Advances in In Vitro Blood-Air Barrier Models and the Use of Nanoparticles in COVID-19 Research.

Respiratory infections caused by coronaviruses (CoVs) have become a major public health concern in the past two decades as revealed by the emergence of SARS-CoV in 2002, MERS-CoV in 2012, and SARS-CoV-2 in 2019. The most severe clinical phenotypes commonly arise from exacerbation of immune response following the infection of alveolar epithelial cells localized at the pulmonary blood-air barrier. Preclinical rodent models do not adequately represent the essential genetic properties of the barrier, thus necessitating the use of humanized transgenic models. However, existing monolayer cell culture models have so far been unable to mimic the complex lung microenvironment. In this respect, air-liquid interface models, tissue engineered models, and organ-on-a-chip systems, which aim to better imitate the infection site microenvironment and microphysiology, are being developed to replace the commonly used monolayer cell culture models, and their use is becoming more widespread every day. On the contrary, studies on the development of nanoparticles (NPs) that mimic respiratory viruses, and those NPs used in therapy are progressing rapidly. The first part of this review describes in vitro models that mimic the blood-air barrier, the tissue interface that plays a central role in COVID-19 progression. In the second part of the review, NPs mimicking the virus and/or designed to carry therapeutic agents are explained and exemplified.

Anatomic variations of sphenoid sinus pneumatization in a sample of Turkish population: MRI study / Variaciones anatómicas de la neumatización del seno esfenoidal en una muestra de población turca: estudio por resonancia magnética

There are a number of variations regarding morphometric anatomy and degree of pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus. In our study, we planned to examine and show the differences of pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus particularly to guide the neurosurgeon during transsphenoidal surgery. Sagittal T1-weighed spin-echo Magnetic Resonance Images (MRIs) of 616 adult individuals (406 women and 210 men) were analyzed, retrospectively. According to the collected data from our study, the most common type of the sphenoid sinus was the sellar type (83%; n=511) for the whole study group. Of the 616 individuals 16.6% (n=102) had presellar type and 0.5% (n=3) had conchal type of sphenoid sinus. Preoperative detailed detection of the anatomical characteristics of sphenoid sinus is essential. A thorough information obtained from studies of the regional anatomy and awareness of its variability can provide a safe and accurate transsphenoidal and extended endoscopic skull base approaches.

Existen variaciones respecto a la anatomía morfométrica y el grado de neumatización del seno esfenoidal. En nuestro estudio, se examinaron las diferencias de neumatización del seno esfenoidal, especialmente para guiar al neurocirujano durante la cirugía transesfenoidal. Fueron analizadas las imágenes sagitales T1-spin de resonancia magnética (RM) de 616 individuos adultos (406 mujeres y 210 hombres). De acuerdo con los datos obtenidos a partir de nuestro estudio, el tipo más común de seno esfenoidal fue el de silla turca (83%, n=511) para todo el grupo de estudio, 16,6% (n=102) corresponden al tipo presellar y 0,5% (n=3) al tipo conchal. Una detección preoperatoria detallada de las características anatómicas del seno esfenoidal es esencial. Información exhaustiva obtenida de los estudios de la anatomía y el conocimiento de su variabilidad regional puede proporcionar un abordaje endoscópico transesfenoidal extenso, seguro y preciso, de la base de cráneo.

Evaluation of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity in relation to septal deviation / Evaluación de la pared lateral de la cavidad nasal en relación con la desviación septal

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between variations of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity and septal deviation (SD). Coronal and axial paranasal sinus CT images of 115 individuals (65 females, 50 males) were reviewed and the presence of pneumatisation and hypertrophy of the conchae was evaluated. Pneumatisation of the concha was classified as lamellar concha bullosa (LCB), bulbous concha bullosa (BCB), or extensive concha bullosa (ECB). If bulbous and extensive conchae and hypertrophic conchae were bilateral the side on which it was greatest was accepted as the dominant concha. The relationship between these variations and nasal septum deviation was also taken into account. Eighty-six (74.8 percent) of the 115 subjects had SD. Of these, 20 were not affected by the size of the middle nasal concha (MNC) or inferior nasal concha (INC). Thirty-four cases had dominant MNC, 20 had dominant INC, and 11 had both dominant MNC and dominant INC, and all of which had SD towards the opposite side. In one case there was SD towards the side in which the MNC was dominant. Our data indicate that coexistence of pneumatisation or hypertrophy of the conchae and SD was more common in adults compared to the results of similar studies conducted with a wide range of age groups, including children. Thus the presence of SD together with a large concha increases with age. A prospective study, which will include infants, will elucidate the relationship between conchae and SD.

