123 research outputs found
Sex estimation in a Turkish population using Purkaitâs triangle: a virtual approach by 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT)
Sex estimation is considered one of the first steps in the forensic identification process.
Morphological and morphometrical differences between males and females have been
used as means for morphoscopic and metric methods on both cranial and postcranial
skeletal elements. When dry skeletal elements are not available, virtual data can be used
as a substitute. The present research explores 3-dimensional (3D) scans from a Turkish
population to test a sex estimation method developed by Purkait (2005). Overall, 296
individuals were used in this study (158 males and 138 females). Purkaitâs triangle
parameters were measured on computed tomography (CT) scans obtained from both
right and left femora of each patient at the Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training Research
Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey). Intra- and inter-observer errors were assessed for all variables
through technical error of measurements analysis. Bilateral asymmetry and sex differences
were evaluated using parametric and non-parametric statistical approaches. Univariate
and multivariate discriminant function analyses were then conducted. Observer errors
demonstrated an overall agreement within and between experts, as indicated by technical
error of measurement (TEM) results. No bilateral asymmetries were reported, and all
parameters demonstrated a statistically significant difference between males and females.
Fourteen discriminant models were generated by applying single and combined parameters,
producing a total correct sex classification ranging from 78.4% to 92.6%. In addition, over
67% of the total sample was accurately classified, with 95% or greater posterior probabilities.
Our study demonstrates the feasibility of 3D sex estimation using Purkaitâs triangle on
a Turkish population, with accuracy rates comparable to those reported in other
populations. This is the first attempt to apply this method on virtual data and although
further validation and standardisation are recommended for its application on dry bone,
this research constitutes a significant contribution to the development of population-specific
standards when only virtual data are available
The stability of major and trace element concentrations from musts to Champagne during the production process
Thirty-nine Champagnes from six different brands originating from the AOC Champagne area were analyzed for major and trace element concentrations in the context of their production processes and in relation to their geographical origins. Inorganic analyses were performed on the must (i.e., grape juice) originating from different AOC areas and the final Champagne. The observed elemental concentrations displayed a very narrow range of variability. Typical concentrations observed in Champagne are expressed in mg/L for elements such as K, Ca, Mg, Na, B, Fe, A, and Mn. They are expressed in ”g/L for trace elements such as Sr, Rb, Ba, Cu, Ni, Pb Cr and Li in decreasing order of concentrations. This overall homogeneity was observed for Sr and Rb in particular, which showed a very narrow range of concentrations (150 < Rb < 300 ”g/L and 150 < Sr < 350 ”g/L) in Champagne. The musts contained similar levels of concentration but showed slightly higher variability since they are directly influenced by the bedrock, which is quite homogenous in the AOC area being studied. Besides the homogeneity of the bedrock, the overall stability of the concentrations recorded in the samples can also be directly linked to the successive blending steps, both at the must level and prior to the final bottling. A detailed analysis of the main additives, sugar, yeast and bentonite, during the Champagne production process, did not show a major impact on the elemental signature of Champagne
Specificity and origin of the stability of the sr isotopic ratio in champagne wines
The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 39 Champagnes from six different brands, originating from the whole âAppellation dâOrigine ContrĂŽlĂ©eâ (AOC) Champagne was analyzed to establish a possible relation with the geographical origin. Musts (i.e., grape juice) and base wines were also analyzed to study the evolution of the Sr isotopic ratio during the elaboration process of sparkling wine. The results demonstrate that there is a very homogeneous Sr isotopic ratio (87 Sr/86 Sr = 0.70812, n = 37) and a narrow span of variability (2? = 0.00007, n = 37). Moreover, the Sr concentrations in Champagnes have also low variability, which can be in part explained by the homogeneity of the bedrock in the AOC Champagne. Measurements of the87 Sr/86 Sr ratio from musts and base wines show that blending during Champagne production plays a major role in the limited variability observed. Further, the87 Sr/86 Sr of the musts were closely linked to the87 Sr/86 Sr ratio of the vineyard soil. It appears that the87 Sr/86 Sr of the product does not change during the elaboration process, but its variability decreases throughout the process due to blending. Both the homogeneity of the soil composition in the Champagne AOC and the blending process during the wine making process with several blending steps at different stages account for the unique and stable Sr isotopic signature of the Champagne wines.Centre de Spectrometrie de Masse pour les Sciences de la RĂ©activitĂ© et de SpĂ©ciatio
Forensic age diagnostics by magnetic resonance imaging of the proximal humeral epiphysis
The most commonly used radiological method for age estimation of living individuals is X-ray. Computed tomography is not commonly used due to high radiation exposure, which raises ethical concerns. This problem can be solved with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which avoids the use of ionizing radiation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the utility of MRI analysis of the proximal humeral epiphyses for forensic age estimations of living individuals. In this study, 395 left proximal humeral epiphyses (patient age 12-30years) were evaluated with fast-spin-echo proton density-weighted image (FSE PD) sequences in a coronal oblique orientation on shoulder MRI images. A five-stage scoring system was used following the method of Dedouit et al. The intra- and interobserver reliabilities assessed using Cohen's kappa statistic were =0.818 and =0.798, respectively. According to this study, stage five first appeared at 20 and 21years of age in males and females, respectively. These results are not directly comparable to any other published study due to the lack of MRI data on proximal humeral head development. These findings may provide valuable information for legally important age thresholds using shoulder MRI. The current study demonstrates that MRI of the proximal humerus can support forensic age estimation. Further research is needed to establish a standardized protocol that can be applied worldwide
Applicability of T1-weighted MRI in the assessment of forensic age based on the epiphyseal closure of the humeral head
This work investigates the value of magnetic resonance imaging analysis of proximal epiphyseal fusion in research examining the growth and development of the humerus and its potential utility in establishing forensic age estimation. In this study, 428 proximal humeral epiphyses (patient age, 12-30years) were evaluated with T1-weighted turbo spin echo (T1 TSE) sequences in coronal oblique orientation on shoulder MRI images. A scoring system was created following a combination of the Schmeling and Kellinghaus methods. Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between age and ossification stage of the proximal humeral epiphysis (all subjects: rho=0.664, p<0.001; males: 0.631, p<0.001; females: rho=0.651, p<0.001). The intra- and inter-observer reliability assessed using Cohen's kappa statistic was =0.898 and =0.828, respectively. The earliest age of epiphysis closure was 17years for females and 18years for males. MRI of the proximal humeral epiphysis can be considered advantageous for forensic age estimation of living individuals in a variety of situations, ranging from monitoring public health to estimating the age of illegal immigrants/asylum seekers, minors engaged in criminal activities, and illegal participants in competitive sports, without the danger of radiation exposure
Incorporating field wind data to improve crop evapotranspiration parameterization in heterogeneous regions
Accurate parameterization of reference evapotranspiration ( ET0) is necessary for optimizing irrigation scheduling and avoiding costs associated with over-irrigation (water expense, loss of water productivity, energy costs, and pollution) or with under-irrigation (crop stress and suboptimal yields or quality). ET0 is often estimated using the FAO-56 method with meteorological data gathered over a reference surface, usually short grass. However, the density of suitable ET0 stations is often low relative to the microclimatic variability of many arid and semi-arid regions, leading to a potentially inaccurate ET0 for irrigation scheduling. In this study, we investigated multiple ET0 products from six meteorological stations, a satellite ET0 product, and integration (merger) of two stationsâ data in Southern California, USA. We evaluated ET0 against lysimetric ET observations from two lysimeter systems (weighing and volumetric) and two crops (wine grapes and Jerusalem artichoke) by calculating crop ET ( ETc) using crop coefficients for the lysimetric crops with the different ET0. ETc calculated with ET0 products that incorporated field-specific wind speed had closer agreement with lysimetric ET, with RMSE reduced by 36 and 45% for grape and Jerusalem artichoke, respectively, with on-field anemometer data compared to wind data from the nearest station. The results indicate the potential importance of on-site meteorological sensors for ET0 parameterization; particularly where microclimates are highly variable and/or irrigation water is expensive or scarce
Conserved genes and pathways in primary human fibroblast strains undergoing replicative and radiation induced senescence
Additional file 3: Figure S3. Regulation of genes of Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy pathway during senescence induction in HFF strains Genes of the âArrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathyâ pathway which are significantly up- (green) and down- (red) regulated (log2 fold change >1) during irradiation induced senescence (120Â h after 20Â Gy irradiation) in HFF strains. Orange color signifies genes which are commonly up-regulated during both, irradiation induced and replicative senescence
Is preoperative protein-rich nutrition effective on postoperative outcome in non-small cell lung cancer surgery? A prospective randomized study
Mps1Mph1 kinase phosphorylates Mad3 to inhibit Cdc20Slp1-APC/C and maintain spindle checkpoint arrests
<div><p>The spindle checkpoint is a mitotic surveillance system which ensures equal segregation of sister chromatids. It delays anaphase onset by inhibiting the action of the E3 ubiquitin ligase known as the anaphase promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C). Mad3/BubR1 is a key component of the mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC) which binds and inhibits the APC/C early in mitosis. Mps1<sup>Mph1</sup> kinase is critical for checkpoint signalling and MCC-APC/C inhibition, yet few substrates have been identified. Here we identify Mad3 as a substrate of fission yeast Mps1<sup>Mph1</sup> kinase. We map and mutate phosphorylation sites in Mad3, producing mutants that are targeted to kinetochores and assembled into MCC, yet display reduced APC/C binding and are unable to maintain checkpoint arrests. We show biochemically that Mad3 phospho-mimics are potent APC/C inhibitors <i>in vitro</i>, demonstrating that Mad3p modification can directly influence Cdc20<sup>Slp1</sup>-APC/C activity. This genetic dissection of APC/C inhibition demonstrates that Mps1<sup>Mph1</sup> kinase-dependent modifications of Mad3 and Mad2 act in a concerted manner to maintain spindle checkpoint arrests.</p></div
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