Modern hunting behavior in the early Middle Paleolithic: faunal remains from Misliya Cave, Mount Carmel, Israel

Understanding the behavioral adaptations and subsistence strategies of Middle Paleolithic humans is critical in the debate over the evolution and manifestations of modern human behavior. The study of faunal remains plays a central role in this context. Until now, the majority of Levantine archaeofaunal evidence was derived from late Middle Paleolithic sites. The discovery of faunal remains from Misliya Cave, Mount Carmel, Israel (>200 ka), allowed for detailed taphonomic and zooarchaeological analyses of these early Middle Paleolithic remains. The Misliya Cave faunal assemblage is overwhelmingly dominated by ungulate taxa. The most common prey species is the Mesopotamian fallow deer (Dama mesopotamica), followed closely by the mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella). Some aurochs (Bos primigenius) remains are also present. Small-game species are rare. The fallow deer mortality pattern is dominated by prime-aged individuals. A multivariate taphonomic analysis demonstrates (1) that the assemblage was created solely by humans occupying the cave and was primarily modified by their food-processing activities; and (2) that gazelle carcasses were transported complete to the site, while fallow deer carcasses underwent some field butchery. The new zooarchaeological data from Misliya Cave, particularly the abundance of meat-bearing limb bones displaying filleting cut marks and the acquisition of prime-age prey, demonstrate that early Middle Paleolithic people possessed developed hunting capabilities. Thus, modern large-game hunting, carcass transport, and meat-processing behaviors were already established in the Levant in the early Middle Paleolithic, more than 200 ka ago.     

Biological and environmental agents in the preservation of ancient human remains.

In osteological studies, the state of preservation of the material assumes great importance in the case of histopathological, histomorphological and histomorphometric analyses of thin sections. The aims of the present study were to compare osteological samples from graves of different eras and geographical sites in order to identify possible similarities or differences in the quantitative and qualitative action of fungal and bacterial contaminants and to throw light on the importance of the diagenetic processes that the bone undergoes from the moment of its deposition in the ground to its conservation in laboratories and museums. Analysis by polarized light microscopy revealed large qualitative and quantitative differences between the samples and great variability in the modalities of infestation. The present study demonstrates that post-mortem alterations due to the action of biological agents can in some cases invalidate the analysis of osteological samples, by rendering the material unsuitable for observation and diagnosis.     

Deep-freeze preservation of cranial bones for future cranioplasty: nine years of experience in Soroka University Medical Center

Background Decompressive craniectomy is routinely performed in many neurosurgical centers to treat intracranial hypertension refractory to medical therapy as a result of head trauma, CVA or various brain tumors. When the patient survives his illness, cranioplasty with autologous bone graft or other reconstructive materials is considered to repair the skull defect. Objective This prospective study reviews the cases of decompressive craniectomies followed by later cranioplasty undertaken at our institute through the years 1996 and 2005 and describes the method used for preservation of removed bone flaps for future cranioplasty. Subjects and methods Sixty-eight patients underwent decompressive craniectomies since 1996. A protocol was designed to prepare the removed bone flaps for deep freeze preservation. After removal, the bone flaps were transferred to the skin bank at our institution within 6 h, gently rinsed using 1–3 liters of sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) supplemented with antibiotics (neomycin, 2 mM) with no dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), then flaps were wrapped in two layers of sterile plastic coverage and preserved at −80°C. Results The patient’s population will be presented. Since 1996 we have performed 12 cranioplasties using deep-freeze preserved autologous bone graft. It took a rather long learning period, beginning with a single patient per year and continued with several others. Up to now, no case of infection, osteomyelitis or bone resorption following cranioplasty have occurred. Conclusion Deep-freeze preservation of autologous bone grafts to reconstruct skull defects after decompressive craniectomy is a useful procedure and has a low revision rate. N. Grossman: deceased 23 December 2006.     

Spatio-temporal variability of faunal and floral assemblages in Mediterranean temporary wetlands

Six temporary wetlands in the region of Sejenane (Mogods, NW Tunisia) were studied in order to characterize the aquatic flora and fauna and to quantify their spatio-temporal variability. Samplings of aquatic fauna, phytosociological relevés, and measurements of the physicochemical parameters of water were taken during four different field visits carried out during the four seasons of the year (November 2009–July 2010). Despite the strong anthropic pressures on them, these temporary wetlands are home to rich and diversified biodiversity, including rare and endangered species. Spatial and temporal variations affect fauna and flora differently, as temporal variability influences the fauna rather more than the plants, which are relatively more dependent on spatial factors. These results demonstrate the interest of small water bodies for maintaining biodiversity at the regional level, and thus underscore the conservation issues of Mediterranean temporary wetlands that are declining on an ongoing basis currently.     

DNA preservation in Precolumbian remains from the American Southwest

Naturally desiccated precolumbian remains from the U.S. Southwest were examined for DNA preservation in a variety of tissue types. Histological examination was used to determine if condition of morphological preservation indicated a tissue choice for nucleic acid extraction. It was found that nucleic acids are regularly present in tissue from these samples and neither macroscopic nor microscopic tissue appearance is an indicator of DNA preservation. Extracted DNA from Southwest specimens was small (<500 bp) but demonstrably human. Future analyses of ancient DNA with allele specific oligonucleotide probes should provide answers to specific anthropological questions about Southwestern Amerindian population dynamics, evolution and connections to modern Pueblo peoples.     

A 3-D geometric morphometric study of intraspecific variation in the ontogeny of the temporal bone in modern Homo sapiens

This study addresses how the human temporal bone develops the population-specific pattern of morphology observed among adults and at what point in ontogeny those patterns arise. Three-dimensional temporal bone shape was captured using 15 landmarks on ontogenetic series of specimens from seven modern human populations. Discriminant function analysis revealed that population-specific temporal bone morphology is evident early in ontogeny, with significant shape differences among many human populations apparent prior to the eruption of the first molar. As early as five years of age, temporal bone shape reflects population history and can be used to reliably sort populations, although those in closer geographic proximity and molecular affinity are more likely to be misclassified. The deviation of cold-adapted populations from this general pattern of congruence between temporal bone morphology and genetic distances, identified in previous work, was confirmed here in adult and subadult specimens, and was revealed to occur earlier in ontogeny than previously recognized. Significant differences exist between the ontogenetic trajectories of some pairs of populations, but not among others, and the angles of these trajectories do not reflect genetic relationships or final adult temporal bone size. Significant intrapopulation differences are evident early in ontogeny, with differences becoming amplified by divergent trajectories in some groups. These findings elucidate how the congruence between adult human temporal bone morphology and population history develops, and reveal that this pattern corresponds closely to that described previously for facial ontogeny.     

Spatio-temporal variation in the structure of pollination networks

Pollination networks are representations of all interactions between co-existing plants and their flower visiting animals at a given site. Although the study of networks has become a distinct sub-discipline in pollination biology, few studies have attempted to quantify spatio-temporal variation in species composition and structure of networks. We here investigate patterns of year-to-year change in pollination networks from six different sites spanning a large latitudinal gradient. We quantified level of species persistence and interactions among years, and examined year-to-year variation of network structural parameters in relation to latitude and sampling effort. In addition, we tested for correlations between annual variation in network parameters and short and long-term climate change variables. Numbers of plant and animal species and interactions were roughly constant from one year to another at all sites. However, composition of species and interactions changed from one year to another. Turnover was particularly high for flower visitors and interactions. On the other hand, network structural parameters (connectance, nestedness, modularity and centralization) remained remarkably constant between years, regardless of network size and latitude. Inter-annual variation of network parameters was not related to short or long term variation in climate variables (mean annual temperature and annual precipitation). We thus conclude that pollination networks are highly dynamic and variable in composition of species and interactions among years. However, general patterns of network structure remain constant, indicating that species may be replaced by topologically similar species. These results suggest that pollination networks are to some extent robust against factors affecting species occurrences.     

Paleo-oncology: the role of ancient remains in the study of cancer

Paleo-oncology is the study of carcinomas and sarcomas in ancient human populations and their hominid precursors. These populations are informative concerning the possible influences on cancer of morphologic and functional evolution, diet, lifestyle, and other environmental factors. The prevalence of cancer in ancient populations might have differed from that in modern humans, because of substantial differences in tobacco and alcohol use, diet, life expectancy, and the availability of treatment. The available physical data concerning cancer in antiquity includes evidence of its existence in animal fossils and ancient humans and their precursors. The difficulties of paleo-oncologic research include a limited soft tissue record. In evaluating cancer in ancient remains, one must also deal with the problem of pseudopathology: whether an observed tissue change is all antemortem pathologic lesion or a postmortem artifact. Future archeological discoveries and the application of improved diagnostic techniques may enable paleo-oncology to make further contributions to our understanding of cancer.     

