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1.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 118(20)2021 05 18.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33941645

RESUMO

The arrival of modern humans into previously unoccupied island ecosystems is closely linked to widespread extinction, and a key reason cited for Pleistocene megafauna extinction is anthropogenic overhunting. A common assumption based on late Holocene records is that humans always negatively impact insular biotas, which requires an extrapolation of recent human behavior and technology into the archaeological past. Hominins have been on islands since at least the early Pleistocene and Homo sapiens for at least 50 thousand y (ka). Over such lengthy intervals it is scarcely surprising that significant evolutionary, behavioral, and cultural changes occurred. However, the deep-time link between human arrival and island extinctions has never been explored globally. Here, we examine archaeological and paleontological records of all Pleistocene islands with a documented hominin presence to examine whether humans have always been destructive agents. We show that extinctions at a global level cannot be associated with Pleistocene hominin arrival based on current data and are difficult to disentangle from records of environmental change. It is not until the Holocene that large-scale changes in technology, dispersal, demography, and human behavior visibly affect island ecosystems. The extinction acceleration we are currently experiencing is thus not inherent but rather part of a more recent cultural complex.


Assuntos
Extinção Biológica , Fósseis/história , Hominidae/psicologia , Tecnologia/história , Animais , Arqueologia/métodos , Evolução Biológica , Ecossistema , História Antiga , Hominidae/fisiologia , Humanos , Paleontologia/métodos
2.
J Sleep Res ; 30(3): e13131, 2021 06.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32578278

RESUMO

Tongue deformation during whole-night natural sleep in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea has not been well evaluated. Through simultaneous ultrasonography and polysomnography during whole-night sleep, we examined the prevalence and patterns of tongue depth changes and their relationship with the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Sixty consecutive eligible adults presenting with symptoms suggesting obstructive sleep apnea were enrolled. We observed that 88.4% (38/43) of patients with obstructive sleep apnea exhibited a significant increase in the maximum ultrasonographic tongue depth when hypopnea or apnea occurred during sleep. A mixed-model analysis of variance demonstrated that compared with patients with primary snoring or mild obstructive sleep apnea, those with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea have significantly greater maximum ultrasonographic tongue depth during respiratory events (p = .0047). We identified three different ultrasonographic patterns of tongue deformation, namely en bloc, tongue body and tongue base. Approximately 82% (27/33) of patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea demonstrated an en bloc tongue deformation. By contrast, 70% (19/27) of primary snorers or patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea showed a tongue body obstruction. Recognizing the prevalence and patterns of tongue deformation during sleep may provide insights into pathogenesis and treatment decisions in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Future studies are warranted to verify the treatment results of various tongue procedures by using this approach.


Assuntos
Polissonografia/métodos , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/complicações , Língua/fisiopatologia , Ultrassonografia/métodos , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Resultado do Tratamento , Adulto Jovem
3.
Int J Mol Sci ; 22(18)2021 Sep 17.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34576217

RESUMO

Radiation therapy (RT) recruits myeloid cells, leading to an immunosuppressive microenvironment that impedes its efficacy against tumors. Combination of immunotherapy with RT is a potential approach to reversing the immunosuppressive condition and enhancing tumor control after RT. This study aimed to assess the effects of local interleukin-12 (IL-12) therapy on improving the efficacy of RT in a murine prostate cancer model. Combined treatment effectively shrunk the radioresistant tumors by inducing a T helper-1 immune response and influx of CD8+ T cells. It also delayed the radiation-induced vascular damage accompanied by increased α-smooth muscle actin-positive pericyte coverage and blood perfusion. Moreover, RT significantly reduced the IL-12-induced levels of alanine aminotransferase in blood. However, it did not further improve the IL-12-induced anti-tumor effect on distant tumors. Upregulated expression of T-cell exhaustion-associated genes was found in tumors treated with IL-12 only and combined treatment, suggesting that T-cell exhaustion is potentially correlated with tumor relapse in combined treatment. In conclusion, this study illustrated that combination of radiation and local IL-12 therapy enhanced the host immune response and promoted vascular maturation and function. Furthermore, combination treatment was associated with less systemic toxicity than IL-12 alone, providing a potential option for tumor therapy in clinical settings.


