Siamese Twins Research Articles

Monosymmetros Cephalothoracopagus Tetrabrachius and Tetrapus Piglets with Syndromic Evolution.

Conjoined twins are rare congenital malformations that have been reported in mammals. Two different cases are presented in this study. Case No. 1 features monocephalic, thoracopagus-conjoined twin piglets with anencephaly and palatoschisis of the Pietrain breed, and case No. 2 features monocephalic, thoracopagus conjoined twin piglets with palatoschisis and bifid root tongue of a mixed breed. These cases were examined using post-mortem and computed tomography (CT) examinations. In both cases, the conjoined symmetrical twins had a single head, one neck, and fused thoracic cavities, while the abdominal cavities were separated. Similarly, in both cases, they had four forelimbs and four hindlimbs and duplicated foramen magnum. During CT examination, in case No. 1, severe abnormalities were observed in the skull and vertebral column. In the left twin, occult dysraphism was seen from the C2 vertebra until the end of the vertebral column, and in the right twin, from the C3 vertebra until the end of the state vertebral level. In case No. 2, the oral cavity contained a tongue with a bifid root connected with one hyoid bone, and the soft palate presented a small cleft. During CT examination, the parietal bone and the occipital bones were partially duplicated. This case also presented occult dysraphism, but only in the cervical vertebrae, C1-C6 for the left twin and C1-C5 for the right twin. In both cases, abnormalities of the internal organs were revealed during necropsy. Conjoined twins with multiple congenital anomalies presented here enhance our understanding of the various clinical forms of conjoined cases in veterinary medicine.

A Comparative Analysis of the Cytotoxic and Vascular Activity Effects of Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) and Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) Venoms Using a Chick Embryo Model.

Crotalus snakebites induce various toxicological effects, encompassing neurological, myotoxic, and cytotoxic symptoms, with potentially fatal outcomes. Investigating venom toxicity is essential for public health, and developing new tools allows for these effects to be studied more comprehensively. The research goals include the elucidation of the physiological consequences of venom exposure and the assessment of toxicity using animal models. Chicken embryos serve as valuable models for assessing venom toxicity through the chick embryotoxicity screening test (CHEST) and the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, particularly useful for evaluating vascular impacts. C. adamanteus venom application resulted in higher embryotoxicity and morphological abnormalities, such as Siamese twins. The CAM assay demonstrated the hemorrhagic effects of venom, varying with venom type and concentration. The irritant potential of both venom types was classified as slight or moderate depending on their concentration. Additionally, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was performed to receive information about organ toxicity. The results show that both venoms induced changes in the whole embryo, heart, and liver weights, but the C. adamanteus venom was identified as more toxic. Specific venom concentrations affected AChE activity in embryonic tissues. These findings underscore the embryotoxic and vasoactive properties of Crotalus venoms, providing valuable insights into their mechanisms of toxicity and potential applications in biomedicine.

Surgical Correction of Ischiopagus Tripus Conjoined Twins with Fused Pelvis: Enhancing Quality of Life through Orthopedic Intervention.

BACKGROUND The rarity of ischiopagus tripus conjoined twins complicates the surgical separation, owing to the lack of cases and high complexity. We aim to report our experience in performing orthopedic correction for ischiopagus tripus twins. CASE REPORT A pair of 3-year-old conjoined boys presented with a fused body at the pelvis region and only 1 umbilicus. There were 2 legs separated by shared genitalia and an anus at the midline, and 1 fused leg, which could be felt and moved by both of the patients. The twins also shared internal organs of the bladder, intestine, and rectum, as visualized through angiography computerized tomography scan. After several team discussions with the institutional review board, the hospital ethics committee, and both parents, it was agreed to perform disarticulation of the fused third limb, followed by correction of the trunk alignment by pelvic closed wedge osteotomy and internal fixation. We successfully reconstructed the pelvis using locking plates and additional 3.5-mm cortical screws and 1.2-mm stainless steel wire. CONCLUSIONS This report describes the presentation and surgical management of a case of ischiopagus tripus conjoined twins. It highlights the challenges involved in surgery and the importance of investigating these infants for other congenital abnormalities. Although surgical approaches for different sets of twins should be individually tailored, interventions aimed to provide optimal outcomes should consider ethical issues and parental/patient expectations. Even in situations in which the twins are inseparable, there is still room for surgical correction to be performed.

Disability and Superability: The Spectacle of Extra/Ordinary Bodies in Maxine Hong Kingston’s Tripmaster Monkey: His Fake Book

Abstract This essay explores how Maxine Hong Kingston’s Tripmaster Monkey (1989) showcases and anticipates cultural imaginaries surrounding Asian bodies as repositories for fantasy and affect. From the fragmented body of the suicidal protagonist to the spectacle of the Siamese conjoined twins, Kingston stages diverse bodily tropes that reflect racist, sexist, and ableist perceptions throughout history. The protagonist Wittman Ah Sing, embodied as a postmodern “Monkey King,” represents a neoliberal subjectivity marked by adaptive resilience. In contrast, the Siamese twins enact intersubjective connections, catalyzing the protagonist’s communal theater production. The play’s communal vision challenges the ideological norms of the “Normate” and resists complicity with global capitalism. Ultimately, the acknowledgment of shared struggles amidst radical divisions and recognition of our participation in ideological fantasies fosters collective solidarity and a radical critique of the capitalist system.

Under the Shadow of the Siamese Twins: Ethnicity, Religion and Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential Election

Nigeria is considered a heterogeneous society per excellence. This is courtesy of its multi ethnic and multi religious character. While there is no agreement among scholars as to the exact number of its ethnic and religious diversities, its ethnic and religious composition closely follow same geographical boundary such that while the Eastern Ibo are mostly Christians, the Northern Hausa are predominantly Muslims while the Western Yoruba people are partly Christians and partly Muslims. Thus both often exercise joint influence on its politics. This is more profound at moments of decision making such as elections. This paper examines the 2023 Presidential elections in Nigeria viz a viz ethnic and religious influence in the election. Anchored on the rational choice theory, the paper relied on secondary source of materials such as text books, journals, electronic sources and official publications especially from the Independent National Electoral Commission. These were analysed using content analysis. It argued that both ethnic and religious influences are like Siamese twins as far as elections in Nigeria are concerned especially because of their geographical boundaries that roughly coincided. It concluded that Nigeria is yet to witness a significant departure in the pattern of ethno-religious influence on its elections. It, therefore, recommends the need for all stakeholders to be deliberate in stemming the tide of destructive ethnic and religious influence on politics in the country.
 Key Words: Ethnicity, Religion, Politics, Election, Influence

Morphological variations on vital systems in a conjoined twin.

Conjoined twins (CTs), popularly referred to as Siamese twins, are a rare anomaly due to monochorionic and monoamniotic twin pregnancies. Dicephalus dibrachius dipus, a type of parapagus conjoined twin which is characterized by possessing two arms, two legs, a single trunk and two heads, epidemiologically, is an even rarer occurrence of CTs. In this article, a rare, well-preserved anatomical specimen of a dicephalus dibrachius dipus conjoined twin is presented. This study was conducted in a specimen which is part of the collection of the Embryology Museum of the institution by donation and approved by the Research Ethics Committee (REC). The female conjoined twins were born at full-term by cesarean section in the 1970s and died hours after birth. A thorough anatomical description was made through observational analysis, computed tomography and 3D reconstructed images. Major abnormalities were observed in the cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems. The internal anatomy exhibited a heart with three atria, two ventricles, two aortic arches, two pulmonary arteries, one innominate venous trunk and a respiratory system with two tracheas and four lungs. No other report was similar to our three atria heart description. This article provides a thorough anatomical description of all systems, which is valuable information for further studies on CTs.

Born Apart, but Raised Together: Twins Delivered in Different Countries/Twin Research Reviews: Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome in Monozygotic (MZ) Twins; Effects of Technology on Conjoined Twin Separation; Reciprocal DIEP Transplantation Between MZ Twins; Guidelines for Multifetal Management/Media Reports: Book by World’s Oldest Auschwitz-Birkenau Twin Survivor; Passing of Ian Wilmut; Zhores Medvedev Was an Identical Twin; More Gay Fathers with Twin Sons; Twins

AbstractThe circumstances and subsequent life events of the first twins to have been born in different countries are examined. Given that both twins were born in the United Kingdom, their common citizenship was never questioned. In contrast, twins born in Canada to a legally married gay transnational couple — composed of one American and one Israeli — were assigned as citizens of different nations and their parents were regarded as if unmarried. This essay is followed by reviews of research on the Hallermann-Streiff syndrome in monozygotic (MZ) twins, the effects of technology on conjoined twin separation, reciprocal deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) transplantation in MZ twins and new guidelines for managing multifetal pregnancies. Finally, media reports on a book by the world’s oldest Auschwitz-Birkenau twin survivor, the passing of Dr Ian Wilmut, the identical twinship of Zhores Medvedev, another case of gay fathers with twin sons, twins and siblings admitted to medical school, and the first and fourth records for major league baseball twins are presented.

'Human Relationships and Gender Identity: Looking into Mahesh Dattani’s Tara

Mahesh Dattani delves into diverse themes such as place of anomalous or so called freaks in society, patriarchal standpoint, male chauvinism, gender discrimination, child sexual abuse, homosexuality etc. In India women/girls have historically suffered both overt and covert discrimination which targets not just the female body, but also indulges in mental and psychological assaults. And the regrettable element is that the hurt is caused by a person, who is considered to be the protector. In ‘Tara’, Dattani portrays the web of human relationships, through the social issues of gender discrimination resulting from long-established social beliefs. ‘Tara’ mainly deals with the theme of gender bias, followed by patriarchal hegemony. Siamese twins Tara and Chandan must be separated to ensure their survival. The ill placed decision of their mother Bharati and grandfather to benefit the male child Chandan with the third leg which rightfully belonged to Tara brings to the fore the ills of patriarchy. The issues of caste system and social hierarchy are also voiced in the play. For Indian psyche mother is next to God, but in ‘Tara’ the mother becomes the instrument of partisanship and unfairness and forces Tara to lead a life of incompleteness, physically as well as psychologically. Bharati remains guilt ridden, and therefore, she tries to recompense to Tara, in every possible way she can. Tara loves her mother the most. She even considers her mother her idol, but she gets the shock of her life when she comes to know the truth of her incompleteness from her father. By this time Bharti’s guilt takes the better of her and before Tara could speak to her mother regarding this injustice, Bharati goes insane. The influence of patriarchy is evident in Bharti’s character too. Besides being a mother, she is also an educated lady. Thus, the decision of favouring the boy child with the leg doesn't agree with her character. She doesn't come across as a woman having a strong personality and it appears that she has been coerced into giving consent for the ill-fated surgery. She is also the victim of patriarchal dominance of her father. Bharati's personal preference and her father's patriarchal dominance, ruin not only the lives of the twins but also that of Bharati because, she also suffers whole life as a result of this action. Sociologically, ‘patriarchy’ may be interpreted as a metaphor for unquestioned authority over women by all those powers that have the conventional social sanctions to perpetrate. Such transgression is not a momentary exploitation; it is often a protracted ploy to marginalize women/girl children. Plays like Tara can foster an environment of awareness, resistance and proactive modalities to counteract prevalent negative gender bias.

Separating the Siamese twins: a proposed methodology for differentiating between privacy and security

ABSTRACT Security and privacy have become major issues. Although no one seriously claims that privacy and security are identical, most sources treat them as if they are. Differentiating between privacy and security is essential, for example, in those situations where there is a trade-off between the two concepts, or when a regulator imposes rules concerning privacy or security or both. Moreover, differentiation can support the selection of proper means of defence. Therefore, there is a gap between the need to differentiate and the availability of an appropriate methodology to do so. This article introduces a robust methodology for differentiating between privacy and security, based on four basic components: the target of the attack, the nature of the cost, the presence of a trade-off, and the existence of consent. Since many situations involve both privacy and security, the methodology ranks their level independently. The research addresses several goals: alignment with the prevalent definitions and concepts in the literature; achieving objectivity; and a non-dichotomous classification. The application of this methodology was demonstrated in an empirical study with n = 155 valid participants. The empirical study indicated significant differences between intuitive classification and methodology-based classification, thereby emphasising the need for this methodology.

An intelligent hierarchical residual attention learning‐based conjoined twin neural network for Alzheimer's stage detection and prediction

AbstractAlzheimer's disorder (AD) causes permanent impairment in the brain's memory of the cellular system, leading to the initiation of dementia. Earlier detection of Alzheimer's disease in the initial stages is challenging for researchers. Deep learning and machine learning‐based techniques can help resolve many issues associated with brain imaging exploration. Brain MR Images (Brain‐MRI) are used to detect Alzheimer's in computable research work. To correctly categorize the stages of Alzheimer's disease, discriminative features need to be extracted from the MR images. Recently, many studies have used deep learning methods for the early detection of this disorder. However, overfitting degrades the deep learning method's performance because the dataset's selection images are smaller and imbalanced. Some studies could not reach more discriminative and effectual attention‐aware features for Alzheimer's stage classification to increase the model performance. In this paper, we develop a novel hierarchical residual attention learning‐inspired multistage conjoined twin network (HRAL‐CTNN) to classify the stages of Alzheimer's. We used augmentation approaches to scale insufficient and imbalanced data. The HRAL‐CTNN is efficiently overcoming the issues of not obtaining efficient attention‐aware and generative features for Alzheimer's stage classification. The proposed model solved the problem of redundant features by extracting attentive discriminant features, and scaling imbalance data by data augmentation, after that training and validation using HRAL‐CTNN. The execution of this proposed work has been performed on the ADNI MRI dataset. This work achieved outstanding accuracy of 99.97 0.01% and F1 score of 99.30 0.02% for Alzheimer's stage classification. This model proposed by our group outperformed the existing related studies in terms of the model's performance score.

Accuracy and fairness – Siamese twins?

The author agrees with Sarah Summers’ view that a criminal judgment in a system of fair justice should be substantively accurate and at the same time should be the result of a fair process. The author argues, however, for keeping these two requirements apart because they are linked to different goals and may in individual cases conflict with each other.

Using EfficientNet-B7 (CNN), Variational Auto Encoder (VAE) and Siamese Twins' Networks to Evaluate Human Exercises as Super Objects in a TSSCI Images.

In this article, we introduce a new approach to human movement by defining the movement as a static super object represented by a single two-dimensional image. The described method is applicable in remote healthcare applications, such as physiotherapeutic exercises. It allows researchers to label and describe the entire exercise as a standalone object, isolated from the reference video. This approach allows us to perform various tasks, including detecting similar movements in a video, measuring and comparing movements, generating new similar movements, and defining choreography by controlling specific parameters in the human body skeleton. As a result of the presented approach, we can eliminate the need to label images manually, disregard the problem of finding the start and the end of an exercise, overcome synchronization issues between movements, and perform any deep learning network-based operation that processes super objects in images in general. As part of this article, we will demonstrate two application use cases: one illustrates how to verify and score a fitness exercise. In contrast, the other illustrates how to generate similar movements in the human skeleton space by addressing the challenge of supplying sufficient training data for deep learning applications (DL). A variational auto encoder (VAE) simulator and an EfficientNet-B7 classifier architecture embedded within a Siamese twin neural network are presented in this paper in order to demonstrate the two use cases. These use cases demonstrate the versatility of our innovative concept in measuring, categorizing, inferring human behavior, and generating gestures for other researchers.

Integrated multiomics reveal the molecular characteristics of conjoined twin fetuses

Research questionAre there any differences between conjoined twin fetuses at the molecular level? DesignSkin tissues were collected from thoracopagus conjoined twins at 15+4 weeks of gestation. The skin tissues were collected from the thigh side of conjoined twins after the abortion procedure. All specimens were obtained after written informed patient consent and were fully anonymized. All relevant ethical regulations were followed. Every specimen underwent multiomics sequencing analysis to determine associations among the DNA methylome, transcriptome and mutations in the exon regions in the conjoined twins. ResultsThe global methylation pattern was similar in the two fetuses of conjoined twins, while significant differences were seen in local regions such as CpG islands (P = 0.026), enhancers (P < 0.001) and various repetitive elements (P < 0.05), which showed significant differences. The conjoined twins also differed in genes related to growth and development, cellular component morphogenesis and cellular stress, both in terms of DNA methylation levels and gene expression levels. Exon data analysis revealed that the common mutations in conjoined twins mainly occurred in neural development, lipid metabolism and microtubule morphogenesis. Specific mutations were associated with cellular component biosynthesis, behaviour and germ cell development. ConclusionConjoined twins were similar to each other globally, but there were significant differences related to growth and development, cellular component morphogenesis and cellular stress. The current study reveals the molecular features of conjoined twins for the first time, laying the foundation for future exploration of the mechanism of conjoined twins.

Between Wonder and Omen: Conjoined Twins and the Mandylion from Constantinople to Norman Sicily

In the year 944, two wonders arrived in Constantinople from the eastern borders of the empire: First, the Mandylion, a textile that Christ had miraculously imprinted with an image of his face, was brought to the city from Edessa. Second, to the awe of the city’s inhabitants, male conjoined twins arrived from Armenia. In this article, I focus on the depiction of both events in the Madrid Skylitzes historical chronicle (Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional de España, MS vitr. 26–2). My goal is to show how the multifaceted meanings of the conjoined twins and the Mandylion operated in the context of imperial rule, political intrigue, and religious authority, from the text’s origin in Constantinople to the manuscript’s illumination in Norman Sicily.

Incidental Intraoperative Diagnosis of Term Conjoined Twins: A Case Series.

conjoined; monozygotic twinning; siamese twins; twins.

Birth Defects, Paediatric Surgeons &amp; The Pyopagus Conjoined Twins during the 2020 Pandemic

Birth Defects, Paediatric Surgeons &amp; The Pyopagus Conjoined Twins during the 2020 Pandemic

The story of the Sudanese conjoined twins, Hassan and Hussein.

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Successful emergency separation of premature omphalopagus conjoined twins: an anaesthetic experience

Anaesthesia for early emergency separation of premature conjoined twins is extremely rare as surgery generally done electively between 2 to 4 months of age. However, urgent separation may be needed due to life-threatening complications. We report a case of successful early separation of premature omphalopagus twins at 36 weeks of gestational age with a combined weight of 2.7 kg. To the best of our knowledge, this was the lowest weight yet reported of successful surgical separation in Malaysia. Early separation was indicated as extrauterine twin-to-twin transfusion with unbalanced blood shunting through the porto-systemic anastomoses within the shared liver parenchyma potentially risked impending life-threatening organ failures. Anaesthesia for the separation of premature conjoined twins in the emergency setting requires extensive multidisciplinary discussion and planning. Factors predicting difficult anaesthesia in this case were the twins’ size and age as well as duration of anaesthesia. Two separate anaesthetic teams were required with all team members well versed in the operative workflow. Simultaneous airway management, prevention of hypothermia, and vigilant haemodynamic monitoring are key to successful anaesthesia in premature conjoined twin separation.

Lebanon and Syria – the “Siamese twins” of the Levant: a Current Situation

The Syrian Arab and Lebanese Republics are two neighboring states located in the Middle Eastern subregions, traditionally called the Levant. The close neighborhood of both countries led to the preservation of old and the emergence of new common denominators in the socio-economic, socio-political and religious spheres. In modern historiography, there are disagreements regarding the degree of preservation and definition of the nature of today’s relations between the two states. It is about the recognition or non-recognition of the existence of the exceptional character of the modern Syrian-Lebanese relations. At the same time, among researchers who recognize the fact of preserving many common denominators for both countries, the main issue remains the positive or negative interpretation of the mentioned phenomenon.&#x0D; It should be realized that most of the close ties between Syria and Lebanon, which are not determined by the immediate geographical proximity of both countries, are as the result of external interference in the affairs of the subregion. It is about the arbitrary territorial-administrative division carried out by the Ottoman Empire, the artificial idea of “Greater Syria”, which was popularized by a native of Mecca - Faisal bin Hussein al-Hashimi, and French experiments during the mandated period of the history of both countries. As a result of the above-mentioned interventions, reinforced by the geographical factor, there was an established desire of Syria to incorporate the Lebanese Republic into its structure, supported by a part of the population of Lebanon itself. Even after the end of the period of Syrian occupation of Lebanon (1990-2005) as a result of the Cedar Revolution, the danger of the absorbing the country of cedarsby neighbor state has not disappeared. This is indicated by the presence of a wide range of pro-Syrian politicians in the Lebanese ruling circles and the role played by the Lebanese Shiite militia organization Hezbollah in saving the B. al-Assad regime during the ongoing civil war in Syria.

3D printing and medicine

In modern conditions, the possibilities of using 3D printing in medicine are expanding, and it occupies about 11% of the global additive manufacturing market. At the Kirov Military Medical Academy and the ERA Military Innovation Technopolis, 3D printing is used for training, preoperative planning, the creation of splints, the manufacture of non-invasive functional products, and the creation of COVID-19 prevention aids.&#x0D; In order to determine the prospects for development, foreign experience in the use of 3D printing in medicine has been studied over the past 5 years.&#x0D; It is established that a register of clinical data on 3D printing is being created for training, 3D models are being printed to simulate tissue resistance during surgery. With the help of preoperative planning, Siamese twins are separated, doctors are trained in surgical operations on 3D models of elastic resin feet, cardiological models are used to predict the risk of complications during transcatheter implantation of an artificial aortic valve, as well as rehearsals of operations with congenital heart anomalies. Individual implants are manufactured for the lumbar and cervical spine, replacement of the damaged area of the chest and rib, finger phalanges, hip and knee replacements. As auxiliary products, individual surgical instruments for operations with low trauma, orthopedic insoles, elastic stents for the urethra and mesh stents of the trachea are created. New materials made of polyamide (PA11), polyesteresterketone, titanium alloys, absorbable polymer and biocompatible resin are offered for 3D printing. There are new 3D printing software and updates of existing ones. Personalized braces and aligners are printed in dentistry. With the help of 3D printing, individual multi-layered polytablets, smart tablets that release medicinal substances on command from a smartphone, childrens chewing tablets are created. For research purposes, the following devices have been printed: simulating cardiac tissue with sensors to track the effects of drugs and toxins; predicting the individual response of the biopsy tumor material to treatment; diagnosing some infectious diseases using a smartphone and a silicon microfluidic chip.&#x0D; The use of 3D printing in medicine individualizes and improves the quality of medical care.