Active cell movements coupled to positional induction are involved in lineage segregation in the mouse blastocyst

In the mouse blastocyst, some cells of the inner cell mass (ICM) develop into primitive endoderm (PE) at the surface, while deeper cells form the epiblast. It remained unclear whether the position of cells determines their fate, such that gene expression is adjusted to cell position, or if cells are pre-specified at random positions and then sort. We have tracked and characterised dynamics of all ICM cells from the early to late blastocyst stage. Time-lapse microscopy in H2B-EGFP embryos shows that a large proportion of ICM cells change position between the surface and deeper compartments. Most of this cell movement depends on actin and is associated with cell protrusions. We also find that while most cells are precursors for only one lineage, some give rise to both, indicating that lineage segregation is not complete in the early ICM. Finally, changing the expression levels of the PE marker Gata6 reveals that it is required in surface cells but not sufficient for the re-positioning of deeper cells. We provide evidence that Wnt9A, known to be expressed in the surface ICM, facilitates re-positioning of Gata6-expressing cells. Combining these experimental results with computer modelling suggests that PE formation involves both cell sorting movements and position-dependent induction.     

THE ENIGMATIC EARLY CAMBRIAN SALANYGOLINA– A STEM GROUP OF RHYNCHONELLIFORM CHILEATE BRACHIOPODS?

Abstract:  New material of the enigmatic brachiopod Salanygolina obliqua Ushatinskaya from the Early Cambrian of Mongolia shows that it has a colleplax – a triangular plate – in the umbonal perforation, which is enlarged by resorption. This structure is otherwise only known from the equally enigmatic Palaeozoic orders Chileida and Dictyonellida (Rhynchonelliformea, Chileata). The colleplax in Salanygolina is here considered to be homologous with that of the chileates. Salanygolina is also provided with a ridge-like pseudodeltidium, which is another chileate feature. Other characters of Salanygolina , like the radial arrangement of adductor muscle scars and postero-medially placed internal oblique muscles are characteristic of chileates, but also found in the paterinates. In contrast, mixoperipheral dorsal valves with low rudimentary interareas are well known in paterinates, but not yet recorded from chileates. Thus, Salanygolina shows a mosaic combination of morphologic characters, known both from the paterinates and chileates, indicating that it may represent a stem group of the rhynchonelliform chileate brachiopods. The laminar phosphatic secondary shell of Salanygolina is composed of closely packed and nearly identical hexagonal prisms, oriented with their long axis normal to the laminae in a honeycomb pattern. The prism walls appear to have originally been composed of organic membranes and might represent precursors of the organic sheaths of calcite fibers that are typical of calcitic shells with a fibrous microstructure.     

不同耕作方式对内蒙古旱作农田土壤微生物量和作物指标的影响

研究了不同耕作方式下土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷及玉米全生育期叶面积指数、株高和干物质积累量的动态变化,并对土壤指标与作物指标之间的关系进行分析.结果表明:免耕有利于提高土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷含量.不同处理微生物量均表现为:免耕留高茬覆盖>免耕留低茬覆盖>免耕留高茬>免耕留低茬>传统耕翻;土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷含量随土层深度的增加而呈降低趋势.除传统耕翻微生物量碳在10～20 cm土层深度含量提高外,其他处理微生物量碳、氮、磷均表现为0～10 cm>10～20 cm>20～30 cm>30～40cm土层深度;土壤生物量碳、氮、磷随季节的变化趋势基本一致,不同处理土壤生物量含量均为7月份含量最高、6月份次之、10月份最低;叶面积指数全生育期呈单峰曲线变化,株高和干物质积累呈S曲线变化.不同处理之间作物指标均表现为免耕留高茬覆盖>免耕留低茬覆盖>免耕留高茬>免耕留低茬>传统耕翻;土壤微生物量与作物指标之间的相关度较高,特别是微生物量磷,土壤微生物量在一定程度上可以反映作物的生长状况.研究结果能够很好地揭示在黄河流域内蒙古农田旱作区实施免耕的优势.

