Single-locus DNA barcoding and species delimitation of the sandfly subgenus Evandromyia (Aldamyia).

Sandfly specimens from the subgenus Evandromyia (Aldamyia) Galati, 2003 (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) were collected between 2012 and 2019 from nine localities in seven Brazilian states, morphologically-identified, and then DNA barcoded by sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (coi) gene. Forty-four new barcode sequences generated from 10 morphospecies were combined with 49 previously published sequences from the same subgenus and analysed using sequence-similarity methods (best-match criteria) to assess their ability at specimen identification, while four different species delimitation methods (ABGD, GMYC, PTP and TCS) were used to infer molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs). Overall, seven of the 11 morphospecies analysed were congruent with both the well-supported clades identified by phylogenetic analysis and the MOTUs inferred by species delimitation, while the remaining four morphospecies - E. carmelinoi, E. evandroi, E. lenti and E. piperiformis - were merged into a single well-supported clade/MOTU. Although E. carmelinoi, E. evandroi and E. lenti were indistinguishable using coi DNA barcodes, E. piperiformis did form a distinct phylogenetic cluster and could be correctly identified using best-match criteria. Despite their apparent morphological differences, we propose on the basis of the molecular similarity of their DNA barcodes that these latter four morphospecies should be considered members of a recently-diverged species complex.

Necessity of sequential pulses of prostaglandin F2alpha for complete physiologic luteolysis in cattle.

The luteolytic effects of exogenous prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) that did and did not simulate natural 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF (PGFM) pulses were studied during mid-diestrus in 42 Holstein heifers. Plasma concentrations of PGF were assessed by assay of PGFM. In experiment 1, a single intrauterine injection of 4.0 mg of PGF into the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum resulted in a precipitous progesterone decline, whereas sequential injections of 0.25 or 1.0 mg every 12 h resulted in a stepwise decrease (P < 0.05) following each injection. A progesterone increase occurred during the first 5 min before the luteolytic decrease but only for the 4.0-mg dose. From the results of experiment 2, a 2-h intrauterine infusion of a total of 0.5 mg of PGF was judged to best simulate a natural PGFM pulse. In experiment 3, simulation of sequential pulses at 12-h intervals resulted in a continuous precipitous decrease in progesterone to <1 ng/ml by the beginning of the fourth simulated pulse. In contrast, a single simulated pulse resulted in a 6-h progesterone decrease to a constant concentration for 3 days after treatment, followed by a return to control concentrations. The mean +/- SEM interval between the pretreatment and posttreatment ovulations was shorter (P < 0.05) in the group with sequential simulated pulses (14 +/- 1 day) than in the group with a single pulse (21 +/- 1 day). Results indicated that excessive PGF doses may stimulate nonphysiologic progesterone responses and supported the hypothesis that sequential PGF pulses are required to stimulate natural luteolysis in cattle.

Characterisation of pulses of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2alpha (PGFM) and relationships between PGFM pulses and luteal blood flow before, during, and after luteolysis in mares.

Blood collections for characterising 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2alpha (PGFM) pulses in mares and colour-Doppler examinations for estimating percentage of corpus luteum with blood-flow signals were done hourly for a 24-h session on Day 15 (ovulation = Day 0; n = 13 mares) or during 12-h sessions from Days 12 to 16 (n= 10 mares). Luteolysis was defined as extending from the beginning of a precipitous decrease in progesterone until progesterone was <2 ng mL(-1). Comparisons were made among preluteolysis, luteolysis, and postluteolysis. Greater prostaglandin F2alpha activity (mean PGFM concentration per session) occurred during luteolysis than during preluteolysis and postluteolysis. Statistically-detected PGFM pulses were smaller during preluteolysis with a highly variable interval from the last pulse to the beginning of luteolysis. Either two or three pulses were detected in each 24-h session during luteolysis and postluteolysis, after excluding three of eight sessions with no pulses during postluteolysis. Statistically, 17% of pulses during postluteolysis were prominent outliers. The nadir-to-nadir interval during a pulse (5 h), the peak-to-peak interval between pulses (9 h), and the resulting 4-h gap between pulses were similar during and after luteolysis. The decrease in progesterone encompassed the PGFM pulses, without a detectable fluctuation during a pulse. The percentage of corpus luteum with blood-flow signals did not change during the ascending portion of a PGFM pulse and decreased within 2 or 3 h after the peak, even during preluteolysis. Results indicated that a reported increase in luteal blood flow in heifers during the ascending portion of a PGFM pulse does not occur in mares.

