Negative air ions as a source of superoxide

The physico-chemical characteristics and possible formation mechanisms of negative air ions are considered. It was found that the products of oxygen and nitrogen negative ionization reduce ferricytochromec and nitroblue tetrazolium, and that these reactions were inhibited by superoxide dismutase. The interaction of negatively ionized oxygen with water led to hydrogen peroxide accumulation, which was inhibited by tetranitromethane or catalase. Nitrogen ionization under these conditions caused the formation of the hydrated electron e _aq ^— and the superoxide anion O ₂ ^— . The data obtained indicate that the biological activity of negative air ions may be dependent on superoxide. The generation of reactive oxygen ions in the gas phase and also at a gas/water interface is described. A scheme for superoxide production under oxygen and nitrogen ionization is proposed.     

Paleoecology of Upper Eifelian and Lower Givetian coral limestones in the northwestern Sauerland (Devonian; Rhenish Massif)

Summary The prevailing sandy/silty lower part of the Middle Devonian in the northwestern Sauerland includes two coral limestone horizons, which contain a rich fauna of corals, stromatoporoids, and calcareous algae. The Ihmert-Formation is subdvided into three parts. The older coral limestone horizon is the Grünewiese-Member of the Ihmert-Formation (uppermost Eifelian), the younger is in the Bredenbruch-Member of the Unterhonsel-Formation (lower Lower Givetian). Conclusions about the environmental constraints are drawn from the sedimentology and the fossil content of the coral limestones. Predominant biostromes are built between storm wave base and normal wave base. Only the few bioherms grew above the normal wave base. These coral limestones were deposited in a tropical or subtropical normal marine environment in the shallow euphotic zone. Among the reef-builders epoecism is very frequent, and until now this phenomenon has not been investigated in detail. Fragile rugose and tabulate corals lived as commensals with stromatoporoids. Some other aspects of paleoecology are concisely presented.     

Stimulation of the anaerobic growth ofSalmonella typhimurium by reduction ofl-carnitine,carnitine derivatives and structure-related trimethylammonium compounds

In view of the development of al-carnitine deficiency, the metabolism ofl-carnitine and structure-related trimethylammonium compounds was studied inSalmonella typhimurium LT₂ by means of thin-layer chromatography (TLC).l-Carnitine, crotonobetaine and acetyl-l-carnitine stimulated the anaerobic growth in a complex medium significantly. The stimulation depended on the formation of -butyrobetaine. The reduction ofl-carnitine proceeded in two steps: (1) Dehydration of thel-carnitine to crotonobetaine, (2) hydrogenation of crotonobetaine to -butyrobetaine. The reduction of crotonobetaine was responsible for the growth stimulation. Terminal electron acceptors of the anaerobic respiration such as nitrate and trimethylamine N-oxide, but not fumarate, suppressed the catabolism ofl-carnitine completely. Glucose fermentation, too, inhibited the reduction ofl-carnitine but optimal growth with a high carnitine catabolism was achieved byd-ribose. The esters of carnitine with medium- and long-chain fatty acids inhibited the growth considerably because of their detergent properties.Abbreviations TLC thin-layer chromatography     

Isorthid AE (Brachiopoda) du dévonien inférieur du massif armoricain

Three species of Isorthidae are described in the Lower Devonian of the Armorican Massif. Two of them were hitherto badly known, being never adequately described nor figured: Isorthis (Protocortezorthis) miloni from the Gahard Formation (Gedinnian) and Isorthis (Protocortezorthis) trigeri from the Saint-Céneré Formation (Gedinnian-Siegenian). Isorthis oehlertiSolle, 1976 is considered as a synonym of Isorthis (Protocortezorthis) trigeri. The geographic distribution of these species allows to corroborate that until the top of the Lower Devonian (top of Le Faou Formation), two provinces with different faunal associations exist in the Armorican Massif.     

Réflexions critiques sur l'écologieet la systématique des Lingules actuelles et fossiles

New topics on ecology and systematics of recent and fossil Lingulids lead to an obvious revision of our knowledges on this zoological group. At first, the recent species need systematics and taxonomy on the bases of new described specific criteria (as, morphology of deltidial areas, muscle disposition); the results are briefly indicated. But, in fossil species, disorder and disparity of used characteristics are emphasized.The general conceiving on ecology of Lingulids are reviewed and discussed, especially on bathymetry and salinity; sediment and oxygenation conditions; taphocoenosis and lingulid «communities. On recent species, all these points are also studied, especially some ecological requirements (salinity, bathymetry, grain size), and mechanism of burrowing ability, burrow living positions in the sediments, as shell preservations after death and fossilization, to facilitate the paleobiotope interpretations. Recent animals are euryhalin, surviving at salinities from about 13 to 42‰; they could be considered as well adapted to waters with strong salinity fluctuations. They show preference to fine sand bottoms (lowest particle size about 40–60 μm). Their bathymetric distribution occurs between 0 and about 500 m (Lingula especially between 5–50 m; Glottidia 15–70 m). The isotherms 8–10°C seem to restrict their geographical and bathymetric distribution.Therefore, some post-palaeozoic lingulid bedsare studied or redescribed on the bases of the above discussed characteristics, and new interpretations on the environmental situation are given (Trias of Vosges Mountains; Oligocene from Japan; Eocene of London Basin). More caution must be used in study of fossil Lingulids that are not especially animals living in infralittoral bottoms with low salinity and deficient oxygenation, as generally accepted.     

The early formation of the photosynthetic apparatus in Rhodospirillum rubrum

The time dependent assembly of the photosynthetic apparatus was studied in Rhodospirillum rubrum after transfer of cells growing aerobically in the dark to low aeration. While bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) cellular levels increase continuously levels of soluble cytochrome c ₂do not change significantly. Absorption spectra of membranes isolated at different times after transfer reveal that incorporation of carotenoids lags behind incorporation of Bchl. However, a carotenoid fraction exhibiting spectral properties of spirilloxanthin isomers was isolated apart from membranes. This carotenoid fraction even was present in homogenates from Bchl-free, aerobically grown cells. Incorporation of U-¹⁴C-proteinhydrolyzate into membrane proteins showed that proteins are mainly formed which are specific for photosynthetic membranes. Although the proportion of reaction center (RC) Bchl per light harvesting (LH) Bchl does not change the proportions of membrane proteins present in RC and LH preparations change initially. But later on the proportions of the different proteins also reach constant values. Concerning proteins characteristic for cytoplasmic membranes a differential incorporation of label can be observed. The data indicate that the photosynthetic apparatus in Rhodospirillum rubrum is assembled through a sequential mechanism.Abbreviations Bchl bacteriochlorophyll - LH light harvesting - RC reaction center - R. Rhodospirillum - R. Rhodopseudomonas     

The muscle scar in cavellinids and its importance for the phylogeny of platycope ostracodes

The adductor muscle scars of cavellinids from the Visean (in one case from the Upper Devonian) of the European part of the RSFSR have revealed a significant diversity in their morphology. Aggregate, multiserial with up to five series, bi- to triserial and nearly biserial muscle scars existed simultaneously. The verticaliserial muscle scars were initiated by a biserial larval group which in the course of evolution may have passed, due to neoteny, into the adult stage. Together with Cytherella sp. from Syria, the new data show that the genus Cytherella appeared not in Triassic nor Jurassic time, hut originated among cavellinids possibly in the Early Carboniferous. A new genus is Borovitchella , with the type species B. egorovi n. sp.     

A CONVENIENT METHOD FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF OLIGONUCLEOTIDE-CATIONIC PEPTIDE CONJUGATES

A method was developed for the synthesis of oligonucleotide-cationic peptide conjugates in solution phase by disulfide bond formation. Precipitation was avoided by the easily removable triethylammonium trifluoroacetate (TEATFAc) salt which served at the same time as a buffer of the reaction mixture. The fast and high yielding disulfide bond formation was due to the Npys thio protecting and activating group of Cys. A solution of the free 5′-thiol modified oligonucleotide obtained from Poly-Pak? purification was used for conjugation.     

Discovery of the oldest known Pterygota in the Lower Carboniferous of the Upper Silesian Basin in the Czech Republic (Insecta: Archaeorthoptera)

The earliest pterygote (winged insect), dated from the Lower Carboniferous (Namurian A/E1, circa 324 millions years ago) is described from the Upper Silesian Basin in the Czech Republic. On the basis of its wing venation, it is attributed to the Archaeorthoptera Béthoux and Nel, 2002, crown group of the “Orthoptera”. Besides Apterygota (Collembola and Archaeognatha) known from the Lower Devonian, extremely rare pterygote insects are known from Lower Carboniferous deposits when they first appeared. The present discovery supports the hypothesis of the presence of the ancestor lineage of the orthopteroid in the Lower Carboniferous ecosystems.