Median Suture Research Articles

Finite Element Analysis of Bone Stress After SARPE

This study investigated stress distribution in maxillas that underwent surgically assisted palatal expansion (SARPE). Five maxillary models were built: no osteotomy (M1), Le Fort I osteotomy with a step in the zygomaticomaxillary buttress (M2), Le Fort I osteotomy with a step in the zygomaticomaxillary buttress and the pterygomaxillary disjunction (M3), Le Fort I osteotomy without a step (M4), and Le Fort I osteotomy with pterygomaxillary disjunction and no step (M5). Displacement coherence and maximum stress (MS) analyses were used for all models. Areas of tension spread to the maxilla and the region between the alveolar ridge and the palate and a critical point in the median suture for M2, M3, M4, and M5. In M2 and M4, MS spread farther toward and over the pterygoid process, contrary to what was found in M3 and M5. M3 had a better performance than the other models, and the tensile stress was interrupted by the posterior osteotomy, thus avoiding possible damage to the sphenoid bone or difficulties in expanding the posterior region of the maxilla. The steps in the zygomaticomaxillary buttress and the pterygomaxillary disjunction seem to be important to decrease the harmful dissipation of tensions during SARPE.

Biomechanical evaluation of meniscal root repair: a porcine study

Meniscal root repair is commonly practised using transtibial pull-out sutures. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether these are effective in restoring contact of the root to its footprint and a normal loading pattern of the cartilage under restricted loading conditions as used post-operatively. First, a transtibial pull-out suture was simulated using porcine menisci (n = 10). It was repetitively loaded (100×; 1-10 N) and the elongation of the suture determined. In the second part of the study, porcine knees (n = 8) were subjected to repetitive low-level femoro-tibial loads (50 cycles; 100 N). A displacement sensor measured the deformation of the cartilage in the area of femoro-tibial contact. The residual deformation of the cartilage, which results from its viscoelastic behaviour, was determined as a measure of the local stress. Three scenarios were investigated: meniscal root intact, detached, and repaired. Repetitive loading caused a median suture elongation of 3.8 mm. Residual deformation of the cartilage was increased (p = 0.047) with the root detached. Root repair could not restore it to normal (n.s.). In this model, meniscus root repair was not effective in restoring the normal loading pattern of the cartilage because cyclic loading caused an elongation of the repair. In practice, this effect might impair the healing of repaired meniscal roots to the tibial bone.

Ontogeny of the Ptychaspidid TrilobiteQuadraticephalus elongatusKobayashi, 1935 from the Furongian (Late Cambrian) Hwajeol Formation, Korea

The development of the trilobite pygidium involves both an articulation process at the frontal part and the formation of new segments at the rear end, and hence the development of the meraspid pygidium entails complicated morphological changes. This study deals with the ontogeny of the Furongian (late Cambrian) ptychaspidid trilobite,Quadraticephalus elongatus(Kobayashi, 1935), from the Hwajeol Formation of the Taebaek Group, Taebaeksan Basin, Korea, with a special focus on the segmentation process during the meraspid pygidial development. Compared to the ontogeny of a ptychaspidid trilobite,Asioptychaspis subglobosa(Sun, 1924), which is assumed to be an ancestral species ofQ. elongatus, the convexity of the cranidium ofQ. elongatusincreased in a slower rate; the yoked free cheek ofQ. elongatussplits to form a ventral median suture in a later developmental stage; and, a rim-like ridge, which disappeared in the early holaspid pygidium ofA. subglobosa, was maintained in the late holaspid period ofQ. elongatus. These morphological changes with growth imply that paedomorphosis was involved in the evolution ofQ. elongatus. Eleven stages are recognized for the meraspid pygidial development, which began with an accumulation phase during which the number of segments increased from three to seven, followed by an equilibrium phase with seven segments, and ended up with a depletion phase during which the number of segments within the pygidium decreased to four. During the depletion phase, the pygidial length did not increase or even slightly decreased. The onset of the epimorphic phase, in which the total number of trunk segments does not increase anymore, precedes the onset of the holaspid period, demonstrating that the developmental mode ofQ. elongatusis protomeric.

Novel prototype sewing device, EndoSew®, for minimally invasive surgery: an extracorporeal ileal conduit construction pilot study in 10 patients

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: The EndoSew(®) prototype was first tested in a porcine model several years ago. The investigators found it both simple to master and reliable, its greatest advantage being a 2.4-fold time saving compared with straight laparoscopic suturing. In addition to that publication, there is a single case report describing the performance of an open EndoSew(®) suture to close parts (16 cm) of an ileal neobladder. The time for suturing the 16 cm ileum was 25 min, which is in line with our experience. The knowledge on this subject is limited to these two publications. We report on the first consecutive series of ileal conduits performed in humans using the novel prototype sewing device EndoSew(®). The study shows that the beginning and the end of the suture process represent the critical procedural steps. It also shows that, overall, the prototype sewing machine has the potential to facilitate the intracorporeal suturing required in reconstructive urology for construction of urinary diversions. To evaluate the feasibility and safety of the novel prototype sewing device EndoSew(®) in placing an extracorporeal resorbable running suture for ileal conduits. We conducted a prospective single-centre pilot study of 10 consecutive patients undergoing ileal conduit, in whom the proximal end of the ileal conduit was closed extracorporeally using an EndoSew(®) running suture. The primary endpoint was the safety of the device and the feasibility of the sewing procedure which was defined as a complete watertight running suture line accomplished by EndoSew(®) only. Watertightness was assessed using methylene blue intraoperatively and by loopography on postoperative days 7 and 14. Secondary endpoints were the time requirements and complications ≤30 days after surgery. A complete EndoSew(®) running suture was feasible in nine patients; the suture had to be abandoned in one patient because of mechanical failure. In three patients, two additional single freehand stitches were needed to anchor the thread and to seal tiny leaks. Consequently, all suture lines in 6/10 patients were watertight with EndoSew(®) suturing alone and in 10/10 patients after additional freehand stitches. The median (range) sewing time was 5.5 (3-10) min and the median (range) suture length was 4.5 (2-5.5) cm. There were no suture-related complications. The EndoSew(®) procedure is both feasible and safe. After additional freehand stitches in four patients all sutures were watertight. With further technical refinements, EndoSew(®) has the potential to facilitate the intracorporeal construction of urinary diversions.

1394 TECHNICAL RAY OF HOPE IN THE CONTEXT OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE URINARY DIVERSION: SEWING WITH THE PROTOTYPE DEVICE ENDOSEW® - RESULTS OF AN INTRAOPERATIVE HUMAN PILOT SERIES

You have accessJournal of UrologyTechnology & Instruments: Robotics - Malignant Disease & Benign Disease II1 Apr 20121394 TECHNICAL RAY OF HOPE IN THE CONTEXT OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE URINARY DIVERSION: SEWING WITH THE PROTOTYPE DEVICE ENDOSEW® - RESULTS OF AN INTRAOPERATIVE HUMAN PILOT SERIES Beat Roth, Frederic D. Birkhaeuser, George N. Thalmann, and Pascal Zehnder Beat RothBeat Roth Bern, Switzerland More articles by this author , Frederic D. BirkhaeuserFrederic D. Birkhaeuser Bern, Switzerland More articles by this author , George N. ThalmannGeorge N. Thalmann Bern, Switzerland More articles by this author , and Pascal ZehnderPascal Zehnder Bern, Switzerland More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.02.1843AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Minimally invasive cystectomy is rapidly developing. However, complete intracorporeal confection of the urinary diversion remains challenging. Therefore, stapler devices are widely used to facilitate the reconstructive part of the procedure despite the known risk of infections and stone formation. Our goal was to evaluate feasibility and safety of an absorbable running suture for ileal conduits using the prototype sewing device EndoSew®. METHODS Consecutive series of 10 patients scheduled for urinary diversion with an ileal conduit. In order to close the proximal end of the resected bowel segment an extracorporeal running suture (Vicryl 3-0) was performed with the use of the prototype device EndoSew®. Feasibility and time requirements of the procedure were analyzed as were the number of stitches and length of suture line. Water tightness of the suture line was assessed with methylene blue intraoperatively and with loopographies on postoperative day 7 and 14. Technical requirements and complications were recorded as were overall and intervention specific complications occurring within 30d following surgery. RESULTS A complete running suture with EndoSew® was feasible in all but 1 patient (90%). Median suturing time was 5.5min (range:3-10), median suture length was 4.5cm (range:2-5.5). In three patients, an additional single freehand stitch was needed at the beginning and/or the end of the suture line in order to anchor the running machine thread. In one patient, suturing with the device had to be abandoned due to a mechanical problem after 50% of the suturing distance. Finally, all conduits were watertight at any time. No suture related complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS We present the first consecutive series of patients undergoing urinary diversion with an ileal conduit using the sewing device prototype EndoSew®. The procedure per se is feasible and safe. All sutures were watertight. Therefore, EndoSew® has the potential to facilitate the intracorporeal confection of the urinary diversion. However, technical refinements are necessary. © 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 187Issue 4SApril 2012Page: e566 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Beat Roth Bern, Switzerland More articles by this author Frederic D. Birkhaeuser Bern, Switzerland More articles by this author George N. Thalmann Bern, Switzerland More articles by this author Pascal Zehnder Bern, Switzerland More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

1503 VALIDATION OF A PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY BENCH MODEL DEVELOPED VIA A NOVEL MATERIAL ENGINEERING PROCESS

You have accessJournal of UrologyTechnology & Instruments: Surgical Education & Skills Assessment/Ureteroscopy II1 Apr 20121503 VALIDATION OF A PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY BENCH MODEL DEVELOPED VIA A NOVEL MATERIAL ENGINEERING PROCESS Abdulaziz Alamri, Alym Abdulla, John Madjeruh, and Edward D. Matsumoto Abdulaziz AlamriAbdulaziz Alamri Hamilton, Canada More articles by this author , Alym AbdullaAlym Abdulla Hamilton, Canada More articles by this author , John MadjeruhJohn Madjeruh Hamilton, Canada More articles by this author , and Edward D. MatsumotoEdward D. Matsumoto Hamilton, Canada More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.02.1270AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES We previously determined the mean tear strength and resistance of human kidneys and used this data to develop a high-fidelity partial nephrectomy model with similar tissue characteristics to that of a human. Our objective in this next phase, was to test the validity of this new partial nephrectomy bench model. METHODS A questionnaire evaluating face and content validity was distributed to urology staff, fellows and residents at a single institute. The questionnaire assessed the utility of the model as a surgical education tool using a 5-point scale. It asked participants to score the anatomical representation of the kidney model and the cutting, suturing, knot-tying and tissue tearing characteristics compared to a human kidney. Participants' opinion of the model's value as a training tool was also assessed. Participant level of training and clinical experience in performing laparoscopic and open surgery were collected. RESULTS Twenty participants assessed the model and completed the questionnaire (8 staff, 4 fellows, 5 senior residents and 3 junior residents). Eighteen participants (90%) agreed or strongly agreed that the model was a good representation of a human kidney and tumor and two (10%) participants were neutral in opinion. Sixteen participants (80%) agreed or strongly agreed that cutting through the model was similar to that of human kidney tissue, two (10%) were neutral and two (10%) disagreed in opinion. The median suturing score (out of 5) on the model were as follows: needle insertion=4, needle driving=3.5, knot/tying=4 and tissue tear strength=4. Overall, 19 participants (95%) agreed or strongly agreed that the model would help in laparoscopic training and 15 (75%) agreed or strongly agreed it would help in open surgical training. All participants would recommend use this model for resident training. We compared the responses of residents versus staff for all the above parameters and found no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our partial nephrectomy model engineered using actual measures of tear strength and resistance of a real kidney demonstrates good face and content validity. Both experts and novice felt that this model was realistic and had potential educational utility. Validation of training utilizing this model will be the next step in our research. © 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 187Issue 4SApril 2012Page: e608 Peer Review Report Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Abdulaziz Alamri Hamilton, Canada More articles by this author Alym Abdulla Hamilton, Canada More articles by this author John Madjeruh Hamilton, Canada More articles by this author Edward D. Matsumoto Hamilton, Canada More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Systematics, paleobiology, and taphonomy of some exceptionally preserved trilobites from Cambrian Lagerstätten of Utah

Mid-Cambrian biotas of the Spence, Wheeler, Marjum, and Weeks formations in Utah are exceptionally diverse. Continued collecting has produced additional trilobites here assigned to one new genus, Meniscopsia, and 25 new species. The new species, all known from complete or nearly complete dorsal exoskeletons, are Amecephalus jamisoni, Athabaskia gladei, Bolaspidella jarrardi, Bolaspidella reesae, Burlingia halgedahlae, Coosella kieri, Ehmaniella whitei, Glossopleura campbelli, Glossopleura yatesi, Ithycephalus stricklandi, Kootenia randolphi, Kootenia youngorum, Meniscopsia beebei, Menomonia sahratiani, Modocia comforti, Modocia kohli, Modocia whiteleyi, Norwoodia boninoi, Olenoides skabelundi, Olenoides vali, Polypleuraspis cooperi, Ptychoparella lloydi, Ptychoparella mettae, Zacanthoides liddelli, and Zacanthoides marshalli. Descriptions of two other species, Triadaspis bigeneris and Zacanthoides typicalis, are expanded to include new information from complete dorsal exoskeletons. The ventral cephalic presence of a functional rostral-hypostomal suture in the corynexochoid Zacanthoides marshalli further demonstrates that a fused rostral-hypostomal plate is not a unique defining character of the order Corynexochida, adding to evidence that the Corynexochida may be a polyphyletic taxon. The ventral cephalic presence of a median suture, associated with a rostellum in Norwoodia boninoi, order Ptychopariida, is further evidence for a polyphyletic origin of the median suture, previously cited as a unique apomorphic character defining the order Asaphida, which needs revision. The presence of a mineralized alimentary tract and digestive glands in some specimens of Meniscopsia beebei and Coosella kieri suggests that the gut was fluid filled at the time of burial and that the species were predaceous. Collapsed glabellas are interpreted as further evidence of fluid-filled gut tracts in some of the new species. Many of the articulated trilobites preserved in mid-Cambrian Lagerstatten of Utah were probably buried under rapidly deposited sediment clouds on a storm-prone marine shelf. Occasionally, trilobite clusters were buried. Encrustation of fully articulated individuals with calcitic cone-in-cone deposits in the Wheeler and Marjum formations is a likely consequence of concretionary-type growth within a biofilm shortly after death.

Osteological variation of the olive barb Puntius sarana (Cyprinidae) in Sri Lanka

Abstract : Osteological intra-specific variation was studied in olive barb Puntius sarana Hamilton 1822, from six water bodies in Sri Lanka. Discernible variation was reported in the elements of the cranium, pharyngeal bones and caudal skeleton of the fish. The curvature of the median suture between frontals of the skull roof in fish from the rivers Walawe, Nilwala and the Kirindi Oya was directed opposite to that in fish from the rivers Menik, Gin and Kalu. Shape of the tip of dorsal limb of the pharyngeal bones was either most commonly pointed or truncated. Consistent distinctiveness in the rudimentary neural arch of the compound centrum was observed in the Walawe River population, while double neural spines were present on preural centra (PU2 or PU3) of the caudal skeleton in some populations. The size of the parhypural foramen and epural distance in the caudal skeleton, and the total number of vertebrae of the axial skeleton also showed variation. The results are the first information on osteological variation of P. sarana in Sri Lanka. Keywords : Geographic variation, olive barb, osteological comparison, Puntius sarana taxonomy. Doi: 10.4038/jnsfsr.v39i2.3172 J.Natn.Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2011 39 (2):121-128

Median Palatine Cyst

The median palatine cyst is a rare benign nonodontogenic lesion that attacks the median palatine suture. There is controversy about its pathogenesis; however, its origin is generally attributed to the enclavement of epithelial remnants within the palatine suture between the 2 lateral maxillary processes during their fusion in the origin of the hard palate. The purpose of this report was to relate a case of a median palatine cyst, discussing the rarity of the lesion, its pathogenesis, and the different modalities that could be used for the correct treatment of this pathologic entity.

Prothrombin complex concentrate mitigates diffuse bleeding after cardiopulmonary bypass in a porcine model

BackgroundExtracorporeal circuit priming and intravascular volume expansion during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may lead to dilutional coagulopathy and excessive diffuse postoperative bleeding. Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) containing clotting factors II (FII), VII (FVII), IX (FIX), and X (FX) could be of potential value in correcting dilutional coagulopathy and reducing blood loss. MethodsAnaesthetized pigs underwent CPB with hypothermia for 2 h at 25°C followed by 1 h of normothermia. Approximately 1 h after CPB, animals randomly received either isotonic saline 1 ml kg−1 or PCC 30 IU kg−1 in a volume of 1 ml kg−1. Diffuse coagulopathic bleeding was assessed as suture hole blood loss from a Gore-Tex patch placed over a full-thickness incision in the left carotid artery. ResultsAfter CPB, levels of FII, FVII, FIX, and FX declined from baseline by 32% to 48%, and PCC fully or partially reversed those deficits. Median suture hole blood loss after administration of saline placebo was 74 ml. PCC reduced suture hole bleeding by a median of 54 ml with a 95% confidence interval of 6–112 ml (P=0.026) compared with saline. PCC, but not saline, normalized skin bleeding time. Peak thrombin generation markedly decreased after CPB, but then returned in PCC-treated animals to a level higher than baseline by 28.7 nM (14.5–41.1 nM; P=0.031). ConclusionsPCC was effective in correcting dilutional coagulopathy and reducing diffuse bleeding in an in vivo large-animal CPB model. Further research is warranted on PCC as a haemostatic agent in CPB.

Trilobites of the genus Dikelokephalina from Ordovician Gondwana and Avalonia

AbstractThe trilobite Dikelokephalina is widespread across the Tremadocian Gondwana, Avalonia and Baltica palaeocontinents. The hitherto poorly known Anglo‐Welsh species D. furca (Salter, 1866) is revised on the basis of new and well‐preserved material. A new species, D. brenchleyi sp. nov., is described from the Anti‐Atlas, Morocco. The two species together provide a fuller understanding of the genus, and of the family, Dikelokephalinidae (Kobayashi, 1934), to which it has been assigned. Suggestions that this family may be a junior synonym of Hungaiidae (Raymond, 1924) are considered premature. D. brenchleyi sp. nov. apparently shows variation in mature segment number, a most unusual feature in post‐Cambrian trilobites. It is found in monospecific assemblages of large individuals which lack ventral median sutures, and a case is made that these individuals represent a mass gathering of individuals that have ceased to grow, for the purpose of fertilizing eggs, as happens in living Limulus. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ontogeny of the Furongian (late Cambrian) remopleuridioid trilobiteHaniwa quadrataKobayashi, 1933 from Korea: implications for trilobite taxonomy

AbstractThe monophyly of the trilobite Order Asaphida has been challenged. The Superfamily Remopleuridioidea was included in the Order Asaphida, based on the ventral median suture and highly bulbous protaspis of the late Furongian–Tremadocian representatives of the group. The remopleuridioid,Haniwa quadrataKobayashi, 1933 from the Furongian (late Cambrian) Hwajeol Formation of Korea, represents a primitive morphology of the Remopleuridioidea. This trilobite does not have a typical globular morphology of asaphoid protaspis, and the free cheeks remained yoked together during the whole of the development. This supports the previous proposition that the Superfamily Remopleuridioidea should be excluded from the Order Asaphida. In addition, the evolution of a highly globular protaspis of the Ordovician remopleuridioid trilobites from the less bulbous protaspis corroborates the possibility of multiple evolutions of a highly globular protaspis. It can be argued that the possession of a highly globular protaspis does not guarantee the membership of the Order Asaphida, and thus the concept of the Order Asaphida should be emended.

Ventral structure and ontogeny of the late Furongian (Cambrian) trilobiteGuangxiaspis guangxiensisZhou, 1977 and the diphyletic origin of the median suture

Articulated meraspid and holaspid exoskeletons ofGuangxiaspis guangxiensisfrom the Guole Township, Jingxi County, Guangxi Province, China, are preserved in mudstone deposited during an obrution event. The species has a short dorsal pre-cranidial median suture that splits ventrally into a pair of posteriorly divergent connective sutures. The rostral plate ofG. guangxiensisis thus triangular in outline, as in the co-occurrentShergoldia laevigata, which also bore a conterminant hypostome. These two taxa appear to be closely related. The cephalic venter ofShergoldia laevigatahas recently been interpreted to suggest a diphyletic origin of the median suture within the order Asaphida, butGuangxiaspis guangxiensis, Shergoldia laevigataand other tsinaniid trilobites display several characters reminiscent of members of the non-asaphide suborder Leiostegiina. These include swellings adjacent to the margins of the L1 glabellar lobe, the shape and furrows of the glabella, a semi-circular pygidium with a long and thin axis, and macrospinous first opisthopleurae of the holaspid pygidium. Based on these characters and on other new information on the early ontogeny of other tsinaniids, all these taxa likely belong within Leiostegiina. This suggests that the median suture arose independently in corynexochide and asaphide trilobites. The degree of convergence betweenS. laevigataand members of the derived asaphide family Asaphidae was remarkable.Guangxiaspis guangxiensisshows marked morphological change during both meraspid and holaspid ontogeny and might include more than a single morphotype.

Ontogeny and ventral median suture of the ptychaspidid trilobite Asioptychaspis subglobosa (Sun, 1924) from the Furongian (Upper Cambrian) Hwajeol Formation, Korea

The order Asaphida has been characterized by the possession of a globular protaspis and a ventral median suture. the superfamily Dikelocephaloidea was included in the Asaphida, although there has been no reliable ontogenetic information for this superfamily, and thus whether dikelocephaloids had a protaspis of globular shape has remained unclear. the ontogenetic study of the dikelocephaloid trilobite, Asioptychaspis subglobosa, from Korea reveals that the protaspis of A. subglobosa is not of globular morphology but of general benthic adult-like morphology, heralding that the Dikelocephaloidea may not be closely related to other trilobite groups within the Order Asaphida. This protaspid morphology is clearly distinguished from the highly globular protaspis of the Remopleuridioidea, which has been considered the sister group to the Dikelocephaloidea. in addition, the ontogenetic development of the free cheeks shows that A. subglobosa possessed anteriorly yoked free cheeks during the early phase of development but formed a ventral median suture by splitting the yoked cheeks in the later phase of ontogeny. This contrasts with the previously suggested mode of ventral median suture formation of the Order Asaphida. This alternative mode of ventral median suture formation of A. subglobosa, along with non-asaphoid protaspid morphology, warrants removal of the Dikelocephaloidea from the current Order Asaphida. This study further demonstrates that the ventral median suture did not evolve only once in the evolutionary history of trilobites. With the addition of the mode here documented for Asioptychaspis, the ventral median suture is now known to have developed independently and in a different fashion at least three times in the history of Cambrian trilobites.

Mixed separator appliance: A new option for maxillary expansion

The aim of this article was to describe the fabrication and clinical application of a new separator appliance that allies the favorable characteristics of the Haas and Hyrax types of separators. With this appliance separation of the median palatine suture was achieved with greater support with the acrylic component in the active period and better hygiene without the acrylic component in the period of containment. Therefore it could be concluded that the mixed separator appliance is a good option for performing rapid maxillary expansion.

Orthopedic protraction with skeletal anchorage in a patient with maxillary hypoplasia and hypodontia.

Multipurpose titanium miniplates were placed on the lateral nasal wall of the maxilla as anchorage for face mask protraction in an 11-year-old girl presenting with severe maxillary hypoplasia and hypodontia. Applying orthopedic forces directly to the maxilla resulted in an eight mm maxillary advancement. Intraosseous titanium screws were also placed on the palatal bone, near the alveolar crests, to provide anchorage for the expansion appliance. The maxilla was expanded from the median palatal suture, and seven mm of expansion was achieved across the buccal segments. No other tooth support was used for the expansion or the protraction of the maxilla.

Post‐embryonic development of the Furongian (late Cambrian) trilobite Tsinania canens: implications for life mode and phylogeny

The current concept of the order Asaphida was proposed to accommodate some Cambrian and Ordovician trilobite clades that are characterized by the possession of a ventral median suture. The family Tsinaniidae was recently suggested to be a member of the order Asaphida on the basis of its close morphological similarity to Asaphidae. Postembryonic development of the tsinaniid trilobite, Tsinania canens, from the Furongian (late Cambrian) Hwajeol Formation of Korea, reveals that this trilobite had an adult-like protaspis. Notable morphological changes with growth comprise the effacement of dorsal furrows, sudden degeneration of pygidial spines, regression of genal spines, and loss of a triangular rostral plate to form a ventral median suture. Programmed cell death may be responsible for degenerating the pygidial and genal spines during ontogeny. Morphological changes with growth, such as the loss of pygidial spines, modification of pleural tips, and effacement of dorsal furrows, suggest that T. canens changed its life mode during ontogeny from benthic crawling to infaunal. The protaspid morphology and the immature morphology of T. canens retaining genal and pygidial spines suggest that tsinaniids bear a close affinity to leiostegioids of the order Corynexochida. Accordingly, development of a ventral median suture in T. canens demonstrates that the ventral median suture could have evolved polyphyletically, and thus the current concept of the order Asaphida needs to be revised.

Quantitative cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of palatal bone thickness for orthodontic miniscrew placement

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 3-dimensional thickness of the palate to determine the best location to place miniscrews. We selected digital volumetric tomographs from 162 healthy subjects, aged 10 to 44 years (80 male, 82 female). The sample was divided into 3 groups. Group A included 52 subjects (ages, 10-15 years; 28 boys, 24 girls); group B included 38 subjects (ages, 15-20 years; 18 males, 20 females), and group C had 72 subjects (age, 20-44 years; 34 men, 38 women). Ninety-degree paracoronal views of the palatal region at 4, 8, 16, and 24 mm posterior to the incisive foramen were reconstructed, and bone height was measured laterally from the midline in each reconstruction at 0-, 3-, and 6-mm increments to describe the topography of the palate. Measurements of palatal height in 27 of the 162 patients were made by 2 different investigators. Method error was calculated according to the Dahlberg formula (S(2) = Sigmad(2)/2n), and systematic error was evaluated with the dependent Student t test, with P <0.05 considered significant. The thickest bone (4-8 mm) was found in the anterior part of the palate, at the suture and in the paramedian areas, but the posterior region, despite its reduced thickness, is also suitable for miniscrews. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed no significant differences between the groups in the various palatal sections (median suture, 3 and 6 mm to the right and left of the suture) except between groups A and C in the 16-mm paracoronal section at 6 mm to the right and left of the suture. There were no statistically significant differences due to sex or between the right and left sides of the palate. The anterior region is the thickest part of the palate, but the bone thickness in the posterior region is also suitable for screws of appropriate diameter and length.

Surgically assisted maxillary expansion in adults: prospective study

The purpose of this research was to carry out a prospective clinical study of patients with transverse maxillary deficiency, orthopaedically expanded after minimum osteotomies of the zygomatic pillars and the median palatine suture, with quantitative assessment of the stability of the transverse dimensions of the maxilla. The distance between the superior canines and the first superior molars was measured six times during the clinical experiment. The desired expansion was achieved by 15 days postoperatively for all patients. After one year of follow-up, clinical measurements showed a relapse rate of 23% in the superior canine area and 18% in the superior first molar area.

Comparative topography of mesoalinotum and formation of trans-scutal fissure in order Hymenoptera (Hym.)

The present work deals with the comparative study of different areas and sutures of the mesoalinotum and formation of trans-scutal fissure in order Hymenoptera. The representatives of the families like Pamphiliidae, Xyelidae, Argidae, Cimbicidae, Diprionidae, Tenthredinidae and Cephidae exhibit a generalized pattern of sutures and areas associated with the mesoalinotum. However, in them the course of the convergent sutures and the prominency of the posterior lobe of the scutellum do not conform to the generalized patterns and differs widely among the representatives of these families. In Siricidae, on the other hand, the convergent sutures are absent, and the prescutum is extremely reduced. In Xiphydridae, the trans-scutal fissure is represented but the posterior lobe of the scutellum is absent. In all the apocritans the trans-scutal fissure is well represented occupying its usual position, whereas, the convergent and the median sutures are absent in them. In wingless formicids and female mutillids the mesoalinotum is secondarily modified to unobtrusively fuse with the surrounding components of the thorax, while in them the trans-scutal fissure remains altogether missing indicating thereby that the occurrence of the fissure is directly related to the incidence of flight.