Synthesis and transformations of a pyrazole containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-didehydro-<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-amino acid derivatives

Summary.  2H-Pyran-2-ones 1 were transformed with various hydrazines into (E)- or (Z)-α,β-didehydro-α-amino acid (DDAA) derivatives 4 (and 7) containing a highly substituted pyrazolyl moiety attached at the β-position. With heterocyclic hydrazines, the products 4 were accompanied also by decarboxylated enamines E-6. In order to separate (E/Z)-mixtures of acids, they were transformed to the corresponding methyl esters 9 and 10 by the application of diazomethane. Catalytic hydrogenation under high pressures with Pd/C as a catalyst resulted in the formation of racemic alanine derivatives 11. Received January 29, 2002 Accepted May 27, 2002 Published online December 18, 2002 RID="*" ID="*"  Dedicated with deep respect to Professor Waldemar Adam on the occasion of his 65^th birthday. Acknowledgements We thank the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia for the financial support (P0-0503-103). Dr. B. Kralj and Dr. D. Žigon (Center for Mass Spectroscopy, “Jožef Stefan” Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia) are gratefully acknowledged for the mass measurements. Authors' address: Prof. Marijan Kočevar, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, E-mail: marijan.kocevar@uni-lj.si     

Modeling species richness controlled by community-intrinsic and community-extrinsic processes: coastal fish communities as an example

 This article focuses on the analysis of coastal fish communities along the Norwegian Skagerrak coast. Species numbers are estimated based on annual samples of the fish communities within 12 fjords from 1953 to 1994. On this basis, a community dynamics model (incorporating both community-intrinsic and community-extrinsic processes) was developed and analyzed. This model is then discussed on the basis of other community models available through the literature, both phenomenologically oriented and process-oriented models. Received: January 17, 2002 / Accepted: May 13, 2002 Acknowledgments We thank Dr. Masakado Kawata for the invi-tation to present this paper at the 19th Symposium of the Society of Population Ecology held in Yamagata, Japan, October 26–28, 2001: “Evolution of Biodiversity: Theories and Facts.” Valuable input was provided after the presentation at this meeting, which we greatly appreciated. The reformulation of the model in terms of ΔS was kindly suggested to us by Prof. Joan Roughgarden. Thanks to Dr. Hildegunn Viljugrein for advice on the BUGS analyses and to two anonymous reviewers for constructive comments. This work has been supported by grants from the Norwegian Science Council (NFR). Correspondence to:N.C. Stenseth     

Discussion on “Adaptive enrichment designs with a continuous biomarker” by Nigel Stallard

We congratulate Dr. Nigel Stallard on his stimulating paper on adaptive enrichment designs with a continuous biomarker. Dr. Stallard details a framework for a large and interesting class of enrichment procedures. His work has motivated us to offer some thoughts in response. Dr. Stallard's strategy is to use the maximum of a test statistic over a set of possible threshold values to define the enriched population to be sampled in a second stage. This reminds us of procedures for identifying a change point, a biomarker value beyond which the effect of treatment is increased. For simplicity we focus our comments on Dr. Stallard's Rule 1 for selecting the second-stage sampling threshold. Using this rule, we present the likelihood ratio approach for adaptive testing and compare it to Dr. Stallard's approach for a few scenarios.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Umbelopsis gibberispora</Emphasis> sp. nov. from Japanese leaf litter and a clarification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Micromucor ramannianus </Emphasis>var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">angulisporus</Emphasis>

 Umbelopsis gibberispora is described as a new species in the genus Umbelopsis, Umbelopsidaceae, Mucorales. The species differs from others in this genus by ellipsoidal sporangiospores with unilaterally thickened walls. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (nLSU rDNA) partial sequences suggest that U. gibberispora, U. swartii, and U. westeae form a clade together with the strains of Umbelopsis ramanniana. The ex-type strain of Micromucor ramannianus var. angulisporus is found to be very close to Umbelopsis vinacea, whereas other isolates identified under the former name in the sense of Linnemann fall in the U. ramanniana subclade. For these isolates, a new species, Umbelopsis angularis, is introduced. Phylogenetic relationships among Umbelopsis species are discussed related to their attributes of the sporangial wall and mature spore shapes. Received: August 27, 2002 / Accepted: March 11, 2003 Acknowledgments We thank Dr. Takashi Ohsono, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Japan, for providing the strain of U. gibberispora (CBS 109328). We also thank Dr. Wieland Meyer, University of Sydney, Australia for access to the phylogenetic tree based on ITS sequence data before publishing, and Dr. Richard C. Summerbell, Centraalbureau von Schimmelcultures, the Netherlands, for linguistic corrections.     

A cytological study of Pellia epiphylla (L.) Corda in Britain with reference to the status of Pellia borealis Lorbeer

Abstract

The history of Pellia borealis is outlined and its morphology compared with that of P. epiphylla. The techniques for preparing material for chromosome counts are described. Several gatherings of monoecious Pellia with large epidermal cells (P. borealis) were found to be haploid, n = 9. The size of the epidermal cells is shown to be valueless as a character for distinguishing the two species. It is concluded that only P. epiphylla should be retained as a species.

We wish to record our thanks to Dr S. Arnell for examining British material and for helpful correspondence; to Dr A. J. E. Smith for his valuable advice and criticism, and for the use of cytological facilities; and to all those who have contributed material of possible P. borealis.     

A hypothesis on the biochemical mechanism of BH<Subscript>4</Subscript>-responsiveness in phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency

Summary.  We describe six children with tetrahydrobiopterin (BH₄) responsive phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency. All patients carry two mutant alleles in the PAH gene. Cofactor deficiency was excluded. The effect of BH₄ administration was studied by correlating different oral BH₄ doses with plasma phenylalanine levels under defined protein intake. Our results indicate that oral BH₄ supplementation may be used as long-term treatment for individuals with BH₄-responsive PAH deficiency, either without or in combination with a less restrictive diet. Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated that BH₄ inhibits PAH tetramers but activates PAH dimers. This may indicate, that BH₄-responsiveness results from BH₄ induced stabilization of mutant PAH dimers. In addition, interindividual differences in the cellular folding apparatus may determine the tertiary structure and the amount of mutant PAH dimers and hence may account for divergent BH₄-responsiveness reported for the same PAH genotype. Received September 7, 2002 Accepted December 16, 2002 Published online March 17, 2003 Acknowledgements We express our gratitude to Dr. J. Zschocke for the genetic analysis of the PAH mutants, to Dr. N. Blau (Switzerland) for pterin analysis and to Dr. V. Wagner (Univ. Lübeck, Germany) for additional data on patient EM. Furthermore, we thank the technical staff of our laboratories for their accurate work throughout the project. Authors' address: Dr. Zoltan Lukacs, Metabolic Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, University of Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany, Fax: +49-40-42803 6717, E-mail: Lukacs@uke.uni-hamburg.de List of abbreviations: BH₄, Tetrahydrobiopterin; DGGE, Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis; DHPR, Dihydropteridine reductase; HPA, Hyperphenylalaninemia; MHP, Mild hyperphenylalaninemia; PAH, Phenylalanine hydroxylase; Phe, Phenylalanine; PKU, Phenylketonuria; Tyr, Tyrosine     

Progress and Development in Biological Education

Software

Transpiration By J. M. Garland and U. Garland. Written for BBC Model B with colour monitor, cassette and disc versions. Produced by Garland Computing, 35 Dean Hill, Plymouth PL9 9AF. Price £10.00. Reviewd by W. G. Rogers

Seed germination By J. M. Garland. Written for BBC Model B with colour monitor. Cassette and disc versions. Produced by Garland Computing, 35 Dean Hill, Plymouth, Devon PL9 9AF. Price £10.00 Reviewd by W. G. Rogers.

