Nurettin Oguz

Exercise Training and Axonal Regeneration After Sciatic Nerve Injury

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between exercise training and peripheral nerve regeneration after crush injury. For this purpose, HRP neurohistochemistry and modified Pal-Weigert methods were used to assess the axonal regeneration. In the 2nd and 3rd regeneration week groups, myelin debris was observed, and there was no significant difference between exercise trained and sedentary groups. In the 4th regeneration week group, it was seen that myelin debris was removed, and some myelinated fibers were observed in the exercise trained group. On the other hand, there was no myelinated fiber in the sedentary group, and there was a significant difference between exercise trained and sedentary groups. Consequently, we think that exercise is effective in the 4th regeneration week.

Definition of a safe-zone in open carpal tunnel surgery: a cadaver study

Carpal tunnel decompression is one of the most common surgical procedures in hand surgery. Cutaneous innervation of the palm by median and ulnar nerves was evaluated to find a suitable incision preserving cutaneous nerves. A morphometric study was designed to define the safe-zone for mini-open carpal tunnel release. Sixteen fresh-frozen (8 right, 8 left) and 14 formalin-fixed (8 right, 6 left) cadaveric hands were dissected. Anatomy of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median and the ulnar nerve, motor branch of the median nerve, superficial palmar arch were evaluated relative to the surgical incision. We also identified the motor branch of the median nerve. Detailed measurements of the whole palmar region are reported in this study. The motor branch of the median nerve was extraligamentous as 60%, subligamentous as 34%, transligamentous as 6%. The palmar cutaneous branches of the median and the ulnar nerves in the palmar region were classified as Type A (34%), Type B (13%), Type C (13%), Type D (none), Type E (40%) according to forms of palmar cutaneous innervation originating from the ulnar and median nerves. Injury to the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCBMN) is the most common complication of the carpal tunnel surgery. Various techniques were described to decrease post-operative morbidity. Based on these anatomic findings mini incision between the superficial palmar arch and the most distal part of the PCBMN in the palmar region is the safe-zone for carpal tunnel surgery.

An anomalous digastric muscle with three accessory bellies and one fibrous band

During our routine dissection studies we encountered an anomalous digastric muscle with three accessory bellies and one fibrous band in one embedded cadaver. All of these structures were attached to the mylohyoid raphe. This anomaly should be considered during surgical procedures involving this region.

Effects of formaldehyde inhalation on the junctional proteins of nasal respiratory mucosa of rats

Exposure to formaldehyde, which is an organic compound, disturbs the integrity of nasal mucosa. In this study, we aimed to clarify the protein changes in the junctional complex of nasal mucosa of Wistar rats exposed to formaldehyde inhalation. The study was performed in 20 female Wistar rats. Rats were divided into two groups randomly. Control rats were allowed free access to standard rat chaw and tap water (n:10). Experimental group was exposed to formaldehyde vapor at 15ppm, 6h/day, 5 days/week for 12 weeks (n:10). Histological evaluation of the experimental model was determined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stainings of paraffin-embedded nasal mucosa tissues and by electron microscopy. The effects of formaldehyde inhalation on the distribution of occludin, E-cadherin, and gamma-catenin were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The nasal mucosa of the experimental group was correlated with hypertrophy in goblet cell, degeneration in basal lamina, stratification of epithelium, and proliferation. Thickness of basal lamina and also local degenerative regions, vacuole increase in cytoplasmic areas, irregular forms of kinocilium and loss of sharpness in the kinocilium membrane were the findings at the ultrastructural level. The expressions of E-cadherin, occludin, gamma-catenin proteins in intercellular junctional complexes of rat nasal mucosa were also decreased in experimental group compared to control group. The findings of the present study indicated that formaldehyde vapor inhalation in the concentrations and duration of exposure used in the present experiment significantly decreased the density of structural proteins of the junctional complex in the nasoepithelium. It was suggested that, the formaldehyde inhalation could cause complete impairment of intercellular junctional complexes and disturb the tissue integrity in nasal mucosa at higher concentrations.

The effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-NAME on NO production during focal cerebral ischemia in rats: could L-NAME be the future treatment of sudden deafness?

Recent evidence in primary neuronal cell culture implicates NO as a mediator of glutamatergic neurotoxicity acting via N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. In this study, we investigated the effects of inhibition of NOsynthase activity in focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Focal cerebral ischemia was produced by permanent occlusion of right MCA in urethane anesthetized rats. A number of indicators of brain NO production, nitrite and cGMP were determined in ipsilateral and contralateral cerebral cortex and cerebellum after 0, 10 and 60 minutes of focal cerebral ischemia. The same parameters were measured in rats pre- and posttreated with the potent Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, NW-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME).

Co-existence of the pectoralis quartus and pectoralis intermedius muscles

During the routine dissection studies on the right side of a 56-year-old female cadaver we encountered co-existence of the pectoralis quartus and pectoralis intermedius muscles. The pectoralis quartus originated from the costochondral junction of the fifth and sixth ribs, and then extended laterally under the border of pectoralis major muscle, but it was entirely separate from it. The pectoralis quartus formed a long flat band with an average width of 1.5 cm. It then inserted as an aponeurosis to the both of lateral lip of the intertubercular groove of the humerus and tendon of the short head of the biceps brachii muscle. Furthermore, the pectoralis intermedius muscle was a fleshy slip between the pectoralis minor and pectoralis quartus muscles and arose from the third and fourth ribs. It then united to the tendon of the short head of the biceps brachii muscle two cm below the coracoid process.

Morphological and Ultrastructural Analysis of the Watershed Zones After Stripping of the Vasa Nervorum

Peripheral nerve trunks are well-vascularized structures where a well-developed collateral system may compensate for local vascular damage. Vasculitis in nerve has a predilection for epineurial vessels and causes to the peripheral neuropathy, which is a major clinical feature of primary and secondary systemic vasculitides. In the present study, the goal was to simulate the vasculitic neuropathy in rat sciatic nerve and to investigate the watershed zones after stripping of the epineural vessels of the sciatic nerve. Sciatic function index values, light and electron microscopic evaluations of the experimental sciatic nerve suggested that the sciatic nerve was normal except for some watershed zones located in the peripheral part of the nerve. Although there is abundant collateral circulation in the peripheral nerve, distribution of the vessels of the watershed zones as observed in the present study should be elucidated by further studies.

The Evolution of the Terminology of the Basal Ganglia, or are they Nuclei?

Basal ganglia have been generally used to refer to some subcortical nuclei. However, it is a misnomer since ganglion is a group of nerve cells especially located outside of the brain or spinal cord. We evaluated the terminology of the basal ganglia from historical and terminological points of view.

MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF PTERION

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Muzaffer Sindel, Professor, Department of Anatomy, Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey. Tel:00905325620900 E-Mail: sindelm@akdeniz.edu.tr Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze dried skulls morphometrically to determine the prevalence of the pterion types and discuss their clinical significance. There are four types of sutural pattern: sphenoparietal, the sphenoid and parietal bones are indirect contact; frontotemporal, the frontal and temporal bones are indirect contact; stellate, all the four bones meet at a point; and epipteric, when there is a small sutural bone uniting all the bones. Material and Methods: A total number 150 adult dried skulls of unknown age and sex studied for the pterion types. For this study calvaria’s intact human skulls collected from the Akdeniz University Medical Faculty Department of Anatomy. We separated the pterions into 4 groups as sphenoparietal, frontotemporal, stellate and epipteric. We measured distances between the center of the pterion and some important points. Morphometrical measurements are taken with digital caliper. Results: In the present study all types of pterion are observed. Sphenoparietal type of pterion was 63%, frontotemporal type of pterion was 2%, stellate type was 19% and epipteric type of pterion was 16% in our study. According to measurements pterion was lying aproximately 3.98 cm above the arcus zygomaticus and 3.4 cm behind the frontozygomatic suture. Conclusion: The pterion has close relation with the branches of middle meningeal artery and Broca’s motor speech area on the left side. Therefore knowledge and understanding of the type and location of the pterion and its relation to surrounding bony landmarks is important, especially for neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists and anthropologists.