Wonsug Jung

Variations of the Superficial Brachial Artery in Korean Cadavers

The superficial brachial artery (SBA), a branch of the axillary artery, is one of the most common arterial variations in this area. While it is more vulnerable to accidental arterial injection or injury, it could be useful for the nourishment of a medial arm skin free flap. To analyze the relationship between the SBA of axillary origin and segmental variation of the axillary artery, we dissected 304 arms of Korean cadavers. We found an SBA of axillary origin in 12.2% of cadaveric arms. Unilateral occurrence was detected in 16 cadavers and bilateral in 10. SBAs gave rise to radial and ulnar arteries in the cubital fossa (8.9%), continued in the forearm as the radial artery (2.3%), or ended in the upper arm (1.0%). The SBA ended as ulnar artery was not found in any of the cadavers. The bifurcation of the SBA into the radial and ulnar arteries, presence of an SBA that ends in the upper arm, and the lack of continuation as the ulnar artery are characteristics of SBAs in Korean cadavers.

Resveratrol Induces the Expression of Interleukin-10 and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in BV2 Microglia under Hypoxia

Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS) and play an important role in neuronal recovery by scavenging damaged neurons. However, overactivation of microglia leads to neuronal death that is associated with CNS disorders. Therefore, regulation of microglial activation has been suggested to be an important target for treatment of CNS diseases. In the present study, we investigated the beneficial effect of resveratrol, a natural phenol with antioxidant effects, in the microglial cell line, BV2, in a model of hypoxia injury. Resveratrol suppressed the mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory molecule, tumor necrosis factor-α, and promoted the mRNA expression of the anti-inflammatory molecule, interleukin-10, in BV2 microglia under hypoxic conditions. In addition, resveratrol inhibited the activation of the transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), which is upstream in the control of inflammatory reactions in hypoxia-injured BV2 microglia. Moreover, resveratrol promoted the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in BV2 microglia under hypoxic stress. Overall, resveratrol may promote the beneficial function of microglia in ischemic brain injury.

Clinical implications of the middle temporal vein with regard to temporal fossa augmentation.

BACKGROUND The middle temporal vein (MTV) traverses the temporal fossa between the superficial and deep layers of the deep temporal fascia. During filler injection into a deficient temporal fossa, filling agents may be inadvertently injected into the MTV, which results in vascular complications. OBJECTIVE To investigate the course of the MTV to enable safe filler injection in the temple area. MATERIALS AND MATERIALS The course and diameter of the MTV were measured in 18 hemifaces from 9 Korean cadavers. RESULTS The MTV was located 23.5 and 18.5 mm above the zygomatic arch at the jugale and the zygion, respectively. The diameter of the MTV at its thickest point was 5.1 mm. A splitting and reuniting pattern, such that the MTV occupied more space than a single trunk, was observed in 28% of cases. CONCLUSION We propose that the safest area for filler injection in temporal fossa augmentation is one finger width above the zygomatic arch.

Three-dimensional surface models of detailed lumbosacral structures reconstructed from the Visible Korean.

Unlike volume models, surface models representing hollow, three-dimensional images have a small file size; allowing them to be displayed, rotated, and modified in real time. Therefore, surface models of lumbosacral structures can be effectively used for interactive simulation of, e.g., virtual lumbar puncture, virtual surgery of herniated lumbar discs, and virtual epidural anesthesia. In this paper, we present surface models of extensive lumbosacral structures which can be used in medical simulation systems. One-hundred and thirty-eight chosen structures included the spinal cord, lumbar and sacral nerves, vertebrae, intervertebral discs, ligaments, muscles, arteries, and skin. The structures were outlined in the sectioned images from the Visible Korean. From these outlined images, serial outlines of each structure were stacked. Adopting commercial software (3D-DOCTOR, Maya), an advanced surface reconstruction technique was applied to create a surface model of the structure. In the surface models, we observed the anatomical relationships of the lumbosacral structures (e.g., cauda equina and ligaments) in detail. Additionally, the portions of some spinal nerves that could not be outlined were drawn and added to the surface models. These constructed models will hopefully facilitate development of high quality medical simulation of the lumbosacral region.

Unilateral arteria peronea magna associated with bilateral replaced dorsalis pedis arteries

During anatomic dissection, a 59-year-old man presented with an arteria peronea magna that replaced all the branches of the posterior tibial artery as well as the dorsalis pedis artery. Thus, the right popliteal artery terminated into the anterior tibial artery and the enlarged peroneal artery. The right anterior tibial artery ended before it reached the ankle. The right dorsalis pedis artery arose from the peroneal artery through its perforating branch. The left popliteal artery gave rise to a common stem that subdivided into two individual branches replacing the proximal part of the anterior tibial artery, and then divided into the posterior tibial artery and the peroneal artery. As on the right side, the left dorsalis pedis artery also arose from the peroneal artery through its perforating branch. A possible embryologic explanation of these variations is proposed.

Tissue changes over time after polydioxanone thread insertion: An animal study with pigs

Polydioxanone (PDO) sutures have been widely used to tighten and lift the face. However, why the complexion brightens and skin elasticity is maintained with a smaller facial outline after a PDO monofilament thread treatment remains unclear.

Comment on: The cut surface of the neck as depicted in two paintings of Judith and Holofernes

In his article ‘‘The cut surface of the neck as depicted in two paintings of Judith and Holofernes’’, Hwang argued eloquently how anatomical and physiological discoveries influenced art by juxtaposing important publications on anatomy and the art works of the same period [1]. Hwang suggested that the improvement in physiological knowledge regarding circulation made it possible of the unprecedented depiction of blood pouring out from the severed neck in Johann Liss’ painting of Judith. Although very plausible, especially considering the interesting coincidence that Liss’ Judith was painted in the same year as William Harvey’s De Motu Cordis (1628), I cannot help serious doubt on his argument. Surely, one cannot make a truthful description of a feature in an artwork without relevant anatomical knowledge. However, it is also entirely up to the painter’s choice whether he or she will apply this knowledge to one’s painting or not. In fact, Lucas Cranach made 18 versions of Judith with similar composition, but the level of details in the cut surface of the neck differs from one another. It seems over-lurching argument that the improvement in the hemodynamic knowledge over just one century had led to the accurate description of blood. Mankind had been butchering livestock, and surely people before the accurate hemodynamic knowledge had known the blood pumping phenomena from cut-off surface of flesh. It is equally plausible that Cranach did not describe a gush of blood in his painting, not because he did not know it, but because it does not suit the painter’s artistic choice to show the situation, where Judith proudly displays Holofernes’ head which was cut several hours ago. Several paintings prove against Hwang’s argument. For example, even before Cranach, Diebold Lauber clearly described gushing blood from the stump as far back as 1441 (Fig. 1). Between Cranach and Liss or rather Harvey, there are also several Judith paintings describing gushing Fig. 1 Title page to the Book of Judith (Diebold Lauber, 1441–1449, Heidelberg University Library, Heidelberg)

Anatomical and radiographic study of the mandibular retromolar canal

Background/purpose As the demand for surgical procedure in the retromolar area of the mandible has been increasing, the identification of the retromolar foramen (RMF) and canal involving the retromolar triangle (RMT) has become an issue of clinical concern. We examined the shape of the RMT, incidence of the RMF, and intraosseous trajectory of the retromolar canal (RMC). Materials and methods A total of 118 sides of dry mandibles, 22 sides of mandibles of 13 cadavers, and cone-beam computed tomography (CT) images of 100 patients were examined. Micro-CT data of 13 cadavers were reconstructed using imaging analysis software for the presence of an RMC. RMCs were classified into three types according to the courses. The width and location of the RMCs were evaluated. Results The shape of the RMT was classified into three categories, with the most common type being the triangular type (81.4%). Forty-seven retromolar foramina (33.6%) were observed in 140 sides of mandibles. The horizontal distances from the RMF to the second and third molars were 12.1 ± 3.3 mm and 5.8 ± 3.6 mm (mean ± standard deviation), respectively, and the distance from the mandibular foramen to the arising point of the RMC and the vertical distance from the RMF to the mandibular canal were 21.5 ± 11.2 mm and 15.3 ± 4.6 mm, respectively. Conclusion This study used various methods to obtain precise anatomical data on the RMT, foramen, and canal in Koreans. The reported findings may be helpful for the clinical management of patients.