Puparia of the subarctic or black blowfly protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) in a skull of a Late Eemian (?) bison at Zemst,Brabant (Belgium)

Fossil puparia of the subarctic blowfly P. terraenovae which were found in the skull and horn-core cavities of a “steppe wisent” (Bison priscus) are described. The steppe wisent was discovered in coarse fluviatile deposits overlying Eocene marine sediments at Zemst in the province of Brabant (Belgium), during excavations for the new sluice in the Brussels-Rupel Canal. Other faunal remains collected are rhinoceros — woolly rhinoceros, Coelodonta antiquitatis (?) — and proboscidian — woolly mammoth, Elephas primigenius (?). Geological and palaeontological data indicate that the deposits and their contents were probably formed during the Late Eemian under a cold temperature climate. An attempt is made to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the association of empty blowfly puparia and the skull.     

Implications paléobiogéographiques de la découverted'une nouvelle localité éocène à vertébrés continentaux en afrique nord-occidentale: El Kohol (Sud-Oranais,Algérie)

The new fossil locality of El Kohol is located on the southern flank of the Saharan Altas, near Brezina (Algeria). It has been discovered in a thick Palaeogene continental series divided into 4 members: a transitional gypsiferous member, a lower red detritic member, a middle marly-calcareous member, and an upper red detritic member. The new flora and fauna have been obtained by excavation and washing-screening of a marly level of the middle member. The main finds are charophytes, lower vertebrates, a marsupial and eutherian mammals (lipotyphlan Insectivora, hyracoids, creodonts and Proboscidea). Geological and palaeontological data allow to refer these fossil remains, at least provisorily, to the end of the early Eocene. Palaeobiogeographical comments are made about forms with Holarctic affinities.     

Editor's column: The International Union of Geological Sciences

The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), founded in 1961. has developed into one of the strongest unions of the ICSU family. A composite but efficient international working structure has been organized, based on extensive voluntary efforts which are moderately yet effectively subsidized by the Union. Current developments trend towards closer cooperation with the International Geological Congress. The IUGS now covers 74 countries, although the strength in the international working structure may be contrasted with a certain lack of promotion at the national level, particularly with regard to information. This must be remedied. Geologists concerned are also encouraged to obtain their information directly through the IUGS Geological Newsletter.     

Global events and evolution First IPA Research Programme

The IPA has started an International Research Programme to evaluate the degree of influence of global events to the evolution of the biosphere. Palaeontologists are asked to contribute with new, detailed data.     

Important Plant Areas: revised selection criteria for a global approach to plant conservation

Despite the severe threats to plant habitats and high levels of extinction risk for plant species in many parts of the world, plant conservation priorities are often poorly represented in national and global frameworks because of a lack of data in an accessible and consistent format to inform conservation decision making. The Important Plant Areas (IPAs) criteria system offers a pragmatic yet scientifically rigorous means of delivering these datasets, enabling informed national- or regional-scale conservation prioritisation, and contributing significantly towards global prioritisation systems including the International Union for Conservation of Nature Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) Standard. In this paper, we review the IPA rationale and progress on IPA identification to date, including the perceived limitations of the process and how these may be overcome. We then present a revised set of criteria for use globally, developed through the combined experiences of IPA identification over the past decade and a half and through a recent global consultation process. An overview of how the revised IPA criteria can work alongside the newly published KBA Standard is also provided. IPA criteria are based around a sound, scientific, global framework which acknowledges the practical problems of gathering plant and habitat data in many regions of the world, and recognises the role of peer reviewed expert opinion in the selection process. National and sub-national engagement in IPA identification is essential, providing a primary route towards long term conservation of key sites for plant diversity. The IPA criteria can be applied to the conservation of all organism groups within the plant and fungal kingdoms.     

New Constitution for the International Palaeontological Association

At the General Assembly of the International Paleontological Union (I.P.U.), 20th August, 1968 a Policy Committee was formed and charged to formulate an entirely new Constitution; this was adopted 25th August, 1972 by the General Assembly. To conform with regulations of the International Union of Geological Sciences (I.U.G.S.), the new name is International Palaeontological Association (I.P.A.).     

Conceptualising ‘fossiliferous deposit’ against ‘palaeontological deposit’: some semantic (and epistemological) considerations

This short essay intends to provide insight into the concepts of ‘fossiliferous deposit’ and ‘palaeontological deposit’ by identifying some of their semantic differences. From the moment that fossiliferous deposits are technically accessible to the palaeontologist, they are ‘palaeontological’ ones, but not before. However, not all palaeontological deposits must inevitably be ‘fossiliferous’ deposits in the sense of containing mineralised remains of the anatomical parts of organisms. As a consequence of the existence of fossiliferous deposits, the science of palaeontology exists, with the result that fossiliferous deposits become ‘palaeontological deposits’, together with the non-fossiliferous strata that are able to provide data on the ecological and/or ethological conditions of fossil beings from remains that are not ‘fossils’. From the point of view of philosophy of science, fossiliferous and palaeontological deposits should be considered as two different epistemological (as well as ontological) categories. Consequently, by identifying semantic differences, the concepts of ‘fossiliferous deposit’ and ‘palaeontological deposit’ can be framed better within the philosophical development of the palaeontological sciences. In addition to the central issue addressed in this essay, a brief discussion on the epistemic value of the dichotomy ‘to deposit’ versus ‘to reposit’ applied to palaeontological museology is brought up.     

Editor's column: Stratification in international geology

The two large organizations in international geology, the permanent International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and the long-term International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP), are strongly stratified units and victims of platform sedimentation. Their National Committees and corresponding bodies are often useless as channels of the active scientists' initiative and influence. Their constituent and affiliated scientific bodies are deprived of all influence on the management of the organizations, in favour of managements bureaucratically and autocratically recruited according to a pattern of equitable geographical distribution. The IGCP is wasting effort in hunting for programme gaps, whilst both organizations are campaigning against regional concentrations of interest and consequent influence. Both organizations are in bad need of activating their national members and opening up their management to influence from their scientific bodies. For this purpose important changes in their constitutions are needed. Only then can their formal strength become real and their many challenging tasks be efficiently tackled.     

Indole-3-propionic acid, a melatonin-related molecule, protects hepatic microsomal membranes from iron-induced oxidative damage: relevance to cancer reduction

Excessive free iron and the associated oxidative damage are commonly related to carcinogenesis. Among the antioxidants known to protect against iron-induced oxidative abuse and carcinogenesis, melatonin and other indole compounds recently have received considerable attention. Indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a deamination product of tryptophan, with a structure similar to that of melatonin, is present in biological fluids and is an effective free radical scavenger. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of IPA on experimentally induced oxidative changes in rat hepatic microsomal membranes. Microsomes were preincubated in presence of IPA (10, 3, 2, 1, 0.3, 0.1, 0.01 or 0.001 mM) and, then, incubated with FeCl(3) (0.2 mM), ADP (1.7 mM) and NADPH (0.2 mM) to induce oxidative damage. Alterations in membrane fluidity (the inverse of membrane rigidity) were estimated by fluorescence spectroscopy and lipid peroxidation by measuring concentrations of malondialdehyde+4-hydroxyalkenals (MDA+4-HDA). IPA, when used in concentrations of 10, 3 or 2 mM, increased membrane fluidity, although at these concentrations it did not influence lipid peroxidation significantly. The decrease in membrane fluidity due to Fe(3+) was completely prevented by preincubation in the presence of IPA at concentrations of 10, 3, 2 or 1 mM. The enhanced lipid peroxidation due to Fe(3+) was prevented by IPA only at the highest concentration (10 mM). It is concluded that Fe(3+)-induced rigidity and, to a lesser extent, lipid peroxidation in microsomal membranes may be reduced by IPA. However, IPA in high concentrations increase membrane fluidity. Besides melatonin, IPA may be used as a pharmacological agent to protect against iron-induced oxidative damage to membranes and, potentially, against carcinogenesis.     

Tryptophan biosynthesis and production of other related compounds from indolepyruvic acid by mixed ruminal bacteria,protozoa, and their mixture in vitro

Tryptophan (Trp) biosynthesis and the production of other related compounds by mixed ruminal bacteria (B), protozoa (P), and their mixture (BP) in an in vitro system were quantitatively investigated by using 1 mM of indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPA) as substrate. Ruminal microorganisms were anaerobically incubated at 39 degrees C for 12 h. Trp and other related compounds in both the supernatants and the microbial hydrolyzates of the incubation were analyzed by HPLC. As a whole, about 334, 440, and 436 &mgr;M of Trp were produced from IPA in 12 h by B, P, and BP suspensions, respectively. In the B suspension, a greater portion of synthesized Trp (242 &mgr;M) from IPA was accumulated as free form in the medium, whereas a large amount of Trp (92 &mgr;M) was incorporated into cell protein in a 12-h incubation. On the other hand, in the P suspension, a large amount of Trp (475 &mgr;M) from IPA was also found as free form in the supernatant in a 12-h incubation. Protozoa did not incorporate Trp into cell protein, but they liberated endogenous Trp (34 &mgr;M) into the medium. The net productions of Trp from IPA were 344.3 and 447.7 &mgr;mol/g of microbial nitrogen in 12 h by B and P suspensions, respectively. The ability of P to synthesize Trp from IPA was about 30% higher than that of B in 12 h. Trp produced from IPA by B, P, and BP suspensions were simultaneously degraded into its related compounds, and among them, indoleacetic acid (IAA) was a major product found in all microbial suspensions. Productions of IAA were 124, 25, and 99 &mgr;M from IPA in 12 h by B, P, and BP suspensions, respectively. The formation of indolelactic acid (ILA) from IPA was observed for the first time in all microbial suspensions, and it was about 84, 24, and 54 &mgr;M in 12 h by B, P, and BP, respectively. Higher IAA and ILA productions were observed in B when compared with P. A small amount of skatole (SKT) (26 &mgr;M) was produced from IPA in B, whereas a sizable amount of SKT (38 &mgr;M) was found in BP after a 12-h incubation. p-Cresol (CRL) was also produced from IPA by both B (43 &mgr;M) and BP (65 &mgr;M) suspensions in 12 h, and this is also the first discovery to show the formation of CRL from IPA by B and BP suspensions. BP suspension was more active to produce both SKT and CRL from IPA, though P suspension has no ability to produce either SKT or CRL from IPA during a 12-h incubation.     

Metabolism of n-propylamine, isopropylamine, and 1,3-propane diamine by Mycobacterium convolutum.

Mycobacterium convolutum strain NPA-1 can utilize n-propylamine (NPA), isopropylamine (IPA), and 1,3-propane diamine (PD) as sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy. Enzyme assays, fatty acid profiles, and 14CO2 incorporation experiments indicate that NPA is deaminated to propionate and further metabolized via the methylmalonyl succinate pathway, and IPA and PD were metabolized (after deamination) through a C2 + C1 cleavage. An inducible amine dehydrogenase was present in cell extracts after growth on the three amines. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cell extracts from NPA- and IPA-grown cells yielded one major band of amine dehydrogenase activity. When extracts of NPA-grown cells were assayed with NPA, IPA, or PD as substrate, the relative position of the major band on gel electrophoresis was equivalent. Similar results were obtained with extracts prepared from IPA-grown cells. Sephadex G-100 chromatography also indicated one major peak of activity. This suggests that one enzyme of broad specificity is involved in deamination of IPA, NPA, and PD. IPA-grown cells utilized NPA readily, whereas NPA-grown cells could not utilize IPA without lag. Since amine dehydrogenase activity was present in extracts of cells after growth on either substrate, this lag was probably due to the inability to transport IPA without an induction period. The molecular weight of the amine dehydrogenase was approximately 38,500 as determined by gel filtration.     

