Anatomical Sciences Journal
Volume:17 Issue: 2, Summer-Autumn 2020

Anthropometric measurements are useful in the surgery and diagnosis of congenital diseases. Also, these measurements could promote clinical efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the anthropometric measurements of the right and left auricles and determine the dominant type among both sexes of the Iranian population.

The study included 400 people (200 males and 200 females) aged 20-30 years, in Bandar Abbas City (south of Iran). We measured nine anthropometric parameters on both sides, in this population.

In males, the mean values of the length of the auricle, the width of the auricle, the length of the concha, the width of the concha, cephalo-auricular angle, ear-skull distance, tragus-alar distance, nasal length, and the most common lobule shape were 59.86 mm, 30.71 mm, 24.32 mm, 17.83 mm, 57.63˚, 8.71 mm, 101.72 mm, 50.31 mm, and round lobule, respectively, while in females were 60.12 mm, 31.36 mm, 25.32 mm, 17.73 mm, 55.68˚, 8.40 mm, 101.36 mm, 40.76 mm, and round lobule, respectively. Also, we measured eight anthropometric parameters on both sides. The lop ear deformity rates in males and females were 10.5% and 7.8%, respectively. 

The shape and dimensions of auricle considerably differ between diverse populations because of ethnicity, race, gender, age, and the use of different measurement methods. Also, the present result showed that the auricle dimension of males was less than that of females, but it was more symmetric in male subjects.

Thyroid cancer is the most prevalent endocrine malignancy tumor, and its incidence is increasing. Chemotherapy drugs like Paclitaxel (PTX) are a common treatment for cancer; however, they have many adverse effects. Plants are a source of anticancer agents. The present study assessed the cytotoxic effects of hydro-alcoholic extract in comparison with those of paclitaxel on Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC) cell line.

PTC cell line was treated by different concentrations of extract and paclitaxel for 24, 48, and 72 h. Cytotoxicity was examined through Trypan blue and clonogenic assays. Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide (AO/EB) staining was used for detecting apoptotic cells. The observations were statistically tabulated and analyzed. 

The Trypan blue staining results suggested that hydro-alcoholic extract had a cytotoxic effect on PTC cells. Our results of AO/EB staining revealed that the hydro-alcoholic extract of Hull-Less Seed Pumpkin (HLSP) in the concentration of ≥100 μl/mL induced significant apoptosis in the PTC cultured cell (P<0.05). In addition, the AO/EB staining data suggested an increase in the number of apoptotic cells with increasing the concentration of extract and paclitaxel. The clonogenic assay results indicated a decrease in colonies by increasing the concentration. Comparing the groups treated by paclitaxel or HLSP extract, with the control group revealed significant differences between them (P<0.05).

The HLSP extract had a cytotoxic effect on the human PTC cell line. Based on the adverse effects of chemotherapy drugs, this extract can be considered as a beneficial agent for PTC treatment.

The current study aimed to identify and characterize primordial germ cells in the blood, genital ridge, and primary gonad in turkey. Besides, we described the histological characteristics of ovaries in the turkey embryo.

The embryos from stages 14 to 31 per Hamburger and Hamilton, were studied by the means of blood smear and serial sections from the whole-mount embryo. The primordial germ cells were identified by histochemical and immunostaining techniques.

The present research results suggested that these cells could be identified by their remarkably large size, large nuclei, and granules in the cytoplasm. At stages 20-21 of Hamburger and Hamilton, the alkaline phosphatase reaction was negative in these cells. Furthermore, the primordial germ cells could not be labeled by stage-specific antigen-1 antibody in the primary gonad. We observed that these cells provided negative or poorly positive staining with Alcian blue solution in the migration phase. The presence of glycogen in the cytoplasm of the primordial germ cells was verified using periodic acid-Schiff and Best’s Carmine methods. These cells were Best’s Carmine positive; however, they contained reduced amounts of glycogen in the primary gonad. 

The study findings demonstrated that the periodic acid-Schiff is the best method for identifying the turkey primordial germ cells in the blood and migration phase. Moreover, we reported the existence of histological differences between the right and left ovaries in the turkey embryo.

