Adventitious agents, new technology, and risk assessment, 19-20 May 2011, Baltimore, MD

In May 2011, the International Alliance for Biological Standardization, with the cooperation of WHO, FDA, and NIAID, organized a conference on adventitious agents that might be found in biological products using new technology (http://www.iabs.org/index.php/past-conference-reports/116-baltimore-2011-slides). The implications of such findings on risk assessment also were considered. Topics that were addressed included: a) current routine testing – what are we doing now?; b) recent advances in testing – what tests are being explored/applied?; c) examples of finding agents with “new” techniques; and d) risk assessment, including recent WHO activities. A draft algorithm for risk assessment was discussed in terms of its applicability to a variety of potential new agents and the possibilities for improving it.     

Joint Report of the Third International Bovine Lymphocyte Antigen (BoLA) Workshop, Helsinki, Finland, 27 July 1986

Summary. Two hundred and eighty-two alloantisera were submitted by 20 participating laboratories from 13 countries and tested against lymphocytes of 1298 cattle. The cell panel consisted of samples from 38 Bos taurus breeds, 11 Bos taurus crossbreeds, 4 Bos indicus breeds, 6 Bos taurus X Bos indicus , and a variety of other crossbred populations. Using a standardized lymphocytotoxicity test, all 17 previously identified BoLA specificities were confirmed. The workshop produced agreement on 16 new lymphocyte alloantigenic specificities. Three of the new specificities behaved as splits of previously identified BoLA specificities. Four of the new specificities behaved as alleles at the agreed BoLA-A locus. Seven new specificities are tentatively assigned to the BoLA-A locus but require further definition. Two new specificities may represent products of a second closely-linked BoLA locus.     

Joint report of the Third International Bovine Lymphocyte Antigen (BoLA) Workshop, Helsinki, Finland, 27 July 1986

Two hundred and eighty-two alloantisera were submitted by 20 participating laboratories from 13 countries and tested against lymphocytes of 1298 cattle. The cell panel consisted of samples from 38 Bos taurus breeds, 11 Bos taurus crossbreeds, 4 Bos indicus breeds, 6 Bos taurus x Bos indicus, and a variety of other crossbred populations. Using a standardized lymphocytotoxicity test, all 17 previously identified BoLA specificities were confirmed. The workshop produced agreement on 16 new lymphocyte alloantigenic specificities. Three of the new specificities behaved as splits of previously identified BoLA specificities. Four of the new specificities behaved as alleles at the agreed BoLA-A locus. Seven new specificities are tentatively assigned to the BoLA-A locus but require further definition. Two new specificities may represent products of a second closely-linked BoLA locus.     

11,13-Dehydroeriolin,schkuhrioidin and schkuhriolid,germacranolides from Schkuhria species

The isolation is reported of the new germacrolide, 11,13-dehydroeriolin, the new melampolide schkuhrioidin and schkuhriolide from Schkuhria schkuhrioides. 11,13-Dehydroeriolin is also a constituent of S. virgata. The structure and stereochemistry of the new compounds were established on chemical and spectroscopic grounds.     

Molecular Identification,Genotyping, Phenotyping,and Antifungal Susceptibilities of Medically Important Trichosporon,Apiotrichum, and Cutaneotrichosporon Species

Mycopathologia - Recently, Trichosporon taxonomy has been reevaluated and new genera of the Trichosporonaceae family have been described. Here, 26 clinical isolates were submitted for...     

Structure, biosynthesis, and properties of kurstakins, nonribosomal lipopeptides from Bacillus spp.

A new family of lipopeptides produced by Bacillus thuringiensis, the kurstakins, was discovered in 2000 and considered as a biomarker of this species. Kurstakins are lipoheptapeptides displaying antifungal activities against Stachybotrys charatum. Recently, the biosynthesis mechanism, the regulation of this biosynthesis and the potential new properties of kurstakins were described in the literature. In addition, kurstakins were also detected in other species belonging to Bacillus genus such as Bacillus cereus. This mini-review gathers all the information about these promising bioactive molecules.     

