Listeria monocytogenes is the etiological agent of listeriosis in humans and ruminants causing bacteremia, central nervous system (CNS) infections, abortion, and gastroenteritis among other clinical outcomes. Recent studies have integrated whole genome sequence (WGS), epidemiology data, and host susceptibility to provide evidence for variation in virulence among strains, as a small number of hypervirulent clones have been found linked to a high proportion of human and ruminant invasive listeriosis cases, however, still little is known about variation in virulence across different L. monocytogenes subgroups. To assess and compare the genetic diversity of clinical listeriosis isolates from ruminants in the Upper Great Plains states, we used multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and found that the variation in virulence potential varies among clonal complex (CC), which is reflected in the epidemiology of L. monocytogenes. Based on these results, we evaluated the strains’ virulence potential in Galleria mellonella through larvae survival, LD50, and cytotoxicity, and monitored health index scores and bacterial concentrations post-infection as quantifiable indicators of virulence and immunogenicity. Our findings suggest that strains belonging to CC14, as well as isolates from MN infections are hypervirulent in G. mellonella, as they need a lower bacterial concentration to cause disease and produce a low-level infection that could help in evading the host immune response. We also identify genomic elements associated with strains causing three different clinical outcomes: bacteremia, central nervous system infections, and maternal-neonatal infections. By analyzing 232 whole genome sequences from invasive listeriosis cases, we identified orthologous genes of phage phiX174, transfer RNAs and type I restrictionmodification (RM) system genes along with SNPs in loci associated with environmental adaptation such as rpoB and the phosphotransferase system (PTS) associated with one or more clinical outcomes. Novel genetic variants may be associated with a particular virulence phenotype, as it is likely that strains causing the same clinical outcome share unique genetic elements. Variation in virulence among L. monocytogenes subgroups may confer an increased ability to cross host barriers or higher adaptability to food processing environments, thus the investigation of strainspecific genetic features can impact the design of prevention and management plans for listeriosis.

Most of the fields planted with clonal tea in Malawi are deficient in micronutrients. This was evident in leaf analysis data collected in 2007 from 170 mature clonal tea fields of some of the tea estates in Malawi, which showed very high incidences of B, Zn and Cu deficiencies. Current fertiliser recommendations have emphasised much on macronutrients, such as N, Pand K, but little attention has been paid to micronutrient elements despite continuous removal through harvesting. A study was therefore conducted to assess the effect of foliar applications of Cu, Zn and B containing fertilisers on yield and quality of mature clonal tea plants. Field experiments were laid out in randomised blocks in two fields planted with cultivars PC 105 and 108 at Mianga and Glenorchy estates in the Mulanje district in Malawi and were replicated four times at each site. The treatments were T1 (control, no spray), T2 [ 0.1% boric acid (190.8g B/ha)], T3 [1% copper sulphate solution (4.35kg Cu/ha)], T4 [1.25kg/ha zinc oxide (1kg Zn /ha)], T5 [0.1% boric acid, 1% copper sulphate solution, 1.25kg/ha zinc oxide], T6 [1% of Commercial micronutrient mix ( N 1.7%, P 2.3%, K 1.6%, Mg 0.25%, Fe 1288 mg/kg, Mn 1005 mg/kg, Zn 2182 mg/kg, Cu 732 mg /kg, B 8202 mg/kg, Mo 3681 mg/kg, kelp extract 75 mg/kg, amino acids 50 g/kg, phytofulvate 50 g/kg)], and T7 [2.48kg/ha zinc sulphate (1kg Zn /ha)]. Micronutrient foliar sprays affected yield significantly at Glenorchy tea estate, but had no significant effect on yield at Mianga estate. Copper sulphate solution applied at 1% concentration decreased yield, but the other foliar applications did not impact yield relative to the control at Glenorchy. Tea quality by taster’s scores was not affected at Mianga estate, whilst at Glenorchy quality was affected, with the commercial micronutrient mix giving the lowest total score. Individual parameters that contributed to the differences in total scores at Glenorchy estate included brightness, briskness, colour of liquor, colour of infusion and colour with milk. Thearubigin (TR) concentration was the only biochemical quality parameter that was affected by the micronutrient foliar sprays. The level of TR was increased in all treatments that received the foliar sprays and the control treatment gave the lowest amount of TRs at both sites. An increase in the Thearubigin/Theaflavin (TR/TF) ratio, obtained in all treatments that received the foliar sprays, provides evidence that more catechins were being converted to TRs than TFs during fermentation. Foliar levels of B, Zn and Cu were raised significantly by the application of the respective foliar sprays, except for the commercial micronutrient mix which did not significantly increase B and Zn levels at both sites, but raised Cu levels to the recommended level only at Mianga, but not at Glenorchy estate. Concentration of Cu was extremely high in tea leaves treated with copper sulphate either alone or in combination with boric acid and zinc oxide. Levels of other nutrient elements, namely N, P, K, S, Zn, Cu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ca, Fe, B, Al and Na in the soils where different foliar sprays were applied were similar at both sites. Likewise, foliar levels of N, P, K, S, Zn, Cu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ca, Fe, B, Al and Na were not different in all plots at Mianga, but at Glenorchy differences in foliar levels of Al and S were noted. High concentrations of Al and S in the leaves were observed in plots that received copper sulphate applied alone. High foliar concentrations of Al and Cu in leaves treated with copper sulphate could be the reason for the low yields obtained in the plots treated only with copper sulphate at Glenorchy estate. Foliar application of Cu, Zn and B in forms of 0.1% boric acid (190.8g B/ha)], 1% copper sulphate solution (4.35kg Cu/ha)], [1.25kg/ha zinc oxide (1kg Zn /ha)], 1% of a Commercial micronutrient mix (N 1.7%, P 2.3%, K 1.6%, Mg 0.25%, Fe 1288 mg/kg, Mn 1005 mg/kg, Zn 2182 mg/kg, Cu 732 mg /kg, B 8202 mg/kg, Mo 3681 mg/kg, kelp extract 75 mg/kg, amino acids 50 g/kg, phytofulvate 50 g/kg), and 2.48kg/ha zincsulphate (1kg Zn /ha) to mature clonal tea did not significantly increase yields and tea tasters scores, therefore their application to clonal tea with the aim of improving yield and quality may not be necessary. Results from this study indicated that clonal tea, specifically cultivars (PC 108 and PC 105), could not give positive results in terms of yield and quality of tea due to foliar application of Cu, Zn and B within the first season of application. However, if application is aimed at raising concentrations of Cu, Zn, and B, then boric acid, zinc sulphate, zinc oxide and the commercial micronutrient mix may be used without negatively affecting yield and quality of tea significantly. Copper sulphate however, at the application concentration and frequency used, should not be done because of the observed yield decline in copper sulphate treated plots. More prolonged research is required to determine if long term applications can correct perceived deficiencies and increase yield. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Security assurance in a computer system can be viewed as distinguishing between self and non-self. Artificial Immune Systems (AIS) are a class of machine learning (ML) techniques inspired by the behavior of innate biological immune systems, which have evolved to accurately classify self-behavior from non-self-behavior. This work aims to leverage AIS-based ML techniques for identifying certain behavioral traits in high level hardware descriptions, including unsafe or undesirable behaviors, whether such behavior exists due to human error during development or due to intentional, malicious circuit modifications, known as hardware Trojans, without the need fora golden reference model. We explore the use of Negative Selection and Clonal Selection Algorithms, which have historically been applied to malware detection on software binaries, to detect potentially unsafe or malicious behavior in hardware. We present a software tool which analyzes Trojan-inserted benchmarks, extracts their control and data-flow graphs (CDFGs), and uses this to train an AIS behavior model, against which new hardware descriptions may be tested.

Orientador: Margarete Teresa Gottardo de Almeida / Banca: Ana Marisa Fusco Almeida / Banca: Mara Correa Lelles Nogueira / Resumo: As leveduras estão amplamente distribuídas em diversos ambientes, sendo também habitantes normais do corpo humano. São consideradas patógenos oportunistas causando infecções que variam desde superficiais até profundas e fatais. Espécies de Candida spp ocupam, atualmente, lugar de destaque como principais causadoras das infecções a corrente sanguínea. A investigação da suscetibilidade antimicrobiana, frente aos antifúngicos rotineiramente preconizados na terapêutica, é de fundamental importância, além disso, métodos moleculares como o RAPD (Polimorfismo do DNA aleatoriamente amplificado) e PFGE (Eletroforese em campo pulsátil) são conhecidos por ajudar na identificação das fontes de infecção e delineamento epidemiológico. O Laboratório de Microbiologia da FAMERP, em parceria com o Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto, vem desenvolvendo projetos de pesquisa que envolve o isolamento, a identificação e manutenção de coleção de culturas de espécies microbianas. O presente projeto teve como objetivo identificar as espécies leveduriformes presentes em isolados clínicos e ambientais, avaliar a sua suscetibilidade antimicrobiana, além de estudar a relação genética entre tais isolados por ambas técnicas - RAPD e PFGE, na tentativa de elucidar as possíveis fontes de aquisição, prática considerada fundamental na rede de vigilância. No período de agosto de 2007 a outubro de 2009, foram analisados 119 episódios de candidemia. A distribuição dos casos de candidemia foi mais frequente em pacientes com idade inferior a 1 ano e superior a 60 anos, não havendo tendência para nenhum gênero. O grupo geral manteve como período de internação uma média de 35 dias, com frequência de óbito correspondente a 61%. C. albicans foi a espécie mais prevalente (29%), seguida por C. parapsilosis (28%) e C. tropicalis (23%)... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: As leveduras estão amplamente distribuídas em diversos ambientes, sendo também habitantes normais do corpo humano. São consideradas patógenos oportunistas causando infecções que variam desde superficiais até profundas e fatais. Espécies de Candida spp ocupam, atualmente, lugar de destaque como principais causadoras das infecções a corrente sanguínea. A investigação da suscetibilidade antimicrobiana, frente aos antifúngicos rotineiramente preconizados na terapêutica, é de fundamental importância, além disso, métodos moleculares como o RAPD (Polimorfismo do DNA aleatoriamente amplificado) e PFGE (Eletroforese em campo pulsátil) são conhecidos por ajudar na identificação das fontes de infecção e delineamento epidemiológico. O Laboratório de Microbiologia da FAMERP, em parceria com o Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto, vem desenvolvendo projetos de pesquisa que envolve o isolamento, a identificação e manutenção de coleção de culturas de espécies microbianas. O presente projeto teve como objetivo identificar as espécies leveduriformes presentes em isolados clínicos e ambientais, avaliar a sua suscetibilidade antimicrobiana, além de estudar a relação genética entre tais isolados por ambas técnicas - RAPD e PFGE, na tentativa de elucidar as possíveis fontes de aquisição, prática considerada fundamental na rede de vigilância. No período de agosto de 2007 a outubro de 2009, foram analisados 119 episódios de candidemia. A distribuição dos casos de candidemia foi mais frequente em pacientes com idade inferior a 1 ano e superior a 60 anos, não havendo tendência para nenhum gênero. O grupo geral manteve como período de internação uma média de 35 dias, com frequência de óbito correspondente a 61%. C. albicans foi a espécie mais prevalente (29%), seguida por C. parapsilosis (28%) e C. tropicalis (23%)... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Multiple myeloma is characterized by the malignant proliferation of clonal plasma cells producing monoclonal paraproteins, leading to multi-organ damage. On the other hand monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBCL) is characterized by the malignant proliferation of clonal B-lymphocytes, with potential to develop into chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). CLL/SLL can result in visceromegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia, fevers, night sweats and unintentional weight loss. Literature review demonstrates these two malignant clonal bone marrow disorders are most frequently seen independently in patients; however, we report one rare diagnostic challenge where both clonal disorders were identified in a single patient concurrently. A 64-year-old man initially presented with worsening back pain. Thoracic spine x-ray revealed a T11 compression fracture, confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Complete blood count revealed a white blood cell count of 7.3 K/uL with 54% lymphocyte predominance and peripheral smear demonstrated a population of small lymphocytes with round nuclei and an atypical chromatin pattern suggestive of CLL/MBCL. Flow cytometry revealed a monoclonal B-cell CD5 positive, CD23 positive, CD10 negative population with an absolute count of 1.6 K/uL. Due to the instability and pain associated with the spinal fracture, patient had kyphoplasty performed and intraoperative bone biopsies were taken from both T11 and T12 vertebrae. Interestingly each bone biopsy revealed involvement by both a kappa-light chain restricted plasma cell neoplasm, ranging from 15% to 30% cellularity, as well as a CD5-positive B-cell lymphocyte population. It suggested two concurrent but pathologically distinct pathologies including plasma cell myeloma and a separate B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder with immunophenotypic features suggestive of CLL/MBCL. Bone marrow biopsy was performed for definitive evaluation and confirmed multiple myeloma with 15-20% kappa-restricted plasma cells identified, and also confirmed concurrent MBCL with CD5 and CD23-positive, kappa-restricted B-cells identified on bone marrow flow cytometry. Adding an additional layer of complexity, bone marrow molecular genetics revealed presence of a MYD88 mutation, raising concern for possible lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL). However, secondary pathologic review ruled out LPL, as the immunophenotypic pattern of the clonal B-cells was not consistent with that of LPL, and although the MYD88 mutation is predominantly seen in LPL, it has also been seen in a small percentage of CLL/SLL cases and exceedingly rarely described in MM as well. Serum protein electrophoresis with immunofixation, serum quantitative immunoglobulins and serum quantitative free light chain assay revealed findings consistent with IgG kappa multiple myeloma and systemic CT imaging was negative for any lymphadenopathy, confirming MBCL. Patient was started on first-line multiple myeloma systemic therapy for transplant eligible patients and has demonstrated an excellent response to treatment thus far. This patient case serves to demonstrate the importance of maintaining a broad differential when approaching hematological problems; It also underlines the necessity for a complete diagnostic evaluation to identify rare clinical conundrums such as with our patient, allowing for proper and timely treatment. While we use “Occam’s razor” to explain multiple problems with a single unifying diagnosis the rare possibility of divergent diagnosis is to be always entertained.

