Aperture in coronoid-olecranon septum: A radiological evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The humerus bone with coronoid-olecranon septal aperture have very narrow medullary canal and extreme anterolateral bowing proximally and/or extreme anterolateral compressed surface at distal part. Septal perforation might make nailing through a retrograde technique more difficult or possibly with an increased risk of iatrogenic fracture at the site of insertion. Coronoid-olecranon perforation might be very important in preoperative planning for successful nailing. Since the data available has been obtained from the ancient studies using the skeletal material, the present study is aimed at investigating originally the presence of the coronoid-olecranon septum perforation in the living subjects, using a radiographic method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on direct radiograms and computed tomography of the elbow obtained from the 709 volunteers (367 males, 342 females). RESULTS: The incidence of the perforation was found to be 8.6 %. Bilateral occurrence was found to be more common significantly. The highest incidence occurred in second decade. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests female prepronounced and left asymmetry in case of septal perforation. Bilateral occurrence from our study might be peculiar to the clinician.

A histological investigation concerning the effects of diclofenac sodium to the lung in 4- and 20-week-old rats treated prenatally.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the possible postnatal effects on the lung tissues of the rat offspring treated with diclofenac sodium (DS) during pregnancy. METHODS: After mating, pregnant female rats were separated into the control (n = 10) and DS (n = 10) groups. DS (1 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p) to the drug-treated group for the period of gestational days 5-19. Physiological saline (1 ml, i.p.) was given to the control groups. After birth, pups were separated into DS treatment groups (n = 24) and control group (n = 24). The DS and control group animals were anaesthetised with i.p. injection of urethane and their lungs were removed to prepare for histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: Histological examination of the lung tissues of the 4- and 20-week-old rats revealed no significant differences between males and females in both the control and DS treated rats. CONCLUSION: Because of the use of DS in the pregnant women further studies are needed in this field.

A morphometric study on dog cerebellum.

In healthy humans and patient with schizophrenia, studies investigating cerebellar asymmetries have been performed by using magnetic resonance images (MRIs), which have failed to demonstrate the presence of the left-right asymmetry. Due to the paucity of animal studies in this field, the present study was undertaken to investigate whether the dog cerebellum shows any pattern of volumetric asymmetry. A total of 16 adult mongrel dogs, 8 male and 8 female, were assessed with respect to pawedness. After the animals were anesthetized and killed by exsanguinations, the cerebellum was removed and divided into the anterior and the posterior lobes by a dissection passing into the fissure prima. The volumes of the right and left hemispheres were separately calculated by a volumetric device. The present study demonstrated significant volume asymmetries as to right-left, sex and pawedness in dog cerebellum. Morphological asymmetries in dog cerebellum might relate to cerebral specialization of function. Further studies need to be performed to demonstrate the relationship between cerebellar asymmetries and functional lateralization.

Total neuron numbers in CA1-4 sectors of the dog hippocampus.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Early reports addressed morphological asymmetry in the cross-sectional width of the rat hippocampus. The present study was aimed at counting total number of neurons in CA1-4 sectors and the subiculum of the dog hippocampus as well as investigating possible left /right and male/female asymmetry. METHODS: Adult mongrel dogs (8 female and 5 male) were assessed by the right and left pawedness and sacrificed by exsanguinations. In each hippocampus dissected, the total neuron numbers of CAs and subiculum were estimated by the physical fractioning method. RESULTS: Significant hemispheric asymmetries were found in the number of pyramidal cells of CA1, CA3/2, CA4 and the subiculum. Sex difference was also found in the subiculum, in favour of the males. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our study indicated a left dominant asymmetry in males and right dominancy in females as well as no functional asymmetry in specific regions of the dog hippocampus. Further investigations are necessary to verify the hypothesis that hippocampal morphological asymmetries in normal subjects are functionally related in memory or in cognitive skills.

The effect of mobile phone on the number of Purkinje cells: a stereological study.

PURPOSE: The World Health Organisation proposed an investigation concerning the exposure of animals to radiofrequency fields because of the possible risk factor for health. At power frequencies there is evidence to associate both childhood leukaemia and brain tumours with magnetic field exposures. There is also evidence of the effect of mobile phone exposure on both cognitive functions and the cerebellum. Purkinje cells of the cerebellum are also sensitive to high dose microwave exposure in rats. The present study investigated the effect of exposure to mobile phone on the number of Purkinje and granule neurons in the developing cerebellum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male and female Swiss albino mice were housed as control and mobile phone-exposed groups. Pregnant animals in the experimental group were exposed to Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) mobile phone radiation at 890-915 MHz at 0.95 W/Kg specific absorption rate (SAR). The cerebella were processed by frozen microtome. The sections obtained were stained with Haematoxylin-eosin and cresyl violet. For cell counting by the optical fractionator method, a pilot study was firstly performed. Cerebellar areas were analysed by using Axiovision software running on a personal computer. The optical dissectors were systematically spaced at random, and focused to the widest profile of the neuron cell nucleus. RESULTS: A significant decrease in the number of Purkinje cells and a tendency for granule cells to increase in cerebellum was found. CONCLUSION: Further studies in this area are needed due to the popular use of mobile telephones and relatively high exposure on developing brain.

Effect of prenatal exposure to mobile phone on pyramidal cell numbers in the mouse hippocampus: a stereological study.

Because of the possible risk factor for the health, World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the study with animals on the developing nervous system concerning the exposure to radiofrequency (RF) field. A few studies related to hippocampal exposure are available, which indicate the impact of RF field in some parameters. The present study investigated the effect of exposure to mobile phone on developing hippocampus. Male and female Swiss albino mice were housed as control and mobile phone exposed groups. The pregnant animals in tested group were exposed to the effects of mobile phone in a room possessing the exposure system. The left hemispheres of the brains were processed by frozen microtome. The sections obtained were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin. For cell counting by the optical fractionator method, a pilot study was first performed. Hippocampal areas were analyzed using Axiovision software running on a personal computer. The optical dissector, systematically and randomly spaced, was focused to the widest profile of the pyramidal cell nucleus. No significant difference in pyramidal cell number of total Cornu Ammonis (CA) sectors of hippocampus was found between the control and the mobile phone exposed groups (p > .05). It was concluded that further study is needed in this field due to popular use of mobile telephones and relatively high exposure to the developing brain.

Morphometric study of the human metatarsals and phalanges.

Mathematical relation between metatarsals and between phalanges in terms of their lengths and widths in themselves is considered to be significant with respect to its functional and aesthetic roles. The objective of this study is to conduct measurements for determining lengths and widths of metatarsals and phalanges on the foot radiographs and to determine possible mathematical correlations between metatarsals themselves and between phalanges themselves in terms of their lengths and widths. Anteroposterior right and left foot radiographs were taken from 100 volunteers (50 men and 50 women). Lengths and widths of the metatarsals and phalanges were measured in millimeter on radiographs. The mean, minimum and maximum values, and standard deviations of each bone's length and width were studied and data were put into formulation. The results were evaluated by Regression statistical test, and the relation between metatarsals and between phalanges in terms of their lengths and widths was studied. As a result of the measurements, we found fixed proportions between metatarsals in themselves and between phalanges in themselves in terms of their lengths and widths. Knowing these morphometric relations may be useful for performing any surgical procedures designed to manage any defects or imperfections of the foot, chief among them is shortness.

The relationships of dog hippocampus to sex and paw preference.

Previous studies have described paw preference and asymmetry in dog brains. Electrical activity of the dorsal hippocampus also indicated the existence of hippocampal asymmetry in dogs. In the present study, the possible paw and sex-related asymmetries and right-left differences in dog hippocampus were investigated. The hippocampus was dissected and weighed. Each hippocampus was cut into slices by the slicing apparatus placed horizontally on the tissues. The volumetric measurements were performed using the formula modified from the Cavalieri principle. The present study indicated the significant sex and paw differences and no right-left asymmetry in dog hippocampi. The morphological asymmetries in normal subjects might be related to functional hippocampal asymmetries in memory or in cognitive skills.

