The ansa cervicalis is a neural loop in the neck formed by the union of two main nerve roots, namely superior and inferior roots, derived from ventral rami of the cervical nerves. With the expanding use of the ansa cervicalis for reinnervation procedures and the fact that it is located in the vicinity of major nerves and vessels of the neck, knowledge of the topography and morphology of this loop is quite necessary in the modern era. Any variation in the course, contributing roots or branching pattern of the ansa cervicalis, potentially alters and perhaps complicates the course of the procedures involving this nerve such as neurorrhaphy, skull base surgery, neck dissection, and anterior cervical spinal approach. Here, we present an unusual case of an ansa cervicalis encountered upon routine dissection of an adult male cadaver. In this case, the inferior root of the ansa cervicalis was formed by the joining of two rootlets, one originating from spinal accessory nerve and the other from a branch of the cervical plexus to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The fibers traversing the branch of spinal accessory nerve were derived from the first segments of the cervical spinal cord. This case demonstrates a variant of the spinal accessory nerve plexus that contributed to the formation of the ansa cervicalis. Review of the literature was performed to reveal the possible clinical aspects of this anatomical variation.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of anthocyanin on oxidative stress, sperm, and testis structure in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Materials and Methods: In this experimental research, diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/ kg). A total of 64 rats were assigned into four groups as follows: a control group, a diabetic control group, a diabetic group daily administrated with anthocyanin at a dose of 100 mg/kg, and a healthy group daily administrated with anthocyanin for 56 days. After intervention, all the rats were anesthetized, their blood samples were taken, and the serum levels of insulin, glucose, and oxidative stress markers were measured. Finally, the testicles were removed and histological parameters were assessed. Results: Treating diabetic rats with anthocyanin significantly improved the testis tissue damage, glucose, and insulin plasma levels (P=0.001). Furthermore, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was up-surged and the serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were reduced (P=0.001). Also, anthocyanin administration (100 mg/kg BW) significantly rectified these parameters (P<0.05). Conclusions: Our results confirmed the antioxidant role of anthocyanin in improving the sperm parameters and testicular oxidative damage caused by diabetes.
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