Comparative Development and Performance of Artificially Reared versus Host-RearedDiapetimorpha introita(Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) Wasps

Diapetimorpha introita(Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a native ectoparasitoid ofSpodopteraspp. pupae, was reared in the laboratory on an artificial diet devoid of any insect host components. Diet-reared wasps demonstrated a propensity to search for and parasitize natural hosts in a field cage trial. Longevity of the diet-reared wasps was comparable with the longevity of wasps reared on host pupae. Survival rate ofD. introitawas 61.3% when reared on diet and 76.3% when reared on host pupae. Wasps reared on the artificial diet had longer developmental times, reduced fecundity, and reduced adult weights compared to wasps reared on host pupae. These studies suggest that future research efforts should focus on increasing fecundity and weight of diet-reared wasps and decreasing the mortality and developmental time of wasps reared on the artificial diet. The ability to rearD. introitaon an inexpensive, artificial diet significantly enhances the potential of mass rearing this parasitoid for inundative releases againstSpodopteraspp.     

Mosaiktrisomie 8p11.21q11.21 als Pr?disposition für myeloische Leuk?mien

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a unique myeloproliferative disorder of early childhood in which mutations in NRAS, KRAS, PTPN11, NF1 and CBL are frequently found. Using high-resolution oligo array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), 20 JMML samples were investigated for submicroscopic genomic copy number alterations. Besides known cytogenetic aberrations, ten samples displayed additional submicroscopic alterations. Interestingly, an almost identical gain of chromosome 8 was identified in two patients. Subsequently, fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated a constitutional partial trisomy 8 mosaic (cT8M) in both patients. A survey on 27 cT8M patients with reported malignancies showed a predominance of myeloid malignancies including JMML. Our results dramatically reduce the critical region on chromosome 8 to 8p11.21q11.21. To determine how constitutional partial trisomy 8 mosaicisms may contribute to leukemogenesis in different mutational subtypes of JMML and other myeloid malignancies, further investigations are required.     

A ‘Problematic fossil’ revealed:Pycnoporidium ? eomesozoicum Flügel, 1972 (Late Triassic,Tethys)—not an enigmatic alga but a strophomenid brachiopod (Gosaukammerella n.g.)

Summary The microproblematicumPycnoporidium ? eomesozoicum Flügel, 1972, from Upper Triassic reefs of the Alpine-Mediterranean region, Turkey Oman and Iran (originally interpreted as possible alga) represents the type species of a new strophomenid brachiopod genus (Gosaukammerella n.g.). The genus is characterized by a very small, millimeter-sized plano-convex shell, whose ventral valve is attached to the substratum (mainly sponges) by symmetrically arranged outgrowths developing from a pseudopunctate, lamellose foliated shell wall and composed of densely spaced subparallel ‘tubes’ comparable with productide spines secreted by papillose extensions of the mantle.Gosaukammerella seems to be the only reliable candidate for the existence of post-Paleozoic strophomenid (productid ?) brachiopods. Gosaukammerella eomesozoica is restricted to possibly cryptic, shaded reef environments inhabited predominantly by sponges serving as substrates for micromorphic brachiopods.     

Genetik der koronaren Herzkrankheit und des Herzinfarkts

Because of their high prevalence, cases of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) are frequently found when asking for a patient’s family history. It is common knowledge that a positive familial history constitutes a risk factor for CAD in its own right, in addition to smoking, increased alcohol intake, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Nevertheless, for correct risk assessment it is crucial to accurately distinguish between sporadic and true familial cases of CAD and MI. Familial disposition is present when at least one male first-grade relative under the age of 55 or one female first-grade relative under the age of 65 has/had been diagnosed with myocardial infarction or significant coronary artery disease. In the review presented here, we compile the relevant epidemiological and genetic studies that constitute the scientific basis of this risk assessment. Furthermore, a short overview of the state of the art of genetic CAD/MI research is given.     

DETERMINATION OF RHIZOID ORIENTATION BY LIGHT AND DARKNESS IN GERMINATING SPORES OF ONOCLEA SENSIBILIS

When spores of the fern, Onoclea sensibilis L., are allowed to germinate in darkness, the rhizoid and the protonema are positioned at close to a right angle. If the spores are exposed initially to light and allowed to germinate, the rhizoid and protonema are positioned nearly axially, at opposite ends of the spore. The greater the duration and intensity of the initial illumination, the greater the tendency towards axial arrangement. All colors of light are active to some degree, and the effects are intensity-dependent. The response occurs in a uniform light field and is not dependent on a directional stimulus; the phenomenon reflects the relative arrangement of one part of the gametophyte to another part but not the orientation of growth with respect to an external stimulus. Direct tests show that neither the relative rhizoid orientation nor initial polarity of germination are affected by unilateral white light or polarized red light; the subsequent growth of the protonema, however, is oriented perpendicular to the plane of light polarization. The effects of light in determining the positional relationship between rhizoid and protonema are interpreted in terms of a hypothesis proposing light-induced changes in the structure and mechanical properties of the spore wall.