Posterior dental size reduction in hominids: The Atapuerca evidence

In order to reassess previous hypotheses concerning dental size reduction of the posterior teeth during Pleistocene human evolution, current fossil dental evidence is examined. This evidence includes the large sample of hominid teeth found in recent excavations (1984–1993) in the Sima de los Huesos Middle Pleistocene cave site of the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain). The lower fourth premolars and molars of the Atapuerca hominids, probably older than 300 Kyr, have dimensions similar to those of modern humans. Further, these hominids share the derived state of other features of the posterior teeth with modern humans, such as a similar relative molar size and frequent absence of the hypoconulid, thus suggesting a possible case of parallelism. We believe that dietary changes allowed size reduction of the posterior teeth during the Middle Pleistocene, and the present evidence suggests that the selective pressures that operated on the size variability of these teeth were less restrictive than what is assumed by previous models of dental reduction. Thus, the causal relationship between tooth size decrease and changes in food-preparation techniques during the Pleistocene should be reconsidered. Moreover, the present evidence indicates that the differential reduction of the molars cannot be explained in terms of restriction of available growth space. The molar crown area measurements of a modern human sample were also investigated. The results of this study, as well as previous similar analyses, suggest that a decrease of the rate of cell proliferation, which affected the later-forming crown regions to a greater extent, may be the biological process responsible for the general and differential dental size reduction that occurred during human evolution. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Catecholamine and MHPG plasma levels,platelet MAO activity,and3H-imipramine binding in heroin and cocaine addicts

This work evaluated in a population of heroin and heroin plus cocaine human addicts:

1. Norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (Epi), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) (the principal metabolite of brain NE) plasma levels;
2. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity; and
3. ³H-imipramine specific binding to the amine carrier in platelets.

NE plasma levels were significantly lower in the short-term heroin user groups (1–3 and 4–6 yr), a finding not observed in both the long-term heroin user (>6 yr) and heroin plus cocaine user (>6 yr) groups. Epi levels changed in a similar manner, except that a significant increase was noted in heroin plus cocaine abusers. Conversely, dopamine and MHPG plasma levels increased with the duration of heroin use, and even more with cocaine abuse. Platelet MAO activity increased in all groups. Specific³H-imipramine binding sites showed an increase after 3 yr of heroin abuse and in all heroin plus cocaine addicts. In conclusion, short-term use of heroin decreases NE or Epi release, but with prolonged use, a slow adpatation occurs. In contrast, cocaine inhibits the neuronal Epi uptake, even in a situation of long duration of abuse. Probably the amine levels additionally regulate the amine carrier, resulting in changes that show a different pattern from major depression. These drugs of abuse may also influence directly or indirectly related enzymatic systems.     

Incipient sex chromosome differentiation in an isopod crustacean species,Asellus aquaticus

Asellus aquaticus, a sexually dimorphic isopod crustacean, has no morphologically distinguishable sex chromosome pair. In 25% of the males from a natural population the fluorochrome chromomycin A₃ revealed a pair of metacentric chromosomes that was heteromorphic for two heterochromatic areas. One chromosome had a fluorescent band in each of the two arms, whereas the other chromosome lacked both bands. Chromosomal analysis was performed on 50 sibships produced by known parents. The heterochromosome was inherited only by the male offspring of males bearing it. Its distribution led us to postulate the existence of an incipient differentiating sex chromosome pair in the A. aquaticus population.This paper is dedicated to Prof. Guiseppe Montalenti on the occasion of his 80th birthday.     

Isolation and properties of flagella of trypanosomatids.

A procedufe is described for the isolation of flagella of Crithidia fasciculata, Herpetomonas samuelpessoai and Leishmania tarentolae in a highly purified state and giving reasonably good yield. The 3 types of flagella give a similar electrophoretic pattern of proteins. It is shown that H. samuelpessoai and, to a lesser extent, C. fasciculata flagella confer protection against Trypanosoma cruzi infection.     

New renin inhibitors homologous with pepstatin.

Four homologues of pepstatin, the potent but poorly soluble inhibitor of aspartic proteinases, were synthesized by coupling to the C-terminus of the natural pentapeptide the following amino acid residues: L-arginine methyl ester, L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid and the dipeptide L-aspartyl-L-arginine. The peptide-coupling reagent we used, benzotriazolyloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, allowed us to obtain readily pure pepstatin homologues with high yields (60-83%). Pepstatylarginine methyl ester and pepstatylglutamic acid were about one order of magnitude more water-soluble than pepstatin. The four homologues and pepstatin were tested in vitro as inhibitors for highly purified pig and human renins acting on the N-acetyltetradecapeptide substrate. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of the homologues were ranged from 0.01 to 1 microM against porcine renin at pH 6.0 (pepstatin IC50 approximately 0.32 microM) and from 5.8 to 41 microM against human renin at pH 6.5 (pepstatin IC 50 approximately 17 microM). By three different graphical methods we showed that pepstatin and the four homologues behaved as competitive inhibitors for porcine renin. The most potent inhibitors were pepstatylaspartic acid and pepstatylglutamic acid, with inhibitory constants respectively 2- and 10-fold smaller than that of pepstatin. By coupling glutamic acid to pepstatin, the ratio solubility/Ki was increased by two orders of magnitude.     

Effects of micromolar concentrations of free calcium ions on the reduction of heart mitochondrial NAD(P) by 2-oxoglutarate.

1. The reduction of mitochondrial NAD(P) by 2-oxoglutarate was monitored as a measure of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase activity in its intramitochondrial locale. In the absence of ADP, steady-state reduction of NAD(P) by 0.5 mM-2-oxoglutarate in the presence of 0.5 mM-L-malate was markedly increased by extramitochondrial Ca2+, with 50% activation at pCa 6.58, when the Na+ concentration was 10 mM, the Pi concentration ws 5 mM and the added Mg2+ concentration was 1 mM. Omission of Pi resulted in 50% activation at pCa 6.77; omission of Mg2+ resulted in 50% activation at pCA greater than or equal to 7.3. 2. The activation of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase could be reversed on addition of an excess of EGTA. The rate of inactivation was dependent on the concentration of Na+, with K0.5 2.5 mM, which is consistent with the rate of withdrawal of Ca2+ from the mitochondria being the limiting factor. 3. The steady-state reduction of cytochrome c by 2-oxoglutarate (0.5 mM) also showed a marked dependence on pCa in the absence of ADP; in the presence of an excess of ADP, no such effect of Ca2+ was detectable. 4. Mitochondria from the hearts of senescent rats showed an undiminished rate of dehydrogenase activation by Ca2+ but a rate of inactivation by excess EGTA that was diminished by 40%. Direct studies of Ca2+ egress with Arsenazo III confirmed a decrement in rate with old age. 5. Studies of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase activity as a function of the mitochondrial context of Ca2+, as measured by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry, showed half-maximal activation at a mitochondrial content of 1.0 nmol of Ca2+/mg of protein, and saturation at 3 nmol/mg. 6. These findings support the model advanced by Denton, Richards & Chin [(1978) Biochem. J. 176, 899-906], of a control of the tricarboxylate cycle by intramitochondrial Ca2+, and demonstrate the range of mitochondrial Ca2+ content over which this may occur. In addition, they raise the possibility of a disturbance of this control mechanism in old age.     

Bicyclo[3,2,1]octanoid,neolignans from Aniba simulans

Six bicyclo[3,2,1]octanoid neolignans, isolated from the benzene extract of Aniba simulans Allen (Lauraceae) trunk wood, are shown to derive from two basic structures: 1-allyl-8-hydroxy-6-(3′-methoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-7-methyl-3-oxobicyclo[3,2,1]octane, substituted by 4-hydroxy, 4-hydroxy-5-methoxy, 4-methoxy or 4,5-dimethoxy groups; and 1-allyl-8-hydroxy-6-(3′-methoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-7-methyl-4-oxobicyclo[3,2,1]oct-2-ene, substituted by 3-hydroxy or 3-hydroxy-5-methoxy groups. The structural proposals are based on spectral data, interconversions synthesis of a derivative from the known (2R,3S,3aS)-3a-allyl-5-methoxy-2-(3′-methoxy,4′,5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2,3,3a,6-tetrahydro-6-oxobenzofuran.     

Nitrogen fixation throughout growth,and varietal differences in nitrogen fixation by the rhizosphere of rice planted in pots

Summary The nitrogen-fixing activity in the rhizospheres of various rices was measured by the acetylene-reduction method throughout plant growth in green-house pots. The activity began to increase 4 weeks after transplanting, increased until heading stage, then decreased. The concentrations of exchangeable ammonium and sugars in the soil were not related to the variation of nitrogen-fixing activity during rice growth.The nitrogen-fixing activities in the rhizospheres of 41 rice varieties in pots were measured to discover varietal differences. Levels of nitrogen fixation were highly correlated with the rices' dry root weight at heading stage.