Fish populations in the Paraná River: Lentic environments of Diamante and San Pedro Areas (Argentine Republic)

Data on the fish populations of lentic water bodies of the Lower Paraná River in the Diamante and San Pedro areas (33°40–31°55 S, 59°40'–60°40 W), sampled during 1971 are given. Limnological characteristics such as surface area and depth of ponds, water turbidity, and plant cover are included. Differences in fish population size, structure, specific diversity, dominance, and biomass of particular species are established between two areas in a dry season.     

Diversity and distribution of the mangrove forests in Taiwan

In a survey of 1992 to 1994, mangrove forests withfour species of true mangroves, Kandelia candel(L.) Druce, Avicennia marina(Forsk.) Vierh.,Rhizophora stylosaGriff., and Lumnitzera racemosaWilld., were found at 22locations in the west coast of Taiwan. The northernrange of their distribution was at Tanshui Estuary(Latitude 25^°11N) and the southern range atTapen Bay (22^°28N). The total area wasestimated to be 286.95 ha. There was an obvious changein species composition and a decrease in speciesnumber of true mangroves from south to north: the fourspecies dominated by A. marinain thesouth and K. candelas thesole species in the north. Air temperature associatedwith sea surface temperature and oceanic currents inwinter, but not soil property, was found to be theprimary environmental factor, affecting the diversityand distribution of true mangroves in Taiwan as wellas in the northeast region of Asia.     

Sequence- and Regio-Selectivity in the Montmorillonite-Catalyzed Synthesis of RNA

The six binary montmorillonite clay-catalyzed reactions of the5-phosphorimidazolides of adenosine, cytidine, guanosine anduridine were performed and the eight dimers from each reactionwere separated and analyzed by HPLC. A 16–51-fold higher yieldof the 5-purine-pyrimidine dimers over that of the5-pyrimidine-purines was observed. The total yield of the5-purine-pyrimidine dimers was in the 50–70% range while thatof the 5-pyrimidine-purine dimers was 1.3–7.0%. Less sequenceselectivity was observed in the homodimers formed.Regioselectivity for the formation of 3, 5-phosphodiesterbonds over that found in the absence of clay was observed. The5-purine-pyrimidine, 5-pyrimidine-pyrimidine and5-purine-purine dimers had 3, 5-links in about half of theirphosphodiester bonds. The percent phosphodiester links in the5-pyrimidine-pyrimidine dimers was 18%, a value close to thatobserved in the absence of the montmorillonite catalyst. Themontmorillonite-catalyzed reaction of all four activatednucleotides was performed and the 24 products were separated andanalyzed. The trends observed in the binary reactions wereconfirmed and the results also showed that the relativereactivity of the activated monomers was A>G>C>U in theratio 8.2: 4.8: 1.3: 1 respectively. No 5-pyrimidine-purineswith a 5-U and pG³pU, pC³pAand pC³pG weredetected. These studies suggest that a limited population ofRNAs would have formed in catalyzed prebiotic reactions.     

Systematic implications of the flavonoids and chromosomes ofFlyriella (Compositae—Eupatorieae)

The leaves of five species ofFlyriella were found to contain from one to four glycosides of quercetin and its 4- and 7,4-methyl ethers. These patterns are distinct from those observed for more than seventy species ofBrickellia and support morphological and chromosomal data which indicate thatFlyriella should not be treated as an element ofBrickellia. Alternative treatments are briefly considered.     

Reproductive isolation between the two forms ofPanonychus akitanus Ehara (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

Crossing experiments were carried out between the stiped-egg form collected from Sapporo (43°04N) and Machida (35°33N), and the stipeless-egg form ofPanonychus akitanus Ehara from Tomakomai (42°37N) and Imagane (42°34N). Intra-form crosses gave a high proportion of female progeny, but inter-form crosses only male progeny, suggesting that fertilization did not take place. The number of eggs laid during the first 10 days of the oviposition period was greater in intra-form crosses than in inter-form crosses (P<0.001). The latter, except for the cross between the Sapporo and the Imagane populations, had similar egg production to virgin females (P<0.05).Mated females showed a greater daily oviposition rate than virgin females. However, the latter drastically increased their oviposition rate after mating with their sons. The two forms are thus reproductively isolated.     

Factors affecting egg dimensions and breeding success in the Cory''s Shearwater(Calonectris diomedea) of Selvagem Grande

Summary Eggs of the Cory's ShearwaterCalonectris diomedea borealis of Selvagem Grande (Madeira, 30°09N, 15°52W), show high variability in size and shape between females, while for each individual both are correlated over two seasons. During the first breeding years, females lay larger and more rounded eggs as their experience (number of years since first breeding) increases. Age (number of years since birth) probably has an effect on egg size but adult size has none. No important differences between the two years of study has been observed and no inter-colony variation is apparent. Finally, breeding success is directly linked to egg size but not to egg shape.

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Eigröße und Bruterfolg von Gelbschnabelsturmtauchern(Calonectris diomedea borealis) auf Selvagem Grande

Zusammenfassung Die Größe und Form der Eier des GelbschnabelsturmtauchersCalonectris diomedea borealis von Selvagem Grande (30°09N, 15°52W) variieren zwischen verschiedenen Weibchen erheblich, die einzelnen Weibchen legen jedoch in Folgejahren gleich große Eier. Erfahrenere Weibchen legen größere und rundere Eier. Ältere Weibchen legen größere Eier. Das Alter hat keinen Einfluß auf die Eigröße. Zwischen den beiden Untersuchungsjahren (1996 und 1997) gab es keine Unterschiede, auch nicht zwischen verschiedenen Kolonien. Bruterfolg und Eigröße waren positiv korreliert.

     

Contribution to the rotifer fauna of subarctic Greenland (Kangerlussuaq and Ammassalik area)

Six water bodies in the region of Kangerlussuaq, West Greenland (67° 30 N, 50° 46 W), and four near Ammassalik, East Greenland (65° 36 N, 37° 38 W) were sampled. Sixty-nine taxa (2 Bdelloidea, 67 Monogononta) are reported, forty-six of which represent new records for Greenland. Proales pejleri n. sp. is described.     

Export and activity of hybrid FhuA''-''Iut receptor proteins and of truncated FhuA'' proteins of the outer membrane of Escherichia coli

Summary The FhuA protein in the outer membrane of Escherichia coli serves as a multifunctional receptor for the phages T5, T1, 80, for colicin M, for ferrichrome (Fe³⁺-siderophore) and for the structurally related antibiotic, albomycin. To determine structural domains required for these receptor functions and for export, a fusion protein between FhuA and Iut (receptor for Fe³⁺-aerobactin and cloacin DF13) was constructed. In the FhuA-Iut hybrid protein, 24 amino acids of FhuA were replaced by 19 amino acids, 18 of which were from Iut. The number of plaque forming units of phage T5 and T1 on cells expressing FhuA-Iut was nearly as high as on cells expressing plasmid-encoded wild-type FhuA. However, 10⁷-fold higher concentrations of phage 80 and 10³ times more colicin M were required to obtain a zone of growth inhibition. Truncated FhuA proteins in which the last 24 amino acids at the carboxy-terminus were replaced by 16 (FhuA2) or 3 (FhuAT) amino acids could hardly be detected on polyacrylamide electrophoretograms of outer membrane proteins, due to proteolytic degradation. Sensitivity of cells expressing FhuA2 to phage T5 and T1 was reduced by several orders of magnitude and sensitivity to phage 80 and colicin M was totally abolished. In contrast, cells expressing FhuAT were nearly as sensitive to phage T5, T1, and 80 and to colicin M as cells containing FhuA-Iut. None of the constructs could grow on ferrichrome as sole iron source and none was sensitive to albomycin. Ferrichrome did not inhibit binding of T5 to TonB^– cells expressing FhuA-Iut (as it did in FhuA⁺ cells) due to the lack of ferrichrome binding. It is concluded that very small deletions (relative to the size of FhuA with 714 amino acids) at the C-terminal end render FhuA susceptible to proteolytic cleavage. The C-terminal alterations affect sensitivity to FhuA-specific agents very differently. Apparently, the C-terminus is a very important part of FhuA regarding stability and activity. Expression of active FhuA and partially inactive FhuA derivatives in the same cell revealed no negative complementation, suggesting a FhuA monomer as functional unit.     

The involvement of the 3′:5′-cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase in transformation and growth of crown-gall tumors in Bryophyllum daigremontianum

In crown-gall tumor tissue obtained from leaves of Bryophyllum daigremontianum an adenosine 3:5-cyclic phosphate (3:5-cyclic-AMP) degrading activity increases up to 2.5 fold until the fifth day after inoculation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens, declining to the value of the control in the solid tumor. Theophylline up to 1 mmol l^–1 given to wounded leaves of Bryophyllum daigremontianum has no effect on the number of tumors. The effect of higher concentrations given over extended periods can be explained otherwise. Therefore it seems likely that the 3:5-cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.17) has no effect on transformation and growth of crown-gall tumors in Bryophyllum daigremontianum.     

Distribution of stream macroalgae in the northwest region of São Paulo State,southeastern Brazil

Forty-four stream segments were sampled from May to October in 1992 and 1993 in the northwest region of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil (19°45–21°25S, 49°05–51°30S). Thirty-six macroalgal subgeneric taxa were found and Chlorophyta was the dominant algal group (47% species), followed by Cyanophyta (33.5%), Rhodophyta (14%) and Chrysophyta (5.5%). The most widespread species wereStigeoclonium helveticum (25% sites),Batrachospermum delicatulum andCompsopogon coeruleus (20.5%). Distribution was patchy, with species number per sampling site ranging from 0 to six (3.1 ± 1.7) and correlated positively with species abundance. Species cover ranged from 0 to 61% of the stream bottom (19.1 ± 19.7%). Most sites (57%) were dominated by one or two macroalgae species. No significant difference was found between the frequency distribution of variables measured for streams and for total macroalgae, but the most widespread species differed for most parameters and occurred over wider ranges of environmental conditions. Mean species number and abundance were close to values found in distinct regions or biomes of North America. Higher conductance and lower oxygen values, as well as rocky substrata, generally constituted the most favourable combination of conditions for the development of macroalgae in the region. The pattern of strong dominance of few species was considered to be typical for stream macroalgal communities in general.     

Aktivität der Chalkon-Flavanon Isomerase und Akkumulation von phenylpropanoiden Verbindungen in Antheren

Summary Chalcone-flavanone isomerase from the anthers of Lilium candidum and Tulipa cv. Apeldoorn exhibits a distinct substrate specificity. The enzyme catalyses only the isomerization of 2,4,4,6-tetrahydroxychalcone, whereas it is not active with 2,4,4-trihydroxychalcone.During the final stage in the development of the anthers, differing isomerase activities were observed. Maximum enzyme activity was measured at a point when the concentration of chalcones was decreasing rapidly and the concentration of flavonols was increasing. These findings strongly support the suggestion that the isomerase plays an important role in flavonoid metabolism.

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Untersuchungen zum Phenylpropanstoffwechsel des Pollens VI.     

The removal of a heated water discharge from a lake and the effect upon an epiphytic algal community

The effects of the removal of a heated water discharge from Lake Wabamun, Alberta (longitudes 114°26 and 114°44W; latitudes 53°30 and 53°35N) upon epiphytic algae has been documented. Due to the timing of the cessation of flow the first year without elevated temperatures was one of transition. Standing crops returned to normal lake levels the following year. Species composition changes occurred, and species such as Epithemia turgida, Amphipleura pellucida, Nitzschia fonticola, Rhopalodia gibba, Rivularia haematites, and Scytonema alatum, all of which were detrimentally affected by the elevated temperatures, returned to the previously affected area, while species such as Oedogonium sp., Spirogyra sp. and Cladophora glomerata, dominant at times in the heated area, diminished in importance. The ability of Cocconeis placentula to grow at low light intensities (15–110 µEinsteins m^–2 s^–1) was again demonstrated.     

A pistil-specific thaumatin/PR5-like protein gene of Japanese pear (Pyrus serotina): sequence and promoter activity of the 5′ region in transgenic tobacco

The genomic clone encoding the pistil-specific thaumatin/PR5-like protein (PsTL1) was isolated from Japanese pear (Pyrus serotina). Sequence analysis showed that the genomic clone contained the 5-flanking sequence of 2.4 kb, the 3-flanking sequence of 648 bp and the coding region interrupted by a intron of 351 bp. A sequence motif conserved in some pistil self-incompatibility gene promoters of solanaceous and brassicaceous species was located in the 5-flanking region of the PsTL1 gene. The 2.4 kb 5-flanking region was fused to the GUS coding sequence and transferred to tobacco. Transgenic tobacco showed GUS activity in pistil and, at low level, in anther, but not in other floral organs and leaf. Histochemical analysis localized GUS activity to stigma, transmitting tissue, anther and pollen of transgenic tobacco.     

Postembryonic development ofParalabidocera antarctica (I. C. Thompson) (Copepoda,Calanoida) from the fast ice near Syowa Station,Antarctica

Six nauplius and five copepodid stages as well as adults ofParalabidocera antarctica (I. C. Thompson, 1898) (Copepoda:Calanoida) are described based on specimens obtained from fast ice and collected by a plankton net near Syowa Station (69°00 S, 39° 35 E), Antarctica. The adult male and female are redescribed in detail. Nauplius stages ofP. antarctica are very similar to the previously describedAcartia species. Sexual dimorphism becomes apparent from copepodid IV onwards in the morphology of antennule and leg 5. The copepodid stages of this species retain certain characteristics not only of Acartiidae but also of Pontellidae and Parapontellidae.     

The biogeochemical cycle of the adsorbed template II: Selective adsorption of mononucleotides on adsorbed polynucleotide templates

Experimental results are presented for the verification of the specific interaction step of the adsorbed template biogeochemical cycle, a simple model for a primitive prebiotic replication system. The experimental system consisted of gypsum as the mineral to which an oligonucleotide template attaches (Poly-C or Poly-U) and 5-AMP, 5-GMP, 5-CMP and 5-UMP as the interacting biomonomers. When Poly-C or Poly-U were used as adsorbed templates, 5-GMP and 5-AMP, respectively were observed to be the most strongly adsorbed species. Moreover, there exists a direct quantitative relationship between the quantity of cytidine or uracil residues in the adsorbed state and the amount of the complementary mononucleotide that is attached to it. NaCl added to the system in order to create conditions of high ionic strength seems to enhance the selectivity of the adsorption of the monmucleotides to these adsorbed templates.     

Regulation of cardiolipin biosynthesis in the heart

Cardiolipin is one of the principle phospholipids in the mammalian heart comprising as much as 15–20% of the entire phospholipid phosphorus mass of that organ. Cardiolipin is localized primarily in the mitochondria and appears to be essential for the function of several enzymes of oxidative phosphorylation. Thus, cardiolipin is essential for production of energy for the heart to beat. Cardiac cardiolipin is synthesized via the cytidine-5-diphosphate-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol pathway. The properties of the four enzymes of the cytidine-5-diphosphate-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol pathway have been characterized in the heart. The rate-limiting step of this pathway is catalyzed by the phosphatidic acid: cytidine-5-triphosphate cytidylyltransferase. Several regulatory mechanisms that govern cardiolipin biosynthesis in the heart have been uncovered. Current evidence suggests that cardiolipin biosynthesis is regulated by the energy status (adenosine-5-triphosphate and cytidine-5-triphosphate level) of the heart. Thyroid hormone and unsaturated fatty acids may regulate cardiolipin biosynthesis at the level of three key enzymes of the cytidine-5-diphosphate-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol pathway, phosphatidylglycerolphosphate synthase, phosphatidylglycerolphosphate phosphatase and cardiolipin synthase. Newly synthesized phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylglycerol may be preferentially utilized for cardiolipin biosynthesis in the heart. In addition, separate pools of phosphatidylglycerol, including an exogenous (extra-mitochondrial) pool not derived from de novo phosphatidylglycerol biosynthesis, may be utilized for cardiac cardiolipin biosynthesis. In several mammalian tissues a significant number of studies on polyglycerophospholipid biosynthesis have been documented, including detailed studies in the lung and liver. However, in spite of the important role of cardiolipin in the maintenance of mitochondrial function and membrane integrity, studies on the control of cardiolipin biosynthesis in the mammalian heart have been largely neglected. The purpose of this review will be to briefly discuss cardiolipin and cardiolipin biosynthesis in some selected model systems and focus primarily on current studies involving the regulation of cardiolipin biosynthesis in the heart. (Mol Cell Biochem 159: 139–148, 1996)Abbreviations CL cardiolipin - PG phosphatidylglycerol - PA phosphatidic acid - CTP cytidine-5triphosphate - CDPDG cytidine-5'-diphosphate-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol - CMP cytidine-5monophosphate - lysoPG lysophosphatidylglycerol - monolysoCC monolysoCcardiolipin - BMP bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphate - ATP adenosine-5-triphosphate - ADP adenosine-5-diphosphate - PGP phosphatidylglycerol phosphate - DNA deoxyribonucleic acid - STZ streptozotocinM     

Seasonal phase shift and the duration of activity time in the Burbot,Lota lota (L.) (Pisces,Gadidae)

Summary The locomotor activity of the Burbot (Lota lota L.) performs a phase-shift of 180 ° towards the Zeitgeber (natural light-dark-cycle) twice a year at high northern latitudes (Messaure, Swedish-Lapland, 66 ° 42 N, 20 ° 25 E). The duration of activity in 24 hours never exceeds 11 hours. Maximum values are achieved just before the phase-shift in September/October and in February respectively. It is suggested that this fish species, frequently spread in North-European waters, has a maximum limit in its daily activity time (10 to 11 hours) controlled by phase-shift when the length of day (during day-activity) or night (during night-activity) becomes too long. In the course of the year the Burbot places the position of its activity on the shorter part of the light-dark-cycle.Supported by Swedish Natural Science Research Council and Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften.     

β-Ether cleavage of the lignin model compound 4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether and derivatives by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The white rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium metabolized 4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl-glycerol--guaiacyl ether (V) in low nitrogen, stationary cultures under which conditions the ligninolytic enzyme system is expressed. 4-Ethoxy-3-methoxyphenylglycerol XIII, guaicol and 4-ethoxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol (II) were isolated as metabolic products. Exogenously added XIII was rapidly converted to 4-ethoxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol indicating that it is an intermediate in the metabolism of V. P. chrysosporium also metabolized 1-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-3-hydroxypropane VI. The degradation pathway for this dimer also included initial -ether cleavage and -hydroxylation of the diol product 1-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) 2,3 dihydroxypropane (XI) to yield the triol XIII which was cleaved at the , bond to yield 4-ethoxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol. Finally P. chrysosporium also cleaved the dimer 1-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1-hydroxypropane (VIII) at the -ether linkage yielding 1-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) 1,2 dihydroxypropane (IX) which was subsequently cleaved at the , bond to yield II. All of the results indicate that oxidative -ether cleavage is an important initial reaction in the metabolism of -aryl ether lignin substructure dimeric compounds. Metabolities were identified after comparison with chemically synthesized standards by gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Abbreviations GLC Gas liquid chromatography - TMSi trimethylsilyl - TLC thin layer chromatography     

Identification of a codominant amplified polymorphic DNA marker linked to the verticillium wilt resistance gene in tomato

Resistance to verticillium wilt, a vascular disease causing yield losses in many crops, is conferred in tomato by a single dominant allele, Ve. A population segregating for the Ve allele was generated using near-isogenic tomato lines. Analysis of the parental tomato DNA using the polymerase chain reaction and 400 random primers, each 10 deoxyribonucleotides in length, produced 1,880 amplified DNA fragments. Of the four polymorphisms observed between the resistant and susceptible parental genotypes, only one was linked to the Ve gene. No recombination was observed between this DNA marker and the Ve locus, indicating that the linkage is less than 3.5±2.7 cM. The marker detected both the susceptible and resistant alleles, producing amplified DNA fragments of approximately 1,300 and 1,350 bp, respectively. The sequence of the primer, determined from cloned amplified products, was 5 CTCACATGCA 3 instead of the expected 5 CTCACATGCC 3. The marker will be of value to tomato breeding programs because of the tight linkage, Codominant nature, and analytical procedure utilized.     

DNA polymorphisms associated with a new α1-antitrypsin PI Q0 variant (PI Q0riedenburg)

Summary A new PI Q0 variant (PI Q0_riedenburg) is described; it is caused by a complete deletion of the ₁-antitrypsin (₁AT) gene. The deletion gives rise to four new restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) detected with a genomic probe of the 5 region of the gene. Analysis of the RFLPs indicates that the deletion starts immediately upstream of exon Ic. The deletion extends into the 3 flanking region of the gene but does not include the ₁AT-related gene (the PIL gene), which is located 12 kb downstream of the ₁AT gene.