Sonographic and Anatomical Evaluation of the Liver and Portal Vein Reference Values / Evaluación Ecográfica y Anatómica de los Valores de Referencia del Hígado y la Vena Porta

SUMMARY: This paper's aim is a morphometric evaluation of liver and portal vein morphometry using ultrasonography in healthy Turkish population. This study was carried out with 189 subjects (107 females, 82 males). The demographic data and the body surface area were calculated. The longitudinal axis of the liver for two lobes, diagonal axis or liver span, anteroposterior diameter of the liver and portal vein, portal vein transverse diameter, caudate lobe anteroposterior diameter, and portal vein internal diameters as well as longitudinal liver scans in an aortic plane, sagittal plane, transverse plane, and kidney axis were measured. All measurements were analyzed according to age, sex, body mass index, obesity and alcohol consumption. The mean values of the age, height, weight and body mass index were calculated as 44.39 years, 167.05 cm, 74.23 kg, and 27.06kg/m2 in females, respectively. The same values were 44.13 years, 167.70 cm, 75.93 kg and 26.71 kg/m2 in males, respectively. There was significant difference between demographic characteristics, gender, and alcohol consumption in terms of anteroposterior diameter of the liver, portal vein transverse diameter of the right side and liver transverse scan. Also, some measurements including portal vein transverse diameter, liver transverse scan and at kidney axis longitudinal scan of liver showed significant difference between the age groups. There was significant difference in diagonal axis and anteroposterior diameter of liver, portal vein internal diameter, and longitudinal liver scans of the aortic plane parameters between obesity situation. The findings obtained will provide important and useful reference values as it may determine some abnormalities related liver diseases. Also, age, sex, obesity and body mass index values can be effective in the liver and portal vein morphometry related parameters.

El objetivo de este artículo fue realizar una evaluación de la morfometría del hígado y la vena porta mediante ecografía en una población turca sana. Este estudio se llevó a cabo en 189 sujetos (107 mujeres, 82 hombres). Se calcularon los datos demográficos y la superficie corporal. Se midió eleje longitudinal del de dos lóbulos del hígado, el eje diagonal o la extensión del hígado, los diámetros anteroposterior del hígado y de la vena porta, el diámetro transversal de la vena porta, anteroposterior del lóbulo caudado y los diámetros internos de la vena porta, así como las exploraciones longitudinales del hígado en un plano aórtico. Se midieron el plano sagital, el plano transversal y el eje del riñón. Todas las mediciones se analizaron según edad, sexo, índice de masa corporal, obesidad y consumo de alcohol. Los valores medios de edad, talla, peso e índice de masa corporal se calcularon como 44,39 años, 167,05 cm, 74,23 kg y 27,06 kg/m2 en las mujeres, respectivamente. Las mismas variable fueron 44,13 años, 167,70 cm, 75,93 kg y 26,71 kg/m2. Hubo diferencias significativas entre las características demográficas, el sexo y el consumo de alcohol en términos de diámetro anteroposterior del hígado, diámetro transversal de la vena porta del lado derecho y exploración transversal del hígado. Además, algunas mediciones, incluido el diámetro transversal de la vena porta, la exploración transversal del hígado y la exploración longitudinal del hígado en el eje del riñón, mostraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos de edad. Hubo diferencias significativas en el eje diagonal y el diámetro anteroposterior del hígado, el diámetro interno de la vena porta y los parámetros de las exploraciones hepáticas longitudinales del plano aórtico entre situaciones de obesidad. Los hallazgos obtenidos proporcionarán valores de referencia importantes y útiles ya que pueden determinar algunas anomalías relacionadas con enfermedades hepáticas. Además, los valores de edad, sexo, obesidad e índice de masa corporal pueden ser eficaces en los parámetros relacionados con la morfometría del hígado y la vena porta.

Radiological and Anatomical Evaluation of the Tracheal Morphology and Morphometry in Turkish Adults / Evaluación Radiológica y Anatómica de la Morfología y Morfometría Traqueal en Adultos Turcos

SUMMARY: The trachea is a tubular organ lying between larynx and lungs containing smooth muscle, membranes, and cartilage. This paper evaluated the dimessions of the trachea and main bronchi morphometry in healthy adults using Computed Tomography. This retrospective observational study was performed with 170 healthy adult subjects (89 females, 52.35 %; 81 males,47.65 %). The length of the trachea, the anteroposterior and transverse diameter of the trachea and the right and left main bronchi were measured. From these measurements, the trachea shape were calculated and four types of trachea were identified as circular, oval, horseshoe-shaped, and rectangular. All measurements were significantly higher in males than females (excluding tracheal bifurcation angle). According to the value obtained by dividing the anteroposterior by the width of the trachea, tracheal shapes are considered; the circular shape was seen 104 subjects (61.2 %), followed by oval type (34 subjects), horseshoe type (24 subjects) and rectangular type. (8 subjects). Also, the most frequently seen was circular type in both females and males. Hovewer, there was no significant difference between sex in terms of trachea shape. Additionally, a striking finding was that trachea morphometry and morphology showed the significance according to age dependent changes. Trachea measurements were affected several reasons such as used methods, age, sex, or race. This study has many clinical importance as it may reduce the risk of accidental damage to these area by clinicians such as cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthetist, or radiologist.

La tráquea es un órgano tubular que se encuentra entre la laringe y los pulmones y que contiene músculo liso, membranas y cartílago. Este trabajo evaluó las dimensiones de la tráquea y la morfometría de los bronquios principales en adultos sanos mediante Tomografía Computarizada. Este estudio observacional retrospectivo se realizó con 170 sujetos adultos sanos (89 mujeres, 52,35 %; 81 hombres, 47,65 %). Se midió la longitud de la tráquea, el diámetro anteroposterior y transversal de la tráquea y los bronquios principales derecho e izquierdo. A partir de estas mediciones, se calculó la forma de la tráquea y se identificaron cuatro tipos de tráquea: circular, ovalada, en forma de herradura y rectangular. Todas las mediciones fueron significativamente mayores en hombres que en mujeres (excluyendo el ángulo de bifurcación traqueal). Según el valor que se obtiene al dividir el anteroposterior por el ancho de la tráquea, se consideran las formas traqueales; la forma circular fue observada en 104 sujetos (61,2 %), seguida del tipo ovalado (34 sujetos), tipo herradura (24 sujetos) y tipo rectangular (8 sujetos). Además, el tipo más frecuente fue el circular tanto en mujeres como en hombres. Sin embargo, no hubo diferencias significativas entre sexos en términos de forma de la tráquea. Además, un hallazgo sorprendente fue que la morfometría y la morfología de la tráquea mostraron importancia según los cambios dependientes de la edad. Las mediciones morfométricas de la tráquea se vieron afectadas por varios motivos, como los métodos utilizados, la edad, el sexo o la raza. Este estudio tiene importancia clínica ya que puede reducir el riesgo de daño accidental por parte de médicos como cirujanos cardiotorácicos, anestesistas o radiólogos.

Sperm concentrations do not correlate with semen parameters and hormone profiles in males recovered from COVID-19.

Background: Although the negative impact on fertility of men recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been suggested, there is insufficient evidence, and the data are limited and contradictory. The present prospective study aimed to evaluate the sex-related hormones, semen parameters, erectile dysfunction (ED), and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a cohort of men who recovered from COVID-19 and age-matched control men. Methods: Semen samples were collected from twenty-two men recovered from COVID-19 with a median time of 91.5 days and thirty-six control males. The semen parameters were evaluated according to the World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory manual to examine and process human semen. The blood samples were collected to assess the male hormone profile. ED and LUTS were evaluated with the International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), respectively. Results: The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (3.819±1.515 IU/L), luteinizing hormone (LH) (4.023±1.792 IU/L), prolactin (PRL) [12.60 (10.72-15.20) ng/mL], and testosterone (T) [4.345 (3.565-5.525) ng/mL] levels were at normal range in all males enrolled in the study. Levels of semen volume (control: 2.5 mL vs. COVID-19: 1.9 mL; P<0.05) and sperm concentration (control: 59×106/mL vs. COVID-19: 41.5×106/mL; P<0.005) were significantly lower in males recovered from COVID-19, but still technically well within normal regardless of WHO edition. All variables were examined through logistic regression analysis, demonstrating that only sperm concentration was an independent variable associated with men recovered from COVID-19 [odds ratio (OR) =1; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.999-1.098; P=0.016]. According to correlation analysis, there was no correlation between sperm concentration and other semen parameters and sex-related hormone profiles. Furthermore, an absence of ED and LUTS in men who recovered from COVID-19 was evidenced using the IIEF-5 and IPSS, respectively. Conclusions: Reproductive-age males recovered from COVID-19 have normal sperm concentration. Sperm concentration did not correlate with other semen parameters, sex-related hormones, IIEF-5, and IPSS. Further studies should be performed to evaluate whether the lower sperm concentration and semen volume that were still within the normal range are a transient or prolonged downregulation resulting from the COVID-19 attack.

Conversion of M1 Macrophages to Foam Cells: Transcriptome Differences Determined by Sex.

BACKGROUND: M1 macrophages involved in pro-inflammatory processes can be induced by low-density lipoproteins (LDL), giving rise to foam cells. In the atheroma plaque, it has been identified that males present more advanced lesions associated with infiltration. Therefore, our study aims to investigate sex-related changes in the transcriptome of M1 macrophages during the internalization process of LDL particles. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy male and female subjects were separated using Hystopaque, and monocytes were isolated from PBMCs using a positive selection of CD14+ cells. Cells were stimulated with LDL 10 µg/mL, and the transcriptional profile of M1 macrophages performed during LDL internalization was determined using a Clariom D platform array. RESULTS: Chromosome Y influences the immune system and inflammatory responses in males expressing 43% of transcripts in response to LDL treatment. Males and females share 15 transcripts, where most correspond to non-coding elements involved in oxidative stress and endothelial damage. CONCLUSIONS: During LDL internalization, male monocyte-derived M1 macrophages display more marked proinflammatory gene expression. In contrast, female M1 macrophages display a more significant number of markers associated with cell damage.

Sex-related difference in the retinal structure of young adults: a machine learning approach.

Purpose: To compare the accuracy of machine learning (ML) algorithms to classify the sex of the participant from retinal thickness datasets in different retinal layers. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 26 male and 38 female subjects. Data were acquired using HRA + OCT Spectralis, and the thickness and volume of 10 retinal layers were quantified. A total of 10 features were extracted from each retinal layer. The accuracy of various algorithms, including k-nearest-neighbor, support vector classifier, logistic regression, linear discriminant analysis, random forest, decision tree, and Gaussian Naïve Bayes, was quantified. A two-way ANOVA was conducted to assess the ML accuracy, considering both the classifier type and the retinal layer as factors. Results: A comparison of the accuracies achieved by various algorithms in classifying participant sex revealed superior results in datasets related to total retinal thickness and the retinal nerve fiber layer. In these instances, no significant differences in algorithm performance were observed (p > 0.05). Conversely, in other layers, a decrease in classification accuracy was noted as the layer moved outward in the retina. Here, the random forest (RF) algorithm demonstrated superior performance compared to the others (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The current research highlights the distinctive potential of various retinal layers in sex classification. Different layers and ML algorithms yield distinct accuracies. The RF algorithm's consistent superiority suggests its effectiveness in identifying sex-related features from a range of retinal layers.

Predictors of Metabolic Syndrome in Adults and Older Adults from Amazonas, Brazil.

Metabolic syndrome has been considered a factor of vulnerability and a major public health problem because it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The present study from Amazonas, Brazil aimed to estimate the prevalence of the individual and general components of metabolic syndrome in adults and older adults and identify the independent predictors of metabolic syndrome. The sample of the present cross-sectional study comprised 942 participants (590 women), with a mean age of 59.8 ± 19.7 (range: 17.5 to 91.8). Blood pressure in men (62.5%), abdominal obesity in women (67.3%), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in both (52.2% in men and 65.0% in women) were the most prevalent individual risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Women had a higher prevalence of abdominal obesity (p < 0.001), low HDL-C (p < 0.001), and metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001) than men; however, opposite results were seen in men for blood pressure (p < 0.001). The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 47.5%. Advanced age, being female, having a higher body mass index, and a having lower educational level independently increased the odds of metabolic syndrome. Due to the association of metabolic syndrome with deterioration of health status and increased vulnerability, this study sustains the need for early public health interventions in the Amazonas region.

Temporal and sex-based variation in organochlorine pesticide levels in the blue-footed booby in two coastal colonies of Sinaloa, Mexico.

The temporal, inter-site, and sex-based variation of 19 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in blood plasma samples collected from blue-footed boobies of two islands in Sinaloa, Mexico, was evaluated. The effect of OCPs was evaluated with the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, micronucleated erythrocyte frequency, and scaled mass index. The OCP-group levels decreased as the breeding season progressed, and interannual (but not inter-colony) differences were detected. Intra-annual variation in OCP levels seemed to reflect run-off inputs, although other environmental processes may better explain the variation between years. Sex-based differences in OCP levels were likely related to ecological and physiological processes linked to breeding (e.g., egg-laying and use of lipid reserves). No correlations between OCP-group levels and biomarkers were detected. Small pelagic fishes are the main prey sources of blue-footed boobies and the targets of regional industrial fisheries, and thus blue-footed booby OCP levels could reflect ecosystem health and indicate potential risks for human consumers.

Atherosclerotic plaque burden evaluated from neck to groin: effect of gender and cardiovascular risk factors.

