Analysis of the Asterion Morphology in Relation to Its Clinical Significance / Análisis de la Morfología del Asterion en Relación con su Importancia Clínica

SUMMARY: The asterion presents a significant anthropological marking and meeting point between three sutures. It is a surface landmark for the transverse-sigmoid venous sinus complex and is also a surgical landmark for access to the posterior cranial fossa, giving it clinical importance. The aim of this research was to analyze the shape of the asterion and to set the measurement methods that will determine distance between the asterion and surrounding features. The study sample, as a part of the Osteological collection of the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Novi Sad, consisted of 43 skulls. Morphometric analysis was related to the measurement of the defined parameters and descriptive analysis presented the classification of asterion in relation to the presence of sutural bones, as well as the determination of the position of the asterion according to the transverse-sigmoid venous complex. There was a statistically significant difference between male and female skulls for all the measured parameters. The results show that 34.88 % were type 1 (one or more sutural bones are present) and 65.12 % were type 2 asteria (no sutural bones are present). More frequent occurrence of asteria type 2 was seen on both, male and female skulls. The most frequent position of the asteria on both sides of the skull was in the transverse- sigmoid venous complex (76.92 % on the right side vs. 72.22 % on the left cranial side). Clinical significance of knowing the area of asterion is reflected in order to make the surgical, as well as diagnostic procedures, as successful as possible.

El asterion presenta una importante marca antropológica y punto de encuentro entre tres suturas. Es un punto de referencia de superficie para el complejo del seno venoso sigmoideo transverso y también es un punto de referencia quirúrgico para el acceso a la fosa craneal posterior, lo que le confiere importancia clínica. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la forma del asterión y establecer los métodos de medición que determinarán la distancia entre el asterión y las características circundantes. La muestra del estudio, que forma parte de la colección osteológica del Departamento de Anatomía de la Facultad de Medicina de Novi Sad, estuvo compuesta por 43 cráneos. El análisis morfométrico se relacionó con la medición de los parámetros definidos y el análisis descriptivo presentó la clasificación del asterion en relación a la presencia de huesos suturales, así como la determinación de la posición del asterion según el complejo venoso transverso-sigmoideo. Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los cráneos masculinos y femeninos para todos los parámetros medidos. Los resultados muestran que el 34,88 % eran tipo 1 (hay uno o más huesos suturales presentes) y el 65,12 % eran asteria tipo 2 (no hay huesos suturales presentes). Se observó una aparición más frecuente de asteria tipo 2 en cráneos tanto masculinos como femeninos. La posición más frecuente de la asteria en ambos lados del cráneo fue en el complejo venoso sigmoideo transverso (76,92 % en el lado derecho vs. 72,22 % en el lado craneal izquierdo). La importancia clínica de conocer el área de asterion se refleja en que los procedimientos quirúrgicos y de diagnóstico tengan el mejor resultado posible.

[Morphology of ulnar trochlear notch and defining ideal position for olecranon osteotomy]. / Morfología de la ulna muesca troclear y definiendo de la posición ideal para la osteotomía del olecranon.

Aim: The aim of the study was to calculate the most important parameters of ulna and to determine its gender. Classifying trochlear notch joint surface types and to establish their representation in Serbian population. To determine the ideal position for olecranon osteotomy. Material and methods: The study included 69 bones. Gender determination was performed using digital scale and photographs of the ulna. The bones weight, maximum and physiological length were measured. The place for the ideal position of olecranon osteotomy (projection of the bare area on its posterior wall) was determined on profile images. Results: Gender related, 45 (65.21%) bones belonged to males, 24 (34.79%) ulnas belonged to females. Type I of the bare area was present in 38 (55%) ulnas, type II in 20 (29%), whereas type III was present in 11 (16%) bones. The average value for the ideal position of olecranon osteotomy was 23.02 mm. In males' ulnas, it was 23.22 mm, in females, it was 22.59 mm. Conclusion: Type I of the bare area is the most common type of trochlear notch joint surface in Serbian population. The average value for the ideal position of olecranon osteotomy was 23.02 mm. We believe that a uniform name for the bare area should be established.

Objetivos: Calcular los parámetros más importantes del cúbito y determinar su género. Clasificar los tipos de superficie de la articulación de la escotadura troclear y establecer su representación en la población serbia. Determinación de la posición ideal para la osteotomía del olécranon. Material y métodos: El estudio incluyó 69 huesos. La determinación del sexo se realizó mediante escala digital y fotografías del cúbito. Se midió el peso de los huesos, la longitud máxima y fisiológica. El lugar para la posición ideal de la osteotomía del olécranon se determinó en imágenes de perfil. Resultados: Relacionado con el género, 45 (65.21%) huesos pertenecían a hombres, 24 (34.79%) cúbitos pertenecían a mujeres. El tipo I del área descubierta estuvo presente en 38 (55%) ulna, el tipo II en 20 (29%), mientras que el tipo III estuvo presente en 11 (16%) huesos. El valor medio para la posición ideal de la osteotomía del olécranon fue de 23,02 mm. Conclusión: El área desnuda tipo I es el tipo más frecuente de superficie articular de muesca troclear en la población serbia. El valor promedio para la posición ideal de la osteotomía del olécranon fue de 23,02 mm. Creemos que se debe establecer un nombre uniforme para el área descubierta.

Quantitative analysis of the Golgi impregnated human (neo)striatal neurons: Observation of the morphological characteristics followed by an emphasis on the functional diversity of cells.

BACKGROUND: The (neo)striatum is the major input structure of the basal nuclei, which is involved in the execution of voluntary movements, but also in controlling the processes that lead to the movement, such as motivation and cognition. The striatum provides its function through an interaction between projection neurons and interneurons. The aim of this study was to quantify the morphological properties of neurons in the precommissural putamen and precommissural caudate nucleus head and to evaluate whether there is a difference in cell morphology between different cell groups within one part and between the same cell groups within different parts of the striatum. METHODS: A total of 652 neuronal images of human striatum were observed. The features of the neuronal morphology (soma size, dendritic field size, shape of neuronal image, dendritic curviness, dendritic branching complexity) were observed by determining appropriate parameters of digital images of neurons. RESULTS: According to the presence of spines on the soma and/or dendrites, neurons were qualitatively classified into 446 spiny and 206 aspiny cells. The analysis of the distribution of the dendritic field area shows that spiny and aspiny neurons from both parts of the neostriatum can be decomposed into two distributions, which means that they can be classified into subgroups. A quantitative analysis of the spiny/aspiny neurons in the human putamen or caudate nucleus head has shown that there is a statistically significant difference between them. By comparing the morphology of neurons of the same group between different parts of the human neostriatum (putamen and caudate nucleus), it was also determined that there is a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Since the morphology and function of neurons are in close correlation, it can be assumed that different groups of neurons in the human striatum might support functional diversity of the studied area.

Interconnection between Mixed-Handedness, Digit Ratios and Hand and Foot Minor Anomalies in Predicting Schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: According to the neurodevelopmental theory, brain structuring early markers could be seen in different body parts as minor physical anomalies. Alongside minor physical anomalies, handedness and index to ring finger ratio are brain development indicators, specifically brain lateralization. Studies are consentient about the association of these findings with schizophrenia, though there is inconsistency about individual anatomical regions' contribution. We proposed that handedness in combination with morphological indicators of early brain development could be sensitive and specific in predicting schizophrenia status. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Within the list for the assessment of schizophrenia patients and normal controls of the Caucasian race were seven categorical minor physical anomalies of hand and feet, handedness, and index to ring finger ratio. In this cross-sectional study the examinees were recruited from January 2012 to December 2015. RESULTS: Forced-entry binary logistic regression model correctly classified 86.5% of patients and 99.2% of the comparison subjects with a 92.8% overall accuracy. Mixed-handedness, hyperconvex fingernails, big gap between 1st and 2nd toe, and partial syndactyly of 2nd and 3rd toe made a significant independent contribution to the patient-control prediction group status. Furthermore, these items showed a significant correlation with the predictors of the head from the previous study. CONCLUSION: Briefly, the limb components, assessed independently of other body regions, proved to be worthy as schizophrenia predictors.

Morphological Properties of the Two Types of Caudate Interneurons: Kohonen Self-Organizing Maps and Correlation-Comparison Analysis.

Our previous study found that caudate and putaminal interneurons are morphologically very different, and that accordingly they could be divided in two separate clusters. In addition, it also demonstrated, as a collateral result, that the caudate cluster itself consists of two clusters of morphologically different interneurons. Hence, the objective of this study is a morphological description and subtle differing of morphologies of these two types of caudate interneurons, i.e., an investigation of those morphological traits which characterize them uniquely, and which would distinguish them. Binary two-dimensional images of caudate interneurons, taken from deceased adult human subjects, were analyzed by using 46 parameters, describing the morphology of interneurons. The parameters can be divided in the following classes: size (surface) of a neuron, neuronal shape, length of neuronal morphological compartments, dendritic branching, morphological organization, and complexity. The morphological determination of caudate interneurons was performed in a step-wise manner. The first step was the assignment of each individual neuron to an adequate cluster where it belonged according to morphological criteria. This was done by using the trained artificial neural network, Kohonen self-organizing map. After the clusters were formed, the analysis is further continued by the precise, feature-wise determination of morphological differences found between clusters of caudate interneurons and then finished by defining correlation-based, mutual, inter-parametric relations for each of the clusters. The first was performed by using single-factor analysis, and the second by correlation-comparison analysis. Single-factor analysis showed significance for 34 parameters (morphological features) that distinguish between the clusters. Correlation-comparison analysis extended the results of single-factor analysis by demonstrating significance for 198 inter-parametric correlation pairs that represent 19.13% of mismatched correlations of the first kind among the total number of correlations. This represents a significant inter-cluster separation zone. In addition, the analysis extracted one correlation of the second kind, namely, the DO-MDCBO, very highly significant (p<0.001), positive (r=0.45) in the cluster I, while negative (r=-0.13), also significant (p<0.05) in the cluster II. The two clusters of caudate interneurons were found to be significantly morphologically different. These differences, albeit not strong as the caudate-putaminal differences, are more numerous with respect to significant morphological properties defining them. They probably underlie, influence, and modulate different neurofunctional behavior of the two types of interneurons, which need to be further investigated by future studies.

The neuromorphological caudate-putaminal clustering of neostriate interneurons: Kohonen self-organizing maps and supervised artificial neural networks with multivariate analysis.

AIMS: The objective of this study is to investigate the possibility of the neuromorphotopological clustering of neostriate interneurons (NSIN) and their consequent classification into caudate (CIN) and putaminal neuron type (PIN), according to the nuclear localization of the neurons. It tends to discover whether these two topological neuron types are morphologically different. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The binary images of adult human NSIN are used for the purposes of the analysis. The total of the 46 neuromorphological parameters is used. They can be divided into the following classes: neuron surface/size, shape, compartmental length, dendritic branching, neuromorphological organization and complexity. The clustering is performed by an algorithm which consists of the steps of predictor extraction, multivariate cluster analysis set and cluster identification. RESULTS: Unifactor analysis extracted as significant the following parameters: neurosoma/perikaryon size (AS), the size of a dendritic tree (ADT), the size of a dendritic field area (ADF), the size of an entire neuron field area (ANF), the size of a perineuronal space (APNS), the fractal dimension of a neuron (DN), the index of perikaryon asymmetry (MS), total dendritic length (L), standardized total dendritic length (Lst), standardized dendritic width (DWDTHst), dendritic centrifugal branching order (DCBO), branching polarization index (MDCBO), dendritic partial surface (DSP), the fractal dimension of a skeletonized neuron image (DS), the index of maximal complex density of a dendritic tree (NMAX) and standardized dendritic branching pattern complexity (CDF/ADFst). The cluster analysis set together with Kohonen self-organizing maps and backpropagation feed-forward artificial neural networks confirmed the classification on both unsupervised and supervised manner, respectively. As a final step, the cluster identification is performed by an assignment of each neuron to a particular cluster. CONCLUSION: NSIN can be classified neuromorphologically into CIN and PIN type. Differences are expected since the two nuclei have different functional roles in processing the information involved in volitional movement control.

Box-Counting Method of 2D Neuronal Image: Method Modification and Quantitative Analysis Demonstrated on Images from the Monkey and Human Brain.

This study calls attention to the difference between traditional box-counting method and its modification. The appropriate scaling factor, influence on image size and resolution, and image rotation, as well as different image presentation, are showed on the sample of asymmetrical neurons from the monkey dentate nucleus. The standard BC method and its modification were evaluated on the sample of 2D neuronal images from the human neostriatum. In addition, three box dimensions (which estimate the space-filling property, the shape, complexity, and the irregularity of dendritic tree) were used to evaluate differences in the morphology of type III aspiny neurons between two parts of the neostriatum.

An anatomical study of the lumbar external foraminal ligaments: appearance at MR imaging.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the MRI appearance of the ligaments within the external space of the lumbar intervertebral foramen by correlating MR images with the corresponding anatomic dissection of the cadaver lumbar spine. METHODS: This was a two part study. Part I of the anatomic study consisted of the dissection of lumbar specimens from one embalmed adult male cadaver. At each lumbar level the external ligamentous structures were identified and their origin, insertion and position were determined. Part II of the study consisted of the anatomical analysis of the external transforaminal ligaments in the 180 lumbar intervertebral foramina on the MR images (1.5 T) in the sagittal plane. The diagnostic procedure was performed on 18 individuals from 18 to 25 years of age. RESULTS: The external transforaminal ligaments were observed at all levels and from both sides in the lumbar intervertebral foramen. The presence of the superior corporotransverse ligament was found in 45.56% intervertebral foramina, while the inferior corporotransverse ligament was found in 61.67% intervertebral foramina in the MRI. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that external transforaminal ligaments are common structures in the intervertebral foramen. The results of this study show that the external transforaminal ligaments can be clearly visualized in MR images. It is crucial to have previous knowledge of the cadaveric specimens to recognize the transforaminal ligaments in MR images. The presence of these ligaments is clinically important because the ligaments could be the cause of nerve root compression or the low back pain syndrome.

Quantitative analysis of spiny neurons in the adult human caudate nucleus: can it confirm the current qualitative cell classification?

The caudate nucleus, as a part of the striatum (neostriatum or dorsal striatum), is involved in the control of cognitive, motor and limbic functions. The majority of the caudate nucleus cells are projection spiny neurons, whose activity is determined by excitatory inputs from the cortex, thalamus, globus pallidus and brainstem. A qualitative analysis of human caudate nucleus neurons involves the description of the structure and features of cells, and accordingly, their classification into an appropriate type. The aim of this study is to determine the justification of the current qualitative classification of spiny neurons in the precommissural head of the human caudate nucleus by quantifying morphological properties of neurons. After the qualitative analysis of microscopic images of the Golgi-impregnated caudate nucleus neurons, five morphological properties of cells were measured/quantified. In terms of the dendritic field area, caudate nucleus neurons were divided into two subgroups: small and large neurons. In our sample of 251 projection nerve cells, 58.17 % (146) were small and 41.83 % (105) were large neurons. These data show that suggested groups of spiny neurons in the human caudate nucleus differ in their morphology. Since the structure and function of cells are closely correlated, it is possible that these morphologically different types of neurons may represent different functional groups.

[Expression of neuropeptideY in rat brain ischemia].

INTRODUCTION: The immunohistochemical method was used to follow the expression ofneuropeptide Y in the course of pre ischemia of the rat brain. The aim of the study was to define all the areas of expression of this protein, show their localization, their map of distribution and histological types. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All the sections of telencephalon, diencephalon and midbrain were studied in resistant, and transitory ischemia, which enabled us to observe the reaction of neurons to an ischemic attack or to repeated attacks. The mapping was done for all three proteins by introducing our results into the maps of rat brain atlas, George Paxinos, Charles Watson. Photographing and protein expression was done using Analysis program. RESULTS: The results of this research show that there is a differens in reaction between the resistant and transitory ischemia groups of rats, especially in the caudoputamen, gyrus dentatus, corpus amygdaloideum, particularly in the medial nucleus. The mapping shows the reaction in caudoputamen, gyrusdentatus, corpus amygdaloideum- especially in the central nucleus, then in the sensitive and secondary auditory cortex, mostly in the laminae V/VI, but less in neuron groups CA1, CA2, CA3 of hippocampus. DISCUSSION: The phylogenetically older parts of the brain-rhinencephalon, also showed reaction, which lead us to conclude that both newer and older brain structures reacted immunohistochemically. Histological data have shown that small neurons are most commonly found while the second most common ones are big pyramidal cells of multipolar and bipolar type, with a different body shape. CONCLUSION: Our findings have confirmed the results obtained in some rare studies dealing with this issue, and offered a precise and detailed map of cells expressing neuropeptide Y in the rat brain following ischemic attack.

[Expression of somatostatin in ischemia of rat brain]. / Ekspresija somatostatina pri ishemiji mozga pacova.

INTRODUCTION: This study used the immunohistochemical method to follow the expression of cytoplasmatic protein somatostanin in the course of ischemia of rat brain. The aim of the study was to define all the areas of expression of somatostain and to show the protein distribution on the map. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All the sections of telencephalon, diencephalon and midbrain were studied in resistant, and transitory ischemia, which enabled us to observe the reaction of neurons to an ischemic attack or to repeated attacks. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results of this study show that there is a difference in the reaction between the resistant and transitory ischemia groups of rats, especially in the parietofrontal cortex, area amygdaloidea anterior, clastrum, nc. reuniens and nc. suprachiasmaticus. The mapping shows the reaction in the structures of motor, sensitive and sensory cortex, mostly in the laminae I/Ill and V/VI, hippocampus- gyrus dentatus and CA1, CA2, CA3, endopiriform nucleus, paraventricular and periventricular nucleus of hypothalamus, corpus amygdaloideum, claustrum and caudoputamen. The more primitive sections of the brain - rhinencephalon, also showed a reaction, which led us to conclude that both newer and older brain structures reacted immunohistochemically. Histological data showed that small neurons are most commonly found while the second most common are big pyramidal cells of multipolar and bipolar type, with the different body shape. CONCLUSION: Our findings have confirmed the results of rare studies that dealt with these issues, and offered a precise and detailed map of cells expressing somatostanin in the rat brain following ischemic attack.

Neuronal images of the putamen in the adult human neostriatum: a revised classification supported by a qualitative and quantitative analysis.

A qualitative analysis of the morphology of human putamen nerve cells involves a detailed description of the structure and features of neurons and, accordingly, their classification into already defined classes and types. In our sample of 301 neurons, 64.78 % (195) were spiny and 35.22 % (106) aspiny cells. By analyzing cell bodies and dendritic trees, we subdivided spiny cells into two types (I and II) and aspiny cells into three types (III, IV and V). Our sample of neurons, classified according to the previously described scheme, consisted of 80 type I, 115 type II, 16 type III, 42 type IV and 48 type V nerve cells. In the present study, after qualitative analysis of microscopic images of the Golgi impregnated neurons of the putamen, we measured/quantified five morphological properties, i.e., the sizes of the soma and dendritic field, shape of the neuron, straightness of individual dendrites and the branching complexity of the dendritic tree, using eight morphometric parameters. Hence, we identify five types of nerve cells in the human putamen: type I-small spiny neurons; type II-large spiny neurons; type III-large aspiny neurons; type IV-neurons with a large soma and a medium dendritic field; and type V-small aspiny neurons. By performing an adequate statistical analysis on these parameters, we point out that the proposed types differ enough in their morphology to warrant our qualitative classification.