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la relación existente entre las variaciones de la pared lateral de la cavidad nasal y la desviación septal. Se revisaron los senos paranasales en imágenes de TC de 115 individuos (65 mujeres, 50 varones) coronales y axiales y se evaluó en ellas la presencia de neumatización e hipertrofia de los conchas nasales. La neumatización de la concha fue clasificada como concha laminar bulosa (CLB), concha bulbosa bulosa (CBB), o concha extensa bulosa (ECB). Conchas nasales bulbosa y extensa y conchas hipertróficas eran bilaterales siendo el lado en que esta era más grande como la concha dominante. También se tuvo en consideración la relación entre estas variacio nes y la desviación del tabique nasal. Ochenta y seis (74,8 por ciento) de los 115 sujetos tenían desviación septal. De éstos, 20 no se vieron afectados por el tamaño de la concha nasal media (CNM) o concha nasal inferior (CNI). Treinta y cuatro de los casos tenía CNM dominante, 20 tenían CNI dominante, y 11 tenían tanto CNM dominante y CNI dominante, todos los cuales tenían desviación septal hacia el lado opuesto. En un caso hubo desviación septal hacia el lado en el que el CNM era dominante. Nuestros datos indican que la coexistencia de neumatización o hipertrofia de conchas nasales y la desviación septal es más común en adultos en comparación con los resultados de estudios similares realizados con una amplia gama de grupos etarios, incluidos los niños. Así, la presencia de desviación septal, junto con una gran concha aumenta con la edad. Un estudio prospectivo, que incluirá los bebés, aclarará la relación entre concha nasal y desviación septal.

Evaluation of Lingual Frenulum Using Geometric Morphometrics / Evaluación del Frenillo Lingual Utilizando Morfometría Geométrica

A fold of tissue, the lingual frenulum, extends onto the inferior surface of the tongue from near the base of the tongue on midline. The shape, length and alignment of lingual frenulum vary between individuals. The aim of this study is to evaluate morphology of lingual frenulum with respect to gender. Ninety seven volunteers who were students and employees of Zonguldak Karaelmas University, School of Medicine participated in the study. Two individuals with a history of hepatitis and 20 individuals with inadequate photographs were excluded from the study. Morphometric analyses were performed on the photographs of 75 volunteers (36 men, 39 women). Lingual frenulum photograph of each individual was taken using standard photographic techniques. The individual opened his/her mouth as much as possible with the tongue in contact with the interior surface of the two middle incisors. The morphology of the lingual frenulum was evaluated with linear measurements and geometric morphometrics methods. The length of lingual frenulum between the attachments of it, to the floor of the mouth and the inferior surface of the tongue were measured using Digimizer software. Four reference points determined previously were marked by tpsDig2 software on photographs. This process was repeated for each sample to create a txt file containing reference points of 75 individuals. Statistical analysis of txt files were carried out using Morpheus software. There were no statistically significant differences between the linear measurements of lingual frenulum according to gender (p>0.05). Lingual frenulum had no gender differences according to geometric morphometrics analysis as well (p>0.05). It can be suggested that lingual frenulum had similar architecture in both sexes.

