Axis Length Research Articles

Morphometry and morphology of the gypsum tumuli from the Sorbas karst region, SE Spain

In the Sorbas region of Spain, the gypsum karst is known for occurrences of gypsum tumuli, the peculiar weathering landforms that appear on gypsum rocks in semi-arid areas. Tumuli are small-scale domes (diameter: < 15 m, height: < 1.35 m) with empty internal chambers formed by local detachment and uplift of the surface layer of gypsum bedrock. Their origin is attributed to cyclic wetting and drying and expansive re-precipitation of gypsum in near-surface voids and pores of the rocks. Morphometric and morphological analyses of these gypsum landforms were conducted to verify and supplement data regarding their morphology. Based on linear regression equations, the geometry of the tumuli was analyzed quantitatively using pairs of the following parameters: horizontal long and short axes, relative height, thickness of the uplifted rock layer, height of the internal chamber, and others. The tumuli are limited in size – they rarely exceed 4.0 m in horizontal extension and 0.5 m in height above the surface of the surrounding terrain. Regardless of their size, they tend to preserve a rather constant plan shape, from circular to elliptical. The relative height of the tumuli is as a rule 7 to 8 times smaller than the length of their long horizontal axis, and ca. 6 times smaller than the length of the short axis. Aerial photogrammetry was used to estimate the destruction degree of gypsum tumuli, which helps to interpret their morphological changes during erosion. The appearance of a hole at the top of the form leads to the development of narrow-crater and then wide-crater tumuli. The side inlet opening leads to the formation of half-moon and then sickle shaped tumuli.

Association between composite indices of femoral neck strength and odds of hip fracture.

With the increased incidence of hip fractures worldwide, numerous studies have reported that composite indices of femoral neck strength can improve hip fracture risk assessment. This study aimed to assess the association between composite indices of femoral neck strength and the odds of hip fracture in Chinese adults. This retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at Changzhou Second People's Hospital included 937 Chinese adults (248 with hip fractures). After overnight fasting for ≥ 8h, blood samples were collected from all participants within 24h of admission. Composite indices of femoral neck strength were derived by combining bone mineral density, weight, and height with femoral axis length and width, which were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In total, 937 participants (293 men and 644 women) were enrolled. The mean age was 68.3years (SD 10.5). After adjusting for confounders, higher values of CSI and ISI were associated with a lower odd of hip fracture. Increase in CSI (per 1g/m·kg) was associated with a 46% decrease in the odd of hip fracture (OR = 0.54; 95% CI, 0.39-0.74), and increase in ISI (per 0.1g/m·kg) was associated with an 82% decrease (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.11-0.30). Effect sizes of CSI and ISI on the odds of hip fracture remained robust and reliable in subgroup analyses. Increased CSI and ISI were associated with a lower odd of hip fracture, especially in women, suggesting that composite indices of femoral neck strength may provide useful information for improving hip fracture risk assessment.

Morphological Measurement and Clinical Significance of Abnormal Development of Distal Femur with Hemophilia Knee Arthritis: A Consideration on the Renewal of Total Knee Prosthesis.

The knee joint of hemophiliacs may face the result of local morphological changes due to long-term irritation of synovitis. This study aims to elucidate the morphological characteristics of distal femur in hemophilic arthritis (HA) and compare the compatibility of three types of prostheses with the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) dimensions of the femoral osteotomy surface. This study retrospectively and randomly selected 50 patients with HA registered for treatment at our hospital from June 2016 to August 2022 as the study subjects, with an equal number of male osteoarthritis (OA) patients and healthy male individuals set as the control group. This study used medical digitalization software to simulate osteotomies on the distal femur during total knee arthroplasties (TKA) for 50 patients with HA, OA patients, and the healthy population, respectively, and measure the morphological parameters to compare with three commonly used femoral components of TKA in clinical practice. The differences between the femur resection of anteroposterior and mediolateral (FRAP, FRML) osteotomy surface and the prosthesis's BOX-AP/ML were compared in three prostheses. One-way ANOVA and multiple Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for the normal or non-normal distribution data, and pairwise comparisons between groups were conducted using the Bonferroni method, and the linear correlation analysis was utilized to assess the relationship between section femoral morphological data and prosthesis parameters. In HA patients, the morphological characteristics of the distal femur were shown as shorter than femur AP (FAP), medial and lateral condyle anterior-posterior dimension (FMCAP, FLCAP), notch width (NW), posterolateral condyle height (PLCH), posteromedial condyle width (PMCW), and posterior condylar axis length (PCAL) dimension. They had comparatively smaller femur section aspect ratios (p < 0.005). They showed longer posterolateral condyle width (PLCW), anterior condyle mediolateral dimension (FRACML), anterolateral condyle height (ALCH), and femur resection anterior condylar mediolateral (FRACML) dimension (p < 0.005). They showed larger distal femur aspect ratio and resection aspect ratio (FAR, FRAR, p < 0.005). All selected prostheses showed ML undercoverage under similar AP dimensions, and ML undersizing of Attune systems was more obvious in three femoral prostheses. The distal femur morphological change of HA patient is shown as smaller AP dimension, narrow posterior condyle spacing, lower and shallower trochlear, thinner anterior condyle, wider and lower intercondylar notch and higher posterior-lateral condyle. The selected prostheses showed ML undercoverage under similar AP dimensions. This typical morphological tendency of the distal femur seems to warrant consideration in the process of knee joint prosthesis upgrading.

Relationship between carotid web morphology on CT angiography and stroke: A pooled multicenter analysis.

The Carotid web (CaW) is a cause of stroke, particularly in younger individuals. However, the frequency and the radiological features of the web's morphology associated with stroke risk are uncertain. We determined the CaW radiological features on computed tomography (CT) angiography associated with ipsilateral stroke. Data from six studies of patients with acute ischemic stroke were pooled. Identification and measurement of CaWs were performed by experienced readers using baseline neck CT angiography. We assessed six 2D CaW radiological features on sagittal oblique images, namely, main axis length, thickness, height, base width, distance to wall, and angle between the web main axis and carotid wall, and CaW volume on 3D images. CaWs were divided into symptomatic if acute ischemic stroke was in the ipsilateral internal carotid artery territory and its etiology was undetermined and asymptomatic if one condition was unmet. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to assess the association between each radiological CaW feature and symptomatic CaW. Of the 3442 patients in the pooled data with assessable CTAs, 60 (1.7%) had CaW. In patients with CaW, median age was 59 (interquartile range [IQR]: 50-68) years, 60% were women, and 3 patients had bilateral CaWs. There were 39 (62%) symptomatic and 24 (38%) asymptomatic CaWs. Patients with symptomatic CaW were younger (55 (IQR: 49-61) years versus 69 (IQR: 52-75) years), had lower rates of hypertension (9 (25.0%) versus 12 (57.1%)) and more intracranial large vessel occlusions compared to patients with asymptomatic CaWs. After adjusting for age, hypertension, and occlusion location, CaW length (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.84 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-3.28)), thickness (aOR: 2.31 (95% CI 1.08-4.97)), volume (aOR: 1.07 per 1 mm3 increment (95% CI: 1.01-1.12)), and angle relative to the carotid wall (aOR: 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91-0.99)) were associated with symptomatic CaW. Radiological assessment of CaW morphology may determine its potential causal role in ischemic stroke etiology. Symptomatic CaWs tend to be longer, larger, and oriented at more acute angles relative to the carotid wall as compared to asymptomatic CaWs.

Numerical analysis of an all-fiber plasmonic polarization filter using dual elliptical gold thin layers deposited photonic crystal fiber

In order to solve the problems of high performance and small size incompatibility, as well as limited bandwidth, of traditional polarization filters in optical communication systems, this work presents an all-fiber polarization filter using dual elliptical gold layer deposited photonic crystal fiber by the finite element tool. The gold layers are plated on the inside of the two elliptical holes to create surface plasmon resonance effect, which cause the signal intensity in x-polarized direction to be much greater than that in y-polarized direction. The simulation results illustrate that when hole-to-hole pitch Λ is 2.0 μm, cladding hole diameter d 1 is 2.0 μm, two inner-holes’ diameter d 2 is 0.3 μm, spacing between two inner-holes d s is 0.755 μm, the major axis length of elliptical holes a is 2.0 μm, the minor axis length of elliptical holes b is 0.97 μm, the gold thin layer t is 100 nm, the proposed PCF filter exhibits good filtering performance at the communication wavelength of 1.55 μm, where the confinement loss in x- and y-polarized direction are 303.91 dB cm−1 and 0.06 dB cm−1, respectively. The crosstalk and operating bandwidth improve with the increment of device’s length, the 800 μm-long PCF filter possesses the maximum crosstalk of −211.14 dB and the bandwidth of 600 nm. Finally, the experimental scheme is also discussed. We believe that this photonic filter can play a significant role in optical communication, optical sensing, spectral analysis, and other related fields.

Hip Axis Length and Femoral Neck-Shaft Angle as Risk Factors for Proximal Femur Fractures in Octogenarians to Centenarians.

(1) Background: The prevention of proximal femoral fractures among people of very advanced age is relevant as they are common and increasing in number. The aim of this study was to determine if the hip axis length (HAL) and the neck-shaft angle (caput-collum-diaphyseal CCD) are risk factors for those fractures among people aged 80 years and over. Consequently, it was additionally analysed if these parameters are associated with a certain fracture type. (2) Methods: Anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis were collected to form three groups (femoral neck fractures (FNFx), trochanteric fractures (TFx) and non-fractured femora (NFx)). Two independent blinded observers separately conducted each measurement of the HAL and CCD. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the association between the measured parameters and type of fracture. (3) Results: One hundred and fifty patients (50 per group) were examined, of which the mean age was 92.7 ± 3.5 (range 81-104) years. Both the HAL and CCD of the FNFx group were significantly larger than in the TFx group (p = 0.013, 0.003). The CCD was higher in the FNFx than that of the NFx group (p = 0.001). No further significant differences of HAL and CCD were observed between the groups. (4) Conclusions: For people aged 80 years and over, an increased HAL represented no risk factor for proximal femur fractures, and a large HAL was associated with an increased occurrence of FNFx instead of TFx. A large CCD was associated with an increased risk of suffering a femoral neck fracture, showing evidence of the CCD being a risk factor for the extremely old population.

Hip and pelvic geometry as predictors of knee osteoarthritis severity.

Malalignment is one of the most critical risk factors for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Biomechanical factors such as knee varus or valgus, hip-knee-ankle angle, and femoral anteversion affect KOA severity. In this study, we aimed to investigate KOA severity predictive factors based on hip and pelvic radiographic geometry. In this cross-sectional study, 125 patients with idiopathic KOA were enrolled. Two investigators evaluated the knee and pelvic radiographs of 125 patients, and 16 radiological parameters were measured separately. KOA severity was categorized based on the medial tibiofemoral joint space widths (JSW). Based on JSW measurements, 16% (n = 40), 8.8% (n = 22), 16.4% (n = 41), and 56.8% (n = 147) were defined as grades 0, 1, 2, 3, respectively. There were significant differences between the JSW groups with respect to hip axis length, femoral neck-axis length, acetabular width, neck shaft angle (NSA), outer pelvic diameter, midpelvis-caput distance, acetabular-acetabular distance, and femoral head to femoral head length (P < .05). Two different functions were obtained using machine learning classification and logistic regression, and the accuracy of predicting was 74.4% by using 1 and 89.6% by using both functions. Our findings revealed that some hip and pelvic geometry measurements could affect the severity of KOA. Furthermore, logistic functions using predictive factors of hip and pelvic geometry can predict the severity of KOA with acceptable accuracy, and it could be used in clinical decisions.

Effects of visual neuroplasticity training on visual perception, visual quality, and macular blood flow in patients with strabismus.

To observe the effects of visual neuroplasticity training on visual perception, visual quality, and macular blood flow in patients with concomitant strabismus postoperatively. In total, 108 patients underwent binocular strabismus correction operation, and some patients underwent neuroplasticity training. All patients underwent clinical ophthalmic examination, including measurement of best-corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent, axis length, optical coherence tomography angiography, optical quality analysis system, and visual perception examinations. A total of 78 patients received neuroplasticity training for 1 month postoperatively, and 30 patients did not receive training. All patients underwent a visual perception examination preoperatively and at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month postoperatively. Macular blood flow and visual quality were examined preoperatively and at 1 month postoperatively. Postoperative visual perception was better than preoperative visual perception (P < 0.05). After neuroplasticity training, the visual perception of the trained subjects was better than that of the untrained subjects (P < 0.05), and the blood flow in the macular area of the trained patients was lower than that of the untrained subjects (P < 0.05). The visual quality of the untrained subjects was lower than that of the trained patients (P < 0.05). Visual inspection system could accurately evaluate binocular visual perception in patients with concomitant strabismus. After surgical alignment of the strabismus patient, training can stimulate and integrate the formation of stereovision in a short period of time, maintain the visual quality of patients after surgery, and provide conditions for the formation of binocular visual signals and binocular stereovision, but in the short term, it will lead to the decrease of macular blood vessel density and perfusion density. However, the long-term effects of training have not been proven.

Microglia Morphological Response to Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Extracellular Vesicles Demonstrates EV Therapeutic Potential for Modulating Neuroinflammation.

Mesenchymal stromal cell derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) are a promising therapeutic for neuroinflammation. MSC-EVs can interact with microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, to exert their immunomodulatory effects. In response to inflammatory cues, such as cytokines, microglia undergo phenotypic changes indicative of their function e.g. morphology and secretion. However, these changes in response to MSC-EVs are not well understood. Additionally, no disease-relevant screening tools to assess MSC-EV bioactivity exist, which has further impeded clinical translation. Here, we developed a quantitative, high throughput morphological profiling approach to assess the response of microglia to neuroinflammation-relevant signals and whether this morphological response can be used to indicate the bioactivity of MSC-EVs. Using an immortalized human microglia cell-line, we observed increased size (perimeter, major axis length) and complexity (form factor) upon stimulation with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Upon treatment with MSC-EVs, the overall morphological score (determined using principal component analysis) shifted towards the unstimulated morphology, indicating that MSC-EVs are bioactive and modulate microglia. The morphological effects of MSC-EVs in TNF-γ/IFN-α stimulated cells were concomitant with reduced secretion of 14 chemokines/cytokines (e.g. CXCL6, CXCL9) and increased secretion of 12 chemokines/cytokines (e.g. CXCL8, CXCL10). Proteomic analysis of cell lysates revealed significant increases in 192 proteins (e.g. HIBADH, MEAK7, LAMC1) and decreases in 257 proteins (e.g. PTEN, TOM1, MFF) with MSC-EV treatment. Of note, many of these proteins are involved in regulation of cell morphology and migration. Gene Set Variation Analysis revealed upregulation of pathways associated with immune response, such as regulation of cytokine production, immune cell infiltration (e.g. T cells, NK cells) and morphological changes (e.g. Semaphorin, RHO/Rac signaling). Additionally, changes in microglia mitochondrial morphology were measured suggesting that MSC-EV modulate mitochondrial metabolism. This study comprehensively demonstrates the effects of MSC-EVs on human microglial morphology, cytokine secretion, cellular proteome, and mitochondrial content. Our high-throughput, rapid, low-cost morphological approach enables screening of MSC-EV batches and manufacturing conditions to enhance EV function and mitigate EV functional heterogeneity in a disease relevant manner. This approach is highly generalizable and can be further adapted and refined based on selection of the disease-relevant signal, target cell, and therapeutic product.

