Effect of Visitor Perspective on Adoption Decisions at One Animal Shelter

This study investigated the visitor experience at one urban animal shelter. While several previous studies have examined the reasons particular nonhuman animals are chosen by adopters, few have investigated the possible reasons one would visit a shelter and leave without adopting. Over a two-month period, 158 visitors were surveyed after they were finished touring the shelter. One quarter of those exiting the shelter had adopted a pet (companion animal) compared to 11% who had been planning to adopt that day but did not. Almost 20% of survey respondents were just visiting with no plans for pet adoption either that day or in the near future. Being affectionate and friendly were important characteristics sought by potential adopters, although non-adopters reported more frequently than adopters that the animal’s reaction to them was important. Shelters should work toward increasing chances for pets to connect and interact with visitors and focus on educating and retaining the interest of those who are not quite ready for a new pet.     

Methanogens revealed immunologically in granules from five Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) bioreactors grown on different substrates

Abstract Methanogens were identified and quantified using antibody probes and the antigenic fingerprinting method in five different kinds of granular sludge taken from five Uplow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) bioreactors maintained on different substrates. The methanogenic flora present in each bioreactor was elucidated and expressed in cells per garm dry weight. Autofluorescence, phase-contrast and bright field-microscopy of unstained and Gram-stained preparations were used in parallel with immunotechnology to characterize each methanogenic subpopulation. Ten different methanogens were prevalent in the five bioreactor systems. Methanogens antigenically related to Methanobacterium formicicum MF, Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus AZ and Methanothrix soehngenii Opfikon were found in all five granules, while other methanogens were present in only some. A trend was observed towards a wider diversity of methanogenic subpopulations parallelling an increase in the complexity of the bioreactor's substrate.     

Molecular and genetic immunoprobes for biotechnology

Recent advances concerning immunoprobes are described and their biotechnologic potential is emphasized. Selected examples of immunoprobes discussed include interleukin 7, genetically engineered vaccines using live bacterial carriers, and applications of monoclonal antibodies (MAb's) for understanding and controlling blood cell malignancies as well as for analysis of prokaryotic cells. The fundamental and practical interconnections of these research areas are highlighted to show, for instance, that definition of lymphoid-cell lineages and identification of their various subsets are aided by MAb's and interleukins. On the other hand, understanding interleukins requires isolation of cell subsets. Likewise, designing vaccines presupposes a knowledge of lymphocyte subsets and of the antigenic mosaics of the pathogens against which the vaccines are directed. Dissection of antigens in cells and in infectious agents depends to a great extent on MAb's, which are also instrumental for cloning the genes encoding antigens for vaccine preparation and those encoding interleukins for large scale production of these molecules that are promising as immunotherapeutic and vaccine adjuvants. Last, brief mention is made of the uses of MAb's in prokaryotic cell biology to illustrate the long-range impact on these immunoprobes and, consequently, how they are opening new avenues for biotechnology.     

Specific inhibition of the antibody-mediated activation of a defective beta-D-galactosidase by circulating activating epitope-binding molecules.

Activation of a defective Escherichia coli beta-D-galactosidase by specific activating antibody is inhibited competitively by a molecule with immunoglobulin properties but devoid of activating capacity. This molecule is found in the serum of nonimmunized rabbits and is no longer detectable after beta-D-galactosidase administration, but can be demonstrated in rabbits injected with antigens other than the enzyme. The data show that the inhibitory molecule recognizes and interacts specifically with the activating epitope of the activatable enzyme and that, although unable to activate the latter, it competes with the activating antibody and inhibits activation.     

SARS-CoV-2 in patients with cancer: possible role of mimicry of human molecules by viral proteins and the resulting anti-cancer immunity

A few reports suggest that molecular mimicry can have a role in determining the more severe and deadly forms of COVID-19, inducing endothelial damage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiorgan failure. Heat shock proteins/molecular chaperones can be involved in these molecular mimicry phenomena. However, tumor cells can display on their surface heat shock proteins/molecular chaperones that are mimicked by SARS-CoV-2 molecules (including the Spike protein), similarly to what happens in other bacterial or viral infections. Since molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 and tumoral proteins can elicit an immune reaction in which antibodies or cytotoxic cells produced against the virus cross-react with the tumor cells, we want to prompt clinical studies to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on prognosis and follow up of various forms of tumors. These topics, including a brief historical overview, are discussed in this paper.     

Use and availability of craft vines in the influence zone of the biosphere reserve sian ka’an, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Eleven species of vine, used in the elaboration of utensils and crafts, were identified and their populations were evaluated. The most demanded species arePlukenetia penninervia Muell. Arg.,Cydista aequinoctialis Miers andMonstera deliciosa Liebm. In mature rainforest and in the different successional sites, the availability of usable vine was evaluated; problems of excessive harvest were disregarded. The preferred areas of harvest were the medium and late successional sites. Four types of producers were identified: collectors, collector-artisans, artisans and those who make utensils for personal use. Two basic models of resource destination were distinguished: self-consumption and commercialization. Market value was identified in the elaboration of ornamental crafts that usually represents an economic activity, while the making of utensils reflects the cultural and social value. The main elements of the commercial chain were identified, as well as the problems in order to achieve a fair commercialization.     

Population dynamics of biofilm development during start-up of a butyrate-degrading fluidized-bed reactor

Summary Population dynamics during start-up of a fluidized-bed reactor with butyrate or butyrate plus acetate as sole substrates as well as biofilm development on the sand substratum were studied microbiologically, immunologically and by scanning electron microscopy. An adapted syntrophic consortium consisting of Syntrophospora sp., Methanothrix soehngenii, Methanosarcina mazei and Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus or Methanogenium sp. achieved high-rate butyrate degradation to methane and carbon dioxide. Desulfovibrio sp., Methanocorpusculum sp., and Methanobacterium sp. were also present in lower numbers. Immunological analysis demonstrated methanogens antigenically related to Methanobrevibacter ruminantium M1, Methanosarcina mazei S6, M. thermophila TM1, Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus AZ and Methanothrix soehngenii Opfikon in the biofilm. Immunological analysis also showed that the organisms isolated from the butyrate-degrading culture used as a source of inoculum were related to M. soehngenii Opfikon, Methanobacterium formicicum MF and Methanospirillum hungatei JF1. Offprint requests to: G. Zellner     

Microbial subpopulations in the biofilm attached to the substratum and in the free flocs of a fixed-bed anaerobic bioreactor

The microbial flora of a fixed-bed anaerobic methanogenic bioreactor fed with acetate/propionate/butyrate was studied by direct, qualitative and quantitative methods avoiding culture isolation. The aims were to identify species, determine the distribution of microbes between the biofilm attached to the substratum and the free flocs, and define the acidogenic, acetogenic and methanogenic contingents. Optical and scanning electron microscopies showed heterogeneous assemblies of microbes in the biofilm and flocs, which were confirmed by antigenic fingerprinting. A diversity of species involved in the three phases of methanogenesis was detected, and most of these species were antigenically different from the reference organisms. Some microbial subpopulations identified by antigenic fingerprinting changed in size within an interval of 3 weeks, i.e. they either increased or decreased their concentrations by at least tenfold, while others remained relatively constant. The total cell concentration in the flocs was lower than in the biofilm, but at least one microbial subpopulation was more concentrated in the former than in the latter, indicating a preference of location between the compartments available within the bioreactor.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Hans Diekmann on the occasion of his 65th birthday