Validation of a simple and inexpensive method for the quantitation of infarct in the rat brain

A gravimetric method was evaluated as a simple, sensitive, reproducible, low-cost alternative to quantify the extent of brain infarct after occlusion of the medial cerebral artery in rats. In ether-anesthetized rats, the left medial cerebral artery was occluded for 1, 1.5 or 2 h by inserting a 4-0 nylon monofilament suture into the internal carotid artery. Twenty-four hours later, the brains were processed for histochemical triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and quantitation of the schemic infarct. In each TTC-stained brain section, the ischemic tissue was dissected with a scalpel and fixed in 10% formalin at 0ºC until its total mass could be estimated. The mass (mg) of the ischemic tissue was weighed on an analytical balance and compared to its volume (mm³), estimated either by plethysmometry using platinum electrodes or by computer-assisted image analysis. Infarct size as measured by the weighing method (mg), and reported as a percent (%) of the affected (left) hemisphere, correlated closely with volume (mm³, also reported as %) estimated by computerized image analysis (r = 0.88; P < 0.001; N = 10) or by plethysmography (r = 0.97-0.98; P < 0.0001; N = 41). This degree of correlation was maintained between different experimenters. The method was also sensitive for detecting the effect of different ischemia durations on infarct size (P < 0.005; N = 23), and the effect of drug treatments in reducing the extent of brain damage (P < 0.005; N = 24). The data suggest that, in addition to being simple and low cost, the weighing method is a reliable alternative for quantifying brain infarct in animal models of stroke.

Molecular battles between plant and pathogenic bacteria in the phyllosphere

The phyllosphere, i.e., the aerial parts of the plant, provides one of the most important niches for microbial colonization. This niche supports the survival and, often, proliferation of microbes such as fungi and bacteria with diverse lifestyles including epiphytes, saprophytes, and pathogens. Although most microbes may complete the life cycle on the leaf surface, pathogens must enter the leaf and multiply aggressively in the leaf interior. Natural surface openings, such as stomata, are important entry sites for bacteria. Stomata are known for their vital role in water transpiration and gas exchange between the plant and the environment that is essential for plant growth. Recent studies have shown that stomata can also play an active role in limiting bacterial invasion of both human and plant pathogenic bacteria as part of the plant innate immune system. As counter-defense, plant pathogens such as Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato (Pst) DC3000 use the virulence factor coronatine to suppress stomate-based defense. A novel and crucial early battleground in host-pathogen interaction in the phyllosphere has been discovered with broad implications in the study of bacterial pathogenesis, host immunity, and molecular ecology of bacterial diseases.

Recombinant vaccines and the development of new vaccine strategies

Vaccines were initially developed on an empirical basis, relying mostly on attenuation or inactivation of pathogens. Advances in immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genomics, and proteomics have added new perspectives to the vaccinology field. The use of recombinant proteins allows the targeting of immune responses focused against few protective antigens. There are a variety of expression systems with different advantages, allowing the production of large quantities of proteins depending on the required characteristics. Live recombinant bacteria or viral vectors effectively stimulate the immune system as in natural infections and have intrinsic adjuvant properties. DNA vaccines, which consist of non-replicating plasmids, can induce strong long-term cellular immune responses. Prime-boost strategies combine different antigen delivery systems to broaden the immune response. In general, all of these strategies have shown advantages and disadvantages, and their use will depend on the knowledge of the mechanisms of infection of the target pathogen and of the immune response required for protection. In this review, we discuss some of the major breakthroughs that have been achieved using recombinant vaccine technologies, as well as new approaches and strategies for vaccine development, including potential shortcomings and risks.

Relative performance of the two hands in simple and choice reaction time tasks

There is evidence that the left hemisphere is more competent for motor control than the right hemisphere. This study investigated whether this hemispheric asymmetry is expressed in the latency/duration of sequential responses performed by the left and/or right hands. Thirty-two right-handed young adults (16 males, 16 females; 18-25 years old) were tested in a simple or choice reaction time task. They responded to a left and/or right visual target by moving their left and/or right middle fingers between two keys on each side of the midline. Right hand reaction time did not differ from left hand reaction time. Submovement times were longer for the right hand than the left hand when the response was bilateral. Pause times were shorter for the right hand than the left hand, both when the responses were unilateral or bilateral. Reaction time results indicate that the putatively more efficient response preparation by the left hemisphere motor mechanisms is not expressed behaviorally. Submovement time and pause time results indicate that the putatively more efficient response execution by the left hemisphere motor mechanisms is expressed behaviorally. In the case of the submovements, the less efficient motor control of the left hand would be compensated by a more intense attention to this hand.

Effect of high and low molecular weight glutenin subunits, and subunits of gliadin on physicochemical parameters of different wheat genotypes

Identification of functional properties of wheat flour by specific tests allows genotypes with appropriate characteristics to be selected for specific industrial uses. The objective of wheat breeding programs is to improve the quality of germplasm bank in order to be able to develop wheat with suitable gluten strength and extensibility for bread making. The aim of this study was to evaluate 16 wheat genotypes by correlating both glutenin subunits of high and low molecular weight and gliadin subunits with the physicochemical characteristics of the grain. Protein content, sedimentation volume, sedimentation index, and falling number values were analyzed after the grains were milled. Hectoliter weight and mass of 1000 seeds were also determined. The glutenin and gliadin subunits were separated using polyacrylamide gel in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The data were evaluated using variance analysis, Pearson's correlation, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis. The IPR 85, IPR Catuara TM, T 091015, and T 091069 genotypes stood out from the others, which indicate their possibly superior grain quality with higher sedimentation volume, higher sedimentation index, and higher mass of 1000 seeds; these genotypes possessed the subunits 1 (Glu-A1), 5 + 10 (Glu-D1), c (Glu-A3), and b (Glu-B3), with exception of T 091069 genotype that possessed the g allele instead of b in the Glu-B3.

Receipt to S. D. Woodruff from R. Woodruff and Co.

Receipt to S.D. Woodruff from R. Woodruff and Co. of St. Catharines, Dealers in Dry Goods regarding payment for cardigan jacket, Sept. 19, 1875.

Receipt to S.D. Woodruff from R. Woodruff and Co.

Receipt to S.D. Woodruff from R. Woodruff and Co. of St. Catharines, Dealers in Dry Goods for various items such as: buttons, gloves, toweling, ties, tape and undershirts, July 1, 1876.

Receipt to S.D. Woodruff from W.J. and J. McCalla

Receipt to S.D. Woodruff from W. J. and J. McCalla for groceries, Oct. 30, 1876.

Receipt to S.D. Woodruff from R. Woolworth and Co.

Receipt to S.D. Woodruff from R. Woolworth and Co. of St. Catharines for clothing and personal items, Jan. 1, 1877.

Envelope sent to Mr. Welland D. Woodruff at Thomas Cooks and Sons, Columbo, Indiana

Envelope postmarked Indo-Ceylon, special flight X’mas 1936, Bombay, Jan. 1937 and Thomas Cook and Son, Jan. 2, 1937. The letter is addressed to Mr. Welland D. Woodruff at Thomas Cook and Son, Columbo, India. This is crossed out and sent on to Royal Trust Co. 3 St. James St., London, England. This is crossed out and finally sent to the Mayfair Hotel, London, England, 1936-1937.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from Thomas Steers and W. M. Kelly

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from Thomas Steers and W. M. Kelly regarding the patent for Mrs. Clement. The writer says that he will write to Mr. Woodruff fully respecting the claim of the younger Clement, May 14, 1847.

Letter to Samuel D. Woodruff from Thomas Steers and W.M. Kelly

Letter to Samuel D. Woodruff from Thomas Steers and W.M. Kelly stating that they have been successful in getting the patent through for Mrs. Clement for Lot no.30, Concession 2 in Enniskillen. James Clement is not of age and he cannot transfer his right to his brother Joseph. There is no obstacle of the patent being issued in Richard’s name. There are some notes in pencil on this document. The document is torn, and stained, but text is not affected. The postmark on the outside is Montreal, June 26, 1847, June 25, 1847.

Letter regarding farm loans addressed to S.D. Woodruff from Jarvis, Conklin and Co.

Letter (1 page, printed) regarding farm loans addressed to S.D. Woodruff from Jarvis, Conklin and Co., Sept. 12, 1882.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from Jarvis, Conklin and Co.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff acknowledging his “kind favour” of returning the check for accrued interest. This is signed by Jarvis, Conklin and Co., Oct. 3, 1882.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from Jarvis, Conklin and Co

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from Jarvis, Conklin and Co. stating that a balance of $3.50 has been paid to Samuel Woodruff, Dec. 10, 1883.