Age and sex biases in the preservation of human skeletal remains

Inaccuracies introduced through biases in preservation are a major source of error in paleodemographic reconstructions. Although it is generally assumed that such biases exist, little is known about their magnitude. To investigate this problem, we studied age and sex differences in the preservation of skeletal remains from Mission La Purisima and a prehistoric cemetery (Ca-Ven-110). Comparison of mortality profiles obtained through analysis of skeletal remains and burial records from the mission indicates that biases in preservation can be very significant in poorly preserved skeletal collections. The Purisima burial records show that most of the people interred in the cemetery were either infants or elderly adults. The skeletal remains, in contrast, are predominantly those of young adults. The burial records and skeletal collection produced comparable sex ratios. These results show that age biases in preservation are much more important than sex biases. This conclusion is supported by data on the completeness of the skeletons from La Purisima and Ca-Ven-110. At both sites, the remains of young adults were better preserved than those of children or elderly adults, and the completeness of male and female skeletons was comparable.     

木犀草素改善低温下离体大鼠心脏保存效果的研究

目的:研究木犀草素是否能改善心脏停搏保存液(UW液)对离体大鼠心脏的低温保存效果。方法:将40只成年SD大鼠随机分成4组(n=10):对照组(UW组)、7.5μmol/L木犀草素小剂量组,15μmol/L木犀草素中剂量组及30μmol/L木犀草素大剂量组。利用Langendorff离体心脏灌流法,观察心脏在4℃含或不含木犀草素的UW液中保存12 h复灌60 min后心脏功能及超微结构变化,比较心脏冠脉流量(CF)、心肌含水量及冠脉流出液中磷酸肌酸激酶(CK)的释放量。结果:与对照组比较,添加木犀草素后,复灌期心脏的收缩功能(LVPSP,+dp/dtmax)与心脏舒张功能(-dp/dtmax)、冠脉流量在多个复灌时间点均优于对照组,心率在复灌60 min时也显著优于对照组;复灌过程中磷酸肌酸激酶的漏出量及低温保存后心脏超微结构的损伤也均明显低于对照组;随灌注时间延长木犀草素组心脏结构和功能的改善有剂量依赖性趋势;木犀草素对心肌含水量没有影响。结论:木犀草素能显著改善UW液对离体大鼠心脏的低温保存效果,对心脏有明显的保护作用,以30μmol/L的木犀草素大剂量组作用最显著。     

不同温度及时间对保存血液有效期和质量的影响

目的 :研究不同温度对血液液状保存时保存损伤机制的影响 ,并探讨相应的防范措施。方法 :取 10名健康献血员静脉血 ,混合于CP2D A保存液中 ,均分为 2组 ,分别保存于 0℃和 4℃环境条件下 ,分别于设定的时间 (第2 1d和第 4 2d)以shafiq UR rehman法检测膜磷脂 ,同步法检测Na K ATP酶、纯化PDE法检测CaM、分光光度法检测LPO等指标。结果 :固定温度条件下随时间的延长血液过氧化反应增强 ,保存损伤作用增加 ;同一时期内保存损伤作用随温度的降低而减轻 ,以 4℃组血液老化明显。结论 :血液保存损伤作用随保存期的延长而增强 ,随保存温度的降低而改善 ,并指出血液液状保存所存在的问题与展望。     

Factors affecting low temperature preservation of the marine rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis Tschugunoff

Experiments were performed to determine suitable conditions for low temperature preservation of small S (Fukuoka) and ultra-small SS (Thai) strains of B. rotundiformis. For this, single rotifers (an adult bearing one egg or a 4-h neonate) were incubated for 10 days in 1 ml seawater (22 ppt salinity). The highest survival was achieved at 10 and 12 °C for S-strain and 12 °C for SS-strain. The effect of salinity, change of culture medium and feeding regime were further tested on rotifers (300 ind. ml^–1) cultured in vials containing 10 ml seawater and microalgae at 12 °C. Survival of S-strain was highest (55.5±0.8%) at 35 ppt, while SS-strain survived best (43.1±2.6%) at 17 ppt. Survival was suppressed by changing the culture medium every 4 days. Feeding rotifers every 2 days yielded better survival (66.2±6.6%: S-strains, cultured at 35 ppt and 81.8±5.2%, SS-strains cultured at 17 ppt) than feeding them only at the beginning of the experiment or at 4-day intervals. An acclimation at 20 °C for 24 h before transferring them from their usual culture temperature (28 °C) to 12 °C resulted in higher survival of SS-strain. For S-strain, however, no significant improvement resulted from acclimation. SS-strain was more susceptible to lower temperature and higher salinity than S-strain.     

