A Study for the Anatomic Feature of Asian Tribes: In View Point of the Golden Ratio and Beauty / 체질인류학회지

We observed and measured the structures showing the golden ratio in human body. Southeast Asian tribes, Aka and Lahu who live in Thailand, Miyanmar and China mountain areas and Koreans were examined by means of facial photography. The pictures of lateral facial view were taken by the fixed method. Then the length and width of auricles were measured by Phi-matrix software (version 1.1) on the scanned images. Helix ratio were also obtained by the same method. As a results, the ratio of the ear of Southeast Asian tribes showed the golden ratio and the racial and the individual differences were noticed a little.

Relationship between Microglial Activation and Dopaminergic Neuronal Loss in 6-OHDA-induced Parkinsonian Animal Model / 체질인류학회지

This study assessed the dynamics of morphological and immunophenotypic properties of activated microglia in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induced Parkinsonian animal model. Neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) was induced by unilateral injection of 6-OHDA into the medial forebrain bundle. Parkinsonian animal model were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after 6-OHDA injection. Changes in the functional activity of activated microglia were identified using different monoclonal antibodies: OX6 for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, ED1 for phagocytic activity. Phagocytic microglia, characterized by ED1- or OX6-immunoreactivity, appeared in the SNc at 1 week after 6-OHDA injection, activated microglia selectively adhered to degenerating axons, dendrites and dopaminergic neuron somas in the SNc. This was followed by significant loss of these fibers and nigral dopaminergic neurons. Activation of microglia into phagocytic stage was most pronounced at 2 week after 6-OHDA injection and gradually subsided, but phagocytic microglia persisted until 8 weeks after 6-OHDA injection. Taken together, our results indicate that activated microglia is lead to persistently neuron cell death and promotes loss of dopaminergic neuron by degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta agonist attenuates hepatic steatosis by anti-inflammatory mechanism

Although peroxisome proliferator receptor (PPAR)-alpha and PPAR-gamma agonist have been developed as chemical tools to uncover biological roles for the PPARs such as lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, PPAR-delta has not been fully investigated. In this study, we examined the effects of the PPAR-delta agonist GW0742 on fatty liver changes and inflammatory markers. We investigated the effects of PPAR-delta agonist GW0742 on fatty liver changes in OLETF rats. Intrahepatic triglyceride contents and expression of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and also, PPAR-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1alpha gene were evaluated in liver tissues of OLETF rats and HepG2 cells after GW0742 treatment. The level of TNF-alpha and MCP-1 was also examined in supernatant of Raw264. 7 cell culture. To address the effects of GW0742 on insulin signaling, we performed in vitro study with AML12 mouse hepatocytes. Rats treated with GW0742 (10 mg/kg/day) from 26 to 36 weeks showed improvement in fatty infiltration of the liver. In liver tissues, mRNA expressions of TNF-alpha, MCP-1, and PGC-1alpha were significantly decreased in diabetic rats treated with GW0742 compared to diabetic control rats. We also observed that GW0742 had inhibitory effects on palmitic acid-induced fatty accumulation and inflammatory markers in HepG2 and Raw264.7 cells. The expression level of Akt and IRS-1 was significantly increased by treatment with GW0742. The PPAR-delta agonist may attenuate hepatic fat accumulation through anti-inflammatory mechanism, reducing hepatic PGC-1alpha gene expression, and improvement of insulin signaling.

