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The head is considered the major novelty of the vertebrates and directly linked to their evolutionary success. Its form and development as well as its function, for example in feeding, is of major interest for evolutionary biologists. In this study, we describe the skeletal development of the cranium and pectoral girdle in Siberian (Acipenser baerii) and Russian sturgeon (A. gueldenstaedtii), two species that are commonly farmed in aquaculture and increasingly important in developmental studies. This study comprises the development of the neuro-, viscero- and dermatocranium and the dermal and chondral components of the pectoral girdle, from first condensation of chondrocytes in prehatchlings to the early juvenile stage and reveals a clear pattern in formation. The otic capsules, the parachordal cartilages, and the trabeculae cranii are the first centers of chondrification, at 8.4mm TL. These are followed by the mandibular, then the hyoid, and later the branchial arches. Teeth form early on the dentary, dermopalatine, and palatopterygoid, and then appear later in the buccal cavity as dorsal and ventral toothplates. With ongoing chondrification in the neurocranium a capsule around the brain and a strong rostrum are formed. Dermal ossifications start to form before closure of the dorsal neurocranial fenestrae. Perichondral ossification of cartilage bones occurs much later in ontogeny. Our results contribute data bearing on the homology of elements such as the lateral rostral canal bone that we regard homologous to the antorbital of other actinopterygians based on its sequence of formation, position and form. We further raise doubts on the homology of the posterior ceratobranchial among Actinopteri based on the formation of the hyoid arch elements. We also investigate the basibranchials and the closely associated unidentified gill-arch elements and show that they are not homologous. J. Morphol. 278:418-442, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Sima de las Palomas, southeastern Spain, has yielded a series of Neandertal postcranial remains, including immature and mature isolated elements and the fragmentary partial skeleton of a young adult (Palomas 92). The remains largely conform to the general late archaic/Neandertal morphological pattern in terms of humeral diaphyseal shape, pectoralis major tuberosity size and pillar thickness, ulnar coronoid process height, manual middle phalangeal epiphyseal breadth, manual distal phalangeal tuberosity shape and breadth, femoral diaphyseal shape, and probably body proportions. Palomas 92 contrasts with the Neandertals in having variably gracile hand remains, a more sellar trapezial metacarpal 1 facet, more anteroposteriorly expanded mid-proximal femoral diaphysis, and less robust pedal proximal phalanges. The Palomas Neandertals contrast with more northern European Neandertals particularly in various reflections of overall body size.

We describe a female domestic cat with apparent VATER/VACTERL association, including vertebral abnormalities, anal atresia, radial agenesis, and cardiovascular and renal defects. If we consider the acronym VATER, this cat had a triad (VAR); however, if we consider the extended acronym VACTERL, she had a pentad (VACRL).

The aims of this study were to examine the skeleton of domesticated budgerigars of phenotypically different breeding types, to describe the expression of skeletal changes and to discuss the results with special reference to the causes and effects of breed-conditioned alterations. Complete skeletons of 39 adult budgerigars of both sexes were the object of our research. The examinations demonstrated that almost all metrically sized skeleton dimensions of budgerigars of the exhibition type were increased significantly, compared with those of the non-exhibition type. Only for the scapula significant length differences between the budgerigars of both breeding types could not be verified. It can be stated that the measuring parameters 'occipital width', 'maxilla length', 'skull length' and 'prefrontal width' are suitable for the characterization of exhibition budgerigars. However, sexual dimorphisms could be verified in only three parameters (width of the pars symphysialis mandibulae, height of the skull, width of the skull within the range of the occiput). It has to be clarified in future studies to what extent the changes in the skeleton of budgerigars of the exhibition type have already had consequences for their flying ability, metabolism, health and well-being.

