55 research outputs found
Seroepidemiological study of anthrax among cattle in Zambia [an abstract of dissertation and a summary of dissertation review]
No full text
Energy Bridge Builder: Finland – Namibia Cooperation in Energy Business
No full textThis study is a result of a project initiated by the author in response to a looming electric power crisis in Namibia. Namibia has traditionally imported over half (at times up to 60%) of the electricity consumed in the country from neighbouring countries through Southern African Power Pool agreements. However, the exporting countries are facing power shortages as local demand continues to grow. It is against this backdrop that Namibia has embarked on a mission to become self-sufficient in power production.
The objective of the study is to promote business collaboration between energy companies and public sector in Finland and energy companies and public sector in Namibia. The objective is achieved by assessing the availability of renewable energy resources in Namibia, identifying major actors, investor networks, energy needs, and barriers to entry into the Namibian energy industry. The primary aim of the research is to build a networking platform for energy stakeholders from the two countries and ultimately create business relationships. As a result, the study proposes entry modes into Namibia for Finnish companies. The secondary aim is to promote education and research cooperation between the University of Vaasa and the Namibia University of Science and Technology.
The empirical data was collected through a survey distributed to Namibian energy stakeholders. The study revealed that the country is rich in renewable energy resources and has an established government-supported energy market. The study concluded that there are numerous business opportunities for Finnish energy companies in Namibia, and the best entry strategy into this young market is through strategic partnerships with local companies. Moreover, Namibian companies and the public sector are willing and able to contribute financially and strategically to partnerships with Finnish companies.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format
Development of ELISA based on Bacillus anthracis capsule biosynthesis protein CapA for naturally acquired antibodies against anthrax
No full textDevelopment of ELISA based on Bacillus anthracis capsule biosynthesis protein CapA for naturally acquired antibodies against anthrax
No full textAnthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by the gram-positive spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Detecting naturally acquired antibodies against anthrax sublethal exposure in animals is essential for anthrax surveillance and effective control measures. Serological assays based on protective antigen (PA) of B. anthracis are mainly used for anthrax surveillance and vaccine evaluation. Although the assay is reliable, it is challenging to distinguish the naturally acquired antibodies from vaccine-induced immunity in animals because PA is cross-reactive to both antibodies. Although additional data on the vaccination history of animals could bypass this problem, such data are not readily accessible in many cases. In this study, we established a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specific to antibodies against capsule biosynthesis protein CapA antigen of B. anthracis, which is non-cross-reactive to vaccine-induced antibodies in horses. Using in silico analyses, we screened coding sequences encoded on pXO2 plasmid, which is absent in the veterinary vaccine strain Sterne 34F2 but present in virulent strains of B. anthracis. Among the 8 selected antigen candidates, capsule biosynthesis protein CapA (GBAA_RS28240) and peptide ABC transporter substrate-binding protein (GBAA_RS28340) were detected by antibodies in infected horse sera. Of these, CapA has not yet been identified as immunoreactive in other studies to the best of our knowledge. Considering the protein solubility and specificity of B. anthracis, we prepared the C-terminus region of CapA, named CapA322, and developed CapA322-ELISA based on a horse model. Comparative analysis of the CapA322-ELISA and PAD1-ELISA (ELISA uses domain one of the PA) showed that CapA322-ELISA could detect anti-CapA antibodies in sera from infected horses but was non-reactive to sera from vaccinated horses. The CapA322-ELISA could contribute to the anthrax surveillance in endemic areas, and two immunoreactive proteins identified in this study could be additives to the improvement of current or future vaccine development
Correction: Development and application of a Bacillus anthracis protective antigen domain-1 in-house ELISA for the detection of anti-protective antigen antibodies in cattle in Zambia.
No full text[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205986.]
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