Gesundheit und Ernährung: Die Macht der Kultur

Health and nutrition: The power of cultural patterns Despite enormous educational efforts and widely spread common knowledge about the subject, today's nutrition as it is practiced by many consumer groups concerning health in Germany, shows great potential to be optimized. On one side this is due to a cognitive dissonance: The knowledge about a healthy nutrition is opposed to a practice that is often detrimental to health. Among other factors, the main reasons for that phenomenon can be found within psychological aspects of nutrition: Practices that are tried and tested have a stabilizing effect and lead to emotional security. On the other side nutritional systems in principle change slowly and are difficult to control, especially since food itself and communicating about it function as ideological placings, as a representation of status or are matter of distinction in a society driven by modern lifestyles. Oftentimes supposedly reasonable nutritional practices hardly show any commonalities with these realities. Furthermore people who live in Germany but who were socialized with a different cultural background tend to have conceptions of a valuable nutrition that are often contradictorily to scientific findings. That also counts for people who obtain information from internet platforms that are not scientifically oriented. There they pick up superficial knowledge, esoteric beliefs or ideology‐based hints delivered through a science‐based appearance.     

Model of interactions in biology and application to heterogeneous network in yeast

A major challenge for bioinformatics and theoretical biology is to build and analyse a unified model of biological knowledge resulting from high-throughput experiment data. Former work analyzed heterogeneous data (protein-protein interactions, genetic regulation, metabolism, synexpression) by modelling them by graphs. These models are unable to represent the qualitative dynamics of the reactions or to model the n-ary interactions. Here, MIB, the Model of Interactions in Biology, a bipartite model of biological networks, is introduced, and its use for topological analysis of the heterogeneous network is presented. Heterogeneous loops and links between synexpression pattern and underlying molecular mechanisms are proposed.     

A new primitive hadrosauroid dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Inner Mongolia (P.R. China)

The right dentary of a new hadrosauroid dinosaur, Penelopognathus weishampeli, has been discovered in the Bayan Gobi Formation (Albian, Lower Cretaceous) of Inner Mongolia (P.R. China). This new taxon is characterised by its elongated, straight dental ramus, whose lateral side is pierced by about 20 irregularly distributed foramina. Its dentary teeth appear more primitive than those of Probactrosaurus, but more advanced than those of Altirhinus, both also from the Lower Cretaceous of the Gobi area. Non-hadrosaurid Hadrosauroidea were already well diversified in eastern Asia by Early Cretaceous time, suggesting an Asian origin for the hadrosauroid clade. To cite this article: P. Godefroit et al., C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).     

A new baurusuchid crocodyliform (Archosauria) from the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia (Argentina)

A new baurusuchid, Wargosuchus australis gen. et sp. nov., coming from the Bajo de La Carpa Formation, Neuquén Province (Argentina), is described. This new taxon is based on a fragment of snout and a portion of the cranial roof. Wargosuchus differs from other crocodyliforms by possessing a deep median groove on the frontals, a contact between nasals and frontals extremely reduced, a large depression for the olfactory bulbs, three large foramina surrounding the large, smooth perinarial depression, and a hypertrophied, conical last premaxillary tooth followed by a large paracanine fossa. The finding of Wargosuchus in Patagonia (Argentina), a taxon with a strong resemblance to Brazilian baurusuchids, reinforces the hypothesis of a similar biota between both regions by the Late Cretaceous. Wargosuchus and Cynodontosuchus represent the only Argentinian mesoeucrocodylians to be included within Baurusuchidae. This finding extends the number of crocodyliforms from the Bajo de la Carpa Formation, which, in turn, corresponds to the most taxonomically diverse one in Argentina.     

Biodiversitätsforschung – wohin geht die Reise?

Biodiversity and biodiversity politics Extrapolations for a range of indicators suggest that based on current trends, pressures on biodiversity will continue to increase (Global Biodiversity Outlook 4, 2014). Since services of nature, like fertile soil, clear water and clean air are achieved by consortia of organisms rather than by individual species, they are already endangered. This holds, in spite of the fact, that only 10% of the earth's organisms are known to science and that therefore the loss caused by global change cannot be reliably quantified. Today, science develops new methods for recording consortia of coexisting organisms in a habitat. With the Convention on Biological Diversity, biodiversity has become a matter of politics which is welcome with respect to species and habitat conservation, but the concern of biopiracy creates bureaucratic hurdles hindering research. The most recent achievement is IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Bonn), which strives to bring more science into biodiversity politics.     

Personalisierte Medizin – Vision oder Fiktion? Beispiel: Altersdiabetes

Typical civilization diseases, such as type II diabetes, are common, complex in the underlying pathogenic mechanisms, heterogenous in the phenotype and multifactorial due to a wide variety of possible combinations of disease susceptibility or protective genes in different relevant tissues and negative or positive environmental factors. This is in sharp contrast to classical inherited diseases, such as Chorea Huntington, which are often caused by complete loss‐ or gain‐of‐function mutations in a single gene. The causative polymorphisms of susceptibility genes, however, are characterized by relative subtle alterations in the function of the corresponding gene product, which per se do not support the pathogenesis, by high frequency, high expenditure for their identification and rather low predictive value. Consequently, the reliable and early diagnosis of civilization diseases depends on the individual determination of all (or as many as possible) polymorphisms of each susceptibility gene together with the corresponding gene products and the metabolites emerging thereof.     

Genetic determinism of parasitic circadian periodicity and subperiodicity in human lymphatic filariasis

The larval parasites of the pantropical lymphatic filariasis exhibit two types of circadian behaviour. Typically, they only appear in the human bloodstream at nighttime, synchronised with their mosquito vectors. In Polynesia and parts of Southeast Asia, free of nocturnal vectors, they are found at all hours, and each population biorhythm differs. Through a geometrical approach, we explain this circadian diversity by a single, dominant mutation: the clocks of individual parasites are set at midnight (ubiquitous) or at 2 p.m. Compared to other circadian genes, this mutation must be very old, as it is shared by four biologically remote genera of parasites. This seniority sheds new light on several theoretical and practical aspects of vector-parasite temporal relations.     

INFLUENCE DE LA TENEUR EN EAU ET DE LA DURETÉ DU TÉGUMENT DES GRAINES DE PHASEOLUS VULGARIS SUR LA FRÉQUENCE DE PÉNÉTRATION DES LARVES NÉONATES D'ACANTHOSCELIDES OBTECTUS

Les larves néonates d'Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Col. Bruchidae) doivent percer le tégument des graines de Phaseolus vulguris pour effectuer leur développement dans les cotylédons. Ce tégument représente une véritable barrière tant mécanique que chimique. La dureté de celui-ci est un facteur important qui influence la fréquence de pénétration larvaire. Nous le montrons en contrôlant la teneur en eau du tégument un des facteurs déterminant de la dureté de celui-cl. l'âge des graines influence aussi la fréquence de percement indépendamment de la teneur en eau du tégument.     

Hemiodus iratapuru,a new species of Hemiodontidae from the Rio Jari,Amazon Basin,Brazil (Teleostei,Characiformes)

Hemiodus iratapuru, a new species of the Hemiodontidae from the Rio Iratapuru, a left bank tributary of the Rio Jari, Amazon Basin, Brazil, is described. The new species is diagnosed from other species of Hemiodus by modifications in the ectopterygoid, tooth form, scale counts, dorsal‐fin form and colour pattern. The new species is proposed to be related to the Hemiodus quadrimaculatus species group.     

