Median Sagittal Section Research Articles

Ultrasound Detection of Fetal Palate Development in the Early Stages of the Second Trimester and Its Clinical Application.

To establish normal values of palatal bone growth in fetuses at different gestational weeks in the early stages of the second trimester and to explore the clinical application value of the four-step ultrasound screening method for fetal cleft lip and palate. A prospective study of prenatal ultrasound screening. Secondary maternal and child health institutions. 300 fetuses of 12 to 20 +6 weeks gestation without cleft lip and/or palate; 8538 fetuses at high risk of cleft lip and palate with malformations or karyotypic abnormalities. None. palatomandibular diameter (PMD) and transverse palatal diameter was measured and establish their typical values. (1) There is a typical "superimposed line" sign in the median sagittal section of the typically developing fetal face from 12 to 20+6 weeks of gestation. (2) The PMD and hard palate transverse diameter of fetuses from 12 to 20+6 weeks of gestation increased linearly with time. (3) Among 8538 high-risk fetuses, 21 cases of cleft lip and palate were diagnosed by the four-step ultrasound screening method in the early stages of the second trimester. The median sagittal section of the typically developing fetal face in the early stages of the second trimester presents a typical "superimposed line" sign, and the PMD and transverse palatal diameter increase with time. The four-step ultrasound screening method for fetal cleft lip and palate in the early stages of the second trimester has high clinical application value.

The volume and thickness of preprostatic fat on MRIs are not associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness in men undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Periprostatic fat has a metabolic activity on the prostate via cytokines that act paracrine on several signaling pathways including tumorigenesis. We investigated whether there was an association between preprostatic fat abundance and prostate cancer (PCa) aggressiveness. We performed a retrospective study including patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in our center from the prospective RESCAP database. Preoperative MRIs were re-read and different measurements of preprostatic fat (PPF) were performed. The maximum thickness (PPFmax) and the minimum thickness (PPFmin) were measured on a median T2 sagittal section. The total volume of preprostatic fat (PPFV) and volume normalized by prostate volume (NPPFV) were calculated semi-automatically by segmentation on continuous axial sections of 3mm. The association of these parameters with the aggressiveness criteria of PCa (ISUP 3-5 on biopsies and on operative specimen, intermediate or high-risk disease according to D'AMICO, PSA>10, upgrading risk at radical prostatectomy) was measured as well as the association between normal, overweight, and obese BMI classes and the aggressiveness criteria used. One hundred and twenty-one men were included in this study. In both the univariate analysis and the multivariate analysis, none of the preprostatic fat measurements (PPFmax, PPFmin, PPFV and NPPFV) were associated with PCa aggressiveness criteria. There was also no association between BMI class and tumor aggressiveness. In this study, there is no association between the abundance of preprostatic fat and PCa aggressiveness according to the periprostatic fat measurements achieved. III.

Dandy-Walker Malformation

Dandy-Walker Malformation

The value of color Doppler signal at the nasal lip in the diagnosis of fetal cleft palate

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of color Doppler signal at the nasal lip in the diagnosis of fetal cleft palate. Methods Twenty fetuses diagnosed with fetal cleft lip and cleft palate by targeted ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging were enrolled in this study. Color Doppler was used during each ultrasound scan. All prenatal diagnoses were confirmed either by postnatal follow-up or autopsy. The location and degree of cleft lip and palate was also recorded. During inspiration or swallowing color signal acrossed the defects at the fetal palate was indicated cleft palate, and no color signal acrossed the defects at the fetal palate was indicated without cleft palate. Two dimensional ultrasound combined with color Doppler was used to diagnose cleft lip and palate in midsagittal plane or paratsagittal plane, then compared with the results of post-natal evaluation or abortion, and the value of color signal at the nasal lip in the diagnosis of fetal cleft palate was analyzed. Results Twenty cases of postpartum fetus (including post-natal evaluation or abortion ) confirmed 15 cases of cleft lip and palate, 5 cases of cleft lip (2 cases with upper alveolar cleft). For prenatal diagnosis, 5 cases of cleft lip and 15 cases of cleft lip and palate were diagnosed by two-dimensional ultrasound, of which 3 cases of cleft lip and palate were misdiagnosed as cleft lip, whereas 3 cases of cleft lip were misdiagnosed as cleft lip and palate with 2 cases combined with upper alveolar cleft. Two-dimensional ultrasound in the diagnosis of cleft lip and palate is consistent with postnatal results by additional evaluation of the color signal in nasolabial area in median sagittal section. In the cleft lip and cleft lip with the alveolar cleft fetuses, the color signal in nasolabial area was undetectable during fetal respiratory-like movement or swallowing by ultrasound.However, it was detectable in cleft lip and palate fetuses. A total of 3 cases of simple cleft lip and 17 cases of cleft lip and palate were detected by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). In 2 cases of cleft lip and palate diagnosed by MRI, no blood flow signal was detected at the nasolabial area. Conclusions The connected color signal in nasolabial area assessed by color Doppler ultrasound during fetal respiratory-like movement or swallowing showed an promising value for prenatal diagnosis of cleft palate. Cleft palate could be ruled out if the connected color signal was undetectable in nasolabial area. Key words: Ultrasonography, prenatal; Cleft palate; Color Doppler signal

Diagnostic value of ultrasound imaging for fetal central nervous system malformation in early pregnancy

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of ultrasound imaging for fetal central nervous system(CNS) malformation in early pregnancy. Methods From January 2017 to January 2018, a total of 190 cases of CNS malformation in early pregnancy, who were diagnosed by ultrasound imaging in Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine were selected to analyze the clinical value of ultrasound imaging in the diagnosis of fetal CNS malformation in early pregnancy. Results Of the 190 pregnancies, 184 patients had satisfactory median sagittal section of the head and chest, horizontal cross section of the lateral ventricle, long axis of the spine, and cerebellum and posterior fossa pool.In 184 cases, the probability of display from 1 to 11+ 6 weeks was 93.33%, the probability of display from 12 to 12+ 6 weeks was 97.20%, and the probability of display from 13 to 13+ 6 weeks was 97.06%.Compared the display rates of CNS ultrasound examinations at different gestational weeks, the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=0.981, P>0.05). Three cases of 6 cases of CNS malformation diagnosed in early pregnancy were combined with other malformations.One case considered Cantrell's hypothyroidism with CNS malformation, 1 case with left iliac crest and right circumflex, 1 case with median cleft lip and palate, single atrioventricular with pulmonary atresia.The bilateral humerus was missing, in addition, 4 fetuses had an NT value more than 3 mm.The specificity of diagnosis of fetal CNS malformation in early pregnancy was 100.00%, the sensitivity was 85.71%, the specificity was 100.00%, and the positive predictive value was 99.46%. Conclusion Ultrasound imaging in the diagnosis of fetal CNS malformation in early pregnancy can improve the diagnosis rate and has high clinical value. Key words: Ultrasonography; Pregnancy trimester, first; Fetus; Central nervous system; Congenital abnormalities; Prenatal diagnosis; Contrast sensitivity

Determinations of Cranial Dimorphism in Sagittal Section in CT Scans

The objective of this study was to analyze if the linear measurements performed on 206 CT scans are dimorphic and can be used as an auxiliary method for forensic identification as a secondary method according to INTERPOL 2014. A logistic regression model was developed to determine the sex of the individual analyzed. The measurements were performed on computed tomography of the Osteological Biobank and tomography of FOP_UNICAMP, in 117 male and 89 female CT scans with known age, ancestry and cause of death. OnDemand3D® software was used for the following measures: sella turcica (center) to nasal suture, sella turcica (center) to anterior nasal spine, sella turcica to ENP, sella turcica (center) to start; Nasal suture to ENA; Nasal suture to the ENP, in the median sagittal section. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to establish the distribution and equality of variances (homoscedasticity) of the variables under study. The unpaired t-test and the Pearson correlation coefficient were conducted, resulting in a logistic regression using the Stepwise-Forward method for sex. This study was approved by CAAE 54171916.0.0000.5418. It was verified that all measures studied are dimorphic, but the ß of the measures PPST-ENA; SNRE-ENA; SNRE-ENP; ENA-ENP were the most statistically significant, being selected to determine the multiple model. The logistic regression model was created: [Logit: -19.909 + 0.177 (SNRE-ENA) + 0.231 (ENA-P)]. The model obtained in this study, presented a 77.2% accuracy, being a good result to be used as a coadjuvant method to other sex estimation methods in mixed populations, such as Brazil.

