Achilles tendinosis – a morphometrical study in a rat model

PubMed Central

Silva, Rafael Duarte; Glazebrook, Mark Anthony; Campos, Vinicius Castro; Vasconcelos, Anilton Cesar

2011-01-01

This study addresses the morphopathogenesis of Achilles tendinosis, using a rat model and presenting quantitative analysis of time-dependent histological changes. Thirty Wistar rats were used, randomly split in experimental and control groups. Animals of the experimental group were submitted to a treadmill running scheme. Five animals of each group were euthanized at four, eight and sixteen weeks. Achilles tendons were collected and processed routinely for histopath sections. Slides were stained by Hematoxylin-Eosin, Picrosirius Red, Alcian Blue, AgNOR, TUNEL and evaluated morphometrically. Cellular density decreased slightly along the time and was higher in the experimental group than in controls at fourth, eighth and sixteenth weeks. Fiber microtearing, percentual of reticular fibers and glycosaminoglycans content increased along the time and were higher in experimental group than in controls at all-time intervals. AgNOR labeling here interpreted as a marker of transcription activity was higher in the experimental groups than in controls at all-time intervals. Apoptotic cells were more frequent and diffusely distributed in tendinosis samples than in control groups. These results suggest that as mechanical overload is becoming chronic, cellular turnover and matrix deposition increases leading to tendinosis. The combination of staining techniques and morphometry used here to describe the evolution of lesions occurring in a rat model system has proved to be suited for the study of induced Achilles tendinosis. PMID:22076169

Free radical trap phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone protects against light damage but does not rescue P23H and S334ter rhodopsin transgenic rats from inherited retinal degeneration.

PubMed

Ranchon, Isabelle; LaVail, Matthew M; Kotake, Yashige; Anderson, Robert E

2003-07-09

Phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) protects rat retinas against light damage. Because the degenerative process involved in light damage and inherited retinal degeneration both lead to a common final cell death, apoptosis, we used transgenic rats with a P23H or S334ter rhodopsin mutation to test the effects of PBN on retinal degeneration and light damage and the susceptibility of the transgenic rats to light damage. In the first study, 3-week-old mutant and wild-type rats were given no drug, 0.25% PBN in drinking water, or 0.25% PBN in drinking water plus three daily intraperitoneal injections of PBN (100 mg/kg, i.p., every 8 hr). Electroretinograms were recorded at postnatal day 49, after which the rats were killed for morphometric analysis. There was no photoreceptor rescue by PBN in P23H or S334ter rats, as evidenced by equivalent loss of function and photoreceptor cells in the three treatment groups. In the second study, P23H, S334ter, and wild-type rats were exposed for 24 hr to 2700 lux light. The rats were untreated or treated with PBN (50 mg/kg per injection, every 6 hr, starting before exposure). ERGs were recorded before and 1 d after exposure. Animals were killed 6 d later for morphometric analysis. PBN protected wild-type and P23H but not S334ter retinas from light damage. S334ter retinas were relatively less susceptible to light damage than P23H and wild-type rats. The results suggest that the initiating event(s) that causes photoreceptor cell death in the mutated rats is different from that which occurs in light damage, although both ultimately undergo an apoptotic cell death.

Discrete tomography in an in vivo small animal bone study.

PubMed

Van de Casteele, Elke; Perilli, Egon; Van Aarle, Wim; Reynolds, Karen J; Sijbers, Jan

2018-01-01

This study aimed at assessing the feasibility of a discrete algebraic reconstruction technique (DART) to be used in in vivo small animal bone studies. The advantage of discrete tomography is the possibility to reduce the amount of X-ray projection images, which makes scans faster and implies also a significant reduction of radiation dose, without compromising the reconstruction results. Bone studies are ideal for being performed with discrete tomography, due to the relatively small number of attenuation coefficients contained in the image [namely three: background (air), soft tissue and bone]. In this paper, a validation is made by comparing trabecular bone morphometric parameters calculated from images obtained by using DART and the commonly used standard filtered back-projection (FBP). Female rats were divided into an ovariectomized (OVX) and a sham-operated group. In vivo micro-CT scanning of the tibia was done at baseline and at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. The cross-section images were reconstructed using first the full set of projection images and afterwards reducing them in number to a quarter and one-sixth (248, 62, 42 projection images, respectively). For both reconstruction methods, similar changes in morphometric parameters were observed over time: bone loss for OVX and bone growth for sham-operated rats, although for DART the actual values were systematically higher (bone volume fraction) or lower (structure model index) compared to FBP, depending on the morphometric parameter. The DART algorithm was, however, more robust when using fewer projection images, where the standard FBP reconstruction was more prone to noise, showing a significantly bigger deviation from the morphometric parameters obtained using all projection images. This study supports the use of DART as a potential alternative method to FBP in X-ray micro-CT animal studies, in particular, when the number of projections has to be drastically minimized, which directly reduces scanning time and dose.

Sciatic nerve regeneration in rats subjected to ketogenic diet.

PubMed

Liśkiewicz, Arkadiusz; Właszczuk, Adam; Gendosz, Daria; Larysz-Brysz, Magdalena; Kapustka, Bartosz; Łączyński, Mariusz; Lewin-Kowalik, Joanna; Jędrzejowska-Szypułka, Halina

2016-01-01

Ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat-content diet with insufficiency of carbohydrates that induces ketogenesis. Besides its anticonvulsant properties, many studies have shown its neuroprotective effect in central nervous system, but its influence on peripheral nervous system has not been studied yet. We examined the influence of KD on regeneration of peripheral nerves in adult rats. Fifty one rats were divided into three experimental (n = 15) and one control (n = 6) groups. Right sciatic nerve was crushed and animals were kept on standard (ST group) or ketogenic diet, the latter was introduced 3 weeks before (KDB group) or on the day of surgery (KDA group). Functional (CatWalk) tests were performed once a week, and morphometric (fiber density, axon diameter, and myelin thickness) analysis of the nerves was made after 6 weeks. Body weight and blood ketone bodies level were estimated at the beginning and the end of experiment. Functional analysis showed no differences between groups. Morphometric evaluation showed most similarities to the healthy (uncrushed) nerves in KDB group. Nerves in ST group differed mostly from all other groups. Ketone bodies were elevated in both KD groups, while post-surgery animals' body weight was lower as compared to ST group. Regeneration of sciatic nerves was improved in KD - preconditioned rats. These results suggest a neuroprotective effect of KD on peripheral nerves.

Comparison of functional biochemical, and morphometric alterations in the lungs of four rat strains and hamsters following repeated intratracheal instillation of crocidolite asbestos

EPA Science Inventory

Four rat strains and hamsters were exposed to 0.7mg crocidolite asbestos/g lung once/wk for 3weeks by intratracheal instillation (IT). Pulmonary function, biochemistry, and morphometry were evaluated at 3 and 6-months after IT. Each rat strain, but not the hamster, exhibited ele...

Preservation of photoreceptors in dystrophic RCS rats following allo- and xenotransplantation of IPE cells.

PubMed

Thumann, Gabriele; Salz, Anna Katharina; Walter, Peter; Johnen, Sandra

2009-03-01

To examine whether iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cells transplanted into the subretinal space of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats have the ability to rescue photoreceptors. Rat IPE (rIPE) or human IPE (hIPE) cells were transplanted subretinally in 23-day-old RCS rats. Sham injection and transplantation of ARPE-19 cells served as controls. After 12 weeks, eyes were evaluated for photoreceptor survival by morphometric analysis and electron microscopy. Morphometric analysis showed photoreceptor rescue in all transplanted and sham-injected animals (number of photoreceptors/300 microm retina+/-sd: rIPE 41.67 +/- 28; hIPE 29.50 +/- 16; ARPE-19 36.12 +/- 21; sham 16.56 +/- 6) compared to age-matched, control rats (number of photoreceptors/300 microm retina+/-sd: 9.71 +/- 4). Photoreceptor rescue was prominent in IPE cell-transplanted rats and was significantly greater than sham-injected eyes (p = 0.02 for rIPE and p = 0.04 for hIPE). Since IPE cells transplanted into the subretinal space have the ability to rescue photoreceptors from degeneration in the RCS rat without any harmful effects, IPE cells may represent an ideal cell to genetically modify and thus carry essential genetic information for the repair of defects in the subretinal space.

Nerve growth factor induced changes in the Golgi apparatus of PC-12 rat pheochromocytoma cells as studied by ligand endocytosis, cytochemical and morphometric methods.

PubMed

Hickey, W F; Stieber, A; Hogue-Angeletti, R; Gonatas, J; GOnatas, N K

1983-10-01

Cells of the PC-12 rat pheochromocytoma cell line respond to nerve growth factor (NGF) by sprouting neurites and biochemically differentiating into sympathetic ganglion-like cells. NGF-stimulated ('differentiated') and unstimulated ('undifferentiated') cells were studied by cytochemical techniques for the localization of the enzymes acid phosphatase (ACPase) and thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase), and by a morphometric analysis of the distribution of endocytosed wheat-germ agglutinin labelled with horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP). Both cytochemical stains showed the enzymes to be distributed in lysosomes and certain cisternae of the Golgi apparatus in both NGF stimulated and unstimulated cells. ACPase was not confined to GERL (Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum-lysosome) as in certain other cells. The morphometric studies demonstrated that the reaction product of the internalized WGA-HRP occupied 4.7% of the cytoplasmic area in unstimulated cells and 4.5% in NGF-stimulated ones. Despite this similarity, the distribution of the WGA-HRP among the studied intracellular compartments in these two cell groups varied. In the NGF-stimulated cells 3.3% of the WGA-HRP reaction product was found in the innermost Golgi cisterna(e) while in unstimulated cells only 0.3% was seen in this compartment. Similarly, 4.3% of the WGA-HRP stain was found in small vesicles at the 'trans' aspect of the Golgi apparatus in stimulated cells, when only 0.3% of the stain occupied this compartment in 'undifferentiated' cells. The morphometric analysis also revealed that when the PC-12 cells were stimulated with NGF, the Golgi apparatus increased in area by approximately 70%. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that NGF induced differentiation of PC-12 cells is coupled with enhanced endocytosis of WGA and probably of its 'receptor' to the innermost Golgi cisterna(e) and the closely associated vesicles.

MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS AND STRENGTH DETERMINATION OF OSTEOSCLEROTIC BONE RESULTING FROM HEXACHLOROBENZENE (HCB) EXPOSURE

EPA Science Inventory

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) exposure has been shown to induce hyperparathyroidism and osteosclerosis in rats. xperiments were undertaken to investigate the effects of HCB on femur morphometry as well as breaking strength. ischer 344 rats were dosed 5 days/wk for 15 wks with 0, 0.1, 1...

Immunohistochemical and morphometric analysis of effects of vilon and epithalon on functional morphology of radiosensitive organs.

PubMed

Khavinson, V K; Yuzhakov, V V; Kvetnoi, I M; Malinin, V V; Popuchiev, V V; Fomina, N K

2001-03-01

Studies of the effects of vilon and epithalon on functional morphology of the thymus, spleen, and duodenum in intact rats and rats exposed to single whole-body gamma-irradiation in a dose of 6 Gy showed that vilon stimulated proliferative activity of thymocytes and enhanced proliferative potential of stem cells in the intestine, thus stimulating the postradiation recovery of critical organs. Epithalon decelerated metabolic processes in the duodenal mucosa and suppressed hemopoiesis and lymphopoiesis in the spleen.

Ozone Therapy Enhances Osseous Healing in Rats With Diabetes With Calvarial Defects: A Morphometric and Immunohistochemical Study.

PubMed

Alpan, Aysan Lektemur; Toker, Hülya; Ozer, Hatice

2016-08-01

Bone healing is impaired in diabetes mellitus (DM) cases. The aim of this study is to investigate, both morphometrically and immunohistochemically, the effect of gaseous ozone on bone healing in diabetic rat calvarial defects treated with xenografts. DM was induced with 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal streptozotocin in 56 male Wistar rats. Study groups were as follows: 1) empty defect (control, n = 14); 2) xenograft (XG, n = 14); 3) empty defect treated with ozone therapy (control + ozone, n = 14); and 4) xenograft and ozone application (XG + ozone, n = 14). Critical-size defects were created in all rats. Bovine-derived xenograft was applied to XG groups. Gaseous ozone was applied on the operation day and daily for 2 weeks (140 ppm at 2 L/d, 2.24 mg). Rats were sacrificed at 4 or 8 weeks post-surgery. Total bone area, newly formed bone, and residual graft material were measured histomorphometrically. Osteocalcin and bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-2 expression was evaluated immunohistochemically. Osteoclast numbers in the XG + ozone group were higher than the other groups at week 4 (P <0.05). XG + ozone group revealed more total bone area and new bone area than the XG group at weeks 4 (P <0.05) and 8 (P >0.05). Residual graft materials were decreased in the XG + ozone group and the same group revealed more BMP-2 positivity compared with other groups. Osteocalcin positivity in XG groups was higher than in control groups. Within the limitations of this DM animal study, gaseous ozone application accelerates xenograft resorption and enhances bone regeneration, especially in the early stages of bone healing.

The effects of chronic oral methyl mercury exposure on the lysosome system of rat kidney. Morphometric and biochemical studies.

PubMed

Fowler, B A; Brown, H W; Lucier, G W; Krigman, M R

1975-03-01

This report describes morphometric and biochemical changes in the renal lysosome system of rats exposed to 3, 5, or 10 p.p.m. concentrations of methyl mercury hydroxide in their drinking water for 4 weeks. Increased numbers of dense, granular lysosomes, previously found to contain mercury, were observed in tubule cells of rats receiving the 3 and 5 p.p.m. dose levels but not those of the 10 p.p.m. group. Tubule cells from animals given the 10 p.p;m. dose level displayed proteinaceous vacuoles with dense crystalloid structures, apical cytoplasmic extrusion, and cellular degeneration; Mitochondrial swelling within tubule cells of treated animals showed a marked dose-response relationship. Renal microsomal activity levels of ss-glucuronidase were strongly inhibited by methyl mercury hydroxide exposure at all dose levels, whereas the activity levels of acid phosphatase were unchanged. Lysosomal beta-glucuronidase was also inhibited by methyl mercury hydroxide exposure, whereas lysosomal acid phosphatase showed approximately a 2-fold increase in activity. The results are discussed in relation to the role of lysosomes in mediating the nephrotoxic effects of methyl mercury and other toxic trace metals.

Analysis of cortical bone porosity using synchrotron radiation microtomography to evaluate the effects of chemotherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alessio, R.; Nogueira, L. P.; Salata, C.; Mantuano, A.; Almeida, A. P.; Braz, D.; de Almeida, C. E.; Tromba, G.; Barroso, R. C.

2015-11-01

Microporosities play important biologic and mechanical roles on health. One of the side effects caused by some chemotherapy drugs is the induction of amenorrhea, temporary or not, in premenopausal women, with a consequent decrease in estrogen production, which can lead to cortical bone changes. In the present work, the femur diaphysis of rats treated with chemotherapy drugs were evaluated by 3D morphometric parameters using synchrotron radiation microtomography. Control animals were also evaluated for comparison. The 3D tomographic images were obtained at the SYRMEP (SYnchrotron Radiation for MEdical Physics) beamline at the ELETTRA Synchrotron Laboratory in Trieste, Italy. Results showed significant differences in morphometric parameters measured from the 3D images of femur diaphysis of rats.

Automation process for morphometric analysis of volumetric CT data from pulmonary vasculature in rats.

PubMed

Shingrani, Rahul; Krenz, Gary; Molthen, Robert

2010-01-01

With advances in medical imaging scanners, it has become commonplace to generate large multidimensional datasets. These datasets require tools for a rapid, thorough analysis. To address this need, we have developed an automated algorithm for morphometric analysis incorporating A Visualization Workshop computational and image processing libraries for three-dimensional segmentation, vascular tree generation and structural hierarchical ordering with a two-stage numeric optimization procedure for estimating vessel diameters. We combine this new technique with our mathematical models of pulmonary vascular morphology to quantify structural and functional attributes of lung arterial trees. Our physiological studies require repeated measurements of vascular structure to determine differences in vessel biomechanical properties between animal models of pulmonary disease. Automation provides many advantages including significantly improved speed and minimized operator interaction and biasing. The results are validated by comparison with previously published rat pulmonary arterial micro-CT data analysis techniques, in which vessels were manually mapped and measured using intense operator intervention. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Effects of the Topical Application of Hydroalcoholic Leaf Extract of Oncidium flexuosum Sims. (Orchidaceae) and Microcurrent on the Healing of Wounds Surgically Induced in Wistar Rats

PubMed Central

de Gaspi, Fernanda Oliveira de G.; Foglio, Mary Ann; de Carvalho, João Ernesto; Santos, Gláucia Maria T.; Testa, Milene; Passarini, José Roberto; de Moraes, Cristiano Pedroso; Esquisatto, Marcelo A. Marreto; Mendonça, Josué S.; Mendonça, Fernanda A. Sampaio

2011-01-01

This study evaluated the wound healing activity of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Oncidium flexuosum Sims. (Orchidaceae), an important native plant of Brazil, combined or not with microcurrent stimulation. Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of nine animals: control (C), topical application of the extract (OF), treated with a microcurrent (10 μA/2 min) (MC), and topical application of the extract plus microcurrent (OF + MC). Tissue samples were obtained 2, 6, and 10 days after injury and submitted to structural and morphometric analysis. The simultaneous application of OF + MC was found to be highly effective in terms of the parameters analyzed (P < .05), with positive effects on the area of newly formed tissue, number of fibroblasts, number of newly formed blood vessels, and epithelial thickness. Morphometric data confirmed the structural findings. The O. flexuosum leaf extract contains active compounds that speed the healing process, especially when applied simultaneously with microcurrent stimulation. PMID:21716707

A quantitative magnetic resonance histology atlas of postnatal rat brain development with regional estimates of growth and variability.

PubMed

Calabrese, Evan; Badea, Alexandra; Watson, Charles; Johnson, G Allan

2013-05-01

There has been growing interest in the role of postnatal brain development in the etiology of several neurologic diseases. The rat has long been recognized as a powerful model system for studying neuropathology and the safety of pharmacologic treatments. However, the complex spatiotemporal changes that occur during rat neurodevelopment remain to be elucidated. This work establishes the first magnetic resonance histology (MRH) atlas of the developing rat brain, with an emphasis on quantitation. The atlas comprises five specimens at each of nine time points, imaged with eight distinct MR contrasts and segmented into 26 developmentally defined brain regions. The atlas was used to establish a timeline of morphometric changes and variability throughout neurodevelopment and represents a quantitative database of rat neurodevelopment for characterizing rat models of human neurologic disease. Published by Elsevier Inc.

3D He-3 diffusion MRI as a local in vivo morphometric tool to evaluate emphysematous rat lungs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jacob, Rick E.; Minard, Kevin R.; Laicher, Gernot J.

2008-08-21

In this work, we validate 3He magnetic resonance imaging as a non-invasive morphometric tool to assess emphysematous disease state on a local level. Emphysema was induced intratracheally in rats with 25U/100g body weight of porcine pancreatic elastase dissolved in 200 μL saline. Rats were then paired with saline-dosed controls. Nine three-dimensional 3He diffusion-weighted images were acquired at one-, two-, or three-weeks post-dose, after which the lungs were harvested and prepared for histological analysis. Recently introduced indices sensitive to the heterogeneity of the airspace size distribution were calculated. These indices, D1 and D2, were derived from the moments of the meanmore » equivalent airway diameters. Averaged over the entire lung, it is shown that the 3He diffusivity (Dave) and anisotropy (Dan) both correlate with histology (R = 0.85, p < 0.0001 and R = 0.88, p < 0.0001, respectively). By matching small (0.046 cm2) regions in 3He images with corresponding regions in histological slices, Dave and Dan each correlate significantly with both D1 and D2 (R = 0.93, p < 0.0001). It is concluded that 3He MRI is a viable non-invasive morphometric tool for localized in vivo emphysema assessment.« less

Kangaroo rat bone compared to white rat bone after short-term disuse and exercise

USGS Publications Warehouse

Muths, E.; Reichman, O. J.

1996-01-01

Kangaroo rats (Dipodomys ordii) were used to study the effects of confinement on mechanical properties of bone with a long range objective of proposing an alternative to the white rat model for the study of disuse osteoporosis. Kangaroo rats exhibit bipedal locomotion, which subjects their limbs to substantial accelerative forces in addition to the normal stress of weight bearing. We subjected groups of kangaroo rats and white rats (Rattus norvegicus) to one of two confinement treatments or to an exercise regime; animals were exercised at a rate calculated to replicate their (respective) daily exercise patterns. White laboratory rats were used as the comparison because they are currently the accepted model used in the study of disuse osteoporosis. After 6 weeks of treatment, rats were killed and the long bones of their hind limbs were tested mechanically and examined for histomorphometric changes. We found that kangaroo rats held in confinement had less ash content in their hind limbs than exercised kangaroo rats. In general, treated kangaroo rats showed morphometric and mechanical bone deterioration compared to controls and exercised kangaroo rats appeared to have slightly “stronger” bones than confined animals. White rats exhibited no significant differences between treatments. These preliminary results suggest that kangaroo rats may be an effective model in the study of disuse osteoporosis.

Vitamin K3 increased BMD at 1 and 2 months post-surgery and the maximum stress of the middle femur in the rat.

PubMed

Hong, You-jia; Liu, Sheng; Jiang, Ning-yi; Jiang, Sen; Liang, Jiu-gen

2015-02-01

The therapeutic effects of vitamin K3 (VK3) on osteoporosis are still unknown. In this study, we hypothesized that VK3 possesses therapeutic effects on osteoporosis; to verify this hypothesis, the ovariectomized rat was used as an osteoporosis model. Fifty-six Sprague-Dawley female rats aged 8 to 9 months were randomly assigned to 4 groups: sham surgery, ovariectomy with saline, ovariectomy with low-dose VK3, and ovariectomy with high-dose VK3. Intramuscular injection of VK3 was performed every other day beginning 1 month postoperatively. The therapeutic effects of VK3 on osteoporosis were evaluated by measurement of bone mineral density (BMD), bone biochemical markers, biomechanical properties, and bone morphometric parameters. The overall average BMD in VK3-treated groups increased to a level between those of the ovariectomy group and the sham surgery group. The procollagen I N-terminal peptide level peaked at 2 months after surgery in all groups except in the group that had undergone ovariectomy with low-dose VK3. The tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b level increased more slowly at 4 months after surgery than at 2 months after surgery in the VK3-treated groups. The ovariectomy with high-dose VK3 group had the highest maximum stress of the middle femur of all groups. With VK3 treatment, the trabecular bone area percentage increased. All morphometric indicators for the middle tibia in the VK3-treated groups reached the levels found in the sham surgery group. In summary, VK3 therapy increased BMD at 1 and 2 months postsurgery and the maximum stress of the middle femur. In addition, VK3 therapy slowed the increase in bone turnover in ovariectomized rats. Furthermore, VK3 can improve morphometric indicators for the middle tibia. Our preliminary study indicates that VK3 has a potential therapeutic effect on osteoporosis and is worthy of further investigation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Morphological changes of hemomicrocirculatory bed of the organs of rat masticatory apparatus after the exposure to general vibration and during pharmacologic correction].

PubMed

Gaĭvoronskiĭ, I V; Iordanishvili, A K; Kovalevskiĭ, A M

2013-01-01

The effect of chronic exposure to general vibration on the state of hemomicrocirculatory bed in the organs of rat masticatory apparatus and the efficacy of antihypoxants and adaptogens for its pharmacological prophylaxis was studied. The experiments were performed in 210 albino male rats aged 8 to 30 weeks. The intact rats served as control. Transcapillary injections with 1% collargol solution, histological, electron microscopic and morphometric methods were used. It was found that chronic exposure to general vibration induced a hemodynamic disturbances at the level of hemomicrocirculatory bed vessels in the organs of masticatory apparatus with subsequent hypoxia. Electron microscopic study revealed the damage of the cellular ultrastructure in the endotheliocytes of blood vessels of the hemomicrocirculatory bed. Antihypoxants, adaptogens and their combinations demonstrated a pronounced protective effect

Glomerular anionic site distribution in nonproteinuric rats. A computer-assisted morphometric analysis.

PubMed

Pilia, P A; Swain, R P; Williams, A V; Loadholt, C B; Ainsworth, S K

1985-12-01

The cationic ultrastructural tracer polyethyleneimine (PEI: pI approximately equal to 11.0), binds electrophysically to uniformly spaced discrete electron-dense anionic sites present in the laminae rarae of the rat glomerular basement membrane (GBM), mesangial reflections of the GBM, Bowman's capsule, and tubular basement membranes when administered intravenously. Computer-assisted morphometric analysis of glomerular anionic sites reveals that the maximum concentration of stainable lamina rara externa (lre) sites (21/10,000 A GBM) occurs 60 minutes after PEI injection with a site-site interspacing of 460 A. Lamina rara interna (lri) sites similarly demonstrate a maximum concentration (20/10,000 A GBM) at 60 minutes with a periodicity of 497 A. The concentration and distribution of anionic sites within the lri was irregular in pattern and markedly decreased in number, while the lre possesses an electrical field that is highly regular at all time intervals analyzed (15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 minutes). Immersion and perfusion of renal tissue with PEI reveals additional heavy staining of the epithelial and endothelial cell sialoprotein coatings. PEI appears to bind to glomerular anionic sites reversibly: ie, between 60 and 180 minutes the concentration of stained sites decreases. At 300 minutes, the interspacing once again approaches the 60-minute concentration. This suggests a dynamic turnover or dissociation followed by a reassociation of glomerular negatively charged PEI binding sites. In contrast, morphometric analysis of anionic sites stained with lysozyme and protamine sulfate reveals interspacings of 642 A and 585 A, respectively; in addition, these tracers produce major glomerular ultrastructural alterations and induce transient proteinuria. PEI does not induce proteinuria in rats, nor does it produce glomerular morphologic alterations when ten times the tracer dosage is administered intravenously. These findings indicate that the choice of ultrastructural charge tracer, the method of administering the tracer, and the time selected for analysis of tissue after administration of tracer significantly influences results. Morphometric analysis of the distribution of glomerular anionic sites in nonproteinuric rats provides a method of evaluating quantitative alterations of the glomerular charge barrier in renal disease models.

The impact of nandrolone decanoate administration on ovarian and uterine tissues in rat: Luteinizing hormone profile, histopathological and morphometric assessment.

PubMed

Saddick, Salina Y

2018-03-01

The study had been conducted to evaluate the effects of nandrolone decanoate (abused repeated doses) on female rat's ovary and uterus during administration and withdrawal. The study included 18 rats that were divided into control group (n = 6) and treated group (n = 12). The treated group was injected intramuscular (IM) with nandrolone decanoate (7 mg/kg body weight) for three consecutive days, for two weeks. The study stated that nandrolone decanoate increases the weights of body, ovary, and uterus. Moreover, it has a tendency of bringing upon modifications in the biochemical, histopathological, and morphological makeup of the female reproductive aspects. In conclusion, nandrolone decanoate has been identified as deleterious element for the female rats, and it is suggested that keen observations must be made on the human abusers to control and manage the possible pathologies.

Morphometric and microscopic evaluation of the effect of a solution of alendronate as an intracanal therapeutic agent in rat teeth submitted to late reimplantation.

PubMed

Mori, Graziela Garrido; Garcia, Roberto Brandão; Gomes de Moraes, Ivaldo; Bramante, Clóvis Monteiro; Bernardineli, Norberti

2007-08-01

The use of substances that inhibit root resorption may be an alternative for cases of unsuccessful reimplants. Hence, the purpose of this study was to test a solution of alendronate, a resorption inhibitor, as an intracanal therapeutic agent for teeth submitted to late reimplantation. Thirty rat maxillary right central incisors were avulsed and kept dry for 30 min. The teeth were instrumented, and the root surfaces treated with 1% hypochlorite solution followed by application of 2% sodium fluoride. Thereafter, the teeth were divided in two groups according to the intracanal dressing: (i) group I, solution of alendronate and (ii) group II, calcium hydroxide paste. Teeth were then reimplanted in their respective sockets. The animals were killed at 15, 30 and 60 days after reimplantation and the samples processed for morphometric and microscopic analysis. The results demonstrated that the solution of alendronate and the calcium hydroxide paste limited the root resorption, yet did not impair its occurrence. It may be concluded that alendronate and calcium hydroxide paste demonstrated similar behavior.

Effects of maternal subtotal nephrectomy on the development of the fetal kidney: A morphometric study.

PubMed

Kondo, Tomohiro; Kitano-Amahori, Yoko; Nagai, Hiroaki; Mino, Masaki; Takeshita, Ai; Kusakabe, Ken Takeshi; Okada, Toshiya

2015-11-01

The present study was designed to explore if maternal subtotal (5/6) nephrectomy affects the development of fetal rat kidneys using morphometric methods and examining whether there are any apoptotic changes in the fetal kidney. To generate 5/6 nephrectomized model rats, animals underwent 2/3 left nephrectomy on gestation day (GD) 5 and total right nephrectomy on GD 12. The fetal kidneys were examined on GDs 16 and 22. A significant decrease in fetal body weight resulting from maternal 5/6 nephrectomy was observed on GD 16, and a significant decrease in fetal renal weight and fetal body weight caused by maternal nephrectomy was observed on GD 22. Maternal 5/6 nephrectomy induced a significant increase in glomerular number, proximal tubular length, and total proximal tubular volume of fetuses on GD 22. Maternal 5/6 nephrectomy resulted in an increase in the number of apoptotic cells in the metanephric mesenchyme of the kidney on GD 16, and in the collecting tubules on GD 22. These findings suggest that maternal 5/6 nephrectomy stimulates the development of the fetal kidney while suppressing fetal growth. © 2015 Japanese Teratology Society.

A morphometric study of bone surfaces and skin reactions after stimulation with static magnetic fields in rats

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Linder-Aronson, S.; Lindskog, S.

1991-01-01

The present investigation was undertaken to measure any bone surface changes after stimulation with orthodontic magnets and, furthermore, to examine the soft tissue in immediate contact with the magnets. Both distal parts of the tibial hind legs in six groups of young rats were fitted with devices holding two orthodontic magnets in the experimental legs and similar devices without magnets in the control legs. The animals were killed after 2, 3, and 4 weeks. Morphometric evaluation showed significant increases in resorbing areas after 3 and 4 weeks. Similarly, a reduction was evident in the number of epithelial cells under themore » areas where the magnets had been applied. These findings indicate that the stimulation of bone resorption in the present study may have been caused by inhibition of the bone-lining osteoblasts. This proposition is supported by the apparent inhibitory effect of the magnetic fields on epithelial recycling that was seen as a reduced thickness of the epithelium under the magnets. Consequently, static magnetic fields should be used with care in orthodontic practice until a more complete understanding of their mechanism of action has been established.« less

A morphometric study of bone surfaces and skin reactions after stimulation with static magnetic fields in rats.

PubMed

Linder-Aronson, S; Lindskog, S

1991-01-01

The present investigation was undertaken to measure any bone surface changes after stimulation with orthodontic magnets and, furthermore, to examine the soft tissue in immediate contact with the magnets. Both distal parts of the tibial hind legs in six groups of young rats were fitted with devices holding two orthodontic magnets in the experimental legs and similar devices without magnets in the control legs. The animals were killed after 2, 3, and 4 weeks. Morphometric evaluation showed significant increases in resorbing areas after 3 and 4 weeks. Similarly, a reduction was evident in the number of epithelial cells under the areas where the magnets had been applied. These findings indicate that the stimulation of bone resorption in the present study may have been caused by inhibition of the bone-lining osteoblasts. This proposition is supported by the apparent inhibitory effect of the magnetic fields on epithelial recycling that was seen as a reduced thickness of the epithelium under the magnets. Consequently, static magnetic fields should be used with care in orthodontic practice until a more complete understanding of their mechanism of action has been established.

Morphometric and histopathological evaluation of the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin on alveolar bone loss in experimental diabetes and periodontitis.

PubMed

Toker, H; Balci Yuce, H; Lektemur Alpan, A; Gevrek, F; Elmastas, M

2018-06-01

Grape seed proanthocyanidine extract (GSPE) is a strong antioxidant derived from the grape seeds (Vitis vinifera, Terral J.F.) and has a polyphenolic structure with a wide range of biological activity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of GSPE on alveolar bone loss and histopathological changes in rats with diabetes mellitus and ligature-induced periodontitis. Forty rats were divided into 6 study groups. Control (C, 6 rats) group, periodontitis (P, 6 rats) group, diabetes (D, 6 rats) group, diabetes and periodontitis (D+P, 6 rats) group, diabetes, periodontitis and 100 mg/kg/day GSPE (GSPE-100, 8 rats), and diabetes, periodontitis and 200 mg/kg/day GSPE (GSPE-200, 8 rats) group. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). Periodontitis was induced via ligation method. Silk ligatures were placed at the mandibular right first molars. GSPE was administered by oral gavage. After 30 days, all rats were killed. Alveolar bone loss was measured morphometrically via a stereomicroscope. For histopathological analyses, Alizarin red staining, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α immunohistochemistry were performed. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclast cells and relative total inflammatory cells were also determined. The highest alveolar bone loss was observed in the D+P group (P < .05). GSP-200 group decreased alveolar bone loss (P < .05). The D+P group had the highest osteoclast counts, but the difference was not significant compared to the P, GSPE-100 and GSPE-200 groups (P > .05). The inflammation in the D+P group was also higher than the other groups (P < .05). The osteoblast numbers increased in the GSPE-100 and GSPE-200 groups compared to the P and D+P groups (P < .05). MMP-8 and HIF-1α levels were highest in the D+P group and GSPE significantly decreased these levels (P < .05). Within the limits of this animal study, it can be suggested that GSPE administration may decrease periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss via decreasing MMP-8 and HIF-1α levels and increase osteoblastic activity in diabetic rats with experimental periodontitis. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A Two-Year Ecological Study of Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus) in a Brazilian Urban Slum.

PubMed

Panti-May, Jesús A; Carvalho-Pereira, Ticiana S A; Serrano, Soledad; Pedra, Gabriel G; Taylor, Josh; Pertile, Arsinoê C; Minter, Amanda; Airam, Vladimir; Carvalho, Mayara; Júnior, Nivison N; Rodrigues, Gorete; Reis, Mitermayer G; Ko, Albert I; Childs, James E; Begon, Mike; Costa, Federico

2016-01-01

The Norway or brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) is among the most ubiquitous of rodents. However, the lack of studies describing Norway rat populations from tropical areas have limited our understanding regarding their demography and seasonal dynamics. In this study, we describe seasonal pattern in the abundance, reproductive parameters, and morphometrics of Norway rat populations in Salvador, Brazil. Rodents were trapped over four seasonal trapping periods (2013-2014) from three valleys. A total of 802 Norway rats were trapped over the course of the study over 7653 trap-nights. Norway rat abundance was high, but there was no significant differences between seasons. The reproductive parameters (e.g. frequency of pregnant and lactating females) did not show statistical differences between seasons. Female rats collected in the rainy season were heavier and older than females from the dry season. Salvador rats had a high incidence of pregnancy and birth rate (estimated birth rate of 79 young per year) compared to previous studies. The information generated is critical for the understanding of the ecology of Norway rat, the main reservoir of Leptospira in Salvador. However, future studies examining the effect of rodent control programs aimed at reducing populations, and determining rates of recovery, will further clarify our understanding of population dynamics.

A Two-Year Ecological Study of Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus) in a Brazilian Urban Slum

PubMed Central

Panti-May, Jesús A.; Carvalho-Pereira, Ticiana S. A.; Serrano, Soledad; Pedra, Gabriel G.; Taylor, Josh; Pertile, Arsinoê C.; Minter, Amanda; Airam, Vladimir; Carvalho, Mayara; Júnior, Nivison N.; Rodrigues, Gorete; Reis, Mitermayer G.; Ko, Albert I.; Childs, James E.; Begon, Mike; Costa, Federico

2016-01-01

The Norway or brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) is among the most ubiquitous of rodents. However, the lack of studies describing Norway rat populations from tropical areas have limited our understanding regarding their demography and seasonal dynamics. In this study, we describe seasonal pattern in the abundance, reproductive parameters, and morphometrics of Norway rat populations in Salvador, Brazil. Rodents were trapped over four seasonal trapping periods (2013–2014) from three valleys. A total of 802 Norway rats were trapped over the course of the study over 7653 trap-nights. Norway rat abundance was high, but there was no significant differences between seasons. The reproductive parameters (e.g. frequency of pregnant and lactating females) did not show statistical differences between seasons. Female rats collected in the rainy season were heavier and older than females from the dry season. Salvador rats had a high incidence of pregnancy and birth rate (estimated birth rate of 79 young per year) compared to previous studies. The information generated is critical for the understanding of the ecology of Norway rat, the main reservoir of Leptospira in Salvador. However, future studies examining the effect of rodent control programs aimed at reducing populations, and determining rates of recovery, will further clarify our understanding of population dynamics. PMID:27015422

Morphometric analysis of rat muscle fibers following space flight and hypogravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chui, L. A.; Castleman, K. R.

1982-01-01

The effect of hypogravity on striate muscles, containing both fast twitch glycolytic and slow twitch oxidative fibers, was studied in rats aboard two Cosmos biosatellites. Results of a computer-assisted image analysis of extensor digitorum muscles from five rats, exposed to 18.5 days of hypogravity and processed for the alkaline ATPase reaction, showed a reduction of the mean fiber diameter (41.32 + or - 0.55 microns), compared to synchronous (46.32 + or - 0.55 microns) and vivarium (49 + or - 0.5 microns) controls. A further experiment studied the ratio of fast to slow twitch fibers in 25 rats exposed to 18.5 days of hypogravity and analyzed at four different periods of recovery following the space flight. Using the previous techniques, the gastrocnemius muscle showed a reduction of the total muscle fiber area in square microns and a reduction in the percentage of slow fibers of flight animals compared to the control animals.

Effect of perioperative feeding with fibre & arginine on morphometrics of ileum after surgical stress.

PubMed

Boylu, Sukru; Ozbas, Serdar; Bozdag, Ali Dogan; Culhaci, Nil; Tuncyurek, Pars; Yardim, Serhat

2005-08-01

Major surgeries as well as other types of injury have been shown to affect the gut function. Enteral diets influence intestinal mucosal morphometry to different extents depending on their composition. Little is known about the effects of these defined-formula diets in patients with surgical stress but no malnutrition. This experimental study was undertaken to compare the effects of different enteral diets on the mucosal morphometrics of small bowel in surgically stressed rats without malnutrition Male Wistar-Albino rats (n=84) weighing between 160-220 g were randomised into three groups. Group A received standard rat chow. Group B received a complete balanced nutrition supplemented with fibre, and the rats in Group C were given an isocaloric specialized elemental nutrition enriched with specific combination of nutrients and arginine. The feeding was started two days before the operation and continued until re-operation. Laparotomy, ileal transection, and end-to-end anastomosis was performed as the surgical procedure. The rats were sacrificed on days 0, 2 and 7 post-operatively. One cm of ileal segment containing the anastomosis was examined histologically. Parameters for intestinal mucosal morphometry (number of villi, villous height, mucosal thickness) and number of mucous containing cells were determined. Number of mucous cells per villus was significantly (P<0.05) higher in group A compared to groups B and C on days 0 and 2 post-operation. On day 7 villous height and mucosal thickness were also significantly higher in group A compared to the other two groups. Laparotomy and a minor surgical intervention such as small bowel transection was not a major surgical stress for intestinal mucosal atrophy in rats without malnutrition. The effect of fibre and arginine enriched defined-formula diets did not seem to improve intestinal mucosal changes in such a surgical stress model compared with normal rat chow.

Effect of spaceflight on rat hepatocytes - A morphometric study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Racine, Richard N.; Cormier, Susan M.

1992-01-01

Hepatic tissue from flight, synchronous, vivarium, and tail-suspended rats was examined by light microscopy and computer-assisted image analysis. Glycogen levels in flight rats were found to be significantly elevated over those in controls. Lipid was also higher but not significantly different. Hepatocytes appeared larger in flight animals because of area attributed to increased glycogen. Sinusoids were less prominent in flight animals than in controls. The total Kupffer cell population appeared to be reduced in flight animals and may represent changes in defensive capacity of the liver. Alterations in the storage of glycogen and number of Kupffer cells suggest an important effect of spacefligtht on the function of the liver that may have important implications for long-term spaceflight.

An in vivo MRI Template Set for Morphometry, Tissue Segmentation, and fMRI Localization in Rats

PubMed Central

Valdés-Hernández, Pedro Antonio; Sumiyoshi, Akira; Nonaka, Hiroi; Haga, Risa; Aubert-Vásquez, Eduardo; Ogawa, Takeshi; Iturria-Medina, Yasser; Riera, Jorge J.; Kawashima, Ryuta

2011-01-01

Over the last decade, several papers have focused on the construction of highly detailed mouse high field magnetic resonance image (MRI) templates via non-linear registration to unbiased reference spaces, allowing for a variety of neuroimaging applications such as robust morphometric analyses. However, work in rats has only provided medium field MRI averages based on linear registration to biased spaces with the sole purpose of approximate functional MRI (fMRI) localization. This precludes any morphometric analysis in spite of the need of exploring in detail the neuroanatomical substrates of diseases in a recent advent of rat models. In this paper we present a new in vivo rat T2 MRI template set, comprising average images of both intensity and shape, obtained via non-linear registration. Also, unlike previous rat template sets, we include white and gray matter probabilistic segmentations, expanding its use to those applications demanding prior-based tissue segmentation, e.g., statistical parametric mapping (SPM) voxel-based morphometry. We also provide a preliminary digitalization of latest Paxinos and Watson atlas for anatomical and functional interpretations within the cerebral cortex. We confirmed that, like with previous templates, forepaw and hindpaw fMRI activations can be correctly localized in the expected atlas structure. To exemplify the use of our new MRI template set, were reported the volumes of brain tissues and cortical structures and probed their relationships with ontogenetic development. Other in vivo applications in the near future can be tensor-, deformation-, or voxel-based morphometry, morphological connectivity, and diffusion tensor-based anatomical connectivity. Our template set, freely available through the SPM extension website, could be an important tool for future longitudinal and/or functional extensive preclinical studies. PMID:22275894

Development of occlusive neointimal lesions in distal pulmonary arteries of endothelin B receptor-deficient rats: a new model of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension.

PubMed

Ivy, D Dunbar; McMurtry, Ivan F; Colvin, Kelley; Imamura, Masatoshi; Oka, Masahiko; Lee, Dong-Seok; Gebb, Sarah; Jones, Peter Lloyd

2005-06-07

Human pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by proliferation of vascular smooth muscle and, in its more severe form, by the development of occlusive neointimal lesions. However, few animal models of pulmonary neointimal proliferation exist, thereby limiting a complete understanding of the pathobiology of PAH. Recent studies of the endothelin (ET) system demonstrate that deficiency of the ET(B) receptor predisposes adult rats to acute and chronic hypoxic PAH, yet these animals fail to develop neointimal lesions. Herein, we determined and thereafter showed that exposure of ET(B) receptor-deficient rats to the endothelial toxin monocrotaline (MCT) leads to the development of neointimal lesions that share hallmarks of human PAH. The pulmonary hemodynamic and morphometric effects of 60 mg/kg MCT in control (MCT(+/+)) and ET(B) receptor-deficient (MCT(sl/sl)) rats at 6 weeks of age were assessed. MCT(sl/sl) rats developed more severe PAH, characterized by elevated pulmonary artery pressure, diminished cardiac output, and right ventricular hypertrophy. In MCT(sl/sl) rats, morphometric evaluation revealed the presence of neointimal lesions within small distal pulmonary arteries, increased medial wall thickness, and decreased arterial-to-alveolar ratio. In keeping with this, barium angiography revealed diminished distal pulmonary vasculature of MCT(sl/sl) rat lungs. Cells within neointimal lesions expressed smooth muscle and endothelial cell markers. Moreover, cells within neointimal lesions exhibited increased levels of proliferation and were located in a tissue microenvironment enriched with vascular endothelial growth factor, tenascin-C, and activated matrix metalloproteinase-9, factors already implicated in human PAH. Finally, assessment of steady state mRNA showed that whereas expression of ET(B) receptors was decreased in MCT(sl/sl) rat lungs, ET(A) receptor expression increased. Deficiency of the ET(B) receptor markedly accelerates the progression of PAH in rats treated with MCT and enhances the appearance of cellular and molecular markers associated with the pathobiology of PAH. Collectively, these results suggest an overall antiproliferative effect of the ET(B) receptor in pulmonary vascular homeostasis.

Development of Occlusive Neointimal Lesions in Distal Pulmonary Arteries of Endothelin B Receptor–Deficient Rats: A New Model of Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

PubMed Central

Ivy, D. Dunbar; McMurtry, Ivan F.; Colvin, Kelley; Imamura, Masatoshi; Oka, Masahiko; Lee, Dong-Seok; Gebb, Sarah; Jones, Peter Lloyd

2007-01-01

Background Human pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by proliferation of vascular smooth muscle and, in its more severe form, by the development of occlusive neointimal lesions. However, few animal models of pulmonary neointimal proliferation exist, thereby limiting a complete understanding of the pathobiology of PAH. Recent studies of the endothelin (ET) system demonstrate that deficiency of the ETB receptor predisposes adult rats to acute and chronic hypoxic PAH, yet these animals fail to develop neointimal lesions. Herein, we determined and thereafter showed that exposure of ETB receptor–deficient rats to the endothelial toxin monocrotaline (MCT) leads to the development of neointimal lesions that share hallmarks of human PAH. Methods and Results The pulmonary hemodynamic and morphometric effects of 60 mg/kg MCT in control (MCT+/+) and ETB receptor–deficient (MCTsl/sl) rats at 6 weeks of age were assessed. MCTsl/sl rats developed more severe PAH, characterized by elevated pulmonary artery pressure, diminished cardiac output, and right ventricular hypertrophy. In MCTsl/sl rats, morphometric evaluation revealed the presence of neointimal lesions within small distal pulmonary arteries, increased medial wall thickness, and decreased arterial-to-alveolar ratio. In keeping with this, barium angiography revealed diminished distal pulmonary vasculature of MCTsl/sl rat lungs. Cells within neointimal lesions expressed smooth muscle and endothelial cell markers. Moreover, cells within neointimal lesions exhibited increased levels of proliferation and were located in a tissue microenvironment enriched with vascular endothelial growth factor, tenascin-C, and activated matrix metalloproteinase-9, factors already implicated in human PAH. Finally, assessment of steady state mRNA showed that whereas expression of ETB receptors was decreased in MCTsl/sl rat lungs, ETA receptor expression increased. Conclusions Deficiency of the ETB receptor markedly accelerates the progression of PAH in rats treated with MCT and enhances the appearance of cellular and molecular markers associated with the pathobiology of PAH. Collectively, these results suggest an overall antiproliferative effect of the ETB receptor in pulmonary vascular homeostasis. PMID:15927975

Histological and morphometric analyses for rat carotid balloon injury model.

PubMed

Tulis, David A

2007-01-01

Experiments aimed at analyzing the response of blood vessels to mechanical injury and ensuing remodeling responses often employ the highly characterized carotid artery balloon injury model in laboratory rats. This approach utilizes luminal insertion of a balloon embolectomy catheter into the common carotid artery with inflation and withdrawal resulting in an injury characterized by vascular endothelial cell (EC) denudation and medial wall distension. The adaptive response to this injury is typified by robust vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) replication and migration, SMC apoptosis and necrosis, enhanced synthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, partial vascular EC regeneration from the border zones, luminal narrowing, and establishment of a neointima in time-dependent fashion. Evaluation of these adaptive responses to blood vessel injury can include acute and longer term qualitative and quantitative measures including expression analyses, activity assays, immunostaining for a plethora of factors and signals, and morphometry of neointima formation and gross mural remodeling. This chapter presents a logical continuation of Chapter 1 that offers details for performing the rat carotid artery balloon injury model in a standard laboratory setting by providing commonly used protocols for performing histological and morphometric analyses in such studies. Moreover, procedures, caveats, and considerations included in this chapter are highly relevant for alternative animal vascular physiology/pathophysiology studies and in particular those related to mechanisms of vascular injury and repair. Included in this chapter are specifics for in situ perfusion-fixation, tissue harvesting and processing for both snap-frozen and paraffin-embedded protocols, specimen embedding and sectioning, slide preparation, several standard histological staining steps, and routine morphological assessment.

Can the contralateral limb be used as a control during the growing period in a rodent model?

PubMed

Mustafy, Tanvir; Londono, Irène; Villemure, Isabelle

2018-05-12

The contralateral limb is often used as a control in various clinical, forensic and anthropological studies. However, no studies have been performed to determine if the contra-lateral limb is a suitable control during the bone development period. The aim of this study was to determine the bilateral symmetry of growing rat tibiae in terms of geometric shape, mechanical strength and bone morphological parameters with developmental stages. Left and right tibias of 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of age were scanned with micro-CT for bone-morphometric evaluation and for 3D deviation analysis to quantify the geometric shape variations between left and right tibiae. Overall tibial lengths and curvatures were also measured, and bone mechanical strength was investigated using three-point bending tests. Deviation distributions between bilateral tibiae remained below 0.5 mm for more than 80% of the geometry for all groups. Tibial lengths, longitudinal tibial curvatures, bone-morphometric parameters and mechanical strengths changed significantly during the growing period but kept a strong degree of symmetry between bilateral tibiae. These results suggest that bilateral tibiae can be considered symmetrical in nature and that contralateral limb can be used as a control during the growing period in different experimental scenarios. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Protective effect of topical Cordia verbenacea in a rat periodontitis model: immune-inflammatory, antibacterial and morphometric assays

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background This study evaluated the effects of C. verbenacea essential oil topically administered in a rat periodontitis model. Methods Periodontitis was induced on rats in one of the mandibular first molars assigned to receive a ligature. Animals were randomly divided into two groups: a) non-treatment group (NT) (n = 18): animals received 1mL of vehicle; b) C. verbenacea group (C.v.) (n = 18): animals received 5mg/Kg of essential oils isolated from C. verbenacea. The therapies were administered topically 3 times daily for 11 days. Then, the specimens were processed for morphometric analysis of bone loss. The ligatures were used for microbiological assessment of the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythia and Porphyromonas gingivalis using PCR. The gingival tissue was collected to Elisa assay of interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-10 levels. Results Bone loss was inhibited by C. verbenacea when compared to the NT group (p < 0.05). A decrease in the levels of IL-1α and increase in the IL-10 amounts was observed in the C.v. group as compared to NT group (p < 0.05). A lower frequency of P. gingivalis was found in C.v. group (p < 0.05). Conclusion C. verbenacea essential oil topically administered diminished alveolar bone resorption, promoting a positive local imbalance in the pro/anti-inflammatory system and reducing the frequency of detection of P. gingivalis. PMID:23171319

Protective effect of topical Cordia verbenacea in a rat periodontitis model: immune-inflammatory, antibacterial and morphometric assays.

PubMed

Pimentel, Suzana Peres; Barrella, Guilherme Emerson; Casarin, Renato Corrêa Viana; Cirano, Fabiano Ribeiro; Casati, Márcio Zaffalon; Foglio, Mary Ann; Figueira, Glyn Mara; Ribeiro, Fernanda Vieira

2012-11-21

This study evaluated the effects of C. verbenacea essential oil topically administered in a rat periodontitis model. Periodontitis was induced on rats in one of the mandibular first molars assigned to receive a ligature. Animals were randomly divided into two groups: a) non-treatment group (NT) (n = 18): animals received 1mL of vehicle; b) C. verbenacea group (C.v.) (n = 18): animals received 5mg/Kg of essential oils isolated from C. verbenacea. The therapies were administered topically 3 times daily for 11 days. Then, the specimens were processed for morphometric analysis of bone loss. The ligatures were used for microbiological assessment of the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythia and Porphyromonas gingivalis using PCR. The gingival tissue was collected to Elisa assay of interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-10 levels. Bone loss was inhibited by C. verbenacea when compared to the NT group (p < 0.05). A decrease in the levels of IL-1α and increase in the IL-10 amounts was observed in the C.v. group as compared to NT group (p < 0.05). A lower frequency of P. gingivalis was found in C.v. group (p < 0.05). C. verbenacea essential oil topically administered diminished alveolar bone resorption, promoting a positive local imbalance in the pro/anti-inflammatory system and reducing the frequency of detection of P. gingivalis.

[MORPHOFUNCTIONAL ADJUSTMENT VASCULAR AND CELLULAR COMPONENTS OF THE CEREBELLAR CORTEX IN EXPOSURE TO BODY SULFATES OF COPPER, ZINC AND IRON].

PubMed

Grintsova, N; Vasko, L; Kiptenko, L; Gortinsky, A; Murenets, N

2015-09-01

In order to analyze the morphological and morphometric reconstructions of the vascular bed, and Purkinje cells of the cerebellar cortex of rats in long-term action (for 90 days) on the body of sulphates of copper, zinc and iron, an experiment was conducted on 48 adult white male rats weighing 200-250 g in age 5-7 months. We used anatomical, morphometric, statistical and common methods of microanatomical research. It was found that the combined effect on the body of sulphates of copper and zinc, and iron in the cerebellum has enough expressive toxicity, which affects the condition of the vascular bed, and Purkinje cells. The degree of morphological transformations is in direct proportion to the duration of the experiment. In the pathogenesis of violations leading role played by hypoxia, develop signs of swelling of the cerebellar cortex with signs hemorrhagic infiltration, the severity of which is maximum on the 60th day of the experiment.

Modulating effects of epithalamin and epithalon on the functional morphology of the spleen in old pinealectomized rats.

PubMed

Khavinson, V K; Konovalov, S S; Yuzhakov, V V; Popuchiev, V V; Kvetnoi, I M

2001-11-01

Immunohistochemical and morphometric analysis showed that epithalamin and epithalon produced similar effects on the functional morphology of the spleen in pinealectomized rats. Both peptides prevented hyperplasia of lymphoid cells in follicular germinative centers induced by pinealectomy and potentiated the decrease in extramedullary hemopoiesis. These findings confirm the data on functional relationships between the pineal gland and immune system. The effects of epithalamin and epithalon on cell and tissue homeostasis in the spleen of old pinealectomized rats can be regarded as a manifestation of the general regulatory effect of these peptides.

Morphometric, quantitative, and three-dimensional analysis of the heart muscle fibers of old rats: transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy methods.

PubMed

Cury, Diego Pulzatto; Dias, Fernando José; Sosthenes, Marcia Consentino Kronka; Dos Santos Haemmerle, Carlos Alexandre; Ogawa, Koichi; Da Silva, Marcelo Cavenaghi Pereira; Mardegan Issa, João Paulo; Iyomasa, Mamie Mizusaki; Watanabe, Ii-Sei

2013-02-01

This research investigated the morphological, morphometric, and ultrastructural cardiomyocyte characteristics of male Wistar rats at 18 months of age. The animals were euthanized using an overdose of anesthesia (ketamine and xylazine, 150/10 mg/kg) and perfused transcardially, after which samples were collected for light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that cardiomyocyte arrangement was disposed parallel between the mitochondria and the A-, I-, and H-bands and their M- and Z-lines from the sarcomere. The sarcomere junction areas had intercalated disks, a specific structure of heart muscle. The ultrastructural analysis revealed several mitochondria of various sizes and shapes intermingled between the blood capillaries and their endothelial cells; some red cells inside vessels are noted. The muscle cell sarcolemma could be observed associated with the described structures. The cardiomyocytes of old rats presented an average sarcomere length of 2.071 ± 0.09 μm, a mitochondrial volume density (Vv) of 0.3383, a mitochondrial average area of 0.537 ± 0.278 μm(2), a mitochondrial average length of 1.024 ± 0.352 μm, an average mitochondrial cristae thickness of 0.038 ± 0.09 μm and a ratio of mitochondrial greater length/lesser length of 1.929 ± 0.965. Of the observed mitochondrial shapes, 23.4% were rounded, 45.3% were elongated, and 31.1% had irregular profiles. In this study, we analyzed the morphology and morphometry of cardiomyocytes in old rats, focusing on mitochondria. These data are important for researchers who focus the changes in cardiac tissue, especially changes owing to pathologies and drug administration that may or may not be correlated with aging. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Hormonal therapy with estradiol and drospirenone improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the coronary bed of ovariectomized spontaneously hypertensive rats

PubMed Central

Borgo, M.V.; Claudio, E.R.G.; Silva, F.B.; Romero, W.G.; Gouvea, S.A.; Moysés, M.R.; Santos, R.L.; Almeida, S.A.; Podratz, P.L.; Graceli, J.B.; Abreu, G.R.

2015-01-01

Drospirenone (DRSP) is a progestin with anti-aldosterone properties and it reduces blood pressure in hypertensive women. However, the effects of DRSP on endothelium-dependent coronary vasodilation have not been evaluated. This study investigated the effects of combined therapy with estrogen (E2) and DRSP on endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the coronary bed of ovariectomized (OVX) spontaneously hypertensive rats. Female spontaneously hypertensive rats (n=87) at 12 weeks of age were randomly divided into sham operated (Sham), OVX, OVX treated with E2 (E2), and OVX treated with E2 and DRSP (E2+DRSP) groups. Hemodynamic parameters were directly evaluated by catheter insertion into the femoral artery. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation in response to bradykinin in the coronary arterial bed was assessed using isolated hearts according to a modified Langendorff method. Coronary protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) was assessed by Western blotting. Histological slices of coronary arteries were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and morphometric parameters were analyzed. Oxidative stress was assessed in situ by dihydroethidium fluorescence. Ovariectomy increased systolic blood pressure, which was only prevented by E2+DRSP treatment. Estrogen deficiency caused endothelial dysfunction, which was prevented by both treatments. However, the vasodilator response in the E2+DRSP group was significantly higher at the three highest concentrations compared with the OVX group. Reduced ER-α expression in OVX rats was restored by both treatments. Morphometric parameters and oxidative stress were augmented by OVX and reduced by E2 and E2+DRSP treatments. Hormonal therapy with E2 and DRSP may be an important therapeutic option in the prevention of coronary heart disease in hypertensive post-menopausal women. PMID:26577845

G cells and gastrin in chronic alcohol-treated rats.

PubMed

Todorović, Vera; Koko, Vesna; Budec, Mirela; Mićić, Mileva; Micev, Marjan; Pavlović, Mirjana; Vignjević, Sanja; Drndarević, Neda; Mitrović, Olivera

2008-02-01

Numerous reports have described gastric mucosal injury in rats treated with high ethanol concentrations. However, to the best of our knowledge, ultrastructural characteristics of G cells and antral gastrin levels have not been previously reported, either in rats that chronically consumed alcohol or in human alcoholics. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of ethanol consumption (8.5 g/kg) over a 4-month period, under controlled nutritional conditions, on antral and plasma levels of gastrin, ultrastructure of G cells, morphometric characteristics of G cells by stereological methods, and analysis of endocrine cells in the gastric mucosa by immunohistochemistry. The chronic alcohol consumption resulted in a nonsignificant decrease in gastrin plasma levels and unchanged antral gastrin concentrations. A slightly damaged glandular portion of the gastric mucosa and dilatation of small blood vessels detected by histological analysis, suggests that ethanol has a toxic effect on the mucosal surface. Chronic alcohol treatment significantly decreased the number of antral G cells per unit area, and increased their cellular, nuclear, and cytoplasmatic profile areas. In addition, the volume density and diameter of G-cell granules, predominantly the pale and lucent types, were increased, indicating inhibition of gastrin release. Ethanol treatment also decreased the number of gastric somatostatin-, serotonin-, and histamine-immunoreactive cells, except the somatostatin cells in the pyloric mucosa, as well as both G: D: enterochromaffin cells (EC) cell ratios in the antrum and D: ECL cell ratios in the fundus. These results indicate that the change of morphometric parameters in G cells may be related to cellular dysfunction. Our findings also suggest that regulation of G-cell secretion was not mediated by locally produced somatostatin in ethanol-consuming rats, but may involve gastric luminal content and/or neurotransmitters of gastric nerve fibers.

Histological and Morphometric Analyses for Rat Carotid Artery Balloon Injury Studies

PubMed Central

Tulis, David Anthony

2010-01-01

i. Summary Experiments aimed at analyzing the response of blood vessels to mechanical injury and ensuing remodeling responses often employ the highly characterized carotid artery balloon injury model in laboratory rats. This approach utilizes luminal insertion of a balloon embolectomy catheter into the common carotid artery with inflation and withdrawal resulting in an injury characterized by vascular endothelial cell (EC) denudation and medial wall distension. The adaptive response to this injury is typified by robust vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) replication and migration, SMC apoptosis and necrosis, enhanced synthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, partial vascular EC regeneration from the border zones, luminal narrowing and establishment of a neointima in time-dependent fashion. Evaluation of these adaptive responses to blood vessel injury can include acute and longer-term qualitative and quantitative measures including expression analyses, activity assays, immunostaining for a plethora of factors and signals, and morphometry of neointima formation and gross mural remodeling. This chapter presents a logical continuation of Chapter    in this series that offers details for performing the rat carotid artery balloon injury model in a standard laboratory setting by providing commonly used protocols for performing histological and morphometric analyses in such studies. Moreover, procedures, caveats, and considerations included in this chapter are highly relevant for alternative animal vascular physiology/pathophysiology studies and in particular those related to mechanisms of vascular injury and repair. Included in this chapter are specifics for in situ perfusion-fixation, tissue harvesting and processing for both snap-frozen and paraffin-embedded protocols, specimen embedding and sectioning, slide preparation, several standard histological staining steps, and routine morphological assessment. Included in Notes are important caveats and considerations for practical use of these methods. PMID:18287663

[Morphometry of giant multipolar neurons of the brain stem reticular formation in rats on board the Kosmos-1667 biosatellite].

PubMed

Belichenko, P V; Leontovich, T A

1989-05-01

Giant multipolar neurons of nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis of rats which had been kept on board the biosatellite "Kosmos-1667" were morphometrically studied. There was a trend towards the increase in the cellular surface, the maximum diameter of dendritic field, the volume of the whole dendritic territory in the test group ad in the control experimental group kept on the earth. A reliable decrease in dendritic mass oriented to nucleus vestibularis and an increase in dendritic mass oriented to the midline were also found in test group, as compared to 3 control groups. Our data were discussed in the light of nervous tissue plasticity in adult mammals.

The influence of hollyhock extract administration on testicular function in rats.

PubMed

Papiez, Monika A

2004-11-01

It has been reported, recently that an aqueous extract from hollyhock flowers (Althaea rosea Cav. varietas nigra) induces weak metabolic changes in rat testes. In the present study, the in vivoinfluence of a methanolic extract was investigated on the metabolism and morphology of the rat testis. To this end, histochemical, morphometric and radioimmunological methods were used. The rats drank the extract at a dose of 100 mg/day for 7 weeks. The histochemical activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and Delta(5)beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Delta(5)betaHSD) increased significantly statistically in the Leydig cells of the experimental rats in comparison with controls. There were no significant changes in either the diameter of seminiferous tubules or the height of seminiferous epithelium after hollyhock administration. Further, only a small amount of hyperplasia of the interstitial tissue was observed. The morphological and histoenzymatic changes in the Leydig cells indicate that the methanolic hollyhock extract has a direct but small influence on rat testes. The insignificant changes in testicular testosterone and estradiol content suggest that the extract does not disturb steroidogenesis.

Rodent renal structure differs among species.

PubMed

Ichii, Osamu; Yabuki, Akira; Ojima, Toshimichi; Matsumoto, Mitsuharu; Suzuki, Shusaku

2006-05-01

In the present study, we histologically and morphometrically investigated species differences in renal structure using laboratory rodents (mice, gerbils, hamsters, rats, and guinea pigs). Morphometric parameters were as follows, 1) diameter of the cortical renal corpuscles, 2) diameter of the juxtamedullary renal corpuscles, 3) percentage of the renal corpuscles with a cuboidal parietal layer, 4) number of nuclei in proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs) per unit area of cortex, 5) semi-quantitative score of the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) -positive granules in PCTs, and 6) semi-quantitative score of the PAS-positive granules in proximal straight tubules (PSTs). Significant species differences were detected for each parameter, and particularly severe differences were observed in the PAS-positive granules of PCTs and PSTs. Granular scores varied among species and sexes. Vacuolar structures that did not stain with PAS or hematoxylin-eosin were observed in the renal proximal tubules. The appearance and localization of these vacuolar structures differed remarkably between species and sexes.

The myocardial microangiopathy in human and experimental diabetes mellitus. (A microscopic, ultrastructural, morphometric and computer-assisted symbolic-logic analysis).

PubMed

Taşcă, C; Stefăneanu, L; Vasilescu, C

1986-01-01

The following microscopical aspects were found in the small intramural arteries in the myocardium of 30 diabetic patients: endothelial proliferations with focal protuberances leading to partial narrowing of the lumen, increased thickness of the arterial wall due to fibrosis and accumulations of neutral mucopolysaccharides: alteration of elastic fibres. Morphometrically, the arterial wall thickness and the arterial diameter were increased whereas the arterial density decreased in the diabetic heart. In 25 rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes the small intramyocardial arteries were investigated at 11 to 40 weeks of diabetic state. Using morphometrical analysis a constant increase of arterial wall thickness paralleling the diabetes duration was found. Microscopically, the lesions consist in endothelial proliferation with bridging across the vascular lumen and slight perivascular and diffuse fibrosis. Ultrastructurally, the capillary basal lamina was thickened in the diabetic myocardium. In order to investigate the morphometrical data we used symbolic-logic as a decision method, by applying an original computer program based on the Quine-McCluskey algorithm. All our results together with the final symbolic-logic expression suggest that damage of the small intramyocardial arteries plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Does erectile tissue angioarchitecture modify with aging? An immunohistological and morphometric approach.

PubMed

Costa, Carla; Vendeira, Pedro

2008-04-01

Introduction. Erectile dysfunction is a common problem in aged men; however, which vascular cavernosal alterations occur with age progression remain unclarified. Aim. Using cavernosal tissue from rats of various ages, we aimed to thoroughly assess erectile vascular-associated morphologic, immunohistological, and morphometric alterations during aging. Methods. Male Wistar rats were divided according to age in groups of 2, 6, 12, 18, 24 months old (N = 5). Cavernosal tissue of all groups was collected and processed for morphologic evaluation, immunodetection of alpha-smooth muscle actin and von Willebrand factor and morphometric quantification of vascular and smooth muscle cell (SMC) areas. Main Outcome Measures. The morphometric assessment of age-related alterations in cavernosal vascular and SMCs using the ImageJ image-processing program. Results. Morphologic and immunohistological evaluation showed a similar structure of erectile tissue among all age groups, divided in two cavernosal bodies containing numerous sinusoidal vascular spaces surrounded by SMCs. Additionally, we observed a reduction of SMC content and an increase in the caliber of vascular spaces, with aging. This was confirmed by the morphometric quantification of the vascular and SMC areas (mean area x10(3) microm(2) +/- x10(3) standard error). Two-month-old animals had a mean vascular area of 4.21 +/- 0.51, approximately 3.5-fold less than the 6-month-old group. The differences increased when comparing the youngest groups with the 12-, 18-, and 24-month-old animals, with mean measurements of 18.99 +/- 1.91, 25.23 +/- 2.76, and 26.34 +/- 2.97. Conversely, SMC areas progressively decreased between 2- and 6-month-old animals, from 6.75 +/- 0.90 to 6.38 +/- 1.24. The elderly 12-, 18-, and 24-month-old groups presented an approximated 1.5-fold reduction on SMCs area, showed by the respective measurements of 4.11 +/- 0.50, 4.01 +/- 0.35, and 4.02 +/- 0.44. Conclusions. We demonstrated that cavernosal angioarchitecture was modified with aging. The decrease in SMCs and the considerable enlargement of vascular lumens may limit the basic function of penile vascular tree in the elderly.

Beneficial role of tamoxifen in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Rayabarapu, Nihar; Patel, Bhoomika M

2014-10-01

ER-α and ER-β agonist 17β-estradiol is reported to attenuate cardiac hypertrophy. Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of tamoxifen in myocardial infarction. For this, tamoxifen was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats for 1-14 days, and isoproterenol (ISO) (100 mg·(kg body mass)(-1)·day(-1)) was administered subcutaneously on the 13th and 14th days of the study in order to induce myocardial infarction, after which, various biochemical, cardiac, and morphometric parameters were evaluated. ISO produced significant dyslipidemia, hypertension, bradycardia, oxidative stress, and an increase in serum cardiac markers. Treatment with tamoxifen significantly controlled dyslipidemia, hypertension, bradycardia, oxidative stress, and reduced serum cardiac markers. The ISO control rats exhibited significant increases in the infarct size of the left ventricle (LV), LV cavity area, cardiac and LV hypertrophic indices, LV-wall thickness, cardiomyocyte diameter, and area. Treatment with tamoxifen significantly reduced infarction as well as hypertrophic and morphometric parameters. ISO also produced significant increases in the LV collagen level, decreases in Na(+)K(+) ATPase activity, and a reduction in the rate of pressure development and decay, which were prevented by tamoxifen treatment. The protective effect of tamoxifen on myocardial infarct was further confirmed by histopathological examination. Our data thus suggest that tamoxifen exerts beneficial effects in ISO-induced myocardial infarction.

Effects of ethanol consumption and alcohol detoxification on the biomechanics and morphology the bone in rat femurs.

PubMed

Garcia, J A D; Souza, A L T; Cruz, L H C; Marques, P P; Camilli, J A; Nakagaki, W R; Esteves, A; Rossi-Junior, W C; Fernandes, G J M; Guerra, F D; Soares, E A

2015-11-01

The objective of this study was to verify the effects of ethanol consumption and alcohol detoxification on the biomechanics, area and thickness of cortical and trabecular bone in rat femur. This was an experimental study in which 18 male Wistar rats were used, with 40 days of age, weighing 179 ± 2.5 g. The rats were divided into three groups (n=06): CT (control), AC (chronic alcoholic), DT (detoxification). After experimental procedures, the animals were euthanized by an overdose of the anesthetic and their femurs were collected for mechanical testing and histological processing. All animals did not present malnutrition or dehydration during experimentation period. Morphometric analysis of cortical and trabecular bones in rat femurs demonstrated that AC animals showed inferior dimensions and alcohol detoxification (DT) allowed an enhancement in area and thickness of cortical and trabecular bone. Material and structural properties data of AC group highlighted the harmful effects of ethanol on bone mechanical properties. The results of this study demonstrated that chronic alcoholic rats (AC) presented major bone damage in all analyzed variables. Those findings suggested that alcohol detoxification is highly suggested in pre-operative planning and this corroborates to the success of bone surgery and bone tissue repair. Thanks to the financial support offered by PROBIC - UNIFENAS.

Quantitative indexes of aminonucleoside-induced nephrotic syndrome.

PubMed Central

Nevins, T. E.; Gaston, T.; Basgen, J. M.

1984-01-01

Aminonucleoside of puromycin (PAN) is known to cause altered glomerular permeability, resulting in a nephrotic syndrome in rats. The early sequence of this lesion was studied quantitatively, with the application of a new morphometric technique for determining epithelial foot process widths and a sensitive assay for quantifying urinary albumin excretion. Twenty-four hours following a single intraperitoneal injection of PAN, significant widening of foot processes was documented. Within 36 hours significant increases in urinary albumin excretion were observed. When control rats were examined, there was no clear correlation between epithelial foot process width and quantitative albumin excretion. However, in the PAN-treated animals, abnormal albuminuria only appeared in association with appreciable foot process expansion. These studies indicate that quantitative alterations occur in the rat glomerular capillary wall as early as 24 hours after PAN. Further studies of altered glomerular permeability may use these sensitive measures to more precisely define the temporal sequence and elucidate possible subgroups of experimental glomerular injury. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 PMID:6486243

Aerobic exercise training promotes additional cardiac benefits better than resistance exercise training in postmenopausal rats with diabetes.

PubMed

Quinteiro, Hugo; Buzin, Morgana; Conti, Filipe Fernandes; Dias, Danielle da Silva; Figueroa, Diego; Llesuy, Susana; Irigoyen, Maria-Cláudia; Sanches, Iris Callado; De Angelis, Kátia

2015-05-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise training or resistance exercise training on cardiac morphometric, functional, and oxidative stress parameters in rats with ovarian hormone deprivation and diabetes. Female Wistar rats (200-220 g) were divided into a sham-operated group (euglycemic sham-operated sedentary [ES]; n = 8) and three ovariectomized (bilateral removal of ovaries) and diabetic (streptozotocin 50 mg/kg IV) groups as follows: diabetic ovariectomized sedentary (DOS; n = 8), diabetic ovariectomized undergoing aerobic exercise training (DOTA; n = 8), and diabetic ovariectomized undergoing resistance exercise training (DOTR; n = 8). After 8 weeks of resistance (ladder) or aerobic (treadmill) exercise training, left ventricle function and morphometry were evaluated by echocardiography, whereas oxidative stress was evaluated at the left ventricle. The DOS group presented with increased left ventricle cavity in diastole and relative wall thickness (RWT), and these changes were attenuated in both DOTA and DOTR groups. Systolic and diastolic function was impaired in the DOS group compared with the ES group, and only the DOTA group was able to reverse this dysfunction. Lipoperoxidation and glutathione redox balance were improved in both trained groups compared with the DOS group. Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were higher in the DOTA group than in the other studied groups. Correlations were observed between lipoperoxidation and left ventricle cavity in diastole (r = 0.55), between redox balance and RWT (r = 0.62), and between lipoperoxidation and RWT (r = -0.60). Aerobic exercise training and resistance exercise training promote attenuation of cardiac morphometric dysfunction associated with a reduction in oxidative stress in an experimental model of diabetes and menopause. However, only dynamic aerobic exercise training is able to attenuate systolic and diastolic dysfunction under this condition.

Effects of growth hormone plus a hyperproteic diet on methotrexate-induced injury in rat intestines.

PubMed

Ortega, M; Gomez-de-Segura, I A; Vázquez, I; López, J M; de Guevara, C L; De-Miguel, E

2001-01-01

The aim of this study was to determine whether growth hormone treatment reduces injury to the intestinal mucosa induced by methotrexate (MTX). Wistar rats with intestinal injury induced by methotrexate were treated with daily growth hormone, beginning 3 days before MTX treatment until 3 or 4 days after MTX administration. The rats were killed at 3 or 7 days post-MTX administration. The rats were fed with either a normoproteic diet or a hyperproteic diet. Body weight, mortality, bacterial translocation, intestinal morphometry, proliferation and apoptosis and blood somatostatin and IGF-1 were determined. Combined administration of growth hormone and a hyperproteic diet reduces MTX-induced mortality. This effect was accompanied by increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis within the crypt. Morphometric data showed complete recovery of the mucosa by day 7 post-MTX administration. These results indicate a synergistic protective action of growth hormone combined with a hyperproteic diet to MTX-induced injury.

Sex-dependent effects of high-fat-diet feeding on rat pancreas oxidative stress.

PubMed

Gómez-Pérez, Yolanda; Gianotti, Magdalena; Lladó, Isabel; Proenza, Ana M

2011-07-01

The objective of the study was to investigate whether sex differences in oxidative stress-associated insulin resistance previously reported in rats could be attributed to a possible sex dimorphism in pancreas redox status. Fifteen-month-old male and female Wistar rats were fed a control diet or a high-fat diet for 14 weeks. Serum glucose, lipids, and hormone levels were measured. Insulin immunohistochemistry and morphometric analysis of islets were performed. Pancreas triglyceride content, oxidative damage, and antioxidant enzymatic activities were determined. Lipoprotein lipase, hormone-sensitive lipase, and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) levels were also measured. Male rats showed a more marked insulin resistance profile than females. In control female rats, pancreas Mn-superoxide dismutase activity and UCP2 levels were higher, and oxidative damage was lower compared with males. High-fat-diet feeding decreased pancreas triglyceride content in female rats and UCP2 levels in male rats. High-fat-diet female rats showed larger islets than both their control and sex counterparts. These results confirm the existence of a sex dimorphism in pancreas oxidative status in both control and high-fat-diet feeding situations, with female rats showing higher protection against oxidative stress, thus maintaining pancreatic function and contributing to a lower risk of insulin resistance.

Effect of in situ delivery of acetyl-L-carnitine on peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery in transected sciatic nerve in rat.

PubMed

Farahpour, Mohammad Reza; Ghayour, Sina Jangkhahe

2014-12-01

The repair of peripheral nerve injuries is still one of the most challenging tasks and concerns in neurosurgery, plastic and orthopedic surgery. Effect of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) loaded chitosan conduit as an in situ delivery system of ALC in bridging the defects was studied using a rat sciatic nerve regeneration model. A 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using a chitosan conduit (CHIT/ALC) filled with 10 μL ALC (100 ng/mL). In control group (CHIT), the conduit was filled with the same volume of the phosphate buffered solution. The regenerated fibers were studied 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after surgery. The functional and electrophysiological studies confirmed faster recovery of the regenerated axons in ALC treated than control group (P < 0.05). The mean ratios of gastrocnemius muscles weight were measured. There was statistically significant difference between the muscle weight ratios of CHIT/ALC and CHIT groups (P<0.05). Morphometric indices of regenerated fibers showed number and diameter of the myelinated fibers in CHIT/ALC were significantly higher than in control group. In immuohistochemistry, the location of reactions to S-100 in CHIT/ALC was clearly more positive than CHIT group. ALC when loaded in a chitosan conduit resulted in improvement of functional recovery and quantitative morphometric indices of sciatic nerve. Copyright © 2014 Surgical Associates Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A new experimental model of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema in Wistar rats*, **

PubMed Central

Kozma, Rodrigo de las Heras; Alves, Edson Marcelino; Barbosa-de-Oliveira, Valter Abraão; Lopes, Fernanda Degobbi Tenorio Quirino dos Santos; Guardia, Renan Cenize; Buzo, Henrique Vivi; de Faria, Carolina Arruda; Yamashita, Camila; Cavazzana, Manzelio; Frei, Fernando; Ribeiro-Paes, Maria José de Oliveira; Ribeiro-Paes, João Tadeu

2014-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To describe a new murine model of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema. METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: the cigarette smoke group, comprising 12 rats exposed to smoke from 12 commercial filter cigarettes three times a day (a total of 36 cigarettes per day) every day for 30 weeks; and the control group, comprising 12 rats exposed to room air three times a day every day for 30 weeks. Lung function was assessed by mechanical ventilation, and emphysema was morphometrically assessed by measurement of the mean linear intercept (Lm). RESULTS: The mean weight gain was significantly (approximately ten times) lower in the cigarette smoke group than in the control group. The Lm was 25.0% higher in the cigarette smoke group. There was a trend toward worsening of lung function parameters in the cigarette smoke group. CONCLUSIONS: The new murine model of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema and the methodology employed in the present study are effective and reproducible, representing a promising and economically viable option for use in studies investigating the pathophysiology of and therapeutic approaches to COPD. PMID:24626269

Effect of Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) on testicular tissue in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

PubMed

Ghafari, S; Balajadeh, B Kabiri; Golalipour, M J

2011-08-15

Urtica dioica L. (Stinging nettle) has already been known for a long time as a medicinal plant in the world. This histopathological and morphometrical study was conducted to determine the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica leaves on testis of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Eighteen male Wistar rats were allocated to equally normal, diabetic and treatment groups. Hyperglycemia was induced by Streptozotocin (80 mg kg(-1)) in animals of diabetic and treatment groups. One week after STZ injection (80 mg kg(-1)), the rats of treatment group received the extract of U. dioica (100 mg/kg/day) IP for 28 days. After 5 weeks of study, all the rats were sacrificed and testes were removed and fixed in bouin and after tissue processing stained with H and E technique. Tubular cell disintegration, sertoli and spermatogonia cell vacuolization and decrease in sperm concentration in seminiferous tubules were seen in diabetic and treatment groups group in comparison with control. External Seminiferous Tubular Diameter (STD) and Seminiferous Epithelial Height (SEH) significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the diabetic rats compared with controls and these parameters in the treatment group were similar to diabetics animals. This study showed that hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica leaves, after induction of diabetes; has no treatment effect on seminiferous tubules alterations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

[Morphohistochemical study of skeletal muscles in rats after experimental flight on "Kosmos-1887"].

