The influence of post-fixation on visualising vimentin in the retina using immunofluorescence method

Background: Post-fixation of sections is especially required for cryostat sections of fresh frozen tissues. Vimentin is an intermediate filament in both fibrillary and non-fibrillary form, expressed in Müller’s cells and astrocytes of the retina. Our aim was to determine the best post-fixation method for visualising vimentin in archival mouse eyes. Materials and methods: We used an archival mouse eye, slightly pre-fixed with paraformaldehyde and stored at –80°C for 4 years. We tried three fixatives (pa­raformaldehyde [PFA], alcohol/acetic acid [AAA] and methanol) for post-fixation of eye sections. Results: We showed that post-fixation alters the labelling properties of vimentin expressed in the retina. In the sections with no post-fixation, vimentin positivity was observed in and around the nuclei in non-fibrillary form. In PFA post-fixed sections, the vimentin in the retina was not observed as fibrils. Positivity was observed in the nuclei and in perinuclear regions of the cells. In AAA post-fixed sections, positive labelling was observed around the nuclei as fibrils. In methanol post-fixed sections, labelling was observed around the nuclei as fibrils. Conclusions: We conclude that post-fixation with AAA is more convenient for immunofluorescent labelling of vimentin in the retina for slightly PFA pre-fixed and long-term stored retina. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 2: 246–252

Formation of the sural nerve in foetal cadavers

The purpose of this study was to provide a morphologic description and assessmenton the formation level of the sural nerve (SN) and its components. Alsowe aimed to reveal histological features of the SN components. An anatomicalstudy of the formation of the SN was carried out on 100 limbs from 50 embalmedfoetuses. The results showed that the SN was formed by the union ofthe medial sural cutaneous nerve (MSCN) and the peroneal communicatingbranch (PCB) in 71% of the cases (Type A); the MSCN and PCB are branches ofthe tibial and common peroneal nerve (CPN) or lateral sural cutaneous nerves(LSCN), respectively. Formation level of the SN was at the distal third of the legin 43% of the cases, at the middle third of the leg in 46% of the cases, and atthe upper third of the leg in 11% of the cases. The PCB originated in the CPN in68% and the PCB originated in the LSCN in 3% of the cases. The SN wasformed only by the MSCN in 20% of the cases (Type B). Type C was divided intofour subgroups: in the first group the PCB and fibres of the posterior femoralcutaneous nerve joined the MSCN in 4% of cases; in the second group theMSCN, PCB, and sciatic nerve did not unite and coursed separately in 1% ofcases; in the third group the SN arose directly from the sciatic nerve alone andthe MSCN made a little contribution in 2% of cases; and in the fourth groupthe PCB, fibres of the sciatic nerve, and the MSCN formed the SN in 1% of thecases. The SN was formed only by the PCB in 1% of the cases (Type D). Distancesof the formation level of the SN to the intercondylar line and the lateralmalleolus were measured and also noted. A detailed knowledge of the anatomyof the SN and its contributing nerves are important in many interventionalprocedures

Multi-sulfonated ligands on gold nanoparticles as virucidal antiviral for Dengue virus

Dengue virus (DENV) causes 390 million infections per year. Infections can be asymptomatic or range from mild fever to severe haemorrhagic fever and shock syndrome. Currently, no effective antivirals or safe universal vaccine is available. In the present work we tested different gold nanoparticles (AuNP) coated with ligands ω-terminated with sugars bearing multiple sulfonate groups. We aimed to identify compounds with antiviral properties due to irreversible (virucidal) rather than reversible (virustatic) inhibition. The ligands varied in length, in number of sulfonated groups as well as their spatial orientation induced by the sugar head groups. We identified two candidates, a glucose- and a lactose-based ligand showing a low EC50 (effective concentration that inhibit 50% of the viral activity) for DENV-2 inhibition, moderate toxicity and a virucidal effect in hepatocytes with titre reduction of Median Tissue Culture Infectious Dose log10TCID50 2.5 and 3.1. Molecular docking simulations complemented the experimental findings suggesting a molecular rationale behind the binding between sulfonated head groups and DENV-2 envelope protein

High origin of a testicular artery: a case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Although variations in the origin of the testicular artery are not uncommon, few reports about a high origin from the abdominal aorta exist in the literature. We discuss the case of a high origin of the testicular artery, its embryology, classification systems, and its clinical significance.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report a very rare case of high origin of the left testicular artery in a 68-year-old Caucasian male cadaver. The artery originated from the anterolateral aspect of the abdominal aorta, 2 cm cranially to the ipsilateral renal artery. Approximately 1 cm after its origin, it branched off into the inferior suprarenal artery. During its course, the artery crossed anterior to the left renal artery.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A knowledge of the variant origin of the testicular artery is important during renal and testicular surgery. The origin and course must be carefully identified in order to preserve normal blood circulation and prevent testicular atrophy. A reduction in gonadal blood flow may lead to varicocele under circumstances. A knowledge of this variant anatomy may be of interest to radiologists and helpful in avoiding diagnostic errors.</p

Investigating the prevalence of Salmonella in dogs within the Midlands region of the United Kingdom

Background - The intimate relationship between dogs and their owners has the potential to increase the risk of human exposure to bacterial pathogens. Over the past 40 years, there have been several reports on transmission of salmonellae from dogs to humans. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of Salmonella in the faeces of dogs from the Midlands region of the United Kingdom to assess exposure risk and potential for zoonotic transmission. Results - A total of 436 apparently healthy dogs without diarrhoea from households (n = 126), rescue centres (n = 96), boarding kennels (n = 43), retired greyhound kennels (n = 39) and a pet nutrition facility (n = 132) were investigated for Salmonella shedding. Faecal samples were processed by an enrichment culture based method. The faeces from one dog (0.23 %; 95 % confidence limit 0.006 %, 1.27 %) was positive for Salmonella. The species was S. enterica subspecies arizonae. Conclusion - This study showed that the prevalence of Salmonella from faeces from apparently healthy dogs from a variety of housing conditions is low; however, Salmonella shedding was still identified

Insan fetuslarinda m. plantaris'in morfometrisi

This detailed fetus study about plantaris muscle was performed to compare the measurements of adults and fetuses, and to obtain additional information about clinical procedures associated with educational anatomy dissections. The study was performed on 24 fetuses with gestational ages of 17-40 weeks and without any pathology or anomaly. The length and width of the tendineous portion and muscular belly of the plantaris muscle were measured in fetuses. M. plantaris was absent unilaterally and bilaterally in a male fetus and a female fetus, respectively. Most of the fetuses (83%) had a typical shape of plantaris muscle and its tendon. Mean length and width of the tendon were 36.35 and 0.43 mm, and 65.39 and 0.95 mm, in second and third trimesters, respectively. Mean length and width of the muscular belly were 7.48 and 2.96 mm, and 17.58 and 5.82 mm in second and third trimesters, respectively. This fetus study about plantaris muscle would bu useful in surgical interventions performed in educational anatomy dissections and related clinical procedures. © Gülhane Askeri Tıp Akademisi 2011

Anatomical analysis of azygos vein system in human cadavers

The azygos system veins vary greatly in their mode of origin, course, tributaries, anastomoses and termination. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the types of azygos system in this study. Our research was made in Anatomy departments on 48 conserved cadavers aging between 27-70 years, of which 35 were males and 13 females. In the research, the diameters and levels of the azygos vein, the hemiazygos vein, the accessory hemiazygos vein and the superior intercostal vein were investigated. The subjects were classified in Anson's system with a basis of vertical and horizontal connections in the azygos venous system the classification included primitive or embryological types, transient type, unicolon type as three basic types and their eleven subgroups. According to this classification (amongst 48 cadavers), one (2.1%) of our subjects was found to be Type I, 44 (91.7%) of them were found to be Type II, and one (2.1%) was found to be Type III. These values were similar to those in the literature, however two (4.2%) subjects did not fit in any otherwise defined groups and were named as atypic group. It is very important to identify the variations of the azygos system in the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of mediastinum. The abnormal azygos venous system may easily be confused with aneurysm, lymphadenopathy and other abnormalities like tumor. It is important to keep these kinds of variations in mind while performing the mediastinal operations or surgery of large vessels