Basal Zone Research Articles

Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex Contributes to Human Motor Learning.

This study assesses the involvement in human motor learning, of the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (BA 9/46v), a somatic region in the middle frontal gyrus. The potential involvement of this cortical area in motor learning is suggested by studies in nonhuman primates which have found anatomic connections between this area and sensorimotor regions in frontal and parietal cortex, and also with basal ganglia output zones. It is likewise suggested by electrophysiological studies which have shown that activity in this region is implicated in somatic sensory memory and is also influenced by reward. We directly tested the hypothesis that area 9/46v is involved in reinforcement-based motor learning in humans. Participants performed reaching movements to a hidden target and received positive feedback when successful. Before the learning task, we applied continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to disrupt activity in 9/46v in the left or right hemisphere. A control group received sham cTBS. The data showed that cTBS to left 9/46v almost entirely eliminated motor learning, whereas learning was not different from sham stimulation when cTBS was applied to the same zone in the right hemisphere. Additional analyses showed that the basic reward-history-dependent pattern of movements was preserved but more variable following left hemisphere stimulation, which suggests an overall deficit in somatic memory for target location or target directed movement rather than reward processing per se. The results indicate that area 9/46v is part of the human motor learning circuit.

Imaging manifestations of pulmonary melioidosis: A case series

Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Southeast Asia and Oceania caused by the gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei. We studied 15 adult patients from Colombia with microbiologically diagnosed pulmonary melioidosis. We reviewed 15 chest X-rays and 10 chest computed tomography (CT) studies. Of the 15 patients, 87% met the criteria for acute infection and 13% met the criteria for chronic infection. The most common findings on chest X-rays were consolidation (86%), nodules (26%), and cavitation (20%). On CT studies, consolidation and nodules were observed in 90% of cases; the areas of consolidation were predominantly located in the basal and central zones in 60%. Areas of cavitation were observed in 50%, pleural effusion in 60%, and mediastinal lymph nodes in 30%. In patients with acute pulmonary melioidosis (n=8), the findings observed were nodules (100%), mixed pattern with nodules and consolidation (87%), pleural effusion (88%), and mediastinal lymph nodes (25%). The two patients with chronic pulmonary melioidosis both had cavitation. Acute lung infection with B. Pseudomallei has radiologic manifestations similar to those of pneumonia due to other causes. In areas where the disease is endemic, it is essential to include acute melioidosis in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules and chronic melioidosis in the differential diagnosis of cavitated chronic lung lesions.

Nothobranchius balamaensis (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae), a new species of annual killifish from northern Mozambique.

A new seasonal killifish of the genus Nothobranchius is described from the Montepuez River system in northern Mozambique. The new species, Nothobranchius balamaensis Bragana Chakona, is differentiated from congeners by its characteristic colour pattern and molecular data further support its taxonomic distinctiveness. Phylogenetic results based on two mitochondrial and three nuclear genes confirms N. balamaensis is closely related to N. kirki and N. wattersi; all three belonging to the Coastal-Inland Clade. The new species is most similar in colour pattern to N. kirki sharing the characteristic of a deep red-orange colouration in the basal, proximal, and medial zones of the caudal and anal fins that grades to orange in the distal zone. This is a key feature that distinguishes these two species from all other Nothobranchius. The main distinguishing features between the new species and N. kirki is the presence of a light blue to white band or series of irregular markings in the proximal zone of the anal fin in N. kirki, versus the absence of such a colour pattern element in N. balamaensis, as well as differences in the dorsal fin pattern. When compared to all population groups of N. wattersi, the colour pattern of N. balamaensis is distinctive. Nothobranchius balamaensis is a relatively slender member of the genus, a characteristic that clearly distinguishes it from both N. kirki and N. wattersi. Nothobranchius balamaensis is currently only known from a few specimens from the type locality.

Detergent exposure induces epithelial barrier dysfunction and eosinophilic inflammation in the esophagus.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic allergic disease associated with type 2 inflammation and epithelial barrier dysfunction. The etiology is unknown, however, genetic heritability studies suggest environmental factors play a key role in pathogenesis. Detergents, such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), are common ingredients in household products such as dish soap and toothpaste. We hypothesized detergent exposure decreases epithelial barrier function and induces esophageal inflammation. Immortalized esophageal epithelial cells (EPC2) were cultured in air-liquid interface (ALI) and exposed to SDS. Barrier function/activity was assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), FITC-dextran flux, and RT-PCR. Additionally, SDS-treated mouse esophageal organoids were evaluated for morphology. To investigate the effects of SDS in vivo, mice were treated with 0.5% SDS in drinking water for 14 days. Esophagi were assessed by gross morphology, histopathology, protein expression, and bulk RNA sequencing. When EPC2 cells were exposed to SDS (5μg/ml) for 96 h, TEER decreased (p=0.03), and FITC-dextran flux increased (p=0.0002). mRNA expression of IL-33 increased 4.5-fold (p=0.02) at 6h and DSG1 decreased (p < 0.0001) by 72 h. Disrupted epithelial integrity was noted in SDS-treated esophageal organoids. When mice were exposed to SDS, they showed increased esophageal width, chemokine, and metalloprotease levels. Mice treated with SDS also showed increased IL-33 protein expression, basal zone hyperplasia, CD4+ cell infiltration, and esophageal eosinophilia. RNA sequencing revealed upregulation of immune response pathway genes. Exposure to SDS decreases esophageal barrier integrity, stimulates IL-33 production, and promotes epithelial hyperplasia and tissue eosinophilia. Detergents may be a key environmental trigger in EoE pathogenesis.

Density, Orientation, and Distribution of Foliar Trichomes in Selected Philippine Traditional Rice Varieties with Resistance to Scirpophaga spp.

Pest infestation restricts rice productivity and, among rice pests, the stem borers (Scirpophaga spp.) caused substantial damage of &gt; 20% yield loss. Host resistance is considered the most effective, economical, and environmentally friendly way for rice pest management, and Philippine traditional rice varieties (TRVs) are potential sources of genes useful in breeding for pest resistance. Leaf trichomes are the first physical barrier against any invading plant pests and to characterize the quantitative variations of foliar trichomes of six selected TRVs identified to have resistance – namely, Dinorado, Hinumay, Inarciaga, RED 18, C-4 Dinorado, and Mukol – these TRVs were evaluated using digital light microscopy. RED 18 consistently had the highest trichome density (5.374–9.390/mm2) in each and across the 2018 wet season (WS), 2019 WS, and 2020 dry season (DS) – even significantly higher (P &gt; 0.05) than the resistant check TKM6 (4.489–5.783/mm2). For trichome orientation, Mukol (59.151–71.617°), and Inarciaga (57.395–72.464°) consistently had higher and/or statistically comparable angle values to the resistant TKM6 (59.654–71.617°), across each and 2018 WS, 2019 WS, and 2020 DS (P &gt; 0.05). Within- and between-genotype variability showed that adaxial foliar trichomes have varying density and were not uniformly distributed across the leaf surface: densest (4.560–5.456/mm2) and mostly distributed (49.086–50.532%) in the apical zone of the leaf surface, and least dense (2.623–2.834/mm2) and rarely distributed (16.439–18.806%) in the basal zone. Based on desirable trichome traits and statistical similarities to TKM6, hierarchical cluster analysis delineated RED 18, Inarciaga, and Mukol as excellent sources of trichome traits that will improve plant structural defense against stem borers.

Eosinophilic esophagitis: Immune mechanisms and therapeutic targets.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an emerging chronic inflammatory disease of the oesophagus and is clinically characterized by upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms including dysphagia and esophageal food impaction. Histopathologic manifestations, which include intraepithelial eosinophilic inflammation and alterations of the esophageal squamous epithelium, such as basal zone hyperplasia (BZH) and dilated intercellular spaces (DIS), are thought to contribute to esophageal dysfunction and disease symptoms. Corroborative clinical and discovery science-based studies have established that EoE is characterized by an underlying allergic inflammatory response, in part, related to the IL-13/CCL26/eosinophil axis driving dysregulation of several key epithelial barrier and proliferative regulatory genes including kallikrein (KLK) serine proteases, calpain 14 (CAPN14) and anoctamin 1 (ANO1). The contribution of these inflammatory and proliferative processes to the clinical and histological manifestations of disease are not fully elucidated. Herein, we discuss the immune molecules and cells that are thought to underlie the clinical and pathologic manifestations of EoE and the emerging therapeutics targeting these processes for the treatment of EoE.

