Editorial: Computational modelling of cell &; tissue processes &; function

Computational modelling of whole biological systems from cells to organs is gaining momentum in cell biology and disease studies. This pathway is essential for the derivation of explanatory frameworks that will facilitate the development of a predictive capacity for estimating outcomes or risk associated with particular disease processes and therapeutic or stressful treatments. This article introduces a series of invited papers covering a hierarchy of issues and modelling problems, ranging from crucial conceptual considerations of the validity of cellular modelling through to multi-scale modelling up to organ level. The challenges and approaches in cellular modelling are described, including the potential of in silico modelling applications for receptor–ligand interactions in cell signalling, simulated organ dysfunction (i.e., heart), human and environmental toxicity and the progress of the IUPS Physiome Project. A major challenge now facing biologists is how to translate the wealth of reductionist detail about cells and tissues into a real understanding of how these systems function and are perturbed in disease processes. In biomedicine, simulation models of biological systems now contain sufficient detail, not only to reconstruct normal functions, but also, to reconstruct major disease states. More widely, simulation modelling will aid the targeting of current knowledge gaps and how to fill them; and also provide a research tool for selecting critical factors from multiple simulated experiments for real experimental design. The envisaged longer-term end- product is the creation of simulation models for predicting drug interactions and harmful side-effects; and their use in therapeutic and environmental health risk management. Finally, we take a speculative look at possible future scenarios in cellular modelling, where it is envisioned that integrative biology will move from being largely qualitative and instead become a highly quantitative, computer-intensive discipline.     

Length–weight relationship of Rhinobatos horkelii Müller & Henle, 1841 and Zapteryx brevirostris (Müller & Henle, 1841) off Brazil,southwestern Atlantic Ocean

This study reports the length–weight relationships (LWRs) for two elasmobranch species, Rhinobatos horkelii Müller & Henle, 1841 and Zapteryx brevirostris (Müller & Henle, 1841) collected from the southwestern Atlantic, off Brazil. Both are considered endangered species. The LWR data can be taken into consideration for further management and conservation plans.     

Evolutionary convergences and parallelisms: &;their theoretical differences and the difficulty &;of discriminating them in a practical &;phylogenetic context

The importance of evolutionary parallelisms and their differences from evolutionary convergences have been historically underappreciated, as recently noticed in Gould's last book `The structure of evolutionary history'. In that book, Gould make an effort to distinguish and to reinterpret these concepts in the light of the new discoveries of the last decades on developmental biology and genetics, presenting the elegant metaphor of `Pharaonic bricks versus Corinthian columns'. In this paper I will briefly discuss these concepts, and will argue that, despite the advances that have been made to define them in theory, it is rather hard to differentiate them in a practical phylogenetic context. In order to do so, I will provide some few examples from my own empirical studies on the last years of one of the most morphologically and taxonomically diverse groups of Vertebrates, the catfishes.     

Gymnocypris chui Tchang,Yueh & Hwang, 1964 and Gymnocypris scleracanthus Tsao,Wu, Chen & Zhu, 1992 from Lake Langcuo,Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau

This study presents length‐weight relationships (LWRs) for two sympatric species of the subfamily Schizothoracinae (Cyprinidae), Gymnocypris chui and G. scleracanthus, captured in Lake Langcuo in Tibet, China. A total of 193 specimens were collected in June and July of 2014 and 2015 using gill nets of different mesh sizes (mesh size: 2 × 2 cm, 3 × 3 cm). Specimens included 76 G. chui and 117 G. scleracanthus. The values of parameter b in the LWRs equations were estimated as 2.875 for G. chui, and 2.773 for G. scleracanthus, respectively. These are the first LWRs records for the two sympatric species.     

Length–weight relationships of two Nemacheilid fish species Schistura alepidota (Mirza & Bănărescu, 1970) and Schistura shadiwalensis (Mirza & Nalbant, 1981) from River Swat,Pakistan

In the present study two fish species Schistura alepidota (Mirza & B?n?rescu, 1970) and Schistura shadiwalensis (Mirza & Nalbant, 1981) from River Swat were studied. Fishes were collected using different cast nets (10–12 mm mesh size) in the period of January to August 2017. No information regarding the LWR of these species is available in fish base.     

