A sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP): characterization and application.

Thirty mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against rat calcitonin gene-related peptide-alpha (CGRP-alpha) have been obtained. These mAbs are classified in 2 groups, one recognizing the peptide N-terminus and the other binding the C-terminus. A two-site immunometric assay was developed using mAb CGRP-83 as capture antibody, whereas mAb CGRP-72 acts as tracer, covalently labeled with enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This assay appeared sensitive (limit of detection: 2 pg/ml) and precise, allowing quantitative measurement of all human and murine CGRP isoforms. The assay was used to determine specific concentrations of CGRP in different rat, mice and guinea pig samples. The validity of the test was demonstrated by HPLC fractionation experiments.

Two-site enzyme immunometric assays for determination of native and denatured beta-lactoglobulin.

Two enzyme immunometric assays suitable for measuring native and denatured beta-lactoglobulin (BLg) have been developed. The assays were performed in 96-well microtitre plates and were based on the use of pairs of monoclonal antibodies specific to either the native form or the reduced and carboxymethylated form of BLg (RCM-BLg). Detection limits of 30 and 200 pg/ml were obtained for the native BLg and the RCM-BLg assay, respectively, with very low or negligible cross-reactivity of the other milk proteins and tryptic fragments of BLg. The validity of the assays in different media such as cow's milk and cow's milk products, saline buffer or serum was supported by recovery experiments. The assays were first applied to the determination of BLg and RCM-BLg in PBS and in raw skimmed milk. The ability of the RCM-BLg assay to detect heat-denatured BLg was confirmed by a kinetic study of BLg heat-denaturation in the two media. During heat treatment, the decrease in the concentration of native BLg was associated with an increase in denatured BLg specifically detected by the RCM-BLg assay. By selecting an appropriate monoclonal antibody which failed to recognize caprine BLg, we were able to establish a modified sandwich immunoassay permitting very sensitive detection of cow's milk in goat's milk.

Effect of Crop Pruning on Sclerotinia Blight of Peanut.

Sclerotinia blight of peanut, incited by Sclerotinia minor, causes serious losses when cool, moist conditions prevail in the plant canopy. The effects of altering canopy structure by pruning were investigated in this study. Disease incidence was used to calculate area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) for field plots receiving various shoot-pruning treatments. In 1990, pruned plots and iprodione-sprayed plots did not differ in AUDPC, but pruned plots produced higher yields. Disease levels and yield of July top-pruned plants did not differ from those of August top-pruned plants. Pruning tops and sides in August reduced yields compared to pruning tops and sides in July, even though August pruning produced lower AUDPC. Without fungicide treatment, the 1991 pruned plots had less disease than nonpruned plots, although yields did not differ significantly. Pruned plots treated with fungicides for control of Sclerotinia blight had less disease than nonpruned plots treated with these fungicides, but there were no differences in yield. Pruning peanut canopies to alter microclimate or enhance fungicide penetration may reduce disease and increase yield when S. minor damage is yield limiting.

Fate of etiproston, a synthetic analogue of PGF2 alpha, in cows.

The pharmacokinetics and metabolic fate of labelled compounds were investigated after intramuscular administration of 3H-radiolabelled etiproston to nine cows. Elimination was rapid (t 1/2 beta = 2.8 h). Forty-eight h after administration 92.6% of the radioactivity had been eliminated, mainly via the urinary (66% at 48 h) and faecal routes (26% at 48 h). In comparison, little elimination in milk occurred (less than 0.034% dose/l by 24 h). Radioactivity at the injection site 48 h after administration was seen in one cow (< 4.68 x 10(-5%) dose/g). No radioactivity was detected in the tissues. Urinary metabolites were purified and isolated using XAD-2 extraction and preparative HPLC in reverse and normal phases. The main urinary metabolite, identified by mass spectrometry, was the tetranor acid derivative in equilibrium with its lactone form.

Incidental teaching for training communication in individuals with traumatic brain injury.

Although significant gains in acquisition of a variety of skills following traumatic brain injury have been demonstrated, generalization of acquired skills presents a formidable challenge. Incidental teaching procedures refer to a sequence of interactions between a trainer and a learner which take advantage of teaching opportunities that arise naturally in unstructured situations and appear to be particularly applicable to communication deficits common to persons with traumatic brain injury. This paper presents an overview of incidental teaching procedures and a case study in which incidental teaching procedures were utilized in a multiple-baseline fashion across three sequential environments to increase complete requesting skills. Results show that complete requesting increased to nearly 100% of the trials in each new environment upon procedural implementation, compared to extremely low baseline levels. In addition, significant increases in independently initiated, rather than cued, requests occurred within the first few treatment sessions. Implications of incidental teaching procedures and case study results are discussed with suggestions for future research.