Accessory Lobe Research Articles

LOBAÇÃO, ÁRVORE BRÔNQUICA E VASCULARIZAÇÃO ARTERIAL DO PULMÃO DA PACA (Agouti paca, LINAEUS, 1766)

Lungs are the main organs of the respiratory system and the morphological knowledge of lobation, bronchial tree and arterial vascularization becomes indispensable on clinics and surgery practice. The pulmonary trunks of 10 lungs were filled with latex and the anatomical sets were put in a 10% formaldehyde aqueous solution. By dissection, it was observed that, in 100% of the cases, the right lung was constituted by cranial, medium, caudal and accessory lobes. The medium lobe was divided into cranial and caudal portions. The left lung presented a cranial lobe, divided into cranial and caudal portions, a caudal lobe and a little accessory lobe. The right pulmonary artery gave off two branches to the cranial lobe, besides branches to the cranial and caudal portions of the medium lobe, and branches to the accessory and caudal lobes. The left pulmonary artery gave off two branches to the cranial and one to caudal portions of the cranial lobe; the left caudal lobe was supplied by the left pulmonary artery continuation, which gave off five to six dorsal and seven to eight ventral branches. There was no variation on the studied lungs as for lobes or bronchial tree model. KEY WORDS : Agouti paca, lungs, pulmonary artery, rodent.

Neural network model of the lateral accessory lobe and ventral protocerebrum of Bombyx mori to generate the flip-flop activity

Experimental background The lateral accessory lobe (LAL) and the ventral protocerebrum (VPC) are known to form a premotor center of brain in insects. The present report focuses on the neural network of the LAL-VPC of Bombyx mori, which is known, from the neuroethological experiments, to generate the pheromone oriented behavior composed of a sequential activity of surge, zigzag-turn and loop [1-3]. The physiological experiments partly elucidate the information pathway which is evoked by a pheromone stimulus given to antennal lobe (AL) and finally projected to LAL-VPC to generate a motor command to thoracic motor systems. The LAL-VPC regions have been characteristically considered to be similar to the electric flip-flop circuit by the records of response from the descending neurons (DN). Moreover, electrophysiological and immunohistochemical studies enable the morphological and physiological classification of each LAL-VPC neuron, and show possible anatomical connection among the neurons [4].

RADIOGRAPHIC, COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC, AND ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS WITH MIGRATING INTRATHORACIC GRASS AWNS IN DOGS AND CATS

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical, radiographic, and computed tomographic findings in dogs and cats with migrating intrathoracic grass awns. Thirty-five dogs and five cats with visual confirmation of a grass awn following surgery, endoscopy or necropsy, and histology were assessed. The medical records and all diagnostic imaging studies were reviewed retrospectively. Labrador Retrievers or English Pointers < 5 years of age, with a history of coughing and hyperthermia, were the most common presentations. Seventeen animals had an inflammatory leukogram of which 14 had a left shift or toxic neutrophils. Radiographs were performed in 38 animals and computed tomography (CT) in 14. Thoracic radiographs were characterized by focal pulmonary interstitial to alveolar opacities (n = 26) that occurred most commonly in the caudal (n = 19) or accessory lobes (n = 8). Additional findings included pneumothorax (n = 9), pleural effusion (n = 8), and pleural thickening (n = 7). Pulmonary opacities identified on radiographs correlated to areas of pneumonia and foreign body location. CT findings included focal interstitial to alveolar pulmonary opacities (n = 12) most commonly in the right caudal lung lobe (n = 9), pleural thickening (n = 11), mildly enlarged intrathoracic lymph nodes (n = 10), soft tissue tracking (n = 7) with enhancing margins (n = 4), pneumothorax (n = 6), pleural effusion (n = 4), and foreign body visualization (n = 4). Histologic diagnoses included pulmonary and mediastinal granulomas or abscesses, bronchopneumonia, and pleuritis. Migrating intrathoracic grass awns should be considered as a differential diagnosis in coughing, febrile animals with focal interstitial to alveolar pulmonary opacities, pleural effusion, pleural thickening, and/or pneumothorax on radiographs or CT.

