scholarly journals Effects of EPHB receptors on facial morphology: non‐additive interactions during mouse facial development

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Mincer ◽  
Terren Niethamer ◽  
Teng Teng ◽  
Jeffrey Bush ◽  
Christopher Percival
Keyword(s):  
Facial Morphology ◽  
Ephb Receptors ◽  
Additive Interactions ◽  
Facial Development

scholarly journals Was facial width-to-height ratio subject to sexual selection pressures? A life course approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn R. Hodges-Simeon ◽  
Graham Albert ◽  
George B. Richardson ◽  
Timothy S. McHale ◽  
Seth M. Weinberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Facial Morphology ◽  
Facial Growth ◽  
Height Ratio ◽  
Lower Face ◽  
Male Adolescents ◽  
Classic Pattern ◽  
Facial Development

AbstractSexual selection researchers have traditionally focused on adult sex differences; however, the schedule and pattern of sex-specific ontogeny can provide insights unobtainable from an exclusive focus on adults. Recently, it has been debated whether facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR; bi-zygomatic breadth divided by midface height) is a human secondary sexual characteristic (SSC). Here, we review current evidence, then address this debate using ontogenetic evidence, which has been under-explored in fWHR research. Facial measurements collected from males and females aged 3 to 40 (Study 1; US, n=2449), and 7 to 21 (Study 2; Bolivia, n=179) were used to calculate three fWHR variants (which we call fWHRnasion, fWHRstomion, and fWHRbrow) and two other common facial masculinity ratios (facial width-to-lower-face-height ratio, fWHRlower, and cheekbone prominence). We test whether the observed pattern of facial development exhibits patterns indicative of SSCs, i.e. differential adolescent growth in either male or female facial morphology leading to an adult sex difference. Results showed that only fWHRlower exhibited both adult sex differences as well as the classic pattern of ontogeny for SSCs—greater lower-face growth in male adolescents relative to females. fWHRbrow was significantly wider among both pre- and post-pubertal males in the 2D sample; post-hoc analyses revealed that the effect was driven by large sex differences in brow height, with females having higher placed brows than males across ages. In both samples, all fWHR measures were inversely associated with age; that is, human facial growth is characterized by greater relative growth in the mid-face and lower face relative to facial width. This trend continues even into middle adulthood. BMI was also a positive predictor of most of the ratios across ages, with greater BMI associated with wider faces. Researchers collecting data on fWHR should target fWHRlower and fWHRbrow and should control for both age and BMI.

scholarly journals Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Improves Facial Dysmorphology Associated with Down Syndrome

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Starbuck ◽  
Sergi Llambrich ◽  
Ruben González ◽  
Julia Albaigès ◽  
Anna Sarlé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Chromosome 21 ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Facial Morphology ◽  
Egcg Treatment ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Facial Development ◽  
First Time

AbstractIn Down syndrome (DS), the overall genetic imbalance caused by trisomy of chromosome 21 leads to a complex pleiotropic phenotype that involves a recognizable set of facial traits. Several studies have shown the potential of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a green tea flavanol, as a therapeutic tool for alleviating different developmental alterations associated with DS, such as cognitive impairment, skull dysmorphologies, and skeletal deficiencies. Here we provide for the first time experimental and clinical evidence of the potential benefits of EGCG treatment to facial morphology. Our results showed that mouse models treated with low dose of EGCG during pre- and postnatal development improved facial dysmorphology. However, the same treatment at high dose produced disparate facial morphology changes with an extremely wide and abnormal range of variation. Our observational study in humans revealed that EGCG treatment since early in development is associated with intermediate facial phenotypes and significant facial improvement scores. Overall, our findings suggest a potential beneficial effect of ECGC on facial development, which requires further research to pinpoint the optimal dosages of EGCG that reliably improve DS phenotypes. Current evidence warns against the non-prescribed intake of this supplement as a health-promoting measure.

scholarly journals Synergy, Additivity, and Antagonism between Cisplatin and Selected Coumarins in Human Melanoma Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 537
Author(s):  
Paula Wróblewska-Łuczka ◽  
Aneta Grabarska ◽  
Magdalena Florek-Łuszczki ◽  
Zbigniew Plewa ◽  
Jarogniew J. Łuszczki
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Melanoma Cell ◽  
Melanoma Cells ◽  
Human Melanoma ◽  
Type I ◽  
Antiproliferative Effects ◽  
Isobolographic Analysis ◽  
Natural Substances ◽  
Additive Interactions ◽  
Melanoma Cell Lines

(1) Cisplatin (CDDP) is used in melanoma chemotherapy, but it has many side effects. Hence, the search for natural substances that can reduce the dose of CDDP, and CDDP-related toxicity, is highly desired. Coumarins have many biological properties, including anticancer and antiproliferative effects. (2) An in vitro 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on two human melanoma cell lines (FM55P and FM55M2) examined the antitumor properties of CDDP and five naturally occurring coumarins (osthole, xanthotoxin, xanthotoxol, isopimpinellin, and imperatorin). The antiproliferative effects produced by combinations of CDDP with the coumarins were assessed using type I isobolographic analysis. (3) The most potent anticancer properties of coumarins were presented by osthole and xanthotoxol. These compounds were characterized by the lowest median inhibitory concentration (IC50) values relative to the FM55P and FM55M2 melanoma cells. Isobolographic analysis showed that for both melanoma cell lines, the combination of CDDP and osthole exerted synergistic and additive interactions, while the combination of CDDP and xanthotoxol exerted additive interactions. Combinations of CDDP with xanthotoxin, isopimpinellin, and imperatorin showed antagonistic and additive interactions in two melanoma cell lines. (4) The combination of CDDP and osthole was characterized by the most desirable synergistic interaction. Isobolographic analysis allows the selection of potential candidates for cancer drugs among natural substances.

scholarly journals Fluctuating Asymmetry and Sexual Dimorphism in Human Facial Morphology: A Multi-Variate Study

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 304
Author(s):  
Omid Ekrami ◽  
Peter Claes ◽  
Ellen Van Assche ◽  
Mark D. Shriver ◽  
Seth M. Weinberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
High Density ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Facial Morphology ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Large Dataset ◽  
Genetic Quality

(1) Background: Fluctuating asymmetry is often used as an indicator of developmental instability, and is proposed as a signal of genetic quality. The display of prominent masculine phenotypic features, which are a direct result of high androgen levels, is also believed to be a sign of genetic quality, as these hormones may act as immunosuppressants. Fluctuating asymmetry and masculinity are therefore expected to covary. However, there is lack of strong evidence in the literature regarding this hypothesis. (2) Materials and methods: In this study, we examined a large dataset of high-density 3D facial scans of 1260 adults (630 males and 630 females). We mapped a high-density 3D facial mask onto the facial scans in order to obtain a high number of quasi-landmarks on the faces. Multi-dimensional measures of fluctuating asymmetry were extracted from the landmarks using Principal Component Analysis, and masculinity/femininity scores were obtained for each face using Partial Least Squares. The possible correlation between these two qualities was then examined using Pearson’s coefficient and Canonical Correlation Analysis. (3) Results: We found no correlation between fluctuating asymmetry and masculinity in men. However, a weak but significant correlation was found between average fluctuating asymmetry and masculinity in women, in which feminine faces had higher levels of fluctuating asymmetry on average. This correlation could possibly point to genetic quality as an underlying mechanism for both asymmetry and masculinity; however, it might also be driven by other fitness or life history traits, such as fertility. (4) Conclusions: Our results question the idea that fluctuating asymmetry and masculinity should be (more strongly) correlated in men, which is in line with the recent literature. Future studies should possibly focus more on the evolutionary relevance of the observed correlation in women.

scholarly journals Eurasian and North American phylogeny of Turolian hipparionine horses (Perissodactyla, Mammalia) in China

1992 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 305-305
Author(s):  
Mahito Watabe
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
North American ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
The Other ◽  
Dental Morphology ◽  
Facial Morphology ◽  
Open Land ◽  
Specialized Form ◽  
Eastern Half

The late Miocene Chinese hipparions are morphologically diversified showing similarity to both western Old World's and North American forms. Two Chinese taxa that are phylogenetically related to western Old World's forms are Hipparion fossatum (= H. forstende) from Baode (Shanxi) and H. hippidiodus from Qingyang (Gansu) and Baode. The former is related to H. mediterraneum and the latter to H. urmiense - platygenys from the Turolian localities in the western Old World. H. fossatum and H. hippidiodus are associated with the “dorcadoides” (open-land) and “mixed” faunas in northern China. Hipparion fossatum that is characterized by POF located close to the orbit co-occurs with large and morphologically specialized form, H. dermatorhinum in Baode (Loc.30). H. hippidiodus with reduced POF is discovered with smaller H. coelophyes in Loc. 43, 44 (Baode) and Loc. 115 (Gansu).The hipparions associated with the “gaudryi” (forest) fauna are characterized by well defined and small POF located far from the orbit. Those forms are: H. platyodus from Loc. 70; H. ptychodus from Loc. 73; H. tylodus from Hsi-Liang in Yushe - Wuxiang basins; and H. sefvei from Loc. 12 at Xin-an in Henan province. H. coelophyes from Baode (Loc.43 & 44) and Qingyang (Loc. 115) also show similar facial morphology to the these forms, although it has small size and shallow POF. Those forms are similar in facial and dental morphology to Hipparion sensu stricto and some species of Cormohipparion in North America.The assemblages of Chinese hipparions are composed of two groups whose members are phylogenetically similar to the forms from both western part of Eurasia and North America. The “gaudryi” fauna is considered younger than the other two on the basis of faunal analyses. The similarity in hipparionine taxonomy between northern China and North America in the latest Miocene is an evidences for possible faunal interchange(s) occurred during that period, as suggested by taxonomic analyses on carnivores and proboscideans in eastern half of Eurasia and North America.

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