bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Are Activated by Toxoplasma gondii to Present Antigen and Produce Cytokines
Authors: Pepper Marion , Dzierszinski Florence , Wilson Emma , Tait Elia , Fang Qun , Yarovinsky Felix , Laufer Terri M. , Roos David , Hunter Christopher A.
Published: April 2014

Infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii leads to the induction of a Th1-type response dominated by IFN-γ production and control of this pathogen. Cells of the innate immune system are essential in initiating this response both through the production of IL-12 as well as the presentation of parasite-derived Ags to MHC-restricted T cells. Although dendritic cells (DCs) have been implicated in these events, the contribution of individual DC populations remains unclear. Therefore, multiparameter flow cytometry was used to identify and characterize subsets of murine DCs during acute toxoplasmosis. This approach confirmed that infection leads to the expansion and activation of conventional DC (cDC) subsets. Unexpectedly, however, this analysis further revealed that plasmacytoid DCs are also expanded and that these cells up-regulate MHC class II and costimulatory molecules associated with their acquired ability to prime naive CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, T. gondii-activated plasmacytoid DCs produce high levels of IL-12 and both plasmacytoid DC maturation and cytokine production are dependent on TLR11. Together these studies suggest that pDCs are a prominent DC subset involved in the initial stages of T. gondii infection, presenting parasite Ags and producing cytokines that are important for controlling infection.
Chlamydia muridarum Evades Growth Restriction by the IFN-γ-Inducible Host Resistance Factor Irgb10
Authors: Coers Jörn , Bernstein-Hanley Isaac , Grotsky David , Parvanova Iana , Howard Jonathan C. , Taylor Gregory A. , Dietrich William F. , Starnbach Michael N.
Published: April 2014

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens that exhibit a broad range of host tropism. Differences in host tropism between Chlamydia species have been linked to host variations in IFN-γ-mediated immune responses. In mouse cells, IFN-γ can effectively restrict growth of the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis but fails to control growth of the closely related mouse pathogen Chlamydia muridarum. The ability of mouse cells to resist C. trachomatis replication is largely dependent on the induction of a family of IFN-γ-inducible GTPases called immunity-related GTPases or IRGs. In this study we demonstrate that C. muridarum can specifically evade IRG-mediated host resistance. It has previously been suggested that C. muridarum inactivates the IRG protein Irga6 (Iigp1) to dampen the murine immune response. However, we show that Irga6 is dispensable for the control of C. trachomatis replication. Instead, an effective IFN-γ response to C. trachomatis requires the IRG proteins Irgm1 (Lrg47), Irgm3 (Igtp), and Irgb10. Ectopic expression of Irgb10 in the absence of IFN-γ is sufficient to reduce intracellular growth of C. trachomatis but fails to restrict growth of C. muridarum, indicating that C. muridarum can specifically evade Irgb10-driven host responses. Importantly, we find that Irgb10 protein intimately associates with inclusions harboring C. trachomatis but is absent from inclusions formed by C. muridarum. These data suggest that C. muridarum has evolved a mechanism to escape the murine IFN-γ response by restricting access of Irgb10 and possibly other IRG proteins to the inclusion.
Neutrophil-Toxin Interactions Promote Antigen Delivery and Mucosal Clearance ofStreptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Matthias Kathryn A. , Roche Aoife M. , Standish Alistair J. , Shchepetov Mikhail , Weiser Jeffrey N.
Published: April 2014

Delivery of Ag to inductive sites, such as nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) or GALT, is thought to promote mucosal immunity. Host and microbial factors that contribute to this process were investigated during model murine airway colonization by the pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. Colonization led to the deposition of released bacterial capsular Ag in the NALT in a manner consistent with trafficking through M cells. This Ag was derived from processing of bacteria in the lumen of the paranasal spaces rather than through invasion or sampling of intact bacteria. Neutrophils, which are recruited to the paranasal spaces where they associate with and may degrade bacteria, were required for efficient Ag delivery. Maximal Ag delivery to the NALT also required expression of the bacterial toxin pneumolysin. Pneumolysin and pneumolysin-expressing bacteria lysed neutrophils through pore formation in vitro. Accordingly, a pneumolysin-dependent loss of neutrophils, which correlated with the increased release of bacterial products, was observed in vivo. Thus, delivery of Ag to the NALT was enhanced by neutrophil-mediated generation of bacterial products together with bacterial-induced lysis of neutrophils. The impaired Ag delivery of pneumolysin-deficient bacteria was associated with diminished clearance from the mucosal surface. This study demonstrates how microbial-host interactions affect Ag delivery and the effectiveness of mucosal immunity.
Pattern Recognition Molecule Mindin Promotes Intranasal Clearance of Influenza Viruses
Authors: Jia Wei , Li Hong , He You-Wen
Published: April 2014

The innate immune response is essential for host defense against microbial pathogen infections and is mediated by pattern recognition molecules recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Our previous work has demonstrated that the extracellular matrix protein mindin functions as a pattern recognition molecule for bacterial pathogens. In this study, we examined the role of mindin in influenza virus infection. We found that intranasal infection of mindin-deficient mice by influenza virus resulted in dramatically increased virus titers in the lung and intranasal cavity of mutant mice. In contrast, lungs from intratracheally infected mindin-deficient mice contained similar influenza virus titers. We showed that mindin interacted with influenza virus particles directly and that mindin-deficient macrophages exhibited impaired activation after influenza virus infection in vitro. Furthermore, intranasal administration of recombinant mindin significantly enhanced the clearance of influenza virus in wild-type mice. Together, these results demonstrate that mindin plays an essential role in the host innate immune response to influenza virus infection and suggest that mindin may be used as an immune-enhancing agent in influenza infection.
TLR2-Mediated Activation of Neutrophils in Response to German Cockroach Frass
Authors: Page Kristen , Lierl Kristin M. , Hughes Valerie S. , Zhou Ping , Ledford John R. , Wills-Karp Marsha
Published: April 2014

It is becoming increasingly clear that innate immune mediators play a role in regulating adaptive immune responses in asthma pathogenesis. Cockroach exposure is a major risk factor for the development of asthma. In this study we asked whether German cockroach (GC) feces (frass) could initiate an innate immune response. Naive BALB/c mice were challenged with a single intratracheal inhalation of GC frass. Proinflammatory cytokines were significantly increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at 3 h and were maintained at higher than baseline levels for at least 24 h. Neutrophil migration into the airways was evident as early as 3 h but was maximal between 6 and 24 h postinhalation. The early increase in cytokine expression was independent of TLR2 or TLR4. Newly infiltrated airway neutrophils were responsible for maintaining high levels of cytokines in the airways. Using neutrophils as an early marker of the innate immune response, we show that show that neutrophils isolated from the airways following GC frass inhalation express TLR2 and release cytokines. GC frass directly affected neutrophil cytokine production via TLR2, but not TLR4, as evidenced by the use of TLR-neutralizing Abs and neutrophils from TLR-deficient mice. Activation of cytokine expression occurred via GC frass-induced NF-κB translocation and DNA binding. These data show that GC frass contains a TLR2 agonist and, to our knowledge, this is the first report of an allergen directly activating cells of the innate immune system via TLR2 and suggests an important link between innate and adaptive immunity.
IL-27 Activates Human Monocytes via STAT1 and Suppresses IL-10 Production but the Inflammatory Functions of IL-27 Are Abrogated by TLRs and p38
Authors: Kalliolias George D. , Ivashkiv Lionel B.
Published: April 2014

IL-27 is a member of the IL-12 family of cytokines that activates the Jak-STAT signaling pathway in a context-dependent manner and has pleiotropic effects on acquired immunity. IL-27 has the capacity to promote early stages of Th1 generation, but recent evidence has suggested a predominant suppressive effect on Th1, Th2, and Th17 differentiation. Although modest suppressive effects of IL-27 on myeloid lineage cells have been observed, there is limited knowledge about the role of IL-27 in the regulation of innate immunity. In this study we report that although in resting murine macrophages IL-27 had minimal if any effects, in resting human monocytes IL-27 had profound proinflammatory functions. IL-27 activated a STAT1-dominant pattern of signaling in human monocytes with the consequent activation of STAT1-dependent inflammatory target genes. IL-27 primed monocytes for augmented responses to TLR stimulation in a STAT1-dependent manner, altered IL-10 signaling, and attenuated IL-10-induced gene expression. Strikingly, IL-27 strongly suppressed TLR-induced IL-10 production in human monocytes. However, the proinflammatory effects of IL-27 on human monocytes were rapidly abrogated by LPS via a p38-mediated mechanism that inhibited IL-27 signaling. Our findings identify a predominantly proinflammatory function for IL-27 in human monocytes and suggest a mechanism by which the activating effects of IL-27 on innate immunity are attenuated as an immune response proceeds and IL-27 transitions to predominantly suppressive effects on acquired immunity.
Use of Allograft Biopsies to Assess Thymopoiesis after Thymus Transplantation
Authors: Markert M. Louise , Li Jie , Devlin Blythe H. , Hoehner Jeffrey C. , Rice Henry E. , Skinner Michael A. , Li Yi-Ju , Hale Laura P.
Published: April 2014

Thymus allograft biopsies were performed in athymic infants with complete DiGeorge anomaly after thymus transplantation to assess whether the thymus allograft tissue was able to support thymopoiesis. Forty-four consecutive infants were treated with postnatal cultured thymus allografts. Thirty biopsies and six autopsies evaluating the allograft site were obtained in 33 infants, 23 of whom survive. The allograft was examined by immunohistochemistry for evidence of thymopoiesis. Grafted thymus tissue was found in 25 of 30 biopsies, 23 of which showed thymopoiesis. All 19 survivors with thymopoiesis on biopsy developed naive T cells and T cell function. Autopsies were done in six subjects, three of whom had biopsies. All autopsy samples contained thymus tissue including one for which the biopsy had not contained graft. Of the six autopsies, one had evidence of thymopoiesis. Epithelium without thymopoiesis was seen in two of 25 biopsies in which thymus tissue was detected and in five of six autopsies. Graft rejection was seen in one autopsy. Biopsies were important for showing the following: 1) the damaging effect of pulse steroids on thymopoiesis; 2) the need for adequate immunosuppression of atypical subjects; and 3) the presence of thymopoiesis in the presence of ongoing immunosuppression. In addition, the biopsy could rule out graft rejection in the atypical subjects who had oligoclonal T cells that could cause rejection. In summary, combining biopsy and autopsy data, allogeneic thymus tissues showed thymopoiesis in 24 of 29 (86%) evaluable transplants. The results of these biopsies led to improved care of these complex patients.
Humoral Immune Responses against the Immature Laminin Receptor Protein Show Prognostic Significance in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Friedrichs Birte , Siegel Sandra , Kloess Marita , Barsoum Adel , Coggin Joseph , Rohrer James , Jakob Ilja , Tiemann Markus , Heidorn Klaus , Schulte Christoph , Kabelitz Dieter , Steinmann Jörg , Schmitz Norbert , Zeis Matthias
Published: April 2014

