IDENTIFICATION OF MINOR COMPONENTS OF THE SEX PHEROMONE OF YELLOW PEACH MOTH DICHOROCIS PUNCTIFEEALIS GUENÉE AND FIELD TRIALS

Abstract  Along with the major component, (E1–10–hexadecenal (E10–16: Al,), two minor components, (Z)-10-hexadecenal(Z10-l6:Aid) and hexadecanal (16: Ald) were identified as components of the sex pheromone of Dichocrocis punctiferalis Guenee. Analysis of single sex pheromone gland extracts by capillary gas chromatography indicated that the relative ratio of 16:Ald, E10–16:Ald_t and 210–16:Ald was equal to 13. 0:80. 4:6. 6 respectively. Field trails indicated that 210–16: Ald and 16: Aid alone caught no males. The most attractive was a blend containing 16: Ald, E10–16:Ald, and 210–16: Ald at a ratio of 16:100:8, and a two-compound blend of E10–16:Ald and 210–16:Ald at a ratio of 100:8.     

Review

Schuiteman, A. & de Vogel, E. F. 2001–2002. Orchids of New Guinea Vol. I: Illustrated checklist and genera; Vol. II: Dendrobium and allied genera.—ETI/National Herbarium of the Netherlands, Leiden. ISBN 90–75000–20–0 (vol. I), 90–75000–43-X (vol. II). Price: 59.00 EUR per volume.     

SEX PHEROMONE COMPONENTS OF THE OREIENTAL TOBACCO BUDWORM, HELICOVERPA ASSULTA GUENÉE: IDENTIFICATION AND FIELD TRIALS

Abstract  The sex pheromone gland extracts of the Oriental tobacco budworm, Helicover assulta Guenée, collected from North China in Beijing area, were analyzed by capillary gas chromatograph(GC) and 6 components from the extracts were identified by capillary GC—MS as hexadecanal (16:Ald), (Z)9-hexadecenal (Z9–16:Ald), (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11–16:Ald), (Z)-9-hexadecen-1-ol (Z9–16:OH), Z11-hexadecen-1-ol (Z11–16:OH), Z-9-hexadecenylacetate (Z9–16:OAc) at a ratio of 10. 9: 58. 7: 3. 9: 14. 7: 1.1: 10. 7. Field studies indicated that an optimum blend of Z9–16:Ald and Z11–16:Ald was 100: 7. Addition of 16: Ald or Z9–16:Ac to the two aldehyde blend showed no significant effect on attractiveness. However presence of Z9–16:OH in the blends significantly reduced male captures.     

Identification of Two Molecular Species of Rat Brain Phosphatidylcholine that Rapidly Incorporate and Turn Over Arachidonic Acid In Vivo

Abstract: In vivo rates of arachidonic acid incorporation and turnover were determined for molecular species of rat brain phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) and phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns). [³H]Arachidonic acid was infused intravenously in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats at a programmed rate to maintain constant plasma specific activity for 2–10 min. At the end of infusion, animals were killed by microwave irradiation, and brain phospholipids were isolated, converted to diacylglycerobenzoates, and resolved as molecular species by reversed-phase HPLC. Most [³H]arachidonate (>87%) was incorporated into PtdCho and PtdIns, with arachidonic acid at the sn -2 position and with oleic acid (18:1), palmitic acid (16:0), or stearic acid (18:0) at the sn -1 position. However, 10–15% of labeled brain PtdCho eluted in a small peak containing two molecular species with arachidonic acid at the sn -2 position and palmitoleic acid (16:1) or linoleic acid (18:2) at the sn -1 position. Analysis demonstrated that tracer was present in both the 16:1–20:4 and 18:2–20:4 PtdCho species at specific activities 10–40 times that of the other phospholipids. Based on the measured mass of arachidonate in each phospholipid molecular species, half-lives were calculated for arachidonate of <10 min in 16:1–20:4 and 18:2–20:4 PtdCho and 1–3 h in 16:0–20:4, 18:0–20:4, and 18:1–20:4 PtdCho and PtdIns. The very short half-lives for arachidonate in the 16:1–20:4 and 18:2–20:4 PtdCho molecular species suggest important roles for these molecules in brain phospholipid metabolism and signal transduction.     