Design, synthesis, and antitumor activity of new bis-aminomethylnaphthalenes

A new series of bis-aminomethylnaphthalenes were synthesized in satisfactory overall yield, through a simple synthetic strategy using reductive amination. The DNA binding properties of these compounds have been examined and compared to those of reference drugs using an UV spectroscopy method. The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity and some of them were studied in vivo. Compound 15 exhibited remarkable antitumor activity and represents a novel template for anticancer chemotherapy and can serve as a new lead compound.     

滇西北老君山的大型真菌分布及新记录种

报道滇西北老君山172种大型真菌,其中有63种食用菌,40种药用菌,7个中国新记录种和20个云南新记录种,并对中国新记录种进行了简要描述,分析了这些种类与特定的植被、海拔、生境的关系。     

Joint Report of the Fourth International Bovine Lymphocyte Antigen (BoLA) Workshop, East Lansing, Michigan, USA, 25 August 1990

Blood samples from 54 animals were exchanged between 15 laboratories in nine countries to improve and expand BoLA class I and class II typing. A total of 27 out of 33 (82%) of previously accepted BoLA-w specificities were represented within the cell panel. Seventeen new serum-defined BoLA specificities were accepted by the workshop participants, thus expanding the number of internationally recognized BoLA specificities to 50. The large number of new specificities detected resulted from the number of serological reagents used (n = 1139) and the genetic diversity of the cell panel. Confidence derived from the high percentage of agreement between the laboratories on antigen detection (97.3%; r = 0.84) permitted the removal of the workshop (w) notation from 23 BoLA-w specificities and their acceptance as full status BoLA-A antigens. Two new non-BoLA antigens were also detected, one completely included within the red blood cell factor S' (BoLy-S'), whereas a second (BoLy-w1) did not show any association with tested red blood cell factors. A comparison between serological, isoelectric focusing (IEF) and DNA typing for BoLA class II polymorphism was conducted with a subset of workshop cells. Correlation between the three methods was significant for three combinations of alleles. Three other serologically defined class II specificities were correlated with DR and/or DQ restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) types, whereas six additional IEF types were correlated with DR and/or DQ RFLP types (r greater than or equal to 0.50). Several new IEF, DRB, DQA and DQB RFLP patterns were identified. In 46 animals that were typed for BoLA-DR and DQ genes by RFLP analysis, 46 different BoLA haplotypes were tentatively defined. These 46 haplotypes were distinguished by 31 serologically-defined BoLA-A alleles (and 2 'blanks'), 15 DRB RFLP types (plus up to 10 new DRB RFLP patterns) and 23 DQA-DQB haplotypes.     

APPEARANCE, DISTRIBUTION, AND GENETIC DISTINCTIVENESS OF LONGMAN'S BEAKED WHALE, INDOPACETUS PACIFICUS

Longman's beaked whale, Indopacetus pacificus , was known previously from only two skulls. Here we describe four new specimens of this species from strandings in the western and central Indian Ocean. Two juveniles, previously misidentified from external morphology as Hyperoodon planifrons , were identified as I. pacificus through diagnostic characteristics of mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences derived from the holotype of this species. Images of the external appearance and teeth of the species are presented for the first time. Comparison of the color pattern of these new specimens with that of "tropical bottlenose whales" sighted in the tropical Indian and Pacific oceans confirm that those unidentified whales represent I. pacificus. Moore (1968) erected a new genus, Indopacetus , for this species (described initially as Mesoplodon pacificus ) based primarily on cranial morphology. Phylogenetic analyses of short mtDNA fragments available from the specimens known to date were unable to resolve the validity of this genus. However, the diagnostic osteological features highlighted by Moore (1968) for Indopacetus were also observed in the new specimens. Rib count and number of fused cervical vertebrae may also be diagnostic. Rostrum depth at mid-length and melon shape further distinguish this species from Mesoplodon beaked whales. As such, we see no reason on morphological grounds to overturn Moore's (1968) proposal that Longman's beaked whale is sufficiently distinct to be afforded its own genus.     

New genera, species, and improved phylogeny of Glissomonadida (Cercozoa)

Glissomonadida is an important cercozoan order of predominantly biflagellate gliding bacterivores found largely in soil and freshwater. Their vast diversity is largely undescribed. We studied 23 mostly newly isolated strains by light microscopy and sequenced their 18S rDNA genes; nine represent new species. For two misidentified ATCC 'Heteromita triangularis' strains, we establish novel gliding genera and species: the sandonid Mollimonas lacrima, the only glissomonad forming anterior and posterior pseudopodia, and Dujardina stenomorpha, a strongly flattened member of the new family Dujardinidae. A new strain from Oxfordshire grassland soil is the first reliably identified isolate of the virtually uniflagellate, smooth-gliding glissomonad genus, AllantionSandon, 1924. Phylogenetic analysis and cytological features reveal Allantion to be a member of Allapsidae. Sandona limna and Bodomorpha prolixa from Lake Baikal and Sandona hexamutans from volcanic Costa Rican soil are described as new species. Fifteen glissomonad strains were from grassland beside Lake Baikal. We describe two as new species of Sandona (S. heptamutans and S. octamutans); the others included strains of Sandona and Allapsa species that have already been described; and three were new species of Sandona and Allapsa but these died before being described. We discuss the ecological and evolutionary significance of these new strains.     

Antimicrobial Pyridazines: Synthesis,Characterization, Cytotoxicity,Substrate Promiscuity,and Molecular Docking

A facile and convenient synthesis of new pyridazines suitable for use as antimicrobial agents was reported. The hydrazide intermediate was coupled with various benzaldehydes and/or acetophenones and cyclized instantaneously to afford target pyridazine derivatives. The structures of new pyridazines were confirmed by IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, elemental analysis in addition to representative LC/MS. Antimicrobial activity was screened against 10 bacterial and fungal strains. The new pyridazines showed strong to very strong antibacterial activity against Gram‐negative (GNB) bacteria, while none of them showed significant antifungal activity at the same concentration range. Chloro derivatives exhibited the highest antibacterial activity with MICs (0.892–3.744 μg/mL) lower than that of chloramphenicol (2.019–8.078 μg/mL) against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. marcescens. Prediction of ADME parameters, pharmacokinetics, and substrate promiscuity revealed that these new pyridazines could be promising drug candidates. Cytotoxic studies on rat hepatocytes showed how much safe these new pyridazines on living organisms (IC₅₀>64 μg/mL). MOE docking studies showed a good overlay of these new pyridazines with co‐crystallized ligand within an E. coli DNA gyrase subunit B active sites (4KFG).     

云南台蚱属一新种记述(直翅目,蚱总科,蚱科)

记述采自云南昆明台蚱属1新种,即昆明台蚱Formosatettix kunmingensis sp.nov..模式标本保存在陕西师范大学动物研究所标本室.     

New marine steroids, yonarasterols, isolated from the okinawan soft coral, Clavularia viridis

Six new marine steroids, yonarasterols A through F, were isolated from the Okinawan soft coral, Clavularia viridis. Their structures were determined based on the results of spectroscopic analysis.     

中国东北部那丹哈达地体T-J界线地层中的放射虫生物组合

本研究系统描述了中国东北那丹哈达地体中三叠系顶部和侏罗系下部的放射虫动物群及其系统分类,包括5个放射虫生物群,建立了一个新属,10个新种,并报道了121个种级分类单元。通过与加拿大和日本的相关动物群进行比较研究,我们确定了所描述的放射虫生物群的年代归属分别为:晚三叠世诺利(Norian)晚期至瑞替(Rhaetian)早期,辛涅缪尔(Sinemurian)早、中期。     

Design, synthesis, and anti-integrase activity of catechol-DKA hybrids

Following the discovery of diketoacid-containing compounds as HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors, a plethora of new molecules have been published leading to four drugs under clinical trial. In an attempt to rationally design new dimeric diketoacids (DKAs) targeting two divalent metal ions on the active site of IN, potent inhibitors against purified IN were found with varied selectivity for strand transfer. In this context, we designed and synthesized a new series of catechol-DKA hybrids. These compounds presented micromolar anti-integrase activities with moderate antiviral properties.     

