Morphometric Study on the Mandible of Colobine Fossil (Mesopithecus pentelicus) Found in East Asia, a Comparison With Extant Taxa.

A tooth-bearing mandible fossil of a colobine monkey discovered at Shuitangba, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China, was morphometrically analyzed and compared with extant Asian colobines. Our previous qualitative and quantitative descriptions indicate that it can be safely attributed to Mesopithecus pentelicus, a Miocene fossil colobine widely found in Europe and South Asia. The present research aims to explore fossil association with extant colobines and functionally propose its dietary preferences based on multivariate morphometric analyses of mandibular morphology.

Detecting the presence of different Retzius periodicities at the population level from repetitive linear enamel hypoplasia among Lufengpithecus lufengensis and Pongo pygmaeus.

Objectives: Reconstruction of life histories for fossil and living primates draws on rate of enamel layering, termed Retzius periodicity (RP in days) expressed as surface perikymata, during dental crown formation. Disclosure of RP through thin sectioning is destructive; consequently, sample sizes are inadequate to detect the range of RPs present in discrete taxa. We propose an additional method to detect RPs at the population level based on twice-yearly average recurrence of linear enamel hypoplasia (rLEH) in apes shown by prior studies.

Binary-amplifying electrochemiluminescence sensor for sensitive assay of catechol and luteolin based on HKUST-1 derived CuO nanoneedles as a novel luminophore.

Herein, a highly novel and effective electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor based on metal-organic framework (MOF, HKUST-1) derived CuO nanoneedles (HKUST-1 derived CuO NNs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and TiO was developed for ultrasensitive detection of catechol and luteolin. The HKUST-1 derived CuO NNs were employed as luminophore for the first time, which were successfully fabricated by using HKUST-1 as precursor. The results revealed that the HKUST-1 derived CuO NNs exhibit excellent ECL activity ascribed to its abundant active site and the high specific surface area, thus obviously promoting the separation and transfer of charge and further improving the current density of ECL sensor.

Ultrasensitive electrochemical sensing of catechol and hydroquinone via single-atom nanozyme anchored on MOF-derived porous carbon.

Single-atom nanozymes (SANs) can significantly enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of electrochemical sensing platforms due to the homogeneity of their active sites, full atom utilization, and high catalytic activity. In this study, we demonstrate the synthesis and characterization of a high-density Co-based single-atom nanozyme anchored on activated MOF-derived porous carbon (Co-AcNC-3) via a cascade anchoring strategy for ultrasensitive, simultaneous electrochemical detection of catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ). The Co-AcNC-3 displays a large specific surface area, high defectivity, and abundant oxygen-containing groups, with Co atoms being atomically dispersed throughout the carbon support via Co-N bonds.

Interferon-alpha 1 expression indicates the disease activity and response of patients with ankylosing spondylitis to anti-TNF-α treatment.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether interferon-alpha 1 (IFNA1) is predictive of Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) progression and treatment response to Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis).

Methods: Data of 50 AS patients receiving TNFi for 24 weeks were retrospectively analysed. AS patients who reached the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society 40 response at the W24 were classified as responders to TNFi treatment; otherwise, they were classified as nonresponders.

Rational design of a novel MOF-based ternary nanocomposite for effectively monitoring harmful organophosphates in foods and the environment.

Methyl parathion (MP) is a widely used organophosphate insecticide that is extremely toxic due to its ability to irreversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase in the body and persistently accumulate in the environment. Timely detection of MP can prevent harmful residue exposure to humans. Therefore, the development of fast, efficient electrochemical methods to detect trace MP has been highly beneficial for monitoring harmful residues in foods and environment to ensure food safety and ecological conservation.

Morphological characteristics of seed starch granules of Fagaceae in South China and their implication in paleodiet.

Nut fruits likely played a significant role before and during the origin of agriculture; however, relatively little research conducted on the morphological characteristics and statistical comparisons of nut fruit starch granule hinders the progress of paleodietary analysis of prehistorical society. For better species identification of starch granule remaining on tools discovered at archaeological sites, it is desirable to develop a more abundant morphology database of modern nut fruit starch granules as well as the establishment of relevant identification standards. Therefore, nuts from 40 species in four genera (, , , and ) of Fagaceae were collected from South China for statistical measurement and comparative analysis.

The earliest hylobatid from the Late Miocene of China.

Yuanmoupithecus xiaoyuan, a small catarrhine from the Late Miocene of Yunnan in southern China, was initially suggested to be related to Miocene proconsuloids or dendropithecoids from East Africa, but subsequent reports indicated that it might be more closely related to hylobatids. Here, detailed comparisons of the material, including seven newly discovered teeth and a partial lower face of a juvenile individual, provide crucial evidence to help establish its phylogenetic relationships. Yuanmoupithecus exhibits a suite of synapomorphies that support a close phylogenetic relationship with extant hylobatids.

Electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer system between ruthenium-based nanosheets and CdS quantum dots for detection of chlorogenic acid.

A new strategy is proposed for ultrasensitive detection of chlorogenic acid (CGA) by fabricating an electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (ECL-RET) sensing platform. The novel system designed by introducing ruthenium-based 2D metal-organic framework nanosheets (Ru@Zn-MOF) as ECL acceptor and L-cysteine capped CdS quantum dots (L-CdS QDs) as ECL donor, exhibited good ECL response. The possible mechanism of the modified electrode surface reaction was discussed.

Facile synthesis of surface functionalized Pd@P-CDP/COFs for highly sensitive detection of norfloxacin drug based on the host-guest interaction.

In this work, β-cyclodextrin porous polymers (P-CDPs) functionalized novel covalent organic frameworks (P-CDPs/COFs) were synthesized by a simple and facile method. After combined with Pd via electrostatic interaction, the Pd@P-CDPs/COFs nanocomposites were prepared and utilized as novel electrode materials to fabricate the non-enzyme electrochemical sensors for high-sensitivity detection of Norfloxacin (NF). Due to the host-guest recognition, excellent adsorption performance and catalytic performance of Pd@P-CDPs/COFs, the prepared sensor exhibited excellent electrochemical performance for detecting NF under the optimum conditions, which showed two linear ranges of 0.

A Late Pleistocene human genome from Southwest China.

Southern East Asia is the dispersal center regarding the prehistoric settlement and migrations of modern humans in Asia-Pacific regions. However, the settlement pattern and population structure of paleolithic humans in this region remain elusive, and ancient DNA can provide direct information. Here, we sequenced the genome of a Late Pleistocene hominin (MZR), dated ∼14.

Earliest giant panda false thumb suggests conflicting demands for locomotion and feeding.

Of the many peculiarities that enable the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), a member of the order Carnivora, to adapt to life as a dedicated bamboo feeder, its extra "thumb" is arguably the most celebrated yet enigmatic. In addition to the normal five digits in the hands of most mammals, the giant panda has a greatly enlarged wrist bone, the radial sesamoid, that acts as a sixth digit, an opposable "thumb" for manipulating bamboo. We report the earliest enlarged radial sesamoid, already a functional opposable "thumb," in the ancestral panda Ailurarctos from the late Miocene site of Shuitangba in Yunnan Province, China.

Premolar enamel thickness and distribution of a Miocene hominid Lufengpithecus hudienensis compared with Pleistocene and extant hominids.

Lufengpithecus hudienensis is a Late-Miocene hominid from the Yuanmou basin of southwestern China. Previous studies link Lufengpithecus to either the Sivapithecus-orangutan clade or a derived branch from the basal stem of the Hominidae. Despite a rich fossil assemblage, the taxonomy of L.

Human population history at the crossroads of East and Southeast Asia since 11,000 years ago.

Past human genetic diversity and migration between southern China and Southeast Asia have not been well characterized, in part due to poor preservation of ancient DNA in hot and humid regions. We sequenced 31 ancient genomes from southern China (Guangxi and Fujian), including two ∼12,000- to 10,000-year-old individuals representing the oldest humans sequenced from southern China. We discovered a deeply diverged East Asian ancestry in the Guangxi region that persisted until at least 6,000 years ago.

Hemin-doped metal-organic frameworks based nanozyme electrochemical sensor with high stability and sensitivity for dopamine detection.

This study reports a new type of artificial nanozyme based on Hemin-doped-HKUST-1 (HKUST-1, also referred to as MOF-199; a face-centered-cubic MOF containing nanochannels) as a redox mediator for the detection of dopamine (DA). Hemin-doped-HKUST-1 was successfully synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal method, which was combined with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) modified on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to construct a sensor (Hemin-doped HKUST-1/rGO/GCE). The morphology and structure of Hemin-doped-HKUST-1 were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and infrared spectra (IR) techniques.

Oldest colobine calcaneus from East Asia (Zhaotong, Yunnan, China).

Apart from a juvenile hominoid, the locality of Shuitangba (southwestern China, 6.5-6.0 Ma) has yielded a mandible and proximal femur attributed to the colobine genus Mesopithecus.

One-step electrochemical sensor based on an integrated probe toward sub-ppt level Pb detection by fast scan voltammetry.

Herein, a one-step electrochemical sensor for selective and sensitive detection of lead ion Pb was developed based on an integrated probe meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphine (TCPP)-multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)@FeO, which is TCPP-modified magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes. In the integrated probe, TCPP is a porphyrin with a specific cavity structure which could selectively chelate with Pb, MWCNTs with good electric conductivity provide a place to load TCPP and form a specific adsorption state of Pb on the electrode surface, and FeO enables the rapid separation and one-step fabrication of the electrochemical sensor. Based on it, the sample pre-enrichment, separation and determination can be integrated, making the whole process very fast and simple.

Mesopithecus pentelicus from Zhaotong, China, the easternmost representative of a widespread Miocene cercopithecoid species.

A dentate mandible and proximal femur of Mesopithecus pentelicusWagner, 1839 are described from the Shuitangba lignite mine in Zhaotong Prefecture, northeastern Yunnan Province, China. The remains were retrieved from sediments just below those that yielded a juvenile Lufengpithecus cranium and are dated at about ∼6.4 Ma.

Paleolithic genetic link between Southern China and Mainland Southeast Asia revealed by ancient mitochondrial genomes.

The genetic history of Southern East Asians is not well-known, especially prior to the Neolithic period. To address this, we successfully sequenced two complete mitochondrial genomes of 11,000-year-old human individuals from Southern China, thus generating the oldest ancient DNA sequences from this area. Integrating published mitochondrial genomes, we characterized M71d, a new subhaplogroup of haplogroup M71.

A Matrilineal Genetic Perspective of Hanging Coffin Custom in Southern China and Northern Thailand.

Hanging Coffin is a unique and ancient burial custom that has been practiced in southern China, Southeast Asia, and near Oceania regions for more than 3,000 years. Here, we conducted mitochondrial whole-genome analyses of 41 human remains sampled from 13 Hanging Coffin sites in southern China and northern Thailand, which were dated between ∼2,500 and 660 years before present. We found that there were genetic connections between the Hanging Coffin people living in different geographic regions.

Paleogenome Reveals Genetic Contribution of Extinct Giant Panda to Extant Populations.

Historically, the giant panda was widely distributed from northern China to southwestern Asia [1]. As a result of range contraction and fragmentation, extant individuals are currently restricted to fragmented mountain ranges on the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, where they are distributed among three major population clusters [2]. However, little is known about the genetic consequences of this dramatic range contraction.

Evidence for increased hominid diversity in the Early to Middle Pleistocene of Indonesia.

Since the first discovery of Pithecanthropus (Homo) erectus by E. Dubois at Trinil in 1891, over 200 hominid dentognathic remains have been collected from the Early to Middle Pleistocene deposits of Java, Indonesia, forming the largest palaeoanthropological collection in South East Asia. Most of these fossils are currently attributed to H.

Diet Evolution and Habitat Contraction of Giant Pandas via Stable Isotope Analysis.

The ancestral panda Ailurarctos lufengensis, excavated from the late Miocene, is thought to be carnivorous or omnivorous [1]. Today, giant pandas exclusively consume bamboo and have distinctive tooth, skull, and muscle characteristics adapted to a tough and fibrous bamboo diet during their long evolution [1, 2]. A special feature, the pseudo-thumb, has evolved to permit the precise and efficient grasping of bamboo [3, 4].

Ancient DNA from Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) of South-Western China Reveals Genetic Diversity Loss during the Holocene.

The giant panda was widely distributed in China and south-eastern Asia during the middle to late Pleistocene, prior to its habitat becoming rapidly reduced in the Holocene. While conservation reserves have been established and population numbers of the giant panda have recently increased, the interpretation of its genetic diversity remains controversial. Previous analyses, surprisingly, have indicated relatively high levels of genetic diversity raising issues concerning the efficiency and usefulness of reintroducing individuals from captive populations.

Feeding capability in the extinct giant Siamogale melilutra and comparative mandibular biomechanics of living Lutrinae.

At 50 kg in estimated weight, the extinct Siamogale melilutra is larger than all living otters, and ranks among the largest fossil otters. The biomechanical capability of S. melilutra jaws as related to their large size is unknown but crucial to reconstructing the species' potentially unique ecological niche.