Poikilocytosis of Angora goats is associated with erythrocyte density and reticulocytosis

Angora goats in South Africa experience several syndromes that result in notable morbidity and mortality in juveniles and adults, but not kids. Insight into their causes is hampered by the lack of normal reference values for this breed, and the present study therefore aimed to characterise (1) differences in the haematology of healthy kids at birth and weaning, and (2) the haematology of apparently healthy yearlings. Selected variables were measured by blood smear analysis, and complete blood counts were performed using an ADVIA 2120i. Variables at 1, 11, and 20 weeks of age were compared using the Friedman test and associations between variables of yearlings were determined by correlation analysis. In kids, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and poikilocytosis increased over time, while mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) decreased. Yearlings displayed a lower MCHC, and higher haemoglobin distribution width than previously reported for goats, and these were positively correlated with poikilocytosis, as were reticulocyte counts. White cell counts of yearlings exceeded normal values previously reported for goats, with some individuals displaying remarkably high mature neutrophil counts. Changes in haemoglobin variant expression or cation and water fluxes are possible explanations for the findings in kids, while in yearlings, the associations between MCHC, HDW, poikilocytosis, and reticulocytosis suggest alterations in red cell hydration in adulthood that are associated with increased red cell turnover. These findings may prove informative in the further investigation of various clinical syndromes in this population.

Production of a high purity, C-tagged hepatitis B surface antigen fusion protein VLP vaccine for malaria expressed in Pichia pastoris under cGMP conditions

Virus-like particles (VLPs) induce strong humoral and cellular responses and have formed the basis of some currently licensed vaccines. Here, we present the method used for the production of R21, a VLP-based anti-sporozoite malaria vaccine, under current Clinical Good Manufacturing Practice regulations (cGMP). Previous preclinical studies in BALB/c mice showed that R21 produced almost complete protection against sporozoite challenge with transgenic Plasmodium berghei parasites. Here, we have modified the preclinical production process to enable the production of sufficient quantities of highly pure, clinical-grade material for use in human clinical trials. The R21 construct was re-engineered to include a C-tag to allow affinity-based separation from the major contaminant alcohol oxidase 1 (AOX 1, ~74 kDa). To our knowledge, this is the first use of C-tag technology to purify a VLP vaccine candidate for use in human clinical trials. The R21 vaccine has shown high-level efficacy in an African Phase IIb trial, and multiple clinical trials are underway to assess the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Our findings support the future use of C-tag platform technologies to enable cGMP-compliant biomanufacturing of high purity yeast-expressed VLP-based vaccines for early phase clinical trials when clinical grade material is required in smaller quantities in a quick time frame.

An incorporated RUU model for multi-agent systems in e-commerce

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enhance trust in e-commerce multi-agent systems by presenting a model, called RUU, to select the most trustworthy provider agent based on learning from previous interactions and computing reliability, unreliability and uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology comprises analyzing the most representative existing trust models, while a new concept was proposed and measured as unreliability. To make decision about the agents, RUU integrated reliability, unreliability and uncertainty components and used the TOPSIS multi-criteria decision method to select the most trustworthy provider agent. To evaluate the RUU model, the experimentation was carried out in two stages. First, the average accuracy of the model was investigated by simulating RUU in a multi-agent environment. Second, the performance of the model was compared with other related trust models.

Findings

The experimental results revealed that RUU model outperforms current models in providing accurate credibility measurements and computing an accurate trust mechanism for agents, also presenting a decision-making process to choose the most trustworthy provider agent.

Research limitations/implications

The model presented based on different mathematical computations that take time to be calculated, which is a big limitation of computational models.

Practical implications

RUU enables an agent to make effective and sound decisions in light of the uncertainty that exists in e-commerce multi-agent environments.

Originality/value

This paper is beneficial to enhance the fulfilment of purchasing between provider and requester agents. In fact, the proposed model can ensure critical transactions performed securely in e-commerce multi-agent environments.

