Vaccine-associated respiratory pathology correlates with viral clearance and protective immunity after immunization with self-amplifying RNA expressing the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 in mouse models

In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and protective immunity of in vitro transcribed Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV TC-83 strain) self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein in wild type (S-WT) and stabilized pre-fusion conformations (S-PP). Immunization with S-WT and S-PP saRNA induced specific neutralizing antibody responses in both K18-Tg hACE2 (K18) and BALB/c mice, as assessed using SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped viruses. Protective immunity was assessed in challenge experiments. Two immunizations with S-WT and S-PP induced protective immunity, evidenced by lower mortality, lower weight loss and more than one log10 lower subgenomic virus RNA titers in the upper and lower respiratory tracts in both K18 and BALB/c mice. Histopathologic examination of lungs post-challenge showed that immunization with S-WT and S-PP resulted in a higher degree of immune cell infiltration and inflammatory changes, compared with control mice, characterized by high levels of T- and B-cell infiltration. No substantial differences were found in the presence and localization of eosinophils, macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells. CD4 and CD8 T-cell depletion post immunization resulted in reduced lung inflammation post challenge but also prolonged virus clearance. These data indicate that immunization with saRNA encoding the SARS-CoV-2 S protein induces immune responses that are protective following challenge, that virus clearance is associated with pulmonary changes caused by T-cell and B-cell infiltration in the lungs, but that this T and B-cell infiltration plays an important role in viral clearance.

Intranasal or airborne transmission-mediated delivery of an attenuated SARS-CoV-2 protects Syrian hamsters against new variants

Detection of secretory antibodies in the airway is highly desirable when evaluating mucosal protection by vaccines against a respiratory virus, such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We show that intranasal delivery of an attenuated SARS-CoV-2 (Nsp1-K164A/H165A) induces both mucosal and systemic IgA and IgG in male Syrian hamsters. Interestingly, either direct intranasal immunization or airborne transmission-mediated delivery of Nsp1-K164A/H165A in Syrian hamsters offers protection against heterologous challenge with variants of concern (VOCs) including Delta, Omicron BA.1, BA.2.12.1 and BA.5. Vaccinated animals show significant reduction in both tissue viral loads and lung inflammation. Similarly attenuated viruses bearing BA.1 and BA.5 spike boost variant-specific neutralizing antibodies in male mice that were first vaccinated with modified vaccinia virus Ankara vectors (MVA) expressing full-length WA1/2020 Spike protein. Together, these results demonstrate that our attenuated virus may be a promising nasal vaccine candidate for boosting mucosal immunity against future SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.

Effect on growth performance, carcass traits, and myostatin gene expression in Aseel chicken fed varied levels of dietary protein in isocaloric energy diets

A study was conducted to assess the effect of feeding different crude protein (CP) levels with isocaloric metabolizable energy (ME) diets on growth performance, carcass traits, and myostatin (MSTN) gene expression of Aseel chicken during 0 to 16 weeks of age. A total of two hundred and ten day-old Aseel chickens were randomly allotted to seven dietary treatment groups. Each group had thirty chicks distributed into three replicates of ten chicks in each. Experimental diets were formulated to have varying levels of CP, viz. 18.5, 19.0, 19.5, 20.0, 20.5, 21.0, and 21.5%, with isocaloric energy of 2800 kcal ME/kg diets of mash feed fed to birds in a completely randomized design. Different CP levels had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the body weight gain (BWG) of Aseel chicken. At the end of 16 weeks of age, the group fed 21% CP gained 223.53 g more than the lowest CP (18.5%)-fed group. The different CP levels did not significantly (P > 0.05) influenced the feed intake of all treatment groups, but numerically highest feed intake was observed in the lowest CP (18.5%)-fed group. However, significant differences in feed efficiency (FE) appeared from the 13th week only with the 21.0% CP-fed group showing the best FE until the 16th week (3.86 to 4.06). The maximum dressing % (70.61) was observed by the 21% CP-fed group. The CP 21% diet down-regulated the MSTN gene expression in breast muscle tissue to 0.07 folds when compared to the diet of CP 20%. The best economical coordinates for maximum performance for Aseel chicken appeared to be CP of 21% and ME of 2800 kcal/kg to achieve the best FE of 3.86 at the earliest age of 13 weeks. In conclusion, 21% CP in an isocaloric diet of 2800 kcal ME/kg, in Aseel chickens, would be optimum to improve the growth performance at maximum in terms of BWG and FE up to 16 weeks of age.

