2017 Review: Progress in Using Human Stem Cells in the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders are a set of heterogeneous and enigmatic neurodevelopmental pathologies that arise from a variety of triggers.  In spite of outstanding scientific achievements in the study of the pathologies associated with autism and autism spectrum disorders, as of 2017 these developmental disorders are still without a curative treatment option.  This analysis reviews the therapeutic characteristics of stem cells and how they can provide clinical application and novel treatment options for autism spectrum disorders.  This review integrates a concise evaluation of all stem cell types utilized in autism research and treatment and associates the efficacy, safety, and tolerability findings of the most current stem cell-autism spectrum disorder treatments.  Concluding data outlines budgetary and funding rates associated with stem cell-autism spectrum disorder research (2012-2017) and concludes with avenues for novel research and treatment options. 

A new icriodontid conodont cluster with specific mesowear supports an alternative apparatus motion model for Icriodontidae

Increasing numbers of conodont discoveries with soft tissue preservation, natural assemblages and fused clusters of the hard tissue have strengthened the hypothesis regarding the function and mechanism of the conodont feeding apparatus. Exceptional fossil preservation serves as a solid basis for modern reconstructions of the conodont apparatus illustrating the complex interplay of the single apparatus elements. Reliable published models concern the ozarkodinid apparatus of Pennsylvanian and Early Triassic conodonts. Recognition of microwear and mammal-like occlusion, especially of platform elements belonging to individuals of the genus Idiognathodus, allows rotational closure to be interpreted as the crushing mechanism of ozarkodinid platform (P1) elements. Here we describe a new icriodontid conodont cluster of Caudicriodus woschmidti that consists of one pair of icriodontan (I) and 10 pairs of coniform (C1\ue2\u80\u935) elements, with I elements being preserved in interlocking position. The special kind of element arrangement within the fused cluster provides new insights into icriodontid apparatus reconstruction and notation of elements. However, orientation of coniform elements is limited to a certain degree by possible preservational bias. Four possible apparatus models are introduced and discussed. Recognition of specific wear on denticle tips of one of the icriodontan elements forms the basis for an alternative hypothesis of apparatus motion. Analysis of tip wear suggests a horizontal, slightly elliptical motion of opposed, antagonistically operating I elements. This is supported by similar tip wear from much better preserved, but isolated, elements of Middle Devonian icriodontids. More detailed interpretation of the masticatory movement will allow enhanced understanding of anatomical specifications, diet and palaeobiology of different euconodont groups

Miospores, the Lemurata and Triangulatus levels and their faunal indices near the Eifelian/Givetian boundary in the Eifel (F.R.G.)

peer reviewe

Devonian shallow-water sequences from the North Gondwana coastal margin (Central and Eastern Taurides, Turkey): Sedimentology, facies and global events

Turkey is an integral part of the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt with a number of tectonostratigraphic units striking in an E-W direction. These belts consist of terranes of different tectonic settings, ranging from oceanic basins to active and passive continental margins. The age of incorporated units of continental margin origin ranges from the Cambrian to the Cenozoic, and includes unmetamorphosed to low-grade Devonian rocks in the Pontides, Taurides and on the Arabian Plate. This paper describes the detailed sedimentology, facies and biostratigraphy of three 900 to 1200 m thick Devonian successions in the Central and Eastern Taurides (Eceli, Halevikdere and Kocadere). During the Devonian, the Central and Eastern Taurides were situated at the northern margin of Gondwana. The sediments described were deposited on this margin in coastal to shelf environments. Despite similar large-scale trends, regional differences in the sedimentary sequences can be distinguished, especially for the lower part of the Devonian. For the first time, sufficient biostratigraphical data have been recovered to allow the successions to be subdivided at a stage scale, permitting their approximate correlation and comparison with the regional lithostratigraphy. The temporal development of sedimentary processes, facies changes, and hinterland signatures recorded in the individual sections have been reconstructed, allowing their correspondence to global events to be recognized and discussed for the first time. The palaeobiogeographic distribution of various organisms within these succession suggests a comparatively narrow sea ('Rheic Ocean') between Laurasia and Gondwana/Peri-Gondwana during the Devonian. © 2009 International Association for Gondwana Research.Bundesministerium für Bildung und ForschungThis paper is a contribution to DEVEC-TR, a project related to IGCP Project 499 ‘Devonian land–sea interaction: Evolution of ecosystems and climate (DEVEC)’. The TÜBITAK and BMBF are kindly acknowledged for funding the project. Thanks are also due to the technical staff of the participating institutions (Universities of Istanbul, Adana and Mersin, MTA, TPAO, Senckenberg Forschungsinstitute und Naturmuseen) for processing, preparing and analyzing the vast amount of samples taken during the two field campaigns. Comments and remarks of two reviewers improved the paper and are gratefully acknowledged. Alan Lord (Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt) is gratefully acknowledged for the helpful comments and linguistic improvements. Appendix