Arterial variations in left upper limb were observed in an embalmed cadaver. The second part of the axillary artery divided into two stems, medial and lateral stems. The lateral stem was deeper than the medial one and the median nerve was located between these two stems. The lateral stem divided into five branches: the subscapular, two anterior circumflex humeral, a posterior circumflex humeral, and profunda brachii arteries. The medial stem adopted its course superficial to the median nerve, and then divided into the ulnar and radial arteries at elbow level. The present authors describe a previously unreported case and discuss the clinical implications of such a variant.
Arteries ; Axillary Artery ; Brachial Artery ; Cadaver ; Elbow ; Median Nerve ; Radial Artery ; Upper Extremity

Multiple variations of the infrahyoid muscle combined with appearance of cleidohyoideus muscle were found in a Korean male cadaver (age : 82) in a routine dissection. In this case, the hyoid bone descended to the level of the upper half of the thyroid cartilage. Then, the mylohyoid, stylohyoid and geniohyoid muscles, which attach to the hyoid bone, descended to the same level. An unusual cleidohyoideus muscle attached from the superior border of the medial third of the clavicle to the hyoid bone was observed bilaterally at the superficial layer. At deeper layer, the sternohyoid muscle, which was additionally attached to the first rib as well as sternum and clavicular head, appeared bilaterally. In the same layer, the left omohyoid muscle was partially merged to the muscle mass of sternohyoid and attached to the hyoid bone. In the deepest layer, the sternothyroid muscle was attached to the medial half of the first rib. The nerves that innervated this infrahyoid muscle originated from the cervical plexus, devoid of the ansa cervicalis.
Cadaver ; Cervical Plexus ; Clavicle ; Head ; Humans ; Hyoid Bone ; Male ; Muscles ; Ribs ; Sternum ; Thyroid Cartilage

Doublecortin (DCX), a microtubule-associated protein, expresses specifically in neuronal precursors and used as a marker for neuronal precursors and neurogenesis. In the present study, we observed differences in DCX immunoreactivity and its protein levels in the main olfactory bulb (MOB) of young adult, middle-aged and aged dogs. In the young adult dog, DCX-immunoreactive cells with well-stained processes were detected in the MOB. DCX immunoreactive cells were decreased in the MOB of middle-aged dog. In the aged dog, DCX immunoreactive cells were more decreased compared to that in the MOB of middle-aged dog. DCX protein level in the dog MOB was also significantly decreased with age. These results suggest that reductions of DCX immunoreactivity and protein levels in the aged MOB may be involved in some neural deficits related to olfactory impairment in the aged dog.
Aged ; Aging ; Animals ; Dogs ; Humans ; Neurogenesis ; Neurons ; Olfactory Bulb ; Young Adult

We examined the effects of steptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes on cell proliferation and neuroblasts in the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (SZDG) of male Wistar rats. Change in memory function was also investigated using the passive avoidance test. In the SZDG, Ki67 (a marker for cell proliferation) positive nuclei were significantly decreased at 2 and 3 weeks and slightly decreased at 4 weeks after STZ treatment. Doublecortin (DCX, a marker for neuronal differentiation)-immunoreactive (+) neuroblasts with tertiary dendrites were significantly decreased in the STZ-treated group compared to those in the vehicle-treated group. However, DCX+ neuroblasts without tertiary dendrites were abundant at 4 weeks after STZ treatment. In addition, retention latency time in STZ-treated group was similar to that of vehicle-treated group at 2 and 3 weeks after STZ treatment. However, the retention latency time was significantly decreased at 4 weeks after STZ treatment. These results suggest that STZ significantly reduced cell proliferation and neuroblasts at 2~3 weeks after STZ treatment, but not at 4 weeks after STZ treatment although memory impairment was detected at 4 weeks after STZ treatment. The gradual reduction of DCX+ neuroblasts with tertiary dendrites may be associated with the impairment of hippocampus-related memory function.
Cell Proliferation ; Dendrites ; Dentate Gyrus ; Humans ; Male ; Memory ; Neurons ; Rats, Wistar ; Retention (Psychology) ; Streptozocin

Occludin is a cell adhesion molecule that is abundantly expressed in the kidney. However, the expression pattern in various renal epithelial cells is not well established. The purpose of this study was to determine the cellular localization along the tubular epithelial cells in the kidney. Kidneys from adult pigs crossbred of Yorkshire, Landrace and Duroc (three breeds) were processed for immunohistochemistry. Thiazide sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter (TSC), Na+-KATPase bat1, calbindinD28k, and H+-ATPase were used to identify the thick ascending limb, distal convoluted tubule, connecting tubule, and collecting duct, respectively. In the pig kidney, occludin was expressed in the apical domain of the tubular epithelial cells. The immunoreactivity of occludin was strongest in the collecting duct, and then gradually decreased in the connecting tubule, distal convoluted tubule, and thick ascending limb. Occludin expression was weak in the thin limbs of the loop of henle and in the proximal tubule in the pig kidney. These results suggest that occludin may be a major adhesion molecule in distal tubular epithelial cells and play a critical role in maintaining epithelial polarity of these nephron segments.
Adult ; Cell Adhesion ; Epithelial Cells ; Extremities ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; Loop of Henle ; Nephrons ; Occludin ; Sodium Chloride Symporters ; Swine

