Sylviornis neocaledoniae (Aves,Galliformes, Megapodiidae), oiseau Géant éteint de l'ile des Pins (Nouvelle-Calédonie)

Sylviornis neocaledoniae is represented in the sites of Kanumera, Isle of Pines, by a few cranial elements (palatines, quadrates, quadratojugal) but mainly by post-cranial remains. The fact that palatines are fused in the sagittal plane proves the palate of Sylviornis to be neognathous. The flightless bird's post-cranial skeleton is highly modified, but some anatomical characters show it can be assigned to Galliformes, and, amongst them, is closer to recent or extinct Megapodes than to any other family, Sylviornis neocaledoniae was probably exterminated by man who preserved its mythological memory under the name of Du.     

Differences in leaf proteome response to cold acclimation between Lolium perenne plants with distinct levels of frost tolerance

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is a high quality forage and turf grass mainly due to its excellent nutritive values and rapid establishment rate. However, this species has limited ability to perform in harsh winter climates. Though winter hardiness is a complex trait, it is commonly agreed that frost tolerance (FT) is its main component. Species growing in temperate regions can acquire FT through exposure to low, non-lethal temperatures, a phenomenon known as cold acclimation (CA). The research on molecular basis of FT has been performed on the model plants, but they are not well adapted to extreme winter climates. Thus, the mechanisms of cell response to low temperature in winter crops and agronomically important perennial grasses have yet to be revealed. Here, two L. perenne plants with contrasting levels of FT, high frost tolerant (HFT) and low frost tolerant (LFT) plants, were selected for comparative proteomic research. The work focused on analyses of leaf protein accumulation before and after 2, 8, 26 h, and 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days of CA, using a high-throughput two-dimensional electrophoresis, and on the identification of proteins which were accumulated differentially between the selected plants by the application of mass spectrometry (MS). Analyses of 580 protein profiles revealed a total of 42 (7.2%) spots that showed at a minimum of 1.5-fold differences in protein abundance, at a minimum of at one time point of CA between HFT and LFT genotypes. It was shown that significant differences in profiles of protein accumulation between the analyzed plants appeared most often on the 5th (18 proteins) and the 7th (19 proteins) day of CA. The proteins derived from 35 (83.3%) spots were successfully identified by the use of MS and chloroplast proteins were shown to be the major group selected as differentially accumulated during CA. The functions of the identified proteins and their probable influence on the level of FT in L. perenne are discussed.     

Restoring riparian meadows currently dominated by Artemisia using alternative state concepts ‐ the establishment component

Abstract. We evaluated the potential for restoring riparian grass and sedge meadows currently dominated by Artemisia tridentata var. tridentata with an experiment in which we burned sites with low, intermediate, and high water tables, i.e., dry, intermediate, and wet sites. To define the alternative states and thresholds for these ecosystems, we examined burning and water table effects on both abiotic variables and establishment of grasses adapted to relatively high (Poa se‐cunda ssp. juncifolia), intermediate (Leymus triticoides), or low (L. cinereus) water tables. Wet sites had lower soil temperatures and higher soil water contents than dry sites. Burning increased soil temperatures on all sites. Undershrub microsites on control plots had the lowest temperatures, while former undershrub microsites on burn plots had the highest temperatures. Surface soil water was low on burn plots early in the growing season due to desiccation, but higher at deeper depths after active plant growth began. Emergence was generally greater on wet sites, but survival was microsite‐ and species‐specific. Undershrub microsites on control plots facilitated emergence and first‐year survival, but seedlings that survived initially harsh conditions on burn plots had similar numbers alive at the end. In general, favorable environments and establishment of species adapted to mesic conditions indicate that wet sites represent an alternative state of the naturally occurring dry meadow ecosystem type, and can be restored to grass and sedge meadows. Harsh environments and lack of establishment of species adapted to mesic conditions indicate that dry sites have crossed a threshold and may represent a new ecosystem type. Understory vegetation and seed banks on dry sites have been depleted, and restoration will require burning and reseeding with species adapted to more xeric conditions.     

Mixed-beam approach for high-risk prostate cancer: Carbon-ion boost followed by photon intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Dosimetric and geometric evaluations (AIRC IG-14300)

Background and purposeThe aim was to evaluate dosimetric uncertainties of a mixed beam approach for patients with high-risk prostate cancer (PCa). The treatment consists of a carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) boost followed by whole-pelvis intensity-modulated RT (IMRT).Materials and methodsPatients were treated with a CIRT boost of 16.6 Gy/4 fractions followed by whole-pelvis IMRT of 50 Gy/25 fractions, with consequent long term androgen deprivation therapy. Deformable computed tomography image registration (DIR) was performed and corresponding doses were used for plan sum. A comparative IMRT photon plan was obtained as whole-pelvis IMRT of 50 Gy/25 fractions followed by a boost of 28 Gy/14 fractions. DIR performances were evaluated through structure-related and image characteristics parameters.ResultsUntil now, five patients out of ten total enrolled ended the treatment. Dosimetric parameters were lower in CIRT + IMRT than IMRT-only plans for all organs at risk (OARs) except femoral heads.Regarding DIR evaluation, femoral heads were the less deformed OAR. Penile bulb, bladder and anal canal showed intermediate deformation. Rectum was the most deformed. DIR algorithms were patient (P)-dependent, as performances were the highest for P3 and P4, intermediate for P2 and P5, and the lowest for P1.ConclusionsCIRT allows better OARs sparing while increasing the efficacy due to the higher radio-biological effect of carbon ions. However, a mixed beam approach could introduce DIR problems in multi-centric treatments with different operative protocols. The development of this prospective trial will lead to more mature data concerning the clinical impact of implementing DIR procedures in dose accumulation applications for high-risk PCa treatments.