A craniometric study of sagittal craniosynostosis (SC).

Twenty cases of sagittal craniosynostosis (SC) were compared with the linear and angular values of the normal statistical material for the same age and sex. There were significantly increased values of the length of the skull (LI) and the height of the frontal arch (FNBR) and significantly decreased width (WI) and height of the skull (HI) as well as the depth of the cerebellar fossa (PEP). The length of the anterior cerebral fossa (LEA) remained within normal limits and the distance BRPI between bregma (BR) and the internal protuberance (PI) was within normal limits or increased. The angular value of the basal angle (angle NT-BA, AB2) decreased significantly and the angle NTNO (angle between the lines NT and NO) and the angle BRTPI (the angle between the lines TBR and TPI) were significantly increased. The cephalic index (CI) was significantly decreased. The cranial capacity (CC) is normal or decreased. There is demonstrated an occipital over-rotation of the skull.     

Mechanics of Coriolis stimulus and inducing factors of motion sickness.

To specify inducing factors of motion sickness comprised in Coriolis stimulus, or cross-coupled rotation, the sensation of rotation derived from the semicircular canal system during and after Coriolis stimulus under a variety of stimulus conditions, was estimated by an approach from mechanics with giving minimal hypotheses and simplifications on the semicircular canal system and the sensory nervous system. By solving an equation of motion of the endolymph during Coriolis stimulus, rotating angle of the endolymph was obtained, and the sensation of rotation derived from each semicircular canal was estimated. Then the sensation derived from the whole semicircular canal system was particularly considered in two cases of a single Coriolis stimulus and cyclic Coriolis stimuli. The magnitude and the direction of sensation of rotation were shown to depend on an angular velocity of body rotation and a rotating angle of head movement (amplitude of head oscillation when cyclic Coriolis stimuli) irrespective of initial angle (center angle) of the head relative to the vertical axis. The present mechanical analysis of Coriolis stimulus led a suggestion that the severity of nausea evoked by Coriolis stimulus is proportional to the effective value of the sensation of rotation caused by the Coriolis stimulus.     

A craniometric study of the C. de Lange syndrome (CdLS)

After a short review of our method, we compared the results of the radiographs of 18 cases of CdLS to the results of our normal material. All of our normal statistical data was obtained from AP and lateral view radiographs at a distance of 1 m, in the prevailing conditions of everyday practice in a radiological department. We studied quantitative changes such as microcephaly and brachycephaly, and for the first time we introduced qualitative changes such as occipital rotation and the study of obliquity of the foramen magnum (line BAO). We found microcephaly in all our cases of CdLS and brachycephaly in only 72%. Furthermore, we found a lack of positive occipital rotation in all our cases of CdLS and the line BAO turned posteriorly with O higher than BA. The same conditions were observed on our normal material only in an early postnatal stage.     

Influence of the lateral ventricles and irregular skull base on brain kinematics due to sagittal plane head rotation

Two-dimensional physical models of the human head were used to investigate how the lateral ventricles and irregular skull base influence kinematics in the medial brain during sagittal angular head dynamics. Silicone gel simulated the brain and was separatedfrom the surrounding skull vessel by paraffin that provided a slip interface between the gel and vessel. A humanlike skull base model (HSB) included a surrogate skull base mimicking the irregular geometry of the human. An HSBV model added an elliptical inclusion filled with liquid paraffin simulating the lateral ventricles to the HSB model. A simplified skull base model (SSBV) included ventricle substitute but approximated the anterior and middle cranial fossae by a flat and slightly angled surface. The models were exposed to 7600 rad/s2 peak angular acceleration with 6 ms pulse duration and 5 deg forced rotation. After 90 deg free rotation, the models were decelerated during 30 ms. Rigid body displacement, shear strain and principal strains were determined from high-speed video recorded trajectories of grid markers in the surrogate brains. Peak values of inferior brain surface displacement and strains were up to 10.9X (times) and 3.3X higher in SSBV than in HSBV. Peak strain was up to 2.7X higher in HSB than in HSBV. The results indicate that the irregular skull base protects nerves and vessels passing through the cranial floor by reducing brain displacement and that the intraventricular cerebrospinal fluid relieves strain in regions inferior and superior to the ventricles. The ventricles and irregular skull base are necessary in modeling head impact and understanding brain injury mechanisms.     

Forces in anterior cruciate ligament during simulated weight-bearing flexion with anterior and internal rotational tibial load

This study determined in-vitro anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) force patterns and investigated the effect of external tibial loads on the ACL force patterns during simulated weight-bearing knee flexions. Nine human cadaveric knee specimens were mounted on a dynamic knee simulator, and weight-bearing knee flexions with a 100N of ground reaction force were simulated; while a robotic/universal force sensor (UFS) system was used to provide external tibial loads during the movement. Three external tibial loading conditions were simulated, including no external tibial load (termed BW only), a 50N anterior tibial force (ATF), and a 5Nm internal rotation tibial torque (ITT). The tibial and femoral kinematics was measured with an ultrasonic motion capture system. These movement paths were then accurately reproduced on a robotic testing system, and the in-situ force in the ACL was determined via the principle of superposition. The results showed that the ATF significantly increased the in-situ ACL force by up to 60% during 0-55 degrees of flexion, while the ITT did not. The magnitude of ACL forces decreased with increasing flexion angle for all loading conditions. The tibial anterior translation was not affected by the application of ATF, whereas the tibial internal rotation was significantly increased by the application of ITT. These data indicate that, in a weight-bearing knee flexion, ACL provides substantial resistance to the externally applied ATF but not to the ITT.     

Phosphorus and DOC availability influence the partitioning between bacterioplankton production and respiration in tidal marsh ecosystems

The organic carbon consumed by aquatic bacteria (BCC) is partitioned between bacterial production (BP) and respiration (BR), but the factors that determine BCC and its partition into BP and BR are not well understood. We explored the coupling between BR, BR and BCC, and their links to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nutrient availability in natural and restored tidal marshes and in the adjoining waters of Delaware Bay estuary. Labile DOC (LDOC) ranged from 3% to 22% of the DOC pool, and explained more of the variance in both BR and BCC than did bulk DOC. Bacterial growth efficiency (BGE) was highly variable (0.09-0.58), and natural Spartina alterniflora marshes had consistently higher BGE than both restoration marshes and tidal floodwaters. BGE was negatively related to the ratio of LDOC to total dissolved phosphorous, which was highest in natural marshes. The enhancement of BP observed in the marshes relative to the estuarine floodwaters had different origins: In natural marshes it was mostly due to increases in BGE, whereas in restored marshes it followed increased BCC. These results highlight the importance of P in regulating microbial metabolism in coastal areas, and the need to understand the pathways that lead to BP in these systems.     

Role of the cytoskeleton in choanoflagellate lorica assembly

ABSTRACT. Cell division in Acanthoeca spectabilis produces a "naked" motile daughter cell (juvenile) that settles onto a surface and deposits siliceous costal strips that are stored extracellularly in bundles. When complete, the bundles of strips are assembled in a single continuous movement to form a basket-like lorica. Assembly can be divided into four overlapping stages. Stage 1 entails the left-handed rotation of strips at the anterior end while the posterior end remains stationary. Stage 2 includes the posterior protrusion of the cell to form a stalk. Stage 3 involves the anterior extension of the spines, and Stage 4 the dilation of the lorica chamber and deposition of the organic investment. Scanning electron microscopic images reveal a one-to-one association between the moving bundles of strips and the anterior ring of lorica-assembling tentacles. Treatment with microtubule inhibitors produces "dwarf" cells that lack stalks, have their spines extended, and possess collars but lack flagella. Treatment with microfilament (actin) inhibitors prevents extension of the anterior spines. These experiments demonstrate that posterior cell extension is primarily mediated by microtubules whereas extension of the spines is controlled by the actin cytoskeleton. The processes of cytoskeletal rotation and extracellular costal strip movement are compared, respectively, with rotation of nuclei in animal embryos and movement of mammalian cells over surfaces.     

Laidleria uncovered: a redescription of Laidleria gracilis Kitching (1975), a temnospondyl from the Cynognathus Zone of South Africa

The holotype skull of Laidleria gracilis Kitching has been prepared from the dorsal surface, and the skull disarticulated from the vertebral column to expose the occiput. Unexpected features of the dorsal skull roof are the absence of an otic notch and tabular horn. The occiput has reduced paroccipital processes with extremely small or absent posttemporal fenestrae as a consequence of the lack of the tabular horns. Both stapes are in place with their distal ends anterior to an exceptionally deep occipital flange formed by ventral processes from the postparietals, tabulars, squamosals and quadratojugals. They thus abut the ventral surface of the skull roof rather than a tympanum. The vertebrae have well ossified, almost spool-shaped, intercentra associated with small, paired, pleurocentra. It is concluded that L. gracilis should be left in its own family, the Laidleriidae, which may prove the sister group to the Rhytidosteidae.     

Adding weights to stretching exercise increases passive range of motion for healthy elderly

Stretching exercise is effective for increasing joint range of motion (ROM). However, the Surgeon General's Report and the American College of Sports Medicine cite a lack of studies identifying strategies capable of increasing the effectiveness of stretching exercise. This investigation evaluated adding modest weight (0.45-1.35 kg) to a stretching exercise routine (Body Recall [BR]) on joint ROM. Forty-three subjects ages 55-83 years participated in 1 of 2 training groups, BR, BR with weights (BR+W), or a control group (C). ROM was evaluated at the neck, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle before and after 10 weeks of exercise. Using ANCOVA, significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed for right and left cervical rotation, hip extension, ankle dorsiflexion, ankle plantar flexion, and shoulder flexion. Post hoc analysis revealed that cervical rotation (left and right), hip extension, and ankle dorsiflexion for BR+W subjects differed significantly from BR and C (p < 0.01). Significant differences with shoulder flexion and ankle plantar flexion were found for both BR and BR+W in comparison to C (p < 0.01). Results indicate that addition of weights enhanced the effectiveness of stretching exercise for increasing joint ROM with 4 of the 6 selected measurements. Thus, a modest intensity exercise program that is within the reach of most elderly may significantly affect joint ROM and flexibility.     

Ontogenic growth changes of the skull base in four genera of nonhuman primates.

Cross-sectional studies of the degree of the cranial base flexion were carried out in infant, juvenile and adult skulls in four genera of nonhuman primates (P. paniscus, H. lar, P. urinus, and M. mullatta). The cephalometric observations of the cranial base included linear and angular measurements of each specimen. The data obtained in this study showed that the anterior portion of the cranial base exhibits a significant shortening trend as the mammalian evolutionary scale ascends. Moreover, the growth pattern of the anterior portion of the skull base follows that of the facial bony structures. The ontogenic growth changes of the posterior portion of the skull base follows the growth pattern of the endocranial cavity. The significant trend of elongation in this area directly contributes to the posterior migration of the foramen magnum. The magnitude of these growth changes decreases as the evolutionary scale ascends. The angular measurements of the cranial flexion showed a less obtuse cranial base angle in young specimens and the ones higher on the mammalian scale. The skull kyphosis was less pronounced in these specimens and the anatomical features of the cranial base were more humanlike, including the balance of the head expressed by the position of the foramen magnum.     

The effects of knee joint kinematics on anterior cruciate ligament injury and articular cartilage damage

This study determined which knee joint motions lead to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture with the knee at 25° of flexion. The knee was subjected to internal and external rotations, as well as varus and valgus motions. A failure locus representing the relationship between these motions and ACL rupture was established using finite element simulations. This study also considered possible concomitant injuries to the tibial articular cartilage prior to ACL injury. The posterolateral bundle of the ACL demonstrated higher rupture susceptibility than the anteromedial bundle. The average varus angular displacement required for ACL failure was 46.6% lower compared to the average valgus angular displacement. Femoral external rotation decreased the frontal plane angle required for ACL failure by 27.5% compared to internal rotation. Tibial articular cartilage damage initiated prior to ACL failure in all valgus simulations. The results from this investigation agreed well with other experimental and analytical investigations. This study provides a greater understanding of the various knee joint motion combinations leading to ACL injury and articular cartilage damage.     

甘肃泾川化石人类头骨性别鉴定

1984年刘玉林等报道了在甘肃泾川发现的一具晚期智人头骨化石,判定该头骨代表一个女性青年个体。本文检查了顶矢状脊、乳突、耳孔上脊、枕外脊、枕外隆凸、枕骨上项线、枕骨圆枕和肌脊8项非测量性状,及星点间宽、星点至人字点距离、颅宽、耳上颅高、顶矢状弦、颞骨鼓板长和宽7项测量性状,并就7项测量性状与武山头骨进行了对比,认为它更有可能属于男性。     

On the estimation of joint kinematics during gait.

In gait analysis, the concepts of Euler and helical (screw) angles are used to define the three-dimensional relative joint angular motion of lower extremities. Reliable estimation of joint angular motion depends on the accurate definition and construction of embedded axes within each body segment. In this paper, using sensitivity analysis, we quantify the effects of uncertainties in the definition and construction of embedded axes on the estimation of joint angular motion during gait. Using representative hip and knee motion data from normal subjects and cerebral palsy patients, the flexion-extension axis is analytically perturbed +/- 15 degrees in 5 degrees steps from a reference position, and the joint angles are recomputed for both Euler and helical angle definitions. For the Euler model, hip and knee flexion angles are relatively unaffected while the ab/adduction and rotation angles are significantly affected throughout the gait cycle. An error of 15 degrees in the definition of flexion-extension axis gives rise to maximum errors of 8 and 12 degrees for the ab/adduction angle, and 10-15 degrees for the rotation angles at the hip and knee, respectively. Furthermore, the magnitude of errors in ab/adduction and rotation angles are a function of the flexion angle. The errors for the ab/adduction angles increase with increasing flexion angle and for the rotation angle, decrease with increasing flexion angle. In cerebral palsy patients with flexed knee pattern of gait, this will result in distorted estimation of ab/adduction and rotation. For the helical model, similar results are obtained for the helical angle and associated direction cosines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

An aluminum influence on root circumnutation in dark revealed by a new super-HARP (high-gain avalanche rushing amorphous photoconductor) camera

The circumnutation of a rice root under dark conditions was observed using a highly sensitive camera, a new super-HARP camera. A rice root showed regular rhythmic movement with fixed angle. When treated with Al (5 microM AlCl3), the rotation angle of the root tip was drastically decreased and then the movement was resumed again, whereas the root elongation rate was constant. With the increase of Al concentration, the cycle-fading period became shorter. This is the first report to show that an Al treatment ceased the rotation movement of the root but not elongation.     

Management of the droopy tip: a comparison of three alar cartilage-modifying techniques

The droopy tip is a common nasal deformity in which the tip is inferiorly rotated. Five hundred consecutive rhinoplasty cases were studied to assess the incidence and causes of the droopy tip deformity and to evaluate the role of three alar cartilage-modifying techniques--lateral crural steal, lateral crural overlay, and tongue in groove--in correcting such a deformity. The external rhinoplasty approach was used in all cases. Only one of the three alar cartilage-modifying techniques was used in each case, and the degree of tip rotation and projection was measured both preoperatively and postoperatively. The incidence of droopy tip was 72 percent, and the use of an alar cartilage-modifying technique was required in 85 percent of these cases to achieve the desired degree of rotation. The main causes of droopy tip included inferiorly oriented alar cartilages (85 percent), overdeveloped scrolls of upper lateral cartilages (73 percent), high anterior septal angle (65 percent), and thick skin of the nasal lobule (56 percent). The lateral crural steal technique increased nasal tip rotation and projection, the lateral crural overlay technique increased tip rotation and decreased tip projection, and the tongue-in-groove technique increased tip rotation without significantly changing the amount of projection. The lateral crural overlay technique resulted in the highest degrees of rotation, followed by the lateral crural steal and finally the tongue-in-groove technique. According to these results, the lateral crural steal technique is best indicated in cases with droopy underprojected nasal tip, the lateral crural overlay technique in cases of droopy overprojected nasal tip, and the tongue-in-groove technique in cases where the droopy nasal tip is associated with an adequate amount of projection.     

Les hommes du Paléolithique supérieur d’Afalou Bou Rhummel (Bedjaia, Algérie). Interprétation nouvelle des cinétiques cranio-faciales et des effets de l’avulsion dentaire. Malformations crâniennes, troubles de la croissance, anomalies et maladies alvéolo-dentaires

New research lines by the author favours interpretation tracks and analytics investigation fields that were not considered in traditional paleoanthropology. New readings of biodynamic morphogenesis supported by digitised architectural analysis emphasize not only the dynamic of different cranio-facial kinetics but also the determination when this is possible from causes and effects. To say the approach which study is the analysis of deep structure of skull unveils in some sense the state of the structure whether it is normal, abnormal or pathologic. The study of relations between Afalou’s humans numerous cranio-facial anomalies and maxillo-mandibular dysmorphosis and malocclusions gives an account of the interest played by biodynamic morphogenesis and cranio-facial architecture in the morpho-functional interpretation of relations skull/face/tooth. In this context, the dental extraction of upper incisors, ritual which was operated not only adolescents but also on temporary dentition children, was in part responsible for the development first of an hypomaxillie then the inbalance of sphenoidal and occipital complexes. In addition to the mutilated nature of anterior dentitions, the study of about thirty skulls emphasized numerous craniofacial malformations showing different kind of asymetries (rotation lateral flexion, torsion, plagiocephaly).     

Development and evolution of the tetrapod skull–neck boundary

The origin and evolution of the vertebrate skull have been topics of intense study for more than two centuries. Whereas early theories of skull origin, such as the influential vertebral theory, have been largely refuted with respect to the anterior (pre‐otic) region of the skull, the posterior (post‐otic) region is known to be derived from the anteriormost paraxial segments, i.e. the somites. Here we review the morphology and development of the occiput in both living and extinct tetrapods, taking into account revised knowledge of skull development by augmenting historical accounts with recent data. When occipital composition is evaluated relative to its position along the neural axis, and specifically to the hypoglossal nerve complex, much of the apparent interspecific variation in the location of the skull–neck boundary stabilizes in a phylogenetically informative way. Based on this criterion, three distinct conditions are identified in (i) frogs, (ii) salamanders and caecilians, and (iii) amniotes. The position of the posteriormost occipital segment relative to the hypoglossal nerve is key to understanding the evolution of the posterior limit of the skull. By using cranial foramina as osteological proxies of the hypoglossal nerve, a survey of fossil taxa reveals the amniote condition to be present at the base of Tetrapoda. This result challenges traditional theories of cranial evolution, which posit translocation of the occiput to a more posterior location in amniotes relative to lissamphibians (frogs, salamanders, caecilians), and instead supports the largely overlooked hypothesis that the reduced occiput in lissamphibians is secondarily derived. Recent advances in our understanding of the genetic basis of axial patterning and its regulation in amniotes support the hypothesis that the lissamphibian occipital form may have arisen as the product of a homeotic shift in segment fate from an amniote‐like condition.     

Kinematics of Visually-Guided Eye Movements

One of the hallmarks of an eye movement that follows Listing’s law is the half-angle rule that says that the angular velocity of the eye tilts by half the angle of eccentricity of the line of sight relative to primary eye position. Since all visually-guided eye movements in the regime of far viewing follow Listing’s law (with the head still and upright), the question about its origin is of considerable importance. Here, we provide theoretical and experimental evidence that Listing’s law results from a unique motor strategy that allows minimizing ocular torsion while smoothly tracking objects of interest along any path in visual space. The strategy consists in compounding conventional ocular rotations in meridian planes, that is in horizontal, vertical and oblique directions (which are all torsion-free) with small linear displacements of the eye in the frontal plane. Such compound rotation-displacements of the eye can explain the kinematic paradox that the fixation point may rotate in one plane while the eye rotates in other planes. Its unique signature is the half-angle law in the position domain, which means that the rotation plane of the eye tilts by half-the angle of gaze eccentricity. We show that this law does not readily generalize to the velocity domain of visually-guided eye movements because the angular eye velocity is the sum of two terms, one associated with rotations in meridian planes and one associated with displacements of the eye in the frontal plane. While the first term does not depend on eye position the second term does depend on eye position. We show that compounded rotation - displacements perfectly predict the average smooth kinematics of the eye during steady- state pursuit in both the position and velocity domain.     

与变化光环境关联的刺槐光合气体交换和复叶运动

在夏季的晴天阳生叶和阴生叶方位角和方向角的日变化均很小 ,但是叶片的中脉角存在显著的日变化差异 ,这种叶片垂直方向上的显著运动与躲避中午的强光胁迫有关。而在阴天 ,阳生叶和阴生叶方位角、方向角和中脉角的日变化均很小。这说明变化的光环境是引起刺槐复叶运动的主要原因 ,而节律性运动不是刺槐复叶运动的诱导因素。机械固定叶片的控制实验显示 :机械固定叶片的光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率均显著低于对照叶片 ,而机械固定叶片温度明显高于对照叶片 ,这可能是由于机械固定叶片和对照叶片两者在光辐射接受量上的差异造成的。光诱导下的刺槐复叶运动是植株维持最佳生理状态的形态调节表现。     

Altered alignment of the shoulder girdle and cervical spine in patients with insidious onset neck pain and whiplash-associated disorder

Clinical theory suggests that altered alignment of the shoulder girdle has the potential to create or sustain symptomatic mechanical dysfunction in the cervical and thoracic spine. The alignment of the shoulder girdle is described by two clavicle rotations, i.e, elevation and retraction, and by three scapular rotations, i.e., upward rotation, internal rotation, and anterior tilt. Elevation and retraction have until now been assessed only in patients with neck pain. The aim of the study was to determine whether there is a pattern of altered alignment of the shoulder girdle and the cervical and thoracic spine in patients with neck pain. A three-dimensional device measured clavicle and scapular orientation, and cervical and thoracic alignment in patients with insidious onset neck pain (IONP) and whiplash-associated disorder (WAD). An asymptomatic control group was selected for baseline measurements. The symptomatic groups revealed a significantly reduced clavicle retraction and scapular upward rotation as well as decreased cranial angle. A difference was found between the symptomatic groups on the left side, whereas the WAD group revealed an increased scapular anterior tilt and the IONP group a decreased clavicle elevation. These changes may be an important mechanism for maintenance and recurrence or exacerbation of symptoms in patients with neck pain.