Mental foramen of Human Mandible: Morphometric Study

Aim: The aim of our study was to perform a morphometric analysis of the mental foramen in senegalese context. Material and method: The study was performed on thirty-nine dry mandibles of adult humans. On these mandibles, the number of mental foramen present and their shape were noted on inspection. The situation of the foramen in relation to the lower teeth was studied according to a methodology already described. The following measurements were made: the distance between the foramen and the other landmarks of the mandible (symphysis, basilar border, posterior border), vertical and horizontal diameters. Results: The number of mental foramina were 39 on the right and 40 on the left: one mandible presented a double foramen on the left. The oval shape was predominant. The most frequent situation was below the second premolar on both sides. The mean distance between the foramen and the mandibular symphysis was 25mm on both sides. The distance between the foramen and the basilar border of the mandible was on average 13mm on the right and 14mm on the left. The distance between the foramen and the posterior border of the mandible was on average 72mm on the right and 73mm on the left. The average vertical diameter was 33mm on the right and 32mm on the left, and the average horizontal diameter was 4mm on both sides. Conclusion: Mental foramen is a constant anatomical structure, found on all the mandibles studied. The results can be superimposed on those described in the majority of studies carried out on the mental foramen. Key words: Mental Foramen, Mandible Anatomy, Morphometry.

Effect of biostimulants on the growth, yield and nutritional value of Capsicum annuum grown in an unheated plastic tunnel

Recent years have witnessed an increased interest in the cultivation and consumption of peppers. Therefore, new solutions are being sought to provide pepper plants with the most favorable conditions for growth and development. In view of the above, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of selected biostimulants on the biometric parameters, yield and nutritional value of Capsicum annuum fruit. The research hypothesis postulates that biostimulants can increase the yield and improve the nutritional quality of pepper fruit. The experiment was conducted in an unheated plastic tunnel. The experimental materials comprised three sweet (‘Solario F1’, ‘Turbine F1’ and ‘Whitney F1’) and two hot (‘Cyklon’ and ‘Palivec’) cultivars of C. annuum. It was found that the combined application of environmentally-friendly microbial-based biostimulants (BB Soil, BB Foliar, Multical, MK5 and Biocin F) did not clearly improve the morphological traits of pepper fruit, yield or the concentrations of sugars and organic acids in fruit, therefore their use is not economically justified. Hot peppers had a higher content of dry matter, total sugars and L-ascorbic acid than sweet peppers. The analyzed biostimulants increased nitrate (V) concentrations in the fruit of both hot and sweet peppers. ‘Turbine F1’ and ‘Solario F1’ were particularly prone to nitrate (V) accumulation in fruit, therefore the use of biostimulants should be limited in their cultivation. Pepper fruits with the largest horizontal diameter and the thickest skin should be preferred because these traits are associated with high sugar content.

Comparison of Tomography Suspect Keratoconus Defined by Sirius and Pentacam in a Chinese Cohort

Purpose: The study is to compare the proportion of tomography suspect keratoconus (TSK) defined by Sirius and Pentacam, and to explore the possible causes of the differences between them in a Chinese cohort.Methods: Single center prospective cohort study. All subjects were selected from the Peking University Third Hospital Ectasia Cornea Disease Cohort Project database, which included myopic patients seeking corneal refractive surgical corrections since the year of 2013. In this study, all cases which were examined by Sirius and Pentacam respectively and have been followed up at least 2 years without abnormalities after laser corneal refractive surgeries (LASEK, FS-LASIK or SMILE). The composition ratio of TSK from Sirius and Pentacam, corneal diameter and thickness, and variables of corneal tomographers between the ‘normal eyes’ and the ‘TSK eyes’ defined by Sirius and Pentacam were compared. Results: To the date of December 31, 2018, total 171 cases (278 eyes) were selected in this study. Total 167 (167/278, 60.1%) eyes were diagnosed of TSK by Sirius, and 203 (203/278, 73.0%) eyes were diagnosed of TSK by Pentacam (P<0.001). The corneal horizontal diameter is 11.40 and 11.60 mm in normal eyes and Sirius-TSK eyes (P<0.001). The corneal horizontal diameter is 11.74 and 11.43 mm in normal eyes and Pentacam-TSK eyes (P<0.001). The central corneal thickness measured by Sirius is 530.1 μm and 518.1 μm (P=0.001) in normal eyes and Sirius-TSK eyes. The central corneal thickness measured by Pentacam is 521.5 μm and 526.6 μm (P=0.102) in normal eyes and Pentacam-TSK eyes. Conclusions: The proportion of TSK eyes diagnosed by Sirius is less than those diagnosed by Pentacam in Chinese. Smaller corneal diameter is liable to be judged as false positive of keratoconus by Pentacam in Chinese compared with Sirius. Thinner corneal thickness is liable to be judged as false positive of keratoconus by Sirius in Chinese compared with Pentacam.

