Cranial Region Research Articles

INCIDENTAL FINDINGS OF ASYMPTOMATIC FUNGAL INFECTION IN PARANASAL SINUSES: A CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW TO INCREASE AWARENESS AMONG DENTAL PROFESSIONALS

BACKGROUNDExtensive fungal disease of the paranasal sinuses, an underrated entity that affects both immunocompromised and previously healthy patients, merits early diagnosis for effective diagnosis and treatment. Over the past few decades, the number of fungal infections in the sino-nasal tract has increased. The objective of this case report is to increase awareness of these conditions among dental professionals.CASE REPORTAn asymptomatic 21-year-old white man was referred for potential implant placement. His medical history was unremarkable. A cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) study portrayed a large polypoid soft tissue density mass occupying the right ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. Significant expansion of the lateral and medial walls of the right ethmoid sinus and perforation of the sphenoid sinus floor were apparent. Furthermore, extension of the lesion into the nasal cavity and mucosal thickening of the right maxillary sinus were evident with suspected mild displacement of the inferior medial wall of the right orbit. These aggressive radiographic features in an asymptomatic patient downgraded the inflammatory process in the differential diagnoses. The patient was immediately referred to an otolaryngologist for further evaluation. Noncontrasted multidetector computed tomography showed opacification and expansion of multiple sinuses with centrally dense inspissated materials. The skull base and the extraocular muscles were intact. These features were compatible with allergic fungal sinusitis. Subsequently, the patient was treated with surgical debridement without any complications.DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONSCBCT is commonly used for presurgical implant planning and paranasal sinuses are often imaged in the field of view. Moderate to severe allergic fungal sinusitis can lead to bony expansion and erosion with extension to the surrounding cranial and orbital region. These could progress into a potential life-threatening event. Timely diagnosis with early referral to an otolaryngologist could avoid serious complications such as blindness and rampant spread of infection that lead to irreversible outcomes. Extensive fungal disease of the paranasal sinuses, an underrated entity that affects both immunocompromised and previously healthy patients, merits early diagnosis for effective diagnosis and treatment. Over the past few decades, the number of fungal infections in the sino-nasal tract has increased. The objective of this case report is to increase awareness of these conditions among dental professionals. An asymptomatic 21-year-old white man was referred for potential implant placement. His medical history was unremarkable. A cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) study portrayed a large polypoid soft tissue density mass occupying the right ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. Significant expansion of the lateral and medial walls of the right ethmoid sinus and perforation of the sphenoid sinus floor were apparent. Furthermore, extension of the lesion into the nasal cavity and mucosal thickening of the right maxillary sinus were evident with suspected mild displacement of the inferior medial wall of the right orbit. These aggressive radiographic features in an asymptomatic patient downgraded the inflammatory process in the differential diagnoses. The patient was immediately referred to an otolaryngologist for further evaluation. Noncontrasted multidetector computed tomography showed opacification and expansion of multiple sinuses with centrally dense inspissated materials. The skull base and the extraocular muscles were intact. These features were compatible with allergic fungal sinusitis. Subsequently, the patient was treated with surgical debridement without any complications. CBCT is commonly used for presurgical implant planning and paranasal sinuses are often imaged in the field of view. Moderate to severe allergic fungal sinusitis can lead to bony expansion and erosion with extension to the surrounding cranial and orbital region. These could progress into a potential life-threatening event. Timely diagnosis with early referral to an otolaryngologist could avoid serious complications such as blindness and rampant spread of infection that lead to irreversible outcomes.

Vibration-based elastic parameter identification of the diploë and cortical tables in dry cranial bones

Various human skull models feature a layered cranial structure composed of homogeneous cortical tables and the inner diploë. However, there is a lack of fundamental validation work of such three-layer cranial bone models by combining high-fidelity computational modeling and rigorous experiments. Here, non-contact vibration experiments are conducted on an assortment of dry bone segments from the largest cranial bone regions (parietal, frontal, occipital, and temporal) to estimate the first handful of modal frequencies and damping ratios, as well as mode shapes, in the audio frequency regime. Numerical models that consider the cortical tables and the diploë as domains with separate isotropic material properties are constructed for each bone segment using a routine that identifies the cortical table–diploë boundaries from micro-computed tomography scan images, and reconstructs a three-dimensional geometry layer by layer. The material properties for cortical tables and diploë are obtained using a Hounsfield Unit-based mass density calculation combined with a parameter identification scheme for Young’s modulus estimation. With the identified parameters, the average error between experimental and numerical modal frequencies is 1.3% and the modal assurance criterion values for most modes are above 0.90, indicating that the layered model is suitable for predicting the vibrational behavior of cranial bone. The proposed layered modeling and identified elastic parameters are also useful to support computational modeling of cranial guided waves and mode conversion in medical ultrasound. Additionally, the diploë elastic properties are rarely reported in the literature, making this work a fundamental characterization effort that can guide in the selection of material properties for human head models that consider layered cranial bone.

