668 research outputs found
Evolution and diversity of secretome genes in the apicomplexan parasite Theileria annulata
No full text<b>BACKGROUND</b>: Little is known about how apicomplexan parasites have evolved to infect different host species and cell types. Theileria annulata and Theileria parva invade and transform bovine leukocytes but each species favours a different host cell lineage. Parasite-encoded proteins secreted from the intracellular macroschizont stage within the leukocyte represent a critical interface between host and pathogen systems. Genome sequencing has revealed that several Theileria-specific gene families encoding secreted proteins are positively selected at the inter-species level, indicating diversification between the species. We extend this analysis to the intra-species level, focusing on allelic diversity of two major secretome families. These families represent a well-characterised group of genes implicated in control of the host cell phenotype and a gene family of unknown function. To gain further insight into their evolution and function, this study investigates whether representative genes of these two families are diversifying or constrained within the T. annulata population. <b>RESULTS</b>: Strong evidence is provided that the sub-telomerically encoded SVSP family and the host-nucleus targeted TashAT family have evolved under contrasting pressures within natural T. annulata populations. SVSP genes were found to possess atypical codon usage and be evolving neutrally, with high levels of nucleotide substitutions and multiple indels. No evidence of geographical sub-structuring of allelic sequences was found. In contrast, TashAT family genes, implicated in control of host cell gene expression, are strongly conserved at the protein level and geographically sub-structured allelic sequences were identified among Tunisian and Turkish isolates. Although different copy numbers of DNA binding motifs were identified in alleles of TashAT proteins, motif periodicity was strongly maintained, implying conserved functional activity of these sites. <b>CONCLUSIONS</b>: This analysis provides evidence that two distinct secretome genes families have evolved under contrasting selective pressures. The data supports current hypotheses regarding the biological role of TashAT family proteins in the management of host cell phenotype that may have evolved to allow adaptation of T. annulata to a specific host cell lineage. We provide new evidence of extensive allelic diversity in representative members of the enigmatic SVSP gene family, which supports a putative role for the encoded products in subversion of the host immune response
Modulation of NF-kappaB activation in Theileria annulata-infected cloned cell lines is associated with detection of parasite-dependent IKK signalosomes and disruption of the actin cytoskeleton
No full textApicomplexan parasites within the genus <i>Theileria</i> have the ability to induce continuous proliferation and prevent apoptosis of the infected bovine leukocyte. Protection against apoptosis involves constitutive activation of the bovine transcription factor NF-kappaB in a parasite-dependent manner. Activation of NF-kappaB is thought to involve recruitment of IKK signalosomes at the surface of the macroschizont stage of the parasite, and it has been postulated that additional host proteins with adaptor or scaffolding function may be involved in signalosome formation. In this study two clonal cell lines were identified that show marked differences in the level of activated NF-kappaB. Further characterization of these lines demonstrated that elevated levels of activated NF-kappaB correlated with increased resistance to cell death and detection of parasite-associated IKK signalosomes, supporting results of our previous studies. Evidence was also provided for the existence of host- and parasite-dependent NF-kappaB activation pathways that are influenced by the architecture of the actin cytoskeleton. Despite this influence, it appears that the primary event required for formation of the parasite-dependent IKK signalosome is likely to be an interaction between a signalosome component and a parasite-encoded surface ligand
MANOVA modelling of a chiropractic longitudinal study using multiple imputation
No full textThe purpose of this report is to present the detailed statistical analysis of a randomised, placebo-controlled trial comparing two different treatment modalities to an intervention of no known benefit for people with acute or subacute thoracic spine pain.
The therapy arms consist of Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) and Graston Technique (GT) and the placebo is a non-functional ultrasound. A placebo group was utilised because at present there are no proven treatments for non-specific thoracic pain. This trial is registered with the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Ethics approval has been granted by Murdoch University Human Research and Ethics Committee, number 2007/274.
The aim of this three arm trial was to test the efficacy of SMT and GT as independent modalities compared to detuned ultrasound for the outcomes of pain and disability. The latter were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a modified Oswestry Back Pain Disability Index. The study was conducted at the Murdoch University Chiropractic student clinic in Perth, Australia, and the protocol published in Crothers et al (2008).
