Redescription of large-scale eelpout <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycodes macrolepis</Emphasis> Taranetz et Andriashev, 1935 (Perciformes: Zoarcidae)

Morphology of a rare species—large-scale eelpout Lycodes macrolepis Taranetz et Andriashev, 1935—has been studied. It was shown that the main lateral line of this species has a ventrolateral configuration rather than medial, as was considered previously. Large-scale eelpout is an endemic species of the Sea of Okhotsk; evidence of its finding in the Sea of Japan is based on the erroneous classification of another eelpout species.     

A Record of the Cubed Snailfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Liparis tessellatus</Emphasis> (Pisces: Liparidae), in Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

A specimen of the cubed snailfish, Liparis tessellatus was captured in Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan. The capture of L. tessellatus from this area a century after the first record is evidence that at present this species still inhabits Peter the Great Bay.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Biologiya Morya, Sokolovskii, Sokolovskaya.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus anthracis</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Francisella tularensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yersinia pestis</Emphasis>. The most important bacterial warfare agents — <Emphasis Type="Italic">review</Emphasis>

There are three most important bacterial causative agents of serious infections that could be misused for warfare purposes: Bacillus anthracis (the causative agent of anthrax) is the most frequently mentioned one; however, Fracisella tularensis (causing tularemia) and Yersinia pestis (the causative agent of plague) are further bacterial agents enlisted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention into the category A of potential biological weapons. This review intends to summarize basic information about these bacterial agents. Military aspects of their pathogenesis and the detection techniques suitable for field use are discussed.     

Multiple host-ant use by the predatory social parasite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phengaris</Emphasis> (=<Emphasis Type="Italic">Maculinea</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">arion</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera,Lycaenidae)

Phengaris (=Maculinea) arion is an endangered social parasite of Myrmica ants, and for a very long time was considered as specific to Myrmica sabuleti. Previous studies carried out in Poland suggested some discrepancies within this assumption, and therefore a much more intensive survey was undertaken. The host ant use of P. arion was studied at five sites in different types of biotopes in Poland, i.e. xerothermal grasslands where Thymus pulegioides was used as a larval food plant by the butterfly, and more or less sandy biotopes with Thymus serpyllum. Altogether nine Myrmica species were recorded, and considerable variation in species composition and density of nests was recorded. At four localities M. sabuleti proved to be the most common ant. A total of 529 Myrmica nests were examined, and only 20 of them contained larvae and pupae of P. arion. Host ants belonged to five different species, i.e. M. sabuleti, Myrmica scabrinodis, Myrmica schencki, Myrmica lobicornis and Myrmica hellenica. Only at one site (NE Poland) was a significant heterogeneity in parasitation rates among Myrmica species detected. M. lobicornis was the most often infested ant there, which may suggest local specialisation of the butterfly. Overall low parasitism rates may explain the vulnerability of P. arion in Central Europe but further studies are also necessary.     

Life cycle of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aylax hypecoi</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Insecta: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae</Emphasis>), a gall inducer on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypecoum</Emphasis> ssp. (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Papaveraceae</Emphasis>)

The life cycle and developmental stages of Aylax hypecoi (Trotter, 1913, Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Aylacini) were studied in detail. Aylax hypecoi is known to induce galls in fruits of two Hypecoum species — H. imberbe and H. geslini (Papaveraceae) and the larva develops in host plant fruits. The morphology and development of egg, larva and pupa were investigated, which has previously not been done. The shape and size of terminal-instar larvae and associated galls are sex-specific. Overwintering stage, adult emergence and flying periods, and egg productivity were studied also.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Barleria compacta</Emphasis>: a new species in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Barleria</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prionitis</Emphasis> (Acanthaceae) from Somalia

Following a re-examination of the material treated under Barleria brevispina (Fiori) Hedrén in the recent Flora of Somalia account of the Acanthaceae, it is concluded that two distinct species are involved and Barleria compacta Malombe & I. Darbysh. is described here from north-eastern Somalia. Its affinities and conservation status are discussed.     

Preparation of galactans from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gracilaria debilis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gracilaria salicornia</Emphasis> (Gracilariales,Rhodophyta) of Indian waters

Superior quality non-methylated and low-sulphated galactans were extracted from two Indian agarophytes namely Gracilaria debilis and G. salicornia growing naturally along the west coast of India, using an eco-friendly method developed in our laboratory. The galactans were characterised by FT-IR, ¹³C NMR, GC-MS, ICP, GPC and rheological measurements. G. debilis produced exclusively non-methylated galactan exhibiting the greatest gel strength of 650±25 g cm⁻² and lowest sulphate of 0.21±0.06%. On the contrary, G. salicornia polysaccharide was composed of non-methylated galactose (major) and mannose (minor), having gel strength of 510±25 g cm⁻² and sulphate of 0.45±0.06%. Very low heavy metal contents were determined in both the galactan samples, which may thus be potentially useful in food and biological applications.     

Synthesis of orthogonally protected (<Emphasis Type="Italic">3R</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">4S</Emphasis>)- and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">3S</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">4S</Emphasis>)-4,5-diamino-3-hydroxypentanoic acids

Summary.  The paper describes two methods of the synthesis of ethyl (3R,4S)- and (3S,4S)-4-[(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino]-5-[(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)amino]-3-hydroxypentanoates, useful for the syntheses of edeine analogs. Differently N-protected (S)-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid was used as a substrate in both procedures. The absolute configuration of newly generated asymmetric carbon atoms C-3 in β-hydroxy-γ,δ-diamino products was assigned by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopy after their transformation into corresponding piperidin-2-ones. Received May 24, 2002 Accepted October 10, 2002 Published online December 18, 2002 Acknowledgment The authors are indebted to the Faculty of Chemistry, Technical University of Gdańsk for financial support. Authors' address: Zbigniew Czajgucki, M. Sc., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Technical University of Gdańsk, 11/12 Narutowicza St., 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland, Fax +48 58 347 11 44, E-mail: zmczaj@wp.pl     

Morphological and molecular characterization of two ITS groups of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe</Emphasis> (Erysiphales) occurring on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Syringa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ligustrum</Emphasis> (Oleaceae)

ITS sequences determined for 53 Erysiphe specimens on Syringa and Ligustrum collected in Europe, East Asia, and North and South America were divided into two ITS groups, S and K types. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these two ITS types do not share a common ancestor and form separate clades. The K type on Ligustrum was identified as Erysiphe ligustri based on the three-dimensional branching pattern of appendages. Morphological observations showed that there are some morphological differences—pigmentation of appendages and number of ascospores per ascus—between the S and K types on Syringa. Based on these morphological observations, the S and K types on Syringa were identified as E. syringae and E. syringae-japonicae, respectively. The recent abundant production of chasmothecia by lilac powdery mildew in Europe was caused by E. syringae-japonicae introduced from East Asia. DNA sequence analyses of the rDNA ITS region and the 28S rDNA, tub2, CYP51, and Chs1 genes did not support an interspecific hybrid origin for E. syringae-japonicae. Haplotype analysis suggested that E. syringae originated in North America and independently migrated to East Asia and Europe/South America.     

A review of the tribe Phanerotomini (Hymenoptera,Braconidae, Cheloninae) in Turkey,with a new host record for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phanerotoma</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bracotritoma</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">permixtellae</Emphasis>

In this study, the Phanerotomini of Turkey collected between July 1959 and July 2004, are listed. A total of thirteen Phanerotomini species were determined, and six of these are reported for the first time from Turkey. Phanerotoma (Bracotritoma) permixtellae Fischer, 1968 was reared from a new natural host Recurvaria pistaciicola (Danilevskii, 1955) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). With this present study an illustrated identification key for the Phanerotomini of Turkey is given. The distribution of the Phanerotomini species is discussed according to the phytogeographical provinces of Turkey.     

Interaction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus</Emphasis> with bacteria <Emphasis Type="Italic">Campylobacter jejuni</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis>

Interaction of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 100NCJB with bacteria Campylobacter jejuni (strains 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) and Helicobacter pylori, strain TX30a, was confirmed. The results indicate that lytic activity of bdellovibrios both in liquid media and cells attached to a surface was observed. The potential use of the antimicrobial activity of predatory bacteria for environmental bioprotection and public health is discussed.     

Presence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. albidus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. laurentii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. uniguttulatus</Emphasis> in Crop and Droppings of Pigeon Lofts (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Columba livia</Emphasis>)

Columba livia is an important reservoir and carrier of Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus uniguttulatus, Cryptococcus laurentii and Cryptococcus albidus. Upper digestive tract of this species is also known as a habitat for Cryptococcus neoformans. Given the increasing clinical interest of this microorganism, 331 swabs from crop and 174 dropping samples from pigeon lofts in Grand Canary Island have been studied. The obtained results show an extensive presence samples 81 positive (24.47%) of Cryptococcus spp. in analysed crops: 32 (9.66%) for C. neoformans, 24 (7.2%) for C. uniguttulatus, 23 (6.9%) for C. albidus and 2 (0.6%) for C. laurentii. In the same way, Cryptococcus spp was also isolated in 82 (47.13%), dropping samples: C. neoformans in 59 (33.9%), C. uniguttulatus, in 9 (5.17%), C. laurentii in 8 (4.59%) and C. albidus in 6 (3.44%) of the investigated samples, respectively. The cryptococcosis produced by species of cryptococci other than C. neoformans has become more important during the last decade, supporting the study on the role of pigeon in the epidemiology of this disease.     

Frequencies of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">DRB1</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">DQA1</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">DQB1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">TNFA</Emphasis> alleles in immigrant population of west Siberia

Based on population analysis of the DRB1, DQA1, DQB1 and TNFA allele frequency distribution patterns, regional features of immunogenetic structure of the population of West Siberia were investigated. Statistically significant linkage disequilibrium within the HLA class II region, as well as between the TNFA and DRB1, DQA1, and DQB1 was demonstrated. Population frequency distribution patterns of two- and multilocus haplotypes were examined.     

Novel Mutation of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">GPIIIa</Emphasis> Gene in the Russian Population, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leu40Arg</Emphasis>, Linked to the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leu33Pro</Emphasis>

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex, a platelet surface fibrinogen receptor, plays a key role in producing primary hemostasis. At present, only a single mutation in the GPIIIa gene, Leu33Pro, and a single mutation in the GPIIb gene, Ile843Ser, has been described. The mutations are known to enhance signaling functions of the receptor and are associated with the development of arterial thromboses. In the present study, we describe a novel GPIIIa mutation, which is T to G nucleotide substitution in position 1585, resulting in the replacement of Leu for Arg in position 40 of the amino acid sequence of the protein.__________Translated from Genetika, Vol. 41, No. 6, 2005, pp. 838–843.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Sirotkina, Shaydina, Vavilova, Schwartz.     

Ultrastructure of the anal sacs in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thalassema</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">thalassemum</Emphasis> (Annelida,Echiura)

The anal sacs of Thalassema thalassemum consist of an elongate tubular invagination (end sac) that is uniformly covered with numerous sessile ciliated funnels. While the funnels are composed of multi-ciliated, non-muscular cells and possess a ciliated neck-like constriction, the end sacs are lined by a simple epithelium of large, irregularly formed and sparsely ciliated cells that include masses of secretory granules. Podocytes are incorporated in the peritoneum that surrounds the anal sacs. A muscle grid consisting of inner longitudinal, outer circular and additional diagonal fibres that branch off of the circular fibres is embedded in the matrix between the end sac epithelium and peritoneum. Major structural differences between the hindgut and anal sacs support the hypothesis that the anal sacs are not gut derivatives but are instead part of a modified metanephridial system. Comparison of the anal sac morphology in Echiura reveals that T. thalassemum shares a tubular end sac with all known members of Thalassematinae and Ikedaidae, as well as with some members of Bonelliidae and Echiurinae, while the sessile funnels are apomorphic for the Thalassematinae.