Preferences for Infant Facial Features in Pet Dogs and Cats

A set of infant features (large forehead, large and low‐lying eyes, and bulging cheeks), were described in classical ethology as social releasers, simple stimuli that evoke a stereotyped response, in this case nurturing. We assessed the attractiveness of such features in the faces of dogs or cats (adults and young) or teddy bears or human infants, and also related these preferences to the degree of attachment to a pet. Overall, faces with the infant features were rated as more attractive than those without. Human infant faces were no more attractive than those of kittens or puppies. Pet faces were rated as more attractive by pet owners than non‐pet owners, regardless of whether the faces had infant features. A preference was also found for infant features in teddy bear faces. Women showed higher ratings than men for pets with infant features, but not for human infants or pets without infant features. Parents found human infants’ faces more attractive than did non‐parents, but there were no differences for other faces with infant features. Preferences were to some extent specific to the participant’s preferred pet species. Owners who were more strongly attached to their pets showed stronger preferences for photographs with infant features. The findings are discussed in terms of the concept of social releaser, and its part in the development of attachment to a pet species.     

Papillary breast lesions diagnosed on cytology. Profile of 65 cases

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cytologic features of nipple discharge and fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic smears from breast lesions reported as showing papillary features and to correlate them with histopathologic features. STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of FNA smears and/or nipple discharge smears from 65 breast lesions diagnosed on cytology as duct papilloma, papillary lesion, fibrocystic condition, fibroadenoma, papillary neoplasm or papillary carcinoma. Cytomorphologic features assessed included cellularity, cell pattern (clusters, papillary, 3-dimensionality, etc.) and cell characteristics (monomorphism, pleomorphism, apocrine change, plasmacytoid features). Histological material was available for review and cytohistologic correlation in all cases. RESULTS: Forty-six specimens were FNA smears, and 16 were nipple discharge smears; in 3 cases FNA and nipple discharge cytologic smears were available for review. Cytologic study could predict the presence of a papillary pattern in all neoplasms with pure or focal papillary differentiation. There was an overlap in cytomorphologic features between papillary and nonpapillary benign lesions as well as between benign and malignant papillary neoplasms. Frank blood in the aspirate, cell dissociation and atypia, however, were more frequent in the last. CONCLUSION: Overlap of cytologic features in nonneoplastic and neoplastic benign papillary lesions and between benign and malignant papillary neoplasms necessitates histologic evaluation in all cases diagnosed as papillary on cytology. Since 49.2% of lesions showing papillary features on cytology prove to be malignant, all cases reported as papillary on cytology should be excised urgently for histologic assessment.     

Factors Affecting Reproducibility of Numerical Classifications

Results obtained with reference organisms which had been included in each of three different investigations were compared. Positions of the reference organisms in diagrams based on highest-link numerical groupings varied with the composition of the microbial samples studied, but significant correlations were found between the results of different investigations. Correlations between the overall groupings obtained in different studies were often better than the correlations between actual similarity values computed between specific pairs of organisms. Similarity values based on different sets of features showed significant correlations, regardless of the kinds of features involved or of the number of features (above a minimum of about 40). Correlations between values based on totally different features were nearly as good as those between values based on similar features which had been determined by different investigators.     

Cytodiagnosis of meningioma with atypical cytologic features

The atypical cytomorphologic features present in intraoperative cytologic samples from two cases of meningioma are described. The important atypical cytologic features were slight nuclear hyperchromasia, cellular pleomorphism, anisokaryosis, frequent mitotic figures, nuclear grooves, occasional binucleations and a few intranuclear inclusions. The imprint smears from the case of atypical meningioma were cytologically diagnosed as showing atypical meningioma or sarcoma. The fine needle aspiration smears from the case histologically diagnosed as an angioblastic meningioma (meningeal hemangiopericytoma) showed more nuclear hyperchromasia and pleomorphism and were cytologically diagnosed as showing malignant meningioma. Atypical cytologic features in meningiomas may cause cytodiagnostic difficulties since other primary and metastatic meningeal tumors may show similar features; the main differential diagnostic possibilities are discussed.     

Interval-coded texture features for artifact rejection in automated cervical cytology

In order to improve the separation between abnormal cells and noncellular artifacts in the CERVIFIP automated cervical cytology prescreening system, 22 different object texture features were investigated. The features were all statistical parameters of the pixel density histograms or one-dimensional filtered values of central and border regions of the object images. The features were calculated for 231 images (100 cells and 131 artifacts) detected as Suspect Cells by the current CERVIFIP and were then tested in hierarchical and linear discriminant classifiers. After selecting the two best features for use in a hierarchical classifier, 83% correct classification was achieved. One of these features was specifically designed to remove poorly focused objects. With maximum likelihood discrimination using all 22 features, an overall correct classification rate of 90% was obtained.     

Cytomorphologic spectrum in paraganglioma

OBJECTIVE: To study the detailed cytologic features of paragangliomas (PGs) and delineate features helpful in predicting behavior. STUDY DESIGN: We performed retrospective analysis of 12 cases cytologically suggested as PG over a period of 10 years. Smears were reviewed for cellularity, pattern, shape, cytoplasm, nuclear features and background. Cytologic diagnosis was correlated with clinicoradiologic features, histologic features and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Patient age ranged from 12 to 65 years, with male preponderance; they presented with a mass lesion. Sites involved were head and neck (5), retroperitoneum (5) and mediastinum (2). Smears were cellular; cells were round to oval, plasmacytoid and spindled and seen as scattered, in clusters, acinar and perivascular pattern. The most consistent feature was presence of pink granules. Pleomorphism was present in all but 1 case and less prominent in tumors with metastasis. Mitoses were more frequently seen in malignant cases. CONCLUSION: Cytologic features of PG are diverse. Although there are certain main features, they are not diagnostic unless combined with data on site, histology and ancillary studies. Presence of granules, mild pleomorphism, frequent mitoses and necrosis needs careful evaluation for malignancy potential and warrants close follow-up.     

云南蒙古族体质特征

在云南省通海县调查了439例(男为202例, 女为237例)蒙古族人的67项体质指标(9项观察指标和58项测量指标), 计算出32项体质指数, 并对身高和11项指数进行了分型统计。研究结果表明: (1)云南蒙古族有蒙古褶率较低,有上眼睑皱褶率较低。鼻根高度男的中型率最高, 女的低型率最高。鼻翼高度男女均以中型率最高, 上唇皮肤部高度男女多为中等; 耳垂男女以三角形率最高。发色多为黑色, 眼色多为褐色, 肤色多为黄色。(2)云南蒙古族身高男女均为亚中等身材, 男性的亚中等型率最高, 女性的矮型率最高。按分型比例来看, 云南蒙古族男女均为中头型(头长宽指数)、高头型、超狭面型、中胸型、中肩型、中腿型、窄骨盆型、中躯干型率最高。头宽高指数男性为中头型率最高, 女性为阔头型率最高。(3)在7个蒙古族族群中, 蒙古族头长值、鼻高值最大, 鼻宽、口裂宽、形态面高值最大,头宽、额最小宽、面宽、身高、体重值最小。(4)在14个云南族群中, 云南蒙古族形态面高、鼻高、体重值大, 身高值较大,鼻宽、口裂宽值较小。(5)云南蒙古族体质与阿昌、白族、彝族最为接近。(6)云南蒙古族总体上属于蒙古人种南亚类型体质, 是南亚类型中体质相对接近于北亚类型的一个族群。(7)云南蒙古族体质形成与其族源及与周边族群的基因交流有关。     

Comparative analysis of avian hearts provides little evidence for variation among species with acquired endothermy

Mammals and birds acquired high performance hearts and endothermy during their independent evolution from amniotes with many sauropsid features. A literature review shows that the variation in atrial morphology is greater in mammals than in ectothermic sauropsids. We therefore hypothesized that the transition from ectothermy to endothermy was associated with greater variation in cardiac structure. We tested the hypothesis in 14 orders of birds by assessing the variation in 15 cardiac structures by macroscopic inspection and histology, with an emphasis on the atria as they have multiple features that lend themselves to quantification. We found bird hearts to have multiple features in common with ectothermic sauropsids (synapomorphies), such as the presence of three sinus horns. Convergent features were shared with crocodylians and mammals, such as the cranial offset of the left atrioventricular junction. Other convergent features, like the compact organization of the atrial walls, were shared with mammals only. Pacemaker myocardium, identified by Isl1 expression, was anatomically node-like (Mallard), thickened (Chicken), or indistinct (Lesser redpoll, Jackdaw). Some features were distinctly avian, (autapomorphies) including the presence of a left atrial antechamber and the ventral merger of the left and right atrial auricles, which was found in some species of parrots and passerines. Most features, however, exhibited little variation. For instance, there were always three systemic veins and two pulmonary veins, whereas among mammals there are 2–3 and 1–7, respectively. Our findings suggest that the transition to high cardiac performance does not necessarily lead to a greater variation in cardiac structure.     

Computer-assisted grading of adenocarcinoma in prostatic aspirates

Conventional cytologic grading of fine needle aspirates of prostatic adenocarcinoma has been shown neither to be reproducible nor to correlate well with histologic grading. This study developed a tumor grade classification based on computerized cytomorphometric features and compared the results to conventional grading of companion tissue sections. The image analysis system evaluated architectural features of the aspirates (mainly cell cluster features and interrelationships) as well as nuclear features. Thirty-five prostatic adenocarcinomas (8 well, 19 moderately and 8 poorly differentiated) were evaluated. Discriminant functions based on data collected at medium and high resolution distinguished between aspirates from low-grade (well-differentiated) and high-grade (poorly differentiated) adenocarcinomas with 81% accuracy. Moderately differentiated cancers could not be classified as a distinct group. This study suggests that accurate grading of prostatic adenocarcinoma in fine needle aspirate smears requires the evaluation of medium-resolution features related to specimen cellularity and uniformity or crowding of cell clusters as well as of high-resolution features of nuclear area, perimeter and coarseness of chromatin texture. These findings are compared to those of other schemes for the cytologic grading of prostatic aspirates.     

基于序列特征网络的蛋白质结构类型研究

利用复杂网络的方法来探索序列特征因素对蛋白质结构的影响。由于蛋白质的序列对结构具有重要且复杂的影响,因此将蛋白质的结构以及序列特征之间的关系模拟成一个复杂系统,通过利用互相关系数、标准化互信息和传递熵等方法来建立以序列特征为节点的加权网络,进而利用网络中心性的方法来分析不同蛋白质结构类型对应加权网络的中心性分布的差异,探索不同结构类型蛋白质的序列特征差异。发现不同的蛋白质结构类型对应的序列特征网络既有共性又有差异,文章将针对每一种结构类型的网络中心性分布,以及不同结构类型之间的共性与差异进行详细地讨论。研究结果对蛋白质序列与结构之间关系的研究,特别是结构分类研究具有重要的意义。     

Measurement of subvisual changes in cervical squamous metaplastic cells for detecting abnormality.

Quantitative measures of visually normal squamous metaplastic cells exfoliated from the uterine cervix were obtained to test the hypothesis that these cells, like intermediate squamous and endocervical columnar cells, show subvisual evidence of atypia in cases of bonafide squamous intraepithelial neoplasia. The cells identified as squamous metaplastic were obtained from 14 abnormal (dysplastic) and 9 diagnostically negative cases. Although the cell populations so grouped showed no statistically significant differences in overall cell size, nuclear area or nuclear/cytoplasmic ratios, there were significant differences in nuclear and cytoplasmic densitometric features and in nuclear texture features. A combination of three features (nuclear density, texture and cytoplasmic density) permitted 76% of the cells to be categorized correctly as originating in normal versus abnormal slides. It is concluded that selected quantitative features of exfoliated metaplastic cell populations may contribute to improved diagnostic accuracy in automated screening for cervical abnormalities.     

Circadian rhythms enable efficient resource selection in a human‐modified landscape

Animals access resources such as food and shelter, and acquiring these resources has varying risks and benefits, depending on the suitability of the landscape. Some animals change their patterns of resource selection in space and time to optimize the trade‐off between risks and benefits. We examine the circadian variation in resource selection of swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) within a human‐modified landscape, an environment of varying suitability. We used GPS data from 48 swamp wallabies to compare the use of landscape features such as woodland and scrub, housing estates, farmland, coastal areas, wetlands, waterbodies, and roads to their availability using generalized linear mixed models. We investigated which features were selected by wallabies and determined whether the distance to different landscape features changed, depending on the time of the day. During the day, wallabies were more likely to be found within or near natural landscape features such as woodlands and scrub, wetlands, and coastal vegetation, while avoiding landscape features that may be perceived as more risky (roads, housing, waterbodies, and farmland), but those features were selected more at night. Finally, we mapped our results to predict habitat suitability for swamp wallabies in human‐modified landscapes. We showed that wallabies living in a human‐modified landscape selected different landscape features during day or night. Changing circadian patterns of resource selection might enhance the persistence of species in landscapes where resources are fragmented and disturbed.     

Endocervical glandular neoplasia and its mimics in ThinPrep Pap tests. A descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: To document the cytologic features of endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and invasive endocervical adenocarcinoma as observed in ThinPrep slides and to compare these features with those that have been described for conventional smears. STUDY DESIGN: Six cases of endocervical AIS and three cases of invasive adenocarcinoma were evaluated with respect to 3 low-power and 14 high-power features. All cases were biopsy proven. Glandular "look-alikes" (tubal metaplasia, n = 3; florid repair, n = 3; sampling of lower uterine segment, n = 1) were also examined. RESULTS: All cases of AIS contained dark groups and sheets at screening power. At higher power, nuclear detail was extremely well visualized. All cases had crowding, continuous depth of focus, variability of nuclear size and shape within groups, irregular nuclear membranes, uniformly stippled chromatin and at least occasional single atypical cells. Only one case lacked nucleoli. Traditional features (strips, feathering, rosettes and mitoses) were observed about as frequently as in conventional smears. Invasive lesions had many of the same features, with relatively more inflammation and lysed blood. Nonneoplastic look-alikes could be distinguished from neoplasms using traditional criteria. CONCLUSION: In this small study, AIS and invasive endocervical adenocarcinoma maintained the features previously described for conventional smears. Improved visualization of nuclear detail may allow the application of additional criteria, such as irregular nuclear membranes and the more consistent presence of nucleoli, for distinguishing glandular neoplasms from their look-alikes.     

现代中国人群形成与分化的形态证据——中国与非洲和欧洲人群头骨非测量特征分析

现代人群形成与分化导致生活在世界不同地区的人类形成了具有明显体质特征差别的人群(或种族)。对更新世末期及全新世以来不同地理区域近代和现代人群体质特征差别、相互亲缘关系的分析是现代人群形成与分化研究的重要组成部分。本文通过对21项头骨非测量特征在近代和现代中国人群, 以及现代非洲和欧洲人群共330例标本的出现率和表现特点的观察和数据分析, 发现绝大多数特征的出现率或表现特点在三个人群间都具有不同程度的差异, 有些特征在人群间的差异甚至非常明显。与非洲及欧洲人群相比, 现代中国人头骨总体显得纤细, 眉弓、角圆枕、颧三角、颧结节等反映头骨粗壮程度的特征在现代中国人群的发育明显弱于非洲和欧洲人群。此外, 现代中国人群还具有一些明显不同于非洲和欧洲人群的头骨非测量特征, 包括锐利的眶外下缘、相对平坦的眉间鼻根点、较圆隆的颅侧壁、平坦的顶孔人字区、深弧形的上颌颧突下缘, 梯形和左右不一的鼻额-额颌缝走向等。采用判别分析可以将67.0%—79.5%的标本正确地判别归入其原来所属的组群。其中对中国人群的正确判别率分别达到70.4%和82.9%。个体标本分布显示非洲人群表现较大的分散性, 而中国和欧洲人群样本的分布明显密集集中, 提示中国和欧洲人群似乎具有更多的衍生性特征。本研究还发现多数在人群间差别显著的头骨非测量特征与头骨粗壮程度有关, 作者对相关的问题进行了分析探讨。     

Cytologic Features of Focal Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Arising within Follicular Adenoma: A Masked Cytomorphologic Analysis of 17 Cases

Background/Objective: Focal papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) arising within a follicular adenoma (PTCFA) represents a clinically significant, but rare, histopathologic subset of papillary carcinomas whose cytologic features have not been well described. This uncommon presentation of PTC may contribute to a subset of thyroid aspirates interpreted as 'atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance' (AUS/FLUS). Study Design: Seventeen fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) cases diagnosed as 'PTCFA' on corresponding surgical excision were identified from the archival records of 2 large academic medical centers. A control group of 40 FNAB comprised of 20 follicular adenomas (FA) and 20 PTC was identified (based on the corresponding surgical pathology diagnosis) for comparison. All 57 FNAB were reviewed in a masked fashion and scored for a series of 31 cytomorphologic features. The intraclass correlation between diagnostic categories and overall agreement between cytopathologists was statistically evaluated. Results: Aspirates of PTCFA were originally diagnosed as 'negative' (n = 3), 'AUS/FLUS' (n = 7), 'suspicious for a follicular neoplasm' (n = 3), 'suspicious for malignancy' (n = 3), and 'malignant' (n = 1). On masked review, the most common cytomorphologic features of PTCFA were a nonmacrofollicular cytoarchitectural pattern (71%), medium-large cell size (74%), and micronucleoli (79%). Intranuclear pseudoinclusions and a papillary architecture were absent in 85 and 88% of the cases, respectively. Relative to the 2 control groups, the PTCFA cases demonstrated overlapping features between FA and PTC for the majority of the 31 examined cytomorphologic features. Conclusion: PTCFA represent a rare subset of PTC that is difficult to recognize as PTC by FNAB. Most cases exhibit overlapping features between a benign thyroid nodule and conventional PTC, and they are often interpreted as 'AUS/FLUS'.     

Morphological and functional features of the organization of perineuronal satellites of the optic nerve of Pholidapus dybowskii

Glial cells in the optic nerve of Pholidapus dybowskii were observed by the Golgi silver impregnation method. Subtypes of protoplasmatic astroglia (free strongly ramified glia), perivascular macroglia (connected with vessels, ramified glia), and oligodendroglia were selected in concordance with the position of cell plexus. By correlative analysis of cell morphological characteristics, obtained by the Leontovich method of cell measuring, some cell features were discovered. The features positively correlated with the capacity of cell branch territory. Correlation coefficients of these features varied from 0.40 to 0.98. Groups of features with a high correlation coefficient were assumed as a basis for recognition of the detailed glial subtypes. Valid differences (P = 0.95) between the detailed glial subtypes were found. The main feature has a reliable difference equal to P = 0.99. Group of constant features were discovered, which define the overall performance of glial cells. Among glial cells, modification of capacities of cell branch territory was measured.     

Amaurosis fugax and carotid artery disease: indications for angiography.

A prospective study of 80 patients presenting with amaurosis fugax was performed in an attempt to relate clinical features to angiographic findings in the internal carotid artery. Carotid bruit, transient cerebral ischaemic attacks, hypertension, and claudication were associated with a high prevalence of angiographic abnormality. Every patient who showed all these features had an operable lesion, as did 88% of those who had three features. In patients over 50 years of age carotid stenosis and atheromatous ulceration were occasionally found in the absence of bruit and transient cerebral ischaemia, but only one patient aged under 50 had an operable lesion and no associated features. Clinical features were therefore valuable in predicting the outcome of angiography, but it seems prudent to restrict angiography to patients aged over 50, who are most likely to benefit from surgery on the carotid artery.     

Qualitative observations on fine structural changes with age in the ventricular myocardial cells of a teleost, Pleuronectes platessa L

Ultrastructural studies on the ventricular myocardial cells of a sample of 10...16 year old plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) reveal an increase in the amount of glycogen particles, the presence of primary and secondary lysosomes and small intracellular vacuoles. Mitochondria were predominantly swollen and many were observed in different stages of degeneration and degradation by lysosomes within autophagic vacuoles. Myofilaments were not as distinctly defined as in the control group of 3...5 year old fish in which also the above features were not apparent. Such features are therefore interpreted as being age-associated.     

The key mimetic features of hoverflies through avian eyes

Batesian mimicry occurs when a palatable species (the mimic) gains protection from predators by resembling an unpalatable or otherwise protected species (the model). While some mimetic species resemble their models closely, other species ('imperfect mimics') are thought to bear only a crude likeness. In an earlier study, pigeons (Columba livia) were trained to recognize wasp images in one experiment and non-mimetic (NM) fly images in another by rewarding the pigeons for pecking on the respective image types. These pigeons were subsequently presented with different images, including seemingly wasp-like hoverfly species, and the recorded peck rates on these images were used as a measure of the pigeons' perception of the hoverflies' mimetic similarity. To identify a candidate set of morphological features that the pigeons used when assessing this mimetic similarity, we first extracted a range of biometrical measurements from images originally presented to the pigeons. We then repeatedly optimized an empirical model in an attempt to match the recorded pigeon peck rates while using as few biometrical features as input as possible. Our models were able to fit the pigeon peck rates with considerable accuracy even while excluding many input features. Antennal length, a feature commonly used to discriminate between flies and wasps, was regularly retained as an input variable, but overall a different set of biometrical features was important for predicting the peck rates of pigeons rewarded for identifying wasps compared to those rewarded for identifying NM flies. In highlighting the importance of specific biometrical features in promoting mimicry and the irrelevance of others, our optimized models provide an explanation as to why certain species that appear to be poor mimics to humans are judged to be good mimics by birds.