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Introduction Today, due to the increasing application of silver nanoparticles in medical products, it is necessary to pay attention to the user's safety. There are three methods, namely, chemical, physical, and biological, used for the production of nanoparticles. Although the first two methods might introduce health hazards, the latter is hypothetically safe. In this study, we examined the histopathological changes in the cerebellum of neonatal Wistar rats induced by injection of toxic and nontoxic doses of silver nanoparticles, which were produced by green synthetic method and were compared with chemical silver nanoparticles. Methods This study was a laboratory interventional study performed on 25 Wistar rats in the Animal Laboratory of Islamic Azad University of Shahrood. These rats were divided into five groups of the control group, the group with nonpoisonous injection of chemical nanoparticles, the group with nonpoisonous injection of biological nanoparticles, the group with injection of poisonous chemical nanoparticles, and the group with injection of poisonous biological nanoparticles. The rats were impregnated by the males of the same race and the cerebellum of their offspring was studied after birth. Results We found that the injection of nonpoisonous chemical nanoparticles caused hyperemia, inappropriate size, and dark cytoplasm in some Purkinje cells. Also, injection of poisonous chemical nanoparticles caused hyperemia and cellular dispersion in the molecular layer, caused abnormal shapes, and reduced the number of cells in Purkinje cells. However, injection of poisonous and nonpoisonous biological nanoparticles did not alter cerebellum cells nor did it cause any inflammation or hyperemia. Conclusion In contrast with chemical nanoparticles, biological nanoparticles have less significant effect on the cerebellum cells., Examined the histopathological changes in the cerebellum of neonatal wistar rats. Silver nanoparticles which are produced by green synthetic method. In contrast with chemical nanoparticles, biochemical nanoparticles have less significant effect on the cerebellum cells.

Placental surface area is often estimated using diameter measurements. However, as many placentas are not elliptical, we were interested in the validity of these estimates. We compared placental surface area from images for 491 singletons from the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network (SCRN) Study (416 live births, 75 stillbirths) to estimates obtained using diameter measurements. Placental images and diameters were obtained from pathologic assessments conducted for the SCRN Study and images were analyzed using ImageJ software. On average, diameter-based measures underestimated surface area by −5.58% (95% confidence interval: −30.23, 19.07); results were consistent for normal and abnormal shapes. The association between surface area and birthweight was similar for both measures. Thus, diameter-based surface area can be used to estimate placental surface area.

For a precise simulation of electromagnetic radiation effects, voxel phantoms require detailed structures to approximate humans. The phantoms currently used still do not have sophisticated structures. This paper presents voxel and surface models of 300 head structures with cranial nerves and reports on a technique for voxel reconstruction of the cranial nerves having very thin and small structures. In real-color sectioned images of the head (voxel size: 0.1 mm), 300 structures were segmented using Photoshop. A surface reconstruction was performed automatically on Mimics. Voxel conversion was run on Voxel Studio. The abnormal shapes of the voxel models were found and classified into three types: thin cord, thin layers, and thin parts in the structures. The abnormal voxel models were amended using extended, filled, and manual voxelization methods devised for this study. Surface models in STL format and as PDF files of the 300 head structures were produced. The STL format has good scalability, so it can be used in most three-dimensional surface model software. The PDF file is very user friendly for students and researchers who want to learn the head anatomy. Voxel models of 300 head structures were produced (TXT format), and their voxel quantity and weight were measured. A voxel model is difficult to handle, and the surface model cannot use the radiation simulation. Consequently, the best method for making precise phantoms is one in which the flaws of the voxel and surface models complement each other, as in the present study.

The anterior teeth play an essential role on the esthetics of smile and have a great influence on the people´s self-esteem . The ability to proper restore these teeth is extremely important for all dentists. This chapter aims to discuss all procedures necessary to restore shape, function, and esthetic of incisors and canines. The basic concepts about color and optical characteristics of natural teeth are presented, as well as how to perform the tooth shade determination and select the appropriate composite resin for each clinical case. Principles of esthetic analysis of anterior teeth in order to reproduce the natural characteristics on the restorations are also available. The step-by-step procedures about how to restore teeth with all kinds of lesions produced by caries or other non-carious origins are presented. The restoration of fractured teeth after a trauma, with or without the association of a surgical procedure, is also discussed, as well as the reattachment of tooth fragments. The use of composite for recontouring teeth, closing diastemas, or changing abnormal shapes is very conservative alternative of treatment and worth discussing. The use of color modifiers in different clinical situation to mask of reproduce some specific optical characteristic is presented, as well as the finishing and polishing procedure. At the end, the factors affecting the durability of the restorations and how to perform its maintenance are discussed, aiming to reduce its unnecessary replacement n.

