Discovery of a Mesolithic burial near the painted rock-shelter of Ban Tha Si (Lampang province,Northern Thailand): Implications for regional mortuary practices

Although the oldest Neolithic cultures in eastern Asia have for the most part been documented in China and Vietnam, a large number of Early Metal Age sites have been reported in northeastern Thailand. On the other hand, the Hoabinhian, principally identified by its characteristic unifacial tools, is known throughout the Late Pleistocene up until 3000 BP and is spread across the whole of continental Southeast Asia. The chronology of Hoabihnian lithic assemblages is still poorly documented and burials from the period are scarce and often do not provide enough information to allow the evolution of regional mortuary practices to be investigated. Here we describe a burial dated to 7047 ± 53 BP found associated with a Hoabinhian stone tool assemblage and fauna near the painted rock-shelter of Ban Tha Si. This discovery provides important new chrono-cultural information for continental Southeast Asia, especially with regard to changing regional mortuary practices.     

Isomucor (Mucoromycotina): a new genus from a Cerrado reserve in state of Sao Paulo, Brazil

During a survey of mucoralean fungi from a Cerrado reserve (Brazilian savanna) some isolates of a Mucor-like fungus were isolated from soil plates. Characterization based on morphological, physiological and molecular data from translation elongation factor (EF-1α), 28S (D1/D2) and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA sequences was made. The isolates produce lateral branches bearing multispored sporangiola in addition to the multispored sporangia and a uniformly septate mycelium as the main differentiating characteristics. To our surprise this fungus possesses two EF-1α genes 1.4 and 1.5 kb long. Evidence from the analyzed datasets supports the delimitation of a new genus and the inclusion of Mucor fuscus based on 28S and ITS rDNA data.     

Burmannia larseniana (Burmanniaceae): a new species from Thailand

A new semi-mycotrophic species, Burmannia larseniana , is described from northern Thailand. The species is related to B. pusilla , a species widely distributed in Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, India and Sri Lanka, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by its succulent stem, single-veined leaf, and the outer perianth lobes with double margins that encircle the inner perianth lobes. The ecological preferences of the species are also discussed.     

Boesenbergia tenuispicata (Zingiberaceae): a new species from Thailand

Boesenbergia renuispicafa is described from southern Thailand. Its relationship is discussed.     

A new subspecies of Tesia olivea (Sylviidae) from Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand

We collected several individuals of the Slaty-bellied Tesia Tesia olivea in the temperate rain forest of the sub-Himalayan region of northeastern Burma/Myanmar in February/March 2004 and March 2006. Subsequent comparison of these with T. olivea from northeastern India and northern Thailand revealed that while our northeastern Burma/Myanmar birds were similar to those from northeastern India, specimens of both populations were distinctly different from T. olivea from Chiang Mai Province of northern Thailand and northern Vietnam. Herein, we designate the latter populations as members of a new subspecies of T. olivea based on analyses of variations in morphometric characters, plumage, song, and mitochondrial (mt)DNA sequence.     

Discovery of a new open-air Hoabinhian site in Luang Prabang province (Lao PDR). Dating and technological study of the lithic assemblage

The Hoabinhian is a distinctive lithic techno-complex of mainland and Island Southeast Asia. Knowledge of its relationships with key patterns of technological change at a global scale has progressed over the last two decades. However, our understanding of the Hoabinhian as an indicator of evolution during Prehistory can be substantially enhanced by examining its regional and chronological variability. Here, we present the characteristics of original Hoabinhian artefacts found in a new open-air site at Houay Pano, near Lak Sip (Luang Prabang province, Laos). This technological study of such a classic assemblage, including sumatraliths dated to 5.5 ± 0.6 ka, is a major contribution to Laotian prehistory and our understanding of the tempo-spatial variability of the Hoabinhian techno-complex.     

Four new species, a new variety, and a status change in Argostemma (Rubiaceae) from Thailand

Four new species of Argostemma , all endemic to Thailand are described: A. thaithongae , restricted to northern Thailand; A. monophyllum , rather widely distributed in the easern half of Thailand: A. puffii and A. routundicalyx , both endemic to peninsular Thailand. Var. variabile is a new variety of the peninsular Thailand, species A. lobulatum. A. setosum , previously thought to be an endemic species of peninsular Thailand, is now considered to be a subspecies of A. laeve (Malay peninsula and Sumatra): A. laeve subsp. setosum , stat. nov.     

A new species of Bruchidius (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) from Albizia in Northern Thailand and a review of Bruchidius group 5

A new species, Bruchidius paicus (Insecta, Coleoptera) reared from the seeds of a leguminous tree, Albizia lebbeck (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae: Ingeae), is described from Northern Thailand. Inspection of genital and external morphological traits of B. paicus revealed that the new species belongs to Bruchidius Group 5 (sensu ). The definition of Group 5 is reviewed based on both external and genital morphology. Further comparison of the group to molecular Clade I of Bruchidius (sensu ) indicates the two groups correspond to each other.     

Getting in the loop: new insights into the mechanism of poly(A) site recognition

In this issue, Yang et al. (2011) show that the 3' end processing factor CFI(m) interacts with RNA in manner that facilitates RNA looping, suggesting mechanistic roles for this factor in the regulation of poly(A) site selection.     

