Anatomical and functional connectivity support the existence of a salience network node within the caudal ventrolateral prefrontal cortex

Three large-scale brain networks are considered essential to cognitive flexibility: the ventral and dorsal attention (VAN and DAN) and salience (SN) networks. The ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) is a known component of the VAN and DAN, but its role in the SN is controversial. In this study, we used a translational and multimodal approach to demonstrate the existence of a SN node within the vlPFC. First, we used tract-tracing methods in non-human primates (NHP) to quantify the anatomic connectivity strength between the different vlPFC areas and the frontal and insular cortices. The strongest connections with the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and anterior insula (AI) locations comprising the two main cortical SN nodes were derived from the caudal area 47/12. This location also has strong axonal projections to subcortical structures of the salience network, including the dorsomedial thalamus, hypothalamus, sublenticular extended amygdala, and periaqueductal gray. Second, we used a seed-based functional connectivity analysis in NHP resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) data to validate the caudal area 47/12 as an SN node. Third, we used the same approach in human rsfMRI data to identify a homologous structure in caudal area 47/12, also showing strong connections with the SN cortical nodes, thus confirming the caudal area 47/12 as the SN node in the vlPFC. Taken together, the vlPFC contains nodes for all three cognitive networks, the VAN, DAN, and SN. Thus, the vlPFC is in a position to switch between these three cognitive networks, suggesting a key role as an attentional hub. Its tight additional connections to the orbitofrontal, dorsolateral, and ventral premotor cortices, places the vlPFC at the center for switching behaviors based on environmental stimuli, computing value and cognitive control.

The Anatomy, Features and Sex Correlations (Dimorphism) of Tubero–Palato–Pterygoid Region among Adult Population—Single Center Study Based on 3D Printed Models

This study evaluates the differences in the dimension, symmetry, and anatomical characteristic of the tubero–palato–pterygoid region in adults using 3D printed models. The objective of this study was also estimation of how many tubero–pterygoid implants can be placed safely with enough distance between threads of implants. The investigation draws on 57 models of upper jaws, including the adjacent pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone from randomly selected cases. The consecutive measurements (lateral, medial, rostral, caudal, area, line-1 longitudinal, and line-2 transverse) on both sides of the body—right (R) and left (L)—were used for the purpose of this study. Among the group of 57 cases were 30 females (F) and 27 males (M). A strong correlation was identified between lateral and line-1 longitudinal across the sample group of both male and female cases (p ≤ 0.05; r ≥ 0.9). Moreover, a strong correlation was noted between medial and line-1 longitudinal in the whole group of cases and in the male group (p ≤ 0.05; r ≥ 0.9). Lateral and line-1 longitudinal demonstrated a weak positive relationship with the age of the female cases (p ≤ 0.05; 0.03 < r < 0.05). Medial and line-1 longitudinal showed a weak negative relationship with the age of the male cases (p ≤ 0.05; −0.05 < r < −0.03). The results of this study suggest that, in most cases, two such tubero–pterygoid implants may be placed, which is a good advantage for support of implant-based bridges.

Primary Prostatic Adenocarcinoma in a Domestic Short-Haired Cat

An 8-years-old, domestic short-haired cat was presented for constipation and symptoms referable to the lower urinary tract. A solid mass located in the caudal area of the abdomen was palpated. Abdominal ultrasonography, positive-contrast retrograde urethrocystography and total body computed tomography showed the presence of a prostatic neoformation occupying almost completely the pelvic cavity. The neoformation displaced dorsolaterally the descending colon and completely englobed the prostatic urethra, without apparent involvement of the urethral lumen. Histopathologic examination revealed a prostatic carcinoma. Neoplastic cells showed a moderate to intense cytoplasmatic expression of AE1/AE3, while no expression of cytokeratin 7 and Uroplakin III was observed. Topographical, histological and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with a diagnosis of primary adenocarcinoma of the prostate body

THE COMPLEX HODOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE OF THE MACAQUE DORSAL INTRAPARIETAL AREAS AS EMERGING FROM NEURAL TRACERS AND DW-MRI TRACTOGRAPHY

ABSTRACTIn macaque monkeys, dorsal intraparietal areas are involved in several daily visuo-motor actions. However, their border and sources of cortical afferents remain loosely defined. Through a retrograde tracer and MRI diffusion-based tractography study here we show a complex organization of the dorsal bank of the IPS, which can be subdivided into a rostral area PEip, projecting to the spinal cord, and a caudal area MIP lacking such projections. Both areas include a rostral and a caudal sector, emerging from their ipsilateral, gradient-like connectivity profiles. As tractography estimations, we used the cross-sectional volume of the white matter bundles connecting each area with other parietal and frontal regions, after selecting ROIs corresponding to the injection sites of retrograde tracers. A quantitative analysis between the proportions of cells projecting to all sectors of PEip and MIP along the continuum of the dorsal bank of the IPS and tractography revealed a significant correlation between the two data sets for most connections. Moreover, tractography revealed “false positive” but plausible streamlines awaiting histological validation.

The microarchitecture of the tissues of the shoulder joint in dogs

Up to the present time practically not studied the peculiarities of formation of cartilage inthe various compartments of the shoulder joint in dogs, as well as zones of least resistancejoints in General. Available studies mainly use visual diagnostic methods, without applyingmorphological and morphometric. There is no information about age-related cytomorphologicaltransformations occurring in the joint in normal and pathological conditions. In this regard,the aim of our study was to determine the zone of risk of damage to the shoulder joint in dogs.Studies were conducted on dogs and cadaver material, selected from giant, large and mediumsized breeds. Arthroscopic studies of dogs were performed, as well as light microscopy ofhistological sections of freshly treated samples of joint tissues. As a result of trauma to the jointis transformed physiological synovial folds in sklerozirovanie a pathological form that occurs inGerman shepherd dogs over 5 years of age in 60% of cases. The process of mineralization of thematrix and the appearance of multiple foci of ossification occurs asynchronously in the cartilageof the head of the humerus and the articular cavity of the scapula. Osteoplastic processes in thearea of articulation occur unevenly. Cartilage coating of the articular surface of the shoulderblade is characterized by a more uniform distribution than the articular rotation of the humerushead. The zones of risk of damage to the structures of the shoulder joint in dogs were determined.These include: cranial and medial compartments of the joint, the caudal area of the cartilaginouscoating of the humerus, the caudal area of the articular surface of the scapula cavity. The dataobtained make up for the information about the diagnosis and risk factors in the developmentof shoulder joint pathologies in dogs of large and giant breeds. They should be used in clinicaldiagnosis and surgery of the musculoskeletal system in animals.

Corticostriatal Projections of Macaque Area 44

ABSTRACTVentrolateral frontal area 44 is implicated in inhibitory motor functions and facilitating prefrontal control over vocalization. Yet, the corticostriatal circuitry that may contribute to area 44 functions is not clear, as prior investigation of area 44 corticostriatal projections is limited. Here, we used anterograde and retrograde tracing in macaques to map the innervation zone of area 44 corticostriatal projections, quantify their strengths, and evaluate their convergence with corticostriatal projections from non-motor and motor-related frontal regions. First, terminal fields from a rostral area 44 injection site were found primarily in the central caudate nucleus, whereas those from a caudal area 44 injection site were found primarily in the ventrolateral putamen. Second, amongst sampled striatal retrograde injection sites, area 44 input as a percentage of total frontal cortical input was highest in the ventral putamen at the level of the anterior commissure. Third, area 44 projections converged with both orofacial premotor area 6VR and other motor related projections (in the putamen), and with non-motor prefrontal projections (in the caudate nucleus). These findings support the role of area 44 as an interface between motor and non-motor functional domains, possibly facilitated by rostral and caudal area 44 subregions with distinct corticostriatal connectivity profiles.

Elongofuro and Altmuehlfuro, new genera of Halecomorphi (Neopterygii) from the Upper Jurassic of the Solnhofen Archipelago and Nusplingen (Germany)

Ophiopsiformes are ganoin-scaled Halecomorphi from the Mesozoic. In the Upper Jurassic, there is a high diversity of at least eight described genera (Altmuehlfuro new, Brachyichthys, Cerinichthys, Elongofuro new, Ophiopsiella, Ophiopsis, Schernfeldfuro, Zandtfuro) plus additional fish species historically assigned to "Furo", which have not yet been revised. Recent examinations showed that fish called "Furo" are not monophyletic. Here I provide a complete morphological de- scription of two new genera and new species (Altmuehlfuro boomerang, Elongofuro woelflei) from the Upper Jurassic Plattenkalk deposits of the Solnhofen Archipelago and of Nusplingen (both southern Germany), respectively, together with a comparison of some morphological features of Ophiopsiformes. The new species are characterized by a combination of morphological characters: differences in body proportions, relative position of the fins, the morphology of several skull bones, squamation pattern, position of lateral line in the caudal area and some meristic characters (e. g., number of fin rays, and number of maxillary teeth). This is a further step to enlighten the broader patterns of basal halecomorph evolution.

