The study of biochemical and histopathological effects of spirulina in rats with TNBS-induced colitis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the beneficial effects of spirulina on the treatment of experimental colitis. BACKGROUND: Spirulina, a planktonic blue green algae from oascillateriaceae family, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-viral, and antimicrobial effects, rendering it a natural drug of prophylactic and therapeutic properties. The effects of spirulina on colitis are not known. METHODS: Wistar rats weighing 200-300 g were used. Experimental colitis was created during anesthesia using the trinitrobenzene sulfonic (TNBS) acid. The rats were randomly divided into the 3 groups. In the group 1 (sham; n = 8), saline was administered via oral gavage 7 days after 1 ml of rectal saline was administered. In the group 2 (experimental colitis + spirulina; n = 8), 2 g/kg spirulina was administered via oral gavage 7 days after the rectal 1 ml TNBS was administered. In group 3 (experimental colitis; n = 8), enema was administered via oral gavage 7 days after the rectal 1 ml TNBS was administered. Eight days after the instigation of TNBS colitis, the rats were sacrificed and blood and tissue samples were taken. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical evaluations were conducted, and malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant status (TAS), and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined. RESULTS: Inflammation on mucosa and submucosa, hemorrhage, necrosis, cellular infiltration and crypt abscess formation, immunoreactivity and tissue MDA levels were decreased in the experimental colitis + spirulina group when compared to the experimental colitis group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate the beneficial effects of spirulina on TNBS-induced inflammatory bowel disease (Tab. 6, Fig. 10, Ref. 40).

Phrenic nerve distribution in the rabbit diaphragm and morphometric analysis of nerve branches.

The best method to evaluate the pathogenesis of diaphragmatic disorders is to demonstrate the distribution pattern of the phrenic nerve in the diaphragm. For this purpose the branching pattern and the microanatomic features of the phrenic nerve were observed in six rabbits. All diaphragms were stained by using Sihler's stain method. The phrenic nerve divided into three to four branches when entering the diaphragm. These branches were classified as sternal, anterolateral, posterolateral and crural. The crural branches were the thickest whereas the anterolateral branches were the thinnest. Knowledge about the distribution pattern of the phrenic nerve may be important in surgical approach to the diaphragm.

The incidence and types of sella and sphenopetrous bridges.

The incidence and types of sella and sphenopetrous bridges were investigated in 37 adult male and 43 adult female (a total of 80) dry skulls with removed calvarias. In addition to this, the sellar and parasellar region of ten fixed cadavers (two female and eight male) were carefully dissected, and the individuals were examined for the evidence of sella and sphenopetrous bridges. Sella bridges were seen in 34.17% of the subjects overall. The trace, incomplete and complete types were 11.9%, 3.7% and 17.5%, respectively. On the other hand, sphenopetrous bridges were observed in 15.8% of the male and 4.9% of the female subjects overall. The cadaveric investigation revealed one trace, three incomplete, and one complete sella bridge in three cadavers. In addition to this, a complete sphenopetrous bridge was detected in one of the cadavers. Variations in the cranial base are of importance for surgical approaches in that location.

Variations in the anatomy of the inferior alveolar nerve.

Variations in the anatomy of the inferior alveolar nerve were seen in 2 of the 20 dissections of the infratemporal fossa in 10 cadavers. A connecting nerve branch that originated from the auriculotemporal nerve joined the inferior alveolar nerve on both sides. The second part of the maxillary artery passed between the mandibular nerve, the root of the inferior alveolar nerve, and the connecting nerve branch which formed a loop. The maxillary artery seemed to be entrapped. Neurovascular entrapment can cause pain and numbness. Anatomical variations in this region should be kept in mind, particularly in cases of failed treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Clearing and embedding in polyester resin for demonstrating the nerve distribution pattern of skeletal muscles.

The preservation of many stained gross specimens in solution creates some difficulties. It is convenient and effective to preserve material in polyester resin instead of glycerol. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of clearing and embedding using polyester resin. The samples consisted of the nerve distribution patterns of skeletal muscles stained using Sihler's method. The muscles were cleared more successfully and the intramuscular nerve distributions were demonstrated better in polyester than in glycerol. The method presented here eliminates not only the storage and handling problems of specimens, but also problems such as pale stains and the molding of preparations. Furthermore, it is more convenient to examine and to photograph specimens cleared and embedded in polyester than those stored in glycerol.

A beaklike bony extension of the medial aspect of the greater sciatic notch: a radiographic appearance sexually influenced.

The bony pelvis provides more obvious sex differences than any other bone in the human skeleton. This study evaluates a bony extension of the medial aspect of the greater sciatic notch, which extends caudad to the arcuate line as seen on pelvic radiographs. A total of 2620 randomly selected supine pelvic radiographs (anteroposterior view) of adult females and males were reviewed. The subjects belonged to a central Anatolian population and their age ranged between 18 and 77 years in females and between 18 and 81 years in males. Only 22 (1.7%) of the 1337 female pelvic radiographs showed a bony extension, whereas 882 (68.8%) of the males had one. All these bony extensions were bilateral and symmetric. The results were statistically significant (P < 0.001). We assert that this radiographic appearance is a male characteristic.

The incidence of basal sphenoid bony bridges in dried crania and cadavers: their anthropological and clinical relevance.

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of the pterygospinous and pterygoalar bony bridges and the variations in these bony bridges among Anatolians. A total of 452 adult dry skulls (258 males and 194 females) of the Anatolian population were investigated for both the pterygospinous and the pterygoalar bony bridges. In 80 of the 452 dry skulls (37 male and 43 female), it was possible to inspect the cranial cavity. In these skulls, sellar and sphenopetrous bridges were also investigated. In addition to this, the mandibular nerve of 9 fixed cadavers was carefully dissected and the distribution of its branches was determined on both sides. Complete pterygospinous osseous bridges were found in 5.5% of the samples and complete pterygoalar bridges in 4.9%. In the dry skulls with removed calvaria, complete sellar osseous bridges were found on both sides in 34.2% of specimens, complete pterygospinous bridges in 8.8% and complete pterygoalar bridges in 7.5%. No complete sphenopetrous bridges were found. In the cadaveric study, nerve entrapment due to a pterygoalar ligament on the left side was found in one cadaver. Such variations should be kept in mind in clinical complaints such as mandibular neuralgia, especially during chewing.

Demonstration of the nerve distribution of the masticatory muscles in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Two methods can be used in order to demonstrate the nerve distribution of an organ. One is the three-dimensional reconstruction of the innervation pattern of the organ by tracing images of that organ from serial histological sections. The other is the in toto staining of the organ with subsequent clearing of the muscles. In the present study, in order to visualize the nerve distribution of the organ, that organ was completely cleared and the nerve fibres were stained. Detailed morphological structure of the intramuscular nerve distribution of a certain region and its functions are of importance not only for anatomists and physiologists but also for clinicians. In this study eight New Zealand rabbits were used to visualize the intramuscular nerve distribution of the muscles involved in mastication (temporalis m., pterygoideus medialis m., digastricus m., retractor mandibulae m. and masseter m.). The main nerve bundle was observed entering into the muscle as a single trunk and dividing into three branches in the muscle. These branches were also observed dividing into several subbranches while going to the periphery. When the samples were examined under a stereomicroscope, 'Y'-, 'I'- and 'O'-shaped communications between those branches were observed.

Ureter duplication and polar renal arteries in the same case.

During cadaver dissection for student education in the anatomy laboratory of Gazi University Medical School, anomalies of the upper and lower polar artery were observed on the left kidney besides bilateral ureter duplication in a 65 year old male cadaver. On the right side the duplication was incomplete, starting from two separate renal pelvises, joining at the medial border of psoas major muscle and terminating as a single specify at the level of urine bladder. On the left side the duplication was complete. The ureters started from two different renal pelvises and terminated separately. In addition, two polar arteries were observed on the left kidney besides the normal renal artery in the same case. The upper polar artery arose just at the beginning of left renal artery and the lower one arose directly from the lateral wall of abdominal aorta. Due to the surgical and radiological significance of the variations they presented, we compared them with the other studies on this subject.

Patent ductus arteriosus, large right pulmonary artery and brachiocephalic trunk variations. A case report.

Aortic arch anomalies occur due to disorders of the development of primitive double aortic arch system. In this study a patent ductus arteriosus, which had the appearance of a muscular type artery, was observed in addition to an enlarged right pulmonary artery with a diameter of 2.4 cm, causing thickening to right ventricular wall. A left common carotid artery arising from the brachiocephalic trunk was also observed. Such a complicated variation is extremely rare.

The preauricular sulcus: its radiologic evidence and prevalence.

The preauricular sulcus is a groove frequently seen on the iliac bone, adjacent and parallel to the inferior surface of the sacroiliac joint. It has been described as a characteristic of the female pelvis. A total of 3200 pelvic radiographs (1508 male and 1692 female) were examined and in 393 female (about 23%) the preauricular sulcus was encountered. None was seen in male radiographs.

Incidence of os japonicum in Anatolian dry skulls and plain cranium radiographs of modern Anatolian population.

INTRODUCTION: The zygoma may sometimes be divided into two parts by either a horizontal or a vertical suture. Such a bipartite bone has been given the name of os japonicum as it has been mostly observed in Japanese. MATERIAL: In this study 1266 zygomatic bones in 633 Anatolian dry skulls and 1348 zygomatic bones in 674 plain cranium radiographs of adult patients have been examined. RESULTS: Os japonicum was present in 2.2% of female and 1.7% of male subjects. All of the 24 multipartite bones observed in the study were bipartite except one. In addition, of 690 female zygomatic bones examined radiologically 15 (2.2%), and 658 male bones 12 (1.8%) were bipartite or tripartite, a total of 674 plain cranium radiographs. CONCLUSION: The results were compared with those of other populations. As a result evaluation of both dry skulls and plain radiographs as a single sample, our results were again closely similar to Main Island Japan and other East Asia groups.

Bilateral anomaly of anterior bellies of digastric muscles.

During dissection of the submental region, the anterior bellies of the right and left digastric muscles were found to have two separate portions, inserting into different locations in the submental region. The lateral portions of the anterior bellies of the digastric muscles originated from the digastric fossa and inserted into the hyoid bone. The medial parts of the anterior bellies of the right and left digastric muscles ran medially and inserted into the mylohyoid raphe on both sides, forming accessory digastric muscles. This anatomic abnormality of the muscle could be significant in surgical procedures involving the submental region.

Insertion abnormality of bilateral pectoralis minimus.

Bilateral insertion abnormality of pectoralis minimus (sterno-costo-coracoidian muscle) muscle was examined. The variant muscle was lying under the pectoralis major muscle and was medial to the pectoralis minor muscle. This muscle started from the first costal cartilage to the manubrium sterni and ended in the upper surface of the shoulder joint on the right side. On the opposite side, it took origin from the second costal cartilage to the manubrium sterni and the second costochondral joint, afterwards became a tendinous structure and divided into two on the coracoid process. The thicker part ended on the upper surface of the articular capsule of the shoulder joint, the thinner part inserted on the lateral third of inferior part of clavicle and fascia of subclavius muscle.

Various types of suprameatal spines and depressions in the human temporal bone.

Since it covers the lateral wall of the mastoid air system, the suprameatal triangle is of importance to otologic surgeons during mastoidectomy. Because of this clinical importance, topographic anatomy of the suprameatal spine and depression was studied on Anatolian skulls. In all, 363 male and 231 female skulls were studied. The most prevalent type of suprameatal spine resembled a crest and was found in both sexes on the right (77.6%) and left (80%) sides. The absence of a suprameatal depression was significantly higher in females (right 9.1%; left 8.7%) than in males (right 1.7%; left 2.5%). Suprameatal depressions were mostly shallow in female subjects, but were mostly observed in males to be at a medium depth or deep.

The incidence and localization of mastoid foramen and superficial parietomastoid canal and their relations with each other.

Mastoid foramen and some superficial bony canal on the outer surface of the mastoid region are of importance not only as an epigenetic variation but because of the vessels passing through it as well. On the other hand such a canal structure has not been described in classical anatomy textbooks. In this study, the presence, localization and number of both mastoid foramen and superficial bony canal and their relations with each other were studied in 358 male, 228 female, a total of 586 dry Anatolian skulls. The mastoid foramen was absent in 21.5% of the skulls. In its presence it was mostly seen on temporal bone. A superficial bony canal was observed in 45% of the skulls. Some correlations were also observed between the above mentioned structures.

Frequency and classification of bony projections on the lower border of superior orbital fissure.

At the lower border of superior orbital fissure, at the junction of broad medial and narrow lateral portions of the greater wing of sphenoid bone, a bony projection (lateral rectus spine) occurs onto which the lateral rectus muscle and common tendinous ring attach. Such a bony projection has a special clinical significance not only because of its relationship with the contents of superior orbital fissure, but also because it is an attachment point for dura mater. In this study 286 males and 181 females, a total of 467 Anatolian dry skulls in which all the orbits were intact were examined. The bony projections mentioned above were classified according to their shapes. The ones most observed were the tubercle and spine forms which were 30.62% and 23.23% respectively. Of the 467 dry skulls 156 (16.70%) had no bony projection on the lower border of superior orbital fissure.

An examination of the relationship between foot length, foot breath, ball girth, height and weight of Turkish university students aged between 17 and 25.

In this study the relationship between foot length, foot breadth, ball girth or foot circumference, height and weight of Turkish students aged between 17 and 25 was examined. It was noted that in both sexes the correlation between foot length and height was more significant than the correlation between foot length and weight. When the percentage ratio of foot breadth and ball girth to foot length is calculated in both sexes, the percentage ratio in students with longer feet turned out to be smaller. However, it was found that foot breadth and ball girth of the male students in the same foot length category were greater than in the female students. The comparison of right foot length and ball girth in the same foot length category in Turkish, French and Japanese indicated that there was a similarity between Turkish and French with regard to foot breadth. The ball girth of the individuals from these three different populations were quite different from each other. It was observed that the average foot length of the Turkish was larger than that of both French and Japanese. The following conclusions can be drawn from this study: 1. Foot breath, ball girth and foot length can be regarded as three separate elements. 2. These three elements are to be precisely known for the optimal manufacturing of shoe lasts. 3. Apart from the above mentioned three elements, both individual and racial differences must also be considered concerning an optimal manufacturing of shoe lasts.

Measurements of the carotid canal in skulls from Anatolia.

Since widespread applications of microsurgery are being employed for aneurysms, clival tumors, etc., precise knowledge of the skull base measurements has become vital, and a study of 307 adult skulls--130 female and 177 male--has been undertaken. Measurements were made between the landmarks chosen in accordance with the study of Lang in 1983 and our average values were similar to his series, being closer to his female data. There was no significant difference between the right and left sides of the skull.

An examination of the relationship between foot length, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 (toe lengths), ankle circumference and calf circumference of Turkish University students aged between 17 and 25.

In this study, the relationship, between Foot Length, Toe Lengths, Ankle Circumference and Calf Circumference of the students aged 17-25 was examined. When looked at the correlation coefficients, a significant relationship between Foot Length, Ankle Circumference, Calf Circumference and T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 (Toe Lengths) was discovered (p < 0.05). However, from the statistical point of view the relationship between only Foot Length and Ankle Circumference in the Males was discovered to be bigger than the Females (p < 0.05). Whereas, the other measurement in both Males and Females were relatively close to each other. During the study it was discovered that while the relationship between Ankle Circumference and Calf Circumference in both sexes was statistically significant (p < 0.05), the relationship between Ankle Circumference and T1, T2, T3, T4 was also statistically significant, but this relationship in Males were bigger than that of Females (p < 0.05). When the regression analyse was carried out, it was observed that there was a linear relationship between Foot Length and T1-T5. This indicated that Turkish people has bigger Ankle & Calf Circumferences and Foot Length than Japanese people.