Evaluation of Five Most Commonly Grown Cotton Cultivars (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Under Mediterranean Conditions: Productivity and Fibre Quality

Studies were conducted in four regions of central Greece (Larisa, Karditsa, Livadia, Thiva), to evaluate the productivity and fibre properties (fibre strength and fibre length) of the five most commonly grown cotton cultivars in these regions. The experiments lasted for 6 years (1995–2000). All the characteristics tested were strongly influenced by the factors ‘year’, ‘cultivar’ and ‘region’. Significant cultivar × region, year × cultivar, region × year and cultivar × region × year interactions occurred for all the characteristics studied. The cultivar Alegria had the highest seed‐cotton and lint yield, while Aria had the lowest ones. Both cultivars gave the highest mean lint percentage but the lowest mean boll weight (MBW). Alegria had the lowest fibre strength, while Aria had the highest. The Acala‐type cultivars, Acala SJ2 and Zeta 2, had intermediate seed‐cotton and lint yield, while Vered 171 had high seed‐cotton and satisfactory lint yield. The three cultivars mentioned above had the highest MBW and very good fibre strength. Positive correlation was observed between fibre strength and length. In spite of the fact that mean fibre length was statistically the same in all cultivars, it was influenced by the factor ‘year’, as a result of different weather conditions. The year 1996 was the most unfavourable one for seed‐cotton yield and MBW, because it was characterized by lower than average air temperatures and rather dry conditions for all study sites. The factor ‘region’, a combination of different climatic conditions and cultural practices, influenced significantly all the parameters studied.     

Dietary crude protein concentration does not affect the leucine requirement of growing dogs

The objective of the present study was to examine the interaction between graded levels of leucine and dietary crude protein. Dose–response curves were generated using four 3 × 3 Latin squares (two dogs/square). Each square represented one of two concentrations of crude protein (140 or 280 g/kg diet) and one of two combinations of three concentrations of leucine (5.0, 7.0 and 9.0 g/kg diet or 9.0, 11 and 13 g/kg diet). An additional experiment was performed by feeding crude protein at 210 g/kg diet with either 7.0 or 11 g leucine/kg diet. Weight gain, food intake, nitrogen retention, plasma albumin and plasma amino acids were measured. The requirement was determined to be the minimum leucine concentration required to maximize weight gain and nitrogen retention. For 8–14-week-old male Beagle dogs, 140 g crude protein/kg diet in a diet containing 18 kJ metabolizable energy/g does not appear to support maximal growth. The leucine requirement was not affected by doubling the dietary crude protein level from 140 to 280 g/kg diet. From these results, the leucine requirement of 8–14-week-old Beagle dogs appears to be 11 g leucine/kg diet independent of the level of dietary crude protein, whereas dogs over 14 weeks require only 7 g leucine/kg diet for maximal nitrogen retention.     

Radiographic interpretation of normal skeletal variations and pseudolesions in the equine foot.

Effective radiographic interpretation requires a veterinarian who is knowledgeable of equine limb anatomy and the various principles that affect the resulting image. The normal and its variations must be recognized and understood before the abnormal can be confidently identified as pathologic. Proper patient positioning and sound radiographic technique are mandatory if reliable diagnostic radiographs are to be produced. This review emphasizes equine foot radiographic variations of normal and pseudolesions that occur with commonly used radiographic views performed in equine practice.     

Nitrogen uptake by ryegrass from organic wastes applied to a sandy loam soil

Sandy‐textured Mediterranean soils are invariably depleted in organic matter and supply only small amounts of N to crops. To compensate for these deficiencies, we tested the N supply from six organic wastes applied to a Cambic Arenosol in pots growing ryegrass. The results showed that the behaviour of the wastes in supplying N to a ryegrass crop grown in this soil can be predicted by observing their performance in laboratory aerobic incubations. The N made available during these incubations fitted well to a one‐pool kinetic model.     

A novel approach to studying the effects of temperature on soil biogeochemistry using a thermal gradient bar

