The fossil record of Eucommia (Eucommiaceae) in North America

Reproductive and vegetative remains of Eucommia from 25 localities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico document the wide distribution of this genus in North America during the Cenozoic. Autofluorescent elastic latex filaments bearing capitate termini are preserved in nearly all of the remains and provide conclusive evidence of their affinity to Eucommia. Four species of Eucommia are recognized on the basis of the characteristic samaras: E. eocenica from middle Eocene strata of the Mississippi Embayment in Missouri, Tennessee and Mississippi; E. montana from early Eocene to early Oligocene localities in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Montana; E. constans from Neogene rocks in central Mexico; and E. jeffersonensis n. sp. from the latest Eocene or earliest Oligocene John Day Formation of Oregon. Atypical specimens of E. montana and E. eocenica are the first records of two-seeded fruits for the genus. Eucommia leaves from Eocene localities in British Columbia and Mississippi are the first records of Eucommia foliage in North America whose identifications are confirmed by the presence of capitate latex strands. These leaves and a specimen from Oregon are referred to E. rolandii n. sp. Fruit evolution in Eucommia may have involved increases in samara size and symmetry, and reduction in seed number from two to one, perhaps as adaptations for wind dispersal. All fossil Eucommia samaras from North America are smaller and less symmetrical than those of the living species, E. ulmoides. Preliminary flight tests of E. ulmoides samaras and of models of the fossils suggest that E. ulmoides fruits are aerodynamically better suited for wind dispersal than the fossils.     

Microsatellite genetic variation in the Chinese endemic Eucommia ulmoides (Eucommiaceae): implications for conservation

Eucommia ulmoides, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, is endangered as a consequence of long‐term and widespread harvest in the late 20th century. It has been widely cultivated as a source of herbal medicine and for use in the organic chemical industry in China. In this study, eight microsatellite markers were applied to investigate genetic diversity in E. ulmoides. Three hundred individuals from one semi‐wild population and nine cultivated populations across its main production area were collected. A high level of genetic diversity at population levels (H_E = 0.716) was observed. The highly outcrossed mating system, high longevity of E. ulmoides and seed admixture may be responsible for high genetic variation within populations. A genetic bottleneck was observed in one population. Populations were only slightly differentiated from one another (F_ST = 0.063); this was also supported by AMOVA, which revealed that 94.05% of the total variation resided within populations. This is probably attributable to long‐distance gene flow mediated by the exchange of seeds by local farmers. Implications of these results for the conservation of genetic resources of E. ulmoides are discussed. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173 , 775–785.     

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers in Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (Eucommiaceae)

Twenty‐three microsatellite markers were developed from an AC‐enriched genomic library of Eucommia ulmoides, an economically important tree species for both herbal medicine and organic chemical industry in China. Nineteen microsatellite loci were found polymorphic by testing 36 individuals from 10 populations, with two to 14 alleles per locus. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.054 to 0.874. This set of microsatellite markers has provided a useful tool for the ongoing efforts in studying population genetic structure of E. ulmoides.     

Attalea colenda (Arecaceae), a potential lauric oil resource

Attalea colenda, a palm tree native to the coastal plain of western Ecuador, produces from one to four infructescences per tree every year, each with an average of 5065 fruits. The oil content of the seeds is 56.9% dry weight. Kernel oil production per infructescence is 7–16 kg. A hectare with 50 trees can produce between 0.35 and 3.2 tons of oil per year. The kernel oil is chemically similar to coconut oil and and kernel oil from the African oil palm. The increasing demand for lauric oil on the world market makesA. colenda a potential oil source.     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of tarwi (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet), a potential platform for the production of plant-made proteins

A robust, reproducible method of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was developed for Lupinus mutabilis Sweet (tarwi), a large-seeded Andean legume. Initially, a regeneration and transformation protocol was developed using a plasmid which contained a bifunctional fusion gene conferring both β-glucuronidase (gus) and neomycin phosphotransferase activities, under the control of a constitutive 35S35SAMV promoter. The tissue explants consisted of longitudinal slices from embryonic axes of imbibed, mature seed. Using a series of tissue culture media for cocultivation, shoot initiation, shoot elongation, and rooting, kanamycin-resistant transgenic plants were recovered from approximately 1% of the explants. This transformation protocol was further used with a construct that contained the human adenosine deaminase (hADA) gene under the control of a legumin seed-specific promoter, also with a kanamycin resistance cassette for chemical selection. Changes made during the course of this study, which included adjustments to the antibiotic concentration during the shoot elongation and rooting phases plus the incorporation of techniques to improve ventilation in the tissue culture system, resulted in major improvements in shoot quality and, most significantly, rooting. The outcome was an increased frequency of transgenic plant recovery (7.4%), with a low (9.6%) rate of plants that escaped selection. The inheritance of the hADA gene was documented and showed the expected Mendelian segregation pattern. The produced hADA protein was a fully functional enzyme and localized only in the seed, as expected. Thus, this legume species is an excellent candidate for a nonfood plant host platform for the production of plant-made proteins.     

Thrombospondin related adhesive protein (TRAP), a potential malaria vaccine candidate

We have investigated whether naturally induced immunity to Plasmodium falciparum thrombospondin related adhesive protein contributes to protection against malaria in humans. We have carried out a case control study in children living in an endemic region of West Africa to reveal associations between PfTRAP seroprevalence and the risk of cerebral malaria. Sera collected from the case and control groups were analysed by ELISA to compare their serum reactivity against PfTRAP, the circumsporozoite protein and the merozoite surface protein 1. Children with uncomplicated malaria had a significantly higher PfTRAP seroprevalence when compared to children with cerebral malaria. The risk of developing cerebral malaria appeared to depend on the reciprocal relationship between sporozoite inoculation rates and humoral immunity against PfTRAP. Our results suggest that naturally induced humoral immunity against PfTRAP contributes to the development of protection against severe malaria. Experimentally induced immunity against TRAP in different rodent models has consistently proven to elicit a high degree of protection against malaria. This together with the functional properties of TRAP and data describing CD4 and CD8 epitopes for PfTRAP indicate that this molecule could increase the protective efficiency of available sporozoite malaria vaccines.     

Gallerucida bifasciata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a potential biological control agent for Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica)

Host specificity of foreign natural enemies are becoming more and more critical in classical biological control programs, as concerns about potential risk from introduced biocontrol agents have been increasing recently. Understanding the insect's fundamental and ecological host ranges is the first step in determining the potential for introduction of an insect to control invasive plants. Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica (Houttuyn) Ronse Decraene (Polygonaceae) is an invasive weed in the United States and Europe. A leaf beetle, Gallerucida bifasciata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an important natural enemy attacking this plant in Asia. However, its host range records were ambiguous. This study examined the beetle's host specificity through a set of choice and no-choice tests in the laboratory and field in its native China. Gallerucida bifasciata larvae were able to complete development on seven of 87 plant species in larval development tests, while adults fed and oviposited on 10 plants in no-choice tests. Multiple choice tests showed adults strongly preferred Fallopia japonica, Persicaria perfoliata (L.) H. Gross and Polygonum multiflorum Thunb over all other plants. Open field tests and field surveys further revealed that these three species were in its ecological host range. The results of this study suggest that G. bifasciata is a potential promising agent for control of Japanese knotweed in the United States and Europe, although additional host specificity tests and risk assessment should be completed.     

Biological performance of Diclidophlebia smithi (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a potential biocontrol agent for the invasive weed Miconia calvescens

Diclidophlebia smithi Burckhardt, Morais and Picanço (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is a promising biological control agent of Miconia calvescens DC. (Melastomataceae), a neotropical invasive weed in forest ecosystems in French Polynesia and Hawaii and a threat in Australia, where it was also introduced. A study on the reproductive performance of D. smithi under laboratory conditions through life expectancy and fertility tables is presented. Results indicated that this psyllid has a high reproductive capacity (R ₀>1 and r _m >0) and a short life cycle (46–47 days) and can have up to nine generations per year. The critical period of its life cycle is during the nymphal stage which is clearly inadequate for field introductions. The best age for introducing D. smithi against M. calvescens is the 4th day of the adult stage. D. smithi is easily mass-reared and has a short life cycle and a high reproductive capacity, which are desirable characteristics for a biological control agent.     

Tarbellastraea (Scleractinia): A new stable isotope archive for Late Miocene paleoenvironments in the Mediterranean

Geochemical proxy records of sea surface temperature (SST) or sea surface salinity (SSS) variability on intra- and interannual time-scales in corals from geological periods older than Pleistocene are extremely rare due to pervasive diagenetic alteration of coralline aragonite. Very recently, however, stable isotope data (δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C) from specimens of Porites of Late Miocene age (10 Ma) have been shown to preserve original environmental signatures. In this paper we describe new finds of the zooxanthellate corals Porites and Tarbellastraea in exceptional aragonite preservation from the island of Crete in sediments of Tortonian (～ 9 Ma) and Early Messinian (～ 7 Ma) age. Systematic, comparative stable isotope analysis of massive Tarbellastraea and Porites sampled from the same beds and localities reveal identical stable isotope fractionation patterns in both genera. Therefore, extinct Tarbellastraea represents an additional environmental archive fully compatible and mutually exchangeable with Porites. Provided that seasonal variations in δ¹⁸O reflect SST changes only, seasonal SST contrasts of 7.3 °C for the Tortonian and 4.8 °C for the Early Messinian are inferred, implying warmer summer and cooler winter SSTs during the Tortonian than during the Messinian. However, reduced δ¹⁸O seasonality (1.1‰ in the Tortonian and 0.7‰ in the Messinian) and slightly less negative mean δ¹⁸O in Messinian corals (? 2.4‰) compared to Tortonian specimens (? 2.7‰) may not necessarily indicate a long-term fall in SSTs, but changes in surface water δ¹⁸O, i.e. global ice build-up or enhanced evaporation during summer or increased precipitation/river discharge during winter and changes in insolation. On the other hand, coral communities of Tortonian and Messinian age in central Crete are identical, and compatible annual extension rates indicate similar average SSTs during the two investigated time periods. In addition, lithological and paleobotanical data from Central Crete document a change from humid to dry climatic conditions during the Late Miocene. Therefore, a likely explanation for the observed shift in coral mean δ¹⁸O and reduced δ¹⁸O seasonality from the Tortonian to the Early Messinian is a change in ambient seawater δ¹⁸O caused by a change in the hydrological balance towards high evaporation/high salinity during summer.     

The great potential of the intercostal flap for torso reconstruction.

The intercostal flap has many uses for torso reconstruction, whether employed as an island flap or a free flap. With modifications, it can be used as a sensory skin flap, or as a compound osteocutaneous flap to restore stability in a chest wall construction, or as a skin flap with a permanent blood supply to provide stable cover after excision of radiation ulcers.     

Phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Pseudaeginella (Amphipoda: Caprellidae), with the description of a new species from Brazil

The genus Pseudaeginella is analysed herein by cladistic methods based on a morphological data matrix of 49 characters × 18 terminal taxa. Based on the results, we comment on the phylogenetic position of Paradeutella within Pseudaeginella, and we propose Pseudaeginella multispinosa comb. nov. and Pseudaeginella tanzaniensis comb. nov. Pseudaeginella freirei sp. nov. is described from the Abrolhos Bank, north-eastern Brazil. We provide an updated key to the Pseudaeginella species.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F573E845-822E-41D6-8F58-FE54C5653A53     

Flower structure and potential bisexuality in Freycinetia reineckei (Pandanaceae), a species of the Samoa Islands

In Freycinetia reineckei the staminate flower (on the staminate spikes) comprises 3 or 4 (sometimes 2) stamens and a pistillode with 2 (sometimes 4) carpellodes, and the pistillate flower (on the pistillate spikes) is formed of a pistil with 2 (sometimes 4) carpels and of 3 or 4 (sometimes 2) staminodes. This perfect floral homology, also observed in all the other species that were studied with both pistillate and staminate material, strongly suggests that the flower of Freycinetia is basically and potentially bisexual, and may explain the occasional sexual lability and bisexuality of that flower (occurrence of both pistillate and staminate inflorescences, and/or of bisexual inflorescences with bisexual flowers and/or unisexual flowers, on the same individuals) in some species, and also the frequent occurrence of bisexual spikes in this species. These may be partitioned into pistillate, staminate, mixed and sterile zones. In the pistillate zones the flowers have the same aspect and structure as the pistillate flowers. In the staminate zones the flowers generally comprise 3 or 4 (sometimes 2) stamens and a ‘semi-pistil’ some have both stamens and staminodes. The semi-pistils are intermediate between pistils and pistillodes in length, aspect and structure, but always have placentas and ovules. In the mixed zones the flowers are generally formed of a pistil and 3 or 4 (sometimes 2) stamens, and are therefore true hermaphrodite flowers; some have both stamens and staminodes. In the sterile zones the flowers comprise a semi-pistil and 3 or 4 (sometimes 2) staminodes. The staminodes are anatomically very similar to the stamens, especially in the staminate, mixed, and sterile zones, in which they exhibit a wide range of variation in length, aspect and structure. The perfect floral homology as generic character on one hand, and the occasional bisexuality both with and without bisexual flowers and other aspects of sex expression (e.g. occurrence of both pistillate and staminate shoots on the same individuals) in some species on the other hand, seem to indicate that Freycinetia is a basically monoecious, sex changing genus.     

The interactions of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a potential site for toxic actions

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) catalyzes the oxidative phosphorylation of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate to 1,3-diphosphoglycerate, one of the precursors for glycolytic ATP biosynthesis. The enzyme contains an active site cysteine thiolate, which is critical for its catalytic function. As part of a continuing study of the interactions of quinones with biological systems, we have examined the susceptibility of GAPDH to inactivation by 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (9,10-PQ). In a previous study of quinone toxicity, this quinone, whose actions have been exclusively attributed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, caused a reduction in the glycolytic activity of GAPDH under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, indicating indirect and possible direct actions on this enzyme. In this study, the effects of 9,10-PQ on GAPDH were examined in detail under aerobic and anaerobic conditions so that the role of oxygen could be distinguished from the direct effects of the quinone. The results indicate that, in the presence of the reducing agent DTT, GAPDH inhibition by 9,10-PQ under aerobic conditions was mostly indirect and comparable to the direct actions of exogenously-added H2O2 on this enzyme. GAPDH was also inhibited by 9,10-PQ anaerobically, but in a somewhat more complex manner. This quinone, which is not considered an electrophile, inhibited GAPDH in a time-dependent manner, consistent with irreversible modification and comparable to the electrophilic actions of 1,4-benzoquinone (1,4-BQ). Analysis of the anaerobic inactivation kinetics for the two quinones revealed comparable inactivation rate constants (k(inac)), but a much lower inhibitor binding constant (K(i)) for 1,4-BQ. Protection and thiol titration studies suggest that these quinones bind to the NAD+ binding site and modify the catalytic thiol from this site. Thus, 9,10-PQ inhibits GAPDH by two distinct mechanisms: through ROS generation that results in the oxidization of GAPDH thiols, and by an oxygen-independent mechanism that results in the modification of GAPDH catalytic thiols.     

99mTc(N)-DBODC(5), a potential radiolabeled probe for SPECT of multidrug resistance: in vitro study

[^99mTc(N)(DBODC)(PNP5)]⁺ [DBODC is bis(N-ethoxyethyl)dithiocarbamato; PNP5 is bis(dimethoxypropylphosphinoethyl)ethoxyethylamine], abbreviated as ^99mTc(N)-DBODC(5), is a lipophilic cationic mixed compound investigated as a myocardial imaging agent. The findings that this tracer accumulates in mitochondrial structures through a mechanism mediated by the negative mitochondrial membrane potential and that the rapid efflux of ^99mTc(N)-DBODC(5) from nontarget tissues seems to be associated with the multidrug resistance (MDR) P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transport function open up the possibility to extend its clinical applications to tumor imaging and noninvasive MDR studies. The rate of uptake at 4 and 37 °C of ^99mTc(N)-DBODC(5) was evaluated in vitro in selected human cancer cell lines and in the corresponding sublines before and after P-gp and/or MDR-associated protein (MRP) modulator/inhibitor treatment using ^99mTc-sestamibi as a reference. The results indicated that (1) the uptake of both ^99mTc(N)-DBODC(5) and ^99mTc-sestamibi is correlated to metabolic activity of the cells and (2) the cellular accumulation is connected to the level of P-gp/MRP expression; in fact, an enhancement of uptake in resistant cells was observed after treatment with opportune MDR inhibitor/modulator, indicating that the selective blockade of P-gp/MRP prevented efflux of the tracers. This study provides a preliminary indication of the applicability of ^99mTc(N)-DBODC(5) in tumor imaging and in detecting P-gp/MRP-mediated drug resistance in human cancer. In addition, the possibility to control the hydrophobicity and pharmacological activity of this heterocomplex through the variation of the substituents on the ligands backbone without affecting the P₂S₂ coordinating sphere makes ^99mTc(N)-DBODC(5) a suitable scaffold for the preparation of a molecular probe for single photon emission computed tomography of MDR.     

