Change, stress and sustainability: aquatic ecosystem resilience in North Africa

Summary report of a workshop held at the Institute Scientifique, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco, 2-5th December 1998. Cassarina report no. 4

Retrieval and classification methods for textured 3D models: a comparative study

International audienceThis paper presents a comparative study of six methods for the retrieval and classification of tex-tured 3D models, which have been selected as representative of the state of the art. To better analyse and control how methods deal with specific classes of geometric and texture deformations, we built a collection of 572 synthetic textured mesh models, in which each class includes multiple texture and geometric modifications of a small set of null models. Results show a challenging, yet lively, scenario and also reveal interesting insights in how to deal with texture information according to different approaches, possibly working in the CIELab as well as in modifications of the RGB colour space

Immune phenotypes and checkpoint molecule expression of clonally expanded lymph node-infiltrating T cells in classical Hodgkin lymphoma

Lymph node-infiltrating T cells have been of particular interest in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). High rates of complete therapeutic responses to antibody-mediated immune checkpoint blockade, even in relapsed/refractory patients, suggest the existence of a T cell-dominated, antigen-experienced, functionally inhibited and lymphoma-directed immune microenvironment. We asked whether clonally expanded T cells (1) were detectable in cHL lymph nodes, (2) showed characteristic immune phenotypes, and (3) were inhibited by immune checkpoint molecule expression. We applied high-dimensional FACS index sorting and single cell T cell receptor αβ sequencing to lymph node-infiltrating T cells from 10 treatment-naïve patients. T cells were predominantly CD4(+) and showed memory differentiation. Expression of classical immune checkpoint molecules (CTLA-4, PD-1, TIM-3) was generally low (< 12.0% of T cells) and not different between CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Degrees of clonal T cell expansion varied between patients (range: 1-18 expanded clones per patient) and was almost exclusively restricted to CD8(+) T cells. Clonally expanded T cells showed non-naïve phenotypes and low checkpoint molecule expression similar to non-expanded T cells. Our data suggest that the therapeutic effects of immune checkpoint blockade require mechanisms in addition to dis-inhibition of pre-existing lymphoma-directed T cell responses. Future studies on immune checkpoint blockade-associated effects will identify molecular T cell targets, address dynamic aspects of cell compositions over time, and extend their focus beyond lymph node-infiltrating T cells

Quantification of female and male Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes by reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR

The transmission of malaria parasites depends on the presence of sexual stages (gametocytes) in the blood, making the ratio and densities of female and male gametocytes important determinants of parasite fitness. This manuscript describes the development of reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays to separately quantify mature female and male gametocytes of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, and reveals that Pfs25 mRNA is expressed only in female gametocytes. The female (Pfs25) and male (Pfs230p) gametocyte specific RT-qPCR assays have lower detection limits of 0.3 female and 1.8 male gametocytes per microlitre of blood, respectively, making them more sensitive than microscopy. Accurate quantification of the ratio and densities of female and male gametocytes will increase understanding of P. falciparum transmission and improve the evaluation of transmission blocking interventions

Shape Retrieval of Non-rigid 3D Human Models

3D models of humans are commonly used within computer graphics and vision, and so the ability to distinguish between body shapes is an important shape retrieval problem. We extend our recent paper which provided a benchmark for testing non-rigid 3D shape retrieval algorithms on 3D human models. This benchmark provided a far stricter challenge than previous shape benchmarks. We have added 145 new models for use as a separate training set, in order to standardise the training data used and provide a fairer comparison. We have also included experiments with the FAUST dataset of human scans. All participants of the previous benchmark study have taken part in the new tests reported here, many providing updated results using the new data. In addition, further participants have also taken part, and we provide extra analysis of the retrieval results. A total of 25 different shape retrieval methods are compared

Immune phenotypes and target antigens of clonally expanded bone marrow T cells in treatment-naïve multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a hematologic malignancy of monoclonal plasma cells that accumulate in the bone marrow. Despite their clinical and pathophysiological relevance, the roles of bone marrow infiltrating T cells in treatment-naïve patients are incompletely understood. We investigated whether clonally expanded T cells i) were detectable in multiple myeloma bone marrow, ii) showed characteristic immune phenotypes, and iii) whether dominant clones recognized antigens selectively presented on multiple myeloma cells. Single-cell index sorting and T-cell receptor (TCR)αβ sequencing of bone marrow T cells from 13 treatment-naïve patients showed dominant clonal expansion within CD8+ cytolytic effector compartments, and only a minority of expanded T-cell clones expressed the classical immune checkpoint molecules PD 1, CTLA 4, or TIM 3. To identify their molecular targets, TCRs of 68 dominant bone marrow clones from five selected patients were re-expressed and incubated with multiple myeloma and non multiple myeloma cells from corresponding patients. Only one out of 68 TCRs recognized antigen presented on multiple myeloma cells. This TCR was HLA-C-restricted, self-peptide-specific, and could be activated by multiple myeloma cells of multiple patients. The remaining dominant T-cell clones did not recognize multiple myeloma cells and were, in part, specific for antigens associated with chronic viral infections. In conclusion, we showed that dominant bone marrow T-cell clones in treatment naïve patients rarely recognize antigens presented on multiple myeloma cells and exhibit low expression of classical immune checkpoint molecules. Our data provide experimental context for experiences from clinical immune checkpoint inhibition trials and will inform future T cell-dependent therapeutic strategies