We explored the impact of gender and cardiovascular risk factors (RF) in the distribution and burden of coronary and extra-coronary atherosclerotic plaques among patients undergoing ECG-gated thoracoabdominal computed tomography angiography (CTA) from the supra-aortic trunks to the femoral arteries. We included a consecutive cohort of patients who underwent ECG-gated thoracoabdominal aortic CTA from the supra-aortic trunks to the pubic symphysis. We evaluated the number of coronary segments with plaques [segment-involvement score (SIS)]; and the extra-coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden, comprising the aorta and supra-aortic trunks, iliofemoral arteries, and visceral arteries (extra-coronary SS). A total of 3400 vascular segments were evaluated in 100 patients (mean age 67.0 ± 12.6 years, 66% male). Seventy-two (72%) patients had evidence of atherosclerosis in the coronary tree (coronary SIS ≥ 1), of which 32% was extensive (coronary SIS > 5). Males had a significantly higher prevalence of coronary SIS ≥ 1 [53 (80%), vs. 19 (56%), p = 0.018], and coronary SIS > 5 [24 (36%) vs. 8 (24%), p = 0.035] than females. Extra-coronary SS was similar between genders (males 10.2 ± 5.8 vs. females 9.7 ± 5.4, p = 0.70), irrespective of the location along the different vascular beds. The number of coronary RF was significantly related to the coronary SIS (p = 0.038), and hypertension and diabetes were consistently related to coronary and extra-coronary plaque burden. In the present study involving analysis of multiple vascular beds from the supra-aortic trunks to the femoral arteries, we identified significant sex-related differences in coronary plaque burden, whereas extra-coronary plaque burden was similar between genders irrespective of the vascular bed assessed.

Lead, cadmium and mercury in the blood of the blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii) from the coast of Sinaloa, Gulf of California, Mexico.

We used blood samples of the Blue-footed Booby, considering sex (female and male) and age-class (adult and chick) of individuals at different breeding stages during two breeding seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012) in Isla El Rancho, Sinaloa, to determine lead, cadmium, and mercury concentrations. Lead and cadmium concentrations were below our detection limit (0.05 and 0.36ppm, respectively). A higher concentration of mercury was found in early stages of breeding, likely related to changes in mercury environmental availability. Mercury concentrations in adults did not relate with their breeding output. Males and adults had higher mercury concentration than females and chicks. We provide information of temporal, sex and age-related variations in the concentrations of mercury in blood of the Blue-footed Booby.

Corpus callosum size, is there a sexual difference? / Tamaño del cuerpo calloso, ¿existe una diferencia sexual?

Physical anthropometry is a subdivision of human anatomy science, which has uses in medical industries. A lot of studies showed that genetic, racial, and socioeconomic factors and educational background play rule in anthropometry. We aim this study to determine the presence of differences between gender and corpus callosum size. MRIs were collected from Ardebil and Kermanshah states done in 2013, the participants were informed about this study. They were selected based on age more than 20-years old, absence of demyelization and degenerative diseases, clean history of for neurosurgery, and previous cerebrovascular accidents. MRIs were analyzed by PmsDview program in the midsagittal section by using 9 landmarks, and the data was analyzed by SPSS 19.0. The mean corpus callosum in men was 551.9547±130.55 mm2, and 613.2353±99.98 mm2, and by using t-test (p<0.05), there was no difference in corpus callosum size in both genders. By comparing the results of this study results and other studies we believe that genetic, racial factors, beside education background play great rule to determine corpus callosum size. We suggest that such research to be done in other states of Iran, and Middle East and Asian countries which can confirm genetic and racial factors in anthropometry.

La antropometría física es una rama de la anatomía humana utilizada en las industrias médicas. Una gran cantidad de estudios ha demostrado que factores genéticos, raciales y socioeconómicos, así como antecedentes educativos forman parte de las reglas en la antropometría. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la presencia de diferencias entre el sexo y el tamaño del cuerpo calloso. Se obtuvieron imágenes de resonancia magnética (IRM) pertenecientes a sujetos de los estados de Ardebil y Kermanshah en Irán, el año 2013. Los participantes fueron informados acerca del estudio y seleccionados en base a la edad y debían ser mayores de 20 años. Fueron incluidos casos con ausencia de desmielinización o enfermedades degenerativas, un historial sin antecedentes de neurocirugía o accidentes cerebrovasculares previos. Las IRM fueron analizadas con el programa PmsDview en la sección sagital mediana usando 9 puntos de referencia; los datos se analizaron con el programa SPSS 19.0. El tamaño promedio del cuerpo calloso en los hombres fue 551,9547±130,55 mm2, y en mujeres 613,2353±99,98 mm2. Mediante el uso de la prueba t (p<0,05), no hubo diferencia en el tamaño del cuerpo calloso en ambos sexos. Al comparar estos resultados con otros estudios, existen factores genéticos, raciales, además de la educación, que juegan un papel importante al determinar el tamaño del cuerpo calloso. Sugerimos que este tipo de investigación que se realice en otros estados de Irán, el Medio Oriente y en los países asiáticos, para confirmar que los factores genéticos y raciales modifican la antropometría.