Ventral Border Research Articles

Neuroectodermal Stem Cells Grafted into the Injured Spinal Cord Induce Both Axonal Regeneration and Morphological Restoration via Multiple Mechanisms.

Spinal cord contusion injury leads to severe loss of gray and white matter and subsequent deficit of motor and sensory functions below the lesion. In this study, we investigated whether application of murine clonal embryonic neuroectodermal stem cells can prevent the spinal cord secondary damage and induce functional recovery. Stem cells (NE-GFP-4C cell line) were grafted intraspinally or intravenously immediately or one week after thoracic spinal cord contusion injury. Control animals received cell culture medium or fibrin intraspinally one week after injury. Functional tests (Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan, CatWalk®) and detailed morphological analysis were performed to evaluate the effects of grafted cells. Stem cells applied either locally or intravenously induced significantly improved functional recovery compared with their controls. Morphologically, stem cell grafting prevented the formation of secondary injury and promoted sparing of the gray and white matters. The transplanted cells integrated into the host tissue and differentiated into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. In intraspinally grafted animals, the corticospinal tract axons regenerated along the ventral border of the cavity and have grown several millimeters, even beyond the caudal end of the lesion. The extent of regeneration and functional improvement was inversely related to the amounts of chondroitin sulphate and ephrin-B2 molecules around the cavity and to the microglial and astrocytic reactions in the injured segment early after injury. The grafts produced glial cell derived neurotrophic factor, macrophage inflammatory protein-1a, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in a paracrine fashion for at least one week. Treating the grafted cords with neutralizing antibodies against these four factors through the use of osmotic pumps nearly completely abolished the effect of the graft. The non-significant functional improvement after function blocking is likely because the stem cell derivatives settled in the injured cord. These data suggest that grafted neuroectodermal stem cells are able to prevent the secondary spinal cord damage and induce significant regeneration via multiple mechanisms.

Automatic feature group combination selection method based on GA for the functional regions clustering in DBS

Background and ObjectiveThe functional regions clustering through microelectrode recording (MER) is a critical step in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. The localization of the optimal target highly relies on the neurosurgeon's empirical assessment of the neurophysiological signal. This work presents an unsupervised clustering algorithm to get the optimal cluster result of the functional regions along the electrode trajectory. MethodsThe dataset consists of the MERs obtained from the routine bilateral DBS for PD patients. Several features have been extracted from MER and divided into groups based on the type of neurophysiological signal. We selected single feature groups rather than all features as the input samples of each division of the divisive hierarchical clustering (DHC) algorithm. And the optimal cluster result has been achieved through a feature group combination selection (FGS) method based on genetic algorithm (GA). To measure the performance of this method, we compared the accuracy and validation indexes of three methods, including DHC only, DHC with GA-based FGS and DHC with GA-based feature selection (FS) in other studies, on the universal and DBS datasets. ResultsResults show that the DHC with GA-based FGS achieved the optimal cluster result compared with other methods. The three borders of the STN can be identified from the cluster result. The dorsoventral sizes of the STN and dorsal STN are 4.45 mm and 2.02 mm. In addition, the features extracted from the multiunit activity, background unit activity and local field potential are found to be the most representative feature groups to identify the dorsal, d-v and ventral borders of the STN, respectively. ConclusionsOur clustering algorithm showed a reliable performance of the automatic identification of functional regions in DBS. The findings can provide valuable assistance for both neurosurgeons and stereotactic surgical robots in DBS surgery.

Clinical Evaluation of 660 nm Diode Laser Therapy on the Pain, Size and Functional Disorders of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis.