Follicle diameters and hormone concentrations in the development of single versus double ovulations in mares.

Relationships between double ovulations and plasma hormone concentrations were compared between 18 single ovulating and 6 double ovulating mares. The study began when the first follicle reached >or=30 mm, and ultrasound scanning and blood sampling were done every 12h to Day 3 (ovulation=Day 0). Data were analyzed for 2.5 d after the largest follicle was >or=30 mm and after Day -2.5 to encompass the mean 5-d interval between a >or=30 mm follicle and Day 0. During the 2.5 d after >or=30 mm, the increasing diameter of the largest follicle was less pronounced and plasma FSH concentrations were lower (approached significance) in the double ovulators than in the single ovulators. By Day -2.5, the largest follicle was smaller (P<0.01) and plasma FSH was lower (P<0.04) in the double ovulators. Plasma estradiol concentrations were higher (P<0.001) during the 2.5 d after >or=30 mm in the double ovulators and the correlation between estradiol and FSH was negative (r=-0.39, P<0.0001). In double ovulators, compared to single ovulators, the largest follicle was smaller, FSH was lower and estradiol was higher on most occasions between Days -2.5 and -0.5 (P<0.05), but plasma concentrations of LH and ir-inhibin were not significantly different. In conclusion, smaller preovulatory follicles in double ovulators were a response to lower FSH concentrations, due to higher estradiol concentrations from two preovulatory follicles; preovulatory differences in hormone concentrations between single and double ovulators were an effect rather than a cause of the double ovulations.

Partially oxidized ruthenium phosphine thiolates: [Ru(pySO2)0.33(pyS)1.67(dppe)] and [Ru(pySO2)0.355(pyS)1.645(dppp)].

The crystal structures of [1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane-kappa2P,P'](pyridine-2-sulfinato-kappa2N,S)(pyridine-2-thiolato-kappa2N,S)ruthenium(II), [Ru(C5H4NO2S)0.33(C5H4NS)1.67(C26H24P2)] or [Ru(pySO2)1-x(pyS)1+x(dppe)] (x=0.67), (I), and [1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane-kappa2P,P'](pyridine-2-sulfinato-kappa2N,S)(pyridine-2-thiolato-kappa2N,S)ruthenium(II), [Ru(C5H4NO2S)0.355(C5H4NS)1.645(C27H26P2)] or [Ru(pySO2)1-x(pyS)1+x(dppp)] (x=0.645), (II), are composed of neutral distorted octahedral RuII complexes with chelating pyridine-2-thiolate, pyridine-2-sulfinate and biphosphine ligands. The S atoms are trans to each other, while pairs of P and N atoms are in cis positions. Partial double-bond character is observed for C-S. The crystal packing consists of monolayers stabilized by C-H...O and C-H...S interactions, and is affected by the alkyl-chain lengths.

Synthesis, molecular structure and vibrational spectra of a dimeric complex formed by cobalt and glycine.

The structure of [Co(gly)(2)(OH)(2)].1.5(H(2)O) was solved by X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the space group P-1, with two independent dimmers in the unit cell. The results for the calculated vibrational spectra are in good agreement with the experimental one. The infrared spectrum and ab initio calculations are consistent with the crystallographic results.

Experimental electron density of urea-phosphoric acid (1/1) at 100 K.

The deformation electron density of the urea-phosphoric acid adduct has been studied from 100 K X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments. Data were interpreted according to the Hirshfeld model. The long hydrogen bonds show characteristics of electrostatic interaction. Deformation density maps on the short hydrogen bond shows hydrogen more strongly bonded to urea than to phosphoric acid, and peak maxima at almost midway between the two O-H bonds.