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We reported a case of heterotopic twin pregnancy in a unicornuate uterus with a non-communicating rudimentary horn with survival of both fetuses. The diagnosis was made late at 28 weeks of gestation, with suspicion raised by ultrasound and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). During hospitalization, obstetric ultrasound with color Doppler was performed every 2 days to assess fetal well-being and myometrial thickness, which was determined by measurements of the uterine wall at the accessory horn. Elective cesarean section was performed at 33 + 5 weeks of gestation. Delivery started with the fetus in the rudimentary horn, with subsequent extraction of the fetus in the unicornate uterus. Three-dimensional virtual reconstruction allowed a spatial view of the both uterus and fetuses with better understanding of the obstetrical condition by the parents and interactive discussion by the multidisciplinary medical team.

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide additional information in cases of cesarean scar pregnancy beyond the first trimester. MRI and 3D reconstructions can demonstrate the relationships between the uterus, cervix, bladder, and placenta, improving the spatial perspective of the pelvic anatomy in cases requiring surgical management. MRI and 3D reconstructions can also provide more comprehensive images for parental counseling, virtual and face-to-face multidisciplinary team discussion, and medical record storage.

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Evaluation of vaginal leiomyoma by dynamic transvaginal ultrasound improves the diagnosis, with the impact on surgical planning, and surgical outcomes. Sonovaginography using three-dimensional ultrasound allows the assessment of spatial relationship between the cervix and the tumor.

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The male genitalia of pholcid spiders, which is one of the most species-rich spider families, are characterized by a procursus, which is a morphologically diverse projection of the copulatory organ. It has been shown that the procursus interacts with the female genitalia during copulation. Here, we investigate the function of the procursus in Gertschiola neuquena, a species belonging to the early branched and understudied subfamily Ninetinae, using behavioural and morphological data. Although many aspects of the copulatory behaviour of G. neuquena follow the general pattern described for the family, males use only one pedipalp during each copulation. Based on our micro-CT analysis of cryofixed mating pairs using virgin females, we can show that the long and filiform procursus is inserted deeply into the unpaired convoluted female spermatheca, and the intromittent sclerite, the embolus, is rather short and stout only reaching the most distal part of the female sperm storage organ. Histological data revealed that sperm are present in the most proximal part of the spermatheca, suggesting that the procursus is used to allocate sperm deeply into the female sperm storage organ. This represents the first case of a replacement of the sperm allocation function of the intromittent sclerite in spiders.

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Background: Presurgical three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions allow spatial localization of cerebral lesions and their relationship with adjacent anatomical structures for optimal surgical resolution. The purpose of the present article is to present a method of virtual preoperative planning aiming to enhance 3D comprehension of neurosurgical pathologies using free DICOM image viewers. Case Description: We describe the virtual presurgical planning of a 61-year-old female presenting a cerebral tumor. 3D reconstructions were created with the "Horos®" Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine viewer, utilizing images obtained from contrast-enhanced brain magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. The tumor and adjacent relevant structures were identified and delimited. A sequential virtual simulation of the surgical stages for the approach was performed with the identification of local gyral and vascular patterns of the cerebral surface for posterior intraoperative recognition. Through virtual simulation, an optimal approach was gained. Accurate localization and complete removal of the lesion were achieved during the surgical procedure. Virtual presurgical planning with open-source software can be utilized for supratentorial pathologies in both urgent and elective cases. Virtual recognition of vascular and cerebral gyral patterns is helpful reference points for intraoperative localization of lesions lacking cortical expression, allowing less invasive corticotomies. Conclusion: Digital manipulation of cerebral structures can increase anatomical comprehension of neurosurgical lesions to be treated. 3D interpretation of neurosurgical pathologies and adjacent anatomical structures is essential for developing an effective and safe surgical approach. The described technique is a feasible and accessible option for presurgical planning.

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In this case report, we present two cases of fetal liver giant hemangioma assessed using ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and three-dimensional reconstructions with their respective postnatal outcomes.

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In the present study, we aimed to assess frontal ethmoidal cells by using segmentation 3D software to establish a possible correlation between volume variation and both gender and age, as well as a relationship with Keros classification. Helical computed tomography images were obtained from 71 patients for analysis, in which the agger nasi cell, supra agger cell, supra agger frontal cell, supra bulla frontal cell, supraorbital ethmoidal cell, supra bulla cell, and frontal septal cell were identified and segmented to obtain their volume. Significant differences in volume were found for age and gender regarding agger nasi cells (p-value = 0.017), supra agger cells (p-value < 0.001), and frontal septal cells (p-value = 0.049). In the frontal septal cells, an increase of one year in age reduced the volume by 0.309, on average. According to Keros classification, the mean volumes were 10.07 and 25.64, respectively, for types II and III, both being greater than that of type I. Extracting volumetric data by using segmentation software in agger nasi cells, supra agger cells, and frontal septal cells may be useful for obtaining additional information related to age, in addition to possibly contributing to elucidating the anatomical variations in the region and an identification forensic tool.

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Extrarenal tumors are rare malignant tumors and generally are lethal when diagnosed during the pregnancy. Some reports described this condition, using ultrasound. In this report, we describe the prenatal characteristics of an extrarenal rhabdoid tumor, evaluated by ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions. This report describes the longest period between prenatal diagnosis and delivery of a fetus affected by extrarenal tumor, compares the imaging technologies used during and after the pregnancy and discuss the results of the prenatal study compared to the postnatal images, an important information for parental counseling.

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The Haemogregarinidae family (Apicomplexa: Adeleina) comprises hemoprotozoa that infect mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, and reptiles. Some morphological characteristics of the Cyrilia lignieresi have been described previously, but the parasite-erythrocyte relationship is still poorly understood. In order to understand the structural architecture of C. lignieresi-infected red blood cells, electron microscopy-based three-dimensional reconstruction was carried out using TEM as well as FIB-SEM tomography. Results showed that development of the macrogametocyte-stage inside the red blood cell is related to an increase in cleft-like structures in the host cell cytoplasm. Furthermore, other aspects related to parasite intraerythrocytic development were explored by 3D visualization techniques. We observed the invagination of a large extension of the Inner Membrane Complex (IMC) on the parasite body, which results from or induces a folding of the posterior end of the parasite. Small tubular structures were seen associated with areas related to IMC folding. Taken together, results provide new information on the remodeling of erythrocytes induced by the protozoan C. lignieresi.

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BACKGROUND: Physical fetal models developed from three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan data may be used for medical education purposes, for parental counseling/multidisciplinary team management and to improve the maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) in blind pregnant women. PURPOSE: We proposed a new technique to create a maternal-fetal physical model by using MRI scan data to improve the MFA. METHODS: For the construction of the maternal-fetal physical model, two different processes were used. For the internal part of the maternal-fetal physical model, we used the segmentation and the 3D reconstruction made from the MRI scan data, and for the outside, we performed 3D scanning by using a white light scanner. After obtaining the 3D models, we used a registration tool to position them in alignment. CONCLUSION: Maternal-fetal physical models improve the MFA by using both tactile and visual sensations of the pregnant woman and her fetus.

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During puberty, sexual hormones induce crucial changes in neural circuit organization, leading to significant sexual dimorphism in adult behaviours. The ventrolateral division of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMHvl) is the major neural site controlling the receptive component of female sexual behaviour, which is dependent on ovarian hormones. The inputs to the VMHvl, originating from the medial nucleus of the amygdala (MeA), transmit essential information to trigger such behaviour. In this study, we investigated the projection pattern of the MeA to the VMHvl in ovariectomized rats at early puberty. Six-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and, upon reaching 90 days of age, were subjected to iontophoretic injections of the neuronal anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin into the MeA. Projections from the MeA to the VMHvl and to other structures included in the neural circuit responsible for female sexual behaviour were analysed in the Control and OVX groups. The results of the semi-quantitative analysis showed that peripubertal ovariectomy reduced the density of intra-amygdalar fibres. The stereological estimates, however, failed to find changes in the organization of the terminal fields of nerve fibres from the MeA to the VMHvl in the adult. The present data show that ovariectomized rats during the peripubertal phase did not undergo significant changes in MeA fibres reaching the VMHvl; however, they suggest a possible effect of ovariectomy on MeA connectivity under amygdalar subnuclei.

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Puberty is an important phase of development when the neural circuit organization is transformed by sexual hormones, inducing sexual dimorphism in adult behavioural responses. The principal brain area responsible for the control of the receptive component of female sexual behaviour is the ventrolateral division of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMHvl), which is known for its dependency on ovarian hormones. Inputs to the VMHvl originating from the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) are responsible for conveying essential information that will trigger such behaviour. Here, we investigated the pattern of the projection of the MPN to the VMHvl in rats ovariectomized at the onset of puberty. Sprague Dawley rats were ovariectomized (OVX) at puberty and then subjected to iontophoretic injections of the neuronal anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin into the MPN once they reached 90 days of age. This study analysed the connectivity pattern established between the MPN and the VMH that is involved in the neuronal circuit responsible for female sexual behaviour in control and OVX rats. The data show the changes in the organization of the connections observed in the OVX adult rats that displayed a reduced axonal length for the MPN fibres reaching the VMHvl, suggesting that peripubertal ovarian hormones are relevant to the organization of MPN connections with structures involved in the promotion of female sexual behaviour.

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Several three-dimensional scanning methods have been developed and improved over the past 40 years. The peculiarities of each technique, associated with the computational advances of the period, allowed the increasing application and diffusion of the technology in several sectors, among them those related to metrology in ballistics and the testing of protective materials. The specific goal of such ballistic tests is to estimate the depth of indentation caused by projectiles. In particular, this study presents a comparative analysis between two three-dimensional optical scanning methods, taking into account the same object of interest. The comparative analysis was based on reference planes detected by Random Sample Consensus methodology in each cloud. By comparing the results of the different techniques, it was found for this case that three-dimensional reconstruction by stereo images estimated values closer to the real ones in comparison to those estimated by the structured light scanner, mainly due to the fact that, for three-dimensional reconstruction, the image acquisition was conducted statically.

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Significant advances have occurred in the area of high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM), especially related to methodologies that allow the observation of intracellular structures that are exposed either by successive abrasion with a gallium ion beam or by sectioning in epoxy-embedded cells. Images of series of successively exposed surfaces can then be rendered into 3D models. Here, we report our observations by combining this approach with classical cytochemical methods to facilitate the 3D reconstruction of labeled structures and organelles. We used epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi whose endocytic pathway was labeled with horseradish peroxidase, followed by fixation and detection of the peroxidase activity using the classical diaminobenzidine-osmium method followed by incubation with thiocarbohydrazide, which increases the concentration of osmium at the sites where the enzyme is located as well as the contrast of lipid-containing structures. This procedure allows not only a better visualization of membranous structures and lipid inclusions but can also easily identify the endocytic tracer (HRP) inside the cell. All structures involved in the endocytic activity could be traced and reconstructed.

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In this chapter we describe different electron microscopy techniques such as freeze fracture, deep etching, and three-dimensional reconstruction, obtained by electron tomography or focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), combined with quick-freezing methods in order to reveal aspects of the cell structure in trypanosomatids. For this purpose, we chose protists that evolve in a mutualistic way with a symbiotic bacterium. Such cells represent excellent models to study the positioning and distribution of organelles, since the symbiotic bacterium interacts with different organelles of the host trypanosomatid. We demonstrate that the employment of such techniques can show the proximity and even the interaction of the symbiotic bacterium with different structures of the protist host, such as the nucleus and the glycosomes. In addition, the quick-freezing approach can reveal new aspects of the gram-negative bacterial envelope, such as the presence of a greatly reduced cell wall between the two membrane units.

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Background: The multi-slice computerized tomography (MSCT) is a medical imaging modality that has been used to determine the size and location of the stomach cancer. Additionally, MSCT is considered the best modality for the staging of gastric cancer. One way to assess the type 2 cancer of stomach is by detecting the pathological structure with an image segmentation approach. The tumor segmentation of MSCT gastric cancer images enables the diagnosis of the disease condition, for a given patient, without using an invasive method as surgical intervention. Methods: This approach consists of three stages. The initial stage, an image enhancement, consists of a method for correcting non homogeneities present in the background of MSCT images. Then, a segmentation stage using a clustering method allows to obtain the adenocarcinoma morphology. In the third stage, the pathology region is reconstructed and then visualized with a three-dimensional (3-D) computer graphics procedure based on marching cubes algorithm. In order to validate the segmentations, the Dice score is used as a metric function useful for comparing the segmentations obtained using the proposed method with respect to ground truth volumes traced by a clinician. Results: A total of 8 datasets available for patients diagnosed, from the cancer data collection of the project, Cancer Genome Atlas Stomach Adenocarcinoma (TCGASTAD) is considered in this research. The volume of the type 2 stomach tumor is estimated from the 3-D shape computationally segmented from the each dataset. These 3-D shapes are computationally reconstructed and then used to assess the morphopathology macroscopic features of this cancer. Conclusions: The segmentations obtained are useful for assessing qualitatively and quantitatively the stomach type 2 cancer. In addition, this type of segmentation allows the development of computational models that allow the planning of virtual surgical processes related to type 2 cancer.

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Dactylogyridae is overwhelmingly the most abundant and diverse taxon among monogeneans in continental waters of South America. Their small body size requires considerable sampling effort and training for collecting and identifying the worms from the gills, skin, nasal cavities, and other microhabitats. Indeed, diagnostic characteristics as sclerites and male copulatory complex are generally less than 100-µm long and are essential for taxonomic description and identification of species. Here, a combination of simple and routine methods for three-dimensional morphological studies on hard structures is proposed for dactylogirids: SDS treatment for clarification of specimens and enzymatic digestion with proteinase K for freeing sclerotized structures, followed by laser confocal microscopy. This method is applicable to fresh or fixed specimens and does not require staining or dehydration. Indeed, stable autofluorescence emission is detectable at 500-530 nm for bars, anchors, and male copulatory complex when excited by argon laser. Advantages of this protocol over previous methodologies for taking laser confocal images are discussed. Open access software for image processing was used for three-dimensional reconstruction of sclerotized structures generating models and full 360° rotation videos.