Assuntos
Sistema Imunitário/efeitos da radiação , Subunidade p35 da Interleucina-12/metabolismo , Radioterapia/métodos , Actinas/metabolismo , Animais , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/metabolismo , Imuno-Histoquímica , Imunossupressores/farmacologia , Imunoterapia , Interferon gama/metabolismo , Fígado/metabolismo , Fígado/patologia , Linfócitos do Interstício Tumoral/imunologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Músculo Liso/metabolismo , Transplante de Neoplasias , Pericitos/metabolismo , Neoplasias da Próstata/metabolismo , Microambiente Tumoral/imunologia
4.
J Sleep Res ; 26(4): 481-486, 2017 08.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28303674

RESUMO

Tongue base deformation may play a critical role in the phenomenon of obstructive sleep apnea, but polysomnography provides limited information regarding the effect of tongue motion during natural sleep. We reported on preliminary results of combining a novel ultrasound system and polysomnography for simultaneous recordings during natural sleep in volunteers and patients with obstructive sleep apnea. All participants underwent time-synchronized polysomnography and submental transcutaneous ultrasound examinations. The wearable ultrasound device detected the air-mucosal interface of the tongue surface and automatically determined the maximum tongue base thickness in real time. All participants reported no sensation of heat, no sign of skin allergy, and an average of mild disturbance after the ultrasound recordings. In the individual patient with obstructive sleep apnea, we demonstrated a significant difference (P < 0.001) between the ultrasonic tongue base thickness measured during eupnea and that measured during snoring, hypopnea and apnea. The ultrasonic tongue base thickness increased and remained before the occurrence of obstructive apnea. On average, increased tongue base thicknesses of 2.5 (4.1%), 6.0 (9.8%) and 7.7 mm (12.5%) are associated with snoring, hypopnea and apnea, respectively. Our present data demonstrate that simultaneous examination of ultrasonic tongue base thickness and polysomnography is feasible for prolonged recording during natural sleep. The proposed method also enables the detection of significant differences in ultrasonic tongue base thickness between eupnea and obstructive respiratory events evaluated using polysomnography. This novel technique can be used to generate hypotheses for subsequent investigations of the underlying mechanisms and individualized combined therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry website with the registration number of ChiCTR-DDT-13003313. The date of registration was 13 July 2013.


Assuntos
Polissonografia , Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono/fisiopatologia , Sono/fisiologia , Ultrassonografia , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Projetos Piloto , Ronco/fisiopatologia , Língua/anatomia & histologia , Língua/fisiologia , Língua/fisiopatologia , Ultrassonografia/instrumentação , Adulto Jovem
5.
Am J Phys Anthropol ; 162(4): 715-731, 2017 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28109118

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: This study presents the first detailed morphological description and comparison of a Middle Pleistocene hominin mandibular fragment (PA 831) and associated teeth from the Hexian site in Eastern China. We aim to investigate where the Hexian mandible fits within the genus Homo variability in the light of an increased and better characterized Asian fossils record. METHODS: Comparative samples include Pleistocene Homo mandibles and teeth from Africa, Asia, and Europe, as well as earlier African hominins (Australopithecus and early Homo) and Holocene recent humans. Both conventional morphological description and metric analysis were used. In addition, virtual reconstructions of the enamel dentine junction (EDJ) surface, pulp cavity, and roots with micro-CT were used to the mandible and teeth. RESULTS: The Hexian mandible is characterized by a plesiomorphic structural pattern for the Homo clade, with strong corpus robustness and a subparallel and low-positioned mylohyoid line that differentiates the swollen subalveolar planum from the shallow subalveolar fossa. Features that are derived compared to early Homo include a moderately curved dental arcade, a well-developed lateral prominence placed at the M2 -M3 level, and multiple mental foramina. The Hexian mandible's complex enamel surface and strong, stout root structure are primitive traits for the Homo clade. Finally, the highly crenulated "dendrite-like" EDJ found in the molars may represent a dental feature specific to the continental Asian Homo erectus, but more data is needed to confirm this. CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular and dental features indicate that the Hexian mandible and teeth differ from northern Chinese H. erectus and European Middle Pleistocene hominins, but show some affinities with the Early Pleistocene specimens from Africa (Homo ergaster) and Java (H. erectus), as well as the Middle-Late Pleistocene mandible from Penghu, Taiwan. Compared to contemporaneous continental Asian hominin populations, the Hexian fossils may represent the survival of a primitive hominin, with more primitive morphologies than other contemporaneous or some chronologically older Asian hominin specimens.