Some Eugregarines (Sporozoa, Apicomplexa) from the Stored Fruit Beetle, Oryzaephilus mercator Fauv. (Coleoptera) from India

Morphology and life history of 3 cephaline gregarines found in the gut of the pest of stored fruit, Oryzaephilus mercator. are described. Of these 3, 2 are new species. The 3 species are (1) Hirmocystis minuta (Ishii, 1914) (LP TL = 1:7 – 1:22, WP/WD = 1:1, 6–1:7); (2) Amsotobus indicus n. sp. (LP/TL = 1:3–1:6, WP/WD = 1:1 – 1:1.3); (3) Leidyana oryzaephili n. sp. (LP/TL = 1:2 – 1:12; WP/WD = 1:1–1:1.6).     

Differentiation of Erwinia Species in the "Herbicola" Group by Class Analysis of Cellular Fatty Acids

Profiles of cellular fatty acids of Erwinia herbicola, E. ananas, E. stewartü and E. uredovora , comprising the Herbicola group in the genus Erwinia , contained 7 major components accounting for 90–95% of total fatty acids, and,30 minor components, each less than 1% of the total. The major components and their average percentage ranges in cells on King's medium B at 28°C for 1 days were: 12:0 (3.5–4.5%), 14:0 (3.6–4.3%), 16:0 (28.1–35.7%), 16:1 (17.5–24.2%), 18:1 (13.9–31.9%), 3-OH 14:0 (4.6–7.2%) and cyclopropane 17:0 (trace levels in E. stewartii , 5.0–6.7% in other species). Fatty acid composition changed as a function of physiological age of the cells. The regression coefficient ( b ) as a function of age for percentage of saturated even- and oddcarbon, straight-chain fatty acids (Classes A and B) was either negative or not significant for E. ananas and positive for the other species. A series of dichotomous steps was constructed based on fatty acid algorithms to differentiate all four species.     

THE LYMPHOCYTES OF CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA: THEIR PROLIFERATION AND CELL CYCLE KINETICS

Lymphocytes obtained from CLL patients exhibited a delayed and reduced response to PHA when cultured in diffusion chambers. DNA synthesis (8–10 hr) and general time (15–19 hr) of the late-developing CLL blasts were consistent with normal values ( T _s: 8–10 hr; T _c: 14–17 hr). However, the G₂ period of CLL blasts seemed more variable, and their mitotic index during the response at 5–6 days was 30–50% of the values determined for normal blasts during their peak response at 2–3 days.     

A classic compilation

Kurtén, B. 1988: On Evolution and Fossil Mammals . XVII + 301 pp. Columbia University Press. ISBN 0–231–05868–3. Price: USD40.00 (bound).     

From Spencer to E-P: Eyewitnessing the Progress of Fieldwork

Strangers Abroad Series: Sir Walter Baldwin Spencer (1860–1929), Fieldwork; Franz Boas (1858–1952), The Shackles of Tradition; William Rivers (1864–1922), Everything Is Relatives; Bron-islaw Malinowski (1884–1942), Off the Verandah; Margaret Mead (1901–1978), Coming of Age; Sir Edward Evans-Pritchard (1902–1973), Strange Beliefs.     

Normal ranges of some blood chemistry parameters in adult farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar

Blood samples from healthy adult Atlantic salmon fed an optimal diet in net sea pens were collected at intervals from October to May. Haematological determinations and biochemical serum analyses were carried out on 20 fish in each of seven samples. The ranges of haemato-logical values for sample means were: haematocrit 44–49%, haemoglobin 8.9–10.4 g 100ml⁻¹, red blood cell count 0.85–1.10 × 10¹² l⁻¹, MCV 441–553 × 10⁻¹⁵ 1, MCH 94–106 × 10⁻⁶ g, MCHC 19.4–21.7 g 100ml⁻¹ and leucocrit 0.43–0.96%. The ranges of enzyme activities in serum, for sample means, were: alkaline phosphatase 647–988Ul⁻¹, aspartate aminotrans-ferase 202–351 Ul⁻¹ and alanine aminotransferase 4–8 Ul⁻¹. The ranges of the other parameters analyzed in serum were: total protein 41.6–56.6 gl⁻¹, albumin 18.3–24.3 gl⁻¹, albumin/total protein ratio 39.3–44.0%, creatinine 26–46 μmol, triglycerides 2.53–4.98 μmol and cholesterol 9.3–12.8 μmol. These values are considered to be the normal ranges in healthy fish. Variations due to seasonal changes, and the clinical significance of the selected parameters, are discussed. Data showing the reproducibility of the biochemical analyses in serum are presented.     

