New discoveries of Gigantopithecus blacki teeth from Chuifeng Cave in the Bubing Basin, Guangxi, south China

Ninety two Gigantopithecus blacki teeth have recently been recovered in situ at Chuifeng Cave in the Bubing Basin, Guangxi, south China. The hominoid teeth are associated with a typical early Pleistocene fauna. In comparison with Gigantopithecus of known provenience, for which classification is problematic, the Chuifeng sample can be allocated definitively to G. blacki. The new collection represents the largest sample of this species known, with the exception of the material from Liucheng. Statistical analysis of the mammal fauna indicates that G. blacki is one of the dominant elements, comprising 9% of the fauna. Eleven teeth (12% of the sample) of G. blacki are diagnosed as having caries. In addition, wear on M₃ shows that G. blacki was adapted to consume tough or fibrous food and this wear may potentially imply relative longevity. Further study of this large sample of Gigantopithecus will provide additional insight into the paleobiology of this extinct hominoid.     

Early Pleistocene Dicerorhinus sumatrensis remains from the Liucheng Gigantopithecus Cave, Guangxi, China

The Liucheng Gigantopithecus Cave is very famous for its rich mammalian fauna and Gigantopithecus fossils. The Gigantopithecus Cave Fauna has been regarded as the typical Early Pleistocene fauna in South China. The majority of the fossils unearthed has been studied and published during the past decades. The only group remaining unpublished is the rhinoceros, which is studied in this paper. The rhino materials available today are only mandibles and lower cheek teeth. The dimensions of the tooth rows and the isolated teeth fall well within the range of the recent Dicerorhinus sumatrensis. Therefore, the rhino fossils from the Liucheng Gigantopithecus Cave can be referred to this living species. The reduced lower incisors and the U-shaped lingual contour of the mandible also support this taxonomic determination. The rhino materials from the Liucheng Gigantopithecus Cave represent the earliest known record of this species and the smallest Pleistocene rhinocerotid in China.     

Taxonomical revision of “Arctonyx” fossil remains from the Liucheng Gigantopithecus Cave (South China) by means of morphotype and morphometrics,and a review of Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene Meles fossil records in China

“Arctonyx” fossil remains from the Liucheng Gigantopithecus Cave, Guangxi, are redescribed and analysed in details. Detailed tooth character differences between Arctonyx and Meles are analysed. It is shown that materials from the Liucheng Gigantopithecus Cave actually belong to two species of Meles: Meles minor and Meles magnus n. sp. At the same time, a review of Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene Meles records in China is made. During Late Pliocene, Meles are only represented by M. chiai and one archaic form. During Early Pleistocene, Meles from northern and central part of China are represented by two nearly sympatric species Meles chiai and Meles teihardi. Meles from South China are represented by M. minor and M. magnus n. sp., though the distribution of the two species is still unclear. M. magnus n. sp. is so far only known from the Liucheng Gigantopithecus Cave, whereas M. minor is probably also known from Longgupo, Chongqing in the central part of China besides Liucheng. Great diversity of Meles in Early Pleistocene in China indicates that the genus radiated earlier than previously thought. Phylogenetic analysis suggests M. magnus n. sp. is sister group to living M. leucurus, whereas M. minor and M. chiai are early branches in Meles evolution.     

Gigantopithecus and its relationship to Australopithecus

Gigantopithecus blacki and G. bilaspurensis are compared to P. gorilla and Australopithecus. The total morphological pattern of Gigantopithecus mandibles is more similar to Australopithecus than to P. gorilla. Two major points are raised. (1) G. blacki might be considered an aberrant hominid rather than an aberrant pongid. (2) G. bilaspurensis can be considered an equally likely candidate, along with Ramapithecus, for possible hominid ancestry.     

The recent New Zealand species of Triforis (Gastropoda: Triforidae)

Paramendax apicina Powell and Mendax attenuatispira Powell are referred to genus Triforis Deshayes; T. antepallaxa, T. blacki, and T. tui are described as new; and a species close to the South Australian Triforis epallaxa (Verco) is recorded from New Zealand waters. Paramendax Powell is transferred from the Cerithiopsidae to the Triforidae as a subgenus of Triforis. It is suggested that the Recent South African Cerithiella nonnitens Barnard is referable to Triforis.     

Response of Sphagnum papillosum and Drosera rotundifolia to Reduced and Oxidized Wet Nitrogen Deposition

We transplanted Sphagnum ??turfs?? containing abundant Drosera rotundifolia into an existing nitrogen deposition experiment at Whim Moss near Edinburgh. These mesocosms received simulated N deposition as either NH ₄ ⁺ or NO ₃ ^- , to give total N deposition rates of approximately 8, 16 or 32, or 64?kg?N?ha^-1?year^-1. Simulated N deposition was added in a realistic way (i.e., with rainfall throughout the year). The ??¹⁵N of this added N was elevated relative to background N. We measured the tissue chemistry and ??¹⁵N of Sphagnum papillosum and D. rotundifolia over two years after transplant. Our aim was to determine uptake of the deposited N and the impact on S. papillosum tissue chemistry and D. rotundifolia tissue chemistry and ecology. We found clear, significant impacts of N deposition on S. papillosum, with increased capitula N content and reduced C:N ratio. Increased ??¹⁵N indicated uptake of deposited N. The response of D. rotundifolia was less clear with impacts only at the highest rate of N deposition. There was no evidence of differential uptake of reduced or oxidized wet N deposition by either S. papillosum or D. rotundifolia. Using the natural abundance stable isotope method we estimated the minimum contribution of prey N to the total N in D. rotundifolia to be 35%. The results suggest that differences in the uptake of reduced or oxidized wet N deposition might not be ecologically significant when wet N deposition is added realistically. They also support the suggestion that a model of N dynamics in Sphagnum-dominated ecosystems that includes the role of Sphagnum as a small-scale ecosystem engineer, is required to predict vascular plant responses to N deposition accurately.     

The Role of Salivary and Intestinal Complement System Inhibitors in the Midgut Protection of Triatomines and Mosquitoes

Saliva of haematophagous arthropods contain biomolecules involved directly or indirectly with the haematophagy process, and among them are encountered some complement system inhibitors. The most obvious function for these inhibitors would be the protection of the midgut against injury by the complement. To investigate this hypothesis, Triatoma brasiliensis nymphs were forced to ingest human serum in conditions in which the protection of midgut by the inhibitors is bypassed. In these conditions, the anterior midgut epithelium was injured by the complement, causing cell death. Once some insects such as Aedes aegypti have no salivary inhibitors, we hypothesized the existence of intestinal inhibitors. The inhibitory activity was investigated in the intestine of A. aegypti as well as in the saliva and intestine of other three triatomine species (T. brasiliensis, T. infestans and Rhodnius prolixus) using an immunological method able to determine the level of deposition of some complement factors (C1q, C3b, or C4b) on the surface of complement activator molecules linked to microplates. This methodology permitted to identify which points along the activation phase of the complement cascade were inhibited. As expected, soluble contents of A. aegypti''s intestine was capable to inhibit C3b deposition by the classical and alternative pathways. Saliva or soluble intestinal contents, obtained from triatomines were unable to inhibit C1q deposition by the classical pathway. C4b deposition by the classical pathway was inhibited by the intestinal contents from the three triatomines. On the other hand, only T. brasiliensis saliva inhibited C4b deposition. Both, saliva and intestinal contents from all triatomines were able to inhibit C3b deposition in the classical and alternative pathways. None of the material extracted from the intestinal cell membranes from the triatomines inhibited C3b deposition in the classical pathway. The existence of complement inhibitors may have important biological consequences which are discussed in detail.     

The genus Neilo in New Zealand (Mollusca: Bivalvia)

Abstract

The phylogenetic history, paleontological implications, and ecology of larger New Zealand Recent species of Neilo (sensu stricto) are discussed. N. wairoana delli, N. blacki, and N. (Pseudomalletia) aoteana are described as new. The following taxa are reduced to chronosubspecies: N. jugifera Marwick - of N. australis (Quoy & Gaimard); N. annectens Powell and N. rugata Dell - of N. sublaevis Marwick; N. sinangula Finlay - of N. awamoana Finlay.     

C19orf12 mutation leads to a pallido-pyramidal syndrome

Pallido-pyramidal syndromes combine dystonia with or without parkinsonism and spasticity as part of a mixed neurodegenerative disorder. Several causative genes have been shown to lead to pallido-pyramidal syndromes, including FBXO7, ATP13A2, PLA2G6, PRKN and SPG11. Among these, ATP13A2 and PLA2G6 are inconsistently associated with brain iron deposition. Using homozygosity mapping and direct sequencing in a multiplex consanguineous Saudi Arabian family with a pallido-pyramidal syndrome, iron deposition and cerebellar atrophy, we identified a homozygous p.G53R mutation in C19orf12. Our findings add to the phenotypic spectrum associated with C19orf12 mutations.     

