A catalogue of Burmite inclusions

Burmite (Burmese amber) from the Hukawng Valley in northern Myanmar is a remarkable valuable and obviously the most important amber for studying terrestrial diversity in the mid-Cretaceous.The diversity of Burmite inclusions is very high and many new taxa were found,including new order,new family/subfamily,and new genus.Till the end of 2016,14 phyla,21 classes,65 orders,279 families,515 genera and 643 species of organisms are recorded,which are summized and complied in this catalogue.Among them,587 species are arthropods.In addtion,the specimens which can not be identified into species are also listed in the paper.The information on type specimens,other materials,host and deposition of types are provided.     

Population genomics of the raccoon dog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nyctereutes procyonoides</Emphasis>) in Denmark: insights into invasion history and population development

The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) has a wide distribution in Europe and is a prominent example of a highly adaptable alien species. It has been recorded sporadically in Denmark since 1980 but observations since 2008 suggested that the species had established a free-ranging, self-sustaining population. To elucidate the origin and genetic patterns of Danish raccoon dogs, we studied the population genomics of 190 individuals collected in Denmark (n = 141) together with reference captive individuals from Poland (n = 21) and feral individuals from different European localities (Germany, Poland, Estonia and Finland, n = 28). We used a novel genotyping-by-sequencing approach simultaneously identifying and genotyping a large panel of single nucleotide polymorphisms (n = 4526). Overall, there was significant indication for contemporary genetic structuring of the analysed raccoon dog populations, into at least four different clusters, in spite of the existence of long distance gene flow and secondary admixture from different population sources. The Danish population was characterized by a high level of genetic admixture with neighbouring feral European ancestries and the presence of private clusters, non-retrieved in any other feral or captive populations sampled. These results suggested that the raccoon dog population in Denmark was founded by escapees from genetically unidentified Danish captive stocks, followed by a recent admixture with individuals migrating from neighbouring Germany.     

Antibiotic innovation may contribute to slowing the dissemination of multiresistant Streptococcus pneumoniae: the example of ketolides

Background

Despite increasingly frequent bacterial resistance to antibiotics, antibacterial innovation is rare. Ketolides constitute one of the very few new antibiotic classes active against Streptococcus pneumoniae developed during the last 25 years. Their mechanism of action resembles that of macrolides, but they are unaffected by common resistance mechanisms. However, cross-resistance to ketolides has been observed in some macrolide-resistant strains. We examined how new antibiotic exposure may affect overall pneumococcal resistance patterns in the population. The aims of this study were to assess the potential dissemination of newly emerged resistances and to control the selection of strains already multiresistant to existing antimicrobials.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We developed an age-structured population model for S. pneumoniae transmission in a human community exposed to heptavalent vaccine, and β-lactams, macrolides and ketolides. The dynamics of intra-individual selection of resistant strains under antibiotic exposure and interindividual transmission were simulated, with antibiotic-specific resistance mechanisms defining the path to co-resistances and cross-resistances, and parameters concerning the French situation. Results of this simulation study suggest that new antibiotic consumption could markedly slow the diffusion of multiresistant strains. Wider use was associated with slower progression of multiresistance. When ketolides were prescribed to all ages, resistance to them reached 10% after >15 years, while it took >40 years when they were prescribed only to adults. In the scenario according to which new antibiotics totally replaced former antimicrobials, the β-lactam resistance rate was limited at 70%.

Conclusions

In a context of widespread vaccination and rational use of antibiotics, innovative antibiotic, prescribed to all age groups, may have an added impact on multiresistant-strain dissemination in the population.     

Prevalence of the Helicobacter pylori babA2 gene and correlation with the degree of gastritis in infected Slovenian children

The aims of our study were to determine the prevalence of the babA2 gene within Helicobacter pylori strains circulating in the Slovenian pediatric population, to further clarify its significance in causing inflammation of gastric mucosa in children and to verify whether cagA, vacA, iceA and babA genes work independently or synergistically in causing gastritis. A total of 163 H. pylori isolates obtained from the same number of children were tested for the presence of cagA, vacA and iceA genes using previously established methods, while the babA2 gene was determined using novel polymerase chain reaction assay targeting a 139-bp fragment of the central region of babA2. The babA2 gene was detected in 47.9 % of H. pylori samples. The presence of the babA2 gene was strongly associated with cagA, vacA s1 and vacA m1 genotype. The babA2 status correlated positively with bacterial density score, activity of inflammation and chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa. No significant correlation was found between the babA2 status and the presence of atrophy or intestinal metaplasia. In addition, the activity of gastric inflammation and density score were significantly associated with the coexpression of the cagA, vacA s1, vacA m1 and babA2 genes. The study, which included the largest number of pediatric H. pylori samples to date, confirmed that babA2 gene plays an important role in the pathogenesis of H. pylori gastritis in children. Furthermore, our results suggest that babA2, cagA and vacA s1 and m1 gene products may work synergistically in worsening the inflammation of gastric mucosa.     

孑遗植物桫椤种群遗传变异的RAPD分析

应用 RAPD标记分析了桫椤分布在海南尖峰岭及霸王岭 ,广东塘朗山、黑石顶及大西山孑遗种群的遗传变异。 2 8个引物共检测到 1 1 8个位点 ,其中多态位点 33个 ,多态位点比率 2 7.97%。Shannon多样性、Nei遗传分化和分子方差分析 ( AMOVA)结果一致显示尖峰岭种群遗传多样性最大 ,霸王岭种群次之、塘郎山种群第三 ,黑石顶种群第四 ,而大西山种群最小。种群的遗传变异主要发生在种群间 ;Shannon指数测出的种群间遗传多样性所占比率为 79.1 0 % (基于表型频率 )和 77.85 % (基于基因频率 ) ,Nei基因分化系数 ( Gst)达 80 .69% ,分子方差分析也表明种群分化极为显著 ( Φst=0 .82 86,P<0 .0 0 1 )。桫椤的种内遗传多样性水平很低 ,种内 Shannon多样性仅为 0 .0 641 (基于表型频率 )和 0 .1 1 2 4 (基于基因频率 ) ,总基因多样性只有 0 .0 770。另外 ,Jaccard相似性系数的 UPGMA分析结果显示 5个种群分为两个分支 :尖峰岭种群和霸王岭种群组成一分支 ;黑石顶、塘郎山和大西山种群组成另一分支 ,并且三者中前两者的遗传关系更为密切。聚类分析结果还得到主成分分析的支持。根据桫椤种群的遗传变异特点 ,初步探讨了保护策略。     

Selenium contentrations in human renal cortex, liver, and hair in Northern Poland

The aim of this study was to (1) determine the selenium concentration in the renal cortex, liver, and hair in 64 residents from northern Poland (Gdańsk region) aged 17–81 yr, who died suddenly, and (2) assess whether a correlation between the selenium concentration in hair and in the renal cortex and liver occurs. Selenium was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using the hydride generation method. The mean selenium concentration in the renal cortex, liver, and hair in the investigated persons was 0.791±0.191 μg/g (wet weight), 0.289±0.084 μg/g (wet weight), and 0.443±0.128 μg/g, respectively. No age-dependent differences in selenium level in the investigated tissues was found. Also, no correlation between the selenium concentrations in hair and in renal cortex and liver was assessed.     

分离自安徽土壤金龟子绿僵菌种群的遗传异质性研究

金龟子绿僵菌是昆虫种群自然控制和害虫生物防治中重要的虫生真菌,已被作为化学农药的替代品广泛应用于农林害虫的防治。其寄主范围和地理分布极广,因此种群结构也十分复杂。为明确安徽省土栖金龟子绿僵菌的种群遗传结构,采用ISSR分子标记技术对采集自安徽省不同地区土壤中的116株金龟子绿僵菌进行遗传异质性分析。分子数据显示,筛选出的8个引物共获得79个位点,其中多态位点比率为100%。不同地区种群的Nei’s基因多样性(H)为0.2796,Shannon信息指数(I)为0.4425,种群间存在一定程度的基因流(Nm=4.4282)和遗传分化(Gst=0.1015),种群内的基因多样度占总居群的89.85%,种群间占10.15%,表明安徽土栖金龟子绿僵菌的遗传变异主要来源于种群内,且种群内表现出较大的遗传变异。并采用UPGMA对所有供试材料进行聚类分析,得到7大类种群。结果表明,安徽土栖金龟子绿僵菌之间的亲缘关系与地理来源不存在相关性。     

Root iron plaque formation and characteristics under N2 flushing and its effects on translocation of Zn and Cd in paddy rice seedlings (Oryza sativa)

Background and Aims

Anoxic conditions are seldom considered in root iron plaque induction of wetland plants in hydroponic experiments, but such conditions are essential for root iron plaque formation in the field. Although ferrous ion availability and root radial oxygen loss capacity are generally taken into account, neglect of anoxic conditions in root iron plaque formation might lead to an under- or over-estimate of their functional effects, such as blocking toxic metal uptake. This study hypothesized that anoxic conditions would influence root iron plaque formation characteristics and translocation of Zn and Cd by rice seedlings.

Methods

A hydroponic culture was used to grow rice seedlings and a non-disruptive approach for blocking air exchange between the atmosphere and the induction solution matrix was applied for root iron plaque formation, namely flushing the headspace of the induction solution with N₂ during root iron plaque induction. Zn and Cd were spiked into the solution after root iron plaque formation, and translocation of both metals was determined.

Key Results

Blocking air exchange between the atmosphere and the nutrient solution by N₂ flushing increased root plaque Fe content by between 11 and 77 % (average 31 %). The N₂ flushing treatment generated root iron plaques with a smoother surface than the non-N₂ flushing treatment, as observed by scanning electron microscopy, but Fe oxyhydroxides coating the rice seedling roots were amorphous. The root iron plaques sequestrated Zn and Cd and the N₂ flushing enhanced this effect by approx. 17 % for Zn and 71 % for Cd, calculated by both single and combined additions of Zn and Cd.

Conclusions

Blocking of oxygen intrusion into the nutrient solution via N₂ flushing enhanced root iron plaque formation and increased Cd and Zn sequestration in the iron plaques of rice seedlings. This study suggests that hydroponic studies that do not consider redox potential in the induction matrices might lead to an under-estimate of metal sequestration by root iron plaques of wetland plants.