Museomics help resolving the phylogeny of snowfinches (Aves, Passeridae, Montifringilla and allies).

Historical specimens from museum collections provide a valuable source of material also from remote areas or regions of conflict that are not easily accessible to scientists today. With this study, we are providing a taxon-complete phylogeny of snowfinches using historical DNA from whole skins of an endemic species from Afghanistan, the Afghan snowfinch, Pyrgilauda theresae. To resolve the strong conflict between previous phylogenetic hypotheses, we generated novel mitogenome sequences for selected taxa and genome-wide SNP data using ddRAD sequencing for all extant snowfinch species endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and for an extended intraspecific sampling of the sole Central and Western Palearctic snowfinch species (Montifringilla nivalis). Our phylogenetic reconstructions unanimously refuted the previously suggested paraphyly of genus Pyrgilauda. Misplacement of one species-level taxon (Onychostruthus tazcanowskii) in previous snowfinch phylogenies was undoubtedly inferred from chimeric mitogenomes that included heterospecific sequence information. Furthermore, comparison of novel and previously generated sequence data showed that the presumed sister-group relationship between M. nivalis and the QTP endemic M. henrici was suggested based on flawed taxonomy. Our phylogenetic reconstructions based on genome-wide SNP data and on mitogenomes were largely congruent and supported reciprocal monophyly of genera Montifringilla and Pyrgilauda with monotypic Onychostruthus being sister to the latter. The Afghan endemic P. theresae likely originated from a rather ancient Pliocene out-of-Tibet dispersal probably from a common ancestor with P. ruficollis. Our extended trans-Palearctic sampling for the white-winged snowfinch, M. nivalis, confirmed strong lineage divergence between an Asian and a European clade dated to 1.5 - 2.7 million years ago (mya). Genome-wide SNP data suggested subtle divergence among European samples from the Alps and from the Cantabrian mountains.

Standardized medical age assessment of refugees with questionable minority claim-a summary of 591 case studies.

In order to establish identity of asylum seekers, part of which is age clarification, administrative authorities are obliged to investigate the credibility of allegations based on the usual means of evidence to determine the applicable legal background. In case of serious doubts concerning age minority declaration, medical expert opinion builds the key proof bound by a complex framework consisting of EU regulations, domestic legal backgrounds and the scientific 'state of the art,' the latter being largely influenced by the pursuit of the German 'Study Group on Forensic Age Diagnostics.' Our application example demonstrates the exceptional value of its guidelines serving evidence-based understanding of the age issue in borderline adults within the asylum context. The results deriving from a substantial number of cases disclose an unequivocal inclination of age-disputed male refugees towards concluding somatic development despite a tendency of low lying age reports.

Molecular phylogenetic relationship of snow finch complex (genera Montifringilla, Pyrgilauda, and Onychostruthus) from the Tibetan plateau.

The snow finch complex (Montifringilla, Pyrgilauda, and Onychostruthus) has its center of distribution on the Tibetan plateau, with six out of seven species in the genera occurring there. Phylogenetic relationships among these six species of three genera have been studied based on DNA sequence data obtained from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and the nuclear myoglobin gene. The results support monophyly of the snow finch complex group and three major evolutionary lineages are recognized. The first clade consists of ruficollis, blanfordi, and davidiana. These three taxa are sometimes placed in their own genus, Pyrgilauda, and the DNA data supports this. The three taxa nivalis, henrici, and adamsi have traditionally been placed in the genus Montifringilla, and they group together strongly in the present analysis. The results further suggest that nivalis and adamsi are more closely related to each other than are nivalis and henrici, despite that the latter two are often regarded as conspecific. The third distinct lineage within the snow finch complex consists of taczanowskii, which has been placed its own genus, Onychostruthus. This taxon has a basal position in the phylogenetic tree and is sister to all other snow finches. We estimated that taczanowskii split from the other taxa between 2 and 2.5 mya, i.e., about the time for the most recent uplift of the Tibetan plateau, "the Tibet movement", 3.6-1.7 mya. Cladogenesis within the Montifringilla and Pyrgilauda clades seems to be contemporary with the second phase of "Tibet movement" at 2.5 mya and the third phase at 1.7 mya and "Kunhuang movement" in 1.5-0.6 mya. The dramatic climatic and ecological changes following from the uplift of the Tibetan plateau, together with the cyclic contraction and expansion of suitable habitats during the Pleistocene, are probably the most important factors for the cladogenesis in snow finch complex.

Chemoembolization with cisplatin, lipiodol and Gelfoam and subsequent systemic chemotherapy with cisplatin and interferon in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a non-randomized prospective study.

Arterial chemoembolization with subsequent systemic chemotherapy was assessed prospectively. Of 94 consecutive patients with HCC, 31 patients were considered to have inoperable disease and were selected for chemoembolization. Twenty-two of the 31 patients underwent chemoembolization. In eight patients, technical problems with catheterization prevented the application of therapy, and one patient rejected further treatment. Regimen: Three monthly cycles of chemoembolization with cisplatin 20 mg/m(2) mixed with lipiodol delivered intraarterially with Gelfoam or collagen on day 1, followed by intravenous chemotherapy with cisplatin 60 mg/m(2) on day 2; interferon alpha-2c 30 microg (10 M IU) subcutaneously on days 2, 5, 9, and 12. Three percent of the patients (1/31) (CI 95% 0.08; 16.7) experienced a partial clinical response, in 53% alpha-fetoprotein levels decreased by more than 50%. On univariate analysis, performance status, Child score, Okuda stage, albumin levels, and lactate dehydrogenase were found to have an effect on survival. Postchemoembolization syndrome occurred in 68% of the patients, nausea/vomiting grades 3/4 (according to the World Health Organization WHO) in six patients, anemia grade 3 in three patients, leukopenia grade 3 in one patient and thrombocytopenia grade 3 in one patient. This treatment regimen is a very selective procedure. Because of the low response rate it is not recommended for routine clinical use.