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We aimed to provide realistic three-dimensional (3D) models to be used in numerical simulations of peristaltic flow in patients exhibiting difficulty in swallowing, also known as dysphagia. To this end, a 3D model of the upper gastrointestinal tract was built from the color cryosection images of the Visible Human Project dataset. Regional color heterogeneities were corrected by centering local histograms of the image difference between slices. A voxel-based model was generated by stacking contours from the color images. A triangle mesh was built, smoothed and simplified. Visualization tools were developed for browsing the model at different stages and for virtual endoscopy navigation. As result, a computer model of the esophagus and the stomach was obtained, mainly for modeling swallowing disorders. A central-axis curve was also obtained for virtual navigation and to replicate conditions relevant to swallowing disorders modeling. We show renderings of the model and discuss its use for simulating swallowing as a function of bolus rheological properties. The information obtained from simulation studies with our model could be useful for physicians in selecting the correct nutritional emulsions for patients with dysphagia.

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Among social insects, the stingless bees (Apidae, Meliponini), a mainly tropical group of highly eusocial bees, present an intriguing variety of well-described olfactory-dependent behaviors showing both caste- and sex-specific adaptations. By contrast, little is known about the neural structures underlying such behavioral richness or the olfactory detection and processing abilities of this insect group. This study therefore aimed to provide the first detailed description and comparison of the brains and primary olfactory centers, the antennal lobes, of the different members of a colony of the stingless bee Melipona scutellaris. Global neutral red staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and 3D reconstructions were used to compare the brain structures of males, workers, and virgin queens with a special emphasis on the antennal lobe. We found significant differences between both sexes and castes with regard to the relative volumes of olfactory and visual neuropils in the brain and also in the number and volume of the olfactory glomeruli. In addition, we identified one (workers, queens) and three or four (males) macroglomeruli in the antennal lobe. In both sexes and all castes, the largest glomerulus (G1) was located at a similar position relative to four identified landmark glomeruli, close to the entrance of the antennal nerve. This similarity in position suggests that G1s of workers, virgin queens, and males of M. scutellaris may correspond to the same glomerular entity, possibly tuned to queen-emitted volatiles since all colony members need this information.

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This study aims to carry out a comparative study on the vertebral structure of the elite male weightlifters and the sedentary group (control group) by obtaining three-dimensional data and models by means of photogrammetry from the columna vertebralis sections taken by MDCT. The columna vertebralis of the 8 male weightlifters and 8 sedentary individuals (control group) was scanned with a high-definition diagnostic MDCT device during the study. The demographic findings suggest no difference in both the weightlifters and the sedentary individual. The 2D axial images in DICOM format were burnt on CDs and then copied on a PC on which 3D-Doctor 4.0, which is a 3D modelling program had already been installed. The reconstruction was carried out with the 3D rendering component of the program. All the data were automatically measured by the abovementioned program and the statistical analyses were determined with a ­t test by SPSS 15. Considering the statistical results of the Columna vertebralis, only in the length of Pars lumbaris some statistically considerable differences (p<0.05) were observed between the vertebras L3-L5 in the elite male weightlifters and the sedentary individuals. Therefore, concluding from the idea that these techniques and the three-dimensional reconstruction procedures should be put into practice in the field of sports medicine, the substructure works that will be carried out on weightlifters by means of MDCT are thought to be supported by these studies.

El objetivo fue realizar un estudio comparativo de la estructura vertebral de pesistas de elite y un grupo sedentario (grupo control) através de la obtención de datos y modelos tridimensionales mediante fotogrametría de secciones de la columna vertebral por TCMD. La columna vertebral de los pesistas, 8 varones y 8 sujetos sedentarios (grupo control) fue escaneada con un dispositivo para diagnóstico de alta definición TCMD. Los hallazgos demográficos sugieren que no hay diferencias entre los pesistas y los sujetos sedentarios. Las imágenes axiales 2D en formato DICOM fueron grabados en CD y luego copiadas a un PC en 3D-Doctor 4.0, un programa de modelado 3D que ya se había instalado. La reconstrucción se llevó a cabo con el componente de representación 3D del programa. Todos los datos fueron medidos por el programa de manera automática y los análisis estadísticos fueron determinados mediante una prueba t por SPSS 15.0. Considerando los resultados estadísticos de la columna vertebral, solamente en la longitud de la parte lumbar se observaron algunas diferencias consideradas significativas (p<0,05) entre las vértebras L3-L5 en los pesistas de elite y los sujetos sedentarios. Por lo tanto, estas técnicas y los procedimientos de reconstrucción en tres dimensiones deben ser puestos en práctica en la medicina deportiva, debido a que este tipo de estudio puede ser útil en los trabajos de subestructura que se realizen en los pesistas mediante TCMD.

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