Vertical and horizontal distribution patterns of the giant sea anemone Heteractis crispa with symbiotic anemonefish on a fringing coral reef

The distribution patterns of the leathery sea anemone, Heteractis crispa, which contains an algal endosymbiont (zooxanthellae) and anemonefish, were investigated in relation to size distribution on a shallow fringing reef (3.2 ha, 0–4 m depth) in Okinawa, Japan. Individual growth and movements were also examined. Large individuals (>1,000 cm²) inhabited reef edges up to a depth of 4 m, while small anemone (<500 cm²) inhabited shallow reefs including inner reef flats. Individuals rarely moved, and their sizes were significantly correlated with their water depths. Growth of small anemones was negatively correlated with their distance from the reef edge, suggesting that reef edges provide more prey and lower levels of physiological stress. This study suggested that deep reef edges are suitable habitats for H. crispa. Large anemones were inhabited by large Amphiprion perideraion or large Amphiprion clarkii, both of which are effective defenders against anemone predators. Anemones that settle in deep reef edges may enjoy a higher survival rate and attain a large size because of their symbiotic relationship with anemonefish. However, early settlers do not harbor anemonefish. Their mortality rate would be higher in the deep edges than in shallow edges, the complicated topography of which provides refuge.     

Upper cretaceous rudist and stromatoporid associations of Central Oman (Arabian Peninsula)

Summary Rudist and stromatoporid associations of the Campanian from Central Oman are nearly monospecific. They are dominated byDurania aff.nicholasi, Vaccinites vesiculosus, Torreites milanovici or phaceloid and massive stromatoporids. Several other rudist genera play a secondary role. The thickness of the associations is rarely more than one metre. Solitary corals do not occur in the associations. Colonial corals are less common, although they are up to 1 m high and show considerable diversity. There are no binders. The reef structure indicates variable hydrodynamic conditions. They are always associated with very shallow water. The pureDurania aff.nicholasi patches with large colonial corals andTorreites milanovici are presumably the most rigid structures. The near monospecific associations ofVaccinites vesiculosus are widely distributed. Although mostly preserved in situ, strong currents, presumably caused by tropical storms, have repeatedly impaired and interrupted growth. The specific growth characteristics of the shell of some rudists, especially the radiolitids, enable an estimation of the individual lifespan. Frameworks of approximately 1 metre thickness probably developed in ±100 years. The sediments of the complete sections are predominantly bioclastic.     

Biotechnological challenges of bioartificial kidney engineering

With the world-wide increase of patients with renal failure, the development of functional renal replacement therapies have gained significant interest and novel technologies are rapidly evolving. Currently used renal replacement therapies insufficiently remove accumulating waste products, resulting in the uremic syndrome. A more preferred treatment option is kidney transplantation, but the shortage of donor organs and the increasing number of patients waiting for a transplant warrant the development of novel technologies. The bioartificial kidney (BAK) is such promising biotechnological approach to replace essential renal functions together with the active secretion of waste products. The development of the BAK requires a multidisciplinary approach and evolves at the intersection of regenerative medicine and renal replacement therapy. Here we provide a concise review embracing a compact historical overview of bioartificial kidney development and highlighting the current state-of-the-art, including implementation of living-membranes and the relevance of extracellular matrices. We focus further on the choice of relevant renal epithelial cell lines versus the use of stem cells and co-cultures that need to be implemented in a suitable device. Moreover, the future of the BAK in regenerative nephrology is discussed.     

对比分析IPS e.max Press铸瓷高嵌体与普兰梅卡CADCAM系统制作的高嵌体修复后牙牙体缺损的效果

摘要 目的：本研究旨在探讨对比分析IPS e.max Press铸瓷高嵌体与普兰梅卡CADCAM系统制作的高嵌体修复后牙牙体缺损的效果。方法：以2021年8月-2022年8月我院诊治的60例（86颗）后牙牙体缺损患者为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将其分为研究组（给予普兰梅卡CADCAM系统制作的高嵌体修复）和对照组（给予IPS e.max Press铸瓷高嵌体修复）各30例,对比两组修复前及修复1年后咀嚼功能、牙龈情况、RANK、CXCL16水平、IL-6、IL-8水平,统计修复结果及美牙效果满意度。结果：（1）修复前,两组咀嚼功能比较无差异（P＞0.05）;修复1年后,研究组咀嚼功能优于对照组（P＜0.05）;（2）修复前,两组牙龈指数、菌斑指数评分比较无差异（P＞0.05）;修复1年后,研究组牙龈指数、菌斑指数评分优于对照组（P＜0.05）;（3）修复前,两组RANK、CXCL16水平比较无差异（P＞0.05）;修复1年后,研究组RANK、CXCL16水平低于对照组（P＜0.05）;（4）修复前,两组IL-6、IL-8水平比较无差异（P＞0.05）;修复1年后,研究组IL-6、IL-8水平与对照组比较（P＞0.05）;（5）修复1年后,研究组修复体边缘适合性、修复体邻面解剖形态优于对照组（P＜0.05）;两组修复体表面及边缘着色、修复体折裂与固位比较,差异不显著（P＞0.05）;（6）修复1年后,研究组美牙效果满意度优于对照组（P＜0.05）。结论：与IPS e.max Press铸瓷高嵌体相比,普兰梅卡CADCAM系统制作的高嵌体修复后牙牙体缺损的效果更佳,能够提高咀嚼功能,改善牙龈指数,提高美牙效果满意度。     

Responses of coral reefs to increased amplitude of sea-level changes at the Mid-Pleistocene Climate Transition

We show responses of coral reefs to increased amplitude of sea-level changes at the Mid-Pleistocene Climate Transition (MPT) based on lithostratigraphic, sedimentologic and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphic investigations on Pleistocene reef-complex deposits (Ryukyu Group) on the Motobu Peninsula, Okinawa-jima, Central Ryukyus. Our data show that reef growth started in earliest Quaternary time (1.45-1.65 Ma) and that extensive reef formation dates back to ∼ 0.8 Ma. The mode of Quaternary sedimentation changed at ∼ 0.8 Ma in the study area. Before this time, thick siliciclastics and mixed carbonate-siliciclastics accumulated, which were followed by the deposition of bioclastic sediments (detrital limestone). No indications have been found of episodic subaerial exposures in these deposits and no calcareous nannofossil biozones are lacking. Since the detrital limestone includes biogenic components characterizing fore-reef to shelf environments, the coastal areas of the northern Motobu Peninsula mostly lay in fore-reef to shelf environments for > 0.6 million years (between ∼ 0.8 Ma and 1.45-1.65 Ma), when the sediments had not been subaerially exposed due to sea-level changes characterized by relatively small amplitudes. Coral limestone that formed in the latest Early to Middle Pleistocene between 0.4 Ma and 0.8 Ma extends over the study area, ranging in elevation from 0 to 70 m. This coral limestone grades upward into fore-reef to shelf carbonates (rhodolith, Cycloclypeus-Operculina, and detrital limestones) which is in turn overlain by coral limestone. This succession, combined with configuration of the lithofacies and paleobathymetry inferred from lithology and biogenic components, implies that the reef-complex deposits formed responding to sea-level changes with amplitude of > 60 m. Consequently, we suggest that the change in the mode of sedimentation results from increased amplitude of sea-level fluctuations at ∼ 0.8 Ma. This timing corresponds roughly to the timing of the Mid-Pleistocene Climate Transition (MPT).