Feto-placental Changes in Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Aims: To study if there is any difference in the foetus and placenta of pregnant women who are normotensive and those of of hypertensive patients of different severity. Study Design: Prospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of pathology, Saveetha institute of medical and technical sciences, between June 2017- June 2018. Methodology: Pregnant women with hypertension attending obstetrics and gynecology department, Saveetha Medical College, Chennai was studied during the study period. The study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines approved by the institutional review board of our Institution. The study population was divided into two groups namely normotensive and hypertensive patients. The hypertensive groups patients were further divided into two groups of mild (BP ≥140/90 mm Hg with proteinuria) and severe (BP ≥ 160/100 mm Hg with proteinuria). The placental specimens after expulsion were collected in 10% neutral buffered formalin solution. Informed consent was obtained in all patients and clinical data were obtained from the case notes. In the histopathology laboratory biopsy was taken from the insertion point of umbilical cord for light microscopy. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Data was entered in MS excel sheet and analysed using SPSS software version. Results: The placental weight, birth weight of baby and APGAR score was decreased in PIH patients than normal pregnant women. Conclusion: The diagnosis and treatment of PIH is very important to prevent complications in mother and baby.

New Tools for Mechanical Thinning of Apricot Fruitlets

In this study, the thinner machine with yellow rod equipment was tested in relation to tree branch length and orientation in April 2019, in a narrow-canopied apricot orchard of Emilia Romagna Region, Italy. The trees were mechanically thinned with manual finishing, and comparative tests were carried out simultaneously with the ordinary hand thinning (control). Three groups of two plants were identified as replication for a total of six plants per row. Three rows were checked, considering field uniformity average. The branches were grouped into four classes according to their length: <30 cm, 30–60 cm, 60–90 cm and >90 cm. Branch inclination on the plant, radial or longitudinal with respect to the row, was evaluated. Fruit number before the thinning, after the first and the second machine intervention, after three days of the mechanical thinning and after the hand finishing was recorded. This experience showed satisfactory results in terms of thinning efficiency and reduced damage to both fruits and branches, as a function of the class length and insertion point in the main branch of the plant. Thinning efficiency was always kept above 37% of the left load after hand finishing, and on average between the treatments close to 44%. Fruit damages always remained below the economic thresholds to marketable production or to the plant.

A new species of Maraenobiotus Mrázek, 1893 (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Canthocamptidae) from Colombian Andean mosses, with an identification key for the American species

Maraenobiotus wellsi sp. nov. (Canthocamptidae) is described based on material collected in mosses in the “páramo” region of the Andean Cordillera of Colombia. The new species is closely related to M. australis Apostolov, 2001 from Tierra de Fuego in Argentina, but can be distiguished by the shape of the caudal rami, the insertion point of its terminal seta IV, and the chaetotaxy of distal segments of legs 3 and 4. We discuss morphological differences with other congeners inhabiting South America (Peru), i.e. M. naticochensis Delachaux, 1917, M. fontinalis Harding, 1955 and M. fontinaloides Löffler, 1960. Major distinguishing features were observed in the chaetotaxy of legs 2 and 3, the morphology and size of the caudal rami, and the ornamentation of the anal operculum. We also discuss morphological characters that distinguish the new species from those living exclusively in mosses, such as M. cuspidatus Štěrba, 1968 and M. canadensis Flössner, 1992, and those reported from mosses and other habitats i.e.. M. vejdovskyi Mrázek, 1893, M. brucei brucei (Richard, 1898), M. zschokkei Kreis, 1920, M. brucei himalayensis Chappuis, 1928b, M. truncatus (Gurney, 1932), M. insignipes elgonensis Chappuis, 1936, M. insignipes nepalensis Löffler, 1968 and M. kinabaluensis Löffler, 1973. A distribution map of American species and an identification key for females are provided.

AR visualization of automated access path planning for percutaneous interventions

Minimally invasive interventions, e.g., percutaneous needle interventions, have many advantages compared to traditional surgery. However, they may require complex and time-consuming planning with experience-dependent success. Automated access path planning is faster and more consistent but individual preferences and situational circumstances are not considered. To this end, displaying the path planning results directly on the patient’s skin, using projector-based augmented reality (AR), was investigated. A constraint-based path planning was implemented to evaluate the quality of every path, taking into account risk structures and path length. A visualization was developed to display the results on the skin and to allow for path selection. The choice of the path followed by a navigated insertion was evaluated in a pilot study (n=5), considering four levels of the visualization with different amounts of displayed insertion points. Participants stated that they preferred to have multiple potential puncture points displayed. However, the results for the considered variables show only small differences. Overall, it has been shown that projectorbased AR visualization of automated access path planning is possible and enables individual, situation-adapted insertion point selection. More research is required to further explore optimal display of paths.

Labor IV

The tradition of Heracles’ Erymanthian Boar Labor is reviewed, with attention to literary and iconographic sources, and the richest of the former supplied in quotation. Having cornered the Boar in a snowdrift, Heracles brings it back to Argos, either by trundling it or carrying it supine over his shoulder. When he arrives with it, Eurystheus, terrified by the creature, hides in a bronze storage jar (pithos) buried in the ground. In art, Heracles threatens to dump the animal on top of Eurystheus in his jar. The Labor serves as the insertion-point in Heracles’ cycle both for his brief Argonautic adventure and for his encounter with Pholus, his wine, and the ensuing battle with the centaurs. The Pholus episode also contains the striking motif of a storage-jar buried in the earth.