Crop Updates 2005 - Cereals

This session covers thirty six papers from different authors: WHEAT AGRONOMY 1. Optimum sowing time of new wheat varieties in Western Australia, Darshan Sharma, Brenda Shackley, Mohammad Amjad, Christine M. Zaicou-Kunesch and Wal Anderson, Department of Agriculture 2. Wheat varieties updated in ‘Flowering Calculator’: A model predicting flowering time, B. Shackley, D. Tennant, D. Sharma and C.M. Zaicou-Kunesch, Department of Agriculture 3. Plant populations for wheat varieties, Christine M. Zaicou-Kunesch, Wal Anderson, Darshan Sharma, Brenda Shackley and Mohammad Amjad, Department of Agriculture 4. New wheat cultivars response to fertiliser nitrogen in four major agricultural regions of Western Australia, Mohammad Amjad, Wal Anderson, Brenda Shackley, Darshan Sharma and Christine Zaicou-Kunesch, Department of Agriculture 5. Agronomic package for EGA Eagle Rock, Steve Penny, Department of Agriculture 6. Field evaluation of eastern and western wheats in large-scale farmer’s trials, Mohammad Amjad, Ben Curtis and Veronika Reck, Department of Agriculture 7. New wheat varieties for a changing environment, Richard Richards, CSIRO Plant Industry; Canberra 8. Farmers can profitably minimise exposure to frost! Garren Knell, Steve Curtin and David Sermon, ConsultAg 9. National Variety Trials, Alan Bedggood, Australian Crops Accreditation System; Horsham 10. Preharvest-sprouting tolerance of wheat in the field, T.B. Biddulph1, T.L. Setter2, J.A. Plummer1 and D.J. Mares3; 1Plant Biology; FNAS, University of Western Australia; 2Department of Agriculture, 3School of Agriculture and Wine, University of Adelaide 11. Waterlogging induces high concentration of Mn and Al in wheat genotypes in acidic soils, H. Khabaz-Saberi, T. Setter, I. Waters and G. McDonald, Department of Agriculture 12. Agronomic responses of new wheat varieties in the Northern Agricultural Region, Christine M. Zaicou-Kunesch and Wal Anderson, Department of Agriculture 13. Agronomic responses of new wheat varieties in the Central Agricultural Region of WA, Darshan Sharma, Steve Penny and Wal Anderson, Department of Agriculture 14. EGA Eagle Rock tolerance to metribuzin and its mixtures, Harmohinder Dhammu, David Nicholson and Chris Roberts, Department of Agriculture 15. Herbicide tolerance of new bread wheats, Harmohinder Dhammu1 and David Nicholson2, Department of Agriculture NUTRITION 16. The impact of fertiliser placement, timing and rates on nitrogen-use efficiency, Stephen Loss, CSBP Ltd 17. Cereals deficient in potassium are most susceptible to some leaf diseases, Ross Brennan and Kith Jayasena, Department of Agriculture 18. Responses of cereal yields to potassium fertiliser type, placement and timing, Eddy Pol, CSBP Limited 19. Sulphate of Potash, the potash of choice at seeding, Simon Teakle, United Farmers Co-operative 20. Essential disease management for successful barley production, K. Jayasena, R. Loughman, C. Beard, B. Paynter, K. Tanaka, G. Poulish and A. Smith, Department of Agriculture 21. Genotypic differences in potassium efficiency of wheat, Paul Damon and Zed Rengel, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Australia 22. Genotypic differences in potassium efficiency of barley, Paul Damon and Zed Rengel, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Australia 23. Investigating timing of nitrogen application in wheat, Darshan Sharma and Lionel Martin, Department of Agriculture, and Muresk Institute of Agriculture, Curtin University of Technology 24. Nutrient timing requirements for increased crop yields in the high rainfall cropping zone, Narelle Hill, Ron McTaggart, Dr Wal Anderson and Ray Tugwell, Department of Agriculture DISEASES 25. Integrate strategies to manage stripe rust risk, Geoff Thomas, Robert Loughman, Ciara Beard, Kith Jayasena and Manisha Shankar, Department of Agriculture 26. Effect of primary inoculum level of stripe rust on variety response in wheat, Manisha Shankar, John Majewski and Robert Loughman, Department of Agriculture 27. Disease resistance update for wheat varieties in WA, M. Shankar, J.M. Majewski, D. Foster, H. Golzar, J. Piotrowski and R. Loughman, Department of Agriculture 28. Big droplets for wheat fungicides, Rob Grima, Agronomist, Elders 29. On farm research to investigate fungicide applications to minimise leaf disease impacts in wheat, Jeff Russell and Angie Roe, Department of Agriculture, and Farm Focus Consultants PESTS 30. Rotations for nematode management, Vivien A. Vanstone, Sean J. Kelly, Helen F. Hunter and Mena C. Gilchrist, Department of Agriculture 31. Investigation into the adaqyacy of sealed farm silos in Western Australia to control phosphine-resistant Rhyzopertha dominica, C.R. Newman, Department of Agriculture 32.Insect contamination of cereal grain at harvest, Svetlana Micic and Phil Michael, Department of Agriculture 33. Phosure – Extending the life of phosphine, Gabrielle Coupland and Ern Kostas, Co-operative Bulk Handling SOIL 34. Optimum combinations of ripping depth and tine spacing for increasing wheat yield, Mohammed Hamza and Wal Anderson, Department of Agriculture 35. Hardpan penetration ability of wheat roots, Tina Botwright Acuña and Len Wade, School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia MARKETS 36. Latin America: An emerging agricultural powerhouse, Ingrid Richardson, Food and Agribusiness Research, Rabobank; Sydne