Valbro : un nouveau site à vertébrés de l’Oligocène inférieur (MP 22) de France (Quercy). II – Oiseaux (Aves)

The bird remains from Valbro belong only to three taxa, Paraortyx lorteti, Archaeotrogon venustus, and A. zitteli. This association makes it possible to ascribe to this locality an early Oligocene age, reference-levels MP 22 or MP 23, which is in agreement with the age given by the mammals.     

Valbro : un nouveau site à vertébrés de l’Oligocène inférieur (MP22) de France (Quercy). I – Contexte géologique ; Mammalia : Rodentia,Hyaenodontida, Carnivora

The locality Valbro (Quercy, France) has yielded a rich fossil vertebrate fauna. Here are presented the geological context, a preliminary faunal list and the systematics of the Rodentia and carnivores, the most abundant taxa of the fauna. The Rodentia are known from 11 taxa: the Theridomyidae Blainvillimys gregarius Schlosser, 1884, Blainvillimys ?gemellus Vianey-Liaud, 1989, Issiodoromys medius (Vianey-Liaud, 1976) and S. cayluxi Schlosser, 1884, the Aplodontidae Plesispermophilus angustidens Filhol, 1882, the Gliridae Butseloglis tenuis (Bahlo, 1975), Butseloglis micio (Misonne, 1957) and Bransatoglis planus (Bahlo, 1975), the Sciuridae Palaeosciurus goti Vianey-Liaud, 1974 and cf. Oligopetes sp., and the Cricetidae Atavocricetodon sp. aff. A. nanus (Pelaez-Campomanes, 1995). Thirteen taxa of carnivores are present at Valbro; among the Hyaenodontida: Hyaenodon leptorhynchus Laizer et Parieu, 1838 and cf. Apterodon sp.; among the Carnivora: a Feliformia gen. et sp. indet., the Nimravidae Nimravus intermedius (Filhol, 1872), Dinailurictis bonali Helbing, 1922 and Nimravidae gen. et sp. indet. (Certainly belonging to one the two already identified species), the Ursida Pachycynodon crassirostris Schlosser, 1888, Pachycynodon sp., Amphicynodon sp. 1 cf. A. typicus (Schlosser, 1888), Amphicynodon ? sp. 2 and Ursida gen. et sp. indet. cf. Pachycynodon boriei (Filhol, 1876), the Mustelida M. olivieri Bonis, 1997, the Carnivora incertae sedis Palaeogale sectoria (Gervais, 1848–1852), the Arctoidea gen. et sp. indet. and Carnivora gen. et sp. indet. (probably representing taxa already identified at lower taxonomic levels). The evolutionary grade of B. gregarius of Valbro compares to that of the species from Mas de Got, La Plante 2 and Cavalé, which supports an MP22 age for Valbro. This datation is further supported by the association of Theridomyinae yielded by the locality (B. gregarius, B. gemellus, I. medius and S. cayluxi), and by the presence of a N. intermedius that well compares the material of the species from Villebramar, La Plante et Mas de Got, of D. bonali, P. sectoria, M. olivieri (species known only from Mas de Got), and by additional evidence from the remaining vertebrates from Valbro, especially the squamates. Despite a limited amount of specimens (341 specimens have been studied), the faunas of rodents and carnivores from Valbro are the most speciose and diverse known for the MP22 level and, for the Carnivora fauna in particular, for the Oligocene of the Old World.     

Au Gravettien, dans la grotte Cosquer (Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône), l'Homme a-t-il compté sur ses doigts ?

Negative hands, occasionally with incomplete fingers, are often found in Paleolithic caves but so far have received no definitive explanation. Nowadays they are more commonly seen as the expression of a gestural language. In this paper, we suggest that the negative hands visible in the Cosquer cave and dating from around 27?000 BP could represent counting on fingers. Several arguments are developed to support this hypothesis. Furthermore we also suggest that the dots and dashes often associated with negative hands in numerous caves, might be another, more advanced way of representing numbers.     

