A streak disease of pearl millet caused by a leafhopper-transmitted geminivirus

The cause of a streak disease of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), originating from Nigeria, has been attributed to a geminivirus belonging to the African streak virus cluster. A full-length, infectious clone of the virus was obtained which was transmissible by the vectorCicadulina mbila (Naudé). Analysis of the complete nucleotide sequence of the coat protein gene of this virus shows it to be most closely related to sugarcane streak virus. The possible evolutionary implications of this finding are discussed.     

In vitro expression and inhibition of procoagulant activity produced by bovine alveolar macrophages and peripheral blood cells

Local and systemic activation of coagulation is frequently associated with bacterial sepsis. The coagulopathy is due, at least in part, to expression of tissue factor (TF) by monocytes and macrophages. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of procoagulant activity by bovine alveolar macrophages, leukocytes and platelets, and to determine the relative potency of three chemical inhibitors of TF expression (pentoxifylline, retinoic acid, and cyclosporin A). Bovine alveolar macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Pasteurella haemolytica or recombinant bovine tumour nervous factor (TNF) and dose- and time-dependent effects on TF expression were studied. LPS and TNF induced TF expression in alveolar macrophages and LPS treatment of whole blood induced TF expression in mononuclear cells. Neutrophils and platelets also expressed procoagulant activity, but this activity was not inhibited by anti-bovine TF monoclonal antibody. Pentoxifylline (40 mol/L), retinoic acid (0.01 mmol/L) and cyclosporin A (0.08 mol/L) inhibited TF expression when added concurrently with LPS or TNF, but not when added 4 h after stimulation. TF mRNA was not detected in unstimulated alveolar macrophages by Northern blot analysis. In contrast, exposure to LPS or TNF for 6 h induced marked expression of TF mRNA, which was inhibited by treatment with pentoxifylline, retinoic acid and cyclosporin A. Expression of TNF by alveolar macrophages stimulated with LPS was also inhibited by these compounds. Our results indicate that procoagulant activity expressed by alveolar macrophages and monocytes is associated with expression of TF, whereas procoagulant activity expressed by neutrophils and platelets is not. The concentrations of pentoxifylline and retinoic acid necessary for inhibition of TF expression in vitro may not be achievable in vivo owing to their toxic effects. However, the in vitro concentration of cyclosporin A that inhibited TF expression did not exceed the plasma concentration observed in humans, and therefore may be useful for inhibition of TF expression in vivo.Abbreviations BAL bronchoalveolar lavage - LPS lipopolysaccharide - cDNA cloned deoxyribonucleic acid - cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate - GAPDH glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase - mRNA messenger ribonucleic acid - TF tissue factor - TNF tumour necrosis factor - DPBS Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline     

Quantitative capillary reversed passive latex agglutination test for C-reactive protein (CRP) in the dog

A capillary reversed passive latex agglutination test (capillary RPLA) was developed which allows quantification of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) within approximately 15 min. The logarithmic regression line (calibration curve) obtained after measuring each CRP concentration three times in twofold dilutions of a standard canine serum containing 222 g/ml of CRP was y=6.394+0.030x (r=0.995). Capillary RPLA permitted quantification of CRP in the range 6.9–222 g/ml. The coefficients of variation ranged from 10.28% to 12.40%. The recovery rates (percentage recovery) of CRP by capillary RPLA were within the range 87% to 106%. On measuring the CRP concentrations in sera from 78 dogs by capillary RPLA, single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), close correlations were demonstrated between SRID and capillary RPLA (y=7.250+1.109x, r=0.978), between SRID and ELISA (y=3.042+1.059x, r=0.967), and between capillary RPLA and ELISA (y=1.778+0.929x, r=0.962). Capillary RPLA may be considered useful as a routine biochemical technique for measurement of serum CRP concentration in the dog.Abbreviations CRP C-reactive protein - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - RPLA reversed passive latex agglutination test - SRID single radial immunodiffusion     

应用种子蛋白电泳图谱对高羊茅品种进行鉴别与聚类研究

利用种子贮藏蛋白进行二二烷其磺酸钠－聚丙烯酰胺凝脉电泳,对２３个高羊茅品种进行了 分析。表明该方法成本低,效率高,重复性好,能有效地反应高羊茅品种的遗传差异和亲缘关系。电泳谱带聚类分析所得到的类群,能代表生产上,饲用,草坪用类型以及两种用途中的主要生态类型。     

Reduced protein kinase C activity and endogenous protein phosphorylation in ethionine-induced fatty liver in cows

Protein kinase C (PKC) activity was evaluated and the phosphorylation of its endogenous substrates was explored in fatty liver induced by administration of ethionine (an analogue of methionine) to cows in order to assess the relevance of PKC-dependent phosphorylation in the development of fatty liver. PKC activity was decreased in both the cytosolic and the total particulate fractions from fatty livers, compared to the corresponding fractions from control liver. The mode of activation by the PKC cofactors (1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, phosphatidylserine and Ca²⁺) was similar in both control and fatty livers, suggesting a quantitative but not a qualitative change in PKC in fatty liver. At least three substrate proteins (34 kDa, 26 kDa and 19 kDa) were found in the cytosolic fraction and their phosphorylation was reduced in fatty liver. These results suggest that impairment of the signal transduction pathway mediated by PKC is involved in the pathogenesis of fatty liver in cows.Abbreviations ATP adenosine triphosphate - EGTA ethylene glycol bis(-aminoethylether)-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid - NEFA non-esterified fatty acid - OAG 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol - PKC protein kinase C - PS phosphatidylserine - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - TG triglyceride - TPA 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate     

Altered adenosine triphosphatase activities in pigs with naturally occurring hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The purpose of this study was to determine whether myocardial adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities were reduced in pigs with naturally occurring hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The selection of hearts for the HCM and the normal control groups depended on histological examination. Specific ATPase activity and 5-nucleotidase activity were measured in left ventricular myocardium obtained from HCM (n=7) and normal control (n=7) animals. The histological features of HCM included marked disorientation of muscle cells, thickening of the intramural coronary arterial wall with a narrowed lumen, endocardial fibrosis and myocardial fibrosis. The HCM group showed significant increases in both heart weight (32%) and heart weight to body weight ratio (46%). The total ATPase activity in crude homogenates from the HCM group was significantly decreased by 16%. Azide-sensitive ATPase (mitochondrial ATPase) activity, ouabain-sensitive ATPase (Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase) activity, basal Mg²⁺-ATPase activity and Ca²⁺-ATPase activity were all significantly decreased by 18%, 30%, 20% and 50%, respectively. In contrast, no significant decrease was found in the mean values for 5-nucleotidase activity. These results suggest that myocardial ATPase activities are suppressed in pigs with naturally occurring HCMAbbreviations ATP adenosine triphosphate - gww grams wet weight - HCM hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - Pi inorganic phosphate     

South-Western blot mapping方法的建立及其应用于锥虫细胞核中DNA结合蛋白的观察

South-Westerm blot mapping是一种结合Western blotting和Southern blotting某些特点的方法.本文介绍用其成功地观察到锥虫核蛋白中DNA结合蛋白的情况,并对一个分子量在40000左右、于较严谨条件下与DNA结合的核蛋白进行了特性鉴定.该蛋白等量地存在于锥虫的前循环期和血液期,对双链DNA有较大的亲和力,并能与酵母菌复制起始片段结合.本文还介绍了锥虫细胞核的提取技术和核蛋白的制备技术.     

Determination of uric acid in canine serum and urine by high performance liquid chromatography

A reproducible high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for analysis of uric acid in canine serum and urine. The method consists of precipitating serum proteins with phosphotungstic acid prior to HPLC analysis. Urine is analyzed after dilution with buffer. Chromatography is performed on a reversed-phase C-18 column with UV detection at 292 nm. Sensitivity of the method will allow reproducible measurement of uric acid at concentrations of 0.05 mg/dl in serum and 0.1 mg/dl in urine. The HPLC method has been used to quantify hundreds of canine serum and urine samples. The method is superior to UV absorption or colorimetric methods because its lower limit of detection allows measurement of uric acid at concentrations found in canine serum and urine.     

Trichoderma harzianum produces nonanoic acid, an inhibitor of spore germination and mycelial growth of two cacao pathogens

An isolate of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai from an infected cacao pod produces and secretes nonanoic (pelargonic) acid into a liquid culture medium. Nonanoic acid (NA) was very inhibitory to spore germination and mycelial growth of two cacao pathogens, Crinipellis perniciosa Stahel and Moniliophthora roreri Cif. H.C. Evans. It was highly active causing 75% inhibition of spore germination in an in vitro assay at a rate as low as 0.09 μM for M. roreri and 0.92 μM for C. perniciosa. Mycelial growth was comparatively less sensitive to inhibition, but still there was a 75% reduction in growth with 0.62 μM in M. roreri and 151 μM NA in C. perniciosa. In contrast, NA did not affect Trichoderma mycelial growth or spore germination at concentrations that were inhibitory to the pathogens. 6-pentyl-α-pyrone was also produced and secreted into the medium by T. harzianum, however; it was not antagonistic to the cacao pathogens. Although a number of metabolites produced by Trichoderma spp. have been identified in the past, this is the first report of NA production and secretion by any Trichoderma. The results suggest that NA may play a role in the successful use of some Trichoderma spp. isolates in the biocontrol of fungal diseases of plants.