In this report, Section 2 provides an initial exploratory analysis of the data, Section 3 outlines the statistical models used in the final analysis, Section 4 defines these models in mathematical terms, Section 5 discusses the management of missing values via multiple imputation and Section 6 presents the results of the statistical modelling and hypothesis tests. The clinical study will be published in full elsewhere
Should I Stay or Should I Go Now? A Stochastic Model of Stage Differentiation in Theileria annulata
No full textHighly syntenic and yet divergent: a tale of two Theilerias
No full textThe published genomic sequences of the two major host-transforming Theileria species of cattle represent a rich resource of information that has allowed novel bioinformatic and experimental studies into these important apicomplexan parasites. Since their publication in 2005, the genomes of T. annulata and T. parva have been utilised for a diverse range of applications, ranging from candidate antigen discovery to the identification of genetic markers for population analysis. This has led to advancements in the quest for a sub-unit vaccine, while providing a greater understanding of variation among parasite populations in the field. The unique ability of these Theileria species to induce host cell transformation is the subject of considerable scientific interest and the availability of full genomic sequences has provided new insights into this area of research. This article reviews the data underlying published comparative analyses, focussing on the general features of gene expression, the major Tpr/Tar multi-copy gene family and a re-examination of the predicted macroschizont secretome. Codon usage between the Theileria species is reviewed in detail, as this underpins ongoing comparative studies investigating selection at the intra- and inter-species level. The TashAT/TpshAT family of genes, conserved between T. annulata and T. parva, encodes products targeted to the host nucleus and has been implicated in contributing to the transformed bovine phenotype. Species-specific expansion and diversification at this critical locus is discussed with reference to the availability, in the near future, of genomic datasets which are based on non-transforming Theileria species
Experimental characterisation of self-healing in reconstituted Boom Clay
No full textGreen Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Geo-engineerin
The Methodological Reflection about the Criticism to Hu Hong in The Doubt of Zhi Yan by Zhu Hsi
No full text本文討論《知言疑義》中朱熹對胡宏的批評意見，企圖澄清兩造思路的差異，從而各自呈現兩家思維的特色與要點。《知言疑義》中胡宏的文句多半是本體工夫論合構的發言，因此語多跳躍，致引朱熹之批評。朱熹即由性善論的本體論立場批評胡宏有「性無善惡」之說，及由存有論思路的「心統性情說」批評胡宏的心性相關語句之不佳，以及由「未發涵養已發察識」的工夫次第思路批評胡宏並未重視平日涵養一節。本文將藉由作者所提之「實踐哲學的解釋架構」，以及「存有論哲學」的問題意識分析，以澄清兩造哲學問題意識的不同，因而並未形成真正的衝突，從而亦藉此說明朱熹與胡宏各自論學之重點意旨。The discussion in this article is about the criticism to Hu Hong in The doubt of Zhi yan Proposed by Zhu Hsi. The author is aiming to clear the dissimilar way of thinking between the two philosophers to the effect that both their significant theory could be appeared. Hu Hong’s philosophical announcement always integrates the ontological and practical theory, which results to the ambiguity and give rise to the criticism from Zhu Hsi. Zhu Hsi possessed the position of the goodness of nature to query Hu Hong about his no good and no evil opinion toward the theory of the human nature. In the definition of the mind and nature, master Zhu Hsi proposed the mind comprise the nature and the felling and argued with Hu Hong’s different opining. Concerning about the practical procedure theory, Zhu Hsi insist the cultivation should be built on daily life, and critic Hu Hong’s philosophy being short of this understanding. In this article the author will use the interpretational structure of the practical theory and the theory of being to analyze the different consciousness in these two systems and suggest that there exist no real conflict between them so as to explain both their philosophical thinking
St. Scholastica's interactive timeline exhibition
No full textCurrently, the information on the history of the Benedictine Sisters and St. Scholastica's College is scattered around in various PowerPoint presentations, websites, and off course books and other analog media. For the Museum Archives, a more structured exhibition is aimed for, allowing visitors to browse the history of the Philippines, the Benedictine sisters and St. Scholastica's College in the past 100 years. This interactive exhibit will be the center piece of the Museum Archives of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters in the Philippines. We are to design such a system, and start to implement it. Also, we should ensure continuity of the project by making the staff familiar with the system. This way they can take it along after we are gone, maintaining it as its database growsElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc
www.website4free.co.nz
No full textReport on the planning, design, development and testing of the 'content management' management website 'website4free.co.nz'. The goal of this project was to develop a system that will allow the users to register and build their own website base on a chosen template.Computer ScienceElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc
DENC Docs
No full textInformatie over het ontwerp- en implementatietraject van een document beheer systeem met affiniteit voor bouwkundige documenten.Web Information SystemsElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc
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