A new role for PGRP-S (Tag7) in immune defense: lymphocyte migration is induced by a chemoattractant complex of Tag7 with Mts1

PGRP-S (Tag7) is an innate immunity protein involved in the antimicrobial defense systems, both in insects and in mammals. We have previously shown that Tag7 specifically interacts with several proteins, including Hsp70 and the calcium binding protein S100A4 (Mts1), providing a number of novel cellular functions. Here we show that Tag7–Mts1 complex causes chemotactic migration of lymphocytes, with NK cells being a preferred target. Cells of either innate immunity (neutrophils and monocytes) or acquired immunity (CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ lymphocytes) can produce this complex, which confirms the close connection between components of the 2 branches of immune response.     

贵州梵净山地衣的初步研究

梵净山国家级自然保护区是联合国“人与生物圈网”的成员之一,位于中国西南贵州省的东北部。报道了梵净山地衣物种119种,其中106种为梵净山新记录,79种为贵州新记录,2种为中国新记录:Dermatocar-ponintestiniforme(K rb.)Hasse.和Thelotrema similansNylander,同时对梵净山地衣进行了初步的地理学分析,从而为该地区地衣生物多样性的研究及地衣资源的保护和利用提供了相关资料。     

新疆阿尔泰山曲尾藓科2个中国新记录种

阿尔泰山是欧亚大陆最为宏伟的山脉之一,其中段的西南坡坐落于中国新疆境内,众多具温带性质的藓类植物分布于此。作者在对阿尔泰山进行苔藓植物区系调查过程中,发现了分布于阿尔泰山的喀纳斯自然保护区及布尔津县禾木乡的2个藓类植物中国新记录种——隶属曲尾藓科的短叶曲尾藓[Dicranum brevifolium(Lindb.)Lindb.]和卷叶小曲尾藓[Dicranella crispa(Hedw.)Schimp.]。由地理分布可知,短叶曲尾藓和卷叶小曲尾藓在中国皆为稀有种类。     

中国多孔菌一新记录种——韦氏小针层孔菌(英文)

根据中国的标本材料对中国多孔菌一新记录种———韦氏小针层孔菌 [Phellinidiumweirii(Murrill)Y .C .Dai]进行了详细描述 ,并讨论了该种与其相似种硫色小针层孔菌的区别 :该种担子果多年生 ,管孔较小 ( 5～ 7vs 4～ 5permm) ,管口全缘 ,担孢子不嗜蓝 ,只生长在柏树上。该种分布于青海省祁连山地区 ,生长在祁连圆柏上 ,造成祁连圆柏根部白色腐朽。     

Vegetation changes following sheep grazing in abandoned mountain meadows

Abstract. Sheep grazing was investigated as an alternative to traditional management of meadows in the Krkono?e Mts. Until the second World War these meadows were mown in mid‐summer and grazed by cattle for the rest of the season. Subsequent abandonment of the meadows has resulted in decreasing species richness. Degradation phases of the former communities have been replacing the original species‐rich vegetation. Significant changes were apparent six years after the introduction of sheep grazing. In grazed plots the proportion of dominant herbs (Polygonum bistorta and Hypericum maculatum) decreased and grasses (Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum alpinum) increased. The increase in grasses was positively correlated with an increase in several herbs. The proportion of some herbs increased despite being selectively grazed (Adenostyles alliariae, Melandrium rubrum, Veratrum lobelianum). Any losses caused by grazing of mature plants were probably compensated by successful seedling establishment. Cessation of grazing resulted in significant changes in vegetation within three years. The cover of nitrophilous tall herbs and grasses (e.g. Rumex alpestris, Holcus mollis, Deschampsia cespitosa, Geranium sylvaticum) increased in the abandoned plots. In the plots grazed for nine years cover of species‐rich mountain meadow species increased (e.g. fine‐leaved grasses, Campanula bohemica, Potentilla aurea, Viola lutea, Silene vulgaris). The main conservation risk is the expansion of a competitive species with low palatability, Deschampsia cespitosa. This species can be suppressed by a combination of grazing and mowing. In order for grazing to be effective, the number of sheep should be proportional to meadow production. This may be difficult to maintain as production is variable and is impossible to predict at the beginning of a growing season. A large part of the biomass may thus remain intact in some years. Negative effects of grazing may be, at least partly, eliminated by a combination of cutting and grazing.     

The Büdöskút Olistolith,an exotic limestone block from the Bükk mountains (NE-Hungary)

Summary The present paper presents results of stratigraphical, sedimentological and micropalaeontological investigations of an olistolith from the Büd?skút area in the Bükk Mts (NW Hungary). The olistolith consists of Norian sub- and peritidal platform carbonates (Büd?skút lime-stone). During early diagenesis dissolution cavities originated which where filled by ostracodal mudstones. Other cavities first were wallpapered by evinospongial crusts and later filled either by ostracodal mudstones or by brick-red haematitic material (weathered bauxite). The evinospongial crusts show stromatolite-like structures and their forming therefore is supposed to be organically (microbially) induced. During the Early up to the Late Jurassic the host rock was dissected by neptunian dykes. The internal sediment's faunal content reveals that the dykes formed during the (?) Hettangian/Sinemurian and the Toarcian— Oxfordian age. A comparison of the Büd?skút limestone neptunian dyke internal sediments with the Bükk parautochthonous and the Szarvasko-Mónosbél nappe complex sedimentary columns shows no similarities. Therefore the Büd?skút olistolith is interpreted as an exotic body within the Bükk Mts.