A series of heterografted polymers with a polymethacrylate backbone and varying composition of oligomeric 2-oxazoline side chains was synthesized by copolymerization of oligo(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)methacrylate and oligo(2-n-nonyl-2-oxazoline)methacrylate (ONonOx) macromonomers using the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) technique. Kinetic studies revealed pseudofirst order kinetics, PDI values below 1.3, and a slight enrichment of ONonOx side chains toward the end of the reaction. The heterografted comb polymers were characterized by means of 1H NMR spectroscopy (0 to 100 mol % ONonOx) and size exclusion chromatography. Differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle X-ray scattering revealed partial crystallinity of the lateral n-nonyl chains within the ONonOx domains. Depending on the composition of the amphiphilic copolymer, the comb polymers either formed unimers or aggregated (super)structures in water, methanol, and ethanol, as investigated by dynamic light scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy.

No abstract

No abstract

The surgical procedure is viewed as a typical treatment choice for patients with Chiari malformation (CM). Decompression is the preferred method for surgery, but it is not always possible to understand whether decompression has been successful especially in an early period. The present study focuses on investigating the shape differences in the cerebellums of Chiari patients compared with healthy controls, and to assess the clinical application of this situation whether if present. The MRI scans were reviewed retrospectively. Cerebellar data were obtained from the digital images and 9 anthropometric landmarks were marked on each image. Shape difference was assessed by performing Generalized Procrustes analysis. The cerebellar shape deformation from control to the patient was evaluated performing the Thin Plate Spline approach. There is a statistically significant cerebellar shape difference between groups. Highest deformation was determined at the cerebellar tonsillar inferior area, posterior of the uvula, and anterior of inferior medullary velum. The present study demonstrated cerebellar shape differences in CM I patients using a landmark-based geometric morphometric approach, considering the topographic distribution of cerebellum for the first time.

Aim:We investigated the coccyx anatomy accurately in detail by microcomputed tomography (micro CT) and computed tomography (CT) to contribute to the data related to the coccyx anatomy and the potential clinical contribution of these datas in the treatment of coccyx's pathologies.Material and Methods: Twenty coccyges from embalmed cadavers were examined with a micro CT device. The inferior part of the sacrum and coccyx together with the surrounding soft tissue was removed safely. The tissue was scanned with a micro CT device, and all parameters were measured with micro CT image viewer programs. CT images of 29 patients without coccyx pathology were measured with OsiriX programs. Measured morphometric parameters with micro CT and CT were evaluated using statistical methods.Results: Generally, the morphometric parameters as mean values were larger in males than in females. Mean values for vertical length and coccyx width were higher for CT compared with micro CT images. Coccyx was more flat in the frontal plane in females.There were statistically significant differences between the micro CT and CT images regarding mean vertical length, width, lateral deviation angle, and sacrococcygeal angle and length of the vertebrae (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in number and width of the vertebrae (p > 0.05). Conclusion:We suggest that examining the normal coccyx morphology will help to better understand and treat the pathologic conditions of the coccyx. We believe our findings will contribute to the data related to the coccyx anatomy.