Mathematical modelling of transformations of asymmetrically distributed biological data: an application to a quantitative classification of spiny neurons of the human putamen.

Many measurements in biology follow distributions that can be approximated well by the normal distribution. The normal distribution plays an extremely important role in probability theory. However, some of the experimental data in biology are distributed asymmetrically. In order to transform such an asymmetrical distribution into a normal distribution, for which the standard statistical tables can be used for probability analysis of the available data, one must choose suitable transformation functions. We have met this problem when we qualitatively classified the spiny neurons in the adult human putamen. But, if one tries to test a qualitative classification of neurons quantitatively, a considerable class overlap between cells occurs as well as asymmetry often appears in the distributions of the data. We have already offered a method to overcome the overlapping problem when the data distributions are normal. In order to resolve the asymmetry problem in data distribution, we transformed our asymmetrically distributed data into an approximately normal distribution using a family of simple power functions and on a basis of appropriate probability analysis we propose a more acceptable classification scheme for the spiny neurons. The significance of our results in terms of current classifications of neurons in the adult human putamen is discussed.

[Quantitative analysis of the change in neuronal numerical density of the human nucleus dentatus within development].

BACKGROUND/AIM: The role of the dentate nucleus is to coordinate input information coming from the lower olivary complex and various parts of the brainstem of the spinal marrow with the output information from the cerebellar cortex. To better understand functions and relations of the dentate nucleus it is highly important to study its development process. The aim of this study was to determine a possible mathematical model of decrease in neuronal numerical density of the human nucleus dentatus at different stages of development. METHODS: This study included 25 fetal brains of different age (12.5-31 weeks of gestational age and one brain of a 6-day-old newborn). The brains were fixed in 10% formalin-alcohol solution and embedded in paraffin. Sections were cut at a thickness of 6, 15, and 30 microm and stained with cresyl violet. Each fifth section was analyzed using a light microscope, and numerical density of dentate nucleus neurons was established using the M42 Weibel's grid system. RESULTS: The obtained results revealed a constant decrease in numerical density value. The changes of numerical densities at different stages of development correspond with Boltzmann function principles. The first, almost perpendicular part of Boltzmann function corresponds with the development of the dorsomedial lamina and the appearance of ventrolateral lamina primordium. The second, more or less horizontal part of Boltzmann function corresponds with the development of both laminae. CONCLUSION. The obtained results indicate that Boltzmann function can be considered a mathematical model of change in neuronal numerical density of dentate nucleus at different stage of development.

[Quantitative analysis of dendritic branching pattern of large neurons in human cerebellum].

BACKGROUND/AIM: Dentate nucleus (nucleus dentatus) is the most distant of the cerebellar nuclei and the major system for information transfer in the cerebellum. So far, dendritic branches of four different kinds of large neurons of dentate nucleus, have been considered mainly qualitatively with no quantification of their morphological features. The aim of the study was to test the qualitative hypothesis that the human dentate nucleus is composed of various types of the large neurons by quantitative analysis of their dendritic branching patterns. METHODS: Series of horizontal sections of the dentate nuclei were taken from 15 adult human brains, free of diagnosed neurological disorders. The 189 Golgi-impregnated images of large neurons were recorded by a digital camera connected to a light microscope. Dendritic branching patterns of digitized neuronal images were analyzed by modified Sholl and fractal analyses. RESULTS: The number of intersections (N(m)), critical radius (r(c)) and fractal dimension (D) of dendritic branching pattern for four types of the large neurons were calculated, statistically evaluated and analyzed. The results show that there is a significant difference between four neuronal types in one morphometric parameter at least. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first attempt to analyze quantitatively the dendritic branching pattern of neurons from the dentate nucleus in the human. The hypothesis that the four types of the large neurons exist in this part of human cerebellum is successfully supported.