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.     

Studies on the lipid dependency and mechanism of the translocation of the mitochondrial precursor protein apocytochrome c across model membranes

The lipid dependency of apocytochrome c binding to model membranes and of the translocation of the precursor protein across these membranes was studied by using large unilamellar, trypsin-containing vesicles. These vesicles were improved with respect to those used in a previous article (Rietveld, A., and de Kruijff, B. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 6704-6706), in the sense that a lower amount of trypsin was enclosed. In mixed egg phosphatidylcholine/bovine brain phosphatidylserine vesicles, both the Kd of apocytochrome c binding (about 20 microM) and the number of phosphatidylserine molecules interacting with the protein was found to be constant. When the phosphatidylserine fraction in the vesicles is more than 15-30% apocytochrome c addition results in the exposure of (a part of) the protein to the internal, trypsin-containing vesicle medium, which process we conceive as a translocation event. Also the interaction of apocytochrome c with vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine and another acidic phospholipid in a 1:1 ratio, leads to the translocation of the protein across the model membrane. The affinity of this binding was found to be in the order cardiolipin greater than phosphatidylglycerol greater than phosphatidylinositol greater than phosphatidylserine. By varying the lipid composition of the vesicles, it could be demonstrated that the translocation requires a fluid bilayer. In addition, protein specificity was shown for the translocation process. Although apocytochrome c-lipid interaction causes vesicle aggregation, fusion by lipid mixing could not be detected. Due to the apocytochrome c-lipid interaction also, protein aggregates and oligomers have been formed. These results will be discussed in the light of a model for translocation of a precursor protein across a model membrane. The relevance for the mitochondrial system will also be discussed.