The dual-specificity CLK kinase induces neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells.

CLK is a dual-specificity protein kinase capable of phosphorylating serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues. We have investigated the action of CLK by establishing stable PC12 cell lines capable of inducibly expressing CLK. Expression of CLK in stably transfected PC12 cells mimicked a number of nerve growth factor (NGF)-dependent events, including the morphological differentiation of these cells and the elaboration of neurites. Moreover, CLK expression enhanced the rate of NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth of these cells, indicating that CLK expression and NGF treatment activate similar signal transduction pathways. CLK expression, unlike NGF, was not able to promote PC12 cell survival in serum-free media, demonstrating that CLK only partially recapitulated the actions of NGF on these cells and that the biochemical pathways necessary for morphological differentiation can be stimulated without also stimulating those necessary for survival. Induction of CLK expression also resulted in the selective activation of protein kinases that are components of growth factor-stimulated signal transduction cascades, including ERK1, ERK2, pp90RSK, and S6PKII. Induction of CLK expression, however, did not stimulate pp70S6K or Fos kinase, two NGF-sensitive protein kinases. These data indicate that CLK action mediates the morphological differentiation of these cells through its capacity to independently stimulate signal transduction pathways normally employed by NGF.     

Isolation and identification of new nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis from milk

A method for isolating active nisin-producing strains of mesophilic lactococci was developed. Overall, 55 strains of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria were isolated from fresh cow's milk obtained from milk farms in various regions throughout Russia; of them, 36 displayed nisin-synthesizing activity. The three most active strains were studied according to morphological, cultural, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and identified as Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis. The species attribution of the strains studied was confirmed by the similarity of the nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene. The nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA genes were deposited with the GenBank under accession numbers DQ255951-DQ255954. The distinctions between these strains in physiological and biochemical characteristics and the ranges of their bactericide action on the microorganisms capable of developing in agricultural materials and food products were determined. The isolated strains displayed considerably wider ranges of action, which differed from the nisin-producing strain MGU and the commercial nisin preparation (Nisaplin), used as a biological preserving agent.     

The action of its own antibiotic on the producer of imbricin growing on an agarized medium]

The action of imbricin on its own producer Streptomyces imbricatus grown on an agarized medium was studied. Comparatively low concentrations of the antibiotic were shown to have a high lethal action on the streptomycete. The morphological and cultural features of S. imbricatus did not change under the action of imbricin while the variation with respect to the antibiotic production property markedly increased. After the strain exposure to 200 micrograms/ml of imbricin, a stable variant with the antibiotic potency 20 per cent higher than that of the initial organism was isolated.     

Isolation and identification of new nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis from milk

A method for isolating active nisin-producing strains of mesophilic lactococci was developed. Overall, 55 strains of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria were isolated from fresh cow’s milk obtained from milk farms in various regions throughout Russia; of them, 36 displayed nisin-synthesizing activity. The three most active strains were studied according to morphological, cultural, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and identified as Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis. The species attribution of the strains studied was confirmed by the similarity of the nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene. The nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA genes were deposited with the GenBank under accession numbers DQ255951–DQ255954. The distinctions between these strains in physiological and biochemical characteristics and the ranges of their bactericide action on the microorganisms capable of developing in agricultural materials and food products were determined. The isolated strains displayed considerably wider ranges of action, which differed from the nisin-producing strain MGU and the commercial nisin preparation (Nisaplin), used as a biological preserving agent.     

Isolation,characterization, and antifungal susceptibility of melanin-deficient mutants of Scedosporium prolificans

Scedosporium prolificans mutants lacking the ability to synthesize melanin were selected after ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation. UV exposure of S. prolificans conidia resulted in a high frequency of melanin-deficient (mel-) mutants. Stable and non-stable morphological variants were found in the population: reversion of the mutant phenotype was always to the wild-type phenotype. Based on their morphological differences, these variants were classified into five different groups that were phenotypically characterized. The mel- mutants plus the wild-type strain were examined for in vitro susceptibility to antifungal agents with different and/or the same mechanism of action. There was no apparent difference in minimum inhibitory concentrations when comparing the wild-type and the mel- mutants. Therefore, melanin does not appear to confer protection against the more important antifungal agents in S. prolificans.     