Ultrasonographic assessment of the caudal vena cava diameter in cats during blood donation

Objectives Ultrasonography of the caudal vena cava (CVC) has been previously established to assess fluid status in dogs but not in cats. The aim of this study was to determine CVC diameter changes during feline blood donation. Methods Inter- and intra-observer variability were assessed in 11 client-owned cats. Minimal and maximal CVC diameters were assessed longitudinally in the subxiphoid view (SV) and right paralumbar view (PV), and transversely in the right hepatic intercostal view (HV). Eighteen client-owned, healthy, anaesthetised cats were evaluated during 21 blood donation procedures of 10 ml/kg in the same anatomical locations before (T0) and after (T1) blood donation, and after volume resuscitation with 30 ml/kg lactated Ringer’s solution (T2). The CVC index was calculated. Results Intra-observer variability was acceptable for all probe positions, except for the HV, whereas inter-observer variability was considered unacceptable for all probe positions. Complete measurements were obtained during 21 blood donations at T0, T1 and T2 at the SV, during 18/21 blood donations at the HV and during 16/21 blood donations at the PV. At the SV, the minimal CVC diameter between T1 and T2 ( P <0.001), and the maximal CVC diameter between T0 and T1 and between T1 and T2 ( P <0.001) were significantly different. At the HV, the minimal vertical diameter, maximal vertical diameter and minimal horizontal diameter were different between all timepoints ( P <0.001). The maximal horizontal diameter was different between T1 and T2 ( P = 0.002). At the PV, both diameters were different between all timepoints ( P <0.001). The CVC index was not different between timepoints. Conclusion and relevance Significant probe position dependent CVC diameter changes with marked overlap were observed before and after blood donation, and after fluid bolus. No absolute CVC diameter could be used to indicate hypovolaemia. Ultrasonographic assessment of the feline CVC is highly operator-dependent. The CVC index is not useful in cats.

Redescription of the sea urchin Eucidaris thouarsii (Cidaroida: Cidaridae) based on material from the Mexican Pacific

Introduction: Eucidaris thouarsii is a cidaroid sea urchin found from the Gulf of California to Ecuador. Its taxonomy is based on general descriptions of test shape, primary and secondary spines, the Aristotle’s lantern, apical system, and peristome. Objective: To redescribe E. thouarsii with detailed descriptions, adding new taxonomic characters. Methods: We examined and reidentified 792 specimens, measuring and analyzing in detail structures of taxonomic value. Results: The horizontal diameter of the test ranges from 2.8 to 48.45 mm; the peristome corresponds to 40-60 % of that diameter, proportionally bigger than the apical system; the interambulacral areas are four times larger than the ambulacral areas. The variation of the pedicellariae is shown with scanning electron microscopy. The specimens of the Mexican oceanic islands are markedly different when compared to those of the mainland. Conclusions: Eucidaris thouarsii has five well differentiated secondary spines, and also specific regionalization; the apical system varies according to the size of the Horizontal Diameter of the Test; the globiferous pedicellariae have intraspecific differences; and the tridentate pedicellariae are specifically regionalized.

Different progression pattern between acral and nonacral melanoma: A retrospective, comparative, clinicoprognostic study of 492 cases of primary cutaneous melanoma according to tumor site

Background: There are limited data regarding the difference in progression pattern between acral melanoma and nonacral melanoma. Aims: The objectives of this study were to compare the progression pattern between acral and nonacral melanoma and evaluate its impact on clinical outcomes. Methods: Clinical and histopathological features, survival outcomes and prognostic factors of 492 patients with acral melanoma or nonacral melanoma were retrospectively evaluated using the Asan Medical Center database. Results: The male-to-female ratio and the mean age was 1:0.92 and 60.2 years for acral melanoma (n = 249), and 1:0.85 and 58.4 years for nonacral melanoma (n = 243), respectively. The demographic difference was not significant. Although prediagnosis duration was longer and the advanced stage was more common in acral melanoma than that in nonacral melanoma, the vertical growth phase was more common in nonacral melanoma than that in acral melanoma, whereas, the horizontal diameter is longer in acral melanoma than that in nonacral melanoma. Dissemination to lymph node was more common in acral melanoma than that in nonacral melanoma. Lymph node involvement was associated with deeper Breslow thickness in nonacral melanoma but not in acral melanoma. The degree of correlation of prediagnosis duration with horizontal diameter was remarkable in acral melanoma, but with Breslow thickness in nonacral melanoma. Overall survival was worse in acral melanoma than that in nonacral melanoma. The prognostic value of Breslow thickness was more remarkable in nonacral melanoma than that in acral melanoma. Limitations: This study is a retrospective, single-center design. Conclusion: Acral melanoma has a longer radial growth phase compared with nonacral melanoma. However, acral melanoma is commonly associated with lymph node dissemination which contributed to worse survival in acral melanoma than nonacral melanoma.

Age Estimation using Aorta Image Analysis in the Thai Population

The current technology used in imaging has an increasing role in medical education. The concept of using an image analysis programme to help in estimating the age of the aorta, the largest artery, can be clearly seen to be of use, especially in establishing age changes for the identification of individuals. The purposes of the study were to investigate gross morphology, morphometric parameters, and the correlation between parameters with age of the aorta in human cadavers by using an image analysis programme. A total of 244 specimens were dissected from 4 locations of 61 human aortas from donour and autopsy cadavers with an age range of 20 to 90 years. The morphometric parameters included outer circumference, inner circumference, aortic diameter, and average thickness of all locations of the aorta. These were defined and measured by using the image analysis programme. The results of this study showed that the outer circumference (r=0.808-0.739), inner circumference (r=0.763-0.682), vertical diameter of the aorta (r=0.628-0.524) and horizontal diameter of the aorta (r=0.808-0.396) showed a significant correlation with age in all areas of the aorta. In the ascending aorta, the correlation between the outer circumference, horizontal diameter and age were higher than other variables and areas. The age equation established pertinent to the outer circumference (OC) in the ascending aorta was age = -61.648+ (1.141(OC)) with a standard error of ± 12.45 years. The age prediction equation for the horizontal diameter (HD) in the ascending aorta was age = -35.799+ (4.134(HD)) and a standard error of ± 12.43 years. In conclusion, knowledge of the structural changes associated with age can be used for age estimation in forensic anthropology.

Horizontal diameter of unit spheres with polar foliations and infinitesimally polar actions

For a singular Riemannian foliation [Formula: see text] on a Riemannian manifold, a curve is called horizontal if it meets the leaves of [Formula: see text] perpendicularly. For a singular Riemannian foliation [Formula: see text] on a unit sphere [Formula: see text], we show that if [Formula: see text] is a polar foliation or if [Formula: see text] is given by the orbits of an infinitesimally polar action, then the horizontal diameter of [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text], i.e. any two points in [Formula: see text] can be connected by a horizontal curve of length [Formula: see text].

The possible causes for tomography suspect Keratoconus in a Chinese cohort

Background To explore the possible causes of tomography suspect keratoconus (TSK) marked by Tomography in screening keratoconus in a Chinese cohort, and the reasonable range of corneal horizontal diameter and thickness for decreasing the proportion of TSK. Methods Nested case-control study from a single center prospective cohort. All subjects were selected from the Peking University Third Hospital Ectasia Cornea Disease Cohort Project database, which included myopic patients seeking corneal refractive surgical corrections since 2013. Demographic information, basic eye examination, and auxiliary equipment examination including refraction, IOL-master, Pentacam, Sirius, and Topolyzer were recorded. In this study, all cases were classified into two groups: TSK group and normal control (NC) group, and all of them were followed up at least 2 years. The former is consisted of those whose screening examinations of tomography are abnormal, the latter is those whose screening examinations are normal. All of them have already been followed up at least 2 years without abnormalities after excimer laser corneal refractive surgeries. Unpaired t tests and Chi-square tests were used to compare the differences of indices from the tomography between the two groups. Results Of 183 TSK eyes (109 patients) and 160 NC eyes (83 patients), the mean age is 28.0 and 26.3 years old respectively. The corneal horizontal diameter is 11.5–11.8 mm in TSK group and 11.8–12.0 mm in NC group. The central corneal thickness is nearly 520 μm in the former and 550 μm in the latter. For Sirius, the TSK ratio of indices of SIf and SIb is 41.5 and 39.9% respectively in TSK group. For Pentacam, the TSK ratio of index IHD is 59.0% and “final D” is 72.7%. Conclusions Corneal horizontal diameter and central corneal thickness have great influences on the results of corneal tomography in detecting the suspect keratoconus.

Performance of the double-cross tomato hybrids from a partial diallel

ABSTRACT Knowledge of the combining ability of genotypes, genetic diversity, and heterosis play the paramount role in obtaining double-cross hybrids with high productivity. This study was aimed at evaluating these parameters in tomato genotypes using partial diallel crosses among the commercial single-cross hybrids, which verified the possibility of using double-cross hybrids for commercial purposes. Tomato genotypes included 15 double-cross hybrids, their genitors, and two commercial genotypes as checks. Of the fifteen double-cross hybrids of tomato, two crosses exhibited superiority, such as Aguamiel × Compack and Dominador × Compack, mainly for the total and commercial fruit yields. The phenotypic expression of the trait is controlled by the genes with non-additive effects, whereas the genes with additive effects account for the genotypes of fruit mass, horizontal diameter, vertical diameter, and bunch insertion height. Regarding the genetic diversity, molecular analyses pointed out polymorphism for 79 percent of the evaluated loci evidencing a high genetic variability among the genitors. The heterosis values were low for most of the crosses, except for Forty × Plutão that represented 107 percent of heterosis for the total fruit yield. As compared with the commercial checks, the diallel cross generated superior quality hybrids, which inferred the possibility of obtaining double-cross hybrids of tomato with significant heterosis.