Sulcus Type Research Articles

Rouviere’s Sulcus: Frequency and Types among Patients presented to Wad Madani Teaching Hospital for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy; Gezira State; Sudan

Scientific background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard for surgical treatment of gallstones disease. Method: The study aimed to determine presence and types of Rouviere’s sulcus along with its association with gender, and postoperative morbidity among Sudanese patients presented for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and operated on at Wad Madani Teaching Hospital, Gezira State, Sudan; during the period from November 2022 to November 2023. It was a comparative cross-sectional study. Study population were patients of more than 18 years old; where total coverage of them (150) was done. Data was collected from files and records of patients presented there during study period. Master sheet was used for data collection. SPSS version 25.0 was used for analysis. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Age of participants ranged from 17 to 85 years, with a mean age of 47.57 (SD ± 15.14). Majority of them were female (93.3%). Gallstones were present in 99.3%. Rouviere’s sulcus was identified intraoperatively among 92.7%. Identified sulcus type was: Open sulcus (54.0%), Close sulcus (27.3%), and Scar sulcus (11.3%). Postoperative operative outcomes: 95.3% experienced uneventful outcomes; and 4.7% experienced complications. Both postoperative complications and gender, had no statistical associations with the presence of Rouviere’s sulcus; P-value = 0.470, and 0.112 respectively. Also, there was no significant statistical association between gender and sulcus type (P-value 0.301). Conclusion and recommendations: No significant statistical association between both postoperative complications and gender with the presence of Rouviere’s sulcus, or between gender and sulcus type; was identified. Further study was highly recommended.

Pollen morphology in the genus Dyckia (Bromeliaceae): endemic species from southern Brazil comprising the proposed infrageneric grouping “D. selloa complex”

Abstract Dyckia, belonging to the Bromeliaceae, consists of species that share several morphological similarities. Recently, a proposal has grouped 13 species of the genus into a “D. selloa complex” based on their limited geographical distribution and seed characteristics. However, further investigation is required to gain a better understanding of this grouping. This study aimed to analyze the pollen grain morphology of the grouped species. The analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as light microscopy equipped with bright field and fluorescence optics. Various structures were measured. The pollen grains are heteropolar, oblate, and range in size from small to medium. They possess a simple sulcus type and exhibit a sexine (composed of tectum and infratectum columellate) and a nexine 1. Different patterns of ornamentation were identified, including reticulate, microreticulate, reticulate with free granules, reticulate with a partially discontinuous reticulum, and reticulate with a discontinuous reticulum. The aperture margin of some species differs from the described characteristics for the genus (Puya type) and is referred to here as the “Other” type. The results align with existing data for the genus Dyckia and contribute to understanding the pollen morphology within the genus and the studied group. The data obtained in this study, along with the observed variations, could facilitate a better understanding of the “D. selloa complex”.

How Do Pollen Grains of Convallaria majalis L. Respond to Different Habitat Conditions?

To date, the effect of habitat conditions on the characteristics of pollen has not been extensively investigated; however, it needs to be remembered that it may be highly significant for the quality of their generative reproduction success. It was decided to conduct the analyses on Convallaria majalis as a common species, naturally found in many different forest habitats. Moreover, the investigations covered pollen morphology and for the first time also the variability of pollen grains in this species. The plant material came from 98 natural sites located in Poland, in nine differing forest habitats. In total, 2940 pollen grains were analyzed in terms of five quantitative features (i.e., the length of the longest and shortest polar axes–LA and SA, exine thickness–Ex, the LA/SA and Ex/LA ratios) as well as the following qualitative ones: pollen outline and shape, sulcus type and exine ornamentation. Our studies revealed that the most important pollen characteristics in C. majalis included sulcus type, exine ornamentation, distribution and size of perforations, LA and pollen shape. The study showed the response of pollen to different habitat conditions found in the nine investigated habitats. The Ex/LA ratio and Ex were these pollen characteristics, which exhibited the most marked response to the different habitat conditions. Pollen from two habitats, moist mixed coniferous forest and upland mesic broadleaved forest, exhibited the most distinct characteristics.

