An Assessment of 3.5mm Reconstruction Plate Fixation in Olecranon Fractures

Background: Olecranon process is a large, curved eminence comprising of the proximal and posterior part of the ulna. It lies subcutaneously which makes it more vulnerable to injury. Due to intra-articular extension of fractures, anatomical reduction and early mobilization should be achieved in every case and usually managed surgically. Aims and Objectives: To access the results of reconstruction plate in fracture olecranon.Materials &Methods: This was a prospective study consisted of 25 cases of olecranon fractures which were managed by open reduction and internal fixation using 3.5mm reconstruction plate. Patients were followed up every month till 6 months. At each follow up visit clinical and radiological parameters were assessed: Final assessment was done at 6 months using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score.Result: According to the AO classification, Type A-1 – 7 cases, A-3 – 1case, B-1 – 13 cases, B-3 – 1 case, C-1 – 1 case, C-2 – 1 case, C-3 – 1 case. An adequate reduction was maintained in all fractured olecranon until union. Average radiological union time was 12 weeks in 72% cases, 15 weeks in 16% cases, 18 weeks in 8% cases and > 18 weeks in 4% cases. The results were graded as per the criteria laid by Rogers et al as excellent in 84% cases, good in 12% and unsatisfactory in 4% cases. 2 cases developed superficial infection and 1 deep infection and 1 delayed union.Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation of fracture of olecranon with 3.5mm reconstruction plate is based on sound biomechanical principle with a good functional outcome and a low incidence of complications.

Cortical thickness across the cingulate gyrus in schizophrenia and its association to illness duration and memory performance

Schizophrenia has been associated with structural brain abnormalities and cognitive deficits that partly change during the course of illness. In the present study, cortical thickness in five subregions of the cingulate gyrus was assessed in 44 patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder and 47 control persons and related to illness duration and memory capacities. In the patients group, cortical thickness was increased in the posterior part of the cingulate gyrus and related to illness duration whereas cortical thickness was decreased in anterior parts unrelated to illness duration. In contrast, cortical thickness was related to episodic and working memory performance only in the anterior but not posterior parts of the cingulate gyrus. Our finding of a posterior cingulate increase may point to either increased parietal communication that is accompanied by augmented neural plasticity or to effects of altered neurodegenerative processes in schizophrenia.

On Thaicypris panhai gen. et sp. nov., a new herpetocypridine ostracod (Crustacea: Ostracoda: Cyprididae) from Thailand

A new genus, Thaicypris gen. nov., in the tribe Herpetocypridini Kaufmann, 1900 of the subfamily Herpetocypridinae Kaufmann, 1900 is established to accommodate a new species from Thailand. The present contribution deals with the description of a new genus and species, Thaicypris panhai gen. et sp. nov., which is mainly characterized by the distinctive and raised, inwardly displaced selvage at the postero-ventral part of the right valve (RV) that is not parallel to the valve margin, the absence of an anterior inner list on the RV, the prominent and elevated double inner list on the posterior part of the left valve, the small and three-segmented Rome organ on the first antenna (A1), the spatulated terminal segment of the maxillular (Mx1) palp, the slender caudal ramus (CR) with long and thin Sp seta, the presence of basal triangle on the CR attachment, and the pointed projection at the terminal segment base of the prehensile palps. The hemipenis of the new genus and species is outstanding, especially the medial lateral shield which has a long, beak-shaped protrusion on the distal part. The discovery of this Thai taxon is the first record of the tribe Herpetocypridini in Thailand and the second species of the tribe in Southeast Asia.

Heterogeneity of social cognition in temporo-parietal junction: Overlapping yet distinct representation between visual perspective-taking and theory of mind

Visual perspective taking (VPT), particularly level 2 VPT (VPT2), which allows an individual to understand that the same object can be seen differently by others, is related to the theory of mind (ToM), because both functions require a decoupled representation from oneself. Although previous neuroimaging studies have shown that VPT and ToM activate the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ), it is unclear whether common neural substrates are involved in VPT and ToM. To clarify this point, the present study directly compared the TPJ activation patterns of individual participants performing VPT2 and ToM tasks using functional magnetic resonance imaging and within-subjects design. VPT2-induced activations were compared with activations observed during a mental rotation task as a control task, whereas ToM-related activities were identified with a standard ToM localizer using false-belief stories. A whole-brain analysis revealed that VPT2 and ToM activated overlapping areas in the posterior part of the TPJ. By comparing the activations induced by VPT2 and ToM in individual participants, we found that the peak voxels induced by ToM were located significantly more anteriorly and dorsally within the bilateral TPJ than those measured during the VPT2 task. We further confirmed that these activity areas were spatially distinct from the nearby extrastriate body area (EBA), visual motion area (MT+), and the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) using independent localizer scans. Our findings revealed that VPT2 and ToM have distinct representations, albeit partially overlapping, indicating the functional heterogeneity of social cognition within the TPJ.

