Possible Application of the IHI Test in the Species Identification of Hair

Immunological species differentiation of keratein from hair has previously been demonstrated by the precipitin ring test in tubes (Pillemer et al. 1939) and by the indirect hemagglutination test (Simonsen 1970). In the present study the possibility of species identification of s-carboxymethylkeratein (SGMK) from single hairs was examined. SCMK and rabbit anti-SCMK sera from man, horse, dog and ox were prepared according to methods described by Gillespie (1962) and Simonsen (1970, 1971). Suitable antisera were used for the indirect hemagglutination-inhibition (IHI) test (Stavitsky 1954). The antisera were absorbed with heterologous SCMK and the inhibition test performed using SCMK extracted from 5 cm stretches of hairs by reduction and alkylation in 1 ml fluid volumes. To each vial containing 0.5 ml of antiserum in a serial 2-fold dilution row of the respective antisera was added 0.05 ml of a homologous or a heterologous single-hair SCMK. After incubation at 37 °C for 30 min. SCMK-coated goat erythrocytes were added and the test read after incubation at 20 °C for 18 hrs.     

Some corrections in Haemogregarine (Apicomplexa: Protozoa) nomenclature

The nomenclature of three genera in the family Haemogregarinidae (Haemogregarina, Karyolysus, and Hepatozoon) has been reviewed and the following new names are introduced to replace homonyms or for previously unnamed species: haemogregarina carlosi n. nom., in the erythrocytes of the lizard Lacerta ocellata; Haemogregarina tincae n. nom., in the stomach and intestine of the tench Tinca tinca; Hepatozoon insectivorae n. sp., in the leucocytes of the shrews Sorex araneus and Crocidura leucodon; Hepatozoon krampitzi n. sp., in the leucocytes of the vole Microtus oeconomus; Hepatozoon peromysci n. sp., in the leucocytes of the deermice Peromyscus boylii and P. truei gilberti; and Hepatozoon pallida (Pessoa et al., 1971) n. comb., in the erythrocytes of the snake Thamnodynastes pallidus nattereri.     

A revision of the species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saturnius</Emphasis> Manter, 1969 (Digenea: Hemiuridae), parasites of mullets (Teleostei: Mugilidae)

The genus Saturnius Manter, 1969 is defined, its species re-examined and a key to the species presented. S. overstreeti n. sp. is described from Mugil soiuy Basilewsky and M. cephalus L. from the Russian coast of the Sea of Japan and distinguished from the morphologically related S. papernai Overstreet, 1977 and S. maurepasi Overstreet, 1977. S. segmentatus Manter, 1969 is redescribed on the basis of the type- and newly collected material from M. cephalus on the Russian coast of the Sea of Japan. The morphometric variation of S. papernai is studied based on newly collected material from Liza aurata (Risso) in the Ebro Delta and off Santa Pola, Spain. The comparisons reveal lower ranges of most metrical features than previously known. A principal component analysis, carried out after adding the new data to those of Blasco-Costa et al. (2006), confirms the species identification. Other valid species recognised are S. mugilis (Yamaguti, 1970), S. maurepasi, S. belizensis Fischthal, 1977, S. dimitrovi Blasco-Costa et al., 2006 and S. minutus Blasco-Costa et al., 2006. Forms considered species inquirendae are S. valamugilis Rekharani & Madhavi, 1984, Bunocotyle constrictus Domnich & Sarabeev, 1999 [=S. papernai of Domnich & Sarabeev (2000a, b, c, d)], B. mugilis Yamaguti, 1970 of Solonchenko (1976) and S. mugilis of Dmitrieva & Gaevskaya (2001). Host and locality information is given in detail for all species. Lisa ramado (Risso) and Chelon labrosus (Cuvier) are new host records for S. papernai (sensu stricto) and S. dimitrovi. L. aurata is a new host record for S. dimitrovi and S. minutus, and L. saliens (Risso) is a new host record for S. minutus.     

中国的脊棱齿象属(Stegolophodon)化石

剑齿象属 Stegodon 起源于脊棱齿象属 Stegolophodon,两者都是亚洲大陆晚新生代的特有动物,本文讨论两属中一些种的性质和分类位置问题,并记述了药铺脊棱齿象 Stegolophodon officinalis 的新材料.     

PCR assay for identification of Anopheles quadriannulatus species B from Ethiopia and other sibling species of the Anopheles gambiae complex

Sibling species A and B of Anopheles quadriannulatus (Theobald) are recognized as allopatric members of the Anopheles gambiae Giles complex of Afrotropical mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Species A represents An. quadriannulatus sensu stricto, widespread in southern Africa, whereas An. quadriannulatus species B occurs in Ethiopia. Because of difficulty of identification, distribution of An. quadriannulatus sensu lato remains poorly known. Cytotaxonomy and the standard DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay do not distinguish between species A and B of An. quadriannulatus. By optimizing the standard PCR assay (Scott et al., 1993) for identification of members of the An. gambiae complex, we identified two discriminant fragments of 153 bp and 900 bp from DNA of An. quadriannulatus species B, whereas only the 153 bp fragment was amplified for species A from South Africa. This modified PCR assay can therefore be used to distinguish between species A and B of An. quadriannulatus s.l. as well as other members of the An. gambiae complex.     

南中国海野生海水鱼类外寄生车轮虫新记录

研究对采自南中国海的7种海水鱼类进行了调查研究, 并分离获得4种隶属于车轮虫属的种类,分别为浦氏车轮虫Trichodina puytoraci Lom, 1962; 日本车轮虫Trichodina japonica Imai, et al., 1991; 直钩车轮虫Trichodina rectuncinata Raabe, 1958 与鲀车轮虫Trichodina fugu Imai, et al., 1997。研究发现鲀车轮虫Trichodina fugu Imai, et al., 1997为寄主鱼虫纹东方鲀Takifugu vermicularis的病原, 且能在野生条件下将其致死。上述4种车轮虫的形态分类学数据均基于干银法标本获得。研究是对我国南中国海车轮虫的首次报道。       

Molecular identification of the Anopheles nili group of African malaria vectors

Distinction between members of the Anopheles nili group of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), including major malaria vectors in riverside villages of tropical Africa, has been based mainly on doubtful morphological characters. Sequence variations of the ribosomal DNA second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) and D3 28S region between morphological forms revealed four genetic patterns corresponding to typical An. nili (Theobald), An. carnevalei Brunhes et al., An. somalicus Rivola & Holstein and the newly identified variant provisionally named Oveng form. Primers were designed based on ITS2 fixed nucleotide differences between haplotypes to develop a multiplex PCR for rapid and specific identification of each species or molecular form. Specimens of the An. nili group from Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Senegal were successfully identified to species, demonstrating the general applicability of this technique based on criteria described in this paper.     

The Mechanism of Excretion of Drugs into Milk from Untreated Glands after Intramammary Application

It is often maintained that after intramammary application of penicillin the excretion of penicillin via the untreated glands takes place by direct diffusion from treated to untreated glands (vide Hawkins et al. 1962, Jacobs & Pennings 1969, Rollins et al. 1970). Blobel (1960) mentions the possibilities of both direct diffusion from gland to gland and the excretion via the blood.     

Annotated checklist of the recent and extinct pythons (Serpentes, Pythonidae), with notes on nomenclature, taxonomy, and distribution

McDiarmid et al. (1999) published the first part of their planned taxonomic catalog of the snakes of the world. Since then, several new python taxa have been described in both the scientific literature and non-peer-reviewed publications. This checklist evaluates the nomenclatural status of the names and discusses the taxonomic status of the new taxa, and aims to continue the work of McDiarmid et al. (1999) for the family Pythonidae, covering the period 1999 to 2010. Numerous new taxa are listed, and where appropriate recent synonymies are included and annotations are made. A checklist and a taxonomic identification key of valid taxa are provided.     

A sequence of seventy-three nucleotides from the coliphage R17 genome

1. A sequence of 73 nucleotides of the RNA genome from coliphage R17 was determined. It can be read through in only one translational frame. The fragment is not part of the coatprotein cistron (Min Jou et al., 1972), nor does it come from the untranslated sequences described previously (Steitz, 1969; Nichols, 1970; Cory et al., 1970; de Wachter et al., 1971; Contreras et al., 1971; Cory et al., 1972). It contains two sequences of 23 and 24 nucleotides, 22 of which are identical. This kind of reiteration is the first one found in bacteriophage nucleic acid. 2. Improved conditions were found and tested for blocking oligonucleotides with carbodi-imide and cleaving by ribonuclease A at cytidylate residues. 3. A synthetic medium is described which allows labelling in vivo with (32)P to give specific radioactivities higher than those obtained in the procedures used previously.     

ROS: really involved in oxygen sensing

The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cellular response to cellular oxygen sensing has been controversial. Three papers in this issue of Cell Metabolism (Brunelle et al., Guzy et al., 2005; Mansfield et al., 2005) used genetic tools to establish that ROS produced by mitochondria are required for the normal induction of HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor), which is a master regulator of oxygen-sensitive gene expression, by low oxygen.     

New investigation technique for thoracic sclerites of mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae) for the correct identification of genera and species

A new technique for studying the external morphology of thoracic sclerites of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) was developed. According to this method, the shape of sclerites and the position of setae and scales can be examined using SEM or light microscopy even in cases when setae or scales have been lost. The method can be recommended for the damaged material which is often obtained during sampling. The bases of setae usually exceed 100 μm in diameter and thus differ significantly from the bases of scales which are about 30 μm in diameter. Analysis of the structure of sclerites and the arrangement of setae and scales on them in different specimens of one species may reveal intraspecific variation of this character complex. Comparison of species from different genera of the family Culicidae, as well as comparison of closely related species, will probably help to estimate the diagnostic value of thoracic sclerites as morphological characters.     

Zum Vorkommen,zur Ökologie und Morphologie von Kha-nyou,der Laos-Felsenratte (Laonastes aenigmamus)

The Kha-nyou or Lao rock rat (Laonastes aenigmamus) was described as a new species, genus and family (Laonastidae) (Jenkins et al., 2005). But morphological comparison with the family Diatomydae, a family solely based on fossil material, suggested Laonastes should be placed within this family (Dawson et al., 2006; Huchon et al., 2007). Thus Laonastes would represent the only living member of this family. Molecular genetic investigation placed Laonastes in a sister lineage to the Gundis (Ctenodactylidae) (Huchon et al., 2007). Several morphological similarities support this phylogenetic position.A new record of the species north of the known distribution in Laos was found for the Nam Kading National Biodiversity Conservation Area.The food of wild Kha-nyou includes the Euphorbie Euphorbia antiquorum, which contains caustic and skin irritating terpenester. In captivity Kha–nyou is strictly herbivorous, and doesn’t feed on offered insects, insect larvae or worms.     

Larval descriptions of the family Porcellanidae: A worldwide annotated compilation of the literature (Crustacea,Decapoda)

For most of the family Porcellanidae, which comprises 283 species, larval development remains to be described. Full development has been only described for 52 species, while part of the larval cycle has been described for 45 species. The importance of knowing the complete larval development of a species goes beyond allowing the identification of larval specimens collected in the plankton. Morphological larval data also constitute a support to cladistic techniques used in the establishment of the phylogenetic status (see Hiller et al. 2006, Marco-Herrero et al. 2013). Nevertheless, the literature on the larval development of this family is old and widely dispersed and in many cases it is difficult to collect the available information on a particular taxon. Towards the aim of facilitating future research, all information available on the larval development of porcellanids has been compiled. Following the taxonomic checklist of Porcellanidae proposed by Osawa and McLaughlin (2010), a checklist has been prepared that reflects the current knowledge about larval development of the group including larval stages and the method used to obtain the larvae, together with references. Those species for which the recognised names have been changed according to Osawa and McLaughlin (2010) are indicated.     

Some Corrections in Haemogregarine (Apicomplexa: Protozoa) Nomenclature1

The nomenclature of three genera in the family Haemogregarinidae (Haemogregarina, Karyolysus, and Hepatozoon) has been reviewed and the following new names are introduced to replace homonyms or for previously unnamed species: Haemogregarina carlosi n. nom., in the erythrocytes of the lizard Lacerta ocellata; Haemogregarina tincae n. nom., in the stomach and intestine of the tench Tinca tinca; Hepatozoon insectivorae n. sp., in the leucocytes of the shrews Sorex araneus and Crocidura leucodon; Hepatozoon krampitzi n. sp., in the leucocytes of the vole Microtus oeconomus; Hepatozoon peromysci n. sp., in the leucocytes of the deermice Peromyscus boylii and P. truei gilberti; and Hepatozoon pallida (Pessoa et al., 1971) n. comb., in the erythrocytes of the snake Thamnodynastes pallidus nattereri.     

Crepidulospora--nomen novum for the junior generic homonym (preoccupied generic name) Crepidula

Crepidulospora nom. nov. is a replacement generic name for the genus Crepidula Simakova, Pankova et Issi, 2003 based on the type species Crepidula beklemishevi Simakova, Pankova et Issi, 2003 (Microsporida) from Anopheles beklemishevi. The name proposed by Simakova et al., 2003 is a preoccupied name, because it was already used for the gastropode Crepidula Lamarque 1899 (Echinospirida, Calibraeidae), a parasite of Mytilus. A valid name of the type species of the genus is now Crepidulospora beklemishevi (Simakova, Pankova, Issi, 2003) comb. n. Crepidulospora Simakova, Pankova et Issi nom. non. Type species: Crepidula beklemishevi Simakova, Pankova, Issi, 2003. Diagnosis. Sporogony is octosporoblastic. Sporogonal stages are in direct contact with host cell cytoplasm. 8 uninucleate spores, 4.2 x 2.2 mkm, are sandals-like. Polar tube is anisofilar, with 6-7 coils (2 + 4-5). Polaroplast is three-partite, with broad vesicular, vesicular and lamellar compartments. Microsporidia ilnfects larval adipose tissues. Type host: Anopheles beklemishevi (Diptera, Culicidae).     

Immune plexins and semaphorins: old proteins,new immune functions

Plexins and semaphorins are a large family of proteins that are involved in cell movement and response. The importance of plexins and semaphorins has been emphasized by their discovery in many organ systems including the nervous (Nkyimbeng-Takwi and Chapoval, 2011; McCormick and Leipzig, 2012; Yaron and Sprinzak, 2012), epithelial (Miao et al., 1999; Fujii et al., 2002), and immune systems (Takamatsu and Kumanogoh, 2012) as well as diverse cell processes including angiogenesis (Serini et al., 2009; Sakurai et al., 2012), embryogenesis (Perala et al., 2012), and cancer (Potiron et al., 2009; Micucci et al., 2010). Plexins and semaphorins are transmembrane proteins that share a conserved extracellular semaphorin domain (Hota and Buck, 2012). The plexins and semaphorins are divided into four and eight subfamilies respectively based on their structural homology. Semaphorins are relatively small proteins containing the extracellular semaphorin domain and short intracellular tails. Plexins contain the semaphorin domain and long intracellular tails (Hota and Buck, 2012). The majority of plexin and semaphorin research has focused on the nervous system, particularly the developing nervous system, where these proteins are found to mediate many common neuronal cell processes including cell movement, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and signal transduction (Choi et al., 2008; Takamatsu et al., 2010). Their roles in the immune system are the focus of this review.