Level Of Origin Research Articles

Tibial and femoral osteotomies in varus deformities - radiological and clinical outcome

BackgroundVarus deformities of the knee are frequently corrected by osteotomies, which should be performed at the level of origin. But in contrast to high tibial osteotomies (HTO), little data exists for distal femoral osteotomies (DFO).This study evaluates radiological and clinical outcomes after valgisation osteotomies in the proximal tibia and distal femur.MethodsWe used an observational cohort study design and prospectively performed preoperative long standing radiographs (LSR), lateral x-rays and clinical questionnaires (SF-36, Lysholm score, VAS). Postoperative LSR and lateral x-rays were obtained on average 18 months postoperative and postoperative clinical questionnaires at final visit (mean follow up 46 months). A subgroup analysis of the different surgical techniques (oHTO vs. cDFO) was performed, with regards to radiological and clinical outcomes.ResultsFinally 28 osteotomies with medial tibial opening (oHTO) or lateral femoral closing (cDFO) wedge osteotomies in 25 consecutive patients (mean age 40 years) were identified. There were 17 tibal and 11 femoral procedures. All osteotomies were performed at the origin of deformity, which was of different etiology. The average deviation of the final HKA compared to the preoperative planning was 2.4° ± 0.4°. Overall, there was a significant improvement in all clinical scores (SF-36: 61.8 to 79.4, p < 0.001; Lysholm-score: 72.7 to 90.4, p < 0.001; VAS: 3 to 1, p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between surgical accuracy and outcome scores.ConclusionValgisation osteotomies lead to a significant improvement in all clinical scores with the demonstrated treatment protocol. An appreciable proportion of varus deformities are of femoral origin. Since cDFO provides comparable radiological and clinical results as oHTO, this is an important treatment option for varus deformities of femoral origin.

Variation in Formation of Renal Artery

Backgrounds: Renal arteries are two large blood vessels branching laterally from the abdominal aorta just below the superior mesenteric artery. The arteries vary in their level of origin and caliber, obliquity and precise relations. Each renal artery is about 6-8mm diameter. There is a varying characteristic of these arteries owing to their different course. The aim of the study was to study the variation in the formation of renal artery with its branching pattern using CT Angiography.&#x0D; Methods: The study was conducted in the department of Radiology at Chitwan Medical College after obtaining ethical approval CMC-IRC. CT Angiogram was studied in 17 individuals who attended radiology department for angiography for different suspected abdominal and renal pathology.&#x0D; Results: Analyzing the result of the angiography we found the usual branching pattern of renal artery in 70.58% of the individual, with variations in remaining 29.42%. On studying the number of arteries supplying kidney, artery draining directly to hilum i.e. accessory renal artery was 2.95%. We found the average length of right renal artery ranged between 3.5cm to 6.0cm. &#x0D; Conclusions: The variations on this large lateral branch of abdominal aorta are common. Surgeons should exclude the possibility of presence of accessory and aberrant renal arteries obstruction prior to the surgical procedure. The awareness about the presence of such variations is important from the academic, surgical and radiological aspect.

«Housing problem» on virgin soil: touches of everyday life

The purpose of the article is to analyze the problem of housing construction for working state farms during the development of virgin and fallow lands (50-ies 60-ies of the XX century) using virgin state farms of the Orenburg (Chkalovsk) region as an example. To achieve this goal, the author posed the following tasks were set: to investigate the volume and quality of housing under construction on the virgin lands, to assess its sanitary condition, to characterize the internal situation of housing as an element of everyday life of primary lands; analyze the measures taken by the state. The relevance of the chosen topic is determined by the low knowledge of this problem in modern historiography and the lack of an integrated approach to it. A wide range of archival materials of a regional and national level, periodicals, and sources of personal origin are used as a research source. The presented material identifies the causes of the acute shortage of housing in the virgin lands; the analysis of compliance with norms and indicators of per capita demand and the actual provision of housing for each newcomer in the amount of square meters of living space, as well as the volume of housing development in the dynamics of the first decade of development of virgin lands. Based on the analysis of the statements of young people virgin lands, a map of priorities is compiled, prompting them to decide to move and develop these lands; issues of technical and sanitary condition of housing for new settlers are considered; a characteristic of the housing situation on the virgin lands is given, the possibilities of primary virgin lands and landmarks for the interior decoration of houses, apartments and rooms, as well as their arrangement, are determined; the main ways to solve the analyzed problem in virgin state farms are identified, such as lending for individual construction, provision of prefabricated switchboard houses, housing construction by unqualified primary lands. Conclusions are drawn about the lack of housing in the virgin lands, both quantitatively and qualitatively; about unsanitary condition in the first few years of development of virgin lands; lack of furniture and household items; a direct relationship between the quality of housing, its readiness for the arrival of new settlers and the turnover of personnel in virgin state farms. Most of the measures taken yielded results only in the mid-1960-ies.

Interpregnancy intervals and perinatal and child health in Sweden: A comparison within families and across social groups

A large body of research has shown that children born after especially short or long birth intervals experience an elevated risk of poor perinatal outcomes, but recent work suggests this may be explained by confounding by unobserved family characteristics. We use Swedish population data on cohorts born 1981–2010 and sibling fixed effects to examine whether the length of the birth interval preceding the index child influences the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and hospitalization during childhood. We also present analyses stratified by salient social characteristics, such as maternal educational level and maternal country of birth. We find few effects of birth intervals on our outcomes, except for very short intervals (less than seven months) and very long intervals (>60 months). We find few differences in the patterns by maternal educational level or maternal country of origin after stratifying by the mother’s highest educational attainment.

The Roles of Celiac Trunk Angle and Vertebral Origin in Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rarely diagnosed condition resulting from compression of the celiac trunk (CT) by the median arcuate ligament (MAL) of the diaphragm. Ischemia due to reduced blood flow through the CT and/or neuropathic pain resulting from celiac ganglion compression may result in a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, postprandial discomfort, and weight loss. However, the mechanism of compression and its anatomical correlates have been incompletely delineated. It has been hypothesized that CT angle of origination may be more acute in individuals with MALS. Here, frequency of anatomical variation in the MAL and CT were assessed in 35 cadaveric subjects (17M/18F), including the vertebral level of origin of CT and superior mesenteric artery (SMA), the distance between CT and MAL and SMA, the angles of origination of CT and SMA, the diameter at the CT base, and MAL/CT overlap. Females exhibited significantly higher rates of inferred MAL/CT overlap than males. Significant correlations were revealed between MAL/CT overlap and angles of origination of the CT and SMA. Vertebral level of origin of the CT in individuals with MAL/CT overlap was not significantly more superior than in those without. This study also revealed a significant relationship between MAL/CT overlap and angle of origination of the CT, which has clinical implications for understanding the anatomy associated with MALS.

Variations in the branching pattern of the tibial nerve in the posterior compartment of the leg

Background: Tibial nerve is the largest branch of sciatic nerve. It innervates muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg. Knowledge of the variations in motor branching pattern may help the surgeons when certain procedures are done for calf reduction and also for spastic equinus foot where selective neurectomy is required. It is also required for anesthetists for inducing neurolytic blocks. The aim of the present study was to study the variations in its branching pattern of the tibial nerve in the posterior compartment of the leg. Materials and Methods: The study was done by dissecting forty formalin-fixed lower limbs from twenty adult human cadavers. The origin of tibial nerve, variations, branching pattern, number of muscular branches and termination of the tibial nerve were studied. The level of origin of these nerves was taken in relation to the apex of head of fibula. Results: 57.5% showed that the origin was <12 cm and 42.5% were between 12 and 24 cm above the level of apex of head of fibula. The flexor hallucis longus received one branch in 70% and two branches in 30% of the specimens. Forty percent of the branches showed two or three divisions. The flexor digitorum longus received one branch in 95% and two branches in 5% of the specimens. Eighty percent of the branches of the muscle showed 2–4 divisions. 82.5% of nerve to soleus muscle had one branch and 17.5% had two branches. In 17.5% of the specimens, nerve to soleus originated from the nerve to the lateral head of gastrocnemius. Thirty percent of the branches showed 2–3 divisions. All specimens had one branch which supplied the tibialis posterior muscle and 47.5% of the branches showed 2–3 divisions. In 77.5% of the specimens, the termination occurred above the malleolar calcaneal axis. Conclusion: The flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, and soleus muscle had one or two branches from tibial nerve. Single branch innervates tibialis posterior. Nerves to flexor hallucis longus, tibialis posterior, and the soleus had up to three divisions and nerve to flexor digitorum longus had up to four divisions.

