A Review of: “Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast”

Gastroliths are usually described as being highly polished, but no technique has actually been used to measure the amount of polish. The use of profilometer and laser light‐scattering measurements on gastroliths, suspected gastroliths, and fluvial clasts are applications of technology new to geology and paleontology. These techniques permit rapid and nondestructive tests and can be used to quantify the surface polish of materials having irregular surfaces. A pilot study of these three populations indicates that suspected and bona fide gastroliths are generally much more highly polished than fluvial clasts.     

Cenozoic Evolution of TRopical-Equatorial MAmmals (TREMA)–an Introduction to the Symposium Proceedings Volume

This special issue of the Journal of Mammalian Evolution coincides with the proceedings from a symposium held in conjunction with the 4th International Palaeontological Congress (IPC4, Mendoza, Argentina; September 28, 2014), entitled “Cenozoic evolution of TRopical-Equatorial MAmmals,” and abbreviated as TREMA. In this short introduction to the symposium proceedings, in which we present the contents of the current issue, we discuss the pivotal role of the mammalian fossil record at low latitudes for understanding the origin, structural organization, and dynamics of present mammalian biodiversity.     

Contribution of fossil Lagomorpha (Mammalia) to the refinement of the late Miocene–Quaternary palaeobiogeographical setting of Italy

Fossil lagomorphs are very useful palaeogeographical indicators. In the last 15 years, several papers centered on fossil lagomorphs contributed to improve the Italian late Miocene–Quaternary palaeogeographical setting, solving palaeobiogeographical enigmas debated for decades, and providing new, challenging palaeogeographic data. The high number of endemic fossil lagomorphs of Italy is due in part to its complex tectonic history (insular endemisms), and in part to the semi-isolation and the physiography of the Peninsula (continental endemisms). In Italian lagomorphs, a direct causal relationship between dispersal and turnovers is not observed, except for the Toringian. Actually, species replacements are customarily due to archipelago effect (late Miocene), phyletic speciation (Pliocene of Sardinia and Italian mainland) or occur after the extinction of older congeneric species (early Pleistocene).     

Facies variability in mixed carbonate–siliciclastic platform slopes (Miocene)

Miocene tropical carbonate platform slopes in southern Spain contain classical reef-slope facies distribution but also an unexpected abundance of serpulid-rich facies, locally forming build-ups. Two sections from the Miocene Sorbas and Níjar Basins were mapped and analyzed petrographically in order to identify the factors determining this facies variability. Reef-slope facies is intercalated with serpulid-rich facies and siliciclastic bodies. Serpulids are the pioneers colonizing the substrate in zones of quiet hydrodynamic conditions after hydrographical changes such as eventual river discharge. The interplay of sea-level changes and hydrographical conditions, together with episodic terrestrial influx, control lateral and along-slope facies variability as well as the facies distribution across the carbonate platform. Neither a deterministic distribution of facies belts nor a stochastic partitioning of facies in mosaics can accurately explain the facies distribution. A new model is proposed to explain facies variability in the context of intrinsic and extrinsic factors.     

Discovery of an Upper Miocene Vertebrate fauna near Tizi N’Tadderht,Skoura, Ouarzazate Basin (Central High Atlas,Morocco)

The discovery of Upper Miocene vertebrates at Tizi N’Tadderht in the Ouarzazate basin (Morocco) helps to fill a gap in our knowledge of Neogene faunas in North Africa. The new fauna includes an ostrich cf. Struthio sp, a turtle cf. Centrochelys sp., Crocodylus cf. niloticus, and a relatively diverse fauna of large mammals. The mammal assemblage probably includes three hipparion species, including a very small form not previously reported from Africa, aff. Cremohipparion periafricanum, two species of rhinoceros cf. Ceratotherium sp. and aff. Chilotherium sp., a Proboscidean cf. Tetralophodon sp., a large member of the Giraffidae similar to “Palaeotragus” germaini and two bovids of which one is likely related to Prostrepsiceros, while the other is a new medium-sized antelope with spiral horns, certainly a representative of the Caprinae, a group that is rare in Africa. A late Miocene age, corresponding to the European Turolian Mammal age, is most likely for this fauna.     

