O rodu kosaca Lola Kratochvil (Opiliones: Laniatores)

The species Lola insularis Kratochvíl, the sole representative of the genus, is redescribed on the basis of recently collected adult specimens. As the holotype is apparently lost, a neotype is designated from this new material. The previously unknown male and the genitalia of both sexes are described and illustrated for the first time. The genus appears distinct from the known phalangodid genera in both genitalic and somatic characters. Although the relationship of Lola Kratochvíl to other genera is not clear, it resembles in some characters both the Palearctic genus Ausobskya Martens and the Nearctic genera Sitalcina Banks, Texella Goodnight & Goodnight, and Phalangodes Tellkampf.Na temelju nedavno sakupljenih odraslih primjeraka ponovno je opisana vrsta Lola insularis Kratochvíl, jedini predstavnik roda. Buduci da je holotip izgubljen, iz novoprikupljenog materijala uspostavljen je neotip. Po prvi puta je opisan i ilustriran dosad nepoznati muzjak, kao i gra|a spolnih organa oba spola. Rod Lola pokazuje znatnu razliku u odnosu na poznate rodove porodice Phalangodidae, kako po građi genitalija, tako i po tjelesnoj građi. Iako srodnost roda Lola Kratochvíl s ostalim rodovima nije jasna, po nekim osobinama ovaj rod podsjeća na palearktički rod Ausobskya Martens, kao i na nearktičke rodove Sitalcina Banks, Texella Goodnight & Goodnight i Phalangodes Tellkampf

Determination of the Tissue Distribution and Excretion by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry of the Nonadecapeptide 14C-Moli1901 in Beagle dogs after Intratracheal Instillation

Administration of {sup 14}C-Moli1901 (duramycin, 2622U90), a 19 amino acid polycyclic peptide by intratracheal instillation (approximately 100 {micro}g) into the left cranial lobe of the lung of beagle dogs resulted in retention of 64% of the dose in the left cranial lobe for up to 28 days. In this study, we used accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) to quantify Moli901 following administration of only 0.045 {micro}Ci of {sup 14}C-Moli901 per dog. Limits of quantitation of AMS were 0.03 (urine) to 0.3 (feces) ng equiv. Moli1901/g. Whole blood and plasma concentrations of {sup 14}C were <5ng/ml at all times after the dose. Concentrations of {sup 14}C in whole blood and plasma declined over the first day after the dose and rose thereafter, with the rise in plasma concentrations lagging behind those in whole blood. During the first 3 days after the dose, plasma accounted for the majority of {sup 14}C in whole blood, but after that time, plasma accounted for only 25-30% of the {sup 14}C in whole blood. Tissue (left and right caudal lung lobe, liver, kidney, spleen, brain) and bile concentrations were low, always less than 0.25% the concentrations found in the left cranial lung lobe. Approximately 13% of the dose was eliminated in urine and feces in 28 days, with fecal elimination accounting for about 10% of the dose. The data presented here are consistent with that obtained in other species. Moli1901 is slowly absorbed and excreted from the lung, and it does not accumulate in other tissues. Moli1901 is currently in the clinic and has proven to be safe in single dose studies in human volunteers and cystic fibrosis patients by the inhalation route. No information on the disposition of the compound in humans is available. This study in dogs demonstrates the feasibility of obtaining that information using {sup 14}C-Moli1901 and AMS

Inflammation and Atrophy Precede Prostate Neoplasia in PhIP Induced Rat Model

2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo(4,5-b)pyridine (PhIP) has been implicated as a major mutagenic heterocyclic amine in the human diet and is carcinogenic in the rat prostate. In order to validate PhIP induced rat prostate neoplasia as a model of human prostate cancer progression, we sought to study the earliest histologic and morphologic changes in the prostate and to follow the progressive changes over time. We fed 67 male Fischer F344 5 week old rats with PhIP (400 PPM) or control diets for 20 weeks, and then sacrificed animals for histomorphologic examination at age 25 weeks, 45 weeks, and 65 weeks. Animals treated with PhIP showed significantly more inflammation (P=.002 (25wk), >.001(45wk), .016(65wk)) and atrophy (P=.003(25wk), >.001(45wk), .006 (65wk)) in their prostate glands relative to controls. Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) occurred only in PhIP treated rats. PIN lesions arose in areas of glandular atrophy, most often in the ventral prostate. Atypical cells in areas of atrophy show loss of glutathione S-transferase pi immunostaining preceding development of PIN. None of the animals in this study developed invasive carcinomas differing from previous reports. Overall, these findings suggest that the pathogenesis of prostatic neoplasia in the PhIP treated rat prostate proceeds from inflammation to post-inflammatory proliferative atrophy to PIN

New genus Volborattella.