Cranial Suture Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Insights and Advances.

The cranial bones constitute the protective structures of the skull, which surround and protect the brain. Due to the limited repair capacity, the reconstruction and regeneration of skull defects are considered as an unmet clinical need and challenge. Previously, it has been proposed that the periosteum and dura mater provide reparative progenitors for cranial bones homeostasis and injury repair. In addition, it has also been speculated that the cranial mesenchymal stem cells reside in the perivascular niche of the diploe, namely, the soft spongy cancellous bone between the interior and exterior layers of cortical bone of the skull, which resembles the skeletal stem cells’ distribution pattern of the long bone within the bone marrow. Not until recent years have several studies unraveled and validated that the major mesenchymal stem cell population of the cranial region is primarily located within the suture mesenchyme of the skull, and hence, they are termed suture mesenchymal stem cells (SuSCs). Here, we summarized the characteristics of SuSCs, this newly discovered stem cell population of cranial bones, including the temporospatial distribution pattern, self-renewal, and multipotent properties, contribution to injury repair, as well as the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms associated with the regulation of SuSCs.

Inside the head of snakes: influence of size, phylogeny, and sensory ecology on endocranium morphology.

Environmental properties, and the behavioral habits of species impact sensory cues available for foraging, predator avoidance and inter/intraspecific communication. Consequently, relationships have been discovered between the sensory ecology and brain morphology in many groups of vertebrates. However, these types of studies have remained scare on snake. Here, we investigate the link between endocranial shape and the sensory-related ecology of snakes by comparing 36 species of snakes for which we gathered six sensory-ecology characteristics. We use µCT scanning and 3D geometric morphometrics to compare their endocranium in a phylogenetically informed context. Our results demonstrate that size is a major driver of endocranial shape, with smaller species tending to maximize endocranial volume using a more bulbous shape, while larger species share an elongate endocranial morphology. Phylogeny plays a secondary role with more derived snakes diverging the most in endocranial shape, compared to other species. The activity period influences the shape of the olfactory and optic tract, while the foraging habitat impacts the shape of the cerebellum and cranial nerve regions: structures involved in orientation, equilibrium, and sensory information. However, we found that endocranial morphology alone is not sufficient to predict the activity period of a species without prior knowledge of its phylogenetic relationship. Our results thus demonstrate the value of utilizing endocranial shape as complementary information to size and volume in neurobiological studies.

3D kinematic of the thoracolumbar spine in Mangalarga Marchador horses performing the marcha batida gait and being led by hand-A preliminary report.

This study aimed to provide a preliminary description of the sagittal and transverse plane kinematics of the thoracolumbar spine of Mangalarga Marchador (MM) horses performing the marcha batida gait, led in-hand. We evaluated the pattern of angular movement and the mean amplitude of six specific angles. An optoelectronic system was used for 3D kinematic analysis (19 cameras, 250 Hz). They were positioned around the horses and an acquisition volume of 16 × 4.8 × 3 meters was used. Eight retroreflective markers were fixed on the spine of the animals over thoracic vertebrae 8 (T8), 12 (T12), 15 (T15) and 18 (T18); over the lumbar vertebrae 3 (L3) and 5 (L5); over the 1st sacral vertebra (S1); and over the 1st coccygeal vertebra (CD1). Five trials, led from a halter, with three complete gait cycles were evaluated for each marcha batida horse. The 3D coordinates of the markers were filtered with a second-order, low-pass, Butterworth filter (10 Hz). Six angles: T8-T12-T15, T12-T15-T18, T12-T18-L5, T15-T18-L3, T18-L3-L5, and L3-S1-CD1 were obtained and projected in the sagittal (Flexion and Extension) and transverse (Lateral bending) planes. We calculated, for each angle to represent the spine movements, the mean and standard deviation of the range of motion (ROM, difference between the maximum and minimum values in a stride cycle). In order to describe the movement over an average stride cycle we calculated the mean curve of angle variation. The T8-T12-T15 angle presented the largest ROM in the transverse plane, while in the sagittal plane the T8-T12-T15, T12-T15-T18 and T12-T18-L5 angles presented the largest ROMs. The L3-S1-CD1 angle (lumbosacral region) presented the lowest ROM in both planes. A reduced flexion close to a neutral spine was found, predominantly during the diagonal support and in the cranial thoracic region. At the same time, the thoracolumbar region remains in an extension which is highlighted in the lumbosacral region. During the change of the support phase, the cranial thoracic region moved from a flexion to a slight extent, and the thoracolumbar region was flexed which is emphasized in the lumbosacral region. The lateral bending of the spine followed the direction of the diagonal supports. The small amplitude in the latero-lateral and dorsoventral movements of the thoracolumbar spine of MM horses during the marcha batida gait could contribute to the smooth and natural sensations experienced when riding in this gait. The lower mobility of these angles should be considered during the clinical examination of marcha batida-gaited horses.

