scholarly journals Ediacaran metazoan reveals lophotrochozoan affinity and deepens root of Cambrian Explosion

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. eabf2933
Author(s):  
A. J. Shore ◽  
R. A. Wood ◽  
I. B. Butler ◽  
A. Yu. Zhuravlev ◽  
S. McMahon ◽  
...  

Through exceptional preservation, we establish a phylogenetic connection between Ediacaran and Cambrian metazoans. We describe the first three-dimensional, pyritized soft tissue in Namacalathus from the Ediacaran Nama Group, Namibia, which follows the underlying form of a stalked, cup-shaped, calcitic skeleton, with six radially arranged lobes projecting into an apical opening and lateral lumens. A thick body wall and probable J-shaped gut are present within the cup, and the middle layer of the often-spinose skeleton and skeletal pores are selectively pyritized, supporting an organic-rich composition and tripartite construction with possible sensory punctae. These features suggest a total group lophotrochozoan affinity. These morphological data support molecular phylogenies and demonstrates that the origin of modern lophotrochozoan phyla, and their ability to biomineralize, had deep roots in the Ediacaran.


Author(s):  
O. Faroon ◽  
F. Al-Bagdadi ◽  
T. G. Snider ◽  
C. Titkemeyer

The lymphatic system is very important in the immunological activities of the body. Clinicians confirm the diagnosis of infectious diseases by palpating the involved cutaneous lymph node for changes in size, heat, and consistency. Clinical pathologists diagnose systemic diseases through biopsies of superficial lymph nodes. In many parts of the world the goat is considered as an important source of milk and meat products.The lymphatic system has been studied extensively. These studies lack precise information on the natural morphology of the lymph nodes and their vascular and cellular constituent. This is due to using improper technique for such studies. A few studies used the SEM, conducted by cutting the lymph node with a blade. The morphological data collected by this method are artificial and do not reflect the normal three dimensional surface of the examined area of the lymph node. SEM has been used to study the lymph vessels and lymph nodes of different animals. No information on the cutaneous lymph nodes of the goat has ever been collected using the scanning electron microscope.



Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 757
Author(s):  
Maged Sultan Alhammadi ◽  
Abeer Abdulkareem Al-mashraqi ◽  
Rayid Hussain Alnami ◽  
Nawaf Mohammad Ashqar ◽  
Omar Hassan Alamir ◽  
...  

The study sought to assess whether the soft tissue facial profile measurements of direct Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and wrapped CBCT images of non-standardized facial photographs are accurate compared to the standardized digital photographs. In this cross-sectional study, 60 patients with an age range of 18–30 years, who were indicated for CBCT, were enrolled. Two facial photographs were taken per patient: standardized and random (non-standardized). The non-standardized ones were wrapped with the CBCT images. The most used soft tissue facial profile landmarks/parameters (linear and angular) were measured on direct soft tissue three-dimensional (3D) images and on the photographs wrapped over the 3D-CBCT images, and then compared to the standardized photographs. The reliability analysis was performed using concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) and depicted graphically using Bland–Altman plots. Most of the linear and angular measurements showed high reliability (0.91 to 0.998). Nevertheless, four soft tissue measurements were unreliable; namely, posterior gonial angle (0.085 and 0.11 for wrapped and direct CBCT soft tissue, respectively), mandibular plane angle (0.006 and 0.0016 for wrapped and direct CBCT soft tissue, respectively), posterior facial height (0.63 and 0.62 for wrapped and direct CBCT soft tissue, respectively) and total soft tissue facial convexity (0.52 for both wrapped and direct CBCT soft tissue, respectively). The soft tissue facial profile measurements from either the direct 3D-CBCT images or the wrapped CBCT images of non-standardized frontal photographs were accurate, and can be used to analyze most of the soft tissue facial profile measurements.



2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep Kumar ◽  
Viness Pillay ◽  
Yahya E. Choonara

AbstractThree-dimensional porous scaffolds are widely employed in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for their ability to carry bioactives and cells; and for their platform properties to allow for bridging-the-gap within an injured tissue. This study describes the effect of various methoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG) derivatives (mPEG (-OCH3 functionality), mPEG-aldehyde (mPEG-CHO) and mPEG-acetic acid (mPEG-COOH)) on the morphology and physical properties of chemically crosslinked, semi-interpenetrating polymer network (IPN), chitosan (CHT)/mPEG blend cryosponges. Physicochemical and molecular characterization revealed that the –CHO and –COOH functional groups in mPEG derivatives interacted with the –NH2 functionality of the chitosan chain. The distinguishing feature of the cryosponges was their unique morphological features such as fringe thread-, pebble-, curved quartz crystal-, crystal flower-; and canyon-like structures. The morphological data was well corroborated by the image processing data and physisorption curves corresponding to Type II isotherm with open hysteresis loops. Functionalization of mPEG had no evident influence on the macro-mechanical properties of the cryosponges but increased the matrix strength as determined by the rheomechanical analyses. The cryosponges were able to deliver bioactives (dexamethasone and curcumin) over 10 days, showed varied matrix degradation profiles, and supported neuronal cells on the matrix surface. In addition, in silico simulations confirmed the compatibility and molecular stability of the CHT/mPEG blend compositions. In conclusion, the study confirmed that significant morphological variations may be induced by minimal functionalization and crosslinking of biomaterials.



2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 352-359
Author(s):  
Susumu Saito ◽  
Itaru Tsuge ◽  
Hiroki Yamanaka ◽  
Naoki Morimoto

Wassel VI radial polydactyly is associated with metacarpal adduction and radial deviation of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the ulnar duplicate. The soft tissue abnormalities responsible for these deformities were characterized using preoperative multi-planar three-dimensional ultrasound and intraoperative observation in four patients. In all patients, the abductor pollicis brevis and superficial head of the flexor pollicis brevis inserted into the radial first metacarpal, whereas the adductor pollicis and deep head of the flexor pollicis brevis inserted into the ulnar thumb. Aberrant location of the flexor pollicis longus and absence of the A1 pulley system was associated with severe radial deviation. An additional superficial thenar muscle along the ulnar metacarpal was associated with minimal metacarpal adduction. Uneven forces on the ulnar duplicate could be associated with these characteristic deformities and joint instability. Knowledge of these abnormalities allows better planning of surgery and further insight into this rare radial polydactyly configuration. Level of evidence: II



Author(s):  
Roberto Rongo ◽  
Line Nissen ◽  
Cécile Leroy ◽  
Ambrosina Michelotti ◽  
Paolo M. Cattaneo ◽  
...  


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