Signaling Functions of Free Radicals Superoxide &; Nitric Oxide under Physiological &; Pathological Conditions

Superoxide and nitric oxide are ubiquitous physiological free radicals that are responsible for many pathological disorders. Both radicals by themselves are relatively harmless but are the precursors of many toxic species such as peroxy and hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and peroxynitrite. However, it has been shown now that both superoxide and nitric oxide are also able to perform important signaling functions in physiological and pathophysiological processes. Wrongly named “superoxide,” the radical anion of dioxygen is not a super-oxidant but the strong super-nucleophile, an efficient catalyst of heterogenic nucleophilic reaction. Due to this, superoxide plays an important role in many enzymatic processes such as the phosphorylation and activation of numerous protein kinases. On the other hand, superoxide inhibits the activation of phosphatases, the enzymes catalyzed by dephosphorylation of protein kinases. We suggest that superoxide catalyzes these enzymatic processes as a result of its nucleophilic properties. Another important physiological function of superoxide and nitric oxide is their competition for the interaction with mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase. Disturbance of superoxide/nitric oxide balance leads to the dysfunction of mitochondria and the enhancement of apoptosis and oxidative stress, which are primary causes of various pathological disorders and aging. In conclusion, interplay between superoxide and nitric oxide, one of major factors of aging development, is considered.     

Revision der Familie HippocardiidaePojeta & Runnegar, 1976 (Mollusca; Rostroconchia)

Following the revision and integration of the family PseudobigaleaidaeHoare, Mapes &; Yancey into the existing systematic concept of the rostroconch order Conocardiida the original family of hood-carrying rostroconchs, the HippocardiidaePojeta &; Runnegar, is revised and subdivided in this contribution. Here, we present the members of the subfamily HippocardiinaePojeta &; Runnegar [n. subfam.]. Its erection appeared necessary first, as the family Hippocardiidae had been used for decades as a conglomeration taxon where most varied morphotypes were assigned to the type genusHippocardia, whose character combinations only just now can be distinguished, and secondly because the number of hood-carrying hippocardiid rostroconch taxa increased markedly during our studies. Ten taxa at the species level are assigned to the generaHippocardia Brown, 1843,Bieberiana n. gen.,Cartericardia n. gen.,Fraipontia n. gen.,Hoareicardia n. gen. andPojetorum n. gen. All the taxa are precisely diagnosed and described at the subfamily, genus and species level by a uniform, revised and completed terminology of morphologic characters. This allows comparability of the taxa and aids in the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships in the Hippocardiinae [n. subfam.], whose members occur from the Late Silurian until the Mississippian.     

Global diversity of cumaceans &; tanaidaceans (Crustacea: Cumacea &; Tanaidacea) in freshwater

Cumacea and Tanaidacea are marginal groups in continental waters. Although many euryhaline species from both groups are found in estuaries and coastal lagoons, most occur only temporarily in non-marine habitats, appearing unable to form stable populations there. A total of 21 genuinely non-marine cumaceans are known, mostly concentrated in the Ponto-Caspian region, and only four tanaids have been reported from non-marine environments. Most non-marine cumaceans (19 species) belong in the Pseudocumatidae and appear restricted to the Caspian Sea (with salinity up to 13‰) and its peripheral fluvial basins, including the northern, lower salinity zones of the Black Sea (Sea of Azov). There are nine Ponto-Caspian genera, all endemic to the region. Only two other taxa (in the family Nannastacidae) occur in areas free of any marine–water influence, in river basins in North and South America. Both seem able to survive in waters of raised salinity of the lower reaches of these fluvial systems; but neither has been recorded in full salinity marine environments. The only non-marine tanaidacean thus far known lives in a slightly brackish inland spring in Northern Australia. The genus includes a second species, from a brackish-water lake at the Bismarck Archipelago, tentatively included here as non-marine also. Two additional species of tanaidaceans have been reported from non-marine habitats but both also occur in the sea. Guest editors: E. V. Balian, C. Lévêque, H. Segers & K. Martens Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment