144 research outputs found
Osservazioni sulla presenza e persistenza del virus della PRRS in tessuti diversi di suini nati da scrofe infettate sperimentalmente
No full textHBIM-BASED INFORMATION SHARING FOR THE EXCHANGE AND SAFEGUARD OF MODELLING EXPERTISE
No full textThis paper demonstrates an approach for sharing and safeguarding modelling expertise based on the use of Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM). The approach involves the exchange of information between subjects involved in the creation of HBIM models, an exchange enhanced by Semantic Web Technologies.HBIM datasets usually contain rich and detailed information about historic buildings and their construction; this experiment, in a slightly unusual way, deals with another type of information regarding something that happens in the background during the definition of an HBIM model: the procedures that create the complex three-dimensional geometries typical of historical architecture. This kind of information does not usually live inside BIM models and is even less likely the subject of semantic enrichment. It is however beneficial to record and make available this kind of information for several reasons, discussed in the text.</p
Prediction and modeling of protein–protein interactions using “Spotted” peptides with a template-based approach
No full textProtein–peptide interactions (PpIs) are a subset of the overall protein–protein interaction (PPI) network in the living cell and are pivotal for the majority of cell processes and functions. High-throughput methods to detect PpIs and PPIs usually require time and costs that are not always affordable. Therefore, reliable in silico predictions represent a valid and effective alternative. In this work, a new algorithm is described, implemented in a freely available tool, i.e., “PepThreader”, to carry out PPIs and PpIs prediction and analysis. PepThreader threads multiple fragments derived from a full-length protein sequence (or from a peptide library) onto a second template peptide, in complex with a protein target, “spotting” the potential binding peptides and ranking them according to a sequence-based and structure-based threading score. The threading algorithm first makes use of a scoring function that is based on peptides sequence similarity. Then, a rerank of the initial hits is performed, according to structure-based scoring functions. PepThreader has been benchmarked on a dataset of 292 protein–peptide complexes that were collected from existing databases of experimentally determined protein–peptide interactions. An accuracy of 80%, when considering the top predicted 25 hits, was achieved, which performs in a comparable way with the other state-of-art tools in PPIs and PpIs modeling. Nonetheless, PepThreader is unique in that it is able at the same time to spot a binding peptide within a full-length sequence involved in PPI and model its structure within the receptor. Therefore, PepThreader adds to the already-available tools supporting the experimental PPIs and PpIs identification and characterization
Focolai di infezione da virus dell’encefalomiocardite (EMCV) in tre allevamenti da riproduzione appartenenti alla stessa azienda di produzione suinicola.
No full textNel presente lavoro vengono riportati i dati relativi a focolai di mortalità improvvisa in suinetti in lattazione e aumento nati-morti e feti mummificati al parto, comparsi contemporaneamente in tre allevamenti da riproduzione (A, B e C), appartenenti allo stessa azienda suinicola. Le tre unità produttive, due nella provincia di Mantova e una nella provincia di Brescia, erano dislocate a più di 20 Km di distanza l.una dall.altra. In un allevamento (A) la mortalità ha coinvolto anche il reparto delle scrofette da rimonta, nella fase di peso vivo compresa tra i 40 e i 70 Kg. Le indagini di laboratorio effettuate su suini e feti colpiti dalla patologia hanno evidenziato la presenza di una infezione da virus
dell.encefalomiocardite (EMCV). ECMV è stato rilevato mediante RT-PCR in campioni di tessuto cardiaco delle diverse categorie di animali. La diagnosi è stata confermata dalla presenza di caratteristiche lesioni istopatologiche miocardiche. La contemporaneità dell.insorgenza dei focolai di infezione nei 3 allevamenti rende plausibile l.ipotesi di una trasmissione dell.EMCV dal sito produttivo A agli altri due (B e C) mediante il trasferimento delle scrofette da rimonta. La stima delle perdite globali causate dalle infezioni da EMCV, calcolata sullo scostamento rispetto agli indici aziendali di performance riferiti ai 4 mesi che hanno preceduto i focolai, si è attesta su 1.295 feti, 569 suinetti lattanti e 42 scrofette da rimonta. Il danno economico stimato complessivo ha superato i 76.000 euro
Studio di follow up su un approccio combinato, vaccinazione ed eliminazione degli animali immunotolleranti, per il controllo della Diarrea Virale Bovina (BVD)
No full textIntroduction - The control of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD)
infection is based on three main pillars: implementation of
bio-safety measures, test and cull of persistently infected animals
(PI) and adoption of a vaccine protocol to prevent transplacental
infection (fetal protection).
Aim - The aim of this study is to verify, in field conditions,
the efficacy of a combined approach that provides for detection
and removal of PI animals and vaccination with a vaccine
with the claim of fetal protection to BVDV.
Materials and methods - The study lasted 9 years (November
2008-December 2017), was carried out in three farms located
in the Province of Modena (Italy) and involved about
4,800 animals. Anamnestic data pointed out that in all the
farms a BVD vaccination protocol was in place for at least 8
years (2001-2008) with both inactivated and modified-live
vaccines. At the beginning of the study, all animals over 5
months of age were tested, in pool of 20 animals, for the detection
of BVDV by RT-PCR. Subsequently, in the screening
phase, PI research by RT-PCR was performed on all newborn
calves. Moreover, BVDV detection in bulk milk was performed
as well on a four-monthly basis. Regarding vaccination
protocol, the animals were vaccinated with a modified-live
vaccine (Mucosiffa®), namely heifers every six months and
cows in the post-partum.
Results and discussion - During the study, three PI animals
were identified. These animals were born from non-PI cows
vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine. During the period
when the animals were vaccinated with the modified-live
vaccine, no PI animals were detected. All the tests on bulk
milk were negative for BVD antigen.
Conclusion - The combined approach of vaccination with a
modified-live vaccine, associated with test and cull of PI calves,
allowed the control of BVD infection, as demonstrated
by absence of new PI calves and BVDV circulation assessed
by RT-PCR in bulk milk
Infezioni sperimentali con ceppi di virus della PRRS (Porcine Respiratory Reproductive Sindrome) in suini svezzati e scrofe gestanti
No full textOutbreak of Nocardia neocaledoniensis mastitis in a Italian dairy herd [short communication]
No full textNocardia spp. are an uncommon cause of mastitis, and outbreaks have typically been reported in dairy farms with poor hygienic and management conditions. The outbreak described herein involved a dairy farm with 43 lactating cows that, after a long period with low bulk milk somatic cell counts (<180,000 cells/mL), experienced an increasing incidence of clinical mastitis with bulk milk somatic cell counts greater than 300,000 cells/mL. Fifteen mastitic quarters milk samples from 9 dairy cows were found to be infected by a member of the genus Nocardia, as identified on the basis of se-lected phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics. The isolates were confirmed as Nocardia neocaledo-niensis by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Average quarter milk somatic cell count for infected udders was 863,057 cells/mL, significantly greater than the average value in noninfected quarters (189,710 cells/mL)
Environmental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in pig herds in relation to the productive phase and application of cleaning and disinfection
No full textThe aim of the study is to better understand MRSA environmental contamination in pig holdings in relation to the productive phase and the application of environmental cleaning and disinfection practices (C&D). This study was carried out on six herds. Dust samples from farrowing crates, weaning boxes, growing and finishing pens were collected from each herd environment prior to and after C&D and cultured for MRSA. Ten samples were collected at the end of each productive phase with the animals present
and 10 additional samples were collected after C&D, prior to introduction of a new stock. The proportion of positive samples prior to C&D was lower in fattening than in other phases. The proportion of positive samples prior to and after C&D was 121/240 (50%) and 46/240 (19%) respectively. In the mixed effects
logistic regression analysis it was shown not only that both productive phase and C&D were associated with the probability of having a positive sample but also that the C&D effect was different in the different productive phases. In particular the effect of C&D was stronger in farrowing crates than in the other productive
phases. The results of this study show that, although current practices of cleaning and disinfection reduce MRSA environmental contamination, they are likely to be inadequate to the elimination of the microorganism. However, a strict application of hygienic protocols can lead to a marked reduction of MRSA environmental contamination
Activation of nitric oxide synthase through muscarinic receptors in rat parotid gland
No full textMuscarinic receptors play an important role in secretory and vasodilator responses in rat salivary glands. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was found coupled to muscarinic receptor activation as well as to nitric oxide-mediated amylase secretion elicited by carbachol. Parotid glands presented a predominant M3 and a minor muscarinic M1 acetylcholine receptor population, though carbachol stimulated NOS activity only through muscarinic M3 receptors as revealed in the presence of 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) and pirenzepine. Amylase secretion induced by carbachol appeared to be partly mediated by nitric oxide and nitric oxide-induced signaling since N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) inhibited the effect as well as did methylene blue. A negative regulation of NOS by protein kinase C activation in the presence of a high concentration of carbachol was seen in parotid glands and this inhibition was paralleled by amylase secretion.Fil: Rosignoli, Florencia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica; ArgentinaFil: Perez Leiros, Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentin
Quantitative abnormalities in nystagmus induced by caloric stimulation in multiple sclerosis
No full textVestibular nystagmus induced by caloric stimulation (20 degrees and 44 degrees C) was evaluated in terms of duration, frequency and slow phase velocity in 80 patients suffering from clinically defined multiple sclerosis. Criteria of abnormality were established with reference to 3 confidence levels from normative data of a 15-subject control group. Abnormal data representative of vestibular hypo- and hyperreflexia were found ranging between 27 and 53% depending on different parameters and diagnostic criteria. Significant differences in occurrence of nystagmus abnormalities became evident by analyzing 6 different windows of the vestibular response. Different distributions of hypo- and hyperreflexia were observed in relation to the time-course of the normal cumulative response curve, as well as to different stimulus temperatures. For each subject the abnormal data of the 2 stimulated ears X 2 caloric stimulations X 6 analysis windows were cumulated, yielding an overall outcome of pathological results in 66% to 90% of the patients, depending on the different diagnostic criteria
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