On the fauna of chironomidae (Diptera) of the Hrazdan Basin (Armenia)

A faunistic review of larvae and pupae of chironomid midges (Diptera, Chironomidae) from 15 habitats in the Hrazdan River valley (Armenia) is presented. The revealed fauna includes 40 species from 20 genera and 6 families and tribes. Diploid chromosome numbers are specified for 24 species from 13 genera and 4 subfamilies; 23 species from 14 genera and 4 subfamilies are reported from the region for the first time. Predominant oligotrophic status is confirmed for most of the reservoirs studied.     

On the Structure of the Corpuscles of de Quatrefages (Branchiostoma lanceolatum (P))

Corpuscles of de Quatrefages in the rostral connective tissue of amphioxus have been serially sectioned and examined in the electron microscope. It is shown that each corpuscle is composed of one or a few main cells separated and enveloped by sheath cells. From the main cell two cilia protrude into a lumen formed by a bulge in the sheath. The ciliation of the main cell and its axonic continuation into one of the associated nerves suggests that this cell is a primary sensory neurone and the corpuscles of de Quatrefages probably mechanoreceptors.     

On the discussion of the wing venation of (Archae)Orthoptera (Insecta)

Alternative current approaches to homology and nomenclature of the insect wing venation are discussed. The differences between the opposing viewpoints are found to be not as deep as they have sometimes been supposed to be, and more so, there are some observations that could help to smooth current contradictions. However, this requires an understanding of the evidence presented by the disputants and, particularly, an understanding of their terminology.     

Dioecism of the genusCallicarpa (Verbenaceae) in the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands

The morphology and function of the flowers of three species of the genusCallicarpa, C. glabra, C. nisnimurae andC. subpubescens, endemic to the Bonin Islands, revealed that all three species were dioecious. Male plants had short-styled flowers with sterile ovaries, while female plants had long-styled flowers with non-germinating inaperturate pollen grains. Such dioecism has never been reported from the family Verbenaceae. This curious sexual system with non-germinating pollen grains may have been maintained as a reward to insect pollinators.     

Hematology of the Norwegian Lemming (Lemmus lemmus(L.))

Basic hematological parameters of laboratory-reared Lemmus lemmus have been investigated. The results have been summarized together with those from ten other species of microtine rodents. Climatic conditions, especially the microclimate of the subnivean air space, have been considered to offer possible explanations for the higher values in L. trimucronatus compared to L. Lemmus.     

Catecholaminergic Neurons in the Nervous System of Neorhabdocoela (Turbellaria(

Mapping of catecholaminergic (CAergic) neurons in the nervous system has been performed in 5 species of turbellarians of the order Neorhabdocoela: in three species of typhloplanides, Mesostoma lingua, Bothromesostoma essenii, and Rhynchomesostoma rostratum, and in two species of Dalyellioida, Castrella truncata and Gieysztoria cuspidata. In spite of an essential diversity of their orthogones, the number of cerebral neurons varies insignificantly: from 4 to 5 pairs at 3 variants of geometry of their arrangement. In the presence of the medial paddle-shaped outgrowth of neuropil, two pairs of anterior cerebral neurons are located on its both sides, while 2 pairs of posterior neurons, in the inferior lateral regions of neuropil. The absence of the medial outgrowth and a stretching of neuropil provided a fan-shaped arrangement of cerebral neurons behind the eyes and on the sides of the pharynx. The three-store arrangement of cerebral neurons is revealed in the presence of a cone-shaped trunk at the anterior end of the body, when all 5 pairs of neurons are connected to each other with longitudinal and transverse processes. The rosette-shaped pharynx is innervated with five pharyngeal nerves, while the barrel-shaped pharynx, with six nerves, each of them with one bipolar neuron. From 2 to 5 pairs of neurons of the L-group were revealed. Homology of the L-group neurons has been confirmed in the order Neorhabdocoela. The total number of CAergic neurons varies from 24 to 29.     

Structure of the hydration envelope of the B-form of polydeoxyribonucleotides poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) and poly(dA-dG).poly(dTs-dT) from the data of Monte-Carlo simulation

The results of a Monte Carlo simulation of the hydration shell of two polynucleotides poly (dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) and poly(dA-dG).poly(dC-dT) are reported. This study is a part of a series of Monte Carlo computations of the hydration of regular polydeoxyribonucleotides with dinucleotide repeat aimed at looking for dependences of hydration shell structure on base sequence. The coordinates of the main local maximal of water density near the polymers and the topology of the most probable one- and two-membered water bridges are published. For most of the sequences a common primary hydration of base edges of successive base pairs is characteristic. The AT-homopolymeric sequence represents an exception with autonomous primary hydration of a base pair in both grooves, which correlates with the sequence-dependent flexibility and the occurrence of bends of DNA.     

Distribution of sulfhydryloxidase (SOx) immunoreactivity in the testis of the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) (amphibia, urodela)

Immunohistochemical localization of sulfhydryloxidase (SOx) has been examined in the testis of the Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). The urodelan testis contains germ cells in various phases of differentiation from primordial germ cells to mature spermatozoa. SOx immunoreactivity is present in mitochondria of primordial germ cells and primary spermatogonia and declines within the population of secondary spermatogonia, suggesting, that the antibody used to localize SOx may serve to estimate the developmental stage of spermatogonia towards meiosis, since more undifferentiated cells react positively. Intensity of immunostaining increases again in spermatocytes and becomes most intense in early round spermatids correlating on ultrastructural level with an accumulation of numerous mitochondria in that part of the cytoplasm, where the acrosome vesicle is formed. Mature sperm are immunonegative. Additionally, Leydig cells within the glandular tissue are stained by the antibody. Thus the distribution pattern of SOx immunoreactivity principally resembles that in the mammalian testis found during ontogenesis or in the adult seminiferous epithelium. The possible functional significance of mitochondrial SOx in germ cells and Leydig cells is discussed. These results suggest, that the amphibian testis is a model for experimental problems dealing with the investigation of germ cells in various developmental phases including very undifferentiated premeiotic germ cells. The cystic testis may be of value in studying influences of various experimental conditions on varied homogeneous populations of germ cells.     

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) modulate the metabolism of deoxynivalenol (DON) in the pig

Pigs might be exposed to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and deoxynivalenol (DON) at the same time, and both toxins are thought to interactively affect the intestinal barrier, the innate immune system, and the xenobiotics metabolism. Hence, we aimed at examining the single and combined effects of both toxins on nutrient digestibility and DON metabolism. For this purpose, barrows (26?±?4 kg) were fed restrictedly either a control diet (CON) or a diet contaminated with 3.1 mg DON/kg (DON) for 37 days. At day 37 of the experiment, pigs were infused intravenously for 60 min either with 100 μg DON/kg body weight (BW) (CON-DON), 7.5 μg LPS/kg BW (CON-LPS, DON-LPS) or a combination of both substances (CON-DON?+?LPS), or physiological saline (CON-CON, DON-CON). Blood samples were collected frequently until 3.25 h before the pigs were sacrificed for bile, liver, and kidney collection. The apparent digestibility of N-free extractives was significantly increased by 1 % when the DON-contaminated diet was fed. The total DON content in blood was significantly higher in endotoxemic pigs (34.8 ng/mL; CON-DON?+?LPS) when compared to the pigs infused with DON alone (18.8 ng/mL; CON-DON) while bile concentrations were not influenced by LPS. DON residue levels in liver and kidney closely reflected the treatment effects as described for blood. In contrast to DON infusion, the LPS challenge resulted in a significantly lower total DON concentration (13.2 vs. 7.5 ng/mL in groups DON-CON and DON-LPS, respectively) when the pigs were exposed to DON through the diet. The conjugation degree for DON in blood and bile was not influenced by treatments. In conclusion, endotoxemic pigs are characterized by higher DON residue levels in blood, liver, and kidney, probably by a compromised elimination.     

Conditions for the association of the two clotting proteins of the cockroachRhyparobia (Leucophaea) maderae (Blattaria)

Summary The clotting system ofRhyparobia (Leucophaea) maderae comprises two clotting proteins, plasma coagulogen and hemocyte coagulogen, which during clotting become crosslinked. Cross-linking is thought to be preceded by an association of the two coagulogens. This paper reports an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of association, using an aged hemocyte coagulogen (=hemocyte gel).In a first series of experiments association was studied with a normal, unmodified gel under various conditions (ionic strength, pH, inhibitors). Association is optimal at low ionic strength and a slightly acidic to neutral pH. When the associated proteins are subjected to increased ionic strength or higher pH they dissociate again. Association is not influenced by crosslinking inhibitors such as EDTA, iodoacetamide, hydroxylamine, and hydrazine up to concentrations of 0.01M.In a second series of experiments association was tested with hemocyte gels which had been treated with a variety of chemicals in order to modify the amino acid side chains. Association is inhibited only when carboxyl groups of the gel are modified.The results of both series of experiments suggest that during association the two proteins are held together mainly by electrostatic attractions between negatively charged carboxyl groups of the hemocyte gel and positively charged amino and/or guanidino groups of the plasma coagulogen.     

Mapping the collagen-binding site in the I domain of the glycoprotein Ia/IIa (integrin alpha(2)beta(1))

The I domain present within the alpha2 chain of the integrin alpha(2)beta(1) (GPIa/IIa) contains the principal collagen-binding site. Based on the crystal structure of the alpha2-I domain, a hypothetical model was proposed in which collagen binds to a groove on the upper surface of the I domain (Emsley, J., King, S. L., Bergelson, J. M., and Liddington, R. C. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 28512-28517). We have introduced point mutations into 13 residues on the upper surface of the domain. Recombinant mutant proteins were assayed for binding to monoclonal antibodies 6F1 and 12F1, to collagen under static conditions, and for the ability to retain adhesive activity under flow conditions. The mutations to residues surrounding the metal ion-dependent adhesion site that caused the greatest loss of collagen binding under both static and flow conditions are N154S in the betaA-alpha1 turn, N190D in the betaB-betaC turn, D219R in the alpha3-alpha4 turn, and E256V and H258V in the betaD-alpha5 turn. Mutation in one of the residues that coordinate the metal binding, S155A, completely lost the adhesive activity under flow but bound normally under static conditions, whereas the mutation Y285F had the converse effect. We conclude that the upper surface of the domain, including the metal ion-dependent adhesion site motif, defines the collagen recognition site.     

The heart of the dugong (Dugong dugon) and the west indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) (Sirenia)

Thirty-eight dugong (Dugong dugon) hearts and 28 Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus) hearts were obtained from stranding programs in Australia and the United States. In addition to a double ventricular apex, a feature that has astonished scientists since the eighteenth century, the hearts of both animals have a double subvalvular conus and a dorsal left atrium. The heart lies in a vertical plane at right angles to that of the completely dorsal, symmetrical lungs. The dugong heart has a deeper interventricular cleft and a more conical left ventricle. The latter features may be part of a general morphological trend toward specialization for a more energetic aquatic existence. The presence of a bulbous ascending aorta in the manatee but not in the dugong is without explanation.