Surface Mapping of Motor Points in Biceps Brachii Muscle

OBJECTIVE: To localize the site of motor points within human biceps brachii muscles through surface mapping using electrophysiological method. METHOD: We recorded the compound muscle action potentials of each lattice of the biceps brachii in 40 healthy subjects. Standardized reference lines were made as the following: 1) a horizontal reference line (elbow crease) and 2) a vertical reference line connecting coracoid process and mid-point of the horizontal reference line. The Compound muscle action potentials were mapped in reference to the standardized reference lines. The locations of motor points were mapped to the skin surface, in the ratio to the length of the vertical and the half of the horizontal reference lines. RESULTS: The motor point of the short head of biceps was located at 69.0+/-4.9% distal and 19.1+/-9.5% medial to the mid-point of horizontal reference line. The location of the motor point of the long head of the biceps was 67.3+/-4.3% distal and 21.4+/-8.7% lateral. The motor point of the short head of the biceps was located more medially and distally in the male subjects compared to that in the female (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed electrophysiological motor points of the biceps brachii muscles through surface mapping. This data might improve the clinical efficacy and the feasibility of motor point targeting, when injecting botulinum neurotoxin in biceps brachii.

Surface Mapping of Motor Points in Biceps Brachii Muscle

OBJECTIVE: To localize the site of motor points within human biceps brachii muscles through surface mapping using electrophysiological method. METHOD: We recorded the compound muscle action potentials of each lattice of the biceps brachii in 40 healthy subjects. Standardized reference lines were made as the following: 1) a horizontal reference line (elbow crease) and 2) a vertical reference line connecting coracoid process and mid-point of the horizontal reference line. The Compound muscle action potentials were mapped in reference to the standardized reference lines. The locations of motor points were mapped to the skin surface, in the ratio to the length of the vertical and the half of the horizontal reference lines. RESULTS: The motor point of the short head of biceps was located at 69.0+/-4.9% distal and 19.1+/-9.5% medial to the mid-point of horizontal reference line. The location of the motor point of the long head of the biceps was 67.3+/-4.3% distal and 21.4+/-8.7% lateral. The motor point of the short head of the biceps was located more medially and distally in the male subjects compared to that in the female (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed electrophysiological motor points of the biceps brachii muscles through surface mapping. This data might improve the clinical efficacy and the feasibility of motor point targeting, when injecting botulinum neurotoxin in biceps brachii.

In vivo Tracking of Human Neural Stem Cells Following Transplantation into a Rodent Model of Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ischemic stroke caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) is the major type of stroke, but there are currently very limited options for cure. It has been shown that neural stem cells (NSCs) or neural precursor cells (NPCs) can survive and improve neurological deficits when they are engrafted in animal models of various neurological diseases. However, how the transplanted NSCs or NPCs are act in vivo in the injured or diseased brain is largely unknown. In this study, we utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in order to understand the fates of human NSCs (HB1.F3) following transplantation into a rodent model of MCAo. METHODS AND RESULTS: HB1.F3 human NSCs were pre-labeled with ferumoxides (Feridex(R))-protamine sulfate complexes, which were visualized and examined by MRI up to 9 weeks after transplantation. Migration of the transplanted cells to the infarct area was further confirmed by histological methods. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these observations, we speculate that the transplanted NSCs have the extensive migratory ability to the injured site, which will in turn contribute to functional recovery in stroke.

Reference Value for the Cross Sectional Area of Fibular Nerve Ultrasonography through the Anatomic Investigation in Korean

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reference value for cross sectional area (CSA) of the fibular nerve in Koreans. METHOD: One musculoskeletal radiologist and one physiatrist performed fibular nerve ultrasonography (US) on 60 lower extremities of 30 asymptomatic Korean volunteers (16 males, 14 females). The mean age was 46.6 years (range: 21-75 years). We measured CSA of the fibular nerve at three sites: proximal portion (PP) at the bifurcation, mid-portion (MP), and an area just above the fibular head (FH). In addition, the fibular nerves of 7 lower extremities from 4 cadavers were cut from the fibular head to the proximal portion and divided into three sections (PP, MP, FH). They were subsequently fixed with 10% neutral buffered formalin and perpendicularly excised to 2 mm thickness. They were photographed by an operating microscope and CSA was measured. Using the Kruskal-Wallis test, measurements obtained from US images were compared between asymptomatic volunteers with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: In asymptomatic volunteers, the CSA of the three portions were PP: 13.8+/-1.2 mm2, MP: 11.1+/-1.0 mm2, FH: 10.9+/-0.6 mm2. The fibular nerves were well visualized with clear borders by US. In cadavers, the CSA of three portions were PP: 20.3+/-10.3 mm2, MP: 16.7+/-8.6 mm2, FH: 14.4+/-8.9 mm2. There was no significant difference between the three portions in asymptomatic volunteers and cadavers (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In normal Korean adults, the area of fibular nerve at the fibular head is 10.9+/-0.6 mm2. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the fibular nerve can be helpful in diagnosing fibular nerve lesions.

Influence of Combined Methionine Synthase (MTR 2756A > G) and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR 677C > T) Polymorphisms to Plasma Homocysteine Levels in Korean Patients with Ischemic Stroke

PURPOSE: Methionine synthase (MTR) and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are the main regulatory enzymes for homocysteine metabolism. The present case- control study was conducted to determine whether there is an association between the MTR 2756A > G or MTHFR 677C > T polymorphism and plasma homocysteine concentration in Korean subjects with ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA samples of 237 patients who had an ischemic stroke and 223 age and sex-matched controls were studied. MTR 2756A > G and MTHFR 677C > T genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: Frequencies of mutant alleles for MTR and MTHFR polymorphisms were not significantly different between the controls and cases. The patient group, however, had significantly higher homocysteine concentrations of the MTR 2756AA and MTHFR 677TT genotypes than the control group (p=0.04 for MTR, p=0.01 for MTHFR). The combined MTR 2756AA and MTHFR 677TT genotype (p= 0.04) and the homocysteine concentrations of the patient group were also higher than those of the controls. In addition, the genotype distribution was significant in the MTHFR 677TT genotype (p=0.008) and combined MTR 2756AA and MTHFR 677TT genotype (p=0.03), which divided the groups into the top 20% and bottom 20% based on their homocysteine levels. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study demonstrate that the MTR 2756A > G and MTHFR 677C > T polymorphisms interact with elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) levels, leading to an increased risk of ischemic stroke.

Tortuosity of Vertebral Artery between the Atlas and the Axis / 체질인류학회지

This study was performed to investigate the anatomical features of vertebral artery between the atlas and the axis. For this, we examined four angles (angle I, angle II, angle III and angle IV) to identify tortuosity of vertebral artery and diameter between the atlas and the axis. Materials used in this study were 93 vertebral arteries obtained from 48 adult Korean cadavers (34 males, 14 females) ranging from 18 to 90 years in age. On the anterior view, the vertebral artery relatively ascended vertically from C6 to the axis and then laterally passed through the foramen transversarium (FT) of the axis. The average of this angle I was 83.3 degree. The average of the right and left sides of this angle I were 84.7 degree and 82.0 degree, respectively. The average of angle I (95.4 degree) in female was larger than that (80.5 degree) of male. The artery passed through the FT of the axis turned to the superior direction. The average of this angle II was 95.9 degree. The right and left sides of the angle II were 97.8 degree and 93.8 degree, respectively. As the angle I, the average of angle II (110.6 degree) in female was larger than that of angle II (93.1 degree) in male. On the lateral view, the vertebral artery relatively ascended vertically from C6 to the axis and then posteriorly passed through the FT of the axis. The average of this angle III was 71.3 degree. The artery passed through the FT of the axis turned to the superior direction. The average of this angle IV was 87.3 degree. In angle III and angle IV, the average of angle in female were larger than that of male. These results show that female has greater tortuosity than male. The average diameter of the vertebral artery was 3.7 mm and the average diameter of right and left are 3.5 mm and 4.0 mm, respectively. In 76% of the total, left vertebral artery diameter was larger than that of the right.

