Difference in the fibular attachment structure between the superior and inferior fascicles of the anterior talofibular ligament using ultrasonography and histological examinations

PURPOSE

The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is divided into superior (SB) and inferior bands (IB). Although the differences in length and width are known, the structure of the fibular attachment had not been elucidated. The present study aimed to clarify the differences in the fibular attachment structure between ATFL's SB and IB using cross-sectional images along the ligament.

METHODS

An anatomical study using 15 formalin-fixed ankles was performed. The lateral ankle ligament complex was collected after a longitudinal image of SB/IB was visualized by ultrasonography. The specimens were decalcified and sectioned longitudinally at the center of SB/IB using a microtome. Histological evaluation of the enthesis structure at the fibular attachment of SB/IB was performed using hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome stains.

RESULTS

A fibrillar pattern could not be observed in the longitudinal image at the IB level by ultrasonography. The lengths of ATFL's SB and IB were 20.6 ± 1.6 and 15.3 ± 1.3 mm, respectively, with thicknesses of 1.8 ± 0.4 and 1.0 ± 0.4 mm, respectively. The ATFL's IB was significantly shorter and thinner than the ATFL's SB. The fibular attachment of ATFL's SB had distinct enthesis structure, whereas in the attachment structure of the ATFL's IB, there were several variations including a type with a narrower enthesis structure than the ATFL's SB and a type that merged with or wrapped around the calcaneofibular ligament.

CONCLUSION

The fibular attachment structure between ATFL's SB and IB differs. Our results could be useful information when performing ultrasonography and MRI diagnosis.

The effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma gel on full-thickness cartilage defect repair in a rabbit model

AIMS

The present study investigates the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel without adjunct to induce cartilage regeneration in large osteochondral defects in a rabbit model.

METHODS

A bilateral osteochondral defect was created in the femoral trochlear groove of 14 New Zealand white rabbits. The right knees were filled with PRP gel and the contralateral knees remained untreated and served as control sides. Some animals were killed at week 3 and others at week 12 postoperatively. The joints were harvested and assessed by Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) MRI scoring system, and examined using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) macroscopic and ICRS histological scoring systems. Additionally, the collagen type II content was evaluated by the immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks post-surgery, the defects of the PRP group were repaired by hyaline cartilage-like tissue. However, incomplete cartilage regeneration was observed in the PRP group for three weeks. The control groups showed fibrocartilaginous or fibrous tissue, respectively, at each timepoint.

CONCLUSION

Our study proved that the use of PRP gel without any adjuncts could successfully produce a good healing response and resurface the osteochondral defect with a better quality of cartilage in a rabbit model. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(3):192-202.

Effect of Sofosbuvir Administration and Its Withdrawal on the Submandibular Salivary Gland of Adult Male Albino Rats: A Histological and Ultra-Structural Study

BACKGROUND:

Sofosbuvir (SOF) was approved in 2013 as a part of first-line treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV); it has activity against all genotypes with extrahepatic adverse effects have recently arisen.

AIM:

Investigating sofosbuvir-induced alterations in the rat submandibular salivary gland (SMSG).

METHODS:

A group of 80 adult albino rats weighing about ± 150 gm were used in the experiment. The rats were divided into 3 groups: Group I (control group) received distilled water, Group II (experimental group) divided into 2 subgroups and received SOF 40 mg/kg/day dissolved in distilled water for 1 and 3 months and Group III (recovery group) allowed for 1 month of recovery after SOF withdrawal. All animals were sacrificed; the SMSG was dissected, and specimens were examined histologically and ultra-structurally.

RESULTS:

Compared to Group I, Group II subgroup (1) showed acinar and ductal vacuolisation, discontinuity of the epithelial lining associated with retained secretion and congested blood vessels. These changes were found to be exaggerated in the subgroup (2) accompanied by acinar and ductal shrinkage, interstitial oedema, haemorrhage, chronic inflammatory cells infiltration and loss of gland compactness. Amelioration of the histological changes was detected in Group III after SOF withdrawal. The ultrastructural examination confirmed these histological results.

CONCLUSION:

SOF had induced apparent alterations in the structure and ultrastructure of SMSG. The SOF-induced alterations were time-dependent, attributed mainly to mitochondrial toxicity and partially ameliorated by its withdrawal.

Embling Production in Althaea officinalis L., Through Somatic Embryogenesis and Their Appraisal via Histological and Scanning Electron Microscopical Studies

In vitro propagation of a medicinally important plant, Althaea officinalis, has been achieved through somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryos (globular to torpedo-shaped embryos) were induced on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium augmented with various concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0, and 25.0) alone or combined with N6-benzylaminopurine (BA, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 μM). These were directly formed from the cut ends and subsequently spread on the whole surface of internodal explants. For embryo maturation, torpedo embryos were transferred on a medium containing different levels of BA (0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 μM) and abscisic acid (ABA) (0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 μM) or α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 μM). Among the different concentrations tested, 0.5 μM BA along with 1.0 μM ABA was found most effective, on which a highest yield (58.0%) with an optimum number (35.0) of mature embryos (cotyledonary stage) was observed after 2 weeks of transfer. Germination of cotyledonary embryos into plantlets with 68% were observed on ½ MS medium. Histological and scanning electron microscopical (SEM) studies proved that the regenerated structures were somatic embryos and not shoot primordia. Plants grew vigorously when transferred to a greenhouse.

