Acromion types and morphometric evaluation of painful shoulders.

BACKGROUND: Due to its many variations, the scapula is among the most frequently examined bones. Especially the acromion can be of different shapes and sizes. Measurements of the morphometric structures in the shoulder joint make it easier to explain the cause of the various shoulder problems. The objective of this study is putting emphasis on the importance of acromion types, os acromiale presence and acromial morphometric measurements in the aetiology and diagnosis of shoulder pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study, based on 100 patients of both genders who presented with the complaints of shoulder pain and underwent magnetic resonance imaging, was conducted. Within this scope, types of acromion, slope of acromion, length of acromion, length of coracoid process, the distance between acromion and coracoid process, lateral acromial angle (LAA), critical shoulder angle (CSA), acromial index (AI) and acromiohumeral distance were measured. The data were analysed considering the gender and acromion types and the presence of os acromiale is investigated. RESULTS: The most common acromion was type II (curved) (frequency rate 62%) while the rate of type I (flat) and type III (hooked) acromions were 21% and 17%, respectively. The length of acromion and coracoid process were found to be significantly longer in males, while no significant difference between genders in terms of the distance between acromion and coracoid process were observed. Furthermore, while negative correlation between LAA and AI as well as LAA and CSA were observed; positive correlation between AI and CSA was found. In addition, there was negative correlation between slope of acromion and acromiohumeral distance. Besides, acromiohumeral distance was significantly higher in males. Regarding the presence of os acromiale, it was observed in 3 women out of 59 and 2 men out of 41, which indicated no significant difference between genders. CONCLUSIONS: It is evaluated that the morphometric measurement is of importance in contributing clinically in distinguishing the problems that may occur according to gender and acromion types.

Age and gender related changes in bronchial tree: a morphometric study with multidedector CT.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are the identification of differences in the diameter, length, area and branching angles of the trachea and bronchi with gender and age, and the identification of trachea types by using MDCT images. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The thoracic MDCT images of 253 patients (0-74 years old, 142 male and 111 female) were evaluated. Tracheal diameter, tracheal cross-sectional area, diameter and length of bronchi, and several angles of the bronchial tree [e.g. subcarinal angles (SCA), interbronchial angles (IBA)] were measured. RESULTS: Average anteroposterior and transverse diameter of the trachea in adult patients were measured as 15.8 ± 2.9 mm and 17.5 ± 3.7 mm respectively. Average tracheal cross-sectional areas in adult patients were calculated as 160.7 ± 41.3 mm² in females and as 275.7 ± 57.3 mm² in males. Four types of trachea were identified as circular (68% in adults, 73% in children), oval (13%, 15%), rectangular (11%, 5%) and horseshoe shaped (8%, 7%). The average right and left SCA were calculated as 34.5º ± 8.1º and 38.1º ± 8.9º respectively. The average right and left IBA were calculated as 32.4º ± 7.7º and 35.2º ± 8.1º respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study may be helpful during bronchoscopy and tube and stent application procedures. MDCT seems to be a convenient technique for the evaluation of the bronchial tree.

Investigation of developmental toxicity and teratogenicity of antiemetics on rat embryos cultured in vitro.

In this study, we aimed to investigate and compare the direct toxic and teratogenic effects of dimenhydrinate, metoclopramide and trimethobenzamide HCl, antiemetic drugs on embryonic growth and development in cultured rat embryos. Embryos were explanted on day 9.5 of gestation and cultured. Whole rat serum was used as a culture medium for the control group while different concentrations of dimenhydrinate (2.5-20 µg/ml), metoclopramide (10-50 µg/ml) and trimethobenzamide HCl (25-100 µg/ml) were added to serum for the experimental groups. Effects of antiemetics on embryonic developmental parameters were compared, and embryos were evaluated for the presence of any malformations. Also, the total DNA was extracted from the cells to determine the fragmentation of nuclear DNA of embryonic cells. Compared with the control embryos, the antiemetics significantly decreased all growth and developmental parameters dose dependently. There was no difference regarding the fragmentation of nuclear DNA of the all used agents and controls. Amongst the agents, trimethobenzamide HCl was found to have more toxic and teratogenic potential, and metoclopramide appears to be the least toxic antiemetic and therefore could be more safely used and might be preferred for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

