Effects of female bone marrow transplantation on male reproductive organs.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), an adverse effect after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), may affect male reproductive function. It is hypothesized that a sex-mismatched BMT induces GVHD in male reproductive organs because female immune cells are not immunologically tolerant to specific antigens of the male organs. However, this hypothesis has not been experimentally verified using male (M) recipient animals following BMT from the female (F) donors. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to examine whether the female BMT to males (F→M group) induces some GVHD reactions in the testis and the other male reproductive organs. The results showed that no inflammation was found in recipients of the male BMT to males (M→M group), whereas significant inflammatory cell responses lasting for at least 4 months were induced in testis, epididymis, prostate and preputial gland in some mice of F→M group. The most severe lesion was found in the preputial gland, in which lymphocytic inflammation was accompanied by loss of glandular acini, thickening of the interstitum and increased cytokines such as TNF-α and IFN-γ. Western blot analyses revealed that sera from the F→M group reacted with various antigens of the male reproductive organs. These results indicate that transplanted female immune cells may recognize the male reproductive organs as immunologically foreign ones and induce chronic GVHD, which may affect male reproductive function.

Comparative study of the peroneus tertius muscle in pigs based on the origin, course, insertion and innervation.

BACKGROUND: That the peroneus tertius muscle (PT) is a separate entity has been debated. PT has been reported to be part of the extensor digitorum longus muscle, part of the extensor digitorum brevis, or a separate muscle. While pigs have a PT as well as primates, there are no reports of its association with the extensor digitorum longus muscle or extensor digitorum brevis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we used gross dissection and Sihler's staining to determine the origin, course, insertion, and innervation of the pig PT. RESULTS: The PT and extensor digitorum longus muscles jointly originated from the femur and ran between the tibialis cranialis and peroneus longus muscles. The PT was inserted at the retinaculum of the metatarsal extensors, tarsal bone, and second metatarsal bone. The branches of the common fibular nerve to the extensor digitorum longus muscle were distributed to the PT. CONCLUSIONS: The innervations suggest that the PT and extensor digitorum longus muscles of the pig were derived from the same muscle mass during development but were named separately due to differences in their morphology. Furthermore, morphological features suggest that pig PT and human PT are probably different muscles.

Relationship between scapular elevation exercises with different alignments and activity of the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine whether scapular elevation exercises in sitting positions with different alignments lead to contractions of the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 25 males, measured in four sitting positions with different alignments. Spine alignment was assessed by measuring the head protrusion, upper thoracic spine tilt, and pelvic tilt angles. Upper limb alignment was evaluated using the scapula tilt angle, scapula rotation angle, and distance between scapular spinous processes. Scapular elevation exercises were measured, and the thickness of the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles were measured in resting and elevated positions, with changes in muscle thickness. [Results] The trapezius muscle thickness was greater in the sitting position with less thoracic spine tilt and scapula tilt angles. Conversely, the levator scapulae muscle thickness was greater in the sitting position with more thoracic spine tilt and scapula tilt angles. [Conclusion] Scapular elevation exercises induce separate contractions of the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles by modifying the alignment of the spine and upper limbs.

Morphological Classification of the Sagittal Tendon Plate in the Soleus Muscle in Japanese Cadavers / Clasificación Morfológica de la Lámina Tendinosa Sagital del Músculo Sóleo en Cadáveres Japoneses

SUMMARY: The human soleus muscle has attracted attention in the fields of sport science, rehabilitation medicine, etc. for improving exercise performance in training, preventing injuries, and rehabilitation. The sagittal tendon plate of the soleus muscle is particularly important in rehabilitation. Few studies, however, have evaluated the shape of the sagittal tendon plate in the human soleus muscle in detail and attempted to classify its variations based on its morphology. In this study, we conducted a detailed analysis of the morphology of the sagittal tendon plates in soleus muscle specimens from Japanese cadavers and constructed a morphology-based classification system and evaluated their frequencies of occurrence. First, the specimens were divided into those with a sagittal tendon plate that was visible on the anterior surface (pennate muscle group) and those without (non-pennate muscle group). Next, based on the "number" and "breadth" of the sagittal tendon plates, the pennate muscle group specimens were further classified into four classes: Class I (one tendon, thin), Class II (one tendon, slightly broad), Class III (one tendon, very broad), and Class IV (two tendons, thin). Subsequently, the specimens were further divided into three types based on the position where the sagittal tendon plate joined the Achilles tendon: median tendon type, lateral tendon type, and medial tendon type (a total 13 divisions). When 458 Japanese soleus muscle specimens were classified into these divisions, the occurrence frequencies of Class I-IV were 80.57 %, 4.59 %, 5.46 %, and 1.09 %, respectively. In Class I, the median tendon type was more frequent than the lateral and medial tendon types, accounting for 48.47 % overall. The classification types of the sagittal tendon plate and their respective occurrence frequencies shown in this study are expected to serve as fundamental data in implementing rehabilitation of soleus muscle.