A morphological study of the medial and lateral femoral circumflex arteries: a proposed new classification

Confirming the branching pattern of the deep femoral artery (DFA) is vital in planning radiological and surgical procedures involving the medial circumflex femoral artery (MFCA) and the lateral circumflex artery (LFCA). The aim of this study was to characterise the course and morphology of branches of the DFA. The anatomical dissection included 80 lower limbs which were fixed in 10% formalin solution. A dissection of the femoral region was carried out according to a pre-established protocol, using traditional techniques. Morphometric measurements were obtained twice by two researchers. Six types of medial and lateral femoral circumflex artery variations were distinguished. In type I, the DFA divides into the MFCA and the LFCA (observed in 45% of cases). In type II, the MFCA is absent and the LFCA origin normally from the DFA (18.75%). In type III, the MFCA arises from the femoral artery above the origin of the DFA, while the LFCA starts from the DFA (15%). Finally, in type IV, the LFCA arises from the femoral artery above the origin of the DFA, while the MFCA starts from the DFA (10%). In type V, the LFCA origin alone from the femoral artery below the origin of the DFA, while the MFCA origin from the DFA (7.5%), while in type VI (3.75%), both the MFCA and the LFCA origin from the femoral artery. The mean diameter of the femoral artery at the level of the DFA origin was greatest in type 2 (10.62 ± 2.07 mm) and the least in type 6 (7.90 ± 1.72 mm; p = 0.0317). The distance from inguinal ligament to where the DFA arose was the greatest in type 6 (78.24 ± 29.74 mm) and least in type 5 (28.85 ± 11.72 mm; p = 0.0529). The medial and lateral femoral circumflex arteries were characterised by high morphological variations. The diameter of the femoral artery at the level of inguinal ligament correlated with the diameter of the DFA and distance to where the DFA arises from femoral artery.

The development of the trunk neural crest in the turtle Trachemys scripta.

The neural crest is a group of multipotent cells that give rise to a wide variety of cells, especially portion of the peripheral nervous system. Neural crest cells (NCCs) show evolutionary conserved fate restrictions based on their axial level of origin: cranial, vagal, trunk, and sacral. While much is known about these cells in mammals, birds, amphibians, and fish, relatively little is known in other types of amniotes such as snakes, lizards, and turtles. We attempt here to provide a more detailed description of the early phase of trunk neural crest cell (tNCC) development in turtle embryos. In this study, we show, for the first time, migrating tNCC in the pharyngula embryo of Trachemys scripta by vital-labeling the NCC with DiI and through immunofluorescence. We found that (a) tNCC form a line along the sides of the trunk NT; (b) The presence of late migrating tNCC on the medial portion of the somite; (c) The presence of lateral mesodermal migrating tNCC in pharyngula embryos; (d) That turtle embryos have large/thick peripheral nerves. The similarities and differences in tNCC migration and early PNS development that we observe across sauropsids (birds, snake, gecko, and turtle) suggests that these species evolved some distinct NCC pathways.

P2275Left-sided deviation and fibrous-fatty infiltration of the right bundle branch in the elderly: implication for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure

Abstract Introduction Permanent and irreversible damage to the conduction tissue is one of the most common complications of TAVI. Detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the atrioventricular (AV) bundle is crucial to minimize the potential for injury to the His bundle branch block or complete AV block. Purpose Preexisting anatomic location and damage of the right bundle branch (RBB) may have important unrecognized clinical implications. Methods The myocardial arrangement and the presence of fibrous and fatty tissue infiltration of the AV conduction axis and right bundle branch were examined by dissection techniques and histological sections in 57 structurally normal human heart specimens (48 males, 77±7 years). Results The AV conduction axis enters the AV component of the membranous septum and is encircled by the fibrous tissue of the central fibrous body. The AV bundle is divided in a non-branching portion and a branching portion. After a short distance of the non-branching component along the septal crest, the RBB arises at the end of the branching portion of the conduction axis and is located superficially in the muscular ventricular septum. The RBB takes off from the bundle at the level of origin of the superior fascicle of the left bundle, passing then through the thickness of the ventricular septum to emerge beneath the medial papillary muscle of the tricuspid valve. In 22 hearts (49%) in which we found to have a relatively left-sided deviation of the AV bundle in relation to the interventricular membranous septum the RBB runs intramyocardial along the muscular interventricular septum. In the remaining 51% of the hearts the RBB runs subendocardially in the crest of the interventricular muscular septum. We found connective tissue and fatty infiltration along the right bundle branch in 23 hearts (40%) from its origin to its distal part. A significant correlation was found between age and the presence of RBB fibrosis (85% of hearts from individuals with age &gt;80 years). These 2 conditions may make the RBB very vulnerable to self-expanding aortic valves during or after TAVI (figure). RBB and its critical region Conclusions The presence of an intramyocardial location of the RBB with a lef-sided deviation and the fibro-fatty infiltration found in the mayority of senescent hearts are relevant anatomic determinants that may increase the risk of complete AV block following a TAVI procedure.