PubMed

Il'ina-Kakueva, E I

1990-01-01

Morphometric and histochemical methods were used to examine the soleus, gastrocnemius (medial portion), quadriceps femoris (central portion) and biceps brachii muscles of Wistar SPF rats two days after the 13-day flight on Cosmos-1887. It was found that significant atrophy developed only in the soleus muscle. The space flight did not change the percentage content of slow (type I) and fast (type II) fibers in fast twitch muscles. During two days at 1 g the slow soleus muscle developed substantial circulation disorders, which led to interstitial edema and necrotic changes. The gastrocnemius muscle showed small foci containing necrotic myofibers. Two days after recovery no glycogen aggregates were seen in myofibers, which were previously observed in other rats examined 4--8 hours after flight. An initial stage of muscle readaptation to 1 g occurred, when NAD.H2-dehydrogenase activity was decreased.

MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF RAT HINDLIMB MALFORMATIONS DUE TO GESTATIONAL EXPOSURE TO 5-FU

EPA Science Inventory

SETZER1, R. W., M. D. WILLIAMS2, D. LITTON3, M.G. NAROTSKY4, 1Experimental Toxicology Division and 4Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, ORD, USEPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; 2UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and 3Department of Aerospace E...

Influence of low-frequency vibration on changes of biochemical parameters of living rats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasprzak, Cezary; Damijan, Zbigniew; Panuszka, Ryszard

2004-05-01

The aim of the research was to investigate how some selected biochemical parameters of living rats depend on exposure of low-frequency vibrations. Experiments were run on 30 Wistar rats randomly segregated into three groups: (I) 20 days old (before puberty), (II) 70th day after; (III) control group. The exposure was repeated seven times, for 3 h, at the same time of day. Vibrations applied during the first tests of the experiment had acceleration 1.22 m/s2 and frequency 20 Hz. At the 135th day the rats' bones were a subject of morphometric/biochemical examination. The results of biochemical tests proved decrease in LDL and HDL cholesterol levels for exposed rats as well as the Ca contents in blood plasma. There was evident increasing of Ca in blood plasma in exposed rats for frequency of exposition.

Differences in the Rate of In Situ Mammary Gland Development and Other Developmental Endpoints in Three Strains of Female Rat Commonly Used in Mammary Carcinogenesis Studies: Implications for Timing of Carcinogen Exposure

PubMed Central

Stanko, Jason P.; Kissling, Grace E.; Chappell, Vesna A.; Fenton, Suzanne E.

2016-01-01

The potential of chemicals to alter susceptibility to mammary tumor formation is often assessed using a carcinogen-induced study design in various rat strains. The rate of mammary gland development must be considered so that the timing of carcinogen administration is impactful. In this study, in situ mammary gland (MG) development was assessed in females of the Harlan Sprague Dawley (Hsd:SD), Charles River Sprague Dawley (Crl:SD), and Charles River Long Evans (Crl:LE) rat strains at postnatal day (PND) 25, 33, and 45. Development was evaluated by physical assessment of growth parameters, developmental scoring, and quantitative morphometric analysis. Though body weight was consistently lower and day of vaginal opening (VO) occurred latest in female Hsd:SD rats, they exhibited accelerated pre-and peripubertal MG development compared to other strains. Glands of Crl:SD and Crl:LE rats exhibited significantly more terminal end buds (TEBs) and TEB/mm than Hsd:SD rats around the time of VO. These data suggest a considerable difference in rate of MG development across commonly used strains, which is independent of body weight and timing of VO. In mammary tumor induction studies employing these strains, administration of the carcinogen should be timed appropriately, based on strain, to specifically target the peak of TEB occurrence. PMID:27613105

Inferior ectopic pupil and typical ocular coloboma in RCS rats.

PubMed

Tsuji, Naho; Ozaki, Kiyokazu; Narama, Isao; Matsuura, Tetsuro

2011-08-01

Ocular coloboma is sometimes accompanied by corectopia in humans and therefore ectopic pupil may indicate ocular coloboma in experimental animals. The RCS strain of rats has a low incidence of microphthalmia. We found that inferior ectopic pupil is associated exclusively with small-sized eyes in this strain. The objective of the current study was to evaluate whether inferior ectopic pupil is associated with iridal coloboma and other types of ocular coloboma in RCS rats. Both eyes of RCS rats were examined clinically, and those with inferior ectopic pupils underwent morphologic and morphometric examinations. In a prenatal study, coronal serial sections of eyeballs from fetuses at gestational day 16.5 were examined by using light microscopy. Ectopic pupils in RCS rats were found exclusively in an inferior position, where the iris was shortened. Fundic examination revealed severe chorioretinal coloboma in all cases of inferior ectopic pupil. The morphologic characteristics closely resembled those of chorioretinal coloboma in humans. Histopathologic examination of primordia showed incomplete closure of the optic fissure in 4 eyeballs of RCS fetuses. Neither F(1) rats nor N(2) (progeny of RCS × BN matings) displayed any ocular anomalies, including ectopic pupils. The RCS strain is a suitable model for human ocular coloboma, and inferior ectopic pupil appears to be a strong indicator of ocular coloboma.

Inferior Ectopic Pupil and Typical Ocular Coloboma in RCS Rats

PubMed Central

Tsuji, Naho; Ozaki, Kiyokazu; Narama, Isao; Matsuura, Tetsuro

2011-01-01

Ocular coloboma is sometimes accompanied by corectopia in humans and therefore ectopic pupil may indicate ocular coloboma in experimental animals. The RCS strain of rats has a low incidence of microphthalmia. We found that inferior ectopic pupil is associated exclusively with small-sized eyes in this strain. The objective of the current study was to evaluate whether inferior ectopic pupil is associated with iridal coloboma and other types of ocular coloboma in RCS rats. Both eyes of RCS rats were examined clinically, and those with inferior ectopic pupils underwent morphologic and morphometric examinations. In a prenatal study, coronal serial sections of eyeballs from fetuses at gestational day 16.5 were examined by using light microscopy. Ectopic pupils in RCS rats were found exclusively in an inferior position, where the iris was shortened. Fundic examination revealed severe chorioretinal coloboma in all cases of inferior ectopic pupil. The morphologic characteristics closely resembled those of chorioretinal coloboma in humans. Histopathologic examination of primordia showed incomplete closure of the optic fissure in 4 eyeballs of RCS fetuses. Neither F1 rats nor N2 (progeny of RCS × BN matings) displayed any ocular anomalies, including ectopic pupils. The RCS strain is a suitable model for human ocular coloboma, and inferior ectopic pupil appears to be a strong indicator of ocular coloboma. PMID:22330254

Production of New Trabecular Bone in Osteopenic Ovariectomized Rats by Prostaglandin E2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mori, S.; Jee, W. S. S.; Li, X. J.

1992-01-01

Serum chemistry and bone morphometry of the proximal tibial metaphysis were performed in 3 month-old double fluorescent-labeled, female Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to bilateral ovariectomy or sham surgery for 4 months prior to treatment with 0, 0.3, 1,3, or 6 mg of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)/kg/day subcutaneously for 30 days. The 4 month postovariectomized rats possessed an osteopenic proximal tibial metaphysis with 7% trabecular area compared with controls (19%). PGE2 treatment elevated osteocalcin levels and augmented proximal tibial metaphyseal bone area in ovariectomized and sham-operated rats. Osteopenic, ovariectomized rats treated with 6 mg (PGE2)/kg/day for 30 days restored bone area to levels of agematched sham-operated rats. Morphometric analyses showed increased woven and lamellar bone area, fluorescent-labeled perimeter (osteoblastic recruitment), mineral apposition rate (osteoblastic activity), bone formation rate (BFR/BV), and longitudinal bone growth. These dramatic bone changes were all significantly increased at the doseresponse manner. This study showed that in vivo PGE2 is a powerful activator of bone remodeling, it increases both bone resorption and bone formation, and produces an anabolic effect by shifting bone balance to the positive direction. Furthermore, PGE2-induced augmentation of metaphyseal bone area in ovariectomized rats was at least two times greater than in sham-operated rats.

Morphometrical investigations on the reproductive activity of the ovaries in rats subjected to immobilization and to motion activity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Konstantinov, N.; Cheresharov, L.; Toshkova, S.

1982-01-01

Wistar-strain white female rats were divided into three groups, with the first group subjected to motion loading, the second used as control, and the third group was immobilized. A considerable reduction in numbers of corpora lutea was observed in the immobilized group, together with smaller numbers of embryos, high percent of embryo mortality, fetal growth retardation, and endometrium disorders. The control group showed no deviation from normal conditions, and there was slight improvement in reproductive activity of animals under motion loading.

Diabetes enhances dental caries and apical periodontitis in caries-susceptible WBN/KobSlc rats.

PubMed

Kodama, Yasushi; Matsuura, Masahiro; Sano, Tomoya; Nakahara, Yutaka; Ozaki, Kiyokazu; Narama, Isao; Matsuura, Tetsuro

2011-02-01

Many epidemiologic studies have suggested that diabetes may be an important risk factor for periodontal disease. To determine whether diabetes induces or enhances periodontal disease or dental caries, dental tissue from diabetic male and nondiabetic female WBN/KobSlc rats and male and female age-matched nondiabetic F344 rats was analyzed morphologically and morphometrically for these 2 types of lesions. Soft X-ray examination revealed that the incidence and severity of both molar caries and alveolar bone resorption were much higher in male WBN/KobSlc rats with chronic diabetes than in nondiabetic female rats of the same strain. Histopathologic examination showed that dental caries progressed from acute to subacute inflammation due to bacterial infections and necrosis in the pulp when the caries penetrated the dentin. In the most advanced stage of dental caries, inflammatory changes caused root abscess and subsequent apical periodontitis, with the formation of granulation tissue around the dental root. Inflammatory changes resulted in resorption of alveolar bone and correlated well with the severity of molar caries. Our results suggest that diabetic conditions enhance dental caries in WBN/KobSlc rats and that periodontal lesions may result from the apical periodontitis that is secondary to dental caries.

A comparative study on the effect of high cholesterol diet on the hippocampal CA1 area of adult and aged rats.

PubMed

Abo El-Khair, Doaa M; El-Safti, Fatma El-Nabawia A; Nooh, Hanaa Z; El-Mehi, Abeer E

2014-06-01

Dementia is one of the most important problems nowadays. Aging is associated with learning and memory impairments. Diet rich in cholesterol has been shown to be detrimental to cognitive performance. This work was carried out to compare the effect of high cholesterol diet on the hippocampus of adult and aged male albino rats. Twenty adult and twenty aged male rats were used in this study. According to age, the rats were randomly subdivided into balanced and high cholesterol diet fed groups. The diet was 15 g/rat/day for adult rats and 20 g/rat/day for aged rats for eight weeks. Serial coronal sections of hippocampus and blood samples were taken from each rat. For diet effect evaluation, Clinical, biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric assessments were done. In compare to a balanced diet fed rat, examination of Cornu Ammonis 1 (CA 1) area in the hippocampus of the high cholesterol diet adult rats showed degeneration, a significant decrease of the pyramidal cells, attenuation and/or thickening of small blood vessels, apparent increase of astrocytes and apparent decrease of Nissl's granules content. Moreover, the high cholesterol diet aged rats showed aggravation of senility changes of the hippocampus together with Alzheimer like pathological changes. In conclusion, the high cholesterol diet has a significant detrimental effect on the hippocampus and aging might pronounce this effect. So, we should direct our attention to limit cholesterol intake in our food to maintain a healthy life style for a successful aging.

Effects of boric acid on experimental periodontitis and alveolar bone loss in rats.

PubMed

Demirer, Serhat; Kara, M Isa; Erciyas, Kamile; Ozdemir, Hakan; Ozer, Hatice; Ay, Sinan

2012-01-01

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the histopathologic and morphometric effects of systemic boric acid in a rat periodontitis model. Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into three groups of eight animals each: non-ligated (NL), ligature only (LO), and ligature and treated with boric acid (BA) (3mg/kg per day for 11 days). A 4/0 silk suture was placed in a subgingival position around the mandibular first molars; after 11 days the rats were sacrificed, and changes in alveolar bone levels were measured clinically and tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the differences amongst the study groups. The ratio of presence of inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI) and osteoclast number in the LO group was significantly higher than that of the NL and BA groups (p<0.05). The ratio of presence of osteoblastic activity in the LO group was significantly lower than that of the NL and BA groups (p<0.05). Alveolar bone loss was also significantly higher in the LO group compared to the BA and NL groups (p<005). This study has demonstrated that systemic administration of boric acid reduced periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss in periodontal disease in rats. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Postnatal fate of the ultimobranchial remnants in the rat thyroid gland.

PubMed

Vázquez-Román, Victoria; Utrilla, José C; Fernández-Santos, José M; Conde, Esperanza; Bernabé, Reyes; Sampedro, Consuelo; Martín-Lacave, Inés

2013-07-01

The ultimobranchial follicles (UBFs) are considered embryonic remnants from the ultimobranchial body (UBB). They are follicular structures that vary in size and appearance depending on the age of the rat. The main objective of this article was to study the progressive changes in shape, size, and frequency of the UBFs in the postnatal rat, from birth to old-age. To accomplish that objective, a systematic morphometric and incidental study of the UBF has been carried out in 110 Wistar rats of different ages and both sexes, divided into three groups: 1) young rats (5-90-day-old); 2) adult rats (6-15-month-old), and 3) old rats (18-24-month-old). The glands were serially sectioned and immunostained for calcitonin at five equidistant levels. According to our results, UBFs were observed in all thyroid glands but a more exhaustive sampling was occasionally necessary in male rats. In young rats, immature UBFs predominantly appeared whereas in adult rats, mature UBFs with cystic appearance and variable luminal content prevailed. We frequently found spontaneous anomalous UBFs in old rats, which we have termed as "ultimobranchial cystadenomata." Additionally, in young rats, UBF areas significantly increased with age and they were larger when compared to that of normal thyroid follicles. Likewise, in adult rats, UBFs were significantly larger than normal thyroid follicles but only in female rats. In general, UBFs in females were also significantly larger than those found in male rats. Finally, all these differences related to UBFs together with a higher incidence in females of UB cystadenomata suggest a sexual dimorphism in regard to the destiny of these embryonic remnants during postnatal thyroid development. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Experimental Cancer Cachexia Changes Neuron Numbers and Peptide Levels in the Intestine: Partial Protective Effects after Dietary Supplementation with L-Glutamine

PubMed Central

Vicentini, Geraldo E.; Fracaro, Luciane; de Souza, Sara R. G.; Martins, Heber A.; Guarnier, Flávia A.; Zanoni, Jacqueline N.

2016-01-01

Gastrointestinal dysmotility frequently occurs in cancer cachexia and may result from damage to enteric innervation caused by oxidative stress, especially due to glutathione depletion. We assessed the effect of dietary supplementation with 20 g/kg l-glutamine (a glutathione precursor) on the intrinsic innervation of the enteric nervous system in healthy and Walker 256 tumor-bearing Wistar rats during the development of experimental cachexia (14 days), in comparison with non-supplemented rats, by using immunohistochemical methods and Western blotting. The total neural population and cholinergic subpopulation densities in the myenteric plexus, as well as the total population and VIPergic subpopulation in the submucosal plexus of the jejunum and ileum, were reduced in cachectic rats, resulting in adaptive morphometric alterations and an increase in vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression, suggesting a neuroplastic response. l-glutamine supplementation prevented decrease in myenteric neuronal density in the ileum, morphometric alterations in the neurons and nerve fibers (in both the plexuses of the jejunum and ileum), and the overexpression of VIP and CGRP. Cancer cachexia severely affected the intrinsic innervation of the jejunum and ileum to various degrees and this injury seems to be associated with adaptive neural plasticity. l-glutamine supplementation presented partial protective effects on the enteric innervation against cancer cachexia, possibly by attenuating oxidative stress. PMID:27635657

Experimental Cancer Cachexia Changes Neuron Numbers and Peptide Levels in the Intestine: Partial Protective Effects after Dietary Supplementation with L-Glutamine.

PubMed

Vicentini, Geraldo E; Fracaro, Luciane; de Souza, Sara R G; Martins, Heber A; Guarnier, Flávia A; Zanoni, Jacqueline N

2016-01-01

Gastrointestinal dysmotility frequently occurs in cancer cachexia and may result from damage to enteric innervation caused by oxidative stress, especially due to glutathione depletion. We assessed the effect of dietary supplementation with 20 g/kg l-glutamine (a glutathione precursor) on the intrinsic innervation of the enteric nervous system in healthy and Walker 256 tumor-bearing Wistar rats during the development of experimental cachexia (14 days), in comparison with non-supplemented rats, by using immunohistochemical methods and Western blotting. The total neural population and cholinergic subpopulation densities in the myenteric plexus, as well as the total population and VIPergic subpopulation in the submucosal plexus of the jejunum and ileum, were reduced in cachectic rats, resulting in adaptive morphometric alterations and an increase in vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression, suggesting a neuroplastic response. l-glutamine supplementation prevented decrease in myenteric neuronal density in the ileum, morphometric alterations in the neurons and nerve fibers (in both the plexuses of the jejunum and ileum), and the overexpression of VIP and CGRP. Cancer cachexia severely affected the intrinsic innervation of the jejunum and ileum to various degrees and this injury seems to be associated with adaptive neural plasticity. l-glutamine supplementation presented partial protective effects on the enteric innervation against cancer cachexia, possibly by attenuating oxidative stress.

Stochastic rat lung dosimetry for inhaled radon progeny: a surrogate for the human lung for lung cancer risk assessment.

PubMed

Winkler-Heil, R; Hussain, M; Hofmann, W

2015-05-01

Laboratory rats are frequently used in inhalation studies as a surrogate for human exposures. The objective of the present study was therefore to develop a stochastic dosimetry model for inhaled radon progeny in the rat lung, to predict bronchial dose distributions and to compare them with corresponding dose distributions in the human lung. The most significant difference between human and rat lungs is the branching structure of the bronchial tree, which is relatively symmetric in the human lung, but monopodial in the rat lung. Radon progeny aerosol characteristics used in the present study encompass conditions typical for PNNL and COGEMA rat inhalation studies, as well as uranium miners and human indoor exposure conditions. It is shown here that depending on exposure conditions and modeling assumptions, average bronchial doses in the rat lung ranged from 5.4 to 7.3 mGy WLM(-1). If plotted as a function of airway generation, bronchial dose distributions exhibit a significant maximum in large bronchial airways. If, however, plotted as a function of airway diameter, then bronchial doses are much more uniformly distributed throughout the bronchial tree. Comparisons between human and rat exposures indicate that rat bronchial doses are slightly higher than human bronchial doses by about a factor of 1.3, while lung doses, averaged over the bronchial (BB), bronchiolar (bb) and alveolar-interstitial (AI) regions, are higher by about a factor of about 1.6. This supports the current view that the rat lung is indeed an appropriate surrogate for the human lung in case of radon-induced lung cancers. Furthermore, airway diameter seems to be a more appropriate morphometric parameter than airway generations to relate bronchial doses to bronchial carcinomas.

Gross morphometric reduction of rats' cerebellum by gamma irradiation was mitigated by pretreatment with Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract.

PubMed

Owoeye, O; Farombi, E O; Onwuka, S K

2011-01-01

The methanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina (M) or "bitter leaf" is known for its antioxidant activity, and antioxidants are noted to mitigate radiation damage in tissues. The aim of the present study was to observe the radioprotective effect of M on the cerebellum of gamma irradiated rats using alpha-tocopherol (TOCO) as a reference antioxidant. Forty-two male Wistar rats (n=42) weighing 200-240 g were taken for the study. The study comprised of seven groups, with each group comprising of six (n=6) rats i.e. control, M at 250, and 500 mg/kg/day, radiation only, radiation plus M at 250, and 500 mg/kg/day, and TOCO. After 14 days of treatment administered via oral gavage, rats were irradiated with a single dose of 2.0 Gy of gamma rays on the 15-th day and euthanized the next day. Rats cerebella were removed, fixed in 10% formalin saline, weighed and vernier caliper used to obtain cerebellar dimensions as follows: (i) maximum width, (ii) rostrocaudal dimension, and (iii) dorsoventral extent. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with post-test. Gamma radiation caused a statistically significant reduction of the relative weight of the rats' whole brain, relative weight of the cerebellum, the maximum width, rostrocaudal dimension, and dorsoventral extent of the cerebellum. However, pretreatment with M and TOCO significantly mitigated these effects. This study demonstrated that administration of M and TOCO before 2.0 Gy gamma irradiation reduced significantly the radiation induced gross morphometry changes in rats' cerebellum, suggesting that M may qualify for consideration as a medicinal radioprotector.

Gliclazide inhibits diabetic neuropathy irrespective of blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

PubMed

Qiang, X; Satoh, J; Sagara, M; Fukuzawa, M; Masuda, T; Miyaguchi, S; Takahashi, K; Toyota, T

1998-08-01

N-acetylcysteine and pentoxifylline, free radical scavengers and inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production, inhibit the development of peripheral neuropathy in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. This study was designed to elucidate the effect of gliclazide, an oral hypoglycemic sulfonylurea, on diabetic neuropathy, because it has been indicated to be a free radical scavenger and TNF-alpha inhibitor. Rats were fed with powder chow mixed with gliclazide or glibenclamide as a control ad libitum. Blood glucose levels and body weight were remarkably higher and lower in diabetic than in nondiabetic rats, respectively, while gliclazide and glibenclamide had no effect on these in both diabetic and nondiabetic rats throughout a 24-week experiment. Serum lipoperoxide levels and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced serum TNF-alpha activities were significantly increased in diabetic rats, whereas these were significantly inhibited in gliclazide-treated rats. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) of the tibial nerve significantly slowed in diabetic rats compared with nondiabetic rats. On the other hand, the slowed MNCV was significantly inhibited in gliclazide-treated diabetic rats after 16 experimental weeks. Morphometric analysis showed that gliclazide prevented decreased myelinated fiber area (P < .05), increased fiber density (P < .001), and decreased axon/myelin ratio (P < .05) in diabetic rats. Glibenclamide treatment did not affect serum lipoperoxide, TNF-alpha, MNCV, or nerve morphology in this experiment. These results indicate that gliclazide has a beneficial effect on peripheral neuropathy in STZ-induced diabetic rats, irrespective of blood glucose levels.

Quantitative fine structure of capillaries in subregions of the rat subfornical organ.

PubMed

Shaver, S W; Sposito, N M; Gross, P M

1990-04-01

The differentiated cytology across subregions of the rat subfornical organ (SFO) prompted our hypothesis that ultrastructural features of capillary endothelial cells would vary topographically and quantitatively within this small nucleus. We used electron microscopic and computer-based morphometric methods to assess fine structural dimensions of the capillary endothelium in four distinct subregions of the SFO from Long-Evans and homozygous Brattleboro rats. Three types of capillary were present. Type III capillaries (resembling those of endocrine glands) had an average wall thickness of 0.17 microns, 54% thinner than those of Type I and II capillaries. Pericapillary spaces around Type III capillaries measured 56 microns2, 100% larger than for Type I vessels (resembling those of skeletal muscle). Only Type III capillaries contained fenestrations (9 per microns2 of endothelial cell) and were the predominant type of capillary in central and caudal subregions of the SFO. Type I capillaries, prevalent in the transitional subregion between the central and rostral parts of the SFO, had 10 cytoplasmic vesicles per micron2 of endothelial cell area, a number not different from that of Type III capillaries but 3x the frequency found in Type II vessels. Type II capillaries (those typical of "blood-brain barrier" endothelium) had low vesicular density (3 per microns2), no fenestrations, and no pericapillary spaces. Luminal diameters and the densities of mitochondria and intercellular junctions were not different among capillary types or subregions in the SFO. Furthermore, there were no morphometric differences for any capillary dimensions between Long-Evans and Brattleboro rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zaja-Milatovic, Snjezana; Gupta, Ramesh C.; Aschner, Michael

Prophylactic agents acutely administered in response to anticholinesterases intoxication can prevent toxic symptoms, including fasciculations, seizures, convulsions and death. However, anticholinesterases also have long-term unknown pathophysiological effects, making rational prophylaxis/treatment problematic. Increasing evidence suggests that in addition to excessive cholinergic stimulation, organophosphate compounds such as diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP) induce activation of glutamatergic neurons, generation of reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS), leading to neurodegeneration. The present study investigated multiple affectors of DFP exposure critical to cerebral oxidative damage and whether antioxidants and NMDA receptor antagonist memantine provide neuroprotection by preventing DFP-induced biochemical and morphometric changes in rat brain. Rats treatedmore » acutely with DFP (1.25 mg/kg, s.c.) developed onset of toxicity signs within 7-15 min that progressed to maximal severity of seizures and fasciculations within 60 min. At this time point, DFP caused significant (p < 0.01) increases in biomarkers of ROS (F{sub 2}-isoprostanes, F{sub 2}-IsoPs; and F{sub 4}-neuroprostanes, F{sub 4}-NeuroPs), RNS (citrulline), and declines in high-energy phosphates (HEP) in rat cerebrum. At the same time, quantitative morphometric analysis of pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region revealed significant (p < 0.01) reductions in dendritic lengths and spine density. When rats were pretreated with the antioxidants N-tert-butyl-{alpha}-phenylnitrone (PBN, 200 mg/kg, i.p.), or vitamin E (100 mg/kg, i.p./day for 3 days), or memantine (18 mg/kg, i.p.), significant attenuations in DFP-induced increases in F{sub 2}-IsoPs, F{sub 4}-NeuroPs, citrulline, and depletion of HEP were noted. Furthermore, attenuation in oxidative damage following antioxidants or memantine pretreatment was accompanied by rescue from dendritic degeneration of pyramidal neurons in the CA1 hippocampal area. These findings closely associated DFP-induced lipid peroxidation with dendritic degeneration of pyramidal neurons in the CA1 hippocampal area and point to possible interventions to limit oxidative injury and dendritic degeneration induced by anticholinesterase neurotoxicity.« less

Effects of microcurrent application alone or in combination with topical Hypericum perforatum L. and Arnica montana L. on surgically induced wound healing in Wistar rats.

PubMed

Castro, Fabiene C B; Magre, Amanda; Cherpinski, Ricardo; Zelante, Paulo M; Neves, Lia M G; Esquisatto, Marcelo A M; Mendonça, Fernanda A S; Santos, Gláucia M T

2012-07-01

This study evaluated the wound healing activity of microcurrent application alone or in combination with topical Hypericum perforatum L. and Arnica montana L. on skin surgical incision surgically induced on the back of Wistar rats. The animals were randomly divided into six groups: (1) no intervention (control group); (2) microcurrent application (10 μA/2 min); (3) topical application of gel containing H. perforatum; (4) topical application of H. perforatum gel and microcurrent (10 μA/2 min); (5) topical application of gel containing A. montana; (6) topical application of A. montana gel and microcurrent (10 μA/2 min). Tissue samples were obtained on the 2nd, 6th and 10th days after injury and submitted to structural and morphometric analysis. Differences in wound healing were observed between treatments when compared to the control group. Microcurrent application alone or combined with H. perforatum gel or A. montana gel exerted significant effects on wound healing in this experimental model in all of the study parameters (P<0.05) when compared to the control group with positive effects seen regarding newly formed tissue, number of newly formed blood vessels and percentage of mature collagen fibers. The morphometric data confirmed the structural findings. In conclusion, application of H. perforatum or A. montana was effective on experimental wound healing when compared to control, but significant differences in the parameters studied were only observed when these treatments were combined with microcurrent application. Copyright © 2012 The Faculty of Homeopathy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Respiratory Tract Lung Geometry and Dosimetry Model for Male Sprague-Dawley Rats

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miller, Frederick J.; Asgharian, Bahman; Schroeter, Jeffry D.

2015-07-24

While inhalation toxicological studies of various compounds have been conducted using a number of different strains of rats, mechanistic dosimetry models have only had tracheobronchial (TB) structural data for Long-Evans rats, detailed morphometric data on the alveolar region of Sprague-Dawley rats and limited alveolar data on other strains. Based upon CT imaging data for two male Sprague-Dawley rats, a 15-generation, symmetric typical path model was developed for the TB region. Literature data for the alveolar region of Sprague-Dawley rats were analyzed to develop an eight-generation model, and the two regions were joined to provide a complete lower respiratory tract modelmore » for Sprague-Dawley rats. The resulting lung model was used to examine particle deposition in Sprague-Dawley rats and to compare these results with predicted deposition in Long-Evans rats. Relationships of various physiologic variables and lung volumes were either developed in this study or extracted from the literature to provide the necessary input data for examining particle deposition. While the lengths, diameters and branching angles of the TB airways differed between the two Sprague-Dawley rats, the predicted deposition patterns in the three major respiratory tract regions were very similar. Between Sprague-Dawley and Long-Evans rats, significant differences in TB and alveolar predicted deposition fractions were observed over a wide range of particle sizes, with TB deposition fractions being up to 3- to 4-fold greater in Sprague-Dawley rats and alveolar deposition being significantly greater in Long-Evans rats. Thus, strain-specific lung geometry models should be used for particle deposition calculations and interspecies dose comparisons.« less

Respiratory tract lung geometry and dosimetry model for male Sprague-Dawley rats.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miller, Frederick J.; Asgharian, Bahman; Schroeter, Jeffry D.

2014-08-26

While inhalation toxicological studies of various compounds have been conducted using a number of different strains of rats, mechanistic dosimetry models have only had tracheobronchial (TB) structural data for Long-Evans rats, detailed morphometric data on the alveolar region of Sprague-Dawley rats and limited alveolar data on other strains. Based upon CT imaging data for two male Sprague-Dawley rats, a 15-generation, symmetric typical path model was developed for the TB region. Literature data for the alveolar region of Sprague-Dawley rats were analyzed to develop an eight-generation model, and the two regions were joined to provide a complete lower respiratory tract modelmore » for Sprague-Dawley rats. The resulting lung model was used to examine particle deposition in Sprague-Dawley rats and to compare these results with predicted deposition in Long-Evans rats. Relationships of various physiologic variables and lung volumes were either developed in this study or extracted from the literature to provide the necessary input data for examining particle deposition. While the lengths, diameters and branching angles of the TB airways differed between the two Sprague- Dawley rats, the predicted deposition patterns in the three major respiratory tract regions were very similar. Between Sprague-Dawley and Long-Evans rats, significant differences in TB and alveolar predicted deposition fractions were observed over a wide range of particle sizes, with TB deposition fractions being up to 3- to 4-fold greater in Sprague-Dawley rats and alveolar deposition being significantly greater in Long-Evans rats. Thus, strain-specific lung geometry models should be used for particle deposition calculations and interspecies dose comparisons.« less

Inhibitory effect of troglitazone on diabetic neuropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

PubMed

Qiang, X; Satoh, J; Sagara, M; Fukuzawa, M; Masuda, T; Sakata, Y; Muto, G; Muto, Y; Takahashi, K; Toyota, T

1998-11-01

Free-radical scavengers and inhibitors of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) such as N-acetylcysteine and pentoxifylline have been shown to inhibit the development of peripheral neuropathy in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In this study we examined the effect of troglitazone, an anti-diabetic thiazolidinedione, on diabetic neuropathy, since it also is a free-radical scavenger and a TNF-alpha inhibitor. Rats were fed powder chow mixed with troglitazone at 0.5% and 0.125% ad libitum. Although blood glucose concentrations were remarkably higher and body weight lower in diabetic than in nondiabetic rats, troglitazone had no effect on these throughout the 24-week experiment. Serum lipoperoxide concentrations, tibial nerve lipoperoxide content and serum TNF-alpha activity induced by lipopolysaccharide was increased in diabetic rats, but inhibited in troglitazone-treated rats. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) of the tibial nerve slowed in diabetic rats, compared with that in nondiabetic rats. On the other hand, the slowed MNCV was (p < 0.05-0.01) inhibited after weeks 12 and 16 of the experiment in diabetic rats treated with high and low doses of troglitazone, respectively. Morphometric analysis showed that troglitazone suppressed the decrease of the myelinated fibre area (p < 0.05), axon/myelin ratio (p < 0.01) and fascicular area (p < 0.05) and suppressed the increase of myelinated fibre density (p < 0.001) in diabetic rats. These results indicate that troglitazone has a beneficial effect on peripheral neuropathy in STZ-induced diabetic rats irrespective of blood glucose concentrations.

[Morphological changes of the intestine in experimental acute intestinal infection in the treatment of colloidal silver].

PubMed

Polov'ian, E S; Chemich, N D; Moskalenko, R A; Romaniuk, A N

2012-06-01

At the present stage of infectionist practice in the treatment of acute intestinal infections caused by opportunistic microorganisms, colloidal silver is used with a particle size of 25 nm as an alternative to conventional causal therapy. In 32 rats, distributed in 4 groups of 8 animals each (intact; healthy, got colloidal silver; with a modeled acute intestinal infection in the basic treatment and with the addition of colloidal silver), histological examination was performed of small and large intestine of rats. Oral administration of colloidal silver at a dose of 0.02 mg/day to intact rats did not lead to changes in morphometric parameters compared to the norm, and during early convalescence in rats with acute intestinal infections were observed destructive and compensatory changes in the intestine, which depended on the treatment regimen. With the introduction of colloidal silver decreased activity of the inflammatory process and the severity of morphological changes in tissues of small and large intestine, indicating that the positive effect of study drug compared with baseline therapy.

Inhibitory effects of incadronate on the progression of rat experimental periodontitis by porphyromonas gingivalis infection.

PubMed

Tani-Ishii, Nobuyuki; Minamida, Genshi; Saitoh, Daisuke; Chieda, Keiko; Omuro, Hiromasa; Sugaya, Akira; Hamada, Nobushiro; Takahashi, Yusuke; Kiyohara, Shiro; Kashima, Isamu; Teranaka, Toshio; Umemotot, Toshio

2003-05-01

Incadronate (YM175, disodium cycloheptylaminomethylenediphosphonate monohydrate), a bisphosphonate, has been suggested to prevent the bone resorption associated with periodontitis by inhibiting osteoclast activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of incadronate in preventing periodontal destruction in rats with Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced periodontitis. Periodontitis was induced in 35 Wister rats by inoculating P. gingivalis into the oral cavity and feeding the rats a soft diet for 4 weeks. Incadronate or placebo was administered to the oral cavity of the rats 2 days per week for 2, 4, or 8 weeks. P. gingivalis infection resulted in destruction of the periodontal ligament, reduced bone density, and caused inflammatory cell migration. Radiographic, morphometric, and histological results showed that incadronate had the ability to increase the bone mineral density (quantum level score; cortex 518.9 [placebo 612.8]; sponge 579.8 [placebo 672.0]) and to prevent periodontal ligament destruction (width 0.16 mm [placebo 0.20 mm]; area 0.36 mm2 [placebo 0.54 mm2]) after 8 weeks' administration. Furthermore, the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) infiltration in gingival tissue was significantly decreased. These results showed that incadronate inhibits bone resorption and PMN migration in P. gingivalis-induced periodontitis.

Effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on taste buds in rat vallate papillae.

PubMed

Pai, Man-Hui; Ko, Tsui-Ling; Chou, Hsiu-Chu

2007-01-01

Some studies have documented taste changes in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). In order to understand the relationships between taste disorders caused by DM and the innervation and morphologic changes in the taste buds, we studied the vallate papillae and their taste buds in rats with DM. DM was induced in these rats with streptozotocin (STZ), which causes the death of beta cells of the pancreas. The rats were sacrificed and the vallate papillae were dissected for morphometric and quantitative immunohistochemical analyses. The innervations of the vallate papillae and taste buds in diabetic and control rats were detected using immunohistochemistry employing antibodies directed against protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). The results showed that PGP 9.5- and CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the trench wall of diabetic vallate papillae, as well as taste cells in the taste buds, gradually decreased both intragemmally and intergemmally. The morphometry revealed no significant difference in papilla size between the control and diabetic groups, but there were fewer taste buds per papilla (per animal). The quantification of innervation in taste buds of the diabetic rats supported the visual assessment of immunohistochemical labeling, that the innervation of taste cells was significantly reduced in diabetic animals. These findings suggest that taste impairment in diabetic subjects may be caused by neuropathy defects and/or morphological changes in the taste buds.

Evaluation of bone repair in the femur of rats submitted to laser therapy in different wavelengths: An image segmentation method of analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Queiroga, A. S.; Sousa, F. B.; Araújo, J. M. S.; Santos, S. D.; Sousa, C. D'f. S.; Quintans, T. C.; Almeida, T. P.; Nonaka, C. F. W.; Batista, L. V.; Limeira Junior, F. A.

2008-09-01

The aim of this study was to histologically assess the effect of laser therapy (LILT, 660 and 780 nm) on the repair of standardized bone defects on the femur of Wistar albinus rats. The sample was composed of 12 Wistar albinus young adult rats of both genders. Three randomized groups were studied: group I (control, n = 4), group II (LILT, 660 nm, n = 4), and group III (LILT, 780 nm, n = 4). Samples were prepared using a bone defect on the left-side femur surface of the animals, with a total dimension of approximately 3 mm3. Groups II and III were irradiated every 48 h from the second application, where the first dose was given immediately after surgery and the second application came 24 h after surgery. The irradiations were applied transcutaneously at four points around the wound for 14 days. At each point, a dose of 50 J/cm2 (2 J) was given ( s ˜ 0.04 cm2, 40 mW) and the total dose per session was 200 J/cm2 (8 J). The sacrifices were made 15 days after surgery and the specimens were routinely processed to wax, serially cut, stained with an H&E stain, and analyzed under light microscopy. The images were submitted to morphometric analysis using the image segmentation method using the K-means algorithm. The data obtained through the morphometric analysis were submitted to statistical analysis using the Tukey test. The results showed that the group treated with laser therapy in the infrared spectrum resulted in an increase in the repair of bone defects when compared with the group treated with the laser in the red spectrum and control group, which, in turn, had a very similar pattern of repair. A statistical significance ( p < 0.01) was observed when comparing the results of group III and the results of Groups I and II. We concluded that the LILT in the infrared spectrum produced a positive biomodulation effect on the repair of bone defects in the femur of rats.

Down-regulation of liver RNA breakdown by turpentine administration in the starved rat: autophagy and relevant factors.

PubMed

Saadane, A; Delautier, D; Lestriez, V; Feldmann, G; Lardeux, B; Bleiberg-Daniel, F

1999-04-01

To determine whether the inhibition of RNA breakdown observed in ad libitum fed rats 24 h after turpentine administration still occurs in inflamed rats fasted for 24 h and to examine the mechanism and factors involved. RNA breakdown was measured during cyclic in situ perfusion of livers by the accumulation of [14C] cytidine after in vivo RNA labelling. Autophagic activity was determined by the morphometric analysis of lysosomal structures. The decrease in RNA breakdown (53%) observed in the inflamed rats was accompanied by a 38% drop in the fractional cytoplasmic volume of initial and digestive autophagic vacuoles. Among amino acids, only the portal levels of glutamate were significantly enhanced by 83%. In vivo suppression of glucocorticoid activity using RU 38486 in inflamed rats did not affect the inhibition of RNA breakdown. The results show that turpentine-induced inflammation in fasted rats inhibits RNA degradation as well as autophagy and that glucocorticoids do not seem to be involved.

The prostate after administration of anabolic androgenic steroids: a morphometrical study in rats.

PubMed

Vargas, Rafael Arêas; Oliveira, Leonardo Pires; Frankenfeld, Stephan; Souza, Diogo Benchimol de; Costa, Waldemar Silva; Favorito, Luciano Alves; Sampaio, Francisco José Barcellos

2013-01-01

Many adverse effects have been associated with abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), including disorders of the urogenital tract. The objective of this study is to analyze the morphological modifications in the prostate ventral lobe of pubertal and adult rats chronically treated with AAS, using morphometric methods. We studied 39 male Wistar rats weighing between 400 g and 550 g. The rats were divided into four groups: (a) control rats, with 105 days of age (C105) (n = 7); (b) control rats with 65 days of age (C65) (n = 9), injected only with the vehicle (peanut oil); (c) treated rats, with 105 days of age (T105) (n = 10) and (d) treated rats with 65 days of age (T65) (n = 13). The treated rats were injected with nandrolone decanoate at a dose of 10 mg.Kg-1 body weight. The steroid hormone and the vehicle were administered by intramuscular injection once a week for eight weeks. The rats were killed at 161 days of age (C105 and T105) and 121 days of age (C65 and T65) and the ventral prostate lobe was dissected and processed for histology. The height of the acinar epithelium, the surface densities of the lumen, epithelium and stroma were observed with X400 magnification using an Olympus light microscope coupled to a Sony CCD video camera, and the images transferred to a Sony monitor KX14-CP1. The selected histological areas were then quantified using the M42 test-grid system on the digitized fields. The data were analyzed with the Graphpad software. To compare the quantitative data in both groups (controls and treated) and the outcomes, Student's t-test was used (p < 0.05 was considered significant). The weight (p < 0.001) and volume (p = 0.004) of the prostate ventral lobe showed differences between C65 and T65 groups and between C105 and T105 groups. The epithelium height showed no difference between groups C65 and T65 (p = 0.8509), but the T105 group showed an increase of 32% compared to C105 (p = 0.0089). Concerning the lumen, surface density presented no difference between C65 and T65 (p = 0.9031) and a decrease of 19% for T105 compared to C105 (p = 0.0061). There was no difference in epithelium surface density between C65 and T65 (p = 0.7375), but it was 51% higher (p = 0.0065) in T105 compared with C105. Regarding stroma surface density, there were no differences between C65 and T65 or between C105 and T105. Finally, there was no difference in collagen pattern between C105 and T105, but T65 showed a predominance of collagen fibers compared to C65. The use of anabolic androgenic steroids in rats promotes structural changes in the prostate. We observed structural changes in the weight, volume and epithelium height of the prostate ventral lobe and a predominance of collagen fibers.

Improved bone status by the beta-blocker propranolol in an animal model of nutritional growth retardation.

PubMed

Lezón, Christian E; Olivera, María I; Bozzini, Clarisa; Mandalunis, Patricia; Alippi, Rosa M; Boyer, Patricia M

2009-06-01

The aim of the present research was to study if the beta-blocker propranolol, which is known to increase bone mass, could reverse the adverse skeletal effects of mild chronic food restriction in weanling rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, control+propranolol (CP), nutritional growth retardation (NGR) and nutritional growth retardation+propranolol (NGRP). Control and CP rats were fed freely with the standard diet. NGR and NGRP rats received, for 4 weeks, 80 % of the amount of food consumed by the control and CP rats, respectively. Results were expressed as mean values and sem. Food restriction induced detrimental effects on body and femur weight and length (P < 0.05) and bone structural and geometrical properties (P < 0.001), confirming results previously shown in our laboratory. However, the beta-blocker overcame the deleterious effect of nutritional stress on load-bearing capacity, yielding load, bone stiffness, cross-sectional cortical bone area and second moment of inertia of the cross-section in relation to the horizontal axis without affecting anthropometric, histomorphometric and bone morphometric parameters. The results suggest that propranolol administration to mildly chronically undernourished rats markedly attenuates the impaired bone status in this animal model of growth retardation.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Harkema, J.R.; Hotchkiss, J.A.; Griffith, W.C.

The present study was designed to examine the effects of long-term ozone exposure on nasal epithelia and intraepithelial mucosubstances (IM) throughout the nasal airways of F344/N rats. Animals were exposed to 0 (controls). 0. 12. 0.5, or 1.0 ppm ozone. 6 h/day, 5 days/wk. for 20 mo. Rats were killed 1 wk after the end of the exposure. and nasal tissues were processed for light and electron microscopy. Standard morphometric techniques were used to determine epithelial cell densities and the amounts of IM in the surface epithelium lining the nasal airways. No mucous cells or IM were present in themore » epithelia lining the nasal lateral meatus and maxillary sinus of rats exposed to 0 or 0.12 ppm ozone. In contrast, rats exposed to 0.5 or 1.0 ppm ozone had marked mucous cell metaplasia (MCM) with numerous mucous cells and conspicuous amounts of IM in the surface epithelium lining these upper airways. Ozone-induced increases in total epithelial cells (i.e., epithelial hyperplasia) were present only in rats exposed to 1.0 ppm. The results of this study indicate that rats chronically exposed to 1.0 or 0.5 ppm, but not 0. 121 ppm. ozone can develop marked MCM with significant increases in IM in both proximal and distal nasal airways. The epithelial chances observed throughout the nasal passages of ozone-exposed rats may be adaptive responses in an attempt to protect the upper and lower respiratory tract from further ozone-induced injury.« less

Combined cytogenotoxic effects of bee venom and bleomycin on rat lymphocytes: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Abd-Elhakim, Yasmina M; Khalil, Samah R; Awad, Ashraf; Al-Ayadhi, Laila Y

2014-01-01

This study was carried out to determine the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of bee venom (BV) and/or the chemotherapeutic agent bleomycin (BLM) on healthy isolated rat lymphocytes utilizing morphometric and molecular techniques. Using the Ficoll-Histopaque density gradient centrifugation technique, lymphocytes were isolated, divided into groups, and subjected to BV and/or BLM at incubation medium concentrations of 10 or 20 μg/mL respectively for 24 and 72 hrs. An MTT assay and fluorescent microscopy examinations were used to assess the cytotoxic effects. To determine the predominant type of BV and/or BLM-induced cell death, LDH release assay was employed beside quantitative expression analyses of the apoptosis-related genes (Caspase-3 and Bcl-2). The genotoxic effects of the tested compounds were evaluated via DNA fragmentation assay. The results of these assays demonstrated that BV potentiates BLM-induced cytotoxicity through increased LDH release and diminished cell viability. Nevertheless, BV significantly inhibited the BLM-induced DNA damage. The results verify that BV significantly attenuates the genotoxic effects of BLM on noncancerous isolated rat lymphocytes but does not diminish BLM cytotoxicity.

Cyclosporin A-induced new cementum formation: a morphometric evaluation in the periapical region of rats.

PubMed

Spolidorio, Luis Carlos; Spolidorio, Denise Madalena Palomari; Holzhausen, Marinella; Nassar, Carlos Augusto; Nassar, Patricia Oehlmeyer

2007-01-01

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressor used in organ transplantation and in the management of various autoimmune diseases. Recent studies have shown that CsA stimulates deposition of cementum on root surfaces. The aim of this study was to evaluate the periapical cementum thickness and the apical foramen width in CsA-treated rats. Rats weighing 50 g were treated with a daily injection of 10 mg/kg body weight of CsA in the chow for 60 days. The cementum of the mandibular 1st molars was histologically and morphometricaly examined by analysis of 5-microm-thick serial buccolingual paraffin sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Histometric and stereologic analyses revealed the presence of large amounts of cementum in all root surfaces, particularly abundant in the periapical region and obliterating the foramen. The volume density of cementoblasts did not increase. Five to 90 days after the termination of CsA therapy, there was no reduction of cementum thickness. These results suggest that cementum deposition is not reversible after cessation of CsA treatment.

Water maze performance of aged Sprague-Dawley rats in relation to retinal morphologic measures.

PubMed

Spencer, R L; O'Steen, W K; McEwen, B S

1995-06-01

The spatial learning ability of aged male and female Sprague-Dawley rats was assessed using the Morris water maze. To determine the influence of age-related visual deficits on performance levels, retinal morphologic measures were correlated with water maze performance for each rat. Rats were first trained on the water maze task at 21 months of age and were retrained 3 or 4 times at 6-week intervals. After the last training session the rats were killed and their eyes were removed for histopathologic and morphometric evaluation of the retinas. There was a large degree of retinal degeneration in all of the aged Sprague-Dawley rats with an average decrease in the thickness of the retinal outer nuclear layer (photoreceptor nuclei containing layer) of 85% in old males and 95% in old females. Some rats, however, had less degeneration of the retinas than others, and the degree of retinal degeneration was strongly related to performance levels on the water maze task. Among the aged rats in this study with the least retinal degeneration, there was little evidence for a subset of rats that were unable, with extensive training, to learn a platform position. Of the 41 rats with the least retinal degeneration (out of a total of 81), only one was a clear non-learner on the water maze task, whereas, of the 27 rats with the most retinal degeneration, 20 were non-learners. These results illustrate the potentially serious confounding effects of deteriorating visual ability on attempts to assess cognitive functioning of aged albino rats on tasks requiring utilization of visual cues.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve alterations in developing spontaneously hypertensive rats.

PubMed

da Silva, Greice Anne Rodrigues; Mendes, Vania Alice de Aguiar; Genari, Adriana Borges; Castania, Jaci Ayrton; Salgado, Hélio Cesar; Fazan, Valéria Paula Sassoli

2016-01-01

It is well known that the recurrent laryngeal nerve not only innervates the larynx but also contains baroreceptor fibers, as demonstrated by physiological studies. Because hypertension has a negative impact on both peripheral nerve morphology and the baroreflex, we investigated the recurrent laryngeal nerve morphological alterations related to the development of hypertension. We compared morphological and morphometric aspects of different segments of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats in different ages: 5, 8, and 20 weeks (n = 6 per group). Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded in anesthetized animals, followed by removal of the right and left recurrent laryngeal nerves for epoxy resin embedding and light microscopy analysis. Computer software was used for morphometric analysis. The blood pressure was significantly higher in 20-week-old animals compared to those at 5 weeks. Body weight increased significantly with age, as did the nerve fascicles. For the myelinated fibers and respective axons, there was a reduction of fiber size, more evident on the axon, associated with a reduction of the small myelinated fibers percentage in animals with high blood pressure. Also, 20-week-old animals showed a significant reduction of the blood vessel percentage of occupancy compared to younger ages. No differences were observed between genders. Hypertension development impaired axon growth, affecting mainly the small myelinated fibers. Males and females were affected equally. The alterations of the endoneural blood vessels probably played an important role on the small fibers alterations. © 2015 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins and ovarian dysfunction in galactosemic rats.

PubMed

Lai, K W; Cheng, L Y L; Cheung, A L M; O, W S

2003-03-01

Galactosemia is a genetic disease with deficiency of galactose-1-uridyltransferase, resulting in the accumulation of galactose or galactose-1-phosphate in the blood and tissues. Rats were fed with normal rat chow and with a high-galactose diet for 4 weeks to give control and galactosemic groups, and their ovarian function was studied. The two groups of rats were injected with pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and were killed at different time points after human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) injection. The number of oocytes ovulated in the controls was significantly higher than in the galactosemic group. Morphometric studies of the ovaries also showed a higher number of corpora lutea in the controls. Western blot analysis of granulosa cells showed that the overall expressions of Fas and FasL were lower in the control group and their expressions of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) were higher than in the galactosemic group, especially at 8 h post hCG injection. TDT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) and immunohistochemical staining of ovarian sections with Ki-67 and IAPs showed more apoptotic granulosa cells in the galactosemic group and the expressions of IAPs in granulosa cells also confirmed the result of the Western blot. These findings support our hypothesis that ovarian dysfunction in galactosemic rats is due to increased apoptosis in granulosa cells of maturing follicles.

Histomorphometry and expression of CDC-47 and caspase-3 in mammary glands of pregnant female rats with artificial hyperthyroidism.

PubMed

Leite, Eveline Dias; de Freitas, Edmilson Santos; de Almeida Souza, Cintia; de Melo Ocarino, Natalia; Cassali, Geovanni Dantas; Serakides, Rogéria

2008-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of hyperthyroidism on mammary gland development and expression of two protein markers, CDC-47 for proliferation and caspase-3 for apoptosis in pregnant female rats. Thirty-six adult female Wistar rats were used in two groups: hyperthyroid and control. Rats were mated 60 days after the onset of thyroxine administration. Six animals/group were sacrificed on gestation days 7, 14, and 19. Artificial hyperthyroidism was induced by daily administration of thyroxine in the drinking water until the end of gestation. At the end of each period, rats were sacrificed, and their inguinal mammary glands were collected and processed for morphometric analysis. The percentages of epithelium, stroma, adipose tissue, and lacteal secretion were determined. Immunohistochemical analysis was also carried out using anti-CDC-47 and anti-caspase-3 antibodies to study proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. On the 19th day of gestation, thyroxine treatment significantly increased the percentage of mammary epithelium. Hyperthyroidism, however, did not change CDC-47 expression. The hyperthyroid group presented early lactogenesis and significantly larger lacteal secretion on the 19th day of gestation. There was no significant difference in caspase-3 expression between groups in any period. We may conclude that hyperthyroidism accelerates mammary gland development and increases lacteal secretion during gestation without increasing the proliferation rate and the expression of caspase-3.

Semi-quantitative ultrastructural analysis of the localization and neuropeptide content of gonadotropin releasing hormone nerve terminals in the median eminence throughout the estrous cycle of the rat.

PubMed

Prevot, V; Dutoit, S; Croix, D; Tramu, G; Beauvillain, J C

1998-05-01

The ultrastructural appearance of gonadotropin releasing hormone-immunoreactive elements was studied in the external zone of the median eminence of adult female Wistar rats. On the one hand, the purpose of the study was to determine the distribution of gonadotropin releasing hormone terminals towards the parenchymatous basal lamina at the level of hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal vessels, throughout the estrous cycle. On the other hand, we have semi-quantified the gonadotropin releasing hormone content in nerve terminals or preterminals during this physiological condition. A morphometric study was coupled to a colloidal 15 mn gold postembedding immunocytochemistry procedure. Animals were killed at 09.00 on diestrus II, 0.900, 10.00, 13.00, 17.00 and 18.00 on proestrus and 09.00 on estrus (n = 4-8 rats/group). A preliminary light microscopic study was carried out to identify an antero-posterior part of median eminence strongly immunostained by anti-gonadotropin releasing hormone antibodies but which was, in addition, easily spotted. This last condition was necessary to make a good comparison between each animal. Contacts between gonadotropin releasing hormone nerve terminals and the basal lamina were observed only the day of proestrus. Such contacts, however, were rare and in the great majority of cases, gonadotropin releasing hormone terminals are separated from basal lamina by tanycytic end feet. The morphometric analysis showed no significant variation in average distance between gonadotropin releasing hormone terminals and capillaries throughout the estrous cycle. Consequently, it did not appear that a large neuroglial plasticity exists during the estrous cycle. However, the observation of contacts only on proestrus together with some ultrastructural images evoke the possibility of a slight plasticity. The semi-quantitative results show that the content of gonadotropin releasing hormone in the nerve endings presented two peaks on proestrus: one at 09.00 (23 +/- 5 particles/micrograms2, P < 0.03) before the onset of luteinizing hormone surge, and the second at 18.00 (16 +/- 2 particles/micrograms2, P < 0.01) concomitantly with the luteinizing hormone surge, when compared to baseline values on proestrus 10.00 (8 +/- particles/micrograms2).

Neuroprotective role of curcumin on the hippocampus against the structural and serological alterations of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Sprague Dawely rats.

PubMed

Faheem, Nermeen Mohammed; El Askary, Ahmad

2017-06-01

Diabetes mellitus causes impaired memory and cognitive functions. The hippocampus plays a key role in memory and learning. Curcumin attenuates diabetic nephropathy in vivo . Curcumin has shown a neurogenic effect and cognition-enhancing potential in aged rats. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible protective role of curcumin on the histological and serological changes of the hippocampus in diabetic rats. Forty albino rats were divided into four groups, ten rats each. Group 1 control rats, group 2 rats received curcumin orally (200 mg/kg/day for six weeks), group 3 rats were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin (STZ) (100 mg/kg, single dose), group 4 received a single injection of STZ and received curcumin orally for six weeks. Paraffin sections of hippocampus were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain, and immnunohistochemical staining for GFAP and caspase-3. Morphometrical and statistical analyses were performed. Glycemic status and parameters of oxidative stress was measured. Examination of hippocampus of diabetic rats showed disorganization of small pyramidal cells in CA1, many cellular losses in the pyramidal cells of CA3, many degenerated granule cells in the dentate gyrus. GFAP positive astrocyte and caspase-3 positive neuron counts were significantly increased. There were significant serum glucose elevation and significant lowered levels of oxidative stress parameters as compared to control rats. Curcumin administration improved the structural and serological alterations of the hippocampus with significant reduction in serum glucose level. Curcumin ameliorates the deterious effect of diabetes on the hippocampus through its antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory efficacies.

Beneficial Effects of Scutellaria baicalensis on Penile Erection in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

PubMed

Li, Xiang; Lee, Yun Jung; Kim, Hye Yoom; Tan, Rui; Park, Min Cheol; Kang, Dae Gill; Lee, Ho Sub

2016-01-01

We have reported that ethanol extracts of the root from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (ESB) relax cavernous smooth muscles via the NO/cGMP system and Ca[Formula: see text]-sensitive K[Formula: see text] channels in the rabbit corpus cavernosum. In the present study, erectile function was assessed by intracavernous pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. The ICP/MAP ratio was dose-dependently increased by the treatment of ESB in normal SD rats ([Formula: see text]). To investigate the beneficial effect of ESB on erectile dysfunction in a diabetic animal model, male SD rats were injected with streptozotocin (60[Formula: see text]mg/kg) and then 300[Formula: see text]mg/kg/day ESB was administered daily for eight weeks. In our in vivo study, administration of ESB in STZ rats significantly increased the ICP, ICP/MAP ratio, area under the curve (AUC), as well as the cavernous cGMP levels. Morphometric analyses showed that ESB administration increased both smooth muscle volume and the regular arrangement of collagen fibers compared to the STZ group. The protein expression levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and SM [Formula: see text]-actin from penile tissues were also significantly increased in the ESB-treated rats. Taken together, these results suggest that ESB ameliorates penile erectile dysfunction via the activation of the NO/cGMP pathways of the penile corpus cavernosum in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model.

How to Quantify Penile Corpus Cavernosum Structures with Histomorphometry: Comparison of Two Methods

PubMed Central

Felix-Patrício, Bruno; De Souza, Diogo Benchimol; Gregório, Bianca Martins; Costa, Waldemar Silva; Sampaio, Francisco José

2015-01-01

The use of morphometrical tools in biomedical research permits the accurate comparison of specimens subjected to different conditions, and the surface density of structures is commonly used for this purpose. The traditional point-counting method is reliable but time-consuming, with computer-aided methods being proposed as an alternative. The aim of this study was to compare the surface density data of penile corpus cavernosum trabecular smooth muscle in different groups of rats, measured by two observers using the point-counting or color-based segmentation method. Ten normotensive and 10 hypertensive male rats were used in this study. Rat penises were processed to obtain smooth muscle immunostained histological slices and photomicrographs captured for analysis. The smooth muscle surface density was measured in both groups by two different observers by the point-counting method and by the color-based segmentation method. Hypertensive rats showed an increase in smooth muscle surface density by the two methods, and no difference was found between the results of the two observers. However, surface density values were higher by the point-counting method. The use of either method did not influence the final interpretation of the results, and both proved to have adequate reproducibility. However, as differences were found between the two methods, results obtained by either method should not be compared. PMID:26413547

How to Quantify Penile Corpus Cavernosum Structures with Histomorphometry: Comparison of Two Methods.

PubMed

Felix-Patrício, Bruno; De Souza, Diogo Benchimol; Gregório, Bianca Martins; Costa, Waldemar Silva; Sampaio, Francisco José

2015-01-01

The use of morphometrical tools in biomedical research permits the accurate comparison of specimens subjected to different conditions, and the surface density of structures is commonly used for this purpose. The traditional point-counting method is reliable but time-consuming, with computer-aided methods being proposed as an alternative. The aim of this study was to compare the surface density data of penile corpus cavernosum trabecular smooth muscle in different groups of rats, measured by two observers using the point-counting or color-based segmentation method. Ten normotensive and 10 hypertensive male rats were used in this study. Rat penises were processed to obtain smooth muscle immunostained histological slices and photomicrographs captured for analysis. The smooth muscle surface density was measured in both groups by two different observers by the point-counting method and by the color-based segmentation method. Hypertensive rats showed an increase in smooth muscle surface density by the two methods, and no difference was found between the results of the two observers. However, surface density values were higher by the point-counting method. The use of either method did not influence the final interpretation of the results, and both proved to have adequate reproducibility. However, as differences were found between the two methods, results obtained by either method should not be compared.

Central effects of ghrelin on the adrenal cortex: a morphological and hormonal study.

PubMed

Milosević, Verica Lj; Stevanović, Darko M; Nesić, Dejan M; Sosić-Jurjević, Branka T; Ajdzanović, Vladimir Z; Starcević, Vesna P; Severs, Walter B

2010-06-01

Ghrelin, a growth hormone secretagogue that exerts an important role in appetite and weight regulation, participates in the activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Male Wistar rats (5/group) received daily for 5 days, via an ICV (intracerebroventricular) cannula, 5 microl phosphate buffered saline with or without 1 microg of rat ghrelin. Two hours after the last injection, blood and adrenal glands were collected from decapitated rats for blood hormone analyses and histologic and morphometric processing. Ghrelin treatment resulted in increased (p<0.05) body weight (13%), absolute whole adrenal gland weight (18%) and whole adrenal gland volume (20%). The absolute volumes of the entire adrenal cortex, ZG, ZF, and ZR also increased (p<0.05) after ghrelin by 20%, 21%, 21% and 11%, respectively. Ghrelin-treated rats had elevated (p<0.05) blood concentrations of ACTH, aldosterone and corticosterone (68%, 32% and 67%, respectively). The data clearly provide both morphological and hormonal status that ghrelin acts centrally to exert a global stimulatory effect on the adrenal cortex. Clarifying of the ghrelin precise role in the multiple networks affecting the stress hormone release, besides its well known energy and metabolic unbalance effects, remains a very important research goal.

The effect of silver nanoparticles on apoptosis and dark neuron production in rat hippocampus

PubMed Central

Bagheri-abassi, Farzaneh; Alavi, Hassan; Mohammadipour, Abbas; Motejaded, Fatemeh; Ebrahimzadeh-bideskan, Alireza

2015-01-01

Objective(s): Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are used widely in bedding, water purification, tooth paste and toys. These nanoparticles can enter into the body and move into the hippocampus. The aim of this study was to investigate the neurotoxicity of silver nanoparticles in the adult rat hippocampus. Materials and Methods: 12 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups (6 rats in each group). Animals in the experimental group received Ag-NPs (30 mg/kg) orally (gavage) for 28 consecutive days. Control group in the same period was treated with distilled water via gavage. At the end of experiment, animals were deeply anesthetized, sacrificed, and their brains were collected from each group. Finally the brain sections were stained using toluidine blue and TUNEL. Then to compare the groups, dark neurons (DNs) and apoptotic neurons were counted by morphometric method. Results: Results showed that the numbers of DNs and apoptotic cells in the CA1, CA2, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) of hippocampus significantly increased in the Ag-NPs group in comparison to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Exposure to Ag-NPs can induce dark neuron and apoptotic cells in the hippocampus. PMID:26351553

Cannabidiol decreases bone resorption by inhibiting RANK/RANKL expression and pro-inflammatory cytokines during experimental periodontitis in rats.

PubMed

Napimoga, Marcelo H; Benatti, Bruno B; Lima, Flavia O; Alves, Polyanna M; Campos, Alline C; Pena-Dos-Santos, Diego R; Severino, Fernando P; Cunha, Fernando Q; Guimarães, Francisco S

2009-02-01

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid component from Cannabis sativa that does not induce psychotomimetic effects and possess anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study we tested the effects of CBD in a periodontitis experimental model in rats. We also investigated possible mechanisms underlying these effects. Periodontal disease was induced by a ligature placed around the mandible first molars of each animal. Male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: control animals; ligature-induced animals treated with vehicle and ligature-induced animals treated with CBD (5 mg/kg, daily). Thirty days after the induction of periodontal disease the animals were sacrificed and mandibles and gingival tissues removed for further analysis. Morphometrical analysis of alveolar bone loss demonstrated that CBD-treated animals presented a decreased alveolar bone loss and a lower expression of the activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand RANKL/RANK. Moreover, gingival tissues from the CBD-treated group showed decreased neutrophil migration (MPO assay) associated with lower interleukin (IL)-1beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production. These results indicate that CBD may be useful to control bone resorption during progression of experimental periodontitis in rats.

Simvastatin mitigates functional and structural impairment of lung and right ventricle in a rat model of cigarette smoke-induced COPD.

PubMed

Wang, Yajie; Jiang, Xue; Zhang, Lihai; Wang, Lihong; Li, Zhu; Sun, Wuzhuang

2014-01-01

This study is conducted to investigate an effect of simvastatin on cigarette smoke-induced COPD. Rats were exposed to air (control) and cigarette smoke (smoking) in presence and absence of simvastatin. Heart and lung tissues were harvested for histopathologic and morphometric analysis. Body weight of rat, mean liner intercept (MLI), mean alveolar number (MAN), lung function test, mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) and 5-HTT level in serum and BALF were examined in experimental rats, respectively. Application of simvastatin mitigated peribronchiolar inflammation and pulmonary bullae formed in the smoke-exposed lungs with weight gain as compared to the smoking rats (P < 0.05). Simvastatin-treated rats showed slight but significant decreases in MLI and MAN with a partial reversal of lung function decline (all P < 0.05). Treatment with simvastatin resulted in a significant decrease not only in mPAP and RVHI but also in a 5-HTT level in serum and BALF (P < 0.01 or 0.05) with a good correlation between the 5-HTT level and mPAP or RVHI (r = 0.693 and 0.479; 0.675 and 0.508). Simvastatin partly reverses lung function decline and attenuates structural impairments of lung and right ventricle possibly through reducing 5-HTT content in the model of COPD.

Simvastatin mitigates functional and structural impairment of lung and right ventricle in a rat model of cigarette smoke-induced COPD

PubMed Central

Wang, Yajie; Jiang, Xue; Zhang, Lihai; Wang, Lihong; Li, Zhu; Sun, Wuzhuang

2014-01-01

Objectives: This study is conducted to investigate an effect of simvastatin on cigarette smoke-induced COPD. Methods: Rats were exposed to air (control) and cigarette smoke (smoking) in presence and absence of simvastatin. Heart and lung tissues were harvested for histopathologic and morphometric analysis. Body weight of rat, mean liner intercept (MLI), mean alveolar number (MAN), lung function test, mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) and 5-HTT level in serum and BALF were examined in experimental rats, respectively. Results: Application of simvastatin mitigated peribronchiolar inflammation and pulmonary bullae formed in the smoke-exposed lungs with weight gain as compared to the smoking rats (P < 0.05). Simvastatin-treated rats showed slight but significant decreases in MLI and MAN with a partial reversal of lung function decline (all P < 0.05). Treatment with simvastatin resulted in a significant decrease not only in mPAP and RVHI but also in a 5-HTT level in serum and BALF (P < 0.01 or 0.05) with a good correlation between the 5-HTT level and mPAP or RVHI (r = 0.693 and 0.479; 0.675 and 0.508). Conclusion: Simvastatin partly reverses lung function decline and attenuates structural impairments of lung and right ventricle possibly through reducing 5-HTT content in the model of COPD. PMID:25674219

Effects of methylprednisolone on laser-induced retinal injuries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosner, Mordechai; Tchirkov, Marina; Dubinski, Galina; Solberg, Yoram; Belkin, Michael

1997-05-01

Methylprednisolone have been demonstrated to ameliorate retinal photic injury. In the current study we examined its effect on laser induced retinal injury. Retinal lesions were inflicted by argon laser in 36 pigmented DA rats. The treated groups received intra-peritoneally methylprednisolone in saline, injected 3 times a day for 2 days, starting immediately after exposure. The controls received the vehicle on the same schedule. The rats were sacrificed 3, 20 or 60 days after laser exposure and the lesions were evaluated by light microscopy and morphometric measurements. Laser injuries were associated with disruption of the outer retinal layers. Three and 20 days after exposure, the loss of the photoreceptor-cell nuclei was significantly milder in the treated groups as compared with controls. There was no difference 60 days after exposure. In conclusion, methylprednisolone reduced temporarily the photoreceptor cell loss in argon laser induced retinal injury, when treatment was started immediately after laser exposure. There was no long term effect.

Effect of Ocimum basilicum extract on cadmium-induced testicular histomorphometric and immunohistochemical alterations in albino rats

PubMed Central

Nooh, Hanna Z.

2013-01-01

The present study examined the efficacy of Ocimum basilicum (basil) extract, a natural herb, with antioxidant properties, against testicular toxicity induced by cadmium (Cd), which is one of the most important toxic heavy metals. The intoxicated rats showed significant alterations in the testicular tissue including decreased seminiferous epithelium height and changes in the arrangement of spermatogenic layers. Hypospermatogensis with cytoplasmic vacuolization and pyknotic nuclei were observed. Intertubular hemorrahage and absence of spermatozoa were noted. Decreased cell proliferation was reflected by a decrease in Ki-67 expression, whereas the increase in apoptotic rate was associated with a decrease in the Bcl/Bax ratio. Concomitant treatment with aqueous basil extract led to an improvement in histological, morphometrical and immunohistochemical changes induced by Cd. The beneficial effects of basil extract could be attributed to its antioxidant properties. PMID:23869259

Ecology of Leptospira interrogans in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in an inner-city neighborhood of Vancouver, Canada.

PubMed

Himsworth, Chelsea G; Bidulka, Julie; Parsons, Kirbee L; Feng, Alice Y T; Tang, Patrick; Jardine, Claire M; Kerr, Thomas; Mak, Sunny; Robinson, John; Patrick, David M

2013-01-01

Leptospira interrogans is a bacterial zoonosis with a worldwide distribution for which rats (Rattus spp.) are the primary reservoir in urban settings. In order to assess, monitor, and mitigate the risk to humans, it is important to understand the ecology of this pathogen in rats. The objective of this study was to characterize the ecology of L. interrogans in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in an impoverished inner-city neighborhood of Vancouver, Canada. Trapping was performed in 43 city blocks, and one location within the adjacent port, over a 12 month period. Kidney samples were tested for the presence of L. interrogans using PCR and sequencing. A multivariable model was built to predict L. interrogans infection status in individual rats using season and morphometric data (e.g., weight, sex, maturity, condition, etc.) as independent variables. Spatial analysis was undertaken to identify clusters of high and low L. interrogans prevalence. The prevalence of L. interrogans varied remarkably among blocks (0-66.7%), and spatial clusters of both high and low L. interrogans prevalence were identified. In the final cluster-controlled model, characteristics associated with L. interrogans-infection in rats included weight (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.07-1.20), increased internal fat (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.06-4.25), and number of bite wounds (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.96-1.49). Because L. interrogans prevalence varied with weight, body fat, and bite wounds, this study suggests that social structure and interactions among rats may influence transmission. The prevalence and distribution of L. interrogans in rats was also highly variable even over a short geographic distance. These factors should be considered in future risk management efforts.

Comparative pattern of growth and development of Echinostoma paraensei (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) in hamster and Wistar rat using light and confocal laser scanning microscopy.

PubMed

Souza, Joyce G R; Garcia, Juberlan S; Gomes, Ana Paula N; Machado-Silva, José Roberto; Maldonado, Arnaldo

2017-12-01

Echinostoma paraensei (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) lives in the duodenum and bile duct of rodents and is reported as a useful model for studies on the biology of flatworms. Here, we compared the growth and development of pre and post ovigerous worms collected 3, 7, 14 and 21 days post infection from experimentally infected hamster (permissive host) and Wistar rat (less permissive hosts). Linear measurements and ratios were examined by light (morphology and morphometry) and confocal laser scanning microscopy. At day 3, either worm from hamsters or rats were small with poorly developed gonads. At seven day, worms increased in size and morphometric differences between hosts are statistically significant after this time. In addition, adult worms (14 and 21 days of age) harvested from hamster showed developed gonads and vitelline glands laterally distributed on the body, whereas worms from rat showed atrophied reproductive system characterized by underdeveloped vitelline glands and stunted ovary. The worm rate recovery in rat decreased from 29.3% (day 7) to 20.6% (day 14) and 8% (day 21), whilst it remained around 37% in hamster. In conclusion, this is the first appointment demonstrating that low permissiveness influences the reproductive system of echinostome since the immature stages of development. The phenotypic analysis evidenced that hamster provides a more favorable microenvironment for gonads development than rat, confirming golden hamster as a permissive host, whereas Wistar rat is less permissive host. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nandrolone decanoate and physical effort: histological and morphometrical assessment in adult rat uterus.

PubMed

de Almeida Chuffa, Luiz Gustavo; de Souza, Roberta Barreiros; Frei, Fernando; de Fátima Paccola Mesquita, Suzana; Camargo, Isabel Cristina Cherici

2011-02-01

In the past decades, the therapeutic use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has been overshadowed by illicit abuse of these drugs by athletes and non-athletes. Since that AAS can affect the reproductive tract, resulting in reproduction and fertilization damages, the purpose of this study was to investigate the nandrolone decanoate (ND) effects, associated or not with physical effort, on the uterine histomorphometric parameters. Female Wistar rats, sedentary or not, were exposed to treatment with ND by intraperitoneal injection (5 mg/kg/day, once a week) during four consecutive weeks. Control animals, sedentary or not, received vehicle alone (propylene glycol) in the same manner. The physical activity was forced swimming (20 min/day). During the experiment, all animals were monitored by daily vaginal smears. After 30 days of treatment, the females were sacrificed and their uteri collected and examined under light microscopy techniques. The ND-treated females showed estrus acyclicity and decreased thickness of both the epithelium and endometrial stroma. A reduction in the number and size of blood vessels was also found in ND-treated rats submitted to physical effort when compared to ND sedentary rats. ND-treated rats, regardless of exercise, exhibited stromal fibrosis and reduced gland ducts that displayed high mitotic activity. A remarkable widespread presence of leukocytes occurred in rats receiving ND and submitted to exercise. These results suggest that ND associated or not with physical effort causes histomorphometric changes to the rat uterus. 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Effects of laser irradiation on immature olfactory neuroepithelial explants from the rat

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mester, A.F.; Snow, J.B. Jr.

1988-07-01

The photobiological effect of low-output laser irradiation on the maturation and regeneration of immature olfactory bipolar receptor cells of the rat was studied. The maturation and regeneration of the receptor cells of rat fetuses were quantified in neuroepithelial explants with morphometric analysis. The number of explants with outgrowth and the number and length of neuritic outgrowths were determined on a regular basis for 12 days. Explants in the experimental group were irradiated with a helium-neon laser using different incident energy densities (IED). Explants in the fluorescent light control group were exposed to fluorescent light for the same periods of timemore » as those in the experimental group were exposed to laser irradiation. Explants in another control group were not exposed to laser or fluorescent light irradiation. The IED of 0.5 J/cm2 laser irradiation has been found to increase significantly the number of explants with outgrowth and the number and length of the outgrowths. Other laser IEDs or fluorescent light irradiation did not influence maturation or regeneration.« less

Finite element modelling of squirrel, guinea pig and rat skulls: using geometric morphometrics to assess sensitivity.

PubMed

Cox, P G; Fagan, M J; Rayfield, E J; Jeffery, N

2011-12-01

Rodents are defined by a uniquely specialized dentition and a highly complex arrangement of jaw-closing muscles. Finite element analysis (FEA) is an ideal technique to investigate the biomechanical implications of these specializations, but it is essential to understand fully the degree of influence of the different input parameters of the FE model to have confidence in the model's predictions. This study evaluates the sensitivity of FE models of rodent crania to elastic properties of the materials, loading direction, and the location and orientation of the models' constraints. Three FE models were constructed of squirrel, guinea pig and rat skulls. Each was loaded to simulate biting on the incisors, and the first and the third molars, with the angle of the incisal bite varied over a range of 45°. The Young's moduli of the bone and teeth components were varied between limits defined by findings from our own and previously published tests of material properties. Geometric morphometrics (GMM) was used to analyse the resulting skull deformations. Bone stiffness was found to have the strongest influence on the results in all three rodents, followed by bite position, and then bite angle and muscle orientation. Tooth material properties were shown to have little effect on the deformation of the skull. The effect of bite position varied between species, with the mesiodistal position of the biting tooth being most important in squirrels and guinea pigs, whereas bilateral vs. unilateral biting had the greatest influence in rats. A GMM analysis of isolated incisor deformations showed that, for all rodents, bite angle is the most important parameter, followed by elastic properties of the tooth. The results here elucidate which input parameters are most important when defining the FE models, but also provide interesting glimpses of the biomechanical differences between the three skulls, which will be fully explored in future publications. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of Anatomy © 2011 Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Evaluation of developmental toxicity of guaifenesin using pregnant female rats.

PubMed

Shabbir, Arham; Shamsi, Sadia; Shahzad, Muhammad; Butt, Hajra Ikram; Aamir, Khurram; Iqbal, Javed

2016-01-01

Guaifenesin possesses expectorant, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsive properties. To the best of our knowledge, the promising data regarding the developmental toxicity of guaifenesin are scarce. The current study investigates the developmental toxic effects of guaifenesin in detail using female rats. Twenty-five dams were divided into five groups. Group 1 served as a control, while Group-2, -3, -4, and -5 were administered with 250, 350, 500, and 600 (mg/kg b.w.) doses of guaifenesin, respectively, starting from gestation day 6 to day 17. Half of the total recovered fetuses was subjected to morphologic and morphometric analysis, while other half was subjected to skeletal examination. A significant reduction in maternal weight, and food/water intake, was observed, however, no mortality and morbidity were observed. About 14 dead fetuses were found in Group-3 and -4 each, while 26 in Group 5. Morphological analysis revealed 21.2%, 45.4%, 67.2%, and 86.9% of total fetuses having hemorrhagic spots in Group-2, -3, -4, and -5, respectively. Dropping wrist/ankle and kinky tail were found in Group-4 and -5 only. Morphometric analysis showed a significant decline in fetal weight, full body length, skull length, forelimb length, hindlimb length, and tail length in all guaifenesin treated groups. Skeletal examination displayed that only Group 5 fetuses had increased intercostal space between 7(th) and 8(th) rib. We also observed improper development of carpals, metacarpals, tarsals, and metatarsals of the Group 5 fetuses. Guaifenesin showed a significant developmental toxicity at selected test doses; therefore, a careful use is suggested during pregnancy.

Evaluation of developmental toxicity of guaifenesin using pregnant female rats

PubMed Central

Shabbir, Arham; Shamsi, Sadia; Shahzad, Muhammad; Butt, Hajra Ikram; Aamir, Khurram; Iqbal, Javed

2016-01-01

Objectives: Guaifenesin possesses expectorant, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsive properties. To the best of our knowledge, the promising data regarding the developmental toxicity of guaifenesin are scarce. The current study investigates the developmental toxic effects of guaifenesin in detail using female rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five dams were divided into five groups. Group 1 served as a control, while Group-2, -3, -4, and -5 were administered with 250, 350, 500, and 600 (mg/kg b.w.) doses of guaifenesin, respectively, starting from gestation day 6 to day 17. Half of the total recovered fetuses was subjected to morphologic and morphometric analysis, while other half was subjected to skeletal examination. Results: A significant reduction in maternal weight, and food/water intake, was observed, however, no mortality and morbidity were observed. About 14 dead fetuses were found in Group-3 and -4 each, while 26 in Group 5. Morphological analysis revealed 21.2%, 45.4%, 67.2%, and 86.9% of total fetuses having hemorrhagic spots in Group-2, -3, -4, and -5, respectively. Dropping wrist/ankle and kinky tail were found in Group-4 and -5 only. Morphometric analysis showed a significant decline in fetal weight, full body length, skull length, forelimb length, hindlimb length, and tail length in all guaifenesin treated groups. Skeletal examination displayed that only Group 5 fetuses had increased intercostal space between 7th and 8th rib. We also observed improper development of carpals, metacarpals, tarsals, and metatarsals of the Group 5 fetuses. Conclusion: Guaifenesin showed a significant developmental toxicity at selected test doses; therefore, a careful use is suggested during pregnancy. PMID:27298495

Effect of noise pollution on testicular tissue and hormonal assessment in rat.

PubMed

Farzadinia, P; Bigdeli, M; Akbarzadeh, S; Mohammadi, M; Daneshi, A; Bargahi, A

2016-11-01

Many studies have focused on the effect of noise stress on the health. So far, few studies have been conducted on the effect of noise on reproductive system. The aim of study was to investigate the effect of noise pollution on morphometric parameters of testicular tissue and hormonal assessment (ACTH, cortisol and testosterone). In this study, 40 male rats were exposed to control, 95, 105 and 115 dB noise intensity for sixty days. At the end of study, blood sampling was performed and ACTH, cortisol and testosterone concentrations were assessed. The results showed that noise stress decreased testosterone levels in the 115 dB-treated group, while it increased the ACTH and cortisol levels. Histological sections of testis showed that the mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules and thickness of the germinal epithelium reduced compared to the control group. Also the ratio of the interstitial tissue area to the total testicular tissue area was increased significantly. Our study shows that noise stress may have negative influences on male fertility. © 2016 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Immunohistochemical study of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) enteric neurons in diabetic rats supplemented with L-glutamine.

PubMed

Alves, Eder Paulo Belato; Alves, Angela Maria Pereira; Pereira, Renata Virginia Fernandes; de Miranda Neto, Marcílio Hubner; Zanoni, Jacqueline Nelisis

2010-02-01

The purpose of this work was to study the area of the varicosities of nerve fibers of myenteric neurons immunoreactive to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP-IR) and of the cell bodies of VIP-IR submucosal neurons of the jejunum of diabetic rats supplemented with 2% L-glutamine. Twenty male rats were divided into the following groups: normoglycemic (N), normoglycemic supplemented with L-glutamine (NG), diabetic (D) and diabetic supplemented with L-glutamine (DG). Whole-mounts of the muscle tunica and the submucosal layer were subjected to the immunohistochemical technique for neurotransmitter VIP identification. Morphometric analyses were carried out in 500 VIP-IR cell bodies of submucosal neurons and 2000 VIP-IR varicosities from each group. L-Glutamine supplementation to the normoglycemic animals caused an increase in the areas of the cell bodies (8.49%) and varicosities (21.3%) relative to the controls (P < 0.05). On the other hand, there was a decrease in the areas of the cell bodies (4.55%) and varicosities (28.9%) of group DG compared to those of group D (P < 0.05). It is concluded that L-glutamine supplementation was positive both to normoglycemic and diabetic animals.

Curcumin promotes nerve regeneration and functional recovery after sciatic nerve crush injury in diabetic rats.

PubMed

Ma, Junxiong; Yu, Hailong; Liu, Jun; Chen, Yu; Wang, Qi; Xiang, Liangbi

2016-01-01

Curcumin is capable of promoting peripheral nerve regeneration in normal condition. However, it is unclear whether its beneficial effect on nerve regeneration still exists under diabetic mellitus. The present study was designed to investigate such a possibility. Diabetes in rats was developed by a single dose of streptozotocin at 50 mg/kg. Immediately after nerve crush injury, the diabetic rats were intraperitoneally administrated daily for 4 weeks with curcumin (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg), or normal saline, respectively. The axonal regeneration was investigated by morphometric analysis and retrograde labeling. The functional recovery was evaluated by electrophysiological studies and behavioral analysis. Axonal regeneration and functional recovery was significantly enhanced by curcumin, which were significantly better than those in vehicle saline group. In addition, high doses of curcumin (100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) achieved better axonal regeneration and functional recovery than low dose (50 mg/kg). In conclusion, curcumin is capable of promoting nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve crush injury in diabetes mellitus, highlighting its therapeutic values as a neuroprotective agent for peripheral nerve injury repair in diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Combined Cytogenotoxic Effects of Bee Venom and Bleomycin on Rat Lymphocytes: An In Vitro Study

PubMed Central

Abd-Elhakim, Yasmina M.; Khalil, Samah R.; Awad, Ashraf; AL-Ayadhi, Laila Y.

2014-01-01

This study was carried out to determine the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of bee venom (BV) and/or the chemotherapeutic agent bleomycin (BLM) on healthy isolated rat lymphocytes utilizing morphometric and molecular techniques. Using the Ficoll-Histopaque density gradient centrifugation technique, lymphocytes were isolated, divided into groups, and subjected to BV and/or BLM at incubation medium concentrations of 10 or 20 μg/mL respectively for 24 and 72 hrs. An MTT assay and fluorescent microscopy examinations were used to assess the cytotoxic effects. To determine the predominant type of BV and/or BLM-induced cell death, LDH release assay was employed beside quantitative expression analyses of the apoptosis-related genes (Caspase-3 and Bcl-2). The genotoxic effects of the tested compounds were evaluated via DNA fragmentation assay. The results of these assays demonstrated that BV potentiates BLM-induced cytotoxicity through increased LDH release and diminished cell viability. Nevertheless, BV significantly inhibited the BLM-induced DNA damage. The results verify that BV significantly attenuates the genotoxic effects of BLM on noncancerous isolated rat lymphocytes but does not diminish BLM cytotoxicity. PMID:24822179

Effect of zoledronic acid used in the root surface treatment of late replanted teeth: a study in rats.

PubMed

Mori, Graziela Garrido; Janjacomo, Daniela Maria de Mendonça; Nunes, Daniele Clapes; Castilho, Lithiene Ribeiro

2010-01-01

This study evaluated the use of zoledronic acid, a resorption inhibitor, as a medication for root resorption treatment of late replanted teeth. Twenty-four maxillary right central incisors of rats were avulsed and kept dry for 30 min. Then, the teeth were divided into 2 groups. In group I, root surface was treated with 2% sodium fluoride for 20 min; in group II, 10-6M zoledronic acid solution was used for 20 min. All root canals were filled with calcium hydroxide. Next, teeth were replanted in their respective sockets. After 15 and 60 days post-replantation, the animals were killed and the anatomic pieces were obtained and prepared for microscopic and morphometric analyses. The results showed that zoledronic acid was capable of limiting the occurrence of root resorption and preserving cementum resorption. Further research must be performed to confirm the use of zoledronic acid in root surface treatment of late replanted teeth.

Effect of graded physical load on the state of the liver from morphometric data and biochemical blood indices of rats against a background of hypokinesia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nikityuk, B. A.; Kogan, B. I.; Yermolyev, V. A.; Tindare, L. V.

1980-01-01

Tests were conducted on 100 sexually immature inbred August and Wistar male rats in order to determine the effects hypokinesia, physical load and phenamine on the liver. Weight and linear dimension fell in hypokinesia; total serum protein lowered and aldolase and cholesterol and beta-lipoprotein levels rose. Blood sugar content rose and liver glycogen fell. Interlinear differences of these indices are found. Rehabilitated physical loading against hypokinesia background diminished and at times completely prevented its negative effect. Extent of correction depended on animal species. Evidence of genotypical conditionality of organism adaptation to physical load in hypokinesia was found.

Desired and side effects of the supplementation with l-glutamine and l-glutathione in enteric glia of diabetic rats.

PubMed

Panizzon, Cynthia Priscilla do Nascimento Bonato; Zanoni, Jacqueline Nelisis; Hermes-Uliana, Catchia; Trevizan, Aline Rosa; Sehaber, Camila Caviquioli; Pereira, Renata Virginia Fernandes; Linden, David Robert; Neto, Marcílio Hubner de Miranda

2016-07-01

Enteric neuropathy associated with Diabetes Mellitus causes dysfunction in the digestive system, such as: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, among others. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of supplementation with 2% l-glutamine and 1% l-glutathione on neurons and enteric glial cells of ileum of diabetic rats. Thirty male Wistar rats have been used according to these group distributions: Normoglycemic (N), Normoglycemic supplemented with l-glutamine (NG), Normoglycemic supplemented with l-glutathione (NGO), Diabetic (D), Diabetic supplemented with l-glutamine (DG) and Diabetic supplemented with l-glutathione (DGO). After 120days, the ileum was processed for immunohistochemistry of HuC/D and S100β. Quantitative and morphometric analysis have been performed. Diabetic rats presented a decrease in the number of neurons when compared to normoglycemic animals. However, diabetes was not associated with a change in glial density. l-Glutathione prevented the neuronal death in diabetic rats. l-Glutathione increased a glial proliferation in diabetic rats. The neuronal area in diabetic rats increased in relation to the normoglycemics. The diabetic rats supplemented with l-glutamine and l-glutathione showed a smaller neuronal area in comparison to diabetic group. The glial cell area was a decreased in the diabetics. The diabetic rats supplemented with l-glutamine and l-glutathione did not have significant difference in the glial cell body area when compared to diabetic rats. It is concluded that the usage of l-glutamine and l-glutathione as supplements presents both desired and side effects that are different for the same substance in considering normoglycemic or diabetic animals. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Differential motor and sensory functional recovery in male but not female adult rats is associated with remyelination rather than axon regeneration after sciatic nerve crush.

PubMed

Tong, Ling-Ling; Ding, You-Quan; Jing, Hong-Bo; Li, Xuan-Yang; Qi, Jian-Guo

2015-05-06

Peripheral nerve functional recovery after injuries relies on both axon regeneration and remyelination. Both axon regeneration and remyelination require intimate interactions between regenerating neurons and their accompanying Schwann cells. Previous studies have shown that motor and sensory neurons are intrinsically different in their regeneration potentials. Moreover, denervated Schwann cells accompanying myelinated motor and sensory axons have distinct gene expression profiles for regeneration-associated growth factors. However, it is unknown whether differential motor and sensory functional recovery exists. If so, the particular one among axon regeneration and remyelination responsible for this difference remains unclear. Here, we aimed to establish an adult rat sciatic nerve crush model with the nonserrated microneedle holders and measured rat motor and sensory functions during regeneration. Furthermore, axon regeneration and remyelination was evaluated by morphometric analysis of electron microscopic images on the basis of nerve fiber classification. Our results showed that Aα fiber-mediated motor function was successfully recovered in both male and female rats. Aδ fiber-mediated sensory function was partially restored in male rats, but completely recovered in female littermates. For both male and female rats, the numbers of regenerated motor and sensory axons were quite comparable. However, remyelination was diverse among myelinated motor and sensory nerve fibers. In detail, Aβ and Aδ fibers incompletely remyelinated in male, but not female rats, whereas Aα fibers fully remyelinated in both sexes. Our result indicated that differential motor and sensory functional recovery in male but not female adult rats is associated with remyelination rather than axon regeneration after sciatic nerve crush.

Resistance training improves aortic structure in Wistar rats.

PubMed

Souza, Romeu R; de França, Elias; Madureira, Diana; Pontes, Carla C R; Santana, Jeferson O; Caperuto, Erico C

Little information is available on the effects of resistance training on the aortic wall. This study aimed to quantify the effects of a resistance-training program on blood pressure and aortic wall structural components. Rats (aged three months) were randomized into sedentary group (control group, CG; n=10) or trained group (TG; n=10). The TG rats performed resistance training by climbing a 1.1-m vertical ladder (80° incline) five times a week for 12 weeks, and the CG remained sedentary. The rats were sacrificed and 5mm of the ascending aorta was submitted to histological sections, which were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Picrosirius red, and Verhoeff's elastin, and used for morphometric studies. Left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy was determined by measuring LV wall thickness and LV internal diameter. The rats had similar repetition maximum before the resistance training. At the end of the resistance training period, the repetition maximum of the TG was 3.04-fold greater than the body weight. In the twelfth month, the left ventricular weight was 15.3% larger in the TG than in the CG, and the left ventricular internal diameter was reduced by 10% in the TG. Rats exposed to resistance training had a significant increase in aortic wall thickness, in both elastic lamina and collagen fibers, and in the thickness of collagen fibrils. Resistance training induces the development of concentric cardiac hypertrophy and improves the aortic wall components by producing a morphological expression pattern distinct from aortic pathological adaptation. Copyright © 2017. Publicado por Elsevier Editora Ltda.

New Method of Injured Nerve Repair.

PubMed

Korsak, Alina; Likhodiievskyi, Volodymyr; Sokurenko, Liudmyla; Chaikovsky, Yuri

2018-07-01

 Innovative surgical techniques form the basis of therapeutic approaches to address the negative consequences of nerve damage. This study evaluated the effectiveness of nerve trunk regeneration after the use of an electrosurgical instrument by looking at the patterns of morphological changes in the injured nerve and the structural elements of the segment motor center.  The study was performed on male Wistar rats divided into four groups: group 1, control; group 2, rats with simulated sciatic nerve injury with epineural sutures; 3, rats subjected to an experimental surgical procedure using high-frequency electric welding technology; and 4, rats with simulated sciatic nerve injury without posttransection repair. To study changes in the peripheral stump of the transected nerves and L5 segments of the spinal cord, we used histologic, immunohistochemical, and morphometric methods.  At week 12 after the surgery, there were more S-100+ Schwann cells, increased expression of neurofilaments (NFs), and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the peripheral stump in group 3 than in groups 2 and 4, which indicates enhanced neurotization and myelination. Group 3 animals demonstrated reduced expression of S-100 and NFs in the motor center of the spinal cord compared with group 2 that suggests less pronounced reactive changes caused by electric welding technology.  The study showed a novel surgical method using an electrosurgical instrument in a welding mode to stimulate regeneration of the injured nerve and to cause less prominent reactive changes in its segment motor center. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Effects of heat-induced food contaminant furan on reproductive system of male rats from weaning through postpuberty.

PubMed

Karacaoğlu, Elif; Selmanoğlu, Güldeniz

2010-05-01

Furan (C(4)H(4)O) is a volatile, colorless liquid and is used in some segments of the chemical manufacturing industry. It is found in variety of foods such as coffee, jarred and canned foods that undergo heat treatment. This study was designed to investigate the effect of furan exposure on reproductive system of male rats. Three to four weeks old rats were exposed to furan at 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg/day doses by orally for 90 days. Hematology, weights, histology and morphometry of reproductive organs, serum LH and testosterone levels, sperm count and morphology and apoptosis in testis were evaluated. Slight changes were observed in hematological parameters of furan-treated rats. The weights of seminal vesicle reduced significantly whereas the weights of prostate increased significantly in the highest furan dose group. LH and testosterone levels decreased in furan-treated rats. Histological examinations have revealed that furan caused impairments in testis, epididymis and prostate gland. Furan showed no effects on sperm counts and morphology. On the other hand apoptotic cells in testis increased significantly. According to morphometrical examination, the epithelial heights and lumen diameters of the reproductive organs have changed in treatment groups. These results indicate that subchronic furan treatment induces toxicity of the male reproductive system. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Involvement of Inflammation and Adverse Vascular Remodelling in the Blood Pressure Raising Effect of Repeatedly Heated Palm Oil in Rats

PubMed Central

Ng, Chun-Yi; Kamisah, Yusof; Faizah, Othman; Jubri, Zakiah; Qodriyah, Hj Mohd Saad; Jaarin, Kamsiah

2012-01-01

Oil thermoxidation during deep frying generates harmful oxidative free radicals that induce inflammation and increase the risk of hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the effect of repeatedly heated palm oil on blood pressure, aortic morphometry, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: control, fresh palm oil (FPO), one-time-heated palm oil (1HPO), five-time-heated palm oil (5HPO), or ten-time-heated palm oil (10HPO). Feeding duration was six months. Blood pressure was measured at baseline and monthly using tail-cuff method. After six months, the rats were sacrificed and the aortic arches were dissected for morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. FPO group showed significantly lower blood pressure than all other groups. Blood pressure was increased significantly in 5HPO and 10HPO groups. The aortae of 5HPO and 10HPO groups showed significantly increased thickness and area of intima-media, circumferential wall tension, and VCAM-1 than other groups. Elastic lamellae were disorganised and fragmented in 5HPO- and 10HPO-treated rats. VCAM-1 expression showed a significant positive correlation with blood pressure. In conclusion, prolonged consumption of repeatedly heated palm oil causes blood pressure elevation, adverse remodelling, and increased VCAM-1, which suggests a possible involvement of inflammation. PMID:22778962

Morphology of the non-sensory tissue components in rat aging vomeronasal organ.

PubMed

Eltony, S A; Elgayar, S A

2011-08-01

With 30 figures, 3 histograms and 3 tables The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a chemosensory organ that detects environmental pheromones. The morphology of the 'non-sensory' epithelium (NSE) of the VNO and its lamina propria, as well as how it relates to ageing has received little attention. Histological, histochemical, morphometric and ultrastructural techniques were used to study the morphological structure of the rat NSE in five adult (3 months old) and five aged (2-2.5 years old) male albino rats. In adult rats, the NSE contained dark and light columnar cells with predominance of the latter. The surface of the epithelial cells was covered with microvilli and/or cilia. The lamina propria contained serous vomeronasal glands (VNGs), smooth muscles with numerous variable-sized mitochondria, vessels including lymphatic capillaries and nerve bundles. The following changes were detected in aged rats. The NSE exhibited an increase in number of dark columnar cells. Some cells revealed a prominent cell coat, dense aggregation of filaments in the luminal cytoplasm and appearance of multinucleated cells. Their surface revealed malformed configuration. Large mitochondria (2 μm), formed by fusion, were frequently observed in the smooth muscle cells of the lamina propria. Lipid droplets were frequently detected both in the VNGs acini and in the lymphatic endothelium. Ageing affected both the cells of the tissues and the extracellular matrix. © 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Morphometric evaluation of condylar cartilage of growing rats in response to mandibular retractive forces.

PubMed

de Sá, Milena Peixoto Nogueira; Zanoni, Jacqueline Nelisis; de Salles, Carlos Luiz Fernandes; de Souza, Fabrício Dias; Suga, Uhana Seifert Guimarães; Terada, Raquel Sano Suga

2013-01-01

The mandibular condylar surface is made up of four layers, i.e., an external layer composed of dense connective tissue, followed by a layer of undifferentiated cells, hyaline cartilage and bone. Few studies have demonstrated the behavior of the condylar cartilage when the mandible is positioned posteriorly, as in treatments for correcting functional Class III malocclusion. The aim of this study was to assess the morphologic and histological aspects of rat condyles in response to posterior positioning of the mandible. Thirty five-week-old male Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into two groups: A control group (C) and an experimental group (E) which received devices for inducing mandibular retrusion. The animals were euthanized at time intervals of 7, 21 and 30 days after the experiment had began. For histological analysis, total condylar thickness was measured, including the proliferative, hyaline and hypertrophic layers, as well as each layer separately, totaling 30 measurements for each parameter of each animal. The greatest difference in cartilage thickness was observed in 21 days, although different levels were observed in the other periods. Group E showed an increase of 39.46% in the total layer, reflected by increases in the thickness of the hypertrophic (42.24%), hyaline (46.92%) and proliferative (17.70%) layers. Posteriorly repositioning the mandible produced a series of histological and morphological responses in the condyle, suggesting condylar and mandibular adaptation in rats.

St. John's wort extract and hyperforin protect rat and human pancreatic islets against cytokine toxicity.

PubMed

Novelli, Michela; Beffy, Pascale; Menegazzi, Marta; De Tata, Vincenzo; Martino, Luisa; Sgarbossa, Anna; Porozov, Svetlana; Pippa, Anna; Masini, Matilde; Marchetti, Piero; Masiello, Pellegrino

2014-02-01

The extract of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort, SJW) and its component hyperforin (HPF) were previously shown to inhibit cytokine-induced activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 and nuclear factor κB and prevent apoptosis in a cultured β-cell line. Objective of this study was to assess the protection exerted by SJW and HPF on isolated rat and human islets exposed to cytokines in vitro. Functional, ultrastructural, biomolecular and cell death evaluation studies were performed. In both rat and human islets, SJW and HPF counteracted cytokine-induced functional impairment and down-regulated mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory target genes, such as iNOS, CXCL9, CXCL10, COX2. Cytokine-induced NO production from cultured islets, evaluated by nitrites measurement in the medium, was significantly reduced in the presence of the vegetal compounds. Noteworthy, the increase in apoptosis and necrosis following 48-h exposure to cytokines was fully prevented by SJW and partially by HPF. Ultrastructural morphometric analysis in human islets exposed to cytokines for 20 h showed that SJW or HPF avoided early β-cell damage (e.g., mitochondrial alterations and loss of insulin granules). In conclusion, SJW compounds protect rat and human islets against cytokine effects by counteracting key mechanisms of cytokine-mediated β-cell injury and represent promising pharmacological tools for prevention or limitation of β-cell dysfunction and loss in type 1 diabetes.

Jiangtang Xiaozhi Recipe () prevents diabetic retinopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

PubMed

Li, Lin; Li, Yan-Lin; Zhou, Yun-Feng; Ge, Zheng-Yan; Wang, Li-Li; Li, Zhi-Qiang; Guo, Yu-Jie; Jin, Long; Ren, Ye; Liu, Jian-Xun; Xu, Yang

2017-06-01

To evaluate the prevention effect of diabetic retinopathy of Jiangtang Xiaozhi Recipe (, JXR) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group and diabetic group. Rats in the diabetic group were induced by intraperitoneal administration of STZ (50 mg/kg), and subdivided into 5 groups. Rats in the diabetic control group were given saline; four treatment groups were given metformin (300 mg/kg), JXR (2, 4 and 8 g/kg) respectively for 8 weeks, while rats in the normal control group were injected with citrate buffer and given the same volume of vehicle. Body weight and food intake were measured every week. The hypoglycaemic effects were determined by testing fasting blood glucose (FBG) every other week, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, and glucagon at the end of the treatment. The preventive effects of JXR on STZ-induced diabetic rats were determined by histopathological examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining, and periodic acid-schiff staining. The effects were further evaluated by serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA). High-dose JXR significantly reduced FBG and HbA1c level at the 8th week of administration (P<0.01, P<0.05). JXR significantly increased insulin level (P<0.05), and decreased glucagon level (P<0.05). JXR showed the antioxidant defense with increased SOD activity and decreased MDA contents in diabetic rats. Histopathological studies revealed that there were no basement membrane thickening and mild destruction in the treated groups. Morphometric measurements of retina microvascular showed that acellular capillary and capillary density decreased in treated rats while pericyte and endothelial cell increasing after the treatment. JXR have protective effect of diabetic retinopathy and its mechanism may be associated with the obvious hypoglycemic and antioxidant effect.

Mesenchymal stem cells and differentiated insulin producing cells are new horizons for pancreatic regeneration in type I diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Domouky, Ayat M; Hegab, Ashraf S; Al-Shahat, Amal; Raafat, Nermin

2017-06-01

Diabetes mellitus has become the third human killer following cancer and cardiovascular disease. Millions of patients, often children, suffer from type 1 diabetes (T1D). Stem cells created hopes to regenerate damaged body tissues and restore their function. This work aimed at clarifying and comparing the therapeutic potential of differentiated and non-differentiated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a new line of therapy for T1D. 40 Female albino rats divided into group I (control): 10 rats and group II (diabetic), III and IV, 10 rats in each, were injected with streptozotocin (50mg/kg body weight). Group III (MSCs) were transplanted with bone marrow derived MSCs from male rats and group IV (IPCs) with differentiated insulin producing cells. Blood and pancreatic tissue samples were taken from all rats for biochemical and histological studies. MSCs reduced hyperglycemia in diabetic rats on day 15 while IPCs normalizes blood glucose level on day 7. Histological and morphometric analysis of pancreas of experimental diabetic rats showed improvement in MSCs-treated group but in IPCs-treated group, β-cells insulin immunoreactions were obviously returned to normal, with normal distribution of β-cells in the center and other cells at the periphery. Meanwhile, most of the pathological lesions were still detected in diabetic rats. MSCs transplantation can reduce blood glucose level in recipient diabetic rats. IPCs initiate endogenous pancreatic regeneration by neogenesis of islets. IPCs are better than MSCs in regeneration of β-cells. So, IPCs therapy can be considered clinically to offer a hope for patients suffering from T1D. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The influence of social environment in early life on the behavior, stress response, and reproductive system of adult male Norway rats selected for different attitudes to humans.

PubMed

Gulevich, R G; Shikhevich, S G; Konoshenko, M Yu; Kozhemyakina, R V; Herbeck, Yu E; Prasolova, L A; Oskina, I N; Plyusnina, I Z

2015-05-15

The influence of social disturbance in early life on behavior, response of blood corticosterone level to restraint stress, and endocrine and morphometric indices of the testes was studied in 2-month Norway rat males from three populations: not selected for behavior (unselected), selected for against aggression to humans (tame), and selected for increased aggression to humans (aggressive). The experimental social disturbance included early weaning, daily replacement of cagemates from days 19 to 25, and subsequent housing in twos till the age of 2months. The social disturbance increased the latent period of aggressive behavior in the social interaction test in unselected males and reduced relative testis weights in comparison to the corresponding control groups. In addition, experimental unselected rats had smaller diameters of seminiferous tubules and lower blood testosterone levels. In the experimental group, tame rats had lower basal corticosterone levels, and aggressive animals had lower hormone levels after restraint stress in comparison to the control. The results suggest that the selection in two directions for attitude to humans modifies the response of male rats to social disturbance in early life. In this regard, the selected rat populations may be viewed as a model for investigation of (1) neuroendocrinal mechanisms responsible for the manifestation of aggression and (2) interaction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal systems in stress. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of acute administration of ethanol on the rat adrenal cortex.

PubMed

Milovanović, Tatjana; Budec, Mirela; Balint-Perić, Ljiljana; Koko, Vesna; Todorović, Vera

2003-09-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a single dose of ethanol on rat adrenal cortex and to determine whether the estrous cycle can influence this effect of ethanol. Adult female Wistar rats showing proestrus or diestrus Day 1 (n = 12) were treated intraperitoneally with ethanol (4 g/kg body weight). Untreated (n = 15) and saline-injected (n = 14) rats were used as controls. The animals were sacrificed by decapitation 0.5 hour after ethanol administration. Stereological analysis was performed on paraffin sections of adrenal glands stained with AZAN, and the following parameters were determined: absolute volume of the zona glomerulosa, the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis, numerical density, volume and the mean diameter of adrenocortical cells and of their nuclei, and diameter and length of capillaries. The diameter and volume of adrenocortical cells in the zona fasciculata and the zona reticularis were significantly increased by acute ethanol treatment at proestrus. In the same group of animals, a single dose of ethanol induced significant decrease in numerical density of adrenocortical cells and of their nuclei in all three zones. Increased length of capillaries of the zona fasciculata as well as enhanced level of serum corticosterone was found in ethanol-treated rats at both phases of the estrous cycle, proestrus and diestrus Day 1. The obtained results indicate that a single dose of ethanol activates adrenal cortex in female rats and that the effect is more pronounced on morphometric parameters at proestrus.

Acute ethanol treatment increases level of progesterone in ovariectomized rats.

PubMed

Budec, Mirela; Koko, Vesna; Milovanović, Tatjana; Balint-Perić, Ljiljana; Petković, Aleksandra

2002-04-01

To determine whether an increased level of progesterone in adult female rats after acute ethanol treatment, described previously in our study, is the result of activation of adrenal glands, we analyzed adrenal cortex morphologically and measured serum levels of corticosterone and progesterone in ovariectomized rats. In addition, a possible involvement of the opioid system in an observed phenomenon was tested. Adult female Wistar rats were ovariectomized, and 3 weeks after surgery they were treated intraperitoneally with (a) ethanol (4 g/kg), (b) naltrexone (5 mg/kg), followed by ethanol (4 g/kg) 45 min later, and (c) naltrexone (5 mg/kg), followed by saline 45 min later. Untreated and saline-injected rats were used as controls. The animals were killed 0.5 h after ethanol administration. Morphometric analysis was carried out on paraffin sections of adrenal glands, stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and the following parameters were determined: absolute volume of the zona glomerulosa, the zona fasciculata, and the zona reticularis; numerical density, volume, and the mean diameter of adrenocortical cells and of their nuclei; and mean diameter and length of capillaries. The results showed that acute ethanol treatment significantly increased absolute volume of the zona fasciculata and length of its capillaries but did not alter other stereological parameters. Also, serum levels of corticosterone and progesterone were enhanced. Pretreatment with naltrexone had no effect on ethanol-induced changes. These findings are consistent with our previous hypothesis that an ethanol-induced increase of the progesterone level in adult female rats originates from the adrenal cortex.

A robust, efficient and flexible method for staining myelinated axons in blocks of brain tissue.

PubMed

Wahlsten, Douglas; Colbourne, Frederick; Pleus, Richard

2003-03-15

Previous studies have demonstrated the utility of the gold chloride method for en bloc staining of a bisected brain in mice and rats. The present study explores several variations in the method, assesses its reliability, and extends the limits of its application. We conclude that the method is very efficient, highly robust, sufficiently accurate for most purposes, and adaptable to many morphometric measures. We obtained acceptable staining of commissures in every brain, despite a wide variety of fixation methods. One-half could be stained 24 h after the brain was extracted and the other half could be stained months later. When staining failed because of an exhausted solution, the brain could be stained successfully in fresh solution. Relatively small changes were found in the sizes of commissures several weeks after initial fixation or staining. A half brain stained to reveal the mid-sagittal section could then be sectioned coronally and stained again in either gold chloride for myelin or cresyl violet for Nissl substance. Uncertainty, arising from pixelation of digitized images was far less than errors arising from human judgments about the histological limits of major commissures. Useful data for morphometric analysis were obtained by scanning the surface of a gold chloride stained block of brain with an inexpensive flatbed scanner.

Osteoblast histogenesis in periodontal ligament and tibial metaphysis during simulated weightlessness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fielder, Paul J.; Morey, Emily R.; Roberts, W. Eugene

1986-01-01

Utilizing the nuclear morphometric assay for osteoblast histogenesis, the effect of simulated weightlessness (SW) on the relative numbers of the periodontal ligament (PDL) osteoblast progenitors and on the total number of osteogenic cells was determined in rats. Weightlessness was simulated by subjecting rats to continuous 30-deg head-down posture using a modified back-harness device of Morey (1979). The response of a partially unloaded, weight-bearing bone, tibial primary spongiosa (PS), was compared to a normally loaded, nonweight-bearing PDL bone. Data indicated a similar differentiation sequence in PS and PDL, which suggests that these bones might be sensitive to the same systemic factors. Preosteoblast numbers were seen to decrease in both nonweight-bearing and weight-bearing bones during SW (compared with rats not exposed to SW), indicating the importance of systemic mediators, such as cephalad fluid shift, physiological stress, and/or growth retardation.

Plantago maxima leaves extract inhibits adipogenic action of a high-fat diet in female Wistar rats.

PubMed

Tinkov, Alexey A; Nemereshina, Olga N; Popova, Elizaveta V; Polyakova, Valentina S; Gritsenko, Viktor A; Nikonorov, Alexandr A

2014-04-01

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the content of biologically active compounds producing an antioxidant effect in Plantago maxima and their influence on main mechanisms of dietary obesity development. Biologically active compounds in P. maxima were tested using paper chromatography. In in vivo experiment, high-fat-fed Wistar rats obtained P. maxima water extract for 3 months. Morphometric parameters, weight gain, serum adipokines, and cytokines, as well as oxidative stress biomarkers in rats’ tissues were evaluated. Gut microflora was also examined. Plantago maxima leaves used in the experiment contained significant amount of flavonoids, iridoids, phenol carboxylic acids, and tannins and ascorbic acid. Our in vivo experiment data demonstrate that P. maxima water extract prevents excessive adiposity in a diet-induced model. P. maxima consumption reduced serum leptin (twofold), macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (sevenfold), tumornecrosis factor-α (25%), and interleukine-6 (26%) levels. P. maxima water extract decreased adipose tissue oxidative stress biomarkers in rats fed a high-fat diet. In addition, increased bacterial growth in the diet-induced obesity model was reversed by the P. maxima extract treatment. Plantago maxima water extract possessed antiadipogenic, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant activity, and normalized gut microflora in a rat model of diet-induced excessive adiposity due to a high content of biologically active compounds.

Biocompatibility of new calcium aluminate cement (EndoBinder).

PubMed

Aguilar, Fabiano Gamero; Roberti Garcia, Lucas Fonseca; Panzeri Pires-de-Souza, Fernanda Carvalho

2012-03-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of calcium aluminate cement (EndoBinder) in subcutaneous tissue of rats. Fifteen rats, weighing 300 g, were separated into 3 groups (n = 5) in accordance with the time of death (7, 21, 42 days). Two incisions were made in the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of each rat in which were implanted 2 polyethylene tubes filled with the test materials, EndoBinder (EB) and Grey MTA (GMTA). The external tube walls were considered the negative control group (CG). After 7, 21, and 42 days, animals were killed, obtaining 5 samples per group, at each time interval of analysis. From the morphologic and morphometric analyses by using a score of (0-3) (50, 100, and 400×), results showed absence of inflammatory reaction (0) for EB after 42 days. However, for GMTA, a slight inflammatory reaction (1) was observed after 42 days, which means the persistence of a chronic inflammatory process. When compared with CG, tissue reaction ranging from discrete (1-7 days) to absent (0-42 days) was observed. EndoBinder presented satisfactory tissue reaction; it was biocompatible when tested in subcutaneous tissue of rats. Copyright © 2012 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Possible mechanism of acute effect of ethanol on intestinal IgA expression in rat.

PubMed

Budec, Mirela; Koko, Vesna; Todorović, Vera; Marković, Dragana; Postić, Marija; Drndarević, Neda; Spasić, Andelka; Mitrović, Olivera

2007-06-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible mechanism of acute effect of ethanol on IgA expression in rat intestine. To this end, adult female Wistar rats showing diestrus day 1 were treated with (a) ethanol (2 or 4 g/kg, i.p.); (b) N omega-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), which inhibits the activity of all isoforms of nitric oxide synthase, (30 mg/kg, s.c.) followed by ethanol 3 h later; and (c) L-NAME (30 mg/kg, s.c.) followed by saline 3 h later. Saline-injected and untreated rats were used as controls. The animals were sacrificed 0.5 h after ethanol administration. Intestinal expression of IgA was evaluated by both immunohistochemistry and Western immunoblotting. Morphometric analysis showed that acute ethanol treatment increased the number of IgA-immunoreactive cells in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with L-NAME abolished this action of alcohol. Injection of L-NAME followed by saline had no influence on the number of IgA+cells. The results, obtained by Western immunoblotting, paralleled our immunohistochemical findings. Taken together, these data suggest that acute effect of ethanol on intestinal IgA might be mediated by endogenous nitric oxide.

Morphometric Characterization of Rat and Human Alveolar Macrophage Cell Models and their Response to Amiodarone using High Content Image Analysis.

PubMed

Hoffman, Ewelina; Patel, Aateka; Ball, Doug; Klapwijk, Jan; Millar, Val; Kumar, Abhinav; Martin, Abigail; Mahendran, Rhamiya; Dailey, Lea Ann; Forbes, Ben; Hutter, Victoria

2017-12-01

Progress to the clinic may be delayed or prevented when vacuolated or "foamy" alveolar macrophages are observed during non-clinical inhalation toxicology assessment. The first step in developing methods to study this response in vitro is to characterize macrophage cell lines and their response to drug exposures. Human (U937) and rat (NR8383) cell lines and primary rat alveolar macrophages obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage were characterized using high content fluorescence imaging analysis quantification of cell viability, morphometry, and phospholipid and neutral lipid accumulation. Cell health, morphology and lipid content were comparable (p < 0.05) for both cell lines and the primary macrophages in terms of vacuole number, size and lipid content. Responses to amiodarone, a known inducer of phospholipidosis, required analysis of shifts in cell population profiles (the proportion of cells with elevated vacuolation or lipid content) rather than average population data which was insensitive to the changes observed. A high content image analysis assay was developed and used to provide detailed morphological characterization of rat and human alveolar-like macrophages and their response to a phospholipidosis-inducing agent. This provides a basis for development of assays to predict or understand macrophage vacuolation following inhaled drug exposure.

O-linked N-acetyl-glucosamine deposition in placental proteins varies according to maternal glycemic levels.

PubMed

Dela Justina, Vanessa; Dos Passos Junior, Rinaldo R; Bressan, Alecsander F; Tostes, Rita C; Carneiro, Fernando S; Soares, Thaigra S; Volpato, Gustavo T; Lima, Victor Vitorino; Martin, Sebastian San; Giachini, Fernanda R

2018-05-07

Hyperglycemia increases glycosylation with O-linked N‑acetyl‑glucosamine (O-GlcNAc) contributing to placental dysfunction and fetal growth impairment. Our aim was to determine how O-GlcNAc levels are affected by hyperglycemia and the O-GlcNAc distribution in different placental regions. Female Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: severe hyperglycemia (>300 mg/dL; n = 5); mild hyperglycemia (>140 mg/dL, at least than two time points during oral glucose tolerance test; n = 7) or normoglycemia (<120 mg/dL; n = 6). At 21 days of pregnancy, placental tissue was collected and processed for morphometry and immunohistochemistry analyses, or properly stored at -80 °C for protein quantification by western blot. Placental index was increased only in severe hyperglycemic rats. Morphometric analysis showed increased junctional zone and decreased labyrinth region in placentas exclusively from the severe hyperglycemic group. Proteins targeted by O-GlcNAc were detected in all regions, with increased O-GlcNAc levels in the hyperglycemic group compared to control and mild hyperglycemic rats. Proteins in endothelial and trophoblast cells were the main target for O-GlcNAc. Whereas no changes in O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) expression were detected, O-GlcNAcase (OGA) expression was reduced in placentas from the severe hyperglycemic group and augmented in placentas from the mild hyperglycemic group, compared with their respective control groups. Placental O-GlcNAc overexpression may contribute to placental dysfunction, as indicated by the placental index. Additionally, morphometric alterations, occurring simultaneously with increased O-GlcNAc accumulation in the placental tissue may contribute to placental dysfunction during hyperglycemia. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on the ventral prostate of rats during the peri-pubertal, pubertal and adult stage.

PubMed

Pochettino, Arístides A; Hapon, María Belén; Biolatto, Silvana M; Madariaga, María José; Jahn, Graciela A; Konjuh, Cintia N

2016-10-01

The herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is used on a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic broadleaf weeds. 2,4-D has been shown to produce a wide range of adverse effects on animal and human health. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of pre- and postnatal exposure to 2,4-D on rat ventral prostate (VP). Pregnant rats were exposed daily to oral doses of 70 mg/kg/day of 2,4-D from 16 days of gestation up to 23 days after delivery. Then, the treated groups (n = 8) were fed with a 2,4-D added diet until sacrificed by decapitation on postnatal day (PND) 45, 60, or 90. Morphometric studies were performed and androgen receptor (AR) protein levels in the VP were determined. AR, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-1R) mRNA expression in the VP along with testosterone (T), dihydroxytestosterone (DHT), growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1 serum levels were also determined to ascertain whether these parameters were differentially affected. Results of this study showed that 2,4-D exposure during gestation and until adulthood altered development of the prostate gland in male rats, delaying it at early ages while increasing its size in adults, indicate that 2,4-D could behave as endocrine disruptors (EDs).

Morphological and Biochemical Features of Cerebellar Cortex After Exposure to Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Possible Protective Role of Curcumin.

PubMed

Amer, Mona G; Karam, Rehab A

2018-03-25

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are widely used in the last decades. Therefore, investigation of its neurotoxic effect is important. This work aimed to investigate the potential adverse effects of ZnONPs on rat's cerebellar cortex and the possible neuroprotective role of curcumin (Cur). Forty male albino rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. Two groups were injected with ZnONPs and one group was previously received Cur before ZnONPs. At the end of the experiment, cerebellar tissue samples were prepared for histological, morphometric, immunohistochemical study, and tissue levels of oxidative stress markers and cytokine analysis. cerebellar damage is clearly visible with ZnONPs. Degeneration, loss, disorganization of cerebellar neurons was observed. Histopathological degeneration of Purkinje and granular cells together with loss of Nissl substance, astrocyte gliosis, and affection of cerebellar blood brain barrier were detected. Moreover, an apoptotic marker (caspase-3) was significantly expressed in Purkinje and granular layers together with elevated gene expression of P53 and COX-2 in cerebellar tissue of ZnONPs intoxicated group. Astrocyte gliosis and inflammatory markers IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α were expressed significantly in ZnONPs intoxicated cerebellum. These changes were associated with evidence of cerebellar oxidative stress. Strikingly, treatment with Cur together with ZnONPs recorded morphological improvement, with increased number of Purkinje cells and decreased caspase +ve cells. These findings were confirmed by morphometric and statistical analysis. Cur ameliorates the deterious effect of ZnONPs on the cerebellar cortex through its antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory efficacies. Anat Rec, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Protective Effect of Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) on Morphometric and Morphologic Alterations of Seminiferous Tubules in STZ Diabetic Rats.

