ZOO-FISH Suggests a Complete Homology between Human and Capuchin Monkey (Platyrrhini) Euchromatin

Chromosome comparisons usingin situhybridization of all human chromosome-specific libraries on Capuchin monkey (Cebus capucinus,Cebidae, Platyrrhini) metaphases were performed with a new technique simultaneously revealing a G-banding and chromosome “painting.” A complete homology between human (HSA) andC. capucinus(CCA) chromosomes was demonstrated, except for constitutive heterochromatin. ElevenC. capucinuschromosomes are homologous to 11 human chromosomes: CCA 2 = HSA 4; CCA 3 = HSA 6; CCA 12 = HSA 9; CCA 16 = HSA 11; CCA 10 = HSA 12; CCA 11 = HSA 13; CCA 20 = HSA 17; CCA 8 = HSA 19; CCA 23 = HSA 20; CCA 24 = HSA 22; and CCA X = HSA X. TenC. capucinuschromosomes are homologous to parts of human chromosomes: CCA 13 = HSA 8q; CCA 14 = HSA 2q; CCA 15 = HSA 1p + 1q proximal; CCA 17 = HSA 7 part; CCA 18 and 19 = HSA 3 part; CCA 21 and 22 = HSA 1q distal; CCA 25 = HSA 10p; and CCA 26 = HSA 15q part. SixC. capucinuschromosomes are homologous to parts of two human chromosomes: CCA 1 = HSA 5 + 7 part; CCA 4 = HSA 2p + q proximal + 16q; CCA 5 = HSA 10q + 16p; CCA 6 = HSA 14 + 15 part; CCA 7 = HSA 8p + 18; and CCA 9 = HSA 3 part + 21. Many previous banding comparisons were confirmed but several cryptic or complex rearrangements could be identified. With theC. capucinuskaryotype having been shown to be fairly ancestral, this comparison opens the possibility to compare human chromosomes to most Cebidae species.     

Genomic imbalances in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma identified by molecular cytogenetic techniques

This review summarizes the chromosomal changes detected by molecular cytogenetic approaches in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the ninth most common malignancy in the world. Whole genome analyses of ESCC cell lines and tumors indicated that the most frequent genomic gains occurred at 1, 2q, 3q, 5p, 6p, 7, 8q, 9q, 11q, 12p, 14q, 15q, 16, 17, 18p, 19q, 20q, 22q and X, with focal amplifications at 1q32, 2p16-22, 3q25-28, 5p13-15.3, 7p12-22, 7q21-22, 8q23-24.2, 9q34, 10q21, 11p11.2, 11q13, 13q32, 14q13-14, 14q21, 14q31-32, 15q22-26, 17p11.2, 18p11.2-11.3 and 20p11.2. Recurrent losses involved 3p, 4, 5q, 6q, 7q, 8p, 9, 10p, 12p, 13, 14p, 15p, 18, 19p, 20, 22, Xp and Y. Gains at 5p and 7q, and deletions at 4p, 9p, and 11q were significant prognostic factors for patients with ESCC. Gains at 6p and 20p, and losses at 10p and 10q were the most significant imbalances, both in primary carcinoma and in metastases, which suggested that these regions may harbor oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Gains at 12p and losses at 3p may be associated with poor relapse-free survival. The clinical applicability of these changes as markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of ESCC, or as molecular targets for personalized therapy should be evaluated.     

Novel tirucallane-type triterpenoids from Aphanamixis grandifolia

Phytochemical investigation on the stem bark of Aphanamixis grandifolia afforded five novel tirucallane-type triterpenoids, (13α,14β,17α,23Z)-25-methoxy-21,23-epoxylanosta-7,20(22),23-triene-3,21-dione (1), (13α,14β,17α,23Z)-21,23-epoxylanosta-7,20(22),23,25-tetraene-3,21-dione (2), (3R,5R, 9R,10R,13S,14S,17S)-17-{(2R,3S,5R)-5-[(2S)-3,3-dimethyloxiran-2-yl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2,5-dimethoxyfuran-3-yl}-4,4,10,13,14-pentamethyl-2,3,4,5,6,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol (3), (5R,9R,10R,13S,14S,17S)-17-{(2R,3S,5R)-5-[(2S)-3,3-dimethyloxiran-2-yl]-2,5-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran-3-yl}-1,2,4,5,6,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-4,4,10,13,14-pentamethyl-3H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one (4), and (3α,13α,14β,17α,20S,23R)-23-ethoxy-3-hydroxy-21,23-epoxylanost-7-en-24-one (5). The (1) H- and (13) C-NMR spectra of all compounds were fully assigned using a combination of 2D-NMR experiments, including HSQC, HMBC, and ROESY sequences. The structure of 1 with the absolute configuration was determined by ECD calculation. Compounds 3 and 4 showed moderate activities against human MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cells.     

中国软骨鱼类螺旋瓣的研究

本文对隶于2亚纲13目31科(除姥鲨科外)45属的68种软骨鱼类瓣肠内螺旋瓣进行了比较观察,认为可分为3式型,绝大多数种类属螺旋型,并可再依瓣的数目分为4个亚型,少数种类为薄片型或画卷型。亲缘关系近的种类其式型和数目亦近似。螺旋瓣数目颇多的种类可分为凶猛性和食浮游生物温和性两类。有的种类瓣肠内壁及螺旋瓣上具褶襞,以增加吸收面积。     

Analysis of insecticidal Azadirachta indica A. Juss. fractions

As a result of chemical investigation on the ethanolic extract of fresh fruit coatings of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (neem), twenty-seven compounds were identified in non-polar to less polar fractions which showed pesticidal activity determined by WHO method against Anopheles stephensi Liston. These identifications were basically made through GC-EIMS and were further supported by other spectroscopic techniques, including 13C NMR, UV and FTIR as well as retention indices. Thus sixteen n-alkanes, 1-16; three aromatics 2,6-bis-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl phenol (17), 2-(phenylmethylene)-octanal (20), 1,2,4-trimethoxy-5-(1Z-propenyl)-benzene (27); three benzopyranoids 3,4-dihydro-4,4,5,8-tetramethylcoumarin (18), 3,4-dihydro-4,4,7,8-tetramethylcoumarin-6-ol (19), 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-cyclopenta[g]-2-benzopyran (22); one sesquiterpene methyl-3,7,11-trimethyl-2E,6E,10-dodecatrienoate (21); three esters of fatty acids methyl 14-methyl-pentadecanoate (23), ethyl hexadecanoate (24), ethyl 9Z-octadecenoate (25) and one monoterpene 3,7-dimethyl-1-octen-7-ol (26) were identified. Except 6, 8, 24 and 25 all these compounds were identified for the first time from the pericarp and fifteen of these, 1-3, 7, 9, 10, 17-23, 26, 27, are hitherto unreported previously from any part of the tree. Although this tree is a rich source of various natural products, it is the first report of identification of mono- and sesquiterpenes 26 and 21 and a potent antioxidant, 17.     

Coccidian parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from insectivores. VII. Six new species from the hairy-tailed mole, Parascalops breweri

Sixteen hairy-tailed moles, Parascalops breweri, collected from the northeastern U.S.A. were examined for coccidian oocysts; all were infected with multiple species of coccidia and 3 genera were represented. Two cyclosporans, 2 eimerians, and 2 isosporans are described as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Cyclospora ashtabulensis n. sp. are subspheroid to ellipsoid, 18 X 14 (14-23 X 11-19) microns, and sporocysts are ovoid, 12 X 7 (8-14 X 5-9) microns; C. ashtabulensis was found in 7 of 16 (44%) moles. Sporulated oocysts of Cyclospora parascalopi n. sp. are spheroid, 17 X 14 (13-20 X 11-20) microns, and sporocysts are ovoid, 11 X 7 (8-14 X 5-8) microns; C. parascalopi was found in 8 of 16 (50%) moles. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria aethiospora n. sp. are subspheroid to ellipsoid, 19 X 13 (15-24 X 10-16) microns, and sporocysts are ovoid, 11 X 6 (8-13 X 4-7) microns; E. aethiospora was found in 4 of 16 (25%) moles. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria titthus n. sp. are subspheroid, 16 X 14 (13-19 X 11-17) microns, and sporocysts are ellipsoid, 11 X 6 (9-13 X 4-7) microns; E. titthus was found in 4 of 16 (25%) moles. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora ashtabulensis n. sp. are ellipsoid, 20 X 14 (16-24 X 10-18) microns, and sporocysts are ovoid, 10 X 7 (7-14 X 5-10) microns; I. ashtabulensis was found in 5 of 16 (31%) moles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