Effects of ferulic acid on diabetic nephropathy in a rat model of type 2 diabetes

Diabetic nephropathy is the most serious complication in diabetes mellitus. It is known that oxidative stress and inflammation play a central role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. In this study, we investigated that ferulic acid (FA) known as anti-oxidative agent could effect on diabetic nephropathy by anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanism. We examined the effects of FA in obese diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats and non-diabetic control Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. We treated FA to experimental rats from 26 to 45 weeks of age. We evaluated ACR, MDA and MCP-1 in 24 h urine and examined renal histopathology and morphologic change in extracted kidneys from rats. Also, we evaluated the ROS production and MCP-1 levels in cultured podocyte after FA treatment. In the FA-treated OLETF rats, blood glucose was significantly decreased and serum adiponectin levels were increased. Urinary ACR was significantly reduced in FA-treated OLETF rats compared with diabetic OLETF rats. In renal histopathology, FA-treated OLETF rats showed decreased glomerular basement membrane thickness, glomerular volume, and mesangial matrix expansion. FA treatment decreased oxidative stress markers and MCP-1 levels in 24 h urine of rats and supernatants of cultured podocyte. In conclusion, it was suggested that FA have protective and therapeutic effects on diabetic nephropathy by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Protective Effects of Immunization with Proteinase, Phospholipase and Cell Wall Proteins of Candida albicans in Mice Candidosis / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: The opportunistic fungus Candida albicans is a major pathogen especially to immunocompromised patients. OBJECTIVES: We examined the protective effect of the active and passive immunizations to evaluate the applicability for the treatment of candidosis in Candida-infected mice model. METHODS: Candida cell wall components were obtained by treatment of lyticase, proteinase K, and dithiothreitol. The proteinase was purified from the culture filtrates of C. albicans using a series of chromatographic steps consisting of DEAE-Sepharose FF, Sephacryl S-200 HR and size-exclusion high performance liquid chromatography. The phospholipase was purified from the culture supernatant of C. albicans with DEAE column chromatography, reverse phase column chromatography, revere phase HPLC and size-exclusion HPLC. Antibodies to cell wall protein components, proteinase and phospholipase were produced by immunization into mice of same strain. RESULTS: The mean survival times of active and passive immunized mice groups were longer than those of non-immunized groups. CONCLUSION: These results showed that immunization with proteinase and its antibody were the most effective to prolong survival time in Candida-infected mice.

Analysis of Digital Media and Image Delivery System of Human Anatomic Dissection for Medical Students and Clinicians / 체질인류학회지

In the traditional cadaver dissection course, it is hard to demonstrate dissection skills to all the medical students because of limitations such as the high ratio of students to instructors and the lack of facilities. To overcome these limitations, we developed a digital anatomy dissection course. Through this system, it was possible to perform effective instruction of anatomic dissection. This method could provide the appropriate teaching in a short period of time. Furthermore, students can review the dissection course on digital files saved on a CD-ROM. Clinical cadaveric workshops can be provided by this method not only for students but also for continuing medical education for clinicians.

Effect of Thiazolidinediones Administration on Neurochemical Composition of MPG Neurons Related to Erection in OLETF Rat / 대한해부학회지

The main transmitter substance mediating erection is the nitric oxide released from the vascular endothelial cells of corpus cavernosum and from the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic nerve endings. In addition, some neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), have been reported to play an important role in mediating the erection. Thus, autonomic neuropathy may cause erectile dysfunction, and in reality, it occurs frequently in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM), in which polyneuropathy, including both peripheral somatic sensorimotor neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy, develops usually. Thiazolidinedione (TZD) is an insulin-sensitizing agent used for the treatment of type 2 DM with insulin resistance, and has been reported to ameliorate nephropathy, decrease plasma glucose level and reduce blood pressure. However, the effect of this drug on the neuropathy related to erectile dysfunction has never been proved. In the present study, to evaluate the effect of TZDs on the neuropathy concerned with erectile dysfunction, we examined neurochemical changes of major pelvic ganglion (MPG) neurons in Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, genetic models with non-insulin-dependent DM, after TZDs (pioglitazone and rosiglitazone) treatment. Age-matched nondiabetic Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used as controls. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), VIP, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) contents were measured in MPG neurons of LETO, OLETF and pioglitazone- or rosiglitazone-treated OLETF rats by morphometry. Compared to the corresponding LETO group, number of TH-, NOS- and VIP-immunoreactive (ir) neurons decreased, while that of NPY-ir neurons, which modulate noradrenergic vasoconstriction of penile arteries, increased in the MPG of the OLETF group. After administration of pioglitazone- or rosiglitazone to OLETF rats for 23 weeks, these neurochemical changes were recovered to the control levels of the LETO group, although some variations were accompanied. These results suggest that TZDs treatment may be helpful for the treatment of autonomic neuropathy concerned with erectile dysfunction.

Effect of Culture Conditions on the Protein Fibril Expression of Candida albicans

Candida albicans is an important human pathogen that causes systemic infections, predominantly among population with weakened immune system. Cell wall structures of C. albicans are important to adhere to host tissue and evade to host immune system. Among cell wall structure, the outermost fibrillar layer of C. albicans is of interest since it may play important roles in antigenicity, phagocytosis, and adherence. The expression of virulent factors could be affected by the growth conditions. The dynamic nature of the cell surface alters the physical properties of the fungal interface with host cells and thereby influences adhesion to the host and recognition by components of the host immune system. In this study, we investigated the effects of culture conditions on cell surface fibril expression of C. albicans by a transmitting electron microscopy and SDS-PAGE. The protein fibril of C. albicans was expressed in the presence of whole serum, however, the fibril expression was decreased in 25% serum and serum containing 1% glucose. Also, germ tube can be induced by serum, RMPI medium, N-acetyl glucosamine, and 39 degrees C culture condition, hence, the fibrillar structure of C. albicans was detected only in serum-induced germ tube. The expression of fibril layer and the major fibril proteins of 66, 47, 30 kDa were reduced as increasing cell concentration of intial inoculum from 2x10(7) cells/ml to 8x10(7) cells/ml. The fibrillar layer of C. albicans was expressed in serum early within 10 min, and the thickness of fibril layer was increased according to the increase of culture time. When the fibrillar proteins were analysed by SDS-PAGE, major protein of 30 kDa was maintained continuously during over night culture although expression of the other proteins were various. These results suggest that expression of serum induced protein fibril is influenced by culture conditions and is not related to hyphal transition of C. albicans.

Effects of Prenatal Stress and Restraint Stress on Amygdala Complex of the Rat: II. Effects on the Astrocytic Cell Processes / 체질인류학회지

The hypothesis that adverse experience alters the balance of neurotransmitters in the amygdala rendering it hyperresponsive to stress was examined in the present study. Since astrocytes regulate the brain's neurochemical milieu by uptaking neurotransmitters, we have examined these cells in the amygdala of prenatally stressed rats, a model of pathological anxiety. Here we examined morphometric changes on the cell bodies of astrocytes in the amygdala induced by prenatal stress and restraint stress. For this purpose, rats were classified into 4 groups; control group (CON), only restraint stressed (starting on P90 for 3 days) group (CONR), prenatally stressed group (PNS), and prenatally and restraint (on P90 for 3 days) stressed group (PNSR). Astrocytes stained with GFAP immunohistochemistry were counter stained with methylene blue/azure II and were examined using the Neurolucida. The present study showed that prenatal and restraint stress caused the significant increase in the total number and length of the amygdaloid astrocytic processes. In conclusion, astrocytes show structural indices of activation with stress.