Coronary artery variations and median artery in Turkish cadaver hearts.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the routes and variations of the left coronary artery (LCA), the right coronary artery (RCA), and their branches, as well as the frequency of a median artery in cadaver hearts. METHODS: The hearts of 50 adult Turkish cadavers from various centres were dissected. RESULTS: The LCAs branched out of the aortic sinus and had an average diameter of 4.44 +/- 1.79 mm. They gave rise to two branches (bifurcation) in 46 percent, three branches (trifurcation) in 44 percent and four branches (quadrifurcation) in ten percent of the hearts. The median artery was identified in 27 hearts, with a mean diameter of 2.00 mm (standard deviation 0.67). The RCAs branched out from the right aortic sinus and had an average diameter of 3.32 +/- 0.79 mm. The conus branch, classically known as a branch of the RCA, branched out from the RCA in 32 percent of the hearts and from the right aortic sinus in 68 percent. Right dominance was observed in 42 percent, left dominance in 14 percent, and equal dominance in 44 percent of the hearts. Myocardial bridges were found on the LCA branches in 22 of the 27 hearts in which the median artery existed. CONCLUSION: There is a close relationship between the existence of the median artery and myocardial bridges. This suggests that the median artery might be important in myocardial bridges, which exist in embryos but do not result in any clinical symptoms for many years in a large number of people.

Investigation of developmental toxicity and teratogenicity of macrolide antibiotics in cultured rat embryos.

Macrolides are considered to be one of the safest anti-infective groups in clinical use, with severe adverse reactions being rare. However, there are limited data about their embryotoxicity and teratogenicity. We aimed to investigate and compare the effects of these agents on embryonic growth and development. Rat embryos were cultured in vitro for 48 h in rat serum. Whole rat serum was used as a culture medium for the control group while different concentrations of spiramycin and azithromycin (1.25-6.25 microg/ml), and clarithromycin (2.5-30 microg/ml) were added to rat serum for the experimental groups. Dose-dependent effects of macrolides on embryonic developmental parameters were compared using morphological methods. Embryos were evaluated for the presence of any malformations. After morphological examination of the embryos, total DNA was extracted from the cells using standard procedures to determine fragmentation of nuclear DNA of embryonic cells. When compared with the control embryos, the macrolides significantly decreased all growth and developmental parameters dose dependently. While clarithromycin was found to cause more developmental toxicity than spiramycin and azithromycin, azitromycin was determined to have more teratogenicity potential. Compared with controls, there was no difference regarding the fragmentation of nuclear DNA of all the agents used. According to these results, when the toxic and teratogenic potential of the used agents compared, because of the lower toxic and teratogenic effects observed with spiramycin, this agent may be preferred for parturients.

Investigation of direct toxic and teratogenic effects of anticoagulants on rat embryonic development using in vitro culture method and genotoxicity assay.

Heparin and low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) are used to reduce the incidence of venous thromboembolism in pregnancy. Although, these agents have been shown to be safe when used during pregnancy, the studies about direct toxic and teratogenic effects of these drugs on embryonic development are limited. In this study, the effects of heparin and LMWHs on rat embryonic development were investigated by using in vitro embryo culture and micronucleus (MN) assay methods. Rat embryos were cultured in vitro in the presence of different concentrations of heparin (5-40 IU/ml), dalteparin (2.5-20 IU/ml), enoxaparin (25-100 microg/ml) and nadroparin (1-4 IU/ml). Effects of anticoagulants on embryonic developmental parameters were compared and embryos were evaluated for the presence of any malformations. After culturing the embryos, classic MN assay was performed. Anticoagulants significantly decreased all growth and developmental parameters dose-dependently. Dalteparin and enoxaparin were found to cause more developmental toxicity than heparin and nadroparin. Along with haematoma in general, heparin and nadroparin caused maxillary deformity, situs inversus and oedema most frequently, while neural tube defects were observed with dalteparin and enoxaparin. All agents also significantly induced MN formation in rat embryonic blood cells. These results indicate the possible genotoxic effects of anticoagulant agents on the developing rat embryo when applied directly.

An investigation of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants on embryonic development in cultured rat embryos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We have investigated the toxic and teratogenic effects of certain non-depolarizing muscle relaxants on embryonic development in cultured rat embryos. METHODS: Rat embryos of 9.5 days were explanted and cultured in vitro for 48 h in rat serum. Whole rat serum was used as a culture medium for the control group while different concentrations of atracurium, cis-atracurium, rocuronium and mivacurium were added to rat serum for the experimental groups. Dose-dependent effects of these agents on embryonic developmental parameters were compared using morphological and biochemical methods. Each embryo was evaluated for the presence of any malformations. RESULTS: When compared to the control embryos, the muscle relaxants significantly decreased all growth and developmental parameters dose dependently with an increase in overall dismorphology. Among these malformations, maxillary deformity was most frequently observed. These effects were observed in much lower doses with atracurium and cis-atracurium compared to those with rocuronium and mivacurium. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that non-depolarizing muscle relaxants cause dose-dependent toxicity on rat embryos at concentrations much greater than those in clinical practice. Although, these agents seems to have a low potential for causing developmental toxicity during organogenesis, because of the lower toxic effects observed with rocuronium and mivacurium, these agents may be preferred when recurrent administrations are necessary for parturients.

Maxillary-to-petrous internal carotid artery bypass: an anatomical feasibility study.

The possibility for maxillary artery (MA) to petrous internal carotid artery (ICA) bypass was investigated. Five adult cadavers were dissected bilaterally. After zygomatic arch osteotomy, the coronoid process was sectioned at its base. An extensive infratemporal craniotomy was performed at the level of foramina ovale, rotundum and spinosum. The petrous portion of the ICA was exposed by drilling away the floor of the middle fossa, posterior to the foramen ovale and medial to the foramen spinosum. The MA was identified medial to the infratemporal crest and was followed in the pterygopalatine fossa, then transected at the origin of the infraorbital artery. The MA graft was brought posteromedially to reach the petrous ICA. The mean caliber of the MA before the origin of the infraorbital artery was 2.54+/-0.31 mm, 2.76+/-0.14 mm at the site of anastomosis, and 3.46+/-0.32 mm after giving off the middle meningeal artery. The average length of the MA between the middle meningeal artery and the infraorbital artery was 43.4+/-2.35 mm, and up to the site of anastomosis was 37.64+/-1.68 mm. We conclude that the length and diameter of the MA are sufficient for a tension-free anastomosis between MA and petrous ICA, and such a procedure could be used in the treatment of patients with tumors of the infratemporal fossa invading the high cervical ICA.

Labelling of rat endothelial cells with antibodies to vWF, RECA-1, PECAM-1, ICAM-1, OX-43 and ZO-1.

Labelling with endothelium specific monoclonal antibodies, von Willebrand Factor (vWF), rat endothelial cell antigen-1 (RECA-1), platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), OX-43 and zonula occludentes-1 (ZO-1), was investigated in cryostat sections of vessels from rats of different ages using a confocal microscope. The results showed that labelling of the vWF was positive in endothelial cells from adult, fetal and different ages of embryonic rat. Labelling with RECA-1 was weakly positive in adult rat aorta and lung endothelial cells but not in embryonic yolk sac endothelial cells. Labelling using PECAM-1, ICAM-1 and OX-43 was negative in both adult and embryonic endothelial cells. ZO-1 showed positive but very weak reactivity in embryonic yolk sac endothelial cells. The expression of vWF on vessels from adult and 19.5-day fetal tissues was strongly positive. However, the expression of vWF in embryonic endothelial cells was dependent on the gestational age. While the 11.5-day yolk sac vessels stained weakly, staining gradually increased in 13.5-, 15.5- and 17.5-day-old yolk sac vessels. The results suggest that vWF is a reliable endothelial cell marker in rat vascular endothelial cells, including both fetal and embryonic stages.

