Brain and art: illustrations of the cerebral convolutions. A review.

BACKGROUND: Aesthetics and functional significance of the cerebral cortical relief gave us the idea to find out how often the convolutions are presented in fine art, and in which techniques, conceptual meaning and pathophysiological aspect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 27,614 art works created by 2,856 authors and presented in art literature, and in Google images search. RESULTS: The cerebral gyri were shown in 0.85% of the art works created by 2.35% of the authors. The concept of the brain was first mentioned in ancient Egypt some 3,700 years ago. The first artistic drawing of the convolutions was made by Leonardo da Vinci, and the first colour picture by an unknown Italian author. Rembrandt van Rijn was the first to paint the gyri. Dozens of modern authors, who are professional artists, medical experts or designers, presented the cerebralc onvolutions in drawings, paintings, digital works or sculptures, with various aesthetic, symbolic and metaphorical connotation. Some artistic compositions and natural forms show a gyral pattern. The convolutions, whose cortical layers enable the cognitive functions, can be affected by various disorders. Some artists suffered from those disorders, and some others presented them in their artworks. CONCLUSIONS: The cerebral convolutions or gyri, thanks to their extensive cortical mantle, are the specific morphological basis for the human mind, but also the structures with their own aesthetics. Contemporary authors relatively often depictor model the cerebral convolutions, either from the aesthetic or conceptual aspect. In this way, they make a connection between the neuroscience and fineart.

Vascularisation of the geniculate ganglion.

BACKGROUND: Lack of the relevant data in the literature and possible clinical significance of the geniculate ganglion vasculature inspired us to examine the vessels of this ganglion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve temporal bones were taken during autopsy and microdissected. Four geniculate ganglions were taken as well, serially sectioned and used for haematoxylin-eosin and trichrome staining, and for CD34 immunostaining. RESULTS: The geniculate ganglion was supplied by the petrosal artery, which averaged 1.1 in number, 0.44 mm in the outer diameter, 0.24 mm in the luminal diameter, and 17.1 mm in length. The artery approached the greater petrosal nerve, giving off 1-3 twigs to it with a mean diameter of 24 µm, and entered the nerve hiatus or a small bone opening close to the ganglion. Before the artery continued to the tympanic segment of the facial nerve, it gave rise to 1 (8.33%), 2 (75.00%) or 3 (16.67%) branches to the geniculate ganglion, which ranged in diameter between 18 µm and 56 µm (mean 29 µm). From the formed superficial network, several twigs penetrated the ganglion and built an intraganglionic plexus. The counting, performed in microscopic fields, each measuring 341.7 µm × 250.0 µm in size, contained between 20 and 38 (mean 28.1) ganglion cells, as well as from 87 to 143 microvessels (mean 99.8), so that the neuron/vessel ratio was 1:3.6. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first detailed examination of the geniculate ganglion vasculature. The obtained data could be of clinical importance, especially in relation to the Bell's palsy, ganglionitis, geniculate neuralgia, petrous bone imaging, and operations in the same region.

The basic morphological characteristics of astrocytomas in Vojvodina in the period 2001-2006.

PURPOSE: Astrocytomas are the most common primary intracranial neoplasms. The aim of this investigation was to register the age, sex, tumor localization, frequency and histological types of patients with astrocytomas. METHODS: The investigation was carried out from January 2001 to June 2006 and included 490 consecutive patients of both sexes with diagnosed intracranial tumors, who had undergone surgical treatment at the Neurosurgery Clinic of the Clinical Centre of Vojvodina. Tumor histological studies were carried out in the Laboratory of the Centre for Pathology and Histology of the Clinical Centre of Vojvodina. Out of 490 patients with diagnosed intracranial tumors, 139 (28.4%) had astrocytomas. RESULTS: Astrocytomas were more frequent in males (63.3%) and were most common in the 50-59-year age group (39.5%). The most common localization was the frontal region (30.2%), more commonly on the right side (51.8%). In regard to other histological types of intracranial tumors, astrocytomas were more frequent in males (34.8%). Grade III astrocytomas were most common (55.4%). The frequency of hemorrhage and thrombosis showed a positive correlation with the histological grade of astrocytomas. CONCLUSION: The typical patient with astrocytoma is a male of 50-59 years. The tumor is grade III located in the right frontal region.

Epidemiology of dietary supplement use in Serbia: Report from Novi Sad.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives were to assess the prevalence of dietary supplement (DS) use and to identify specific demographic and lifestyle characteristics of DS users from Novi Sad, Serbia as well as the most commonly used DS and reasons for their use. DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional study. SETTING AND INTERVENTIONS: Data on demographics, lifestyle and dietary supplement use of 435 adults from Novi Sad, Serbia were collected using an online questionnaire. RESULTS: In total, 435 subjects completed the questionnaire (62.3% women). Prevalence of dietary supplement use in the sample was 42.8%. More women used DS than men (p = 0.002). Higher use of DS was reported among individuals 65+, while the young used DS less (p = 0.001), but the highest proportions of DS users was from the 45-54 age group. DS were used more among those with lower education levels (p < 0.001) and no income (p = 0.009). The highest percentages of DS users reported daily intakes of fruits and moderate physical activity, were non-smokers and social drinkers. Main reason for DS use was maintaining general health. The most commonly used DS were minerals and/or vitamins (68.8%). CONCLUSIONS: We report a high prevalence of dietary supplement use in Novi Sad. DS use was associated with being a female, being older and having minimal/average income, the latter being opposite of the usual findings. Our results warrant a more detailed examination of the association between income, DS use and healthcare availability in developing countries such as Serbia.