Stereological and Morphometric Analysis of MRI Chiari Malformation Type-1.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the underlying ethiological factors in chiari malformation (CM) type-I (CMI) via performing volumetric and morphometric length-angle measurements. METHODS: A total of 66 individuals [33 patients (20-65 years) with CMI and 33 control subjects] were included in this study. In sagittal MR images, tonsillar herniation length and concurrent anomalies were evaluated. Supratentorial, infratentorial, and total intracranial volumes were measured using Cavalieri method. Various cranial distances and angles were used to evaluate the platybasia and posterior cranial fossa (PCF) development. RESULTS: Tonsillar herniation length was measured 9.09±3.39 mm below foramen magnum in CM group. Tonsillar herniation/concurrent syringomyelia, concavity/defect of clivus, herniation of bulbus and fourth ventricle, basilar invagination and craniovertebral junction abnormality rates were 30.3, 27, 18, 2, 3, and 3 percent, respectively. Absence of cisterna magna was encountered in 87.9% of the patients. Total, IT and ST volumes and distance between Chamberlain line and tip of dens axis, Klaus index, clivus length, distance between internal occipital protuberance and opisthion were significantly decreased in patient group. Also in patient group, it was found that Welcher basal angle/Boogard angle increased and tentorial slope angle decreased. CONCLUSION: Mean cranial volume and length-angle measurement values significantly decreased and there was a congenital abnormality association in nearly 81.5 percent of the CM cases. As a result, it was concluded that CM ethiology can be attributed to multifactorial causes. Moreover, congenital defects can also give rise to this condition.

Comparison of disc and body volumes in degenerated and nondegenerated lumbar discs: a stereological study.

AIM: To carry out comparison and correlation analyses of the intervertebral disc (IVD) and vertebral body (VB) volumes in magnetic resonance (MR) images of patients with degenerated and nondegenerated lumbar discs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images were examined retrospectively in 93 patients. Lumbar VB and IVD volumes in T1-T2 weighted sagittal MR images were calculated via the Cavalieri method, a stereological method. Volumetric changes in degenerated and nondegenerated discs were compared. RESULTS: The percentages of degenerated IVDs were 12.9%, 12.9%, 28%, 50.5%, and 52% in discs from levels L1 to L5, respectively. There were no differences in VB volumes between the degenerated and nondegenerated groups for all lumbar vertebra levels. However, significant volumetric decreases were observed in degenerated IVDs for all lumbar vertebra levels, as compared to nondegenerated IVDs. Comparisons of VB volume and IVD volume ratios also revealed decreases, but they were significant only for levels L1 and L4. CONCLUSION: Disc volumes were found to be decreased, although vertebral bodies were not affected in degenerated IVD groups. However, using VB and IVD volume ratios may not always yield reliable results.

Morphometry, asymmetry and variations of cerebral sulci on superolateral surface of cerebrum in autopsy cases.

BACKGROUND: The cerebral sulci are known as main microanatomical borders that serve as a gateway and surgical passage to reach the ventricles or to the deeper lesions. It is a matter of curiosity that whether there is a convergence between the morphological asymmetry and the functional asymmetry, and also its significance in surgery. The aim of this study is make morphometric measurements and evaluate asymmetry of several sulci on the lateral aspects of the cerebrum in regard to main sulci and related reference key points. METHODS: A total of 100 cerebral hemispheres from 50 autopsy cadavers were examined. The lengths of several sulci on the superolateral aspect of the hemispheres and the distances between the sulci and nearby sulci and the reference key points were measured. Encountered variations were examined and photographed. RESULTS: Evaluation of the variations: superior frontal sulcus (SFS), inferior frontal sulcus, superior temporal sulcus (STS), precentral sulcus and postcentral sulcus were found to be discontinuous in 60, 46, 41, 84 and 70 % of the hemispheres, respectively. Evaluation of the asymmetry: the distances between SFS posterior end and longitudinal fissure, STS posterior end and lateral sulcus posterior end, as well as lengths of external occipital fissure (EOF), and discontinuous course of STS were significantly different between left and right hemispheres. CONCLUSIONS: There is usually a morphological partial asymmetry between the right and left hemispheres for any individual. Also, some of our measurements were found to be compatible with the ones in the literature, while others were incompatible.

Evaluation of physical fitness parameters in patients with schizophrenia.

The aims of this study were to compare aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacities, pulmonary functions, body composition and fat distribution parameters in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls and to investigate the associations among these parameters. Sixty (30 male, 30 female) patients with schizophrenia and 60 (30 male, 30 female) healthy controls were included in the study. Maximal aerobic capacity was estimated with the Astrand submaximal exercise protocol, and anaerobic performance was determined with a Wingate test. Body composition was established with a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Pulmonary function tests, skinfold thickness and body circumference measurements were also carried out. Maximal aerobic capacity, maximal anaerobic power, anaerobic capacity and pulmonary function tests (forced vital capacity and maximal voluntary ventilation) were found to be lower in male and female schizophrenic groups as compared to the controls. Body fat percentage, waist and abdomen circumferences, and waist to hip ratio were found to be higher in female schizophrenic patients than in controls. We suggest that maximal aerobic capacity, maximal anaerobic power, and anaerobic capacity are poor in the schizophrenia patients as compared to healthy controls. Low cardiorespiratory fitness is related to reduced pulmonary function and impaired body composition in schizophrenia patients.

Protective effects of melatonin against formaldehyde-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in rat testes: an immunohistochemical and biochemical study.

This study investigated the protective effects of melatonin against formaldehyde-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in rat testes. A total of 21 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups. Group I was used as a control, Group II was injected every other day with formaldehyde for 1 month, whereas Group III was injected every other day with formaldehyde and melatonin for 1 month. At the end of the experimental period animals were sacrificed and the testes removed and dissected from the surrounding tissues for immunohistochemical evaluation. In addition, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. The levels of SOD and GSH-Px decreased significantly, whereas the level of MDA significantly increased in animals treated with formaldehyde compared with the controls. Apoptosis of spermatogenetic and Leydig cells of testicular tissues was observed. In contrast, rats with melatonin SOD and GSH-Px enzyme activity increased whereas MDA levels decreased with formaldehyde exposure along with apoptosis. In view of the present findings, it is suggested that melatonin treatment may prevent formaldehyde-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in rat testes.

The protective effect of fish n-3 fatty acids on cerebral ischemia in rat prefrontal cortex.

This study presents neuroprotective effects of fish n-3 EFA on the prefrontal cortex after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Eighteen rats divided into three groups. Group A rats were used as control. Cerebral ischemia and reperfusion was produced in rats either on a standard diet (Group B) or a standard diet plus fish n-3 EFA for 14 days (Group C). The malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured and the number of apoptotic neurons was counted. The levels of MDA and activities of SOD increased in Group B rats as compared to Group A rats, and decreased in Group C rats as compared to Group B rats. The activities of CAT increased in Group C as compared to Group B rats. The number of apoptotic neurons in the prefrontal cortex was lower in Group C as compared to Group B rats.