Influence of Plant Hormones on Ethylene Production in Apple, Tomato, and Avocado Slices during Maturation and Senescence

Ethylene production by tissue slices from preclimacteric, climacteric, and postclimacteric apples was significantly reduced by isopentenyl adenosine (IPA), and by mixtures of IPA and indoleacetic acid, and of IPA, indoleacetic acid, and gibberellic acid after 4 hours of incubation. Ethylene production by apple (Pyrus malus L.) slices in abscisic acid was increased in preclimacteric tissues, decreased in climacteric peak tissues, and little affected in postclimacteric tissues. Indoleacetic acid suppressed ethylene production in tissues from preclimacteric apples but stimulated ethylene production in late climacteric rise, climacteric, and postclimacteric tissue slices. Gibberellic acid had less influence in suppressing ethylene production in preclimacteric peak tissue, and little influenced the production in late climacteric rise, climacteric peak, and postclimacteric tissues. IPA also suppressed ethylene production in pre- and postclimacteric tissue of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) and avocados (Persea gratissima). If ethylene production in tissue slices of ripening fruits is an index of aging, then IPA would appear to retard aging in ripening fruit, just as other cytokinins appear to retard aging in senescent leaf tissue.     

NEOGENE MAMMALIAN BIOSTRATIGRAPHY IN CHINA:PAST,PRESENT,AND FUTURE

INTRODUCTIoNThedevelopmentoftheNeogenebiostratigraphyofChinawasoneoftheearliestgoalsoftheCenozoicResearchLaboratoryoftheGeologicalSurveyofChina,pre-decessoroftoday'sInstituteofVertebratePaleontologyandPaleoanthropologyaVPP).Therationaleforsuchstudies1iesintheuniversalobjectiveofestablishingthenatureandtempooffaunalchangeinaregionandinadjacentregionsthatarelinkedzoogeographically.Eventuallythedataareusedtoincorporatelocaleventsintotheglobalhistoryoffaunalchange.Besidesthisgoal,thereis…     

Biodegradation of high-concentration isopropanol by a solvent-tolerant thermophile,Bacillus pallidus

The aerobic biodegradation of high-concentration, to 24 g l(-1), 2-propanol (IPA) by a thermophilic isolate ST3, identified as Bacillus pallidus, was successfully carried out for the first time. This solvent-tolerant B. pallidus utilized IPA as the sole carbon source within a minimal salts medium. Cultivation was carried out in 100-ml shake flasks at 60 degrees C and compared with cultivation within a 1-l stirred tank reactor (STR). Specific growth rate (micro) was about 0.2 h(-1) for both systems, with a maximum cell density of 2.4 x 10(8) cells ml(-1) obtained with STR cultivation. During exponential growth and stationary phase, IPA biodegradation rates were found to be 0.14 and 0.02 g l(-1) h(-1), respectively, in shake-flask experiments, whereas corresponding values of 0.09 and 0.018 g l(-1) h(-1) were achievable in the STR. Generation of acetone, the major intermediate in aerobic IPA biodegradation, was also monitored as an indicator of microbial IPA utilization. Acetone levels reached a maximum of 2.2-2.3 g l(-1) after 72 and 58 h for 100-ml and 1-l systems, respectively. Both IPA and acetone were completely removed from the medium following 160 and 175 h, respectively, during STR growth, although this was not demonstrated within shake-flask reactions. Growth of B. pallidus on acetone or IPA alone demonstrated that the maximum growth rate ( micro ) obtainable was 0.247 h(-1) at 4 g l(-1) acetone and 0.202 h(-1) at 8 g l(-1) IPA within shake-flask cultivation. These results indicate the potential of the solvent-tolerant thermophile B. pallidus ST3 in the bioremediation of hot solvent-containing industrial waste streams.     

Comparison of potential protective effects of melatonin, indole-3-propionic acid, and propylthiouracil against lipid peroxidation caused by potassium bromate in the thyroid gland

Potassium bromate (KBrO3) is a prooxidant and carcinogen, inducing thyroid tumors. Melatonin and indole-3-propionic acid (IPA) are effective antioxidants. Some antioxidative effects of propylthiouracil (PTU)--a thyrostatic drug--have been found. The aim of the study was to compare protective effects of melatonin, IPA, and PTU against lipid peroxidation in the thyroids, collected from rats treated with KBrO3, and in homogenates of porcine thyroids, incubated in the presence of KBrO3. Wistar rats were administered KBrO3 (110 mg/kg b.w., i.p., on the 10th day of the experiment) and/or melatonin, or IPA (0.0645 mmol/kg b.w., i.p., twice daily, for 10 days), or PTU (0.025% solution in drinking water, for 10 days). Homogenates of porcine thyroids were incubated for 30 min in the presence of KBrO3 (5 mM) plus one of the antioxidants: melatonin (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 7.5 mM), or IPA (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 mM), or PTU (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 mM). The level of lipid peroxidation products (MDA + 4-HDA) was measured spectrophotometrically in thyroid homogenates. In vivo pretreatment with either melatonin or with IPA or with PTU decreased lipid peroxidation caused by KBrO3--injections in rat thyroid gland. Under in vitro conditions, PTU (5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mM), but neither melatonin nor IPA, reduced KBrO3-related lipid peroxidation in the homogenates of porcine thyroids. In conclusion, melatonin and IPA may be of great value as protective agents under conditions of exposure to KBrO3.     

L’origine des Imerites Rouchadze, 1933 : résultat d’une innovation chez les Gassendiceratinae Bert,Delanoy et Bersac, 2006 (Ammonoidea,Ancyloceratina)

The recent discoveries of remarkably preserved specimens of Imerites dichotomum (Ammonoidea, Ancyloceratina) bring new palaeontological precisions on this genus. The study of the ontogenic development demonstrates that Imerites directly derives from genus Pseudoshasticrioceras. So, their origin is within the Gassendiceratinae and not in the Heteroceratidae like it was usually admitted. On the other hand, the coexistence of macroconch and microconch specimens in the species of the genus Imerites confirms the hypothesis of a dimorphism. The new palaeontological data prove that “Crioceras” cristatus is a nomen dubium and must be abandoned.     

Species dependent relaxation of intrapulmonary arteries (IPA) of rabbits, dogs and humans by prostacyclin

Helically cut strips of successive IPA segments of rabbits, dogs and human patients were set up for isometric recording in vitro. High tone was produced by norepinephrine (NE, 3 microM). This tone was markedly reduced by prostacyclin (PGI2) in the secondary, tertiary and quaternary branches of human and canine pulmonary trunk. The IC50 values for PGI2 ranged from 22 to 503 nM, the human vessels being more sensitive to prostacyclin than canine IPA. Under these conditions, the primary and secondary branches of the rabbit pulmonary trunk were not relaxed by PGI2. The contractile potency of NE was determined in each pulmonary vessel studied. The secondary segments of rabbit IPA were about ten times as sensitive to NE (EC50 for NE: 38 +/- 7 nM) as compared to the secondary IPA from dogs and humans (EC50 values: 370 +/- 84 and 440 +/- 50, respectively). When high tone was induced by equieffective contractile concentrations of NE (3 microM for canine and human IPA and 0.3 microM for rabbit vessels), PGI2 was still less effective (P less than 0.01) in relaxing secondary IPA of rabbits (IC25: 220 +/- 55) than the corresponding segments of dogs and humans (IC25: 51 +/- 12 and 17 +/- 4, respectively). The difference between canine and human vessels was also significant (P less than 0.02). These results indicate that there is an interspecies difference in the sensitivity of IPA to NE and PGI2.     

