A New Player in the Hippocampus: A Review on VGLUT3+ Neurons and Their Role in the Regulation of Hippocampal Activity and Behaviour

Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory amino acid in the central nervous system. Neurons using glutamate as a neurotransmitter can be characterised by vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs). Among the three subtypes, VGLUT3 is unique, co-localising with other “classical” neurotransmitters, such as the inhibitory GABA. Glutamate, manipulated by VGLUT3, can modulate the packaging as well as the release of other neurotransmitters and serve as a retrograde signal through its release from the somata and dendrites. Its contribution to sensory processes (including seeing, hearing, and mechanosensation) is well characterised. However, its involvement in learning and memory can only be assumed based on its prominent hippocampal presence. Although VGLUT3-expressing neurons are detectable in the hippocampus, most of the hippocampal VGLUT3 positivity can be found on nerve terminals, presumably coming from the median raphe. This hippocampal glutamatergic network plays a pivotal role in several important processes (e.g., learning and memory, emotions, epilepsy, cardiovascular regulation). Indirect information from anatomical studies and KO mice strains suggests the contribution of local VGLUT3-positive hippocampal neurons as well as afferentations in these events. However, further studies making use of more specific tools (e.g., Cre-mice, opto- and chemogenetics) are needed to confirm these assumptions.

Plant communities with Ulmus japonica (Rehd.) Sarg. in Eastern Transbaikalia

The article presents the data of long-term studies of communities with U. japonica in Eastern Transbaikalia, in particular, the results of anatomical studies, floristic, ecological and biological, biomorphological and arealogical analysis of the flora of elms.

Comparative anatomical studies on the cranial nerves of the fully formed embryos of the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Ostiechthyes-Cichlidae). I. Nervus glossopharyngeus

The organization of the roots, ganglia and the peripheral distribution of the cranial nerves of the fully formed embryos of Oreochromis niloticus are examined in the transverse serial sections. These nerves carry fibers, which were also analyzed. The results of this study demonstrated that the glossopharyngeal nerve originates by means of only one root, which leaves the cranium through the glossopharyngeal foramen. This nerve gives fibers (visceromotor) to the first internal and external levator arcus branchialis muscles. There is a single epibranchial (petrosal) ganglion located extracranially. Nervus glossopharyngeus has three rami; pharyngeus, pretramticus and posttrematicus. The ramus pharyngeus carries only viscerosensory fibers; general for the pharyngeal epithelium and special ones for the pseudobranch. General viscerosensory fibers are also carried by rami pretrematicus and posttrematicus for the pharyngeal epithelial lining. The special sensory fibers are carried by the ramus pretrematicus for the taste buds and by ramus posttrematicus for the gill filaments. The ramus pretrematicus also carries visceromotor fibers for the first adductor arcus branchialis and to the first obliquus ventralis muscles.

The Morphological and Anatomical Studies of The Aerial Parts of Abroma augusta L. from Semarang

Abroma augusta L. known as Devil’s cotton belongs to Malvaceae. The exploratory study aimed to study the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the aerial parts of A. augusta L. from Semarang. The transverse section of the aerial parts was made by a simple method (fresh preparation) and then observed under a binocular microscope with an optilab. All characteristics were observed and then compared with the references. The collected data were analyzed descriptively and quantitatively. In summary, the results showed that A. augusta L. was an evergreen shrub (small tree) with orthotropic and plagiotropic branches and polymorphous leaves. The inflorenscence was found in the terminal and axillar plagiotropic branching with bisex, actinomorphic, and pentamerous flowers. The fruit was unique (obconical capsule with a rounded base and truncate-tip with 5 angled wings) including cotton fibers and numerous black seeds. The petiole was composed of epidermis, collenchyma, cortical parenchyma, sclerenchyma, vascular bundle, mucilaginous ducts, and pith. The dorsiventral leaf was composed of upper and lower epidermis, palisade, and spongy parenchyma. The stomata type was ranunculaceous (anomocytic) while the guard cell was kidney-shaped. The stomata density on the abaxial leaf was higher than that of the adaxial leaf. The stellate and unicellular non-glandular trichomes, and capitate glandular trichomes were found abundantly on the petiole and leaf blade. These morphological and anatomical studies are important to support the identification as a part of the conservation effort of the plant. Further studies are recommended to investigate the root morphology and anatomy and also biochemical characteristics of each part of the plant in order to obtain complete plant identification.

