Background As expanded endoscopic endonasal approaches are gaining popularity, a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the intercavernous sinuses is pertinent to avoid bleeding complications. There have been few studies reporting the presence and dimensions of the anterior (AIS), posterior (PIS), and inferior (IIS) intercavernous sinuses. We performed a cadaveric study to better understand these structures. Methods Colored latex was injected into the arterial and venous trees of seventeen cadaveric heads. Dissections assessed the presence and dimensions of the anterior, posterior, and inferior intercavernous sinuses. In an additional 3 specimens, the sellar contents were subjected to histologic analysis. Results In thirteen specimens (59%), all three sinuses were identified. In 5 specimens (33%), only the anterior and posterior intercavernous sinuses could be identified, and in one specimen, only an anterior and inferior sinus were identified. An AIS was identified in all 20 (100%) specimens, PIS in 17 (85%), and an IIS in 13 (66)%. In two specimens (10%), the AIS covered the entire face of the sella. Dimensions of the AIS averaged 1.7 x 11.7 x 2.8 mm, PIS averaged 1.5 x 10.8 x 1.7 mm, and IIS averaged 8.7 x 11.8 x 1.0 mm when present. Conclusion All examined specimens demonstrated the presence of an anterior intercavernous sinus, and most had a posterior intercavernous sinus. The presence of an inferior intercavernous sinus was more variable. Preoperative awareness of these sinuses is helpful in planning transphenoidal surgery in order to minimize the risk of bleeding.

Myocardial infarction is the single most prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality among adults. Excess generation of reactive oxygen species plays a major role in the cellular response to cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Accumulated evidence indicates that oxidative stress in mitochondria plays an important role in I/R injury, but how mitochondrial redox mechanisms are involved in cardiac dysfunction remains unclear. Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD), an antioxidant enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of superoxide radicals (O 2 •-) in mitochondria. The absence of SOD2 (a gene that encodes MnSOD) is found to be embryonic lethal in animal models due to impairment of mitochondrial function, most noticeably in the heart. In our investigation, we found MnSOD mimetic, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP 5+ distributed 3-fold more in mitochondria than in cytosol. The exceptional ability of MnTnBuOE-2-PyP 5+ to dismute O 2 •- parallels its ability to reduce ONOO– and CO3–. Based on our initial results, we have generated mice that specifically lack MnSOD in cardiomyocytes (Mhy6-SOD2 Δ ). These mice showed early mortality ~6 months due to cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction. FACS analyses using Mito-Tracker Green indicated that the mass of mitochondria per cell was slightly decreased in the Mhy6-SOD2 Δ to the wild type. We then examined oxidative phosphorylation levels in Mhy6-SOD2 Δ v.s. wild type using a Seahorse XF analyzer. The rate of oxygen consumption per cells was significantly lower in Mhy6-SOD2 Δ cardiomyocytes than that in wild type. The most noticeable difference in the O 2 consumption was found in the presence of FCCP (H+ ionophore/uncoupler). 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) adduction of mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor (AIFm2) inactivates the NADH oxidoreductase activity of AIFm2 and facilitates its translocation from mitochondria. His 174 on AIFm2 is the critical target of HNE adduction that triggers this functional switch. HNE adduction and translocation of AIFm2 from mitochondria following I/R injury are attenuated by superoxide dismutase mimetics. These results identify a previously unrecognized role of the MnSOD-HNE-AIFm2 axis, with important consequences for mitochondrial stress signaling, especially in cardiac I/R injury.

With the prevalence of online education, online degree programs, and more adults returning to learning environments to re‐hone their skills or seek new professions, how individuals can access these tools or how these tools can be used in the classroom becomes critical to defining their advantages. The primary research question for this study addresses the value of applying virtual learning tools in online courses and directly in the physical classroom environment for the study of human anatomy where, in the traditional setting, the cadaver has been the learning tool of choice. With the changes currently taking place, a focus on creating a blended learning environment with the increased use of IT tools is expected, as the traditional learning methods may be considered by some to be outdated. The primary research goal of this study is to determine the level of satisfaction the student perceives in gaining knowledge and experience through the use of the virtual anatomy application compared to the traditional method of using cadavers. The scope of the problem includes the noticeable changes in how people learn in this modern context. The means to access education are now readily available to the adult learner, whereas, in previous generations, opportunities for learning and pursuing a university degree were more limited for adults. With the arrival of information and communication technology (ICT) tools and online programs, the use of virtual devices has increased to a point where such tools are highly accepted in professional environments. Many higher learning organizations are faced with issues of competition, in that they must offer a program that provides a concentrated flow of learning in a shorter time frame where the student cannot spend a year with a cadaver but is still expected to gain the same amount of knowledge as previous traditional students. The rationale of this study is justified by the need to understand the reality of presenting the best anatomy class under the evolving conditions and expectations of both the student and academic standards of the program, as well as the requirements of state and national licensing boardsThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Background Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of death worldwide and occurs due to decrease or complete blockage of coronary blood flow. Re‐establishment of blood flow after a brief period of ischemia is accompanied by exacerbation of the cardiomyocytes and its death, a phenomenon known as myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury. Much evidence suggests that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion injury and is potential target for therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study is to evaluate cardioprotective role of redox active Mn(III) N‐n‐butoxyethylpyridinium‐2‐yl)porphyrin, MnTnBuOE‐2‐PyP5+ (BMX‐001) in myocardial I/R injury. This drug is now in 4 Phase II clinical trials where the radioprotection of normal issue and anticancer efficacy have been evaluated. Methods Myocardial I/R injury in mice C57BL/6 was induced by ligating left anterior descending artery for 1 hour followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. At the end of reperfusion, hearts were sectioned (1mm) and stained with 1% 2, 3, 5‐Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) to determine infarct size. Cardiac function was evaluated by M‐mode echocardiography at the end of the reperfusion. For in vitro model, H9c2 cells were subjected to hypoxia for 3 hours followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Cell apoptosis was measured by TUNEL assay. Mitochondrial superoxide and Cardiolipin peroxidation were measured by using MitoSOX and 10‐N‐nonyl‐Acridin Orange, respectively. Results In the current study, we demonstrated that treatment with MnTnBuOE‐2‐PyP5+ (2mg/kg) 4 hours before I/R injury in mice ameliorate cardiac injury as evident by limited infarct size and improved cardiac function (P<0.05). Consistently, MnTnBuOE‐2‐PyP5+ improved mitochondrial SOD2 expression (P<0.05) and reduced cardiomyocytes apoptosis in mice heart (P<0.05). In our in vitro model of hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in H9c2 cells, treatment with MnTnBuOE‐2‐PyP5+ (10µM) 24 hours before hypoxia/ reoxygenation injury decreased cardiolipin peroxidation, mitochondrial superoxide level and 4‐HNE adducted proteins (P<0.01). Additionally we explored role of MnTnBuOE‐2‐PyP5+ on cell apoptosis following ischemia/reperfusion injury in H9c2 cells. Redox regulator significantly reduced TUNEL positive cells following I/R injury indicating reduced cardiomyocytes apoptosis (p<0.05). In‐vitro, redox‐active Mn porphyrin improved cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase release following hypoxia/reoxygenation in H9c2 cells (p<0.05). Conclusion This result provided evidence that MnTnBuOE‐2‐PyP5+ elicited cytoprotective effects through reduction of mitochondrial oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte apoptosis suggesting prospective therapeutics in myocardial I/R Injury.

Human gross anatomy has evolved as the central course in the curriculum of first year Allied health students. Cadaveric dissection is the primary teaching modality of this course. Traditional teaching methods of dissection, prosection, tutorials and lectures are now supplemented by anatomical models and e‐learning. Although the traditional approach in anatomy instruction provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the three‐dimensional organization of the human body, the cadaveric approach in anatomy education fails to appreciate the profound psychological effects on students with existing psychological disorders. This case report is a presentation of a psychological effect of a cadaveric approach on a post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) student. In this case study, we used a student who served in the United States Army in Afghanistan and was given an honorable discharge due to diagnosis of tinnitus and adjustment disorder. The student was also assigned a disability rating of 40%. This student was diagnosed as PTSD due to exposure of a high‐stress environment. The cadaveric approach to the student’s anatomy education only exacerbated his condition, triggering his stress disorder. Beside this, since the student had a history of losing a relative due to colon cancer, this made abdominal dissection difficult to perform. We considered an alternative approach to accommodate the student, while still maintaining the sufficiency needed to provide the standard of education for a health sciences student. The virtual approach of cadaveric dissections, with benefits impossible for a traditional dissection, also strives to provide students with the opportunity to improve the understanding of the three‐dimensional and spatial relationships of human gross anatomy. This case is presented to those who teach anatomy to identify this modality of education as an alternative approach to sufficient and comprehensive anatomy education.