Active and Passive Immunization of Syrian Hamsters with An Attenuated SARS-CoV-2 Protects against New Variants of Concern

Detection of secretory antibodies in the airway is highly desirable when evaluating mucosal protection by a vaccine against a respiratory virus like the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We show that a single intranasal delivery of an attenuated SARS-CoV-2 (Nsp1-K164A/H165A) induced both mucosal and systemic IgA and IgG in Syrian hamsters. Interestingly, either active or passive immunization of hamsters with Nsp1-K164A/H165A offered protection against heterologous challenge with variants of concern (VOCs) including Delta, Omicron BA.1, and Omicron BA.2.12.1. Among challenged animals, Nsp1-K164A/H165A vaccination specifically reduced viral loads in the respiratory tract and suppressed infection-induced macrophage accumulation and MX1 upregulation in the lung. The absence of variant-specific mucosal and systemic antibodies was associated with breakthrough infections, particularly of the nasal cavity following challenges with Omicron isolates. Together, our study demonstrates that an attenuated nasal vaccine may be developed to boost mucosal immunity against future SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.

Intranasal delivery of a rationally attenuated SARS-CoV-2 is immunogenic and protective in Syrian hamsters

Few live attenuated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are in pre-clinical or clinical development. We seek to attenuate SARS-CoV-2 (isolate WA1/2020) by removing the polybasic insert within the spike protein and the open reading frames (ORFs) 6-8, and by introducing mutations that abolish non-structural protein 1 (Nsp1)-mediated toxicity. The derived virus (WA1-ΔPRRA-ΔORF6-8-Nsp1^K164A/H165A) replicates to 100- to 1000-fold-lower titers than the ancestral virus and induces little lung pathology in both K18-human ACE2 (hACE2) transgenic mice and Syrian hamsters. Immunofluorescence and transcriptomic analyses of infected hamsters confirm that three-pronged genetic modifications attenuate the proinflammatory pathways more than the removal of the polybasic cleavage site alone. Finally, intranasal administration of just 100 PFU of the WA1-ΔPRRA-ΔORF6-8-Nsp1^K164A/H165A elicits robust antibody responses in Syrian hamsters and protects against SARS-CoV-2-induced weight loss and pneumonia. As a proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate that live but sufficiently attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines may be attainable by rational design.

Spike protein-independent attenuation of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in laboratory mice

Despite being more transmissible, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant only causes milder diseases in laboratory animals, often accompanied by a lower viral load compared with previous variants of concern. In this study, we report the structural basis for a robust interaction between the receptor-binding domain of the Omicron spike protein and mouse ACE2. We show that pseudovirus bearing the Omicron spike protein efficiently utilizes mouse ACE2 for entry. By comparing viral load and disease severity among laboratory mice infected by a natural Omicron variant or recombinant ancestral viruses bearing either the entire Omicron spike or only the N501Y/Q493R mutations in its spike, we find that mutations outside the spike protein in the Omicron variant may be responsible for the observed lower viral load. Together, our results imply that a post-entry block to the Omicron variant exists in laboratory mice.

Long-term immunity in convalescent Syrian hamsters provides protection against new-variant SARS-CoV-2 infection of the lower but not upper respiratory tract

COVID-19 vaccines provide high levels of protection against severe disease and hospitalization due to severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Vaccination may be less effective in preventing shedding of infectious viruses from otherwise immune patients. In this study, we describe breakthrough infections and shedding of infectious viruses in convalescent hamsters without significant replication in the lower respiratory tract following reinfection by Alpha and Delta variants despite high levels of circulating antibodies in sera. Using convalescent hamsters with long-term immunity (up to 1 year) following infection by ancestral SARS-CoV-2, we can model aspects of recurring COVID-19 in the context of preexisting immunity.

Repetitive mild traumatic brain injury induces persistent alterations in spontaneous synaptic activity of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion is the most common form of TBI which frequently results in persistent cognitive impairments and memory deficits in affected individuals [1]. Although most studies have investigated the role of hippocampal synaptic dysfunction in earlier time points following a single injury, the long-lasting effects of mTBI on hippocampal synaptic transmission following multiple brain concussions have not been well-elucidated. Using a repetitive closed head injury (3XCHI) mouse model of mTBI, we examined the alteration of spontaneous synaptic transmission onto hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons by recording spontaneous excitatory AMPA receptor (AMPAR)- and inhibitory GABA_AR-mediated postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs and sIPSCs, respectively) in adult male mice 2-weeks following the injury. We found that mTBI potentiated postsynaptic excitatory AMPAR synaptic function while depressed postsynaptic inhibitory GABA_AR synaptic function in CA1 pyramidal neurons. Additionally, mTBI slowed the decay time of AMPAR currents while shortened the decay time of GABA_AR currents suggesting changes in AMPAR and GABA_AR subunit composition by mTBI. On the other hand, mTBI reduced the frequency of sEPSCs while enhanced the frequency of sIPSCs resulting in a lower ratio of sEPSC/sIPSC frequency in CA1 pyramidal neurons of mTBI animals compared to sham animals. Altogether, our results suggest that mTBI induces persistent postsynaptic modifications in AMPAR and GABA_AR function and their synaptic composition in CA1 neurons while triggering a compensatory shift in excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance of presynaptic drives towards more inhibitory synaptic drive to hippocampal CA1 cells. The persistent mTBI-induced CA1 synaptic dysfunction and E/I imbalance could contribute to deficits in hippocampal plasticity that underlies long-term hippocampal-dependent learning and memory deficits in mTBI patients long after the initial injury.

