Morphometric Changes Research Articles

INVESTIGATION OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF MIXED-LIGAND COMPLEXES IN RELATION TO CONDITIONALLY PATHOGENIC STRAINS

Relevance. Flavonoids represent the largest group of natural molecules with antibacterial action, which can be explained by aggregation of bacterial cells and damage to the bacterial membrane. Modification of antimicrobial drugs with flavonoids may become a promising technique in the fight against antibiotic resistance, since the presence of complex structural complexes in the composition will help hide or reduce the recognition of antibac-terial substances by bacteria. The purpose of the work: To assess the change in morphometric parameters of bacterial cells of P. aeruginosa under the combined effect of anti-bacterial drugs and flavonoids of medicinal plant raw materials. Material and methods: The object of the study were strains of R. aeruginosa grown on meat-peptone agar, which were affected by complexes of flavonoids isolated from Dianthus and Folia eucalypti with antibacterial drugs fosfomycin and ceftazidime. Visualization of morphometric changes and physical characteristics of the object of study was carried out using AFM. Results. Analysis of the experimental data obtained indicates that combinations of flavonoids with ceftazidime significantly reduced bacterial cell length by 5.5% (p < 0.05) for Dianthus and by 13.02% (p < 0.001) for Folia eucalypti. The combination of these phenolic extracts of Dianthus and Folia eucalypti with fosfomycin was characterized by significantly significant increases in length by 28.86% (p≤0.001), a decrease in width by 11.03% (p≤0.01) and height by 55.91% (p≤0.001) in the case of Dianthus, and a decrease in length by 5.5% (p≤0.05) and a height of 55.38% (p≤0.001) for Folia eucalypti. Thus, significantly significant changes in the morphometry of the bacterial cell were observed for all samples in comparison with the control. Conclusions: The data obtained confirm changes in the cell membrane of cells caused by the action of inhibitory components. The binding of anti-bacterial complexes with phospholipid groups changes the charge distribution across the membrane, disrupts internal membrane processes, inhibits the work of PSB, which causes a violation of peptidoglycan synthesis, and ultimately leads to a change in cell morphology.

Direct, carryover, and maternal effects of ocean acidification on snow crab embryos and larvae.

Ocean acidification, a decrease in ocean pH with increasing anthropogenic CO2 concentrations, is expected to affect many marine animals. To examine the effects of decreased pH on snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio), a commercial species in Alaska, we reared ovigerous females in one of three treatments: Ambient pH (~8.1), pH 7.8, and pH 7.5, through two annual reproductive cycles. Morphometric changes during development and hatching success were measured for embryos both years and calcification was measured for the adult females at the end of the 2-year experiment. Embryos and larvae analyzed in year one were from oocytes developed, fertilized, and extruded in situ, whereas embryos and larvae in year two were from oocytes developed, fertilized, and extruded under acidified conditions in the laboratory. In both years, larvae were exposed to the same pH treatments in a fully crossed experimental design. Starvation-survival, morphology, condition, and calcium/magnesium content were assessed for larvae. Embryo morphology during development, hatching success, and fecundity were unaffected by pH during both years. Percent calcium in adult females' carapaces did not differ among treatments at the end of the experiment. In the first year, starvation-survival of larvae reared at Ambient pH but hatched from embryos reared at reduced pH was lowered; however, the negative effect was eliminated when the larvae were reared at reduced pH. In the second year, there was no direct effect of either embryo or larval pH treatment, but larvae reared as embryos at reduced pH survived longer if reared at reduced pH. Treatment either did not affect other measured larval parameters, or effect sizes were small. The results from this two-year study suggest that snow crabs are well adapted to projected ocean pH levels within the next two centuries, although other life-history stages still need to be examined for sensitivity and potential interactive effects with increasing temperatures should be investigated.

Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography: New insights for psoriasis treatment monitoring.

Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) is a new, valid means for a rapid and non-invasive invivo examination of the epidermis and upper dermis, allowing digital interpretation and measurement of high-resolution images on a cellular level. Given these properties, it may represent a valid tool for monitoring psoriasis during treatment, allowing a new method to set a precise objective severity of the disease. We aimed to investigate the potentialities of LC-OCT in the non-invasive monitoring of microscopical changes associated with moderate-severe plaque psoriasis (PP) during the treatment with the most common biological drugs. We performed LC-OCT imaging of PP lesions from 17 patients before and after 8 weeks of treatment. The clinical severity of the single lesions was evaluated using a lesion score (LS), designed considering three parameters: erythema, desquamation and infiltration. LC-OCT images were segmented by artificial intelligence and evaluated based on three microscopic criteria: the thickness of the stratum corneum, the thickness of the living epidermis and the undulation of the dermo-epidermal junction. Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography digital analysis allowed recognition and quantification of the three microscopic criteria, showing a reduction of all these during the follow-up. Furthermore, a high correlation between change in LS and the thickness of the stratum corneum and the thickness of the living epidermis was found. Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography can non-invasively monitor the response of PP to different treatments. Morphometric changes occurring in the psoriatic lesion during the 8-week treatment period were identified by invivo LC-OCT and measured by using artificial intelligence. Although future studies are required, based on these preliminary results, LC-OCT may represent a valid potential tool for precise monitoring of therapeutic response.

Intestinal morphometric changes associated with the use of non-antibiotic feed additives in broiler chicks challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis

Intestinal morphometric changes associated with the use of non-antibiotic feed additives in broiler chicks challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis

Cortical structural differences following repeated ayahuasca use hold molecular signatures.

Serotonergic psychedelics such as ayahuasca are reported to promote both structural and functional neural plasticity via partial 5-HT2A agonism. However, little is known about how these molecular mechanisms may extend to repeated psychedelic administration in humans, let alone neuroanatomy. While early evidence suggests localised changes to cortical thickness in long-term ayahuasca users, it is unknown how such findings may be reflected by large-scale anatomical brain networks comprising cytoarchitecturally complex regions. Here, we examined the relationship between cortical gene expression markers of psychedelic action and brain morphometric change following repeated ayahuasca usage, using high-field 7 Tesla neuroimaging data derived from 24 members of an ayahuasca-using church (Santo Daime) and case-matched controls. Using a morphometric similarity network (MSN) analysis, repeated ayahuasca use was associated with a spatially distributed cortical patterning of both structural differentiation in sensorimotor areas and de-differentiation in transmodal areas. Cortical MSN remodelling was found to be spatially correlated with dysregulation of 5-HT2A gene expression as well as a broader set of genes encoding target receptors pertinent to ayahuasca's effects. Furthermore, these associations were similarly interrelated with altered gene expression of specific transcriptional factors and immediate early genes previously identified in preclinical assays as relevant to psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity. Taken together, these findings provide preliminary evidence that the molecular mechanisms of psychedelic action may scale up to a macroscale level of brain organisation in vivo. Closer attention to the role of cortical transcriptomics in structural-functional coupling may help account for the behavioural differences observed in experienced psychedelic users.

The morphometrical evaluation after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and the corresponding postoperative morphometrical changes. Patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome who complained of snoring and apnea were enrolled in this study. Pre- and postoperative tests, including CTs, pharyngeal volume (PV), cross-sectional area (CSA), and six-category morphometrical studies, were performed. Of 11 patientsincluded, 10 showed improvement of symptoms. BMI correlated with the respiratory event index (REI). In terms of PV, there was a significantlywider postoperative area. The rate of change between preoperative REI and postoperative REI (ΔREI) correlated with the amount of change of PV between preoperative PV and postoperative PV (ΔPV). CSA increased postoperatively and correlated with REI. Uvula space (UV) and distance between the hyoid bone and the base of the tongue (HB) increased postoperatively, and posterior airway space (PAS) and epiglottic space (Epi) decreased postoperatively. UV and PAS were significant (p = 0.046, 0.014). UV was related to REI. Widening the PV, increasing CSA, and the posterior movement of the tongue base after UPPP surgery were found. The improvement of REI did not depend only on volume. These results suggest that it was important not only to widen the PV but also to improve the shape of the pharynx.

