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PubMed1999

Metric analyses of an early holocene human skeleton from Gua Gunung Runtuh, Malaysia.

A nearly complete human skeleton dating to the Early Holocene (epi-Paleolithic culture) excavated from Gua Gunung Runtuh, Malaysia, is described. Cranial, dental, and limb bone measurements are recorded on the skeleton, and compared with early and modern skeletal samples from Southeast Asia and Australia. The comparisons demonstrate that the Gua Gunung specimen is most similar to Australian Aborigines in dental and limb measurements, while the cranial measurements indicate a close affinity to Mesolithic samples from Malaysia and Flores. These findings further suggest that the Gua Gunung skeleton, as well as other fossils from Tabon and Niah, are representative of an early group of people who occupied Sundaland during the late Pleistocene, and may be the ancestors of Australian Aborigines. Some of the dental and limb bone measurements exhibited by the ancestors persist in Southeast Asian populations until the early Holocene. Differences in cranial traits have, however, accumulated since the late Pleistocene in Australian Aborigines and early Southeast Asian peoples.

Bone and Bones↗

PubMed2004

Genetic analysis and ethnic affinities from two Scytho-Siberian skeletons.

We extracted DNA from two skeletons belonging to the Sytho-Siberian population, which were excavated from the Sebÿstei site (dating back 2,500 years) in the Altai Republic (Central Asia). Ancient DNA was analyzed by autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) and by the sequencing of the hypervariable region 1 (HV1) of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region. The results showed that these two skeletons were not close relatives. Moreover, their haplogroups were characteristic of Asian populations. Comparison with the haplogroup of 3,523 Asian and American individuals linked one skeleton with a putative ancestral paleo-Asiatic population and the other with Chinese populations. It appears that the genetic study of ancient populations of Central Asia brings important elements to the understanding of human population movements in Asia.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Brief communication: the collection of identified human skeletons housed at the Bocage Museum (National Museum of Natural History), Lisbon, Portugal.

A large collection of identified human skeletons curated at the Bocage Museum (National Museum of Natural History, Lisbon, Portugal) has remained in relative anonymity since its collecting protocol was initiated in the 1980s. This collection originates from modern cemetery sources and is comprised of 1,692 skeletons with basic documentary data (age at death, place of birth, occupation, place of residence, and date and cause of death). At present, this information is more readily available for 699 individuals. The remaining 993 are in the process of being fully documented. The skeletons consist largely of Portuguese nationals who lived in the 19th and 20th centuries (1805-1975) in Lisbon. Both sexes are equally represented, and ages at death range from birth to 98 years, including 92 subadults (<20 years old).

Female↗

PubMed1998

Neanderthal skeleton from Tabun: U-series data by gamma-ray spectrometry.

The Neanderthal hominid Tabun C1, found in Israel by Garrod & Bate, was attributed to either layer B or C of their stratigraphic sequence. We have used gamma-ray spectrometry to determine the 230Th/234U and 231Pa/235U ratios of two bones from this skeleton, the mandible and a femur. The ages calculated from these ratios depend on the uranium uptake history of the bones. Assuming a model of early U (EU) uptake the age of the Tabun C1 mandible is 34+/-5 ka. The EU age of the femur is 19+/-2 ka. The femur may have experienced continuous (linear) U uptake which would give an age of 33+/-4 ka, in agreement with the mandible's EU age, but implies marked inhomogeneity in U uptake history at the site. These new age estimates for the skeleton suggest that it was younger than deposits of layer C. This apparent age is less than those of other Neanderthals found in Israel, and distinctly younger than the ages of the Skhul and Qafzeh burials. This suggests that Neanderthals did not necessarily coexist with the earliest modern humans in the region. All of the more complete Neanderthal fossils from Israel are now dated to the cool period of the last glacial cycle, suggesting that Neanderthals may have arrived in this region as a result of the southward expansion of their habitable range. The young age determined for the Tabun skeleton would suggest that Neanderthals survived as late in the Levant as they did in Europe.

Age Determination by Skeleton↗

PubMed2004

Conditional deletion of the TGF-beta type II receptor in Col2a expressing cells results in defects in the axial skeleton without alterations in chondrocyte differentiation or embryonic development of long bones.

Members of the TGF-beta superfamily are secreted signaling proteins that regulate many aspects of development including growth and differentiation in skeletal tissue. There are three isoforms of TGF-beta that act through the same heteromeric receptor complex. To address the question of the role of TGF-beta signaling in skeletal development, we generated mice with a conditional deletion of the TGF-beta type II receptor gene (Tgfbr2) specifically in Col2a expressing cells using the Cre/lox recombinase system. Alizarin red-/Alcian blue-stained skeletons were prepared from embryos at 17.5, 15.5, and 13.5 days of gestation. Col2acre+/-;TgfbrloxP/loxP and Col2acre-/-;Tgfbr2+/loxP skeletons were compared. Multiple defects were observed in the base of the skull and in the vertebrae. Specifically, the size and spacing of the vertebrae were altered, and defects were detected in the closure of the neural arches. In addition, alterations in transverse processes, costal joints, and zygapophyses were detected. While the vertebral bodies were only moderately affected, the intervertebral discs (IVDs) were either missing or incomplete. Alterations in the vertebrae could be detected as early as E13.5 days. Surprisingly, alterations in length and mineralization of long bones were not detected at E17.5 days. In addition, the expression patterns of markers for chondrocyte differentiation were not altered in vertebrae or long bones suggesting that loss of responsiveness to TGF-beta in chondrocytes does not affect embryonic endochondral bone formation. In contrast, mice that survived postnatally demonstrated alterations in the length of specific bones. Skeletons from Col2acre+/-;Tgfbr2loxP/loxP mice were compared to those from mice null for the TGF-beta2 ligand. The differences observed between these models allow distinctions to be made between the roles of the various isoforms of TGF-beta and the signaling in specific cell types. The data provide information regarding mechanisms of skeletal development and suggest that TGF-beta signaling is a critical component.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

A Chinese triconodont mammal and mosaic evolution of the mammalian skeleton.

Here we describe a new triconodont mammal from the Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous period of Liaoning, China. This new mammal is represented by the best-preserved skeleton known so far for triconodonts which form one of the earliest Mesozoic mammalian groups with high diversity. The postcranial skeleton of this new triconodont shows a mosaic of characters, including a primitive pelvic girdle and hindlimb but a very derived pectoral girdle that is closely comparable to those of derived therians. Given the basal position of this taxon in mammalian phylogeny, its derived pectoral girdle indicates that homoplasies (similarities resulting from independent evolution among unrelated lineages) are as common in the postcranial skeleton as they are in the skull and dentition in the evolution of Mesozoic mammals. Limb structures of the new triconodont indicate that it was probably a ground-dwelling animal.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Skeletons of terrestrial cetaceans and the relationship of whales to artiodactyls.

Modern members of the mammalian order Cetacea (whales, dolphins and porpoises) are obligate aquatic swimmers that are highly distinctive in morphology, lacking hair and hind limbs, and having flippers, flukes, and a streamlined body. Eocene fossils document much of cetaceans' land-to-water transition, but, until now, the most primitive representative for which a skeleton was known was clearly amphibious and lived in coastal environments. Here we report on the skeletons of two early Eocene pakicetid cetaceans, the fox-sized Ichthyolestes pinfoldi, and the wolf-sized Pakicetus attocki. Their skeletons also elucidate the relationships of cetaceans to other mammals. Morphological cladistic analyses have shown cetaceans to be most closely related to one or more mesonychians, a group of extinct, archaic ungulates, but molecular analyses have indicated that they are the sister group to hippopotamids. Our cladistic analysis indicates that cetaceans are more closely related to artiodactyls than to any mesonychian. Cetaceans are not the sister group to (any) mesonychians, nor to hippopotamids. Our analysis stops short of identifying any particular artiodactyl family as the cetacean sister group and supports monophyly of artiodactyls.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

A complete skeleton of the giant South American primate Protopithecus.

A complete skeleton of a large-bodied New World monkey has been found in Pleistocene cave deposits in the Brazilian state of Bahia. It demonstrates an unprecedented combination of body size, locomotor and cranial morphology. Skeletal features indicate an animal of approximately 25 kg, more than twice the mass of any living South American monkey. We refer the specimen to Protopithecus brasiliensis Lund, 1838, a large Pleistocene primate originally represented by only a proximal femur and distal humerus. The skeleton resembles species of two distinct New World monkey lineages. The cranium is modified for an enlarged vocal sac typical of living howler monkeys, and the postcranium includes suspensory and brachiating components of locomotion as seen in living spider and woolly spider monkeys. This skeleton confirms that adaptive diversity in neotropical primates was greater in the recent past, and that current interpretations of how their distinctive adaptations evolved should be revised.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Comparison of observed skeleton retention of strontium in average indian adult with the value predicted by the ICRP biokinetic model.

The daily dietary intake of strontium and its content in skeleton, for an Indian adult population group were estimated by experimentally measuring its concentration in total cooked diet and autopsy skeleton samples using radiochemical neutron activation analysis. The data on daily dietary intake of strontium were used to compute its contents in skeleton using ICRP Publication 67 biokinetic model for strontium. The theoretically computed value of strontium (213.8 mg) compared favourably with the measured values (GM 181.2 mg) in an urban population group living in Mumbai representing an average Indian adult (Reference Indian Man).

Adult↗

PubMed2006

A 3-D biomechanical skeleton model for posture and movement analysis.

A project to merge into a full 3D reliable and detailed human skeleton representation various segmental biomechanical models presented in literature has been undertaken by our group. The obtained 3D skeleton model is fully parametric and can so be fitted to each subject anthropometric characteristics. A non-ionizing approach based on 3D opto-electronic measurements of body landmarks labelled by passive markers has been chosen to build the 3D parametric biomechanical skeleton model. To this aim various protocols involving different body labelling (and so different related anthropometric data) have been established for different analyses. To analyse human posture and spinal related pathologies, a 27 markers protocol has been set for static analysis, while 49 markers protocol has been set for gait and movement analysis. A special focus has been devoted to identify and model the spine with a correct degree of accuracy and reliability. To this aim complex signal processing and optimisation procedures have been tested. The model is able to fully integrate information deriving from other measurements devices as force platform data, surface EMG, foot pressure maps. The presented model is the first proposed in literature, to authors knowledge, able to process such multifactorial information to perform a full kinematic and kinetic analysis with particular focus on the spine. Several hundreds of patients have been already analysed and followed up with this methodology that proved to be useful for various posture and spine related pathologies (in particular spine deformities, low-back pain etc.).

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Methods in age determination in human skeletons exemplified by inhumation and cremation burials of the Hallstatt period].

Discussed were the usual methods presently applied in anthropology for determining a person's age at death by means of specific characteristics of the human skeleton. The inhumation and cremation burials from two tumulus cemeteries of the Hallstatt period (750-500 BC), Dietfurt and Schirndorf, which are both located in the Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, were used as illustrations. In the case of the skeleton of an adult a combined method of age-determination, which took the following four factors into account, proved to be effective: 1. the stage of closure of the endocranial suture, 2. changes in the symphyseal surface of the pubis, 3. and 4. changes in the structure of the spongiosa of the proximal humerus epiphysis and femur epiphysis. In addition the degree of abrasion of the teeth can be taken into account. In the case of skeletons of non-adults, teeth cutting and the epiphyseal fusion should be paid particular attention to. Using the described methods, the following data relating to age-structure for the inhumation burials of both Hallstatt cemeteries could be attained. The death-apex was reached in the adult age-class. The average life-expectancy of both men and women in Dietfurt and Schirndorf was approximately 31-32 years. The average life-expectancy at the time of birth was 32.3 years in Dietfurt and 26.9 years in Schirndorf. The varying results are due to the fact that more children of the age-classes infants I and infants II could be proved for the Schirndorf cemetery.

Age Determination by Skeleton↗

PubMed1987

Dislocation and/or congenital malformation of the shoulder joint. Observations on a Mediaeval skeleton from Denmark.

The purpose of this paper is to present a Mediaeval skeleton of an approximately 16 year old boy, which was excavated at a Danish cemetery containing ca. 150 graves. The skeleton reveals several pathologic changes, probably due to congenital malformation. The most intriguing find is seen at both scapulae, and the changes are bilateral symmetric. Both the glenoid cavities are placed posterior but at the normal height of the bone. The joints are almost perpendicular to their normal direction. The size of the glenoid cavities is normal and the shape is rather flat in accordance to the development stage of the skeleton, where the epiphysis of the rim has not yet appeared to form the gently concave fossa as normally seen in adults. Both the surface and the borderlines of the glenoid cavities are, however, more irregular than normally at that age. The position of the joints may be caused by dislocation and/or congenital malformation which is discussed. Due to the shape of the cavities, to the symmetric bilaterality, and to the minor congenital malformations, it is primarily believed to be caused by congenital malformation. Probably the young man was not much affected by the malformation of the shoulder joints, which is indicated by the normal form and size of the humeri and the well-developed muscle attachments of the bones. The claviculae seem shorter and more twisted than normal, which may be caused by a twisting of the scapulae. So the glenoid cavities may have pointed almost in the normal direction in spite of the malformation. Other minor malformations are spina bifida of the atlas and the 5. lumbar vertebra, multiple minor changes of the joints of both feet and malformations of one metatarsal bone in both feet. Agenesi of the praemolars is also seen. Although our study of the literature, we have not succeeded in correlation our finds with any known congenital syndrome, and as far as we know no similar case has been described in clinical observation or in skeletal finds.

Denmark↗

PubMed1982

Radiologic examination of anatomic parts and skeletonized remains.

During a 28-month interval, the radiographs of eight cases of skeletonized remains were evaluated by a radiologist. Radiologic evaluation of limited anatomic parts (four cases) was used to establish human or nonhuman origin and was helpful in the assessment of the relative social importance of the part. Radiologic evaluation of more complete skeletons (four cases) contributed data toward estimation of sex, age, stature, and past medical history. It confirmed the presumptive identity in two cases, excluded two possible identities in a third, and could still be useful if a presumptive identity is ever established for the fourth. Therefore, radiologic evaluation of skeletonized remains by a trained observer may be a useful adjunct to a forensic science investigation.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Pattern of malformations in the axial skeleton in human trisomy 21 fetuses.

In the present study, we analyzed the development of the axial skeleton in human trisomy 21 fetuses and defined the fields in the axial skeleton affected in this form of aneuploidy. We investigated 31 human fetuses with trisomy 21, gestational ages 12-24 weeks, on the basis of radiographs of midsagittal tissue blocks of the axial skeleton, comprising the cranial base and the spine. Malformation or agenesis of the nasal bone was present in 19 of 31 fetuses. Nineteen cases had vertebral malformations. Fourteen fetuses had malformations in the cervical region, four in the thoracic and eight in the lumbosacral region. In 1 of 31 fetuses, malformation was seen in the basilar part of the occipital bone. The basisphenoid component appeared scallop-shaped in 30 cases. The pattern of axial skeletal malformations in trisomy 21 fetuses recorded here has not been described previously. Comparison is made with our recent study of trisomy 18, where the pattern of axial skeletal malformations was quite different. It is recommended that axial skeletal radiography should be part of the autopsy of fetuses where chromosome abnormalities are known or suspected.

Bone and Bones↗

PubMed1997

Pattern of malformations in the axial skeleton in human trisomy 13 fetuses.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the development of the axial skeleton in human trisomy 13 fetuses and to define which fields in the axial skeleton are affected in this condition. We investigated nine human fetuses with trisomy 13 and gestational ages of 14-19 weeks. Whole body radiographs and radiographs of midsagittal tissue blocks of the cranial base and the spine were studied. In the youngest fetus, 14 w GA, no malformations were observed. In eight fetuses, 17-19 weeks GA, malformations occurred in the lumbosacral spine. In four fetuses additional malformations were observed in the thoracic spine. The study showed that there was a correspondence between the extent of malformation in the lumbosacral spine and the thoracic spine. When mild malformation occurred in the lumbosacral region, no malformation was observed in the thoracic region, whereas malformation was observed in the thoracic region when there was extensive malformation in the lumbosacral region. Malformations did not occur in the cervical spine or the basilar part of the occipital bone, but the postsphenoidal part of the sphenoid bone was small and irregular in the six cases where it could be examined. In seven fetuses there was malformation or agenesis of the nasal bone. This pattern of axial skeletal malformations in trisomy 13 fetuses was not described previously. Comparisons are made with previous studies of the fetal axial skeleton in trisomy 18 and trisomy 21, where the pattern of malformations was different. We reiterate our recommendation that axial skeletal radiography should be part of the postmortem examination of fetuses with suspected or verified chromosome abnormalities.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMed1996

Sex determination of ancient human skeletons using DNA.

A method for determining the sex of human skeletons was developed using molecular genetic techniques. The amelogenin gene, found on the X and Y chromosomes, was examined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a nonradioactive dot blot procedure. DNA was analyzed from 20 modern individuals of known sex and 20 skeletons from an archaeological site in central Illinois dating to A.D. 1300. An independent assessment of the sex of each skeleton was made according to standard osteological methods. The sex of 19 ancient and 20 modern individuals was accurately determined using this molecular genetic technique. Molecular sex determination will be especially useful for juvenile and fragmentary remains when it is difficult, or impossible, to establish an individual's sex from morphological features.

Amelogenin↗

PubMed2000

Large-scale double-staining of rat fetal skeletons using Alizarin Red S and alcian blue.

A critical component in the conduct of a prenatal developmental toxicity study is the evaluation of fetal skeletal development. As the developing rodent fetus is typically evaluated at gestation day 20, at a time when ossification of the skeleton is incomplete, a thorough assessment of skeletal development would include both ossified and cartilaginous structures. Current methods to double-stain the fetal skeleton using Alizarin Red S and Alcian Blue are typically described for small sample sizes or using time allotments for each processing step that are unsuitable for industry. In an industrial setting, there is a need for an effective means to double-stain fetal skeletons on a large scale (i.e., hundreds of fetuses simultaneously). This article describes a method used in our laboratory to stain both fetal bone and cartilage using solutions and procedures on an industrial scale.

Alcian Blue↗

PubMed2000

The spectrin-based skeleton at the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction.

Membrane skeletons, in particular the spectrin-based skeleton, are thought to participate in the organization of specialized membrane domains by restricting integral proteins to specific membrane sites. In the neuromuscular junction, discrete isoforms of spectrin and ankyrin, the peripheral protein that links spectrin to the membrane, colocalize with voltage-dependent sodium channels and N-CAM at the troughs of the postsynaptic membrane folds. Moreover, beta-spectrin, N-CAM, and sodium channels become clustered at the endplate during a period of time coincident with postsynaptic fold formation and synapse maturation. These observations suggest a role of the spectrin skeleton in directing and maintaining postsynaptic accumulations of sodium channels and N-CAM. In addition, the coexistence of spectrin and dystrophin at the troughs of the junctional folds raises the question of their respective functions in this membrane domain, where both cytoskeletal proteins have the potential to associate with sodium channels via ankyrin and syntrophin, respectively. Possible scenarios are discussed here with respect to accumulating evidence from studies of assembly of similar membrane domains in neurons.

Animals↗