Interleukin (IL)–12 and IL-23 Are Key Cytokines for Immunity against Salmonella in Humans

Patients with inherited deficiency of the interleukin (IL)–12/IL-23–interferon (IFN)–g axis show increased susceptibility to invasive disease caused by the intramacrophage pathogens salmonellae and mycobacteria. We analyzed data on 154 patients with such deficiency. Significantly more patients with IL-12/IL-23–component deficiency had a history of salmonella disease than did those with IFN-g–component deficiency. Salmonella disease was typically severe, extraintestinal, and caused by nontyphoidal serovars. These findings strongly suggest that IL-12/IL-23 is a key cytokine for immunity against salmonella in humans and that IL-12/IL-23 mediates this protective effect partly through IFN-g–independent pathways. Investigation of the IL-12/IL-23–IFN-g axis should be considered in patients with invasive salmonella disease

Feeds and feed management in mariculture

Feed is defined as the mixture or compound of various ingredients that accomplish the nutritional requirements of any organism. The intensification of aquaculture has necessitated a more substantial supply of food from external sources. In this context, artificial feeding is the only option available to satisfy the nutritional requirements of cultured aquatic species. As the fish become more dependent on prepared feeds, the need for nutritionally complete feeds becomes more critical. In cultured organisms, proper nutrition is one of the most critical factors affecting their ability to reach their genetic potential for growth, reproduction, maintenance, and longevity. Better feed management is essential to ensure the better performance of cultured organisms. In sum, feeds and their management are essential parts of any mariculture method, and there are different types of feeds are available for fish farming

Effect of dietary supplementation of cassia auriculata leaf powder on growth and immune responses of milkfish, Chanos chanos

A 30 days feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of Cassia auriculata leaf powder on growth and immunomological parameters of the juveniles of Milkfish, Chanos chanos and disease resistance against Vibrio anguillarum. The juvenile fishes with an average weight of 20±3 g were stocked in four treatments each with three replicates. Four practical diets were prepared with graded level of Cassia auriculata leaf powder (CAL) at the rate of 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% and fed to four treatments respectively named as CAL0, CAL0.5, CAL1 and CAL1.5. At the end of the experiment blood samples were collected for immunological parameters. After sampling, the remaining fishes were challenged with 0.1 mL of virulent V. anguillarum suspension at a concentration of 107 CFU mL-1 and mortality was observed for 7 days. Post challenge sampling was performed for the collection of blood samples. The growth parameters such as Weight gain%, SGR%, PER were positively affected by Cassia auriculata leaf powder incorporated diet. Higher weight gain %, SGR% and PER were noticed in CAL1.5 group followed by CAL1, CAL0.5 and CAL0. The respiratory burst, lysozyme and phagocytic activities were increased with increasing level of CAL in the diet which indicates better immune response of the fishes fed with CAL. The higher respiratory burst (0.522 ± 0.03), lysozyme (70.07 ± 1.57) and phagocytic (52.91 ± 1.76) activitieswere observed in CAL1.5, CAL1 and CAL1.5 groups respectively during pre-challenge and post challenge. There was significant difference in the survival rate of control (CAL0) and CAL incorporated diet fed groups (P<0.05). Maximum survival was witnessed in CAL1 followed by CAL1.5 and least survival was in CAL0 group. The results indicate that diets supplemented with 1% CAL potentially enhance the immune system and effectively protects the host against V. anguillarum infection and thereby improve the survivability of the fish against this dreadful pathogen

Social inclusion of disabled performers in the performing arts: a case from Turkiye

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding for the social inclusion of disabled performers in a developing country to create awareness and improve policies/practices. Design/methodology/approach The study employed qualitative methodology, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews, site visits/observations and review of secondary data. Findings The data from different respondent groups showed the social inclusion should be reviewed at three levels: the state, society and individual. The review of existing policies revealed the neglect of the state regarding disabled people in general and even more so in performing arts due to the lack of enforcement of national and international agreements. Findings indicate that social inclusion of disabled performers is a minor issue, especially in a developing country where access to basic human rights and needs may be difficult. Amidst such difficulties, performing arts is not seen as a priority compared to other needs of disabled people and performers. Research limitations/implications Limitations include the limited number of disabled performers who could be identified and were willing to participate in the study. Those working in venues/public offices were also reluctant to participate. The greatest limitation was the broad lack of interest in disabled performers. Originality/value In Türkiye, studies on disabled people tend to focus on basic needs like health, education and employment. None, to best of researchers' knowledge, explore the social inclusion of disabled performers. This is an original study because it collects and discusses primary data on this topic, revealing the state-level negligence/oversight, the apathy of society and the degree to which an individual with disabilities must struggle to participate in performing arts. Consequently, this study shows the difficulty of developing social inclusion, equality and diversity in an emerging economy for disabled performers to raise awareness and present grounds for further legal enforcement. Moreover, implications allow for a global understanding of social inclusion that moves beyond a biased or privileged understanding/critique of disability centered on the developed world

Quality of life, functional outcome, and voice handicap index in partial laryngectomy patients for early glottic cancer

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aim to gather information about the quality of life issues, functional outcomes and voice problems facing early glottic cancer patients treated with the surgical techniques such as laryngofissure cordectomy, fronto-lateral laryngectomy, or cricohyoidopexi. In particular, consistency of life and voice quality issues with the laryngeal tissue excised during surgery is examined. In addition, the effects of arytenoidectomy to the life and voice quality are also studied. METHODS: 29 male patients were enrolled voluntarily in the study. The average age was 53.9 years. Three out of 10 patients with laryngofissure cordectomy also had arytenoidectomy. 11 patients had fronto-lateral laryngectomy with Tucker reconstruction, two of which also had arytenoidectomy. There were eight patients with cricohyoidopexi and bilateral functional neck dissection. Three of these patients also had arytenoidectomy. In bilateral functional neck dissection cases, spinal accessory nerve was preserved and level V of the neck was not dissected. None of the patients had neither radiotherapy nor voice therapy. Cordectomy patients never had a temporary tracheotomy or were connected to a feeding tube. Data was collected for 13 months for the cordectomy group, 14 months for fronto-lateral laryngectomy and cricohyoidopexi groups on average post-operatively. Statistical analysis in this study was carried out using the one-way analysis of variance, and the Post-Hoc group comparisons were made after Bonferroni and Scheffé-procedures. In order to determine the effects of arytenoidectomy, a regression analysis is carried out to see if there are statistical differences in answers given to the survey questions among patients who were arytenoidectomized during their surgeries. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between cordectomy and cricohyoidopexi group in answers to the University of Washington- Quality of Life- Revised survey part 1. (p = 0). A statistically significant difference was also established between cordectomy and fronto-lateral laryngectomy groups, as well as between cordectomy and cricohyoidopexi groups in answers to the University of Washington- Quality of Life- Revised survey part 2. (p = 0,036 and p = 0.009, respectively). Cricohyoidopexi group has given the lowest scores and the cordectomy group has given the highest scores in three survey questions representing the quality of life, performances and new voices. These ranges are also consistent with the laryngeal tissue excised during surgery (cricohyoidopexi > fronto-lateral laryngectomy > cordectomy). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck cancer patients instrument. The difference between the Voice Handicap Index and Voice Handicap Index (functional); Voice Handicap Index (physical) and Voice Handicap Index (emotional) scores in three patient groups was not significant either. All of the patients evaluated that their new voices have similar functional, physical and emotional impact on their life. Decanulation and oral feeding times of cricohyoidopexi and fronto-lateral laryngectomy patients are found to be significantly longer than cordectomy patients. Lastly, the removal of arytenoid does not have any significant adverse effects on the quality of life, the functional outcomes, or the quality of voice. CONCLUSION: In the present study, all patients with early glottic cancer, treated with different surgical technics reported fairly good quality of life outcomes, functional results and voice qualities. This study also finds that the removal of arytenoid does not have any adverse effects on the quality of life and voice from the patients' point of view

Successful mass production of Three spot damselfish through captive breeding

The captive breeding technology for twenty three marine ornamental species have been developed by ICAR-CMFRI, which includes Clownfishes, Damsels, Fire fish, Dotty back, Anthias etc. The breeding and larval rearing of clownfishes is comparatively easy while the same for damselfishes is difficult because of the difference in live feed requirements

Fetus in fetu: a case report

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

Oxidation of olefins catalysed by (HEDTA) Ru<SUP>v</SUP>=O

The complex K[RuIII(HEDTA)Cl].H2O 1&#x0332; and [(HEDTA) Ruv=O] 2&#x0332; were prepared and characterised by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, conductivity, magnetic susceptibility and electrochemical studies (HEDTA-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediaminetriacetate anion). The kinetics of oxygen atom transfer of [RuIII(HEDTA) (H2O)]1a&#x0332; to [(HEDTA) Ruv=O] 2&#x0332; with iodosoylbenzene was studied spectrophotometrically by using stopped-flow technique. The oxygen atom transfer from complex 2&#x0332; to cyclohexene, cyclooctene, styrene, cis andtrans-stilbene was studied by the disappearance of the characteristic oxo peak (&#955;max=391 nm) at constant pH (3.0) and ionic strength (&#956;=0.1 M NaClO4) and also product analysis by gas chromatography (GC). The activation parameters for both the oxygenation of complex1 to complex 2&#x0332;, and oxygen atom transfer from complex 2&#x0332; to the organic substrates studied were evaluated and suitable mechanisms proposed

Residual Type 1 Immunity in Patients Genetically Deficient for Interleukin 12 Receptor β1 (IL-12Rβ1): Evidence for an IL-12Rβ1–Independent Pathway of IL-12 Responsiveness in Human T Cells

Genetic lack of interleukin 12 receptor β1 (IL-12Rβ1) surface expression predisposes to severe infections by poorly pathogenic mycobacteria or Salmonella and causes strongly decreased, but not completely abrogated, interferon (IFN)-γ production. To study IL-12Rβ1–independent residual IFN-γ production, we have generated mycobacterium–specific T cell clones (TCCs) from IL-12Rβ1–deficient individuals. All TCCs displayed a T helper type 1 phenotype and the majority responded to IL-12 by increased IFN-γ production and proliferative responses upon activation. This response to IL-12 could be further augmented by exogenous IL-18. IL-12Rβ2 was found to be normally expressed in the absence of IL-12Rβ1, and could be upregulated by IFN-α. Expression of IL-12Rβ2 alone, however, was insufficient to induce signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)4 activation in response to IL-12, whereas IFN-α/IFN-αR ligation resulted in Stat4 activation in both control and IL-12Rβ1–deficient cells. IL-12 failed to upregulate cell surface expression of IL-18R, integrin α6, and IL-12Rβ2 on IL-12Rβ1–deficient cells, whereas this was normal on control cells. IL-12–induced IFN-γ production in IL-12Rβ1–deficient T cells could be inhibited by the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP) kinase inhibitor SB203580 and the MAP kinase kinase (MEK) 1/2 inhibitor U0126, suggesting involvement of MAP kinases in this alternative, Stat4-independent, IL-12 signaling pathway

Effect of dietary tryptophan supplementation on growth, body composition and digestive enzymes activity of juvenile silver pompano Trachinotus blochii (Lacepede, 1801)

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of dietary supplementation of tryptophan in juvenile silver pompano Trachinotus blochii (Lacepede, 1801) (Average initial weight=6.81±0.05 g). Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic feeds supplemented with tryptophan at different levels, 0 (TRP0), 0.5 (TRP0.5), 1.0 (TRP1.0), 1.5 (TRP1.5) and 2.0 (TRP2.0) g 100 g-1 of diets were formulated. The weight gain%, specific growth rate, hepato-somatic index, digestives enzymes of stomach and intestine except protease activity in stomach, red blood cells, white blood cells, crude protein, fat and ash content of the fish were significantly influenced (p<0.05) by tryptophan supplementation. The viscero-somatic index, intraperitoneal fat ratio, muscle ratio, protease activity in the stomach and acid insoluble ash were unaffected by the treatment. Best observations in terms of growth, body composition and digestive enzyme activity among the treatments were obtained in the fish group fed with tryptophan at a level of 0.5 g 100 g-1 feed. From the current observations it can be concluded that supplementation of tryptophan at the rate of 0.5 g 100 g-1 diet can positively influence the growth of T. blochii