First porcupine fossils (Mammalia,Rodentia) from the late Miocene of NW Iran,with notes on late Miocene–Pliocene dispersal of porcupines

This paper describes the first fossil porcupine remains from Iran. Four upper cheek teeth and two fragmentary lower incisors present sufficient characters for identification as Hystrix aryanensis, a species previously known from the late Miocene locality of Molayan (Afghanistan) estimated at ca. 7–8 Ma. The dental features of porcupines are discussed to show their systematic value and highlight evolutionary trends in late Miocene and Pliocene porcupines. This study also discusses the dispersal history of fossil porcupines in relation to paleobiogeographic provinces and environmental changes during late Miocene to late Pliocene time.     

Structure–Function Analysis of the ADAM Family of Disintegrin-Like and Metalloproteinase-Containing Proteins (Review)

The ADAMs belong to a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase-containing protein family that are zinc-dependent metalloproteinases. These proteins share all or some of the following domain structure: a signal peptide, a propeptide, a metalloproteinase, a disintegrin, a cysteine-rich, and an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains, a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic tail. ADAMs are widely distributed in many organs, tissues, and cells, such as brain, testis, epididymis, ovary, breast, placenta, liver, heart, lung, bone, and muscle. These proteins are capable of four potential functions: proteolysis, adhesion, fusion, and intracellular signaling. Because the number of ADAM genes has grown rapidly and the biological functions of most members are unclear, this review analyzes the protein structures and functions, their activation and processing, their known and potential activities, and their evolutionary relationships. A sequence alignment of human ADAMs is compiled and their homology and physical data are calculated. The conceivable functions of ADAMs in reproduction, development, and diseases are also discussed.     

Three-Dimensional Organization of Polyribosomes–A Modern Approach

Polyribosomes in cells usually have a certain structural organization whose significance has not yet been elucidated. The development of cryo electron tomography has provided a new approach to study polyribosome structure. New data confirm or correct observations made earlier by classical techniques of electron microscopy. The existence of circular and linear (zigzag) topology of polyribosomes was confirmed, and their relationship with the frequently observed tworow forms was clarified. Contacts between ribosomes have been identified in densely packed three-dimensional helical polyribosomes. At the same time, modern cell-free translation systems have opened the possibility of investigating polyribosomes on mRNA of a given structure to elucidate the mechanism of polyribosome structure formation, especially of circular polyribosomes. There is an increasing amount of data supporting the idea of interdependence between polyribosome structure and their translational activity. Moreover, participation of polyribosomes in mRNA transport and localization of protein synthesis in the cell has been shown. Improvement of the resolution and the development of the cryo electron tomography technique for the analysis of polyribosomes in situ will enable further progress in understanding the process of protein synthesis in cells.     

Albertona balkanica from Early Miocene of Snegotin (Serbia) – implications for the distribution and evolution of Miocene Ochotonidae

Remains of Albertona balkanica from the Early Miocene clays of eastern Serbia have shifted the range boundary of this species in direction of Central Europe. The peculiarities in tooth morphology were used for comparison and defining of the possible evolutionary connection with other representatives of fossil Ochotonidae. Due to the similarity with fauna of Aliveri in Greece, the association of small mammals of Snegotin (which includes Albertona) was included in the MN4 zone.     