Suppression of Fas expression in the hypertensive placental histology of rast given Nano herbal of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa leaves

High blood pressure during pregnancy can signal a high-risk pregnancy and result in difficulties. The expression of Fas is critical for maintaining hypertensive immunity. Fas is prevalent in the trophoblast and enhances maternal-derived apoptosis. Because it contains acylphloroglucinol, flavonoids, tannins, and triterpenes, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (haramonting) is commonly used in traditional Indonesian medicine to treat high blood pressure. This study aimed to investigate and determine the role of haramonting in lowering Fas expression in hypertensive rats’ placental histopathology. The rats were confirmed to be pregnant and divided into five groups: normal pregnant rats (control); hypertensive rats without treatment; and hypertensive rats given nanoherbal Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (NRT) at different doses: 100 mg/kg body weight (BW), 200 mg/kg BW, and 400 mg/kg BW. On gestation day 20, pregnant rats were euthanized under ketamine anaesthesia. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis was used to examine the expression of the HSP family. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess Fas expression. In hypertensive rats, NRT lowered the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P &lt; 0.01), and NRT improved placental efficiency and restored birth weight. In hypertensive rats, higher doses of NRT were associated with higher levels of HSP27, HSP70, and HSP90. In placental histology, NRT suppresses Fas expression, acting as an anti-apoptotic agent in trophoblast cells. Because NRT is high in antioxidants and protects cells from hypoxia and dehydration, it suppresses Fas activity in the labyrinthine zone, basal zone, and yolk sac.

The last representatives of the Superfamily Wellerelloidea (Brachiopoda, Rhynchonellida) in the westernmost Tethys (Iberian paleomargins) prior to their demise in the early Toarcian Mass Extinction Event

AbstractThe last clade-level extinction episode affecting the Phylum Brachiopoda has been long-established in the Early Toarcian Mass Extinction Event (ETMEE) around the Pliensbachian-Toarcian transition, when several rhynchonellide groups became extinct and others underwent a notable renewal in the western Tethys. Among them, Wellerelloidea is a long-ranging superfamily severely affected by this environmental crisis, embodying the subfamily Cirpinae as the last wellerelloids worldwide, prior to their global extinction in the Pb-To transition. The profuse record of Lower Jurassic cirpines in the peri-Iberian paleomargins provides an opportunity to clarify the taxonomy of wellerelloid species in the pre-extinction interval. A new species (Cirpa lucentina) is erected and the revision of the Cirpinae taxa around the ETMEE is carried out. Morphometric analysis and the study of internal structures of the shells support separation of the genera Cirpa and Salgirella, adding new supplementary diagnostic criteria. The biogeographic distribution of this clade in the western Tethys and its evolutionary history in the Early Jurassic reveal a pervasive colonization pattern of both epicontinental and epioceanic habitats. The Mediterranean origin of the last representatives of this group is ascertained, but while diversification of Salgirella took place in epioceanic habitats, speciation of Cirpa is unrelated to biochorema boundaries, even colonizing epicontinental seas until their extinction prior to the hyperwarming event that occurred in the basal Serpentinum Zone. A rhynchonellide morphogroup epitomized by cirpines was resilient to this event in the epicontinental seas. This morphogroup is also recorded after the extinction interval by means of the genus Pseudogibbirhynchia, thus postulating potential pre- and post-extinction phyletic relationships.UUID: http://zoobank.org/100b06c0-a803-4f6f-b0fa-2d9e2d6678d2

Residual state rate effects of shear-zone soil regulating slow-to-fast transition of catastrophic landslides

Catastrophic landslides with basal shear zones usually involve a number of mechanisms that are poorly understood. One mechanism issue is the transition from slow sliding to fast movement, leading to catastrophic failure. We perform laboratory experiments on landslide shear-zone materials to investigate how rate effects influence the slow-to-fast transition. Two types of ring-shear tests are carried out, namely residual state shear tests involving a wide range of shear rates and residual state creep tests with the applied shear stress close to the residual strength. Our tests show that the shear-zone soil exhibits rate-weakening behaviour at low shear rates and rate-strengthening behaviour at high shear rates. These two opposite mechanisms are distinguished by a transition rate, which also regulates whether the creep motion falls into the viscous flow regime or returns to the slow sliding regime.

Paired nicking-mediated COL17A1 reframing for junctional epidermolysis bullosa

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a debilitating hereditary skin disorder caused by mutations in genes encoding laminin-332, type XVII collagen (C17), and integrin-α6β4, which maintain stability between the dermis and epidermis. We designed patient-specific Cas9-nuclease- and -nickase-based targeting strategies for reframing a common homozygous deletion in exon 52 of COL17A1 associated with a lack of full-length C17 expression. Subsequent characterization of protein restoration, indel composition, and divergence of DNA and mRNA outcomes after treatment revealed auspicious efficiency, safety, and precision profiles for paired nicking-based COL17A1 editing. Almost 46% of treated primary JEB keratinocytes expressed reframed C17. Reframed COL17A1 transcripts predominantly featured 25- and 37-nt deletions, accounting for >42% of all edits and encoding C17 protein variants that localized accurately to the cell membrane. Furthermore, corrected cells showed accurate shedding of the extracellular 120-kDa C17 domain and improved adhesion capabilities to laminin-332 compared with untreated JEB cells. Three-dimensional (3D) skin equivalents demonstrated accurate and continuous deposition of C17 within the basal membrane zone between epidermis and dermis. Our findings constitute, for the first time, gene-editing-based correction of a COL17A1 mutation and demonstrate the superiority of proximal paired nicking strategies based on Cas9 D10A nickase over wild-type Cas9-based strategies for gene reframing in a clinical context.

SAR and optical images correlation illuminates post-seismic landslide motion after the Mw\xa07.8 Gorkha earthquake (Nepal)

In the days to weeks following an earthquake, landslides can display specific post-seismic motions, including delayed initiations and post-seismic relaxations. These motions have an uncertain origin, sometimes attributed to specificities of the landslide basal interface or to fluid transports in the landslide basal shear zone. Here we address this question, by documenting the co- and post-seismic motions of slow-moving landslides accelerated by the Gorkha earthquake (Mw 7.8, 25/04/2015, Nepal). We detect 11 slow-moving landslides over an area of 750 km^2 in the near field of the earthquake, and monitor their motions thanks to a time-series of Pléiades optical satellite images and SAR Sentinel-1 images. The post-seismic landslide motions are much larger than the co-seismic ones, reaching up to 34 ,pm, 0.6 m accommodated over 2 months. A delayed initiation of several days (> 4 days) is also measured for at least two of the landslides. We analyze our findings in regards with all the previous observations on slow-moving landslides accelerated by earthquakes, and propose that the post-seismic motions are caused by diffusion of groundwater from co-seismic material contraction up to the landslide basal shear zone or from internal landslide reconfiguration. Our observations strongly suggest the main control of the hydrology in the landslide processes under seismic forcings.

Investigation of the Luco dei Marsi DSGSD revealing the first evidence of a basal shear zone in the central Apennine belt (Italy)