Rare survival of high-tension electrocution shock in a crossbred Jersey cattle: a complete profile on critical care monitoring

Background

Accidental electrocution was more common in animals and death was mostly due to shock and cardiac arrest. Survival of animals or humans could be possible if victims receive immediate medical support.

Case description

A 3-year-old crossbred Jersey heifer was presented to the Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Referral Clinic of the Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu, with a history of accidental electrocution by broken high-tension overhead power transmission line during grazing in the paddy fields. The animal was dull and depressed, dark red, and some areas were charred in appearance on the dorsum and limbs. The animal showed difficulty walking due to the electrocution burn injury and was poorly responding to the surroundings. Clinical examination revealed subnormal temperature, polypnea, pale mucous membranes, ruminal atony, and arrhythmias on auscultation.

Findings/treatment and outcome

On point of care (PoC) hematology testing, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and microcytosis were observed. PoC electrolyte analysis revealed hypocalcemia (ionized calcium 0.89 mmol/L), mild hypochloremia, and severe hypokalemia (2.81 mmol/L). PoC biochemistry revealed hypoglycemia (41 mg/dl). PoC elevated levels of serum cardiac troponin (0.33 ng/dl) indicated cardiac damage. Aspartate aminotransferase (1794 U/L), CK-MB (699 U/L) and LDH (6.7 U/L) were also elevated. On PoC urinalysis, proteinuria, myoglobinuria, and glucosuria were observed. Evident clinical recovery, wound healing, and improvement in animal activities were observed.

Conclusion

High-voltage electrocution injury is a serious type of accident with the potential risk of multi-organ damage and death. Early diagnosis of electrocution and immediate management enhances the expectancy of complete recovery.

Deep Learning-based Mental Health Monitoring Scheme for College Students Using Convolutional Neural Network

Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has recently been promising using deep neural networks. It is indeed even been in clinical trials more and more, with positive outcomes. Deep learning is the process of using algorithms to train a neural network model using huge quantities of data to learn how to execute a given task and then make an accurate classification or prediction. Apart from physical health monitoring, such deep learning models can be used for the mental health evaluation of individuals. This study thus designs a deep learning-based mental health monitoring scheme (DL-MHMS) for college students. This model uses the most efficient convolutional neural network (CNN) to classify the mental health status as positive, negative, and normal using the EEG signals collected from college students. The simulation analysis achieves the highest classification accuracy and F1 scores of 97.54% and 98.35%, less sleeping disorder rate of 21.19%, low depression level of 18.11%, reduced suicide attention level of 28.14%, increasing personality development ratio of 97.52%, enhance self-esteem ratio of 98.42%, compared to existing models.

The Novel Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitor MJN110 Suppresses Neuroinflammation, Normalizes Synaptic Composition and Improves Behavioral Performance in the Repetitive Traumatic Brain Injury Mouse Model

Modulation of the endocannabinoid system has emerged as an effective approach for the treatment of many neurodegenerative and neuropsychological diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are still uncertain. Using a repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) mouse model, we found that there was an impairment in locomotor function and working memory within two weeks post-injury, and that treatment with MJN110, a novel inhibitor of the principal 2-arachidononyl glycerol (2-AG) hydrolytic enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase dose-dependently ameliorated those behavioral changes. Spatial learning and memory deficits examined by Morris water maze between three and four weeks post-TBI were also reversed in the drug treated animals. Administration of MJN110 selectively elevated the levels of 2-AG and reduced the production of arachidonic acid (AA) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) in the TBI mouse brain. The increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, accumulation of astrocytes and microglia in the TBI mouse ipsilateral cerebral cortex and hippocampus were significantly reduced by MJN110 treatment. Neuronal cell death was also attenuated in the drug treated animals. MJN110 treatment normalized the expression of the NMDA receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B, the AMPA receptor subunits GluR1 and GluR2, and the GABA_A receptor subunits α1, β2,3 and γ2, which were all reduced at 1, 2 and 4 weeks post-injury. The reduced inflammatory response and restored glutamate and GABA receptor expression likely contribute to the improved motor function, learning and memory in the MJN110 treated animals. The therapeutic effects of MJN110 were partially mediated by activation of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors and were eliminated when it was co-administered with DO34, a novel inhibitor of the 2-AG biosynthetic enzymes. Our results suggest that augmentation of the endogenous levels of 2-AG can be therapeutically useful in the treatment of TBI by suppressing neuroinflammation and maintaining the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission.

Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy of Human Hyperimmune Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Adult Syrian Hamsters

Background

Following the failure of antibody therapies in treating COVID-19 hospitalized patients we investigated the impact of viral replication on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and efficacy of a hyperimmune SARS-CoV-2 Immune Globulin (CoVIG) product in treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection using the adult Syrian hamster model.

Methods

The CoVIG was manufactured from plasma donors who had recovered from COVID-19. The dose used (400 mg/kg) was based on the dose given in clinical trials to hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Hamsters were given a single dose of CoVIG two days after challenge with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (isolate NY/PV08410/2020), followed by sampling of blood, nasal, tracheal and lung tissues at different time points. The blood samples were assayed for anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike binding and used to calculate PK parameters. Nasal washes, trachea, and lung samples were assayed for viral replication by PCR (sgRNA).

Results

CoVIG-treated hamsters showed a reduction in viral replication in the lower respiratory tract, but minimally in the upper respiratory tract, following challenge with SARS-CoV-2. Challenge with SARS-CoV-2 resulted in altered PK parameters proportionate to viral replication, resulting in decreased area under the curve (AUC), accelerated clearance and shorter half-life of CoVIG.

Conclusions

These data indicate that in the presence of actively replicating SARS-CoV-2 virus, PK parameters are altered and should trigger an adjustment in dosing of CoVIG.

Equivalent-input-disturbance estimator-based event-triggered control design for master-slave neural networks

This paper investigates the robust synchronization problem for a class of master-slave neural networks (MSNNs) subject to network-induced delays, unknown time-varying uncertainty, and exogenous disturbances. An equivalent-input-disturbance (EID) estimation technique is applied to compensate for the effects of unknown uncertainty and disturbances in the system output. In addition, to reduce the burden of the communication channel in the addressed MSNNs and improve the utilization of bandwidth an event-triggered control protocol is developed to obtain the synchronization of MSNNs. In particular, event-triggering conditions are verified periodically at every sampling instant in both sensors and actuators to avoid the Zeno behavior in the networks. By designing an appropriate low-pass filter in the EID estimator block, the accuracy of disturbance estimation performance is improved. Moreover, by concatenating the synchronization error, observer, and filter states as a single state vector, an augmented system is formulated. Then the tangible delay-dependent stability condition for that augmented system is established by employing the Lyapunov stability theory and reciprocally convex approach. Based on the feasible solutions of the derived stability conditions, the event-triggering parameters, controller, and observer gains are co-designed. Finally, two toy examples are given to illustrate the established theoretical findings.

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Infection of Syrian Hamster Does Not Cause More Severe Disease, and Naturally Acquired Immunity Confers Protection

Epidemiological studies have revealed the emergence of multiple severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOC), including the lineage B.1.1.7 that is rapidly replacing old variants. The B.1.1.7 variant has been linked to increased morbidity rates, transmissibility, and potentially mortality. To assess viral fitness in vivo and to address whether the B.1.1.7 variant is capable of immune escape, we conducted infection and reinfection studies in naive and convalescent Syrian hamsters (>10 months old). Nasal wash samples from hamsters infected by a B.1.1.7 variant exhibited slightly higher viral RNA levels but lower infectious titers than those from B.1 (G614) variant-infected hamsters, and the two variants induced comparable lung pathologies in hamsters. Despite a sporadic and transient low-level infection in the nasal cavity, convalescent hamsters that had recovered from a previous USA-WA1 isolate (D614) infection displayed no observable clinical signs or lung pathology following B.1.1.7 rechallenge. Altogether, our study did not find that the B.1.1.7 variant significantly differs from the B.1 variant in pathogenicity in Syrian hamsters and that a heterologous natural infection-induced immunity confers protection against a secondary challenge by the B1.1.7 variant. IMPORTANCE The rapid emergence of several variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 calls for evaluations of viral fitness and pathogenicity in animal models in order to understand the mechanism of enhanced transmission and the possible increases in morbidity and mortality rates. Here, we demonstrated that immunity naturally acquired through a prior infection with the first-wave variant does confer nearly complete protection against the B.1.1.7 variant in Syrian hamsters upon reexposure. Strikingly, although the B.1.1.7 variant appears to replicate to a higher level in the nose than the ancestral B.1 variant, it does not induce more severe lung pathology in hamsters.

Dynamic data processing system for sports training system using internet of things

BACKGROUND

The Internet of Things (IoT) has recently become a prevalent technological culture in the sports training system. Although numerous technologies have grown in the sports training system domain, IoT plays a substantial role in its optimized health data processing framework for athletes during workouts.

OBJECTIVE

In this paper, a Dynamic data processing system (DDPS) has been suggested with IoT assistance to explore the conventional design architecture for sports training tracking.

METHOD

To track and estimate sportspersons physical activity in day-to-day living, a new paradigm has been combined with wearable IoT devices for efficient data processing during physical workouts. Uninterrupted observation and review of different sportspersons condition and operations by DDPS helps to assess the sensed data to analyze the sportspersons health condition. Additionally, Deep Neural Network (DNN) has been presented to extract important sports activity features.

RESULTS

The numerical results show that the suggested DDPS method enhances the accuracy of 94.3%, an efficiency ratio of 98.2, less delay of 24.6%, error range 28.8%, and energy utilization of 31.2% compared to other existing methods.

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 infection of Syrian hamster does not cause more severe disease and is protected by naturally acquired immunity

Epidemiological studies have revealed the emergence of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC), including the lineage B.1.1.7 that is rapidly replacing old variants. The B.1.1.7 variant has been linked to increased morbidity rates, transmissibility, and potentially mortality (1). To assess viral fitness in vivo and to address whether the B.1.1.7 variant is capable of immune escape, we conducted infection and re-infection studies in naïve and convalescent Syrian hamsters (>10 months old). Hamsters infected by either a B.1.1.7 variant or a B.1 (G614) variant exhibited comparable viral loads and pathology. Convalescent hamsters that were previously infected by the original D614 variant were protected from disease following B.1.1.7 challenge with no observable clinical signs or lung pathology. Altogether, our study did not find that the B.1.1.7 variant significantly differs from the B.1 variant in pathogenicity in hamsters and that natural infection-induced immunity confers protection against a secondary challenge by the B1.1.7 variant.

The G614 pandemic SARS-CoV-2 variant is not more pathogenic than the original D614 form in adult Syrian hamsters

Dynamic tracking of variant frequencies among viruses circulating in the global pandemic has revealed the emergence and dominance of a D614G mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. To address whether pandemic SARS-CoV-2 G614 variant has evolved to become more pathogenic, we infected adult hamsters (>10 months old) with two natural SARS-CoV-2 variants carrying either D614 or G614 spike protein to mimic infection of the adult/elderly human population. Hamsters infected by the two variants exhibited comparable viral loads and pathology in lung tissues as well as similar amounts of virus shed in nasal washes. Altogether, our study does not find that naturally circulating D614 and G614 SARS-CoV-2 variants differ significantly in pathogenicity in hamsters.

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces protective immunity and limits transmission in Syrian hamsters

A critical question in understanding the immunity to SARS-COV-2 is whether recovered patients are protected against re-challenge and transmission upon second exposure. We developed a Syrian hamster model in which intranasal inoculation of just 100 TCID50 virus caused viral pneumonia. Aged hamsters developed more severe disease and even succumbed to SARS-CoV-2 infection, representing the first lethal model using genetically unmodified laboratory animals. After initial viral clearance, the hamsters were re-challenged with 105 TCID50 SARS-CoV-2 and displayed more than 4 log reduction in median viral loads in both nasal washes and lungs in comparison to primary infections. Most importantly, re-challenged hamsters were unable to transmit virus to naïve hamsters, and this was accompanied by the presence of neutralizing antibodies. Altogether, these results show that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces protective immunity that not only prevents re-exposure but also limits transmission in hamsters. These findings may help guide public health policies and vaccine development and aid evaluation of effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.

Synchronization of complex dynamical networks with random coupling delay and actuator faults

This paper addresses the issue of passivity-based synchronization problem for a family of Markovian jump neutral complex dynamical networks (NCDNs) with coupling delay and actuator faults. Also, by considering the effect of random fluctuation in complex dynamical network systems, the occurrence of coupling delay are taken in terms of a stochastic distribution, which obeys the Bernoulli distribution. To handle the fault effects in actuators of proposed complex network systems, an actuator fault model is considered. The main objective of this paper is to develop a robust state feedback controller such that for all possible actuator failures and random coupling delays, all nodes of the proposed Markovian jump NCDNs is globally asymptotically synchronized to the reference node in mean square sense and guarantee the output strict passivity performance. By developing a suitable Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and utilizing the Wirtinger-based integral inequality, the required a set of sufficient conditions for the synchronization of proposed system is established in form of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, three numerical examples including a 3-dimensional Lorenz chaotic model are provided to demonstrate the correctness and superiority of the proposed control scheme.

Data set on prediction of friction stir welding parameters to achieve maximum strength of AA2014-T6 aluminium alloy joints

Statistical tools such as design of experiments (DoE), analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to develop the empirical relationship, to predict the ultimate tensile strength of the joint at the 95% percent confidence level. Response surface graph and contour plots were constructed using response surface methodology (RSM) concept. From this investigation, it is found that the joint fabricated with a tool rotational speed of 1500 rpm, welding speed of 40 mm/min, tool tilt angle of 1.5° and tool shoulder diameter of 6 mm, exhibited maximum tensile strength of 380 MPa.

