bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cervical Incompetence Prevention Randomized Cerclage Trial (CIPRACT): effect of therapeutic cerclage with bed rest vs. bed rest only on cervical length
Authors: Althuisius S. , Dekker G. , Hummel P. , Bekedam D. , Kuik D. , Van Geijn H.
Published: March 2003

Objective

To compare the effects of therapeutic cerclage and bed rest vs. just bed rest on cervical length and to relate these effects to the risk of preterm delivery.

Design

Cervical length was measured in patients at high risk of cervical incompetence. When a cervical length < 25 mm was measured before 27 weeks' gestation, randomization for therapeutic cerclage and bed rest vs. just bed rest was performed. After randomization, cervical length was measured weekly. For statistical analysis, t‐test and Fisher's exact tests were used and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Nineteen women were randomly allocated to receive a therapeutic cerclage and bed rest and 16 were allocated to receive bed rest only. Mean cervical lengths and mean gestational ages before randomization were comparable between both groups, overall 19.8 mm and 20.7 weeks. Cervical length was measured again at a mean gestation of 22.1 weeks. Mean cervical length (31 mm) was significantly (P < 0.0001) longer after cerclage than after bed rest only (19 mm). A cervical length ≥ 25 mm was measured in 22 of the 35 included women, 16 in the cerclage group and six in the bed‐rest group (P = 0.006). Of these 22 women, only one delivered before 34 weeks' gestation, which was significantly less frequent than six out of 13 women with a cervical length < 25 mm (P = 0.006).

Conclusions

Therapeutic cerclage with bed rest increases cervical length more often than bed rest alone. A postintervention cervical length ≥ 25 mm reduces the risk of preterm delivery in women at high risk of cervical incompetence and a preintervention cervical length < 25 mm.
Management of single fetal death in twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome: a role for fetal blood sampling
Authors: Senat M.‐V. , Bernard J.‐P. , Loizeau S. , Ville Y.
Published: March 2003

Objective

Intrauterine death of one twin in monochorionic pregnancies is associated with an increased mortality and morbidity of the cotwin. This is likely to occur as a consequence of acute hemodynamic changes due to feto–fetal hemorrhage at the time of death of the cotwin. We assessed the role of fetal blood sampling and intrauterine transfusion to rescue the survivor.

Materials and methods

We managed 12 cases of single intrauterine death at between 17 and 26 weeks' gestation in monochorionic twins complicated by twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). All these cases had been treated either by laser therapy or by serial amniodrainage. When the demise of one twin occurred, ultrasound‐guided fetal blood sampling was performed in the surviving twin using a 20‐gauge needle within 24 h of death. Intrauterine transfusion was performed at the same time in cases where the survivor was anemic. All survivors were assessed in the neonatal period and at 1 year of age.

Results

Six of the 12 surviving fetuses were found to be anemic and underwent intrauterine transfusion. All fetuses survived the procedure. Four of these fetuses had normal neurological development at 1 year of age. Periventricular leukomalacia developed in one case and the patient underwent termination of pregnancy at 34 weeks. In one case delivery occurred at 34 weeks' gestation and the baby developed periventricular leukomalacia at 1 month of age. In all six non‐anemic fetuses pediatric examination was normal at birth and at 1 year of age.

Conclusion

Intrauterine death of one monochorionic twin in TTTS puts the survivor at high risk of intrauterine death or of developing ischemic/hypoxic lesions. Our results suggest that fetal blood sampling is a useful diagnostic tool to identify those fetuses that are not anemic and hence unlikely to be at risk of developing a cerebral lesion. Copyright © 2002 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Parathyroid hormone‐related protein in tissues of the emerging frog (Rana temporaria): immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation
Authors: DANKS J. A. , McHALE J. C. , MARTIN T. J. , INGLETON P. M.
Published: March 2003

Using antiserum to human parathyroid hormone‐related protein (1–16) [PTHrP(1–16)] we have examined tissues of the common frog (Rana temporaria) for the presence of immunoreactive PTHrP (irPTHrP) at the stage of emergence from water to land. irPTHrP was detected in dorsal and ventral stratum granulosum of the skin, in the developing ovary, striated muscle and the choroid plexus epithelium of the brain as well as in the olfactory gland epithelium and olfactory lobe neurons of the brain. In the pituitary and hypothalamus irPTHrP protein could be demonstrated in the median eminence, infundibular stem and principally in the neural lobe and pars distalis of the pituitary with weak reaction in the pars intermedia. In situ hybridisation of the same tissues with an oligonucleotide probe to chicken PTHrP 55–65 clearly showed the presence of mRNA for PTHrP‐like molecule in all the tissues containing irPTHrP. There was a major inconsistency in the pituitary in that the highest level of gene expression, assessed by in situ hybridisation, was found in the pars intermedia with only very low expression in the pars distalis and neural lobe and undetectable levels in the infundibular stem and median eminence. These observations suggest that tissues of the frog synthesise a PTHrP‐like molecule but that in the pituitary the pars intermedia cells may export the protein to cells in other regions of the pituitary and hypothalamus.
Comparative analysis of nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity in the sacral spinal cord of the cat, macaque and human
Authors: PULLEN A. H. , HUMPHREYS P. , BAXTER R. G.
Published: March 2003

Nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity (bNOS‐ir) was examined in the sacral spinal cord of the cat, macaque monkey and human using an antibody to the c‐terminal region of neuronal NOS. In S2 of all 3 species NOS‐ir was identified in both dorsal and ventral horns. In cat, monkey and human, bNOS‐r occurred in sensory neurons of superficial laminae and the base of the dorsal horn, in autonomic neurons around the central canal and in the intermediolateral sacral spinal nucleus. In all 3 species, a large proportion of somatic motor nuclei in the ventromedial (VM), ventrolateral (VL) nuclei, and Onuf's nucleus(ON) showed high bNOS‐ir, while others exhibited markedly lower immunoreactivity. Validatory experiments showed separate cellular localisation for bNOS, inducible NOS(iNOS), and endothelial NOS(eNOS) with only bNOS being localised to neuronal perikarya. Comparative morphometric analyses of the relative proportions and diameters of motor neurons in the VL, VM and ON exhibiting high and low levels of bNOS‐ir revealed statistically significant differences in proportions in individual nuclei, and differences in size were generally not statistically significant. Finally, a comparison between cat sacral and thoracic spinal cord showed bNOS‐ir in motor neurons of S2 was subject to less animal and rostrocaudal segment variation than in T10.
Total number and size distribution of motor neurons in the spinal cord of normal and EMC‐virus infected mice — a stereological study
Authors: WEBER UNO J. , BOCK TROELS , BUSCHARD KARSTEN , PAKKENBERG BENTE
Published: March 2003

The encephalomyocarditis virus of the diabetogenic M‐strain (EMC‐M) is known to cause diabetes in mice. The EMC‐M virus has also been shown to cause paresis in some of the infected animals. The clinical features include an acute ascending predominantly motor paralysis, developing within days. This resembles acute idiopathic polyneuritis. The alpha motor neurons would be a possible target for the virus, so two parameters, the total number and the size distribution of motor neurons, were therefore selected for further investigation in 6 mice with neurological involvement and compared with 6 control mice. The optical fractionator method was applied for estimating the total number of motor neurons and the 3D size distribution was estimated using the rotator method in a vertical design. No difference was found in the total number of motor neurons and the size distributions were similar in the 2 groups. This design can be used as a model for the estimation of the total number of motor neurons and their size distribution in other experimental animal models.
The iliopubic groove: a possible consequence of incomplete triradiate fusion. Two case reports
Authors: SANTORI N. , VILLAR R. N.
Published: March 2003

The embryology and development of the hip joint are complex. In few areas of the body can so many morphological variations be seen. Minor anatomical abnormalities in the acetabular and femoral head shape, femoral–neck angle, and joint congruency, are frequent. Controversies still exist on the importance of these variations and on whether or not they put the patient at risk of developing early degenerative changes (Wedge et al. 1990). Even in clinically asymptomatic hips, the acetabulum is not always of the same shape or same depth. Minor degrees of ‘dysplasia’ have no more effect than to create a shallow acetabulum or possibly predispose to a labral tear (Dorrel & Caterall, 1986). Greater degrees may cause congenital subluxation or dislocation (Wiberg, 1939; Ponseti, 1978a).
An unusually distal and complete additional flexor profundus muscle to the index finger
Authors: KOPUZ CEM , FIDAN BARBOROS , ISLAM AHMET
Published: March 2003

Anomalous muscles in the first flexor compartment of the forearm are quite common. Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) is a well known example (Kernohan et al. 1984; Ametewee et al. 1985; Elias et al. 1985; Tonkin & Lister, 1985). However, the anatomical variations of muscles, for example flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) in the second flexor compartment, are not rare (Hollinshead, 1969; Williams & Warwick, 1980; Honing et al. 1995; Williams et al. 1995). These muscles are usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during anatomical dissection or at operation. However, they may be symptomatic, presenting as an enlarging tumour‐like mass simulating a ganglion (Vichare, 1970; Hayes, 1974; Murakami & Todani, 1982) or may cause a compression neuropathy (Hutton & Kernohan, 1981; Simodynes & Cochran, 1981).
Role of the extracellular matrix in neural crest cell migration
Authors: HENDERSON DEBORAH J. , COPP ANDREW J.
Published: March 2003

Development of the neural crest involves a remarkable feat of coordinated cell migration in which cells detach from the neural tube, take varying routes of migration through the embryonic tissues and then differentiate at the end of their journey to participate in the formation of a number of organ systems. In general, neural crest cells appear to migrate without the guidance of long‐range physical or chemical cues, but rather they respond to heterogeneity in the extracellular matrix that forms their migration substrate. Molecules such as fibronectin and laminin act as permissive substrate components, encouraging neural crest cell attachment and spreading, whereas chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans are nonpermissive for migration. A balance between permissive and nonpermissive substrate components seems to be necessary to ensure successful migration, as indicated by a number of studies in mouse mutant systems where nonpermissive molecules are over‐expressed, leading to inhibition of neural crest migration. The neural crest expresses cell surface receptors that permit interaction with the extracellular matrix and may also modify the matrix by secretion of proteases. Thus the principles that govern the complex migration of neural crest cells are beginning to emerge.
Localisation of deformations of the midfacial complex in subjects with class III malocclusions employing thin‐plate spline analysis
Authors: SINGH G. D. , McNAMARA JR J. A. , LOZANOFF S.
Published: March 2003

This study determines deformations of the midface that contribute to a class III appearance, employing thin‐plate spline analysis. A total of 135 lateral cephalographs of prepubertal children of European‐American descent with either class III malocclusions or a class I molar occlusion were compared. The cephalographs were traced and checked, and 7 homologous landmarks of the midface were identified and digitised. The data sets were scaled to an equivalent size and subjected to Procrustes analysis. These statistical tests indicated significant differences (P<0.05) between the averaged class I and class III morphologies. Thin‐plate spline analysis indicated that both affine and nonaffine transformations contribute towards the total spline for the averaged midfacial configuration. For nonaffine transformations, partial warp 3 had the highest magnitude, indicating the large scale deformations of the midfacial configuration. These deformations affected the palatal landmarks, and were associated with compression of the midfacial complex in the anteroposterior plane predominantly. Partial warp 4 produced some vertical compression of the posterior aspect of the midfacial complex whereas partial warps 1 and 2 indicated localised shape changes of the maxillary alveolus region. Large spatial‐scale deformations therefore affect the midfacial complex in an anteroposterior axis, in combination with vertical compression and localised distortions. These deformations may represent a developmental diminution of the palatal complex anteroposteriorly that, allied with vertical shortening of midfacial height posteriorly, results in class III malocclusions with a retrusive midfacial profile.
The identification of myogenic cells in skeletal muscle, with emphasis on the use of tritiated thymidine autoradiography and desmin antibodies
Authors: LAWSON‐SMITH MATTHEW J. , McGEACHIE JOHN K.
Published: March 2003

The identification of myogenic precursor cells (mpc) is a key factor in determining the early events in the myogenesis and regeneration of skeletal muscle. Although satellite cells have long been established as the providers of myoblastic cells, very little is really known (apart from their anatomical location in relation to muscle fibres and their ability to migrate) about the precise role of satellite cells in myogenesis. Numerous techniques for labelling mpc have been devised, but none of these has proven to be completely reliable in firmly establishing the origin of myogenic cells. The use of tritiated thymidine to label DNA in proliferating mpc (which are not specifically distinguishable at the time) and the subsequent location of their labelled progeny in myotube nuclei has revealed a great deal of data on the timing of myogenesis, but not about the nature of mpc themselves. DNA synthesis can also be detected by antibodies to the thymidine analogue, bromodeoxyuridine, and also by antibody staining for proliferating nuclear cell antigen. Like tritiated thymidine, these other markers are not specific for muscle but are general markers for DNA synthesis. In situ hybridisation of various muscle‐specific genetic markers and their products has been informative, as has immunolabelling of myogenin, MyoD1 and desmin. Desmin labelling has been particularly instructive in identifying mpc because it is one of the first muscle‐specific proteins to be produced in mpc. This review covers some of the techniques mentioned above and their usefulness in determining the early events in myogenesis.
Limb development and evolution: a frog embryo with no apical ectodermal ridge (AER)
Authors: RICHARDSON MICHAEL K. , CARL TIMOTHY F. , HANKEN JAMES , ELINSON RICHARD P. , COPE CELIA , BAGLEY PETER
Published: March 2003

The treefrog Eleutherodactylus coqui is a direct developer — it has no tadpole stage. The limb buds develop earlier than in metamorphosing species (indirect developers, such as Xenopus laevis). Previous molecular studies suggest that at least some mechanisms of limb development in E. coqui are similar to those of other vertebrates and we wished to see how limb morphogenesis in this species compares with that in other vertebrates. We found that the hind limb buds are larger and more advanced than the forelimbs at all stages examined, thus differing from the typical amniote pattern. The limb buds were also small compared to those in the chick. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed that although the apical ectoderm is thickened, there was no apical ectodermal ridge (AER). In addition, the limb buds lacked the dorsoventral flattening seen in many amniotes. These findings could suggest a mechanical function for the AER in maintaining dorsoventral flattening, although not all data are consistent with this view. Removal of distal ectoderm from E. coqui hindlimb buds does not stop outgrowth, although it does produce anterior defects in the skeletal pattern. The defects are less severe when the excisions are performed earlier. These results contrast with the chick, in which AER excision leads to loss of distal structures. We suggest that an AER was present in the common ancestor of anurans and amniotes and has been lost in at least some direct developers including E. coqui.
Scanning electron microscopic study of the renal glomerulus by an in vivo cryotechnique combined with freeze‐substitution
Authors: YU YING , LENG CHONG‐GUANG , TERADA NOBUO , OHNO SHINICHI
Published: March 2003

The 3‐dimensional ultrastructure of mouse renal glomeruli under normal haemodynamic conditions was studied by scanning electron microscopy using an in vivo cryotechnique followed by freeze‐substitution, and compared with glomeruli prepared by conventional fixation methods. Mouse kidneys were frozen with a cryoknife apparatus and a liquid isopentane‐propane mixture (−193°C). Surface areas of the frozen tissues were freeze‐fractured with a scalpel in liquid nitrogen. The specimens were routinely freeze‐substituted, freeze‐dried, ion‐sputtered, and then observed in a scanning electron microscope at an accelerating voltage of 5 kV. Renal glomeruli showed good ultrastructural preservation of the surface tissues. Podocytes with interdigitating foot processes covering capillary loops exhibited smooth surface contours and their cell surfaces were arranged more tightly than those seen by the conventional fixation method. Filtration slits between foot processes were found to be narrow. The internal structure of the glomerular tuft was seen in the freeze‐fracture faces. The capillary lumen with variously shaped erythrocytes was kept open in frozen glomeruli under normal blood circulation conditions. The ultrastructure of renal glomeruli, as revealed by the in vivo cryotechnique with freeze‐substitution, appears to be closer to that of the living state.
Splenic adherent cells, stimulated in vitro, induce the reactive formation of lymphoid follicles and germinal centres in draining lymph nodes after subcutaneous transfusion into syngeneic mice
Authors: TANAKA K. , CHEN D. , NEGISHI S. , AIZAWA S. , HOSHI H.
Published: March 2003

The reactive formation of lymphoid follicles and germinal centres in lymph nodes, induced by subcutaneous transfer of in vitro activated splenic adherent cells into syngeneic mice, were studied. Adherent cells were obtained by incubating spleen cell suspensions for 24 h and activated by incubating for 1 h in the medium containing keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) absorbed onto alumina. Some of the treated adherent cells were irradiated with 10 Gy x‐rays, while others were either not stimulated or were stimulated with alumina‐KLH but killed by repeated freezing and thawing. Examination of adherent cell smears immunostained with antibodies against, F4/80, Mac‐1, Mac‐2 and NLDC‐145 indicated that many adherent cells displayed macrophage markers but few displayed the interdigitating cell marker. Animals transfused with KLH‐treated adherent cells with or without irradiation showed a marked increase in the number of lymphoid follicles and germinal centres in draining lymph nodes, whereas those transfused with adherent cells which had not been KLH‐treated or which had been killed after KLH treatment displayed no significant change in the number of follicles. These results were interpreted as indicating that following transfusion, antigen‐activated adherent macrophages migrated into the draining lymph nodes and induced the reactive formation of lymphoid follicles and germinal centres outside preexisting follicles.
A polydactylous human foot with ‘double‐dorsal’ toes
Authors: D'SOUZA DEANA , McDIARMID JAMES , TICKLE CHERYLL
Published: March 2003

A human polydactylous left foot with 9 toes, amputated from an 11‐mo‐old child, was examined by x‐ray and magnetic resonance imaging and by gross dissection to identify the digits. The normal sequence of toes from medial to lateral is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Examination of the morphology of tendons and muscles suggested the toe sequence was 1, 2, 3/4, ?,5,2, 3/4, 3/4, 5. The 2 toes in the sequence that are underlined were displaced dorsally and were found to have 2 extensor tendons, no flexor tendons and nails that were conical and situated at their tips. These toes resembled those described as ‘double‐dorsal’ and which develop in paws of mice in which a gene normally expressed ventrally is functionally inactivated (Loomis et al. 1996). Specification of toe formation occurs in leg buds early in embryonic development and later there is rotation of the limb so that the anterior (rostral) part comes to lie medially, i.e. the hallux which was anterior (rostral) now is on the inner (medial) side of the foot. A disruption in the patterning of this foot in both anteroposterior (rostral‐caudal) and dorsoventral axes during development could be responsible.
Proliferation and cellular kinetics of villous epithelial cells and M cells in the chicken caecum
Authors: TAKEUCHI TAKASHI , KITAGAWA HIROSHI , IMAGAWA TOMOHIRO , UEHARA MASATO
Published: March 2003

The proliferation sites and cellular kinetics of villous epithelial cells and M cells in the intestine of the adult chicken have never been clarified. In this study, we determined the proliferation sites in the chicken caecum using colchicine treatment and detection of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The cellular kinetics of these cells were also studied using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) as a tracer. Enterocytes in their mitotic period were observed along the entire length of the intestinal crypt of the caecum, with a denser distribution in the middle portion of the crypt, except for the caecal tonsil. The centres of distributions were at 49% of the distance from the bottom of the crypt in the base and 41% in the apex of the caecum. In the caecal tonsil, the centres of distributions were at 64% in the long type of crypt from the bottom of the crypt and at 44% in the short type of crypt. On the other hand, the PCNA‐positive enterocytes were distributed more densely at the bottom of the crypt, except for the caecal tonsil. The centres of distributions were at 36% in the base from the bottom of the crypt, 37% in the body, and 34% in the apex. In the caecal tonsil, they were at 54% in the long type of crypt and 44% in the short type. The BrdU‐labelled enterocytes reached to the basement of the intestinal villi in all caecal portions at 1 d after the BrdU administration. The leading edge of the labelled enterocytes disappeared from the villous tips at 4 d in the base and the body and 3 d in the apex. In the caecal tonsil, the BrdU‐labelled microvillous epithelial cells and the M cells appeared near the orifice of the crypt at 1 d, and BrdU‐labelled M cells were not observed in the crypt. Thereafter, almost all of these cells disappeared at 5 d from the follicle associated epithelium (FAE). These results suggest that M cells are transformed from their precursors within 1 d, and the turnover time for M cells occurs within 4 d after the cell division of the precursors.
The bulbocerebellar circumolivary bundle
Authors: DE CARO R. , MUNARI P. F. , PARENTI A.
Published: March 2003