Joint analysis of BICEP2/keck array and Planck Data

We report the results of a joint analysis of data from BICEP2/Keck Array and Planck. BICEP2 and Keck Array have observed the same approximately 400  deg^{2} patch of sky centered on RA 0 h, Dec. -57.5°. The combined maps reach a depth of 57 nK deg in Stokes Q and U in a band centered at 150 GHz. Planck has observed the full sky in polarization at seven frequencies from 30 to 353 GHz, but much less deeply in any given region (1.2  μK deg in Q and U at 143 GHz). We detect 150×353 cross-correlation in B modes at high significance. We fit the single- and cross-frequency power spectra at frequencies ≥150  GHz to a lensed-ΛCDM model that includes dust and a possible contribution from inflationary gravitational waves (as parametrized by the tensor-to-scalar ratio r), using a prior on the frequency spectral behavior of polarized dust emission from previous Planck analysis of other regions of the sky. We find strong evidence for dust and no statistically significant evidence for tensor modes. We probe various model variations and extensions, including adding a synchrotron component in combination with lower frequency data, and find that these make little difference to the r constraint. Finally, we present an alternative analysis which is similar to a map-based cleaning of the dust contribution, and show that this gives similar constraints. The final result is expressed as a likelihood curve for r, and yields an upper limit r_{0.05}<0.12 at 95% confidence. Marginalizing over dust and r, lensing B modes are detected at 7.0σ significance.

The distribution of the radial and musculocutaneous nerves in the brachialis muscle

Few have examined the distribution of the radial nerve branch to brachialis, generally believed to be motor, within the muscle. We examined the right brachialis muscles of six dissecting room cadavers and found that four received a supply from the radial nerve. The radial nerve branch(es) supplied the inferolateral region of the muscle and was overlapped proximodistally and mediolaterally by the intramuscular branches of the musculocutaneous nerve, which lay on a more superficial plane. The results have implications for the anterolateral approach to the humerus for orthopedic surgery. Anterior splitting of the muscle will almost certainly damage the most lateral branches of the musculocutaneous nerve.

Medications in older patients

Adverse drug reactions are common in persons aged 65 and older and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A heightened susceptibility to adverse reactions is due to a number of factors, including an increased incidence of disease, multiple drug use, and altered pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of many drugs. The risk of drug interactions increases with the number of medications taken. Adverse drug reactions can be prevented through prudent prescribing practices, patient education, and adequate monitoring of drug efficacy and side effects. Several types of medications are of particular concern, including many antihypertensive agents, drugs with anticholinergic effects, psychoactive medications, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some drugs, such as histamine H2-receptor antagonists, are relatively safe but are overprescribed. Data regarding the risks associated with these problem drugs are presented, with recommendations for safe and effective treatment alternatives.

Effects of cadmium and mercury on Na(+)-K+, ATPase and uptake of 3H-dopamine in rat brain synaptosomes

Effects in vivo of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (CH3Hg) on Na(+)-K+ ATPase and uptake of 3H-dopamine (DA) in rat brain synaptosomes were studied. These heavy metals significantly inhibited the Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, inhibition of DA uptake by synaptosomes was also observed in rats treated with these metals. Intraperitoneal route of metal administration was found to be more effective than per os treatment. Mercuric compounds compared to Cd elicited a higher inhibition of Na(+)-K+ ATPase and DA uptake in rat brain synaptosomes.

