Babesia bovis: immunity induced by vaccination with a lipid enriched fraction

A chloroform extract from Babesia bovis-infected erythrocytes was used to vaccinate a group of five naive cattle. Following vaccination, the vaccinates, along with a group of control cattle, were challenged with a virulent heterologous strain of B. bovis. The vaccinates, comparative to the controls, showed delayed as well as decreased parasitaemias. The serological and initial biochemical studies suggested that the immune response was elicited by lipid of babesial origin.     

Characterization of the maize xylem sap proteome

The xylem in plants has mainly been described as a conduit for water and minerals, but emerging evidence also indicates that the xylem contains protein. To study the proteins in xylem sap, we characterized the identity and composition of the maize xylem sap proteome. The composition of the xylem sap proteome in maize revealed proteins related to different phases of xylem differentiation including cell wall metabolism, secondary cell wall synthesis, and programmed cell death. Many proteins were found to be present as multiple isoforms and some of these isoforms are glycosylated. Proteins involved in defense mechanisms were also present in xylem sap and the sap proteins were shown to have antifungal activity in bioassays.     

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.     

Strategies for farmers and policy makers to control nitro-gen losses whilst maintaining crop production

The nitrogen (N) cycle is essentially 'leaky'. The losses of small amounts of nitrate to waters and of ammonia and nitrous oxide to the atmosphere are a part of the global biogeo-chemical N cycle. However, intensive agricultural production, industry and vehicle use have more than doubled the amount of 'reactive' N in the environment, resulting in eutrophication, ecosystem change and health concerns. Research has identified agricultural practices that cause large losses of N and, in some cases, developed solutions. This paper discusses the problems of maintaining productivity while reducing N losses, compares conventional with low input (integrated) and organic farming systems, and discusses wider options. It also looks at the need to integrate studies on N with other environmental impacts, set in the context of the whole farm system, to provide truly sustainable agricultural systems.     

Phenylalanine derived cyanogenic diglucosides from Eucalyptus camphora and their abundances in relation to ontogeny and tissue type

The cyanogenic glucoside profile of Eucalyptus camphora was investigated in the course of plant ontogeny. In addition to amygdalin, three phenylalanine-derived cyanogenic diglucosides characterized by unique linkage positions between the two glucose moieties were identified in E. camphora tissues. This is the first time that multiple cyanogenic diglucosides have been shown to co-occur in any plant species. Two of these cyanogenic glucosides have not previously been reported and are named eucalyptosin B and eucalyptosin C. Quantitative and qualitative differences in total cyanogenic glucoside content were observed across different stages of whole plant and tissue ontogeny, as well as within different tissue types. Seedlings of E. camphora produce only the cyanogenic monoglucoside prunasin, and genetically based variation was observed in the age at which seedlings initiate prunasin biosynthesis. Once initiated, total cyanogenic glucoside concentration increased throughout plant ontogeny with cyanogenic diglucoside production initiated in saplings and reaching a maximum in flower buds of adult trees. The role of multiple cyanogenic glucosides in E. camphora is unknown, but may include enhanced plant defense and/or a primary role in nitrogen storage and transport.     

Genetic Improvement of Willow for Bioenergy and Biofuels

Willows (Salix spp.) are a very diverse group of catkin-bearing trees and shrubs that are widely distributed across temperate regions of the globe.Some species respond well to being grown in short rotation coppice (SRC) cycles,which are much shorter than conventional forestry.Coppicing reinvigorates growth and the biomass rapidly accumulated can be used as a source of renewable carbon for bioenergy and biofuels.As SRC willows re-distribute nutrients during the perennial cycle they require only minimal nitro...     

Proteinases in the lysate of bovine erythrocytes infected with Babesia bovis: initial vaccination studies

The lysate of erythrocytes infected with Babesia bovis was tested for proteinases using an electrophoretic method in which substrate was included in the acrylamide matrix. Two babesial proteinases, which seemingly exist in both free and complexed forms, were detected. One of the proteinases was prepared by chromatography and preparative electrophoresis and used to vaccinate four splenectomized calves. The latter, along with a group of control splenectromized calves, were challenged with a strain of B. Bovis from which the proteinase was obtained. All the control calves died whereas only one of the vaccinates died. The protection was evident as a suppression of parasitaemia.