scholarly journals Hominin cranial fragments from Milner Hall, Sterkfontein, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 114 (11/12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amélie Beaudet ◽  
Jason L. Heaton ◽  
Ericka N. L’Abbé ◽  
Travis R. Pickering ◽  
Dominic Stratford
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Structural Organization ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Stone Tools ◽  
Quantitative Investigation ◽  
Sedimentary Deposits ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Fossil Hominins ◽  
The Mean ◽  
First Time

The Sterkfontein Caves site is one of the richest early hominin localities in Africa. In addition to significant fossil assemblages from Members 2 and 4 of the Sterkfontein Formation, recent excavations have revealed hominin-bearing sedimentary deposits in the lesser-known Milner Hall. We describe two hominin cranial fragments excavated from the Milner Hall in 2015 and present the results of a high-resolution microtomographic-based approach to diagnosing the anatomical and taxonomical origin of these specimens. Based on external morphology, StW 671 and StW 672 are tentatively identified as frontal and occipital fragments, respectively. Our non-invasive bi-dimensional quantitative investigation of the two cranial fragments reveals a mean cranial thickness of 8.8 mm and 5.6 mm for StW 671 and StW 672 respectively and a contribution of the diploic layer to the cumulative cranial thickness that is less than 50%. While the mean cranial thickness of StW 671 falls within the range of Homo, the relative proportion of the diploë in both StW 671 and StW 672 is lower than in Australopithecus (>60%) and extant humans (>50%). Accordingly, in terms of both cranial thickness and inner structural organization, the Milner Hall hominins combine derived and unique traits, consistent with the condition of other postcranial and dental material already described from the deposit. Moreover, our study opens interesting perspectives in terms of analysis of isolated cranial fragments, which are abundant in the hominin fossil record. Significance: The Sterkfontein Caves have widely contributed to our understanding of human evolution. Besides the well-known Members 4 and 2, where the iconic ‘Mrs Ples’ and ‘Little Foot’ have been found, in this study we suggest that the Milner Hall locality represents an additional, stratigraphically associated source of not only fossil hominins, but also Oldowan stone tools. In particular, we describe for the first time two cranial fragments, StW 671 and StW 672, identified as frontal and occipital bones, respectively. Our microtomographic-based analysis of these materials reveals some affinities with Homo combined with unique characters. In this context, our study suggests an intriguing mosaicism consistent with the description of the two fossil hominins found in the Milner Hall.

scholarly journals Upright walking has driven unique vascular specialization of the hominin ilium

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12240
Author(s):  
Dexter Zirkle ◽  
Richard S. Meindl ◽  
C. Owen Lovejoy
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Great Apes ◽  
Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine ◽  
Canal System ◽  
Modern Humans ◽  
Fossil Hominins ◽  
Report Analysis ◽  
The Mean ◽  
African Great Apes

Background A novel physis in hominins modulates broadening and shortening of the ilium. We report analysis of a vascular canal system whose origin may be associated with this physis and which appears to be also unique to hominins. Its presence is potentially identifiable in the fossil record by its association with a highly enlarged foramen that is consistently present in modern humans and hominin fossils. Methods We measured the diameter of this foramen in humans, fossil hominins, and African great apes and corrected for body size. Results The mean relative human foramen diameter is significantly greater than those of either Pan or Gorilla. Moreover, eight of the nine values of the Cohen’s d for these differences in ratios are highly significant and support the ordering of magnitudes: Pan < Gorilla < Homo. The relative foramen diameter of A.L. 288-1 is above the 75th percentile of all other hominoids and at the high end of humans. The foramen is also present in ARA-VP-6/500. Conclusions We posit that the presence and significant enlargement of this foramen in fossils can reasonably serve as an indicator that its anterior inferior iliac spine emerged via the unique hominin physis. The foramen can therefore serve as an indicator of hominin iliac ontogenetic specialization for bipedality in fossil taxa.

Paleobiogeography and biodiversity of Late Maastrichtian dinosaurs: how many dinosaur species went extinct at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary?