Influence of mercury on uptake of [3H]dopamine and [3H]norepinephrine by rat brain synaptosomes

Mercuric compounds have been shown to alter several membrane-bound enzymes and associated receptor activities. The present studies were initiated to investigate the in vitro effects of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) and methylmercury chloride (CH3HgCl) on the uptake of [3H]dopamine (3HDA), [3H]norepinephrine (3HNE), and Na+, K+-ATPase in rat brain synaptosomes. Brain synaptosomes were prepared by the ficoll-sucrose gradient method from normal, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing approx. 200 g. The effect of mercury on Na+, K+-ATPase was determined by using a coupled enzymatic method. Uptake of DA and NE by brain synaptosomes was determined by filtration in the presence and absence of 0-30 microM HgCl2 and 0-100 microM CH3HgCl. A parallel inhibition in the synaptosomal uptake of 3HDA and 3HNE, and the activity of the synaptosomal membrane Na+, K+-ATPase, was observed in both mercuric chloride and methylmercury treatments. The mercury compounds also significantly inhibited the mitochondrial ATPase (Mg2+-oligomycin-sensitive ATPase). The inhibitory influences of the toxins were concentration-dependent. The results suggest that the mercury compound mediated decrease in DA and NE uptake in brain synaptosomes may be related to the inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase by the same toxins.

Reversibility effects on renal and hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes in rats from chronic exposure of cadmium

The reversibility of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) effects on renal and hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes in rats was studied by removal of CdCl2 from the diet. Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were continuously treated with 0, 25, 50, and 75 ppm CdCl2 mixed in powdered diet for 180 d. After this period of chronic exposure, all treated rats were kept on CdCl2-free diet for another period of 180 d. The CdCl2 induced serum glucose and activities of glucose 6-phosphatase, fructose 1, 6-bisphosphatase, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase reversed to the levels of control values 120 d after the rats were fed with CdCl2-free diet. There were no significant differences in measured enzyme activities either 120 or 180 d after the cessation of CdCl2 treatment. The data indicate that CdCl2 effects on gluconeogenesis will gradually recover with time when the metal is removed from the diet.

Chronic hepatic and renal toxicity by cadmium in rats

Recently there has been an increased interest in the toxic effects from long term exposure of low levels of cadmium (Cd) in diet. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 0, 25, 50, 75 ppm Cd mixed in diet continuously for 180 days. A significant decrease in body weight gain was observed in all Cd treated animals. Serum glucose, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) were increased parallel to Cd concentration and treatment time. Measured hepatic and renal gluconeogenic enzymes, viz. glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase were increased with higher Cd dose and time. Low concentration of Cd (25 ppm) had minimal effect with shorter treatment length. Fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase was found to be very sensitive for assessing Cd-induced nephrotoxicity. Increased serum glucose level and gluconeogenic enzyme activities suggest that Cd might interfere in protein metabolism.

Effect of cadmium chloride on rat brain synaptosomal ATPases

Cadmium has been shown to alter membrane-bound ATPases both in vitro and in rats treated with the metal. However, cadmium effects on the substrate and ionic activation kinetics of Na+-K+ ATPase activity were determined by a coupled enzymatic method. A concentration-response curve was determined using 5-30 microM cadmium chloride in the reaction medium. The data showed a 50% inhibition at 15 microM cadmium chloride. Cadmium effects on ATP, Na+ and K+ activation of Na+-K+ ATPase were determined by varying the concentration of these substrates at 15 microM cadmium chloride. The double-reciprocal plots showed that cadmium inhibition of Na+-K+ was competitive with ATP and Na+ in that the Km values were increased but not the Vmax values. In contrast, cadmium inhibition was noncompetitive with K+ activation where both Km and Vmax values were decreased. The present data suggest that cadmium may be competing with ATP and Na+ sites on Na+-K+ ATPase in rat brain synaptosomes.

