Reliability of the bicaudate parameter in the revealing of the enlarged lateral Ventricles in schizophrenia patients.

INTRODUCTION: In schizophrenia patients the lateral ventricle enlargement has mostly been reported in relationship with smaller cortical and/or subcortical brain volumes; and it has been observed that ventricular system growth may be a consequence of the smaller caudate nucleus volume. Bicaudate parameters have been used in the Alzheimer dementia and Huntington's chorea diagnosing in order to evaluate brain changes and the enlargement of the lateral ventricles. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study has been carried out on 140 patients out of which 70 patients (30 men and 40 women) who met the ICD 10 criteria for schizophrenia and 70 healthy controls (30 men and 40 women) matched on sex and age with the studied group. All of them underwent direct caudatometry and volume computation based on MRI scans. RESULTS: Except for the bicorporal line, for all the parameters were obtained the statistically highly significant differences between the examined and control groups. Significant correlation was established for the majority of bicaudate parameters and volumes of the caudate nuclei and lateral ventricles. DISCUSSION: Enlargement of the lateral ventricles is one of the most frequent MRI finding in schizophrenia patients. Ventricles are enlarging gradually and frontal horns are more affected than other parts. The increased volumes of the caudate nuclei signalized that ventricular enlargement is not the consequence of the caudate atrophy. CONCLUSION: Bicaudate parameters are reliable parameters for the quick orientation in order to assess the enlarged ventricles in schizophrenia patients.

Expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in thyroid glands of rats in experimental thyroiditis.

In the recent years, iodine was associated to the development of apoptosis in thyroid diseases. The aim of the present study is to determine the expression of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins, Bax and Bcl-2, in a Wistar rat experimental model of thyroiditis induced by administration of different doses of potassium iodide. Immunohistochemical staining was done with chromogen diaminobenzidine on avidin-biotin peroxidase using the Animal Research Kit (ARK), stained with antibodies to Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. The intensity and distribution of positive staining were evaluated by light microscopy on a scale of 0 to 4. Bax protein was expressed in the area of regenerating follicular cells in high percent in potassium iodide treated rats, but was not expressed in thyrocytes from control rats. Bcl-2 expression was constantly observed in thyrocytes of the control group and in the mantle-zone of lymphoid follicular infiltrates. Our results show that Bax expression is significantly higher in the Wistar rat experimental model of thyroiditis than in the control group. These data suggest that the increased expression of Bax may contribute to the role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of experimental thyroiditis.

Third coronary artery in monkey heart.

Investigations were carried out on 55 monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops, Macaca fascicularis) hearts by stereomicroscopic dissection and measurements. Latex-injected specimens and corrosion casts showed that, as in humans, the hearts were usually (in 98.2% of the cases) supplied by two coronary arteries (CAs)--the left (LCA) and the right coronary artery (RCA), and occasionally (in 1.8% of the cases) also by a third one (TCA). Furthermore, the orifice of the TCA was situated in the right aortic sinus at the same level as the RCA and 0.2 mm in front of it. The LCA and the RCA originated from the corresponding aortic sinuses and the external diameter of the LCA was greater [average: 1.65+/-0.39 (SD) mm] than that of the RCA [average 0.94+/-0.15 (SD) mm] and the TCA (0.8 mm). The LCA orifice was more often above (76.3%) than below the free edge of the left aortic valve leaflet. The longitudinal axis of the aortic root and of the initial part of the LCA formed an angle of 45-120 degrees (average: 52 degrees). The orifice of the RCA was usually above (82.3%) the free edge of the right aortic valve leaflet, and less frequently below it (17.7%). The longitudinal axis of the aortic root and of the initial part of the RCA formed an angle of 70-150 degrees (average: 103 degrees). The resemblance of monkey CAs to their human counterparts make them a suitable model for experimental studies on coronary circulation.

Morphometric parameters as risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament injuries - a MRI case-control study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most frequently injured ligament of the knee, representing 50% of all knee injuries. The aim of this study was todeter mine the differences in the morphometry of knee injury patients with an intact and a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. METHODS: The study included 33 matched pairs of patients divided into two groups: the study group with the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament rupture, and the control group with the diagnosis of patellofemoral pain but no anterior cruciate ligament lesion. The patients were matched on the basis of 4 attributes: age, sex, type of lesion (whether it was profession-related), and whether the lesion was left- or right-sided. Measurements were carried out using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: The anterior and posterior edges of the anterior cruciate ligament in the control group were highly significantly smaller (p < 0.01; in both cases). The control group showed a statistically significantly larger width of the anterior cruciate ligament (p < 0.05). A significant correlation between the width of the anterior cruciate ligament and the width (p < 0.01) and height (p < 0.05) of the intercondylar notch was found to exist in the control group, but not in the study group (p > 0.05). The patients in the control group showed a shorter but wider anterior cruciate ligament in comparison to their matched pairs. The control group of patients was also characterized by the correlation between the width of the intercondylar notch and the width of the anterior cruciate ligament, which was not the case in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of our study we can say that a narrow intercondylar notch contains a proportionally thin anterior cruciate ligament, but we cannot say that this factor necessarily leads to rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.

[The role of the posterior tibial slope on rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament].

BACKGROUND/AIM: Posterior tibial slope is one of the most citated factors wich cause rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The aim of this study was to determine the association of a greather posterior tibial slope on the lateral condyle, that is a lesser posterior tibial slope on the medial condyle, with ACL rupture. METHODS: The patients were divided into two groups. The study group included the patients with chronic instability of the knee besause of a previous rupture of ACL. The control group included the patients with knee lesion, but without ACL rupture. Posterior tibial slope measuring was performed by sagittal MR slices supported by lateral radiograph of the knee. We measured posterior tibial slope on lateral and medial condyles of the tibia. Using these values we calculated an average posterior tibial slope as well as the difference between slopes on lateral and medial condyles. RESULTS: Patients with ACL rupture have highly statistically significantly greather posterior tibial slope (p < 0.01) on lateral tibial condyle (7.1 degrees : 4.5 degrees) as well as statistically significantly lesser posterior tibial slope (p < 0.05) on medial tibial condyle (5.9 degrees : 6.6 degrees) than patients with intact ACL. CONCLUSION: Great posterior tibial slope on lateral tibial condyle associated with the small posterior tibial slope on the medial tibial condyle, that is a positive differentce between lateral and medial tibial condyles are factors wich may cause ACL rupture.

The third branch of the main trunk of the left coronary artery in Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus. Is the nonhuman primate model appropriate?

The aim of this study was to investigate the morphometry of branching patterns of the main trunk of the left coronary artery (MT of LCA) in nonhuman primates, and comment on the current nomenclature. The biometric study was performed using stereomicroscopic dissection of hearts of healthy and fertile nonhuman primates (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) of both sexes. Our results reveal that the MT of LCA terminates in a bifurcation into the anterior interventricular branch (AIB) and the circumflex branch (CB) (74.6%), trifurcation into the AIB, CB, and diagonal branch (DB) (23.6%), or occasionally quadrifurcation into the AIB, CB, and two DBs (1.8%). This is similar to the case in humans. Furthermore, two morphological aspects of the DB spatial distribution, in addition to its branching pattern, resemble the DB in humans. Myocardial bridges observed over the DB in the Cercopithecus aethiops heart further contribute to the similarity with humans. The resemblance of the DB and its branches to their human counterparts make them a suitable model for experimental study on coronary circulation.

[Relations of aqueduct with some structures of mesencephalon]. / Odnosi akvedukta sa nekim strukturama mezencefalona.

INTRODUCTION: Aqueductus mesencephali is the biggest part of the ventricular system and that is why it is the most common place of intraventricular obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid. This study was done in order to study topographic characteristics of aqueduct more thoroughly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transversal sections of mesencephalon were made in three levels. The first section was made caudally immediately from the posterior commissure. The second section was made in the middle part of the superior colliculi, and the third section was made in the rostral parts of the caudal sections of the superior colliculi. Distances of the aqueduct from structures of mesencephalon, obtained on the second section, are: 1. The distance of the aqueduct from the superior colliculi - 6.96 mm; 2. The distance of the aqueduct from the red nucleus - 6.02 mm; 3. The distance of the aqueduct from the substantia nigra - 12.29 mm; 4. The distance of the aqueduct from the interpeduncular fossa - 10.22 mm. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the anatomy of the aqueductus mesencephali is very important because of interpretation of patogenesis of hidrocefalus as well as of other syndromes that occure in some pathological processes in the system of ventricles.

[Morphological and laminar distribution of cholecystokinin-immunoreactive neurons in cortex of human inferior parietal lobe and their clinical significance].

INTRODUCTION: Cholecystocinine is a neuropeptide whose function in the cortex has not yet been clarified, although its relation with some psychic disorders has been noticed. Previous studies have not provided detailed data about types, or arrangement of neurons that contain those neuropeptide in the cortex of human inferior parietal lobe. The aim of this study was to examine precisely the morphology and typography of neurons containing cholecytocinine in the human cortex of inferior parietal lobule. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were five human brains on which we did the immunocystochemical research of the shape and laminar distribution of cholecystocinine immunoreactive neurons on serial sections of supramarginal gyrus and angular gyrus. The morphological analysis of cholecystocinine-immunoreactive neurons was done on frozen sections using avidin-biotin technique, by antibody to cholecystocinine diluted in the proportion 1:6000 using diamine-benzedine. RESULTS: Cholecystocinine immunoreactive neurons were found in the first three layers of the cortex of inferior parietal lobule, and their densest concentration was in the 2nd and 3rd layer. The following types of neurons were found: bipolar neurons, then its fusiform subtype, Cajal-Retzius neurons (in the 1st layer), reverse pyramidal (triangular) and unipolar neurons. The diameters of some types of neurons were from 15 to 35 microm, and the diameters of dendritic arborization were from 85-207 microm. A special emphasis is put on the finding of Cajal-Retzius neurons that are immunoreactive to cholecystocinine, which demands further research. CONCLUSION: Bearing in mind numerous clinical studies pointing out the role of cholecystokinine in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, the presence of a great number of cholecystokinine immunoreactive neurons in the cortex of inferior parietal lobule suggests their role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

[Characteristics of galanin and vasoactive intestinal peptide immunoreactivity in the rat amygdala complex].

INTRODUCTION: Morphological features and morphometric parameters of galanin (GAL) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) immunoreactive neurons and neuronal fibres were studied in all nuclei of adult male rat amygdala. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After perfusion and fixation, rat brains were immunohistochemically stained with antibodies against GAL and VIP and then visualized by avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The greatest number of galanin-immunoreactive neurons were identified in the medial part of the central nucleus and in the dorsal part of the medial nucleus. In the first case, most neurons were bipolar (37%), and in the second, they were ovoid (45%). GAL-immunoreactive fibers were identified in the medial nucleus, "bed nucleus" of the accessory olfactory tract, fiontal cortical nucleus, amygdalo-hippocampal area and basolateral nucleus. VIP-immunoreactive neurons were diffusely distributed in more nuclei than the previous, mostly in the lateral, basolateral, and basomedial nucleus. They were mostly ovoid (40%). VIP-immunoreactive fibers were observed in the lateral part oJ'the central nucleus, while long and radially oriented fibers were present in the frontal and dorsal cortical nucleus. CONCLUSION: By distribution analysis of GAL and VIP immunoreactive neurons and fibers, and according to literature data, it can be assumed that the medial part of the central nucleus receives VIP fibers from other parts of the amygdaloid body, and then sends GAL fibers to the medial nucleus.

A histological study of cerebral aqueduct.

Cerebral (sylvian) aqueduct is a narrow channel in the mesencephalon. It lies between the tectum and the tegmentum of the mesencephalon and is surrounded by the periaqueductal gray matter. The aim of this study was to determine the shape of the aqueduct of sylvius and the structure of its walls in a series of transverse histological sections. Serial transverse sections of the mesencephalon were examined in twenty adult brains of both sexes. Six sections were stained by the hematoxylin-eosin method. The rostral part of the the aqueduct has a triangular shape with dorsal concavity caused by retrocommissural fossae. In the middle, its shape is oval to irregular, the rostral part has a T shape due to isthmic recess on the floor. Walls of the aqueduct are coated with a layer of prismatic cells. Determination of the morphological and histological features of the mesencephalic aqueduct is important for differentiation between physiological and pathological processes in this region.

[The role of enteroclysis and roentgen anatomy of jejunumand ileum in Crohn's disease].

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this research were: 1) to establish the value of enteroclysis in detection of morphological changes of jejunum and ileum in cases with suspected Crohn's disease and 2) to establish types of morphological changes of jejunum and ileum in patients with Crohn's disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study compared two groups of people who voluntarely accepted to be examined: a control group and a study group. The control group included 11 healthy people, without gastrointestinal symptom. The study group included 16 patients with Crohn's disease. Single and double-contrast enteroclysis were performed in both groups. Afterwards, we defined parameters which were compared in these groups. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that according to statistics there are significantly lower values of the width of the jejunal and ileal lumen and the number of mucosal folds (per 1 cm) of the jejunal and ileal wall in the examined group in contrast to the control group. Also, according to statistics there are significantly higher values of the width of the jejunal and ileal wall and the thickness of mucosal folds of the jejunum and ileum in the study group in contrast to the control group.