Descriptions of the previously unknown xylobiont larva and pupa of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atypophthalmus inustus</Emphasis> (Diptera,Limoniidae)

The larval and pupal morphology of Atypophthalmus inustus (Meigen, 1818) are described for the first time. The main diagnostic characters are the following: head capsule massive, frons with 3 short terminal projections, hypostomium with 11 teeth and long narrow split, hypopharynx and labium with well-developed conical teeth, stigmal area with 2 long ventral pigmented spots.     

Description of the xylobiont larvae and pupae of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Achyrolimonia</Emphasis> (Diptera,Limoniidae)

The larva and pupa of Achyrolimonia basispina (Alex.) are described for the first time. New data on the morphology of the larva and pupa of A. decemmaculata (Loew) are discussed, and the morphological characteristics of the genus are defined more exactly. The larvae of these species develop in the dead wood of deciduous trees and in the old carpophores of wood fungi.     

Artificial neural networks for fly identification: A case study from the genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tachina</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ectophasia</Emphasis> (Diptera,Tachinidae)

The classification methodology based on morphometric data and supervised artificial neural networks (ANN) was tested on five fly species of the parasitoid genera Tachina and Ectophasia (Diptera, Tachinidae). Objects were initially photographed, then digitalized; consequently the picture was scaled and measured by means of an image analyser. The 16 variables used for classification included length of different wing veins or their parts and width of antennal segments. The sex was found to have some influence on the data and was included in the study as another input variable. Better and reliable classification was obtained when data from both the right and left wings were entered, the data from one wing were however found to be sufficient. The prediction success (correct identification of unknown test samples) varied from 88 to 100% throughout the study depending especially on the number of specimens in the training set. Classification of the studied Diptera species using ANN is possible assuming a sufficiently high number (tens) of specimens of each species is available for the ANN training. The methodology proposed is quite general and can be applied for all biological objects where it is possible to define adequate diagnostic characters and create the appropriate database.     

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

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

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

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

On the biology of the Limoniid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lipsothrix nobilis</Emphasis> (Diptera,Limoniidae) with description of the immature stages

Data on the biology and morphological characters of the larva and pupa of Lipsothrix nobilis Loew, 1873 are given for the first time. The diagnostic characters for the genus Lipsothrix Loew and the species L. errans (Walker) are specified. The larvae differ in the structure of the frontal plate, coloration of the stigmal area, and structure of the hypostomium. The pupae differ in the shape of cuticular structures of the abdominal segments and structure of the spiracles and terminal dents. The larvae inhabit the light decaying moist wood of fallen trunks.     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On the distribution of seed-eating <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dicraeus nartshukae</Emphasis> (Diptera,Chloropidae) and its host plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leymus mollis</Emphasis>

The distribution ranges of Dicraeus nartshukae Kanmiya (Diptera, Chloropidae) and its host plant Leymus mollis (Trin.) Pilger are discussed. Larvae of D. nartshukae develop in unripe seeds of Leymus mollis but not in the seeds of the closely related L. villosissimus and L. interior. The spikes, spikelets, and glumes of L. mollis are larger than in other species, and usually softly hirsute. The glumes of L. villosissimus and L. interior possess dense hirsute pubescence which appears to be unfavorable for oviposition of Dicraeus nartshukae. The absence of seedeating Dicraeus on L. villosissimus and L. interior is an additional argument in support of distinctness of these species. The distribution range of Dicraeus nartshukae is meridional, or Pacific littoral.     

Manifestation of salt tolerance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirulina platensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirulina maxima</Emphasis> cyanobacteria of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrospira (Spirulina)</Emphasis>

The salt tolerance of two representatives of genus Spirulina (Arthrospira) Spirulina platensis and Spirulina maxima has been investigated. They both are the wide-spread objects of photobiotechnology and it has been shown that the content of 5–15 % sea-water in medium has not caused the decreasing of biomass yield more than 15–20% as compared with control. The further decreasing of biomass was proportionate to sea-water content in medium. The investigation of reactivity of native (intravital) exometabolites secreted into cultural medium has showed that the sea-water content influence the oxidative activity (OA) of exometabolites and hour’s rhythmics.     

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

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

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cardamine plumieri</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassicaceae</Emphasis>) confirmed to the Flora of Serbia

The south-European Cardamine plumieri Vill. (sect. Pteroneurum subsect. Cryptopterum) is confirmed for the Flora of Serbia. Several populations were discovered in the central and western part of country, exclusively on the serpentine bedrocks. Morphological, chorological and ecological characteristics of C. plumieri was studied.     

Overexpression of the Chitosanase Gene in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium solani</Emphasis> via <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">tumefaciens</Emphasis>-Mediated Transformation

To overexpress the chitosanase gene (csn) in F. solani, a vector based on pCAMBIA 1300 was constructed. The csn gene, which is under control of the Aspergillus nidulans gpdA promoter and A. nidulans trpC terminator, was introduced back into the F. solani genome by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation, and the herbicide-resistance gene bar from Streptomyces hygroscopicus was used as the selection marker. Transformants which showed a significant increase in chitosanase production (~2.1-fold than control) were obtained. Southern blot analysis indicated that most transformants had a single-copy T-DNA integration.