Accessory Lobe Research Articles

Activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors elevates intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations in accessory lobe neurons of the chick.

Accessory lobes are protrusions located at the lateral sides of the spinal cord of chicks and it has been proposed that they play a role as a sensory organ for equilibrium during walking. We have reported that functional neurons exist in the accessory lobe. As there is histological evidence that synaptic terminals of cholinergic nerves exist near the somata of accessory lobe neurons, we examined the effects of acetylcholine on changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i), as an index of cellular activities. Acetylcholine (0.1-100 µM) caused a transient rise in the [Ca2+]i. Acetylcholine-evoked [Ca2+]i rises were observed in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, and they were abolished in the presence of cyclopiazonic acid, an inhibitor of Ca2+-ATPase of intracellular Ca2+ stores or atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist. mRNAs coding M3 and M5 isoforms of the muscarinic receptors were detected in accessory lobes by the RT-PCR. These results indicate that chick accessory lobe neurons express functional muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, and that acetylcholine stimulates Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular Ca2+ stores, which elevates the [Ca2+]i in the somata of accessory lobe neurons, through activation of these receptors. Cholinergic synaptic transmission to the accessory lobe neurons may regulate some cellular functions through muscarinic receptors.

Information flow through neural circuits for pheromone orientation

Moths use a sophisticated olfactory navigation strategy for resource localization. Here we investigate the neuronal circuits involved in sensory processing to generate locomotor commands for pheromone-source orientation in the moth. We identify a candidate pathway for pheromone processing in the protocerebrum using a mass-staining technique. Our intracellular recordings of pheromone responsiveness detect four major circuits, including a newly identified unstructured neuropil, the superior medial protocerebrum, which supplies output to the lateral accessory lobe (LAL), the premotor centre for walking commands. Interneurons innervating the lower division of the LAL elicited longer responses than those innervating the upper division. Descending interneurons innervating the lower division of the LAL showed a state-dependent flip-flop response. In contrast, input from other visual areas in the protocerebrum mostly converge onto the upper division of the LAL. These results reveal the basic organization of the LAL: the upper division is identified as a protocerebral hub that receives inputs from various areas, while the lower division generates long-lasting activity for locomotor command.

Laparoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment of a Twisted Accessory Liver Lobe

Laparoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment of a Twisted Accessory Liver Lobe

Accessory liver lobes: Anatomical description and clinical implications

Accessory liver lobes are a rare condition and appear to be due to excessive development of the liver. The presence of an accessory hepatic lobe is often diagnosed incidentally and sometimes revealed if it develops torsion, especially in pedunculated forms. In most cases, the accessory lobe is located below the liver, i.e., infrahepatic. Riedel's lobe is the best-known example of an accessory lobe, corresponding to hypertrophy of segments V and VI. While accessories lobes can simulate tumors, there have also been reports of hepatocellular tumor(s) that developed in these accessory lobes. Based on a review of the literature, this update focuses on accessory hepatic lobes.

A very original case of a mini accessory liver lobe with its own gallbladder

Anatomic variation of the hepatobiliary system is often related to the biliary tract and vascular supply of the liver. We present here one of the smallest accessory hepatobiliary system. The case of a 30-year-old male who was a living liver donor is presented. During the dissection of the portal hilum, 1.5 cm of accessory liver (AL) tissue was noted below the left lobe of the liver. This AL tissue had a gallbladder of 1.5 cm and which had a cystic duct opening to the bile duct of the accessory liver. The AL bile duct opened to the left bile duct of the liver. The arterial and portal supply of the AL came from the left artery and left portal vein of the liver. The accessory gallbladder also had a cystic artery coming from the arterial branch of the AL. It was noted that the hepatic vein of the AL opened directly to left lobe tissue. The hepatobiliary system has many anatomic variations, but this case is rare and original in the literature in that it may be a cause of confusion and even a false diagnosis.

Tension pneumothorax secondary to nasojejunal feeding tube misplacement in a mechanically ventilated dog

An 11-year-old female terrier-cross underwent general anaesthesia and mechanical ventilation for insulinoma resection. Following tumour removal, three consecutive but unsuccessful attempts were made to place a wire-guided nasojejunal feeding tube (NJFT), using both nostrils, with one tube eventually left in situ in the right nostril. A final successful attempt using a smaller NJFT was made via the left nostril. On withdrawal of the previously, unsuccessfully placed NJFT, the dog developed an acute tension pneumothorax. Severe cardiorespiratory dysfunction ensued, including decreasing arterial haemoglobin O2 saturation, increasing end-tidal CO2, hypotension and tachycardia. Immediate thoracocentesis with air evacuation from the pleural cavity followed by continuous air drainage through bilateral thoracostomy tubes produced marked improvement of cardiorespiratory function. During exploratory thoracotomy performed 1 day later, two lung lesions were identified and over sewn, one in the right middle lobe and the other in the accessory lobe. This is the first case report to describe in an anaesthetised and mechanically ventilated dog the occurrence and management of a tension pneumothorax as a life-threatening complication secondary to parenchymal injury after NJFT misplacement into the tracheobronchial tree. It illustrates that presence of a cuffed endotracheal tube does not protect against passing a NJFT into the bronchial system.

Receptive Fields of Locust Brain Neurons Are Matched to Polarization Patterns of the Sky

Many animals, including insects, are able to use celestial cues as a reference for spatial orientation and long-distance navigation [1]. In addition to direct sunlight, the chromatic gradient of the sky and its polarization pattern are suited to serve as orientation cues [2-5]. Atmospheric scattering of sunlight causes a regular pattern of E vectors in the sky, which are arranged along concentric circles around the sun [5, 6]. Although certain insects rely predominantly on sky polarization for spatial orientation [7], it has been argued that detection of celestial E vector orientation may not suffice to differentiate between solar and antisolar directions [8, 9]. We show here that polarization-sensitive (POL) neurons in the brain of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria can overcome this ambiguity. Extracellular recordings from POL units in the central complex and lateral accessory lobes revealed E vector tunings arranged in concentric circles within large receptive fields, matching the sky polarization pattern at certain solar positions. Modeling of neuronal responses under an idealized sky polarization pattern (Rayleigh sky) suggests that these "matched filter" properties allow locusts to unambiguously determine the solar azimuth by relying solely on the sky polarization pattern for compass navigation.

Lepidozia bragginsiana, a new species from New Zealand (Marchantiopsida)

Molecular and morphological data support the recognition of a new Lepidozia species related to L. pendulina and also endemic to New Zealand, which we dedicate to Dr John Braggins. Lepidozia bragginsiana can be distinguished from closely related and other similar species by its bipinnate branching, the narrow underleaf lobes, typically uniseriate toward their tip on both primary and secondary shoots, the asymmetric underleaves on primary shoots that are usually narrower than the stem and also possess basal spines and spurs, the production of spurs and spines, or even accessory lobes, on the postical margin of primary and secondary shoot leaves; and by the relatively small leaf cells with evenly thickened walls. Lepidozia bragginsiana is an inhabitant of hyper-humid forest habitats where it occupies elevated microsites on the forest floor. A lectotype is proposed for L. obtusiloba.

Three new species of Parastenocarididae (Crustacea, Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from India.

To date, only 16 species of the very diverse family Parastenocarididae have been reported from the Indian subcontinent. This paper gives an illustrated description of three new species, viz. Parastenocaris edakkal n. sp., Proserpinicaris corgosinhoi n. sp., and Proserpinicaris karanovici n. sp., and discusses their position in the respective genera. While the first two species were found sympatrically in the Edakkal Cave in Kerala State of southwestern India, the third one was collected from a farm bore in the riparian zone of the River Krishna in Andhra Pradesh State of southeastern India. The Palaearctic genus Proserpinicaris Jakobi, 1972 sensu Karanovic, Cho & Lee, 2012, is being reported for the first time from India. Parastenocaris edakkal n. sp. belongs to the brevipes-group of the genus Parastenocaris Kessler, 1913 sensu Lang, 1948 et Reid, 1995. It is chiefly characterized by the male leg 4 basal chitinous complex consisting of one large sclerotized plate together with two small accessory lobes, and one strong, hook-like spine at the inner distal corner, and the endopod is membranous and ventricose in outline, with bulbous proximal part drawn out distally into biserrulate, pointed structure. Proserpinicaris corgosinhoi n. sp. can be easily separated from its congeners, inter alia, by the short caudal rami (c.1.2-1.4 times as long as wide), bearing 2 unequal lateral setae (I, III) inserted proximally; male leg 3 proximal segment is stumpy and has one prominent tubular pore on proximal anterior surface; and leg 4 endopod is short, membranous and somewhat conical, and the hyaline structure is relatively large, foliaceous and lies rather close to endopod. Proserpinicaris karanovici n. sp. has its own unique set of characters, of which the following are noteworthy: the caudal rami in both sexes are about 2.6 times as long as wide, gradually tapering, with only 2 lateral setae inserted in proximal half; and the male leg 4 endopod is nearly as long as first exopodal segment, membranous, with lateral margins fringed with tiny spinules, and the hyaline structure is short, leaf-like and occurring close to, and overlapping, the endopod.

Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in accessory lobe neurons of the chick

Birds have ten pairs of protrusions, "accessory lobes", on the lateral sides of the lumbosacral spinal cord. It has been proposed that accessory lobes act as a sensory organ of equilibrium and neurons in accessory lobes transmit sensory information to the motor center. We have reported that cells in chick accessory lobes express functional voltage-gated Na(+) and K(+) channels and generate action potentials. In this study, we examined properties of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels (VGCCs). The amplitude of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel currents carried by Ca(2+) and Ba(2+) increased gradually during 10 min rather than showing the usual run-down. The current-voltage relationship of Ba(2+) currents was consistent with that of the high-voltage-activated Ca(2+) channel. The proportion of Ba(2+) currents inhibited by ω-conotoxin GVIA was larger than 80%, indicating that the major subtype is N type. Amplitudes of tail currents of Ca(2+) currents evoked by repetitive pulses at 50 Hz are stable for 1 s. If the major subtype of VGCCs at synaptic terminals is also N type, this property may contribute to the establishment of stable synaptic connections between accessory lobe neurons, which are reported to fire at frequencies higher than 15 Hz, and postsynaptic neurons in the spinal cord.

Pseudosmittia fabioi sp. n., a new species from Sardinia (Diptera: Chironomidae, Orthocladiinae)

A new species of <em>Pseudosmittia</em> Edwards 1932, <em>P. fabioi</em>, from Sardinia (Palearctic region), is described and figured as male and female. The generic diagnosis is emended based on characters found in the new species. The species is characterized by a triangular anal point with microtrichia at apex (not projecting beyond tergite IX), an inferior volsella characterized by a rounded lobe with a setose accessory lobe adpressed to the gonocoxite, a well developed tooth-like projection on the outer margin of the gonostylus, the lack of acrostichals and an antenna with 6 flagellomeres in female.

Feline secondary spontaneous pneumothorax: A retrospective study of 16 cases (2000–2012)

To describe the demographics, clinical characteristics, diagnostic findings, underlying etiologies, treatment, and outcome associated with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) in cats; and to identify clinical feature differences among cats with asthma associated secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (AASSP) versus nonasthma-associated secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (NAASSP). Retrospective case series. University teaching hospital. Sixteen client-owned cats with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. None. Domestic short hair was the predominant breed in this study (n = 15). The median age was 8 years old (range: 7 weeks to 17 years) with no sex predilection. Fourteen cats were affected by multi-lobar pulmonary pathology of infectious, inflammatory, or neoplastic causes. Asthma was the most common cause of spontaneous pneumothorax (25%). Ten of 12 treated cats survived the initial episode of spontaneous pneumothorax to discharge with medical management, including all 4 cats with AASSP. Reoccurrence was documented in 4 cats. Pulmonary lobectomy was curative for 1 cat with congenital accessory lung lobe emphysema. No difference in clinical presentation was identified between cats with AASSP and cats with NAASSP. Feline SSP is frequently associated with extensive pulmonary pathology. Supportive medical management is most appropriate, except in rare cases with focal congenital abnormalities that may benefit from surgical intervention. AASSP appears to carry a good prognosis for short-term outcome (survival to discharge). Clinical assessment, imaging, and invasive diagnostics were required to differentiate between AASSP and NAASSP.

A cadaveric study of anatomical variations of fissures and lobes of lung

Abstract Background and aim: The anatomical variations of fissures and lobes of lungs have been described by many research workers on CT scans, whereas, there were fewer studies done on gross anatomical specimens. Materials and methods: In the present study, 30 embalmed cadavers have been dissected and lungs were examined for fissures and lobes. Results: Nine out of 30 left lungs showed incomplete oblique fissures. Eight out of 30 right lungs showed incomplete transverse fissure but oblique fissure was complete, and in two right lungs, incomplete oblique and transverse fissures were found. In one cadaver one accessory lobe and one accessory fissure was present, on right side. Comparative analysis of present work with data in literature suggest that different studies performed on radiological images reported greater prevalence of incomplete or absence of pulmonary fissures as compared to present cadaveric study. Therefore our findings with regard to fissures and lobes are different from many studies but are approximately similar to two. Conclusion: Variation of lung anatomy is important for cardio-thoracic surgeons, radiologists for interpreting x-rays, CT scans and MRI and also it is of academic interest to all medical persons.

Some interesting morphological features of liver lobes in Mumbai population

Introduction: Liver is the largest gland in the body mainly situated in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Abnormalities of liver are rare. Common abnormalities are irregularities in form, occurrence of one or more accessory lobes, fissures or abnormal ligaments. Rare abnormalities include atrophy, or complete absence of one of the lobes. Although the segmental anatomy of the liver has been extensively researched, very few studies have dealt with the surface variations of the liver. Accessory lobe may be confused with tumour. Accessory fissure may mimic internal trauma at the time of the post-mortem study. Aim: Present study was carried to find out the morphological variations of liver lobes occurring in Mumbai population. Methods & Materials: The materials used for present study comprised of formalin fixed 50 adult livers. Results & conclusion: In the present study we found accessory liver lobes in 3 cadavers i.e. 6 %, atrophy of left lobe in 15 cadavers i.e. 30 %, accessory fissures in 21 cases i.e.42%.There is also abnormal connection between left lobe and quadrate lobe in 14% cases. The findings of study may be helpful to radiologist and surgeons respectively, to avoid possible errors in interpretations and subsequent misdiagnosis, and for planning appropriate surgical approaches.

SuccenturiatePlacenta- An Unusual Case Presentation

A succenturiate lobe is a variation in placental morphology and refers to a smaller accessory placental lobe that is separate to the main disc of the placenta. There can be more than onesuccenturiate lobe. Here we present a case report on succenturiate lobe of placenta presenting as Antepartum haemorrhage.

A New Insight into the Morphology of the Human Liver: A Cadaveric Study

Background. Day to day advances in the fields of radiology like sonography and CT need to revive interest in the cadaveric study of morphological features of liver, as the accessory fissures are a potential source of diagnostic errors. Accessory fissures vary from single to multiple over different parts of the liver. Aim. In the present study the morphological features of human liver specimens were evaluated by macroscopic examination and morphometric analysis. Methods. The study was conducted on 58 specimens obtained from cadavers utilized for routine dissection for medical undergraduates from the year 2004 to 2012 in the Anatomy Department of MIMS Medical College. Results. In the present study the livers as described in the established anatomical literature with normal surfaces, fissures, and borders were considered normal. Out of the 58 specimens, 24 were normal without any accessory fissures or lobes and with normal contours. Two specimens were with hypoplastic left lobes. Lingular process of left lobe was observed in only one specimen. Conclusions. Knowledge of the various accessory fissures of liver prevents misdiagnosis of cystic lesions or any pathological lesions of the liver.

Early Airway Structural Changes in Cystic Fibrosis Pigs as a Determinant of Particle Distribution and Deposition

The pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis (CF) airway disease is not well understood. A porcine CF model was recently generated, and these animals develop lung disease similar to humans with CF. At birth, before infection and inflammation, CF pigs have airways that are irregularly shaped and have a reduced caliber compared to non-CF pigs. We hypothesized that these airway structural abnormalities affect airflow patterns and particle distribution. To test this hypothesis we used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) on airway geometries obtained by computed tomography of newborn non-CF and CF pigs. For the same flow rate, newborn CF pig airways exhibited higher air velocity and resistance compared to non-CF. Moreover we found that, at the carina bifurcation, particles greater than 5-μm preferably distributed to the right CF lung despite almost equal airflow ventilation in non-CF and CF. CFD modeling also predicted that deposition efficiency was greater in CF compared to non-CF for 5- and 10-μm particles. These differences were most significant in the airways included in the geometry supplying the right caudal, right accessory, left caudal, and left cranial lobes. The irregular particle distribution and increased deposition in newborn CF pig airways suggest that early airway structural abnormalities might contribute to CF disease pathogenesis.

IMMUNOLOCALIZATION OF TWO PUTATIVE PIGMENTOTROPINS AKH I AND -MSH-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITIES IN THE BRAIN OF ROUGH WOODLOUSE, PORCELLIO SCABER AND PILL BUGS ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE (CRUSTACEA, ISOPODA).

Antisera against putative pigmentotropic neuropeptides, Adipokinetic hormone I (AKH I) and α-Melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) reacted with small sets of neurons in the cephalic ganglia of the isopoda Porcellio scaber and Armadillidium vulgare. The distributions of immunoreactivities resembled in the two species. AKH I-like immunoreactivity (AKH I-ir) occurs in both species. In P scaber 5 cells occurred in the optic lobe (OL) (3 small near Lamina ganglionaris, LG and 2 large dorsally) while in A.vulgare only one small cell near LG. The accessory lobe (AL) and subesophageal mass (SM) have the same pattern in both species. There are 2 cells in AL and 6 cells in SM (in the cells of mandibular ganglion,CMD). α-MSH immunoreactivity (α-MSH-ir) were located in OL, and SM in both species and in AL of A.vulgare. In P. scaber two large perikarya were located dorsally, one small ventrally, while in A.vulgare 4 large dorsally, one small ventrally and strong reactivity in pseudo-frontal organ (PFO). In AL, 3 immunopositive cells were observed. In SM 6 cells (4 in CMD, 2 in the cells of maxillulary ganglion, CML) in P scaber and 8 cells (6 in CMD, 2 in CML) were observed in A. vulgare. These results suggest the possible existence of AKH-like and α-MSH-like peptides in isopoda. No differences were detected between males and females. The projections of immunoreactive fibers were traced to several brain regions, the somatogastric nervous system and the neurohaemal organs, which suggest multiple functions of these peptides.

1182

Introduction: Redundant diaphragm describes a condition, usually resulting from bilateral phrenic nerve palsy, leading to the inability of the diaphragm to contract during respiration. It has also been described as a result of post-surgical, iatrogenic injuries where mediastinal shifts from paradoxical diaphragm movement can worsen respiratory distress. In the latter group, early recognition and treatment with surgical diaphragm plication reduces the duration of mechanical ventilation, morbidity, and ICU stay especially in pediatric patients. Redundant diaphragm has been hypothesized in advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). There is conflicting literature on prevalence of diaphragm dysfunction attributed to direct effect on lung volume changes on diaphragm. Possible mechanisms for redundant diaphragm in COPD include phrenic neuropathy from chronic steroid use or direct muscle changes from chronic hyperinflation. Studies have shown myofibre atrophy, impaired fiber contractility with remodeling in the diaphragm in advanced COPD. Use of muscle ultrasound has made bedside visualization of the diaphragm possible in critically ill patients. Ultrasound can be used to evaluate diaphragm thickness, change in thickness with respiration, excursion amplitude and paradoxical movements with respiration. Feasibility of expeditious bedside ultrasound is uncovering unique phenomenon that may help understand natural history of diaphragm changes seen in COPD. We present a case of redundant diaphragm visualized using ultrasound in a patient with advanced COPD. An 88-year old female with chronic kidney disease was admitted with right basal ganglia and temporal lobe infarcts. On hospital day 2, the patient had acute respiratory failure from aspiration, requiring intubation. Patient was noted to have tachypnea (Rate 35)and acutely increased work of breathing using accessory muscles while on ventilator settings SIMV, FiO2 100%, PEEP 8 cm H2O. Chest x-ray showed pulmonary edema with hyperinflation, suggesting severe COPD. Bedside diaphragm ultrasound in mid axillary line in the zone of apposition showed visible diaphragm separating the thorax and abdomen, with lack of thickening during respiration. Fasciculations were seen in diaphragm muscle but descending lung shadows were not visualized corresponding to diaphragm movements signifying passive movements of diaphragm with positive pressure changes during mechanical ventilation. Abnormal attachment of the diaphragm was visualized on both liver and spleen windows with adhesions seen at the zone of apposition. Ineffective movements were also suspected based on fluttering of diaphragm around incidental splenic accessory lobe without any splenic movements seen. All changes were captured on video using ultrasound. Her hospital course was complicated by worsening hypoxia and hypotension and evolution of septic and cardiogenic shock, leading to her death on hospital day 4. The emerging interest in the use of bedside ultrasonography in real time in critically ill patients may uncover unique phenomena like a redundant diaphragm. Visualization of the diaphragm for changes in thickness and pattern of movements in acute respiratory distress can help uncover natural history of disease and help provide newer perspectives to pathophysiology of respiratory muscle dysfunction in critical illness.

The Use of Silicone Casts in Collection of Morphological Data from Free-Ranging Wildlife — the Case of Tracheobronchial Anatomy of the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx)

We tested the usefulness of silicone casts for gathering morphological data from free-ranging wildlife by documenting the tracheobronchial anatomy of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). The silicone compound accurately reproduced the main aspects of the tracheobronchial branching but the demonstration of smaller airways was less accurate. Evaluation of air-inflated specimens and tracheobronchial casts showed that the right lung consisted of cranial, middle, caudal and accessory lobes, whereas the left lung was divided into cranial and caudal lobes. The left cranial lobe was further divided into cranial and caudal parts. The right cranial lobar bronchus was almost tracheal in location. The trachea had an average of 37 cartilages that showed a pattern of random anastomoses between adjacent cartilages. The silicone compound tested in this study holds promise for its use also under field conditions to gather quantitative morphological data.