La placa dental aporta una perspectiva nova sobre la dieta dels nostres ancestres prehistòrics

Un equip internacional d'investigadors ha trobat noves evidències que els nostres avantpassats prehistòrics tenien un coneixement precís de les plantes molt abans del desenvolupament de l'agricultura. L'estudi de la placa dental dels esquelets trobats a les tombes d'Al Khiday, un jaciment del Nil Blanc, al centre de Sudan, revela que durant almenys 7.000 anys, la població d'aquella zona va menjar tubercles de castanyola, bona font de carbohidrats i amb moltes qualitats aromàtiques i medicinals, com la seva capacitat per inhibir un bacteri que s'associa a la càries dental.Un equipo internacional de investigadores ha hallado nuevas evidencias de que nuestrosantepasados prehistóricos tenían un conocimiento preciso de las plantas mucho antes del desarrollo de la agricultura. El estudio de la placa dental de los esqueletos hallados en las tumbas de Al Khiday, un yacimiento del Nilo Blanco, en el centro de Sudán, revela que durante al menos 7.000 años, la población de aquella zona ingirió tubérculos de castañuela, buena fuente de carbohidratos y con muchas cualidades aromáticas y medicinales, como su capacidad para inhibir una bacteria que se asocia a la caries dental

Aprop del tsunami : arqueologia prehistòrica al nord d'Escòcia

Investigadores i estudiants d'Arqueologia de la UAB excaven des de fa dos anys durant l'estiu el jaciment de Camas Daraich, un dels assentament més ben conservats del Mesolític d'Escòcia. La recerca pretén obtenir una nova perspectiva sobre el poblament de la riba occidental del nord del país, en un moment en què Gran Bretanya era encara una part de l'Europa continental. Enguany, a més, hi han trobat traces que podrien correspondre al tsunami prehistòric Storegga. Si es confirma aquesta hipòtesi, seria el primer cop que es documenta aquest fenomen a la costa occidental del Regne Unit, molt lluny del epicentre.Desde hace dos años investigadoras y estudiantes de Arqueología de la UAB excavan durante el verano el yacimiento de Camas Daraich, uno de los asentamientos mejor conservados del Mesolítico de Escocia. La investigación pretende obtener una nueva perspectiva sobre el poblamiento de la riba occidental del norte del país, en un momento en que Gran Bretaña era todavía una parte de la Europa continental. Este año, además, han hallado trazas que podrían corresponder al tsunami prehistórico Storegga. De confirmarse esta hipótesis, sería la primera vez que este fenómeno se documenta en la costa occidental del Reino Unido, muy lejos del epicentro.For the last two years UAB researchers and archaeology students have spent their summers excavating the site of Camas Daraich, one of the best preserved Mesolithic settlements in Scotland. The research aims to gain new perspectives on the peopling of the north west at a time when Britain was still a part of continental Europe. This year the project also found evidence that may correlate with the prehistoric Storegga tsunami. If confirmed, this would be the first time that this phenomenon has been documented on the west coast of the United Kingdom, and so far from the epicentre

Is birthweight associated with total and aggressive/lethal prostate cancer risks? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesised that intrauterine exposures are important for subsequent prostate cancer risk. Prior epidemiological studies have used birthweight as a proxy of cumulative intrauterine exposures to test this hypothesis, but results have been inconsistent partly because of limited statistical power. METHODS: We investigated birthweight in relation to prostate cancer in the Medical Research Council (MRC) National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD) using Cox proportional hazards models. We then conducted a meta-analysis of birthweight in relation to total and aggressive/lethal prostate cancer risks, combining results from the NSHD analysis with 13 additional studies on this relationship identified from a systematic search in four major scientific literature databases through January 2015. RESULTS: Random-effects models found that per kg increase in birthweight was positively associated with total (OR=1.02, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.00, 1.05; I(2)=13%) and aggressive/lethal prostate cancer (OR=1.08, 95% CI=0.99, 1.19; I(2)=40%). Sensitivity analyses restricted to studies with birthweight extracted from medical records demonstrated stronger positive associations with total (OR=1.11, 95% CI=1.03, 1.19; I(2)=0%) and aggressive/lethal (OR=1.37, 95% CI=1.09, 1.74; I(2)=0%) prostate cancer. These studies heavily overlapped with those based in Nordic countries. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that heavier birthweight may be associated with modest increased risks of total and aggressive/lethal prostate cancer, which supports the hypothesis that intrauterine exposures may be related to subsequent prostate cancer risks

Defining the chromatin signature of inducible genes in T cells

BACKGROUND Specific chromatin characteristics, especially the modification status of the core histone proteins, are associated with active and inactive genes. There is growing evidence that genes that respond to environmental or developmental signals may possess distinct chromatin marks. Using a T cell model and both genome-wide and gene-focused approaches, we examined the chromatin characteristics of genes that respond to T cell activation. RESULTS To facilitate comparison of genes with similar basal expression levels, we used expression-profiling data to bin genes according to their basal expression levels. We found that inducible genes in the lower basal expression bins, especially rapidly induced primary response genes, were more likely than their non-responsive counterparts to display the histone modifications of active genes, have RNA polymerase II (Pol II) at their promoters and show evidence of ongoing basal elongation. There was little or no evidence for the presence of active chromatin marks in the absence of promoter Pol II on these inducible genes. In addition, we identified a subgroup of genes with active promoter chromatin marks and promoter Pol II but no evidence of elongation. Following T cell activation, we find little evidence for a major shift in the active chromatin signature around inducible gene promoters but many genes recruit more Pol II and show increased evidence of elongation. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the majority of inducible genes are primed for activation by having an active chromatin signature and promoter Pol II with or without ongoing elongation

Maize brace root formation and correlation with juvenile nodes and tassel structure [abstract]

Abstract only availableGlobal warming causing changes in weather patterns is making drought a more frequent occurrence. Drought is a major limiting factor of maize production worldwide. To maintain high production levels, it is important to identify maize lines which are tolerant to water-stress conditions. A significant trait in drought tolerance is an extensive root system. Root systems in maize are composed of not only below ground roots but also above ground roots. These above ground roots are commonly known as brace roots, and they function to keep the plant upright and provide a surface for nutrient and water uptake and gas exchange. Preliminary studies have demonstrated correlations between brace root architecture and tassel branching. There is a negative correlation between central spike length and number of nodes with brace roots. Studies also indicate brace roots emerge from juvenile nodes The objective of this study is to examine these relationships on a set of 25 diverse maize lines. Leaf traits were measured to identify juvenile, transitional, and adult leaves. These data will be used to determine if juvenile nodes give rise to brace roots. Various measurements of tassel structure will be gathered and statistically analyzed for relationships between tassel traits and brace root architecture. Examining tassel structure and juvenile node number may help in the selection of maize lines with an increased number of brace roots which allow for adaptation to water-stressed environments

Arginase and Arginine Dysregulation in Asthma

In recent years, evidence has accumulated indicating that the enzyme arginase, which converts L-arginine into L-ornithine and urea, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary disorders such as asthma through dysregulation of L-arginine metabolism and modulation of nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis. Allergic asthma is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and remodeling. Through substrate competition, arginase decreases bioavailability of L-arginine for nitric oxide synthase (NOS), thereby limiting NO production with subsequent effects on airway tone and inflammation. By decreasing L-arginine bioavailability, arginase may also contribute to the uncoupling of NOS and the formation of the proinflammatory oxidant peroxynitrite in the airways. Finally, arginase may play a role in the development of chronic airway remodeling through formation of L-ornithine with downstream production of polyamines and L-proline, which are involved in processes of cellular proliferation and collagen deposition. Further research on modulation of arginase activity and L-arginine bioavailability may reveal promising novel therapeutic strategies for asthma

Unmet care needs in people living with advanced cancer: a systematic review

Purpose: The support needs of cancer patients vary according to the phase of their cancer journey. Recent developments in healthcare are such that the advanced cancer phase is increasingly experienced as a chronic illness phase, with consequent changes in patient support needs. Understanding these needs, and identifying areas of unmet need, can enable us to develop services that are more adequate to the task of supporting this population. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of four electronic databases to identify studies examining the unmet needs of people living with advanced cancer. Relevant data were extracted and synthesised; meta-analyses were conducted to obtain pooled estimates for prevalence of needs. Results: We identified 23 studies (4 qualitative) for inclusion. Unmet needs were identified across a broad range of domains, with greatest prevalence in informational (30–55 %), psychological (18–42 %), physical (17–48 %), and functional (17–37 %) domains. There was considerable heterogeneity amongst studies in terms of methods of assessment, coding and reporting of needs, respondent characteristics, and appraised study quality. Conclusions: Heterogeneity made it difficult to compare across studies and inflated confidence intervals for pooled estimates of prevalence—we need standardised and comprehensive approaches to assessment and reporting of unmet needs to further our understanding. Nonetheless, the review identified prominent needs across a range of (interacting) experiential domains. Moreover, by focussing on unmet needs for support, we were able to extrapolate potential implications for service development

Application of Probability Methods to Assess Crash Modeling Uncertainty

Full-scale aircraft crash simulations performed with nonlinear, transient dynamic, finite element codes can incorporate structural complexities such as: geometrically accurate models; human occupant models; and advanced material models to include nonlinear stress-strain behaviors, and material failure. Validation of these crash simulations is difficult due to a lack of sufficient information to adequately determine the uncertainty in the experimental data and the appropriateness of modeling assumptions. This paper evaluates probabilistic approaches to quantify the effects of finite element modeling assumptions on the predicted responses. The vertical drop test of a Fokker F28 fuselage section will be the focus of this paper. The results of a probabilistic analysis using finite element simulations will be compared with experimental data

Coastal Prehistory and Submerged Landscapes : Molluscan Resources, Shell-Middens and Underwater Investigations

This Special Issue brings together fourteen articles that present new methods, ideas, and approaches in the study of coastal prehistory with examples drawn from the Americas, Australia, Europe, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. In this introductory overview, we set out the rationale for combining articles on shell middens and submerged landscapes and the underlying logic of the order in which we have chosen to present the articles. The sequence begins with studies of marine molluscs and moves progressively outwards from small-scale studies of midden composition to large-scale studies of submerged landscapes, and from land to sea. We summarise the contents of each article and highlight connections between them and similarities and contrasts. We conclude with some final comments about the relationship between on-land and underwater investigations and identify the taphonomic, formational and deformational histories of archaeological deposits, materials and landscapes, and the variable impact of sea-level change as unifying themes

Archaeological starch

This article reviews evidence of how starch granules associated with archaeological artefacts provide an insight into the use of plants by our ancestors for food, medicines and cultural activities. The properties of starch relevant to archaeological contexts, methods for examining ancient starch and the types of environmental conditions that would promote survival of starch granules over hundreds of thousands of years as part of the archaeological record, are considered. Starch granules identified in dental calculus are clear indicators of the individual having consumed starchy food as part of the diet. However, surviving starch granules may be only a tiny fraction of those consumed over a lifetime and not necessarily representative of foods that were in the diet. A hypothesis, based on a combination of archaeological, physiological and genetic evidence, that plant foods containing high quantities of digestible starch were essential for the evolution of the modern human phenotype, is discussed