12,849 research outputs found
Trachymyrmex carinatus Mackay & Mackay 1997
No full textT. carinatus Mackay & Mackay Trachymyrmex carinatus Mackay & Mackay, 1997: 43. Holotype worker (MCZC) [examined], paratype workers, paratype queens, and males, 15km W Bellavista, Municipio Riva Palacio, Chihuahua, Mexico (AMNH, WPMC, LACM, MCZC, USNM) [examined], (additional paratypes in MZSP, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México: Instituto de Ecología) Diagnosis Worker: HL 0.8-1.0, HW 0.8-1.04, CI 96-108, SL 0.84-1.04, SI 100-105, ML 1.2-1.44. A relatively small species (HL 0.8-1, HW 0.8-1.04) with normally proportioned legs and antennal scapes (SI 100-105). Head more or less square (CI 96-108), sides subparallel posterior to the eyes, slightly tapering anteriorly between the eyes and mandibular insertions. Posterior margin weakly to moderately concave. Preocular carinae long, strongly curving mesially, and traversing nearly the entire distance between the eye and the frontal carinae, sometimes nearly touching the frontal carinae or appearing to do so. In full-face view, frontal lobes more or less symmetrical. Anterolateral promesonotal teeth moderate in size, pointed in dorsal view, projecting horizontally, not vertically. Anterior median pronotal tubercles small or reduced to denticles, or if toothlike short and broadly pyramidal. Propodeal teeth usually acute, about as long as the distance between their bases. Dorsal surface of body moderately tuberculate, tuberculi generally moderate in size, bearing recurved setae. First gastric tergite coarsely and conspicuously tuberculate. Color brownish to yellow to medium reddish-brown. Queen: HL 1.1-1.25, HW 1.15-1.4, CI 105-112, SL 1.1-1.15, SI 82-96, ML 1.9-2.1. As in worker diagnosis, except for typical caste-specific morphology of the mesosoma related to wing-bearing and head with minute ocelli. Dorsolateral pronotal teeth well-developed, tuberculate, sharply triangulate in dorsal view, often blunt-tipped in anterior view. Mesoscutum coarsely and irregularly rugulose, sometimes with faint longitudinal pattern, minutely tuberculate, and with abundant short, suberect, slightly recurved setae. Male: HL 0.72-0.81, HW 0.75-0.84, CI 104, SL 0.81-0.9, SI 104-111, ML 1.6-1.8. Somewhat variable in size, but presenting the following characters: Dorsolateral pronotal tooth absent in dorsal view, ventrolateral pronotal tooth small, broadly to narrowly triangular. Mesoscutum irregularly rugulose, interrugal spaces coarsely granulose. Preocular carina a prominent vertical ridge, remaining strongly developed at least until it reaches the midpoint of the posterior border of the antennal scrobe. In full-face view, posterior corners of head more or less rounded, their outlines obscured by the presence of several conspicuous toothlike tuberculi on each corner. Discussion In southern Arizona, T. carinatus co-occurs with T. arizonensis in mid elevation habitats. Workers and queens of these two species are easily distinguished by the distinctive frontal lobes of T. arizonensis and the preocular carinae nearly touching the frontal carinae in T. carinatus (not closely approaching the frontal carinae in T. arizonensis). T. carinatus also sometimes co-occurs with T. pomonae from which it may be separated by its larger size and symmetrical frontal lobes (lobes notably asymmetric in T. pomonae). In addition, workers of T. carinatus are superficially very similar to those of the allopatric T. septentrionalis, from which they may be separated by the characters given in the key. Etymology The species name "carinatus" refers to the well-developed carinae on the vertex of the workers ' and queens ' heads. Biology Trachymyrmex carinatus was described by Mackay & Mackay (1997), based on specimens collected in Chihuahua, Mexico, and the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona. T. carinatus occurs in central and southern Arizona, western New Mexico and the Mexican States of Sonora, Chihuahua and Coahuila, often in sympatry with T. arizonensis. A single collection from the Kofa Mountains in southwest Arizona marks its westernmost limit. So far, T. carinatus has been encountered most commonly in the mountains of southern and central Arizona in mid elevation habitats (800-1800m). Colonies may be found in open exposed areas with sparse ground cover, such as washes or road-sides, but are especially abundant in oak-juniper-pinyon woodlands. The Kofa Mountains specimens were collected from a nest next to a water seep shaded by palm trees on the wall of a canyon at ~800 m elevation (R. Snelling, personal communication). Nests are sometimes found under stones, but are more often encountered in open ground, where they can be recognized by the circular shape of the nest crater, which contrasts with the more amorphous nest excavations of T. arizonensis. Excavations by C. Rabeling reveal that nests in the Chiricahua Mountains of southern Arizona have one to three fungus garden chambers, with the shallowest chamber only 5 cm beneath the soil surface. Colonies have fewer than 100 workers. Mating flights occur near dawn on mornings following summer rains (Mackay & Mackay 1997). Additional material examined: U.S.A.: Arizona, Cochise County: 5.5km W Portal (C Rabeling), Chiricahua Mtns. Southwestern Research Station (RA Johnson, UG Mueller, C Rabeling & SP Cover), Huachuca Mtns. Carr Canyon (SP Cover), Huachuca Mtns. Sunnyside Canyon (RR Snelling), Peloncillo Mtns. Cottonwood Canyon (WS Creighton); Gila County: Jct. USFS Rd. 287 & 287A (RA Johnson), Sierra Ancha Mtns. Pocket Creek (RA Johnson), Sierra Ancha Mtns. 14.8 mi N Salt River on Rt. 288 (RA Johnson, SP Cover); Pinal Co: USFS Rd. 287 at 0.4 mi SE Pinto Creek (RA Johnson), Santa Cruz Co: 1mi E Atascosa Lookout (RA Johnson), 1mi S American Peak, Harshaw Creek Rd (RA Johnson), Pajarito Mtns 0.1mi W Jct FSR 4181 on FSR39 (SP Cover), Pajarito Mtns Yanks Canyon (RA Johnson), 8.8 mi W JctI-19 Rt92 on FSR368 (SP Cover); Yuma Co: Kofa Game Refuge, 2mi SE Jct24 (P Mehlhop & RR Snelling); New Mexico, Sierra Co: Hillsboro (PS Ward); MEXICO: Coahuila: Puerto de Ventanillas (E & WP Mackay).Published as part of Rabeling, Ch., Cover, S. P., Johnson, R. A. & Mueller, U. G., 2007, A review of the North American species of the fungus-gardening ant genus Trachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., pp. 1-53 in Zootaxa 1664 on pages 8-1
Truncated recombinant human SP-D attenuates emphysema and type II cell changes in SP-D deficient mice
No full textBACKGROUND: Surfactant protein D (SP-D) deficient mice develop emphysema-like pathology associated with focal accumulations of foamy alveolar macrophages, an excess of surfactant phospholipids in the alveolar space and both hypertrophy and hyperplasia of alveolar type II cells. These findings are associated with a chronic inflammatory state. Treatment of SP-D deficient mice with a truncated recombinant fragment of human SP-D (rfhSP-D) has been shown to decrease the lipidosis and alveolar macrophage accumulation as well as production of proinflammatory chemokines. The aim of this study was to investigate if rfhSP-D treatment reduces the structural abnormalities in parenchymal architecture and type II cells characteristic of SP-D deficiency. METHODS: SP-D knock-out mice, aged 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 9 weeks were treated with rfhSP-D for 9, 6 and 3 weeks, respectively. All mice were sacrificed at age 12 weeks and compared to both PBS treated SP-D deficient and wild-type groups. Lung structure was quantified by design-based stereology at the light and electron microscopic level. Emphasis was put on quantification of emphysema, type II cell changes and intracellular surfactant. Data were analysed with two sided non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test. MAIN RESULTS: After 3 weeks of treatment, alveolar number was higher and mean alveolar size was smaller compared to saline-treated SP-D knock-out controls. There was no significant difference concerning these indices of pulmonary emphysema within rfhSP-D treated groups. Type II cell number and size were smaller as a consequence of treatment. The total volume of lamellar bodies per type II cell and per lung was smaller after 6 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSION: Treatment of SP-D deficient mice with rfhSP-D leads to a reduction in the degree of emphysema and a correction of type II cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy. This supports the concept that rfhSP-D might become a therapeutic option in diseases that are characterized by decreased SP-D levels in the lung
