Cardiac ultrastructure in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Objective: To examine the alterations of four cardiac chambers in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats by using light and transmission electron microscopies Materials and Methods: Eleven STZ-induced diabetic and six control adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were applied. After the induction for 24 weeks, all heart chambers were proceeded with histological and ultrastructural techniques. Results: In the diabetes, swollen endothelial and mesothelial cells laid on thick basal lamina, and their cytoplasm comprised numerous pinocytotic vesicles, vacuoles, and dilated rER. The subendocardial and subepicardial layers were enlarged with accumulations of collagen fibrils. Both cardiac myocytes and Purkinje fibers became hypertrophy. The interstitial fibrosis, contraction band necrosis, and infiltrations of lymphocytes and macrophages were observed in some areas of myocardium. The myocardium of the left ventricle showed interstitial hemorrhage. In both cardiac myocytes and Purkinje fibers, the arrangement of sarcomere was irregular with lost myofilaments. Moreover, swollen mitochondria with disrupted cristae were examined and increased in number. The number of specific atrial granules decreased in the atrial cardiac myocytes. Increased lipid droplets and myelin figures were seen in the myocytes. The intercalated disc was disrupted in some portions. The capillary lumen was narrowed due to swollen endothelial cells with thick basal lamina. Conclusion: DM causes numerous cardiac alterations in all three layers of four chambers. This study provides an important basic knowledge for understanding the pathological changes and options for further therapeutic treatment of cardiac complications in the diabetic patients.

The fabella, fabellofibular and short lateral ligaments: an anatomical study in Thais cadavers.

Objective: To study the existence of the fabella and related adjacent structures in the Thais cadavers. The dimension and cross-sectional area of the ligaments were estimated. Microscopic feature of the fabella was also verified. Method: One hundred and eighty-six Thais cadavers were used in this study. Incidence of the fabella was investigated. The adjacent fabellofibular and short lateral ligaments were also analyzed. Histological study of the fabella was carried out to demonstrate the character of the bone. Results: The fabella was found in 50.5% of total cadavers. In case of fabella, it exhibited a collagenous fibrous cord arising from the fabella to the styloid process of fibula, which was called fabellofibular ligament (6.18%). On the other hand, the short lateral ligament (8.33%) was found in the case with the absence of fabella extended from lateral capsule of knee joint to the styloid process of fibula. The histological feature of the fabella and dimensions of the ligaments were also presented. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the existence of the fabella in Thais. The morphological structure of the fabella, fabellofibular and short lateral ligaments which rarely mentioned was also disclosed.

The anterior coracoscapular ligament in Thais: Possible etiological factor of suprascapular nerve entrapment.

Objective: To study the incidence of anterior coracoscapular ligament in Thais as well as morphology of the ligament. Materials and methods: One hundred and twenty seven scapulae from 64 Thais embalmed cadavers were used to scrutinize the presence of the anterior coracoscapular ligament. Relation between the ligament and the suprescapular nerve was also observed. The incidence, morphological feature and dimension of the anterior coracoscapular ligament were recorded. Simultaneously, the photos were taken. Sample of the ligament was randomly collected to process under standard histological technique for microscopic study. Results: The anterior coracoscapular ligament was found in 19 cadavers (28%), 4 cases (6%) were bilateral and 15 (22%) cases were unilateral. The ligament was a fibrous band located inferior to the superior transverse scapular ligament. The ligament attached proximally to anteromedial surface of the root of coracoid process, fibers descended to anterior surface of the scapular in the vicinity of the suprascapular notch. According to its distal attachment, the anterior coracoscapular ligament was divided into 3 types. Furthermore the dimension of the ligament as well as its microscopic feature was also elaborated. Conclusion: The existence of the anterior coracoscapular ligament caused the reduction in the height or narrowed the suprascapular foramen; together with the configuration of suprascapular notch may be one of the predisposing causes of suprascapular nerve entrapment.

Renal microvascular changes in streptozotocin-induced, long-termed diabetic rat.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the renal microvascular changes in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced, long-termed diabetic rat. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Each diabetic rat (n = 8) was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg) in citrate buffer (pH 4.5). Control rats (n = 4) were injected intraperitoneally with the same amount of the buffer. The animals were sacrificed at 20 weeks after the injections. The kidneys were processed for conventional light microscopy (LM) and vascular corrosion cast technique with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: Under LM, it was found that the glomerular sizes intensively decreased in the long-termed diabetic rat. The thickening of Bowman's basement membrane was demonstrated. Additionally, there were macrophages and capsular drop lesions in renal corpuscles of long-termed diabetes. The sizes of proximal and distal tubules were markedly destroyed, when compared to the control. Moreover, the epithelial necrosis of vacuolated renal tubules was observed. By using vascular corrosion cast with SEM, the glomerular microvascular sizes in the long-termed diabetes were significantly decreased that corresponded to the result under LM. Furthermore, the size of peritubular capillaries decreased. Concerning to vasa recta in the long-termed diabetes, these vessels ran tortuously and decreased in size. CONCLUSION: Renal microvascular changes, observed in STZ-induced diabetic rats, mimic human diabetic nephropathy (DN). Additionally, the pathological changes of the renal tubules were investigated. Therefore, the present study provides an important basic knowledge for understanding the processes in developing DN, as well as for further study of the therapeutic treatment.

Sex determination in Thai skulls by using craniometry: Multiple logistic regression analysis.

Objective: To evaluate sexual dimorphism in the cranium and mandible of Thais by using Jorgensenûs craniometry and to develop a statistical model to determine sex from craniometrical measurements and indices. Methods: One hundred and one Thai skulls (66 males and 35 females) which ranged in age from 18 to 86 years were studied. Results: According to craniometry, the skull of a male is larger and higher than that of a female. Considering each individual measurement, although 26 of 30 measurements and 5 of 14 indices showed a statistically significant difference between males and females, they had some overlaps. To predict gender more accurately, a multiple logistic regression model based on 4 skull measurements (mm) i.e., nasion-basion length (M5), maximum breadth of the cranium (M8), facial length (M40), and bizygomatic breadth of the face (M45) was developed as follows: In (odds) = Z = -52.5312 + 0.27 M5 - 0.1867 M8 + 0.1268 M40 + 0.319 M45 The probability of being males (P) is then ez/(1+ez). Using a cut off point for P of 0.5, this logistic model could correctly predict 82.9% (95% CI: 66.4%, 93.4%) of females and 92.1% (95% CI: 82.4%, 97.4%) of males respectively with the overall accuracy of 88.8% (95% CI: 80.8%, 94.3%). Conclusion: Jorgensenûs craniometry of the cranium and mandible can be used to determine gender among Thais via a multiple logistic regression model on M5, M8, M40 and M45.

Coracoclavicular joint: A preliminary report in Thai cadavers.

Rare anatomic variation of the coracoclavicular joint (2.34 %) was found in one male cadaver bilaterally and the left shoulder of one female cadaver from one hundred and twenty-eight shoulders in the dissecting room. The joint was an articulation between the lateral elevation of conoid tubercle and superior surface of the coracoid process. It was enclosed with a complete capsule and lined inside with a synovial membrane. Macroscopic study found that the articular surface on the conoid tubercle was hyaline cartilage and opposed to the fibrocartilagenous articular surface of the coracoid process. The pathogenesis of this joint was obscure, tracing information from their relatives found that the former was suffering from a shoulder pain and the latter had complaint neither of a shoulder pain nor any joint disease. This study is intended to draw an attention of the occurrence of this joint as it has been reportedly associated with the thoracic outlet syndrome.

The glenoid fossa: Shape, inclination and version in Thais.

