No abstract

This study used anthropometric data in the form of Farkas' proportion indices in order to quantify facial attractiveness, and to relate measured change through surgery, to clinical judgement. Standardized photographs of 15 orthognathic patients were used in album form and rated by 10 experienced clinicians: album 1 for facial attractiveness (before surgery) and album 2 for improvement in facial attractiveness (before and after surgery). Twenty-five proportion indices were selected and linear measurements recorded from the pre- and post-surgical photographs. The corresponding change in indices and in clinicians' scores were compared. The clinicians' assessment of the degree of improvement in facial appearance achieved through surgery, related closely to the scores produced by the change in proportion indices (r = 0.698, P = 0.004). Clinical assessment demonstrated a clear inverse relationship between initial attractiveness rating and the degree of improvement achieved through orthognathic surgery (r = -0.781, P = 0.001). The results showed good repeatability in terms of clinical assessment, photography and digitization. The method would appear to have potential for further development, possibly into a 'facial attractiveness index' for the objectives of quantification of improvement achieved through treatment.

A computer linked Doppler system was used to make continuous measurements of cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) from the middle cerebral artery, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) from the umbilical artery, and heart rate before, during, and for 20 minutes after the endotracheal administration of 200 mg/kg of porcine surfactant in 10 preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.Within two minutes of surfactant administration, there was a median fail of 6 mm Hg (15%) fail in MAP and 36% in CBFV. There was a change in the Doppler spectra with almost complete loss of diastolic velocities. A rapid reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance with consequent left to right ductal shunting is one possible cause. These acute changes in MAP and CBFV after bolus surfactant administration may increase the risk of intraventricular haemorrhage.

Abstract. Twenty two percent (22/98) of intertidal fishes of 10 species captured in South Africa at Koppie Alleen, De Hoop Nature Reserve (south coast) and Mouille Point, Cape Town (west coast), harboured single or combined infections of haemogregarines, trypanosomes and an intraerythrocytic parasite resembling a Haemohormidium sp. The haemogregarines included the known species Haemogregarina (sensu lato) bigemina (Laveran et Mesnil, 1901) Siddall, 1995 and Haemogregarina (sensu lato) koppiensis Smit et , while Haemogregarina (sensu lato) curvata sp. n. was observed in Clinus cottoides Valenciennes and Parablennius cornutus (L.) at Koppie Alleen. This last haemogregarine is characterised particularly by its distinctly curved gamonts. Also at Koppie Alleen, squash and histological preparations of 9/10 leeches, Zeylanicobdella arugamensis De Silva, 1963, taken from infected C. cottoides and P. cornutus contained developmental stages of H. curvata and/or trypanosomes, but these were absent from haematophagous gnathiid isopods (Gnathia africana Barnard, 1914) taken from infected fishes. It is suspected that Z. arugamensis transmits the haemogregarine and trypanosomes simultaneously between fishes, a double event unreported previously from the marine environment.

Background There is no normative craniofacial anthropometric data for the Kenyan-African population. The purpose of this investigation was to determine normative anthropometric craniofacial measurements and proportional relationships for Kenyans of African descent and to compare the data with African Americans (AA), North American Whites (NAW), and neoclassical canons. Methods Twenty-five direct facial anthropometric measurements, and 4 angular measurements, were taken on 72 Kenyan-African participants (age range 18–30 years) recruited at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. The data were compared with AA and NAW populations, and neoclassical canons. Descriptive statistics of the variables were computed for the study population. Results Significant differences between both Kenyan males and females were detected in forehead height (~ 5 mm greater for males, ~ 4.5 mm for females), nasal height (reduced by ~ 4 mm in males, ~ 3 mm in females), nasal width (8–9 mm greater), upper lip height (> 3 mm), and eye width (greater by ~ 3 mm) compared to NAW subjects. All vertical measurements obtained were significantly different compared with NAW. Differences were observed in comparison with AA subjects, but less marked. Mouth width was similar in all groups. Angular measurements were variable. Neoclassical canons did not apply to the Kenyan population. Conclusions Anthropometric measurements of NAW showed clear differences when compared with the Kenyan population, and variations exist with comparative AA data. The anthropometric data in terms of linear measurements, angular measurements, and proportional values described may serve as a database for facial analysis in the Kenyan-African population.

