Genetic variability in macaques: Correlations between biochemical and dermatoglyphic systems

The palmar dermatoglyphics of four groups of macaque, Macaca nemestrina, M. fuscata yakui, M. f. fuscata and M. fascicularis, were compared, and the genetic affinities of the four groups were assessed using a dermatoglyphic mean square distance measure. According to this measure the two subspecies of M. fuscata were dermatoglyphically more distant from one another than was M. fuscata fuscata from M. nemestrina, suggesting that the two insular populations of M. fuscata had evolved in genetic isolation. The distributions of specific dermatoglyphic patterns were then compared with the frequency distributions of alleles at different protein structural loci in other macaque populations. The results of the comparison were consistent in that insular populations showed reduction in variability for both kinds of systems. The implications of this correlation are discussed in terms of population size and natural selection.     

Dufour gland secretions of Myrmica rugulosa and Myrmica schencki workers

The chemical composition and behavioural activities of the secretions of the Dufour glands of Myrmica rugulosa and M. schencki have been studied, as part of an extended study on Myrmica ants. Chemically, the Dufour gland of M. rugulosa is filled with a mixture of hydrocarbons dominated by straight chain alkanes and alkenes with 13 to 19 carbon atoms, as found in M. rubra. Significant quantities of (Z,E)-α-farnesene and its homologues, homofarnesene and bishomofarnesene, are also present. In M. schencki, the major compounds present are homofarnesene and bishomofarnesene. In both species, the very volatile portion of the Dufour gland secretion is identical to that analysed in M. rubra. From an ethological point of view, this very volatile part is efficient in attracting workers at a distance (6 to 8 cm) and in decreasing their wandering movements. No specificity was observed when performing cross-tests with Dufour glands freshly isolated from workers of other Myrmica species, but obvious specificities were detected when testing the less volatile part of the Dufour glands' contents, known to be used for marking newly discovered areas.     

A comparative study of the flavonoids of Medicago radiata with other Medicago and related Trigonella species

The flavonoid glycosides of Medicago radiata as well as M. arabica, M. polymorpha, M. sativa, Trigonella coerulescens, T. foenum-graecum and T. spicata were studied in detail. Major glycosides identified were the 7-glucuronides of apigenin, luteolin, chrysoeriol and tricin, as well as lesser amounts of di- and triglucuronides of chrysoeriol and tricin. Also identified were the 3-robinobioside and 3,7-diglucoside of kaempferol, along with lesser amounts of quercetin-3,7-diglucoside, 4′,7-dihydroxyflavone, 3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavone, formononetin and daidzein. Twelve other Medicago and Trigonella species were also studied for their flavonoid aglycones. The systematic position of M. radiata is discussed.     

In silico and in vitro comparative activity of novel experimental derivatives against Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum promastigotes

This in silico and in vitro comparative study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of some biurets (K1 to K8) and glucantime against Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum promastigotes. Overall, eight experimental ligands and glucantime were docked using AutoDock 4.3 program into the active sites of Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum pteridine reductase 1, which were modeled using homology modeling programs. The colorimetric MTT assay was used to find L. major and L. infantum promastigotes viability at different concentrations of biuret derivatives in a concentration and time-dependent manner and the obtained results were expressed as 50% and 90% of inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀ and IC₉₀). In silico method showed that out of eight experimental ligands, four compounds were more active on pteridine reductase 1. K3 was the most active against L. major promastigotes with an IC₅₀ of 6.8 μM and an IC₉₀ of 40.2 μM, whereas for L. infantum promastigotes was K8 with IC₅₀ of 7.8 μM. The phenylethyl derivative (K7) showed less toxicity (IC₅₀s > 60 μM) in both Leishmania strains. Glucantime displayed less growth inhibition in concentration of about 20 μM. In silico and especially docking results in a recent study were in accordance with the in vitro activity of these compounds in presented study and compound K3, K2 and K8 showed reasonable levels of selectivity for the Leishmania pteridine reductase 1.     