Prevalence of haemoprotozoan diseases in cattle of Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu

A study was carried out to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites in cattle in Cauvery delta region over a period of one year. A total of 228 giemsa stained blood smears were screened for the presence of haemoprotozoa, out of which 34 animals were found to be positive. An overall prevalence of haemoparasites in the sampled cattle were 14.9%, among this Anaplasma sp (8.3%), Babesia sp (3.95%), Theileria sp (2.19%) and Trypanosoma sp (0.44%) as single or mixed blood parasitic infections. In this study Anaplasmosis (14%) was highly prevalent during the winter season and Babesiosis (13.73%) was highly prevalent during summer months followed by Anaplasmosis (9.8%) and Theileriosis (7.8%), the lowest prevalence of Trypanosomiasis was observed during the rainy season. The seasonal variation in prevalence of haemoprotozoan disease might be due to influence of climatic factors on density of vector population in that geographical area. Haemogram revealed decreased level of haemoglobulin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte count. The serum biochemistry revealed elevated level of liver enzyme Asparate transaminase enzyme. All haemoparasitaemic animals were treated with specific drugs and recovered successfully.

Therapeutic Effect of a Novel Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Inhibitor PF04457845 in the Repetitive Closed Head Injury Mouse Model

Concussive traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the predominant type of brain injury in young adults and is a risk factor for the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other neurodegenerative diseases late in life. Using a repetitive closed head injury mouse model, we found that treatment with PF04457845, a novel fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor that selectively elevated the brain levels of anandamide, improved locomotor function, learning, and memory in TBI mice examined by beam walk, Y-maze, and Morris water maze tests. The accumulation of microglia and astrocytes and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), in the ipsilateral TBI mouse cortex and hippocampus were significantly reduced by drug treatment. The increased expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP), phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau), phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (pGSK3β) and p35/p25 subunits and the decreased expression of the pre-synaptic proteins, synaptophysin, synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP25), and cysteine string protein alpha (α-CSP), in TBI mouse brain were also normalized by PF04458745 treatment. The improved locomotor function and working memory were partially mediated by activation of both cannabinoid (CB)1 and CB2 receptors, whereas the improvement on spatial learning and memory seemed to be CB1 receptor dependent. Interestingly, the blockage of PF04457845 on the reduced expression of synaptophysin, but not SNAP25 and α-CSP, was reversed by coadministration of the CB1 receptor antagonist. These results suggest that the therapeutic effect of PF04457845 is mediated by both cannabinoid receptor dependent and independent mechanisms, and selective inhibition of FAAH possesses a great potential for the treatment of TBI.

Disturbance and uncertainty rejection performance for fractional-order complex dynamical networks

This paper investigates the synchronization issue for a family of time-delayed fractional-order complex dynamical networks (FCDNs) with time delay, unknown bounded uncertainty and disturbance. A novel fractional uncertainty and disturbance estimator (FUDE) based feedback control strategy is proposed to not only synchronize the considered FCDNs but also guaranteeing the precise rejection of unmodelled system uncertainty and external disturbance. Especially, in FUDE-based approach, model uncertainties and external disturbance are integrated as a lumped disturbance and it does not require a completely known system model or a disturbance model. On the other hand, the design algorithm for the proposed control strategy is based on the state-space framework, rather than frequency-based design methodologies in the literature, which helps for predominant comprehension of the inner system behaviour. Also, by the temperance of Lyapunov stability theory and fractional calculus, a set of adequate conditions in the linear matrix inequality framework is obtained, which guarantees the robust synchronization of the closed-loop system. Furthermore, an iterative optimization algorithm is proposed to improve control robustness against the external disturbance and model uncertainties. Finally, two numerical illustrations including financial network model, where the influence of adjustment of macro-economic policies in the entire financial system are given to exhibit the rightness and important features of the acquired theoretical results.

Diabetic ketoacidosis in a buck: a case report

BACKGROUND

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism that causes frequent urination, emaciation, extreme tiredness and dehydration. There is little or no information available on DKA in male goat (buck). The present study was carried out to report a rare case of DKA in a buck.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 1.5 year old buck was presented with anorexia and cough. On physical examination of buck showed fever, dullness, poor body condition and pale conjunctival mucous membrane.