Risk factors analysis for neglected human rickettsioses in rural communities in Nan province,Thailand: A community-based observational study along a landscape gradient

In this study, we estimated exposure for Scrub typhus (STG), Typhus (TG) and Spotted fever groups (SFG) rickettsia using serology at a fine scale (a whole sub-district administration level) of local communities in Nan Province, Thailand. Geographical characteristics of the sub-district were divided into two landscape types: lowland agricultural area in an urbanized setting (lowland-urbanized area) and upland agricultural area located close to a protected area of National Park (upland-forested area). This provided an ideal contrast between the two landscapes with low and high levels of human-altered habitats to study in differences in disease ecology. In total, 824 serum samples of participants residing in the eight villages were tested by screening IgG ELISA, and subsequently confirmed by the gold standard IgG Immunofluorescent Assay (IFA). STG and TG IgG positivity were highest with seroprevalence of 9.8% and 9.0%, respectively; whereas SFG positivity was lower at 6.9%. Inhabitants from the villages located in upland-forested area demonstrated significantly higher STG exposure, compared to those villages in the lowland-urbanized area (chi-square = 51.97, p < 0.0001). In contrast, TG exposure was significantly higher in those villagers living in lowland-urbanized area (chi-square = 28.26, p < 0.0001). In addition to the effect of landscape types, generalized linear model (GLM) analysis identified socio-demographic parameters, i.e., gender, occupation, age, educational level, domestic animal ownership (dog, cattle and poultry) as influential factors to explain the level of rickettsial exposure (antibody titers) in the communities. Our findings raise the public health awareness of rickettsiosis as a cause of undiagnosed febrile illness in the communities.     

Bauhinia chrysophylla, a new species from Thailand (Leguminosae–Caesalpinioideae)

A new species of Bauhinia from Peninsular Thailand is described as B. chrysophylla. It appears to be endemic to an isolated mountain and must be regarded as a rare and endangered species. Its pollen morphology is studied and its relationships discussed.     

Stone artifacts and hominins in island Southeast Asia: new insights from Flores, eastern Indonesia

This study reexamines the current understanding of Pleistocene stone-artifact assemblages in island Southeast Asia. A differentiation has long been made between assemblages of large-sized "core tools" and assemblages of small-sized "flake tools." "Core tool" assemblages are often argued to be the handiwork of early hominin species such as Homo erectus, while small-sized "flake tool" assemblages have been attributed to Homo sapiens. We argue that this traditional Southeast Asian perspective on stone tools assumes that the artifacts recovered from a site reflect a complete technological sequence. Our analyses of Pleistocene-age artifact assemblages from Flores, Indonesia, demonstrate that large pebble-based cores and small flake-based cores are aspects of one reduction sequence. We propose that the Flores pattern applies across island Southeast Asia: large-sized "core tool" assemblages are in fact a missing element of the small-sized flake-based reduction sequences found in many Pleistocene caves and rock-shelters. We conclude by discussing the implications of this for associating stone-artifact assemblages with hominin species in island Southeast Asia.     

Dinosaur footprints from the Sao Khua Formation (Early Cretaceous) of Phu Kao National Park,Northeast Thailand

The first documented dinosaur footprints from Southeast Asia were theropod footprints found in Thailand at Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary. Since then, Mesozoic vertebrate footprints have been discovered in twelve different localities in Thailand. In 2000, dinosaur footprints were found in Phu Kao National Park in Northeastern Thailand, however, they have never been studied in detail. The following study presents the first map, the complete measurements, the geology, and stratigraphy of the site and surrounding area. The study discusses the nature of the trackmaker and the digitigrade character of the footprints. This discovery represents the first documented occurrence of dinosaur footprints inside the Early Cretaceous Sao Khua Formation from Thailand.     

Description of a new species of Dermacentor Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) from Laos and Thailand

Systematic Parasitology - Dermacentor laothaiensis n. sp. (Acari: Ixodidae) is described based on adults ex wild boar and vegetation from Laos and Thailand. Adults of D. laothaiensis n. sp. are...     

Apolipoprotein(a): structure-function relationship at the lysine-binding site and plasminogen activator cleavage site

Apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] is the distinctive glycoprotein of lipoprotein Lp(a), which is disulfide linked to the apo B100 of a low density lipoprotein particle. Apo(a) possesses a high degree of sequence homology with plasminogen, the precursor of plasmin, a fibrinolytic and pericellular proteolytic enzyme. Apo(a) exists in several isoforms defined by a variable number of copies of plasminogen-like kringle 4 and single copies of kringle 5, and the protease region including the backbone positions for the catalytic triad (Ser, His, Asp). A lysine-binding site that is similar to that of plasminogen kringle 4 is present in apo(a) kringle IV type 10. These kringle motifs share some amino acid residues (Asp55, Asp57, Phe64, Tyr62, Trp72, Arg71) that are key components of their lysine-binding site. The spatial conformation and the function of this site in plasminogen kringle 4 and in apo(a) kringle IV-10 seem to be identical as indicated by (i) the ability of apo(a) to compete with plasminogen for binding to fibrin, and (ii) the neutralisation of the lysine-binding function of these kringles by a monoclonal antibody that recognises key components of the lysine-binding site. In contrast, the lysine-binding site of plasminogen kringle 1 contains a Tyr residue at positions 64 and 72 and is not recognised by this antibody. Plasminogen bound to fibrin is specifically recognised and cleaved by the tissue-type plasminogen activator at Arg561-Val562, and is thereby transformed into plasmin. A Ser-Ile substitution at the activation cleavage site is present in apo(a). Reinstallation of the Arg-Val peptide bond does not ensure cleavage of apo(a) by plasminogen activators. These data suggest that the stringent specificity of tissue-type plasminogen activator for plasminogen requires molecular interactions with structures located remotely from the activation disulfide loop. These structures ensure second site interactions that are most probably absent in apo(a).