How cellulose-based leaf toughness and lamina density contribute to long leaf lifespans of shade-tolerant species.

Cell wall fibre and lamina density may interactively affect leaf toughness and leaf lifespan. Here, we tested this with seedlings of 24 neotropical tree species differing in shade tolerance and leaf lifespan under standardized field conditions (140-867 d in gaps; longer in shade). We quantified toughness with a cutting test, explicitly seeking a mechanistic linkage to fibre.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measurement of cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B antibody in serum.

Measurement of antibody to cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein B (gB) is valuable in the assessment of the antibody response to infection and to gB-containing vaccines. For this purpose, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a recombinant CMV gB molecule as the antigen was evaluated. Sera from 168 anti-CMV IgG-positive and 100 seronegative subjects were used to evaluate the anti-gB antibody assay.