Autistic-like behaviour and changes in thalamic cell numbers a rat model of valproic acid-induced autism; A behavioural and stereological study.

The contribution of the thalamus to the development and behavioural changes in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a neurodevelopmental syndrome, remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in thalamic volume and cell number in the valproic acid (VPA)-induced ASD model using stereological methods and to clarify the relationship between thalamus and ASD-like behaviour. Ten pregnant rats were administered a single dose (600 mg/kg) of VPA intraperitoneally on G12.5 (VPA group), while five pregnant rats were injected with 5 ml saline (control group). Behavioural tests were performed to determine appropriate subjects and ASD-like behaviours. At P55, the brains of the subjects were removed. The sagittal sections were stained with cresyl violet and toluidine blue. The thalamic and hemispheric volumes with their ratios, the total number of thalamic cells, neurons and non-neuronal cells were calculated using stereological methods. Data were compared using a t-test and a Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between behaviour and stereological outcomes. VPA-treated rats had lower sociability and sociability indexes. There was no difference in social novelty preference and anxiety. The VPA group had larger hemispheric volume, lower thalamic volume, and fewer neurons. The highest percentage decrease was in non-neuronal cells. There was a moderate positive correlation between the number of non-neuronal cells and sociability, thalamic volume and the number of neurons as well as the time spent in the light box. The correlation between behaviour and stereological data suggests that the thalamus is associated with ASD-like behaviour.

Use of AgNOR staining to determine the effect of metoclopramide on neural tube development in early chick embryos.

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy are common problems and prolonged pharmacological treatment often is needed; however, the teratogenic effects of anti-emetic drugs on neural tube (NT) development are not clear. We investigated the effects of different doses of metoclopramide on NT development in 48 and 72 h chick embryos using an argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region (AgNOR) staining method. We used 150 fertile, specific pathogen-free eggs incubated for 28 h, then randomly divided into five equal groups: group A, sham control was administered 0.9% saline; groups B - E were administered 0.15 mg/egg, 0.3 mg/egg, 0.6 mg/egg and 1.2 mg/egg, respectively. Half of the eggs in each group were taken from the incubator at 48 h incubation and the other half at 72 h incubation. After incubation, eggs were opened, embryos were dissected from their membranes, fixed with 10% formalin and examined by light microscopy. The NT status, i.e., open or closed, and somite number, crown-rump length, morphological features and gross developmental abnormalities were recorded. Excised embryos were sectioned and stained using hematoxylin and eosin or the AgNOR procedure and examined for morphology and histopathology. Delayed NT closure was observed in all 48 h drug exposed embryos, but in the 72 h groups, this occurred only in high-dose groups. Somite number was reduced significantly in groups C - E compared to the control group. Crown-rump length was decreased in both 48 and 72 h embryos. We found a decreased total AgNOR area:nuclear area ratio in 48 and 72 h embryos of all experimental groups. We found that metoclopramide delayed NT closure in chick embryos in a dose-dependent manner.

A Comparative study on the assessment of dual task performance in rheumatic diseases.

BACKGROUND: In task-oriented studies showed that the chronic pain is effective on dual tasks. Chronic pain is the main health problem that prevents mobility restriction and participation in most rheumatic diseases. RESEARCH QUESTION: Do rheumatic diseases have an effect on dual task gait performance? METHODS: This comparative-descriptive study included 75 individuals who aged 18-65 years and divided in two groups as Rheumatic Disease Group (RG; 23 women, 14 men) and Control Group (CG; 20 women, 18 men). The individuals have a chronic pain (> 3.4 cm according to Visual Analogue Scale, VAS) and Standardized Mini Mental State Examination score above 24 were included in this study as the RG. The individuals who were did not have any known disease were included in the CG. The health status of RG was evaluated with the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 (AIMS-2). The 10-meter Walk Test was applied under single and dual task conditions (dual task cognitive, DTcognitive; dual task motor, DTmotor) for assessing gait performance. RESULTS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The mean age of the individuals in the study was 40.6 ±â€¯11.34 years (RG=43.08 ±â€¯11.30; CG=38.18 ±â€¯11.00). There was a significant difference in favor of CG between the groups both in terms of gait speed in DTcognitive and its cost (p < 0.05). VAS scores correlate with single and DTcognitive and DTmotor gait parameters (p < 0.05). Many subdivisions of AIMS-2 were associated with single, DTcognitive and DTmotor gait parameters (p < 0.05). This study concluded that rheumatic diseases may reduce gait performance in concurrent motor-cognitive dual task conditions due to chronic pain. Single and dual task gait parameters may be related with psychosocial factors. Therefore, applications including pain control and biopsychosocial approach may be beneficial in the management gait disturbances and falls due to a rheumatic disease.

Does Foramen Magnum Morphometry Influence the Development of Chiari Malformation?

AIM: To examine foramen magnum morphometry and shape of Chiari malformation in comparison with a control group, and to contribute to the literature on whether Chiari malformation affects foramen magnum morphometry. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, cranial magnetic resonance images of 71 people with Chiari malformation and 61 people as controls were examined. The anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter, and area of the foramen magnum were measured, and the shape of the foramen magnum was determined. RESULTS: In the Chiari malformation group, the anteroposterior diameter of the foramen magnum was 39.11 ± 4.29 mm, the transverse diameter was 34.25 ± 3.27 mm, and its area was 969.21 ± 199.57 mm < sup > 2 < /sup > . These results were statistically higher in female patients in the Chiari malformation group than in the control group. No significant difference was found between male patients in the Chiari malformation group and those in the control group. Round-shaped foramen magnum was predominant in both groups, but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In Chiari malformation, the foramen magnum is affected. This effect can be a factor that influences development of a malformation. As a result of a malformation, the foramen magnum may have expanded due to the pressure effect. More detailed and extensive research is needed to explain this phenomenon.

Three-Dimensional Volumetric Assessment of the Effect of Decompression on Large Mandibular Odontogenic Cystic Lesions.

PURPOSE: The primary approach to treating large cystic lesions is controversial. The aims of the present study were to assess the effects of decompression before enucleation for the treatment of large cystic lesions and to compare the rate of decrease of keratocystic odontogenic tumor, ameloblastoma, and dentigerous cyst at specific times (preoperatively and at 6 months). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 40 patients (mean age, 31.22 ± 8.78 yr) with large mandibular lesions (>3 cm). Decompression was used to release intraluminal pressure and decrease the volume of the lesion. Three-dimensional computed tomography was applied to all patients at the diagnosis stage and at 6 months after decompression. Volumetric analysis was performed using software designed for 3-dimensional measurement of volumes. Other variables, such as age, gender, and rate of decrease, were recorded. RESULTS: There were important differences in rates of decrease between preoperative and 6-month lesion volumes. Statistical analyses showed no significant differences among groups for age, gender, and histologic lesion type (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Decompression of large cystic lesions could be useful for surgical interventions without complications.

Assessment of Pineal Gland Volume and Calcification in Healthy Subjects: Is it Related to Aging?

PURPOSE: The human pineal gland is a small neuroendocrine organ which produces melatonin. The main goal of this study was to provide a reference range for pineal volume in all age groups and to determine calcified and noncalcified tissue and their proportions, which may be a reflection of melatonin production in all age groups, by using very thin computerized tomography (CT) slices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 167 outpatients had undergone cranial CT. Each of the subject's total pineal volume (TPV), calcified pineal volume (CPV) and noncalcified pineal volume (NPV) according to age groups were calculated in cubic millimeters. Also, proportion of calcification (POC) was noted. RESULTS: The median values were 88.5 mm3 (12.3 mm3-411mm3) for TPV, 74.3 mm3 (12.3 mm3-298 mm3) for NPV, and 3.9 mm3 (0 mm3-141 mm3) for CPV. POC showed a gradual increase from 0-49 years. In the ≥70 group, when compared with the 60-69 age group, CPV and POC values were significantly lower (P: 0.036, P: 0.034, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study brings a radiological point of view to the distribution of pineal calcification according to age that has a link with melatonin secretion.