Distribution of basal-expressed c-fos-like immunoreactive cells of the periaqueductal grey matter of the rat.

The distribution of c-fos proto-oncogene expression has been studied in the periaqueductal grey matter (PAG) of non-intentional-stimulated rats by immunohistochemistry. A mean number of 53 +/- 9 Fos-like immunoreactive cells per hemiPAG, distributed into three groups, dorsolateral, lateral and ventrolateral, was found. The dorsolateral and the lateral groups appeared along the entire rostrocaudal PAG, whereas the ventrolateral group appeared only in the caudal half. These results reveal new data on the number and extent of the longitudinal columns within the hypothetical organization of the PAG. They also indicate a continuous activation of a significant population of neurones in the PAG, i…

NGF and TGF-beta mRNA expression during pregnancy in a rat corneal wound healing model.

Background Growth factors seem to play a major role in corneal wound healing and TGF-beta seems to be associated with abnormal healing after corneal surgical procedures. Few studies have analysed the role of NGF and TGF-beta on corneal wound healing during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to create an animal model to evaluate the expression of NGF and TGF-betas during corneal wound healing in two groups: control and pregnant rats. Methods Corneal mRNA for NGF and the three isoforms of TGF-beta were analysed by RT-PCR, in a time-course experiment on different days after epithelial wounding (2, 7, 14 days) in pregnant and control groups Results The results show high corneal mRNA ex…

Anatomic study of the corneal thickness of young emmetropic subjects.

PURPOSE To study the corneal thickness of young emmetropic subjects. METHODS One thousand eyes of 1000 young healthy emmetropic subjects were analyzed with the Orbscan Topography System II (Orbscan, Inc, Salt Lake City, UT) from January 2001 to May 2003. The age of the subjects ranged from 20 to 30 years old (mean +/- SD = 27.12 +/- 2.86). The mean of 5 consecutive measurements of the corneal thickness in the center of the cornea and at temporal, superotemporal, inferotemporal, nasal, inferonasal, and superonasal cornea were recorded. RESULTS The corneal thickness at the following areas ranged as follows: 518 to 589 microm center; 603 to 678 microm nasal; 620 to 689 microm superonasal; 600 …

Cortical bone thickening in Type A posterior atlas arch defects: experimental report.

Abstract Background Context To date, no information about the cortical bone microstructural properties in atlas vertebrae with posterior arch defects has been reported. Purpose To test if there is an increased cortical bone thickening in atlases with Type A posterior atlas arch defects in an experimental model. Study Design Micro-computed tomography (CT) study on cadaveric atlas vertebrae. Methods We analyzed the cortical bone thickness, the cortical volume, and the medullary volume (SkyScan 1172 Bruker micro-CT NV, Kontich, Belgium) in cadaveric dry vertebrae with a Type A atlas arch defect and normal control vertebrae. Results The micro-CT study revealed significant differences in cortica…

An experimental comparative study of dexamethasone, melatonin and tacrolimus in noise-induced hearing loss.

The calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus (TCR) and the pineal gland hormone and antioxidant melatonin (MLT) have been shown to possess otoprotective properties against noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). In contrast, dexamethasone (DXM) was not effective as an otoprotective agent against NIHL. Further studies are needed to understand the exact molecular mechanisms involved.Exposure to noise pollution and use of audio devices for long periods of time at high volume is known to cause hearing loss or NIHL. Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of various known compounds such as the anti-inflammatory DXM, the antioxidant MLT and the immunosuppressant TCR against NIHL.Thirty-two Wistar rats were…

Quantitative anatomical differences in central corneal thickness values determined with scanning-slit corneal topography and noncontact specular microscopy.

PURPOSE This study was designed to analyze the differences in central corneal thickness values determined with noncontact specular microscopy and scanning-slit corneal topography. The measurements were performed on the same eye. METHODS We analyzed the central corneal thickness values of 93 patients (n = 93) by means of noncontact specular microscopy (Topcon SP-2000P noncontact specular microscope, Topcon Corp., Tokyo, Japan) and scanning-slit corneal topography (Orbscan Topography System II, Orbscan Inc., Salt Lake City, UT). One experienced physician performed 3 consecutive central corneal thickness measurements with both devices. RESULTS The central corneal thickness values obtained by m…

Atlases with Arcuate Foramen Present Cortical Bone Thickening That May Contribute to Lower Fracture Risk.

To date, no information about the cortical bone microstructural properties in atlas vertebrae with arcuate foramen has been reported. As a result, we aimed to test in an experimental model if there is a cortical bone thickening in an atlas vertebra which has an arcuate foramen that may play a protective role against bone fracture.We analyzed by means of micro-computed tomography the cortical bone thickness, the cortical volume, and the medullary volume (SkyScan 1172 Bruker micro-CT NV, Kontich, Belgium) in cadaveric dry atlas vertebrae with arcuate foramen and without arcuate foramen. We also reviewed a case series of 31 posterior atlas arch fractures to correlate the possible presence in t…

Cytoarchitecture and efferent projections of the nucleus incertus of the rat

The nucleus incertus is located caudal to the dorsal raphe and medial to the dorsal tegmentum. It is composed of a pars compacta and a pars dissipata and contains acetylcholinesterase, glutamic acid decarboxylase, and cholecystokinin-positive somata. In the present study, anterograde tracer injections in the nucleus incertus resulted in terminal-like labeling in the perirhinal cortex and the dorsal endopyriform nucleus, the hippocampus, the medial septum diagonal band complex, lateral and triangular septum medial amygdala, the intralaminar thalamic nuclei, and the lateral habenula. The hypothalamus contained dense plexuses of fibers in the medial forebrain bundle that spread in nearly all n…

Morphologic variations in the pineal gland of the albino rat after a chronic alcoholisation process.

We studied the effect of alcohol on the pineal gland of 48 male Wistar rats. Animals were divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group underwent a previous progressive alcoholisation period with ethanol diluted in water at a concentration of 40%. Animals were sacrificed at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, and the ultrastructure, karyometric indices, and number of synaptic bodies in the pineal gland were analysed. The results showed progressive morphologic alterations in the ethanol-treated animals, which culminated in fatty degeneration of the pineal parenchyma after 6 months. The karyometric indices decreased in both the central and peripheral areas compared with the control …

Difficulties in distinguishing between an atlas fracture and a congenital posterior atlas arch defect in postmortem analysis.

We found one atlas from a sample of 148 skeletons (0.67%) that presented different anatomical variations which made it difficult to determine whether the vertebra had an atlas fracture, an unusual Type B posterior atlas arch defect, or a combination of both. We carried out a stereomicroscopy, radiographic, and computerized tomography scan study that revealed that the dry atlas we found presented a very uncommon congenital Type B posterior atlas arch defect, simulating a fracture. In short, the present paper has revealed that differentiating Type B posterior atlas arch defects from fractures in post-mortem dry vertebrae is more difficult than expected. Thus we believe that it can be easier t…

Differences in Corneal Anatomy in a Pair of Monozygotic Twins Due to Continuous Contact Lens Wear

Purpose To study the differences in the corneal anatomy in a pair of 31-year-old monozygotic female twins, one of whom has been a contact lens wearer for the past 15 years and the other is a nonwearer. Methods We analyzed the corneal thickness and the corneal endothelial cell density of the monozygotic twins and of two age-matched control groups, one made up of non-contact lens wearers (35 eyes of 35 patients; mean age, 29.32 +/- 2.83 years) and the other made up of soft contact lens wearers (30 eyes of 30 patients; mean age, 33.08 +/- 3.72 years; mean duration of contact lens use, 10.62 +/- 4.32 years). Five corneal thickness measurements were carried out with the Orbscan Topography System…

Surgical anatomy of the deep postanal space and the re-modified Hanley procedure - a video vignette.

Anatomical strategy for complete laparoscopic mesocolic excision for splenic flexure colonic cancer - a video vignette

Endoscopic enhancement of the healing of high-risk colon anastomoses by low-power helium-neon laser. An experimental study.

Recent studies suggest that helium-neon (He-Ne) lasers at low energy can enhance wound healing in intestinal anastomoses. In this experimental study, we tested the strength and collagen concentration of high-risk anastomoses of the rat colon after endoscopic irradiation by helium-neon laser. Our results show that repeated helium-neon laser irradiation (1.9 J/cm 2)increases the bursting strength of the anastomoses by almost 100% on the fourth postoperative day. This effect is not observed by increasing the radiation dose (6.4 J/cm 2).Differences in collagen (hydroxyproline) concentration did not reach statistical significance.

Medial Patellar Instability: A Little Known Cause of Anterior Knee Pain

Anterior knee pain (AKP) is one of the most common patient complaints heard by orthopedic surgeons. A wide variety of causes of AKP have been ascribed to it. Medial patellar instability (MPI) is an objective condition with its own personality provoking incapacitating AKP that should be included in the differential diagnosis of AKP patients, above all in disabling AKP patients after realignment surgery. However, this condition can be difficult to diagnose because it is not well described in the medical literature. Its clinical repercussion was identified at the end of the 1980s. We can now state that it is an objective cause of AKP and that it is more frequent than we had thought, although i…

Surgical and anatomical basis of autonomic nerve-preserving mesorectal excision for rectal cancer

Adequate knowledge of the anatomy of the pelvis is a prerequisite to carry out a correct surgical technique in resection of rectal cancer. In this way, we can perform radical surgery, preserve the autonomic nerves and decrease local recurrence and urinary and sexual morbidity. The key to all this and the difference in results depends on a meticulous and detailed surgical technique.

Reduced corneal thickness values in postmenopausal women with dry eye.

To study and compare the corneal thickness values of postmenopausal women with dry eye and postmenopausal women without dry eye.The corneal thickness value of 30 postmenopausal women with dry eye (dry eye group; aged 52 to 55 years) and 32 postmenopausal women without dry eye (normal group; aged 51 to 55 years) was analyzed with the Orbscan Topography System II. Each woman underwent a tear breakup test, the Schirmer test, fluorescein staining of the cornea, and an analysis of the meibomian gland by slit lamp before corneal thickness measurement. The statistical analysis was performed by means of the unpaired Student t test.The mean corneal thickness value was significantly decreased in post…

Review of the anatomic concepts in relation to the retrorectal space and endopelvic fascia: Waldeyer’s fascia and the rectosacral fascia

Objective  A precise anatomical study of the fascias within the retrorectal space is reported, analyzing and clarifying the anatomical concepts previously employed to describe Waldeyer’s and the rectosacral fascia. Method  The pelvis was dissected in 15 cadavers (10 males and five females). All specimens were divided in the median sagittal plane including the middle axis of the anal canal, to allow a correct visualization of and access to the retrorectal space. Results  The retrorectal space was limited anteriorly by the rectum and posterior mesorectum covered by a fine visceral fascia, and posteriorly by the sacrum covered by the parietal presacral fascia. The rectosacral fascia divided th…

Inferior mesenteric vein as initial landmark for laparoscopic medial to lateral dissection of descending colon - a video vignette

The root of the inferior mesenteric artery is an important area where autonomic nerves are close by, the dissection can be hard and laborious in order to avoid nerve damage; and the separation of mesocolon and retroperitoneum in this area can sometimes be difficult. The inferior mesenteric vein dissection is an alternative option as the first step during medial to lateral approach of laparoscopic left mesocolon mobilisation, as we have shown in this video based on two real cases and two anatomical cadaveric dissection. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Chronic ethanol feeding induces cellular antioxidants decrease and oxidative stress in rat peripheral nerves. Effect of S-adenosyl-L-methionine and N-acetyl-L-cysteine.

Chronic ethanol feeding promotes oxidative stress in rat peripheral nerve. Malondialdehyde, a lipid peroxidation product, content increases in sciatic nerves of rats fed an ethanol-containing diet, when compared with pair-fed animals. Moreover, glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase activity in this same tissue decrease in ethanol-fed vs. pair-fed rats. S- adenosyl-L-methionine and N-acetyl-L-cysteine, both with possible therapeutic action on alcoholism, were tested in this animal model. Only N-acetyl-L- cysteine was able to normalize malondialdehyde content and to restore glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase activity, to values not significantly different from those of sc…

Efficacy of three drugs for protecting against gentamicin-induced hair cell and hearing losses

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Exposure to an ototoxic level of an aminoglycoside can result in hearing loss. In this we study investigated the otoprotective efficacy of dexamethasone (DXM), melatonin (MLT) and tacrolimus (TCR) in gentamicin (GM)-treated animals and cultures. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Wistar rats were divided into controls (treated with saline); exposed to GM only (GM); and three GM-exposed groups treated with either DXM, MLT or TCR. Auditory function and cochlear surface preparations were studied. In vitro studies of oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels, the MAPK pathway and caspase-3 activation were performed in organ of Corti explants from 3-day-old rats. KEY RESU…

Surgical Anatomy of the Rectovaginal Space: Does a Standalone Rectovaginal Septum or Denonvilliers Fascia Exist in Women?

Background Below the anterior peritoneal reflection, the anterior rectal wall and mesorectum are separated from the posterior vaginal wall by a virtual rectovaginal space. In this space, the description of a specific and independent rectovaginal septum as a female counterpart of Denonvilliers fascia has been the subject of debate over the years. Objective The aim of this study is to perform an accurate anatomical study of the rectovaginal area in a cadaveric simulation model of total mesorectal excision to evaluate the possible structures and the dissection planes contained within the rectovaginal space. Design and setting This is a cadaveric study performed at the University of Valencia. P…