极罕见的复杂易位t(2;18;21;9;19;13）核型一例

我室于1988年检出一例涉及2、18、21、9、19、13号共6条染色体复杂易位的患者。本核型极为罕见,在国内外文献中尚无报道,现报告如下: 一、病例报告 患儿梅××,女,生于1976年12月,死于1989年1年,存活12年。患儿系第一胎,足月     

遗传性平衡易位t(3; 22) (p21; q13）家系

本文报道一例t(3; 22) (p21; q13）平衡 相互易位的家系。先证者，男性，一岁半，淋巴 细胞及皮肤成纤维细胞G带分析结果：核型均 为46, XY, t(3; 22)(p21；q13）或46, XY,t(3; 22)(3gter” 3p21：：22813” 22gter；2 2 pter” 22gl3::3p21” 3 pter )；先证者母亲（图1）与 外祖母核型均为46, XX, t(3; 22)(p21; q13) 或46, XX, t(3; 22)(3gter、3p21：:22813一 22gter; 22pter～ 22813：:3p21一3pter)。经银 染与G带复合显示技术，先证者及母亲的22der 可见清晰的AgNOR区。先证者的父亲与舅父 G带分析核型正常。在此情况下，有生育正常 婴儿的可能，但必须作产前诊断。     

Rapid measurement of <Superscript>3</Superscript>J(H<Superscript>N</Superscript>–H<Superscript>α</Superscript>) and <Superscript>3</Superscript>J(N–H<Superscript>β</Superscript>) coupling constants in polypeptides

We present two NMR experiments, (3,2)D HNHA and (3,2)D HNHB, for rapid and accurate measurement of 3J(H N-H alpha) and 3J(N-H beta) coupling constants in polypeptides based on the principle of G-matrix Fourier transform NMR spectroscopy and quantitative J-correlation. These experiments, which facilitate fast acquisition of three-dimensional data with high spectral/digital resolution and chemical shift dispersion, will provide renewed opportunities to utilize them for sequence specific resonance assignments, estimation/characterization of secondary structure with/without prior knowledge of resonance assignments, stereospecific assignment of prochiral groups and 3D structure determination, refinement and validation. Taken together, these experiments have a wide range of applications from structural genomics projects to studying structure and folding in polypeptides.     

Density functional theory study on (LiNH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>n</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1–5) clusters

Geometrical structures and relative stabilities of (LiNH₂)_n (n = 1–5) clusters were studied using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-31++G* levels. The electronic structures, vibrational properties, N–H bond dissociation energies (BDE), thermodynamic properties, bond properties and ionization potentials were analyzed for the most stable isomers. The calculated results show that the Li–N and Li–Li bonds can be formed more easily than those of the Li–H or N–H bonds in the clusters, in which NH₂ is bound to the framework of Li atomic clusters with fused rings. The average binding energies for each LiNH₂ unit increase gradually from 142 kJ mol⁻¹ up to about 180 kJ mol⁻¹ with increasing n. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis suggests that the bonds between Li and NH₂ are of strong ionicity. Three-center–two-electron Li–N–Li bonding exists in the (LiNH₂)₂ dimer. The N–H BDE values indicate that the change in N–H BDE values from the monomer a1 to the singlet-state clusters is small. The N–H bonds in singlet state clusters are stable, while the N–H bonds in triplet clusters dissociate easily. A study of their thermodynamic properties suggests that monomer a1 forms clusters (b1, c1, d2 and e1) easily at low temperature, and clusters with fewer numbers of rings tend to transfer to ones with more rings at low temperature. E _g, E _HOMO and E _av decrease gradually, and become constant. Ring-like (LiNH₂)_3,4 clusters possess higher ionization energy (VIE) and E _g, but lower values of E _HOMO. Ring-like (LiNH₂)_3,4 clusters are more stable than other types. A comparison of structures and spectra between clusters and crystal showed that the NH₂ moiety in clusters has a structure and spectral features similar to those of the crystal.     

