Anatomical study on variable disposition of structures in the renal hilum

Background: The hilum is a deep vertical fissure present anteromedially in the kidney, and contains renal vessels and pelvis. Due to advancements in imaging techniques; nephron sparing surgeries like laparoscopic partial nephrectomy have become more common. In these procedures, only specific branch of renal artery, and tributary of renal vein are ligated in the renal hilum. This requires adequate skill of the surgeon as the structures are crowded in the renal hilum. The knowledge of arrangement of renal hilar structures is also important for radiologists to correctly interpret renal angiograms and other radiological scans.Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of anatomy, Vardhman Mahavir medical college, New Delhi on 64 kidneys derived from embalmed human cadavers. The renal hilum was dissected and the sequence of structures from anterior to posterior direction was noted.Results: The kidneys were classified in 6 patterns, with the classical pattern (renal vein, artery and pelvis from anterior to posterior) observed in 37.5% cases only. Remaining 62.5% cases exhibited variations, of which the pattern 2 (V-A1-P-A2) was seen in maximum cases (26.5%).Conclusions: The classical pattern described in anatomical textbooks is not the only pattern of arrangement of renal hilar structures. Instead, variant patterns are commonly encountered. The present study attempts to elucidate the variant anatomy of the renal hilar region to help radiologists and surgeons in proper diagnosis and treatment.

Morphoanatomical and histochemical study of seeds of four species of Swartzia (Fabaceae - Papilionoideae) at Tupé Sustainable Development Reserve AM/Brazil

Background: In Brazil, Swartzia Schreb. occurs in almost all phytogeographic domains, but the greatest richness of species is concentrated in the Amazon. Question: What are the morphological and anatomical variations of the seeds of species of the Swartzia? Studied species: Swartzia laevicarpa, Swartzia macrocarpa, Swartzia recurva, and Swartzia sericea. Study site and dates: The species were collected in the Sustainable Development Reserve of Tupé - AM Brazil, in 2017 and 2018. Methods: Cross-sections of the seed coat were cut, to observe the characteristics of the seed coat in the hilar region and opposite it. Histochemical tests were performed on the cross-sections of fresh samples, to verify ergastic substances present in the aril, seed coat and cotyledons. Results: The seeds have a smooth and membranous seed coat, partially covered by a spongy aril in Swartzia recurva, filamentous in S. laevicarpa, S. sericea, and S. macrocarpa. Linear hylum, imperceptible micropyle, cryptoradicular embryo, fleshy cotyledons, containing starch, lipids, alkaloids, protein and the rudimentary plumule. Conclusions: Morphological characteristics of the seed, such as shape, color, consistency of the aril and size of the hilum, are important diagnostic characters in the recognition of this species in the field, through its respective seeds; in the same way, the information on soil seed bank is expanded. The presence of fleshy cotyledons indicates and adaptation to the type of environment in which these species occurs, while the knowledge of ergastic substances present in the aril, seed coat and cotyledons, contributes to the understanding of their germinative processes.

Identification of the initial water-site and movement in Gleditsia sinensis seeds and its relation to seed coat structure

Background Water uptake is essential for seed germination. However, Gleditsia sinensis seeds have a water-impermeable seed coat, which is beneficial for its adaption to the environment, but prohibits its germination without treatment. This feature may be associated with the structure of the seed coat. Thus, the aim of this research was to identify and describe the initial water uptake site and water movement and to determine the relationship between seed coat structure and water absorption. Results A water temperature of 80 °C was optimal to break the hardseededness of G. sinensis seeds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the seed coat consisted of a palisade layer and light line that can hinder water entry into the seed. Also, a structure of vascular bundles existed in the hilar region. Hot water treatment caused the tightly closed micropyle to open and the cavity beneath it expanded; the layer of palisade cells in the lens was raised. The embryo dye-tracking tests showed that the radicle tip was the initial region to be stained red. After staining for 24 h, the red-stained area on the vascular bundle side of cotyledon was more extensive than that on the other side. Further studies by MRI maps indicated that the micropyle was the initial site for water imbibition. Some water then migrated along the space between the seed coat and the endosperm to the chalazal; simultaneously, the rest of the water reached the embryonic axis and spread into cotyledons. The maps of 20–24 h showed that water was unevenly distributed within the cotyledons in a way that the edge parts were more hydrated than the center. Blocking tests showed that the hilar region was the initial and an important region during seed imbibition. The medial region and chalazal portion were capable of imbibing water when the hilar region was blocked, but water absorption was later and slower than that through the hilar region. Conclusion MRI technology provides a promising and non-invasive technique to identify the water gap and the path of water movement in the seed. Combined with the results of SEM, the relation between seed coat and its imbibition can be inferred.

Pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma of colonic mesentery: an unusual cause of lower GI bleed - case report and literature review

Mesenteric masses are infrequent lesions ranging from benign cyst to aggressive malignancies and often present as diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The mesentery is a frequent recipient of metastasis from the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and biliary cancers. Primary mesenteric tumours are relatively rare, mostly mesenchymal in origin and benign in nature. Examples include gastrointestinal stromal tumours and smooth muscle tumours. Pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma of mesocolon is extremely rare with a reported incidence of 1:350,000. So accurate preoperative diagnosis of mesenteric soft tissue tumours is generally difficult. It accounts for less than 1% of the malignant tumours found in colon. Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant tumour arising from smooth cell lineage. These tumours occur most commonly in middle aged individuals. We describe a case of pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma arising from the colonic mesentery in a 27-year-old male patient, with massive lower gastrointestinal bleed (LGI bleed) causing drop in haemoglobin level from 9 mg/dl to 6 mg/dl. Ultrasonography and CECT abdomen suggestive of (17.5×11.6×10.6) cm mass in left side upper abdomen in splenic hilar region. Left hemicolectomy with excision of mass with splenectomy and distal pancreatectomy done. The diagnosis was based on histopathological evaluation using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Histopathological report suggestive of pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma with SMA and vimentin positivity on immunohistochemistry but CD 34 and CD 117 were negative, differentiating it from GIST.

Identification of the Initial Water-Site and Movement in Gleditsia Sinensis Seeds and Its Relation to Seed Coat Structure

Background : Water uptake is essential for seed germination. However, Gleditsia sinensis seeds have a water-impermeable seed coat, which is beneficial for its adaption to the environment, but prohibits its germination without treatment. This feature may be associated with the structure of the seed coat. Thus, the aim of this research was to identify and describe the initial water uptake site and water movement and to determine the relationship between seed coat structure and water absorption. Results: A water temperature of 80 °C was optimal to break the hardseededness of G. sinensis seeds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the seed coat consisted of a palisade layer and light line that can hinder water entry into the seed. Also, a structure of vascular bundles existed in the 8hilar region. Hot water treatment caused the tightly closed micropyle to open and the cavity beneath it expanded; the layer of palisade cells in the lens was raised. The embryo dye-tracking tests showed that the radicle tip was the initial region to be stained red. After staining for 24 h, the red-stained area on the vascular bundle side of cotyledon was more extensive than that on the other side. Further studies by MRI maps indicated that the micropyle was the initial site for water imbibition. Some water then migrated along the space between the seed coat and the endosperm to the chalazal; simultaneously, the rest of the water reached the embryonic axis and spread into cotyledons. The maps of 20-24 h showed that water was unevenly distributed within the cotyledons in a way that the edge parts were more hydrated than the center. Blocking tests showed that the hilar region was the initial and an important region during seed imbibition. The medial region and chalazal portion were capable of imbibing water when the hilar region was blocked, but water absorption was later and slower than that through the hilar region. Conclusion: MRI technology provides a promising and non-invasive technique to identify the water gap and the path of water movement in the seed. Combined with the results of SEM, we can infer the relation between seed coat and its imbibition.

Renal morphological description of brown brocket deer, Mazama gouazoubira, Fisher 1814 (Artiodactyla; cervidae)

The brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) is a deer that lives in South America, particularly in Brazil and nearby countries such as Uruguay and Argentina. This study aimed to describe the topography, morphology, wraps and renal arterial segments of brocket deer. Used two specimens of M. gouazoubira; through dissection, the skin was completely removed and later scored the arteries of animals with stained latex red later the animals were fixed in a formaldehyde solution 10%. Sequentially through a ventral access block was removed from the animal gut and kidneys disjoint this block. The right kidney located at the level of the vertebrae L1-L3 and the left kidney at the level of vertebrae L2-L4 were presented rounded with smooth convex faces without lobation, wrapped sequentially by a thin fibrous capsule, the renal fat and fascia capsule. Medial to each kidney, the adrenal glands were. Renal artery forked in the hilar region in the cranial and caudal artery sectoral and one of these sectoral arteries (cranial and caudal) originated five main segments directed to the ventral region and the dorsal region each kidney, these segments are again bifurcated arterial segments totaling 14. Microscopically the kidneys presented similar organization to that presented by the ruminants with cortical and medullary region with fused lobes. The kidneys brocket deer resemble the kidneys of other ruminants in general, and to carnivores. Thus, its morphology, topography and the renal arterial segments and anatomical and surgical territories of the species studied have been shown to be unique.

Seed coat anatomy of Cercis chinensis and its relationship to water uptake

The hard seed coat of Cercis chinensis Bunge is an important factor of its dormancy. A study of the characteristics of water absorption is vital for understanding seed dormancy and germination. This investigation found that soaking in water at an initial temperature of 80 °C for 5 min was optimal for breaking the hardness of C. chinensis seeds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dye-tracking, and blocking experiments were used to examine the major water entry sites and the relationship between water uptake and seed coat structure during C. chinensis seed imbibition. The SEM images showed that the seed coat consisted of three layers: epidermis, palisade, and sclereid. Special light line, vascular bundle, and counter-palisade layer structures were found in the side of the hilum. The blocking experiments showed that the hilar region was an important water absorption site because, if the region was not blocked, it showed the highest water absorption when imbibed for 3–12 h. However, all parts of the seed coat can absorb water if enough time is allowed after the seed coat hardness has been broken. The dye-tracking test showed that after 3 h water entered the seed only via the hilum fissure. Therefore, the hilum fissure acts as the initial site of water absorption. When more time was allowed, water moved more rapidly on the side with vascular bundles than on the opposite side.