FINDINGS/TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

The peripheral blood smear revealed the mixed infection of Theileria sp. and Anaplasma sp. The blood picture showed anaemia and leukocytosis. The animal was treated with buparvaquone )2.5 mg/kg( and long acting oxytetracycline (20 mg/kg). Post treatment evaluation was done 7 days after initial treatment. Animal showed mild improvement in feed intake, the body temperature becomes normal, but showed tachycardia with weak pulse. Subsequently, animal showed severe emaciation with frequent urination. Urinalysis revealed glycosuria, ketonuria and acidic urine (pH = 6.0). Serum biochemistry revealed hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, increased level of fructosamine and triglycerides and confirmed spontaneous DKA. It was treated with biphasic isophane insulin (1.0 IU/kg) twice a day, regularly. The blood glucose level becomes normal after insulin therapy. Animal resumed adequate feed intake, improvement in haemoglobulin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC), and weight gain was observed.

CONCLUSION

This case study gains significance, due to its successful recovery after insulin treatment, but it requires lifelong insulin therapy to manage insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in this goat.

Therapeutic Effect of the Substrate-Selective COX-2 Inhibitor IMMA in the Animal Model of Chronic Constriction Injury

Enhancement of endocannabinoid signaling has emerged as an attractive strategy for the treatment of pain. In addition to the well-characterized hydrolytic pathways, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mediated oxygenation is thought to be an alternative route for endocannabinoid metabolism and therefore provides a new avenue for drug intervention. In this study, we examined the therapeutic effect of indomethacin morpholinamide (IMMA), a novel substrate-selective COX-2 inhibitor, in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) mouse model. Treatment with IMMA significantly alleviated hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia demonstrated by increased thermal withdrawal latency in Hargreaves test and tactile thresholds in Von Frey test. Accumulation of astrocytes and microglia in spinal cord dorsal horn and infiltration of macrophages into the dorsal root ganglion and sciatic nerve were reduced by drug treatment. Co-administration of the CB2 receptor antagonist, but not the CB1 receptor antagonist partially reversed the inhibitory effect of IMMA on pain sensitivity and inflammatory infiltrates. IMMA downregulated the mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-1β and the production of IL-6 and MCP-1 proteins in the ipsilateral sciatic nerve. The enhanced NF-κB DNA binding activity in the CCI mouse dorsal spinal cord was also significantly reduced, suggesting that inactivation of NF-κB contributes to the anti-inflammatory property of IMMA. However, different from the previous reports showing that IMMA can increase endocannabinoids without interfering with arachidonic acid metabolism, treatment with IMMA failed to elevate the endogenous levels of AEA and 2-AG, but significantly reduced the production of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). Furthermore, the mRNA expression of enzymes involved in PGE₂ production, COX-2 and prostaglandin E synthase 2 in the ipsilateral sciatic nerve was also suppressed by IMMA treatment. Taken together, these results suggested that IMMA might exert anti-nociceptive effects through multiple mechanisms which include, but are not limited to, CB2 receptor activation and reduced PGE₂ production.

Dietary encapsulated probiotic effect on broiler serum biochemical parameters

AIM

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of encapsulated probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus lactis and Bifidobacterium bifidum) on broiler serum biochemical parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Encapsulation protects the probiotics and increases their livability on exposure to unfavorable processing and storage temperatures and gastrointestinal pH. Hence, an in vitro study was undertaken to encapsulate the probiotic bacteria L. lactis and B. bifidum with sodium alginate and chitosan and evaluate the encapsulation efficiency. This experiment was conducted with 288-day-old broiler chicken; they were distributed randomly into eight treatments and six replicates in each treatment (six birds in each replicate) and given with standard feed.

RESULTS

Supplementation of the encapsulated bacteria either alone or in combination (T4, T6, and T8) significantly (p<0.05) increased mean total serum protein, albumin, and globulin as compared to the birds that were not supplemented with any probiotic (T1 and T2) or supplemented with non-encapsulated bacteria (T3, T5, and T7). Supplementation of the encapsulated bacteria either alone or in combination (T4, T6, and T8) significantly (p<0.05) lowered mean total serum cholesterol, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and serum triglycerides, as compared to the birds that were not supplemented with any probiotic (T1 and T2) or supplemented with non-encapsulated bacteria (T3, T5, and T7).

CONCLUSION

It may be concluded that supplementation of the encapsulated probiotic bacteria either alone or in combination significantly increased total serum protein, albumin, and globulin and significantly lowered mean total serum cholesterol, serum LDL cholesterol, and serum triglycerides as compared to the birds that were not supplemented with any probiotic or supplemented with non-encapsulated bacteria.

1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 downregulates cytotoxic effector response in pulmonary tuberculosis

1,25-dihydroxyvitaminD₃ [1,25(OH)₂D₃] modulates both the innate and adaptive immunity in tuberculosis. We explored the effect of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ on cytolytic molecules like perforin, granulysin, and granzyme-B in T-cells and natural killer cells during M. tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 45 healthy controls (HCs) and 45 pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients were cultured with Mtb in the absence or presence of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ for 72 h. The percentage of perforin, granulysin, and granzyme-B positive cells were estimated by flow cytometry. 1,25(OH)₂D₃ significantly decreased the percentage of cytolytic molecules in total, CD4+, CD8+ and CD56+ cells in HCs and PTB patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ downregulates IFN-γ levels while upregulate the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Correlation revealed that the total percentage of cytolytic molecules were positively correlated with IFN-γ level, whereas negatively correlated with IL-10 level in both the study subjects (p < 0.05). This results suggests that 1,25(OH)₂D₃ downregulate the expression of cytolytic molecues and act as anti-inflammatory in adaptive immune response, which might help to reduce inflammation and tissue damage during the active stage of the disease.