Immunohistochemical Changes of Nestin, BrdU, and GFAP in the Cells of Rat Spinal Ependymal Zone According to Their Developmental Stages / 대한해부학회지

Recently, there has been considerable attention focused on the multipotent progenitor cells existing in ependymal and subependymal layer. However, almost all results have been derived from brain or injured CNS researches. So, the studies on the developmental characteristics of intact spinal ependymal layer have been relatively ignored. In the present study, we labeled rat spinal cord with nestin, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibodies in order to track the differentiation and proliferative capacity of rat ependymal layer cells according to their developmental stages. At embryonic day 14 (E14), a number of cells in the spinal ependymal layer, especially constituting the alar and basal plates, showed extensive nestin immunoreactivities (ir). They also showed active proliferative capacities, because many nuclei of nestin-ir cells were also BrdU-ir. From postnatal day 0 (P0), nestin-ir cells were almost completely disappeared, and from P7, no nestin-ir cells could be detected. However, BrdU-ir nuclei continued to be identified until P14. These results suggested that the cells in the spinal ependymal layer retain their proliferative capacity until later stage of development. On the other hand, no GFAP-ir cells could be identified in the ependymal layer in our experimental period.

Neuroglial Proliferative Activity Following Medial Forebrain Bundle Axotomy / 대한해부학회지

Changes in morphology, immunophenotypes and proliferative activity of neuroglia are key features in most forms of CNS pathology. We compared proliferative activity of neuroglial cells in response to two different types of brain injury induced by medial forebrain bundle (MFB) axotomy. In the cannula track where acute necrosis occurs due to mechanical lesion caused by cannula inserted to incise the MFB, many BrdU-immunoreactive (ir) cells appeared around the cannula track already at 1 day post-lesion (1 dpl). Their number significantly increased by 7 dpl and then decreased, but considerable number of BrdU-ir cells was still found at 14 dpl. Some of the BrdU-ir cells were double-labeled with either OX-42 or GFAP. This finding suggests that both microglia and astrocytes are activated and proliferate immediately after the mechanical damage, and the proliferative activity is maintained in a considerable number of these cells by 14 dpl. In general, the main cell type showing BrdU immunoreactivity was amoeboid microglia within the necrotic zone immediately surrounding the cannula track, and was astrocytes in the periphery of the necrotic zone more or less apart from the cannula track. Previously, we reported that MFB axotomy induces apoptosis of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). In the SN where axotomized DA neurons undergo apoptosis, only a few BrdU-ir cells were found at 1 dpl. Their number increased gradually from 3 dpl and peaked at 7 dpl, then significantly reduced at 14 dpl. Most of them were double-labeled with OX -42-positive ramified microglia but not with GFAP. This data indicates that microglia but not astrocyte are the cell type that proliferate in response to apoptotic neuronal cell death, and their morphology and proliferative activity are different from those observed in the cannula track. Meanwhile, in the both cannula track and SN, some BrdU-ir cells were thought to be neither GFAP-positive nor OX-42-positive, and thus they were presumed to be infiltrated peripheral immune cells. These results demonstrate that different types of neuronal cell death are accompanied with different neurogilal proliferative activities.

Developmental Changes of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) Immunoreactivity of the Ependyma lining the Central Canal and Ventriculus Terminalis in the Human Fetus / 대한해부학회지

The distinguishing morphological features of the ependyma lining ventriculus terminalis in human fetus have suggested that its differentiation would be somewhat delayed or arrested as compared with the ependyma lining central canal. To demonstrate this hypothesis, GFAP was used as a marker to compare the developmental state of the ependyma lining ventriculus terminalis and central canal along fetal age (18 -to 24 -week -old fetuses were investigat-ed). PCNA was also used as a marker to identify whether proliferation potentiality of the ependyma lining ventriculus terminalis lasted longer than that of the ependyma lining central canal as a result of differentiation delay. GFAP -positive ependymal cells were restricted to dorsal plate at central canal but at ventriculus terminalis, many positive cells were identified in all regions compared with the ependyma lining central canal. The number of PCNA -positive ependymal cells lining central canal decreased sharply about the time of 20th week, but at ventriculus terminalis, many ependymal cells continued to express PCNA after 20th week. As a result, we could conclude that differentiation of the ependyma lining ventriculus terminalis is delayed as compared with the ependyma lining central canal. In accordance with its developmental delay, it lasts longer proliferation potentiality than the ependyma lining central canal.

Expression of c-fos in the Myenteric Plexus of Rat Small Intestine Following Electrical Vagal Stimulation: Quantitative Analysis on the Vagally Activated Enteric Neurons / 대한해부학회지

Activity of the enteric nervous system (ENS) is controlled by the autonomic nerves under the normal physiological condition, even though ENS has been regarded to be independent from the central nervous system. However, the relation between myenteric neurons and vagus nerves has not been fully clarified. For the defining of topographical and functional relationship between these two nervous systems, we analyzed how many myenteric neurons are activated after electrical vagal stimulation in the rat. Bilateral cervical vagi were electrically stimulated (10 V, 5 msec, 40 Hz) for a duration of 30 minutes, and then each part of the small intestine was obtained. Fos, as a functional marker for neuronal activation, immunohistochemistry was used for the detection of vagally activated myenteric neurons. Total number of myenteric neurons was obtained using cuprolinic blue stained samples, and was calculated as 12,819+/-1,514, 14,261+/-1,452, 15,411+/-2,380 per unit area (1 cm2) in duodenum, jejunum and ileum, respectively. Fos-positive myenteric neurons were scarcely observed in the normal control group. After the electrical vagal stimulation, Fos-immunoreactive (IR) neurons were detected as 31+/-17%, 17+/-9%, 16+/-10% of total number of myenteric neurons in duodenum, jejunum and ileum, respectively. These data demonstrate that only some (16~31%) of myenteric neurons are regulated by vagal efferent input, and the duodenum receives much more vagal input functionally than other distal regions. Furthermore, these findings can be applied to trials defining the functional circuit of the myenteric nervous system linked to the vagus nerves, since Fos-positive nuclei can be easily double-labeled with various neurotransmitters existing in the myenteric neurons.

A Case Report of Situs Inversus Totalis / 체질인류학회지

A 55 yr -old female patient visited to the OPD of OS department complaining of the lumbago, the radiating pain to right thigh and the swelling of right knee and calf regions. On routine chest and abdominal X -ray and ECG, the dextrocardia was revealed. For further detail examination, Doppler US, lung perfusion scan, MRI images were obtained. As a result, the situs inversus with dextrocardia was confirmed. Other congenital anomalies or diseases were not combined. The patient was cared with conservative treatment of lowback pain via OPD. And she was recovered successfully.

Morphological Study of the Ventriculus Terminalis in the Human Fetal Spinal Cord / 대한해부학회지

The ventriculus terminalis, also known as the 'fifth ventricle', is a dilated cavity in the conus medullaris. It is formed by degenerative process in the course of neural tube development, but the definite function is unclear. And the reports, which have studied the morphological variation according to fetal age, are insufficient. So, in this report, we observed the morphological variation of the ventriculus terminalis and measured the areal ratio of the ventriculus terminalis to the parenchyma of conus medullaris by fetal age. We also studied the fine structure of the conus medullaris and ependyma by electron microscope. The ventriculus terminalis began at the level at which the ependymal cells proliferated and the central canal moved to the dorsal region. Periependymal islet was observed at this level. At the lower level, it immediately extended both lateral sides and finally switched over to the filum terminale. The area ratio of the ventriculus terminalis to the parenchyma of the conus medullaris increased from above downward. Especially, It increased steeply between the Leaf-shaped region and the transitional zone, where the ventriculus terminalis began. But the increasing pattern was too irregular to generalize its pattern by fetal age. The ependyma lining the ventriculus terminalis was composed of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium layer about 5~7 cells thick. It had conspicuous intercellular junctional complexes close to the lumen into which microvilli and cilia projected. At the junction where the ependyma meets the parenchyma of the conus medullaris, we could observe many myelin-like structures made by basolateral membrane of the ependymal cell. In the conus medullaris, we could observe many obscure cell types because they were in the course of differentiation. On the other hand, we could also observe the fully differentiated nerve cells, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes which seemed to play its own role. A lot of developing myelin sheaths were observed and the majority was the degenerative one. Some ependymal cells showed the apoptotic characteristics and many cell debris were observed in the lumen. As a result, the ventriculus terminalis was formed by the combination of cell differentiation and degeneration, and its development was independent of the spinal cord.