During the course of a systematic study on the human vertebrobasilar arterial system (De Caro et al. 1995), our attention was drawn in one case to a strange morphology of the ventrolateral aspect of one side of the medulla. While initially our impression was that we were facing an actual malformation, review of the structure of the brainstem as described in most standard anatomical texts showed that it could correspond to the circumolivary fasciculus (Williams et al. 1995).

The subject was a 63‐y‐old man who had died from rupture of an atherosclerotic aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. The medical history was negative for neuropsychiatric pathology. Brain examination showed severe atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries and hypoplasia of the initial segment of the right posterior cerebral artery. A recent infarct was found in the white matter of the right occipital lobe. After removal of the vertebrobasilar arterial system, the right pyramid showed a superficial groove extending from about 2 mm lateral to the foramen caecum obliquely downwards to the right anterolateral sulcus of the medulla, at the level of the superior margin of the inferior root of the hypoglossal nerve (Fig. 1a). Due to this groove, the lateral part of the pyramid formed a ridge that crossed the anterolateral sulcus of the medulla passing between the 2 main roots of the hypoglossal nerve and then continued, below the inferior pole of the olive, over the lateral region of the medulla ending at the level of the posterolateral sulcus (Fig. 1b). The general appearance was that of a small cord forming a loop around the anterior margin and the inferior pole of the olive, with a descending part (8 mm long), a horizontal part (6 mm long) and with a transverse diameter of 3 mm. After formalin fixation, the brainstem was cut in 8 transverse sections. At the level of the medulla the right pyramid appeared larger than the contralateral and the small lateral cord was separated from the main part of the pyramid by a thin whitish transverse stria (Fig. 1c). Macroscopic examination of the cerebellum showed nothing of relevance.
Adaptation in the vertebral column: a comparative study of patterns of metameric variation in seven species of small mammals
Authors: KIDA M. Y. , JOHNSON D. R. , McANDREW T. J. , O'HIGGINS P.
Published: March 2003

The pattern of variation of certain vertebral measurements along the vertebral column is known to differ in man and mouse. This paper investigates changes in this pattern in 7 species of small mammals and attempts to correlate them with locomotor adaptations and limb dimensions.
Symposium on ‘Adaptations of cells and tissues to mechanical stimuli’ or ‘Roux revisited’ held during the Joint Meeting of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland, the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa and the Nederlandse Anatomen Vereniging, April 15–18 1998, Rolduc, The Netherlands
Authors: HILLEN BEREND
Published: March 2003

In 1895, well over 100 years ago, Willem Roux published his collected works on the developmental mechanics of organisms in 2 volumes. Volume 1 is largely dedicated to functional adaptation and is a condensation of his investigations into causes of the size and shape of organs and tissues, postulating the influence of functional demand, mediated by mechanical stimuli, on the shaping of organs and tissues. In this classic work he contributed to the understanding of the control of the structural development and organisation of blood vessels, muscles and bone. This work has been a source of inspiration for many investigators over the years. Well known examples are Wolff's law and Pauwel's theory on trajectories. Over the past 2 decades these hypotheses and concepts have been reappraised using 2 main approaches. Firstly, in muscles and tendons a qualitative approach with classical Newtonian mechanics combined with the anatomical configuration of these structures has been used to study the direction and the nature of the mechanical stresses in the tissues, be they compressive, tensile or shear. In bone and blood vessels these stresses are less accessible and often require computer modelling to calculate the mechanics at a cellular level. Secondly, molecular biology has demonstrated, both in tissue culture and in animal experiments, that mechanical stimuli can bring about cascades of messages in and between cells, but the experimental control of mechanical stresses in biological experiments is far from simple and limits the conclusions that can be derived. In order to approach a complete picture, the gap between these 2 approaches must be bridged. In this respect modern imaging techniques are helpful because they offer the possibility of studying the shape and change of shape over time in living organisms in greater detail.

The Symposium was organised in such a way that for different tissues recent advances using different approaches could be presented, helping to identify future directions for this field of morphological research. Review articles based on 2 of the 6 contributions to the Symposium are published here. One has already appeared (Benjamin & Ralphs, J. Anat. 193, pp. 481–494).
Elimination of atretic follicles from the mouse ovary: a TEM and immunohistochemical study in mice
Authors: INOUE SATOKO , WATANABE HIROSHI , SAITO HIDEKAZU , HIROI MASAHIKO , TONOSAKI AKIRA
Published: March 2003

We examined numerous ovarian follicles from 32–35 d virgin mice by transmission electron microscopy and light microscopic immunohistochemistry. No macrophages were seen, but various stages of apoptotic granulosa cells were encountered. Presumably a granulosa cell or its debris in an advanced stage of apoptosis was destined to be phagocytosed by adjacent normal‐looking granulosa cells. Other granulosa cells of normal appearance were seen in the region of the zona pellucida in contact with and apparently phagocytosing atrophic oocytes. Such granulosa cells were characterised by the presence of gap junctions with other cells and frequently contained annular gap junctions in the cytoplasm. To confirm the lack of involvement of macrophages in the process of follicular atresia and elimination, specially prepared ovarian sections were incubated with antimouse macrophage monoclonal antibodies (F4/80, Mac‐1, Mac‐2). None of the follicles examined showed positive immunoreactivity with these antibodies. Atretic follicles may shrink and eventually disappear from the ovary as a result of repeated apoptosis and phagocytosis by granulosa cells. There is no evidence for the presence or involvement of macrophages in the atretic follicles, at least in prereproductive mice as examined.
Late‐onset neurodegenerative diseases—the role of protein insolubility
Authors: JOHNSON WILLIAM G.
Published: March 2003

Recently, mutations of the alpha‐synuclein gene were found to cause dominantly inherited Lewy‐body Parkinson's disease (PD) and alpha‐synuclein was identified as a major component of the Lewy body. However, the cause of the common form of PD, with a multifactorial rather than autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, remains unknown. Alpha‐synuclein precipitates slowly and apparently spontaneously at high concentration in solution and the mutations that cause PD accelerate precipitation. Other dominantly inherited late‐onset or adult‐onset dominantly inherited neurodegenerative diseases are associated with precipitation of proteins. In Alzheimer disease, beta‐amyloid and tau abnormalities are present and in prion disorders, prion proteins are found. In Huntington disease, a disorder with expanded CAG repeats, huntingtin precipitates occur. In dominantly inherited spinocerebellar ataxias, also expanded CAG repeat disorders, the corresponding ataxin protein precipitates are found. In multiple system atrophy, alpha‐synuclein precipitates are encountered and in progressive supranuclear palsy, tau precipitates occur. In familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a group of dominantly inherited disorders, SOD1 precipitates are found. Most of these disorders can involve the basal ganglia in some way.

Since similar processes seem to affect neurons of adults or older individuals and since a relatively limited group of proteins seems to be involved, each producing a form of neurodegeneration, it is possible that certain common features are present that affect this group of proteins. Candidates include a conformational shift, as in prions, an abnormality of the ubiquitin‐proteosome pathway, as seen in PD, an abnormality of a pathway preventing precipitation (e.g. chaperonins), or potentiation of a pathway promoting precipitation (e.g. gamma‐glutamyl‐transpeptidase) or apoptosis. Elucidation of the pathways causing this protein insolubilisation is the first step towards approaching prevention and reversal in these late‐onset neurodegenerative diseases.
The mechanical behaviour of a novel mammalian intervertebral joint
Authors: CULLINANE DENNIS M. , BERTRAM JOHN E. A.
Published: March 2003

The mechanics of mammalian intervertebral joints are complicated by the viscoelastic nature of the connective tissues joining vertebrae, and by multiple vertebral articulations and complex morphologies. Further, interspecific variation in these structures can greatly compound their functional variation between species, making comparative mechanical analyses even more difficult. Despite these sources of variation however, mammalian intervertebral joints universally exhibit a creep relaxation behaviour based on the viscoelastic nature of the soft tissue joint. We have evaluated, in 6 degrees of freedom, the mechanical signature of a novel mammalian lumbar intervertebral joint found in the Scutisorex spine, and compared it with a more typical mammalian joint in the Rattus (rat) lumbar spine. Scutisorex, the hero shrew, is an East African species of shrew with what is likely the most highly modified vertebral morphology in the entire history of mammals. Thus we decided to evaluate the mechanical behaviour of the intervertebral joint of this species, comparing it with a more representative mammal species in Rattus. We built a custom, 6 degrees of freedom, intervertebral joint transducer and a combined axial moment and load application system in order to quantify and compare the complex mechanical behaviour of these joints. Our results suggest that the Scutisorex joint is 5 times more resilient to simple axial torsion per body mass unit than Rattus, and that the complex load (combined axial compression and torsion) mechanical signature of Scutisorex is probably novel among all mammalian intervertebral joints. Under significant but physiological axial compression the Scutisorex intervertebral joint demonstrates no creep relaxation behaviour, simulating the mechanical behaviour of a rigid construct rather than a viscoelastic joint. The purpose of this rigid intervertebral joint in the ecology of Scutisorex remains unknown.
Separation between the digestive and the respiratory lumina during the human embryonic period: morphometric study along the tracheo‐oesophageal septum
Authors: NEBOT‐CEGARRA JOSEP , FÀBREGAS PERE J. , CAMPILLO MERCEDES , RICART SILVIA
Published: March 2003

An isolated tracheo‐oesophageal fistula could be caused by close proximity of the epithelia of both organs (O'Rahilly & Müller, 1984; Kluth et al. 1987) at certain embryonic stages, the most frequent location being the tracheal bifurcation. Thus the relative position and degree of separation between the digestive and the respiratory tubes throughout their development may be relevant to the origin of this anomaly. The aim of this study was to analyse along the different segments of the tracheo‐oesophageal septum (TES) where the closest relationship between both lumina occurred and what degree of separation was present at each segment. Computer imaging techniques were applied on cross sections of a graded series of normal human embryos (Carnegie stages (CS) 13–23). In addition, the differentiation of the primitive TES was also studied (from CS 12) by light microscopy. Between CS 13 and 16 both tubes tended to separate (phase of separation), principally at the proximal segments of the laryngopharyngeal and the tracheo‐oesophageal portions of the TES. During this phase the separation between the trachea and oesophagus was wider than between the larynx and pharynx. From CS 17 to CS 23 the digestive and respiratory lumina reached their widest separation at different levels of the laryngopharyngeal portion. Below these levels they tended to come closer together, principally at the proximal segment of the tracheo‐oesophageal portion, but also at the distal part of the laryngopharyngeal portion. During this phase of approximation they reached their closest relationship at the proximal (CS 17) and the distal (from CS 18) segments of the tracheo‐oesophageal portion. When finally the distal segment of the trachea (which includes the bifurcation) comes closest to the oesophagus, the coats of both organs have already undergone an appreciable differentiation. According to these observations, the origin of the most frequent isolated tracheo‐oesophageal fistula at the bifurcation region could not be explained from the normal development of the TES.
Persistent hypoglossal artery
Authors: BASIC JUKIC NIKOLINA , JELIC MISLAV , BASIC VANJA , JUKIC TOMISLAV , VINTER IVAN
Published: March 2003

It is well known that the internal carotid artery has no branches in the neck during postfetal life (von Lanz & Wachsmuth, 1955), but during embryonic development there are anastomotic connections between the internal carotid and basilar artery that rarely persist after intrauterine life (Hassen‐Khodja et al. 1992; Widmann & Sumpio, 1992; De Caro et al. 1995). The most common anomaly found incidentally on angiography is a persisting trigeminal artery, but persistent hypoglossal, otic and proatlantal arteries can also be found (Reynolds et al. 1980; Ouriel et al. 1988; Salas et al. 1998). We report a rare example of a persistent hypoglossal artery in a 64 y old female cadaver, cause of death unknown, embalmed by standard mortuary procedures for dissection during the routine anatomy course. The persistent hypoglossal artery originated from the anteromedial wall of the left internal carotid artery 2.5 cm above the bifurcation (Fig.). It extended towards the hypoglossal canal. The diameter of its lumen was 1.5 mm. During its course in the neck, it was positioned anterior to the internal carotid artery and medial to the facial and lingual arteries, the posterior belly of the digastric muscle and the convexity of the hypoglossal nerve in the neck. At 1 cm above the convexity of the hypoglossal nerve in the neck, the artery gave rise to a branch that entered the skull through the carotid canal anteromedial to the internal carotid artery (Fig. 1) and joined the basilar artery. The medial branch of the hypoglossal artery crossed the internal carotid artery on its medial side and entered the skull together with the hypoglossal nerve and joined the basilar artery. We found no other anomalies in the cerebral arterial system.
Retinoic acid specifically downregulates Fgf4 and inhibits posterior cell proliferation in the developing mouse autopod
Authors: HAYES CHRISTOPHER , MORRISS‐KAY GILLIAN M.
Published: March 2003

Retinoic acid, when administered to pregnant mice on d 11·0 of gestation, causes limb skeletal abnormalities consisting of reduced digital number, shortening of the long bones and delayed ossification. We show here that these effects are correlated with a decrease in cell proliferation within 5 h of retinoic acid administration, specifically in the posterior half of the distal limb bud mesenchyme, from which the distal skeletal elements are generated. There is a specific downregulation of Fgf4, a gene known to be involved in limb bud outgrowth and expressed only in the posterior part of the apical ectodermal ridge; Fgf8, which is expressed throughout the apical ectodermal ridge, is unaffected. The reduction in Fgf4 expression is not accompanied by downregulation of Shh, nor of its receptor and downstream target gene Ptc, suggesting that the skeletal reduction defects induced by retinoic acid are mediated specifically by FGF4‐induced skeletogenic mesenchymal cell proliferation.
An alternative method for restoring opposition after median nerve injury: an anatomical feasibility study for the use of neurotisation
Authors: ÜSTÜN MEHMET ERKAN , ÖĞÜN TUNÇ CEVAT , KARABULUT A. KAĞAN , BÜYÜKMUMCU MUSTAFA
Published: March 2003