Corticostriatal Projections of Macaque Area 44

Ventrolateral frontal area 44 is implicated in inhibitory motor functions and facilitating prefrontal control over vocalization. The contribution of corticostriatal circuits to area 44 functions is unclear, as prior investigation of area 44 projections to the striatum—a central structure in motor circuits—is limited. Here, we used anterograde and retrograde tracing in macaques to map the innervation zone of area 44 corticostriatal projections, quantify their strengths, and evaluate their convergence with corticostriatal projections from other frontal cortical regions. First, whereas terminal fields from a rostral area 44 injection site were found primarily in the central caudate nucleus, those from a caudal area 44 injection site were found primarily in the ventrolateral putamen. Second, amongst sampled injection sites, area 44 input as a percentage of total frontal cortical input was highest in the ventral putamen at the level of the anterior commissure. Third, area 44 projections converged with orofacial premotor area 6VR and other motor-related projections (in the putamen), and with nonmotor prefrontal projections (in the caudate nucleus). Findings support the role of area 44 as an interface between motor and nonmotor functional domains, possibly facilitated by rostral and caudal area 44 subregions with distinct corticostriatal connectivity profiles.

A Self-Powered Glucose Biosensor Operated Underwater to Monitor Physiological Status of Free-Swimming Fish

The changes in blood glucose levels are a key indicator of fish health conditions and are closely correlated to their stress levels. Here, we developed a self-powered glucose biosensor (SPGB) consisting of a needle-type enzymatic biofuel cell (N-EFC), which was operated underwater and connected to a charge pump integrated circuit (IC) and a light emitting diode (LED) as the indicator. The N-EFC consisted of a needle bioanode, which was inserted into the caudal area of a living fish (Tilapia) to access biofuels, and a gas-diffusion biocathode sealed in an airtight bag. The N-EFC was immersed entirely in the water and connected to a charge pump IC with a capacitor, which enabled charging and discharging of the bioelectricity generated from the N-EFC to blink an LED. Using a smartphone, the glucose concentration can be determined by observing the LED blinking frequencies that are linearly proportional to the blood glucose concentration within a detection range of 10–180 mg/dL. We have successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the SPGB used to continuously monitor the physiological status of free-swimming fish treated with cold shock in real time. The power generated by a free-swimming fish with an N-EFC inserted into its caudal area, swimming in a fish tank with a water temperature (Tw) of 25 °C, exhibited an open circuit voltage of 0.41 V and a maximum power density of 6.3 μW/cm2 at 0.25 V with a current density of 25 μA/cm2. By gradually decreasing Tw from 25 °C to 15 °C, the power generation increased to a maximum power density of 8.6 μW/cm2 at 0.27 V with a current density of 31 μA/cm2. The blood glucose levels of the free-swimming fish at 25 °C and 15 °C determined by the blinking frequencies were 44 mg/dL and 98 mg/dL, respectively. Our proposed SPGB provides an effective power-free method for stress visualization and evaluation of fish health by monitoring a blinking LED through a smartphone.

DRA. Specific Chemotherapy Treatments for Patients with Ovarian Endodermal Sinus Tumors

Ovarian endodermal sinus tumors are a neoplasm of germinal origin derived from the primordial cells that during their migration from the caudal area to the gonadal region undergo mutations that progress to become malignant cells that proliferate constantly. Appearance is unilateral; it is considered the germinal tumor with the highest malignancy rate. (20%) Early diagnosis could increase patient survival. An exploratory investigation included the five last years in the pubmed, science, and Cochrane was carried out to evaluate the evidence of the diagnosis and / or treatment of these tumors. It was found that mortality is due to delayed diagnosis and ineffective treatment. It is necessary to determine the chemotherapy treatments that effectively attack this type of neoplastic cells, which behave differently from other types of tumors.