The human genus

A general problem in biology is how to incorporate information about evolutionary history and adaptation into taxonomy. The problem is exemplified in attempts to define our own genus, Homo. Here conventional criteria for allocating fossil species to Homo are reviewed and are found to be either inappropriate or inoperable. We present a revised definition, based on verifiable criteria, for Homo and conclude that two species, Homo habilis and Homo rudolfensis, do not belong in the genus. The earliest taxon to satisfy the criteria is Homo ergaster, or early African Homo erectus, which currently appears in the fossil record at about 1.9 million years ago.     

Potent analgesic effects of GDNF in neuropathic pain states

Neuropathic pain arises as a debilitating consequence of nerve injury. The etiology of such pain is poorly understood, and existing treatment is largely ineffective. We demonstrate here that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) both prevented and reversed sensory abnormalities that developed in neuropathic pain models, without affecting pain-related behavior in normal animals. GDNF reduces ectopic discharges within sensory neurons after nerve injury. This may arise as a consequence of the reversal by GDNF of the injury-induced plasticity of several sodium channel subunits. Together these findings provide a rational basis for the use of GDNF as a therapeutic treatment for neuropathic pain states.     

完美主义塑造经典品牌

"品牌"之于企业不仅仅是一种简单的符号表示,更是一种可以溢价和增值的无形资产。把自己的企业做成一个品牌,是无数企业家的梦想。但梦想与现实的旅途之中往往是荆棘密布、险象环生,就像国内许多品牌,尽管前赴后继层出不穷,但都经不起时间的考验,昙花一现的更是比比皆是,究其根源是什么呢?     

Angiofibroma of the nasal cavity in 13 dogs

This case series describes a rare entity, nasal angiofibroma, in 13 dogs that were presented to the University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine from 1988 to 2000. All dogs in this case series presented with clinical signs and radiographic changes that were strongly suggestive of a locally invasive neoplasm. However, histopathology completed on transnostral core biopsy samples revealed benign appearing vascular proliferation with secondary lymphosuppurative inflammation was established despite cytologic criteria of malignancy present in five dogs. On the basis of the outcomes in this case series, nasal angiofibroma should be considered a differential for dogs presenting with clinical signs consistent with a malignant nasal tumour.     

Modification of soils in Nigerian savanna by soil-feeding Cubitermes (isoptera,termitidae)

Soil-feeding termites ingest humified, organic-rich soil. The soil faeces are used for nest construction and mounds of two species of Cubitermes contained more soil, clay, exchangeable Ca and Mg, available P, total N and organic C than adjacent topsoil. Available P increased by 1.4–6.0 times. Mounds of a plant-debris feeding termite, Trinervitermes, contained significantly more of these fractions, with the exception of available P, than adjacent topsoil. The modification of Trinervitermes mounds by Cubitermes resulted in a 2-fold increase in available P, whereas organic C remained the same and N increased by 1.5-times. The relatively large increase in available P resulting from soil feeding termites could be attributed to the high pH regime in their hind-guts.