苍耳柄锈菌三裂叶豚草专化型的超微结构观察(英文)

20 0 3年在沈阳的三裂叶豚草 (AmbrosiatrifidaL .)上发现了苍耳柄锈菌三裂叶豚草专化型 (PucciniaxanthiiSchwein .f.sp .ambrosia trifidaeS .W .T .Batra) ,这是在我国三裂叶豚草上发现的一种新病菌。试验采用扫描电镜和透射电镜对该锈菌的冬孢子和吸器的形态结构进行了观察。     

Morphological differentiation between S. mutans and S. sobrinus on modified SB-20 culture medium

Due to the major role of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in the etiology of dental caries, it is important to use culture media that allow for differentiating these bacterial species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of a modified SB-20 culture medium (SB-20M) for the isolation and morphological differentiation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus, compared to biochemical identification (biotyping). Saliva samples were collected using the spatula method from 145 children, seeded on plates containing the SB-20M, in which sucrose was replaced by coarse granular cane sugar, and incubated in microaerophilia at 37 °C during 72 h. Identification of the microorganisms was performed under stereomicroscopy based on colony morphology of 4904 colonies. The morphological identification was examined by biochemical tests of 94 randomly selected colonies with the macroscopic characteristic of S. mutans and S. sobrinus using sugar fermentation, resistance to bacitracin and production of hydrogen peroxide. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between morphological identification in the SB-20M medium and biochemical identification (biotyping). Biotyping confirmed that S. mutans and S. sobrinus colonies were correctly characterized in the SB-20M in 95.8% and 95.5% of the cases, respectively. Of the mutans streptococci detected in the children 98% were S. mutans and 2% S. sobrinus. The SB-20M medium is reliable for detection and direct morphological identification of S. mutans and S. sobrinus.     

Inhibition of beta-lactam antibiotics at two different times in the cell cycle of Streptococcus faecium ATCC 9790.

Treatment of Streptococcus faecium ATCC 9790 with sublytic concentrations of beta-lactam antibiotics revealed two different division blocks in the cell division cycle. One block, induced by N-formimidoyl thienamycin and methicillin, occurred before the completion of chromosome replication, whereas the other, induced by cefoxitin and cephalothin, took place later in the cycle. In addition, these antibiotics gave rise to distinct morphological forms; the antibiotics acting at the earlier block point produced mainly "dumbbells," whereas those affecting the later time formed "lemons." When used in combination N-formimidoyl thienamycin and cefoxitin exerted synergistic killing on this strain. These data suggest that beta-lactam antibiotics have at least two sites of action in S. faecium.     

Nomimoscolex suspectus n. sp. (Eucestoda: Proteocephalidea: Zygobothriinae) with morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses of the genus

We describe a new species of Nomimoscolex from the Amazon siluriform fishes Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, B. flavicans and B. vaillanti. It differs from N. piraeeba in a lower mean number of testes, the paramuscular position of the vitelline follicles, the ovarian width/proglottis width ratio and the cirrus-pouch length/proglottis width ratio. Protein electrophoresis assays performed for 25 enzymatic systems showed that specimens of N. suspectus n. sp. from the three host species form a homogenous population which was genetically isolated from N. piraeeba and N. dorad. Moreover, the latter two species, synonymised by Rego (1991) because of their close morphological similarity, could be separated at eight loci. We thus restore N. dorad as a valid species. We finally examined the composition of the genus Nomimoscolex using DNA sequences from the 5.8S rRNA, ITS-2 and 28S rRNA nuclear ribosomal genes and a matrix of 24 morphological characters. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred for nine species of the genus, five members of other monticelliid genera and two outgroup species. The results of the phylogenetic analyses performed on morphological and molecular characters converged with those from allozyme studies and showed that N. suspectus, N. piraeeba and N. dorad clustered in a distinct clade that excluded other members of the genus. We therefore recognised them as an aggregate of species to reflect an isolation supported by both morphological and genetic data. Because relationships among the remaining Nomimoscolex representatives and other genera were generally poorly resolved, regardless of the database analysed, no action was taken to reorganise them into alternative groupings.     

Revision of the Genus Scopelogadus (Melamphaidae): 1. S. beanii

Journal of Ichthyology - The Bean’s bigscale, S. beanii, is redescribed in the first part of the species revision of the genus Scopelogadus. Information on its morphological features is...     

Molecular marker-facilitated studies in an elite maize population: I. Linkage analysis and determination of QTL for morphological traits

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and one morphological marker were used to investigate quantitative trait loci (QTL) for morphological and physiological traits evaluated on 150 F₂₃ maize (Zea mays L.) lines derived from the cross of elite U.S. Corn Belt inbreds Mo17 and H99. F₂₃ lines were grown in a replicated experiment and evaluated for plant and ear heights and flowering traits. QTL were identified for each trait, and genetic effects were determined. Estimated gene action for the flowering traits was predominantly overdominance. Both parents contributed toward increased values for anthesis and silk emergence. QTL for increased plant and ear heights were usually contributed by the taller parent, Mo17. Estimated gene action for these traits was mainly partial to overdominance. QTL for plant height were located in the vicinity of loci defined by alleles with qualitative effects on plant height.     

New molecular data for tardigrade phylogeny, with the erection of Paramacrobiotus gen. nov.

Up to few years ago, the phylogenies of tardigrade taxa have been investigated using morphological data, but relationships within and between many taxa are still unresolved. Our aim has been to verify those relationships adding molecular analysis to morphological analysis, using nearly complete 18S ribosomal DNA gene sequences (five new) of 19 species, as well as cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) mitochondrial DNA gene sequences (15 new) from 20 species, from a total of seven families. The 18S rDNA tree was calculated by minimum evolution, maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses. DNA sequences coding for COI were translated to amino acid sequences and a tree was also calculated by neighbour-joining, MP and ML analyses. For both trees (18S rDNA and COI) posterior probabilities were calculated by MrBayes. Prominent findings are as follows: the molecular data on Echiniscidae (Heterotardigrada) are in line with the phylogenetic relationships identifiable by morphological analysis. Among Eutardigrada, orders Apochela and Parachela are confirmed as sister groups. Ramazzottius (Hypsibiidae) results more related to Macrobiotidae than to the genera here considered of Hypsibiidae. Macrobiotidae and Macrobiotus result not monophyletic and confirm morphological data on the presence of at least two large groups within Macrobiotus. Using 18S rDNA and COI mtDNA genes, a new phylogenetic line has been identified within Macrobiotus , corresponding to the ' richtersi-areolatus group'. Moreover, cryptic species have been identified within the Macrobiotus ' richtersi group' and within Richtersius . Some evolutionary lines of tardigrades are confirmed, but others suggest taxonomic revision. In particular, the new genus Paramacrobiotus gen. n. has been identified, corresponding to the phylogenetic line represented by the ' richtersi-areolatus group'.     

Purification and physiochemical characterization of melanin pigment from Klebsiella sp. GSK

The bacterium capable of producing melanin pigment in the presence of L-tyrosine was isolated from crop field soil sample and identified as Klebsiella sp. GSK based on morphological, biochemical and 16S rDNA sequencing. The polymerization of this pigment occurs outside the cell wall, which has granular structure as melanin ghosts. The chemical characterization of pigment particles showed acid resistant, alkali soluble, insoluble in most of the organic solvents and water. The pigment gets bleached when subjected to the action of oxidants as well as reductants. This pigment was precipitated with FeCl3, ammoniacal silver nitrate and potassium ferricynide. The pigment showed high absorbance in the UV region and decreased absorbance when shifted towards the visible region. The melanin pigment was further charecterized by FT-IR and EPR spectroscopy. A key enzyme 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid hydroxylase catalyzes the formation of melanin pigment by hydroxylation of L-tyrosine was detected in this bacterium. Inhibition studies with specific inhibitor kojic acid and KCN proved that melanin is synthesized by DOPA-Melanin pathway.     

Phylogenetic relationships among Acanthamoeba spp. based on PCR-RFLP analyses of mitochondrial small subunit rRNA gene.

We investigated the value of mitochondrial small subunit rRNA gene (mt SSU rDNA) PCR-RFLP as a taxonomic tool for Acanthamoeba isolates with close inter-relationships. Twenty-five isolates representing 20 species were included in the analysis. As in nuclear 18S rDNA analysis, two type strains (A. astronyxis and A. tubiashi) of morphological group 1 diverged earliest from the other strains, but the divergence between them was less than in 18S riboprinting. Acanthamoeba griffini of morphological group 2 branched between pathogenic (A. culbertsoni A-1 and A. healyi OC-3A) and nonpathogenic (A. palestinensis Reich, A. pustulosa GE-3a, A. royreba Oak Ridge, and A lenticulata PD2S) strains of morphological group 3. Among the remaining isolates of morphological group 2, the Chang strain had the identical mitochondrial riboprints as the type strain of A. hatchetti. AA2 and AA1, the type strains of A. divionensis and A. paradivionensis, respectively, had the identical riboprints as A. quina Vil3 and A. castellanii Ma. Although the branching orders of A. castellanii Neff, A. polyphaga P23, A. triangularis SH621, and A. lugdunensis L3a were different from those in 18S riboprinting analysis, the results obtained from this study generally coincided well with those from 18S riboprinting. Mitochondrial riboprinting may have an advantage over nuclear 18S rDNA riboprinting because the mt SSU rDNAs do not seem to have introns that are found in the 18S genes of Acanthamoeba and that distort phylogenetic analyses.     

Action of chlorhexidine on buddingCandida albicans: Scanning and transmission electron microscopic study

Chlorhexidine is widely used as a bacterial drug whose method of action has been well described in bacteria. Its fungicidal properties have been proved. We show here the effects of a sublethal dose of a preparation of digluconate of chlorhexidine on buddingCandida albicans. A fungistatic action is revealed by a decrease in the percentage of budding cells, and two main types of alterations can be observed with transmission electron microscopy (T.E.M.): a loss of cytoplasmic components and a coagulation of nucleoproteins. With scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M.), the cell walls show morphological modifications.     

Introgressive hybridization of Senecio hercynicus and S. ovatus (Compositae,Senecioneae) along an altitudinal gradient in Harz National Park (Germany)

Introgressive hybridization of Senecio hercynicus and S. ovatus (Compositae, Senecioneae) was studied in a hybrid zone on the southern slopes of Mt Brocken (Harz Mountains, Germany). A total of 415 plants representing 10 stands along an altitudinal gradient were investigated using multivariate statistical analyses of morphological characters and molecular markers (random amplified polymorphic DNA[RAPD]). Both types of traits detected pure S. hercynicus stands on the summit plateau, pure S. ovatus stands at the lowest elevations, and hybrid swarms at intermediate elevations. While morphological and molecular patterns coincided, some individuals in hybrid stands combined morphological patterns typical of S. ovatus with RAPD patterns typical of S. hercynicus, and vice versa. In general, introgression was symmetrical within stands, though one stand combined S. ovatus characters with the glandular hair typical for S. hercynicus, and two stands combined a S. hercynicus typical RAPD genotype with morphological characters shifted towards S. ovatus. Because pure stands of S. hercynicus occurred only on the summit plateau of Mt Brocken, and markers typical for S. ovatus were detectable in stands up to 1040 m a.s.l., future fusion or assimilation of the rare form, S. hercynicus, by the more widespread S. ovatus appears possible at Mt Brocken.     

Stipa zeravshanica sp. nov. (Poaceae), an endemic species from rocky walls of the western Pamir Alai Mountains (middle Asia)

Stipa zeravshanica M. Nobis sp. nov. from the western Pamir Alai Mts (Tajikistan) is described and illustrated. Morphologically, the new species is similar to S. gracilis, but it is easily distinguishable by pilose (vs. glabrous) lower part of the awn, and generally somewhat longer ligules of the vegetative shoots. Epidermal patterns of the lemma in S. zeravshanica and three other closely related taxa, namely S. gracilis, S. himalaica and S. orientalis, were examined by means of SEM. The main macro‐morphological and micro‐morphological characteristics differentiating all mentioned species are presented. Additionally, a lectotype for S. gracilis is designated. Based on phytosociological relevés prepared during field investigation in the western Pamir Alai Mts, a new plant association Asperulo albiflorae–Stipetum zeravshanicae, occurring on shelves and rocky crevices is also described.     

金沙江河谷特有药用植物——云南百部的分类学处理

通过对云南百部（Stemona mairei（H.Lév.）K.Krause）及其形态相似种金沙江百部（S.jinshajiangensis X. D. Cong et G. J. Xu）和变种滇北百部（S.jinshajiangensis var.dianbeiensis X. D. Cong et G. J. Xu）模式标本采集地野外居群植株的实地调查和研究,发现金沙江百部及其变种滇北百部的形态特征变异式样均在云南百部形态特征的正常变异范围内,因此将金沙江百部及其变种处理为云南百部的异名,同时对云南百部的形态特征进行了补充描述。结合对云南百部6个野生居群成熟植株的开花结实特征、种子传播策略分析,对云南百部受威胁状况进行了评估。     

Analysis of basic proteins during spermatogenesis in the cricket, Acheta domestica

Virginiamycin is an antibiotic composed of two synergistic factors, M and S, which stop growth and protein synthesis in procaryotic cells. The two virginiamycin components, separately and in combination, do not alter the multiplication of algae in heterotrophic media. However, virginiamycin M inhibits chlorophyll formation, and virginiamycin S, which alone has no apparent effect, increases this inhibitory action of M.Virginiamycin M produces bleaching of Euglena gracilis: this phenotypic change is temporary in the absence of S, but permanent if S is present. Characteristic alterations of chloroplast structure occur in the presence of virginiamycin M: disappearance of the pyrenoid, and appearance of free-thylakoids. In the presence of both virginiamycins, chloroplasts loose their spindle shape and their lamellar systems, and are converted into reticulated bodies. There is, thus, a relationship between morphological, biochemical and genetic alterations of the chloroplasts.On the other hand, mitochondria from virginiamycin-treated cells appear intact. The reason for such difference between chloroplasts and mitochondria is unknown.A theory explaining the induction of cytoplasmic mutants by protein inhibitors is proposed. The action of virginiamycin on chloroplast ribosomes and RNA is analysed in [34].