EFFECT OF QUARANTINE ON THE RATE OF DIAGNOSTICS OF ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most prevalent manifestations of malignant tumors in the cranial and cervical regions and they cannot be frequently established until symptoms appear. So there is an urgent need to device methods for the detection of oral premalignant lesions and oral cancer at an early stage in order to improve further patients’ conditions.
 The whole world was suddenly affected the uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus. All spheres of life were affected, especially medicine. The strict quarantine for 2 months created problems for the patients. Patients who needed dental care they also suffered from it. Dental medical institutions provided only emergency medical care during the period of quarantine restrictions. The planned treatment was postponed until the quarantine restrictions stopped.
 In fact, the entire population of the country was in a state of significant psycho-emotional stress. This was combined with the state of chronic stress, and influenced the number of cancers. This trend can be traced worldwide.
 According to the literature, in the United States, squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity takes 3% of all cancers in men and 2% in women. The tendency of this disease in people 50 years older observed all over the world, however, the disease occurs in people aged 32-49 years. About 40% of intraoral squamous cell carcinomas begin on the floor of the mouth or on the lateral and ventral surfaces of the tongue. About 38% of all oral squamous cell carcinomas occur on the lower lip; these are usually solar-related cancers on the external surface.
 The symptoms of this disease in the initial stages are absolutely nonspecific. Many patients do not attach importance to them. Quarantine restrictions on the provision of advisory assistance make this problem of particular relevance.
 The authors of the article have determined that their goal to attract the attention of dentists and family doctors to the problem of early diagnosis of oncological diseases and oral cancer is enough important nowadays. Early, curable lesions are rarely symptomatic; thus, preventing fatal disease requires early detection by screening.
 The main goal for such investigations is to attract the attention of dentists and family doctors to the problem of early diagnosis of cancer, including oral cavity.
 The article presents the clinical characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Particularly, doctors should pay attention to the variety of symptoms characteristic of the initial period of the disease. Patients may complain of thickening of the tissues of the oral cavity, the presence of white spots, ulcerative lesions, which may be covered with plaque. Slight painful sensations are distinguished as manifestations of other diseases. Sometimes the symptoms are relieved by taking analgesics. Patients self-medicate and postpone visiting a specialized specialist for an indefinite time. This does not trouble both patients and some health workers. It should be noted that a typical symptom in the developed period is fetid odor from the mouth due to decay and infection of the tumor.
 Oral lesions are asymptomatic initially, highlighting the need for oral screening. Most dental professionals carefully examine the oral cavity and oropharynx during routine care and may do a brush biopsy of abnormal areas. The lesions may appear as areas of erythroplakia or leukoplakia and may be exophytic or ulcerated. Cancers are often indurated and firm with a rolled border. As the lesions increase in size, pain, dysarthria, and dysphagia may result.
 During the period of neglect, cancer of the oral cavity organs quickly spreads and destroys the surrounding tissues, infiltrates the floor of the oral cavity, palatine arches, pharynx, etc.
 To illustrate the problems outlined in the article, the authors took a clinical case that combines the problems of early diagnosis of oral cancers. It should be noted that in addition to the “inactivity” of the patient in solving problems that occurred in the oral cavity, the resolution of the situation was inhibited by the introduced quarantine measures.

Thickness accuracy of virtually designed patient-specific implants for large neurocranial defects.

The combination of computer‐aided design (CAD) techniques based on computed tomography (CT) data to generate patient‐specific implants is in use for decades. However, persisting disadvantages are complicated design procedures and rigid reconstruction protocols, for example, for tailored implants mimicking the patient‐specific thickness distribution of missing cranial bone. In this study we used two different approaches, CAD‐ versus thin‐plate spline (TPS)‐based implants, to reconstruct extensive unilateral and bilateral cranial defects in three clinical cases. We used CT data of three complete human crania that were virtually damaged according to the missing regions in the clinical cases. In total, we carried out 132 virtual reconstructions and quantified accuracy from the original to the generated implant and deviations in the resulting implant thickness as root‐mean‐square error (RMSE). Reconstructions using TPS showed an RMSE of 0.08–0.18 mm in relation to geometric accuracy. CAD‐based implants showed an RMSE of 0.50–1.25 mm. RMSE in relation to implant thickness was between 0.63 and 0.70 mm (TPS) while values for CAD‐based implants were significantly higher (0.63–1.67 mm). While both approaches provide implants showing a high accuracy, the TPS‐based approach additionally provides implants that accurately reproduce the patient‐specific thickness distribution of the affected cranial region.

Head shape analysis of National Football League Players

Understanding the size and shape variations of the head is important to the design of football helmets used to mitigate the risk of head injury. Current guidelines for selecting helmets use only the circumference of the player’s head to determine an appropriate size that may not offer the best fit and protection for every player. The goal of this study was to quantify key measurements of head shape to sufficiently characterize variability among players in the National Football League (NFL), focusing on the shape variation of the cranial region. Statistical shape analysis was performed on three-dimensional head scans of 87 contemporary NFL players to identify key features of head shape variability among the players’ heads. The principal component analysis revealed two factors that explained 87% of the head shape variance: (1) height and length of the head in the sagittal plane and (2) prominent back of the head with an oval shape in the transverse plane versus prominent forehead with a round shape. Four head shape measurements (circumference, length, breadth, and height) were then defined and quantified to describe the first two principal components. This information can facilitate improvements in the design of football helmets.

Acetabular margin changes in feline hip joints – Implications for radiologic diagnosis and development of osteoarthritis

The development and early morphological features of feline hip osteoarthritis (OA) are largely unknown. Tears in the acetabular labrum and at the chondrolabral transition zone are suggested to be important in the pathogenesis of human hip OA, but in cats such lesions have not been described. We investigated associations between computed tomography (CT)-detected joint changes and microscopic articular cartilage lesions, the distribution of detected changes, and histologically evaluated the acetabular margin (AM) in hip joints from 20 cats. Histologic evaluation was undertaken on at least one joint from each cat. CT-detected joint changes and articular cartilage lesions were graded and the histological appearance of CT-detected osteophytes evaluated. The majority of CT-detected lesions and cartilage lesions were mild. Whole-joint CT scores and AM osteophyte CT scores showed moderate to strong correlation with cartilage scores. The odds were higher for presence of CT-detected osteophytes in craniodorsal, cranial, cranioventral, ventral and dorsal AM regions. Peripheral acetabular regions showed higher cartilage lesion grades than central regions. Tears, seen as fissures/clefts, in labral and perilabral tissues were common. CT-detected AM osteophytes morphologically presented as pointed sclerotic bone, spur-shaped bone or rounded chondro-osteophytes. The results suggest that CT is a valuable tool for diagnosing early feline hip OA. CT-detected osteophytes showed variable histologic morphologies, which may implicate different disease mechanisms and/or disease stages. Tears in the AM could represent an early event in feline hip OA and this warrants further investigation.

Influence of the Head Neck Position on Imaging Measurements Used to Assess the Craniovertebral Junction in Small Breed Dogs: A Cadaveric Study.

The study aimed to determine the influence of head neck position on imaging measurements used to assess the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) and to recommend the most appropriate position for the evaluation of the CVJ. A cross-sectional sample of adult dogs' cadavers was subjected to a computed tomography scan of the cranium and the cranial cervical region in three standardized head positions. Imaging measurements often used to assess the CVJ were measured. The influence of the head neck position, breed, weight and gender on imaging measurements was tested using repeated measures analysis of variance. Twenty-eight cadavers of small breed dogs were enrolled in the study. All cadavers examined had occipital dysplasia. All transarticular imaging measurements were dependent on the head neck position. In addition, the breed, weight and gender had an influence on several measurements. We recommend a standardized head neck position of 50 degrees flexion if quantitative imaging measurements of the CVJ are used to diagnose pathologies in this region. Future studies should focus on the definition of cut-off values for quantitative imaging measurements of the CVJ to differentiate between healthy and diseased small breed dogs. Regarding atlantoaxial instability, a combination of six parameters (C1-C2 angle, C1-C2 overlap, atlantoaxial distance, dens-to-axis length ratio, ventral compression index and clivus canal angle) is promising for its diagnosis.

Spread of segmental/multifocal idiopathic adult-onset dystonia to a third body site

BackgroundAdult-onset focal dystonia can spread to involve one, or less frequently, two additional body regions. Spread of focal dystonia to a third body site is not fully characterized. Materials and methodsWe retrospectively analyzed data from the Italian Dystonia Registry, enrolling patients with segmental/multifocal dystonia involving at least two parts of the body or more. Survival analysis estimated the relationship between dystonia features and spread to a third body part. ResultsWe identified 340 patients with segmental/multifocal dystonia involving at least two body parts. Spread of dystonia to a third body site occurred in 42/241 patients (17.4%) with focal onset and 10/99 patients (10.1%) with segmental/multifocal dystonia at onset. The former had a greater tendency to spread than patients with segmental/multifocal dystonia at onset. Gender, years of schooling, comorbidity, family history of dystonia/tremor, age at dystonia onset, and disease duration could not predict spread to a third body site. Among patients with focal onset in different body parts (cranial, cervical, and upper limb regions), there was no association between site of focal dystonia onset and risk of spread to a third body site. Discussion and conclusionSpread to a third body site occurs in a relative low percentage of patients with idiopathic adult-onset dystonia affecting two body parts. Regardless of the site of dystonia onset and of other demographic/clinical variables, focal onset seems to confer a greater risk of spread to a third body site in comparison to patients with segmental/multifocal dystonia at onset.

Rabdomiossarcoma botrióide na vesícula urinária de um American Pitbull Terrier

O rabdomiossarcoma botrióide é uma variante do rabdomiossarcoma embrionário e tem origem nas células musculares estriadas, ou precursores destas células, por isso podem se iniciar em partes do corpo com ausência de músculo estriado, como o trato urogenital. Geralmente, os cães acometidos são jovens até dois anos e as massas neoplásicas têm aspecto de cacho de uva. O objetivo do presente relato foi descrever um caso de rabdomiossarcoma botrióide em um cão, American Pittbull Terrier, de 16 meses que apresentou uma massa no interior da vesícula urinária, posteriormente diagnosticada através de exame histopatológico e imunoistoquímico. A massa era multilobulada, firme, rósea a vermelha com áreas multifocais de necrose e estava aderida na mucosa da região mais cranial da vesícula urinária emitindo ramificações disseminadas em direção ao trígono vesical. Microscopicamente, a neoplasia é constituída por duas populações celulares entremeadas a uma matriz mixóide, uma composta por células pequenas e redondas, com citoplasma escasso e núcleo basofílico hipercorado e a outra por células alongadas, com citoplasma eosinofílico e núcleo paracentral, ambas as populações celulares possuíam pleomorfismo moderado e 2 figuras de mitose por campo (400 x). Densidade celular aumentada foi observada abaixo do epitélio vesical. A combinação de exames complementares foi conclusiva para o diagnóstico da neoplasia.

Differential rotational movement and symmetry values of the thoracolumbosacral region in high-level dressage horses when trotting.

High-level dressage horses regularly perform advanced movements, requiring coordination and force transmission between front and hind limbs across the thoracolumbosacral region. This study aimed at quantifying kinematic differences in dressage horses when ridden in sitting trot–i.e. with additional load applied in the thoracolumbar region–compared with trotting in-hand. Inertial sensors were glued on to the midline of the thoracic (T) and lumbar (L) spine at T5, T13, T18, L3 and middle of the left and right tubera sacrale of ten elite dressage horses (Mean±SD), age 11±1 years, height 1.70±0.10m and body mass 600±24kg; first trotted in-hand, then ridden in sitting trot on an arena surface by four Grand Prix dressage riders. Straight-line motion cycles were analysed using a general linear model (random factor: horse; fixed factor: exercise condition; covariate: stride time, Bonferroni post hoc correction: P<0.05). Differential roll, pitch and yaw angles between adjacent sensors were calculated. In sitting trot, compared to trotting in-hand, there was increased pitch (mean±S.D), (in-hand, 3.9 (0.5°, sitting trot 6.3 (0.3°, P = <0.0001), roll (in-hand, 7.7 (1.1°, sitting trot 11.6 (0.9°, P = 0.003) and heading values (in-hand, 4.2 (0.8), sitting trot 9.5 (0.6°, P = <0.0001) in the caudal thoracic and lumbar region (T18-L3) and a decrease in heading values (in-hand, 7.1 (0.5°, sitting trot 5.2 (0.3°, P = 0.01) in the cranial thoracic region (T5-T13). Kinematics of the caudal thoracic and lumbar spine are influenced by the rider when in sitting trot, whilst lateral bending is reduced in the cranial thoracic region. This biomechanical difference with the addition of a rider, emphasises the importance of observing horses during ridden exercise, when assessing them as part of a loss of performance assessment.