A study of the glenoid fossa in Thais was carried out in ninety five normal shoulders in cadavers from the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. The mean age of the cadavers at the time of death was 69.8 years. In order to provide basic structural information of the glenoid orientation in adult Thais, the work was done by using a custom-made scapula holder which kept the scapula the scapula in position in which the reference line superimposed with the axis of the scapula. The angular measurement performed by using a goniometer placed contact on both rims of the glenoid and center was superimposed with the reference line. Most of the scapulae, 85%, showed in upward inclination with the value of +6.7o+3.4o (mean + SD) and 13% scapulae tilted downward with -3.7o+1.9o. In a horizontal orientation, 81% of the scapulae faced backward (retroversion) with -5.5o+3.0o and 16% facing forward (anteroversion) with +3.8o+1.6o. The similar figures were also found in the scapula male and female cadavers; 8.5% of male scapulae had an upward inclination with +6.3o+3.3o and 13% a downward inclination with -3.7o+1.9o. Glenoid retroversion was found in 78% of male scapulae (-4.9o+2.7o) and 86% in the female scapulae (-6.1o+3.2o). The glenoid anterversion was found in 20% of male scapulae (+4o+1.5o) and 12% in female scapulae (+3.5o+1.9o). Statistacal analysis between genders and side showed no significant difference, nor a correlation to the dominatarm.

The scapula : Osseous dimensions and gender dimorphism in Thais.

Anatomic and morphometric study of the scapula in Thais was aimed to provide fundamental information for surgical procedures such as fixation device selection, arthrocopic portal placement, prosthetic design and positioning. Therty measurements were carried in 97 scapulas, 25 pairs from female and 23 pairs and one left side from male cadavers. The average age at the time of death was 69.82 years. The average length of scapula measured from the superior angle to the inferior angle was 13.93+1.11 cm. (mean+standard deviation). The thickness of the lateral border taken from the midpoint and 1 cm. from the edge was 0.82+0.20 cm. thicker than the medial border taken in the same manner (0.12+0.08 cm.). The inferior angle was more acute at 40.88+5.29 degrees and thicker than the superior angle (84.29+9.43 degrees). The superior border was thin and sharp; the suprascapular notch was presented on the border medial to the root of the coracoid process. The depth and shape of the suprascapular notch were variable. The length of the spin measured from the tip of the acromion process to its medial edge was 12.89+0.94 cm. The anteroposterior width of the spine measured were 0.60+0.15 and 1.78+0.29 cm. taken from 1 and 4 cm. away from its medial edge, respectively, and 4.15+0.43 cm. width meansured in the plane of the spinoglenoid notch. The dimensions of the acromion of the acromion process were 4.41+0.47 cm. X 2.50+0.37 cm. (L x W x T). The distance between the acromion and coracoid processes was 3.11+0.41 cm. The coracoids measurements were 4.04+0.41 cm. X 1.46+0.19 cm. X 0.74+0.12 cm. (L x W x T). The distance measured from the tip of the coracoid process to the bottom of suprascapular notch was 4.84+0.39 cm. The glenoid dimensions were 3.58+0.35 (superoinferior) and 2.73+0.31 cm. (anteroposterior). The thickness of the scapula neck was 1.91+0.37 and 1.02+0.27 cm. at 1 and 2 cm. away from the glenoid rims. Scapulas from male cadavers were significantly larger than those from female cadavers in 27 meansurements.

The infraorbital foramen In Thais study in relation to the mesioincisal point of the central incisor, the tip of the canine, the tip of the buccal cusp of the second premolar of the ipsilateral side.

Sixty-six Thai dry skulls, 34 males and 32 females, were used in measuring the distances from the infraorbital foramen to the mesioincisal point of the central incisor, to the tip of the canine and to the tip of the buccal cusp of the second premolar of the ipsilateral side. The average distances are 5.548 + 0.036, 4.695 + 0.040 and 4.320 + 0.038 cm. respectively. The angles between the occlusal plane and the lines joining the infraorbital foramen to the mesioincisal point of the central incisor, to the tip of the canine and to the tip of the buccal cusp of the second premolar of the ipsilateral side were calculated. The value of the angles are 59.372 + 0.546, 106.538 + 0.569 and 93.0.707 degrees respectively. On each central incisor, an imaginary rectangle was made by using the width of the occlusal edge as the base and the height of the anatomical crown as the height of the rectangle. The average angle between the occlusal edge and the diagonal line is 52.454 + 0.366 degrees. The study of the direction of the opening of the infraorbital foramen revealed that most of the infraorbital foramens of the Thai skulls directed downward and medially.