Quantitative anatomy of the growing supraspinatus muscle in the human fetus

The supraspinatus muscle, one of the four rotator cuff muscles, initiates abduction of the arm, simultaneously stretching the articular capsule at the glenohumeral joint, and also contributes to exorotation of the arm. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the age-specific normative values for morphometric parameters of the supraspinatus muscle in human fetuses at varying ages and to elaborate their growth models. Using anatomical dissection, digital  image analysis (NIS Elements AR 3.0) and statistics (Student’s t-test, regression analysis), the length, width, circumference and projection surface area of the supraspinatus muscle were measured in 34 human fetuses of both sexes (16♂, 18♀) aged 18–30 weeks of gestation. Neither sex nor laterality differences were found in numerical data of the supraspinatus muscle. In the supraspinatus muscle its length and projection surface area increased logarithmically, while its width and circumference grew proportionately to gestational age. The following growth models of the supraspinatus muscle were established: y = –71.382 + 30.972 × ln(Age) ± 0.565 for length, y = –2.988 + 0.386 × Age ± 0.168 for greatest width (perpendicular to superior angle of scapula), y = –1.899 + 0.240 × Age ± 0.078 for width perpendicular to the scapular notch, y = –19.7016 + 3.381 × Age ± 2.036 for circumference, and y = –721.769 + 266.141 × ln(Age) ± 6.170 for projection surface area. The supraspinatus muscle reveals neither sex nor laterality differences in its size. The supraspinatus muscle grows logarithmically with reference to its length and projection surface area, and proportionately with respect to its width and circumference

A skeleton of peat-trapped forest rhinoceros Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis (Jäger, 1839) from Gorzów Wielkopolski, Northwestern Poland: a record of life and death of the Eemian large mammals

We present a description of an almost complete skeleton of the forest rhino (Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis) found near Gorzów Wielkopolski (Northwest Poland) in its geological and palaeoenvironmental context. While finds of bones and teeth are common, the importance of this find resides in, that it is the most complete specimen of this species, almost perfectly preserved in a well-studied and dated stratigraphic and sedimentological context, along with other fossil fauna and flora. The OSL dates of glaciofluvial sediments sandwiching skeleton-bearing horizons indicate a Middle Eemian age of the Pleistocene paleolake land. This warm climate is also indicated by the results of sedimentological, geochemical, paleobotanical, and isotopic analyses. The rhino skeleton was deposited in a shallow area near the lake’s littoral zone. Bite marks of a large predator (cave hyena) were recognized on the rhino’s pelvis, which, due to their location, were probably created post-mortem. With an estimated height of 1.82 m at the withers, this was a large adult Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis. The results of osteometric analyses indicate that we are dealing with one of the largest known individuals of this species. Although it suffered from a pathologically deformed spine, the individual died at a relatively old age.Peer reviewe

Quantitative anatomy of the fused ossification center of the occipital squama in the human fetus.

CT-based quantitative analysis of any ossification center in the cranium has not previously been carried out due to the limited availability of human fetal material. Detailed morphometric data on the development of ossification centers in the human fetus may be useful in the early detection of congenital defects. Ossification disorders in the cranium are associated with either a delayed development of ossification centers or their mineralization. These aberrations may result in the formation of accessory skull bones that differ in shape and size, and the incidence of which may be misdiagnosed as, e.g., skull fractures. The study material comprised 37 human fetuses of both sexes (16♂, 21♀) aged 18-30 weeks. Using CT, digital image analysis software, 3D reconstruction and statistical methods, the linear, planar and spatial dimensions of the occipital squama ossification center were measured. The morphometric characteristics of the fused ossification center of the occipital squama show no right-left differences. In relation to gestational age, the ossification center of the occipital squama grows linearly in its right and left vertical diameters, logarithmically in its transverse diameters of both the interparietal and supraoccipital parts and projection surface area, and according to a quadratic function in its volume. The obtained numerical findings of the occipital squama ossification center may be considered age-specific references of relevance in both the estimation of gestational age and the diagnostic process of congenital defects

Characteristics of the learning algorithms and activation functions employed in the MLP 2-3-2-5 model.

Characteristics of the learning algorithms and activation functions employed in the MLP 2-3-2-5 model.</p

Learning charts for the training and validation sets of the MLP 2-3-2-5 model.

Learning charts for the training and validation sets of the MLP 2-3-2-5 model.</p

Results of the regression analysis.

a) proximal transverse diameter of femoral shaft primary ossification center (R = 0.951); b) middle transverse diameter of femoral shaft primary ossification center (R = 0.941); c) distal transverse diameter of femoral shaft primary ossification center (R = 0.926); d) projection surface area of femoral shaft primary ossification center R = (0.974); e) volume of femoral shaft primary ossification center (R = 0.963).</p

A layered structure of the MLP 2-3-2-5 regression model, with two input data and five predictions at the output.

A layered structure of the MLP 2-3-2-5 regression model, with two input data and five predictions at the output.</p

Correlation coefficient results between observed and predicted values for all the parameters studied.

Correlation coefficient results between observed and predicted values for all the parameters studied.</p

Quantitative Anatomy of the Growing Lungs in the Human Fetus

Using anatomical, digital, and statistical methods we examined the three-dimensional growth of the lungs in 67 human fetuses aged 16–25 weeks. The lung dimensions revealed no sex differences. The transverse and sagittal diameters and the base circumference were greater in the right lungs while the lengths of anterior and posterior margins and the lung height were greater in the left lungs. The best-fit curves for all the lung parameters were natural logarithmic models. The transverse-to-sagittal diameter ratio remained stable and averaged 0.56±0.08 and 0.52±0.08 for the right and left lungs, respectively. For the right and left lungs, the transverse diameter-to-height ratio significantly increased from 0.74±0.09 to 0.92±0.08 and from 0.56±0.07 to 0.79±0.09, respectively. The sagittal diameter-to-height ratio significantly increased from 1.41±0.23 to 1.66±0.18 in the right lung, and from 1.27±0.17 to 1.48±0.22 in the left lung. In the fetal lungs, their proportionate increase in transverse and sagittal diameters considerably accelerates with relation to the lung height. The lung dimensions in the fetus are relevant in the evaluation of the normative pulmonary growth and the diagnosis of pulmonary hypoplasia