Enzymatic and morphological evaluation of the hepatic cytoprotective effect of somatostatin and octreotide during extended experimental liver preservation.

Cytoprotective effects on the liver of somatostatin (ST) and octreotide (OT) have been previously described in normothermic ischemia-reperfusion models. The purpose of this study was an enzymatic and morphological assessment of hepatic cytoprotective effects during extended cold storage. Rat livers were washed in situ via the portal vein with University of Wisconsin solution (UW) UW+ST, or UW+OT. After 24 or 48 hours of cold ischemia time (CIT), livers were reperfused for 2 hours via the portal vein with oxygenated KHB at 37 degrees C using a nonrecirculating ex situ isolated perfusion system. Levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatinine kinase (CK) were assessed in the perfusate during ex situ isolated reperfusion. After a 24-hour cold ischemia time (CIT) ALT, LDH, and CK levels were significantly lower (P < .05) in the UW+ST and the UW+OT livers than the UW livers. After 48-hour CIT, AST, ALT, LDH, and CK levels were significantly lower (P < .05) in the UW+ST and the UW+OT livers than the UW livers. Histopathological examination revealed mild differences after 24-hour CIT but an evidently less ischemically damage organ after 48-hour CIT. With the limitations of an in vitro model, ST and OT showed enzymatic and morphological effects during extended liver preservation.

Electrical impedance of the liver during experimental long-term liver preservation.

Measurements of electrical impedance were performed to assess ischemic damage in the rabbit liver during long-term preservation with University of Wisconsin (UW) or histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution. The impedance was measured at a frequency of 200 Hz after in situ perfusion and after cold storage for 24 and 48 hours in UW or HTK solution (six livers per group). Z(200 Hz) was significantly higher (P < .01) after 48 compared with 24 hours of cold storage with both protection solutions without significant differences between the livers preserved with both solutions. Electrical impedance was observed to be a sensitive indicator of liver damage during long-term protection, showing similar preservation quality for both preservation solutions.

Experimental contributions to the study of the embryology of the vagina.

BACKGROUND: Acién's hypothesis, deduced from patients with malformations of the female genital tract, especially those with renal agenesis and ipsilateral blind hemivagina, affirms the embryology of the human vagina as deriving from the Wolffian ducts and the Müllerian tubercle and could explain the embryological origin of all the female genital malformations reported. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis in rats. METHODS: Twenty-five pregnant rats were used to analyse female embryos (64) from day 15 (stage indifferent) to day 20 postcoitum (vagina completely formed). We performed transverse and longitudinal sections of embryos, haematoxylin-eosin tinction and immunohistochemical staining using markers specific to Wolffian derivatives. We also analysed the presence of these markers in the vagina of four adult rats. RESULTS: The Müller ducts converge until they fuse into one tube, but caudally they diverge and finally they fuse with the 'urogenital sinus bulbs' that are actually the distal portion of the Wolffian ducts according to the immunohistochemical marking with GZ1 and GZ2. The Müllerian tubercle is observed between those elements. Then, the immunohistochemical staining can be seen all along the completely formed vagina, which is also observed in the vagina of the adult rat. CONCLUSION: We prove the participation of Müller tubercle and Wolffian ducts in the formation of the vagina in rats, so we confirm experimentally Acién's hypothesis about the human vagina embryology.

Postoperative changes of carpal canal pressure in carpal tunnel syndrome: a prospective study with follow-up of 1 year.

Carpal canal pressures were measured in 103 patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome, before and after open release, with a postoperative follow-up of 1 year. Twenty-five normal subjects were used as controls. Pressures were measured with the wrists in three positions: neutral, full passive flexion and full passive extension. At each wrist position, the mean pre-operative pressures in the study group were significantly higher than in the control group. In both groups, the pressures were maximal with full passive extension and minimal in the neutral wrist position. Immediately after surgical release, there was a marked decrease of the carpal canal pressures. However, during the second postoperative month, there was a significant increase of the pressures at each wrist position, although these were still within the normal control range. This rise in pressures persisted to 12 months. These findings suggest that the carpal ligament reconstitutes by normal scar formation, but with lengthening such that the volume of the carpal canal is enlarged, so preventing a rise in pressure with return of the pre-operative problem.

Estudio ecográfico del síndrome del túnel del carpo en la mujer / Sonography of carpal tunnel syndrome in women

Material y método. Se realizó el estudio ecográfico de alta resolución del túnel del carpo en 103 pacientes mujeres con síndrome del túnel carpiano idiopático y 25 controles, valorando los diámetros del nervio mediano, el área de la sección ecográfica del nervio mediano, el grosor del ligamento anular y la altura del túnel del carpo; así como la presencia de cambios patológicos en el interior del nervio mediano o de patología intratunelar asociada. Resultados. Los parámetros ecográficos estudiados eran mayores en el grupo estudio frente al grupo control, a excepción de la altura del túnel del carpo que fue menor, siendo las diferencias significativas (p < 0,05). En el grupo estudio el área presentó una relación significativa con la edad (p = 0,05), la fuerza de prensión (p = 0,05), el grosor del ligamento anular (p = 0,04) y con la gravedad de la lesión nerviosa según el estudio electrodiagnóstico (p = 0,004). Conclusiones. La ecografía permite en el estudio del síndrome del túnel carpiano valorar la patología del nervio mediano siendo una prueba de fácil acceso, económica y cómoda para el paciente (AU)

Presión en el interior del túnel carpiano en mujeres sintomáticas / Carpal tunnel pressure in women with symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome

Objetivos, material y método. Se realizó el estudio de las presiones del túnel del carpo en 103 pacientes mujeres con síndrome del túnel carpiano idiopático y 25 controles con el monitor Quick Pressure Monitor System-S.T.I.C en las posiciones neutra, flexión dorsal y palmar pasiva máxima de muñeca. Resultados y conclusiones. Los valores de presión fueron mayores en el grupo de estudio, siendo las diferencias con el grupo control significativas (p = 0,001). Asimismo, en ambos grupos la presión fue mayor en flexión dorsal pasiva máxima de muñeca y las diferencias respecto a la presión en flexión palmar pasiva máxima y en posición neutra también fueron significativas (p = 0,01). En el grupo de estudio la presión en posición neutra o de reposo presentó una relación significativa con la pérdida objetiva de fuerza (p = 0,01), con el nivel de actividad manual (p = 0,04), con la tensión arterial diastólica (p = 0,02) y con la gravedad de la lesión nerviosa según el estudio electrodiagnóstico (p = 0,02), (AU)

Stimulus frequency affects c-fos expression in the rat visual system.

We have characterised the c-fos expression patterns in various centers of the visual pathway of adult rats monocularly stimulated either by continuous or flickering light at different frequencies. Results show different immunocytochemical patterns in all centers studied, the geniculate lateral complex (LGC), superior colliculus (SC) and primary visual cortex (Oc1), depending on the physical characteristics of the stimulus (blinking frequency and light wavelength). After stimulation of the left eye, the ipsilateral pathway presents a substantial density of immunoresponsive cells, which is greater than expected with respect to the number of fibers that project ipsilaterally from the retina to the LGC and the superficial layers of the SC. A surprisingly high positive immunoresponsiveness is obtained in all cases with coherent light stimulation in the red spectrum (634 nm).

Palate vault morphology in Down syndrome.

Moire topography was used to quantitatively determine the shape of the palatal vault in 57 Spanish patients with Down syndrome (DS) (38 males and 19 females; age range 18-36 years) and in 100 normal controls (N) (76 males and 24 females; age range 20-29 years). The topographic image for each palatal vault was analyzed and approximately 40 sets of coordinates (x, y, z) were recorded. Other parameters, including length, width and maximum height, were recorded from the palate vault images. No appreciable sexual dimorphism in palate dimensions was observed in DS subjects versus the situation in N subjects. Globally, the average N dimensions were significantly greater than those in the DS patients (P < 0.005). A special palatal morphology was found to be associated with DS, with different ratios for the three dimensions (mean factor 0.88 for length, 0.81 for width and 0.73 for height), versus the healthy palatal vaults. It is concluded that palatal morphology in DS fits an elliptic paraboloid. On the other hand, no lineal correlation was observed between height, width and length in the DS and N groups. The scatter plots of bivariate data exhibited a shapeless morphology. The lineal correlation coefficients ranged from 0.008 to 0.33 for the DS and N groups.

One further case of unusual origin of three hepatic arteries.

This article describes a triple vascularization of the liver which is not a common vascular anomaly. Dealing with this particular kind of vascularization, we note the following: a main hepatic a. which enters in the right lobe of the liver and two accessory arteries, the right hepatic a. (a branch of the superior mesenteric a.) and left hepatic a. (from the left gastric a.). In the same way, the cystic a. has an unusual origin: the right accessory hepatic artery. The whole hepatic pedicle was dissected, and its branches were described, indicating their relations, length and diameter.

Teratogenic effects of coherent light on chick embryos.

In this work we study the possible teratogenic effects of laser light with very low surface power densities. In all the cases we confirmed embryonic anomalies that were more manifest and generalized as earlier the stage where the embryos were exposed to irradiation.

Axonal patterns of disc-shaped cells in the central nucleus of the cat inferior colliculus.

The axonal patterns of disc-shaped cells (Dsc) and their distribution within the central nucleus (Cn) of the inferior colliculus was studied in young cats with the rapid Golgi method. Dsc were subdivided in three main cell varieties according to their axonal branching pattern. The first type possesses local axonal collaterals inside the lamina of origin but also gives collaterals and probably terminals to adjacent lamina. The second variety is characterized by a dense axonal plexus with a restricted zone of arborization. The third axonal pattern is distributed in a radiate fashion. These results demonstrate that Dsc contribute to the intrinsic axonal system of the Cn to a larger degree than previously supposed. Axon terminals of Dsc probably establish axo-dendritic contacts with medium sized Stc which probably establish contacts with neighbouring Dsc. This suggests that reciprocal connections between Dsc and Stc could exist in the Cn.

Action of laser light on the ocular development of chick embryos.

The effects of low-power 632.8 nm coherent light (laser) on the ocular development of chick embryos were studied in stages 10-20 (Hamburger-Hamilton). Irradiation zones were located in the optic vesicles and the mesencephalo-diencephalic border region. A total number of 30 embryos were irradiated and the morphological alterations 48 to 96 h after irradiation were described. Teratogenic alterations observed were divided in 4 groups: 1) anophthalmic, 2) microphthalmic, 3) abnormal localization of the crystalline lens and 4) folded retina.

Neuronal relationships between the dorsal periaqueductal nucleus and the inferior colliculus (nucleus commissuralis) in the cat. A Golgi study.

Cell types in the dorsal periaqueductal nucleus (PAGd) were studied with the aid of the rapid Golgi method in young cats. The neurons were subdivided into fusiform and stellate types with several varieties of the latter class according to the final destination of their axons. Fusiform neurons send their axons to the neuropil of the Ncom. In turn these neurons receive descending fibres from the nucleus commissuralis (Ncom) which seem to establish axo-dendritic contacts. Also commissural neurons receive contacts from ascending fibres of the PAGd. On the basis of Golgi material it is concluded that particular neuronal types of the PAGd could establish reciprocal connections with neuronal elements of the ventral part of the Ncom. The present study supports the hypothesis that the PAGd could be subdivided into discrete cell groups according to their afferent and efferent projections.

Cytoarchitecture and axonal systems in the commissural nucleus of the inferior colliculus in the albino rat. A Golgi study.

The nucleus commissuralis (Ncom) of the inferior colliculus in the rat is cytoarchitectonically divided in four zones: 1) subpial; 2) plexiform dendritic; 3) central and 4) ventral. Each zone possesses definitory neuronal types. The first three zones are innervated by fibres from the dorsal cortex. These fibres arborizes in varied manner in some cases forming axonal nests. Also vertical fibres from deeper zones of the Ncom contribute to the intrinsic vertical axonal system of the Ncom and innervate these zones, in particular fusiform neurons of the central zone. Fusiform and stellate neurons of the central zone also contribute to this vertical axonal system and to the intrinsic circuitry of the Ncom. Some specific types of the dorsal periaqueductal gray (PAGd) are in close relationship with the Ncom. Fusiform and stellate cells of the PAGd send in variable degree their dendrites and in some cases their axons to the commissural neuropil. In turn transverse and vertical fibres from the Ncom arborize in the upper part of the PAGd. This suggest the existence of discrete cell groups in PAGd in relation with the auditory cellular nuclei of the colliculus.

Stellate cells and their axonal patterns in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus of the cat (Felis domesticus).

Stellate cells (Stc) in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus of the cat are divided according to cell body size and shape, dendritic branching pattern and axonal arborization into large, medium-size and small categories. Each of these were divided in different cell types. Three types of large Stc, six types of medium sized Stc and one type of small Stc were described. All of these cell types differ from each other in their morphological characteristics. Stc contribute to the neuropil organization of the central nucleus with numerous axonal collaterals which differ in their form and extension. Large and medium-sized Stc could be projecting neurons with a system of local axonal collaterals while the small Stc is considered a Golgi II type neuron. The probable synaptic relationships between Stc and disc-shaped neurons as well as between the different types of Stc are described. The mode of this probable synaptic arrangement suggests that another level of organization exist in the central nucleus, superimposed to the anatomically defined fibrodendritic laminae.

Epidemiology of trochanteric fractures of the femur in Alicante, Spain, 1974-1982.

From 1974 until 1982, the cases of 1287 patients with trochanteric fractures of the femur were examined. The incidence of this injury (16.6 per 100,000 persons per year) was lower than in other countries and increased over time. The predominance of the injury in women was 2:1 and the average age was 76.6 years. Women had a higher average age, but there was a progressive increase in age among men. There were no seasonal differences in the frequency of the injury. Seventy-seven percent of the cases were due to moderate trauma; most injuries occurred in the home. Sixty-four percent of the patients had associated diseases. Radiologic morphometry, using the Singh index and a modified method of the cortical-shaft index, was used in 246 patients older than 60 years of age; 84% of these patients had poor bone quality. There was no correlation between the degree of osteopenia and sex, although there was a correlation between osteopenia and fracture type.

Morphology of the meniscotemporal part of the temporomandibular joint and its biomechanical implications.

The temporomandibular joint is a diarthrosis. It has classically been referred to as being a condylar, and functionally as a double condylar joint. We have used the moiré topographical technique to study the morphology of the pars suprameniscalis or meniscotemporalis of the joint. The findings show that this pars suprameniscalis could be classified as a saddle joint. The biomechanical implications are also discussed.