A Geometric Morphometrics Approach for Sex Estimation Based on the Orbital Region of Human Skulls from Bosnian Population.

Background: Understanding the anatomy and morphological variability of the orbital region is of great importance in clinical practice, forensic medicine, and biological anthropology. Several methods are used to estimate sex based on the skeleton or parts of the skeleton: classic methods and the geometric morphometric method. The objective of this research was to analyse sex estimation of the orbital region on a sample of skulls from a Bosnian population using the geometric morphometric method. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted on three-dimensional models of 211 human adult skulls (139 males and 72 females) from the Osteological Collection at the Faculty of Medicine in Sarajevo. The skulls were recorded using a laser scanner to obtain skull 3D models. We marked 12 landmarks on each model to analyse sexual dimorphism. Landmarks were marked using the program Landmark Editor. After marking the landmarks, we used the MorphoJ program to analyse the morphological variability between male and female orbital regions. Results: After Procrustes superimposition, generating a covariant matrix, and introducing sex as a variable for classification, a discriminant functional analysis (DFA) was applied which determined the estimation for males with 86.33% accuracy and for females with 88.89% based on the form of the orbital region. The results of regression analysis showed that the size of the orbital region has a statistically significant effect on its shape's sexual dimorphism. After excluding the influence of size and providing DFA, we concluded that sex estimation was possible with 82.01% accuracy for males and 80.55% accuracy for females based on the shape of the orbital region in the examined sample. Conclusion: Sex estimation based on the orbital region was possible with more than 80% accuracy for both sexes, which is a high percentage of correct estimation. Therefore, we recommend using the orbital region of the skull for sex estimation.

Sex estimation based on foramen magnum: a three-dimensional geometric morphometrics approach / Estimación del sexo basado en el foramen magno: un enfoque de morfometría geométrica tridimensional

SUMMARY: The foramen magnum is an important topographic opening which connects cranial cavity and spinal canal. The analysis of the bone material established that there are differences in the shape of the foramen magnum between individuals. The aim of this study was to determine sex based on shape and size of foramen magnum using geometric morphometrics method. A study was performed on three-dimensional models (3D models) of 214 human skulls of known sex and known age (141 male skulls and 73 female skulls). The skulls are located at the museum of Medical Faculty, University of Sarajevo. Skulls belong to Bosnian population from the mid-twentieth century. All examined skulls were scanned with a laser scanner to obtain their 3D models. On 3D models of the examined skulls, four landmarks were marked on foramen magnum. Analysis of sex determination was performed using the MorphoJ program. Results of this study showed that there are sex differences in the shape and size of the foramen magnum. Sex determination based on the shape and size of the foramen magnum was showed 65.25 % accuracy for male and 63.01 % accuracy for female using geometric morphometrics method. Examination of the effect of size of foramen magnum on sexual dimorphism of shape of foramen magnum showed a statistically significant effect. Sex determination based just on the shape of foramen magnum using geometric morphometrics method was possible with 62.41 % accuracy for male and 58.90 % accuracy for female on examined sample. Sex differences on shape and size of foramen magnum were found using geometric morphometrics method on three-dimensional models of the examined skulls. The percentage of accuracy was higher for male based on the shape and size of the foramen magnum than for female.

El foramen magno es una importante abertura topográfica que conecta la cavidad craneal y el canal espinal. El análisis del material óseo estableció que existen diferencias en la forma del foramen magno entre individuos. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el sexo en función de la forma y el tamaño del foramen magno utilizando morfometría geométrica. El estudio se realizó en modelos tridimensionales (modelos 3D) de 214 cráneos humanos de sexo y edad conocidos (141 cráneos masculinos y 73 cráneos femeninos). Los cráneos se encuentran en el museo de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Sarajevo. Los cráneos pertenecen a población bosnia de mediados del siglo XX. Todos los cráneos examinados fueron escaneados con un escáner láser para obtener sus modelos 3D. En los modelos 3D de los cráneos examinados, se marcaron cuatro puntos de referencia en el foramen magno. El análisis de determinación de sexo se realizó utilizando el programa MorphoJ. Los resultados de este estudio mostraron que existen diferencias de sexo en la forma y el tamaño del foramen magno. La determinación del sexo basada en la forma y el tamaño del foramen magno mostró una precisión del 65,25 % para los hombres y del 63,01 % para las mujeres utilizando morfometría geométrica. El examen del efecto del tamaño del foramen magno sobre el dimorfismo sexual de la forma del foramen magno mostró un efecto estadísticamente significativo. La determinación del sexo basada solo en la forma del foramen magno utilizando morfometría geométrica fue posible con una precisión del 62,41 % para los hombres y del 58,90 % para las mujeres en la muestra examinada. Se encontraron diferencias de sexo en la forma y el tamaño del foramen magno utilizando morfometría geométrica en modelos tridimensionales de los cráneos examinados. El porcentaje de precisión fue mayor para los hombres en función de la forma y el tamaño del foramen magno que para las mujeres.

Effects of topically applied diclofenac and ketoprofen on prostaglandin E2 and Stat3 sera levels and body temperature in two different acute inflammation models in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Cytokines exert biological function through signal transducer and activator of transcription factors. Prostaglandins have function as promotors, where play a key role in generation of the inflammatory response and as ones that solve inflammatory process.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, inhibit prostaglandin synthesis but the existence of additional mechanisms is present. Thus, we aimed to explore effects of topically applied NSAIDs on the levels of PGE2 and Stat3 in the setting of two in vivo induced acute inflammation models. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomized into five equal groups: 4 treated and a control group. Diclofenac or ketoprofen patches were applied in two different doses, i.e. equivalent to human therapeutic dose, and three times higher dose. Three hours later either model of inflammation (with 20% yeast, or with 1% carrageenan) was induced.Blood samples were taken 3 hours after and concentration levels of PGE 2 and Stat3 were determined using ELISA. Body temperature was measured at 0. 1st, 3rd and 5th hour after inflammation induction and presented in Celsius degrees. Shapiro-Wilk, Leven's, Welch's One-Way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test and adjustment by Bonferroni correction were applied. RESULTS: In both inflammation models, no differences in the mean values of PGE 2 between control, low and high dose groups treated by either diclofenac or ketoprofen were found. In yeast inflammation, the mean value of Stat3 was significantly higher in both dose ketoprofen groups compared to control group. After ketoprofen application, no significant differences in body temperature between groups at hour 0 and 5 in either model of inflammation induced, while at 1st hour after carrageenan inflammation, significant differences were found with significantly higher values in low dose ketoprofen group compared to control group. In yeast application, significant differences in body temperature were found at hour 3 after inducing inflammation and post hoc pairwise comparison test revealed significant higher values in low dose ketoprofen group compared to control. CONCLUSION: Elevated Stat3 values post ketoprofen application in yeast model of induced inflammation were detected. Further investigation of cytokine microenvironment as well as the mechanisms of ketoprofen influence on inflammation are needed.

Model "P" in gender prediction based on the mastoid process.

Aim To determine the degree of accuracy in determining the sex of the skull based on classical morphometric analysis of the mastoid process. Morphometric analysis excluded a subjective approach expressed in osteoscopic analysis. Methods The study was conducted on a sample of 100 macerated skulls of known gender and age from the second half of the 20th century, including the Bosnian population. Of the 100 skulls, 50 (50%) were male and 50 (50%) were female. Male skulls were on average 60 (47-71) years old and female 57 (43-76) years old. At each mastoid process, 3 measurements were made: mastoid length, mastoid width (medio-lateral diameter) ML) and anteroposterior diameter (AP) of the mastoid process. Results Using the univariate method, we found a significant difference between length, width, AP diameter and size of mastoid processes as well as between gender (p <0.05). Multivariate binary logistic regression showed statistically significant differences in AP diameter of the mastoid process (p<0.05). Conclusion The created model "P" ("P"=exp [X]/1+exp [X]) for sex determination based on mastoid process showed sensitivity of 82% correct prediction for female skulls and 65% accurate prediction for male skulls. This discourse with respect of population standards grants most effective anthropological proof and as such may be suggested for forensic expertise based on human skull.

Radiographic assessment in the treatment of supracondylar humerus fractures in children.

INTRODUCTION: Supracondylar humerus fractures are the most common fractures of the humerus at the elbow in children. The key role belongs to the age and immaturity of the humerus region. Treatment, even today represents the problem of bone and joint surgery. Gartland classification divides these fractures into four types. Analysis of radiographic parameters will serve as an indicator for treatment selection. GOAL: To demonstrate the role of radiographic evaluation by measurement of default radiographic parameters and indicate the choice of treatment for supracondylar fractures of type I and II by Gartland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 60 children aged 4-14 years, divided into two groups, first with initial radiographic analysis and the second one without radiographic analysis. All were treated at the Primary Health Care Center Novi Travnik and Nova Bila Hospital from 2009 to 2011. Analysis was performed using methods of descriptive statistics to calculate the mean and standard deviation, Student's t-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: In patients from first group hospitalization, immobilization duration, as well as physical treatment was shorter and more frequently surgical treatment was applied (manual reduction with K-wire fixation) with statistically significant difference (p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Radiographic evaluation is one way to choose methods of fracture treatment. The incidence of complications is low, with excellent outcome of treatment and a faster return of children to their daily activities.

Blood vessels distribution in body and tail of pancreas- a comparative study of age related variation.

Arterial vascularization of the pancreas has been investigated, as well as variation in vascularization of this organ with regard to the existence of age differences. Aim of the investigation was to establish differences, if any, in newborns pancreas vascularization since diseases invading this organ in newborns have increased recently at this particular age. Injection-corrosion method was used on pancreas arteries and their variations. Twenty-four human pancreas specimens were used for this purpose consisting of 24 cadaver organs aged between 45 and 65, and 12 pancreases of still-born babies. Comparison of the findings has shown that there was no difference in the number, ramification pattern and arterial course between the two experimental groups of organs; all possible blood vessel variations were most probably the result of developmental processes which occur during early stages of intrauterine development.

Investigation of vascularization of human pancreas using method of selective arteriography with insight into significance to a surgical approach for this organ.

This study explored arterial vascularisation of celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery using method of selective arteriography in series of arteriogram which were done in 39 patients of Institute for Radiology. There were no pathological findings in a single case at pancreas or duodenum. Arteries which arise for vascularization of pancreas had a common spot of arising, flow and ramification. Pancreatic duodenal arteries arcade, which supply blood to the duodenum and the body of the pancreas, were shown in arteriogram. The branches which provide blood supply to the body and the tail of the pancreas were found. There was one case where lower pancreatic artery arose from gastroduodenal artery and in one case a direct anastomosis for celiac trunk and superior mesenteric arteries, better known as Tandler's anastomosis.

Stress, memory and Bosnian war veterans.

The aim of this study was to analyze cognitive dysfunction in PTSD. The testing included 79 Bosnian Army veterans, who participated in Bosnian war from 1992 to 1995. Out of 79 tested war veterans, 45 of developed PTSD while 34 did not. The veterans without PTSD where included in the control group. All the war veterans were of the same education level (secondary education) and between 30 and 50 years of age. Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test - RBMT was applied to all the subjects. The test was originally developed for the purpose of everyday memory problems identification. Clear goal of the 10 RBMT subtests is simulation of everyday life situations. PTSD group achieved significantly lower results than the control group. Results of the total score showed highly significant difference between PTSD and control group. Value of the t-test is t=10,056 with significance level of p<0,001. The same conclusion stands for any RBMT subtest. Numerous psychological studies on PTSD patients show more prominent psychological deficit in war veterans. Our study clearly confirms that finding.

Detection of the hippocampal formation asymmetry in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder.

The goal of this work was to analyze asymmetry of hippocampal formation in PTSD patients. The objects of the analysis were 10 MRI scans of patients with PTSD with established cognitive function damage. MRI scans were obtained using MAGNET IMPACT SIEMENS 1,0 TESLA in T1 and T2 relaxation. The measurement of hippocampal formation dimensions, and comparisons between the right and the left side were done using evaluate - distance program on the MRI instrument of the Institute of Radiology at Sarajevo Clinics Center. We tested 20 patients with PTSD 49,9 years of average age with standard deviation of 4,62 years. Based on the analysis of our results regarding the size of hippocampal formation in all the three projections (axial, coronal and sagital), in the group of patients with PTSD, we can the make the following observations: 1. In axial slice the length of hippocampal formation measured on the left and right side is significantly asymmetric in all patients. In the sagital slice, the hippocampal formation measured on the left side is in many cases longer than in the right - 50 %. In coronal slice no significant differences were found in the proportion of patients according to symmetry/asymmetry of hippocampal formation width on the left and right. 2. The difference in average size of hippocampal formation between the left and right side measured in axial and coronal slices is not statistically significant, but it is significant in sagitall slice. So, the results of this new research, showed smaller hippocampal dimensions in PTSD as measured using MRI. We have to be careful about what projection we are refusing to as being watched hippocampal formation because the results will depend on that. We suggest that future studies be done in more projections because of the importance of statistically significant conclusions. MRI - volumetric measurements have their value.

Observing the asymmetry of amygdaloid complex in patients with complex partial attacks.

Lobus limbicus is an anatomical basis for understanding the temporal epilepsy because it includes not only the focus of temporal lobe infection but of the frontal lobe as well. With it we can explain many of the phenomena accompanying epilepsy (hallucinations, the change of the effects, and so on). The goal of this assignment was to explore the asymmetry of amygdaloidal complex in the patients with complex partial attacks. The results show that the smallest number of patients with epilepsy have a symmetric (same size) amygdaloidal complex on the left side and the right. According to the asymmetry direction the difference in the number of patients with epilepsy is not statistically significant. Coefficient of asymmetry shows that the asymmetry on the left side is more frequent in men, while women have the same distribution on both sides. The greatest differences were found when considering the age factor. So, in all the three groups of evaluated data the differences in average age of patients with epilepsy according to total symm./asymm. were not statistically significant. But, the differences in average age depending on the direction of asymmetry were significant. Patients with longer amygdaloidal complex on the left side are significantly younger, both male and female (related to the axial slice, ant. - post. diameter). Thus, we propose the application of MRI technique in examining the asymmetry of the amygdaloidal complex that we used in this assignment as a template for future examinations in a sense of shedding light on the anatomical functions that underlie neuro-psychiatric dysfunctions.

Study on skull asymmetry.

The aim of this study is to determine the type of skull as well as to examine its internal appearance and configuration of skull base. Special attention is given to the direction and position of the pyramid of the temporal bone, the volume and appearance of all the three cranial fossas, and the direction and appearance of crista alaris--all of those compared to the skull type. Considering the obtained results (specially for crista alaris and middle fossa) we can ascertain outstanding independence of sphenoid bone and its parts in the formation of cranial base. Located in the middle of the skull, in front of strong pyramids transversal axis and two vertical axis, frontal crest and internal occipital crest, it by itself with her lesser wing presents an important transversal axis of cranial base. Cases in which crista alaris with its position does not follow the type of skull (in 20 % cases crista alaris does not follow skull protuberances), may probably be explained by strong and independent development of this bone, which is placed among other bones of cranial base like a peg. It also, by itself dictates form and configuration of the middle part of skull. That is also confirmed by middle fossa which, according to its position in the middle of cranial base and relation with sphenoid bone, shows significant deviation with respect to posterior fossa (follows the type of skull in 47 % cases).

Observing of the asymmetry of hippocampal formation on patients with complex partial attacks.

Lobus limbicus is anatomical basis for explaining the temporal epilepsy because it not only includes the focus of infection of temporal lobe but also the frontal lobe, and with it we can explain many of the phenomenon's of the epilepsy (hallucinations, the change of the effects, and so on.). The goal of this assignment was to explore the asymmetry of hippocampal formation on the patients with complex partial attacks. The results show that the least number of patients with epilepsy have a symmetric (same) size of the hippocampal formation both from the left and the right side. The number is statistically significantly lower than the number of patients with epilepsy who has asymmetric (different size) hippocampal formation both from the left and the right side. By the direction of asymmetry the difference in the number of patients with epilepsy isn't statistically significant. Coefficient. of asymmetry shows that the asymmetry on the left side is more common to men, while it is distributed evenly on sides, left and right in women. Testing of significance in age differences depends on the sim./asim. of the hippocampal formation of both the right and the left side of coronal slice is a statistical significance. While with axial and sagittal slices, we have a statistical significance between a women and a man on the level of the course of asymmetry. So, the use of MRI technique in examining asymmetry of the hippocampal formation, that we used on this asymmetry, we suggest it as an template of future examinations in a sense of shedding light of the anatomical functions that is located on the basis of neuropsychiatrics dysfunctions.

Asymmetry of limbic structure (hippocampal formation and amygdaloidal complex) at ptsd.

Defining exact position of weak anatomic function which is find in a base of neurological and psychiatric disorder is just became the subject of intensive research interest. For this purposes it is important to implement structural and functional MRI techniques, also for further lightening and seeing subject of this work, more concretely connected to PTSD. Therefore, exactly MRI gives most sensitive volumetric measuring of hippocampal formation and amygdaloidal complex. The goal of this work was to research asymmetry of hippocampal formation and amygdaloidal complex to the PTSD patients. Results showed that at the axial slice length of hippocampal formation on the left and right side of all patients are significantly asymmetric. At the sagittal slice from the left side of hippocampal formation is in many cases longer than right about 50 %. At the coronal slice, there are no significant differences toward patient proportion according to symm./asymm. of the hippocampal formation width at the right and left side. Difference in volume average of hippocampal formation between right and left side for axial and coronal slice is not statistically significant, but it is significant for sagittal slice. In about amygdaloidal complex patients with PTSD toward symm./asymm. Amygdaloidal complex at the right and left side of axial and sagittal slice in all three measurement shows asymmetry, what is especially shown at sagittal slice. Difference in average length of amygdaloidal complex at the right and left side is not statistically significant for no one slice. Therefore, results of a new research that are used MRI, showed smaller hippocampal level at PTSD (researched by Van der Kolka 1996, Pitman 1996, Bremner et al., 1995.). Application of MRI technique in research of asymmetry of hippocampal formation and amygdaloidal complex, which we used in our research, we recommend as a template for future researches in a sense of lightening anatomic function that is a base of neuropsychiatric disorders.