Serological responses of specific pathogen-free foals to equine herpesvirus-1: primary and secondary infection, and reactivation.

Serum antibody (virus neutralisation, complement fixation, IgM and IgG) responses to equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection were measured in six foals which were initially free from EHV-1 and EHV-4 infection and maternally-derived antibodies. Following primary infection, high titres of virus neutralisation and complement fixation antibodies were detectable against EHV-1, however, corresponding antibody levels against EHV-4 were low or inapparent, although the two viruses share a number of cross-reactive epitopes. In addition, following the primary infection with EHV-1, IgM levels increased before those of IgG, virus neutralisation and complement fixation antibodies, peaked sooner and thereafter declined. Stimulation of IgM levels was observed on secondary infection with EHV-1 given 61 days later. In contrast, IgG, virus neutralisation and complement fixation antibodies following primary infection were more sustained and no increase in their levels was observed on secondary infection. No consistent changes in IgM or IgG levels were seen after administration of dexamethasone to reactivate latent virus.     

Promotion of stomatal infiltration of glyphosate by an organosilicone surfactant reduces the critical rainfall period

The addition of the organosilicone surfactant ‘Silwet L77’ at 1-5 ml litre^?1 to formulated glyphosate gave complete surface wetting on application to the adaxial leaf surface of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The wetting characteristics of the solution were associated with rapid foliar uptake and near maximal uptake in 3 h compared to greater than 5 h in the absence of ‘Silwet L77’. Evidence is presented showing that solutions containing ‘Silwet L77’ rapidly infiltrate stomata. Rapid uptake did not occur after application to the astomatous abaxial surface of perennial ryegrass leaves. The rapid rate of glyphosate uptake reduced the critical rainfall period to 2 h or less, compared to up to 10 h in the absence of ‘Silwet L77’. The use of ‘Silwet L77’ has major practical implications for the use of glyphosate in regions with unpredictable rainfall or high rainfall frequency.     

Plasma biochemistry and hematologic values for wild-caught flying foxes (Pteropus giganteus) in India.

Although bats of the genus Pteropus are important ecologically as pollinators and natural hosts for zoonotic pathogens, little is known about their basic physiology. Hematology and plasma biochemistries were determined from wild-caught flying foxes (Pteropus giganteus) in northern India (n=41). Mean lymphocyte differential count was higher for juveniles than adults. Mean platelet count was lower than previously reported. No hemoparasites were observed. No differences were observed between plasma biochemistry values of male and female bats, juveniles and adults, or lactating and nonlactating females. Variation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was seen based on body condition score. Blood urea nitrogen and cholesterol concentrations were lower in P. giganteus than other mammalian groups, but were consistent with those reported from other Pteropus species. Alanine aminotransferase and AST concentrations were higher than those reported for Pteropus vampyrus, a closely related species. This study provides basic physiologic information that can be used in future health and disease studies of Indian flying foxes.     

A comparison of some red and yellow earths in tropical queensland and northeast Brazil

Red and yellow earths are kaolinitic and generally sesquioxidic soils having massive B horizons with porous, earthy fabrics and weak profile differentiation but usually displaying a gradual increase in clay content with depth. They are widespread in tropical Queensland and northeast Brazil where comparable climates prevail although the vegetation is markedly different. Their parent materials are mostly quartzitic sedimentary rocks or unconsolidated sediments and the soils occur in a wide variety of topographic and geomorphic situations. In both regions it is probable that many of the soils have not formed under the present climatic conditions.Profile morphology, drainage, silt and clay contents, clay mineralogy, and soil chemistry have been compared and contrasted between the red and yellow earths within and between the two regions. Canonical variate analysis has shown that, on the basis of surface soil chemical attributes, the red earths can be separated from the yellow earths within each region and that the Queensland soils can be separated from the Brazilian soils.     

Correlation between Chemical Structure and Biological Activity of Host-Selective Plant Pathogen Mycotoxins

Toxin, one of the most important factors of plant fungal disease, has attracted much attention of many academicians who have been studying pathogen mycotoxin in deep research. The paper summarized chemical structures of some host-selective plant pathogen mycotoxins discovered in recent years and the correlation between biological activity and chemical structure of toxin.