Photosynthesis By J. M. Garland.Written for BBC Model B with colour monitor, cassette and disc versions. Produced by Garland Computing, 35 Dean Hill, Plymouth PL9 9AF. Price £10.00 Reviewed by W. G. Rogers.

Slides/Strides

Vertebrate reproduction Twenty-two.35 mm colour slides (including two title slides) with a study guide by David W. Macdonald. Ref. AV 218, price £16.80. Available from: Oxford Educational Resources Ltd, 197 Botley Road, Oxford 0X2 OHE Reviewed by Katrina Fuery

Reproduction in mammals Twenty-two.35 mm colour slides (with two title slides) with teaching notes by David W. Macdonald, produced in association with Oxford Scientific Films Ltd and J. Dellar of Wildlife Consultants Ltd. Ref. AV 220, price £16.80. Available from Oxford Educational Resources Ltd, 197 Botley Road, Oxford OX2 OHE Reviewed by Claire Carpenter

Mitosis and meiosis Two sets of 12 slides, each accompanied by a booklet containing background information and questions with answers. By Dr Judith Kinnear and Dr Marjory Martin. Refs M39825/8, M39820/9, price £9.95 each. Available from Philip Harris Biological Ltd, Oldmixon, Weston-super-Mare, Avon BS24 9BJ Cathy Maclean Marjorie Tindal

Farm animal breeds Set of 24, colour, plastic-mounted slides supplied in a wallet with teaching notes by Dr Alan Beaumont. Available from Audio-Visual Productions Ltd, Hocker Hill House, Chepstow, Gwent NP6 5ER Ref. 977. Price £8.90 Adam Cade

Basic techniques of plant tissue culture Twenty-six 35 mm colour slides in a plastic wallet with teaching notes. Ref M25080/2, price £16.25. Also available as a filmstrip, ref. M25084/9, price £11.00. Obtainable from Philip Harris Biological Ltd, Oldmixon, Westonsuper-Mare, Avon BS24 9BJ V. E. Stein

Focus on bats Forty 35 mm plastic mounted colour slides and a 20 minute cassette soundtrack narrated by Dr R. Stebbings. Ref. A VP 080. Price £11 (or filmstrip £7) and tape £4 (inclusive of VAT and postage). Available from International Centre for Conservation Education, Greenfield House, Gutting Power, Cheltenham, Glos GL54 5TZ Kevin Walsh

Introducing British reptiles Forty 35 mm colour slides, commentary booklet, and a leaflet on ‘Being kind to snakes‘ are supplied in a handy plastic wallet. Ref. AVP 075. Price £10.06 (includes VAT and postage). The commentary is also available on cassette. Also available as a film strip, price £5.00. Available from International Centre for Conservation Education, Greenfield House, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, Glos GL54 5TZ Iain Armstrong

Introducing British amphibia Forty 35 mm colour slides, commentary booklet and a leaftlet on ‘Garden ponds as amphibian sanctuaries’. Ref AVP 074. Price £10.06 (includes VA T and postage). Also available as a film strip, price £5.00. An audio-cassette of the commentary will soon be available price £3.80. From International Centre for Conservation Education, Greenfield House, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, Glos GL54 5TZ Alison Muspratt

Videotapes

Investigating the nervous system A 20-minute video-cassette, ref. 84/031/ I, price £29.50. Also available as a 16 mm film price £395. Produced by Educational Media Australia, in association with the Australian Academy of Science, Schools Biology Project. Available from Educational Media International, 25 Boileau Road, London W5 3AL Jane O'Leary

Reproduction in organisms A 16-minute video-cassette released in 1981, ref. 84J062JR, price £29.50. Also available as a 16 mm film price £205, ref. EM A AUS UP-S. Produced by Educational Media Australia. Available from Educational Media International, 25 Boileau Road, London W5 3AL Carol Burton Jenny Johnson

Eat your heart out A videotape in two parts, lasting about an hour produced by Scope Films Ltd, and available from Concorde Films Council Ltd, 201 Felixstowe Road, Ipswich IP3 9BJ. Price: hire £10; sale £60 C. Thorpe P. Burdett

Tapes

Biorhythms: 1. Human biology; 2. General biology Each consists of a cassette tape and a 65+ page booklet. Words by Harold Baum, music by Peter Shade, sung by the ‘Metabolites’. Published by Learn Through Music Ltd. Distributed by: (UK) Taylor and Francis Ltd, 4 John Street, London WC1N 2ET; (USA) Taylor and Francis Inc., 242 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1906. Each part £8.95 (1984). ISBNs 0 85066 291 5 and 0 85066 292 3 John A. Barker     

An assay for the bacterial sweet spot

Glycosylation is critical for the proper folding and function of many eukaryotic proteins. A lack of native asparagine-linked glycosylation machinery has hampered production of eukaryotic proteins in Escherichia coli. This commentary by Danielle Tullman-Ercek discusses the work of Matt Delisa's group on an assay using beta-lactamase activity as a reporter for successful glycoprotein folding in the periplasm of E. coli. See accompanying article by Mansell et al. DOI: 10.1002/biot.201300026     

Dr Patrick Neill's herbarium of Scottish garden plants in the National Botanic Gardens,Glasnevin, Dublin (DBN)

Summary

Specimens (ex herb. William McNab) collected by Dr Patrick Neill (1776–1851), of Canonmills, Edinburgh, in his own garden and other Scottish gardens (including the Botanic Garden, Edinburgh), c. 1799–1805, are noted and catalogued. Some represent horticultural hybrids of local origin, and a few specimens originated from seeds captured from French naturalists during the Napoleonic Wars.     

Monoclonal antibodies directed to phytochrome from green leaves of Avena sativa L. cross-react weakly or not at all with the phytochrome that is most abundant in etiolated shoots of the same species

Seven monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been prepared to phytochrome from green oat (Avena sativa L. cv. Garry) leaves. One of these MAbs (GO-1) cross-reacts with apoprotein of the phytochrome that is most abundant in etiolated oat shoots as assessed by immunoblot assay of fusion proteins expressed in Escherichia coli. The epitope for this MAb is located between amino acids 618 and 686 in the primary sequence of type 3 phytochrome (Hershey et al. 1985, Nucleic Acids Res. 13, 8543–8559), which is one of the predominant phytochromes in etiolated oats. Three other MAbs (GO-4, GO-5, GO-6) immunoprecipitate phytochrome isolated from green oat leaves, as evaluated by photoreversibility assay. GO-1, GO-4, GO-5 and GO-6 are therefore directed to phytochrome. While evidence obtained with the other three MAbs (GO-2, GO-7, GO-8) strongly indicates that they are also directed to phytochrome, this evidence is not as rigorous. Recognition of antigen by any of these seven MAbs is not significantly reduced by periodate oxidation, indicating that their epitopes probably do not include carbohydrate. All but GO-1 bind either very poorly or not at all the phytochrome that is abundant in etiolated oat shoots. These data reinforce earlier observations made with antibodies directed to phytochrome from etiolated oats, indicating (1) that the phytochromes that predominate in etiolated and green oats differ immunochemically and (2) that phytochrome preparations from green oat leaves contain very little of the phytochrome that is abundant in etiolated shoots. An hypothesis that these two immunochemically distinct phytochromes form heterodimers in vitroAbbreviations Da Dalton - DEAE diethylaminoethyl - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - HA hydroxyapatite - Ig immunoglobulin - MAb monoclonal antibody - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate is supported by comparison of immunoblot data obtained with conventionally purified phytochrome from etiolated oats to that expressed as fusion protein in E. coli. This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (contract DE-AC-09-81SR10925 to L.H.P.). We thank Dr. Lyle Crossland and Ms. Sue Kadwell for their assistance in the construction of the cDNA clones, and Dr. Gyorgy Bisztray for providing us with clone pCBP3712. Dr. Phillip Evans and Dr. Russell Malmberg kindly provided MAbs 4F3, 6F12 and 8C10, as well as a corresponding antigen preparation. The excellent technical assistance of Mrs. Donna Tucker and Mrs. Danielle Neal is gratefully acknowledged.     

Expression of enzymatically active and correctly targeted strictosidine synthase in transgenic tobacco plants

Strictosidine, a precursor to over 1000 indole alkaloids including the anti-tumor drugs vinblastine, vincristine, and camptothecin, is produced by the condensation of tryptamine and secologanin. Strictosidine synthase, the enzyme responsible for this condensation, is the first committed step in the indole-alkaloid pathway. We have introduced a modified cDNA encoding Strictosidine synthase from Catharanthus roseus (L.) Don. (McKnight et al. 1990, Nucl. Acids Res. 18, 4939) driven by the CaMV 35S promoter into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). Transgenic tobacco plants expressing this construct had from 3 to 22 times greater strictosidinesynthase activity than C. roseus plants. Ultrastructural immunolocalization demonstrated that strictosidine synthase is a vacuolar protein in C. roseus and is correctly targeted to the vacuole in transgenic tobacco. Immunoblot analysis of strictosidine synthase showed that two distinct forms of the enzyme were produced in transgenic tobacco plants but that only a single form was made in C. roseus. This observation indicates that the second form of the protein is not simply a result of overexpression in tobacco, but may reflect differences in protein processing between tobacco and C. roseus.Abbreviations cDNA complementary DNA - TLC thin-layer chromatography We thank Dr. C.A. Roessner for providing the E. coli strain expressing strictosidine synthase, Dr. J. Balsevich for providing alkaloid standards, and Dr. L. Cloney for assisting with antibody preparation. This work was supported by a National Institutes of Health Biomedical Research Support Grant to T.D.M and by a grant from the US Department of Agriculture, Competitive Research Grants Office (90-37262-5375) to C.L.N.     

A conception of genetic parenthood

We seek to develop a plausible conception of genetic parenthood, taking a recent discussion by Heidi Mertes as our point of departure. Mertes considers two conceptions of genetic parenthood—one invoking genetic resemblance and the other genetic inheritance—and presents counter‐examples to both conceptions. We revise Mertes’ second conception so as to avoid these and related counter‐examples.     

Transposon Mutagenesis in the Study of Plant Development

Transposon mutagenesis has provided one of the first and most important routes to gene identification and characterization. In the 17 years since the bz1 gene was first tagged with Activator (Ac), more than 60 genes involved in plant development have been cloned using elements such as Supressor-mutator (Spm) and Mutator (Mu) from maize and Tag1 from Arabidopsis. The advantages of transposon-induced alleles in the study of developmental processes go beyond cloning to include sector analysis, generation of new alleles, and conditional expression based on suppression. The laborious technique of directed tagging that led to many of these successes is now being supplanted by systematic projects to produce large collections of transposon insertions that are precharacterized using PCR-based methods and publicly accessible for both forward and reverse genetics. Of the tens of thousands of new genes postulated to exist in Arabidopsis and other species, most are turning out to have no obvious phenotypic effect. The challenge for functional genomics is now to elucidate the apparently subtle actions of genes at a rate commensurate with their discovery. Referee: Dr. Paul Chomet, Monsanto Co., 62 Maritime Dr., Mystic, CT 06355     

Buchbesprechungen

Abstract

Prof. Dr. M. Becker und Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c, Dr. h. c. Dr. h. c. K. Nehring: Handbuch der Futtermittel (in 3 Bänden), Band 1 — Erschienen beim Verlag Paul Parey, Hamburg 1969, 580 Seiten mit 294 Tabellen, Ganzleinen, Preis DM 204,—. Reviewed by H. Bergner

