[Radioanatomy of rhinopharyngeal carcinoma]

Rhinopharyngeal cancer is one of the best indications for conformal radiotherapy with modulated intensity. Due to the high dose gradient, accurate delineation of target volumes and organs at risk is a critical success factor with this technology. This requires a good knowledge of rhinopharyngeal radioanatomy and optimal imaging techniques.

Combining ability of tropical maize lines for seed quality and agronomic traits

Studies of genetic effects of early selection of maize based on seed quality traits are rare, especially those that use materials from different heterotic groups. These studies are also useful in tropical environments and for the advancement of sustainable agriculture with cropping during seasons not commonly used for cultivation. We estimated, through diallel crosses, the predominant genetic effects on the expression of agronomic traits and seed quality and on the general combining ability of nine maize lines from commercial hybrids and the specific combining ability of hybrid combinations among them. In the evaluation of seed quality, seven tests were used: first count and final count of seed germination, seedling vigor classification, cold tolerance, seedling emergence rate in a sand seedbed, speed of emergence in a sand seedbed, and speed of emergence index. Plant height, first ear height and grain yield were the estimated agronomic traits. In the diallel analysis, method 3 (model I) proposed by Griffing was used. There was a greater significance of non-additive genetic effects in the genetic control of seed quality of the various lines. The Flash, Dekalb 350 and P 30F80 lines combined high seed quality and high grain yield. For growth during the normal planting season, the combinations CD 3121-1 x P 30F80, Speed x CD 3121-2, Dow 8330 x AG 8080 and Dekalb 350 x CD 3121-2 were the most promising for both seed quality and agronomic traits.

Anatomical study of the blood supply of the coxal bone: radiological and clinical application

The aim of this work was to study the arterial blood supply of the coxal bone in order to optimize radiological embolization and to minimize the risk of postoperative osteonecrosis. Ten fresh cadavers were dissected after intra-arterial injection of colored resin. All the collateral vessels running to this bone were described and counted. On 25 dry bones, the vascular foramina were measured with the aid of a millimetric gauge and a vascular map was created. The posterior part of the ilium appears to be twice as well vascularized as the anterior part. Fractures of the posterior arch of the pelvis are theoretically more hemorrhagic. The presence of the iliolumbar artery in contact with the sacroiliac joint increases the risk with open book or shearing fractures. The artery of the ischium, a collateral of the pudendal artery, supplies the posterior and lateral parts of the acetabulum and the artery of the roof of the acetabulum, its superior and lateral parts. The branches of the anterior and posterior divisions of the obturator artery supply the superior part of the surroundings of the obturator foramen and the antero-inferior and postero-inferior parts of the acetabulum. The Kocher approach may injure the artery of the ischium. Letournel's extended lateral approach and Mears' triradiate approach may injure the artery of the ischium and the artery of the roof of the acetabulum. The risk of osteonecrosis appears to be theoretically increased if one adds an endopelvic approach. The anterior approach to the acetabulum appears to be that which theoretically leads to the least devascularization. The French version of this article is available in the form of electronic supplementary material and can be obtained by using the Springer Link server located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00276-002-0029-2.