Highly conserved protective epitopes on influenza B viruses

Identification of broadly neutralizing antibodies against influenza A viruses has raised hopes for the development of monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy and "universal" vaccines for influenza. However, a substantial part of the annual flu burden is caused by two cocirculating, antigenically distinct lineages of influenza B viruses. Here, we report human monoclonal antibodies, CR8033, CR8071, and CR9114, that protect mice against lethal challenge from both lineages. Antibodies CR8033 and CR8071 recognize distinct conserved epitopes in the head region of the influenza B hemagglutinin (HA), whereas CR9114 binds a conserved epitope in the HA stem and protects against lethal challenge with influenza A and B viruses. These antibodies may inform on development of monoclonal antibody-based treatments and a universal flu vaccine for all influenza A and B viruses.     

RAPD variation within and among populations of globe artichoke cultivar 'Spinoso sardo'

Globe artichoke is a vegetable native to the Mediterranean basin. Its commercial production is mainly based on perennial cultivation of vegetatively propagated clones, which are highly heterozygous and segregate widely when progeny‐tested. The aim of this study was to measure genetic variation using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) in five populations of ‘Spinoso sardo’, the most widely grown and economically important cultivar in Sardinia (Italy). Analysis of molecular variance (amova ) gave highly significant differences between populations (28.1% of the total genetic diversity); substantial within‐population variation was detected (71.8% of total genetic diversity). The RAPD results show the need to apply clonal selection to narrow the broad genetic variability within the cultivar and to address important questions on the most suitable strategies for germplasm preservation.     

Broad range 16S rRNA gene PCR compared to bacterial culture to confirm presumed synovial infection in horses

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the accuracy of broad range 16S rRNA gene PCR compared to bacterial culture for the detection of synovial infection in horses. The study included 57 synovial fluid samples from horses with presumed synovial infection and a control group consisting of 31 synovial fluid samples originating from clinically normal horses and horses with aseptic synovial inflammation. All samples were analysed by 16S PCR with reverse line blot (RLB) hybridisation. Synovial fluid samples were cultured using conventional agar plate methods (APM) and/or blood culture medium (BCM). The results of the study showed a superior detection rate (89.5%) for 16S PCR with RLB. Bacterial culture had lower sensitivity, but highly acceptable detection rates (77.6%) were observed using BCM. APM had very low sensitivity (37.8%) and infection was never detected by plate isolation without positive incubation in BCM. The highest sensitivity (91.8%) for the detection of synovial infection was achieved when the results of incubation in BCM and 16S PCR were combined. For all the tests, the specificity was higher than 90%.     

Schutz der Kulturen gegen Edelwild durch und in Wildgärten

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

吉林省粘虫猖獗世代发生虫源的研究Ⅱ.虫源策源地的探讨

粘虫是吉林省粮食作物上最主要的猖獗性害虫,防治工作上迫切需要中、长期預测方法。为此,作者等研究了吉林省粘虫猖獗世代的虫源,已經查明粘虫在吉林省不能越冬,猖獗世代的虫源是由省外迁入的。通过国內粘虫主要发生地区的发生动态的整理和分析,初步認为吉林省猖獗世代虫源的主要策源地为皖北、苏北、魯南、豫东、豫南、鄂北等粘虫常发生的地区。同时認为不同年度各策源地的发生时期和数量的变化会影响吉林省春季成虫盛发期和数量。一般年分5月末、6月初的成虫与鄂北、豫南、皖北等地区的虫源有关;而6月上旬以后的成虫則与魯南、苏北、豫中的虫源有关。