Significance of level of bifurcation of common carotid artery and variant branches of external carotid artery in cervicofacial surgeries with ontological explanation: a cadaveric study

Background: External carotid artery is the main artery supplying the structures of neck and face. Variability in the branching pattern of external carotid artery is important surgically and radiologically from the point of view of procedures carried out in that region. Purpose of the present study was to study the branching pattern of external carotid artery.Methods: Carotid triangle of the neck and the infratemporal fossa was dissected for studying the external carotid artery.Results: Generally the common carotid artery bifurcates at the level of upper border of lamina of thyroid cartilage. Level of bifurcation of common carotid artery may vary; it may arise at a lower level or at a higher level than its normal level of origin, which was observed in this study. Amongst the branches of external carotid artery like the superior thyroid artery, the facial artery, the lingual artery usually shows variations in their origin. These include origin of superior thyroid artery from common carotid artery, common trunk for facial and lingual arteries and many other different types of variations were seen in this study.Conclusions: Variant origins of the branches of external carotid artery are of significance in surgeries of thyroid, parotid gland, tongue as well as important in diagnostic procedures of head, neck, face region.

Forget the future: Our time is now

The text of a 2017 address at the RUSA President’s program talks about the need for librarians to be centered on active learning. Aspects of continuous learning for librarians should be participatory, happening everywhere, and occurs in a social context. The author argues that librarians must be advocates and must advocate for everyone in the community regardless of race, religion, education level, or country of origin. This is a job that cannot be delayed until tomorrow. It is a duty outlined in the values of our profession and enabled by technology. The article ends with a call for personal action in supporting communities of all types.

Molecular determinants of pathogenicity and host specificity of highly pathogenic h5N1 BiH isolates

ABSTRACT Background: Towards preparation for a possible influenza pandemic, investigation of the molecular characteristics of the circulating avian H5N1 influenza virus strains is of crucial importance. These H5N1 viruses continue to spread, to infect animals and humans and to evolve and diversify providing so an ever-looming pandemic threat.Aim: To identify genetic structure and molecular biological characteristics of BiH's isolates of H5N1 HPAI as well as to assess the level of pathogenicity, phylogenetic origin and host- specificity of the isolates.Material and Methods: SPF embryonated chicken eggs were used for virus isolation. Viral RNA extracted using QIAamp viral RNA kit and manufacturer’s protocol (QIAGEN®) was used for PCR amplification. cDNA synthesis and PCR amplification of the coding region, using gene specific primer sets (primer sequences available on request), were carried out for all eight viral RNA segments separately. The Prism Big Dye Terminator v1.1 cycle sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems) was used and products were analyzed on an automatic ABI PRISM 3130 genetic analyzer (Applied Biosystems). Nucleotide sequences were analyzed using Bioedit software (v. 7.0.9.0) with an engine based on the ClustalW 1.4 algorithm. MEGA software (v. 4,0), using the neighbor joining tree inference analysis with the Tamura-Nei γ-model, was used to estimate phylogenies and calculate bootstrap values from the nucleotide sequences.Results: Full-length nucleotide sequences of the A/Cygnus olor/BIH/1/2006 (H5N1) strain were deposited in EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Database under accession nos. FN186008 to FN186014 and FM20943. The pathogenicity and host specificity of this strain, as polygenic traits, are determined in silico by the structure of its proteins, especially surface glycoproteins, HA and NA. Multibasic amino acid stretch PQGERRRKKR/GLF, marker of strains highly pathogenic to poultry, was present at the HA cleavage site of BiH strain. The RBS was typical for avian influenza viruses and contained Gln and Gly at positions 238 and 240 (H5 numbering) that is,226 and 228 according to H3 numbering with seven potential glycosylated sites but with increased binding to alpha2-6 sialoglycans thanks to substitutions, as follows, 110N, 171N, 171N, 172A, 205R and 251P. NA structure assigned this strain to the Z genotype, characterized also by the deletion of the five amino acid residues of the NS1 protein (positions 80-84). Amino acid residues, typical for the avian influenza viruses, were revealed in 40 out of 43 positions of M1, M2, NP, PA, PB2 and HA, determining the host range specificity. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA gene revealed that BiH isolates belonged to genetic clade 2.2., and presence of aspartic acid at the position of 403 of HA locate BiH isolates in 2.2.2. sub-clade.Conclusions: The BiH’s isolates were determined as HPAI virus with genes sequences closely related to A/Cygnus olor/Astrakhan/Ast05-2-10/2005 (H5N1). Three residues (M2 - 28V and 78K, NP - 33I), typical of human influenza viruses, were found, indicating a certain degree of intercurrent evolutionary adaptive changes in BiH isolates. Sequence comparison of HA and NA segments with relevant sequences in GenBank revealed that the BiH isolates and the ones from the southern Russia (Astrakhan region) group together phylogenetically, forming a monophyleticcluster in both genes indicating that these isolates have evolved from the same origin. Sequence derived phenotype markers of NA protein (E99, V129, D131, R136, H255 and Y256) as well as of M2 protein (26L, 27V, 30A, S31 and G34) showed that the isolates have an oseltamivir and amantadine sensitive genotype.

Level and modalities of origin of the small saphenous vein: toward codification of the proximal approach level.

The proximal approach to the small saphenous vein (SSV) must be performed according to precise anatomical landmarks to respect the esthetic profile of venous insufficiency surgery. In this work, we propose the tip of the lateral malleolus and the lateral edge of the calcaneal tendon as palpable landmarks from which to easily identify the situation of this vein. This was a cadaveric dissection study involving 62 members of fresh and embalmed anatomical subjects. We used a horizontal line passing through the tip of the lateral malleolus and the lateral edge of the calcaneal tendon as reference marks. Once the origin of the SSV as dissected, the distances between the saphenous vein and the landmarks were measured. We found that the small saphenous vein was often unique. The origin of this small saphenous vein projected, on average, to 4.40cm from the horizontal passing through the tip of the lateral malleolus and 1.2cm from the lateral edge of the calcaneal tendon. These two measurements constitute the orthogonal coordinates for the situation of the small saphenous vein origin.

Creencias Irracionales en Estudiantes de Psicología de una Universidad Privada de Lima Metropolitana, según el Nivel de Estudios, Sexo y Lugar de Origen

La presente investigación plantea que las creencias irracionales descritas por Albert Ellis son afirmaciones anti empíricas que causan un malestar emocional en quienes las poseen. Por ello se busca analizar la presencia de estas en estudiantes de psicología y su asociación con el nivel de estudios, sexo y lugar de origen. Fueron seleccionados 278 estudiantes de una universidad privada de Lima Metropolitana. Se utilizó el Registro de Opiniones de Ellis. Los resultados muestran que los estudiantes de psicología presentan la creencia 6 (se debe sentir miedo o ansiedad ante cualquier cosa desconocida o potencialmente peligrosa) de manera sumamente limitante, y las creencias 2 (uno debe ser indefectiblemente competente y casi perfecto en todo) y 8 (se necesita contar con algo más grande y fuerte que uno) de manera posiblemente limitante. Por otro lado, se encontró asociación con el nivel de estudios de las creencias 3 (ciertas personas son malas y deberían ser castigadas) y 8, donde, a mayor nivel de estudios, menos creencias. También se verifica asociación entre las creencias irracionales 1 (para un adulto es necesario tener el cariño y la aprobación de sus semejantes, familia y amigos), 3 y 10 (la felicidad aumenta con la inactividad) con sexo.

Diversidad en la distancia. Imágenes romanas de divinidades en el Occidente Hispano

The compilation of the images of the native-influenced gods of the Hispanic West leads to a heterogeneous picture. Besides the images that are clearly based on Greco-Roman models such as the Endovellicus or the demons from Rio Tinto there are others that stand in the Celtic-Roman tradition such as the blacksmith-god of Vilar de Perdizes or autochthonous creations such as the so-called Vestius Aloniecus . Thus, the Mediterranean impetus for the creation of divine images was adopted in different ways and led to different solutions. Their distance to the Roman model is evident. Nevertheless, the studied monuments do indeed document the beginnings of an independent development in Hispania, which in a long-term perspective did not prevail against the background of the Roman models, however, and consequently did not lead to a common canon of divine imagery in the Indo-European West of Hispania. The example of Aelius Fronto in Munigua shows clearly that the initiative for the installation of indigenous gods came only by order of the private sphere. Also for this reason it proves to be quite heterogeneous by nature due to the respective social position, level of education and origin - from the provincial capital Augusta Emerita or from the hinterland.

ОЦЕНКА МЕТОДОВ ХИМИЧЕСКОГО АНАЛИЗА АТМОСФЕРНОГО ВОЗДУХА В ЗИМНИЙ ПЕРИОД ПРИ ПРИМЕНЕНИИ ПРОТИВОГОЛОЛЕДНЫХ МАТЕРИАЛОВ

В статье обоснована актуальность подбора оптимального метода химического анализа атмосферного воздуха с целью идентификации и количественного определения компонентов солей, входящих в состав противогололедных материалов (ПГМ), применяемых в настоящее время в г. Москве в зимний период. Проведена оценка химического состава различных видов ПГМ материалов и выбраны индикаторные ионы для анализа. Приведены результаты собственных экспериментальных исследований по анализу проб атмосферного воздуха, отобранных в зимний период в г. Москве, с использованием различных поглотительных устройств и методов химического анализа (ионная хроматография, масс-спектрометрия с индуктивно-связанной плазмой). Выявлены ограничения использования современных аспираторов в условиях отрицательных температур в зимний период. Показано, что уровень содержания ионов натрия и хлора в атмосферном воздухе г. Москвы значительно превышает соответствующие фоновые показатели природного происхождения. Подчеркнута необходимость продолжения исследований в данном направлении в целях совершенствования подхода к выбору оптимального метода химического анализа и способов отбора проб, что имеет важное значение с точки зрения снижения негативного воздействия ПГМ на окружающую среду и здоровье населения. The paper outlines the relevance of choosing an optimal method for atmospheric air chemical analysis, capable to provide an appropriate identification and quantification of salts ingredients that make up the major part of deicing materials (DMs), currently used in winter period in Moscow. Chemical composition evaluation of various types of DMs has resulted in selection of indicator ions for subsequent analytical procedures. The authors’ own experimental data on analyzing atmospheric air samples collected in winter in Moscow using various absorption devices and chemical analytical methods (i.e. ion chromatography, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) are presented. A series of limitations of applying modern aspirators under conditions of sub-zero winter temperatures are revealed. Sodium and chlorine ion levels in the atmospheric air of Moscow are found to be significantly higher than the corresponding background level of natural origin. An urgent necessity to continue research in this area has been emphasized with the focus on improving the approach for selection of the optimal method for chemical analysis and sampling procedures, which is highly important in terms of reducing a negative impact of DMs on public health and environment.

Variations in Renal Artery in Egyptian Population: Cadaveric and Angiographic Study

AbstractBackground: Variations of Renal Artery (RA) are impor-tant in uroradiological procedures. Pre-operative visualization of the renal vascular anatomy is crucial for selecting the proper kidney during renal transplantation and avoiding vascular injuries.Aim of Study: The present study aimed to describe RA variations and different branching patterns in a section of Egyptians using dissected cadavers and Multi Detector Com-puted Tomography Angiography (MDCTA).Subjects and Methods: The study included 207 renal pedicles (7 kidneys and 100 CT images). The specimens were examined for morphological patterns of RA. MDCTA images were evaluated for the level of origin, length, caliber and presence of additional renal arteries.Results: The renal arteries in the dissected specimens showed fork (duplicate and triplicate) and ladder patterns. The level of origin of RA in MDCTA images was at L1 (52%), L2 (32%), L1-L2 intervertebral disc (11%), T12-L1 interver-tebral disc (3%), T12 (1.5%) and L2-L3 intervertebral disc (0.5%). The mean caliber of the left RA was greater than the right RA (left 6.99±1.47mm, right 6.55±1.51mm, p=0.003). Out of 200 renal pedicles, 21 (10.5%) additional arteries were observed in the form of 13 (6.5%) accessory renal arteries, 2 (1%) aberrant superior polar arteries, 2 (1%) superior polar arteries, 3 (1.5%) aberrant inferior polar arteries and 2 (1%) dual renal arteries. The most commonly seen branching pattern was the hilar (82%), followed by prehilar (11.5%) then inta-parynchymal branching pattern (6.5%).Conclusion: Variations of RA are common in Egyptian population. The most important are the presence of additional arteries and different branching patterns. Variations in renal vasculature in relation to population should be taken in consideration during urological interventions.