Assuntos
Hominidae/anatomia & histologia , Mandíbula/anatomia & histologia , Anatomia Comparada , Animais , Antropologia Física , China , Fósseis , Dente/anatomia & histologia
6.
Bioengineering (Basel) ; 10(2)2023 Feb 08.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36829722

RESUMO

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease affect motor symptoms with abnormally increased or reduced movements. Symptoms such as tremor and hand movement disorders can be subtle and vary daily such that the actual condition of the disease may not fully present in clinical sessions. Health examination and monitoring, if available in the living space, can capture comprehensive and quantitative information about a patient's motor symptoms, allowing physicians to make a precise diagnosis and devise a more personalized treatment. WiFi-based sensing is a potential solution for passively detecting human motion in a contactless way that collects no personally identifiable information. This study proposed an approach for human micromotion detection using the WiFi channel state information, which can be realized in a regular-sized room for home health monitoring and examination. Three types of motion were tested to evaluate the proposed method in quantifying micromotion using single and multiple WiFi links. The results show that micromotion could be captured at all distributed locations in the experimental environment (4.2 m × 7.9 m). Our computer algorithm computed the frequency and duration of simulated hand tremors with an average accuracy of 90.9% (single WiFi link)-95.7% (multiple WiFi links).

7.
Front Oncol ; 13: 1263873, 2023.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37886177

RESUMO

Purpose: Malignant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is characterized by a poor prognosis and resistance to conventional radiotherapy. Infiltrating myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) is prominent in HNSCC and is linked to immune suppression and tumor aggressiveness. This study aimed to investigate the impact of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) on the MDSCs in the tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood and to explore the potential for MDSCs depletion combined with BNCT to reactivate antitumor immunity. Methods and materials: Carcinogen, 4-NQO, -induced oral tumors were irradiated with a total physical dose of 2 Gy BNCT in Tsing Hua Open Reactor (THOR). Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry accessed the dynamics of peripheral MDSCs and infiltrated MDSCs within the tumor microenvironment. Mice were injected with an inhibitor of CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R), PLX3397, to determine whether modulating M-MDSCs could affect mice survival after BNCT. Results: Peripheral CD11b+Ly6ChighLy6G- monocytic-MDSCs (M-MDSCs), but not CD11b+Ly6CloLy6Ghigh polymorphonuclear-MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs), increased as tumor progression. After BNCT treatment, there were temporarily decreased and persistent increases of M-MDSCs thereafter, either in peripheral blood or in tumors. The administration of PLX-3397 hindered BNCT-caused M-MDSCs infiltration, prolonged mice survival, and activated tumor immunity by decreasing tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and increasing CD8+ T cells. Conclusion: M-MDSCs were recruited into 4-NQO-induced tumors after BNCT, and their number was also increased in peripheral blood. Assessment of M-MDSCs levels in peripheral blood could be an index to determine the optimal intervention window. Their temporal alteration suggests an association with tumor recurrence after BNCT, making M-MDSCs a potential intervention target. Our preliminary results showed that PLX-3397 had strong M-MDSCs, TAMs, and TIL (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte) modulating effects that could synergize tumor control when combined with BNCT.