Efficacy of Flavonoid Apigenin on Hemodynamic indices, Baroreflex Function, Cardiac and Kidney Remodeling and Vasoactive-Inflammatory Biomarkers in Experimental Renal Hypertension

The hypothesis stated here that, the long-term prevention by natural flavonoid phenolic compound, for example apigenin (Apg), improves baroreflex sensitivity and vascular resistance and occurs beneficial action for attenuation the renal hypertension (RH). One-kidney, 1-clip rats (1K1C) were treated with Apg for 2 weeks after 1 week of surgical intervention. At the end of the study in the control RH group the blood pressure (BP) increased on average by 43.5%, decreased in heart period (HP) by 9.8%, cardiochronotropic (vagal) component of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) by 50%, and adrenergic component by 34%. Thus, in 1K1C experimental model of hypertension, provides switching to parasympathetic component and accompanied with proportionally nearly two-fold increase in epinephrine (EPN) and norepinephrine (NE) without changes in EPN/NE ratio. Morphometric changes in the kidney and heart confirmed the development of kidney and cardiac hypertrophy and renal functioning disturbances (blood urea nitrogen (BUN) increased in more than two-fold) and markers of sodium reabsorption in proximal tubule, total trans-EETs, decreased in 1.6-fold. The pronounced increased proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin 1b (IL1 b), endothelin -1 (ET-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a confirmed the formation of “sterile inflammation” which strengthening by the nearly two-fold decreasing in the level of anti-inflammatory (vasodilatory) mediators, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Preventive long-term regime treatment with Apg (5mg/kg i.p./daily) in RH rats significantly decreased BP by 18.6%, increased parasympathetic component of BRS by 38.5% without marked altered its sympathetic component. Such deremodeling in BRS sensitivity associated with significant decreased in heart and kidney hypertrophy and functional activity of kidney, normalization of BUN and total EETs, reducing in circulating plasma level of catecholamines, and markedly attenuated progression of inflammation, decreased of proinflammatory levels of cytokines. Thus, Apg provides preventive beneficial pluripotent action in RH rats by exerting antihypertensive, cardio- and renoprotective effects and attenuation of “sterile inflammation”.

Антагонистическая активность экстремофильных микроорганизмов в отношении фитопатогенов сельскохозяйственных культур

Wheat is a vital agricultural crop whose phytopathogens include fungi of the genera Fusarium and Alternaria. Synthetic pesticides, which are used to combat them, have a negative impact on the environment. Therefore, there is a need for developing safe and effective biopesticides. We aimed to create a consortium of extremophilic microorganisms isolated from natural sources to protect wheat from the diseases caused by Alternaria and Fusarium fungi.
 Ten isolates of extremophilic microorganisms were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and their antagonistic activity against phytopathogens. Based on the results, we developed microbial consortia and evaluated their effectiveness in protecting wheat from phytopathogens.
 Five of the strains under study showed the highest activity, three of which were biocompatible, namely Leclercia sp., Sphingomonas paucimobilis, and Lactobacillus plantarum. Four consortia were created from these microorganisms, of which consortium B (with a 2:1:1 ratio of the strains, respectively) proved the most effective. In particular, it increased the area free from the phytopathogen by 4.2% compared to the average values of its individual microorganisms. Also, the consortium had a phytostimulating effect on wheat seedlings (germination of 73.2–99.6%) and protected the seeds infected with phytopathogens from morphometric changes.
 The resulting consortium can be used as a biopesticide since it is highly effective in protecting wheat from Alternaria and Fusarium pathogens.

Morphometric and volumetric analysis of lacrimal glands in patients with thyroid eye disease

Assessment of morphometric and volumetric changes in lacrimal glands in thyroid eye disease, its clinical manifestations in relation of disease progression. Retrospective volumetric analysis included both genders and was performed on total of 183 patients - 91 patients with diagnosed Grave’s disease and thyroid eye disease and 92 patients without Grave’s disease and thyroid eye disease who underwent multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) examination in routine daily work according to other medical indications. In the group of females, there was statistical significance between patients with thyroid eye disease and controls who were smoking and had body weight gain. We found statistical significance in volumetric enlargements for both orbits in both genders for the patients group when compared to controls. There was also statistical significance in morphometric characteristics for the lacrimal gland diameters measured. Determination planimetric morphometric parameters of importance were coronary height of lacrimal gland of the right eye, coronary height of lacrimal gland of the left eye and coronary width of lacrimal gland of the left eye for the group of males. In a group of females the established determination parameters of importance were the coronary height of lacrimal gland of the left eye, the axial width of lacrimal gland of the left eye, volume of lacrimal gland of the right eye and the volume of lacrimal gland of the left eye. When we compared the displaced lacrimal gland coming forward (proptosis) in time progressing disease between group of patients and controls, we also found statistical significant connection. Evaluation of lacrimal gland volumetric and morphometric data may increase validity of defining this anatomical substrate and its morphology disruption as liable tool for thyroid eye disease progression follow up and treatment planning and outcome.

Grey-matter correlates of empathy in 4-Repeat Tauopathies

Loss of empathy is an early and central symptom of frontotemporal lobar degeneration spectrum diseases. We aimed to investigate the topographical distribution of morphometric brain changes associated with empathy in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS) patients. Twenty-seven participants with CBS and 31 with PSP were evaluated using Interpersonal Reactivity Index scales in correlation with gray matter atrophy using a voxel-based morphometry approach. Lower levels of empathy were associated with an increased atrophy in fronto-temporal cortical structures. At subcortical level, empathy scores were positively correlated with gray matter volume in the amygdala, hippocampus and the cerebellum. These findings allow to extend the traditional cortico-centric view of cognitive empathy to the cerebellar regions in patients with neurodegenerative disorders and suggest that the cerebellum may play a more prominent role in social cognition than previously appreciated.

A Study on Morphometric Changes of the Pinna Following Ear Surgery.

Morphometry of pinna may change following ear surgeries. This study gives information about postoperative changes following ear surgeries. This study aims to measure the variation of ear morphology following surgery and to correlate the type of surgery with post-operative variations. Eighty patients with Chronic Otitis Media(COM) undergoing surgery by post aural approach were grouped into Modified Radical Mastoidectomy (MRM), Cortical Mastoidectomy + Tympanoplasty (CM + TM) and Tympanoplasty groups(TM). The MRM, CM + TM and TM groups had 14, 46 and 20 participants respectively. Various morphometric measurements were taken pre and post operatively. In all groups, the mean Concho-Mastoid Angle (CMA) was increased post operatively, with increase of 11.1 degrees in MRM (p value-0.002), 8.9 degrees in CM + TM (p value-0.000) and 4.8 degrees (p value- 0.657) in TM group. Similarly, the Cepahlo-auricular distances (D1 and D2) showed statistically significant changes in MRM and CM + TM groups (p value < 0.05). Mean CMA of MRM group compared with other groups did not show any statistically significant difference. However, when the CMA of CM + TM group was compared with TM group showed significant difference of 14.53 degree (p value 0.002). Similarly, the D1 and D2 showed statistically significant changes between the CM + TM and TM groups (p value 0.005 and 0.000 respectively). Prominence of pinna following ear surgery is a not a myth. It happens mostly in cases requiring drilling of the mastoid, rather than Tympanoplasty alone. This needs to be explained to the patient beforehand to prevent any confusion post operatively.

