Normal values of Quadriceps angle and its correlation with anthropometric measures in a group of Jordanians

Objectives: to establish the normal values of Quadriceps angle[Q angle] in Jordanians according to gender and bilaterality within-subject symmetry in both extremities, and to examine its association with anthropometric measures [body height, weight, body mass index, pelvic width, and waist to hip circumference ratio]

Methods: a double-centered study was conducted at Department of Anatomy of University of Jordan, and Orthopedic Department of Jordanian Royal Medical Services, Amman, Jordan, between September 2014 and December 2014. Q angle was measured using goniometer from 419 individuals [219 males and 200 females]. Pearson Correlation coefficient was used to assess the influence of with anthropometric measures on the values of the Q angle in both genders

Results: the mean values [SD] of the Q angle among males and females were 14.4 [1.9] and 18.4 [1.8], respectively. Those values were relatively higher than normal values recorded in the literature. No significant difference was found between sides in different groups. In both genders, the relationship of mean Q angle was significant when correlated with height and BMI; but with pelvic width, such a relationship was seen only for females. Weight and WHR showed no correlation with Q angle values, but in females showing lower body obesity pattern [BMI > 30 and WHR < 0.85], the WHR had a moderate negative correlation with Q angle measurements

Conclusion: this study reinforces the need to establish reference values of Q angle in a given population

Stress-triggered changes in the adrenal medullary cells structure and function in the rat

Objective: Previous authors provided electrophysiological evidence for selective activation of epinephrine or norepinephrine-secreting adrenal chromaffin cells. However, the corresponding histological changes in the adrenal chromaffin cells were not described. To provide histological and biochemical evidence that different sympathetic preganglionic neurons regulate epinephrine and norepinephrine secretion

Methods: Male Wistar albino rats weighing 220-250g were subjected to stress inducing experiments including insulin-induced hypoglycemia, acute exposure to cold and acute hemorrhagic hypotension. The fine structure of adrenomedullary cells was examined; their catecholamine contents and volume fractions were measured

Results: Insulin injection was followed by gradual and progressive depletion of epinephrine storing granules with no effect on norepinephrine granules, acute exposure to cold produced a response consistent with activation of norepinephrine secreting chromaffin cells, while acute hemorrhagic hypotension produced activation of both epinephrine and norepinephrine cells, all these morphological changes were accompanied by corresponding changes in the catecholamine content of the adrenal gland as well as in the volume fractions of epinephrine and norepinephrine cells

Conclusions: In the presence of similar nerve endings on the epinephrine and norepinephrine chromaffin cells, the above results suggest the presence of different adrenal sympathetic preganglionic neurons that regulate epinephrine and norepinephrine secretion

Pattern of superficial venous arrangement in the cubital fossa of adult Jordanians

Objective: The cubital fossa is a common site for the withdrawal of venous blood for analysis, fluid and blood transfusion, and intravenous therapy. The superficial venous return from the upper limb follows a number of superficial veins which are extremely variable; these include the cephalic, basilic, median cubital and antebrachial veins and their tributaries. To determine the patterns of superficial venous arrangement in the cubital fossa of adult Jordanians

Methods: 264 males and females were randomly selected from the students of the University of Jordan. All subjects were Jordanian, aged between 18 and 25 years. The students consent was taken, the superficial veins of the cubital fossa were made prominent by applying a tourniquet about 10 cm proximal to the crease of the elbow and by active movements of the hand. The veins were marked on the skin and the pattern of veins in each case was accurately diagrammed on a sheet of paper

Results: Six venous patterns were observed. There were no significant differences between the venous patterns on the right and left sides in males or females. The commonest pattern was that the median cubital vein arose from the cephalic vein a few centimeters below the elbow, joined the basilic vein a few centimeters above the level of the elbow joint and received tributaries from the front of the forearm. This pattern was more common in males [51.5%] than in females [45.4%]. The less commonly observed patterns was the absence of communication between basilic and cephalic veins [in 13.6% males and 12.8%females]; an arched median cubital vein [in 9.8% males and 12.8 %females]; absence of the cephalic vein [in 5.3%males and 13.6% females] and two median cubital veins [in 2 males only, 1.5%]

Conclusions: Awareness of these cubital venous patterns and their approximate incidence would be very useful for those performing venepuncture or venesection in Jordanians, especially under emergency conditions