Zygomatic Width Research Articles

Zygoma Asymmetry in Non-Syndromic Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

Background: Cleft lip and palate are often accompanied by maxillary asymmetry and midface hypoplasia. However, there has been limited examination of the symmetry of the zygoma in these patients. In this study, computed tomography scans prior to alveolar bone grafting are utilized to examine zygomatic symmetry through width, projection, and volume. Methods: Retrospective review was conducted of patients with nonsyndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate with eligible scans prior to alveolar bone grafting at our institution. Anterior zygomatic width, posterior zygomatic width, and zygomatic projection were measured on axial images oriented to the Frankfort horizontal, and three-dimensional digital models of each zygoma were created from the computed tomography data to estimate zygoma volume. These measurements were then compared on cleft and noncleft sides. Results: Twenty-two patients were included in this study. The mean (95% CI) zygoma volume of the cleft side and non-cleft side was 4219 mm3 (3858-4574 mm3) and 4286 mm3 (3932-4660 mm3), respectively, with a mean difference of −67 mm3 ([−402-266 mm3]; P = .704). The zygomatic projection of the cleft side was 43 mm (41-45 mm) in comparison to 47 cm (45-49 mm) for the non-cleft side. Mean difference in zygomatic projection was −4 mm (−5 to −2 mm, P < .001). Mean anterior zygomatic width was greater on the cleft side (42 mm [41-44 mm]) than the non-cleft side (41 mm [40-42 mm]; P = .037). No significant difference was found between posterior zygomatic width of the cleft side (59 mm [58-60 mm]) and non-cleft side (58 mm [57-59 mm]; P = .118). Conclusions: Upon preoperative image analysis in patients with non-syndromic, unilateral lip and palate clefts, zygomatic projection was significantly different between cleft and non-cleft sides. Evaluation of zygoma asymmetry should be included as a component of the physical exam when assessing a patient with unilateral cleft lip and palate, as improved awareness of existing zygomatic asymmetry could aid in setting patient expectations, improving satisfaction/outcomes, and in planning for potential surgical correction.

Extended reduction malarplasty for Asians with flat and wide face: Comparison with L-shaped osteotomy.

Reduction malarplasty is effective in correcting prominent zygomatic body and arch in Asian populations, but periorbital zygomatic bony protrusion may not be sufficiently improved. In this study, we present the extended reduction malarplasty procedures to correct it simultaneously and compare the outcome with that of conventional L-shaped osteotomy. A retrospective review of consecutive patients who received reduction malarplasty between August 2021 and September 2023 at our hospital was conducted. Computed tomography images obtained before and after surgery were assessed to evaluate the facial skeletal changes, and to compare between the extended and conventional L-shaped malarplasty results. Twenty extended reduction malarplasty patients and 23 conventional reduction malarplasty patients were eligible for the study. Cephalometric analyses showed significant reduction in the zygomatic width in both groups, but the protrusion of the periorbital area was improved significantly greater in the extended reduction malarplasty group. In terms of facial angulation, the extended reduction malarplasty also provided more horizontal convexity in the periorbital area, whereas the angular change in the caudal part of zygoma was not significantly different. The extended reduction malarplasty enabled to reduce the protrusion of the periorbital area, as well as the prominent zygomatic body and arch, and provided more three-dimensionality and horizontal convexity with the midface contour. It is a viable option for harmonizing the facial profile for Asian patients with flat and wide face.

Ethnic variation in lower face anthropometry on facial computed tomography scans for patients seeking facial feminization surgery

BackgroundFacial feminization surgery (FFS) is the most common form of facial gender-affirming surgery. One of the current knowledge gaps is the understanding of racial group differences in baseline craniofacial norms for transgender and nonbinary patients. MethodsAll patients who sought consultation for FFS with a completed craniofacial computed tomographic (CT) scan at a single institution between the years of 2018 to 2023 were included. Patients with previous facial surgeries were excluded. Chart reviews were conducted for patient characteristics, including race, age, hormone therapy duration, and prior gender-affirming surgeries. Racial categorizations included White, Latinx, African American, or Asian. Patients with other or multiracial identity were excluded. Measurements of the lower face were derived from preoperative facial CT scans. Comparative analyses were performed on all measurements between racial groups. Results204 patients were included with an average age of 32.0±10.2 years and a median hormone duration of 2.0 years. Notable racial group differences were: 1. Zygomatic width was largest in Asian patients (13.5±0.6cm) compared to all other racial groups (p=0.03), 2. Nasolabial angle was smallest in African American patients (82.5±13.1 degrees, p<0.001), 3. Lower face height was largest in African American patients (6.9±0.7cm, p<0.001) and 4. Lateral mandibular flare was largest in African American patients (0.4±0.1cm) and smallest in Latinx patients (0.2±0.1cm, p<0.001). ConclusionsSpecific target areas of FFS should be carefully considered to account for possible baseline ethnic differences. Relative facial proportions may also be a more salient surgical planning tool for TGNB patients rather than absolute measurements alone.

Inferring condition in wild mammals: body condition indices confer no benefit over measuring body mass across ecological contexts.

Many studies assume that it is beneficial for individuals of a species to be heavier, or have a higher body condition index (BCI), without accounting for the physiological relevance of variation in the composition of different body tissues. We hypothesized that the relationship between BCI and masses of physiologically important tissues (fat and lean) would be conditional on annual patterns of energy acquisition and expenditure. We studied three species with contrasting ecologies in their respective natural ranges: an obligate hibernator (Columbian ground squirrel, Urocitellus columbianus), a facultative hibernator (black-tailed prairie dog, Cynomys ludovicianus), and a food-caching non-hibernator (North American red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). We measured fat and lean mass in adults of both sexes using quantitative magnetic resonance (QMR). We measured body mass and two measures of skeletal structure (zygomatic width and right hind foot length) to develop sex- and species-specific BCIs, and tested the utility of BCI to predict body composition in each species. Body condition indices were more consistently, and more strongly correlated, with lean mass than fat mass. The indices were most positively correlated with fat when fat was expected to be very high (pre-hibernation prairie dogs). In all cases, however, BCI was never better than body mass alone in predicting fat or lean mass. While the accuracy of BCI in estimating fat varied across the natural histories and annual energetic patterns of the species considered, measuring body mass alone was as effective, or superior in capturing sufficient variation in fat and lean in most cases.

Multivariate analysis of craniodental morphology in mouse-eared bats (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae, Myotis) from Vietnam.

This study conducted biostatistical multivariate analyses on 23 craniodental morphological measurements from 209 specimens to study interspecific variations amongst 15 bat species of the genus Myotis in Vietnam. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that the studied species can be divided into four groups as follows: extra-large-sized species (M.chinensis), large-sized species (M.pilosus, M.indochinensis and M.annectans), medium-sized species (M.altarium, M.hasseltii, M.montivagus, M.horsfieldii, M.ater, M.laniger and M.muricola) and small-sized species (M.annamiticus, M.aff.siligorensis, M.rosseti and M.alticraniatus). Our data revealed that the main craniodental features contributing to the variations in distinguishing Myotis species are the width of the anterior palatal, least height of the coronoid process, length of the upper and lower canine-premolar, zygomatic width and width across the upper canines and lower premolar-molar length. Based on patterns of morphological differences, we conducted comparisons between morphometrically closely resembling species pairs and further discussed additional characteristics that are expected to support the taxonomy and systematics of Vietnamese Myotis bats.

A Study on Morphological and Morphometrical Parameters on the Skull of the Konya Merino Sheep

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the craniometric measurements of the skull of the Konya Merino breed and to reveal the differences between it and other sheep breeds. &#x0D; Material-Method: For this study, ten Konya merino heads were used and craniometric measurements were made from 46 points on the skull. &#x0D; Result: In the study, the skull length of the Konya merino was 274.03 ± 5.23, the frontal width (ectorbitale – ectorbitale) which is the widest region of the skull 123.47 ± 2.60, zygomatic width (the distance between two zygomatic arches) 110.30 ± 1.96 and the distance between the foramen supraorbitales 49.06 ± 2.38. has been found to be. It was determined that both the fronto-nasal and palato-maxillar sutures resembled the letter "V" in Konya merino, while the pariato-frontal suture was in the form of a straight line. When the correlation between index values was examined, it was seen that there was a statistically significant strong positive correlation between I1 (Nasal index) and I2 (Facial Index), but the relationship between other examined features was insignificant. When the statistically significant correlation values of the skull measurements are examined, it is seen that there is a strong negative or positive correlation between the features. While the highest positive correlation was between L5 (premolare – prosthion) and L39 (greatest palatal breadth (measured across the outer borders of the alveoli) features (0.943), the highest negative correlation was L33 (greatest neurocranium breadth-greatest breadth of the alveoli)). braincase (euryon - euryon) and L46 (supraorbital foramina distance) features were found to be (-0.908). &#x0D; Conclusion: As a result, in this study, it is thought that the difference in the craniometric values of Konya merino, which is accepted as the native breed of Turkey, with other sheep breeds, depending on the skull morphology, may be caused by the breed of sheep.

ON THE PATTERNS AND CAUSES OF CHRONOGRAPHIC VARIABILITY OF MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN SOME MAMMALS: THE ORDERS RODENTIA AND CARNIVORA

Chronographic variations in some craniological features in the Spotted ground squirrel, the Red fox and the Wolf in the middle of the 20th to early 21st centuries have been established. They represent their temporary deviations from the average size towards an increase which, after several generations, is replaced by a return to the original values. The influence of trophic and climatic factors, parasites, diseases and population densities during the development of young individuals is considered. Chronographic changes in the condylobasal length and zygomatic width of the skull are established as temporary and reversible, increases in their values being replaced by their decreases. Increases in the size of the skull of the Spotted ground squirrel and the Red fox occur “suddenly” in individuals of one generation, and their return to the initial values occurs gradually in individuals of several subsequent generations. Chronographic variations in the size of the skull of the Spotted ground squirrel and the Red fox correlate with changes in reproduction rates and some other varying factors. They correspond to certain phases of population abundance. Increased sizes of the Red fox and Wolf skulls are observed in the phases of quitting a depression to the beginning of a population growth. The probable causes of chronographic changes lie in somatic heterosis, caused in natural habitats by the alternation of the prevailing mating types (inbreeding or outbreeding), these being due to massive rearrangements of individuals as a result of deep population reductions from natural or anthropogenic impacts.

Türkiye’nin Kuzeybatısından Plecotus auritus (Linnaeus, 1758)’a Ait Yeni Bir Yayılış Kaydı ve Bazı Biyoekolojik Özellikleri (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Species of the genus Plecotus, which have distinctive morphology with their long ears, are common in the Palearctic region. Its distribution area in Türkiye is seen as fragmented. In the present study, a new distribution record for Plecotus auritus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Bolu province is given. External characteristics, fur coloration, skull morphology, morphometric measurements, and some ecological characteristics of the specimen were also recorded. The greatest length of skull, condylobasal length, zygomatic breadth, skull height, and largest diameter of tympanic bulla values were measured as high when compared to the data of Plecotus auritus from Türkiye and Central Europe. It is noted that the species' diet includes Galleria mellonella from the order Lepidoptera. Additionally, call length (ms) (1.4- 4.9 mean= 3.4), max. frequency (kHz) (28.8-62.4 mean= 39.9), min. frequency (kHz) (16.8-36.4 mean= 24.3), and peak frequency (kHz) (22.8-35.6 mean= 28.7) acoustic parameters of Plecotus auritus were determined.

Three-dimensional analysis of zygomatic change after L-shaped reduction malarplasty with bone setback or resection

Reduction malarplasty is one of the most popular procedures for esthetic facial contouring in East Asians. The retrospective observational study aimed to analyze the association between the zygomatic change and bone setback or resection to propose quantitative guidance for L-shaped reduction malarplasty based on computed tomographic (CT) images. A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients who underwent L-shaped reduction malarplasty with bone resection (Group I) or without bone resection (Group II). The amount of bone setback and resection was calculated. The unilateral width changes of the anterior, middle, and posterior zygomatic regions as well as zygomatic protrusion change were also evaluated. Pearson correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between the bone setback or resection and the zygomatic changes. Eighty patients who underwent L-shaped reduction malarplasty were included in this study. Significant correlation was observed between the bone setback or resection and the change of anterior, and middle zygomatic width as well as protrusion in both the two groups (P < .001). The correlation between bone setback or resection and the posterior zygomatic width change was not significant (P ＞.05). The bone setback or resection of L-shaped reduction malarplasty lead to the anterior and middle zygomatic width and zygomatic protrusion changes. Furthermore, the linear regression equation can be referenced as a guidance for a preoperative surgical plan.

Three-dimensional radiographic features of craniometaphyseal dysplasia—a comparative CBCT study

PurposeCraniometaphyseal dysplasia (CMD) is a rare skeletal disorder that has progressive thickening and increased density of the craniofacial bones along with abnormal metaphyses of the long bones. Other features include a wide nasal bridge, paranasal bossing, hypertelorism, and an increase in the zygomatic width. We present a series of cases that showcase the three-dimensional radiographic features of this rare condition and compare it with an age and gender-matched controlled group using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).ObjectiveTo evaluate the three-dimensional radiographic features of craniometaphyseal dysplasia (CMD).Materials and methodsRetrospective analysis of CBCT scans of 7 patients who were diagnosed with the rare condition craniometaphyseal dysplasia was evaluated. Radiographic features of the craniofacial bones, the paranasal sinuses prominently maxillary, and frontal and sphenoid sinuses were evaluated. Skull bones were also evaluated, and the size and shape of the sella turcica and external auditory meatus were measured. Retained primary teeth and impactions were evaluated using a panoramic reformatted image. The type of occlusion and buccolingual dimensions of jaw bones were also assessed. Age and gender-matched control samples were used to measure the same features for comparing CMD patients to healthy controls. The quality of normal and syndromic patients’ cortical and trabecular bone was determined by measuring pixel intensity values (PIV) generated by CBCT scans.ResultsCone beam CT images of patients with CMD were analyzed to evaluate cranial bones, their density, and any abnormalities associated with the sinuses and foramina. Patients with CMD had bones increased in size. A significant increase in the amount of bone formed was found in the inner table of the frontal and occipital bones. All seven patients with CMD had smaller foramina due to the deposition of sclerosed bone in the foramina of the skull base. The paranasal sinuses, prominently maxillary and frontal and sphenoid sinuses, were smaller than the age and gender-matched controls. The buccolingual dimensions of jawbones were increased. The maxillary and mandibular arch relationship ranged from class II to class III. The mean nasal bridge measurement for the CMD patients was 26.77 mm, while in the controls, the mean nasal bridge measurement was 19.48 mm. The mean measurements of the right and left orbits of CMD patients were 30.6 mm and 31.07 mm respectively, and the mean measurements of the right and left orbits of controls were 32.45 mm and 32.04 mm. Pixel intensity values (PIVs) representing density ranged between 100 and 1000 PIVs for cortical bone and between − 60 and 258 for trabecular bone suggesting a densely sclerotic texture, while in the control group patients, the PIVs for cortical bone were > 1000 and 150–300 for trabecular bone.ConclusionCMD patients had significantly larger bone widths, a lower density of the bone, and smaller sinuses compared to the control group.

Treatment of Post-traumatic Facial Deformities.

Skeletal abnormalities in patients with post-traumatic facial deformities can generally be corrected with current craniomaxillofacial techniques. Delay in operative management secondary to associated life-threatening injuries, failure to appreciate the magnitude of the initial facial injury, inadequate operative treatment and operative complications contribute to their occurrence. Systematic evaluation of the midface, including the position of the globes, orbits, zygomatic (facial) width and occlusion, is of paramount importance. Some contour deficiencies can be camouflaged by relatively simple procedures, whereas some deformities may require osteotomies and repositioning of the displaced segments. Staged procedures need to be planned carefully so that previously diagnosed deformities are not concealed and new deformities are not created. The general goals of reconstruction are (i) to restore normal and anatomic bone alignment, (ii) to re-establish the underlying skeletal support prior to addressing soft tissue abnormalities and (iii) to replace missing tissue with like tissues. Restoring the normal bony architecture should be the initial consideration unless the quantity or quality of the soft tissue envelope is inadequate to protect the osseous reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate post-traumatic facial deformities and simulation and organization of all the treatment modalities in a sequential manner.

Weather, ultrasonic, cranial and body traits predict insect diet hardness in a Central Mexican bat community

Insectivorous bats exhibit food preferences for specific attributes in their prey. Hardness has been defined as an important prey attribute, and in some cases a limiting factor in foraging decisions for smaller compared to larger bat species. The goal of this study was to identify which factors influence the selection of prey hardness in a vespertilionid bat community. We investigated food consumed by bats by analyzing fecal samples obtained from eight bat species coexisting in a mountain ecosystem of central Mexico and correlate non-phylogenetically and phylogenetically prey hardness to weather, bat´s body, cranial and ultrasonic call structure variables. Results showed that diet of vespertilionid bats was mainly represented by Diptera, Neuroptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera consumption. The qualitative prey hardness index (From soft 1 to hard 5) ranked bats as: Myotis melanorhinus, Corynorhinus mexicanus, Myotis volans, Myotis californicus (< 3); Myotis velifer (< 4); Eptesicus fuscus, Idionycteris phyllotis and Myotis thysanodes (> 4.2). Prey hardness was positively correlated to minimum and mean temperatures, bat´s body weight, total and forearm lengths, cranial variables as: zygomatic breadth, mandibular length, height of the coronoid process, lower molar width, C-M3 superior and inferior rows length and upper molar width; and negatively to ultrasonic variables as total slope, call duration, low and high frequencies, band width and frequency maximum power. Considering phylogenies, prey hardness positively correlated to mandibular length, C-M3 inferior and superior rows lengths (p < 0.05). Our results showed that environmental, morphological and echolocation variables can be used as predictors of preferred insect prey in a community of vespertilionid bats.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Facial Anthropometric Variations Among Cisgender Females of Different Ethnicities: Implications for Feminizing Facial Gender Affirming Surgery.

Feminizing Facial Gender-Affirming Surgery (FFGAS) is gaining popularity among the diverse population of patients impacted by gender incongruence. However, most studies examining facial femininity are based on Caucasians. Thus, it is unclear if ethnic differences exist in anthropometric measures relevant to FFGAS procedures. This study aims to analyze ethnic anthropometric variations in the cisgender female face to identify differences that are potentially relevant to FFGAS. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed following PRISMA guidelines on June 25, 2021. Original studies reporting facial anthropometry in cisgender women were included. Anthropometric measures of interest included mandibular and zygomatic width, facial and forehead height, and nasolabial angle. A meta-analysis was performed using a linear mixed-effects model for each anthropometric measure. A total of 1246 abstracts were screened, yielding 21 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Facial anthropometric data of 4792 cisgender females of 16 different ethnicities were analyzed. This meta-analysis demonstrated that compared with Caucasian cisgender women, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cisgender women had a wider mandible (Japanese +20.13mm [SE 4.43, P <0.001, P value adjusted for multiple comparisons (p-adj)=0.002], Chinese +16.22mm [SE 4.39, P =0.002, p-adj=0.013]; and Korean +14.46mm [SE 3.97, P =0.002, p-adj=0.014]). Further, when compared with Caucasian cisgender women, Chinese cisgender women demonstrated a larger zygomatic width, African American cisgender women tended to have smaller nasolabial angles, and Indian and Japanese cisgender women tended to have a smaller and larger facial height, respectively. However, following P value adjustment for multiple comparisons, these differences were not found to be statistically significant. We found that mandibular width tends to be greater for Japanese and Chinese cisgender women relative to Caucasian cisgender women. This data may be useful in counseling patients during preoperative evaluations ahead of mandibular reduction. No other anthropometric features were found to be significantly different among the ethnic groups studied. This portends that current approaches to FFGAS, which emphasize patient-specific needs and maintenance of a harmonious appearance, may require minimal or no adjustment to account for ethnic facial anthropometric differences.

Morphometric Measurements of Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Somogy County, Hungary

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) has the widest natural distribution of any terrestrial carnivore. Sexual dimorphism in this species is well known and is frequently observed in body and skull measurements. Morphological analysis is essential because the skull and body morphologies reflect many population/individual characteristics, genetic distances, environmental effects, and growth-affecting factors. Our study presents the first comprehensive analysis of red fox body and skull morphometry in Hungary. We performed morphometric measurements on 200 red foxes at two developmental stages, juvenile and adult, of different sexes, male and female, from Somogy County, Hungary, between January 2021 and January 2022. Statistical tests showed significant differences in all seven body measurements (body weight, total body length, tail length, head length, wither height, hind leg (left) length, and neck circumference of adult red foxes between the sexes, being significantly lower in the case of females than males. Significant differences were also found between the sexes in adult red fox skull measurements (total skull length, zygomatic width, and mandible length). In the case of juvenile red foxes, not all body dimensions differed significantly between the sexes (body weight, head length, and neck circumference did not differ significantly). We also found significant differences between the sexes in skull dimensions, except for zygomatic width. Regarding significant differences, the values for females were lower than those for males. Concerning the red foxes in Hungary, we found evidence of sexual dimorphism in all body and skull measurements in adult red foxes, which were larger in males, but not in all of the dimensions in juveniles.

The Reduction of the Size of Wolves of the Same Age of the Northwestern Black Sea Region in the 21st Century

Four craniological parameters were compared in two groups of young wolves born during the period of abundance depression and recovery from it (1950‒1984) and wolves born during the peak of abundance and decline (2000‒2018). It was found that the average values of the condylobasal length and zygomatic width of males and females of the first group were higher than those of the wolves of the second group. The interorbital width and postorbital width did not change significantly. The reason for the temporary increase in some parameters of the skull may be manifestations of somatic heterosis due to population regroupings and mating of unrelated parents in the population depression phase.

Challenging ecogeographical rules: Phenotypic variation in the Mountain Treeshrew (Tupaia montana) along tropical elevational gradients.

Bergmann’s and Allen’s rules were defined to describe macroecological patterns across latitudinal gradients. Bergmann observed a positive association between body size and latitude for endothermic species while Allen described shorter appendages as latitude increases. Almost two centuries later, there is still ongoing discussion about these patterns. Temperature, the common variable in these two rules, varies predictably across both latitude and elevation. Although these rules have been assessed extensively in mammals across latitude, particularly in regions with strong seasonality, studies on tropical montane mammals are scarce. We here test for these patterns and assess the variation of several other locomotory, diet-associated, body condition, and thermoregulatory traits across elevation in the Mountain Treeshrew (Tupaia montana) on tropical mountains in Borneo. Based on morphological measurements from both the field and scientific collections, we found a complex pattern: Bergmann’s rule was not supported in our tropical mountain system, since skull length, body size, and weight decreased from the lowest elevations (<1000 m) to middle elevations (2000–2500 m), and then increased from middle elevations to highest elevations. Allen’s rule was supported for relative tail length, which decreased with elevation, but not for ear and hindfoot length, with the former remaining constant and the latter increasing with elevation. This evidence together with changes in presumed diet-related traits (rostrum length, zygomatic breadth and upper tooth row length) along elevation suggest that selective pressures other than temperature, are playing a more important role shaping the morphological variation across the distribution of the Mountain Treeshrew. Diet, food acquisition, predation pressure, and/or intra- and inter-specific competition, are some of the potential factors driving the phenotypic variation of this study system. The lack of variation in body condition might suggest local adaptation of this species across its elevational range, perhaps due to generalist foraging strategies. Finally, a highly significant temporal effect was detected in several traits but not in others, representing the first phenotypic variation temporal trends described on treeshrews.

MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND NOTES ON SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF THE SKULLS OF THE EURASIAN LYNX (LYNX LYNX LINNAEUS, 1758)

Twenty-seven skulls of four subspecies of the common lynx (Lynx lynx Linnaeus, 1758): European (L. l. lynx L., 1758) (n = 2), Baikal (L. l. kozlovi Fetisov, 1950) (n = 2), Altai (L. l. wardi Lydekker, 1904) (n = 5) and Turkestan (L. l. isabellina Blyth, 1847) (n = 16) lynxes from nine different populations we studied. As a result of age analysis, among the skulls obtained, three were classified as juveniles, eight as subadult (up to 2-3 years), and 16 as adults. Ten variables were examined in the statistical data processing to compare the two sexes. The skulls of juveniles were not considered for statistical treatment due to their underdevelopment. Student t-test was used for comparing the means of variables, data analyzed were statistically significant at &lt; 0.05. The overall dimensions of the skulls varied, and the males were comparatively larger than the females. The total length of the skull of males and females averaged 153.8 mm and 145.6 mm, respectively, while the zygomatic width of the skull in males averaged 108.6 mm and in females 102.8 mm. Similar differences in size were noted for the other 8 variables. A significant variation in the lynxes’ skulls size from different populations was noteworthy, which is presumably related to their body sizes. Thus, the skulls of the European and Altai lynx were larger than the skulls of the Turkestan to some degree. In the near future, we will need to look at more skulls from other populations and use more skull variables to study differences between populations and subspecies.

Effectiveness of miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expansion using cone beam computed tomography: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the effectiveness of miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) treatment in late adolescents and adult patients using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).MethodsLiterature search was conducted in five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) based on the PICOS keyword design focusing on MARPE. Out of the 18 CBCT screened outcomes, only nine parameters were sufficient for the quantitative meta-analysis. The parameters were classified into three main groups 1) skeletal changes, 2) alveolar change, and 3) dental changes. Heterogeneity test, estimation of pooled means, publication bias, sensitivity analysis and risk of bias assessment were also performed.ResultsUpon database searching, only 14 full-text articles were qualified from the 364 obtained results. Heterogeneity test indicated the use of the random-effects model. The pooled mean estimate were as follows 1) Skeletal expansion zygomatic width, 2.39 mm; nasal width, 2.68 mm; jugular width, 3.12 mm; and midpalatal suture at the posterior nasal spine and anterior nasal spine, 3.34 mm and 4.56 mm, respectively; 2) Alveolar molar width expansion, 4.80 mm; and 3) Dental expansion inter-canine width, 3.96 mm; inter-premolar width, 4.99 mm and inter-molar width, 5.99 mm. The percentage of expansion demonstrated a skeletal expansion (PNS) of 55.76%, alveolar molar width expansion of 24.37% and dental expansion of 19.87%.ConclusionsIn the coronal view, the skeletal and dental expansion created by MARPE was of the pyramidal pattern. MARPE could successfully expand the constricted maxilla in late adolescents and adult patients.

Визначення віку бобра євразійського (Castor fiber)

The article presents data on body size and weight of beavers of different ages from Ukraine (Dnipro basin), as well as features of determining the age of males by the size of the baculum and taking into account the bonding lines in the periosteal zone of the mandible. In addition, this paper summarizes the methods for determining the age of the Eurasian beaver, which are used in different countries. Among them are methods that determine the age of beaver by size and body weight, by traces, by craniological features, by the length of the sagittal ridge, by the developmental features and functional state of teeth, by the width of the incisor and the interorbital width of the skull, by the stratification of dentin or cement, and by size and weight of the baculum. The body weight of beavers from Ukraine was 7.0 ± 0.31 (5.5–7.9) kg in individuals of 6–7 months of age, 9.1 ± 0.26 (8.6–9.5) kg in one year old individuals, 12.7 ± 0.30 (11.0–13.9) kg in two years old beavers, 15.6 ± 0.45 (14.4–17.0) kg in individuals of 2.4–3.0 years of age, and 21.8 ± 0.81 (16.2–30.0) kg in beavers over 3.0 years of age. The size of the skull in subsequent age groups was characterized by a significant transgression by the interorbital and zygomatic width of the skull and they clearly differed from one another only by the total length of the skull. Curiously, the mass of the baculum in the Elbe beaver (С. fiber albicus Matschie, 1907) significantly exceeds that of beavers from Ukraine, which may be a results of geographic variation of the animals. In the 1970s, a new method of post-mortem determination of the age of beavers was proposed by studying the polished section of the first molar measuring the height of dentin-enamel loops as well as the thickness of the layer of cement and secondary dentin. It was found that in beavers the cement layer appears in the second year in the lower part of the tooth and, gradually increasing with age, almost completely displaces the dentin-enamel loops by the end of the animal's life. At 3–4 years, secondary dentin appears, which occupies an intermediate position between the cementum and the lower part of the tooth, and, when the latter is chipped, it fills certain areas of its occlusal surface. In addition, there is a method of classification of beavers by age groups (up to 1 year, 1–3 years, over 3 years) based on measuring the radii of the external and internal curvature of the incisors. Depending on the age of the animals, all methods allow to obtain fairly accurate results.

An early Holocene human skull from Zhaoguo cave, Southwestern China.

In this study, we describe a newly excavated early Holocene human cranium from Guizhou, Southwestern China, namely the Zhaoguo M1 (ZG 1). We aim to evaluate its morphological resemblance with Late Pleistocene human, and Northern and Southern China Neolithic populations. We also aim to infer its position in the process of East Asian population regionalization. The ZG 1 skull is almost complete, only missing parts of the right parietal and the basicranium around the foramen magnum. Comparative samples include Late Pleistocene humans and Neolithic populations from Northern and Southern China. Univariate and multivariate analyses are carried out in the study. ZG 1 has a dolichocephalic cranium, wide zygomatic breadth, moderate glabella and supraobtial projection, marked canine fossa, and thin cranial vault. The nasal floor, maximum cranial breadth position, and frontal arc proportion are all congruent with modern human. Statistical analysis suggests that ZG 1's measurements are most similar to those of Southern China Neolithic specimens, with some closer to Late Pleistocene humans. ZG 1 shows a clear affinity with Southern China Neolithic populations, providing further support that regionalization of morphological variability patterns between Northern and Southern Neolithic populations could have originated at least 10,000 years ago.