Role of Vascular Endothelial−Cadherin and p120-Catenin in the Formation of Experimental Intracranial Aneurysm in Animals

Dysfunction of endothelial cells (ECs) constitutes a critical factor in the formation of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). However, little is known about the response of ECs to hemodynamic insults and its contribution to IA formation. IAs models were constructed in both adult female New Zealand white rabbits and male Sprague-Dawley rats. Morphologic changes of vessel wall were detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Molecular and cellular changes, including p120-catenin (p120ctn) and vascular endothelial-cadherin, in the median sagittal section of the artery bifurcation were analyzed by fluorescent staining. Destructive aneurysmal remodeling and the formation of morphologic IAs were observed at the basilar termini of experimental rabbits and the anterior cerebral artery-olfactory artery bifurcation of rats. The expression of p120ctn colocalized with vascular endothelial-cadherin in ECs decreased. Moreover, the expression of p120ctn colocalized with nucleus of ECs increased. These events suggested that p120ctn was transported from the membrane to the nucleus of ECs. The potential mechanism, that IAs are always localizing in the bifurcation apices, may be that the endothelium injury of vessel wall can be induced by different hemodynamic conditions. Hemodynamic changes in artery bifurcation may initiate the formation of IAs.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Gastrothylax crumenifer (Platyhelminthes: Gastrothylacidae) infecting rumen of Capra hircus in Chandigarh (India)

Morphological and molecular characterization of the amphistomid trematode, Gastrothylax crumenifer (Creplin, 1847) Poirier 1883 collected from Capra hircus goat in Chandigarh was carried out using Gower's carmine stain and by investigations on the nucleotide sequences of 28S and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). A total of 10 guts of C. hircus were examined for infection with trematodes. All the worms collected were morphologically identified as G. crumenifer by comparing the arrangement of median sagittal sections of adult amphistomes. The BLAST analysis of 28S gene of the study specimen G. crumenifer (KY786331) included 100 hits and showed maximum homogeneity of 99% with G. crumenifer as only 7 gaps in the case of G. crumenifer (JX518971, JX518960, JX518959, JX518970); 8 gaps in the case of G. crumenifer (JX518969) and 18 gaps in case of G. crumenifer (KJ559529). Phylogenetic tree revealed close relatedness of the present specimens with G. crumenifer infecting Bos indicus and Bos frontalis from India with 0.01 and 0.0 (nil) evolutionary divergence, respectively. The BLAST analysis of ITS2 gene of the study species G. crumenifer (KY786332) included 100 hits and showed maximum homogeneity of 97% to 99% with G. crumenifer as only 1 gap in the case of G. crumenifer (HM159382) and 5 gaps in the case of G. crumenifer (KU530204) were found between them. Phylogenetic tree revealed close relatedness of the present specimens of Gastrothylax with G. crumenifer infecting Bos indicus and Capra hircus from India with 0.01 and 0.0 (nil) evolutionary divergence, respectively. The molecular results revealed ITS2 as the better gene marker as it formed clear monophyly of the present species with G. crumenifer but in the case of 28S, the tree was somewhat more towards the polyphyly of Gastrothylacidae. Thus on the basis of morphological and molecular data based on 28S and ITS2, the study species was identified as G. crumenifer

Applications of cone-beam computed tomography to assess the effects of labial crownmorphologies and collum angles ontorquefor maxillary anterior teeth.

Currently, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been widely used because of its capacity to evaluate the anatomic structures of the maxilla, mandible, and teeth in 3 dimensions. However, articles about the use of CBCT to evaluate the relationships between the morphology of individual teeth and torque expression remain rare. In this study, we aimed to determine the influence of labial crown morphologies and collum angles on torque for maxillary anterior teeth using CBCT. A total of 206 extracted maxillary anterior teeth were selected to establish scanning models using dental wax, and they were scanned by CBCT. Three-dimensionally reconstructed images and median sagittal sections of the teeth were digitized and analyzed with AutoCAD software (Autodesk, San Rafael, Calif). The angle α, formed by the intersection of the tangent at a certain vertical height on the labial surface from the incisal edge with the crown long axis, and the collum angle, were measured. The variations in angle α at different heights from the incisal edge for the same type of tooth were statistically significantly different (P<0.001). Moreover, the variations betweencollum angles and 0° for any type of maxillary anterior tooth were statistically significant (P<0.01). This study suggested that there are great differences in labial crown morphologies and collum angles for maxillary anterior teeth between persons, indicating that the morphologies of these teeth do play important roles in torque variations.

Molecular analysis of selected paramphistome isolates from cattle in southern Africa.

Paramphistomes are parasites of domestic and wild ruminants, the effects of which in animal health remain underestimated. Very few studies in Africa have been done using molecular techniques to resolve situations associated with taxonomical groupings and epidemiology of these parasites. In this study, the genetic variability of nine representative paramphistome isolates collected from southern African countries, namely Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, was assessed using both morphological and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) rDNA sequence data. Morphological characterization and identification were carried out using median sagittal sections of the paramphistomes. DNA of the individual paramphistomes was isolated, the ITS2 rDNA was amplified, purified and sequenced. The sequences were submitted to GenBank, which assigned them the following accession numbers: KP639631, KP639630, KP639632, KP639633, KP639634, KP639635, KP639636, KP639637 and KP639638. These sequences were used for phylogenetic analysis using MEGA 6. Morphological characterization revealed three species of paramphistomes belonging to three different sub-families: one Stephanopharynx compactus isolate, a member of the Stephanopharyngidae sub-family; one Carmyerius dollfusi isolate, a member of the Gastrothylacidae sub-family; and seven Calicophoron microbothrium isolates belonging to the Paramphistomidae sub-family. ITS2 sequence analysis using BlastN results indicated that this is the first report of S. compactus (KP639630) and C. dollfusi (KP639636). Phylogenetic reconstruction of the paramphistome isolates revealed three separate clades representing the three species. However, the clade with all the C. microbothrium isolates was the only one that was supported by a higher bootstrap value of 92%, although there was no differentiation of the isolates according to geographical locations. The low divergence values on the ITS2 sequences of the C. microbothrium isolates indicate that ITS rDNA sequences can be used as a molecular tool to infer knowledge for resolving taxonomic groupings.

The role of B-mode ultrasonography in the musculoskeletal anatomical evaluation of the cervical region of the dog spine

This study characterized the normal musculoskeletal anatomy of the cervical segment of the spine of dogs by means of B-mode ultrasonography. The objective was to establish the role of B-mode ultrasonography for the anatomical evaluation of the cervical spine segment in dogs, by comparing the ultrasonographic findings with images by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The ultrasound examination, in transverse and median sagittal sections, allowed to identify a part of the epaxial cervical musculature, the bone surface of the cervical vertebrae and parts of the spinal cord through restricted areas with natural acoustic windows, such as between the atlanto-occipital joint, axis and atlas, and axis and the third cervical vertebra. The images, on transverse and sagittal planes, by low-field magnetic resonance imaging, were superior for the anatomical identification of the structures, due to higher contrast between the different tissues in this modality. Computed tomography showed superiority for bone detailing when compared with ultrasonography. As for magnetic resonance imaging, in addition to the muscles and cervical vertebrae, it is possible to identify the cerebrospinal fluid and differentiate between the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral discs. Although not the scope of this study, with knowledge of the ultrasonographic anatomy of this region, it is believed that some lesions can be identified, yet in a limited manner, when compared with the information obtained mainly with magnetic resonance imaging. The ultrasound examination presented lower morphology diagnostic value compared with the other modalities.

Paramphistomes in Matebeleland South Province Zimbabwe and their effect on aspects of blood plasma composition in infected cattle.

