Identification of 5′-deoxypyridoxine-3-sulfate as the major urinary metabolite of 5′-deoxypyridoxine in rats with comments on the inhibition of arylsulfatase activity and manganese dioxide oxidation by neighboring groups

The major urinary metabolite of 5′-deoxypyridoxine in rats was shown to be identical to 5′-deoxypyridoxine-3-sulfate but different from 5′-deoxypyridoxine-4′-sulfate in its ultraviolet and infrared spectra, its migration in thin-layer chromatography, and its behavior in acid and base. Previous identification of the metabolite as 5′-deoxypyridoxine-4′-sulfate by other workers was based on its failure to be hydrolyzed by arylsulfatase and to be oxidized by manganese dioxide. We have now demonstrated that ortho-methyl groups inhibit arylsulfatase and that ortho-sulfate groups inhibit oxidation by manganese dioxide. Therefore, we conclude that under our conditions the major metabolite of 5′-deoxypyridoxine in the rat was the 3-sulfate.     

Selectivity of the excision of alkylation products in a xeroderma pigmentosum-derived lymphoblastoid line.

Lymphoblastoid cell derived from a complementation group C xeroderma patient were unable to remove 06-methyl guanine residues formed in DNA by treatment of cells with low concentration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). The xeroderma cells were competent in their ability to excise 3-methyl adenine adducts. MNNG treatment induced excision repair in the xeroderma line and in addition the treatment resulted in the presence of numerous single-strand breaks in the DNA. The single gene, UV-excision-defective mutants of Escherichia coli, uvrA and uvrB, are able to excise MNNG-induced 06-methyl guanine adducts indicating that excision of this compound is not due to operation of UV endonuclease system.     

The suppressive effect of a supernate from concanavalin A-activated human lymphocytes: effects of concanavalin A-activated lymphocytes and their supernates on cytotoxic and mixed lymphocyte reactions.

The effects of Concanavalin A-treated human peripheral blood lymphocytes and their supernatants were evaluated on the MLC reaction and on the generation of cytotoxic lymphocytes assessed by cell-mediated lympholysis (CML). Experiments were performed with both allogeneic and xenogenic sensitization. It was found that Con A-activated cells suppressed the MLC and CML reactions in allogeneic and xenogeneic systems. On the other hand, the SIRS-like supernate was able to suppress the MLC reaction and blastogenesis, but had no suppressive effect on the generation of cytotoxic lymphocytes. We found no difference in the magnitude of suppression, whether or not Con A-activated lymphocytes were syngeneic to the responder cells. This finding suggests that there is no requirement for allogeneic restriction in the interaction between suppressor and suppressed cells, and demonstrates a soluble human suppressor substance capable of suppressing some cell-mediated reactions.     

Plio-Pleistocene cercopithecids from Kanam East, western Kenya

This paper describes cercopithecid craniodental and postcranial fossils recovered by L. S. B. Leakey at Kanam East, Kenya during the early 1930s. These fossil monkeys have been generally assumed to have been derived from early Pliocene horizons, but their exact geographical and stratigraphical provenience is unknown. Although the question of the evolutionary significance of these specimens must await the recovery of more securely dated material from Kanam East, some general conclusions can be drawn concerning their taxonomic affinities and paleobiology. Based on comparative studies of the craniodental material, at least three extant genera are represented—Colobus,Lophocebus, andCercopithecus. The postcranial fossils include a number of hindlimb specimens, as well as the manubrium of a sternum and a caudal vertebra. Identification of the postcranial remains to particular genera is not possible, but they are similar in morphology to modern arboreal and semiterrestrial cercopithecid monkeys of small to medium size. It is evident that Kanam East had a diverse cercopithecid community, similar to those found today in forested and woodland habitats, and this may be of some significance in reconstructing the paleoecology of the site. Because the fossil record of most extant cercopithecid genera is rather sparse at Plio-Pleistocene sites in Africa, Kanam East represents one of only a few sites that has yielded material that can be assigned toColobus,Lophocebus, orCercopithecus. The fossil monkeys from the site, therefore, provide additional evidence to help reconstruct the paleobiology, as well as the patterns of species diversity and community structure that characterized the cercopithecid radiation during the Plio-Pleistocene.     

A review of otters (Carnivora: Mustelidae: Lutrinae) in Malaysia and Singapore

Four species of otters have been recorded from Malaysia and Singapore in the past: Lutra lutra (Common or Eurasian Otter), Lutra sumatrana (Hairy-nosed Otter), Lutrogale perspicillata (Smooth Otter) and Amblonyx cinereus (Oriental Small-clawed Otter). All four are listed in the Threatened Species Categories of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals: L. lutra is designated Vulnerable and the status of the other three Asian species are Insufficiently Known due to lack of information. From a review of the available literature and collation of museum records from Malaysia and Singapore, the past status of the four species are examined. Presently, only L. perspicillata and A. cinereus are common in Peninsular Malaysia where they are widely distributed, but both are rare in Singapore. L. sumatrana is rare but apparently still found in East Malaysia. It is possible that L. lutra did not range in Malaysia this century. Information about the habitat types, group size, range, diet and behaviour for all the species is poorly known. The available information allows a discussion of the Smooth and Small-clawed Otters only. This dearth of knowledge has hampered maintenance and breeding efforts of zoos and conservation activity.     

华东地区园林叶螨的初步研究（蜱螨目：叶螨总科）

笔经过数年的调查研究,查知华东园林植物上叶螨种类90种,分属3科22属。章报道了这些种类及其新的寄主植物和分布,研究发现,酢酱草如叶螨,柑桔全爪螨、构始叶螨、截形如螨,神泽叶螨,柏小爪螨,合肥埃须螨,俄勒冈小扁螨,刘氏短须螨和卵形短须螨等为园林植物上的主要种类,二点叶螨和朱砂叶螨是世界性分布的重要害螨。通常被认为是主要种类,但在华东园林植物上分布尚有限,加强检疫防止它们的传播扩散是十分必要的,章讨论了其它有关问题,所有标本均存放于上海农学院园环系农螨研究室。     

Distribution patterns of pelagic euphausiids in the East China Sea

Distribution patterns and abundance of the euphausiids were examined in the East China Sea (23°30′ –33°00′N, 118°30′ –128°00′ E) in relation to temperature and salinity. The data were collected in 4 surveys from 1997 to 2000. The density or yield density model was used to predict optimum temperature and salinity of water for euphausiid distribution, and thereafter distribution patterns of euphausiids were determined based on the predicted parameters. Of 23 species, Euphausia pacifica, E. nana, Pseudeuphausia sinica and P. latifrons were numerically dominant. The analyses indicate that Euphausia pacifica is an offshore temperate water species, E. nana is an offshore temperate warm water species, P. sinica is a coastal subtropical water species and P. latifrons is an oceanic tropical water species. The 4 species occupied 4 different water masses, respectively, namely, cold water mass, cold and warm water mixed masses in winter and spring, cold and warm water mixed masses in summer and autumn, and warm water mass, which could be the good designators of individual water masses, respectively. The predicated optimal temperatures for E. tenera, S. carinatum, E. diomedeae, Stylocheiron affine, Nematoscelis sp., N. gracilis, N. atlantica, Stylocheiron sp. and S. suhmii are all > 25°. These species are mainly distributed in southern Kuroshio in winter and spring, Kuroshio, the Taiwan Warm Current and Tsushima Current in summer and autumn, the equatorial waters of Pacific Ocean and the eastern waters of the Taiwan Strait. They are called as oceanic tropical water species. Nematoscelis tenella and T. tricuspidata are referred to as offshore subtropical water species according to their geographic distributions even if they are halobionts. Euphausia sanzoi is considered as a typical offshore subtropical water species, which inhabited waters below 25°. Stylocheiron microphthalma, occupying warm current waters where temperature and salinity are nearly 25° and 34 in summer and autumn, belongs to oceanic tropical water species. In the same way, E. similes, E. mutica, Euphausia sp., E. brevis and E. recurva are classified into offshore subtropical water species in accordance with the optimum temperature and salinity of waters as well as locations and seasons of their occurrence. Optimum temperature, rather than salinity, is a better parameter in determining the distribution patterns of euphausiids.     

Classification of Prosopis juliflora invasion in the Lake Baringo basin and environmental correlations

The spread of Prosopis juliflora in the Baringo basin, Kenya, has led to severe changes in the ecosystem with negative socio‐economic impacts. The drivers that foster the invasiveness of Prosopis are not fully understood. Thus, a method to quantify the degree of infestation will support the determination of environmental preferences and the risk assessment of future Prosopis invasion. We developed a methodology for characterising and classifying degrees of Prosopis infestation in vegetation stands and propose its application in environmental correlation models. The relative cover was identified as the most suited attribute for assessing and monitoring the invasion of Prosopis. The distance of invaded stands from original plantations and environmental attributes related to water availability (ground water table, rainfall and soil water–holding capacity) have potential to predict potential or future invasion risks.     

泉古菌醇与绿素在东海陆架区的分布及关系研究

【目的】研究东海陆架地区的沉积物中的泉古菌醇、绿素的分布及其相关关系。【方法】通过有机化学的方法将泉古菌醇和绿素从沉积物中萃取出来之后,利用高效液相色谱质谱连用对泉古菌醇进行定量检测,利用高效液相色谱对绿素进行定量检测。【结果】泉古菌醇和绿素在长江河口绝对量的分布在空间上呈现类似关系,并且受到陆源输入的影响较小。【结论】东海陆架区的泉古菌醇和绿素均为海洋产生,而非陆源输入,且两者呈现明显的相关关系,提示泉古菌醇具有指示历史时期东海表层初级生产力变化的潜在应用。     

Baïraki – un site du Paléolithique inférieur sur le territoire de la Plaine d’Europe orientale

The paper presents the preliminary results of five years’ multidisciplinary researches (2010–2014 years) of the new Lower Palaeolithic Bayraki site, situated in the vicinity of Dubossary town in Moldavia, on the high terrace (VII) of the Dniester River. In the Lower and Middle Pleistocene deposits are discovered six layers including lithic artefacts of Lower Palaeolithic character. Two layers (I and II) relate to deposits dated by the Brunhes period and four layers (III, IV, V and VI) are attributed to the Matuyama period. The highest number of artefacts (884 objects) is issue from the layer V (the Jaramillo period), whose lithic industry has an Oldowan character. In other layers are found few flint archaeological objects and sporadic fragments of indeterminable bones. In the layer III is found a fossil horse mandibular (Equus sussenbornensis). At present, this site presents the oldest Low Pleistocene across all East European Plain.