Abnormal shapes of red blood cells (RBC) have been associated with various diseases. Diverse RBC shapes have also been intriguing for membrane biophysics. Here we focus on sickle shaped RBC which form due to abnormal growth of semi-rigid hemoglobin (HbS) fibers confined in RBC. Using the area difference elasticity (ADE) model for RBC and worm-like chain model for the confined HbS fibers, we explore shape deformations at equilibrium using Monte-Carlo simulations. We show that while a single HbS fiber is not rigid enough to produce sickle like deformation, a fiber bundle can do so. We also consider multiple disjoint filaments and find that confinement can generate multipolar RBC shapes and can even promote helical filament conformations which have not been discussed before. We show that the same model, when applied to microtubules confined in phospholipid vesicles, predicts vesicle tubulation. In addition we reproduce the tube collapse transition and tennis racket type vesicle shapes, as reported in experiments. We conclude that with a decrease in the surface area to volume ratio, and membrane rigidity, the vesicles prefer tubulation over sickling. The highlight of this work is several important non-axisymmetric RBC and vesicle shapes, which have never been explored in simulations.

Background:Sjögren Syndrome (SS) is a rheumatic connective tissue disease in which vascular involvement (e.g. Raynaud’s phenomenon) may occur. No systematic review exists elucidating on the role of nailfold capillaroscopy in SS.Objectives:To give a standardised overview of capillaroscopic changes and clinical associations in SS.Methods:The literature was searched through in three databases by two reviewers. All published original studies which assess patients with SS by capillaroscopy were revised. A quality assessment was applied, based on sample size, population description, presence of a control group, presence of instrumental specifications and/or standardly applied capillaroscopic methodology, presence of clear descriptions of capillaroscopic parameters and based on the used statistical analysis. The capillaroscopic findings were described in a EULAR consented standardised way (1). Significant associations of capillaroscopic parameters in SS-patients with clinical and laboratory variables were also reported.Results:The literature search resulted in 826 hits. Based on title and abstract screening 519 original studies were retained and of these, 12 full texts described an assessment by nailfold capillaroscopy in SS. Six studies (four case-control studies and two case-series) were retained after performing a critical quality assessment (fig 1). EULAR standardised description (table 1) attested conclusive results for capillary ‘morphology’, suggesting a not higher prevalence of abnormal shapes in SS than in healthy (2,3). Concerning clinical associations, capillary density was associated with Raynaud in two studies and with interstitial lung disease in one study (2-4). No association between serologic features (anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-SSA, anti-SSB and anti-RF) and capillaroscopic parameters were found (2,5).Table 1.Standardised description of capillaroscopic characteristics in Sjögren’s Syndrome vs Healthy Legend. Only studies mentioning p-values were considered in this table. *Tektonidou et al. did not report differences between healthy controls and the SS group as a whole, but rather reported differences between healthy controls and subgroups of patients with/without Raynaud’s and with/without centromere antibodies.AssessmentParameterSignificantNot significantConclusionQuantitativeDensity1 study [2]1 study [3]Not conclusiveDimensionDilationGiant0 studies0 studies0 studies1 study [2]Not conclusiveNormal morphologyHairpin shapedTortuosityCrossing0 studies0 studies0 studies0 studies1 study [3]1 study [3]Not conclusiveAbnormal morphology0 studies2 studies [2,3]Equal absence of abnormal morphology in SS vs healthy controlsHaemorrhages0 studies2 studies [2,3]Not conclusive*Semi quantitative0 studies0 studiesNo dataQualitativeNormalNon specific abnormalitiesScleroderma pattern0 studies0 studies0 studies1 study [3]1 study [3]0 studiesNot conclusive*Not conclusive*No dataConclusion:A small number of studies have investigated the role of nailfold capillaroscopy in SS. Prospective follow up studies with standard evaluation and capillaroscopy in SS are warranted.References:[1]Smith et al Autoimmun Rev 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102458[2]Capobianco et al Clin Exp Rheumatol 2005;23(6):789-94[3]Tektonidou et al Rheumatology (Oxford, England) 1999;38(9):826-30[4]Cakmakci et al Tuberk Torakx 2015;63:22-30[5]Corominas et al Rheumatol Int 2016;36(3):365-9Disclosure of Interests:Karin Melsens: None declared, Maria C. Leone: None declared, Sabrina Paolino: None declared, Maurizio Cutolo Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Actelion, Celgene, Consultant of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Speakers bureau: Sigma-Alpha, Dirk Elewaut: None declared, Roberto Gerli: None declared, Isabelle Peene: None declared, Vanessa Smith Grant/research support from: The affiliated company received grants from Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Belgian Fund for Scientific Research in Rheumatic diseases (FWRO), Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co and Janssen-Cilag NV, Consultant of: Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co, Speakers bureau: Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co and UCB Biopharma Sprl

Light and scanning electron microscopic studies of erythrocytes of Channa punctata exposed to two sublethal doses of lindane over a period of 21 days revealed myriads of anomalies. High frequency of micronucleus appeared progressively in the erythrocyte, ranging from 3.8-7.5%, when monitored weekly for 21 d at 0.25 g/L and 1.0-3.0% at 0.025 g/L lindane. Prominent structural anomalies of erythrocytes included abnormal shapes, vacuolation, membrane invagination and disintegration. At higher dose and at later duration, a unique tendency of abnormal cells to stick together was observed. It could be concluded that commercial formulation of lindane could induce genotoxicity and structural anomalies in the erythrocytes of fish.