Anatomical and Radiological Evaluation of Brainstem Morphometry of Subjects with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Background: The aim of this study was to define the significant new insights and reveal the morphometric and volumetric changes in brainstem of ALS patients. Material and Methods: We analyzed the clinical records of 50 (males, n = 30; females, n = 20) ALS patients who were admitted to the Department of Neurology between January 2012 and September 2022. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised was used to quantify the patients. Onset complaints were in the upper extremity (n = 37), lower extremity (n= 19), bulbar involving (n = 15), dizziness (n= 3), unilateral paresthesia, and arm pain (n= 4). Results: The means of the brainstem morphology were estimated as following: the diameters of cerebrum anteroposterior (154.53mm), superior inferior (132.83mm), transverse (133.25mm), pons anteroposterior (14.6mm), vertical (22.84mm), mesencephalon anteroposterior (10.33mm), vertical (14.55mm), the distance between the interpedincular fissure and aquaduct (11.78mm), the distance between cerebral peduncles and aqueduct (13.13mm), the distance between pons, mesencephalon, medulla and the fourth ventricular floor (21.57mm), the anteroposterior diameters of medulla at pontomedullary junction (11.69mm) and at medulla spinal junction (8.35mm), the volume of medulla oblongata (2035.76mm3). After these measurements, the following ratios were calculated as: the ratio between pons, mesencephalon, medulla and the fourth ventricular floor and anteroposterior diameter of medulla at pontomedullary junction (1.87), the ratio between pons, mesencephalon, medulla and the fourth ventricular floor and anteroposterior diameter of medulla at medullaspinal junction (2.65), the ratio between pons, mesencephalon, medulla and the fourth ventricular floor and the distance between the interpedincular fissure and aquaduct (1.86), the ratio between pons, mesencephalon, medulla and the fourth ventricular floor and cerebral peduncles and aqueduct (1.66), the ratio between anteroposterior distances of mesencephalon and pons (0.71) and the vertical diameters between mesencephalon and pons (0.639). Some values showed significant difference in terms of age and gender, whereas all parameters were found higher in males than in females (p&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusions: According to literature analysis, this paper is the first study that determined the linear brain stem measurements and ratios of ALS patients. Therefore, we believe that the data presented in this paper underline the clinical importance and detailed knowledge about ALS diagnosis.

Prospective, Longitudinal Study of Clinical Outcome and Morphometric Posterior Fossa Changes after Craniocervical Decompression for Symptomatic Chiari I Malformation.

The time course of changes in posterior fossa morphology, quality of life, and neurologic function of patients with Chiari I malformation after craniocervical decompression requires further elaboration. To better understand the pace of these changes, we longitudinally studied patients with Chiari I malformation, with or without syringomyelia, before and after the operation for up to 5 years. Thirty-eight symptomatic adult patients (35 women, 3 men) diagnosed with Chiari I malformation only (n = 15) or Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia (n = 23) and without previous Chiari I malformation surgery were enrolled in a clinical study. Patients underwent outpatient study visits and MR imaging at 7 time points (ie, initial [before the operation], 3 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, and 5 years) during 5 years. The surgical procedure for all patients was suboccipital craniectomy, C1 laminectomy, and autologous duraplasty. Morphometric measurements demonstrated an enlargement of the CSF areas posterior to the cerebellar tonsils after the operation, which remained largely stable through the following years. There was a decrease in pain and improved quality of life after the operation, which remained steady during the following years. Reduction in pain and improved quality of life correlated with CSF area morphometrics. Most changes in MR imaging morphometrics and quality of life measures occurred within the first year after the operation. A 1-year follow-up period after Chiari I malformation surgery is usually sufficient for evaluating surgical efficacy and postoperative MR imaging changes.

Cortical and subcortical morphometric changes and their relation to cognitive impairment in isolated REM sleep behavior disorder.

