Dating the Lower to Middle Paleolithic transition in the Levant: A view from Misliya Cave,Mount Carmel,Israel

The transition from the Lower to the Middle Paleolithic in the Levant is a crucial event in human evolution, since it may involve the arrival of a new human population. In the current study, we present thermoluminescence (TL) dates obtained from 32 burnt flints retrieved from the late Lower Paleolithic (Acheulo-Yabrudian) and Early Middle Paleolithic (Mousterian) layers of Misliya Cave, Mount Carmel, Israel. Early Middle Paleolithic industries rich in Levallois and laminar products were assigned mean ages ranging from ∼250 to ∼160 ka (thousands of years ago), suggesting a production of this industry during MIS 7 and the early part of MIS 6. The mean ages obtained for the samples associated with the Acheulo-Yabrudian (strengthened by an isochron analysis) indicate a production of this cultural complex ∼250 ka ago, at the end of MIS 8. According to the Misliya TL dates, the transition from the Lower to the Middle Paleolithic in the site took place at the limit MIS 8/7 or during the early part of MIS 7. The dates, together with the pronounced differences in lithic technology strongly suggest the arrival of a new population during this period.     

Determination of Trace Element Stability in Sediments Using Redox Gel Probes: Probe Construction and Theoretical Performance

A simple and inexpensive technique is described that can be used to assess the stability of redox-sensitive compounds in the sediments of wetlands and other shallow water environments. In this method, solid redox-sensitive compounds, such as manganese dioxide (MnO 2 ), are incorporated into agar gels held in rigid plastic holders. One surface of the gel remains exposed along the length of the resulting probe. The probes are pushed vertically into sediments and are left in situ for a period of time (days to weeks), after which they are visually inspected and chemically analyzed. The diffusion of nonreactive solutes (e.g., sulfate) in 2% (wt/vol) agar was unaffected by the presence of immobilized MnO 2 particles. The rate of dissolution of particulate MnO 2 in agar gels in the presence of an external diffusing reductant (L-ascorbic acid) could be quantified by digital analysis of pixel density on gel images. Redox gel probes incubated in the sediment of a wetland built to remove manganese from circumneutral pH coal mine drainage demonstrated different patterns of depth-dependent MnO 2 stability along a 15-m transect. MnO 2 gel probe results were consistent with data obtained using sediment cores and porewater diffusion samplers.     

Sinopaninae and Arfianinae (Hyaenodontida,Mammalia) from the Early Eocene of Europe and Asia; evidence for dispersal in Laurasia around the Paleocene/Eocene boundary and for an unnoticed faunal turnover in Europe

Hyaenodontida are represented in Europe by three subfamilies: Proviverrinae, Arfianinae and Sinopaninae. Here, we review all the specimens of Arfianinae and Sinopaninae known to date in Europe and Asia. A new Galecyon species is erected: Galecyon gallus nov. sp. We discuss the taxonomic position of the two Asian hyaenodontidans Anthracoxyaena palustris and Arfia langebadreae; the genus Anthracoxyaena is synonymized with Arfia. The analysis of the European and Asian arfianines and sinopanines provides new data concerning the dispersals and faunal events that occurred during the Early Eocene in Laurasia. The Arfianinae and Sinopaninae appeared in Europe around the Paleocene/Eocene boundary (reference-level MP7). The sinopanines are widespread in Europe; they are known in Dormaal (Belgium, reference-locality of the level MP7), Rians, Soissons, Pourcy, Try, Le Quesnoy (France), and Abbey Wood (England). The analysis of the paleogeographic distribution of all Oxyaenodonta and Hyaenodontida at and after the MP7 supports the existence of two European provinces: the North Province and Mesogean Province. We show that the Arfianinae and Sinopaninae rapidly disappeared from Europe; they are unknown in Avenay (reference-locality of the level MP8+9) and younger localities. Their disappearance from Europe is synchronous with that of the Oxyaenodonta. These observations support the existence of a faunal turnover, which occurred between the reference-levels MP7 (Dormaal) and MP8+9 (Avenay). The hypothesis of a dispersal from Europe to North America during the Paleocene-Eocene transition for the Arfianinae and Sinopaninae is supported. Moreover, the study of Arfianinae supports a dispersal from Europe to Asia around the P/E boundary, followed by a short period of endemic evolution. However, our study does not support a close relationship between Arfia and the “Arfia-like South Asian Proviverrinae” (Kyawdawia, Indohyaenodon, Paratritemnodon and Yarshea).     

A new Early Cretaceous eutherian mammal from the Sasayama Group,Hyogo, Japan

We here describe a new Early Cretaceous (early Albian) eutherian mammal, Sasayamamylos kawaii gen. et sp. nov., from the ‘Lower Formation’ of the Sasayama Group, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Sasayamamylos kawaii is characterized by a robust dentary, a distinct angle on the ventral margin of the dentary at the posterior end of the mandibular symphysis, a lower dental formula of 3–4 : 1 : 4 : 3, a robust lower canine, a non-molariform lower ultimate premolar, and a secondarily reduced entoconid on the molars. To date, S. kawaii is the earliest known eutherian mammal possessing only four premolars, which demonstrates that the reduction in the premolar count in eutherians started in the late Early Cretaceous. The occurrence of S. kawaii implies that the relatively rapid diversification of eutherians in the mid-Cretaceous had already started by the early Albian.     

临夏盆地早中新世上庄组的巨獠犀门齿化石(英文)

记述了在临夏盆地早中新世地层中发现的兰州巨獠犀(Aprotodon lanzhouensis)的下门齿化石,其特点为非常粗壮并强烈弯曲。新材料的发现使巨獠犀在临夏盆地的延续时代跨越渐新世/中新世界线的推测得到完全证实。巨獠犀分布的地质时代和地理范围与巨犀重合,但巨獠犀的化石地点和个体数量都相当稀少。巨獠犀的下颌形态功能特点指示其生活于晚始新世至早中新世中国西北、南亚和中亚干旱环境地带中镶嵌分布的少量近水环境。巨獠犀在中中新世之前彻底绝灭,其原因可能是气候变化的结果,也说明临夏盆地早中新世的环境特征与晚渐新世的疏林系统相似,而不同于中中新世的茂密森林。     

肺癌早期诊断的研究进展

大多数肺癌患者在确诊时已属中晚期,5年生存率极低,早期诊断是改善其预后和提高生存率的关键。目前常用的肺癌早期诊断方法包括影像学、内镜和分子生物学技术等。除传统的X线胸片、磁共振（Magnetic Resonance Imaging,MRI）、正电子发射断层显像（Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography,PET-CT）等方法外,近年来逐步应用的高分辨CT（High-ResolutionComputed Tomography,HRCT）、低剂量CT（Low Dose Computed Tomography,LDCT）、自荧光纤维支气管镜（AutomaticFluorescence Bronchoscopy,AFB）、超声支气管内镜（Endo-Bronchial Ultra-Sound,EBUS）、荧光共聚焦显微镜支气管镜（FiberedConfocal Fluorescence Microscopy,FCFM）、细胞内镜（Endocytoscopy,EC）、电磁导航支气管镜（Electromagnetic NavigationBronchoscopy,ENB）、经支气管针吸活检术（Transbronchial Needle Aspiration,TBNA）、呼出气体分析和肿瘤标记物联合检测等,对于肺癌的早期诊断起到了重要作用,明显改善预后。本文就肺癌早期诊断的研究进展进行综述。     

早期规范康复训练在缺血性脑卒中患者中的应用价值

目的:研究早期规范康复训练在缺血性脑卒中患者的临床应用价值.方法:160例缺血性脑卒中患者分为观察组和对照组各80例,两组患者均采用常规治疗,治疗组在此基础上进行72小时内进行康复训练,对照组在15～30天左右进行康复训练,观察两组患者临床神经功能缺损程度采,日常生活活动能力及肢体运动功能的改善情况.结果:两组患者治疗前神经功能缺损程度,日常生活活动能力及肢体运动功能差异无明显的统计学意义(P＞0.05),经过康复训练两组患者各项功能均较治疗前有明显的提高,并且观察组提高水平明显高于对照组,差异具有明显的统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论:早期与晚期康复均可促进缺血性脑卒中患者各种功能的恢复,但是早期康复的临床疗效明显优于晚期康复训练.     

DNA Methylation, Behavior and Early Life Adversity

The impact of early physical and social environments on life-long phenotypes is well known. Moreover, we have documented evidence for gene–environment interactions where identical gene variants are associated with different phenotypes that are dependent on early life adversity. What are the mechanisms that embed these early life experiences in the genome? DNA methylation is an enzymatically-catalyzed modification of DNA that serves as a mechanism by which similar sequences acquire cell type identity during cellular differentiation and embryogenesis in the same individual. The hypothesis that will be discussed here proposes that the same mechanism confers environmental-exposure specific identity upon DNA providing a mechanism for embedding environmental experiences in the genome, thus affecting long-term phenotypes. Particularly important is the environment early in life including both the prenatal and postnatal social environments.     

A new basal ornithuromorph bird (Aves: Ornithothoraces) from the Early Cretaceous of China with implication for morphology of early Ornithuromorpha

Ornithuromorpha is the most derived avian group in the Early Cretaceous, advanced members of which encompass all living birds (Neornithes). Here we report on a new basal ornithuromorph bird, Bellulia rectusunguis gen. et sp. nov., represented by a nearly complete skeleton from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota in northeastern China. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis resolved the new taxon in a basal position that is only more derived than Archaeorhynchus and Jianchangornis among ornithuromorphs, increasing the morphological diversity of basal ornithuromorphs. The new specimen has a V‐shaped furcula with a short hypocleidium, a feature otherwise known only in Schizooura among Cretaceous ornithuromorphs. We discuss the implications of the new taxon on the evolution of morphology of primitive ornithuromorphs, particularly of pectoral girdle, sternum and limb proportion pertaining to powered flight. The preserved gastroliths and pedal morphology indicate herbivory and lakeshore adaption for this new species. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

蓬莱玉参早期发育的形态学观察

本研究对仿刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)的一个特殊品系蓬莱玉参产卵、受精及胚胎和幼体发育过程进行显微观察,并与普通仿刺参进行比较。在19~21℃水温下,蓬莱玉参受精卵分别在受精12 min和24 min后释放第一、二极体,1 h后卵裂成2细胞期,之后每30 min左右完成一次卵裂,6 h后进入囊胚期,19 h后发育成原肠胚;40 h后进入耳状幼体阶段,在其后侧臂的一端出现一个不规则形的石灰质骨片,并发现其位置与水体腔处于同一侧这一规律;5 d和8 d后发育为中耳状幼体和大耳状幼体,10 d后变态发育为樽形幼体,骨片由不规则状发育为齿轮状,并出现第二个石灰质骨片;12 d后发育为五触手,14 d后发育成稚参,40 d后发育为幼参。蓬莱玉参胚胎和幼体发育时序与当前已报道的仿刺参无显著差异,但从幼参开始蓬莱玉参通体始终为白色,而普通仿刺参在45日龄时体表局部出现色素,疣足处较为明显,60日龄幼体一半以上全身布满色素。蓬莱玉参因通体纯白色而受到了众多养殖企业和研究领域的关注,本文的结果为其今后的研究奠定了可靠的理论基础。