Biphasic aspect of sexually dimorphic ontogenetic trajectory of gyrification in the ferret cerebral cortex

The present study characterized quantitatively sexual dimorphic development of gyrification by MRI-based morphometry. High spatial-resolution 3D MR images (using RARE sequence with short TR and minimum TE setting) were acquired from fixed brain of male and female ferrets at postnatal days (PDs) 4-90 using 7-tesla preclinical MRI system. The gyrification index was evaluated either throughout the cerebral cortex (global GI) or in representative primary sulci (sulcal GI). The global GI increased linearly from PD 4, and reached a peak at PD 42, marking 1.486±0.018 in males and 1.460±0.010 in females, respectively. Sexual difference was obtained by greater global GI in males than in females on PD 21 and thereafter. Rostrocaudal GI distribution revealed an overall male-over-female sulcal infolding throughout the cortex on PD 21. Then, an adult pattern of sexually dimorphic cortical convolution was achieved so that gyrification in the temporo-parieto-occipital region was more progressive in males than in females on PD 42, and slightly extended posteriorly in males until PD 90. In the sulcal GI, sulcus-specific male-over-female GI was revealed in the rhinal fissure, and presylvian sulcus on PD 42, and additionally in the coronal, splenial, lateral, and caudal suprasylvian sulci on PD 90. The current results suggest that age-related sexual dimorphism of the gyrification was biphasic in the ferret cortex. A male-over-female gyrification was allometric by PD 21, and was thereafter specific to primary sulci located on phylogenetically newer multimodal cortical regions.

Search for Two-Photon Interaction with Axionlike Particles Using High-Repetition Pulsed Magnets and Synchrotron X Rays

We report on new results of a search for a two-photon interaction with axionlike particles (ALPs). The experiment is carried out at a synchrotron radiation facility using a "light shining through a wall (LSW)" technique. For this purpose, we develop a novel pulsed-magnet system, composed of multiple racetrack magnets and a transportable power supply. It produces fields of about 10 T over 0.8 m with a high repetition rate of 0.2 Hz and yields a new method of probing a vacuum with high intensity fields. The data obtained with a total of 27 676 pulses provide a limit on the ALP-two-photon coupling constant that is more stringent by a factor of 5.2 compared to a previous x-ray LSW limit for the ALP mass ≲0.1  eV.

Unilateral Leg Swelling Caused by Common Femoral Vein Compression by a Hip Ganglion Cyst in the Groin

Background

As a rare cause of unilateral leg swelling, extrinsic vein compression caused by intraperitoneal, retroperitoneal, or inguinal lesions has been noted. A rare case of leg swelling as a cause of extrinsic compression of common femoral vein from a ganglion cyst in the groin is presented.

Case presentation

A 38 year old man was referred with a 3 week history of left leg swelling. Following a radiological diagnosis of common femoral vein compression from a cystic groin mass, he firstly underwent needle aspiration. Although the lesion became somewhat smaller, his left leg was still swollen, and he underwent surgical excision of the lesion 2 days after needle aspiration. Histopathological features of the cystic wall were consistent with those of a ganglion cyst. He was discharged from the hospital with complete improvement of the leg swelling, and has remained free from recurrence 1 year after surgery.

Conclusion

Femoral vein compression by a ganglion cyst in the groin is a very rare pathology; however, it should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of unilateral leg swelling.

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Ganglion cyst in the groin is a benign hip joint related lesion.

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Extrinsic compression of common femoral vein by a ganglion cyst in the groin is a rare cause of unilateral leg swelling.

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Surgical excision of a ganglion cyst in the groin is more curative than needle aspiration.