Which morphological abnormalities better define the elongation of transverse aortic arch: a magnetic resonance angiography study

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study is to investigate the relation between morphological abnormalities that might indicate elongation of transverse aortic arch (ETA) and various aortic and thoracic measurements, and to determine which morphological criteria define the elongated transverse arch better.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients under 40 years of age who underwent contrast enhanced thoracic magnetic resonance angiography were included in the study. Images were evaluated for the presence of morphological arch abnormalities such as late take off (LTO) of left subclavian artery (LSA), flattening of the arch, and kinking at the posterior or anterior contour of the lesser curvature. Various aortic and thoracic measurements, including the distance between the orifices of the left common carotid artery (LCCA) and LSA, were made. Statistical relation between morphological abnormalities and these measurements was analysed. The effect of morphological abnormalities and their combinations on the distance between LCCA and LSA orifices was evaluated by linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Ninety three cases were included in the study. All morphological abnormalities and most of their combinations show statistically significant relation with longer LCCA to LSA distance. The parameters that most affected this distance were combination of flattening with LTO of LSA, anterior kinking and combination of anterior kinking with both flattening and LTO, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that the finding which best defines ETA is the combination of LTO and arch flattening. Therefore, we recommend using this combination in the diagnosis of ETA instead of the classical diagnostic criteria including combination of LTO and posterior kinking.

Elongated transverse aortic arch in subjects without turner syndrome: A preliminary computed tomography study

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the presence of an elongated transverse aortic arch (ETA), which has been reported to be specific for Turner syndrome, in a population without Turner syndrome. A set of 1,012 patients (713 men, 299 women) under 40 years old, who underwent thoracic CT examination in our radiology department between July 2016 and December 2016, were included in the study. CT scans were performed by 16-slice scanners. CT images were retrieved from the picture archiving and communication system and retrospectively re-assessed by two radiologists. Diagnostic criteria for ETA, which are late take-off of the left subclavian artery (LSA), convex kinking of the inferior aortic arch along the lesser curvature and flattening of the transverse aortic arch, were searched in each case. The mean age of the study population was 25.5 ± 10.0 years. Late take-off of the LSA was detected in 17 (1.7%) subjects (10 men, 7 women). In six of these, the other criteria for ETA were not met. However, in the other 11 (1.1% of the study population) cases, in addition to late take-off of the LSA, aortic morphology was compatible with ETA. The dimensions of the aortic root and the ascending and descending aorta were within normal limits in all 17 cases. Our results supported the presence of ETA in subjects without Turner syndrome with ∼1.1% frequency. This is the first preliminary report regarding the frequency of ETA in non-Turner subjects. Clin. Anat. 31:887-890, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Histomorphology of the Harderian gland in the Angora rabbit

This study was aimed to demonstrate the morphological and histochemical properties of the Harderian gland in the Angora rabbit. Ten healthy adult Angora rabbits obtained from private breeders constituted the material of the study. The Harderian gland, which is composed of the pink and white lobes, consists of cells that produce a secretion of lipid character. The pink lobe contained type I cells with large lipid vacuoles. Cells with small lipid vacuoles (type II) were found in the white lobe. Type III cells containing both large and small lipid vacuoles were not observed. While type I cells reacted strongly to staining with Oil red O, type II cells reacted weakly to this stain. The number of plasma cells was greater in the white lobe when compared to the pink lobe. The apical granules within the epithelial cells lining the intralobular and inter-lobular excretory ducts of the gland were positive for periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), periodic acid-Schiff/alcian blue (PAS/AB), alcian blue (AB) and performic acid/alcian blue (PA/AB). Electron microscopic examination revealed that type I cells contain large electron-light lipid vacuoles and an eccentric heterochromatic nucleus, due to the presence of these vacuoles. The cells, which were connected by tight junctions, possessed apically located microfolds. The nucleus of type II cells was situated basally and had an oval shape. Type II cells had apical microvilli-like cytoplasmic protrusions, longer than those of type I cells. Oval shaped myoepithelial cells were observed between the glandular epithelial cells and their basal lamina. The epithelium lining the excretory ducts of the gland contained two types of granules, which were dark and lightly coloured. Histochemical and ultrastructural examinations revealed no difference in the structure of the Harderian gland between female and male Angora rabbits.

