Morphometric Investigations Research Articles

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MORPHOMETRIC RESEARCH OF BILE IN EARLY DIAGNOSTICS OF BILIOUS STONE FORMATION

The aim. To study the changes in the morphological picture of bile depending on the age of the patients and the possibility of using the information obtained in this way in the early diagnosis of gall stone formation.Material and methods. The study included 396 patients with stage I cholelithiasis, group 1 consisted of 125 patients of mature age (30-44 years), group 2 — 164 patients of middle age (45-59 years), group 3 — 107 elderly patients (60-74 years). The examined groups of patients were balanced by sex. In the verification of the diagnosis, in addition to general clinical data, results of echographic examination of the gallbladder were used. Multifractional duodenal sounding with the subsequent macroscopic, microscopic, morphometric, biochemical and physical investigation of bile is carried out. To study the morphological picture, features of the microstructure of gallbladder bile, the assessment of crystallograms was carried out.Results. When echographic examination of the gallbladder in all patients was determined signs of biliary sludge. The destabilization of bile is evidenced by an increase in cholesterol, a decrease in bile acids, a cholesterol ratio, an increase in its viscosity and surface tension. A morphometric study of the cystic bile of patients with early gallstone disease showed a decrease in the angle of inclination of liquid crystal lines, as well as the appearance of optically active inclusions, such as branched dendrites with lamellar branches, entangled fiber aggregates, shield-like aggregates and short branched dendrites. With an increase in the tendency of bile to stone formation, the optical activity of microcrystals increases, lamellar druses and branched plateau-like aggregates are determined.Conclusion The crystal-optic method of studying bile is highly sensitive, but at the same time simple in its execution and can be widely used in the early diagnosis of cholelithiasis. The degree of violation of the microstructure of bile increases with increasing age of patients.

Predilection of sustainable recharge structures using morphometric parameters and decision making model in the Vaniyar sub basin, South India

The morphometric parameters are depicting the hydrological reaction through geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial techniques used for water conservation. In this area, drainage system shows a dendritic pattern occasion where the most outrageous number of streams found in the primary request and the stream arrange extended by receding in stream number. The preference criteria were chosen in the pappiredipatti watershed compared to other watersheds in the sub basin based on slope condition, rainfall, and weathered zone thickness. The highest mean bifurcation ratio is 4.9 at yercaud watershed whereas the lowest mean bifurcation ration is 1.8 in kadattur watersheds. The mean bifurcation proportion was 3.125 which demonstrate that the discharge design is influenced by auxiliary aggravations. The Elongation ratio lowest in 0.53 at kadattur and highest at KRW is 0.8, form factor esteems were 0.67 and 0.1.92 which specify stretched state of the bowl having a compliment high point of the stream for longer spans. Flowing streams of the prolonged basin are less demanding to oversee for accommodating to deciding the impact of the catchment territory on hydrological valuation. In the pappiredipatti watershed was chosen preference criteria of recharge structures, number of structures 8, 12, and 30 of check dams were built on 1st, 2nd, 3rd order stream individually. Two permeation lakes were developed nearer to 3rd order stream. Artificial recharge structures in 1st order are lower than in 2nd order, according to the morphometric investigation, the 2nd and 3rd order stream are described by high penetrable, high infiltration limit and low help, which is conducive for the recharge. The accompanying observations made while settling on the sort and plan of maintainability structures for the proper location.

Variability of the medullary arcuate nucleus in humans.

IntroductionThe arcuate nucleus is a component of the ventral medullary surface involved in chemoreception and breathing control. The hypoplasia of this nucleus is a very frequent finding in victims of sudden unexplained fetal and infant death (from the last weeks of pregnancy to the first year of life). On the contrary, this developmental alteration is rarely present in age‐matched controls who died of defined causes. These observations lead to hypothesize that a well‐developed and functional arcuate nucleus is generally required to sustain life. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the arcuate nucleus maintains the same supposed function throughout life.MethodsWe carried out neuropathological examinations of brainstems obtained from 25 adult subjects, 18 males and 7 females, aged between 34 and 89 years, who died from various causes.ResultsFor almost half of the cases (44%) microscopic examinations of serial histological sections of medulla oblongata showed a normal cytoarchitecture of the arcuate nucleus, extending along the pyramids. For the remaining 56% of cases, various degrees of hypodevelopment of this nucleus were observed, validated through the application of quantitative morphometric investigations, from decreased area, neuron number and volume, to full aplasia.ConclusionsThese unexpected findings indicate that the involvement of the arcuate nucleus in chemoreception in adulthood is questionable, given the possibility of living until late age without this nucleus. This opens new perspectives for researchers on the role and function of the arcuate nucleus in humans from birth to old age.

Morphometric analysis and prioritization of watersheds for soil erosion management in Upper Gibe catchment

As morphometric investigation is connected to prioritization of watershed, morphometric analysis has got a significance role in light of soil and water conservation. In this study, an endeavour for the examination of point by point morphometric analyses of sub-basins was accomplished through the measurement of linear and shape parameters by using ArcGIS-9.3 software. Specifically, linear and shape morphometric parameters like stream length, stream order, drainage density, stream frequency, bifurcation ratio, Length of overland flow, basin perimeter, form factor, compactness coefficient, elongation ratio has been considered. The SRTM DEM (30 x 30 m) is processed for the delineation resulting in 61 sub-basins. The morphometric parameters which affect the soil erodibility are considered to organize the sub-basins and relegate positions on the premise of their association with erodibility to get compound parameter (Cp) esteem. Based on the value of Cp the sub-basin with the lowest Cp value was given the highest priority and then categorized the sub-basins into three classes as high, medium and low in terms of priority. Accordingly, high priority zone comprises 11 sub-basins, medium 19 and low 31 sub-basins. The sub-basins which are falling under high priority were a great deal more defenceless to soil disintegration and ought to be given high need for land preservation measures.

Fractal and stereological analyses of insulin-induced rat exocrine pancreas remodelling.

The effect of insulin on the endocrine pancreas has been the subject of extensive study, but quantitative morphometric investigations of the exocrine pancreas are scarce. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the effect of acute and chronic insulin administration (two doses, 0.4 IU and 4 IU) on the morphology of rat pancreas acini. Semi-fine sections stained with methylene blue and basic fuchsine or haematoxylin and eosin-stained 5-micrometer thick paraffin sections were used for fractal and stereological analysis of exocrine acini. Acute insulin treatment, independent of applied doses increased fractal dimension in line with decreased lacunarity of pancreas acini. Chronic low dose insulin decreased fractal dimension and increased lacunarity of pancreas acini, but a high dose had the opposite effect. The volume densities (Vv) of cytoplasm, granules and nucleus are affected differently: acute low dose and high chronic dose significantly decreased granules Vv, and in line increased cytoplasmic Vv, whereas other examined structures showed slight changes without statistical significance. The results obtained from this investigation indicate that insulin treatment induced structural remodelling of the exocrine pancreas suggesting a substantial role of insulin in its functioning. Additionally, we showed that fine architectural changes in acini could be detected by fractal analysis, suggesting this method as an alternative or addition to routine stereology.

Black soldier fly defatted meal as a dietary protein source for broiler chickens: Effects on growth performance, blood traits, gut morphology and histological features

BackgroundThe present study has evaluated the effects of different inclusion levels of a partially defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.; HI) larva meal on the growth performance, blood parameters and gut morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 256 male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were reared from d 1 to d 35 and assigned to 4 dietary treatments (8 replicates/treatment and 8 birds/replicate). HI larva meal was included at increasing levels (0, 5%, 10% and 15%; HI0, HI5, HI10 and HI15, respectively) in isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets formulated for 3 feeding phases: starter (1–10 d), growing (10–24 d) and finisher (24–35 d). Two birds per pen were slaughtered at d 35 and morphometric investigations and histopathological alterations were performed.ResultsThe live weight (LW) showed linear and quadratic responses to increasing HI larva meal (maximum for HI10 group). Average daily gain (ADG) showed a linear and quadratic responses to HI meal (maximum for HI10 group) during starter and growing periods. A linear decrease was observed for ADG during the finisher period. The daily feed intake (DFI) showed a linear and quadratic effect during the starter period (maximum for HI10 group). Linear and quadratic responses were observed for the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the growing period and for the whole period of the experiment. The FCR showed a linear response in the finisher period (maximum for HI15). No significant effects were observed for the blood and serum parameters, except for the phosphorus concentration, which showed linear and quadratic responses as well as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, the latter of which showed a linear response. The HI15 birds showed a lower villus height, a higher crypt depth and a lower villus height-to-crypt depth ratio than the other groups.ConclusionsIncreasing levels of dietary HI meal inclusion in male broiler chickens may improve the LW and DFI during the starter period, but may also negatively affect the FCR and gut morphology, thus suggesting that low levels may be more suitable. However, no significant effects on the haematochemical parameters or histological findings were observed in relation to HI meal utilization.

Morphometric Investigation of the Canine Caudal Cervical Intervertebral Space: An Ex-Vivo Computed Tomography Study

Morphometric Investigation of the Canine Caudal Cervical Intervertebral Space: An Ex-Vivo Computed Tomography Study

Morphometric study of hybridogenic species in Veronica subgenus Pseudolysimachium (Plantaginaceae)

We demonstrate the results of morphometric investigations of hybrids in Veronica subg. Pseudolysimachium (V. × altaica Kosachev und V. × kolyvanensis Kosachev et Shmakov) and their parents. Based on PCoA analysis with seven morphological characters, we reveal an intermediate position of the investigated hybrids and the most important taxonomic characters: ratio of length and width of the lamina of the upper leaves, height of plants, length of the longest corolla lobe and calyx lobe, presence of hairs on the calyx and their position, as well as the length of hairs on the internode below the inflorescence.

Morphometric investigations to assess the compatibility of mandible and skull

When a morphologically separated skull and mandible are found in the same case context, the possibility of a match arises. Two criteria with which to determine a match are the rough articulation between the mandibular condyles and cranial base itself and, most importantly, the fit of the teeth. However, when there has been intravital or postmortem tooth loss, this important criterion is not available. To date, only Reichs (1989) has investigated further compatibility criteria to solve the question of putative commingling in a case where a mandible seemed to originate from a female, while all other bones originated from a male individual. In a different reported case (Preißler et al. 2017), a mandible seemed too big for a skull; DNA analysis, however, confirmed that both originated from the same female individual.To investigate the metric relationship between mandible and skull we measured the postmortem CT data records of 223 corpses (virtual skulls) in OsiriX© MD for the following linear parameters: bicondylar breadth (KDB), biradicular breadth (AUB), and bizygomatic breadth (ZYB). The indices KDB/ZYB and KDB/AUB were developed and used to define ranges for matches and mismatches. Furthermore, the intra-observer reliability for the method was assessed. An intraclass correlation coefficient of >0.99 for every parameter showed that the used measurements are highly reliable.The 2.5–97.5 percentile for the KDB/AUB index lay between 0.91 and 1.05, while the range for the KDB/ZYB index was between 0.87 and 1.00. Within these ranges, it is possible to roughly assess whether or not a mandible and skull might be compatible, even if this can only be verified by forensic DNA analysis. If an index value lies outside these ranges, it can be assumed that skull and mandible do not match. Future studies should include more samples from a broader population spectrum so that these metric relationships can be used for different populations.

Towards a better understanding of the Chenopodium album aggregate (Amaranthaceae) in the Middle East: A karyological, cytometric and morphometric investigation

AbstractThe study of variation in nuclear genome size, especially when combined with common garden experiments, significantly contributes to disentangling interspecies relationships within taxonomically complicated plant groups. The Chenopodium album aggregate is among the morphologically most variable groups and consists of many weakly differentiated cosmopolitan entities. We analysed nuclear genome size variation in diploid and polyploid species of the aggregate from Iran using flow cytometry of 282 accessions from 88 populations of 7 species. To this end, we also determined chromosome numbers and performed a morphometric study to reveal the extent of intraspecific morphological variation. We found that Iranian species are exclusively diploid (C. vulvaria), tetraploid (C. novopokrovskyanum, C. strictum, C. sosnowskyi and C. chaldoranicum) or hexaploid (C. album subsp. album, C. album subsp. iranicum and C. opulifolium). Six homogeneous relative genome size groups were distinguished among the species studied. Our morphometric study surprisingly revealed that under similar ecological conditions Chenopodium species are morphologically stable and well distinguishable, exhibited very little morphological variation. Hence, immense variation in leaf shapes, branching and inflorescence organization seen in the field has not been repeated under greenhouse conditions. The only exception was C. album s. str. which exhibited numerous morphotypes, covering the variation of remaining species.

A morphometric investigation into shrunken heads

Abstract This is a first time morphometric investigation into 65 shrunken heads from South America, comprising 6 ceremonial tsantsa, 36 commercial heads, and 23 ambiguous heads. Ceremonial tsantsa are heads ritually reduced by the Shuar, Achuar, Awajun (Aguaruna), Wampis (Huambisa) and Candoshi-Shapra, following a long-standing war trophy tradition. Commercial heads were produced solely for trade since c.1872. Ambiguous classified heads resemble ceremonial tsantsa, but demonstrate minor questionable anomalies in their design. Thirty-two dimensions were reliably collected utilizing a sliding caliper, soft measuring tape and multi-detection computerized tomography (MDCT). Box and whisker charts plot the range in dimensions identified for each shrunken head category, including collection total. Ceremonial tsantsa were most consistent in scale. Sample sizes were small, but the long-established and religious nature of applied techniques likely influenced this result. Ambiguous heads were closely affined, but wider ranging in scale to ceremonial tsantsa. Commercial heads, produced using irregular methods, demonstrated the strongest variation in scale. They were generally larger, but presented both the very largest and smallest heads in the collection. The largest heads (with c.7–8 mm visible tissue depth) were marked with mould, suggesting improper processing and desiccation; hair analysis confirmed the smallest (c.1.2–1.7 mm visible tissue depth) were of juveniles. Visible tissue depths, taken from skin lining the neck/head opening, was typically c.3–4 mm. MDCT analysis otherwise identified a tissue depth variance of 1.95–3.67 mm minimum (common in upper face and inferior to chin regions) and 3.49–10.09 mm maximum (at vertex). Ceremonial and ambiguous heads often presented moderately thicker, heavier skins to commercial heads, with evident papillary and reticular layer separation of the dermis, from an imbalanced heat application and pronounced manual manipulation during desiccation. To advance research findings, a greater sample size of ceremonial tsantsa is required to ideally identify morphometric parameters that definitively differentiate ceremonial and commercial heads.

Yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) inclusion in diets for male broiler chickens: effects on growth performance, gut morphology, and histological findings

This study evaluated the effects of Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae meal inclusion in diets for broilers. A total of 160 male broiler chicks (Ross 708) at one-day of age were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments: a control (C) group and three TM groups, in which TM meal was included at 50 (TM5), 100 (TM10), and 150 (TM15) g/kg, respectively. The experimental diets were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. Each group consisted of five pens as replicates (8 chicks/pen). After the evaluation of growth performance and haematochemical parameters, the animals were slaughtered at 53 days and carcass traits were recorded. Morphometric investigations were performed on duodenum, jejunum, and ileum and histopathological alterations were assessed for liver, spleen, thymus, bursa of Fabricius, kidney, and heart. The live weight (LW) showed a linear (12 and 25 days, P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, maximum with TM15 and TM10) and quadratic (53 days, P < 0.05, maximum with TM5) response to dietary TM meal inclusion. A linear (1 to 12 and 12 to 25 days, P < 0.001, maximum with TM15) and quadratic (12 to 25 days, P = 0.001, maximum with TM15) effect was also observed for the daily feed intake (DFI). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed a linear response (25 to 53 and 1 to 53 days, P = 0.001 and P < 0.05, maximum with TM15). Haematological and serum biochemical traits, carcass traits and histopathological findings were not affected by dietary TM meal inclusion (P > 0.05). TM15 birds showed lower villus height (P < 0.05), higher crypt depth (P < 0.05), and lower villus height to crypt depth ratio (P = 0.001) compared with C and TM5. In conclusion, increasing levels of dietary TM meal inclusion in male broiler chickens may improve body weight and feed intake, but negatively affect feed efficiency and intestinal morphology, thus suggesting that low levels may be more suitable. However, no effect on haematochemical parameters, carcass traits, and histological findings were observed in relation to TM meal utilization.

New Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae (Acari, Oribatida) from Bonaire (Lesser Antilles) and morphometric comparison between Eastern Pacific and Caribbean populations of Fortuyniidae

Two new intertidal oribatid mite species were found on the coast of Bonaire. Litoribates bonairensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its only congener, L. caelestis, by the cerotegumental pattern and shape of sensillus. This is also the first record of the genus from the Caribbean region. Thasecazetes falcidactylus gen. nov., sp. nov. is characterized by conspicuous longitudinal notogastral ridges and sickle shaped claws and represents a new selenoribatid genus that probably shows a wider distribution within the Caribbean. Both species were found in mangrove habitats. An ecological preference for this environment may be considered. A morphometric investigation of Litoribates and Alismobates populations from the Galápagos Archipelago in the Eastern Pacific, several Caribbean areas and the Western Atlantic Bermuda Islands revealed certain remarkable facts: First, Litoribates species show a conspicuous higher size variation between the different locations than Alismobates species; second, the geographic distance between the populations is reflected in the extent of divergence and third, similar variation patterns shown in Litoribates and Alismobates indicate that both taxa have experienced similar evolutionary histories in the respective geographic regions. An additional molecular genetic analysis provides barcoding sequences for the new taxa and confirms their taxonomic distinctness.

Methanolic extract of Euchelus asper exhibits in-ovo anti-angiogenic and in vitro anti-proliferative activities

BackgroundThe marine environment is a rich source of bioactive natural products. Many of the marine bioactive compounds have been derived successfully from molluscs. Euchelus asper is a marine mollusc which is commonly found in the intertidal rocky regions of the Mumbai coast. The present study was focused on evaluating the anti-angiogenic and anti- proliferative activities of methanolic extract of Euchelus asper (EAME).MethodsThe anti-angiogenic activity of EAME (50–800 μg/mL) was assessed by chick chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM) model wherein multiple parameters in the CAM blood vessels were analysed through morphometric and histological investigations. In vitro testing of EAME (5–20 μg/mL) included its cytotoxicity against three different cancer cell lines, its effect on cell proliferation by wound healing assay as well as their relevant molecular mechanisms. Statistical analysis was carried out by two-tailed student’s t test for two unpaired groups.ResultsAnalysis of CAM revealed that the extract is effective in reducing the branching points of the 1st order blood vessels or capillaries of CAM. Histological analysis of CAM showed significant decrease in capillary plexus and compartmentalization along with increase in mesodermal blood vessels, thus establishing its anti-angiogenicity. Further, EAME exhibited moderate but significant cytotoxicity against A549 non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line. We also demonstrated that the cytotoxicity of EAME in A549 was associated with its apoptotic activity by subG1 phase arrest. Lastly, EAME significantly reduced A549 proliferation by reducing the expression of Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9).ConclusionOverall, our study suggested that EAME has potential to inhibit tumour angiogenic and proliferative activity and may be a potential source for development of new anti-cancer pharmaceuticals.

DETERMINATION OF SEX FROM THE STERNUM AND FOURTH RIB MEASUREMENTS (A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY( USING THORACIC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) IMAGES

Background: Several causes may destroy the skeletal remnants. Environmental causes, blasts, decomposition, and traumatic destruction may impede identification of bones. Furthermore, some forensic science researches showed inconsistency in using skull and pelvis bones in gender identification. In progressive skeletal destruction, the integrity of sternum may be conserved. In the postmortem duration, morphometric investigations of the sternum can be done by using radiological means. Aim of the work: This study was done to assess the sensitivity of sternal and 4th rib measurement analysis for sex determination in Egyptian population. Subjects and methods: CrossSectional study of thoracic Computed Tomography (CT) images of 261 adult Egyptians arrived at Menoufia university hospital. Meso-sternum length (SL), Manubrium length (ML), Sternebra 1 width (MS1), Sternebra 3 width (MS3), 4TH Rib (its width at the level of costochondral junction) were measured. Differences between genders were detected by student t-test. Results: All sternal and forth rib measurements are significantly higher in males. The highest sensitivity and specificity values for sex discrimination were identified in SL as the sensitivity was 90.6% and specificity was 70.6%. Sex equation = -13.134+ (SL*0.06) + (ML*0.111) + (MS1*0.045) + (MS3*0.024) + (4th rib*0.092). Conclusion: The sternum represented a reliable bone for sex determination in Egyptian population, based on a CT scan. The data generated from morphometric sternum studies are population specific data. Researchers can use a rapid and easy CT scanning for sternum and fourth rib as an effective method for sex identification. Recommendation: -we need to increase the number of conducted studies using radiological methods with proper analyses, as we can add other bones for forensic anthropologic evaluation. - As there are ethnic differences within national populations appeared in previous studies outside Egypt, we recommend other studies on the same bone in other Egyptian areas. - Use the equation of the sternal bone and the fourth rib measurement in determining sex.

Morphological and morphometric analysis of scutella of six species and two subspecies of Triatoma (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in Mexico.

Morphological characters can be used to distinguish the vast majority of triatomine species, but the existence of high levels of phenotypic plasticity and recently diverged species can lead to erroneous determinations. To approach this problem, we analyzed the male and female morphologies of the scutella of Triatoma barberi, T. dimidiata, T. lecticularia, T. mexicana, T. recurva, T. rubida, and two sub-species, T. protracta protracta and T. protracta nahuatlae. Scutellum samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy and subjected to morphological analysis and morphometric investigation using a canonical discriminant analysis. The results revealed differences primarily in central depression shape, posterior process, and vestiture. We observed clear dimension-based differences in scutellum morphometry in all the taxa under study, providing sound evidence for species and subspecies differentiation. On the other hand, there is no difference between sexes in T. lecticularia, T. protracta protracta, and T. protracta nahuatlae. Our methodology can be implemented to differentiate species of the genus Triatoma.

Morphometric prioritization of semi-arid watershed for plant growth potential using GIS technique

Watershed characterization and prioritization is carried out before taking up the task of management. Morphometric analysis plays significant role in prioritization of watersheds for proper use and various economic activities like animal husbandry. In the present study, morphometric investigations are used to ascertain plant growth potential of watershed for environmental management. Analysis was carried out in four sub-watersheds of Shivganga watershed using Geographic information system (GIS) technique for determining plant growth potential. The analysis includes linear aspects, aerial aspects and relief aspects. Exhaustive data requirements and individual biasness for assigning weights to various morphometric parameters affect the prioritization process. Thus, Weighted Sum Analysis (WSA) method is used in the present study for identifying sub-watersheds suitable for potential plant growth. The maximum elevation in Shivganga watershed is 1264 m in sub-watershed 1 (SW1) which increases stream flow velocity, erosion, minimized length of overland flow and quick water flow into streams contributing to hydrograph rise. It has been observed that sub-watershed 3 and 4 with low average slope show significant plant growth and contribute less runoff, relatively less land erosion and low peaks in hydrograph. The SW3 has highest potential for plant growth as it matches with the lowest weighted sum analysis. Thus, SW1 is given rank 1 with least compound factor value 1.317. The result illustrated that 13.64 to 45.40% of total area, falls in the good potential growth zone. The results of the work may be useful for watershed administrators and managers while planning conservation measures in the area.

Effects of yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) inclusion in diets for female broiler chickens: implications for animal health and gut histology

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the animal performance, haematochemical parameters, intestinal morphology and histological features of broiler chickens fed diets including Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae meal. A total of 160 female broiler chicks (Ross 708) at one-day of age were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments: a control (C) group and three TM groups, in which TM meal was included at 50 (TM50), 100 (TM100) and 150 (TM150) g/kg, respectively. Each group consisted of five pens as replicates, with eight chicks per pen. After the evaluation of growth performance and haematochemical parameters, two birds per pen were slaughtered at 40days and carcass traits were recorded. Morphometric investigations were performed on duodenum, jejunum and ileum and histopathological alterations were assessed for liver, spleen, thymus, bursa of Fabricius, kidney and heart. The live weight (LW) showed a linear (12days, P<0.05, maximum with TM150) and quadratic response (40days, P<0.05, maximum with TM50) to dietary TM meal inclusion. The average daily gain (ADG) showed a linear increase (1-12days, P<0.05, maximum with TM150) in response to TM meal utilization. A linear effect (1–12 and 12–25days, P<0.01 and P<0.05, maximum with TM150 and TM50) was observed for the daily feed intake (DFI). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed a linear response to TM utilization in the period 12–25days (P<0.01, maximum with TM150). A quadratic effect (P<0.05, maximum with TM50) was observed for the carcass weight. The abdominal fat weight and percentage showed a linear response to dietary TM meal inclusion (P<0.05 and P<0.01, maximum with TM150 and TM100). A quadratic increase (P<0.05, maximum with TM100) was observed for the erythrocytes, while the albumin and GGT showed a linear and quadratic decrease (P<0.05, minimum with TM100) in relation to TM utilization. Gut morphology and histopathological findings were not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by dietary TM meal inclusion. The present study suggests that increasing levels of dietary TM meal inclusion in female broiler chickens diets may improve body weight and feed intake, but can partially worsen feed efficiency. However, positive effects on carcass traits and haematochemical parameters related to TM meal utilization are observed, along with no negative influence on gut morphology and histological findings.

Martian slope streaks as plausible indicators of transient water activity

Slope streaks have been frequently observed in the equatorial, low thermal inertia and dusty regions of Mars. The reason behind their formation remains unclear with proposed hypotheses for both dry and wet mechanisms. Here, we report an up-to-date distribution and morphometric investigation of Martian slope streaks. We find: (i) a remarkable coexistence of the slope streak distribution with the regions on Mars with high abundances of water-equivalent hydrogen, chlorine, and iron; (ii) favourable thermodynamic conditions for transient deliquescence and brine development in the slope streak regions; (iii) a significant concurrence of slope streak distribution with the regions of enhanced atmospheric water vapour concentration, thus suggestive of a present-day regolith-atmosphere water cycle; and (iv) terrain preferences and flow patterns supporting a wet mechanism for slope streaks. These results suggest a strong local regolith-atmosphere water coupling in the slope streak regions that leads to the formation of these fluidised features. Our conclusions can have profound astrobiological, habitability, environmental, and planetary protection implications.

QUAM AD MAIOREM DEI GLORIAM або філософські підходи щодо принципів розвитку сучасної морфологічної науки

The world’s creation understanding can be possible only with the pious opinion in expediency of everything in being. Everything is created on the basis of laws and principles deep knowledge coexistence of alive and unalive in the nature and points on the intellectual principle approach in well ordered different life layers existence made by Perfect Creator. Thus existence far not web-based, but dynamic one, that is with permanent ability of vivifi cation. Modern science development theory cannot anymore deny already religiously proclaimed theological world creation principle: the universe has inner withstand aim of its development and its magnitudes are previously build on intellectual life forming. For centuries morphologists had used descriptive and morphometric investigation methods with the usage of different colours of natural and synthetical origin, following the requirements of classical approach in relation to studying of peculiarities of human organism structure and changes that happened under one or another impact of different factors, taking into account strict experiment validity. During the last decades classical methods in morphology – light, darkfi eld, phasecontrastive and luminescent microscopy – are much more perfected, giving objective answers on the questions of the physiological, biochemical, immune and even genetic layers, using immune- and lectinogistochemical, autoradiographic, cytospectrophotometric morphofunctional methods, fl ow cytometry method, that gives ability to analyze cells characteristics in suspension with the conciliation of focused laser ray (cytofl owgraphy). Either transmissive or scanning electronical microscopes, that give third-dimensional objects image, are widely used in electronical microscopy. Modern science has begun to investigate not only subjects that passed through changes, but also objects that are insusceptible to human senses (micro- and macroworld). That is why special laboratories type is created nowadays – complicated, equipped with technical devices, technological process. Specially organized team with work division within the group has begun to carry out scientifi c investigations: from idea men to facilitator of their execution. The morphologist should not stay only in the morphological methods execution boards in his investigations, but he can also gain allied sciences methods – physiological, biochemical, radiographical, immunological and so on, that objectively give an opportunity to deepen the knowledge and to understand the mechanisms of coactions on cellular, subcellular and molecular levels of objects been investigated. It forms qualitatively new way of thinking in modern morphological science, that is based not on straight objectivism, but on understanding of circumstantial genuineness of nature’s theories and pictures.