Labor VIII

The tradition of Heracles’ Labor of the fire-breathing Mares of Diomede is reviewed, with attention to literary and iconographic sources, and the richest of the former supplied in quotation. The Labor’s complex literary tradition may be analyzed into three major variants: (1) Heracles (acting alone) throws one of Diomede’s grooms to the horses to distract them so that he can bridle them; Diomede rushes to retaliate (and is presumably killed). (2) Heracles and his men overpower Diomede’s grooms to make off with the horses; when Diomede and his Bistones pursue them, Heracles leaves the horses in the care of his beloved, Abderus, so as to join battle; he kills Diomede and repels the rest, but in the meantime Abderus loses control of horses and they drag him to death; Heracles founds Abdera beside his tomb. (3) More simply, Heracles (acting alone) throws Diomede himself to the horses to distract them while he bridles them. The horse-taming episode in Heracles’ cycle and in other quest-myths (those of Perseus and Bellerophon, and even the mythologized childhood of Alexander the Great) may refract a rite of passage. This Labor serves as the insertion point in his cycle for Heracles’ rescue of Alcestis from Death.

INFERIOR ALVEOLAR NERVE BLOCK BY INJECTION INTO THE PTERYGOMANDIBULAR SPACE USING GUIDING DEVICES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

The aim of our research was to analyze and compare different inferior alveolar nerve blocking techniques and the effectiveness of various guiding devices. Methods: A search was conducted on specialized databases for search and selection of works in which a guiding device for lower alveolar nerve block (IANB) was described. The propriated articles were evaluated and selected in 3 stages for final review based on predefined criteria, followed by a critical evaluation stage. As the research result - various types of IANB guide devices and the results of its using were recorded and analyzed. Results: The systematic review of devices for conducting IANB was done. The success of IANB can be achieved by adjusting the syringe with the anesthetic needle trajectory — it increased the probability of a successful hit in the area of the mandible foramen. Examples of devices in which the syringe is fixed at the moment when the tip of the needle is injected into the medial side of the branch of the lower alveolar nerve are considered. And also, the special techniques based on orientation on the soft tissues are described. However, when creating a device of this type, the following factors must be taken into account: the angle of the needle to the insertion point, the position of the insertion point relative to the anatomical landmarks (taking into account individual characteristics), and the insertion depth. Also, other IANB guiding blockade methods are considered: 3D navigation while local anesthetic injection. Thus, the patient's discomfort, the risk of nerve damage and the risk of unsuccessful mandible anesthesia could be minimized. Conclusion: The advantages and disadvantages of these anesthesia methods, the success rate, and patient comfort were analyzed. Prospects for further research in this area were identified.

The largest secure corridor of the infra-acetabular screw—a 3-D axial perspective analysis

Background The infra-acetabular screw which is placed from the pubis to the ischium can be used as a special positional screw of the posterior column of the acetabulum. This study was performed to simulate the surgical procedure and obtain the ideal insertion point, diameter, length and angle of the screw through the method of axial perspective in Chinese patients. Methods We randomly collected the pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans of 200 adults. DICOM-formatted CT-scan images were imported into Mimics software to establish the 3D digital model of the right semi-pelvic was established. A virtual cylinder representing the screw was placed from the pubis to the ischium to fix the posterior column. The largest secure diameter and length of the virtual screw were measured and the position of the insertion point and the directions of the screw were also researched. Results The screw insertion safe zone exhibits an irregular shape of “tear drop” in the reconstructed pelvic model. The mean maximum diameter of screws was 5.01 ± 1.28 mm, and the mean maximum length of screws was 93.99 ± 8.92 mm. The screw insertion corridor with the least diameter 3.5 mm was found in 94 of 100 males (94%) and 86 of 100 females (86%). We found gender-dependent differences for the mean maximum diameter and the maximum length of the screw. There was statistically significant difference between genders in the position of insertion point. Conclusions In this study, we suggest an individual preoperative 3D reconstruction simulation to develop better screw placement plans, which provides a valuable guideline for seeking the largest secure corridor of infra-acetabular screw. Further biomechanical studies are needed to verify the function of the screw.

Evaluation of a screw insertion landmark for a minimally invasive repair technique in induced bilateral sacroiliac luxation in feline cadavers

Objectives The aim of this study was to describe an alternative landmark for screw insertion into the body of the ilium with bilateral sacroiliac luxation in cats. Methods Seven cat cadavers with artificially induced bilateral sacroiliac luxation were used. The screw insertion point was determined using the caudal iliac crest and cranial acetabular rim. These two points make the first guideline; a second guideline ran perpendicular to the caudal iliac crest point. The screw insertion point was halfway along the second guideline across the ilium body. Surgery was performed in a minimally invasive manner using fluoroscopy. Results Postoperative radiographs and CT were performed. In the postoperative evaluation, the sacroiliac joint reduction percentage was almost 90% and there was no significant difference in pelvic canal diameter ratio before and after surgery. Screw depth/sacral width was >60% in all cadavers. On CT, the angle between the screw and sacrum wing was within the normal range of 96.24° to the left and 98.65° to the right, except in one case. Conclusions and relevance In previous studies, surgical repair was based on having an intact contralateral ilium. However, this method is not applicable to patients with bilateral sacroiliac luxation and is mostly performed using open reduction methods. The screw insertion point suggested in this study offers a potential alternative repair technique for patients with bilateral sacroiliac luxation.