Bothroponera umgodikulula Joma and Mackay
No full textBothroponera umgodikulula Joma and Mackay Figures 22, 23 and Plate 10; Map 11 Bothroponera umgodikulula Joma and Mackay 2013: 1 - 8 (w) South Africa, Whittlesea; Schmidt and Shattuck: 2014: 77. Diagnosis: The worker of B. umgodikulula can be diagnosed by several morphological characters, such as the lack of sculpture on the tergum of the fourth abdominal segment (second gastral segment), which is mostly smooth and glossy. The propodeal spiracle is unusual in being nearly horizontal on the lateropropodeum. The worker of B. umgodikulula is also characterized by the largest body size among Bothroponera species, which is 14.80 - 15.65 mm. Worker Description: HL 3.00 - 3.10, HW 2.85 - 2.95, ML 1.50 - 1.70, EW 0.40 - 0.45, EL 0.45, SL 2.35 - 2.40, FL 3.65 - 3.75, WL 4.20, WPL 5.00 - 5.50, PL 1.30 - 1.35, PW 1.50 - 1.70, PH 1.75 - 1.80, CI 95.00 - 95.16, OI 15.78 - 15.25, MandI 50.00 - 54.83, SI 82.45 - 81.35, PetI 115 – 126. Head subquadrate; mandibles triangular, shorter than head length, smooth and glossy with scattered elongated coarse punctures and about 7 teeth; clypeus convex, “v” shaped, covered with striae, except medial area; anterior medial area raised, coarsely punctate on sides, smooth, glossy medially; scape reaches or extends slightly past posterior border of head; compound eyes relatively large; lower margins of frontal lobes smooth, upper part punctate; maximal frontal lobe width 1.10 - 1.20 mm; head coarsely foveolate; length of malar space on side of head (0.65 - 0.70 mm), length from upper edge of eye to edge of posterior lobe 1.35 - 1.50 mm. Pronotal shoulder rounded; petiole rounded, slightly narrowed anteriorly, slightly concave posteriorly; pronotum, dorsum of mesonotum, dorsum of propodeum coarsely foveolate, rough; dorsum of petiole, postpetiole coarsely foveolate, punctate; mesopleuron, lateropropodeum coarsely grooved, covered with striae, foveolae, punctures; antennae, legs, posterior edge of each gastral tergite shiny. Entire head, pronotum, mesonotum, propodeum, petiole, postpetiole covered with short (0.03 - 0.10 mm) fine golden hairs; hairs on underside of head range from 0.25 - 0.50 mm in length; ventral surface of postpetiole, fourth–seventh abdominal segments covered with relatively long (0.20 - 0.25 mm) golden suberect hairs. Head, pronotum, mesonotum, mesopleuron, propodeum, petiole, postpetiole, entire gaster black; legs, antennae, mandibles red; clypeus dark-brown. Comparison: The worker of Bothroponera umgodikulula is easily recognized by the horizontal propodeal spiracle on the lateropropodeum, while it is obliquely vertical in all of the other African Bothroponera species. The 4th abdominal segment (second gastral segment) is smooth and glossy in B. umgodikulula, conversely, the 4th abdominal segment of B. cavernosa is rough, moderately shiny with few scattered hairs and fine poorly defined striae; this structure is moderately smooth and shiny (less than B. umgodikulula) with a few scattered punctures in B. montivaga. The other taxa that can be confused with B. umgodikulula are B. laevissima and B. aspera, which both have a 4th abdominal segment that is smooth and shiny, similar to B. umgodikulula. The unique sculpture of these three species simplifies their separation. The surface from the head to the postpetiole is smooth and shiny with few scattered punctulae in B. laevissima and is shiny, rough with dense, shallow punctures in B. aspera, but is coarsely foveolate in B. umgodikulula. The total length of B. umgodikulula is large (14.80 - 15.65 mm) compared to B. cavernosa (11.90 mm) and B. montivaga (12.20 - 12.65 mm). In fact, B. umgodikulula has the largest body size among the other species of the B. pumicosa species complex (e.g. B. granosa 13.75 - 14.50 mm, B. strigulosa 12.20 mm, B. laevissima 11.80 - 13.00 mm, B. aspera 11.70 - 12. 