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SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity (no. CGL 2015-63648-P) to M.B. D.G.-M. was funded by IdEx University of Bordeaux Investments for the Future programme (no. ANR-10-IDEX-03-02) and the European Commission’s Research Infrastructure Action via the Synthesys Projects (nos. SE-TAF-6406, DE-TAF-6404, BE-TAF-5639). Financial support for M.H. was provided by the Swiss National Science Foundation (no. 31003A_176319/1) and the Mäxi Foundation. A.G.-O. received support from the Spanish FEDER/Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación-AEI (project no. PGC2018-093925-B-C33) and Research Group (no. IT1418-19) from Eusko Jaurlaritza-Gobierno Vasco. A.G.-O. is funded by a Ramón y Cajal fellowship (no. RYC-2017-22558)., The tall and narrow body shape of anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) evolved via changes in the thorax, pelvis and limbs. It is debated, however, whether these modifications first evolved together in African Homo erectus, or whether H. erectus had a more primitive body shape that was distinct from both the more ape-like Australopithecus species and H. sapiens. Here we present the first quantitative three-dimensional reconstruction of the thorax of the juvenile H. erectus skeleton, KNM-WT 15000, from Nariokotome, Kenya, along with its estimated adult rib cage, for comparison with H. sapiens and the Kebara 2 Neanderthal. Our three-dimensional reconstruction demonstrates a short, mediolaterally wide and anteroposteriorly deep thorax in KNM-WT 15000 that differs considerably from the much shallower thorax of H. sapiens, pointing to a recent evolutionary origin of fully modern human body shape. The large respiratory capacity of KNM-WT 15000 is compatible with the relatively stocky, more primitive, body shape of H. erectus., Depto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Fac. de Ciencias Biológicas, TRUE, pub

The first cervical vertebra, atlas, and its morphology has remained understudied until very recently despite being a central element of human anatomy, connecting the cranial and post-cranial skeletal systems. This condition makes it informative of both systems, their integration and the functionality that applies to them, such as the locomotor pattern, body posture or neck mobility, both in modern humans and extinct hominin species. However, basic factors of variability such as the possible sexual dimorphism of population variation are not known. As the atlas is badly preserved in the fossil record, it has been necessary to develop a quantitative reconstruction method in order to include in the sample several fragmented atlases. The technique used to carry out the reconstructions and the all the analyses in this thesis was high-density geometric morphometrics, analyzing a total of 119 landmarks and curve semilandmarks in more than a hundred atlas of hominins and chipanzees. Both the reconstructions and the high-density geometric morphometrics, used for the first time in the literature for the study of the atlas, have proved to be useful and, thanks to the data sharing, replicable. As a first approach to the atlas and the most relevant aspects of its morphology, we studied variability, integration and functionality of this bone in modern humans. We found that the atlas does not present sexual dimorphism but, as expected, there is a difference in size between sexes. Regarding the possible differences between populations, we found a significant variability, although contrary to what would be expected: the atlas of inuits and Africans does not share the pattern of torso shortening, presenting a greater vertebral height than Europeans. We could think that this is because atlas morphology is more related to the skull than to the rest of the spine, but thanks to the integration analysis we know that the atlas integration is greater with the axis (C2) than with the cranial

[ES] La primera vértebra cervical, el atlas, y su morfología han permanecido infraestudiadas hasta muy recientemente a pesar de ser un elemento central de la anatomía humana, al conectar los esqueletos craneal y poscraneal. Esta condición le hace ser informativo de ambos sistemas y la integración y funcionalidad que en estos aplica, así como el patrón locomotor, la postura corporal o la movilidad del cuello, tanto en humanos modernos como en especies homininas extintas. Sin embargo, algunos factores clave de variabilidad como el dimorfismo sexual o la variación poblacional, siguen sin conocerse. Al tratarse de una estructura de difícil preservación en el registro fósil, ha sido necesario elaborar un método de reconstrucción cuantitativa para poder incluir en la muestra varios atlas del registro que se encontraban fragmentados y/o incompletos. La técnica utilizada para llevar a cabo las reconstrucciones y el resto de análisis de esta tesis ha sido la morfometría geométrica de alta densidad, analizando un total de 119 landmarks y semilandmarks de curva en más de 100 atlas de homininos y chimpancés. Tanto dicha reconstrucción como la morfometría geométrica de alta densidad, empleada por primera vez en la literatura para el estudio del atlas, han resultado ser útiles y, gracias a la difusión de los datos, reproducibles. Como primera aproximación al atlas y los aspectos más relevantes de su morfología, estudiamos variabilidad, integración y funcionalidad de este hueso en humanos modernos. Encontramos que el atlas no presenta diferencia de forma entre sexos, aunque sí en cuestión de tamaño, siendo más grande en los individuos masculinos. En cuanto a las diferencias entre poblaciones, encontramos una variabilidad estadísticamente significativa, aunque contraria a lo que cabría esperar dado que el atlas de inuits y africanos no comparte el patrón de acortamiento del torso, presentando una mayor altura vertebral que los europeos. Podríamos pensar que se debería a que la morf, [EN] The first cervical vertebra, atlas, and its morphology has remained understudied until very recently despite being a central element of human anatomy, connecting the cranial and postcranial skeletal systems. This condition makes it informative of both systems, their integration and the functionality that applies to them, such as the locomotor pattern, body posture or neck mobility, both in modern humans and extinct hominin species. However, basic factors of variability such as the possible sexual dimorphism of population variation are not known. As the atlas is badly preserved in the fossil record, it has been necessary to develop a quantitative reconstruction method in order to include in the sample several fragmented atlases. The technique used to carry out the reconstructions and the all the analyses in this thesis was high-density geometric orphometrics, analyzing a total of 119 landmarks and curve semilandmarks in more than a hundred atlas of hominins and chipanzees. Both the reconstructions and the high-density geometric morphometrics, used for the first time in the literature for the study of the atlas, have proved to be useful and, thanks to the data sharing, replicable. As a first approach to the atlas and the most relevant aspects of its morphology, we studied variability, integration and functionality of this bone in modern humans. We found that the atlas does not present sexual dimorphism but, as expected, there is a difference in size between sexes. Regarding the possible differences between populations, we found a significant variability, although contrary to what would be expected: the atlas of inuits and Africans does not share the pattern of torso shortening, presenting a greater vertebral height than Europeans. We could think that this is because atlas morphology is more related to the skull than to the rest of the spine, but thanks to the integration analysis we know that the atlas integration is greater with the axis (C2) than with the crani

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

[Purpose]: There is strong evidence supporting the presence of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). Additionally, recent research investigating the relationship between vitamin D and AIS found a relation between them. We hypothesize a negative correlation between FA and vitamin D., [Methods]: We performed a surface scan of the torso of 53 AIS patients, a blood test to measure vitamin D and the radiographic Cobb angle. A correlation analysis between vitamin D and FA was carried out to test our hypothesis, and a regression of vitamin D on 3D shape was performed to observe shape differences between the vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency groups., [Results]: There was no correlation between vitamin D and FA. We found a strong negative correlation between vitamin D and the Cobb angle only in the premenarche group (n = 7; r = - 0.92). Differences in shape were observed between the deficiency and insufficiency groups, and that differences were related to the width of the torso, but not the rotation or lateral flexion., [Conclusions]: Our results do not support the massive screening of vitamin D in AIS. Shape analysis revealed differences between the shape of the deficiency and insufficiency groups related to robustness. However, this finding had no relation with the scoliosis characteristics, it just reflected different body composition, and its importance should be explored in future.

This paper presents an updated view on the morphological and functional significance of the human respiratory system in the context of human evolutionary anatomy. While usually the respiratory system is treated either from a craniofacial perspective, mostly in the context of nasal evolution and air-conditioning, or from a postcranial perspective featuring on overall thoracic shape changes, here we pursue a holistic perspective on the form, function, integration, and evolutionary change of the entire organismal system in hominins. We first present a brief review of the most important morphological structures, their function, and its potential integration and interaction with the nasal cavity and thoracic skeleton. This is followed by an overview of the most important improvements in methods for the comparative study in recent humans and fossil hominins. We then overview and list a compendium of hominin fossil material currently available for the study. We propose four functional categories of hominin respiratory system configurations that differ potentially with respect to size, shape, biomechanics and/or bioenergetics. Finally, we discuss these and speculate on possible ways for future research into an anatomical system that, despite its under-investigated status, is central to the understanding of the form and functions of the hominin organism and its paleobiology.

[EN] We present the discovery of a Middle Pleistocene fossil assemblage at Los Villares locality (Ruidera, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha), which has possible evidence of associated human activity. The potential of the site has been evaluated through multidisciplinary research including taxonomy, anatomy, deep learning, and direct dating of fossil remains. A surface study carried out in 2017, over a very limited area (2 m2) on the slope of one of the Ruidera lakes led to the discovery of more than 50 fossil specimens, including cranial (mainly teeth) and postcranial remains. This rich assemblage is dominated by the remains of Caprinae, although the presence of some small or medium carnivore remains also stands out. The identification of a cut mark, tested with Convolutional Neural Networks, suggests the presence of human activity within the bone assemblage. Several fossils were directly dated using a multi-technique approach involving radiocarbon, U-Th, and ESR methods. The results constrain the fossil assemblage to between 300 ka and 400 ka, positioning Los Villares as one of the first Middle Pleistocene localities identified in the Upper Guadiana basin, on the Southern edge of the Southern Iberian Plateau. These promising initial results show the great potential of the site to contribute to filling a gap of knowledge in the Pleistocene archaeo-paleontological record of the Iberian Peninsula. Nevertheless, we also acknowledge the need for systematic excavations in the future, not only to obtain a better idea of the lateral and stratigraphic extension of the fossil assemblage and its complete taxonomic composition, but also to confirm the human presence at the site., [ES] Presentamos aquí el descubrimiento de un conjunto fósil del Pleistoceno Medio encontrado en Los Villares (Ruidera, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha), con posible evidencia asociada de actividad humana. El potencial del yacimiento ha sido evaluado a través de una investigación multidisciplinaria que incluye anatomía, Deep learning y datación directa de restos fósiles. Un estudio de los materiales superficiales, donados recientemente y procedentes de un área muy limitada (2 m2) en la ladera de una de las lagunas de Ruidera, condujo al descubrimiento de más de 50 especímenes fósiles, incluidos restos craneales (principalmente dientes) y postcraneales. Este rico conjunto está dominado por restos de Caprinae, aunque también destaca la presencia de algún resto de pequeño o mediano carnívoro. La identificación de una marca de corte, testada con técnicas estadísticas utilizando Redes Neuronales (Convolutional Neural Networks), en un resto pone de manifiesto la presencia de actividad antrópica en el conjunto. Además, varios fósiles fueron datados directamente por medio de un enfoque de múltiples técnicas que involucran métodos de Radiocarbono, U-Th y ESR, proporcionando un rango cronológico de entre 300 ka y 400 ka para los fósiles. Este es, que sepamos, uno de los primeros yacimientos fechados del Pleistoceno medio en la Meseta del Sur de la Península Ibérica, especialmente en la cuenca alta del Río Guadiana. Estos prometedores resultados iniciales demuestran el gran potencial de la localidad de Los Villares para contribuir a llenar un vacío de conocimiento en el registro arqueológico-paleontológico del Pleistoceno Medio de la Península Ibérica. No obstante, reconocemos la necesidad de realizar excavaciones sistemáticas en el futuro para tener no solo una mejor idea de las extensiones laterales y estratigráficas, así como de la composición taxonómica del conjunto fósil, sino también para confirmar la presencia humana en el sitio

OsteogenesisImperfecta (OI) is a rare disease with respiratory problems, which are usually attributed to the secondary effects of scoliosis and rib fractures and to severe restrictive pulmonary disease. Conventional morphometry has already been studied in OI patients but three-dimensional geometric morphometrics (3D GMM) has never been used to assess how the thoracic spine shape changes during maximal breathing. A total of 6 adult subjects with OI type III and 16 healthy controls underwent a spirometric study and two computed tomography scans in maximal inspiration and expiration. Shape data by means of 3D GMM and Cobb angle values of scoliosis and kyphosis were obtained and their relationship with spirometric values was analysed using regressions and mean shape comparisons. No differences in kyphosis (p = 0.285) and scoliosis Cobb values (p = 0.407) were found between inspiration and expiration in OI patients. The 3D GMM analysis revealed significant shape differences between OI and control subjects (p < 0.001) that were related to the inspiration (p = 0.030) and not to the expiration (p = 0.079). Nevertheless, no significant relation was found between thoracic spine shape, scoliosis, kyphosis and breathing outcomes in both OI patients and controls. There were thoracic spine shape differences during maximal breathing between OI patients and controls that were mainly related to the inspiration.

[EN] The Cueva de Los Toriles belongs to a karstic system found in the southern Iberian plateau. Construction works in the cave (not related to paleontological activities) have allowed for the recovery of fossil remains of macromammals, including two lower molars of a mustelid that are presented in this work. They can be attributed to the species Meles cf. thorali based on morphological and morphometric comparisons. This extinct mustelid is known mostly from Villafranchian deposits of France, Spain, and Greece spanning from the late Pliocene potentially, even reaching with some doubts the Early-Middle Pleistocene of France. Therefore, according to the presence of this badger in the cave, we could tentatively assume a chronological age ranging from the Late Pliocene to the Middle Pleistocene, chronologies that would be consistent with some lithic tools found in the cave. We highlight the importance of Cueva de Los Toriles for the Quaternary Paleontology of the southern Iberian plateau, one of the places from the Iberian Peninsula with a more limited fossil record from these chronologies., [ES] La Cueva de los Toriles se encuentra en un sistema kárstico situado en la Submeseta sur de la Península Ibérica. A pesar de que actualmente no existe datación de los depósitos sedimentarios, algunos trabajos de acondicionamiento de la cueva (previos a las actividades paleontológicas) permitieron el hallazgo de restos fósiles de macromamíferos, entre los que se incluyen dos molares inferiores de un mustélido, principal foco de este trabajo. Estos molares pueden ser atribuidos a la especie Meles cf. thorali a través de comparaciones morfológicas y morfométricas. Este mustélido extinto se encuentra principalmente en depósitos Villafranquienses de Francia, España y Grecia entre el Plioceno tardío y el Pleistoceno temprano, llegando potencialmente, con algunas dudas, incluso al Pleistoceno Medio de Francia. Por lo tanto, de acuerdo con la presencia de esta especie de tejón en la cueva, podemos asumir tentativamente una edad cronológica que va desde el Plioceno Tardío hasta el Pleistoceno Medio, cronologías que serían coherentes con algunas piezas de insdustria lítica encontradas en la cueva. Destacamos la importancia de la Cueva de Los Toriles para la Paleontología Cuaternaria de la Meseta Ibérica meridional, uno de los lugares de la Península con registro fósiles más limitado de estas cronologías.

The tall and narrow body shape of anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) evolved via changes in the thorax, pelvis and limbs. It is debated, however, whether these modifications first evolved together in African Homo erectus, or whether H. erectus had a more primitive body shape that was distinct from both the more ape-like Australopithecus species and H. sapiens. Here we present the first quantitative three-dimensional reconstruction of the thorax of the juvenile H. erectus skeleton, KNM-WT 15000, from Nariokotome, Kenya, along with its estimated adult rib cage, for comparison with H. sapiens and the Kebara 2 Neanderthal. Our three-dimensional reconstruction demonstrates a short, mediolaterally wide and anteroposteriorly deep thorax in KNM-WT 15000 that differs considerably from the much shallower thorax of H. sapiens, pointing to a recent evolutionary origin of fully modern human body shape. The large respiratory capacity of KNM-WT 15000 is compatible with the relatively stocky, more primitive, body shape of H. erectus.

The first cervical vertebra, atlas, and its anatomical variants have been widely studied in Homo sapiens. However, in Neanderthals, the presence of anatomical variants of the atlas has been very little studied until very recently. Only the Neanderthal group from the El Sidrón site (Spain) has been analysed with regard to the anatomical variants of the atlas. A high prevalence of anatomical variants has been described in this sample, which points to low genetic diversity in this Neanderthal group. Even so, the high prevalence of anatomical variations detected in El Sidrón Neanderthal atlases needs to be confirmed by analysing more Neanderthal remains. In this context, we analysed the possible presence of anatomical variants in the three Neanderthal atlases recovered from the Krapina site (Croatia) within the Neanderthal lineage. Two of the three Krapina atlases presented anatomical variations. One atlas (Krapina 98) had an unclosed transverse foramen and the other (Krapina 99) presented a non-fused anterior atlas arch. Moreover, an extended review of the bibliography also showed these anatomical variations in other Middle and Upper Pleistocene hominins, leading us to hypothesise that anatomical variations of the atlas had a higher prevalence in extinct hominins than in modern humans.

The first cervical vertebra (atlas, C1) is an important element of the vertebral column because it connects the cranial base with the cervical column, thus helping to maintain head posture and contributing to neck mobility. However, few atlases are preserved in the fossil record because of the fragility of this vertebra. Consequently, only eight well-preserved atlases from adult Neandertals have been recovered and described. Here, we present nine new atlas remains from the El Sidrón Neandertal site (Asturias, Spain), two of which (SD-1643 and SD-1605/1595) are sufficiently well preserved to allow for a detailed comparative and three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis. We compared standard linear measurements of SD-1643 and SD-1605/1595 with those of other Neandertal atlases and carried out three-dimensional geometric morphometric analyses to compare size and shape of SD-1643 and SD-1605/1595 with those of 28 Pan (Pan troglodytes and Pan paniscus), a broad comparative sample of 55 anatomically modern humans from African and European populations, and other fossil hominins (Neandertals, Homo antecessor, Paranthropus boisei). The El Sidrón atlas fossils show typical features of the Neandertal atlas morphology, such as caudal projection of the anterior tubercle, gracility of both the posterior tubercle and the tuberosity for the insertion of the transverse ligament, and an anteroposteriorly elongated neural canal. Furthermore, when compared with atlases from the other taxa, Neandertals exhibit species-specific features of atlas morphology including a relatively lower lateral mass height, relatively narrower transverse foramina, and flatter and more horizontally oriented articular facets. Some of these features fit with previous suggestions of shorter overall length of the cervical spine and potential differences in craniocervical posture and mobility. Our results may support a different spinopelvic alignment in this species, as the atlas morphology suggests redu

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that ribs shape changes in patients with OI are more relevant for respiratory function than thoracic spine shape. We used 3D geometric morphometrics to quantify rib cage morphology in OI patients and controls, and to investigate its relationship with forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), expressed as absolute value and as percentage of predicted value (% pred). Regression analyses on the full sample showed a significant relation between rib shape and FEV1, FVC and FVC % pred whereas thoracic spine shape was not related to any parameter. Subsequent regression analyses on OI patients confirmed significant relations between dynamic lung volumes and rib shape changes. Lower FVC and FEV1 values are identified in OI patients that present more horizontally aligned ribs, a greater antero-posterior depth due to extreme transverse curve at rib angles and a strong spine invagination, greater asymmetry, and a vertically short, thoraco-lumbar spine, which is relatively straight in at levels 1–8 and shows a marked kyphosis in the thoraco-lumbar transition. Our research seems to support that ribs shape is more relevant for ventilator mechanics in OI patients than the spine shape.

The aim of this paper is to give a practical overview, showing how recent available digital technology can be combined to build a laboratory capable to produce 3D (and reproduce in 3D) anatomical models for research, teaching and museum exhibitions on topics related to anatomy, morphology in natural sciences, biology and medicine. We present workflows in our Virtual Morphology Lab that can be used for research, training (museum, academic), and external service. We first review different surface scanning equipment and post-processing techniques that are useful for scanning in museum collections and provide technical recommendations for hard-and software as well as storing media on the web. This section is followed by an overview of available software packages for rigorous and effective 3D measurements of landmarks and sliding semi-landmarks, providing extensive supplementary information with guiding manuals for self-teaching in these cutting-edge but complicated research methods. We review briefly most recent work on virtual GM and describe ways for representing results in form of 3D images and 3D prints (outputs). The last part is dedicated to a summary of our experience in 3D-printing using FDM technology of differently sized printers and thermoplastic materials. Finally, we discuss the above-described workflows and its potential applications in research (paleo, biomedical), teaching and museums pedagogics.

Background Context The congenital midline non-union of the posterior arch of the atlas is a developmental variant present at a frequency ranging from 0.7% to 3.9%. Most of the reported cases correspond to incidental findings during routine medical examination. In cases of posterior non-union, hypertrophy of the anterior arch and cortical bone thickening of the posterior arches have been observed and interpreted as adaptive responses of the atlas to increased mechanical stress. Purpose We sought to determine if the congenital non-union of the posterior arch results in a change in the shape of the atlas. Study Design/Setting This study is an analysis of the first cervical vertebrae from osteological collections through morphometric geometric techniques. Methods A total of 21 vertebrae were scanned with a high-resolution three-dimensional scanner (Artec Space Spider, Artec Group, Luxembourg). To capture vertebral shape, 19 landmarks and 100 semilandmarks were placed on the vertebrae. Procrustes superimposition was applied to obtain size and shape data (MorphoJ 1.02; Klingenberg, 2011), which were analyzed through principal component analysis (PCA) and mean shape comparisons. Results The PCA resulted in two components explaining 22.32% and 18.8% of the total shape variance. The graphic plotting of both components indicates a clear shape difference between the control atlas and the atlas with posterior non-union. This observation was supported by statistically significant differences in mean shape comparisons between both types of vertebra (p<.0001). Changes in shape were observed in the superior and inferior articular facets, the transverse processes, and the neural canal between the control and non-union vertebrae. Conclusions Non-union of the posterior arch of the atlas is associated with significant changes in the shape of the vertebra., Depto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Fac. de Ciencias Biológicas, TRUE, pub