Anterior Half Research Articles

Efficacy and Safety of Transglutaminase-Induced Corneal Stiffening in Rabbits.

PurposeTo evaluate the biomechanical efficacy and safety of in vivo microbial transglutaminase (Tgases)-induced corneal crosslinking in a rabbit model.MethodsA total of 34 white New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups, a biochemistry group and a photochemistry group. The right eye of every rabbit was treated and left eyes served as negative controls. In the biochemistry group, a 1 U/mL solution of crosslinking agent microbial Tgases (Tgases CXL) was applied to the corneal surface, while in the photochemistry group, clinical ultraviolet A-riboflavin crosslinking (UVA/RF CXL) was used. Efficacy and safety evaluated on the 14th day after the procedures. Twelve pairs of corneal strips were harvested from the eyes of 12 euthanized rabbits in every group, and uniaxial tensile tests were performed to evaluate ex vivo biomechanical effects. The CXL-treated eye to its corresponding untreated eye ratio of tangent modulus were calculated. Another five pairs of corneal button were excised from euthanized animals in every group for corneal stroma and endothelium staining to evaluate changes in keratocyte distribution and endothelial cell damage.ResultsIn tensile tests, tangent modulus was statistically higher in the Tgases CXL groups under 1.0 MPa (26.59 ± 4.54 vs. 21.47 ± 4.72 MPa, P = 0.04) and 1.5 MPa (29.75 ± 5.01 vs. 20.47 ± 6.63 MPa, P = 0.00). The tangent modulus ratio of Tgases group (1.72 ± 1.0 vs. 1.05 ± 0.22, P = 0.04) was significantly higher than that of UVA/RF under 1.5-MPa stress. The distribution of keratocytes in the corneal stroma and the morphologies of endothelial cells were similar in Tgases CXL-treated and untreated corneas. However, in the UVA/RF CXL group, keratocytes in the anterior half of stromal thickness were lost, and clear endothelial cell apoptosis was observed.ConclusionsTgases-CXL effectively stiffened the cornea and caused no damage to the endothelium and keratocytes in the cornea. This crosslinking method could be useful as a next-generation treatment for corneal ectasia and could replace CXL of photochemistry.Translational RelevanceThese findings may give a new hope to biomechanically compromised corneal disease due to mechanical forces, such as corneal ectasia and keratoconus. A next-generation treatment to these corneal diseases due to mechanical forces may be designed based on the new findings.

MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF TWO DIGENEAN PARASITES, FROM LABRIDAE, AND SIGANIDAE HOSTS OF THE RED SEA IN EGYPT

During a parasitological survey on marine fish species inhabiting Hurghada Coasts of the Red Sea, Eighty seven fish specimens of 2 different species were found naturally infected by three different species of digenean parasites, one of them was reported as new host and locality in Egypt. These were Phyllodistomum hoggettae (family: Gorgoderidae) infecting the Arabian mallas Thalassoma klunzingeri (family: Labridae). Body length to width ratio 1:3. Oral sucker opened subterminally. Intestinal bifurcation midway between oral and ventral suckers. Ventral sucker distinctly equal in size to the oral sucker. Testes slightly lobed, oblique, in mid-body; ovary entire, heart shaped, sinistrally posterior to ventral sucker and anterior to testes. Vitelline lobes entire and almost round. Gyliauchen volubilis (family: Gyliauchenidae) infecting the marbled spinefoot Siganus rivulatus (family: Siganidae). Body fleshy, robust, conical, tapered anteriorly, convex dorsally, concave ventrally, with small tail-like protubera-nce postero-dorsal to acetabulum. Prepharynx very long and convoluted, occupied greater part of the anterior body half. Pharynx elongated, prephanyx very coiled and situated close to intestinal bifurcation. Ventral sucker well developed and spherical. Oesophagus very long, wide, longer than body straightened length. Two testes oval, symmetrical, dorsal to ventral sucker, subequal in diameter. Ovary spherical, dextro-submedian between right testis and cirrus sac. Vitelline follicles relatively small, irregular, numerous, extended in lateral fields between testes and mid-oesophageal level, confluent in region of intestinal bifurcation. All of the recovered species were compared with others recorded from different hosts.

Foregut Development and Metamorphosis in a Pyramidellid Gastropod: Modularity and Constraint within a Complex Life Cycle.

Pyramidellids are tiny ectoparasitic gastropods with highly derived feeding structures for piercing and sucking. We attempted to resolve homology controversies about unique pyramidellid feeding structures by examining foregut development through larval and metamorphic stages, using sections for light and electron microscopy. We anticipated that, like many marine invertebrate larvae, post-metamorphic structures would differentiate extensively in late larvae to speed metamorphic transition. Previous studies of gastropods suggested that development of juvenile feeding structures in larvae was facilitated by foregut subdivision into dorsal and ventral developmental modules, and spatial uncoupling of these modules may have facilitated adaptive radiation in neogastropods. Observations of Odostomia tenuisculpta suggested that the stylet may be derived from cuticle-secreting buccal epithelium surrounding the proximal end of the salivary duct, whereas the stylet sheath could be either a derived jaw or a radular tooth. The anterior half of the remarkable buccal pump of these euthyneuran gastropods develops from the larval esophagus, which is unorthodox compared to caenogastropods, where extensive post-metamorphic specialization of a dorsal module component has not been previously described. The introvert tube develops from pouches of the distal larval esophagus and may actually be an eversible oral tube rather than an acrembolic proboscis. Minimal differentiation of presumptive juvenile foregut structures occurred during the larval stage of O. tenuisculpta, when compared to other gastropods. The stylet, stylet sheath, and buccal pump may be incompatible with functioning of the larval esophagus; thus, an explosive period of morphogenesis is necessary at metamorphosis. Although dorsal and ventral modules were recognizable during the development of O. tenuisculpta, we failed to find evidence that this modularity facilitated the extreme evolutionary remodeling of post-metamorphic feeding structures.

Analysis of Femoral Head Microstructure and Vasculature Relevant to Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Purpose: Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is an idiopathic avascular necrosis of the proximal femoral epiphysis. Interestingly, even in milder cases of Perthes, the anterior epiphysis collapses most reliably rather than the more weight-bearing lateral quadrant. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is a vascular or microstructural predisposition for anterior femoral epiphyseal collapse in Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease.Methods: 32 cadaveric proximal femoral epiphyses from 17 subjects (age 4-14 years old) underwent microcomputed tomography at 10-micron resolution. Specimens were divided into anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral quadrants. Vascular channels entering near the posterolateral epiphyseal tubercle (from the medial femoral circumflex artery) and at the ligamentum teres footprint (from the ligamentum teres vessels) were identified by correlating surface topography with cross-sectional imaging. Each quadrant was then analyzed for four surrogate markers of trabecular bone strength: Bone Volume/Total Volume (BV/TV), Trabecular Thickness, Trabecular Separation, and Trabecular Number.
 Results: One-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference between the quadrants in trabecular microstructure and vascular patterns (p<0.001). The medial quadrant had the lowest BV/TV, trabecular number, and the greatest trabecular separation (p<0.01 for each), consistent with the fact that the medial quadrant is the least weightbearing. However, there was no significant difference between the anterior and lateral quadrants for any of the four surrogate markers of bone strength. 32/32 (100%) specimens demonstrated vascular channels from the medial femoral circumflex artery penetrating the posterior aspect of the lateral quadrant. Ligamentum teres vascular channels were visualized in the medial epiphysis in 26/32 (81%) specimens overall and 11/16 (68%) subjects aged 4-8 years. Paired samples t test revealed that the posterior half of the epiphysis had significantly more vascular channels than the anterior half (8.7±4.0 vs 3.4±3.1 vascular channels, p<0.001). Vascular channel mapping illustrated the predominance of vessels in the posterior half of the epiphysis with both the ligamentum teres (medial quadrant) and the medial femoral circumflex vessels (lateral quadrant) entering the epiphysis at the 4 and 8 o’clock positions, respectively.Conclusions: The lack of microstructural differences between the anterior and lateral quadrants, and the predominance of vascular channels in the posterior half of the epiphysis suggest that the anterior femoral epiphysis may be a relative vascular watershed region which predisposes it to collapse after the vascular insult of Legg-Calve-Perthes.Significance: This is the first study to utilize micro-computed tomography to examine trabecular microarchitecture and map vascular channels in the developing human femoral epiphysis.