Bei Abnahme des 3-bändigen Gesamtwerkes (1514 Seiten mit 1482 Tabellen) gilt ein Vorzugspreis von DM 486,— statt DM 534,—. Reviewed by H. Bergner

Oberveterinärrat Dr. med. vet. Herbert Preuss und Veterinärrat Dr. med. vet. Bodo Preuss: Richtlinien für Fleischbeschauer — Erschienen beim Verlag VEB Gustav Fischer Jena, 378 Seiten mit 184 Abbildungen, Ganzleinen, Format 21 × 14,2 cm, Preis M 24,30. Reviewed by H. Bergner     

The free energy of a liquid when viewed as a population of overlapping clusters

The expression of the free energy of a liquid in terms of an explicit decomposition of the particle configurations into local coordination clusters is examined. We argue that the major contribution to the entropy associated with structural fluctuations arises from the local athermal constraints imposed by the overlap of adjacent coordination shells. In the context of the recently developed Favoured Local Structure model [Soft Matt. 11, 3322 (2015)], we derive explicit expressions for the structural energy and entropy in the high-temperature limit, compare this approximation with simulation data and consider the extension of this free energy to the case of spatial inhomogeneity in the distribution of local structures.     

Editorial Retraction

STATEMENT OF RETRACTION

Upon a thorough investigation, it has been determined that the paper titled “Presence of Siderophores on Grape Marc Aerated Compost Tea,” written by F. Diánez, M. Santos, M. de Cara, and J.C. Tello published in the Geomicrobiology Journal, 2006, Volume 23, pages 323–331, is nearly identical to the article “Grape Marc Compost Tea Suppressiveness to Plant Pathogenic Fungi: Role of Siderophores,” also written by F. Diánez, M. Santos, M. de Cara and J.C. Tello along with A. Boix, I. Trillas and M. Avilés that published in Compost Science & Utilization, 2006, 48–53, five months prior to publishing in Geomicrobiology Journal.

As a result the article published in Geomicrobiology Journal has been retracted and should not be cited in the electronic or print version of the journal. Please click here to view the article to which this statement of retraction relates.

Dr. William C. Ghiorse

Editor-in-Chief

Geomicrobiology Journal

Dr. Henry L. Ehrlich

Editor-in-Chief

Geomicrobiology Journal     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Exobasidium dubium</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. miyabei</Emphasis> sp. nov. causing Exobasidium leaf blisters on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhododendron </Emphasis>spp. in Japan

 Two Exobasidium species causing Exobasidium leaf blister on Rhododendron spp. are described. An Exobasidium leaf blister on Rhododendron yedoense var. yedoense f. yedoense has been recognized in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, since the first report was issued in 1950. The causal fungus is identified with Exobasidium dubium from the morphology of its hymenial structure and mode of germination of the basidiospores. Another Exobasidium leaf blister on Rhododendron dauricum has been observed in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. In comparison with morphology based on hymenial structure and mode of germination of the basidiospores of the 100 validly described taxa, this fungus differs from those known taxa in the size of basidia and basidiospores, the numbers of sterigmata and septa of basidiospores, and the mode of germination of basidiospores. Thus, a new species, Exobasidium miyabei, is established and illustrated. Received: February 13, 2002 / Accepted: September 25, 2002  Present address: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba 305-8602, Japan Acknowledgments We profoundly appreciate the cooperation of Dr. V. Melnik in providing Russian papers and Dr. L. Vasilyeva for translating them into English. We thank Prof. H. Takahashi for loaning the materials in the Herbarium of the Hokkaido University Museum and Dr. W. Abe, Graduate School of Science, University of Hokkaido, for his kind help with the sampling of R. dauricum in Teshikaga, Hokkaido Prefecture. This study was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (No. 13460019), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). Contribution No. 171, Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba. Correspondence to:M. Kakishima