3-D models of the antigenomic ribozyme of the hepatitis delta agent with eight new contacts suggested by sequence analysis of 188 cDNA clones.

We mapped 359 mutations at 25 positions in synthetic variants of the antigenomic ribozyme of the hepatitis delta agent by analyzing the sequences of 188 cDNA clones. These data were used to identify three features of the ribozyme: highly conserved nucleotides, positions with restricted nucleotide substitutions and three-dimensional relationships between nucleotides. The distribution of mutations at the 25 positions was as follows: G-11 (the eleventh nucleotide from the cleavage site) was mutated in 56 clones; G-12 in 36; U-15 in 33; C-13 in 26; G-28 in 23; C-27 in 21; C-29 in 19; U-26 in 17; C-18 in 14; A-14 in 13; C-16 in 13; C-19 in 12; U-17 in 11; A-20 in 10; G-42 in 9; G-40 in 7; G-41 in 7; C-24 in 6; U-32 in 6; U-23 in 5; C-25 in 4; C-21 in 3; G-30 in 3; G-31 in 3; C-22 in 1. All clones containing a mutation at C-25 had an A at this position, suggesting that the extra cyclic amino group present in adenine and cytosine may function during the cleavage event. Mutations at certain positions were common in simple clones (containing only one or two mutations), while mutations at other positions were over-represented in more complex clones. Both compensatory base changes and co-mutational frequencies were used to identify eight pairs of nucleotides which may interact with each other: G-11 and C-18, G-12 and C-27, C-13 and G-28, C-21 and U-23/C-24, C-21 and G-30, U-23 and G-31/U-32, C24 and G-30, C-27 and G-42. These pairs, which involve some of the most conserved positions in the molecule, suggest interactions among nucleotides previously depicted in open-loop structures. The newly proposed points of contact between pairs of nucleotides are compatible with both the axehead and pseudoknot secondary structural models and were combined with previously proposed Watson-Crick base paired helices to produce two three dimensional models. In both of these, C-25 and C-76 are placed near the cleavage site.     

Co-operative response of oligomeric protein receptors coupled to non-co-operative ligand binding.

The biogenesis of 30 S and 50 S ribosomal subunits in exponentially growing Escherichia coli has been studied by following the rate of appearance of pulse-labelled ribosomal proteins on mature subunits. Cells were pulse-labelled for two minutes and for three and a half minutes with radioactive leucine. Ribosomal proteins were extracted and purified by chromatography on carboxymethyl cellulose and analysed by bidimensional gel electrophoresis. All 30 S proteins and most of the 50 S proteins were thus prepared and their radioactivity counted: unequal labelling was obtained. 30 S and 50 S proteins were ordered according to increasing specific radioactivity at both time pulses. The incorporation was greater at three and a half minutes than at two minutes. No major difference in the order at the two labelling times was observed.Only two classes of proteins can be defined in the 30 S and the 50 S subunits, namely early and late proteins. In each class a gradual increase in the radioactivity is apparent from the poorly labelled to the highly labelled proteins. This suggests a definite order of addition.Early 30 S proteins: S17, S16, S15, S19, S18, S8, S4, S20, S10, S6, S9, S12, S7.Late 30 S proteins: S5, S3, S2, S14, S11, S13, S1, S21.Early 50 S proteins: L22, L20, L21, L4, L13, L16, L3, L23, L18, L24, L28, L17, L19, L29, L32, L5, L15, L2, L30, L27.Late 50 S proteins: L25, L11, L7, L12, L1, L9, L8, L10, L33, L14, L6.This order is discussed taking into account the pool size of the proteins measured in the same conditions of cell culture.     

