Silicon identification in prosthesis-associated fibrous capsules

The use of correlated microscopic techniques, including the scanning electron microscopic modes of backscattered electron imaging and energy dispersive x-ray analysis, aid in defining the process of dispersion of silicon-containing material around silicone rubber (polydimethylsiloxane) prosthetic devices.     

Bacterial spot of capsicum and tomato in Yugoslavia

The causal agent of bacterial spot of capsicum and tomato grown in different regions in Yugoslavia was investigated. Isolations were made from diseased material collected in recent years. The biochemical and physiological characteristics of isolated bacteria were studied by standard bacteriological tests. The race of the pathogen was determined on differential cultivars of capsicum and tomato. The causal agent of the disease was identified according to the concepts of the time as Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria. Strains isolated from diseased capsicum were non-pectolytic and non-amylolytic, and did not infect tomato plants. According to the reaction of capsicum cv. Early Calwonder and its isogenic lines, these strains belonged to'pepper races'1 and 3 of X. vesicatoria. Tomato strains showed pectolytic and amylolytic activity and were not pathogenic to capsicum. Accordingly, the capsicum strains could now be considered to be X. axonopodis pv. vesicatoria and the tomato strains X. vesicatoria.     

Lumpy skin disease of cattle: an emerging problem in the Sultanate of Oman

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a highly infectious disease of cattle caused by a virus belonging to the Capripoxvirus genus of the family Poxviridae. The purpose of this study is to place on record the first confirmation of LSD in the Sultanate. The disease was diagnosed and confirmed using polymerase chain reaction, histopathology, transmission electron microscopy and serum neutralization testing. The epizootic occurred in 2009 involving a large number of animals and covering a wide area including Nezwa, Alqabel, Sohar, Saham and Burimi. Morbidity and mortality rates of 29.7 and 26.3 %, and 13.6 and 15.4 % were observed at Nezwa and Sohar, respectively. The clinical signs were much more severe in Holstein–Friesian cattle compared to indigenous breeds and were characterized by multiple skin nodules covering the neck, back, perineum, tail, limbs and genital organs. Affected animals also exhibited lameness, emaciation and cessation of milk production. Oedema of limbs and brisket, and superficial lymph node enlargement were highly prominent. It is not known from where the virus originated, or how it spread to the Sultanate. The disease has become endemic in the country and is liable to extend to other Gulf Cooperation Council Countries and cause a pandemic. It is of major concern to the Omani dairy industry. Due to the widespread presence of screw worm, serious economic losses can follow outbreaks.     

GENETICS. The Human Variome Project

An ambitious plan to collect, curate, and make accessible information on genetic variations affecting human health is beginning to be realized.     

Specific GABAA circuits for visual cortical plasticity

Weak inhibition within visual cortex early in life prevents experience-dependent plasticity. Loss of responsiveness to an eye deprived of vision can be initiated prematurely by enhancing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated transmission with benzodiazepines. Here, we use a mouse "knockin" mutation to alpha subunits that renders individual GABA type A (GABA(A)) receptors insensitive to diazepam to show that a particular inhibitory network controls expression of the critical period. Only alpha1-containing circuits were found to drive cortical plasticity, whereas alpha2-enriched connections separately regulated neuronal firing. This dissociation carries implications for models of brain development and the safe design of benzodiazepines for use in infants.     

The function of the pericarp in fruits of crop legumes

Summary Legume fruits consist of the seeds and the pericarp that develops from the carpel. Anatomical as well as physiological functions of the pericarp on the one hand resemble those of leaves, on the other hand similarities exist to storage organs. This double function is closely related to the maintainance of a continuous ontogenetic development of the embryo and contributes to the survival of the species. The fleshy and reserve accumulating pericarps of most of the agronomically used grain legumes may have been accidentally selected by breeders in former times. A well developed system of relations between pericarp and developing seeds may have an evolutionary advantage, too. Consequently, the optimally coordinated development of pericarp and seeds in fruits of grain legumes should also be of interest in breeding for increased yields.Pericarps represent a protection against damage of the developing embryo and maintain a favourable micro-climate. All transport streams supplying nutrients to the developing embryo have to pass through the pericarp tissues; pericarp vascular tissue mediates the transport between vegetative parts and the developing young plant organism. Like leaves pericarp assimilates carbon dioxide as well as nitrate autotrophically. During stage 1 of embryogenesis, when the seeds are only small and slowly growing organs, the pericarp represents the centre of anabolism in the fruits and accumulates starch and amides that are degraded and transferred into the seeds during stage 2 of ontogenesis when the cotyledons are growing rapidly. Pericarp metabolism seems to be controlled by the seeds. Temporarily physiological processes in the pericarp can buffer seed development against damages by environmental and nutrient stress.The present knowledge on the structures and functions of the pericarp in grain legume fruits is summarized on the basis of available literature as well as on the basis of own investigations.