An analytical method to estimate the accuracy representation index of circular and elliptical disc models for rectangular fractures with application to seepage analysis

Constructing a suitable discrete fracture network (DFN) to represent rock fractures proves vital for tackling engineering projects involving rock masses. Among the commonly used models for constructing DFN, the circular disc model (CDM) and elliptical disc model (EDM) stand out. The selection between these models has been facilitated by the introduction of the Accuracy Representation Index (ARI), which quantitatively assesses their suitability. The existing methods for calculating ARI based on Monte Carlo simulations are time-consuming. In order to quickly estimate the ARI for CDM and EDM concerning any length-width ratio (kr) of rectangular fracture, the paper derives analytical formulas based on the geometric relationships between circles and ellipses with rectangles. These formulas show that: (a) for the CDM, ARI is only related to kr, and its value decreases as kr increases; (b) for the EDM, ARI is dependent on the relationship between kr and the long-short axis length ratio (ke) of the ellipse, and it has been theoretically proven that ARI reaches its maximum value of 0.91 when kr is equal to ke. Moreover, we apply ARI to the study of rock mass seepage characteristics, and the results show that ARI could reflect the error rate of permeability of the CDM and EDM for rock masses with rectangular fractures.

Canonical and noncanonical roles of Hop1 are crucial for meiotic prophase in the fungus Sordaria macrospora.

We show here that in the fungus Sordaria macrospora, the meiosis-specific HORMA-domain protein Hop1 is not essential for the basic early events of chromosome axis development, recombination initiation, or recombination-mediated homolog coalignment/pairing. In striking contrast, Hop1 plays a critical role at the leptotene/zygotene transition which is defined by transition from pairing to synaptonemal complex (SC) formation. During this transition, Hop1 is required for maintenance of normal axis structure, formation of SC from telomere to telomere, and development of recombination foci. These hop1Δ mutant defects are DSB dependent and require Sme4/Zip1-mediated progression of the interhomolog interaction program, potentially via a pre-SC role. The same phenotype occurs not only in hop1Δ but also in absence of the cohesin Rec8 and in spo76-1, a non-null mutant of cohesin-associated Spo76/Pds5. Thus, Hop1 and cohesins collaborate at this crucial step of meiotic prophase. In addition, analysis of 4 non-null mutants that lack this transition defect reveals that Hop1 also plays important roles in modulation of axis length, homolog-axis juxtaposition, interlock resolution, and spreading of the crossover interference signal. Finally, unexpected variations in crossover density point to the existence of effects that both enhance and limit crossover formation. Links to previously described roles of the protein in other organisms are discussed.

Ring-shaped seismicity structures in the region of Kamchatka: possible preparation for great earthquake

We have been studying some seismicity characteristics in the region of Kamchatka region. It was established that two pairs of ring-shaped seismicity structures at depths of 0-33 and 34-70 km have been formed here in 1973-2018 prior to large earthquakes (05.12.1997 г., Mw=7.8 and 20.12.2018, Mw=7.3). Ring-shaped structures are characterized by threshold magnitude values (Mt1 and Mt2 correspondingly) and also big axes length (L1 and L2). Ring-shaped structures were identified in the area to the east and northeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy city, where no great earthquakes have occurred during more than 60 years (ring-shaped structure was identified also in the depth range of 71-110 km here). Earlier, correlation dependences of Mt1 and Mt2 parameters on Mw values of major earthquakes for the west of Pacific were creating. Using these dependencies, the magnitude of possible great earthquake in this area was estimated as Mw=8.6±0.2. Besides that, a conclusion on the source depth of such event was drawing on the base of the analysis of three ring-shaped structures. The reasons for ring-shaped structures formation in different depth ranges of the subduction zones are discussing.

A Grain Number Counting Method Based on Image Characteristic Parameters of Wheat Spikes

In order to measure wheat yield and wheat spike phenotypes, the grain number of wheat spikes is counted manually at present, but acquiring the grain number of wheat spikes is laborious and time-consuming. Counting the grain number of wheat spikes with an image processing method is promising, yet the application of this method is flawed due to its low accuracy. In this work, images of wheat spikes were collected and processed with technical procedures, including image cropping, image graying, histogram equalization, image binarization, eroding operation, removing small objects, filling image holes, revolving vertical spikes, cutting off stems, and removing stems. Wheat stems in binary images were eliminated by the sum pixels method, and the morphological characteristic parameters of the image areas of wheat spikes and lengths of wheat spike axes were calculated. Mathematical models relating the image areas of wheat spikes and lengths of the wheat spike axes to the grain number were established, and the mathematical models were verified. The results showed that the characteristic parameters of the image areas of wheat spikes and the lengths of the wheat spike axes for the spike images were linear relative to the grain number, and the maximum determination coefficients R2 were 0.9336 and 0.9012, respectively. The maximum determination coefficients R2 for the practical and predicted grain numbers were 0.9552 and 0.9369, respectively, and the minimum average absolute error was 2.3, while the average relative error for the mathematical models was 5.65%. The mathematical models relating the image areas of wheat spikes and the lengths of the wheat spike axes to the grain number were practical and accurate, and the mathematical model comparing the image area of wheat spikes and the grain number was superior to that comparing the length of the wheat spike axis and the grain number. The grain number of wheat spikes could be acquired accurately and quickly by the image processing method extracting the characteristic parameters of wheat spikes.

Challenges in cataract surgery after penetrating keratoplasty managed using femtosecond laser: A series of 3 case reports.

Cataract surgery in patients after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) is often challenging because of changes in corneal structure induced by PKP and primary corneal disease. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery offers several advantages over conventional phacoemulsification, and has been widely used in complicated cataract surgery. We report the use of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in 3 challenging cases after penetrating keratoplasty. Case 1 involved a patient with hard nuclear grade IV° cataract. After surgery, his corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) improved from 20/400 to 20/25, and the endothelial cell loss (ECL) % was 12.05 % at 3 months postoperatively. The rotation of the toric IOL in Case 1 was 2°. Case 2 involved a patient with severe nuclear cataract and an endothelial cell density of 837 cells/mm2. After surgery, the CDVA improved from 20/100 to 20/40. The ECL% was 4.06% at 1 week postoperatively. Case 3 was a 91-year-old woman with a short axis length of 21.35 mm and an endothelial cell density number of 1238 cells/mm2. After surgery, the CDVA improved from light perception to 20/133, and the ECL% was 26.09% at 1 week postoperatively; ECL% was 2.67% at 1 month post-operation. The corneal grafts were transparent. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery seems to be an effective, predictable, and safe approach for challenging patients after PKP, and improves visual recovery and optimal refractive outcomes.

Study on the directional extension law of hydraulic fractures induced by pre-cast slot under tru-triaxial

Directional hydraulic fracturing technology serves as an effective means to overcome the stress constraints in deep coal mines and achieve targeted depressurization and permeability enhancement in specific areas. This study conducted directional hydraulic fracturing tests on samples with pre-cast slots under true triaxial conditions. Considering the azimuth angle (i.e., the angle between the long axis of the pre-cast slot and the maximum principal stress) and long axis length, the stress distribution along the fracture edge was determined using the method of complex variable function, and the evolution mechanism of the stress distribution along the fracture edge was investigated. The main conclusions are as follows: Experimental results indicate that the initiation pressure and directional extension effectiveness show a relative growth pattern of “slow-fast-slow” in the azimuth angle range of 30° to 90°, with the most significant decrease in initiation pressure occurring around 45°, and the enhancement trend of directional extension is most pronounced in the range of 45° to 60°. When the ratio of the long axis to the short axis of the pre-cast slot changes from 2:1 to 1:1 and 3:1, the initiation pressure increases by −30.44% and 28.08% respectively, while the amplification of directional extension effect is −74.6% and 166.8%. Considering the azimuth angle, an expression for the circumferential stress at the edge of the pre-cast slot was derived, and a criterion for determining the initiation of the pre-cast slot edge was proposed. As the azimuth angle increases from 0° to 90°, the circumferential stress at the edge of the pre-cast slot fluctuates, which is consistent with the trend of initiation pressure observed in the experimental results. As the long axis length increases, the initiation pressure decreases, and the initiation position moves closer to the tip.

Prevalence and risk factors for atypical femoral fracture among Lebanese patients with hip and shaft fractures.

This retrospective study investigates the prevalence of atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) among patients admitted with hip and shaft fractures at a tertiary referral center in Beirut, Lebanon. We analyzed electronic medical records and radiology studies of patients aged above 40 admitted with hip and shaft fractures between January 2006 and December 2019. Fractures were confirmed by ICD9 or ICD10 codes. All cases were reviewed by radiologists, and AFFs were identified according to the 2013 revised ASBMR criteria. We identified 1366 hip and shaft fracture patients, of which 14 female patients had 19 AFFs. This represents a prevalence of 1.0% among all hip and shaft fractures patients and 1.7% among all female hip and shaft fracture patients. Bilateral AFFs were found in 5 of the 14 patients. Patients with AFF tended to be younger, with a mean age of 74.3 (±8.6) yr compared to 78.0 (±10.6) for patients with non-AFF fractures. A total of 36% of AFF patients had a prior history of non-traumatic fracture at first admission. A high percentage of patients with AFFs reported intake of proton pump inhibitors (42.9%) and glucocorticoids (21.4%). Bisphosphonate exposure was noted in 64.3% of AFF patients. None of the AFF patients were active smokers or consumed alcohol regularly. BMD assessments were available for 7 AFF patients, indicating osteoporosis in 4 and osteopenia in 3 cases. Hip axis length measurements showed no significant difference between AFF patients (N = 7) and sex and age-matched controls (N = 21). The study underlines the prevalence and characteristics of AFFs in Lebanon, which is consistent with the numbers reported in the literature (0.32%-5%). A larger prospective study that includes hospitals across the nation is needed to gain a more comprehensive view of the prevalence of AFFs in the Lebanese population.

Distinguishing Axillary Lymphadenopathy after COVID-19 Vaccination from Malignant Lymphadenopathy.

Objectives: To study the differences between malignant hypermetabolic axillary lymphadenopathy (MHL) and COVID-19 vaccine-associated axillary hypermetabolic lymphadenopathy (VAHL) using clinical imaging. Methods: A total of 1096 patients underwent Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) between 1 June 2021 and 30 April 2022 at Ehime University Hospital. In total, 188 patients with axillary lymphadenopathy after the COVID-19 vaccination were evaluated. The patients were classified into three groups such as VAHL (n = 27), MHL (n = 21), and equivocal hypermetabolic axillary lymphadenopathy (EqHL; n = 140). Differences in lymph node (LN) swellings were statistically analyzed using clinical imaging (echography, CT, and 18F-FDG PET). Results: MHL included a higher female population (90.5%) owing to a higher frequency of breast cancer (80.9%). Axillary LNs of MHL did not show any LN fatty hilums (0%); however, those of VAHL and EqHL did (15.8 and 36%, respectively). After the logistic regression analysis of the patients who had axillary lymphadenopathy without any LN fatty hilums, the minor axis length and ellipticity (minor axis/major axis) in the largest axillary LN, SUVmax, and Tissue-to-Background Ratio (TBR) were useful in distinguishing malignant lymphadenopathies. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that a cut-off value of ≥7.3 mm for the axillary LN minor axis (sensitivity: 0.714, specificity: 0.684) and of ≥0.671 for ellipticity (0.667 and 0.773, respectively) in the largest LN with the highest SUVmax and TBR were predictive of MHL. Conclusions: Axillary lymphadenopathy of the minor axis and ellipticity in LN without fatty hilums may be useful to be suspicious for malignancy, even in patients who have received COVID-19 vaccination. Further examinations, such as 18F-FDG PET, are recommended for such patients.

