(Iguanidae) from the southern Lesser Antilles: An endemic lineage endangered by hybridization.

The newly described horned iguana from the southern Lesser Antilles is separated in two easily recognized subspecies: from St. Lucia and from the Grenadines. Its former description is completed by the use of 38 new samples for genetic and morphological analysis.

Painted black: (Reptilia, Squamata, Iguanidae) a new melanistic endemic species from Saba and Montserrat islands (Lesser Antilles).

The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, is inhabited by three species: the Lesser Antillean iguana, which is endemic to the northernmost islands of the Lesser Antilles, the introduced common iguana from South America, , represented also by the two newly described endemic subspecies from Saint Lucia and from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada, and the introduced from Central America. Drawing on both morphological and genetic data, this paper describes the populations from Saba and Montserrat as a new species, . This species is recognized on the basis of the following combination of characteristics: private microsatellite alleles, unique mitochondrial ND4 haplotypes, a distinctive black spot between the eye and tympanum, a dorsal carpet pattern on juveniles and young adults, a darkening of body coloration with aging (except for the anterior part of the snout), a black dewlap, pink on the jowl, the high number of large tubercular nape scales, fewer than ten medium sized-triangular dewlap spikes, high dorsal spikes, and lack of horns on the snout.

A story of nasal horns: two new subspecies of Iguana Laurenti, 1768 (Squamata, Iguanidae) in Saint Lucia, St Vincent amp; the Grenadines, and Grenada (southern Lesser Antilles).

The Lesser Antilles, in the Eastern Caribbean, were long considered to have only two species in the genus Iguana Laurenti 1768: the Lesser Antillean iguana Iguana delicatissima, which is endemic to parts of the Lesser Antilles, and the Common green iguana Iguana iguana, which also occurs throughout Central and South America. No subspecies are currently recognised. However, herpetologists and reptile collectors have pointed out strong physical differences between some of the island populations of Iguana iguana and those from the continent.

Compatibility between Clonostachys isolates with a view to mixed inocula for biocontrol.

To aid the development of compatible biocontrol inocula, a prescreening method for the prediction of compatibility of fungal antagonists was developed. Compatibility between 18 Clonostachys isolates with known antagonistic capabilities against Phytophthora palmivora was tested using intra- or interisolate pairings (dual cultures) on water agar plates, a hyphal interaction experiment and a modified double host-range experiment. Almost all inter- or intraisolate pairings of Clonostachys isolates showed growth inhibition zones and did not show free hyphal intermingling.

Genetic Variability and Host Specialization in the Latin American Clade of Ceratocystis fimbriata.

ABSTRACT The Ceratocystis fimbriata complex includes many undescribed species that cause wilt and canker diseases of many economically important plants. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences have delineated three geographic clades within Ceratocystis fimbriata. This study examined host specialization in the Latin American clade, in which a number of lineages were identified using sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA.

Membrane surface-associated helices promote lipid interactions and cellular uptake of human calcitonin-derived cell penetrating peptides.

hCT(9-32) is a human calcitonin (hCT)-derived cell-penetrating peptide that has been shown to translocate the plasma membrane of mammalian cells. It has been suggested as a cellular carrier for drugs, green fluorescent protein, and plasmid DNA. Because of its temperature-dependent cellular translocation resulting in punctuated cytoplasmatic distribution, its uptake is likely to follow an endocytic pathway.

Bilayer interaction and localization of cell penetrating peptides with model membranes: a comparative study of a human calcitonin (hCT)-derived peptide with pVEC and pAntp(43-58).

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are able to translocate problematic therapeutic cargoes across cellular membranes. The exact mechanisms of translocation are still under investigation. However, evidence for endocytic uptake is increasing.

Cellular uptake but low permeation of human calcitonin-derived cell penetrating peptides and Tat(47-57) through well-differentiated epithelial models.

Purpose: To investigate whether cell penetrating peptides (CPP) derived from human calcitonin (hCT) possess, in addition to cellular uptake, the capacity to deliver their cargo through epithelial barriers.

Methods: Cellular uptake of hCT(9-32) and permeation of six hCT-derived peptides, namely, hCT(9-32), hCT(12-32), hCT(15-32), hCT(18-32), hCT(21-32), and a random sequence of hCT(9-32) were evaluated in fully organized confluent Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK), Calu-3, and TR146 cell culture models. For comparison, Tat(47-57) and penetratin(43-58) were investigated.

Interactions of the human calcitonin fragment 9-32 with phospholipids: a monolayer study.

