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Branching Pattern (branching + pattern)
Selected AbstractsIntramuscular innervation of the human soleus muscle: A 3D modelCLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 5 2003Eldon Y. Loh Abstract The purpose of this study was to document the neural distribution patterns within the human soleus muscle using 3D computer modelling. Through serial dissection, pinning, and digitization, nerve distribution and muscle volume of a human cadaveric soleus muscle were documented and a detailed 3D computer model of neural distribution within the muscle volume was generated. Branching patterns demonstrated divisions that parallel architectural partitions within the soleus; that is, into anterior, posterior, and marginal soleus. Additionally, branching patterns demonstrated further partitioning of the posterior soleus into five distinct regions and the anterior soleus into two regions. Communication between nerve branches of the five regions of posterior soleus and between the anterior and posterior soleus were recorded. Knowledge of these anatomical partitions and their interaction is important as it will aid in the development of functional muscle models and in the understanding of normal and pathological muscle function. Clin. Anat. 16:378,382, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Structural characterization of a novel branching pattern in the lipopolysaccharide from nontypeable Haemophilus influenzaeFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 14 2003Martin Månsson Structural analysis of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae strain 981 has been achieved using NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS on O -deacylated LPS and core oligosaccharide (OS) material as well as by ESI-MSn on permethylated dephosphorylated OS. A heterogeneous glycoform population was identified, resulting from the variable length of the OS branches attached to the glucose residue in the common structural element of H. influenzae LPS, l -,- d -Hepp -(1,2)-[PEtn,6]- l -,- d -Hepp -(1,3)-[,- d -Glcxp-(1,4)]- l -,- d -Hepp -(1,5)-[PPEtn,4]-,-Kdop -(2,6)-Lipid A. Notably, the O-6 position of the ,- d -Glcp residue was either substituted by PCho or the disaccharide branch ,- d -Galp -(1,4)- d -,- d -Hepp, while the O-4 position was substituted by the globotetraose unit, ,- d -GalpNAc-(1,3)-,- d -Galp -(1,4)-,- d -Galp -(1,4)-,- d -Glcp, or sequentially truncated versions thereof. This is the first time a branching sugar residue has been reported in the outer-core region of H. influenzae LPS. Additionally, a PEtn group was identified at O-3 of the distal heptose residue in the inner-core. [source] Root and rhizome systems of perennial grasses grown in Inner Mongolian grassland, ChinaGRASSLAND SCIENCE, Issue 4 2009Min Ao Abstract The root and rhizome systems of dominant perennial grasses in Inner Mongolian grassland were clarified. We surveyed the vertical distribution of root and rhizome biomass in the natural stands, and the changes of under-ground biomass and the branching pattern of rhizomes for transplanted plants in a container experiment. Most roots of Leymus chinensis, Bromus inermis, Elymus dahuricus and Agropyron cristatum were distributed in the soil depth of 0,10 cm. Roots of E. dahuricus and A. cristatum were distributed in a shallower soil layer, but those of L. chinensis and B. inermis were distributed in a deeper soil layer. Biomass of above-ground parts increased with growth, resulting in a decreasing ratio of under-ground parts to total biomass. Rhizomes of L. chinensis and B. inermis were distributed in the soil depth of 0,10 cm, but E. dahuricus and A. cristatum did not have rhizomes. L. chinensis had longer rhizomes and new ramets were produced away from their mother plant. B. inermis had many short rhizomes and produced daughter plants near their mother plant. [source] Validation of the murine aortic arch as a model to study human vascular diseasesJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 5 2010Christophe Casteleyn Abstract Although the murine thoracic aorta and its main branches are widely studied to gain more insight into the pathogenesis of human vascular diseases, detailed anatomical data on the murine aorta are sparse. Moreover, comparative studies between mice and men focusing on the topography and geometry of the heart and aorta are lacking. As this hampers the validation of murine vascular models, the branching pattern of the murine thoracic aorta was examined in 30 vascular corrosion casts. On six casts the intrathoracic position of the heart was compared with that of six younger and six older men of whom contrast-enhanced computer tomography images of the thorax were three-dimensionally reconstructed. In addition, the geometry of the human thoracic aorta was compared with that of the mouse by reconstructing micro-computer tomography images of six murine casts. It was found that the right brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery branched subsequently from the aortic arch in both mice and men. The geometry of the branches of the murine aortic arch was quite similar to that of men. In both species the initial segment of the aorta, comprising the ascending aorta, aortic arch and cranial/superior part of the descending aorta, was sigmoidally curved on a cranial/superior view. Although some analogy between the intrathoracic position of the murine and human heart was observed, the murine heart manifestly deviated more ventrally. The major conclusion of this study is that, in both mice and men, the ascending and descending aorta do not lie in a single vertical plane (non-planar aortic geometry). This contrasts clearly with most domestic mammals in which a planar aortic pattern is present. As the vascular branching pattern of the aortic arch is also similar in mice and men, the murine model seems valuable to study human vascular diseases. [source] Anatomy of the cystic artery arising from the gastroduodenal artery and its choledochal branch,a case reportJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 3 2000A. K. SARKAR Variations in the branching pattern of the common hepatic artery often occur and may be encountered during cholecystectomy. Variants of the cystic artery, its branches and relations with the biliary structures and blood vessels emphasise the importance of arterial dissection in biliary surgery. In this study, a rare variant of the cystic artery and its choledochal branch is described. The cystic artery arose from the gastroduodenal artery, passed anterior to structures in the free margin of lesser omentum and travelled a long distance before supplying the gall bladder. A long choledochal branch was noted accompanying the common