Radiomic white matter parameters of functional integrity of the corticospinal tract in high-grade glioma

Tractography has become a widely available tool for the planning of neurosurgical operations as well as for neuroscientific research. The absence of patient interaction makes it easily applicable. However, it leaves uncertainty about the functional relevance of the identified bundles. We retrospectively analyzed the correlation of white matter markers with their clinical function in 24 right-handed patients who underwent first surgery for high-grade glioma. Morphological affection of the corticospinal tract (CST) and grade of paresis were assessed before surgery. Tractography was performed manually with MRTrix3 and automatically with TractSeg. Median and mean fractional anisotropy (FA) from manual tractography showed a significant correlation with CST affection (p = 0.008) and paresis (p = 0.015, p = 0.026). CST affection correlated further most with energy, and surface-volume ratio (p = 0.014) from radiomic analysis. Paresis correlated most with maximum 2D column diameter (p = 0.005), minor axis length (p = 0.006), and kurtosis (p = 0.008) from radiomic analysis. Streamline count yielded no significant correlations. In conclusion, mean or median FA can be used for the assessment of CST integrity in high-grade glioma. Also, several radiomic parameters are suited to describe tract integrity and may be used to quantitatively analyze white matter in the future.

A morphological analysis of calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-l-lactic acid biostimulator particles.

Injectable fillers, pivotal in aesthetic medicine, have evolved significantly with recent trends favoring biostimulators like calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA-CMC; Radiesse, Merz Aesthetics, Raleigh, NC) and poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA; Sculptra Aesthetics, Galderma, Dallas, TX). This study aims to compare the particle morphology of these two injectables and examine its potential clinical implications. Utilizing advanced light and scanning electron microscopy techniques, the physical characteristics of CaHA-CMC and PLLA particles were analyzed, including shape, size, circularity, roundness, aspect ratio, and quantity of phagocytosable particles. The findings reveal several morphological contrasts: CaHA-CMC particles exhibited a smooth, homogenous, spherical morphology with diameters predominantly ranging between 20 and 45µm, while PLLA particles varied considerably in shape and size, appearing as micro flakes ranging from 2 to 150µm in major axis length. The circularity and roundness of CaHA-CMC particles were significantly higher compared to PLLA, indicating a more uniform shape. Aspect ratio analysis further underscored these differences, with CaHA-CMC particles showing a closer resemblance to circles, unlike the more oblong PLLA particles. Quantification of the phagocytosable content of both injectables revealed a higher percentage of phagocytosable particles in PLLA. These morphological distinctions may influence the tissue response to each treatment. CaHA-CMC's uniform, spherical particles may result in reduced inflammatory cell recruitment, whereas PLLA's heterogeneous particle morphology may evoke a more pronounced inflammatory response.

Анализ регулярности/хаотичности динамики шаровых скоплений в центральной области Млечного Пути

We analyzed the regularity/chaoticity of the orbits of 45 globular clusters in the central region of the Galaxy with a radius of 3.5 kpc, which are subject to the greatest influence from an elongated rotating bar. Various analysis methods were used, namely, methods for calculating the maximum characteristic Lyapunov exponents, the method of Poincaré sections, the frequency method based on the calculation of fundamental frequencies, as well as the visual assessment method. Bimodality was discovered in the histogram of the distribution of positive Lyapunov exponents, calculated in the classical version, without renormalization of the shadow orbit, which makes it possible to implement a probabilistic method of GC classification. To construct the orbits of globular clusters, we used a gravitational potential model with a bar in the form of a triaxial ellipsoid, described in detail in the work of Bajkova et al., Izvestiya GAO in Pulkovo, 2023, 228, 1. The following bar parameters were adopted: mass 1010M⊙, semimajor axis length 5 kpc, bar viewing angle 25o, rotation speed 40 km s−1 kpc−1. To form the 6D-phase space required for orbit integration, the most accurate astrometric data to date from the Gaia satellite (EDR3) (Vasiliev, Baumgardt, 2021), as well as new refined average distances to globular clusters (Baumgardt, Vasiliev, 2021) were used. A classification is made of globular clusters with regular and chaotic dynamics. As the analysis showed, globular clusters with small pericentric distances and large eccentricities are most susceptible to the influence of the bar and demonstrate the greatest chaos. It is shown that the results of classifying globular clusters by the nature of their orbital dynamics, obtained using the various methods of analysis considered in the work, correlate well with each other.