Sternal Length Research Articles

Bilateral internal thoracic artery use in two-vessel disease does not increase the perioperative risk—A propensity score matched analysis

BackgroundBilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) are uncommonly used in the every-day practice due to safety concerns and technical challenges with Y-grafts. We hypothesized that in-situ BITA use during coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) for two vessel disease is equally safe to standard strategy with left internal thoracic artery-left anterior descending artery revascularization and venous graft to other target vessels.MethodsA propensity score matched analysis was used to compare elective on-pump CABG patients who received in-situ BITA (BITA-group), versus left internal thoracic artery graft to the left anterior descending artery plus vein (SITA-group). Primary end points were 30-days all-cause-mortality, major adverse cardiac events and incidents and deep sternal wound infections.ResultsA total of 50 matched pairs (c-statistics 0.769) were selected from patients operated on between January 2015 and April 2020 using BITA (n = 50) and SITA (n = 2170). There were no inter-group differences in demographics and basic clinical characteristics. The total operation time was longer in the BITA-group (4.0 vs 3.6 hours; p = 0.004). The rate of complete revascularization was similar, as was median aortic cross-clamp time, median extracorporeal circulation time, rate of re-explorations for bleeding, deep sternal wound infections or length of stay. One patient died in BITA group, 3 days after surgery, from a non-cardiac cause. After 36 months, the survival rate was 98% for BITA-group and 96% for controls (log-rank, p = 0.577).ConclusionsIn-situ use of BITA during coronary revascularization for two-vessel disease is as safe and effective, as use of single ITA and vein graft. In-situ strategy abolishes allows to avoid the technically demanding composite graft configuration.

Morfometric Based on Comb Types of Kampung Chicken in Mataram City

This study aimed to determine the morphometrics based on the type of free-range chicken comb in Mataram City. The research was conducted in the districts of Ampenan, Selaparang, and Cakranegara, Mataram City. The material used was 270 adult free-range chickens consisting of 135 roosters and 135 hens. The method used was a survey. Samples were taken by means of random sampling.The variables observed were comb types, sex, comb heigth, shank length, tibia length, femur length, sternum length, the distance between the pubic bone and the distance between the pubic bone and the chest, and body weight. Data collected were tabulated based on the type of comb and gender. The frequency of the comb type was calculated, and the morphometric data were analyzed by analysis of variance followed by the F test. The results show that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in shank length, tibia length, sternum length, the pubic bone distance and pubic bone distance to the chest in male and female single-comb chickens, rose, walnut and pea

Estimation of the proportionality of the physical development of children of the Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous district – Yugra with non-differentiated connective tissue displasion

Background. Assessment of the physical development of children in individual regions of the Russian Federation does not lose its relevance and requires constant updating, in this regard, it is important to study it in children adapting to the climatic and geographical conditions of the North, as well as the effect of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia on it.
 Aim. Aim of the study is to study the gender and age characteristics of the proportionality of physical development in children with undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia living in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug Yugra.
 Materials and methods. The analysis of physical development of 528 children of the second childhood and adolescence, living in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug Yugra, was carried out. The study group consisted of 342 children (248 boys and 94 girls) with a diagnostically significant number of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia symptoms (from 6 to 18 stigmas). The comparison group included 186 children (111 boys and 75 girls) who did not score a significant threshold of phene signs (from 0 to 5 stigmas). Physical development was assessed according to the Quetelet II weight-height index, chest-weight indices: Pignet, Vervek, and Brugsch, as well as proportionality indices: sternum, shoulder width, pelvic width, torso shape, arm and leg length indices, cranial and facial indices, interorbital-circular index.
 Results. Children without undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia during the second childhood have a tendency to malnutrition, and are characterized by a weak physique with a tendency to narrow chest. In adolescence, the tendency towards weakness of the physique persists, while height-weight ratios deviate towards normotrophy. Children with undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia during the second childhood and adolescence have a rectangular or trapezoidal body with an average length, as well as long upper and lower limbs relative to the length of the body.
 Conclusion. The impact of the socio-ecological factors of the North neutralizes the differences in the rates of physical development in healthy children and persons with disorders caused by congenital disorders of organogenesis of the undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia type.

Beyaz ve Kahverengi Varyetelerine Göre Japon Bıldırcın’larının (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Canlı Ağırlık ve Zoometrik Yapılarının Belirlenmesi

This study was carried out to determine some zoometric measurements and body weights in two different varieties of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), white and brown. For this purpose, live weights and variables of twelve different body measurements were evaluated in 30 white and brown varieties (15 males, 15 females), a total of 60 six-week-old quails housed under the same nutritional and environmental conditions. Although higher values were obtained in terms of average body weights at six weeks of age compared to many of the literature reports, there was no difference in terms of the two-color varieties compared in this study, while females were found to be significantly heavier than males. While white quails had higher values than brown ones in terms of head width, beak width, beak length, sternum length, tarsus length and wing length, females had higher values in live weight, body length, chest circumference and tarsus diameter variables according to gender. Positive correlations were found between body weights of six-week-old Japanese quails and the variables of skull length, body length, sternum length, middle finger length, wing length, chest circumference and tarsus diameter. Considering the fact that the consumption of quail will increase for the spread of quail breeding, it can be recommended to carry out more comprehensive studies on the factors that will enable people to prefer quail in nutrition.

Abstract 13263: Sex Differences in Outcomes After Cardiac Surgery: Insights From a National Database

Introduction: Female sex is considered an independent risk factor for mortality and morbidity following cardiac surgery. This study is the first to review the UK national database to compare outcomes following surgical revascularisation and valvular cardiac procedures between females and males. Hypothesis: Females have worse outcomes following cardiac surgery than males. Methods: Using data from National Adult Cardiac Surgery Audit (NACSA), we identified all elective and urgent, isolated coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG), aortic valve replacement (AVR) and mitral valve replacement/repair (MVR) procedures from 2010-2018. We compared baseline data, operative data and outcomes of mortality, stroke, renal failure, deep sternal wound infection, return to theatre for bleeding and length of hospital stay. Multivariable logistical/linear regression models were used to assess relationships between sex and our outcomes, adjusting for baseline characteristics. Results: Females, compared to males, had a greater odds of experiencing 30-day mortality in each procedure (CABG OR 1.76, CI 1.47-2.09, p<0.001; AVR OR 1.59, CI 1.27-1.99, p<0.001; MVR OR 1.37, CI 1.09-1.71, p=0.006). After CABG, females also experienced increased need for post-operative dialysis (OR 1.31, CI 1.12-1.52, p<0.001), deep sternal wound infections (OR 1.43, CI 1.11-1.83, p=0.005) and length of stay (Beta 1.2, CI 1.0-1.4, p<0.001) compared to males. Female sex was protective against returning to theatre for post-operative bleeding following CABG (OR 0.76, CI 0.65-0.87, p<0.001) and AVR (OR 0.72, CI 0.61-0.84, p<0.001). Conclusions: Despite advances in cardiac surgery, females in the UK have an increased risk of short-term mortality after cardiac surgery compared to males. This highlights the need to focus on the understanding of the causes behind these disparities and therefore implementation of strategies to improve this.

Impact of Bedside Re-Explorations in a Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care Unit Led by Surgeons.

Surgical re-explorations represent 3–5% of all cardiac surgery. Concerns regarding mortality and major morbidity of re-explorations in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting exist. We sought to investigate whether they may have different outcomes compared with those performed in the operating room (OR). Single center retrospective review of patients who underwent mediastinal re-exploration in the ICU or in the OR after cardiac surgery. Mediastinal re-explorations were also classified as: “planned” and “unplanned”. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality, secondary outcomes include deep sternal wound infection (DSWI), sepsis, ICU and hospital length of stay, prolonged intubation (>72 h), tracheostomy, pneumonia, acute kidney injury requiring dialysis and stroke. Between 2010 and 2019, 195 of 7263 patients (2.7%) underwent mediastinal re-exploration after cardiac surgery. More patients in the ICU group experienced two or more re-explorations (30.3% vs. 2.3%, p < 0.001), a higher incidence of postoperative pneumonia (22% vs. 7%, p = 0.004), prolonged intubation (46.8% vs. 19.8%, p < 0.001) and longer hospital stay (30.3 ± 34.2 vs. 20.8 ± 18.3 days, p = 0.014). There were no differences in mortality between ICU and OR (16.5% vs. 13.9%, p = 0.24) nor in sepsis (14.7% vs. 7%, p = 0.91) and DSWI rates (1.8% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.14). Re-explorations in the ICU were not associated with increased mortality, sepsis and mediastinitis rate.

Identification of sex from sternum bone and the role of C.T in sex estimation

Personal identification is a subtle perception and often one of the most significant priorities in the investigation of criminal cases, mass disasters and in forensic concerns. Sex determination is an important step in personal identification which can be done from bones examination either from their metric measurements or radiograph images especially in difficult identification as dismemberments, mutilations and explosions. In such cases the forensic examiner can depend on bone measurements. The best result of sex determination is achieved by accessing the entire skeleton, Skeletal remains traditionally used for gender identification (pelvis, long bones, and skull) are commonly restored in fragmented or states. When the entire skeleton is present, identification of age and sex can be done with 80% to 100% accuracy. The sternum is one of these bones which are being commonly used for sex identification either by direct measurement of dried sternum bones from dead bodies or indirect measurement of images taken from chest radiographs. Studies on sternal length for sex determination were done mostly on cadaveric dissections and recently some studies have utilized radiological measurements also

The genetic diversity of ayam ketawa (Gallus gallus domesticus, Linneaus, 1758) in Bangkalan District, Madura Island, Indonesia

Abstract. Abinawanto, Zulistiana T, Lestari R, Dwiranti A, Bowolaksono A. 2021. The genetic diversity of ayam ketawa (Gallus gallus domesticus, Linneaus, 1758) in Bangkalan District, Madura Island, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 3145-3155. Ayam Ketawa, a variation of Gallus gallus domesticus Gallus gallus domesticus, comes from Sidendreng-Rappang (Sidrap) District, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Apart from Sidrap, ayam ketawa farms are also found in Bangkalan District, on the island of Madura, Indonesia. Ayam ketawa from Bangkalan District often wins national level contests. Therefore, the research was carried out with the aim of knowing the genetic diversity of ayam ketawa in Kamal Subdistrict, Socah Subdistrict, and Burneh Subdistrict, based on bioacoustic, morphometric, and barcoding DNA analysis. The studied ayam ketawa consists of dangdut and slow types. The longest duration (6.00 ± 3.0) seconds was shown by ayam ketawa from Kamal Subdistrict, while the highest number of syllables (7.20 ± 5.80) came from Socah Subdistrict. The results of the Mann-Whitney test showed that eight morphological characters were significantly different (P &lt;0.05) between ayam ketawa population in Kamal and Burneh subdistricts, namely body weight, femur length, shank length, shank circumference, wing length, comb height, third finger length, and breastbone length. Four morphological characters differed significantly (P &lt;0.05) between ayam ketawa population in Kamal and Socah subdistricts, namely shank length, wing length, third finger length, and sternum length. Three morphological characters were significantly different (P &lt;0.05) between the Burneh and Socah subdistricts population, namely body weight, femur length, and shank circumference. The analysis results of DNA Barcoding gene of the Cytochrome Oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) showed a genetic distance ranging from 0.025 to 1.872.

Correlation between various Measurements of Sternum with Stature - An Autopsy based Study

The sternum is of crucial significance while estimating body stature. Dwight, in the late 19th century, discussed potential use of the sternum for estimation of the stature. Various researchers have shown that the sternum may be of use in stature assessment merely when long bones are not obtainable. The study was conducted to analyse the correlation between the stature and various measurements of the sternum. The posterior curved length, length of manubrium, length of mesosternum and length of sternum were measured in 300 adult sterna. The mean length of a cadaver (Stature) was observed to be greater in males (162.34 ± 8.03 cm) as compared to females (156.53 ± 8.50 cm). A positive moderate correlation (R ranging from 0.332 to 0.647) was observed between various measurements of sternum with stature in both the genders. Sternal length shall be considered as a better parameter over other sternal measurements for estimating the stature. However the application for utilizing the sternum for stature estimation should be restricted to the population sample for and from which they have been developed.

Estimation of cadaveric stature from sternal measurements: An autopsy-based study

The aim of this study was to estimate cadaveric/post-mortem stature from dry sternum measurements by deriving regression equations. This study included dry intact sterna from 56 males and 44 females, aged more than 25 years, obtained during medico-legal autopsies. Stature and three sternal lengths i.e. length of the manubrium (ML), Mesosternal length (MSL) and combined sternal length (MBL), of each cadaver were measured. Stature and all measured sternal lengths were greater in males compared to females (p<0.001). Most of the sternal lengths were positively correlated with stature in sexes except male MSL and MBL. MBL had the highest correlation coefficient (0.525). On the other hand, the stepwise multiple linear regression equation derived from the combination of ML, MSL and MBL had the higher R2 value (R2 = 0.337) for cadaveric stature estimation. These findings suggested that measured sternal lengths can be used for estimation of sex. However, MSL and MBL measurements were found to be the most reliable sternal lengths for estimating sex. Our results revealed that sternum morphometry although shows moderate positive correlation with the cadaveric stature but is not a reliable tool for estimating stature when other skeletal bones are not available.

Correlation of cadaveric stature with posterior curve length of sternum in Mewat Region of Haryana: A comparative analysis of SPSS with machine learning

The aim of the present study was to develop a population specific regression formula for estimating cadaveric length from posterior curve length of fresh sternum and compare the linear regression results of SPSS and machine learning. Cadaveric length and posterior curve length (PCL) of the sternum were measured from 74 dead bodies (39 males and 35 females) aged between 18 and 95 years from known corpses during medico-legal autopsies. Cadaveric stature and PCL was greater in males as compared to females (p<0.001). Regression equations and correlation coefficients were derived for PCL by SPSS and machine learning, which were Y=122.79+2.504(PCL) and Y= 122.98+2.49(PCL), respectively, with correlation coefficients of 0.609 and 0.606, respectively. Individual regression equations were also formulated for males and females separately with significant correlation. The standard error of estimate and R square model were also derived. Cross validating linear regression results of SPSS with machine learning showed almost similar results. The study suggests that posterior curve length of sternum in relation with post-mortem or cadaveric stature shows regional or geographic variation, a moderately positive correlation and relatively low reliability in estimating cadaveric stature, and thus, has limited forensic value.

Xiphoid Size and Gender Differences: An Anatomical Study

Background: Several studies have documented anatomical variations of the sternum. Because of its central role as an anchor of various abdominal muscles we have investigated a possible correlation between xiphoid length and body habitus indices, in both males and females. Method: Measurements of sternal length were obtained prior to median sternotomy during cardiac surgery. Body Surface Area (BSA) was calculated from height and weight, using standard tables. A xiphoid 1cm or less in length was considered vestigial. Results: The xiphoid was significantly longer in males. There was a positive significant correlation between xiphoid length and patient height and BSA in males, but not in females. Vestigial xiphoid was significantly commoner in females. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a marked gender difference in xiphoid morphology, with proportional scaling only exhibited in males. The absence of this scaling in females suggests an alternative mechanism behind vestigial xiphoid.

Sex- related morphometric difference in sternal index and dimensions amongst Nepalese adults

Introduction: The comprehensive goal in forensic anthropology is the identification of skeletal remains for which researchers are constantly working to produce methods that are as accurate as possible. Because of distinct sexual dimorphism, bones of the pelvis and skull are preferred; however, when these bones are unavailable other bones like sternum have to be used as it holds a great deal of sexual dimorphism.&#x0D; Objective: To evaluate sexual dimorphism in the metric parameters of the sternum through MDCT images amongst Nepalese adults.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Sternal dimensions of 105 study participants (62 male and 43 female) were measured using Computed Tomography (CT) images from Radiology Department of Dhulikhel Hospital. An independent t test was performed to assess the strength of association between different variables and genders. Differences were considered significant at P &lt; 0.05. ROC curve analysis was done to determine the discriminating power of variables for sex determination.&#x0D; Result: The different measurements of sternal lengths were significantly greater in male than females(p&lt;0.001) except Sternal Index which was found to be higher in female (p&lt;0.001). Despite this difference in mean, most of the sterna were in overlapping zone. The limiting point of 126 was determined for total sternum which could correctly classify majority of sternum. Using ROC curve the mesosternum and total sternum were found to be most accurate (&gt;95%) in sex determination. Hyrtl’s law could classify 91.9% of the male and Ashley’s rule of 136 could 97.67% of the female.&#x0D; Conclusion: Hence this study made an effort in sexing the sternum in Nepalese population amongst which mesosternal length and total sterna length were found to be best estimators of sex whereas manubrium length and sternal index were not found to be satisfactory.

Study of gender determination in living adult male and female subjects by evaluating the size of sternum about north Indian population

Introduction: The gender determination from the skeletal remains is of very much interest in the field of medical science. Ashley GT -1956b formulated the 149 rule according to which a male sternum exceeded 149mm in length whereas the female sternum was less than 149mm. on the basis of previous researcher I have been planned to verify the external data and establish them in reference to population in and around Lucknow. With the help of this study we were distinguishes the male and female sternum bone in north zone of India as well as Uttar Pradesh. Materials and Methods: The above mentioned measurements have been further use to calculate various sternal dimensions and indices according to the technique described by Ashley. Each linear measurement has been taken thrice on the anatomical position of the sternum using Mitutoyo-digital vernier calipers to the nearest millimeter with precision of 0.01 mm. Discussion: This study was fully supported the previous researchers, who has done the work in morphometry of sternum bone in cadaver and skeletal of human, because they told that the sterna has distinguish in different zone of India, as well as it is shorter than European country. Conclusion: The comparison of mean length of manubrium, mesosternum and sternum ranged from 40.39-71.31 mm, 83.49-129.97 mm and 150.21-170.39 mm respectively in adult male (16-60yrs) where as in adult female ranged from 23.79-60.35 mm, 68.33-122.42 mm and 116.36-148.92 mm respectively. Keywords: Sternum bone, Gender determination, Length of manubrium, Length of mesostenum.

Morphometry of the heart of greater rhea (Rhea americana americana, Linnaeus, 1758).

Heart diseases in birds are frequent and generate significant production disorders. Morphometry is a valuable tool to provide fundamental information about heart conditions. Few studies have addressed morphological aspects of the heart of ratite birds, such as the Greater rhea. The present study aimed to analyse rhea heart morphometry, comparing young and adult subjects, in order to provide relevant information for the diagnosis of heart disease in this species. Hearts of young (n=10) and adult (n=10) female rheas were used in this research. Heart length and width and sternum length were measured using a caliper. Heart length and width and sternum length in adults were approximately three times greater than in young individuals. The left ventricular wall (LVW) was thicker than the right ventricular wall (RVW) at all ages, and the RVW was thicker in adults when compared to young subjects. The basal and middle RVW regions thicken with advancing age, and the thickness of the interventricular septum (ISW) occupies an intermediate position between the LVW and RVW. In general, an increase in rhea heart thickness and size relative to age is observed. The morphometric variations between young and adult rhea hearts observed in the present study may serve as a comparative subsidy for the diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities observed in this species.

THE BOBY DIMENSIONS OF LOCAL CHICKENS AT THE PULLET PHASE AFTER L-THREONINE AND L-TRYPTOPHAN SUPPLEMENT IN FED

ABSTRACT&#x0D; &#x0D; The purpose of this experiment was to know the body dimensions of Kampong chickens at the pullet phase after l-threonine and l-tryptophan supplement in the feed. This experiment was conducted in Kelurahan Sasi and the Laboratory of Agricultural Faculty, University of Timor, Kefamenanu from July 2019 to September 2019. The experiment used 96 fourteen-week kampong chickens, was designed with a Completely Randomized Design, consisting of 4 treatments and 4 replications. The dietary treatments were T0 (control feed), T1 (supplementation of 0.15% l-threonine and 0.06% l-tryptophan), T2 (supplementation of 0.37% l-threonine and 0.11% l-tryptophan), and T3 (supplementation of 0.50% l-threonine and 0.15% l-tryptophan). The variables measured were body weight, chest circle, sternum length, wing length, back length, femur, tibia, and shank circle. Data obtained was analyzed by analysis of variance and Duncan’s test. The result showed that the bodyweight of T0, T1, T2, and T3 were 1542.83±10.54, 1600.03±1.82, 1638.49±14.97, and 1716.85±23.84 g/bird, respectively. The chest circle, wing length, back length, sternum length, femur, tibia, circle and length of shank were 26.20±1.87, 26.38±0.47, 28.63±2.21, and 29.83±1.83 cm/bird; 17.78±1.00, 17.98±0.36, 18.75±0.95, and 19.85±1.63 cm/bird; 15.75±0.64, 16.50±1.08, 18.50±0.57, and 18.38±0.85 cm/bird; 12.93±1.77, 13.75±1.19, 13.88±0.85, and 14.73±0.48 cm/bird; 10.50±0.70, 10.93±1.20, 10.95±0.10, and 11.73±0.73 g/bird; 10.70±0.50, 11.10±0.89, 12.23±0.58, and 12.15±0.57 cm/bird; 4.23±0.05, 4.20±0.21, 4.23±0.22, and 4.40±0.20 cm/bird; and 8.90±0.11; 8.88±0.47; 9.13±0.62, and 10.38±0.62 cm/bird, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that levels of l-threonine and l-tryptophan significantly affected body weight, chest circle, sternum length, wing length, and back length (P&lt;0,05). It was concluded that supplementation with 0.50% l-threonine and 0.15% l-tryptophan to the diet increases the body dimensions kampong chickens at the pullet phase.

An Autopsy Based Study of Sexual Dimorphism of Adult Human Sterna

Creation of an individual’s biological profile is of extreme importance and depends on age, sex and stature. The cranial and pelvic bones are important in identifying the sex of an individual. However, loss of complete bones or bones getting destroyed renders it impossible to use them for such estimations. However, since such sex-specific bones are hard to find at each and every scene, forensic experts are left with no choice but to depend on less sexually dimorphic elements of the human skeleton such as the sternum. This study was conducted in subjects that were subjected to medicolegal autopsy. The deceased aged 18 years and above, of either sex, were included in study. The deceased with evidence of trauma and surgery to the anterior chest wall, generalized bone diseases, observable deformities over the sternum were excluded. The analysis of 300 sterna was carried out to study sexual dimorphism in sternum using different parameters such as width of suprasternal notch, width of sternum at level of fourth rib, posterior curved length of sternum, manubrio-corpus index and length of sternum.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in pediatric pectus excavatum patients—Where is the heart?

In children with pectus excavatum, the posteriorly depressed sternum compresses and displaces the heart. However, the currently recommended compression site and depth for cardiopulmonary resuscitation have not been studied in this population. This retrospective study investigated the location of the center of ventricles with the largest cross-sectional area to determine the optimal site and depth for chest compressions in pediatric pectus excavatum patients. Chest computed tomography images of 94 pediatric pectus excavatum patients before and after correction surgery were compared with normal patients. The caudal displacement of the ventricles was calculated by dividing the length of sternum by the length from the suprasternal notch to the transverse level of the largest cross-sectional area of the ventricles. The proportional leftward deviation of the center of the ventricles from the midline versus transverse diameter of the thorax was calculated. The remaining internal thickness was calculated at the midline assuming the recommended compression depth of one-third of the anterior to posterior diameter. Compared with the normal population (mean=81% [SD=10.3%]), pediatric pectus excavatum patients showed caudal displacement of ventricles before (98.2% [15.1%], 95% CI of mean difference; 13.7%-20.5%, P<.001) and after correction (100.4% [13.5%], 95% CI of mean difference; 16.2%-22.5%, P<.001). Compared with the normal population (6.9% [2.7%]), pediatric pectus excavatum patients showed leftward deviation of ventricles before (16.2% [5.5%], 95% CI of mean difference; 8.2%-10.4%, P<.001) and after correction (13.3% [4.8%], 95% CI of mean difference; 5.3%-7.3%, P<.001). The remaining internal thickness assuming the recommended chest compression was <10mm in 54/94(57.4%) and 18/94 (19.1%) of pediatric pectus excavatum patients before and after correction, respectively. Pediatric pectus excavatum patients showed significant caudal displacement and leftward deviation of the ventricles compared with the normal population despite correction surgery and the currently recommended compression site and depth might injure intrathoracic structures without effective cardiac compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Skeletal correlates of flight specialization in large birds and their application to extinct giants

