Mouthpart homologies and life habits of Mesozoic long-proboscid scorpionflies.

Mesozoic long-proboscid scorpionflies (Mesopsychoidea) provide important clues to ancient plant-pollinator interactions. Among them, the family Aneuretopsychidae is especially important because its mouthparts are vital to deciphering the early evolution of Mesopsychoidea and putatively the origin of fleas (Siphonaptera). However, the identification of mouthpart homologs among Aneuretopsychidae remains controversial because of the lack of three-dimensional anatomical data. Here, we report the first Aneuretopsychidae from Late Cretaceous Burmese amber, which have short maxillary palpi and elongate mouthpart elements consisting of one pair of galeae and one hypopharynx. Their mouthparts are identical to those of Pseudopolycentropodidae (= Dualulidae, new synonym) but are not homologous to those of Siphonaptera. Our phylogenetic analysis provides robust evidence for the debated monophyly of Mesopsychoidea. Our results suggest that the long-proboscid condition has most likely evolved once in Mesopsychoidea, independently from fleas, and further reveal the variety and complexity of mid-Cretaceous pollinating insects.

Pollination of Cretaceous flowers.

Insect pollination of flowering plants (angiosperms) is responsible for the majority of the world's flowering plant diversity and is key to the Cretaceous radiation of angiosperms. Although both insects and angiosperms were common by the mid-Cretaceous, direct fossil evidence of insect pollination is lacking. Direct evidence of Cretaceous insect pollination is associated with insect-gymnosperm pollination. Here, we report a specialized beetle-angiosperm pollination mode from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (99 mega-annum [Ma]) in which a tumbling flower beetle (Mordellidae), Angimordella burmitina gen. et sp. nov., has many tricolpate pollen grains attached. A. burmitina exhibits several specialized body structures for flower-visiting behavior including its body shape and pollen-feeding mouthparts revealed by X-ray microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). The tricolpate pollen in the amber belongs to the eudicots that comprise the majority of extant angiosperm species. These pollen grains exhibit zoophilous pollination attributes including their ornamentation, size, and clumping characteristics. Tricolpate pollen grains attached to the beetle's hairs are revealed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, which is a powerful tool for investigating pollen in amber. Our findings provide direct evidence of insect pollination of Cretaceous angiosperms, extending the range insect-angiosperm pollination association by at least 50 million years. Our results support the hypothesis that specialized insect pollination modes were present in eudicots 99 million years ago.

Radio-Morphometric Evaluation of Greater Palatine Canal and Pterygopalatine Fossa Component: Maxillary Anesthetic Implications.

This is a retrospective analytical cross-sectional study involving 131 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of adult (18-99 years) that assessed greater palatine canal (GPC) attributes (length, curvature angle, diameter of curvature) and the type of the trajectory of GPC-pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) component. The GPC is an important landmark that connects the oral cavity and PPF. It contains greater and lesser palatine nerves, along-with descending palatine artery and vein by extending from the inferior part of the PPF to the hard palate. The GPC acts as a pathway for infiltration of local anesthesia. The inferior orbital fissure (IOF) is in close proximity to these vital anatomic structures and hence accurate identification of its location during regional block anesthesia is crucial. This is one of the very few studies investigating these important structures on CBCT scans highlighting the importance of preoperative scans for the anatomic determination. The images were analyzed for the lengths and anatomic paths of the right and left GPC-PPF in sagittal plane. The diameters of the upper (higher bony aspect of PPF) and lower openings (GPC opening) displayed statistically significant differences in the comparison between males and females (P < 0.05). Overestimation or underestimation of the GPC length can cause a lack of anesthesia and undesirable diffusion of the anesthetic solution into the orbit thorough the IOF causing diplopia, or into the cranial cavity. A thorough understanding of GPC length and pathway types is obligatory for proper anesthetic administration and performing any maxillofacial procedures.

External morphology of the mouthparts and observations on behavior of Tuckerella japonica on Camellia sinensis in the continental USA.

Tuckerella japonica Ehara (Acari: Tetranychoidea: Tuckerellidae) was found on stems of seedling plants of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze (Theaceae) in the continental USA. This mite is able to pierce exposed green periderm tissue with its paired stylets on 1- to 3- or 4-year-old stems where the outer bark had split longitudinally. The mite was not found on branches older than 3 or 4 years, where splitting diminished and, eventually, a uniform covering of bark was formed. The mouthparts of T. japonica were examined under scanning electron microscopy and their external morphology was compared with known Tetranychoidea. There were usually one or two feeding holes in an area where the female subsequently deposited one or more eggs. Females were observed defending the areas where their eggs and/or young occurred. This behavior along with potentially limited access to exposed periderm or availability of shoots in the rows of plants may restrict higher populations of T. japonica from becoming established. The potential of T. japonica as an economic pest remains unknown at this time.

Assessment of Thiel-Embalmed Cadavers as a Teaching Tool for Oral Anatomy and Local Anesthesia.

The aim of this study was to determine whether Thiel-embalmed cadavers would provide a useful anatomy teaching tool for topics that cannot be approached using formalin-fixed cadavers such as oral cavity examination and maxillary anesthesia. The suitability of Thiel-embalmed bodies for performing oral examinations was assessed by asking first-year dental and dental hygiene students at a dental school in Ireland to identify oral structures on a classmate and on a Thiel-embalmed body. The study was conducted in 2016. The ease of location was compared in the two settings, and their quality was assessed on the cadavers. The suitability of Thiel-embalmed cadavers to teach maxillary anesthesia was assessed by students' performing mock injections at five adjacent sites daily for five consecutive days, followed by inspection of the gingival surface by experienced anatomists and dentists. Data were obtained from 57 students, but only the 54 forms that were fully completed were analyzed, for an overall response rate of 85.7%. The results showed that most oral structures were more difficult to locate on cadavers. The texture and appearance of features in the cadavers were rated at a midpoint between realistic and unrealistic. The relative inexperience of the participants, the accumulation of fixative in the oral cavity, and discoloration were mentioned as potential confounding factors. Visual analysis of images obtained following repeated injections revealed no deterioration of the tissue. Importantly, the puncture marks appeared to reduce over time, suggesting that the gingival tissue maintains some elasticity following Thiel fixation. These findings suggest that Thiel-embalmed cadavers may be a useful tool to provide students more time to localize and study aspects of the oral cavity. Likewise, the recoiling capacity of gingival tissue suggests that Thiel-embalmed cadavers may provide an ideal tool for teaching injection technique of local anesthetics.

Modeling human echolocation of near-range targets with an audible sonar.

Blind humans echolocate nearby targets by emitting palatal clicks and perceiving echoes that the auditory system is not able to resolve temporally. The mechanism for perceiving near-range echoes is not known. This paper models the direct mouth-to-ear signal (MES) and the echo to show that the echo enhances the high-frequency components in the composite MES/echo signal with features that allow echolocation. The mouth emission beam narrows with increasing frequency and exhibits frequency-dependent transmission notches in the backward direction toward the ears as predicted by the piston-in-sphere model. The ears positioned behind the mouth detect a MES that contains predominantly the low frequencies contained in the emission. Hence the high-frequency components in the emission that are perceived by the ears are enhanced by the echoes. A pulse/echo audible sonar verifies this model by echolocating targets from 5 cm range, where the MES and echo overlap significantly, to 55 cm. The model predicts that unambiguous ranging occurs over a limited range and that there is an optimal range that produces the highest range resolution.

[Histological and histochemical studies on mouthpart of Whitmania pigra at different months age].

Mouthpart developmental histology of Whitmania pigra at different month of age were studied by paraffin section, HE staining combined alcian blue and periodic acid schifts reaction procedure (AB-PAS). The following results was obtained: Change ranges: oral width 0.6 mm (1-3 month), 1.2 mm (34 month); oral diameter 0.3 mm (1-3 month); 1.2 mm (34 month), the oral size reached maximum during 4-6 months and unchanged thereafter. Oral lip had a thin protective film located in the front of the mouthpart. The W. pigra possessed three jaws in oral cavity, the big one was in dorsum, the other two separated on both side of abdomen respectively. Jaws and muscular pharynx were interrelated closely. The jaws were composed by cuticle, epithelial layer, muscularis and jaw cavity from outside to inside. In the front of jaws had mastoid abdomen with function of secreting acidophilic granule from 2 month age. Oral cavity was composed by mucosa, submucosa and muscularis inside and outside. Oral cavity was rich of peristomial nerves. And pharynx was composed of mucosa, muscularis, adventitia from inside to outside. The folds height and width become heighten and thicken. Mucosa epithelium from complex flat epithelium changed into columnar epithelium, muscularis gradually developed into thickened along with growing. Muscular thickness reached maximum at 4 months. Mucous cells of W. pigra were classified into I-IV types based on different staining and two mainly morphological shapes (Tubular, Pear-shaped). Jaws, oral cavity, pharynx by AB-PAS staining showed little changes at different month of age. Mucous cells were few at 1 month age, and type II cells were increased rapidly in 2-3 month age in oral lip. Oral cavity contains more mucous gland cells type I. Under the muscularis there were connective tissues which distributed a few of mucous cells type II.

[Comprehensive dental treatment under general anaesthesia: implementation among patients with mouth opening limitation].

Patients unable to tolerate routine dental treatment in an ordinary dental setting may undergo a wide range of dental procedures under general anaesthesia. This report describes a practical protocol for providing comprehensive dental treatment under general anaesthesia. The importance and uniqueness of planning, treating and adopting safety measures is illustrated through the presentation of clinical cases of patients with mouth opening limitation. Complete treatment can thus be achieved in a single visit, thereby eliminating repetition of coping with anxiety associated with repeated treatment sessions.

Specialized appendages in fuxianhuiids and the head organization of early euarthropods.

The organization of the head provides critical data for resolving the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of extinct and extant euarthropods. The early Cambrian-period fuxianhuiids are regarded as basal representatives of stem-group Euarthropoda, and their anterior morphology therefore offers key insights for reconstructing the ancestral condition of the euarthropod head. However, the paired post-antennal structures in Fuxianhuia protensa remain controversial; they have been interpreted as both 'great appendages' and as gut diverticulae. Here we describe Chengjiangocaris kunmingensis sp. nov. and Fuxianhuia xiaoshibaensis sp. nov. from a new early Cambrian (Stage 3) fossil Lagerstätte in Yunnan, China. Numerous specimens of both species show a unique 'taphonomic dissection' of the anterodorsal head shield, revealing the cephalic organization in detail. We demonstrate the presence of a pair of specialized post-antennal appendages (SPAs) in the fuxianhuiid head, which attach at either side of the posteriorly directed mouth, behind the hypostome. Preserved functional articulations indicate a well-defined but restricted range of limb movement, suggestive of a simple type of sweep feeding. The organization of the SPAs in fuxianhuiids is incompatible with the (deutocerebral) anterior raptorial appendages of megacheirans, and argue against the presence of protocerebral limbs in the fuxianhuiids. The positions of the fuxianhuiid antennae and SPAs indicate that they are segmentally homologous to the deutocerebral and tritocerebral appendages of crown-group Euarthropoda respectively. These findings indicate that antenniform deutocerebral appendages with many podomeres are a plesiomorphic feature of the ancestral euarthropod head.

[Deviation index of eye and mouth on peripheral facial paralysis].

Differences of some points, levels and angles of the healthy and affected sides of patients with peripheral facial paralysis were picked out according to photographs. Through analysis of the index between the healthy and affected side of the patients and the difference between healthy people and patients, it is approved that those special points, levels and angles, which are called as deviation index of eye and mouth, can evaluate peripheral facial paralysis objectively and judge the degree of deviation. Therefore, it provides references for the diagnosis of facial paralysis and its degree judgement.

Condition dependence of nestling mouth colour and the effect of supplementing carotenoids on parental behaviour in the hihi (Notiomystis cincta).

Carotenoids are integument pigments that often reflect foraging efficiency, disease resistance and body condition. In contrast to the widespread attention this relationship has received in adult birds, the condition dependence of nestling colouration remains an understudied component of animal communication. Here we assess the condition dependence of carotenoid pigmentation in nestling hihi (Notiomystis cincta, an endangered New Zealand bird) and examine the influence of carotenoid supplementation on nestling quality and parental visitation rates. Our results show that carotenoids provided to breeding adult hihi were transferred to their offspring and resulted in an intensified orange-yellow flange colour. After accounting for carotenoid supplementation the parameter that most consistently explained variation in nestling flange colour was nestling tarsus length at 23 days, indicating condition dependence of this trait. We did not, however, detect direct effects of carotenoid supplementation on nestling mass or immune response (or any other fitness parameter measured). Carotenoid supplementation did, however, result in an increased paternal provisioning rate.

Children with Down syndrome: oral development and morphology after use of palatal plates between 6 and 48 months of age.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the number of erupted teeth, sucking habits, tongue morphology, facial expression and speech in children with Down syndrome (DS) aged 48 +/- 6 months and treated from 6 months of age with palatal plates in combination with speech and language therapy. METHODS: The research took the form of a multicentre, multidisciplinary, longitudinal study of children with DS followed from the age of 6 months. A total of 37 children with DS were included. One child could not cooperate at all and was excluded from the evaluations. In combination with speech and language intervention provided by speech and language therapists, the children used palatal plates provided by dentists from 6 months of age. In the evaluation, the children in the sample (n = 36) were compared with two similarly aged control groups: one group of children with DS who never had used palatal plates (n = 31) and one group of children with normal development (n = 36). The evaluation of oral parameters was performed by dentists after calibration. Registration of facial expression and speech was done by a speech and language therapist, and the evaluation was done by two speech and language therapists and one phonetician who were calibrated in joint discussions. RESULTS: In contrast to the children with DS in the control group, the subjects in the study were found to have as many erupted teeth as the children with normal development. The prevalence of sucking habits did not differ between the three groups. Only children with DS sucked their tongue, a toy or other things in addition to a thumb or dummy. The prevalence of tongue diastase in the study group with DS was of the same magnitude as in the evaluation at the age of 18 +/- 3 months. The palatal plates were used by 57-65% of the children without any larger problems. In the study sample, the possible beneficial effects of palatal plate therapy were a lower prevalence of posterior cross-bite, a higher prevalence of frontal cusp-to-cusp relation and a lower prevalence of frontal open bite. Evaluation of facial expression and speech showed a higher score for facial expression and a better communicative capacity in the children in the study group than in the control children with DS. CONCLUSIONS: In children with DS, palatal plate therapy between 6 and 48 months of age in connection with speech and language intervention had a positive effect on occlusion, oral motor function, facial expression and speech. No harmful effects were observed. Although this is a valuable method, however, it must be emphasized that palatal plate therapy puts additional demands on already burdened children and their caretakers.

Instrumentation and measurement procedures in orofacial myology.

The article describes measurements and measuring devices as they apply to assessment, therapy and research in orofacial myology and myofunctional therapy. Although the list is by no means complete, a wide range of items, their objectivity, complexity, applicability and accuracy is presented.

Function and functional groupings of the complex mouth apparatus of the squat lobsters Munida sarsi Huus and M. tenuimana G.O. Sars (Crustacea: Decapoda).

Like all other decapods, the anomuran squat lobsters Munida sarsi and M. tenuimana have a mouth apparatus composed of six pairs of mouthparts plus labrum and paragnaths (upper and lower lips). To study the functional significance of this complexity, we examined the mouthparts with scanning electron microscopy and also observed their function directly, under laboratory conditions, using macro-video equipment. No differences were found between the two species. The movement patterns of the mouthparts are described in detail and illustrated as serial drawings. Proceeding from maxillipeds 3 towards the mandibles, the movement pattern gets increasingly stereotypical, with the mandibles performing but a single movement in a medio-lateral plane. From morphology, the mouthparts are subdivided into 20 parts, but from the functional analyses the 20 parts form 8 functional groups: 1, transporting mouthparts (maxilliped 2 endopod and maxilliped 3 endopod); 2, transporting-aligning mouthparts (maxilliped 1 basis); 3, sorting-aligning mouthparts (maxilla 1 basis and maxilla 2 basis); 4, current-generating mouthparts (flagella of maxilliped 2 and maxilliped 3 exopods); 5, cutting-crushing mouthparts (incisor and molar processes, labium, and mandibular palp); 6, ingesting mouthparts (maxilla 1 coxa, maxilla 2 coxa, and maxilliped 1 coxa); 7, respiratory mouthparts (scaphognathite, maxilliped 1 epipod, and maxilliped 2 and maxilliped 3 exopods); and 8, dorso-ventral mouthparts (maxilla 1 endopod, maxilla 2 endopod, maxilliped 1 endopod, and maxilliped 1 exopod). These groupings apply mostly to the processes of food handling and have little significance with respect to grooming. When comparing our results to the literature on other decapods, we found much resemblance to conditions in other anomurans.

Surgical approaches to oral lesions.

Basic surgery of the mouth has been described. Surgery of the anterior one third to one half of the mouth is relatively easy to perform. The patient's medical history, an understanding of the anatomy and histopathology of the oral mucosa, and special instrumentation and techniques are essential to performing oral surgery.

Issues in speech motor control and their relation to the speech of individuals with cleft palate.

A view of speech motor control is presented that is different from conventional coarticulation models. Rather than assuming that phonetic units specify targets for peripheral events, this view is based on holistic behavioral goals. The importance of discovering strategies that organize interactions among physiologic processes of the speech motor system is stressed. The concepts of motor flexibility and plasticity are developed. These motor control issues are used as the basis for discussing the relations among speech motor processes, critical minimum velopharyngeal port size, and speech adequacy in speakers with cleft palate. Different meanings of velopharyngeal incompetency are considered, and a potential misuse of the concept is explained. Finally, the developmental character of motor plasticity is discussed, and the implications of critical periods in speech motor learning are raised for children with cleft palate.