bile duct. Surgical implications of this variation of the cystic and choledochal arteries are discussed. [source] Head structures of males of Strepsiptera (Hexapoda) with emphasis on basal splitting events within the orderJOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 5 2006Rolf Georg Beutel Abstract Internal and external head structures of males of Strepsiptera were examined and the head of a species of Mengenilla is described in detail. The results suggest a reinterpretation of some structures. The head of basal extant strepsipterans is subprognathous, whereas it is strictly orthognathous in the groundplan of Strepsiptera s.l. The labrum and hypopharynx are not part of the mouthfield sclerite. The labial palps are absent in all strepsipterans. A very slightly modified mandibular articulation is preserved in Eoxenos, whereas it is distinctly reduced in other extant groups. A salivary duct, salivary glands, and a cephalic aorta are absent. The cladistic analysis of 44 characters of the head results in the following branching pattern: (Protoxenos + (Mengea + (Eoxenos + (Mengenilla [Austr.] + Mengenilla) + (Elenchus + Dundoxenos + Xenos + Stylops)))). Most apomorphies of males are associated with the necessity of finding females within a short time span and with a reduced necessity to consume food: large "raspberry" eyes, flabellate antennae with numerous dome-shaped chemoreceptors, Hofeneder's organ, an ovoid sensillum of the maxillary palp, and the simplified condition of the maxilla and the labium. Strepsiptera excl. Protoxenos are supported by the dorsomedian frontal impression, the dorsally shifted antennal insertions, a reduced number of antennal segments, absence of the galea, and probably by the presence of the mouthfield sclerite, which is a unique apomorphic feature. The balloon-gut combined with an unusual air-uptake apparatus is another possible autapomorphy of this clade. It is likely that the last common ancestor of Strepsiptera excl. Protoxenos did not process food. Strepsiptera s.str. are characterized by the strongly reduced condition of the labrum and the absence of the epistomal suture. Eoxenos is the sister group of the remaining Strepsiptera s.str. Synapomorphies of Mengenilla + Stylopidia are the advanced reduction of the mandibular articulation and the secondary absence of the ovoid sensillum. The monophyly of Mengenilla is confirmed, even though a small free labrum is present in Australian species. Derived features of Stylopidia are the absence of the coronal suture and the reduced condition of the frontal suture. Apomorphies that have evolved within Stylopidia are the membranization of parts of the head, the fusion of antennal segments, the increase or decrease of the number of flabellate flagellomeres, reductions and modifications of the mandibles, and modifications of the mouthfield sclerite. The monophyly of Stylopiformia is not unambiguously supported. A position of the mandibles posterior to the mouthfield sclerite (when adducted) is a possible synapomorphy shared by Xenos, Stylops, and other "higher Stylopidia." The blade-like distal part of the mandibles suggests a closer relationship of Elenchus with these taxa. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Disentangling complex fine-scale ecological patterns by path modelling using GLMM and GISJOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 5 2009Vegar Bakkestuen Abstract Question: How can statistical modelling tools (GLMM) and GIS be used as an aid in understanding complex ecological patterns? This general question was approached by using bryophyte demography data as an example. More specifically, we asked what is the contribution of terrain shape to explaining the performance and fate of plant individuals, controlling for all other known relationships? Location: Norway. Methods: Information on demography was obtained for 140 populations of the perennial clonal bryophyte Hylocomium splendens in Norway spruce forests during an 11-year period (1992-2002). Performance (size and branching pattern) was recorded for mature segments and fate was recorded for growing points. Positions of each of the more than 30 000 recorded bryophyte ramets were coupled with (micro-) topographic characteristics (slope and convexity) derived from fine-scale digital elevation models in a GIS framework. Carefully planned sequences of generalised linear mixed models (GLMM) were performed to test predictions from a conceptual path model. Results: We demonstrate strong dependence of size on branching, fate and on vertical position in the bryophyte carpet, and an effect of vertical position on branching pattern. Micro-topography contributed to explaining plant performance by four different mechanisms: (1) a direct effect of slope on the segment's vertical position in the carpet; (2-3) direct effects of both slope and convexity on fates of individuals via controls on risk of burial; and (4) an indirect effect of convexity on branching pattern via a direct effect on size. No indication of a direct effect of terrain on branching was found. Conclusions: Our study exemplifies the usefulness of GLMM for disentangling complex ecological relationships. Specifically, we recognise micro-topography as a potentially important factor for plant demography in general and for performance and fate of individuals in particular. [source] The Mediterranean bryozoan Myriapora truncata (Pallas, 1766): a potential indicator of (palaeo-) environmental conditionsLETHAIA, Issue 3 2007BJÖRN BERNING Fossil and Recent specimens of the Mediterranean bryozoan Myriapora truncata show considerable intra- and intercolonial differences in branch diameter and zooid size. Statistically significant variability occurs within colonies, between colonies within sites, and between sampled sites, while the presence of intracolonial variability clearly shows that branch diameter is largely controlled by environmental parameters. The three structural traits measured (branch diameter, zooid size and zooid depth) do not correlate, thus indicating a disconnection between the controls on overall zooid size and branch diameter. Possible environmental parameters that may have an influence on morphology are temperature, food supply or current energy. Whereas current energy has an effect on the colony branching pattern (branch spacing), there are indications that temperature may be the main, but not the only, parameter controlling zooid size, and it is suggested that food supply largely determines the branch diameter in M. truncata. However, the identification of the decisive factors and quantification of the relationships between environmental and morphological change is beyond the scope of this study. The results nevertheless show that, if the control factors of morphological variability can be ascertained in Recent M. truncata, this species may prove to be an indicator of environmental conditions and their change at different spatial and temporal scales in Cenozoic to Recent Mediterranean habitats. [source] The perforator angiosome: A new concept in the design of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps for breast reconstructionMICROSURGERY, Issue 1 2010B.Med.Sc., P.G.Dip.Surg.Anat., Ph.D., Warren M. Rozen M.B.B.S. Background: The previously described "perfusion zones" of the abdominal wall vasculature are based on filling of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) and all its branches simultaneously. With the advent of the DIEA perforator flap, only a single or several perforators are included in supply to the flap. As such, a new model for abdominal wall perfusion has become necessary. The concept of a "perforator angiosome" is thus explored. Methods: A clinical and cadaveric study of 155 abdominal walls was undertaken. This comprised the use of 10 whole, unembalmed cadaveric abdominal walls for angiographic studies, and 145 abdominal wall computed tomographic angiograms (CTAs) in patients undergoing preoperative imaging of the abdominal wall vasculature. The evaluation of the subcutaneous branching pattern and zone of perfusion of individual DIEA perforators was explored, particularly exploring differences between medial and lateral row perforators. Results: Fundamental differences exist between medial row and lateral row perforators, with medial row perforators larger (1.3 mm vs. 1 mm) and more likely to ramify in the subcutaneous fat toward the contralateral hemiabdomen (98% of cases vs. 2% of cases). A model for the perfusion of the abdominal wall based on a single perforator is presented. Conclusion: The "perforator angiosome" is dependent on perforator location, and can mapped individually with the use of preoperative imaging. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010. [source] Cospeciation in the triplex symbiosis of termite gut protists (Pseudotrichonympha spp.), their hosts, and their bacterial endosymbiontsMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2007S. NODA Abstract A number of cophylogenetic relationships between two organisms namely a host and a symbiont or parasite have been studied to date; however, organismal interactions in nature usually involve multiple members. Here, we investigated the cospeciation of a triplex symbiotic system comprising a hierarchy of three organisms , termites of the family Rhinotermitidae, cellulolytic protists of the genus Pseudotrichonympha in the guts of these termites, and intracellular bacterial symbionts of the protists. The molecular phylogeny was inferred based on two mitochondrial genes for the termites and nuclear small-subunit rRNA genes for the protists and their endosymbionts, and these were compared. Although intestinal microorganisms are generally considered to have looser associations with the host than intracellular symbionts, the Pseudotrichonympha protists showed almost complete codivergence with the host termites, probably due to strict transmissions by proctodeal trophallaxis or coprophagy based on the social behaviour of the termites. Except for one case, the endosymbiotic bacteria of the protists formed a monophyletic lineage in the order Bacteroidales, and the branching pattern was almost identical to those of the protists and the termites. However, some non-codivergent evolutionary events were evident. The members of this triplex symbiotic system appear to have cospeciated during their evolution with minor exceptions; the evolutionary relationships were probably established by termite sociality and the complex microbial community in the gut. [source] Mammary Gland Architecture as a Determining Factor in the Susceptibility of the Human Breast to CancerTHE BREAST JOURNAL, Issue 5 2001Jose Russo MD The developmental pattern of the breast can be assessed by determining the composition of the breast in specific lobular structures, which are designated as lobules type 1 (Lob 1), lobules type 2 (Lob 2), and lobules type 3 (Lob 3), with Lob 1 being the less developed and Lob 3 being the most differentiated or with the highest number of ductules per lobular unit. In the present work, the patient population consisted of three groups of women who underwent surgical procedures: The first group included women who underwent reduction mammoplasty (RM) for cosmetic reasons. The second group included women who underwent prophylactic subcutaneous mastectomy after genetic counseling for either carrying the BRCA-1 gene or belonging to a pedigree with familial breast cancer (FAM), and the third group included women who underwent modified radical mastectomy (MRM) for the diagnosis of invasive carcinoma. The RM group consisted of 33 women, of whom 9 were nulliparous and 24 were parous. The FAM group consisted of 17 women, of whom 8 were nulliparous and 9 were parous. The MRM group consisted of 43 women, of whom 7 were nulliparous and 36 were parous. The analysis of the lobular composition of all of the samples from the RM group, which is considered the control group, revealed that Lob 1 represented 22%, Lob 2 represented 37%, and Lob 3 represented 38%, whereas the tissue examined from the FAM and MRM groups contained a preponderance of Lob 1 at 48% and 74%, respectively, over Lob 3, which was 10% and 3%, respectively. When the results of the analysis of breast tissue were separated according to the pregnancy history of the donor, it was found that in the control group or RM, there was a significant difference in lobular composition. Nulliparous women of the RM group showed a preponderance of Lob 1 (46%) over parous women, which contained only 17%, whereas the percentage of Lob 3 in the nulliparous group was significantly lower (7%) than the parous group (48%). In the breast tissues obtained from FAM and MRM, no significant differences in lobular composition were observed, as all of the samples contained a higher concentration of Lob 1, independent of the pregnancy history. The breast tissue of FAM and MRM of parous women had a developmental pattern that was similar to that of nulliparous women of the same group and that was less developed than the breast of parous women of the control group. An important difference between the Lob 1 of the FAM group versus the control (RM) and the MRM group was that most of these lobules had thin ductules with an increase in hyalinization of the intralobular stroma manifested in the whole-mount preparation as an alteration in the branching pattern. The data suggest that the breast tissue of women with invasive cancer, as well as those from a background of familial breast cancer, have an architectural pattern different from the control or normal tissues and that the BRCA-1 or related genes may have a functional role in the branching pattern of the breast during lobular development, mainly in the epithelial stroma interaction. [source] First description of the surgical anatomy of the cynomolgus monkey liverAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Corinne Vons Abstract No detailed description of nonhuman primate liver anatomy has been reported and little is known about the similarity between such livers and human liver. The cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) was used to establish a preclinical model of genetically modified hepatocytes auto transplantation. Here, we report information gleaned from careful observation and notes obtained from 59 female cynomolgus monkeys undergoing 44 anatomical hepatic resections, 12 main portal vein division dissections and selective branch ligations, and 46 portographies. Additionally, three anatomical liver dissections after total resection at autopsy were performed and served to confirm peroperative observations and for photography to provide illustrations. Our results indicate that the cynomolgus monkey liver has four lobes: the median (the largest), the right and left lateral, and the caudate lobes. In 60% (N=20) of individuals the portal bifurcates into right and left portal veins, in the remaining 40% (N=14) the portal vein trifurcates into right anterior, right posterior, and left portal veins. The anatomy and branching pattern of the hepatic artery and bile ducts closely follow those of the portal branches. Functionally, the cynomolgus monkey liver can be divided into eight independent segments. Thus, we report the first detailed description of the hepatic and portal surgical anatomy of the cynomolgus monkey. The cynomolgus monkey liver is more similar to the human liver than are livers of any small or large nonprimate mammals that have been described. Am. J. Primatol. 71:400,408, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Complete mapping of glomeruli based on sensory nerve branching pattern in the primary olfactory center of the cockroach Periplaneta americanaTHE JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY, Issue 19 2010Hidehiro Watanabe Abstract Glomeruli are structural and functional units in the primary olfactory center in vertebrates and insects. In the cockroach Periplaneta americana, axons of different types of sensory neurons housed in sensilla on antennae form dorsal and ventral antennal nerves and then project to a number of glomeruli. In this study, we identified all antennal lobe (AL) glomeruli based on detailed innervation patterns of sensory tracts in addition to the shape, size, and locations in the cockroach. The number of glomeruli is ,205, and no sex-specific difference is observed. Anterograde dye injections into the antennal nerves revealed that axons supplying the AL are divided into 10 sensory tracts (T1,T10). Each of T1,T3 innervates small, oval glomeruli in the anteroventral region of the AL, with sensory afferents invading each glomerulus from multiple directions, whereas each of T4,T10 innervates large glomeruli with various shapes in the posterodorsal region, with a bundle of sensory afferents invading each glomerulus from one direction. The topographic branching patterns of all these tracts are conserved among individuals. Sensory afferents in a sub-tract of T10 had axon terminals in the dorsal margin of the AL and the protocerebrum, where they form numerous small glomerular structures. Sensory nerve branching pattern should reflect developmental processes to determine spatial arrangement of glomeruli, and thus the complete map of glomeruli based on sensory nerve branching pattern should provide a basis for studying the functional significance of spatial arrangement of glomeruli and its developmental basis. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:3907,3930, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Muscle fractal vascular branching pattern and microvascular perfusion heterogeneity in endurance-trained and untrained menTHE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Kari K. Kalliokoski Less heterogeneous skeletal muscle perfusion has recently been reported in endurance-trained compared to untrained men at macrovascular level. The causes of this difference in perfusion heterogeneity are unknown as is whether the same difference is observed in microvasculature. We hypothesised that the difference could be caused by changes in muscle vascular branching pattern. Perfusion was measured in resting and exercising muscle in 14 endurance-trained and seven untrained men using [15O]water and positron emission tomography. Fractal dimension (D) of perfusion distribution was calculated as a measure of fractal characteristics of muscle vascular branching pattern. Perfusion heterogeneity in microvascular units (1 mm3 samples) was estimated using the measured heterogeneity in voxels of positron emission tomography (PET) images (relative dispersion, RD =s.d./mean) and corresponding D values. D was similar between the groups (exercising muscle 1.11 ± 0.07 and 1.14 ± 0.06, resting muscle 1.12 ± 0.06 and 1.14 ± 0.03, trained and untrained, respectively). Trained men had lower perfusion (151 ± 44 vs. 218 ± 87 ml min,1 kg,1, P < 0.05) and macrovascular perfusion heterogeneity (relative dispersion 21 ± 5 vs. 25 ± 5 %, P < 0.05) in exercising muscle than untrained men. Furthermore, estimated perfusion heterogeneity in microvascular units in exercising muscle was also lower in trained men (33 ± 7 vs.48 ± 19 %, P < 0.05). These results show that fractal vascular branching pattern is similar in endurance-trained and untrained men but perfusion is less heterogeneous at both the macro- and the microvascular level in endurance-trained men. Thus, changes in fractal branching pattern do not explain the differences in perfusion heterogeneity between endurance-trained and untrained men. [source] Phrenic Nerve Distribution in the Rabbit Diaphragm and Morphometric Analysis of Nerve BranchesANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 6 2006H. B. Turgut Summary The best method to evaluate the pathogenesis of diaphragmatic disorders is to demonstrate the distribution pattern of the phrenic nerve in the diaphragm. For this purpose the branching pattern and the microanatomic features of the phrenic nerve were observed in six rabbits. All diaphragms were stained by using Sihler's stain method. The phrenic nerve divided into three to four branches when entering the diaphragm. These branches were classified as sternal, anterolateral, posterolateral and crural. The crural branches were the thickest whereas the anterolateral branches were the thinnest. Knowledge about the distribution pattern of the phrenic nerve may be important in surgical approach to the diaphragm. [source] On the head morphology of Tetraphalerus, the phylogeny of Archostemata and the basal branching events in ColeopteraCLADISTICS, Issue 3 2008Rolf G. Beutel Internal and external features of Tetraphalerus bruchi were studied using X-ray microtomography (µ-CT) and other techniques, and head structures were described in detail. µ-Ct is highly efficient for the assessment of anatomical data. A data matrix with 90 morphological characters of recent and fossil beetles was analyzed with different approaches (parsimony, Bayesian analysis). The results of the parsimony analysis resulted in the following branching pattern: (,Tshekardocoleidae + (,Permocupedidae, ,Rhombocoleidae + (,Triadocupedidae + ((Adephaga + (Myxophaga + Polyphaga))) + Archostemata s.str. [including Jurodidae]))). Sikhotealinia is placed as sister group of ,Jurodes (Jurodidae), and Jurodidae as sister group of the remaining Archostemata (Bayesian analysis) or of a clade comprising Micromalthidae, Crowsoniellidae, ,Ademosynidae, ,Schizophoridae and ,Catiniidae. The monophyly of Ommatidae and Cupedidae is well supported and Priacma is placed as the sister group of all other Cupedidae. Important events in the early evolution of Coleoptera are the shortening of the elytra and the transformation of the elytral venation (Coleoptera excluding ,Tshekardocoleidae), the formation of a closed subelytral space (Coleoptera excluding ,Tshekardocoleidae and ,Permocupedidae), the reduction of two apical antennomeres, and the loss of the broad prothoracic postcoxal bridge (Coleoptera excluding ,Tshekardocoleidae, ,Permocupedidae and ,Rhombocoleidae). Plesiomorphic features preserved in extant Archostemata are the tuberculate cuticle, the elytral pattern with parallel longitudinal ribs and window punctures, a mesoventrite with a transverse ridge, triangular mesocoxae with a distinct meron, and the exposed metatrochantin. The fossils included in the analyses do not only contribute to the reconstruction of character evolution but also influence the branching pattern. An understanding of the major evolutionary events in Coleoptera would not be possible without considering the rich fossil record of Permian and Mesozoic beetles. © The Willi Hennig Society 2007. [source] The systematic position of Meruidae (Coleoptera, Adephaga) and the phylogeny of the smaller aquatic adephagan beetle familiesCLADISTICS, Issue 2 2006Rolf G. Beutel A phylogenetic analysis of Adephaga is presented. It is based on 148 morphological characters of adults and larvae and focussed on a placement of the recently described Meruidae, and the genus-level phylogeny of the smaller aquatic families Gyrinidae, Haliplidae and Noteridae. We found a sister group relationship between Gyrinidae and the remaining adephagan families, as was found in previous studies using morphology. Haliplidae are either the sister group of Dytiscoidea or the sister group of a clade comprising Geadephaga and the dytiscoid families. Trachypachidae was placed as the sister group of the rhysodid-carabid clade or of Dytiscoidea. The monophyly of Dytiscoidea including Meru is well supported. Autapomorphies are the extensive metathoracic intercoxal septum, the origin of the metafurca from this structure, the loss of Mm. furcacoxalis anterior and posterior, and possibly the presence of an elongated subcubital setal binding patch. Meruidae was placed as sister group of the Noteridae. Synapomorphies are the absence of the transverse ridge of the metaventrite, the fusion of abdominal segments III and IV, the shape of the strongly asymmetric parameres, and the enlargement of antennomeres 5, 7 and 9. The Meru -noterid clade is the sister group of the remaining Dytiscoidea. The exact position of Aspidytes within this clade remains ambiguous: it is either the sister group of Amphizoidae or the sister group of a clade comprising this family and Hygrobiidae + Dytiscidae. The sister group relationship between Spanglerogyrinae and Gyrininae was strongly supported. The two included genera of Gyrinini form a clade, and Enhydrini are the sister group of a monophylum comprising the remaining Enhydrini and Orectochilini. A branching pattern (Peltodytes + (Brychius + Haliplus)) within Haliplidae was confirmed. Algophilus, Apteraliplus and the Haliplus -subgenus Liaphlus form a clade. The generic status of the two former taxa is unjustified. The Phreatodytinae are the sister group of Noterinae, and Notomicrus (+ Speonoterus), Hydrocoptus, and Pronoterus branch off successively within this subfamily. The search for the larvae of Meru and a combined analysis of morphological and molecular data should have high priority. © The Willi Hennig Society 2006. [source] Cladistic analysis of languages: Indo-European classification based on lexicostatistical dataCLADISTICS, Issue 2 2003ina Rexová The phylogeny of the Indo-European (IE) language family is reconstructed by application of the cladistic methodology to the lexicostatistical dataset collected by Dyen (about 200 meanings, 84 speech varieties, the Hittite language used as a functional outgroup). Three different methods of character coding provide trees that show: (a) the presence of four groups, viz., Balto-Slavonic clade, Romano-Germano-Celtic clade, Armenian-Greek group, and Indo-Iranian group (the two last groups possibly paraphyletic); (b) the unstable position of the Albanian language; (c) the unstable pattern of the basalmost IE differentiation; but (d) the probable existence of the Balto-Slavonic,Indo-Iranian ("satem") and the Romano-Germano-Celtic (+Albanian?) superclades. The results are compared with the phenetic approach to lexicostatistical data, the results of which are significantly less informative concerning the basal pattern. The results suggest a predominantly branching pattern of the basic vocabulary phylogeny and little borrowing of individual words. Different scenarios of IE differentiation based on archaeological and genetic information are discussed. [source] Parsimony with and without Scientific JustificationCLADISTICS, Issue 2 2001Arnold G. Kluge Brower's (2000, Cladistics 16, 143,154) pursuit of a nonevolutionary cladistics, like those of others (e.g., Scotland, 2000, Syst. Biol. 49, 480,500), fails for lack of a scientific justification. His operational explication of parsimony does not necessarily rule out the use of other criteria on which to base the identification of a hierarchical branching pattern, nor does he give a compelling reason for why just that one kind of pattern is sought. In the absence of evolutionary theory, such as the descent of species, and the modification of character states, one from another, there is no scientific reason to seek congruence among character hierarchies whose origins, functions, and fates are not necessarily the same. Brower's operational parsimony is no substitute for phylogenetic parsimony, where requirements for ad hoc hypotheses of homoplasy are justifiably minimized, assuming only "descent, with modification." In addition to maximizing explanatory power, that most parsimonious cladogram is the least disconfirmed, most highly corroborated, hypothesis. [source] Phylogenetic Relationships of the Suborders of Coleoptera (Insecta)CLADISTICS, Issue 1 2000Rolf G. Beutel One hundred seven external and internal characters of larval and adult representatives of 28 genera of the coleopteran suborders were analyzed cladistically. Four groups of Neuropterida were introduced as outgroup. The analysis yielded 18 trees with a minimum of 194 steps (CI 0.691). All trees support the monophyly of all four suborders and a branching pattern (Archostemata + (Adephaga + (Myxophaga + Polyphaga))). The presence of elytra with meso- and metathoracic locking devices, the specific hind-wing folding, the close connection of exposed sclerites, the absence of the mera, the absence of eight thoracic muscles, the reduced abdominal sternite I, and the invagination of terminal segments are autapomorphies of Coleoptera. The monophyly of Coleoptera excl. Archostemata is supported by further transformations of the thoracic sclerites such as absence of the mesothoracic discriminal line and katepisternal joint, by an internalized or absent metathoracic trochantin, by the presence of a bending zone in the hind-wing, and by eight further muscle losses. Fusion of tibia and tarsus and presence of a single claw are larval synapomorphies of Myxophaga and Polyphaga. Adults are characterized by fusion of protrochantin and propleura and by the rigid connection of the meso- and metathoracic ventrites. The eucinetoid lineage of Polyphaga is characterized by the secondary absence of the bending zone of the alae. This results in a distinctly simplified wing folding mechanism. The monophyly of Cucujiformia (+ Bostrichoidea) is supported by the presence of cryptonephric Malpighian tubules. Transformations of fore-and hind-wings, reinforcement and simplification of the thoracic exoskeleton, and an efficient use of a distinctly reduced set of thoracic muscles play an important role in the early evolution of Coleoptera. Many different larval character transformations take place in the earlier Mesozoic within the suborders. [source] The branching pattern of the deep inferior epigastric artery revisited in-vivo: A new classification based on CT angiographyCLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 1 2010Warren M. Rozen Abstract The deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) is a reliable pedicle in the design of DIEA perforator flaps, with variations in its anatomy infrequent. Previous studies describing its branching pattern have all been based on cadaveric anatomy and described the following three branching patterns: Type 1 (single trunk), Type 2 (bifurcating trunk), and Type 3 (trifurcating trunk). The increased use of preoperative imaging, particularly with computed tomographic angiography (CTA), has enabled visualization of the DIEA and its branches in vivo, providing a functional view of this anatomy. We undertook a study of 250 patients (500 hemiabdominal walls) undergoing preoperative CTA before DIEA perforator flaps for breast reconstruction. The branching pattern of the DIEA and correlation to the contralateral hemiabdominal wall were assessed. The branching patterns of the DIEA were found to be different in vivo compared with cadaveric studies, with a higher than previously reported incidence of Type 1 patterns and lower than reported incidence of Type 3 patterns, and that some patterns exist which were not included within the previous nomenclature (namely, Type 0 or absent DIEA and Type 4 or four-trunk DIEA). There was also shown to be no overall concordance in the branching patterns of the DIEA between contralateral sides of the same abdominal wall; however, there was shown to be a statistically significant concordance in cases of a Type 1 DIEA (51% concordance, P = 0.04). As such, a new modification to the classification system for the branching pattern of the DIEA is presented based on imaging findings. Clin. Anat. 23:87,92, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Anatomy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve related to inguinal ligament, adjacent bony landmarks, and femoral arteryCLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 8 2008Porames Doklamyai Abstract Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) generally emerges from the pelvis behind the inguinal ligament (IL) to the thigh. Because of its proximity to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and hip joint, the LFCN is prone to injuries during various procedures. Anatomy of this nerve is highly variable among studies. Moreover, measurement data regarding its branches including the differences between genders and sides are still lacking. This study was, therefore, done to clarify these issues. Eighty-five thighs from 43 cadavers of both genders were dissected at the inguinal region. Distances from each branch of the LFCN to palpable landmarks: the ASIS, pubic tubercle (PT) and femoral artery (FA) were measured along the IL. Up to four branches of the LFCN were found; however, the single trunk was the most common form (>65%). The common site of this pattern on the IL was within 2 cm medial to the ASIS but could be present at over 6 cm. The distances in case of bifurcation were mostly comparable to those of the single trunk. In contrast, the values varied considerably in the cases with three or more branches (three cases). Regarding side and gender, asymmetry in the branching pattern was found in one fourth of specimens. However, only some minor differences between genders or sides in the measurement data were seen. These findings suggest that asymmetry and multiple branches of the LFCN should be concerned. The measurement data are also useful for localizing the LFCN with higher accuracy. Clin. Anat. 21:769,774, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The course and branching pattern of pudendal nerve in fetusCLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 7 2008Necdet Kocabiyik Abstract The pudendal nerve is a considerably large branch of the sacral plexus. There are many articles in the literature concerning the pudendal nerve in adults, but as far as we know, there is none on the branching pattern and variations in pudendal nerve anatomy in fetus. This study investigates the pudendal nerve trunking with respect to the