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by a highly variable clinical course. The role of an autologous tumor-specific immune control contributing to the variable length of survival in CLL is poorly understood. We investigated whether humoral immunity specific for the CLL-associated Ag oncofetal Ag/immature laminin receptor (OFA/iLR) has a prognostic value in CLL. Among sera of 67 untreated patients with CLL, 23 (34.3%) had detectable OFA/iLR Abs that were reactive for at least one specific OFA/iLR epitope. Patients with humoral responses compared with patients with nonreactive sera had a longer progression-free survival (p = 0.029). IgG subclass analyses showed a predominant IgG1 and IgG3 response. OFA/iLR Abs were capable of recognizing and selectively killing OFA/iLR-expressing CLL cells in complement-mediated and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxi cityassays. In the analysis of 11 CLL patients after allogeneic hematopoetic stem cell transplantation, 8 showed high values for OFA/iLR Abs that specifically recognized the extracellular domain of the protein, suggesting a potential role of anti-OFA/iLR-directed immune responses to the graft-vs-leukemia effect in CLL. Our data suggest that spontaneous tumor-specific humoral immune responses against OFA/iLR exist in a significant proportion of CLL patients and that superior progression-free survival in those patients could reflect autologous immune control.
Blocking NK Cell Inhibitory Self-Recognition Promotes Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in a Model of Anti-Lymphoma Therapy
Authors: Binyamin Liat , Alpaugh R. Katherine , Hughes Tracey L. , Lutz Charles T. , Campbell Kerry S. , Weiner Louis M.
Published: April 2014

Human NK cells lyse Ab-coated target cells through the process of Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Improving ADCC responses is desirable because it is thought to be an important antitumor mechanism for some Abs. NK cell inhibitory receptors, such as killer cell Ig-like receptors, engage with MHC class I molecules on self-cells to block NK cell activation. Accordingly, we enhanced ADCC responses by blocking NK cell inhibitory receptors, thus perturbing induction of the self-recognition signal. In a cell line model of anti-lymphoma therapy, the combination of rituximab with an Ab that blocks inhibitory self-recognition yielded increased NK cell-mediated target cell lysis when compared with rituximab alone. To validate this proof-of-concept, we then used a more representative approach in which an individual’s fresh primary NK cells encountered autologous, EBV-transformed B cells. In this system, rituximab and a combination of Abs that block NK cell inhibitory receptors yielded improved NK cell-mediated lysis over rituximab alone. The results show, for the first time, that disruption of inhibitory self-recognition can efficiently promote ADCC in a human model, applying an autologous system in which physiologic checkpoints are in place. This method provides an alternative approach to potentiate the therapeutic benefit of antitumor Abs that mediate ADCC.
Correlation of Blood T Cell and Antibody Reactivity to Myelin Proteins with HLA Type and Lesion Localization in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Greer Judith M. , Csurhes Peter A. , Muller Diane M. , Pender Michael P.
Published: April 2014

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. The numbers of autoimmune T cells and Abs specific for proteins of CNS myelin are increased in the blood in some patients with MS. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are correlations between the specificity of the autoimmune responses in the blood, the HLA molecules carried by the patient, and the clinical features of MS, because studies on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of MS, indicate that autoimmune responses targeting particular myelin proteins and the genetic background of the animal play a role in determining the pattern of lesion distribution. We tested blood T cell immunoreactivity to myelin proteins in 100 MS patients, 70 healthy controls, and 48 patients with other neurological disorders. Forty MS patients had strongly increased T cell reactivity to one or more myelin Ags. In these 40 patients, the most robust correlation was between CD4+ T cell reactivity to myelin proteolipid protein residues 184–209 (PLP184–209) and development of lesions in the brainstem and cerebellum. Furthermore, carriage of HLA-DR4, -DR7, or -DR13 molecules by MS patients correlated with increased blood T cell immunoreactivity to PLP184–209, as well as the development of lesions in the brainstem and cerebellum. Levels of PLP190–209-specific Abs in the blood also correlated with the presence of cerebellar lesions. These findings show that circulating T cells and Abs reactive against specific myelin Ags can correlate with lesion distribution in MS and suggest that they are of pathogenic relevance.
Characterization of necrophagus entomofauna in a typical agricultural area in Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy)
Authors: Calzolari M. , Defilippo F. , Zani G. , Colombo M. , Dottori M.
Published: April 2014

This study presents a checklist of Dipterans and Coleopterans accountable for carrion decay in the Po Valley (Italy), a contribution to the Forensic Entomology knowledge in Italy. Insects colonizing two pig carcasses in an agricultural area in Mezzani municipality (Parma, Northern Italy) were sampled by pitfall traps and original Malaise-like traps, which allowed the sampling of a very relevant number of flying insects. A checklist of 57 taxa was obtained, of which 26 were considered of forensic importance. For the latter the arrival time of adult specimens on the carcasses was recorded, as an important parameter in minimum post mortem interval estimation. Dipterans (6141 specimens) were the most common insects; the fastest specimens to detect and colonize the carcass belonged to the Calliphoridae family, while Fanniidae and Muscidae infested the carrion until completion of the skeletal stage. Coleopterans appeared later (308 adult specimens and 114 larvae were captured). Staphylinidae, Dermestidae, and Histeridae were the most common coleopterans sampled in this study.
Do disability grants influence adherence to antiretroviral therapy?
Authors: Kagee Ashraf
Published: April 2014