To date, very few studies have focused on structural changes and their association with cognitive performance in isolated REM sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD). Moreover, the results of these studies are inconclusive. This study aims to evaluate differences in the associations between brain morphology and cognitive tests in iRBD and healthy controls. Sixty-three patients with iRBD and thirty-six controls underwent MRI with a 3T scanner. The cognitive performance was assessed by a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Based on performance, the iRBD group was divided into two subgroups with (iRBD-MCI) and without mild cognitive impairment (iRBD-NC). The high-resolution T1-weighted images were analysed using an automated atlas segmentation tool, voxel-based (VBM) and deformation-based (DBM) morphometry to identify between-group differences and correlations with cognitive performance. VBM, DBM and the comparison of ROI volumes yielded no significant differences between iRBD and controls. In the iRBD group, significant correlations in VBM were found between several cortical and subcortical structures primarily located in the temporal, parietal, occipital lobe, cerebellum, and basal ganglia and three cognitive tests assessing psychomotor speed and one memory test. Between-group analysis of cognition revealed a significant difference between iRBD-MCI and iRBD-NC in tests including a processing speed component. iRBD shows deficits in several cognitive tests that correlate with morphological changes, the most prominent of which is in psychomotor speed and visual attention as measured by the TMT-A and associated with the volume of striatum, insula, cerebellum, temporal lobe, pallidum and amygdala.

Association of limb morphometric and biokinetic anatomical changes with quality of life in lymphedema patients undergoing physiotherapy: a systematic review

Introduction: Lymphedema is a common complication of patients receiving cancer treatment. It has serious effects on mobility, self-care, functionality and quality of life. The purpose of this review was to show the effect of lymphedema on the morphometric and biokinematic characteristics of the limb and the quality of life of the patients. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed using the PRISMA statement. The search included studies from online databases, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, which were published from 2000 to 2022. Studies assessed outcome variables such as range of motion, strength, sensation, body composition, quality of life. The screening process resulted in a total of 23 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Results: Of the 23 studies that met the inclusion criteria, seventeen referred to upper extremity lymphoedema and six referred to lower extremity lymphoedema. There was a variety of methods for identifying lymphedema between studies. Studies have shown reduced grip strength, range of motion, sensory perception, changes in body composition have been observed with fat tissue being increased compared to muscle tissue. The majority of studies reported reduced patient quality of life. The areas most affected were body image, role, mental health and sociability. Conclusions: Findings indicate that lymphedema has a high incidence among people treated for cancer, and has a significant impact on patients functionality and quality of life.

The effect of morphometric brain changes on gait-cognitive impairment of patients with Parkinson’s disease

The effect of morphometric brain changes on gait-cognitive impairment of patients with Parkinson’s disease

Morphologic characteristic of rat myocardium in comorbid pathology

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Aim. Therefore, we aimed to study myocardial changes in adult rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM exposed to chronic immobilization stress (CIS). Materials and methods. A total of 26 adult albino male rats weighing 180–200 g were examined. All the animals were divided into three groups: Group I included 10 rats with STZ-induced DM exposed to CIS; Group II comprised 10 rats with STZ-induced DM; Group III included 6 intact animals. The samples were collected on the 14th and 56th days of the experiment. Histological, histochemical, electron microscopy, and biochemical methods were used. Results. On the 14th day of the experiment, in Group I and Group II, increased blood flow was observed in the capillaries, venules, and veins, while an arteriolar spasm in the microcirculation was found. In addition, cardiomyocyte surface area in different myocardial regions reduced due to low glycogen content as confirmed by histochemical and ultrastructural studies. On the 56th day of the experiment, in Group I and Group II, hyperemia occurred due to red blood cell aggregation and microthrombi. The surface area of all microcirculatory vessels increased as compared to that of intact animals, as evidenced by an increase in their wall surface area leading to an increase in their wall-to-lumen ratio. Such morphometric changes in the microcirculatory vessels were indicative of decreased vascular permeability and impaired myocardial blood flow. At the histological level, in Group I and Group II, focal cardiomyocyte lysis, moderate to diffuse stromal edema, lymphohistiocytic infiltration were seen. Such changes pointed to sterile inflammation, probably due to myocardial infraction secondary to diabetic microangiopathy. In cardiomyocytes, karyolysis, vacuolar degeneration, apical ballooning, subsarcolemmic edema, fibrosis and lysis of myofibrils, colliquative necrosis were observed. Conclusions. STZ-induced DM and stress resulted in pronounced destructive changes in the myocardium of rats, including interstitial edema, focal cardiosclerosis, myolysis. Such changes occurred on the background developing diabetic microangiopathy. The most pronounced myocardial changes were recorded in animals with a comorbidity.

