Influence of substrates and in vitro preconditioning treatments on ex vitro acclimatization of Arachis retusa

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of substrate and preconditioning treatments on the acclimatization of in vitro plants of Arachis retusa. Plants were transferred to Plantmax or sand, and fertilized with Hoagland's nutrient solution. Plants maintained in sand, with or without fertilizer, showed the highest survival rates. In order to evaluate the influence of in vitro preconditioning treatments, stem segments were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different sucrose concentrations. The highest survival and developmental rates were observed in plants from two accessions cultured on MS supplemented with 1.5% and 3% sucrose. Flowering and fruit production were observed after five months.

First detection of Waddlia chondrophila in Africa using SYBR Green real-time PCR on veterinary samples.

Waddlia chondrophila is a strict intracellular microorganism belonging to the order Chlamydiales that has been isolated twice from aborted bovine fetuses, once in USA and once in Germany. This bacterium is now considered as an abortigenic agent in cattle. However, no information is available regarding the presence of this bacterium in Africa. Given the low sensitivity of cell culture to recover such an obligate intracellular bacterium, molecular-based diagnostic approaches are warranted. This report describes the development of a quantitative SYBR Green real-time PCR assay targeting the recA gene of W. chondrophila. Analytical sensitivity was 10 copies of control plasmid DNA per reaction. No cross-amplification was observed when testing pathogens that can cause abortion in cattle. The PCR exhibited a good intra-run and inter-run reproducibility. This real-time PCR was then applied to 150 vaginal swabs taken from Tunisian cows that have aborted. Twelve samples revealed to be Waddlia positive, suggesting a possible role of this bacterium in this setting. This new real-time PCR assay represents a diagnostic tool that may be used to further study the prevalence of Waddlia infection.

Determining Pu-241 in environmental samples: case studies in alpine soils

A procedure was developed for determining Pu-241 activity in environmental samples. This beta emitter isotope of plutonium was measured by ultra low level liquid scintillation, after several separation and purification steps that involved the use of a highly selective extraction chromatographic resin (Eichrom-TEVA). Due to the lack of reference material for Pu-241, the method was nevertheless validated using four IAEA reference sediments with information values for Pu-241. Next, the method was used to determine the Pu-241 activity in alpine soils of Switzerland and France. The Pu-241/Pu-239,Pu-240 and Pu-238/Pu-239,Pu-240 activity ratios confirmed that Pu contamination in the tested alpine soils originated mainly from global fallout from nuclear weapon tests conducted in the fifties and sixties. Estimation of the date of the contamination, using the Pu-241/Am-241 age-dating method, further confirmed this origin. However, the Pu-241/Am-241 dating method was limited to samples where Pu-Am fractionation was insignificant. If any, the contribution of the Chernobyl accident is negligible.

Imazaquin sorption in surface and subsurface soil samples

The objective of this work was to study the sorption and desorption of imazaquin, in surface and subsurface soil samples from Brazil. Sorption and desorption steps were carried out using batch equilibration and high performance liquid chromatography analytical routines. The value of Kf,ads was positively correlated with clay content, and negatively correlated with pH of supernatant. Samples from Typic Haplustox, clayey soil profile having high clay content, provided higher Kf,ads values, and negative correlation with organic carbon, silt content, cation exchange capacity and pH.

Ex vivo detectable human CD8 T-cell responses to cancer-testis antigens.

Clinical trials have shown that strong tumor antigen-specific CD8 T-cell responses are difficult to induce but can be achieved for T-cells specific for melanoma differentiation antigens, upon repetitive vaccination with stable emulsions prepared with synthetic peptides and incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Here, we show in four melanoma patients that ex vivo detectable T-cells and thus strong T-cell responses can also be induced against the more universal cancer-testis antigens NY-ESO-1 and Mage-A10. Interestingly, all patients had ex vivo detectable T-cell responses against multiple antigens after serial vaccinations with three peptides emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Antigen-specific T-cells displayed an activated phenotype and secreted IFNgamma. The robust immune responses provide a solid basis for further development of human T-cell vaccination.

1.° Hilperici tractatus de arte calculatoria : praemittitur calendarium ad usum Cisterciensium. — 2.° Ratio Gaii Caesaris de ordine anni per duodecim menses. — 3.° Bedae opusculum de loquela digitorum. — 4.° Expositio tabulae de luna quotidiè per rationem epactarum invenienda. — 5.° Excerptum ex etymologiis Isidori, de coelo ejusque luminaribus. — 6.° Carmen de temporibus anni. — 7.° Ratio epactarum. — 8.° Anonymi expositio super tabulam Dionysii Exigui, Abbatis. — 9.° Fragmentum Macrobii de mensura terrae. — 10.° Anonymi figurata expositio duodecim signorum zodiaci. — 11.° Scholium de temporibus et aetatibus mundi. — 12.° Alcuini opusculum de vita Antichristi. — 13.° Hieronymus de quindecim signis praecedentibus diem judicii. — 14.° Beda de die judicii. — 15.° Anonymi chronicon in epitomen contractum, et à mundi creatione ad Leonis III. imperium productum. — 16.° Provincialis Romanae Ecclesiae fragmentum.