This study addresses questions related to the size limits of flying birds and tradeoffs associated with the evolution of large size. Flight imposes unique limits on size in animals, and as such, form and function in large flyers can provide unique insights regarding the mechanical and physiological limits of vertebrate animals. We focused on specializations in skeletal morphology associated with the large size of flying birds. We developed a large comparative dataset of axial and appendicular skeletal proportions for living birds, using the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. We examined skeletal proportions because they provide mechanically relevant data and because of their applicability to fossil taxa. Some extinct, flight‐capable birds achieved sizes far exceeding that of any living flying birds. The ecologies and flight performance profiles of these extinct forms are a matter of debate. Our dataset and methodology address these questions related to flight capacity.We consider the implications of our results for three different extinct giant flying birds: pelagornithids, teratorns, and giant storks. The largest pelagornithids had wingspans of up to 6 meters, twice that of the largest span in living birds. The teratorns contain the largest flying birds in the world with wingspans potentially reaching 6.5 m, and masses up to 75 kg. The flight capability of Leptoptilos robustus, a giant stork from the Indonesian island of Flores, is largely debated. This animal was nearly 1.8 meters tall and likely massed over 16 kg.We took mechanically relevant skeletal measurements from over 300 living birds, focusing on the forelimb, hind limb, and sternal elements. Analysis of residuals from a series of linear regressions showed that large soaring specialists have significantly longer humeri compared to their sterna than other birds. This analysis also revealed that wing propelled swimmers and burst flyers tend to possess significantly shortened humeri. Burst adapted flyers, especially the largest burst specialists (wild turkeys), possess sterna that are significantly longer and deeper, relative to sternal width, than those of other birds. Interestingly, large wing‐propelled swimmers also have higher sternal length to width ratios than other birds. By contrast, soaring specialists have relatively “typical” sternal proportions, as indicated by small residuals in sternal length when regressed against sternal width.These results, taken together, indicate that relatively simple measurements of limb bone and sternum dimensions can be a powerful tool for distinguishing between burst adapted and soaring adapted large flyers. Since large flying animals rely on high fractions of anaerobic flight muscle to maintain sufficient mass‐specific power for flight, most large flyers specialize in either burst takeoff or soaring flight. Our methodology distinguishes between these specializations with a high degree of accuracy in living taxa. We propose the same approach can be used for fossil taxa. Preliminary application of our comparative metrics suggest that teratorns were less condor‐like in their flight performance profile than previously suggested and pelagornithids, while clearly soaring specialized, may have been marine thermal users, rather than dynamic soaring specialists.

Radiographic Measurements of the Cardiac Silhouette in Healthy Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrots (Amazona aestiva).

The objective of this investigation was to determine radiographic measurements, without chemical restraint, of the cardiac silhouette in 34 healthy, adult blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) of unknown sex with a mean body weight of 393 g. The birds were fasted 3 hours before the radiographic examinations. Three thoracic radiographic views (ventrodorsal, right lateral, and left lateral) were obtained from each bird for assessment. There was no significant statistical difference between right and left radiographic measurements. The mean values of the measurements in the ventrodorsal views were heart width of 21.04 mm and coelomic cavity width of 50.61 mm. The mean values of the measurements in the lateral views were left heart length of 23.44 mm, right heart length of 23.40 mm, left sternal length of 65.69 mm, and right sternal length of 65.03 mm. A strong correlation and ratio of 43% between the heart width and coelomic cavity width and a moderate correlation and ratio of 36% between the heart length and sternal length were observed. In conclusion, the radiographic measurements of the cardiac silhouette in healthy blue-fronted Amazon parrots can be obtained without chemical restraint. The values obtained can be used to assist in the detection of cardiomegaly or microcardia in blue-fronted Amazon parrots.