2012 ◽  
Vol 183 (6) ◽  
pp. 547-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Le Loeuff
Keyword(s):  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Dinosaur Extinction ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Species Area ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Species Area Relationship ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Chicxulub Impact ◽  
First Time

Abstract The global Late Maastrichtian non-avian dinosaur apparent biodiversity is extensively surveyed for the first time. It amounts to 104 species (including unnamed forms) in 2010. The real biodiversity being obscured by taphonomical biases and the scarcity of the continental fossil record, a species-area relationship is used to estimate it. The results show that several hundreds (between 628 and 1078) non-avian dinosaur species were alive in the Late Maastrichtian, which is almost an order of magnitude above previous estimates. Because of the complex Late Cretaceous palaeobiogeography, discussions about dinosaur extinction should be based on this estimated real global biodiversity, not on the apparent biodiversity of a single area. Given the mean duration of dinosaur genera (7.7 Ma), the presence of so many dinosaur species in the Latest Cretaceous is consistent with the termination of most lineages at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary (the Late Maastrichtian sub-stage is 2.8 m.y. long). The Late Maastrichtian dinosaurian biodiversity is therefore consistent with the sudden extinction of the group following the Chicxulub impact.

Darwin's two competing phylogenetic trees: marsupials as ancestors or sister taxa?

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. David Archibald
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Charles Darwin ◽  
The Other ◽  
Charles Lyell ◽  
Single Origin ◽  
Molecular Studies ◽  
Richard Owen ◽  
First Time

Studies of the origin and diversification of major groups of plants and animals are contentious topics in current evolutionary biology. This includes the study of the timing and relationships of the two major clades of extant mammals – marsupials and placentals. Molecular studies concerned with marsupial and placental origin and diversification can be at odds with the fossil record. Such studies are, however, not a recent phenomenon. Over 150 years ago Charles Darwin weighed two alternative views on the origin of marsupials and placentals. Less than a year after the publication of On the origin of species, Darwin outlined these in a letter to Charles Lyell dated 23 September 1860. The letter concluded with two competing phylogenetic diagrams. One showed marsupials as ancestral to both living marsupials and placentals, whereas the other showed a non-marsupial, non-placental as being ancestral to both living marsupials and placentals. These two diagrams are published here for the first time. These are the only such competing phylogenetic diagrams that Darwin is known to have produced. In addition to examining the question of mammalian origins in this letter and in other manuscript notes discussed here, Darwin confronted the broader issue as to whether major groups of animals had a single origin (monophyly) or were the result of “continuous creation” as advocated for some groups by Richard Owen. Charles Lyell had held similar views to those of Owen, but it is clear from correspondence with Darwin that he was beginning to accept the idea of monophyly of major groups.

RESULTS OF INTRALESIONAL TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE FOR CHALAZION TREATMENT

2011 ◽  
pp. 100-104
Author(s):  
Thi Thu Nguyen ◽  
Viet Hien Vo ◽  
Thi Em Do
Keyword(s):  
Success Rate ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Triamcinolone Acetonide ◽  
Lower Eyelid ◽  
Upper Eyelid ◽  
Interventional Trial ◽  
The Mean ◽  
First Time

The study use intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection proceduce for chalazion treatment.1. Objectives: To evaluate results of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for chalazion treatment. 2. Method: This noncomparative prospective interventional trial included 72 chalazions of 61 patients. 3. Results: 61 patients (72 chalazions) with 19 males (31.1%) và 42 females (68.9%), the mean age was 24 ± 9,78 years. 31.1% patients was the first time chalazion and 68.9% patients was more than one times chalazion including 78.6% patients was recurrent at the first position and 21.4% patients occur at new position. 72 chalazions with 16 (22.2%) chalazions was treated before and 56 (77.8%) chalazions wasn’t done that. 72 chalazions with 49 chalazions (68.1%) are local in upper eyelid and 23 chalazions (31.9%) are local in lower eyelid. The mean of chalazion diameter is 6.99 ± 3.03mm. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is injected to treat 72 chalazions with 16 (22.2%) chalazions are injected through the route of skin and 56 (77.8%) chalazions are injected through the route of conjunctiva. After 2 weeks follow-up, the success rate was 93.1% and 6.9% failed. 4. Conclusion: intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for chalazion treatment is really effective. Key words: chalazion, intralesional triamcinolone acetonide.

Synthesis of a silymarin-gold nanoparticle conjugate and analysis of its liver-protecting activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey Staroverov ◽  
Sergey Kozlov ◽  
Alexander Fomin ◽  
Konstantib Gabalov ◽  
Alexey Volkov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Nanoparticles ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Carbon Tetrachloride ◽  
Glutathione Depletion ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Experimental Hepatitis ◽  
Acute Liver Disease ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Extent Of Damage ◽  
First Time

Background: The liver disease problem prompts investigators to search for new methods of liver treatment. Introduction: Silymarin (Sil) protects the liver by reducing the concentration of free radicals and the extent of damage to the cell membranes. A particularly interesting method to increase the bioavailability of Sil is to use synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as reagents. The study considered whether it was possible to use the silymarin-AuNP conjugate as a potential liver-protecting drug. Method: AuNPs were conjugated to Sil and examine the liver-protecting activity of the conjugate. Experimental hepatitis and hepatocyte cytolysis after carbon tetrachloride actionwere used as a model system, and the experiments were conducted on laboratory animals. Result: For the first time, silymarin was conjugated to colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Electron microscopy showed that the resultant preparations were monodisperse and that the mean conjugate diameter was 18–30 nm ± 0.5 nm (mean diameter of the native nanoparticles, 15 ± 0.5 nm). In experimental hepatitis in mice, conjugate administration interfered with glutathione depletion in hepatocytes in response to carbon tetrachloride was conducive to an increase in energy metabolism, and stimulated the monocyte–macrophage function of the liver. The results were confirmed by the high respiratory activity of the hepatocytes in cell culture. Conclusion: We conclude that the silymarin-AuNP conjugate holds promise as a liver-protecting agent in acute liver disease caused by carbon tetrachloride poisoning.

scholarly journals Raman spectroscopic detection of interleukin-10 and angiotensin converting enzyme

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuo Zhang ◽  
Frederieke A. M. van der Mee ◽  
Roel J. Erckens ◽  
Carroll A. B. Webers ◽  
Tos T. J. M. Berendschot
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Interleukin 10 ◽  
Spectral Features ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
Raman Spectroscopic ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Confocal Raman ◽  
First Time ◽  
Enzyme Characteristic

AbstractIn this report we present a confocal Raman system to identify the unique spectral features of two proteins, Interleukin-10 and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme. Characteristic Raman spectra were successfully acquired and identified for the first time to our knowledge, showing the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a non-invasive investigation tool for biomedical applications.

scholarly journals CT perfusion in peripheral arterial disease—hemodynamic differences before and after revascularisation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Veit-Haibach ◽  
Martin W. Huellner ◽  
Martin Banyai ◽  
Sebastian Mafeld ◽  
Johannes Heverhagen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Arterial Disease ◽  
Ct Perfusion ◽  
Arterial Disease ◽  
Lower Leg ◽  
Therapy Control ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Peripheral Arterial

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was the assessment of volumetric CT perfusion (CTP) of the lower leg musculature in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) before and after interventional revascularisation. Methods Twenty-nine consecutive patients with symptomatic PAD of the lower extremities requiring interventional revascularisation were assessed prospectively. All patients underwent a CTP scan of the lower leg, and hemodynamic and angiographic assessment, before and after intervention. Ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) was determined. CTP parameters were calculated with a perfusion software, acting on a no outflow assumption. A sequential two-compartment model was used. Differences in CTP parameters were assessed with non-parametric tests. Results The cohort consisted of 24 subjects with an occlusion, and five with a high-grade stenosis. The mean blood flow before/after (BFpre and BFpost, respectively) was 7.42 ± 2.66 and 10.95 ± 6.64 ml/100 ml*min−1. The mean blood volume before/after (BVpre and BVpost, respectively) was 0.71 ± 0.35 and 1.25 ± 1.07 ml/100 ml. BFpost and BVpost were significantly higher than BFpre and BVpre in the treated limb (p = 0.003 and 0.02, respectively), but not in the untreated limb (p = 0.641 and 0.719, respectively). Conclusions CTP seems feasible for assessing hemodynamic differences in calf muscles before and after revascularisation in patients with symptomatic PAD. We could show that CTP parameters BF and BV are significantly increased after revascularisation of the symptomatic limb. In the future, this quantitative method might serve as a non-invasive method for surveillance and therapy control of patients with peripheral arterial disease. Key Points • CTP imaging of the lower limb in patients with symptomatic PAD seems feasible for assessing hemodynamic differences before and after revascularisation in PAD patients. • This quantitative method might serve as a non-invasive method, for surveillance and therapy control of patients with PAD.