WWL70 protects against chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain in mice by cannabinoid receptor-independent mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Targeting the endocannabinoid system has emerged as an effective strategy for the treatment of inflammatory and neurological diseases. Unlike the inhibition of the principal 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG) hydrolytic enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), which leads to 2-AG overload and cannabinoid receptor desensitization, selective inhibition of the minor 2-AG hydrolytic enzyme alpha, beta-hydrolase domain 6 (ABHD6) can provide therapeutic benefits without producing cannabimimetic side effects. We have shown that inhibition of ABHD6 significantly reduces neuroinflammation and exerts neuroprotection in animal models of traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis. However, the role of ABHD6 inhibition on neuropathic pain has not been explored.

METHODS

Neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the mouse sciatic nerve and examined by Hargreaves and Von Frey tests. Activation of inflammatory cells and the production of cytokines and chemokines in the spinal cord dorsal horn, dorsal root ganglion (DRG), and sciatic nerve were assessed by qRT-PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunohistochemistry. The levels of 2-AG and arachidonic acid (AA) in sciatic nerve were quantified by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

RESULTS

Treatment with the selective ABHD6 inhibitor WWL70 significantly alleviated CCI-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Microglia activation, macrophage infiltration, and the production of nociceptive mediators were reduced in the ipsilateral lumbar spinal cord dorsal horn, DRG, and sciatic nerve of WWL70-treated animals. The diminished cytokine and chemokine production is likely due to the inhibitory effect of WWL70 on NF-κB phosphorylation. Surprisingly, the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of WWL70 were not reversed by addition of the cannabinoid receptor antagonists. Treatment with WWL70 did not alter the levels of 2-AG, AA, and the phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂), but significantly reduced the production of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E synthase-2 (PGES2) in the injured sciatic nerve.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals a novel mechanism for the antinociceptive effect of the 2-AG catabolic enzyme ABHD6 inhibitor WWL70. Understanding the interaction between endocannabinoid and eicosanoid pathways might provide a new avenue for the treatment of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.

Need of Algorithm Selection in Next Generation Optical Networks

The IP-based data networks and optical networks have been managed independently with layered protocol stack approach. Both of them were over-provisioned to manage any traffic anomalies and failures. The next generation optical network is expected to handle the needs of the emerging applications in a cost-effective way while satisfying the required QoT. In such scenario, the intents of the application layer must be accounted in the path computation. There is no single path computation algorithm exists which behave optimally under varying traffic conditions. Hence the need for the intent-driven automated algorithm selection was identified. The authors have phrased this intent specific lightpath provisioning problem as the path computation algorithm selection problem. An algorithm selection methodology was proposed with the study of the least congested path in ONOS based software defined controller environment. This approach is claimed as an amenable candidate for the next generation software-defined optical network.

Neurotrophic Factor-α1: A Key Wnt-β-Catenin Dependent Anti-Proliferation Factor and ERK-Sox9 Activated Inducer of Embryonic Neural Stem Cell Differentiation to Astrocytes in Neurodevelopment

Embryonic neurodevelopment involves inhibition of proliferation of multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) followed by differentiation into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes to form the brain. We have identified a new neurotrophic factor, NF-α1, which inhibits proliferation and promotes differentiation of NSC/progenitors derived from E13.5 mouse cortex. Inhibition of proliferation of these cells was mediated through negatively regulating the Wnt pathway and decreasing β-catenin. NF-α1 induced differentiation of NSCs to astrocytes by enhancing Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) expression through activating the ERK1/2-Sox9 signaling pathway. Cultured E13.5 cortical stem cells from NF-α1-knockout mice showed decreased astrocyte numbers compared to wild-type mice, which was rescued by treatment with NF-α1. In vivo, immunocytochemistry of brain sections and Western blot analysis of neocortex of mice showed a gradual increase of NF-α1 expression from E14.5 to P1 and a surge of GFAP expression at P1, the time of increase in astrogenesis. Importantly, NF-α1-Knockout mice showed ∼49% fewer GFAP positive astrocytes in the neocortex compared to WT mice at P1. Thus, NF-α1 is critical for regulating antiproliferation and cell fate determination, through differentiating embryonic stem cells to GFAP-positive astrocytes for normal neurodevelopment. Stem Cells 2017;35:557-571.