A reappraisal of Theroteinus (Haramiyida, Mammaliaformes) from the Upper Triassic of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port (France)

The earliest mammaliaforms are difficult to assess because the fossil record is poor and because their distinctive morphologies cannot be directly compared with more recent mammaliaforms. This is especially true for the haramiyid genus Theroteinus, only known in the Saint-Nicolas-de-Port locality (Rhaetian, France). This study presents a new definition of the type-species Theroteinus nikolai. A new species Theroteinus rosieriensis, sp. nov., is named and distinguished by the lingual shift of distal cusps, a larger size, and a stockier occlusal outline. Comparisons with Eleutherodon, Megaconus and Millsodon suggest that Theroteinus has potential close relatives among the Jurassic haramiyids

Influence of the inlet velocity profile on the flow stability in a symmetric channel expansion

In a channel flow with a sudden expansion, whether for three-dimensional (3-D) pipe and channel flows, or for two-dimensional (2-D) channel flow, it is known that increasing the Reynolds number beyond a critical value induces a symmetry breaking Pitchfork bifurcation. The linear stability analysis of the symmetric steady solution enables the Re-c to be determined efficiently and thus the influence of the expansion ratio (ER), defined as the ratio between upstream and downstream diameter regarding the expansion, to be explored. In this study, we investigate the behaviour of the flow after 2-D sudden expansions while varying the and the inlet flow profile, e.g. corresponding to a transition profile between a plug and a Poiseuille flow that could be reached for a flow after a sudden constriction upstream. Results demonstrate that imposing a plug flow at the inlet gives a higher Re-c than any other profile and that the concomitant recirculation zones are shorter. We show that these results can be rationalized using basic convection-diffusion arguments

Earliest known European mammals: a review of the Morganucodonta from Saint-Nicolas-de-Port (Upper Triassic, France)

<div><p>The Rhaetian locality of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port (France) has yielded the most abundant and diverse mammalian assemblage known from the Late Triassic. Most of the material remains undescribed. We review here the morganucodonts from Saint-Nicolas-de-Port. We identify the upper and lower molariforms of the genus <i>Brachyzostrodon</i>. We also identify in the site <i>Morganucodon peyeri</i>, previously known from the Late Triassic of Hallau (Switzerland), as well as the genera <i>Paceyodon</i> and <i>Paikasigudodon</i>. The description of the new species <i>Megazostrodon chenali</i> sp. nov. extends the stratigraphical and geographical range of the genus, previously known from the Early Jurassic of southern Africa. Finally, another new morganucodont, <i>Rosierodon anceps</i> gen. et sp. nov., is described. The Morganucodonta is recognized as the most diverse order of Late Triassic mammals. Current fossil data suggest that Europe was the centre of initial diversification of morganucodonts at the end of the Triassic, and that morganucodonts were not much affected by the extinction event at the Triassic/Jurassic transition.</p><p><a href="http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org" target="_blank">http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org</a>:pub:0D30F723-7D65-49B7-8375-BF916BFA0BBA</p></div

Permo-Jurassic Cynodonts: The Early Road to Mammalness

The path to mammalness is well documented in the fossil record of Therapsida. Cynodontia is a group that includes living mammals and a series of stem fossil taxa that are individualized under the paraphyletic name of non-mammalian cynodonts. In this chapter I summarize the cynodont record of the late Permian, the post end-Permian extinction record and the remainder of the Triassic; and also examine two groups with strong morphological changes toward mammalness: Mammaliamorpha and Mammaliaformes (with the review of the last group restricted to the very basal forms documented in the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic). The final section of this contribution summarizes the advances in different areas of knowledge of cynodonts in the first 19 years of the 21st century. Among other topics considered are a tally of new species proposed, the discovery of new fossil sites with records of cynodonts, the phylogenetic hypotheses presented for different groups, and the tempo of cynodont evolution in light of recent changes in the geological temporal scale and the results of absolute dating.Fil: Abdala, Nestor Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; Argentina. University of the Witwatersrand; Sudáfric

Viruses and Endocrine Diseases

Viral infections have been frequently associated with physiological and pathological changes in the endocrine system for many years. The numerous early and late endocrine complications reported during the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reinforce the relevance of improving our understanding of the impact of viral infections on the endocrine system. Several viruses have been shown to infect endocrine cells and induce endocrine system disturbances through the direct damage of these cells or through indirect mechanisms, especially the activation of the host antiviral immune response, which may lead to the development of local or systemic inflammation or organ-specific autoimmunity. In addition, endocrine disorders may also affect susceptibility to viral infections since endocrine hormones have immunoregulatory functions. This review provides a brief overview of the impact of viral infections on the human endocrine system in order to provide new avenues for the control of endocrine diseases

Viruses and Endocrine Diseases

Viral infections have been frequently associated with physiological and pathological changes in the endocrine system for many years. The numerous early and late endocrine complications reported during the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reinforce the relevance of improving our understanding of the impact of viral infections on the endocrine system. Several viruses have been shown to infect endocrine cells and induce endocrine system disturbances through the direct damage of these cells or through indirect mechanisms, especially the activation of the host antiviral immune response, which may lead to the development of local or systemic inflammation or organ-specific autoimmunity. In addition, endocrine disorders may also affect susceptibility to viral infections since endocrine hormones have immunoregulatory functions. This review provides a brief overview of the impact of viral infections on the human endocrine system in order to provide new avenues for the control of endocrine diseases

Evaluation and Modelling of the Performance of an Automated SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Assay According to Sample Type, Target Population and Epidemic Trends

The Lumipulse® G SARS-CoV-2 Ag assay performance was evaluated on prospectively collected saliva and nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) of recently ill in- and outpatients and according to the estimated viral load. Performances were calculated using RT-PCR positive NPS from patients with symptoms ≤ 7 days and RT-PCR negative NPS as gold standard. In addition, non-selected positive NPS were analyzed to assess the performances on various viral loads. This assay yielded a sensitivity of 93.1% on NPS and 71.4% on saliva for recently ill patients. For NPS with a viral load > 103 RNA copies/mL, sensitivity was 96.4%. A model established on our daily routine showed fluctuations of the performances depending on the epidemic trends but an overall good negative predictive value. Lumipulse® G SARS-CoV-2 assay yielded good performance for an automated antigen detection assay on NPS. Using it for the detection of recently ill patients or to screen high-risk patients could be an interesting alternative to the more expensive RT-PCR.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe