3D Visualization and Measurement of Capillaries Supplying Metabolically Different Fiber Types in the Rat Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscle During Denervation and Reinnervation

The aim of this study was to determine whether capillarity in the denervated and reinnervated rat extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) is scaled by muscle fiber oxidative potential. We visualized capillaries adjacent to a metabolically defined fiber type and estimated capillarity of fibers with very high oxidative potential (O) vs fibers with very low oxidative potential (G). Capillaries and muscle fiber types were shown by a combined triple immunofluorescent technique and the histochemical method for NADH-tetrazolium reductase. Stacks of images were captured by a confocal microscope. Applying the Ellipse program, fibers were outlined, and the diameter, perimeter, cross-sectional area, length, surface area, and volume within the stack were calculated for both fiber types. Using the Tracer plug-in module, capillaries were traced within the three-dimensional (3D) volume, the length of capillaries adjacent to individual muscle fibers was measured, and the capillary length per fiber length (Lcap/Lfib), surface area (Lcap/Sfib), and volume (Lcap/Vfib) were calculated. Furthermore, capillaries and fibers of both types were visualized in 3D. In all experimental groups, O and G fibers significantly differed in girth, Lcap/Sfib, and Lcap/Vfib, but not in Lcap/Lfib. We conclude that capillarity in the EDL is scaled by muscle fiber size and not by muscle fiber oxidative potential. (J Histochem Cytochem 57:437–447, 2009

Machado-Joseph disease op azorean ancestry in Brazil: the Catarina kindred neurological, neuroimaging, psychiatric and neuropsychological findings in the largest known family, the «Catarina» kindred

At the moment 9 seemingly independent families with the clinical diagnosis of MJD are known in Brazil. The largest family tree of Azorean ancestry contatins 622 individuals in 9 generations. 236 were examined, 39 found to be affected by two examiners. Pheno-types I, II and III were expressed by 12, 23 and 4 patients with age of onset by phenotypea being 10-48, 14-54 and 30-55 respectively. Although clinically more severe, juvenile onset type I disease did not show as severe a ponto-mesencephialic atrophy on MRI as the father with type II disease of similar symptomatic duration. None of the 8 patients examined with MRI showed olivary atrophy or pallidal abnormalities. 12 affected and 23 at risk were evaluated with neuropsychological tests. Attention was normal in both groups. Verbal memory scores were below normal in the affected and there was greater decay with time than in the risk group. Both scored below normal in identifying silluettes and constructional praxis. Visual memory scores were well below normal for both, with many rotations but no omissions or confabulations. A peculiar pattern of multiplying internal details called «the fly-eye effect» was observed in 6 affected and 8 at risk. Defective color distinction when multiple colors presented close to each other, in face of proper naming of individual colors («color simultantagnosia»), was looked for in 29 people. 4/10 affected and 4/19 at risk showed this phenomenon. Cognitive dysfunctions in this MJD family are prominent in the sphere of vision. Whether they constitute an early manifestation in those at risk and thus serve as a clinical identifier of the illnes is yet to be established. Depression was looked for in the history of the family with DSM III-R criteria and an atempt at quantification with the Montgomery-Asberg Rating Scale. There was no significant quantitative difference between affected and at risk. Once undeniably symptomatic however, the patients had no, or less depression than themselves before or tat the early stages of the illness. Covert depression was appropriately excluded. Fully established MJD in this family seemed to exert a protective effect from depression