Human calcitonin and its C-terminal fragment 9-32 (hCT(9-32)) administered in a spray translocate into respiratory nasal epithelium with an effect similar to intravenous injection. hCT(9-32) is an efficient carrier to transfer the green fluorescent protein into excised bovine nasal mucosa. To understand the translocation of hCT(9-32) across plasma membranes, we investigated its interactions with phospholipids and its interfacial structure using model lipid monolayers.

Calcitonin-derived carrier peptide plays a major role in the membrane localization of a peptide-cargo complex.

Bilayers made of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC)/dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) mixture containing or not cholesterol (Chl) were used to investigate the interaction of a carrier peptide with membranes. Atomic force microscopy revealed that the C-terminal 9-32 fragment of human calcitonin (hCT (9-32)), free or coupled to enhanced green fluorescent protein (hCT-eGFP) cargo forms aggregates in the DOPC fluid phase in absence of Chl and in the DPPC enriched liquid-ordered phase when Chl is present. The data show that hCT (9-32) plays a determinant role in the membrane localization of the peptide-cargo complex.

Metabolic cleavage of cell-penetrating peptides in contact with epithelial models: human calcitonin (hCT)-derived peptides, Tat(47-57) and penetratin(43-58).

We assessed the metabolic degradation kinetics and cleavage patterns of some selected CPP (cell-penetrating peptides) after incubation with confluent epithelial models. Synthesis of N-terminal CF [5(6)-carboxyfluorescein]-labelled CPP, namely hCT (human calcitonin)-derived sequences, Tat(47-57) and penetratin(43-58), was through Fmoc (fluoren-9-ylmethoxycarbonyl) chemistry. Metabolic degradation kinetics of the tested CPP in contact with three cell-cultured epithelial models, MDCK (Madin-Darby canine kidney), Calu-3 and TR146, was evaluated by reversed-phase HPLC.

Preservation methodology for Rosellinia species.

Many small (temporary) collections of fungi maintained by plant pathologists during their research receive inadequate attention to ensure stability. Maintaining collections of fungi in pure and viable conditions, minimising physiological and morphological changes is, however, a necessity. The objective of this study was to find preservation techniques for three Rosellinia isolates used in our plant pathogenic research.

Cellular internalization of human calcitonin derived peptides in MDCK monolayers: a comparative study with Tat(47-57) and penetratin(43-58).

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate key motif requirements of human calcitonin (hCT)-derived peptides for the permeation through the plasma membrane of MDCK monolayers, as epithelial model.

Methods: Truncated and sequence-modified fluorescent-labeled hCT-derived peptides were synthesized through Fmoc chemistry. Peptide uptake by confluent MDCK was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy.

In vitro gene delivery by a novel human calcitonin (hCT)-derived carrier peptide.

Gene therapy still awaits a broader application, since safe and efficient gene delivery is a major problem. Also for the investigation of signal transduction and intracellular trafficking, delivery systems for hydrophilic macromolecules that are easy to use are needed. Several peptide-based delivery systems have been developed during the last years.

Novel daunorubicin-carrier peptide conjugates derived from human calcitonin segments.

Severe and often therapy-limiting side effects are a major obstacle in cancer chemotherapy. New delivery concepts reducing systemic side effects are needed in order to optimize anticancer therapies. Several approaches have been followed, most of them concentrating on macromolecular carriers like liposomes, monoclonal antibodies, serum proteins or polyethylene glycol.

Population dynamics of epiphytic mycoparasites of the genera Clonostachys and Fusarium for the biocontrol of black pod (Phytophthora palmivora) and moniliasis (Moniliophthora roreri) on cocoa (Theobroma cacao).

Mycoparasites collected from aerial parts of the cocoa plant (Theobroma cacao) have shown great promise in the control of black pod, caused by Phytophthora palmivora, and moniliasis, caused by Moniliophthora roreri. However, the ecology of epiphytic mycoparasites is still poorly understood although it has a direct bearing on applied biocontrol practices, ranging from the identification and isolation of promising biocontrol candidates to formulation needs and required application frequency. One objective of this study was to determine the natural abundance of mycoparasites on cocoa flowers and pods in relation to crop development stage and cultivar.

Cellular internalization of enhanced green fluorescent protein ligated to a human calcitonin-based carrier peptide.

Carrier peptides offer new opportunities to overcome problems in cellular drug delivery. Their objectives are improved cellular uptake or permeation of biological membranes, which are important pharmacokinetic features for the cellular distribution of therapeutics. Previously, human calcitonin (hCT) and selected C-terminal hCT fragments have been shown to be internalized and to permeate the epithelium of the nasal mucosa.