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Strength and flexibility, important components of a training and their maximal values are obtained through specific tests. However, little information about the damage effect in a skeletal muscle is known. The aim was to verify a serum CK changes 24 h after a lengthening and static flexibilizing routine and a maximal dynamic strength tests. The sample, was by 14 subjects (man and women, 28 ± 6 yr.), control group (CG N = 7) and experimental group (EG N = 4) that was submitted a lengthening routine (EG-LG), a static flexibilizing routine (EG-FLEX) and a 1-RM test (EG-1-RM). The anthropometrics were obtained by digital scale with stadiometer. The blood samples were obtained using the IFCC method with reference values 26-155 U/L. The De Lorme and Watkins technique was used to access maximal dynamic strength through bench press and leg press. The static flexibilizing routine consisted in three 20 seconds sets until the point of maximal discomfort. The lengthening was done in normal movement amplitude during 6 seconds. In analysis inter groups was a significant difference (p < .05) in the values of GE-1RM (D = 118,7 U/L, p= .02) when compared to the GC. We concluded that only maximal strength dynamic test was capable to raise the CK serum levels 24 h after exercise, La fuerza y flexibilidad, muy importantes en entrenamiento, obtienen sus valores máximos a través de test específicos. Se sabe poco sobre sus efectos perjudiciales en el aparato músculo tendinoso. El objetivo fue verificar las modificaciones séricas de CK 24h después de estiramientos, flexibilidad estática y test 1- RM. Muestra de 14 individuos, ambos sexos (28 ± 6 años), grupo control (GC N = 7) y grupo experimental (GE N = 7), el GE fue sometido a una rutina de estiramientos (GE-AL), flexibilidad estática (GE-FLEX) y test 1-RM (GE-1-RM). La antropometría con una balanza digital con estadiómetro. Las tomas de sangre, obtenidas con jeringuillas desechables y depositadas en recipientes cerrados y enviados al laboratorio. Se utilizó la técnica De Lorme y Watkins en ejercicios Supino Horizontal y Leg Press para determinar carga de 1-RM. Se realizaron 3 series de 20s de flexibilidad estática y 3 de 6 segundos de estiramiento asistido. La estadística fue el Test de Friedman con post hoc de Tukey. En el análisis intergrupos se encontraron diferencias significativas (p < .05) en valores del GE-1RM (D= 118,7 U/L, p= .02) comparando con GC. Como conclusión, los ejercicios dinámicos de fuerza máxima fueron capaces de aumentar los niveles de CK post-ejercicio.

Background: Much effort goes into identifying new antimicrobial compounds able to evade the increasing resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics. One strategy relies on antimicrobial peptides, either derived from fragments released by proteolytic cleavage of proteins or designed from known antimicrobial protein regions. Results: To identify these antimicrobial determinants, we developed a theoretical approach that predicts antimicrobial proteins from their amino acid sequence in addition to determining their antimicrobial regions. A bactericidal propensity index has been calculated for each amino acid, using the experimental data reported from a high-throughput screening assay as reference. Scanning profiles were performed for protein sequences and potentially active stretches were identified by the best selected threshold parameters. The method was corroborated against positive and negative datasets. This successful approach means that we can spot active sequences previously reported in the literature from experimental data for most of the antimicrobial proteins examined. Conclusion: The method presented can correctly identify antimicrobial proteins with an accuracy of 85% and a sensitivity of 90%. The method can also predict their key active regions, making this a tool for the design of new antimicrobial drugs.

Objective: To identify virulence genes in enterotoxigenic E coli (ETEC) isolates associated with diarrhoea in neonatal, 1 to 3 week-old and weaned pigs in south east Queensland. Design: Multiplex PCR and serotyping were applied to E coli isolates obtained over a 5-year period (1998–2002) from cases diagnosed at Toowoomba Veterinary Laboratory. Procedure: A total of 126 isolates from 25 different Queensland piggeries were tested for haemolytic activity on 5% sheep blood agar and by multiplex PCR for the presence of five commonly recognised fimbrial (F4, F5, F6, F41 and F18) and three enterotoxin genes (STa, STb, LT). A subset of 62 representative isolates were serotyped by slide agglutination. For comparative purposes, multiplex PCR was also performed on the DNA of 31 ETEC isolates from 9 serotypes originating from piggeries in southern New South Wales. Results: A total of 113 (89.7%) of the isolates from Queensland possessed ETEC virulence genes, including 14 of 15 isolates from neonatal pigs (93.3%), 18 of 23 isolates from 1 to 3 week old pigs (78.3%) and 81 of 88 isolates from weaned pigs (92.1%). F4:STa:STb:LT (serotype O149) was the most prevalent pathotype in neonatal and 1–3 week old pigs and F4:STa:STb:LT (serotype O149) and F18:STa:STb:LT (serotype O141) were most prevalent in weaned pigs. In comparison, isolates obtained from neonatal pigs from New South Wales belonged to a more diverse range of pathotypes and serotypes. Conclusion: Multiplex PCR was a rapid and specific method for detecting the presence of ETEC virulence genes in porcine E coli isolates. For isolates obtained from cases of suspected colibacillosis in Queensland, growth of a heavy pure culture of haemolytic E coli was a sensitive prognostic indicator of the presence of ETEC virulence genes in the isolate. ETEC pathotypes and serotypes remained stable in Queensland piggeries over the five-year study period and appear to have changed little over the last three decades.

Consultable des del TDX, Títol obtingut de la portada digitalitzada, La proteïna catiònica d'eosinòfil (ECP) és una ribonucleasa que es troba als grànuls secundaris dels eosinòfils. Els nivells d'ECP en fluids corporals s'utilitza com a indicador del número i activació dels eosinòfils. L'ECP és tòxica per diversos patògens com són bacteris, paràsits, virus i per cèl·lules de mamífer. Per identificar immunològicament l'ECP s'ha seleccionat una regió específica de la proteïna (D112-P123) com a possible epítop antigènic. La regió D112-P123 no es troba en l'RNasa A, 1, 4 i 5 i és on s'observa una màxima desviació de l'esquelet de la cadena principal de l'ECP i la neurotoxina derivada d'eosinòfil (EDN) amb la qual comparteix un 67% d'identitat de seqüència. S'han immunitzat conills amb un pèptid sintètic (D112-P123) conjugat a una proteïna transportadora i s'han purificat els anticossos policlonals amb una columna d'afinitat amb l'ECP immobilitzada. L'anticòs D112-P123 reconeix específicament l'ECP en condicions reductores i no reductores i no presenta reactivitat creuada amb l'EDN, l'RNasa A i altres proteïnes control. La immunodetecció per transferència Western amb l'anticòs D112-P123 ha mostrat que hi ha una relació lineal entre la quantitat de proteïna (1-75 ng) i el senyal obtingut. S'ha assajat la reactivitat de l'anticòs D112-P123 en fluids corporals i granulòcits. L'anticòs D112-P123 detecta la forma nadiua no glicosilada i les formes glicosilades de l'ECP en granulòcits, esput i plasma. S'ha obtingut una bona correlació entre els nivells d'ECP determinants amb l'anticòs D112-P123 i amb un anticòs que comercialitza Pharmacia & Upjohn (Uppsala, Suècia). Per estudiar la relació entre l'estructura i les activitats biològiques de l'ECP s'han obtingut variants de la proteïna en residus específics de l'ECP. S'han escollit residus catiònics i aromàtics exposats en la superfície de la proteïna (W10K, W35A/R36A, R75A/F76A, R101A/R104A) i de la regió del loop D115-Y122 (R121A, R121A/Y122A, (_ 115-122) ECP i (115-122 EDN) ECP . S'ha estudiat, Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a ribonuclease located in the secondary granules of eosinophils. ECP levels in body fluids are used as an indicator of number and activation of eosionophils. ECP is toxic for many pathogens including bacteria, parasites, virus and for mammalian cells. To identify ECP we have selected a specific loop region of the protein (D112-P123) as a putative antigenic epitope. This sequence is absent in RNase A, 1, 4 and 5 and the polypeptide main chain adopts a specific conformation in ECP and also in eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) which shares 67 % sequence homology with ECP. A synthetic peptide containing the sequence and linked to a carrier protein was used to obtain rabbit polyclonal antibodies which were further purified by an affinity column with ECP as a ligand. D112-P123 antibody specifically recognizes ECP in reducing and nonreducing conditions and does not cross-react with EDN, RNase A or other control proteins. The immunodetection of recombinant ECP by Western blot has shown a lineal relationship between the quantity of protein (1-75 ng) and the signal obtained. The reactivity of the antibody was assayed in different body fluids and granulocytes. D112-P123 antibody detects the glycosylated and nonglycosylated forms of the native ECP in granulocytes, plasma and sputum. A good correlation has been obtained between ECP levels determined by the antibody D112-P123 and by an antibody obtained from a commercial source. To study the relationship between the structure and biological activities of ECP we have obtained variants of the protein in specific amino acids residues. We have chosen cationic and aromatic amino acids located at the protein surface (W10K, W35A/R36A, R75A/F76A and R101A/R104A) and in the loop region D115-Y122 (R121A, R121A/Y122A, (_ 115-122) ECP and (115-122 EDN) ECP. For the wild type form and mutants we have determined the ribonuclease and membrane-lytic activity, the cytotoxicity for gram negative and gram posi