Abstract. This paper reviews past, current and likely future research on the fish haemogregarine, Haemogregarina bigemina Laveran et Mesnil, 1901. Recorded from 96 species of fishes, across 70 genera and 34 families, this broad distribution for H. bigemina is questioned. In its type hosts and other fishes, the parasite undergoes intraerythrocytic binary fission, finally forming mature paired gamonts. An intraleukocytic phase is also reported, but not from the type hosts. This paper asks whether stages from the white cell series are truly H. bigemina. A future aim should be to compare the molecular constitution of so-called H. bigemina from a number of locations to determine whether all represent the same species. The transmission of H. bigemina between fishes is also considered. Past studies show that young fish acquire the haemogregarine when close to metamorphosis, but vertical and faecal-oral transmission seem unlikely. Some fish haemogregarines are leech-transmitted, but where fish populations with H. bigemina have been studied, these annelids are largely absent. However, haematophagous larval gnathiid isopods occur on such fishes and may be readily eaten by them. Sequential squashes of gnathiids from fishes with H. bigemina have demonstrated development of the haemogregarine in these isopods. Examination of histological sections through gnathiids is now underway to determine the precise development sites of the haemogregarine, particularly whether merozoites finally invade the salivary glands. To assist in this procedure and to clarify the internal anatomy of gnathiids, 3D visualisation of stacked, serial histological sections is being undertaken. Biological transmission experiments should follow these processes.

Abbreviations: TH -therapeutic hypothermiaFinancial disclosure statement: The authors have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose. Funding source: JPB received funding support from Theirworld Potential conflicts of interest: NoneWhat is known about this topic: EEG discontinuity is associated with adverse neurologic outcomes in term infants after hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. What this study adds:In term infants receiving therapeutic hypothermia, EEG discontinuity calculated using a novel algorithm at 24 hours is associated with cerebral tissue injury on MRI and with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Therefore, it may provide a useful tool for early risk stratification when adjunctive therapies are most beneficial. Contributors' Statement:Jonathan M Dunne collected data, carried out the raw EEG data analysis, assisted with the statistical analysis, wrote the first draft of the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript.David Wertheim developed the EEG software used to measure discontinuity, assisted with writing the manuscript and approved of the final version of the manuscript.Paul Clarke, obtained ethics approval, collected data, assisted with writing the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript.Olga Kapellou reviewed the MR images and approved of the final version of the manuscript.Philippa Chisholm carried out neurodevelopmental testing and approved the final version of the manuscript.James P Boardman reviewed the MR images, assisted with writing the first draft of the manuscript, assisted with statistical analysis and approved the final version of the manuscript.Divyen K Shah conceived the study, collected data, assisted with the EEG reviews, statistical analysis, writing the first draft of the manuscript, approved of the final version of the manuscript and is guarantor. Word Count: 2498Abstract Background and Hypothesis: Prolonged EEG discontinuity has been associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes after perinatal asphyxia but its predictive value in the era of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is unknown. Hypothesis: In infants undergoing TH for hypoxicischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) prolonged EEG discontinuity is associated with cerebral tissue injury on MRI and adverse neurodevelopmental outcome.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mandibular outline asymmetry and skeletal discrepancy in a sample of orthodontic patients (33 females, 33 males) aged from 8 to 19 years. Skeletal discrepancy was assessed in both the anteroposterior and vertical planes, using standard cephalometric analyses. All were photographed under standardized conditions and the photographs were then digitized for analysis using a computerized system to assess differences in four variables (area, perimeter, compactness and moment-ratio) between the right and left sides of the mandibular outline. The results showed good repeatability of the photographic, cephalometric and digitization methods. A statistically significant relationship was found between mandibular outline asymmetry and both anteroposterior and vertical skeletal discrepancy in this sample, when compared with patients with an average skeletal pattern. There appeared to be a statistically significant relationship between a reduced ANB angle (< 3 degrees) and mandibular outline asymmetry (P = 0.051), as well as between an increase in lower face height and mandibular asymmetry (P = 0.023).