Conservation of plasmid-encoded dibenzothiophene desulfurization genes in several rhodococci.

The cloned sulfur oxidation (desulfurization) genes (sox) for dibenzothiophene (DBT) from the prototype Rhodococcus sp. strain IGTS8 were used in Southern hybridization and PCR experiments to establish the DNA relatedness in six new rhodococcal isolates which are capable of utilizing DBT as a sole sulfur source for growth. The ability of these strains to desulfurize appears to be an exclusive property of a 4-kb gene locus on a large plasmid of ca. 150 kb in IGTS8 and ca. 100 kb in the other strains. Besides a difference in plasmid profile, IGTS8 is distinguishable from the other strains in at least the copy number of the insertion sequence IS1166, which is associated with the sox genes.     

Comparing global models of terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP): analysis of differences in light absorption and light-use efficiency

Twelve global net primary productivity (NPP) models were compared: BIOME3, CASA, CARAIB, FBM, GLO-PEM, HYBRID, KGBM, PLAI, SDBM, SIB2, SILVAN and TURC. These models all use solar radiation as an input, and compute either absorbed solar radiation directly, or the amount of leaves used to absorb solar radiation, represented by the leaf area index (LAI). For all models, we obtained or estimated photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by the canopy (APAR). We then computed the light use efficiency for NPP (LUE) on an annual basis as the ratio of NPP to APAR. We analysed the relative importance for NPP of APAR and LUE. The analyses consider the global values of these factors, their spatial patterns represented by latitudinal variations, and the overall grid cell by grid cell variability. Spatial variability in NPP within a model proved to be determined by APAR, and differences among models by LUE. There was a compensation between APAR and LUE, so that global NPP values fell within the range of ‘generally accepted values’. Overall, APAR was lower for satellite driven models than for the other models. Most computed values of LUE were within the range of published values, except for one model.     

我国几种土壤甲螨包括一新种及二新亚种记述（蜱螨亚纲：甲螨亚目）

本文报道了新近采得的我国土壤甲螨六种,其中新种和新亚种定名为:中华弯步甲螨Gibbicepheus chinensis sp. nov.,长新领甲螨帽尔山亚种Caenosamerus spatiosus maoershanensis subsp. nov.,克氏蕾甲螨帽尔山亚种Gemmazetes crosby maoershanensis subsp. nov.,并记述了我国新纪录甲螨三种:大全罗甲螨Perlohm(?) gigantea(Aoki,1960)、水沢,德之甲螨乳Tolamocecheus mizusouai Aoki,1966及沼沢梁甲螨Lamellobates palustris Hammer,1958。     

Accuracy of Glenoid Component Placement in Total Shoulder Arthroplasty and Its Effect on Clinical and Radiological Outcome in a Retrospective,Longitudinal, Monocentric Open Study

Background

The success of Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (TSA) is believed to depend on the restoration of the natural anatomy of the joint and a key development has been the introduction of modular humeral components to more accurately restore the patient’s anatomy. However, there are no peer-reviewed studies that have reported the degree of glenoid component mal-position achieved in clinical practice and the clinical outcome of such mal-position. The main purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of glenoid implant positioning during TSA and to relate it to the radiological (occurrence of radiolucent lines and osteolysis on CT) and clinical outcomes.

Methods

68 TSAs were assessed with a mean follow-up of 38+/−27 months. The clinical evaluation consisted of measuring the mobility as well as of the Constant Score. The radiological evaluation was performed on CT-scans in which metal artefacts had been eliminated. From the CT-scans radiolucent lines and osteolysis were assessed. The positions of the glenoid and humeral components were also measured from the CT scans.

Results

Four position glenoid component parameters were calculated The posterior version (6°±12°; mean ± SD), the superior tilt (12°±17°), the rotation of the implant relative to the scapular plane (3°±14°) and the off-set distance of the centre of the glenoid implant from the scapular plane (6±4 mm). An inferiorly inclined implant was found to be associated with higher levels of radiolucent lines while retroversion and non-neutral rotation were associated with a reduced range of motion.

Conclusion

this study demonstrates that glenoid implants of anatomic TSA are poorly positioned and that this malposition has a direct effect on the clinical and radiological outcome. Thus, further developments in glenoid implantation techniques are required to enable the surgeon to achieve a desired implant position and outcome.     

安徽宁国毛竹山发现的旧石器早期遗存

1997年在安徽宁国毛竹山发掘的旧石器时代早期遗存 ,轮廓略呈半圆形 ,长 10m、宽 6m ,由 110 0多件砾石和石制品构成 ,中间部分是面积 4 7× 4m2 的空白区。遗存埋藏在网纹红土的底部 ,地质时代为中更新世中期 ,距今约 6 0万年。此类现象在中国旧石器时代早期尚属首次发现 ,可能属于储料场和石器制造场 ,也可能还有其他用途。     

Estrogen and testosterone have opposing effects on chronic cardiac remodeling and function in mice with myocardial infarction

Premenopausal women are much less prone to develop cardiovascular disease than men of similar age, but this advantage no longer applies after menopause. We previously found that male mice have a significantly higher rate of cardiac rupture than females during the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI); however, the effects of sexual hormones on chronic remodeling are unknown. We hypothesized that estrogen (E) may protect the heart from chronic remodeling and deterioration of function post-MI, whereas testosterone (T) may have adverse effects. Mice (4 wk old) of both genders were divided into four groups: female groups consisted of 1) sham ovariectomy (S-Ovx) + placebo (P) (S-Ovx + P), 2) S-Ovx + T, 3) Ovx + P, and 4) Ovx + T; and male groups consisted of 1) sham castration (S-Cas)+ P (S-Cas + P), 2) S-Cas + 17beta-estradiol (E), 3) Cas + P, and 4) Cas + E. MI was induced 6 wk later. Echocardiography was performed to assess cardiac function and left ventricular dimensions (LVD). Myocyte cross-sectional area (MCSA) was measured at the end of the study. In females, both testosterone and ovariectomy decreased ejection fraction (EF) and increased LVD, and when combined they aggravated cardiac function and remodeling further. Testosterone significantly increased MCSA. In males, castration or estrogen increased EF and reduced LVD, whereas castration significantly reduced MCSA. Our data suggest that estrogen prevents deterioration of cardiac function and remodeling after MI, but testosterone worsens cardiac dysfunction and remodeling and has a pronounced effect when estrogen levels are reduced.     

Do Horses Have a Concept of Person?

Background

Animals'' ability for cross-modal recognition has recently received much interest. Captive or domestic animals seem able to perceive cues of human attention and appear to have a multisensory perception of humans.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here, we used a task where horses have to remain immobile under a vocal order to test whether they are sensitive to the attentional state of the experimenter, but also whether they behave and respond differently to the familiar order when tested by a familiar or an unknown person. Horses'' response varied according to the person''s attentional state when the order was given by an unknown person: obedience levels were higher when the person giving the order was looking at the horse than when he was not attentive. More interesting is the finding that whatever the condition, horses monitored much more and for longer times the unknown person, as if they were surprised to hear the familiar order given by an unknown voice.

Conclusion/Significance

These results suggest that recognition of humans may lie in a global, integrated, multisensory representation of specific individuals, that includes visual and vocal identity, but also expectations on the individual''s behaviour in a familiar situation.