Leishmania-specific isotype levels and their relationship with specific cell-mediated immunity parameters in canine leishmaniasis

In the current retrospective study, Leishmania infantum-specific IgG, IgA and IgM levels were determined by ELISA in 106 untreated dogs with clinically-patent leishmaniasis (Sx) and in 171 clinically healthy dogs (Asx) from Spain to investigate the relationship between these Ig isotypes and clinical status. In addition, we studied if different Leishmania-specific humoral pattern exists between Asx dogs with and without cellular mediated immunity (CMI). Fifty-six dogs were assessed by means of lymphoproliferation assay (LPA), interferon production (IFN) and leishmanin skin test (LST), 71 dogs by means of both LPA and IFN and 44 only by LST. Both Sx and Asx dogs produced Leishmania-specific IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies, however the levels and proportion of positive dogs for each Ig isotype were significantly higher in Sx than in Asx ones (P<0.001). Analysis of immunological profiles determined for each cellular technique (positive and negative cellular response for each technique combined with positive or negative specific humoral response) showed that Asx dogs constituted a high heterogeneous group. No correlations were observed between CMI tests and specific IgG or IgM levels. However, a significant inverse correlation was demonstrated between specific IgA levels and LPA response (Spearman's r=-0.220; P=0.035). In general, the low correlation detected between CMI tests and isotype levels might indicate that the immune response is not strongly polarized in the majority of Asx dogs. Additionally, this study suggests that dogs developing T-cell response are probably able to avoid the dissemination of the parasite at least to mucosal surfaces and, as a consequence, to produce low or background specific IgA levels. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between specific IgA and parasite load, especially at mucosal site.     

Implications of early selection for grain colour on iron and zinc content and productivity of common bean

Brazilian consumers prefer beans of the beige grain colour. Common beans help supply dietary requirements for iron and zinc. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine whether early selection for grain colour affects the iron and zinc content and the grain yield in common beans and (ii) if an association between these characteristics was found, to obtain lines of carioca‐type grains with a high iron and zinc content and good grain yield. We evaluated 96 F_3:4, F_3:5 and F_3:6 progeny at two locations for iron and zinc content and grain yield. We selected 48 progeny for grain colour and chose 48 others at random. We found that early selection for grain colour does not affect the zinc content and grain yield. A positive and high association was found between iron and zinc content, and both iron and zinc content were slightly negatively correlated with grain yield. It is possible to obtain common bean lines combining a high iron and zinc content with good grain yield as long as a selection index is used.     

Genetic variability among elite red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) parents used in Chile as revealed by RAPD markers

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is one of the main forage species of temperate regions. Cultivars of red clover are heterogeneous which makes their genetic analysis difficult. We applied RAPDs (Random Amplifed Polymorphic DNA) in order to assess the genetic relationship and levels of genetic variability existing among a group of 16 elite red clover parents organised in four subsets of 4 parents each. Out of 55 primers 21 provided reproducible results. A total of 135 reliable and polymorphic RAPD bands were detected which were used to estimate genetic distances among pair-wise combinations of elite parents. Nei and Li's similarity values ranged from 0.60 to 0.77, with a mean of 0.66, which reflects a rather high genetic variability among the genotypes evaluated. Lower levels of genetic variability, as detected by polymorphic loci and mean heterogeneity values, were detected in a subset of parents selected for resistance to the stem nematode. Cluster analyses resolved the different sets of parents in a manner consistent with what is known from their breeding origins. An Analysis of Molecular Variance detected substantial levels of variation within subsets of parents. RAPDs represent a valuable source of genetic information for red clover breeding programmes. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Macronutrient accumulation in wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L.) with Azospirillum brasilense associated with nitrogen doses and sources

Abstract

New studies are needed to optimize the nitrogen (N) amount that can be applied to utilize the Azospirillum brasilense benefits. In addition, information regarding the interaction between the urease inhibitor and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and how they affect the macronutrients accumulation are also needed. We evaluate the effect of N sources and doses associated with A. brasilense regarding the macronutrients accumulation in straw and grains and wheat grain yield in tropical conditions. A randomized block experimental design was used with four replications in a 2?×?5?×?2 factorial arrangement as follows: two N sources (urea and urea with urease enzyme inhibitor NBPT; five N doses (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200?kg ha^?1) applied in topdressing; with and without A. brasilense inoculation. We found that an increase in N doses positively influenced the accumulation of macronutrients in straw and grains and the wheat grain yield. N sources have similar effects. Inoculation with A. brasilense increased accumulation of Mg and S in straw and P, Ca, and Mg in grains, regardless of the N dose. The inoculation with A. brasilense associated with 140?kg ha^?1 of N increased wheat grain yield. The inoculation can contribute in a more sustainable way to wheat nutrition and optimizing N fertilization.     