No other forage crop cultivated in the United States can be used in as many ways as alfalfa. The variety of its uses make it a most useful forage crop. The distribution of alfalfa is world wide and it plays a leading role in the production of livestock and their products. For general feeding of farm animals, alfalfa is unsurpassed. Used for pasture, it has a high capacity, which leads to large gains in grasing animals. If properly rotated and cared for, it adds nitrogen to the soil in a form that is available to plants and thereby increases crop yields. In addition to these assets, alfalfa is a valuable source of essential nutrients and vitamins for livestock.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial pathogen that has spread into the community since the 90s. In general, the community-associated (CA- MRSA) strains are more virulent, but less resistant to antimicrobials than the hospital- acquired strains (HA-MRSA). Some lineages of MRSA such as sequence type 8 have been transmitted more successfully around the world than others and there are situations where a dominant lineage has been replaced by a new one. The factors that are crucial for the selection of dominant lineage are often not clear. As part of this thesis, a longitudinal study of MRSA epidemiology in the Motol University Hospital during the period of 2018-2020 was performed and the occurrence of MRSA clonal complexes was characterized. A multicenter study of the epidemiological situation of MRSA in Slovakia during the period of January - April 2020 was also performed concomitantly. Moreover, several isolates from dominant lineages were further characterized by their phenotype. In the Motol University Hospital study, it was found that the HA-MRSA of the clonal complex 5 dominates and is represented mainly by spa-type t586; a finding that concurs with recent studies from the Czech Republic. In Slovakia, similar to the Czech Republic, MRSA lineages from clonal...

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第24314号 / 医博第4908号 / 新制||医||1062(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 小林 恭, 教授 松田 文彦, 教授 柳田 素子 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) subsists on bamboo, but lacks gastrointestinal modifications for fiber digestion. Pandas display dietary selectivity for certain plant parts; however, cues for selection are unknown, and few have examined panda feeding behavior and bamboo nutrient composition simultaneously. Bamboos are clonal plants, with seasonal cycles of nutrient accumulation related to peak photosynthesis and recruitment. These cycles can be destabilized by aboveground disturbance; however, effects of disturbance on nutritional quality and sustainability of bamboo for primary consumers have not been studied. I examined 4 factors that may contribute to bamboo nutritional quality or sustainable harvest: season, ramet maturity and age, and disturbance. I conducted a 3-year study with Phyllostachys aureosulcata (PLLAU), P. glauca (PLLGL), and P. rubromarginata (PLLRU), at the Shelby County AgriCenter, Memphis TN, applying 3 disturbance treatments in a replicated split-plot design: control, 3% and 20% annual removal of biomass. Bamboo was sampled 8 times/year and divided into shoot, leaf, and culm (central stem) for analysis of crude protein (CP), neutral- and acid-detergent fiber (NDF and ADF), ash, lipid, minerals, and acid-insoluble ash (AIA). I quantified bamboo-stand production, maturity, recruitment and mortality. Biomass removed from PLLAU was used in diet-selection trials with 2 giant pandas, observing consumption of plant parts and bamboo from different disturbance treatments, and sampling bamboo for allelochemical and starch analysis. Disturbance effects were evident only for branch and culm dry mass in PLLRU. In Year 2, drought conditions and peak roosting blackbird populations confounded results. Defoliation and guano deposition preceded changes to soil chemistry, bamboo composition, and stand structure; recruitment increased for PLLRU. After accounting for confounding factors, less-mature bamboo had greater concentrations of most nutrients, but less NDF, ADF, and K. Two-year-old ramets had greater CP, NDF, lipid, P, K, S, and Cu, but less Ca and Fe, than 1-year-old ramets. I confirmed seasonal plant-part selection by pandas, but found no correlation between leaf consumption and AIA concentration. Culm starch analyses were insufficient to establish a clear pattern. I recommend further investigation of non-structural carbohydrates in bamboo, and palatability testing of undisturbed versus disturbed bamboo, which I was unable to examine.

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