Changes in Length of the Spinal Cord and Vertebral Level of the Termination of the Spinal Cord in Korean Fetuses / 체질인류학회지

It has been reported that there are racial differences in the vertebral level of termination of the spinal cord (VLTS) in fetuses. However, the precise analysis about the differences has not been established because the definition of the termination of the spinal cord used in comparing the VLTS was different from one another. The purpose of this study is to measure the VLTS, the length of the spinal cord and vertebral column in Korean fetuses, and to compare the VLTS with that of other nations or races according to the different definitions of the termination of the spinal cord. Two points were considered to measure the length and vertebral level of the spinal cord: One point was where the lowest spinal nerve root emerges (termination of the spinal cord I, SCT I), and the other was the point at which the tapering of the conus medullaris suddenly stops, and after which the diameter remains about the same (termination of the spinal cord II, SCT II). Materials used for this study were 115 normal Korean fetuses ranging from 13th to 37th weeks after the onset of the last normal menstrual period (LNMP). The fetuses were subdivided into 7 groups by gestational age and crownrump length (CRL), respectively. The results were obtained as follows. 1. All lengths of the vertebral column (VCL), spinal cord (SCL) and dura mater (DML) increased with the increase in fetal age, but the rate was somewhat different from one another. Especially, the increase rate of SCL was lowered at 6th month of gestation (Group III). Recession lengths of the two terminations of the spinal cord were also greatest in Group III and the ratio of SCL to VCL was also decreased greatly in Group III. These findings indicate that the relative growth rate of the spinal cord to the vertebral column is lowest during the 6th month, and as a result, the spinal cord ascends most rapidly during this stage of development. The number of cases after 8th month was so few that we could not make any conclusion. 2. With the increase in fetal age, vertebral level and range of the termination of the spinal cord and the dura mater increased gradually. In comparison of our results with others, we confirmed that the vertebral level of the termination of the spinal cord in Korean fetus is similar to that of Saudi Arabian, but is somewhat higher than that of the English, North Indian and South Indian. 3. There was no statistically significant difference between male and female in all measurements except for a very few ones.

Morphological Changes of the Intestine of the Golden Hamster after Treatment with 6-Aminonicotinamide / 대한해부학회지

This study was untertaken to investigate the morphological changes of the intestine of the Golden Hamster after treatment with antimetabolites, 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN), by light and electron microscopy. 6-AN induced a morphological change of the intestine, especially in the mucosa. Small and large vacuoles were created in the cytoplasm of enterocytes after 6-AN treatment, and these vacuoles were observed somewhat more often around the nucleus. Microvilli, nucleus and rER of the enterocytes were well preserved, but the mitochondria were showed a somewhat swollen appearance. Intercellular spaces between epithelial cells were enlarged, and the interdigitation of adjacent cytoplasmic processes formed by lateral cellular processes projecting from adjacent cells were observed with occasional appearance of blood cells in this space. Goblet cells and enteroendocrine cells were less affected by 6-AN than enterocytes. There were many lymphocytes, macrophages and degenerating cells in the lamina propria. Cytoplasmic inclusions with varying size and characteristics as well as cellular debrises of the degenerating cells were observed in the cytoplasm of macrophages. The myenteric plexus was changed by this antimetabolites. Ganglion cells did not change in their shape after treatment with 6-AN, but some structural changes were observed in the neuroglial cells and nerve fibers, and enlarged spaces between these structures were also observed. But no vacuoles were observed which were formed by degeneration of the intracellular organelles such as the mitochondria and the cisterna of the endoplasmic reticulum.

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.