Morphometry of Mouthparts of Eri Silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini Boisduval under Different Food Regimes

Eri silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini Boisduval is polyphagous feeding on several plant species. The influence of feed on growth of an animal is evident from literature. Eri larva has biting and chewing type of mouthparts comprising of a pair of mandibles, Labrum and the labio-maxillary complex. The size of these mouthparts increases with larval age. In an experiment conducted to study the influence of host on morphometric changes in mouthparts of Eri silkworm, the local castor variety with greenish petiole found to have significant influence on the length and width of mandibles (0.0803 and 0.0675 cm, respectively), labrum (0.0543 and 0.0735 cm, respectively) and labio-maxillary complex (0.1007 and 0.1145 cm, respectively). Further, there was a sudden increase in the size of mouthparts during fourth instar (85 × 67% gain in mandibles, 95 × 73% gains in LMC and 124 × 58% gain in labrum) irrespective of the host.

MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF DENTAL TISSUES IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETES MELLITUS MODEL

The global issue of diabetes mellitus (DM), which is a serious burden faced by the healthcare systems and economies in many countries, has been increasing steadily in the recent decades. The fast pace of DM growth and prevalence, as well as associated complications (macro- and microangiopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, impaired vision), high economic costs and social damage, high disability and mortality rates entailed by this disease take constant improvement of the respective diagnostics, prevention and treatment approaches. Dental manifestations of DM are diagnosed in most patients and reveal themselves through demineralized hard dental tissues, high intensity of dental caries and its prevalence, as well as the prevalence of periodontal diseases and issues affecting the oral mucosa. Our research included 60 male Wistar stock rats, all divided into two groups: the comparison group with no DM (n=10) and the main group with induced DM (n=50). DM modeling was done by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (dosage – 65 mg/kg). The main group lab animals were removed from the experiment on Days 8, 16, 24, 32 and 60 under anesthesia by decapitation. All the histological and morphometric changes observed in the dental tissues were recorded in the ImadgeJ software package using a Leica DM2500 hardware and software set. The studied sections were used to evaluate the thickness of enamel, dentin, predentin, cement, pulp, the dentin tubule diameter, as well as the density of odontoblasts and ameloblasts. On Day 60 into the experiment, the following changes were identified in relation to the hard dental tissues: regarding the enamel − demineralization, disintegration of the interprism substance; deformed enamel prisms; erosion-type defects developing; regarding the dentin − expanded dentin tubules, vacuole dystrophy of odontoblasts, accumulating edematous fluid under the odontoblast layer, deformation and atrophy of odontoblasts; regarding the cement – layer thinning, cementolysis, cavities developing. Quantitative evaluation of rat dental tissues on Day 60, if compared with intact animals, revealed a multidirectional dynamics in the morphometric values. There was a statistically significant (p≤0.05) decrease in the enamel thickness identified (from 31.06±2.17 microns to 18.19±1.36 microns), in predentin (from 25.19±1.48 microns to 20.93±1.16 microns), in cement (from 37.28±2.04 microns to 31.04±1.46 microns), in the dentin tubule diameter (from 1.82±0.14 microns to 1.56±0.13 microns), as well as in the density of odontoblasts (from 7683.24±319.76 units/mm2 to 7312.61±256.19 units/mm2) along with a statistically reliable (p ≤0.05) increase in the thickness of dentin (from 96.54±3.39 microns to 105.11± 3.16 microns), pulp (from 107.43± 4.12 microns to 120.38±5.26 microns), as well as in the ameloblast density (from 6471.39± 272.18 units/mm2 to 6849.06±253.84 units/mm2). The outcomes expand the understanding of the structural changes affecting rat dental tissues at various times through modeling of Type 1 diabetes, as well as results could be used for developing pharmacological correction methods aiming at the reduction of the pathology intensity.