Infection of Locusta migratoria with entomopoxviruses from Arphia conspersa and Melanoplus sanguinipes grasshoppers

Entomopoxvirus (EPV) occlusion bodies isolated from Arphia conspersa and Melanoplus sanguinipes grasshoppers were fed to 3rd and 4th instar Locusta migratoria nymphs. Locus mortality induced by A. conspersa EPV was first detected 18 days after addition of virus to the diet, and reached a level of approximately 68% of the colony population by 60 days after virus inoculation. In a similar population of L. migratoria nymphs, mortality induced by M. sanguinipes virus reached 90% 60 days after virus inoculation. Entomopoxvirus was isolated from M. sanguinipes EPV infected locust nymphs and the viral DNA was cleaved with several restriction endonucleases. The DNA fragment patterns obtained after agarose gel electrophoresis were compared with the fragment patterns from the original sample of M. sanguinipes EPV DNA cleaved with the same restriction endonucleases. No differences in the cleavage patterns were detected between the two virus DNA samples. Virus structural proteins of M. sanguinipes EPV purified from infected locust nymphs were compared by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with virus proteins isolated from the original sample of M. sanguinipes EPV. A total of six different virus protein bands were detected between the two poxvirus preparations.     

Peroxide metabolism in the cestodes Hymenolepis diminuta and Moniezia expansa

The enzymes of hydrogen peroxide metabolism have been investigated in the cestodes H. diminuta and M. expansa. Neither catalase, lipoxygenase, glutathione peroxidase, NADH peroxidase nor NADPH peroxidase could be detected in homogenates of either species. However, both H. diminuta and M. expansa possessed a peroxidase which had a high affinity for reduced cytochrome c. The peroxidase was characterized by substrate and inhibitor studies and cell fractionation showed the enzyme to be located in the mitochondrial membrane fraction. The peroxidase could act as a substitute for catalase, by destroying metabolic hydrogen peroxide. Appreciable superoxide dismutase activity was found in M. expansa and H. diminuta and it is possible that this enzyme is the source of helminth hydrogen peroxide.     

Responses of the black sea urchin Tetrapygus niger to its sea-star predators Heliaster helianthus and Meyenaster gelatinosus under field conditions

We ran field experiments to examine the responses of the black sea urchin Tetrapygus niger to predatory sea stars. Trials involving simulated attacks (one or several arms of a sea star being placed on top of half the urchin) showed that the urchin differentiated between the predatory sea stars, Heliaster helianthus and Meyenaster gelatinosus, and a non-predatory sea star, Stichaster striatus, and showed almost no response to a sea star mimic. We further compared the responses of the urchin to different threat levels presented by the two predatory sea stars. The highest threat level was a simulated attack, then mere contact, and subsequently sea stars being placed at different distances from the urchin. All urchins responded to simulated attacks and contact with both sea stars. The proportion responding decreased with distance and more rapidly in trials with H. helianthus (0% at a distance of 30 cm) than with M. gelatinosus (33% at a distance of 50 cm). At each of the threat levels where there was a response to both sea stars, the urchins responded more rapidly to M. gelatinosus than to H. helianthus. In a third experiment where a predatory sea star was added to a circular area (1-m diameter) in which either 4-8 or 11-19 undisturbed urchins were present, the urchins fled the area more rapidly when the added sea star was M. gelatinosus, but the rate of fleeing did not vary with density, as might occur if there was communication among urchins using alarm signals. Our observations suggest that M. gelatinosus presents a stronger predatory threat than H. helianthus. This corresponds to field observations showing that the urchins are more frequently consumed by M. gelatinosus. These are the first field experiments demonstrating distance chemodetection by a marine invertebrate under back-and-forth water flow from wave activity.     

Further evidence to justify reassignment of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides Large Colony type to Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri

Analysis, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction enzyme endonuclease analysis (REA), protein profile patterns, random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and antisera growth inhibition tests, of 22 strains of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides Large Colony type (MmmLC) and eight strains of M. mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc) are presented, along with a summary of comparative data from the literature for over 100 strains, all of which supports the reclassification of the MmmLC and Mmc strains into the single subspecies, M. mycoides subspecies capri.     

Hemolymph responses in Heliothis zea to inoculation with Bacillus thuringiensis or Micrococcus lysodeikticus

Direct injection into the hemolymph of Heliothis zea of either an entomopathogen (Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki) or a nonpathogen (Micrococcus lysodeikticus) is followed by a rapid phagocytosis and extensive removal of the organisms within 2 hr. The bacteria that survive this initial clearance initiate a new round of growth that is clearly evident 6–8 hr after injection. When the infecting organism is M. lysodeikticus, a second period of clearance occurs 8–12 hr after injection and nearly complete removal (many by lysis) is evident by the 12th hr. Larvae usually survive infection with this organism. When B. thuringiensis is the infecting organism, 60–80% of the phagocytized bacteria are lysed, however, the second wave of clearance seen with M. lysodeikticus does not occur; instead, the bacteria multiply extensively and death of the larvae results 12–16 hr after injection. This death does not appear to be caused either by crystalline protein or by the β-exotoxin. Analysis of hemolymph proteins using one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that although some quantitative changes were observed in some experiments, in the faster moving proteins when the infecting agent was B. thuringiensis, they were not consistent enough to support the idea that hemolymph proteins were either synthesized or used up during the time larvae were responding to the infectious agent. Dramatic changes were evident when the larvae were near death. No changes were ever observed when M. lysodeikticus was used as the infecting organism. A rapid response to infection using free spores of B. thuringiensis (sickness within 2–4 hr followed by death at 6–8 hr) may indicate that the spore germinating process is accompanied by release of a highly toxic material.     

The development of social behaviour between siblings and non-siblings of the voles Microtus ochrogaster and Microtus pennsylvanicus

It has been suggested that the strength and duration of sibling relations during the juvenile period may reflect the social structure of mammal species. Two Microtus species with contrasting social systems, M. ochrogaster and M. pennsylvanicus, were chosen for a comparative study of juvenile social behaviour. Young were observed in sibling and non-sibling dyadic encounters from the second until the seventh week of age. Social interactions consisted mainly of body nosing of the partner, and included behaviours interpreted as investigation, socialization and settling. Only minor sex differences in body nosing scores occurred, but some ontogenetic trends were noted. When the species were compared, M. ochrogaster received higher scores for body nosing and sitting in contact, and displayed more reciprocity in their nosing, than did M. pennsylvanicus, whether siblings or non-siblings were considered. When the sibling types were compared, non-sibling dyads received higher nosing scores than did siblings in both species, but the disparity was greater in M. ochrogaster than in M. pennsylvanicus. These results are interpreted with reference to known behavioural and developmental correlates of the extended family system in naturally occurring M. ochrogaster and the less communal social system in M. pennsylvanicus.     

S-Adenosylmethionine synthetase in bloodstream Trypanosoma brucei

S-adenosylmethionine synthetase was studied from bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei, the agent of African sleeping sickness. Two isoforms of the enzyme were evident from Eadie Hofstee and Hanes-Woolf plots of varying ATP or methionine concentrations. In the range 10–250 μM the K_m for methionine was 20 μM, and this changed to 200 μM for the range 0.5–5.0 mM. In the range 10–250 μM the K_m for ATP was 53 μM, and this changed to 1.75 mM for the range 0.5–5.0 mM. The trypanosome enzyme had a molecular weight of 145 kDa determined by agarose gel filtration. Methionine analogs including selenomethionine, L-2-amino-4-methoxy-cis but-3-enoic acid and ethionine acted as competitive inhibitors of methionine and as weak substrates when tested in the absence of methionine with [¹⁴C]ATP. The enzyme was not inducible in procyclic trypomastigotes in vitro, and the enzyme half-life was > 6 h. T. b. brucei AdoMet synthetase was inhibited by AdoMet (K_i 240 μM). The relative insensitivity of the trypanosome enzyme to control by product inhibition indicates it is markedly different from mammalian isoforms of the enzyme which are highly sensitive to AdoMet. Since trypanosomes treated with the ornithine decarboxylase antagonist DL-α-difluoromethylornithine accumulate AdoMet and dcAdoMet (final concentration ≈ 5 mM), this enzyme may be the critical drug target linking inhibition of polyamine synthesis to disruption of AdoMet metabolism.     

Molecular and histological identification of Marteilioides infection in Suminoe Oyster Crassostrea ariakensis, Manila Clam Ruditapes philippinarum and Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas on the south coast of Korea

The oyster ovarian parasite Marteilioides chungmuensis has been reported from Korea and Japan, damaging the oyster industries. Recently, Marteilioides-like organisms have been identified in other commercially important marine bivalves. In this study, we surveyed Marteilioides infection in the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum, Suminoe oyster Crassostrea ariakensis, and Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, using histology and Marteilioides-specific small subunit (SSU) rDNA PCR. The SSU rDNA sequence of M. chungmuensis (1716 bp) isolated from C. gigas in Tongyoung bay was 99.9% similar to that of M. chungmuensis reported in Japan. Inclusions of multi-nucleated bodies in the oocytes, typical of Marteilioides infection, were identified for the first time in Suminoe oysters. The SSU rDNA sequence of a Marteilioides-like organism isolated from Suminoe oysters was 99.9% similar to that of M. chungmuensis. Marteilioides sp. was also observed from 7 Manila clams of 1840 individuals examined, and the DNA sequences of which were 98.2% similar to the known sequence of M. chungmuensis. Unlike Marteilioides infection of Pacific oysters, no remarkable pathological symptoms, such as large multiple lumps on the mantle, were observed in infected Suminoe oysters or Manila clams. Distribution of the infected Manila clams, Suminoe oysters and Pacific oysters was limited to small bays on the south coast, suggesting that the southern coast is the enzootic area of Marteilioides infection.     

Diversimorbus metrosiderotis gen. et sp. nov. and three new species of Holocryphia (Cryphonectriaceae) associated with cankers on native Metrosideros angustifolia trees in South Africa

The Cryphonectriaceae includes important tree pathogens, especially on the Myrtales. During a routine disease survey in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, a fungus resembling the Eucalyptus pathogen Holocryphia eucalypti was observed on native Metrosideros angustifolia (Myrtales). The aims of this study were to identify the fungus and to expand surveys for fungi in the Cryphonectriaceae on M. angustifolia. Fungi were identified based on DNA sequence comparisons and morphological features, and their pathogenicity was tested on M. angustifolia under field conditions. Based on morphology and multigene phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data from six gene regions, we describe a new genus including a single species and three new species of Holocryphia (Cryphonectriaceae) from M. angustifolia. These fungi are provided with the names Diversimorbus metrosiderotis gen. et sp. nov., Holocryphia capensis sp. nov., Holocryphia gleniana sp. nov., and Holocryphia mzansi sp. nov. We also revise H. eucalypti, the type of the genus, to include only isolates from Eucalyptus in South Africa. Research results indicated that H. mzansi may undergo host shifts between different tree genera in the Myrtaceae. Inoculation tests showed that isolates of all the newly described species can cause lesions on the branches of M. angustifolia, indicating that they are all pathogens of this tree.     

Circ-8073 regulates CEP55 by sponging miR-449a to promote caprine endometrial epithelial cells proliferation via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of endogenous non-coding RNAs that function as regulators in various cells and tissues. Here, the function and mechanism of circRNA8073 (Circ-8073) on endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) and the development of endometrial receptivity were investigated in dairy goats. Circ-8073 could bind to and inhibit miR-449a activity. Circ-8073 binding to the target site of miR-449a had a negative feedback relationship. Centrosomal protein55 (CEP55) was a direct target gene of miR-449a, and Circ-8073 could increase the expression levels of CEP55 by sponging miR-449a in EECs in vitro. Circ-8073/miR-449a/CEP55 could promote EECs proliferation via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. In addition, CEP55 could regulate the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) in EECs, which contributed to the development of endometrial receptivity. These findings showed that Circ-8073 regulated CEP55 by sponging miR-449a to promote EEC proliferation via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, suggesting that it could function as a regulator in the development of endometrial receptivity in dairy goats.     

Cross-protection between the metacestodes of Mesocestoides corti and Taenia crassiceps in mice

Novak M. 1984. Cross-protection between the metacestodes of Mesocestoides corti and Taenia crassiceps in mice. International Journal for Parasitology14: 497–501. Infection with M. corti generated significant resistance against a challenge with T. crassiceps introduced either 2 or 6 weeks after primary infection. Challenge infection with T. crassiceps did not influence primary infection with M. corti. Infection with T. crassiceps protected significantly against challenge with M. corti given 2 weeks but not 6 weeks after the primary infection. Challenge infection with M. corti significantly suppressed primary infection with T. crassiceps.     

Analysis of the volatile essential oils of Murraya koenigii and Pandanus latifolius

Using well-established techniques, samples were obtained of the volatile essential oils of the two types of curry leaf, Murraya koenigii and Pandanus latifolius. Both contained mainly terpenes, and M. koenigii produced less than 4% of other components with eight monoterpene hydrocarbons (ca 16%) and 17 sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (ca 80%) being obtained. The most important constituents of M. koenigii are β-caryophyllene, β-gurjunene, β-elemene, β-phellandrene and β-thujene. The volatile essential oil of P. latifolius also contained mainly sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (6–42%) but the only monoterpene was linalool (ca 6%). Nearly 2000 times the total quantity of aroma volatiles was produced by M. koenigii compared with P. latifolius, and this partly explains the observed stronger flavour potency of the former.     

Seed germination in Marathrum schiedeanum and M. rubrum (Podostemaceae)

Marathrum schiedeanum and Marathrum rubrum are annual Podostemaceae, thus their seeds are important to their dispersal and persistence in their habitat. We assessed the effect on germination of (1) light (white, red and far red) and darkness, (2) temperature (15, 20, 25, 30 °C and alternating 20/30 °C), (3) osmotic potential (0 to −0.8 MPa), (4) proximity to moisture sources and (5) seed storage. Seeds of M. schiedeanum and M. rubrum were non-dormant and had a high germination capacity (96%). Seeds were positive photoblastic; at 15 °C germination drop to zero, and germination rate was slower at 20 °C and at 20/30 °C than at 25 °C. A small proportion of seeds of both species germinated even at osmotic potentials as low as −0.6 MPa (11%) for M. rubrum and −0.8 MPa (70%) for M. schiedeanum. Seeds germinated only when near to the source of moisture (91.3–87.1% and 53.3–35.6% for M. schiedeanum and M. rubrum, respectively) and 2 years in dry storage did not modify their capacity to germinate. At the beginning of the rainy season, light and temperature in the rivers may be high enough for germination. The ability to germinate at low osmotic potential may be related to early germination during the rainy season. This may be because the seed mucilage assists in diffusion of water from the substrate to the seed. Both species germinated faster at −0.06 MPa, than in distilled water, which may indicate appropriate conditions for germination of these short-lived species.     

Banding patterns of the chromosomes of the Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

The Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) has 21 pairs of chromosomes, many of which can easily be confused with one another by the traditional staining methods. By using the method of banding with trypsin (Seabright, 1971) we have been able to characterize the various pairs of homologous chromosomes and we have classified them by following the criteria adopted by Rothfels & Siminovich (1958). The evolutionary meaning of the results are discussed.