El músculo sóleo humano ha atraído la atención de la ciencia del deporte, la medicina de rehabilitación, etc. para mejorar el rendimiento del ejercicio en el entrenamiento, prevenir las lesiones y rehabilitación. La lámina tendinosa sagital del músculo sóleo es particularmente importante en la rehabilitación. Sin embargo, pocos estudios han evaluado en detalle la forma de la placa lámina sagital en el músculo sóleo humano y han intentado clasificar sus variaciones en función de su morfología. Realizamos un análisis detallado de la morfología de las láminas de los tendones sagitales en muestras de músculo sóleo de cadáveres japoneses y construimos un sistema de clasificación basado en la morfología y, además, evaluamos su frecuencia de aparición. Los especímenes se dividieron en aquellos con una lámina de tendón sagital que era visible en la superficie anterior (grupo muscular pennado) y aquellos sin (grupo muscular no pennado). A continuación, según el "número" y el "ancho" de las láminas de los tendones sagitales, las muestras del grupo de músculos pennados se clasificaron en cuatro clases: Clase I (un tendón, delgado), Clase II (un tendón, ligeramente ancho), Clase III (un tendón, muy ancho) y Clase IV (dos tendones delgados). Posteriormente, las muestras se dividieron en tres tipos, según la posición donde la lámina del tendón sagital se unía al tendón calcáneo: tipo de tendón mediano, tipo de tendón lateral y tipo de tendón medial (un total de 13 divisiones). En estas divisiones se clasificaron 458 especímenes de músculo sóleo de indiviuos japoneses, las frecuencias de ocurrencia de Clase I-IV fueron 80,57 %, 4,59 %, 5,46 % y 1,09 %, respectivamente. En la Clase I, el tipo de tendón mediano era más frecuente que los tipos de tendón lateral y medial, representando el 48,47 % del total. Se espera que los tipos de clasificación de la lámina del tendón sagital y sus respectivas frecuencias de aparición, que se reportan en este estudio, sirvan como datos fundamentales para implementar la rehabilitación del músculo sóleo.

Structural and CBCT analysis of mandibular canal microvessels expressing neurotransmitters in human cadavers.

PURPOSE: This study focused on the detailed structure of microvessels of the neurotransmitter-positive vasa nervorum of the inferior alveolar nerve, vein, and artery in the mandibular canal (MC) to obtain information for improved safety in dental treatments. We also observed the detailed structure of the MC from the mental foramen to the mandibular foramen using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: In this study, mandibles from 45 sides of 23 human cadavers aged 76-104 years were examined by microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and CBCT analysis. These data were further evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA). RESULTS: The microvessels of the vasa nervorum with calcitonin gene-related peptide- and neuropeptide Y-positive reactions were classified into 5 types: large (4.19%, 28/667); irregular large (7.35%, 49/667), numerous intermediate (29.23%, 195/667), irregular intermediate (29.23%, 195/667), and scattered fine (30.0%, 200/667) microvessels. The MC showed various structures from the 3rd molar to the premolars and was also classified into three types, including complete (57.0%, 228/400), partial (33.8%, 135/400), and unclear (9.2%, 37/400), from the mandibular foramen to the mental foramen. PCA results revealed that developed capillaries were mainly localized in the molar region. CONCLUSIONS: Fine microvessels of the vasa nervorum expressing neurotransmitters are present from the molar to premolar region, which is key information for mandibular dental treatments. The different microvessel structures also indicate differences in specific characteristics between dentulous and edentulous cadavers regarding oral surgical and implant treatments.