Dealing with a hairy beast-larval morphology and chaetotaxy of the Australian endemic diving beetle genus Spencerhydrus (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Cybistrini).

In this contribution, the larval morphology of Spencerhydrus Sharp, 1882 was studied, an Australian endemic genus in the diving beetle tribe Cybistrini. All instars of the only two species included in the genus (S. latecinctus Sharp, 1882 and S. pulchellus Sharp, 1882) are described and illustrated with the exception of the third instar of S. latecinctus. Detailed morphometric and primary chaetotaxic analyses were performed to discover useful characters for generic diagnosis and species distinction. Spencerhydrus can be distinguished from other Cybistrini genera by the medial projection of frontoclypeus slightly indented apically, with lamellae clypeales directed forward in a characteristic V-shaped pattern, the median process of prementum strongly developed, the presence of a single ventral sclerite on prothorax, the presence of basoventral spinulae on claws, and the reduced sclerotization of the abdominal segment VII which covers only the anterior half. Larvae of the two species of Spencerhydrus can readily be distinguished by the shape of the median process of prementum, which is visibly broader in S. pulchellus than in S. latecinctus.

Effect of interlay tympanoplasty on anterior tympanomeatal angle and pure tone audiometry at one month, six month and one year follow up

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The aim of the study was to determine the effect of interlay tympanoplasty on anterior tympanomeatal angle and on puretone average at 1 month, 6 month and 1 year follow up.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This study was done at department of Otorhinolaryngology, RMRI, Bareilly, India, a tertiary-care Teaching hospital. A total number of 187 patients (86 females, 101 males) were included in this study from April 2014 to March 2018. Age range of selected patients was 15 years to 62 years, 133 patients were having subtotal perforation and remaining having perforation in the anterior half extending upto the annulus. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The anterior tympanomeatal angle blunting and pure tone audiometry (PTA) at the due follow up time was assessed and results were analyzed in terms of angle of blunting and hearing loss detected by PTA. Anterior tympanomeatal angle (ATA) blunting was categorized in three groups as follows <90<sup>o</sup>,90-120<sup>o </sup>and >120<sup>o</sup>. Only 3 patients were having >120<sup>o </sup>ATA after one year and mean hearing loss (air bone gap) was significantly less after 1 year follow up. There were only 3 patients with remnant perforation, after 1 year of surgery out of 187 cases, with 98.4% success rate.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Interlay tympanoplasty was significantly effective in repairing anterior and subtotal tympanic membrane perforations with avoidance of blunting at the anterior tympanomeatal angle and achieved good functional results. </p>

Correlation of Tympanic Membrane Perforation with Hearing Loss and Its Parameters in Chronic Otitis Media: An Analytical Study.