Size, microhabitat, and loss of larval feeding drive cranial diversification in frogs

Habitat is one of the most important factors shaping organismal morphology, but it may vary across life history stages. Ontogenetic shifts in ecology may introduce antagonistic selection that constrains adult phenotype, particularly with ecologically distinct developmental phases such as the free-living, feeding larval stage of many frogs (Lissamphibia: Anura). We test the relative influences of developmental and ecological factors on the diversification of adult skull morphology with a detailed analysis of 15 individual cranial regions across 173 anuran species, representing every extant family. Skull size, adult microhabitat, larval feeding, and ossification timing are all significant factors shaping aspects of cranial evolution in frogs, with late-ossifying elements showing the greatest disparity and fastest evolutionary rates. Size and microhabitat show the strongest effects on cranial shape, and we identify a “large size-wide skull” pattern of anuran, and possibly amphibian, evolutionary allometry. Fossorial and aquatic microhabitats occupy distinct regions of morphospace and display fast evolution and high disparity. Taxa with and without feeding larvae do not notably differ in cranial morphology. However, loss of an actively feeding larval stage is associated with higher evolutionary rates and disparity, suggesting that functional pressures experienced earlier in ontogeny significantly impact adult morphological evolution.

Comparative analysis of the parasphenoid bone development in Mexican tetra ( Astyanax mexicanus)

Astyanax mexicanus is a teleost fish that belongs to the order Characiform. Ithas two distinct eye morphs as surface-dwelling, pigmented eyed surface fish population, and an eyeless cavefish population. Accumulation of functional mutations in the genes which are important for eye development led to the loss of eyes in cavefish. Some cranial changes have occurred from the direct effect of eye loss in cavefish including size and position of the circumorbital bones, ossified sclera, and the shape of both suborbital 3 and the supraorbital bone. The maxillary teeth, the positions of suborbital 4 to suborbital 6, and the shape of the opercular bone were found to be unaffected by the eye loss. Unlike higher vertebrates, the teleost eyeball does not cover by a bony socket and it has direct communication with the inner neurocranium. However, the influence of eye development on the inner neurocranial bones has gained little attention in research. In A. mexicanus palate bones are mainly made of a series of bones such as parasphenoid bone, basioccipital, vomer, and ethmoid. Among them, parasphenoid bone makes the largest part of the palate. This study was designed to understand the effect of eye loss in cavefish on parasphenoid bone development, shape determination, and bone remodeling activity. A. mexicanus populations; Surface fish and Pachon cavefish at 5dpf, 10 dpf, 20 dpf, 35 dpf, and 60 dpf subjected to alizarin red bone staining. Adult surface fish and two cave populations Pachon and Tinaja cavefish were subjected to micro-CT imaging and morphometric analysis was carried out using those images to compare the parasphenoid bone anatomy amongst these three morphs. TRAP and ALP staining were used to determine the bone remodeling activity in 60 dpf, A. mexicanus populations of surface and Pachon cavefish. A. mexicanus cavefish and surface are similar to each other in bone development, articulation, and ossification with certain exceptions such as late protrusion of lateral wings in cavefish. The straightened parasphenoid bone observed in cavefish and curved parasphenoid bone observed in surface fish beneath the eye orbit. Bone remodeling activity in cavefish was found to be increased compared to the surface fish. Cavefish have a direct or indirect effect on eye loss on the development of bones in the cranial region. Differential bone remodeling activity observed in cave and surface fish may result from the limited resources in the cave environment and as a long-term adaptation into troglomorphic cave environment.

A Systematic Approach to Comparing Thermal Activity of the Thoracic Region and Saddle Pressure Distribution beneath the Saddle in a Group of Non-Lame Sports Horses.

Simple SummaryThermography is a non-invasive method for measuring surface temperatures. Due to its ease of use, it may be a convenient way of identifying hypo/hyperthermic areas under a saddle that may be related to saddle pressures. A thermal camera quantified temperatures at specific locations (left/right) of the thoracic region at three-time points; a Pliance (Novel) pressure mat determined the mean/peak saddle pressures (kPa) during a period of exercise. Differences between saddle widths in the cranial/caudal mean and peak saddle pressures were found. The maximum thermal temperatures increased post lunge and post ridden compared to the baseline. No difference between post lunge and post ridden exercise were found. The thermal activity does not appear to be representative of increased saddle pressure values. The sole use of thermal imaging for saddle fitting should be applied with caution.Thermography is a non-invasive method for measuring surface temperatures and may be a convenient way of identifying hypo/hyperthermic areas under a saddle that may be related to saddle pressures. A thermal camera quantified minimum/maximum/mean temperatures at specific locations (left/right) of the thoracic region at three-time points: (1) baseline; (2) post lunging; (3) post ridden exercise in eight non-lame sports horses ridden by the same rider. A Pliance (Novel) pressure mat determined the mean/peak saddle pressures (kPa) in the cranial and caudal regions. General linear mixed models with the horse as the random factor investigated the time point (fixed factor: baseline; lunge; ridden) and saddle fit (fixed factor: correct; wide; narrow) on thermal parameters with Bonferroni post hoc comparison. The saddle pressure data (grouped: saddle width) were assessed with an ANOVA and Tukey post hoc comparison (p ≤ 0.05). Differences between the saddle widths in the cranial/caudal mean (p = 0.05) and peak saddle pressures (p = 0.01) were found. The maximum temperatures increased post lunge (p ≤ 0.0001) and post ridden (p ≤ 0.0001) compared to the baseline. No difference between post lunge and post ridden exercise (all p ≥ 0.51) was found. The thermal activity does not appear to be representative of increased saddle pressure values. The sole use of thermal imaging for saddle fitting should be applied with caution.

Sexual differences in human cranial morphology: Is one sex more variable or one region more dimorphic?

The quantification of cranial sexual dimorphism (CSD) among modern humans is relevant in evolutionary studies of morphological variation and in a forensic context. Despite the abundance of quantitative studies of CSD, few have specifically examined intra-sex variability. Here we quantify CSD in a geographically homogeneous sample of adult crania, which includes Italian individuals from the 19th and 20th centuries. Cranial morphology is described with 92 3D landmarks analyzed using Procrustean geometric morphometrics (PGMM). Size and shape variables are used to compare morphological variance between sexes in the whole cranium and four individual regions. The same variables, plus Procrustes form, are used to quantify average sex differences and explore classification accuracy. Our results indicate that: (a) as predicted by Wainer's rule, males present overall more variance in size and shape, albeit this is statistically significant only for total cranial size; (b) differences between sexes are dominated by size and to a lesser extent by Procrustes form; (c) shape only accounts for a minor proportion of variance; (d) the cranial base shows almost no dimorphism for shape; and (e) facial Procrustes form is the most accurate predictor of skeletal sex. Overall, this study suggests developmental factors underlying differences in CSD among cranial regions; stresses the need for population-specific models that describe craniofacial variation as the basis for models that facilitate the estimation of sex in unidentified skeletal remains; and provides one of the first confirmations of "Wainer's rule" in relation to sexual dimorphism in mammals specific to the human cranium.

ALLOGRAFT BONE APPLICATION IN THE RAT CALVARIAL BONE DEFECT MODEL: A HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY

Trauma, neoplasms, infections, and congenital anomalies may be the reason for the calvarial bone defects. For eliminating bone defects in the cranial region to stimulate bone regeneration different graft types have been tried. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effects of allograft application in the rat calvarial bone defect model. For this purpose, 14 Wistar male rats were determined; defect (n=7) and defect + graft (n=7) groups. . The frontal bone was opened and a circular full thickness bone defect (5 mm) was created in the midline. Allograft material was placed in the defect area. All animals were sacriced after 28 days and the calvarial bones were followed up for routine histologic preparations. Sections were stained with H-E and scoring for histopathological parameters (inammation, brosis, osteoclast number, osteoblast number, osteocyte number, matrix formation, new bone trabecular diameter). In our study, inammation, brosis and osteoclast numbers decreased in the defect + graft group compared to the defect group, and osteocyte, osteoblast, matrix formation and bone trabecular diameter has increased signicantly. Histopathological evaluation revealed scar tissue, increased mononuclear cell inltration, and necrosis in the defect group. In the defect + graft group, an increase in collagen ber, a decrease in inammatory cells, an increase in osteoblast cells and bone matrix were observed. As a result, allograft application has been found to support new bone formation in the calvarial defect model by creating an osteoinductive and osteoconductive effect.

Definition and clinical evaluation of a recruiting airway pressure based on the specific lung elastance in anesthetized dogs

ObjectiveTo determine the specific lung elastance (SEL) in anesthetized dogs and to evaluate the efficacy of a SEL-based recruiting airway pressure (RPaw) at improving global and regional lung aeration. Study designRetrospective and prospective clinical study. AnimalsA total of 28 adult dogs were included in the retrospective study and six adult dogs in the prospective study. MethodsRetrospective study: SEL and SEL-based RPaw were determined using previously published data. In mechanically ventilated dogs undergoing thoracic computed tomography (CT), SEL was calculated as ΔPL/(VT/EELV), where ΔPL is the driving transpulmonary pressure, VT is the tidal volume and EELV is the end-expiratory lung volume. The ratio of lung to respiratory system elastance (EL/Ers) was determined. SEL and EL/Ers were used to calculate the SEL-based RPaw. Prospective study: dogs underwent thoracic CT at end-expiration and at end-inspiration using the SEL-based RPaw, and global and regional aeration was determined. For analysis of regional aeration, lungs were divided into cranial, intermediate and caudal regions. Regional compliance was also calculated. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. ResultsThe SEL and EL/Ers were 12.7 ± 3.1 cmH2O and 0.54 ± 0.07, respectively. The SEL-based RPaw was 29.1 ± 7.6 cmH2O. In the prospective study, the RPaw was 28.2 ± 1.3 cmH2O. During RPaw, hyperinflation increased (p = 0.0003) whereas poorly aerated (p < 0.0001) and nonaerated (p = 0.01) tissue decreased. Normally aerated tissue did not change (p = 0.265). Regional compliance was higher in the intermediate (p = 0.0003) and caudal (p = 0.034) regions compared with the cranial region. Aeration did not differ between regions (p > 0.05). Conclusions and clinical relevanceAn SEL-based RPaw reduces poorly and nonaerated lung tissue in anesthetized dogs. In nonsurgical anesthetized dogs, an RPaw near 30 cmH2O is effective at improving lung aeration.

Morphology of GNAT3-immunoreactive chemosensory cells in the nasal cavity and pharynx of the rat.

Solitary chemosensory cells and chemosensory cell clusters are distributed in the pharynx and larynx. In the present study, the morphology and reflexogenic function of solitary chemosensory cells and chemosensory cell clusters in the nasal cavity and pharynx were examined using immunofluorescence for GNAT3 and electrophysiology. In the nasal cavity, GNAT3-immunoreactive solitary chemosensory cells were widely distributed in the nasal mucosa, particularly in the cranial region near the nostrils. Solitary chemosensory cells were also observed in the nasopharynx. Solitary chemosensory cells in the nasopharyngeal cavity were barrel like or slender in shape with long lateral processes within the epithelial layer to attach surrounding ciliated epithelial cells. Chemosensory cell clusters containing GNAT3-immunoreactive cells were also detected in the pharynx. GNAT3-immunoreactive cells gathered with SNAP25-immunoreactive cells in chemosensory clusters. GNAT3-immunoreactive chemosensory cells were in close contact with a few SP- or CGRP-immunoreactive nerve endings. In the pharynx, GNAT3-immunoreactive chemosensory cells were also attached to P2X3-immunoreactive nerve endings. Physiologically, the perfusion of 10mM quinine hydrochloride (QHCl) solution induced ventilatory depression. The QHCl-induced reflex was diminished by bilateral section of the glossopharyngeal nerve, suggesting autonomic reflex were evoked by chemosensory cells in pharynx but not in nasal mucosa. The present results indicate that complex shape of nasopharyngeal solitary chemosensory cells may contribute to intercellular communication, and pharyngeal chemosensory cells may play a role in respiratory depression.