Use of androgenesis in intersubspecific hybrid rice breeding

Significant differences of callus induction, green plant regeneration and culture efficiency were observed among restorer lines and their hybrids in rice. Average callus induction percentage of F₁, hybrids was about twice that of their parents. Twenty doubled haploid (DH) lines that showed normal fertility with both indica and japonica CMS lines, were selected as widely compatible restorers (WCRs). TG8 derived from CPSLO17/Minghui 63 not only showed normal fertility to both indica and japonica test varieties and CMS lines, but also exhibited superior agronomic traits, in particular short plant, desired plant type, high tillerability, large panicles, good grain quality and resistance to rice blast disease. Strong heterosis for yield was observed in crosses between indica or japonica CMS lines and TG8. TG8 possessed a dominant, widely compatible gene (WCG) that was inherited from the variety CPSLO17. Results confirmed that the anther culture technique is a quick and effective way of developing widely compatible restorers in rice and that it is applicable to the direct use of intersubspecific heterosis with the three-line method.     

Pathogenicity of Campylobacter jejuni for turkeys and chickens.

A Campylobacter jejuni isolate obtained from a turkey liver, designated C101, and a C. jejuni isolate obtained from the feces of a chicken, designated C111, were used to inoculate their respective hosts. Isolate C101 depressed weight gain by 20% when inoculated into newly hatched poults or 4-day-old poults. It also caused death, hepatic necrosis, and generalized hemorrhages in turkey embryos. The chicken-derived isolate, C111, did not reduce weight gain in newly hatched chicks, but it did induce mortality in chicken embryos. The supernatant of the cultures of both C. jejuni isolates also caused mortality in embryos.     

Susceptibility to onion-induced hemolysis in dogs with hereditary high erythrocyte reduced glutathione and potassium concentrations.

The hemolytic effect of onion consumption in dogs with hereditary high erythrocyte reduced glutathione and potassium concentrations (designated HK dogs) was compared with that in clinically normal dogs. Twelve hours after oral administration of boiled onions (200 g/dog), hemoglobin concentration decreased to 84.4% of the initial value in HK dogs; it decreased only to 90.5% in clinically normal dogs. At 24 hours, methemoglobin concentration was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in HK dogs than in clinically normal dogs. The concentration of erythrocyte oxidized glutathione increased about fivefold at 10 hours in HK dogs, whereas it did not change during the experimental period in clinically normal dogs. In addition, at 12 hours, the proportion of erythrocytes containing Heinz bodies increased to 24.4% in HK dogs, but increased only to 1.2% in clinically normal dogs. Thus, results indicated that HK dogs were more susceptible to the oxidant action of onions than were clinically normal dogs.     

Spontaneous regression of bovine cutaneous leukosis

Biopsies of skin from a 2-year-old heifer with spontaneously regressing dermal leukosis were examined. The heifer was not infected with bovine leukemia virus and was negative for tumor-associated antigens of enzootic bovine lymphosarcoma. By hematological standards for bovine leukemia, the heifer was positive at about 60 days post-occurrence of the disease (POD). At 53 days POD, lymphoblastic neoplastic cells in the dermis reacted with anti-T lymphocyte monoclonal antibody by the avidin biotin peroxidase complex method. The cells had intracytoplasmic clustered dense bodies under electron microscopy. From 53 to 83 days POD, figures of the transepithelial elimination (TE) against neoplastic cells and perivascular infiltration of small lymphocytes were in the dermis. Small lymphocytes reacted with anti-T lymphocyte monoclonal antibody. At necropsy there were no neoplastic lesions; there were flat lymph node-like tissues in the subcutis. Many germinal centers were seen in the lymphatic organs. Blood lymphocytes at 46 days POD were stimulated by phytohemagglutinin-P and concanavalin A. Sera, taken until 75 days POD and at necropsy, showed an inhibitory effect on mitogen-induced blastogenesis of normal bovine lymphocytes. These results suggested the existence of a spontaneous regressive mechanism against neoplastic lesions by TE and tumor immunity.     

Differentiation of hog cholera and bovine virus diarrhoea viruses in pigs using monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies against hog cholera and bovine viral diarrhoea viruses were assayed on organ tissue sections of experimentally infected animals. The animals had been infected simultaneously with both viruses. The antibodies were tested using an indirect immunofluorescence test and an indirect enzyme immunoassay with a biotin/streptavidin/peroxidase detection system. A polyclonal hyperimmune serum was used as a control in direct immunofluorescence tests. Both techniques based on monoclonal antibodies were more sensitive and more specific than the conventional test, the enzyme immunoassay being more sensitive than the immunofluorescence test. Small amounts of BVD viral antigen were demonstrable with monoclonal antibodies in most organ tissues.     

Presence of bacterial glycocalyx and fimbriae on Pasteurella haemolytica in feedlot cattle with pneumonic pasteurellosis.

This investigation was conducted to determine if Pasteurella haemolytica within feedlot cattle affected by pneumonic pasteurellosis express fimbriae (pili) and bacterial glycocalyx. Bacteriological culture of pulmonary tissue from three calves with fibrinous pneumonia resulted in heavy growth of P. haemolytica. Transmission electron microscopy of the lungs showed numerous microcolonies of gram-negative bacteria with morphology typical of Pasteurella haemolytica. The cells within these microcolonies possessed bacterial glycocalyces which stained with ruthenium red. Glycocalyx-encased microcolonies were also present in specimens examined by scanning electron microscopy. Typical P. haemolytica cells were evident in a tracheal specimen and these bacteria had radial glycocalyces consistent with polysaccharide and proteinaceous material condensed on linear structures suggestive of fimbriae. The pathogenetic importance of the bacterial glycocalyx and fimbriae in shipping fever pneumonia has yet to be established but their presence in clinical cases of Pasteurella pneumonia in feedlot cattle further supports a possible role in the initiation and progression of this disease as well as bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents.