Anatomical Evaluations Research Articles

Triorchidism: a rare genital abnormality

1However, the most of patients are asymptomatic and usually diagnosed incidentally. Some may present as inguinal hernia (30%), maldescended testis (15% to 30%), testicular torsion (13%) and hydrocele (9%), varicocele (1%), hypospadias (<1%), anomalous urogenital union (<1%), and malignancy (<1%). 2 Management of polyorchidism is still controversial. Important factors of polyorchidism management are testis location, size and anatomical organization of the testicular drainage system and the age of the patient. A 28-year-old single Turkish man presented to our clinic with 12 years history of a small palpable lump in the left hemi-scrotum. There were no other urological and general medical symptoms or significant past medical history. Physical examination was normal with no palpable mass on abdomen wall and no palpable inguinal herniae. Scrotal examination revealed a normal right testis and scrotal content, but on the left-side there were palpated two mass in similar size. It was difficult to make a distinction between the normal testis and the mass because of their similar consistency and size. They were separate testis and had two epididymis and two vas deferens. In laboratory findings such as human chorionic gonadotropin and α-fetoprotein and lactate dehidrogenase were in normal range. Scrotal ultrasound identified a left-side duplicated testis with normal echo-texture and blood flow. Scrotal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was performed for confirming the diagnosis and anatomical evaluations. MRI showed single right testicle and a left-side double testis having their own epididymis and vas deferences (Figure 1). Blasius recorded the first case of triorchidism at a routine autopsy in 1670. 1 The first histologically documented case of polyorchidism was reported by Lane in 1895. Most patients with polyorchidism has been identified especially early adulthood period and the majority of supernumerary testes are located in the scrotal region (66%) followed by inguinal (23%) and abdominal (9%) positions. The most common type of polyorchidism is triorchidism with the supernumerary testis detected to the left-side as our case. 3

Abstract 18373: Arterial Stiffness (Pulse Wave Velocity) is Higher in Single Ventricle Patients With Reconstructed Aortas as Compared to Those Without: A Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Phase Contrast Study

Background: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a measure of arterial stiffness and has been associated in adults with cardiovascular risk for morbidity and mortality including the association with atherosclerosis. Single ventricle patients who undergo an aortic to pulmonary anastomosis via the Norwood procedure have non-compliant patch material inserted into the vessel, possibly affecting PWV. The purpose of this study is to determine if PWV in these patients differs from single ventricle patients who did not undergo aortic reconstruction. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 40 single ventricle pts from 2012 to the present, matched for age, who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance anatomic imaging and phase contrast evaluations at the neoartic valve (AoV) and the descending aorta at the level of the diaphragm (DAo). 20 had undergone Norwood reconstruction (recon) of the aorta while 20 had not (Nl). PWV was calculated as the distance from the AoV to the DAo, traced on the candycane view of the aorta, divided by the difference in time to reach 50% peak flow on the flow-time diagrams between AoV and DAo. See images below. Significance was a P &lt; 0.05. Results: PWV in Recon were significantly higher than in Nl (3.9 +/- 1.7 m/s vs 3.0 +/- 1 m/s, P=0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in ages (4.1 +/- 4.2 vs 5.1 +/- 5.7 years), body surface area (0.61 +/- 0.3 vs 0.7 +/- 0.4 meter2) or cardiac index (4.9 +/- 1.5 vs 5.2 +/- 1.7 liters/minute/meter2) between Recon and Nl respectively. Conclusion: PWV in single ventricle patients undergoing the Norwood procedure with resulting recon is higher than single ventricle patients who do not. This implies a higher arterial stiffness and may pose an additional cardiovascular risk as the patient grows; future studies should monitor PWV in these patients for clinical outcome. Other biomaterials may potentially be used in the future to moderate PWV if clinical outcome is adversely affected.

A combination of anatomical and functional evaluations improves the prediction of cardiac event in patients with coronary artery bypass

ObjectiveTo study the usefulness of combined risk stratification of coronary CT angiography (CTA) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with previous coronary-artery-bypass grafting (CABG).DesignA retrospective, observational, single centre study.Setting...

Location and negotiability of second mesiobuccal canal in upper molar by tomographic and anatomical macroscopic analysis

The aim of this study was to assess the presence and negotiability of second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal at pulp chamber, cervical, medium and apical levels comparing the findings obtained by anatomical evaluation with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. 56 and 43 human maxillary first and second upper molars, respectively, were assessed. The specimens were placed on an acrylic platform in a stationary position to identify the presence of MB2 canal at the pulp chamber floor, cervical, medium, and apical level. The samples were analyzed using two image acquisition softwares (XoranCat and DentalSlice) and subsequently by macroscopic anatomical analysis with a 4× magnifying glass. All data were summarized, and mean values, frequencies, and percentage values were calculated for each group of specimens. DentalSlice and XoranCat images of first molars showed a rate concordance index (CI) of present MB2 canals in comparison to anatomic evaluations of 65.2 and 70.1%, respectively. On the second molars, the rate of CI reached about 80 % in both sets of images. In the first molars, 29.9% of canals localized by XoranCat images did not display anatomical negotiability; 34.8% of canals localized by DentalSlice images did not display anatomical negotiability. Among second molars, 18.6% of canals localized by XoranCat did not display anatomical negotiability; 19.8% of canals localized by DentalSlice did not display anatomical negotiability. On the first molars with anatomical negotiability, errors not identified by XoranCat and DentalSlice reached rates of 22.3 and 25.4%, respectively. Among second molars, error rates were 8.7% (XoranCat) and 11.6% (DentalSlice). Our study indicated that (1) the tomographic image is an auxiliary way to detection and mapping of the MB2 canal in maxillary molars, (2) the tomographic image is ineffective in determining negotiability. Both image software packages used in this study showed similar results.

Integrated Photoacoustic Ophthalmoscopy and Spectral-domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Both the clinical diagnosis and fundamental investigation of major ocular diseases greatly benefit from various non-invasive ophthalmic imaging technologies. Existing retinal imaging modalities, such as fundus photography1, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO)2, and optical coherence tomography (OCT)3, have significant contributions in monitoring disease onsets and progressions, and developing new therapeutic strategies. However, they predominantly rely on the back-reflected photons from the retina. As a consequence, the optical absorption properties of the retina, which are usually strongly associated with retinal pathophysiology status, are inaccessible by the traditional imaging technologies. Photoacoustic ophthalmoscopy (PAOM) is an emerging retinal imaging modality that permits the detection of the optical absorption contrasts in the eye with a high sensitivity4-7 . In PAOM nanosecond laser pulses are delivered through the pupil and scanned across the posterior eye to induce photoacoustic (PA) signals, which are detected by an unfocused ultrasonic transducer attached to the eyelid. Because of the strong optical absorption of hemoglobin and melanin, PAOM is capable of non-invasively imaging the retinal and choroidal vasculatures, and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) melanin at high contrasts 6,7. More importantly, based on the well-developed spectroscopic photoacoustic imaging5,8 , PAOM has the potential to map the hemoglobin oxygen saturation in retinal vessels, which can be critical in studying the physiology and pathology of several blinding diseases 9 such as diabetic retinopathy and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Moreover, being the only existing optical-absorption-based ophthalmic imaging modality, PAOM can be integrated with well-established clinical ophthalmic imaging techniques to achieve more comprehensive anatomic and functional evaluations of the eye based on multiple optical contrasts6,10 . In this work, we integrate PAOM and spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) for simultaneously in vivo retinal imaging of rat, where both optical absorption and scattering properties of the retina are revealed. The system configuration, system alignment and imaging acquisition are presented.

Integrated Photoacoustic Ophthalmoscopy and Spectral-domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Both the clinical diagnosis and fundamental investigation of major ocular diseases greatly benefit from various non-invasive ophthalmic imaging technologies. Existing retinal imaging modalities, such as fundus photography, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO), and optical coherence tomography (OCT), have significant contributions in monitoring disease onsets and progressions, and developing new therapeutic strategies. However, they predominantly rely on the back-reflected photons from the retina. As a consequence, the optical absorption properties of the retina, which are usually strongly associated with retinal pathophysiology status, are inaccessible by the traditional imaging technologies. Photoacoustic ophthalmoscopy (PAOM) is an emerging retinal imaging modality that permits the detection of the optical absorption contrasts in the eye with a high sensitivity. In PAOM nanosecond laser pulses are delivered through the pupil and scanned across the posterior eye to induce photoacoustic (PA) signals, which are detected by an unfocused ultrasonic transducer attached to the eyelid. Because of the strong optical absorption of hemoglobin and melanin, PAOM is capable of non-invasively imaging the retinal and choroidal vasculatures, and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) melanin at high contrasts. More importantly, based on the well-developed spectroscopic photoacoustic imaging, PAOM has the potential to map the hemoglobin oxygen saturation in retinal vessels, which can be critical in studying the physiology and pathology of several blinding diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Moreover, being the only existing optical-absorption-based ophthalmic imaging modality, PAOM can be integrated with well-established clinical ophthalmic imaging techniques to achieve more comprehensive anatomic and functional evaluations of the eye based on multiple optical contrasts. In this work, we integrate PAOM and spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) for simultaneously in vivo retinal imaging of rat, where both optical absorption and scattering properties of the retina are revealed. The system configuration, system alignment and imaging acquisition are presented.

Mechanisms of the internal structure and operation of Panicum aquaticum in response to arsenic

Due to the high toxicity of arsenic, many studies have attempted to improve the techniques for its removal from the environment, using methods such as phytoremediation by tolerant species. To evaluate the tolerance of Panicum aquaticum to contamination by arsenic, both physiological and anatomical evaluations were conducted. The plants were grown in Hoagland and Arnon nutrient solution in a greenhouse for 30 days under six concentrations of arsenic: 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, and 4.00 mM. Analyses of growth, gas exchange, the anatomy of leaves and roots and of the activity of antioxidant system enzymes were conducted. The relative growth rate, specific leaf area and leaf area ratio were modified in the presence of arsenic. Gas exchange was not affected. The leaf anatomy showed reductions in the epidermal thicknesses on the abaxial face, on the blade and on the chlorenchyma; increases in the set of bulliform cells, in the cuticle thickness and in the area of the sclerenchyma; reductions in the number and distance of vascular bundles; an increase in the stomatal index; an increase in the stomatal functionality only on the adaxial face of the epidermis; and reductions in the number and density of stomata. The roots presented reductions in the thicknesses of the epidermis, endodermis and exodermis and modifications in the Carlquist vulnerability index. Only the catalase activity was affected, showing an increase at the lowest concentrations followed by a decrease at higher concentrations. P. aquaticum proved partially tolerant to arsenic at the lowest concentrations and presented evidence of toxicity at the highest concentrations.

Description of a transosseous approach to the L5-S1 disc and 2 clinical case reports

