Studies of fossil brachiopods of Mongolia: Ordovician,Silurian, Devonian,Carboniferous, and Permian

Fossil brachiopods from the Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, and Permian deposits of Mongolia have been studied for the last forty-five years by the Joint Soviet-Mongolian (later RussianMongolian) Paleontological and Geological Expeditions. New data on the taxonomic composition, stratigraphic and geographic distribution of the brachiopod assemblages have been obtained. The brachiopod systematics has been further refined and detailed, and the stratigraphic and correlation scales and biogeographic reconstructions have been elaborated for the Paleozoic of Mongolia.     

Metal-based new sulfonamides: Design, synthesis, antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic properties

Cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) metal complexes with 5-chlorosalicyladehyde derived Schiff base sulfonamides have been synthesized and characterized. Structure and bonding nature of all the synthesized compounds have been deduced from physical, analytical, and spectral (IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, Mass, electronic) data. An octahedral geometry has been proposed for all the metal complexes. The ligands and their metal complexes have been screened for their in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic properties and results are reported.     

THE CONDUCTIVITIES OF AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF GLYCINE,d,l-VALINE,AND l-ASPARAGINE

1. The conductivities of aqueous solutions of glycine, d,l-valine, and l-asparagine have been determined, and comparisons have been made with similar data reported in the literature. 2. On the basis of certain theoretical considerations, calculations of the expected conductivities of aqueous solutions of glycine, asparagine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid have been made and these data have been compared with similar data obtained experimentally. 3. The dissociation constants of the carboxyl groups of aspartic acid and glutamic acid have been calculated from conductivity data. 4. It is shown that alanine has no effect on the ionic atmosphere of solutions of potassium chloride.     

Metal-based new sulfonamides: Design,synthesis, antibacterial,antifungal, and cytotoxic properties

Cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) metal complexes with 5-chlorosalicyladehyde derived Schiff base sulfonamides have been synthesized and characterized. Structure and bonding nature of all the synthesized compounds have been deduced from physical, analytical, and spectral (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, Mass, electronic) data. An octahedral geometry has been proposed for all the metal complexes. The ligands and their metal complexes have been screened for their in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic properties and results are reported.     

Boron,Chromium, Manganese,and Nickel in Agricultural Animal Production

This paper provides an overview of research that has been conducted with manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and boron (B) in poultry, swine, and ruminants. Manganese is an essential trace mineral that functions as an enzyme component and enzyme activator. A deficiency of Mn results in a variety of bone abnormalities, and Mn deficiency signs have been observed under practical conditions in poultry and cattle. Chromium can potentiate the action of insulin, but whether Cr is an essential trace mineral is controversial. Insulin sensitivity has been enhanced by Cr in cattle, swine, and broilers. Responses to Cr supplementation have been variable. Production responses to Cr supplementation have been most consistent in animals exposed to various stressors (heat, cold, weaning, etc). The legality of supplementing Cr to animal diets varies among countries, Cr sources, and animal species. A specific biochemical function for Ni and B has not been identified in mammals. Signs of Ni deficiency have been produced experimentally in a number of animal species. Nickel may affect rumen microbial fermentation in ruminants, as Ni is a component of bacterial urease and cofactor F₄₃₀ in methanogenic bacteria. There is little evidence that dietary Ni limits animal production under practical conditions. Beneficial effects of B supplementation on growth and bone strength have been seen in poultry and swine, but results have been variable.

     

Synthesis, Conforming, Linear, and Non-linear Optical Properties of Gold Nanoparticles-sepiolite Compacts

Gold monodispersed nanoparticles (smaller than 10 nm) have been embedded into sepiolite fibres and sintered by spark plasma sintering (SPS) in order to preserve their nanometre size. The optical properties of these nanoparticles have been measured showing the surface plasmon resonance. Plasmon absorption curves have been successfully fitted by using the quasistatic approximation for gold nanoparticles. It has been observed that the sintering process decreases the plasmon width. SPS sintered nanostructured compacts present large values of the non-linear third-order dielectric susceptibility related to the gold concentration.     

RNA structure, metal ions, and catalysis

Several new and unexpected insights into the metalloenzymology of ribozymes have been achieved in the past year. From a mechanistic point of view, the NMR and crystal structures of a small Pb(2+)-dependent ribozyme have been particularly revealing.     

Phytoecdysteroids: biological effects,application in agriculture and complementary medicine (as presented at the 14-th Ecdysone Workshop,July, 2000, Rapperswil,Switzerland)

Serratula coronata and Serratula inermis (fam. Asteraceae) have been chosen as the most perspective sources for ecdysteroids from the flora of Ukraine. Ecdysterone was the major component in both species (approximately 2%). The minor components have been identified as alpha-ecdysone, polypodine B, integristerone, pterosterone, monoacetonide and diacetonide of ecdysterone, monoacetonide of ajugasterone C (S. coronata); and viticosterone E, 2-desoxyecdysterone, polypodine B, integristerone, 26-hydroxyecdysterone (S. inermis). Antioxidant activity, antiradical and immunomodulators effects, anabolic, adaptogenic, stimulating, hypocholesterolemic, hepatoprotective actions have been found on the variety of model systems in vitro and in vivo (D-hypovitaminosis, hypercholesterolemia, liver intoxication, increased physical loading). Biochemical mechanisms of these findings have been discussed. A number of preparations-biostumulators have been elaborated on the basis of ecdysteroids from Serratula sp.--for poultry-keeping, agricultural entomology and as food supplements for sick or healthy people.     

6-Oxodendrolasin, 6-hydroxydendrolasin, 9-oxofarnesol and 9-hydroxyfarnesol,stress metabolites of the sweet potato

Four sesquiterpene stress metabolites, 6-oxodendrolasin, 6-hydroxydendrolasin, 9-oxofarnesol, and 9-hydroxyfarnesol have been isolated from mercuric chloride-treated sweet potatoes. The metabolites have been synthesized and feeding studies have been carried out to determine the extent of incorporation of ¹⁴C-labelled 6-oxodendrolasin and 9-hydroxyfarnesol into ipomeamarone.     

Keratan sulfate: structure, biosynthesis, and function

The last 5 years have seen a marked increase in research on keratan sulfate (KS) and a concomitant increase in our understanding of the range of molecules that carry this adaptable polysaccharide. More than 15 KS-linked proteins have been identified and many of the genes encoding these have been cloned. KS-containing molecules have been identified in numerous epithelial and neural tissues in which KS expression responds to embryonic development, physiological variations, and to wound healing. A corneal cell culture system has been developed in which long-term KS biosynthesis is maintained. Progress has been made toward identification of the glycosyl- and sulfotransferases responsible for KS biosynthesis. A mouse knockout of a corneal KS-proteoglycan has provided the first experimental support for the role of KS in corneal transparency. Evidence has also been presented supporting functional roles of KS in cellular recognition of protein ligands, axonal guidance, cell motility, and in embryo implantation. These findings have served to expand the concept of what keratan sulfate is and the potential roles it may play in the cellular biology of diverse tissues.     

Myelomonocytic leukemia: clinical, cytological, and cytogenetic studies of acute, subacute, and chronic forms (author's transl)]

44 patients suffering from myelomonocytic leukemia (MML) have been observed over the last four years. They have been subclassified in acute myelomonocytic and acute monoblastic leukemias (AMML, n = 12; AMoL, n = 10), subacute myelomonocytic leukemias (SMML, n = 13), and chronic myelomonocytic leukemias (CMML, n = 9) on the basis of bone marrow cytology(blast and promonocyte counts, maturation of granulopoesis) and cytochemical findings (peroxydase and unspecific esterase reaction). This subclassification has been proved to be of prognostic relevance by its good correlation with the mean survival times (AMML : 4.5 months, AMoL : 2.4 months, SMML : 8 months, CMML : 18 months). The acute forms have been treated in general with combined cytostatic chemotherapy, whereas SMML and CMML have been treated this way only in case of progression to an acute phase. These progressions to an AMML have been observed more often and earlier in subacute forms than in chronic forms. The diagnosis of SMML and CMML is supported by the finding of sea-blue histiocytes in the bone marrow, increased lysozyme levels in serum and urine and by the absence of the Philadelphia-Chromosome.     

Manifestation of anomeric form,ring structure,and linkage in the 13c-n.m.r. spectra of oligomers and polymers containing D-fructose: maltulose,isomaltulose, sucrose,leucrose, 1-kestose,nystose, inulin,and grass levan

¹³C-N.m.r. spectroscopy has been used to determine the equilibrium composition of solutions of maltulose and isomaltulose in deuterium oxide. Resonance assignments have been made for maltulose, isomaltulose, sucrose, leucrose, 1-kestose, nystose, inulin, and grass levan. Some earlier assignments for sucrose and grass levan are corrected. The resonances of the D-glucopyranosyl group in maltulose and isomaltulose have been observed to be sensitive to the ring and anomeric forms of the adjacent D-fructose residue. Spin-lattice relaxation-times (T1) and nuclear Overhauser enhancement factors (n.O.e.f.) for the carbon atoms of the D-fructofuranosyl residues of inulin have been measured, and used in conjunction with deuteration, to aid in resonance and linkage assignments.     