Autosomal fragile sites

It is possible to distribute the 17 autosomic fragile sites presently known in three categories according to their sensitivity: BrdU-sensitive sites (10q25, 16q22, 17p12), distamycin A-sensitive sites (16q22, 17p12) and folate- and thymidilate-sensitive sites (2q11-q14, 3p14, 6p23, 7p11, 8q22, 9p21, 9q32, 10q23, 11q13, 11q23, 12q13, 16p12, 16q23, 17p12, 20p11). Four fundamental problems are discussed, first the relation between the presence of a fragile site and the phenotype, secondly the incidence of autosomic sites, third the origin of fragility (particularity of DNA structure, defect of the DNA/proteins binding and abnormal arrangement of chromatin, abnormality of the metaphasic scaffold) and fourth the localization of fragile sites.     

Cucurbitane triterpenoids from the leaves of Momordica charantia, and their cancer chemopreventive effects and cytotoxicities

Seventeen cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, 1-17, including six new compounds, (23E)-3β,25-dihydroxy-7β-methoxycucurbita-5,23-dien-19-al (1), (23S*)-3β-hydroxy-7β,23-dimethoxycucurbita-5,24-dien-19-al (6), (23R*)-23-O-methylmomordicine IV (7), (25ξ)-26-hydroxymomordicoside L (8), 25-oxo-27-normomordicoside L (9), and 25-O-methylkaravilagenin D (12), were isolated from a MeOH extract of the leaves of Japanese Momordica charantia. The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison with literature. Compounds 1-17 were examined for their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells, a known primary screening test for inhibitors of tumor promotion. Four compounds, 1, (23E)-3β,7β-dihydroxy-25-methoxycucurbita-5,23-dien-19-al (2), karavilagenin D (11), and 12, showed potent inhibitory effects on EBV-EA induction with IC(50) values in the range of 242-264 mol ratio/32 pmol TPA. In addition, compounds 1 and 11 exhibited inhibitory effects on skin-tumor promotion in an in vivo two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis test based on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as initiator, and with TPA as a promoter. Furthermore, upon evaluation of the cytotoxic activities of compounds 1-17 against human cancer cell lines, compounds 2, 5-7, 9, and 14 showed potent activities against HL60 cell line, and compound 2 against SK-BR-3 cell line.     

Genomic imbalances in 61 renal cancers from the proximal tubulus detected by comparative genomic hybridization

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) has been applied to characterize 61 primary renal cell carcinomas derived histogenetically from the proximal tubulus. The tumor samples comprised 46 clear-cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCCs) and 15 papillary renal cell carcinomas (pRCCs). Changes in the copy number of entire chromosomes or subregions were detected in 56 tumors (92%). In ccRCCs, losses of chromosome 3 or 3p (63%); 14q (30%); 9 (26%); 1 and 6 or 6q (17% each); 4 and 8 or 8p (15% each); 22 (11%); 2 or 2q and 19 (9% each); 7q, 10, 16, 17p, 18, and Y (7% each); and 5, 11, 13, 15, and 21 (4% each) were detected. Most frequent genomic gains in ccRCC were found on chromosome 5 (63%); 7 (35%); 1 or 1q (33%); 2q (24%); 8 or 8q, 12, and 20 (20% each); 3q (17%); 16 (15%); 19 (13%); 6 and 17 or 17q (11% each); and 4, 10, 11, 21, and Y (9% each). In pRCCs, gains in the copy number of chromosomes 7 and 17 (7/15, each) and 16 and 20 (6/15, each) were frequent. One pRCC showed amplification of subchromosome regions 2q22-->q33, 16q, 17q and the entire X chromosome. In pRCC, losses were less frequently seen than gains. Losses of chromosomes 1, 14, 15, and Y (3/15 each) and 2, 4, 6, and 13 (2/15 each) were observed. In ccRCCs, statistical evaluation revealed significant correlations of chromosomal imbalances with tumor stage and grade, i.e., a gain in copy number of chromosome 5 correlated positively with low tumor grade, whereas a gain of chromosomes 10 and 17 correlated positively with high tumor grade. Furthermore, loss of chromosome 4 correlated positively with high tumor stage.     

