Prevention of ulcer disease in goldfish by means of vaccination

A vaccine comprising cells of Aeromonas bestiarum grown in tryptic soy broth and atypical A. salmonicida cells produced in iron-limited and iron-supplemented media protected goldfish Carassius auratus when administered by immersion (dosage ≈ 5 × 107 cells/mL for 60 s) followed after 28 d by an oral booster (dosage = 5 × 107 cells/g of feed), which was fed for 7 d so that each fish received about 1 g of vaccine-containing feed. After challenge by intramuscular injection of a virulent culture of atypical A. salmonicida, the relative percent survival (RPS) was more than 90%. The approach was more successful than using a commercial furunculosis vaccine with or without supplementation with A. bestiarum or atypical A. salmonicida cells. Moreover, a smooth derivative of the virulent rough culture of atypical A. salmonicida was less effective as a vaccine candidate, yielding an RPS of only 65%. Low antibody titers of 1:39–1:396 were found in the vaccinated fish. The vaccinated fish had a significantly higher proportion of dead head kidney macrophages (10.9 ± 3.5%; P = 0.0149) than did the controls (6.8 ± 3.1%). However, differences in the number of erythrocytes and leukocytes, the level of phagocytic and lysozyme activities, and the proportion of lymphocytes, monocytes, and polymorphonuclear cells were not statistically significant between the two groups

Alkali metal cation interactions with 12-crown-4 in the gas phase: revisited

pre-printQuantitative interactions of alkali metal cations with the cyclic 12-crown-4 polyether ligand (12C4) are studied. Experimentally, Rb+(12C4) and Cs+(12C4) complexes are formed using electrospray ionization and their bond dissociation energies (BDEs) determined using threshold collision-induced dissociation of these complexes with xenon in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. The energy-dependent cross sections thus obtained are interpreted using an analysis that includes consideration of unimolecular decay rates, internal energy of the reactant ions, and multiple ion-neutral collisions. 0 K BDEs of 151.5 9.7 and 137.0 8.7 kJ/mol, respectively, are determined and exceed those previously measured by 60 and 54 kJ/mol, respectively, consistent with the hypothesis proposed there that excited conformers had been studied. In order to provide comparable thermochemical results for the Na+(12C4) and K+(12C4) systems, the published data for these systems are reinterpreted using the same analysis techniques, which have advanced since the original data were acquired. Revised BDEs for these systems are obtained as 243.9 12.6 and 182.0 17.3 kJ/mol, respectively, which are within experimental uncertainty of the previously reported values. In addition, quantum chemical calculations are conducted at the B3LYP and MP2(full) levels of theory with geometries and zero point energies calculated at the B3LYP level using both HW*/6-311+G(2d,2p) and def2-TZVPPD basis sets. The theoretical results are in reasonable agreement with experiment, with B3LYP/def2-TZVPPD values being in particularly good agreement. Computations also allow the potential energy surfaces for dissociation of the M+(12C4) complexes to be elucidated. These are used to help explain why the previous studies formed excited conformers of Rb+(12C4) and Cs+(12C4) but apparently not of Na+(12C4) and K+(12C4)

Muscle function during takeoff and landing flight in the pigeon (Columba livia)

This study explored the muscle strain and activation patterns of several key flight muscles of the pigeon (Columba livia) during takeoff and landing flight. Using electromyography (EMG) to measure muscle activation, and sonomicrometry to quantify muscle strain, we evaluated the muscle function patterns of the pectoralis, biceps, humerotriceps and scapulotriceps as pigeons flew between two perches. These recordings were analyzed in the context of three-dimensional wing kinematics. To understand the different requirements of takeoff, midflight and landing, we compared the activity and strain of these muscles among the three flight modes. The pectoralis and biceps exhibited greater fascicle strain rates during takeoff than during midflight or landing. However, the triceps muscles did not exhibit notable differences in strain among flight modes. All observed strain, activation and kinematics were consistent with hypothesized muscle functions. The biceps contracted to stabilize and flex the elbow during the downstroke. The humerotriceps contracted to extend the elbow at the upstroke-downstroke transition, followed by scapulotriceps contraction to maintain elbow extension during the downstroke. The scapulotriceps also appeared to contribute to humeral elevation. Greater muscle activation intensity was observed during takeoff, compared with mid-flight and landing, in all muscles except the scapulotriceps. The timing patterns of muscle activation and length change differed among flight modes, yet demonstrated that pigeons do not change the basic mechanical actions of key flight muscles as they shift from flight activities that demand energy production, such as takeoff and midflight, to maneuvers that require absorption of energy, such as landing. Similarly, joint kinematics were consistent among flight modes. The stereotypy of these neuromuscular and joint kinematic patterns is consistent with previously observed stereotypy of wing kinematics relative to the pigeon's body (in the local body frame) across these flight behaviors. Taken together, these observations suggest that the control of takeoff and landing flight primarily involves modulation of overall body pitch to effect changes in stroke plane angle and resulting wing aerodynamics.Organismic and Evolutionary Biolog

Third Annual Report of the Farm Management Service for Farmers in Soil Conservation Demonstration Areas for the year 1937 (April 1937 to March 1938)

Farm Management,

Combinations of isoform-targeted histone deacetylase inhibitors and bryostatin analogues display remarkable potency to activate latent HIV without global T-cell activation

AbstractCurrent antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV/AIDS slows disease progression by reducing viral loads and increasing CD4 counts. Yet ART is not curative due to the persistence of CD4+ T-cell proviral reservoirs that chronically resupply active virus. Elimination of these reservoirs through the administration of synergistic combinations of latency reversing agents (LRAs), such as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and protein kinase C (PKC) modulators, provides a promising strategy to reduce if not eradicate the viral reservoir. Here, we demonstrate that largazole and its analogues are isoform-targeted histone deacetylase inhibitors and potent LRAs. Significantly, these isoform-targeted HDAC inhibitors synergize with PKC modulators, namely bryostatin-1 analogues (bryologs). Implementation of this unprecedented LRA combination induces HIV-1 reactivation to unparalleled levels and avoids global T-cell activation within resting CD4+ T-cells.</jats:p

Effect of Loading Wave Profile on Hydrodynamic Void Collapse in Detonation Initiation

We experimentally and numerically investigate void collapse as a mechanism for detonation initiation in porous energetic materials under a stress-wave loading condition, representative of accidental mechanical insult. In contrast to the step loading of a shock, a stress wave induces a ramp loading, where length scales of the wave may be comparable to the void size. Using an inert and transparent polymer material, we decouple the reactive and material aspects of void collapse, and focus instead on the hydrodynamic process of interactive void collapse. Diagnostic techniques include high speed shadowgraph movies of the collapsing voids and particle image velocimetry in the surrounding material. Two dimensional finite volume simulations compare the interaction of a single void undergoing ramp and shock wave loading. Voids exhibit asymmetric collapse, with formation of a high speed jet that originates from proximal wall of the void. Data obtained, including internal volume histories and collapse times of current experiments and simulations, are reported and compared with shock-induced cavity collapse data from the literature