Chronic otitis media is one of the commonest illnesses in otorhinolaryngological practice which requires medical attention. Intact tympanic membrane acts as a shield for round window niche to create a phase difference in sound wave conduction. 700 patients of age 10-70years with inactive mucosal chronic otitis media were included in the study. Condition of tympanic membrane and site of tympanic membrane perforation was noted and audiometric analysis was performed. 338 (48.28%) were males and 362 (51.71%) were females. In 1400 membranes examined, 769 (54.85%) presented with perforation. 631 (82.03%) had unilateral perforation and 69 (17.97%) had bilateral perforations. In unilateral cases, 289 (37.50%) had right ear perforation and 342 (44.53%) left ear perforation. Single quadrant perforations were present in 168 (21.74%) membranes and 419 (54.55%) involved two quadrants. Three quadrant perforations were seen in 62 (8.09%) and 120 (15.63%) perforations involved all four quadrants. In 171 (22.26%) ears, perforation was present anterior to handle of malleus and in 243 (31.53%) it was present only posterior to handle. In 355 (46.21%) perforations, handle of malleus was involved. Perforations involving posterior half of tympanic membranes showed greater loss than those involving anterior or inferior half of membrane statistically. Maximum loss (51.56 ± 5.1dB) was seen in perforation involving all four quadrants. In 631 unilateral cases, conductive loss was seen in 424 (67.10%), 101 (16.10%) showed sensorineural and 74 (11.80%) showed mixed loss. Out of 769 perforated ears having hearing loss, 251 (37.69%) had complaints for 5-10years with mean loss of 51.15 ± 7.8dB, 172 (25.68%) had COM for 1-5years with loss of 39.26 ± 5.1dB. A mean hearing loss of 52.18 ± 4.2dB was seen in 110 (16.52%) patients suffering from COM for more than 10years. 134 (20.12%) patients having disease less than 1year reported hearing loss of 36.46 ± 8.2dB. The effects of perforation of tympanic membranes on transmission of sound and its dynamics are not easy to correlate because of additional pathological changes in middle ear.

S8B-04 SESSION 8B: FACE RESEARCH - PART I ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENTIAL EXCURSION OF THE TEMPORALIS MUSCLE AND TENDON INSERTION ON THE CORONOID PROCESS: IMPLICATIONS IN LABBE PROCEDURE

Introduction: Lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty (Labbe procedure) is a one-stage procedure performed for reanimation of the middle third of the face with the ultimate purpose of creating a natural smile. The Temporalis muscle is a broad muscle with multiple tendon slips that coalesce into a single tendon which inserts on the coronoid process. During Labbe procedure, the muscle is detached from its origin and advanced anteriorly and inferiorly to allow reattaching the temporalis muscle tendon to the oral commissure. We hypothesized that the tendinous insertion pattern of anterior and posterior halves of the muscles has implications on the differential excursion of the muscle. Methods: The anatomy and patterns of tendon insertion of four temporalis muscles in 2 fresh cadavers were analyzed. Results: In all dissected specimens, the temporalis muscle tendon inserted on the apex, convex anterior border, concave posterior border, lateral surface, and medial surface of the coronoid process. Posteriorly, the insertion extended to the midpoint of the sigmoid notch (mean of 1.2 cm from the apex of the coronoid process). Anteriorly, the insertion extended onto the anterior border of the ramus (mean of 1.5 cm from the apex of the coronoid process). Laterally, the insertion extended inferiorly to cover a mean surface of 1.8 cm from the apex of the coronoid process. Medially, the anterior half of the tendon inserted on a mean surface of 2 cm while the posterior half inserted on a mean surface of 5 mm from the apex of the coronoid process. The posterior half of the muscle inserted (via the posterior half of the tendon) to the posterior border of the coronoid process, anterior half of the sigmoid notch, and the most superior 5 mm of the medial surface while the anterior half of the muscle inserted (via the anterior half of the tendon) onto the apex, anterior border of the coronoid process, the most superior 1.5 cm of the anterior border of the ramus, and the most superior 2 cm of the medial surface. When traction was individually applied to the posterior and anterior halves, the excursion appeared confined to the respective half of the tendon inserting the muscle part subject to traction. Conclusion: In Labbe procedure, the posterior half of the muscle is placed under optimal tension and it is the part that provides the majority of the excursion. Inclusion of the posterior half of the temporalis tendon when suturing the tendon to the oral commissure is crucial to ensure optimal excursion of the temporalis muscle during Labbe procedure. Knowing the topography and pattern of tendon insertion permits achieving this goal.

Early first-trimester transvaginal ultrasound is indicated in pregnancy after previous Cesarean delivery: should it be mandatory?

Early first-trimester transvaginal ultrasound is indicated in pregnancy after previous Cesarean delivery: should it be mandatory?

