Aging effects in the extracellular matrix of the clitoris: A scanning electron microscopic analysis.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: The present work aims to observe the clitoris' extracellular matrix in young and old women with a scanning electron microscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After approval of the local research ethics committee, samples of the clitoris body were obtained from cadavers of women between 20 and 40 old (G1) and from cadavers over the age of 60 (G2). The samples were decellularized with NaOH to maintain the extracellular matrix framework, submitted to silver sputter coating, and observed under a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: The mean age of the cadavers in G1 was 28 years old and 75±6 years old in G2. The groups were composed of 10 cadavers each. It was observed that the collagen was arranged in a disorganized fashion in the samples from the G2 in several regions. There was also a decrease in elastic fibers that anchored the collagen in these samples. The concentration of collagen showed an increase in the older samples in comparison to the G1 samples. Conclusions Female sexual dysfunction is a condition prevalent in a significantly large portion of women and it is more common in elderly women. It is known that the tumescence mechanism requires integrity of the extracellular matrix. The changes observed herein may alter the function of the organ and are similar to observations in studies of men with erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Female sexual dysfunction is a condition prevalent in a significantly large portion of women and it is more common in elderly women. It is known that the tumescence mechanism requires integrity of the extracellular matrix. The changes observed herein may alter the function of the organ and are similar to observations in studies of men with erectile dysfunction. .

Fibrous components of extracellular matrix and smooth muscle of the vaginal wall in young and postmenopausal women: Stereological analysis.

The anterior vaginal wall is subject to many diseases, such as pelvic organ prolapse. The pathophysiology of this illness is multifactorial, and as such, structural components of the vagina are involved. Furthermore, it is more prevalent in older women. There is a lack of data in the literature regarding the extracellular matrix components of the vaginal wall and its changes with aging. The work presented herein aims to perform a stereological study of the extracellular matrix in young and old women. It was observed a decrease of the volumetric density of smooth muscle (45.5 ± 3.2 % and 32.8 ± 5.8 % for the G1 and G2 samples, respectively) and an increase of collagen and elastic fibers with age (35.9 ± 2.1 % and 54.1 ± 5.9 % for the G1 and G2, respectively) in the mucosa of the vaginal wall. These results could help to better understand the pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse concerning the aging process.

Organization of the fibrous connective tissue of the fallopian tubes in fertile and climacteric periods: a scanning electron microscopic and stereologic study.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the fallopian tubes is subject to several changes due to hormonal influences and aging. However, there is a lack of studies regarding its arrangement in older women. We aimed to analyze the organization of ECMcomponents, including collagen and elastic fibers, in the fallopian tube's ampulla from young and old women by means of scanning electron microscopical and stereological methods. Twenty-one samples were analyzed: 12 from female cadavers in a fertile age (G1) and 9 from the climacteric period (G2). Masson's trichrome stain was used to observe collagen and smooth muscle, while Weigert's Fuchsin-Resorcin was employed to observe elastic fibers. Statistical analysis was performed by the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test with the aid ofthe R© software. The tissue was also fixed for scanning electron microscopic analysis in a modified Karnovsky solution and the three-dimensional organization of fibrous connective tissue was observed and compared. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.01) were found in all stereologic comparisons of the extracellular matrix between the groups, which revealed a higher volumetric density of the fibrous tissue in the climacteric group. Scanning electron microscopy showed degenerative alterations of extracellular matrix. According to our results, aging caused significant changes to the elements of the extracellular matrix and the smooth muscle of the fallopian tubes.

The olecranon aperture of the humerus: a meta-analysis with anthropological and clinical discussion.

The olecranon aperture is an anatomical variant of the humerus that communicates the olecranon fossa with the coronoid fossa. It is also known as the supratrochlear foramen. Older anatomical textbooks refer to it as a rare variation caused by the perforation of the thin bony plate which separates both fossae. This anatomical variant may be confused as an osteolytic lesion of the humerus in radiographic images. The present work aims to perform a meta-analysis of the olecranon aperture. Heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using I2 estimation and the Cochran Q statistic test. A random effect model was used for all analyses. A total of sixty-one studies (20,338 humeri) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of the olecranon aperture was 21.9% (95% confidence interval: 18.6% to 25.3%). This variant was more commonly found in female than in male bones (statistically significant difference). The olecranon aperture is a common anatomical variant among the general population, although individuals from Africa possess a higher predisposition to develop it. The name supratrochlear foramen is incorrect, as foramina are conduit to vessels or nerves, as such, we propose the term olecranon aperture.

