Comparison of response to immunotherapy by intradermal skin test and antigen-specific IgE in canine atopy

The intradermal skin test (IDST) and serologic allergy test (SAT) has been developed for confirming a diagnosis of canine atopy and determining allergens for immunotherapy. To determine the prevalence of causative allergens for canine atopic dermatitis in Japan, IDST and SAT were performed with the CMG Immunodot strips on 95 atopic dogs using 9 allergens. In addition, we compared agreement rate, sensitivity and specificity between them (using IDST as the standard). The allergen most commonly positive in both tests was house dust mites (IDST: 69.5%, SAT: 48.4%). Moreover, Japanese cedar, mugwort and grass mix were detected as attendant causative allergens. Agreement rates between the two tests ranged from 67.4% to 96.8%; the overall mean agreement rate were 81%. SAT was shown to have sensitivity to IDST ranging from 16.7 to 68.2%. The specificities were very high for all allergens, on the order of 94.9-100% (median=98.7%). Finally, the efficacy of immunotherapy was evaluated on 27 atopic dogs based on IDST (15 dogs) and SAT (12 dogs) results. Overall, 60% (9/15) of the IDST group and 66.8% (8/12) of the SAT group experienced a 50% to 100% reduction in their symptomatology. No significant differences were found in response to immunotherapy during the follow-up period between allergen selection methods. These results indicate the value of serologic tests as an aid to identifying an allergen solution for immunotherapy.     

Expression in Escherichia coli of open reading frame gene segments of HTLV-III

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III), the causative agent of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), was recently isolated and its genomic structure analyzed by DNA cloning methods. In the studies reported here a combined cloning and expression system was used to identify HTLV-III encoded peptides that react immunologically with antibodies in sera from AIDS patients. Cloned HTLV-III DNA was sheared into approximately 500-base-pair fragments and inserted into an "open reading frame" expression vector, pMR100. The inserted DNA was expressed in Escherichia coli transformants as a polypeptide fused to the lambda CI protein at its amino terminus and to beta-galactosidase at its carboxyl terminus. Sera from AIDS patients containing antibodies to HTLV-III were then used to screen for immunoreactive fusion proteins. Twenty clones, each specifying a fusion protein strongly reactive with AIDS serum, were identified. DNA sequence analysis indicated that the HTLV-III fragments were derived from the open reading frame DNA segments corresponding to the gag and pol gene coding regions and also the large open reading frame region (env-lor) located near the 3' end of the viral genome.     

Probabilistic approach to sanitation and hygiene standards for content of pollutants in soil

The probabilistic approach methodology that assesses the permissible level of heavy metal (HM) pollution of agricultural land according to sanitation and hygiene principle is developed. Application of the methodology is illustrated by using information from the database, which characterize parameters of zinc transition from the soil to agricultural plants.     

Utilization of potatoes for life support in space. V. Evaluation of cultivars in response to continuous light and high temperature

Twenty-four potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars from different regions of the world were evaluated in terms of their responses to continuous light (24 h photoperiod) and to high temperature (30 C) in two separate experiments under controlled environments. In each experiment, a first evaluation of the cultivars was made at day 35 after transplanting, at which time 12 cultivars exhibiting best growth and tuber initiation were selected. A final evaluation of the 12 cultivars was made after an additional 21 days of growth, at which time plant height, total dry weight, tuber dry weight, and tuber number were determined. In the continuous light evaluation, the 12 selected cultivars were Alaska 114, Atlantic, Bintje, Denali, Desiree, Haig, New York 81, Ottar, Rutt, Snogg, Snowchip, and Troll. In the high temperature evaluation, the 12 selected cultivars were Alpha, Atlantic, Bake King, Denali, Desiree, Haig, Kennebec, Norland, Russet Burbank, Rutt, Superior, and Troll. Among the cultivars selected under continuous irradiation, Desiree, Ottar, Haig, Rutt, Denali and Alaska showed the best potential for high productivity whereas New York 81 and Bintje showed the least production capability. Among the cultivars selected under high temperature, Rutt, Haig, Troll and Bake King had best performance whereas Atlantic, Alpha, Kennebec and Russet Burbank exhibited the least production potential. Thus, Haig and Rutt were the two cultivars that performed well under continuous irradiation and high temperature conditions, and could have maximum potential for adaptation to varying stress environments. These two cultivars may have the best potential for use in future space farming in which continuous light and/or high temperature conditions may exist. However, cultivar responses under combined conditions of continuous light and high temperature remains for further validation.     

Protein and energy nutrition of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) at optimal and elevated temperatures

The digestible protein (DP) and digestible energy (DE) requirements for maintenance and growth of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were determined using a factorial model at either optimum (15 °C) or elevated temperature (19 °C). Several key parameters of the factorial model were measured using a series of inter‐related studies. The maintenance requirements for DP and DE were 0.10 gDP kg^?0.69 day^?1 (15 °C) and 0.31 gDP kg^?0.78 day^?1 (19 °C), and 34.86 kJDE kg^?0.84 day^?1 (15 °C) and 46.14 kJDE kg^?0.86 day^?1 (19 °C). The total requirements for DP were 0.10 gDP kg^?0.69 day^?1 + 2.14PG (protein gain) (15 °C) and 0.31 gDP kg^?0.78 day^?1 + 1.98PG (19 °C). The total requirements for DE were 36.86 kJDE kg^?0.84 day^?1 + 1.58EG (energy gain) (15 °C) and 46.14 kJDE kg^?0.86 day^?1 + 1.64EG (19 °C). The partial efficiencies for growth were 0.47 (15 °C) and 0.51 (19 °C) for protein, and 0.63 (15 °C) and 0.61 (19 °C) for energy. Nutrient gain was lower at the elevated temperature; however, feed formulation for brook trout should be adjusted to match changes in nutrient requirements at different culture temperatures. The protein and energy requirements model will be useful for developing commercial feeds and feeding charts for brook trout.     

Retracted: Study of testis histology and sperm morphology in the Bunnei,Barbus sharpeyi (Gunther, 1874) induced by luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogue and carp pituitary extract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of hormone treatment on testis structure in Barbus sharpeyi, as well as the morphology of sperm examined by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Male B. sharpeyi were divided into three groups (three fish per group) and injected with luteinizing hormone – releasing hormone analogue (LHRH–A₂) or carp pituitary extract (CPE). The first and second groups were treated with 10 μg kg^?1 LHRH–A₂ and metoclopramide (MET), and their testis were sampled pre‐ and Poststripping respectively. The third group received 2 mg kg^?1 CPE and were killed pre‐stripping. Based on the histological results obtained, the testicular connective tissue of the lumen was thicker, and seminal vesicles were of a lower volume, in fish injected with CPE in comparison to the other groups. After treatment with LHRH–A₂ and MET, not all spermatozoa within the testis were ejaculated, and only a small amount of sperm was obtained by abdominal stripping. The highest and lowest diameters of connective tissue within lobules were observed in fish receiving CPE and LHRH–A₂ treatments respectively. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in lobule space between the fish injected with the CPE and the fish injected with the LHRH–A₂ and MET. The SEM results revealed that the spermatozoa of B. sharpeyi were composed of a spherical to elliptical head, a cylindrical midpiece, and a lengthy flagellum. In conclusion, it was found that injection with LHRH–A₂ and MET improved the spermatogenic process in comparison to injection with CPE.     

Sediment and Nutrient Losses from Field-Scale Cropland Plots Treated With Animal Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer

A field-scale plot study was conducted at Virginia Tech's Prices Fork Research Farm, to evaluate the transport of nutrients in runoff from manure and fertilizer applied at P-based agronomic rates to cropland planted to corn. Simulated rainfall events representing 2- to 10-year storms in southwest Virginia, occurring 1 and 2 days following manure and fertilizer application were used to generate runoff. Plots were treated with surface applied poultry litter, surface applied and incorporated dairy manure, incorporated inorganic fertilizer, and no fertilizer (control). Application rates were based upon agronomic phosphorus (P) requirements of corn. The concentration of total suspended solids and nutrients decreased from the first to the second simulated rainfall event; however, the edge-of-field mass loss or yield increased due to increased runoff volume. Surface application of dairy manure resulted in 25–50% lower runoff volumes and 35–60% lower total suspended solid yields when compared to surface applied poultry litter. Surface applied poultry litter produced the greatest total P and dissolved reactive P losses. Results of this study suggest that manure applied based on crop P requirements can still yield significant edge-of-field nutrient losses, if rainfall occurs soon after application.     

Physiological and Mineralogical Properties of Arsenic-Induced Chlorosis in Barley Seedlings Grown Hydroponically

The experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of arsenic (As) on the physiological and mineralogical properties of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. ‘Minorimugi’). The plants were grown in nutrient solution treated with 0, 6.7, 33.5, and 67 μ M As (0, 0.5, 2.5, and 5 ppm As, respectively) in the phytotron. Dry matter yield of shoots and roots decreased significantly with the As treatments, indicating that barley plants are As-sensitive and As-toxicity depends on the As concentration in the rooting medium. Necrosis in older leaves and chlorosis symptoms (whitish color) in the fully developed young leaves were observed at the 33.5 and 67 μ M As treatments. Arsenic concentration, accumulation, and translocation increased with the increase of As concentration in the rooting medium. Arsenic was mostly concentrated in roots and a little amount was moved to shoots, indicating that As was not easily translocated to shoots of barley seedlings. Concentrations and accumulations of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) decreased significantly in shoots for 33.5 and 67 μ M As treatments as compared to the 0 μ M As treatment. Concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Cu decreased in roots, but Zn concentration increased in roots at 67 μ M As treatment. Accumulations of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Cu in roots also decreased significantly at 67 μ M As treatment. Accumulation of P and the cations showed negative relationship with As. Concentration of Fe decreased in shoots at 33.5 and 67 μ M As treatments where chlorosis was induced in the young leaf but increased in roots at 33.5 and 67 μ M As treatments. It was suggested that As might induce iron (Fe)-chlorosis in the plants. Among the micronutrients, Fe translocation was more affected than others by As. Phytosiderophore (PS) accumulation in roots, which is a symptom of Fe-deficiency in grasses, did not change significantly between 0 and 33.5 μ M As treatments; indicating that As-induced chlorosis did not enhance PS accumulation in roots and decreased due to As-toxicity at 67 μ M As treatment.