Description, molecular characterization and life cycle of Serpentirhabdias mussuranae n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) from Clelia clelia (Reptilia: Colubroidea) in Brazil.

Serpentirhabdias mussuranae n. sp. is described from the lungs of the mussurana, Clelia clelia (Daudin, 1803), from vicinities of Lábrea, Amazonas State, Brazil. The species is characterized by the triangular oral opening, the presence of teeth (onchia) in the oesophastome, the excretory glands longer than the oesophagus and the tail abruptly narrowing in its anterior half and gradually tapering in posterior half. Among the Neotropical representatives of the genus, three species are known to possess the onchia in the oesophastome: S. atroxi, S. moi and S. viperidicus. Serpentirhabdias mussuranae n. sp. differs from S. atroxi and S. viperidicus by its triangular shape of the oral opening and the oesophastome in apical view, vs. round in the latter two congeners. Additionally, S. viperidicus has a larger oesophastome, 13-22 micrometers wide and 13-23 micrometers deep. The new species has relatively longer excretory glands than S. moi. The new species is morphologically and genetically close to S. atroxi, S. moi and S. viperidicus, all parasitic in Brazilian snakes, based on the presence of onchia and the comparison of nucleotide sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA and mitochondrial cox1 gene (differences varied between 3.8% and 7.1%). Data on the life cycle of S. mussuranae n. sp. is provided, and the life cycle is typical of the genus Serpentirhabdias, with the combination of direct development and heterogony. Free-living larval stages and the adults of amphimictic free-living generation are described. The results of molecular phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) + partial 28S region and partial mitochondrial cox1 gene are provided.

Dungeons and dragons: Two new species and records of Kinorhyncha from anchialine cenotes and marine lava tubes

Caves are natural laboratories to investigate evolutionary processes in the ocean. In contrast to the many described lineages of cave exclusive crustaceans and annelids, very little is known about cave scalidophorans. We here describe two new species of kinorhynchs from a lava tube in the Canary Islands and a cenote in the Yucatan Peninsula. Leiocanthus bretti sp. nov., from Tenerife, is mainly characterized by the lack of middorsal structure specializations on all trunk segment, middorsal line covered by hairs on segments 3–9, unpaired paradorsal setae on segments 2–9, middorsal seta on segment 10, and laterodorsal setae on segments 2–9 and 11. Pycnophyes kukulkan sp. nov. from Yucatan is defined by the strong denticulation in the tergal anterior margin, as a barbed comb, followed by the autapomorphic presence a pool of depressed and perforated cuticular annuli on the anterior half of the plate. The species is also defined by the combination of the following features: very long lateral terminal spines (LTS/TL above 38%), middorsal elevations on segments 2–9, unpaired paradorsal setae on segments 4, 6, 8, paired laterodorsal setae on segments 2–9, lateroventral setae on segments 2, 4, 6–8, 10 (two pairs on segment 10), ventrolateral setae on segment 5 plus ventrolateral or ventromedial setae on segments 3–8, and ventromedial ones on segment 9. The new species are discussed in reference to the diversity of cave scalidophorans, including possible adaptations to the ecological conditions found in some caves. A checklist with all the records of scalidophorans in caves is provided.

Skeletal ontogeny of the caudal complex in Caspian kutum, Rutilus kutum (Kamensky, 1901) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) during early development

Study of skeletal ontogeny during early development is crucial in a successful larviculture. In this study, ontogeny of the caudal complex skeleton in Caspian kutum, Rutilus kutum, was studied from hatching up to 50-day post hatching (dph). A total of 520 larvae and fry were randomly sampled, cleared and stained for osteological examinations. The results showed that development of caudal skeleton is started with appearing hypurals 1 and 2 on 4 dph and inflexion occurred on 7 dph with formation of eight cartilaginous plates, including two haemal spines, parhypural and five hypurals, below the notochord. The results also revealed that during post flexion from 13 to 50 dph other structures e.g. rudimentary neural arch, second ural and anterior half of the neural arch of PU3 were appeared. The inflexion point of tail growth pattern in R. kutum is in accordance with inflexion caudal complex, showing ontogeny of the caudal complex skeleton in agreements with its function demands during early development.