Refined mapping of the three DNA repair genes, ERCC1, ERCC2, and XRCC1, on human chromosome 19

Three DNA repair genes, ERCC1, ERCC2, and XRCC1, have been regionally mapped on human chromosome 19. ERCC2 and XRCC1 have been assigned to bands q13.2----q13.3 by in situ hybridization using fluorescently-labeled cosmid probes. ERCC1 and ERCC2 have been found to be separated by less than 250 kb by large fragment restriction enzyme site mapping.     

Natural immigration of brushtail possums,Trichosurus vulpecula,onto Aroha Island,Kerikeri Inlet,Bay of Islands,New Zealand

Abstract

Aroha is a 5 ha island in Kerikeri Inlet, Bay of Islands, which is joined to the North Island mainland by a 200 m long causeway. Introduced Australian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) spread into the general area only in the mid 1970s, and were first trapped on Aroha Island in June 1979. Since then possums have regularly crossed the causeway, and have been systematically trapped to keep the island free of them. Two hundred and sixty two possums have been trapped on Aroha Island to December 1990, and the annual catch has increased steadily since 1981. About equal numbers of males and females have been trapped. Most possums were caught in March-April and fewest in July-August. Captures on the island were clustered, particularly during the breeding seasons. Average body weight was 2.2 kg; 97% were greys and 3% blacks; the young of females trapped on the island had been born in all months except December to February. In colour, body weight, and breeding pattern the possums trapped on Aroha Island were similar to other possum populations from the northern North Island. Most of the possums invading Aroha Island were 1-2 years old: in contrast to findings from previous studies of possum dispersal, Arona Island was invaded year-round by young male and female possums equally. Some older animals may also have been attracted to the island by fruits available in an orchard there. Maintenance of the possum-free state of Aroha Island will require continuous management.     

Molecular Identification,Genotyping, Phenotyping,and Antifungal Susceptibilities of Medically Important Trichosporon,Apiotrichum, and Cutaneotrichosporon Species

Mycopathologia - Recently, Trichosporon taxonomy has been reevaluated and new genera of the Trichosporonaceae family have been described. Here, 26 clinical isolates were submitted for...     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Evaluation of Five Coordinated Copper(II) Complexes as Antibacterial,Artificial Nuclease,and Sod Mimics

The copper(II) complexes with ciprofloxacin (CFLH), levofloxacin (LFLH), norfloxacin (NFLH), and neutral bidentate ligands have been synthesized and characterized. The complexes have been evaluated for their antibacterial activity against selective species. Complexes have been also checked for their interacting behavior with DNA, and were found to have two different modes of interaction, classical and partial intercalation. Tested complexes were found to be better antioxidants with their IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.51 to 0.97 μM.     

Resistance to macrolide, lincosamide, streptogramin, ketolide, and oxazolidinone antibiotics

Macrolides have enjoyed a resurgence as new derivatives and related compounds have come to market. These newer compounds have become important in the treatment of community-acquired pneumoniae and nontuberculosis-Mycobacterium diseases. In this review, the bacterial mechanisms of resistance to the macrolide, lincosamide, streptogramin, ketolide, and oxazolidinone antibiotics, the distribution of the various acquired genes that confer resistance, as well as mutations that have been identified in clinical and laboratory strains are examined.     

Peptidomes of the brain,heart, lung,and spleen of a rat: Similarity and differences

Profiles of endogenous peptides of the brain, heart, lungs, and spleen of a rat have been obtained by chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of low-molecular-mass fractions of tissues extracts. The concentrations of the corresponding components have been estimated from the intensities of 119 major chromatographic peaks. The total content of peptides in tissues, nmol/g (mg/g), was 3–13 (0.005–0.05) for the brain, 7–27 (0.01–0.10) for the heart, 17–68 (0.02–0.25) for the lungs, and 80–300 (0.08–1.30) for the spleen. A comparative analysis of the data obtained for the organs has been performed. The primary structures for 68 peptides have been determined; most substances (>70%) have been identified as hemoglobin fragments. It has been shown that many of the peptide components identified (>75%) are common for several organs. The relationship between the composition, the mechanism of formation, and the functional role of peptidomes of the organs, tissues, and cells of higher organisms has been discussed.