Bull-boxing in South Korea is a form of competitions in which bulls measure their strength with each other in the form of pushing by putting their heads together. Bull-boxing has been admitted after being designated as a play culture by the government because it does not cause great injuries to animals' bodies and has strong positive aspects such as contributing to livestock farmers' leisure activities, encouragement of animal husbandry, and communities' economic development. However, bull-boxing sometimes causes damage to the head and horns due to the heavy bodies. According to the results of examinations of these damage cases, damage that caused irregular shapes of the base of horns was identified in 31.5% of fighting bulls. The damage to horns is thought to have been caused by the great forces of fighting bulls repeatedly imposed to each other's horns during bull-boxing that caused minute fractures leading to damage to the blood vessels inside the horns resulting in the blocking of delivery of nutrients to the horns causing the deformation of the horns into abnormal shapes. Since bulls' bodies are injured during bull-boxing although the injuries are small as bull-boxing is mainly conducted by pushing, animal protection groups regard bull-boxing as cruelty to animals and request to stop bull-boxing. The present study aims to develop animal welfare type headgears that can protect bulls' horns and heads in order to protect fighting bulls during bull-boxing in terms of animal protection and welfare.

Background and aims: The shape of sacral hiatus is known to show a number of anatomical variations. The shape and extent of sacral hiatus is important because in caudal epidural anaesthesia, the approach is made through sacral hiatus. The detailed anatomical knowledge of variations of sacral hiatus is very helpful to the anaesthetists to increase the success rate of caudal anaesthesia. The present study is an attempt to find out variations of sacral hiatus in north interior Karnataka region. Materials and methods: For the present study, one hundred dry human sacra obtained from north interior Karnataka region were used. Results: The inverted U shaped sacral hiatus was most common (56%). Inverted V shaped sacral hiatus was found in 24% of sacra. The other variations like irregular shaped hiatus (10%), bifid hiatus (2%), dumbbell shaped hiatus (5%), complete spina bifida (1%) and absent hiatus (2%) were also found. Conclusion: Abnormal shapes of sacral hiatus like irregular, bifid, dumbbell, completespina bifida and absent hiatus were seen in 20%of total 100 sacra belonging to north interior Karnataka.

The aim of this study was to test whether lesions of the medial meniscus (MM) and of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are associated with specific abnormalities of isokinetic moment curves (IMCs). Fifty-four young adults (20 active healthy people, and 34 patients with unilateral knee injuries) were assessed through knee extensor and flexor isokinetic tests at 60°/s. Qualitative IMC analysis was performed using a novel classification system which identified three distinct abnormal shapes. The chi-squared (χ2) test was used to determine the inter-individual and intra-individual differences between the groups. Quantitative IMC inter-group comparisons were performed by a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Knees with MM and ACL lesions were consistently associated with IMC shape irregularities (p

Full morphometric data analysis and 3D rendering of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) is provided by means of Digital Holography (DH) in combination with Optical Tweezers (OT). The proposed method is compared with a geometrical model of RBC in order to evaluate its accuracy and tested for many kinds of RBCs, from healthy ones with double-concavity to that with abnormal shapes. Applications in diagnostics are foreseen.

How tissue shape emerges from the collective mechanical properties and behavior of individual cells is not understood. We combine experiment and theory to study this problem in the developing wing epithelium of Drosophila. At pupal stages, the wing-hinge contraction contributes to anisotropic tissue flows that reshape the wing blade. Here, we quantitatively account for this wing-blade shape change on the basis of cell divisions, cell rearrangements and cell shape changes. We show that cells both generate and respond to epithelial stresses during this process, and that the nature of this interplay specifies the pattern of junctional network remodeling that changes wing shape. We show that patterned constraints exerted on the tissue by the extracellular matrix are key to force the tissue into the right shape. We present a continuum mechanical model that quantitatively describes the relationship between epithelial stresses and cell dynamics, and how their interplay reshapes the wing. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.07090.001, eLife digest The individual cells in a developing animal embryo organize themselves into tissues with specific and reproducible shapes, which requires the cells to communicate with one another. Cells in tissues exert forces on their neighbors, and respond to being pushed and pulled by the cells around them. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, each wing consists mainly of a framework of proteins and other molecules that is built by epithelial cells. These epithelial cells divide and grow during the life of a fly larva, and then reorganize themselves into the shape of the wing after it forms into a pupa. During this reshaping, epithelial cells in some regions of the wing experience powerful contractions. Previous work had suggested that and these forces produced tension in the rest of the wing to pull it into its final elongated shape. But it wasn't clear what exactly these contractions were pulling against to produce the tension. Nor was it understood exactly how wing epithelial cells responded to tension to reorganize themselves into a different wing shape. Now, Etournay, Popović, Merkel, Nandi et al. have analyzed the forces acting across the entire wing blade and how these forces shape the wing. All cell divisions, cell neighbor exchanges and changes in cell shape in the developing wing blade were tracked under a microscope; this revealed how each one of them contributed to the change in wing shape. Further experiments revealed that localized contractile forces produce tension in the wing because it is connected around its edge to surrounding structures via an extracellular protein called Dumpy. Releasing these contacts, by severing them with a laser or by mutating Dumpy, caused the wing to develop into abnormal shapes, showing that the tension in the wing blade has an important role in determining wing shape. Furthermore, by tracking cells in wings that had been severed by a laser, or mutated for Dumpy Etournay, Popović, Merkel, Nandi et al. could figure out exactly which cellular processes were guided by epithelial tension. Etournay Popović, Merkel, Nandi et al. also present a theoretical model that describes how the interplay between active force generation and the response of cells to the resulting tension shapes the wings of fruit flies. They propose that epithelial tension provides a mechanism through which cells can communicate with each other to ensure that together the combined behavior of these cells generates reproducible shapes. Further studies are required to analyze how active force generation is patterned and cells sense and respond to external forces during development. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.07090.002

Background:The general cytologic features of the keratinizing form of squamous cell carcinoma are well characterized and include pleomorphic squamous cells present singly or in loosely cohesive aggregates. Abnormal shapes including tadpole/spindled or heavily keratinized cells and nuclear pleomorphi

To evaluate the in vivo effects of low-dose-rate (0.7 mGy h(-1)) gamma radiation, abnormal shapes of sperm in the caudal epidydimus of Apodemus agrarius coreae (A. a. coreae) were used. The six categories of abnormal forms (amorphous heads, blunt hooks, excessive hooks, two heads and tails, folded tails and short tails) of sperm were observed eight days after gamma irradiation (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 Gy) with a high dose rate (0.8 Gy min(-1)) and a low dose rate. The frequency of total abnormal sperm gradually increased starting from 0.5 Gy after high-dose-rate radiation. Blunt hooks and short tails shaped sperm, in particular, were gradually increasing in the high-dose-rate irradiated mice. Dose rate reduction effects for the frequency of abnormal sperms in low-dose-rate irradiated mice to high-dose-rate irradiated mice were 1 at 0.5 Gy, 0.7 at 1 Gy and 0.5 at 2 Gy. Our results indicate that low-dose-rate radiation is not detrimental to spermatogenic cells.

Little information exists about the degree of efficacy of the several nonoperative treatments, such as manipulation and casting, used in correcting the pathology of the virgin clubfoot deformity. The steps in the correction of the displacements and anomalies of the skeletal components have never been visualized. The method reported to have the best long-term results is that of Ponseti. A magnetic resonance imaging protocol was devised to image the described chondroosseous abnormalities of the virgin clubfoot deformity and to illustrate the changes that occur with the Ponseti method of treatment. Scans were performed at the beginning of, in the middle of, and at the end of treatment. Images obtained with this protocol largely agree with postmortem studies of clubfeet. All of the major chondroosseous pathology could be visualized in vivo. With Ponseti treatment, all the abnormalities seen on the initial scans either improved markedly or corrected completely. Treatment resulted in correction not only of the abnormal relationships of the tarsal bones, but also of the abnormal shapes of the individual tarsal osteochondral anlages, probably because of the changes in growth resulting from the changes in mechanical loading of fast-growing tissues.

Beginning in summer 1991 and continuing through 1996, Amphistegina populations in the Florida Keys and elsewhere have exhibited symptoms of stress. Previous studies have reported progressive loss of symbiont color in most adult individuals during spring and summer months. In addition, commonly 15–35% of living individuals in afflicted populations have malformed tests that are chipped, broken, or broken and repaired, in contrast to approximately 5% of the living individuals in populations sampled during the 1970's and 1980's. This study illustrates observed malformations including test breakage, uneven external surfaces, abnormal shapes, bioerosion, and loss of outer chambers. Internal anomalies include poorly defined pore cups, excessive calcification, and minimal organic matrix. Previous cytological studies of these stressed Amphistegina revealed loss of Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum. Because these organelles are sites of glycoprotein and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, we postulate that reduced synthesis of these major organic matrix components of the foraminiferal shell may account for the observed biomineralization anomalies. Documentation of these anomalies can provide the basis for determining if similar stress events occurred in the fossil record.

