Morphological structure of the infraorbital canal using three-dimensional reconstruction

Our study aim was to evaluate the initial position accurately and the direction of infraorbital canal approximately by analyzing the parameters of infraorbital canal. This study was based on 64-slice computed tomographic multiple planar reconstruction technique and can improve the success rate of infraorbital nerve blockade. The following observations and measurements were carried out in 224 normal infraorbital canals (112 people): the length, angle, and adjoined relations of initial infraorbital canal, to reveal the anatomic characteristics of the canals and to compare the difference between left and right or male and female. Six indicators were measured: (1) the length of initial infraorbital canal; (2) the distance between skin and the first obvious turn of infraorbital canal along the direction of initial infraorbital canal (the depth of puncture); (3) the vertical distance between infraorbital canal and nasal septum; (4) the vertical distance between infraorbital canal and infraorbital rim; (5) the angle between the infraorbital canal and the Frankfort plane; and (6) the angle between the infraorbital canal and the sagittal plane. The difference was statistically significant between 2 sides on the depth of puncture. For other values, the differences between left and right and between women and men were of no statistical significance.     

Internal carotid artery in the operative plane of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery

The objective of this study was to measure the related parameters of intercarotid artery (ICA) in the operative plane of endonasal transsphenoidal approach for hypophyseal surgeries. Nine parameters of the ICA were examined in the computed tomographic angiographic (CTA) scan of 101 patients. The shortest distance between the middle point of the nasal columella and the projective point of the ICA (D(3)) was 85.50 (5.79) mm. The shortest distance between the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus and the projective point of the ICA (D(4)) was 16.93 (3.50) mm. The distance between the bilateral projective points of the ICA (D(5)) was 21.60 (3.45) mm. The shortest distance from the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus to the line between the bilateral projective points of the ICA (D(6)) was 12.1 (3.91) mm. The shortest distance between the middle point of nasal columella and the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus (D(7)) was 72.67 (5.99) mm. The width of the angle between the bilateral ICA projective point from the middle point of the nasal columella (A(1)) was 14.9 (2.32) degrees. The width of the angle between the bilateral ICA projective points from the anterior-most point of sphenoid sinus (A(2)) was 85.49 (18.12) degrees. Clinically, it is relatively safe to work within the distances and angles measured in this research, and these results may provide information for clinical surgery of pituitary tumor.     

Downregulation of Notch-1/Jagged-2 in human colon tissues from Hirschsprung disease patients

Purpose  

Recent studies have shown that the Notch pathways play important roles in the differentiation and development of neurons. Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is characterized by the absence of intramural ganglion cells in the nerve plexuses of the distal gut. However, putative Notch function in enteric nervous system (ENS) development and the etiology of HSCR is unknown.     

Metabolic Effects of Intraoperative Amino Acid Infusion in Mongrel Dogs

Background: Intraoperative amino acid infusion can attenuate the decrease in core temperature, but the metabolic effects are uncertain. Methods: Thirty-six healthy mongrel dogs undergoing ileectomy under general anesthesia were infused intraoperatively with normal saline or 18 compound amino acids at 6, 12, and 24 kJ·kg(-1)·h(-1) (NS, 6-, 12-, and 24-kJ groups) and studied until 24 h after the operation. Blood glucose, plasma insulin, free fatty acids, and triglyceride concentrations were determined at 7 defined time points. Muscle aminograms, urinary urea, and 3-methylhistidine excretions were measured before and after the operation. Results: Blood glucose and plasma insulin increased amino acid dose dependently during the operation and in the early period after the operation. Free fatty acids were significantly lower in the 12- and 24-kJ groups compared with the NS group at the end of the operation. The negative nitrogen balance was alleviated dose dependently in the amino acid groups on operation day. The urinary 3-methylhistidine decreased significantly during the first 24 h after the operation in the 24-kJ group, while it increased in the other groups with the largest increase in the NS group. Basic, branched-chain, and aromatic amino acids in the vastus lateralis muscle increased dose dependently at the end of the operation in the amino acid groups. Conclusion: Intraoperative amino acid infusion has the dose-dependent effects of increasing blood glucose, inhibiting fat mobilization and muscle protein breakdown.