bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of maternally derived epidermal growth factor and the epidermal growth factor receptor during organogenesis in the rat embryo
Authors: TEBBS CAROLINE A. , CUMBERLAND PETER F. T. , PRATTEN MARGARET K.
Published: March 2003

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been implicated in the control of embryonic development, but although the receptor is expressed from an early stage, there is little evidence of embryonic expression of EGF. In order to investigate the role of maternally derived EGF during organogenesis, rat embryos were explanted at d 9.5 and cultured in serum depleted of low molecular weight molecules (retenate) which was then supplemented with EGF. Serum depleted of low molecular weight molecules by prolonged filtration loses its capacity to support normal embryonic development, possibly due to the loss of growth promoting factors. The addition of EGF to retenate significantly improved embryonic development with a maximal effect at 8 ng/ml. The addition of an analogue of EGF, long EGF, to retenate also caused a significant increase in development, although at higher concentrations a decrease in its effect was observed, possibly due to down regulation of the EGF receptor. Therefore, embryos may be able to utilise maternally derived EGF during organogenesis. To test the effects of inhibiting the EGF receptor during organogenesis, d 9.5 embryos were cultured in the presence of tyrphostin 47, a specific EGF receptor inhibitor. Tyrphostin 47 caused a significant dose‐dependent decrease in the development of embryos which was also observed when tyrphostin 47 was injected into the vitelline circulation at d 11.5 to bypass the effects of the yolk sac. These findings suggest that the EGF receptor is essential for normal organogenesis and may play a role in the control of proliferation and differentiation. Although EGF is not expressed in the rat embryo at this stage, maternally derived EGF may be the ligand for the embryonic EGF receptor.
Suppressive effect of perinatal testes on the differentiation of fetal ovaries transplanted into adult males in the rat
Authors: NAMBA YASUHIRO , YAMAMOTO MASAKO , ATRISHIMA KAZUYOSHI , EGUCHI YASUNOBU
Published: March 2003

A 14 d ovarian primordium was transplanted with a fetal testis (13–18 d and 21 d of gestation) or a neonatal testis (15, 20, 30 and 45 d after birth) into the renal subcapsular position of an adult male rat. Two weeks after transplantation, transplants were examined as to the degree of ovarian and testicular differentiation. In the combination of a 14 d ovary and a 13 d testis, there were 3 types of result: either the ovary or the testis alone developed or both gonads developed well. Ovaries transplanted in union with 15–18 d testes did not develop, although the testes developed normally. Some ovaries in union with 21 d testes developed normally. In combination with infantile testes, the incidence of developed ovaries increased as the age of testes advanced. These results suggest that the 13 d fetal testes begin to suppress the development of cotransplanted 14 d ovaries, that 14–18 d fetal testes maintain such suppressive effects and that this effect gradually diminishes in infantile testes as they progress toward 45 d after birth.
Morphological and morphometric characterisation of Onuf's nucleus in the spinal cord in man
Authors: PULLEN A. H. , TUCKER D. , MARTIN J. E.
Published: March 2003

In the absence of a systematic morphometric study of Onuf's nucleus in man, this investigation defines the limits of variation of segmental position and the range of length and volume of Onuf's nucleus in 6 normal humans displaying no neurological disease (2 males, 4 females). Serial section reconstruction methods in conjunction with the disector method provided information on the numbers, sizes and shapes of the constituent motor neurons of Onuf's nucleus. In contrast to previous descriptions, the cranial origin of Onuf's nucleus occurred in rostral S1 in 50% of subjects, and midcaudal S1 in the remaining subjects. Onuf's nucleus varied in length between 4 and 7 mm, and was 0.2–0.37 mm3 in volume. Differences in length or volume between males or females, or between the left and right side of the cord were not statistically significant. Neurons in Onuf's nucleus varied in diameter between 10 μm and 60 μm (mean 26 μm) and their mean number was 625±137. A higher density of neurons occurred at the cranial and caudal ends of the nucleus relative to the middle. While 37% of neurons were approximately spherical (shape index ∼1), 44% were ellipsoid and 19% fusiform (shape indices varying between 0.26 and 0.8). These findings are compared with previous studies of Onuf's nucleus in man and animals. The results form a basis for further studies on Onuf's nucleus in normality and neurodegenerative diseases.
The architecture of internal blood vessels in human fetal vertebral bodies
Authors: SKAWINA A. , LITWIN J. A. , GORCZYCA J. , MIODOŃSKI A. J.
Published: March 2003

The internal vascular system of vertebral bodies was investigated in 17–24 wk human fetuses by acrylic dye injection and by corrosion casting/scanning electron microscopy. The regions of intervertebral spaces did not contain blood vessels. The radial metaphyseal vessels were at the stage of centripetal ingrowth into the vertebral body cartilage and their terminal, blindly ending segments had a form of cuff‐like capillary plexuses. The anterolateral equatorial arteries communicating with the vessels of the ossification centre were only rarely found. The centre was usually supplied by 2 posterior (nutrient) arteries which branched into an arcade‐like array of arterioles equipped with occasional sphincters and giving origin to a dense network of peripherally located capillaries. Numerous blind capillary buds formed the advancing border of the ossification centre. The veins usually accompanied the arteries. In the ossification centre the venous compartment consisted of sinuses drained by larger posterior veins. In the 17 wk fetus, an axial avascular area was observed in the place of notochord localisation, indicating the formation of a ring‐shaped ossification centre around the notochord remnants at earlier stages of fetal development.
Anatomical variations of the anterior talofibular ligament of the human ankle joint
Authors: MILNER C. E. , SOAMES R. W.
Published: March 2003

Compared with other joints, the ligaments of the ankle have not been studied in great detail; consequently relatively little literature exists. The positions of the 3 major bands of the lateral collateral ligament are well known and documented (Schafer et al. 1915; Sarrafian, 1983; McMinn, 1994; Palastanga et al. 1994; Williams et al. 1995). The detailed anatomy of the ligaments is, however, relatively complex with variations of the major bands and several minor additional bands being reported (Sarrafian, 1993; Burks & Morgan, 1994; Rosenberg et al. 1995).
A shortened and deformed humerus from early modern Lithuania (16th/17th century A.D.) : an unusual case of amputation in childhood?
Authors: TEEGEN WOLF‐RÜDIGER , SCHULTZ MICHAEL , JANKAUSKAS RIMANTAS
Published: March 2003

During archaeological excavations in the early modern cemetery in Kernavé, Lithuania, a complete skeleton of a presumed adult male individual was found (grave 108). This skeleton showed a short right humerus and missing radius, ulna and hand. Other parts of the skeleton appeared to be normal, characteristic of a robust constitution. The skeletal material was analysed by macroscopic and radiological techniques. Sex and age were determined following the suggestions of the European Association of Anthropologists (Ferembach et al. 1980), measurements were recorded according to Martin (1928) and Bräuer (1988), and the pathological alterations according to Schultz (1988). The robustness and the measurements indicate a male individual, whose age was put at 40–45 y using the combined method (cf. Ferembach et al. 1980; Szilvássy, 1988) of cranial suture closure, spongiosa structure of the proximal humerus and femur and structure of the pubic symphysis. Skeletal elements analysed included both humeri, clavicles and scapulae.
Morphology of the articular processes of the sixth cervical vertebra in humans
Authors: HERRERA MANUEL , PUCHADES‐ORTS ALFONSO
Published: March 2003

With the exception of the 7th vertebra, both past and recent literature describe the lower cervical vertebrae as possessing similar morphological characteristics (Soemmering, 1794; Cruveilhier, 1862; Luschka, 1862; Henle, 1871; Braus‐Elze, 1954; Romanes, 1981; Williams et al. 1989; Benninghof, 1994). Gross anatomical differences from the 3rd to the 7th cervical vertebrae comprise the shapes of the vertebral body and uncinate and spinous processes (Putz, 1976; Penning, 1988; Lang, 1990) and the more developed anterior tubercle and anterior root of the transverse process of the 6th cervical vertebra (C6) (Paturet, 1951). During routine examination of a series of dried skeletons, the articular processes (AP) of C6 were found to be distinct from the rest of the cervical vertebrae. The aim of this study was to confirm this unusual appearance of the C6 process by inspecting a sample of dried skeletons. We report the morphology of the AP of C6 in 76 well preserved complete adult skeletons (58 males, 18 females; age 31–77 y) and 5 young specimens from the Anatomical Institutes of Alicante, Valencia and Murcia (Spain) and Munich (Germany). Another 12 skeletons were excluded from the study due to arthritic changes in their cervical APs.
Effect of angioplasty and grafting on porcine vascular nerves: a potential neurotropic role for endothelin‐1
Authors: DASHWOOD M. R. , ANGELINI G. D. , MEHTA D. , JEREMY J. Y. , MUENTER K. , KIRCHENGAST M.
Published: March 2003

The most commonly performed procedure for treating coronary artery stenosis is percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and, where the vessel lumen is severely narrowed, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In PTCA, regions of atherosclerotic plaques are disrupted, and the vessel lumen increased by inflating a balloon catheter. In CABG an autologous saphenous vein into coronary artery interposition graft is performed in order to bypass occluded regions of epicardial coronary arteries. Both interventions cause varying degrees of vascular damage and the long‐term efficacy of these procedures is limited by a high incidence of neointimal formation and subsequent vascular restenosis (Bach et al. 1994; Bryan & Angelini, 1994).

The endothelium‐derived constrictor peptide, endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) (Yanagisawa et al. 1988), also possesses mitogenic activity on vascular smooth muscle cells (Hirata et al. 1989) and has been suggested as playing a role in atherosclerosis (Dashwood et al. 1993; Zeiher et al. 1994) and intimal hyperplasia (Dashwood et al. 1993; Douglas et al. 1994).
Neural architecture in transected rabbit sciatic nerve after prolonged nonreinnervation
Authors: BRADLEY J. L. , ABERNETHY D. A. , KING R. H. M. , MUDDLE J. R. , THOMAS P. K.
Published: March 2003

Observations have been made on the rabbit sciatic nerve distal to a transection, with survival periods of up to 26 mo and prevention of reinnervation. It was confirmed that the nerve becomes compartmented by fibroblast processes and that a zone of fine collagen fibrils develops around the Schwann cell columns that constitute the Büngner bands. The Schwann cells become progressively more atrophic but after 6 mo of denervation still expressed low affinity p75 nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), the latest stage at which this was examined. NGFR was also expressed by the processes of the fibroblasts producing the endoneurial compartmentation. By 26 mo after transection the site of previous nerve fibres was indicated by sharply demarcated domains of approximately circular outline in transverse section consisting of densely packed longitudinally oriented collagen fibrils. Some of these domains still possessed centrally situated Schwann cells or residual basal lamina but many were acellular. The central collagen fibrils in these domains were of smaller diameter than those situated peripherally but were of larger size than those that form around the Büngner bands during wallerian degeneration. The peripherally located fibrils in the domains were of the same calibre as for normal endoneurial collagen. The collagen domains were encircled by fibroblast processes or at times enclosed in a perineurial cell ensheathment. Long‐standing axonal loss therefore leads to a striking reorganisation of the internal architecture of peripheral nerve trunks. The findings may be relevant for the interpretation of the appearances in chronic peripheral neuropathies in man.
Anatomical considerations on the discomalleolar ligament
Authors: RODRÍGUEZ‐VÁZQUEZ J. F. , MÉRIDA‐VELASCO J. R. , MÉRIDA‐VELASCO J. A. , JIMÉNEZ‐COLLADO J.
Published: March 2003

A study was carried out on the discomalleolar ligament by dissection of adult human cadavers. The ligament corresponds to the most internal portion of the superior lamina of the temporomandibular joint capsule. It extends from the posterointernal portion of the temporomandibular joint disc, penetrates the petrotympanic fissure and reaches the malleus of the middle ear. Because of its morphology and anatomical arrangement the discomalleolar ligament should be considered as an intrinsic ligament of the temporomandibular joint and distinguished from the tympanic portion of the sphenomandibular ligament (anterior ligament of the malleus).
The role of laminins in basement membrane function
Authors: AUMAILLEY MONIQUE , SMYTH NEIL
Published: March 2003

Laminins are a family of multifunctional macromolecules, ubiquitous in basement membranes, and represent the most abundant structural noncollagenous glycoproteins of these highly specialised extracellular matrices. Their discovery started with the difficult task of isolating molecules produced by cultivated cells or extracted from tissues. The development of molecular biology techniques has facilitated and accelerated the identification and the characterisation of new laminin variants making it feasible to identify full‐length polypeptides which have not been purified. Further, genetically engineered laminin fragments can be generated for studies of their structure‐function relationship, permitting the demonstration that laminins are involved in multiple interactions with themselves, with other components of the basal lamina, and with cells. It endows laminins with a central role in the formation, the architecture, and the stability of basement membranes. In addition, laminins may both separate and connect different tissues, i.e. the parenchymal and the interstitial connective tissues. Laminins also provide adjacent cells with a mechanical scaffold and biological information either directly by interacting with cell surface components, or indirectly by trapping growth factors. In doing so they trigger and control cellular functions. Recently, the structural and biological diversity of the laminins has started to be elucidated by gene targeting and by the identification of laminin defects in acquired or inherited human diseases. The consequent phenotypes highlight the pivotal role of laminins in determining heterogeneity in basement membrane functions.
Immunocytochemical characterisation of proteins secreted by retinal pigment epithelium in retinas of normal and Royal College of Surgeons dystrophic rats
Authors: SHEEDLO H. J. , TURNER J. E.
Published: March 2003

In a previous study, an antigen consisting of proteins secreted by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells was injected into a sheep and the specificity of the resulting antiserum was shown by Western blotting and its effects on retinal development were determined in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, the distribution of these secreted proteins was determined by light microscopy immunocytochemistry in cultured neonatal rat RPE cells and retinas of normal and Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) dystrophic rats and cerebrum of normal adult rats. Immunolabelling for these RPE‐secreted proteins was detected in cytoplasmic vesicles surrounding nuclei and within processes of cultured normal and transformed rat RPE. In retinas of late postnatal and adult rats, dense immunostaining was found in the cytoplasm of RPE cells and ganglion cell bodies. In addition to RPE and ganglion cells, scattered photoreceptors within the thin outer nuclear layer and small structures within the debris zone were also densely immunoreactive in retinas of 2‐mo‐old RCS dystrophic rats. The numbers of immunostained ganglion cells appeared to decrease in retinas of older RCS rats, although the immunoreactivity within the RPE appeared to increase in density. No other neuron within the retina, i.e. bipolar, amacrine or horizontal, was immunoreactive for RPE‐secreted proteins. In the cerebral cortex of adult rats, immunoreactivity for RPE‐secreted proteins was primarily detected within large perikarya of pyramidal neurons and smaller granule neurons. In conclusion, we report an immunocytochemical analysis of an antiserum raised against secreted proteins of rat RPE. This antiserum recognised proteins within secretory‐like vesicles of cultured neonatal normal and transformed rat RPE and showed a specificity for RPE and ganglion cells in normal rat retinas, that appeared to be developmentally regulated, and neuron perikarya in adult rat cerebrum.
Angioarchitecture of the coeliac sympathetic ganglion complex in the common tree shrew (Tupaia glis)
Authors: PROMWIKORN WARAPORN , THONGPILA SAKPORN , PRADIDARCHEEP WISUIT , MINGSAKUL THAWORN , CHUNHABUNDIT PANJIT , SOMANA REON
Published: March 2003

