Proportions of the Neolithic Human Maxillae from Sardinia

Summary. — The maxillary and molar proportions of the Neolithic skulls from Sardinia are compared with those of some Neolithic mainland populations and whith those of the pre-Neolithic Sardinian maxilla from Corbeddu Cave. No essential differences are found between the Neolithic maxillae from Sardinia and the European mainland. The aberrant morphology that characterizes the pre-Neolithic Sardinian maxilla (i.e. very large molar alveoli and a robust zygomatic root) is not found in the Neolithic Sardinian skulls. The results suggest a morphological discontinuity between the pre-Neolithic and Neolithic population of Sardinia.PROPORTIONS DES MAXILLAIRES DE CRÂNES HUMAINS NÉOLITHIQUES DE SARDAIGNE Résumé. — Comparaison des proportions des maxillaires et des molaires de crânes humains néolithiques de Sardaigne avec celles de quelques populations du continent et avec celles du maxillaire sarde prénéolithique de la grotte de Corbeddu. Aucune différence significative n'a été trouvée entre les maxillaires néolithiques de Sardaigne et ceux du continent européen. La morphologie aberrante qui caractérise le maxillaire prénéolithique sarde (grandes alvéoles des molaires et racine zygomatique robuste) n'a pas été retrouvée sur les crânes sardes néolithiques. Les résultats suggèrent l'existence d'une discontinuité morphologique entre les populations prénéolithique et néolithique de la Sardaigne.Spoor C.F., Germana F. Proportions of the Neolithic Human Maxillae from Sardinia. In: Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'anthropologie de Paris, XIV° Série. Tome 4 fascicule 2, 1987. pp. 143-150

Airway morphology and function of rats following dermal sensitization and respiratory challenge with low molecular weight chemicals

Local lymph node activation and increased total serum IgE levels are suggested to be predictive parameters of airway hypersensitivity caused by low molecular weight (LMW) chemicals. Whether increases of total serum IgE are indicative of actual induction of specific airway reactions (morphological and functional) after inhalation challenge was examined in the present study. In Brown Norway (BN) and Wistar rats, serum IgE concentrations were examined following topical exposure of chemicals with known diverse sensitization potential in humans: trimellitic anhydride (TMA), a dermal and respiratory sensitizer; dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), a dermal sensitizer with no known potential to cause respiratory allergy; and methyl salicylate, a skin irritant devoid of sensitizing properties. Functional and histopathological changes in the respiratory tract were examined after subsequent inhalatory challenge with these chemicals. Of the three tested chemicals, only topical exposure to TMA resulted in a significant increase in total serum IgE concentrations in the high-IgE-responding BN rat. Upon subsequent inhalatory challenge of these rats, TMA induced specific airway reactions which included a sharp decrease in respiratory rate during challenge, followed by an increase in breathing rate with a concomitant decrease in tidal volume 24 and 48 h after inhalatory challenge, and histopathological changes in the larynx and lungs of animals necropsied 48 h after challenge. Interestingly, despite low IgE levels, TMA induced histopathological changes in the larynx and lungs of Wistar rats too. Laryngeal changes were also observed in Wistar rats upon sensitization and challenge with DNCB. These data suggest that increased total serum IgE after topical sensitization is associated with immediate-type specific airway reactivity after inhalation challenge in BN rats and thus may be a valuable parameter in testing for respiratory sensitization potential of LMW compounds. Histopathological examination upon subsequent inhalation challenge of sensitized low-IgE-responders may provide information on other allergic inflammatory airway reactions

Extraction of osteocalcin from fossil bones and teeth

Osteocalcin (also called ‘bone Gla-protein’) was detected in fossil bovid bones ranging from 12 000 years to 13 million years old and in rodent teeth 30 million years old. Both the antigenic activity and the protein-bound Gla-residues have remained intact. The protein is indistinguishable from recent bovine osteocalcin when analyzed by HPLC using ion exchange and size exclusion columns. If sufficient amounts can be extracted and an adequate purification procedure is established, this would be the first time that amino acid sequences in a protein from fossil bones may be determined. Such sequence data could offer a new aproach to the phylogenetic study of extinct taxa

Proposed definition of competencies for surgical neuro-oncology training

Objective: The aim of this work is to define competencies and entrustable professional activities (EPAs) to be imparted within the framework of surgical neuro-oncological residency and fellowship training as well as the education of medical students. Improved and specific training in surgical neuro-oncology promotes neuro-oncological expertise, quality of surgical neuro-oncological treatment and may also contribute to further development of neuro-oncological techniques and treatment protocols. Specific curricula for a surgical neuro-oncologic education have not yet been established. Methods: We used a consensus-building approach to propose skills, competencies and EPAs to be imparted within the framework of surgical neuro-oncological training. We developed competencies and EPAs suitable for training in surgical neuro-oncology. Result: In total, 70 competencies and 8 EPAs for training in surgical neuro-oncology were proposed. EPAs were defined for the management of the deteriorating patient, the management of patients with the diagnosis of a brain tumour, tumour-based resections, function-based surgical resections of brain tumours, the postoperative management of patients, the collaboration as a member of an interdisciplinary and/or -professional team and finally for the care of palliative and dying patients and their families. Conclusions and Relevance: The present work should subsequently initiate a discussion about the proposed competencies and EPAs and, together with the following discussion, contribute to the creation of new training concepts in surgical neuro-oncology. © 2021, The Author(s)