En este trabajo se ha estudiado la aptitud reproductiva potencial (condición físico/sanitaria, aparato reproductor y calidad espermática) de 98 toros de edades comprendidas entre 1 y 10 años, de raza Charolesa, Limusina y Retinta, distribuidos por toda la geografía extremeña. Se pretende encontrar las variables seminales más útiles a la hora de diferenciar entre reproductores. Los análisis de laboratorio han consistido en un espermiograma clásico (aspecto del eyaculado, volumen, concentración, movilidad subjetiva y formas anormales) complementado con la valoración de la movilidad mediante sistema CASA (Computer Assisted Semen Analysis). En todos los casos se ha medido la circunferencia escrotal. Se han clasificado los toros como potencialmente aptos para la reproducción, cuestionables y potencialmente no aptos, tanto por su condición físico/sanitaria como por la calidad espermática, obteniéndose un 68,36% de animales aptos, lo que supone más de un 30% de reproductores que en el momento de la evaluación tendrían alguna limitación reproductiva. Estos datos sugieren la necesidad de incluir la evaluación de la aptitud reproductiva potencial en el manejo rutinario de las explotaciones de ganado vacuno.

The difference between a normal capillaroscopy and an “abnormal” capillaroscopy is important in the differential diagnosis between a primary Raynaud9s phenomenon (=not linked to any condition) from a secondary RP. A normal capillaroscopic pattern, by qualitative assessment, is characterized by a homogeneous distribution of hairpin shaped capillaries as a “comb-like structure”, with a density of between 9–14 capillaries per mm. Yet, there exists a wide intra- and inter-individual variety in a normal population (non-specific variations) which will be discussed during the workshop. An abnormal capillaroscopic image due to systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by (a combination) of specific changes (giants, capillary loss, hemorrhages and abnormal shapes (ramifications)). Depending on their relative prevalence three SSc-patterns are described by Cutolo et al. with a 200 magnification videocapillaroscope: the “early”, “active” and “late” scleroderma pattern. The combination of the presence of a scleroderma pattern on capillaroscopy with the presence of an SSc-specific antibody in a patient with Raynaud9s phenomenon allows the “early” diagnosis of SSc. When the patient also has “puffy” fingers he/she meets the VEDOSS criteria for very early diagnosis of SSc. In patients with connective tissue diseases “other than” SSc and diseases of the scleroderma spectrum there are no “unique” capillary patterns. A variety of capillary abnormalities (change in morphology, dimension, presence of hemorrhages) have been observed. These abnormalities by themselves are not predictive of any defined condition and may be referred to as non-specific abnormalities. Disclosure of Interest None declared

This study presents the morphometric characteristic of canine haemoprotozoan, Hepatozoon canis, using software DP2-BSW (OLYMPUS). The gametocytes of H. canis found inside the neutrophils were characteristic in shape and size and varied from 9.50 to 11.80 μm × 5.10–6.00 μm. Parasitaemia ranged from 1.00 to 39.00 %. Few gametocytes without nuclei and of abnormal shapes were also observed. The results were compared with the measurements done by using ocular micrometer.

The full-term, delivered placenta is, in more than 90% of the cases, a disk-like, flat, round to oval organ. In nearly 10% it has abnormal shapes, such as placenta bilobata, placenta duplex, placenta succenturiata, placenta zonaria, and placenta membranacea (Torpin, 1969). The average diameter is 22 cm, the average thickness in the center of the delivered organ 2.5 cm, and the average weight 470g (see Table 28.1). The respective measurements show considerable interindividual variation and strongly depend on such factors as the mode of birth, timing of cord clamping (see Table 28.8), and time elapsed between delivery and examination.

We study theoretically the shapes of biological tubes affected by various pathologies. When epithelial cells grow at an uncontrolled rate, the negative tension produced by their division provokes a buckling instability. Several shapes are investigated : varicose, enlarged, sinusoidal or sausage-like, all of which are found in pathologies of tracheal, renal tubes or arteries. The final shape depends crucially on the mechanical parameters of the tissues : Young modulus, wall-to-lumen ratio, homeostatic pressure. We argue that since tissues must be in quasistatic mechanical equilibrium, abnormal shapes convey information as to what causes the pathology. We calculate a phase diagram of tubular instabilities which could be a helpful guide for investigating the underlying genetic regulation.

Erythrocyte shape recognition is very important in the detection of thalassemia and anemia using microscopic images. This study aims to develop a computer aided shape recognizer for the recognition of abnormal shapes viz., tear drop, echinocyte, eliptocyte. Here such recognition is done using Hu's moments and other geometric features followed by gray level thresholding and marker controlled watershed segmentation. These features are statistically evaluated to show their significant in discriminating the mentioned abnormal and normal shapes. In the result, it is found that six moment based features are significant.

Leiomyosarcomas are the most common uterine sarcomas, and present with non-specific symptoms of abnormal vaginal bleeding, lower abdominal pain or mass. We describe a case of uterine leio-myosarcoma in a 54-year-old Malay woman with extension and ulceration through the cervical epithelium, permitting cytological analysis via a PAP smear. The smear showed dispersed cells with various abnormal shapes, ranging from epithelioid to spindled and the nuclear chromatin was coarsely granular and hyperchro-matic, resulting in an erroneous diagnosis of severe squamous dyskaryosis, with suspicion for invasion. We review the literature on uterine leiomyosarcomas diagnosed on the cervical smear. This report is, to the best of our knowledge, the first cytological description of a uterine leiomyosarcoma in a liquid-based PAP smear.