An investigation of the conus medullaris termination level during the period of fetal development to adulthood.

The spinal cord fills the length of the vertebral canal at the early period of intrauterine term. It is reported to extend to the level of the third lumbar vertebra at birth, because the vertebral column is growing more rapidly in the longitudinal direction than the spinal cord. The present investigation aimed to determine the changes in the termination level of conus medullaris (TLCM) from fetus to adulthood in a total of 285 individuals who had no defects in the central or peripheral nervous system, and were obtained from our Faculties of Medicine and Konya Maternity Hospital between 1992-1995. The age distribution was as follows: 36 fetuses, 20 prematures and 50 neonates, 51 children aged 1 to 7 years and 128 adults aged 15 to 68 years. In this study, for fetuses, prematures, neonates and children the TLCM was determined using ultrasonography. In addition, microdissection was used in fetuses to confirm the results obtained from the above technique. Also, magnetic resonance imaging was used in adults. During fetal life the end of the conus altered its levels from S5 to L3 vertebrae. The tip of the conus medullaris of the prematures and neonates ranged from L1 to L3 vertebrae. The tip of the conus medullaris in the children lay between the Th12 and L3 vertebrae, and in the adults it was between the Th12 and L2 vertebrae. There were slight differences between the prematures and neonates in terms of the TLCM. We concluded that there are differences in the TLCM between the age groups and therefore, especially in prematures and infants the determination of the tip of conus medullaris might be important for preventing postoperative neurological complications.

Saphenous vein graft for bypass of the maxillary to supraclinoid internal carotid artery: an anatomical short study.

The use of a saphenous vein graft for bypass of the maxillary artery (MA) to the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) in internal carotid occlusions is investigated. Five adult cadaver sides were used. Dissection required zygomatic arch osteotomy and a pterional craniotomy with extensive removal of the floor of the middle cranial fossa. The MA was found easily medial to infratemporal crest. The clinoidal segment of the ICA was exposed with the removal of the anterior clinoid process intradurally. The bypass graft was 4 to 5 cm long and was sutured end-to-end to the MA and end-to-side to the supraclinoid ICA. When high blood flow is needed in cases with ICA occlusion, such a bypass may be an alternative to superficial temporal (STA)-to-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass as well as to common carotid-to-MCA or-ICA bypass, which needs a long vein graft. This type of bypass will provide the opportunity to clip the ICA proximal to the origin of ophthalmic artery, which may inhibit distal embolization.

Human foetal sacral length measurement for the assessment of foetal growth and development by ultrasonography and dissection.

This study investigated the value of prenatal ultrasonographic measurements of sacrum as a predictor of in utero development and gestational age (GA), and to make a comparison between the data obtained by ultrasonography and dissection. A prospective cross-sectional study of ultrasonography was conducted in 186 pregnant women with uneventful single pregnancies. GA ranged from 14 to 40 weeks, and the relationships of sacrum length (SL) with GA, femur length (FL), biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC) and abdominal circumference (AC) were evaluated. In addition, the sacral bones of 101 spontaneously aborted foetuses aged from 13 to 39 weeks were dissected and measured. The relationship of the results with GA was investigated. There was a linear relationship between the ultrasonographic measurements of the SL and the GA (R2 = 0.93, P < 0.001), the FL (R2 = 0.93, P < 0.001), the BPD (R2 = 0.93, P < 0.001), the HC (R2 = 0.92, P < 0.001) and the AC (R2 = 0.90, P < 0.001). The rate of increase of SL was significantly higher before 28 weeks of gestation than in later pregnancy, with a correlation coefficient between SL and GA of 0.96 and 0.88, respectively. The SL measurements obtained by dissection were similar to those of ultrasonography. There was a linear relationship between the SL and the GA (R2 = 0.96, P < 0.001) and the correlation coefficients between SL and GA were 0.97 before 28 weeks of gestation, and 0.94 in later weeks. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a high correlation between the SL, GA and other standard measurements of foetal growth, and suggests that SL measurement is a valuable predictor of GA in the foetuses with normal growth.