The Predation Behaviour of Fictor composticola on Parasitic Nematodes of Button Mushroom, Agaricus bisporus

In this study, the predation behaviour of male and female predatory nematode, Fictor composticola, was studied on five prey nematode species, Aphelenchus avenae, Aphelenchoides swarupi, Ditylenchus myceliophagus, Bursilla sp. and Panagrolaimus sp., found in the white button mushroom compost. The period of the study is of six months. The data recorded on number of encounters, part of the body of prey attacked, stage of the prey attacked, duration of feeding etc. The strike rate and prey susceptibility were calculated. The average number of encounters on all the five preys done by female F. composticola was 3.0 and that of the male was 6.0. Male F. composticola had more number of encounters on the prey nematode species than the females. Both the sexes preferred juvenile stages over adults as prey. The most attacked part by both females and males predator, was the posterior part of the prey body. In 80% of cases, female predators fed on the first encountered prey while males attacked the first encountered prey in 30% of cases only. The strike rate of female F. composticola was more (78.6%) than the male (48.2%). Mycophagous nematodes were more susceptible to predator’s attack than the microbivorous nematodes. The strike rate of the predator on different prey nematode species was found more on mycophagous nematodes than on microbivorous nematodes and minimum on Panagrolaimus sp. The average feeding duration of female F. composticola was 8 min and 31 sec and in the case of males it was 4 min and 11 sec.

Choroidal Thickness Profile in Chorioretinal Diseases: Beyond the Macula

Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) and swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) have emerged as essential diagnostic tools in the study and management of various chorioretinal diseases. Evidence from early clinical studies using EDI-OCT and SS-OCT indicates that choroidal dysfunction plays a major role in the pathogenesis of chorioretinal diseases. Measurement of choroidal thickness (CT) has already become a major research and clinical method, and CT is considered as an indicator of choroidal status in a variety of ophthalmic diseases. Recently, CT measurement has also been proposed as a non-invasive marker for the early detection and monitoring of various systemic diseases. Among the several possible CT measurement locations, subfoveal CT has rapidly become a reliable parameter for measuring CT in healthy and diseased eyes. Moreover, recent advancements in OCT technology have enabled faster and wider imaging of the posterior part of the eye, allowing the various changes in CT as measured outside the macula to be shown accordingly. In this review, we first provide an overview of the results of clinical studies that have analyzed the healthy macular choroid and that in various chorioretinal diseases, and then summarize the current understanding of the choroid outside the macula. We also examine the CT profile as an index that encompasses both within and outside of the macula. Furthermore, we describe the clinical applications of ultrawide OCT, which enables visualization of the far periphery, and discuss the prospects for the development of more reliable choroidal parameters that can better reflect the choroid's characteristics.

Does Cement Augmentation of the Sacroiliac Screw Lead to Superior Biomechanical Results for Fixation of the Posterior Pelvic Ring? A Biomechanical Study

Background and Objectives: The stability of the pelvic ring mainly depends on the integrity of its posterior part. Percutaneous sacroiliac (SI) screws are widely implanted as standard of care treatment. The main risk factors for their fixation failure are related to vertical shear or transforaminal sacral fractures. The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical performance of fixations using one (Group 1) or two (Group 2) standard SI screws versus one SI screw with bone cement augmentation (Group 3). Materials and Methods: Unstable fractures of the pelvic ring (AO/OTA 61-C1.3, FFP IIc) were simulated in 21 artificial pelvises by means of vertical osteotomies in the ipsilateral anterior and posterior pelvic ring. A supra-acetabular external fixator was applied to address the anterior fracture. All specimens were tested under progressively increasing cyclic loading until failure, with monitoring by means of motion tracking. Fracture site displacement and cycles to failure were evaluated. Results: Fracture displacement after 500 cycles was lowest in Group 3 (0.76 cm [0.30] (median [interquartile range, IQR])) followed by Group 1 (1.42 cm, [0.21]) and Group 2 (1.42 cm [1.66]), with significant differences between Groups 1 and 3, p = 0.04. Fracture displacement after 1000 cycles was significantly lower in Group 3 (1.15 cm [0.37]) compared to both Group 1 (2.19 cm [2.39]) and Group 2 (2.23 cm [3.65]), p ≤ 0.04. Cycles to failure (Group 1: 3930 ± 890 (mean ± standard deviation), Group 2: 3676 ± 348, Group 3: 3764 ± 645) did not differ significantly between the groups, p = 0.79. Conclusions: In our biomechanical setup cement augmentation of one SI screw resulted in significantly less displacement compared to the use of one or two SI screws. However, the number of cycles to failure was not significantly different between the groups. Cement augmentation of one SI screw seems to be a useful treatment option for posterior pelvic ring fixation, especially in osteoporotic bone.

Microanatomy of the antennal glands and their Na+/K+-ATPase activity in three true crab species (Brachyura), Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Portunidae), Macrophthalmus dentipes Lucas in Guérin, 1836 (Macrophthalmidae) and Eriocheir hepuensis Dai, 1991 (Varunidae)

There are differences between various crab species in the function and structure of organs involved in ionic and osmotic regulation processes. The antennal glands together constitute one of the most important organs involved in the osmoregulation in crabs. The present investigation aimed to study the tissue structure of the antennal glands and their Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) pump activity in three true crab species from three different habitats, including the marine (Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758)), the estuarine (Macrophthalmus dentipes Lucas in Guérin, 1836) and the freshwater habitat (Eriocheir hepuensis Dai, 1991). In this regard, the tissue structure of the antennal glands and the activity of the Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) pump were assessed in these three selected species. The results showed that the antennal glands in all studied species consisted of two anterior parts and a posterior part. The anterior parts are composed of the proximal tubular region (PT) and the distal tubular region (DT). The PT and DT parts comprised the coelomosac and labyrinths in the anterior portion, and the bladder located in the posterior portion. However, despite the similarity in the general tissue structure of the antennal gland in marine, estuarine and freshwater crab species, some structural differences were observed between those species. Labyrinth cells, coelomosac podocytes, and bladder cells in the estuarine crab M. dentipes contained large vacuoles especially on the top (i.e., near the lumen) of the cells. The highest amount of NKA pump activity was measured in the antennal glands of M. dentipes (). The NKA pump plays a more important role in the estuary and seawater adaptation of crabs, but freshwater species are not highly dependent on the NKA enzyme for osmoregulation.

Redescription of Ektaphelenchoides compsi Baujard, 1984 (Tylenchina: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from Pinus massoniana in Fujian Province, China

Summary Ektaphelenchoides compsi is redescribed morphologically with new molecular characterisation. It was isolated from a dead Pinus massoniana tree in Ningde City, Fujian Province, China. Detailed morphology of the spicule, female gonad, hemizonid position, arrangement of male caudal papillae and female tail terminus shape are documented. It is characterised by a lateral field with three lines (forming two bands), tripartite stylet 17.8 (17.0-19.4) μm long without basal thickenings, metacorpus rectangular with anterior 40% granular and posterior part weakly muscular, metacorpal valve slightly posterior to middle of metacorpus, excretory pore at level of nerve ring, vagina with thickened walls and strongly developed muscular bundles, vulval lips slightly protuberant, vulval flap absent, distal region of post-vulval uterine sac appearing as a weakly developed oogonia, anus and rectum indistinct, female posterior part (‘tail’) dorsally convex, conical, terminal region contracted into a bluntly pointed tip. The spicules are arcuate, 15.6 (14.3-16.3) μm along the chord, lamina smoothly curved to distal end, capitulum slightly concave, condylus well-developed with broadly rounded tip and slightly depressed at dorsal end, rostrum triangular with finely rounded tip, cucullus absent, and with seven caudal papillae present. The near full length 18S and 28S D2-D3 regions of rRNA genes sequences were characterised. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that the Fujian population of E. compsi grouped with the Zhejiang population of E. compsi, both being morphologically identical.