Mutual intelligibility between West and South Slavic languages

In the present study we tested the level of mutual intelligibility between three West Slavic (Czech, Slovak and Polish) and three South Slavic languages (Croatian, Slovene and Bulgarian). Three different methods were used: a word translation task, a cloze test and a picture task. The results show that in most cases, a division between West and South Slavic languages does exist and that West Slavic languages are more intelligible among speakers of West Slavic languages than among those of South Slavic languages. We found an asymmetry in Croatian-Slovene intelligibility, whereby Slovene speakers can understand written and spoken Croatian better than vice versa. Finally, we compared the three methods and found that the word translation task and the cloze test give very similar results, while the results of the picture task are somewhat unreliable

Three-dimensional multiplanar ultrasound is a valuable tool in the study of the fetal profile in the second trimester of pregnancy

To evaluate the additional value of three-dimensional (3D) multiplanar ultrasound in the examination of the fetal profile. Two 3D volumes of the fetal head were obtained from 84 fetuses at 22 to 29 weeks' gestation. The volumes were taken starting at the midsagittal plane with the fetus facing the transducer. The success rate and acquisition time to obtain each volume and display the exact midsagittal plane by 3D multiplanar ultrasound were analyzed. The correction angles from the original two-dimensional (2D) profile view to the exact midsagittal plane were noted. Of six measurements, related to the fetal nose and jaws, the success rate and the intraobserver reproducibility between the 2D and the 3D multiplanar ultrasound were compared. In 81 (96.4%) cases we succeeded in obtaining a profile volume, 70% of the volumes being obtained within 10 min. It was possible to define by multiplanar mode the exact midsagittal plane in less than 1 min. The mean rotation necessary to obtain the exact midsagittal plane with 3D multiplanar mode was significantly larger around the y-axis (11.9 degrees ) than around the z-axis (4.3 degrees ) of the fetus. For between 5 and 12% of the six measurements under investigation it was not possible to obtain values with 2D ultrasound. However, 3D ultrasound made these measurements possible in at least one volume. The intraobserver reproducibility was higher with 3D multiplanar ultrasound than with 2D ultrasound, this difference being statistically significant for five of the six measurements. 3D multiplanar ultrasound improves the topographic depiction of the midsagittal profile view, enables correct measurement of anatomical details and improves intraobserver reproducibility. 3D multiplanar ultrasound is a powerful instrument for investigating the fetal profil

Prenasal thickness-to-nasal bone length ratio: a strong and simple second- and third-trimester marker for trisomy 21

Objectives To study the ratio of prenasal thickness (PT) to nasal bone length (NBL) in normal and trisomy-21 fetuses in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

Premaxillary protrusion assessment by the maxillanasionmandible angle in fetuses with facial clefts

<p>Objective The aim of the study was to measure the degree of premaxillary protrusion in fetuses with orofacial clefts of various severities. Methods The maxillanasionmandible (MNM) angle was measured retrospectively on by multiplanar corrected volumes. Sixty-two fetuses with orofacial clefts and known outcome volumes of the fetal head were available. Results In 48 of the 62 cases, the MNM angle could be measured [mean gestational age 23 (range, 1830)weeks]. The mean MNM angle was normal in all nine cases with cleft lip and intact alveolar ridge (15.2 degrees; range, 12.5 degrees 16.9 degrees). In 24 cases with unilateral cleft lip with or without cleft palate (UCL/P), the mean MNM angle was 20.0 degrees (range, 13.326.2 degrees), being above the 95th percentile in 79% (n=19) and normal in 21% (n=5). In 14 bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCL/P) cases, the mean MNM angle was 26.5 degrees (range, 19.2 degrees 33.7 degrees) and above the 95th percentile in all cases. There was no difference in MNM angle between isolated clefts and clefts associated with other anomalies. In one case with a Tessier 4 cleft, the MNM angle was above the 95th percentile (25.2 degrees). Conclusion The premaxilla tends to protrude in both BCL/P as UCL/P cases. The degree of protrusion varies greatly, especially in the BCL/P group. (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p>