BackgroundThe lumbosacral disc with the adjacent iliac crest and its relationships to neurologic, visceral, and vascular structures is difficult to approach with cannula-based retractor systems. Previous, less invasive approaches have been described to access this space. Anterior, presacral, and transforaminal approaches each have approach-related complications that have prevented their widespread adoption. A laterally based approach to this disc between the exiting L5 nerve root and traversing S1 nerve root would theoretically eliminate visceral and vascular complications but would necessarily course through the adjacent iliac crest. Our objective was to determine the feasibility of placing an interbody device into the L5-S1 disc space through a lateral transosseous approach. MethodsSix transosseous pathways were created from the iliac crest, laterally through the sacral ala, and entering the L5-S1 intervertebral disc space (3 cadavers). The positions of the portals in relation to the local anatomy were evaluated anatomically and with computed tomographic sagittal, coronal, and axial planes. We measured the lengths, heights, and widths of the pathways; distance between the L5 and S1 nerve roots; endplate diameters; and angles necessary to access the space. In addition, 2 clinical cases using the transosseous pathway are presented. ResultsComputed tomographic scans and anatomic evaluations showed that there was an average 22-mm distance between the L5 and S1 nerve roots available to enter the L5-S1 disc space. The mean length of the pathway was 69 mm, and the mean height was 27 mm. The mean angle of the approach was 45° off the posterior-anterior axis, and there was a 25° upward angle from true lateral in the frontal plane. ConclusionsA lateral, transosseous approach to the L5-S1 disc space for placing an interbody device is feasible. A closed cannula-based technique may offer reduced approach-related complications. Further studies will be required to determine the reproducibility and utility of this pathway.

Histochemical Evaluation of Sexual maturation Phases in Solea solea Wild Marine Populations

The histological analyzes performed in gonad cells to verify the occurrence of changes in their anatomy is of crucial importance in order to characterize the dynamics of the gonads during the sexual maturation phase of its cells in specimens of wild marine populations. These histological data, together with other reproductive data, can be used in the monitoring of marine environments in which the Solea solea (Ishiba et al., 2008) lives, namely, the coastal waters of the Iberian Peninsula, Africa and Mediterranean sea (Ishiba et al., 2008). Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the several cellular types and its quantities and anatomies (Ishiba et al., 2008). The study was performed using a total of 19 specimens of the species Solea solea, collected between the months of January and March of 2011 in two different locations of the Portuguese coast (Aveiro and Leixões, Portugal). The gonad samples were fixated in Formalin-acetic acid-alcohol (FAA) and processed in accordance to the standard histology protocol (Culling et al., 1985). The slices of the gonads were colored with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&amp;E) (used in the study of the general structure of the gonads, as well as in the identification and localization of the different cellular types of the gonad epithelium). As a result of the study, we found 7 different types of gonad cells: I oogonia (It is not photographed ); II a Chromatin nucleolus oocytes (Fig.1. A); II b perinucleolar oocytes (Fig.1. B); III cortical alveoli oocytes (Fig.1. C); IV vitellogenic oocytes (Fig.1. D); V maturing oocyte (Fig.1. E); VI ovulated oocyte (Fig.1. F), (Hibiya, et al., 1995). The different cellular phases were found in all the gonad samples analyzed in this study and the results corresponded to those expected: a decrease in the size in the cells of the first cellular type, the oogonia and an increase in the size in the cells of all other cellular types found in the study. Histological and histochemical analyses of the Solea solea can be used in anatomic and pathological evaluations of the physiological condition of the animals, as stated previously for the muscles, where histological changes could be observed (such as: degeneration and atrophy of the muscle bundles). In the future, the analytical determination of histological and histochemical changes in the gonads of Solea solea, in conjunction with other analytical processes, such as in situ analyzes, can potentially be used to determine and accurately characterize the physiological condition of animals sampled in any natural environment.

A multi-institutional phase II trial of pazopanib monotherapy in advanced anaplastic thyroid cancer.

5544 Background: Pazopanib, an orally bioavailable multitargeted inhibitor of kinases including VEGF-R, demonstrated impressive activity in metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (49% durable RECIST PRs) and promising preclinical activity in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) models, prompting its evaluation also as a candidate therapeutic in advanced ATC. Methods: A multicenter single arm phase II trial of 800 mg pazopanib daily was undertaken with the primary endpoint of RECIST response rate. The trial was designed such that there would be a 90% chance of detecting a response rate of &gt;20% at the 0.10 significance level when the true tumor response rate is &gt;5%. A pre-specified stopping rule designated that enrollment would cease unless 1 or more RECIST PRs+CRs were observed in the first 14 of 33 potential patients. Eligibility required informed consent, &gt;18 years of age, performance status ECOG 0-2, systolic blood pressure (BP) &lt;140 mm Hg and diastolic BP &lt;90 mm Hg at entry, QTc interval &lt;480 msecs, and measurable disease by RECIST criteria. Anatomical imaging and toxicity evaluations were required every 4 weeks. Results: Sixteen patients were enrolled. One patient withdrew prior to therapy, leaving 15 evaluable patients – 33.3% were male, with a median age of 66 years (range 45-77); 11 of 15 patients had progressed through prior systemic therapy. Four patients required 1-2 dose reductions, with the most common severe toxicities (CTC-AE version 3.0 grades 3-5) hypertension (13%) and pharyngolaryngeal pain (13%). Reasons for treatment discontinuation included: disease progression (12 pts), death on study due to a vascular event possibly related to treatment (1 pt.), and intolerability (radiation recall tracheitis – 1 pt, and uncontrolled hypertension – 1 pt). Although transient disease regression was observed in several patients, there were no confirmed RECIST tumor responses, triggering study closure at time of interim analysis. Two patients are alive with disease 9.9 months and 2.9 years post-registration; the remaining 13 died of disease. The median time to progression was 62 days and the median survival time was 111 days. Conclusions: Pazopanib has poor single agent activity in advanced anaplastic thyroid cancer.

39-Week Toxicity and Toxicokinetic Study of Ponezumab (PF-04360365) in Cynomolgus Monkeys with 12-Week Recovery Period

Ponezumab (PF-04360365) is a novel humanized IgG2Δa monoclonal antibody that binds to amyloid-β (Aβ). It is designed to have reduced immune effector function compared to other passive immunotherapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Toxicity was evaluated in cynomolgus monkeys treated intravenously with vehicle or 10, 30, or 100 mg/kg of ponezumab every 10th day for up to 39 weeks, and after a 12-week recovery phase. The Aβ peptide sequence of monkeys is identical to that of humans. No substantial difference in test article exposure between sexes was observed, and mean plasma Cmax and AUC0-n were approximately dose-proportional. Ponezumab was detectable approximately 9 weeks after cessation of dosing. All animals, except two males given 10 mg/kg, maintained exposure to test article. One of these males tested positive for anti-ponezumab antibodies. Ponezumab was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of animals given active treatment. The estimated CSF/plasma ponezumab concentration ratio was <0.008 after multiple doses. At the end of the dosing and recovery phases, plasma Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-x were increased in treated animals versus controls. No test article-related effects were seen after ophthalmogical, cardiovascular, physical examinations, and clinical and anatomic pathology evaluations. Plasma concentrations of ponezumab on day 261 at the no observed adverse effect level of 100 mg/kg were 22.4 and 5.3 times greater on a Cmax and AUC basis, respectively, than human exposures at the highest dose (10 mg/kg) in a single-dose Phase I trial. These data suggest an acceptable safety profile for ponezumab as an immunotherapy for AD.

Correlations among anatomical, morphological, chemical and agronomic characteristics of leaf blades in Panicum maximum genotypes

Tropical forage grasses present high growth rates and biomass yields, partly due to its C4 photosynthetic pathway. Considering this, the anatomy of the grasses related to morphology and chemical composition of leaf blades may influence consumption and digestibility, thus interfering in the forage quality. Agronomic, morphological, anatomical and chemical characteristics of leaves of nine Panicum maximum genotypes were evaluated in Brazil, to verify if these characteristics and the associations among them may influence the quality of the leaf blades. A randomized complete blocks design was used with nine treatments and three replications. Three evaluation harvests were done in the rainy season and one in the dry season to evaluate forage yields and quality. Quality was determined through NIRS – Near Infrared Spectrometer. One day prior to each harvest, four leaf blades per plot were harvested for morphological and anatomical evaluations. Results were subjected to analysis of variance and mean comparison by Tukey test, and to simple linear and canonical correlations by SAS. Leaf width was positively correlated with mesophyll. The parenchyma bundle sheath was associated with leaf area and specific leaf area. Neutral detergent fibre was positively correlated with the parenchyma bundle sheath area and specific leaf area. The specific leaf area was negatively correlated with in vitro organic matter digestibility. Morphological differences among P. maximum genotypes did not interfere in biomass accumulation. Considering this, leaf width may be a supplementary tool, that may be used in the early phases of the process of genotype selection, for discriminating qualitatively promising high yielding materials.

Structural evaluations of zygotic embryos and seedlings of the macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata, Arecaceae) during in vitro germination

Acrocomia aculeata is an oil producing tropical palm tree with exceptional potential for producing biofuel. As the propagation of this species is often difficult because of its pronounced seed dormancy, the present work examined the morphology and the anatomy of zygotic embryos and seedlings during in vitro germination. Embryos were put in MS media supplemented with organic compounds and cultivated in the dark at 30°C for 20 days. The dry weights, lengths, and diameters of the cotyledonary petioles, haustoria, roots, ligules, and leaf sheaths of embryos obtained from mature seeds and seedlings removed from culture were measured every 2 days; anatomical and histochemical evaluations were performed on embryos and seedlings removed from culture after 2, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 15 days. Elongation of the embryo axis was observed to initiate after 2 days. Elongation of the cotyledonary petiole was observed starting on the fifth day; this is a morphological indication of germination that is associated with the formation of starch and raphides as well as the differentiation of tracheary elements. The growth of the cotyledon is due to increases in cell volumes as well as the development of a meristematic band peripheral to the haustorium. In spite of the fact that the radicle is less differentiated than the plumule, radicular development is precocious and the root emerges first, indicating the absence of morphological dormancy. Atrophy of the haustorium and the accumulation of phenolic compounds in subepidermal cell layers occur due to culturing conditions.

Three brain collections for comparative neuroanatomy and neuroimaging

In the context of increasing extinction rates and the potential loss of essential evolutionary biological and anthropological information, it is an important task to support efforts to prepare, preserve, and curate collections of histological brain sections; to disseminate information on such collections in the neuroscience community; and to make the collections publicly available. This review emphasizes the importance of complete, serially sectioned human brains of different ontogenetic stages as well as those of adult and old human individuals for neurobiological and medical research. Such histological sections enable microstructural analyses and anatomical evaluations of functional and structural neuroimaging data, for example, based on magnetic resonance imaging. Here, this review provides the first detailed and updated account of the content of the Stephan, Zilles, and Zilles-Amunts collections, which consist of serially sectioned and cell body- and myelin-stained histological preparations. Finally, this review will give an overview of past and recent research using these collections to increase our understanding of the detailed patterns of divergent brain evolution in primates as well as of the structural organization of the human brain.

Implantable Carotid Sinus Stimulator for the Treatment of Resistant Hypertension: Local Effects on Carotid Artery Morphology

The Rheos System is a chronically implanted carotid sinus baroreflex activating system with a pulse generator and bilateral perivascular carotid sinus leads (CSLs) that is being evaluated in prospective clinical trials for the treatment of drug-resistant hypertension. We evaluated carotid artery structural integrity after implantation of the CSLs. To assess the effect of chronic CSL attachment, 29 CSLs were implanted on the common carotid arteries of eight sheep. The studies were terminated at 3 and 6 months postimplantation to assess anatomic and histologic changes. Additionally, 10 patients with resistant hypertension were enrolled in the Rheos Multicenter Feasibility Trial. Duplex ultrasound (DUS) was performed before device implantation and at 1 and 4 months postimplantation in this patient cohort. An independent core laboratory assessed all DUSs. Ovine carotid angiography revealed no significant stenoses, while anatomic and histologic evaluations demonstrated electrode encapsulation in a thin layer of connective tissue with no evidence of stenosis, erosion, or inflammation. DUS evaluation revealed no significant increase in peak systolic velocities of the common and internal carotid arteries 1 and 4 months after initial implantation, indicating a lack of injury, remodeling, or stenosis. The current data suggest that the CSLs used with the Rheos System are not associated with the development of carotid stenosis or injury. These short-term data support the concept of CSL placement and merit long-term investigation in a larger multicenter prospective trial.

Effect of Iliac Screw Insertion Depth on the Stability and Strength of Lumbo-Iliac Fixation Constructs

Comparison of feasibility and safety of the placement of short and long iliac screws by anatomic and biomechanical evaluations as they apply to lumbo-iliac fixation construct. To compare the stability of the short and long iliac screw fixations for lumbo-iliac reconstruction by anatomic and biomechanical evaluations. Spinopelvic reconstruction remains a challenge to spine surgeons. Despite the advent of many fixation methods, the use of iliac screws seems most favorable so far. Various lengths of iliac screws are applied in surgical treatments; however, no biomechanical comparison has been reported based on the screw length. For anatomic observation, CT scan data of 60 Chinese adults were used to measure the details of the iliac spine structures. For biomechanical evaluation, 7 adult human cadavers (L3-pelvis) were observed. L4-S1 pedicle screw fixation was performed with posterior spinal fixation system. On the basis of the lengths of iliac screws, 2 groups were tested (short screw group using 70 mm screws and long screw group using 138 mm screws). In this study, short and long iliac screws were placed in the same specimen. Biomechanical testing was performed on a material testing machine under 800 N compression and 7 Nm torsion loading modes for stiffness evaluations. Finally, pullout testing was performed for all the iliac screws to measure the maximum pullout force. The length of the line between posterior superior iliac spine and anterior inferior iliac spine was 140.6 +/- 1.1 mm, and the distance between this line and the greater sciatic notch was 18.3 +/- 0.8 mm. The length of the line between posterior superior iliac spine and the second narrowest point was 67.1 +/- 0.62 mm in men and 70.1 +/- 1.4 mm in women. Insertion lengths of the short and long iliac screws were 70 +/- 2 mm and 138 +/- 4 mm, respectively. The lumbo-pelvic reconstruction using short and long iliac screws restored 53.3% +/- 13.6% and 57.6% +/- 16.2% of the initial stiffness in compression testing respectively. In torsion testing, the use of short and long iliac screws harvested 55.1% +/- 11.9% and 62.5% +/- 9.2% of the initial stiffness, respectively. No significant difference was detected between the 2 reconstructions in terms of compressive and torsional stiffness (P > 0.05). However, the maximum pullout strength of long iliac screw group was significantly higher than the short screw group (P < 0.05). The local stability is rather difficult to be restored to the original levels regardless the length of iliac screws. Obviously, long iliac screws resisted significantly greater axial pullout force. However, under physiologic, torsional, and compressive loading conditions, the mechanical stability of lumbo-pelvic fixation construct with short iliac screws was comparable with that of the long ones. Therefore, the use of short iliac screws, which are only about half the length of the long iliac screws, could reduce the implantation risk without significantly compromising on the stability of the construct.

Anatomia foliar de ipê-branco (Tabebuia roseo Alba (Ridl.) Sand.) – Bignoniaceae, proveniente do cultivo ex vitro e in vitro

Considering the importance of knowledge of anatomical structures in the protocol definition for the micropropagation of the ipê-branco, this study compared the in vitro and ex vitro internal structure of leaves. For anatomical evaluations, the first leaf in vitro with 30 days of growth and adult plants were used. The anatomical study of leaves was based on microscope examination from cross-sectional and paradermic sections from the leaf blade. The leaf structures from plants ex vitro show uniseriate skin, and mesophyll with dorsiventral organization. They are hipostomatics and trichome is present in all faces. Leaves ex vitro was thicker that culture in vitro in limb, central nervure, epidermis and palisade and spongious parenchyma. In leaves in vitro, cuticle and sclerenchyma are absent. Leaves of ex vitro presented minor numbers of stomata and greater number of trichromes when compared with culture in vitro. Stomata of in vitro are larger than stomata ex vitro.

A phase I evaluation of intravenous TM601 in recurrent glioblastoma: Use of perfusion MRI to monitor antiangiogenic effects

2041 Background: TM601, a synthetic chlorotoxin, is a peptide derived from scorpion venom. In vitro data demonstrate binding to vascular endothelial cells, and blockage of endothelial cell invasion. In vivo, intravenous infusion of TM601 decreases neovascularization. Based on this work and previous clinical trials demonstrating tumor-specific uptake of 131I-TM601 in malignant glioma after IV delivery, a phase I trial was initiated with intravenous unlabeled TM-601. Methods: Six patients with recurrent glioblastoma have been enrolled. All patients received a test dose of 10 mCi 131I-TM601 to demonstrate tumor-specific uptake prior to TM601 treatment at doses of 0.04 mg/kg IV weekly for 3 weeks in a 4 week cycle. Treatment continued until tumor progression. Patients were evaluated at week 4 of each cycle with conventional and dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI (DSC-MRI) to assess perfusion. Anatomic and perfusion MRI evaluations were performed at baseline, 1 day after the initiation of TM601 therapy, and 21 days after initiation of each treatment cycle. MRI data were post-processed to yield an arterial input function and parametric hemodynamic maps. Results: With respect to safety, there has been one intratumoral hemorrhage that was considered to be possibly related to therapy. Three other serious adverse events considered to be unrelated to therapy included disease progression on therapy, a hip fracture and renal calculi in a patient with a history of renal calculi. Two of six patients in the first dosing cohort have demonstrated a greater than 25% reduction in relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and/or relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) compared to baseline. Both patients with improvement in perfusion MRI had extended response to intravenous TM601. Conclusions: Intravenous unlabeled TM601 at the initial dose schedule produces measurable changes in perfusion MRI parameters which correlate with clinical response. Perfusion MRI parameters appear to correlate with clinical response to TM601 and are consistent with angiogenic inhibition. [Table: see text]

Inherited pelvic organ prolapse in the mouse: preliminary evaluation of a new murine model

The objective of this study was to report the initial anatomic, radiographic, and genetic evaluations of a novel form of spontaneous pelvic organ prolapse (S-POP) in mice. We observed S-POP in a colony of UPII-SV40T transgenic mice developed for studies on bladder cancer. We utilized magnetic resonance imaging and necropsy to characterize this finding. We have established a breeding colony to identify inheritance patterns and for future studies. Selective breeding isolated the S-POP phenotype from the transgene. In contrast to other animal models, the S-POP mouse does not require an obligatory antecedent event to manifest pelvic organ prolapse. Necropsy and imaging demonstrate significant displacement of the pelvic organs distal to the pelvic floor in both sexes. The appearance of the POP is similar to that seen in the human female phenotype. Preliminary breeding studies indicate an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. This mouse may be an effective animal model for the study of POP in humans.

Anatomic and structural evaluation of the hip: a cross-sectional imaging technique combining anatomic and biomechanical evaluations

To describe a technique of cross-sectional imaging of the adult hip designed to evaluate for anatomic anomalies that may predispose to internal derangement in addition to the routine anatomic assessment. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, MR arthrography, and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanning protocols utilize high-resolution imaging, and the surrounding anatomy is also assessed using these scanning techniques. Various measurements may be obtained to assess the overarching anatomic configuration including the caput caput collum diaphysis angle, the femoral angle of torsion, the acetabular angle of torsion, the center edge angle, and the femur length.