Association between Left Atrial Appendage Morphology and Clot Histology in Patients with Embolic Ischemic Stroke: An Exploratory Study.

BACKGROUND: Acute embolic ischemic stroke poses a significant healthcare challenge. Histological clot features' variability among patients with acute ischemic stroke treated by mechanical thrombectomy has potential implications for determining treatment and etiology. This study investigated the clot histological feature differences among patients who experienced cardioembolic stroke and embolic stroke of undetermined source with different left atrial appendage (LAA) morphologies. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study involving 79 patients with acute embolic ischemic stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Computed tomography angiography images were used to classify LAA morphologies. An artificial intelligence algorithm assessed the clot fibrin and red blood cell contents. RESULTS: Patients with chicken-wing LAA morphology exhibited lower mean clot fibrin proportions than did those with non-chicken-wing morphology (p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that chicken-wing LAA was significantly associated with a lower clot fibrin proportion (estimate, -0.177; 95% CI [-0.259, -0.096]; p < 0.001). The successful recanalization rate and first-pass effect between the groups did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The chicken-wing LAA morphological type is associated with lower clot fibrin contents, suggesting potentially different embolism mechanisms or diverse embolic sources, compared with the non-chicken-wing LAA types. Further studies are required to investigate this association.

On some mummy findings from the Semmelweis Museum of Medical History, Hungarian National Museum, Budapest.

The permanent exhibition of the Hungarian National Museum, Semmelweis Museum of Medical History of Budapest, Hungary, displays some human remains believed to originate from ancient Egypt. Within the framework of the Nephthys Project, three objects consisting of two heads and one foot were studied via paleoimaging and archaeometric techniques in order to provide new anthropological and paleopathological data. It is argued here that even partial or fragmentary items are worthy of investigation as they can reveal new information about their owners, as well as their supposed authenticity.

A rare case of child abuse from early modern Lithuania.

The aim of this article was to describe the outcome of a probable case of physical abuse in the remains of a child dating from the 16th-18th centuries CE. The skeleton of a subadult was recovered during archaeological excavations carried out in the village of Uzubaliai, located in Alytus in southern Lithuania, and subsequently curated in the Faculty of Medicine at Vilnius University. The bones of this child were observed macroscopically and then submitted for radiological investigation. In order to speculate on the presence of abuse, features such as the presence, quantity, and type of injuries were considered. Stages of healing and the occurrence of additional nonspecific stress markers, such as linear enamel hypoplasia or Harris lines, were also recorded. The remains revealed the presence of lesions showing three stages of healing, including antemortem and perimortem fractures. Periosteal reactions were also observed on many of the bones. Traumas with high specificity for abuse, such as rib and scapular fractures, were assessed. Finally, endocranial new bone formation was also noted as a possible sign of neglect. The pattern of observed injuries showed evidence that was compatible with a case of physical abuse.

Four cases of beheading from 14th-17th century Lithuania.

ABSTRACT: Skeletal evidence of beheading in early modern Lithuania has been scarce, despite historical documentation indicating it as a popular practice. This study presents the first bioarchaeological cases of decapitation in early modern Lithuania, with four adult male individuals from the 14th-17th centuries A.D. that reveal evidence of perimortem lesions in the cervical and thoracic vertebrae. The osteological and radiological study of the affected bones suggests that the individuals might have been victims of episodes of interpersonal violence, rather than subjected to capital punishment.