Lateral Entrance Research Articles

Optimizing the Endoscopic Transorbital Approach: MacCarty Keyhole for Enhanced Surgical Exposure in the Opticocarotid Region

Background and ObjectiveIn recent years, the endoscopic transorbital approach has gained increasing interest for the treatment of middle cranial fossa lesions. We propose a technical refinement to the conventional superior-eyelid transorbital approach, which improves the surgical exposure and augments the working angles when targeting the opticocarotid region. MethodsFour embalmed adult cadaveric specimens (eight sides) were dissected at the Laboratory of Surgical Neuroanatomy of our institution. A transorbital approach was performed, with removal of the anterior clinoid process (ACP) and the lateral orbital rim. Subsequently, the MacCarty's keyhole was drilled in the superolateral orbital wall. Given that the lesser sphenoid wing was already drilled in the conventional transorbital craniectomy, the opening of the keyhole was essentially a lateral extension of the craniectomy. ResultsThe procedure was successfully conducted in all four orbits. Clinoidectomy was performed either before or after extending the craniectomy to the MacCarty´s point. Extending the craniectomy made anterior clinoidectomy easier, by increasing the surgical exposure, and allowing a more lateral entrance for the endoscope. The extension also facilitated frontal lobe retraction, and it facilitated the optic nerve and carotid artery manipulation. Postoperative CT scans showed a minimal 10 mm craniectomy extension, which remained covered by the temporal muscle after reconstruction. ConclusionThe modified endoscopic transorbital approach with the extension of the craniectomy to MacCarty´s point improves surgical access and visualization of the opticocarotid region. This facilitates anterior clinoidectomy and optic nerve decompression. Although it implies judicious instrument manipulation and a larger incision size, further studies can define its potential benefits.

Nest site selection and breeding ecology of Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha) in the alpine wetland ecosystem of southwestern China

The global abundance of Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha) has declined dramatically in recent decades. Ecological information of its wild populations, particularly regarding nest site selection, is scant. We studied the nest site selection and breeding ecology of this duck in Caohai National Nature Reserve, its southernmost breeding site in the Guizhou Province of China. The aquatic vegetation of Caohai is composed of 2 different landscapes with small patches (in Site A) or large patches (in Site B). We studied the habitat preferences of breeding Spot-billed Ducks at 3 spatial scales: landscape, patch, and nest site. In total, we surveyed 413 patches during the breeding seasons of 2014–2016 (298 in Site A and 115 in Site B). We found no nests in Site A, but surveyed 88 patches with 254 nests and 27 patches without nests in Site B. Unlike the open-cup nests known from other breeding localities, the nests of the Spot-billed Duck in Caohai were dome-like structures with a lateral entrance. Patches with nests were significantly larger than patches without nests in total area, circumference, and shape index. In Site B, a negative binomial regression showed that the number of nests was positively correlated with sedge vegetation within the patch area. The reduced model from a binary logistic regression indicated that the total vegetation cover and the distance to bank had positive impacts on nest site selection of this duck in Caohai, but water depth had a negative influence. Our study suggests good concealment is a necessity for the Spot-billed Duck to construct nests in Caohai. Our survey using infrared cameras in 2021 did not record male parents participating in incubation (n = 47 cameras). The mean mass of eggs (46.91 ± 0.36 g) and clutch size (8.48 ± 0.08 eggs) values were lower than those reported for the Xianghai National Nature Reserve, a breeding stronghold for the Spot-billed Duck in northeastern China. The nest success rate in Caohai (nests where at least 1 egg hatched) was 40.4% (n = 47 nests) and the hatching success rate was 91.4% (n = 134 eggs from 19 successful nests). Maintaining the emergent hydrophyte vegetation is the primary means to conserve the nesting habitat of the Spot-billed Duck in Caohai and it is necessary to strictly enforce the law against human disturbance.

Ligand entry pathways control the chemical space recognized by GPR183.

The G protein-coupled receptor GPR183 is a chemotactic receptor with an important function in the immune system and association with a variety of diseases. It recognizes ligands with diverse physicochemical properties as both the endogenous oxysterol ligand 7α,25-OHC and synthetic molecules can activate the G protein pathway of the receptor. To better understand the ligand promiscuity of GPR183, we utilized both molecular dynamics simulations and cell-based validation experiments. Our work reveals that the receptor possesses two ligand entry channels: one lateral between transmembrane helices 4 and 5 facing the membrane, and one facing the extracellular environment. Using enhanced sampling, we provide a detailed structural model of 7α,25-OHC entry through the lateral membrane channel. Importantly, the first ligand recognition point at the receptor surface has been captured in diverse experimentally solved structures of different GPCRs. The proposed ligand binding pathway is supported by in vitro data employing GPR183 mutants with a sterically blocked lateral entrance, which display diminished binding and signaling. In addition, computer simulations and experimental validation confirm the existence of a polar water channel which might serve as an alternative entrance gate for less lipophilic ligands from the extracellular milieu. Our study reveals knowledge to understand GPR183 functionality and ligand recognition with implications for the development of drugs for this receptor. Beyond, our work provides insights into a general mechanism GPCRs may use to respond to chemically diverse ligands.

Lateral access mechanism of LPA receptor probed by molecular dynamics simulation.

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) are a family of membrane receptors that play important roles in the regulation of various physiological phenomena. LPA receptors (LPA1-6) are members of the class A GPCRs, which transduce a lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signal across the cell membrane and evoke various responses, including cellular survival, proliferation, differentiation, and migration. The crystal structure of LPA6 revealed a gap between its transmembrane helices (TMs), which is opened toward the membrane side. This led to the proposal of the “lateral access model,” in which its lipophilic ligand directly enters the binding pocket through the gap structure at the membrane. In this study, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and Markov state model (MSM) analyses of LPA6 and LPA, to elucidate the long timescale dynamics of the ligand binding process. The results from the 71.4-μs MD simulation suggested that the flexibility of the TMs constituting the gap structure enables the lateral entrance of the ligand, and the key interactions between the receptor and ligand facilitate the transition state of the ligand binding process.

Morphometric study of vertebral artery groove in dry human cervical vertebra in Pakistani population

Introduction: Vertebral artery passes through vertebral artery groove present on the posterior arch of atlas; free movement of which is required during rotation of the neck. This artery can be compressed if the vertebral groove is converted into arcuate foramina due to the projection of bony ponticuli over the grove. This compression can cause vertebra-basilar insufficiency, headache, or neck-shoulder pain of unknown origin. Objective: This study aims to provide data regarding vertebral artery groove and its morphology to help surgeons and clinicians in the local Pakistani population as no data is available in this population. Materials and Methods: A total of sixty adult dry human atlas vertebrae were taken from the Anatomy museum of King Edward medical university. Quantitative and qualitative data were taken for analysis. Quantitative data include the distance of medial and lateral edges of vertebral artery groove from the midline of the posterior arch, the distance of the medial edge of foramen transversarium from the midline, the thickness of vertebral artery groove and its dimensions at medial and lateral entrance points. Qualitative data includes the type of bridging over the vertebral artery groove. Data were analyzed and the mean was taken.Results: Mean distance of the medial edge of vertebral artery groove from midline was found to be 13.32 ± 3.25 and 13.72 ± 2.82 mm on right and left sides respectively while the mean distance of the lateral edge of vertebral artery groove from midline was 22.31 ± 3.47 on the right side and 22.29 ± 2.98 on the left side. The mean of total thickness found was 3.84 ± 0.66 mm on right and 3.57 ± 1.14 mm on left. Morphology showed that 3.33% of the Pakistani population has complete arcuate foramina, 40% partial bridging, and 56.67% absent bridging. Conclusion: Findings of this study can be helpful for neurosurgeons during procedures requiring exposure of the posterior arch of the atlas so that damage to a vertebral artery can be prevented.

Anatomical Predictors of Dosimetric Advantages for Deep-inspiration-breath-hold 3D-conformal Radiotherapy Among Women With Left Breast Cancer.

This study aimed to analyze the dosimetric gain of the deep-inspiration-breath-hold (DIBH) technique over the free-breathing (FB) one in left breast cancer (LBC) 3D-conformal-radiotherapy (3D-CRT), and simultaneously investigate the anatomical parameters related to heart RT-exposure. Treatment plans were generated in both DIBH and FB scenarios for 116 LBC patients monitored by the Varian RPM™ respiratory gating system for delivery of conventional or moderately hypofractionated schedules (±sequential boost). For comparison, we considered cardiac and ipsilateral lung doses and volumes. A significant reduction of cardiac and pulmonary doses using DIBH technique was achieved compared to FB plans. Larger clinical target volumes generally need longer distance between medial and lateral entrances of tangent fields at body surface, thus conditioning a worse heart RT-exposure. The DIBH technique reduces cardiac and pulmonary doses for LBC patients. Through easily detectable anatomical parameters, it is possible to predict which patients benefit most from DIBH-RT.

Descripción del nido y cuidado parental de Euphonia chlorotica (Aves: Fringillidae) en Santa Cruz, Bolivia

En este estudio se describen los primeros datos sobre aspectos reproductivos de Euphonia chlorotica en Bolivia mediante el monitoreo de un nido construido en un macetero colgante dentro una vivienda ubicada en la ciudad de Santa Cruz de la Sierra. El nido tenía forma globular con entrada lateral típica de la especie y fue construido en un lapso de 6 días en diciembre de 2019. Tres huevos de color blanquecino con manchas café oscuras fueron incubados durante 16 días exclusivamente por la hembra. Los pichones nacieron de forma sincrónica el 25 de enero de 2020 y luego de 16 días abandonaron el nido con sus plumajes totalmente desarrollados, excepto por el largo de las plumas de la cola, y con los picos aun con la comisura amarilla característica de los juveniles. La alimentación de los pichones fue realizada por ambos progenitores y la probabilidad de supervivencia diaria del nido y éxito de anidación fue del 100%, pese a encontrase en un ambiente altamente urbanizado.

O artificialismo teatral e crítico de Jean Renoir em A carruagem de ouro

Resumo O artigo investiga o filme A carruagem de ouro (1952), dirigido por Jean Renoir, buscando identificar como as escolhas estilísticas e dramatúrgicas do diretor configuram um artificialismo teatral. A partir da análise da mise-en-scène e da dramaturgia da obra, abordamos como tal artificialismo resulta em uma perspectiva lúdica e incisiva sobre as relações sociais. O aspecto teatral do trabalho é analisado a partir de elementos formais que são mais comuns no teatro (como a frontalidade dos rostos, a desnaturalização e o aprisionamento dos espaços) ou em um cinema considerado “teatral” (como as entradas e saídas laterais), preservados pelo estilo de Renoir.

Comparison between bridging students and traditional first-year students in engineering technology

ABSTRACTTo stimulate a flexible lifelong learning system students can enter university via lateral entry. Unlike traditional first-year students, lateral entrance students are not well-studied. Therefore this study focuses on comparing first-year students with a specific group of lateral entrants, namely bridging students at the Faculty of Engineering Technology, KU Leuven. Using Astin’s Input-Environment-Outcome model resulted in (1) Input variables, namely prior education and initial learning and study strategies, (2) Environmental influence, measured with a questionnaire focussing on perceived transition to university, and (3) Outcome variables, namely dropout and academic achievement. Analyses resulted in similarities for the outcome variables, but differences in terms of secondary education. Regarding the input (LASSI) and environmental questionnaires, for only two of the 13 scales a moderate effect was found (perceived preparedness and test strategies). Consequently, research findings of first-year engineering students can be compared, taking into account their specific differences, to the context of bridging students.

School Entrance Examination for Lateral Entrants - What Can and What Should They be Able to Do? A Discussion Contribution Based on the Data from the Health Authority Frankfurt am Main 2006-2016

The medical investigation of school beginners is one of the essential tasks of the child and youth services of the health authorities. While in all federal states in Germany, the examination of all school beginners is legally clearly stipulated, the situation for "lateral entry", that is, children of school age, who are moving from a foreign country to a local German community and attending school there, is not clearly regulated in the respective school laws. This article presents the experiences of the lateral entry investigations in Frankfurt am Main. All children of school age who moved to Frankfurt from abroad undergo a health check. This encompasses a standardized questionnaire-based history with the help of interpreters, including a review of the available vaccination document (case history sheets are available in different languages), an eye examination, hearing test and a physical examination. Children over the age of 15 who came from countries with a high prevalence for tuberculosis had chest x-ray. Between 2006 and June 2016, a total of 8245 children and adolescents were examined, in 4% of the children abnormalities in hearing, and in 22% in visual screening showed noticeable problems, with an increasing trend in recent years. The vaccination status was unknown in two-thirds of the children, one quarter of the children were sufficiently vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and pertussis, and 19.5% were immunized against measles (vaccine or disease). Diseases of the respiratory tract, the heart and the circulation were predominant with a total of 4%, followed by musculoskeletal disorders with 3%. Lice infestation was found in 1.7% of children. In 0,7% of 2171 children with chest-X-rays, a conspicuous pulmonary lesion was diagnosed, but no tuberculosis. The focus of the lateral entrance examination is a school-related health status. On the basis of experience gained in Frankfurt am Main, it should be pointed out that investigations by the lateral entrants from other countries seem necessary, in particular visual and hearing screening, physical examination and checking the vaccination status, possibly in combination with vaccination. On the other hand, a detailed developmental screening does not appear to be urgent in the case of pupils who will be starting compulsory school, in whom there is no chance for additional encouragement before the start of school.

Reproductive aspects of the Purple-throated Euphonia, Euphonia chlorotica (Aves: Fringillidae) in southeastern Brazil, and first record of the species nesting inside a vespiary

Despite the fact thatE. chlorotica(Linnaeus, 1766) is common and widely distributed in South America, the reproductive aspects of the species are poorly documented. Here we present data on 18 active nests found from August to February, between 2007 and 2012. Nests were globular with a lateral entrance, and measured 97.9 ± 14.4 mm in outside height, 110.6 ± 11.6 mm in outside diameter, and were 4.88 ± 2.09 m above ground. They were often supported from bellow and were composed mainly of tiny dry leafs and leaflets, fine petioles, and plumed seeds, all compacted with spider web silk. Eggs were laid on consecutive days or with one day interval, and clutch size varied from 1–3 eggs (2.1 ± 0.6, n = 9 nests). Only females incubated the eggs, but both sexes were involved in nest construction and nestling attendance at similar rates. Incubation and nestling periods were 14 and 21 days, respectively, and overall nest survival probability was 5%. A vespiary used for nesting was not occupied by wasps and nest material was deposited only to form the incubatory chamber. Although nesting near wasps or bees is a widespread strategy among birds in general, nesting inside the nests of social insects is a poorly documented behavior.

First description of the nest and notes on parental care of Oustalet’s Tyrannulet, Phylloscartes oustaleti (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae)

A nest of Phylloscartes oustaleti (Sclater, 1887), collected in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, is described as an ovoid structure with a dome-shaped lateral entrance supported laterally by thin twigs of a shrub. Building material was slender plant fiber interwoven with strands of live moss, which was growing also on twigs around the nest, thus serving to camouflage it. Egg cup was lined by silky material, probably seed down. This nest was found on 13 December 2007 when an adult was spotted carrying food to the nest, located 2.3 m above ground on the edge of secondary forest. Only arthropods were identified in the provisioned food, including mainly insects, but also spiders. General features of this nest conform to those of the few other species of the genus whose nests are known. Available records of Oustalet's Tyrannulet nests are consistent with the previously postulated September to December breeding season for the species, although one record of a bird carrying nest material in early August suggests the breeding season may extend earlier. Detailed nest descriptions are needed from a larger number of species before intra- and interspecific variation in nesting can be adequately appreciated in evolutionary or purely taxonomic contexts in this genus.

DYNAMICS OF LEAF FALL FROM RIPARIAN VEGETATION AND THE ACCUMULATION IN BENTHIC STOCK IN NEOTROPICAL STREAMS1

ABSTRACT Considering the importance of the riparian vegetation leaves as an energetic source to first order streams, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the leaf biomass contribution to the system and its temporal dynamics. With this purpose, monthly samples from July 2008 to June 2009 were collected using four sampling devices installed in three streams, in order to collect the vertical, lateral and terrestrial loads, and the benthic stock. We tested the following hypothesis: (1) leaf biomass input is higher after hydric stress periods; and (2) benthic stock biomass increase with higher loads from vertical and lateral entrances. Leaves represented 71.9% (on average) of all sampled allochthonous matter, with seasonal significant variation along the studied year. Peaks of leaf input were registered in September-October, after an increase in rainfall, and also in January, after a decrease in rainfall. Leaf input was higher in the lateral load.

THE FORMATION AND USE OF DROMOI IN EARLY MYCENAEAN TOMBS

The paper examines how the dromos emerged as an architectural feature in Mycenaean tombs and why it became the standard type of access device. It focuses on collective tombs with lateral entrances of LH I and transitional LH I/IIA date in mainland Greece, but considers also a number of MH tombs with side entrances. The first part discusses the architectural evidence. The second part examines permanent installations and evidence of possible ritual activities from dromoi. The third part explores the symbolic and performative aspects of dromoi. It is argued that the dromos was not an integral part of Mycenaean funerary architecture from the very beginning, but came about gradually out of a long process of experimentation, which originated in MH tumuli and was completed in late LH I or LH I/IIA tholoi and chamber tombs. This process merged different building traditions and combined practical considerations with new ritual needs arising at a period of intense social and cultural change.

Le grand portail de Cluny III : les interférences de la tradition tardo-antique, romaine et islamique sur un monument atypique

On the basis of the reconstruction of K. J. Conant, restitution which is confirmed by a recent critical examination, we should wonder about the atypical disposition of the Majestas Domini, a triumphal Ascension, which occupies the tympanum and the lintel of the great portal of Cluny III. The model of this theophany is italian, inspired by the absidal iconography at the end of the XIth century, in Rome and around the Monte Cassino: Sant Angelo in Formis and Santa Restituta of Naples. This explains the centric position of the beasts of Apocalypse and the Elders without their crowns. In the same time, the architectural structure of the portal send back to the lateral entrance of the great Mosque of Cordoba and most of all to the absidal arch of the oratory of the mihrab.

Allosteric Modulation of Ca2+ flux in Ligand-gated Cation Channel (P2X4) by Actions on Lateral Portals

Human P2X receptors are a family of seven ATP-gated ion channels that transport Na(+), K(+), and Ca(2+) across cell surface membranes. The P2X4 receptor is unique among family members in its sensitivity to the macrocyclic lactone, ivermectin, which allosterically modulates both ion conduction and channel gating. In this paper we show that removing the fixed negative charge of a single acidic amino acid (Glu(51)) in the lateral entrance to the transmembrane pore markedly attenuates the effect of ivermectin on Ca(2+) current and channel gating. Ca(2+) entry through P2X4 receptors is known to trigger downstream signaling pathways in microglia. Our experiments show that the lateral portals could present a novel target for drugs in the treatment of microglia-associated disease including neuropathic pain.

The intramembrane active site of GlpG, an E. coli rhomboid protease, is accessible to water and hydrolyses an extramembrane peptide bond of substrates

Escherichia coli GlpG is an orthologue of the rhomboid proteases that catalyse intramembrane proteolysis of specific membrane proteins. We previously showed that it can cleave a type I model membrane protein, Bla-LY2-MBP, having the second transmembrane region of lactose permease (LY2) in vivo and in vitro at the predicted periplasm-membrane boundary region of LY2. Here we investigated the environment of the active site regions of GlpG in the membrane-integrated state by examining the modifiability of Cys residues introduced into the regions around the catalytic residues with membrane-permeable and -impermeable alkylating reagents. The results indicate that the enzyme active site is fully open to the external aqueous phase. GlpG also cleaved a similar fusion protein, Bla-GknTM-MBP, having the transmembrane region of Gurken (GknTM), a physiological substrate of Drosophila rhomboids. Engineered Cys residues in the cleavage site regions of the LY2 and GknTM sequences were efficiently modified with a membrane-impermeable alkylating reagent, showing that these regions are exposed to the periplasm. These results suggest that GlpG cleaves an extramembrane region of substrates, unlike the currently prevailing view that this class of membrane proteases acts against a membrane-embedded polypeptide segment after its lateral entrance into the enzyme's active site.

Entrance radiation doses during paediatric cardiac catheterisations performed for diagnosis or the treatment of congenital heart disease

The purpose of this study was to estimate the radiation exposure of children, during cardiac catheterisations for the diagnosis or treatment of congenital heart disease. Radiation doses were estimated for 45 children aged from 1 d to 13 y old. Thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs) were used to estimate the posterior entrance dose (DP), the lateral entrance dose (DLAT), the thyroid dose and the gonads dose. A dose-area product (DAP) meter was also attached externally to the tube of the angiographic system and gave a direct value in mGy cm2 for each procedure. Posterior and lateral entrance dose values during cardiac catheterisations ranged from 1 to 197 mGy and from 1.1 to 250.3 mGy, respectively. Radiation exposure to the thyroid and the gonads ranged from 0.3 to 8.4 mGy to 0.1 and 0.7 mGy, respectively. Finally, the DAP meter values ranged between 360 and 33,200 mGy cm2. Radiation doses measured in this study are comparable with those reported to previous studies. Moreover, strong correlation was found between the DAP values and the entrance radiation dose measured with TLDs.

Near infrared emission spectroscopy induced by ultrasonic irradiation

Near infrared emission caused by ultrasonic excitation is demonstrated for the first time in this work. The instrument is constituted of an acousto-optical tunable filter-based spectrometer, an ultrasonic processor connected to a titanium alloy ultrasonic probe and a cylindrical borosilicate flask containing the sample to be excited. The radiation emitted by the sample is collected by a concave mirror and sent to the spectrometer. The effects of the position of the probe extremity in relation to a lateral entrance of the borosilicate flask and of the ultrasonic power on the emission signal were studied. The best results were obtained by positioning the probe extremity up to 2 mm from the reflexive body (lateral entrance) using 30% of the full ultrasonic incident power and acquiring spectra after 5 min of sonication. The NIR emission spectra resulting from the ultrasonic excitation were in agreement with that obtained by thermal excitation. The proposed technique was utilized to study different poly(dimethylsiloxane) samples having different viscosities.

Molecular Crosstalk between the Nucleotide Specificity Determinant of the SRP GTPase and the SRP Receptor

In signal recognition particle (SRP)-dependent targeting of proteins to the bacterial plasma membrane, two GTPases, Ffh (the SRP GTPase) and FtsY (the receptor GTPase), form a complex in which both proteins reciprocally stimulate each other's GTPase activities. We mutated Asp251 in the Ffh active site to Asn (D251N), converting Ffh to a xanthosine 5'-triphosphate (XTP)-specific protein as has been observed in many other GTPases. Unexpectedly, mutant SRP(D251N) is severely compromised in the formation of an active SRP.FtsY complex when bound with cognate XTP, and even more surprisingly, mutant SRP(D251N) works better when bound with noncognate GTP. These paradoxical results are explained by a model in which Ffh Asp251 forms a bidentate interaction with not only the bound GTP but also the receptor FtsY across the dimer interface. These interactions form part of the network that seals the lateral entrance to the composite active site at the dimer interface, thereby ensuring the electrostatic and/or structural integrity of the active site and contributing to the formation of an active SRP.FtsY complex.