The temperature dependence of chemical reaction rates and microbial metabolism mean that temperature is a key factor regulating soil trace gas emissions and hydrochemistry. Here we evaluated a novel approach for studying the thermal response of soils, by examining the effects of temperature on gas emissions and hydrochemistry in (a) peat and (b) soil from a Sitka spruce plantation. A thermal gradient was applied along an aluminium bar, allowing soil to be incubated contemporaneously from 2 to 18 °C. The approach demonstrated clear differences in the biogeochemical responses of the two soil types to warming. The peat showed no significant emission of CH₄ at temperatures below 6 °C, while above 6 °C, a marked increase in the rate of release was apparent up to 15 °C (Q₁₀ = 2.5) with emissions being similar between 15 and 18 °C. Conversely, CH₄ emissions from the forest soil did not respond to warming. Nitrate availability in the peat decreased by 90% between 2 and 18 °C (P < 0.01), whereas concentrations in the forest soil did not respond. Sulphate availability in the peat decreased significantly with warming (60%, P < 0.01), while the forest soil showed the opposite response (a 30% increase, P < 0.01). Conventionally, thermal responses are studied by incubating individual soil samples at different temperatures, involving lengthy preparation and facilities to incubate samples at different temperatures simultaneously. Data collected on a given thermal response is usually limited and thus interpolated or extrapolated. The thermal gradient method overcomes these problems, is simple and flexible, and can be adapted for a wide range of sample types (not confined to soil). Such apparatus may prove useful in the optimization of management practices to mitigate the effects of climate change, as thermal responses will differ depending on land use and soil type.     

Pasteurella haemolytica A1 and Bovine Respiratory Disease: Pathogenesis

The severe fibrinonecrotic pneumonia associated with pneumonic pasteurellosis usually results from colonization of the lower respiratory tract by Pasteurella haemolytica biotype A, serotype 1(A1). Despite recent research efforts, the authors lack a detailed understanding of the interactions and host response to P. haemolytica in the respiratory tract. The authors hypothesize that management and environmental stress factors or viral infection alters the upper respiratory tract (URT) epithelium allowing P. haemolytica to colonize the epithelium. Once the URT is colonized, large numbers of organisms enter the lung where they interact with alveolar macrophages. Endotoxin, released from the bacteria, crosses the alveolar wall where it activates pulmonary intravascular macrophages, endothelium, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, complement, and Hageman factor leading to complex interactions of cells and mediators. It is the progression of this inflammatory response with neutrophil influx that is ultimately responsible for the pulmonary injury. Leukotoxin is a major virulence factor of P. haemolytica that allows it to survive by destroying phagocytic cells. At subcytolytic concentrations it may also enhance the inflammatory response by activating cells to produce mediators and release reactive oxygen metabolites and proteases.     

Evaluation of phagocytic function of canine peripheral polymorphonuclear leucocytes by whole blood chemiluminescence.

Zymosan-induced and luminol-aided chemiluminescence (CL) of whole blood from beagle dogs was estimated for the function of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs). Whole blood (0.1 ml) was examined directly and results were obtained within 20 min. A phagocytic function of PMNs can be estimated from the peak CL counts and the number of PMNs in a specimen, and the opsonic activity can also be estimated by the peak time showing peak CL after the addition of non-opsonized zymosan. The optimal temperatures to keep diluted whole blood for the CL measurement was around 13 degrees C. Thus, this method offers information concerning the functions of phagocytic cells in whole blood.     

Characteristics of cytotoxic cells induced by Toxoplasma lysate antigen in mouse spleen.

Spleen cells from Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA)-sensitized BALB/c mice showed the strong cytotoxic activity against both natural killer (NK)-sensitive cells (YAC-1 and RL male-1) and NK-insensitive cells (P-815), when incubated with TLA or recombinant human IL-2 (rhIL-2). The increment of TLA concentration in culture medium increased the cytotoxic activity. Treatment of effector cells; spleen cells from TLA-sensitized mice incubated with TLA, with anti-asialo GM1 or anti-Thy-1 plus complement inhibited the cytotoxic activity of effector cells, whereas treatment with anti-mouse Lyt-2.2 serum plus complement had no effect on the cytotoxic activity. Treatment of spleen cells from TLA-sensitized mice with anti-asialo GM1 and/or anti-Thy-1 plus complement inhibited cytotoxic activities of effector cells. These results suggested that spleen cells sensitized with TLA both in vivo and in vitro were asialo GM1 positive and Thy-1 positive, and the majority of cytotoxic cells induced by TLA were similar to lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells induced by IL-2.     

Development of Immune Response to Experimental Bovine Trichophyton vervucosum Infection

