Max Clara and Innsbruck - The origin of a German Nationalist and National Socialist career.

This investigation aims to summarize hitherto scattered pieces of evidence of the early biography of Max Clara, especially considering his connections with the Histological Institute of the University of Innsbruck. Max Clara was born in 1899 in South Tyrol, at that time part of the Habsburg Empire. After high school in Bozen and his participation in World War I, Clara studied medicine in Innsbruck, Austria and Leipzig, Germany, graduating from Innsbruck University in 1923. He joined the Corps Gothia, a German Student Corps, at the start of his studies and became socialized as a German nationalist. When the Tyrolean Parliament conducted an illegal referendum in 1921, in which a majority voted for the merger of Tyrol with Germany, the active members of the Gothia spontaneously removed the border barriers between Austria and Bavaria in the municipality of Scharnitz. They brought them to Innsbruck to be deposited in the statehouse. Clara's participation in this activity is not documented but is very likely. Seventy-four per cent of the members of this corps joined the Nazi party (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, NSDAP), even before the annexation of Austria by National Socialist (NS) Germany in 1938. Clara likely met Maximinian de Crinis, an SS officer and high-ranking member of the NS health administration, through contacts within their respective corps. De Crinis supported Clara decisively in the anatomist's appointments as chair of anatomy at the University of Leipzig and later at the University of Munich. Initially, Clara began his academic career at the Institute of Histology and Embryology in Innsbruck as (student) demonstrator, and in 1923 as an assistant. In December 1923 Clara had to leave Innsbruck for Blumau, South Tyrol to take over the medical surgery of his father, who had passed away unexpectedly. Back in Italy, he continued his histological research in his spare time and published a large number of scientific papers. His connections with Innsbruck and especially with histologist Jurg Mathis never ceased

2019 Ejtm Special on Muscle Fascia

For many years the fasciae have been considered by the anatomists only as a “white envelope for the muscles”, that is generally removed in anatomical tables, to recognize muscle nerves and vessels. This is one of the reasons that different descriptions of the fasciae exist. On the other hand, in the last years the fasciae and their properties are becoming of central importance to clinicians practicing in various conventional and alternative therapies. The results from the worldwide research activities constitute a body of significant and important data, but this clinical interest is not supported by in-depth comprehension to how integrate the new knowledge about fasciae with the classical biomechanical models based on muscles, tendons and bones. To close this gap an Ejtm Special on “Muscle Fascia” will be published September 30, 2019, but the typescripts will be added to the Ejtm Early Release list as soon as all authors will approve their Epub papers. Deadline for original articles and reviews is June 1st, 2019, but the Editors hope that authors submit their typescripts much earlier

<i>KISS1</i> and KISS1R expression in the human and rat carotid body and superior cervical ganglion

KISS1 and its receptor, KISS1R, have both been found to be expressed in central nervous system, but few data are present in the literature about their distribution in peripheral nervous structures. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate, through immunohistochemistry, the expression and distribution of KISS1 and KISS1R in the rat and human carotid bodies and superior cervical ganglia, also with particular reference to the different cellular populations. Materials consisted of carotid bodies and superior cervical ganglia were obtained at autopsy from 10 adult subjects and sampled from 10 adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Immunohistochemistry revealed diffuse expression of KISS1 and KISS1R in type I cells of both human and rat carotid bodies, whereas type II cells were negative. In both human and rat superior cervical ganglia positive anti-KISS1 and -KISS1R immunostainings were also selectively found in ganglion cells, satellite cells being negative. Endothelial cells also showed moderate immunostaining for both KISS1 and KISS1R. The expression of both kisspeptins and kisspeptin receptors in glomic type I cells and sympathetic ganglion cells supports a modulatory role of KISS1 on peripheral chemoreception and sympathetic function. Moreover, local changes in blood flow have been considered to be involved in carotid body chemoreceptor discharge and kisspeptins and kisspeptin receptors have also been found in the endothelial cells. As a consequence, a possible role of kisspeptins in the regulation of carotid body blood flow and, indirectly, in chemoreceptor discharge may also be hypothesized

The academic career of Max Clara in Padova.

The aim of the following investigation was to explore Max Clara's (1899-1966) early academic activity in Italy at the University of Padua. While Clara's career during the National-Socialist Party dictatorship was extensively studied in literature, little to no information is available regarding Clara's early academic years, with particular regard to his role at the University of Padua during his time in Italy. The scientific and didactic activities held by Clara during this timespan could sheld a light on his appointment as Professor of Anatomy at the University of Leipzig, clarifying the academic motives and political pretences behind it. To this end, systematic research has been conducted at the Historical Archives of the University of Padua, where our findings have revealed detailed records of Clara's teaching and research activity from 1929 to 1935. Our findings confirm that Clara held a paid position as free lecturer at the University of Padua, and was likely under the tutelage of Prof. Tullio Terni, who directed the Institute of Histology and General Embryology until 1933. Max Clara's didactic activity focused mainly on the teaching of microscopical anatomy, which was distinct from histology and considered within the field of anatomy. Even though Clara had a minimal amount of lectures assigned, our records suggest that he conducted part of his research in the laboratories of the University of Padua whilst also working independently in his private medical practice in Blumau (South Tyrol). It is therefore possible to speculate that the teaching of Microscopical Anatomy, rather than Histology, could have represented the pretext for appointing Clara as Professor of Anatomy, justifying his new, politically-driven role at Leipzig

Tissue-engineered grafts from human decellularized extracellular matrices: A systematic review and future perspectives

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine involve many different artificial and biologic materials, frequently integrated in composite scaffolds, which can be repopulated with various cell types. One of the most promising scaffolds is decellularized allogeneic extracellular matrix (ECM) then recellularized by autologous or stem cells, in order to develop fully personalized clinical approaches. Decellularization protocols have to efficiently remove immunogenic cellular materials, maintaining the nonimmunogenic ECM, which is endowed with specific inductive/differentiating actions due to its architecture and bioactive factors. In the present paper, we review the available literature about the development of grafts from decellularized human tissues/organs. Human tissues may be obtained not only from surgery but also from cadavers, suggesting possible development of Human Tissue BioBanks from body donation programs. Many human tissues/organs have been decellularized for tissue engineering purposes, such as cartilage, bone, skeletal muscle, tendons, adipose tissue, heart, vessels, lung, dental pulp, intestine, liver, pancreas, kidney, gonads, uterus, childbirth products, cornea, and peripheral nerves. In vitro recellularizations have been reported with various cell types and procedures (seeding, injection, and perfusion). Conversely, studies about in vivo behaviour are poorly represented. Actually, the future challenge will be the development of human grafts to be implanted fully restored in all their structural/functional aspects

Neural Connections between the Nervus Intermedius and the Facial and Vestibulocochlear Nerves in the Cerebellopontine Angle: An Anatomic Study

Purpose Unexpected clinical outcomes following transection of single nerves of the internal acoustic meatus have been reported. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate interneural connections between the nervus intermedius and the adjacent nerves in the cerebellopontine angle. Methods On 100 cadaveric sides, dissections were made of the facial/vestibulocochlear complex in the cerebellopontine angle with special attention to the nervus intermedius and potential connections between this nerve and the adjacent facial or vestibulocochlear nerves. Results A nervus intermedius was identified on all but ten sides. Histologically confirmed neural connections were found between the nervus intermedius and either the facial or vestibulocochlear nerves on 34 % of sides. The mean diameter of these small interconnecting nerves was 0.1 mm. The fiber orientation of these nerves was usually oblique (anteromedial or posterolateral) in nature, but 13 connections traveled anteroposteriorly. Connecting fibers were single on 81 % of sides, doubled on 16 %, and tripled on 3 %, six sides had connections both with the facial nerve anteriorly and the vestibular nerves posteriorly. On 6.5 % of sides, a connection was between the nervus intermedius and cochlear nerve. For vestibular nerve connections with the nervus intermedius, 76 % were with the superior vestibular nerve and 24 % with the inferior vestibular nerve. Conclusions Knowledge of the possible neural interconnections found between the nervus intermedius and surrounding nerves may prove useful to surgeons who operate in these regions so that inadvertent traction or transection is avoided. Additionally, unanticipated clinical presentations and exams following surgery may be due to such neural interconnections

Echographic study of the muscular fasciae

Today there is a great interest about the muscular fasciae and their possible role in myofascialpain, but it is still unclear what are their main features in living. For example the thickness of the thoracolumbar fascia, that is probably the most studied fascia, varies from 0.37 mm [1] to 0.68 mm [2]. The lack of a standard value for the fascial thickness has a great clinical relevance, indeed it seems that their increased thickness could be related to myofascial pain or reduction of the range of motion. Therefore, the definition of standard values of fascial thickness is the first step to investigate fascial alterations that may play a role in myofascial pain. The fascial thickness was evaluated in 24 subjects with a mean age of 30.46 years (SD ± 9.241).The mean BMI was of 22.08 (SD ± 3.696),in particular women with an BMI of 20.30 and 25.08 for men. The measurement was performed with the portable ultrasound system of SonoSite®, linear probe of 15 Hz. For each subject 13 deep fasciae were analyzed, both in the trunk, superior and inferior limbs. The collected data showed that the average thickness of the fasciae ranges from 0.71 ± 0.15 mm (deep fascia of the anterior region of the arm) and 1.62 ± 0.39 mm (plantar fascia). The fasciae of the anterior compartments are thinner respect to the fasciae of the posterior ones (p valu

Role of fasciae in Civinini-Morton’s neuroma

Civinini-Morton’s metatarsalgia is characterized by a swelling, known as “neuroma”, of the common digital plantar nerve (CDPN), which may cause extreme pain and disability. Microscopically, the affected nerve presents extensive concentric perineural fibrosis. It is considered an entrapment syndrome, due to the impingement of CDNP against the stiff deep transverse metatarsal ligament (DMTL). According to this hypothesis, some surgeons suggest neurolysis, by cutting the DMTL1, as a treatment, instead of generally performed neurectomy. Also some rehabilitation techniques affirm that modifying perineural connective tissue improves patients’ symptoms2. To better study the relationships of the nerve with DTML and deep fasciae of the foot we dissected 15 feet and analyzed 30 MRI. Data from dissections confirm that CDPN’s bifurcation in the second and third webspace is always distal to DTML. Proximal to the metatarsal heads, the nerve is encased by a sheath made by concentric sleeves of fibrous and loose connective tissue continuous with vascular sheaths and deep fasciae of the foot: this arrangement, similar to a “telescope”, may provide a channel to allow the nerve to move independently from surrounding structures, being protected against traction during walking. In the intermetatarsal space, fascial septa connect DMTL, tendon sheaths and plantar fascia, and bound lobules of adipose tissue, more abundant on plantar aspect of the neurovascular bundle: these, along with adipocytes contained between concentric layers of neural sheath, could cushion compressive stresses. Distally to DMTL this protective system is less represented. MRI shows marked inter-individual morphologic variation of the intermetatarsal channel: its size varies from 16.22 mm2 to 64.43 mm2, with a mean value of 37.34 mm2. Its shape ranges from oval or rounded (with a big distance between DMTL and plantar fascia) to roughly rectangular (with a narrow distance); in some people the channel is filled with adipose tissue, while in others fibrous tissue prevails. Fascial septa also vary among people, ranging from barely discernible to 1.2 mm thick, while DMTL is relatively constant (from 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm thick). Plantar fascia varies from 0.6 to 1.1 mm. People who lack an efficient “sliding and cushioning system” could tolerate less mechanical stresses during walking and thus be at increased risk of Civinini-Morton’s syndrome. Perineural scarring (which forms the neuroma) consequent to nerve impingement could, by destroying neural sheath’s structure, further impair nerve protection and worsen symptoms

Neurotransmitter and receptor systems in the subthalamic nucleus

The Subthalamic Nucleus (STh) is a lens-shaped subcortical structure located ventrally to the thalamus, that despite being embryologically derived from the diencephalon, is functionally implicated in the basal ganglia circuits. Because of this strict structural and functional relationship with the circuits of the basal ganglia, the STh is a current target for deep brain stimulation, a neurosurgical procedure employed to alleviate symptoms in movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and dystonia. However, despite the great relevance of this structure for both basal ganglia physiology and pathology, the neurochemical and molecular anatomy of the STh remains largely unknown. Few studies have specifically addressed the detection of neurotransmitter systems and their receptors within the structure, and even fewer have investigated their topographical distribution. Here, we have reviewed the scientific literature on neurotransmitters relevant in the STh function of rodents, non-human primates and humans including glutamate, GABA, dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline with particular focus on their subcellular, cellular and topographical distribution. Inter-species differences were highlighted to provide a framework for further research priorities, particularly in humans