Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “COTTON”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources

Development of a cotton rat-human metapneumovirus (hMPV) model for identifying and evaluating potential hMPV antivirals and vaccines.

Hispid cotton rats were inoculated with two different human metapneumovirus (hMPV) subtype A strains and one subtype B hMPV. Although no overt disease was seen in any virus-inoculated animal, following an eclipse phase, significant pulmonary virus titers were observed in every hMPV-inoculated animal through day 7 post virus inoculation (p.i.) and in most through day 10. Peak virus titers occurred four days p.i., while virus-induced histopathology was most evident in lung sections obtained from animals 7 to 10 days p.i. The latter consisted primarily of desquamating and hypertrophic columnar epithelial cells lining the bronchi and bronchioles and the presence of large numbers of leukocytes in and around the bronchi and bronchioles. In fluorescent antibody studies, virus antigen-specific fluorescence was most evident in the desquamating tall columnar epithelial cells lining bronchi and bronchioles, in pneumocytes lining alveoli and in single or small groups of free cells, most probably leukocytes, present in the lumen of alveoli, bronchi and bronchioles. Virus was generally not detected in inoculated animals >10 days p.i. Although the pattern of virus replication in cotton rats was similar for all the three virus stains, the B subtype consistently grew to lower levels than the two A strains. Regardless, these findings indicate that hMPV replicates in cotton rats and that these animals may be used as a small animal model of hMPV infection and to facilitate the identification and development of vaccines and antivirals for preventing and/or ameliorating infections caused by this virus.

Animals↗

An experiment using neutron activation analysis and a rare earth element to mark cotton plants and two insects that feed on them.

Studies on insect dispersal and other behaviors can benefit from using markers that will not alter flight and fitness. Rare earth elements, such as samarium (Sm), have been used as ingested markers of some insects and detected using neutron activation analysis (NAA). In this study, samarium nitrate hexahydrate was mixed into artificial diet for boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), at different dosages and in water used to irrigate cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. Samarium was detected in adult boll weevils fed on the samarium-labeled diet, but not after 5 or 10 days of being switched to non-labeled diet, even if the insects were given labeled diet for as long as 7 consecutive days. Introduced in irrigation water, 1% samarium (m/m) was detectable in cotton squares and leaf tissue. However, boll weevil adults fed samarium-labeled squares did not retain detectable levels of samarium, nor did boll weevil adults reared to adulthood from samarium-labeled squares. Fourth instar beet armyworms, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera), fed on samarium-labeled cotton leaves obtained enough samarium for NAA detection, but adult moths reared from them did not have detectable amounts of samarium. Although samarium can be useful as a marker when insects are presented with a continuous pulse of the label, elements that are assimilated by the insect would be more useful if a continuous infusion of the marker cannot be provided.

Animals↗

Microbial allies in a cotton pest: A descriptive account of associated microbiota dynamics in Dysdercus cingulatus across development.

BACKGROUND: Hemipteran insects harbour several symbiotic partners, mainly bacteria, which play pivotal roles for hosts like dietary provision, support overall physiology, xenobiotic degradation and manipulate/regulate behaviour. Most of these symbionts usually reside and operate from the digestive tracts of the animals. Cotton is one of the major cash crops in India and Dysdercus cingulatus (D. cingulatus) though a secondary pest, is causing significant destruction of cotton bolls, poor lint quality and reduce oil content of seeds. Premature opening of cotton bolls often leads to bacterial and fungal infections, thus resulting in extensive economic loss worldwide. D. cingulatus is a hemimetabolous insect that comprises of developmental stages like egg, nymph (5 instar stages), and adult. The present work explored the ontogeny specific diversity in the associated microbiota and predicted their probable functional inputs in D. cingulatus. RESULTS: The data obtained using 16S rRNA gene sequencing (NovaSeq 6000) revealed presence of members of Proteobacteria (65.83%), Firmicutes (24%), Actinobacteria (10%) phyla throughout the ontogeny of D. cingulatus. Highest alpha diversity of these symbiotic bacteria was recorded in the third instar nymphs in contrast to rest of the developmental stages. Among all the observed genera, Stenotrophomonas, Hungatella and Glutamicibacter were predominant from egg to adult stages. MicFunPred, a tool used for predicting the probable functional inputs of these symbionts, hinted at their probable stage specific contribution in crucial biochemical pathways such as polyketide biosynthesis, ascorbate/aldarate metabolism, pentose phosphate and glyoxylate cycles, steroid hormone and peptidoglycan biosynthesis, and glycolysis/pyruvate metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: The primary investigations on the ontogenetic composition and diversity of associated microbiota, suggest dynamic shifts in D. cingulatus, concurrent with their probable functions/roles in the host development and metabolism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on symbiotic microbiota variation across the developmental stages of D. cingulatus that provides preliminary descriptive observations that may guide future functional and experimental investigations into microbiota-based pest management.

