Prolyl oligopeptidase B from Galerina marginata (GmPOPB) has recently been discovered as a peptidase capable of breaking and forming peptide bonds to yield a cyclic peptide. Despite the relevance of prolyl oligopeptidases in human biology and disease, a kinetic analysis pinpointing rate-limiting steps for a member of this enzyme family is not available. Macrocyclase enzymes are currently exploi...

We consider the motions and associated flow patterns of a swimming giant danio (Danio malabaricus). Experimental flow-visualization techniques have been employed to obtain the unsteady two-dimensional velocity fields around the straight-line swimming motions and a 60 degrees turn of the fish in the centerline plane of the fish depth. A three-dimensional numerical method is also employed to pred...

Four new Paramphimonhystrella species are described from the continental slope of New Zealand. P. glossalga n. sp. is characterised by presence of twelve lips, large buccal cavity, males with short, heavily cuticularised spicules joined distally, and females with large postvulvar sac and hammer-shaped cuticularised piece immediately posterior to vagina. P. barbula n. sp. is characterised by nar...

AIM To perform a single-center analysis of all double balloon endoscopy (DBE) related cases of pancreatitis identified prospectively from a recorded DBE-complication database. METHODS From November 2003 until January 2007, 603 DBE procedures were performed on 412 patients, with data on complications recorded in a database. The setting was a tertiary care center offering DBE. DBE was performed...

The relationship between vertebrate morphology and swimming performance has long interested biologists. Recent work on predator-induced morphological plasticity of anuran tadpoles has increased this interest. Here, I use data on five species of spadefoot toad tadpoles (Scaphiopodidae) to compare linear and geometric morphometrics. Linear measures explain only 7-26% of the variation in swimming ...

Four new species of the genus Litinium are described from mangroves and from deep sea. The genus Litinium now includes ten valid species. An emended generic diagnosis and a pictorial guide for species identification are given. Litinium quangi sp. n. and L. curticauda sp. n., both found in mangroves of South Vietnam, are morphologically similar and differ from other congeneric species in body si...

Divergent natural selection drives a considerable amount of the phenotypic and genetic variation observed in natural populations. For example, variation in the predator community can generate conflicting selection on behavioral, life-history, morphological, and performance traits. Differences in predator regime can subsequently increase phenotypic and genetic variations in the population and re...

Fat tailed sheep breeds are known for their adaptation to nutritional stress, among other harsh production conditions. Damara sheep, native to Southern Africa, have recently been exported to other areas of the world, particularly Australia, aiming to produce lamb in semi-arid regions. Damaras have a unique hanging fat tail, a fat depot able to be mobilized under nutritional stress. In this arti...