Ossa Sesamoidea — prevalence of sesamoid bones in human hands

Background: This study describes the morphology of sesamoid bones in the human hand. Ultrasound imaging was used to record the presence and measurements of sesamoids in 120 hands of 60 healthy, young adults of Caucasian ethnicity. Materials and methods: The mean number of sesamoid bones was 4.16 in the left hand and 4.03 in the right hand. 21.6% of cases showed asymmetry between the right hand and the left. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of sesamoid bones between right and left hand in males in this study. Females show a higher incidence of sesamoid bones overall, but do not demonstrate a significant difference between the sides. Results: Prevalence findings: Two in the 1st metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) in 99.2% of cases, with 1 case of a single bone. One in the 2nd MCPJ in 43.3% of cases. One in the 5th MCPJ in 84.2% of cases. One in the 1st interphalangeal joint (IPJ) in 83.4% of cases. Aside from that there was 1 case of sesamoid in the 3rd MCPJ and separate case of sesamoid in the 3rd proximal IPJ. Conclusions: Moreover, this study discusses discrepancies of opinion regarding sesamoid bones in morphological research

The sonographic morphology of musculus palmaris longus in humans

Background: The aim of this work was to describe morphology and morphometry of musculus palmaris longus and compare the outcome of Shaeffer’s test with ultrasound imaging.Materials and methods: Forty forearms of 20 healthy volunteers (11 females, 9 males) were tested by Shaeffer’s test and ultrasound imaging. Anthropological measurements of the forearm and ultrasound guided measurements of musculus palmaris longus were taken. The outcome was tested for statistical significanceby Fisher’s test.Results: The examination revealed agenesis of palmaris longus in 6 cases, as well as 6 muscles showing quality variations. The Shaeffer’s test gave 4 false-negative results. 28 muscles were described as spindle-shaped and 8 as pennated or bipennated. However, all the spindle-shaped muscles demonstrated a tendon going inside of the muscle’s belly ranging from 2 cm to 11.5 cm. The relation between the circumference of the forearm right below the elbow (mean: 15.38 cm, SD: 1.83 cm) and the approximated volume of the palmaris longus muscle’s belly(mean: 4.72 cm3, SD: 1.57 cm3) proved to be statistically significant (Fisher’s test p-value < 0.05).Conclusions: Uncommon morphological variations have been shown. Spindle-shaped muscles have proved to have their tendons continued inside them. Palmaris longus muscle’s belly has proved to take significant amount of volume within the proximal forearm. Shaeffer’s test has shown to have 10% false-negative ratio

Morphology of sesamoid bones in keyboard musicians

Background: The sesamoid bones are small, usually oval bone structures often found in joints and under the tendons. Although their precise function is not fully understood, it is agreed upon that they protect the joints and make movements faster and less energy consuming. Sesamoid bones are found in hands, especially around first, second and fifth metacarpophalangeal joint and the interphalangeal joint of the thumb. Materials and methods: This study compares a group of 32 young musicians to 30 non-musicians of similar age and posture. The hands of the subjects were examined by ultrasound imaging for the presence of sesamoid bones. The results were noted and observed sesamoids were measured. Results: The results seem to prove that although there are no difference in the amount or the location of the sesamoid bones between the musicians and the non-musicians, there is statistically significant tendency for the musicians to have bigger sum of the sesamoid’s volume per hand (Fisher’s test p-value = 0.034 < 0.05). Conclusions: There was also observed an unusually shaped “Bactrian” sesamoid bone at the interphalangeal joint of the thumb in 8 cases in the musicians’ group and 1 case in the control group. All participants with the aforementioned structure were female

An algorithm for preoperative differential diagnostics of parotid tumours on the basis of their dynamic and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images: a retrospective analysis of 158 cases

Background: To verify the usefulness of a new algorithm for preoperative differential diagnostics of parotid tumours on the basis of their dynamic and diffusion- -weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and methods: The retrospective analysis included 158 consecutive surgical patients with parotid tumours. Aside from ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy, the protocol of preoperative evaluation included dynamic and diffusion-weighted MRI. According to the new diagnostic algorithm, the result of fine needle biopsy was considered only in the case of lesions with time to peak enhancement (Tpeak) > 60 s and washout rate (WR) ≤ 30% on dynamic MRI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ≤ 1.7 × 103 mm/s2 on diffusion-weighted MRI, or those presenting with concomitant lymphadenopathy. The accuracy of this algorithm was verified against final histopathological diagnoses. Results: The new algorithm gave 10 true positive and 2 false positive results, as well as 132 and 14 true and false negative results, respectively. Its sensitivity and specificity (41.7% and 98.5%, respectively) were the same as in the case of fine needle biopsy alone. None of the 59 tumours that were qualified as benign solely on the basis of preoperative MRI turned out to be malignant on postoperative histopathological examination. Conclusions: Interpreted together, dynamic and diffusion-weighted MRIs provide the same accuracy in preoperative differential diagnostics of parotid tumours as fine needle biopsy. This substantiates the use of diagnostic algorithms in which biopsy would serve mostly as a secondary test to verify selected ambiguous radiological diagnoses. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 29–35)

Does 4D transperineal ultrasound have additional value over 2D transperineal ultrasound for diagnosing posterior pelvic floor disorders in women with obstructed defecation syndrome?

Objective To establish the diagnostic test accuracy of two‐dimensional (2D) and four‐dimensional (4D) transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) for diagnosis of posterior pelvic floor disorders in women with obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS), in order to assess if 4D ultrasound imaging provides additional value. Methods This was a prospective cohort study of 121 consecutive women with ODS. Symptoms of ODS and pelvic organ prolapse on clinical examination were assessed using validated methods. All women underwent both 2D‐ and 4D‐TPUS. Imaging analysis was performed by two blinded observers. Posterior pelvic floor disorders were dichotomized into presence or absence, according to predefined cut‐off values. In the absence of a reference standard, a composite reference standard was created from a combination of results of evacuation proctography, magnetic resonance imaging and endovaginal ultrasound. Primary outcome measures were diagnostic test characteristics of 2D‐ and 4D‐TPUS for rectocele, enterocele, intussusception and anismus. Secondary outcome measures were interobserver agreement, agreement between the two imaging techniques, and association of severity of ODS symptoms and degree of posterior vaginal wall prolapse with conditions observed on imaging. Results For diagnosis of all four posterior pelvic floor disorders, there was no difference in sensitivity or specificity between 2D‐ and 4D‐TPUS (P = 0.131–1.000). Good agreement between 2D‐ and 4D‐TPUS was found for diagnosis of rectocele (κ = 0.675) and moderate agreement for diagnoses of enterocele, intussusception and anismus (κ = 0.465–0.545). There was no difference in rectocele depth measurements between the techniques (19.9 mm for 2D vs 19.0 mm for 4D, P = 0.802). Interobserver agreement was comparable for both techniques, although 2D‐TPUS had excellent interobserver agreement for diagnosis of enterocele and rectocele depth measurements, while this was only moderate and good, respectively, for 4D‐TPUS. Diagnoses of rectocele and enterocele on both 2D‐ and 4D‐TPUS were significantly associated with degree of posterior vaginal wall prolapse on clinical examination (odds ratio (OR) = 1.89–2.72). The conditions observed using either imaging technique were not associated with severity of ODS symptoms (OR = 0.82–1.13). Conclusions There is no evidence of superiority of 4D ultrasound acquisition to dynamic 2D ultrasound acquisition for the diagnosis of posterior pelvic floor disorders. 2D‐ and 4D‐TPUS could be used interchangeably to screen women with symptoms of ODS

Electronic structure of the (111) and (-1-1-1) surfaces of cubic BN: A local-density-functional ab initio study

We present ab initio local-density-functional electronic structure calculations for the (111) and (-1-1-1) surfaces of cubic BN. The energetically stable reconstructions, namely the N adatom, N3 triangle models on the (111), the (2x1), boron and nitrogen triangle patterns on the (-1-1-1) surface are investigated. Band structure and properties of the surface states are discussed in detail.Comment: 8 pages, 12 figure

Trends der chemischen Prozessindustrie

Aktuelle Trends aus der chemischen Prozesstechnik im Rahmen der Begleitforschung des Forschungsnetzwerkes Energie in Industrie und Gewerbe (EE4InG) werden vorgestellt. Wir gehen davon aus, dass die Trends zirkuläre Wirtschaft und beschleunigte globalisierte Innovation (Modularisierung, Prozessintensivierung und Digitalisierung) bis 2030 auf die Chemieindustrie wirken. Die Technologieentwicklung anhand dieser Trends erlaubt es dem Chemieingenieurswesen, zukünftig entscheidende Beiträge zur Flexibilisierung und Defossilisierung der Wertschöpfungsketten zu leisten

Branchiootorenal syndrome and oculoauriculovertebral spectrum features associated with duplication of SIX1 , SIX6 , and OTX2 resulting from a complex chromosomal rearrangement

We report on a 26-month-old boy with developmental delay and multiple congenital anomalies, including many features suggestive of either branchiootorenal syndrome (BOR) or oculoauriculovertebral spectrum (OAVS). Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) initially revealed a copy-number gain with a single BAC clone (RP11-79M1) mapping to 14q23.1. FISH analysis showed that the third copy of this genomic region was inserted into the long arm of one chromosome 13. The same pattern was also seen in the chromosomes of the father, who has mental retardation, short stature, hypernasal speech, and minor craniofacial anomalies, including tall forehead, and crowded dentition. Subsequent whole genome oligonucleotide microarray analysis revealed an ∼11.79 Mb duplication of chromosome 14q22.3–q23.3 and a loss of an ∼4.38 Mb sequence in 13q21.31–q21.32 in both the propositus and his father and FISH supported the apparent association of the two events. Chromosome 14q22.3–q23.3 contains 51 genes, including SIX1 , SIX6 , and OTX2 . A locus for branchiootic syndrome (BOS) has been mapped to 14q21.3–q24.3, and designated as branchiootic syndrome 3 (BOS3). Interestingly, mutations in SIX1 have been reported in patients with BOR/BOS3. We propose that the increased dosage of SIX1 , SIX6 , or OTX2 may be responsible for the BOR and OAVS-like features in this family. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/60991/1/32398_ftp.pd

Effect of three common SNPs in 5′-flanking region of LEP and ADIPOQ genes on their expression in Polish obese children and adolescents

Genes encoding adipokines are considered as candidates for human obesity. In this study we analyzed the expression of leptin (LEP) and adiponectin (ADIPOQ) genes in relation to common 5′-flanking or 5′UTR variants: -2548G>A (LEP), 19A>G (LEP) and -11377C>G (ADIPOQ) in Polish obese children and adolescents. Relative transcription levels in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (real time RT–PCR) and serum protein concentrations (RIA) were measured in 48 obese subjects with known genotypes at three polymorphic sites and in five non-obese controls. None of the studied polymorphisms altered significantly the expression. Significantly elevated relative transcription levels of the LEP gene (P < 0.05) and serum leptin concentrations (P < 0.01) were recorded in obese patients, when compared with the non-obese controls, but such differences were not found for the ADIPOQ gene. Interestingly, the leptin to adiponectin protein concentration ratio (L/A) was approximately sevenfold higher in obese children and adolescents when compared with the non-obese controls (P < 0.001). Taking into consideration the observed relationship between the genotypes and the gene expression level we suggest that these SNPs are not conclusive markers for predisposition to obesity in Polish children and adolescents. On the other hand, we confirmed that the leptin to adiponectin gene expression ratio (L/A) is an informative index characterizing obesity

Signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 mediates neuronal apoptosis induced by inhibition of Rac GTPase activity.

In several neuronal cell types, the small GTPase Rac is essential for survival. We have shown previously that the Rho family GTPase inhibitor Clostridium difficile toxin B (ToxB) induces apoptosis in primary rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) principally via inhibition of Rac GTPase function. In the present study, incubation with ToxB activated a proapoptotic Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway, and a pan-JAK inhibitor protected CGNs from Rac inhibition. STAT1 expression was induced by ToxB; however, CGNs from STAT1 knock-out mice succumbed to ToxB-induced apoptosis as readily as wild-type CGNs. STAT3 displayed enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation following treatment with ToxB, and a reputed inhibitor of STAT3, cucurbitacin (JSI-124), reduced CGN apoptosis. Unexpectedly, JSI-124 failed to block STAT3 phosphorylation, and CGNs were not protected from ToxB by other known STAT3 inhibitors. In contrast, STAT5A tyrosine phosphorylation induced by ToxB was suppressed by JSI-124. In addition, roscovitine similarly inhibited STAT5A phosphorylation and protected CGNs from ToxB-induced apoptosis. Consistent with these results, adenoviral infection with a dominant negative STAT5 mutant, but not wild-type STAT5, significantly decreased ToxB-induced apoptosis of CGNs. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation with a STAT5 antibody revealed increased STAT5 binding to the promoter region of prosurvival Bcl-xL. STAT5 was recruited to the Bcl-xL promoter region in a ToxB-dependent manner, and this DNA binding preceded Bcl-xL down-regulation, suggesting transcriptional repression. These data indicate that a novel JAK/STAT5 proapoptotic pathway significantly contributes to neuronal apoptosis induced by the inhibition of Rac GTPase