A skeleton of peat-trapped forest rhinoceros Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis (Jäger, 1839) from Gorzów Wielkopolski, Northwestern Poland: a record of life and death of the Eemian large mammals

We present a description of an almost complete skeleton of the forest rhino (Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis) found near Gorzów Wielkopolski (Northwest Poland) in its geological and palaeoenvironmental context. While finds of bones and teeth are common, the importance of this find resides in, that it is the most complete specimen of this species, almost perfectly preserved in a well-studied and dated stratigraphic and sedimentological context, along with other fossil fauna and flora. The OSL dates of glaciofluvial sediments sandwiching skeleton-bearing horizons indicate a Middle Eemian age of the Pleistocene paleolake land. This warm climate is also indicated by the results of sedimentological, geochemical, paleobotanical, and isotopic analyses. The rhino skeleton was deposited in a shallow area near the lake’s littoral zone. Bite marks of a large predator (cave hyena) were recognized on the rhino’s pelvis, which, due to their location, were probably created post-mortem. With an estimated height of 1.82 m at the withers, this was a large adult Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis. The results of osteometric analyses indicate that we are dealing with one of the largest known individuals of this species. Although it suffered from a pathologically deformed spine, the individual died at a relatively old age.Peer reviewe

Osobliwa mineralizacja rudna w serpentynitach antygorytowych kopalni Nasławice koło Sobótki (Dolny Śląsk)

The paper presents mineralogical and petrographical characteristics of coarse-crystalline dolomite-magnetite mineralization found within the north-western part of the serpentinite mine in Nasławice near Sobótka (Lower Silesia). Such a coarse-crystalline formation of these two minerals within the serpentinites of the Nasławice Hills was encountered here for the first time. The mineralization occurs in the tectonic contact zone of the serpentinite with the Early Variscan gabbroic intrusion. The observations under polarized transmitted light microscopy and analyses of Raman microspectroscopy revealed that the association of these two minerals (dolomite and magnetite) has been a product of post-magmatic, hydrothermal activity. The chemical components, i.e. iron and magnesium, required for the crystallisation of these phases were mainly derived from the decomposition of pyroxenes and olivines and the products of protocrystallisation found in the serpentinite protolith. Calcium was supplied by post-gabbroic hydrothermal solutions.W pracy przedstawiono charakterystykę mineralogiczno-petrograficzną grubokrystalicznej mineralizacji dolomitowo-magnetytowej napotkanej w obrębie północno-zachodniej części kopalni serpentynitów w Nasławicach koło Sobótki (Dolny Śląsk). Takie grubokrystaliczne wykształcenie tych dwóch minerałów w obrębie serpentynitów Wzgórz Nasławickich napotkano po raz pierwszy. Mineralizacja ta występuje w strefie kontaktu tektonicznego serpentynitu z wczesnowaryscyjską intruzją gabrową. W wyniku badań mikroskopowych w świetle przechodzącym oraz mikrospektroskopii Ramana stwierdzono, że asocjacja tych dwóch minerałów (dolomitu i magnetytu) stanowi produkt krystalizacji roztworów hydrotermalnych. Składniki chemiczne, żelazo i magnez, potrzebne do krystalizacji tych faz pochodzą głównie z rozkładu piroksenów i oliwinów oraz produktów protokrystalizacji obecnych w protolicie serpentynitowym. Wapń doprowadzony został pogabrowymi roztworami hydrotermalnymi

Metabolic syndrome is associated with similar long-term prognosis in non-obese and obese patients. An analysis of 45 615 patients from the nationwide LIPIDOGRAM 2004-2015 cohort studies

Aims We aimed to evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and long-term all-cause mortality. Methods The LIPIDOGRAM studies were carried out in the primary care in Poland in 2004, 2006 and 2015. MetS was diagnosed based on the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III) and Joint Interim Statement (JIS) criteria. The cohort was divided into four groups: non-obese patients without MetS, obese patients without MetS, non-obese patients with MetS and obese patients with MetS. Differences in all-cause mortality was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Results 45,615 participants were enrolled (mean age 56.3, standard deviation: 11.8 years; 61.7% female). MetS was diagnosed in 14,202 (31%) by NCEP/ATP III criteria, and 17,216 (37.7%) by JIS criteria. Follow-up was available for 44,620 (97.8%, median duration 15.3 years) patients. MetS was associated with increased mortality risk among the obese (hazard ratio, HR: 1.88 [95% CI, 1.79-1.99] and HR: 1.93 [95% CI 1.82-2.04], according to NCEP/ATP III and JIS criteria, respectively) and non-obese individuals (HR: 2.11 [95% CI 1.85-2.40] and 1.7 [95% CI, 1.56-1.85] according to NCEP/ATP III and JIS criteria respectively). Obese patients without MetS had a higher mortality risk than non-obese patients without MetS (HR: 1.16 [95% CI 1.10-1.23] and HR: 1.22 [95%CI 1.15-1.30], respectively in subgroups with NCEP/ATP III and JIS criteria applied). Conclusions MetS is associated with increased all-cause mortality risk in non-obese and obese patients. In patients without MetS obesity remains significantly associated with mortality. The concept of metabolically healthy obesity should be revised