Abstract: Protection of ruminants against bacterial pneumonia caused by Pasteurella haemolytica has been achieved with a subunit vaccine. The vaccine contains two principle components; capsular polysaccharide of P. haemolytica and a synthetic adjuvant, muramyl dipeptide. This vaccine prevented bacterial infection of the lungs of vaccinated animals upon challenge with P. haemolygica. In contrast, animals that were not vaccinated or animals that were vaccinated with only capsular polysaccharide alone had severe lesions and high concentrations of P. haemolytica in the lung.

Abstract: A device for use with a funnel drop-type trap for autoinoculation of active agents with insects. The device comprises a collecting chamber, an entrance near the top of the chamber for entry of the insects from the trap and for direction of the insects to the agent positioned on the surface below the entrance. At least one exit for escape of the insects is located on the sidewall of the chamber.

Abstract: Seven murine hybridoma cell lines capable of secreting monoclonal antibodies that can identify subpopulations of chicken lymphocytes have been developed. Precursor cytotoxic and suppressor T lymphocytes, precursor helper lymphocytes, and mature T lymphocytes may be distinguished by use of these antibodies.

Abstract: A diagnostic assay is provided for identifying closely-related strains or species of bacteria which possess common insertion sequence which is present in different positions within the genomic or plasmidic DNA for the different strains or species. A fragment of DNA defined by a site within the insertion sequence and another site outside the insertion sequence is amplified, such as by polymerase chain reaction. By appropriately preselecting a different size fragment to be amplified in each of the candidate organisms, those organisms which are actually present in a biological sample can be positively identified by size of the amplified fragments.

Abstract: Starch and a minor amount of natural gum additive are processed together so that the polysaccharide components of each substance are completely dissolved in water, and the resulting blend is recovered. Upon drying, the blend produces a product which hydrates rapidly and which yields dispersions that are not only smooth and viscous, but also possess considerable lubricity. These products are useful in foods as thickening agents, suspending agents, and fat substitutes.

Abstract: A method is provided for introducing a foreign gene into a plant cell by means of an Olpidium zoospore vector having associated with it a reassembled nucleoprotein complex comprising the foreign gene and reassociated coat protein of a zoospore-transmissable virus. The plant cell is contacted with the zoospore under conditions suitable for transmission of the nucleoprotein complex into the cell. The method can be conducted under nonsterile conditions, is applicable to all nucleic acids regardless of size, and is useful for introducing foreign genes into cells of both monocots and dicots.

Abstract: Synthetically prepared pheromone compositions, prepared from various mixtures of (Z)-3,3-dimethyl-.DELTA..sup.1,.beta. -cyclohexane ethanol, (E)-3,3-dimethyl .DELTA..sup.1,.beta. -cyclohexane ethanol, (Z)-3,3-dimethyl-.DELTA..sup.1,.alpha. -cyclohexane acetaldehyde, (E)-3,3-dimethyl-.DELTA..sup.1,.alpha. -cyclohexane acetaldehyde, (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienoic acid, and (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol were found to be attractive to both male and female pepper weevils. The compositions will greatly enhance pepper growers' ability to control these destructive pests.

Abstract: An attenuated pseudorabies virus (PRV) having a reduced ability to reactivate from latency is produced by introducing (1) a genomic modification in the early protein 0 (EP0) gene whereby said virus is characterized by the inability to express the early protein 0; or (2) a genomic modification in the large latency transcript (LLT) gene whereby said virus is characterized by disruption of the synthesis of said large latency transcript; or (3) the genomic modifications described in both (1) and (2). The attenuated virus is useful in a vaccine for psuedorabies-susceptible animals, particularly swine. Swine vaccinated with a deletion mutant in the EP0/LLT overlap region displayed reduced virus shedding and fewer clinical signs than animals inoculated with a wild type virus. The deletion mutant-vaccinated swine also harbored less PRV DNA in the nervous tissue and showed reduced ability to reactivate the virus.

Abstract: The compound 2-nonanone is useful as an antifungal agent against decay organism of berries and other small fruit, particularly those which are susceptible to microbial attact under storage conditions by Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum spp. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an effective antifungal amount of volatilized 2-nonanone is delivered to the headspace of fruit packaged for market and the vapor is maintained until the package is opened by the consumer.

Abstract: A protease has been isolated from a symbiotic bacterium found in the gland of Deshayes of the marine shipworm. The protease remains active over the pH range of about 4-12, exhibits salt tolerance up to 3M sodium chloride, retains a high level of activity above 50.degree. C. for at least 60 min, and is stimulated by oxidizing agents, particularly perborate. The properties of this protease suggest widespread utility in detergents and other low-temperature industrial applications.

Abstract: Malto-oligosaccharide compositions which contain up to about 40% maltohexaose by weight are produced from starchy substrates and maltodextrins by a simple, one-step hydrolysis with certain thermostable .alpha.-amylase from Bacillus stearothermophilus. This process is particularly useful in the production of novel compositions with properties that will lead to new applications in both food and nonfood industries.

Abstract: A hybridoma cell line produces an antibody with reactivity directed specifically to immunodominant antigens from the catfish pathogen Edwardsiella ictaluri, the antigens having molecular weights of about 14,000, 39,000, 48,000, 60,000, 66,000, 83,000, and 93,000 daltons. This antibody is specific for proteins of E. ictaluri but not for other catfish pathogens. It is therefore useful for the positive identification of E. ictaluri from body fluids and tissue of catfish and for identification and purification of the reactive immunodominant antigens.

Abstract: A point mutation in the CD18 gene responsible for causing bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) and a silent mutation linked thereto have been identified. Nucleic acid sequences encompassing these mutations serve as bases for testing and identifying cattle alleles attributable to BLAD using any of a variety of diagnostic assays. Suitable nucleic acid probes and primers have also been designed for use in such assays.

Abstract: Amylodextrin compositions are produced from starch hydrolysates having a dextrose equivalent (DE) less than 10 or from milled substrates such as cereals, oilseeds, and vegetable fibers. The compositions give aqueous gels with unexpectedly increased strengths and improved fat-sparing characteristics, including more desirable flavor and texture qualities. The amylodextrin compositions are segregated from hydrolyzed aqueous cereal flour or starch hydrolysate solutions, for example, by precipitation with the proper amount of a water-miscible organic solvent, such as ethanol, acetone, or 2-propanol.

Abstract: Regions in the pseudorabies virus genome in the unique long region and the internal repeat sequence contain nucleotide sequences which are unique to latent infection of the virus. These regions are the basis for constructing nucleic acid probes and antigens useful in distinguishing latent pseudorabies infection from productive infection.

Abstract: Single-stranded DNA probes complementary to a hypervariable region of Campylobacter 16S rRNA are useful in distinguishing species of this pathogen from one another. The probes find practical application in diagnosing human and animal diseases caused by this organism from clinical samples, such as fecal material. They are also useful in differentiating Campylobacter species based on RFLP analyses.

Abstract: Diagnostic reagents comprising the 20 kd Brucella abortus CuZn superoxide dismutase (B. abortus lCuZnSOD) protein and peptide segments thereof, which are effective as antigenic determinants, have been identified. These reagents are useful for detecting an antibody response to the B. abortus CuZnSOD protein in bovine serum or other body fluid samples and can also be used for distinguishing between animals which have serum antibody of a natural B. abortus infection and those which have an antibody response to a B. abortus Strain 19 vaccine or a B. abortus Strain which does not express the 20 kd protein.

Abstract: Biologically active agents to be encapsulated are continuously blended with a starchy material and water, subjected to high-shear mechanical action at a temperature above the gelatinization temperature of starch, and continuously recovered as an insolubilized matrix of starch that entraps discontinuous domains of the agent. Alternatively, the core material to be encapsulated is added and blended with the aqueous dispersion of starch after the starch and water have been subjected to an elevated temperature sufficient to gelatinize the starch. Rate of release of agents to the environment can be controlled by preselecting a set of conditions related to various processing parameters. Encapsulation of biologically active compositons provides protection against degradative environmental conditions, improves safety in handling, and slows the release of such compounds to the surrounding medium.

Abstract: Intact X and Y chromosome-bearing sperm populations of rabbits and swine were separated according to DNA content using a flow cytometer/cell sorter. Sperm viability was maintained by special staining techniques and by sorting and collecting the sperm in nutrient media. The sorted sperm were surgically inseminated into the uteri of rabbits or swine. Of the offspring born from does inseminated with the sorted population of X-bearing sperm, 94% were females. Of offspring born from does inseminated with sorted Y-bearing sperm from the same ejaculate, 81% were males.

Abstract: The combination of monoclonal antibodies 11A25 and 11E32, which recognize two distinct antigenic sites on the 62-kd glycoprotein of reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) in ELISA, enables an increase in the sensitivity of an ELISA assay for subtype 2 REV over what was heretofore possible. The combination of MAbs is useful for diagnosing REV antigen and antibody in poultry flocks and for detecting new strains and variants of the viral subtype.