BACKGROUND:Minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (MiRAS) is one of the most common, recurrent, and painful mucosal pathological condition. It is characterised by round or shallow oval ulcers, less than 10 mm in diameter, surrounded by a thin erythematous halo. It involves non-keratinized mucosa such as the labial and buccal mucosa, the ventral surface or borders of the tongue and the floor of the mouth, but it is uncommon to occur on the keratinised mucosa. It heals spontaneously within 10-14 days without scarring. There is no curative remedy to prevent its recurrence; also, available modalities only reduce the symptoms and severity of the lesion.AIM:Since these lesions may be extremely painful, we decided to estimate the pain-relieving and healing properties of low energy level laser therapy using diode laser 660 nm on MiRAS.MATERIAL AND METHODS:Twenty healthy patients suffering from minor aphthous ulcers were randomly selected from the Out-Patient Clinic of Oral Medicine Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University. They were equally divided into two groups, study group who received 660 nm diode laser irradiation while the control group received placebo (sodium bicarbonate rinse). The visual analogue scale, size reduction, effectiveness indices and functional disorders were compared between the groups.RESULTS:Both groups presented a statistically significant difference from baseline to follow up periods. But, diode laser 660 nm treatment showed more remarkable improvements in reduction of healing time, pain and lesion size.CONCLUSION:We concluded that diode laser 660 nm should be further considered as an effective alternative therapeutic regimen to patients who suffer from recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Kyphoplasty of Osteoporotic Fractured Vertebrae: A Finite Element Analysis about Two Types of Cement.

If conservative treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures fails, vertebro- or kyphoplasty is indicated. Usually, polymethylmethacrylate cement (PMMA) is applied coming along with many disadvantageous features. Aluminum-free glass-polyalkenoate cement (GPC) appears to be a benefit alternative material. This study aimed at comparing the mean stress values in human vertebrae after kyphoplasty with PMMA and GPC (IlluminOss™) at hand of a finite element analysis. Three models were created performing kyphoplasty using PMMA or IlluminOss™, respectively, at two native, human lumbar vertebrae (L4) while one remains intact. Finite element analysis was performed using CT-scans of every vertebra. Moreover the PMMA-treated vertebra was used as a model as analyses were executed using material data of PMMA and of GPC. The unimpaired, spongious bone showed potentials of 0.25 MPa maximally. After augmentation stress levels showed fivefold increase, rising from externally to internally, revealing stress peaks at the ventral border of the spinal canal. At central areas of cement 1 MPa is measured in both types of cement. Around these central areas the von Mises stress decreased about 25-50% (0.5-0.75 MPa). If workload of 500 N was applied, the stress appeared to be more centralized at the IlluminOss™-model, similar to the unimpaired. Considering the endplates the GPC model also closely resembles the unimpaired. Comparing the PMMA-treated vertebral body and the GPC-simulation, there is an obvious difference. While the PMMA-treated model showed a central stress peak of 5 MPa, the GPC-simulation of the same vertebral body presents lower stress of 1.2-2.5 MPa. Finite element analysis showed that IlluminOss™ (GPC), used in kyphoplasty of vertebral bodies, creates lower level stress and strain compared to standardly used PMMA, leading to lower stress concentrations on the cranial and caudal vertebral surface especially. GPC appears to own advantageous biological and clinical relevant features.

Effect of Fear Extinction and Myocardial Infarction on Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Receptor 1 mRNA in Rostral Locus Coeruleus of Rats

We found that 8 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI) female, but not male rats showed deficits in extinction of conditioned fear (P<0.05). Small hairpin RNA‐mediated knockdown of corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRF1) around the rostral locus coeruleus (rLC) reversed deficits in fear extinction. Female and male rats subjected to MI and sham knockdown showed reduced CRF1 mRNA levels 24 hours after extinction training compared to sham MI/sham knockdown controls (P<0.01). CRF1 mRNA levels in the rLC region were directly related to the extent of freezing observed during extinction trials in rats subjected to sham knockdown (P<0.05). These findings suggest either that exposure to feared cues during extinction contributed to acute reductions in CRF1 mRNA in the rLC region, or that chronic reductions in CRF1 mRNA levels resulted from MI. Here, we determined if CRF1 mRNA levels in the rLC region were reduced after MI in male rats. Fresh frozen brains of rats exposed to coronary artery ligation (n=4) or sham surgery (n=3) 8 weeks prior to euthanasia were processed for fluorescent in situ hybridization. Brain sections containing the rLC were processed for detection of CRF1‐, vesicular glutamate transporter 2‐ (VGLUT2, a glutamatergic cell marker) and glutamate decarboxylase 2 mRNA (GAD2, a GABAergic cell marker). Assessments from the medial parabrachial nucleus to the lateral border of the posterodorsal tegmental nucleus and ventral border of Barrington's nucleus were performed. Cells were counted bilaterally and averaged within rat. No differences in CRF1 mRNA were observed between groups. A small number of CRF1 mRNA positive cells (39±6) close to the rLC did not show VGLUT2 or GAD2 mRNA label. Numbers of GAD2‐ (90±15) and VGLUT2 mRNA‐positive cells (365±30) did not differ between groups. CRF1‐ and VGLUT2 mRNA‐positive cells were found in high density in the medial parabrachial nucleus and in the lateral dorsal tegmental nucleus. CRF1‐ and GAD2 mRNA‐positive cells were found medially, near the posterodorsal tegmental nucleus. The percent of VGLUT2 mRNA‐positive cells (72±4) that co‐expressed CRF1 mRNA was greater than the percent of GAD2 mRNA‐positive cells that co‐expressed CRF1 mRNA (60±5, p<0.001). The integrated density of CRF1 mRNA fluorescence was greater in VGLUT2 mRNA‐positive cells than in GAD2 mRNA‐positive cells (P<0.05). The data indicate that CRF1 mRNA is expressed primarily by glutamatergic cells in the rLC region of the male rat and that reductions in CRF1 mRNA levels observed in the rLC region 24 hours after extinction in MI rats are likely due to stress responses during fear extinction rather than to chronic effects of MI.Support or Funding InformationCardiovascular Research Institute, Loyola University ChicagoThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Anatomy of the Proboscideal Nerve in the Proboscis of the African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)

The elephant proboscis (i.e., trunk), a unique muscular organ formed by the combined narial and upper lip region, is a complex muscular hydrostat adapted for a multitude of functions, including grasping, holding, and transporting objects, siphoning, holding, and spraying water, and communication. The proboscis has previously been described as containing tens of thousands of muscle fascicles, each working individually to help bend, curve, and curl the trunk in all directions at any point along its length. Although the muscular system of the proboscis has previously been described in some depth, the unique nervous innervation of the proboscis has been given minimal attention. Here, the previously frozen head of an adult female African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is dissected to investigate the anatomy of the neuromuscular anatomy of the proboscis in more depth. In addition to the complexity of interlacing muscle fascicles and the integrated connective tissues, we identified the proboscideal nerve, a large, 2.5 to 3 centimeter thick nerve that is unique to elephants. The proboscideal nerve is made up of the combined distal nerve fibers of the infraorbital branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V3) and zygomatic branch of the facial nerve (CN VII). Specifically, as the infraorbital branch of the maxillary nerve (carrying sensory innervation) exits the cranium through the infraorbital foramen, the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve (carrying motor innervation) runs along the ventral border of the zygomatic arch and joins the maxillary nerve rostrodorsal to the masseter muscle to form the proboscideal nerve. The proboscideal nerve then travels down the length of the proboscis transmitting small sensory and motor nerve fibers to all muscle fascicles and surrounding skin and tissue. Given this anatomy, fine‐tuned neuromuscular control and coordination of the individual nerve fibers are necessary to control the diverse movements that occur throughout the length of the proboscis. This specialized evolutionary adaptation helped shape a functionally innovative organ that grew, modified, and persisted throughout the course of proboscidean evolution.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Baalsaurus mansillai gen. et sp. nov. a new titanosaurian sauropod (Late Cretaceous) from Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina.

We describe a dentary of a new titanosaur sauropod, Baalsaurus mansillai, gen. et sp. nov. from the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia, Argentina. The material comes from the Portezuelo Formation, Neuquén Group. Titanosaur sauropods lower jaws are scarce and only nine taxa with dentaries have been described. There are two types of morphology in titanosaur dentaries; "L" shaped or "U" shaped based on the shape, without a phylogenetic issue. In this paper; we recognize a new taxa, Baalsaurus mansillai, represented by an "L" shaped dentary with three apomorphic characters that are not present in other taxa: dentary alveoli with 10 teeth in the anterior ramus, a ventrally and anteriorly inclined symphysis and a wide ventral Meckelian groove surrounded by a thin lamina that forms a keel on the ventral border of the dentary.

Repair of Bilateral Comminuted Mandibular Fractures in a 12-Week-Old Puppy Using Locking and Nonlocking Maxillofacial Reconstruction Plates

A 12-week-old male intact French bulldog presented to a university teaching hospital for bilateral comminuted caudal mandibular fractures following an altercation with another dog. The fractures were stabilized using locking and standard maxillofacial miniplates. The 8-week and 14-week postoperative reexaminations and radiographs revealed eventual bony healing and remodeling of both mandibular rami, but multiple complications associated with the miniplates were encountered. These included intraoral wound dehiscence, implant fracture, implant loosening, sequestrum formation, and an impacted right mandibular fourth premolar. Implant failure on the alveolar border in this case report was associated with the resorption and new bone deposition of the rostral/caudal ramus, respectively, associated with mandibular growth. An alternate surgical option would have been use of a longer, larger bridging plate placed on the ventral border without use of a dorsal plate to minimize these complications.

Assessment of nail unit structures by ultrasound in patients with psoriatic arthritis and their correlations with disease activity indices: a case-control study.

Ultrasound (USG) of nail was performed to assess, (1) morphological alterations of nail plates in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, (2) differences of nail unit parameters [nail bed thickness (NBT), nail matrix thickness (NMT) and nail plate distance (NPD)] in PsA patients from healthy controls (3) correlation of nail unit parameters with PsA disease activity indices. Total of 895 fingernails (448 nails of 45 PsA patients and 447 of 45 controls) were evaluated by USG. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), and Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) were calculated in PsA patients. Nail unit parameters were compared between two study groups. Correlation study was done between nail unit parameters and disease activity indices. All PsA patients showed ultrasound evidence of nail plate changes (87.95% of the total fingernails and 75.34% of the clinically normal nails). Loosening of the ventral nail plate border was most common (51.79%). Mean NBT (PsA: 0.19 ± 0.035cm, control: 0.17 ± 0.018cm, p = 0.003) and mean NMT (PsA: 0.32 ± 0.041cm, control: 0.28 ± 0.031cm, p = < 0.0001) were significantly increased in the PsA patients. Moderately positive correlation was observed between NAPSI score and mean NMT (Spearman r = 0.411, 95% confidence interval: 0.125-0.634, p = 0.005). USG evidence of nail plate alterations was frequent among PsA patients, even in clinically normal nails. Increased mean nail bed and matrix thickness were noted in PsA patients. Mean NMT had a moderately positive correlation with NAPSI score.

Granuloma formation associated with the ventral submandibular scent glands of rabbits: a case series

Two entire male rabbits were presented with soft tissue thickening of areas on the ventral submandibular border of their chins. Subsequent imaging and further examination, including surgical investigation, ruled out bone or dental involvement, and surgical excision with concurrent castration was curative. Histopathology revealed granuloma formation, apocrine gland hyperplasia, and perivascular dermatitis, with, in one case, perihidradenitis and evidence of coagulative necrosis of apocrine glands with presumed secondary bacterial colonisation. No further lesions were noted at follow-up 24 months later in either case.

Mapping movement, mood, motivation and mentation in the subthalamic nucleus.

The anatomical connections of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) have driven hypotheses about its functional anatomy, including the hypothesis that the precise anatomical location of STN deep brain stimulation (DBS) contributes to the variability of motor and non-motor responses across patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We previously tested the hypothesis using a three-dimensional (3D) statistical method to interpret the acute effects of unilateral DBS at each patient's clinically optimized DBS settings and active contact. Here, we report a similar analysis from a new study in which DBS parameters were standardized and DBS locations were chosen blind to clinical response. In 74 individuals with PD and STN DBS, STN contacts were selected near the dorsal and ventral borders of the STN contralateral to the more affected side of the body. Participants were tested off PD medications in each of three unilateral DBS conditions (ventral STN DBS, dorsal STN DBS and DBS off) for acute effects on mood, apathy, working memory, response inhibition and motor function. Voltage, frequency and pulse width were standardized, and participants and raters were blind to condition. In a categorical analysis, both dorsal and ventral STN DBS improved mean motor function without affecting cognitive measures. Ventral STN DBS induced greater improvement in rigidity and anxiety than dorsal STN DBS. In the 3D analysis, contact location was significant for body hypokinesia, rigidity and resting tremor, with the greatest improvement occurring with DBS in dorsal STN and zona incerta. The 3D results provide new, direct functional evidence for the anatomically derived model of STN, in which motor function is best represented in dorsal STN. However, our data suggest that functional segregation between motor and non-motor areas of the STN is limited, because locations that induced improvements in motor function and mood overlapped substantially.

Analysis of the distribution of spinal NOP receptors in a chronic pain model using NOP-eGFP knock-in mice.

The nociceptin/orphanin FQ opioid peptide (NOP) receptor system plays a significant role in the regulation of pain. This system functions differently in the spinal cord and brain. The mechanism by which the NOP receptor agonists regulate pain transmission in these regions is not clearly understood. Here, we investigate the peripheral and spinal NOP receptor distribution and antinociceptive effects of intrathecal nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) in chronic neuropathic pain. We used immunohistochemistry to determine changes in NOP receptor distribution triggered by spinal nerve ligation (SNL) using NOP-eGFP knock-in mice. Antinociceptive effects of intrathecal N/OFQ on SNL-mediated allodynia and heat/cold hyperalgesia were assessed in wild-type mice. NOP-eGFP immunoreactivity was decreased by SNL in the spinal laminae I and II outer, regions that mediate noxious heat stimuli. In contrast, immunoreactivity of NOP-eGFP was unchanged in the ventral border of lamina II inner, which is an important region for the development of allodynia. NOP-eGFP expression was also decreased in a large number of primary afferents in the L4 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of SNL mice. However, SNL mice showed increased sensitivity, compared to sham animals to the effects of i.t administered N/OFQ with respect to mechanical as well as thermal stimuli. Our findings suggest that the spinal NOP receptor system attenuates injury-induced hyperalgesia by direct inhibition of the projection neurons in the spinal cord that send nociceptive signals to the brain and not by inhibiting presynaptic terminals of DRG neurons in the superficial lamina.

Functional anatomy of the masticatory muscles in a caviomorph rodent, Cavia porcellus

Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) and other caviomorph rodents are hystricognaths. In hystricognaths, there is a groove for the pars reflexa of the superficial masseter in the ventral border of the mandible (Druzinsky, 2007). In the guinea pig (C. porcellus) the tendon of the pars reflexa has a dense connective tissue sesamoid that permits the tendon to glide through the groove. These South American hystricognaths are also hystricomorphs. The zygomatico‐mandibularis muscle originates on the snout and converges on a tendon that runs posteriorly through the infraorbital foramen. The tendon runs over the bony root of the zygomatic arch and turns inferiorly, to insert at the anterior end of the masseteric groove. A second sesamoid is found in this tendon, which allows the tendon to glide over the root of the zygomatic arch. Each of these elaborations of the masticatory muscles is a pinnate muscle that curves around a bony structure, acting as a pulley, and permitting the muscle to be longer than similar muscles in other mammals.To analyze the mechanics of the caviomorph masticatory apparatus we are creating a 3D model of the skull, jaw, and masticatory muscles through contrast enhanced micro‐CT. The head of an adult guinea pig was soaked in a solution of called iodine potassium iodide (I2KI) for several weeks and then scanned at Northeast Ohio College of Medicine using the Scanco vivaCT micro‐CT. The Materialize Mimics® Innovation Suite will be used to segment the bones, teeth, and muscles to capture the detailed morphology. Modeling of length‐tension relationships and mechanical advantage suggests that the pulley mechanisms of the masseter complex permit these muscles to be long, which allows them to have long excursions and produce significant forces at large gapes.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Borders of STN determined by MRI versus the electrophysiological STN. A comparison using intraoperative CT

BackgroundIt is unclear which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence most accurately corresponds with the electrophysiological subthalamic nucleus (STN) obtained during microelectrode recording (MER, MER-STN). CT/MRI fusion allows for comparison between MER-STN and the STN visualized on preoperative MRI (MRI-STN).ObjectiveTo compare dorsal and ventral STN borders as seen on 3-Tesla T2-weighted (T2) and susceptibility weighted images (SWI) with electrophysiological STN borders in deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s disease (PD).MethodsIntraoperative CT (iCT) was performed after each MER track. iCT images were merged with preoperative images using planning software. Dorsal and ventral borders of each track were determined and compared to MRI-STN borders. Differences between borders were calculated.ResultsA total of 125 tracks were evaluated in 45 patients. MER-STN started and ended more dorsally than respective dorsal and ventral MRI-STN borders. For dorsal borders, differences were 1.9 ± 1.4 mm (T2) and 2.5 ± 1.8 mm (SWI). For ventral borders, differences were 1.9 ± 1.6 mm (T2) and 2.1 ± 1.8 mm (SWI).ConclusionsDiscrepancies were found comparing borders on T2 and SWI to the electrophysiological STN. The largest border differences were found using SWI. Border differences were considerably larger than errors associated with iCT and fusion techniques. A cautious approach should be taken when relying solely on MR imaging for delineation of both clinically relevant STN borders.

A 3D form comparative analysis of the Neandertal glenoid fossa in the context of the genus Homo

Morphological differences between the Neandertal and modern human glenoid fossa are mostly attributed to functional factors. However, the intimate relationship between the pectoral girdle and the shape of the thorax on which it rests calls for a structural analysis of the morphology of the glenoid fossa. Using both 3D Geometric Morphometric techniques and classical osteometry we carry out an analysis of the morphology of Neandertal scapular glenoid fossa, considering the effects that independent parameters such as allometry, sexual dimorphism and laterality could exert on the glenoid fossa shape. We also discuss how the morphological configuration of the thorax together with other functional factors could explain some of the differences between Neandertals and H. sapiens, and we assess the morphological evolution of this structure in the context of the genus Homo. To this end, 3DGM methods were applied in a comparative framework including the new SD-2101 + specimen from the Sidrón site (Spain) dated to 49,000 years ago, other Neandertal, Homo sapiens, KNM-WT 15000 (Homo ergaster/erectus) and Pan troglodytes specimens. A total of 75 sliding semilandmarks were used to collect the morphology of the glenoid fossa. Morphological comparison and variability were assessed through principal component analysis. Our results confirm the metric and morphological features of the Neandertal scapular glenoid fossa and point to a multifactorial effect in the glenoid morphology. We also detect a morphological trait of the Neandertal glenoid fossa that has not been reported previously: the projection of the upper part of the ventral border shared with modern humans and influenced by structural factors related to the configuration of the rib cage and shoulder. These results are consistent with the evolutionary framework of the hominin glenoid fossa, with some morphological changes being caused by functional factors, and others by structural factors such as the configuration of the thorax.

Cold-Induced Thermogenesis and Inflammation-Associated Cold-Seeking Behavior Are Represented by Different Dorsomedial Hypothalamic Sites: A Three-Dimensional Functional Topography Study in Conscious Rats.

In the past, we showed that large electrolytic lesions of the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) promoted hypothermia in cold-exposed restrained rats, but attenuated hypothermia in rats challenged with a high dose of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a thermogradient apparatus. The goal of this study was to identify the thermoeffector mechanisms and DMH representation of the two phenomena and thus to understand how the same lesion could produce two opposite effects on body temperature. We found that the permissive effect of large electrolytic DMH lesions on cold-induced hypothermia was due to suppressed thermogenesis. DMH-lesioned rats also could not develop fever autonomically: they did not increase thermogenesis in response to a low, pyrogenic dose of LPS (10 μg/kg, i.v.). In contrast, changes in thermogenesis were uninvolved in the attenuation of the hypothermic response to a high, shock-inducing dose of LPS (5000 μg/kg, i.v.); this attenuation was due to a blockade of cold-seeking behavior. To compile DMH maps for the autonomic cold defense and for the cold-seeking response to LPS, we studied rats with small thermal lesions in different parts of the DMH. Cold thermogenesis had the highest representation in the dorsal hypothalamic area. Cold seeking was represented by a site at the ventral border of the dorsomedial nucleus. Because LPS causes both fever and hypothermia, we originally thought that the DMH contained a single thermoregulatory site that worked as a fever–hypothermia switch. Instead, we have found two separate sites: one that drives thermogenesis and the other, previously unknown, that drives inflammation-associated cold seeking.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cold-seeking behavior is a life-saving response that occurs in severe systemic inflammation. We studied this behavior in rats with lesions in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) challenged with a shock-inducing dose of bacterial endotoxin. We built functional maps of the DMH and found the strongest representation of cold-seeking behavior at the ventral border of the dorsomedial nucleus. We also built maps for cold-induced thermogenesis in unanesthetized rats and found the dorsal hypothalamic area to be its main representation site. Our work identifies the neural substrate of cold-seeking behavior in systemic inflammation and expands the functional topography of the DMH, a structure that modulates autonomic, endocrine, and behavioral responses and is a potential therapeutic target in anxiety and panic disorders.

Use of intraoperative local field potential spectral analysis to differentiate basal ganglia structures in Parkinson's disease patients.

Identification of brain structures traversed during implantation of deep brain‐stimulating (DBS) electrodes into the subthalamic nucleus (STN‐DBS) for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) frequently relies on subjective correspondence between kinesthetic response and multiunit activity. However, recent work suggests that local field potentials (LFP) could be used as a more robust signal to objectively differentiate subcortical structures. The goal of this study was to analyze the spectral properties of LFP collected during STN‐DBS in order to objectively identify commonly traversed brain regions and improve our understanding of aberrant oscillations in the PD‐related pathophysiological cortico‐basal ganglia network. In 21 PD patients, LFP were collected and analyzed during STN‐DBS implantation surgery. Spectral power for delta‐, theta‐, alpha‐, low‐beta‐, and high‐beta‐frequency bands was assessed at multiple depths throughout the subcortical structures traversed on the trajectory to the ventral border of STN. Similar to previous findings, beta‐band oscillations had an increased magnitude within the borders of the motor‐related area of STN, however, across several subjects, we also observed increased high‐beta magnitude within the borders of thalamus. Comparing across all patients using relative power, we observed a gradual increase in the magnitude of both low‐ and high‐beta‐frequency bands as the electrode descended from striatum to STN. These results were also compared with frequency bands below beta, and similar trends were observed. Our results suggest that LFP signals recorded during the implantation of a DBS electrode evince distinct oscillatory signatures that distinguish subcortical structures.

Clinical Application of Cone Beam Computed Tomography of the Rabbit Head: Part 2-Dental Disease.