Hydrogen peroxide (H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>) and methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) down regulate caveolin expression in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs)

Oxidative stimulation induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) was performed to observe the effects on cell viability and caveolin expression, and cholesterol depletion in HLECs caused by methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) was also studied. SRA01/04 HLECs were exposed to H₂O₂ or MβDC of various concentrations and durations. We used a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to measure the effect of H₂O₂ on the viability of SRA01/04 HLECs. The distributions of caveolins after oxidative stimulation were probed by fluorescence microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Immunoblotting was performed to analyze alterations of caveolins expression. We observed that the viability of SRA01/04 HLECs under 0.1 mM H₂O₂ for 10 min or longer was significantly reduced (*p < 0.05, F = 11.63). Laser scanning microscopy showed immunofluorescent caveolins in SRA01/04 HLECs under 0.1 mM H₂O₂ for 10 min or longer; caveolins were largely confined to intracellular domains. Western blots showing both membrane and total caveolin protein (22 kDa) levels in SRA01/04 HLECs treated with 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, or 1.0 mM H₂O₂ for 30 min were significantly reduced, compared with the untreated (*p < 0.05, F = 6.149, or *p < 0.05, F = 14.489, respectively). In addition, the membrane and total caveolin protein level after being treated with 0.1 mM H₂O₂ (*p < 0.05, F = 6.843, or *p < 0.05, F = 7.944, respectively) for different durations also down regulated. Fluorescence microscopy also showed that phosphorylated caveolin-1 was distributed near the focal adhesions of the cells. This study concludes that the responses of HLECs to oxidative stress may include down regulation of caveolin and phosphorylation of caveolin-1 on tyrosine 14 and that MβCD also down regulates caveolin while depleting cholesterol in HLECs. Published in Russian in Molekulyarnaya Biologiya, 2007, Vol. 41, No. 6, pp. 994–1001. The article was submitted by the authors in English.     

Carbon dioxide capture by planar (AlN)<Subscript>n</Subscript> clusters (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>=3–5)

Searching for materials and technologies of efficient CO₂ capture is of the utmost importance to reduce the CO₂ impact on the environment. Therefore, the (AlN)_n clusters (n = 3–5) are researched using density functional theoretical calculations. The results of the optimization show that the most stable structures of (AlN)_n clusters all display planar configurations at B3LYP and G3B3 methods, which are consistent with the reported results. For these planar clusters, we further systematically studied their interactions with carbon dioxide molecules to understand their adsorption behavior at the B3LYP/6–311+G(d,p) level, including geometric optimization, binding energy, bond index, and electrostatic. We found that the planar structures of (AlN)_n (n = 3–5) can capture 3–5 CO₂ molecules. The result indicates that (AlN)_n (n = 3–5) clusters binding with CO₂ is an exothermic process (the capture of every CO₂ molecule on (AlN)_n clusters releases at least 30 kcal mol^-1 in relative free energy values). These analysis results are expected to further motivate the applications of clusters to be efficient CO₂ capture materials.     

罕见异位核型t(1;3),T(9;19)两例报告

TwoRareCasesofChromosomeTranslocationt(1;3)andt(9;19)WeiRongshangZhangHaiduanWangAiqinHeChunna(LaboratoryofGenetics,NanjingHospitaloftheAirForceofPLANanjing210002)例1男,28岁,结婚2年余,妻27岁,妊娠3次,第1胎孕5个月胎死宫内,第2胎7 月早产后夭折,第3胎5个     

Sinularia leptoclados (Ehrenberg, 1834) (Cnidaria,?Octocorallia) re-examined

Sinularia leptoclados (Ehrenberg, 1834) is re-described. Sinularia leptoclados var. gonatodes Kolonko, 1926 is synonymized with Sinularia maxima Verseveldt, 1977. Two new species of Sinularia with digitiform lobules, leptoclados-type surface clubs and unbranched interior spindles, are described. An updated maximum likelihood tree of Sinularia species with leptoclados-type clubs (clade 5C) based on two mitochondrial genes (mtMutS, COI) and a nuclear gene (28S rDNA) is presented.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Marcetia candolleana</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Melastomeae</Emphasis> – <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melastomataceae</Emphasis>), a new species from Bahia (Brazil)

Summary   Marcetia candolleana A. K. A. Santos & A. B. Martins, is apparently restricted to Mucugê, Bahia (Brazil), where it occurs in areas of campo rupestre vegetation. This new species is closely related to the sympatric M. mucugensis Wurdack, but can be easily recognised by its semi-prostate to procumbent habit, reddish glandular-hirsute indument, loose and flexuous branches, leaves with inconspicuous reticulation on the abaxial surface, connectives very shortly prolonged below the thecae, style curved towards the apex, not exceeding the anthers, and pendulous fruit.

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Resumo   Marcetia candolleana A. K. A. Santos & A. B. Martins, é aparentemente restrita a Mucugê, Bahia (Brasil), onde ocorre em áreas de campo rupestre. Esta nova espécie é proximamente relacionada à M. mucugensis Wurdack, mas pode ser facilmente reconhecida por seu hábito semi-prostado a procumbente, indumento glandular-hirsuto, vináceo, ramos flexuosos, folhas inconspicuamente reticuladas na face abaxial, conectivos muito curtamente prolongados abaixo das tecas, estilete curvo no ápice, n?o ultrapassando o comprimento das anteras, e fruto pêndulo.

     

Quantitative targeted metabolomics for 15d-deoxy-Δ<Superscript>12, 14</Superscript>-PGJ<Subscript>2</Subscript> (15d-PGJ<Subscript>2</Subscript>) by MALDI-MS

Prostaglandins (PGs) are lipid mediators that may play important roles in cancer, immunomodulation, and neurodegeneration. So, the quantitative analysis of PGs will therefore be important in order to understand the natural history of a range of diseases and may be used as a tool in the development of new biotherapeutics. However, such an analysis is problematic because of the small quantities of PGs present in the body. Here, we developed a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS)-based analytical method for rapid and easy quantification of the ketone-containing PGs (15d-PGJ₂ etc.) as a targeted metabolomics platform. The chemical derivatization with Girard’s reagent P (GP) provided a good linearity (R² > 0.99) between peak area and quantity of 15d-PGJ₂ and highly improved sensitivity (limit of quantitation, LOQ: 1.25 pmol on a spot in MALDI plate). Finally, we utilized this method to directly characterize the interaction between peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor gamma-ligand binding domain (PPARγ-LBD) and 15d-PGJ₂. The 15d-PGJ₂ was enriched by PPARγ-LBD and also the binding level of the ligand was dropped considerably by the treatment of PPARγ agonist such as rosiglitazone (about 0.61-fold reduction). Taken together, our MALDI-MS-based targeted metabolomics method for ketone-containing PGs may be applicable to elucidate the protein-metabolite interactions and to identify natural ligands for drug candidates.     

Hydrogen-bonding behavior of various conformations of the HNO<Subscript>3</Subscript>…(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript> ternary system

Nine minima were found on the intermolecular potential energy surface for the ternary system HNO₃(CH₃OH)₂ at the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ level of theory. The cooperative effect, which is a measure of the hydrogen-bonding strength, was probed in these nine conformations of HNO₃…(CH₃OH)₂. The results are discussed here in terms of structures, energetics, infrared vibrational frequencies, and topological parameters. The cooperative effect was observed to be an important contributor to the total interaction energies of the cyclic conformers of HNO₃…(CH₃OH)₂, meaning that it cannot be neglected in simulations in which the pair-additive potential is applied.

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Graphical abstract The H-bonding behavior of various conformations of the HNO₃(CH₃OH)₂ trimer was investigated

     

What do the empty stomachs of northern pike (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Esox lucius</Emphasis>) reveal? Insights from carbon (δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C) and nitrogen (δ<Superscript>15</Superscript>N) stable isotopes

