Pseudohyperkalemia after total splenectomy in a dog: a case report

A 16-year-old, 7.4 kg, castrated male Cocker Spaniel presenting anorexia and weight loss was referred due to a splenic mass, and total splenectomy was performed to resolve clinical signs. Following surgery, the dog developed mild hyperkalemia (6.27 mmol/L) without any clinical symptoms. Further investigations were conducted to determine the cause of hyperkalemia. The serum-plasma potassium difference was measured (1.05 mmol/L), and pseudohyperkalemia was diagnosed. The cause of pseudohyperkalemia was considered as thrombocytosis after splenectomy. The dog did not receive any specific treatment to lower blood potassium. To our knowledge, we report the first case of post-splenectomy pseudohyperkalemia in a dog.

Rhus verniciflua Stokes attenuates cholestatic liver cirrhosis-induced interstitial fibrosis via Smad3 down-regulation and Smad7 up-regulation / 대한해부학회지

Cholestatic liver cirrhosis (CLC) eventually proceeds to end-stage liver failure by mediating overwhelming deposition of collagen, which is produced by activated interstitial myofibroblasts. Although the beneficial effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) on various diseases are well-known, its therapeutic effect and possible underlying mechanism on interstitial fibrosis associated with CLC are not elucidated. This study was designed to assess the protective effects of RVS and its possible underlying mechanisms in rat models of CLC established by bile duct ligation (BDL). We demonstrated that BDL markedly elevated the serological parameters such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin, all of which were significantly attenuated by the daily uptake of RVS (2 mg/kg/day) for 28 days (14 days before and after operation) via intragastric route. We observed that BDL drastically induced the deterioration of liver histoarchitecture and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), both of which were significantly attenuated by RVS. In addition, we revealed that RVS inhibited BDL-induced proliferation and activation of interstitial myofibroblasts, a highly suggestive cell type for ECM production, as shown by immunohistochemical and semi-quantitative detection of α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin. Finally, we demonstrated that the anti-fibrotic effect of RVS was associated with the inactivation of Smad3, the key downstream target of a major fibrogenic cytokine, i.e., transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Simultaneously, we also found that RVS reciprocally increased the expression of Smad7, a negative regulatory protein of the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway. Taken together, these results suggested that RVS has a therapeutic effect on CLC, and these effects are, at least partly, due to the inhibition of liver fibrosis by the downregulation of Smad3 and upregulation of Smad7.

Sex determination using upper limb bones in Korean populations / 대한해부학회지

The purpose of this research is to establish metric standards for the determination of sex from the upper limb bones of Korean. We took a set of eleven measurements on each of 175 right sides of adult skeletons chosen at Korean sample. Classification accuracy dropped only one or two individuals when only vertical head diameter of humerus is used. Variables in relation with maximal length were less accurate than head diameter of humerus. Two variables were selected by the stepwise procedure: maximal length of humerus, vertical head diameter of humerus. The combined accuracy was 87%. This study of modern Korean skeletons underscores the need for population-specific techniques, not only for medicolegal investigations, but also for the study of population affinities and factors affecting bone configurations.

Pes anserinus and anserine bursa: anatomical study / 대한해부학회지

This study investigated the boundary of anserine bursa with the recommended injection site and shape on the insertion area of pes anserinus (PA), with the aim of improving clinical practice. Eighty six legs from 45 Korean cadavers were investigated. The mixed gelatin solution was injected to identify the shape of anserine bursa, and then the insertion site of the PA tendons was exposed completely and carefully dissected to identify the shape of the PA. The sartorius was inserted into the superficial layer and gracilis, and the semitendinosus was inserted into the deep layer on the medial surface of the tibia. The number of the semitendinosus tendons at the insertion site varied: 1 in 66% of specimens, 2 in 31%, and 3 in 3%. The gracilis and semitendinosus tendons were connected to the deep fascia of leg. Overall, the shape of the anserine bursa was irregularly circular. Most of the anserine bursa specimens reached the proximal line of the tibia, and some of the specimens reached above the proximal line of the tibia. In the medial view of the tibia, the anserine bursa was located posteriorly and superiorly from the tibia's midline, and it followed the lines of the sartorius muscle. The injection site for anserine bursa should be carried out at 20degrees from the vertical line medially and inferiorly, 15 or 20 mm deeply, and at the point of about 20 mm medial and 12 mm superior from inferomedial point of tibial tuberosity.

Pes anserinus and anserine bursa: anatomical study / 대한해부학회지

This study investigated the boundary of anserine bursa with the recommended injection site and shape on the insertion area of pes anserinus (PA), with the aim of improving clinical practice. Eighty six legs from 45 Korean cadavers were investigated. The mixed gelatin solution was injected to identify the shape of anserine bursa, and then the insertion site of the PA tendons was exposed completely and carefully dissected to identify the shape of the PA. The sartorius was inserted into the superficial layer and gracilis, and the semitendinosus was inserted into the deep layer on the medial surface of the tibia. The number of the semitendinosus tendons at the insertion site varied: 1 in 66% of specimens, 2 in 31%, and 3 in 3%. The gracilis and semitendinosus tendons were connected to the deep fascia of leg. Overall, the shape of the anserine bursa was irregularly circular. Most of the anserine bursa specimens reached the proximal line of the tibia, and some of the specimens reached above the proximal line of the tibia. In the medial view of the tibia, the anserine bursa was located posteriorly and superiorly from the tibia's midline, and it followed the lines of the sartorius muscle. The injection site for anserine bursa should be carried out at 20degrees from the vertical line medially and inferiorly, 15 or 20 mm deeply, and at the point of about 20 mm medial and 12 mm superior from inferomedial point of tibial tuberosity.

The Third Head of Biceps Brachii Muscle in Korean: Anatomical Study / 체질인류학회지

The goal of this study was to investigate the incidence of third head of biceps brachii (THBB) for understanding unexpected cases in clinical practice. The sample consisted of 214 upper extremities from 107 adult cadavers donated to science (70 males and 37 females; age, 51-87 years). Cases with pathological changes or trauma to the upper limbs were excluded. THBB was found in 14 of the 214 upper extremities. The incidence of variation was approximately 6.5%. THBB was found in 10 male limbs and 4 female limbs, and none of the cases was bilateral. THBB was a flat muscular belly-like structure that originated from the anteromedial surface of the humerus between the insertion of the coracobrachialis and the origin of the brachialis. This finding may be clinically important because the musculocutaneous nerve is subjected to compression by the bulky third head.

Protective efficacy of an Ecklonia cava extract used to treat transient focal ischemia of the rat brain / 대한해부학회지

Phlorotannins (marine algal polyphenols) have been reported to exhibit beneficial biological activities, serving as both antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Among marine algae, Ecklonia cava, a member of the Laminariaceae, is a very popular food regarded as healthy in Korea and Japan. Recently, benefits afforded by phlorotannins in the treatment of various clinical conditions have been reported, but any therapeutic effects of such materials in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as stroke remain unclear. Also, the mechanisms of action of the algal components remain poorly understood. In the present in vivo study, administration of Ecklonia cava polyphenols (ECP) at 10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) significantly decreased infarct size and the extent of brain edema in the rat after induction of transient focal ischemia via middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Further, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay revealed dose-dependent blockage of neuronal apoptosis upon intravenous ECP treatment. Neurobehavioral tests performed over the 6 days after MCAO revealed a reduction in neurological motor performance in control animals, but administration of ECP (50 mg/kg i.p.) prevented this decline. In vitro, a significant neuroprotective effect of ECP was evident when cell viability was assayed after induction of H2O2-mediated oxidative stress, upon retinoic acid treatment, in the differentiated neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. Interestingly, ECP blocked the rise in cytosolic calcium, in a dose-dependent manner, in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells exposed to H2O2. Together, the results suggest that ECP exerts neuroprotective effects in the focally ischemic brain by reducing Ca(2+)-mediated neurotoxicity.

Sex Determination from the Tibia in Korean Population / 체질인류학회지

There are a number of studies in the world that uses tibia for sex determination, however there are no such studie in Korea. Eight variables were used to determinate sex of tibia. The sample consisted of 170 tibiae (from 55 males and 30 females). The ages for these specimens ranged from 18 and 91 years. Vernier caliper (Absolute Digimetric, Mitutoyo Corp, Japan), osteometric table (Osteometric table, GPM Corp, Swiss) and Ruler (Ruler, Peace Corp, Korea) were used to measure these variables and statistical analysis was performed. Result showed that the accuracy of maximum breadth of lateral articular surface of proximal condyle (LAB) was highest to reached 80.5%; on the contrary, circumference the body that the point found nutrient foramen (CNF) was lowest correlation variable to reach only 68.4%. Other variables except for CNF showed higher than 75.0% accuracy. Equation of sex determining function was made by the stepwise logistic regression using maximum breadth between lateral and medial condyle on the superior aspect (PAB) and maximum length of lateral articular surface of proximal condyle (LAL). The accuracy of the equation showed 84.8%. This study showed that certain parameters of the tibia useful for sex determination in the case of fragment of tibia are found.

Estimation of Maximum Tibia Length from Fragmentary Condition in Korean Populations / 체질인류학회지

Long limb bones have been used in the derivation of regression equations for stature assessment. Various papers to estimate stature from long limb bones were existed. However fragmentary long bones are found for analyses in forensic cases, it has impossible to derive regression equations for the estimation of stature from the fragments of these bones. In this reason, this study was tried to estimate maximum long bone length specially tibia as measured nine variables. The sample consisted of 170 tibias (55 males and 30 females). The ages for these specimens ranged between 18 and 91 years. Vernier caliper (Mitutoyo, Tokyo, Japan) and osteometric table (GPM, Swiss) were used to measure variable. Statistical analysis was made using SPSS 15.0 for windows to estimate maximum tibia length. The variables, seemed to higher than 0.5 R-square, were circumference the body that the point found nutrient foramen (CNF) in female and maximum breadth between lateral and medial condyle on the superior aspect (PAB), CNF in combined sex. Also, regression equations were made through the stepwise analysis. The R-squares were 0.499 of male, 0.685 of female and 0.617 of combined sex. In the absence of intact long bones, the equations derived from the present study can provide a reliable estimate of maximum tibia length and can estimate stature after all.