Allometry in the distribution of material properties and geometry of the felid skull: why larger species may need to change and how they may achieve it

Extant members of the cat family (Felidae) have been considered behaviourally and morphologically conservative, i.e., despite great differences in size, there is relatively little variation in either the shape of the felid skull and dentition across species, or in the way in which these structures are used to kill and dismember prey. Consequently felids have been considered an appropriate focus for a number of investigations into the influence of allometry on craniomandibular mechanics and morphology. However, although previous treatments have considered the role of shape, they have not investigated the influence of differences in the distribution of relatively stiff cortical and more compliant cancellous bone on performance. Here, using models that incorporate material properties for both cortical and cancellous bone, we apply three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) to models representing the skulls of seven extant felid species. Our objectives being to determine allometric trends regarding both overall geometry and the relative distributions of cortical and cancellous bone tissue. We also more comprehensively assess variation in the efficiency with which muscular force is converted to bite force and the capacity to resist associated stresses. Our results show that the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) may be exceptional regarding both the efficiency with which muscular force is converted to bite force and the distribution of stress. We found a negative allometric trend between cortical bone volume and total skull bone volume, and positive allometry between the total skull bone volume and skull surface area. Results gained from mathematical modelling of beam analogies suggest that these trends reflect a need for larger species to respond to physical challenges associated with increased size, and, that changes in skull shape, bone composition, or a combination of both may be required to accommodate these challenges. With geometrical scaling stress increases by the same factor, and displacement by the same factor squared, but the ultimate failure stress of the material is invariant. We find that as species become larger, overall skull bone volume relative to surface area increases by adding a higher proportion of less dense and more compliant cancellous bone. This results in an increased cross-sectional area and second moment of inertia, which acts to reduce the overall stresses. An overall saving in mass is a likely additional consequence. Although we do find evidence that skull stiffness does diminish with size, we also argue that this is at least in part mitigated through the influence of these allometric trends. We further suggest that these trends and the explanations for them may be universal for vertebrates.     

Modelling stress in the feeding apparatus of seahorses and pipefishes (Teleostei: Syngnathidae)

Seahorses and pipefishes are extremely fast suction feeders, and the fast strikes probably result in large and rapid pressure drops in the buccal cavity. These rapid drops in pressure imply heavy mechanical loading on the cranium; hence, the feeding apparatus is thought to experience high levels of stress. We used finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate where stress accumulates under strong suction pressure, and whether there is a difference in craniofacial stress distribution between long‐ and short‐snouted species. The expectation was that high stress levels would occur at the articulations and in the cartilaginous regions of the cranium, and that, given the same pressure, the skulls of long‐snouted species would exhibit lower stress levels than the skulls of short‐snouted species, as an evolutionary increase in snout length might have made these species structurally better adapted to deal with high suction pressures. The results partially support the first hypothesis: except for Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus, all models show peak stress concentrations at the articulations and cartilaginous regions. However, no simple relationship between snout length and the magnitudes of stress predicted by the FEA was found. In an attempt to explain this lack of a relationship, the methodology was evaluated by assessing the effect of hyoid position and model construction on the stress distribution. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 104 , 680–691.     

A new insertion sequence element,ISLdl1, in Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis ATCC 15808

A new insertion sequence element designated ISLdl1 has been isolated and characterized from Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis ATCC 15808. It is the first IS element of L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis described. ISLdl1 is a 1508 bp element flanked by 26 bp imperfect inverted repeats, and generates an 8 bp AT-rich target duplication upon insertion. It contains one ORF encoding a protein of 455 amino acids. This protein shows significant homology to the transposases of the ISL3 family and to other bacterial transposases and putative transposases, and no homology to other proteins. Based on these structural features, ISLdl1 belongs to the ISL3 family. ISLdl1 is present in about 10-12 copies in the genome of ATCC 15808 based on Southern hybridization analysis. Location sites of eight ISLdl1 copies have been determined in more detail by cloning and sequencing one or both of the flanking regions of each ISLdl1 copy. ISLdl1 or ISLdl1-like IS elements were found exclusively in Lactobacillus delbrueckii species and in all strains of subsp. lactis tested. The nucleotide sequence of ISLdl1 is deposited under the accession number AJ302652.     

以亚硝氮为唯一氮源生长的海洋紫色硫细菌去除无机三态氮

【目的】揭示以亚硝氮为唯一氮源生长的海洋紫色硫细菌去除水体中无机三态氮的特征和规律。【方法】在光照厌氧环境下,以乙酸盐为唯一有机物,在分别以氨氮、亚硝态氮、硝态氮为唯一氮源和三氮共存的模拟水体中,采用Nessler’s试剂分光光度法、N-(1-萘基)-乙二胺分光光度法和紫外分光光度法分别测定水体中氨氮、亚硝态氮和硝态氮的含量,比浊法测定菌体生物量。【结果】随着时间的延长,海洋紫色硫细菌Marichromatium gracile YL28分别在氨氮、亚硝态氮和硝态氮为唯一氮源的水体中对三氮的去除量增加,生物量增大,水体pH升高,并逐渐趋于平衡;YL28对氨氮的最大去除量和最大耐受浓度分别为9.64 mmol/L和36.64 mmol/L,当氨氮浓度低于3.21 mmol/L时,去除率可达97.61%以上;与氨氮相比,以亚硝态氮和硝态氮为唯一氮源,菌体的生长速率、生物量和水体最终pH较低,但对亚硝态氮和硝态氮的去除速率和去除量仍然很高,当亚硝态氮和硝态氮浓度分别达13.50 mmol/L和22.90 mmol/L时,YL28仍能够完全去除。在三氮共存的水体中,YL28也能良好的去除无机三态氮,对亚硝态氮和硝态氮去除能力更强。【结论】在模拟水体中,海洋紫色硫细菌YL28能够分别以氨氮、亚硝态氮和硝态氮为唯一氮源生长,具有良好的耐受和去除无机三态氮的能力,尤其对亚硝态氮具有良好的去除能力。本研究为进一步开发高效脱氮,尤其是去除亚硝态氮的不产氧光合细菌水质调节剂奠定了基础,也为微生物制剂的合理应用提供参考。     

贵州施秉喀斯特世界自然遗产提名地苔藓植物区系特征

由于地理环境优越、海拔跨度大、生境异质性高、人为影响小等原因,贵州施秉喀斯特世界自然遗产提名地的苔藓植物丰富,共有50科128属286种（含变种和亚种）,其中苔类17科23属43种,藓类33科105属243种。其优势科、属均反映了该区系的温带向热带过渡的性质。区系地理成分分析结果显示,该区苔藓植物北方温带成分、热带成分和东亚成分分别占37．12％、31．82％和30．30％,其中中国特有分布型占12．12％,反映了施秉喀斯特苔藓植物区系具有温热并重、东亚色彩浓厚、特有性较高的特征。通过对施秉喀斯特与其它五个区域的苔藓区系进行对比发现．施秉苔藓区系丰富度高,与同为云贵区的香纸沟、马岭河、罗平喀斯特地区亲缘关系最近。     

G4 motifs affect origin positioning and efficiency in two vertebrate replicators

DNA replication ensures the accurate duplication of the genome at each cell cycle. It begins at specific sites called replication origins. Genome‐wide studies in vertebrates have recently identified a consensus G‐rich motif potentially able to form G‐quadruplexes (G4) in most replication origins. However, there is no experimental evidence to demonstrate that G4 are actually required for replication initiation. We show here, with two model origins, that G4 motifs are required for replication initiation. Two G4 motifs cooperate in one of our model origins. The other contains only one critical G4, and its orientation determines the precise position of the replication start site. Point mutations affecting the stability of this G4 in vitro also impair origin function. Finally, this G4 is not sufficient for origin activity and must cooperate with a 200‐bp cis‐regulatory element. In conclusion, our study strongly supports the predicted essential role of G4 in replication initiation.     

Autophagy inhibition in early but not in later stages prevents 3T3-L1 differentiation: Effect on mitochondrial remodeling

Autophagy is essential for successful white adipocyte differentiation but the data regarding the timing and relevance of autophagy action during different phases of adipogenesis are limited.     

Identification of Transposable Element Markers for a Rust (Puccinia arachidis Speg.) Resistance Gene in Cultivated Peanut

Peanut rust (Puccinia arachidis Speg.) affects pod yield and quality up to an extent of 10–50%. Efforts have been made on transferring the rust resistance gene to cultivated peanut species through interspecific hybridization. But, in most of the cases, it failed due to linkage drag of undesirable plant and pod features. Identification of tightly linked molecular markers will help to identify the desirable recombinants more efficiently. A recombinant inbred line population comprising 164 lines was developed from a cross between a rust‐resistant parent VG 9514 and a rust susceptible parent TAG 24. Using a modified bulk segregant analysis, 243 transposable element (TE) primer pairs were screened for putative linkage with rust resistance. Of the 243, 40 TE primer pairs were found polymorphic between parents and two transposable element markers, and TE 360 and TE 498 were found associated with rust resistance gene. Based on genetic mapping, TE 360 was found linked to the rust resistance gene at 4.5 cM distance. Identification of such markers could be applied for marker‐assisted selection of rust resistance plants in peanut.