Growth promoting effects of human placental lactogen during early organogenesis: a link to insulin-like growth factors.

Many maternally derived factors may be involved in the regulation of embryonic growth but the control mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Human placental lactogen (hPL) has been implicated in playing a role in the control of embryonic growth. Several investigators suggested that there may be a possible link between the effects of this hormone and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). In order to determine the growth promoting potential of hPL and involvement of IGFs in the mechanism of action of the hormone, 9.5 d rat embryos were cultured in vitro for 48 h in depleted serum in the presence and absence of hPL with additional IGF antisera. The growth supporting capacity of the serum was reduced by removal of low molecular weight molecules by prolonged filtration of the serum using filters with a molecular weight exclusion of 30 kDa. Addition of hPL (3.2-25.6 ng/ml) to depleted serum significantly improved embryonic growth and development, suggesting that the developing embryo may utilise hPL. The presence of antisera against hPL, IGF-I and -II abolished the hPL-induced increase in the development in all parameters suggesting that there may be a possible link between the IGFs and the effects of hPL on rat embryonic development and this hormone may achieve its growth promoting effects via IGFs.

An alternative method for restoring opposition after median nerve injury: an anatomical feasibility study for the use of neurotisation.

Opposition, one of the most important functions of the hand, is lost or impaired after median nerve injury. Complete recovery does not always occur after treatment, and various techniques of opponensplasty are used for restoring opposition. This study was performed in order to develop an alternative method for selective restoration of thenar muscle function. Ten arms from 5 cadavers were used. The median nerve with its thenar motor branch (Tb) and the anterior interosseous nerve with its motor branch to pronator quadratus (PQb) were prepared in the distal forearm. The mean widths and the number of myelinated fibres of these nerves were: PQb 1.3+/-0.10 mm, Tb 1.4+/-0.12 mm and PQb 912+/-88 mm, Tb 1020+/-93 mm. The minimum necessary distance from the distal flexor crease of the wrist for neurotisation of the Tb by the PQb was 60+/-5.41 mm. It was concluded that PQb-Tb neurotisation would be possible anatomically. The advantages are that motor function is reestablished with a motor nerve, the diameters and the number of myelinated fibres of both nerves are similar, the loss of function after denervation of the pronator quadratus is slight and opponensplasty still remains as a final option.

The growth promoting effects of bFGF, PD-ECGF and VEGF on cultured postimplantation rat embryos deprived of serum fractions.

Serum components in which embryos are cultured in vitro are very important for normal embryonic development. In this study, rat serum was fractionated using Macrosep filters to study the effect of a single growth factor. The fractionated serum, both that containing only material greater than 30 kDa molecular weight (> 30 kDa) and that from which material between 30 kDa and 50 kDa had been removed (< 30 kDa+ > 50 kDa), caused significant embryonic growth retardation. Addition of different concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, 18 kDa), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, 45 kDa) and platelet-derived endothelial growth factor (PD-ECGF, 45 kDa), to fractionated serum (bFGF to > 30 kDa serum and VEGF or PD-ECGF to < 30 kDa+ > 50 kDa serum) partially restored embryonic growth and development according to a morphological scoring system and protein assay. This restoration was clear by all criteria, as well as in yolk sac vascularisation and heart development. The growth promoting effects of all 3 factors were significant but did not reach the level seen in embryos grown in whole rat serum. The effect of these growth factors was also investigated on anembryonic yolk sac development using a concentration for which maximum whole embryonic growth was seen (128 ng/ml bFGF, 1.6 ng/ml VEGF and 4 ng/ml PD-ECGF), and significant anembryonic yolk sac development was found. These findings suggest that the angiogenic factors may have a growth promoting effect on total embryonic development and vascularisation.

