Predominance of eyes and surface information for face race categorization.

Faces can be categorized in various ways, for example as male or female or as belonging to a specific biogeographic ancestry (race). Here we tested the importance of the main facial features for race perception. We exchanged inner facial features (eyes, mouth or nose), face contour (everything but those) or texture (surface information) between Asian and Caucasian faces. Features were exchanged one at a time, creating for each Asian/Caucasian face pair ten facial variations of the original face pair. German and Korean participants performed a race classification task on all faces presented in random order. The results show that eyes and texture are major determinants of perceived biogeographic ancestry for both groups of participants and for both face types. Inserting these features in a face of another race changed its perceived biogeographic ancestry. Contour, nose and mouth, in that order, had decreasing and much weaker influence on race perception for both participant groups. Exchanging those features did not induce a change of perceived biogeographic ancestry. In our study, all manipulated features were imbedded in natural looking faces, which were shown in an off-frontal view. Our findings confirm and extend previous studies investigating the importance of various facial features for race perception.

The contribution of foveal and peripheral visual information to ensemble representation of face race.

The brain can only attend to a fraction of all the information that is entering the visual system at any given moment. One way of overcoming the so-called bottleneck of selective attention (e.g., J. M. Wolfe, Võ, Evans, & Greene, 2011) is to make use of redundant visual information and extract summarized statistical information of the whole visual scene. Such ensemble representation occurs for low-level features of textures or simple objects, but it has also been reported for complex high-level properties. While the visual system has, for example, been shown to compute summary representations of facial expression, gender, or identity, it is less clear whether perceptual input from all parts of the visual field contributes equally to the ensemble percept. Here we extend the line of ensemble-representation research into the realm of race and look at the possibility that ensemble perception relies on weighting visual information differently depending on its origin from either the fovea or the visual periphery. We find that observers can judge the mean race of a set of faces, similar to judgments of mean emotion from faces and ensemble representations in low-level domains of visual processing. We also find that while peripheral faces seem to be taken into account for the ensemble percept, far more weight is given to stimuli presented foveally than peripherally. Whether this precision weighting of information stems from differences in the accuracy with which the visual system processes information across the visual field or from statistical inferences about the world needs to be determined by further research.

A familiarity disadvantage for remembering specific images of faces.

Familiar faces are remembered better than unfamiliar faces. Furthermore, it is much easier to match images of familiar than unfamiliar faces. These findings could be accounted for by quantitative differences in the ease with which faces are encoded. However, it has been argued that there are also some qualitative differences in familiar and unfamiliar face processing. Unfamiliar faces are held to rely on superficial, pictorial representations, whereas familiar faces invoke more abstract representations. Here we present 2 studies that show, for 1 task, an advantage for unfamiliar faces. In recognition memory, viewers are better able to reject a new picture, if it depicts an unfamiliar face. This rare advantage for unfamiliar faces supports the notion that familiarity brings about some representational changes, and further emphasizes the idea that theoretical accounts of face processing should incorporate familiarity. (PsycINFO Database Record

[Acute abdomen in renal transplant recipients. Epidemiology and treatment in not referral transplantation centers]. / L'addome acuto nel paziente trapiantato renale. Considerazioni epidemiologiche, diagnostiche e terapeutiche in DEA non dedicati.

The incidence of gastrointestinal complications in renal transplant recipients is relatively high while about 10% is related to acute abdomen. Data concerning gastrointestinal (GI) complications were reported in literature mainly from referral center studies. A multicenter retrospectively survey was performed in Lazio, Italy, in order to evaluate the incidence of acute abdomen in renal transplant recipients observed to the emergency departments of not referral transplantation centers. Clinical and demographic findings regarding 14 patients who experienced acute abdomen between February 2005 and Dicember 2008 have been collected. The following data was investigated: etiology, diagnostic workup, duration of symptoms, elapsed time between admission and emergency operation if performed, morbility and mortality. The severity of disease at presentation was assessed by mean of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score (APACHE II). Acute abdomen was due to pancreatitis in three patients (23.1%); to cholecystitis in three (23.1%); to acute diverticolitis with colon perforation in two patients (15.4%); to acute appendicitis in two (15.4%) and to intestinal obstruction in 2 patients (15.4%). Small bowel perforation was observed in two patients (15.4%) which one case, upon pathological examination, showed malignant lymphoma. The mean APACHE II score was 14.0 ± 5.9. Ten patients (71.4%) were submitted to surgery. Overall mortality and morbidity were 35% and 42% respectively. Statistical analysis showed admission APACHE II score (p<0.01), duration of symptoms (p<0.05), and total time elapsed between the onset of symptoms and treatment (p<0.04) as factors significantly related to mortality.

[Multidetector CT urography: diagnostic role in the evaluation of patients with non-traumatic hematuria]. / Urografia-TC multidetettore: ruolo diagnostico nella valutazione del paziente con ematuria non traumatica.

Blood in the urine (hematuria) can originate from any site along the urinary tract and may be the only sign of renal or vesical malignancy. Therefore, literature recommends for the evaluation of any case of macroscopic or microscopic hematuria. Our aim was to define the diagnostic role of multidetector CT urography (MDCTu) in the evaluation of this symptom through the analysis of 181 consecutive patients from January 2003 to March 2006.

Second-generation sonographic contrast agents in the evaluation of renal trauma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to define the indications, diagnostic accuracy and limitations of second-generation sonographic contrast agents in the evaluation of patients with renal trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2004 and April 2005, 277 patients with blunt abdominal trauma were evaluated. Twenty-eight out of 277 patients had renal lesions, the severity of which was graded according to the organ injury severity scale of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST). All the patients enrolled in the study had minor trauma and were evaluated with baseline ultrasound (US), contrast-enhanced US after injection of a second-generation contrast agent (SonoVue) and, if positive, with multiphasic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). RESULTS: Five out of 28 traumatic parenchymal lesions with perirenal fluid collection were identified at baseline US. All 28 renal parenchymal lesions, with or without perirenal or retroperitoneal haematoma, were identified at contrast-enhanced US. Multiphase MDCT confirmed all the cases that were positive at contrast-enhanced US and demonstrated the integrity of the urinary tract in the delayed phase. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience confirmed the diagnostic accuracy of second-generation sonographic contrast material both for diagnosis and for appropriate patient management. In particular, contrast-enhanced sonography proved to be a reliable technique for the evaluation and follow-up of low-grade renal injuries. Its main advantage is reduced radiation exposure, as fewer MDCT examinations are needed, whereas its limitation is the high cost of the technique if used in unselected patients.

Phlebographic classification of anatomic variants in the right internal spermatic vein confluence.

PURPOSE: Male varicocele is a clinical dysfunction caused by a pathological venous reflux. Knowledge of anatomic variants of the internal spermatic vein confluence is fundamental for the technical success of percutaneous treatment. While numerous studies have analysed the phlebographic anatomy of the left internal spermatic vein, no exhaustive description exists for the right internal spermatic vein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a retrospective review of 3229 patients treated percutaneously between 1988 and 2003, we extrapolated the phlebographic images of patients with incontinence of the right internal spermatic vein only. Mean patient age was 24.6 (range 14-46) years. Indication for treatment was presence of pain in the right inguinal region and absence of a history of trauma and/or seminal-fluid alterations. Phlebography had been performed with transbrachial access using a tilt table and a multipurpose angiographic catheter. Contrast medium was injected into both the inferior vena cava and the renal vein. Selective catheterisation of the internal spermatic vein was then performed to assess the radiological characteristics of the vessels prior to sclerosis. RESULTS: There were 93 cases of incontinence of the right internal spermatic vein only (2.8%). In the first group of patients (seven cases, 7.5%), the right internal spermatic vein drained exclusively into the renal vein; the injection of contrast medium during a Valsalva manoeuvre allowed visualisation of the vein almost as far as the iliac level. In most cases, the vein appeared uniformly dilatated and without valvular systems along its course. In the second group (21 cases, 22.5%), the vein drained into both the renal vein and the inferior vena cava, with one branch showing functional predominance over the other: selective catheterisation was easier to perform on the first branch. Selective catheterisation confirmed dilatation of the vein as well as the absence of valvular systems. In most patients, (65 cases, 69.8%), the internal spermatic vein drained into the inferior vena cava; the confluence was double in five patients and single in 60 patients. Visualisation of incontinence was limited to the initial 5-10 cm of the vein in 13 cases; however, vein dilatation and absence of valvular systems were confirmed beyond the semicontinent valve. CONCLUSIONS: Interventional treatment is one of the therapeutic options for male varicocele, but the method is limited by the presence of anatomic variants or aberrant supplying vessels, which make catheterisation and sclerosis of the internal spermatic vein difficult if not impossible. Interventional radiologists must have a thorough knowledge of anatomic variants of the right internal spermatic vein to be able to perform the procedure within a reasonable amount of time and reduce radiation exposure.

[Isolated blunt hepatic traumas: role of emergency CT in therapeutic choice].

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to establish the role of score-based CT classification of hepatic lesions, peritoneal and retroperitoneal bleeding in the blunt hepatic trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CT examinations of 47 haemodynamically stable patients, with isolated traumatic hepatic lesions were reviewed. CT scans were obtained with a spiral CT (thickness mm 10, pitch of 1) before and after 60 seconds after from intravenous administration of 140 cc of contrast medium at a rate of 2 cc/sec). Eleven out of 47 patients underwent surgery immediately after the CT examination, 2/47 patients in 48 hours; 34/47 patients were treated conservatively with CT follow-up on days 3 and 7, and before dimission discharge. The hepatic lesions, and degree of peritoneal and retroperitoneal haemorrhage were classified using the following scale: 1-5 for the hepatic lesions, in according to the Mirvis classification; 0-3 for peritoneal haemorrhage (0=no haemorrhage, 1=minor mild haemorrhage, 2=moderate haemorrhage, 3=major massive haemorrhage); 0-2 for retroperitoneal haemorrhage (0=no haemorrhage, 1=haemorrhage confined to the anterior pararenal space, 2=haemorrhage in 2 or more retroperitoneal spaces). The score was correlated to the treatment decisions (follow-up or surgery). RESULTS: Based on the hepatic lesion scores, we classified: 4 patients as grade 1 of grade 1, 9 as grade 2, 22 as grade 3, 11 as grade 4, 1 as grade 5; based on peritoneal haemorrhage, 14 patients as grade 0, 9 as grade 1, 8 as grade 2, and 10 as grade 3; based on retroperitoneal haemorrhage, 36 patients as grade 0 of grade 0, 3 as grade 1, and 8 as grade 2. The overall scores of the 13 patients that who underwent surgery were: 6 in 6 patients, 7 in 4 patients, 8, 9, and 10 in 1 patient. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: CT is the modality of reference for evaluating traumatic hepatic lesions. The selection of patients for surgery requires an accurate classification and grading of the lesions. The classification of hepatic lesions alone, however, is not sufficient, as it does not take into account peritoneal and retroperitoneal haemorrhage, that which often occurs, and are correlated with the need for exploratory laparotomy. Integrated score-based evaluation of the hepatic lesions, peritoneal and retroperitoneal haemorrhage shows a good correlation with treatment decisions and clinical outcome.