Living rodents show great diversity in their locomotor habits, including semiaquatic, arboreal, fossorial, ricochetal, and gliding species from multiple families. To assess the association between limb morphology and locomotor habits, the appendicular skeletons of 65 rodent genera from 16 families were measured. Ecomorphological analyses of various locomotor types revealed consistent differences in postcranial skeletal morphology that relate to functionally important traits. Behaviorally similar taxa showed convergent morphological characters, despite distinct evolutionary histories. Semiaquatic rodents displayed relatively robust bones, enlarged muscular attachments, short femora, and elongate hind feet. Arboreal rodents had relatively elongate humeri and digits, short olecranon processes of the ulnae, and equally proportioned fore and hind limbs. Fossorial rodents showed relatively robust bones, enlarged muscular attachments, short antebrachii and digits, elongate manual claws, and reduced hind limb elements. Ricochetal rodents displayed relatively proximal insertion of muscles, disproportionate limbs, elongate tibiae, and elongate hind feet. Gliding rodents had relatively elongate and gracile bones, short olecranon processes of the ulnae, and equally proportioned fore and hind limbs. The morphological differences observed here can readily be used to discriminate extant rodents with different locomotor strategies. This suggests that the method could be applied to extinct rodents, regardless of ancestry, to accurately infer their locomotor ecologies. When applied to an extinct group of rodents, we found two distinct ecomorphs represented in the beaver family (Castoridae), semiaquatic and semifossorial. There was also a progressive trend toward increased body size and increased aquatic specialization in the giant beaver lineage (Castoroidinae). J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Numerous studies have assessed side dominance assuming arm bones on the side of handedness will be larger, but concerns over sample size or replicability of measurements usually emerged. Attempting to improve upon these limitations, this investigation analyzes patterns of side difference for standard length and transverse dimensions of the scapula, clavicle, humerus, ulna, and radius for 137 individuals of known handedness. The results showed that with few exceptions, the right side of the skeleton was consistently larger in most individuals regardless of side dominance. Combinations of other measurements previously suggested to be indicative of handedness as well as the use of discriminant analysis also failed to provide reliable estimators. These findings are likely related to the fact that activities of modern individuals are generally not sufficiently unilateral in their stresses to cause asymmetrical development in the arm bones. Therefore, it is recommended that other means be developed to assess side dominance.

The postcranial skeleton is poorly known for Shinisaurus crocodilurus, the Chinese crocodile lizard. Discrepancies exist between published accounts of Shinisaurus; moreover, comparisons with complete specimens show important differences from the published descriptions. Contrary to some publications, the axial skeleton variably consists of 26 or 27 presacral vertebrae, including eight cervical vertebrae. Humeral entepicondylar and ectepicondylar foramina are present, as are an epipubis and hypoischium, and the post-tubercular portion of the pubis is subequal in length to the proximal portion. Sesamoids are present in the knee, elbow, and between the penultimate phalanges and unguals. A cartilaginous strut joins the clavicles and interclavicle. Comparative investigation of extant anguimorphs add context to these observations and support the conclusion that Mosasauroidea possessed eight or more (rather than seven) cervical vertebrae. Overall, the postcranium of Shinisaurus is relatively unspecialized for Anguimorpha, although it may be diagnosed accurately by a combination of character states. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

BMD of children with fractures was compared with healthy controls using QUS. We found significantly lower SOS values in children suffering from fractures. None of the studied environmental factors could explain the difference in BMD measurements. Introduction: The aims of this study were to compare the results of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in children with fractures with the respective values in children without fractures and to identify possible environmental factors influencing speed of sound (SOS) in our study cohort. Materials and Methods: BMD was measured by QUS in 50 children who had sustained an acute fracture and in 154 healthy children as controls. SOS values were obtained from the proximal phalanges of the last four fingers of the dominant hand. Nutritional habits and activity level of the children were documented by a standardized questionnaire. Results: Children with fractures had a significantly lower SOS compared with children without a history of fractures. This difference in SOS could not be explained by differences in diet, body mass index, or physical activity. Conclusions: Previous studies have suggested that low BMD levels might contribute to an increased prevalence of fractures in patients with systemic diseases. Our study showed that, in an otherwise healthy pediatric population, the SOS values are lower in children with fractures compared with healthy controls. Despite statistical significance, the biological impact of the results remains unclear. The difference in SOS values could not be explained by any of the studied environmental factors.

We report a patient with a relapsed in bone marrow of extremities after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The patient complained of pain in the right upper arm and left leg 15 months after transplantation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed abnormal findings in bone marrow of upper and lower extremities. There were no findings of relapse in aspirates from the sternum and iliac bone marrow. Biopsy specimen from the iliac bone marrow showed normocellular marrow without leukemic cells. Biopsy specimen from the right humerus revealed marked leukemic cell infiltration in the bone marrow. This is apparently the first case of localized relapse of ALL in bone marrow of extremities. Physicians should be aware of unusual relapse sites of leukemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. MRI and FDG-PET may be of value in detecting this type of relapse. Am. J. Hematol. 76:279–282, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The co-occurrence of ophthalmologic abnormality and intrinsic skeletal dysplasia is uncommon. We describe eight instances of a unique form of spondylometaphyseal dysplasia (SMD) associated with cone-rod dystrophy (although documentation is insufficient to be certain of that diagnosis in some). This is a new, syndromic form of SMD for which there is evidence for autosomal recessive transmission. Recognition of the specific bony features described here should precipitate comprehensive ophthalmologic assessment, since vision impairment becomes significantly disabling with age.

