T-cell tumor elimination as a result of T-cell receptor-mediated activation

It has recently been shown that activation of murine T-cell hybridomas with antigen inhibits their growth in vitro. The "suicide" of these neoplastic T cells upon stimulation with antigen suggested the possibility that activation via the antigen-specific receptor could also inhibit the growth of neoplastic T cells in vivo. To test this, mice were subcutaneously inoculated with antigen-specific T-cell hybridomas and then treated intraperitoneally with antigen. Administration of the appropriate antigen immediately after inoculation with the T-cell hybridoma abrogated tumor formation; antigen administered after tumors had become established decreased the tumor burden and, in a substantial fraction of animals, led to long-term survival. The efficacy of antigen therapy was due to both a direct inhibitory effect on tumor growth and the induction of host immunity. These studies demonstrate the utility of cellular activation as a means of inhibiting neoplastic T-cell growth in vivo and provide a rationale for studying the use of less selective reagents that can mimic the activating properties of antigen, such as monoclonal antibodies, in the treatment of T-cell neoplasms of unknown antigen specificity.     

Effects of tramadol alone,in combination with meloxicam or dipyrone,on postoperative pain and the analgesic requirement in dogs undergoing unilateral mastectomy with or without ovariohysterectomy

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of tramadol alone, or in combination with dipyrone or meloxicam, on postoperative pain and analgesia requirement after unilateral mastectomy with or without ovariohysterectomy in dogs.Study designProspective, randomized, clinical study.AnimalsTwenty seven bitches undergoing unilateral mastectomy with or without ovariohysterectomy.MethodsAnesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane and a constant rate infusion of morphine. Before the end of surgery, dogs were randomly assigned to receive intravenous tramadol alone (3 mg kg^?1, group T), combined with dipyrone (30 mg kg^?1, group TD) or meloxicam (0.2 mg kg^?1, group TM). Dogs received additional doses of tramadol (groups T and TM) or tramadol with dipyrone (group TD) at 8 and 16 hours after extubation. Postoperative pain was assessed by a blinded observer before anesthesia (baseline) and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 and 24 hours after extubation using a visual analog scale (VAS) and a modified Glasgow scale. Rescue analgesia (morphine, 0.5 mg kg^?1) was administered if the Glasgow pain score was >3.5.ResultsThere were no significant differences among groups in pain scores evaluated by the VAS or the Glasgow scale. In groups T, TD and TM, pain scores were significantly higher than at baseline for 6, 8 and 2 hours, respectively. Rescue analgesia was administered to 3/9, 2/9 and 1/9 dogs in groups T, TD and TM, respectively (p > 0.05) [Correction added on 15 August 2013, after first online publication: ‘T, TM and TD’ was changed to ‘T, TD and TM’.].Conclusions and clinical relevanceUnder the conditions of this study, tramadol alone or in combination with dypyrone or meloxicam provided effective analgesia for 24 hours in most dogs after unilateral mastectomy with or without ovariohysterectomy. Further evaluation of combination therapies is needed in larger groups of dogs.     

Variation of glucosinolates in wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) accessions

Glucosinolate composition was determined in wild radish accessions from eight states in the northeastern and southern United States to determine the variability of production among accessions. Glucosinolates were evaluated from roots, leaves, flowers, primary, and secondary branches. Seventeen glucosinolates were identified, with glucoerucin, glucoraphenin, glucobrassicin, and gluconasturtiin contributing 90% to 100% of the total glucosinolates. Flowers contained the highest glucosinolate concentrations, 12.07 to 55.36 μmol/g, but flowers contributed only 5.3 to 21.3% to the total glucosinolates. Of the eight accessions, the Mississippi accession produced significantly higher levels of total glucosinolates and glucosinolates which can be degraded to isothiocyanates per plant, totals of 618.97 and 563.53 μmol/plant, respectively. Total plant biomass did not differ between accessions indicating a difference in the ability of the Mississippi accession to produce glucosinolates. Further studies are needed to determine if this accession would consistently produce higher glucosinolate levels under different environmental conditions.     