Deep-seated gravitational slope deformations (DSGSDs) show a wide range of geomorphological characteristics and kinematic behaviours. In many cases, deforming rock masses move on a continuous surface or a thick basal shear zone (BSZ) overlying the stable bedrock. The nature of this boundary is a significant issue in scientific debates since examples of BSZs have been observed or inferred in some DSGSDs worldwide. In the central Apennines, although several cases of DSGSDs have been described in recent decades, no evidence of BSZs has been documented thus far.This work presents the first case of a BSZ found in the region at the bottom of a large-scale gravitational deformation that affects the Mesozoic-Cenozoic carbonate ridge overhanging the Luco dei Marsi village (Abruzzi region). The BSZ consists of several metres-thick, cataclastic breccia developed within middle-Upper Cretaceous biodetritic limestone. The breccia level is exposed for approximately 200 m with a subhorizontal geometry and shows severe rock damage and weathering.The DSGSD hosting the BSZ affects an NNW-SSE-oriented and wide Miocene anticline whose eastern limb is dismembered by Pliocene-Quaternary normal faults delimiting the edge of a large Quaternary intermontane basin (the Fucino Basin). Field survey, aerial photointerpretation, and remote sensing (DInSAR technique) analyses outline an active gravity-driven process. This is characterized by several kinds of geomorphological features, including downhill- and uphill-facing scarps, ridge-top depressions, gravitational grabens and trenches in the upper and middle parts of the ridge, and bulging at the toe of the slope. These features, which can be distinguished from tectonic elements due to their shape and extension, are an indication of a high degree of internal deformation and a compound sagging geometry for the Luco dei Marsi DSGSD.The short-term activity of the process was revealed by DInSAR time series covering almost thirty years of satellite datasets, including ERS1/2, ENVISAT, COSMO-SkyMed, and SENTINEL 1 constellations. Strain rates on the order of a few mm/yr were inferred, with a marked difference between different sectors of the DSGSD area. The long-term (y > 102) lifespan of the DSGSD was framed into a multiple-step conceptual model summarizing the Early Pleistocene-Holocene geological evolution of the area. The model results outline the control exercised by extensional tectonics on DSGSD development, as progressive displacements along normal faults in the latest Pleistocene were the cause of lateral unconfinement at the toe of the slope.This work further contributes to the increasing knowledge on DSGSDs in the central Apennines and the understanding of the relationship between deformation features induced by slope morphogenesis, such as the BSZ, and Quaternary tectonics within the mountain belt.

Esophageal remodeling in eosinophilic esophagitis: Relationships to luminal captured biomarkers of inflammation and periostin

Esophageal remodeling is a factor in disease progression and symptom severity for patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Remodeling can begin early in children, resulting in stricture and food impaction. Detection of esophageal remodeling often depends on endoscopy and is appreciated only in its later stages. We sought to determine whether luminal eosinophil-associated and remodeling proteins captured by the esophageal string test (EST) correlate with measures of esophageal remodeling and biomarkers of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Patients with EoE (7-18 years old) were enrolled from 2 pediatric hospitals. Participants performed the EST and underwent endoscopy. Histology, distensibility measured by endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe, and symptoms were assessed. Protein quantitation by ELISA was performed on mucosal biopsy and EST samples. Tissue sections were evaluated for EMT. Outcome measures were summarized, and Spearman ρ was used to assess bivariate correlations. Forty patients (68% male) were enrolled (mean age, 12.5 years). Twenty-four (60%) had active disease (≥15 eosinophils per high-power field). EST-captured eotaxin-3, major basic protein 1, EDN, eosinophil peroxidase, and Charcot-Leyden crystal protein/galectin-10 showed significant correlations with peak eosinophils per high-power field (ρ 0.53-0.68, P< .001). Luminal proteins positively correlated with endoscopic features and markers of EMT, and negatively with esophageal distensibility. Periostin was captured by the EST and correlated with eosinophil density, basal zone hyperplasia, endoscopic appearance, and markers of EMT. Luminal markers of esophageal remodeling in addition to biomarkers of eosinophilic inflammation correlate with epithelial and functional remodeling in EoE.

The annotation and analysis of complex 3D plant organs using 3DCoordX.

A fundamental question in biology concerns how molecular and cellular processes become integrated during morphogenesis. In plants, characterization of 3D digital representations of organs at single-cell resolution represents a promising approach to addressing this problem. A major challenge is to provide organ-centric spatial context to cells of an organ. We developed several general rules for the annotation of cell position and embodied them in 3DCoordX, a user-interactive computer toolbox implemented in the open-source software MorphoGraphX. 3DCoordX enables rapid spatial annotation of cells even in highly curved biological shapes. Using 3DCoordX, we analyzed cellular growth patterns in organs of several species. For example, the data indicated the presence of a basal cell proliferation zone in the ovule primordium of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Proof-of-concept analyses suggested a preferential increase in cell length associated with neck elongation in the archegonium of Marchantia (Marchantia polymorpha) and variations in cell volume linked to central morphogenetic features of a trap of the carnivorous plant Utricularia (Utricularia gibba). Our work demonstrates the broad applicability of the developed strategies as they provide organ-centric spatial context to cellular features in plant organs of diverse shape complexity.

Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage Effect of Dioscorea hispida Dennst. on Placental Tissues of Rats.

Dioscorea hispida Dennst. locally known as “ubi gadung” has been used as a traditional remedy and source of carbohydrate among Malaysians. To assess the effect of Dioscorea hispida aqueous extract (DHAE) on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their effects on DNA damage in Sprague Dawley rat’s placental tissues, pregnant rats were randomly divided into four groups. The animals were orally treated with distilled water (negative control) and three different concentrations of DHAE (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight (BW)) from gestation day 6 until 20. The oxidative stress in placental tissues was evaluated at day 21 by measuring the level of ROS, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation biomarker, malondialdehyde (MDA) while comet assay was used for DNA damage. There was no significant production of ROS and SOD activities in all groups. Significant changes were observed in the MDA level at 1000 mg/kg BW DHAE. Comet assay revealed a significant increase (p < 0.05) of DNA damage on animals treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg BW DHAE but not at the highest concentration. It was postulated that the placental cells could have undergone necrosis which destroys all components including DNA. This occurrence simultaneously reduces the levels of DNA damage which can be represented by lower level of tail moments. This finding correlates with our histopathological examination where necrotic cells of spongiotrophoblast were observed in the basal zone of placental tissue. The high amount of hydrogen cyanide and other compounds in 1000 mg/kg BW DHAE could elevate the lipid peroxidation and directly induce cell necrosis which requires further investigation.

Expression characterization and cross-species complementation uncover the functional conservation of YABBY genes for leaf abaxial polarity and carpel polarity establishment in Saccharum spontaneum

BackgroundCell polarity establishment and maintenance is indispensable for plant growth and development. In plants, the YABBY transcription factor family has a distinct role in leaf asymmetric polarity establishment and lateral organ initiation. However, for the important sugar crop Saccharum, little information on YABBY genes is available.ResultsIn this study, a total of 20 sequences for 7 SsYABBY genes were identified in the sugarcane genome, designated as SsYABBY1-7 based on their chromosome locations, and characterized by phylogenetic analysis. We provided a high-resolution map of SsYABBYs’ global expression dynamics during vegetative and reproductive organ morphogenesis and revealed that SsYABBY3/4/5 are predominately expressed at the seedling stage of stem and leaf basal zone; SsYABBY2/5/7 are highly expressed in ovules. Besides, cross-species overexpression and/or complementation verified the conserved function of SsYABBY2 in establishing leaf adaxial-abaxial polarity and ovules development. We found that the SsYABBY2 could successfully rescue the leaves curling, carpel dehiscence, and ovule abortion defects in Arabidopsis crc mutant.ConclusionsCollectively, our study demonstrates that SsYABBY genes retained a conserved function in establishing and preserving leaf adaxial-abaxial polarity and lateral organ development during evolution.

Giant paleo-seafloor craters and mass wasting associated with magma-induced uplift of the upper crust

Giant seafloor craters are known along many a continental margin with recurrent mass-wasting deposits. However, the impact of breakup-related magmatism on the evolution of such craters is barely understood. Using high-quality geophysical datasets, this work examines the genetic relationship among the location of magmatic sills, forced folds and the formation of giant paleo-seafloor craters underneath an ancient mass-transport complex in the Møre and Vøring basins, offshore Norway. The data reveal that forced folding of near-seafloor strata occurred because of the intrusion of several interconnected magmatic sills. Estimates of 1-dimensional uplift based on well data show that uplift occurred due to the intrusion of magma in Upper Cretaceous to Lower Eocene strata. Our findings also prove that subsurface fluid plumbing associated with the magmatic sills was prolonged in time and led to the development of several vertical fluid flow conduits, some of which triggered mass wasting in Neogene to Recent times. The repeated vertical expulsion of subsurface fluids weakened the strata on the continental slope, thereby promoting mass wasting, the selective cannibalization of the paleo-seafloor, and the formation of elongated craters at the basal shear zone of the mass-transport complex. Significantly, the model presented here proves a close link between subsurface magmatic plumbing systems and mass wasting on continental margins.

