production of dairy cows. However, its role in reducing milk SCC is still controversial.
The liveweight gain response of heifers to supplements of molasses or maize while grazing irrigated Leucaena leucocephala/Digitaria eriantha pastures in north-west Australia

This experiment in the Ord River Irrigation area (ORIA) of north Western Australia evaluated the liveweight gain of cattle rotationally grazing leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham)/pangola (Digitaria eriantha cv. Steudel) pastures alone, or supplemented with four levels of molasses (1.25, 2.50, 3.75, 5.00 kg molasses/head.day, as fed or fresh weight basis) or two levels of cracked maize supplementation (0.75, 1.50 kg/head.day, as fed or fresh weight basis). Seventy Bos indicus cross heifers [~12 months of age, mean initial weight 252 ± 3.8 (s.e.) kg] were allocated to the seven treatments and two replicates of each treatment (five cattle per replicate plus five additional similar heifers) with the stocking rate set at 6.25 head/ha. The experiment was conducted over 106 days of the dry season (August–November). Each replicate paddock of 0.4 ha was rotationally grazed with 10 animals with a 7-day grazing period and a 21-day regrowth period for each rotation. The mean herbage mass, residual herbage mass and herbage allowance for the experiment were 3.78 t DM/ha, 3.07 t DM/ha and 7.32 kg DM/100 kg liveweight, respectively. Pangola contributed a mean of 0.79 of the herbage mass. There was a significant quadratic response of liveweight gain to level of molasses supplement (P < 0.0087) with an optimum liveweight gain of 1.08 kg/head.day at a supplement level of 2.65 kg molasses/head.day or 8.9 g/kg LW.day derived from the quadratic equation. The quadratic equation was: Liveweight gain = 0.763(±0.0644) + 0.241(±0.0658) * M – 0.046(±0.0126) * M2 (where M is level of molasses supplement kg/head.day). There was no significant response to level of maize supplement. There were no significant differences between treatments in the concentration of rumen ammonia N or volatile fatty acids or in the molar proportion of volatile fatty acids. It was concluded that molasses can be used effectively to increase the liveweight gain of cattle grazing leucaena/pangola pasture at a level of ~8.9 g/kg LW.day.
Morphological and molecular genetic variability analyses of Saudi lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) landraces

Abstract. Collection and characterisation of genetic resources are required for the development of new cultivars. We analysed genetic diversity among 18 non-dormant lucerne (alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.) accessions including ten local ecotypes and eight introduced accessions at morphological and molecular levels using sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) primers. Standardised canonical discrimination functions for the investigated morphological traits showed that the first function (explaining 75% of total variability among accessions) was strongly influenced by leaflet shape, stipule shape, and the peduncle : petiole length ratio. The 16 SRAP primer pair combinations generated 677 differently sized SRAP fragments (peaks), of which 665 (98.3%) were polymorphic across all 18 accessions. We detected high levels of polymorphism (average polymorphic information content value = 0.96, average of 42.3 polymorphic fragments per primer pair). Based on morphological and SRAP data, local accessions tended to group together in the same cluster or formed individual clusters. Clusters of local accessions at high similarity sometimes correlated with their collection site (Qasemi-2 and Qasemi-3) on molecular analysis. Results of cluster analysis based on SRAP showed no significant correlation with morphological characters based on the Mantel test (r = 0.04). This inconsistent clustering of accessions could be due to the allelic variation (presumably) in a small number of genes (24 traits) contributing to morphological characterisation, while the 677 SRAP fragments (loci) are assumed to be relatively widely distributed across the genome. The wide geographical distribution of lucerne populations across different environments may provide good genetic resources for breeding purposes. SRAP analysis was effective to study genetic variability of non-dormant lucerne. This information will be helpful in assessing selections for lucerne breeding programs to develop new cultivars adapted to harsh environmental conditions.
Essays on civil conflict in Africa

Over the past decade there has been an explosive growth in the research on civil conflict which has lead to a general understanding of the underlying factors that contribute to conflict incidence. Much of the current research results are based on the use of aggregate data, measures, and analyses. This has the disadvantage that it ignores some of the details on conflict dynamics as not all information is retained. This thesis provides four essays that look at civil conflict in Africa, trying to disentangle the complex relation between conflict and factors such as economic performance, food prices, foreign aid, and climate. The findings challenge some of the results in the literature. Focussing on the link between rainfall and conflict, looking at the effect of rainfall shocks in different economic sectors rather than aggregate output, the results show that although rainfall has an effect on agricultural and industrial output, this doesn’t influence the outbreak of conflict. Investigating the relation between food prices and the occurrence of civil unrest, using within-year variation, shows that there is a weak link where higher food prices lead to more unrest due to dependence on primary commodity imports. However, these results do not generalise to out-of-sample data. Examining the effect of foreign aid on conflict intensity, the empirical analysis shows no strong proof for an effect in either positive or negative direction contrasting with the literature. Finally, focussing on the forecasts generated by a popular model linking temperature with conflict shows that the predictive power of temperature is low. In summary, the work presented in this thesis provides some new insights into the link between conflict and a variety of economic factors commonly associated with conflict. It also illustrates the use of various disaggregated approaches to study conflict dynamics.
Loss of TGF-β signaling contributes to autoimmune pancreatitis

Recent observations suggest that immune response is involved in the development of pancreatitis. However, the exact pathogenesis underlying this immune-mediated response is still under debate. TGF-β has been known to be an important regulating factor in maintaining immune homeostasis. To determine the role of TGF-β in the initiation or progression of pancreatitis, TGF-β signaling was inactivated in mouse pancreata by overexpressing a dominant-negative mutant form of TGF-β type II receptor in the pancreas, under control of the pS2 mouse trefoil peptide promoter. Transgenic mice showed marked increases in MHC class II molecules and matrix metalloproteinase expression in pancreatic acinar cells. These mice also showed increased susceptibility to cerulein-induced pancreatitis. This pancreatitis was characterized by severe pancreatic edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, T- and B-cell hyperactivation, IgG-type autoantibodies against pancreatic acinar cells, and IgM-type autoantibodies against pancreatic ductal epithelial cells. Therefore, TGF-β signaling seems to be essential either in maintaining the normal immune homeostasis and suppressing autoimmunity or in preserving the integrity of pancreatic acinar cells.
Long-Term Experimental Evolution in Escherichia coli. I. Adaptation and Divergence During 2,000 Generations

We assess the degree to which adaptation to a uniform environment among independently evolving asexual populations is associated with increasing divergence of those populations. In addition, we are concerned with the pattern of adaptation itself, particularly whether the rate of increase in mean fitness tends to decline with the number of generations of selection in a constant environment. The correspondence between the rate of increase in mean fitness and the within-population genetic variance of fitness, as expected from Fisher's fundamental theorem, is also addressed. Twelve Escherichia coli populations were founded from a single clonal ancestor and allowed to evolve for 2,000 generations. Mean fitness increased by about 37%. However, the rate of increase in mean fitness was slower in later generations. There was no statistically significant within-population genetic variance of fitness, but there was significant between-population variance. Although the estimated genetic variation in fitness within populations was not statistically significant, it was consistent in magnitude with theoretical expectations. Similarly, the variance of mean fitness between populations was consistent with a model that incorporated stochastic variation in the timing and order of substitutions at a finite number of nonepistatic loci, coupled with substitutional delays and interference between substitutions arising from clonality. These results, taken as a whole, are consistent with theoretical expectations that do not invoke divergence due to multiple fitness peaks in a Wrightian evolutionary landscape.
Efficiency evaluation of an algistatic treatment based on barley straw in a hypertrophic pond

AbstractEutrophication processes were closely examined in a hypertrophic pond that was subjected to a barley straw treatment to inhibit cyanobacteria blooms. A phytoplankton activity was present from February to November 2010 with Chlorophyll a concentrations that ranged between 8 and 83 µg L−1. The good oxygenation of the pond provided by primary production all along the year seems to maintain an oxic layer at the top of the sedimentary column. A high-frequency monitoring of algal development pointed out the end of the diatom bloom at the end of April and the growth of green algae from beginning of May. One month later, the development of cyanobacteria supplanted other algae several times. The implementation of barley straw does not seem to hinder the growth of cyanobacteria in June, August and September and do not promote the development of other algae potentially favoured by such a treatment. As a consequence, a barley straw treatment does not seem to be really appropriate for this kind of ponds in Nor.
Spatial patterns of climate and tree growth variations in subtropical northwestern Argentina

In order to gain an understanding of the spatial connections between instrumental and proxy climatic data in subtropical regions, we investigated the spatial patterns of climate and tree-growth anomalies in the montane forests of northwestern Argentina. Principal components technique was used to identify the dominant spatial patterns of climate and tree growth anomalies. A 43-year data set of monthly total precipitation at a selected network of thirty- one stations in northwestern Argentina was analysed on annual and seasonal basis. The most dominant annual pattern shows precipitation anomalies of the same sign over practically the whole area. The second and third patterns reflect altitudinal and latitudinal rainfall variations across the study area, respectively. The tree-ring data set consisted of twelve chronologies developed from Juglans australis Griseb. , Cedrela angustifolia Sesse Moc. , and Cedrela lilloi C.DC. The relationships between climatic conditions, site characteristics, and tree-ring growth were identified using response functions, correlation functions, and group analysis. These techniques show that tree ring widths in subtropical Argentina are affected by weather conditions from late winter to early summer. Tree-ring patterns mainly reflect the direct effects of the principal types of rainfall patterns observed, the first in which rainfall conditions are uniform across the study area, and the third in which pre- cipitation anomalies are concentrated in the northeastern part of the region. Finally, different regression models were used to reconstruct annual and seasonal variations in pre- cipitation. On average, 60-80% of the variance in regional precipitation is explained using the ring-width chronologies as predictive variables.
Aedes albopictus, vecteur des virus du chikungunya et de la dengue à la Réunion : biologie et contrôle

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) are mosquito-borne viruses transmitted by the Aedes genus. Dengue is considered as the most important arbovirus disease throughout the World. Chikungunya, known from epidemics in continental Africa and Asia, has up to now been poorly studied. It has been recently responsible for the severe 2004-2007 epidemic reported in the Indian Ocean (IO), which has caused several serious health and economic problems. This unprecedented epidemic of the IO has shown severe health troubles with morbidity and death associated, which had never been observed before. The two major vectors of those arboviruses in the IO area are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The latest is considered as the main vector in most of the islands of the area, especially in Reunion Island. Ae. albopictus showed strong ecological plasticity. Small disposable containers were the principal urban breeding sites, and preferred natural developmental sites were bamboo stumps and rock holes in peri-urban and gully areas. The virus has been isolated from field collected Ae. albopictus females, and in two out of 500 pools of larvae, demonstrating vertical transmission. Experimental works showed that both Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti from west IO islands are efficient vectors of dengue and chikungunya viruses. Since 2006 and all along the epidemic of CHIKV, measures for the control of larvae (temephos then Bacillus thuringiensis) and adults (fenitrothion, then deltamethrine) of Ae. albopictus where applied along with individual and collective actions (by the use of repellents, and removal of breeding sites around houses) in Reunion Island. In order to prevent such epidemics, a preventive plan for arboviruses upsurge is ongoing processed. This plan would allow a quicker response to the threat and adapt it according to the virus and its specific vector.
Cleavage of Human Immunoglobulin G by Treponema denticola

Abstract Mechanisms by which microbial proteases may counteract the local host immune system include the degradation of immunoglobulins. In this study, we report the capacity of the periodontopathogen Treponema denticola to degrade immunoglobulin G (IgG). Intact IgG was not hydrolysed by whole cells, as revealed by SDS-PAGE analysis. When IgG molecules were treated with endoglycosidase F to remove the carbohydrate moiety, significant degradation was observed. However, pre-treatment with glycosidases possessing specificities different from endoglycosidase F (lysozyme or neuraminidase) did not render the molecule susceptible to cleavage by T. denticola. SDS-PAGE analysis of the IgG degradation products suggests that T. denticola cleaves inside the heavy chain polypeptide. Serine-specific protease inhibitors were highly effective in inhibiting the degradation of glycosidase-treated IgG molecules by T. denticola. The synergistic effect of glycolytic enzymes andT. denticola proteases on IgG may occur during periodontitis since both glycolytic activities and spirochete numbers significantly increase in diseased periodontal sites.
Selenium in blood of predatory birds from Kesterson reservoir and other areas in California

Kesterson Reservoir (Merced County, California) is a selenium-contaminated grassland (previously a wetland) that supports a variety of upland birds and other wildlife. Although aquatic birds that occupied a wet Kesterson Reservoir in the early to mid-1980s suffered high mortality and reproductive failure due to selenium exposure, similar effects have not been identified in terrestrial birds. To better characterize selenium exposure and potential effects in terrestrial species, we analyzed blood for selenium concentrations (blood-Se) from predatory bird species at Kesterson and reference areas in California from 1994 to 1998. Except for loggerhead shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus), blood-Se was significantly higher in birds from Kesterson than in birds from other areas. Among species at Kesterson, blood-Se was higher in loggerhead shrikes and northern harriers (Circus cyaneus) than in other species sampled, possibly due to shrikes spending a relatively large proportion of time foraging at Kesterson. In general, data corroborated earlier modeled predictions of selenium accumulation in Kesterson raptors. Calculated (based on blood-Se) but not observed selenium concentrations in eggs of predatory birds from Kesterson exceed a previously established avian toxicity threshold of 10 ppm.
Carbon isotopes in exhaled breath track metabolic substrates in brown bears (Ursus arctos)

Abstract Dietary carbon is oxidized and exhaled as CO2, thus &dgr;13Cbreath values can provide information on diet and substrate use for energy. However, physiological phenomena such as fat deposition and fasting can alter values of &dgr;13Cbreath such that interpretation of source contributions may be unclear. Consequently, before application to free-ranging animals, inferences about feeding and nutritional states based on &dgr;13Cbreath should be validated with controlled experiments using captive individuals. Here, we report &dgr;13Cbreath values for 4 captive brown bears (Ursus arctos) under different conditions: the bears were 1st given a diet containing carbohydrate, lipid, and protein; they were then switched to a carbohydrate-free diet consisting of salmon and fish oil; and finally they were placed on a fast leading to winter hibernation. Following the switch to the carbohydrate-free diet, values of &dgr;13Cbreath and &dgr;13Cplasma suggested that although oxidation included a substantial portion of dietary proteins, dietary lipids were preferentially utilized. After the onset of fasting, &dgr;13Cbreath values did not change, possibly because of selective mobilization of endogenous fatty acids accreted by bears while consuming the experimental diet. Examination of our data suggests that because CO2 production and exhalation are influenced differentially by fasting state and diet composition, additional measurements such as respiratory exchange ratio should be used to aid interpretation of carbon isotope analysis of breath.
Development of monoclonal antibody‐based immunological assays for the detection of live propagules of Rhizoctonia solani in soil

Mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and rabbit (polyclonal) antiserum were used to develop DIAGNOSTIC-ELISA, double-antibody-sandwich-ELISA (DAS-ELISA), DIP-STICK and immuno-fluorescence colony staining immunoassays for the specific detection of Rhizoctonia solani in soil. mAbs were raised against an anastomosis group 4 isolate of R. solani. Mice were immunized using either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) suspensions of lyophilized mycelium plus Quil A adjuvant, or with a solubilized acetone precipitate prepared from cell-free surface washings from solid slant cultures. Polyclonal antisera were raised in rabbits using PBS suspensions of lyophilized mycelium and Quil A adjuvant. Hybridoma supernatants and rabbit antisera were screened by ELISA. Four of the cell lines raised produced mAbs that were species-specific. They recognized antigens from R. solani by ELISA and immunofluorescence, but not other related or unrelated species of soil-borne fungi. The remaining cell line produced mAbs that cross-reacted slightly, by ELISA, with antigens from R. cerealis. These mAbs did not recognize R. cerealis by immunofluorescence, or other related or unrelated soil-borne fungi, by ELISA.
Mercury speciation in the Lower St. Lawrence Estuary

Mercury speciation was determined in the water column and sediment pore waters of the Lower St. Lawrence Estuary, and total Hg (HgT) was measured in seven biological species, including pelagic and demersal fish and crustaceans. In water, HgT concentrations ranged from 1.8 to 7.8 pM, with the highest levels in surface waters and the lowest in deep waters (1.8-2.9 pM). HgT concentrations in sediment pore waters were 10 times as high, with methyl mercury levels of 5.1-14.4 pM. Reactive Hg (HgR) generally accounted for around 20% of HgT in the water column and <30% in pore waters. The distribution of elemental Hg and HgR suggests that Hg(II) is reduced in surface waters and that inorganic Hg is mobilized during remineralization of organic matter at the sediment surface. In the biota, concentrations ranged between 0.05 and 0.89 nmol·g-1 (wet weight). Feeding habits and habitats account for these observations. Results suggest that the sediment is the main source of Hg contamination for the biota. A mass balance.
A histological study of apple roots affected by replant disease

Little is known about the microscopical symptoms of roots from apple trees suffering from replant disease. Roots were sampled from healthy trees and from such diseased trees in four orchards from May until October. Roots were stained for the detection of mycorrhizal infection and other roots were fixed, dehydrated, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained in safranin and fast green in order to elucidate morphological details. Healthy tree roots possessed considerably higher frequencies of mycorrhizal infection than diseased trees during the entire growing season. Arbuscules and hyphae were very common, vesicles were sometimes present, and possible chlamydospores of Glomus radiatum (Thaxter) Gerd. & Trappe were found in several samples. Whereas roots from healthy trees were structurally intact, roots from declined trees had extensive sloughing away of the epidermal and cortical layers and the cortical cells possessed significant amounts of densely stained material. Nematodes and possible hyphae of Rhiz.