This population-based study documented β-blocker use in 59/569 cases with incident fracture and 112/775 controls. OR for fracture associated with β-blocker use was 0.68 (95%CI, 0.49–0.96). β-Blockers were associated with higher BMD at the total hip (2.5%) and UD forearm (3.6%) after adjusting for age, anthropometry, and thiazide use. β-Blocker use is associated with reduced fracture risk and higher BMD. Introduction: Animal data suggests that bone formation is under β-adrenergic control and that β-blockers stimulate bone formation and/or inhibit bone resorption. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the association between β-blocker use, bone mineral density (BMD), and fracture risk in a population-based study in Geelong, a southeastern Australian city with a single teaching hospital and two radiological centers providing complete fracture ascertainment for the region. β-Blocker use was documented for 569 women with radiologically confirmed incident fractures and 775 controls without incident fracture. Medication use and lifestyle factors were documented by questionnaire. Results: Odds ratio for fracture associated with β-blocker use was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.49–0.96) for any fracture. Adjusting for age, weight, medications, and lifestyle factors had little effect on the odds ratio. β-Blocker use was associated with a higher BMD at the total hip (2.5%, p = 0.03) and ultradistal forearm (3.6%, p = 0.04) after adjustment for age, anthropometry, and thiazide use. Conclusion: β-Blockers are associated with a reduction in fracture risk and higher BMD.

The authors present their experience in surgical reconstruction of bone lesions in posttraumatic bone defects, pseudarthrosis, and osteitis by using the free serratus anterior-rib flap. The flap was used in 12 cases: 7 cases in the upper limb, and 5 cases in the lower limb. The overall immediate success rate in our series was of 91.7%. We had only one failure, due to a venous thrombosis. In all successful cases, the rib showed good integration. This procedure seems to be very useful in the reconstruction of small and medium bone defects, especially in the upper limb.

Objective To construct new size charts for all fetal limb bones. Design A prospective, cross sectional study. Setting Ultrasound department of a large hospital. Sample 663 fetuses scanned once only for the purpose of the study at gestations between 12 and 42 weeks. Methods Centiles were estimated by combining separate regression models fitted to the mean and standard deviation, assuming that the measurements have a normal distribution at each gestational age. Main outcome measures Determination of fetal limb lengths from 12 to 42 weeks of gestation. Results Size charts for fetal bones (radius, ulna, humerus, tibia, fibula, femur and foot) are presented and compared with previously published data. Conclusions We present new size charts for fetal limb bones which take into consideration the increasing variability with gestational age. We have compared these charts with other published data; the differences seen may be largely due to methodological differences. As standards for fetal head and abdominal measurements have been published from the same population, we suggest that the use of the new charts may facilitate prenatal diagnosis of skeletal dysplasias.

Two test matings in the irish setter were performed, and genetic, clinical, morphometric, radiographic, bone histological and plasma and urine biochemical features of dwarfism were studied. All offspring were phenotypically normal at birth and weaning, but at the age of 2.5 to 4 months the longitudinal growth of the spine and leg bones was retarded in the dwarfs compared with the normal littermates. Most dwarfs performed well, even in the field. Radiographic and histological evaluations revealed a hypochondroplasia. A morphometric diagnostic method for Irish setter dwarfism was developed. A single autosomal recessive mode of inheritance was verified.

The analgesic efficacy and safety of propacetamol, an injectable prodrug of acetaminophen, (paracetamol) were studied in 87 children (36 boys, 51 girls; age 6-13; mean age 9.5 years) immediately after limb surgery. Using a double-blind, randomized, parallel group design, the effects of a single IV infusion of 30 mg.kg-1 propacetamol (i.e. 15 mg.kg-1 acetaminophen) were compared with a single injection of placebo (PL). Efficacy was assessed on pain scores rated on a four-point verbal scale, a five-point visual scale (faces) and on a four-point relief verbal scale before administration (T0) and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 h after administration. At the end the global efficacy was rated by the physician on a five-point verbal scale. Propacetamol was statistically superior to placebo on all assessment criteria. Seven side-effects were recorded: five in the propacetamol group and two in the placebo group. 30 mg.kg-1 propacetamol provided a significantly greater analgesic effect than placebo in children after orthopaedic surgery.