The angioarchitecture of the coeliac sympathetic ganglion complex (CGC) of the common tree shrew (Tupaia glis) was studied by the vascular corrosion cast technique in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy. The CGC of the tree shrew was found to be a highly vascularised organ. It normally received arterial blood supply from branches of the inferior phrenic, superior suprarenal and inferior suprarenal arteries and of the abdominal aorta. In some animals, its blood supply was also derived from branches of the middle suprarenal arteries, coeliac artery, superior mesenteric artery and lumbar arteries. These arteries penetrated the ganglion at variable points and in slightly different patterns. They gave off peripheral branches to form a subcapsular capillary plexus while their main trunks traversed deeply into the inner part before branching into the densely packed intraganglionic capillary networks. The capillaries merged to form venules before draining into collecting veins at the peripheral region of the ganglion complex. Finally, the veins coursed to the dorsal aspect of the ganglion to drain into the renal and inferior phrenic veins and the inferior vena cava. The capillaries on the coeliac ganglion complex do not possess fenestrations.
Evaluation of pulmonary volumetric morphometry at the light and electron microscopy level in several species of passerine birds
Authors: VITALI S. D. , RICHARDSON K. C.
Published: March 2003

The lungs of 3 small passerine species, having similar body mass but different diurnal activity patterns, were analysed morphometrically to assess the relationship between diurnal activity and pulmonary volumetry at the light and electron microscope levels. The percentage volumes of the major lung and exchange tissue components of the 3 species — an aerial insectivore, a foliage gleaner/nectarivore and a ground forager — were strikingly similar, and consistent with literature values for other passerine species. The only significant difference found was exchange tissue plasma volume and pulmonary haematocrit, with the ground‐foraging, low activity Malurus splendens having significantly lower values than the other 2 species. This may indicate that cardiovascular parameters are more important determinants of metabolic activity in small passerines than aspects of pulmonary anatomy.
Mucosa and taste buds of the human epiglottis
Authors: JOWETT ADRIAN , SHRESTHA RAJANI
Published: March 2003

The position of taste buds around the human mouth, pharynx and larynx is outlined in many texts. While their distribution, histological differences and taste sensitivity on the dorsum of the tongue are well described, extralingual taste buds are described in far less detail both in adults (Bannister, 1995) and neonates (Lalonde & Eglitis, 1961). Studies on a variety of grazing mammals (e.g. Bradley et al. 1980 in sheep; Shrestha et al. 1993 in buffalo), omnivores (Andrew & Oliver, 1951 in rat) and carnivores (Palmieri et al. 1983 in cat and dog) have shown abundant taste buds on the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis. Some authors have suggested that these taste buds may be important in initiating reflexes protecting the airway (Bradley et al. 1980) and in this context it is surprising that literature on their distribution on the human epiglottis is not available.
The hatching gland cells of trout embryos: characterisation of N‐ and O‐linked oligosaccharides
Authors: DE GASPAR IGNACIO , BLANQUEZ MARIA JOSE , FRAILE BENITO , PANIAGUA RICARDO , ARENAS MARIA ISABEL
Published: March 2003

A histochemical, light and electron microscopy study of the hatching gland cells (HGCs) in incubated 50‐d‐old trout embryos is reported. The distribution of carbohydrate residues in the glycoconjugates of these cells was studied by means of a battery of 13 different lectins conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (PNA, ConA, LCA, WGA, SBA, UEA‐I, HPA, DBA) or digoxigenin (DSA, MAA, AAA, SNA, GNA). Identification of N‐ and O‐linked oligosaccharides in HGCs was performed by application of both chemical and enzymatic treatments. Present results suggest that HGCs are seromucous cells which store both high choriolytic enzyme (HCE) and low choriolytic enzyme (LCE), and that their cytoplasmic granules, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex contain additional sialic acid‐rich glycoproteins. The negative charge of these glycoproteins might be responsible for the rapid expansion of mucin to form a highly hydrated gel, which would facilite the action of these enzymes in programmed cell death and might play a major role during the morphogenic events.
The transitional zone and CNS regeneration
Authors: FRAHER JOHN P.
Published: March 2003

Most nerves are attached to the neuraxis by rootlets. The CNS–PNS transitional zone (TZ) is that length of rootlet containing both central and peripheral nervous tissue. The 2 tissues are separated by a very irregular but clearly defined interface, consisting of the surface of the astrocytic tissue comprising the central component of the TZ. Central to this, myelin sheaths are formed by oligodendrocytes and the supporting tissue is astrocytic. Peripheral to it, sheaths are formed by Schwann cells which are enveloped in endoneurium. The features of transitional nodes are a composite of those of central and peripheral type. The interface is penetrated only by axons. It is absent at first. It is formed by growth of processes into the axon bundle from glial cell bodies around its perimeter. These form a barrier across the bundle which fully segregates prospectively myelinated axons. Rat spinal dorsal root TZs have been used extensively to study CNS axon regeneration. The CNS part of the TZ responds to primary afferent axon degeneration and to regenerating axons in ways which constitute a satisfactory model of the gliotic tissue response which occurs in CNS lesions. It undergoes gliosis and the gliotic TZ tissue expands distally along the root. In mature animals axons can regenerate satisfactorily through the endoneurial tubes of the root but cease growth on reaching the gliotic tissue. The general objective of experimental studies is to achieve axon regeneration from the PNS through this outgrowth and into the dorsal spinal cord. Since immature tissue has a greater capacity for regeneration than that of the adult, one approach includes the transplantation of embryonic or fetal dorsal root ganglia into the locus of an extirpated adult ganglion. Axons grow centrally from the transplanted ganglion cells and some enter the cord. Other approaches include alteration of the TZ environment to facilitate axon regeneration, for example, by the application of tropic, trophic, or other molecular factors, and also by transplantation of cultured olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) into the TZ region. OECs, by association with growing axons, facilitate their extensive regeneration into the cord. Unusually, ventral motoneuron axons may undergo some degree of unaided CNS regeneration. When interrupted in the spinal cord white matter, some grow out to the ventral rootlet TZ and thence distally in the PNS. The DRTZ is especially useful for quantitative studies on regeneration. Since the tissue is anisometric, individual parameters such as axon numbers, axon size and glial ensheathment can be readily measured and compared in the CNS and PNS environments, thereby yielding indices of regeneration across the interface for different sets of experimental conditions.
Dynamic injury tolerances for long bones of the female upper extremity
Authors: DUMA STEFAN M. , SCHREIBER PHIL H. , McMASTER JOHN D. , CRANDALL JEFF R. , BASS CAMERON R. , PILKEY WALTER D.
Published: March 2003

This paper presents the dynamic injury tolerances for the female humerus and forearm derived from dynamic 3‐point bending tests using 22 female cadaver upper extremities. Twelve female humeri were tested at an average strain rate of 3.7±1.3%/s. The strain rates were chosen to be representative of those observed during upper extremity interaction with frontal and side airbags. The average moment to failure when mass scaled for the 5th centile female was 128±19 Nm. Using data from the in situ strain gauges during the drop tests and geometric properties obtained from pretest CT scans, an average dynamic elastic modulus for the female humerus was found to be 24.4±3.9 GPa. The injury tolerance for the forearm was determined from 10 female forearms tested at an average strain rate of 3.94±2.0%/s. Using 3 matched forearm pairs, it was determined that the forearm is 21% stronger in the supinated position (92±5 Nm) versus the pronated position (75±7 Nm). Two distinct fracture patterns were seen for the pronated and supinated groups. In the supinated position the average difference in fracture time between the radius and ulna was a negligible 0.4±0.3 ms. However, the pronated tests yielded an average difference in fracture time of 3.6±1.2 ms, with the ulna breaking before the radius in every test. This trend implies that in the pronated position, the ulna and radius are loaded independently, while in the supinated position the ulna and radius are loaded together as a combined structure. To produce a conservative injury criterion, a total of 7 female forearms were tested in the pronated position, which resulted in the forearm injury criterion of 58±12 Nm when scaled for the 5th centile female. It is anticipated that these data will provide injury reference values for the female forearm during driver air bag loading, and the female humerus during side air bag loading.
Median artery revisited
Authors: RODRÍGUEZ‐NIEDENFÜHR M. , SAÑUDO J. R. , VÁZQUEZ T. , NEARN L. , LOGAN B. , PARKIN I.
Published: March 2003

This study confirms that the median artery may persist in adult life in 2 different patterns, palmar and antebrachial, based on their vascular territory. The palmar type, which represents the embryonic pattern, is large, long and reaches the palm. The antebrachial type, which represents a partial regression of the embryonic artery is slender, short, and terminates before reaching the wrist. These 2 arterial patterns appear with a different incidence. The palmar pattern was studied in the whole sample (120 cadavers) and had an incidence of 20%, being more frequent in females than in males (1.31), occurring unilaterally more often than bilaterally (41) and slightly more frequently on the right than on the left (1.11). The antebrachial pattern was studied in only 79 cadavers and had an incidence of 76%, being more frequent in females than in males (1.61); it was commoner unilaterally than bilaterally (1.51) and was again slightly more prevalent on the right than on the left (1.21). The origin of the median artery was variable in both patterns. The palmar type most frequently arose from the caudal angle between the ulnar artery and its common interosseous trunk (59%). The antebrachial pattern most frequently originated from the anterior interosseous artery (55%). Other origins, for both patterns, were from the ulnar artery or from the common interosseous trunk. The median artery in the antebrachial pattern terminated in the upper third (74%) or in the distal third of the forearm (26%). However, the palmar pattern ended as the 1st, 2nd or 1st and 2nd common digital arteries (65%) or joined the superficial palmar arch (35%). The median artery passed either anterior (67%) or posterior (25%) to the anterior interosseous nerve. It pierced the median nerve in the upper third of the forearm in 41% of cases with the palmar pattern and in none of the antebrachial cases. In 1 case the artery pierced both the anterior interosseous and median nerves.
Ultrastructure of intramural ganglia in the striated muscle portions of the guinea pig oesophagus
Authors: MORIKAWA SHUNICHI , KOMURO TERUMASA
Published: March 2003

The ultrastructure of the myenteric plexus located in the striated muscle portion of the guinea pig oesophagus was examined and compared with that of the plexus associated with the smooth muscle portion of the rest of the digestive tract. The oesophageal ganglia had essentially the same architecture as those of the smooth muscle portion, such as a compact neuropil without the intervention of connective tissue and blood vessels. Some features, however, were particular to the striated muscle part of the oesophagus. It was clearly demonstrated that myelinated fibres, probably sensory terminals of vagal origin, join the myenteric ganglia. Synapses and terminal varicosities are sparsely distributed within the ganglia and fewer morphological types of axon varicosities could be distinguished compared with other regions. Glial cells are well developed in the oesophageal myenteric ganglia. These cells outnumber the ganglion cells, having a higher ratio than in the lower digestive tract, and form numerous cytoplasmic lamellar processes. The lamellar processes, located at the surface of the ganglia, considerably reduce the area of neuronal membrane which directly contacts the basal lamina. The role of these lamellar processes in the oesophageal ganglia is discussed.
Characteristic intraepidermal nerve fibre endings of the intervibrissal fur in the mystacial pad of the rat: morphological details revealed by intravital methylene blue staining and the zinc iodide‐osmium tetroxide technique
Authors: MÜLLER T.
Published: March 2003

Light microscopic observations employing intravital methylene blue staining and impregnation by the zinc iodide‐osmium tetroxide technique are presented for intraepidermal nerve fibre endings of the intervibrissal fur in the mystacial pad of the rat snout. Both procedures revealed anatomical details of the intraepidermal nerve fibre plexus in epidermal hillocks often located very close to the mouths of hairs. These nerve fibres appeared to resemble those described in previous immunohistochemical studies as cluster or bush endings. The methylene blue preparations demonstrated the existence of an intensely stained enlargement at the site of the branching point of the nerve fibres which seemed to be functionally related to the development of such nerve fibre plexuses. Due to their close association with hairs, these nerve fibre plexuses are most likely to be mechanoreceptive. Additionally, solitary varicose nerve fibres were found loosely distributed within the epidermis. The visualisation of 2 different morphological types of nerve fibre endings extends the validity of the concept of punctate sensibility into the epidermis. Methylene blue staining appeared to be somewhat superior to the zinc iodide‐osmium tetroxide technique. Due to their selectivity for intraepidermal nerve fibres, the methods applied here supplement immunohistochemical procedures in a helpful manner.
Development of early postnatal peripheral nerve abnormalities in Trembler‐J and PMP22 transgenic mice
Authors: ROBERTSON A. M. , HUXLEY C. , KING R. H. M. , THOMAS P. K.
Published: March 2003

Mutations in the gene for peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) are associated with peripheral neuropathy in mice and humans. Although PMP22 is strongly expressed in peripheral nerves and is localised largely to the myelin sheath, a dual role has been suggested as 2 differentially expressed promoters have been found. In this study we compared the initial stages of postnatal development in transgenic mouse models which have, in addition to the murine pmp22 gene, 7 (C22) and 4 (C61) copies of the human PMP22 gene and in homozygous and heterozygous Trembler‐J (TrJ) mice, which have a point mutation in the pmp22 gene. The number of axons that were singly ensheathed by Schwann cells was the same in all groups indicating that PMP22 does not function in the initial ensheathment and separation of axons. At both P4 and P12 all mutants had an increased proportion of fibres that were incompletely surrounded by Schwann cell cytoplasm indicating that this step is disrupted in PMP22 mutants. C22 and homozygous TrJ animals could be distinguished by differences in the Schwann cell morphology at the initiation of myelination. In homozygous TrJ animals the Schwann cell cytoplasm had failed to make a full turn around the axon whereas in the C22 strain most fibres had formed a mesaxon. It is concluded that PMP22 functions in the initiation of myelination and probably involves the ensheathment of the axon by the Schwann cell, and the extension of this cell along the axon. Abnormalities may result from a failure of differentiation but more probably from defective interactions between the axon and the Schwann cell.
Localisation and quantitation of autonomic innervation in the porcine heart II: endocardium, myocardium and epicardium
Authors: CRICK SIMON J. , ANDERSON ROBERT H. , HO SIEW YEN , SHEPPARD MARY N.
Published: March 2003

The immunological problems of pig hearts supporting life in human recipients have potentially been solved by transgenic technology. Nevertheless, other problems still remain. Autonomic innervation is important for the control of cardiac dynamics and there is evidence suggesting that some neurons remain intact after transplantation. Previous studies in the human heart have established regional differences in both general autonomic innervation and in its component neural subpopulations. Such studies are lacking in the pig heart. Quantitative immunohistochemical and histochemical techniques were used to demonstrate the pattern of innervation in pig hearts (Sus scrofa). Gradients of immunoreactivity for the general neural marker protein gene product 9.5 were observed both within and between the endocardial, myocardial and epicardial plexuses throughout the 4 cardiac chambers. An extensive ganglionated plexus was observed in the epicardial tissues and, to a lesser extent, in the myocardial tissues. The predominant neural subpopulation displayed acetylcholinesterase activity, throughout the endocardium, myocardium and epicardium. These nerves showed a right to left gradient in density in the endocardial plexus, which was not observed in either the myocardial or epicardial plexuses. A large proportion of nerves in the ganglionated plexus of the atrial epicardial tissues displayed AChE activity, together with their cell bodies. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐immunoreactive nerves were the next most prominent subpopulation throughout the heart. TH‐immunoreactive cell bodies were observed in the atrial ganglionated plexuses. Endocardial TH‐ and NPY‐immunoreactive nerves also displayed a right to left gradient in density, whereas in the epicardial tissues they showed a ventricular to atrial gradient. Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP)‐immunoreactive nerves were the most abundant peptide‐containing subpopulation after those possessing NPY immunoreactivity. They were most abundant in the epicardial tissues of the ventricles. Several important differences were observed between the innervation of the pig heart compared with the human heart. These differences may have implications for the function of donor transgenic pig hearts within human recipients.
Autogenous artery grafts in hypertensive (SHR) rats do not have increased smooth muscle cell hyperplasia in the graft neointima, compared with grafts in normotensive rats
Authors: REDWOOD ALEC JAMES , MOORE STEPHEN , SAYADELMI LIDA , TENNANT MARC
Published: March 2003

Vein‐to‐artery graft surgery is used widely to by‐pass arterial stenoses, but such grafts can fail over a prolonged period as a result of excessive neointimal hyperplasia causing thrombosis and graft occlusion. It has been suggested that neointimal hyperplasia, in vein grafts, is a result of the vessel wall adapting to the higher intraluminal pressure of the arterial circulation, compared with the venous circulation. Autologous artery grafts have been used to bypass arterial stenoses. Initially it was assumed that donor artery segments would not develop neointimal hyperplasia as they are already adapted to the arterial circulation but this is not so. In this study we postulated that surgical or postsurgical trauma was the cause of neointimal hyperplasia in autologous artery‐to‐artery grafts. In addition, as artery grafts are pre‐adapted to the arterial circulation, autologous artery‐to‐artery grafts in hypertensive rats should develop similar levels of neointimal hyperplasia as seen in normotensive rats. Artery‐to‐artery grafts were placed in a series of 20 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In a separate series of sham grafting experiments the effects of anoxia and clamp trauma were assessed in SHR and WKy normotensive control rats. Finally, clamping, anoxia and anastomosis trauma were assessed in a similar series of rats. In the artery‐to‐artery graft series there was no difference in neointimal thickness between the SHR and that previously reported for normotensive rats. Minimal neointimal hyperplasia was demonstrated in the sham grafted series of rats and only slightly more in the single anastomosis series. It was only in the full grafting procedure that considerable neointimal hyperplasia developed. These data demonstrate that neointimal hyperplasia in artery‐to‐artery grafts is not exacerbated by the hypertension. In addition, trauma appears to be the initiator of neointimal hyperplasia and the extent of trauma correlates with the degree of neointimal hyperplasia.
The metanephros of the quail embryo. Developmental expression of carbonic anhydrase investigated by multiple approaches
Authors: GABRIELLI MARIA GABRIELLA , MATERAZZI GIOVANNI , MENGHI GIOVANNA
Published: March 2003

The expression of carbonic anhydrase (CA) in the quail metanephros was investigated during embryonic development. The immunohistochemical localisation of the isoenzymes CAII and CAIII was compared with the distribution of enzyme activity visualised by a histochemical cobalt‐precipitation procedure. The developmental profile of CA activity was also evaluated by means of a biochemical method. The occurrence of a moderate and diffuse CAII immunostaining from the first developmental appearance of the metanephros anlage testified to an early expression of carbonic anhydrase. This finding is discussed in relation to the involvement of the enzyme in the morphogenetic mechanisms leading to the establishment both of cell polarity and epithelial phenotype. CA expression in the renal sites that are positive in adults proved to be developmentally regulated. In the collecting duct system, enzyme activity could not be identified until the time of hatching. No CA was detected at any stage examined at the sites where, in adults, enzyme occurrence has previously been interpreted as a membrane‐associated CA isoform. The differentiating renal tubules displayed no CAIII immunoreactivity. It can be argued that the bulk of the enzyme activity in the embryonic metanephros is due to the cytosolic isoenzyme CAII.
DβH‐immunoreactive subepithelial nerves in the vas deferens of prostate cancer patients
Authors: JEN PHILLIP Y. P. , DIXON JOHN S.
Published: March 2003

We recently reported the results of applying immunohistochemical methods to examine the distribution of neuropeptides and neurotransmitter synthesising enzymes in the autonomic nerve fibres of specimens of human vas deferens obtained at vasectomy (Jen et al. 1999). As anticipated from previous neurohistochemical and electron microscopic studies (Baumgarten et al. 1971), the majority of nerves supplying the muscle coat are noradrenergic in type as demonstrated by the presence of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta hydroxylase (DbH) (Dixon et al. 1998), both of which are enzymes involved in the synthesis of noradrenaline.

