The acute phase effects of toluene on the brain have been investigated in this study using rabbit brain via histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical methods. A total of 20 male rabbits were used as control and experimental groups. Moreover, nerve growth factor (NGF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), dopamine (DA), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) tests were performed in order to designate the severity of the biochemical damage. In the biochemical evaluation of the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, substantia nigra, and entorhinal cortex, the TNF-alpha levels in the brain were found to be significantly higher than in the control group. Levels of dopamine, secreted from the substantia nigra, nerve growth factor (NGF) developed from the hippocampal neurons, and GFAP, secreted from astrocyte cells, were detected to be significantly lower in the toluene-administration group than in the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, areas of focal vacuolar degeneration (abscess formation), gliosis, and perivascular demyelination, many pyknotic cells and necrosis were observed. In the toluene-administration group compared to the control group, distinct excessive expansions of the blood vessels and severe degeneration in the structure of cells and also dispersed cell borders were observed. Furthermore, abnormal malformations of the nuclei structure of the oligodendrocyte cells were seen. Bodies of the sequential neurons of the hippocampus in the toluene-administration group were distinctly structurally damaged compared to the control group. In addition, cytoplasm of the cortex cell showed serious immune reactivity in the experimental group.

A total of 25 (13 male, 12 female) adult, healthy Swiss albino mice were used to investigate the origin, course and anastomoses of coronary arteries. Coloured latex was injected into the aortic arch to enable these arteries to be clearly discerned. A. coronaria sinistra was larger than A. coronaria dextra. It was divided into a Ramus interventricularis paraconalis and a Ramus circumflexus sinister. However, in 2 specimens, the septal ramus, was observed to stem directly from the left coronary artery, and only 1 ventricular branch arose from the left circumflex. The collateral branches of the paraconal interventricular ramus had a larger diameter and more extensive distribution was observed in these specimens. The A. coronaria dextra was divided into a Ramus septalis and Ramus circumflexus dexter. The Ramus interventricularis subsinuosis was not detected in this study. The ventricular branches of the left coronary artery run intramyocardially whereas the branches of the right coronary artery course subendocardially

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Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate lumbar intervertebral disc heights and concavity index of the lumbar spine, and the influence of age, gender, weight, height and body mass index (BMI) on these parameters. Methods:The study was conducted on 150 health young subjects (age 18 to 27) without any disorder which affects the lumbar spine and the discs. Subjects underwent standard standing lateral lumbar radiography. Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation test were used for statistical analysis.Results: Of the 150 subjects (age range, 18-27 years), 80 (53.3%) were women and 70 (46.7%) were men. Men presented higher lumbar disc values than women. In both genders, disc height increased from T12-L1 to L4-L5, and then decreased at L5-S1. The heights of all lumbar discs increased with age, weight, height and BMI in both genders. Women demonstrated a higher concavity index at L2, L3 and L4 vertebrae compared to men, whereas men showed a higher concavity index value at L5 vertebra. The concavity index of T12, L1, L2, L3 and L4 vertebrae decreased with age. Conclusion:Our results will serve as guidelines and references for further studies, radiologists and spinal surgeons.

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