地质年代之歌 ——(三)新生代(Cenozoic)

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Chlorophyll Content as an Indicator of the Modern (2015–2016) Trophic State of Volga River Reservoirs

Data on the chlorophyll a (Chl a) content in water of the Volga River reservoirs sampled at 64–73 sampling stations in the summer period of 2015 and 2016, analyzed using the standard spectrophotometric method, are presented. Chl a content varied from a minimum of 0.9–3.0 to a maximum of 7.6–32.1 μg/L in June 2016, from 2.1–15.5 to 9.4–86 μg/L in August 2015, and from 1.1–6.7 to 15.1–62.7 μg/L in August 2016. A local increase in Chl a occurred in the near-dam areas of the reservoirs, as well as downstream of the confluence with tributaries. The highest Chl a concentrations were constantly recorded in the highly eutrophic Shoshinskii Reach in the Ivankovo Reservoir and at the Oka River mouth in the Cheboksary Reservoir. The average values of Chl a concentrations make it possible to classify the Ivankovo, Uglich, Rybinsk, and Cheboksary reservoirs as eutrophic; the Gorky and Kuibyshev reservoirs as moderately eutrophic; and the Saratov and Volgograd reservoirs as mesotrophic.     

A small cichlid species flock from the Upper Miocene (9–10 MYA) of Central Kenya

Hydrobiologia - Fossil cichlids from East Africa offer unique insights into the evolutionary history and ancient diversity of the family on the African continent. Here we present three fossil...     

Identification of Japanese Lymantria species (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) based on PCR–RFLP analysis of mitochondrial DNA

A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP)-based method for species identification was applied to seven Japanese Lymantria species, including four Asian gypsy moth (AGM) species. We sequenced the partial end of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene, tRNA leucine, COII gene, and partial end of the tRNA lysine in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) for one individual of each of the seven species. We analyzed the recognition sites of three restriction endonucleases and constructed a scheme for Lymantria species identification using PCR–RFLP. We then applied the scheme to 291 individuals from 45 populations of seven species. We found that all seven species were correctly identified using PCR–RFLP. These results suggest that PCR–RFLP is useful for identifying Japanese Lymantria species, which may be detected at Japanese ports.     

Cryptococcosis in China (1985–2010): Review of Cases from Chinese Database

Background

Cryptococcosis is a potential fatal disease, especially in immunocompromised patients. In China, the profile of cryptococcosis is unclear. Therefore, we summarize the epidemiology and therapy of cryptococcosis in china.

Methods

All cases reports about cryptococcosis in China were collected from CBMdisk database (China Biology and Medicine data disc) with key words of cryptococcosis, or cryptococcal infection, or cryptococcus, and case. The features of the cryptococcosis were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

There were 1,032 reports about cryptococcosis, including 8,769 cases. Among them, there were 16% patient with AIDS/HIV, and 17% ones without underlying diseases. There were 2,371 cases of CNS infection. Among them of 2,068 cases, the treatment protocols and outcome were clearly described. The percentages of patients who received intrathecal treatment of amphotericin B(AmB), AmB?+?5-FC(5-fluorocytosine), AmB?+?FCZ(fluconazole), and AmB?+?5-FU?+?FCZ in each medication group were 10, 43, 53, and 33%, respectively. The mortalities were significantly lower in the AmB, Amb?+?5-FC, AmB?+?FCZ intrathecal treatment groups compared with their non-intrathecal treatment controls (6% vs. 23%, 25% vs. 35%, 20% vs. 30%, respectively, P?P?>?0.05).

Conclusion

The Chinese cryptococcosis had its own special clinical features, such as more patients without identifiable underlying diseases. Intrathecal injection of amphotericin B was effective treatment method for cryptococcal CNS infection in China.     

Modern Approaches to Analysis of Protein–Ligand Interactions

Biophysics - Abstract—The capabilities of computer analysis of the conformational properties of proteins and the nature of their interactions with ligands are rapidly growing due to the...     

Synthesis of (–)-Muricatacin

The synthesis of (–)-muricatacin starting from 1-bromododecane and 2-pentyn-l-ol is described. 2-Pentadecyn-1-ol (4), which was prepared from 1-bromododecane (2) and 2-pentyn-1-ol (3), was converted to epoxy alcohol 6 through a two-step reaction sequence, 6 being successively submitted to tosylation, iodination, chain extension with tert-butyl lithioacetate, and acid-catalyzed cyclization to give (–)-muricatacin (1a). Recrystallization afforded optically pure 1a.