​Structural Modification and CD8+ Cells Distribution of Uterus in Pregnancy of Ewes

Background: Nowadays, the infertility and abortion due to different etiological factors are very fatal cause of economic loss in animal husbandry practices. Infections outreach when natural immune defense barrier breaks down resulting in abortion, miscarriage. The gravid and non-gravid genitalias have self-defense power in the form of natural immunity and lymphocytes and their subsets are major responsible immune components. The current study was aimed to evaluate the changes of uterine structure and population of immune cells in pregnancy. Methods: During the period of 2017-2018, apparently healthy 6 gravid and 6 non-gravid uterus of Garole ewes were procured from Govt. registered slaughter unit, West Bengal. The samples were processed for routine histological sectioning and different staining techniques were followed for assessment of structural modification. For immune cells identification, immunohistochemistry was performed. Result: The endometrial thickness and the lining epithelial height of the gravid uterus were maximum. The number as well as size of the caruncles were maximum in gravid uterus. The uterine glands of the gravid uterus were hyperplastic and the epithelium showed stronger PAS-AB reaction. The myometrial thickness was more in the gravid uterus. The lymphocytes were especially abundant in the basal zone of endometrium and their population was more at the middle part of the uterus. The occurrence of CD8+ cells was found within the luminal and glandular epithelium of the caruncular and inter caruncular areas. In the gravid uterus, comparatively the population of CD8+ cells was more. As the CD8, cytotoxic T cells inhibit anti-foetal response, increase natural immune defensive barrier and destroy intracellular pathogens, we may conclude that increased population of CD8+ cells maintain the successful pregnancy.

Rock mass characterisation and distinct element modelling of a deep-seated rock slide influenced by glacier retreat

The active deep-seated Marzellkamm rock slide is situated in the high mountainous region of Tyrol (Austria), which has been subjected to the most recent deglaciation since the Little Ice Age (LIA). This study presents the investigation of initial rock slide formation and deformation mechanisms with respect to the structural geological inventory and the recent glacier retreat of approximately 2.2 km in length and 160 m in thickness since 1893. An integrated approach comprising field-based rock mass characterisation, glacier reconstruction based on historical maps (1893–1949) and remote sensing data (1953–2017), multi-temporal morphological analysis (1971–2019), and 2D distinct element modelling was applied.We show that deformation features mapped on the surface are reproduced by numerical modelling, and that (i) rock slide formation and slab development originates along pre-existing fault zones, (ii) a sliding mechanism occurs along a predefined fully persistent, curved but non-circular basal shear zone, and (iii) meso-scale fractures (e.g. joints) have only a minor impact on rock slide formation.Glacier reconstruction and deformation analysis show that increased slope displacements are directly associated with accelerated deglaciation rates between 1893 and 2017. Stable slope conditions were obtained by modelling as long as half to one third of the lower slope was covered by glacier ice, i.e. before the 1969 glacier stage. Rock slide movement is assumed to have initiated during the basal shear zone formation from 1949 onwards. Triggered by the general sliding movement, shear displacement along pre-existing fault zones led to the formation of rock slide structures and the separation in individual slabs and blocks.Our study shows that detailed geological mapping and deformation monitoring in combination with numerical modelling techniques can create a promising rock slide model.

The Sauzei-/Humphriesianum zonal boundary (Lower Bajocian, Middle Jurassic) in the type area of the Gosheim Formation (W Swabian Alb, SW Germany)

The Bajocian ammonite faunas of the ‘Oberer Blaukalk’ Member (Wedelsandstein Formation) and of the lower part of the ‘Humphriesioolith’ Member (Gosheim Formation) in the vicinity of Gosheim (SW Swabian Alb) are studied. At least three biohorizons of the Sauzei Zone can be distinguished: dilatus, pseudocontrahens, macrum and ?carinodiscus biohorizon, probably followed by the deltafalcata biohorizon of the basal Humphriesianum Zone (Pinguis Subzone). This succession is correlated with other sites in SW Germany and abroad.