Diagnose einer Nebenleber mittels Magnetresonanztomografie-gesteuerter Stanzbiopsie

An accessory liver is a rare developmental anomaly. There are two subtypes: the accessory liver lobe (ALL), which is connected to the liver and the true ectopic liver. An accessory liver is usually of no clinical relevance in spite of the very rare cases in which torsion or other complications may cause serious problems. This anomaly should not be misinterpreted as a malignant tumour. We report the case of an accessory liver lobe, located below the left diaphragm, which was misdiagnosed as a metastasis of a known malignant melanoma. The diagnosis ALL was established by a biopsy under guidance of magnetic resonance tomography (MRT). In our opinion, an accessory liver and its appearance should be known, to include this entity in differential diagnosis of perihepatic masses.

Ectopic intrathyroidal thymus misdiagnosed as a thyroid nodule: Sonographic appearance

An 11-year-old boy under suppression therapy for a solitary thyroid nodule was referred for sonographic examination. The diagnosis had been made at another institution, based only on sonography without cytopathologic verification. A small fusiform lesion, which was homogeneously hypoechoic with diffuse bright internal echoes, was demonstrated in the right lower pole of the thyroid. A normal elongated thymus with a cervical component was then found connected to the thyroid with an accessory lobe, which was embedded in the lower thyroid pole mimicking a solitary nodule. We discuss the developmental abnormalities of the thymus and their clinical significance in childhood with a brief review of the literature.

Torsion and infarction of accessory liver lobe in young man

A 45-YEAR-OLD MAN was admitted with a 12-h history of abdominal pain and vomiting. The medical history was unremarkable and no previous trauma was reported. On examination, he was in pain and moderately pale, without fever or jaundice. The abdomen was distended with generalized tenderness and a large solid mass was palpable in the left epigastrium. The white blood cell count was 12,000 (82.5% neutrophils). Serum bilirubin level and coagulation parameters were within normal range. Serum liver enzyme levels were increased: AST 86 U/l, ALT 70 U/l, GGT 153 U/l, ALP 521 U/l. Abdominal plain x-ray showed a well-defined, round mass occupying the epigastric, mesogastric, left hypochondriac, and left lumbar region, displacing the small bowel and colon to the right side. A CT scan identified a 19 3 16 3 24 cm nonhomogeneous, well-defined, soft-tissue mass. In addition the left lobe of the liver was relatively small and showed increased enhancement during the late arterial phase (Fig 1). Hepatic virology, CEA, Ca19-9 and a-fetoprotein were all negative; ferritin level

Pre‐treatment of porcine pulmonary xenograft with desmopressin: a novel strategy to attenuate platelet activation and systemic intravascular coagulation in an ex‐vivo model of swine‐to‐human pulmonary xenotransplantation

Von Willebrand factor (vWF) has been proposed as a major contributor to the development of coagulopathy in pulmonary xenotransplantation. Pretreatment of donor swine with 1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), an analog of vasopressin, can reduce the content of vWF in pulmonary xenografts. Here, we investigate the effects of DDAVP pre-treatment in an ex-vivo perfusion model of pulmonary xenotransplantation. We set up and performed the ex-vivo perfusion using porcine pulmonary accessory lobes and fresh human whole blood (n = 12). Half of the donor swine were given 3 mug/kg DDAVP intravenously for 3 days before ex-vivo perfusion (DDAVP group) and half of them were left untreated (control group). The porcine lung was perfused with fresh blood for 1 h and changes in the following parameters were monitored: pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, blood cell counts, fibrinogen, antithrombin, platelet factor 4, D-dimer, C3a, C4d, and xenoreactive IgM. The release of Galalpha1-3Gal xenoantigen (alphaGal) from porcine lung which had been perfused and retained for 30 min with human blood was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using alphaGal-binding lectin. Both DDAVP and control groups showed typical findings of immediate pulmonary dysfunction: an increase of pulmonary vascular resistance and sequestration of leukocytes and platelets after ex-vivo perfusion. However, in the DDAVP group, the increase of platelet factor 4, C3a, and C4d after perfusion was attenuated compared to that in the control group. The release of alphaGal after blood retention was significantly lower in the DDAVP group than that of the control group. Pre-infusion of DDAVP to the donor swine was beneficial in attenuating platelet activation as well as complement/coagulation activation. These effects of DDAVP are likely to relate to the reduction of porcine vWF content in the xenograft. Therefore, the modulation of vWF secretion in donor lungs could be an additional therapeutic way to reduce systemic coagulopathy in pulmonary xenotransplantation.