Objectives: To produce antisera to the 15 recognised reference strains of the Kielstein-Rapp Gabrielson (KRG) serotyping scheme for Haemophilus parasuis, validate those sera and use them to serotype 46 Australian field isolates of H parasuis. Design: Antisera were produced in rabbits and validated by cross-testing with the reference strains and re-testing 15 Australian field isolates of H parasuis that had been previously serotyped in the United States of America. The validated antisera were then used to determine the serovar of 46 Australian isolates. Results: Monospecific antisera were produced for 14 of the 15 KRG serovars of H parasuis. Two Australian field isolates, confirmed previously as serovars 1 and 7, were used to produce monospecific antisera for serovars 1 and 7 respectively. The antiserum for serovar 4 gave a one-way cross reaction with the antigen of serovar 14. The typing antisera correctly typed all 15 H parasuis that had been previously typed by antisera produced overseas. The 46 field isolates were shown to belong to serovars 2 (two isolates), 4 (one isolate), 5 (18 isolates), 12 (two isolates) and 13 (four isolates). The remaining 19 isolates were non-typable. Conclusion: Serotyping of H parasuis isolates is now available in Australia. H parasuis serovars 5 and 13 remain the predominant serovars present in Australian pigs.

The usage of an airborne interferometric SAR to mass map production is strongly dependent on the capability of performing the data processing in a near automatic mode. One of the main limitations is related to both the accurate calibration of the system parameters, its stability from flight to flight and the correct in-flight recording of aircraft position and attitude. The unstable movements of an airborne SAR platform, if recorded in an accurate manner, can be corrected during the processing step. Measurement errors and time drifts lead to location errors in the final DEM. The system requirements in both accuracy and stability to fulfil a quality-mapping requirement can be resolved from the sensitivity equations. The same equations can be also used to calibrate the system parameters from the location errors on the imaging of well-known targets, usually corner reflectors., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

A complete interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) simulator has been developed. It achieves precise results by using geodetic models to represent the Earth's shape, and considering SAR effects such as range migration, Doppler shifts, or perturbations of movement in the airborne case, which are included via the inverse Extended Chirp Scaling Algorithm (ECSA), Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

An improved technique for generation of Digital Elevation Models (DEM), capable of dealing with full scene images (100x100 km) coming from an interferogram obtained with ERS satellite data is presented. Starting from an interferometric processor aimed to the geocoding of smaller areas, now we show the new improvements based on the use of a direct geocoding algorithm and Ground Control Points (GCP), in order to calibrate some imprecisions which appear in the case of very wide swaths. The direct geocoding algorithm is based on the transformation of phases directly into heights over a UTM grid, without an intermediate transformation of phases into heights in slant range. This technique provides more accurate results. A generated DEM of the test zone of Tarragona (Spain) and its error assessment are presented. Introduction A critical step in the interferometric process [3] is the transformation of unwrapped phases into geocoded heights. Several imprecisions in orbit generation, timing knowledge and geocoding can lead to significant height errors when we are working with wide areas. It is easy to observe false height slopes along the image during the process due to this imprecisions [1]. On the other hand, if we work with small areas these errors are more difficult to observe because their propagation is not so critical. Our goal in this paper is to present some techniques developed by our research group to obtain high quality DEM's (Digital Elevation Map) of small or wide images. Direct geocoding for generation of precise wide-area elevation models with ERS SAR data., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

The authors present an improved technique for the generation of digital elevation models (DEM), capable of dealing with full scene images (100×100 km) coming from an interferogram obtained with ERS satellite data. Starting from an interferometric processor aimed to the geocoding of smaller areas, now the authors expound the new improvements based on the use of ground control points (GCP) in order to calibrate some imprecisions which appear in the case of very wide swaths. A generated DEM of the test zone of Tarragona (Spain) and its error assessment are presented, Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

It is well known that by means of airborne interferometric SAR systems it is possible to generate high precision digital elevation models (DEM), although these platforms are seriously affected by motion instabilities. These deviations are recorded by navigation systems, such as GPS receivers and inertial units. The precision of these systems, and the subsequent off-line processing, determines the level of confidence in the generated heights. Errors in track knowledge lead to incorrect generation of the interferometric phase, which yields height errors in the final DEM. In this paper it is shown an analytical work which is useful to analyze the consequences of such factors onto the bias and the standard deviation of the height errors in digital elevation models, Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

In the following paper an analysis of the SAR impulse response signal from the interferometric point of view is expounded, with the intention of studying its phase behaviour in the presence of high squint values. The work will be focused on the development and verification of some methods for the generation of precise geocoded digital elevation models (DEM) in high squinted geometries, Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

SAR Interferometry is a useful tool which allows the generation of high-precision Digital Elevation Models of the Earth surface. The paper describes an operational scheme of an interferometric processor, applicable to airborne data, which takes into account the specific nature of such platforms: observation geometry, phase characteristics or motion instabilities., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

The approximate forward propagation (AFP) algorithm is a new shape reconstruction method, which consists of the minimization of the far zone defect norm with respect to the unknown shape parameters. AFP relies on an algebraic relation between least square coefficients, which represent the scattered electric field on the obstacle boundary, and the far zone scattering coefficients. The algorithm is applied to the inversion of a set of the experimental Ipswich data. In order to justify the effectiveness of AFP, a preliminary convergence result is stated for obstacles which comply with the Rayleigh hypothesis and other, more restrictive conditions.