Two new species of feather mites of the subfamily Pterodectinae (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) from Indonesia

Two new pterodectine feather mite species collected in Indonesia (Kalimantan) are described: Montesauria indonesiana sp. n. from the Asian glossy starling Aplonis panayensis (Scopoli, 1786) (Passeriformes, Sturnidae), and Proterothrix murariui sp. n. from the White-rumped woodpecker Meiglyptes tristis (Horsfield, 1821) (Piciformes, Picidae). Males of M. indonesiana have adanal and opisthoventral circular shields, surrounding the base of setae g and ps3, respectively, and females have the anterior and lobar parts of hysteronotal shields well delimited from each other by a transverse groove. The new species of Proterothrix described here is the first species of this genus discovered on a host of the family Picidae. This species has unique character states and cannot be included in any of the species groups defined so far within the genus. In both sexes, dorsal hysterosomal setae c1 are absent and hysterosomal setae cp are spiculiform. Males of P. murariui have a pregenital sclerite (epiandrum), the aedeagus is band-shaped, thickened in the anterior half and narrowed in the posterior half, the terminal lobes have two pairs of trapezoidal membranous extensions, coxal fields I are almost closed, and coxal fields III are open. Females have a narrow terminal cleft, parallel-sided in the anterior 2/3, large and with oblique margins in the posterior 1/3.

Newly Identified HNP-F from Human Neutrophil Peptide-1 Promotes Hemostasis.

Activehemostatic agents can play a crucial role in saving patients' lives during surgery. Active hemostats have several advantages including utilization of natural blood coagulation and biocompatibility. Among them, although human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP-1) has been previously reported with the hemostatic mechanism, which part of HNP-1 facilitates the hemostatic activity is not known. Here, a partial peptide (HNP-F) promoting hemostasis, originating from HNP-1, has been newly identified by the blood coagulation ability test. HNP-F shows the best hemostatic effect between the anterior half and posterior half of peptides. Moreover, microscopic images show platelet aggregation and an increase in the concentration of platelet factor 4, and the scanning electron microscope image of platelets support platelet activation by HNP-F. Thromboelastography indicates decreased clotting time and increased physical properties of blood clotting. Mouse liver experiments demonstrate improved hemostatic effect by treatment of peptide solution. Cell viability and hemolysis assays confirm the HNP-F's biosafety. It is hypothesized that the surface charge and structure of HNP-F could be favorable to interact with fibrinogen or thrombospondin-1. Collectively, because HNP-F as an active peptide hemostat has many advantages, it could be expected to become a potent hemostatic biomaterial, additive or pharmaceutical candidate for various hemostatic applications.

Description of Ornithodoros montensis n. sp. (Acari, Ixodida: Argasidae), a parasite of the toad Rhinella arenarum (Amphibia, Anura: Bufonidae) in the Monte Desert of Argentina.

A new tick species of the genus Ornithodoros (Acari: Argasidae) was described from larvae collected on the toad Rhinella arenarum in a locality from Argentina belonging to the Monte Biogeographic Province. Ornithodoros montensis n. sp. was described based on morphological traits and sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. The diagnostic characters for this species are a combination of idiosoma oval, dorsal plate pyriform with posterior margin slightly concave, dorsal surface with 17 pairs of setae (7 anterolateral, 4 to 5 central and 5 to 6 posterolateral), ventral surface with 6 pairs of setae and 1 pair on anal valves, three pairs of sternal setae, postcoxal setae absent, and hypostome pointed apically with dental formula3/3 in the anterior half and 2/2 posteriorly almost to base. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences and a principal component analysis based on morphometric characters provided additional support to the description of O. montensis as an independent lineage within the genus Ornithodoros. Larvae of O. montensis are phylogenetically closely related to O. puertoricensis, O. rioplatensis, O. talaje s.s., O. guaporensis, O. hasei and O. atacamensis, all of them belonging to the "O. talaje group".

Tracheoesophageal groove: a reliable landmark

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Galen first described the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) as a nerve that descended from the brain to the heart, then reversed the course and ascended to the larynx and caused the vocal cords to move. Tracheoesophageal groove is useful for identifying the RLN. In the present study we studied the course of RLN in tracheoesophageal groove and its anatomical position, in patients undergoing thyroid surgery.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The study was conducted in the Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, SMGS Hospital, for a period of two years, on the patients who underwent thyroid surgeries. Tracheoesophageal groove was considered first landmark to identify RLN position and only after meticulous dissection in the groove, the nerve could be identified. The nerve was carefully dissected and its position evaluated in relation with trachea and esophagus. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Trajectory of the nerves studied in the patients was mostly in the tracheoesophageal groove (TEG), seen in 113 (69.75%) nerves. 16.05% of the nerves were seen in the posterior half of the trachea while 4.94% of the nerves were seen to travel from TEG to anterior half of trachea and 1.85% from TEG to posterior half of trachea. 6.17% of nerves travelled from oesophagus to the TEG.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> A uniform dissection procedure should be followed and the recurrent laryngeal nerve must be first looked for in the TEG, which serves as important landmark and later any deviation must be considered.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>

Analysis of Trabecular Microstructure and Vascular Distribution of Capital Femoral Epiphysis Relevant to Legg–Calve–Perthes Disease

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is characterized by the capital femoral epiphyseal collapse, which occurs more reliably in the anterior quadrant than the more weight-bearing lateral quadrant. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a vascular or microstructural predisposition for anterior femoral epiphyseal collapse in Perthes disease. Thirty-two cadaveric proximal femoral epiphyses from 17 subjects (age 4-14 years old) underwent micro-computed tomography at 10-μm resolution. Each quadrant was analyzed for four markers of trabecular architecture: bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness, trabecular separation (TbSp), and trabecular number (TbN). Vascular channels were then mapped in each quadrant, identified by correlating surface topography with cross-sectional imaging. One-way analysis of variance revealed an overall difference between quadrants (p < 0.001) in BV/TV, TbN, and TbSp. However, post hoc analysis revealed there was no significant difference between the anterior and lateral quadrants for any of the four markers of trabecular architecture. Vascular channel mapping illustrated a predominance of vessels in the posterior half of the epiphysis compared to the anterior half (8.7 ± 4.0 vs. 3.4 ± 3.1 vascular channels, p < 0.001). The lack of microstructural differences between the anterior and lateral quadrants, and the predominance of vascular channels in the posterior half of the epiphysis with posteriorly-based medial femoral circumflex and ligamentum teres vessels suggests that the anterior femoral epiphysis may be a relative vascular watershed region, which predisposes it to collapse after the vascular insult of Perthes disease. Clinical significance: Improved understanding of the pathophysiology of anterior femoral epiphyseal collapse may inform future treatments aimed at revascularization. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:1784-1789, 2019.

Biomechanical analysis of latissimus dorsi tendon transfer with and without superior capsule reconstruction using dermal allograft

Irreparable rotator cuff tears (ICTs) remain a challenging treatment dilemma. Superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) acts as a static stabilizer to decrease superior humeral head migration. Latissimus dorsi tendon transfers (LDTs) dynamically decrease superior humeral head migration and improve external rotation. We hypothesized that the dynamic stabilizing effect of the latissimus transfer plus the static stabilizing effect of SCR would improve shoulder kinematics in shoulders with ICTs. Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were tested in 5 conditions: (1) intact, (2) ICT (supraspinatus plus anterior half of infraspinatus), (3) SCR with dermal allograft, (4) SCR plus LDT, and (5) LDT alone. Rotational range of motion, superior translation, anteroposterior translation, and peak subacromial contact pressure were measured at 0°, 30°, and 60° of glenohumeral abduction in the scapular plane. Statistical analysis was performed using a repeated-measures analysis of variance test, followed by a Tukey post hoc test for pair-wise comparisons. ICTs increased total shoulder rotation, superior translation, posterior translation, and peak subacromial contact pressure. SCR plus LDT significantly decreased internal rotation only at 60° of abduction. The effect of SCR plus LDT was most evident at lower levels of abduction. At the mid range of abduction (30°), the static stabilizing effect diminishedbut the dynamic stabilizing effect remained, allowing SCR plus LDT to reduce superior translation more effectively than SCR with dermal allograft alone. Adding SCR to LDT adds static stabilization to a dynamic stabilizer. Therefore, SCR plus LDT may provide additional stability at the low to mid ranges of abduction.