A computer model of cardiac excitation and recovery processes reproduced chaotic behavior of the simulated tissue to investigate the way that different parameters influence the degree of modeled disorganization. The model included abnormal shapes of action potential curves corresponding to premature excitation, excitation transmission based on transmembrane voltages, and the electronic interactions between neighboring cells. The model was used to examine a one-dimensional cable of simulated cells. The degree of the simulated chaos was examined in the dependence on the shapes of action potential curves, on the threshold of transmembrane voltages initiating an excitation wave, and on the degree of the electrotonic interactions of neighboring cells. The maximum disorganization was achieved when combining the negative influence of all parameters. Changing the shape of the action potential curves had a greater preventive influence on the modeled chaos than variation of the other parameters. >

Infective endocarditis often presents with vegetations attached to the surface of the valve leaflets and sometimes with structural damage of the valves in the form of perforation of the leaflets or in the form of valvular or perivalvular abscesses. Sometimes smouldering infection can damage the valve structure and can cause deformation of the valve structure to such an extent that it conforms abnormal shapes. We report a rare case of a middle-aged person with a previously undiagnosed atrial septal defect (ASD) who presented with symptoms of progressively worsening exertional fatigue and dyspnoea. The patient had a history of being treated for infective endocarditis by a rare Gram-positive cocci Gemella morbillorum which was previously known as Streptococcus morbillorum . The patient was …

The ‘Bing’ sweet cherry produces increased numbers of abnormal fruit shapes when grown in certain regions in California, rendering the fruit less marketable. Postharvest under- and over-tree sprinkler irrigation led to a reduction in the production of abnormal fruit shapes indicating that canopy climate modification maybe an alternative to growers producing ‘Bing’ cherries in those regions where these abnormal fruit shapes are prevalent.

The importance of distinguishing normal capillaroscopy findings form (pathognomonic) abnormal (pathological) findings, lies in the fact that this distinction allows the differentiation between a primary Raynaud’s phenomenon characterized by normal capillaroscopic findings from a secondary RP due to systemic sclerosis (SSc) and diseases of the scleroderma spectrum, characterized by (patognomonic) abnormal findings on capillaroscopy.[[1][1]] Diverse terminology had been described for RP, LeRoy and Medsger proposed criteria for the strict definition of primary RP and of secondary RP due to SSc. Amongst others these criteria encompass capillaroscopy.[[2][2]]To be able to speak of a primary RP, these criteria require a normal capillaroscopic pattern. In the normal capillary pattern capillaries of the distal row of the nailfold have an open hairpin shape, a homogenous size, are regularly arranged in a parallel fashion and their number ranges between 6 to 14 per mm with a mean of 9. The morphological pattern of nailfold capillaries is remarkably constant in normal individuals.[[3][3]] However, across the population there exists a wide variation in the ranges of the normal morphology. Andrade et al. reported capillaroscopic findings on the largest described healthy persons study population (800 healthy persons). In this study, also morphological anomalies were seen in 34% of the whole healthy person population but few in each individual. However, certain features, such as giant capillaries or extensive avascularity seem not to be present in a normal population and should be considered as pathological. On the contrary, patients with a secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon due to SSc show pathognomonic abnormal (pathological patterns) patterns on capillaroscopy. The majority of patients with clinically recognizable SSc show, very characteristic combination of capillary abnormalities (giant capillaries, loss of capillaries in the nailfold, hemorrhages and abnormal shapes [= neoangiogenesis], such as ramifications), the “scleroderma-type” changes, which can easily be assessed through pattern recognition.[[4][4]] Recently, Cutolo et al. qualitatively assessed the nailfolds of an SSc cohort with patients fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for SSc with the nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) technique (magnification X200). According to the relative prevalences of those abnormalities he classified the patterns found in SSc into the “early”, the “active” and the “late” pattern. Besides this, the detection of pathognomonic abnormal capillaroscopic patterns on capillaroscopy also allows us to diagnose SSc “early”, before skin involvement has occurred. In this way LeRoy and Mesdger proposed in 2001 criteria for the “early” diagnosis of SSc, with RP as single criterion. These criteria incorporate SSc-specific autoimmune antibodies and microvascular techniques, more specifically the “scleroderma-type” changes on capillaroscopy. These criteria have been recently validated in a large prospective study.[[5][5]] Of note, also in more recently proposed criteria for very early diagnosis of SSc (VEDOSS) these pathological patterns on capillaroscopy play an important role. 1. Smith V, Cutolo M. When and how to perform the capillaroscopy. In: Cutolo M, ed. Atlas of capillaroscopy in Rheumatic diseases. Milano: Elseviern Srl. 2010 2. LeRoy EC, Medsger TA, Jr. Raynaud’s phenomenon: a proposal for classification. Clin Exp Rheumatol . 1992; 10: 485-8. 3. Andrade LE, Gabriel Junior A, Assad RL, Ferrari AJ, Atra E. Panoramic nailfold capillaroscopy: a new reading method and normal range. Semin Arthritis Rheum . 1990; 20: 21-31. 4. Cutolo M, Sulli A, Pizzorni C, Accardo S. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy assessment of microvascular damage in systemic sclerosis. J Rheumatol . 2000; 27: 155-60. 5. Koenig M, Joyal F, Fritzler MJ, Roussin A, Abrahamowicz M, Boire G, et al. Autoantibodies and Microvascular Damage Are Independent Predictive Factors for the Progression of Raynaud’s Phenomenon to Systemic Sclerosis A Twenty-Year Prospective Study of 586 Patients, With Validation of Proposed Criteria for Early Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Rheum Disclosure of Interest None Declared [1]: #p-3 [2]: #p-4 [3]: #p-5 [4]: #p-6 [5]: #p-7

At scanning electron microscopy of cells from the lymph of the thoracic duct, collected by cannulation of patients with malignant tumours of different types, lymphocytes and red blood cells were found, but few malignant cells. The latter came from patients with pulmonary carcinoma and mammary carcinoma with lung metastases. Various abnormal shapes of the red blood cells were observed, possibly due to extrinsic factors such as administered drugs of abnormal metabolites from the malignant disease. The lymphocytes had no consistent pathologic shape, but appeared to act as immunologic, active cells against the malignant cells in the thoracic lymph.

A computer model has been developed which simulates both excitation and recovery processes within a block of heart muscle tissue. The model emphasizes the electro physiologic features of repolarization processes. It is comprised of artificial images of myocardial tissue consisting of several thousand elements and introduces phenomena that are omitted or seriously simplified in most of the existing computer models of cardiac electrophysiology. These phetiomeria include the abnormal shapes of action-potential curves corresponding to premature excitation of cells that have not fully recovered, different durations of the repolarization phase in endoepicardial layers of tissue, and the tissue anisotropy of excitation transmission and electric resistivity. The model has been used in several experiments. Results of simulation studies are presented in the form of modelled 3-lead electrocardiographic records. In spite of simple assumptions used at model construction, the results of simulation experiments reproduce natural phenomena. The experimental series include: simulation of regular activation sequences, models of ischemia and infarction, models of pnemature beats, simulation of effects due to fast sequential excitation, and simulation of reentry mechanisms with special reference to the initiation of ventricular fibrillation. The future development of more realistic models of cardiac recovery processes is also discussed.

Two observations of the woodpecker bill in captivity are reported. 1) A male Great-spotted Woodpecker caught as an adult lost most part of its upper bill (rhamphotheca). It repeated recovering in abnormal shapes and breaking off. 2) The upper bill of a young female Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, caught as a nestling, abnormally elongated and became shorter to normal length in a month. These observations suggest that woodpecker bill can be modified easily by bird's foraging behavior.

With the use of a new evaluation method, the rhinomanometric curve is quantified with only two measurements, both in the laminar and in the turbulent part of the curve. 1) The volume flow measured at a constant delta p of 15 mm of water defines the volume flow increase in the initial, more laminar part of the curve, and is in most cases a sufficient measure of the conductivity of the nose. The rule that governs the addition of parallel resistances is not broken when determining the bilateral breathing resistance. 2) The per cent volume increase (delta V) upon doubling the pressure difference (from 15 to 30 mm of water or, where conductivity is high, from 7.5 to 15 mm of water) quantifies the further increase of the curve and allows to distinguish characteristic from abnormal shapes of the curve. delta V gives an indication of the amount of turbulence in higher flows. The smaller the per cent volume increase the greater the turbulence. An increase by less than 41% indicates total turbulence, and under 25% delta V indicates a one-way stenosis by additional factors that cause narrowing of the lumen. The per cent volume increase (delta V) upon doubling delta p is a simple and easily understandable measurement. It is therefore superior in its simplicity to formula values such as resistance quotient, coefficient of resistance and increase of angle. The use of constant values of delta p (7.5, 15, 30 mm of water) ensures the comparability of the results. This procedure is applicable in both high and low air conductivity of the nose and is therefore suitable for statistical analysis. Furthermore, there is the possibility of an automatic evaluation of the rhinomanometric curve.

Pairing at pachytene and later stages in the F1 hybrid O. perennis var. balunga×O. perennis var. cubensis was normal except for loosely paired segments wherein the constituent chromosomal region are only secondarily associated but not relationally coiled. Nucleolar bivalents of the two varieties seem to be different and this accounts for the variable and high number of bivalents attached to the nucleolus which assumes abnormal shapes.

Pig toothbrush bristles imported from China were studied with a scanning electron microscope (model JSM U III manufactured by Japan Electron Optics Laboratory Co., Ltd.) The bristles were coated with carbon and gold, and observed under an accelerating voltage of 10 Kv. The surface of the bristles was not glassy. Under weak magnification the surface looked like bark or elephant skin, but under strong magnification the surface was seen to be scaly. Some abnormal shapes such as crevices or projections were also observed on the surface of the bristles. The form of the tips was varied, and bristles having an ideal tip were rare. This phenomenon is also seen in nylon bristles.

