Box-Counting Method of 2D Neuronal Image: Method Modification and Quantitative Analysis Demonstrated on Images from the Monkey and Human Brain

This study calls attention to the difference between traditional box-counting method and its modification. The appropriate scaling factor, influence on image size and resolution, and image rotation, as well as different image presentation, are showed on the sample of asymmetrical neurons from the monkey dentate nucleus. The standard BC method and its modification were evaluated on the sample of 2D neuronal images from the human neostriatum. In addition, three box dimensions (which estimate the space-filling property, the shape, complexity, and the irregularity of dendritic tree) were used to evaluate differences in the morphology of type III aspiny neurons between two parts of the neostriatum

Anatomical variations of the human occipital condyles

Occipital condyles, located at the inferior sides of lateral parts of occipital bone, are important structures that connect the cranium and the vertebral column. Their size, shape, location and, also, their congruence with superior articular facets of the atlas vertebra are of great importance for the stability of craniovertebral junctions. The progress in medical diagnostic and surgical techniques in the area of foramen magnum, requires the knowledge regarding anatomical aspects of this region. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the measurements of the occipital condyles, as well as to analyse the variations in the shape of the condyles and their position in relation to the foramen magnum. This study included 25 adult human skulls (11 male and 14 female) from the Osteological collection of the Department of Anatomy at Medical Faculty in Novi Sad. Nine parameters, which define morfological properties of the occipital condyles, were measured using Vernier caliper. Also, the shape and location of the condyles, as well as the narrowness of the foramen magnum were described. Our findings show that length of the left occipital condyle, as well as distance between the posterior top of the left occipital condyle and basion are statistically greater in male crania, comparing to female crania. According to the shape of the occipital condyles, we classified them in seven groups. Predominant type is oval shaped. The condylar foramen is bilaterally present in 36 % and the occipital condyles bilaterally protrude the foramen magnum in 40 % of analyzed crania. Morphometric analysis of the occipital condyles showed variations in their size, shape, presence of condylar canal and relation to the foramen magnum

Qualitative analysis neurons in the adult human dentate nucleus

Although many relevant findings regarding to the morphology and cytoarchitectural development of the dentate nucleus have been presented so far, very little qualitative information has been collected on neuronal morphology in the adult human dentate nucleus. The neurons were labelled by Golgi staining from thirty human cerebella, obtained from medico-legal forensic autopsies of adult human bodies and free of significant brain pathology. The human dentate neurons were qualitatively analyzed and these cells were classified into two main classes: the small and the large multipolar neurons. Considering the shape of the cell body, number of the primary dendrites, shape of the dendritic tree and their position within the dentate nucleus, three subclasses of the large multipolar neurons have been recognized. The classification of neurons from the human dentate nucleus has been qualitatively confirmed in fetuses and premature infants. This study represents the first qualitative analysis and classification of the large multipolar neurons in the dentate nucleus of the adult human

Morphometric differences between the distal femora of men and women

Introduction: Distal part of the femur is the component of the knee joint. Its fractures are common orthopedic injuries, that occur to younger people as a result of high energy trauma and in the elderly, often after lower energy falls, along with osteoporosis or other medical comorbidities. Distal femur has been the subject of many researches. Goal: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mesurements of the distal part of the femur and their relation to gender.Material and methods: We examined 32 adult human femora from the Osteological collection at the Department of Anatomy of Medical Faculty in Novi Sad. For sex determination of femora, we used the protocol from Alunni-Perret at al. (2008). We measured ten diameters: anteroposterior diameter of the lateral condyle, anteroposterior diameter of the medial condyle, mediolateral width of both condyles, mediolateral diameter of the lateral condyle, mediolateral diameter of the medial condyle, lateral anterior height, medial anterior height, width of the intercondylar fossa, height of the intercondylar fossa, epicondylar width. We also calculated three intercondylar notch idices: notch width, shape and area index. Dimensions were measured by means of the software program'Image J'. Results: Our findings showed that the dimensions of the distal part of the femur were greater in males than in females. Measures of intercondylar notch geometry showed no gender differences. Conclusion: The knowledge of gender differences in the dimensions of the distal part of the femur may be useful for diagnosis and treatment of this region

Quantitative analysis of dendritic branching pattern of large neurons in human cerebellum

Background/Aim. Dentate nucleus (nucleus dentatus) is the most distant of the cerebellar nuclei and the major system for information transfer in the cerebellum. So far, dendritic branches of four different kinds of large neurons of dentate nucleus, have been considered mainly qualitatively with no quantification of their morphological features. The aim of the study was to test the qualitative hypothesis that the human dentate nucleus is composed of various types of the large neurons by quantitative analysis of their dendritic branching patterns. Methods. Series of horizontal sections of the dentate nuclei were taken from 15 adult human brains, free of diagnosed neurological disorders. The 189 Golgi-impregnated images of large neurons were recorded by a digital camera connected to a light microscope. Dendritic branching patterns of digitized neuronal images were analyzed by modified Sholl and fractal analyses. Results. The number of intersections (Nm), critical radius (rc) and fractal dimension (D) of dendritic branching pattern for four types of the large neurons were calculated, statistically evaluated and analyzed. The results show that there is a significant difference between four neuronal types in one morphometric parameter at least. Conclusion. The present study is the first attempt to analyze quantitatively the dendritic branching pattern of neurons from the dentate nucleus in the human. The hypothesis that the four types of the large neurons exist in this part of human cerebellum is successfully supported

Quantitative analysis of the change in neuronal numerical density of the human nucleus dentatus within development

Background/Aim. The role of the dentate nucleus is to coordinate input information coming from the lower olivary complex and various parts of the brainstem of the spinal marrow with the output information from the cerebellar cortex. To better understand functions and relations of the dentate nucleus it is highly important to study its development process. The aim of this study was to determine a possible mathematical model of decrease in neuronal numerical density of the human nucleus dentatus at different stages of development. Methods. This study included 25 fetal brains of different age (12.5-31 weeks of gestational age and one brain of a 6-day-old newborn). The brains were fixed in 10% formalin-alcohol solution and embedded in paraffin. Sections were cut at a thickness of 6, 15, and 30 μm and stained with cresyl violet. Each fifth section was analyzed using a light microscope, and numerical density of dentate nucleus neurons was established using the M42 Weibel's grid system. Results. The obtained results revealed a constant decrease in numerical density value. The changes of numerical densities at different stages of development correspond with Boltzmann function principles. The first, almost perpendicular part of Boltzmann function corresponds with the development of the dorsomedial lamina and the appearance of ventrolateral lamina primordium. The second, more or less horizontal part of Boltzmann function corresponds with the development of both laminae. Conclusion. The obtained results indicate that Boltzmann function can be considered a mathematical model of change in neuronal numerical density of dentate nucleus at different stage of development

Brašno - Kruh '13

The "Flour-Bread '13“ Congress topics were the following: breeding and quality of cereal grains, grain storage and milling technology, analytical and rheological methods, baking technology, improvers and additives, starch and modified starch, extrusion and pasta production, biscuit and pastry products, nutritional quality of cereals, cereal food safety and cereal based functional foods