Abstract— Cell mediated and humoral immune responses to experimental Trichophyton verrucosum infection were assessed by sequential cutaneous biopsies, antibody assessments and microscopic monitoring of fungal presence. Histopathologic examination showed the accrual of lymphocytes and other inflammatory cells in the dermis of infected sites. Immunoperoxidase staining of frozen sections with monoclonal antibody preparations revealed an influx of macrophages, BoCD4+ and B0CD8+ lymphocytes and γδ T cells from the 5th day to the 33rd day of infection. A moderate influx of B cells was observed. Protein G-colloidal gold staining revealed the presence of immunoglobulins in the dermis and superficial epidermal layers. Trichophyton specific serum antibodies appeared between days 33 and 55. Microscopic assessment of infected tissues revealed an increase in T, verrucosum elements (mycelium and ectothrix spores) from days 19 to 55. Fungal elements in infected areas did not decrease until after both humoral and cell mediated elements of the immune response were established. These responses imply a combination of cell mediated and humoral events were associated with T. verrucosum immunity and clearance in the calf. Résumé— Le réponse immunitaire humorale et cellulaire a une infection expérimentale àT. verrucosum a été appréciée par des biospsies cutanées successives, des dosages d'anticorps et la recherche microscopique de champignons. L'examen histopathologique a montré un afflux de lymphocytes et d'autres cellules inflammatoires dane le derme des sites infectés. Les marquages en immunopéroxydase par un anticorps monoclonal de coupes congelées a montré un influx de macrophages, lymphocytes BoCD4+ et BoCD8+ et des cellules T γδ, du 5e au 33e jour de l'infection. Un marquage par une protéine G—or colloidal a révélé d'immunogolglobulines dans le derme et les couches supéerficielles de l'épiderme. Les anticorps spécifiques de Trichophyton sont apparus entre 33 et 55 jours. L'examen microscopique des tissus infectés a révélé une augmentation du nombre d'éléments de T. verrucosum (mycelium et spores ectothrix) du 19e au 55e jours. Les éléments fongiques dans les zones infectées n'ont pas diminué avant que les réponses humorales et cellulaires ne solent établies. Ces résponses impliquent qu'une coopération des réponses humorales et cellulaires étaient associées dans l'immunité et la défense contre T. verrucosum. Zusammenfassung— Die zellvermittelten und humoralen Immunantworten auf die experimentelle Infektion mit T. verrucosum wurden durch eine Serie von Hautbiopsien, Antikörperuntersuchungen und mikroskopischer Untersuchung auf das Vorhandensein von Pilzen ausgewertet. Die histopathologische Untersuchung zeigte eine Ansammlung von Lymphozyten und anderen Entzündungszellen in der Dermis der infizierten Stellen. Die Immunperoxidasefärbung der Gefrierschnitte mit monoklonalen Antikörperzubereitungen zeigte einen Influx von Makrophagen, BoCd4-und BoCD8-Lymphozyten und gamma-delta-T-Zellen vom 5. bis zum 33. Tag der Infektion. Es wurde auch ein mäßiger Influx von B-Zellen beobachtet. Die Protein-G-kolloidale Goldfärbung zeigte die Anwesenheit von Immunglobulinen in der Dermis und den oberflächlichen epidermalen Schichten. Trichophyton-spezifische Serumantikörper traten zwischen Tag 33 und 55 auf. Die mikroskopische Untersuchung infizierter Gewebe zeigte eine Zunahme von T. verrucosum-Bestandteilen (Myzel und exktothrixe Sporen) vom Tag 19 bis 55. Pilzteile in infizierten Bereichen verminderten sich weder, nachdem humorale, noch nachdem zellvermittelte Elemente der Immunantwort auftraten. Diese Reaktionen deuten an, daß eine Kombination von zellvermittelten und humoralen Vorgängen im Zusammenhang mit T. verrucosum-Immumtät und Abheilung beim Kalb vorliegt. Resumen Por medio de biposias cutáneas secuenciales, medida de anticuerpos y exámen microscópico de presencia de hongos, se estudió la respuesta inmunitaria de tipo humoral y celular producida por la infección experimental con T. verrucosum. El exámen histopatológico reveló la presencia de agregación de linfocitos y otras células inflamatorias procedentes de la dermis de los puntos infectados. La tintura por medio de inmunoperoxidasa de las secciones congeladas, con preparaciones monoclonales de anticuerpos, demostró un aflujo de macrófagos BoCD4 + y BoCD8 + linfocitos y linfocitos, Tαδ, desde el quinto hasta el día 33 la infección. También se observó un aflugo moderado de linfocitos B. La tintura aúrica de proteina coloidal G reveló la presencia de inmunoglobulinas en al dermis y capas superficiales de la epidermis. Los anticuerpos específicos para la especie Trichophyton aparecieron entre los días 33 y 55. El exámen microscópico de los tejidos afectados demostró un incremento, de los elementos füngicos T. verrucosum (micelio y esporas exótricas) desde los días 19 al 55. Los elementos fúngicos en áreas infectadas no disminuyeron hasta después del establecimiento de ambos tipos de respuesta inmunitaria, humoral y celular. Estas respuestas implican que la combinación de ciertos fenómenos de inmunidad celular y humoral, están relacionados con la desaparición y la inmunidad de la infección producia por T. verrucosum en el ternero.