Maxillary and sphenoid sinus aplasia in Turkish individuals: a retrospective review using computed tomography.

The absence of a maxillary or sphenoid sinus in an adult is an extremely rare condition. We investigated maxillary and sphenoid sinus aplasia in adult Turkish individuals using computed tomography (CT). We examined CT scans in the axial and coronal planes of the paranasal sinuses in 1,526 patients. The CT scans of a 21-year-old male were notable for bilateral maxillary sinus aplasia. Another patient, a 20-year-old female, had CT scans that showed the unilateral absence of a maxillary sinus. Two additional cases showed the unilateral absence of one sphenoid sinus. Bilateral absence of the sphenoid sinuses was not observed in our study. The clinical implications of maxillary and sphenoid sinus aplasia will be further discussed.

Variants and deformities of atlas vertebrae in Eastern Anatolian people.

OBJECTIVE: At the craniocervical junction, developmental anomalies of the atlas may produce clinical symptoms by compressing on the vertebral artery, particularly during extreme rotational movements of the cervical spine. The aim of the present study was to investigate several varieties and deformities of the atlas vertebra from the skeletal specimens of Eastern Anatolian people. METHODS: This study was carried out over a 3-year period, 2000 through to 2002 in the Department of Anatomy, Firat, Yuzuncu Yil and Ataturk University, Turkey. Developmental anomalies and the variants of the first vertebrae were investigated on 86 atlas. RESULTS: Ponticulus posterior was observed with a low frequency on right as 2.3%. The bilateral localization was 10.5% and the left-side localization was 9.3%. Ponticulus lateralis showed an equal localization as 1.2% on the right, 1.2% on the left and 1.2% bilateral. In the present study, a complete subdivision of the joint surface was observed in 11 atlases (12.8%). Processus infratransversarius atlantis with a frequency between 1.2-7%, arthrotic formation and corona atlantis peridentals in 8 cases (9.3%) were also found. CONCLUSION: The low frequency for fonticulus posterior might be peculiar to the population living in this area.

Absence of frontal sinus in Turkish individuals.

The frontal sinus has been used for personal identification since the early part of the 20th century as a result of its tremendous interindividual variation. The frontal sinus is present in approximately 90% of adults. However, some populations have a higher proportion of people without a frontal sinus. This study investigated the frequency of the absence of frontal sinuses in Turkish individuals. The present study was performed retrospectively on the CT scans of the paranasal sinuses in the axial and coronal planes from a series of 1200 cases. A bilateral absence and a unilateral absence of sinuses were found in 3.8% and 4.8% of cases, respectively. The clinical significance of the frontal sinuses and their absence are also discussed.

A morphometric study on the humerus for intramedullary fixation.

In recent years, the popularity of intramedullary humeral nailing is on the rise in spite of its handicaps. There are many problems in intramedullary humeral stabilization because of the anatomic structure of the bone. We performed various methods and measurements to determine shape, length and diameter and curvature of the medullary canal of the humerus in 57 human dry cadaver bones. Anterior angulation with an average of 21 cm apart from greater tubercle was found at 1/3 distal part. Mean degree of angulation was 9 degrees (max: 15, minutes: 5, S.D.: 2.84). Humerus bones with septal aperture (supratrochlear foramen) at the fossa coronoidea were observed to have very narrow medullary canal. The best point for nail insertion was found to be an area on the line from greater tubercle anteromedially to caput humeri. This study revealed that carefully evaluated structure of humeral medullary canal and various congenital constructions such as septal aperture, and correct selection of a nail with proper length and diameter are essential for successful nailing.

Sex differences and right-left asymmetries in rat hippocampal components.

Previous reports have indicated morphologic hippocampal asymmetry in thickness in male and female rats. In the present study, the possible sex differences and right-left asymmetries in rat hippocampal components were investigated. Pyramidal cells in four hippocampal sectors on thionin-stained sections were counted and the thickness of the hippocampal components was measured on microslide-projected images. The present study showed significant sexual dimorphism in two hippocampi as well as asymmetry in male. These findings agree with those found in humans.