Growth-promoting effects of different fractions of extra-embryonic coelomic fluid on embryonic development.

In the early stages of embryonic development, many growth-promoting molecules must be provided by the maternal system. These factors may be supplied locally to the embryo, by the decidua, the placenta, or the yolk sac. In this study the growth-promoting potential of extra-embryonic coelomic fluid (EECF) and its fractions was investigated. The embryonic requirement of growth-promoting molecules may be studied by reducing the growth-supporting capacity of serum. Thus, ultrafiltration of rat serum was carried out for 8 h using Millipore filters with a molecular weight exclusion of 30 kDa. Rat embryos at 9.5 days of age were cultured for 8 days for anembryonic yolk sacs, and then EECF was collected and divided into three different molecular weight fractions by ultrafiltration. Rat embryos were cultured for 48 h in whole rat serum and the serum retenate (which has low growth-supporting capacity) in the presence and absence of EECF, its fractions, or in EECF only. Embryos grown in retenate showed severe growth retardation, and the addition of EECF significantly improved embryonic growth. The fraction which contained the molecules with molecular weight between 10 and 30 kDa had significantly more effect on embryonic development than the other fractions. This fraction of EECF was analysed by gel electrophoresis. Three of the four protein bands observed in this fraction were identified by amino-terminal sequencing as alpha-fetoprotein precursor (22 kDa), apolipoprotein A1 precursor (24 kDa) and fetal haemoglobin Y2 chain (14 kDa), none of which are likely to be responsible for the growth-promoting activity. To further investigate growth-promoting proteins, EECF was Western-blotted to nitrocellulose membranes and probed with antisera against rat prolactin, epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factors I and II and human placental lactogen. No immunoreactive bands were detected in the EECF, suggesting that either these proteins are not present or are present at levels too low to be detected. Although the growth-promoting effect of the EECF was demonstrated in this study, the molecules responsible remain uncharacterized.

An investigation of the conus medullaris and filum terminale variations in human fetuses.

The morphologic structure of the conus medullaris and filum terminale was investigated by dissection in 123 human fetuses, obtained from Selçuk University, Faculty of Medicine and Maternity hospital of Konya between 1992-1995. In 78 fetuses, the conus medullaris and filum terminale had a normal morphologic aspect, whereas there was a slight depression or groove formation in the closure region of the caudal neuropore in 45 fetuses. In 15 fetuses, important malformations of the cranium and vertebral column were observed. The morphologic aspects of the conus medullaris in 30 fetuses were abnormal in shape and position, among them 24 fetuses had an abnormal filum terminale (grooved, depressed, thickened or duplicated) whereas it was normal in 6. Deficiency of closure of the caudal neuropore was considered to have a negative effect on the fetal development of the filum terminale.

Protection by free oxygen radical scavenging enzymes against salicylate-induced embryonic malformations in vitro.

Salicylates are among the oldest and most widely used drugs and are known to lead to foetal death, growth retardation and congenital abnormalities in experimental animals. In this study, the effects of acetyl salicylic acid (ASA), salicylic acid (SAL) and sodium salicylate (NaSAL) on early organogenesis and the interaction of these molecules with free radicals has been investigated. Postimplantation rat embryos were cultured in vitro from day 9.5 of gestation for 48 hr. ASA, SAL and NaSAL were added to whole rat serum at concentrations between 0.1 and 0.6 mg/ml. Also, the lowest effective concentration of ASA for all parameters (0.3 mg/ml) and the same concentration of NaSAL and SAL was added to the culture media in the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (30 U/ml) or glutathione (0.5 micromol/ml). The growth and development of embryos was compared and each embryo was evaluated for the presence of any malformations. When compared to growth of control embryos, the salicylates decreased all growth and developmental parameters in a concentration-responsive manner. There was also a concentration-related increase in overall dysmorphology, including the incidence of haematoma in the yolk sac and neural system, open neural tube, abnormal tail torsion and the absence of fore limb bud. When SOD was added in the presence of ASA, growth and developmental parameters were improved and there was a significant decrease in the incidence of malformations. Addition of SOD also decreased the incidence of malformations in the presence of SAL, but did not effect the growth and developmental parameters of SAL and NaSAL. There was no significant difference between the embryos grown in the presence of these three molecules on the addition of glutathione. The effects of salicylates might involve free oxygen radicals by the non-enzymatic production of the highly teratogenic metabolites 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid. An enhanced production of these metabolites in embryonic tissues may be directly related to the increased risk of congenital malformations.

The relationship between the lumbosacral enlargement and the conus medullaris during the period of fetal development and adulthood.

The spinal cord is situated within the vertebral canal by the third month of intrauterine life. The spinal cord possesses two symmetrical enlargements, which constitute the segments of the plexuses: the cervical enlargement for the brachial plexus and the lumbosacral enlargement for the lumbar and sacral plexus. In our study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the termination level of the lumbosacral enlargement (TLLE) and that of the conus medullaris (TLCM) during the period of fetal development and adulthood. We used a total of 75 cases: 25 fetuses (male: 16, female: 9) whose crown-rump length ranged between 90-190 mm, 25 premature and full-term neonates (male: 17, female: 8) whose post-menstrual ages ranged between 33-55 weeks, and 25 adults (male: 12, female: 13) aged between 22-72 years. The dissection technique for fetuses, ultrasonography for premature and full-term newborns, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for adults were used to determine lumbosacral enlargement and TLCM. The differences between the TLCM and the termination level of the largest part of the transverse diameter of the lumbosacral enlargement were investigated. The differences between the TLLE and TLCM were found in different ratios from the period of fetal development to adulthood. Therefore, during medical treatment and surgical procedures this should be taken into account to avoid complications.

Teratogenicity of edoferon kappa A, a molecule derived from salicylate, in cultured rat embryos: differences from salicylate and interaction with free oxygen radical scavenging enzymes.

The effect of edoferon kappa A (E-KA), a non-specific immunomodulatory and anti-neoplastic chemical substance derived from the methyl form of salicylate (acetyl salicylic acid; ASA), on mammalian embryos was studied and compared to the effects of ASA. Rat embryos were cultured in vitro from 9.5 days of gestation for 48 h. E-KA (0.1-12.8 mg/ml) and ASA (0.1-0.6 mg/ml) were added to the whole rat serum. To investigate the interaction of these molecules with antioxidant agents, the lowest effective concentrations of E-KA (0.6 mg/ml) and ASA (0.3 mg/ml) for all parameters were added to the culture media in the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (30 U/ml) or glutathione (0.5 mumol/ml). The growth and development of embryos was compared and each embryo was evaluated for the presence of any malformations. E-KA and ASA decreased growth and development in a concentration-responsive manner. There was also a concentration-related increase in overall dysmorphology (haematoma in the yolk sac and neural system, open neural tube, abnormal tail torsion and the absence of fore limb bud). There were no statistically significant differences between the control and embryos grown in the presence of 0.1-0.4 mg/ml E-KA, although the effects of ASA started at a concentration of 0.2 mg/ml. Embryos showed significant growth retardation in all scoring criteria and severe malformations when 0.5-3.2 mg/ml E-KA and 0.3-0.6 mg/ml ASA were added. When SOD was added, there was a significant decrease in the incidence of malformations and growth and developmental parameters were increased but this decrease never reached the control level. We concluded that E-KA has direct toxic effects on the developing embryo but at much higher concentrations than ASA, and the teratogenic effects of these molecules might be related to free oxygen radicals.