The present work was carried out to gain some knowledge on the effect of temperature on the growth of sporelings of laver. The sporelings (

Various points and lines have been established by anatomists, anthropologists and clinicians as aids to studying the growth and dimensions of the skull and its normal and abnormal shapes.

Hemodynamic and cardiac morphologic observations were made on two patients with ventricular septal defect who showed unusual evolution of obstruction to right ventricular outflow. Both patients developed progressive infundibular stenosis, one in the presence of a spontaneously closing ventricular septal defect and the other after operative closure of the defect. Light and electron microscopic examination of resected infundibular muscle revealed hypertrophy and abnormal shapes and arrangements of cardiac muscle cells. These abnormalities resembled those found in left ventricular outflow tract muscle of patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. It is suggested that the patterns of distribution and growth of these abnormal cells in the right ventricular outflow tract may lead to localized hypertrophy and to development of progressive infundibular obstruction in some patients with ventricular septal defect.

THE NAILS afford an apparently easy field for investigation. Much might be revealed by their anomalous manifestations, especially in regard to internal disorders. Unfortunately, the influences behind their deviations from the normal still remain obscure. Normal or abnormal shapes of the nail originate from the matrix and persist while the nail is attached to its bed or when it becomes a piece of inert horny structure, solidly or loosely attached, like a hair to the scalp. NAIL EN RAQUETTE One of the most peculiar among the unusual nails is the one accompanying the short and wide thumb ( le pouce en raquette of du Bois). "Blakiston's New Gould Medical Dictionary," 1 describes the anomaly of nail en raquette as follows: A dystrophy of the nail in which the nail, usually that of the thumb, appears wider than normal, its transverse curvature diminished so that the nail seems flat. The effect is

Background: Treatment of vesicoureteral reflux by endoscopic injection of Teflon paste has recently demonstrated a good success rate. This report describes our experience in treating vesicoureteral reflux in children with particular reference to follow-up data. Methods: Between December 1993 and November 1994, endoscopic injection of Teflon paste into the submucosa was performed on 18 children (29 ureters) to correct vesicoureteral reflux. Results: After treatment, reflux was eliminated in 75.9%, decreased in 1 3.8%, and unchanged in 1 0.3% of the ureters. The success rate was lower for high grade reflux cases and ureteral orifices with abnormal shapes. Conclusion: Long-term follow-up for up to 2 years demonstrated that although late recurrence may occur in a small proportion of cases, the procedure is safe, simple and effective for correcting vesicoureteral reflux.

The types and averages of abnormal sperm were studied in the epididymis of adult and aged golden hamsters. Abnormal spermatozoa represent 14.6-19.6% of the total of spermatozoa in adults, 31.7-42.1% in middled-aged hamsters, and 39.3-50% in advanced-aged hamsters. Twelve abnormal shapes were found, with the lack of an acrosome, the lack of a head, and the coiling of the tail, being the most frequent in the three age groups. An important increase in the number of coiled spermatozoa was found in the corpus and proximal cauda of the epididymis, but a decrease was observed in the distal cauda. Our data suggest that the epididymis produces secondary defects in spermatozoa running from the proximal caput to the middle zone of the duct, but that many of these spermatozoa are eliminated in the distal cauda. Such a result is mainly found in aged animals, in which a higher percentage of abnormal sperm from secondary origin is found with respect to adults.

To the Editor: —I am setting out to make a collection of reprints and cuttings from the medical press of papers dealing with, the clinical and experimental aspects of disorders of the blood. I have already about 2,000. These are indexed and filed and will, I hope, prove of permanent value. American literature is not so well represented as I could desire. I have most of the papers on Gaucher's splenomegaly and excerpts from your own pages for the last few years, but much is still lacking. Would you be so good as to print this letter and allow me to ask those interested in the subject to send me any reprints they have. Accounts of disease chacterized by abnormal shapes of the red cells and by abnormal phagocytosis are practically confined to American literature; there also one looks for much of the work on the spleen and nearly all

Abnormal shapes of human erythrocytes are generally associated with an anemia indicative of some disease affecting the hematopoietic system. In a few rare instances, elliptic and rod-shaped red blood cells have been noted in perfectly normal individuals with otherwise normal conditions in the blood. Such oval cells have received scant attention in the literature. The first report by Dresbach 1 appeared in 1904. Up to 1929, only seven references 2 to the condition were available. These included only fifteen cases, but the hereditary transmission of these bizarre erythrocyte forms was appreciated. In 1929, twelve cases were reported 3 occurring in three generations in a family with sixteen members. In 1931, Lawrence 4 reported four additional cases, and two as yet unpublished cases have recently been studied. 5 As only thirty-three instances of elliptic erythrocytes have been noted in mankind as a presumably nonpathogenic observation, the present study of fourteen additional