Chronic cigarette smoke exposure induces systemic hypoxia that drives intestinal dysfunction

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are risk factors for CD, although the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. We employed a mouse model of CS-induced experimental COPD and clinical studies to examine these mechanisms. Concurrent with the development of pulmonary pathology and impaired gas exchange, CS-exposed mice developed CD-associated pathology in the colon and ileum, including gut mucosal tissue hypoxia, HIF-2 stabilization, inflammation, increased microvasculature, epithelial cell turnover, and decreased intestinal barrier function. Subsequent smoking cessation reduced GIT pathology, particularly in the ileum. Dimethyloxaloylglycine, a pan-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, ameliorated CS-induced GIT pathology independently of pulmonary pathology. Prior smoke exposure exacerbated intestinal pathology in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced (TNBS-induced) colitis. Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor, a marker of systemic hypoxia, correlated with CS exposure and CD in mice and humans. Increased mucosal vascularisation was evident in ileum biopsies from CD patients who smoke compared with nonsmokers, supporting our preclinical data. We provide strong evidence that chronic CS exposure and, for the first time to our knowledge, associated impaired gas exchange cause systemic and intestinal ischemia, driving angiogenesis and GIT epithelial barrier dysfunction, resulting in increased risk and severity of CD

A basal lithostrotian titanosaur (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) with a complete skull: Implications for the evolution and paleobiology of titanosauria

We describe Sarmientosaurus musacchioi gen. et sp. nov., a titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian - Turonian) Lower Member of the Bajo Barreal Formation of southern Chubut Province in central Patagonia, Argentina. The holotypic and only known specimen consists of an articulated, virtually complete skull and part of the cranial and middle cervical series. Sarmientosaurus exhibits the following distinctive features that we interpret as autapomorphies: (1) maximum diameter of orbit nearly 40% rostrocaudal length of cranium; (2) complex maxilla - lacrimal articulation, in which the lacrimal clasps the ascending ramus of the maxilla; (3) medial edge of caudal sector of maxillary ascending ramus bordering bony nasal aperture with low but distinct ridge; (4) ´tongue-like´ ventral process of quadratojugal that overlaps quadrate caudally; (5) separate foramina for all three branches of the trigeminal nerve; (6) absence of median venous canal connecting infundibular region to ventral part of brainstem; (7) subvertical premaxillary, procumbent maxillary, and recumbent dentary teeth; (8) cervical vertebrae with ´strut-like´ centroprezygapophyseal laminae; (9) extremely elongate and slender ossified tendon positioned ventrolateral to cervical vertebrae and ribs. The cranial endocast of Sarmientosaurus preserves some of the most complete information obtained to date regarding the brain and sensory systems of sauropods. Phylogenetic analysis recovers the new taxon as a basal member of Lithostrotia, as the most plesiomorphic titanosaurian to be preserved with a complete skull. Sarmientosaurus provides a wealth of new cranial evidence that reaffirms the close relationship of titanosaurs to Brachiosauridae. Moreover, the presence of the relatively derived lithostrotian Tapuiasaurus in Aptian deposits indicates that the new Patagonian genus represents a ´ghost lineage´ with a comparatively plesiomorphic craniodental form, the evolutionary history of which is missing for at least 13 million years of the Cretaceous. The skull anatomy of Sarmientosaurus suggests that multiple titanosaurian species with dissimilar cranial structures coexisted in the early Late Cretaceous of southern South America. Furthermore, the new taxon possesses a number of distinctive morphologies - such as the ossified cervical tendon, extremely pneumatized cervical vertebrae, and a habitually downward- facing snout - that have rarely, if ever, been documented in other titanosaurs, thus broadening our understanding of the anatomical diversity of this remarkable sauropod clade. The latter two features were convergently acquired by at least one penecontemporaneous diplodocoid, and may represent mutual specializations for consuming low-growing vegetation.Fil: Martínez, Rubén Darío. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Lamanna, Matthew C.. Carnegie Museum Of Natural History; Estados UnidosFil: Novas, Fernando Emilio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Ridgely, Ryan C.. Ohio University College Of Osteopathic Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Casal, Gabriel. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, Javier E.. Hospital Regional de Comodoro Rivadavia; ArgentinaFil: Vita, Javier R.. Resonancia Magnética Borelli; ArgentinaFil: Witmer, Lawrence M.. Ohio University College Of Osteopathic Medicine; Estados Unido

First record of an Upper Cretaceous sauropod dinosaur from Zululand, South Africa.

During recent (September, 1985) fieldwork in Zululand, South Africa, by Kennedy and Klinger, parts of two sauropod dinosaur vertebrae were found in marine strata, associated with identifiable invertebrate faunas. The vertebrae were identified by Mateer as probably belonging to the sauropod family Titanosauridae, and represent the first record of the family, and only the second record of Late Cretaceous sauropod dinosaur remains from Africa. -from Author

Educational Escape Room elements in biology and informatics

Izlaušanās spēles elementi bioloģijas un informātikas apguvē. Vanaga M., darba vadītājs lektore, Dr. phys. Dudareva I. Bakalaura darbs, 63 lappuses, 22 attēli, 8 tabulas, 43 literatūras avoti, 13 pielikumi. Latviešu valodā. Darba mērķis ir darbības pētījumā izzināt izlaušanās spēles elementu kā metodes izmantošanas priekšrocības un trūkumus bioloģijas un informātikas apguvē. Literatūras apskats ir veikts par 21. gs. prasmēm (informācijas izvērtēšanas, sadarbības un problēmrisināšanas), mācību spēles un izlaušanās spēles elementiem kā metodi bioloģijas un informātikas apguvē. Apkopoti pieejamie resursi latviešu valodā. Pētnieciskajā daļā aprobētas mācību stundas, kas veidotas kā izlaušanās spēle bioloģijas un informātikas apguvei. Apkopojot rezultātus, secināts, ka šādi organizējot mācību procesu, var attīstīt un pilnveidot – sadarbības prasmes, problēmrisināšanas prasmes, komunikācijas prasmes un IT lietošanas prasmes.Educational Escape Room elements in biology and informatics. Vanaga M., bachelor’s thesis supervisor lecturer, Dr. phys. Dudareva I. Bachelor’s thesis, 63 pages, 22 figures, 8 tables, 43 resources, 13 supplements. In Latvian language. The aim of the thesis is to study the advantages and disadvantages of using the Escape Room elements as a method in the study of biology and computer science. Literature review is made about the 21st century skills (information assessment, collaboration and problem solving), learning games and Escape Room elements as a method in the biology and informatics. Summarizes the resources available in Latvian. In the research part, lessons have been approbated as an Escape Room game for learning biology and informatics. In conclusion, it would appear that the learning process like this can develop and improve - cooperation skills, problem solving skills, communication skills and IT skills