Enhanced resistance to cattle grub infestation (Hypoderma lineatum de Vill.) in calves immunized with purified hypodermin A, B and C plus monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL).

The influence of an antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune response, stimulated by immunization, on survival of a challenge infestation of Hypoderma lineatum was investigated. Calves immunized with a purified combination of hypodermin A, B and C plus monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) developed a strong antigen-specific cellular immune response by completion of the immunization schedule which persisted to 12 weeks post-infestation. Responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes to the mitogens concanavalin A and pokeweed was also elevated at 4 and 12 weeks post-infestation. Western blot analysis at the time of maximum grub counts demonstrated that immunized calves responded to hypodermin A, B and C while those receiving only MPL or infested controls responded only to hypodermin B and C. The antigen-specific antibody response as measured by ELISA at maximum grub count was significantly higher in vaccinated calves than in infested controls while the response in calves receiving only immunostimulator was also significantly elevated. Immunized (antigen plus MPL) calves produced 5.0 +/- 6.9 grubs per animal which successfully pupated while those receiving MPL alone produced 16.4 +/- 6.1 and infested controls produced 32.2 +/- 10.9 grubs per animal.     

The effects of aquaculture on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops sp.) ranging in Shark Bay, Western Australia

The increasing presence of aquaculture in coastal waters calls for a better understanding of its environmental effects. Currently little information is available on the impact of shellfish farms on cetaceans. Here we compare long-term ranging patterns of adult female bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp. in Shark Bay, Western Australia) before and during full-scale pearl oyster farming operations, to determine if they were displaced. When the exact location of the oyster farm was determined, the dolphins decreased their use of that area after the farm was in place. Tracks of adult female dolphin movement near the oyster farm were compared to tracks of dolphin movement near an ecologically similar area where no oyster farm existed. Tracks near the oyster farm were less likely to enter the oyster farm itself than tracks near an ecologically similar location. This suggests that shellfish aquaculture could have a large impact on small cetaceans. The analytical techniques discussed apply broadly to aquatic and terrestrial animals.     

Hydrologic pathways and chemical composition of runoff during snowmelt in Loch Vale Watershed,Rocky Mountain National Park,Colorado, USA

Intensive sampling of a stream draining an alpine-subalpine basin revealed that depressions in pH and acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of surface water at the beginning of the spring snowmelt in 1987 and 1988 were not accompanied by increases in strong acid anions, and that surface waters did not become acidic (ANC<0). Samples of meltwater collected at the base of the snowpack in 1987 were acidic and exhibited distinct ‘pulses’ of nitrate and sulfate. Solutions collected with lysimeters in forest soils adjacent to the stream revealed high levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total Al. Peaks in concentration of DOC, Al, and nutrient species in the stream samples indicate a flush of soil solution into the surface water at the beginning of the melt. Infiltration of meltwater into soils and spatial heterogeneity in the timing of melting across the basin prevented stream and lake waters from becoming acidic.     

A 115-kD polypeptide immunologically related to erythrocyte band 3 is present in Golgi membranes

Band 3 multigene family consists of several distinct but structurally related polypeptides which are probably involved in the transport of anions across the plasma membrane of both erythrocytes and nonerythroid cells. A novel member of this family of polypeptides that resides in the Golgi complex was identified with antibodies to Band 3. The Golgi antigen had a larger molecular size and was antigenically distinct from Band 3 in the amino-terminal domain. It was expressed most prominently in cells that secrete large amounts of sulfated proteins and proteoglycans. This polypeptide may participate in sulfate transport across Golgi membranes.     

Differences between tight and loose cultures: a 33-nation study

With data from 33 nations, we illustrate the differences between cultures that are tight (have many strong norms and a low tolerance of deviant behavior) versus loose (have weak social norms and a high tolerance of deviant behavior). Tightness-looseness is part of a complex, loosely integrated multilevel system that comprises distal ecological and historical threats (e.g., high population density, resource scarcity, a history of territorial conflict, and disease and environmental threats), broad versus narrow socialization in societal institutions (e.g., autocracy, media regulations), the strength of everyday recurring situations, and micro-level psychological affordances (e.g., prevention self-guides, high regulatory strength, need for structure). This research advances knowledge that can foster cross-cultural understanding in a world of increasing global interdependence and has implications for modeling cultural change.     

