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Background: Health consciousness in daily life is very important because lifestyle habits, such as dietary and exercise habits, sleep, and smoking, are involved in the development and progression of lifestyle-related diseases, such as cancer, heart diseases, stroke, liver diseases, kidney diseases, and diabetes. Purpose: In this study, we surveyed to see if the health consciousness increased and what behaviors in daily life changed in students of a nursing school (Seiwa Nursing College, Tokyo, Japan) after they learned medical care knowledge required to become a nurse. Results: After learning medical care knowledge for 3 years, the students were found to have a higher level of health consciousness in the third year than they did in the first year. They applied the medical care knowledge they learned in daily life. All data were collected in 2019. Conclusions: The medical care knowledge learned in a nursing school was demonstrated to serve as information to increase the health consciousness.

Nanotechnology is developing rapidly and the production of novel man-made nanoparticles is increasing. However, the effects of these particles on human health are unevaluated. Depending on particle size and the surface properties, nanoparticles may have the potential to affect human health. In recent studies, several silica nanoparticles (

In this study, the results of our previously reported technique of quantitative analysis by using microscopic image analysis of tissue image slices to calculate the proportion of the area of the tunica media occupied by of elastic fibers was compared with Janzen et al.'s technique at the carotid bifurcation. This particularly analyzed the area of transition between the common carotid and the internal carotid, to observe the quantitative changes in elastic fiber content. The data obtained from our quantitative analysis of elastic fibers were clearly at variance with those obtained by counting the number of elastic fibers. The amount of elastic fibers in the tunica media (the elastic fiber ratio) decreased from the proximal carotid artery (the common carotid) to the bifurcation, then peaked in the internal carotid immediately after the bifurcation before declining again.

Background Branch atheromatous disease is an ischemic stroke, involving occlusion or severe stenosis of the perforating artery, causing neurologic symptoms and serious sequelae. We aimed to investigate initial morphometric and hemodynamic characteristics of the vertebral artery immediately post-onset to predict lesion expanding. Methods This case-control study collected demographic, historical, and physical examination data from 44 patients with branch atheromatous disease in the pons at admission. The maximum ischemic pons area and stenosis rate in the basilar artery were calculated using magnetic resonance images. Diameter, velocity, and flow volume of the vertebral arteries were measured using carotid artery ultrasonography. Correlations between ischemic lesion extent and these parameters were investigated. Results Patients were assigned to groups of less (Group 1) or more (Group 2) than the median maximum ischemic area in the pons, calculated from magnetic resonance images (121.6 mm2). Modified Rankin scale scores were significantly worse in Group 2. Blood pressure and blood findings were similar between groups. Group 2 showed significantly higher basilar artery stenosis rates. Flow volume, velocity, peak systolic velocity, and end-diastolic velocity in the vertebral artery on both sides were significantly decreased in Group 2. Conclusions Deteriorated vertebral artery hemodynamics caused a more extensive ischemic lesion in branch atheromatous disease in the pons. Evaluation of the vertebral using carotid artery ultrasonography in the acute phase may be useful for predicting disease progression.

Introduction The human azygos vein (AV) generally runs on the right side of the vertebral column. However, a shift in its course to the middle/left side of the vertebral column, potentially as a result of aging, has been reported. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between AV displacement and aging. Materials and methods Forty-seven adult cadavers were dissected. When an AV left shift was observed, long axis AV length was measured by calculating the number of vertebral bodies under the vein. We also investigated whether a crossover vein existed between AV and hemiazygos vein at the extreme left shifting point, and whether osteophytes existed along the vertebral column. Results Forty-four cadavers (94%) had left-shifted AVs. A weak positive correlation between age and the length of the left shift was observed (r = 0.3061, P = 0.0364). Thirty cadavers (64%) had crossover veins at the extreme left shifting point, and 24 cadavers (51%) had osteophytes along the vertebral column. There was no significant relationship between the length of left-shifted AVs and the existence of crossover veins or osteophytes. Conclusion The possibility of AV displacement to the left as part of the aging process is suggested.

The middle meningeal artery (MMA) can play an important role in the surgical revascularization. However, the MMA can be easily injured if it passes through a bony canal. We investigated the morphological and histological features of the bony canal to improve surgical results. Materials and methods Fifty adult dry skulls were investigated. The length of the bony canal and the distance from the orbital rim to the bony canal were measured. Additionally, 28 cadaveric heads were examined histologically. Results Sixty-three bony canals were found in 43 skulls. The mean length of bony canals was 9.2 mm, and the mean distance from the orbital rim was 24.0 mm. The bony canal ran mainly from the sphenoid bone (69.8%) to the parietal bone (73.0%). Histologically, both sides of the meningeal grooves gradually closed the distance, and formed the bony canal. The MMA inside the bony canal was enveloped with collagen tissues, divided into branches, and was accompanied by the vein. Conclusions The bony canal is located around the pterion and is formed during bone growth. The MMA is covered with collagen tissues inside the bony canal. It is possible to safely expose and preserve the MMA during craniotomy with careful drilling.

BACKGROUND The gastroepiploic artery (GEA) has been described in various ways by anatomical texts and surgical manuals. Currently, there are no studies that have investigated the thickness and length of GEA using gross anatomical methods. In the present study, we measured the length, circumference, area, and major axis of GEA, and quantitatively evaluated the differences between right and left GEA (RGEA and LGEA), using gross anatomical and morphometric methods for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHOD Seventeen cadavers were selected. The median age of the cadavers was 82 years. We observed and evaluated GEA with naked eyes, as well as under a stereoscopic microscope. RESULTS RGEA was significantly longer than LGEA (p < 0.0001). The mean length of RGEA and LGEA were 26.51 ± 5.15 cm and 14.05 ± 3.12 cm, respectively. The mean area of RGEA, LGEA, and the anastomotic point were 3.31 ± 1.71 mm(2), 1.33 ± 1.01 mm(2), and 0.51 ± 0.28 mm(2) respectively. CONCLUSION RGEA was significantly longer and thicker than LGEA. The results also showed that in almost all of the cases RGEA and LGEA anastomosed with each other and grew thinner as they approached the middle of the greater curvature of the stomach.

The morphometric features of the development of the human cuneatus medialis nucleus (CMN) were examined using complete serial celloidin sections of 11 brains: nine fetal brains, the brain of a 2-month-old infant and that of a 63-year-old adult. The morphometric analysis revealed at least four stages in the development of the CMN characterized by the maturation of neurons: (1) immature neuronal stage, (2) preparatory stage, (3) accelerated development stage and (4) postnatal stage. The development of the human CMN accelerates after 32 weeks of gestation (WG), and postnatal qualitative maturation also occurs. From the viewpoint of morphometric evaluation, the CMN gradually matures between 18 and 40 WG without a rapid growth phase as far as we have observed.

We measured the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the human tractus solitarius (HTS) with the help of an image-analyzer system on a cross section of the upper part of the medulla oblongata in 44 Japanese cadavers (22 males and 22 females) and examined the relationship between age, sex and whether the subjects were dentulous or edentulous. The results showed no significant differences between the left and right sides of the HTS in either male or female subjects. However, the size of HTS decreased slightly with age in males but not at all in females, whereas tooth loss had a definite incidence on the size of HTS in females but not in male, as the CSA was smaller in edentulous females but not in edentulous males. This would tend to indicate that a decreases in taste function is connected with the aging process in male, and with tooth loss in females.

We examined cross-sectional areas of Meissner's corpuscles to evaluate the changes in their morphology and density that occur during the aging process. Our study of 10 tissue specimens from the right index finger pulp of 10 males, showed that both the size and the number of Meissner's corpuscles decrease with age. We claim greater accuracy in our data thanks to the use of a new sectioning method, namely parallel sectioning of the skin.

We found a morphological similarity in the distribution of vascular lesions in five hanging suicide brains. The overall findings on the lesions remind us of the venous origin but not of the arterial origin of the blood supply. Morphometric evaluations did not reveal any valuable conclusion. The results of this pathological research may be of clinical importance for the treatment of hanging patients.

The morphology of the lateral ligament of the human temporomandibular joint is of two types: ligamentous and without distinct structure. Under the scanning electron microscope, a sheath-like structure that contained bundles of collagen was mainly found in the posterior region of the lateral ligament. Analysis of macromolecular components revealed that type III collagen was mainly present on the collagenous framework of the sheath-like structure. Type I collagen, laminin, and tenascin were found in the framework of the sheath-like structure. Supported collagenous bundles and the distribution of macromolecular components might be related to the stability of the temporomandibular joint. The sheath-like structure and other components of the lateral ligaments store energy and protect the capsule from stress and tension during movements of the jaw.

Summary The development of the motor endplate (MEP) and the structure of the masseter muscle in the human fetus were examined by light and electron microscopy. At 12 weeks of gestation, the masseter muscle was composed mostly of irregularly-arranged myotubes. The number of muscle fibers increased while that of the myotubes decreases during development. After 28 weeks of gestation, the masseter muscle was composed only of muscle fibers, and these fibers rapidly increased in size in comparison with those prior to 28 weeks of gestation. The MEP appeared during the first 12 weeks of gestation, and were of an undeveloped simple type, with only one axon branch. After 20 weeks of gestation, MEPs were classified as complex or simple types in terms of the branching of the axons. The complex type of MEP was found in muscle fibers of large diameter, while the simple type was found in muscle fibers of small diameter. Schwann-like cells appeared at the surtace of the MER After 28 weeks of gestation, only the complex type was found in the masseter muscle. These results suggest that, the development of the MEP is closely related to the development of muscle, and that the timing of the development of the masticatory muscles differs from that of other skeletal muscles, such as those in the trunk and limb.

In a study of Japanese adults, we found that the orbital branch (OB) passing through the superior orbital fissure frequently anastomosed with the lacrimal artery or the ophthalmic artery (12/20). However, the OB passing through the meningo-orbital foramen (mof) only associationaly anastomosed with branches of the ophthalmic artery (4/79). Furthermore, the OB in the orbit, excluding the lacrimal gland as previously reported. We examined 116 cases in which the OB passed through the mof in 129 adult Japanese cadavers (45.0% in 258 sides). The OB passing through the mof was always distributed to the periorbital region and the area that it supplied was limited to the periorbita in about half of those cases. In another half of the cases (58/116), the area supplied included the lacrimal gland.

The functional incisor teeth (permanent and deciduous teeth) from 13 species of Bovidae (16 specimens in all) were prepared for electronprobe microanalysis of Ca, P, and trace elements. The concentrations of calcium in the enamel layer of the permanent and deciduous teeth were constant at each level, in contrast to those in dentin layers, where the concentrations in permanent incisor teeth gradually decreased from the surface inward. Concentrations of magnesium (about 1-2 atoms %) in deciduous teeth gradually increased from the surface inward, in contrast to those in permanent teeth. Trace amounts of iron were found throughout the enamel layers, but the concentrations varied among species. The profiles of fluoride concentrations differed between deciduous and permanent teeth.Our chemical analysis of Ca, P, and trace elements (Mg, F, and Fe) indicates that some of the most important differences between the permanent and deciduous teeth of Bovidae might be those in the distributions of trace elements. These differences might be related to the mechanism of mineralizationin deciduous and permanent teeth.

Two months after hatching, the fibers of the jaw muscles of the American alligator are associated with three types of nerve terminals namely, plates, simple plates, and grape endings. Simple plate endings are mainly observed on the small muscle fibers. Grape-type endings are found on muscle fibers that resemble the tonic fibers of garter snakes (Hess, Am. J. Anat., '63). Most terminals are plate endings and account for 53.7–74.7% of terminals per muscle. Fibers with grape-type endings were found in all the jaw muscles studied; they lack well organized T-systems, M-lines, and post-junctional sarcolemmal folds, as well as irregularly distributed small of fibrils, and zigzag Z-lines. The properties of nerve endings of the American alligator indicate that M. depressor mandibulae, M. pseudotemporalis, and M. pterygoideus posterior have primary roles in jaw movements. M. pterygoideus anterior and M. intramandibularis contribute mainly to postural adjustments of the jaws. The multiplicity of nerve terminals in the jaw muscles of American alligators contrasts with the simple movements of their jaws. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Light microscopic and ultrastructural observations were carried out to evaluate the cell morphology and histochemistry (calcium-ATPase activity) of developing teeth in embryonic American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Ca-ATPase activity was observed in the distal and lateral cell membranes, rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), mitochondria, vacuoles, and other organelles of the ameloblast, but only in the distal cell membrane and process of the odontoblast. Enzyme activity in the ameloblasts increased gradually during development. These sites of enzyme activity are related to mineralization of the enamel layer, similar to that in mammalian tooth development. Alligator teeth are heavily mineralized like mammalian teeth; however, alligator ameloblasts have undeveloped distal processes during mineralization in contrast to mammalian ameloblasts in which Tomes' processes are found near the distal portion of ameloblasts at maturation stage. The localization of intense enzyme activity in the distal and lateral ameloblast cell membrane suggests that these regions are the site of accumulation of calcium as enamel differentiates in the developing tooth. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The aim of this research is to find and to evaluate morphometorically the unmyelinated nerve fibers in the human mandibular nerve using a light microscope. Our report demonstrates for the first time the presence of the unmyelinated nerve fibers of the human mandibular nerve stained by a special method. Our results also indicate that there is a morphometric change with aging in the unmyelinated axons of the nerve.

We calculated numbers and axonal areas of myelinated nerve fibers in the Lissauer tract of the human lumbar spinal cord (L1) from the viewpoint of the aging process. We examined 20 human spinal cords from 13 males and 7 females, age ranging from 41 to 88 years old. We found that, although the number of nerve fibers showed no significant change in relation to the age of the subject, the axonal area of myelinated nerve fiber in the Lissauer tract did decrease with age.

This study was conducted to quantify the change in the number and size of myelinated nerve fibers of the maxillary nerve with tooth loss in humans. We carried out a morphometric analysis to compare the number and size of myelinated nerve fibers in the human maxillary nerve between four dentulous and four edentulous jaw cases. Our results indicated that the number of axons decreased by approximately 13,000 with tooth loss. The average size of axons remained unchanged, but there was a change in the fiber size distribution, namely the loss of a large number of small-sized axons was accompanied by the total disappearance of small number of large-sized axons.

We examined the human mandibular nerve to find differences in the composition of nerve fiber axons between dentulous and edentulous jaws Using Goto's modification of Masson-Goldner's method. We discovered that the edentulous jaw did not contain any large size axons, compared with the dentulous jaw. This can be considered as evidence that the larger fibers innervating the periodontal ligament decreased degenerated after tooth loss.

We analysed the sizes of nerve fibres in the human femoral nerve which innervates the quadriceps femoris muscles. The material was taken from 14 cadavers aged from 61 to 97 years. A linear regression analysis disclosed a significant age-related decrease of the mean transverse area of axons. Such decrease with age may be an indication of motoneuron atrophy. Our results could help in the understanding of the correlation between morphology and function during the ageing process.

The morphometric development of the human lateral cuneate nucleus was examined in nine fetuses and neonates at 18-40 weeks of gestation, a 2-month-old infant and a 63-year-old adult. The authors observed serial sections of the brain containing lateral cuneate nucleus and measured the volume of nuclear column and the number, cell body area and perimeter of neurons using a microscope with a drawing tube and an image-analyzing computer system. A morphometric evaluation revealed that a turning point in the development of the human lateral cuneate nucleus occurring at 30 WG, as this marks the beginning of a gradual increase in the average area and average perimeter; And it is the point at which the neuropil index suddenly increases sharply, to fall back down to lower levels afterwards. The establishment of a neuronal connection between the lateral cuneate nucleus and the cerebellum, which is necessary for proper performance of movements in the upper part of the body.

We studied the nerve fibers of the human mandibular nerve using edentulous jaw cadavers. We made nitrocellulose sections and stained them with Goto's modification of Masson-Goldner's method in order to evaluate the nerve fibers using an image-analyzer. The results showed an unusual feature: a sudden increase of axonal areas during the decade of the 80s followed by a sharp return to previous levels after that age, even though the number of nerve fibers kept decreasing with the aging process. Although the reason for this is not yet understood, the authors consider that it might be due to compensatory phenomena.

The development of the human gracilis nucleus was studied on serial sections of the brain of 9 fetuses and neonates at 18-40 weeks of gestation, a two-month-old infant and a 63-year-old adult using a microscope with a drawing tube and an image-analyzing computer system. A morphometric evaluation revealed that the human gracilis nucleus, whose neurons were distinguished from glia from 18 weeks of gestation onward, showed a gradual development in terms of the columnar volume, neuronal size and number, and revealed two kinds of phenomenon: a normal process which occur in the development of the fetus, viz. natural cell death (also called apoptosis), and a phenomenon due to yet unknown causes regarding a discrepancy between the number of neurons and the neuropil index.

We evaluated the components of nerve fibers of the motor and sensory roots of the trigeminal nerve by morphometric analysis. Trigeminal nerves were obtained from 5 cadavers (males, aged 67-95) were stained by Masson-Goldner-Goto method and examined under the microscope using a morphometric image-analyzer. The area and perimeter of axons were larger in the motor root than in the sensory root. The size distribution of axons was wider in the motor root than in the sensory root and the distribution pattern was unimodal type. These findings suggested that nerve fibers of the human trigeminal nerve gave similar findings to those of other peripheral nerves, regarding axonal size distribution and relative size of motor and sensory nerve axons.

We have developed a new technique for the morphological differentiation of various nerve fibers which is especially suitable for the morphometric study of nerve fibers of the human nervous system with the help of an image-analyzer. The knowledge from findings by this technique, which is based on several study methods, may be of importance in promoting further neuromorphologic studies and in properly understanding various aspects of neurological symptomatology and the aging process of the nervous system including nerve fibers.

Laryngeal muscles, namely, the cricothyroid (CT), lateral crico-arytenoid (LCA), thyrio-arytenoid (TA), posterior crio-arytenoid (PCA), interarytenoid (IA) muscles, of Japanese monkeys (body weight, 4.4-8.3 kg; 3-10 years old, male) were examined histologically and by light and scanning electron microscopy. The diameter of muscle fibres with nerve terminals in the CT of the Japanese monkey was larger than that of other laryngeal muscles. However, the areas of nerve terminals varied among laryngeal muscles. The mean diameters of nerve terminals of the CT and PCA were large and basically resembled those of other laryngeal muscles. They contribute mainly to maintenance of phonation which the adductor muscles contribute mainly to postural adjustments of the cartilage. The differences in features of nerve terminals of each muscle suggest the CT and PCA may contribute mainly to the frequency or pitch of voice and intensity of the voice during vocalization and to respiration.

The morphology of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) of human fetuses, ranged from 12 to 32 weeks gestation, was investigated by a light microscopy and a scanning electron microscopy. The collagenous fibers of the perimysium of the SCM formed complex structures from 24 weeks gestation by contrast to fibers of the endomysium of the SCM. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the bundle of muscle fibers and the CSA of the individual muscle fibers of the SCM increased during development from 12 to 32 weeks gestation, in a process linked to the development of the perimysium. Therefore the perimysium affects and controls to the muscle fiber of the developed SCM and acts to resisting stretch forces in the movements. The changes in the arrangement and development of the collagenous fibers in the perimysium may be correlated to with these of the muscle fibers.

We studied morphometric nerve fiber analysis and the lateral asymmetry of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN). Human IANs were resected at the mandibular foramen. The preparation of sections involved fixation, washing, dehydration, embedding, sectioning and staining as described in our previous reports. We estimated the average total number of myelinated axons in the right IAN to be 22,808, with an average transverse area of 37.6 microm2, an average perimeter of 23.0 microm, and average circularity ratio of 0.85, with the same measurements in the left IAN being 24,289, 33.9 microm2, 21.6 microm, and 0.86, respectively. Morphological differences between the right and left side were analyzed by applying parametric tests (unpaired t-test) to all measured items. According to these results, the IAN did not demonstrate notable lateral asymmetry in any measured item. We considered that these results were caused by using subjects with the same dentulous condition in both sides.

Nerve fibers of the human fasciculus gracilis were studied on 10 male cadavers aged 41-97 years using a discriminative staining method and a microscopic image-analyzing system. Our data show that the transverse areas of axons in the human fasciculus gracilis significantly decrease with age, while no significant correlation was observed between the number of fibers and age.

Background Hippocampal neurons in the brain polarize to form multiple dendrites and one long axon. The formation of central synapses remains poorly understood. Although several of the intracellular proteins involved in the clustering of central neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels have been identified, the signals involved in pre- and postsynaptic differentiation remain elusive. Synaptotagmin1 is an abundant and important presynaptic vesicle protein that binds Ca2+ (J Biol Chem 277:7629–7632, 2002) in regulation of synaptic vesicle exocytosis at the synapse. Synapse consists of the formation of synaptic connections and requires precise coordination of Synaptotagmin1. It was reported Synaptotagmin1 plays an important roles in the formation of axonal filopodia and branches in chicken forebrain neurons (Dev Neurobiol 73:27–44, 2013). To determine if Synaptotagmin1 could have a role in formation of axon in hippocampal neurons, we investigated the effects of Synaptotagmin1 overexpression and knockdown using the shRNA on the growth and branching of the axons of primary hippocampal neurons. We showed that overexpression of Synaptotagmin1 leads to abnormal multiple axon formation in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Results We first examined the effects of Synaptotagmin1 on the numbers of axon and dendrites. We found that the overexpression of Synaptotagmin1 led to the formation of multiple axons and induced an increase in the number of endogenous postsynaptic protein Homer1c clusters in cultured hippocampal neurons. Endogenous initial segment of axon was detected with anti-sodium channel (anti-NaCh) antibody and with anti-Tau1 (J Neurosci 24: 4605–4613, 2004). The endogenous initial segment of axon was stained with anti-NaCh antibodies and with anti-Tau1 antibodies. Then the numbers of prominence dyed positive were counted as axon. We attempted to specifically knockdown the endogenous Synaptotagmin1 with small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). To further dissect the functions of endogenous Synaptotagmin1 in neuronal polarity, we used the shRNA of Synaptotagmin1 that specifically blocks the existence of endogenous Synaptotagmin1. When the shRNA of Synaptotagmin1 was introduced to the cells, the number of axons and dendrites did not change. Conclusions These results indicate that the accumulation of Synaptotagmin1 may play an important role in axon/dendrite differentiation.