Monocentric fungi on species of rhizosolenia from saline habitats

Summary Eight monocentric fungi are reported in two provisionally identified species ofRhizosolenia from sea-water. Only two species are assigned specific names. These areRhizophydium planktonicum Canter andR. fragilariae Canter. A fungus with depressed-globose sporangia is included as a form ofR. fragilariae. Two unidentified species ofChytridium are reported. A fungus tentatively assigned toZygorhizidium and a form provisionally assigned toPetersenia are also reported and described insofar as their characteristics are known.     

NOTE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF A VENTRAL SUCKER-LIKE MOUTH FORM IN LABEO UMBRATUS (PISCES,CYPRINIDAE)

SUMMARY

The occurrence of a ventral sucker-like mouth form in certain populations of Labeo umbratus, which are free from competition by L. aapensis, is reported. It is proposed that this might be an adaptation to feeding off stones which enhances the fish's changes of survival. If this is so, the absense of mouth form variation in Orange River populations illustrates the force of interspecific competition with L. capensis.     

The occurrence of shell-boring Phaeophila species in Britain

Phaeophila tenuis (Kylin) R. Nielsen (= Entocladia tenuis Kylin) is reported for the first time from British shores. The existence in Britain of a form intermediate in morphology between P. tenuis and Phaeophila engleri Reinke is also noted. The relationships of this form and P. tenuis to each other and to Phaeophila dendroides (Crouan frat.) Batt. are discussed with reference to the effect of host-shell species and habitat on morphology.     

Characterization of a cell-associated inulosucrase from a novel source: a Leuconostoc citreum strain isolated from Pozol,a fermented corn beverage of Mayan origin

A cell-associated fructosyltransferase was extracted from a novel source, a strain of Leuconostoc citreum isolated from Pozol, a Mexican traditional fermented corn beverage, where lactic microflora are partially responsible for the transformation process. The enzyme is associated with the cell wall. It was characterized both in its cell-associated insoluble form and after separation by urea treatment. The fructosyltransferase has a molecular mass of 170 kDa, the highest reported for this type of enzyme, and in its insoluble form is highly specific for polymer synthesis, with low fructose transferred to maltose and lactose added to the reaction medium (acceptor reactions). The synthesized polymer has an inulin-like structure with β2-1 glycosidic linkages, as demonstrated by ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Bacterial inulosucrases have only been reported in Streptococcus mutans. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 112–117 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000224 Received 25 September 2000/ Accepted in revised form 30 October 2001     

The occurrence of body scales in Oxyrrhis marina Dujardin

Previously reported flagellar scales of spiral form on Oxyrrhis marina Dujardin extend to cover the whole body. These and the distribution of trichocysts are described in detail.     

Notes on some British Barbulas

Abstract

The moss Hypnum cupressiforme var. heseleri is reported new to the British Isles and its status is discussed. Line drawings and a photographic illustration are provided. It was found growing on an apple tree on the Royal Estate, at Flitcham in West Norfolk. It differs from other species of Hypnum in its distinctive rounded-concave leaf form and julaceous branches. The habitat and ecology are broadly similar to those in the other European sites from which this moss has been reported.     

Childhood Psychological,Physical, and Sexual Maltreatment in Outpatients with Binge Eating Disorder: Frequency and Associations with Gender,Obesity, and Eating‐Related Psychopathology

Objective: To examine rates of reported childhood maltreatment in binge eating disorder (BED), and to explore associations with obesity, gender, eating disorder features, and associated functioning. Research Methods and Procedures: Subjects were 145 consecutive outpatients with BED as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4^th edition. Subjects were interviewed and they completed questionnaires to assess eating disorder features and functioning. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was given to assess childhood maltreatment in five domains (emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect). Results: A total of 83% of BED patients reported some form of childhood maltreatment. A total of 59% of BED patients reported emotional abuse, 36% reported physical abuse, 30% reported sexual abuse, 69% reported emotional neglect, and 49% reported physical neglect. There were no differences in the distribution of any form of childhood maltreatment by gender or by obesity status. The different forms of maltreatment were not associated with variability in current body mass index, binge eating, or in the attitudinal features of eating disorders. Only one of the five forms of maltreatment (physical neglect) was associated with dietary restraint in women. Emotional abuse was significantly associated with greater body dissatisfaction, higher depression, and lower self‐esteem in men and women and sexual abuse was associated with greater body dissatisfaction in men. The different forms of maltreatment were unrelated to the age at onset of overweight, dieting, or binge eating. Discussion: BED outpatients reported a wide range of childhood experiences of maltreatment that do not differ by gender or obesity status. Different forms of maltreatment were not associated with the onset of overweight, dieting, or binge eating, or with variability in current body mass index or eating disorder features (except for one association between physical neglect and dietary restraint). Reports of emotional abuse were associated with greater body dissatisfaction and depression and lower self‐esteem in men and women and sexual abuse with greater body dissatisfaction in men.     

Flavodoxin fromAzotobacter vinelandii

Summary A flavoprotein fromAzotobacter vinelandii, named in the literature Shethna flavoprotein or azotoflavin, has recently been shown to catalyze acetylene reduction by a cell-free nitrogenase preparation fromAzotobacter. In this communication this result is confirmed. Moreover, the Shethna flavoprotein is now shown to replace ferredoxin in the catalysis of NADP⁺-reduction by illuminated spinach chloroplasts or by molecular hydrogen and hydrogenase fromClostridium. Evidence is presented that the fully reduced form of the Shethna flavoprotein is involved in the catalysis of NADP⁺-reduction. This indicates that the Shethna flavoprotein functions as a substitute for an one electron carrier shuttling between fully reduced and semiquinoid form. From the data reported here, together with that in the literature, it is concluded that this flavoprotein belongs to the class of flavodoxins. Some preliminary results on ferredoxin fromAzotobacter are reported.A flavoprotein fromAzotobacter commonly referred in the literature as the Shethna flavoprotein or azotoflavin is found to exhibit the characteristics of a flavodoxin.     

Approximate Confidence Bounds for Ripley's Statistic for Random Points in a Square

Confidence envelopes for Ripley's L function for N random points in the unit square were obtained by simulation. The 90, 95 and 99th percentiles of 1000 simulations are given in tabular form for N in the range 10 to 350. Results for a number of choices of the maximum interpoint distance are reported.     

Chlorella Infection in a Sheep in Mexico and Minireview of Published Reports from Humans and Domestic Animals

Algal infections are rare in humans and domestic animals. Prototheca spp. and Chlorella spp. are among the most commonly reported. Herein, we present a brief review on Chlorella spp. infections and related pathologies and discuss this information including a natural case in a sheep in Mexico with a disseminated form of the disease.     

NMR assignments of oxidised thioredoxin from Plasmodium falciparum

During its life cycle, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is found intracellular to human erythrocytes, where its survival and ability to multiply critically depends on the control of the environment redox state. Thioredoxin is a small protein containing 104 amino acids that is part of the parasite specific redox system. During the catalytic cycle it alternates between a reduced and oxidised form. Here we report the complete resonance assignment of Plasmodium falciparum thioredoxin in its oxidized form by heteronuclear multidimensional spectroscopy. The obtained chemical shifts differ significantly from those reported earlier for this protein in its reduced state.     

Management imperatives forVarecia in captivity

A review of the captive history and status ofVarecia is presented followed by specific management recommendations for bothVarecia v. variegata andVarecia v. rubra. The total living captive population for the nominate form numbers 398 animals while that for the red and black form numbers 148 individuals as of 31 December 1986.Varecia v. variegata is reported to be a rapidly growing population originating from a founder population (wildborn animals which have produced offspring) of 21 animals. Management direction for this subspecies includes equalization of founder representation and controlled reproduction.Varecia v. rubra is reported to be more highly inbred with 79.35% of the captive population originating from 3 of 8 founders. The management imperatives for this subspecies include: 1) acquisition of a small number of wildborn red ruffed lemurs to be infused into the captive population over an extended period of time; 2) increase population; 3) equalize founder representation; 4) locate space. Encouragement ofin situ research and conservation activities is strongly advocated. Formerly: International Ruffed Lemur Studbook Keeper San Diego Zoo Box 551, San Diego, California 92112     

COLONY AND FRUSTULE MORPHOLOGY OF THREE TUBE-DWELLING DIATOMS FROM EASTERN CANADA1

Three species of Navicula are described from light and scanning electron microscopy. Navicula bottnica Grunow, has not previously been illustrated at the SEM level, nor has it previously been reported to form colonies, but the cells appear to be identical to Schizonema smithii C. Agardh (sensu van Heurck) and the name is amended to Navicula smithii (C. Ag.) van Heurck. The colonies are irregularly branched, the cells within forming strands which frequently appear braided. Material of N. delognei van Heurck differs in several points from typical material and a new form, elliptica is proposed. Observations on the third species, N. pseudocomoides corroborate recent work by Cox in Britain.     

Biodegradation of chlorinated biphenyls and benzoic acids by a Pseudomonas strain

Summary A Pseudomonas strain able to grown on biphenyl and 2- and 4-chlorobiphenyl has been isolated from soil. Benzoate-grown cultures of this strain were able to cometabolize other chlorobiphenyls to the corresponding chlorobenzoates. In contrast to most of the chlorobiphenyl-degrading strains described previously in the literature, which are reported to form chlorobenzoates as end metabolites from chlorobiphenyls, this strain is also able to further cometabolize chlorobenzoates to form ring-cleaved compounds.     

THE SPECIES OF CIBORINIA PATHOGENIC TO HERBACEOUS ANGIOSPERMS

Batra , Lekh R., and Richard P. Korf . (Cornell U., Ithaca, N. Y.) The species of Ciborinia pathogenic to herbaceous angiosperms. Amer. Jour. Bot. 46(6): 441–450. Illus. 1959.—On the basis of anatomical studies, 2 distinct species of Ciborinia, a generic segregate of Sclerotinia, are shown to occur on Erythronium. The life history and phytopathology of one of these, C. erythronii, are reported. The species is shown to be homothallic, to develop its sclerotia in nearly all parts of the plant, to overwinter also in the form of mycelium in bulbs, and to form spermatia in the field. Experiments on factors affecting formation of sclerotia and apothecia in the laboratory are reported. Prolonged washing of sclerotia formed in the laboratory proved to be an important factor for development of apothecia. A new species, C. trillii, pathogenic to Trillium is described, as is a new species, C. violae, pathogenic to Viola. The generic diagnosis of Ciborinia is emended on the basis of these studies. A new combination, C. hirtella, is also proposed.     

Significance of a new chromosome number in Nitella mirabilis Nordst. ex Groves em. R.D.W.

The new chromosome number n = 9 has been reported in Nitella mirabilis Nordst. ex. Groves em. R.D.W. Discussing the significance of this new chromosome number with regard to arthrodactylous and anarthrodactylous groups of the genus Nitella, the possible origin of a 9 chromosome form of N. mirabilis due to hybridization has been suggested.     

Characterization of Hlcyst-3 as a member of cystatins from the tick <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haemaphysalis longicornis</Emphasis>

The gene encoding cystatin from the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis has been reported previously. In the study reported here, we characterized a member of cystatins and designated it as Hlcyst-3 (H. longicornis cystatin-3). Its full-length cDNA is 602 bp, and it encodes a putative 129 amino acid protein with an obvious signal peptide. Sequence analysis revealed that it has significant homology with the known secreted cystatin. The recombinant protein was expressed in a GST-fused soluble form in Escherichia coli and was purified by affinity chromatography. The inhibitory activity of the recombinant protein against papain and cathepsin L was identified by fluorogenic substrate analysis. Real-time PCR revealed that Hlcyst-3 was mostly expressed in the tick midgut.     

A Case of Rhinoorbital Mucormycosis in a Leukemic Patient with a Literature Review from Turkey

Mucormycosis (Zygomycosis) is a rare, invasive, opportunistic fungal infection of the paranasal sinuses, caused by a fungus of the order Mucorales. We report a case of rhinoorbital mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae in an acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient and review the 79 Mucormycosis cases reported in the last decade from Turkey. In our case, the diagnosis was made with endoscopic appearance, computerized tomography of the paranasal sinuses, and culture of the surgical materials. Following aggressive surgical debridement and parenteral amphotericin B therapy, the patient recovered completely. In Turkish literature, rhinocerebral manifestations were the most common form of the mucormycosis (64 cases), followed by pulmonary form (6 cases). The most common risk factor was hematologic malignancies (32 cases) and diabetes mellitus (32 cases), similar to those reported from the rest of the world. The etiologic agents responsible for the review cases were Rhizopus sp., Mucor spp., Rhizomucor spp., Rhizopus oryzae, Mucor circinelloides, and Lichtheimia corymbifera. Although various treatment modalities were used, amphotericin B was the mainstay of therapy. Mortality rate was found to be 49.4% in review cases. It seems that strong clinical suspicion and early diagnosis, along with aggressive antifungal therapy and endoscopic sinus surgery, have great importance for better prognosis in mucormycosis.     

Artifact formation during gas chromatographic—mass spectrometric analysis of a methylsulfinyl-containing metabolite

During gas chromatographic—mass spectrometric analysis using a heated injector, 1-methylthio-4-methylsulfinyltetrachlorobenzene degraded to form tetrachlorothioanisole. Similar reductive defunctionalizations have been reported during in vivo metabolisms. Caution should be used to distinguish metabolites from artifacts which may be formed during the analysis of methylsulfoxides.