The thoracic shape of hominoids

In hominoids, the broad thorax has been assumed to contribute to their dorsal scapular position. However, the dorsoventral diameter of their cranial thorax was found in one study to be longer in hominoids. There are insufficient data on thoracic shape to explain the relationship between broad thorax and dorsal scapular position. The current study presents data on multilevel cross-sectional shape and volume distribution in a range of primates. Biplanar radiographs of intact fluid-preserved cadavers were taken to measure the cross-sectional shape of ten equally spaced levels through the sternum (called decisternal levels) and the relative volume of the nine intervening thoracic segments. It was found that the cranial thorax of hominoids is larger and broader (except in the first two decisternal levels) than that of other primates. The cranial thorax of hominoids has a longer dorsoventral diameter because the increase in dorsoventral diameter caused by the increase in the volume of the cranial thorax overcompensates for the decrease caused by the broadening of the cranial thorax. The larger and broader cranial thorax in hominoids can be explained as a locomotor adaptation for scapular gliding and as a respiratory adaptation for reducing the effects of orthograde posture on ventilation-perfusion inequality.published_or_final_versio

Cadaveric Study of Zone 2 Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Sheath

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anatomy of the zone 2 flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon sheath. Methods: Dissection of the zone 2 FHL tendon sheath was performed in 12 feet of 6 cadavers. The tendon sheath was subdivided into proximal fibrous (zone 2A) and distal fascial (zone 2B) parts. The lengths of the zone 2A and 2B FHL tendon were measured and represented the length of the corresponding tendon sheaths, and the relation of the medial plantar nerve to each part of the zone 2 FHL tendon sheath was studied. Results: In all specimens there were fibrous and fascial components of the zone 2 FHL tendon sheath. The medial plantar nerve crossed the zone 2B tendon sheaths and then became plantar lateral to the sheath in 7 specimens. The distance between the medial plantar nerve and the orifice of the zone 2A tendon sheath averaged 7.6 mm. The distance between the medial plantar nerve and the junction between zones 2A and 2B averaged 3.2 mm. The distance between the medial plantar nerve and the distal end of the zone 2B tendon sheath averaged 4.2 mm. The mean length of the zone 2A tendon sheath was 35.9 mm, and the mean length of the zone 2B tendon sheath was 30.5 mm. Conclusions: The zone 2 FHL tendon sheath can be subdivided into a proximal fibrous zone (2A) and a distal fascial zone (2B). Because of the close proximity of the medial plantar nerve to the tendon sheath, there is a significant risk of iatrogenic nerve injury when surgical procedures are performed in zone 2B. Clinical Relevance: An understanding of the anatomy of the zone 2 FHL tendon sheath is useful for the safe practice of zone 2 FHL tendoscopy. © 2010 Arthroscopy Association of North America.postprin

Designing problem-based curricula: The role of concept mapping in scaffolding learning for the health sciences

While the utility of concept mapping has been widely reported in primary and secondary educational contexts, its application in the health sciences in higher education has been less frequently noted. Two case studies of the application of concept mapping in undergraduate and postgraduate health sciences are detailed in this paper. The case in undergraduate dental education examines the role of concept mapping in supporting problem-based learning and explores how explicit induction into the principles and practices of CM has add-on benefits to learning in an inquiry-based curriculum. The case in postgraduate medical education described the utility of concept mapping in an online inquiry-based module design. Specific attention is given to applications of CMapTools™ software to support the implementation of Novakian concept mapping in both inquiry-based curricular contexts.published_or_final_versio

Application of the One-Minute Preceptor Technique by Novice Teachers in the Gross Anatomy Laboratory

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Use of FBG optical sensors for structural health monitoring: Practical application

This paper describes the development of FBG Optical sensors for their practical application on structural health monitoring. The sensors were installed on the Tsing Ma Bridge for a trial run. The results using FBG sensors were in excellent agreement with those acquired by the bridge WASHMS

An efficient handoff management scheme for mobile wireless ATM networks

A new handoff management scheme for wireless ATM networks is proposed. In this scheme, all cells are connected to their neighboring cells by permanent virtual circuits (PVCs) and to the access switch (AS) by switched virtual circuits (SVCs) which are only for new calls. Some carefully chosen cells, called rerouting cells, are also connected to the AS by PVCs. In summary, if a mobile roams to an ordinary neighboring cell, its traffic path is simply elongated by a PVC connecting the old and new cells. If a mobile roams to a rerouting cell, its traffic path is rerouted to a PVC between the AS and rerouting cell. By using PVC's for handoff calls, we can guarantee fast and seamless handoff. At the same time, our scheme improves the path efficiency by limiting the maximum number of hops that a path can be extended. Also, allowing path rerouting at a suitable time means the network resources are more efficiently utilized.published_or_final_versio

Incidence of neurosensory deficits and recovery after lower third molar surgery: a prospective clinical study of 4338 cases

A prospective study of all lower third molar surgery performed in the outpatient extraction clinic of a teaching dental hospital was conducted from January 1998 through October 2005 to determine the incidence of subsequent neurosensory deficit due to inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and lingual nerve (LN) injury, to examine possible contributing risk factors and to describe the pattern of recovery. 3595 patients were included (61% female, 39% male; age range, 14-82 years). Of the 4338 lower third molar extractions performed by various grades of operators, 0.35% developed IAN deficit and 0.69% developed LN deficit. Distoangular impaction was found to increase the risk of LN deficit significantly (p < 0.001). Depth of impaction was related to the risk of IAN deficit (p < 0.001). Undergraduates caused more LN deficits (p < 0.001). Sex, age, raising of a lingual flap, protection of LN with a retractor, removal of distolingual cortex, tooth sectioning and difficulty in tooth elevation were not significantly related to IAN or LN injury. Postoperative recovery from IAN and LN deficits was noted most significantly at 3 and 6 months, respectively. By the end of the follow-up period, 67% of IAN deficits and 72% of LN deficits had recovered completely. © 2009 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.postprin

Pulling my gut out-simple tools for engaging students in gross anatomy lectures

A lecture is not necessarily a monologue, promoting only passive learning. If appropriate techniques are used, a lecture can stimulate active learning too. One such method is demonstration, which can engage learners' attention and increase the interaction between the lecturer and the learners. This article describes two simple and useful tools for demonstration during gross anatomy lectures. One is an apron for demonstrating midgut rotation and the other is a simple "human" model for demonstrating the relationship between the uterus and the peritoneum. © 2010 American Association of Anatomists.postprin

EMP2 regulates angiogenesis in endometrial cancer cells through induction of VEGF.

Understanding tumor-induced angiogenesis is a challenging problem with important consequences for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this study, we define a novel function for epithelial membrane protein-2 (EMP2) in the control of angiogenesis. EMP2 functions as an oncogene in endometrial cancer, and its expression has been linked to decreased survival. Using endometrial cancer xenografts, modulation of EMP2 expression resulted in profound changes to the tumor microvasculature. Under hypoxic conditions, upregulation of EMP2 promoted vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) expression through a HIF-1α-dependent pathway and resulted in successful capillary-like tube formation. In contrast, reduction of EMP2 correlated with reduced HIF-1α and VEGF expression with the net consequence of poorly vascularized tumors in vivo. We have previously shown that targeting of EMP2 using diabodies in endometrial cancer resulted in a reduction of tumor load, and since then we have constructed a fully human EMP2 IgG1. Treatment of endometrial cancer cells with EMP2-IgG1 reduced tumor load with a significant improvement in survival. These results support the role of EMP2 in the control of the tumor microenvironment and confirm the cytotoxic effects observed by EMP2 treatment in vivo

Advantages of video trigger in problem-based learning

Conference Theme: Quality Accreditation and Standard in Medical Educationpublished_or_final_versio