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Orientalis
Kinds of Orientalis Selected AbstractsA new specimen of Baphetes from Ný,any, Czech Republic and the intrinsic relationships of the BaphetidaeACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 2009Angela C. Milner Abstract ,Loxomma'bohemicum from the Upper Carboniferous assemblage from Ný,any, Czech Republic, is a nomen dubium restricted to the type and only specimen. The new binomen Baphetes orientalis is created for a skull referred to Baphetes bohemicus by later authors. A previously undescribed baphetid specimen from Ný,any is referred to B. orientalis despite differences in skull proportions. It comprises a skull in dorsal aspect, mandibles and some associated postcranial elements. The skull possesses sclerotic ring elements within the orbital region of the dorsal fenestration of the skull, confirming the eye location. The elongate gastralia are arranged perpendicular to the interclavicle edge in contrast to the condition in temnospondyls and colosteids. Cladistic analysis of 24 characters of 11 baphetoids was carried out using Acanthostega and Crassigyrinus as outgroups. Eucritta was the most primitive baphetoid, with Spathicephalus being the sister-taxon to the remaining taxa, justifying a monotypic Spathicephalidae as a sister-taxon to the Baphetidae. The Baphetidae are divided into a subfamily Baphetinae nom.nov. containing two Baphetes species; and a subfamily Loxommatinae with Loxomma as a paraphyletic grade leading to a Megalocephalus +Kyrinion clade. The Linton taxon ,Baphetes' lintonensis is transferred to the genus Loxomma to give the new combination Loxomma lintonensis. [source] Growth and maturation of metatarsals and their taxonomic significance in the jerboas Allactaga and Jaculus (Rodentia: Dipodidae)ACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 2 2005A. A. B. Shahin Abstract The development of metatarsals in Allactaga tetradactyla, Jaculus jaculus jaculus and J. orientalis was studied and their taxonomic significance was elucidated. The five metatarsals, as a rule, are developed and ossified in the three species, but variation in the fate of the first and fifth metatarsals was found. Ossification begins in the median part of the metatarsals; however, it appears in the distal part of the digits' phalanges, beginning with the third phalanx. The first metatarsal appears just distal to the entocuneiform and develops as a small, separate bone located either in close contact with the distal end of the entocuneiform in A. tetradactyla or completely fused with it, forming a compound bone, in both of J. j. jaculus and J. orientalis. The second, third and fourth metatarsals differentiate distal to the mesocuneiform, ectocuneiform and cuboid, respectively, and fuse with one another into a single long cannon bone in all species. Nevertheless, the fifth metatarsal differentiates ventro-lateral to the head of the fourth metatarsal and ossifies ventral to the head process of the developing cannon bone. The fifth metatarsal either extends to articulate with the phalanges of the fourth digit in A. tetradactyla or persists as a separate, small bone in both of J. j. jaculus and J. orientalis. On this basis, it is concluded that J. jaculus and J. orientalis are both distinct congeneric species and are somewhat more distant from A. tetradactyla. [source] High Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Silver Monodispersed Nanoparticles Embedded in a Glassy Matrix,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 7 2010Leticia Esteban-Tejeda Silver doped glass powders have been obtained starting from vitellinate/nAg and montmorillonite/nAg. These powders have shown a high biocide activity against the three different types of microorganisms studied: Escherichia coli (gram-negative bacteria), Micrococcus luteus (gram-positive-bacteria), and Issatchenkia orientalis (yeast). It was found that these glasses keep constant the silver concentration even below the cytotoxic limit. Therefore we interpret that silver doped glasses play the role of dosing devices. [source] ECOLOGICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL CONTEXT OF NATURAL SELECTION: MATERNAL EFFECTS AND THERMALLY INDUCED PLASTICITY IN THE FROG BOMBINA ORIENTALISEVOLUTION, Issue 1 2006Robert H. Kaplan Abstract Variation in fitness generated by differences in functional performance can often be traced to morphological variation among individuals within natural populations. However, morphological variation itself is strongly influenced by environmental factors (e.g., temperature) and maternal effects (e.g., variation in egg size). Understanding the full ecological context of individual variation and natural selection therefore requires an integrated view of how the interaction between the environment and development structures differences in morphology, performance, and fitness. Here we use naturally occurring environmental and maternal variation in the frog Bombina orientalis in South Korea to show that ovum size, average temperature, and variance in temperature during the early developmental period affect body sizes, shapes, locomotor performance, and ultimately the probability of an individual surviving interspecific predation in predictable but nonadditive ways. Specifically, environmental variability can significantly change the relationship between maternal investment in offspring and offspring fitness so that increased maternal investment can actually negatively affect offspring over a broad range of environments. Integrating environmental variation and developmental processes into traditional approaches of studying phenotypic variation and natural selection is likely