HYDROBIIDAE (GASTROPODA: HYDROBIOIDEA) FROM THE RIBEIRA VALLEY, S.E. BRAZIL, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW CAVERNICOLOUS SPECIES

Potamolithus karsticus n. sp. and Potamolithus troglo-bius n.sp., two Brazilian aquatic cavesnails (Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae),are described. P. troglobius is blind and depigmented, and isthe first stygobiontic snail to be described from Brazil Additionally, specimens of Potamolithus ribeirensis Pilsbry,1911 were collected near the type locality for comparison withthe new cave species (Received 2 December 1993; accepted 20 June 1994)     

Phylogenetic relationships of the garter snakes based on DNA sequence and allozyme variation

We estimated phylogenetic relationships among 26 species of garter snakes (genus Thamnophis ) using allozyme and mitochondrial cytochrome b gene nucleotide sequence variation. Parsimony analyses of the two data sets give substantially different estimates of phylogeny. Several lines of evidence indicate that much of this conflict is due to error associated with the restricted number of characters in each data set. Such sampling error may be reduced by combining all the characters; we therefore present an estimate of phylogeny based on parsimony analysis of all the data combined. All our analyses support several conclusions in conflict with previous views: a very distant relationship between T.errans and T. elegans , non-monophyly of the elegans group (even excluding T: errans ), and nesting of the form validus (previously considered a member of the genus Nerodia ) within Thamnophis.
The combined analysis gives an almost fully resolved tree. However, bootstrapping indicates only weak support for many clades in this tree. Furthermore, paraphyly of the assemblages of cytochrome b gene lineages within T. elegans and T. radix indicate the potential for discordance between the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and species phylogenies through the sorting of ancestral mtDNA polymorphisms. These problems suggest the need for assaying additional characters, especially ones likely to be independent of those used in the present study.     

Pleural Fluid Adenosine Deaminase and Lymphocyte Proportion: Clinical Usefulness In the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) and lymphocyte proportion are known to be independently elevated in tuberculous effusions, but are non-specific, and false positive results are frequent. to overcome this problem the combined use of both parameters was prospectively studied in 276 patients with pleural effusion seen at Porto Alegre, Brazil. Using a cut-off level of 40 U/l at 37°C (method of Giusti¹⁹) for ADA activity and lymphocyte proportion of more than 50%, the correct diagnosis of tuberculosis (sensitivity) was made in 90.7% (CI 87.3–94.1%) of 54 patients. A specificity of 97.7% (CI 95.9–99.5%) was recorded. Five false positive diagnoses of tuberculous effusion were made. Five false negative diagnoses were made: three cases with haematogenous tuberculous dissemination with low ADA levels, and two other patients with low lymphocyte proportion. the combined use of ADA activity determination and lymphocyte proportion is a highly efficient diagnostic strategy of low cost, that merits wider use.     

On Paraptychostomum almae N. G., N. Sp., a Commensal Ciliate from the Digestive Tract of Oligochaetes of the Cameroons, in a New Subclass Hysterocinetia

ABSTRACT. Morphological and ultrastructural studies on a new ciliate, Paraptychostomum almae , from the digestive tract of an oligochaete ( Alma emini ) from the Cameroons are carried out. The flattened cell has a large size; its left lateral face bears an anterior thigmotactic zone that includes seven-nine short kinetal segments. The somatic cortex is composed of flattened alveoli, a thin epiplasm and a microfibrillar ecto-endoplasmic boundary. Kineties are made of monokinetids, each particularly characterized by a long anteriorly directed kinetodesmal fiber, and a hyperdivergent postciliary ribbon. The postero-ventral buccal apparatus consists of a short peristome and a deep longitudinal infundibulum. The paroral organelle is a long stichodyad. The three adoral organelles are of different types: ADI and AD3 are of the membranoid type, respectively with two and one rows of ciliated kinetosomes; AD2 is of the peniculus type with six-seven rows of ciliated kinetosomes. A microfibrillar network with nodes arises from all the buccal kinetosomes and extends under the naked wall. Mitochondria are small and numerous and dispersed throughout the whole cell. The existence of an AD2 with more than two rows of kinetosomes warrants the creation of the new genus Paraptychostomum and a new family, Ptychostomatidae. The presence of a distinct ecto-endoplasmic boundary and of somatic kinetids exclusive without transversal dense tractus, hyperdivergent postciliary ribbons, and dispersed numerous mitochondria, added to particularities of the stomatogenesis, allow us to clearly separate hysterocinetians from the scuticociliates and to set up for them the new subclass Hysterocinetia, within the class Oligohymenophorea, with a single new order Hysterocinetida.     

Fine Structure and Cytochemistry of Tritrichomonas foetus and Rat Neutrophil Interaction

ABSTRACT. The fine structure of normal and antibody-coated Tritrichomonas foetus cells and their interaction with rat peritoneal neutrophils was studied. Peritoneal neutrophils were obtained by glycogen stimulation. The neutrophils readily associated with and killed the parasites, which were subsequently ingested. The process involved activation of the respiratory burst, as demonstrated by the use of cytochemical methods. Images were obtained indicating that binding of parasites to the neutrophil surface triggers an exocytic response with release of oxygen-derived products. Cytochemical localization of acid phosphatase and peroxidase activities showed that leukocyte granules fused with the parasite-containing phagocytic vacuoles. We also showed the cytochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase in the parasite-neutrophil interaction.     

Impression Cytology In Patients With Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

Impression cytology is a simple and painless procedure that allows the collection of the superficial layers of the conjunctival epithelium. Each sample is assigned a grade of epithelial metaplasia, and goblet cell density is calculated in each one. We have studied the superior and temporal bulbar conjuctiva of dry eyes and have compared it with that of normal controls. In normal and dry eyes we find a statistically significant difference both in goblet cell density and grade of metaplasia, between superior and temporal bulbar conjunctiva. the differences in grade of metaplasia and goblet cell density between normal and dry eyes are significant in the superior conjunctiva, but in the temporal conjunctiva we only find significant differences in grade of metaplasia.     

海南潜在世界自然遗产地的突出普遍价值初探

世界自然遗产地是全球最具有保护价值的自然保护地,强调全球突出普遍价值的完整性和在全球的唯一性。世界自然遗产有助于更好地保护生态系统的完整性和原真性,促进人类与自然的可持续发展。该研究在大量文献资料的基础上,以海南潜在世界自然遗产地(海南热带雨林国家公园)原生动植物及植被群落(亚洲北缘热带雨林)为研究对象,从植被类型、物种多样性、区系组成、特有种等生物生态过程方面,评估海南潜在世界自然遗产地的全球突出普遍价值。结果表明:(1)海南潜在世界自然遗产地分布有3 653种野生维管植物,资源植物种类丰富。陆栖脊椎动物有540种,各类野生动物占全国的比例高达10%～30%,生物多样性极高。(2)植物区系独特,海南岛的热带雨林植被区划属于印度-马来雨林群系,属马来区的部分呈现出热带性和与中国华南大陆的共源性显示出明显的热带边缘性质,为中国华南植物区系与亚洲热带雨林的过渡类型。(3)植物区系中的植物物种特有性较低,特有属仅有7个,特有种仅约占岛内植物的1/10,较低的特有性表明了其大陆起源特征,是生物多样性不可替代的元素,具有鲜明的环境指示特色。该研究明确了海南潜在世界自然遗产地在全球背景下的突出普遍价值,为海南未来申遗提供科学依据和技术支撑。     

pH对生物合成超声分子影像探针气囊充放气的调控

气囊（gas vesicles,GVs）是一种存在于蓝藻及古菌等微生物中调节浮力的类细胞器纳米结构,由蛋白质外壳包裹气体组成。近年来的研究表明,气囊具有作为超声分子影像探针的潜力。然而,气囊的充放气机制并不明确,限制了生物合成超声分子影像探针的保存和气体更换。本研究发现环境pH值是调节气囊充放气的一个重要因素。其不仅可以调节藻细胞内的气囊充放气进而使微囊藻呈现不同的漂浮状态,还可对提纯的气囊充放气进行体外调节,且该调节过程可逆。该机制的阐明为生物合成超声分子影像探针的大规模生产和保存,特别对气囊中的气体进行更换以满足不同的诊疗需求提供了技术支持,助力生物合成超声造影剂在疾病诊疗中的应用。     

靶向蛋白质泛素修饰及降解在前列腺癌治疗中的机遇与挑战

前列腺癌是中国发病率增长最快的男性肿瘤,抗雄激素治疗耐药是导致前列腺癌患者预后差的主要原因。因此,解决耐药性难题是前列腺癌转化研究的关键问题。哺乳动物细胞利用泛素-蛋白酶体系统实现蛋白质的靶向降解。因此,前列腺癌中关键的癌基因如雄激素受体（AR）的上游泛素化调控因子（如去泛素化酶）是潜在的治疗靶点。然而,这些酶具有较广的底物谱系,存在脱靶的可能性。近来,基于泛素-蛋白酶体系统开发的蛋白质降解靶向嵌合体（proteolysis-targeting chimeras,PROTAC）技术是最具前景和革命性的新型抗癌药物研发技术,能够利用特定E3泛素连接酶对靶蛋白进行降解而不影响其他底物。与传统小分子抑制剂相比,PROTAC分子在克服耐药性以及针对不可成药的靶点方面拥有巨大优势。目前,针对AR的PROTAC降解剂已在II期临床取得了成功,靶向蛋白质泛素化及降解途径的新技术将有望为前列腺癌的临床治疗带来新的突破。