piriformis muscle in 25 formalin-fixed fetuses (50 sides of pelves, 15 females, 10 males), ranging from 20 to 37 weeks of gestation. We investigate pudendal nerve trunking in four types: Type I-a is defined as single-trunk with the inferior rectal nerve branching proximal to the dorsal nerve of penis/clitoris (38%), Type I-b is also single-trunk with the dorsal nerve of penis/clitoris branching proximal to the inferior rectal nerve (24%), Type II is double-trunk with medial trunk as an inferior rectal nerve (34%), and Type III is triple-trunk (4%). We measured the average diameter of the main trunk of pudendal nerve in Type I-a and I-b groups to be 0.98 ± 0.33 mm. We also measured the average length of the pudendal nerve trunks before the dorsal nerve of penis/clitoris branch to be 7.35 ± 3.50 mm. There was no significant statistical difference in the average length, diameter, number of trunks, and pudendal nerve variations between male and female and also right and left sides of the pelves. This first and detailed fetal study of pudendal nerve trunking with respect to the piriformis muscle would be useful for educational anatomy dissections and anatomical landmark definitions for relevant clinical procedures. Clin. Anat. 21:691,695, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] An unusual innervation of pectoralis minor and major muscles from a branch of the intercostobrachial nerveCLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 4 2006Marios Loukas Abstract Variations of the branching pattern of the intercostobrachial nerve have been known to complicate dissection during mastectomy and other procedures involving the axilla. We present a unilateral case of a 73-year-old Caucasian female, in which the intercostobrachial nerve gives rise to an additional medial pectoral branch, which partially innervates the pectoralis minor muscle, as well as the abdominal head of pectoralis major muscle. Clinical consequences of such a variation may include motor losses, in addition to the commonly reported sensory losses, resulting from accidental or intentional dissection of the intercostobranchial nerve. Clin. Anat. 19:347,349, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Nerve supply of the brachioradialis muscle: Surgically relevant variations of the extramuscular branches of the radial nerveCLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 7 2005Maria D. Latev Abstract The brachioradialis muscle is utilized in tendon-transfer operations, carried out for a variety of purposes. The extramuscular branches of the radial nerve to the brachioradialis were dissected and studied in 43 embalmed cadaveric specimens. The number of primary and secondary branches and the spatial locations of their origins and muscle-entry points was determined for each specimen. All distances were measured relative to the lateral epicondyle. A wide anatomic variation was observed in both the nerve branching pattern as well as the number and locations of muscle-entry points. A single primary nerve branch was found in 20 specimens, or 46.5% of the cases. On an average, single primary nerve branches arose from the radial nerve 30 mm proximal to the lateral epicondyle. In 16 of these cases, the primary branch splits into two to four secondary branches, and in four cases there was only one branch entering the muscle. Seventeen specimens had two primary branches whose origin points were separated by 5 to 40 mm with an average of 15 mm. In seven of these seventeen cases one or both of the primary branches split into secondary branches. Six specimens had three primary branches; the origin points of the most proximal and the most distal branch were separated by up to 30 mm with an average of 13 mm. Excluding the four cases with extensive fanning into multiple thin branches, the number of muscle-entry points ranged from 1 to 4 (mean 2.7). The locations of the muscle-entry points for all specimens were widespread ranging from 50 mm proximal and 40 mm distal to the lateral epicondyle with an average at 6 mm proximal to the lateral epicondyle. The greatest distance between muscle-entry points was 50 mm in a single specimen. In surgical procedures involving dissection of the brachioradialis muscle more proximal than 50 mm distal to the elbow, the extramuscular branch(es) of the radial nerve branches to the brachioradialis may be at risk. Clin. Anat. 18:488,492, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Coexistence of multiple anomalies in the carpal tunnelCLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 4 2005Mary Barbe Abstract We determined the frequency of anomalous structures within the carpal tunnels of 89 cadaveric forearm-hand specimens. We also examined these same specimens for variations in the branching pattern of the median nerve, and analyzed the range in length and width of the lumbricals. Many of the hands contained extra tendinous slips from the long flexors within the tunnel, subligamentous thenar branches of the median nerve, or lumbricals with bipennate origins. Only one hand had an anomalous muscle belly within the tunnel, two had persistent median arteries, two had high division of the median nerve in the distal forearm, and eight had lumbricals with lengths or widths that were greater or less than 2 standard deviations (SD) from the mean. Twenty-nine percent of all hands examined had two to five anomalies/variations per tunnel, whereas another 27% had one anomaly or variation per tunnel. More right hands (17%) than left (11%) contained two to five anomalous/variant structures per carpal tunnel. More right hands (19%) than left (8%) contained only one variant/anomalous structure per carpal tunnel. Anticipation of the frequency and multiplicity of anomalous structures and variations within this region is of importance to clinicians, particularly surgeons. Clin. Anat. 18:251,259, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Restoration of motor function of the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve by direct nerve transfer of branches from the tibial nerve: An anatomical study,CLINICAL ANATOMY, Issue 3 2004Kale D. Bodily Abstract Traction injuries of the common fibular (peroneal) nerve frequently result in significant morbidity due to tibialis anterior muscle paralysis and the associated loss of ankle dorsiflexion. Because current treatment options are often unsuccessful or unsatisfactory, other treatment approaches need to be explored. In this investigation, the anatomical feasibility of an alternative option, consisting of nerve transfer of motor branches from the tibial nerve to the deep fibular nerve, was studied. In ten cadaveric limbs, the branching pattern, length, and diameter of motor branches of the tibial nerve in the proximal leg were