to provide a more complete picture of the ecological context of evolutionary change. [source] Ecology and characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing microorganisms on and in plantsFEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Ilona Gasser Abstract Polyhydroxyalkanoates are energy reserve polymers produced by bacteria to survive periods of starvation in natural habitats. Little is known about the ecology of polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing bacteria. To analyse the occurrence of this specific group on/in seven different plant species, a combined strategy containing culture-dependent and -independent methods was applied. Using microbial fingerprint techniques (single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis with specific primers for phaC gene encoding the key enzyme of the polyhydroxyalkanoate synthesis), a high number of bands were especially found for the rhizosphere. Furthermore, cluster analysis revealed plant species-specific communities. Isolation of bacteria, recognition of brightly refractile cytoplasmatic inclusions, lipophilic stainings and a PCR strategy targeted on the phaC gene were used as a culture-dependent strategy for the detection of polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing bacteria. Results again represent a high degree of plant specificity: the rhizosphere of sugar beet contained the highest number of positive strains. This was confirmed by quantitative PCR: the relative copy number of phaC was statistically and significantly enhanced in all rhizospheres in comparison with bulk soil. New polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing bacterial species were detected: for example, Burkholderia terricola, Lysobacter gummosus, Pseudomonas extremaustralis, Pseudomonas brassicacearum and Pseudomonas orientalis. Our results confirm the hypothesis that the rhizosphere is an interesting hidden reservoir for polyhydroxyalkanoate producers. [source] Yeast diversity of Ghanaian cocoa bean heap fermentationsFEMS YEAST RESEARCH, Issue 5 2009Heide-Marie Daniel Abstract The fermentation of the Theobroma cacao beans, involving yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, and acetic acid bacteria, has a major influence on the quality of the resulting cocoa. An assessment of the microbial community of cocoa bean heap fermentations in Ghana resulted in 91 yeast isolates. These were grouped by PCR-fingerprinting with the primer M13. Representative isolates were identified using the D1/D2 region of the large subunit rRNA gene, internal transcribed spacer sequences and partial actin gene sequences leading to the detection of 15 species. Properties of importance for cocoa bean fermentation, namely sucrose, glucose, and citrate assimilation capacity, pH-, ethanol-, and heat-tolerance, were examined for selected isolates. Pichia kudriavzevii (Issatchenkia orientalis), Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Hanseniaspora opuntiae formed the major components of the yeast community. Hanseniaspora opuntiae was identified conclusively for the first time from cocoa fermentations. Among the less frequently encountered species, Candida carpophila, Candida orthopsilosis, Kodamaea ohmeri, Meyerozyma (Pichia) caribbica, Pichia manshurica, Saccharomycodes ludwigii, and Yamadazyma (Pichia) mexicana were not yet documented from this substrate. Hanseniaspora opuntiae was preferably growing during the earlier phase of fermentation, reflecting its tolerance to low pH and its citrate-negative phenotype, while no specific temporal distribution was recognized for P. kudriavzevii and S. cerevisiae. [source] Horizontal and vertical movements of juvenile bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) in relation to seasons and oceanographic conditions in the eastern Pacific OceanFISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2007TAKASHI KITAGAWA Abstract Electronically tagged juvenile Pacific bluefin, Thunnus orientalis, were released off Baja California in the summer of 2002. Time-series data were analyzed for 18 fish that provided a record of 380 ± 120 days (mean ± SD) of ambient water and peritoneal cavity temperatures at 120 s intervals. Geolocations of tagged fish were estimated based on light-based longitude and sea surface temperature-based latitude algorithms. The horizontal and vertical movement patterns of Pacific bluefin were examined in relation to oceanographic conditions and the occurrence of feeding events inferred from thermal fluctuations in the peritoneal cavity. In summer, fish were located primarily in the Southern California Bight and over the continental shelf of Baja California, where juvenile Pacific bluefin use the top of the water column, undertaking occasional, brief forays to depths below the thermocline. In autumn, bluefin migrated north to the waters off the Central California coast when thermal fronts form as the result of weakened equatorward wind stress. An examination of ambient and peritoneal temperatures revealed that bluefin tuna fed during this period along the frontal boundaries. In mid-winter, the bluefin returned to the Southern California Bight possibly because of strong downwelling and depletion of prey species off the Central California waters. The elevation of the mean peritoneal cavity temperature above the mean ambient water temperature increased as ambient water temperature decreased. The ability of juvenile bluefin tuna to maintain a thermal excess of 10°C occurred at ambient temperatures of 11,14°C when the fish were off the Central California coast. This suggests that the bluefin maintain peritoneal temperature by increasing heat conservation and possibly by increasing internal heat production when in cooler waters. For all of the Pacific bluefin tuna, there was a significant correlation between their mean nighttime depth and the visible disk area of the moon. [source] Carrying capacity and survival strategy for the Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis, in the Western PacificFISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2006YASUO MATSUKAWA Abstract The carrying capacity for the Pacific bluefin tuna at each life stage is estimated and its survival strategy is examined numerically, using a new method to define the hypothetical capacity, the standard population, and the search volumes that are necessary and are feasible for the tuna. The carrying capacity for the adult is estimated at 1,2 × 106 individuals, which corresponds with 5,10% of the hypothetical capacity and is comparable with the maximum levels of the southern and the Atlantic bluefin tuna populations. It is hypothesized semiquantitatively that the migration at each life stage and the remarkable decrement of growth at 120 days and about 40 cm occur as an evolutionary response to population excess over the carrying capacity. It is also hypothesized semiquantitatively that the early larvae have minimal food available in the Subtropical Water and develop the predatory morphology, high growth rate, and high mobility, however, at the expense of a high mortality as an evolutionary response to the tuna spawning in the Subtropical Water. This method may be an available tool to not only investigate the carrying capacity and survival strategy of a specific fish species, but also predict when and in how much abundance the fish species occurs in a specific area of its habitat. [source] Diving behavior of immature, feeding Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus orientalis) in relation to season and area: the East China Sea and the Kuroshio,Oyashio transition regionFISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2004Takashi Kitagawa Abstract Twenty-four archival tags were recovered from Pacific bluefin tuna previously released off Tsushima Island in the East China Sea. By analysis of the time-series data of the pressure and the ambient and internal temperature from the 24 tags, we examined the relationship between the tuna's pattern of diving and the thermocline depth. In the East China Sea, diving and feeding events occurred throughout almost the entire day in both winter and summer, suggesting that the purpose of diving is for feeding. In summer, the feeding frequency was greater than that in winter, which corresponds to the fact that growth is more rapid in summer than in winter. During summer in the Kuroshio,Oyashio transition region, on the other hand, feeding events were much more frequent than those in the East China Sea, in spite of a lower diving frequency. The mean horizontal distance traveled was also significantly higher and it seems that in this area they may move horizontally to feed on prey accumulated at the surface. We conclude that, in addition to the ambient temperature structure, the vertical and horizontal distribution of prey species plays an important role in the feeding behavior of Pacific bluefin tuna. One bluefin tuna migrated to the Oyashio frontal area, where both the horizontal and the vertical thermal gradients are much steeper. The fish spent most of the time on the warmer side of the front and often traveled horizontally to the colder side during the day, perhaps to feed. This implies that there is a thermal barrier effect, in this case from the Oyashio front, on their behavior. The frequency of feeding events was low, although all the monitored fish dived every dawn and dusk, irrespective of the seasons or location. It is possible that these twice-daily diving patterns occurred in response to the change in ambient light at sunrise and sunset. [source] Volatile needle and wood extracts of oriental spruce Picea orientalis (L.) LinkFLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2003Günes Uçar Abstract Volatile needle and wood extracts of oriental spruce obtained from trees grown naturally in eastern Black Sea regions and in an cultivated stand near Istanbul were analysed by GC,MS. Despite considerable differences in both tree-to-tree and natural-to-cultivated aspects, the needle and wood extracts exhibit characteristic compounds, which might be of chemotaxonomic interest. The monoterpenes , -3-carene, limonene and bornyl acetate dominate in the needles, whereas the appreciable amounts of labdadienol isomers and high content of diterpenoids characterize the wood extracts. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Composition of the volatile oils isolated from the leaves of Liquidambar orientalis Mill. var. orientalis and L. orientalis var. integriloba from TurkeyFLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2002Mehmet Emin Duru Abstract The volatile oils isolated by three different methods (hydrodistillation, steam distillation and extraction,steam distillation) from the aerial parts of Liquidambar orientalis var. orientalis and L. orientalis var. integriloba were analysed by GC and GC,MS. This study allowed the identification of 41, 35 and 36 constituents in the oils obtained from var. orientalis and 43, 41 and 40 constituents in the oils obtained from var. integriloba by hydrodistillation, steam distillation and extraction,steam distillation, respectively. They were characterized by the presence of a high proportion of oxygen-containing monoterpenes, amounting to 39% in the hydrodistillation oil, 54% in the steam distillation oil and 50% in the extraction,steam distillation oil of var. orientalis; 50% in the hydrodistillation oil, 64% in the steam distillation oil and 37% in the extraction,steam distillation oil of var. integriloba. Two varieties of L. orientalis provided volatile oils with a high content of terpinen-4-ol, ,-terpineol, sabinene, ,-pinene, viridiflorene and germacrene D and a lower percentage of other components. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Heterobasidion on Abies nordmanniana in north-eastern TurkeyFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2007-Lehtijärvi, H. T. Do Summary Occurrence of Heterobasidion annosum s.l. was investigated in 15 coniferous stands in the Giresun and Pontic Mountains in north-eastern Turkey. Basidiocarps of the fungus were found in 11 stands. Fifty-two basidiocarp specimens of Heterobasidion were collected from stumps of Abies nordmanniana ssp. nordmanniana and two from stumps of Picea orientalis. Pure cultures were isolated from the basidiocarps and identified with the aid of mating tests. Forty-five (90%) of the specimens collected from A. nordmanniana were identified as H. abietinum and five (10%) as H. annosum s.s. The former species was also found twice on P. orientalis. This is the first report of H. annosum s.s. for Turkey and the first report of H. abietinum on P. orientalis. Heterobasidion abietinum seems to be mostly a saprotroph on A. nordmanniana. [source] First hybrid plane trees to show resistance against canker stain (Ceratocystis fimbriata f. sp. platani)FOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2004A. Vigouroux Summary Canker stain, caused by the ascomycete Ceratocystis fimbriata f. sp. platani, is a major threat to plane trees in Europe. The American plane tree (Platanus occidentalis) carries some genetic resistance, but this species is not adapted to the climatic conditions in Europe. Therefore, hybrids between susceptible oriental plane trees (Platanus orientalis) and resistant P. occidendalis were screened for disease resistance in France. Among 960 hybrids, we found 18 individuals which survived two successive inoculations. These putatively resistant trees were cut back and, after 18 months, on each tree 12 of the newly produced shoots as well as two roots, were inoculated again. From these trees, only one showed complete and another one partial resistance. This selection process resulting in the resistant clone ,Vallis clausa' is described in detail. Résumé La maladie du chancre coloré provoquée par l'ascomycète Ceratocystis fimbriata f. sp. platani, constitue une menace majeure pour le platane en Europe. Le platane américain (Platanus occidentalis) recèle une résistance génétique mais est très mal acclimaté aux conditions de milieu de l'Europe. Des hybrides entre le platane d'orient (Platanus orientalis) et des clones résistants de P. occidentalis ont donc été sélectionnés pour la résistance au chancre. Parmi les 960 hybrides, 18 individus ont survécu à deux inoculations successives sur le tronc. Rabattus, ces arbres, après 18 mois, ont été inoculés sur 12 des rejets produits par arbre, ainsi que sur deux de leurs racines. De ces arbres, seul un sujet a montré une résistance totale aux deux niveaux, un autre arbre montrant une résistance un peu moins complète. Zusammenfassung Der Platanenkrebs, verursacht durch den Ascomyceten Ceratocystis fimbriata f.sp. platani ist eine grosse Bedrohung für die Platanen in Europa. Die Amerikanische Platane (Platanus occidentalis) verfügt über eine gewisse Resistenz, aber diese Baumart ist nicht an die klimatischen Bedingungen in Europa angepasst. Deshalb wurden Hybriden zwischen anfälligen Platanen (Platanus orientalis) und resistenten P. occidentalis in Frankreich auf ihre Resistenz geprüft. Von 960 Hybriden überlebten 18 Individuen zwei aufeinander folgende Inokulationen. Diese möglicherweise resistenten Bäume wurden auf den Stock gesetzt und nach 18 Monaten wurden jeweils 12 der Neutriebe und zwei Wurzeln pro Pflanze erneut inokuliert. Hierbei zeigte ein Baum völlige, ein zweiter teilweise Resistenz. Dieser Selektionsprozess, welcher den resistenten Klon ,Vallis clausa' ergab, wird im Detail beschrieben. [source] Novel Sesquiterpenoids from Siegesbeckia orientalisHELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 1 2005Ying Xiang Five new sesquiterpenoids, namely, 8, -(angeloyloxy)-4,,6,,15-trihydroxy-14-oxoguaia-9,11(13)-dien-12-oic acid 12,6-lactone (1), 4,,6,,15-trihydroxy-8, -(isobutyryloxy)-14-oxoguaia-9,11(13)-dien-12-oic acid 12,6-lactone (2), 11,12,13 - trinorguai-6-ene-4,,10, -diol (3), (1(10)E,4E,8Z)-8-(angeloyloxy)-6,,15-dihydroxy-14-oxogermacra-(1(10),4,8,11(13)-tetraen-12-oic acid 12,6-lactone (9), and (1(10)E,4,)-8, -(angeloyloxy)-6,,14,15-trihydroxygermacra-1(10),11(13)-dien-12-oic acid 12,6-lactone (11), and three new artifacts, (1(10)E,4Z)-8, -(angeloyloxy)-9, -ethoxy-6,,15-dihydroxy-14-oxogermacra-1(10),4,11(13)-trien-12-oic acid 12,6-lactone (6), (1(10)E,4Z)-8, -(angeloyloxy)-9,,13-diethoxy-6,,15-dihydroxy-14-oxogermacra-1(10),4-dien-12-oic acid 12,6-lactone (7), and (1(10)E,4Z)-8, -(angeloyloxy)-9, -ethoxy-6,,15-dihydroxy-13-methoxy-14-oxogermacra-1(10),4-dien-12-oic acid 12,6-lactone (8), together with the three known sesquiterpenoids 4, 5, and 10, were isolated from the aerial parts of Sie esbeckia orientalis,L. Their structures were established by spectral methods, especially 1D- and 2D-NMR spectral methods. [source] Novel Polyoxygenated Spirostanol Glycosides from the Rhizomes of Helleborus orientalisHELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 2 2003Yoshihiro Mimaki The two new polyoxygenated spirostanol bisdesmosides 1 and 2 and the new trisdesmoside 3, named hellebosaponin A (1), B (2), and C (3), respectively, were isolated from the MeOH extract of the rhizomes of Helleborus orientalis. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as (1,,3,,23S,24S)-21-(acetyloxy)-24-[(, - D -fucopyranosyl)oxy]-3,23-dihydroxyspirosta-5,25(27)-dien-1-yl O-, - D -apiofuranosyl-(1,3)- O -(4- O -acetyl- , - L -rhamnopyranosyl)-(1,2)- O -[, - D -xylopyranosyl-(1,3)]- , - L -arabinopyranoside (1), (1,,3,,23S,24S)- 21-(acetyloxy)-24-{[O - , - D -glucopyranosyl-(1,4)- , - D -fucopyranosyl]oxy}-3,23-dihydroxyspirosta-5,25(27)-dien-1-yl O - , - D -apiofuranosyl-(1,3)- O -(4- O -acetyl- , - L -rhamnopyranosyl)-(1,2)- O -[, - D -xylopyranosyl-(1,3)]- , - L -arabinopyranoside (2), and (1,,3,,23S,24S)-24-[(, - D -fucopyranosyl)oxy]-21-{[O - , - D -glucopyranosyl-(1,2)- , - D -galactopyranosyl]oxy}-3,23-dihydroxyspirosta-5,25(27)-dien-1-yl O - , - D -apiofuranosyl-(1,3)- O -(4- O -acetyl- , - L -rhamnopyranosyl)-(1,2)- O -[, - D -xylopyranosyl-(1,3)]- , - L -arabinopyranoside (3), respectively, on the basis of detailed spectroscopic studies and chemical evidence. [source] The application of ancient DNA analysis to identify neolithic caprinae: a case study from the site of Hatoula, IsraelINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 3 2003Gila Kahila Bar-Gal Abstract The evidence for wild sheep (Ovis orientalis) in archaeological sites from the southern Levant is examined through the application of ancient DNA analysis to specimens from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A (8300,7500 uncal. BC) site of Hatoula, Israel. The results indicate that at least one of the bones from this site, previously identified as sheep, is in fact goat. To date this is the earliest faunal sample to have yielded DNA in the region. This study highlights the problems in applying morphological criteria to distinguish between caprine species, and illustrates how ancient DNA analysis can serve as a powerful tool in resolving questions of species attribution. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Can different species of medicinal leeches (Hirudo spp.) interbreed?INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Laima Petrauskien Abstract. Since the 18th century, the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis has been thought to comprise a single species with several different color morphs, but recently some of these color morphs have been assigned to separate species based on morphology, geographical distribution, and molecular sequence data. This research was aimed at testing the ability of three of these species, H. medicinalis, Hirudo verbana, and Hirudo orientalis, to interbreed. We found that in the laboratory, all three species were able to mate with each other and produce hybrid offspring. This suggests that the reproductive isolation is not strong among these species of the genus Hirudo. However, fewer offspring were produced from interspecific crosses compared with intraspecific crosses. This decrease of fecundity (and in some cases, offspring viability) indicates some degree of reproductive isolation between H. medicinalis, H. verbana, and H. orientalis. [source] Seasonal activity and abundance of Orosius orientalis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) at agricultural sites in Southeastern AustraliaJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2010P. Tr, bicki Abstract Orosius orientalis is a leafhopper vector of several viruses and phytoplasmas affecting a broad range of agricultural crops. Sweep net, yellow pan trap and yellow sticky trap collection techniques were evaluated. Seasonal distribution of O. orientalis was surveyed over two successive growing seasons around the borders of commercially grown tobacco crops. Orosius orientalis seasonal activity as assessed using pan and sticky traps was characterised by a trimodal peak and relative abundance as assessed using sweep nets differed between field sites with peak activity occurring in spring and summer months. Yellow pan traps consistently trapped a higher number of O. orientalis than yellow sticky traps. [source] Lack of susceptibility of Chacma baboons (Papio ursinus orientalis) to hepatitis C virus infectionJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 4 2002N.P. Sithebe Abstract The main reason to ascertain whether baboons are susceptible to infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the need to replace chimpanzees, which are endangered, as an animal model for undertaking research into the biology and host,virus interactions of HCV, and for developing a vaccine against this virus. A second reason is that baboons are a possible source of xenografts for human liver transplantation. We inoculated serum containing HCV into four Chacma baboons and monitored them for 52 weeks for evidence of infection. Serum was tested for antibody to HCV, HCV RNA, and aminotransferase concentrations at 2-week intervals for 26 weeks and thereafter at 4-week intervals. Liver tissue was examined at 28 and 52 weeks for histopathological changes and viral RNA, and at 52 weeks for viral particles using electron microscopy. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay was used to detect HCV RNA, and the results were confirmed by Southern hybridization. Serum aminotransferase concentrations remained within the normal range and liver histology was normal during the follow-up period. Passive transmission of anti-HCV to the baboons was observed during the first 4 weeks. HCV RNA was not detectable in any serum or liver sample and electron microscopy failed to reveal viral particles in liver tissue. In conclusion, we did not find Chacma baboons to be susceptible to infection with HCV, although we cannot deny that in an immunosuppressed liver transplant recipient, infection of a baboon xenograft might occur. Another animal model for HCV infection must be sought. J. Med. Virol. 