Chick spinal accessory lobes contain functional neurons expressing voltagegated sodium channels generating action potentials

Ten pairs of protrusions, called accessory lobes (ALs), exist at the lateral sides of avian lumbosacral spinal cords. Histological evidence has shown that neurons are present in AL and behavioral evidence suggests that AL acts as a sensory organ of equilibrium during bipedal walking. However, there is little functional evidence to indicate that cells in AL have neuronal functions. To elucidate this point, we developed a method to dissociate cells from chick AL and made electrophysiological recordings with the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Cells dissociated by enzymatic digestion from chick AL contained two major types of cells. One was round with clear cytosol and the other had a round cell body, rich cytosolic structures and some processes. Rapidly activating inward currents and slowly activating outward currents were recorded in response to depolarizing pulses to -10 mV under the voltage clamp configuration only from the latter type of cells. TTX at 100 nM inhibited the inward current by 85%, indicating the functional expression of TTX-sensitive voltage-gated Na(+) channel (VGSC). Activation and inactivation kinetics of the inward currents in AL cells were similar to those of mammalian VGSC. The VGSC-expressing AL cells generated action potentials in response to depolarization under the current clamp configuration. These results clearly indicate that functional neurons expressing fast inactivating and TTXsensitive VGSC which generate action potentials exist in the AL of the chick. These lines of cellular evidence clearly indicate that functional neurons exist in ALs and further support the proposal that the chick ALs function as the sensory organ of equilibrium.

Polarized Skylight Navigation in Insects: Model and Electrophysiology of e-Vector Coding by Neurons in the Central Complex

Many insects exploit skylight polarization for visual compass orientation or course control. As found in crickets, the peripheral visual system (optic lobe) contains three types of polarization-sensitive neurons (POL neurons), which are tuned to different ( approximately 60 degrees diverging) e-vector orientations. Thus each e-vector orientation elicits a specific combination of activities among the POL neurons coding any e-vector orientation by just three neural signals. In this study, we hypothesize that in the presumed orientation center of the brain (central complex) e-vector orientation is population-coded by a set of "compass neurons." Using computer modeling, we present a neural network model transforming the signal triplet provided by the POL neurons to compass neuron activities coding e-vector orientation by a population code. Using intracellular electrophysiology and cell marking, we present evidence that neurons with the response profile of the presumed compass neurons do indeed exist in the insect brain: each of these compass neuron-like (CNL) cells is activated by a specific e-vector orientation only and otherwise remains silent. Morphologically, CNL cells are tangential neurons extending from the lateral accessory lobe to the lower division of the central body. Surpassing the modeled compass neurons in performance, CNL cells are insensitive to the degree of polarization of the stimulus between 99% and at least down to 18% polarization and thus largely disregard variations of skylight polarization due to changing solar elevations or atmospheric conditions. This suggests that the polarization vision system includes a gain control circuit keeping the output activity at a constant level.