Effect of cadmium on hepatic and renal gluconeogenic enzymes in female rats

Earlier, we have reported that cadmium (Cd) induced gluconeogenesis in male rats. Since females are as much exposed to cadmium as are males, this study was conducted to determine Cd effects on gluconeogenesis in female rats. Adult female rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with Cd at dose levels of 0.25, 0.75 and 1.25 mg/kg body weight per day for 4 weeks. The controls received saline for the same length of time. Daily food consumption and body weight gain were recorded. At the end of 2 and 4 weeks, 4 rats from each group were killed. Extension of treatment with 1.25 mg Cd for 4 weeks resulted in extreme Cd toxicity killing all animals before the completion of full treatment period. There were no significant changes in total body weight gain and weights of liver and kidney due to Cd. Serum protein increased significantly in animals receiving 0.75 and 1.25 mg Cd for 4 and 2 weeks, whereas serum glucose increased only in animals injected with 1.25 mg Cd for 2 weeks. SGOT and SGPT were elevated (P less than 0.01) in dose- and time-dependent fashion. Activities of three key gluconeogenic enzymes glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase), fructose-1,6-diphosphatase (FD-Pase), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in liver and kidney were induced significantly (P less than 0.01) in animals injected with 0.75 mg for 2 and 4 weeks and 1.25 mg for 2 weeks, and these increases were dose- and time-related. These results suggest that Cd alters hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis in female rats also.

Influence of spironolactone on cadmium-induced changes in hepatic and renal gluconeogenic enzymes in rats

Serum glucose, serum protein, serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and hepatic and renal gluconeogenic enzymes [pyruvate carboxylase (PC), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), fructose-1,6-diphosphatase (F-1,6-DPase), and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase)] were determined in rats treated daily with cadmium alone (0.25 mg/kg X d, injected ip and in rats pretreated with spironolactone (50 mg/kg x d and 100 mg/kg X d, injected sc) prior to cadmium administration. Rats receiving no treatment, propylene glycol, or spironolactone (100 mg/kg X d, injected sc) were used as controls. The daily treatments were continued for an extended period of 90 d, and the rats were sacrificed at 30-, 60-, and 90-d intervals during the continuous daily treatment schedule. Cadmium treatment significantly increased the amount of serum protein, glucose, serum enzymes, and all the four key gluconeogenic enzymes as compared to controls. Pretreatment of rats with spironolactone 6 h prior to cadmium injection daily antagonized the cadmium effect of the above parameters. It appears from these results that spironolactone reduces the effects of cadmium on the key gluconeogenic enzymes in rat kidney and liver.

Quantitative measurement of [3H]ouabain binding to human skeletal muscle cryostat sections

The etiopathogenesis of myotonic muscular dystrophy is thought to involve a basic defect in muscle membrane. Biochemical investigations of human muscle membrane have been hampered by difficulty in obtaining large quantities of muscle at biopsy for the preparation of sarcolemma. We have determined [3H]ouabain binding to normal and myotonic dystrophy human skeletal muscle by using cryostat sections. The binding increased with increase in number of tissue sections (protein) and in concentrations of [3H]ouabain, ATP and Na+. The binding of [3H]ouabain in myotonic dystrophy patients was 2-3 fold higher than in normal and disease controls. Kinetic analysis revealed that the increased binding of ouabain to myotonic tissue sections was independent of low-affinity sites directed by ATP and Na+. These findings provide further evidence for the involvement of membrane abnormalities in myotonic muscular dystrophy.

Erythrocyte membrane abnormalities in human myotonic dystrophy

Membrane-bound enzyme activities and cardiac glycoside binding were determined in red blood cell membrane preparations from patients with myotonic dystrophy and in age matched controls. Na+-K+-activated ATPase activity was significantly increased in myotonic patients. [3H]Ouabain binding to erythrocyte membranes was also significantly increased in myotonic dystrophy patients. The Mg2+-ATPase (ouabain-insensitive) was, however, unchanged. The K+-stimulated paranitrophenyl phosphatase (KPNPPase) activity was markedly enhanced in myotonic patients as compared to controls. The kinetic analysis showed a marked change in Vmax of Na+-K+ ATPase with respect to the activation by Na+, K+ and ATP. However, the Km values were the same in control as well as in myotonic groups. The increased erythrocyte membrane Na+-K+-ATPase activity, KPNPPase and [3H]ouabain binding in myotonic patients supports the hypothesis that generalized membrane abnormality may be involved in pathogenesis of the human myotonic dystrophy.