Classification and Morphometric Features of Pterion in Thai Population with Potential Sex Prediction

Background and Objectives: The landmark for neurosurgical approaches to access brain lesion is the pterion. The aim of the present study is to classify and examine the prevalence of all types of pterion variations and perform morphometric measurements from previously defined anthropological landmarks. Materials and methods: One-hundred and twenty-four Thai dried skulls were investigated. Classification and morphometric measurement of the pterion was performed. Machine learning models were also used to interpret the morphometric findings with respect to sex and age estimation. Results: Spheno-parietal type was the most common type (62.1%), followed by epipteric (11.7%), fronto-temporal (5.2%) and stellate (1.2%). Complete synostosis of the pterion suture was present in 18.5% and was only present in males. While most morphometric measurements were similar between males and females, the distances from the pterion center to the mastoid process and to the external occipital protuberance were longer in males. Random forest algorithm could predict sex with 80.7% accuracy (root mean square error = 0.38) when the pterion morphometric data were provided. Correlational analysis indicated that the distances from the pterion center to the anterior aspect of the frontozygomatic suture and to the zygomatic angle were positively correlated with age, which may serve as basis for age estimation in the future. Conclusions: Further studies are needed to explore the use of machine learning in anatomical studies and morphometry-based sex and age estimation. Thorough understanding of the anatomy of the pterion is clinically useful when planning pterional craniotomy, particularly when the position of the pterion may change with age.

Foliar anatomical studies of Andropogon gayanus - Andropogon tectorum complex in Southwestern Nigeria

Foliar epidermal studies were carried out on accessions of Andropogon gayanus-Andropogon tectorum complex collected in Southwestern Nigeria with a view to providing additional characters of the two species of Andropogon to enhance the understanding of the taxonomic relationship between the two species. The epidermal preparation of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the leaf blade was made from the median part of well-matured leaf samples by the scrapping method. The analysis of both qualitative and quantitative characters revealed that study revealed that the costal zones of both adaxial and abaxial surfaces of all accessions studied showed similar features with little or no variation in their expression; epidermal cells are mostly rectangular with wavy walls, and the stomata encountered are paracytic. There was a unique occurrence of cluster of cells at the base of the macro hairs present in A. gayanus which is a diagnostic feature for its accessions collected. Kiwani, an unidentified polyploid accession, has the highest number of bands, the stomata are bigger, which is consistent with gigas effect occasioned by its polyploidy status. Glandular trichomes were present in both diploid and tetraploid of A. tectorum, a diagnostic feature for the species.

Optimized Thickness of Meniscal Component in Partial Knee Replacement Analysed with Computer Simulation

Computer simulation with programming and Matlab graphics was used to analyse effects of meniscal component thickness on lengths of ligament fibres in partially replaced human knee with uni-compartmental arthroplasty. A circular femoral, a flat tibial and a matching meniscal component were modelled in the sagittal plane with four intact ligaments represented as fibres that showed non-linear elastic behaviour. Shapes of the prosthetic components, attachments of the ligament fibres and their material properties were from anatomical studies in the literature. The components when placed on respective bones with surgical guidelines and an optimized thickness of the meniscal insert achieved nearly fixed lengths of ligament fibres during motion. Changes in thickness of the insert either stretched or slackened the fibres with variable effects during flexion of the joint. For example, a 2 mm thicker insert stretched a fibre of anterior cruciate ligament by 4.7% at 30° and 3.2% at 120° flexion. Such variations in component selection are probable due to surgical judgments. Stretched ligaments could increase joint stiffness, while slack ligaments could increase joint laxity – either of these effects has potential for affecting the joint kinematics. Computer models of the replaced knee validated with anatomical studies allow insight in the mechanics of the replaced knee and effects of surgical errors.

Root Canal Morphology and Configuration of the Mandibular Canine: A Systematic Review

The aim of this study was to systematically review the root canal morphology and configuration (RCC) of mandibular canines (MaCa). The review was registered in the PROSPERO database (ID-272297) and it was carried out following the PRISMA guidelines. Three electronic databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, Scopus) were searched. Randomized controlled trials, cross-sectional, cohort, comparative, evaluation and validation studies have been included. The anatomical quality assessment (AQUA) tool was used for a quality assessment of the anatomical studies. Of 910 studies retrieved from the systematic search, 28 studies investigating RCCs were included. Most MaCa were single-rooted (87.9–100%), while two-rooted MaCa were present up to 12.1%. The 1-1-1/1 (35.8–96.4%) was the most commonly reported RCC, followed by 2-2-1/1 (0.2–22.0%) and 1-2-1/1 (0.9–20.0%). A high frequency of 1-1-1/1 RCC in MaCa has been described. Most systematic review reports confirm that two-rooted MaCa are found considerably less frequently than single-rooted ones.