Anecdotal data suggest that some South Africans living with HIV who receive disability grants from the state deliberately default on their antiretroviral medication in an attempt to lower their CD4 count to remain eligible for grants. No actual empirical data however exist to show that disability grants act as such perverse incentives and are a valid reason for non-adherence. This article examines some of the complexities of antiretroviral adherence in the context of a resource-constrained environment. The multitude of structural barriers, including sometimes difficult patient-doctor conversations about the renewal of disability grants, shape patients’ experiences of the clinic environment and influence their adherence to care.
Epidemiological study of Rift Valley fever virus in Kigoma, Tanzania
Authors: Kifaro Emmanuel G. , Nkangaga Japhet , Joshua Gradson , Sallu Raphael , Yongolo Mmeta , Dautu George , Kasanga Christopher J.
Published: April 2014

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an acute, zoonotic viral disease caused by a  Phlebovirus, which belongs to the Bunyaviridae family. Among livestock, outbreaks of the disease are economically devastating. They are often characterised by large, sweeping abortion storms and have significant mortality in adult livestock. The aim of the current study was to investigate RVFV infection in the Kigoma region, which is nestled under the hills of the western arm of the Great Rift Valley on the edge of Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania. A region-wide serosurvey was conducted on non-vaccinated small ruminants (sheep and goats, n = 411). Sera samples were tested for the presence of anti-RVFV antibodies and viral antigen, using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The overall past infections were detected in 22 of the 411 animals, 5.4% (Confidence Interval (CI) 95% = 3.5% – 8.1%). The Kigoma rural area recorded the higher seroprevalence of 12.0% (CI 95% = 7.3% – 18.3%; p < 0.0001), followed by Kibondo at 2.3% (CI 95% = 0.5% – 6.5%; p > 0.05) and the Kasulu district at 0.8% (CI 95% = 0.0% – 4.2%; p > 0.05). The prevalence was 12.5% and 4.7% for sheep and goats, respectively. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction results indicated that only eight samples were found to be positive (n = 63). This study has confirmed, for the first time, the presence of the RVFV in the Kigoma region four years after the 2007 epizootic in Tanzania. The study further suggests that the virus activity exists during the inter-epizootic period, even in regions with no history of RVFV.
The risk factors for human cysticercosis in Mbulu District, Tanzania
Authors: Mwang'onde Beda J. , Nkwengulila Gamba , Chacha Mwita
Published: April 2014

The objective of this study was to explore the reasons for the persistence of human cysticercosis (HCC) transmission in Mbulu District, northern Tanzania. The study was carried out in 25 villages, whereby five major risks were identified. The risks were indiscriminate defaecation and improper use of toilets; a free-range system of keeping pigs; indiscriminate or unregulated slaughtering and inadequate meat hygiene and inspection; consumption of undercooked and porcine cysticerci infected pork; and social structure and roles. All of the identified risks were backed up by the immanent lifestyles of the community involved. These findings are important for the development of intervention strategies in the study area.
Spatial and temporal distribution of foot-and-mouth disease virus in the lake zone of Tanzania
Authors: Genchwere Joseph M. , Kasanga Christopher J.
Published: April 2014

This study was conducted to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus (FMDV) serotypes and evaluate the awareness of livestock keepers about FMD in Tanzania. An observational prospective study involving serological analysis, FMDV antigen detection and questionnaire survey was carried out in the lake zone of Tanzania. Seroprevalence of antibodies to the nonstructural protein 3ABC of FMDV and serotype-specific antigen detection were investigated by using SVANOVIR® FMDV 3ABC-Ab ELISA and indirect-sandwich ELISA (sELISA), respectively, whilst a structured questionnaire was used to evaluate the awareness of livestock keepers about FMD. During the period of 2010–2011, both serum and tissue (foot-and-mouth epithelia) samples were collected from cattle suspected of FMD in 13 districts of the four regions of the lake zone. A total of 107 (80.5%) out of 133 tested serum samples were seropositive to nonstructural protein 3ABC, with at least one sample being positive from all 10 districts screened. Fifteen (53.6%) out of 28 tissue epithelial samples collected from FMD cases in eight districts during the course of this study were positive to serotype O FMDV antigen. Of these eight districts, serotype O FMDV antigens were detected from seven districts and no other serotypes were recovered from animal samples screened. Questionnaire surveys in six districts indicated that livestock keepers in the lake zone were aware of the clinical manifestations (26/29 = 90.0%) and economic impact (23/29 = 79.0%) of FMD in the region. The questionnaire data showed that FMD outbreaks often occurred after rainy seasons (22/29 = 75.9%), with the highest peaks predominantly occurring just after the long rains in May and June, and at the end of the short rains in November and December of each year. The spatial distribution of the FMD cases suggested that serotype O virus exposure was the only widespread cause of the 2010–2011 outbreaks in the lake zone.
The business case for One Health
Authors: Grace Delia
Published: April 2014

This article outlines a pathway to develop the business case for One Health. It describes the origin and development of One Health and then identifies five potential areas where One Health can add value and reduce costs. These are: (1) sharing health resources between the medical and veterinary sectors; (2) controlling zoonoses in animal reservoirs; (3) early detection and response to emerging diseases; (4) prevention of pandemics; and (5) generating insights and adding value to health research and development. Examples are given for each category along with preliminary estimates of the potential savings from adopting the One Health approach. The literature reviewed suggests that one dollar invested in One Health can generate five dollars worth of benefits and a global investment of US$25 billion over 10 years could generate benefits worth at least US$125 billion. Conservation implications: the time has come to make the bigger case for massive investment in One Health in order to transform the management of neglected and emerging zoonoses and to save the lives of millions of people and hundreds of millions of animals whose production supports and nourishes billions of impoverished people per annum.
The benefits of ‘One Health’ for pastoralists in Africa
Authors: Greter Helena , Jean-Richard Vreni , Crump Lisa , Béchir Mahamat , Alfaroukh Idriss O. , Schelling Esther , Bonfoh Bassirou , Zinsstag Jakob
Published: April 2014

‘One health’ is particularly suited to serve mobile pastoralists. Dinka pastoralists in Sudan inspired Calvin Schwabe to coin the term ‘one medicine’, indicating that there is no difference in paradigm between human and veterinary medicine. Our contemporary definition of ‘one health’ is any added value in terms of improved health of humans and animals or financial savings or environmental services resulting from a closer cooperation of human and animal health sectors. Here we present a summary of ‘one health’ studies with mobile pastoralists in Africa which were done in research partnership, demonstrating such an added value. Initial joint human and animal health studies revealed higher livestock vaccination coverage than in the pastoralist community, leading to joint animal and human vaccination intervention studies which demonstrated a better access to primary health care services for pastoralists in Chad. Further simultaneous animal and human serological studies showed that camel breeding was associated with human Q-fever seropositivity. In Borana communities in Ethiopia, human cases of  Mycobacterium bovis infection could be related to strains isolated from cattle. A challenge remained with regard to how to assess vaccination coverage in mobile populations. With the advent of mobile phones, health and demographic surveillance could be established for mobile pastoralists and their animals. This presents vast possibilities for surveillance and control of human and animal diseases. Pastoralists prefer a ‘one health’ approach and therefore contribute toward the validation of this concept by showing real added value of the cooperation between human and animal health services.
Practice of One Health approaches: Bridges and barriers in Tanzania
Authors: Kayunze Kim A. , Kiwara Angwara , Lyamuya Eligius , Kambarage Dominic M. , Rushton Jonathan , Coker Richard , Kock Richard
Published: April 2014

The practice of one health approaches in human and animal health programmes is influenced by type and scope of bridges and barriers for partnerships. It was thus essential to evaluate the nature and scope of collaborative arrangements among human, animal, and wildlife health experts in dealing with health challenges which demand inter-sectoral partnership. The nature of collaborative arrangement was assessed, and the respective bridges and barriers over a period of 12 months (July 20011 to June 2012) were identified. The specific objectives were to: (1) determine the proportion of health experts who had collaborated with other experts of disciplines different from theirs, (2) rank the general bridges for and barriers against collaboration according to the views of the health experts, and (3) find the actual bridges for and barriers against collaboration among the health experts interviewed. It was found that 27.0% of animal health officers interviewed had collaborated with medical officers while 12.4% of the medical officers interviewed had collaborated with animal health experts. Only 6.7% of the wildlife officers had collaborated with animal health experts. The main bridges for collaboration were instruction by upper level leaders, zoonotic diseases of serious impacts, and availability of funding. The main barriers for collaboration were lack of knowledge about animal/human health issues, lack of networks for collaboration, and lack of plans to collaborate. This thus calls for the need to curb barriers in order to enhance inter-sectoral collaboration for more effective management of risks attributable to infectious diseases of humans and animals.
Molecular survey for foot-and-mouth disease virus in livestock in Tanzania, 2008–2013
Authors: Sallu Raphael S. , Kasanga Christopher J. , Mathias Mkama , Yongolo Mmeta , Mpelumbe-Ngeleja Chanasa , Mulumba Misheck , Ranga Ezekia , Wambura Philemon , Rweyemamu Mark , Knowles Nick , King Donald
Published: April 2014

Phylogeography data are of paramount importance in studying the molecular epidemiology dynamics of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). In this study, epithelial samples and oesophageal-pharyngeal fluids were collected from 361 convalescent animals (cattle and buffaloes) in the field throughout Tanzania between 2009 and 2013. The single plex real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay for rapid and accurate diagnosis of FMDV employing the Callahan 3DF-2, 3DF-R primers and Callahan 3DP-1 probe were used. Preparation of the samples was performed according to the OIE manual, with a Kenya O serotype obtained from the attenuated vaccine serving as a positive control and samples collected from healthy animals serving as true negatives. The results indicated that 53.49% of samples (n = 176) were positive for FMDV genome by qRT-PCR, with Ct values ranging from 14 to 32. In addition, molecular typing of the FMDV genome positive samples using serotype specific primers revealed the existence of several serotypes: serotype South Africa Territory 1 (SAT1) (34.25%, n = 60), serotype A (68.92%, n = 98), serotype O (59.20%, n = 98) and SAT2 (54.54%, n = 96). The virus protein 1 sequences analysis for 35 samples was performed and the collective results indicated: 54.28% serotype O, 25.71% serotype A, 14.28% serotype SAT1 and 2.85% serotype SAT2. Therefore in this study, both the phylogenetic trees and spatial distribution of serotypes elucidated the phylodynamics of multiple FMDV field strains in Tanzania and neighbouring countries.
The importance of systematic reviews in radiology
Authors: Wiysonge Charles S.
Published: April 2014

No abstract.
Effects of Sowing Media and Sowing Depth on Germination and Growth of Lecaniodiscus cupaniodes (Planch. Ex Benth).
Authors: Yakubu FB , Adegoke FF , Ogunwande OA , Adejoh OP
Published: April 2014

This study examines the effect of sowing media and sowing depth on the germination and growth of Lecanodiscus cupanoides (Planch.Ex Benth). The germination of L. cupanoides seed was significantly affected by sowing depth and sowing medium at p=0.05. The result of various sowing media and sowing depth showed that the seed sown at 2 cm and 5 cm depths had the highest germination percentage of 52% each. This was followed by surface sowing with 49.3% and the least germination was found at 7 cm depth. Also, the highest germination was also recorded in sawdust with 50 % germination followed by those planted in topsoil with 44%. Least germination percentage was recorded in river sand (41%). Lecanodiscus cupanoides seedling height was significantly affected by sowing depth and sowing medium. The highest plant height was recorded in seeds sown at 5 cm depth (9.6 cm) while the least height was recorded in Sawdust with 8.6 cm.Shoot height was highest in humus rich top soil with 9.9 cm followed by river sand with 9.2 cm. The least shoot height was found in sawdust with 8.6 cm. Other parameters are mean leaf production and collar diameter. The highest leaf production was found in seeds sown in river sand at 2 cm depth with mean values of 10.5 and 11.0 respectively. The highest collar diameter was in humus rich top soil and river sand with value 2.6 mm. Observations from the study shows that to propagate L.cupanoides on large scale, it is better to sow at the depth of 5 cm and in sawdust for its germination.Keywords: Lecanodiscus cupanoides, sowing depth, sowing media, seedling growth and germination
Effect of Palm Oil Supplementation in Yam Peel Meal Diets Fed to Broilers
Authors: Inaku EN , Bawa GS , Olugbemi TS , Awuna GR
Published: April 2014

A 56 day trial was conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of Yam Peel Meal (YPM) in broiler diets. A total of 225 day-old broiler birds with an average initial weight of 43g were used. The birds were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments, with three replicates of 15 birds each in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The YPM based diets had equal amounts of yam peels (20%, determined as the best level of inclusion of YPM from a previous trial) in both the starter and finisher phases of the experiment and were supplemented with varying levels of palm oil (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4%) for diets 1-5 respectively. During the starter phase of the experiment, there were significant differences (P<0.05) in daily feed intake and feed cost per kilogram gain among the dietary treatments, with diet 2 (20% yam peel meal and 1% palm oil) promoting the best overall performance. During the finisher phase, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, average daily gain and cost per kilogram gain differed significantly (P<0.05) among treatments. The use of YPM and palm oil at graded levels improved the quality of the yam peel meal based diets and favoured its digestibility. It was concluded that supplementation of 20% YPM based diet with 3 % palm oil promotes better performance at least cost in broiler finisher diets.Key words: Palm oil supplementation; Yam Peel Meal; broilers
The Effect of Feeding Gmelina (g. Arborea) Leaf Meal in Cowpea Shell Base Complete Diets on Nutrient Intake and Nutrient Digestibility in Red Sokoto Bucks
Authors: Abdu SB , Hassan MR , Jokthan GE , Adamu HY , Yashim SM , Wakili DD
Published: April 2014

A study was conducted on the inclusion level of Gmelina arborea leaf meal (GLM) in cowpea shell base complete diet for red Sokoto buck. Four red Sokoto goats of average weight 13.4kg were used for the study to measure the feed intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance involving four dietary treatment T1, T2, T3 and T4 containing 0% 10% 20% and 30% levels of inclusions of Gmelina arborea respectively, in a 4X4 Latin square, with each period lasting 21days of 14 adjustment and 7days collection period. The result showed significant (p<0.05) difference in dry matter (DM) intake. T3 had the highest DM intake (789.41g/day), while T1, T2 and T4 had statistically similar and lower DMI. The organic matter (OM) intake were significantly (p<.05) different. T3 and T4 had similar and significantly (p<0.05) higher OMI, while T1 and T2 had significantly (p<0.05) similar and lower OMI. Crude protein (CP) intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in animals fed T3 (118.28), while T1, T2 and T4 were similar, but significantly (p<0.05) lower. Also,for crude fiber (CF) intake, T3 had significantly (p<0.05) higher while T2 and T4 were not significantly (p>0.05) different.T1 had the least. There was no significant (p>0.0%) difference in DM, OM CP and CF digestibility, however, numerically there was a reduction with increase in the level of GLM inclusion in the complete diets across treatment. Nitrogen balance result showed a significant (p<0.05) difference across the dietary treatments. T3 had significantly (p<0.05) higher N intake (118.28g/day) whereas T1 T2 and T4 were statistically similar and lower. Fecal N excreted showed significant (p<0.05) difference between treatments. Higher fecal N was recorded in animals fed on T3, while T2 and T4 had similar fecal N output and the least was observed in T1. Animals fed T3 diet had significantly (p<0.05) higher N retained and N observed, followed by T1, T2 and the least was in animals fed T4 diet. N retained as percent of intake showed T1 to be significantly (p<0.05) higher than T2, T3 and T4, which were lower (p<0.05) and similar. From the result of this study, G. arborea can be included at 20% in cowpea shell base complete diets for goats.Keywords: Buck, Cowpea shell, Gmelina arborea, red Sokoto
Meat Consumption Patterns among Different Income Groups in Imo State, Nigeria
Authors: Anyiro CO , Ezeh CI , Osondu CK , Madu LK
Published: April 2014

This research examined meat consumption patterns among different income groups in Imo State, Nigeria. A combination of purposive and simple random sampling techniques was used to select the markets and 200 respondents. The result of cross price elasticity of meat and fish showed that they were substitute with cross price elasticity value of 0.206. The income elasticity of meat showed that it is a normal commodity with a coefficient of 0.984, while the own price elasticity of meat reveal that it is elastic with a value of 0.769. The result of the multiple regression analysis with linear functional form as lead equation showed that quantity of meat consumed at low and medium income levels were influenced by age, annual income, price and household size of the respondents. The R2 were 0.6149 and 0.5938 for low and medium income groups and were statistically significant at 1.0% risk level. However, the result of the multiple regression analysis with the double log as lead equation showed that quantity of meat of high income group is influenced by age, income, price, household size, and sex of respondents. R2 value was 0.8529 and is statistically significant at 1.0% risk level. It was recommended that meat consumers should endeavor to maintain equilibrium in the consumption of both red and white meat because of increased nutritive value and low cholesterol content of white meat.Keywords: meat consumption, preferences, elasticity, income levels.
Intelligence and Security: Ingredients for Stable Polity, Food Security and Sustainable Growth.
Authors: Omobuwajo OA
Published: April 2014

The evolution of Intelligence and Security services in Nigeria is similar to that of other third world countries, its development has been slow and it became a veritable instrument of oppression in hands of governments who were mostly militaryliitical and tyrannical until the ascendancy of pro-democratic governments in Africa from the early 1990s. In Nigeria, intelligence, especially military intelligence became like the Gestapo of Adolf Hitler during the regime of General Sani Abacha. Their allegiance was blindly to the government of the day, constructive intelligence gathering and Analysis was relegated to the background. The country became stagnant and moved backwards in political and economical developments, the intelligence agencies could not take advantage of modern innovations in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).However, the return to democracy and relative rule of law in 1999 has brought some positive development to the practices of Intelligence in Nigeria; the military institution itself has laid emphasis on professionalism and combat readiness. Intelligence personnel are being trained abroad in exchange programmes and exposed to sophisticated surveillance techniques and other strategic equipments used in espionage and information accessibility. The American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is in close collaboration with the relevant agencies in Nigeria as it repositions for the defence and security challenges of the 21st century, which will ensure stability and development in the country. Few researches had been conducted on the intelligence services in Nigeria; this paper critically examines the roles of Intelligence services in security and, more importantly, that of stability and growth. The method employed is both the historical method and descriptive analysis. The paper made use of data from journals, textbooks, government policy documents and newspapers with the use of Control analysis method, which is an objective and systematic examination of the content of secondary data like internet, text books, newspapers, journals, recorded information and so on(Mbachu,2005:89).Key words: Inteligence; security; political stability; food security; sustainable growth
Qualidade da Produção Científica no Brasil: um enfoque nos trabalhos premiados pelos congressos da ANPAD 2004-2012
Authors: Carneiro da Cunha Julio Araujo , Defina Denise Alessandra , Passador João Luiz
Published: April 2014

Diversos foram os esforços de pesquisa no Brasil voltados a entender o campo de pesquisa da Administração por meio de estudos bibliométricos. Todavia, essa análise não considera a qualidade das publicações e sim a quantidade. Para evitar esse viés, o presente estudo propõe analisar as publicações da área sob a perspectiva dos trabalhos considerados de qualidade, utilizando-se uma amostra de 123 artigos vencedores de premiações dos congressos da ANPAD (2004 a 2012). As características dessas publicações são: as principais instituições de ensino premiadas estão localizadas no eixo Sul-Sudeste do país; autores com múltiplas premiações recebem, em sua maioria, premiações em diferentes áreas; a proporção de trabalhos em língua estrangeira é maior dentre os trabalhos premiados; e a maioria das pesquisas de qualidade é estudo teórico-empírico e quantitativo. Sugere-se que trabalhos premiados possam ser uma forma de apontar a produção de qualidade, que deve ser considerada complementarmente à produção quantitativa num sistema de avaliação de desempenho.
Utilização de Contratos Futuros do Ibovespa em Carteiras de Fundos de Pensão no Brasil: uma abordagem setorial
Authors: Costa Thiago de Melo Teixeira da , Santos Maurinho Luiz dos , Silveira Suely de Fátima Ramos
Published: April 2014

Os Fundos de Pensão têm buscado melhores estratégias para gerenciamento de seus ativos. Este trabalho pretende analisar o risco das carteiras de Fundos de Pensão com e sem contratos futuros do Ibovespa e avaliar os ganhos obtidos na relação retorno/risco por uma abordagem setorial proposta. Os níveis de utilização de contratos futuros que permitissem o hedge ótimo foram obtidos a partir dos modelos de cointegração e o risco, representado pelo Valor em Risco (VaR), foi obtido via modelos de volatilidade condicional. Notou-se que o retorno médio diário das estratégias com hedge cai em relação à estratégia sem hedge. Entretanto, essa queda é relativamente pequena diante da queda do risco proporcionada pela utilização de contratos futuros do Ibovespa. Os resultados encontrados indicaram que um gerenciamento dinâmico, a partir de um acompanhamento setorial dos ativos que compõem determinada carteira de investimento, torna o desempenho do portfólio melhor, reduzindo consideravelmente o nível de risco assumido.
Nível de Divulgação Eletrônica da Contabilidade Pública dos Municípios do Paraná no Ambiente da Internet
Authors: Franco Luciane Maria Gonçalves , Rezende Denis Alcides , Figueiredo Frederico de Carvalho , Nascimento Cristiano do
Published: April 2014

O objetivo é identificar o nível de transparência eletrônica dos demonstrativos contábeis nos municípios paranaenses, dispostos no ambiente da internet. A pesquisa apresenta abordagem descritiva, ex post facto, transversal, realizada no mês de outubro do ano de 2011. O estudo é fundamentado na legislação e em literatura da Ciência Contábil e da Administração Pública. Dentre aspectos relevantes, detectou-se que 81,25% dos municípios com 50.000 ou mais habitantes disponibilizam os relatórios da Lei de Responsabilidade Fiscal em suas páginas eletrônicas e este índice cai para 29,43% nos municípios com menos de 50.000 habitantes. É expressivo o número de municípios que não faz uso eletrônico para dar publicidade a seus atos, correspondendo a 70,57%, ou seja, 259 municípios dentre o total pesquisado. Ressalta-se que a transparência das contas públicas reveste-se de limitações do ponto de vista de disponibilidade de informações, logo, necessita-se de aprimoramento e viabilização em benefício dos resultados.
Influência de Fatores Contingenciais nos Atributos do Sistema de Contabilidade Gerencial: um estudo em empresas têxteis do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul
Authors: Beuren Ilse Maria , Fiorentin Marlene
Published: April 2014

O estudo objetiva verificar se os fatores contingenciais (ambiente, tecnologia, estratégia, estrutura e porte organizacional) influenciam nos atributos do Sistema de Contabilidade Gerencial em empresas têxteis do Rio Grande do Sul. Um questionário foi enviado aos proprietários das 38 empresas têxteis cadastradas no Sindicato do Comércio das cidades de Farroupilha e Sarandi, e foram obtidas 14 respostas. Aos dados foi aplicada a técnica da entropia para verificar a quantidade de informação das respostas. Os resultados indicaram que a variável ambiente se apresentou como a que mais influencia, com destaque para gostos e preferências do cliente do setor e tecnologia aplicada ao processo produtivo. Por outro lado, competição por compra de insumos/componentes e atitudes da concorrência foi considerada a variável que menos influencia nas empresas. Conclui-se que os fatores contingenciais: ambiente, tecnologia, estratégia, estrutura e porte organizacional, seja com maior ou menor peso da informação, influenciam os atributos do Sistema de Contabilidade Gerencial.
Gestão por Competências na Administração Pública de Portugal: uma análise a partir do ciclo interligado de legitimação e de validação
Authors: Munck Luciano , Galleli Bárbara , Borim-de-Souza Rafael
Published: April 2014

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar o modelo de gestão de pessoas por competências da Administração Pública de Portugal a partir do Ciclo Interligado de Legitimação e de Validação Qualitativa. As categorias consideradas foram: definição constitutiva, validade de construto, composta pela validade de conteúdo, validade de face e confiabilidade e validade preditiva. A análise do modelo de gestão por competências de Portugal permitiu a identificação de pontos críticos em suas premissas, propostas e objetivos. Em suma, constatou-se que o modelo utilizado pela Administração Pública de Portugal tem comprovada a validade das definições constitutiva e operacional e a validade de face. Contudo, foram identificadas fragilidades na validade de construto, especificamente na validade de conteúdo, na confiabilidade e na validade preditiva. Portanto, conclui-se que erros podem circundar o modelo por completo. Em seu âmbito, o presente artigo identificou e discutiu questões centrais no que se refere à implantação e à validação de modelos de competências, pertinentes tanto para organizações públicas quanto privadas.
Comovimentos entre Setores Econômicos Brasileiros: uma abordagem não linear
Authors: Righi Marcelo Brutti , Schlender Sergio Guilherme , Ceretta Paulo Sergio
Published: April 2014

O estudo de comovimentos entre ativos é muito popular em finanças. Entretanto, aplicações de modelos não lineares ocupam reduzido espaço nesta gama de pesquisas. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho estuda relacionamentos de longo prazo entre os setores de Energia Elétrica, Consumo, Imobiliário, Telecomunicações, Industrial e Financeiro, através de modelos de cointegração linear e não linear. São utilizadas cotações diárias dos índices setoriais da BM&F/Bovespa durante o período de 2 de janeiro de 2008 a 31 de dezembro de 2011, totalizando 989 observações. Os resultados permitem concluir que apenas os relacionamentos entre Energia-Financeiro e Consumo-Financeiro possuem equilíbrio de longo prazo. Além disso, o modelo não linear ajustou-se melhor aos relacionamentos, com alterações na transmissão de preços em diferentes regimes.