The identity of the type-species of Gonatocerus Nees (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae)

The validity of Gonatocerus Nees is discussed, and the identity of the type-species, G.longicornis, is established. Generic and specific synonymy is listed, and the neotype female of G.longicornis is redescribed.     

Rotoitidae, a curious new family of Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) from New Zealand

Abstract. A new chalcidoid family, Rotoitidae fam.n., is described from New Zealand. The probable systematic affinities of Rotoitidae are discussed and the type genus and a single included species, Rotoita basalis gen. et sp.n., are described and illustrated.     

Synaptic conditions for auto-associative memory storage and pattern completion in Jensen et al.’s model of hippocampal area CA3

Jensen et al. (Learn Memory 3(2–3):243–256, 1996b) proposed an auto-associative memory model using an integrated short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) spiking neural network. Their model requires that distinct pyramidal cells encoding different STM patterns are fired in different high-frequency gamma subcycles within each low-frequency theta oscillation. Auto-associative LTM is formed by modifying the recurrent synaptic efficacy between pyramidal cells. In order to store auto-associative LTM correctly, the recurrent synaptic efficacy must be bounded. The synaptic efficacy must be upper bounded to prevent re-firing of pyramidal cells in subsequent gamma subcycles. If cells encoding one memory item were to re-fire synchronously with other cells encoding another item in subsequent gamma subcycle, LTM stored via modifiable recurrent synapses would be corrupted. The synaptic efficacy must also be lower bounded so that memory pattern completion can be performed correctly. This paper uses the original model by Jensen et al. as the basis to illustrate the following points. Firstly, the importance of coordinated long-term memory (LTM) synaptic modification. Secondly, the use of a generic mathematical formulation (spiking response model) that can theoretically extend the results to other spiking network utilizing threshold-fire spiking neuron model. Thirdly, the interaction of long-term and short-term memory networks that possibly explains the asymmetric distribution of spike density in theta cycle through the merger of STM patterns with interaction of LTM network.     

Asymmetry in an Ordovician conulariid cnidarian

Sendino, C., Zágor?ek, K. & Taylor, P.D. 2012: Asymmetry in an Ordovician conulariid cnidarian. Lethaia, Vol. 45, pp. 423–431. Conulariids are fossils of the presumed polyps of an extinct scyphozoan cnidarian group. Their cone‐shaped skeletons normally show perfect tetraradial symmetry. However, in the Ordovician species Metaconularia anomala ( Barrande 1867 ) from Drabov (Czech Republic), tetraradial symmetry is compromised in three ways: (1) the skeleton often shows torsion; (2) the four sides may vary in width at the same level within one individual; and (3) one side may be deleted to give a triradial skeleton. Almost 2000 specimens were studied in museum collections. About 56% of analysed specimens are twisted in an anticlockwise direction (sinistral) when viewed from the apex towards the aperture, 28% show no torsion, 1% exhibit clockwise torsion (dextral) and the remaining 15% cannot be classified. Maximum measured torsion rate was 1.5°/mm. A significant negative correlation between torsion rate and length suggests that more highly torted individuals may have survived less well. Almost 5% of individuals show loss of one side for at least part of their lengths. Although many individuals have four sides of equal width, in a significant proportion the sides are of unequal width, up to a maximum/minimum side width ratio of 2 (i.e. widest face twice the width of the narrowest). In the absence of a satisfactory taphonomic model to explain the asymmetries, they are regarded as mirroring asymmetries in the living conulariids, with the strong preference for sinistral torsion interpreted as an example of a fixed asymmetry that was genetically controlled and heritable. It is speculated that the signalling protein Nodal as well as Hox‐like genes were involved in controlling the asymmetries described in M. anomala.     

Absence of BoLA class I antigens on bovine spermatozoa

Summary. Forty AI bulls were tested for BoLA class I antigens by means of eight specific polyclonal reagents. By means of immobilization and sperm penetration tests these antigens were not detected on sperm cells. Isoimmunization studies with the use of sperm as antigenic stimuli and insemination of frozen spermatozoa diluted in specific reagents did not prove the presence of BoLA class I antigens on bovine spermatozoa. The cytotoxic tests used in this investigation were not reliable.     

AGE DEPENDENCE OF THE NUMBER OF THE STEM CELLS IN HAEMOPOIETIC TISSUES OF RATS

The number and concentration of haemopoietic stem cells in the femoral bone marrow and spleen of Wistar rats of different ages were investigated. Stem cells were assayed by the spleen colony technique in irradiated rat recipients. The ability of the recipient spleen to harvest transplanted tissue as a macroscopic colony was found to be dependent on the recipient's age. Changes with senescence were observed also in the concentration and the size of the stem cell compartment both in the marrow and spleen. No differences were demonstrated in the seeding of transplanted colony-forming units into the spleen of recipients of 1 and 4 months of age. A rats-mice strain difference in the effect of senescence on the haemopoietic stem cells is discussed.     

Crystal structure of thrombin in complex with S-variegin: insights of a novel mechanism of inhibition and design of tunable thrombin inhibitors

The inhibition of thrombin is one of the important treatments of pathological blood clot formation. Variegin, isolated from the tropical bont tick, is a novel molecule exhibiting a unique ‘two-modes’ inhibitory property on thrombin active site (competitive before cleavage, noncompetitive after cleavage). For the better understanding of its function, we have determined the crystal structure of the human α-thrombin:synthetic-variegin complex at 2.4 Å resolution. The structure reveals a new mechanism of thrombin inhibition by disrupting the charge relay system. Based on the structure, we have designed 17 variegin variants, differing in potency, kinetics and mechanism of inhibition. The most active variant is about 70 times more potent than the FDA-approved peptidic thrombin inhibitor, hirulog-1/bivalirudin. In vivo antithrombotic effects of the variegin variants correlate well with their in vitro affinities for thrombin. Our results encourage that variegin and the variants show strong potential for the development of tunable anticoagulants.