Notes: The number of free Fc receptors (FcR) per cell and the association constant (Kass) for the binding of monomeric IgG were determined for monocyte-enriched peripheral blood mononuclear cells, isolated from 16 patients with active classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and from 15 normal healthy donors. The assay system was based on binding under equili brium conditions of 125I-labelled monomeric rabbit IgG to monocytes purified from peripheral blood on a continuous gradient of Petcoll. Monocytes from 14 untreated RA patients (6 seropositive, 8 seronegative) expressed on the average 4.8±1.3 × 104 FcR/cell. This number was significantly higher (P〈0.01) than that found in the control group (3.46±0.7 × 104 FcR/cell). There was also a significant difference between the mean Kass of the RA group and the control group-2.1±0.7 × 1031/mol and 2.6±1.0 × 103 1/mol, respectively (0.05 〉P〉 0.01). Two seropositive RA patients receiving systemic treatment with penicillamine expressed the same number of FcR/cell as the mean of the control group (3.6 ± 104). Levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC) and of the complement-factor C3 split product C3d were also measured. No correlation was found between the number of FcR/cell and the concentration of C3d, but there was a weak correlation between the number of FcR/ccll and the level of CIC.

Notes: We studied the effect of the inhaled leukotriene D4 antagonist, L-648,051, on antigen-induced bronchoconstriction and nonspecific bronchial reactivity. Ten males with mild atopic asthma completed a double-blind, randomized, two-period, placebo-controlled cross-over study. For a 7-day period patients inhaled either placebo or 6 mg of L-648,051 four times daily. Bronchial reactivity to methacholine was measured at base line (day 1) and after 6 days, treatment (day 7). On day 8, after inhaling 6 mg of the antagonist (or placebo), the patients were challenged by inhaled antigen; they received an additional 6 mg of the antagonist (or placebo) 3 h later. Pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s, FEV1) was measured serially through an 8-h post-antigen challenge. Nonspecific airway reactivity was again measured on day 9. Compared to placebo, L-648,051 treatment diminished the methacholine reactivity, on both day 7 (NS) and on day 9 (P〈0.05). In addition, the immediate and late bronchial responses to antigen challenge on day 8 were attenuated in the patients when treated with L-648,051. In the immediate phase (0–3 h postchallenge), the airway response was significantly reduced at all recordings between 20 min and 1 h postchallenge. In the late phase (3–8 h postchallenge), the pulmonary response was also reduced. However, the reduction was statistically significant only at the 5–h recording. The results suggest that sulfidopeptide leukotrienes are of importance for nonspecific airway reactivity, and that leukotriene D4 is a significant mediator in the immediate asthmatic reaction.

Notes: The barley accession Q21861 possesses resistance to the stem-rust (Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici), leaf-rust (P. hordei), and powdery-mildew (Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei) pathogens. An anther-culture-derived doubled-haploid population was produced from F1 plants from a cross of this accession and the susceptible breeding line SM89010 as a means of rapidly and efficiently determining the genetics of multiple disease resistance. The doubled-haploid population segregated 1:1 (resistant:susceptible) for resistance to the stem rust pathotype QCC indicating the involvement of a single resistance gene, rpg4. Two-gene (3:1) and one-gene (1:1) segregation ratios were observed for resistance to the stem-rust pathotype MCC at low (23–25°c) and high (27–29°C) temperature, respectively. These different segregation patterns were due to a pathotype × temperature interaction exhibited by rpg4 and Rpg1. another stem-rust-resistance gene present in Q21861. One-gene and two-gene segregation ratios were observed in reaction to the leaf rust and powdery mildew pathogens. These data demonstrate the utility of doubled haploid populations for determining the genetics of multiple disease resistance in barley.

Notes: The present study was undertaken in order to test the hypothesis that homologous erythrocytes (E) coated in vivo with C3d could modulate the immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), stimulated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in vitro. E from healthy individuals were found to enhance markedly the Ig synthesis of PBMC cultures stimulated with suboptimal doses (0.01 μg/ml) of PWM. E coated in vivo with increasing amounts of C3d (1.4–6.3 times the amounts on normal E), obtained from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, failed to induce any significant increase in Ig synthesis of PBMC cultures stimulated with suboptimal PWM doses, compared with cultures co-stimulated in parallel with normal E. In contrast, an increase in IgM and IgG synthesis was observed in about 50% of PBMC cultures from different donors when stimulated with PWM in the presence of L- touted with Ohm vivo (from a patient with congenital factor I deficiency), compared with the Ig synthesis in cultures co-stimulated in parallel with normal E. In contrast to the inability of C3d-coated E to modulate B-cell proliferation, the monoclonal anti-CR2 antibody OKB7 was found to be mitogenic for unstimulated peripheral B cells.

Notes: A modelling procedure for prediction of the optimum intensity of harrowing on crop yield is developed. The models are applicable when harrowing is carried out to control annual weed seedlings at early crop growth stages without assessment of associated crop damage. The opti-mum intensity of harrowing is expressed either as number of harrowings or percentage weed con-trol calculated on weed densities or weed dry matter. To verify the modelling approach field experiments in peas were conducted during 1991. Harrowings at progressive intensities were carried out at different growth stages of peas. The optimum yield responses varied between 0% to 5% corresponding to 0% to 70% weed control in terms of weed dry matter reductions. Significant crop damage was associated with harrowing, and yield increases of 13% to 18% were recorded from herbicide application corresponding to 96% to 100% weed control. Modelisation des rendements apres desherbage mecanique par hersage a des stades precoces en cultures de pois (Pisum sativum L.) Un schéma de modélisaation pour prévoir l'optimum d'intensité de hersage pour le rendement de la culture a été développé. Les modèles sont applicables quand le hersage est conduit pourdétruire les plantules d'adventices annuelles à des stades précoces de la culture sans estimation du dégât à la culture associée. L'intensité optimale de hersage est exprimé soil par le nombre de hersages ou le pourcentage d'adventices détruites calculé sur la densité en adventices ou le poids de matiàre sàche. Pour vérifier l'approche par modélisation, des essais de plein champ sur pois ont été conduits en 1991. Des hersages a des intensités progressives ont été conduits à différents stades des pois. Les optima de gain de rendement ont varié entre 0 et 5% correspondant à des destructions d'adventice de 0 à 70% en terme de réductions de matiére sèche. Des dégâts aux cultures ont été associés au hersage et des augmentations de rendements de 13 à 18% ont été observées après des applications herbicides correspondant à 96–100% d'effica-cité. Ertragsmodelle für die mechanische Unkraut bekämpfung durch Eggen in frühen Entwick-lungsstadien der Erbse (Pisum sativum L.) Es wird ein Modell für die Vorhersage der optimalen Intensität des Eggens auf den Ertrag entwickelt, das angewendet werden kann, wenn das Eggen zur Bekämpfung von annuellen Unkräutern in frühen Entwicklungsstadien eingesetzt wird, ohne dabei Kulturpflanzenschaden zu berücksichtigen. Die optimale Intensität des Eggens wird entweder als Anzahl der Eggen striche als Grad der Unkrautbekämpfung, berechnet aus Unkrautdichten oder Unkraut-trockenmasse, ausgedrückt. Zur Überprüfung des Models wurden 1991 Feldversuche durchge-führt, wobei die Erbsen in verschiedenen Entwicklungsstadien mit zunehmender Inten-sität geeggt wurden. Die Ertragsreaktionvariierte zwischen 0 und 5% entsprechend 0 bis 70% Wirkungsgrad, bestimmt als Abnahtne der Unkrauttrockenmasse. Mit dem Eggen waren signifikante Schaden an der Kulturpflanze verbunden. Bei chemischer Unkrautbekämpfung mit 96 bis 100% Wirkunggrad nahmen die Enräge urn 13 bis 18% zu.

Notes: Selectivity, defined as the ratio between weed control and crop burial in soil as a result of harrowing, has been used to test different implements according to their degree of selective operation. For this purpose a concept considering qualitative and quantitative aspects of selectivity has been proposed. This makes it possible to determine whether differences in selective mode of operation were caused by construction or by application of implements. Analysis of covariance was used to make this separation. Only if implements affected parameters in a model describing the relationship between crop soil cover and weed control were they suggested to operate with different selectivities. Crop soil cover was assessed by visual score as percentage of crop leaf area covered by soil as a result of harrowing. Using this method it was shown that none of the five harrows tested could be separated on the basis of their selective mode of operation. Selectivity was shown to be influenced by day of treatment, composition of the weed flora, site characteristics and degree of weed control. Harrowing at late crop growth stages was more selective than expected. Essai de hersage pour lutter mecaniquement contre les mauvaises herbes annuelles dans les cultures La sélectivité, définie comme le ratio entre la destruction des mauvaises herbes et l'en fouissement de la culture dans le sol après un hersage, a été utilisée pour tester différents matériels en regard de leur degré d'opération sélective. Pour cela, un concept prenant en compte les aspects qualitatifs et quantitatifs de la sélectivité a été proposé. Celui-ci permet de déterminer si les différences de sélectivité viennent de la construction ou de la mise en oeuvre des matériels. Une analyse de covar-iance a été utilisée pour opérer cette séparation. Seulement si les matériels affectaient les paramètres dans un modèle décrivant la relation entre la couverture de la culture par le sol et le deshérbage, il était envisagé d'opérer avec différentes sélectivités. La couverture de la culture par le sol a étéévaluée par une estimation visuelle du pourcentage de surface foliaire recouverte par le sol après un hersage. Par cette méthode il a été montré qu'aucun des 5 hersages testés ne pouvait être séparé sur la base de leur mode d'opération sélective. La sélectivité a été montrée comme étant influencée par le jour de traitement, la composition de la flore adventice, les caractéristiques du site et le taux de desherbage. Un hersage aux stades tardifs de la culture a été plus sélectif que ce que l'on attendait. Wirksamkeit verschiedener Eggen zur mechanischen Bekämpfung einjähriger Unkräuter in landwirtschaftlichen Kulturen Es wurden verschiedene Geräte nach ihrer selektiven Wirksamkeit beurteilt, wobei die Selektivität als Verhältnis zwischen der Bekämpfung der Unkräuter und dem Verschütten der Kulturpflanzen definiert wurde. Hierfür wurde ein Konzept vorgeschlagen, das die qualitativen und quantitativen Aspekte der Selektivität berücksichtigt. Dadurch konnte bestimmt werden, ob Selektivitätsunterschiede durch die Konstruktion oder durch die Anwendung eines Geräts bedingt waren. Die Unterscheidung erfolgte mittels Kovarianz Analyse. Nur wenn Geräte die Parameter eines Modells über die Beziehung zwischen dem Verschütten der Kulturpflanzen und der Unkrautbekämpfung beeinflußten, wurden ver-schiedene Selektivität angenommen. Das Verschutten der Kulturpflanzen wurde als prozentuale Bedeckung der Blattflächen mit Boden bonitiert. Danach ergab sich, daß die 5 getesteten Eggen in ihrer selektiven Wirkung nicht unterschieden werden konnten. Die Selektivitität wurde vom Tag der Behandlung, der Zusammensetzung der Unkrautflora, den Eigenschaften des Standorts und dem Grad der Unkrautbekämpfung beeinflußt. Das Eggen in fortgeschrittenen Entwicklungsstadien der Kulturpflanzen war selektiver als erwartet.

