Modern methods of neuroanatomical and neurophysiological research.

Our article explores a variety of modern research techniques employed in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. We highlight the use of computer technologies, image analysis methods, and innovative approaches that expand our understanding of anatomical structures. The techniques we discuss include fractal analysis, the Pickworth method, scanning microscopy, and advanced computer image processing systems. Fractal analysis, in particular, offers a unique perspective on brain structures and functions and is a key tool in neuroanatomical research. We also focus on its application in neuroanatomical studies, particularly in cases of Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. These modern research methods not only enhance our knowledge but also have significant clinical potential. Their use in diagnosing neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and epilepsy promises faster and more accurate diagnoses. We emphasize the combination of multiple methods for improved quality of anatomical structure imaging.

V-shaped donor-acceptor organic emitters. A new approach towards efficient TADF OLED devices.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a series of donor-acceptor TADF emitters with a new architecture, where the donor moiety and the dibenzazepine-based acceptor moiety are separated by a phenylene linker in a V-shaped spatial arrangement. Such spatial separation and electronic decoupling between the donor and the acceptor moieties leads to low singlet-triplet energy gaps and favors efficient exciton up-conversion.

The morphometrical and topographical evaluation of the superior gluteal nerve in the prenatal period.

INTRODUCTION: Advances in medical science are helping to break down the barriers to surgery. In the near future, neonatal or in utero operations will become the standard for the treatment of defects in the human motor system. In order to carry out such procedures properly, detailed knowledge of fetal anatomy is necessary. It must be presented in an attractive way not only for anatomists but also for potential clinicians who will use this knowledge in contact with young patients. This work responds to this demand and presents the anatomy of the superior gluteal nerve in human fetuses in an innovative way. The aim of this work is to determine the topography and morphometry of the superior gluteal nerve in the prenatal period. We chose the superior gluteal nerve as the object of our study because of its clinical significance-for the practice of planning and carrying out hip surgery and when performing intramuscular injections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 40 human fetuses (20 females and 20 males) aged from 15 to 29 weeks (total body length v-pl from 130 to 345 mm). Following methods were used: anthropological, preparatory, image acquisition with a digital camera, computer measurement system Scion for Windows 4.0.3.2 Alpha and Image J (accuracy up to 0.01 mm without damaging the unique fetal material) and statistical methods. RESULTS: The superior gluteal nerve innervates three physiologically significant muscles of the lower limb's girdle: gluteus medius muscle, gluteus minimus muscle and tensor fasciae latae muscle. In this study the width of the main trunk of the nerve supplying each of these three muscles was measured and the position of the nerve after leaving the suprapiriform foramen was observed. A unique typology of the distribution of branches of the examined nerve has been created. The bushy and tree forms were distinguished. There was no correlation between the occurrence of tree and bushy forms with the body side (p > 0.05), but it was shown that the frequency of the occurrence of the bushy form in male fetuses is significantly higher than in female fetuses (p < 0.01). Proportional and symmetrical nerve growth dynamics were confirmed and no statistically significant sexual dimorphism was demonstrated (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The anatomy of the superior gluteal nerve during prenatal period has been determined. We have identified two morphological forms of it. We have observed no differences between right and left superior gluteal nerve and no sexual dimorphism. The demonstrated high variability of terminal branches of the examined nerve indicates the risk of neurological complications in the case of too deep intramuscular injections and limits the range of potential surgical interventions in the gluteal region. The above research may be of practical importance, for example for hip surgery.

Mathematical modelling of the growth of human fetus anatomical structures.

The goal of this study was to present a procedure that would enable mathematical analysis of the increase of linear sizes of human anatomical structures, estimate mathematical model parameters and evaluate their adequacy. Section material consisted of 67 foetuses-rectus abdominis muscle and 75 foetuses- biceps femoris muscle. The following methods were incorporated to the study: preparation and anthropologic methods, image digital acquisition, Image J computer system measurements and statistical analysis method. We used an anthropologic method based on age determination with the use of crown-rump length-CRL (V-TUB) by Scammon and Calkins. The choice of mathematical function should be based on a real course of the curve presenting growth of anatomical structure linear size Ύ in subsequent weeks t of pregnancy. Size changes can be described with a segmental-linear model or one-function model with accuracy adequate enough for clinical purposes. The interdependence of size-age is described with many functions. However, the following functions are most often considered: linear, polynomial, spline, logarithmic, power, exponential, power-exponential, log-logistic I and II, Gompertz's I and II and von Bertalanffy's function. With the use of the procedures described above, mathematical models parameters were assessed for V-PL (the total length of body) and CRL body length increases, rectus abdominis total length h, its segments hI, hII, hIII, hIV, as well as biceps femoris length and width of long head (LHL and LHW) and of short head (SHL and SHW). The best adjustments to measurement results were observed in the exponential and Gompertz's models.

Anatomy of the falcine sinus during the prenatal period.

BACKGROUND: The falcine sinus in the falx cerebri is rarely encountered in adults, appearings in approximately 2.1% of CT examinations of adult patients. Some authors have studied the plexus rather than the sinus, a rare form of the venous pathway between the layers of the cerebral falx, which connects the superior sagittal sinus with the inferior sagittal sinus and the straight sinus. The aim of this study was to analyse the anatomy of the falcine sinus in the prenatal period, which will fill a gap in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 50 foetuses with a v-tube length of 89-229 mm and the equivalent of 15-28 weeks of intrauterine development on the Scammon and Calkins scale. METHOD: Blood vessels were filled with latex LBS 3022, and analysis was performed using the Scion Image for Windows 4.0.3.2 and Image J. We used various linear and nonlinear transformations. RESULTS: In 20 cases, intraventricular and periventricular haemorrhages were detected. The other cases showed sinuses in the cerebral falx, specifically in the back parts of the falx, and were described as oblique, straight, wavy, or network. A very rich venous network is located around the superior sagittal sinus; the middle section grew twice its length and the back section grew three times its width, reaching the lowest areas of the cerebral falx, the inferior sagittal sinus, and the straight sinus. Anastomotic intersinual loops appeared. There were three forms of venous weave crescents: isolated limited to the area adjacent to the superior sagittal sinus, partly merging with the straight sinus and a fully developed falcine sinus, which appeared in the older age groups with the most primitive forms being plexiform. Their remains a plurality of channels within the same superior sagittal sinus that show a predominance in the posterior segment. CONCLUSION: The location of the falcine sinus has been mostly associated with the rear one-third of the cerebral falx and should be considered during neurosurgery, because the front two-thirds of the cerebral falx are called the "safe zone". Knowledge of the falcine sinus anatomy is important for descriptions in neuroimaging examinations.

Planar measurements of foetal lateral ventricles.

To compare the linear dimensions (width) of the foetal atrium and occipital horns to their areas, 31 foetuses (15-24 weeks, C-R 12.5-23.5 mm) from spontaneous abortions were evaluated. Images of the axial sections of the brains were transferred to computer and Scion for Windows 98 software was used for image analysis. 11 brains appeared normal and 20 were abnormal (leukomalacia in 9 cases, periventricular and intraventricular haemorrhage in 6 cases, ventriculomegaly in 3 cases, colpocephaly in 1 case, vascular malformation in 1 case). High-range linear and planar asymmetries in the atrium and occipital horns were observed both in normal and abnormal brains. There was no close correlation between the width and the area of the structures under investigation, although it was stronger in case of the occipital horns. The wider occipital horns and atria often had a smaller area than the narrower ones. Some abnormal cerebral hemispheres had relatively narrow atria and occipital horns in comparison with their large areas. Further investigation should be carried out to assess the utility and potential superiority of planar measurements over linear in the image diagnosis of foetal ventricles.

Clinical anatomy of the human anterior cranial fossa during the prenatal period.

We examined the prenatal development of the human anterior cranial fossa and considered its clinical aspects. Our purpose was an evaluation of anterior cranial fossa geometry, its measurements and connections with the nasal cavity and middle cranial fossa. The study was performed on 29 foetuses from the first and second trimester of pregnancy. New methods of computer image analysis, Scion for Windows 98 and ELFv 4.2, were applied to examine this anatomical region. Different options used were binarisation, equalisation, filters, linear and non-linear transformations and mathematical operations of images. This enabled the dynamics of prenatal development to be accurately evaluated for parts of the base of the human skull. Measurements were taken of angles of the cranial base. The anterior cranial base angle (the apex in the middle of the sella turcica and the arms running through the zygomatic ossification points) decreased gradually between C-R 6 to 23.5 cm from 170 to 120 degrees and afterwards became constant. The contrary-medial cranial base angle (adjacent to the anterior cranial base angle and with a second arm running through the auricular cartilage) increased from 50 to 70 degrees. The anterior cranial fossa was first located on the same level as the middle and posterior fossae. The process of descent of the middle and posterior cranial fossa begins in the 4th gestational month. The geometry of the anterior cranial fossa changes rapidly, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. The first trimester of pregnancy is crucial for the development of its defects. Preconception prophylaxis of inborn defects of the anterior cranial fossa is therefore extremely important.

Prenatal assessment of ventriculomegaly: an anatomical study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to analyze the development of the lateral ventricles during the 1st and 2nd trimester of fetal life using computerized image processing, and to compare the findings with the results obtained by ultrasound imaging and MRI. MATERIAL/METHODS: The material consisted of 32 fetuses from spontaneous abortions, 54-235 mm crown-rump length. After detached craniotomy, the brains were cut into axial sections; the sections were filmed with a video camera and then analyzed using specialized software RESULTS: In 12 analyzed brains, no significant pathological changes were observed in the cerebral hemispheres, whereas the remaining 20 (63%) demonstrated visible pathology. In 10 cases there were areas of leukomalacia, in 5 intra- and periventricular hemorrhages, and in 2 fetuses ventriculomegaly with lateral ventricular triangles over 10 mm wide (in cases of active hydrocephalus and colpocephaly). In 1 case of an 18-week-old fetus, lateral ventricular morphology typical of hydrocephalus (generalized distension) was observed with ventricular triangles 8.5 mm wide. The other 2 fetuses demonstrated developmental defects. The frontal horns were the most markedly enlarged in both cases of hydrocephalus (100%) and were semicircular, whereas after intra- and periventricular hemorrhages they were less enlarged and triangular, with the base of the triangle directed to the front and frequent significant asymmetry. CONCLUSIONS: The shape of the ventricular system, including that of the frontal horns, is important in the diagnostics of fetal CNS.