Animals↗

Degradation and persistence of cotton pesticides in sandy loam soils from Punjab, Pakistan.

The present study evaluated the influence of temperature, moisture, and microbial activity on the degradation and persistence of commonly used cotton pesticides, i.e., carbosulfan, carbofuran, lambda-cyhalothrin, endosulfan, and monocrotophos, with the help of laboratory incubation and lysimeter studies on sandy loam soil (Typic Ustocurepts) in Pakistan. Drainage from the lysimeters was sampled on days 49, 52, 59, 73, 100, 113, and 119 against the pesticide application on days 37, 63, 82, 108, and 137 after the sowing of cotton. Carbofuran, monocrotophos, and nitrate were detected in the drainage samples, with an average value, respectively, of 2.34, 2.6 microg/L, and 15.6 mg/L for no-tillage and 2.16, 2.3 microg/L, and 13.4 mg/L for tillage. In the laboratory, pesticide disappearance kinetics were measured with sterile and nonsterile soils from 0 to 10 cm in depth at 15, 25, and 35 degrees C and 50% and 90% field water capacities. Monocrotophos and carbosulfan dissipation followed first-order kinetics while others followed second-order kinetics. The results of incubation studies showed that temperature and moisture contents significantly reduced the t(1/2) (half-life) values of pesticides in sterile and nonsterile soil, but the effect of microbial activity was nearly significant that might be due to less organic carbon (0.3%). The presence of carbofuran and monocrotophos in the soil profile (0-10, 10-30, 30-60, 60-90, 90-150 cm) and the higher concentrations of endosulfan and lambda-cyhalothrin in the top layer (0-10 cm) showed the persistence of the pesticides. The detection of endosulfan and lambda-cyhalothrin in the 10-30 cm soil layer might be due to preferential flow. The data generated from this study could be helpful for risk assessment studies of pesticides and for validating pesticide transport models for sandy loam soils in cotton-growing areas of Pakistan.

Agrochemicals↗

Raman spectroscopy and the forensic analysis of black/grey and blue cotton fibres Part 1: investigation of the effects of varying laser wavelength.

Raman spectroscopy was investigated to determine the optimal conditions, mainly laser wavelength/s, for the analysis of the commonly encountered black/grey and blue cotton fibres dyed with reactive dyes. In this first part, a single blue cotton fibre, its three dye components, and an undyed cotton fibre were analysed with five different laser wavelengths from two different Raman microprobe spectrometers. The quality of the spectra, fibre degradation and speed of acquisition were used to determine that, under the conditions used, the 785 and 830 nm lasers gave superior results. The 632.8 nm laser wavelengths provided good results with little acquisition time and no spectral degradation. Results indicate that, at least, the major dye component could be identified using Raman spectroscopy.

Journal Article↗

The evolution of the glandular kallikrein locus: identification of orthologs and pseudogenes in the cotton-top tamarin.

Comparisons of the glandular kallikreins loci in human, mouse and rat revealed remarkable differences. For example, the mouse and the rat lack the genes encoding prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and human glandular kallikrein 2 (hK2). In contrast, the intergenic region between KLK1 and KLK15 is devoid of genes and spans only 1.5 kb in humans, but encompasses 23 KLK1-like genes spanning 290 kb in the mouse. To further elucidate the evolution of glandular kallikrein genes, we investigated the structure and organization of these genes in the cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus), a New World monkey. We conclude that this species has no PSA gene. Moreover, the ortholog of the hK2 gene is a pseudogene, as it contains several mutations that preclude formation of a functional serine protease. The expression of this gene was probably silenced by a 15-bp deletion observed in an androgen response element in the upstream promoter region. Replacing the deleted base pairs in vitro with nucleotides from the human counterpart dramatically restored the transcriptional activity to a level that even surpassed that of the human ortholog. We also determined the nucleotide sequence of KLK15 and the intergenic region between this gene and KLK1 in the cotton-top tamarin. The region between KLK1 and KLK15 is conserved between the cotton-top tamarin and humans, and there are no signs of the extension seen in the mouse. KLK15 appeared to be functional, thus, we predict that it generates a protease with specificity similar to that of the human ortholog.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Free radical generation upon plasma treatment of cotton fibers and their initiation efficiency in surface-graft polymerization.

Low-temperature plasma was used to activate mercerized cotton fabrics, to be followed by grafting with various methacrylates. Careful analysis of the experimental electron spin resonance (ESR) lineshapes of cotton samples treated at different RF powers made it possible to recognize and quantify four different species of free radicals still persistent 30 h after irradiation in the samples maintained under inert atmosphere. The decay rate of these species at room temperature was also evaluated with the analysis of the time evolution of the ESR spectra. The nature of the free radical species actually involved in the monomer grafting reaction has been discussed for cotton fabrics prepared under different plasma treatment conditions by analyzing the ESR lineshapes.

Journal Article↗

Adsorption of Cu(II) ions on cotton boll.

In this study, cotton boll was used as an adsorbent for the aim of removing of the Cu(II) ions from the aqueous solutions. The adsorption process was carried out in a batch process and the effects of contact time (2-24h), adsorbent concentration (1-20 g l(-1)), initial pH (2.0-6.0), initial metal ion concentration (20-160 mg l(-1)) and temperature (20-45 degrees C) on the adsorption were investigated. Experimental results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity was determined at pH 5.0 and adsorbed Cu(II) ion concentration was increased with increasing adsorbent concentration and contact time. The isothermal data of cotton boll could be well described by the Langmuir equations and the Langmuir monolayer capacity had a mean value of 11.40 mg g(-1). Experimental results indicated that the pseudo-second order reaction model provided the best description of the data with a correlation coefficient 0.99 for different initial metal concentrations and therefore it was explained that chemical sorption was the basic mechanism in this system. FT-IR results showed that oxygen and nitrogen atoms in structure of cotton boll were involved in Cu(II) ions adsorption.

Adsorption↗

Oviposition deterrents in larval frass of the cotton boll worm, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): chemical identification and electroantennography analysis.

Oviposition deterrents in the frass of cotton bollworm (CBW), Helicoverpa armigera larvae fed on an artificial diet (FA) and on cotton Gossypium hirsutum leaves (FC) were investigated by behavioral bioassays and electroantennography analyses in the laboratory. It was found that a water suspension or a hexane extract of the frass FA or FC, in contrast to the corresponding foods, significantly deterred oviposition of conspecifics. When hexane extracts of the frass FA and FC were further partitioned into polar and neutral lipid fractions, two polar fractions significantly reduced oviposition. The neutral fraction from frass FC also exhibited significant deterrence, although the activity was much lower than that of the corresponding polar fraction. The polar lipid fractions contained several fatty acids, mainly palmitic and oleic acid at the ratio nearly 1:1. A blend of authentic fatty acids of the same composition found in frass FA or FC mimicked the deterring effect. Moreover, these fatty acids and their blend at the ratio found in frass FA or FC elicited significant electroantennogram responses and typical dose-response curves. Thus, it is suggested that CBW larvae may deploy two types of oviposition deterrents: a non-specific and a specific one. The former is a blend of fatty acids, independent of food and plays an important role in oviposition deterrence, whereas the latter may be produced only when the larvae feed on cotton leaves. The possible explanations of this deployment have also been discussed.

Animals↗

A true summer diapause induced by high temperatures in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Summer diapause in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), which prolongs the pupal stage, particularly in males, is induced by high temperatures. In the laboratory, summer-diapausing pupae of H. armigera were induced at high temperatures (33-39 degrees C) with a photoperiod of LD8:16; winter-diapausing and non-diapausing pupae, cultured at 20 degrees C with a photoperiod of LD8:16 and at 27 degrees C, LD16:8, respectively, acted as a control. Retention time of eye spots, weight, and lipid and glycogen levels were compared. At high temperatures, both body weight and energy storage capacity were much higher in summer-diapausing pupae than in non-diapausing pupae reared at 33-39 degrees C. At temperatures (>33 degrees C) high enough to maintain summer diapause, the eye spots of summer-diapausing pupae did not move during the 30-day experiment. However, eye spots of summer-diapausing pupae placed at 30 degrees C began to move about 10 days after they were transferred, significantly later than in non-diapausing pupae reared at 33-39 degrees C or non-diapausing pupae reared at 27 degrees C, which initiated eye spot movement 2 days after pupation. The differences in retention time of eye spots between summer- and winter-diapausing pupae shows that winter diapause is more intense than summer diapause in this insect. The weight loss, and lipid and glycogen metabolism curves indicate that the summer-diapausing pupae's metabolism is very low. We conclude that summer diapause in the cotton bollworm is a true diapause and that the summer diapause enables the cotton bollworm to withstand the high temperatures of summer.

Analysis of Variance↗

Mass harvesting of the entomopathogenic fungus, Neozygites fresenii, from natural field epizootics in the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii.

Epizootics caused by insect pathogens sometimes occur over wide areas and result in millions of infected insects. Naturally infected insects can be considered a natural resource for harvesting insect pathogens. We developed methods to mass harvest the fungal pathogen Neozygites fresenii (Entomophthorales: Neozygitaceae) from epizootics in Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) in a commercial cotton field in Arkansas. A total of 30,722 aphids infected with N. fresenii in the mature hyphal body or early conidiophore stages were harvested, dried, and frozen. Three desiccants were compared: silica gel, dry rock salt, and wet rock salt. Silica gel was the superior material because it more rapidly and thoroughly dried cotton leaves and aphids. Using this method a mean of 193.4 infected aphids could be harvested per hour from cotton leaves dried over silica gel. The quality of harvested infected aphids was high and resulted in a mean of 70.4% sporulation from infected aphids harvested from the silica gel desiccant.

Animals↗

The American cotton rat: a novel model for pulmonary tuberculosis.

Several animal models are used to study Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infections, but none is a fully ideal model of human disease. The American cotton rat is an excellent model for the study of several human viral and bacterial respiratory infectious diseases, but until now has not been reported to be a model with MTB infection. Preliminary experiments were designed in which two species of cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus and Sigmodon fulviventer) received respiratory challenges with M. tuberculosis via either intranasal or aerosol inoculation. Granulomatous disease, often with central necrosis, developed in the lungs, spleen, and lymph nodes of infected animals. The number of MTB bacilli in the lungs increased logarithmically until reaching a plateau in the second month after aerosol inoculation. There were differences in response to infection between the two species, with S. fulviventer demonstrating greater mortality than S. hispidus. Cytokine gene expression analysis by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on both normal appearing and granulomatous lung tissue from infected animals. Many cytokine genes were more highly expressed in the focal areas of inflammation. Cotton rats provide another valuable tool in future research with tuberculosis.

Aerosols↗

Evidence of a cross-protective immune response to influenza A in the cotton rat model.

Epidemiologic evidence suggests that cross-protective immune responses to influenza A viruses that have different hemagglutinin and neuraminidase subtypes occur in humans. This study characterized this heterosubtypic immunity in cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus). Animals were infected with influenza A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) or A/Wuhan/359/95 (H3N2), and then challenged with A/Wuhan/359/95(H3N2) virus 4 weeks later. Viral titers, respiratory rates, and pathology of the respiratory tract following primary and secondary infection were compared. Cross-protection from heterosubtypic influenza A challenge in cotton rats was characterized by enhanced viral clearance, protection from tachypnea, a vigorous early cellular recall response, and a reduction in bronchiolar epithelial cell damage. Cross-protection was retained in steroid treated animals, in which the inflammatory recall response was minimal. Identification of the mechanisms that contribute to cross-protection in cotton rats may lead to the development of influenza vaccine strategies that are broadly protective.

Animals↗

Usefulness of sampling with cotton swab for PCR-diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the New World.

In this study, we tested the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-method to diagnose cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) by taking exudate materials from lesions with cotton swabs, using our previously tested (PCR) panel comprised of Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis, L. (V.) braziliensis, L. (V.) guyanensis, L. (Leishmania) mexicana and L. (L.) amazonensis. The objectives of the present study were to improve the sampling method convenient for the patients and to test the usefulness of samples taken with cotton swabs. Sixteen patients were clinically diagnosed to have CL including one case of diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) in Ecuador and the causative Leishmania parasites were identified by PCR. All the 12 samples from CL patients of La Mana, positive for Leishmania DNA, were identified as L. (V.) panamensis, while two from CL of Huigra and one from DCL of San Ignacio were L. (L.) mexicana. In the field condition, taking biopsy material is not only painful but sometimes causes iatrogenic bacterial infections. Considering the sensitivity of the test, and convenient sampling procedure, it may be suggested that collection of exudates using cotton swabs may be a better alternative to biopsy sample for PCR-diagnosis of CL.

