Abstract Candida albicans is a commensal fungal pathogen that grows in yeast and hyphal forms in the human gut. C. albicans causes mucosal and cutaneous diseases that can result in significant mortality following systematic infections and it also exhibits drug resistance. Zebrafish have been an excellent model to investigate C. albicans infections because of their transparency and the availability of many transgenic lines. However, there is a limitation in using zebrafish as a model because the fish embryos cannot survive at 37°C therefore it is not suitable for studying Candida infections at physiological relevant human body temperature. In this thesis, the normal embryonic development of Arabian killifish (A. dispar) is investigated, revealing that embryogenesis was divided into 32 stages based on diagnostic patterns of development. A. dispar can also found to tolerate a wide range of temperatures and salinities. This suggests that A. dispar could be developed as a novel model to investigate host-pathogen interactions. The tolerance of A. dispar to high temperatures may in part be attributable to brown pigment cells with a highly fluorescent character that may have developed to allow the fish to adapt to live within extreme environmental conditions with strong sunlight and a wide range of temperatures (Chapter 3). In terms of Candida infections, this study examined A. dispar as a model to test C. albicans pathogenicity. The survival of A. dispar embryos following Candida infection showed a dose dependent relationship. We also found that A. dispar can survive longer than zebrafish after infection. Furthermore, C. albicans cells were observed to undergo a transition from yeast to hyphae at 37°C. An investigation of the ability of mutant strains of C. albicans with defects in cell wall mannosylation revealed a significant impact on virulence, host mortality, and the fishes’ immune response. The present study found that although the deletion of O- and N-mannan from the cell wall of C. albicans, affected fungal burden (attenuation), and the survival of the infected embryos per se was significantly decreased in the infections of the mutant strains compared to the WT. This data confirms the importance of the mannosylation state of the cell wall in triggering an immune recognition event (Chapter 4). A. dispar is also shown to be suitable for studying the effectiveness of 3 | P a g e antifungals. Fluconazole treatment of infected embryos and eggs promoted greater rates of survival at high doses, alongside a significant reduction of C. albicans CFUs (Chapter 4). When looking at the Candida-host interaction, we directly observed phagocytosed yeast cells within macrophages. Various detection methods were used to follow macrophages and neutrophils including Western blotting, immunostaining and histological staining (Sudan black and FITC-tyramide) allowing the monitoring of the time course of the immune cells. A biphasic response of macrophages was detected by L-plastin Western blotting, suggesting activation of two different type of macrophage: activated macrophage (M1) and alternative macrophage (M2). We also assayed reactive oxygen species (ROS) within infected embryos using a fluorescent probe (H2DCFDA), revealing the accumulation of the fluorescent probe at the sites of infection. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the oxidative and immune response using the H2DCFDA and qPCR were also accomplished within A. dispar embryos after infection with both the WT and mutant strains of Candida albicans (WT, pmr1∆, mnt1-mnt2∆, and och1∆). The results confirmed that the mutant strains did not activate a host oxidative stress response nor immune cell accumulation when compared to WT, suggesting that the immune response is less activated against these mutants. Finally, a new transgenic line of A. dispar fish was developed using Betaactin-DsR-LoxP-GFP. The new transgenic A. dispar is suggested to be an ideal model for real time observation of host-pathogen interactions and for investigation of molecular functions of the immune response. Overall these results improve our understanding of the use of a new transparent fish model to study fungal pathogenesis and demonstrates the potential advantages of using this species in future studies of bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens at a physiologically relevant temperature for human infection. Such a model could lead us to investigate in more depth the key interactions between pathogens and their host and permit the screening and development of new antifungal therapies (that might target the pathogens directly or target the host immune system). View full metadata
S Khalifa E, AR Jamal R, N Adil A, J Munqithe M…, 2009
This study focuses on the impact of technology on creating a dystopian world as presented by the English playwright Caryl Churchill in her play A Number (2002). This dramatic work came as a reaction to the most crucial and valuable turning point in the scientific achievements of human engineering, namely, the cloning of the sheep called Dolly. Therefore, A Number is a play that presents an analytical stage for imagining the biotechnological and scientific future. This dramatic vignette captures the playwright’s fears towards the abnormal progress of technology and science and how far such technological progress affects human relationships and identity. It also portrays how technological progress results in the feeling of a lack of
... Show More
(1)
ABSTRACT: Oxadiazole ring is a heterocyclic molecule with an oxygen and two nitrogen atoms spread throughout its five-membered structure. There are four different isomers that have been discovered, Because of their wide applications in a range of sectors, including medications . Some of these biological activity are; anticonvulsant capacity, anticancer as well, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antimalarial, antitubercular, anti-asthmatic, antidepressant, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiparkinsonian, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, are just some of the therapeutic uses that have drawn attention to drug candidates containing an oxadiazole moiety. This review, we will examine the various methods of oxadiazole synthesis. The mo
... Show More
(2)
Some of metal compounds have been synthesized of record ligand from aldehid interaction of a substance which is salicyladehyde with another material which is urea. During the analysis of the metal component, The prepared complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR ,UV-visible , conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. this confirms the ratio[1:1] between the metal and ligand. It is found that theortical values agree with practical values All the studied complexes are suggested as an octahedral stereochemistry.
The study aims to discuss the relation between imported inflation and international trade of Iraqi economy for the period (1990-2015) by using annual data. To achieve the study aim, statistical and Econometrics methods are used through NARDL model to explain non-linear relation because it’s a model assigned to measure non-linear relations and as we know most economic relations are non-linear, beside explaining positive and negative effects of imported inflation, and to reach the research aim deductive approach was adopted through using descriptive method to describe and determine phenomenon. Beside the inductive approach by g statistical and standard tools to get the standard model explains the
... Show More
The objective of this study is to explain the role of credit policies in agricultural development of Iraq during the period 1979-1989 which were represented by the policy of co-operative agricultural bank the organization that responsible to finance agricultural sector for various reasons. It has been shown that there was no clear credit policy existed during the period concerned due to the differences between loans from year. The loan growth rate was low in general comparing with objectives of the agricultural development plans, a low production rates comparing with loans paid, the growth rate of average number of trees in each donum and the growth rate of livestock number was also low.In conclusion there should be a clear plan for cred
... Show MoreMost studies and research have tried to shed light on unemployment and employment in general, with less focus on the problems facing working women and the resulting social and economic consequences that threaten their human and professional lives. For women, working is one of the basic necessities for the sustainability of human life, and it constitutes an essential axis for both sexes and through it. It also gives a person the status and social status where the individual finds a ready opportunity to practice his intentions and desires, test his abilities and talents, and achieve his ambitions. The availability of full employment in general and the joining of women to the labor market is an important and fundamental factor in the sustai
... Show More
Literary translation is one of the most difficult types of translation ,because it conveys feelings that differ from one person to another, and since the language constitutes an obstacle to understanding the Andalusian excerpts, the translators resorted to translating it, and this was a second start to the text, different from its first start, is said from the tongue of the Al-washah , The muwashshah is a poetic art that appeared in Andalusia after the Arabs entered it ,characterized by special system It differs from the traditional Arabic poem, as it has a beginning represented in the beginning of the muwashshah and several equal parts ending with differentrhymes.
... Show More
This Study presents and provides Variable thoughts and aspects for representing Scientific topics " Physics for instance " as Play Shows for high School Students, by Showing a suggested Method that will Contribute in illustrating the Steps of writing the educational Scientific topic, and this method will help teachers to deliver their message to the Students " receivers " easily.The researcher have used Puppets in this method as the assisting tool for teachers, to help them deliver message Clearlym easily and Joyful.The researcher in his experiment used " Archimedes Principle " as a typical example, by Converting it into a theatrical Script, with respect to the Concept of Science, and in accordance to the Scientific educational Curriculu
... Show More
Each era has advantages in terms of innovation and development in form, technology, style, and design in ceramic vessels, both at the level of functional and aesthetic performance, so this study aimed to demonstrate the importance of geometrical foundations in the design structure of contemporary ceramic vessels, and also to reveal the constructive skills in The structure of the ceramic figure.
The researchers used the descriptive analytical approach to suit the nature of the study, and they described and analyzed the ceramic works in terms of geometric shape systems, elements and foundations of design in construction, formal diversity in the general design of ceramic vessels, and references and sources of artwork. In addition to th