Rouviere's sulcus - An anatomical landmark for safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A cross-sectional study

IntroductionLaparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been established as the gold standard treatment for symptomatic gallstones, however surgeons face the risk of injuring bile ducts and vessels due to the inherent limitations of laparoscopy. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study done in the Department of Surgery, Shree Birendra Hospital (SBH) on patients who were posted for LC. The study period was through April 2021 to September 2021. During LC, the anatomy of RS was noted and classified into Group A (RS present) or Group B (RS absent). Data analyses were performed considering a p-value of <0.05 as statistically significant. ResultsRS was present in 169 (93.9%) out of 180 cases. The open sulcus type was found in 114 cases (67.5%), followed by closed type in 26 (15.4%), slit sulcus type in 22 (13.0%), and scar type in 7 (4.1%) cases. Injury to cystic artery occurred in one case (0.15%) of Group A while in two cases (18.18%) of Group B (p-value = 0.001). The adjusted operative time in Group A and Group B were 50.61 ± 10.33 min and 69.86 ± 15.28 min respectively (p-value = 0.005). There was significant difference between Group A and Group B in conversion to open surgery - 01 (0.59%) and 04 (36%) respectively (p-value < 0.001). Surgical Site Infection (SSI) was detected in nine (5.33%) cases among Group A and in three (27.2%) cases among Group B (p-value = 0.028). ConclusionRS can be considered as an important anatomical landmark for safer LC with fewer injuries to cystic artery, SSI, conversion to open surgery and shorter operative time.

Palynological study of Allium L. (Amaryllidaceae) in the flora of Egypt

Allium (Amaryllidaceae) is diverse and taxonomically problematic, with controversial subdivisions and polymorphic species. In Egypt, the genus has not been investigated satisfactorily in terms of palynology. The present study aims to provide palynological information on the endemic and near-endemic species of Allium for the first time in Egypt and to characterise the pollen diversity of the investigated taxa. The pollen morphology of 21 Allium taxa was studied comprehensively via Scanning Electron Microscopy. Twenty-five traits were surveyed, then subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). Pollen grains are monads, heteropolar, monosulcate, or trisulcate, small to medium-sized (polar axis (P) = 10.44–29.76 μm, equatorial diameter (E) = 18.97–59.24 μm), and peroblate or oblate in shape. The sulcus may be anasulcate, meridionosulcate, or subzonasulcate. Sulcus ends are blunt, pointed, rounded, or undulated. The exine ornamentation is variable and diversified between the distal pole and the equator. The current study highlights the importance of pollen characteristics such as pollen size parameters, pollen shape, aperture type, polar outline, sulcus size parameters, sulcus type and end shape, distance between sulcus ends, exine ornamentation, presence or absence of perforations on the exine, and perforation size and density for the discrimination of Allium taxa in Egypt. The HCA confirms that pollen morphology has limited taxonomic usefulness at the sectional level for the studied taxa. The PCoA results, on the other hand, were more informative to visualise the infrageneric classification based on the studied palynological traits. A dichotomous identification key for 21 Allium taxa in Egypt based on palynological data is presented.

ROUVIERE'S SULCUS : A NOVEL ANATOMICAL LANDMARK FOR SAFE LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Introduction-The information of surgical anatomy is imperative for the safe implementation of any surgical procedure. A less well-recognized xed internal anatomical landmark in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is Rouviere's sulcus. The current literature provides only scarce and heterogeneous data regarding this groove. The present study is intended to identify and study the frequency, orientation, and anatomic subtype of Rouviere's sulcus in cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A prospective obse Material And Method- rvational study was conducted on 70 patients from May 2020 to October 2021 at Department of General Surgery, Dr. S. N. Medical College, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Patients from both sex and above 18 years of age with symptomatic gall stone disease were included. Databases were searched with the following keywords: ssure or sulcus of the caudate process, incisura dextra, incisura dextra of Gans, Rouviere's sulcus, sillon du processus caudé. Statistical analysis done and results and observations were concluded. Out of 70 patients, 58 (82.86%) patients had Rouviere' Result- s sulcus. Open type of sulcus was present in 45 (64.28%) patients. Closed type of sulcus was present in 13 (18.57%) patients. Slit type was present in 5 (7.14%) patients. Scar like was present in 4 (5.71%) patients and sulcus was not identiable in 3 (4.26%) patients. We hereby concl Conclusion- ude that, Rouviere's sulcus is a consistent surgical landmark during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Identication of the sulcus during laparoscopic cholecystectomy help us to avoid bile duct injuries

Hidden taxonomic characters in otoliths of blenniid fishes (Teleostei: Blenniidae) from the Iranian coasts of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea ecoregions: A scanning electron microscopy approach

AbstractIn the present work, the morphological characteristics of sagitta were described and analysed for 10 species of combtooth blennies (Blenniidae) inhabiting the intertidal region of the Persian Gulf and Makran zone of Oman Sea to see the taxonomic usefulness of otoliths, especially their hidden characters for species identification. Based on the obtained results, sagitta morphology could be considered as diagnostic characters distinguishing the genera Alticus, Antennablennius, Istiblennius, Omobranchus and Parablennius showing differences related to general shape, that is, elliptic/oval to triangular; shape of antirostrum and its degree of development; the degrees of convexity of ventral and dorsal margins, and shape of ostium. The common/general otolith characters shared in the all studied combtooth blennies, is the heterosulcoid condition, which is a shared character with Perciformes and Gobiiformes. The type of sulcus is ostial, and it can be considered as a plesiomorph character shared with a basal group of actinopterygian fishes. The obtained results could be useful in taxonomical, paleontological, ecological and food and feeding habits studies.

Significance of Rouviere’s Sulcus in Hepatobiliary Surgery: A Cadaveric study

Background: Rouviere’s sulcus (RS) was first identified in 1924 by Henri Rouviere. It lies oblique to the anterior and inferior border of the liver and holds the right portal pedicle. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy of a Medical College in Maharashtra, India, on 45 cadaveric livers. The morphological observations made were: presence/ absence RS; direction of RS (oblique/ horizontal/ vertical); sulcus type ( deep/ slit/ scar); length, width and depth; presence of right hepatic pedicle; distance of the hepatic vessels from edge of the sulcus . Results: 40 livers showed the presence of Rouviere’s Sulcus. It was absent in five specimens. Direction was horizontal in 40%, oblique in 57.5% and vertical in 2.5% .26 livers showed a deep type of sulcus, 12 showed the slit type and 2 showed scar type .29 livers showed the right hepatic pedicle entering the RS. Average length, depth, of the RS was 2.35 cm and1.07 cm respectively. The average width was 0.32cm at medial end, 0.22cm at midpoint and 0.1cm at lateral end. Present study has added the details of depth of vessels from the edge of RS, which was not recorded in earlier studies. Depth of vessels from the edge of the sulcus was average 5mm (0.5cm) for the right branch of the hepatic artery and was 12mm (1.2cm) for the right branch of portal vein. Conclusion: Rouviere’s sulcus is a reference landmark for surgeons during laparoscopic surgeries on gall bladder and during hepatic resection to avoid injuries. This study wishes to provide detailed morphological data of the Rouviere’s Sulcus to hepatobiliary surgeons including depth of hepatic vessels in the RS as an added parameter to aid them in their surgical endeavor. KEY WORDS: Rouviere’s sulcus, Anatomical Landmark, Morphology, Depth, Hepatobiliary Surgery.

English

BACKGROUND The Rouviere’s sulcus (RS) is a horizontal sulcus on inferior surface of liver. The identification of RS may avoid bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and reduce the number of complications. RS is useful but often ignored anatomic landmark. The purpose of the study was to determine the presence/absence, types, and morphometry of demonstrable Rouviere’s sulcus. METHODS This observational study was conducted on 50 (cadaveric) liver specimens obtained during dissection. All the surfaces were meticulously observed, the RS was identified and photographed. The parameters like its presence/ absence, type of sulcus, length, breadth and depth were measured. Later it is classified into type 1, 2 &amp; 3 depending on its morphology. RESULTS The Rouviere’s sulcus was present in 36 (72 %) specimens. The type 1RS in 29 (58 %), type 2 RS in 4 (8 %) and type 3 RS in 3 (6 %) specimens was observed. The RS was horizontal in 25 (50 %) specimens and oblique in 11 (22 %) specimens. The average length, breadth and depth of RS were 3.5 cm, 0.14 cm &amp; 0.52 cm respectively. CONCLUSIONS The knowledge of presence / absence of Rouviere’s sulcus, its type and morphometry provide useful information to the surgeons to avoid bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to achieve a good outcome. KEY Words Rouviere’s Sulcus, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Bile Duct Injury

