Morphometric Examination Research Articles

MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF THE SMALL INTESTINE OF RAT-ADOLESCENTS IN CHRONIC INTOXICATION WITH LEAD ACETATE

Morphometric examination of the small intestine of rat adolescents against a background of chronic intoxication with lead acetate revealed an increase in the thickness of the wall and mucosa of the small intestine. An increase in the height of the villus has been noted due to an increase in the size of enterocytes and goblet cells.

Taurine protects against retinal and optic nerve damage induced by endothelin-1 in rats via antioxidant effects.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor, is involved in retinal vascular dysregulation and oxidative stress in glaucomatous eyes. Taurine (TAU), a naturally occurring free amino acid, is known for its neuroprotective and antioxidant properties. Hence, we evaluated its neuroprotective properties against ET-1 induced retinal and optic nerve damage. ET-1 was administered intravitreally to Sprague-Dawley rats and TAU was injected as pre-, co- or post-treatment. Animals were euthanized seven days post TAU injection. Retinae and optic nerve were examined for morphology, and were also processed for caspase-3 immunostaining. Retinal redox status was estimated by measuring retinal superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and malondialdehyde levels using enzyme-linked immuosorbent assay. Histopathological examination showed significantly improved retinal and optic nerve morphology in TAU-treated groups. Morphometric examination showed that TAU pre-treatment provided marked protection against ET-1 induced damage to retina and optic nerve. In accordance with the morphological observations, immunostaining for caspase showed a significantly lesser number of apoptotic retinal cells in the TAU pre-treatment group. The retinal oxidative stress was reduced in all TAU-treated groups, and particularly in the pre-treatment group. The findings suggest that treatment with TAU, particularly pre-treatment, prevents apoptosis of retinal cells induced by ET-1 and hence prevents the changes in the morphology of retina and optic nerve. The protective effect of TAU against ET-1 induced retinal and optic nerve damage is associated with reduced retinal oxidative stress.

CORRELATION OF THE SKULL PARAMETERS WITH THE WIDTH OF THE DENTAL ARCHES

The study of regularities and variant anatomy in the structure of organs and parts of the human body is one of the fundamental problems of morphology having an applied orientation. The main method of studying a person's aesthetics is a morphometric examination of the head. It includes the study of its size, size and shape of the face and its individual parts, as well as the relationship between the size and shape of the skull and dental arches. The main linear parameters of the skull and their interrelations with the parameters of the width of the dental arches of the upper jaw are studied on the skull of male of mature age with physiological occlusion of teeth. The study was carried out taking into account the type of skull. It was revealed that the index of the width of the dental arch from the vestibular side is lesser then the index of the upper face and the intergnatic part in the frontal part, and in the distal part - to the contrary. Indicators of the width of the dental arch from the palatal side were less in their values to the parameters of the skull at all levels of measurement in all craniotypes. Obtained data on the width of the dental arch of the upper jaw, linear parameters of the skull and their interrelations expand and deepen the information available in the literature on the dimensional characteristics of the craniofacial complex.

IDENTIFICATIONS OF THE PERSON BASED ON FEATURES OF DENTOALVEOLAR SYSTEM DUE TO ETHNIC AND RACE OF THE PERSON

In order to determine the ethnoracial identity of a person, the specific features of dentomaxillar system of the Armenian population of the Republic of Armenia were researched. A combined research was conducted, which included clinical, morphometric and X-ray examinations and statistical analysis. The collected data were compared with the data of other ethnoracial groups, which inhabit the Northern Caucasus (Laks, Avars, Dargins) and with the Russian population as well. The conducted research can be used in order to determine the ethnic identity of a person.

Histological and Morphometric Examination of the Testes of Boars and Male Pigs Immunocastrated with Improvac®

Background: Surgical castration of male piglets is frequently performed to prevent development of an unpleasant taste and flavor in meat of mature males, called boar taint. Disadvantages of this method are primarily related to the lower feed efficiency of surgically castrated male pigs, production of less lean meat and more fat on the carcasses than boars, as well as ethical issues associated with the procedure itself. Immunocastration is a method of immunization against gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) and represents an alternative to avoid boar taint. This study aimed to examine the influence of immunocastration on histological and morphometric parameters of male pig testes.Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 60 crossbred male pigs selected from 30 litters were assigned to two experimental groups: boars (n = 30) and immunocastrated males (n = 30). Two doses (2 mL per dose) of the Improvac® vaccine were given to pigs scheduled for immunocastration. The first injection was given at 10 weeks of age, and the second injection at 20 weeks of age. All pigs were fed the same commercial diet ad libitum, group-housed (15 pigs/pen) and slaughtered at 25 weeks of age. After slaughter, testicle weights were measured and samples of testicular tissue were taken for histological examination. Immunocastrated males had lower testicle weights than boars (P < 0.01). Furthermore, structural damage to the germinal epithelium was visible in the seminiferous tubules of vaccinated pigs. In the testicular interstitium of these animals, the number of Leydig cells were reduced; almost all of these cells exhibited different degrees of abnormality. Moreover, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and thickness of the germinal epithelium were greater (P < 0.01), and the percentage of germinal epithelium in the seminiferous tubules as well as percentage of blood vessels in the interstitium were higher in boars as compared to immunocastrated males (P < 0.01). Seminiferous tubule lumen diameter was greater (P < 0.01), and percentage of lumen in the seminiferous tubules as well as percentage of non-blood vessel tissue in the interstitium were higher in immunocastrated males than boars (P < 0.01).Discussion: Vaccination against GnRH, as used in this study, reduced the synthesis of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which led to decreased spermatogenesis and androgen production. The smaller diameter of the seminiferous tubules as well as germinal epithelium thickness, and lower percentage of germinal epithelium in the seminiferous tubules in immunocastrated males could be explained by reduced FSH synthesis, and subsequent reduced spermatogenesis. The described testicular malformations in immunocastrated animals caused their lower weight, and greater diameter of the lumen as well as a higher lumen percentage of the seminiferous tubules. The vaccine reduced LH synthesis, so the Leydig cells of immunocastrated animals had lower activity than the same cells in boars. The percentage of blood vessels in the interstitium of boar testes was higher, which was related to the blood supply required for normal function of Leydig cells. It was concluded that differences existed in the structure of the seminiferous tubules and interstitium between boars and immunocastrated males , which were reflected in values of the examined histological and morphometric parameters. The development of these differences was related to the inhibition of GnRH synthesis and secretion.

Radioprotective effects of Silymarin on the sperm parameters of NMRI mice irradiated with γ-rays

Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated using various endogenous systems or from external sources such as exposure to different physiochemicals. Ionizing radiation damage to the cell can be caused by the direct or indirect effects of radiotherapy processes. Silymarin (SM), a flavanolignan compound, has been identified as a natural potent antioxidant with cytoprotection activities due to scavenging free radicals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the radioprotective effect of SM on sperm parameters of mice induced by γ-rays. A total number of 40 adult, male NMRI mice were randomly divided into four equal groups. The control group was neither treated with SM nor irradiated by γ-rays. The second group was only irradiated with 2Gy of γ-rays. The third group was firstly treated with 50mg/kg of SM for 7 consecutive days, and one day later, last injections were irradiated by 2Gy of γ-rays. The fourth groups received only 50mg/kg of SM for 7 consecutive days. All the animals were treated intraperitoneally. Histopathological and morphometrical examinations were performed. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. A value of p<0.05 was considered significant. The results showed that in the radiation-only group when compared with those treated with SM and irradiated, a significant different was observed in testicular parameters and DNA damage (p<0.05). In conclusion, SM can be considered as a promising herbal radioprotective agent in complementary medicine which may play an important role to protect normal spermatocytes against possible effects of γ-radiation-induced cellular damage.

Ecological and biological studies on five-lined skink, Trachylepis (= Mabuya) quinquetaeniata inhabiting two different habitats in Egypt.

This study was carried out to study the diet type, genetic, morphometric and histological variations between two natural populations of Trachylepis quinquetaeniata inhabiting Abu-Rawash, Embaba, North Giza and Garfas-Senoures, El-Faiyum habitats. In this study, morphometric examination showed that Trachylepis quinquetaeniata is a typically ground-dwelling Skink and seems to be frequently associated with grass and below shrubs. Geographic variation in sexual size dimorphism (SSD) and head size dimorphism (HSD) with greater dimensions in Garfas-Senoures, El-Faiyum compared with Abu-Rawash, Embaba, North Giza might be correlated with spatial food availability and abundance or micro-evolutionary change or phenotypic plasticity. Also, the increase of body size and mass in individuals from Garfas-Senoures, El-Faiyum might be an adaptation to lower ambient temperature and hypoxia. Diet analysis showed that the bulk of gut contents were beetles, plant bugs, hymenopterans and dipterans. The remainder of the plant material was probably ingested secondarily. Moreover, the increase in the activity of Ldh in liver tissues of T. quinquetaeniata inhabiting Abu-Rawash, Embaba, North Giza could be confirmed by the significant increase in the accumulation of the total lipids in liver and muscle tissues than that in the other population. As well as, a marked degeneration, necrosis and desquamation of spermatogoneal cells lining seminiferous tubules in testes of T. quinquetaeniata inhabiting Garfas-Senoures, El-Faiyum than that in the other population inhabiting Abu-Rawash, Embaba, North Giza that could be attributed to the bioaccumulation of soil heavy metals in testes. Higher carbohydrate accumulation in the former lizards' population was confirmed by the high availability and diversity of diet in El-Faiyum habitat. Thus we concluded that T. quinquetaeniata inhabiting Abu-Rawash, Embaba, North Giza is more active, energetic and adaptable in its habitat than T. quinquetaeniata inhabiting Garfas-Senoures, El-Faiyum.

Morphometric characteristics of the female corpus callosum in the second period of mature age according to the data of MR-tomograms and anatomical preparations

Objective — to determine to what extent the anatomical preparations of the corpus callosum of women of the second period of adulthood differ from their corresponding intravital parameters.Material and methods. Morphometric examination of 20 MRI images and 19 anatomical preparations of the corpus callosum of women of the second period of adulthood was carried out.Results. The metric parameters of the sagittal profile of the corpus callosum of women of this age group were established. It was found out that there is no dependence of individual metric indices of corpus callosum in the lifetime and postmortem states on the chronological gradation within this group; all of them are characterized by the irregular nature of distribution on the age scale.Conclusion. The metric indices of the anatomical preparations of the corpus callosum slightly differ from those of the MRI images. Due to the obtained data on the metric parameters of the corpus callosum of women of the second period of adulthood, it is possible to determine chronologically the stages of its previous ontogenetic development and trace its changes in the aging process of the organism. In addition, the data given by us can serve in terms of elucidating the sexual dimorphism of the corpus callosum. The most indicative of these is the area of its sagittal profile.

Pancreatic and renal function in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats administered combined inositol hexakisphosphate and inositol supplement

Diabetes mellitus, as a result of microvascular and macrovascular injury, causes organ dysfunction in a wide variety of tissues. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of combined inositol hexakisphosphate and inositol supplement on renal and pancreatic integrity in type 2 diabetic rats. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n=6 per group). Type 2 diabetes was induced in three groups using high-fat diet combined with a single dose of streptozotocin (35mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally). Two of the diabetic groups were treated with combined IP6 and inositol or glibenclamide. Serum biochemical markers of kidney damage kidney, antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation were measured. Histomorphological and morphometric examinations of the H&E stained pancreas were also carried out. The administration of combined IP6 and inositol supplement resulted in 64% and 27% increase in CAT activities and GSH levels respectively and a 25% decrease in lipid peroxidation level compared to the diabetic control. Serum uric acid, creatinine and BUN levels in the combination treated group was comparable to the normal control. Examination of H&E stained pancreatic sections showed a significant increase (107%) in the number of islets in the combined IP6 and inositol treated group compared to the untreated diabetic group. Overall, the treatment of type 2 diabetic rats with combined IP6 and inositol supplement resulted in the improvement of renal and pancreatic function.

Cohesive silicone gel implants with smooth, textured or polyurethane-coated surface to restore volume in eviscerated sockets

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this article is to evaluate the three different surface coating on cohesive silicone gel implants in eviscerated rabbit eye sockets. Forty-five albino rabbits underwent right eye evisceration and received hemisphere-shaped cohesive silicone gel implants with smooth (Group 1), textured (Group 2), or polyurethane-coated surface (Group 3) in the socket. The animals were euthanized at 7, 30, and 90 days postoperatively. Computed tomography of the orbits was performed prior to euthanasia. Subsequently, the orbital contents were removed and underwent histologic and morphometric examination. Data were statistically analyzed. There were no adverse effects throughout the study. The majority of implants in the Group 1 exhibited 180° rotation. The Group 3 experienced an intense inflammatory reaction around the implant and implant deformation probably due to pseudocapsule contraction. Cohesive silicone gel implants had good integration into the scleral socket. Optimal results were obtained with cohesive silicone gel textured implants (Group 2). Smooth implants (Group 1) rotated significantly, whereas polyurethane (Group 3) coated implants precipitated an intense inflammatory reaction and were deformed postoperatively.

Cellular/intercellular interrelations in various parts of aorta after reconstructive treatment of aortic stenosis in infants

Aim. The article focuses on the evaluation of cellular/intercellular relationships in various parts of the aorta after reconstructive treatment of aortic stenosis in infants.Methods. Medical histories and protocols of autopsies of three newborns were studied after surgical treatment of aortic coarctation. The operations were performed in children at 8th, 10th and 15th day after birth. In two cases, resection of the aortic lumen narrowing, botulinum duct ligation and formation of a direct aortic anastomosis were performed. In one observation, a closed balloon dilatation of the aorta in the area of constriction was used. When performing autopsy, the size of the heart, the perimeter of the aorta at the surgical sites and various parts of the aorta were examined. The fragments of the wall of the aortic sections were cut out and fixed in 10% neutral formalin. Histologic sections were prepared in a conventional way followed by staining them with hematoxylin-eosin or picrofuxin by Van Gieson, while elastic fibers were stained with rezorcin-fuchsin by Hotchkiss and Periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) in order to detect mucopolysaccharides.Results. Cellular/intercellular relationships in various parts of the aorta following aortic coarctation in infants have some morphological features. Morphometric examination of the heart and aorta showed a significant increase in the volume and mass of the heart compared with the normal values due to myocardial hypertrophy of the right and left ventricles of the heart. An uneven narrowing of the aortic lumens was most pronounced in the arch and isthmus as compared to the ascending and thoracic parts of aorta. Morphological examination of the aortic wall in the constriction zones demonstrated the presence of coagulation necrosis, lysis of elastic, collagen fibers with surrounding hyperplasia of smooth myocytes, newly formed thin-walled capillary vessels. Outside the coarctation zone, the most significant changes characterized by the development of hypoelastosis, non-uniform accumulation of acid mucopolysaccharides were observed in the walls of the arch and the ascending aorta. Conclusion. In infants with coarctation of the aorta, dilatation of the ascending aorta with compensatory hypertrophy of the heart is observed, and a muscle-fibrous tissue, rich in smooth myocytes and newly formed thin-walled vessels, tends to develop in stenotic zones. The risk of restenosis development is believed to depend on the prevalence and severity of proliferative processes of the cellular elements of the aorta, which allows us to consider early surgical interventions to prevent irreversible destructive changes as justifiable.Received 2 February 2017. Accepted 27 May 2017.Funding: The study required no additional funding and sponsorship.Conflict of interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.AcknowledgementsThe author expresses his gratitude towards Professor S.V. Shlyk, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Rector of Rostov State Medical University, Professor N.I. Volkova, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Pro-Rector for Research of Rostov State Medical University and the researchers of the Molecular/Biological &amp; Optical Research Methods Department.

Морфометрична характеристика слизової оболонки порожнини рота і зміна показників гуморального імунітету при впливі різних типів запальної реакції за умови експериментального гастродуоденіту

Introduction. Mucous membrane of the oral cavity is a sensitive indicator of evaluation of pathological processes of gastrointestinal tract, due to its morphological features difference compared with other mucous membranes. At digestive system diseases, depending on the lesion level of one organ or another, morphological changes of mucous membrane of all oral cavity parts take place and changes in immunological parameters of animal blood.The aim of the study – to examine and evaluate changes of morphometric parameters of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity of the buccal area and changes of humoral immunity under the influence of various types of inflammatory reaction at experimental gastroduodenitis.Materials and Methods. The experimental study was carried out on 42 male rats with weight 180-200 g. For all animals they modeled acute gastroduodenitis during 7 days. Hypoergic type of inflammatory reaction was modeled with intramuscular injection of alkylating cytostatic cyclophosphamide. Hyperergic type of inflammatory reaction was modeled with intramuscular injection of pyrogenal on physiological solution. Normoergic type of inflammatory reaction developed in the animals with experimental gastroduodenitis without additional injection of any substances. In order to make the experiment the animals were divided into 4 groups. The animals were withdrawn from the experiment with rapid decapitation under thiopental – with sodium anesthesia. Anatomic preparation of the oral cavity buccal area and morphometric measurements were made, using the methodology of H. H. Avtandilov. During morphometric examination they measured mucous membrane thickness, epithelial layer, lamina propria, basal membrane, specific gravity of damaged epitheliocytes of osteoid layer, relative volume of capillaries. In animals we determined the level of the concentration of Ig A, M, G in serum in a semi-automatic biochemical analyzer «Humalyzer 2000». Results processing was made at the department of system statistical research of the State Higher Educational Institution « I. Ya.HorbachevskyTernopilStateMedicalUniversity, Ministry of Public Health ofUkraine» in the software package Statsoft STATISTIKA.Results and Discussion. According to the results of the experimental study we found changes in the oral mucosa. The cause of buccal mucous membrane thinning was significant thinning of the epithelial layer, which can be explained by degenerative changes of different intensity. At the same time other structural components of mucous membrane of the buccal area of the oral cavity, namely basement membrane and lamina propria, were thickened on the contrary. The most evident dystrophic changes of the epithelium of buccal mucous membrane at microscopy were revealed in the animals with hyperergic type of inflammatory reaction. The important indicator of alteration processes in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity is specific part of damaged epitheliocytes, that 10 day study on indicators was increased relatively to control in these listed groups. Circulatory disturbance played an important role in the pathogenesis changes of mucous membrane of the oral cavity buccal area at modeled gastroduodenitis against the background of various types of inflammatory reaction. It appeared as level intensification of capillaries relative volume at morphometric investigation. In male white rats with hyperergic, normoergic, hypoergic TIR and morphometric changes in buccal areas consistent with immunological parameters. It was found that the levels of Ig A, M, G were higher relative to controls in all investigated groups of animals. The obtained results confirm that the changes of morphometric and immunological parameters depend on the type of inflammatory reaction.Conclusions. Changes of morphometric data were accompanied with thickness decrease of mucous membrane and epithelial layer, increase of thickness of the lamina propria, basement membrane, specific part of damaged epitheliocytes of osteoid layer and capillaries relative volume during 10 days of the experiment regardless of the inflammatory reaction type. Changes in humoral immunity accompanied by rising levels of Ig classes A, M and G relative control within 10 days. The most significant changes were found in animals with hyperergic type of inflammatory reaction, the least – with hypoergic type of inflammatory reaction in animals normoergic type of inflammatory reaction of change took an intermediate position.

Prenatal alcohol-induced neuroapoptosis in rat brain cerebral cortex: protective effect of folic acid and betaine.

Alcohol consumption in pregnancy may cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in the infant. This study aims to investigate prenatal alcohol exposure related neuroapoptosis on the cerebral cortex tissues of newborn rats and possible neuroprotective effects of betaine, folic acid, and combined therapy. Pregnant rats were divided into five experimental groups: control, ethanol, ethanol + betaine, ethanol + folic acid, and ethanol + betaine + folic acid combined therapy groups. We measured cytochrome c release, caspase-3, calpain and cathepsin B and L. enzyme activities. In order to observe apoptotic cells in the early stages, TUNEL method was chosen together with histologic methods such as assessing the diameters of the apoptotic cells, their distribution in unit volume and volume proportion of cortical intact neuron nuclei. Calpain, caspase-3 activities, and cytochrome c levels were significantly increased in alcohol group while cathepsin B and L. activities were also found to be elevated albeit not statistically significant. These increases were significantly reversed by folic acid and betaine + folic acid treatments. While ethanol increased the number of apoptotic cells, this increase was prevented in ethanol + betaine and ethanol + betaine + folic acid groups. Morphometric examination showed that the mean diameter of apoptotic cells was increased with ethanol administration while this increase was reduced by betaine and betaine + folic acid treatments. We observed that ethanol is capable of triggering apoptotic cell death in the newborn rat brains. Furthermore, folic acid, betaine, and combined therapy of these supplements may reduce neuroapoptosis related to prenatal alcohol consumption, and might be effective on preventing fetal alcohol syndrome in infants.

Histological and morphometric study of the uterus of the lowland bison

Summary The European bison belongs to endangered species. Its restitution requires a complete knowledge of the structure and function of its genital organs. The aim of this study was a histological and morphometric examination of the uterus of immature and adult females. Material for the study came from 55 females living in the Białowieża Forest. According to the Polish law, the post mortem use of tissues does not require an approval from an ethics committee. The animals were divided into 2 groups: group I included 36 prepubertal females aged from 2 months to 1.5 years, while group II consisted of 19 sexually mature females aged 2 to 20 years. The samples were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E). Histological and morphometric examinations included measurements of the height of the epithelium, thickness of the endometrium, thickness of the myometrium, thickness of the inner and outer muscular layers, and thickness of the perimetrium. The results were analyzed using the STATISTICA 12.0™ software. Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in all morphometric parameters examined. The results revealed a high degree of similarity of the histological structure of the uterus between European bison and domestic cattle.

Modulatory effects of feeding pregnant and lactating mice Rhodiola kirilowii extracts on the immune system of offspring.

Plants of Rhodiola genus are medicinal herbs that have a number of therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity. The present study aimed to determine whether the use Rhodiola kirilowii as an immunostimulant during pregnancy has an adverse effect on the development of the offspring immune system. Following mating, pregnant mice were placed in three groups that were fed during pregnancy and lactation with R. kirilowii aqueous extract (RKW; 20 mg/kg), R. kirilowii 50% hydro-alcoholic extract (RKW-A; 20 mg/kg) or water (control group), receiving water. Following birth, offspring were given six weeks to develop prior to evaluation of their immune system. Morphometric and morphological examination of the spleen did not reveal any abnormalities or differences between the experimental and control groups. However, both RKW and RKW-A splenic lymphocytes presented a diminished proliferative response to concanavalin A. RKW spleen lymphocytes demonstrated increased metabolic activity following phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation, which was associated with a higher percentage of cluster of differentiation 4 positive spleen cells and lower interleukin-17a (IL-17a) serum concentration. The RKW-A group exhibited a diminished proliferative response of spleen lymphocytes to PHA and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and increased serum concentrations of IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The progeny of mice fed with RKW-A extract demonstrated a significantly lower level of anti-SRBC antibody following immunization compared with progeny of the control (P=0.0305) and RKW (P=0.0331) groups. In conclusion, caution is recommended in the use of RKW and RKW-A extracts as immunostimulants in pregnancy.

Mulloidichthys flavolineatus flavicaudus Fernandez-Silva & Randall (Perciformes, Mullidae), a new subspecies of goatfish from the Red Sea and Arabian Sea.

The number of goatfish species has increased recently, thanks in part to the application of molecular approaches to the taxonomy of a family with conservative morphology and widespread intraspecific color variation. A new subspecies Mulloidichthys flavolineatus flavicaudus Fernandez-Silva & Randall is described from the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, including Socotra and Gulf of Oman. It is characterized by a yellow caudal fin, 25–28 gill rakers, and 37–38 lateral-line scales and it is differentiated from nominal subspecies Mulloidichthys flavolineatus flavolineatus by 1.7% sequence divergence at the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The morphometric examination of specimens of Mulloidichthys flavolineatus flavolineatus revealed variation in head length, eye diameter, and barbel length, in western direction from the Hawaiian Islands, South Pacific, Micronesia, and the East Indies to the Indian Ocean. The population of Mulloidichthys flavolineatus flavicaudus subsp. n. in the Gulf of Aqaba differs from that of the remaining Red Sea by shorter barbels, smaller eyes, shorter head, and shorter pelvic fins. We present a list of 26 endemic fishes from the Gulf of Aqaba and discuss the probable basis for the endemism in the light of the geological history of this region.

Ultrastructure Features of Damage to the Cranial Part of the Optic Nerve at Traumatic Short-Time Compression of its Orbital Unit in the Experiment

The role of compression factors on the formation of secondary degenerative factors and anti- and retrograde parts of the optic nerve in traumatic injuries has not been fully studied. 1.1.Purpose: Was to clarify ultrastructure features of the optic nerve cranial part damage at traumaticshort-time compression of its orbital part in the experiment. 1.2.Methods: The simulation of traumatic injury of the optic nerve was performed on 11rabbits weighing 3.5-4.0 kg. The control group included 12 healthy rabbits. Morphometric examination of the cranial part of the optic nerve in both eyes of injured (on the 14-th day after injury) and control animals were used. 1.3.Results: Periaxonal degeneration of the optic nerve cranial part was researched.Degeneration was manifested by violation of axon’s flow of axial cylinders that arose as a result of the myelin sheath swelling. 1.4.Conclusion: Thus, structural changes of the cranial part of the optic nerve were confirmedwith light-ultrastructure studies and morphometric data. These changes come up with the damage of nerve hemodynamic and may serve as a basis for further studies of the pathogenesis and development of strategy of traumatic optic neuropathy treatment in the experiment.

DNA barcoding and wing morphometrics to distinguish three Aedes vectors in Thailand

Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) (L.), Ae. albopictus (Skuse), and Ae. scutellaris (Walker) are important mosquito vectors of dengue and chikungunya viruses. They are morphologically similar and sympatric in some parts of their distribution; therefore, there is a risk of incorrect morphological identification. Any confusion could have a negative impact on epidemiological studies or control strategies. Therefore, we explored two modern tools to supplement current morphological identification: DNA barcoding and geometric morphometric analyses. Field larvae were reared to adults and carefully classified based on morphological traits. The genetic analysis was based on the 658bp each of 30COI sequences. Some Culex spp., Mansonia bonneae, were included as outgroups, and inclusion of a few other Aedes spp. facilitated phylogenetic inference of the relationship between Ae. albopictus and Ae. scutellaris. The two species were separated by an average interspecific divergence of 0.123 (0.119–0.127). Morphometric examination included landmark- (392 specimens) and outline-based (317 specimens) techniques. The shape of the wing showed different discriminating power based on sex and digitizing technique. This is the first time that Ae. scutellaris and Ae. albopictus have been compared using these two techniques. We confirm that these morphologically close species are valid, and that geometric morphometrics can considerably increase the reliability of morphological identification.

Impaired endometrial receptivity in primary infertility in women with undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia and hereditary thrombophilia

to investigate endometrial morphological and immunophenotypic features in patients with primary infertility in the presence of uCTD and HT. The pipelle endometrial biopsy specimens taken in the implantation window were examined in 81 patients, including 13 women with a clinical diagnosis of uCTD, 40 with HT, 19 with uCTD concurrent with HT, and in a control group of 9 heathy surrogate mothers. Morphological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric examinations were done to study the paraffin-embedded endometrial biopsy sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin, pikrofuksin by van Gieson, and with toluidine blue. Immunohistochemical tests were carried out using primary antibodies against ER, PgR, LIF, PAI-1, VEGF, Collagen I, Collagen III, fibronectin, laminin, MMP-2, and MMP-9. The uCTD, HT, and uCTD + HT groups were found to have signs of decreased endometrial receptivity as dramatically lower counts of mature pinopodes, slower endometrial maturation, reduced expression of the receptivity marker LIF, and deviations of the stromal progesterone-estrogen index from the normal value. Sclerotic foci with type III collagen accumulation were detected in the endometrial stroma. uCTD and HT and especially their concurrence are commonly a concomitant disease and risk factors for infertility in women due to impaired endometrial receptivity. In uCTD, connective tissue remodeling processes are substantially retarded, which ultimately leads to increased processes of endometrial stromal sclerosis, reduced endometrial receptivity, and infertility. The most pronounced morphological and immunophenotypical changes have been ascertained to develop in the uCTD + NT group. The findings may be used to predict and devise new infertility treatments in patients with uCTD + NT.

Wen-Luo-Tong Prevents Glial Activation and Nociceptive Sensitization in a Rat Model of Oxaliplatin-Induced Neuropathic Pain.

One of the main dose-limiting complications of the chemotherapeutic agent oxaliplatin (OXL) is painful neuropathy. Glial activation and nociceptive sensitization may be responsible for the mechanism of neuropathic pain. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Wen-luo-tong (WLT) has been widely used in China to treat chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain. However, there is no study on the effects of WLT on spinal glial activation induced by OXL. In this study, a rat model of OXL-induced chronic neuropathic pain was established and WLT was administrated. Pain behavioral tests and morphometric examination of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were conducted. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining was performed, glial activation was evaluated, and the excitatory neurotransmitter substance P (SP) and glial-derived proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were analyzed. WLT treatment alleviated OXL-induced mechanical allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia. Changes in the somatic, nuclear, and nucleolar areas of neurons in DRG were prevented. In the spinal dorsal horn, hypertrophy and activation of GFAP-positive astrocytes were averted, and the level of GFAP mRNA decreased significantly. Additionally, TNF-α mRNA and protein levels decreased. Collectively, these results indicate that WLT reversed both glial activation in the spinal dorsal horn and nociceptive sensitization during OXL-induced chronic neuropathic pain in rats.