On the Knowledge of Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) pennifer (Motschulsky, 1845) and Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) marginalis (Reitter, 1894) (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae)

Entomological Review - The type and other extensive material of Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) pennifer (Motschulsky, 1845) and some of its synonyms was examined. Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) marginalis...     

Structural characterization, kinetic studies, and in vitro biological activity of new cis-diamminebis-cholylglycinate(O,O') Pt(II) and cis-diamminebis-ursodeoxycholate(O,O') Pt(II) complexes

The complexes cis-diamminebis-cholylglycinate (O,O') [Pt(II) C(52)H(90)N(4)O(12)Pt, for convenience referred to as Bamet-R1] and cis-diamminebis-ursodeoxycholate (O,O') Pt(II) (C(48)H(84)N(2)O(8)Pt, Bamet-UD2) were prepared. The structural integrity of the compounds was confirmed by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR, FAB-MS, and UV spectroscopies. The kinetic study of both compounds was accomplished by combining the conductivity measurement and those of the analysis of the electronic spectra in aqueous solution for NaCl concentrations of 4 mM (similar to cytoplasmatic concentration), 150 mM (similar to plasmatic concentration), and 500 mM. In water, the compound Bamet-R1 showed a half-life, t(1/2), of 3.0 h. This compound forms the chelate species through loss of a ligand, and the other one acts as a bidentate ligand. Ring opening in the presence of chloride ion was produced with a k(Cl)()-of 0.25 M(-)(1) h(-)(1). The half-life of Bamet-UD2 in aqueous solution was 3.2 h. However, since this species is not able to chelate and has a lower degree of solubility in the presence of chloride ion, its kinetic behavior was very different from that of the other compound. We consider this to be of great interest with regards to its cytostatic activity. All kinetic measurements were performed under pseudo-first-order conditions, and a pseudo-first-order behavior was found. The antitumoral effect of Bamet-UD2 on several cell lines derived from rat hepatoma, human hepatoma, mouse leukemia, and human colon carcinoma was found to be, in general, similar to that of cisplatin, but higher than that observed for Bamet-R1.     

三种常见实蝇的形态学、生物学和生态学比较

对瓜实蝇Bactrocera (Tetradacus) minax (Enderlein)、桔小实蝇Bactrocera (Bactrocera) dorsalis (Hendel)和桔大实蝇Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) cucurbitae (Coquillett)的形态学、生物学、生态学等方面进行了比较和分析,包括三种实蝇在国内外的分布情况,对寄主选择的差异,各种虫态的形态特征,发育历期和生活史,并对它们的危害状况和防治方法分别作了介绍,可为3种实蝇的鉴定和防治提供参考.     

Electronic structures of collagen model polymers: (Gly-Pro)n, (Gly-Hyp)n, (Ala-Pro)n, (Ala-Hyp)n, (Gly-Pro-Gly)n, (Gly-Hyp-Gly)n, (Gly-Pro-Pro)n, and (Gly-Pro-Hyp)n

In order to investigate the relationship existing between the electronic structures of collagen and its biochemical functions in vivo, the semiempirical CNDO/2 SCF MO calculations were carried out on several model polymers of collagen, (Gly-Pro)_n, (Gly-Hyp)_n, (Ala-Pro)_n, (Ala-Hyp)_n, (Gly-Pro-Gly)_n, (Gly-Hyp-Gly)_n, (Gly-Pro-Pro)_n and (Gly-Pro-Hyp)_n. Geometries of the skeleton of these polymers were assumed to be the same as those of poly(l-proline) I (cis) and II (trans) and the calculations were performed only on infinite polymers in a single chain. The results show that the cis form is always more stable than the trans form for all the polymers treated. This energy difference between the cis and trans forms depends, for example, on the kind of amino acid residue, Gly or Ala, but this could not be seen in the Pro or Hyp residue. The flexibility or mobility of the collagen structure was explained using the energy difference between the cis and trans forms of the polymers, i.e. the cis-trans conversion of the collagen was discussed in connection with the energy difference. The reason why the collagen has the constitution of (Gly-Pro-Hyp)_n is briefly discussed.     

Molecular-Mechanical studies of the mismatched base analogs of d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2:d(CGTGAATTCGCG)2, d(CGAGAATTCGCG)2, d(CGCGAATTCACG)2, d(CGCGAATTCTCG)2, and d(CGCAGAATTCGCG)·d(CGCGAATTCGCG)

Molecular-mechanical simulations have been carried out on “mismatched base” analogs of the DNA double-helical structure d(CGCGAATTCGCG)₂, in which the base pairs CG at the 3 and 10 positions have been replaced by CA, AG, TC, and TG base pairs, as well as an insertion analog in which an extra adenine has been incorporated into one strand of the above structure between bases 3 and 4. The results of these simulations (calculated relative stabilities, structures, and nmr ring-current shifts) have been compared with calorimetric and nmr data. The calculated relative stabilities of the double-helical parent dodecamer and the various “wobble” base pairs qualitatively correlate with the experimental melting temperatures. The base-pairing structure for the GT wobble pair is in agreement with that previously determined from nmr experiments. For the GA base pair, the structure with both bases anti has a slightly more favorable energy from base pairing and stacking than a structure with non-Watson-Crick H-bonding with adenine syn, in agreement with nmr experiments. The CA wobble base is calculated to favor an adenine 6NH₂ …? cytosine N3 H-bond over cytosine 4NH₂ …? adenine N1, again, in agreement with nmr experiments. There is no definitive experimental data on the TC base pair, but the existence of (somewhat long and weak) H-bonds involving cytosine 4NH₂ …? thymine 4CO and cytosine N3 …? thymine HN3 seems reasonable. We find a structure in which the extra adenine base of the insertion analogs sits “inside” the double helix.     

Redescription and distribution of Boeckella gibbosa (Brehm, 1935) (Copepoda,Calanoida, Centropagidae)

Thirty-five species of the family Lecanidae are examined from Tripura state in North-Eastern India. Of these, Lecane levistyla and L. scutata are interesting cold-water forms; L. batillifer is an Australasian element; L. acanthinula and L. sinuata are Oriental endemics and L. braumi, L. lateralis and L. simonneae are palaeotropical species. The lecanid fauna also includes the pantropical L. thienemanni and L. sola while the remainder are cosmopolitan and tropicopolitan elements. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Life Cycle,Feeding and Production of Isoptena serricornis(Pictet, 1841) (Plecoptera,Chloroperlidae)

Some aspects of the biology and ecology (life cycle, feeding and production) of a population of Isoptena serricornis in the Rudava River (Slovakia) are studied, reported and discussed. The life cycle is annual, with slow growth in autumn‐winter and fast growth in late summer and spring. The growth decreased two weeks before the Fall Equinox and increased two weeks after the Spring Equinox. The flight period spans from the end of May to the beginning of July. The presence of large sand particles in the gut of all studied nymphs is of note, and indicates that I. serricornis acts as a deposit‐collector species. Nymphal food is principally composed of detritus, unicellular organisms and, in nymphs of intermediate or large size, Chironomidae larvae. Adult food is composed fundamentally of different types of pollen grains. Males usually have lower food content than females. Annual production of this species (∼694–750 mg · m⁻²) is very high in relation to other previously studied Chloroperlidae. This is probably largely responsible for I. serricornis being one of the most abundant components of the macroinvertebrate community in its habitat in the Rudava River. A negative correlation between production and temperature was observed.     

On the taxonomy and biogeography of Potamon atkinsonianum (Wood-Mason, 1871) and Potamon (Potamon) emphysetum (Alcock, 1909)

The Himalayas are known to be a geologically young and dynamic mountain range hosting an endemic flora and fauna. To date, for freshwater crabs, one endemic subgenus within the genus Potamon, Potamon (Himalayapotamon) Pretzmann, 1966, has been described from the Himalayas. This subgenus includes two species, Potamon atkinsonianum (Wood-Mason, 1871) and Potamon emphysetum (Alcock, 1909). The taxonomic position of these two species is reconsidered. The subgenus Himalayapotamon is raised to generic level and its systematic and zoogeographic position is discussed. Based mainly on the morphology of the male copulatory system, Himalayapotamon belongs to the family Potamidae. It is more related to the Eurasian genus Potamon Savigny, and is distinct from the South-East Asian genus Potamiscus as well as from the Indian freshwater crabs of the family Gecarcinucidae. Zoogeographically Himalayapotamon appears to be an endemic genus related to Potamon, both genera presumably being isolated during the Miocene when the Gangetic waters were separated from the western Eurasian river systems. Further speciation occurred during glacial periods.     

On the Synonymy of Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) pennifer (Motschulsky, 1845) (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae, Oxytelinae)

Entomological Review - The type material of several synonyms of Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) pennifer (Motschulsky, 1845) is revised. Both Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) striatipennis (Eppelsheim, 1894) and...     

Synthesis, characterization, and antitumor activity of 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino) ethane platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes

A number of 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane monomeric platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes have been synthesized in light of their potential antitumor activity. The metal center is coordinated with a number of carboxylate anions in the cis-configuration. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurement, and various spectroscopic techniques [IR and 195Pt NMR]. In vivo screening tests for activity of these complexes were performed against the L1210/0 murine leukemia cancer model, but none displayed a significant level of antitumor activity.     

Spontaneous epimerization of (S)-deoxycoformycin and interaction of (R)-deoxycoformycin, (S)-deoxycoformycin, and 8-ketodeoxycoformycin with adenosine deaminase

(R)-Deoxycoformycin (pentostatin), (S)-deoxycoformycin, and 8-ketodeoxycoformycin were compared as inhibitors of calf intestine adenosine deaminase. In contrast to (R)-deoxycoformycin, which had been demonstrated as a tight-binding inhibitor with a dissociation constant of 2.5 X 10(-12) M [Agarwal, R. P., Spector, T., & Parks, R. E., Jr. (1977) Biochem. Pharmacol. 26, 359-367], (S)-deoxycoformycin and 8-ketodeoxycoformycin are slope-linear competitive inhibitors with respect to adenosine. The kinetic constants are 33 microM for inhibition by (S)-deoxycoformycin, 43 microM for 8-ketodeoxycoformycin, and 16 microM for the Km for adenosine. The stereochemistry of carbon 8 of the diazepine ring therefore causes a (1.3 X 10(7]-fold change in the affinity for the enzyme which is specific for the R configuration. This difference is attributed to an induced conformational change which cannot be initiated by the S isomer or the 8-keto analogue of (R)-deoxycoformycin. The studies were complicated by the need to remove traces of tight-binding inhibitor(s) from (S)-deoxycoformycin, since as little as 0.001% of the R isomer causes significant inhibition. The R and S isomers of deoxycoformycin are unstable in neutral or mildly acidic aqueous solutions. Isomerization of the secondary hydroxyl at carbon 8 of the diazepine ring is one of the reactions, resulting in S to R and R to S conversions for deoxycoformycins. Opening of the aglycon is also a major reaction. The tight-binding inhibitor generated from (S)-deoxycoformycin was identified as (R)-deoxycoformycin by high-pressure liquid chromatography, spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and chemical criteria.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Tonnacypris glacialis (Ostracoda, Cyprididae): taxonomic position, (palaeo-) ecology, and zoogeography

Abstract. The freshwater ostracod Tonnacypris glacialis (Sars, 1890) is reported from the European Pleistocene for the first time. The historical allocation of the species is discussed, and the species composition and characteristics of Tonnacypris Diebel & Pietrzeniuk (1975) and its phylozoogeography are considered. The significance of T. glacialis is reviewed, particularly from the viewpoint of the possible implications of parthenogenesis (and occasional-male production) for the Quaternary history of the genus, and for the use of the species in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. It is suggested that the Pleistocene fossil occurrence of T. glacialis in modern temperature latitudes is a robust indicator of mean summer temperatures of 6°C.     

Potamonautes (Platypotamonautes) ecorssei (Marchand, 1902) (Decapoda, Potamonautidae) new to Ghana and northern Nigeria

The West African river crab, Potamonautes (Platypotamonautes) ecorssei (Marchand, 1902) is reported to occur for the first time in Ghana and for only the second time in Nigeria. Its geographical range is extended south to include the Volta river basin in Ghana, and east to northwest Nigeria, a distance of some 1200 km.     

Comparative cytogenetics of Diphyllobothrium ditremum (Creplin, 1925) and Ligula intestinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea)

An investigation carried out on two species of pseudophyllidean cestodes belonging to different families showed very close karyological affinity between them. The karyotypes of Diphyllobothrium ditremum and Ligula intestinalis both consist of 18 bi-armed chromosomes and are almost identical with respect to the relative length and the centromeric indices of corresponding chromosomes. Statistically significant differences exist in the morphology of chromosomes 2 and 4, but they are not striking and may be due in part to errors of measurement. Differences in the absolute length of the chromosomes were noted: the chromosomes of D. ditremum are somewhat larger (from 2.7 to 8.5 μm) than those of L. intestinalis (from 1.9 to 5.4 μm). The results obtained were compared with data existing for other pseudophyllidean cestodes and preliminary conclusions on the karyotypic evolution in that group of helminths were made.     

Synthesis, catalytic activity, phosphatase inhibition activity, and X-ray structural characterization of vanadium scorpionate complexes, (Tpms)VCl2(DMF) and (Tpms)VOCl(DMF)

The complexes (Tpms)VCl₂(DMF) (1), and (Tpms)VOCl(DMF) (2), have been synthesized and characterized. Complex 2 has also been structurally characterized via X-ray diffractometry. The vanadium(IV) center possesses a square pyramidal/distorted octahedral geometry with a facially coordinating Tpms⁻ ligand in a κ³-N,N,O coordination mode. The complex is the first structurally characterized example of a vanadium(IV) complex with Tpms⁻. Complex 2 shows catalytic activity towards oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butyl catechol and also exhibits phosphatase inhibition characteristics on alkaline phosphatase. Tpms⁻ = trispyrazolylmethanesulfonate; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide.     

Synthesis and antioxidant evaluation of (S,S)- and (R,R)-secoisolariciresinol diglucosides (SDGs)

Secoisolariciresinol diglucosides (SDGs) (S,S)-SDG-1 (major isomer in flaxseed) and (R,R)-SDG-2 (minor isomer in flaxseed) were synthesized from vanillin via secoisolariciresinol (6) and glucosyl donor 7 through a concise route that involved chromatographic separation of diastereomeric diglucoside derivatives (S,S)-8 and (R,R)-9. Synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1 and (R,R)-SDG-2 exhibited potent antioxidant properties (EC₅₀ = 292.17 ± 27.71 μM and 331.94 ± 21.21 μM, respectively), which compared well with that of natural (S,S)-SDG-1 (EC₅₀ = 275.24 ± 13.15 μM). These values are significantly lower than those of ascorbic acid (EC₅₀ = 1129.32 ± 88.79 μM) and α-tocopherol (EC₅₀ = 944.62 ± 148.00 μM). Compounds (S,S)-SDG-1 and (R,R)-SDG-2 also demonstrated powerful scavenging activities against hydroxyl [natural (S,S)-SDG-1: 3.68 ± 0.27; synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1: 2.09 ± 0.16; synthetic (R,R)-SDG-2: 1.96 ± 0.27], peroxyl [natural (S,S)-SDG-1: 2.55 ± 0.11; synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1: 2.20 ± 0.10; synthetic (R,R)-SDG-2: 3.03 ± 0.04] and DPPH [natural (S,S)-SDG-1: EC₅₀ = 83.94 ± 2.80 μM; synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1: EC₅₀ = 157.54 ± 21.30 μM; synthetic (R,R)-SDG-2: EC₅₀ = 123.63 ± 8.67 μM] radicals. These results confirm previous studies with naturally occurring (S,S)-SDG-1 and establish both (S,S)-SDG-1 and (R,R)-SDG-2 as potent antioxidants and free radical scavengers for potential in vivo use.     

Synthesis, Copper(II) Complexation, (64)Cu-Labeling, and Bioconjugation of a New Bis(2-pyridylmethyl) Derivative of 1,4,7-Triazacyclononane

A new ligand derivative of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (TACN), 2-[4,7-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl]acetic acid ( 6), has been synthesized and its complexation behavior toward Cu2+ ions investigated. The ligand 6 has been characterized by spectroscopic methods, and a molecular structure of a corresponding Cu(II) complex has been elucidated by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The suitability of 6 for conjugation to peptide substrates has been shown by amide coupling of 6 to the stabilized derivative of bombesin (BN), beta Ala-beta Ala-[Cha13, Nle14]BN(7-14), to give the conjugate 8. The free ligand 6 and the bioconjugate 8 were labeled with 64Cu2+, and the resulting complexes, 64Cu subset6 and 64Cu subset8 , were found to be stable in the presence of a large excess of a competing ligand (cyclam) or copper-seeking superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as in rat plasma. Biodistribution studies of 64Cu subset8 in Wistar rats showed a high activity uptake into the pancreas (5.76 +/- 0.25 SUV, 5 min p.i.; 3.93 +/- 0.25 SUV, 1 h p.i.), which is the organ with high levels of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR). This receptor is overexpressed in a large number of breast and prostate carcinomas. The novel 64Cu subset6 complex had a dominating influence on the nonspecific activity biodistribution of its BN conjugate, since the distribution data of 64Cu subset6 are similar to those of 64Cu subset8 . The 64Cu complexes exhibited a low activity accumulation in the liver tissue and an extensive renal clearance, which was distinctively different to the biodistribution of 64CuCl 2, suggesting that 64Cu subset6 does not undergo significant demetalation, but rather exhibits high in vivo stability.