Intergeneric antigenic relation of Hafnia and Shigella (S. flexneri and S. boydii) bacteria

The O-antigenic relationships between Hafnia and Shigellae (S. flexneri and S. boydii) have been studied. For the first time the presence of antigenic relationship between Hafnia O19, O4, O9, O33, O5, O16, O12, O7, O29, O28, O10, O32, O24, O25, O18, O1, O13, O3, O22, O30, O37, O14, O11, O25, O23, O21, O28, O16, O24, O8, O26, O27 and S. flexneri la, lb, 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b, 6, 5a, 5b, as well as between Hafnia O10, O21, O35, O36, O9, O28, O8, O30 and S. boydii 1, 3, 6, 14, 2, 5, 2, 12 have been revealed. The character and degree of manifestation of antigenic relationships between the above-mentioned groups of bacteria have been established.     

Synthesis of (25R)-26-hydroxy-15-ketosterols

(25R)-3beta,26-Dihydroxy-5alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one (1) and (25R)-3beta,26-dihydroxy-5alpha,14beta-cholest-16-en-1 5-one (2) were synthesized from (25R)-3beta,26-dibenzoyloxy-5alpha,14alpha-chole st-16-ene (4). Oxidation of 4 with CrO3-3,5-dimethylpyrazole at -20 degrees C gave (25R)-3beta,26-dibenzoyloxy-5alpha,14alpha-chole st-16-en-15-one (5) along with (25R)-3beta,26-dibenzoyloxy-5alpha-cholest-16alpha+ ++,17alpha-epoxide (6). Oxidation of 5 with selenium dioxide afforded (25R)-3beta,26-dibenzoyloxy-5alpha-cholest-8(14),16-++ +dien-15-one (7) and (25R)-3beta,26-dibenzoyloxy-5alpha,14beta-choles t-16-en-15-one (8). Selective hydrogenation of 7 followed by hydrolysis in alcoholic potassium hydroxide yielded (25R)-3beta,26-dihydroxy-5alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one (1). Hydrolysis of 5 and 8 in alcoholic potassium hydroxide provided (25R)-3beta,26-dihydroxy-5alpha,14beta-cholest-16-en-1 5-one (2).     

Synthesis and anti-HIV activity of oleanolic acid derivatives

Thirteen oleanolic acid derivatives were prepared and evaluated for anti-HIV activity in H9 lymphocytes. Saturating the C₁₂–C₁₃ double bond and converting the C₁₇-carboxyl group to an aminomethyl group led to compounds 13– 15 and 19– 20, respectively, which showed improved anti-HIV activity. Compound 15 was the most potent derivative with EC₅₀=0.0039 μg/mL and TI=3570.     

Distribution of the Rubredoxin Gene Among the Clostridium butyricum Species

With PCR methods, the rubredoxin gene was systematically identified among 11 strains of Clostridium butyricum; this ubiquity means major functions in the metabolism of the Clostridia. The 11 PCR products allowed deduction of a sequence of 26 amino acids corresponding to positions 11–36 of the rubredoxin. They all contained the tyrosines at positions 11 and 13 and the phenylalanine at position 30 characteristic of the rubredoxin, but differed at positions 14–17, 20, 25, 29, and 31, allowing determination of three types of rubredoxins among these 11 strains of C. butyricum. Received: 13 October 1998 / Accepted: 23 November 1998     

Synthesis and structure-activity investigation of novel vasopressin hypotensive peptide agonists.

