Isolation and characterization of ten polymorphic microsatellite markers for three cryptic Gammarus fossarum (Amphipoda) species

The ecologically important stream invertebrate Gammarus fossarum is a morphospecies that includes at least three genetically differentiated biological species. We developed ten microsatellite markers and tested them in a total of 208 individuals from all three known cryptic species (types A, B and C). All markers were polymorphic and successfully amplified in type A, nine in type B and five in type C. There were up to 11 alleles per marker and species.

Intra- and postoperative complications of navigated and conventional techniques in percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation after pelvic fractures: Results from the German Pelvic Trauma Registry

Background: Percutaneous iliosacral screw placement following pelvic trauma is a very demanding technique involving a high rate of screw malpositions possibly associated with the risk of neurological damage or inadequate stability. In the conventional technique, the screw’s correct entry point and the small target corridor for the iliosacral screw may be difficult to visualise using an image intensifier. 2D and 3D navigation techniques may therefore be helpful tools. The aim of this multicentre study was to evaluate the intra- and postoperative complications after percutaneous screw implantation by classifying the fractures using data from a prospective pelvic trauma registry. The a priori hypothesis was that the navigation techniques have lower rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Methods: This study is based on data from the prospective pelvic trauma registry introduced by the German Society of Traumatology and the German Section of the AO/ASIF International in 1991. The registry provides data on all patients with pelvic fractures treated between July 2008 and June 2011 at any one of the 23 Level I trauma centres contributing to the registry. Results: A total of 2615 patients were identified. Out of these a further analysis was performed in 597 patients suffering injuries of the SI joint (187 � with surgical interventions) and 597 patients with sacral fractures (334 � with surgical interventions). The rate of intraoperative complications was not significantly different, with 10/114 patients undergoing navigated techniques (8.8%) and 14/239 patients in the conventional group (5.9%) for percutaneous screw implantation (p = 0.4242). Postoperative complications were analysed in 30/114 patients in the navigated group (26.3%) and in 70/239 patients (29.3%) in the conventional group (p = 0.6542). Patients who underwent no surgery had with 66/197 cases (33.5%) a relatively high rate of complications during their hospital stay. The rate of surgically-treated fractures was higher in the group with more unstable Type-C fractures, but the fracture classification had no significant influence on the rate of complications. Discussion: In this prospective multicentre study, the 2D/3D navigation techniques revealed similar results for the rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications compared to the conventional technique. The rate of neurological complications was significantly higher in the navigated group.

Characterization of the beta-lactamase gene from {\it Enterococcus faecalis\/} strain HH22

The plasmid-encoded, constitutively produced $\beta$-lactamase gene from Enterococcus faecalis strain HH22 was genetically characterized. A restriction endonuclease map of the 5.1 kb EcoRI fragment encoding the enterococcal $\beta$-lactamase was prepared and compared with the restriction map of a cloned staphylococcal $\beta$-lactamase gene (from the naturally-occurring staphylococcal $\beta$-lactamase plasmid pI258). Comparison and hybridization studies showed that there were identical restriction sites in the region of the $\beta$-lactamase structural gene but not in the region surrounding this gene. Also the enterococcal $\beta$-lactamase plasmid did not encode resistance to mercury or cadmium which is encoded by the small, transducible staphylococcal $\beta$-lactamase plasmids. The nucleotide sequence of the enterococcal gene was shown to be identical to the published sequences of three of four staphylococcal type A $\beta$-lactamase genes; more differences were seen with the genes for staphylococcal type C and D enzymes. One hundred-forty nucleotides upstream of the $\beta$-lactamase start codon were also determined for the inducible staphylococcal $\beta$-lactamase gene on pI258; this sequence was identical to that of the constitutively expressed enterococcal gene indicating that the changes resulting in constitutive expression are not due to changes in the promoter or operator region. Moreover, complementation studies indicated that production of the enterococcal enzyme could be repressed. The gene for the enterococcal $\beta$-lactamase and an inducible staphylococcal $\beta$-lactamase were each cloned into a shuttle vector and then transformed into enterococcal and staphylococcal recipients. The major difference between the two host backgrounds was that more enzyme was produced by the staphylococcal host, regardless of the source of the gene but no qualitative difference was seen between the two genera. Also a difference in the level of resistance to ampicillin was seen between the two backgrounds with the cloned enzymes by MIC and time-kill studies. The location of the enzyme was found to be host dependent since each cloned gene generated extracellular (free) enzyme in the staphylococcus and cell bound enzyme in the enterococcus. Based on the identity of the enterococcal $\beta$-lactamase and several staphylococcal $\beta$-lactamases, these data suggest recent spread of $\beta$-lactamase to enterococci and also suggest loss of a functional repressor. ^

A cellular cleavage pathway for the Moloney murine leukemia virus precursor protein, Pr65$\rm\sp{gag}$: Identification of a new viral protein containing CAp30 and NCp10 sequences

The origin and structure of P55$\sp{\rm gag},$ a gag encoded polyprotein lacking the nucleocapsid protein, NCp10, have been explored. Evidence shows that P55$\sp{\rm gag}$ is formed by non-viral proteolytic cleavage of the Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMuLV)gag precursor protein, Pr65$\sp{\rm gag}.$ P55$\sp{\rm gag}$ is produced in cells infected by a viral protease deletion mutant and by a recombinant murine sarcoma virus known to lack the protease gene, implying that a cellular protease is responsible for the cleavage. Structural and immunological studies show that the protein cleavage site is upstream of the CAp30-NCp10 viral proteolytic junction, implying that P55$\sp{\rm gag}$ lacks the carboxy-terminal residues of CAp30. During the course of studying P55$\sp{\rm gag},$ another protein was discovered, which I named nucleocapsid-related protein(NCRP). NCRP possesses the portion of CAp30 that is lacking in P55$\sp{\rm gag}.$ NCRP possesses antigenic epitopes present in CAp30 and NCp10. NCRP was observed in virus lysates and in nuclear lysates of MoMuLV infected cells; it was not detected in the cytoplasmic fractions of MoMuLV infected cells. Our results indicated that NCRP originates from Pr65$\sp{\rm gag},$ resulting from the same cellular proteolytic cleavage event that produces the viral cellular protein P55$\sp{\rm gag}.$ P55$\sp{\rm gag}$- and NCRP-like proteins also were observed in AKV murine leukemia virus (AKV MuLV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infected cells and in their respective virus particles. The site of cleavage that yields P55$\sp{\rm gag}$ and NCRP is within the carboxy terminus of CAp30, likely within a motif highly conserved among mammalian type C retroviruses. This new motif, called the capsid conserved motif (CCM), overlaps a region containing both a possible bipartite nuclear targeting sequence and a region homologous with the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein 70-kD protein. This domain, when intact, may act as a nuclear targeting sequence for the gag precursor proteins Pr65$\sp{\rm gag}$ and CAp30. Nuclei of cells infected with MoMuLV were examined for the presence of gag proteins. Both Pr65$\sp{\rm gag}$ and CAp30 were detected in the nuclear fraction of MoMuLV, AKV MuLV and FeLV infected cells. P55$\sp{\rm gag}$ was never detected in the nucleus of MoMuLV, AKV MuLV and FeLV infected cells or in their respective virus particles. I propose that NCRP may be involved in sequestering viral genomic RNA for the purposes of encapsidation and intracellular viral genomic RNA dimerization. ^

Search for top quark decays t → qH with H → ƴƴ using the ATLAS detector

A search is performed for flavour-changing neutral currents in the decay of a top quark to an up-type (c, u) quark and a Higgs boson, where the Higgs boson decays to two photons. The proton-proton collision data set used corresponds to 4.7 fb−1 at √s = 7TeV and 20.3 fb−1 at √s = 8TeV collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. Top quark pair events are searched for in which one top quark decays to qH and the other decays to bW. Both the hadronic and the leptonic decay modes of the W boson are used. No significant signal is observed and an upper limit is set on the t → qH branching ratio of 0.79% at the 95% confidence level. The corresponding limit on the tqH coupling combination qλ2t cH + λ2t uH is 0.17.

LC-MS/MS based assay and reference intervals in children and adolescents for oxysterols elevated in Niemann-Pick diseases

BACKGROUND Niemann-Pick type C (NP-C) is a rare progressive neurodegenerative lipid storage disorder with heterogeneous clinical presentation and challenging diagnostic procedures. Recently oxysterols have been reported to be specific biomarkers for NP-C but knowledge on the intra-individual variation and on reference intervals in children and adolescents are lacking. METHODS We established a LC-MS/MS assay to measure Cholestane-3β, 5α, 6β-triol (C-triol) and 7-Ketocholesterol (7-KC) following Steglich esterification. To assess reference intervals and intra-individual variation we determined oxysterols in 148 children and adolescents from 0 to 18 years and repeat measurements in 19 of them. RESULTS The reported method is linear (r>0.99), sensitive (detection limit of 0.03 ng/mL [0.07 nM] for C-triol, and 0.54 ng/mL [1.35 nM] for 7-KC) and precise, with an intra-day imprecision of 4.8% and 4.1%, and an inter-day imprecision of 7.0% and 11.0% for C-triol (28 ng/ml, 67 nM) and 7-KC (32 ng/ml, 80 nM), respectively. Recoveries for 7-KC and C-triol range between 93% and 107%. The upper reference limit obtained for C-triol is 40.4 ng/mL (95% CI: 26.4-61.7 ng/mL, 96.0 nM, 95% CI: 62.8-146.7 nM) and 75.0 ng/mL for 7-KC (95% CI: 55.5-102.5 ng/mL, 187.2 nM, 95% CI: 138.53-255.8 nM), with no age or gender dependency. Both oxysterols have a broad intra-individual variation of 46%±23% for C-triol and 52%±29% for 7-KC. Nevertheless, all Niemann-Pick patients showed increased C-triol levels including Niemann-Pick type A and B patients. CONCLUSIONS The LC-MS/MS assay is a robust assay to quantify C-triol and 7-KC in plasma with well documented reference intervals in children and adolescents to screen for NP-C in the pediatric population. In addition our results suggest that especially the C-triol is a biomarker for all three Niemann-Pick diseases.

Extra-articular step osteotomy of the olecranon: A biomechanical assessment

BACKGROUND Trans-olecranon chevron osteotomies (COs) remain the gold standard surgical approach to type C fractures of the distal humerus. This technique is associated with a high complication rate and development of an extra-articular olecranon osteotomy may be advantageous. The aim of this study was to compare the load to failure of COs with extra-articular oblique osteotomies (OOs) as well as modified, extra-articular step osteotomies (SOs). METHODS These three osteotomies and their subsequent fixation utilizing a standardized tension band wiring technique were tested in 42 composite analog ulnae models at 20° and 70° of flexion. Triceps loading was simulated with a servo hydraulic testing machine. All specimens were isometrically loaded until failure. Kinematic and force data, as well as interfragmentary motion were recorded. RESULTS At 70°, CO failed at a mean load of 963N (SD 104N), the OO at 1512N (SD 208N) and the SO at 1484N (SD 153N), (P<0.001). At 20°, CO failed at a mean load of 707N (SD 104N) and OO at 1009N (SD 85N) (P=0.006). The highest load to failure was observed for the SO, which was 1277N (SD 172N). The load to failure of the SO was significantly higher than the CO as well as the OO. CONCLUSION Extra-articular osteotomies showed a significantly higher load to failure in comparison to traditional CO. At near full extension (20° of flexion), this biomechanical advantage was further enhanced by a step-cut modification of the extra-articular oblique osteotomy.

[Influence of the pelvic trauma registry of the DGU on treatment of pelvic ring fractures].

Fractures of the pelvic ring are comparatively rare with an incidence of 2-8 % of all fractures depending on the study in question. The severity of pelvic ring fractures can be very different ranging from simple and mostly "harmless" type A fractures up to life-threatening complex type C fractures. Although it was previously postulated that high-energy trauma was necessary to induce a pelvic ring fracture, over the past decades it became more and more evident, not least from data in the pelvic trauma registry of the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU), that low-energy minor trauma can also cause pelvic ring fractures of osteoporotic bone and in a rapidly increasing population of geriatric patients insufficiency fractures of the pelvic ring are nowadays observed with no preceding trauma.Even in large trauma centers the number of patients with pelvic ring fractures is mostly insufficient to perform valid and sufficiently powerful monocentric studies on epidemiological, diagnostic or therapeutic issues. For this reason, in 1991 the first and still the only registry worldwide for the documentation and evaluation of pelvic ring fractures was introduced by the Working Group Pelvis (AG Becken) of the DGU. Originally, the main objectives of the documentation were epidemiological and diagnostic issues; however, in the course of time it developed into an increasingly expanding dataset with comprehensive parameters on injury patterns, operative and conservative therapy regimens and short-term and long-term outcome of patients. Originally starting with 10 institutions, in the meantime more than 30 hospitals in Germany and other European countries participate in the documentation of data. In the third phase of the registry alone, which was started in 2004, data from approximately 15,000 patients with pelvic ring and acetabular fractures were documented. In addition to the scientific impact of the pelvic trauma registry, which is reflected in the numerous national and international publications, the dramatically changing epidemiology of pelvic ring fractures, further developments in diagnostics and the changes in operative procedures over time could be demonstrated. Last but not least the now well-established diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms for pelvic ring fractures, which could be derived from the information collated in registry studies, reflect the clinical impact of the registry.

MOUSE MAMMARY TUMOR VIRUS-RELATED PROTEINS: ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A UNIQUE GLYCOPROTEIN

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) contained six major proteins, identified as gp55, gp33, p25, pp20, p12, and p10. Immunoprecipitation of cytoplasmic extracts from MMTV-infected, pulse-labeled cells identified three MMTV core-specific precursor proteins, termed Pr78('gag), Pr110('gag), Pr110('gag), and Pr180('gag+). The major intracellular core-specific precursor polyprotein, Pr78('gag), contained antigenic determinants and tryptic peptides characteristic of p25, p12, and p10. Pr110('gag) contained all but one of the leucine-containing tryptic peptides of Pr78('gag), plus several additional peptides. In addition to Pr78('gag) and Pr110('gag), monospecific antisera to virion p12 and p25 also precipitated from pulse-labeled cells a small amount of Pr180('gag+). This large polyprotein contained nearly all of the leucine-containing tryptic peptides of Pr78('gag) and Pr110('gag) plus several additional peptides. By analogy to type-C viral systems, Pr180('gag+) is presumed to represent a gag-pol-specific common precursor which is the major translation product in the synthesis of MMTV RNA-dependent-DNA polymerase. Immunoprecipitation of cytoplasmic extracts from pulse-labeled cells with antisera to gp55 identified two envelope-specific proteins, designated gPr76('env) and gP79('env). The major envelope-specific precursor, gPr76('env), could be labeled with radioactive glucosamine and contained antigenic determinants and tryptic peptides characteristic of gp55 and gp33. A quantitatively minor glycoprotein, gP79('env), contained both fucose and glucosamine and was precipitable from cytoplasmic extracts with monospecific serum to gp55. It is suggested that gP79('env) represents fucosylated gPr76('env) which is transiently synthesized and cleaved rapidly into gp55 and gp33.^ A glycoprotein of 130,00 molecular weight (gP130) was precipitable from the cytoplasm of GR-strain mouse mammary tumor cells by a rabbit antiserum (anti-MMTV) to Gr-strain mouse mammary tumors virus (GR-MMTV). Two dimensional thin layer analysis of ('35)S-methionine-containing peptides revealed that five of nine gp33 peptides and one of seven gp55 peptides were shared by gP130 and gPr76('env). Six of ten p25 peptides and four more core-related peptides were shared by Pr78('gag) and gP130. Protein gP130 also contained several tryptic peptides not found in gPr76('env), or in the core protein precursors Pr78('gag), Pr110('gag), or Pr180('gag+). both gP130 and a second protein, p30, were found in immunoprecipitates of detergent disrupted, isotopically labeled GR-MMTV treated with anti-MMTV serum. Results suggest that antibodies to gP130 in the anti-MMTV serum are capable of recognizing those protein sequences which are not related to viral structural proteins. These gP130-unique peptides are evidently host specific. Polyproteins consisting of juxtaposed host- and virus-related protein tracts have been implicated in the process of cell transformation in other mammalian systems. Therefore, gP130 may be instrinsic to the oncogenic potential of MMTV. ^

Sporomorphs and quantitative analysis of the Eocene record from IODP Hole 318-U1356A

The early Eocene epoch was characterized by extreme global warmth, which in terrestrial settings was characterized by an expansion of near-tropical vegetation belts into the high latitudes. During the middle to late Eocene, global cooling caused the retreat of tropical vegetation to lower latitudes. In high-latitude settings, near-tropical vegetation was replaced by temperate floras. This floral change has recently been traced as far south as Antarctica, where along the Wilkes Land margin paratropical forests thrived during the early Eocene and temperate Nothofagus forests developed during the middle Eocene. Here we provide both qualitative and quantitative palynological data for this floral turnover based on a sporomorph record recovered at Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Site U1356 off the Wilkes Land margin. Following the nearest living relative concept and based on a comparison with modern vegetation types, we examine the structure and diversity patterns of the Eocene vegetation along the Wilkes Land margin. Our results indicate that the early Eocene forests along the Wilkes Land margin were characterized by a diverse canopy composed of plants that today occur in tropical settings; their richness pattern was similar to that of present-day forests from New Caledonia. The middle Eocene forests were characterized by a canopy dominated by Nothofagus and exhibited richness patterns similar to modern Nothofagus forests from New Zealand.

Paleomagnetic analysis of ODP Site 133-820

Paleomagnetic analysis of sediment samples from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 133, Site 820, 10 km from the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, is undertaken to investigate the mineral magnetic response to environmental (sea level) changes. Viscous remanent magnetization (VRM) of both multidomain and near-superparamagnetic origin is prevalent and largely obscures the primary remanence, except in isolated high-magnetization zones. The Brunhes/Matuyama boundary cannot be identified, but is expected to be below 120 mbsf. The only evidence that exists for a geomagnetic excursion occurs at about 33 mbsf (-135 k.y.). Only one-half the cores were oriented, and many suffered from internal rotation about the core axis, caused by coring and/or slicing. The decay of magnetic remanence below the surface layer (0-2 mbsf) is attributed to sulfate reduction processes. The magnetic susceptibility (K) record is central for describing and understanding the magnetic properties of the sediments, and their relationship to glacio-eustatic fluctuations in sea level. Three prominent magnetic susceptibility peaks, at about 7, 32, and 64 mbsf, are superimposed on a background of smaller susceptibility oscillations. Fluctuations in susceptibility and remanence in the ôbackgroundö zone are controlled predominantly by variations in the concentration, rather than the composition of ferrimagnetics, with carbonate dilution playing an important role (type-A properties). The sharp susceptibility maxima occur at the start of the marine transgressions following low stands in sea level (high d18O, glacial maxima), and are characterized by a stable single-domain remanence, with a significant contribution from ultra-fine, superparamagnetic grains (type-C properties). During the later marine transgression, the susceptibility gradually returns to low values and the remanence is carried by stable single-domain magnetite (type-B properties). The A, B, and C types of sediment have distinctive ARM/K ratios. Throughout most of the sequence a strong inverse correlation exists between magnetic susceptibility and both CaCO3 and d18O variations. However, in the sharp susceptibility peaks (early transgression), more complex phase relationships are apparent among these parameters. In particular, the K-d18O correlation switches to positive, then reverts to negative during the course of the late transgression, indicating that two distinct mechanisms are responsible for the K-d18O correlation. Lower in the sequence, where sea-level-controlled cycles of upward-coarsening sediments, we find that the initial, mud phase of each cycle has been enriched in high-coercivity magnetic material, which is indicative of more oxic conditions. The main magnetic characteristics of the sediments are thought to reflect sea-level-controlled variations in the sediment source regions and related run-off conditions. Some preliminary evidence is seen that biogenic magnetite may play a significant role in the magnetization of these sediments.

Palynology on sediment profile Tso Kar in Ladakh

Palynological investigation of a 410 cm long core section from Tso Kar (33°10'N, 78°E, 4527 m a.s.l.), an alpine lake situated in the arid Ladakh area of NW India at the limit of the present-day Indian summer monsoon, was performed in order to reconstruct post-glacial regional vegetation and climate dynamics. The area was covered with alpine desert vegetation from ca. 15.2 to 14 kyr BP (1 kyr=1000 cal. years), reflecting dry and cold conditions. High influx values of long-distance transported Pinus sylvestris type pollen suggest prevailing air flow from the west and northwest. The spread of alpine meadow communities and local aquatic vegetation is a weak sign of climate amelioration after ca. 14 kyr BP. Pollen data (e.g. influx values of Pinus roxburghii type and Quercus) suggest that this was due to a strengthening of the summer monsoon and the reduced activity of westerly winds. The further spread of Artemisia and species-rich meadows occurred in response to improved moisture conditions between ca. 12.9 and 12.5 kyr BP. The subsequent change towards drier desert-steppe vegetation likely indicates more frequent westerly disturbances and associated snowfalls, which favoured the persistence of alpine meadows on edaphically moist sites. The spread of Chenopodiaceae-dominated vegetation associated with an extremely weak monsoon occurred at ca. 12.2-11.8 kyr BP during the Younger Dryas interstadial. A major increase in humidity is inferred from the development of Artemisia-dominated steppe and wet alpine meadows with Gentianaceae after the late glacial/early Holocene transition in response to the strengthening of the summer monsoon. Monsoonal influence reached maximum activity in the Tso Kar region between ca. 10.9 and 9.2 kyr BP. The subsequent development of the alpine meadow, steppe and desert-steppe vegetation points to a moderate reduction in the moisture supply, which can be linked to the weaker summer monsoon and the accompanying enhancement of the winter westerly flow from ca. 9.2 to 4.8 kyr BP. The highest water levels of Tso Kar around 8 kyr BP probably reflect combined effect of both monsoonal and westerly influence in the region. An abrupt shift towards aridity in the Tso Kar region occurred after ca. 4.8 kyr BP, as evidenced by an expansion of Chenopodiaceae-dominated desert-steppe. Low pollen influx values registered ca. 2.8-1.3 kyr BP suggest scarce vegetation cover and unfavourable growing conditions likely associated with a further weakening of the Indian Monsoon.

Marine diatoms in deep sea sediments

Long-term evolution is thought to take opportunities that arise as a consequence of mass extinction (as argued, for example, by Gould, 2002) and the following biotic recovery, but there is absolutely no evidence for this being the case. However, our study shows that eutrophication by oceanic mixing also played a part in the enhancement of several evolutionary events amongst marine organisms, and these results could indicate that the rates of oceanic biodiversification may be slowed if upwelling becomes weakened by future global warming. This paper defines three distinct evolutionary events of resting spores of the marine diatom genus Chaetoceros, to reconstruct past upwelling through the analysis of several DSDP, ODP and land-based successions from the North, South and equatorial Pacific as well as the Atlantic Ocean during the past 40 million years. The Atlantic Chaetoceros Explosion (ACE) event occurred across the E/O boundary in the North Atlantic, and is characterized by resting spore diversification that occurred as a consequence of the onset of upwelling following changes in thermohaline circulation through global cooling in the early Oligocene. Pacific Chaetoceros Explosion events-1 and -2 (PACE-1 and PACE-2) are characterized by relatively higher occurrences of iron input following the Himalayan uplift and aridification at 8.5 Ma and ca. 2.5 Ma in the North Pacific region. These events not only enhanced the diversification and increased abundance of primary producers, including that of Chaetoceros, other diatoms and seaweeds, but also stimulated the evolution of zooplankton and larger predators, such as copepods and marine mammals, which ate these phytoplankton and plants. Current thinking suggests new evolutionary niches open up after a mass extinction, but our study finds that eutrophication can also stimulate evolutionary diversification. Moreover, in the opposite fashion, our results show that as thermohaline circulation abates, global warming progresses and the ocean surface becomes warmer, many marine organisms will be affected by the environmental degradation.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of latest Miocene deposits in the Tyrrhenian Sea

Late Miocene sediments from ODP Sites 652 and 654, drilled on the Sardinian margin in the Western Tyrrhenian Sea, are investigated through mineralogical, micromorphological, geochemical, and microgeochemical analyses. Clay associations appear to be little controlled by conditions of deposition, and largely depend on pre- and post-depositional conditions. The sedimentary series from Central Mediterranean gives very different geodynamic information, according to the sector considered. While relatively stable conditions, like those encountered in Caltanissetta Basin, Sicily, favor the mineralogical expression of warm-temperate and subarid Messinian climate, the Eastern Sardinia margin (Site 654) clay suites mainly reflect the transition from tectonically active to relaxed conditions. The series deposited at the foot of the same margin above a thinner crust (Site 652) experienced the effects of burial diagenesis, enhanced by strong geothermal gradient.

Calcareous microfossil isotopes and Miocene datum events of ODP Holes 189-1170A and 189-1172A

Downcore oxygen and carbon stable isotope records of planktonic and benthic foraminifers and fine-fraction carbonate from the southern high latitudes provide critical paleohydrographic constraints on the evolution of the Southern Ocean climate. In particular, the potential effects of an intensified Antarctic Circumpolar Current on the thermal isolation and cooling of the southern high latitudes, production of cold deep waters, and, ultimately, accumulation of continental ice on Antarctica in the middle Miocene are matters of interest. Using sediment materials from Ocean Drilling Program Leg 189 Sites 1170 and 1172 off Tasmania, Ennyu and Arthur (2004, doi:10.1029/151GM13) established the surface- and deepwater stable isotope records in the Southern Ocean across the middle Miocene event of the east Antarctic ice sheet expansion and discussed the paleoclimate proxy records in terms of the thermal evolution of the southern high latitudes and its effect on deepwater circulation. This report provides data tables and other supporting information relevant to discussions presented in Ennyu and Arthur (2004, doi:10.1029/151GM13). Items included in this report are (1) the oxygen and carbon stable isotope data measured on the Miocene bulk fine-fraction (i.e., <63 µm, primarily polyspecific nannofossil assemblage) carbonate and planktonic and benthic foraminifers from Holes 1170A and 1172A and (2) the Miocene depth-age models for the two sites.