Two specimens of cyclotocephalic newborns, coming from museum collections, have been the subject of a comparative morphologic analysis. This one comprised an external examination and a CT scan exploration. If the craniofacial features were similar, one had a quasi-normal brain, while the second specimen displayed alobar holoprosencephaly. This observation relatively surprising is discussed in the light of current knowledge on the developmental genetics of this family of malformations.
The Tau protein (Tubulin Associated Unit) is a phosphoprotein of the microtubule-associated protein family (MAPs). Its role is the regulation of the microtubule polymerization. The Tau protein is naturally present in brain, heart, muscle, lung, kidney, pancreas and liver. An expression of Tau protein and RNA messengers was also highlighted in the testis that is an organ rich in microtubules. The role of microtubules is essential in the stabilization of the cellular shape and in cell divisions. In the testis, Tau protein could be involved in the division process of the spermatogenesis by acting on the microtubular dynamics in the arrangement of the spermatozoon polarity. This review synthesizes the current knowledge, the localization and the main functions of the Tau protein focused on the testis. The localization and the potential roles of the Tau protein during the spermatogenesis are discussed by emphasizing the link with the microtubular structures of seminiferous tubules.
AIMS:Due to the severity of colonic injuries and their frequency on the left side, we study relationships between the left kidney and the descending colon to identify subjects at risk of colonic perforation during percutaneous surgery of the left kidney.MATERIAL AND METHODS:Over a period of 3 years we exploited abdominal CT scans for 1084 patients in both sexes without any visceral or parietal lesions. We studied the situation and relationships of the lumbar part of the descending colon in the left pararenal space using a conventional grid technique.RESULTS:The preferential site of the colon in both sexes was laterorenal in 55.8% of cases. We also found the descending colon in a posterolateral situation in 21.1% of cases, and in an anterolateral situation in 14.8% of cases. In women, the posterolateral situation was twice more common than in men, but we did not observe any post-renal situation. Laterorenal and posterolateral situations were the most frequent in patients less than 50 years; while beyond this age 70.1% of subjects had a laterorenal type.CONCLUSION:Sex and age affect topographic variations of the lumbar part of the descending colon in the left pararenal space. Although they are rare or aberrant, some locations exist and should not be ignored by the operator. These locations are risk factors of colonic lesion during percutaneous approach of the left kidney.
