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Background: The foramen magnum provides a transition between fossa cranii posterior and canalis vertebralis. Medulla oblongata, arteria vertebralis and nervus accessorius spinal part pass through the foramen magnum. In this study, we aimed to make the morphometric measurements of the foramen magnum on computed tomography (CT) and to determine the feasibility of sex determination based on these measurements. Besides sex determination, from a clinical aspect, it is important to know the measurements of the foramen magnum in the normal population in terms of diseases characterised by displacement of the posterior fossa structures through foramen magnum to upper cervical spinal canal such as Chiari malformations and syringomyelia.Materials and Methods: All the data for our study was obtained retrospectively from 100 patients (50 males, 50 females) who had a CT scan of the head and neck region in Adnan Menderes University Hospital, Department of Radiology. To examine the foramen magnum in each and every occipital bone, we measured the foramen magnum's anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter, the area of the foramen magnum and its circumference.Results: We found that men have a higher average value than women in our study. According to Student's t-test results; in all measured parameters, there is significant difference between the genders (p < 0.05). When multivariate discriminant function test is performed for all four measurements, the discrimination rate is 64% for all women, 70% for all men and 67% for both genders.Conclusions: As a result of our study, the metric data we obtained will be useful in cases where the skeletons' sex could not be determined by any other methods. We believe that, our study may be useful for other studies in determining of sex from foramen magnum. Our measurements could give some information of the normal ranges of the foramen magnum in normal population, so that this can contribute to the diagnosis process of some diseases by imaging. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 99-104). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A person is able to perceive where he is in a threedimensional plane. This can be achieved by spatial navigation and spatial memory. Spatial Memory helps us plan a route to a desired location; retrieving and storing the required information in the brain in order to remember where an object or event is. The visual, proprioception and vestibular systems, which ensure balance, are responsible in spatial navigation in humans, while cognitive and memory skills also play role. A possible disfunction in a person's vestibular system has a great effect in his spatial orientation and navigation skills. The Water Maze Test is used for animals, to test their navigation skills. This test is considered the gold standard for animals. The Triangle Completion Test is used to assess the navigation skills of humans. However, there are no normalization values for the currently used test batteries for humans. Our aim in this study is to obtain the normalization and standardization values for the navigation test battery in different age groups. Methods: In our study, by eliminating the visual system, which contributes to balance; we have assed the navigation systems of 153 healthy individuals, with no vestibular or proprioceptive problems. Participants walked on a coordinate plane with their eyes closed. The coordinate plane, with x and y planes included, consisted of squares of 25x25 cm, the whole coordinate plane being 300x300 cm. Seven commands were read to the participants in six different sets. At the end of every command set, we told the participants to go back to where they had started while measuring their reaction and duration time. The said followings were: • Command 1: 1 step forward, 1 step forward, turn right, 1 step forward, 1 step forward, turn right, 1 step forward; • Command 2: 1 step forward, 1 step forward, turn left, 1 step forward, 1 step forward, turn left, 1 step forward; • Command 3: 1 step forward, 1 step forward, turn right, 1 step forward, 1 step forward, turn left, 1 step forward; • Command 4: 1 step forward, 1 step forward, turn left, 1 step forward, 1 step forward, turn right, 1 step forward; • Command 5: 1 step forward, 1 step forward, turn left, 1 step forward, 1 step forward, turn back, 1 step forward; • Command 6: 1 step forward, 1 step forward, turn right, 1 step forward, 1 step forward, turn back, 1 step forward. Normalization values were determined based on the determined age groups, step lengths and the duration time for the person to return to where they had started. The most reliable and consistent of the 6 command sets read to the participants were determined with the statistical analysis. Results: The minimum and maximum deviations on x plane was observed in individuals whose ages are in the range between 21--29 (27.6048±27.27094) and 40--49 (34.7258±34.25272), respectively. On the other hand, for y plane, the minimum and maximum deviations were observed in the groups of individuals whose ages are less than 20 (27.3636±23.94072) and between 21--29 (35.4048±35.93685). However, according to the results obtained from Kruskal- Wallis test conducted for each plane (x and y) demonstrated that, there is statistically no difference in terms of deviations between age groups. According to the results obtained in the x/y plane of Kruskal-Wallis test; it was observed that the 1st command set made the least difference between the groups and most reliable test set for to use. Conclusions: As a result of the analysis, it is recommended that the 1st command set be used as a viable test battery. For future research, we believe that these command set can be used in various diseases ranging from vestibular disorders to dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a putative parasitic species from Turkey, Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) ruseni n. sp., of the genus Camponotus. This species was collected in a C. aethiops nest. Considering the features of inquilinistic species, C. ruseni shares only small body sizes. It does not share presence of intercastes or ergatogynes, reduced funicular segment numbers, and reduced wing venation, pupoid males, or absence of worker caste. To make a definitive conclusion about the parasitic status of C. ruseni, more studies are allegedly required, especially dealing with the biology of the species.

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the value of power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) in assessing the vascularity of skin tumors other than malignant melanoma, and to investigate possible diagnostic criteria to help to distinguish malignant from benign tumors preoperatively. Seventy-one patients with the clinical diagnosis of a skin tumor were initially evaluated by ultrasonography. Then PDUS was performed and the presence and type of vascularity (peripheral or mixed) were investigated. Of the 19 benign and 52 malignant lesions, 3 could not be visualized with US. Forty-nine lesions were found to have vascularity (21 peripheral, 28 mixed-type) on PDUS. Of the malignant lesions, 26 showed mixed and 17 showed peripheral-type vascularity; for benign lesions these numbers were 2 and 4 respectively. The presence of vascularity correlated well with pathological behavior (malignant versus benign) (P = 0.00002), width (P = 0.0001), thickness (P = 0.001), dermal disruption (P = 0.0018), and subdermal extension (P = 0.002) of the tumor; however, the type of vascularity correlated only with thickness (P = 0.014). In relation to malignancy, the sensitivity of the presence of vascularity on PDUS was 88% and the specificity was 63%. These values were 93% and 40% respectively, for the mixed type of vascularity when it was accepted as a feature of malignancy. PDUS may help to distinguish malignant from benign skin tumors during preoperative evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Henoch-Schönlein purpura, although being a systemic vasculitis, mostly involves skin, gastrointestinal system, joints, and kidneys. Testicular involvement is a rare occurrence. A 7-year-old boy with Henoch-Schönlein purpura developed acute scrotum and was referred to rule out testicular torsion. On gray-scale ultrasonography, the testes and epididymis were slightly enlarged, and had heterogeneous and hypoechoic echotexture. The scrotal wall was thickened as well. Color and power Doppler ultrasonography revealed increased vascularity in scrotal contents. Testicular torsion was excluded and the diagnosis of testicular involvement of Henoch-Schönlein purpura was established. Color Doppler US, together with gray-scale findings, can be useful in the evaluation of Henoch-Schönlein purpura with acute scrotum, excluding testicular torsion and preventing unnecessary surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]