Spatio-temporal variation in vegetation net primary productivity and its relationship with climatic factors in the Shule River basin from 2001 to 2010

The study area incorporated the Shule River basin, located in northwest Gansu Province, an important water source and ecological division within the Hexi Corridor. We calculated NPP using MODIS images, meteorological data, vegetation type maps, and the improved CASA NPP model. We analyzed NPP spatio-temporal characteristics in the study area for 2001–2010 using linear trend analysis, coefficient of variation, and the Hurst index. The following general outcomes were found: NPP in the study area showed considerable regional differences. NPP gradually decreased from southeast to northwest, with significant linear longitudinal patterns. Inter-annual variability showed overall growth over the study period. Significant NPP increase occurred for 25.15% of the total study area, whereas 11.93% showed significant decrease. The Hurst index indicated that the majority of NPP changes followed the same trend, with 78.3% of the study area expected to continuously increase, and 21.7% expected to decrease in the future. There was a weak relationship between NPP and annual precipitation, but no significant relationship between NPP and annual average temperature, indicating that precipitation was the key annual influence. Temperature was the dominant climatic factor affecting NPP on a monthly scale, and precipitation and temperature annual correlations were lower than those for the monthly scale.     

Optimizing the concentration of hydroxyethylstarch in a novel intestinal-specific preservation solution

Introduction

Our lab has developed an effective nutrient-rich solution that facilitates energy production and control of oxidative stress during static cold storage of the intestine; however, the requirement for oncotic agents, such as hydroxyethylstarch (HES), has not been evaluated. This study investigated the effectiveness and requirement for HES in an intraluminal preservation solution during a clinically relevant period of cold storage.

Methods

Rat intestines were procured, including an intravascular flush with University of Wisconsin solution followed by a ‘back table’ intraluminal flush with a nutrient-rich preservation solution containing varying amounts of HES (n = 6 per group): Group 1, 0%; Group 2, 2.5%; Group 3, 5%; Group 4, 10%. Energetics, oxidative stress, and morphology were assessed over a 24 h time-course of cold storage.

Results

Overall, the 5% HES solution, Group 3, demonstrated superior energetic status (ATP and total adenylates) compared to all groups, P < 0.05. Malondialdehyde levels indicated a reduction in oxidative stress in Groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). After 12 h, median modified Parks’ grades for Groups 2 and 3 were significantly lower than Groups 1 and 4, P < 0.05.

Conclusion

Our data suggests that when employing an intraluminal preservation solution for static organ storage, oncotic support is a fundamental requirement; 5% HES is optimal.     

A new method for the preservation of fungus stock cultures by deep-freezing

Recovery of 66 fungus stock cultures including Oomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and mitosporic mycetes were examined after cryopreservation. Almost all the stock cultures remained viable when the mycelia that had grown over the sawdust medium containing 10% glycerol as the cryoprotectant (65% moisture content, W/W) were frozen rapidly at −85°C and then allow to thaw naturally at room temperature. Test stock cultures were preserved for more than 10 years by this preservation method without any programmed precooling and rapid thawing for their cryopreservation. Most of the test fungi could survive for 5 years in medium containing 10% glycerol even after alternate freezing and thawing at intervals of 6 months. When a strain of Flammulina velutipes was tested for mycelial growth rate and productivity of fruit-bodies after cryopreservation for 3 years, the fungus reproduced with its initial capability. These results demonstrate that the sawdust-freezing method using a cryoprotectant is expected to be a reliable and easy preservation method for fungus stock cultures. Received: December 7, 2000 / Accepted: December 19, 2001     

Geographical variation in the distributions of macroalgae in estuaries

Assemblages of macroalgal species present in the upper reaches of estuaries were compared using published species lists for the North Atlantic, covering a north-south gradient in Europe from Iceland to northern Spain, and in North America between the St. Lawrence and Virginia. Patterns were sought using cluster analysis and ordination. Three groupings of estuaries were noted: Icelandic, mainland European and American. There was a slight trend of increase in the ratio of red to brown algae with decreasing latitude in Europe, though not as marked as for open coastal algae. This might be associated with the effect of temperature on salinity tolerance. Despite this biogeographic trend, some of the commonest species appear to be widely spread through estuaries, possibly including southern Atlantic and Pacific locations. Confirmation of the trends suggested requires further data from southern European estuaries.     