Species dependent relaxation of intrapulmonary arteries (IPA) of rabbits, dogs and humans by prostacyclin

Helically cut strips of successive IPA segments of rabbits, dogs and human patients were set up for isometric recording . High tone was produced by norepinephrine (NE, 3 μM). This tone was markedly reduced by prostacyclin (PGI2) in the secondary, tertiary and quaternary branches of human and canine pulmonary trunk. The IC50 values for PGI2 ranged from 22 to 503 nM, the human vessels being more sensitive to prostacyclin than canine IPA. Under these conditions, the primary and secondary branches of the rabbit pulmonary trunk were not relaxed by PGI2. The contractile potency of NE was determined in each pulmonary vessel studied. The secondary segments of rabbit IPA were about ten times as sensitive to NE (EC50 for NE: 38±7 nM) as compared to the secondary IPA from dogs and humans (EC50 values: 370±84 and 440±50, respectively). When high tone was induced by equieffective contractile concentrations of NE (3 μM for canine and human IPA and 0.3 μM for rabbit vessels), PGI2 was still less effective (P<0.01) in relaxing secondary IPA of rabbits (IC25: 220±55) than the corresponding segments of dogs and humans (IC25: 51±12 and 17±4, respectively). The difference between canine and human vessels was also significant (P<0.02). These results indicate that there is an interspecies difference in the sensitivity of IPA to NE and PGI2.     

A new halogenated antidiabetic vanadyl complex, bis(5-iodopicolinato)oxovanadium(IV): in vitro and in vivo insulinomimetic evaluations and metallokinetic analysis

A new vanadyl complex, bis(5-iodopicolinato)oxovanadium(IV), VO(IPA)2, with a VO(N2O2) coordination mode, was prepared by mixing 5-iodopicolinic acid and VOSO4 at pH 5, with the structure characterized by electronic absorption, IR, and EPR spectra. Introduction of the halogen atom on to the ligand enhanced the in vitro insulinomimetic activity (IC50 = 0.45 mM) compared with that of bis(picolinato)oxovanadium(IV) (IC50 = 0.59 mM). The hyperglycemia of streptozotocin-induced insulin-dependent diabetic rats was normalized when VO(IPA)2 was given by daily intraperitoneal injection. The normoglycemic effect continued for more than 14 days after the end of treatment. To understand the insulinomimetic action of VO(IPA)2, the organ distribution of vanadium and the blood disposition of vanadyl species were investigated. In diabetic rats treated with VO(IPA)2, vanadium was distributed in almost all tissues examined, especially in bone, indicating that the action of vanadium is not peripheral. Vanadyl concentrations in the blood of normal rats given VO(IPA)2 remain significantly higher and longer than those given other complexes because of its slower clearance rate. VO(IPA)2 binds with the membrane of erythrocytes, probably owing to its high hydrophobicity in addition to its binding with serum albumin. The longer residence of vanadyl species shows the higher normoglyceric effects of VO(IPA)2 among three complexes with the VO(N2O2) coordination mode. On the basis of these results, VO(IPA)2 is indicated to be a preferred agent to treat insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in experimental animals.     

Action comparée de la 6-furfurylaminopurine et de la 6-(γ, γ-dimethylallylainino)purine sur la croissance, l'activité peroxydasique, la teneur en chlorophylles et en caroténoïdes

Comparative Effects of 6-Furfurylaminopurine and 6-(γ, γ-Dimethylallylamino) purine on Growth, Peroxidase, Chlorophyll and Carotenoid Content. — 6-Furfurylaminopurine (FAP) and 6-(γ, γ-dimethylallylamino) purine (IPA) both inhibit root growth and cause an increase in peroxidase activity. When used at 10^?8 and 10^?8M, IPA stimulates elongation of the coleoptile test, at 10^?4M both FAP and IPA provoke an inhibition. FAP and IPA maintain a high level in chlorophylls and carotenoids in floating leaves discs. In all these experiments, IPA has thus a higher effect than FAP.