Fos Expression Induced by Combined Injection of Leptin and Cholecystokinin in the Rat Brain / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported that cholecystokinin (CCK), a short-term meal related satiety signal, and leptin, long-term signal for controlling feeding behaviour and body weight, act synergistically to inhibit food intake. However the mechanism and neuroanatomical basis for this response remain unclear. To clarify the neuronal mechanisms underlying the synergistic interaction between leptin and CCK, we examined the neuron activated by single or combined injection of leptin and CCK in fasted rats using immunohistochemistry for Fos. The expression of Fos can be used to trace neuronal activation pathways. METHODS: The rats were divided into 4 groups; Tris solution-saline, Tris solution-CCK, leptin-saline, leptin-CCK. Rats were received a single intracerebroventricular injection of either 3mul Tris solution or 3microgram leptin, and a single intraperitoneal injection of either 2mul saline or 2microgram/kg sulfated CCK-8. The changes of the Fos expression were investigated in the paraventricular nucleus (Pa), retrochiasmatic area (RCh), lateral hypothalamic nucleus (LH), central nucleus of amygdala(Ce), supraoptic nucleus (SO), arcuate nucleus (Arc), ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus(VMH),dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DM), ventral premammillary nucleus (PMV), superior lateral subdivision of parabrachial nucleus (LPBS), external lateral subdivision of parabrachial nucleus (LPBE), supragenual nucleus (SGe), area postrema (AP), medial area (SolM) and commissural area (SolC) of nucleus of the solitary tract nuclei. RESULTS: CCK increased the Fos expression in the Pa, RCh, LH, Ce, SO, Arc, VMH, DM, PMV, LPBS, LPBE and SolM. Leptin increased the Fos expression in the Pa, RCh, LH, SO, Arc, VMH, DM, PMV, LPBS, LPBE, SGe, AP and SolM. Injections of leptin and CCK significantly enhanced the Fos expression in the Pa, RCh, VMH, DM, LPBS, and SolM compared with those induced by leptin or CCK alone. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the Pa, RCh, VMH, DM, LPBS and SolM may be essential sites mediating the synergistic effect of leptin and CCK to regulate food intake.

Prevention of overt diabetes and insulitis by BCG administration in the NOD mice of the breast-fed period / 대한해부학회지

By the concept that IDDM (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) is one of the autoimmune diseases, several immune suppressive drugs and immune modulators including BCG have been used to suppress the occurrence of IDDM. A data reported that BCG has different effects for prevention of diabetes according to the timing of drug administration. This study was performed to examine the preventive effect of diabetes development and insulitis by administering BCG at breast-fed period. NOD (non-obese diabetic) mice were divided into three groups: Group I, II, III were injected by BCG on the first day, eighth day, and twenty second day of life respectively. The later BCG was injected, the smaller occurrence of diabetes and the lower severity of insulitis were.

Morphometrical changes of human uterine tubes according to aging and the menstrual cycle / 대한해부학회지

Studies for morphological changes in the human uterine tube due to aging and the menstrual cycle have been limited to microscopic aspects such as cellular changes. Thus in order to investigate the morphological changes of whole uterine tubes according to aging and the menstrual cycle, macroscopic and microscopic measurements were performed using 55 uterine tubes of 36 women (15 to 84 years old). In macroscopic measurements, the length of the uterine tube, and the number and frequency of ampullar convolutions were measured. In microscopic measurements, each uterine tube was divided into 9 blocks and tissue slides were prepared. By photographing, developing, printing and image analysis, the cross sectional area of the tube, mucosal layer, lumen and veins were measured. The authors analyzed each data set according to aging and the presence of menopause, and compared the degrees of venous engorgement according to the menstrual cycle. The results are as follows: 1. Uterine tube length did not show statistically significant differences in relation to age, but the numbers and the rates of ampullar convolution decreased. 2. Under the influence of menopause, the cross sectional areas of the tube, mucosal layer and lumen in the ampulla were decreased. However, in the isthmus, the cross sectional area of the lumen was decreased but those of the tube and mucosa did not show statistically significant change. 3. In women of reproductive age, the cross sectional areas of the tube, mucosa and lumen were changed variably because of the menstrual cycle rather than the increase of age. Venous engorgement of the tubes could not be observed in the early proliferative phase, but it kept increasing from the mid-proliferative phase to the early secretory phase. Full engorgement was observed in the late secretory phase and the early menstrual phase but not in the mid-secretory phase. It was usually accompanied by edema in the mucosal layer.

Morphometry of Nasal Bases and Nostrils in Koreans / 체질인류학회지

The nasal bases and nostrils were classified and measured in 265 Korean adults (male; 176, female; 89) to investigate morphological characteriestics of Korean. The results were as follows. 1. The height of nasal base was 21.7 +/-1.8 mm in male and 20.2 +/-1.9 mm in female; the width of it was 40.7 +/-2.4 mm in male and 37.2 +/-2.3 mm in female; the width of columella was 7.6 +/-0.8 mm in male and 7.3 +/-0.7 mm in female. There were significant differences between both sexes in each value (p<0.05). 2. In male, the height of columella was 9.5 +/-1.3 mm on both sides; and in female, it was 9.0 +/-1.4 mm on the right and 9.0 +/-1.3 mm on the left. In male, length of long nostril axis was 12.0 +/-1.4 mm on the right and 12.1 +/-1.4 mm on the left; and in female, it was 10.8 +/-1.2 mm on both sides. Length of short nostril axis was 6.6 +/-1.1 mm in male and 6.0 +/-1.0 mm in female on both sides. There were significant differences in each value between both sexes (p<0.05), but not between both sides. 3. Nasal alar angle was 87.2 +/-10.5degrees in male and 83.8 +/-9.8degrees in female; the angle between both long axes of nostril was 84.8 +/-24.5degrees in male and 76.9 +/-18.3degrees in female. There were significant differences between both sexes in each value (p<0.05). 4. Ratio of the height to the width in nasal base was 52.9 +/-5.8% in male, 53.9 +/-5.6% in female. Length ratio of long nostril axis to short one was 189.1 +/-37.7% in male, 183.6 +/-36.2% in female. There was no significant difference between both sexes in each value. 5. The shape of nostrils was classified into 7 types by the angle between both long axes of nostril. Type 1 (below 41degrees) was 0.9%, Type 2 (41 ~70degrees) was 32.1%, Type 3 (71 ~100degrees) was 48.8%, Type 5 (101 ~130degrees) was 13%, Type 6 (131 ~180degrees) was 4.7% and Type 7 (above 180degrees) was 0.5%. Type 4, which was not able to be distinguished between long and short axis, could not be found.

A Case of the Right Aortic Arch with Mirror-image Branching and a Left Ligamentum Arteriosum Forming a Vascular Ring / 체질인류학회지

We present a case of the right aortic arch with mirror image -branching and a left ligamentum arteriosum forming a vascular ring, which was found in a 59 -year -old male Korean cadaver. This anomaly is so rare that there have been only 9 cases reported in the world literatures, and ll of them were noticed through several radiological methods in infants or children showing symptoms of tracheal and/or esophageal compression. This report seems to be the first case of the anomaly which is observed by dissection of cadaver. The aortic arch was located on the right side, and the arrangement of the great vessels was the mirror image of the orientation seen with a normal left aortic arch. The descending aorta descended along the right side of the esophagus. The ligamentum arteriosum (22 mm in length; 5 mm in diameter), which persisted on the left side, connected the left pulmonary artery to the upper part of the descending aorta, passing behind the esophagus. Together with the right aortic arch, the upper part of the descending aorta, and pulmonary arteries, and the left ligamentum arteriosum formed a complete vascular ring surrounding the trachea and esophagus. However, we could not find a visible impression by the ligamentum arteriosun on the posterior wall of the esophagus. Also, the upper part of the descending aorta where the ligamentum arteriosum is attached was slightly raised, but there was not enough swelling to be judged as the aortic diverticulum. These findings suggest that there might had not been any evident clinical symptoms in this case. In addition, we could confirm that, as proposed by previous reports, this anomaly is not accompanied with any congenital heart disease in contrast to the usual right aortic arch with mirror -image branching.