Removal of Plant Pathogen Propagules from Irrigation Runoff using Slow Filtration Systems: Quantifying Physical and Biological Components

A novel high-capacity phosphate removal adsorbent of graphene nanosheets (GNS) supported lanthanum hydroxide (LaOH) is prepared. The phosphate adsorption performance for GNS-LaOH is examined by a batch adsorption method from aqueous solutions. The Freundlich and Langmuir models are used to simulate the sorption equilibrium, which reveal that the Langmuir model has a better correlation with the experimental data. The maximum adsorption capacity is calculated to be 41.96 mg/g. The kinetic data from the adsorption of phosphate is suggested as the pseudo-second-order model, and the multi-linearity adsorption process is observed in the intraparticle diffusion model, indicating that a chemisorption process is dominant in the adsorption of phosphate. The phosphate adsorption mechanism is explored by analyzing the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the relationship between the adsorption amount and the pH value of phosphate solution. Ligand exchange and electrostatic and Lewis acid–base interactions are determined to be three main factors for phosphate adsorption.     

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Remediation by Three Floating Aquatic Macrophytes in Greenhouse-Based Laboratory-Scale Subsurface Constructed Wetlands

In the greenhouse and container nursery production industry there is potential for runoff of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), which may contaminate surface and groundwater. Since the 1950s constructed wetlands (CWs), as a simple, low-technology method, have been shown to effectively treat agricultural, industrial, and municipal wastewater. We investigated the N and P attenuating potential of three floating hydrophytes planted in a laboratory-scale subsurface flow (SSF) CW system. Over an 8-week period plants were supplied with N and P (0.39 to 36.81 mg·L^?1 N and 0.07 to 6.77 mg·L^?1 P) that spanned the rates detected in nursery runoff between the discharge and inflow locations of a commercial nursery currently employing CWs. Whole plant dry weight was positively correlated with N and P supplied. Highest N recovery rates were exhibited by water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms.) and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.). P recovery rates were similar for water hyacinth, water lettuce, and dwarf redstemmed parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum [Vell.] Verdc.). These floating hydrophytes can be cultivated in a SSF CW to remediate runoff losses of N and P. The possibility exists for integrating them into a polycultural remediation system that includes emergent aquatic macrophytes for processing and polishing nursery/greenhouse wastewater.     

Long Chain Fatty Acids of Diet as Factors Influencing Reproduction in Cattle

Cattle are fed moderate amounts of long chain fatty acids (FA) with the objective to enhance lactation and growth; however, recent interest on lipid feeding to cows has focused on reproduction, immunity and health. Increasing the caloric density of the ration by fat feeding has generally improved measures of cow reproduction, but when milk yield and body weight losses were increased by fat supplementation, positive effects on reproduction were not always observed. Feeding fat has influenced reproduction by altering the size of the dominant follicle, hastening the interval to first postpartum ovulation in beef cows, increasing progesterone concentrations during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle, modulating uterine prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, and improving oocyte and embryo quality and developmental competence. Some of these effects were altered by the type of FA fed. The polyunsaturated FA of the n-6 and n-3 families seem to have the most remarkable effects on reproductive responses of cattle, but it is not completely clear whether these effects are mediated only by them or by other potential intermediates produced during rumen biohydrogenation. Generally, feeding fat sources rich in n-6 FA during late gestation and early lactation enhanced follicle growth, uterine PG secretion, embryo quality and pregnancy in cows. Similarly, feeding n-3 FA during lactation suppressed uterine PG release, and improved embryo quality and maintenance of pregnancy. Future research ought to focus on methods to improve the delivery of specific FA and adequately powered studies should be designed to critically evaluate their effects on establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in cattle.     

Surface transport of 2,4-D from small turf plots: observations compared with GLEAMS and PRZM-2 model simulations

A three-year field study was conducted using twelve 7.4×3.7 m plots and simulated rainfall to investigate pesticide run-off following application to a golf course fairway. The plots were sprigged with ‘Tifway 419’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon×C transvaalensis). The dimethylamine salt of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] was applied as foliar sprays at a rate of 2.24 kg AI ha⁻¹. Simulated rainfall was applied at an intensity of 29 mm h⁻¹ one day before and 1, 2, 4, and 8 days after the pesticide applications for 0.92, 1.75. 1.75, 0.92, and 0.92 h, respectively. Water run-off was measured using a tipping-bucket apparatus and sub-samples were analyzed for pesticide residues. Data collected from the study were also compared with the GLEAMS and PRZM-2 model simulations for surface water and 2,4-D run-off. Mass and concentration of 2,4-D in run-off decreased rapidly, with 74.5% of the total run-off of 2,4-D occurring in the first run-off event after treatment. When calibrated to the site-specific characteristics, the GLEAMS and the PRZM-2 models adequately simulated the average of surface water run-off over all plots, with normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) and coefficient of determination for linear regression (R²) being 22.8% and 0.917 for GLEAMS, and 23.7% and 0.879 for PRZM-2, respectively. However, both GLEAMS (NRMSE=82.1%, R²=0.776) and PRZM-2 (NRMSE=125.8%, R²=0.513) less accurately simulated 2,4-D concentrations in run-off. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Elevated temperature (heat stress) in vitro reduces androstenedione and estradiol and increases progesterone secretion by follicular cells from bovine dominant follicles

Dairy cattle are susceptible to heat stress-induced reductions in fertility; however, direct effects of hyperthermia on specific reproductive functions are difficult to determine in vivo. The objective of this experiment was to examine the effect of elevated temperature in vitro on follicular steroidogenesis, to gain insight into specific follicular responses associated with heat stress. Dominant follicles were obtained from Holstein heifers on day 6 post-estrus (luteal phase; n = 4) or day 8, 36 h after an injection with 25 mg PGF(2alpha) to induce regression of the corpus luteum (follicular phase; n = 4). Pieces of follicle wall were isolated from dominant follicles and cultured for 96 h with 0, 2 or 100 ng/ml LH or FSH at 37, 39 or 41 degrees C. Concentrations of androstenedione, estradiol and progesterone were determined in culture media collected every 24h. During the last 48 h of culture, basal secretion of androstenedione and estradiol by pieces of follicle wall was lower at 41 degrees C than at 37 or 39 degrees C (P < 0.05). In contrast, cumulative secretion of progesterone by pieces of follicle wall in medium alone was higher at 41 degrees C than at 37 or 39 degrees C (P < 0.05). Pieces of follicle wall responded to treatment with both low (2 ng/ml) and high (100 ng/ml) doses of gonadotropins at all temperatures. However, gonadotropin-induced secretion of androstenedione and estradiol was generally lower, whereas gonadotropin-induced secretion of progesterone was higher at 41 degrees C and sometimes at 39 than at 37 degrees C. The changes in basal steroidogenesis and in responses to gonadotropins suggest that follicular cells begin to luteinize at elevated temperatures in vitro. Premature luteinization of follicular cells in vivo has been associated with reduced fertility in cattle with persistent follicles, suggesting that the premature differentiation of follicular cells observed in the current study may be responsible, in part, for the reduced fertility of dairy cattle under heat-stressed conditions.     

Stochastic variation of system component variables in a network analysis

A deterministic network simulation was reformulated to include the uncertainty of various parameters. Then, by the recording values obtained for each pathway or system in the network for a set of stochastic parameters and then choosing another set of stochastic parameters and recording the values obtained from that simulation, an average value and standard deviation for any system in the network can be determined. In the decision-making process of choosing from one system over another, the manager will have a better understanding of the complex interactions involved by knowing the effects that uncertainty in the system can cause.