Duration of synchronous cleavage cycles and rate of development at different temperatures in the Baltic herring

The duration of one synchronous cleavage cycle (τ₀) in Clupea harengus membras at different temperatures ( T ) was given by: (logτ₀)= 2.4349–0–0684T for T= 0.9–13°C, and (logτ₀)= 1.61010–oooit for t= 13–18–7°C.     

Nordic Journal of Botany

Book reviewed in this article:
Hilliard, O. M. 1994. The Manuleae. A tribe of Scroph-ulariaceae. — Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh. 579 pp, illus. ISBN 0–7486–0489–8, hardcover. Price: -.     

Aerobic degradation and dechlorination of 2–chlorophenol, 3-chlorophenol and 4-chlorophenol by a Pseudomonas pickettii strain

F. FAVA, P.M. ARMENANTE AND D. KAFKEWITZ. 1995. A Gram-negative aerobic bacterium capable of using 2–chlorophenol (2–CP), 3–chlorophenol (3–CP) and 4–chlorophenol (4–CP) as sole carbon sources was isolated and characterized. The bacterium, designated LD1, was identified to be a Pseudomonas pickettii strain. LD1 was able to totally degrade and dechlorinate 2–CP (initial concentration: 1.51 mmol I^-1), 3–CP (initial concentration: 0.57 mmol I^-1) and 4–CP (initial concentration: 0.75 mmol I^-1) within 30, 30 and 40 h of incubation, respectively, under growing-cell batch conditions. LD1 was also found to be able to metabolize chlorocatechols in growing- and resting-cell conditions. This suggests that the bacterium degrades monochlorophenols through a chlorocatechol pathway. In addition, LD1 was found to be capable of readily metabolizing other organic compounds such as phenol, benzoic acid, hydroxybenzoic acids and hydroquinone.
Because of the broad spectrum of monochlorophenols and organic compounds that LD1 can degrade, this bacterium appears to have the potential for being successfully used in the biotreatment of wastewaters and in soil decontamination.     

Record of a larval Parataeniophorus brevis from Hawaii

A 7.2 mm notochordal-length larva of Parataeniophorus brevis is described and illustrated from the fifth and the smallest specimen, collected near Hawaii. This larva is compared to all other described species of the family Mirapinnatidae, and is unique in having the unpaired fin rays developing in the finfold. The three species of Parataeniophorus can be distinguished on the basis of the number of dorsal-fin and anal-fin rays: bertelseni , 18–20 and 16–18; brevis , 13–16 and 13–15; gulosus 28–33 and 23–29, respectively.     

Untersuchungen über die Geschlechtsumwandlung bei Melandrium album Mill. nach Infektion mit Ustilago violacea (Pers.) Fckl. unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Auxinoxydase und Flavonoide

In halt: Versuchmaterial.— Methoden 1 IES-Oxydase; 2 Flavonoide.– Ergebnisse.1 IES-Oxydase; 2. Flavonoide.–Zusammenfassung Summary.– Literaturverzeichnis.     

The Whales of August

de Muizon, C. 1988: Les Vertébrés Fossiles de la Formation Pisco (Pérou) III. Les Odontocètes (Cetacea, Mammalia) du Miocène . 244 pp. Institut Fran¸ais d'études Andines et Institut de Paléon-tologie du Museum National d'Histoíre Naturelle. éditions Recherche sur les Civilisations, A.D.P.F., Paris. ISBN 2–86538–187–0, ISSN 0291–1655. Price: 289.00 FF (paper).     

Two new ciliates from Hong Kong coastal water: Orthodonella sinica n. sp. and Apokeronopsis wrighti n. sp. (Protozoa: Ciliophora)

ABSTRACT. The morphology and infraciliature of Orthodonella sinica n. sp. and Apokeronopsis wrighti n. sp., isolated from the coastal water off Hong Kong, were investigated in living and stained specimens. Orthodonella sinica n. sp. is diagnosed as: a marine Orthodonella 150–310 × 40–80 μm in vivo; with a dominant beak-like projection at the anterior end; about 70 somatic kineties; 84–126 dikinetids in the synhymenium; one contractile vacuole in the posterior one-fourth of cell, near the left margin; one conspicuous dorsal suture. Apokeronopsis wrighti n. sp. is diagnosed as: an Apokeronopsis about 150–230 × 35–55 μm in vivo; dark-reddish blood-cell-shaped cortical granules grouped in three rows on the ventral side and two rows on the dorsal side; 23–35 cirri in the right mid-ventral rows (MVR) and 23–32 cirri in the left MVR; six to eight buccal, two frontoterminal, 30–42 left marginal, and 32–43 right marginal cirri; 21–30 transverse cirri extending anteriorly beyond the level of mid-body; consistently three dorsal kineties. The separation of A. wrighti n. sp. and its highly similar congeners Apokeronopsis crassa and Apokeronopsis bergeri was supported by comparison of their SSrRNA gene sequences.     