Opposition, one of the most important functions of the hand, is lost or impaired after median nerve injury. Complete recovery does not always occur after treatment, and various techniques of opponensplasty are used for restoring opposition. This study was performed in order to develop an alternative method for selective restoration of thenar muscle function. Ten arms from 5 cadavers were used. The median nerve with its thenar motor branch (Tb) and the anterior interosseous nerve with its motor branch to pronator quadratus (PQb) were prepared in the distal forearm. The mean widths and the number of myelinated fibres of these nerves were: PQb 1.3±0.10 mm, Tb 1.4±0.12 mm and PQb 912±88 mm, Tb 1020±93 mm. The minimum necessary distance from the distal flexor crease of the wrist for neurotisation of the Tb by the PQb was 60±5.41 mm. It was concluded that PQb‐Tb neurotisation would be possible anatomically. The advantages are that motor function is reestablished with a motor nerve, the diameters and the number of myelinated fibres of both nerves are similar, the loss of function after denervation of the pronator quadratus is slight and opponensplasty still remains as a final option.
Peripheral ganglia supplying the genital smooth musculature in the female pig: an experimental study
Authors: PANU RINO , BO MINELLI LUISA , BOTTI MADDALENA , GAZZA FERDINANDO , ACONE FRANCA , PALMIERI GIOVANNI
Published: March 2003

The aim of the present study was to locate the sensory and autonomic ganglia innervating the female genital musculature in pigs. The retrograde neuronal tracers horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or fast blue (FB) were injected into the left retractor clitoridis muscle (RCM), which was treated as a typical model of the genital smooth musculature. Labelled cells were found in ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia Sl–S4, in bilateral sympathetic paravertebral ganglia from L5–L6 or L6–L7 to S3 and in the left and right caudal mesenteric ganglion. In two of the five animals treated, presumably preganglionic parasympathetic cells were labelled in the ipsilateral intermediate grey substance of the segments Sl–S2.
Immunolabelling, histochemistry and in situ hybridisation in human skeletal muscle fibres to detect myosin heavy chain expression at the protein and mRNA level
Authors: SERRANO A. L. , PÉREZ MARGARITA , LUCÍA A. , CHICHARRO J. L. , QUIROZ‐ROTHE E. , RIVERO J. L. L.
Published: March 2003

The distribution of muscle fibres classified on the basis of their content of different myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms was analysed in vastus lateralis muscle biopsies of 15 young men (with an average age of 22 y) by correlating immunohistochemistry with specific anti‐MHC monoclonal antibodies, myofibrillar ATPase (mATPase) histochemistry and in situ hybridisation with probes specific for MHC β‐slow, MHC‐IIA and MHC‐IIX. The characterisation of a large number of individual fibres was compared and correlated on a fibre‐to‐fibre basis. The panel of monoclonal antibodies used in the study allowed classification of human skeletal muscle fibres into 5 categories according to the MHC isoform they express at the protein level, types I, I+IIA, IIA, IIAX and IIX. Hybrid fibres coexpressing two isoforms represented a considerable proportion of the fibre composition (about 14%) and were clearly underestimated by mATPase histochemistry. For a very high percentage of fibres there was a precise correspondence between the MHC protein isoforms and mRNA transcripts. The integrated methods used demonstrate a high degree of precision of the immunohistochemical procedure used for the identification and quantification of human skeletal muscle fibre types. The monoclonal antibody S5‐8H2 is particularly useful for identifying hybrid IIAX fibres. This protocol offers new prospects for muscle fibre classification in human experimental studies.
Incidence and morphology of the brachioradialis accessorius muscle
Authors: RODRÍGUEZ‐NIEDENFÜHR M. , VÁZQUEZ T. , PARKIN I. , NEARN L. , SAÑUDO J. R.
Published: March 2003

A separate supernumerary muscle in the lateral cubital fossa originating from the humerus or brachioradialis and inserting into the radius, pronator teres or supinator muscle has been considered as a variation of the brachioradialis muscle (Dawson, 1822; Meckel, 1823; Lauth, 1830; Halbertsma, 1864; Gruber, 1868b; Testut, 1884; LeDouble, 1897; Spinner & Spinner, 1996). However, a similar description was used to report additional heads of the brachialis or biceps brachii muscles (Gruber, 1848; Wood, 1864, 1868; Macalister, 1864–66, 1966–69, 1875; Gruber, 1868a; Wolff‐Heidegger, 1937).

The innervation of these variant muscles would be a good tool to assign each variation to its associated muscle. Consequently, innervation by the radial nerve would indicate that it is a derivative of the humero–radialis group of muscles, while innervation by the musculocutaneous nerve would support it as a derivative of the anterior musculature of the arm (Rolleston, 1887; Lewis, 1989). However, no references to the innervation were found in the available literature.

Therefore this study set out to establish the phylogenetic origin of the brachioradialis accessorius muscle and, with the help of its innervation, to determine its incidence and unreported detailed morphology.
Aodán Seosamh Breathnach BAO, BSc, MSc, MD (1922–2000)
Authors: STOLIŃSKI CHRIS
Published: March 2003

Aodán Breathnach, Emeritus Professor of Anatomy at the University of London at St Mary's Hospital Medical School, and Honorary Senior Research Fellow Division of Physiology and Institute of Dermatology, UMDS, St Thomas' Hospital, died in London after a prolonged illness on 17 April 2000, at the age of 77. He had been a member of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland since 1949, of the Societas Dermatologica Italica from 1978, of La Société Française de Dermatologie Syphiligraphie since 1979, and of the Society for Investigative Dermatology since 1984. He is survived by his wife Babs, his two sons Stephen and Richard, and their families, to whom our deepest sympathy is extended.