Abstract：

This paper studied the dynamic changes of soil microbial biomass and crop indices on a degraded rain-fed maize field in the Qingshuihe County of Inner Mongolia under no tillage with low stubble (NL), no tillage with high stubble (NH), no tillage with low stubble and residues (NLS), no tillage with high stubble and residues (NHS), and conventional tillage (CT). No tillage increased the soil microbial biomass C, N, and P, with the sequence of treatments NHS > NLS > NH > NL > CT. Except that the soil microbial biomass C in CT had an increase in 10-20 cm soil layer, the soil microbial biomass C, N, and P in all treatments decreased with soil depth. The soil microbial biomass C, N, and P had the same seasonal pattern, being the highest in July, secondly in June, and the lowest in October. The LAI in whole growth period varied in unimodal form, while the plant height and dry matter accumulation were in "S" form. All the crop indices followed the order of NHS > NLS > NH > NL > CT. Soil microbial biomass, its P in particular, had positive correlations with crop indices. Our results revealed the advantages of no tillage on rain-fed farmlands in Inner Mongolia.     

依据牙形刺确定的蒙古国塔琳波格德组（Taliin Bogd Formation）的时代

在蒙古南部波尔海尔汗乌尔(Bor hairhan uul)剖面的塔琳波格德组下部的6个样品中发现了牙形刺,通过研究清楚地表明含牙形刺动物群的塔琳波格德组下部的时代是中洛霍考夫阶(早泥盆世)到中艾菲尔阶(中泥盆世).塔琳波格德组的牙形刺动物群更接近于北美同时期的动物群,而与欧洲同期动物群相远.这一动物群可能属于冷水动物群.作者在文中描写了一个新种:Steptotaxis mongolianus sp.nov.Wang.     

内蒙古道虎沟中侏罗世原褶蚊科化石记述(昆虫纲,双翅目,原褶蚊科)

描述原褶蚊科Eoptychopteridae Handlirsch,1906化石3新种,华美刻痕原褶蚊Crenoptychoptera decorosa sp.nov.,普通刻痕原褶蚊Crenoptychoptera vulgaris sp.nov.,近刻痕原褶蚊Crenoptychoptera vicina sp.nov..所有标本均采自内蒙古宁城道虎沟中侏罗世九龙山组,模式标本保存在首都师范大学生命科学学院.     

A Dietary Risk Assessment for Indigenous Consumption of Natural Salt Deposits in the Darhad Valley,Northern Mongolia

The nomadic herding population of the Darhad Valley, in northern Mongolia, collects and utilizes a salt precipitate, called hujir, which develops at the saline system, Tohi. This culturally important indigenous dietary supplement is consumed daily as an ingredient in a salty milk-tea and because of its essential micro- and macronutrients it is a beneficial and necessary part of their daily diet. Despite its benefits, there are increasing health concerns among the Darhad people as a result of consuming hujir. Therefore, we conducted a dietary risk assessment. Consumption rates were obtained from interviews with nomadic herders of the valley and a chronic exposure assessment was completed using chemical analyses on hujir samples. A combination of chronic toxicity threshold values, dietary reference intake recommendations, and drinking water guidelines were used to estimate dietary risks related to hujir consumption. Exposures to arsenic, fluoride, and nitrate were as high as 33, 1.2, and 1.3 times the chronic oral reference dose, respectively. Exposures to antimony, arsenic, and lead were 1.7, 19, and 14 times the drinking water guidelines, respectively. Given these results, additional studies are needed to better understand possible health effects associated with hujir consumption in the Darhad population, especially for arsenic.     