Survival, site and mate fidelity in South Polar Skuas Catharacta maccormicki at Anvers Island, Antarctica

In 1974–1975, 34 adult South Polar Skuas Catharacta maccormicki were colour-ringed on 18 nest territories at Bonaparte Point, Anvers Island, near Palmer Station along the Antarctic Peninsula. Subsequently, the area was searched for these birds during the austral summers of 1975–1976 to 1984–1985 and in 1987–1988 and 1989–1990. Fifty-three percent were seen in 1984–1985, 32% in 1987–1988 and 21% in 1989–1990. Annual survival rate averaged 95% from 1974–1975 to 1984–1985; no sexual differences were detected (n = 28 of known sex). Strong territory and mate fidelity were apparent: 34 skuas averaged 1.1 nest territories and 1.7 mates each in 16 years. Only 4 of 34 individuals (all females) were known to change territories, and each territory change involved a change of mates. Although males showed higher territory fidelity than females (P < 0.01), most females (four of five) retained their territories when previous mates failed to return. Seventeen of 34 birds changed mates a total of 24 times; at least 20 mate changes followed the death or disappearance of the former mate. Males showed slightly higher mate fidelity than females (P < 0.04). Female South Polar and Brown Skuas Catharacta lonnbergi did not differ in territory or mate fidelity. From 1974–1975 to 1984–1985, 120 South Polar Skua chicks were ringed on 18 nest territories on Bonaparte Point: 17 were resighted in the Palmer area when they were 3–10 years old. All 15 returnecs were found within 3 km of their natal nest sites, and four of them occupied nest territories on Bonaparte Point.     

The Modified Sequential Treatment Regimen Containing Levofloxacin for Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Turkey

Background:  Eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori have declined to unacceptable levels in recent years. New and effective treatment options are warranted both as a first and second line treatment.
Aim:  To test an effectiveness of modified sequential therapy with levofloxacin for H. pylori eradication in Turkey.
Material and Methods:  Helicobacter pylori infected dyspeptic patients were included to the study. Subjects were treated with modified sequential therapy consisting of rabeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. and amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d., for 7 days followed by rabeprazole 20 mg b.i.d, levofloxacin 500 mg q.d. and metronidazole 500 mg b.i.d for the remaining 7 days.
Results:  Sixty-three treatment naive patients and 37 previous treatment failures were enrolled to the study (59 F, 41 M, age: 21–80 years). There was five drop out. Helicobacter pylori eradication was achieved in 80 patients, intention-to-treat (ITT): 80% (95% CI: 71–87%) and per-protocol (PP): 84.2% (95% CI: 75–91%), totally. In treatment naive patients ITT and PP eradication rates were 82.5% (95% CI: 71–91%), and 86.7% (95% CI: 75–94%), respectively. As a second line treatment eradication was successful in ITT 75.7%.(95% CI: 59–88%), and PP 80% (95% CI: 63–92%).Mild side effects were reported by 8 patients (8.4%).
Conclusions:  Sequential therapy using "rabeprazole and amoxicillin 7 days followed by rabeprazole, metronidazole and levofloxacin for 7 days" is a new regimen with acceptable eradication rates in naïve patients in Turkey. Further modifications in the dose or duration of this new sequential therapy might increase its effectiveness as both first and second line treatment.     

Plant community distribution and variation along the Awash river corridor in the main Ethiopian rift

The vegetation along the Awash River (1200-km long) in the main Ethiopian Rift, and its relationship with environmental factors was studied. Seven plant communities were described from the study area: (1) Acacia nilotica subsp . leiocarpa. – Carissa edulis type; (2) Acacia robusta subsp . usambarensis – Acokanthera schimperi type; (3) Celtis africana – Mimusops laurifolia type; (4) Acacia senegal – Acacia mellifera – Dobera glabra type; (5) Acacia nilotica subsp. indica – Ficus capreaefolia type; (6) Lannea schimperi – Glycine wightii type; and (7) Tamarix nilotica – Acacia hocki community type. It has been shown that the plant communities along the river follow an altitudinal gradient. The vegetation of the Awash River is mainly the result of the interactions between edaphic factors, the hydrology, altitude, slope and climate.