Impact of arbuscular mycorrhiza on the St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) wilt disease induced by Colletotrichum cf. gloeosporioides

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The importance of herbal plants is evident in the prevalent use as flavoring ingredients in food. However, meeting the growing demand for organic grown...     

Comparison of antioxidant activity, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and phenolics of three native fresh and sun-dried date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties grown in Oman

Fresh and sun-dried dates of three native varieties from Oman, namely, Fard, Khasab, and Khalas, were examined for their antioxidant activity and total contents of anthocyanins, carotenoids, and phenolics, as well as free and bound phenolic acids. All results are expressed as mean value +/- standard deviation (n = 3) on a fresh weight basis. Fresh date varieties were found to be a good source of antioxidants (11687-20604 micromol of Trolox equiv/g), total contents of anthocyanins (0.24-1.52 mg of cyanidin 3-glucoside equiv/100 g), carotenoids (1.31-3.03 mg/100 g), phenolics (134-280 mg of ferulic acid equiv/100 g), free phenolic acids (2.61-12.27 mg/100 g), and bound phenolic acids (6.84-30.25 mg/100 g). A significant (p < 0.05) amount of antioxidants and carotenoids was lost after sun-drying of dates, whereas the total content of phenolics and free and bound phenolic acids increased significantly (p < 0.05). Anthocyanins were detected only in fresh dates. Date varieties had different levels and patterns of phenolic acids. Four free phenolic acids (protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, and ferulic acid) and nine bound phenolic acids (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and o-coumaric acid) were tentatively identified. Of the date varieties studied, Khalas, which is considered to be premium quality, had higher antioxidant activity, total carotenoids, and bound phenolic acids than other varieties. These results suggest that all date varieties serve as a good source of natural antioxidants and could potentially be considered as a functional food or functional food ingredient, although some of their antioxidant constituents are lost during sun-drying.     

Heavy metal pollutant tolerance of Azolla Pinnata

The effects of Hg, As, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Cr (1, 2, and 5 mg L^?1 each) on Azolla pinnata R. Br. were analyzed. The treatments (2 and 5 mg L^?1) of the heavy metal pollutants decreased Hill activity, chlorophyll, protein and dry wt, and increased tissue permeability over control values. The effects were most pronounced with the treatment of 5 mg L^?1. The harmful effects of the metals were, in general, found by the treatments in the order: Cd 〉 Hg 〉 Cu 〉 As 〉 Pb 〉 Cr. There was no significant change in these parameters at 1 mg L^?1 of the metals over control. Thus Azolla pinnata shows tolerance to the heavy metals tested up to 1 mg L^?1 each.     

Effects of aluminum on mineral content of mycorrhizal fungi in vitro

The influence of Al³⁺ on the mineral content of mycorrhizal fungi was studied in vitro. Amanita muscaria (L. ex Fr.) Pers. ex Hooker whose growth is reduced and Lactarius piperatus (L. ex Fr.) S.F. Gray whose growth is stimulated by Al³⁺ where chosen for the experiments. 0, 0.1, 1, and 10mM A³⁺ were added as Al₂(SO₄)₃ · 18H₂O to modified M-40 medium. Al³⁺ drastically affected the mineral contents of the mycelia of both fungi: the Al, Ca, and Na contents increased while P, Mg, and K decreased with the increasing Al³⁺ concentrations in the media. On the other hand, some important differences between the two mycelia were detected. In the mycelia of Lacterius piperatus grown on the control media, there was about twice as much Ca content and a three times lower P content than in the Amanita muscaria mycelia. The Al³⁺ content in the mycelia of Lactarius piperatus grown on 10mM Al³⁺ was six times higher than in Amanita muscaria at the same concentration.