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Die Funktion des Pericarps in Früchten von Körnerleguminosen

Zusammenfassung Leguminosenfrüchte bestehen aus dem Pericarp, das sich aus dem Fruchtblatt entwickelt, und den davon umschlossenen Samen. Anatomische und physiologische Funktionen des Pericarps entsprechen einerseits denen eines Blattes, andererseits bestehen Ähnlichkeiten zu Speicherorganen. Diese Doppelfunktion ist eng mit der Erhaltung einer kontinuierlichen ontogenetischen Entwicklung der Embryonen verknüpft und trägt zur Erhaltung der Art bei. Die fleischigen und Reserve-Stoffe akkumulierenden Pericarpien der meisten landwirtschaftlich genutzten Körnerleguminosen könnten in vergangenen Zeiten unbewußt durch Pflanzenzüchter herausgebildet worden sein. Ein gut entwickeltes System von Beziehungen zwischen Pericarp und sich entwickelnden Samen könnte einen Evolutionsvorteil darstellen. Infolgedessen sollte die Herausbildung eines solchen Systems mit optimal koordinierter Entwicklung von Pericarp und Samen für die Ertragszüchtung bei Körnerleguminosen von Interesse sein.Pericarpien bilden einen Schutz gegen die Schädigung der sich entwickelnden Samen und erhalten ein günstiges Mikroklima. Alle Transportströme, mit denen Nährstoffe für den herangewachsenen Embryo bereitgestellt werden, passieren das Pericarp; die Leitgewebe des Pericarps bilden die Transportverbindungen zwischen vegetativen Teilen und den sich entwickelnden jungen pflanzlichen Organismen. Ebenso wie Blätter können Pericarpien autotroph Kohlendioxyd und Nitrat assimilieren. Während der 1. Phase der Embryogenese, wenn die Samen noch klein sind und nur langsam wachsen, liegt das anabolische Stoffwechselzentrum der Leguminosenfrüchte im Pericarp, das zu dieser Zeit Stärke und Amide akkumuliert, die während des 2. ontogenetischen Stadiums reaktiviert und in die nun rasch wachsenden Samen verlagert werden. Der Stoffwechsel des Pericarps scheint unter Kontrolle durch die Samen zu stehen. Physiologische Prozesse im Pericarp können zeitweilig die sich entwickelnden Samen gegen Schädigungen infolge Umwelt- und Ernährungsbelastungen abpuffern.Der gegenwärtige Stand unserer Kenntnisse über Funktion und Struktur des Pericarps der Früchte von Körnerleguminosen wird auf der Grundlage von Literaturinformationen und eigener Untersuchungen zusammenfassend dargestellt.

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Isolation and molecular characterisation of Neospora caninum in cattle in New Zealand

AIM: To isolate Neospora caninum from the brains of naturally infected cattle and use molecular techniques to characterise the isolates.

METHODS: Neospora caninum tachyzoites were isolated in Vero cell culture from the brains of a cow and two calves. The isolates were characterised using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, DNA sequencing, an immunofluorescent anti-body test (IFAT), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The brains of the three cattle were subjected to histopathological examination. A pathogenicity study was conducted in 120 BALB/c mice.

RESULTS: Neospora caninum tachyzoites were isolated from all three cases and first observed in vitro between 14 and 17 days post-inoculation. Parasites were sub-cultured and maintained in Vero cell culture for more than 6 months. PCR products were generated for all three isolates, using two different primers. Sequencing of the PCR products and a subsequent BLAST search identified the isolates as N. caninum. In addition, the isolates tested positive using IFAT and IHC, and ultrastructure revealed by TEM was characteristic of N. caninum. Histopathological examination revealed lesions characteristic of N. caninum in 1/3 brains. In the pathogenicity study using BALB/c mice, the mortality rate was 3–7%.

CONCLUSION: This was the first successful isolation of N. caninum in New Zealand confirmed using molecular characterisation tests.