70 mm, B. pumicosa 11.00 - 11.65 mm, B. cariosa 11.50 mm and B. berthoudi 9.60 - 12.75 mm). The anterior medial margin of the clypeus is “v” shaped in B. umgodikulula similar to that of B. granosa, B. cavernosa, B. montivaga and B. aspera, conversely, the anterior medial margin of the clypeus is “u” shaped in B. cariosa, B. strigulosa, B. pumicosa, B. laevissima and B. berthoudi. The anterior medial raised area of the clypeus of B. umgodikulula is completely smooth (lacking a carina) shiny, but sculptured and punctate on the sides of the medial raised area. The anterior medial raised area of the clypeus of B. granosa has a sharp clypeal carina whereas it is partially carinate in B. cavernosa and B. montivaga. Material examined Type material: SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Province, Bulhoek, klaver-clanw [Whittlesea], Bulhoek at 32°10’0’’ S; 26°49’0’’ E, Mus. Expd. Oct. 1950, identified as Bothroponera cavernosa Roger, 1860, F. W. G. (1 w holotype, MCZC) and (1 w paratype, # C005835 Iziko). Non-type material: SOUTH AFRICA: Western Cape Province, Hopefield, 33°03′56″S 18°21′03″E, identified as Bothroponera cavernosa Roger, Det. G. Arnold (1w BMNH). Distribution: Whittlesea and Hopefield areas in South Africa. Biology and habitat: The type specimens were collected in Whittlesea city in South Africa. This area is located in the Eastern Cape Province, but the additional material examined (one specimen) was collected in Hopefield city in the Western Cape Province. Hopefield is a small village situated 90 miles north of Cape Town and about 24.14 km [15 miles] east of Saldanha Bay (Singer, 1954). The Fynbos biome is dominant in this area (Rouget et al., 2004), and it is one of the threatened ecosystems in South Africa (Farrier et al., 2013). The ecological importance of the Hopefield area results from the soil structure, water permeability, climatic influence and vegetational cover. The area is characterized by spreading of several alien invasive plants such as the alien wattles Acacia cyclops (Rooikrans), A. longifolia (long-leaf wattle), A. saligna (Port Jackson), a number of Eucalyptus species, Manitoka (Myoporum montanum) and introduced prickly pear cactus (Opuntia sp.). Also many endemic and threatened plant taxa are present (Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning 2011). This type of mixed habitat is likely to include many species of insects such as tropical ants.Published as part of Ama JOma & Wp MacKay, 2015, Revision of the African Ants of the Bothroponera pumicosa Species Complex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae), pp. 538-563 in Sociobiology 62 (4) on pages 560-561, DOI: 10.13102/sociobiology.v62i4.845, http://zenodo.org/record/26990
A recombinant fragment of human SP-D reduces allergic responses in mice sensitized to house dust mite allergens
No full textC57Bl6 mice sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and challenged with D. pteronyssinus allergen extract given intranasally followed by treatment with intranasal applications of a 60-kDa truncated, trimeric recombinant form of human SP-D (rfhSP-D) showed a significant reduction in serum IgE, IgG1, peripheral blood eosinophilia and airway hyperresponsiveness compared to saline or bovine serum albumin-treated controls.Intracellular cytokine staining of lung and spleen homogenates showed increases in interleukin (IL)-12 production in lung tissue and normalization of IL-12 and interferon (IFN)-gamma in spleen tissue. In previous studies we demonstrated the effectiveness of native SP-D and rfhSP-D in down-regulating allergic responses to allergens of Aspergillus fumigatus. The results reported here indicate that rfhSP-D can suppress the development of allergic symptoms in sensitized mice challenged with allergens of the common house dust mite
A new species of Aleurolobus Quaintance et Baker (Homoptera, Aleyrodidae) from Southern Europe.
No full textAleurolobus teucrii n. sp. is described from southern Italy and the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean). The species seems to be monophagous on Teucrium fruticans L. A key to the European species of this genus (A. niloticus Priesner et Hosny, A. olivinus (Silvestri), A. wunni (Ryberg) and A. teucrii n. sp.) is provided.peer-reviewe
Surfactant protein D (SP-D) alters cellular uptake of particles and nanoparticles
No full textSurfactant protein D (SP-D) is primarily expressed in the lungs and modulates pro- and anti- inflammatory processes to toxic challenge, maintaining lung homeostasis. We investigated the interaction between NPs and SP-D and subsequent uptake by cells involved in lung immunity. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measuredNP aggregation, particle size and charge in native human SP-D (NhSP-D) and recombinant fragment SP-D (rfhSP-D). Immunohistochemical analysis of A549 epithelial cells investigated the co-localization of NPs and rfhSP-D. NP uptake by alveolar macrophages (AMs) and lung dendritic cells (LDCs) from C57BL/6 and SP-D knock-out mice were compared.SP-D aggregated NPs, especially following the addition of calcium. rfhSP-D enhanced the co-localisation of NPs to epithelial A459 cells in vitro. AMs and LDCs showed decreased uptake of NPs in SP-D deficient mice compared to wild-type mice. These data confirmed an interaction between SP-D and NPs, and subsequent enhanced NP uptake
Wave energy resource assessment
No full textThe use of satellite altimeter data for spatial mapping of the wave resource is examined.A new algorithm for estimating wave period from altimeter data is developed andvalidated, which enables estimates of wave energy converter (WEC) power to bederived. Maps of the long-term mean WEC power from altimeter data are of a higherspatial resolution than is available from global wave model data. They can be used foridentifying promising wave energy locations along particular stretches of coastline,before a detailed study using nearshore models is undertaken.The accuracy of estimates of WEC power from wave model data is considered. Withoutcalibration estimates of the mean WEC power from model data can be biased of theorder of 10-20%. The calibration of wave model data is complicated by non-lineardependence of model parameters on multiple factors, and seasonal and interannualchanges in biases. After calibration the accuracy in the estimate of the historic powerproduction at a site is of the order of 5%, but the changing biases make it difficult tospecify the accuracy more precisely.The accuracy of predictions of the future energy yield from a WEC is limited by theaccuracy of the historic data and the variability in the resource. The variability in 5, 10and 20 year mean power levels is studied for an area in the north of Scotland, andshown to be greater than if annual power anomalies were uncorrelated noise. Thesensitivity of WEC power production to climate change is also examined, and it isshown that the change in wave climate over the life time of a wave farm is likely to besmall in comparison to the natural level of variability. It is shown that despite theuncertainty related to variability in the wave climate, improvements in the accuracy ofhistoric data will improve the accuracy of predictions of future WEC yield.The topic of extreme wave analysis is also considered. A comparison of estimators forthe generalised Pareto distribution (GPD) is presented. It is recommended that theLikelihood-Moment estimator should be used in preference to other estimators for theGPD. The use of seasonal models for extremes is also considered. In contrast toassertions made in previous studies, it is demonstrated that non-seasonal models have alower bias and variance than models which analyse the data in separate seasons
Mosquito Larvicidal Constituents from Lantana Viburnoides SP Viburnoides Var Kisi (A. rich) Verdc (Verbenaceae).
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Lantana viburnoides sp viburnoides var kisi is used in Tanzania ethnobotanically to repel mosquitoes as well as in traditional medicine for stomach ache relief. Bioassay-guided fractionation and subtraction bioassays of the dichloromethane extract of the root barks were carried out in order to identify the bioactive components for controlling Anopheles gambiae s.s. mosquito larvae. Twenty late III or early IV instar larvae of An. gambiae s.s. were exposed to various concentrations of the plant extracts, fractions, blends and pure compounds, and were assayed in the laboratory by using the protocol of WHO 1996. Mean mortalities were compared using Dunnett's test (p < 0.05) and lethal concentration calculated by Lackfit Inversel of the SAS programme. The crude extract (LC50 = 7.70 ppm in 72 h) and fractions exhibited different level of mosquito larvicidal activity with subtraction of some fractions resulting in activity enhancement. The active fractions contained furanonaphthaquinones regio-isomers (LC50 = 5.48-5.70 ppm in 72 h) and the lantadene triterpenoid camaric acid (LC50 = 6.19 ppm in 72 h) as active principles while the lupane triterpenoid betulinic acid (LC50 < 10 ppm in 72 h) was obtained from the least active fraction. Crude extracts and some fractions had higher or comparable larvicidal activity to the pure compounds. These results demonstrate that L. viburnoides sp viburnoides var kisi extracts may serve as larvicides for managing various mosquito habitats even in their semi-purified form. The isolated compounds can be used as distinct markers in the active extracts or plant materials belonging to the genus Lantana
Surfactant protein A (SP-A) inhibits agglomeration and macrophage uptake of toxic amine modified nanoparticles.
