H(2)O(2)-induced O(2) production by a non-phagocytic NAD(P)H oxidase causes oxidant injury

Non-phagocytic NAD(P)H oxidases have been implicated as major sources of reactive oxygen species in blood vessels. These oxidases can be activated by cytokines, thereby generating O(2), which is subsequently converted to H(2)O(2) and other oxidant species. The oxidants, in turn, act as important second messengers in cell signaling cascades. We hypothesized that reactive oxygen species, themselves, can activate the non-phagocytic NAD(P)H oxidases in vascular cells to induce oxidant production and, consequently, cellular injury. The current report demonstrates that exogenous exposure of non-phagocytic cell types of vascular origin (smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts) to H(2)O(2) activates these cell types to produce O(2) via an NAD(P)H oxidase. The ensuing endogenous production of O(2) contributes significantly to vascular cell injury following exposure to H(2)O(2). These results suggest the existence of a feed-forward mechanism, whereby reactive oxygen species such as H(2)O(2) can activate NAD(P)H oxidases in non-phagocytic cells to produce additional oxidant species, thereby amplifying the vascular injury process. Moreover, these findings implicate the non-phagocytic NAD(P)H oxidase as a novel therapeutic target for the amelioration of the biological effects of chronic oxidant stress.     

Proton-NMR study of the interaction of trans-dichloro-diamine-platinum(II) with poly(I) and poly(I).poly(C)

The fixation of trans-(NH₃)₂Cl₂ Pt(II) to poly(I)·poly(C) at low r_b (< 0.05) leads to the formation of two complexed species. The major species (ca. 82% of bound platinum) involves coordination of platinum to a single hypoxanthine base, while the other species involves coordination of two hypoxanthine bases, which are either far apart on the same strand or on separate poly(I) strands, to the platinum. These same two species are found after reaction with poly(I), as are two other species throughout the entire r_b range studied (r_b = 0–0.30). The latter two species are assigned to trans-Pt bound to two bases on a poly(I) strand with (a) one or (b) two free bases between the two bound bases. These two species, (a) and (b), account for ca. 35% of the bound platinum, although the 1:1 species remains dominant (ca. 55%). These two additional species are observed at high r_b (>0.075) after reaction with poly(I)·poly(C) but as very minor species. They are formed by reaction with melted poly(I) loops. Also at high r_b, we have observed a shifted cytidine H⁵ resonance arising from interaction of trans-Pt with a melted loop of poly(C). Most probably, this arises from an intramolecular poly(I) to poly(C) crosslink. Results from the reaction of trans-Pt with poly(C) are presented for comparison.     

Acid-base and copper (II) complexation equilibria of poly(inosinic)-poly(cytidylic)

The acid-base and copper (II) complexing properties of the heteropolynucleotide poly(inosinic)-poly(cytidylic) acid were studied by means of potentiometric, spectrophotometric, CD, and molecular fluorescence titrations in a working aqueous medium of 0.15 M ionic strength at 37°C. The study of the acid-base equilibria has proved the existence of four different species in the pH interval 2–11. Two new species are detected in the presence of copper(II) ion, at acidic and neutral pH values. Spectrophotometric, CD, melting, and fluorescence data were treated with a multivariate curve resolution procedure that allowed the determination of the number of species simultaneously present in each system [acid-base equilibria, copper(II) complexation equilibria], and the estimation of their concentration profiles and of the pure spectra for each species. From the concentration profiles an unambiguous assignment of which species are present at any pH conditions can be made. Furthermore, the knowledge of the pure uv-visible, fluorescence, and CD spectra recovered by the proposed resolution method for each species brings important structural information. When this mathematical approach was applied to the thermal denaturation data, the melting profile and the uv pure spectra for all the different species or conformations formed in the melting process, were calculated. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 42: 271–283, 1997     

Caterpillar (Lepidoptera) communities on European Turkey oak (Quercus cerris) in Malé Karpaty Mts (SW Slovakia)

Between 2000–2002, the structure of communities of lepidopteran larvae was studied in leaf bearing crowns of Quercus cerris in the central and northern part of the Malé Karpaty Mts (SW Slovakia). Caterpillars were collected using the beating method in four study plots. In total, 58 species were found. The families Geometridae, Noctuidae and Tortricidae comprised the highest number of species found. The family Geometridae comprised the highest number of pests. The most abundant species for individual plots were Lymantria dispar, Operophtera brumata, Ypsolopha alpella and Cyclophora ruficiliaria. Most of the recorded species belonged to the trophic group of generalists (39 species). Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index and Pielou’s equitability (evenness) value indicated there were marked differences between the Horny háj study plot (an insular forest with ants as the predators of caterpillars) and other plots. The main ecological gradient along DCA-1 related to the host specificity of caterpillars and consisted of three groups: (a) polyphagous species; (b) specialist species feeding chiefly on oaks or exclusively on oaks and (c) species preferring some oak species, mainly Q. cerris. The fragmentation of growth was identified along DCA-2.     

Water-use efficiency and nitrogen-use efficiency of C(3) -C(4) intermediate species of Flaveria Juss. (Asteraceae)

Plants using the C(4) pathway of carbon metabolism are marked by greater photosynthetic water and nitrogen-use efficiencies (PWUE and PNUE, respectively) than C(3) species, but it is unclear to what extent this is the case in C(3) -C(4) intermediate species. In this study, we examined the PWUE and PNUE of 14 species of Flaveria Juss. (Asteraceae), including two C(3) , three C(4) and nine C(3) -C(4) species, the latter containing a gradient of C(4) -cycle activities (as determined by initial fixation of (14) C into C-4 acids). We found that PWUE, PNUE, leaf ribulose 1·5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) content and intercellular CO(2) concentration in air (C(i) ) do not change gradually with C(4) -cycle activity. These traits were not significantly different between C(3) species and C(3) -C(4) species with less than 50% C(4) -cycle activity. C(4) -like intermediates with greater than 65% C(4) -cycle activity were not significantly different from plants with fully expressed C(4) photosynthesis. These results indicate that a gradual increase in C(4) -cycle activity has not resulted in a gradual change in PWUE, PNUE, intercellular CO(2) concentration and leaf Rubisco content towards C(4) levels in the intermediate species. Rather, these traits arose in a stepwise manner during the evolutionary transition to the C(4) -like intermediates, which are contained in two different clades within Flaveria.     

Australian species of Sinella (Sinella) Brook (Collembola: Entomobryidae)

Abstract  The Australian subgenus Sinella ( Sinella ) Brook is revised. Two species are recognised. A new species from New South Wales and South Australia, Sinella ( Sinella ) samueli , is described and the widely distributed species Sinella ( Sinella ) termitum Schött is redescribed based on examination of a specimen from the type series and fresh collections from a wide range of localities in south-eastern Australia. New patterns of chaetotaxy for the genus are described from these species.     

Simuliidae (Diptera) of Sabah (British North Borneo)

This paper is based on collections made in Sabah by John Smart and on an examination of named material (types) in the British Museum (Natural History), London.
Segregates discussed comprise:(1) six new species, (2) five named species from the area, described by the late F. W. Edwards (1933).     

Panicum milioides (C(3)-C(4)) does not have improved water or nitrogen economies relative to C(3) and C(4) congeners exposed to industrial-age climate change

The physiological implications of C(3)-C(4) photosynthesis were investigated using closely related Panicum species exposed to industrial-age climate change. Panicum bisulcatum (C(3)), P. milioides (C(3)-C(4)), and P. coloratum (C(4)) were grown in a glasshouse at three CO(2) concentrations ([CO(2)]: 280, 400, and 650?μl l(-1)) and two air temperatures [ambient (27/19?°C day/night) and ambient + 4?°C] for 12 weeks. Under current ambient [CO(2)] and temperature, the C(3)-C(4) species had higher photosynthetic rates and lower stomatal limitation and electron cost of photosynthesis relative to the C(3) species. These photosynthetic advantages did not improve leaf- or plant-level water (WUE) or nitrogen (NUE) use efficiencies of the C(3)-C(4) relative to the C(3) Panicum species. In contrast, the C(4) species had higher photosynthetic rates and WUE but similar NUE to the C(3) species. Increasing [CO(2)] mainly stimulated photosynthesis of the C(3) and C(3)-C(4) species, while high temperature had no or negative effects on photosynthesis of the Panicum species. Under ambient temperature, increasing [CO(2)] enhanced the biomass of the C(3) species only. Under high temperature, increasing [CO(2)] enhanced the biomass of the C(3) and C(3)-C(4) species to the same extent, indicating increased CO(2) limitation in the C(3)-C(4) intermediate at high temperature. Growth [CO(2)] and temperature had complex interactive effects, but did not alter the ranking of key physiological parameters amongst the Panicum species. In conclusion, the ability of C(3)-C(4) intermediate species partially to recycle photorespired CO(2) did not improve WUE or NUE relative to congeneric C(3) or C(4) species grown under varying [CO(2)] and temperature conditions.     

A new capillariid (nematoda) parasitizing Heterandria bimaculata (Heckel, 1848) (Poeciliidae) in Mexico

A new nematode species, Freitascapillaria moraveci n. sp., is described; it was obtained from specimens recovered from the gall bladder of the 2-spot livebearer Heterandrá bimaculata (Heckel, 1848) from La Antigua River, State of Veracruz, Mexico. The new species is assigned to Freitascapillaria Moravec 1982; it is largely characterized by the posterior end of the males, which is laterally expanded without distinct projections. Freitascapillaria moraveci n. sp. differs from the only other species of the genus, F. maxillosa, by the absence of wing-like cells at the esophago-intestinal junction, which are present in the latter species; stichosoma consists of 30-36 stichocytes (F. moraveci) versus 40-60 stichocytes (F. maxillosa) in both males and females and the presence of a well-developed spicule.     

Linkage of plasminogen (PLG) and apolipoprotein(a) (LPA) in baboons.

Four allelic forms of serum plasminogen (PLG) were detected in baboons (Papio hamadryas Linneaus 1758) by isoelectric focusing and were determined to be inherited as autosomal codominant traits. Linkage analysis of data from 179 progeny and their parents revealed that PLG is tightly linked (lod score = 30.20) to the gene encoding apolipoprotein(a) (LPA), as in humans. No recombinant individuals were identified. This is the first linkage detected between PLG and LPA in any species other than humans and is the first genetic linkage identified in a nonhuman primate species by family studies.     

On the respiratory quotient (RQ) of termites (Insecta: Isoptera)

The respiratory quotient (RQ) at 28 degrees C was determined by Warburg manometry in 23 species of termites from the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve (Cameroon) and three sub-tropical species cultured under laboratory conditions in the U.K. or freshly collected in Australia. The data are tabulated with other recently reported RQs (determined by manometry or GC) and with measured CH(4) emission rates to provide a survey of 29 species covering both lower and higher termites in all major trophic (functional) categories. In all species, except the wood-feeding Coptotermes acinaciformis and the soil-feeding Cubitermes fungifaber, the observed mean values (with manometry corrected for known fluxes of H(2) and CH(4)) were at or well above 1.00. Soil-feeding forms (except C. fungifaber) generally showed a high apparent RQ (not corrected for H(2)), with nine species (out of 13) above 1.20 and six species above 1.30. Well-replicated laboratory experiments with Reticulitermes lucifugus showed that there was a tendency for RQ to fall with time over a 4-h incubation, although remaining greater than 1.00.The observed RQs are consistent with carbohydrate being the principal substrate supporting respiration in all trophic and taxonomic categories, with little or no contribution from the degradation of lignin or other polyaromatic materials. However, in many species (especially soil-feeders), the observed RQ is greater than that expected from known fluxes of O(2), CO(2) and CH(4) on the assumption that carbohydrate is the respiratory substrate. This presupposes that there is a large hydrogen sink (additional to CH(4) production), possibly the emission of H(2) gas, and/or the existence of unresolved digestive mechanisms or electron routings. Uncertainties in the use of manometry with termites are discussed.     

Effect of praseodymium(III) on zinc(II) species in human interstitial fluid

A multiphase model of metal ion species in human interstitial fluid was constructed under physiological conditions. The effect of Pr(III) on Zn(II) species was studied. At the normal conditions, Zn(II) species mainly distribute in [Zn(HSA)], [Zn(IgG)], and [Zn(Cys)₂H]⁺. With the Pr(III) level increased, the apparent competition of Pr(III) for ligands lead to the redistribution of Zn(II) species.     

Hoverfly (Diptera, Syrphidae) fauna of Ary-Mas locality (the Taimyr Biosphere Reserve)

The local fauna of Ary-Mas (the Taimyr Biosphere Reserve) was found to comprise 56 species of hoverflies, representing only two subfamilies: Syrphinae (36 species) and Eristalinae (20 species). Analysis of trophic preferences of adult hover-flies showed that Syrphidae visited plants of 17 species from 10 families. The representatives of Syrphidae preferred Tanacetum bipinnatum (18 species), Ranunculus propinquus, and Tripleurospermum hookeri (12 species each). Three species of hoverflies visited the greatest number of plant species: Melangyna arctica (11), Syrphus ribesii (9), and Parasyrphus dryadis (8).     

Polyphenism ofHalictus (Seladonia) tumulorum (L.) (Hymenoptera,Halictinae)

Summary A population ofHalictus (S.) tumulorum, a species whose biology is poorly known, was studied in eastern France. The polyphenism was evaluated by comparing a sample of foundresses (1991) with two samples of summer females (1991 and 1992).H. tumulorum is a primitively eusocial species with castes differing only slightly in size, but more in function, and producing numerous males in the first brood. The social level of the species appears rather low.     

Distribution of native legumes (Leguminoseae) in frequently burned longleaf pine (Pinaceae)-wiregrass (Poaceae) ecosystems

Legume species distribution and abundance and selected environmental variables were quantified across a complex gradient (varying in both water-holding capacity and fertility) for frequently burned longleaf pine (Pinus palustris)–wiregrass (Aristida stricta) ecosystems. Legumes were present in all months; however, abundance peaked in June and was minimal after killing frosts in October. Legume species were prominent in the flora (43 species encountered) ubiquitous (94% of 2-m² subplots had at least one legume species), and abundant (nearly 120 000 stems/ha). Although most species were widely distributed throughout the gradient, Lespedeza angustifolia was distinctly associated with the more hydric end of the gradient, while both Petalostemon pinnatum and Galactia microphylla were located in the more xeric extreme. The percentage variation in species that could be accounted for by environmental variation was low (27%). Of the variation that could be accounted for, a number of environmental variables were important, including soil moisture, pine basal area (i.e., light), and bivalent base cations (e.g., Ca²⁺). Although gradients in resource availability among sites did not affect the distribution of species or abundance of legumes strongly, variation in resources are likely to regulate N₂-fixation rates of the various native legume species, and thereby affect ecological functions such as maintenance of N capital and productivity.     

Benthic hydroids (Cnidaria,Hydrozoa) from the Balleny Islands (Antarctica)

Twenty-two species of benthic hydroids, belonging to ten families and 14 genera, were found in a hydroid collection obtained in the Balleny Islands during the BioRoss expedition with the NIWA research vessel Tangaroa in 2004. Twenty of those species constitute new records for the Balleny Islands, raising the total number of known species in the area to 25. Most are members of the subclass Leptothecata, although the subclass Anthoathecata is also relatively well represented. Kirchenpaueriidae and Sertulariidae constitute families with the greatest numbers of species in the collection, with five species (20%) each. Oswaldella with five species (20%) and Staurotheca with four (16%), were the most diverse genera. Twelve species (63%) are endemic to Antarctic waters, most of them with a circum-Antarctic distribution, and 17 (89%) are restricted to Antarctic or Antarctic/sub-Antarctic waters. Although the Balleny Islands hydroid fauna seems to be a typical Antarctic assemblage, it has some striking peculiarities, namely the absence or low representation of some typical and widespread Antarctic genera (Antarctoscyphus and Schizotricha/Symplectoscyphus, respectively).     

Assimilatory sulfate reduction in C(3), C(3)-C(4), and C(4) species of Flaveria

The activity of the enzymes catalyzing the first two steps of sulfate assimilation, ATP sulfurylase and adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate reductase (APR), are confined to bundle sheath cells in several C(4) monocot species. With the aim to analyze the molecular basis of this distribution and to determine whether it was a prerequisite or a consequence of the C(4) photosynthetic mechanism, we compared the intercellular distribution of the activity and the mRNA of APR in C(3), C(3)-C(4), C(4)-like, and C(4) species of the dicot genus Flaveria. Measurements of APR activity, mRNA level, and protein accumulation in six Flaveria species revealed that APR activity, cysteine, and glutathione levels were significantly higher in C(4)-like and C(4) species than in C(3) and C(3)-C(4) species. ATP sulfurylase and APR mRNA were present at comparable levels in both mesophyll and bundle sheath cells of C(4) species Flaveria trinervia. Immunogold electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of APR protein in chloroplasts of both cell types. These findings, taken together with results from the literature, show that the localization of assimilatory sulfate reduction in the bundle sheath cells is not ubiquitous among C(4) plants and therefore is neither a prerequisite nor a consequence of C(4) photosynthesis.     

New species of Haplometroides (Digenea: Plagiorchiidae) from Phalotris nasutus (Gomes, 1915) (Serpentes, Colubridae)

A new species of Haplometroides (Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) is described from a specimen of Phalotris nasutus (Gomes, 1915) (Serpentes, Colubridae). The host snake was obtained in the municipality of Corumbd, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Trematodes were recovered from esophagus, stomach, and small intestine of the host. The main characteristic of the new species is the vitellaria, which is intercecal, cecal, and extracecal in the preacetabular region. A key for identification of the species in Haplometroides is proposed.     

Seven species of Fainalges Gaud and Berla (Analgoidea, Xolalgidae) from Aratinga holochlora (Sclater) (Aves, Psittacidae)

The greatest number of feather mite Congeners occurring on a single host are members of the genus Fainalges Gaud & Berla (Acarina, Xolalgidae), associates of New World parrots. For the green conure, Aratinga holochlora (Sclater) (Aves, Psittacidae), there are six new and one previously known Fainalges species; these will be (re) described herein. The new species are: F. bilobatus, F. latistriatus, F. spiculatus, F. stettenheimi, F. tanythrix, F. vulgaris ; the redescribed species is F. longissimus Mejía-González & Pérez. Additionally, the developmental series for each species is (re)described. The microhabitats of the two most abundant species, F. bilobatus and F. vulgaris , are established. Fainalges brevissimus Mejía-González & Pérez is considered as a junior synonym of F. intermedius (Trouessart).