Fold Depth Research Articles

Impact of retinal traction induced by epiretinal membrane on aniseikonia

We investigated the effect of retinal traction caused by epiretinal membranes (ERMs) on aniseikonia and retinal microstructures in 81 unilateral ERMs. Retinal traction was quantified by measuring the maximum depth of the retinal fold (MDRF) using en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Measurements included the mean inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), central retinal thickness (CRT), and interocular ratios of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area (FAZ ratio). Significant correlations were found between the preoperative MDRF and preoperative aniseikonia (P < 0.001), INL thickness (P < 0.001), CRT (P < 0.001), and FAZ ratio (P = 0.003). Preoperative aniseikonia was significantly correlated with preoperative INL and OPL-ONL thicknesses (P < 0.001 and P = 0.020, respectively) and CRT (P = 0.003). Multiple regression analysis revealed that preoperative aniseikonia was significantly associated with preoperative MDRF, INL, and OPL-ONL thicknesses (P = 0.029, 0.006, and 0.006, respectively). Twenty-nine eyes underwent membrane peeling, resolving all retinal folds 6 months postoperatively. A significant correlation was observed between preoperative MDRF and postoperative aniseikonia (P = 0.011). Our findings suggest that retinal traction by ERM is significantly associated with aniseikonia both pre- and postoperatively, alongside other OCT parameters.

MIXED PATHOPHYSIOLOGIES OF LAMELLAR MACULAR HOLES AND RELATED DISEASES: A Multimodal Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Study.

To investigate the characteristics of mixed pathophysiologies in lamellar macular holes (LMHs) and related diseases using multimodal optical coherence tomography. Overall, 126 eyes diagnosed with LMH, epiretinal membrane foveoschisis, or macular pseudohole using the horizontal B-scan image according to the definition proposed by Hubschman et al in 2020 were analyzed using multimodal optical coherence tomography imaging including horizontal and vertical 5-line B-scan, radial scan, and macular three-dimensional volume scan images. If at least two diagnostic criteria for LMH, epiretinal membrane foveoschisis, or macular pseudohole were satisfied in these scans, the patient was diagnosed as having a "mixed type." Retinal traction force was quantitatively evaluated by measuring the maximum depth of the retinal folds using en-face images. Mixed types constituted 34.1% of the cases. The LMH-related mixed group demonstrated intermediate characteristics between the epiretinal membrane foveoschisis/macular pseudohole and true LMH groups in terms of retinal traction and LMH-specific features and had a significant positive correlation between the maximum depth of the retinal folds and mean M-CHARTS scores (P = 0.034). A thorough optical coherence tomography analysis is necessary to accurately diagnose LMH and related diseases. A significant positive correlation was observed between the maximum depth of the retinal folds and the degree of metamorphopsia in the LMH-related mixed group.

INVESTIGATION OF THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE FOVEOSCHISIS: Analysis of Longitudinal Changes in Visual Functions, Retinal Structures, and Retinal Traction Force.

To analyze the pathophysiology of epiretinal membrane foveoschisis (FS) by evaluating the longitudinal changes in visual function and several optical coherence tomography parameters. The medical records of 33 consecutive patients (35 eyes) with untreated epiretinal membrane foveoschisis were retrospectively reviewed. Best-corrected visual acuity, M-CHARTS score, and optical coherence tomography parameters including epiretinal membrane area, maximum depth of retinal folds, FS area, and FS circularity were evaluated. A wide range of FS area changes was observed at the final follow-up visit (59.68%-240.45% of the baseline FS area). In the FS enlargement group, best-corrected visual acuity and mean M-CHARTS scores significantly worsened and maximum depth of retinal folds significantly increased over time, whereas in the FS non-enlargement group, no significant change was observed in the best-corrected visual acuity, mean M-CHARTS scores, or maximum depth of retinal folds during the follow-up period. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that maximum depth of retinal folds (odds ratio: 1.05, 95% confidence interval: 1.00-1.10, P = 0.048) and FS circularity (odds ratio: 0.91, 95% confidence interval: 0.83-1.00, P = 0.043) were significantly associated with FS enlargement. Epiretinal membrane foveoschisis encompasses diverse pathophysiologies. Since visual functions do not worsen in some cases, monitoring the changes in visual functions and retinal morphology over time is recommended to determine surgical indications.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for facial wrinkles and sagging: The 8-week prospective, split-face, controlled trial in Asians.

This study aims to fill the knowledge gap regarding the effects of high frequency facial neuromuscular electrical stimulation (fNMES) on facial aging, using a device equipped with CERTEC (Cell Energy Regeneration Technology) operating between 40 and 190 kHz. This prospective split-face study was conducted at Tokyo University Hospital between March and May 2023 with 24 healthy adult women aged 30-59. The intervention group used the fNMES device along with basic skin care on one side of the face, and basic skin care alone on the other side for 8 weeks. Evaluations included changes in skin wrinkles, sagging, and blood flow. This study found significant improvements in skin elasticity and degree of wrinkles in the areas intervened with fNMES (p < 0.05, respectively). In addition, the intervention resulted in significant improvements in jawline angle (p < 0.01), submental volume (p < 0.05), cheek volume (p < 0.05), maximum nasolabial fold depth (p = 0.03), and total volume of the nasolabial folds (p = 0.03). The fNMES intervention also showed improvement in blood flow (p < 0.05). These improvements were also subjectively assessed by the participants in subject questionnaires at 8 weeks after the intervention (p < 0.05). This study suggests that high frequency fNMES effectively improves facial skin elasticity, reduces wrinkles and sagging, promotes blood flow, and contributes to overall facial appearance rejuvenation. Although further studies are needed, high frequency fNMES appeared promising as a noninvasive anti-aging therapy.

The relationship between the tropopause folds and deep convective activities over the Tibetan Plateau

Tropopause folds (TFs) are crucial in the development of certain meteorological events. Using ERA5 reanalysis data from 1979 to 2015 and the “3D-labelling” algorithm for identifying TFs, along with OLR and TRMM precipitation data, this study conducted a composite analysis to explore the relationship between TFs and deep convective activities (DCAs) over Tibetan Plateau (TP) and to investigate the underlying physical mechanisms. The results indicate that TFs have a strong inhibitory effect on DCAs at the locations of folds. Conversely, medium and deep folds significantly enhance DCAs to the northeast of folds, with the degree of enhancement intensifying with the depth of fold. During medium and deep fold occurrences, an increase in specific humidity from the surface to near the tropopause is observed northeast of the folds, coupled with significant lifting of the tropopause east of the deep folds, favoring the initiation and development of DCAs. Positive potential vorticity (PV) anomalies resulting from the downward intrusion of stratospheric air with high PV generate cyclonic circulation in the upper troposphere at the locations of folds. This is complemented by anticyclonic circulations triggered on both sides of medium and deep folds. These circulation anomalies induce upper-level divergence and lower-level convergence, leading to anomalous upward motion northeast of the folds and thereby promoting DCAs. Furthermore, the increased low-level static stability northeast of medium and deep folds aid in accumulating potential instability. The anomalous ascent in this region facilitates the release of this instability, and in conjunction with reduced static stability near the tropopause, enables DCAs to reach higher altitudes.

The role of cortical structural variance in deep learning-based prediction of fetal brain age.

Deep-learning-based brain age estimation using magnetic resonance imaging data has been proposed to identify abnormalities in brain development and the risk of adverse developmental outcomes in the fetal brain. Although saliency and attention activation maps have been used to understand the contribution of different brain regions in determining brain age, there has been no attempt to explain the influence of shape-related cortical structural features on the variance of predicted fetal brain age. We examined the association between the predicted brain age difference (PAD: predicted brain age-chronological age) from our convolution neural networks-based model and global and regional cortical structural measures, such as cortical volume, surface area, curvature, gyrification index, and folding depth, using regression analysis. Our results showed that global brain volume and surface area were positively correlated with PAD. Additionally, higher cortical surface curvature and folding depth led to a significant increase in PAD in specific regions, including the perisylvian areas, where dramatic agerelated changes in folding structures were observed in the late second trimester. Furthermore, PAD decreased with disorganized sulcal area patterns, suggesting that the interrelated arrangement and areal patterning of the sulcal folds also significantly affected the prediction of fetal brain age. These results allow us to better understand the variance in deep learning-based fetal brain age and provide insight into the mechanism of the fetal brain age prediction model.

Optimizing Esthetic Outcomes and Bone Stability: Chin Advancement Through Inverted V Osteotomy.

Traditional horizontal osteotomies for small and short chins often yield suboptimal results due to limited bone advancement, resulting in deep labiomental folds and heightened bone resorption risks. This study investigates the effectiveness of an innovative inverted V-shaped osteotomy technique in enhancing esthetic outcomes for patients with such chin concerns. Thirty-eight patients who underwent inverted V-shaped osteotomy for recessed chins between January 2018 and June 2022 were included. Excluding cases involving simultaneous mandibular contouring surgery, patients were followed up for a median duration of 1.2±0.5 years. Preoperation and postoperation soft tissue pogonion (Pg') and labiomental fold depth (LMF) changes were measured. IBM SPSS (version 27.0) was used for statistical analysis, with significance defined as P <0.05. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a visual analog scale. Successful advancement genioplasty was performed on all patients without any severe complications. The average change in soft tissue pogonion (Pg') measured 6.2 (1.9)mm, and the mean alteration in labiomental depth was 0.42 (0.4)mm. The procedure achieved a bone to soft tissue movement ratio of 1:0.96. Patient satisfaction was notably high, with a mean VAS score of 8.7. An inverted V-shaped osteotomy enables greater bone advancement for small and short chins, leading to improved esthetic outcomes and offering a mechanically advantageous condition for bone segments.

Safety and Efficacy Assessment of a Cross‐linked Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler for Correction of Moderate‐to‐Severe Nasolabial Folds in Skin Types III and IV

Introduction. Hyaluronic acid fillers are widely used to correct nasolabial folds. This treatment provides favorable aesthetic outcomes. The aim of this study was the safety and efficacy evaluation of Lunaphil Ultra intradermal filler for correcting nasolabial folds in the Iranian population with Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV. Methods. In this before and after clinical study, Lunaphil Ultra dermal filler was injected in nasolabial folds of 24 female and 6 male volunteers (mean age: 43.36 and SD: 11.55). Two independent physicians assessed the severity of nasolabial folds before injection and 2, 12, and 24 weeks later, according to the Allergan scale. The volume, depth, and area of both nasolabial folds and the thickness and density of the dermis in the right nasolabial fold were also measured. Adverse events and subject satisfaction were also recorded. Results. One grade or more improvement was detected in 81%, 57%, and 65% of participants at weeks 2, 12, and 24, respectively. The median score for the Allergan scale decreased significantly in all follow‐up visits. The median value of the area of nasolabial folds significantly reduced in all follow‐up visits. Two weeks after injection, dermis density showed a significant increase. The mean score for pain level during the injection was 1.96 out of 10. Adverse events were mild and transient. The median satisfaction scores were 9‐10 out of 10 at different visits. Conclusion. The findings showed that cross‐linked hyaluronic acid dermal filler containing lidocaine could be applied in clinical practice for correction of nasolabial folds in skin types III and IV, with high safety and efficacy. More comprehensive future research could approve these results. This trial is registered with IRCT20150101020514N11.

Evaluation of epiretinal membrane formation after scleral buckling for treating rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: En face optical coherence tomography image-based study.

To assess epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation, severity, and the associated risk factors after scleral buckling using en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Medical records of 61 consecutive patients (66 eyes) with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who underwent scleral buckling were retrospectively reviewed. Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was determined based on B-scan OCT images. En face OCT images were used to visualize the ERM and retinal folds. ERM formation was identified by comparing en face images pre- and post-surgery. The maximum depth of the retinal folds (MDRF) was measured using en face imaging to objectively assess traction strength. ERM formation occurred in 15 (22.7%) eyes at the final visit; the foveal pit was preserved in all cases. Parafoveal retinal folds were present in 5 (7.6%) eyes, with a mean MDRF of 21.8 ± 12.6µm. No significant difference was observed in best-corrected visual acuity (logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution) between the ERM formation (-0.019 ± 0.128) and non-ERM formation (-0.001 ± 0.213) groups at the final visit (P = 0.593; Mann-Whitney U test). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age and the presence of PVD were significant risk factors for ERM formation (odds ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.14, P = 0.032; odds ratio 5.26, 95% confidence interval 1.06-26.10, P = 0.042; respectively). ERM occurred in 22.7% of cases but was mild and did not affect visual acuity. Older age and the presence of PVD are risk factors for ERM formation.

Tropopause folds over the Tibetan Plateau and their impact on water vapor in the upper troposphere-lower stratosphere

As one of the most important greenhouse gases, water vapor in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) has a significant impact on the global earth-atmosphere system. The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is an important high terrain which exerts a profound impact on the change of weather and climate, and mass exchange. Tropopause folds occur frequently over the TP due to the impact of the subtropical westerly jet, which affects water vapor transport between the stratosphere and the troposphere. In this paper, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of tropopause folds over the TP are examined by applying an improved three-dimensional (3D) labeling algorithm to the ERA5 reanalysis data (1979 to 2019). The effects of different fold depths in various regions over the TP on the variations of UTLS water vapor are further studied. The results of a case study (25 February 2008) suggest that there is a good continuity in identification of the fold depth for the same fold event using the improved 3D labeling algorithm. The fold depth and height are consistent with the results of radiosonde data and ERA5 reanalysis data. The fold frequency over the TP shows an increasing trend in the last 41 years, with slightly lower frequency of medium folds than that of shallow folds, and lowest frequency of deep folds. There is increasing water vapor in the UTLS over the TP due to tropopause folds. The results indicate that tropopause folds enhance the horizontal divergence of water vapor in the UTLS and increase the vertical water vapor flux in the UTLS region. The folding over the plateau leads to increased moisture in the UTLS. It is argued that vertical velocity anomalies in the vicinity of the fold and subgrid perturbations have a significant impact on the increase of UTLS water vapor over the TP. The results of this work provide a scientific basis for a better understanding of the stratosphere-troposphere exchanges due to tropopause folds over the TP.

A Single-Center Prospective Comparison of Natal Cleft Depth of 200 Patients with and without Pilonidal Sinus Disease

The etiology of primary pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) remains unclear. Current understanding suggests that sharp hair fragments from the occiput contribute to the formation of PSD. In 2009, Akinci et al. reported a correlation between PSD and a deeper natal cleft. We investigated the association between intergluteal fold (IGF) depth and PSD risk using a standardized five-step measuring protocol. Our study included 95 PSD patients and 105 non-PSD individuals, and measurements were taken from the glabella sacralis to the anus in a controlled in-house setting after obtaining informed consent from voluntary participants of a northern German population. The mean (± SD) intergluteal depth progressively increased from the intergluteal opening at the glabella sacralis at 9.1 (± 3.4) mm to a maximum of 62.6 (± 10.4) mm. Notably the deepest point was consistently observed at the anus, where PSD occurence is rare. No significant difference in intergluteal fold depth between PSD and non-PSD patients was found. Additionally, PSD predominantly developed in the proximal (cranial) third of the intergluteal fold, despite the maximum depth being in the distal region. These findings suggest that intergluteal fold depth is not a risk factor for PSD.

Analysis of stretch distribution of high compliant elastomers within folded lumen vessels

Abstract Elastomer based high compliant balloons containing strain sensing element(s) (SEs) is currently under development intended for in-vivo biomechanical diagnostics of vessels. It could potentially reveal local lumen features based on patterns derived from the sensing elements. A Finite Element based, simulation study in COMSOL® (v5.6) focusses on in-vivo inflation behavior of an elastomeric balloon being equipped with SE, whose compliance is ideally magnitudes higher than the surrounding tissue in an idealized 2D setup. We hypothesized the vessel’s inner wall as a closed convexconcave 4-fold structure correlated to surface structures found in urethrae and parameterized the fold depth. A set of SEs consisted of one SE over the inner surface of balloon while the other over the outer wall. Out of the three adjacent placed sets, The first set was closer to the tissue lumen while the third set the farthest. We assessed the stretch of balloon over its inner circumference through SEs. At conformal contact with the tissue wall, The first SE shows a higher value, while the third element undergoes the least stretch within the three sensing elements. The SE’s over the outer circumference show the exact opposite relation. The differences between the sensing elements over the inner and outer circumferences show a correlation with the curvature of the tissue it conforms to. With use of balloon that was 10x thicker (10μm vs 1μm), around 10x larger stretch differences were captured suggesting possibility to use less sensitive measuring system. For the ideal situations performed, the curvature and depth information may be comprehended by observing differences between inner and outer SEs while thicker balloons prove to be more useful to generate differences that are easier to capture in practical situations. This semiquantitative study suggests that simulation studies are powerful tools to obtain new analytical techniques for shape characterization.

Functional Outcome of Dual Reinnervation with Cross-Facial Nerve Graft and Masseteric Nerve Transfer for Facial Paralysis.

The combination of cross-facial nerve graft (CFNG) and masseteric nerve transfer (MNT) for reinnervation of facial paralysis may provide advantages of both neural sources. However, quantitative functional outcome reports with a larger number of patients are lacking in the literature. Here, the authors describe their 8-year experience with this surgical technique. Twenty patients who presented with complete facial paralysis (duration, <12 months) received dual reinnervation with CFNG and MNT. The functional outcome of the procedure was evaluated with the physician-graded outcome metric eFACE scale. The objective artificial intelligence-driven software Emotrics and FaceReader were used for oral commissure measurements and emotional expression assessment, respectively. The mean follow-up was 31.75 ± 23.32 months. In the eFACE score, the nasolabial fold depth and oral commissure at rest improved significantly ( P < 0.05) toward a more balanced state after surgery. Postoperatively, there was a significant decrease in oral commissure asymmetry while smiling (from 19.22 ± 6.1 mm to 12.19 ± 7.52 mm). For emotional expression, the median intensity score of happiness, as measured by the FaceReader software, increased significantly while smiling (0.28; interquartile range, 0.13 to 0.64). In five patients (25%), a secondary static midface suspension with fascia lata strip had to be performed because of unsatisfactory resting symmetry. Older patients and patients with greater preoperative resting asymmetry were more likely to receive static midface suspension. The authors' results suggest that the combination of MNT and CFNG for reinnervation of facial paralysis provides good voluntary motion and may lessen the use of static midface suspension in the majority of patients. Therapeutic, IV.

Изучение влияния различных методов удаления вискоэластика при факоэмульсификации возрастной катаракты на интраоперационное и раннее послеоперационное состояние интерфейса «интраокулярная линза – капсула хрусталика»

Purpose. To study the effect of various methods of removing ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) in phacoemulsification (PE) of senile cataracts (SC) on intraoperative and early postoperative state of «intraocular lens – posterior lens capsule» (IOL – PLC) interface. Material and methods. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed intraoperative, 2 hours after surgery, on the 1st and 5th days after surgery to study the state of IOL – PLC interface and its parameters in 92 eyes of 92 patients at PE. Results. Intraoperative OCT control showed that when using irrigation and aspiration, full contact IOL – PLC occurred only in 9.8 % of the eyes, after additional impulse-irrigation – in 100 % of the eyes. On the 5th day surgery, significantly better parameters of the IOL – PLC interface (diastasis between the lens and the capsule, size of PLC folds) were detected in the eyes, where IOL pneumocompression was performed as additional method of removing OVD. Conclusion. The study of features of IOL – PLC interface during PE SC and in early postoperative period showed its instability and pronounced variability of the OCT picture. Intraoperative OCT monitoring of state of the IOL – PLC interface revealed greater efficiency of impulseirrigation method in comparison with irrigation and aspiration method in removing OVD from the lens capsule. The use of the method of pneumocompression of the lens capsule made it possible to obtain significantly better indicators of diastasis between the IOL and PLC and the depth of capsule folds 5 days after surgery (p &lt; 0.05). Keywords: phacoemulsification, senile cataract, posterior lens capsule, «intraocular lens – posterior lens capsule» interface

M-shaped Genioplasty: New Findings after 10 Years of Experience.

A retrospective analysis was performed on 34 patients between 2010 and 2019. All studies were conducted at T0 (preoperative), T1 (a month after surgery), and T2 (1 year after surgery). The position of the bone pogonion (Pg) was measured vertically and horizontally at T0, T1, and T2; the mentolabial angle and the depth of the mentolabial fold were measured at T0 and T2. The average sagittal advancement at T1 was 6.6 mm and at T2 was 6.4 mm. The inferior movement was an average of 5.6 mm at T1 and T2, showing both movements excellent stability. The mentolabial angle increased at T2 an average of 28.2 degrees (5 degrees per each millimeter of inferior movement), whereas the depth of the mentolabial fold decreased an average of 2.8 mm (decreased 49% from the initial depth and decreased 0.56 mm per each mm of inferior movement). The average increase of the lower third of the face was 5 mm. No complications were observed in any patient. M-shaped genioplasty is an anterior osteotomy of the mandible, which allows the chin to move forward and downward. Additionally, it allows an increase of the mentolabial angle and decreases the mentolabial fold.

Determination of the depth of folds in fiberglass products using ultrasonic waves

The article discusses the existing methods of ultrasonic testing of polymer composite materials, reflected in the literature, allowing to determine the size of discontinuities, a method is proposed for determining the depth of folds of fiberglass products of complex shape by subsurface ultrasonic waves using original ultrasonic piezoelectric transducers with conical waveguides designed and manufactured. An experimental development of a method for determining the depth of folds of fiberglass products and a comparison of the results of ultrasonic testing with the results of X-ray computed tomography was carried out.

Autologous Plasma Gel as an Effective Method of Facial Volume Restoration and Skin Rejuvenation

The primary aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the potential effectiveness of autologous platelet gel as a method for facial volume restoration and skin rejuvenation. High‐frequency ultrasonography was utilized to assess the outcomes of the treatment. The study included a cohort of ten female patients aged between 40 and 50 who actively participated in the research. They reported moderate‐to‐severe static and dynamic wrinkles, volume loss, thinning, and roughness of the skin. Each patient received one session of autologous platelet gel injections. The gel was prepared accordingly with the manufacturer’s (INNMEDIS, ATR™) instructions. Medium viscosity gel was injected into the superficial subdermal fat pads in the temples, as well as in the middle and lower face areas, to improve facial volume. A high‐frequency ultrasound (US) device was employed to quantify skin density, skin thickness, and the depth of nasolabial folds. The US images were captured at three time points: before gel administration, one month after the procedure, and three months after the procedure. The imaging focused on the nasolabial folds area to monitor changes and assess the effectiveness of the treatment over time. Based on the analyses, the use of autologous platelet gel is beneficial towards improving skin density and decreasing nasolabial fold depth. However, further research should be conducted into the gel’s effects on dermis thickness to achieve a stronger, more statistically significant conclusion. The level of satisfaction of the enrolled patients regarding their facial appearance was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The VAS assessment revealed an average score of 4.1 before the commencement of the treatment, an average score of 7.9 one month after the treatment, and an average score of 7.5 three months following the treatment. The results indicate a significant increase in patient satisfaction following treatment completion. Autologous platelet gel appears to hold promise as a treatment option for volume replacement and skin rejuvenation, making it an attractive choice for individuals seeking natural skin treatments. Despite the encouraging findings from this observation, further validation is required through a larger controlled study to definitively confirm whether autologous platelet gel is indeed an effective method for volume replacement and skin rejuvenation.

Effects of electromagnetic-vibration fan with folding blades on convective heat transfer

The electromagnetic-vibration fan is mainly composed of a pair of vibrating blades and an electromagnetic drive device. The electromagnetic force drives the blades to vibrate periodically, generating airflow for cooling electronic equipment. Optimising the fan blades at the same power consumption is a critical way to enhance convective heat transfer. The present work designed a new blade type with a three-dimensional groove structure, the folding blade, based on the rectangular blade. The effects of the electromagnetic-vibration fan with folding blades on convective heat transfer were investigated experimentally and numerically. The results show that the folding blade can increase the vorticity and air velocity. In comparison with the rectangular blade, the maximum airflow velocity increases by 0.9 m s−1, and the time-averaged and maximum temperatures decrease by 2.5 °C and 1.6 °C, respectively. The optimal folding number, folding depth and length of the free-end section are 7, 2 mm and 25 mm, respectively.

Disorders of the visual system following vitreoretinal and macular surgery

The visual system is highly complex. Monocular or binocular disorders can develop, for example during tractive alterations of the macula, such as in epimacular membranes, and result in symptoms, such as double vision, aniseikonia or metamorphopsia. These symptoms are also observed following vitreomacular or vitreoretinal surgery, especially after treatment of large retinal detachment involving the macular area using pars plana vitrectomy or scleral buckle surgery but also as aresult of vitreomacular interventions, such as membrane peeling in epimacular gliosis. Some patients have preoperatively existing latent conditions, which are not explicitly addressed during routine preoperative diagnostics. For patients and surgeons it is worth noting that these troublesome symptoms are often manifested in patients with good restoration of best corrected visual acuity following vitreomacular surgery. In such cases, patients tend to be dissatisfied with the surgical result despite good visual acuity. Treatment of postoperative metamorphopsia, aniseikonia and double vision is often difficult. In clinical studies, the maximum depth of tractive retinal folds has been described as areliable morphological biomarker for the occurrence of metamorphopsia in epimacular gliosis. As metamorphopsia tends to postoperatively resolve slowly and even persist in ca. 30% of cases, this biomarker can have an impact on preoperative consulting and postoperative monitoring. Persistent binocular discomfort is often treatable by exact refraction correction and by applying avertical and, if necessary, ahorizontal prism. This often requires patience on the part of both the patient and the physician but is mostly successful due to fusion and adaptability.

A comprehensive analysis of variability in the sulci that define the inferior frontal gyrus in the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) brain

AbstractObjectivesIn the human brain, the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) is comprised of three morphological regions, which include the pars opercularis, pars triangularis, and pars orbitalis. These brains regions are implicated in a number of cognitive and linguistic functions, and the pars opercularis and pars triangularis of the language dominant hemisphere are collectively referred to as Broca's area. Evolution of the morphology of the IFG has been a topic of study in comparative neuroscience.Materials and MethodsUsing magnetic resonance images (MRI) from 294 chimpanzees with known pedigrees, we quantified the folding patterns, surface area, and depth of three sulci and their subdivisions that define the IFG.ResultsChimpanzees show considerable individual variation in IFG sulci. A higher proportion of males and chimpanzees with better orofacial motor control had a bifurcation in the dorsal limb of the fronto‐orbital sulcus. For surface area and depth, chimpanzees with better orofacial motor control had greater leftward asymmetries in surface area and increased gyrification for the fronto‐orbital sulcus and greater rightward biases for the inferior precentral sulcus. Quantitative genetic analyses revealed that the average surface area and depth for three of the five sulci subdivisions were significantly heritable. By contrast, we found no evidence for heritability in asymmetries for any of the sulci.DiscussionThese findings provide context to understanding evolutionary selection for increasing motor, cognitive and linguistic functions among primates, and contribute an essential comparative framework for interpreting IFG evolution in the human lineage.