Daidzein effects on ACTH cells: immunohistomorphometric and hormonal study in an animal model of the andropause.

Daidzein is a potential natural alternative to estradiol during therapy of some malignancies in men. Besides weak inhibition of tyrosine kinase activity, daidzein has a sizeable inhibitory effect on calcium channels. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of daidzein on the immunohistomorphometric features of pituitary adrenocorticotropes (ACTH cells) and circulating levels of ACTH and corticosterone, in comparison with estradiol, in an animal model of the andropause. Sixteen-month-old Wistar rats were divided into sham operated (SO), orchidectomized (Orx), estradiol treated orchidectomized (Orx+E) and daidzein treated orchidectomized (Orx+D) groups. Estradiol (0.625 mg/kg/day) and daidzein (30 mg/kg/day) were administered subcutaneously for three weeks, while the SO and Orx groups received the vehicle alone. ACTH cells were identified by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunohistochemical procedure. Peripheral circulating concentrations of ACTH and corticosterone were measured by immunoassay. Orchidectomy reduced (p<0.05) the cell volume and volume density of adrenocorticotropes by 11% and 16%, respectively, in comparison to SO rats. In Orx+E rats, the volume density of ACTH cells decreased (p<0.05) by 25%, but the circulating level of ACTH increased (p<0.05) by 29%, compared to Orx rats. Daidzein treatment significantly decreased (p<0.05): volume density of ACTH cells, circulating ACTH and corticosterone by 24%, 48% and 33%, respectively, compared to the Orx group. In conclusion, this study revealed that daidzein negatively modulated the immunohistomorphometric features of ACTH cells and, unlike estradiol, decreased ACTH and corticosterone secretion, in an animal model of the andropause.

Volume changes of corpus striatum, thalamus, hippocampus and lateral ventricles in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients suffering from headaches and without therapy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In the present study, we have hypothesized that volume changes of the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, hippocampus, thalamus, and lateral ventricle in newly-diagnosed, male PTSD patients without therapy are more pronounced in those with headaches. To confirm or reject our hypothesis, we have undertaken an extensive study of forty-nine PTSD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To confirm or reject our hypothesis, we have undertaken an extensive study of forty-nine PTSD male patients that underwent MRI scanning immediately upon admittance for the treatment. Based on headache frequency, they were classified into three groups: group 1 included patients with headaches at least twice a week; group 2 consisted of patients with headaches less than twice a week; and group 3 consisted of patients without headaches. All MRI scans underwent software-based volume compute and statistical processing. RESULTS: 39 out of 49 patients with PTSD suffered from headaches. Bilaterally, volume decreases were noted in groups 1 and 2 compared to group 3 for the caudate nucleus, putamen, hippocampus and lateral ventricle. Differences in globus pallidus and thalamus among groups appeared to be insignificant. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed a bilateral volume decrease of the caudate nucleus, putamen and hippocampus in PTSD male subjects without therapy. Intensity of volume alterations correlated with Hamilton's depression rating score; regression analysis uncovered correlated changes in the caudate nucleus, putamen and hippocampus, and an inverse correlation with the volume of the lateral ventricle in the PTSD patients.

Arterial ring encircling the bile duct with coexisting anomalous liver irrigation.

Analysis of the arterial system of the liver in a 64-year-old male cadaver revealed an anomaly of the branching of the proper hepatic artery. The right branch of the hepatic artery was missing, replaced by two segmental arteries, so that a 'trifurcation' occurred, consisting of two segmental arteries, anterior segmental and posterior segmental, and the left branch of the hepatic artery. These segmental arteries formed an arterial ring around the common hepatic duct, completely encircling it. A single cystic artery unusually originated from the posterior segmental artery. An extremely rare anatomical variation of the dorsal liver segment irrigation proves the fact that anatomical anomalies are usually multiple. The arterial blood supply for the dorsal liver segment is through four separate vessels ('quadruple type'), two originating from the left branch of the hepatic artery and two from the posterior segmental artery. These four arteries presented numerous anastomotic bridges among themselves.

[The blood supply of galeotemporal flap: an anatomical and radiographic study]. / Vaskularizacija galeotemporalnog reznja (anatomska i radiografska studija).

Galea flap (GF) consists of two parts: Galea aponeurotica and superficial layer of temporal muscle. This flap is useful in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the defects of oral mucosa, lips, but also in reconstruction of orbital floor defects. Many authors have stressed that most of troubles in GF as reconstruction are caused by its neurosis due to its vascular net, i.e. one or several of important branches have been cut. Their experience have forced us, as GF is not the routine technique in our country, to provide an investigation using cadaveric material and arteriographies of the patients without pathological changes in GF area.

The vascular anatomy of the galeal flap in the interparietal and midline regions.

The potential extension of the galeal flap in the interparietal area was studied on 17 fresh human cadaver heads by intravascular dye injection technique. It was demonstrated that an ipsilateral superficial temporal artery that supplies the galeal flap does not cross the midline or anastomose with the contralateral superficial temporal artery but ensures the survival of a flap extended up to 1 cm proximal to the sagittal suture line. The width of the temporoparietal flap can be extended up to 15 cm, depending on the vascular pattern of the superficial temporal artery. When required, the lateral extension may provide the required soft-tissue bulk despite the reduced flap length.