Liposomes as Carriers for Vaccines

A liposome vaccine formulation that has been successfully used in both animal immunization studies and clinical trials is described. Issues concerning the choice of components for the liposomal vaccine formulation are discussed, especially with respect to the lipid components and the adjuvant. A procedure is described for manufacturing liposomal vaccines using Good Manufacturing Practices as promulgated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Quality control testing for clinical use is described, with particular emphasis on aspects relevant to liposomes. Utilization issues are discussed, including injection volumes, antigen and adjuvant doses, and routes of administration.     

Ultrastructural characterization of cultured embryonic cells of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus neumann (Acarina : Ixodidae)

Cultured embryonic cells of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (Acarina : Ixodidae) have been studied by electron microscope. Two major cell types, an epithelial-like cell and the fibroblast-type cell, are described. A possible third cell type, a muscle cell, which occurs rarely in the cell culture, is also described. The different phases of development, namely the growth, maturation, and aging of the cells are described and discussed.     

A patient with 44 chromosomes

A patient with Turner syndrome and a 13q14q translocation is described. Not a single such case had been reported. The principal findings in connection with double aneuploidy in humans are discussed.     

Molecular patterns of sex determination in the animal kingdom: a comparative study of the biology of reproduction

Determining sexual fate is an integral part of reproduction, used as a means to enrich the genome. A variety of such regulatory mechanisms have been described so far and some of the more extensively studied ones are being discussed.     

A modified blow-gun syringe for remote injection of captive wildlife

A modified syringe capable of automatic injection and suitable for use with a blow-gun is described. The syringe has been used successfully with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) under confined conditions. Desirable characteristics for blow-gun syringes are discussed.     

Hansenula polymorpha as a novel yeast system for the expression of heterologous genes

The advantages of Hansenula polymorpha as a new yeast expression system are discussed in terms of the powerful and regulatable methanol oxidase promoter and the organism's ability to grow on cheap carbon sources. The development of techniques for conventional genetic analysis is described. A total of 218 mutants have been assigned to 62 complementation groups, three genes have been found to be linked forming the first linkage group in this organism. Methods for molecular transformation have been developed allowing the expression of heterologous genes. The disruptive integration and expression of the neomycin phosphotransferase is described.     

South African fossil Cercopithecoidea: A re-assessment including a description of new material from Makapansgat,Sterkfontein and Taung

The fossil cercopithecoid material from South Africa has been reviewed according to sites and species. The 722 specimens considered comprise 6 genera including 16 taxa and come from 16 sites. Aspects of taxonomic controversy and interest are discussed. In particular, the Parapapio material from Makapansgat has been re-evaluated and the taxonomy of the genus Simopithecus is reconsidered. A number of proposals are put forward. Four new specimens from Makapansgat and one from Sterkfontein are described; a previously partially described specimen from Taung is re-described in detail.     

Lobster diseases

A number of diseases affecting lobsters (shell disease, fungal infections and a few selected parasitic occurrences) are described and have been discussed briefly. The bacterial disease, gaffkemia, is described in more detail and used insofar as possible to illustrate the interaction of a pathogen with a vulnerable crustacean host. Emphasis has been placed on the holistic approach stressing the capacity of lobsters and other crustaceans to cope with disease through flexible defense mechanisms, including on occasion the development of resistance.     

Analysis of 13C-NMR spectra of oligosaccharides using microcomputers

A microcomputer programme, ANMROL, has been developed to check whether structure of an oligo- or polysaccharide may be elucidated unambiguously from the 13C NMR data. Principles of the programme are described and its application for the series of linear and branched oligosaccharides is discussed.     

A revision of the genus Labidochromis (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from Lake Malawi

The diagnosis of the genus Labidochromis is revised to include species with bicuspid outer teeth. Sixteen species, of which 13 are new, are described and illustrated and the validity of five others is discussed. The interrelationships between members of the genus and the relationship of the genus to other genera are discussed. No clearly defined sister group to the genus has been found either within or outside the Lake Malawi cichlid species flock. A key based on the coloration of known species is included.     