scholarly journals Neutrosophic ratio-type estimators for estimating the population mean

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaigham Tahir ◽  
Hina Khan ◽  
Muhammad Aslam ◽  
Javid Shabbir ◽  
Yasar Mahmood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Minimum Mean Square Error ◽  
Auxiliary Information ◽  
Population Parameter ◽  
Uncertain Information ◽  
Population Mean ◽  
Classical Statistics ◽  
Neutrosophic Statistics ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Type Data ◽  
First Time

AbstractAll researches, under classical statistics, are based on determinate, crisp data to estimate the mean of the population when auxiliary information is available. Such estimates often are biased. The goal is to find the best estimates for the unknown value of the population mean with minimum mean square error (MSE). The neutrosophic statistics, generalization of classical statistics tackles vague, indeterminate, uncertain information. Thus, for the first time under neutrosophic statistics, to overcome the issues of estimation of the population mean of neutrosophic data, we have developed the neutrosophic ratio-type estimators for estimating the mean of the finite population utilizing auxiliary information. The neutrosophic observation is of the form $${Z}_{N}={Z}_{L}+{Z}_{U}{I}_{N}\, {\rm where}\, {I}_{N}\in \left[{I}_{L}, {I}_{U}\right], {Z}_{N}\in [{Z}_{l}, {Z}_{u}]$$ Z N = Z L + Z U I N where I N ∈ I L , I U , Z N ∈ [ Z l , Z u ] . The proposed estimators are very helpful to compute results when dealing with ambiguous, vague, and neutrosophic-type data. The results of these estimators are not single-valued but provide an interval form in which our population parameter may have more chance to lie. It increases the efficiency of the estimators, since we have an estimated interval that contains the unknown value of the population mean provided a minimum MSE. The efficiency of the proposed neutrosophic ratio-type estimators is also discussed using neutrosophic data of temperature and also by using simulation. A comparison is also conducted to illustrate the usefulness of Neutrosophic Ratio-type estimators over the classical estimators.

scholarly journals Non-Invasive Molecular Survey of Sarcoptic Mange in Wildlife: Diagnostic Performance in Wolf Faecal Samples Evaluated by Multi-Event Capture–Recapture Models

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
Julieta Rousseau ◽  
Mónia Nakamura ◽  
Helena Rio-Maior ◽  
Francisco Álvares ◽  
Rémi Choquet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Detection ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽  
Sarcoptic Mange ◽  
Diagnostic Specificity ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Event Capture

Sarcoptic mange is globally enzootic, and non-invasive methods with high diagnostic specificity for its surveillance in wildlife are lacking. We describe the molecular detection of Sarcoptes scabiei in non-invasively collected faecal samples, targeting the 16S rDNA gene. We applied this method to 843 Iberian wolf Canis lupus signatus faecal samples collected in north-western Portugal (2006–2018). We further integrated this with serological data (61 samples from wolf and 20 from red fox Vulpes vulpes, 1997–2019) in multi-event capture–recapture models. The mean predicted prevalence by the molecular analysis of wolf faecal samples from 2006–2018 was 7.2% (CI95 5.0–9.4%; range: 2.6–11.7%), highest in 2009. The mean predicted seroprevalence in wolves was 24.5% (CI95 18.5–30.6%; range: 13.0–55.0%), peaking in 2006–2009. Multi-event capture–recapture models estimated 100% diagnostic specificity and moderate diagnostic sensitivity (30.0%, CI95 14.0–53.0%) for the molecular method. Mange-infected individually identified wolves showed a tendency for higher mortality versus uninfected wolves (ΔMortality 0.150, CI95 −0.165–0.458). Long-term serology data highlights the endemicity of sarcoptic mange in wild canids but uncovers multi-year epidemics. This study developed and evaluated a novel method for surveying sarcoptic mange in wildlife populations by the molecular detection of S. scabiei in faecal samples, which stands out for its high specificity and non-invasive character.