Adult↗

Structural determinants of the platelet agonist activity of cotton bract condensed tannin.

Previous studies on the platelet agonist activity of cotton bract condensed tannin have used tannins with apparent molecular weights greater than 10,000 Da as measured by dialysis and/or ultrafiltration. However, because tannins in cotton dust are heterogeneous in terms of molecular weight, it was important to determine if platelet agonist activity was related to polymer length. To accomplish this, aqueous extracts of cotton dust were fractionated by a series of graded Amicon ultrafiltrations and the resulting fractions were examined for tannin content and platelet agonist activity. All tannins with apparent molecular weight greater than 1000 Da were equally potent platelet agonists while those less than 1000 Da had no measurable platelet agonist activity. This polymer length dependence for activity was supported by the observation that two procyanidin dimers had only minimal platelet agonist activity. In addition, methylation of the tannin hydroxyl groups resulted in the loss of platelet agonist activity. Thus, the platelet agonist activity of tannin requires a minimum polymer length and the presence of free hydroxyl groups.

Blood Platelets↗

Biochemical and immunologic characterization of cotton bract extract and its effect on in vitro cyclic AMP production. I. Field-dried bract.

Field-dried cotton bract, a contaminant of cotton dust, has been implicated in byssinosis pathogenesis. The results from this study demonstrated that a standard bract extract (FDBE) could be prepared. FDBE was antigenic in rabbits; however, precipitating antibodies were not detectable in the serum of cotton textile mill workers. Although exposure of mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) to FDBE did not alter intracellular cyclic AMP levels, it did induce changes in the cyclic AMP response of MNL to isoproterenol and prostaglandin E1. These changes were FDBE dose-dependent. The possible relationship of these findings to pathogenesis of byssinosis is discussed.

Adult↗

Colonic mucin composition in primates. Selective alterations associated with spontaneous colitis in the cotton-top tamarin.

Heterogeneity of colonic mucin glycoprotein was examined in rectal mucosal biopsy specimens from a variety of primate species (Saguinus oedipus, n = 18; Macaca mulatta, n = 2; Macaca fascicularis, n = 2; Aotus trivirgatus, n = 2; Saimiri sciureus, n = 2; and Callithrix jacchus, n = 2). After initial separation of radiolabeled mucin and nonmucin glycoproteins solubilized from mucosal biopsy specimens, at least five labeled mucin components were found in monkey rectal mucosa in contrast to the six mucin fractions observed in the human colon. Although primates consistently lacked the earliest eluting component present in human colonic mucin, other mucin components cochromatographed with comparable fractions previously identified in human colonic biopsy specimens. The relative proportions of each fraction were consistent throughout all species except the cotton-top tamarin (S. oedipus), an animal that develops a chronic colitis. The cotton-top tamarin was found to have a markedly reduced amount of one mucin component (IV) in a manner analogous to the reduction in a human mucin fraction previously noted in patients with ulcerative colitis. Sequential evaluation of mucin profiles in cotton-top tamarins (n = 12) treated with sulfasalazine (50 mg/kg X day) or placebo in a 10-wk double-blind crossover study demonstrated the persistence of the selective reduction in tamarin species IV unrelated to disease activity. In contrast, the relative amount of tamarin mucin III was greater in association with increased disease activity than that observed in association with reduced disease activity (46% +/- 11% total mucin vs. 19% +/- 7% total mucin posttreatment).

Animals↗

Family history as a risk factor for ulcerative colitis-associated colon cancer in cotton-top tamarin.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Little is currently known about the relationship between family history of colon cancer and ulcerative colitis-associated colon cancer. A nested case-control study was performed to evaluate the association between family history of colon cancer and spontaneously occurring colon cancer in cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus). METHODS: Subjects were chosen from a colony of cotton-top tamarins held in captivity between 1968 and 1995. The cancer status of parents and grandparents was compared for 48 animals with colon cancer and 58 controls, all with histological confirmation of ulcerative colitis. Multivariate odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: A parental history of colon cancer was positively associated with risk of colon cancer (multivariate odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-6.3). Risk also increased as an animal's total number of family members with colon cancer increased (multivariate odds ratio, 1.7 for each increase in the total number of family members with cancer; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.8). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that cotton-top tamarins with ulcerative colitis are at significant increased risk for developing colon cancer if they have a family history of colon cancer. Further investigation of this relationship in both tamarins and humans is warranted.

Animals↗