Association analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms in bovine stearoyl-CoA desaturase and fatty acid synthase genes with fatty acid composition in commercial cross-bred beef steers

Two previously reported non‐synonymous coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of bovine stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (delta‐9‐desaturase) (SCD) (c.878C>T) and fatty acid synthase (FASN) (g:17924A>G) were assessed for their associations with 72 individual and 12 groups of fatty acids in brisket adipose tissue of 223 Canadian commercial cross‐bred beef steers. It was found that the ‘CC’ genotype of the SCD SNP was significantly associated with lower concentrations of saturated fatty acids (SFA) including 10:0, 14:0 and 20:0, higher concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids including 9c‐14:1, 12c‐16:1 and 13c‐18:1, higher concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) including 9c,15c‐18:2, 10c,12c‐18:2, 11c,13t‐18:2 and 12c,14t‐18:2, but lower concentrations of other PUFA of 9c,13t/8t,12c and 20:2n‐6 (P < 0.05). The ‘AA’ genotype of the FASN SNP was significantly associated with higher concentrations of SFAs of 10:0, 12:0, 13:0, 14:0 and 15:0, lower concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids of 9c‐18:1 and 20:3n‐6, and higher concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids of 9c‐14:1 and 12c‐16:1 (P < 0.05). Significant epistatic effects between the SCD and FASN SNP genotypes were also found for several fatty acids including 10:0, 23:0, 6t/7t/8t‐18:1, 12t‐18:1, 13t/14t‐18:1, 16t‐18:1, total trans18:1 and 9c,13t/8t,12c‐18:2 (P < 0.05). These results further suggest that SCD and FASN are strong candidate genes influencing fatty acid composition in beef cattle.     

Optimization of fed-batch culture by dynamic programming and regression analysis

Summary An algorithm for the optimization of a fermentation process was studied using the combination of dynamic programming and linear predictive procedure by regression analysis. It was applied to the fed-batch culture for glutamic acid production with ethanol feeding, the results of which proved that it was effective for the optimization problems.Nomenclature a _i , b _i , c _i , d _i ;i = 1 2 or 3: Partial regression coefficients derived by multiple regression analysis ( - ) - E : Euclid distance ( - ) - F : Volumetric feed rate (l/hr) - f : Defined by Eq. (13) (g-glutamic acid) - G : Concentration of glutamic acid (g/l) - G* : Aeration rate (l/hr) - J : Objective function defined by Eq. (12) (g-glutamic acid) - N : Number of stage ( - ) - P : Defined by Eq. (14) (g-glutamic acid) - Q : Metabolic activity of the culture, in this case Q = Q _{CO 2} (mole CO₂/g-cell hr) - S : Ethanol concentration in culture broth (g/l) - S _Q : Ethanol concentration in feed (g/l) - S* : Ethanol concentration in effluent gas (g/l) - t : Culture time (hr) - t _o : Initial culture time (hr) - V : Volume of culture broth (l) - X : Cell concentration (g/l) - X : State vector (X, S, Q, V) - : Rate of Q _{CO 2} change (mole CO₂/g-cell·h²) - : Specific growth rate of microorganisms (hr^–1) - : Specific production rate of glutamic acid (g-glutamic acid/g-cell·hr) - : Specific consumption rate of ethanol (g-ethanol/g-cell·hr) - : Standard deviation ( - ) This optimization procedure was presented in preliminary form at the 45th Annual Meeting of the Soc. of Chem. Engrs., Japan, Osaka, C105 (1980).     

Acetyltransferase p300 regulates NBS1-mediated DNA damage response

The role of p300 in DNA damage response is unclear. To understand how ATM-dependent phosphorylation of p300 affects its function in response to DNA damage, we present evidence that S106 of p300, which is phosphorylated by ATM, regulates stability of NBS1 and recruitment into damaged DNA, possibly leading to regulation of DNA repair. Non-phosphorylatable p300 (S106A) destabilized NBS1 and decreased NBS1–p300 interaction. The recruitment of NBS1 into damaged DNA was impaired in the presence of S106A. Also, a dominant negative p300 lacking enzymatic activity induced destabilization of NBS1, suggesting that its acetyltransferase is required for NBS1 stability. These results indicate that phosphorylation of p300 can regulate NBS1-mediated DNA damage response, and that these events occur in an acetylation-dependent manner.

Structured summary

MINT-8058074, MINT-8058083: p300 (uniprotkb:Q09472) physically interacts (MI:0915) with NBS1 (uniprotkb:O60934) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)MINT-8058111: p300 (uniprotkb:Q09472) and NBS1 (uniprotkb:O60934) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)MINT-8058657: p300 (uniprotkb:Q09472) physically interacts (MI:0915) with NBS1 (uniprotkb:O60934) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-8058093: p300 (uniprotkb:Q09472) physically interacts (MI:0915) with NBS1 (uniprotkb:O60934) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)     

Undergraduate teaching in gerodontology in Austria, Switzerland and Germany

Objective: To survey the present state of undergraduate teaching in the domain of gerodontology in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Study participants: All universities of Austria (A), Germany (D) and Switzerland (CH). Protocol: A questionnaire on undergraduate teaching in gerodontology was mailed to all Deans (A: n = 3; CH: n = 4; D: n = 31) and all independent departments except paediatric dentistry and orthodontics (A: n = 11; CH: n = 15; D: n = 111). Results: The questionnaires were completed and returned by 29 Deans (A: n = 2; CH: n = 4; D: n = 23) and 102 departments (A: n = 7; CH: n = 8; D: n = 87). In Austria, gerodontology is a very small component of the dental curriculum and the Deans did not want this to be increased. Most German universities claimed to teach some aspects of gerodontology to undergraduate students and 87.4% of the Deans voted for separate lectures in gerodontology. In Switzerland, gerodontology seems well established. The results of questionnaires from the independent departments revealed that in all three countries lectures were more prevalent (A: n = 0; CH: n = 4; D: n = 6) than practical training in nursing homes (A: n = 0; CH: n = 3; D: n = 6). Conclusion: Considering the demographical shift which is leading to an increasing proportion of elderly in the population, the weighting of gerodontology in the undergraduate dental curriculum should be considered for revision in Austria and Germany.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: Bain Attwood. Rights for Aborigines. Sarah Colley. Uncovering Australia: Archaeology, Indigenous People and the Public. Kirk Dombrowski. Against Culture: Development, Politics, and Religion in Indian Alaska. Anita Jowitt and Tess Newton Cain (eds). Passage of Change: Law, Society and Governance in the Pacific. Sinclair Dinnen with Anita Jowitt and Tess Newton Cain (eds). A Kind of Mending: Restorative Justice in the Pacific Islands. Bruce M. Knauft (ed.). Critically Modern: Alternatives, Alterities, Anthropologies. Helen Gremillion. Feeding Anorexia: Gender and Power at a Treatment Center. Jean Guiart. Et le masque sortit de la mer: Les pays anciens de Hienghène à Témala, Gomèn et Koumac. Robin Hide. Pig Husbandry in New Guinea: A Literature Review and Bibliography. William Mazzarella. Shoveling Smoke: Advertising and Globalization in Contemporary India. Louise Meintjes. Sound of Africa: Making Music Zulu in a South African Studio. Sally Merry and Donald Brenneis (eds). Law and Empire in the Pacific: Fiji and Hawaii. Peter J. M. Nas, Gerard A. Persoon and Rivke Jaffe (eds). Framing Indonesian Realities: Essays in Symbolic Anthropology in Honour of Reimer Schefold. Annemarie Mol. The Body Multiple: Ontology In Medical Practice. Sherry B. Ortner. New Jersey Dreaming: Capital, Culture and the Class of 58. Thomas C. Patterson. Marx's Ghost: Conversations with Archaeologists. Melissa Perry and Stephen Lloyd. Australian Native Title Law. Christopher Pinney and Nicolas Peterson (eds). Photography's Other Histories. Nigel Rapport. I am Dynamite: An Alternative Anthropology of Power. Renato Rosaldo (ed.). Cultural Citizenship in Island Southeast Asia: Nation and Belonging in the Hinterlands. Regina Scheyvens and Donovan Storey. Development Fieldwork: A Practical Guide. David Trigger and Gareth Griffiths (eds). Disputed Territories: Land, Culture and Identity in Settler Societies. Cecilia Van Hollen. Birth on the Threshold: Childbirth and Modernity in South India.     

Sex pheromones of Phyllonorycter acerifoliella and Ph. heegerella and communication peculiarities in three species of leafmining moths

Females of the leaf miner moth Phyllonorycter acerifoliella (Z.) [=Ph. sylvella (Hw.)] and Ph. heegerella (Z.) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae: Lithocolletinae) release their sex pheromone at the beginning of photophase. The periodicity of the `calling' behaviour of Ph. acerifoliella females was established. Three compounds from calling virgin Ph. heegerella females were collected by the Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) technique and identified as (Z)-8-tetradecenyl acetate (Z8-14:OAc), tetradecyl acetate (14:OAc) and (Z)-8-tetradecenol (Z8-14:OH) in the ratio (88±3):(2±0.6):(10±5) by capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Field trapping experiments demonstrated that the first two compounds are important for the attraction of conspecific males. Z8-14:OAc was found to be attractive when tested separately, while 14:OAc acted as synergist. The attractivity of the three component blend was reduced by 10% admixture of either (E)-10-dodecenyl acetate (E10-12:OAc) or (Z)-10-tetradecenyl acetate (Z10-14:OAc).Field tests of Z10-, Z8- and E10-14:OAc, identified from Ph. acerifoliella females, demonstrated that the first two compounds were essential for the attraction of conspecific males; so both are sex pheromone components. The attractivity of the three component blend of Z10- Z8- and E10-14:OAc was reduced by 10% admixture of (E)-10-dodecenol (E10-12:OH). The following four semiochemical compounds, Z8-14:OAc, Z8-14:OH, E10-14:OAc and 14:OAc, identified from phyllonoryctid females, as well as two sex attraction antagonists for Ph. acerifoliella and Ph. heegerella males, E10-12:OAc and Z10-14:OAc, are new for the family Gracillariidae. The results of field trapping experiments revealed mechanisms ensuring the specificity of the chemocommunication systems in Ph. acerifoliella, Ph. heegerella and Ph. ulmifoliella (Hb.) moths.     

Direct demonstration of NCAM cis-dimerization and inhibitory effect of palmitoylation using the BRET technique

Biological activity of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) depends on both adhesion and activation of intra-cellular signaling. Based on in vitro experiments with truncated extra-cellular domains, several models describing homophilic NCAM trans- and cis-interactions have been proposed. However, cis-dimerization in living cells has not been shown directly and the role of the cytoplasmic part in NCAM dimerization is poorly understood. Here, we used the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET²) technique to directly demonstrate that full-length NCAM cis-homodimerizes in living cells. Based on BRET²50 values we suggest that the intra-cellular part of NCAM inhibits cis-dimerization, an effect mainly dependent on the palmitoylation sites.

Structured summary

MINT-8071463: NCAM140 (uniprotkb:P13591-1) physically interacts (MI:0915) with NCAM140 (uniprotkb:P13591-1) by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (MI:0012)MINT-8071506: NCAM180 (genbank_protein_gi:119587605) physically interacts (MI:0915) with NCAM-180 (genbank_protein_gi:119587605) by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (MI:0012)MINT-8071483: NCAM140 (uniprotkb:P13591-1) physically interacts (MI:0915) with NCAM140 (uniprotkb:P13591-1) by competition binding (MI:0405)     

Art in the Making

Abstract

There's Pigs and Pigs: Erik Blegvad, The Three Little Pigs, Atheneum: New York, 1980, 32 pages, $8.95.

There's Pigs and Pigs: Joseph Jacobs, The Story of the Three Little Pigs (illust. by Lorinda B. Cauley), Putnam: New York, 1980, unpaged, $8.95.

There's Pigs and Pigs: Margaret Wise Brown (illust. by Ann Strugnell), Once Upon a Time in a Pigpen, Addison-Wesley: Reading, Mass., 1980, 64 pages, $10.95.

There's Pigs and Pigs: Miska Miles (illust. by Leslie Morrill), This Little Pig, Dutton: New York, 1980, unpaged, $6.95.

Picture Books: William Steig, Gorky Rising, Farrar, Strauss &; Giroux: New York, 1980, unpaged, $10.95.

Picture Books: Charles Keeping, Willie's Fire-Engine, Oxford University: New York, 1980, unpaged, $10.95 (boards).

Picture Books: Lydia Pender (illust. by Judith Cowell), The Useless Donkeys, Warne: New York, 1979, unpaged, $9.95.

Picture Books: Lillie D. Chaffin (illust. by Lloyd Bloom), We Be Warm Till Springtime Comes, Macmillan: New York, 1980, unpaged, $9.95.

Picture Books: Kate Canning, A Painted Tale, Barrons: Woodbury, N.Y.: 1979, unpaged, $6.95 (boards).

Historical Explorations: Maurice Boutet de Monvel, Joan of Arc, Viking: New York, 1980, 55 pages, $12.95.

Historical Explorations: Mitsumasa, Anno, Anno's Medieval World, Philomel Books: New York, 1980, 48 pages, $9.99.

Historical Explorations: Peter Spier, People, Doubleday: New York, 1980, unpaged, $10.00.

Historical Explorations: John S. Goodall, An Edwardian Season, Atheneum: New York, 1980, unpaged, $7.95.

Historical Explorations: Miriam Schlein (illust. by Erik Hilgert), I, Tut, Four Winds Press: New York, 1979, unpaged, $7.95.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: Jeremy Beckett (ed.). Wherever I Go: Myles Lalor's ‘Oral History’. Victor Buchli . An Archaeology of Socialism. Stephanie Hemelryk Donald . Public Secrets, Public Spaces: Cinema and Civility in China. James F. Eder , A Generation Later: Household Strategies and Economic Change in the Rural Philippines. Colin Filer (ed.) . Dilemmas of Development: The Social and Economic Impact of the Porgera Gold Mine 1989–1994. Jill Forshee with Christina Fink and Sandra Cate (eds). Converging Interests: Traders, Travelers, and Tourists in Southeast Asia. Elizabeth Furniss . The Burden of History: Colonialism and the Frontier Myth in a Rural Community. Alfred Gell . The Art of Anthropology: Essays and Diagrams. Edited by E. Hirsch Ernest Gellner . Language and Solitude: Wittgenstein, Malinowski and the Hapsburg Dilemma. Kenneth Henshall . Dimensions of Japanese Society: Gender, Margins and Mainstream. Lane Ryo Hirabayashi . The Politics of Fieldwork: Research in an American Concentration Camp. Mark J. Hudson . Ruins of Identity: Ethnogenesis in the Japanese Islands. Laura Lee Junker . Raiding, Trading, and Feasting: The Political Economy of Philippine Chiefdoms. Robert C. Kiste and M. Marshall (eds) . American Anthropology in Micronesia: An Assessment. Bruce M. Knauft . From Primitive to Postcolonial in Melanesia and Anthropology. David MacDougall . Transcultural Cinema. Zoila S. Mendoza . Shaping Society Through Dance: Mestizo Ritual Performance in the Peruvian Andes. Kirstin Pauka . Theater and Martial Arts in West Sumatra: Randai and Silek of the Minangkabau. Phillip B. Zarilli . When the Body Becomes All Eyes: Paradigms, Discourses, and Practices of Power in Kalaripayattu, a South Indian Martial Art. Michael Pinches (ed.) . Culture and Privilege in Capitalist Asia. Alan Rumsey and James F. Weiner (eds) . Emplaced Myth: Space, Narrative and Knowledge in Aboriginal Australia and Papua New Guinea. Jane Schneider (ed) . Italy's ‘Southern Question’: Orientalism in One Country. Christopher C. Taylor . Sacrifice as Terror: The Rwandan Genocide of 1994. Sandy Toussaint . Phyllis Kaberry and Me: Anthropology, History and Aboriginal Australia.     

The exceptionally diversified Neotropical genus Veturius Kaup: more new data on its phylogeny,taxonomy and distribution (Coleoptera: Passalidae)

New data are provided on 24 known and five new species in three subgenera of Veturius Kaup (Proculini), from Central and South America. Veturius s. str.: V. hincksi Boucher, 2006 (wing polymorphism, Colombia: Nariño), V. perecasi Boucher, 2006 (Colombia: Boyacá, Santander, perhaps Risaralda), V. montivagus Boucher, 2006 (first precise location, Colombia: Tolima), V. schusteri Boucher, 2006 (Costa Rica: Guanacaste, Cartago, Alajuela), V. platyrhinus (Hope & Westwood, 1845) (Colombia: Tolima), V. aspina Kuwert, 1898 (polymorphism, Colombia: Sucre, Cesar, Córdoba, Antioquia), V. yahua Boucher, 2006 (Colombia: Amazonas, Meta), V. ecuadoris Kuwert, 1898 (Colombia: Caquetá), V. muisca n. sp. (Colombia: Cundinamarca), V. nonuya Boucher & Salazar, n. sp. (Colombia: Amazonas), V. standfussi Kuwert, 1891 (polymorphism, Colombia: Caquetá; Peru: Piura), V. arawak Boucher, 2006 (Peru: Cuzco, Puno), V. fabieni Boucher & Salazar, n. sp. (Peru: Junín), V. dreuxi Boucher, 2006 (Bolivia). Publius Kaup: V. crassus (Smith, 1852) (Colombia: Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Meta, perhaps Tolima), V. rugifrons Boucher, 2006 (Colombia: Cundinamarca, Boyacá), V. concretus (Kaup, 1868) (Colombia: Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Meta), V. tectus Boucher, 2006 (second record, Colombia: Santander), V. dupuisi Boucher, 2006 (second record, Colombia: Cundinamarca), V. centralis Boucher, 2006 (second record, Colombia: Antioquia), V. taurus Boucher, 2006 (second record, Colombia: Norte de Santander), V. spinipes Zang, 1905 (topotype, Bolivia). Ouayana Boucher: V. paraensis Luederwaldt, 1927 (Brazil, Pará), V. negroensis Boucher, 2006 (Colombia: Vaupés; Brazil: Amazonas), V. amazonicus Boucher, 2006 (Colombia: Guainía), V. quaesitor Boucher & Salazar, n. sp. (Peru: Piura), V. uncinatus n. sp. (Colombia: no other indication), V. casalei Boucher, 2006 (Colombia: first precise location, Caldas, Antioquia), V. fanestus Boucher, 2006 (Colombia: Nariño). Veturius contains now 86 species, and is by far the most diversified recognized monophyletic genus in the Passalidae.     

Heterologous expression of Anabaena sp. PCC7120 cyanophycin metabolism genes cphA1 and cphB1 in Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) meliloti 1021

Sinorhizobium meliloti infects leguminous plants resulting in a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. Free living cells accumulate poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) as carbon and energy source under imbalanced growth conditions. The cphA1 ₇₁₂₀ gene encoding a cyanophycin (CGP) synthetase of Anabaena sp. PCC7120 in plasmids pVLT31::cphA1 ₇₁₂₀ and pBBR1MCS-3::cphA1 ₇₁₂₀ was expressed in the wild-type S. meliloti 1021 and in a phbC-negative mutant generated in this study. Expression of cphA1 ₇₁₂₀ and accumulation of CGP in cells were studied in various media. Yeast mannitol broth (YMB) and pBBR1MCS-3::cphA1 ₇₁₂₀ yielded the highest CGP contents in both S. meliloti 1021 strains. Supplying the YMB medium with isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside, aspartic acid, and arginine enhanced CGP contents about 2.5- and 2.8-fold in S. meliloti 1021 (pBBR1MCS-3::cphA1 ₇₁₂₀) and S. meliloti 1021 phbCΩKm (pBBR1MCS-3::cphA1 ₇₁₂₀), respectively. Varying the nitrogen-to-carbon ratio in the medium enhanced the CGP content further to 43.8% (w/w) of cell dry weight (CDW) in recombinant cells of S. meliloti 1021 phbCΩKm (pBBR1MCS-3::cphA1 ₇₁₂₀). Cells of S. meliloti 1021 (pBBR1MCS-3::cphA1 ₇₁₂₀) accumulated CGP up to 39.6% in addition to 12.1% PHB (w/w, of CDW). CGP from the S. meliloti strains consisted of equimolar amounts of aspartic acid and arginine and contained no other amino acids even if the medium was supplemented with glutamic acid, citrulline, ornithine, or lysine. CGP isolated from cells of S. meliloti 1021 (pBBR1MCS-3::cphA1 ₇₁₂₀) and S. meliloti 1021 phbCΩKm (pBBR1MCS-3::cphA1 ₇₁₂₀) exhibited average molecular weights between 20 and 25 kDa, whereas CGP isolated from Escherichia coli S17-1 (pBBR1MCS-3::cphA1 ₇₁₂₀) exhibited average molecular weight between 22 and 30 kDa. Co-expression of cyanophycinase from Anabaena sp. PCC7120 encoded by cphB1 ₇₁₂₀ in cphA1 ₇₁₂₀-positive E. coli S17-1, S. meliloti 1021, and its phbC-negative mutant gave cyanophycinase activities in crude extracts, and no CGP granules occurred. A higher PHB content in S. meliloti 1021 (pBBR1MCS-3::cphB1 ₇₁₂₀::cphA1 ₇₁₂₀) in comparison to the control indicated that the cells used CGP degradation product (β-aspartate-arginine dipeptide) to fuel PHB biosynthesis.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: J.M. Arthur . Aboriginal English: A Cultural Study. Diane J. Austin-Broos. Jamaica Genesis: Religion and the Politics of Moral Orders. Mick Broderick (ed.) Hibakusha Cinema: Hiroshima, Nagasaki and the Nuclear Image in Japanese Film. Linda Connor, Patsy Asch and Timothy Asch. Jero Tapakan: Balinese Healer. An Ethnographic Film Monograph. Steven Feld and Keith H. Basso (eds). Senses of Place. T. Fujitani. Splendid Monarchy: Power and Pageantry in Modern Japan. David N. Gellner, Joanna Pfaff-Czarnecka and John Whelpton (eds). Nationalism and Ethnicity in a Hindu Kingdom: The Politics of Culture in Contemporary Nepal. Akhil Gupta and James Ferguson (eds). Anthropological Locations: Boundaries and Grounds of a Field Science. Helen Hardacre. Marketing the Menacing Fetus in Japan. Marilyn Ivy. Discourses of the Vanishing: Modernity, Phantasm, Japan. Margaret Jolly. Women of the Place: Kaslom, Colonialism and Gender in Vanuatu. M.P. Levine, P.M. Nardi and J.H. Gagnon (eds). In Changing Times: Gay Men and Lesbians Encounter HIV/AIDS. Nancy C. Lutkehaus and Paul B. Roscoe (eds.) Gender Ritual: Female Initiation in Melanesia. Helen Morton. Becoming Tongan: An Ethnography of Childhood. Herbert Donald Graham Maschner. Darwinian Archaeologies Michael Southon. The Navel of the Perahu: Meaning and Values in the Maritime Trading Economy of a Butonese Village. J. M. Mageo and A. Howard (eds). Spirits in Culture, History and Mind. Virginia Watson. Anyan's Story. A New Guinea Woman in Two Worlds.     

Substrate specificities of lipases in view of kinetic resolution of unsaturated fatty acids

Several commercially available lipases have been evaluated with regard to their substrate specificity in the esterification of fatty acids having specific positions of cis double bonds, e.g. petroselinic acid (n-12 18:1), alpha-linolenic acid (n-3 18:3), gamma-linolenic acid (n-6 18:3), stearidonic acid (n-3 18:4), dihomogamma-linolenic acid (n-6 20:3), eicosapentaenoic acid (n-3 20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (n-3 22:6), with n-butanol. A common feature of most lipases, e.g. those from Penicillium cyclopium, Candida cylindracea, Mucor miehei, Rhizopus arrhizus and Penicillium sp. is that fatty acids having the first double bond from the carboxyl end as a cis-4 (n-3 22:6), cis-6 (n-12 18:1, n-6 18:3, n-3 18:4) or a cis-8 (n-6 20:3) double bond are strongly discriminated against compared to the other fatty acids, such as myristic acid (14:0), the reference standard, and n-3 18:3. In the case of the lipase from porcine pancreas, however, the discrimination against the above fatty acids is not as strong as with the other lipases. In contrast, the lipase from Chromobacterium viscosum shows a preference for n-12 18:1, n-6 18:3 and n-3 18:4. The observed substrate specificities can be utilized for enrichment of particular fatty acids by lipase-catalysed kinetic resolution from fatty acid mixtures, derived from naturally occurring fats and other lipids.Dedicated to Prof. David A. Walker, Robert Hill Institute, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK, on the occasion of his sixty-fifth birthday on 18 August 1993 Correspondence to: K. D. Mukherjee     

New species of Epitoniidae (Gastropoda: Epitonioidea) from the Red Sea

Based on material stored in the Zoological Museum of the University of Bologna (MZB), four new species of epitoniids from the shallow waters of the Red Sea are described: Epitonium (Laeviscala) yemenita n. sp., Epitonium (Laeviscala) morassii n. sp., Epitonium (Labeoscala) zabargadense n. sp. and Epitonium (Labeoscala) aranea n. sp. Scanning electron microscope illustrations of type specimens of Scalaria gracilis Sowerby, 1844, Scalaria fucata Pease, 1861, Graciliscala histricosa Jousseaume, 1912, Graciliscala rostrata Jousseaume, 1912, Scala rissoinaeformis Melvill, 1903 and Scala thelcteria Melvill & Standen, 1903 are given. Systematic remarks on some species belonging to the subgenus Laeviscala are treated in additional notes. A lectotype of Graciliscala histricosa is designated.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8304A24D-5985-43D5-AEBF-1A7ED39A1F1C     

Transgenic zebrafish line with over-expression of Hedgehog on the skin: a useful tool to screen Hedgehog-inhibiting compounds

We generated a transgenic line Tg(k18:shh:RFP) with overexpression of Sonic hedgehog in the skin epidermis. By 5 day-post-fertilization (dpf), many epidermal lesions were clearly observed, including a swollen yolk sac, epidermis growth malformation around the eyes and at the basement of the pectoral fins. Skin histology revealed embryos derived from Tg(k18:shh:RFP) displayed an elevated Nuclear/Cytoplasmic ratio and pleomorphic nuclei compared to their wild type littermates, suggesting the abnormal growth pattern on the epidermis of Tg(k18:shh:RFP) embryos were dysplasia. Later (by 7 dpf), Tg(k18:shh:RFP) embryos displayed broader pectoral fins which are similar to the polydactyly phenotypes of Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS)/Gorlin patients and polydactylous mice. In addition, treatment with cyclopamine is able to enhance and prolong the survival rates and survival durations of Tg(k18:shh:RFP) embryos. In conclusion, this unique Tg(k18:shh:RFP) fish line, should be an excellent experimental animal for screening for a lower toxicity level of the new Hh-inhibitor and can even be used as a new anti-cancer drug-screening platform.     

Haplotype analysis of key genes governing grain yield and quality traits across 3K RG panel reveals scope for the development of tailor‐made rice with enhanced genetic gains

Though several genes governing various major traits have been reported in rice, their superior haplotype combinations for developing ideal variety remains elusive. In this study, haplotype analysis of 120 previously functionally characterized genes, influencing grain yield (87 genes) and grain quality (33 genes) revealed significant variations in the 3K rice genome (RG) panel. For selected genes, meta‐expression analysis using already available datasets along with co‐expression network provided insights at systems level. Also, we conducted candidate gene based association study for the 120 genes and identified 21 strongly associated genes governing 10‐grain yield and quality traits. We report superior haplotypes upon phenotyping the subset of 3K RG panel, SD1‐H8 with haplotype frequency (HF) of 30.13% in 3K RG panel, MOC1‐H9 (HF: 23.08%), IPA1‐H14 (HF: 6.64%), DEP3‐H2 (HF: 5.59%), DEP1‐H2 (HF: 37.53%), SP1‐H3 (HF: 5.05%), LAX1‐H5 (HF: 1.56%), LP‐H13 (3.64%), OSH1‐H4 (5.52%), PHD1‐H14 (HF: 15.21%), AGO7‐H15 (HF: 3.33%), ROC5‐H2 (31.42%), RSR1‐H8 (HF: 4.20%) and OsNAS3‐H2 (HF: 1.00%). For heading date, Ghd7‐H8 (HF: 3.08%), TOB1‐H10 (HF: 4.60%) flowered early, Ghd7‐H14 (HF: 42.60%), TRX1‐H9 (HF: 27.97%), OsVIL3‐H14 (HF: 1.72%) for medium duration flowering, while Ghd7‐H6 (HF: 1.65%), SNB‐H9 (HF: 9.35%) were late flowering. GS5‐H4 (HF: 65.84%) attributed slender, GS5‐H5 (HF: 29.00%), GW2‐H2 (HF: 4.13%) were medium slender and GS5‐H9 (HF: 2.15%) for bold grains. Furthermore, haplotype analysis explained possible genetic basis for superiority of selected mega‐varieties. Overall, this study suggests the possibility for developing next‐generation tailor‐made rice with superior haplotype combinations of target genes suiting future food and nutritional demands via haplotype‐based breeding.     

Sex pheromone production and response in Korean populations of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), is a worldwide pest of cruciferous crops. We examined the female pheromone production and male response to various pheromone blends in two Korean populations. Gas chromatography (GC) and GC‐mass spectrometry (MS) analyses of pheromone gland extracts revealed that females produce (Z)‐11‐hexadecenal (Z11‐16:Ald), (Z)‐11‐hexadecenyl acetate (Z11‐16:OAc), and (Z)‐11‐hexadecen‐1‐ol (Z11‐16:OH) in a ratio of 8:100:18. However, (Z)‐9‐tetradecenyl acetate (Z9‐14:OAc), a previously reported component of the sex attractant of a Canadian P. xylostella population was not detected in gland extracts of the Korean one. Field tests showed that Z11‐16:Ald and Z11‐16:OAc are essential for attraction of male moths, and the highest attraction is obtained with a 10:90 blend mimicking the blend found in gland extracts. Addition of 1 or 10% of Z11‐16:OH to the 10:90 blend of Z11‐16:Ald and Z11‐16:OAc significantly increased attraction. However, attraction was strongly antagonized by the addition of as little as 0.1% of Z9‐14:OAc to the most attractive ternary blend. The ternary blend of Z11‐16:Ald, Z11‐16:OAc, and Z11‐16:OH at a ratio of 10:90:1 was more effective at catching P. xylostella males than the Japanese three‐component blend or the Canadian four‐component blend in Korea. These results suggest that there is geographical variation in the pheromone systems of this species.     

Gene frequencies of caprine αs1-casein polymorphism in Spanish goat breeds

Using electrophoretic techniques (PAGE-SDS and IEF), we report allelic frequencies of caprine α_s1-casein (Cn) locus in four Spanish milking breeds: Murciana-Granadina, Malagueña, Payoya and Canaria. The E allele (intermediate content of α_s1-Cn in milk) was predominant in dairy breeds Murciana-Granadina, E:0.59; Malagueña, E:0.65 and Payoya, E:0.76, while alleles A and B (high content of α_s1-Cn) were more frequent in the Canaria dairy breed (A:0.28 and B:0.32). Among the Spanish breeds, Canaria represents a particular case where 60% of the alleles were of the high type (A and B). The ethnical group Canaria Palmera was particularly high in the frequency of alleles A and B (91%) very similar to the Italian Garganica breed (98%). The low frequency of F allele (reduced level of α_s1-Cn) in Spanish breeds (Murciana-Granadina, F:0.08; Malagueña, F:0.04; Payoya, F:0.00 and Canaria, F: and Saanen breeds. It is important to note that in the Payoya breed no low or null alleles (F, D, 0) were detected. It seems unlikely that genetic selection for milk production has had a significant influence in determining the α_s1-Cn allelic distribution in goat populations. The direct relationship existing between these allelic variants and differences in the Cn content and in the physico-chemical properties of milk, can be used as a tool in the improvement of milk processing quality and cheese yields of Spanish milking breeds.     

New alien insect pests to Portugal on urban ornamental plants and additional data on recently introduced species

The spread of invasive pests is an important topic in pest control and early detection is crucial for containment of invasive aliens. In this study the results of recent surveys on alien insects of ornamental urban plants in Portugal are reported. Overall, 13 alien species associated with allochthonous ornamental plants were recorded. Seven of these pests are new to the Portuguese fauna: Tinocallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy); Illinoia liriodendri (Monell); Appendiseta robiniae (Gillette) (Hemiptera: Aphididae); Acizzia jamatonica (Kuwayama) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae); Dasineura gleditchiae (Osten Sacken); Obolodiplosis robiniae (Haldeman) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae); and Phytoliriomyza jacarandae Steyskal & Spencer (Diptera: Agromyzidae). Additional distribution data are also provided for other recently introduced alien pests in Portugal: Myzocallis (Lineomyzocallis) walshii (Monell) (Hemiptera: Aphididae); Platycorypha nigrivirga Burckhardt; Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae); Calophya schini Tuthill (Hemiptera: Calophyidae); Corythucha ciliata (Say) (Hemiptera: Tingidae); and Lantanophaga pusillidactylus (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae). Three species in particular (Illinoia liriodendri, Obolodiplosis robiniae and Phytoliriomyza jacarandae) were not previously found in the Iberian Peninsula. Details on current distribution, host plants and biological remarks are given for each species. Possible origin areas, pathways and impacts are also discussed.     

Mutational Analysis of the Multicopy hao Gene Coding for Hydroxylamine Oxidoreductase in Nitrosomonas sp. Strain ENI-11

The ammonia-oxidizing bacterium Nitrosomonas sp. strain ENI-11 contains three copies of the hao gene (hao ₁, hao ₂, and hao ₃) coding for hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO). Three single mutants (hao ₁::kan, hao ₂::kan, or hao ₃::kan) had 68 to 75% of the wild-type growth rate and 58 to 89% of the wild-type HAO activity when grown under the same conditions. A double mutant (hao ₁::kan and hao ₃::amp) also had 68% of the wild-type growth and 37% of the wild-type HAO activity.