Identification of a protein encoded in the EB-viral open reading frame BMRF2

Using monospecific rabbit sera against a peptide derived from a potential antigenic region of the Epstein-Barr viral amino acid sequence encoded in the open reading frame BMRF2 we could identify a protein-complex of 53/55 kDa in chemically induced B95-8, P3HR1 and Raji cell lines. This protein could be shown to be membrane-associated, as predicted by previous computer analysis of the secondary structure and hydrophilicity pattern, and may be a member of EBV-induced membrane proteins in lytically infected cells

Ensiling Safflower (\u3ci\u3eCarthamus Tinctorius\u3c/i\u3e) As an Alternative Winter Forage Crop in Israel

Israel is a subtropical country in which the rainy season is in winter, with frequent droughts. Wheat is the major winter forage crop in Israel, along with legumes as rotation crops. Alternative forage crops are sought that would be suitable for semi-arid areas. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is usually grown as a source for oil and pigments but spineless cultivars could be used as fodder. Leshem et al. (2001) reported DM yields up to 22 t/ha and high DM digestibility when used for heifers. When safflower silage substituted maize and wheat silage in the rations of lactating cows, milk yields and milk fat were similar in the two groups (Landau et al., 2004). Safflower was preserved satisfactorily by ensiling in mini-silos (Weinberg et al., 2002). However, on some farm scale trials, safflower silages spoiled upon aerobic exposure. The objective of the current experiments was to further study the ensiling characteristics of safflower