The influence of skull shape modularity on internal skull structures: a 3D-Pilot study using bears

In order to capture the phenotypic variation of the internal skull structures, such as the sinuses or the brain, it is necessary to perform CT scans in a large number of specimens, which is difficult and expensive. Therefore, while the external morphology of the mammalian cranium has been the subject of many morphometric studies, the internal structures of the cranium have been comparatively less studied. Here, we explore how the variation of external shape reflects the morphology of internal structures. We use the family Ursidae (Carnivora, Mammalia) as a case study because bears have a wide variability of cranial morphologies in part associated with different trophic ecologies. To do this, we digitized a set of landmarks in 3D with a Microscribe G2X from the external surface of the cranium in a wide sample of bears. Additionally, the crania of seven bear species were CT-scanned and prepared digitally to visualize the 3D models of the external cranium morphology and of internal structures. Subsequently, we divided the landmarks into two modules, splanchnocranium and neurocranium, and we perform a two-block partial least squares analysis (2B PLS) to explore the intraspecific (static) morphological changes associated with the covariation between them. These morphological changes were visualized using the morphing technique with the 3D models, looking at both the external shape and the internal structures. In addition, we inferred the volume of the sinuses and of the brain in each hypothetical model. Our results show that the first two PLS axes are associated externally with changes in the basicranial angle, face length and cranium height and width. Concerning the internal structures, there are parallel changes in dorso-ventral and medio-lateral expansion of sinuses and brain, accompanied by their corresponding changes in volume. In contrast, the third PLS axis is related to opposite changes in the volume of sinuses and brain. These preliminary results suggest that the opposite relationship between sinuses and brain volumes in the bear cranium is not as evident as expected, at least at intraspecific level.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Alometrías intertaxónicas y ontogenéticas entre el área del septo y el volumen del fragmocono en cefalopodos con concha espiral actuales y extintos

La interpretación funcional del replegamiento periférico de los septos de los ammonoideos constituye todo un reto dada la inexistencia de representantes actuales del grupo y, por consiguiente, la imposibilidad de experimentación directa. Por tal motivo las líneas de evidencia se han de basar en gran medida en comparaciones con otros cefalópodos camerados actuales. En este trabajo se comparan las alometrías ontogenéticas que siguen el área septal respecto al volumen del fragmocono en cefalópodos con concha espiral (interna o externa) con las obtenidas para ammonoideos adultos del Jurásico tardío. Las similitudes entre los coeficientes alométricos indican que el aumento de superficie que supone replegar los septos no aparenta ser muy diferente en las primeras etapas del crecimiento de los ammonoideos del de otros cefalópodos con concha espiral. Por el contrario, las discrepancias con los coeficientes alométricos para los ammonoideos adultos parecen apuntar a que la complejidad septal no se alcanza por una mera extrapolación de la ontogenia.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

A mechanism synthesis and modeling for correction of hip dysplasia in medium and large dog breeds

Hip dysplasia is an incurable but treatable disease that affects medium and large dog breeds. It appears as a result of genetic disorders, overweight, and the care given to the dogs. Currently, there are no specialized mechanisms that provide comfort to the life of these pets, while adapting to the canine condition and promoting the use of their hind legs until mobility is completely lost. Therefore, in the present study, a versatile device was synthesized and modeled to help to improve the life quality of dogs, taking as a reference the "German Shepherd" breed. It was designed considering the health and welfare of these animals, taking into account the mobility and safety of their limbs. This device uses a linkage mechanism to provide structural support to the dogs, while allowing for mobility within an specified range of motion. It aims to incorporate a gear and spring system that controls the weight lifted by the device, so that dogs partially use their hind legs. The static and dynamic behavior of this mechanism were mathematically modeled, finding an optimal solution.La displasia de cadera es una enfermedad incurable pero tratable que afecta a razas de perros medianas y grandes. Aparece como resultado de trastornos genéticos, sobrepeso y la atención brindada a los perros. Actualmente, no existen mecanismos especializados que brinden comodidad a la vida de estas mascotas, al tiempo que se adaptan a la condición canina y promueven el uso de sus patas traseras hasta que se pierda por completo la movilidad. Por lo tanto, en el presente estudio, se sintetizó y modeló un dispositivo versátil para ayudar a mejorar la calidad de vida de los perros, tomando como referencia la raza "Pastor Alemán". Fue diseñado teniendo en cuenta la salud y el bienestar de estos animales, considerando la movilidad y la seguridad de sus extremidades. Este dispositivo utiliza un mecanismo de eslabones para proporcionar soporte estructural a los perros, al tiempo que permite la movilidad dentro de un rango de movimiento específico. Proyectando una posible incorporación de un sistema de engranaje y resorte que controla el peso levantado por el dispositivo, para que los perros utilicen parcialmente sus patas traseras. El comportamiento estático y dinámico de este mecanismo fue modelado matemáticamente, encontrando una solución óptima

Decontamination of Diesel particles from air by using the Counterfog (R) system

The existence of particles with diameter under 10m in air is strongly correlated with respiratory diseases. These particles are profusely produced by heating systems, traffic, and Diesel engines creating a serious problem to modern cities. Natural mechanisms removing particles from the atmosphere are too slow to deal with the huge amount of particles daily released by human activity. The objective of this work is to measure the effectiveness of a new technology called Counterfog (R) to eliminate airborne particles. The results show that Counterfog (R) is able to wash out PM10, PM5, and PM2.5 Diesel-generated airborne particles quite efficiently.This work has been funded by the FP7-SEC-2012-1 program of the EU Commission under grant number 312804

Myoplasmic resting Ca2+ regulation by ryanodine receptors is under the control of a novel Ca2+-binding region of the receptor

Passive SR (sarcoplasmic reticulum) Ca2+ leak through the RyR (ryanodine receptor) plays a critical role in the mechanisms that regulate [Ca2+]rest (intracellular resting myoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration) in muscle. This process appears to be isoform-specific as expression of either RyR1 or RyR3 confers on myotubes different [Ca2+]rest. Using chimaeric RyR3–RyR1 receptors expressed in dyspedic myotubes, we show that isoform-dependent regulation of [Ca2+]rest is primarily defined by a small region of the receptor encompassing amino acids 3770–4007 of RyR1 (amino acids 3620–3859 of RyR3) named as the CLR (Ca2+ leak regulatory) region. [Ca2+]rest regulation by the CLR region was associated with alteration of RyRs’ Ca2+-activation profile and changes in SR Ca2+-leak rates. Biochemical analysis using Tb3+-binding assays and intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence spectroscopy of purified CLR domains revealed that this determinant of RyRs holds a novel Ca2+-binding domain with conformational properties that are distinctive to each isoform. Our data suggest that the CLR region provides channels with unique functional properties that modulate the rate of passive SR Ca2+ leak and confer on RyR1 and RyR3 distinctive [Ca2+]rest regulatory properties. The identification of a new Ca2+-binding domain of RyRs with a key modulatory role in [Ca2+]rest regulation provides new insights into Ca2+-mediated regulation of RyRs

Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Negative Microscopic Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Rural Peru.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic to South America where diagnosis is most commonly conducted via microscopy. Patients with suspected leishmaniasis were referred for enrollment by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Lima, Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, and several rural areas of Peru. A 43-question survey requesting age, gender, occupation, characterization of the lesion(s), history of leishmaniasis, and insect-deterrent behaviors was administered. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted on lesion materials at the Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 in Lima, and the results were compared with those obtained by the MoH using microscopy. Factors associated with negative microscopy and positive PCR results were identified using

Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes in Nephrology: Focus on Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis; ePRO; PROMs; PREMsHemodiàlisi; ePRO; PROMs; PREMsHemodiálisis; ePRO; PROMs; PREMsThe success of hemodialysis (HD) treatments has been evaluated using objective measures of analytical parameters, or machine-measured parameters, despite having available validated instruments that assess patient perspective. There is an emerging interest regarding the use and relevance of patient-related outcomes (PROs). Electronic PROs (ePROs) involve the use of electronic technology, provide rapid access to this information, and are becoming more widely used in clinical trials and studies to evaluate efficacy and safety. Despite the scarce literature, this review suggests that ePROs are useful in providing a more customized and multidimensional approach to patient management and in making better clinical decisions in relevant aspects such as vascular access, duration and frequency of dialysis sessions, treatment of anemia, mental health, fatigue, and quality of life. The purpose of this review is to raise interest in the systematic use of ePROs in HD and to promote the development of studies in this field, which can respond to the gaps in knowledge and contribute to the implementation of the use of ePROs through new technologies, helping to improve the quality of health care

Headache of recent onset in adults: a prospective population-based study

One hundred consecutive adult patients with headache of recent onset were prospectively studied. Every patient was examined by craneal CT scan. Their mean age was 46 years (range 17-82). Neurological examination was normal in 80 patients. Organic headache represented 39% of the entire group, and 26% of them had a normal neurological examination. The yield of CT scan in patients with headaches and a normal neurological examination was 22.5% (95% IC: 14%-33%); of which we encountered the following pathologies: intracranial tumors (13), hydrocephalus (2), arachnoid cyst (l), toxoplasmic abscess (1) and parenchymal hemorrhage (1). The clinical characteristics of the headache on their own was insufficient to rule out the possibility of an intracranial tumor. Neuroimaging studies should be performed in all adult patients with non-vascular headache of recent onset, I and previously headache-free individual

Multidisciplinary consensus statement on the clinical management of patients with pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the most aggressive tumors with an increasing incidence rate and reduced survival. Although surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment for PC, only 15-20% of patients are resectable at diagnosis. To select the most appropriate treatment and thus improve outcomes, the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for each patient with PC should be discussed within a multidisciplinary expert team. Clinical decision-making should be evidence-based, considering the staging of the tumor, the performance status and preferences of the patient. The aim of this guideline is to provide practical and evidence-based recommendations for the management of PC

Anisotropic Strain Limiting

Many materials exhibit a highly nonlinear elastic behavior, such as textiles or finger flesh. An efficient way of enforcing the nonlinearity of these materials is through strain-limiting constraints, which is often the model of choice in computer graphics. Strain-limiting allows to model highly non-linear stiff materials by eliminating degrees of freedom from the computations and by enforcing a set of constraints. However, many nonlinear elastic materials, such as composites, wood or flesh, exhibit anisotropic behaviors, with different material responses depending on the deformation direction. This anisotropic behavior has not been addressed in the past in the context of strain limiting, and naïve approaches, such as applying a different constraint on each component of the principal axes of deformation, produce unrealistic results. In this paper, we enable anisotropic behaviors when using strain-limiting constraints to model nonlinear elastic materials. We compute the limits for each principal axis of deformation through the rotation and hyperbolic projection of the deformation limits defined in the global reference frame. The limits are used to formulate the strain-limiting constraints, which are then seamlessly combined with frictional contact constraints in a standard constrained dynamics solver. Categories and Subject Descriptors (according to ACM CCS): modeling