A novel type of microglomerular synaptic complex in the polarization vision pathway of the locust brain

The lateral accessory lobes (LALs) are prominent integration centers in the insect brain. In the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria, they are connected with the anterior optic tubercles (AOTus), with the central complex, and with the ventral nerve cord. Two subcompartments of the LALs, the lateral triangle and the median olive, are easily recognized by their prominent granular texture. Both areas are part of the polarization vision pathway in the locust brain; they receive input from projection neurons of the AOTu and are the site of presumed dendritic arborizations of tangential neurons of the lower division of the central body. Both types of neuron are sensitive to polarized light and most likely play a role in sky compass navigation of the locust. We show here that neurons from the AOTu and tangential neurons of the central body form large microglomerular contacts in the median olive and lateral triangle. Presynaptic elements from the AOTu end in small numbers of large cup-shaped terminals. These cups enclose many small gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-immunoreactive (-ir) profiles from tangential neurons of the lower division of the central body. Each cup-shaped profile makes numerous (>150) dyadic output synapses with the small postsynaptic GABA-ir profiles. No synaptic connections were found between the small core profiles. The microglomerular organization of the median olive and lateral triangle is unlike that of any other synaptic microglomeruli reported for the insect brain. It might provide precise spike timing information possibly used to extract spatial information by comparison of binocular inputs in the central complex.

Immunolocalisation of crustacean-SIFamide in the median brain and eyestalk neuropils of the marbled crayfish

Crustacean-SIFamide (GYRKPPFNGSIFamide) is a novel neuropeptide that was recently isolated from crayfish nervous tissue. We mapped the localisation of this peptide in the median brain and eyestalk neuropils of the marbled crayfish (Marmorkrebs), a parthenogenetic crustacean. Our experiments showed that crustacean-SIFamide is strongly expressed in all major compartments of the crayfish brain, including all three optic neuropils, the lateral protocerebrum with the hemiellipsoid body, and the medial protocerebrum with the central complex. These findings imply a role of this peptide in visual processing already at the level of the lamina but also at the level of the deeper relay stations. Immunolabelling is particularly strong in the accessory lobes and the deutocerebral olfactory lobes that receive a chemosensory input from the first antennae. Most cells of the olfactory globular tract, a projection neuron pathway that links deuto- and protocerebrum, are labelled. This pathway plays a central role in conveying tactile and olfactory stimuli to the lateral protocerebrum, where this input converges with optic information. Weak labelling is also present in the tritocerebrum that is associated with the mechanosensory second antennae. Taken together, we suggest an important role of crustacean-SIFamidergic neurons in processing high-order, multimodal input in the crayfish brain.

Accessory Hepatic Lobe Mimicking an Intra-Abdominal Tumor

We present an accessory hepatic lobe case in which the axial computed tomographic images were mimicking an intra-abdominal tumor. The multiplanar reconstruction, 3-dimensional, and maximum intensity projection images suggested the diagnosis of an accessory hepatic lobe connected to the sixth liver segment through a highly irrigated pedicle. The diagnostic impression was confirmed by surgery and pathological examination.

Accessory Liver Lobe with Mesothelial Inclusion Cysts in an Omphalocele: A New Malformative Association

Mesothelial inclusion cysts represent benign lesions that have been reported in a wide variety of locations. Peritoneal cysts are observed and visceral involvement has been described, notably of intraperitoneal organs such as the spleen and the testis. We report the cases of 2 neonates who underwent surgical management of an omphalocele. The hernial sac contained an accessory liver lobe, displaying in both cases multilocular mesothelial inclusion cysts. The hobnail cells lining the cysts exhibited calretinin and cytokeratin immunohistochemical reactivity, as well as focal D2-40 reactivity. One of the cases occurred in the setting of a Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (MIM 130650), an overgrowth disorder notably associated with omphalocele and hepatic anomalies and tumors. However, no hepatic mesothelial cyst has been described in this syndrome. In the 2nd case the omphalocele and the hepatic cysts were the sole lesions observed in the neonate. To the best of our knowledge, these 2 cases represent the first description of such an association.

Modulation of Drosophila male behavioral choice.

The reproductive and defensive behaviors that are initiated in response to specific sensory cues can provide insight into how choices are made between different social behaviors. We manipulated both the activity and sex of a subset of neurons and found significant changes in male social behavior. Results from aggression assays indicate that the neuromodulator octopamine (OCT) is necessary for Drosophila males to coordinate sensory cue information presented by a second male and respond with the appropriate behavior: aggression rather than courtship. In competitive male courtship assays, males with no OCT or with low OCT levels do not adapt to changing sensory cues and court both males and females. We identified a small subset of neurons in the suboesophageal ganglion region of the adult male brain that coexpress OCT and male forms of the neural sex determination factor, Fruitless (Fru(M)). A single Fru(M)-positive OCT neuron sends extensive bilateral arborizations to the suboesophageal ganglion, the lateral accessory lobe, and possibly the posterior antennal lobe, suggesting a mechanism for integrating multiple sensory modalities. Furthermore, eliminating the expression of Fru(M) by transformer expression in OCT/tyramine neurons changes the aggression versus courtship response behavior. These results provide insight into how complex social behaviors are coordinated in the nervous system and suggest a role for neuromodulators in the functioning of male-specific circuitry relating to behavioral choice.

Chronic peritoneal effusion secondary to partial caudal vena cava obstruction following traumatic pneumothorax in a dog

A three-year old, female Boxer Dog was treated initially with thoracocentesis for a right-sided pneumothorax. The dog was re-evaluated after three weeks because of an enlargement of the abdomen. A positive venogram revealed a ventral displacement of the caudal vena cava between the diaphragm and the heart, with a severe reduction of the diameter of the vein. An exploratory thoracotomy showed a displaced accessory lung lobe with an adhesion to the parietal pleura. Inflation of this lung lobe created a dynamic obstruction of the caudal vena cava, which resulted in ascites. Surgery offered successful treatment.

Unusual Bronchopulmonary Foregut Malformation Associated with Pericardial Defect: Bronchogenic Cyst Communicating with Tubular Esophageal Duplication

We report a case of unusual bronchopulmonary foregut malformation composed of a mediastinal bronchogenic cyst with sequestrated lung tissue and communicating tubular esophageal duplication associated with complete pericardial defect. A 18-yr-old man, who had suffered from dry cough and mild dyspnea, was admitted because of an incidentally detected chest mass. A computed tomography scan demonstrated a cystic mass with an air fluid level connected with esophagus in the middle mediastinum. The surgically resected mass was a pleural invested accessory lobe of the lung (8.0×7.0×4.5 cm) connected with the esophageal wall by a tubular structure (3.0 cm in length and 2.0 cm in diameter). A complete left pericardial defect was also identified. Histologically, the cystic wall was composed of fibrovascular connective tissue with a smooth muscle layer, mixed seromucous glands and cartilage, and the inner surface of the cyst was lined by ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The inner surface of the tubular structure was lined by non-keratinizing or keratinizing squamous epithelium, and the wall contained submucosal mucous glands, muscularis mucosa, and duplicated muscularis propria. This case is important in understanding the embryological pathogenesis of the variable spectrum of the bronchopulmonary foregut malformation.

Uterine torsion in term pregnancy

Uterine torsion has been defined as a rotation of more than 45 degrees of the uterus around its long axis that occurs at the junction between the cervix and the corpus. The extent of the rotation is usually 180 degrees, although cases with torsion from 60 to 720 degrees have been reported. Aetiopathogenesis of this condition is still unclear. Establishing clinical diagnosis of this condition is difficult, but very important for reducing maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. Clinical symptoms are either absent or nonspecific, and the diagnosis is usually made at laparotomy. A 31-year-old patient was admitted to the Institute of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, as an emergency, seven days upon the established intrauterine foetal demise in the 40th gestation week. On uterine examination, the cervical length of 1.5 cm and dilatation of 3 cm were determined, as well as a palpable soft tissue formation, not resembling placenta praevia. Ultrasound examination confirmed foetal demise and exclusion of the presence of placenta praevia. The labour was completed by caesarean section. During surgery, uterine torsion of 180 degrees to the right was diagnosed. There was a stillborn male baby, and the cause of death was intrauterine asphyxia. A fibrosing and calcified accessory lobe 9 x 6 x 2.5 cm in size was observed on placental examination, which is a possible sign of initial gemellary pregnancy. The clinical presentation of uterine torsion is variable and clinical examination and ultrasonographic scanning may be insufficient for diagnosis. The method of choice for establishing the diagnosis is magnetic resonance imaging. Once the diagnosis of uterine torsion in pregnancy is established, emergency laparotomy is indicated. Following caesarean delivery, it is necessary to surgically remove all the anatomical causes of torsion, and rotate the uterus back to its normal position. There are some authors who suggest bilateral plication of the round ligaments as a preventive procedure for repeated torsion in puerperium and following pregnancies. The effectiveness of this method requires further investigation. It is necessary to have in mind the possibility of uterine torsion in all cases of abdominal pain during pregnancy and dystocia.

Torsion and Infarction of an Accessory Liver Lobe

Accessory lobes of the liver (ALL) may be congenital or acquired and are usually of no clinical significance. Torsions of the ALL are exceedingly rare and most are incidental findings at laparotomy, autopsy and in the course of investigation radiological investigations. A total of 17 infant and adult cases have been described previously in the medical literature. Most cases described since 1925 have been diagnosed at laparotomy, we report the 18th case of torsion of the accessory lobe of the liver in an elderly female which, despite all radiological interventions, required laparoscopy for diagnosis. We conclude that torsion of the accessory lobes of the liver is a rare finding; radiological imaging does not reveal the diagnosis and most are found at laparotomy. Laparoscopy may aid in the diagnosis of torsion of accessory liver lobes. If pain persists, we advocate the use surgical intervention with or without cholecystectomy.

Gata4 Is Necessary for Normal Pulmonary Lobar Development

Mutations of Fog2 in mice result in a phenotype that includes pulmonary lobar defects. To determine whether formation of the accessory lobe bronchus is mediated by a Gata family cofactor, we evaluated embryonic lungs from mice carrying missense mutations that cause loss of FOG-GATA protein interaction. Lungs from embryos carrying a missense mutation in Gata6 were structurally normal, while lungs from embryos carrying mutations of either Gata4 or of both Gata4 and Gata6 had a structural phenotype that matched the Fog2 mutant phenotype. Expression analysis showed that Gata4 and Fog2 are expressed in the ventral and medial pulmonary mesenchyme during secondary budding. Although Gata4 has not previously been suspected as playing a role in lung development, we have found that a Fog2-Gata4 interaction is critical for the development of normal pulmonary lobar structure, and this phenotype is not influenced by the additional loss of Gata6 interaction. Fog2 and Gata4 in the early pulmonary mesenchyme participate in patterning the secondary bronchus of the accessory lobe.

The Clinical Usefulness of the Ventrodorsal Versus Dorsoventral Thoracic Radiograph in Dogs

Differences exist in the ventrodorsal (VD) and dorsoventral (DV) radiographic views of the canine thorax. One view may be preferred over another because of how it portrays different areas of interest or different disease conditions. The VD view is indicated for evaluation of the cranial and caudal mediastinum, the caudal vena cava, and the accessory lung lobe, and in cases of pleural effusion. Indications for the DV view include assessment of a consistent cardiac silhouette, evaluation of the pulmonary lobar vessels, and evaluation of the structures of the dorsal thorax, such as hilar lymph nodes, the caudal dorsal lungs, trachea, mainstem bronchi, and left atrium.