Triazolyl Ru(II), Os(II), and Ir(III) complexes as potential HIV-1 inhibitors

BioMetals - Infection by the human immunodeficiency virus, which gives rise to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is still a major global health challenge, with millions of people being affected....     

XP-828L (Dermylex), a new whey protein extract with potential benefit for mild to moderate psoriasis

Natural health products (NHPs) or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are commonly used to prevent disorders or support the usual treatments of many diseases. XP-828L, a whey protein extract, has demonstrated potential benefits for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis. The aim of this study was to analyze further clinical data that demonstrated the clinical benefits and safety of the XP-828L in patients with psoriasis and the potential mechanism of action of this product in vitro. Oral administration (2.5 g, twice a day, over 112 days) of XP-828L in 42 human subjects with mild to moderate psoriasis improved their PGA scores (physician's global assessment). Moreover, no significant changes in haematology or hepatic and renal parameters were observed throughout the study period, indicating the safety of the product. In vitro experiments showed that XP-828L decreased the proliferation of concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated murine splenocytes and their production of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma. Although the in vivo mechanism of action of XP-828L remains unknown, XP-828L represents an NHP to be used as an alternative or concomitant treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis and potentially for other immune-mediated diseases.     

Arylpiperazine-containing pyrimidine 4-carboxamide derivatives targeting serotonin 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2C), and the serotonin transporter as a potential antidepressant

Pyrimidine usually has good pharmacokinetic properties as a drug substance and considerable efforts have been devoted to develop pyrimidine derivatives into drug candidates. Arylpiperazine-containing pyrimidine 4-carboxamide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for binding to serotonin receptors and transporter. Pyrimidine derivatives showed good antidepressant activity in FST (forced swimming test) animal model and also displayed no appreciable inhibitory activity against hERG channel blocking assay. Herein SAR studies of pyrimidine derivatives targeting serotonin receptors and transporter will be disclosed.     

Radix natalensis (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae), a potential intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica in Egypt

Experimental infections of Egyptian Radix natalensis with French miracidia of Fasciola hepatica were carried out to determine if this snail might act as an intermediate host in the life cycle of this digenean in Egypt. Single exposures of R. natalensis to miracidia (2/snail) and two successive exposures (a total of 4 miracidia/ snail) were performed using lymnaeids measuring 1 to 6 mm in height. Live larval forms of F. hepatica were noted in single- and double-exposed snails. In double exposures, a significant increase of snail survival on day 28 post-exposure (at 24 degrees C) and an decrease in prevalence were noted when the height of snails at exposure was increasing. Cercariae of F. hepatica were shed by these snails (90.7/snail) during a mean patent period of 24.3 days. All snails have released these cercariae during 2-13 waves of shedding. According to these results, R. natalensis can be considered a potential intermediate host of F. hepatica in Egypt.     

Review of taxonomy,geographic distribution,and paleoenvironments of Azhdarchidae (Pterosauria)

The taxonomy, geographic distribution, and paleoenvironmental context of azhdarchid pterosaurs are reviewed. All purported pteranodontid, tapejarid, and azhdarchid specimens from the Cenomanian Kem Kem beds of Morocco are referred to a single azhdarchid taxon, Alanqa saharica. The four proposed autapomorphies of Eurazhdarcho langendorfensis from the lower Maastrichtian Sebeş Formation of Romania are based on misinterpretations of material and this taxon is likely a subjective junior synonym of Hatzegopteryx thambema. Among 54 currently reported azhdarchid occurrences (51 skeletal remains and 3 tracks) 13% are from lacustrine deposits, 17% from fluvial plain deposits, 17% from coastal plain deposits, 18% from estuarine and lagoonal deposits, and 35% from costal marine deposits. Azhdarchids likely inhabited a variety of environments, but were abundant near large lakes and rivers and most common in nearshore marine paleoenvironments.