Point-of-Care Testing Using Invasive and Non-Invasive Hemoglobinometers: Reliable and Valid Method for Estimation of Hemoglobin among Children 6–59 Months

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gomathi Ramaswamy ◽  
Kashish Vohra ◽  
Kapil Yadav ◽  
Ravneet Kaur ◽  
Tripti Rai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Outpatient Department ◽  
Point Of Care Testing ◽  
Adequate Treatment ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Hematology Analyzer ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Introduction Globally around 47.4% of children and in India, 58% of children aged 6–59 months are anemic. Diagnosis of anemia in children using accurate technologies and providing adequate treatment is essential to reduce the burden of anemia. Point-of-care testing (POCT) devices is a potential option for estimation of hemoglobin in peripheral and field settings were the hematology analyzer and laboratory services are not available. Objectives To access the validity of the POCTs (invasive and non-invasive devices) for estimation of hemoglobin among children aged 6–59 months compared with hematology analyzer. Methods The study participants were enrolled from the pediatric outpatient department in Haryana, India, from November 2019 to January 2020. Hemoglobin levels of the study participants were estimated in Sahli’s hemoglobinometer and invasive digital hemoglobinometers (DHs) using capillary blood samples. Hemoglobin levels in non-invasive DH were assessed from the finger/toe of the children. Hemoglobin levels measured in POCTs were compared against the venous blood hemoglobin estimated in the hematology analyzer. Results A total of 120 children were enrolled. The mean (SD) of hemoglobin (g/dl) estimated in auto-analyzer was 9.4 (1.8), Sahli’s hemoglobinometer was 9.2 (1.9), invasive DH was 9.7 (1.9), and non-invasive DH was 11.9 (1.5). Sahli’s hemoglobinometer (95.5%) and invasive DH (92.2%) had high sensitivity for the diagnosis of anemia compared with non-invasive DH (24.4%). In contrast, non-invasive DH had higher specificity (96.7%) compared with invasive DH (83.3%) and Sahli’s hemoglobinometer (70%). Invasive DH took the least time (2–3 min) for estimation of hemoglobin per participant, followed by Sahli’s (4–5 min) and non-invasive DH (5–7 min). Conclusion All three POCT devices used in this study are reasonable and feasible for estimating hemoglobin in under-5 children. Invasive DHs are potential POCT devices for diagnosis of anemia among under-5 children, while Sahli’s can be considered as a possible option, where trained and skilled technicians are available. Further research and development are required in non-invasive DH to improve accuracy. Lay summary In India, anemia is a serious public health problem, where 58% of the children aged 6–59 months are anemic. Point-of-care testing (POCT) using digital hemoglobinometers (DHs) has been recommended as one of the key interventions by the Anemia Mukt Bharat program since 2018 in India. These POCT devices are easy to use, less invasive, can be carried to field, require minimal training and results are available immediately. Therefore this study assessed the validity of POCT devices—invasive DH, non-invasive DH and Sahli’s hemoglobinometer among 6–59 months children in facility setting compared with the gold standard hematology analyzer. A total of 120 children under 6–59 months of age were enrolled from the pediatric outpatient department in Haryana, India, from November 2019 to January 2020. The (mean hemoglobin in g/dl) invasive (9.7) and non-invasive DH (11.9) overestimated hemoglobin value, while Sahli’s (9.2) underestimated hemoglobin compared with hematology analyzer (9.4). Invasive DH (92.2%) and Sahli’s hemoglobinometer (95.5%) reported high ability to correctly identify those with anemia compared with non-invasive DH (24.4%). In contrast, non-invasive DH (96.73%) had higher ability to correctly identify those without the anemia compared with invasive DH (83.3%) and Sahli’s (70%).

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