Protective Effect of Environmental Enrichment on the Morphology of Neurons in the Motor Cortex of Diabetic and Stressed Rats

Background:The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of EE on the morphology of pyramidal neuron at the motor cortex of diabetic and stressed rats.Methods and materials:Male Wistar rats were grouped into Normal Control (NC), Vehicle Control (VC), Diabetes (D), Diabetes + Stress (D+S), Diabetes + Environmental Enrichment (D+EE) and Diabetes + Stress +Environmental Enrichment (D+S+EE) (n=8). Hyperglycemia was induced in Westar rats using streptozotocin (40mg/kg; ip). Blood sugar levels and body weight was measured at regular intervals to monitor the development of hyperglycemia. All experimental groups were housed in standard cages throughout the experiment. Rats in groups D+S and D+S+EE were transferred into space restrained cages for 6 hours daily. D+S+EE group were transferred into EE cages immediately after the space restrained session for subsequent 6 hours daily. On day 30, all rats were sacrificed and brains were harvested and prepared for rapid Golgi staining protocol. Dendritic branchings and dendriticintersections of the motor cortex neurons were quantitated using a camera lucida attached to Biolux research microscope. Data was analyzed using ANOVA with Bonferroni’s test.

Short Axillary Vein and an Axillary Venous Ladder Formed by Basilic and Brachial Veins – An Anatomical and Clinical Perspective

Knowledge of anatomic variants of veins in the arm and axilla play a key role in planning of successful venous access. Possible anatomic variants of axillary vein, brachial vein and basilic vein and their clinical implications have been well described in the literature. We report a rare case of formation of a short axillary vein associated with complex venous communications between the basilic and brachial veins forming a venous ladder in the axilla, in formalin embalmed male cadaver. Axillary vein was formed in the upper part of the axilla by the fusion of basilic vein and unpaired brachial vein, and it was about 3cm in length. The higher-up confluence of basilic and brachial veins was also associated with presence of three communicating veins between the basilic and brachial veins in the axilla. Knowledge of reported venous variations is very useful during preoperative venous mapping and also for planning and execution of various surgical invasive procedures involving these veins.

An Unusual Venous Plexus on Psoas Major Muscle Connecting the Inferior Mesenteric and Testicular Veins

Knowledge of communication between parietal abdominal veins, testicular vein and mesenteric veins is important for Surgeons, Urologists and Radiologists. These communications can result in varicocele or hemorrhoids and may lead to low success rate in hemorrhoid and varicocele surgeries. During routine dissection classes, we observed an unusual large venous plexus on the left psoas major muscle. The venous plexus was unilateral and was formed by many anastomotic venous channels on the psoas fascia and communicated with the left testicular and inferior mesenteric veins. The testicular and inferior mesenteric veins were significantly enlarged below the level of communication with the venous plexus.

An Unusual Termination of Facial Vein and Anterior Division of Retromandibular Vein into External Jugular Vein: A Case Report

Facial vein, being the largest vein of the face forms the common facial vein after joining with the anterior division of retromandibular vein below the angle of the mandible. Usually, it drains into the internal jugular vein. During routine dissection of head and neck region of a male cadaver, aged approximately 50 years, an unusual pattern in the termination of veins on the left side of the neck was observed. The formation, course and termination of external jugular vein were normal. The anterior division of retromandibular vein joined with external jugular vein about 5 cm above the clavicle and the facial vein opened into the external jugular vein about 2.5 cm above the clavicle. In addition, there was a thin venous communication between anterior division of retromandibular vein and external jugular vein. The superficial veins of the neck are often used for cannulation; either for intravenous infusion or for central venous pressure monitoring. Furthermore, these venous segments are used as a patch for carotid endarterectomies. Hence, a thorough knowledge of the normal anatomy and their variations may be useful for performing these procedures.

Keyword Based Learning (KBL): a novel teaching/learning strategy.

In Medical Education today, the focus is mainly on the “student-centred” teaching/learning strategies. We tried a novel, teaching/learning strategy called ‘keyword based learning’ for first year medical students. The strategy is characterized by giving a series of keywords to students and asking them to learn the related topic and arrive at the learning objectives related to the keywords given. Student feedback was collected and 80% of the students were positive about this strategy.

Abnormal Intraparotid Termination of Facial Vein and Its Clinical Importance

Facial vein is the main vein of the face. Though its origin is constant, it frequently shows variations in its termination. We report a rare type of variation of facial vein. The right facial vein coursed transversely across the masseter, superficial to the parotid duct and entered into the substance of the parotid gland, at its anterior border. Deep dissection of the gland revealed the abnormal termination of facial vein into the superficial temporal vein. The transverse facial vein drained into the facial vein. The superficial temporal vein after receiving the facial vein continued as retromandibular vein. Knowledge of this anomalous course and termination of facial vein may be important for the surgeons doing parotid, maxillofacial and plastic surgeries.