We report the solid phase synthesis and vasodepressor potencies of the novel hypotensive peptide [1(-beta-mercapto-beta,beta-pentamethylene propionic acid)-2-O-ethyl-D-tyrosine, 3-arginine, 4-valine] arginine vasopressin, d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Et)2, Arg3, Val4]AVP (A), its related Lys3 (B), Tyr-NH(9)2 (C), [Lys3, Tyr-NH(9)2 (D) analogs and in a preliminary structure-activity study of positions 2-4 and 7-9, 24 analogs (1-24) of A-C. Peptides 1-6, 9-14 have the following single substituents at positions 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9 in (A): 1, D-Tyr(Me)2; 2, L-Tyr(Et)2; 3, Orn3; 4, N-Me-Arg3; 5, Glu3; 6, Arg4; 9, D-Arg8; 10, Eda9; 11, Arg-NH(9)2; 12, Ala-NH(9)2; 13, desGly9; 14, desGly-NH(9)2. Peptides 15 and 16 are analogs of B which possess the following single modifications: 15, Arg-NH(9)2; 16, desGly9. Peptides 7 and 8 are analogs of (C) with the following single modification: 7, Gln4; 8, Lys8. Peptides 17-24 are analogs of A possessing the following multiple modifications: 17, [Sar7, Eda9]; 18, [Arg7, Eda9]; 19, [Arg7, Eda9<--Tyr10]; 20, [Arg4, Arg-NH(9)2]; 21, [Ile4, desGly9]; 22, [Arg4, desGly9]l; 23, [Arg7, desGly9]; 24, [Arg7, Lys8, desGly9]. All 24 new peptides were evaluated for agonistic and antagonistic activities in in vivo antidiuretic (V2-receptor), vasopressor (V1a-receptor) and in in vitro (no Mg2+) oxytocic (OT-receptor) assays and like the parent peptides (A-D) (Chan et al. Br. J. Pharmacol. 1998; 125: 803-811) were found to exhibit no or negligible activities in these assays. Vasodepressor potencies were determined in anesthetized male rats with baseline mean arterial blood pressure maintained at 110-120 mmHg. The effective dose (ED), in microg 100 g(-1) i.v., required to produce a vasodepressor response of 5 cm2, area under the vasodepressor response curve (AUC) during the 5-min period following the injection of the test peptide, was determined. Therefore, the EDs measure the relative vasodepressor potencies of the hypotensive peptides. The following ED values were obtained for A-D and for peptides 1-24: A, 4.66; B, 5.75; C, 10.56; D, 11.60; 1, approximately 20; 2, approximately 30; 3, 6.78; 4, non-detectable (ND); 5, ND; 6, approximately 32; 7, ND; 8, 8.67; 9, ND; 10, 2.43; 11, 3.54; 12, 10.57; 13, 4.81; 14, ND; 15, 4.47; 16, 9.78; 17, 5.72; 18, 1.10; 19, 1.05; 20, 10.41; 21, 9.13; 22, approximately 33; 23, 3.01; 24, 1.71. A is clearly the most potent of the four original hypotensive peptides A-D. These data provide insights to which modification of A enhance, retain or abolish hypotensive potencies. Six of the new hypotensive peptides are significantly more potent than A. These are peptides 10, 11, 18, 19, 23 and 24. Peptide 19, a radioiodinatable ligand, is ten times more potent than C or D. The Gln4 modification of C and the N-Me-Arg3, Glu3, D-Arg8 and desGly-NH(9)2 modifications of A abolished hypotensive potency. By contrast, the Eda9, Arg-NH(9)2, [Sar7, Eda9], [Arg7, Eda9<- -Tyr10], [Arg7, desGly9], [Arg7, Lys8, desGly9] modifications of A all led to enhancements of hypotensive potency. This initial structure-activity exploration provides useful clues to the design of (a) more potent vasodepressor peptides and (b) high affinity radioiodinatable ligands for the putative AVP vasodilating receptor. Some of the peptides here may be of value as pharmacological tools for studies on the complex cardiovascular actions of AVP and may lead to the development of a new class of anti-hypertensive agents.     

Fatty acids from the sponge Halichondria panicea from the Sea of Japan

The fatty acid (FA) composition of total lipids isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria panicea inhabiting Peter the Great Bay of Sea of Japan was studied. GC and GC-MS techniques helped identify 63 FAs, with the main attention being paid to FAs with 14-22 carbon atoms. 4, 8, 12-Trimethyl-13:0 FA was for the first time identified as the main saturated FA along with the branched FAs br-25:1, br-27:1, and br-27:2. The contents of arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, and the major demospongic acids [26:3(5, 9, 19), 26:3(5, 9, 17), 27:3(5, 9, 20), and 28:3(5, 9, 21)] considerably differed from those previously found for H. panicea, which may be due to seasonal changes in the species composition of organisms consumed by the sponge.     

Neutral lipids, their fatty acids, and the sterols of the marine ciliated protozoon, Parauronema acutum

The neutral lipids and their fatty acids and the sterol fractions of the marine ciliated protozoon, Parauronema acutum, were characterized. The neutral lipids consisted of triglycerides (30%), sterols (29%), free fatty acids (24%), steryl esters (9%), and diglycerides (8%) and small amounts of fatty alcohols. The fatty acid profiles of these lipids were very similar although quantitative differences were detected. Saturated fatty acids, primarily 14:0, 16:0, and 18:0 constituted 20-30% of the total. Unsaturated fatty acids containing one to three double bonds, primarily 18:1(9), 18:2 (9,12), 18:3 (9, 12, 15) and 20:3 (11, 14, 17), constituted 35-50% of the total. Highly unsaturated fatty acids, 18:4 (6, 9, 12, 15), 20:5 (5, 8, 11, 14, 17) and 22:6 (4, 7, 10, 16, 19), constituted 16-25% of the total. The fatty alcohols consisted of 14:0 (2%), 16:0 (66%), 18:0 (3%), 20:0 (8%), and 22:0 (21%). The sterols of Parauronema acutum consisted of cholesterol (53%), campesterol (32%), desmosterol (7%), and beta-sitosterol (8%).     

On some Brazilian Glossoscolecidae

Resumo

Três espécies novas das Glossoscolecidae do Brasil são descritas.

Thamnodrilus parini sp. n. procedente do Estado de Minas Gerais. Afim a T. boker‐manni por apresentar apenas 5 pares de glândulas calciferas nos segmentos 7–11. Em T. parini situa‐se o clitelo em 1/2 15–1/2 28. (T. bokermanni: em 14–1/2 24); poros ? em 23/24 (na região posterior do segmento 18).

Rhinodrilus xeabaibus sp. n. procedente do Estado do Rio de Janeiro apresenta espermatecas mergulhadas na espessa parede do corpo como R. fafner e R. alatus. Caracteriza‐se por: 4 pares de espermatecas em 6/7–9/10 e poros ? 24/25.

Andioscolex marcusae sp. n. da Ilha de Marajó aproxima‐se de A. tinga por apresentar 3 pares de espermatecas. Distinguem‐se por: A. marcusae: traves pubertais em 2/3 17–20 ( A. tinga: em 1/2 16–1/2 19); poros espermaticos em 7/8–9/10 (em 6/7–8/9).     

Quinolone Nucleosides: 6,7-Dihalo-N-β- and α-Glycosyl-l 4-dihydro-4-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxylic Acids and Derivatives. Synthesis,Antimicrobial and Antiviral Activity

Abstract

Reaction of the silylated 6,7-dihaloquinoline bases 10–12 with l-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranose (13) gave ethyl 7-chloro-6-flouro-l,4-dihydro-4-oxo-1 -(2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)quinoline-3-carboxylate (14) and the free acids 15 and 16, respectively, which led on deblocking of the sugar moiety to the free nucleosides 17, 18 and 20, respectively. Treatment of 14 with methanolic ammonia afforded the amide derivative 19. Ribosylation of 11 with l,2-di-O-acetyl-3-azido-3-deoxy-5-p-toluoyl-β-D-ribofuranose (21) afforded the azido nucleoside 22, which was again converted into the free nucleoside 23. Analogously, reaction of 11 with the chloro deoxyribose derivative 24 led to a mixture of α /β (2:1) anomers of 25. Deblocking and recrystallization of the product gave mainly the α-anomer 26. Compounds 17–19, 23 and 26 were evaluated against Escherichia coli and found inactive. Compound 16–18 and 22 were inactive aganist HIV-1 (III B) and HIV-2 (ROD) induced cytopathicity in human MT-4 lymphocyte cells.