The pattern of branching and intercommunications of the musculocutaneous nerve for surgical issues: anatomical study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present work was to provide evidence about the anatomical variations as regard the origin, distribution, and branching pattern of the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Brachial plexus was dissected in 40 upper limbs of 20 male adult cadavers. The pattern of the MCN was photographed by a digital camera. RESULTS: The location and length of the nerve branches between left and right arms were recorded and statistically analysed. In 90% of specimens the MCN originates from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, in 5% it arose from the median nerve (MN), while in the remaining 5% specimen, it was absent. The MCN pierced the coracobrachialis muscle in 90% of specimens, and in the remaining 10% did not pierce it. The motor branches to biceps brachii muscle were categorised into: type 1 (90%): one branch that divides to supply the two heads of biceps; type 2 (5%): double branches, innervating each head of biceps separately. The motor branches to brachialis muscle were categorised into: type 1 (82.9%): one branch; type 2 (14.2%): double branches and type 3 (2.9%): three branches that innervating brachialis muscle. Communications between the MCN and the MN were observed in 35% of specimens. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of the common and uncommon MCN variations is important especially to the surgeons for carrying out surgical procedures in axilla and arm.

The possible protective effects of virgin olive oil and Nigella sativa seeds on the biochemical and histopathological changes in pancreas of hyperlipidaemic rats.

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidaemia is a risk factor for the development and progression of atherosclerosis and is linked to various diseases. This study was done to evaluate the possible protective effects of virgin olive oil and Nigella sativa seeds on the biochemical and histopathological changes which occurred in the pancreas of the rats. The study lasted 8 weeks and included 24 albino rats that were divided into four groups (6 rats each); Group I - control group, fed with normal standard diet, Group II - fed with high fat diet (HFD), Group III - fed with HFD and virgin olive oil, Group IV - fed with HFD and Nigella sativa seeds powder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After finishing the experiment, blood samples were collected and assessed for the lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, pancreatic amylase and insulin levels. Then, the rats were sacrificed and the pancreata were extracted and slices of them were processed for histological examination using haematoxylin stain and Masson's trichrome stain. Small fragments from the tail of the pancreata were extracted and processed for electron microscopic examination. The statistical analysis of the data using the appropriate statistical tests was also conducted. RESULTS: In the present study, the serum lipid profile in hyperlipidaemic rats was ameliorated in rats fed on high fat diet with virgin olive oil or Nigella sativa seed powder, which was reflected by a significant decrease in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides. Moreover, Nigella sativa decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL), while virgin olive oil significantly increased HDL. Also a significant decrease in the serum levels of blood glucose and amylase and a significant increase in insulin levels were present in these groups. The histological and ultrastructural results revealed regeneration of the exocrine and endocrine parts of the pancreatic tissues from the hyperlipidaemic rats fed with virgin olive oil or Nigella sativa seeds. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the biochemical results were paralleled to the histological and ultrastructural results; therefore, it could be concluded that virgin olive oil and Nigella sativa seeds had antihyperlipidaemic and hypoglycaemic effects and they could protect the pancreas from hyperlipidaemia-induced injury. Daily consumption of virgin olive oil and Nigella sativa seeds in the diet is highly recommended.

The effect of prolonged formalin fixation on the staining characteristics of archival human brain tissue.

BACKGROUND: Neurodegenerative disorders include wide range of conditions, which affect millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, they are incurable and irreversibly progressive. Immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-fixed tissues for both diagnostic and research purposes are widely used. However, large amount of brain tissues are fixed but little is known about whether they are suitable for retrospective studies. The study aimed at investigating the effects of prolonged formalin fixation time on immunohistochemical expression of some common neurodegenerative markers in archival brain specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty brain specimens were obtained from hu- man cadavers in the Anatomy Department of King Abdulaziz University that were prefixed in 10% formalin. They were divided into two equal groups according to time of fixation: group 1 - less than 1 year, group 2 - up to 20 years. Histological examination of white and grey matter was done using haematoxylin and eosin, luxol fast blue (LFB) for myelin staining, Con- go red for amyloid plaques, CD 68 for microglial cells, tenascin-C (large ex- tracellular matrix glycoprotein) and caspase 3 antibody for apoptotic cells. RESULTS: For both groups, corpus callosum sections displayed myelination with LFB staining. The distribution of CD 68 positive microglial cells was evi- dent in frontal and temporal grey matter, but not in corpus callosum sections. Strongly positive masses were seen in Congo red-stained frontal and temporal sections. Anti-caspase 3 immunostaining revealed positively stained neurons. CONCLUSIONS: Histological and immunohistochemical techniques yielded repro- ducible staining results when applied to human brain tissue stored in formalin for long periods; so they can be used in well preserved biobank material which are the most targeting research areas in neuropathology.