Isolation, initial characterization and serological studies of glycolipid antigens from Babesia bovis-infected erythrocytes

Serological analysis of Babesia bovis-derived glycolipids by ELISA and the indirect fluorescent antibody technique demonstrated the existence of their antigenic and immunogenic activities not only in B. bovis but also in B. bigemina infections. This indicates that serological cross-reactivity of B. bovis and B. bigemina relates to glycolipids. The negative ELISA reaction obtained with Anaplasma marginale antisera suggested the specificity of the reaction to the genus Babesia. Fractionation of these glycolipids by Florisil Sep-Pak column chromatography with subsequent HPTLC immunostaining and Orcinol staining suggested the presence of carbohydrate antigenic determinants in B. bovis glycolipids.     

Estimation of Difference of Population Means with Missing Observations

Sampling strategies for estimating difference of population means are proposed. The original sample is fragmented into three subsamples. The use of a purposive device permits to measure only one of the variables in two samples. Bootstrap procedures are employed to evaluate distribution of the errors of estimators.     

Improving efficiency of breeding for higher crop yield

Summary Exclusive selection for yield raises, the harvest index of self-pollinated crops with little or no gain in total bipmass. In addition to selection for yield, it is suggested that efficient breeding for higher yield requires simultaneous selection for yield's three major, genetically controlled physiological components. The following are needed: (1) a superior rate of biomass accumulation. (2) a superior rate of actual yield accumulation in order to acquire a high harvest index, and (3) a time to harvest maturity that is neither shorter nor longer than the duration of the growing season. That duration is provided by the environment, which is the fourth major determinant of yield. Simultaneous selection is required because genetically established interconnections among the three major physiological components cause: (a) a correlation between the harvest index and days to maturity that is usually negative; (b) a correlation between the harvest index and total biomass that is often negative, and (c) a correlation between biomass and days to maturity that is usually positive. All three physiological components and the correlations among them can be quantified by yield system analysis (YSA) of yield trials. An additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) statistical analysis can separate and quantify the genotype × environment interaction (G × E) effect on yield and on each physiological component that is caused by each genotype and by the different environment of each yield trial. The use of yield trials to select parents which have the highest rates of accumulation of both biomass and yield, in addition to selecting for the G × E that is specifically adapted to the site can accelerate advance toward the highest potential yield at each geographical site. Higher yield for many sites will raise average regional yield. Higher yield for multiple regions and continents will raise average yield on a world-wide basis. Genetic and physiological bases for lack of indirect selection for biomass from exclusive selection for yield are explained.     

An in situ study of beta-glucosidase activity in normal and gaucher fibroblasts with fluorogenic probes

Beta-glucosidase activity was evaluated in situ by means of fluorogenic probes in normal human fibroblasts and fibroblasts from homozygous carriers of the Gaucher trait. Probe internalization, targeting to lysosomes and post-cleavage probe retention were the primary concerns. Internalization and targeting were attempted by in situ photosensitized labilization of lysosomal membranes, lysosomotropic detergents and the use of low density lipid (LDL) or the receptor ligand apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Post-cleavage increase of fluorescence with fluoresceinyl (bis) betaglucopyranoside was appreciably above the rather large pre-cleavage emission. In cells incubated overnight with nonylumbelliferylbetaglucoside (UG9) in the presence of bovine serum albumin and in the absence of ApoE, the probe was dealt with as a cytotoxic agent, accumulating in a paranuclear cap, most likely comprising elements of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus. Targeting of UG9 to lysosomes occurred within 1 to 3 h of preincubation in the presence of ApoE. There was some evidence of specificity, as Gaucher fibroblasts exhibited weaker cleavage of UG9 (by 50 per cent or more) compared to normal fibroblasts, but in the Gaucher cells there was some residual beta-glucosidase activity. Cleavage of UG9 was nearly totally suppressed in Gaucher cells treated with the beta-glucosidase inhibitor, conduritol B epoxide, for 24 h to 7 days. Suppression in the control fibroblasts was evident but to a lesser degree. The in situ method of fluorogenic assay established for beta-glucosidase deficiency, is in principle applicable to enzyme deficiencies in other lysosomal storage diseases, or to evaluate enhanced enzyme activity following gene therapy.     

Photopigments underlying color vision in ringtail lemurs (Lemur catta) and brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus)

A recent examination of color vision in the ringtail lemur produced evidence that these prosimians could make color discriminations consistent with a diagnosis of trichromatic color vision. However, it was unclear if this behavior reflected the presence of three classes of cone or whether lemurs might be able to utilize signals from rods in conjunction with those from only two classes of cone. To resolve that issue, spectral sensitivity functions were obtained from ringtail lemurs (Lemur catta) and brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus) using a noninvasive electrophysiological procedure, electroretinographic flicker photometry. Results from experiments involving chromatic adaptation indicate that these lemurs routinely have only a single class of cone photopigment in the middle to long wavelengths (peak sensitivity of about 545 nm); they also have a short-wavelengthsensitive cone pigment with peak of about 437 nm. The earlier behavioral results are suggested to have resulted from the ability of lemurs to jointly utilize signals from rods and cones. The cone pigment complements of these lemurs differ distinctly from those seen among the anthropoids. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.