This research aimed to examine the impact of Grape Seed Extract (GSE) supplementation on fasting blood glucose level, insulin resistance, and serum lipid profile in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). 

Fifty individuals with and without PCOS were selected (GSE=25, & placebo=25) as the study participants. They received 400 mg/d of GSE (in the form of capsules) or placebo for 8 weeks. The samples of fasting blood glucose were collected in two stages of the beginning and end of the treatment. Total Cholesterol (TC), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Triglycerides (TG), Insulin-Resistance Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR), and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) were measured biochemically. For statistical analysis, Independent Samples t-test, Paired Samples t-test, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were used. 

GSE supplementation declined the levels of serum fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, TC, LDL, and weight. Additionally, HDL was elevated in the test group, compared to the controls (P<0.05). In comparison with the baseline values, the serum HOMA-IR and FBS levels were significantly decreased (P=0.005 & P=0.02, respectively). Besides, serum insulin level was increased in the GSE group. In the GSE group, the TG and Body Mass Index (BMI) were lower than the baseline values. In either category, no significant changes were detected in serum TC and LDL-C levels. 

Short-term GSE therapy provided beneficial therapeutic impacts on PCOS-positive women’s metabolic status (e.g., HOMA-IR); thus, this approach could be effective in PCOS complications management.

The anatomical variations of the brachial plexus are well documented. However, it is important to review the components of the brachial plexus, as it is significant in everyday clinical practices. The lateral pectoral and musculocutaneous nerves emerge from the lateral side of the lateral cord, in the brachial plexus. Before the piercing of the coracobrachialis muscle, the cord gives a muscular branch to this muscle from its lateral side. After sending muscular branches to biceps brachii and brachialis, the cord pierces the coracobrachialis muscle. Then, it courses downwards for a long distance at the middle of the arm into the lateral forearm skin; this branch is named as lateral forearm cutaneous nerve. The variations of the musculocutaneous nerve are extremely important for surgeons and radiologists, especially in the surgical explorations involving this region. In this study, we reported the absence of musculocutaneous nerve on the left side of a 25-year-old male cadaver. The case was detected during the routine dissection of the upper limb, in the dissection hall of the Bam University of Medical Sciences. The left median nerve supplied the coracobrachialis, biceps brachii, and brachialis, thereafter, it gave way to the lateral forearm cutaneous nerve, close to the elbow joint. These branches crossed the brachial artery to supply the muscles. This absence of musculocutaneous nerve and such type of variations are very rare during the embryologic development. Thus, the awareness of such variations helps for the diagnosis of the related neurological disorders and in surgical procedures.

The Anterior clinoid process (ACP) and middle clinoid process (MCP) are sometimes connected by an osseous bridge formed by the ossification of caroticoclinoid ligament (CCL), converting the distal end of the carotid sulcus into an ostium called the caroticoclinoid foramen (CCF). The internal carotid artery (ICA) passes through this foramen, which is developed due to the ossification of either the caroticoclinoid ligament or a dural fold present between anterior and middle clinoid processes and occasionally connecting posterior clinoid process (PCP) of the sphenoid bone. The presence of a bony CCF may compress ICA, leading to clinical implications by increasing the risks of ischemic and neurological disorders during surgical access by neurosurgeons. It may also affect the hypothalamus or induce neurological problems by compressing optic or oculomotor nerves, causing hormonal imbalances, visual problems, headache, behavioral changes, etc. Regarding the clinical significance of CCF, this study aimed to evaluate the anatomical relationship and morphology of the CCF to plan a safe and successful surgery on the middle cranial fossa.

The presence of ossified CCL was noticed in a dry human skull. The morphometry was performed by a manual caliper, and the detailed measurements of the CCL, CCF, ACP, and MCP dimensions were performed and recorded.

Considering these facts, detailed anatomical knowledge of this region is of clinical importance for neurosurgeons, neurophysicians, endocrinologists, and radiologists for radiological evaluations of the CCL and its treatment in the middle cranial fossa.

The growing awareness of differences in anatomical landmarks in the skull base can support the diagnosis and treatment of clinical complications related to the parasellar region.