Beneficial properties of Passiflora caerulea on experimental colitis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Passiflora caerulea L. (Passifloraceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine in South America for different pathologies associated with the gastrointestinal tract.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In the present study, the activity of the ethanolic extract of P. caerulea on an experimental colitis model related to inflammatory bowel disease has been investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of a 2mL of 4% (v/v) acetic acid solution. Macroscopic scoring, myeloperoxidase activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels were evaluated on isolated colon mucosae. The histopathological studies of colon mucosae were performed by hematoxylin and eosin and Alcian blue staining. Diarrhoea was induced by the administration of castor oil (0.3mL/mouse). The first watery defecation time, the total amount of solid, semi-solid and watery stools and the amount of watery stools were determined. The effect of the extract on a cumulative concentration-response curve of acetylcholine and CaCl₂ on isolated rat jejunum was also evaluated. The phytochemical analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The extract (250mg/kg, p.o.) induced a significant reduction in the weight/length ratio, the macroscopic lesion score, TBARS levels and the microscopic tissue damage when compared with the acetic acid-treated group of animals. P. caerulea (125mg/kg, p.o.) decreased significantly the amount of watery stools in the castor oil-induced-diarrhoea model. Moreover, the P. caerulea extract antagonized the jejunum contractions induced by Ach (E_max for 0.3mg/mL: 76.25%; E_max for 1mg/mL: 63.47%; E_max for 3mg/mL: 42.01%) and CaCl₂ (E_max for 0.3mg/mL: 75.69%; E_max for1 mg/mL: 56.1%; E_max for 3mg/mL: 53.4%). Isoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin, and vicenin-2 were identified in the extract.

CONCLUSION

P. caerulea showed anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrhoeal and spasmolityc activities on preclinical models.

Histopathological Comparison of Mosquito Net with Polypropylene Mesh for Hernia Repair: An Experimental Study in Rats

Use of mosquito net, in place of polypropylene mesh, had been reported for tension-free hernia repair, as a better cost-effective option. This experimental histopathological study was performed in rats to find out the tissue response and the foreign body reaction and its comparison between commercial polypropylene mesh and the sterilized mosquito net. This experimental study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, Government NSCB, Medical College, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), India. It was carried out in 40 albino rats. A 1.5 × 0.5-cm hernial defect was created by excising full-thickness abdominal wall muscle. All rats underwent on-lay mesh repair of hernial defect (polypropylene mesh, n = 20; mosquito net, n = 20). Half of rats in each group were sacrificed on day 14, and the other half, on day 90. Sections of containing mesh were examined histopathologically for inflammatory infiltrate, giant cells, and collagen deposition. Mosquito net group showed significantly greater number of giant cells and inflammatory cells at 14 and 90 days (p < 0.0001, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, and p < 0.001, respectively), as compared to polypropylene group. Grades of collagen fiber deposition were almost equal in both groups, both at 14 and 90 days (p > 0.05 and p > 0.05, respectively). Results of mosquito net are comparable to conventional polypropylene mesh. In a setup, where cost-effectiveness is of primary importance, use of mosquito net for tension-free hernia repair can be an acceptable alternative as proven histologically, to commercially available polypropylene mesh.

Ex Vivo Imaging, Biodistribution, and Histological Study in Addition to In Vivo Imaging

In addition to in vivo fluorescence imaging, ex vivo evaluations including ex vivo imaging, biodistribution, and histological study are often conducted to further investigate the biological behavior of fluorescent probes. These studies can further confirm the localization of fluorescent probes at the target sites and demonstrate the probe distribution in various organs and tissues. Such studies can also be extended to cellular level for biochemical analysis. Therefore, ex vivo evaluations are valuable to fully characterizing fluorescent probes in a living system. This chapter provides an overview of techniques for evaluating pharmacological profiles of fluorescent probes ex vivo.

Comparison of unbiased estimation of neuronal number in the rat hippocampus with different staining methods

BACKGROUND

NeuN and Nissl staining (toluidine blue, cresyl violet staining) are routinely used methods in unbiased stereological estimation of the total number of hippocampal neurons.

NEW METHOD

In the present study, we stained serial frozen coronal sections from 5 normal adult male Sprague-Dawley rat brains with different methods, measured the deformation of hippocampal area in brain sections and estimated the total number of hippocampal neurons using the optical fractionator.

RESULTS

The deformation in x, y-axis was not obviously different with different staining protocols, but shrinkage in z-axis was significant after staining (p < 0.001). NeuN staining produced significant higher estimate number than cresyl violet staining by 24% (p = 0.002), however, NeuN and Cresyl Violet staining showed a high degree of correlation in quantification of total neuronal numbers and both methods are suitable for unbiased stereological estimation.

COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD (S)

NeuN is more reliable but if time is limited or the number of animals used in experiments is high, cresyl violet staining may be a feasible method.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with previous estimates of the neurons number in rat hippocampus, our present data is reliable and the stereological analysis based on our system is a cost-effective unbiased method for estimation of neuron number.