The origin of the medial femoral circumflex artery, lateral femoral circumflex artery and obturator artery.

INTRODUCTION: The most significant blood vessel supplying the hip joint is the medial femoral circumflex artery (MFCA). MFCA with lateral femoral circumflex artery (LFCA) are the first branches of the deep femoral artery (DFA) or they originate directly from the common femoral artery (CFA) or superficial femoral artery (SFA). PURPOSE AND METHODS: We analyzed 100 CT angiogram of the hip region [72 men, 28 women; mean age 46.4 (14-80)] to assess the frequency of each type of division of the MFCA and LFCA from either the DFA or directly from the CFA or SFA. To assess the variations on each side in one individual we analyzed both hips in 73 patients [mean age 46.6 (14-80)]. RESULTS: Many different types of division have been described. The most frequent one in which both the MFCA and LFCA originate from the DFA, was observed in 50% of patients. In 31% of hips the MFCA originates from the CFA. In our study, a normal origin of the obturator artery from the internal iliac artery was observed in 67% of patients and an atypical origin, called corona mortis was observed in 33% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The deep branch of the MFCA is the main artery supplying the femoral head, it is at risk during surgical approach to the hip joint. The atypical anastomosis called corona mortis is also at risk while performing the approach to pubic bone. Therefore, knowledge of their topography is very important.

DNA barcoding in Mucorales: an inventory of biodiversity.

The order Mucorales comprises predominantly fast-growing saprotrophic fungi, some of which are used for the fermentation of foodstuffs but it also includes species known to cause infections in patients with severe immune or metabolic impairments. To inventory biodiversity in Mucorales ITS barcodes of 668 strains in 203 taxa were generated covering more than two thirds of the recognised species. Using the ITS sequences, Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units were defined by a similarity threshold of 99 %. An LSU sequence was generated for each unit as well. Analysis of the LSU sequences revealed that conventional phenotypic classifications of the Mucoraceae are highly artificial. The LSU- and ITS-based trees suggest that characters, such as rhizoids and sporangiola, traditionally used in mucoralean taxonomy are plesiomorphic traits. The ITS region turned out to be an appropriate barcoding marker in Mucorales. It could be sequenced directly in 82 % of the strains and its variability was sufficient to resolve most of the morphospecies. Molecular identification turned out to be problematic only for the species complexes of Mucor circinelloides, M. flavus, M. piriformis and Zygorhynchus moelleri. As many as 12 possibly undescribed species were detected. Intraspecific variability differed widely among mucorealean species ranging from 0 % in Backusella circina to 13.3 % in Cunninghamella echinulata. A high proportion of clinical strains was included for molecular identification. Clinical isolates of Cunninghamella elegans were identified molecularly for the first time. As a result of the phylogenetic analyses several taxonomic and nomenclatural changes became necessary. The genus Backusella was emended to include all species with transitorily recurved sporangiophores. Since this matched molecular data all Mucor species possessing this character were transferred to Backusella. The genus Zygorhynchus was shown to be polyphyletic based on ITS and LSU data. Consequently, Zygorhynchus was abandoned and all species were reclassified in Mucor. Our phylogenetic analyses showed, furthermore, that all non-thermophilic Rhizomucor species belong to Mucor. Accordingly, Rhizomucor endophyticus was transferred to Mucor and Rhizomucor chlamydosporus was synonymised with Mucor indicus. Lecto-, epi- or neotypes were designated for several taxa.

The family structure of the Mucorales: a synoptic revision based on comprehensive multigene-genealogies.

The Mucorales (Mucoromycotina) are one of the most ancient groups of fungi comprising ubiquitous, mostly saprotrophic organisms. The first comprehensive molecular studies 11 yr ago revealed the traditional classification scheme, mainly based on morphology, as highly artificial. Since then only single clades have been investigated in detail but a robust classification of the higher levels based on DNA data has not been published yet. Therefore we provide a classification based on a phylogenetic analysis of four molecular markers including the large and the small subunit of the ribosomal DNA, the partial actin gene and the partial gene for the translation elongation factor 1-alpha. The dataset comprises 201 isolates in 103 species and represents about one half of the currently accepted species in this order. Previous family concepts are reviewed and the family structure inferred from the multilocus phylogeny is introduced and discussed. Main differences between the current classification and preceding concepts affects the existing families Lichtheimiaceae and Cunninghamellaceae, as well as the genera Backusella and Lentamyces which recently obtained the status of families along with the Rhizopodaceae comprising Rhizopus, Sporodiniella and Syzygites. Compensatory base change analyses in the Lichtheimiaceae confirmed the lower level classification of Lichtheimia and Rhizomucor while genera such as Circinella or Syncephalastrum completely lacked compensatory base changes.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 154-213.

Novel species of microfungi described in the present study include the following from South Africa: Camarosporium aloes, Phaeococcomyces aloes and Phoma aloes from Aloe, C. psoraleae, Diaporthe psoraleae and D. psoraleae-pinnatae from Psoralea, Colletotrichum euphorbiae from Euphorbia, Coniothyrium prosopidis and Peyronellaea prosopidis from Prosopis, Diaporthe cassines from Cassine, D. diospyricola from Diospyros, Diaporthe maytenicola from Maytenus, Harknessia proteae from Protea, Neofusicoccum ursorum and N. cryptoaustrale from Eucalyptus, Ochrocladosporium adansoniae from Adansonia, Pilidium pseudoconcavum from Greyia radlkoferi, Stagonospora pseudopaludosa from Phragmites and Toxicocladosporium ficiniae from Ficinia. Several species were also described from Thailand, namely: Chaetopsina pini and C. pinicola from Pinus spp., Myrmecridium thailandicum from reed litter, Passalora pseudotithoniae from Tithonia, Pallidocercospora ventilago from Ventilago, Pyricularia bothriochloae from Bothriochloa and Sphaerulina rhododendricola from Rhododendron. Novelties from Spain include Cladophialophora multiseptata, Knufia tsunedae and Pleuroascus rectipilus from soil and Cyphellophora catalaunica from river sediments. Species from the USA include Bipolaris drechsleri from Microstegium, Calonectria blephiliae from Blephilia, Kellermania macrospora (epitype) and K. pseudoyuccigena from Yucca. Three new species are described from Mexico, namely Neophaeosphaeria agaves and K. agaves from Agave and Phytophthora ipomoeae from Ipomoea. Other African species include Calonectria mossambicensis from Eucalyptus (Mozambique), Harzia cameroonensis from an unknown creeper (Cameroon), Mastigosporella anisophylleae from Anisophyllea (Zambia) and Teratosphaeria terminaliae from Terminalia (Zimbabwe). Species from Europe include Auxarthron longisporum from forest soil (Portugal), Discosia pseudoartocreas from Tilia (Austria), Paraconiothyrium polonense and P. lycopodinum from Lycopodium (Poland) and Stachybotrys oleronensis from Iris (France). Two species of Chrysosporium are described from Antarctica, namely C. magnasporum and C. oceanitesii. Finally, Licea xanthospora is described from Australia, Hypochnicium huinayensis from Chile and Custingophora blanchettei from Uruguay. Novel genera of Ascomycetes include Neomycosphaerella from Pseudopentameris macrantha (South Africa), and Paramycosphaerella from Brachystegia sp. (Zimbabwe). Novel hyphomycete genera include Pseudocatenomycopsis from Rothmannia (Zambia), Neopseudocercospora from Terminalia (Zambia) and Neodeightoniella from Phragmites (South Africa), while Dimorphiopsis from Brachystegia (Zambia) represents a novel coelomycetous genus. Furthermore, Alanphillipsia is introduced as a new genus in the Botryosphaeriaceae with four species, A. aloes, A. aloeigena and A. aloetica from Aloe spp. and A. euphorbiae from Euphorbia sp. (South Africa). A new combination is also proposed for Brachysporium torulosum (Deightoniella black tip of banana) as Corynespora torulosa. Morphological and culture characteristics along with ITS DNA barcodes are provided for all taxa.

Pneumatization of the articular eminence in cone-beam computed tomography: prevalence and characteristics - literature review.

BACKGROUND: The articular tubercle is a site prone to pneumatization within the cranial bones. Knowledge of the anatomical variations of pneumatization adjacent to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an important issue. Air cells exhibit decreased resistance to trauma, facilitate the spread of various pathologies in the TMJ, such as inflammation, tumours or fractures. Articular tubercle pneumatization may cause complications during TMJ surgery. Information of possible location allows to detect and conduct differential diagnosis of pneumatization of the articular tubercle (PAT) during cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and characteristics of PAT, with respect to age, gender, location and type through assessment in CBCT images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Articles were selected through database search (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar), in which the main objective was to assess the prevalence of articular tubercle pneumatization using CBCT. Search strategies included the following keywords: "pneumatized articular eminence" and "CBCT", "pneumatized articular tubercle" and "CBCT" and "zygomatic air cell defect" and "CBCT". A meta-analysis of prevalence using a random effects model was performed. RESULTS: Fifteen studies met the selection criteria. The results showed that an overall prevalence of articular tubercle pneumatization was 25.22% (n = 6393; 95% confidence interval [CI] 15.84-35.94). The occurrence of PAT in females was 25.14% (n = 3064; 95% CI 14.96-36.94). The frequency of PAT in males was 25.81% (n = 2671; 95% CI 15.30-37.99). CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation between the frequency, location or type of PAT with age and gender.

Cerebral extension of steroid-responsive meningitis arteritis in a boxer.

A comatose 30-month-old, entire male boxer was presented because of an acute history of a cluster of three to four seizures. Neurological examination suggested a diffuse to multifocal intracranial lesion. Magnetic resonance tomography revealed symmetrical multifocal to diffuse changes of the cerebral grey matter and ependymal lining with sediment in the lateral ventricles. Haematological examination revealed leucocytosis with neutrophilia. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed high protein concentration and polymorphonuclear pleocytosis. Despite antiepileptic treatment, therapy against increased intracranial pressure and antibiosis, the dog's condition continued to deteriorate and he was euthanased. Pathological examination revealed fibrinosuppurative meningo-ependymitis and necrotising arteritis throughout the brain. In addition, chronic inflammation and arterial stenosis was found in the spinal meninges. No infectious agent was found. A diagnosis of steroid-responsive meningitis arteritis was made. The massive extension into the meninges and ventricular system of the forebrain has not been described previously in dogs with steroid-responsive meningitis arteritis and should be considered in the differential diagnosis when an intracranial suppurative infection is suspected.

Evaluation of a relationship between malocclusion and idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents.

PURPOSE: Idiopathic scoliosis is a developmental deformation of the vertebral column of an unknown aetiology. Its clinical symptoms and hypothetical causative factors may affect the stomatognathic system. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationships between the prevalence and type of malocclusions, and the presence of idiopathic scoliosis, its location and severity. METHODS: This was a prospective longitudinal study. The study group consisted of 80 patients with idiopathic scoliosis and the control group of 61 healthy individuals. Standard standing long-cassette radiographs were taken of all of the patients in the idiopathic scoliosis group in order to confirm diagnosis, to determine localization and the Cobb angle of the curve. Both groups underwent standard clinical dental examination. RESULTS: The most commonly observed types included right main thoracic (R-MT) and thoracolumbar or left lumbar scoliosis (Cobb angle 11° to 125°). In the idiopathic scoliosis group, prevalence of malocclusions was greater than in the control group (95% versus 82%). In the idiopathic scoliosis group more than one type of malocclusion was observed with a higher incidence than that in the control group (63.8% versus 37.7%; p = 0.002). A correlation between the left proximal thoracic (L-PT) curve with anterior partial open bite was demonstrated (p = 0.323), between thoracic dextroscoliosis main thoracic with lateral partial cross bite (p = 0.230) and a correlation between scoliosis severity and malocclusion in the event of L-PT and anterior partial open bite (p = 0.330) and R-MT and scissors bite (p = 0.248). CONCLUSION: The incidence of malocclusions is greater in children with idiopathic scoliosis than in their healthy peers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

A comparison of the brainstem auditory evoked response in healthy ears of unilaterally deaf dogs and bilaterally hearing dogs.

AIMS: Auditory plasticity in response to unilateral deafness has been reported in various animal species. Subcortical changes occurring in unilaterally deaf young dogs using the brainstem auditory evoked response have not been evaluated yet. The aim of this study was to assess the brainstem auditory evoked response findings in dogs with unilateral hearing loss, and compare them with recordings obtained from healthy dogs. METHODS: Brainstem auditory evoked responses (amplitudes and latencies of waves I, II, III, V, the V/I wave amplitude ratio, wave I-V, I-III and III-V interpeak intervals) were studied retrospectively in forty-six privately owned dogs, which were either unilaterally deaf or had bilateral hearing. The data obtained from the hearing ears in unilaterally deaf dogs were compared to values obtained from their healthy littermates. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in the amplitude of wave III and the V/I wave amplitude ratio at 75 dB nHL were found between the group of unilaterally deaf puppies and the control group. The recordings of dogs with single-sided deafness were compared, and the results showed no statistically significant differences in the latencies and amplitudes of the waves between left- (AL) and right-sided (AR) deafness. CONCLUSIONS: The recordings of the brainstem auditory evoked response in canines with unilateral inborn deafness in this study varied compared to recordings from healthy dogs. Future studies looking into electrophysiological assessment of hearing in conjunction with imaging modalities to determine subcortical auditory plasticity and auditory lateralization in unilaterally deaf dogs are warranted.

The relationship between epileptiform discharges and background activity in the visual analysis of electroencephalographic examinations in dogs with seizures of different etiologies.

Electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings in 125 outpatient dogs with various epileptiform encephalopathies were acquired under medetomidine sedation using subdermal wire electrodes. The features of canine EEG (background activity [BGA] and epileptiform discharges [EDs]) were assessed, described and compared. The dogs included neurologically healthy controls (N, n = 19), dogs with portosystemic shunt (PSS, n = 9), dogs with intracranial pathologies (IP, n = 27) and dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE, n = 70). A visual EEG analysis revealed significantly more pronounced high voltage, low-frequency BGA in the PSS and IP groups in comparison to the N and IE groups (PSS vs. N, PSS vs. IE P <0.0001; IP vs. N, IP vs. IE P = 0.043). At least one ED in the recording was found in 47.37% (n = 9/19) of the individuals in the N group, 88.9% (n = 8/9) of the dogs in the PSS group, 77.78% (n = 21/27) of the dogs in the IP group and 61.43% (n = 43/70) of the dogs in the IE group. The presence of bilateral symmetric triphasic (BST) waves was significantly higher in the PSS group than in the remaining groups. There was a strong prevalence of spike-waves in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy and of BST waves in dogs with portosystemic shunt. None of the dogs in group N had spike-waves or BST activity. EDs were observed more frequently in high and very high voltage, low frequency BGA than in low voltage, high frequency BGA.

Feline Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Review of the Experimental Literature.

Accumulating evidence suggests that epileptic seizures originating from the temporal lobe (TL) occur in cats. Typically, affected animals have clinically focal seizures with orofacial automatisms including salivation, facial twitching, lip smacking, chewing, licking, and swallowing. Motor arrest and autonomic and behavioral signs also may occur. Many affected cats have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes within the hippocampus or histopathologically confirmed hippocampal sclerosis or necrosis. From the 1950s to the 1980s, cats frequently were used as animal models for neurophysiological experiments and electrophysiological studies, from which important basic knowledge about epilepsy originated, but which has been rarely cited in clinical veterinary studies. These studies were reviewed. Experimental research on cats showed the widespread anatomical connections among TL structures. The ictal clinical signs originating from the hippocampus, amygdala, or lateral temporal cortex are similar, because of their dense interconnections. The ictal signs can be divided into autonomic, somatic, and behavioral. For research purposes, a 6-stage system was established, reflecting the usual sequential progression from focal to generalized seizure: attention response (1), arrest (2), salivation, licking (3), facial twitching (4), head turning or nodding (5), and generalized clonic convulsions (6). Knowledge of this data may help in recognizing low-stage (stage 1 or stage 2) epileptic seizures in clinical practice. Early experimental research data are in accordance with recent clinical observations regarding ictal clinical signs of TL epileptic seizures in cats. Furthermore, the research data supports the idea that TL epilepsy represents a unique clinical entity with a specific seizure type and origin in cats.

Comparison of time required for traditional versus virtual orthognathic surgery treatment planning.

Virtual surgical planning (VSP) is a tool for predicting complex surgical movements in three dimensions and it may reduce preoperative laboratory time. A prospective study to compare the time required for standard preoperative planning versus VSP was conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital from January 2014 through January 2015. Workflow data for bimaxillary cases planned by both standard techniques and VSP were recorded in real time. Time spent was divided into three parts: (1) obtaining impressions, face-bow mounting, and model preparation; (2) occlusal analysis and modification, model surgery, and splint fabrication; (3) online VSP session. Average times were compared between standard treatment planning (sum of parts 1 and 2) and VSP (sum of parts 1 and 3). Of 41 bimaxillary cases included, 20 were simple (symmetric) and 21 were complex (asymmetry and segmental osteotomies). Average times for parts 1, 2, and 3 were 4.43, 3.01, and 0.67h, respectively. The average time required for standard treatment planning was 7.45h and for VSP was 5.10h, a 31% time reduction (P<0.001). By eliminating all or some components of part 1, time savings may increase to as much as 91%. This study indicates that in an academic setting, VSP reduces the time required for treatment planning of bimaxillary orthognathic surgery cases.

Impact of obesity and nitric oxide synthase gene G894T polymorphism on essential hypertension.

Hypertension is a multifactorial disease caused by environmental, metabolic and genetic factors, but little is currently known on the complex interplay between these factors and blood pressure. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential impact of obesity, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D polymorphism and endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (NOS3) 4a/4b, G894T and -T786C variants on the essential hypertension. The study group consisted of 1,027 Caucasian adults of Polish nationality (45.5 ± 13.6 years old), of which 401 met the criteria for hypertension. Body weight, height and blood pressure were measured and data on self-reported smoking status were collected. Fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides were determined by standard procedures. The ACE I/D polymorphism and three polymorphisms in NOS3 gene (4a/4b, G894T, -T786C) were detected by the PCR method. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that age above 45 years, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking and male sex are important risk factors for hypertension and no significant influence of variants in ACE and NOS3 genes on this risk was recognized. Obese subjects had a 3.27-times higher risk (OR = 3.27, 95% CI: 2.37 - 4.52) of hypertension than non-obese, and in obese the NOS3 894T allele was associated with 1.37 fold higher risk of hypertension (P = 0.031). The distribution of NOS3 G894T genotypes supported the co-dominant (OR = 1.35, P = 0.034, Pfit = 0.435) or recessive (OR = 2.00, P = 0.046, Pfit = 0.286), but not dominant model of inheritance (P = 0.100). The study indicates that in obese NOS3 G894T polymorphism may enhance hypertension risk. However, in the presence of such strong risk factors as age, diabetes and smoking, the impact of this genetic variant seems to be attenuated. Further studies are needed to reveal the usefulness of G894T polymorphism in hypertension risk assessment in obese.

Congenital bipartite atlas with hypodactyly in a dog: clinical, radiographic and CT findings.

A three-year-old Border collie was diagnosed with a bipartite atlas and bilateral forelimb hypodactyly. The dog showed signs of acute, non-progressive neck pain, general stiffness and right thoracic limb non-weight-bearing lameness. Computed tomography imaging revealed a bipartite atlas with abaxial vertical bone proliferation, which was the cause of the clinical signs. In addition, bilateral hypodactyly of the second and fifth digits was incidentally found. This report suggests that hypodactyly may be associated with atlas malformations.