The development of fetal pylorus during the fetal period

Objective  The objective of this study was to explore the localization of the pylorus, its macroscopic and microscopic development and relationship with neighboring structures. Materials and methods  The study is carried out on 160 human fetuses aged between 9 and 40 weeks of gestation. Abdomen was divided into four quadrants by horizontal and vertical planes passing through the umbilicus. Topographical localization of the pylorus in reference to these quadrants and its distance were determined. Pylorus was divided into pre-pyloric, pyloric, and post-pyloric regions. Starting from the pre-pyloric end, serial sections spanning whole pyloric part were obtained. Wall thickness, the thickness of the muscular coat were measured under light microscope using sections stained with hematoxylin eosin. Sections with the thickest muscular coat were considered as the region where pyloric sphincter was. Findings  Pylorus was located in the right upper quadrant, on the median plane and in the left upper quadrant. There was a significant relation between the thickness of the muscular coat in the stomach, duodenum and the pyloric region and gestational age. In the region of the pyloric sphincter, the rate of increase in the thickness of the muscular coat was higher in the first and the first half of the second trimesters than term fetuses. Conclusion  We believe that data obtained in the present study will contribute to the assessment of development of the pyloric region in intra-uterine cases.     

Assessment of vascular disorders of the upper extremity with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography: pictorial review

We reviewed the role of contrast magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in patients with vascular disorders of the upper extremity. MRA accurately defines stenoocclusive lesions in patients with atherosclerosis and embolus. It helps to diagnose thoracic outlet syndrome, vascular malformations, and vasculitis. It demonstrates vascular injuries after blunt or occupational trauma, corkscrew collaterals in Burger’s disease, and pathological vessels in malignant tumors. Also, it detects the cause of hemodialysis fistula dysfunction. We concluded that contrast MRA is a noninvasive imaging modality that can be used for planning the treatment of vascular disorders of the upper extremity.     

The antioxidant status of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E in children with type 1 diabetes

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant status of plasma vitamin E and plasma and intracellular coenzyme Q10 in children with type 1 diabetes.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase protects corneal endothelial cells from UV mediated damage

Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an intracellular enzyme present in dendritic cells and macrophages. It is a known modulator of T-cell response and contributes to the UV protection of the lens. There yet is no information on IDO activity in the corneal endothelium, protecting the endothelial cells from light mediated damage. We exposed murine corneal endothelial cells (MCEC) with different doses of UV-B light 280-320 nm, probed for IDO mRNA (real-time PCR) and assessed apoptosis rate (flow cytometry) and caspase-3-activity in the cells. The metabolites of the IDO catalysed reaction, l-kynurenine, was also measured. Malondialdehyde was detected for quantification of UV-B-induced oxidative stress. To investigate specificity, IDO effects were blocked by 1-methyl-tryptophan. The effects of IDO overexpression in the MCEC were assessed by transfection of an expression vector. MCEC consistently express IDO at low levels. Exposure to UV-B light led to a dose-responding upregulation of IDO; IDO was found competent converting l-tryptophan into l-kynurenine. Irradiation led to increased apoptosis and caspase-3-activity of MCEC. Supplementation of l-kynurenine or overexpression of IDO in the MCEC could reduce apoptosis significantly following UV-B irradiation. Inhibition of IDO by 1-MT was potent to reverse this effect. IDO and its metabolite l-kynurenine can protect corneal endothelial cells from UV-B-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. It may be an active protection mechanism against corneal endothelial damage.     

Primary orbital neuroblastoma in a neonate

Neuroblastoma is an undifferentiated malignant tumor of the primitive neuroblasts. Orbital neuroblastoma is typically a metastatic tumor. We describe a two-days-old girl, who presented with a large tumor in her left orbit. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the tumor originated from the retrobulbar area, extending into the upper and lateral orbit. She was operated on the fifth day of life. A histopathologic diagnosis of neuroblastoma was made. Medical evaluation including chest roentgenogram, ultrasonography of the abdomen, whole body computerized tomogram and bone scintigraphy showed no evidence of systemic involvement or metastasis. Neuroblastoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neonatal orbital tumors.