Effect of tillage and N fertilization on microbial physiological profile of soils cultivated with wheat

Microbial diversity might be a good indicator of ecosystem disturbance and functioning. We determined the effect of soil disturbances, such as N fertilization and tillage management, on soil microbial communities in a Typic Argiudoll of the El Salado river basin (Argentina). Microbial activity and substrate utilization provided a metabolic fingerprint of the soil microbial community. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to differentiate responses to N fertilization and tillage at each of three growth stages of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Tillage had an adverse effect on microbial diversity, in which reduced and conventional tillage treated soils had different populations. However, N fertilization also altered microbial diversity depending on the crop developmental stage considered. Metabolism of carboxylic acids and carbohydrates were the main indicators of functional microbial activity and diversity. Although the substrate consumption profile of 32 C substrates did not provide insights into the fundamental ecological interactions that may induce changes in microbial population, it allowed us to demonstrate the alterations of microbial diversity as a result of tillage. We conclude that tillage and N fertilization altered microbial diversity.     

Rapid determination of inorganic and methyl mercury in fish

A method has been developed that uses a mixed solution of NaOH, NaCl and cysteine to digest fish. Inorganic Hg and MgHg were determined by cold vapor atomic absorption (CVAAS) using a selective reduction step with SnCl₂ and SnCL₂-solutions. Ethyl alcohol was satisfactorily used to prevent excessive foaming. Two optimum digestion procedures were established: (1) using a dry block heater at 90 °C for 1 hr and (2) overnight digestion at 25 to 30 °C. Differences between both were not significant (95%) in the range of 30 to 500 ng g^?1 Hg (II) and MeHg in fish. Reduction of the Hg signal due to matrix effects in different fish species was evaluated (95 to 60%). Oily fish, shrimp and lobsters gave the highest reduction. Internal calibration by addition of Hg standards are strongly recommended when exact determinations are needed. The detection limit obtained was near 10 ng g^?1. Signals were linear in the concentration range studied (30 to 500 ng g^?1). Accuracy of analyses was in the order of 5% or better, with a relative standard deviation of 5%. The method could be applied to other environmental matrices: hair, urine and blood, with some modifications.     

Impacts of population growth, economic development, and technical change on global food production and consumption

Over the next decades mankind will demand more food from fewer land and water resources. This study quantifies the food production impacts of four alternative development scenarios from the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the Special Report on Emission Scenarios. Partially and jointly considered are land and water supply impacts from population growth, and technical change, as well as forest and agricultural commodity demand shifts from population growth and economic development. The income impacts on food demand are computed with dynamic elasticities. Simulations with a global, partial equilibrium model of the agricultural and forest sectors show that per capita food levels increase in all examined development scenarios with minor impacts on food prices. Global agricultural land increases by up to 14% between 2010 and 2030. Deforestation restrictions strongly impact the price of land and water resources but have little consequences for the global level of food production and food prices. While projected income changes have the highest partial impact on per capita food consumption levels, population growth leads to the highest increase in total food production. The impact of technical change is amplified or mitigated by adaptations of land management intensities.     

Teleportation of nonclassical wave packets of light

We report on the experimental quantum teleportation of strongly nonclassical wave packets of light. To perform this full quantum operation while preserving and retrieving the fragile nonclassicality of the input state, we have developed a broadband, zero-dispersion teleportation apparatus that works in conjunction with time-resolved state preparation equipment. Our approach brings within experimental reach a whole new set of hybrid protocols involving discrete- and continuous-variable techniques in quantum information processing for optical sciences.     

Bias in Peer Review of Organic Farming Grant Applications

Peer reviews of 84 organic farming grant applications from Sweden were analyzed to determine whether the reviewers’ affiliation to one of two types of agriculture (i.e., organic and conventional) influenced their reviews. Fifteen reviewers were divided into three groups: (1) scientists with experience in organic farming research; (2) scientists with no experience in organic farming research; and (3) users of organic farming research. The two groups of scientists assessed the societal relevance and scientific quality of the grant applications based on three criteria (i.e., presentation, methodology, qualifications), whereas the user group only assessed societal relevance. The analysis showed that the two groups of scientists provided very different reviews. Scientist reviewers with experience in organic farming research agreed more with the user group on research relevance than did scientist reviewers without such experience, and the assessment of relevance was closely correlated to the assessment of scientific quality within both scientific groups. As both scientific groups did not clearly distinguish between societal relevance and scientific quality, the idea of an objective science is challenged. The contextual values associated with the norms of good agriculture were not clearly distinguished from the constitutive values of science associated with the traditional norms of good science. This raises the question of whether organic and conventional grant applications should be mixed for review regardless of the reviewers.