66:468,471, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurosecretory System of the Jerboa (Jaculus orientalis) and its Seasonal VariationsJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 12 2000S. El Ouezzani Abstract The distribution of cells expressing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) immunoreactivity was examined in the brain of adult jerboa during two distinct periods of the reproductive cycle. During spring,summer, when the jerboa is sexually active, a high density of cell bodies and fibres immunoreactive (IR) for GnRH was observed at the level of separation of the frontal lobes, in the medial septal nucleus (MS) and in the diagonal band of Broca (DBB), in the preoptic area (POA), in the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT), in the retrochiasmatic area and hypothalamus. In autumn, when the jerboa is sexually inactive, GnRH-immunoreactivity was less intense than during spring,summer. In the POA, we noted a 55% decrease in the number of GnRH containing cells with no change in cell numbers in the MS-DBB. Furthermore, a lower density of GnRH immunopositive axon fibres is observed in all the previously mentioned structures and the immunoreaction intensity was very weak particularly within the median eminence and OVLT. Independently of the season, the GnRH immunoreactivity within neurones and fibres was similar in jerboas living in captivity and in jerboas living in their natural biotope. The effects of photoperiod on the density of POA-GnRH and arcuate nucleus ,-endorphin-containing cells were studied in jerboas maintained in long day [(LD) 16-h light, 8-h dark] and short day [(SD) 8-h light, 16-h dark] for 8 weeks. In the POA, the GnRH-IR cell number was not significantly altered by the photoperiod. Similarly, in the mediobasal hypothalamus, the number of ,-endorphin-IR neurones was not affected by such a parameter. Consequently, the GnRH seasonal variations cannot be correlated to changes in the photoperiod alone. [source] Thermovoltaic properties of hornet silkMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 11 2006S. Volynchik Abstract In silk from the larval silk caps of the Oriental hornet Vespa orientalis (Hymenoptera, Vespinae), temperature-dependent changes in the electric voltage have been recorded, with rise in the voltage occurring mainly upon rise in the temperature between 10,36°C. The peak voltage was measured between 32,38°C and attained 240,360 mV, but with further increase in temperature, the voltage decreased, dropping to 0 mV at about 45,50°C. Upon second measurement (of same silk specimen), the voltage peak usually occurred later (by 8,9°C) and at higher temperature than in the first measurement. Continuous measurements during warming up to 30°C followed by cooling down to 15°C yielded an hysteresis between the warming "line" and the cooling "line", the former often straight and the latter usually curved. Maintaining the silk specimen at a fixed temperature for a prolonged period (hours) initially causes the voltage to rise, then remain steady, and finally drop. Boiling the silk caps in tap water for 7,10 min exerts some changes in the silk properties, mainly a decrease in voltage level. The general behavior of the silk suggests that it is a polymer endowed with the qualities of an organic semiconductor. The various properties of the larval silk are discussed in great detail. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Notes on the genus Santalus Lewis, 1906 and Pachylister Lewis, 1904, with the description of Nasaltus gen. n. (Coleoptera, Histeridae)MITTEILUNGEN AUS DEM MUSEUM FUER NATURKUNDE IN BERLIN-DEUTSCHE ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT, Issue 1 2008awomir Mazur Abstract The taxonomical and systematic status of the species of Santalus was analyzed. A new genus, Nasaltus, has been described with Hister orientalis as the type-species. A new species is described Nasaltus marseuli (N. orientalis: Marseul). A new arrangement and catalogue of these species is proposed after their cladistic analysis. A key to identify the species of Nasaltus and Santalus is given. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Characterization of microsatellite markers in Fagus sylvatica L. and Fagus orientalis LipskyMOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 1 2003R. Pastorelli Abstract Using an enrichment procedure, we cloned microsatellite repeats from European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and developed primers for the amplification of microsatellite markers. Six polymorphic loci were characterized which produced 3,21 alleles in 70 individuals from one Italian population, with an observed heterozygosity between 0.58 and 0.85. All six loci amplified fragments which were polymorphic in the closely related species, Fagus orientalis, also. Owing to their very high degree of variation, these markers should be very useful in gene flow studies of these species. [source] LATE ORDOVICIAN BRACHIOPODS FROM THE DULANKARA FORMATION OF THE CHU-ILI RANGE, KAZAKHSTAN: THEIR SYSTEMATICS, PALAEOECOLOGY AND PALAEOBIOGEOGRAPHYPALAEONTOLOGY, Issue 2 2006LEONID E. POPOV Abstract:, Brachiopods from the late Ordovician (late Caradoc) Dulankara Formation of the Chu-Ili Range, Kazakhstan, are reviewed. Those from the upper two members of the formation, the Degeres and Akkol members, are systematically described. New genera from the Dulankara Formation are Nikitinamena (Plectambonitoidea: Leptellinidae), with type species Nikitinamena bicostata sp. nov., and Weberorthis (Orthoidea: Plectorthidae), with type species Mimella brevis Rukavishnikova. Another new genus is Glyptomenoides (Strophomenoidea: Glyptomenidae), with type species Rafinesquina girvanensis Salmon from the Caradoc of Girvan, Scotland. Other new species from the Dulankara Formation are Holtedahlina orientalis, Platymena tersa, Christiania proclivis, Leangella (Leangella) paletsae, Metambonites subcarinatus, Ogmoplecia nesca and Plectorthis licta. The ecology and assemblages of all three members of the Dulankara Formation are identified or reviewed, and their palaeogeographical significance assessed: the Chu-Ili Terrane (on which the Dulankara Formation was situated during the Ordovician) formed part of the relatively low-latitude peri-Gondwanan complex of terranes, and was probably not far from North and South China. The faunal links suggested between the Dulankara brachiopods and contemporary faunas from Australia are now perceived to be weaker than previously thought. [source] Xanthopterin in the Oriental Hornet (Vespa orientalis): Light Absorbance Is Increased with Maturation of Yellow Pigment GranulesPHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Marian Plotkin The Oriental hornet bears both brown and yellow colors on its cuticle. The brown component is contributed by the pigment melanin, which is dispersed in the brown cuticle and provides protection against insolation, while the yellow-colored part contains within pockets in the cuticle granules possessing a yellow pigment. These yellow granules (YG) are formed about 2 days prior to eclosion of the imago, and their production continues for about 3 days posteclosion. Xanthopterin is the main component of the granule and lends it its yellow color. Xanthopterin produces a characteristic excitation/emission maximum at 386/456 nm. Characterization by use of mass spectrometry showed the compound to have a molecular ion of 179, as expected from xanthopterin. Spectroscopic examination of the absorption of an entire stripe of yellow cuticle in the course of its metamorphosis revealed that the absorption steadily increases throughout the process to a maximal level of absorption about 3 days posteclosion. In the absence of the YG, the cuticle is permeable to the passage of all wavelengths within the visible range and to the UV range (290,750 nm) in all age groups of hornets. The newly ecloded hornets depart the nest to engage in activities requiring exposure to insolation only as the process of granule formation terminates, namely, when the layer of YG in the cuticle suffices to absorb all the harmful UV radiation. [source] Flavonoids in plant nuclei: detection by laser microdissection and pressure catapulting (LMPC), in vivo staining, and uv,visible spectroscopic titrationPHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 1 2006Jürgen Polster Previous studies in our laboratory have indicated that the nuclei of a number of trees are associated with flavonoids, especially flavan-3-ols. In the present study, three techniques were applied to verify that flavonoids are naturally incorporated into nuclei. These were histochemistry, UV,visible (UV-VIS) titration and laser microdissection. Nuclei from intact seed wings of Tsuga canadensis were isolated from their cells using laser microdissection and pressure catapulting (LMPC). Thereafter, the excised nuclei were stained with p -dimethylamino-cinnamaldehyde (DMACA), which resulted in a blue coloration due to the presence of flavanols. Thus, there is no doubt that the nuclei were, prior to staining, associated with flavanols. The nuclei of the coniferous species Abies lasiocarpa, Cedrus deodara, Cedrus libani, Juniperus communis, Picea abies, Picea orientalis and Pseudotsuga menziessii(Douglas fir) showed a yellow fluorescence typical for flavonols from the beginning of bud break over the entire growing season. However, after the bud-breaking period, the nuclei of all species, except for Cedrus deodara, showed additionally a blue reaction for flavanols. Rather late, in midsummer, blue-stained flavanols in nuclei were found in Picea orientalis. Generally, zeatin intensified the flavanol association with the nuclei. The main components of nucleosomes are DNA and the histone proteins. The nature of their association with the flavonols quercetin and rutin was investigated by UV-VIS spectroscopic titration. The data were evaluated by means of the Mauser (A and AD) diagrams. The results indicate that DNA shows largely no spectroscopically detectable association equilibria under the experimental conditions chosen. However, association (aggregation) equilibria can be observed with rutin or quercetin and histone sulphate in Tris buffer (pH 8.0, 7.4 and 7.0). In phosphate buffer, rutin shows spectroscopically no or only weak association with histone sulphate, in contrast to its behaviour towards quercetin. [source] Cloning of nodule-specific cDNAs of Galega orientalisPHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 4 2002Seppo Kaijalainen Differential display was applied in order to clone cDNAs expressed exclusively or predominantly in nodules, compared to uninoculated root tissue of Galega orientalis. Forty-five fragments were unique for nodule RNA. These fragments were reamplified and cloned. Six of them produced a nodule-specific signal on Northern hybridization. These six fragments were sequenced. Five of the sequenced fragments showed homology to nodulin-gene sequences in databases, among them Vicia faba mRNA for protein showing partial homology with Medicago sativa nodulin-25 (Nms25), Pisum sativum PsN466, V. faba CCP2 and CCP4, P. sativum ENOD3, and Maackia amurensis ENOD2. The remaining sequence had no significant homology with sequences in the databanks. Full-size cDNA for the homologue to V. faba