Spatio-temporal variation in macroinvertebrate assemblages of glacial streams in the Swiss Alps

1. Changes in water chemistry, benthic organic matter (BOM), and macroinvertebrates were examined in four different glacial streams over an annual cycle. The streams experienced strong seasonal changes in water chemistry that reflected temporal changes in the influence from the source glacier, especially in water turbidity, particulate phosphorus and conductivity.
2. Nitrogen concentrations were high (nitrate-N values were 130–274 μg L^–1), especially during spring snowmelt runoff. Benthic organic matter attained >600 g m^–2 dry mass at certain times, peaks being associated with seasonal blooms of the alga Hydrurus foetidus .
3. Macroinvertebrate taxon richness was two to three times higher (also numbers and biomass) in winter than summer suggesting winter may be a more favourable period for these animals. Benthic densities averaged 1140–3820 ind. m^–2, although peaking as high as 9000 ind. m^–2. Average annual biomass ranged from 102 to 721 mg m^–2, and reached >2000 mg m^–2 at one site in autumn.
4. Taxa common to all sites included the dipterans Diamesa spp. and Rhypholophus sp., the plecopterans Leuctra spp. and Rhabdiopteryx alpina , and the ephemeropterans Baetis alpinus and Rhithrogena spp. Principal components analysis clearly separated winter assemblages from those found in summer.     

Phylogenetic analysis of ancient mitochondrial DNA lineages of human remains found in Yakutia

Molecular genetic analysis of ancient human remains is mostly based on mtDNA owing to its better preservation in human bones in comparison with nuclear DNA. A study was made of mtDNA extracted from human skeletons found in graves in Yakutia, in order to determine the haplotypes and to compare them with lineages of modern populations. Ancient DNA was extracted from fragments of three skeletons of Yakut graves at At-Dabaan, Ojuluun, and Jaraama sites (dating back to the 18th century) and two skeletons of the Late Neolithic Kerdugen grave (2000–1000 B.C.). All graves were found in central Yakutia (Churapchinskii, Khangalasskii, and Megino-Khangalasskii districts of Yakutia). Five different haplotypes belonging to specific Asian haplogroups were identified. The mtDNA lineages of Yakut graves belong to haplogroups C4a, D5a2, and B5b. The results indicate the continuity of mitochondrial lineages in the Yakut gene pool in the past 300 years. The haplotypes of two humans from the Kerdugen site graves belong to haplogroups A4 and G2a/D. These haplotypes were compared with those of 40000 Eurasian individuals, including 900 from Yakutia. No exact matches were found in Paleo-Asian populations of Chukchi, Eskimos, Koryaks, and Itelmen. Phylogenetically close haplotypes (±1 mutation) were found in Yakut and Evenk populations, as well as in some populations of China and South and West Siberia.     

Spatio-temporal variation in the structure of a chromosomal polymorphism zone in the house mouse

Several long-term temporal analyses of the structure of Robertsonian (Rb) hybrid zones in the western house mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, have been performed. Nevertheless, the detection of gradual or very rapid variations in a zone may be overlooked when the time elapsed between periods of study is too long. The Barcelona chromosomal polymorphism zone of the house mouse covers about 5000, km(2) around the city of Barcelona and is surrounded by 40 chromosome telocentric populations. Seven different metacentrics and mice with diploid numbers between 27 and 40 chromosomes and several fusions in heterozygous state (from one to seven) have been reported. We compare the present (period 2008-2010) and past (period 1996-2000) structure of this zone before examining its dynamics in more detail. Results indicate that there is not a Rb race in this area, which is consistent with the proposal that this zone was probably originated in situ, under a primary intergradation scenario. The lack of individuals with more than five metacentrics in heterozygous state in the current period suggests that selection acted against such mice. By contrast, this situation did not occur for mice with fewer than five fusions in heterozygous condition. Changes in human activity may affect the dynamics of gene flow between subpopulations, thus altering the chromosomal composition of certain sites. Although these local variations may have modified the clinal trend for certain metacentrics, the general staggered structure of the zone has not varied significantly in a decade.