Patterns of torso morphology in extant quadrupedal amniotes and their paleontological applications

The relationship between form and function is an overarching theme in the field of biology. Specifically, body size and shape are important factors when considering the biology of an organism. This study examined the torso morphology of a diverse set of 124 extant terrestrial and semi-aquatic amniote taxa using a novel approach to construct approximated torso shape groupings. My study shows the presence of 10 distinct torso shapes within the examined amniotes, and these torso shape groupings were used to evaluate hypotheses associated with diet and limb bone length as well as explore potential evolutionary patterns. Herbivores had a more voluminous torso and were most commonly found to exhibit a torso shape with a wider girth. Also, a statistically significant relationship of certain torso shapes with limb bone lengths was found. These results can be useful for reconstructing extinct taxa. If a relatively complete skeleton is discovered that includes a well-preserved humerus or femur and a torso length is able to be determined, then a torso shape can be approximated using the results of this study. Phylogenetic character mapping identified potential homologous torso shapes in lagomorphs and rodents as well as in artiodactyls and perissodactyls given shared ancestry in these groups. Additionally, potential homoplasious shapes in reptiles and some semi-aquatic mammals were found. This study explored factors that might affect the shape of the amniote torso and provides additional evidence to support that herbivores have large and voluminous torsos to accommodate a gastrointestinal tract needed to digest plant material. Other factors that might influence torso shape include cursoriality, mode of thermoregulation, habitat, life-history, and behavioral or morphological adaptations in response to large scale environmental changes. This study represents a relatively simple and novel approach to investigating a seemingly understudied aspect of the amniote body plan, the shape of the torso

Integral Field Spectroscopy of a peculiar Supernova Remnant MF16 in NGC6946

We present a study of a peculiar Supernova Remnant MF16, associated with the Ultraluminous X-ray Source (ULX) NGC6946 ULX-1. Observations were taken with the MultiPupil Fiber Spectrograph (MPFS) with 6-m telescope on January 2005. The nebula is found to be highly asymmetric, one of the parts being much denser and colder. The two-component structure of the emission lines and radial velocity gradient argue for a non-spherical nebula, expanding with a velocity of about 100 km/s. Neither shock models nor the X-ray emission can adequately explain the actual emission line spectrum of MF16, so we suggest an additional ultraviolet source with a luminosity of about 10E40 erg/s. We confirm coincidence of the ULX with the central star, and identify radio emission observed by VLA with the most dense part of the nebula.Comment: Proceedings of the ESO and Euro3D Workshop "Science Perspectives for 3D Spectroscopy", Garching (Germany), October 10-14, 2005. M. Kissler-Patig, M.M. Roth and J.R. Walsh (eds.

Effect of age and gender on serum periostin: Relationship to cortical measures, bone turnover and hormones

Periostin is an extracellular matrix protein, and in bone is expressed most highly in the periosteum. It increases bone formation through osteoblast differentiation, cell adhesion, Wnt signalling and collagen cross-linking. We hypothesised that serum periostin would be high at times of life when cortical modeling is active, in early adulthood and in older age, and that it would correlate with cortical bone measures, bone turnover and hormones that regulate cortical modeling. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study of 166 healthy men and women at three skeletal stages; the end of longitudinal growth (16–18 years), peak bone mass (30–32 years) and older age (over 70 years). We measured serum periostin with a new ELISA optimised for human serum and plasma which recognises all known splice variants (Biomedica). We measured the distal radius and distal tibia with HR-pQCT, and measured serum PINP, CTX, sclerostin, PTH, IGF-1, estradiol and testosterone. Periostin was higher at age 16–18 than age 30–32 (1253 vs 842 pmol/l, p < 0.001), but not different between age 30–32 and over age 70. Periostin was inversely correlated with tibia cortical thickness and density (R − 0.229, − 0.233, both p = 0.003). It was positively correlated with PINP (R 0.529, p < 0.001), CTX (R 0.427, p < 0.001) and IGF-1 (R 0.440, p < 0.001). When assessed within each age group these correlations were only significant at age 16–18, except for PINP which was also significant over age 70. We conclude that periostin may have a role in IGF-1 driven cortical modeling and consolidation in young adults, but it may not be an important mediator in older adults

Characterising variability and regional correlations of microstructure and mechanical competence of human tibial trabecular bone: An in-vivo HR-pQCT study.

OBJECTIVE: Quantifying spatial distribution of trabecular bone mechanical competence and microstructure is important for early diagnosis of skeletal disorders and potential risk of fracture. The objective of this study was to determine a spatial distribution of trabecular mechanical and morphological properties in human distal tibia and examine the contribution of regional variability of trabecular microarchitecture to mechanical competence. METHODS: A total of 340 representative volume elements at five anatomic regions of trabecular bone - anterior, posterior, lateral, medial and centre - from ten white European-origin postmenopausal women were studied. Region-specific trabecular parameters such as trabecular volume fraction, trabecular thickness, trabecular number, trabecular surface area, trabecular separation, plate-like structure fraction and finite element analysis of trabecular stiffness were determined based on in-vivo high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomographic (HR-pQCT) images of distal tibiae from ten postmenopausal women. Mean values were compared using analysis of variance. The correlations between morphological parameters and stiffness were calculated. RESULTS: Significant regional variation in trabecular microarchitecture of the human distal tibia was observed (0.001 ≤ p ≤ 0.05), with up to 106% differences between lowest (central and anterior) and highest (medial and posterior) regions. Higher proportion of plate-like trabecular morphology (63% and 53%) was found in medial and posterior regions in the distal tibia. Stiffness estimated from finite element models also differed significantly (0.001 ≤ p ≤ 0.05), with stiffness being 4.5 times higher in the highest (medial) than lowest (central) regions. The bone volume fraction was the strongest correlate of stiffness in all regions. CONCLUSION: A novel finding of this study is the fact that significant regional variation of stiffness derived from two-phased FEA model with individual trabecula representation correlated highly to regional morphology obtained from in-vivo HR-pQCT images at the distal tibia. The correlations between regional morphological parameters and mechanical competence of trabecular bone were consistent at all regions studied, with regional BV/TV showing the highest correlation. The method developed for regional analysis of trabecular mechanical competence may offer a better insight into the relationship between mechanical behaviour and microstructure of bone. The findings provide evidence needed to further justify a larger-cohort feasibility study for early detection of bone degenerative diseases: examining regional variations in mechanical competence and trabecular specifications may allow better understanding of fracture risks in addition to others contributing factors

Peptide-mediated growth and dispersion of Au nanoparticles in water via sequence engineering

YesThe use of peptides to nucleate, grow, and stabilize nanoparticles in aqueous media via non-covalent interactions offers new possibilities for creating functional, water-dispersed inorganic/organic hybrid materials, particularly for Au nanoparticles. Numerous previous studies have identified peptide sequences that both possess a strong binding affinity for Au surfaces and are capable of supporting nanoparticle growth in water. However, recent studies have shown that not all such peptide sequences can produce stable dispersions of these nanoparticles. Here, via integrated experiments and molecular modeling, we provide new insights into the many factors that influence Au nanoparticle growth and stabilization in aqueous media. We define colloidal stability by the absence of visible precipitation after at least 24 hours post-synthesis. We use binding affinity measurements, nanoparticle synthesis, characterization and stabilization assays, and molecular modeling, to investigate a set of sequences based on two known peptides with strong affinity for Au. This set of biomolecules is designed to probe specific sequence and context effects using both point mutations and global reorganization of the peptides. Our data confirm, for a broader range of sequences, that Au nanoparticle/peptide binding affinity alone is not predictive of peptide-mediated colloidal stability. By comparing nanoparticle stabilization assay outcomes with molecular simulations, we establish a correlation between the colloidal stability of the Au nanoparticles and the degree of conformational diversity in the surface-adsorbed peptides. Our findings suggest future routes to engineer peptide sequences for bio-based growth and dispersion of functional nanoparticles in aqueous media.Air Office of Scientific Research, grant number FA9550-12-1-0226

Are you suggesting that’s my hand? The relation between hypnotic suggestibility and the rubber hand illusion

Hypnotic suggestibility (HS) is the ability to respond automatically to suggestions and to experience alterations in perception and behaviour. Hypnotically suggestible participants are also better able to focus and sustain their attention on an experimental stimulus. The present study explores the relation between HS and susceptibility to the rubber hand illusion (RHI). Based on previous research with visual illusions, it was predicted that higher HS would lead to a stronger RHI illusion. Two behavioural output measures of the RHI, an implicit (proprioceptive drift) and an explicit (RHI questionnaire) measure were correlated against HS scores. Hypnotic suggestibility correlated positively with the implicit RHI measure contributing to 30% of the variation. However, there was no relation between HS and the explicit RHI questionnaire measure, or with compliance control items. High hypnotic suggestibility may facilitate, via attentional mechanisms, the multisensory integration of visuoproprioceptive inputs that leads to greater perceptual mislocalisation of a participant’s hand. These results may provide insight into the multisensory brain mechanisms involved in our sense of embodiment

Clinical utility of bone turnover markers in monitoring the withdrawal of treatment with oral bisphosphonates in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Summary Bone markers may be useful to monitor response to treatment withdrawal in osteoporosis. We used two criteria for investigating the change in BTMs after withdrawal of bisphosphonate treatment. A larger increase in BTMs was associated with greater bone loss. Bone markers may be useful in monitoring of patients taking a pause from treatment. Introduction Measurement of bone turnover markers (BTMs) may be useful to monitor offset of treatment with bisphosphonates (BP) in osteoporosis. We assessed the effect of withdrawal of BP treatment by comparing the changes in BTMs and total hip (TH) bone density (BMD). Methods We studied postmenopausal osteoporotic women who had completed a randomised study of three oral BPs. After 2 years of treatment, participants with BMD T-score > − 2.5 and in whom it was considered clinically appropriate to discontinue treatment, were invited to participate in a further 2-year observational study. Biochemical response was assessed using BTMs (CTX and PINP) with offset being defined by two criteria: (1) an increase greater than the least significant change (LSC) and (2) an increase above the reference mean value. Results Fifty women completed the study. At 48 weeks after stopping BPs, CTX was greater than the LSC for 66% of women and PINP 72%; CTX was above the reference mean for 64% of women and PINP 42%. The decrease in THBMD was greater for women with the largest increase in BTM compared to those with continued suppression (mean difference for CTX was − 2.98%, 95%CI − 4.75 to − 1.22, P < 0.001, PINP − 2.25%, 95% CI − 4.46 to − 0.032, P = 0.046). Conclusion The measurement of BTM after withdrawal of BPs is potentially useful to evaluate patients that are taking a pause from treatment. An increase in BTMs more than the LSC and/or reference mean reflects loss of treatment effect and identifies patients that are likely to have a decrease in BMD. Such changes could provide an indication for reintroduction of treatment

Families, children, migration and AIDS

Migration is very often a family affair, and often involves children, directly or indirectly. It may give rise to better quality of life for an entire family, or to bitter disappointment, and may also increase vulnerability to HIV and AIDS. This review, carried out for the Joint Learning Initiative on Children and AIDS, links the literature on “migration”, on “HIV and AIDS” and on “families”. Three themes are sketched: (1) As both HIV prevalence and circular migration increase, former migrant workers affected by AIDS may return to their families for care and support, especially at the end of life, often under crisis conditions. Families thus lose promising members, as well as sources of support. However, very little is known about the children of such migrants. (2) Following patterns of migration established for far different reasons, children may have to relocate to different places, sometimes over long distances, if their AIDS-affected parents can no longer care for them. They face the same adaptation challenges as other children who move, but complicated by loss of parent(s), AIDS stigma, and often poverty. (3) The issue of migrant families living with HIV has been studied to some extent, but mainly in developed countries with a long history of migration, and with little attention paid to the children in such families. Difficulties include involuntary separation from family members, isolation and lack of support, disclosure and planning for children's care should the parent(s) die and differences in treatment access within the same family. Numerous research and policy gaps are defined regarding the three themes, and a call is made for thinking about migration, families and AIDS to go beyond description to include resilience theory, and to go beyond prevention to include care

Intensive care utilisation and outcomes after high-risk surgery in Scotland: a population based cohort study.

Chief Scientist’s Office Scotland (grant no. CHZ/821/4)

Multibeam Maser Survey of methanol and excited OH in the Magellanic clouds: new detections and maser abundance estimates

‘The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com.’ Copyright Blackwell Publishing DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.12888.xPeer reviewe