Human pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A) is encoded by two genes, SP-A1 and SP-A2, that exhibit coding sequence (allelic) and 5' splicing variability. In this report we determine the effect of the genetic variability within the SP-A1 and SP-A2 genes on the level of SP-A mRNAs and on the SP-A2 splicing variants in different individuals. We analysed mRNA specimens from 23 unrelated adults usin...

Genome sequence of Serratia proteamaculans 568 revealed the presence of three family 33 chitin binding proteins (CBPs). The three Sp CBPs (Sp CBP21, Sp CBP28 and Sp CBP50) were heterologously expressed and purified. Sp CBP21 and Sp CBP50 showed binding preference to β-chitin, while Sp CBP28 did not bind to chitin and cellulose substrates. Both Sp CBP21 and Sp CBP50 were synergistic with four ch...

Leptogenys is the most diverse ponerine ant genus in the world; it is widespread throughout tropical and subtropical regions and there are over 200 extant species described. Most species have ergatoid queens, and many have falcate, bowed mandibles and are specialists on isopod prey. Here, the Malagasy Leptogenys are revised with 60 species recognized, of which 40 are newly described, 18 redescr...

Axylus group is used to include the five genera Axylus Stål, 1877, Anthracites Redtenbacher, 1891 sensu stricto, Eucoptaspis Willemse, 1966, Eulobaspis gen. nov., and Heminicsara Karny, 1912. It is mainly based on a combination of the characters shape of pronotum, spiniform meso- and metasternal lobes, and similar basic ground plans of the male cerci, titillators and female subgenital plates. T...

Acoustic properties such as specific dynamic Young’s modulus (Ed/γ), internal friction (Q), and acoustic conversion efficiency (ACE) of wood are important properties frequently examined using free-free flexural vibration. This study determined the suitability for making musical instrument soundboards and frameboards from four tropical wood species; namely Syzygium, Dialium, Gymnostoma, and Sind...