The sciatic nerve in human cadavers - high division or low formation?

Variations of the sciatic nerve have been extensively studied in the past including its relationship with the piriformis muscle and associated clinical conditions like piriformis syndrome and sciatica. In the present study we noticed some interesting variations of the sciatic nerve, which were slightly different from the cases described earlier. In the previous studies most of the authors described the higher division of sciatic nerve and none of them discussed its formation. In this study we tried to look its formation from the sacral plexus and its divisions in the thigh. We noticed that in one cadaver the two components of the sciatic nerve originated directly from the sacral plexus and coursed down without merging in the thigh. Should this be called a higher division or non formation of the sciatic nerve? On the other hand in two other cadavers, the two divisions after emerging separately from the sacral plexus, united in the gluteal region and in the thigh respectively. Should we call this as higher division or low formation of the sciatic nerve? In two other cadavers the sciatic nerve emerged from the greater sciatic foramen below the piriformis and divided in the gluteal region itself. Ideally this should be called as higher division of sciatic nerve.

IQ is an independent predictor of glycated haemoglobin level in young and middle-aged adults with intellectual disability.

AIMS: Here we examined whether intellectual disability is independently associated with hyperglycaemia. METHODS: We recruited 233 consecutive young and middle-aged adults with intellectual disability. After exclusion of subjects on medication for metabolic diseases or with severe intellectual disability (IQ < 35), 121 subjects were divided by IQ into a group with moderate intellectual disability (35 ≤ IQ ≤ 50), a mild intellectual disability group (51 ≤ IQ ≤ 70) and a borderline group (IQ > 70). RESULTS: HbA1c level was higher in subjects with moderate intellectual disability (42 ± 9 mmol/mol; 6.0 ± 0.8%) than those in the borderline group (36 ± 4 mmol/mol; 5.5 ± 0.3%) and mild intellectual disability group (37 ± 5 mmol/mol; 5.5 ± 0.5%) groups. HbA1c level was correlated with age, BMI, blood pressure, serum triglycerides and IQ in simple linear regression analysis. Multiple regression analysis indicated that IQ, age, BMI and diastolic blood pressure were independent explanatory factors of HbA1c level. CONCLUSIONS: An unfavourable effect of intellectual disability on lifestyle and untoward effect of hyperglycaemia on cognitive function may underlie the association of low IQ with hyperglycaemia.

Unusual presence of Wormian (sutural) bones in human skulls.

Wormian bones are a subset of the small intrasutural bones that lie between the cranial sutures formed by the bones of the skull vault. They are formed due to additional ossification centres in or near sutures. They are usually considered as normal variants and seem to be determined genetically in certain populations. They have been linked with rapid cranial expansion as they appear in great number in hydrocephalic skulls. They are commonly found in the lambdoid suture and fontanelles but are occasionally seen in other sutures especially the coronal, squamosal, and sagittal sutures. We examined 25 dried human skulls with the aim to find out the occurrence and variations of Wormian bones, and surprisingly we found Wormian bones in the coronal, squamosal, and sagittal sutures in 6 skulls. These are uncommon sites of occurrence of sutural bones as reported in the literature. These findings prompted us to report these cases as their presence can lead to confusion in diagnosis in cases of skull fractures.

Measurement of carbonic anhydrase isozyme VI (CA-VI) in bovine sera, saliva, milk and tissues.

Concentrations of bovine carbonic anhydrase isozyme VI (CA-IV) in bovine serum, saliva, normal milk, colostrum, submandibular gland, liver, and mammary gland were determined. CA-VI was purified from bovine saliva and an antibody to CA-VI was generated. The concentrations of CA-VI in the saliva (7.8 +/- 7.9 microg/ml), serum (2.1+/- 5.7 ng/ml), milk (7.9 +/- 12.1 ng/ml), submandibular gland (284.7 microg/g protein), liver (921.0 +/- 180.7 ng/g protein) and mammary gland (399.6 +/- 191.2 ng/g protein) were determined by ELISA. No seasonal change in CA-VI levels was observed in normal milk. The concentration of CA-VI in colostrum (day 1 post partum) was 119 ng/ml and decreased rapidly by 1 month following birth. Mammary gland contained much smaller amounts than the submandibular gland. CA-VI mRNA was detected in the liver and mammary gland of cow by RT-PCR. The ELISA used in this study proved to be a precise and sensitive method for determining CA-VI concentrations in saliva, serum, milk and tissue specimens from cows. The ELISA may enable the study of changes in CA-VI associated with hereditary or metabolic disorders of the salivary gland, mammary gland and liver using small samples of saliva, serum or milk.

How the three arches of the foot intercorrelate.

BACKGROUND: The foot is composed of medial, lateral and transverse arches which, particularly the medial arch, provide it with the ability to function both as a flexible and rigid structure for proper locomotion. Arches of the foot, as well as their effect on lower extremity function, have been studied. However, quantitative data on the relationship between these arches still remain scanty. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to examine how the three arches of the foot intercorrelate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six participants (58 males, 18 females) were recruited to participate in the study. Bilateral weight-bearing lateral radiographs of the right foot were taken from each participant. Navicular heights (NH), medial cuneiform height (MCH), calcaneal inclination angle (CIA) and calcaneal-first metatarsal angle (C1MA) were measured to represent the medial arch. The lateral arch was represented by cuboid height (CH) and calcaneal-fifth metatarsal angle (C5MA) whereas; MCH and CH represented the transverse arch. Mean difference of variables between males and females was compared using independent t-test while the correlation between the variables was determined using Pearson correlation. RESULTS: All the variables were not significantly related to gender. Significant moderate to excellent linear correlations were observed between the variables. CIA showed the strongest correlation with C1MA (r = -0.90) and C5MA (r = -0.84) whereas, CH had the least correlation with other variables. CONCLUSIONS: The moderate to excellent correlations between the variables indicate that deformation or elevation of the medial arch may consequently result in similar movements of the lateral and transverse arches and vice versa.

Three-Dimensional Study of the Terminal Portion in Sprague-Dawley Rat Ejaculatory Ducts.

In mammals, a pair of ejaculatory ducts exists in the urethra at the seminal colliculus. The detailed anatomical structures of the distal end of the ejaculatory ducts of Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated by the computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction analysis using light-microscopic serial sections. A three-dimensional reconstruction revealed that in adult rats, the ejaculatory sinus pair consists of two parts: the cranial section - a compartment region composed of a fusion of the ampullary gland duct and the seminal vesicle duct, and the caudal section - a grooved region composed of a long slitlike ejaculatory ostium that extends into the urethra on both sides of the seminal colliculus. But the sphincter structure was not observed. The long axis of the compartment region was approximately 58 µm in length, and that of the groove region was approximately 495 µm. Although many epithelial glands ducts were distributed throughout the ejaculatory sinuses, the prostate and coagulation gland ducts did not open in these sinuses. The urethra was composed of transitional epithelium, while the ejaculatory sinuses were composed of single to stratified cuboidal epithelium. The ejaculatory ducts continued to the ejaculatory ostium in male adult Sprague-Dawley rat were composed of the seminal vesicle ducts received the ampullary gland ducts.

Determination of carbonic anhydrase-III by enzyme-immunoassay in liver, muscle and serum of male rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

Insulin has a plethora of metabolic effects but its action on carbonic anhydrase-III (CA-III), a key enzyme in acid-base regulation, has been little studied. The present studies examined the effects of streptozotocin induced diabetes on the concentrations of CA-III. The concentration of CA-III in the liver, muscles and serum of rats with experimental diabetes mellitus was measured by the method of enzyme-immunoassay. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus resulted in a reduction in concentration of CA-III in the liver and serum, but not in skeletal muscles, of adult male rats. A 98% reduction in hepatic CA-III content relative to control values was observed. The reduction in CA-III content in the liver was restored to control value by administration of insulin. The CA-III content in serum of diabetic rats declined to approx. 25% of control values, but the reduction was unaffected by administration of insulin. The concentration of CA-III in the liver and serum of diabetic rats was not influenced by administration of methyltestosterone. Although the content of CA-III in m. rectus femoris, m. tibialis craniaris and m. soleus differed, no significant difference of CA-III content was found between diabetes mellitus and control rats. The effect of chronic diabetes mellitus on CA-III content was obviously different between liver and muscle, suggesting that the regulation of CA-III biosynthesis differs between these two tissues. These results suggest that biosynthesis of CA-III in hepatocytes of rats is influenced by irregular patterns of GH secretion brought about by diabetes mellitus.

Immunohistochemical studies of the carbonic anhydrase isozymes in the bovine placenta.

Placentae from 11 cows, ranging from about 80 to 270 days gestation, were studied for immunohistochemical localization of carbonic anhydrase isozymes. CA isozymes were localized using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method in the bovine placenta. CA-II was found in the fetal trophoblastic cells with single nuclei as well as in erythrocytes of maternal and fetal blood. The percentage of positive cells for anti-CA-II in the trophoblastic cells did not change during development of gestation in the fetal bovine. CA-I and CA-III were not detected in the bovine placenta.

Distribution of carbonic anhydrase isozyme III (CA-III)-positive cells in duct segments of the bovine submandibular gland.

The distribution of carbonic anhydrase III isozyme (CA-III)-positive cells in bovine submandibular glands was studied by immunohistochemistry. CA-III showed strong immunoreactivity in basal cells and some lining cells of the intercalated ducts as well as in striated and interlobular ducts cells. No significant immunoreactivity could be found in other portions of the glands. Electron microscopically, the immunoreactive basal cells contained scattered tonofibrils in their cytoplasm. The distribution of CA-III suggests that the CA-III-positive basal cells may play a special physiological role, and that they do not only represent undifferentiated lining cells.

Fine structure of developing gastric parietal cells in the bovine abomasum.

Developmental changes in the fine structure of gastric parietal cells were studied in bovine fetuses and neonates. Definitive parietal cells first appeared as non-granular light cells at five months of fetal age (in a 48 cm long fetus). At this age they had a microvillous apical surface and cytoplasmic vesicles which accumulated at the apex. Intracellular canaliculi appeared with an increase in mitochondria at six to seven months of fetal age. Fully differentiated parietal cells were present from the eighth month of gestation. At birth they were similar in appearance to those of the adult abomasum.

Fine structural changes in the developing gastric gland cells in the ferret during the postnatal period.

The development of the gastric gland cells in the ferret was studied with particular reference to maturation during the postnatal period. In the newborn, the glands consist of immature parietal cells with numerous mitochondria, and shallow rudimentary intracellular canaliculus with numerous microvilli, and undifferentiated cells. At one week old, mucous neck cells are present containing scattered mucin granules and the parietal cells contain tubulovesicular components. At two weeks old chief cells can be seen with large secretory granules in their basal cytoplasm. The gastric gland cells subsequently increase considerably in size, and their epithelium undergoes rapid histological maturation towards weaning.

Muscular composition of the gastric groove in the golden hamster.

The golden hamster possesses a forestomach and a glandular stomach. The gastric groove connects the cardia to the glandular stomach and is situated on the lesser curvature of the stomach. The constitution of the muscle fibers in the gastric groove was investigated. The gastric groove consisted of two lips and a groove floor. The muscle coat of the lips was composed of a mixture of smooth and striated muscle fibers. The smooth muscle fibers were components of the cardiac muscle loop. The striated muscle fibers were extensions from the esophageal inner circular muscle layer, and invaded about half the length of the lips. The muscle coat of the groove floor consisted of an inner circular muscle layer made up of smooth muscle fibers, and the outer longitudinal muscle layer of the striated muscle fibers extended from the esophageal outer longitudinal muscle layer. The present study revealed that the muscle coat of the gastric groove in the golden hamster was composed of smooth and striated muscle fibers, and that these striated muscle fibers were extensions of the esophageal muscle coat.

Comparison of the distribution of carbonic anhydrase isozymes (CA-I, CA-II, CA-III) in the rat gastrointestinal tract.

The present paper described the immunohistochemical distributions of carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes. CA-I, CA-II and CA-III, in the epithelium lining the rat gastrointestinal tract, with rabbit antibodies to equine CA-I, CA-II and CA-III. Prior to the immunohistochemical examinations, the crossreactivities of these antibodies to the rat-antigens were confirmed in this study. In the stomach, surface epithelial cells and parietal cells of the glandular region showed an immunoreactivity only to CA-II. In the large intestine, each immunoreactivity to CA isozyme (CA-I, CA-II and CA-III) was localized in the upper portion of intestinal glands, and decreased toward the distal digestive tract, but absent in the small intestine. The present histological findings suggested that the CA isozymes might play a role in the ion-transportation during the water absorption in the rat large intestine.

Identification of bovine decorin in the fetal bovine rumen.

Immunohistochemical localization of bovine decorin was examined with its biological analysis in the fetal bovine rumen. By immunohistochemical staining, monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2B6, which recognizes chondroitin 4-sulfate and/or dermatan sulfate (DS), reacted specifically to the lower mesenchymal region in the developing ruminal wall. Biochemical analysis of the extract from the developing rumen revealed that molecule detected immunohistochemically by mAb 2B6 was small DS proteoglycan, bovine decorin. These results support the view that bovine decorin is involved in organization of the fetal bovine ruminal mesenchyme as a collagenous tissue.

Immunohistochemical localization of carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes in salivary gland and intestine in adult and suckling pigs.

Localizations of carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes (CA I, CA II and CA III) were investigated immunohistochemically in the salivary glands and intestine of mature and suckling pigs. Carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes were not detected in the salivary glands of sucklings, but were present in the adult. Bicarbonate ion in saliva might be important for the digestion of solid foods in mature pigs, but unnecessary for the digestion of milk in sucklings. Expressions of CA I and CA II were detected strongly in the large intestine of the adult and sucklings, and faintly only at duodenum in the small intestine. CA I and CA II isoenzymes in the large intestine may be involved, at least in part, in ion absorption and water metabolism during digestion and absorption of milk in suckling pigs. In addition, CA I and CA II expression in the duodenal villus enterocyte may support the process of bicarbonate absorption in the duodenum.

Determination of carbonic anhydrase III isoenzyme concentration in sera of racehorses with exertional rhabdomyolysis.

The concentration of carbonic anhydrase III isoenzyme (CA-III) in serum samples from 216 clinically normal Thoroughbreds was determined by use of an enzyme immunoassay. The concentration range of CA-III was from 16.0 to 254.5 ng/ml (mean, 56.5 +/- 11.9 ng/ml). Significant differences were not detected according to age or sex. To confirm whether serum CA-III concentration was high in horses with muscle disease, serum samples of 11 horses with exertional rhabdomyolysis were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay. Their serum CA-III concentration was about 56 times (3,136 +/- 2,610 ng/ml) that of healthy Thoroughbreds. Concentration of CA-III was higher in horses with rhabdomyolysis that had been transiently recumbent than in horses with mild disease that were reluctant to move. Blood samples obtained serially from 6 horses with exertional rhabdomyolysis were studied. Serum activities of aldolase, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase were high. Increases and decreases in concentration of CA-III were more rapid than that for aldolase, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities; thus, CA-III may be clinically applicable as a diagnostic marker for muscle disease in horses.

Isolation and measurement of carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes in erythrocytes of dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To purify canine carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoenzymes CA-I and CA-II and to determine concentrations of CA-I and CA-II in erythrocytes of Beagles and dogs native to Japan. SAMPLE POPULATION: Blood samples from 116 Beagles, including 24 pregnant Beagles, and blood samples from 29 dogs native to Japan. PROCEDURE: Canine CA-I and CA-II were purified by use of column chromatography. Concentrations of CA-I and CA-II in erythrocytes of dogs were determined, using an ELISA. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SD) concentrations of CA-I and CA-II in erythrocytes of Beagles were 3.21+/-0.86 and 1.63+/-0.39 mg/g of Hb, respectively. Mean concentration of CA-I was greater in male Beagles than female Beagles. In contrast, mean concentration of CA-II was greater in female Beagles than male Beagles. Furthermore, concentration of CA-II was greater in pregnant female Beagles than male or nonpregnant female Beagles. Mean concentrations of CA-I and CA-II in erythrocytes of dogs native to Japan were 11.03+/-4.39 and 3.29+/-0.91 mg/g of Hb, respectively. Mean concentration of CA-I was greater in male dogs from Japan than female dogs from Japan. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ELISA used in this study proved to be precise and sensitive for determining CA-I and CA-II concentrations in dogs. The ELISA may enable study of changes in isoenzymes associated with hereditary or metabolic disorders of blood or other body fluids, using only a small sample. Measurement of the concentrations of CA isoenzymes in dogs may be of diagnostic value.

Immunohistolocalization of the carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes (CA-I, CA-II, and CA-III) in the reproductive tract of male horses.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate locations of cytosolic carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme (CA-I, CA-II, and CA-III)-positive epithelial cells in equine male reproductive organs. DESIGN: Descriptive and immunohistochemical study. ANIMALS: 4 clinically normal male horses. PROCEDURE: The testis (seminiferous tubules, rete tubules), epididymis (initial, middle, and terminal segments), proximal and distal portions of the ductus deferens, ampulla ductus deferentis, seminal vesicle, prostate, and bulbourethral gland were excised from euthanatized horses after administration of an overdose of pentobarbital. The tissue specimens were quickly placed in fixative solution, dehydrated in ethanol, and embedded; then thin sections were cut. For immunohistochemical staining, antibodies against purified equine CA-I, CA-II, and CA-III were raised in rabbits. After examination of the specificity of each antiserum, the monospecific antisera against carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes were used to localize the isoenzymes. RESULTS: Specific staining for CA-III was found in the Sertoli and basal cells of the ductus deferens. Most of the testicular and epididymal tissue, as well as ductus deferens, were virtually negative for the enzymes when stained with the antibody to CA-I and CA-II. In the initial segment of the epididymis, a few principal cells had intense cytoplasmic staining with anti-CA-II. In the male accessory glands, CA-I, CA-II, and CA-III were detected in the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicle, prostate, and bulbourethral gland. CONCLUSIONS: In the equine male reproductive tract, the bicarbonate in semen originates mainly from accessory reproductive glands. All 3 isoenzymes may have central roles in the regulation of bicarbonate concentration in seminal plasm and, accordingly, regulate seminal plasma pH. Distribution of CA-III in Sertoli and basal cells of the ductus deferens suggests other specialized physiologic roles.

Distribution of the muscle coat at the omasoabomasal junction and its vicinity in cattle.

Detailed studies on the distribution of the muscle coat at the omasoabomasal junction in cattle, especially in the pila omasi, were carried out in order to clarify the mechanism of closing of the ostium omasoabomasicum. Anatomical and histological observations revealed that the muscle coat forming the circumference of the ostium omasoabomasicum is composed of inner circular and outer longitudinal layers. The former was particularly thickened at the end of the sulcus omasi (pila omasi). Joined to the pila omasi was a thick muscle bundle which extended from the labium sinistrum (left lip) of the sulcus reticuli and ran obliquely along the floor of the sulcus omasi. Moreover, on the abomasal side of the ostium omasoabomasicum, vela abomasi were formed in such a manner as to surround the ostium omasoabomasicum. These were continuous with the edges of the sulcus omasi. Judging from its location and muscular structure, the pila omasi may contract in accordance with the contraction of the reticulum. As a result, the ostium omasoabomasicum may be narrowed and the vela abomasi pulled toward the omasum, perhaps obstructing the ostium omasoabomasicum. Accordingly, it is presumed that the retention of contents in the omasum may effectively prevent abomasal contents from moving backward into the omasum.

Immunohistolocalization of the carbonic anhydrase isozymes I, II and III in equine salivary glands.

The immunolocalization of carbonic anhydrase isozymes in equine salivary glands was investigated for assessment of their biologic functions. In parotid glands, duct segments showed reactivity with CA-I and CA-III. CA-III was selectively located in duct segments, particularly in the basal cells of the interlobular duct. Serous acinar cells were positive for CA-I and CA-II. In submandibular glands, CA-I and CA-II were present in serous demilune and duct segments. CA-II was selectively located in the duct segments, as also noted in the parotid gland. In sublingual glands, CA-I and CA-II were located in serous demilune, as also in the case of the submandibular gland. In the duct segments, all the isozymes considered in this study were found to be present.