Faunes et paléoenvironnements des principaux sites archéologiques plio-pléistocènes de la formation de Nachukui (Ouest-Turkana, Kenya)

Faunas and paleoenvironments from main archaeological Plio-Pleistocene sites of the Nachukui Formation (West Turkana, Kenya). The Nachukui Formation is currently under archaeological investigation, especially within the Kalochoro (2.35 – 1.9 Myr) and Kaitio (1.9 – 1.65 Myr) Members. Six main archaeological sites have been excavated from this time period, which yield rich vertebrate faunas collected in situ or in close vicinity to the site. Paleontological studies help to precise the specific diversity for each site and increase our documentation for each Member with the discovery of new taxa. They allow to provide new informations about the biotope diversities exploited by Hominids and show a climatic tendency towards more humid environment between the Members. To cite this article: J.-P. Brugal et al., C.R. Palevol 2 (2003).     

ACTION DU POIREAU (ALLIUM PORRUM) SUR L'ACTIVITÉ REPRODUCTRICE APRÈS LA DIAPAUSE IMAGINALE CHEZ LE TEIGNE DU POIREAU,ACROLEPIOPSIS ASSECTELLA

Pendant sa diapause reproductrice, la teigne du poireau ne présente pas d'activité sexuelle. La reprise de cette activité, après l'hiver, est essentielle au maintient de la population. Chez les insectes qui ont subi la diapause (D), la durée de copulation est plus courte, et la période précédant la copulation est plus longue que chez les insectes matures (M). Deux caractères intéressants sont observés chez les insectes D après la levée de leur diapause: l'apparition d'un pourcentage de doubles copulations et d'insectes qui copulent après la fin de la scotophase, ce, les ♀♀ matures possèdent des ovocytes en rétention dans les oviductes. Le nombre augmente jusqu'à l'âge de 3 jours environ. Par contre, les ♀♀ en diapause n'ont aucun ovocyte à l'émergence. Sous conditions levant la diapause, ces ♀♀ atteignent leur production ovarienne maximum après une douzaine de jours. L'évolution du nombre des ovocytes dépend de la copulation et de la présence de la plante-hôte. Celle-ci est essentielle pour la ponte et intervient sur la production ovarienne, aussi bien chez les ♀♀ D que chez les ♀♀ M.     

Das Geheimnis des roten Herbstlaubes

The secret of the fall colour red The autumnal coloration of trees and shrubs in temperate climate regions is a well‐known spectacle of nature. Crucial for the yellow colour of leaves is the degradation of chlorophylls which cover the yellow colour of carotenoids. Chlorophyll degradation is a prerequisite for protein degradation and remobilization of precious nitrogen in the amino acids of the chloroplast proteins. In some species leaves turn red in autumn by accumulation of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins can reduce photo‐oxidative stress by acting as a sunscreen shielding against the harmful effects of excess light. Furthermore, anthocyanins prevent the landing of insects – in particular aphides.     

A fossil feather from the Upper Cretaceous of Kras (Slovenia)

A fossil feather preserved as a carbonised trace is described from the Tomaj Limestone at Kri , in the Kras region of southwestern Slovenia. The Tomaj Limestone is a platy and laminated limestone with cherts, which occurs within a well-bedded rudist limestone of the Santonian–Campanian Lipica Formation. It was deposited in a lagoon environment and has yielded a diverse fossil assemblage. Whether this feather belonged to a bird or to a dinosaur is unclear, but it is an addition to the scanty record of Late Cretaceous feathers, from a palaeobiogeographically interesting area.     

Experimente mit Hefe (2)

The so‐called iodine test is ideal for demonstrating the role of the enzyme “amylase” in simple experiments based on a colour reaction when a yeast dough rises, when carbohydrates are digested or when dishes are washed in the dishwasher. The experiments presented can be used to clarify the question of which everyday substances are capable of degrading starch or whether a food contains starch or not. The central question of the experiments is, how yeast makes the bread dough rise despite of its “starch intolerance”.     

A Late Campanian sphenodontid (Reptilia, Diapsida) from northern Patagonia

The fossil record of sphenodontids in the Southern Hemisphere is much longer than in Laurasia, where they became extinct after Early Cretaceous times. Recent works demonstrated the persistence of at least eilenodontine sphenodontids until the ‘mid’-Cretaceous of Patagonia. Focused examination of the Los Alamitos Formation collections provided remains of Late Campanian sphenodontids. Although the phylogenetic position of these remains is still uncertain, they belong to a new, unrecorded species of sphenodontid perhaps related to opisthodontians or primitive, toothed sapheosaurs. To cite this article: S. Apesteguía, C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).     

Impacts of large‐scale forest restoration on socioeconomic status and local livelihoods: what we know and do not know

Forests are sources of wood, non‐timber forest products and ecosystems services and goods that benefit society as a whole, and are especially important to rural livelihoods. Forest landscape restoration (FLR) has been proposed as a way to counteract deforestation and reconcile the production of ecosystem services and goods with conservation and development goals. But limited evidence indicates how large‐scale forest restoration could contribute to improving local livelihoods. Here, we present a conceptual framework to analyze the effects of large‐scale restoration on local livelihoods, and use it to review the scientific literature and reduce this knowledge gap. Most of the literature referred to case studies (89%), largely concentrated in China (49%). The main theme explored was income, followed by livelihoods diversification, off‐farm employment opportunities, poverty reduction, equity and the provision of timber and energy as ecosystem services. Nearly 60 percent of the papers discussed the importance of governance systems to socioeconomic outcomes. The reforestation/restoration programs and policies investigated in the studies had mixed socioeconomic effects on local livelihoods depending on other variables, such as availability of off‐farm jobs, household characteristics, land productivity, land tenure, and markets for forest products and ecosystem services. We conclude that the effects of large‐scale restoration initiatives on local livelihoods may vary due to several factors and is still not clear for many situations; therefore, monitoring over time with clear indicators is needed.     

Ant species diversity in the 'Grands Causses' (Aveyron, France): In search of sampling methods adapted to temperate climates

This study aimed at showing the applicability of using a combination of four sampling methods (i.e., Winkler extractors, pitfall traps, baiting and manual collection), something most often conducted in the tropics, to create an inventory of ant species diversity in temperate environments. We recorded a total of 33 ant species in the Grands Causses by comparing three vegetal formations: a steppic lawn ('causse' sensu stricto), which was the most species-rich (29 species), followed by an oak grove (22 species) and a pine forest (17 species). No sampling method alone is efficient enough to provide an adequate sampling, but their combination permits one to make a suitable inventory of the myrmecofauna and to obtain information on the ecology of these ant species.     

Zuckerbrot und Peitsche

Marantaceae (arrowrood) are among the few examples of plants showing unexpectedly fast movements such as the ones in the meaningful mimosa or carnivorous plants. In the Venus flytrap (Dionaea), the movement of leaves is an extreme fast reaction to mechanical stimuli and based on the propagation of electrical signals. Of course, it was interesting to investigate, whether the explosively moving style of Marantaceae is based on a comparable mechanism. Electrophysiological experiments helped to understand how one of the fastest movements in the plant kingdom is mediated.     

Positive effects of native shrubs on three specially protected cacti species in Durango,México

The spatial association between the specially protected cacti Coryphanta durangensis, Echinocereus longisetus and Peniocereus greggii and potential nurse plants was evaluated, as was their relative position to the sun under the crown of the latter in the southern Chihuahuan Desert. The soil temperature under potential nurse plants was lower than under direct sunlight. There was more nitrogen and organic matter in the soil under Prosopis laevigata trees than in soil under direct sunlight. There were 68 plants of C. durangensis, 59 plants of E. longisetus and 157 of P. greggii. Only one individual of C. durangensis and one of E. longisetus grew outside the shade of the crown of other plants. Echinocereus longisetus was not associated with any particular species, but grew more often than expected by chance in the northern segment of the crown (i.e. the area most shaded in the afternoon). Coryphanta durangensis and P. greggii grew more often under P. laevigata than expected by chance. The effect of other plants, and P. laevigata in particular, on the facilitation of growth of protected cacti species should be considered in management plans of the Chihuahuan Desert, where mesquite (P. laevigata) is often harvested for charcoal production.