Dissociation in Effective Treatment and Behavioral Phenotype Between Stress-Enhanced Fear Learning and Learned Helplessness.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disease with relatively high lifetime prevalence. It is marked by a high diversity of symptoms and comorbidity with other psychiatric disease. Furthermore, PTSD has a high level of origin and symptom heterogeneity within the population. These characteristics taken together make it one of the most challenging diseases to effectively model in animals. However, with relatively little headway made in developing effective disease interventions, PTSD remains as a high priority target for animal model study. Learned Helplessness (LH) is a procedure classically used to model depression, but has in recent years transitioned to use as a model of PTSD. Animals in this procedure receive 100 inescapable and unpredictable tailshocks or simple restraint without shock. The following day, the animals are tested in a shuttle box, where inescapably-shocked subjects exhibit exaggerated fear and profound deficit in escape performance. Stress-enhanced fear learning (SEFL) also uses an acute (single session) stressor for modeling PTSD in rodents. The SEFL procedure begins with exposure to 15 footshocks or simple context exposure without shock. Animals that initially received the 15 footshocks exhibit future enhanced fear learning. In this review, we will compare the behavior, physiology, and interventions of these two animal models of PTSD. Despite considerable similarity (a single session containing inescapable and uncontrollable shock) the two procedures produce a very divergent set of behavioral consequences.

Is There a Backlash Against Immigration From Richer Countries? International Hierarchy and the Limits of Group Threat

Why do immigrants from particular countries systematically face more opposition? To resolve inconsistencies of prevailing group‐threat theories, I reintroduce a long‐standing hypothesis stipulating that people have a disposition for maintaining status hierarchy between ethnic groups. Accordingly, independent of perceived economic or cultural threat, natives are more likely to prefer immigrant groups of higher status based on the development level of the group's national origin. To test this argument, I exploit a substantial provincial variation of immigration flows and attitudes in Spain—one of the only countries that has received immigrants from both less and more developed countries. Consistent with my hypothesis, I demonstrate that anti‐immigration attitudes are more widespread in areas with immigrants from less developed countries regardless of their economic and cultural characteristics. I further document that many voters perceive stable group hierarchies and that these preferences are more predictive of anti‐immigration attitudes in lower‐status immigration contexts. Overall, these results suggest that even culturally similar and economically beneficial immigrant groups from poorer countries can face public opposition due to their lower‐status national origin, highlighting the independent role of group‐status perceptions in politics.

Maintaining multipotent trunk neural crest stem cells as self-renewing crestospheres

Neural crest cells have broad migratory and differentiative ability that differs according to their axial level of origin. However, their transient nature has limited understanding of their stem cell and self-renewal properties. While an in vitro culture method has made it possible to maintain cranial neural crest cells as self-renewing multipotent crestospheres (Kerosuo et al., 2015), these same conditions failed to preserve trunk neural crest in a stem-like state. Here we optimize culture conditions for maintenance of avian trunk crestospheres, comprised of both neural crest stem and progenitor cells. Our trunk-derived crestospheres are multipotent and display self-renewal capacity over several weeks. Trunk crestospheres display elevated expression of neural crest cell markers as compared to those characteristic of ventrolateral neural tube or mesodermal fates. Moreover, trunk crestospheres express increased levels of trunk neural crest-enriched markers as compared to cranial crestospheres. Finally, we use lentiviral transduction as a tool to manipulate gene expression in trunk crestospheres. Taken together, this method enables long-term in vitro maintenance and manipulation of multipotent trunk neural crest cells in a premigratory stem or early progenitor state. Trunk crestospheres are a valuable resource for probing mechanisms underlying neural crest stemness and lineage decisions as well as accompanying diseases.