Domestic rabbits are increasing in popularity as household pets; therefore, veterinarians need to be familiar with the most common diseases afflicting rabbits including dental disease. Current diagnostic approaches include gross oral examination, endoscopic oral examination, skull radiography, and computed tomography (CT). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), a new oral and maxillofacial imaging modality that has the capability to produce high-resolution images, has not yet been described for use in evaluating dental disease in rabbits. A total of 15 client-owned rabbits had CBCT, oral examination, dental charting, and dental treatment performed under general anesthesia. Images were evaluated using transverse and custom multiplanar (MPR), 3D, and panoramic reconstructed images. The CBCT findings were grouped into abnormalities that could be detected on conscious oral examination vs. abnormalities that could not be detected by conscious oral examination. Potential associations between the two categories were examined by pairwise Fisher’s exact test with statistical significance determined by P < 0.05. The most common findings identified on CBCT images were periodontal ligament space widening (14/15), premolar and molar malocclusion (13/15), apical elongation (13/15), coronal elongation (12/15), inflammatory tooth resorption (12/15), periapical lucency (11/15), moth-eaten pattern of osteolysis of the alveolar bone (9/15), ventral mandibular border contour changes (9/15), and missing teeth (8/15). Of the CBCT abnormalities likely to be observed on oral examination, coronal elongation (detectable on oral examination) was significantly associated with apical elongation (P = 0.029). There were no other significant associations between CBCT findings that are also clinically detectable and CBCT findings that are not be detectable on oral examination. This suggests that pathology often exists that is not apparent upon oral examination. This study establishes the common CBCT findings associated with dental disease in rabbits and demonstrates the feasibility of this technology to diagnose and plan treatment in dental disorders in this species.

New Optimal Needle Entry Angle for Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections: A Retrospective Study.

Objective: A cervical epidural steroid injection is one of the most commonly performed interventions to manage chronic neck pain and cervical radiculopathy. Despite its many severe complications, cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection (CTFESI) is a clinically necessary modality for managing neck pain and cervical radiculopathy. We aimed in this study to find a safer optimal needle entry angle to decrease the chance of an accidental vertebral artery (VA) puncture even with a proper needle entry angle and to visualize the target of the needle tip.Methods: This retrospective study included 312 patients with neck pain or cervical radiculopathy who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging scans for diagnosis and treatment. The first line was drawn from the midpoint of the two articular pillars and passed through the exact midline of the spinous process. The second line was drawn parallel to the ventral lamina line (conventional transforaminal approach line, CTAL). The third line was drawn parallel to the ventral margin at the midpoint of the superior articular process's ventral border (new transforaminal approach line, NTAL). The angle of intersection between the midline and CTAL versus with NTAL were measured from both sides (right and left) at C5-6, C6-7, and C7-T1 levels. Also, the distance of CTAL and NTAL from VA were measured from both sides at each level. We examined whether the CTAL and NTAL would penetrate the ipsilateral VA, internal carotid artery (ICA), and internal jugular vein (IJV).Results: There were significant differences between CTAL and NTAL angles at all levels (P < 0.001). There were significant differences between the distance of CTAL and NTAL from VA at all levels (P < 0.001). There were also significant differences between the observed frequency of CTAL and NTAL that would penetrate the major ipsilateral vessel (VA, ICA, and IJV) on all levels and sides (P < 0.001~0.030).Conclusion: The angle of NTAL (approximately 70°) is safer than the angle of CTAL (approximately 50°) when considering vascular injuries to vessels, such as the VA, ICA, and IJV.

Is the occurrence of a sigmoidal ventral border inCyprideis torosa(Jones) valves linked to salinity? A morphometrical analysis approach

The living euryhaline species Cyprideis torosa (Jones) undergoes morphometric variations in size, noding and sieve-pore shape linked to environmental parameters. In particular it is known that salinity values around 8–9‰ represent the osmoregulation threshold and the turning point between smaller and greater valves and prevailingly noded as opposed to un-noded valves. Here, a character never studied before is analysed: the relationship between salinity and the C. torosa valve outlines, especially the morphology of the ventral border. Geometric–morphometric analysis was carried out on different populations of C. torosa collected in oligohaline (Massaciuccoli marsh, Tuscany, and Lake Trasimeno, Umbria) and hyperhaline waterbodies (Trapani–Paceco salt pans, Sicily). The results indicate that the species displays two morphotypes: a dominant one, characterized by a straight ventral border; and a morphotype with a sigmoidal profile ventral border. This latter morphotype seems to be related to higher salinity: the oligohaline waters are characterized only by C. torosa individuals with straight ventral outline, while the hyperhaline environments are marked by the occurrence of 17.6% of sigmoidal individuals. Furthermore, the sigmoidal ventral border is more emphasized in males than in females.