71 pages : illustrations (some color), maps (some color) ; 26 cm. "Species descriptions were generated with the aid of the oonopid PBI descriptive database"--Page 10.A new genus of goblin spider from Madagascar, Volborattella Saucedo and Ubick, is proposed and its five included species newly described and illustrated: V. teresae, the type species, V. guenevera, V. nasario, V. paulyi, and V. toliara. These species differ from other oonopids in several unusual characters, especially the variously modified setae: abdominal scutes having thick recumbent setae with large bases and conspicuous pits; the pedicel region with mats of plumose setae and associated cuticular projections; and anterior metatarsi with prolateral combs. The male palp of Volborattella appears to be unique in having a terminal projection (embolar superior prong, ESP) that forms an abrupt spiral and the female a receptaculum with an accessory duct (curved tube). Volborattella resemble members of the Gamasomorpha complex in lacking leg spines and having a flattened abdomen with complete scutes, but differ genitalically. The Volborattella female has a receptaculum that is wider than long (as opposed to longer than wide in the Gamasomorpha complex) and the male has the embolar region sharply bent (as opposed to evenly curved), which places the genus in the Pelicinus complex. The relationship of Volborattella to other pelicinoids is not resolved. Although the genus most closely resembles some Silhouettella Benoit, Noideattella Álvarez-Padilla et al. and Lionneta Benoit in various genitalic features, somatically it shares with Tolegnaro Álvarez-Padilla et al. and two undescribed Malagasy genera the gamasomorphoid body form and plumose setae. Volborattella females are unusual in having antisymmetrical internal genitalia, with the CTs occurring in either a left or right position, and that these differences in handedness (antisymmetry) are evenly distributed. The shape and size of the CT, as examined through light and scanning microscopy, suggest that it is a coupling pocket for the ESP; if so, Volborattella females are either righties or lefties in their palpal preference

Urinary Metabolites of the Dietary Carcinogen PhIP are Predictive of Colon DNA Adducts After a Low Dose Exposure in Humans

Epidemiologic evidence indicates that exposure to heterocyclic amines (HAs) in the diet is an important risk factor for the development of colon cancer. Well-done cooked meats contain significant levels of HAs which have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. To better understand the mechanisms of HA bioactivation in humans, the most mass abundant HA, 2-amino-l-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), was used to assess the relationship between PhIP metabolism and DNA adduct formation. Ten human volunteers were administered a dietary relevant dose of [{sup 14}C]PhIP 48-72 h prior to surgery to remove colon tumors. Urine was collected for 24 h after dosing for metabolite analysis, and DNA was extracted from colon tissue and analyzed by accelerator mass spectrometry for DNA adducts. All ten subjects were phenotyped for CYP1A2, NAT2, and SULT1A1 enzyme activity. Twelve PhIP metabolites were detected in the urine samples. The most abundant metabolite in all volunteers was N-hydroxy-PhIP-N{sup 2}-glucuronide. Metabolite levels varied significantly between the volunteers. Interindividual differences in colon DNA adducts levels were observed between each individual. The data showed that individuals with a rapid CYP1A2 phenotype and high levels of urinary N-hydroxy-PhIP-N{sup 2}-glucuronide, had the lowest level of colon PhIP-DNA adducts. This suggests that glucuronidation plays a significant role in detoxifying N-hydroxy-PhIP. The levels of urinary N-hydroxy-PhIP-N{sup 2}-glucuronide were negatively correlated to colon DNA adduct levels. Although it is difficult to make definite conclusions from a small data set, the results from this pilot study have encouraged further investigations using a much larger study group

The Pheromone of the Cave Cricket, Hadenoecus cumberlandicus, Causes Cricket Aggregation but Does Not Attract the Co-Distributed Predatory Spider, Meta ovalis

Food input by the cave cricket, Hadenoecus cumberlandicus Hubble & Norton (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae), is vital to the cave community, making this cricket a true keystone species. Bioassays conducted on cave walls and in the laboratory show that clustering in H. cumberlandicus is guided by a pheromone, presumably excreta. This aggregation pheromone was demonstrated by using filter paper discs that had previous adult H. cumberlandicus exposure, resulting in > 70% response by either nymphs or adults, prompting attraction (thus, active component is a volatile), followed by reduced mobility (arrestment) on treated surfaces. Adults were similarly responsive to pheromone from nymphs, agreeing with mixed stage composition of clusters in the cave. Effects of [0.001M – 0.1M] uric acid (insect excreta's principle component) on H. cumberlandicus behavior were inconsistent. This pheromone is not a host cue (kairomone) and is not used as a repellent (allomone) as noted through lack of responses to natural H. cumberlandicus pheromone and uric acid concentrations by a co-occurring predatory cave orb weaver spider, Meta ovalis Gertsch (Araneae: Tetragnathidae). This pheromone is not serving as a sex pheromone because nymphs were affected by it and because this population of H. cumberlandicus is parthenogenic. The conclusion of this study is that the biological value of the aggregation pheromone is to concentrate H. cumberlandicus in sheltered sites in the cave conducive for minimizing water stress. Rather than signaling H. cumberlandicus presence and quality, the reduced mobility expressed as a result of contacting this pheromone conceivably may act as a defense tactic (antipredator behavior) against M. ovalis, which shares this favored habitat site

On the placement of the Baltic amber harvestman <i>Gonyleptes nemastomoides</i> Koch & Berendt, 1854, with notes on the phylogeny of Cladonychiidae (Opiliones, Laniatores, Travunioidea)

The Baltic amber (Palaeogene: Eocene) harvestman Gonyleptes nemastomoides Koch & Berendt, 1854 (Arachnida: Opiliones), currently misplaced at both the genus and family level, is transferred to the extant family Cladonychiidae and assigned to a new genus, Proholoscotolemon n. gen. The families Gonyleptidae and Phalangodidae are hereby removed from the known harvestman fossil record. Although the type specimen of G. nemastomoides is poorly preserved, the form of the diagnostic hind tarsal claw is clearly visible and indicates that the genus is distinct from, and relatively basal to, the only extant European cladonychiid genus, Holoscotolemon Roewer, 1915. Analysis of the claw morphology of extant cladonychiids, using evidence from ontogeny and outgroup comparison, suggests a transformation series in which the plesiomorphic condition (present in the eastern Nearctic genera Erebomaster Cope, 1872 and Theromaster Briggs, 1969) is a multi-pronged, narrowly forked claw with a long base, while the apomorphic condition (found in Holoscotolemon) is a bipronged, widely forked claw with a short base. Der Weberknecht Gonyleptes nemastomoides Koch & Berendt, 1854 (Arachnida: Opiliones) aus dem Baltischen Bernstein (Paläogen: Eozän) wird derzeit weder auf Gattungs- noch auf Familien-Ebene richtig zugeordnet. Er wird hiermit in die auch heute noch verbreitete Familie Cladonychiidae und die neue Gattung, Proholoscotolemon n. gen. versetzt. Für die Weberknecht-Familien Gonyleptidae und Phalangodidae gibt es somit keine fossilen Belege mehr. Obwohl das Typusexemplar von G. nemastomoides schlecht erhalten ist, ist die Form der diagnostisch wichtigen 4. Tarsalkrallen klar erkennbar. Sie zeigt an, dass die neue Gattung deutlich von der einzigen rezenten europäischen Cladonychiidae-Gattung Holoscotolemon Roewer, 1915 abweicht und im Verhältnis hierzu ursprünglicher ist. Die Analyse der Krallen-Morphologie von lebenden Cladonychiidae, bei Berücksichtigung der Ontogenie und Vergleich mit Außengruppen, deutet auf eine Entwicklungs-Reihe hin, in welcher der plesiomorphe Zustand (vorhanden in den ost-nearktischen Gattungen Erebomaster Cope, 1872 und Theromaster Briggs, 1969) durch eine schmale, mehrfach gezackte und eng gegabelte Kralle mit einer langen Basis gekennzeichnet ist. Der apomorphe Zustand (vorhanden in Holoscotolemon) ist demgegenüber eine zweizackige, breit gegabelte Kralle mit einer kurzen Basis. doi:10.1002/mmng.200410005</a

Caves as a key habitat for rare and endemic species of the west coast of North America: a taxonomic revision of the spider genus Oaphantes (Araneae Linyphiidae)

Paquin, P., Dupérré, N., Buckle, D.J., Ubick, D. (2020): Caves as a key habitat for rare and endemic species of the west coast of North America: a taxonomic revision of the spider genus Oaphantes (Araneae Linyphiidae). Zootaxa 4819 (2): 349-363, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4819.2.

Determination of the Tissue Distribution and Excretion by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry of the Nonadecapeptide 14 C- Moli1901 in Beagle Dogs after Intratracheal Instillation Title: Determination of the Tissue Distribution and Excretion by Accelerator Mass

5. Approximately 13% of the dose was eliminated in urine and feces in 28 days, with fecal elimination accounting for about 10% of the dose. 6. The data presented here are consistent with that obtained in other species. Moli1901 is slowly absorbed and excreted from the lung, and it does not accumulate in other tissues. 7. Moli1901 is currently in the clinic and has proven to be safe in single dose studies in human volunteers and cystic fibrosis patients by the inhalation route. No information on the disposition of the compound in humans is available. This study in dogs demonstrates the feasibility of obtaining that information using 14 C-Moli1901 and AMS