The anatomical bases of the 3D digital facial approximation of the Zlatý kůň 1 woman (ca. 43,000 BP)

In 1950 on Mount Zlatý kůň (‘Golden Horse’) in modern-day Czech Republic a system of caves was discovered. During many years of research in this area, human and animal osteological remains have been excavated, among which the most interesting ones were nine fragments of a female skull, now dated to ca. 43,000 yrs BP which are one of the earliest known anatomically modern humans in Eurasia. The aim of this research was to use purely digital techniques to: (1) to reconstruct the skull based on the 3D data of preserved fragments, (2) to approximate the probable appearance of the female it belonged to, and (3) to analyze the calculated shape of the reconstructed mandible and volume of the neurocranium in the context of similarities and differences with other representatives of the genus Homo. Computer techniques used in this research constitute a new, original approach to the problem of 3D analyses and may be useful primarily in bioarchaeological sciences, where metric analyses of the most valuable bone artifacts are often severely limited due to the incompleteness of the material available for research. The digital techniques presented here may also contribute significantly to the field of surgery, with the possibility of being adapted for applications in cranial prosthetics and post-traumatic reconstructive surgery

Better noncommunicable disease outcomes: challenges and opportunities for health systems: Republic of Moldova country assessment

Like many countries, the Republic of Moldova faces a growing NCD burden. This report examines the challenges and opportunities faced in the Republic of Moldova in order to accelerate improvement in NCD outcomes. In recent years, the Government of the Republic of Moldova has implemented a number of important reforms that have increased efficiency and equity in resource allocation, and have provided incentives to improve service delivery, including for NCDs. Challenges include further scale up and implementation of new initiatives in the area of NCD risk factor management. Major gains can be made through relatively low-cost public health and primary health care interventions. These include, among others, strengthening tobacco, alcohol, and dietary polices and their implementation, improving detection and treatment of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, strengthening clinical protocols, and improving rational prescribing practice. This report examines in depth the health system challenges and opportunities for improved prevention and control of NCDs and concludes with policy recommendations for the consideration of policy makers in the Republic of Moldova

Eesti osalemine 6. raamprogrammis

Euroopa Liidu teadus- ja arendustegevuse 6. raamprogramm (2002-2006).Väikeriigi teadlastele on aktiivne rahvusvaheline koostöö üheks ellujäämise tagatiseks. Eesti teadlased on seda teadnud läbi aegade ning kinni haaranud kõigist pakutavatest võimalustest. Neist üheks on olnud EL teaduse ja arendustegevuse alased raamprogrammid, milles osalemist alustati kohe, kui raudne eesriie vähegi paotus, ehkki ametlikult sai Eesti osalemisõiguse alles 5. raamprogrammis 1999. aastal. Seega võime praegusel hetkel öelda, et meil on selja taga juba üle kümne aasta raamprogrammides osalemise kogemust. Käesolev trükis annab teile ülevaate Eesti osalusest 6. raamprogrammis (6RP). Kuuenda raamprogrammi (2002–2006) põhieesmärgiks oli kaasa aidata Euroopa killustunud teadusmaastiku kujunemisele ühtseks Euroopa teadusruumiks

HFE Gene Variants Modify the Association between Maternal Lead Burden and Infant Birthweight: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study in Mexico City, Mexico

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neonatal growth is a complex process involving genetic and environmental factors. Polymorphisms in the hemochromatosis (<it>HFE</it>) iron regulatory genes have been shown to modify transport and toxicity of lead which is known to affect birth weight.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We investigated the role of <it>HFE C282Y</it>, <it>HFE H63 D</it>, and transferrin <it>(TF) P570 S </it>gene variants in modifying the association of lead and infant birthweight in a cohort of Mexican mother-infant pairs. Subjects were initially recruited between 1994-1995 from three maternity hospitals in Mexico City and 411 infants/565 mothers had archived blood available for genotyping. Multiple linear regression models, stratified by either maternal/infant <it>HFE </it>or <it>TF </it>genotype and then combined with interaction terms, were constructed examining the association of lead and birthweight after controlling for covariates.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>3.1%, 16.8% and 17.5% of infants (N = 390) and 1.9%, 14.5% and 18.9% of mothers (N = 533) carried the <it>HFE C282Y</it>, <it>HFE H63D</it>, and <it>TF P570 S </it>variants, respectively. The presence of infant <it>HFE H63 D </it>variants predicted 110.3 g (95% CI -216.1, -4.6) decreases in birthweight while maternal <it>HFE H63 D </it>variants predicted reductions of 52.0 g (95% CI -147.3 to 43.2). Interaction models suggest that both maternal and infant <it>HFE H63 D </it>genotype may modify tibia lead's effect on infant birthweight in opposing ways. In our interaction models, maternal <it>HFE H63 D </it>variant carriers had a negative association between tibia lead and birthweight.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results suggest that the <it>HFE H63 D </it>genotype modifies lead's effects on infant birthweight in a complex fashion that may reflect maternal-fetal interactions with respect to the metabolism and transport of metals.</p

Determinants of using pacifier and bottle feeding

OBJECTIVE To analyze the factors associated with the use of pacifiers and/or bottle feeding in infants aged under one year. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study with 34,366 children and using data from the database of the 2nd Nationwide Survey of Breastfeeding Prevalence performed in the Brazilian capitals and Federal District in 2008. Cluster sampling was used. The questionnaire included questions about the use of artificial nipples in the last 24 hours. The analysis considered three outcomes: exclusive use of pacifier, exclusive use of bottle feeding, and use of artificial nipples (pacifier and bottle feeding). Prevalence ratios were obtained using Poisson regression with robust variance following a hierarchical model. RESULTS The following factors were associated with exclusive use of the pacifier: mother working outside the home, primiparity, child was not breastfed within the first hour, and child had consumed tea on the first day at home. The following factors were associated with exclusive use of bottle feeding: mother working outside the home, primiparity, low birth weight, child not breastfed within the first hour, and child had consumed milk formula and tea on the first day at home. The following factors were associated with use of artificial nipples (pacifier and bottle feeding): mother working outside the home, primiparity, cesarean delivery, the male gender, low birth weight, born in a hospital not accredited as “baby friendly”, required health baby monitoring in the Primary Health Care Unit (PR = 0.91), and child had consumed milk formula, water, or tea on the first day at home. CONCLUSIONS This study identified profiles of exclusive users of pacifiers, bottle feeding, and both. The provided information can guide preventive practices for child health