Un pliegue de tejido, el frenillo lingual, se extiende sobre la superficie inferior de la lengua cerca de su base en la línea mediana. La forma, la longitud y la alineación del frenillo lingual pueden variar entre los individuos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la morfología del frenillo lingual con respecto al sexo. Participaron en el estudio 97 voluntarios, estudiantes y empleados de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Zonguldak Karaelmas. Dos individuos con antecedentes de hepatitis y 20 personas con fotografías inapropiadas fueron excluidas del estudio. El análisis morfométrico se llevó a cabo en las fotografías de 75 voluntarios (36 hombres y 39 mujeres). La fotografía del frenillo lingual de cada individuo fue tomada usando las técnicas fotográficas convencionales. Cada individuo abrió su boca tanto como fue posible con la lengua en contacto con la superficie interna de los dos incisivos centrales superiores. La morfología del frenillo lingual se evaluó con métodos de medidas lineales y morfometría geométrica. La longitud del frenillo lingual entre su origen e inserción del suelo de la boca a la superficie inferior de la lengua se midieron utilizando el software Digimizer. Cuatro puntos de referencia determinados previamente fueron marcados mediante el software tpsDig2 en cada fotografía. Este proceso se repitió en cada muestra para crear un archivo txt que contuviera los puntos de referencia de 75 personas. El análisis estadístico de los archivos txt se llevó a cabo utilizando el software Morpheus. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las mediciones lineales de frenillo lingual, en función del sexo (p>0,05). El frenillo lingual no tuvo diferencias de sexo según el análisis de morfometría geométrica (p>0,05). Se puede sugerir que el frenillo lingual tiene una arquitectura similar en ambos sexos.

Evaluation of hand asymmetry in relation to hand preference.

We evaluated the asymmetric hand measurements in right- and left-handed individuals. 343 men and 290 women aged 18-42 years (22.11 +/- 2.07) participated in the study. There were no statistically significant differences when right-left differences in hand length, third finger length, palmar length, and the digit index value were evaluated according to hand preference and sex. Statistically significant differences were found for right-left differences in hand width, hand-shape index, and the palmar length/width according to hand preference. The strong left-handers, weak left-handers, and ambidextrous individuals in the study group all exhibited asymmetry favoring the left and were considered together. Similarly, the strong and weak right-handers exhibited asymmetry favoring the right hand and were considered together. The difference between these two groups was significant. When the data were evaluated according to sex, significant differences were found between the subgroups. In particular, right-left differences in the hand-shape index and palmar length/width values of the strong left-handers, weak left-handers, and ambidextrous individuals were found to be statistically significant according to sex; in contrast, the strong and weak right-handers showed no significant differences according to sex. These results suggest a relation of hand asymmetry to hand preference in a Turkish population.

The thickness of the ligamentum flavum in relation to age and gender.

Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum (LF) can reduce the diameter of the spinal canal posteriorly. Such stenosis may significantly compress the dural sac and nerve roots, resulting in symptoms, even without a bulging anulus fibrosus or herniated nucleus pulposus. We conducted an anatomical study to determine the influence of age and gender on the thickness of the LF at the lower lumbar levels using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The thickness of 1,280 ligaments was determined at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels from MRIs. We screened 320 patients (152 males [47.5%] and 168 females [52.5%]) between 21 and 82 years of age. There were no significant differences in LF thickness with respect to gender (P > 0.05). Age was not correlated with the thicknesses of the LF. The left LF at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels was significantly thicker than on the right side (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the LF thicknesses at L5-S1 bilaterally were significantly greater than on the corresponding sides at L4-L5 (P < 0.05). The LF is an important anatomical structure, which might cause low back or leg pain. Therefore, the thickness of the LF should be measured and evaluated carefully in the case of spinal stenosis.

Influence of age and sex on lumbar vertebral morphometry determined using sagittal magnetic resonance imaging.

We evaluated age-related changes in the morphometric features of lumbar vertebrae in both sexes using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Midsagittal MRI scans of 366 individuals (156 males, 210 females; 25-82 years old) were evaluated retrospectively. The anterior height (H(a)), central height (H(c)), posterior height (H(p)), and anteroposterior diameter (D) of the body of each lumbar vertebra were measured. These measurements were used to calculate three indices, namely, the anterior wedge index (H(a)/H(p)), the biconcavity index (H(c)/H(p)), and the compression index (H(p)/D). The values of each of the three indices for the upper lumbar vertebrae of females were higher than those of the same vertebrae in males. The values of the compression index for all lumbar vertebrae decreased with age in females, whereas in males the compression index of the L1-L4 vertebrae decreased with age. No significant changes were observed in the value of the anterior wedge index in either sex. The biconcavity indices of the L1 and L5 vertebrae decreased with age in males. These results may be useful for evaluating age-related morphological changes that occur in the lumbar vertebrae.

Statistical shape analysis of differences in the shape of the corpus callosum between genders.

Sexual dimorphic characteristics, which play an important role in human evolution studies and biological research, can be studied morphologically and metrically. Geometric morphometrics allows a better assessment of morphological characteristics. Statistical shape analysis has a long history in neuroanatomical and other research. The aim of this study was to identify shape differences of the corpus callosum between genders. Landmark coordinate data were collected from two-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging scans of 93 homogeneously aged patients, 45 men and 48 women. These data were analyzed using Euclidean distance matrix analysis and thin plate spline analysis. The general shape variability of the corpus callosum of men was greater than that of women (men, 0.134; women, 0.097). We found no significant difference between sexes in the general shape of the corpus callosum, but we did find significant differences in the distances between some landmarks. Deformation of the corpus callosum between men to women was mainly detected in the posterior of the corpus callosum. These results serve as a reference for future studies on shape alterations of the corpus callosum associated with certain conditions.

Relationships between hand and foot preferences.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relations between hand and foot preferences in male and female individuals (343 male, 290 female) aged between 18-42 years (22.11 +/- 2.07). Of the right-handed men, 75.5% preferred the right foot, 7.1% the left foot, and 17.4% both feet. Of ambidextrous men, 44.0% preferred the right foot, 28.0% the left foot, and 28.0% both feet. Of left-handed men, 32.3% preferred the right foot, 56.9% the left foot, and 10.8% both feet. The differences between these percentages were found to be statistically significant. Of the right-handed women, 89.9% preferred the right foot, left foot 1.2%, both feet 8.9%, whereas 50.0% preferred the right foot, 12.5% the left foot, and 37.5% both feet in the ambidextrous women. In the left-handed women, 8.8% preferred the right foot, 79.4% the left foot, and 11.8% both feet. The differences between these percentages were found to be statistically significant. The results suggested that the cultural differences among the difference study groups may be the reason for the inconsistencies with regard to hand and foot preferences. Moreover, the results may bring insight into the foot preference in relation to hand preference in the Turkish population.

Assessment of the atlanto-occipital junction in the MRI of subjects with cervical disc herniation.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the normal limits of Powers ratio and basion dens interval in patients with disc herniations. METHODS: The MRI of patients were retrospectively evaluated by 2 radiologists. Four hundred and forty-five patients who were admitted to Duzce University Hospital with neck pain without history of trauma were chosen between January 2004 and July 2006 in this retrospective study. The patients were between the ages of 14-80 years. RESULTS: Four groups were identified according to the number of disc herniations. The normal limits of Powers ratio and basion dens interval were 0.77+/-0.15 and 0.80+/-0.66 in group 0, 0.76+/-0.14 and 0.81+/-0.76 in group one, 0.75+/-0.13 and 0.80+/-0.71 in group 2, 0.76+/-0.14 and 0.81+/-0.74 in group 3, and 0.77+/-0.16 and 0.81+/-0.66 in group 4. The relationship between the number of disc herniations and Powers ratio and basion dens interval was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our results were in concordance with the previous studies concerning the Powers ratio and basion dens interval. These 2 methods can be used in the MRI of atlantooccipital dislocation suspected patients with disc herniations.

Sagittal alignment of the lumbar spine in a Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the normal lumbar spine in the sagittal plane, and the range of lumbar lordosis. METHODS: This study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey in the year 2005. We retrospectively reviewed T1-weighed sagittal spin-echo MRIs of the lumbar spine in 413 individuals (188 male, 225 female) aged between 13-82 years, and evaluated the angle of lumbar lordosis (ALL), sacrohorizontal angle (SHA), and lumbosacral angle (LSA). RESULTS: The ALL and SHA were significantly greater in females than in males (p<0.05). Weak, but significant correlations were detected between age and ALL, SHA, and LSA for females (p<0.05). The LSA was significantly greater for individuals over 41 years (p<0.05) when the entire study group was considered, and it was also significantly greater for individuals over 51 years in females (p<0.05). The LSA was significantly greater in the 7th decade than in the 3rd decade (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide insight into the sagittal alignment of the lumbar region for a Turkish population, and can serve as a reference for further clinical studies to improve the planning of spinal surgery.