St. John's wort may ameliorate 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid colitis off rats through the induction of pregnane X receptors and/or P-glycoproteins.

It is reported that deficiencies of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the latter of which is encoded by the MDR1 gene, are important factors in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is also known that the activation of PXR is protective of IBD due to the mutual repression between PXR and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) expression and because NF-κB was reported to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. The goal of this study was to investigate whether St. John's wort (SJW) and spironolactone (SPL), both known to have strong inducing effects on cytochrome P 450 (CYP) enzymes as well as PXR and P-gp, have ameliorating effects on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) colitis of rats through induction of PXR and/or P-gp. Wistar albino rats (250 - 300 g) were divided into control and TNBS-colitis groups. Each group was then divided into a) control (saline), b) SJW (300 mg/kg p.o. bid), and c) SPL (80 mg/kg p.o.) groups. Drugs were given for 7 days. Both treatments ameliorated the clinical hallmarks of colitis, as determined by body weight loss and assessment of diarrhea, colon length, and bowel histology. Plasma levels of NF-κB, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, as well as the oxidative stress markers that increased during colitis, decreased significantly after both treatments. The PXR and P-gp expression in the intestinal tissues was diminished in the colitis group but increased after drug treatments. Both drugs appeared to have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and ameliorated the TNBS colitis of the rats, most likely through their PXR- and P-gp-inducing properties.

Aspirin resistance after CABG.

BACKGROUND: Temporary aspirin resistance can occur during the post-CABG period. If the factors causing resistance can be identified, the incidence of early graft occlusions can also be minimized. METHODS: 25 elective CABG cases were enrolled in the study. The platelet count, mean platelet volume, the C-reactive protein level, lipid profile, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels were identified one day before the operation and on the 1st, 5th and 10th postoperative days. Optical aggregometry was used for the evaluation of aspirin response. The patients were divided into two groups: those with aspirin resistance and those with no aspirin resistance. RESULTS: The rate of postoperative aspirin resistance was found to be 60 %. No significant difference was found when the preoperative and operative data of the two groups were compared. It was found that the rapid changes observed in the postoperative platelet counts and the C-reactive protein levels were similar. CONCLUSION: Aspirin resistance is encountered during the early postoperative period in the majority of patients undergoing CABG. None of the factors studied were found to be causative for resistance formation. Further studies are required to clarify this entity.

The morphological and morphometric features of the scaphoid.

This cadaveric study used 200 scaphoid bones (100 left and 100 right) to assess 24 morphological and 11 morphometric parameters. At least one morphometric feature was absent in all scaphoids, though the tubercle and the dorsal sulcus were present in all instances. There were significant differences in the circumferences of the waist and the base of the tubercle, the width of the main sulcus and the secondary height of the tubercle between left and right scaphoids. Detailed knowledge of anatomy and correlations between the anatomical features may help better understanding of clinical problems.

A rare anomaly of the abductor digiti minimi muscle of the foot.

One case with anomalous fascicles in the abductor digiti minimi muscle (ADM), noted in the course of dissecting the left lower extremity of a 62-year-old male cadaver, is described. The ADM had proximally three bellies and distally one. One of the proximal bellies presented the normal belly and others were the supernumerary fascicles. Both fascicles arose from the calcaneus, one was inserted into the base of the fifth metatarsal (FMB) and the other into the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal (FMT). One belly coursing distally arose from the FMB and was inserted into the proximal phalanx of the fifth digit. The normal belly ended in the FMB and also both in the distal belly and in the flexor digiti minimi muscle. One of the supernumerary fascicles (medial fascicle) crossed the lateral plantar artery. To our knowledge, this is an anatomic variation which has never been described before. The morphology of this anomaly is discussed in relation to previously described anomalies of the plantar muscles.

The membranous portion of the interventricular septum in neonates. An anatomic study in neonatal cadavers.

The membranous portion of the interventricular septum (MPIS) has been described as a small, oval portion of the cardiac septum that lies immediately below the aortic valve. Its location and relationship with the aortic valve are very important in surgical interventions. Several studies have been reported in adults but few in neonates. For this reason, studies of the MPIS were made in the hearts of 26 (12 male, 14 female) fulterm neonates. The left side of the MPIS was photographed with transillumination from the right ventricle. The shapes of the septum were assessed from the photographic images. In addition, in accordance with the ruler in the photographs a millimetric scale was prepared on the tracing paper and the surface area of the MPIS and its distance from the superior border of the aortic valve were measured. In these 26 cases, the following shapes of MPIS were found: semilunar, 7 (26.92%); triangular, 6 (23.07%); quadrangular, 5 (19.23%); oval, 4 (15.38%); circular, 2 (7.69%); irregular, 2 (7.69%). Its surface area varied from 2-21 mm2 (mean 5.84 mm2). The superior border of MPIS was in close relationship with the aortic valve. In 10 cases (38.46%) the MPIS was in direct continuity with the attachments of both the right and posterior aortic cusps, in 8 (30.76%) only with the posterior aortic cusp, in 5 (19.23%) only with the right aortic cusp, while in 3 (11.53%) the superior border of MPIS was below the attached portion of both cusps. The distance between the superior border of the MPIS and the attachment of the right or posterior aortic cusps did not exceed 3.5 mm. There were no statistically significant sex-related differences in shape, surface area and relationship with the aortic valve.

A method for duplicating bones as anatomical models.

Bones are a vital educational material in anatomy classes. However, it is not always easy to provide bones in sufficient quantity for a full class. In this article an easy method is presented for duplicating bones by using thermoplastic impression material and polymer cast material which can be used in anatomy laboratories with minimum cost. The method may be used to duplicate any bones, including rare anthropological bones or models made from materials like plaster or clay. Duplication of a mandible is described as an example.

An unusual coursing of the facial vein.

During the dissections of 50 adult cadavers for educational purposes, we found a 45-year-old male cadaver with an abnormally coursing facial vein which has joined the retromandibular vein at a higher level--in the parotid gland--on the right side of the face. This anomaly has also been detected radiologically.