Simulation of a classical swine fever outbreak in rural areas of the Republic of Serbia

Several different strategies for control and eradication of classical swine fever (CSF) were compared using a Monte Carlo method-based simulation model. The control strategy analysed in this paper, in addition to other CSF control measures, includes application of biosecurity measures on pig farms and rural backyard holdings. Elements of the control strategy are based on applicable regulations and include the simulation of detection of the disease, setting up the protected and surveillance zones, standstill of pig movements and restricted movement of animals, vehicles, equipment, and people with strong control measures in protection and surveillance zones, euthanasia of susceptible pigs, protective vaccination of pigs, compensation etc. During the simulation, different output parameters were compared such as: duration of epidemic of a disease, number of affected holdings and animals, direct costs such as those for dead or culled animals, costs of surveillance, disposal of infectious materials, cleaning and disinfection. Depopulation of affected animals with early diagnostics and vaccination in the protection and surveillance zone proved to be the most effective measures to stop the spread and for the eradication of the disease. Moreover, during the simulation, systematic implementation of biosecurity measures in all pig production clusters was demonstrated to be an appropriate strategy for sustainable control of CSF and the establishment of a stable epidemiological situation

Antiproliferative effects of some medicinal plants on HeLa cells

Medicinal plants maintain the health and vitality of individuals, and also have potential curative effect on various diseases, including cancer. In this study were investigated the antiproliferative effects of water extracts of previously obtained ethanolic dry extracts of three different medicinal plants (Echinacea angustifolia, Salvia officinalis and Melissa officinalis) on cell lines derived from human cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa cells). The best cytotoxic activity (IC50 = 43.52 μg/ml) on HeLa cell lines was exhibited by Echinacea angustifolia. The extract of Salvia officinalis also showed a good cytotoxic activity against HeLa cell lines; the IC50 value was 70.41 μg/ml. Melissa officinalis manifested a slightly weaker cytotoxic activity and an IC50 value of 122.22 μg/ml. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 34021 i br. 175011

16 th IHIW: Global distribution of extended HLA haplotypes

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/96393/1/iji12029.pd

Common Gamma Chain Cytokines Promote Rapid In Vitro Expansion of Allo-Specific Human CD8+ Suppressor T Cells

Human CD8+ regulatory T cells, particularly the CD8+CD28− T suppressor cells, have emerged as an important modulator of alloimmunity. Understanding the conditions under which these cells are induced and/or expanded would greatly facilitate their application in future clinical trials. In the current study, we develop a novel strategy that combines common gamma chain (γc) cytokines IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15 and donor antigen presenting cells (APCs) to stimulate full HLA-mismatched allogeneic human CD8+ T cells which results in significant expansions of donor-specific CD8+CD28− T suppressor cells in vitro. The expanded CD8+CD28− T cells exhibit increased expressions of CTLA-4, FoxP3, and CD25, while down-regulate expressions of CD56, CD57, CD127, and perforin. Furthermore, these cells suppress proliferation of CD4+ T cells in a contact-dependent and cytokine-independent manner. Interestingly, the specificity of suppression is restricted by the donor HLA class I antigens but promiscuous to HLA class II antigens, providing a potential mechanism for linked suppression. Taken together, our results demonstrate a novel role for common γc cytokines in combination with donor APCs in the expansion of donor-specific CD8+CD28− T suppressor cells, and represent a robust strategy for in vitro generation of such cells for adoptive cellular immunotherapy in transplantation

Influence of intestinal coccidia infection of rabbits upon plasma and fecal protein levels, and plasma and urinary urea and creatinine levels

Two groups of rabbits, with 10 animals each, were artificially infected with varying doses of sporulated intestinal coccidia oocysts. The infectious material was composed of oocyst of several rabbit intestinal coccidia species: Eimeria flavescens, Eimeria matsubayashi, Eimeria magna, Eimeria neoleporis, Eimeria perforans and Eimeria media. A third group of 10 rabbits served as the control. Following the artificial infection and a 3-4 day incubation period, a subclinical form of the disease was induced in most rabbits while 3 animals developed full-blown disease with diarrhoea. Shortly before and then on days 4, 7, and 10 after the infection, levels of the following plasma constituents were determined: total proteins, albumin, immunoglobulin G, urea and creatinine. Additionally, urea and creatinine were measured in urine samples, and protein levels were determined in feces. In plasma a decrease in total protein, albumin, urea and creatinine concentrations was found, whereas an increase in immunoglobulin G levels occured. A rise in urinary urea and creatinine, and fecal proteins was found. The changes in concentration of the measured substances in blood, urine and feces were dependent on the number of inoculated infectious oocysts

The influence of rabbit infection with intestinal coccidia upone the activity of liver enzymes

Two groups of 10 rabbits each were infected with different doses of sporulated intestinal coccidia oocysts. Oocysts of the following intestinal coccidia were used as the infectious material: Eimeria flavescens (7%), Eimeria matsubayashii (9%), Eimeria magna (21%), Eimeria neoleporis (19%), Eimeria perforans (21%) i Eimeria media (32%). The third group (10 animals) served as a control. The rabbits acquired a subclinical form of coccidiosis which manifested itself in polydipsia, bristing hairs and weight loss, whereas only three rabbits developed full-blown illness with diarrhoea. Immediately before the infection, then on the fourth, seventh, and tenth day following the infection with intestinal coccidia oocysts, the activity of several plasma enzymes was measured: aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase. Changes in the activity of those enzymes did not absolutely correlate with the numbers of inoculated infectious intestinal coccidia oocysts

Blood glucose, plasma osmolarity and urea and creatinine clearance in rabbits artificially infected with intestinal coccidia

Two groups of ten coprologically oocyst free rabbits were infected with 2×10 5 or 4×10 5 coccidia oocysts composed of Eimeria flavescens (7%), E. matsubayashi (9%), E. magna (12%), E. neoleporis (19%), E. perforans (21%) and E. media (32%). A third group served as the control. Only three infected animals developed full-blown disease with diarrhoea. The others suffered from a subclinical form of the disease. Shortly before and then on days 4 and 10 after infection, blood glucose levels were determined, and plasma osmolarity and urea and creatinine clearance were calculated. Throughout the observation period a decline in blood glucose levels and plasma osmolarity was observed. In parallel, a pronounced elevation of urea and creatinine clearance was found

The influence of intestinal coccidia infection of rabbits upon plasma and urine electrolyte concentrations

Two groups of rabbits, with 10 animals each, were artificially infected with varying doses of sporulated intestinal coccidia oocysts. The first group was infected with 2x10(5), whereas the second received 4x10(5) infectious oocysts. The infectious material consisted of several rabbit intestinal coccidia oocyst species: Eimeria flavescens, Eimeria matsubayashi, Eimeria magna, Eimeria neoleporis, Eimeria perforans and Eimeria media. A third group of 10 rabbits served as the control. Following the artificial infection, in most animals a subclinical form of the disease was induced with weight loss, bristling hair and polydipsia while only 3 animals developed full-blown with diarrhoea. Immediately before and then on days 4, 7, and 10 after the infection, levels of the following electrolytes were determined in blood: sodium, potassium, chloride and calcium. Additionally, the concentration of sodium, potassium and chloride was measured in urine samples. A decrease in plasma sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations was observed with a concomitant rise in the levels of these electrolytes in urine. Plasma calcium concentrations varied, both rising and dropping in the course of the disease. The changes in concentration of the measured electrolytes in blood and urine did not correlate with the size of the inoculum of sporulated coccidia oocysts

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in calves in Western Serbia

This study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in calves in western Serbia. Throughout 2011 faecal samples were collected from 600 calves aged up to 180 days, samples were examined with the flotation method and a modified McMaster technique. The parasitizing helminth species were identified and the level of infection compared between different age groups. As many as 64.17% animals were found to be infected. The following parasite species were diagnosed: Moniezia spp. (3.17%), Toxocara vitulorum (35.00%), Strongyloides papillosus (34.50%), gastrointestinal strongyles (4.50%) and Trichuris discolor (2.17%). The majority of calves were infected with two, fewer with three or one helminth species, and the smollest number of calves harboured four parasite species. The prevalence of established helminth infections varied depending on the calves' age

Antiproliferative effects of Tanaceti partheni, Hypericum perforatum and propolis on HeLa cells

Tanaceti partheni, Hypericum perforatum and propolis have been widely used for centuries and are well-documented medicinal plants and natural product. In this study, we investigated the antiproliferative effects of water extracts of ethanolic dry extracts of two different medicinal plants (Tanaceti partheni and Hypericum perforatum) and propolis on HeLa cells. The Tanaceti partheni extract exhibited mild cytotoxic activity. The IC50 was 153.71 μg/mL. The extract of Hypericum perforatum did not show active cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells (IC50 >200 μg/mL). Regarding the antiproliferative effects of Hypericum perforatum, our results are not in correlation with the results of other authors, probably because different Hypericum species and different human cancer cell lines were used. The extract of propolis did not show active cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells (IC50 = 1.08 ± 0.01 mg/mL). The weak antiproliferative effect of propolis on HeLa cells is either due to the use of a low concentration of propolis extracted in weakly polar solvents, or the use of propolis collected in the autumn. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 34021 i br. 175011