In addition to the profuse intramuscular plexus of nerves, a second nerve plexus occurs at the base of the epithelium lining the vas deferens. These subepithelial nerves are immunopositive for vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and therefore cholinergic in type, presumably serving a secretomotor function (Jen et al. 1999). Our immunohistochemical studies have also shown the presence of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in most of these subepithelial nerves in the human vas deferens with minor populations containing vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), an enzyme involved in the formation of nitric oxide.
Neurotrophins and other growth factors in the regenerative milieu of proximal nerve stump tips
Authors: ZOCHODNE DOUGLAS W. , CHENG CHU
Published: March 2003

Classic ideas on mechanisms for axon sprouting and nerve regeneration from peripheral nerves suggest that there is a prominent role for neurotrophin support. There has been comparatively less attention towards features of the regenerative process that develop from the proximal nerve trunk without the support of target tissues or the denervated trunk of a peripheral nerve. We studied early (2–14 d) expression of local growth factors in proximal nerve stump tips of transected sciatic nerves in rats. Immunohistochemical labelling was used to address specific deposition of BDNF, NGF, NT‐3, bFGF, CNTF and IGF‐1. We observed a unique localisation of BDNF, and to a much lesser extent, NGF in mast cells of injured nerve trunks but they were also observed in intact uninjured nerves. Macrophages did not express either BDNF or NGF. CNTF and IGF‐1 were expressed in Schwann cells of intact nerves and stumps. We did not observe bFGF or NT‐3 expression in any of the samples we studied. Mast cells may represent an important reservoir of BDNF in peripheral nerves.
Galanin‐like immunoreactive endocrine cells in bovine pancreas
Authors: BALTAZAR EMMANUEL T. , KITAMURA NOBUO , HONDO EIICHI , NARRETO ERLINDA C. , YAMADA JUNZO
Published: March 2003

Pancreata of fetal, neonatal and adult cattle were studied immunohistochemically for galanin. The results revealed galanin‐like immunoreactivity both in the endocrine cells and in the neural elements. The galanin‐like immunoreactive endocrine cells (Gal‐LIEC) were confined to the large islets, and were not observed in the islets of Langerhans and exocrine pancreas. They were first detected at the third prenatal month. Their developmental profile showed an increase from fetal to early neonatal stage with a subsequent decrease towards adulthood. The considerable number of Gal‐LIEC from late prepartum to early postpartum stage may imply functional significance of galanin during the perinatal development of cattle. Coexistence of galanin and insulin was also observed which may suggest autocrine interaction between the 2 hormones.
Lectin binding characteristics of mouse placental cells
Authors: STEWART I. J. , BEBINGTON C. R. , MUKHTAR D. D. Y.
Published: March 2003

The lectin binding characteristics of mouse placental cells were examined. Wax embedded tissue sections of placentae from d 14 pregnant mice were stained with 26 lectins, with a wide range of sugar specificities. Cell cultures prepared from d 14 mouse placentae and cultured for 24 h were stained with 7 of the lectins to determine if they could be used as markers for the different trophoblast cells in culture. In tissue sections all placental cell populations bound lectin but no lectin bound specifically to any single trophoblast population. All the lectins which bound to layer 1 cytotrophoblast lining the maternal blood spaces of the labyrinthine placenta also bound to the fetal endothelium of the labyrinthine placenta. Binding of lectin appeared strongest on the adluminal membrane of these cell populations suggesting a role for the carbohydrate moieties in nutrient transfer. Few lectins bound to junctional zone trophoblast. Overall, the binding of lectin to cultured cells did not correlate exactly with lectin binding to the cell populations in tissue sections. The value of lectins as markers for placental cells in culture was therefore found to be limited. Our findings indicate that carbohydrate expression by at least some placental cells may vary in culture from that expressed by the cells in vivo with obvious concerns for the validity of functional in vitro studies.
Aspects of PET imaging relevant to the assessment of striatal transplantation in Huntington's disease
Authors: BESRET LAURENT , KENDALL A. LISA , DUNNETT STEPHEN B.
Published: March 2003

Proper assessment of outcome in clinical trials of neural transplantation requires both biochemical and imaging indices of graft survival, and behavioural and physiological indices of graft function. For transplantation in Huntington's disease, a variety of ligands that are selective for striatal degeneration and graft‐derived replacement are available, notably ligands of dopaminergic receptors on striatal neurons. However, the validity of such ligands is potentially compromised by adjunctive drug therapies (e.g. neuroleptics) given to patients in the course of normal clinical care. We review the present state of experimental and clinical understanding of the selectivity of available ligands for striatal imaging, their interaction with other drug treatments, and strategies for refining valid assessment protocols in patients.
Ultrastructure of submucosal glands in human anterior middle nasal turbinates
Authors: TANDLER BERNARD , EDELSTEIN DAVID R. , ERLANDSON ROBERT A.
Published: March 2003

The abundant glands situated in the lamina propria of the human anterior middle nasal turbinate were complex tubules that consist of serous, seromucous, and mucous cells, either singly or in combination. Serous granules were homogeneously dense, but could have a small lighter core. Seromucous granules had a dense rim and a large compartment of appreciably lighter density. Gradation between serous and seromucous granules made precise identification of these secretory cell types difficult. Mucous cells were of conventional morphology. The secretory tubules, which possessed a complement of myoepithelial cells, gradually transformed into ducts or the changeover was relatively sudden. The ductular portions of the tubules consisted either of tall prismatic cells or of shorter columnar cells, both of which lacked secretory granules, but had many mitochondria in their supranuclear cytoplasm. In many cases the ducts, for most of their length, consisted of secretory cells. These glands clearly participate in the elaboration of the glycoconjugate coat that serves to protect the nasal mucosa and keeps it from drying out.