Type B Phosphatidylinositol-4-Phosphate 5-Kinases Mediate Arabidopsis and Nicotiana tabacum Pollen Tube Growth by Regulating Apical Pectin Secretion

Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P₂] occurs in the apical plasma membrane of growing pollen tubes. Because enzymes responsible for PtdIns(4,5)P₂ production at that location are uncharacterized, functions of PtdIns(4,5)P₂ in pollen tube tip growth are unresolved. Two candidate genes encoding pollen-expressed Arabidopsis thaliana phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinases (PI4P 5-kinases) of Arabidopsis subfamily B were identified (PIP5K4 and PIP5K5), and their recombinant proteins were characterized as being PI4P 5-kinases. Pollen of T-DNA insertion lines deficient in both PIP5K4 and PIP5K5 exhibited reduced pollen germination and defects in pollen tube elongation. Fluorescence-tagged PIP5K4 and PIP5K5 localized to an apical plasma membrane microdomain in Arabidopsis and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) pollen tubes, and overexpression of either PIP5K4 or PIP5K5 triggered multiple tip branching events. Further studies using the tobacco system revealed that overexpression caused massive apical pectin deposition accompanied by plasma membrane invaginations. By contrast, callose deposition and cytoskeletal structures were unaltered in the overexpressors. Morphological effects depended on PtdIns(4,5)P₂ production, as an inactive enzyme variant did not produce any effects. The data indicate that excessive PtdIns(4,5)P₂ production by type B PI4P 5-kinases disturbs the balance of membrane trafficking and apical pectin deposition. Polar tip growth of pollen tubes may thus be modulated by PtdIns(4,5)P₂ via regulatory effects on membrane trafficking and/or apical pectin deposition.     

三峡库区172m蓄水期间泥、沙沉降对低位狗牙根种群的影响

三峡库区消落带植物恢复不仅面临长期淹水逆境,还面临泥沙、干旱等环境因素的胁迫。2009年实验、调查研究了三峡库区长寿段低位消落带的狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon L.)种群,探讨了泥、沙沉降对狗牙根种群的影响。结果表明,泥沉降和沙沉降均显著促进了狗牙根芽的萌发,而抑制了狗牙根的芽形成和萌发苗的生长,且前者的抑制作用显著大于后者。泥沉降导致总芽数、萌发苗的茎长和茎宽分别比对照低65.4%(P<0.05)、97.0%(P <0.05)、31.2%(P <0.05),而沙沉降导致前述参数分别比对照低17.1%(P<0.05)、21.2%(P<0.05)、1.0%(P>0.05)。分别将被沉降泥掩埋的狗牙根移植、掩埋于12cm厚的泥和沙中,40d后对照和S'_d组(覆盖沙)狗牙根芽萌发后均能在地面上形成正常的分株,而S'_l组(覆盖泥)的萌发芽无法穿透覆盖层,形成分株。S'_l组狗牙根芽的萌发率显著高于对照和S'_d组,但其萌发苗的茎长和茎节数均显著低于对照,分别为对照的30.3%(P<0.05)、80.4%(P<0.05);而S'_d组分株的茎长、茎节数、叶片数、叶长和叶宽均显著高于对照组,分别比后者高87.9%(P<0.05)、53.0%(P<0.05)、24.2%(P<0.05)、23.4%(P<0.05)和24.1%(P<0.05)。S'_l组萌发苗的鲜质量、干质量和干鲜质量比分别比对照组低83.3%(P<0.05)、86.2%(P<0.05)、15.8%(P<0.05);而S'_d组萌发苗的鲜质量、干质量和干鲜质量比分别比对照组高76.8%(P<0.05)、110.1%(P<0.05)、20.0%(P<0.05)。表明,低位消落带的狗牙根对沙沉降具有较强的适应能力,而对泥沉降的适应能力较低,泥沉降是库区低位消落带狗牙根种群恢复的主要影响因素之一。     

Effect of sweet cherry genes PaLACS2 and PaATT1 on cuticle deposition,composition and permeability in Arabidopsis