characterized; nerve transfer of each of these motor branches was then simulated to the proximal deep fibular nerve. A consistent, reproducible pattern of tibial nerve innervation was seen with minor variability. Branches to the flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus muscles were determined to be adequate, based on their branch point, branch pattern, and length, for direct nerve transfer in all specimens. Other branches, including those to the tibialis posterior, popliteus, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles were not consistently adequate for direct nerve transfer for injuries extending to the bifurcation of the common fibular nerve or distal to it. For neuromas of the common fibular nerve that do not extend as far distally, branches to the soleus and lateral head of the gastrocnemius may be adequate for direct transfer if the intramuscular portions of these nerves are dissected. This study confirms the anatomical feasibility of direct nerve transfer using nerves to toe-flexor muscles as a treatment option to restore ankle dorsiflexion in cases of common fibular nerve injury. Clin. Anat. 17:201,205, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A test of the relationship between seasonal rainfall and saguaro cacti branching patternsECOGRAPHY, Issue 4 2003Taly Dawn Drezner Reproductive output, as well as photosynthetically active radiation interception and CO2 uptake, increase as saguaro cacti Carnegiea gigantea (Engelm.) Britt. and Rose branch, and branching increases with increasing moisture. The Sonoran Desert experiences distinct summer and winter precipitation regimes that vary in both geography and scale. Many aspects of saguaro ecology are known to depend on the summer rains, which has resulted in an emphasis on summer rains in the literature. Similarly, branching studies have been limited geographically to areas that receive relatively high amounts of summer rainfall. These studies, therefore, attribute branching patterns to the summer (or possibly annual) rains, and conclusions reflect the summer precipitation bias. Environmental variability in space was explored in the present study to investigate saguaro branching patterns. I collected height and branching data in thirty saguaro populations across their American range. Stepwise regression was used to determine which climate, vegetation and soil variables best predict branching. Contrary to the literature, this study found that winter precipitation, particularly from January to April, was the best predictor of branching, not summer or annual rain. Surprisingly, the relationship between the summer monsoons (July and August precipitation) and branching was negative. This is likely due to the fact that summer and winter rainfall patterns are geographically distinct. Winter precipitation appears to play a key role in branching, and thus in seed production. This suggests that saguaros benefit from moisture during the winter, possibly utilizing cold-season rains for increasing their reproductive output through branching, and challenging the view that the summer rains dominate virtually every aspect of the saguaro life-cycle, and creating a more balanced view of saguaro ecology. [source] The influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and environment on root development in soilEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2003D. Atkinson Summary The production of fine roots is one of the principal means by which carbon, fixed during photosynthesis, enters the soil, and quantifying the production for particular combinations of environmental and biotic factors is important for predicting the sequestration of carbon in the soils of grassland ecosystems. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can have a major effect on the production of roots, and we studied how colonization by AMF affects the lifespan of roots. Twenty per cent of control roots of Trifolium repens survived for longer than 42 days whereas 37% survived that long in AMF-colonized plants. The overall survival of the roots of Lolium perenne was less than in T. repens: around 10% of roots survived beyond 42 days and this was not affected by AMF colonization. Previous studies have shown that lifespans of roots can be affected by temperature. We tested the hypothesis that these observations are linked to a change in the morphology of the root system caused by temperature and also by AMF. We found that inoculation with AMF in a microcosm study using Plantago lanceolata grown at various temperatures, with and without AMF, showed no clear effect of AMF on branching patterns. Temperature had a significant effect on total lengths, numbers and branching rates of some higher orders of roots. Total lengths of both secondary and tertiary roots grown at 27°C were about double those of plants grown at 15°C. Colonization by AMF tended to reduce this effect. Evidently the effect of colonization by AMF on root lifespan depends on the species. Increased branching, and thus a greater proportion of ephemeral roots, was responsible for shortening the lives of the roots at increased temperature, which suggests a strong link between lifespan and morphology. [source] Anthropometry of fetal vasculature in the chorionic plateJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 6 2007Z. Gordon Abstract Normal fetal development is dependent on adequate placental blood perfusion. The functional role of the placenta takes place mainly in the capillary system; however, ultrasound imaging of fetal blood flow is commonly performed on the umbilical artery, or on its first branches over the chorionic plate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the structural organization of the feto-placental vasculature of the chorionic plate. Casting of the placental vasculature was performed on 15 full-term placentas using a dental polymer mixed with colored ink. Observations of the cast models revealed that the branching architecture of the chorionic vessel is a combination of dichotomous and monopodial patterns, where the first two to three generations are always of a dichotomous nature. Analysis of the daughter-to-mother diameter ratios in the chorionic vessels provided a maximum in the range of 0.6,0.8 for the dichotomous branches, whereas in monopodial branches it was in the range of 0.1,0.3. Similar to previous studies, this study reveals that the vasculature architecture is mostly monopodial for the marginal cord insertion and mostly dichotomous for the central insertion. The more marginal the umbilical cord insertion is on the chorionic plate, the more monopodial branching patterns are created to compensate the dichotomous pattern deficiency to perfuse peripheral placental territories. [source] | ||||||||||||||||