The continuous structure of the joint capsule and meniscus in the pig knee.

The knee joint capsules composed of a fibrous layer and a synovial layer. The knee meniscus consists of the superficial network, lamellar layer, tie fibre and circumferential bundles. However, the continuous structure of the knee joint capsule and meniscus has not been reported. Fetal and adult pigs were used to investigate the structural relationship between the stifle joint capsule and meniscus based on the gross anatomy and histological findings. In the gross anatomical examination, the joint capsule appeared to have separated attachments to the meniscus, except for the lower aspect of the popliteal hiatus. Histologically, the lower half of the popliteal hiatus was found to have separated attachments, with vessels running between the attachments of the joint capsules. The synovial layer of the joint capsule continued to the superficial network, and the fibrous layer of the joint capsule continued to the lamellar layer and tie fibres. There were two routes of arterial entry into the meniscus: intracapsular and intercapsular. It appeared that the presence of separated attachments of the joint capsule was necessary to allow the intercapsular route. This study clarified for the first time the routes of feeding vessels entering the meniscus and proposed to call this entry point the meniscus hilum. We consider that this detailed anatomical information is important for understanding the continuation between the joint capsule and the meniscus.

Morphological study of the arterial supply to the menisci in pigs with special reference to creating meniscus injury model.

BACKGROUND: Some reports have used pigs to establish models of meniscus injury. However, accurate information on the origin, course, and access of the arteries supplying the menisci remains unclear. This information is important to avoid damaging vital arteries when creating the meniscus injury model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, fetal and adult pigs were employed to investigate the arterial supply of the menisci in pigs using gross anatomical and histological methods. RESULTS: Macro-anatomically, the anterior horn, body, and posterior horn of the medial meniscus were found to be supplied by the medial superior genicular artery, medial inferior genicular artery, and posterior middle genicular artery. The anterior and posterior horns of the lateral meniscus were supplied by the cranial tibial recurrent artery and the middle genicular artery, respectively. Anastomosis was observed in some cases, but appeared to be infrequent and too thin to expect the anastomotic branches to provide adequate blood flow. The histological examination showed that the arteries entered the meniscus along the tie-fiber. The access process of the artery was the same irrespective of whether it was in fetal or mature pigs, the medial or lateral meniscus, or the anterior horn or body or posterior horn. The medial inferior genicular artery ran along the medial meniscus in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the clinical longitudinal incision should take into account the characteristics of the vessel course in order to protect the blood vessels from damage. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, the protocol for creating a pig meniscus injury model should be reconsidered.

Expression of neurotransmitters, vasculogenesis markers and myosin heavy chain isoforms in the masseter muscle of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 mice.

BACKGROUND: Learning and memory deficits and pathologic changes in the hippocampus caused by toothlessness and soft diet feeding are related to reduced masseter muscle (MM) function. OBJECTIVE: Myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform expression in the MM also changes under different chewing conditions. The neurotransmitter calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) are involved in MM formation. However, the relationship between CGRP, VEGF-A and MyHC isoforms in the MM in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) strain, a model of learning and memory deficits, remains unclear. METHODS: Changes in CGRP, VEGF-A, vasculogenesis marker and MyHC isoform mRNA expression in the MMs of ageing SAMP8 and senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice was investigated through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: qRT-PCR revealed obviously high CGRP levels in the SAMP8 mouse MM (p < .001). MyHC-IId/x mRNA expression in the MM was higher in 24-week-old SAMP8 mice than 24-week-old SAMR1 mice (p < .001) but lower in slow-MyHC SAMP8 mice than SAMR1 mice (p < .001). CGRP mRNA was observed on the muscle fibres of the SAMP8 mouse MM but not the SAMR1 mouse MM through in situ hybridization. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed strong positive contributions of SAMP8-MyHC-IId/x, SAMP8-CGRP, SAMR1-MyHC-emb, SAMR1-CGRP, SAMR1-VEGF-A, SAMR1-CD31, SAMP8-VEGF-A, and SAMP8-CD31 in the MM at 12 and 24 weeks. CONCLUSION: Calcitonin gene-related peptide is also key for the MyHC-IId/x and slow-MyHC patterns in the MMs of SAMP8 mice.