Trunk Ganglia Research Articles

Diabetic Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy: A Review of NLRP3 Inflammasome Complicity

Debilitating and often misdiagnosed cardiac autonomic neuropathy affects people with diabetes. Damage to the biggest sympathetic trunk ganglion of autonomic nerve fibers that innervate the heart and blood vessels, the superior cervical ganglion (SCG), is the cause of aberrant heart rate and vascular dynamics in people with diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy (DCAN). Mediating host immunological responses to microbial infection and cellular damage, inflammasomes are a class of cytosolic protein complexes that include NLRP3. This review compiled the findings of experimental investigations on DCAN and discussed their connection to the NLRP3 inflammasome’s involvement. SCG P2X7 receptor expression can be boosted by inflammation brought on by hyperglycemia, leading to nerve injury. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research on DCAN-related inflammation in animal models, especially in inflammasome. Currently, only IncRNAUC.360+ shRNA and Schisandrin B, prove to alleviate the pathogenesis. Therefore, more research into the causes and potential remedies for DCAN is necessary.

A comprehensive study of the abdominal ganglia part 2: Aorticorenal ganglia.

Investigation into reports of pain treatment for abdominal cancer and abdominal pain syndromes revealed the lack of human studies on some of the abdominal sympathetic ganglia. Recent studies on renal artery denervation therapy as treatment for resistant hypertension has made the aorticorenal ganglia of particular importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the location, morphology, interconnections, and histological nature of aorticorenal ganglia. We dissected nine abdominal cavities and harvested 37 aorticorenal ganglia. Hematoxylin and Eosin, and Masson's staining techniques were used to study the histological structure. Additionally, ganglia harvested from five individuals were stained with immunohistochemical techniques to test for tyrosine hydroxylase activity. All aorticorenal ganglia were located in proximity to the renal artery, and the majority were close to the vessel origin. Identification of multiple aorticorenal ganglia was the norm, and ranged from 2 to 4 on the left and 1 to 3 on the right. While the pattern of aorticorenal ganglia seemed to be unique in each individual case, the interconnections between these and other ganglia were vast. The aorticorenal ganglia shared direct connections with the celiac, gonadal, inferior mesenteric, and first lumbar sympathetic trunk ganglion. Contributions from the greater, lesser, and least thoracic splanchnic nerves were also observed. While the results of our study may not have direct clinical implications in isolation, the vast number of interconnections with the other abdominal ganglia may cause complications in procedures such as celiac ganglion block. In addition, aorticorenal innervation interruption may lead to hypotension.

Cover Image

The tardigrade brain is key to understanding the evolution of the central nervous systems in Panarthropoda. In this issue of the Journal of Morphology, Gross and coauthors (pp. 1298–1312) reinvestigated the central nervous system of the heterotardigrade Echiniscus testudo using immunohistochemistry to visualize the number and position of tracts, commissures, and neuropils. They document five major synapsinimmunoreactive domains along the body: a large unitary, horseshoe‐shaped neuropil in the head and four neuropils in the trunk ganglia, supporting the hypothesis that the dorsal brain is serially homologous with the ventral trunk ganglia. The cover image shows the dorsal part of the saddle shaped brain [anti‐synapsin immunolabeling (red) and nuclear counterstain (cyan)]. The centrally located synapsin‐rich region, corresponding to the central brain neuropil.

Expression pattern of CAPA/pyrokinin neuropeptide genes in Remipedia and silverfish: Rapid differentiation after gene duplication in early Hexapoda, followed by strong conservation of newly established features in insects

Only few genes are known from insects that encode multiple neuropeptides, i.e., peptides that activate different receptors. Among those are the capa and pk genes, which differentiated within Hexapoda following gene duplication. In our study, we focus on the early stages of differentiation of these genes. Specifically: (1) What was the expression pattern of the ancestral capa/pk gene, i.e., prior to gene duplication? (2) What is the expression pattern of capa and pk in silverfish, whose ancestors diverged from Pterygota more than 400 mya? Our results suggest the location and projection of CAPA immunoreactive Va cells in abdominal ganglia (trunk ganglia in Remipedia) are a plesiomorphic trait that was already present in the ancestor of Remipedia and Hexapoda. General features of serial homology such as location of cells bodies, contralateral projection of primary neurites, and presumed peripheral peptide release from segmentally arranged neurohemal release sites could be observed in Remipedia and silverfish, but also in all Pterygota studied so far. Differences are mainly in the specific location of these peripheral release sites. This hypothetical basic pattern of capa/pk neurons underwent modifications in the anterior ganglia of the ventral nerve cord already in Remipedia. In silverfish, as in all Pterygota studied so far, pk expression in the CNS is apparently restricted to the gnathal ganglia, whereas capa expression is typical of abdominal Va cells. Thus, differentiation in the expression pattern of capa and pk genes occurred early in the evolution of Hexapoda; likely soon after the appearance of two separate genes.

Organization of the central nervous system and innervation of cephalic sensory structures in the water bear Echiniscus testudo (Tardigrada: Heterotardigrada) revisited.

The tardigrade brain has been the topic of several neuroanatomical studies, as it is key to understanding the evolution of the central nervous systems in Panarthropoda (Tardigrada + Onychophora + Arthropoda). The gross morphology of the brain seems to be well conserved across tardigrades despite often disparate morphologies of their heads and cephalic sensory structures. As such, the general shape of the brain and its major connections to the rest of the central nervous system have been mapped out already by early tardigradologists. Despite subsequent investigations primarily based on transmission electron microscopy or immunohistochemistry, characterization of the different regions of the tardigrade brain has progressed relatively slowly and open questions remain. In an attempt to improve our understanding of different brain regions, we reinvestigated the central nervous system of the heterotardigrade Echiniscus testudo using anti-synapsin and anti-acetylated α-tubulin immunohistochemistry in order to visualize the number and position of tracts, commissures, and neuropils. Our data revealed five major synapsin-immunoreactive domains along the body: a large unitary, horseshoe-shaped neuropil in the head and four neuropils in the trunk ganglia, supporting the hypothesis that the dorsal brain is serially homologous with the ventral trunk ganglia. At the same time, the pattern of anti-synapsin and anti-tubulin immunoreactivity differs between the ganglia, adding to the existing evidence that each of the four trunk ganglia is unique in its morphology. Anti-tubulin labeling further revealed two commissures within the central brain neuropil, one of which is forked, and additional sets of extracerebral cephalic commissures associated with the stomodeal nervous system and the ventral cell cluster. Furthermore, our results showing the innervation of each of the cephalic sensilla in E. testudo support the homology of subsets of these structures with the sensory fields of eutardigrades.

The nerve supply of the mammary gland

Proper development and functioning of the mammary gland depends not only on hormones, but also on the nervous system. The aim of this paper was to summarize the existing knowledge on the innervation of the mammary gland in various mammalian species, including domestic animals. In general, the pattern of innervation of this gland is similar in all studied species, i.e. large farm animals, rodents, dogs and beavers, as well as humans. Using the pan-neuronal marker of neural structures PGP-9.5, it was found that the mammary gland is well supplied with nerve fibres. Very rich innervation was discovered in the nipple, and less numerous nerve endings were found in the parenchyma. Nerve fibres supply the skin, especially the nipple, and many nerve terminals are associated with blood vessels and smooth muscles throughout the organ. Immunohistochemical investigations have made it possible to distinguish two major subpopulations of nerve fibres supplying the mammary gland. One of them consists of putative sensory fibres expressing CGRP, SP, GAL and/or PACAP, and the other is presumably composed of adrenergic axons containing TH, DBH, SOM and/or VIP. Studies on the sources of innervation of the mammary gland have confirmed assumptions about the nature of the nerve fibres and have revealed that they derive from the spinal ganglia (DRG) and sympathetic trunk ganglia (SChG). In the rat, mammary gland-projecting (MGP) neurons were also found in the nodose ganglion. So far, the rat and the pig have been tested most comprehensively for the sources of the mammary gland innervation. The MGP sensory neurons were observed ipsilaterally in several consecutive DRG, suggesting that the same neurons supply several successive glands. In the case of the SChG, it was found that MGP neurons are located, among others, in the L1-L4 ganglia, which constitute a specific „mammary gland nerve centre”. Previous studies on the sources of nerve supply to female reproductive organs have revealed that the SChG L1-L4 ganglia also contain nerve cells that project to the ovary, fallopian tube and uterus. Some clinical implications of the mammary gland innervation are also discussed.

Ectopic sympathetic ganglia cells of the ventral root of the spinal cord: an anatomical study.

The sympathetic trunk ganglia contain the cell bodies of neurons. However, some patients who undergo sympathectomy can develop compensatory hyperhidrosis. To evaluate for ectopic pathways, the present anatomical study was performed. Ten adult cadavers underwent dissection of the spinal canal and removal of randomly selected ventral roots, which were submitted for histological analysis. Random ventral root samples were taken from cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral regions in each specimen. Each histological section was then analyzed and the presence or absence of sympathetic cells documented for level and position within the ventral root. Of all samples, a sympathetic nerve cell was found in 80% of ventral roots. At least one sympathetic cell was found in these 80%. Most sympathetic cells were found in the proximal one-third of the ventral root. Such cells were found at all spinal levels and no specific level within a vertebral region was found to house a greater concentration of these cells. No statistical significance was found when comparing sides or sex. Our study confirmed that sympathetic cells exist in the majority of human ventral roots. Such data might better explain various clinical presentations and postoperative complications/findings.

Bladder reinnervation by somatic nerve transfer to pelvic nerve vesical branches does not reinnervate the urethra.

AimsWe sought to determine whether somatic lumbar nerve transfer to the pelvic nerve's anterior vesical branch after sacral decentralization for detrusor muscle reinnervation also leads to aberrant innervation of the bladder outlet.MethodsTwenty‐six female mongrel hound dogs underwent transection of sacral dorsal and ventral spinal roots (ie, sacral decentralization). Immediately afterward, 12 received genitofemoral nerve transfer and 9 received femoral nerve branch transfer. Five were left sacrally decentralized. Controls included 3 sham‐operated and 6 unoperated. Eight months postsurgery, the bladder and urethra were injected with retrograde tracing dyes cystoscopically. After 3 weeks, detrusor and urethral pressures were assayed electrophysiologically immediately before euthanasia and characterization of neural reinnervation.ResultsElectrical stimulation of spinal cords or roots did not lead to increased urethral sphincter pressure in nerve transfer animals, compared with decentralized animals, confirming a lack of functional reinnervation of the bladder outlet. In contrast, mean detrusor pressure increased after lumbar cord/root stimulation. In sham/unoperated animals, urethral and bladder dye injections resulted in labeled neurons in sacral level neural structures (dorsal root ganglia [DRG], sympathetic trunk ganglia [STG], and spinal cord ventral horns); labeling absent in decentralized animals. Urethral dye injections did not result in labeling in lumbar or sacral level neural structures in either nerve transfer group while bladder dye injections lead to increased labeled neurons in lumbar level DRG, STG, and ventral horns, compared to sacrally decentralized animals.ConclusionPelvic nerve transfer for bladder reinnervation does not impact urethral sphincter innervation.

Endoscopic trans-esophageal submucosal tunneling surgery: A new therapeutic approach for diseases located around the aorta ventralis.

AIMTo assess the efficiency of endoscopic trans-esophageal submucosal tunneling surgery (EESTS) technique for diseases located around the aorta ventralis.METHODSNine pigs were assigned to EESTs. The procedures were as follows: First, a long esophageal submucosal tunnel was established. Second, full-thickness myotomy was created. Third, an endoscope was entered into the abdominal cavity through a muscle incision and the endoscope was around the aorta ventralis. Eventually, celiac trunk ganglion neurolysis, partial hepatectomy and splenectomy, partial tissue resection in the area of the posterior peritoneum, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) combined with lymph node dissection were performed. The animals were given antibiotics for 5 d and necropsied 7 d after surgery.RESULTSIn all surgeries, one pig died from intraperitoneal hemorrhage after doing partial splenectomy, while the other pigs were alive after successfully operating other surgeries. For surgery of celiac trunk ganglion damage, at necropsy, there was no exudation in the abdominal cavity. Regarding surgery of partial hepatectomy, the wound with part healing was observed in the left hepatic lobe, and no bleeding or obvious exudation was seen. In surgery of partial splenectomy, massive hemorrhage was observed on the splenic wound surface, and the metal clips could not stop bleeding. After surgery of retroperitoneal tissue resection, mild tissue adhesion was observed in the abdominal cavity of one animal, and another one suffered from severe infection. For surgery of ESD and lymph node dissection, a moderate tissue adhesion was observed.CONCLUSIONEESTS is a feasible and safe technique for diseases located around the aorta ventralis.

Clarification of the Innervation of the Bladder, External Urethral Sphincter and Clitoris: A Neuronal Tracing Study in Female Mongrel Hound Dogs.

Many studies examining the innervation of genitourinary structures focus on either afferent or efferent inputs, or on only one structure of the system. We aimed to clarify innervation of the bladder, external urethral sphincter (EUS) and clitoris. Retrograde dyes were injected into each end organ in female dogs. Spinal cord, mid-bladder, and spinal, caudal mesenteric, sympathetic trunk and pelvic plexus ganglia were examined for retrograde dye-labeled neurons. Neurons retrogradely labeled from the bladder were found primarily in L7-S2 spinal ganglia, spinal cord lateral zona intermedia at S1-S3 levels, caudal mesenteric ganglia, T11-L2 and L6-S2 sympathetic trunk ganglia, and pelvic plexus ganglia. The mid-bladder wall contained many intramural ganglia neurons labeled anterogradely from the pelvic nerve, and intramural ganglia retrogradely labeled from dye labeling sites surrounding ureteral orifices. Neurons retrogradely labeled from the clitoris were found only in L7 and S1 spinal ganglia, L7-S3 spinal cord lateral zona intermedia, and S1 sympathetic trunk ganglia, and caudal mesenteric ganglia. Neurons retrogradely labeled from the EUS were found in primarily at S1 and S2 spinal ganglia, spinal cord lamina IX at S1-S3, caudal mesenteric ganglia, and S1-S2 sympathetic trunk ganglia. Thus, direct inputs from the spinal cord to each end organ were identified, as well as multisynaptic circuits involving several ganglia, including intramural ganglia in the bladder wall. Knowledge of this complex circuitry of afferent and efferent inputs to genitourinary structures is necessary to understand and treat genitourinary dysfunction. Anat Rec, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Striated Perineal Muscles: Location of Somatic and Autonomic Neurons Projecting to the Male Pig Ischiocavernous Muscle. Neurochemical Features of the Sympathetic Subset.

The location, number and size of the central and peripheral neurons innervating the ischiocavernous muscle (ICM) were studied in male pigs by means of Fast Blue (FB) retrograde neuronal tracing. Moreover the immunohistochemical properties of the sympathetic ganglia were investigated combining the double immunolabeling method. After injection of FB into the left ICM, a mean number of 245.3 ± 134.9 labeled neurons were found in the ipsilateral ventral horn of the S1-S3 segments of the spinal cord (SC), 129.7 ± 45.5 in the L6-S3 ipsilateral and S2-S3 contralateral spinal ganglia (SGs), 2279.3 ± 622.1 in the ipsilateral L2-S2 and contralateral L5-S2 sympathetic trunk ganglia (STGs), 541.7 ± 158 in the bilateral caudal mesenteric ganglia (CMGs), and 78.3 ± 35.8 in the microganglia of the pelvic plexus (PGs). The mean area of the ICM projecting neurons was 1217 ± 69.7 μm2 in the SC, 2737.5 ± 176.5 μm2 in the SGs, 982.8 ± 36.8 μm2 in the STGs, 865.9 ± 39.14 μm2 in the CMGs and 426.2 ± 24.72 μm2 in the PGs. The FB positive neurons of autonomic ganglia contained Dopamine β hydroxylase, vesicular acetylcholine transporter, neuronal nitric oxyde sinthase, calcitonine gene related peptide, leu-enkephaline, neuropeptide Y, substance P, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and somatostatine often colocalized with tyrosine hydroxylase. The particular localization of the motor somatic nucleus, the abundant autonomic innervation and the qualitatively different content of ICM projecting sympathetic neurons suggest a complex regulation of this striated muscle involved in involuntary functions, such as the erection, ejaculation, micturition and defecation. Anat Rec, 301:837-848, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Hypothesis for the Composition of the Tardigrade Brain and its Implications for Panarthropod Brain Evolution.

Incredibly disparate brain types are found in Metazoa, which raises the question of how this disparity evolved. Ecdysozoa includes representatives that exhibit ring-like brains-the Cycloneuralia-and representatives that exhibit ganglionic brains-the Panarthropoda (Euarthropoda, Onychophora, and Tardigrada). The evolutionary steps leading to these distinct brain types are unclear. Phylogenomic analyses suggest that the enigmatic Tardigrada is a closely related outgroup of a Euarthropoda + Onychophora clade; as such, the brains of tardigrades may provide insight into the evolution of ecdysozoan brains. Recently, evolutionarily salient questions have arisen regarding the composition of the tardigrade brain. To address these questions, we investigated brain anatomy in four tardigrade species-Hypsibius dujardini, Milnesium n. sp., Echiniscus n. sp., and Batillipes n. sp.-that together span Tardigrada. Our results suggest that general brain morphology is conserved across Tardigrada. Based on our results we present a hypothesis that proposes direct parallels between the tardigrade brain and the segmental trunk ganglia of the tardigrade ventral nervous system. In this hypothesis, brain neuropil nearly circumscribes the tardigrade foregut. We suggest that the tardigrade brain retains aspects of an ancestral cycloneuralian brain, while exhibiting ganglionic structure characteristic of euarthropods and onychophorans.

Ganglia in trunk of lingual nerve – A case report

Ganglia in trunk of lingual nerve – A case report

Immunohistochemical Properties of the Peripheral Neurons Projecting to the Pig Bulbospongiosus Muscle.

Retrograde neuronal tracing and single labelling immunofluorescence methods were used to define the neurochemical content of the peripheral autonomic and sensitive neurons projecting to the male pig striated bulbospongiosus muscle (BSM). The retrograde fluorescent neuronal tracer Fast Blue (FB) was injected into the left bulbospongiosus muscle of four intact impuberal pigs. After a 10-day survival time, the ipsilateral sacral sympathetic trunk ganglia (STGs), the caudal mesenteric ganglion (CMG), and the sacral spinal ganglia (SGs) were collected from each animal. In FB+ neurons of these ganglia, the presence of cathecolamine- (tyrosine hydroxylase-TH), acetylcholine- (vesicular acetylcholine transporter-VChAT), or nitric oxide-synthesizing (neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase-nNOS) enzymes and of some biologically active peptides (calcitonine gene-related peptide-CGRP, Leu-Enkephaline-LENK, Neuropeptide Y-NPY, Substance P-SP and Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide-VIP) were studied. The ipsilateral STGs FB+ neurons showed immunoreactivity principally for TH and NPY and in decreasing order for VIP, VChAT, SP, CGRP, nNOS, and LENK. The left CMG FB+ neurons were immunoreactive to TH and NPY, and in smaller proportions for VIP, LENK, VChAT, CGRP, nNOS, and SP. The ipsilateral SGs FB+ neurons resulted immunoractive for CGRP, LENK, NPY, nNOS, SP, and VChAT. The heterogeneous neurochemical content of the peripheral neurons projecting to the pig BSM allows us to hypothesize the involvement of autonomic ganglia in the activity of both blood vessels and striated fibers of the muscle and the involvement of sensory ganglia in the afferent transmission from the muscle to spinal cord and in antidromic mechanisms that causes the relaxation of the BSM blood vessels. Anat Rec, 299:1192-1202, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The central nervous system of ascidian larvae.

Ascidians are marine invertebrate chordates. Their tadpole larvae contain a dorsal tubular nervous system, resulting from the rolling up of a neural plate. Along the anterior-posterior (A-P) axis, the central nervous system (CNS) is organized into a sensory vesicle, neck, trunk ganglion, and tail nerve cord and consists of approximately only 330 cells, of which around 100 are thought to be neurons. The organization of distinct neuronal cell types and neurotransmitter gene expression within the CNS has been described. The unique developmental mode of ascidians, with a small number of cells and a fixed cell division pattern, allows individual cells to be traced throughout development. This feature has led to the complete documentation of the cell lineages of certain cell types in the CNS. Thus, a step-by-step understanding of nervous system development from the initial stages of neural induction to the neurogenesis of individual neurons is a feasible goal. The genetic control of neural fate induction and early neural plate patterning are now well understood. The molecular mechanisms specifying the cholinergic neurons of the trunk ganglion as well as the pigment cells of the sensory organs are also well elucidated. In addition, studies have begun on the morphogenetic processes of neurulation. Remaining challenges include building an embryonic atlas integrating gene expression patterns, cell lineage, and neuronal cell types as well as developing the gene regulatory networks of cell fate specification and integrating them with the genetic control of morphogenesis. WIREs Dev Biol 2016, 5:538-561. doi: 10.1002/wdev.239 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

Risk factors of cholecystitis after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer

To investigate the risk factor of cholecystitis after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Clinicpathological data of 553 gastric cancer patients with normal gallbladders undergoing radical gastrectomy in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between March 2013 and March 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis were applied to evaluate factors influencing the cholecystitis after radical gastrectomy using log-rank and logistic regression model. There were 360 males and 193 females with a median age of 60 years. All patients were followed up from 6 months to 2 years. The incidence of cholecystitis after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer was 33.1%(183/553), while incidence of cholecystolithiasis was 4.9%(27/553). In addition, the cholecystitis incidence of patients with No.12 lymph node cleaning was 39.6%(89/225), while with No.8a lymph node cleaning was 38.0%(151/397), with No.5 lymph node cleaning was 38.0%(68/179), with No.7 lymph node cleaning was 34.4%(138/402), with No.9 lymph node cleaning was 34.7%(136/392). Univariate log-rank test indicated that the lymphadenectomy of No.8a(χ(2)=15.530, P=0.000), No.12 group(χ(2)=7.157, P=0.007) and surgical methods (χ(2)=7.427, P=0.024) were significantly associated with cholecystitis after radical gastrectomy. Multivariate analysis showed that the lymphadenectomy of No.8a was independent factor of cholecystitis after radical gastrectomy (OR=2.016, 95% CI:1.244 to 3.267, P=0.004). Vagal nerve trunk and sympathetic ganglion should be protected carefully during No.8a lymphadenectomy in radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, in order to reduce the incidence of postoperative cholecystitis.

Neurochemical features of the autonomic neurons projecting to the cremaster muscle of the boar.

The cremaster muscle (CM) is a striated muscle showing some unusual features for ordinary striated muscles, in fact it receives, besides somatic innervation, a conspicuous autonomic sympathetic innervation. The autonomic neurons associated with the CM of 4 male intact pigs were typified combining the retrograde nontrans-synaptic fluorescent tracer Fast Blue (FB) and double labeling immunohistochemical methods. We collected the L4 sympathetic trunk ganglion (STG), that our preliminary studies proved to contain the highest number (575.5 ± 152.93; mean ± S.E.M., n = 4) of FB+ sympathetic neurons projecting to CM. About half of the CM projecting neurons of this ganglion were catecholaminergic and showed the colocalization of Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH) with Neuropeptide Y (NPY), Leu-Enkephaline (LENK), Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP), Calcitonine Gene Related Peptide (CGRP), Substance P (SP), neuronal Nitric Oxyde Sinthase (n-NOS), and Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter (VAChT). The noncatecholaminergic neurons were immunoreactive for all the other markers tested, even if in small percentages. The conspicuous and heterogeneous contribution of the sympathetic autonomic neurons to the muscle innervation is consistent with the hypothesis of a possible origin of the CM fibers by transdifferentiation of the smooth muscle-like gubernaculum mesenchyma into striated myotubes, suggesting that the cremaster myogenesis is independent from that of the abdominal muscles.

Neural development in the tardigrade Hypsibius dujardini based on anti-acetylated α-tubulin immunolabeling

BackgroundThe tardigrades (water bears) are a cosmopolitan group of microscopic ecdysozoans found in a variety of aquatic and temporarily wet environments. They are members of the Panarthropoda (Tardigrada + Onychophora + Arthropoda), although their exact position within this group remains contested. Studies of embryonic development in tardigrades have been scarce and have yielded contradictory data. Therefore, we investigated the development of the nervous system in embryos of the tardigrade Hypsibius dujardini using immunohistochemical techniques in conjunction with confocal laser scanning microscopy in an effort to gain insight into the evolution of the nervous system in panarthropods.ResultsAn antiserum against acetylated α-tubulin was used to visualize the axonal processes and general neuroanatomy in whole-mount embryos of the eutardigrade H. dujardini. Our data reveal that the tardigrade nervous system develops in an anterior-to-posterior gradient, beginning with the neural structures of the head. The brain develops as a dorsal, bilaterally symmetric structure and contains a single developing central neuropil. The stomodeal nervous system develops separately and includes at least four separate, ring-like commissures. A circumbuccal nerve ring arises late in development and innervates the circumoral sensory field. The segmental trunk ganglia likewise arise from anterior to posterior and establish links with each other via individual pioneering axons. Each hemiganglion is associated with a number of peripheral nerves, including a pair of leg nerves and a branched, dorsolateral nerve.ConclusionsThe revealed pattern of brain development supports a single-segmented brain in tardigrades and challenges previous assignments of homology between tardigrade brain lobes and arthropod brain segments. Likewise, the tardigrade circumbuccal nerve ring cannot be homologized with the arthropod ‘circumoral’ nerve ring, suggesting that this structure is unique to tardigrades. Finally, we propose that the segmental ganglia of tardigrades and arthropods are homologous and, based on these data, favor a hypothesis that supports tardigrades as the sister group of arthropods.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13227-015-0008-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Influence of sympathectomy on human peripheral nerve regeneration after autoneuroplasty

86 patients with posttraumatic defects of the median and ulnar nerves were examined. Autoneuroplasty was performed in all patients: in 42 patients, in combination with sympathectomy (thoracoscopic clipping of the Th3–Th4 sympathetic trunk ganglia); in 44 patients, without sympathectomy. Ultrasonography of nerve trunks, stimulation electroneuromyography, computer thermography, and laser Doppler flowmetry with a spectral wavelet analysis of blood flow oscillations were used in the examination. It was demonstrated that sympathectomy has a positive activating effect on the recovery of innervation and tissue trophism in the process of posttraumatic regeneration of peripheral nerves. A combination of autoneuroplasty with sympathectomy promotes a more complete recovery of motor and sensory nerve fibers, normalization of blood flow in the microvascular bed, and thermal topography of the damaged limb segment, including those in the area of previously denervated tissues.

Neuroanatomy and clinical analysis of the cervical sympathetic trunk and longus colli.

Anterior cervical surgery is commonly used for cervical vertebral body lesions. However, the structure of blood vessels and nerve tissues along the route of anterior cervical surgery is complex. We aimed to measure the data of the longus colli, the sympathetic trunk and the cervical sympathetic trunk (CST) ganglia in Chinese cadaver specimens. A total of 32 adult cadavers were studied. We delineated the surgical anatomy of the CST. The superior and inferior/cervicothoracic ganglia of the sympathetic trunk consistently appeared. The middle ganglion was observed in 28.1% of the specimens and there were 2 cases of unilateral double middle cervical ganglia. The inferior ganglion was observed in 25.0% of the specimens and the cervicothoracic ganglion was observed in the remaining specimens. The distance between the CST gradually decreased from the top to the bottom, and the distance between the medial edges of the longus colli gradually broadened from the top down. The average angle between the bilateral CST and the midline of the vertebra was 11.2°±1.8° on the left side and 10.3°±1.4° on the right side. The average angle between the medial margins of longus colli of both sides was 11.1°±1.9°. The CST is at high risk when LC muscle is cut transversely or is dragged heavily, especially at the levels of C6 and C7. Awareness of the regional anatomy of the CST could help surgeons to identify and preserve it during anterior cervical surgeries.