Evidence that antibodies against recombinant SnSAG1 of Sarcocystis neurona merozoites are involved in infection and immunity in equine protozoal myeloencephalitis

Sarcocystis neurona is the principal etiologic agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). An immunodominant protein of S. neurona, SnSAG-1, is expressed by the majority of S. neurona merozoites isolated from spinal tissues of horses diagnosed with EPM and may be a candidate for diagnostic tests and prophylaxis for EPM. Five horses were vaccinated with adjuvanted recombinant SnSAG1 (rSnSAG1) and 5 control (sham vaccinated) horses were vaccinated with adjuvant only. Serum was evaluated pre- and post-vaccination, prior to challenge, for antibodies against rSnSAG1 and inhibitory effects on the infectivity of S. neurona by an in vitro serum neutralization assay. The effect of vaccination with rSnSAG1 on in vivo infection by S. neurona was evaluated by challenging all the horses with S. neurona merozoites. Blinded daily examinations and 4 blinded neurological examinations were used to evaluate the presence of clinical signs of EPM. The 5 vaccinated horses developed serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) titers of SnSAG1, detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), post-vaccination. Post-vaccination serum from vaccinated horses was found to have an inhibitory effect on merozoites, demonstrated by in vitro bioassay. Following the challenge, the 5 control horses displayed clinical signs of EPM, including ataxia. While 4 of the 5 vaccinated horses did not become ataxic. One rSnSAG-1 vaccinated horse showed paresis in 1 limb with muscle atrophy. All horses showed mild, transient, cranial nerve deficits; however, disease did not progress to ataxia in rSnSAG-1 vaccinated horses. The study showed that vaccination with rSnSAG-1 produced antibodies in horses that neutralized merozoites when tested by in vitro culture and significantly reduced clinical signs demonstrated by in vivo challenge.     

Reconstruction of Microraptor and the evolution of iridescent plumage

Iridescent feather colors involved in displays of many extant birds are produced by nanoscale arrays of melanin-containing organelles (melanosomes). Data relevant to the evolution of these colors and the properties of melanosomes involved in their generation have been limited. A data set sampling variables of extant avian melanosomes reveals that those forming most iridescent arrays are distinctly narrow. Quantitative comparison of these data with melanosome imprints densely sampled from a previously unknown specimen of the Early Cretaceous feathered Microraptor predicts that its plumage was predominantly iridescent. The capacity for simple iridescent arrays is thus minimally inferred in paravian dinosaurs. This finding and estimation of Microraptor feathering consistent with an ornamental function for the tail suggest a centrality for signaling in early evolution of plumage and feather color.     

A comparison of the Ameroid constrictor versus ligation in the surgical management of single extrahepatic portosystemic shunts.

Twenty-two dogs were managed surgically for a single extrahepatic portosystemic shunt; 12 with surgical ligation and 10 with an Ameroid constrictor. Utilization of the Ameroid constrictor significantly decreased surgery time to approximately half that of the ligation technique. A decreased intraoperative and postoperative complication rate was noted with the Ameroid constrictor group. Follow-up evaluation demonstrated comparable efficacy when comparing surgical techniques. The Ameroid constrictor offered a surgical occlusion technique for management of a single extra-hepatic portosystemic shunt that was equally effective to ligation while shortening surgical time and minimizing the risks that are commonly associated with ligation of the shunting vessel.     

用Glu-B3、Gli-B1和SEC-1b复合引物PCR检测普通小麦1BL/1RS易位系

 利用低分子量 (LMW )麦谷蛋白Glu B3的STS PCR标记、醇溶蛋白Gli B1的SSR标记和黑麦碱SEC 1b的STS PCR标记的复合PCR ,对 10个普通小麦品种、中优 950 7/CA963 2的 91个DH系和 2 8个F2 个体植株 ,进行了1BL/1RS易位系的检测。结果表明 ,中优 950 7/CA963 2的 3 9个DH系和CA963 2、晋麦 45、兰考 2 4、烟农 18、京冬 8等5个品种缺失 2个小麦贮藏蛋白位点的PCR产物 ,而拥有黑麦碱的PCR产物。利用PAGE和ELISA方法 ,对上述品种 (系 )进行了黑麦碱 (secalin)蛋白的检测 ,发现这些品种 (系 )均包含secalin ,与分子标记的检测结果吻合 ,是 1BL/1RS易位系。对 2 8个F2 单株的检测表明 ,该复合标记可以检测出早代 1BL/1RS的纯合和杂合植株     

Biographical predictors of scientific performance

The biographical approach to the identification of scientific talent has shown significant results in a variety of situations which included different laboratories, fields of specialization, and age groups. Much remains to be accomplished, however. The biographical approach needs to be validated in other organizational settings employing relevant criteria. Although this kind of research is being initiated, a number of studies are needed to define the advantages and limitations. The use of biographical information to identify the creative and other talents of executives, composers, administrators, and artists has been largely unexplored. Furthermore, the meaning of the biographical items has not been correlated with existing psychological theory and knowledge. All evidence to date indicates that the investigation of biographical information and its relationship to various criteria of performance and other psychological measures is a rapidly expanding area of investigation which will make further contributions to the identification of talent in a variety of fields.     

Structural relaxation of polymer glasses at surfaces, interfaces, and in between

We analyzed the glassy-state structural relaxation of polymers near surfaces and interfaces by monitoring fluorescence in multilayer films. Relative to that of bulk, the rate of structural relaxation of poly(methyl methacrylate) is reduced by a factor of 2 at a free surface and by a factor of 15 at a silica substrate interface; the latter exhibits a nearly complete arresting of relaxation. The distribution in relaxation rates extends more than 100 nanometers into the film interior, a distance greater than that over which surfaces and interfaces affect the glass transition temperature.