No full textThe lung provides the main route for nanomaterial exposure. Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is an important respiratory innate immune molecule with the ability to bind or opsonise pathogens to enhance phagocytic removal from the airways. We hypothesised that SP-A, like surfactant protein D, may interact with inhaled nanoparticulates, and that this interaction will be affected by nanoparticle (NP) surface characteristics. In this study, we characterise the interaction of SP-A with unmodified (U-PS) and amine-modified (A-PS) polystyrene particles of varying size and zeta potential using dynamic light scatter analysis. SP-A associated with both 100?nm U-PS and A-PS in a calcium-independent manner. SP-A induced significant calcium-dependent agglomeration of 100?nm U-PS NPs but resulted in calcium-independent inhibition of A-PS self agglomeration. SP-A enhanced uptake of 100?nm U-PS into macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner but in contrast inhibited A-PS uptake. Reduced association of A-PS particles in RAW264.7 cells following pre-incubation of SP-A was also observed with coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy. Consistent with these findings, alveolar macrophages (AMs) from SP-A(-/-) mice were more efficient at uptake of 100?nm A-PS compared with wild type C57Bl/6 macrophages. No difference in uptake was observed with 500?nm U-PS or A-PS particles. Pre-incubation with SP-A resulted in a significant decrease in uptake of 100?nm A-PS in macrophages isolated from both groups of mice. In contrast, increased uptake by AMs of U-PS was observed after pre-incubation with SP-A. Thus we have demonstrated that SP-A promotes uptake of non-toxic U-PS particles but inhibits the clearance of potentially toxic A-PS particles by blocking uptake into macrophages
Thermotoga lettingae sp. nov., a novel thermophilic, methanol-degrading bacterium isolated from a thermophilic anaerobic reactor
No full textA novel, anaerobic, non-spore-forming, mobile, Gram-negative, thermophilic bacterium, strain TMO(T), was isolated from a thermophilic sulfate-reducing bioreactor operated at 65 degrees C with methanol as the sole substrate. The G C content of the DNA of strain TMO(T) was 39.2 molÐThe optimum pH, NaCl concentration, and temperature for growth were 7.0, 1.0°and 65 degrees C, respectively. Strain TMO(T) was able to degrade methanol to CO(2) and H(2) in syntrophic culture with Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus DeltaH or Thermodesulfovibrio yellowstonii. Thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, Fe(III) and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate were able to serve as electron acceptors during methanol degradation. In the presence of thiosulfate or elemental sulfur, methanol was converted to CO(2) and partly to alanine. In pure culture, strain TMO(T) was also able to ferment methanol to acetate, CO(2) and H(2). However, this degradation occurred slower than in syntrophic cultures or in the presence of electron acceptors. Yeast extract was required for growth. Besides growing on methanol, strain TMO(T) grew by fermentation on a variety of carbohydrates including monomeric and oligomeric sugars, starch and xylan. Acetate, alanine, CO(2), H(2), and traces of ethanol, lactate and alpha-aminobutyrate were produced during glucose fermentation. Comparison of 16S rDNA genes revealed that strain TMO(T) is related to Thermotoga subterranea (98€and Thermotoga elfii (98Ž The type strain is TMO(T) (=DSM 14385(T)=ATCC BAA-301(T)). On the basis of the fact that these organisms differ physiologically from strain TMO(T), it is proposed that strain TMO(T) be classified as a new species, within the genus Thermotoga, as Thermotoga lettingae
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