The purpose of the study was to support the selection process of the most valuable currant and gooseberry accessions cultivated in Northern Europe, in order to establish a decentralized core collection and, following the selection, to ensure sufficient genetic diversity in the selected collection. Molecular analyses of the material from nine project partners were run at seven different laboratories. The results were first analysed for each partner separately, and then combined to ensure sufficient genetic diversity in the core collection.

We present preliminary results on fitting of SEDs to 142 z < 1 quasars selected in the mid-infrared. Our quasar selection finds objects ranging in extinction from highly obscured, type-2 quasars, through more lightly reddened type-1 quasars and normal type-1s. We find a weak tendency for the objects with the highest far-infrared emission to be obscured quasars, but no bulk systematic offset between the far-infrared properties of dusty and normal quasars as might be expected in the most naive evolutionary schemes. The hosts of the type-2 quasars have stellar masses comparable to those of radio galaxies at similar redshifts. Many of the type-1s, and possibly a one of the type-2s require a very hot dust component in addition to the normal torus emission.

We examined the effects of administering recombinant bovine cytokines to non-lactating dairy cows and measured mammary gland leucocytes and the involution process. After the final milking, groups of cows were given an intramammary infusion of cytokine in two quarters. These cytokines were recombinant bovine interleukin-2 (rboIL-2) (2×105 units, n=6), recombinant bovine granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rboGM-CSF) (500 μg, n=4) and recombinant bovine interleukin-1β (rboIL-1β) (10 μg, n=10). Each animal also received an infusion of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) in the other two quarters as controls. The rboIL-2 and rboGM-CSF were produced in a yeast expression system, while rboIL-1β was produced in Escherichia coli. Leucocyte numbers, bactericidal activity of leucocytes, and concentrations of citrate and lactoferrin in quarter secretion samples were monitored after infusion of cytokine or PBS. Infusion of rboIL-2 had minimal effect on leucocyte numbers and concentrations of citrate and lactoferrin. Both rboGM-CSF and rboIL-1β induced a rapid increase in the number of neutrophils and macrophages compared with control PBS quarters. Concentrations of lactoferrin in secretions were increased by rboGM-CSF and rboIL-1β compared with control PBS quarters. In addition, infusion of glands with rboIL-1β lowered the citrate[ratio ]lactoferrin molar ratio compared with PBS control quarters. The results indicate that intramammary infusion of either rboGM-CSF or rboIL-1β at cessation of milking immediately increased the number of phagocytic cells in the gland. These cytokines, in particular rboIL-1β, also increased the rate of mammary gland involution during the early dry period.

The physiological effects of intramammary infusions of recombinant bovine cytokines in six lactating dairy cows on the quality and yield of milk and the bactericidal activity of milk neutrophils were investigated. Recombinant bovine interleukin-2 (rboIL-2) and interferon-γ (rboIFN-γ) were produced in the yeast Pichia pastoris. Two animals were given rboIL-2 (2×105 units) in two quarters, two animals were given rboIFN-γ (6·5×105 units) in two quarters, and the other two cows received a dose of rboIL-2 in one quarter and rboIFN-γ in a second quarter. In addition, each animal was given phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) in the other two quarters as a control. Somatic cell counts and conductivity of the fore milk were monitored before and after infusion. Neutrophils were isolated from quarter milk samples 36 h after infusion of cytokine or PBS and their bactericidal activities against Staphylococcus aureus were measured in vitro with a colorimetric assay. Quarters infused with rboIL-2 or rboIFN-γ showed significant but transitory increases in both milk somatic cell counts and conductivity when compared with preinfusion values and with control quarters. There were minimal effects on daily milk yield. Neutrophils isolated from milk from quarters infused with rboIL-2 showed enhanced bactericidal activity against Staph. aureus. The bacterial killing from rboIL-2 treated quarters was significantly greater, with a mean of 63·5% compared with a mean of 5·4% for neutrophils taken from uninfected quarters to which PBS had been administered. The bactericidal activities for quarters treated with rboIFN-γ and infected quarters treated with PBS were 15·0 and 30·0% respectively. The results indicate that intramammary infusions of rboIL-2 and rboIFN-γ to lactating cows are well tolerated, and that rboIL-2 can activate milk neutrophils and augment their bactericidal activity.

The Westaby T-Y tracheobronchial silicone stent can be used for the relief of upper airway obstruction beyond the limit of a standard tracheostomy tube. We report on our experience in the use of the Westaby tube in 10 patients over a five-year period. The general features of the tube, indications for its use, and its method of insertion are described. The versatility and advantages over other stents are discussed. Two cases reports are described and the clinical course and outcomes of the individual patients are outlined.

H I Br α (4.05 μm), [Ne II] (12.8 μm), and [Ar III] (9.0 μm) emission lines from Sgr A West were mapped with ~100 km/s and 2″ resolution. The observations were made with the U. T. infrared echelle spectrometer (IRSHELL) on the IRTF in April 1988. The instrument simultaneously measures 10 64-point spectra along a 2 × 10″ slit. Data analysis is still in progress; preliminary results are presented here.

An improved water cell for the Universal Stage is described for use in the Emmons double-variation procedure. The cell provides an increased heat flow to the mineral grains, and the technique of orientating and retaining the grains in the centre of the field of view is greatly simplified.