Ultrastructure of pancreatic alpha and beta cells in young quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed aflatoxin

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the effects of aflatoxin (AF) containing diets on alpha and beta cells of the endocrine pancreas in young quails by means of light and electron microscopy. A total of thirty quails were divided into 3 groups, each comprising 10 animals. Total AF was incorporated into the diet of these groups, at dosages of 0 (control, group 1), 2.5 (group 2), and 5.0 (group 3) mg AF/kg feed. The chicks were housed in electrically heated battery cages and exposed to light for 24 h from hatching to 3 weeks of age. Quails consumed the diets and water ad libitum. Electron microscopic examinations demonstrated degranulation of alpha cells, decrease in the size and number of secreting granules, and increase in the number of free ribosomes and polisomes in the animals of group 2 and 3. In beta cells, the numbers of free ribosomes and polisomes decreased, whereas the number of mature granules increased in the animals of group 3. Mononuclear cell infiltrates were observed in the periphery of capillaries and around endocrine islets in the experimental groups. Furthermore, capillaries of the animals in group 2 and 3 were dilated at all sides of both alpha and beta islets. According to the results of this study, the addition of aflatoxin to the diets of quails at dosage of 2.5 and 5 mg AF/kg leads to significant changes in pancreatic alpha and beta cells. These changes may exhibit adverse effect on the metabolism of carbohydrates in poultry.

Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate for reduction of aflatoxin in quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the toxic effects of aflatoxin (AF) on growth performance and various processing parameters of quails and to determine the preventive efficacy of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS). One hundred and eighty 1-d-old quails of both sexes were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups with 5 replicates and 45 birds following weighing. The experimental design consisted of four dietary treatments: 1) control with 0 mg AF/kg of diet and 0% HSCAS; 2) 0.5% HSCAS; 3) 2.5 mg AF/kg of diet; 4) 2.5 mg AF/kg of diet plus 0.5% HSCAS. The chicks were housed in electrically heated battery cages and exposed to light for 24 h from hatching to 3 weeks of age. Quails consumed the diets and water ad libitum. Body weight (BW) was significantly (p < 0.001) increased by addition of HSCAS to AF diet. The lowest BW gains in groups received AF alone was observed at all periods. The reduction in BW gain caused by 2.5 mg AF/kg of diet was significantly (p < 0.001) diminished by the addition of 0.5% HSCAS to the diet. The addition of HSCAS to the AF diet significantly (p < 0.001) protected against decrease of feed intake at all periods with exception of the first period. None of the treatments altered significantly the feed conversion ratio (FCR). The relative weights of the liver, kidney and spleen were increased in the chickens consuming the AF alone diet. However, light microscopic examination demonstrated the addition of HSCAS to quail feed to partially decrease fat deposition caused by the toxin, and besides, electron microscopic examination of indicated a reorganization in the endoplasmic reticulum and increase in the number of ribosomes and polisomes. Furthermore, the decrease in the antibody titre induced by Newcastle vaccine, due to aflatoxins, was relatively prevented. No significant differences were observed for serum total protein, total cholesterol and glucose levels. The results of indicate that HSCAS is effective in preventing the deleterious effects of AF.

Light and electron microscopic studies on liver histology in chicks fed aflatoxin

This study was carried out under both light and electron microscopy to investigate the effects on liver carbohydrate and lipid metabolism caused by aflatoxin (AF) fed to chicks. Twenty broiler chicks were used. The birds were housed in electrically heated battery cages and exposed to light for 24 h. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The animals were allocated to two groups each made up of 10 broilers. Total aflatoxin levels of zero (0) and 5 mg of AF/kg feed (81.05% AFB1, 8.79% AFG1, 6.06% AFB2, and 4.10% AFG2) added to a commercial diet, were fed to chicks from hatching up to 3 weeks of age, when the experiment was terminated. The chicks were executed by cervical dislocation and liver samples were obtained for light and electron microscopy. Oil red 'O', Sudan Black B, periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and Best's carmine stains were used to reveal fat and glycogen in the liver. Histological changes in hepatocytes included increased lipid droplets, high glycogen content, and mild mononuclear cell infiltration in the portal areas. Ultrastructural findings were destruction of rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), reduction in mitochondrial size, enlargement of bile canaliculi, and cisternal dilatation of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER).