131,070 research outputs found
Ricostruzione 3D dei muscoli masticatori in Smilodon fatalis (Carnivora, Felidae, Machairodontinae).
No full textPierre SARDELLA. Nouvelles et spéculations à Venise au début du XVIe siècle. Paris, A. Colin, s. d. [1948]. (Cahiers des Annales, I.)
No full textBautier Robert-Henri. Pierre SARDELLA. Nouvelles et spéculations à Venise au début du XVIe siècle. Paris, A. Colin, s. d. [1948]. (Cahiers des Annales, I.) . In: Bibliothèque de l'école des chartes. 1951, tome 109, livraison 1. pp. 151-152
Segnalazione di Gulo gulo LINNAEUS nel Pleistocene superiore di Ingarano (Foggia, Italia meridionale)
No full textReport of Gulo gulo Linnaeus in the fossiliferous deposit of the upper Pleistocene di Ingarano (Foggia, southern Italy)]. The fossiliferous deposit of Ingarano (Gargano, southern Italy) is the late Pleistocene filling of a karst cave. Fossil vertebrates from different levels are charactrized by great frequency of carnivores among mammals and raptors among birds. Geochemical analysis of samples from level c by 230Th/234U gave an age of 40000±2000 years B.P. Discovery in level d of a hemimandible of a wolverine (Gulo gulo Linnaeus), a carnivore widespread today in Boreal areas, can be considered further confirmation of the occurrence of »cold« taxa in southern Italy. The occurrence of Gulo gulo at Ingarano extends southwards the geographical distribution of this large mustelid in the late Pleistocene
Serum osteoprotegerin levels are associated with increased aortic calcification in dialysis patients
No full textCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in dialysis (D) patients. Vascular calcification (VC) represents one of the major risk factors involved in the pathogenesis of CVD in this population. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a bone regulating protein modulating the genesis and activity of osteoclasts, but its role in VC pathogenesis in D patients has not been clarified so far. The present study aimed to evaluate OPG serum levels and their association with aortic calcification in D patients. A total of 92 D patients (72 on haemodialysis -HD- and 20 on peritoneal dialysis -PD-), aged 67.811.4 years, were assessed for biochemical markers of bone metabolism and OPG. Subsequently, D patients were scored for aortic calcification (AoC) by spinal lateral X-ray (L1-L4). AoC was diagnosed by radiographic detection of calcified deposits in the abdominal aorta (Witterman JC et al, Lancet 1994). D patients were divided in 4 groups, considering AoC length: group I (AoC = 0 cm), II (AoC = 0.1-5 cm), III (AoC = 5.1-10 cm), IV (AoC >10.0 cm). Results are summarized in the table. Patients without AoC are significantly younger. AoC were associated with higher serum PTH levels, but not with serum calcium and phosphate levels. Furthermore, serum OPG levels associate with increased AoC in this population. In conclusion, serum OPG levels determination could have a potential role in the biologic follow-up of D patients
CT scanning analysis of Megantereon whitei (Carnivora, Machairodontinae) from Monte Argentario (Early Pleistocene, central Italy): evidence of atavistic teeth.
No full textCT scanning analysis applied to vertebrate palaeontology is providing an increasing number of data of great interest. This method can be used in many branches of palaeontology such as the investigation of all the fossilized elements in a hard matrix and the hidden structures in the bones. A large number of pathologies are "hidden", completely or partially invisible on the external surface of the bones because their development took place within the bones. However, the study of these diseases and abnormalities plays a crucial role in our understanding of evolutionary and adaptive processes of extinct taxa. The analysis of a partial skeleton of the sabre-toothed felid Megantereon whitei from the Early Pleistocene karst filling deposits of Monte Argentario (Tuscany, Italy) has been carried out. The CT scanning analysis put in evidence the presence of supernumerary teeth (P(2)) and the absence of P3 in the mandible. The occurrence of P(2) can be considered as an evidence of atavism. Such an archaic feature is recorded for the first time in Megantereon
Noninvasive Diagnosis of Incomplete Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: D-Dimero assay to detect type I Endoleaks and nonshrinking aneurisms
No full textRationale: Persistent endoleaks(EL) due to inadequate stent attachment or fixation, have been generally considered a treatment failure, thus a primary endpoint in long term follow ups, even if most recently the axiom EL-increased AAA volume-rupture has been criticized. Since it has been shown that even patients with a negative early follow up are not exempt from risks for late endoleak formation or rupture , a warning has been raised in that all patients treated with endovascular devices should be carefully followed lifetime. Therefore , non invasive and non expensive tools for detection of an imperfect endograft functioning are needed.Thesis: in presence of a demonstrable peri graft flow and generally in case of an increasing sac volume, active intravascular thrombus formation occurs and specific markers for endogenous fibrinolysis could detect them and alert for further investigation. D –Dimer (D-D) is a plasmin resistant fibrin fragment which , in the diagnosis of intra vascular thrombosis, has shown high specificity ,sensitivity and high negative predictive value. Methods: We analyzed the D -D blood level in 83 patients selected by the following carachteristics:1. affected by AAA, 2.evaluated and treated with endovascular exclusion with AneuRx Endograft, in follow up after an implant with 3. no endoleak and decreasing volume, 4. with type I endolaeks, 5. Type 2 endoleaks, with 6. Invariated or increased or 7. decreased sac maximal diameter.Plasma was drown in correspondence of the TC scan and clinical monitoring relative to which information on AAA where drown. Plasma was frozen and analyzed for D-D through a Latex quantitative test. Results were stratified according to the patient’s clinical stage. Results: D-D values presented a high interpersonal variability with generally width standard deviations. D –D values do not significantly varied among patients with stable AAA and age matched controls ( 238±245 vg/ml vs 421± 400vg/ml, p> 0.05) . D- D values increase significantly (727± 345 vg/ml vs 421±400 vg/ml p<0.05) immediately after treatment (4th p.o. day). Values do not significantly vary at various distance from the procedure if there is no EL and AAA volume decrease or if Type 2 EL were present. D-D values significantly increased (1931± 924 vg/ml, p< 0.005 vs all other groups) in case of Type 1 EL and in case of EL with unmodified or increasing AAA diameters in comparison with EL and decreasing diameters (1177± 773 vg/ml vs 778±466 vg/ml, p< 0.005).Conclusion: elevated D-D may prove to be a useful arker for fixation problems after endovascular repair and may help rule out of type I endoleak, thus excluding patients from unnecessary invasive tests
The latest Early Pleistocene sabertoothed cat Homotherium (Felidae, Mammalia) from Monte Peglia (Umbria, central Italy)
No full textThe latest Early Pleistocene karst infill deposits outcropping at Monte Peglia (Umbria, central Italy) have been the focus of a variety of field expeditions by researchers from the “Istituto Italiano di Paleontologia Umana” during the period from 1955 to 1968. These studies have led to the discovery of two distinct vertebrate assemblages considered as being similar in age. In 1955 large vertebrate remains were found and, in particular, many isolated teeth were collected that are referable to a single specimen of the saber-toothed cat Homotherium. The taxonomy of Homotherium, mainly based on cranio-dental features, is still controversial and the diverse interpretations are due essentially to the rarity of complete fossil specimens and the high variability of these records. Herein the specimen from Monte Peglia is referred to Homotherium latidens (Owen) and its affinities with the late Villafranchian and Galerian specimens from Eurasia are discussed
Medical CT scanning and the study of hidden oral pathologies in fossil carnivores
No full textSkeletal pathologies and oral disease are largely unexplored in fossil carnivores. Dental abnormalities, fractures, trauma, supernumerary teeth, tumours, periodontitis, and other bacterial infections are some of the diseases that leave traces on fossilized skulls, but their identification is not always possible by external observation on the specimen. Moreover a large number of pathologies are "hidden", partially or completely invisible on the external surface of the bones because their development took place within the bones. The degree and the type of fossilization, the state of preservation and the fossil size are just a few other factors that influence the analysis of these structures. Digital scanning techniques are useful to solve such difficulties. X-ray study can provide valuable information on bone and teeth diseases, by allowing the visualization of the internal structure of the fossil bones, without the alteration and/or destruction of the specimen. Many aspects of the life of carnivores are regulated by their health condition, and in particular by the teeth and jaws conditions, individuals with evident disability due to the pathology and injuries are not able to perform properly some basic activities, such as foraging and defence. This paper presents new methods of non-invasive analysis to identify and understand oral pathologies in fossil carnivores. They can be further explored to obtain detailed palaeoecological reconstructions of their mode of life. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
The Plio-Pleistocene Old World dirk toothed cat Megantereon ex gr. cultridens (Mammalia, Felidae, Machairodontinae), with comments on taxonomy, origin and evolution.
No full textThe taxonomical position of Old World smilodontine cats is discussed and new fossils from some late Villafranchian Italian localities are described. All the Plio- Pleistocene Old World forms are related to Megantereon ex gr. cultridens. The occurrence of a primitive form referable to Megantereon sp. from the latest Miocene of China (Pao Te Tsien loc. 44), if confirmed, could suggest an Asian origin. On the basis of the up-dated biochronological framework for the Italian mammal faunas an evolutionary trend for the Plio- Pleistocene European forms has been recognized with two alternative hypotheses: an European evolution of Megantereon, partially parallel to the American lineage Megantereon-Smilodon or a late Villafranchian dispersal of this genus from derived African forms
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