In situ staining of the primo vascular system in the ventricles and subarachnoid space of the brain by trypan blue injection into the lateral ventricle

We examined a new method for visualization of the primo vascular system in the rat brain involving lateral ventricle injection of trypan blue. Results showed that the primo vascular system in the lateral ventricles and arachnoid mater of the brain were preferentially stained relative to blood vessels and fascia. The primo-vessels along blood vessels in the brain were clearly exhibited. In addition, the primo vascular system was evident between the fourth ventricle and the quadrigeminal cistern. Our experimental findings indicate that this new technique of lateral ventricle injection of trypan blue can visualize the primo vascular system in lateral ventricles and arachnoid mater of rats in situ.

Braincase Anatomy of the Basal Theropod Sinosaurus from the Early Jurassic of China

The neuroanatomy of the mid-sized theropod Sinosaurus triassicus from the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation, Lufeng Basin in Yunnan Province, China was studied using X-ray computed tomography. The braincase is characterized by a large supraoccipital knob that is capped by a posterior projection of the parietal and two external foramina for the caudal middle cerebral vein, which is completely enclosed by the supraoccipital. The basicranium has well defined, short basipterygoid processes that project ventral to the basal tubera. The basisphenoid is expanded, projects posteroventrally, and is pierced by four pneumatic recesses. The endocranial morphology resembles that observed in other basal theropods—in particular some allosauroids—and has a strongly marked pontine flexure and a large dorsal expansion. The inner ear morphology is also similar to that observed in other basal theropods, with slender semicircular canals. The anterior semicircular canal is 20% larger than the posterior semicircular canal, and the angle formed between them is less than 90° when seen in dorsal view.

Recent neuroanatomical studies on the neurovascular bundle of the prostate and cavernosal nerves:clinical reflections on radical prostatectomy

The neurovascular bundle of the prostate and cavernosal nerves have been used to describe the same structure ever since the publication of the first studies on the neuroanatomy of the lower urogenital tract of men, studies that were prompted by postoperative complications arising from radical prostatectomy. In urological surgery every effort is made to preserve or restore the neurovascular bundle of the prostate to avoid erectile dysfunction （ED）. However, the postoperative potency rates are yet to be satisfactory despite all advancements in radical prostatectomy technique. As the technology associated with urological surgery develops and topographical studies on neuroanatomy are cultivated, new observations seriously challenge the classical teachings on the topography of the neurovascular bundle of the prostate and the cavernosal nerves. The present review revisits the classical and most recent data on the topographical anatomy of the neurovascular bundle of the prostate prostatectomy techniques.

Research Progress in the Pathogenesis of Post-stroke Depression

Post-stroke depression is an affective disorder that occurs after stroke.Its pathogenesis has not yet been fully understood,and it mainly involves neurobiology,neuroanatomy,and psychology.This paper provides an overview on the neurobiological mechanism of post-stroke depression to further understand post-stroke depression and to provide references for further research.

Biotinylated dextran amine is an ideal anterograde tracer for the corticospinal tract in a goat model of ischemic corticospinal tract injury

Existing visualized tracer studies of the corticospinal tract have been focused on rodents, which have markedly different spinal cord structures compared with humans. In this study, the segmental artery feeding the spinal cord was embolized with digital subtraction angiography to establish a goat model of ischemic spinal cord injury. Biotinylated dextran amine was injected into the motor function areas of the cortex in goats with ischemic spinal cord injury. The corticospinal tract originates from the cerebral cortex motor function area, and travels towards the lateral funiculus at the contralateral spinal dorsal horn after decussation at the pyramid. The number of corticospinal tract positive fibers was found to be gradually reduced. These findings indicate that digital subtraction angiography can be applied to a goat model of ischemic spinal cord injury. Biotinylated dextran amine visualizes the course of the goat corticospinal tract in the spinal cord, which is similar to the human spinal cord. Biotinylated dextran amine is an ideal tracer for the corticospinal tract.

Nasal cavity-maxillary sinus-pterygopalatine fossa-Meckel’s cave:a preliminary anatomic study of an endoscopy-based operative approach

Objective To provide a new approach for the treatment of tumor in Meckel’s cave, by dissecting adjacent structures of the nasal cavity-maxillary sinus-pterygopalatine fossa-Meckel’s cave approach. Methods Fifteen adult cadaver heads （30 sides） were dissected and the correlated anatomic landmarks were observed, measured and analyzed in an operative route. Results The approach was divided into 3 steps： entering the maxillary sinus, the later pterygopalatine fossa and the final Meckel’s cave. Safe access to Meckel’s cave could be achieved by tracing the vidian neurovascular bundles and dissecting the quadrangular space （QS）. The distances from the nasal columella to the apertura maxillaries, the sphenopalatine foramen, and the anterior foramen of the pterygoid canal were （44.08±2.61） mm, （64.83±2.42） mm, and （70.43±2.94） mm, respectively. The angles between the horizontal plate of the palatine bone and the link from nasal columella to apertura maxillaries, between the horizontal plate of the palatine bone and the link from nasal columella to sphenopalatine foramen were （38.10±2.46）° and （26.15±2.26）°, respectively. Conclusion The endoscopic approach of transnasal maxillary sinus-pterygopalatine fossa-Meckel’s cave （ENMPA） is a safe and direct way to access Meckel＇s cave, and could be employed for the treatment of tumor in Meckel’s cave.

Recent Advances in the Genetic Dissection of Neural Circuits in Drosophila

Nervous systems endow animals with cognition and behavior. To understand how nervous systems control behavior, neural circuits mediating distinct functions need to be identified and characterized. With superior genetic manipulability, Drosophila is a model organism at the leading edge of neural circuit analysis. We briefly introduce the state-of-the-art genetic tools that permit precise labeling of neurons and their interconnectivity and investigating what is happening in the brain of a behaving animal and manipulating neurons to determine how behaviors are affected. Brain-wide wiring diagrams, created by light and electron microscopy, bring neural circuit analysis to a new level and scale. Studies enabled by these tools advances our understanding of the nervous system in relation to cognition and behavior.

Brain weight predicts yawn duration across domesticated dog breeds

Previous research shows that yawning enhances intracranial circulation and regulates brain temperature. Consistent with these functional outcomes, yawn duration correlates positively with interspecies variation in brain weight across mammals, with robust relationships documented at both the taxonomic rank of class and the more restricted scale of family (e.g., Felidae). This study provides the first investigation into whether differences in brain weight within a single species, domesticated dogs Canis lupus familiaris, can predict intraspecific variation in yawn duration. Measures of yawn duration were obtained from public videos available online and then paired with previously published brain and body weight data of different dog breeds. The final sample consisted of 272 yawns from 198 dogs across 23 breeds. Consistent with recent studies, we find robust correlations between yawn duration and brain weight across breeds. Moreover, these correlations remain significant after controlling for differences in body weight across breeds. These findings replicate and extend upon past work in this area and provide further support that yawns evolved to serve an important and large-scale neurophysiologic function.