A novel method of automated skull registration for forensic facial approximation.

Modern forensic facial reconstruction techniques are based on an understanding of skeletal variation and tissue depths. These techniques rely upon a skilled practitioner interpreting limited data. To (i) increase the amount of data available and (ii) lessen the subjective interpretation, we use medical imaging and statistical techniques. We introduce a software tool, reality enhancement/facial approximation by computational estimation (RE/FACE) for computer-based forensic facial reconstruction. The tool applies innovative computer-based techniques to a database of human head computed tomography (CT) scans in order to derive a statistical approximation of the soft tissue structure of a questioned skull. A core component of this tool is an algorithm for removing the variation in facial structure due to skeletal variation. This method uses models derived from the CT scans and does not require manual measurement or placement of landmarks. It does not require tissue-depth tables, can be tailored to specific racial categories by adding CT scans, and removes much of the subjectivity of manual reconstructions.

The kappa agonists PD117302 and U50488 produce a biphasic effect on 24 hour food intake in the rat.

The effects of the selective kappa opioid receptor agonists PD117302 [(+/-)trans-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl-]benzo-[b]- thiophene-4-acetamide] and U50488 (trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl]- benzeneacetamide) were investigated on food intake in non-deprived rats over a 24 hr period following subcutaneous administration. At doses of 2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg, both PD117302 and U50488 initially increased food intake. Between 6-24 hr, however, PD117302 (2.5-10 mg/kg) and U50488 (2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg) caused a reduction in food intake. The largest doses of PD117302 and U50488 also reduced total 24 hr food intake. The reduction in food intake produced by PD117302 (5 mg/kg) was selective, since the intake of water was not affected. It is concluded that the kappa agonists PD117302 and U50488 produce a biphasic effect on 24 hr food intake, with an initial hyperphagia followed by a decrease in food intake.

Eructation of gas through the gastroesophageal sphincter before and after gastric fundectomy in dogs.

The gas eructation function of the gastroesophageal sphincter (GES) was investigated in 6 conscious, fed dogs before and after gastric fundectomy. Using a perfused 4-lumen catheter with a Dent sleeve, gastric and GES pressures were measured. To induce eructation, nitrogen gas was insufflated (440 ml/min) into the stomach through one channel of the catheter. After base-line studies were completed on each dog, fundectomy, to remove 30% of the stomach, was performed. Mean (+/- SEM) GES pressure was 45.3 +/- 3.3 mm of Hg before fundectomy and 41.4 +/- 1.9 mm of Hg after fundectomy (P greater than 0.05). Before fundectomy, treatment with metoclopramide or cisapride increased GES pressure to 62.2 +/- 4.1 mm of Hg (P less than 0.001) and 61.1 +/- 5.0 mm of Hg (P less than 0.05), respectively. Gastric contraction rates were the same, 4.92 +/- 0.24/min and 4.80 +/- 0.16/min before and after fundectomy, respectively. During insufflation, gastric pressures before eructation increased to 12.2 +/- 1.3 mm of Hg before fundectomy and to 13.6 +/- 0.9 mm of Hg after fundectomy (P greater than 0.05). Eructation occurred at intervals of 1.44 +/- 0.20 minutes before fundectomy and 1.56 +/- 0.13 minutes after fundectomy (P greater than 0.05). Before fundectomy, administration of metoclopramide or cisapride resulted in eructation intervals of 1.72 +/- 0.21 minutes and 1.39 +/- 0.02 minutes, respectively; these intervals were not significantly different from those measured in dogs not given drugs. After fundectomy, the GES pressure in 5 dogs decreased and remained low during insufflation. After a series of normal eructation intervals, multiple eructations were observed in 4 of these dogs. Fundectomy did not impair ability to eructate gas from the stomach.

An evaluation of tribromoethanol (TBE) as an anaesthetic agent in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

Mongolian gerbils injected i.p. with a 1.25% solution of tribromoethanol (TBE) quickly lost the righting reflex and showed good surgical anaesthesia, the duration of which was positively related to the dose administered. All levels (225-450 mg/kg bodyweight) of TBE injected s.c. resulted in loss of the righting reflex, though surgical anaesthesia was not attained. Following recovery from anaesthesia induced with 2.25% TBE i.p., or high doses of 1.25% TBE i.p., visceral adhesions and deaths occurred. To avoid these TBE-induced fatalities such extreme care must be taken during the preparation, storage and administration of the agent that it is not recommended as a suitable anaesthetic for general use in the gerbil.

The effects of implementing program consequences with a group of individuals who engaged in sensory maintained hand mouthing.

This study evaluated whether a multicomponent treatment package could be successfully implemented with individuals who engage in self-injurious hand mouthing maintained by sensory consequences in the context of both individual and small group settings. Three ambulatory individuals with profound mental retardation participated on an individual basis followed by treatment within a group setting. Generalization of the intervention results to the natural living environment was then analyzed. Using an ABAB experimental design, the effectiveness of brief response interruption followed by the introduction of a preferred leisure item to reduce hand mouthing during 15-min intervention sessions was analyzed. Results of these experiments showed that the intervention could be successfully implemented during individual and small group sessions and during group sessions conducted in the natural environment. The benefits and limitations of this intervention strategy and future research are discussed.

Utilizing increased response effort to reduce chronic hand mouthing.

The effects of increased response effort on levels of hand mouthing, leisure engagement, and adaptive elbow flexion were investigated with 2 individuals who had been diagnosed with profound disabilities. Arm restraints designed to alter the amount of physical effort necessary to engage in hand mouthing were used. Results indicated that the treatment strategy reduced levels of hand mouthing but produced only small to moderate reductions in levels of leisure engagement and adaptive elbow flexion. At follow-up, the effects of increased response effort on hand mouthing and leisure engagement were maintained for both participants; however, the restraints were associated with substantial reductions in adaptive elbow flexion for 1 participant.

An in vitro study of the structural properties of deep-frozen versus freeze-dried, ethylene oxide-sterilized canine anterior cruciate ligament bone-ligament-bone preparations.

The effect of two preparation and storage methods on the structural properties of canine anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) bone-ligament-bone preparations was determined. In Group 1, one knee joint from each dog was tested after storage at -70 degrees for eight to 12 weeks. In Group 2, one knee joint from each dog was sterilized using ethylene oxide, freeze-dried, and then stored at room temperature for four to five weeks prior to mechanical testing. In both groups, the contralateral joint was tested fresh and used as a control. The bone-ligament-bone preparations were loaded in tension until failure and the load at failure, stiffness, and maximum elongation were measured. No preparation method caused a significant decline in breaking strength. In both groups, however, there was a significant increase in elongation at failure noted in the test specimens. This was accompanied, in Group 1 (deep-frozen), by a significant decrease in stiffness in the test joints. A similar trend toward decreased stiffness was observed in the test joints from Group 2 (freeze-dried).