Numerical Analysis of Compound Biochemical Calcium Oscillations Process in Hepatocyte Cells.

The hepatocyte cells regulate the wide range of liver function by moderating cellular activities such as lipid, protein metabolism, carbohydrate, and interact with other cells for proliferation and maintenance. In hepatocyte cells, the concentration of calcium uptake is quite extensive from various agonists such as active G α ${G_\alpha}$ subunit, active phospholipase C, free calcium in the cytosol, and endoplasmic reticulum. The overproduction and degradation of calcium signals can cause homeostasis, liver inflammation, and liver diseases. The spatiotemporal behavior of calcium oscillation reveals the physiological role of these cellular entities in understanding the process of production and degradation. No computational attempt has been registered to date on the compound calcium regulation of these cellular entities including the memory of cells. Hence, the authors proposed a fractional order compartmental model that systematically simulates the exchange of calcium intake in cellular entities. The nonlinear equations of the rate of changes in the active G α ${G_\alpha}$ subunit, active phospholipase C, free calcium in the cytosol, and endoplasmic reticulum are coupled to form a nonlinear fractional order initial value problem. The existence and uniqueness, stability analysis of the model is performed that validate the theoretical results and explore the dynamic behaviour of calcium oscillation in each compartment.

Modeling the epidemic trend of middle eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus with optimal control.

Since the outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012 in the Middle East, we have proposed a deterministic theoretical model to understand its transmission between individuals and MERS-CoV reservoirs such as camels. We aim to calculate the basic reproduction number ($ \mathcal{R}_{0} $) of the model to examine its airborne transmission. By applying stability theory, we can analyze and visualize the local and global features of the model to determine its stability. We also study the sensitivity of $ \mathcal{R}_{0} $ to determine the impact of each parameter on the transmission of the disease. Our model is designed with optimal control in mind to minimize the number of infected individuals while keeping intervention costs low. The model includes time-dependent control variables such as supportive care, the use of surgical masks, government campaigns promoting the importance of masks, and treatment. To support our analytical work, we present numerical simulation results for the proposed model.

Transition dynamics between a novel coinfection model of fractional-order for COVID-19 and tuberculosis via a treatment mechanism.

In this paper, a fractional-order coinfection model for the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 and tuberculosis is presented. The positivity and boundedness of the proposed coinfection model are derived. The equilibria and basic reproduction number of the COVID-19 sub-model, Tuberculosis sub-model, and COVID-19 and Tuberculosis coinfection model are derived. The local and global stability of both the COVID-19 and Tuberculosis sub-models are discussed. The equilibria of the coinfection model are locally asymptotically stable under certain conditions. Later, the impact of COVID-19 on TB and TB on COVID-19 is analyzed. Finally, the numerical simulation is carried out to assess the effect of various biological parameters in the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 and Tuberculosis coinfection.

Elderly suicides in Turkey.

Due to the unique physical and psychosocial characteristics of this age group, it is expected that the characteristics of elderly suicides are different from other groups. Knowing the characteristics of elderly suicides guides prevention strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the demographic characteristics, methods and reasons for suicide in elderly suicide cases using the data of the Turkish Statistical Institute between 2002 and 2019. Of the completed suicides among older adults, 4,208 (74%) cases were men and 1,481 (26%) were women. Crude suicide rates of all elderly age groups were higher than the general population. Illness was the most common reason for suicide. The second leading cause of suicide was marital conflicts in women, while financial difficulties were observed in men. Hanging was the most common method in both genders. It is remarkable that the use of gunshot considerably increases as years progress and the ratio of men (n:962) to women (n:16) reach 60. Considering these findings together with epidemiologic data predicting that this increase in the elderly population will almost double within less than 30 years, it is apparent that suicide is a major issue among older adults.

Modelling and analysis of fractional-order vaccination model for control of COVID-19 outbreak using real data.

In this paper, we construct the SV1V2EIR model to reveal the impact of two-dose vaccination on COVID-19 by using Caputo fractional derivative. The feasibility region of the proposed model and equilibrium points is derived. The basic reproduction number of the model is derived by using the next-generation matrix method. The local and global stability analysis is performed for both the disease-free and endemic equilibrium states. The present model is validated using real data reported for COVID-19 cumulative cases for the Republic of India from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022. Next, we conduct the sensitivity analysis to examine the effects of model parameters that affect the basic reproduction number. The Laplace Adomian decomposition method (LADM) is implemented to obtain an approximate solution. Finally, the graphical results are presented to examine the impact of the first dose of vaccine, the second dose of vaccine, disease transmission rate, and Caputo fractional derivatives to support our theoretical results.

Useful indicators and models for assessing erosion control ecosystem service in a semi-arid forest landscape.

Forests provide a large array of ecosystem services (ESs) such as wood supply, extreme natural event prevention, and ecotourism opportunities. The quantitative characterization of ESs is a crucial but costly task for environmental managers. The aim of this study was to develop easily applicable models and indicators for assessing erosion control ES in a semi-arid landscape. In order to accomplish this, 107 randomly selected plots were visited for field measurements and topsoil sampling. Several parametric tests were then used to analyze the field data. The findings revealed that (i) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), (ii) cover management (C) factor of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), (iii) soil organic matter content, (iv) canopy cover ratio, and (v) land use/land cover (LULC) types could be used as useful performance indicators of erosion control ES. Two regression models were developed based on these indicators and compared to RUSLE results for the study area. Using the first model, we were able to estimate the soil protection performance of different LULC types by NDVI at the pixel level (R2adj = 0.90, p < 0.05). The second model estimated annual potential soil loss using NDVI and ground slope values (R2adj = 0.57, p < 0.05). Based on the ES indicators framework, a practical approach was proposed in this study for rapid assessment of the soil erosion problem without running RUSLE. Thus, environmental managers are expected to make well-informed landscape planning decisions and improve their ES provision application capabilities at a reduced cost.

Ameliorative Effects by Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanoparticles against Beta Amyloid Induced Neurotoxicity.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is considered as the most common neurodegenerative disease. Extracellular amyloid beta (Aß) deposition is a hallmark of AD. The options based on degradation and clearance of Aß are preferred as promising therapeutic strategies for AD. Interestingly, recent findings indicate that boron nanoparticles not only act as a carrier but also play key roles in mediating biological effects. In the present study, the aim was to investigate the effects of different concentrations (0−500 mg/L) of hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles (hBN-NPs) against neurotoxicity by beta amyloid (Aß1-42) in differentiated human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell cultures for the first time. The synthesized hBN-NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Aß1-42-induced neurotoxicity and therapeutic potential by hBN-NPs were assessed on differentiated SH-SY5Y cells using MTT and LDH release assays. Levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS), expression levels of genes associated with AD and cellular morphologies were examined. The exposure to Aß1-42 significantly decreased the rates of viable cells which was accompanied by elevated TOS level. Aß1-42 induced both apoptotic and necrotic cell death. Aß exposure led to significant increases in expression levels of APOE, BACE 1, EGFR, NCTSN and TNF-α genes and significant decreases in expression levels of ADAM 10, APH1A, BDNF, PSEN1 and PSENEN genes (p < 0.05). All the Aß1-42-induced neurotoxic insults were inhibited by the applications with hBN-NPs. hBN-NPs also suppressed the remarkable elevation in the signal for Aß following exposure to Aß1-42 for 48 h. Our results indicated that hBN-NPs could significantly prevent the neurotoxic damages by Aß. Thus, hBN-NPs could be a novel and promising anti-AD agent for effective drug development, bio-nano imaging or drug delivery strategies.

Assessment of index value performance of enzyme immunoassay test in predicting the diagnosis of human brucellosis.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical presentation of brucellosis is variable. Therefore, it must be confirmed with laboratory findings. Standard tube agglutination test (STAT) is commonly used for diagnosis of brucellosis. ELISA tests differentiate between IgM and IgG antibodies. However, there are evidences revealing that they do not have sufficient specificity. This study aimed to determine an ELISA optimal index value in the diagnosis of brucellosis. METHODOLOGY: Brucella STAT and ELISA IgM/IgG tests of patients admitted to the hospital with signs and symptoms of brucellosis between January 2017 and December 2019 were evaluated in the Microbiology Laboratory. RESULTS: ELISA IgM and IgG serum median index value was significantly higher in STAT positive (1 ≥ 1:160) group (p < 0.001 for both). By ROC analysis of 117 patients, when the IgM index value was determined to be 2.44, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 85.7%, 71.4%, 60%, and 90.9%, respectively, and when the IgG index 7.85 was determined, these values were 85.7%, 53.7%, 36.7%, and 92.3%, respectively was detected. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was revealed that Vircell Brucella had a good clinical diagnostic performance for index value of 2.44 for IgM test kit and 7.95 for IgG test kit. If the diagnosis of brucellosis is correctly predicted with index values in Brucella IgM and IgG tests before STAT analysis, they can be used in the process of clinical decision. In addition to the results of Brucella ELISA, reporting index values and determining optimal index values for each laboratory can help the diagnosis of brucellosis.

Fractional order modelling of omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant containing heart attack effect using real data from the United Kingdom.

In this study, a new approach to COVID-19 pandemic is presented. In this context, a fractional order pandemic model is developed to examine the spread of COVID-19 with and without Omicron variant and its relationship with heart attack using real data from the United Kingdom. In the model, heart attack is adopted by considering its relationship with the quarantine strategy. Then, the existence, uniqueness, positivity and boundedness of the solution are studied. The equilibrium points and their stability conditions are achieved. Subsequently, we calculate the basic reproduction number (the virus transmission coefficient) that simply refers to the number of people, to whom an infected person can make infected, as R 0 = 3.6456 by using the next generation matrix method. Next, we consider the sensitivity analysis of the parameters according to R 0 . In order to determine the values of the parameters in the model, the least squares curve fitting method, which is one of the leading methods in parameter estimation, is benefited. A total of 21 parameter values in the model are estimated by using real Omicron data from the United Kingdom. Moreover, in order to highlight the advantages of using fractional differential equations, applications related to memory trace and hereditary properties are given. Finally, the numerical simulations are presented to examine the dynamic behavior of the system. As a result of numerical simulations, an increase in the number of people who have heart attacks is observed when Omicron cases were first seen. In the future, it is estimated that the risk of heart attack will decrease as the cases of Omicron decrease.

Comparison and ensemble of 2D and 3D approaches for COVID-19 detection in CT images.

Detecting COVID-19 in computed tomography (CT) or radiography images has been proposed as a supplement to the RT-PCR test. We compare slice-based (2D) and volume-based (3D) approaches to this problem and propose a deep learning ensemble, called IST-CovNet, combining the best 2D and 3D systems with novel preprocessing and attention modules and the use of a bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory model for combining slice-level decisions. The proposed ensemble obtains 90.80% accuracy and 0.95 AUC score overall on the newly collected IST-C dataset in detecting COVID-19 among normal controls and other types of lung pathologies; and 93.69% accuracy and 0.99 AUC score on the publicly available MosMedData dataset that consists of COVID-19 scans and normal controls only. The system also obtains state-of-art results (90.16% accuracy and 0.94 AUC) on the COVID-CT-MD dataset which is only used for testing. The system is deployed at Istanbul University Cerrahpasa School of Medicine where it is used to automatically screen CT scans of patients, while waiting for RT-PCR tests or radiologist evaluation.

Investigation of interactions between COVID-19 and diabetes with hereditary traits using real data: A case study in Turkey.

In the present paper, interactions between COVID-19 and diabetes are investigated using real data from Turkey. Firstly, a fractional order pandemic model is developed both to examine the spread of COVID-19 and its relationship with diabetes. In the model, diabetes with and without complications are adopted by considering their relationship with the quarantine strategy. Then, the existence and uniqueness of solution are examined by using the fixed point theory. The dynamic behaviors of the equilibria and their stability analysis are studied. What is more, with the help of least-squares curve fitting technique (LSCFT), the fitting of the parameters is implemented to predict the direction of COVID-19 by using more accurately generated parameters. By trying to minimize the mean absolute relative error between the plotted curve for the infected class solution and the actual data of COVID-19, the optimal values of the parameters used in numerical simulations are acquired successfully. In addition, the numerical solution of the mentioned model is achieved through the Adams-Bashforth-Moulton predictor-corrector method. Meanwhile, the sensitivity analysis of the parameters according to the reproduction number is given. Moreover, numerical simulations of the model are obtained and the biological interpretations explaining the effects of model parameters are performed. Finally, in order to point out the advantages of the fractional order modeling, the memory trace and hereditary traits are taken into consideration. By doing so, the effect of the different fractional order derivatives on the COVID-19 pandemic and diabetes are investigated.

Extinction and stationary distribution of a stochastic COVID-19 epidemic model with time-delay.

We reformulate a stochastic epidemic model consisting of four human classes. We show that there exists a unique positive solution to the proposed model. The stochastic basic reproduction number R0s is established. A stationary distribution (SD) under several conditions is obtained by incorporating stochastic Lyapunov function. The extinction for the proposed disease model is obtained by using the local martingale theorem. The first order stochastic Runge-Kutta method is taken into account to depict the numerical simulations.

Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 Infection with LamPORE, a High-Throughput Platform Combining Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification and Nanopore Sequencing.

LamPORE is a novel diagnostic platform for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA combining loop-mediated isothermal amplification with nanopore sequencing, which could potentially be used to analyze thousands of samples per day on a single instrument. We evaluated the performance of LamPORE against reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) using RNA extracted from spiked respiratory samples and stored nose and throat swabs collected at two UK hospitals. The limit of detection of LamPORE was 10 genome copies/µl of extracted RNA, which is above the limit achievable by RT-PCR, but was not associated with a significant reduction of sensitivity in clinical samples. Positive clinical specimens came mostly from patients with acute symptomatic infection, and among them, LamPORE had a diagnostic sensitivity of 99.1% (226/228; 95% confidence interval [CI], 96.9% to 99.9%). Among negative clinical specimens, including 153 with other respiratory pathogens detected, LamPORE had a diagnostic specificity of 99.6% (278/279; 98.0% to 100.0%). Overall, 1.4% (7/514; 0.5% to 2.9%) of samples produced an indeterminate result on first testing, and repeat LamPORE testing on the same RNA extract had a reproducibility of 96.8% (478/494; 94.8% to 98.1%). LamPORE has a similar performance as RT-PCR for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in symptomatic patients and offers a promising approach to high-throughput testing.

Modeling and analysis of COVID-19 epidemics with treatment in fractional derivatives using real data from Pakistan.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause different symptoms, from mild cold to severe respiratory distress, and they can be seen in different types of animals such as camels, cattle, cats and bats. Novel coronavirus called COVID-19 is a newly emerged virus that appeared in many countries of the world, but the actual source of the virus is not yet known. The outbreak has caused pandemic with 26,622,706 confirmed infections and 874,708 reported deaths worldwide till August 31, 2020, with 17,717,911 recovered cases. Currently, there exist no vaccines officially approved for the prevention or management of the disease, but alternative drugs meant for HIV, HBV, malaria and some other flus are used to treat this virus. In the present paper, a fractional-order epidemic model with two different operators called the classical Caputo operator and the Atangana-Baleanu-Caputo operator for the transmission of COVID-19 epidemic is proposed and analyzed. The reproduction number R 0 is obtained for the prediction and persistence of the disease. The dynamic behavior of the equilibria is studied by using fractional Routh-Hurwitz stability criterion and fractional La Salle invariant principle. Special attention is given to the global dynamics of the equilibria. Moreover, the fitting of parameters through least squares curve fitting technique is performed, and the average absolute relative error between COVID-19 actual cases and the model's solution for the infectious class is tried to be reduced and the best fitted values of the relevant parameters are achieved. The numerical solution of the proposed COVID-19 fractional-order model under the Caputo operator is obtained by using generalized Adams-Bashforth-Moulton method, whereas for the Atangana-Baleanu-Caputo operator, we have used a new numerical scheme. Also, the treatment compartment is included in the population which determines the impact of alternative drugs applied for treating the infected individuals. Furthermore, numerical simulations of the model and their graphical presentations are performed to visualize the effectiveness of our theoretical results and to monitor the effect of arbitrary-order derivative.

Biomechanical Investigation of Disturbed Hemodynamics-Induced Tissue Degeneration in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Using Computational and Experimental Techniques.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the dilatation of the aorta beyond 50% of the normal vessel diameter. It is reported that 4-8% of men and 0.5-1% of women above 50 years of age bear an AAA and it accounts for ~15,000 deaths per year in the United States alone. If left untreated, AAA might gradually expand until rupture; the most catastrophic complication of the aneurysmal disease that is accompanied by a striking overall mortality of 80%. The precise mechanisms leading to AAA rupture remains unclear. Therefore, characterization of disturbed hemodynamics within AAAs will help to understand the mechanobiological development of the condition which will contribute to novel therapies for the condition. Due to geometrical complexities, it is challenging to directly quantify disturbed flows for AAAs clinically. Two other approaches for this investigation are computational modeling and experimental flow measurement. In computational modeling, the problem is first defined mathematically, and the solution is approximated with numerical techniques to get characteristics of flow. In experimental flow measurement, once the setup providing physiological flow pattern in a phantom geometry is constructed, velocity measurement system such as particle image velocimetry (PIV) enables characterization of the flow. We witness increasing number of applications of these complimentary approaches for AAA investigations in recent years. In this paper, we outline the details of computational modeling procedures and experimental settings and summarize important findings from recent studies, which will help researchers for AAA investigations and rupture mechanics.

The importance of clinical approach in aggravated sexual abuse: Case report.

The reported rate of sex crimes, some of the most severe acts of violence that can be perpetrated against an individual, is increasing across all societies, regardless of gender or age of the victim. Sexual abuse has been defined, in part, as the involvement of a child in sexual activity for which they are incapable of giving consent, that they cannot fully comprehend, or for which they are developmentally immature. Molestation of the anorectal region is frequently encountered when the victim of sexual abuse is a male child. Tenderness around the anus, ecchymosis, and detachment in the anal sphincter and rectum mucosa may be observed in the acute examination of children who have been subjected to aggravated sexual abuse; however, injuries related to the anus or the rectum may also occur as a result of an accident. An 11-year-old male patient was referred from another health center with a report of being at risk of death. The injury that was said to be the result of accidentally sitting on a knife. An examination in the lithotomy position revealed perianal ecchymosis, a superficial laceration at 1 and 6 o'clock, and a deep laceration at 7 o'clock. Based upon a suspicion of sexual abuse, anal and rectal swab specimens were obtained. The pediatric surgery department performed a primary repair of the lacerations. The microscopic examination of the swab specimens revealed cells showing sperm morphology, and therefore the appropriate forensic statements were made and the swab specimens were sent to the judicial authority for genetic analysis. This report emphasizes the importance of the awareness of physicians regarding the prompt collection and submission of potentially evidential biological samples in a case of suspected sexual abuse though it may be presented as an accident.

A five-step protocol for estimating forest cover and rate of change in the New York City watershed.

New York City drinking water quality depends on retention of forest cover in its Catskill Mountains watersheds, yet multiple published analyses of temporally approximate satellite imagery derived no definitive nor agreed upon quantification of either forest cover in the watershed, or, more importantly, its rate of change over time. The objective of this work was to reduce uncertainty surrounding these estimates. We developed a five-pronged protocol that included (1) creation of a 1975-2002 time-series of land use/land cover (LULC) using Cross-Correlation Analysis (CCA); (2) a corrective post classification logic-based algorithm to correct for illogical transitions; (3) a probability-based stratified random sample accuracy assessment; (4) joint probability calculations of the "true" 2002 class proportions; and (5) verification of quantities of our LULC classification, and those of other researchers, versus the statistically derived true proportions. The estimated true percent of forest cover as of 2002 is 72%, far less than that reported by other studies, even with a net reforestation between 1975 and 2002. This protocol is an enhancement over previous LULC monitoring methods. Its more robust estimates of both historic trends and 2002 forest cover reveal information that is vitally important to monitoring and managing future water quality for the nation's largest city.

Relationship between insulin resistance, hs-CRP, and body fat and serum osteoprotegerin/RANKL in prediabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPN) are soluble members of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily. Growing evidence suggest that there is link between inflammation, insulin resistance and OPG, soluble RANKL (sRANKL). We aimed to ascertain whether OPG and sRANKL levels are altered in prediabetic subjects and there is association between OPG/sRANKL and metabolic parameters. METHODS: Forty prediabetic subjects and 40 age- and BMI-matched controls were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Circulating OPG, sRANKL were measured using ELISA. Anthropometric and metabolic parameters were also determined. RESULTS: Circulating sRANKL (97.74±17.67 vs. 55.00±11.19 pg/mL, P=0.010) and OPG (261.54±74.55 vs. 159.23±52.91 pg/mL, P=0.020) levels were found to be significantly higher in diabetic subjects compared with control subjects. There was a positive correlation between sRANKL and OPG. sRANKL also positively correlated with BMI, insulin resistance marker HOMA-IR, inflammatory marker hs-CRP. Logistic regression analyses revealed that the odds ratio was increased for prediabetes in subjects with having elevated sRANKL levels. CONCLUSIONS: Increased sRANKL and OPG levels were associated with prediabetic subjects. sRANKL and OPG may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes as well as metabolic disturbance.

Asymmetry, handedness and auricle morphometry / Asimetría, lateralidad y morfometría de la oreja

The aims of this study were to determine various morphometric measurements of auricle, to investigate asymmetry and its relation with handedness in both sexes. Main morphometric measurements of both auricles and hand preferences were determined on 200 male and 200 female healthy university students. All measurements of the auricles were larger in males than the corresponding ones in females and all the differences except earlobe widths were statistically significant. All measurements of left and right auricles were statistically significantly different in both sexes except earlobe length in males, and distance from the highest point of the auricle to the bottom of the intertragic notch and earlobe length in females. Auricle length and distance from the highest point of the auricle to the bottom of the intertragic notch had higher values at the left side and all other measurements were larger at the right side. There was no significant difference between the measurements of the corresponding auricles of the righthanded and lefthanded subjects. All measurements were larger at the right side except auricle length and distance from the highest point of the auricle to the bottom of the intertragic notch in righthanded and lefthanded subjects and all differences except earlobe length were significantly different in righthanded subjects as in the total population but in lefthanded subjects the difference of the auricle width was not significant, either. There was an apparent asymmetry of right and left auricles of normal people in the current study which should be taken in to consideration in plastic surgeries of the external ear, designing the ear devices and forensic applications of earprints.

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar diversas mediciones morfométricas de la oreja, para investigar la asimetría y su relación con el uso de las manos en ambos sexos. Se realizaron mediciones morfométricas de los pabellones auriculares y las manos de 400 estudiantes universitarios (200 hombres y 299 mujeres). Todas las medidas de las orejas fueron mayores en los hombres y todas las diferencias, excepto las correspondientes al ancho del lóbulo auricular, fueron estadísticamente significativas. Todas las mediciones de los pabellones auriculares izquierdos y derechos presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en ambos sexos, excepto en el caso de la longitud del lóbulo auricular en los hombres, y la distancia desde el punto más alto de la oreja a la parte inferior de la incisura intertrágica en el lóbulo auricular de las mujeres. La longitud de la oreja y la distancia desde el punto más alto de la misma a la parte inferior de la escotadura intertrágica tenían valores más altos en el lado izquierdo y todas las demás mediciones fueron más elevadas en el lado derecho. No hubo diferencia significativa entre las mediciones de las orejas correspondientes a los sujetos diestros y zurdos. Todas las mediciones fueron superiores en el lado derecho, excepto la longitud del pabellón auricular y la distancia desde el punto más alto de la oreja a la parte inferior de la incisura intertrágica en sujetos diestros y sujetos zurdos, y todas las diferencias, excepto la longitud del lóbulo auricular, fueron significativamente diferentes en los sujetos diestros como en la población total, pero en sujetos zurdos la diferencia de la anchura de la oreja no fue significativa. Se encontró una aparente asimetría en las orejas derecha e izquierda de los sujetos del presente estudio que debe tenerse en consideración en las cirugías plásticas del oído externo, para el diseño de los dispositivos de audición y para su aplicación en estudios forenses de las huellas de la oreja.