The effect of the density-modulus relationship selected to apply material properties in a finite element model of long bone

Material property assignment is a critical step in developing subject-specific finite element models of bone. Inhomogeneous material properties are often applied using an equation relating density and elastic modulus, with the density information coming from CT scans of the bone. Very few previous studies have investigated which density-elastic modulus relationships from the literature are most suitable for application in long bone. No such studies have been completed for the ulna. The purpose of this study was to investigate six such density-modulus relationships and compare the results to experimental strains from eight cadaveric ulnae. Subject-specific finite element models were developed for each bone using micro-CT scans. Six density-modulus equations were trialed in each bone, resulting in a total of 48 models. Data from a previously completed experimental study in which each bone was instrumented with twelve strain gauges were used for comparison. Although the relationship that best matched experimental strains was somewhat specimen and location dependent, there were two relations which consistently matched the experimental strains most closely. One of these under-estimated and one over-estimated the experimental strain values, by averages of 15% and 31%, respectively. The results of this study suggest that the ideal relationship for the ulna may lie somewhere in between these two relations.     

Systematics within Gyps vultures: a clade at risk

Background  

Populations of the Oriental White-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) have declined by over 95% within the past decade. This decline is largely due to incidental consumption of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory veterinary pharmaceutical diclofenac, commonly used to treat domestic livestock. The conservation status of other Gyps vultures in southern Asia is also of immediate concern, given the lack of knowledge regarding status of their populations and the continuing existence of taxonomic uncertainties. In this study, we assess phylogenetic relationships for all recognized species and the majority of subspecies within the genus Gyps. The continuing veterinary use of diclofenac is an unknown but potential risk to related species with similar feeding habits to Gyps bengalensis. Therefore, an accurate assessment of the phylogenetic relationships among Gyps vultures should aid in their conservation by clarifying taxonomic uncertainties, and enabling inference of their respective relatedness to susceptible G. bengalensis.     

Patterns of divergence during evolution of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitors in mammals

alpha 1-Proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI), a member of the serine proteinase inhibitor superfamily, has a primary role in controlling neutrophil elastase activity within the mammalian circulation. Several studies have indicated that the reactive center region of alpha 1-PI, the amino acid sequence of which is critical to recognition of and binding to target proteinases, is highly divergent within and among species. This appears to be a consequence of accelerated rates of evolution that may have been driven by positive Darwinian selection. In order to examine this and other features of alpha 1-PI evolution in more detail, we have isolated and sequenced cDNAs representing alpha 1- PI mRNAs of the mouse species Mus saxicola and Mus minutoides and have compared these with a number of other mammalian alpha 1-PI mRNAs. Relative to other mammalian mRNAs, the extent of nonsynonymous substitution is generally high throughout the alpha 1-PI mRNA molecule, indicating greater overall rates of amino acid substitution. Within and among mouse species, the 5'-half of the mRNA, but not the 3'-half, has been homogenized by concerted evolution. Finally, the reactive center is under diversifying or positive Darwinian selection in murid rodents (rats, mice) and guinea pigs yet is under purifying selection in primates and artiodactyls. The significance of these findings to alpha 1-PI function and the possible selective forces driving evolution of serpins in general are discussed.      

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms in subterranean mole-rats of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel, and its peripheral isolates

Patterns of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation were examined in 133 mole-rats constituting all four chromosomal species (2n = 52, 2n = 54, 2n = 58, and 2n = 60) of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel, as well as the peripheral isolates of 2n = 60. In the main range of the complex, a total of 28 mtDNA haplotypes were found in 64 mole-rats, with most haplotypes being unique to either a single chromosomal species or population. mtDNA divergence increased from low to high diploid number in a north-to-south direction in Israel. Overall levels of mtDNA diversity were unexpectedly the highest in the 2n = 60, the youngest species of the complex. The mtDNA haplotypes can be separated into two major groups, 2n = 52-54 and 2n = 58-60, and a phylogenetic analysis for each group revealed evidence of a few haplotypes not sorted by diploid number. The overall patterns of mtDNA divergence seen within and among the four chromosomal species are consistent with the parapatric mode of speciation as suggested from previous studies of allozyme and DNA hybridization. In a separate data set the patterns of mtDNA variation were examined across the main geographic range and across peripheral semi-isolates and isolates of the 2n = 60 chromosomal species. Fifteen haplotypes were found in 69 mole-rats. High levels of mtDNA diversity characterized the main range, semi-isolated, and even some desert isolated populations. The peripheral isolates contain much mtDNA diversity, including novel haplotypes.      

Bilateral detection thresholds in dextrals and sinistrals reflect the more sensitive side of the nose, which is not lateralized [published erratum appears in Chem Senses 1998 Dec;23(6):761]

Several fundamental questions remain enigmatic concerning human olfactorysensitivity, including (i) whether detection threshold differences existbetween the two sides of the nose (and, if so, whether such differences areinfluenced by handedness) and (ii) whether bilateral (i.e. binasal)stimulation leads to lower thresholds than unilateral stimulation (and, ifso, whether the degree of facilitation is inversely related to generalolfactory ability). In this study, and well-validated single staircaseprocedure was used to establish bilateral and unilateral detectionthresholds for the cranial nerve I stimulant phenyl ethyl alcohol in 130right- and 33 left-handed subjects. No differences in sensitivity betweenthe left and right sides of the nose were observed in either group.Bilateral thresholds were lower, on average, than unilateral thresholdswhen the latter were categorized in terms of left and right nares. However,the bilateral thresholds did not differ significantly from those of theside of the nose with the lower threshold. Overall smell ability, asmeasured by the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test, didnot interact with any of the test measures. These data imply that (i) theleft and right sides of the nose do not systematically differ in detectionthreshold sensitivity for either dextrals or sinistrals and (ii) if centralintegration of left:right olfactory threshold sensitivity occurs, itseffects do not exceed the function of the better side of the nose.     

Phylogenetic utility of the nuclear gene arginine decarboxylase: an example from Brassicaceae

Arginine decarboxylase (ADC) is an important enzyme in the production of putrescine and polyamines in plants. It is encoded by a single or low-copy nuclear gene that lacks introns in sequences studied to date. The rate of Adc amino acid sequence evolution is similar to that of ndhF for the angiosperm family studied. Highly conserved regions provide several target sites for PCR priming and sequencing and aid in nucleotide and amino acid sequence alignment across a range of taxonomic levels, while a variable region provides an increased number of potentially informative characters relative to ndhF for the taxa surveyed. The utility of the Adc gene in plant molecular systematic studies is demonstrated by analysis of its partial nucleotide sequences obtained from 13 representatives of Brassicaceae and 3 outgroup taxa, 2 from the mustard oil clade (order Capparales) and 1 from the related order Malvales. Two copies of the Adc gene, Adc1 and Adc2, are found in all members of the Brassicaceae studied to data except the basal genus Aethionema. The resulting Adc gene tree provides robust phylogenetic data regarding relationships within the complex mustard family, as well as independent support for proposed tribal realignments based on other molecular data sets such as those from chloroplast DNA.