Anatomy of Rouviere's Sulcus and Its Association with Complication of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Methods This is a prospective observational study involving patients of age ≥16 years who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for uncomplicated gall stone at BPKIHS between May and July 2019. Result 230 cases were analyzed, and RS was present in 90.4%. Open sulcus type was the commonest (54%), followed by scar type (22.9%), closed sulcus type (12.5%), and slit type (10.6%), respectively. In 59.1% of cases, it was oblique to the anterior, inferior, and external edge of the liver, while in the remaining cases, it was transverse. The mean ± SD values for operative time and duration of hospital stay in the RS visible and the RS not visible groups were 29.16 ± 8.736 and 42.9 ± 23.646 minutes, and 1.26 ± 0.440 and 1.90 ± 0.910 days, respectively (p value ≤0.001). One minor complication occurred in each group: RS initially visible group and RS visible on the adhesion release group, while 3 minor complications occurred in the RS not visible group. Only one major complication occurred in the RS not visible group. Conclusion Identification of RS by operating surgeons is a predictor of safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

A prospective observational analytical study on Rouviere’s sulcus: a single institutional study

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the most commonly performed laparoscopic surgery worldwide. Safe cholecystectomy is the priority to reduce the morbidity and mortality. There is a paradigm shift from extensive Calot’s dissection to identification of Rouviere’s sulcus and lesser dissection. Identification and analysis of Rouviere’s sulcus will help us doing a safe cholecystectomy and avoiding further injuries to bile ducts.Methods: The study included 160 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, posted in elective OT and identified Rouviere’s sulcus during laparoscopy. Table visual inspection and analysis was done. And the collected data was analyzed for different types of sulcus, its position, morphology and content.Results: Of 160 cases, 147 cases had Rouviere’s sulcus. 13 cases did not have a sulcus. Open type sulcus was present in 99 cases, 35 had closed type, whereas 19 had slit type and only 7 had a scar like sulcus. The study showed 92% of our patients had Rouviere’s sulcus and of them 61.9% had an open type which was the most common type of sulcus of them 18 cases had a visible pulsating vessel in the floor of the sulcus i.e. posterior sectional pedicle in the sulcus.Conclusions: Present study showed, in 92% cases it is easy and approachable to visualise the Rouvier’s sulcus. So, it is feasible and beneficial to identify the sulcus and keep the dissection above this level to avoid common bile duct injury and further complication thereof.

Ear infection prevalence in prehistoric and historic populations of the southern Levant: A new diagnostic method

AbstractStudying infectious diseases in ancient times is of significant importance to our understanding of past populations' ways of life. Otitis media (OM) is beneficial for this purpose because it is frequent and influenced by environmental conditions. The aims of the current study were to create a reliable criterion for identifying OM in skeletal material, and to follow trends regarding the prevalence of OM throughout the terminal Pleistocene–Holocene Levant.Complete petrous bones of 229 individuals from six populations of the terminal Pleistocene–Holocene Levant (14,900 cal bp–1,917 ad) were included in the study. The promontory of the middle ear was examined using a flexible videoscope and a microscope. The observations were validated by micro‐computed tomography (CT) images. The absence or presence of bone remodelling on the promontory surface was registered as well as the appearance of the promontory sulcus (open or covered). Kappa tests were carried out to examine intra‐ and inter‐observer variation. Chi‐squared tests were carried out to examine the association between promontory appearance and period as well as the association between the presence of bone remodelling and the sulcus type.The suggested criteria were found to be reliable. A fluctuation in the prevalence of bone remodelling on the promontory surface was found during the studied period. The highest prevalence (80%) was among the protohistoric populations, followed by the prehistoric populations (~60.6%), and finally, the historic populations (~50.4%). The types of promontory sulcus remained relatively stable during the studied period. Moreover, no significant association was found between the presence of bone remodelling on the promontory surface and the sulcus type.To conclude, bone remodelling on the promontory surface is a new, simple, and reliable method to identify OM in skeletal material. However, promontory sulcus type is most likely not associated with OM. The fluctuations in OM prevalence during the Holocene Levant were probably due to habitation type and climate conditions.

Mentolabial sulcus and malocclusion: Facial esthetics in ethnic Tamil population

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the soft-tissue parameter that is depth and angle of mentolabial sulcus and to correlate this parameter with type of malocclusion present in an ethnic Tamilian population. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the depth and angle of the mentolabial sulcus, to determine the type of malocclusion, and to correlate the soft-tissue parameter and malocclusion. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 260 university students (65 males and 95 females) between April and September 2018. Photographs of all the students were taken using a digital camera. Mentolabial sulcus depth and angles were measured from the lateral photographs using an angle instrument along with the molar and canine relation. The type of mentolabial sulcus was also taken into account. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 22. The comparison of sulcus between males and females was performed using two-sample t-test at 95% confidence interval. Results: The mean mentolabial sulcus angle in the Tamilian population was 117.18° ± 9.24° (males: 118.19° ± 12.28° and females: 116.19° ± 12.28°). There was no statistically significant difference of sulcus angle between males and females (P = 0.078). The sulcus was classified as deep, average, and shallow in males and females. In total students, the average was more predominant followed by deep and shallow. Conclusion: The mean mentolabial sulcus angle in the Tamilian population was 117.18° ± 9.24°, in males was 118.19° ± 12.28°, and in females was 116.19° ± 12.28°. The sulcus was classified as deep, average, and shallow. There was no statistically significant difference of sulcus angle between males and females. The average type of sulcus was more predominant in the Tamilian population.

Clinical treatment of benign vocal cord lesions with occult vocal cord sulcus

Objective:To discuss the correlation of benign vocal cord lesions with occult vocal cord sulcus and the treatment of benign vocal cord lesions with occult vocal cord sulcus, through the analysis of surgical data, preoperative voice evaluation data and postoperative follow-up data of patients.Method:The data from 377 patients of benign vocal cord lesions with concealed vocal cord sulcus admitted to Beijing Tongren Hospital from 2005 to 2016 were reviewed. The follow-up time was more than half a year after surgery.Result:About 2.9% of the benign lesions of the vocal cords were associated with occult vocal cords sulcus,of which 61.27% were bilateral vocal cords sulcus,22.55% was right vocal cords sulcus,and 16.18% was left vocal cord sulcus.Of the patients with bilateral vocal fold sulcus,64.5% had benign vocal cord lesions and 35.5% had unilateral vocal cord benign lesions.Of the patients with unilateral vocal fold,73.97% were associated with ipsilateral vocal cord benign lesions, and 26.03% were associated with contralateral vocal cord lesions.In the 531 sides of the vocal cords sulcus,183 sides of vocal fold sulcus typeⅠwere not treated. The 332 sides of vocal fold sulcus type Ⅱ were treated with removed lesions of the vocal cords and microdissection of vocal cord adhesion.The 16 sides of vocal fold sulcus type Ⅲ were treated with removed lesions of the vocal cords,local tamponaded of autogenous abdominal fascia and microsutured to close the wound. There were 9 cases with 11 sides of vocal fold sulcus combined with the mucous bridge.The satisfactory rate of sound improvement was 80.37% in half a year after the operation.Postoperative fundamental frequency,jitter,shimmer and maximum phonation time were significantly improved compared with preoperative.Conclusion:The occurrence of benign vocal cord lesions may be related to occult vocal fold sulcus.Simultaneous treatment of benign vocal cord lesions with occult vocal cord sulcus can achieve satisfactory voice improvement.Therefore, we should pay attention to the treatment of vocal fold sulcus in the diagnosis and treatment of benign vocal cord diseases.

Application of buccal mucosa with Snodgrass procedure for repair of hypospadias

To present method and experiences in using the buccal mucosa with the Snodgrass procedure for repair of hypospadias. Between August 2012 and April 2015, 55 boys with hypospadias were treated with Snodgrass procedure combined with buccal mucosa. The age ranged from 1 to 7 years (mean, 4 years). There were 32 cases of distal penile type, 14 cases of proximal penile type, and 9 cases of coronal sulcus type. The buccal mucosa taking from inner cheek was fixed into the incised urethral plate. The urethral plate was tubularized over a catheter. All the patients were followed up 3-25 months (mean, 11 months). After operation, 1 patient had urethral stricture and fistula after repaired urethra was infected, and 5 patients had fistula. For the others, the urination was smooth, the appearance of penis was satisfying, the urethral stricture did not occur, and the penis was straightened completely. Compared with traditional Snodgrass procedure, the application of buccal mucosa can increase the reconstruction material of urethral and reduce the stricture of the repaired urethra after operation.

Mentolabial sulcus: An esthetic-based classification

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to study the mentolabial sulcus in Nepalese, to compare the sulcus between male and female, and to classify the sulcus according to the angle. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 160 university students (65 males and 95 females) between April and September 2016. Photographs of all the students were taken using a digital camera. Mentolabial sulcus angles were measured from the lateral photographs using an angle instrument. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22. The comparison of sulcus between male and female was done using two-sample t-test at 95% confidence interval. Results: The mean mentolabial sulcus angle in Nepalese was 118.19° ±12.28° (male: 119.43° ± 9.99° and female: 117.61° ± 13.23°). There was no statistically significant difference of sulcus angle between males and females (P = 0.098). The sulcus was classified as deep, average, and shallow in males and females. In total students, the average was more predominant followed by deep and shallow. Conclusions: The mean mentolabial sulcus angle in Nepalese was 118.19° ± 12.28°, in male was 119.43° ± 9.99°, and in female was 117.61° ± 13.23°. The sulcus was classified as deep, average, and shallow. There was no statistically significant difference of sulcus angle between males and females. The average type of sulcus was more predominant in Nepalese.

Ecomorphological patterns of the lapilli of Paranoplatense Siluriforms (South America)

The morphology and morphometry of lapillus otoliths were studied in bottom frequenters, intermediate and benthonic fishes. The shape, margins and type of sulcus of 3 groups of otoliths from 19 species were analyzed: group 1 (bottom frequenters, 11 spp), group 2 (intermediate, 5 spp) and group 3 (benthonic, 3 spp). The indices EL (maximum width of the lapillus (WOL)/maximum length of the lapillus (LOL) %) and S (sulcus area/otolith area %) were calculated for each species. The lapilli of bottom frequenters and intermediate groups showed, in their ventral face, similar morphological features, high shape variability (oblong shape, elongated shape and quadrangular shape) and a sulcus surface that represents 16-34% of otolith surface. The lapilli of the benthonic group are globosal or rounded with a sulcus surface that represents less than 12% of otolith surface. Statistical analyses showed significant differences in the EL and S indices between the benthonic group and the other two groups, but there were no differences between the otoliths of the bottom frequenters and intermediate groups. EL and S values could be used to characterize the lapilli of the paranoplatense fish and could be considered a useful tool for fish ecology studies.

Magnetic resonance imaging study of cerebral sulci in low-risk preterm children

Premature birth is associated with several brain dysfunctions including changes in the normal pattern of sulcal development. Previous studies on sulcal abnormalities were performed in subjects with perinatal brain complications. We selected a sample of preterm subjects with a low risk of neurodevelopmental abnormalities with the aim of investigating the effects of prematurity per se. Surface and maximum depth measures of four sulci that develop at different gestational ages were obtained using Anatomist/Brain Visa 3.0.2 software. The sulci measured were the olfactory sulcus (16 weeks), the parieto-occipital sulcus (22–23 weeks), the superior temporal sulcus (32 weeks) and the orbitofrontal sulcus (36–39 weeks). The sample comprised 17 low-risk preterms (mean gestational age: 32 weeks) and 16 full-term children who were matched for age at scan, gender, handedness and socio-cultural status. Analysis of surface variance showed a significant group effect (P<0.015), as well as an interaction between the type of sulcus and group (P<0.001). The superior temporal sulcus surface was inferior in the low-risk preterm group compared to controls. Our findings suggest that even without perinatal complications, premature birth affects sulcal morphology.

Pollen morphology of selected species of Allium (Alliaceae) distributed in Iran

Pollen morphology of 19 species of Allium representing six subgenera and 12 sections, were studied. The following characters were recognized as important for separating taxa at different taxonomic ranks: the sulcus, presence or absence of perforations on the pollen surface, density of perforations, size of perforations and size of the pollen grains. Rugulate, rugulate–striate, and simple–perforate exine ornamentation were distinguished. The type of sulcus is very characteristic in A. subgen. Allium sect. Allium. The extended sulcus was not observed in any species the other sections of subgen. Allium studied here, such as sect. Caerulea (A.capitellatum), sect. Codonprasum (A.lenkoranicum and A.stamineum) and sect. Avulsea (A.rubellum and A.umblicatum). Imperforated pollen grains were observed in representatives of A. subgen. Reticulatobulbosa and subgen. Polyprason.

Pollen morphology of selected species ofAllium(Alliaceae) distributed in Iran

Pollen morphology of 19 species of Allium representing six subgenera and 12 sections, were studied. The following characters were recognized as important for separating taxa at different taxonomic ranks: the sulcus, presence or absence of perforations on the pollen surface, density of perforations, size of perforations and size of the pollen grains. Rugulate, rugulate–striate, and simple–perforate exine ornamentation were distinguished. The type of sulcus is very characteristic in A. subgen. Allium sect. Allium. The extended sulcus was not observed in any species the other sections of subgen. Allium studied here, such as sect. Caerulea (A.capitellatum), sect. Codonprasum (A.lenkoranicum and A.stamineum) and sect. Avulsea (A.rubellum and A.umblicatum). Imperforated pollen grains were observed in representatives of A. subgen. Reticulatobulbosa and subgen. Polyprason.