8.
ACS Omega ; 8(4): 4398-4409, 2023 Jan 31.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36743038

RESUMO

Nanodiamonds (NDs) are emerging with great potential in biomedical applications like biomarking through fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), targeted drug delivery, and cancer therapy. The magnetic and optical properties of NDs could be tuned by selective doping. Therefore, we report multifunctional manganese-incorporated NDs (Mn-NDs) fabricated by Mn ion implantation. The fluorescent properties of Mn-NDs were tuned by inducing the defects by ion implantation and enhancing the residual nitrogen vacancy density achieved by a two-step annealing process. The cytotoxicity of Mn-NDs was investigated using NCTC clone 929 cells, and the results revealed no cytotoxicity effect. Mn-NDs have demonstrated dual mode contrast enhancement for both T 1- and T 2-weighted in vitro MR imaging. Furthermore, Mn-NDs have illustrated a significant increase in longitudinal relaxivity (fivefold) and transversal relaxivity (17-fold) compared to the as-received NDs. Mn-NDs are employed to investigate their ability for in vivo MR imaging by intraperitoneal (ip) injection of Mn-NDs into mice with liver tumors. After 2.5 h of ip injection, the enhancement of contrast in T 1- and T 2-weighted images has been observed via the accumulation of Mn-NDs in liver tumors of mice. Therefore, Mn-NDs have great potential for in vivo imaging by MR imaging in cancer therapy.

9.
Ann Surg Oncol ; 19(6): 2003-10, 2012 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22271207

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The determining risk factors for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate are not well verified. METHODS: Medical records from our facility of all patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate receiving curative surgery between March 2003 and May 2009 were reviewed. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were enrolled in the study. The 5 year disease-free and overall survival rates were 49.8 and 49.7%, respectively. The 5 year disease-free and overall survival rates were statistically different between positive/close margins and negative margins (24.6% vs. 65.4%, P = 0.02; 20.1% vs. 63.1%, P = 0.001, respectively), with and without soft palate invasion (38.8% vs. 68.9%, P = 0.02; 27.4% vs. 77.5%, P = 0.001, respectively), and soft palate invasion patients with and without perineural invasion (10.4% vs. 52.8%, P = 0.02; 0% vs. 38.1%, P = 0.008, respectively). The rate of positive nodal metastasis for T3 and T4 tumors was 44%. For the tumor with soft palate invasion, the rate of positive nodal metastasis was 29%. After multivariate analyses, soft palate invasion and positive/close margins were the determining risk factors for disease-free and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Soft palate invasion and positive/close margins were the determining risk factors for disease-free and overall survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate. Elective neck dissection is suggested for advanced primary tumors (T3 or T4) or tumors with soft palate invasion.


Assuntos
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/mortalidade , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/mortalidade , Neoplasias Palatinas/mortalidade , Palato Duro/patologia , Palato Duro/cirurgia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patologia , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/cirurgia , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Metástase Linfática , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Invasividade Neoplásica , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/patologia , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/cirurgia , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Neoplasias Palatinas/patologia , Neoplasias Palatinas/cirurgia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Taxa de Sobrevida , Resultado do Tratamento
10.
J Hum Evol ; 63(3): 439-51, 2012 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22749256

RESUMO

Here we report on two kinds of cercopithecid fossil monkeys (Cercopithecinae and Colobinae) from the early to middle Pleistocene sediments of the Chochen (=Tsochen) area (Tsailiao-chi or Shinhua Hill), southern Taiwan. The fossil specimens include the first fossil record of colobine monkeys from Taiwan, where only macaque monkeys now occur. All cercopithecine fossils were identified as Macaca cf. Macaca cyclopis, the extant Taiwan macaque, except for one extremely large isolated upper molar, which may belong to another macaque species. On the other hand, all colobine specimens fall within the size variation of extant and extinct Rhinopithecus, but its specific status cannot be determined because of the scantiness of the fossil material. In Taiwan, Rhinopithecus presumably became extinct in the late Pleistocene, probably owing to global cooling and vegetation change, whereas macaques, which are of almost the same body size as Rhinopithecus, survived as M. cyclopis to the present. The contrasting history of survival between the two kinds of monkeys may be due to ecological/behavioral differences between them or as a result of accidental events that occurred in the Pleistocene of Taiwan.


Assuntos
Colobinae/anatomia & histologia , Fósseis , Macaca/anatomia & histologia , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , Crânio/anatomia & histologia , Taiwan , Dente/anatomia & histologia
11.
Eur J Ophthalmol ; 32(4): NP109-NP114, 2022 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33719618

RESUMO

PURPOSE: To present a 5-year mortal case of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia-related retinopathy and serous macular detachment. CASE REPORT: A 63-year-old man, with unremarkable medical history, presented with bilateral decreased vision for 2 months. Fundus examination revealed bilateral scattered retinal hemorrhages, exudates, venous tortuosity, and serous macular detachment. Hematologic and biochemistry profiles showed pancytopenia with blood smear demonstrating erythrocyte rouleaux formation. Hyperviscosity syndrome was suspected and later Waldenström's macroglobulinemia was diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy and high concentration of serum IgM. Plasmapheresis and subsequent chemotherapy were arranged. In spite of resolution of most retinal abnormalities, his visual acuity still showed no improvement with a persistent bilateral macular detachment. The patient then died 5 years after the diagnosis of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term toxicity of IgM to the retinal pigment epithelium may impede the resolution of the persistent serous macular detachment, resulting in an inability of recovery in his vision. Therefore, early diagnosis and timely reduction of serum paraproteins by plasmapheresis and chemotherapy is critical for preventing permanent damages to patients' health and vision.


Assuntos
Descolamento Retiniano , Doenças Retinianas , Macroglobulinemia de Waldenstrom , Humanos , Imunoglobulina M , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Descolamento Retiniano/diagnóstico , Descolamento Retiniano/tratamento farmacológico , Descolamento Retiniano/etiologia , Doenças Retinianas/diagnóstico , Doenças Retinianas/etiologia , Hemorragia Retiniana/diagnóstico , Hemorragia Retiniana/etiologia , Acuidade Visual , Macroglobulinemia de Waldenstrom/complicações , Macroglobulinemia de Waldenstrom/diagnóstico
12.
Opt Express ; 19 Suppl 4: A900-7, 2011 Jul 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21747560

RESUMO

Strain in the semiconductor light emitting layers has profound effect on the energy band structure and the optical properties of the light emitting diodes (LEDs). Here, we report the fabrication and characterization of GaN nanorod LED arrays. We found that the choice of nanorod passivation materials results in the variation of strain in the InGaN/GaN quantum wells, and thus the corresponding change of light emission properties. The results were further investigated by performing Raman measurement to understand the strain of nanorods with different passivation materials and by calculating the optical transition energy of the devices under the influence of strain-induced deformation potential and the piezoelectric polarization field.

13.
Nanotechnology ; 22(48): 485202, 2011 Dec 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22072098

RESUMO

Despite tremendous efforts on improving the solar cell conversion efficiency at normal incidence, improvement at oblique angles has not been widely addressed, not to mention the corresponding light absorption behaviors at different polarizations. Here we report the characterization of the solar cell conversion efficiency and the spectra of photoresponsivity at various tilted angles. The results show that TM (transverse magnetic) polarized light possesses higher photoresponsivity than TE (transverse electric) polarized light and the difference becomes larger with the incidence angle. To address the issue, a monolayer of silica nanoparticles on the solar cell surface was employed to improve the light absorption. Even though both TE and TM waves show a decrease in the surface reflectivity with the presence of nanoparticles, the interaction between the silica particles and the TE wave is more significant. The improvement of the conversion efficiency for obliquely incident light is explained from the refractive index difference of the nanoparticles for the TE and TM polarizations.

14.
Nanotechnology ; 22(4): 045202, 2011 Jan 28.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21157011

RESUMO

For InGaN/GaN based nanorod devices using a top-down etching process, the optical output power is affected by non-radiative recombination due to sidewall defects (which decrease light output efficiency) and the mitigated quantum confined Stark effect (QCSE) due to strain relaxation (which increases internal quantum efficiency). Therefore, the exploration of low-temperature optical behaviors of nanorod light emitting diodes (LEDs) will help identify the correlation between these two factors. In this work, low-temperature electroluminescent (EL) spectra of InGaN/GaN nanorod arrays were explored and compared with those of planar LEDs. The nanorod LED exhibits a much higher optical output percentage increase when the temperature decreases. The increase is mainly attributed to the increased carriers in the quantum wells for radiative recombination. Also, due to a better spatial overlap of electrons and holes in the quantum wells, the increased number of carriers can be more efficiently recombined in the nanorod device. Next, while the nanorod array shows nearly constant peak energy in the EL spectra at various injection currents at the temperature of 300 K, a blue shift has been observed at 190 K. The results suggest that with less non-radiative recombination and thus more carriers in the quantum wells, carrier screening and band filling still prevail in the partially strain relaxed nanorods. Moreover, when the temperature drops to 77 K, the blue shift of both nanorod and planar devices disappears and the optical output power decreases since there are fewer carriers in the quantum wells for radiative recombination.

15.
Taiwan J Ophthalmol ; 11(4): 405-407, 2021.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35070673

RESUMO

Lipemia retinalis is characterized by retinal blood vessels that are creamy white in color and is considered to be directly correlated to serum triglyceride levels. It is a rare retinal manifestation, with typical serum triglyceride levels above 2500 mg/dL required for its expression. We report two cases of lipemia retinalis with hypertriglyceridemia who presented with different retinal pictures during a 5-year follow-up. One showed a normalization of retinal vessels even though the serum triglyceride level was still far more than 2500 mg/dL (4660 mg/dL), but the other had persistent creamy white discoloration despite decreases in serum triglyceride level to below 2500 mg/dL (1031 mg/dL). This suggests that the absolute serum triglyceride level may not be the sole determinant of the typical retinal manifestation. In spite of this, early detection that leads to timely treatment will assist in prevention of severe ocular and systemic vascular complications.

16.
PeerJ ; 9: e12020, 2021.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34513335

RESUMO

Longshia-dong Cave, a limestone cave located in the Kenting area within the Kenting National Park of southern Taiwan, yields numerous terrestrial mammalian fossils. Many of them were not reported in historical literature and are neither present in Taiwan. For instance, no historical literature mentioned leopards inhabited in Taiwan, and thus their existence remained unknown. This study describes three fossil leopard (Panthera pardus) teeth uncovered from Longshia-dong Cave. Two isolated lower premolars and one lower molar, respectively p3, p4 and m1, were discovered in a very small area (11 × 6 cm) and show a series of progressive increase in size. Thus, the three teeth should have been belonging to the same individual from the subfamily of Pantherinae. Traditional linear measurements and two-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis for the occlusal surface outlines were conducted on the fossil teeth and extant pantherines inhabited in Asia such as clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa), leopards (Panthera pardus), and tigers (Panthera tigiris). Results show that the fossil teeth are similar both in size and morphology to the teeth of extant leopards, suggesting the assignment of the fossil teeth to leopards. This study, for the first time, reported the presence of leopards in the Late Pleistocene of Taiwan. In addition, the smaller size of the fossil teeth in comparison with Chinese fossil leopards is putatively attributed to insular dwarfism or individual size variability, yet more studies are required.

17.
PeerJ ; 9: e11236, 2021.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33954049

RESUMO

Dental material attributed to Palaeoloxodon huaihoensis from the Middle to Late Pleistocene were recovered over decades from the Penghu Channel during commercial fisheries activities. The National Museum of Nature Science (NMNS) has a collection of such dental material, which differs in size and morphology and likely represents ontogenetic variation and growth trajectory of various age groups of P. huaihoensis. However, little is known regarding age determination. By using length of dental material, enamel thickness (ET), and plate counts, we established the method to distinguish the age of the species, which is directly derived from the extant African forest elephant Loxodonta africana. When measuring signs of allometric growth, we found that in both the upper and lower jaws, tooth width was correlated negatively with lamellar frequency but positively with ET. In the same age group, the number of lamellae was higher in P. huaihoensis than in L. africana. The reconstructed age distribution indicated no difference in the upper or lower jaw. Notably, within our sample, P. huaihoensis is skewed towards adult and older individuals with median age between 33-34.5 years and differed significantly from that of Mammuthus primigenius in the European Kraków Spadzista site. This age distribution pattern is speculated to be related to the harsh environmental conditions and intense intraspecific competition among P. huaihoensis during the last ice age.

18.
Ear Nose Throat J ; : 1455613211044225, 2021 Oct 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34605286

RESUMO

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a self-limited disease that is more common in young Asian women. Typical presentations included fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. The etiology of KFD is unknown, and diagnosis is based mainly on lymph node biopsy. KFD has been reported to be associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. However, the role of antibiotic treatment is unclear. We reported 2 cases of KFD associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and were successfully treated with a macrolide.

19.
Medicine (Baltimore) ; 100(37): e27200, 2021 Sep 17.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34664849

RESUMO

ABSTRACT: Lymphatic malformations are rare benign malformations that predominantly occur in the head and neck region. The advent of surgical robots in head and neck surgery may provide beneficial outcomes for pediatric patients. Here, we describe our experiences with transhairline incisions for robot-assisted surgical resection of cervical lymphatic malformations in pediatric patients.In this prospective longitudinal cohort study, we recruited consecutive patients under 18 years of age who were diagnosed with congenital cervical lymphatic malformations and scheduled for transhairline approach robotic surgery at a single medical center. We documented the docking times, console times, surgical results, complications, and postoperative follow-up outcomes.The studied patients included 2 with mixed-type lymphatic malformations and 2 with macrocystic-type lymphatic malformations. In all 4 patients, the incision was hidden in the hairline; the incision length was <5 cm in 3 patients but was extended to 6 cm in 1 patient. Elevating the skin flap and securely positioning it with Yang retractor took <1 hour in all cases. The mean docking time was 5.5 minutes, and the mean console time was 1 hour and 46 minutes. All 4 surgeries were completed endoscopically with the robot. The average total drainage volume in the postoperative period was 21.75 mL. No patients required tracheotomy or nasogastric feeding tubes. Neither were adverse surgery-associated neurovascular sequelae observed. All 4 patients were successfully treated for their lymphatic malformations, primarily with robotic surgical excisions.Cervical lymphatic malformations in pediatric patients could be accessed, properly visualized, and safely resected with transhairline-approach robotic surgery. Transhairline-approach robotic surgery is an innovative method for meeting clinical needs and addressing esthetic concerns.


Assuntos
Vértebras Cervicais/cirurgia , Doenças Linfáticas/cirurgia , Procedimentos Ortopédicos/normas , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos de Coortes , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Estudos Longitudinais , Doenças Linfáticas/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Procedimentos Ortopédicos/métodos , Procedimentos Ortopédicos/estatística & dados numéricos , Pediatria/métodos , Pediatria/tendências , Estudos Prospectivos , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Robóticos/métodos , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Robóticos/normas , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Robóticos/estatística & dados numéricos
20.
Opt Express ; 18(8): 7664-9, 2010 Apr 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20588606

RESUMO

We fabricated InGaN/GaN nanorod light emitting diode (LED) arrays using nanosphere lithography for nanorod formation, PECVD (plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition) grown SiO(2) layer for sidewall passivation, and chemical mechanical polishing for uniform nanorod contact. The nano-device demonstrates a reverse current 4.77nA at -5V, an ideality factor 7.35, and an optical output intensity 6807mW/cm(2) at the injection current density 32A/cm(2) (20mA). Moreover, the investigation of the droop effect for such a nanorod LED array reveals that junction heating is responsible for the sharp decrease at the low current.

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