In this study, we investigated the effects of treadmill exercise on hippocampal levels of calcium-binding proteins - calbindin D-28k (CB), calretinin (CR) and parvalbumin (PV) - using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. At 6 weeks of age, male Wistar rats were put on a treadmill with or without running for 1 h/day/5 consecutive days at a pace of 22 m/min for a period of 5 weeks. In sedentary and exercise groups, CB immunoreaction was detected in granule cells of the dentate gyrus, mossy fibers, and CA1 pyramidal cells. In addition, CB immunoreaction was observed in interneurons of the CA1-3 region. Exercise significantly increased CB immunoreactivity in dentate granule cells, CA1 pyramidal cells and CA1-3 interneurons. CR immunoreaction was mainly observed in interneurons of the dentate gyrus and CA1-3 regions. Similar number of CR-immunoreactive neurons was observed in the exercise and sedentary groups. PV immunoreaction was detected in interneurons of the dentate gyrus and CA1-3 regions. PVimmunoreactive fibers were significantly increased in all regions of the hippocampus in the exercise group, as compared to the sedentary group. Similar to the immunohistochemical findings, protein levels of CB and PV were also increased in the exercise group compared to the sedentary group. These increases in CB and PV in the hippocampus may induce neuronal plasticity after treadmill exercise and may be related to the enhancement of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus by exercise.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Calcium-Binding Protein, Vitamin D-Dependent ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; Dentate Gyrus ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interneurons ; Male ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Neurons ; Plastics ; Pyramidal Cells ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Running

There has been a general agreement that potassium depletion causes metabolic alkalosis and substantial morphological changes in kidney structure, and is associated with renal functional abnormalities, including a decrease in urinary concentrating ability. The present study was to examine the alterations of expression and distribution of AQP-1, 2, 3 and 4 mRNAs and proteins in the kidneys of normal and K-depleted rats using RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Predicted size of AQP-1, 2, 3, and 4 mRNAs was 119, 822, 539, and 642 bp, respectively. AQP-1 mRNA expression was gradually decreased in K-depleted rats, particularly LK 2W. AQP-2, 3 mRNAs were markedly decreased in K-depleted rats. AQP-4 mRNA expression was markedly increased in K-depleted rats, particularly LK 2W. Western blot analysis demonstrated that AQP-1 protein expression was only decreased in LK 3D and others were comparable with normal rat. AQP-2, 3 proteins expression was markedly decreased in K-depleted rats, compared with normal rat. But, AQP-4 protein expression was markedly increased in K-depleted rats, particularly LK 3W. In immunohistochemistry, AQP-1 was detected in the apical membranes of proximal tubules and thin limb of Henle loop. In potassium-depleted kidney, the pattern of cellular labeling and signal intensity of AQP-1 protein is identical to that of normal rat. AQP-2 was detected in apical region and cytoplasm of the principal cells of entire collecting duct. In potassium-depleted kidney, the pattern of cellular labeling of AQP-2 protein is identical to that of normal rat, but signal intensity is markedly decreased. AQP-3 was detected in the bosolateral plasma membrane of principal cells of entire collecting duct. In potassium-depleted kidney, the pattern of cellular labeling of AQP-3 protein is identical to that of normal rat, but signal intensity is markedly decreased. AQP-4 was detected in the bosolateral plasma membrane of principal cells of entire collecting duct. In potassium-depleted kidney, the pattern of cellular labeling of AQP-4 protein is identical to that of normal rat, but signal intensity is markedly increased in outer and inner medullary collecting ducts. In summary, these results demonstrate that chronic hypokalemia shows the different expression pattern of AQP-1, 2, 3, and 4 mRNAs and proteins. These results suggest that a decrease in urinary concentrating ability is a major factor in the decreased AQP-2, 3 expression, and that is partly compensated by increased expression of AQP-4.
Alkalosis ; Animals ; Aquaporins ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Membrane ; Cytoplasm ; Extremities ; Hypokalemia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; Loop of Henle ; Membranes ; Potassium ; Proteins ; Rats ; RNA, Messenger

Bile acids and synthetic bile acid derivatives induced apoptosis in various kinds of cancer cells and anticancer effects. Although synthetic chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) derivatives have been demonstrated to induce apoptosis of various cancer cells, there is no report on their effect on RBL-2H3 basophilic leukemia cell line to date. Therefore, this study was undertaken to examine in vitro effects of cytotoxicity and growth inhibition, and the molecular mechanism underlying induction of apoptosis in RBL-2H3 cells treated with a synthetic CDCA derivative, HS-1200. The viability and the growth inhibition of RBL-2H3 cells were assessed by MTT assay and clonogenic assay respectively. The Hoechst staining and DNA electrophoresis were conducted to observe RBL-2H3 cells undergoing apoptosis. RBL-2H3 cells were treated with HS-1200, and Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, DNA hypoploidy assay, MMP activity and proteasome activity were performed. HS-1200 treatment of RBL-2H3 cells resulted in a time- and does-dependent decrease of cell viability and a does-dependent inhibition of cell growth, and induced apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, HS-1200 treatment result in the alteration of G1 cell cycle-related proteins. And tested RBL-2H3 cells showed several lines of apoptotic manifestation.We presented data indicating that HS-1200 induces apoptois via the proteasome, mitochondria and caspase pathway, and induces the alteration of the G1 cell cycle-related proteins in RBL-2H3 cells. Therefore our data provide the possibility that HS-1200 could be as a novel therapeutic strategy in the allergy treatment.
Apoptosis ; Basophils ; Bile ; Bile Acids and Salts ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Death ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; Chenodeoxycholic Acid ; DNA ; Electrophoresis ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukemia ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Mitochondria ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; Proteins

Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by the pericyte loss, microaneurysms and neovascularization eventually leads to blindness. The present study was examined changes of the microvasculature histochemically and immunochemically in the diabetic rat retina previously documented neuronal alterations, in order to verify the usefulness of the animal model of diabetes for the pathophysiology of angiogenesis. Diabetic condition was induced by a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin in Sprague-Dawley rats aged of 8weeks. The animals showing high blood glucose levels (above 300 mg/dL) were cared for 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively. The retinas were processed for Griffonia simplicifolia isolection (GSI) B4 histochmistry, and anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and anti-NG2 immunochemical techniques. The retinal vasculature was well demarcated by endothelial profiles with GSIB4 histochemistry. alpha-SMA immunoreactivity appeared in the arterioles and the primary capillaries, and NG2 in the arterioles and the whole capillary beds. Changes evoked by diabetes were largely occurred in the capillary. Compared to the retina at normal state, the capillary networks were more complicated, enlarged, and dense. NG2 reactivity was reduced especially under the cytoplasmic processes of the pericytes. In the near periphery of the capillary mainly in the ganglion cell layer of the diabetes, GSIB4 reactive microglia were distributed. These results suggest that the retinal microvasculature showed the precedent events of neovascularization due to diabetes and rat model of diabetes is useful for study of neovascularization mechanism of the diabetic retinopathy.
Actins ; Aged ; Animals ; Arterioles ; Blindness ; Blood Glucose ; Capillaries ; Cytoplasm ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Ganglion Cysts ; Griffonia ; Humans ; Immunochemistry ; Injections, Intravenous ; Microglia ; Microvessels ; Models, Animal ; Muscles ; Neurons ; Pericytes ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Streptozocin

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are generally known to be induced in response to a range of stressful stimuli such as hyperthermia, immobilization, UV radiation, arsenite, various chemicals, and drugs. In addition, these proteins have been suggested to have roles in protecting cells against apoptotic cell death. The ataxic mutant Pogo (pogo/pogo) mouse is a novel neurological ataxic mutant, which is derived from Korean wild type mouse (KJR/Mskist) strain. Pogo mutation is considered as an alleles of alpha subunit of P/Q-type calcium channel mutants such as rolling mouse Nagoya (RMN), tottering, and leaner. We investigated the topographical Hsp25 expression using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis in several ataxic mutant mice: RMN, tottering, leaner, Pogo and Korean wild mouse. In the cerebellum of the RMN, tottering, leaner, and normal mouse including Balb/C, C57BL/6 and ICR mouse, Hsp25 was expressed in a subset of Purkinje cells that form parasagittal stripes. The Hsp25 expression is largely restricted to specific cerebellar lobules: VI /VII (the central zone: CZ), and IX/X (the nodular zone: NZ). Surprisingly, no Hsp25-immunoreactive Purkinje cells were seen in CZ and NZ of the cerebellum of Pogo (pogo/pogo), heterozygotes Pogo (pogo/+), and Korean wild mouse. Moreover, in western blot analysis, there was no cerebellar Hsp25 expression in ataxic Pogo mouse including Korean wild mouse. These data suggest that cerebellar Hsp25 expression was irrelevant with the development of ataxia in Pogo mouse.
Alleles ; Animals ; Arsenites ; Ataxia ; Blotting, Western ; Calcium Channels ; Cell Death ; Cerebellum ; Fever ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Heterozygote ; Hot Temperature ; Immobilization ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Proteins ; Purkinje Cells ; Sprains and Strains