The cuticular membrane (CM) of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruit is severely strained during development. Strain results from a cessation of CM deposition during early development and is possibly caused by a downregulation of genes involved in CM synthesis. The objectives of our study were to investigate the effects of ectopic expression of two sweet cherry genes, PaLACS2 (a putative long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase) and PaATT1 (a putative cytochrome P450 monooxygenase), in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.). Effects on the expression of endogenous LACS2, ATT1 and LACS1 genes, wax and cutin composition, and cuticle permeability were investigated in 13 transgenic lines. Of these, six lines are selected for presentation based on the magnitude of the response. The amount of cutin increased in the PaLACS2 overexpression line C-L-29 and in the complemented lacs2-1 knockout mutant line l-L-14, but overexpression had no effect on cutin composition or wax. Wax deposition decreased in the complemented knockout lines l-L-14 and l-L-21. Overexpressing PaATT1 in A. thaliana line C-A-6 had no significant effect on cutin and wax deposition. In the complemented knockout lines a-A-7 and a-A-12, cutin deposition increased, whereas wax deposition was unaffected. The permeability of the cuticle for water and toluidine blue decreased in the PaLACS2 and PaATT1 complemented knockout lines. The results suggest that (1) PaLACS2 and PaATT1 expressed in A. thaliana are involved in cutin biosynthesis, and (2) their functions are consistent with those of a typical long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (PaLACS2) and of a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (PaATT1).     

Hormonal aspects of oögenesis in the flies Phormia regina and Sarcophaga bullata

The corpora allata (CA) and median neurosecretory cells (MNC) of Phormia regina and Sarcophaga bullata become active with increasing age of the fly, on a diet of sugar alone. To prevent or retard oögenesis the CA or MNCs must be removed shortly after emergence, with subsequent protein meals. Topical JH application partially compensates for CA or MNC removal. This shows that the MNC activate the CA, and not vice versa. The trauma of either operation slightly depresses egg development.Injection of ecdysone into both species in the stage of initial yolk deposition causes the primary oöcytes to degenerate. This leads to development of the penultimate oöcytes. Older and younger egg stages are not sensitive to ecdysone. In P. regina the application of JH to females with developing primary oöcytes stimulates yolk deposition in the penultimate oöcytes.     

THESEUS1 is involved in tunicamycin-induced root growth inhibition,ectopic lignin deposition,and cell wall damage-induced unfolded protein response

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activates unfolded protein responses (UPRs), such as promoting protein folding under the control of specific gene expression. Our previous study showed that ER stress induced by ER stress inducers such as tunicamycin (Tm), an inhibitor of N-linked glycan synthesis, causes ectopic lignin deposition in Arabidopsis roots, but the relationship between UPR and ectopic lignin deposition remains unclear. The receptor-like kinase THESEUS1 (THE1) has been shown to sense cell wall damage (CWD) induced in Arabidopsis by cellulose synthase inhibitors such as isoxaben (ISO) and to activate ectopic lignin deposition. In this study, we assessed the involvement of THE1 in ectopic lignin deposition caused by the ER stress inducer Tm. The loss-of-function mutation of THE1, the1-3, suppressed Tm-induced root growth inhibition and ectopic lignin deposition, revealing that THE1 is involved in root growth defects and ectopic lignin deposition caused by ER stress. Similarly, ISO treatment induced ectopic lignin deposition as well as the expression of the UPR marker genes binding protein 3 (BiP3) and ER-localized DnaJ 3b (ERdj3b). Conversely, in the the1-3 mutant, ISO-induced ectopic lignin deposition and the expression of BiP3 and ERdj3b were suppressed. These results showed that THE1 is involved in not only root growth inhibition and ectopic lignin deposition caused by ER stress but also CWD-induced UPR.     

Effects of Increased Nitrogen Deposition and Rotation Length on Long-Term Productivity of Cunninghamia lanceolata Plantation in Southern China

Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. has been widely planted in subtropical China to meet increasing timber demands, leading to short-rotation practices that deplete soil nutrients. However, increased nitrogen (N) deposition offsets soil N depletion. While long-term experimental data investigating the coupled effects related to short rotation practices and increasing N deposition are scarce, applying model simulations may yield insights. In this study, the CenW3.1 model was validated and parameterized using data from pure C. lanceolata plantations. The model was then used to simulate various changes in long-term productivity. Results indicated that responses of productivity of C. lanceolata plantation to increased N deposition were more related to stand age than N addition, depending on the proportion and age of growing forests. Our results have also shown a rapid peak in growth and N dynamics. The peak is reached sooner and is higher under higher level of N deposition. Short rotation lengths had a greater effect on productivity and N dynamics than high N deposition levels. Productivity and N dynamics decreased as the rotation length decreased. Total productivity levels suggest that a 30-year rotation length maximizes productivity at the 4.9 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ deposition level. For a specific rotation length, higher N deposition levels resulted in greater overall ecosystem C and N storage, but this positive correlation tendency gradually slowed down with increasing N deposition levels. More pronounced differences in N deposition levels occurred as rotation length decreased. To sustain C. lanceolata plantation productivity without offsite detrimental N effects, the appropriate rotation length is about 20–30 years for N deposition levels below 50 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and about 15–20 years for N deposition levels above 50 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. These results highlight the importance of assessing N effects on carbon management and the long-term productivity of forest ecosystems.     

Lack of LDL receptor enhances amyloid deposition and decreases glial response in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model

Background

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a cholesterol carrier associated with atherosclerosis, is a major risk factor for Alzheimer''s disease (AD). The low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) regulates ApoE levels in the periphery and in the central nervous system. LDLR has been identified on astrocytes and a number of studies show that it modulates amyloid deposition in AD transgenic mice. However these findings are controversial on whether LDLR deletion is beneficial or detrimental on the AD-like phenotype of the transgenic mice.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To investigate the role of LDLR in the development of the amyloid related phenotype we used an APP/PS1 transgenic mouse (5XFAD) that develops an AD-like pathology with amyloid plaques, astrocytosis and microgliosis. We found that 4 months old 5XFAD transgenic mice on the LDLR deficient background (LDLR-/-) have increased amyloid plaque deposition. This increase is associated with a significant decrease in astrocytosis and microgliosis in the 5XFAD/LDLR-/- mice. To further elucidate the role of LDLR in relation with ApoE we have generated 5XFAD transgenic mice on the ApoE deficient (ApoE-/-) or the ApoE/LDLR double deficient background (ApoE-/-/LDLR -/-). We have found that ApoE deletion in the 4 months old 5XFAD/ApoE-/- mice decreases amyloid plaque formation as expected, but has no effect on astrocytosis or microgliosis. By comparison 5XFAD/ApoE-/-LDLR -/- double deficient mice of the same age have increased amyloid deposition with decreased astrocytosis and microgliosis.

Conclusions

Our analysis shows that LDL deficiency regulates astrocytosis and microgliosis in an AD mouse model. This effect is independent of ApoE, as both 5XFAD/LDLR -/- and 5XFAD/ApoE-/- LDLR -/- mice show reduction in inflammatory response and increase in amyloid deposition compared to control mice. These results demonstrate that LDLR regulates glial response in this mouse model independently of ApoE and modifies amyloid deposition.     

C3b/iC3b Deposition on Streptococcus pneumoniae Is Not Affected by HIV Infection

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of infection in both HIV positive patients and those with complement deficiencies. We hypothesised that HIV positive individuals might exhibit reduced opsonisation of pneumococcus with complement due to reduced levels of S. pneumoniae specific IgG. We discovered no difference in C3 deposition on S. pneumoniae between HIV positive or negative individuals, and furthermore C3 deposition remained unchanged as HIV progressed towards AIDS. We found no correlation between C3 deposition on S. pneumoniae and CD4 cell count in HIV infected individuals. Hence we have demonstrated no failure of complement immunity in HIV positive patients.     

Permanent stigma closure in Bignoniaceae: Mechanism and implications for fruit set in self-incompatible species

The Bignoniaceae possess sensitive bilobate stigmas that close after stimulation. We determined factors involved in stigma closure and reopening in four species of Bignoniaceae from the National Parks of Catimbau, Northeastern Brazil (Anemopaegma laeve, Arrabidaea limae, Jacaranda rugosa and Tabebuia impetiginosa). The study showed that any mechanical touch promoted the stigmatic closure. Only the deposition of viable con-specific pollen (self- and cross-pollen), however, maintained stigmas permanently closed. In Arrabidaea limae part of the stigmas reopened after self- and cross-pollination. After mechanical stimulation, deposition of pollen from other plant species, of dead con-specific pollen or of sand, the stigma lobes opened again after 38 to 68 min. The definitive closure may have a negative effect on the reproductive success of the involved plants, because the stigmas are permanently unavailable for pollen deposition. In self-incompatible species with mass-flowering blooming pattern, where pollinators promote high levels of geitonogamy, definitive stigma closure causes low fruit set.