Notes: A model is presented to describe crop yield response in weed harrowing. The selectivity of harrowing, crop yield response to soil covering, and the competitive strength of the weeds are all variables in the model, which is derived from the hyperbolic yield-density relationship, and therefore accounts for the effects of weed density. An advantage of the modelling approach is that the yield response can be separated into two parts, one derived from the positive weed-killing effect of harrowing, and the other derived from the negative crop-covering effect. Simulation runs based on experimental data showed that crop damage, when it occurs, cannot be ignored, and may sometimes even dominate the positive weed-killing effect. Possible scientific and practical applications of the model are discussed.

Notes: Electrofusion of mesophyll protoplasts from two male sterile dihaploid Solanum tuberosum genotypes. DHAK-11 and DHAK-33, was performed. Selection of putative fusion products was based on vigorous callus growth. Regeneration of rooted putative hybrid plants was scored 14 weeks after fusion. Characterization of hybrids was performed by use of morphological assessment, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and cytological and isozyme analysis. The rate of regenerated hybrids from callus was ca 6%. Of the putative hybrids, 45% were confirmed as true hybrids. Morphological assessment of the putative hybrids revealed that tetraploid and neartetraploid hybrids were vigorous plants with intermediate characteristics between the two parental phenotypes in respect to internode length, leaf size and shape, and purple pigmentation on the abaxial side of the leaves. Near-hexaploid hybrids were slender plants with small leaves and short petioles. Selected RAPD primers showed unique marker bands for the two parental genotypes. Hybrid plants revealed the unique marker bands from both parents. A total of 53 randomly chosen decamer primers were tested and 26 primers (49%) detected polymorphism between the two dihaploid parentals. Two primers revealed that one parental marker band was missing in two aneuploid hybrids. However, of 51 putative hybrids, a double test with two independently chosen primers showed unequivocally the hybrid character of 23 plants. The ploidy level of the hybrids was analysed by chromosome numbers in root tip cells and by number of guard cell chloroplasts. A strong correlation between the chromosome number and the number of chloroplasts was obtained. The hybrid nature of all RAPD-verified hybrids was confirmed by isozyme analysis with malate dehydrogenase.

Notes: We examined the ability of the inhaled leukotriene D4 antagonist (L-648, 051) to inhibit antigen-induced asthmatic responses. Twelve patients with stable exogenous asthma participated in two separate double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trials. The ability of the antagonist to reverse or inhibit antigen-induced bronchoconstrictor response was examined; both the immediate and the late phases were studied. In the reversal study, patients inhaled 800 μ of L-648, 051 during the immediate phase (15 min after antigen challenge) and again during in the late phase (7 h after antigen challenge). In the prevention study, the same dose (800 μ) of L-648, 051 was inhaled before the expected immediate reaction (5 min before antigen challenge) as well as before the expected late reaction (2.5 h after antigen challenge). The LTD4 antagonist was not effective in reversing the airway response to inhaled antigen, as measured by airway resistance (Rt), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) or forced vital capacity (FVC). When the antagonist was given prior to antigen challenge, a slight reduction in R1 was observed during the immediate phase, but not during the late phase. Some improvement in FEV1 and FVC during the immediate phase was also observed, but these changes did not reach statistical significance. These results suggest that LTD4 plays a role in the immediate phase of antigen-induced asthma.