Structure and growth pattern of the bizarre hemispheric prominence on the rostrum of the fossil beaked whale Globicetus hiberus (Mammalia,Cetacea, Ziphiidae)

The rostrum of most ziphiids (beaked whales) displays bizarre swollen regions, accompanied with extreme hypermineralisation and an alteration of the collagenous mesh of the bone. The functional significance of this specialization remains obscure. With the voluminous and dense hemispheric excrescence protruding from the premaxillae, the recently described fossil ziphiid Globicetus hiberus is the most spectacular case. This study describes the histological structure and interprets the growth pattern of this unique feature. Histologically, the prominence in Globicetus is made up of an atypical fibro‐lamellar complex displaying an irregular laminar organization and extreme compactness (osteosclerosis). Its development is suggested to have resulted from a protraction of periosteal accretion over the premaxillae, long after the end of somatic growth. Complex shifts in the geometry of this tissue are likely to have occurred during its accretion and no indication of Haversian remodeling could be found. X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy indicate that the bone matrix in the premaxillary prominence of Globicetus closely resembles that of the rostrum of the extant beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris: apatite crystals are of common size and strongly oriented, but the collagenous meshwork within bone matrix seems to be extremely sparse. These morphological and structural data are discussed in the light of functional interpretations proposed for the highly unusual and diverse ziphiid rostrum. J. Morphol. 277:1292–1308, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Behavioral laterality in captive bonobos (Pan paniscus): Replication and extension

We report observational data on behavioral laterality in 10 captive bonobos (Pan paniscus)at the San Diego Zoo. The unimanual measures include carrying, leading limb in locomotion, self-touching, face-touching, reaching, and gestures. We also recorded bimanual feeding in these subjects. A significant population level left-hand bias exists for carrying. Right-hand biases occur for leading limb in locomotion and gestures. During bimanual feeding, the bonobos hold food items with the left hand while feeding with the right hand. Overall, bonobos exhibit behavioral asymmetries that are similar to previous findings in other pongid ape species. The asymmetries in gestures and bimanual feeding represent novel findings with theoretical implications for the origins of tool use and language.     

Antitumour activities of levans produced by Zymomonas mobilis strains

Levans produced by four Zymomonas mobilis strains showed antitumour activity against sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich carcinoma in Swiss albino mice. Levans from two strains (ZAP and CP4) had the highest effects. NMR analysis showed that the polymers were composed only of fructose units. The results suggested that the antineoplasic effect is associated to the polysaccharide molecular weight and that a particular molecular weight range may be responsible for this effect.     

The Use of Proton Chemical Shifts to Define the Solution Structure of a Dimeric Peptide

For flexible peptides, nuclear Overhauser Effects (NOE) experiments do not provide enough information to ensure a correct definition of their solution structure. The use of distance constraints, derived from the knowledge of proton chemical shifts, is developed to restrict the number of possible conformations. In the case of flexible molecules, randomization appears as an important factor of the correct estimation of the chemical shifts from the 3D structure. The refinement of the solution structure of the highly flexible AVP-like parallel dimer is described to illustrate this process.     

Composition en glucides conjugués de l'hémolymphe de Blaberus craniifer: Variations au moment de l'ecdysis imaginale

Analysis of macromolecular carbohydrates performed by gas liquid chromatography on Gregarina blaberae haemolymph showed the presence of hexoses (galactose, mannose, glucose), methyl-pentose (fucose), and hexosamines (N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine). No trace of pentose or sialic acid or uronic acid was found. Mannose was the main neutral sugar. A change in the molar ratio of mannose consisting of an enrichment of female haemolymph occurred during larval-adult ecdysis. There was a parallel increase in glycoprotein staining with periodate-fuchsin after cellulose acetate electrophoresis of female haemolymph.