Wolf Predation Among Reintroduced Przewalski Horses in Hustai National Park,Mongolia

ABSTRACT Depredation by wolves (Canis lupus) could threaten survival of reintroduced wild Przewalski horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) in Hustai National Park (HNP), Mongolia. We conducted scat analysis, spatial analyses of kills, and interviews to study prey species selection and temporal and spatial factors that characterize prey choices of wolves. Diet of wolves in HNP was comprised of >50% of livestock. Diet composition varied during the year, with more livestock taken in winter. Wildlife species were selected over livestock species. From available livestock species domestic horses were predated most, whereas red deer (Cervus elaphus) and marmot (Marmota sibirica) were the preferred wildlife species. Our spatial analyses showed an unexpected significant positive relation between number of domestic horses killed and distance to the park, as well as a significant negative relation with number of gers (tents) in the area. Compared to randomly selected comparison sites (n = 36), we found Przewalski foal kills (n = 36) at sites that were closer to the forest, at higher altitudes, with lower shrub cover, higher forest cover, and higher red deer density. If the negative trend of deer numbers continues and if herdsmen protect their livestock more vigorously, depredation of wild Przewalski horses by wolves will rise. Therefore, a large red deer population could be pivotal in improving the conservation status of Przewalski horses.     

Seasonal dynamic changes in bacterial compositions in the Inner Mongolia desert steppe

Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) technique was employed to examine the seasonal dynamic changes in bacterial community composition in the Inner Mongolia desert steppe using specific primers F954 and R1369. Bright and reproducible bands were sequenced, and the phylogenic tree was constructed. The results show that the bacterial community composition changed between different seasons. The specific bands were different between the sampling sites with light and heavy levels of degraded grassland. Three main types of bacteria constituting the microbial community in the Inner Mongolia desert steppe belonged to the α, γ andgd-sub phyla of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Acidobacteria. The unculturable bacteria accounted for 69% of the whole bacterial community of the Inner Mongolia desert steppe.     

内蒙古巴特敖包地区早泥盆世牙形刺

内蒙古达茂旗(达尔罕茂明安联合旗)巴特敖包地区以碳酸岩相古生代地层发育而引人注意。经多年研究,特别是李文国等(1985)的研究,使本区珊瑚、腕足类、层孔虫、鹦鹉螺等大化石的研究工作已有一定基础,并依据牙形刺首先确定了在阿鲁共剖面有泥盆纪地层的存在。但本区泥盆纪地层仍存在很多问题,必须通过对牙形刺的研究加以解决。在王成源研究员的精心安排和亲自指导下,作者等在巴特敖包地区的七个剖面进行了系统取样研究。经对158个样品(重667kg)的分析,在本区发现了大量的原定为志留纪的早泥盆世地层,包括西别河组命名剖面。分析结果同时证明,本区不存在志留系温洛克统的沉积。巴特敖包剖面断层发育,志留—泥盆纪地层交替出现,巴特敖包组应取消,原定的阿鲁共剖面层序颠倒。本区地层应厘订为志留系的西别河组(罗德洛统—普里道利统)和下泥盆统的阿鲁共组(Lochkovian阶),前者以包尔汉图剖面为标准剖面,后者应寻找更好的标准剖面。本文重点总结巴特敖包地区早泥盆世的牙形刺。本区共建立了4个牙形刺带,文中共描述了8牙形刺属,21种,其中包括4亚种、1新种(Belodellataeniocuspidatasp.nov.)和1未定种。     

Abundance and Diversity of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in High Arsenic Shallow Aquifers

The abundance, diversity, and relative distribution of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in high arsenic (As) groundwater aquifers of Hangjinhouqi County in the Hetao Basin, Inner Mongolia was investigated using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis of dsrB genes (encoding dissimilatory sulfite reductase beta-subunit). DGGE results revealed that SRB populations were diverse, but were mainly composed of Desulfotomaculum, Desulfobulbus, Desulfosarcina, and Desulfobacca. The abundance of Desulfobulbus was positively correlated with the ratio of Fe(II)/Fe(III). Although qPCR results showed that the dsrB gene abundance in groundwater samples ranged from below detection to 4.9 × 10⁶ copies/L, and the highest percentage of dsrB gene copies to bacterial 16S rRNA gene copies was 2.1%. Geochemical analyses showed that As(III) content and the ratio of Fe(II) to Fe(III) increased with total As, while sulfate concentrations decreased. Interestingly, the dsrB gene abundance was positively correlated with As concentrations. These results indicate that sulfate reduction occurs simultaneously with As and Fe reduction, and might result in increased As release and mobilization when As is not incorporated into iron sulfides. This study improves our understanding of SRB and As cycling in high As groundwater systems.