Ecological and evolutionary consequences of biotic homogenization

Biotic homogenization, the gradual replacement of native biotas by locally expanding non-natives, is a global process that diminishes floral and faunal distinctions among regions. Although patterns of homogenization have been well studied, their specific ecological and evolutionary consequences remain unexplored. We argue that our current perspective on biotic homogenization should be expanded beyond a simple recognition of species diversity loss, towards a synthesis of higher order effects. Here, we explore three distinct forms of homogenization (genetic, taxonomic and functional), and discuss their immediate and future impacts on ecological and evolutionary processes. Our goal is to initiate future research that investigates the broader conservation implications of homogenization and to promote a proactive style of adaptive management that engages the human component of the anthropogenic blender that is currently mixing the biota on Earth.     

Mechanism of neutrophil activation by NAF, a novel monocyte-derived peptide agonist

The rise in cytosolic free Ca2+, shape change, superoxide formation, and granule exocytosis induced in human neutrophils by N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) and by a newly discovered activating peptide, neutrophil-activating factor, termed NAF, were compared. NAF was effective in the concentration range of 0.1-10 nM and was 10- to 100-fold more potent than fMLP. In qualitative terms, the single responses to either stimulus were remarkably similar: they showed virtually identical onset and initial kinetics, and were all inhibited by pretreatment of the neutrophils with Bordetella pertussis toxin. In addition, the respiratory burst elicited by either stimulus was inhibited by 17-hydroxywortmannin and staurosporine. Two conclusions are drawn from these results: 1) neutrophil activation by NAF (as by fMLP) is dependent on a GTP-binding protein and on protein kinase C; 2) a similar, or even identical, mechanism of signal transduction must be assumed on stimulation of human neutrophils with NAF, fMLP, and other chemotactic agonists. Human monocytes, lymphocytes, and platelets did not show cytosolic free Ca2+ changes when exposed to NAF, which suggests that NAF is selective for the neutrophils.     

Der Einfluß von Elektrolyten auf Chloroplasten beim Gefrieren und Trocknen

Summary The effect of freezing, desiccation and various electrolytes on photophosphorylation, electron transport and some enzyme reactions of isolated spinach chloroplasts has been investigated. Freezing of broken chloroplasts took place at-25°C for 3 hrs; desiccation was performed at +2°C in vacuo over CaCl₂ for 3 hrs. The influence of various electrolytes during freezing or drying or during incubation of thylakoids or stroma enzymes for 3 hrs at +2°C in electrolyte solutions was determined. After treatment, the activities of a number of enzymes and enzyme systems were measured under normal conditions, e. g. in the absence of elevated electrolyte levels in a reaction medium which contained only the substrates and cofactors which are necessary for the respective enzyme reactions.Only photophosphorylation and electron transport were affected by freezing, desiccation and high concentrations of electrolytes; various soluble enzymes investigated here were not inactivated under the same conditions. In general, mild dehydration and lower concentrations of electrolytes resulted in an irreversible inactivation of ATP synthesis but did not impair ferricyanide reduction. With increasing dehydration or at higher concentrations of electrolytes the Hill reaction was also inhibited. In a certain range of dehydration and electrolyte concentration uncoupling of photophosphorylation from electron transport took place. Sugar protects the sensitive structures against the deleterious effect of both dehydration and high concentration of electrolytes.Various electrolytes affected thylakoid membranes differently. Inactivation of the membranes increased with increasing ion radius and decreasing hydration envelope of univalent or divalent cations. Divalent cations were more destructive than univalent cations. Anions did not follow these rules. Within a group of similar anions (halides or organic anions) effectivity decreased with increasing hydration envelope. On a molar basis, polyvalent anions were less effective than univalent anions. Inactivation by anions followed Hofmeister's series in seversed order. However, exceptions were observed and it appears that various ions affect the membrane in a specific manner.Inactivation of photophosphorylation and electron transport due to freezing or desiccation is identical to that due to high concentrations of electrolytes. This suggests that during dehydration due to freezing or drying the concentration of electrolytes in the remaining solution is responsible for the inactivation of the sensitive membranes.     

Über Gefässpaare im Gehirn der Katze

Summary Paired vessels, consisting of one artery and one vein, have so far only been described in the brains of some lower vertebrates and in the brains of marsupials (opossum). However, as shown in this paper, similar vessels also occur in the medulla oblongata, midbrain, hypothalamus, septum pellucidum, hippocampus and in the olfactory lobe of the cat's brain. In the neocortex and in the cerebellum no such vessels could be traced.—Whereas some paired vessels are first surrounded by connective tissue (Virchow-Robin's space) and then by a layer of glial fibres, most of the vessels are only ensheathed by a coat of glial fibres. These and other histological details are described and some functional implications are discussed under the assumption that the paired vessels allow diffusion of blood gases between venous and arterial blood and vice versa.

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Mit dankenswerter Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Structural and Stereochemical Studies of Hydroxyanthraquinone Derivatives from the Endophytic Fungus Coniothyrium sp

Four known hydroxyanthraquinones ( 1–4 ) together with four new derivatives having a tetralone moiety, namely coniothyrinones A–D ( 5–8 ), were isolated from the culture of Coniothyrium sp., an endophytic fungus isolated from Salsola oppostifolia from Gomera in the Canary Islands. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data. The absolute configurations of coniothyrinones A ( 5 ), B ( 6 ), and D ( 8 ) were determined by TDDFT calculations of CD spectra, allowing the determination of the absolute configuration of coniothyrinone C ( 7 ) as well. Coniothyrinones A ( 5 ), B ( 6 ), and D ( 8 ) could be used as ECD reference compounds in the determination of absolute configuration for related tetralone derivatives. This is the first report of anthraquinones and derivatives from an isolate of the genus Coniothyrium sp. These compounds showed inhibitory effects against the fungus Microbotryum violaceum, the alga Chlorella fusca, and the bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus megaterium. Chirality 25:141–148, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.