Knowledge and reported use of sport science by elite New Zealand Olympic class sailors

The male holotype and female allotype of Toxorhynchites (Toxorhynchites) macaensis Ribeiro, a new mosquito species from Macau, southern China, are described on the basis of the examination of a type series of 6 males and 7 females. Similarities of the new species with the other species of the Splendens group, to which the new taxon belongs, are discussed and keys to identification of males and females of all the species of the group are provided.     

Description of Onchocerca dewittei n. sp. (Filarioidea), parasite of Sus scrofa, in Malaysia (author's transl)

Onchocerca dewittei n. sp. was collected from a wild Boar at the metatarse level (tendons and subcutaneous connective tissue); it can be differentiated from other species by the female cuticle showing straight ridges which overlap in the lateral fields, and by its relatively thick microfilaria (length 228-247 mu and width 6-7 mu). This suidean Onchocerca displays some primitive characters such as straight ridges and persistency of ten pairs of caudal papillae in the male; but as a whole this species is undoubtedly more highly evolved than O. raillieti Bain, Müller and coll., 1976, a parasite of Equidae.     

Molecular genetic analysis of the ABO blood group system: 4. Another type of O allele

We have encountered an allele which seems to be another type of O allele at the human histo-blood group ABO locus. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of this allele over the coding region in the last two coding exons. This allele does not possess the single-nucleotide deletion found common among all the O alleles previously analyzed. Compared with A1 allele, this allele has three nucleotide substitutions resulting in two amino acid substitutions. The introduction of these amino acid substitutions into the A1 transferase expression construct apparently abolished the enzymatic activity of A1 transferase.     

Characterization of lipopolysaccharide-deficient mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa derived from serotypes O3, O5, and O6

Well-characterized rough mutants are important for the understanding of structures, functions, and biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in gram-negative organisms. In this study, three series of Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS-deficient mutants, namely PAC strains derived from serotype O3, AK strains derived from strain PAO1 (serotype O5), and serotype O6-derived mutants were subjected to biochemical analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining as well as immunochemical characterization using LPS-specific monoclonal antibodies. The O-side-chain deficiency among the O6-derived mutants was also examined, and three mutants, A28, R5, and H4, were subsequently chosen for the elucidation of component sugars of the core structure of serotype O6 LPS. LPS of strain A28 has L-rhamnose and proportionally higher amounts of D-glucose, a feature shared by the O5-derived mutant, strain AK1401 (previously demonstrated as a mutant with a core-plus-one O repeat). In contrast strains R5 and H4 were shown to be devoid of L-rhamnose and have low and undetectable amounts of D-glucose, respectively, which indicated their core deficiency. The LPS-deficient or -sufficient characteristics of the P. aeruginosa strains examined correlated will with serum sensitivity data. This report represents a comprehensive analysis of rough mutants derived from O3 and O5 strains that have been used by others in many studies and a first look at the core oligosaccharide region of serotype O6 LPS obtained with the O6-derived mutants generated in this study.     

Antibiotic DE-3936, a polyether antibiotic identical with lonomycin. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and characterization

Antibiotic DE-3936 was isolated from the fermentation broth of a streptomycete No. 9735-1, which is identified as a strain of Streptomyces hygroscopicus. The antibiotic is a hydrophobic compound having the molecular formula of of C44H75O14Na and is active against Gram-positive bacteria, mycobacteria, mycoplasma and protozoa, especially coccidia. Its chemical and biological properties indicate that antibiotic DE-3936 belongs to the group of polyether antibiotics and is identical with lonomycin.     

Structural studies on the short-chain lipopolysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae O139 Bengal

A Vibrio cholerae O139 strain, MO10-T4, lacking capsular polysaccharide, produces a short-chain lipopolysaccharide (LPS), similar to enterobacterial SR strains. It was studied by acidic and alkaline degradation, dephosphorylation, sugar and methylation analysis, high-performance anion-exchange chromatography, one- and two-dimensional 1H-, 13C-, and 31P-NMR spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The following structure was proposed for the core region of the LPS: [structure: see text] where PEtn stands for 2-aminoethyl phosphate, Fru for fructose, Hep for L-glycero-D-manno-heptose, and Kdo for 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid; unless otherwise stated, the monosaccharide residues are D and present in the pyranose form. An O-acetyl group is present on a secondary position, tentatively O4 of the alpha-linked glucosyl group. Some LPS species contain an additional putative fructose residue whose location remains unknown. An O139-negative mutant strain, Bengal-2R, derived from V. cholerae O139, has also been investigated and shown to produce an O-antigen-lacking LPS similar to those from enterobacterial R strains, some of the LPS species containing the same core region as the strain MO10-T4 LPS and the other lacking the lateral heptose residue. The carbohydrate backbone core structure is the same for the V. cholerae O139 and V. cholerae O1 LPS, thus confirming the close relation between these bacteria; however, the 2-aminoethyl phosphate, the O-acetyl group, and the second fructose residue have not been reported for the O1 LPS. In the V. cholerae O139 strain MO10-T4 LPS, a short O-side chain is attached at position 3 of the 7-substituted heptose residue and has the same structure as one repeating unit of the V. cholerae O139 capsular polysaccharide. Some details of the structure proposed are at variance with those recently published for another V. cholerae O139 strain [Cox, A. D., Brisson, J.-R., Varma, V. & Perry, M. B. (1996) Carbohydr. Res. 290, 43-58; Cox, A. D. & Perry, M. B. (1996) Carbohydr. Res. 290, 59-65.]     

Infrared Fundamental and First Hot Bands of O12C17O Isotopic Variants of Carbon Dioxide

Infrared spectra of 16O12C17O, 17O12C17O, and 17O12C18O in a carbon dioxide sample enriched with oxygen-17 have been recorded with a resolution of about 0.0025 cm-1 in the regions of the fundamental bands, nu2 (600-800 cm-1) and nu3 (2200-2400 cm-1), and in the region of the "forbidden" band, nu1 (1200-1400 cm-1), using the long path difference Fourier transform spectrometer of the LPMA in Paris. For each species, the first hot band in the 4.5-μm region and two hot bands at least in the 15-μm region have been studied for the first time, and a simultaneous reduction of wavenumbers measured in different spectral regions has been carried out yielding new or improved spectroscopic constants. Line intensities have been measured in the region of the nu2 and nu3 bands of 16O12C17O, and the corresponding rotationless transition dipole moments and Herman-Wallis coefficients have been reported. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.     

Chicken CD4, CD8alphabeta, and CD8alphaalpha T cell co-receptor molecules

New knowledge has recently been obtained about the evolutionary conservation of CD4, CD8alphaalpha, and CD8alphabeta T cell receptor (TCR) co-receptor molecules between chicken and mammals. This conservation extends from biochemical structure and tissue distribution to function. Panels of monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antisera against different epitopes of chicken CD8 and CD4 molecules have proven their value in several recent studies. Chicken CD8 allotypes and homozygous strains carrying these allotypes have been established and these strains provide excellent models for further studies. The extensive polymorphism of CD8alpha in chickens has not been observed in any other species, suggesting that CD8alpha and CD8beta have evolved under different selective pressure in the chicken. A large peripheral blood CD4+CD8+ T cell population in chicken resembles that observed in some human individuals but the inheritance of peripheral blood CD4CD8alphaalpha T cells in the chicken is a unique observation, which suggests the presence of a single gene responsible for CD8alpha, but not CD8beta, specific expression. Despite these unique findings in chicken, the data on CD4, CD8alphaalpha, and CD8alphabeta molecules show that they have evolved before the divergence of mammalian and avian branches from their reptilian ancestors.     

Accelerated reaction of nitric oxide with O2 within the hydrophobic interior of biological membranes

We demonstrate herein dramatic acceleration of aqueous nitric oxide (NO) reaction with O2 within the hydrophobic region of either phospholipid or biological membranes or detergent micelles and demonstrate that the presence of a distinct hydrophobic phase is required. Per unit volume, at low amounts of hydrophobic phase, the reaction of NO with O2 within the membranes is approximately 300 times more rapid than in the surrounding aqueous medium. In tissue, even though the membrane represents only 3% of the total volume, we calculate that 90% of NO reaction with O2 will occur there. We conclude that biological membranes and other tissue hydrophobic compartments are important sites for disappearance of NO and for formation of NO-derived reactive species and that attenuation of these potentially damaging reactions is an important protective action of lipid-soluble antioxidants such as vitamin E.     

Fluoride exposure in cervids inhabiting areas adjacent to aluminum smelters in Norway. I. Residue levels

Mandibular fluorine concentrations were determined in 1,425 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 240 moose (Alces alces), and 424 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) collected in Norway from 1990 to 1993 in seven municipalities in which aluminum smelters are located, in eight neighboring municipalities, and in eight reference areas representing background levels. Background fluorine concentration was significantly correlated with age in all three species. Roe deer had the highest mean background fluorine level in each age group, followed by red deer. Due to differences in fluoride exposure, large variations in bone fluorine residues were evident between locations. In Ardal, the district most severely exposed to fluoride contamination, nine of ten cervids had fluorine concentrations exceeding background levels. The proportions of red deer with fluorine residues exceeding background levels also were high in neighboring municipalities to Ardal. We propose that roe deer are a better biomonitor of local fluoride exposure than red deer and moose, due to their more sedentary behavior.     

Identification of the perosamine synthetase gene of Brucella melitensis 16M and involvement of lipopolysaccharide O side chain in Brucella survival in mice and in macrophages

Brucella organisms are facultative intracellular bacteria that may infect many species of animals as well as humans. The smooth lipopolysaccharide (S-LPS) has been reported to be an important virulence factor of these organisms, but the genetic basis of expression of the S-LPS O antigen has not yet been described. Likewise, the role of the O side chain of S-LPS in the survival of Brucella has not been clearly defined. A mini-Tn5 transposon mutant library of Brucella melitensis 16M was screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against the O side chain of Brucella. One mutant, designated B3B2, failed to express any O side chain as confirmed by ELISA, Western blot analysis, and colony coloration with crystal violet. Nucleotide sequence analysis demonstrated that the transposon disrupted an open reading frame with significant homology to the putative perosamine synthetase genes of Vibrio cholerae O1 and Escherichia coli O157:H7. The low G+C content of this DNA region suggests that this gene may have originated from a species other than a Brucella sp. The survival of B. melitensis mutant strain B3B2 in the mouse model and in bovine macrophages was examined. The results suggested that S-LPS or, more precisely, its O side chain is essential for survival in mice but not in macrophages.     

Sumixam maximus gen.and sp.nov.,a New Pennsylvanian Species of Archaeorthoptera(Neoptera;Indiana,USA)

A new Mazon-Creek-type fossil specimen is described as Sumixam maximus gen. and sp. nov.,fossil relatives): it exhibits one of the diagnostic character states of this taxon, which is the fusion of CuA (emerging from M + CuA) with CuP, or a branch of it. A more precise taxonomic assignment is out of reach. The new taxon exhibits a fusion of the anterior branch of MA with RP, and a point of divergence of MA and MP located near the point of divergence of CuA (from M + CuA), but lack a branching of CuPa. This unique combination of character states is probably derived with respect to a number of contemporaneous species. Sumixam maximus gen. and sp. nov. is most likely the closest known relative of the panorthopterans, which include all the recent Archaeorthoptera.     

The peroxidoxin 2 protein of the human parasite Onchocerca volvulus: recombinant expression, immunolocalization, and demonstration of homologous molecules in other species

The peroxidoxin protein of the filarial parasite Onchocerca volvulus (OvPXN-2) belongs to a group of highly conserved antioxidant molecules. For a more detailed characterization of this protein and for determination of its expression pattern the OvPXN-2 protein was recombinantly expressed as a His-tagged protein. Under reducing conditions the recombinant protein had an apparent molecular mass of 28 kDa. Considering the size of the His-tag and the FLAG epitope introduced to the recombinant protein, this size is in agreement with that of the native protein identified in O. volvulus extract. Antiserum raised against the recombinant protein was used for immunolocalization. In O. volvulus the antigen is predominantly expressed in the hypodermis and particularly the lateral and median chords show high levels of expression. The protein is also expressed strongly in the hypodermis of infective larvae and more weakly in microfilariae. Related cross-reacting proteins were detected in several Onchocerca species and other filariae. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in combination with Western blotting revealed proteins with almost identical mobility in extracts prepared from O. ochengi, O. gibsoni, and Dirofilaria immitis.     

Comparative molecular phylogeography of two Xenopus species, X. gilli and X. laevis, in the south-western Cape Province, South Africa

Xenopus gilli is a vulnerable anuran with a patchy distribution along the south-western coast of the Cape Province, South Africa. This species is sympatric with Xenopus laevis laevis, a widespread relative found over much of southern Africa. We examined the molecular phylogeography and population structure of the contact zone between these species to obtain information about historical biogeography and conservation management of this region. Analyses of the distribution, frequency, and cladistic and phenetic relationships among mitochondrial DNA haplotypes indicate that population subdivision is present in both taxa but that long-term isolation of sets of populations has occurred in X. gilli only. Haplotype and nucleotide diversity are also considerably higher within and among X. gilli ponds than X. l. laevis ponds in this region. We attribute the genetic segregation of X. gilli populations to ancient habitat fragmentation by ocean transgression into X. gilli habitat and to continued habitat alteration by human activity. The lower level of genetic diversity in X. L. laevis in this region is likely a result of a recent arrival of this taxon to the south-western Cape region relative to X. gilli. Population structure in X. l. laevis may be a result of isolation by distance. Clear evidence exists for at least two management units within X. gilli and strongly supports the establishment of protective measures east of False Bay in order to conserve a substantial portion of this species' extant genetic diversity.     

The potential role of glycine-160 of human O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase in reaction with O6-benzylguanine as determined by site-directed mutagenesis and molecular modelling comparisons

O6-Alkylguanine DNA-alkyltransferase (ATase) repairs toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic O6-alkylguanine (O6-alkG) lesions in DNA by a highly conserved reaction involving the stoichiometric transfer of the alkyl group to the active centre cysteine residue of the ATase protein. In the Escherichia coli Ada ATase, which is effectively refactory to inhibition by O6-benzylguanine (O6-BzG), the residue corresponding to glycine-160 (G160) for the mammalian proteins of this class is replaced by a tryptophan (W). Therefore, to investigate the potential role of the G160 of the human ATase (hAT) protein in determining sensitivity to O6-BzG, site-directed mutagenesis was used to produce a mutant protein (hATG160W) substituted at position 160 with a W residue. The hATG160W mutant was found to be stably expressed and was 3- and 5-fold more sensitive than hAT to inactivation by O6-BzG, in the absence and presence of additional calf-thymus DNA respectively. A similar, DNA dependent increased sensitivity of the hATG160W mutant relative to wild-type was also found for O6-methylguanine mediated inactivation. The potential role of the W160 residue in stabilising the binding of the O6-alkG to the protein is discussed in terms of a homology model of the structure of hAT. The region occupied by G/W-160 forms the site of a putative hinge that could be important in the conformational change that is likely to occur on DNA binding. Three sequence motifs have been identified in this region which may influence O6-BzG access to the active site; YSGG or YSGGG in mammals (YAGG in E. coli Ogt, YAGS in Dat from Bacillus subtilis), YRWG in E. coli Ada and Salmonella typhimurium (but YKWS in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or YRGGF in AdaB from B. Subtilis. Finally,conformational and stereoelectronic analysis of the putative transition states for the alkyl transfer from a series of inactivators of hAT, including O6-BzG was undertaken to rationalise the unexpected weak inhibition shown by the alpha-pi-unsaturated electrophiles.     

Metal-ceramic interfaces in internally reduced (Mg,Cu)O

Conventional and high resolution TEM observations of the precipitation scale obtained after internal reduction of (Mg,Cu)O single crystals have revealed special orientation relationships between the metal copper and the ceramic matrix MgO. The intermediate valence state of copper induces a mechanism in two steps for this internal reduction. In the first one, cuprite Cu₂O forms in one of the four orientations (T, TA, D, DA); in the second step, while the reaction front penetrates further into the matrix, cuprite particles are reduced to metallic copper. The orientation of the particles within the matrix can either be maintained or evolved into a twinned orientation.     

Evolution of Hawaiian drosophilidae. II. Patterns and rates of chromosome evolution in an antopocerus phylogeny

The phylogenetic relationships of seven species of the genus Antopocerus (Family Drosophilidae) have been determined by means of a study of the metaphase configurations and polytene chromosomes. Based on biogeographical, behavioral and cytogenetic information A. longiseta from Molokai is tentatively identified as the primitive species of the genus. The metaphase karyotypes of all Antopocerus species are either five pairs of rod chromosomes and a pair of dots (5R1D), or six rods (6R). Heterochromatin additions converted the dots to rods. Chromosome breakpoints for inversions also are clustered at heterochromatic loci. The chromosome segments between heterochromatic loci may represent sets of functionally related loci, evolving as a unit. The rate of chromosomal inversion substitution is estimated in the origin of the taxon (probably a subgenus of Drosophila rather than a separate genus). It averages no greater than one substitution per 1,000 years, or one per 5,000 generations. The average genetic death rate per generation of one individual per hundred is required to achieve this substitution rate. The rate of inversion substitution during radiation of this taxon may be only 4.4 X 10(-3) times as fast as that present in forming the taxon. Alternatively, radiation may have required only 250,000 years if rates of substitution are the same as in the origination of the taxon. Average rates of substitution reflect genetic accidents, selection pressures and rates of adaptation to new niches, as well as the rate of encountering new niches. Rate of adaptation probably is much greater in this instance than rate of encountering new niches. Rate of adaptation probably is much greater in this instance than rate of encountering new niches. Therefore, the average rate of evolution reflects more nearly biogeographic and ecological factors than genetic factors.     

Phage restriction and the presence of small plasmids in Salmonella enteritidis

Sequence variation within the variable region of the 16S rRNA at position 440 to 480 allowed the synthesis of specific PCR primers for the identification of groups within the species Photorhabdus luminescens, symbionts of entomopathogenic nematodes of the genus Heterorhabditis. For the second PCR primer the highly conserved region at 755 to 795 was used. The P. luminescens type strain specific primer could not recognize any other P. luminescens strain. The primer TEMPERATUS based on the sequence of strain DSM12190 (isolated from North West European H. megidis strain HSH2) identified all P. luminescens associated with H. megidis from North West Europe and two isolates from closely the related nematode strains from Ireland. The primer TROPICUS based on strain DSM12191 (isolated from the nematode type strain H. indica strain LN2) identified P. luminescens of tropical origin isolated from H. indica. Symbionts of H. bacteriophora could not yet be separated into well described groups with the primers used. A comparison of sequence data resulted in the identification of additional groups. The non-symbiotic P. luminescens isolates are distinct in the variable region. The group HELIOTHIDIS contains 15 P. luminescens associated with H. bacteriophora from North East America. The MARELATUS group contains symbionts of the nematode H. marelatus from the West Coast of the US. The data together with the specific symbiotic association of P. luminescens strains with different nematode species support the division of the taxon P. luminescens into different species.     

Degassing of copper wires in an ultrahigh vacuum: Part I. Diffusion

Degassing characteristics of commercially available copper products have been studied in an ultrahigh vacuum system at temperatures greater than 700°C. Gases evolved are identified and relative quantities of H, O, C, and N evolved from nine different copper products during a 1-hr anneal at 930°C are reported. Qualitatively the evolved nitrogen originated on the surface, the hydrogen originated principally from the bulk, the carbon originated in the bulk and the oxygen originated both on the surface and in the bulk. Bulk diffusion of oxygen and hydrogen to the surface is not rate controlling. The degassing process seems sensitive to an impurity element, carbon being highly suspect.     

Research on Glass Forming Ability of Er2O3 -Al2O3 -B2O3 -SiO2 System

The glass forming range of Er2O3-Al2O3-B2O3-SiO2 system was explored, and the effect of the content of Al2 O3 and Er2 O3 on glass-forming region was experimentally examined. It is shown that the region of glass formation range expends when the content of Al2O3 is changed from 15% to 20%, while it shrinks when the content of Er2O3 is changed from 20% to 30%. At the same time, the glass forming ability of Er2O3-Al2O3-B2O3-SiO2 system was also discussed using a value of β, which is an indication of crystallization tendency of glasses, calculated from thermo-analysis data. It is found that the glass forming ability of Er2O3-Al2O3-B2O3- SiO2 glasses is poor, while the glasses network may be enhanced when Al2O3 is added to the system, the glass forming ability being heightened. In addition, the crystallization temperatures of the rare earth glasses were determined using differential thermal analysis technique. The Er2O3-Al2O;-B2O3-SiO2 glass samples were heat treated at 1000,1100 and 1260℃ respectively. The results show that it is the Er2O3 phase that separates out from the glasses after crystaline heat treatment, and it is tiered up in glasses, as detected through XRD and SEM. This indicates that the phase separation occurs when the glasses are heated, Er3 being mainly distributed in the boron rich phase, then separated out from glasses, while the silicate rich phase remaining glassy state.