562. PASSIFLORA MINIATA

Summary.  A well-documented Passiflora species from Bolivia, Brazil and Colombia, which has been extensively cultivated under the erroneous name Passiflora coccinea Aubl., is here described as P. miniata Vanderplank; its history, taxonomy, distribution, ecology and cultivation are discussed.     

Erabutoxin b. Structure/function relationships following initial protein refinement at 0.140-nm resolution

A study has been made, following high-resolution refinement at 0.14 nm, of the structure of erabutoxin b, prototype postsynaptic neurotoxin from snake venom. The detailed patterns of intramolecular van der Waal's interactions have been determined. From information, hitherto unavailable, about atomic temperature parameters, the relative mobilities in different regions of the molecule have been estimated. A detailed model of structure/function relationships in these neurotoxins, which bind to the acetylcholine receptor, has thus been established: the probable dynamic mode of toxin-receptor binding is described. The model identifies, and the binding mode depends on a unique structural feature of these protein toxins: the hydrophobic 'Trp' cleft. Charge-charge interactions are implicated in initial toxin orientation on the receptor surface. Possible reactive-site extension in short-chain toxins is described. Modifications in binding mode of long-chain toxins are considered. The relative mobilities of antigenic site residues are discussed.     

The role of temperature in the crystallization of ribosomes in chick embryos

The relationship between ribosome crystallization and cell degeneration has been studied in chick embryos at various temperatures, and new methods of inducing ribosome microcrystals are described. A model is discussed that reinterprets the role of low temperatures in these phenomena and provides a unitary explanation of the various cases in which the occurrence of ribosome crystallization in chick embryos has been reported.     

AN IMPROVED SUCTION TRAP FOR INSECTS

A suction trap for airborne insects, which automatically segregates the catch at pre-set intervals and standardizes the samples for volume of air, has been previously described by Johnson. Experience with this trap has shown that certain structural improvements were advisable. These have now been incorporated. Constructional details are given and the design of larger traps discussed. It is shown that aphids and lacewings taken are in good condition.     

646. CYLINDROCLINE LORENCEI

Cylindrocline lorencei A. J. Scott, a 'Plant in Peril', is described and illustrated, and its cultivation requirements provided. The species' conservation status is commented on: once declared extinct in the wild, attempts have now been made to re-introduce the species into Mauritius. The relationships of Cylindrocline are discussed.     

Revision of the Neotropical ant subfamily Leptanilloidinae

Abstract. The rare Neotropical ant subfamily Leptanilloidinae is revised and its internal phylogeny and biogeography discussed. A new genus, Asphinctanilloides gen.n., including three new species, A. amazona, A. anae and A. manauara, and three new species of Leptanilloides , L. improvisa, L. legionaria and L. sculpturata are described. The only previously known species of the subfamily, L . biconstricta Mann (1923) , is redescribed, and the larva of L. legionaria sp.n. is described. Keys to the genera and the species, and a phylogeny of the group are provided. Emphasis has been placed on the study of abdominal and sting characters.     

The genus Anisotes (Acanthaceae), a taxonomic revision

The genus Anisotes Nees is revised. A total of 24 taxa had previously been described. In the present revision 19 species, 3 subspecies and 1 variety are recognized. A new infrageneric classification of Anisotes is proposed.
In the general part the morphology, with special emphasis on pollen morphology, and the diagnostic characters of the genus are outlined. Phytogeographical and ecological aspects are discussed in relation to the phytogeographical division of Africa.     

Characterization of a group of transposed human V kappa genes

A genomic region with three V kappa pseudogenes which has been transposed to chromosome 22 is characterized by detailed restriction mapping. A number of subclones are described one of which proved useful to establish an allelic restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in the region. Allelic and duplication-derived restriction site differences in cosmid clones are discussed with respect to possible problems in genomic walking experiments.     

Characterization of normal and rearranged human chromosomes by simultaneous Q- and R-banding with chromomycin A3

Simultaneous Q- and R-type banding patterns in human chromosomes have been achieved by staining with chromomycin A3. Some peculiarities of these patterns as compared to the patterns induced by other fluorochromes are described. The resolution power of this technique in analyzing structural rearrangements of human chromosomes is discussed.