Colbertinus

1.° Tractatus de proportionibus in genere. — 2.° Tractatus de proportionibus motuum. — 3.° Fragmentum elementorum geometriae. — 4.° Tractatus de minutiis, sive de fractionibus. — 5.° Ludus rethimachiae, sive potiùs, arithmomachiae, id est, de numerorum pugna : ad calcem subjecti versiculi de eodem ludo, excerpti ex carmine de vetula, quod Ovidio tribuitur. — 6.° Anonymi tractatus de perspectiva, sive potiùs, tractatus de optica, dioptrica et catoptrica.

Mentellianus

1.° Anonymi canones in Alphonsi Regis tabulas. — 2.° Tractatus de duodecim domibus coeli, ex diversis authoribus concinnatus. — 3.° Sigilla Magistri Arnaldi de Villanova. — 4.° Compilatio Leopoldi, Ducis Austriae filii, de astrorum scientia. — 5.° Anonymus de judiciis astrorum ad medicinam pertinentibus. — 6.° Speculum Alberti Magni de nominibus librorum astronomiae.

Philiberti de la Mare

1.° Francisci Maurolyci demonstrationes in duodecimum librum Euclidis elementorum. — 2.° Ejusdem modus fabricandi astrolabium, cum demonstrationibus geometricis. — 3.° Ejusdem opusculum de fabrica et usu quadrati horarii, ad omnem horisontem accommodati. — 4.° Collectanea ex fabula et historia antiqua.

Colbertinus

1.° Theonis, ex traditione Pappi, datorum libri duo : interprete Francisco Maurolyco ; cum ejusdem Maurolyci additionibus. — 2.° Euclidis phaenomena, cum expositione Maurolyci.

Colbertinus

1.° Opus cujus is est titulus : tractatus instrumenti astronomici Magistri Leonis Judaei de Balneolis, ad summum Pontificem Clementem VI. ex hebraïca lingua in latinam anno Incarnationis 1342. conversus. — 2.° Anonymi tractatus de Deo ab aeterno, sive pars operis theologici majoris. — 3.° Anonymi postillae in epistolam ad Romanos ; et considerationes super passione Domini et Scriptura sacra.

Colbertinus

Satisfaction survey with DNA cards method to collect genetic samples for pharmacogenetics studies

Background: Pharmacogenetic studies are essential in understanding the interindividual variability of drug responses. DNA sample collection for genotyping is a critical step in genetic studies. A method using dried blood samples from finger-puncture, collected on DNA-cards, has been described as an alternative to the usual venepuncture technique. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the implementation of the DNA cards method in a multicentre clinical trial, and to assess the degree of investigators' satisfaction and the acceptance of the patients perceived by the investigators.Methods: Blood samples were collected on DNA-cards. The quality and quantity of DNA recovered were analyzed. Investigators were questioned regarding their general interest, previous experience, safety issues, preferences and perceived patient satisfaction. Results: 151 patients' blood samples were collected. Genotyping of GST polymorphisms was achieved in all samples (100%). 28 investigators completed the survey. Investigators perceived patient satisfaction as very good (60.7%) or good (39.3%), without reluctance to finger puncture. Investigators preferred this method, which was considered safer and better than the usual methods. All investigators would recommend using it in future genetic studies. Conclusion: Within the clinical trial setting, the DNA-cards method was very well accepted by investigators and patients (in perception of investigators), and was preferred to conventional methods due to its ease of use and safety.

Sieve Analysis of Combined Aggregate Samples by Different Test Methods, MLR-84-05, 1982

This past winter the sieve analysis of combined aggregate was investigated. This study was given No. 26 by the Central Laboratory. The purpose of this work was to try and develop a sieve analysis procedure for combined aggregate which is less time consuming and has the same accuracy as the method described in I.M. 304. In an attempt to use a variety of aggregates for this investigation, a request was made to each District Materials Office to obtain at least 3 different combined aggregate samples in their respective districts. At the same time it was also requested that the field technician test these samples, prior to submitting them to the Central Laboratory. The field technician was instructed to test each sample as described in method I.M. 304 and also by a modified AASHTO T27 method which will be identified in the report as Method A. The modified AASHTO Method A was identical to T27 with the exception that a smaller sample is used for testing. The field technicians submitted the samples, test results and also comments regarding the modified AASHTO procedure. The general comments of the modified AASHTO procedure were: The method was much simpler to follow; however, it took about the same amount of time so there was no real advantage. After reviewing AASHTO T27, T164, I.M. 304 and Report No. FHWA-RD-77-53 another test method was purposed. Report No. FHWA-RD-77-53 is a report prepared by FHWA from data they gathered concerning control practices and shortcut or alternative test methods for aggregate gradation. A second test method was developed which also was very similar to AASHTO T27, The test procedure for this method is attached and is identified as Method B. The following is a summary of test results submitted by the Field Technicians and obtained by the aggregate section of the Central Laboratory.