mRNA for the protein showing partial homology with M. sativa nodulin-25 (Nms25) and P. sativum PsN466 were cloned and sequenced. [source] Photoperiod and temperature affect the life cycle of a subtropical cockroach, Opisoplatia orientalis: seasonal pattern shaped by winter mortalityPHYSIOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Dao-Hong Zhu Abstract.,Opisoplatia orientalis is an ovoviviparous cockroach living in the subtropical areas in Japan. Both adults and nymphs overwinter on Hachijo Island (33°N). The nymphs sampled before and after overwintering showed a similar pattern in frequency distribution of head widths with a definite peak of fifth instars. The present study was conducted to determine how this pattern was formed by investigating the effects of photoperiod and temperature on development and reproduction. Photoperiod influenced the number of nymphal instars, resulting in a longer duration of nymphal development at LD 12 : 12 h than at LD 16 : 8 h. However, the rate of development at each instar was only affected to a small extent by photoperiod and no sign of diapause was detected. It was suggested that the photoperiodic response controlling the number of nymphal instars might have evolved to adjust the timing of adult emergence and reproduction to the favourable season. The prereproductive period and time intervals between nymph depositions were prolonged as temperature declined, but there was no evidence for diapause in adults. Mortality occurred in eggs and embryos inside of the body of the females during winter. Thus, it was inferred that female adults would reset ovarian development in spring and deposit nymphs in summer simultaneously, and these nymphs would reach the fifth instar before winter comes. This winter mortality hypothesis was supported by experiments in which reproductive activity and mortality were monitored for field-collected adults under either constant or changing temperature conditions simulating those in the field. [source] Qualitative aspects of sperm stock in males and females from Eupelmus orientalis and Dinarmus basalis (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) as revealed by dual fluorescencePHYSIOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2002David Damiens Abstract The quality of a sperm population can be characterized physiologically and its fecundity predicted by its viable : non-viable sperm ratio. To improve the knowledge of reproductive strategies in two ectoparasitoid hymenopteran species, Eupelmus orientalis Crawford (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) and Dinarmus basalis Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), the assessment of sperm viability using the dual fluorescence staining procedure SYBR-14 : propidium iodide was developed. The aim of the study was to provide a comparative test in vitro applicable to both sexes to study the evolution of sperm quality at various stages of the reproductive processes. The reliability of propidium iodide to detect non-viable sperm (stained in red) was confirmed in both species on the basis of two stress tests (ethanol and Triton X-100) but our study also revealed that propidium iodide concentrations must be adequately adjusted for each single species. This experiment also demonstrated the physiological heterogeneity of sperm populations in E. orientalis and D. basalis males and females. In both species, 40% of the sperm in the seminal vesicles was found to be non-viable. By contrast with E. orientalis, the populations of non-viable sperm estimated from the seminal vesicles of D. basalis were found to be strongly different from those observed in the spermatheca. From the present results, the population of viable sperm detected in the spermatheca of females from both species proved a reliable predictor of fertilization achieved in ovipositing females. [source] Effects of Nigella orientalis and N. segetalis fixed oils on blood biochemistry in ratsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2006G. Kökdil Abstract Nigella orientalis and N. segetalis fixed oils were administered orally (1 mL/kg/day) to Wistar Kyoto rats for 4 weeks. The effects of the oils on biochemical parameters were compared with a control group that received distilled water under identical conditions. LDL-cholesterol level was decreased significantly in both oil groups while serum total cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol were decreased significantly following administration of only N. orientalis fixed oil when compared with the control group. The HDL-cholesterol levels were increased significantly in both oil groups. N. orientalis fixed oil significantly reduced Aspartateaminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and urea levels in rats. There was an increase in the albumin, uric acid and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) concentrations, while the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and RDW (red cell distribution width) levels decreased significantly. In N. segetalis fixed oil treated rats, the levels of ALP, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), MCHC, RDW were decreased significantly, whereas a significant increase was found in albumin, fibrinogen, Hematocrit (HCT) and MCV levels. The effects of 4 weeks oral intake of N. orientalis and N. segetalis fixed oils on blood malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant status (TOS) were also investigated in rats. The study showed that the oils had no significant effect on MDA production. N. orientalis and N. segetalis fixed oils caused a significant increase in the total antioxidant status in rats. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||