The frequency of individuals with empty stomachs (FES) can vary greatly among northern pike populations. However, the FES has only seldom been analyzed in this species and its meaning is still not fully understood. It has been suggested that a high FES may reflect a strongly piscivorous behaviour while low FES could reflect a higher utilization of invertebrates. We compared the stomach contents and the trophic position of northern pike in 16 populations of individuals feeding mainly on fish or benthic invertebrates. We tested the hypothesis that northern pike with empty stomachs or with fish in their stomachs have a higher trophic position than individuals feeding on invertebrates. Carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) stable isotope signatures were used to estimate the trophic position of individuals. We found no significant difference in the trophic position among piscivores, invertebrate feeders, and northern pike with empty stomachs. The average trophic position of northern pike was high (mean ± SD = 4.3 ± 0.4, n = 66) and was correlated with total length. These results indicate that, although invertebrates could be an important part of the diet of northern pike in Canadian Shield lakes, fish are still the dominant prey. Hence, feeding on invertebrates in our study lakes would reflect an opportunistic rather than a specialized feeding strategy.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Amphibiophilus mooiensis</Emphasis> n. sp. (Nematoda: Amphibiophilidae), a parasite of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amietia delalandii</Emphasis> (Duméril &amp; Bibron) (Amphibia: Pyxicephalidae) from South Africa

Four species of the genus Amphibiophilus Skrjabin, 1916 from pyxycephalid frogs in southern and central Africa are currently recognised as valid. Several specimens of Amphibiophilus were found in material from the common river frog, Amietia delalandii (Duméril & Bibron) (Amphibia: Pyxicephalidae), collected in Potchefstroom (North-West Province, South Africa). These specimens clearly differ from all previously known species by the shape of the distal end of the spicule, the shape of the gubernaculum and the structure of the synlophe. They are, thus, considered as a new species, Amphibiophilus mooiensis. As all other species in the family Amphibiophilidae Durette-Desset & Chabaud, 1981, A. mooiensis n. sp. possesses a number of archaic characters, such as a buccal capsule with a well-developed dorsal oesophageal tooth, six inner labial papillae, six outer labial papillae and four cephalic papillae. Molecular data (cox1 and ITS-28S rDNA sequences) are provided and host and geographical specificity are discussed.     

Solid phase and solution synthesis of NvocLys(CO(CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>NH–NBD)OCH<Subscript>2</Subscript>CN,a trifunctional fluorescent lysine derivative

Herein, we describe a general strategy for the facile synthesis of a multifunctional amino acid derivative bearing both fluorescent and photolabile groups such as the lysine derivative NvocLys(CO(CH₂)₅NH–NBD)OCH₂CN (1) that can be used as a biophysical tool for studying protein structure. The synthetic strategy involves functionalization of the amine groups while the amino acid is attached to a solid support, followed by esterification of the carboxylic acid in solution. The solid support protects the caboxylic acid, preventing a side reaction associated with the synthesis in solution and obviating the need for chromatographic purification of several intermediates. This synthetic strategy can be used for the preparation of a variety of amino acid derivatives with unusual α-amine and side chain functionalities.     

Morpho–physiological responses of Rocket (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eruca sativa</Emphasis> L.) varieties to sodium sulfate (Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>) stress: an experimental approach

Rocket (Eruca sativa L.) is a medicinal plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family and was reported to be a tolerant plant under soil salinity as well as high genetic diversity among its varieties. Since morphological and physiological changes to sodium sulfate stress toward this plant have not been investigated yet, the present study was implemented to assess the response of rocket (Eruca sativa L.) varieties to sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) stress as well as the relationship among these traits. Two varieties of rocket plants, the Iranian and Italian ones, were subjected to four salinity (Na₂SO₄) treatments [0 (control), 15, 30 and 60 mM of Na₂SO₄ solution] and three growth stages (49, 65, and 74 days) in factorial experiment with completely randomized design and three replications were considered. Some morphologic traits such as grain yield were measured during the growth period. The results of the analysis of variances between the mentioned variables indicated a significant difference between the varieties in terms of K⁺, Na⁺, Na⁺/K⁺, leaf length, grain yield, organic and mineral matter. The results of correlation and regression of the amounts of K⁺ showed a linear relationship with the grain yield and its variations were not independent from the variations of grain yield. Eventually, it seems that the Italian variety was more tolerant and having better performance in comparison with the Iranian variety, in response to salt stress.