Ultrastructure of the Area Postrema of the Bat / 대한해부학회지

This study was undertaken to investigate the ultrastructure of the neurons, neuroglial cells and capillaries in the area postrema[AP] of the Oriental discolured bat, Vespertilio superans. The AP of the bat was a single midline structure at the most caudal portion of the fourth ventricle. Most neurons in the AP were small cells, but their ultrastructure were similar to the typical neurons located elsewhere in the central nervous system. Astroglial cells and oligodendrocytes were also observed and showed their typical ultrastructure. Ultrastructural features of neurons, astroglial cells and oligodendrocytes were not changed during hibernating cycles. However, microglial cells were only found in the hibernating AP ; these cells were located in the parenchyma and near the blood vessels of the AP. Since the microglial cytoplasm was filled with phagocytotic inclusions, the nuclei of the these cells were eccentrically located. Phagocytotic cytoplasmic inclusions were shown to be composed of a dense irregular peripheral region and the pale round central region. A Large vacant space was often found in the electron lucent central region. Continuous and fenestrated capillaries surrounded by pericytes were found in the bat`s AP. Especially, Phagocytotic inclusions were found in the pericyte cytoplasm of the hibernating AP, and this result supports suggestion that pericytes might be phagocytotic cells. On the basis of the distributions of phagocytotic tells[pericytes and microglial cell], ultrastructure of these cells, morphology of their cytoplasmic inclusions, and the appearance of phagocytotic activity of the pericytes during the hibernating stage when microglial cells were observed, it can be concluded that pericytes may also participates in the formation of rrlicroglial cells. Tanycytes were also found in the bat AP.

Changes in the Serotonin Immunoreactivities of Mucosal Mast Cells Following Vagus Nerve Stimulation in the Rat Gastrointestinal Tract / 대한해부학회지

Changes in the number, the immunoreactivities and the ultrastructures of sero- tonin immunoreactive mucosal mast cells[MMCs] in rat gastrointestinal tracts after vagus nerve stimulation were investigated by using light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical methods. The vagus nerves were electrically stimulated with a square wave pulse generator for a duration of 5 minutes each, a total of 8 times at 2 minute intervals. Serotonin immunoreactive cells of the connective tissues of the gastrointestinal tract were mainly located in the lamina propria, and a small number of the cells were also scattered in the submucosa. By using electron microscopic immunocytochemistry and Wright stain, the serotonin immunoreactive cells of the lamina propria and the submucosa were identified to be MMCs. A few large-sized serotonin immunoreactive connective tissue mast cells [CTMCs], showing strong metachromasia with the Wright stain, were located together with the MMCs in the submucosa of the stomach. In most of the gut regions of the control group, the majority of the MMCs did not show any serotonin immunoreactivities and only a few MMCs showed weak serotonin immunoreactivities. After stimulation of the vagus nerves, the number and the immnu- noreactivities of the serotonin immunoreactive MMCs dramatically increased in all gut regions observed, especially in the small intestines. In the samples treated with the electron microscopic immnunocytochemical methods, hardly any serotonin immunoreactivities were detected in the MMCs of the control group. However, the serotonin imrnunoreactivities of the MMCs were significantly increased after vagus nerve stimulation. The serotonin immnunoreactive products were localized, following vagal stimulation, both in the peripheral matrix of the granules and in the cytoplasm. Also, it was confirmed ultrastructurally that the Golgi complexes were expanded in the MMCs of the vagal stimulation group. The above results suggest that vagus nerve stimulation may activate serotonin biosynthesis in MMCs.

Morphometry of Nasal Bones and Piriform Apertures in Koreans / 체질인류학회지

No abstract available.

A Rare Case in the Pattern of the Origin of the Celiac Artery / 체질인류학회지

A rare case in the pattern of the origin of the celiac artery was observed in the cadaver of a 64 year old Korean male and the results are summarized as follows. The superior mesenteric artery originated from the abdominal aorta at the level of the intervertebral dusk between first and second lumbar vertebra. At a point 4cm from the origin of the superior mesenteric arterr, a common trunk appeared and ran 1cm and then divided into the common hepatic artery and the splenic artery. The common hepatic artery divided into the right gastric artery and the proper hepatic artery at a point 4.5cm after the bifurcation. A common trunk formed by the left inferior phrenic artery and the lefts gastric artery arose from the abdominal aorta about 0.8cm about the origin of the celiacomesenteric trunk.