Contribuição topográfica do forame e língula mandibular em procedimentos cirúrgicos no ramo da mandíbula / Topographic contribution of the foramen and mandibular lingula in mandibular ramus surgeries

Objetivo: analisar a topografia e biometria do forame mandibular e da lingula mandibular em crânios secos para verificar sua variabilidade e determinar suas posições topográficas. Material e Método: Para analisar as distâncias, foram realizadas medições utilizando um paquímetro digital Mitutoyo® devidamente calibrado para coletar a distância em milímetros, do centro do forame até as quatro margens (anterior, posterior, superior e inferior) do ramo mandibular (N = 176). Realizamos as medidas do forame mandibular em milímetros para determinar sua geometria externa. A lingula mandibular (N = 76) foi estudada quanto à sua localização topográfica e forma quando sua estrutura é preservada. Todos os dados foram documentados em um protocolo de coleta de dados com o objetivo de desenhar diagramas esquemáticos e arquivar as fotografias dos casos e a análise dos resultados. Resultados: em relação à frequência, o forame estava presente em todos os casos (100%), em ambos os lados da superfície medial do nervo mandibular. O número de forames de cada lado é único: foram observados 175 casos (99,5%). Apenas um forame (0,5%) era o dobro do lado direito. Em relação à sua posição em relação às margens da mandíbula, na maioria delas, está localizada próxima à margem inferior, variando entre 9,6 mm e 39,1 mm, com média de 26,0 mm. A margem posterior da mandíbula variou entre 6,8 mm e 24,0 mm, com média de 12,30 mm. A lingula mandibular dos maxilares foi analisada em 32 maxilares (64 casos), com formato triangular (55%), presente na maioria dos casos (86%) e posição ântero-superior em 43% deles. Conclusões: o forame mandibular é um elemento anatômico importante para o sucesso da técnica de bloqueio do nervo alveolar inferior. Sua estrutura acessória, a lingula mandibular, é uma posição de referência em cirurgia ortognática; devido à sua localização e aspecto, serve como um escudo protetor para o feixe neurovascular alveolar inferior

Objective: to analyze the topography and biometrics of the mandibular foramen and mandibular lingula in dry skulls to verify their variability and to determine their topographic positions. Material and method: to analyze the distances, measurements were made using a properly calibrated Mitutoyo® digital caliper to collect the distance in millimeters, from the center of the foramen to the four margins (anterior, posterior, superior and inferior) of the mandibular ramus (N=176). We performed the measurements of the mandibular foramen in millimeters to determine its external geometry. The mandibular lingula (N=76) was studied regarding its topographical location and shape when its structure was preserved. All data were documented in a data collection protocol aimed at drawing schematic diagrams and archiving the photographs of the cases and the analysis of the results. Results: in relation to the frequency, the foramen was present in all cases (100%), on both sides on the medial surface of the mandibular ramus. The number of foramen on each side is unique: 175 cases (99.5%) were observed. Only one foramen (0.5%) was double on the right side. Regarding its position in relation to the margins of the jaw, in most of them, it is located near the inferior margin, having varied between 9.6mm and 39.1mm, with an average of 26.0mm. The posterior margin of the jaw varied between 6.8mm and 24.0mm, with an average of 12.30mm. The mandibular lingula of the jaws were analyzed in 32 jaws (64 cases), having triangular shape (55%), present in most cases (86%) and in anterosuperior position in 43% of them. Conclusions: the mandibular foramen is an important anatomical element for the success of the inferior alveolar nerve block technique. Its accessory structure, the mandibular lingula, is a reference position in orthognathic surgery; due to its location and aspect, it serves as a protective shield for the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle