Solution Structures of the cis- and trans-Pro30 Isomers of a Novel 38-Residue Toxin from the Venom of Hadronyche Infensa sp. that Contains a Cystine-Knot Motif within Its Four Disulfide Bonds

The primary sequence and three-dimensional structure of a novel peptide toxin isolated from the Australian funnel-web spider Hadronyche infensa sp. is reported. ACTX-HI:OB4219 contains 38 amino acids, including eight-cysteine residues that form four disulfide bonds. The connectivities of these disulfide bonds were previously unknown but have been unambiguously determined in this study. Three of these disulfide bonds are arranged in an inhibitor cystine-knot (ICK) motif, which is observed in a range of other disulfide-rich peptide toxins. The motif incorporates an embedded ring in the structure formed by two of the disulfides and their connecting backbone segments penetrated by a third disulfide bond. Using NMR spectroscopy, we determined that despite the isolation of a single native homologous product by RP-HPLC, ACTX-HI:OB4219 possesses two equally populated conformers in solution. These two conformers were determined to arise from cis/trans isomerization of the bond preceding Pro30. Full assignment of the NMR spectra for both conformers allowed for the calculation of their structures, revealing, the presence of a triple-stranded antiparallel sheet consistent with the inhibitor cystine-knot (ICK) motif.

Dactylomyza gibsoni n.g., n. sp (Digenea: Opecoelidae) from Schuettea woodwardi (Waite) (Monodactylidae) from off Western Australia

An opecoelid digenean, Dactylomyza gibsoni n. g., n. sp. is described and figured from Schuettea woodwardi (Waite), a monodactylid from off the coast of Western Australia. The new genus conforms to the concept of the opecoelid subfamily Opecoelinae. The resemblance of the new genus to three other opecoelid genera, Pseudopecoeloides Yamaguti, 1940, Opecoeloides Odhner, 1928 and Poracanthium Dollfus, 1948, is discussed. Dactylomyza n. g. is distinguished from these morphologically similar worms on the basis of its median genital pore, ventral sucker appendages, uroproct and the absence of an accessory sucker. Pseudopecoeloides equesi Manter, 1947 is transferred to the new genus as Dactylomyza equesi (Manter, 1947) n. comb.

Bartoliella pritchardae n.g., n.sp. (Digenea: Opecoelidae) in Epinephelides armatus (Serranidae) from temperate marine waters of Western Australia

An opecoelid, Bartoliella pritchardae n. g., n. sp., is described from the intestine of Epinephelides armatus from Western Australia. The new genus has been assigned to the subfamily Opecoelininae Gibson & Bray, 1984, bringing the number of genera in the subfamily to two. Although the new genus is similar to Opecoelina Manter, 1934 morphologically, the pedunculate ventral sucker and complete absence of a cirrus-sac necessitate the erection of a new genus. A formal re-definition of the subfamily is given, based on the diagnoses of the genera Opecoelina and Bartoliella n. g.

Allopodocotyle skoliorchis n. sp. (Opecoelidae: Plagiorporinae) from Parequula melbournensis (Castelnau) (Gerreidae), a temperate marine fish in Australian waters

A new species of Allopodocotyle Pritchard, 1966 is described from the intestine and pyloric caeca of Parequula melbournensis (Gerreidae) caught from the waters off South and Western Australia. The new species is distinguished from other species by its larger eggs, broader form, pre-bifurcal genital pore and a number of other measurable features that are discussed. Of the species that share morphological similarities with Allopodocotyle skoliorchis n. sp., it is the only species known from a gerreid; all the other species are from serranids.

Pseudotrypanosoma elphinstonae sp n., a trichomonad symbiotic in Schedorhinotermes (Isoptera : Rhinotermitidae)

A new species of Pseudotrypanosoma, P. elphinstonae sp. n., is described which is symbiotic within the hindguts of the rhinotermitid termites Schedorhinotermes secundus and S. intermedius. P. elphinstonae possesses most of the features of the genus: 4 anterior flagella, prominent costa and recurrent flagellum forming an undulating membrane and simple bean-shaped parabasal body. The mastigont complex is of similar composition and arrangement to other trichomonads but the pelto-axostylar complex is greatly simplified being composed of a single layer of microtubules which do not over lap and cannot be distinguished into separate structures. The undulating membrane is much smaller than in related species; the costa is smaller and simpler and there are no microtubular bundles connecting it to the recurrent flagellum. Comparison of the ultrastructure of P. elphinstonae sp. n. with that of P. giganteum demonstrated that P. elphinstonae sp. n. in addition to being much smaller in size had a correspondingly simper ultrastructural organisation lacking several organelles which characterise the latter species.

Phylogenetic relationships of Hepatozoon (Haemogregarina) boigae Hepatozoon sp. Haemogregarina clelandi and Haemoproteus chelodina from Australian reptiles to other Apicomplexa based on cladistic analyses of ultrastructural and life-cycle characters

The phylogeny of representative haemozoan species of the phylum Apicomplexa was reconstructed by cladistic analyses of ultrastructural and life-cycle characteristics. The analysis incorporated 4 apicomplexans previously not included in phylogenetic reconstructions: Haemogregarina clelandi from the Brisbane River tortoise (Emydura signata), Hepatozoon sp. from the slaty grey snake (Stegonotus cucullatus), Hepatozoon (Haemogregarina) boigae from the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), and Haemoproteus chelodina from the saw-shelled tortoise (Elseya latisternum). There was no apparent correlation between parasite phylogeny and that of their vertebrate hosts, but there appeared to be some relationship between parasites and their intermediate hosts, suggestive of parasite/vector co-evolution.

Description of Paeon asymboli n. sp. (Copepoda : Sphyriidae), parasitic on Asymbolus spp. (catsharks) and a new host record for P-australis Kabata, 1993.

Paeon asymboli n. sp. ( Copepoda: Sphyriidae) is described and illustrated from two female specimens taken from the gills of a grey spotted catshark Asymbolus analis ( Ogilby) and an orange spotted catshark A. rubiginosus ( Last, Gomon & Gledhill) ( Scyliorhinidae) from off southeastern Queensland, Australia. The key features for identification are: a pear- shaped trunk, longer than it is wide, along with a cephalothorax characterised by two large ventral papillae, projecting laterally and supporting a number of secondary lobes; a single mid- line, subconical papilla located antero- dorsal to the ventral papillae; an anterior surface bearing two prominent stalked papillae; and an absence of posterolateral lobular processes. P. australis Kabata, 1993 is recorded for the first time from the eastern shovelnose ray Aptychotrema rostrata ( Shaw & Nodder) ( Rhinobatidae).

A new mite from an arboreal ant (Formicidae : Polyrachis sp.): Myrmozercon iainkayi n. sp (Mesostigmata : Laelapidae)

Previously, two species of Myrmozercon (= Myrmonyssus) have been described from ground-nesting Australian ants in the genus Iridiomyrmex. Herein a new species, Myrmozercon iainkayi, infesting workers and alate adults of a leaf-nesting species of Polyrachis ant is described. The new species has a number of unusual or unique characters, including coxal hypertrichy (6-6-6-4 for legs I-IV, respectively), and based on the structure of its mouthparts, appears to be a haemolymph-feeding parasite.

Conformational changes in SP-B as a function of surface pressure

X-ray reflectivity of bovine and sheep surfactant-associated protein B (SP-B) monolayers is used in conjunction with pressure-area isotherms and protein models to suggest that the protein undergoes changes in its tertiary structure at the air/water interface under the influence of surface pressure, indicating the likely importance of such changes to the phenomena of protein squeeze out as well as lipid exchange between the air-water interface and subphase structures. We describe an algorithm based on the well-established box- or layer-models that greatly assists the fitting of such unknown scattering-length density profiles, and which takes the available instrumental resolution into account. Scattering-length density profiles from neutron reflectivity of bovine SP-B monolayers on aqueous subphases are shown to be consistent with the exchange of a large number of labile protons as well as the inclusion of a significant amount of water, which is partly squeezed out of the protein monolayer at elevated surface pressures.

