Predetermining glenoid dimensions using the scapular dimensions.

BACKGROUND: Variations of morphology of the glenoid cavity have been previously reported. These influence the surgical reconstruction or arthroplasty of the shoulder. This study aims to study the variation of the shape of suprascapular notch, shape of glenoid cavity, dimensions of both the scapular and the glenoid cavity, and predict the glenoid dimensions from the scapular dimension parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult-dried scapulae were collected. The shapes of each suprascapular notch and glenoid cavity were evaluated. The scapular height, scapular width, glenoid superoinferior distance, and glenoid anteroposterior distance were measured using a digital vernier caliper, and statistical analysis was conducted on the data that were obtained. RESULTS: There were 264 scapulae included in this study (166 male and 98 female). Most of the glenoid cavities were pear shaped (69.7%). The two most common types of suprascapular notches were small depression notches (31.8%) and the absence of notches (25.8%). The mean ± SD of scapular height, scapular width, glenoid superoinferior distance, and glenoid anteroposterior distance were 148.2 ± 10.0, 108.1 ± 6.4, 37.1 ± 2.2, and 27.4 ± 2.1 mm, respectively, in the male samples and 133.0 ± 7.0, 97.0 ± 5.2, 33.2 ± 1.9, and 23.7 ± 1.7 mm, respectively, in the female samples. The male scapulae were significantly larger than the female scapulae (p value < 0.05). However, there were no differences between the male and female scapulae in terms of scapular index or glenoid index (p value > 0.05). Scapular height and width were significantly associated with both the glenoid superoinferior distance (p = 0.0001) and glenoid anteroposterior distance (p value = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Scapular height and width can predict the dimensions of the glenoid. In cases of glenoid bone loss or shoulder arthroplasty, the native normal glenoid dimensions can be determined from the scapular dimensions as visualized using a true scapular anteroposterior radiograph. The surgeon can use these preoperative parameters when performing glenoid reconstruction or shoulder arthroplasty.

Changes in integument histology and protein expression related to the molting cycle of the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon.

We investigated changes in the histology and protein expression in the epidermis and sub-epidermis of the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monondon) during the molting cycle. The epidermis consists of a cell layer located beneath the cuticle, while the sub-epidermis is mainly composed of sub-epidermal cells and tegumental glands. During the molting cycle, the epidermal cells increase in cell height and number, and the sub-epidermis increases in its storage of carbohydrate, protein, mucus, and other unidentified substances at the time of the active period of cuticular regeneration. At the early premolt (stage D0), the epidermal cells are tidily organized, but short. Storage of carbohydrate and protein in the sub-epidermis is not observed. During the rest of the premolt (D1-4 stages) and the early postmolt A stage, epidermal cell height and sub-epidermal deposition are increased, and reached a maximum during the D4 to A stages. The period of late postmolt stages B-C3 is the time for a decrease in epidermal cell height and sub-epidermal depositions. Lastly at intermolt stage C4, the epidermal cells become short, and untidily organized. Sub-epidermal deposition is not observed. Protein expression in the epidermis and sub-epidermis was observed by SDS-PAGE. This revealed that the profile of a protein band with a molecular mass of 57 kDa corresponded with the profile observed by histochemistry. All results point to the conclusion that both the epidermis and sub-epidermis play major roles in cuticular regeneration. It may also reflect the level of metabolic activity of the integument during the molting cycle. In addition, for the first time, this work provides direct evidence of the epidermal and sub-epidermal changes that occur during the molting cycle of the black tiger shrimp.

Angiotensin II may mediate apoptosis via AT1-receptors in the rat cardiac conduction system.

INTRODUCTION: Apoptosis and angiotensin II (Ang II) have been suggested as possible causes of arrhythmias. In addition, Ang II via Ang II type I (AT(1)-) receptors, has been demonstrated to induce cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The transgenic m(Ren-2)27 (TG) rat carries the additional Ren-2 gene, the expression of which results in an increase in cardiac Ang II, thus potentially affecting the cell growth/death equilibrium. In this study we have investigated the effect of Ang II, via AT(1)-receptors, on mediating apoptosis in a cardiac conduction system (SA node and AV nodes). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Heart sections from male two-day, one-week and two-week TG and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were stained with Masson Trichrome to localise the SA and AV nodes. The sections containing SA or AV nodes were processed for quantitation of apoptotic nuclei and AT(1)-receptors. RESULTS: The number of apoptotic nuclei/mm(2) in the SA and AV nodes were found to decrease from two days to two weeks in both the TG and the SD rats, and the number of apoptotic nuclei/mm(2) in the TG groups was significantly higher than that of the SD groups for all ages (p<0.05). The number of AT(1)-receptors/mm(2) in the SA node were found to decrease with increasing age, whereas the number of AT(1)-receptors/mm(2) in the AV node was increased in both TG and SD rats and the number of AT(1)-receptors/mm(2) in the three TG groups was significantly more than that of the three SD groups (p<0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As a consequence of the additional renin gene in the TG rats, which results in the alteration of the local renin-angiotensin system, the numbers of AT(1)-receptors/mm(2) and apoptotic nuclei/mm(2) are increased. The number of apoptotic nuclei/mm(2) and AT(1)-receptors/mm(2) in the SA node decrease with maturation, whereas, the number of AT(1)-receptors in the AV node increase. Thus, there may be a correlation between Ang II and apoptosis in the SA node, which does not appear to be present in the AV node.