This article is published on IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS). It is a study conducted on cattle based in Zimbabwe Matabeleland South Province. It focuses on psramphistome effects on aspects of blood plasma composition in infected cattle.,Cattle originating from various localities in Matabeleland South Province were examined for adult Paramphistome prevalence. Of the three thousand 27% were infected with paramphistomes. For identification of paramphistomes, the structures and measurements of diagnostic features were made in median sagittal sections. Analysis of the structures of the acetabulum, pharynx and genital atrium revealed the following parasites in the area: Calicophoron microbothrium, Calicophoron clavula, Calicophoron calicophorum, Calicophoron raja, and Gigantocotyle symmeri in 20 %, 2 %, 5%, 2 % and 2% of cattle examined respectively. The visible damage by adult parasites on the hosts? tissue were as a result of their sucking the reticulum and rumen mucosa into the acetabulum, which eventually nipped off, leading to slightly hardened areas devoid of rugae due to necrosis. In a few severe cases the papillae was damaged and catarrhal pus like exudate was noticed on the mucosa. Fifty coded Nguni cattle aged three years, infected with paramphistomes had their final carcass mass and blood chemistry recorded. Only total protein and cholesterol showed significant difference between the infected and the controls p<0.05. The final carcass mass was significantly different between cattle harboring more than 500 parasites per animal and the controls P<0.05.,Funded by NUST Research Board, Mpilo Hospital Laboratory for blood analysis, and the SABRIO PROJECT

OC25.04: 2D sonographic evaluation of the fetal palate

Last year we introduced a new technique of visualization of the uvula (“equals sign”) and/or soft palate during routine two-dimensional sonography (2D). The aim of this study was to evaluate its performance in the detection of isolated cleft palate (CP) and in determining the extent of the defect in cases with cleft lip palate (CLP). Between May 2009 and November 2010 we examined 3000 patients with singleton pregnancies between 20 and 25 weeks of gestation who were referred to our practice for a detailed fetal anomaly scan. The uvula was visualized either in a frontal section through the neck and pharynx or via a transverse section with subsequent slight tilting of the transducer. The soft palate was visualized in a median sagittal section through the head. A follow up of the pregnancies was obtained in 96.4% of cases. The visualisation of the uvula and/or the soft palate (at least one of the both structures) to rule out CP was possible in 94.6% of the cases. There were twelve cases of facial clefts in our series (three isolated cleft palate and nine cleft lip/cleft lip palate). We were able to detect all cases of CP (all fetuses without other abnormalities) and correctly predicted the involvement of the palate in all cases of CL(P). Our method of 2D visualization of the palate has a high sensitivity in the detection of CP during routine examination. Furthermore it enables the examiner to determine the involvement of the palate in cases of CL(P) with a high degree of accuracy.

The Effect of Season on the Histologic and Histomorphometric Appearance of the Equine Pituitary Gland

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of season on the histologic and histomorphometric appearance of the normal equine pituitary gland. Pituitary glands were collected at necropsy from 121 horses throughout the year. Plasma was also collected from 59 of these horses before euthanasia. Hematoxylin and eosin stained median sagittal sections of each pituitary were evaluated and histologically graded by three pathologists. Histomorphometric analysis was performed on the same slides. Plasma α-melanocyte stimulating hormone was measured by radioimmunoassay in a subset of horses (n = 59). A total of 118 pituitary glands were included in the study after exclusions were made on the basis of the presence of pars intermedia (PI) adenomas (>5 mm). There was a positive correlation between PI hormone concentration (α-melanocyte stimulating hormone) and PI area. Pituitary gland measurements and grades from samples collected in the fall were compared with those collected in the nonfall months using t-test. The PI area, total pituitary area, and PI/total pituitary ratio were significantly greater in the fall compared with nonfall months ( P < .0001, P < .01, P < .0001, respectively). Pituitary grades were also higher in the fall compared with nonfall months ( P < .001). There was no seasonal difference in pars distalis or pars nervosa area. The results of this study show that the normal equine pituitary shows seasonal changes in appearance and size. These changes must be considered when using postmortem histologic evaluations in the diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction or for validation of antemortem diagnostic tests.

MRI Anatomical and Morphological Differences in the Vocal Tract Between Dysphonic and Normal Adult Women

To analyze the vocal tract morphometry of women with vocal nodules (VN) compared with normal subjects by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at rest position. Prospective study. The present research included 20 young adult women, aged 18-40 years: 10 dysphonic patients with VN and 10 normal subjects. All participants were tested using MRI; 12 measurements of the vocal tract were performed: nine in median sagittal section and three in axial section. The 12 measurements were smaller in the dysphonic group; statistical significance was obtained for three parameters: in the sagittal plane, the laryngeal vestibule area was significantly smaller in the dysphonic group, with P=0.012∗ (∗ = statistical significance); in the axial section, the distance between the right and left vocal processes of the arytenoids' cartilages and the distance between the anterior commissure of the glottis and the laryngeal posterior wall were also significantly lower in the dysphonic group, with P=0.036∗ and 0.010∗, respectively. Significant differences in the vocal tract morphometry of individuals with VN were observed compared with normal subjects, at rest position. Results obtained from this study suggest that patients with VN may present a constantly increased tension of the laryngeal muscles, even at rest; moreover, reduced anterior-posterior dimension of the larynx may be a morphological characteristic of patients with VN.

The ‘equals sign’: a novel marker in the diagnosis of fetal isolated cleft palate

To determine the feasibility of visualization of the uvula and the soft palate during routine two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound examination and to develop a sonographic procedure that facilitates prenatal detection of isolated fetal cleft palate. We examined 667 consecutive patients with a singleton pregnancy between 20 and 25 weeks of gestation who were referred to our practice for a detailed fetal anomaly scan. The uvula was visualized either in a frontal section through the neck and pharynx or via a transverse section with subsequent slight tilting of the transducer. The soft palate was visualized in a median sagittal section through the head. To test whether the techniques described are suitable for inclusion in routine examinations, the time allowed for a normal ultrasound scan was not changed from 30 min. A normal uvula could be visualized with a typical echo pattern (the 'equals sign') in 90.7% of the cases and the soft palate could be completely visualized in a median sagittal section in 85.3% of the cases. Visualization of at least one of the two structures (either the uvula or the soft palate) was successful in 98.4% of the cases. In one case an isolated cleft palate (in an otherwise normal fetus) was diagnosed; in one case with a cleft lip and palate, the cleft palate and the completely split uvula were detected. In 1.2% of the cases the examination did not provide sufficient information on either the uvula or the soft palate. In a high percentage of cases, relevant soft palate structures can be visualized successfully with 2D ultrasound, permitting cleft palate to be ruled out in routine examinations. Visualization of the equals sign proves an intact palate. Absence of the equals sign indicates cleft palate and should prompt further examination of the soft palate in a median sagittal section. Cleft palate can be confirmed when the soft palate cannot be visualized. This technique also facilitates evaluation of the soft palate in the event of a cleft lip and palate.

MRI analysis of puncturepoint of continued lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage

：Objective To explore foranatomic basis and improve drainage effects on CLCFD.Methods The MR machine of SiemensTrio Tim 3.0 T was used to scan the normal spinal canal of 64 adult subjects.The datum wasmeasured in the median sagittal section of the lumbar vertebral column.Through midpoint oflumbar L3-L4 and L4-L5 vertebral disc's,we painted vertical lines of vertebra,named H1 andH2 lines.The vertical line cross vertebral column at two points.The midpoint of two pointsis measured point(A is L3-L4,B is L4-L5).We measured distance from the junction of H1 orH2 lines and skin S1 or S1 to subarachnoid space,distance from A or B to the ending ofspinal and dural pocket.Results The distance from S1 or S1 to subarachnoid space was (51.3±7.4)mm,(53.3 ±8.4)mm.A,B point to the ending of spinal were(90.1 ±16.4)mm,(121.9 ±17.3)mm.A,Bpoint to the ending of dural pocket was(91.1 ±14.4)mm,(61.6 ±13.0)mm.The distance fromA,B point to the ending of spinal and B point to the ending of spinal and dural pocketwere statistically significance(P＜0.01).Conclusion Select lumbar L4-L5 puncture and cephaladimplant catheter at first.It is possible to implant catheter cephalad or cauda if selectlumbar L3-L4 puncture,but cephalad implant catheter is beneficial to the cerebrospinalfluid drainage. Key words: Magnetic resonance imaging; Lumbar vertebral space; Lumbarcerebrospinal fluid drainage

Three-dimensional double-echo steady-state (3D-DESS) magnetic resonance imaging of the knee: Contrast optimization by adjusting flip angle

The three-dimensional double-echo steady-state (3D-DESS) sequence is being used to investigate sequence parameters for the assessment of knee cartilage by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). With the flip angle (FA) values that are commonly used, contrast between cartilage and synovial fluid may be too low to delineate minor lesions of the cartilage surface. To investigate the value of FA maximizing contrast between cartilage and synovial fluid using the 3D-DESS sequence. In 10 healthy volunteers (five men, five women; age range 23-48 years), 3D-DESS imaging was performed to capture median sagittal sections of the knee by adjusting FA from 10 degrees to 90 degrees. Cartilage-synovial fluid contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was measured to determine the value of FA maximizing CNR. Water-excitation pulse was used to suppress fat signals. MRI was performed at 1.0 T using a circular polarization flex coil. Cartilage-synovial fluid CNR was highest with 90 degrees FA, yielding images with good contrast between cartilage and synovial fluid. Simply by increasing FA to 90 degrees in 3D-DESS imaging, the contrast between cartilage and synovial fluid increased substantially. Subtle cartilage lesions may thus be detectable using 3D-DESS sequences.

Age effects on urethral striated muscle II. Anatomic location of muscle loss

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to measure the thickness and cross-sectional area of urethral muscle layers to identify localized striated muscle loss. STUDY DESIGN: The urethra and surrounding tissues from 25 female cadavers (mean age, 52 ± 18 [SD] years; range, 15-80 years) were used for this study. Axial and median sagittal histologic sections were prepared. Median sagittal muscle layer thickness was measured every 10% of urethral length (each decile) in the dorsal wall (adjacent to the vagina) and ventral wall, beginning at the caudal margin of the detrusor muscle (0%) and ending at the caudal margin of the striated muscle (100%). In the midurethral cross-section, the thickness of each layer was measured along radial lines placed every 45 degrees with 0 degrees at the ventral midline and 180 degrees at the dorsal midline. RESULTS: In the median sagittal sections, striated muscle layers of urethras were thinner at the vesical neck in older women. In the ventral wall, it decreased by a mean of 18 to 23 μm (3.4%-4.3%; P <.001) per year at 10% to 30% of urethral wall length. Dorsal striated muscle layers were thinner at every decile by 11 to 16 μm (3.2%-4.3%; P <.05); their total cross-sectional areas decreased by 0.19 mm 2 (3.8%) per year short ( P <.001). In the midurethral cross-sections, the muscle was thinner by 16 to 25 μm (1.5% and 4.6%; P <.05) at 90, 135, and 180 degrees. CONCLUSION: Striated muscle was lost at the bladder neck and along the dorsal wall of the urethra as women aged. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:356-60.)

Anatomy and Ultrastructure of the Developing Radicle in Rice Embryos: An Approach to the Study of Somatic Embryogeny.

The development of the radicle at the basal portion of rice rygotic embryos was studied. Median sagittal sections and transverse sections indicated that a radicle tip arose at the ventral side of the embryo 5 DAA (days after anthesis), apparently inducing the dorsiventrality of the embryo. A radicle was connected to a shoot tip by curved vascular strands, and the distance between the radicle tip and the shoot tip was about 300μm when measured in a straight line. It was demonstrated that the radicle contained root cap, root epidermis, cortex and central cylinder. The radicle's subapical initials originated a root cap, which was formed of more-or-less regular columellae of cells. Coleorhiza enveloped columnar root cap, by which the radicle tip was shown to comes first endogenously. The lateral surface of radicles was covered by a mucilaginous thick cell wall. Plasmodesmata were frequently seen in the cell walls of the cap and the epidermis, and additionally, in the walls separating the cap from thc epidermis. The position of embryos in the ovarian cavity in relation to the nucellar epidermis was transferred from the central to ventral side before these events. The initiation of shoot and root poles and the embryo size at the time are discussed in the context of the similarity of somatic embryoids to zygotic embryos.