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Genome-wide premortem DNA methylation patterns can be computationally reconstructed from high-coverage DNA sequences of ancient samples. Because DNA methylation is more conserved across species than across tissues, and ancient DNA is typically extracted from bones and teeth, previous works utilizing ancient DNA methylation maps focused on studying evolutionary changes in the skeletal system. Here we suggest that DNA methylation patterns in one tissue may, under certain conditions, be informative on DNA methylation patterns in other tissues of the same individual. Using the fact that tissue-specific DNA methylation builds up during embryonic development, we identified the conditions that allow for such cross-tissue inference and devised an algorithm that carries it out. We trained the algorithm on methylation data from extant species and reached high precisions of up to 0.92 for validation datasets. We then used the algorithm on archaic humans, and identified more than 1,850 positions for which we were able to observe differential DNA methylation in prefrontal cortex neurons. These positions are linked to hundreds of genes, many of which are involved in neural functions such as structural and developmental processes. Six positions are located in the neuroblastoma breaking point family (NBPF) gene family, which probably played a role in human brain evolution. The algorithm we present here allows for the examination of epigenetic changes in tissues and cell types that are absent from the palaeontological record, and therefore provides new ways to study the evolutionary impacts of epigenetic changes., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Operative management of pelvic ring disruptions remains a challenge for the orthopedist. Surgical stabilization of an unstable pelvic ring not only involves urgent control of shock, but also protects soft tissues and enables the patient to ambulate earlier and to be comfortable when resting. Appropriate management of pelvic ring injuries requires understanding the anatomy and biomechanics of the pelvis and the mechanism of injury. The choice of posterior stabilization depends on the type of fracture. In this study we evaluated posterior tansiliac fixation using threaded compression rods (sacral bars), 1 of the techniques for treating pelvic instability with disruption of the posterior osseous - ligamentous complex. We used this method during 1987 - 1991 on 17 multitrauma patients with unstable pelvic injuries. We also conducted a long-term follow-up of more than 2 years. The 2 type C3 patients required revision of the posterior fixation, due to loss of stability and recurrence of dislocation of the sacroiliac joint. This seems to support the view that posterior sacral bar fixation is not suitable for bilateral rotational and vertical instability, and that it should be limited to certain posterior injury patterns, including lateral compression injuries and unilateral vertical instability when the contralateral hemipelvis is stable. It is important therefore, that the trauma surgeon be familiar with more than 1 technique of stabilization. Our study indicated that fixation with sacral bars is still an easy, safe and useful method for treating posterior pelvic instability, even though anatomical reduction of the sacroiliac joint is difficult. It should be one of the techniques with which the orthopedic trauma surgeon is acquainted and is ready to use when necessary.

The lengthening of the average life span has led to an increase in degenerative diseases, among them osteoarthritis. Arthroscopy, which has been used extensively to decrease pain and inflammation and increase the range of motion, has recently been challenged as the treatment of choice. Several studies have found that joint lavage, which is a less costly procedure, provides better solutions to joint disorders. In Israel, where resources for health care are limited, physicians must also be guided by cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness. Since there is limited benefit to be gained from arthroscopy in cases where there is no mechanical damage to the knee, we suggest that nonsurgical, conservative methods be employed in treating the majority of cases of osteoarthritis.

Fibroblasts grown from synovial and peritoneal tissues release into the medium an inhibitor of neutrophil chemotaxis. The inhibitor resembles the antagonist previously described in synovial and peritoneal fluids. It is a heat stable (56 degrees C) protein of MW approximately 40 kDa that counteracts the chemotactic activity of zymosan-activated serum or purified C5a but not the peptide chemoattractant F-met-leu-phe. No chemotactic inhibitor was detected in media from skin fibroblast cultures or in formal human sera. It is suggested that the inhibitor is produced locally by synovial and peritoneal fibroblasts and that it might play a role in the regulation of inflammation at sites lined with mesothelium.