Supervis??o t??cnico-administrativa ??s unidades da Funda????o Nacional de Sa??de

A Supervis??o T??cnico-Administrativa (STA) foi constru??da a fim de contribuir para a avalia????o de desempenho institucional e avaliar a capacidade das equipes das unidades para o desempenho das suas atribui????es e contribuir com o seu aprimoramento. O foco da STA estava centrado no desempenho gerencial e pretendia detectar os gargalos impeditivos do bom desenvolvimento institucional, promover a????es de enfrentamento dos problemas identificados e estimular a cultura avaliativa nas unidades

Texto para discuss??o 5: reforma administrativa e direito adquirido ao regime da fun????o p??blica

O direito adquirido tem sido argumento freq??entemente invocado pelos opositores da reforma constitucional do aparelho administrativo do Estado. Nesse debate, entretanto, este argumento ?? completamente destitu??do de validade t??cnica. Dizer que a reforma constitucional n??o pode alterar o regime jur??dico dos servidores p??blicos (o estatuto jur??dico da estabilidade, disponibilidade, remunera????o etc.) ?? incorrer em completo equ??voco. As raz??es dessa incompreens??o decorrem do desconhecimento de no m??nimo dois t??picos relevantes encartados no tema, a saber: a) a natureza do regime jur??dico que vincula o servidor p??blico civil ?? administra????o; e b) a distin????o entre efic??cia imediata e efic??cia retroativa das normas constitucionais

Texto para discuss??o 8: desempenho e controle na reforma administrativa

Grande parte das quest??es da reforma administrativa pode ser resumida em duas perguntas: como fazer com que os ??rg??os da administra????o funcionem bem? E como controlar as institui????es, para que elas n??o fa??am uso indevido dos recursos p??blicos? A maneira tradicional de tratar deste assunto ?? pensar que estas duas coisas dependem uma da outra, ou seja, que a melhor maneira de fazer com que as institui????es funcionem bem ?? coloc??-las sob um regime de controle e supervis??o restritos

Texto para discuss??o 18: ag??ncias executivas: estrat??gias de reforma administrativa

Este trabalho tem por objeto uma an??lise do projeto ag??ncias executivas, que ?? um dos projetos integrantes do plano diretor da Reforma do Aparelho do Estado (plano diretor). Trata-se, essencialmente, da implanta????o da reforma administrativa nas autarquias e funda????es p??blicas federais, que operam no Setor de Atividades Exclusivas do Estado

Texto para discuss??o 20: a reforma administrativa francesa: da crise da fun????o p??blica a uma nova racionalidade da a????o coletiva, uma dif??cil transi????o

Um dos marcos da reforma francesa ?? a crise da gest??o p??blica. Sabemos que a crise da gest??o p??blica ?? um fen??meno hoje universal que se tornou vis??vel a partir da d??cada de 70, especificamente com a crise do petr??leo.Com o fim do conflito Leste/Oeste em 1989, esta crise torna-se mais evidente e v??m-se refor??adas suas conota????es ideol??gicas. No caso franc??s, ao lado desta crise mundial, os analistas identificam uma crise espec??fica, a saber, a fal??ncia do modelo de Estado. Dentre os pa??ses industrializados do Ocidente, o Estado franc??s ??, sem d??vida, um dos que mais interv??m na vida social, econ??mica e pol??tica

Texto para discuss??o 23: reforma administrativa e direito adquirido

A Constitui????o n??o se interpreta mediante a lei ordin??ria; a lei ?? que tem a sua interpreta????o condicionada pela Constitui????o. A garantia constitucional inscrita no art. 5o, XXXVI, por expressa determina????o constitucional, tem aplica????o imediata (art. 5o, ??1o, CF), independendo de preceito legal regulador. Se o conceito de direito adquirido constitu??sse mat??ria de car??ter ordin??rio, a garantia constitucional do direito adquirido estaria de modo indireto ?? disposi????o do legislador, subordinada aos seus humores, esvaziada enquanto norma de prote????o individual. Al??m disso, ter??amos de admitir o paradoxo de um limite ao legislador depender da atua????o do pr??prio legislador