Use of monoclonal antibodies against human HLA II antigens for the detection of bovine B lymphocytes and macrophages]

The crossreactivity of mouse monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) (Tab. I) prepared against human HLA-DR and HLA-DP antigens was studied in various bovine cells: lymphocytes from lymph nodes and peripheral blood, adherent (B) and nonadherent (T) lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes and platelets. In the immunofluorescence test, MoAbs Bra13, Bra14, Bra20, Bra22, Bra30, Bra70, HL-38 reacted with bovine B lymphocytes and monocytes, but not with other tested cells (Tab. III, IV). These antibodies, except Bra22, were positive with B lymphocytes in the complement dependent cytotoxic test (Tab. II). The similarity of the bovine antigens and HLA-DR antigens determined by used MoAbs was also proved by immunoblotting. Monoclonal antibodies Bra38 and BraFB6 did not react with the bovine cells and separated antigens. The epitope (HLA-DR) recognized by the antibody Bra38 is probably absent in cattle. The presence of HLA-DP analogue determined by the antibody BraFB6 has not been confirmed. The crossreactive MoAbs could be used for the detection of B lymphocytes and macrophages in veterinary immunology.     

Pulmonary artery and aortic pressure changes during high intensity treadmill exercise in the horse: effect of frusemide and phentolamine.

Intravenous frusemide (1.0 mg/kg bwt) or phentolamine (0.33 mg/kg bwt) was given to 7 horses 1 h before exercise and their effects on pulmonary artery and aortic pressure changes during strenuous exercise were examined. Short-term near-maximal treadmill exercise (10 m/sec, 3 degrees incline) produced increases in heart rate, mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), mean aortic pressure (AP), and packed cell volume (PCV). Frusemide did not affect heart rate, PAP or PCV during exercise. Frusemide significantly decreased mean AP by 10 to 15 mmHg during exercise. Phentolamine produced an increase in heart rate relative to control only early in exercise but not during later, more strenuous, exercise. Phentolamine had no statistically significant effect on AP, PAP, or PCV, but a significant reduction was observed between 180 and 230 sec of exercise when PAP and AP were standardised against heart rate. Frusemide did not prevent horses from haemorrhaging during exercise in this study. Treatment with phentolamine did not sufficiently reduce the PAP and AP to test our hypothesis that a reduction in PAP and AP would eliminate EIPH.     

Filtration of Green Algae and Cyanobacteria by Freshwater Mussels in the Partitioned Aquaculture System

Abstract.— The freshwater mussel Elliptio complanata was provided water containing green algae and cyanobacteria delivered from the Partitioned Aquaculture System (PAS) at eight flow rates to determine algal filtration rates as mg of particulate organic carbon (POC)/kg wet tissue weight per h. The dominant taxon in cyanobacterial waters was Microcystis while the dominant taxa in green algal waters were Scenedesmus and Ankistrodesmus . The cell counts of Scenedesmus and Ankistrodesmus were the only algal taxa that were significantly different between the incoming water and water filtered by mussels. Filtration rates of POC obtained from green algal water were significantly greater than from cyanobacteria-dominated waters at all flow rates. A significant increase in mean filtration rate was observed as flow rates increased. The filtration rate of green algae increased as POC concentration increased, peaking at 28 mg C/L. A maximum filtration rate was not observed with cyanobacterial waters.     

Effect of Heat Stress on Grain Growth, Starch Synthesis and Protein Synthesis in Grains of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties Differing in Grain Weight Stability

The effect of heat stress on the components of grain weight was analysed in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) varieties differing in grain weight stability. The wheat varieties PBW154, Sonalika and Hindi62 were raised in the field (New Delhi, India; 77°12' E, 28°40' N, 228.6 m a.s.l.) at three dates of sowing: 19 November 1992 (DOS I), 14 December 1992 (DOS II) and 18 January 1993 (DOS III). The late-sown crop (DOS III) experienced 6–8 °C warmer temperatures during grain development than the crop sown at the normal time (DOS I). The heat susceptibility index (S) revealed that grain weight was less susceptible to heat in Sonalika and PBW154 than in Hindi62. Heat stress reduced both the grain growth duration (GGD) and the grain growth rate (GGR). The grain weight reduction in PBW154 and Sonalika was mainly due to a reduction in GGR, while that of Hindi62 was due to a reduction in GGD. In vivo studies on starch and protein synthesis in excised endosperm at 15, 25 and 35 °C revealed that both processes were more thermotolerant in Hindi62 than in PBW154. The grain starch content was stable in Hindi62 while that in PBW154 was significantly reduced under heat stress. The grain nitrogen content at maturity increased in both varieties under heat stress. It was concluded that the heat susceptibility of grain weight in Hindi62 was mainly due to a reduction in GGD, although GGR, starch and protein synthesis were more thermotolerant in developing grains of Hindi62 than in those of PBW154.     

Effects of Benzyl Adenine and Abscisic Acid on Grain Yield and Yield Components in Triticale and Wheat

Grain yield and yield components (grains per ear, grain weight, 1000-grain weight, ear weight, ear seed ratio and dry matter partitioning between ear and seed) were examined in a wheat genotype (PBW-343) with well-filled grains and a Triticale genotype (DT-46) with poorly filled grains (showing grain shrivelling) grown in pots. Six days after anthesis (DAA), benzyladenine (BA) @2 µg ear⁻¹ and abscisic acid (ABA) @4 µg ear⁻¹ were injected at the base of the mother shoot ear in both species. It was observed that, in both wheat and Triticale , BA increased the grain weight, grain number and partitioning of dry matter between ear and seed, whereas ABA decreased the grain weight, grain number and dry matter partitioning between ear and seed. However, these decreases were slower in Triticale than in wheat. BA treatment increased the grain dry matter accumulation, which in turn resulted in better filling of grains and increased the grain weight in both wheat and Triticale . The average grain weight of Triticale was lower than that of wheat. Thus, it appears that variation in grain weight between wheat and Triticale might be due to different availabilities of growth-promoting phytohormones such as cytokinins and assimilates.     

Survey of tick infestation and tick-borne ehrlichial infection of dogs in Ishigaki Island, Japan.

Twelve (54.5%) of 22 free-roaming dogs in Ishigaki Island had tick infestation identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus. There were 121 ticks recovered and consisted of 28 females, 58 males, 22 nymphs and 3 larvae. Infection of dogs possibly with canine ehrlichial pathogens was examined by both indirect immunofluorescence assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two dogs of the 13 examined were sero-positive for the human granulocytic ehrlichia agent, and one of two dogs was PCR positive for Ehrlichia platys. This dog had platelet numbers slightly lower than normal value, however, no morulae were found within platelet on peripheral blood smear stained with Giemsa.     

(+)-Totarol from Chamaecyparis nootkatensis and activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The isolation of (+)-totarol as active compound against Mycobacterium tuberculosis is reported from Chamaecyparis nootkatensis outerbark.     

An evaluation of the Olsen test as a measure of plant-available phosphorus in grassland soils derived from basalt parent material

Abstract. Anecdotal and circumstantial evidence have suggested that the Olsen test underestimates plant-available phosphorus (P) in basaltic soils in Northern Ireland. Therefore, the ability of this test to predict plant-available P in basaltic (and non-basaltic) soils was investigated by regressing Olsen-P data against herbage P indices calculated from plant tissue test data using the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system. The average Olsen-P concentration for a range of fields situated on basaltic soils was considerably lower than the average Olsen-P concentration for a range of fields situated on non-basaltic soils, and yet mean sward P status, as given by the herbage P indices, was similar for both groups of fields. Herbage P indices were also much better correlated with Olsen-P measurements in non-basaltic soils than in basaltic soils. Furthermore, at low Olsen-P values (≶9mgPL⁻¹) some swards on basaltic soils were genuinely deficient in P, while others were sufficient or even in surplus for this nutrient. The results confirm that Olsen-P is inadequate as a predictor of plant-available P in basaltic soils. It is concluded that an alternative soil test is needed to provide a reliable assessment of plant-available P in basaltic soils, to prevent overuse of fertilizer and manure P and to minimize the amounts of P entering local watercourses.