New(s) to the (Z-)ring

Cytokinesis in bacteria is mediated by a macromolecular machine known as the divisome, consisting of an assembly of FtsZ polymers around the cylindrical axis of the cell and the downstream regulators of division that are subsequently recruited to it. FtsZ polymerizes into filaments in a GTP-dependent manner, similarly to its eukaryotic structural homolog tubulin. The initial placement of the FtsZ polymerization site is tightly regulated by multiple mechanisms, as are the subsequent polymer reshaping and force generation that separate the two daughter cells from each other. New factors have been recently discovered that contribute to this regulation, notably affecting FtsZ polymer shaping, and modulating FtsZ polymerization in response to the metabolic or redox state of the cell.     

铁线莲属研究随记(VI)(英文)

讨论了Clematis eriopoda Maxim.和sect.Atragenopsis Boiss.的地位,认为这二分类群均应成立;描述了2新种,1新变种;过去长期被归并的卷萼铁线莲C.tubulosa得到恢复;Clematisheracleifoliavar.ichangensis被转移改作卷萼铁线莲的变种;首次给出光叶铁线莲Clematisglabrifolia的果实的形态描述。     

Linkage between the loci for the Lp(a) lipoprotein (LP) and plasminogen (PLG)

Summary A locus, LP, that determines quantitative variation of Lp(a) lipoprotein phenotypes is linked to the plasminogen (PLG) locus (peak lod score =12.73). This linkage relationship assigns a locus with alleles that have an affect on risk for coronary artery disease to the long arm of chromosome 6.     

(AGCTG) (AGCTG) (AGCTG) (GGGTG) as the primordial sequence of intergenic spacers: the role in immunoglobulin class switch

The means employed for immunoglobulin heavy chain class switch appears to be no different from that by which meiotic intergenic crossing-overs at accomplished. As with other intergenic spacers, the 5' noncoding sequence of each Ig CH (immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region) gene apparently undergoes unconstrained sequence changes due to randomly sustained base substitutions, deletions, and duplications. Yet, there remains sufficient regional sequence homology between the Ig Cmu 5' noncoding sequence and those of its somatic recombination partners, e.g., Ig C gamma 1, Ig C gamma 2b, Ig C alpha, because each of these 5' noncoding sequences is made of multiple copies in various stages of degeneracy of one primordial 20 base pair-long sequence: (AGCTG) (AGCTG) (AGCTG) (GGGTG).     

Dioecism of the genusCallicarpa (Verbenaceae) in the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands

The morphology and function of the flowers of three species of the genusCallicarpa, C. glabra, C. nisnimurae andC. subpubescens, endemic to the Bonin Islands, revealed that all three species were dioecious. Male plants had short-styled flowers with sterile ovaries, while female plants had long-styled flowers with non-germinating inaperturate pollen grains. Such dioecism has never been reported from the family Verbenaceae. This curious sexual system with non-germinating pollen grains may have been maintained as a reward to insect pollinators.     

Mitochondria-rich cells in the astigmatic mites,Diplaegidia columbae (Buchholz) (Analgidae) and Falculifer rostratus (Buchholz) (Falculiferidae) (Acari: Astigmata)

Mitochondria are well-characterized intracellular organelles usually concentrated in locations of high energy consumption. Light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic observations of the internal anatomy of the feather mites Diplaegidia columbae and Falculifer rostratus were conducted. In the anterior half of the bodies of the mites, we found several dozen of distinctive mitochondria-rich (MR) cells filled with abundant, large mitochondria. Mitochondria are placed individually or enclosed in small groups within an elaborated lamellar system forming a mitochondria–lamellae complex (MLC). The role of the MLC as well as the MR cells is not clear at present, but their involvement in heat generation is hypothesized and briefly discussed.     

Branchiopods (non-cladocerans) of the Maltese Islands (central Mediterranean)

Four branchiopod species occur on the Maltese Islands, viz. Branchipus schaefferi, B. visnyai, Cyzicus tetracerus and Triops cancriformis. All four live in freshwater pools, but it is noteworthy that, beside B. schaefferi, T. cancriformis was recorded from a mesohaline, coast-fringing habitat.     

Lecithostaphylus retroflexus (Molin, 1859) (Zoogonidae) and Tergestia acanthocephala (Stossich, 1887) (Fellodistomidae) (Digenea) from the epipelagic teleost Belone belone (L.) in the western Mediterranean

Numerous individuals of the poorly known species Lecithostaphylus retroflexus (Zoogonidae) and Tergestia acanthocephala (Fellodistomidae) have been recovered from the teleost fish Belone belone gracilis from off the Scandola Nature Reserve, Western Mediterranean. They are redescribed, incorporating previously undescribed features: for L. retroflexus, a post-oral ring, a bipartite seminal vesicle, the shape of the excretory vesicle, the subterminal excretory pore and the flask-shaped gland-cells associated with the distinctly pedunculate ventral sucker; and for T. acanthocephala, the intestinal bifurcation in the forebody, necessitating its return to the genus Tergestia from Theledera. Additionally, T. acanthocephala is compared with T. laticollis from various species of Trachurus from the same geographical area.     