A huge diversity of metopids (Ciliophora, Armophorea) in soil from the Murray River floodplain, Australia. III. Morphology, ontogenesis and conjugation of Metopus boletus nov. spec., with implications for the phylogeny of the SAL supercluster

The morphology, ontogenesis, conjugation, and phylogenetic position of Metopus boletus nov. spec. were studied using live observation, various silver impregnation methods, scanning electron microscopy, morphometry, and the 18S rRNA gene sequence. The new species is outstanding in having a mushroom-like appearance; a globular to broadly ellipsoid macronucleus in anterior body half; 5–10 elongated caudal cilia; 4–6 dikinetids curved rightwards in the anterior portion of the first postoral kinety; and an adoral zone composed of an average of 28 small polykinetids. Ontogenesis of M. boletus follows the metopid mode and the species-specific vegetative morphology is obtained after division. Its conjugation is temporary, isogamic and the partners unite ventral-to-dorsal, forming strongly arched to almost rod-like pairs, which indicates a heteropolar arrangement. There are only two maturation divisions and a single synkaryon division in exconjugants. The conjugation data corroborate a sister group relationship of the classes Armophorea and Litostomatea within the SAL (Spirotrichea + Armophorea + Litostomatea) supercluster in that the partners unite ventral-to-dorsal and the main body axes are antiparallel. On the other hand, the last common ancestor of the spirotricheans very likely had a ventral-to-ventral and homopolar conjugation mode with the main body axes oriented in parallel.

Revision of world Sphecomyia Latreille (Diptera, Syrphidae).

The 16 world species of Sphecomyia Latreille are revised, including seven previously undescribed species (S.cryptica Moran, sp. n., S.hoguei Moran, sp. n., S.interrupta Moran, sp. n., S.oraria Moran, sp. n., S.pseudosphecomima Moran, sp. n., S.sexfasciata Moran, sp. n., and S.weismani Moran, sp. n.). Descriptions, redescriptions, male genitalia photographs, distribution maps, and an illustrated key for all Sphecomyia are presented. DNA barcode data are provided for all 16 species with a cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene tree presented and discussed. Sphecomyiastat. rev. is redefined to represent the monophyletic lineage of species within subtribe Criorhinina possessing a bare, medial vitta extending ventrally from the oral margin in both sexes, a bare gena, a bare katepimeron, a scutellum with at least anterior margin densely pruinose, an anterior ventral half of vein C before crossvein h without setae, and a narrow intersection of vein R1 with vein C. Three species groups of Sphecomyia are identified: the S.vittata group which possess pruinose scutellar vittae, the S.pattonii group which lack pruinose scutellar vittae, and S.metallica (Bigot), a hairy bee mimic with a completely pruinose scutum. Criorhinatsherepanovi Violovitsh is resurrected and transferred, along with Criorhinaaino Stackelberg, to the genus Sphecomyia: S.tsherepanovi (Violovitsh), comb. n. and S.aino (Stackelberg), comb. n.Criorhinametallica (Bigot) is designated as the senior synonym of C.lupina (Williston), not junior as improperly treated, and transferred to Sphecomyia: S.metallica (Bigot), comb. n. The species Sphecomyiafusca Weisman, S.nasica Osburn, and S.occidentalis Osburn are transferred to Criorhina Meigen: C.fusca (Weisman), comb. n., C.nasica (Osburn), comb. n., and C.occidentalis (Osburn), comb. n.