Postnatal Development of the Amygdala of Rat Offspring after Prenatal Exposure to Valproic Acid: A Histological and Morphometric Study

Abstract Background The amygdala has a major role in emotion regulation, social behavior development and reward learning. Being subject to several factors makes it vulnerable to numerous neurodevelopmental disorders. Aim of the Work The aim of the current work was to study the structural and morphometric changes of the amygdala of rat's offspring following maternal exposure to valproic acid during pregnancy and to compare it with the control. Material and methods 20 adult female and 10 adult male Sprague dawley albino rats weighing 150-200 g body weight were used in the current study. After induction of pregnancy, pregnant rats were divided into two groups 6 in each group; control group (I) and valproic acid treated group (II). Pregnant rats received one ml of saline in group (I) or 500 mg/kg BW valproic acid dissolved in one ml saline in group (II) by oral gavage on day 11-13 of pregnancy. Pregnant rats were observed till end of pregnancy and four male newborn rats were sacrificed at each time point of the experiment from the two groups (week1, 2, &amp;3). Brains were extracted and processed for paraffin blocks and sectioned then stained with H&amp;E, cresyl violet stains and immunohistochemically stained for GFAP antibody. Image analysis &amp;morphometry were performed on stained sections for; number of neurons, number of oligodendrocytes, surface area of basal nucleus of amygdala and density of GFAP staining. Results On examination of H&amp;E-stained sections of control groups during the first three weeks postnatally, the amygdala contained mainly three types of cells: pyramidal cells, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. Pyramidal cells had basophilic cytoplasm with large rounded open face nuclei and prominent nucleoli. Some pyramidal cells showed apical dendrites. The oligodendrocytes were seen to have rounded nuclei with condensed chromatin surrounded by thin cytoplasmic ring. Astrocytes possessed nuclei with pale vesicular chromatin pattern less dense than that of oligodendrocytes and showed relatively small indistinct nucleoli. Morphometric studies using image analysis had recorded statistically non-significant changes in the number of neurons during development, however concerning oligodendrocytes there was a statistically significant increase in their number in week 2 and 3 when compared to week 1. Using Nissl staining (cresyl violet) it demonstrated negative or very weak staining in the first week postnatally, the staining becomes more obvious in the next 2 weeks postnatally. GFAP immune stained sections of the amygdala of the 3 weeks revealed mild positive immune reaction. There was no statistically significant difference regarding density of staining across the three weeks. The surface area of the basal nucleus of amygdala of the control groups showed statistically significant increase during development across the three weeks. On examination of H&amp;E-stained sections of VPA treated groups during the first three weeks postnatally, numerous cells with pyknotic deeply basophilic stained nuclei were seen. Morphometric studies on the same groups using image analysis recorded statistically significant decrease in neurons and oligodendrocytes number when compared to control. On examination of the cresyl violet stained sections, there were numerous darkly stained degenerating cells that did not reveal the presence of Nissl granules denoting chromatolysis. On examining GFAP immune stained sections of the amygdala, week 2 and 3 postnatally showed strong positive immune reaction. The surface area of the basal nucleus of amygdala of VPA treated groups of weeks 1 showed a highly significant decrease when compared to week 1 of control groups, however the surface area of the amygdala of week 2 and 3 showed an increase more than the increase recorded in the control groups. The increase in the surface area was non-significant in week 2 but highly significant in week 3. Conclusion Results of the present experimental study demonstrated the developmental structural changes of the rat amygdala across the first three weeks of postnatal life. The study also explored the devastating effect of the prenatal exposure to VPA on the structure of the amygdala leading to neuronal death and gliosis particularly in the third week of age postnatally.