天然型与非天然型脱落酸的生物活性比较

采用新方法精制脱落酸（ＡＢＡ）异构体试样,提高了（Ｓ）－（＋）－ＡＢＡ与（Ｒ）－（－）－ＡＢＡ两对映体纯度。抑制生长试验和残留量分析以及气孔闭合试验表明：天然型（Ｓ）－（＋）－ＡＢＡ活性显著高于非天然型（Ｒ）－（－）－ＡＢＡ或（ＳＲ）－（±）－ＡＢＡ。抑制莴苣种子发芽５０％的活性强度,（Ｓ）－（＋）－ＡＢＡ约是（Ｒ）－（－）－ＡＢＡ的５倍,（ＳＲ）－（±）－ＡＢＡ介于两者之间。抑制萝卜下胚轴生长试验,最显著有效期为２～６ｄ,生理作用期约为一周,（Ｓ）－（＋）－ＡＢＡ活性是（Ｒ）－（一）－ＡＢＡ的３．５倍。鸭跖革气孔闭合试验,（Ｓ）－（＋）－ＡＢＡ活性比（Ｒ）－（－）－ＡＢＡ高１倍。     

The heart of the dugong (Dugong dugon) and the west indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) (Sirenia)

Thirty-eight dugong (Dugong dugon) hearts and 28 Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus) hearts were obtained from stranding programs in Australia and the United States. In addition to a double ventricular apex, a feature that has astonished scientists since the eighteenth century, the hearts of both animals have a double subvalvular conus and a dorsal left atrium. The heart lies in a vertical plane at right angles to that of the completely dorsal, symmetrical lungs. The dugong heart has a deeper interventricular cleft and a more conical left ventricle. The latter features may be part of a general morphological trend toward specialization for a more energetic aquatic existence. The presence of a bulbous ascending aorta in the manatee but not in the dugong is without explanation.     

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...     

Diplectanids (Monogenea) on the archerfish Toxotes jaculatrix (Pallas) (Toxotidae) off Peninsular Malaysia

Two new and two previously described species of diplectanid monogeneans (Heteroplectanum flabelliforme n. sp., Diplectanum sumpit n. sp., D. jaculator Mizelle & Kritsky, 1969 and D. toxotes Mizelle & Kritsky, 1969) were collected from archerfish Toxotes jaculatrix off the Island of Langkawi, Kedah and off Perak, Malaysia. The reproductive systems and squamodiscs of D. jaculator and D. toxotes are described for the first time. D. sumpit n. sp. differs from D. toxotes and D. jaculator in a having a small curved copulatory tube with a distinct accessory piece, compared to the long, tubular copulatory tube of D. jaculator and the slender tube of D. toxotes. D. sumpit n. sp. also differs from D. toxotes in having a larger ventral bar and larger squamodiscs. H. flabelliforme n. sp. differs from all known Heteroplectanum species in the shape and size of the squamodiscs, the arrangement of the sclerites in the squamodiscs, the extremely large ventral bar and the short, curved, non-spinous copulatory tube.     

Evidence for a differential functional regulation of the two beta(3)-integrins alpha(V)beta(3) and alpha(IIb)beta(3)

The functional regulation of integrins is a major determinant of cell adhesion, migration and tissue maintenance. The binding of cytoskeletal proteins to various sites of integrin cytoplasmic domains is a key mechanism of this functional regulation. Expression of recombinant integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) and alpha(M)beta(2) lacking the GFFKR-region in CHO cells results in constitutively activated integrins. In contrast, CHO cells stably expressing either a GFFKR-deleted alpha(V(del))beta(3) or a FF to AA-substituted alpha(V(AA))beta(3) do not reveal a constitutively activated integrin. Adhesion to immobilized fibrinogen is strongly impaired in alpha(V(del))beta(3) or alpha(V(AA))beta(3)-expressing cells, whereas it is not impaired in alpha(IIb)beta(3) and alpha(M)beta(2), both lacking the GFFKR-region. In a parallel plate flow chamber assay, alpha(V)beta(3)-expressing cells adhere firmly to fibrinogen and spread even at shear rates of 15 to 20 dyn/cm(2), whereas alpha(V(del))beta(3) or alpha(V(AA))beta(3) cells are detached at 15 dyn/cm(2). Actin stress fiber formation and focal adhesion plaques containing alpha(V)beta(3) are observed in alpha(V)beta(3) cells but not in alpha(V(del))beta(3) or alpha(V(AA))beta(3)-expressing cells. As an additional manifestation of impaired outside-in signaling, phosphorylation of pp125(FAK) was reduced in these cells. In summary, we report that the GFFKR-region of the alpha(V)-cytoplasmic domain and in particular two phenylalanines are essential for integrin alpha(V)beta(3) function, especially for outside-in signaling. Our results suggest that the two beta(3)-integrins alpha(IIb)beta(3) and alpha(V)beta(3) are differentially regulated via their GFFKR-region.     

Sensilla on the aedeagus of the ground beetle Carabus (Ohomopterus) arrowianus arrowianus (Breuning) (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Sensilla on the aedeagus of the ground beetle Carabus (Ohomopterus) arrowianus arrowianus (Breuning) were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. On the aedeagus, a total of six types of sensillum were confirmed: five basiconic and one coeloconic. The external features and distributional patterns of the sensilla are described.     

Dioecy in the endemic genusDendrocacalia (Compositae) on the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands

Dendrocacalia crepidifolia Nakai (Compositae, Senecioneae), the only species of this arboreal genus endemic to Haha Island in the Bonin Islands, was found to be dioecious. Male flowers differ from female ones in having a stunted style (style in female exserted from corolla and deeply bifurcating) and anthers filled with fertile pollen (anthers in the female lacking pollen). The size of the corolla and number of florets per head were similar between male and female flowers. The crown area of this arboreal species was also similar in male and female plants. The sex ratio was 0.55 male, not significantly different from 0.5. Both sexes produced nectar of similar sugar concentration (ca. 50%). The flowers are pollinated by feral honeybees (Apis mellifera), but they are thought to have been pollinated by small, lesshairy, endemic solitary bees before honeybees were introduced and subsequently became the dominant bee species on the island. The evolution of dioecy ofDendrocacalia on the island is thought to stem from the deleterious effects of inbreeding that are inherent in plants with geitonogamy. The increased geitonogamy on the island has resulted from increased woodiness (i.e., increased number of flowers per plant) and the original dependence on endemic bee pollinators, which are now endangered.     

Participation of the cholinergic system in the excessive grooming behavior induced by neuropeptide (N) glutamic acid (E) isoleucine (I) amide (NEI)

The neuropeptide (N) glutamic acid (E) isoleucine (I) amide (NEI) injected into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) or intraventricularly (icv) induces excessive grooming behavior (EGB) and motor activity (MA). Here, we studied whether the cholinergic system is involved in the NEI-induced behavior. The present results demonstrate that atropine, a general muscarinic antagonist, injected icv previous to NEI, suppresses the behavior provoked by icv injections of the peptide, whereas the prior icv injection of dyhidro--erythroidine, a general nicotinic antagonist, did not affect the EGB and MA induced by the peptide. From the experimental evidence, it is suggested that NEI may act specifically on a cholinergic afferent to dopaminergic cells. Also, the results appear to indicate that a neural target, different from the dopamine system, may be activated by the peptide to elicit behavioral changes, such as EGB.     

On the discussion of the wing venation of (Archae)Orthoptera (Insecta)

Alternative current approaches to homology and nomenclature of the insect wing venation are discussed. The differences between the opposing viewpoints are found to be not as deep as they have sometimes been supposed to be, and more so, there are some observations that could help to smooth current contradictions. However, this requires an understanding of the evidence presented by the disputants and, particularly, an understanding of their terminology.     

The natural history ofPetrobia (Tetranychina) harti (Ewing) andPetrobia (Mesotetranychus) tunisiae Manson (Acari: Tetranychidae) in the laboratory

Petrobia harti (Ewing) developed more rapidly, deposited more eggs and lived longer onOxalis corniculata than onO. articulata. No development took place on several other recorded host plants. In the field this mite was most abundant during early summer. Males made up less than 10% of the population, and no diapause eggs were seen in the field.Petrobia tunisiae Manson developed on various winter Gramineae, produced about 17 non-diapause eggs during its first generation and mostly diapause eggs in the second. A few diapause eggs kept in the laboratory and dipped in chloroform hatched even after 3 years. A summer diapause is postulated for this species.     

Lepidocoleus cf.ulrichi (Machaeridia) from the Trenton Group (Ordovician) of Ontario (Canada)

A specimen of the machaeridianLepidocoleus cf.ulrichi described herein focuses attention on taxonomical difficulties with extremely dorso-ventrally elongated sclerites found in some lepidocoleid taxa.Lepidocoleus ulrichi Withers, 1926 andLepidocoleus sigmoideus Withers, 1926 exhibit very similar appearances and prove indistinguishable based onWithers 1926 criteria. The key to separating taxa as similar as these may instead lie in the most juvenile stages of growth.