Identification of new bile alcohols, 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,24,26-tetrol, 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,25,26-tetrol, and 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,26,27-tetrol in human gallbladder bile

The nature of cholestanetetrols present as the glucurono-conjugates in human gallbladder bile was studied. Glucurono-conjugated bile alcohols were isolated by ion exchange chromatography and, after enzymatic hydrolysis, were fractionated by reversed phase partition chromatography to give a fraction containing tetrahydroxy bile alcohols which was analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Along with the three previously identified bile alcohols, 5 alpha- and 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha,24-tetrols, and 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha,26-tetrol, three new cholestanetetrols, possessing two hydroxyl groups in the ring system and two in the side chain, were detected in the tetrahydroxy bile alcohol fraction. These new bile alcohols were identified as 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha, 7 alpha,24,26-tetrol, 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha, 7 alpha,25,26-tetrol, and 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha, 7 alpha,26,27-tetrol by direct comparison of their gas-liquid chromatographic behaviors and mass spectral data with those of authentic standards prepared from chenodeoxycholic acid by partial synthesis.     

中国委夜蛾属二新种记述(鳞翅目,夜蛾科,木冬夜蛾亚科)

通过对西藏夜蛾科标本的研究发现委夜蛾属2新种,墨脱委夜蛾Athetis motuoensis sp.nov.和汉密委夜蛾Athetis hanmiensis sp.nov.。文中提供西藏地区委夜蛾属的分种检索表和新种特征图及新种的详细描述。模式标本保存在东北林业大学标本室。墨脱委夜蛾,新种Athetis motuoensis sp.nov.(图1,3,5,7)本种外部形态上与条委夜蛾相似,仅前翅基部、内横线区、外横线区、外缘区和中横线暗褐色。主要区别于外生殖器上:爪形突宽短;抱器端窄而圆;抱器背延伸发达,超过抱器腹缘,末端较细;抱器内突在距抱握器基部3/4处出发,可达抱握器顶端;阳茎轭片脊部短而宽,中部平滑,下端部宽圆;囊形突较窄,略呈V形;阳茎逐渐弯曲,在末端着生有硬化的齿,龙骨稍硬化且细而长;阳茎端膜基囊中等大小,在角状突带的起始部位着生有5个长而粗大的角状突。正模雄性,西藏墨脱,海拔2100m,2005-08-24~26,黄灏、周达康、唐亮采,玻片编号HHL-1012。副模:5♂♂,3♀♀,其它采集资料同正模,雌性玻片编号HHL-1011。词源:以新种模式产地命名。汉密委夜蛾,新种Athetis hanmiensis sp.nov.(图2,4,6,8)本种外部形态上与A.suffusa(Yoshimoto,1994)相似,仅前翅红褐色明显。主要区别于外生殖器上:爪形突相对大一些;抱器端宽而平直;抱器背延伸发达,末端较细,在抱器腹缘末端伸出;抱器内突在距抱握器基部3/5处出发,可达抱握器顶端;阳茎轭片较大,脊部长而宽,中下端部宽圆;囊形突较窄,呈明显的V形;阳茎逐渐变细,龙骨硬化重且细而长;阳茎端膜基囊中等大小,具有1个小角状突,在角状突带的起始部位着生有6个长而粗大的角状突。正模雄性,西藏汉密,海拔2000m,2005-08-19~23,黄灏、周达康、唐亮采,玻片编号HHL-1017。副模:4♂♂,6♀♀,其它采集资料同正模,雌性玻片编号HHL-1016。词源:以新种模式产地命名。