Abstract:Since marine medusae and ctenophores harbor a wide variety of symbionts, from protists to fish, they constitute a unique community in pelagic ecosystems. Their symbiotic relationships broadly range from simple, facultative phoresy through parasitisim to complex mutualism, although it is sometimes difficult to define these associations strictly. Phoresy and/or commensalism are found in symbionts such as pycnogonids, decapod larvae and fish juveniles. Parasitism and/or parasitoidism are common in the following symbionts: dinoflagellates, ciliates, anthozoan larvae, pedunculate barnacles, anuropid isopods, and hyperiid amphipods. Mutualism is established between ctenophores and gymnamoebae, and between rhizostome medusae and endosymbiotic dinoflagellates. More information on symbiotic apostome ciliates, anthozoan larvae and hyperiid amphipods is definitely needed for further studies in consideration of their high prevalence and serious damage they can inflict on their hosts. The present paper briefly reviews previously published data on symbionts on these gelatinous predators and introduces new information in the form of our unpublished data.

SUMMARYAlthough an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) or Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and coronary atherosclerosis has been reported, such an association is less clear for acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the pathogenic roles of Cpn and CMV infection of coronary plaques in ACS. We divided 38 coronary plaque specimens obtained from 38 patients who underwent directional coronary atherectomy or thrombectomy into an ACS group (n = 21) and a non-ACS group (n = 17). Cpn and CMV in specimens were stained using immunohistochemical techniques and analyzed quantitatively. The detection rate for either Cpn-or CMV-positive cells in ACS patients was slightly higher compared with non-ACS patients. Detection rates for both Cpn-and CMV-positive cells were significantly higher in ACS patients than in non-ACS patients (P = 0.010). Furthermore, the density of Cpn-and CMV-positive cells in plaques was significantly higher in ACS patients than in non-ACS patients (P < 0.003). The results indicate that the presence and severity of Cpn and CMV infection in coronary plaques are greater in patients with ACS compared with non-ACS patients. We conclude that infection with Cpn and CMV in coronary plaques may be involved in the pathogenesis of ACS. (Int Heart J 2006; 47: 511-519)

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Although it is known that a single peptide can be recognized by CTL restricted to two MHC class I alleles, there is no direct evidence for presentation of a single peptide by two MHC class I molecules. Furthermore, it is unclear whether such peptides are presented to the same T cell or to different T cells. Our previous study suggested that CTL recognition of the human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1) Pol HIV‐B35‐SF2‐24 epitope (IPLTEEAEL) occurs via both HLA‐B35 and HLA‐B51 restriction. Here we provide the first direct evidence that a single CTL clone can recognize this peptide presented by both HLA‐B35 and HLA‐B51. Furthermore, we directly purified this peptide eluted from both HLA‐B*3501 and HLA‐B*5101 molecules isolated from target cells infected with HIV‐1 recombinant vaccinia virus. These results demonstrate that HIV‐B35‐SF2‐24 is a naturally processed peptide which is presented by both HLA‐B*3501 and HLA‐B*5101. TCR analysis of one CTL clone suggested that it is a single clone. B*3501‐SF2‐24‐tetrameric complexes inhibited both HLA‐B*3501‐ and HLA‐B*5101‐restricted recognition of this clone, suggesting that the TCR of this clone cross‐recognize the structure of both HLA class I‐peptide complexes.

An ovel approach to the direct construction of tricyclic nitrogen heterocycles based on gold-catalyzed cascade cyclization of aminoallenynes is described. The expected biscyclization reaction of hydroxyisobutyryl-protected aminoallenynes was efficiently promoted by ac atalytic amount of BrettPhosAuNTf 2 in the presence of iPrOH to produce 1,2dihydrobenzo[cd]indole derivatives in good yields.W hen the reaction was combined with Friedel-Crafts acylation or palladium-catalyzed N-arylation, the resulting tricyclic products were efficiently converted into nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic compounds (N-PACs) with highly conjugated p-electron systems.Anewly obtained hexacyclic indolium salt showed characteristic concentration-dependent absorption and emission properties. Scheme 1. Gold(I)-catalyzed reactions of diynes and related compounds proceedingvia vinyl cation intermediates.

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