A coat protein transgene from a Scottish isolate of potato mop-top virus mediates strong resistance against Scandinavian isolates which have similar coat protein genes

Resistance tests were made on seedlings of transformed lines of Nicotiana benthamiana which contain a transgene encoding the coat protein (CP) gene of a Scottish isolate of potato mop-top virus (PMTV). This transgene has been reported to confer strong resistance to the PMTV isolate from which the transgene sequence was derived and also to a second Scottish isolate. Plants of lines of the transgenic N. benthamiana were as resistant to two Swedish and two Danish PMTV isolates as to a Scottish isolate, and of five lines tested, greater than 93.5% of transgenic plants were immune. The coat protein gene sequences of these four Scandinavian isolates were very similar to those of the two Scottish isolates. The greatest divergence between the isolates was three amino acid changes and there was less than 2% change in CP gene nucleotide sequence. It is concluded that the PMTV CP transgene used in these experiments could confer resistance against isolates from different geographical areas because it is becoming apparent that the CP genes of PMTV isolates are highly conserved.     

Establishment of trees on mixtures of pulverized fuel ash and Gypsum. Part II: Nutrition and trace elements

Nutrients and trace elements were determined in the foliage of nine tree species grown in mixtures of pulverized fuel ash (PFA) and gypsum. No serious macronutrient deficiencies were observed. Treatments with PFA consistently increased foliar levels of boron, potassium and molybdenum, and the poor performance of some tree species in pure PFA was attributed to boron toxicity. Gypsum hindered the uptake of boron when mixed with PFA, however, and co-disposal of the two wastes could be used to minimize problems associated with boron toxicity.     

Use of adsorbent and supercritical carbon dioxide to concentrate flavor compounds from orange oil.

Orange oil is composed largely of terpene hydrocarbons but is a source of flavor and fragrance compounds (oxygenated) that are present in low concentrations. To increase the ratio of oxygenated compounds to terpene hydrocarbons, orange oil was partially fractionated by adsorption of the oxygenated compounds onto porous silica gel, with full utilization of its adsorbent capacity, and then further purified by desorption into supercritical carbon dioxide. The desorption of 24 compounds was monitored by GC and GC-MS. Adsorption alone removed three-fourths of the terpene hydrocarbons, and fractional extraction by supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) improved the separation further. Response surface methodology was used in the experimental design, and regression analysis was used to determine the effects of process variables. Extraction at low temperatures and flow rates improved separation by SC-CO(2). Decanal was concentrated to 20 times that of the feed oil by using SC-CO(2) at 13.1 MPa, 35 degrees C, and 2 kg/h. The systems were operating at close to equilibrium conditions because of the fine dispersal of the oils and the excellent mass transfer properties of supercritical carbon dioxide.     

Influence of lipid extraction process on the rheological characteristics, swelling power, and granule size of rice starches in excess water

The influence of the lipid extraction process on both macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of nonwaxy rice starch gelatinization in excess water was examined. Surface lipids extraction did not change the thermodynamics of starch gelatinization but lead to a significant reduction (33%) in the enthalpy of starch-lipid complex melting at high temperature, resulting in less viscous dispersions. Internal lipid extraction using hot aqueous alcoholic solutions resulted in an irreversible increase in starch granule diameter (50% increase in D[4,3]) and a dramatic change in cooking characteristics of the starch. Instead of the bimodal swelling observed for native nonwaxy rice starch, only one broad transition in swelling, solubility, granule size, and viscosity was observed in the case of the totally defatted starch. While the total removal of lipids resulted in a slight increase in starch swelling at intermediate temperatures, the harshness of the process caused irreparable changes leading to notably lower swelling at high temperatures.     

Clinical evaluation and long-term follow-up of dogs having coronoidectomy for elbow incongruity

A retrospective study was performed describing the clinical presentations, radiographic findings, and surgical outcomes of 17 dogs (18 elbows) following medial coronoidectomy for the treatment of elbow joint incongruity as a sole disease entity. Complete resolution of lameness was achieved in 100% of the cases. The mean radiographic arthrosis grade progressed in 70% of the cases. Results of this study indicate that resolution of clinical lameness may be achieved with medial coronoidectomy in dogs with elbow incongruity; however, progression of degenerative joint disease with unknown, long-term clinical significance can be expected after surgery.     

Immunohistochemical differentiation of reactive from malignant mesothelium as a diagnostic aid in canine pericardial disease

Objectives

To develop a provisional immunohistochemistry panel for distinguishing reactive pericardium, atypical mesothelial proliferation and mesothelioma in dogs.

Materials and Methods

Archived pericardial biopsies were subject to haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin, vimentin, insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3, glucose transporter 1 and desmin. Samples were scored for intensity and number of cells stained.

Results

Ten biopsies of reactive mesothelium, 17 of atypical mesothelial proliferation, 26 of mesothelioma and five of normal pericardium were identified on the basis of haematoxylin and eosin staining. Cytokeratin and vimentin were expressed in all biopsies, confirming mesothelial origin. Normal pericardial samples had the lowest scores for insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3, glucose transporter 1 and desmin. Mesothelioma and atypical proliferative samples were similar to each other, with higher scores for insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 and glucose transporter 1 than the reactive samples. Desmin staining was variable. Insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 was the best to distinguish between disease groups.

Clinical Significance

An immunohistochemistry panel of cytokeratin, vimentin, insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 and glucose transporter 1 could provide superior information compared with haematoxylin and eosin staining alone in the diagnosis of cases of mesothelial proliferation in canine pericardium, but further validation is warranted.