Application of Computer-assisted Surgery in Urology

The purpose of this scientific article is to show the possibility of using the HoloDoctor software and hardware complex, which includes the following modules: the anatomical atlas module, the data analysis module and the surgical intervention simulation module. HoloDoctor allows us to perform surgical operations in real time. The time of operations using the HoloDoctor is reduced by 20-30% compared to traditional methods. The developed complex provides diagnostics of treatment planning, correction of the treatment plan, minimizing the risk of medical error. The developed product can be used in educational practice by introducing it into educational programs of medical specialties.

Radiographic Anatomy of the Abdomen of Local Breed Dogs

Objectives: The anatomical area that constitutes the abdomen is an area that is often subject to serious conditions. These diseases can affect the digestive and urogenital systems and radiography is a complementary examination of choice to refine the diagnosis. This study had for objective, to realize a radio anatomical atlas of the Abdomen in order to facilitate the comprehension and the interpretation of the radiographic pictures of the dog. Methodology: To do this, radiographs were performed on the Abdomen of 30 healthy dogs including 15 females and 15 males, (all of local breed) received at the radiology room. Results: At the end of the study, the best normal pictures by anatomical region and by incidence of the normal pictures of the Abdomen, were selected constituting a reference database in radiographic anatomy of this animal. Each radiograph is commented and annotated, facilitating the understanding of the images. These radiographic images will serve as a basis for the interpretation of radiographic images of the abdomen in the dog. Conclusion: These radiographs will serve as a basis for the interpretation of radiographic images of the abdomen of the dog.

Radiographic Anatomy of the Canine Appendicular Skeleton

Objectives: Being the most common pet in Africa, the dog is often subject to various diseases, especially appendicular. A good knowledge of the normal radiographic anatomy is an important support for the clinician for the interpretation of radiographic pictures of the appendicular skeleton. The aim of this study was to produce a radio-anatomical atlas of the appendicular skeleton of the dog in order to facilitate the understanding and interpretation of radiographic images of the dog. Methodology: For this purpose, radiographs were performed on all regions of the limbs of healthy dogs received at the radiology room. Results: At the end of the study, the best normal radiographs by anatomical region and by incidence of normal limb radiographs, were selected constituting a reference database of radiographic anatomy of this animal. Each radiograph is commented and annotated, facilitating the understanding of the pictures. Conclusion: These radiographs will serve as a basis for the interpretation of radiographic images of the appendicular skeleton in the dog. Decrease medical as well as financial burden, hence improving the management of cirrhotic patients. These predictors, however, need further work to validate reliability.

Phylogenetic history influences convergence for a specialized ecology: comparative skull morphology of African burrowing skinks (Squamata; Scincidae)

Background Skulls serve many functions and as a result, are subject to many different evolutionary pressures. In squamates, many fossorial species occupy a unique region of skull morphospace, showing convergence across families, due to modifications related to head-first burrowing. As different substrates have variable physical properties, particular skull shapes may offer selective advantages in certain substrates. Despite this, studies of variation within burrowers have been limited and are typically focused on a single origin of fossoriality. We focused on seven skink genera (Acontias, Typhlosaurus, Scelotes, Sepsina, Feylinia, Typhlacontias, and Mochlus; 39 sp.) from southern Africa, encompassing at least three independent evolutions of semi-fossoriality/fossoriality. We used microCT scans and geometric morphometrics to test how cranial and mandibular shape were influenced by phylogenetic history, size, and ecology. We also qualitatively described the skulls of four species to look at variation across phylogenetic and functional levels, and assess the degree of convergence. Results We found a strong effect of phylogenetic history on cranial and mandibular shape, with size and substrate playing secondary roles. There was a clear gradient in morphospace from less specialized to more specialized burrowers and burrowers in sand were significantly different from those in other substrates. We also created an anatomical atlas for four species with each element described in isolation. Every bone showed some variation in shape and relative scaling of features, with the skull roofing bones, septomaxilla, vomer, and palatine showing the most variation. We showed how broad-scale convergence in traits related to fossoriality can be the result of different anatomical changes. Conclusions Our study used geometric morphometrics and comparative anatomy to examine how skull morphology changes for a highly specialized and demanding lifestyle. Although there was broad convergence in both shape and qualitative traits, phylogenetic history played a large role and much of this convergence was produced by different anatomical changes, implying different developmental pathways or lineage-specific constraints. Even within a single family, adaptation for a specialized ecology does not follow a singular deterministic path.

Validation of Olfactory Network Based on Brain Structural Connectivity and Its Association With Olfactory Test Scores

Olfactory perception is a complicated process involving multiple cortical and subcortical regions, of which the underlying brain dynamics are still not adequately mapped. Even in the definition of the olfactory primary cortex, there is a large degree of variation in parcellation templates used for investigating olfaction in neuroimaging studies. This complicates comparison between human olfactory neuroimaging studies. The present study aims to validate an olfactory parcellation template derived from both functional and anatomical data that applies structural connectivity (SC) to ensure robust connectivity to key secondary olfactory regions. Furthermore, exploratory analyses investigate if different olfactory parameters are associated with differences in the strength of connectivity of this structural olfactory fingerprint. By combining diffusion data with an anatomical atlas and advanced probabilistic tractography, we found that the olfactory parcellation had a robust SC network to key secondary olfactory regions. Furthermore, the study indicates that higher ratings of olfactory significance were associated with increased intra- and inter-hemispheric SC of the primary olfactory cortex. Taken together, these results suggest that the patterns of SC between the primary olfactory cortex and key secondary olfactory regions has potential to be used for investigating the nature of olfactory significance, hence strengthening the theory that individual differences in olfactory behaviour are encoded in the structural network fingerprint of the olfactory cortex.

METHODS FOR ASSESSING PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE OF HUMAN ANATOMY USING REMOTE TECHNOLOGIES

Training in a clinical medical environment requires a comprehensive approach focused on knowledge of practical skills. Human anatomy is a fundamental discipline that requires a sufficient amount of time spent on the study of practical material. Distance technologies are technologies that create a three-dimensional image that gives the student the feeling of working with real cadaveric material. The aim of this study was to develop an innovative model for assessing practical skills in human anatomy, which combines as distinctive elements: the use of remote technologies, standardization of assessment tools, and which allows remote assessment of students ' practical knowledge by testing using a three-dimensional anatomical atlas to guarantee its reliability, accuracy and objectivity. The assessment of practical skills was carried out using a three-dimensional model of the human atlas and an anatomical assessment of the structure of organs and systems, followed by testing in the online conference mode. In the course of the study, 97% of students managed to pass the assessment of practical skills on the score of "excellent", each student completed the task within one minute. All students noted the convenience of testing, the most complete picture of anatomical landmarks, the correctness of diagnosis and clinical significance.