PubMed

Golalipour, Mohammad Jafar; Kabiri Balajadeh, Babak; Ghafari, Soraya; Azarhosh, Ramin; Khori, Vahid

2011-09-01

Urtica dioica L. has been known as a medicinal plant in the world. This study was conducted to determine the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica leaves on seminiferous tubules of diabetic rats. Animals were allocated to control, diabetic and protective groups. Treated animals received extract of U. dioica (100 mg/ kg/ day) IP for the first 5 days and STZ injection on the 6th day. After 5 weeks, testes removed and stained with H&E technique. Tubular cell disintegration, sertoli and spermatogonia cell vacuolization, and decrease in sperm concentration observed in diabetic in comparison with control and protective groups. External seminiferous tubular diameter and seminiferous epithelial height significantly reduced (P< 0.05) in diabetic compared with controls, and these parameters increased (P< 0.05) in the treated compared with diabetics. Hydroalcoholic extract of U. dioica, before induction of diabetes; has protective role on seminiferous tubules alterations.

Protective Effect of Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) on Morphometric and Morphologic Alterations of Seminiferous Tubules in STZ Diabetic Rats

PubMed Central

Golalipour, Mohammad Jafar; Kabiri Balajadeh, Babak; Ghafari, Soraya; Azarhosh, Ramin; Khori, Vahid

2011-01-01

Objective(s) Urtica dioica L. has been known as a medicinal plant in the world. This study was conducted to determine the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica leaves on seminiferous tubules of diabetic rats. Materials and Methods Animals were allocated to control, diabetic and protective groups. Treated animals received extract of U. dioica (100 mg/ kg/ day) IP for the first 5 days and STZ injection on the 6th day. After 5 weeks, testes removed and stained with H&E technique. Results Tubular cell disintegration, sertoli and spermatogonia cell vacuolization, and decrease in sperm concentration observed in diabetic in comparison with control and protective groups. External seminiferous tubular diameter and seminiferous epithelial height significantly reduced (P< 0.05) in diabetic compared with controls, and these parameters increased (P< 0.05) in the treated compared with diabetics. Conclusion Hydroalcoholic extract of U. dioica, before induction of diabetes; has protective role on seminiferous tubules alterations. PMID:23493848

A paradigm of undernourishing and neonatal rehabilitation in the newborn rat.

PubMed

Perez-Torrero, Esther; Torrerob, Carmen; Collado, Paloma; Salas, Manuel

2003-04-01

Perinatal undernutrition as a deficiency of nutrient availability, affects body and brain developmental processes and promotes recurrent health problems. Thus, altered mother-litter bonds and deficient environmental interactions may interfere with the brain pluripotential capabilities of the newborn. To gather information concerning the mechanisms underlying perinatal undernutrition we designed a paradigm of undernutrition and neonatal rehabilitation in the rat. An underfed group came from pregnant Wistar rats fed with 50% of the diet from G6 to G12 and with 60% from G13 until G21. After birth, pups were daily undernourished during 12 h daily by rotating a pair of lactating well-nourished dams which had one of their nipples subcutaneously ligated. The rehabilitated animals were undernourished pups neonatally fed by a pair of normally lactating dams. Controls received plenty of food during the pre- and neonatal periods. Pups were sacrificed at 12, 20 and 30 days of age. Perinatal underfeeding significantly reduced body and brain weights and neuronal morphometric parameters. Normal neonatal feeding in the newborn ameliorated the damages associated to food deprivation. The current undernourishing paradigm may be helpful to assess brain development alterations, as well as to study the compensatory mechanisms associated to salutary epigenetic influences.

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

PubMed

Deng, Bo; Jia, Liqun; Pan, Lin; Song, Aiping; Wang, Yuanyuan; Tan, Huangying; Xiang, Qing; Yu, Lili; Ke, Dandan

2016-01-01

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.

Cardiopulmonary reflex, cardiac cytokines, and nandrolone decanoate: response to resistance training in rats.

PubMed

Lima, Ewelyne Miranda; Nascimento, Andrews Marques; Brasil, Girlandia Alexandre; Kalil, Ieda Carneiro; Lenz, Dominik; Endringer, Denise Coutinho; Andrade, Tadeu Uggere; Bissoli, Nazaré Souza

2015-11-01

This study evaluated the effects of nandrolone associated with resistance training (RT) on cardiac cytokines, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (ACEA), and the sensitivity of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex (BJR). Male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: CONT (received vehicle, no training); EXERC (RT: after one week of water adaptation, rats were exercised by jumping into water twice a week for 4 weeks), and ND+EXERC (received nandrolone decanoate 10 mg/kg, twice/week, i.m, associated with RT). The BJR was analysed by measuring bradycardic and hypotensive responses elicited by serotonin administration. Myocyte hypertrophy and matrix collagen deposition were determined by morphometric analysis of H&E and picrosirius red-stained samples, respectively. TNF-α and ACEA were also studied. RT promoted physiological myocyte hyrpertrophy but did not cause changes in the other parameters. The association of ND with RT increased myocyte hypertrophy, deposition of matrix type I collagen, TNF-α and ACEA; decreased IL-10, and impairment in the BJR were observed in ND+EXERC compared with CONT and EXERC. ND is associated with alterations in cardiac structure and function as a result of the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy (cardiac cytokine imbalance, elevation of ACEA) and cardiac injury, even when combined with resistance training.

Systemic treatment with resveratrol and/or curcumin reduces the progression of experimental periodontitis in rats.

PubMed

Corrêa, M G; Pires, P R; Ribeiro, F V; Pimentel, S Z; Casarin, R C V; Cirano, F R; Tenenbaum, H T; Casati, M Z

2017-04-01

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of periodontal tissues that leads to the destruction of bone and other connective tissues. Resveratrol and curcumin are plant-derived substances with biological properties that may have immunomodulatory properties. This study investigated the effect of continuous administration of resveratrol and curcumin and the association of resveratrol and curcumin on the progression of experimental periodontitis in rats. Forty Wistar rats were assigned randomly to the following groups: group 1, experimental periodontitis + placebo (PL) (n = 10); group 2, experimental periodontitis + resveratrol (RSV) (n = 10); group 3, experimental periodontitis + curcumin (C) (n = 10); and group 4, experimental periodontitis + resveratrol + curcumin (COMBI) (n = 10). Periodontitis was induced in rats by tying a silk suture, as a ligature, around one of the first molars. Daily administration of the placebo solution, 10 mg/kg of resveratrol, 100 mg/kg of curcumin or 10 mg/kg of resveratrol plus 100 mg/kg of curcumin was carried out from day 0 to day 30. At the end of the relevant experimental periods, rats were killed and the specimens obtained were processed for morphometric analysis of bone loss. Gingival tissues surrounding the first molar were collected for quantification of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) using a Luminex/MAGPIX assay. Intergroup comparisons of the morphometric outcomes revealed higher bone-loss values in the PL group (p < 0.05) when compared with RSV, C and COMBI groups. There was no difference in bone-loss values among RSV, C and COMBI groups (p > 0.05). The immunoenzymatic assay of the gingival tissue showed a lower concentration of IL-1β in the COMBI group in comparison with the PL group (p < 0.05). Higher values of IL-4 were demonstrated in groups RSV, C and COMBI in comparison with the PL group (p < 0.05). Only RSV caused a reduction in the levels of IFN-γ (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the concentration of TNF-α amongst the four groups (p > 0.05). Resveratrol and curcumin are capable of reducing alveolar bone loss in an animal model of periodontitis. This occurred when these agents were added singly or in combination with one another, but there did not appear to be either synergistic or additive effects. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Triiodothyronine induces lipid oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis in rat Harderian gland.

PubMed

Santillo, A; Burrone, L; Falvo, S; Senese, R; Lanni, A; Chieffi Baccari, G

2013-10-01

The rat Harderian gland (HG) is an orbital gland producing a copious lipid secretion. Recent studies indicate that its secretory activity is regulated by thyroid hormones. In this study, we found that both isoforms of the thyroid hormone receptor (Trα (Thra) and Trβ (Thrb)) are expressed in rat HGs. Although Thra is expressed at a higher level, only Thrb is regulated by triiodothyronine (T3). Because T3 induces an increase in lipid metabolism in rat HGs, we investigated the effects of an animal's thyroid state on the expression levels of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1A (Cpt1a) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1B (Cpt1b) and acyl-CoA oxidase (Acox1) (rate-limiting enzymes in mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation respectively), as well as on the mitochondrial compartment, thereby correlating mitochondrial activity and biogenesis with morphological analysis. We found that hypothyroidism decreased the expression of Cpt1b and Acox1 mRNA, whereas the administration of T3 to hypothyroid rats increased transcript levels. Respiratory parameters and catalase protein levels provided further evidence that T3 modulates mitochondrial and peroxisomal activities. Furthermore, in hypothyroid rat HGs, the mitochondrial number and their total area decreased with respect to the controls, whereas the average area of the individual mitochondrion did not change. However, the average area of the individual mitochondrion was reduced by ∼50% in hypothyroid T3-treated HGs, and the mitochondrial number and the total area of the mitochondrial compartment increased. The mitochondrial morphometric data correlated well with the molecular results. Indeed, hypothyroid status did not modify the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis genes such as Ppargc1a, Nrf1 and Tfam, whereas T3 treatment increased the expression level of these genes.

A web system of virtual morphometric globes for Mars and the Moon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Florinsky, I. V.; Garov, A. S.; Karachevtseva, I. P.

2018-09-01

We developed a web system of virtual morphometric globes for Mars and the Moon. As the initial data, we used 15-arc-minutes gridded global digital elevation models (DEMs) extracted from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) and the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) gridded archives. We derived global digital models of sixteen morphometric variables including horizontal, vertical, minimal, and maximal curvatures, as well as catchment area and topographic index. The morphometric models were integrated into the web system developed as a distributed application consisting of a client front-end and a server back-end. The following main functions are implemented in the system: (1) selection of a morphometric variable; (2) two-dimensional visualization of a calculated global morphometric model; (3) 3D visualization of a calculated global morphometric model on the sphere surface; (4) change of a globe scale; and (5) globe rotation by an arbitrary angle. Free, real-time web access to the system is provided. The web system of virtual morphometric globes can be used for geological and geomorphological studies of Mars and the Moon at the global, continental, and regional scales.

Lifelong Aerobic Exercise Reduces the Stress Response in Rats.

PubMed

Pietrelli, A; Di Nardo, M; Masucci, A; Brusco, A; Basso, N; Matkovic, L

2018-04-15

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of lifelong aerobic exercise (AE) on the adaptive response of the stress system in rats. It is well known that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) activity differs when triggered by voluntary or forced exercise models. Male Wistar rats belonging to exercise (E) or control (C) groups were subjected to chronic AE, and two cutoff points were established at 8 (middle age) and 18 months (old age). Behavioral, biochemical and histopathological studies were performed on the main components/targets of the stress system. AE increased adrenal sensitivity (AS), brain corticosterone (CORT) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), but had no effect on the thymus, adrenal glands (AGs) weight or plasma CORT. In addition, AE exerted no effect on the sympathetic tone, but significantly reduced anxiety-related behavior and emotionality. Aging decreased AS and deregulated neuroendocrine feedback, leading to an anxiogenic state which was mitigated by AE. Histopathological and morphometric analysis of AGs showed no alterations in middle-aged rats but adrenal vacuolization in approximately 20% old rats. In conclusion, lifelong AE did not produce adverse effects related to a chronic stress state. On the contrary, while AE upregulated some components of the HPA axis, it generated an adaptive response to cumulative changes, possibly through different compensatory and/or super compensatory mechanisms, modulated by age. The long-term practice of AE had a strong positive impact on stress resilience so that it could be recommended as a complementary therapy in stress and depression disease. Copyright © 2018 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fasudil and DETA NONOate, Loaded in a Peptide-Modified Liposomal Carrier, Slow PAH Progression upon Pulmonary Delivery.

PubMed

Rashid, Jahidur; Nahar, Kamrun; Raut, Snehal; Keshavarz, Ali; Ahsan, Fakhrul

2018-05-07

We investigated the feasibility of a combination therapy comprising fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, and DETA NONOate (diethylenetriamine NONOate, DN), a long-acting nitric oxide donor, both loaded in liposomes modified with a homing peptide, CAR (CARSKNKDC), in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We first prepared and characterized unmodified and CAR-modified liposomes of fasudil and DN. Using individual drugs alone or a mixture of fasudil and DN as controls, we studied the efficacy of the two liposomal preparations in reducing mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) in monocrotaline (MCT) and SUGEN-hypoxia-induced PAH rats. We also conducted morphometric studies (degree of muscularization, arterial medial wall thickness, and collagen deposition) after treating the PAH rats with test and control formulations. When the rats were treated acutely and chronically, the reduction in mPAP was more pronounced in the liposomal formulation-treated rats than in plain drug-treated rats. CAR-modified liposomes were more selective in reducing mPAP than unmodified liposomes of the drugs. Both drugs, formulated in CAR-modified liposomes, reduced the degree of muscularization, medial arterial wall thickness, and collagen deposition more than the combination of plain drugs did. As seen with the in vivo data, CAR-modified liposomes of fasudil or DN increased the levels of the vasodilatory signaling molecule, cGMP, in the smooth muscle cells of PAH-afflicted human pulmonary arteries. Overall, fasudil and DN, formulated in liposomes, could be used as a combination therapy for a better management of PAH.

Diminished A-type potassium current and altered firing properties in presympathetic PVN neurones in renovascular hypertensive rats

PubMed Central

Sonner, Patrick M; Filosa, Jessica A; Stern, Javier E

2008-01-01

Accumulating evidence supports a contribution of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to sympathoexcitation and elevated blood pressure in renovascular hypertension. However, the underlying mechanisms resulting in altered neuronal function in hypertensive rats remain largely unknown. Here, we aimed to address whether the transient outward potassium current (IA) in identified rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM)-projecting PVN neurones is altered in hypertensive rats, and whether such changes affected single and repetitive action potential properties and associated changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels. Patch-clamp recordings obtained from PVN-RVLM neurons showed a reduction in IA current magnitude and single channel conductance, and an enhanced steady-state current inactivation in hypertensive rats. Morphometric reconstructions of intracellularly labelled PVN-RVLM neurons showed a diminished dendritic surface area in hypertensive rats. Consistent with a diminished IA availability, action potentials in PVN-RVLM neurons in hypertensive rats were broader, decayed more slowly, and were less sensitive to the K+ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine. Simultaneous patch clamp recordings and confocal Ca2+ imaging demonstrated enhanced action potential-evoked intracellular Ca2+ transients in hypertensive rats. Finally, spike broadening during repetitive firing discharge was enhanced in PVN-RVLM neurons from hypertensive rats. Altogether, our results indicate that diminished IA availability constitutes a contributing mechanism underlying aberrant central neuronal function in renovascular hypertension. PMID:18238809

Ecology of Leptospira interrogans in Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus) in an Inner-City Neighborhood of Vancouver, Canada

PubMed Central

Himsworth, Chelsea G.; Bidulka, Julie; Parsons, Kirbee L.; Feng, Alice Y. T.; Tang, Patrick; Jardine, Claire M.; Kerr, Thomas; Mak, Sunny; Robinson, John; Patrick, David M.

2013-01-01

Background Leptospira interrogans is a bacterial zoonosis with a worldwide distribution for which rats (Rattus spp.) are the primary reservoir in urban settings. In order to assess, monitor, and mitigate the risk to humans, it is important to understand the ecology of this pathogen in rats. The objective of this study was to characterize the ecology of L. interrogans in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in an impoverished inner-city neighborhood of Vancouver, Canada. Methodology/Principal Findings Trapping was performed in 43 city blocks, and one location within the adjacent port, over a 12 month period. Kidney samples were tested for the presence of L. interrogans using PCR and sequencing. A multivariable model was built to predict L. interrogans infection status in individual rats using season and morphometric data (e.g., weight, sex, maturity, condition, etc.) as independent variables. Spatial analysis was undertaken to identify clusters of high and low L. interrogans prevalence. The prevalence of L. interrogans varied remarkably among blocks (0–66.7%), and spatial clusters of both high and low L. interrogans prevalence were identified. In the final cluster-controlled model, characteristics associated with L. interrogans-infection in rats included weight (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.07–1.20), increased internal fat (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.06–4.25), and number of bite wounds (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.96–1.49). Conclusions/Significance Because L. interrogans prevalence varied with weight, body fat, and bite wounds, this study suggests that social structure and interactions among rats may influence transmission. The prevalence and distribution of L. interrogans in rats was also highly variable even over a short geographic distance. These factors should be considered in future risk management efforts. PMID:23818996

Impaired succinic dehydrogenase activity of rat Purkinje cell mitochondria during aging.

PubMed

Fattoretti, P; Bertoni-Freddari, C; Caselli, U; Paoloni, R; Meier-Ruge, W

1998-03-16

The perikaryal Purkinje cell mitochondria positive to the copper ferrocyanide histochemical reaction for succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) have been investigated by means of semiautomatic morphometric methods in rats of 3, 12 and 24 months of age. The number of organelles/microm3 of Purkinje cell cytoplasm (Numeric density: Nv), the average mitochondrial volume (V) and the mitochondrial volume fraction (Volume density: Vv) were the ultrastructural parameters taken into account. Nv was significantly higher at 12 than at 3 and 24 months of age. V was significantly decreased at 12 and 24 months of age, but no difference was envisaged between adult and old rats. Vv was significantly decreased in old animals vs. the other age groups. In young and old rats, the percentage of organelles larger than 0.32 microm3 was 13.5 and 11%, respectively, while these enlarged mitochondria accounted for less than 1% in the adult group. Since SDH activity is of critical importance when energy demand is high, the marked decrease of Vv supports an impaired capacity of the old Purkinje cells to match actual energy supply at sustained transmission of the nervous impulse. However, the high percentage of enlarged organelles found in old rats may witness a morphofunctional compensatory response.

Nuclear morphometric analysis of osteoblast precursor cells in periodontal ligament, SL-3 rats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, W. E.; Fielder, P. J.; Rosenoer, L. M.; Maese, A. C.; Gonsalves, M. R.; Morey, E. R.; Morey-Holton, E. R. (Principal Investigator)

1987-01-01

Five small (55 days old, 196 +/- 5 g) (mean +/- SE) and five large (83 days old, 382 +/- 4 g) Sprague-Dawley strain, specific pathogen-free rats were exposed to a 7-day spaceflight and 12-h postflight recovery period. As measured in 3-micron sections, periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblastlike cells were classified according to nuclear size: A + A' (40-79), B (80-119), C (120-169), and D (greater than or equal to 170 microns 3). Since the histogenesis sequence is A----A'----C----D----osteoblast, the relative incidence of A + A' to C + D is an osteogenic index. No difference in A + A' or C + D cells in small rats may reflect partial recovery of preosteoblast formation (A----C) during the 12-h postflight period. Large flight rats demonstrated increased numbers of A + A', indicating an inhibition of preosteoblast formation (A----C). At least in the older group, a 7-day flight is adequate to reduce PDL osteogenic potential (inhibition in PDL osteoblast differentiation and/or specific attrition of C + D cells) that does not recover by 12-h postflight.

Dynamic Foot Stimulation Attenuates Soleus Muscle Atrophy Induced by Hindlimb Unloading in Rats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kyparos, Antonios; Feeback, Daniel L.; Layne, Charles S.; Martinez, Daniel A.; Clarke, Mark S. F.

2004-01-01

Unloading-induced myofiber atrophy is a phenomenon that occurs in the aging population, bed-ridden patients and astronauts. The objective of this study was to determine whether or not dynamic foot stimulation (DFS) applied to the plantar surface of the rat foot can serve as a countermeasure to the soleus muscle atrophy normally observed in hindlimb unloaded (HU) rats. Thirty mature adult (6-month-old) male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into ambulatory control (AMB), hindlimb unloaded alone (HU), or hindlimb unloaded with the application of DFS (HU+DFS) groups. A dynamic pattern of pressure was applied to the right foot of each HU animal using a specially fabricated boot containing an inflatable air bladder connected to a solenoid air pump controlled by a laptop computer. The anti-atrophic effects of DFS were quantified morphometrically in frozen cross-sections of soleus muscle stained using the metachromatic-ATPase fiber typing technique. Application of DFS during HU significantly counteracted the atrophic response observed in the soleus by preventing approximately 85% of the reduction in Type I myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA) observed during HU. However, DFS did not protect type II fibers of the soleus from HU-induced atrophy or any fiber type in the soleus muscle of the contralateral control leg of the DFS-treated HU animals. These results illustrate that the application of DFS to the rat foot is an effective countermeasure to soleus muscle atrophy induced by HU.

The Naples High- and Low-Excitability rats: selective breeding, behavioral profile, morphometry, and molecular biology of the mesocortical dopamine system.

PubMed

Viggiano, Davide; Vallone, Daniela; Welzl, Hans; Sadile, Adolfo G

2002-09-01

The Naples High- (NHE) and Low-Excitability (NLE) rat lines have been selected since 1976 on the basis of behavioral arousal to novelty (Làt-maze). Selective breeding has been conducted under continuous genetic pressure, with no brother-sister mating. The behavioral analyses presented here deal with (1) activity in environments of different complexity, i.e., holeboard and Làt maze; (2) maze learning in hexagonal tunnel, Olton, and Morris water mazes and; (3) two-way active avoidance and conditioned taste aversion tests. Morphometric analyses deal with central dopaminergic systems at their origin and target sites, as well as the density of dopamine transporter immunoreactivity. Molecular biology analyses are also presented, dealing with recent experiments on the prefrontal cortex (PFc), cloning and identifying differentially expressed genes using subtractive libraries and RNAase protection. The divergence between NLE and NHE rats varies as a function of the complexity level of the environment, with an impaired working and reference memory in both lines compared to random bred (NRB) controls. Moreover, data from the PFc of NHE rats show a hyperdopaminergic innervation, with overexpression of mRNA species involved in basal metabolism, and down-regulation of dopamine D1 receptors. Altogether, the evidence gathered so far supports a hyperfunctioning mesocorticolimbic system that makes NHE rats a useful tool for the study of hyperactivity and attention deficit, learning and memory disabilities, and drug abuse.

The acute effect of ethanol on adrenal cortex in female rats--possible role of nitric oxide.

PubMed

Dikić, Dragoslava; Budeč, Mirela; Vranješ-Durić, Sanja; Koko, Vesna; Vignjević, Sanja; Mitrović, Olivera

2011-01-01

The present study was designed to investigate a possible role of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in the adrenal response to an acute alcohol administration in female rats. To this end, N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), a competitive inhibitor of all isoforms of NO synthase, was used. Adult female Wistar rats showing diestrus Day 1 were treated with: (a) ethanol (2 or 4 g/kg, intraperitoneally); (b) L-NAME (30 or 50 mg/kg, subcutaneously) followed by either ethanol or saline 3 h later. Untreated and saline-injected rats were used as controls. The animals were killed 30 min after last injection. Adrenal cortex was analyzed morphometrically, and plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum concentrations of corticosterone were determined. Acute ethanol treatment enhanced the levels of ACTH and corticosterone in a dose-dependent manner. Stereological analysis revealed that acute alcohol administration induced a significant increase in absolute volume of the cortex and the zona fasciculata (ZF). In addition, ethanol at a dose of 4 g/kg increased volume density and length of the capillaries in the ZF. However, other stereological parameters were unaffected by alcohol exposure. Pretreatment with both doses of L-NAME had no effect on ethanol-induced changes. Obtained findings indicate that acute ethanol treatment stimulates the activity of the adrenal cortex and that this effect is not mediated by endogenous NO in female rats under these experimental conditions.

Watershed-based Morphometric Analysis: A Review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukristiyanti, S.; Maria, R.; Lestiana, H.

2018-02-01

Drainage basin/watershed analysis based on morphometric parameters is very important for watershed planning. Morphometric analysis of watershed is the best method to identify the relationship of various aspects in the area. Despite many technical papers were dealt with in this area of study, there is no particular standard classification and implication of each parameter. It is very confusing to evaluate a value of every morphometric parameter. This paper deals with the meaning of values of the various morphometric parameters, with adequate contextual information. A critical review is presented on each classification, the range of values, and their implications. Besides classification and its impact, the authors also concern about the quality of input data, either in data preparation or scale/the detail level of mapping. This review paper hopefully can give a comprehensive explanation to assist the upcoming research dealing with morphometric analysis.

A cafeteria diet triggers intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress in obese rats.

PubMed

Gil-Cardoso, K; Ginés, I; Pinent, M; Ardévol, A; Terra, X; Blay, M

2017-01-01

The gastrointestinal alterations associated with the consumption of an obesogenic diet, such as inflammation, permeability impairment and oxidative stress, have been poorly explored in both diet-induced obesity (DIO) and genetic obesity. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of an obesogenic diet on the gut health status of DIO rats in comparison with the Zucker (fa/fa) rat leptin receptor-deficient model of genetic obesity over time. For this purpose, female Wistar rats (n 48) were administered a standard or a cafeteria diet (CAF diet) for 12, 14·5 or 17 weeks and were compared with fa/fa Zucker rats fed a standard diet for 10 weeks. Morphometric variables, plasma biochemical parameters, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the ileum were assessed, as well as the expressions of proinflammatory genes (TNF-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)) and intestinal permeability genes (zonula occludens-1, claudin-1 and occludin). Both the nutritional model and the genetic obesity model showed increased body weight and metabolic alterations at the final time point. An increase in intestinal ROS production and MPO activity was observed in the gastrointestinal tracts of rats fed a CAF diet but not in the genetic obesity model. TNF-α was overexpressed in the ileum of both CAF diet and fa/fa groups, and ileal inflammation was associated with the degree of obesity and metabolic alterations. Interestingly, the 17-week CAF group and the fa/fa rats exhibited alterations in the expressions of permeability genes. Relevantly, in the hyperlipidic refined sugar diet model of obesity, the responses to chronic energy overload led to time-dependent increases in gut inflammation and oxidative stress.

Rat pancreatic B-cells after chronic alcohol feeding. A morphometric and fine structural study.

PubMed

Koko, V; Todorović, V; Nikolić, J A; Glisić, R; Cakić, M; Lacković, V; Petronijević, L; Stojković, M; Varagić, J; Janić, B

1995-04-01

Quantitative analysis of the light microscopic and fine structure of rat islet B-cells was carried out in chronic alcoholism. Absolute pancreatic weight and volume were similar in groups C (control) and E (ethanol), but relative pancreatic weight in group E rat was decreased. The results for fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were similar in the two groups of animals. There was a significantly reduced total pancreatic islet volume in E rats. The total number of endocrine cells both per islet and per microns2 of islet was similar in the two groups of animals. The volume density and number of B-cells per islet and per microns2 of islet were not changed in ethanol-treated rats as compared with the control. On the other hand, diameter, surface area and volume of the B-cells and their nuclei were found to be statistically significantly decreased. Histological examination revealed that islet blood vessels were dilated in alcoholic rats. Over the 4-month period of ethanol intake a significant decrease in cell profile area, nuclear profile area and volume density of cytoplasmic granules and an increase in the profile area and volume density of endoplasmic reticulum occurred. The gross histological alteration seen in most B-cells of the ethanol-treated rats was irregularity of the nuclear envelope with deep invagination and with margination of heterochromatin and many empty granules or granules without clear electron dense crystals of insulin. The present results indicate some optical and structural abnormalities of B-cells in chronic alcoholism that may be related to cell dysfunction and may contribute, at least in part, to the endocrine pancreas functional disturbance.

Effect of different doses of hexavalent chromium on mandibular growth and tooth eruption in juvenile Wistar rats.

PubMed

De Lucca, Romina C; Dutrey, Patricio L; Villarino, Mariano E; Ubios, Angela M

2009-07-01

Not only workers employed at industrial plants are exposed to intoxication with the element they manipulate, the population at large is also at risk of suffering health problems caused by contaminating wastes inadequately treated for their safe disposal. As a result certain toxic substances, such as hexavalent chromium,has reached the general population including children. The present study sought to evaluate the effect of intoxication with hexavalent chromium on body and mandibular growth and tooth eruption in suckling Wistar rats. Potassium dichromate was administered by gavage in a dose of 6.25 or 12.5mg/kg body weight (b.w.) to one of the two groups of 4-day-old Wistar rats during 10 days. Our results showed that the effects of chromium are dose-dependent. Morphometric studies of body growth showed lower body weight in both experimental groups and shorter tail length in animals receiving 12.5mg/kg b.w. dose of chromium, compared with controls. All parameters of mandibular growth were lower in the experimental group receiving 12.5mg/kg b.w. of chromium. Differences in tooth eruption were observed at the level of the first molar in animals receiving 12.5mg/kg and of the second molar in those receiving 6.25mg/kg b.w. of chromium. Chromium was found to affect all the studied parameters.

A Sulfated-Polysaccharide Fraction from Seaweed Gracilaria birdiae Prevents Naproxen-Induced Gastrointestinal Damage in Rats

PubMed Central

Silva, Renan O.; Santana, Ana Paula M.; Carvalho, Nathalia S.; Bezerra, Talita S.; Oliveira, Camila B.; Damasceno, Samara R. B.; Chaves, Luciano S.; Freitas, Ana Lúcia P.; Soares, Pedro M. G.; Souza, Marcellus H. L. P.; Barbosa, André Luiz R.; Medeiros, Jand-Venes R.

2012-01-01

Red seaweeds synthesize a great variety of sulfated galactans. Sulfated polysaccharides (PLSs) from seaweed are comprised of substances with pharmaceutical and biomedical potential. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of the PLS fraction extracted from the seaweed Gracilaria birdiae in rats with naproxen-induced gastrointestinal damage. Male Wistar rats were pretreated with 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (control group—vehicle) or PLS (10, 30, and 90 mg/kg, p.o.) twice daily (at 09:00 and 21:00) for 2 days. After 1 h, naproxen (80 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered. The rats were killed on day two, 4 h after naproxen treatment. The stomachs were promptly excised, opened along the greater curvature, and measured using digital calipers. Furthermore, the guts of the animals were removed, and a 5-cm portion of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) was used for the evaluation of macroscopic scores. Samples of the stomach and the small intestine were used for histological evaluation, morphometric analysis and in assays for glutathione (GSH) levels, malonyldialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. PLS treatment reduced the macroscopic and microscopic naproxen-induced gastrointestinal damage in a dose-dependent manner. Our results suggest that the PLS fraction has a protective effect against gastrointestinal damage through mechanisms that involve the inhibition of inflammatory cell infiltration and lipid peroxidation. PMID:23342384

A sulfated-polysaccharide fraction from seaweed Gracilaria birdiae prevents naproxen-induced gastrointestinal damage in rats.

PubMed

Silva, Renan O; Santana, Ana Paula M; Carvalho, Nathalia S; Bezerra, Talita S; Oliveira, Camila B; Damasceno, Samara R B; Chaves, Luciano S; Freitas, Ana Lúcia P; Soares, Pedro M G; Souza, Marcellus H L P; Barbosa, André Luiz R; Medeiros, Jand-Venes R

2012-12-01

Red seaweeds synthesize a great variety of sulfated galactans. Sulfated polysaccharides (PLSs) from seaweed are comprised of substances with pharmaceutical and biomedical potential. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of the PLS fraction extracted from the seaweed Gracilaria birdiae in rats with naproxen-induced gastrointestinal damage. Male Wistar rats were pretreated with 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (control group-vehicle) or PLS (10, 30, and 90 mg/kg, p.o.) twice daily (at 09:00 and 21:00) for 2 days. After 1 h, naproxen (80 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered. The rats were killed on day two, 4 h after naproxen treatment. The stomachs were promptly excised, opened along the greater curvature, and measured using digital calipers. Furthermore, the guts of the animals were removed, and a 5-cm portion of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) was used for the evaluation of macroscopic scores. Samples of the stomach and the small intestine were used for histological evaluation, morphometric analysis and in assays for glutathione (GSH) levels, malonyldialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. PLS treatment reduced the macroscopic and microscopic naproxen-induced gastrointestinal damage in a dose-dependent manner. Our results suggest that the PLS fraction has a protective effect against gastrointestinal damage through mechanisms that involve the inhibition of inflammatory cell infiltration and lipid peroxidation.

Low dose of methyltestosterone in ovariectomised rats improves baroreflex sensitivity without geno- and cytotoxicity.

PubMed

Terra, Denise G; de Lima, Ewelyne M; do Nascimento, Andrews M; Brasil, Girlandia A; Filete, Placielle F; Kalil, Ieda C; Lenz, Dominik; Endringer, Denise C; Bissoli, Nazaré S; de Andrade, Tadeu U

2016-08-01

This study evaluated the effects of the isolated use of a low dose of methyltestosterone (MT) on cardiovascular reflexes and hormonal levels and its geno- and cytotoxic safety in ovariectomized rats. Female Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6), respectively: SHAM (received vehicle methylcellulose 0.5%), SHAM + MT (received MT 0.05 mg/kg), OVX (received vehicle), and OVX + MT (received MT). Twenty-one days after ovariectomy, treatment was given orally daily for 28 days. The Bezold-Jarisch reflex (BJR) was analyzed by measuring the bradycardic and hypotensive responses elicited by phenylbiguanide (PBG) administration. The baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was evaluated by phenylephrine and sodium nitroprussite. Myocyte hypertrophy was determined by morphometric analysis of H&E stained slides. Biochemical data were analyzed, as well as micronucleus assay. MT improved BRS and increased testosterone values, but did not change estradiol in the OVX group. MT did not promote changes in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, BJR, serum concentrations of troponin I, weight and histopathology of the heart. MT was able to restore the BRS in OVX rats. The geno- and cytotoxic safety of the MT was demonstrated by the absence of an increase in the micronucleus (PCEMN) or change in the ratio between normochromatic erythrocytes and polychromatic erythrocytes (NCE/PCE). © 2016 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.

Gestational Protein Restriction Increases Cardiac Connexin 43 mRNA levels in male adult rat offspring

PubMed Central

Rossini, Kamila Fernanda; de Oliveira, Camila Andrea; Rebelato, Hércules Jonas; Esquisatto, Marcelo Augusto Marreto; Catisti, Rosana

2017-01-01

Background The dietary limitation during pregnancy influences the growth and development of the fetus and offspring and their health into adult life. The mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of gestational protein restriction (GPR) in the development of the offspring hearts are not well understood. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of GPR on cardiac structure in male rat offspring at day 60 after birth (d60). Methods Pregnant Wistar rats were fed a normal-protein (NP, 17% casein) or low-protein (LP, 6% casein) diet. Blood pressure (BP) values from 60-day-old male offspring were measured by an indirect tail-cuff method using an electro sphygmomanometer. Hearts (d60) were collected for assessment of connexin 43 (Cx43) mRNA expression and morphological and morphometric analysis. Results LP offspring showed no difference in body weight, although they were born lighter than NP offspring. BP levels were significantly higher in the LP group. We observed a significant increase in the area occupied by collagen fibers, a decrease in the number of cardiomyocytes by 104 µm2, and an increase in cardiomyocyte area associated with an increased Cx43 expression. Conclusion GPR changes myocardial levels of Cx43 mRNA in male young adult rats, suggesting that this mechanism aims to compensate the fibrotic process by the accumulation of collagen fibers in the heart interstitium. PMID:28678925

The effects of transcutaneous low-level laser therapy on the skin healing process: an experimental model.

PubMed

Ramos, Felipe Scholz; Maifrino, Laura Beatriz Mesiano; Alves, Sarah; da Costa Aguiar Alves, Beatriz; Perez, Matheus Moreira; Feder, David; Azzalis, Ligia Ajaime; Junqueira, Virginia Berlanga Campos; Fonseca, Fernando Luiz Affonso

2018-01-06

We aim to evaluate the action of transcutaneous laser in the initial wound healing process. The use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has proven to be effective on inflammatory modulation and wound healing. The trial was performed on five groups of rats, through a dorsal incision. All groups received treatment on auricular artery. Groups 1 and 3 were treated with transcutaneous LLLT over a period of 15 min. Groups 2 and 4 received one and two inactive laser applications (placebo), respectively. Group 5 was the control one. Blood samples were collected 2 h after the last application of LLLT so that cytokine levels could be measured by ELISA. Tissue fragments were harvested for morphometric, histomorphometric, and RT-qPCR analyses. The morphometric analysis revealed a greater decrease in the wounded area in G1 when compared with G2, whereas in G3, the improvement in the area was greater when compared with G4. Finally, the histomorphometric analysis showed that G1 was the group closer to G5 in terms of collagen fiber count. G2 and G4 had higher amounts of collagen fibers than G5 while G3 had a lower quantity. The use of the transcutaneous LLLT in the current study influenced the wound healing process.

Development of Osseointegrated Implants for Soldier Amputees Following Orthopaedic Extremity Trauma

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-08-01

bone fracture. The first year of research focused on determining morphometric variations in the internal structure of the human femur as a function...hypotheses the research will determine morphometric variations in the internal structure of the human femur as a function of gender, age, and ethnic...QUARTER 1): To perform the sizing studies for the sheep implants an IACUC exempt morphometric study was conducted using cadaveric sheep

Development of Osseointegrated Implants for Soldier Amputees Following Orthopaedic Extremity Trauma

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-08-01

specimens, histology and mechanical testing of implants. The second focus of Year 2 was human morphometric studies on variations due to ethnicity, gender...custom implants in above-knee patients with amputations would require expensive custom type implants, a morphometric study was conducted on human...male and female cadaveric femurs. Morphometric variations of the periosteal surface of long bones have been identified with changing age, gender and

Morphometricity as a measure of the neuroanatomical signature of a trait.

PubMed

Sabuncu, Mert R; Ge, Tian; Holmes, Avram J; Smoller, Jordan W; Buckner, Randy L; Fischl, Bruce

2016-09-27

Complex physiological and behavioral traits, including neurological and psychiatric disorders, often associate with distributed anatomical variation. This paper introduces a global metric, called morphometricity, as a measure of the anatomical signature of different traits. Morphometricity is defined as the proportion of phenotypic variation that can be explained by macroscopic brain morphology. We estimate morphometricity via a linear mixed-effects model that uses an anatomical similarity matrix computed based on measurements derived from structural brain MRI scans. We examined over 3,800 unique MRI scans from nine large-scale studies to estimate the morphometricity of a range of phenotypes, including clinical diagnoses such as Alzheimer's disease, and nonclinical traits such as measures of cognition. Our results demonstrate that morphometricity can provide novel insights about the neuroanatomical correlates of a diverse set of traits, revealing associations that might not be detectable through traditional statistical techniques.

Morphometricity as a measure of the neuroanatomical signature of a trait

PubMed Central

Sabuncu, Mert R.; Ge, Tian; Holmes, Avram J.; Smoller, Jordan W.; Buckner, Randy L.; Fischl, Bruce

2016-01-01

Complex physiological and behavioral traits, including neurological and psychiatric disorders, often associate with distributed anatomical variation. This paper introduces a global metric, called morphometricity, as a measure of the anatomical signature of different traits. Morphometricity is defined as the proportion of phenotypic variation that can be explained by macroscopic brain morphology. We estimate morphometricity via a linear mixed-effects model that uses an anatomical similarity matrix computed based on measurements derived from structural brain MRI scans. We examined over 3,800 unique MRI scans from nine large-scale studies to estimate the morphometricity of a range of phenotypes, including clinical diagnoses such as Alzheimer’s disease, and nonclinical traits such as measures of cognition. Our results demonstrate that morphometricity can provide novel insights about the neuroanatomical correlates of a diverse set of traits, revealing associations that might not be detectable through traditional statistical techniques. PMID:27613854

Treatment of laser-induced retinal injuries by neuroprotection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solberg, Yoram; Rosner, Mordechai; Belkin, Michael

1997-05-01

Retinal laser photocoagulation treatments are often complicated with immediate side-effect of visual impairment. To determine whether glutamate-receptor blockers can serve as adjuvant neuroprotective therapy, we examined the effect of MK-801, an NMDA-receptor antagonist, on laser-induced retinal injury in a rat model. Argon laser retinal lesions were created in the retina of 36 DA rats. Treatment with intraperitoneal injections of MK-801 or saline was started immediately after the laser photocoagulation. The animals were sacrificed after 3, 20 or 60 days and the retinal lesions were evaluated histologically and morphometrically. Photoreceptor-cell loss was significantly smaller in MK-801-treated rats than controls. The proliferative membrane composed of retinal pigment epithelial cells which was seen at the base of the lesion in control retinas, was smaller in the MK-801-treated retinas. MK-801 exhibited neuroprotective and anti-proliferative properties in the retina. Glutamate-receptor blockers should be further investigated for serving as adjuvant therapy to retinal photocoagulation treatments.

Pharmacological treatment of laser eye injuries by neuroprotection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solberg, Yoram; Rosner, Mordechai; Belkin, Michael

1996-04-01

Many retinal injuries result in an irreversible neuronal loss, which can not yet be reduced by pharmacological methods. To determine whether glutamate-receptor blockers can serve as neuroprotective agents in the retina, as they do in the central nervous system, we examined the effects of MK-801, an NMDA-receptor antagonist, on laser-induced retinal injury in a rat model. Immediately and 8 h after argon laser retinal photocoagulation, rats were treated with intraperitoneal injections of MK-801 (3 mg/kg) or saline. After 3, 20 or 60 days the animals were sacrificed and their retinal lesions were evaluated histologically and morphometrically. Photoreceptor cell loss, both immediately and up to 2 months after laser irradiation, was significantly smaller in MK-801-treated rats than controls. MK-801 exhibits neuroprotective property in the retina. This points to the involvement of glutamate in the laser-induced retinal neuronal damage. Glutamate-receptor blockers should be further investigated for therapy of retinal diseases characterized by neuronal cell destruction.

A three-dimensional comparison of a morphometric and conventional cephalometric midsagittal planes for craniofacial asymmetry.

PubMed

Damstra, Janalt; Fourie, Zacharias; De Wit, Marnix; Ren, Yijin

2012-02-01

Morphometric methods are used in biology to study object symmetry in living organisms and to determine the true plane of symmetry. The aim of this study was to determine if there are clinical differences between three-dimensional (3D) cephalometric midsagittal planes used to describe craniofacial asymmetry and a true symmetry plane derived from a morphometric method based on visible facial features. The sample consisted of 14 dry skulls (9 symmetric and 5 asymmetric) with metallic markers which were imaged with cone-beam computed tomography. An error study and statistical analysis were performed to validate the morphometric method. The morphometric and conventional cephalometric planes were constructed and compared. The 3D cephalometric planes constructed as perpendiculars to the Frankfort horizontal plane resembled the morphometric plane the most in both the symmetric and asymmetric groups with mean differences of less than 1.00 mm for most variables. However, the standard deviations were often large and clinically significant for these variables. There were clinically relevant differences (>1.00 mm) between the different 3D cephalometric midsagittal planes and the true plane of symmetry determined by the visible facial features. The difference between 3D cephalometric midsagittal planes and the true plane of symmetry determined by the visible facial features were clinically relevant. Care has to be taken using cephalometric midsagittal planes for diagnosis and treatment planning of craniofacial asymmetry as they might differ from the true plane of symmetry as determined by morphometrics.

In vivo effects of endotoxin on DNA synthesis in rat nasal epithelium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Harkema, J.R.; Hotchkiss, J.A.

Airway inflammation in bacterial infections is characterized by the presence of neutrophils and often epithelial injury and repair. Release of endotoxin from bacteria may contribute to these processes. The purpose of this study was to determine the in vivo effects of repeated endotoxin exposure on DNA synthesis in rat nasal epithelium in the presence and absence of neutrophilic influx. Rats were intranasally instilled, once a day for 3 days, with endotoxin or saline (controls). Before the first and third instillations, half of the saline and endotoxin-instilled animals were depleted of circulating blood neutrophils by administering a rabbit anti-rat neutrophil antiserum.more » Rats were sacrificed 6 or 24 h after the last instillation. Two hours prior to sacrifice, rats were intraperitoneally injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), an analog of thymidine that is incorporated in the nucleus of cells in the S-phase of the cell cycle. Nasal tissues were processed for light microscopy and immunohistochemical detection of BrdU in nasal epithelial cells. The numbers of nasal epithelial cells, BrdU-labeled epithelial nuclei, and neutrophils per millimeter of basal lamina in the epithelium lining the nasal turbinates in the proximal nasal passages were determined by morphometric analysis. The authors did not observe a neutrophilic influx in the nasal tissues of neutrophil-depleted rats at 6 or 24 h after the last endotoxin instillation; however, the numbers of nasal epithelial cells and the BrdU-labeling index were significantly increased compared to saline-instilled controls. In contrast, non-neutrophil-depleted rats instilled with endotoxin had a marked neutrophilic influx, but no significant differences in the number of nasal epithelial cells at 6 or 24 h, compared to controls. In addition, the BrdU-labeling index in neutrophil-sufficient rats was increased only 6 h after the last instillation, compared to controls.« less

[Participation of pineal gland in antistressor activity of adaptogenic drugs].

PubMed

Arushanian, É B; Beĭer, É V

2015-01-01

Chronic stress produces some morphological changes in rats, including thymus weight reduction, adrenal hypertrophy, and peptic ulcers in stomach. Repeated administration of phytoadaptogenic drugs (ginseng and bilobil) decreased these stress-induced disorders. The antistressor activity of drugs was attenuated upon by removal of the pineal gland. Histochemical and morphometric investigation of pineal tissues in stressed animals showed that that the pharmacological effect was accompanied by increasing functional activity of the pineal gland. It is suggested that pineal mobilization may participate in antistressor activity of phytoadaptogenic drugs.

The histopathological and morphometric investigation of the effects of systemically administered humic acid on alveolar bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.

PubMed

Çalışır, M; Akpınar, A; Poyraz, Ö; Göze, F; Çınar, Z

2016-08-01

Humic acid is a soil extract found widely around the world. This product includes some trace elements important for human's health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphometric and histopathological changes associated with an experimental periodontitis model in rats in response to systemic administration of humic acid. Thirty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into five experimental groups: non-ligated (NL, n = 6) group; ligature-only (LO, n = 8) group; ligature + systemic administration of humic acid (20, 80 and 150 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 d respectively) (S-20, S-80 and S-150) groups. 4/0 silk ligatures were placed at the gingival margin of lower first molars of the mandibular quadrant. The animals were killed at the end of 15 d. Changes in alveolar bone levels were clinically measured, using a stereomicroscope (× 25), as the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar bone crest. Tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the differences of osteoclast numbers, osteoblastic activity and inflammatory cell infiltration among the study groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 levels in serum and gingival homogenates were evaluated. At the end of 15 d, the alveolar bone loss was significantly higher in the LO group compared to the NL, S-80 and S-150 groups (p < 0.05). In addition, the alveolar bone loss in the S-80 group was significantly lower than the LO and S-20 groups (p < 0.05). The osteoblastic activity in the S-80 and S-150 groups was significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). The osteoclast number in the LO group was significantly higher than the NL, S-80 and S-150 groups (p < 0.05). Inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly higher in LO and S-20 groups than the other groups (p < 0.05). The highest serum and gingival homogenate IL-10 levels were determined in the S-80 group (p < 0.05). The serum and gingival homogenate IL-1β levels in the LO group were significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). Both 80 and 150 mg/kg dosages of humic acid significantly reduced the periodontitis-related bone loss and inflammation, but the differences between these two groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Within the limits of this study, it can be suggested that humic acid, when administered systemically as an 80 mg/kg dose, may prevent alveolar bone loss and reduce inflammation in the rat model. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The Remedial Efficacy of Spirulina platensis versus Chromium-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats

PubMed Central

Elshazly, M. O.; Abd El-Rahman, Sahar S.; Morgan, Ashraf M.; Ali, Merhan E.

2015-01-01

This study was conducted to investigate the possible protective effect of Spirulina platensis against chromium-induced nephrotoxicity. A total of 36 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 equal groups (Gps). Gp1 served as control, rats of Gps 2, 3, and 4 were exposed to Spirulina platensis (300 mg/kg b.wt per os) and sodium dichromate dihydrate (SDD) via drinking water at concentration of 520 mg /l respectively. Chromium administration caused alterations in the renal function markers as evidenced by significant increase of blood urea and creatinine levels accompanied with significant increase in kidney’s chromium residues and MDA level as well as decreased catalase activity and glutathion content in kidney tissue. Histologically, Cr provoked deleterious changes including: vascular congestion, wide spread tubular epithelium necrobiotic changes, atrophy of glomerular tuft and proliferative hyperplasia. The latter was accompanied with positive PCNA expression in kidney tissues as well as DNA ploidy interpretation of major cellular population of degenerated cells, appearance of tetraploid cells, high proliferation index and high DNA index. Morphometrical measurements revealed marked glomerular and tubular lumen alterations. On contrary, spirulina co-treatment with Cr significantly restored the histopathological changes, antioxidants and renal function markers and all the previously mentioned changes as well. PMID:26029926

The Remedial Efficacy of Spirulina platensis versus Chromium-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats.

PubMed

Elshazly, M O; Abd El-Rahman, Sahar S; Morgan, Ashraf M; Ali, Merhan E

2015-01-01

This study was conducted to investigate the possible protective effect of Spirulina platensis against chromium-induced nephrotoxicity. A total of 36 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 equal groups (Gps). Gp1 served as control, rats of Gps 2, 3, and 4 were exposed to Spirulina platensis (300 mg/kg b.wt per os) and sodium dichromate dihydrate (SDD) via drinking water at concentration of 520 mg /l respectively. Chromium administration caused alterations in the renal function markers as evidenced by significant increase of blood urea and creatinine levels accompanied with significant increase in kidney's chromium residues and MDA level as well as decreased catalase activity and glutathion content in kidney tissue. Histologically, Cr provoked deleterious changes including: vascular congestion, wide spread tubular epithelium necrobiotic changes, atrophy of glomerular tuft and proliferative hyperplasia. The latter was accompanied with positive PCNA expression in kidney tissues as well as DNA ploidy interpretation of major cellular population of degenerated cells, appearance of tetraploid cells, high proliferation index and high DNA index. Morphometrical measurements revealed marked glomerular and tubular lumen alterations. On contrary, spirulina co-treatment with Cr significantly restored the histopathological changes, antioxidants and renal function markers and all the previously mentioned changes as well.

Effect of collagen sponge and fibrin glue on bone repair

PubMed Central

SANTOS, Thiago de Santana; ABUNA, Rodrigo Paolo Flores; de ALMEIDA, Adriana Luisa Gonçalves; BELOTI, Marcio Mateus; ROSA, Adalberto Luiz

2015-01-01

ABSTRACT The ability of hemostatic agents to promote bone repair has been investigated using in vitro and in vivo models but, up to now, the results are inconclusive. Objective In this context, the aim of this study was to compare the potential of bone repair of collagen sponge with fibrin glue in a rat calvarial defect model. Material and Methods Defects of 5 mm in diameter were created in rat calvariae and treated with either collagen sponge or fibrin glue; untreated defects were used as control. At 4 and 8 weeks, histological analysis and micro-CT-based histomorphometry were carried out and data were compared by two-way ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test when appropriated (p≤0.05). Results Three-dimensional reconstructions showed increased bone formation in defects treated with either collagen sponge or fibrin glue compared with untreated defects, which was confirmed by the histological analysis. Morphometric parameters indicated the progression of bone formation from 4 to 8 weeks. Additionally, fibrin glue displayed slightly higher bone formation rate when compared with collagen sponge. Conclusion Our results have shown the benefits of using collagen sponge and fibrin glue to promote new bone formation in rat calvarial bone defects, the latter being discreetly more advantageous. PMID:26814464

[Methyl-containing diet of mothers affects the AGOUTI gene expression in the offspring of rats with various behavioral types].

PubMed

Prasolova, L A; Os'kina, I N; Pliusnina, I Z; Trut, L N

2009-05-01

The effects of selection of agouti rats (with genotype AAHH) on the tame and aggressive behavior and dietary methyl given to females from the eighth day of pregnancy to the fifth day after the birth of the offspring on the intensity of the agouti coat color in the offspring have been studied. The morphometric parameters of hair determining the darkness of the agouti color (the total length of guard hairs, the lengths of their eumelanin end and pheomelanin band, the ratio between the lengths of the eumelanin and pheomelanin portions of the hair, the total length of the awn hairs, and the relative length of their widened "lanceolate" upper end) have been compared. It has been found that selection of agouti rats for aggressive behavior is accompanied by darkening of the coat color compared to tame rats due to an increase in the ratio of the length of the black eumelanin end of the guard hairs to the length of the yellow pheomelanin band. Methyl-containing additives to the diet of females affect the intensity of the agouti coat color in the offsprings with both types of behavior, but to different extents. Aggressive offspring is more sensitive to the mother's methyl-containing diet: the percentage of animals that are darker than control rats is higher among aggressive animals than among tame ones due to a greater increase in the ratio between dark and light portions of hairs. The possible mechanisms of differences in the phenotypic modifications of coat color in control and experimental agouti rats with different types of behavior are discussed.

Vinpocetine ameliorates acute hepatic damage caused by administration of carbon tetrachloride in rats.

PubMed

Abdel Salam, O M E; Oraby, Fatma Hassan; Hassan, Nabila S

2007-12-01

Vinpocetine is a widely used drug for the treatment of cerebrovascular and memory disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effect of vinpocetine on the acute hepatic injury caused in the rat by the administration of CCl4 in vivo. Vinpocetine (2.1, 4.2, 8.4 mg/kg) or silymarin (30 mg/kg) was given once daily orally simultaneously with CCl4 and for 15 days thereafter. Liver damage was assessed by determining serum enzyme activities and hepatic histopathology. Stained sections were subjected to morphometric evaluation using computerized image analyzer. The results showed that vinpocetine administered to CCl4-treated rats decreased the elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) by 49.3, 58.1 and 63.6%, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) by 10.5, 22.6 and 27.2% and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by 52.5, 59.6 and 64.9%, respectively, and in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, silymarin reduced elevated ALT, AST and ALP levels by 53.1, 26.9 and 66%, respectively. Histological examination of liver specimens revealed a marked reduction in liver cell necrosis in vinpocetine and silymarin-treated rats compared with vehicle-treated CCl4-treated rats. Quantitative analysis of the area of damage showed 85.3% reduction in the area of damage after silymarin and 72.2, 78.9 and 82.6% reduction after vinpocetine treatment at 2.1, 4.2, 8.4 mg/kg, respectively. It is concluded that administration of vinpocetine in a model of CCl4-induced liver injury in rats reduced liver damage. The reduction obtained by 4.2 mg/kg of vinpocetine was similar to that obtained by 30 mg/kg silymarin. Therefore, it is suggested that vinpocetine might be a good pharmacological agent in the treatment of liver disease besides its neuroprotective effects.

Synchrotron radiation X-ray microtomography and histomorphometry for evaluation of chemotherapy effects in trabecular bone structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alessio, R.; Nogueira, L. P.; Almeida, A. P.; Colaço, M. V.; Braz, D.; Andrade, C. B. V.; Salata, C.; Ferreira-Machado, S. C.; de Almeida, C. E.; Tromba, G.; Barroso, R. C.

2014-04-01

Three-dimensional microtomography has the potential to examine complete bones of small laboratory animals with very high resolution in a non-invasive way. One of the side effects caused by some chemotherapy drugs is the induction of amenorrhea, temporary or not, in premenopausal women, with a consequent decrease in estrogen production, which can lead to bone changes. In the present work, the femur heads of rats treated with chemotherapy drugs were evaluated by 3D histomorphometry using synchrotron radiation microcomputed tomography. Control animals were also evaluated for comparison. The 3D tomographic images were obtained at the SYRMEP (SYnchrotron Radiation for MEdical Physics) beamline at the Elettra Synchrotron Laboratory in Trieste, Italy. Results showed significant differences in morphometric parameters measured from the 3D images of femur heads of rats in both analyzed groups.

Effects of a metabolic syndrome induced by a fructose-rich diet on bone metabolism in rats.

PubMed

Felice, Juan Ignacio; Gangoiti, María Virginia; Molinuevo, María Silvina; McCarthy, Antonio Desmond; Cortizo, Ana María

2014-02-01

The aims of this study were: first, to evaluate the possible effects of a fructose rich diet (FRD)-induced metabolic syndrome (MS) on different aspects of long bone histomorphometry in young male rats; second, to investigate the effects of this diet on bone tissue regeneration; and third, to correlate these morphometric alterations with changes in the osteogenic/adipogenic potential and expression of specific transcription factors, of marrow stromal cells (MSC) isolated from rats with fructose-induced MS. MS was induced in rats by treatment with a FRD for 28 days. Halfway through treatment, a parietal wound was made and bone healing was evaluated 14 days later. After treatments, histomorphometric analysis was performed in dissected femoral and parietal bones. MSC were isolated from the femora of control or fructose-treated rats and differentiated either to osteoblasts (evaluated by type 1 collagen, Alkaline phosphatase and extracellular nodule mineralization) or to adipocytes (evaluated by intracellular triglyceride accumulation). Expression of Runx2 and PPARγ was assessed by Western blot. Fructose-induced MS induced deleterious effects on femoral metaphysis microarchitecture and impaired bone regeneration. Fructose treatment decreased the osteogenic potential of MSC and Runx2 expression. In addition, it increased the adipogenic commitment of MSC and PPARγ expression. Fructose-induced MS is associated with deleterious effects on bone microarchitecture and with a decrease in bone repair. These alterations could be due to a deviation in the adipogenic/osteogenic commitment of MSC, probably by modulation of the Runx2/PPARγ ratio. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Flaxseed suppressed prostatic epithelial proliferation in a rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PubMed

Said, Mahmoud M; Hassan, Nahla S; Schlicht, Michael J; Bosland, Maarten C

2015-01-01

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a disease occurring frequently among elderly males, is a slow progressive enlargement of the fibromuscular and epithelial structures of the prostate gland. Dietary factors may influence the prostate and exert an influence on prostatic growth and disease. The current study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of dietary flaxseed supplementation against testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in male rats. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: (1) untreated control; (2) treatment with testosterone propionate (TP) to induce prostate enlargement; (3) TP-treated group fed a diet containing 5% milled flaxseed; (4) TP-treated group fed a diet containing 10% milled flaxseed; and (5) TP-treated group fed a diet containing 20 ppm finasteride. Treatment with TP significantly increased the absolute and relative weights of different prostatic lobes, serum testosterone (T), and testosterone/estradiol ratio, as well as prostatic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, RNA synthesis per cell, and epithelial cell proliferation, detected as Ki67 labeling. Histopathological examination did not reveal marked differences in acinar morphology in ventral prostate, whereas morphometric analysis showed significantly increased epithelial cell height. Co-administration of flaxseed or finasteride with TP significantly reduced prostatic VEFG, epithelial cell proliferation, and RNA/DNA ratio, along with a significant increase in serum T and testosterone/estradiol ratio compared with TP-only-treated rats. Our results indicate that flaxseed, similar to the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride, blocked TP-induced prostate enlargement in a rat model of BPH, likely through suppression of prostatic VEFG and cellular proliferation.

Analysis of severe photoreceptor loss and Morris water-maze performance in aged rats.

PubMed

O'Steen, W K; Spencer, R L; Bare, D J; McEwen, B S

1995-06-01

In a study of aging and memory in 25-27-month-old albino rats, performance on a Morris water maze was found to be dependent on the structural integrity of the retina. Generally, as expected, 'learners' had intact retinas, while 'non-learners' had retinas with severe photoreceptor loss and a non-continuous outer nuclear layer, consisting of scattered cell nuclei. However, contrary to this general correlation between learning ability and photoreceptor presence, some learners had severely degenerated retinas and occasionally, non-learners had photoreceptor populations that apparently were comparable to those of learners. Rat retinas from these unpredictable, borderline response categories were examined histopathologically and morphometrically with the purpose of determining the minimal number of photoreceptors (PRs) necessary for animals to be rated as learners on the Morris water maze. However, among these severely damaged retinas of borderline groups, total number of surviving photoreceptors did not vary significantly among the learner, ambiguous or marginal and non-learner groups. The population of surviving PRs in learners was as low as 0.04% and in non-learners as high as 0.4%, as compared to that of young, adult rats. Therefore, borderline learners and non-learners had overlapping surviving PR numbers and the results did not clarify the response difference between these groups in the Morris water maze. It is suggested that the pattern of surviving PRs over the retinal surface, as well as the ratio of surviving rods to cones and their connectivity with other retinal neurons, may be related to the residual function of degenerated retinas of learner rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arterial spin labeling blood flow magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of renal injury.

PubMed

Liu, Yupin P; Song, Rui; Liang, Chang hong; Chen, Xin; Liu, Bo

2012-08-15

A multitude of evidence suggests that iodinated contrast material causes nephrotoxicity; however, there have been no previous studies that use arterial spin labeling (ASL) blood flow functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the alterations in effective renal plasma flow between normointensive and hypertensive rats following injection of contrast media. We hypothesized that FAIR-SSFSE arterial spin labeling MRI may enable noninvasive and quantitative assessment of regional renal blood flow abnormalities and correlate with disease severity as assessed by histological methods. Renal blood flow (RBF) values of the cortex and medulla of rat kidneys were obtained from ASL images postprocessed at ADW4.3 workstation 0.3, 24, 48, and 72 h before and after injection of iodinated contrast media (6 ml/kg). The H&E method for morphometric measurements was used to confirm the MRI findings. The RBF values of the outer medulla were lower than those of the cortex and the inner medulla as reported previously. Iodinated contrast media treatment resulted in decreases in RBF in the outer medulla and cortex in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), but only in the outer medulla in normotensive rats. The iodinated contrast agent significantly decreased the RBF value in the outer medulla and the cortex in SHR compared with normotensive rats after injection of the iodinated contrast media. Histological observations of kidney morphology were also consistent with ASL perfusion changes. These results demonstrate that the RBF value can reflect changes of renal perfusion in the cortex and medulla. ASL-MRI is a feasible and accurate method for evaluating nephrotoxic drugs-induced kidney damage.

Effects of carvedilol or amlodipine on target organ damage in L-NAME hypertensive rats: their relationship with blood pressure variability.

PubMed

Del Mauro, Julieta S; Prince, Paula D; Donato, Martín; Fernandez Machulsky, Nahuel; Morettón, Marcela A; González, Germán E; Bertera, Facundo M; Carranza, Andrea; Gorzalczany, Susana B; Chiappetta, Diego A; Berg, Gabriela; Morales, Celina; Gelpi, Ricardo J; Taira, Carlos A; Höcht, Christian

2017-04-01

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of chronic oral treatment with carvedilol or amlodipine on blood pressure, blood pressure variability and target organ damage in N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) hypertensive rats. Wistar rats were treated with L-NAME administered in the drinking water for 8 weeks together with oral administration of carvedilol 30 mg/kg (n = 6), amlodipine 10 mg/kg (n = 6), or vehicle (n = 6). At the end of the treatment, echocardiographic evaluation, blood pressure, and short-term variability measurements were performed. Left ventricular and thoracic aortas were removed to assess activity of metalloproteinase 2 and 9 and expression levels of transforming growth factor β, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 6. Histological samples were prepared from both tissues. Carvedilol and amlodipine induced a comparable reduction of systolic and mean arterial pressure and its short-term variability in L-NAME rats. The expression of transforming growth factor β, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 6 decreased in both organs after carvedilol or amlodipine treatment and the activity of metalloproteinase was reduced in aortic tissue. Treatment with carvedilol or amlodipine completely prevented left ventricular collagen deposition and morphometric alterations in aorta. Oral chronic treatment with carvedilol or amlodipine significantly attenuates blood pressure variability and reduces target organ damage and biomarkers of tissue fibrosis and inflammation in L-NAME hypertensive rats. Copyright © 2017 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A desktop system of virtual morphometric globes for Mars and the Moon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Florinsky, I. V.; Filippov, S. V.

2017-03-01

Global morphometric models can be useful for earth and planetary studies. Virtual globes - programs implementing interactive three-dimensional (3D) models of planets - are increasingly used in geo- and planetary sciences. We describe the development of a desktop system of virtual morphometric globes for Mars and the Moon. As the initial data, we used 15'-gridded global digital elevation models (DEMs) extracted from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) and the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) gridded archives. For two celestial bodies, we derived global digital models of several morphometric attributes, such as horizontal curvature, vertical curvature, minimal curvature, maximal curvature, and catchment area. To develop the system, we used Blender, the free open-source software for 3D modeling and visualization. First, a 3D sphere model was generated. Second, the global morphometric maps were imposed to the sphere surface as textures. Finally, the real-time 3D graphics Blender engine was used to implement rotation and zooming of the globes. The testing of the developed system demonstrated its good performance. Morphometric globes clearly represent peculiarities of planetary topography, according to the physical and mathematical sense of a particular morphometric variable.

Experiment K-7-16: Effects of Microgravity or Simulated Launch on Testicular Function in Rats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amann, R. P.; Clemens, J. W.; Deaver, D.; Folmer, J.; Zirkin, B.; Veeramachaneni, D. N. R.; Grills, G. S.; Gruppi, C. M.; Wolgemuth, D.; Serova, L. V.;

Vagotomy ameliorates islet morphofunction and body metabolic homeostasis in MSG-obese rats

PubMed Central

Lubaczeuski, C.; Balbo, S.L.; Ribeiro, R.A.; Vettorazzi, J.F.; Santos-Silva, J.C.; Carneiro, E.M.; Bonfleur, M.L.

2015-01-01

The parasympathetic nervous system is important for β-cell secretion and mass regulation. Here, we characterized involvement of the vagus nerve in pancreatic β-cell morphofunctional regulation and body nutrient homeostasis in 90-day-old monosodium glutamate (MSG)-obese rats. Male newborn Wistar rats received MSG (4 g/kg body weight) or saline [control (CTL) group] during the first 5 days of life. At 30 days of age, both groups of rats were submitted to sham-surgery (CTL and MSG groups) or subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (Cvag and Mvag groups). The 90-day-old MSG rats presented obesity, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and hypertriglyceridemia. Their pancreatic islets hypersecreted insulin in response to glucose but did not increase insulin release upon carbachol (Cch) stimulus, despite a higher intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Furthermore, while the pancreas weight was 34% lower in MSG rats, no alteration in islet and β-cell mass was observed. However, in the MSG pancreas, increases of 51% and 55% were observed in the total islet and β-cell area/pancreas section, respectively. Also, the β-cell number per β-cell area was 19% higher in MSG rat pancreas than in CTL pancreas. Vagotomy prevented obesity, reducing 25% of body fat stores and ameliorated glucose homeostasis in Mvag rats. Mvag islets demonstrated partially reduced insulin secretion in response to 11.1 mM glucose and presented normalization of Cch-induced Ca2+ mobilization and insulin release. All morphometric parameters were similar among Mvag and CTL rat pancreases. Therefore, the higher insulin release in MSG rats was associated with greater β-cell/islet numbers and not due to hypertrophy. Vagotomy improved whole body nutrient homeostasis and endocrine pancreatic morphofunction in Mvag rats. PMID:25714886

Vagotomy ameliorates islet morphofunction and body metabolic homeostasis in MSG-obese rats.

PubMed

Lubaczeuski, C; Balbo, S L; Ribeiro, R A; Vettorazzi, J F; Santos-Silva, J C; Carneiro, E M; Bonfleur, M L

2015-05-01

The parasympathetic nervous system is important for β-cell secretion and mass regulation. Here, we characterized involvement of the vagus nerve in pancreatic β-cell morphofunctional regulation and body nutrient homeostasis in 90-day-old monosodium glutamate (MSG)-obese rats. Male newborn Wistar rats received MSG (4 g/kg body weight) or saline [control (CTL) group] during the first 5 days of life. At 30 days of age, both groups of rats were submitted to sham-surgery (CTL and MSG groups) or subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (Cvag and Mvag groups). The 90-day-old MSG rats presented obesity, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and hypertriglyceridemia. Their pancreatic islets hypersecreted insulin in response to glucose but did not increase insulin release upon carbachol (Cch) stimulus, despite a higher intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization. Furthermore, while the pancreas weight was 34% lower in MSG rats, no alteration in islet and β-cell mass was observed. However, in the MSG pancreas, increases of 51% and 55% were observed in the total islet and β-cell area/pancreas section, respectively. Also, the β-cell number per β-cell area was 19% higher in MSG rat pancreas than in CTL pancreas. Vagotomy prevented obesity, reducing 25% of body fat stores and ameliorated glucose homeostasis in Mvag rats. Mvag islets demonstrated partially reduced insulin secretion in response to 11.1 mM glucose and presented normalization of Cch-induced Ca(2+) mobilization and insulin release. All morphometric parameters were similar among Mvag and CTL rat pancreases. Therefore, the higher insulin release in MSG rats was associated with greater β-cell/islet numbers and not due to hypertrophy. Vagotomy improved whole body nutrient homeostasis and endocrine pancreatic morphofunction in Mvag rats.

Experiment K-6-06. Morphometric and EM analyses of tibial epiphyseal plates from Cosmos 1887 rats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duke, P. J.; Montufar-Solis, D.; Durnova, G.

1990-01-01

Light and electron microscopy studies were carried out on decalcified tibial epiphyseal plates of rats flown aboard Cosmos 1887 (12.5d flight plus 53.5h recovery). Analysis of variance showed that the proliferative zone of flight animals was significantly higher than that of synchronous controls, while the hypertrophic/calcification zone was significantly reduced. Flight animals had more cells than synchronous controls in the proliferative zone, and less in the hypertrophic/calcification region. The total number of cells, however, was significantly higher in flight animals. No differences were found for perimeter or shape factor of growth plates, but area was significantly lower in flight animals in comparison to synchronous controls. Collagen fibrils in flight animals were shorter and wider than in synchronous controls. The time required for a cell to cycle through the growth plate is 2 to 3 days, so most of the cells and matrix present were formed after the animals had returned to 1 g, and probably represent stages of recovery from microgravity exposure, which in itself is an interesting question.

Non-viral gene therapy for GDNF production in RCS rat: the crucial role of the plasmid dose.

PubMed

Touchard, E; Heiduschka, P; Berdugo, M; Kowalczuk, L; Bigey, P; Chahory, S; Gandolphe, C; Jeanny, J-C; Behar-Cohen, F

2012-09-01

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is one of the candidate molecules among neurotrophic factors proposed for a potential treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). It must be administered repeatedly or through sustained releasing systems to exert prolonged neuroprotective effects. In the dystrophic Royal College of Surgeon's (RCS) rat model of RP, we found that endogenous GDNF levels dropped during retinal degeneration time course, opening a therapeutic window for GDNF supplementation. We showed that after a single electrotransfer of 30 μg of GDNF-encoding plasmid in the rat ciliary muscle, GDNF was produced for at least 7 months. Morphometric, electroretinographic and optokinetic analyses highlighted that this continuous release of GDNF delayed photoreceptors (PRs) as well as retinal functions loss until at least 70 days of age in RCS rats. Unexpectedly, increasing the GDNF secretion level accelerated PR degeneration and the loss of electrophysiological responses. This is the first report: (i) demonstrating the efficacy of GDNF delivery through non-viral gene therapy in RP; (ii) establishing the efficacy of intravitreal administration of GDNF in RP associated with a mutation in the retinal pigment epithelium; and (iii) warning against potential toxic effects of GDNF within the eye/retina.

Evaluating the anti-fertility potential of α-chlorohydrin on testis and spermatozoa in the adult male wild Indian house rat (Rattus rattus).

PubMed

Madhu, Nithar Ranjan; Sarkar, Bhanumati; Biswas, Surjyo Jyoti; Behera, Biplab Kumar; Patra, Ashis

2011-01-01

To examine the effects of α-chlorohydrin on testis and cauda epididymis in the male house rat (Rattus rattus), 24 adult male rats were segregated into two groups. Group I rats were force-fed daily by intragastric intubation with α-chlorohydrin at a single dose of 1.0 mg/100 g body weight/d for 5, 15, and 45 days. Another group was fed with distilled water, which served as the control. The treated male rats were paired with 24 adult proestrus female rats for 5 days after the last oral treatment and fertility was tested. At the end of the experiments, all of the male rats were weighed and killed by cervical dislocation. The right testes were removed, weighed, and processed for ultrastructural changes of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymis and testis under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The seminiferous tubular area, nuclear diameter of the Sertoli and Leydig cells, percentage of spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa, and Sertoli cells in each group were compared morphometrically. Our results showed that the percentages of primary spermatocytes steadily increased from 5 to 15 days, but primary and secondary spermatocytes decreased significantly at 45 days. There was a steady decline in the percentages of spermatozoa and spermatids at all fixation intervals in the treated animals, but the percentages of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells increased significantly at 15 and 45 days. Seminiferous tubular areas, nuclear diameter of Leydig and Sertoli cells, and fertility rates were reduced after 45 days of treatment. SEM and TEM studies revealed severe morphological abnormalities in the spermatozoa, including deglutination of the acrosomal part, loss of head capsules, and fragmentation of tail fibrils. There was an enhanced anti-fertility effect and a lower number of implantation sites in the rats treated for 5 days. Our results validate α-chlorohydrin as a successful anti-fertility agent that prevents spermatogenesis.

High-fat Diet Promotes Cardiac Remodeling in an Experimental Model of Obesity

PubMed Central

Martins, Fernando; Campos, Dijon Henrique Salomé; Pagan, Luana Urbano; Martinez, Paula Felippe; Okoshi, Katashi; Okoshi, Marina Politi; Padovani, Carlos Roberto; de Souza, Albert Schiaveto; Cicogna, Antonio Carlos; de Oliveira-Junior, Silvio Assis

2015-01-01

Background Although nutritional, metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities are commonly seen in experimental studies of obesity, it is uncertain whether these effects result from the treatment or from body adiposity. Objective To evaluate the influence of treatment and body composition on metabolic and cardiovascular aspects in rats receiving high saturated fat diet. Methods Sixteen Wistar rats were used, distributed into two groups, the control (C) group, treated with isocaloric diet (2.93 kcal/g) and an obese (OB) group, treated with high-fat diet (3.64 kcal/g). The study period was 20 weeks. Analyses of nutritional behavior, body composition, glycemia, cholesterolemia, lipemia, systolic arterial pressure, echocardiography, and cardiac histology were performed. Results High-fat diet associates with manifestations of obesity, accompanied by changes in glycemia, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and myocardial interstitial fibrosis. After adjusting for adiposity, the metabolic effects were normalized, whereas differences in morphometric changes between groups were maintained. Conclusions It was concluded that adiposity body composition has a stronger association with metabolic disturbances in obese rodents, whereas the high-fat dietary intervention is found to be more related to cardiac morphological changes in experimental models of diet-induced obesity. PMID:26291841

Muscular hypertrophy and atrophy in normal rats provoked by the administration of normal and denervated muscle extracts.

PubMed

Agüera, Eduardo; Castilla, Salvador; Luque, Evelio; Jimena, Ignacio; Leiva-Cepas, Fernando; Ruz-Caracuel, Ignacio; Peña, José

2016-12-01

This study was conducted to determine the effects of extracts obtained from both normal and denervated muscles on different muscle types. Wistar rats were used and were divided into a control group and four experimental groups. Each experimental group was treated intraperitoneally during 10 consecutive days with a different extract. These extracts were obtained from normal soleus muscle, denervated soleus, normal extensor digitorum longus, and denervated extensor digitorum longus. Following treatment, the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles were obtained for study under optic and transmission electron microscope; morphometric parameters and myogenic responses were also analyzed. The results demonstrated that the treatment with normal soleus muscle and denervated soleus muscle extracts provoked hypertrophy and increased myogenic activity. In contrast, treatment with extracts from the normal and denervated EDL had a different effect depending on the muscle analyzed. In the soleus muscle it provoked hypertrophy of type I fibers and increased myogenic activity, while in the extensor digitorum longus atrophy of the type II fibers was observed without changes in myogenic activity. This suggests that the muscular responses of atrophy and hypertrophy may depend on different factors related to the muscle type which could be related to innervation.

Probable gamma-aminobutyric acid involvement in bisphenol A effect at the hypothalamic level in adult male rats.

PubMed

Cardoso, Nancy; Pandolfi, Matías; Lavalle, Justina; Carbone, Silvia; Ponzo, Osvaldo; Scacchi, Pablo; Reynoso, Roxana

2011-12-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on the neuroendocrine mechanism of control of the reproductive axis in adult male rats exposed to it during pre- and early postnatal periods. Wistar mated rats were treated with either 0.1% ethanol or BPA in their drinking water until their offspring were weaned at the age of 21 days. The estimated average dose of exposure to dams was approximately 2.5 mg/kg body weight per day of BPA. After 21 days, the pups were separated from the mother and sacrificed on 70 day of life. Gn-RH and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release from hypothalamic fragments was measured. LH, FSH, and testosterone concentrations were determined, and histological and morphometrical studies of testis were performed. Gn-RH release decreased significantly, while GABA serum levels were markedly increased by treatment. LH serum levels showed no changes, and FSH and testosterone levels decreased significantly. Histological studies showed abnormalities in the tubular organization of the germinal epithelium. The cytoarchitecture of germinal cells was apparently normal, and a reduction of the nuclear area of Leydig cells but not their number was observed. Taken all together, these results provide evidence of the effect caused by BPA on the adult male reproductive axis when exposed during pre- and postnatal period. Moreover, our findings suggest a probable GABA involvement in its effect at the hypothalamic level.

Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil

PubMed Central

Parente, Leila Maria Leal; Lino Júnior, Ruy de Souza; Tresvenzol, Leonice Manrique Faustino; Vinaud, Marina Clare; de Paula, José Realino; Paulo, Neusa Margarida

2012-01-01

Calendula officinalis is an annual herb from Mediterranean origin which is popularly used in wound healing and as an anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, the ethanolic extract, the dichloromethane, and hexanic fractions of the flowers from plants growing in Brazil were produced. The angiogenic activity of the extract and fractions was evaluated through the chorioallantoic membrane and cutaneous wounds in rat models. The healing activity of the extract was evaluated by the same cutaneous wounds model through macroscopic, morphometric, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical analysis. The antibacterial activity of the extract and fractions was also evaluated. This experimental study revealed that C. officinalis presented anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities as well as angiogenic and fibroplastic properties acting in a positive way on the inflammatory and proliferative phases of the healing process. PMID:22315631

Demineralised human dentine matrix stimulates the expression of VEGF and accelerates the bone repair in tooth sockets of rats.

PubMed

Reis-Filho, Cláudio R; Silva, Elisângela R; Martins, Adalberto B; Pessoa, Fernanda F; Gomes, Paula V N; de Araújo, Mariana S C; Miziara, Melissa N; Alves, José B

2012-05-01

In this study we investigated the possible use of human demineralised dentine matrix (DHDM), obtained from the extracted teeth, as bone graft material and evaluated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induced by this material in the healing process of tooth sockets of rats. To evaluate bone regeneration and expression of VEGF induced by DHDM, thirty-two male Wistar rats weighing approximately 200 g were used. After maxillary second molar extraction, the left sockets were filled with DHDM and the right sockets were naturally filled by blood clot (control). The animals were sacrificed at 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after surgery and upper maxillaries were processed for histological, morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. DHDM was used to evaluate the mechanical effect of bone graft material into sockets. Expression of VEGF was determined by immunohistochemistry in all groups. Our results demonstrated a significant increase in the newly formed bone tissue in sockets of 7, 14 and 21 days and a significant increase in VEGF expression at days 7 and 14 on treated sockets. Our results showed that DHDM increases the expression of VEGF and accelerates the healing process in rats tooth sockets, by stimulating bone deposition and also vessels formation. These results suggest that DHDM has osteoinductive/osteoconductive potential and may represent an efficient grafting material on guided bone regeneration. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Angiogenic effects of cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen on the normal skin of rats, through morphometric study.

PubMed

Pimentel, Camila Bianco; Moraes, Aparecida Machado de; Cintra, Maria Letícia

2014-01-01

Cryosurgery is an efficient therapeutic technique used to treat benign and malignant cutaneous diseases. The primary active mechanism of cryosurgery is related to vascular effects on treated tissue. After a cryosurgical procedure, exuberant granulation tissue is formed at the injection site, probably as a result of angiogenic stimulation of the cryogen and inflammatory response, particularly in endothelial cells. To evaluate the angiogenic effects of freezing, as part of the phenomenon of healing rat skin subjected to previous injury. Two incisions were made in each of the twenty rats, which were divided randomly into two groups of ten. After 3 days, cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen was performed in one of incisions. The rats' samples were then collected, cut and stained to conduct histopathological examination, to assess the local angiogenesis in differing moments and situations. It was possible to demonstrate that cryosurgery, in spite of promoting cell death and accentuated local inflammation soon after its application, induces quicker cell proliferation in the affected tissue and maintenance of this rate in a second phase, than in tissue healing without this procedure. These findings, together with the knowledge that there is a direct relationship between mononuclear cells and neovascularization (the development of a rich system of new vessels in injury caused by cold), suggest that cryosurgery possesses angiogenic stimulus, even though complete healing takes longer to occur. The significance level for statistical tests was 5% (p<0,05).

Respiratory tract toxicity in rats exposed to Mexico City air.

PubMed

Moss, O R; Gross, E A; James, R A; Janszen, D B; Ross, P W; Roberts, K C; Howard, A M; Harkema, J R; Calderón-Garcidueñas, L; Morgan, K T

2001-03-01

The rat has been used extensively as a health sentinel, indicator, or monitor of environmental health hazards, but this model has not been directly validated against human exposures. Humans in Mexico City show upper respiratory tract lesions and evidence of pulmonary damage related to their environmental inhalation exposure. In this study, male and female F344 rats were exposed (23 hr/day) in Mexico City to local Mexico City air (MCA)* for up to seven weeks. Controls were maintained at the same location under filtered air. Prior to these exposures, several steps were taken. First, the nasal passages of normal male rats shipped from the United States and housed in Mexico City were examined for mycoplasma infection; no evidence of infection was found. In addition, a mobile exposure and monitoring system was assembled and, with an ozone (O3) exposure atmosphere, was tested along with supporting histopathology techniques and analysis of rat nasal and lung tissues. Last, the entire exposure model (equipment and animals) was transported to Mexico City and validated for a three-week period. During the seven-week study there were 18 one-hour intervals during which the average O3 concentration of MCA in the exposure chamber exceeded the US National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 0.120 ppm 03 (hourly average, not to be exceeded more than once per year). This prolonged exposure of healthy F344 rats to MCA containing episodically low to moderate concentrations of 03 (as well as other urban air pollutants) did not induce inflammatory or epithelial lesions in the nasal airways or lung as measured by qualitative histologic techniques or quantitative morphometric techniques. These findings agree with those of previous controlled O3 inhalation studies, but they are in contrast to reports indicating that O3-polluted MCA causes significant nasal mucosal injury in adults and children living in southwestern Mexico City. Taken together, these findings may suggest that human airways are markedly more susceptible to the toxic effects of MCA than are the airways of the F344 rat.

Exercise Ameliorates Endocrine Pancreas Damage Induced by Chronic Cola Drinking in Rats.

PubMed

Otero-Losada, Matilde; González, Julián; Müller, Angélica; Ottaviano, Graciela; Cao, Gabriel; Azzato, Francisco; Ambrosio, Giuseppe; Milei, José

2016-01-01

This study evaluates whether the daily practice of an exercise routine might protect from endocrine pancreas damage in cola drinking rats. Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups depending on a) beverage consumption ad libitum, water (W) or cola beverage (C), and b) physical activity, sedentary (S) or treadmill running (R). Accordingly, 4 groups were studied: WS (water sedentary), WR (water runner), CS (cola sedentary) and CR (cola runner). Body weight, nutritional data, plasma levels of glucose, creatinine, total cholesterol and cholesterol fractions, and triglycerides (enzymocolorimetry), and systolic blood pressure (plethysmography) were measured. After 6 months, euthanasia was performed (overdose sodium thiopental). Pancreatic tissue was immediately excised and conventionally processed for morphometrical and immunohistochemical determinations. The effects of running and chronic cola drinking on pancreas morphology showed interaction (p<0.001) rather than simple summation. Cola drinking (CS vs WS) reduced median pancreatic islet area (-30%, 1.8 104 μm2 vs 2.58 104 μm2, p<0.0001) and median β-cell mass (-43%, 3.81 mg vs 6.73 mg, p<0.0001), and increased median α/β ratio (+49%, 0.64 vs 0.43, p< 0.001). In water drinking rats (WR vs WS), running reduced median α-cell mass (-48%, 1.48 mg vs 2.82 mg, p<0.001) and α/β ratio (-56%, 0.19 vs 0.43, p<0.0001). Differently, in cola drinking rats (CR vs CS), running partially restored median islet area (+15%, 2.06 104 μm2 vs 1.79 104 μm2, p<0.05), increased median β-cell mass (+47%, 5.59 mg vs 3.81 mg, p <0.0001) and reduced median α/β ratio (-6%, 0.60 vs 0.64, p<0.05). This study is likely the first reporting experimental evidence of the beneficial effect of exercise on pancreatic morphology in cola-drinking rats. Presently, the increase of nearly 50% in β cells mass by running in cola drinking rats is by far the most relevant finding. Moderate running, advisably indicated in cola consumers and patients at risk of diabetes, finds here experimental support.

Exercise Ameliorates Endocrine Pancreas Damage Induced by Chronic Cola Drinking in Rats

PubMed Central

Otero-Losada, Matilde; González, Julián; Müller, Angélica; Ottaviano, Graciela; Cao, Gabriel; Azzato, Francisco; Ambrosio, Giuseppe; Milei, José

2016-01-01

Purpose This study evaluates whether the daily practice of an exercise routine might protect from endocrine pancreas damage in cola drinking rats. Methods Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups depending on a) beverage consumption ad libitum, water (W) or cola beverage (C), and b) physical activity, sedentary (S) or treadmill running (R). Accordingly, 4 groups were studied: WS (water sedentary), WR (water runner), CS (cola sedentary) and CR (cola runner). Body weight, nutritional data, plasma levels of glucose, creatinine, total cholesterol and cholesterol fractions, and triglycerides (enzymocolorimetry), and systolic blood pressure (plethysmography) were measured. After 6 months, euthanasia was performed (overdose sodium thiopental). Pancreatic tissue was immediately excised and conventionally processed for morphometrical and immunohistochemical determinations. Results The effects of running and chronic cola drinking on pancreas morphology showed interaction (p<0.001) rather than simple summation. Cola drinking (CS vs WS) reduced median pancreatic islet area (-30%, 1.8 104 μm2 vs 2.58 104 μm2, p<0.0001) and median β-cell mass (-43%, 3.81 mg vs 6.73 mg, p<0.0001), and increased median α/β ratio (+49%, 0.64 vs 0.43, p< 0.001). In water drinking rats (WR vs WS), running reduced median α-cell mass (-48%, 1.48 mg vs 2.82 mg, p<0.001) and α/β ratio (-56%, 0.19 vs 0.43, p<0.0001). Differently, in cola drinking rats (CR vs CS), running partially restored median islet area (+15%, 2.06 104 μm2 vs 1.79 104 μm2, p<0.05), increased median β-cell mass (+47%, 5.59 mg vs 3.81 mg, p <0.0001) and reduced median α/β ratio (-6%, 0.60 vs 0.64, p<0.05). Conclusion This study is likely the first reporting experimental evidence of the beneficial effect of exercise on pancreatic morphology in cola-drinking rats. Presently, the increase of nearly 50% in β cells mass by running in cola drinking rats is by far the most relevant finding. Moderate running, advisably indicated in cola consumers and patients at risk of diabetes, finds here experimental support. PMID:27192084

Quantification of Runoff as Influenced by Morphometric Characteristics in a Rural Complex Catchment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdulkareem, Jabir Haruna; Pradhan, Biswajeet; Sulaiman, Wan Nor Azmin; Jamil, Nor Rohaizah

2018-05-01

This study addresses the critical scientific question of assessing the relationship between morphometric features and the hydrological factors that increase the risk of flooding in Kelantan River basin, Malaysia. Two hypotheses were developed to achieve this aim, namely: the alternate hypothesis (runoff, is influenced by morphometric characteristics in the study watershed) and the null hypothesis (runoff is not influenced by morphometric characteristics). First, the watershed was delineated into four major catchments, namely: Galas, Pergau, Lebir, and Nenggiri. Next, quantitative morphometric characters such as linear aspects, areal aspects, and relief aspects were determined on each of these catchments. Furthermore, HEC-HMS and flood response analyses were employed to simulate the hydrological response of the catchments. From the results of morphometric analysis, profound spatial changes were observed between runoff features of Kelantan River and the morphometric characteristics. The length of overflow that was related to drainage density and constant channel maintenance was found to be 0.12 in Pergau, 0.04 in both Nenggiri and Lebir, and 0.03 in Galas. Drainage density as influenced by geology and vegetation density was found to be low in all the catchments (0.07-0.24). Results of hydrological response indicated that Lebir, Nenggiri, Galas, and Pergau recorded a flood response factor of 0.75, 0.63, 0.40, and 0.05, respectively. Therefore, Lebir and Nenggiri are more likely to be flooded during a rainstorm. There was no clear indication with regard to the catchment that emerged as the most prevailing in all the morphological features. Hence, the alternate hypothesis was affirmed. This study can be replicated in other catchments with different hydrologic setup.

Digital Morphometrics: A New Upper Airway Phenotyping Paradigm in OSA.

PubMed

Schwab, Richard J; Leinwand, Sarah E; Bearn, Cary B; Maislin, Greg; Rao, Ramya Bhat; Nagaraja, Adithya; Wang, Stephen; Keenan, Brendan T

2017-08-01

OSA is associated with changes in pharyngeal anatomy. The goal of this study was to objectively and reproducibly quantify pharyngeal anatomy by using digital morphometrics based on a laser ruler and to assess differences between subjects with OSA and control subjects and associations with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to use digital morphometrics to quantify intraoral risk factors for OSA. Digital photographs were obtained by using an intraoral laser ruler and digital camera in 318 control subjects (mean AHI, 4.2 events/hour) and 542 subjects with OSA (mean AHI, 39.2 events/hour). The digital morphometric paradigm was validated and reproducible over time and camera distances. A larger modified Mallampati score and having a nonvisible airway were associated with a higher AHI, both unadjusted (P < .001) and controlling for age, sex, race, and BMI (P = .015 and P = .018, respectively). Measures of tongue size were larger in subjects with OSA vs control subjects in unadjusted models and controlling for age, sex, and race but nonsignificant controlling for BMI; similar results were observed with AHI severity. Multivariate regression suggests photography-based variables capture independent associations with OSA. Measures of tongue size, airway visibility, and Mallampati scores were associated with increased OSA risk and severity. This study shows that digital morphometrics is an accurate, high-throughput, and noninvasive technique to identify anatomic OSA risk factors. Morphometrics may also provide a more reproducible and standardized measurement of the Mallampati score. Digital morphometrics represent an efficient and cost-effective method of examining intraoral crowding and tongue size when examining large populations, genetics, or screening for OSA. Copyright © 2017 American College of Chest Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Quantification of Runoff as Influenced by Morphometric Characteristics in a Rural Complex Catchment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdulkareem, Jabir Haruna; Pradhan, Biswajeet; Sulaiman, Wan Nor Azmin; Jamil, Nor Rohaizah

2018-03-01

This study addresses the critical scientific question of assessing the relationship between morphometric features and the hydrological factors that increase the risk of flooding in Kelantan River basin, Malaysia. Two hypotheses were developed to achieve this aim, namely: the alternate hypothesis (runoff, is influenced by morphometric characteristics in the study watershed) and the null hypothesis (runoff is not influenced by morphometric characteristics). First, the watershed was delineated into four major catchments, namely: Galas, Pergau, Lebir, and Nenggiri. Next, quantitative morphometric characters such as linear aspects, areal aspects, and relief aspects were determined on each of these catchments. Furthermore, HEC-HMS and flood response analyses were employed to simulate the hydrological response of the catchments. From the results of morphometric analysis, profound spatial changes were observed between runoff features of Kelantan River and the morphometric characteristics. The length of overflow that was related to drainage density and constant channel maintenance was found to be 0.12 in Pergau, 0.04 in both Nenggiri and Lebir, and 0.03 in Galas. Drainage density as influenced by geology and vegetation density was found to be low in all the catchments (0.07-0.24). Results of hydrological response indicated that Lebir, Nenggiri, Galas, and Pergau recorded a flood response factor of 0.75, 0.63, 0.40, and 0.05, respectively. Therefore, Lebir and Nenggiri are more likely to be flooded during a rainstorm. There was no clear indication with regard to the catchment that emerged as the most prevailing in all the morphological features. Hence, the alternate hypothesis was affirmed. This study can be replicated in other catchments with different hydrologic setup.

Hystricognathy vs Sciurognathy in the Rodent Jaw: A New Morphometric Assessment of Hystricognathy Applied to the Living Fossil Laonastes (Diatomyidae)

PubMed Central

Hautier, Lionel; Lebrun, Renaud; Saksiri, Soonchan; Michaux, Jacques; Vianey-Liaud, Monique; Marivaux, Laurent

2011-01-01

While exceptional for an intense diversification of lineages, the evolutionary history of the order Rodentia comprises only a limited number of morphological morphotypes for the mandible. This situation could partly explain the intense debates about the taxonomic position of the latest described member of this clade, the Laotian rock rat Laonastes aenigmamus (Diatomyidae). This discovery has re-launched the debate on the definition of the Hystricognathi suborder identified using the angle of the jaw relative to the plane of the incisors. Our study aims to end this ambiguity. For clarity, it became necessary to revisit the entire morphological diversity of the mandible in extant and extinct rodents. However, current and past rodent diversity brings out the limitations of the qualitative descriptive approach and highlights the need for a quantitative approach. Here, we present the first descriptive comparison of the masticatory apparatus within the Ctenohystrica clade, in combining classic comparative anatomy with morphometrical methods. First, we quantified the shape of the mandible in rodents using 3D landmarks. Then, the analysis of osteological features was compared to myological features in order to understand the biomechanical origin of this morphological diversity. Among the morphological variation observed, the mandible of Laonastes aenigmamus displays an intermediate association of features that could be considered neither as sciurognathous nor as hystricognathous. PMID:21490933

Evaluation of Chemical Preparation on Insect Wing Shape for Geometric Morphometrics

PubMed Central

Lorenz, Camila; Suesdek, Lincoln

2013-01-01

Geometric morphometrics is an approach that has been increasingly applied in studies with insects. A limiting factor of this technique is that some mosquitoes have wings with dark spots or many scales, which jeopardizes the visualization of landmarks for morphometric analysis. Recently, in some studies, chemically treatment (staining) of the wings was used to improve the viewing of landmarks. In this study, we evaluated whether this method causes deformation of the wing veins and tested whether it facilitates the visualization of the most problematic landmarks. In addition, we tested whether mechanical removal of the scales was sufficient for this purpose. The results showed that the physical and chemical treatments are equally effective in improving visualization of the landmarks. The chemical method did not cause deformation of the wing. Thus, some of these treatments should be performed before beginning geometric morphometric analysis to avoid erroneous landmark digitizing. PMID:24019438

Morphological evidence for discrete stocks of yellow perch in Lake Erie

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kocovsky, Patrick M.; Knight, Carey T.

2012-01-01

Identification and management of unique stocks of exploited fish species are high-priority management goals in the Laurentian Great Lakes. We analyzed whole-body morphometrics of 1430 yellow perch Perca flavescens captured during 2007–2009 from seven known spawning areas in Lake Erie to determine if morphometrics vary among sites and management units to assist in identification of spawning stocks of this heavily exploited species. Truss-based morphometrics (n = 21 measurements) were analyzed using principal component analysis followed by ANOVA of the first three principal components to determine whether yellow perch from the several sampling sites varied morphometrically. Duncan's multiple range test was used to determine which sites differed from one another to test whether morphometrics varied at scales finer than management unit. Morphometrics varied significantly among sites and annually, but differences among sites were much greater. Sites within the same management unit typically differed significantly from one another, indicating morphometric variation at a scale finer than management unit. These results are largely congruent with recently-published studies on genetic variation of yellow perch from many of the same sampling sites. Thus, our results provide additional evidence that there are discrete stocks of yellow perch in Lake Erie and that management units likely comprise multiple stocks.

Morphometric synaptology of a whole neuron profile using a semiautomatic interactive computer system.

PubMed

Saito, K; Niki, K

1983-07-01

We propose a new method of dealing with morphometric synaptology that processes all synapses and boutons around the HRP marked neuron on a large composite electron micrograph, rather than a qualitative or a piecemeal quantitative study of a particular synapse and/or bouton that is not positioned on the surface of the neuron. This approach requires the development of both neuroanatomical procedures, by which a specific whole neuronal profile is identified, and valuable specialized tools, which support the collection and analysis of a great volume of morphometric data from composite electron micrographs, in order to reduce the burden of the morphologist. The present report is also concerned with the total and reliable semi-automatic interactive computer system for gathering and analyzing morphometric data that has been under development in our laboratory. A morphologist performs the pattern recognition portion by using a large-sized tablet digitizer and a menu-sheet command, and the system registers the various morphometric values of many different neurons and performs statistical analysis. Some examples of morphometric measurements and analysis show the usefulness and efficiency of the proposed system and method.

Effects of freezing on white perch Morone americana (Gmelin, 1789): Implications for multivariate morphometrics

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kocovsky, Patrick

2016-01-01

This study tested the hypothesis that duration of freezing differentially affects whole-body morphometrics of a derived teleost. Whole-body morphometrics are frequently analyzed to test hypotheses of different species, or stocks within a species, of fishes. Specimens used for morphometric analyses are typically fixed or preserved prior to analysis, yet little research has been done on how fixation or preservation methods or duration of preservation of specimens might affect outcomes of multivariate statistical analyses of differences in shape. To determine whether whole-body morphometrics changed as a result of freezing, 23 whole-body morphometrics of age-1 white perch (Morone americana) from western Lake Erie (n = 211) were analyzed immediately after capture, after being held on ice overnight, and after freezing for 100 or 200 days. Discriminant function analysis revealed that all four groups differed significantly from one another (P < 0.0001). The first canonical axis reflected long-axis morphometrics, where there was a clear pattern of positive translation along this axis with duration of preservation. Re-classification analysis demonstrated fish were typically assigned to their original preservation class except for fish frozen 100 days, which assigned mostly to frozen 200 days. Morphometric comparisons using frozen fish must be done on fish frozen for identical periods of time to avoid biases related to the length of time they were frozen. Similar experiments should be conducted on other species and also using formalin- and alcohol-preserved specimens.

Effects of prenatal binge-like ethanol exposure and maternal stress on postnatal morphological development of hippocampal neurons in rats.

PubMed

Jakubowska-Dogru, Ewa; Elibol, Birsen; Dursun, Ilknur; Yürüker, Sinan

2017-10-01

Alcohol is one of the most commonly used drugs of abuse negatively affecting human health and it is known as a potent teratogen responsible for fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is characterized by cognitive deficits especially pronounced in juveniles but ameliorating in adults. Searching for the potential morphological correlates of these effects, in this study, we compared the course of developmental changes in the morphology of principal hippocampal neurons in fetal-alcohol (A group), intubated control (IC group), and intact control male rats (C group) over a protracted period of the first two postnatal months. Ethanol was administered to the pregnant Wistar dams intragastrically, throughout gestation days (GD) 7-20, at a total dose of 6g/kg/day resulting in the mean blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 246.6±40.9mg/dl. Ten morphometric parameters of Golgi-stained hippocampal neurons (pyramidal and granule) from CA1, CA3, and DG areas were examined at critical postnatal days (PD): at birth (PD1), at the end of the brain growth spurt period (PD10), in juveniles (PD30), and in young adults (PD60). During postnatal development, the temporal pattern of morphometric changes was shown to be region-dependent with most significant alterations observed between PD1-30 in the CA region and between PD10-30 in the DG region. It was also parameter-dependent with the soma size (except for CA3 pyramids), number of primary dendrites, dendrite diameter, dendritic tortuosity and the branch angle demonstrating little changes, while the total dendritic field area, dendritic length, number of dendritic bifurcations, and spine density being highly increased in all hippocampal regions during the first postnatal month. Moderate ethanol intoxication and the maternal intubation stress during gestation, showed similar, transient effects on the neuron development manifested as a smaller soma size in granule cells, reduced dendritic parameters and lower spine density in pyramidal neurons at PD1. Full recovery from these effects took place within the first 10 postnatal days. This study showed regional and temporal differences in the development of different morphometric features of principal hippocampal neurons in intact subjects over a protracted 2-months postnatal period. It also demonstrated an overlap in the effects of a moderate fetal ethanol intoxication and a mild maternal stress produced by the intragastric intubation, a commonly used method of ethanol administration to the pregnant dams. Fast recovery from the adverse effects on the soma size, dendritic arborization and spines density observed at birth indicates towards the fetal ethanol/stress induced developmental retardation. Copyright © 2017 ISDN. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Peptide therapy with pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in traumatic nerve injury.

PubMed

Gjurasin, Miroslav; Miklic, Pavle; Zupancic, Bozidar; Perovic, Darko; Zarkovic, Kamelija; Brcic, Luka; Kolenc, Danijela; Radic, Bozo; Seiwerth, Sven; Sikiric, Predrag

2010-02-25

We focused on the healing of rat transected sciatic nerve and improvement made by stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (10 microg, 10ng/kg) applied shortly after injury (i) intraperitoneally/intragastrically/locally, at the site of anastomosis, or after (ii) non-anastomozed nerve tubing (7 mm nerve segment resected) directly into the tube. Improvement was shown clinically (autotomy), microscopically/morphometrically and functionally (EMG, one or two months post-injury, walking recovery (sciatic functional index (SFI)) at weekly intervals). BPC 157-rats exhibited faster axonal regeneration: histomorphometrically (improved presentation of neural fascicles, homogeneous regeneration pattern, increased density and size of regenerative fibers, existence of epineural and perineural regeneration, uniform target orientation of regenerative fibers, and higher proportion of neural vs. connective tissue, all fascicles in each nerve showed increased diameter of myelinated fibers, thickness of myelin sheet, number of myelinated fibers per area and myelinated fibers as a percentage of the nerve transected area and the increased blood vessels presentation), electrophysiologically (increased motor action potentials), functionally (improved SFI), the autotomy absent. Thus, BPC 157 markedly improved rat sciatic nerve healing. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Changes in rat respiratory system produced by exposure to exhaust gases of combustion of glycerol.

PubMed

Serra, Daniel Silveira; Evangelista, Janaína Serra Azul Monteiro; Zin, Walter Araujo; Leal-Cardoso, José Henrique; Cavalcante, Francisco Sales Ávila

2017-08-01

The combustion of residual glycerol to generate heat in industrial processes has been suggested as a cost-effective solution for disposal of this environmental liability. Thus, we investigated the effects of exposure to the exhaust gases of glycerol combustion in the rat respiratory system. We used 2 rats groups, one exposed to the exhaust gases from glycerol combustion (Glycerol), and the other exposed to ambient air (Control). Exposure occurred 5h a day, 5days a week for 13 weeks. We observed statistically changes in all parameters of respiratory system mechanics in vivo. This results was supported by histological analysis and morphometric data, confirming narrower airways and lung parenchimal changes. Variables related to airway resistance (ΔR N ) and elastic properties of the tissue (ΔH), increased after challenge with methacholine. Finally, analysis of lung tissue micromechanics showed statistically increases in all parameters (R, E and hysteresivity). In conclusion, exhaust gases from glycerol combustion were harmful to the respiratory system. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[The C-cell system of the thyroid in rats following a flight on the Kosmos 1667 biosatellite].

PubMed

Plakhuta-Plakutina, G I; Dmitrieva, N P; Amirkhanian, E A

1988-01-01

Histological, electron-microscopic and morphometric investigations of the thyroid gland of Wistar SPF male rats (aged 3 months) flown for 7 days on Cosmos-1667 showed that its parenchyma was functionally active and changed but little as compared to the controls. However, at an acute stage of adaptation to microgravity C-cells showed morphological signs of their functional decline: the number of low activity cells and cells whose cytoplasm contained secretory granules increased, the volume of nuclei decreased significantly (by 16.2% as compared to the control), and dystrophic changes seen ultrastructurally appeared. These observations together with the results obtained in prolonged animal flights suggest that in microgravity the synthesis and excretion of the hormone calcitonin diminish. In combination with other factors, the functional decline of C-cells inhibits bone neoformation and enhances bone resorption.

Effect of re-feeding after starvation on biomechanical properties in rat small intestine.

PubMed

Dou, Y; Gregersen, S; Zhao, J; Zhuang, F; Gregersen, H

2001-10-01

Luminal nutrients are essential for maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the gut. Starvation induces pronounced structural and biomechanical remodelling in the rat small intestine. The present work was done to study the recovery process after resumption of food intake. Twenty-five Wistar rats were allocated to five groups. Four groups fasted for 7 days but had free access to water. One of these groups served as fasted controls and was killed at the end of the fast. The other three groups were re-fed for 2, 4 and 7 days before they were euthanised. The fifth group had free access to food during the whole study (fed controls). The intestinal no-load state, zero-stress state and the stress-strain relationship during distension were studied. The intestinal segments were cut transversely into a series of short ring-shaped segments to obtain the no-load state. Each ring was cut in the radial direction to obtain the zero-stress state. The rats regained the lost body weight (22%) by the 7th day of re-feeding. The lost duodenal mass (40%) and jejunal mass (25%) were regained by the 2nd day whereas the lost mass from ileum (18%) was regained by the 4th day. The fasting-induced morphometric changes were normalised by re-feeding on the 2nd day in the duodenum and jejunum, and on the 4th day in the ileum. The longitudinal stress-strain curves shifted to the right after fasting and shifted back within two days following re-feeding (P<0.05). The circumferential stress-strain curves in the fasted or re-fed rats changed in a similar though less pronounced way. Normal values were reached within 4-7 days for the circumferential direction. In conclusion, fasting-induced biomechanical and structural remodelling were normalised by re-feeding in a time- and location-dependent way.

Geometric morphometric analysis reveals age-related differences in the distal femur of Europeans.

PubMed

Cavaignac, Etienne; Savall, Frederic; Chantalat, Elodie; Faruch, Marie; Reina, Nicolas; Chiron, Philippe; Telmon, Norbert

2017-12-01

Few studies have looked into age-related variations in femur shape. We hypothesized that three-dimensional (3D) geometric morphometric analysis of the distal femur would reveal age-related differences. The purpose of this study was to show that differences in distal femur shape related to age could be identified, visualized, and quantified using three-dimensional (3D) geometric morphometric analysis. Geometric morphometric analysis was carried out on CT scans of the distal femur of 256 subjects living in the south of France. Ten landmarks were defined on 3D reconstructions of the distal femur. Both traditional metric and geometric morphometric analyses were carried out on these bone reconstructions. These analyses were used to identify trends in bone shape in various age-based subgroups (<40, 40-60, >60). Only the average bone shape of the < 40-year subgroup was statistically different from that of the other two groups. When the population was divided into two subgroups using 40 years of age as a threshold, the subject's age was correctly assigned 80% of the time. Age-related differences are present in this bone segment. This reliable, accurate method could be used for virtual autopsy and to perform diachronic and interethnic comparisons. Moreover, this study provides updated morphometric data for a modern population in the south of France. Manufacturers of knee replacement implants will have to adapt their prosthesis models as the population evolves over time.

Histopathological and Digital Morphometrical Evaluation of Uterine Leiomyoma in Brazilian Women

PubMed Central

da Silva, Ana Paula Fernandes; Mello, Luciano de Albuquerque; dos Santos, Erlene Roberta Ribeiro; Paz, Silvania Tavares; Cavalcanti, Carmelita Lima Bezerra; de Melo-Junior, Mario Ribeiro

2016-01-01

The current study aims to evaluate histopathological and digital morphometrical aspects associated with uterine leiomyomas in one hundred and fifty (150) patients diagnosed with leiomyoma. Uterine tissues were subjected to the histopathological and digital morphometric analyses of the interstitial collagen distribution. The analysis of medical records indicates that most of the women diagnosed with uterine leiomyomas (68.7%) are between 37 and 48 years old. As for the anatomic location of the tumors, approximately 61.4% of the patients had intramural and subserosal lesions. In 50% of the studied cases, the patients developed uterine leiomyomatosis (with more than eight tumors). As for the morphometric study, the average size of the interstitial collagen distribution held approximately 28.53% of the capture area, whereas it was of 7.43% in the normal tissue adjacent to the tumor. Another important aspect observed in the current study was the high rate of young women subjected to total hysterectomy, a fact that resulted in early and definitive sterility. PMID:27293441

Effect of salbutamol on innervated and denervated rat soleus muscle.

PubMed

Soić-Vranić, T; Bobinac, D; Bajek, S; Jerković, R; Malnar-Dragojević, D; Nikolić, M

2005-12-01

The objective of the present investigation was to perform a 14-day time-course study of treatment with salbutamol, a beta2 adrenoceptor agonist, on rat soleus muscle in order to assess fiber type selectivity in the hypertrophic response and fiber type composition. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (N = 10), treated with salbutamol (N = 30), denervated (N = 30), and treated with salbutamol after denervation (N = 30). Salbutamol was injected intraperitoneally in the rats of the 2nd and 4th groups at a concentration of 0.3 mg/kg twice a day for 2 weeks. The muscles were denervated using the crush method with pean. The animals were sacrificed 3, 6, 9, 12, and 14 days after treatment. Frozen cross-sections of soleus muscle were stained for myosin ATPase, pH 9.4. Cross-sectional area and percent of muscle fibers were analyzed morphometrically by computerized image analysis. Treatment with salbutamol induced hypertrophy of all fiber types and a higher percentage of type II fibers (21%) in the healthy rat soleus muscle. Denervation caused marked atrophy of all fibers and conversion from type I to type II muscle fibers. Denervated muscles treated with salbutamol showed a significantly larger cross-sectional area of type I muscle fibers, 28.2% compared to the denervated untreated muscle. Moreover, the number of type I fibers was increased. These results indicate that administration of salbutamol is able to induce changes in cross-sectional area and fiber type distribution in the early phase of treatment. Since denervation-induced atrophy and conversion from type I to type II fibers were improved by salbutamol treatment we propose that salbutamol, like other beta2 adrenoceptor agonists, may have a therapeutic potential in improving the condition of skeletal muscle after denervation.

The Spacelab 3 simulation: basis for a model of growth plate response in microgravity in the rat

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Montufar-Solis, D.; Duke, P. J.; Morey-Holton, E.

2001-01-01

Data from Spacelab 3 (SL3) suggested that spaceflight significantly reduces the activity of the rat tibial growth plate. Animal processing after SL3 began twelve hours post-landing, so data reflect post-flight re-adaptation in addition to spaceflight effects. To determine if a twelve-hour period of weight bearing after seven days of unloading could affect the physes of spaceflown rats, the present study assessed the growth plate response to unloading with or without a reloading period. Rats were subjected to hind-limb suspension for seven days and then euthanized, with or without twelve hours of reloading. Activity of the growth plate was assessed by morphometric analysis. Rats suspended without reloading had reserve zone (RZ) height greater than controls, and shorter hypertrophy/calcification zone (HCZ) with fewer cells. The greater RZ was associated with a larger cell area, indicating a possible mitotic delay or secretion defect. Twelve hours of reloading decreased RZ height and cell number, and restored the number of cells in HCZ to control values, but the number of cells in the proliferative zone and height in HCZ were reduced. These results suggest the rebound response to preserve/restore skeletal function after a period of unloading involves an acceleration of growth associated with a decreased cell cycle time in PZ. Changes during the reloading period in this simulation support our hypothesis that the effects of spaceflight on SL3 growth plates were altered by changes that occurred post-landing. The similarities in response to unloading by suspension or during spaceflight are used to propose a model of growth plate response during spaceflight.

Maternal deprivation decelerates postnatal morphological lung development of F344 rats.

PubMed

Hupa, Katharina Luise; Schmiedl, Andreas; Pabst, Reinhard; Von Hörsten, Stephan; Stephan, Michael

2014-02-01

Intensive medical care at premature born infants is often associated with separation of neonates from their mothers. Here, early artificial prolonged separation of rat pups from their dams (Maternal Deprivation, MD) was used to study potential impact on morphological lung maturation. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of an endogenous deficiency of the neuropeptide-cleaving dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4), since the effects of MD are known to be partly mediated via neuropeptidergic effects, hypothesizing that MD will lead to a retardation of postnatal lung development, DPP4-dependendly. We used wild type and CD26/DPP4 deficient rats. For MD, the dam was placed each day into a separate cage for 2 h, while the pups remained in the nest on their own. Morphological lung maturation and cell proliferation at the postnatal days 7, 10, 14, and 21 were determined morphometrically. Maternally deprived wild types showed a retarded postnatal lung development compared with untreated controls in both substrains. During alveolarization, an increased thickness of alveolar septa and a decreased surface of septa about 50% were found. At the end of the morphological lung maturation, the surface of the alveolar septa was decreased at about 25% and the septal thickness remained increased about 20%. The proliferation rate was also decreased about 50% on day 14. However, the MD induced effects were less pronounced in DPP4-deficient rats, due to a significant deceleration already induced by DPP4-deficiency. Thus, MD as a model for postnatal stress experience influences remarkably postnatal development of rats, which is significantly modulated by the DPP4-system. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Geometric morphometrics and virtual anthropology: advances in human evolutionary studies.

PubMed

Rein, Thomas R; Harvati, Katerina

2014-01-01

Geometric morphometric methods have been increasingly used in paleoanthropology in the last two decades, lending greater power to the analysis and interpretation of the human fossil record. More recently the advent of the wide use of computed tomography and surface scanning, implemented in combination with geometric morphometrics (GM), characterizes a new approach, termed Virtual Anthropology (VA). These methodological advances have led to a number of developments in human evolutionary studies. We present some recent examples of GM and VA related research in human evolution with an emphasis on work conducted at the University of Tübingen and other German research institutions.

Nitric oxide donor restores lung growth factor and receptor expression in hyperoxia-exposed rat pups.

PubMed

Lopez, Emmanuel; Boucherat, Olivier; Franco-Montoya, Marie-Laure; Bourbon, Jacques R; Delacourt, Christophe; Jarreau, Pierre-Henri

2006-06-01

Exposure of newborn rats to hyperoxia impairs alveolarization. Nitric oxide (NO) may prevent this evolution. Angiogenesis and factors involved in this process, but also other growth factors (GFs) involved in alveolar development, are likely potential therapeutic targets for NO. We studied the effects of the NO donor, [Z]-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)aminio]diazen-1-ium-1, 2-diolate, also termed DETANONOate (D-NO), on hyperoxia-induced changes in key regulatory factors of alveolar development in neonatal rats, and its possible preventive effect on the physiologic consequences of hyperoxia. Newborn rat pups were randomized at birth to hyperoxia (> 95% O2) or room air exposure for 6 or 10 d, while receiving D-NO or its diluent. On Day 6, several GFs and their receptors were studied at pre- and/or post-translational levels. Elastin transcript determination on Day 6, and elastin deposition in tissue and morphometric analysis of the lungs on Day 10, were also performed. Hyperoxia decreased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor (VEGFR) 2, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-18, and FGF receptors (FGFRs) FGFR3 and FGFR4, increased mortality, and impaired alveolarization and capillary growth. D-NO treatment of hyperoxia-exposed pups restored the expression level of FGF18 and FGFR4, induced an increase of both VEGF mRNA and protein, enhanced elastin expression, and partially restored elastin deposition in alveolar walls. Although, under the present conditions, D-NO failed to prevent the physiologic consequences of hyperoxia in terms of survival and lung alveolarization, our findings demonstrate molecular effects of NO on GFs involved in alveolar development that may have contributed to the protective effects previously reported for NO.

Growth-dependent effects of dietary protein concentration and quality on the biomechanical properties of the diaphyseal rat femur.

PubMed

Alippi, Rosa M; Picasso, Emilio; Huygens, Patricia; Bozzini, Carlos E; Bozzini, Clarisa

2012-01-01

This study compares the effects of feeding growing rats with increasing concentrations of casein (C) and wheat gluten (G), proteins that show different biological qualities, on the morphometrical and biomechanical properties of the femoral diaphysis. Female rats were fed with one of ten diets containing different concentrations (5-30%) of C and G between the 30th and 90th days of life (Control=C-20%). Biomechanical structural properties of the right femur middiaphysis were estimated using a 3-point bending mechanical test with calculation of some indicators of bone material properties. Body weight and length were affected by treatments, values being highest in rats fed the C-20% diet. G diets affected negatively both parameters. Changes in cross-sectional geometry (mid-diaphyseal cross-sectional and cortical areas, femoral volume, and rectangular moment of inertia) were positively related to the C content of the diet, while they were severely and negatively affected by G diets. Similar behaviors were observed in the bone structural properties (fracture load, yielding load, diaphyseal stiffness and elastic energy absorption). When values of strength and stiffness were normalized for body weight, the differences disappeared. The bone material quality indicators (elastic modulus, yielding stress, elastic energy absorption/volume) did not differ significantly among all studied groups. Femoral calcium concentration in ashes was not significantly different among groups. The clear differences in strength and stiffness of bone beams induced by dietary protein concentration and quality seemed to be the result of an induced subnormal gain in bone structural properties as a consequence of a correlative subnormal gain in bone growth and mass, yet not in bone material properties. Copyright © 2011 SEEN. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Influence of thyroid state on cardiac and renal capillary density and glomerular morphology in rats.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Gómez, Isabel; Banegas, Inmaculada; Wangensteen, Rosemary; Quesada, Andrés; Jiménez, Rosario; Gómez-Morales, Mercedes; O'Valle, Francisco; Duarte, Juan; Vargas, Félix

2013-01-01

The purpose was to analyse the cardiac and renal capillary density and glomerular morphology resulting from a chronic excess or deficiency of thyroid hormones (THs) in rats. We performed histopathological, morphometrical and immunohistochemical analyses in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rats to evaluate the density of mesenteric, renal and cardiac vessels at 4 weeks after induction of thyroid disorders. The main angiogenic factors in plasma, heart and kidney were measured as possible mediators of vascular changes. Mesenteric vessel branching was augmented and decreased in hyper- and hypothyroid rats respectively. The numerical density of CD31-positive capillaries was higher in left and right ventricles and in cortical and medullary kidney from both hyper- and hypothyroid rats vs controls. Numbers of podocytes and glomeruli per square millimetre were similar among groups. Glomerular area and percentage mesangium were greater in the hyperthyroid vs control or hypothyroid groups. No morphological renal lesions were observed in any group. Vascularisation of the mesenteric bed is related to TH levels, but an increased capillarity was observed in heart and kidney in both thyroid disorders. This increase may be produced by higher tissue levels of angiogenic factors in hypothyroid rats, whereas haemodynamic factors would predominate in hyperthyroid rats. Our results also indicate that the renal dysfunctions of thyroid disorders are not related to cortical or medullary microvascular rarefaction and that the proteinuria of hyperthyroidism is not secondary to a podocyte deficit. Finally, TH or its analogues may be useful to increase capillarity in renal diseases associated with microvascular rarefaction.

The Role of Endothelin System in Renal Structure and Function during the Postnatal Development of the Rat Kidney.

PubMed

Albertoni Borghese, María F; Ortiz, María C; Balonga, Sabrina; Moreira Szokalo, Rocío; Majowicz, Mónica P

2016-01-01

Renal development in rodents, unlike in humans, continues during early postnatal period. We aimed to evaluate whether the pharmacological inhibition of Endothelin system during this period affects renal development, both at structural and functional level in male and female rats. Newborn rats were treated orally from postnatal day 1 to 20 with vehicle or bosentan (Actelion, 20 mg/kg/day), a dual endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA). The animals were divided in 4 groups: control males, control females, ERA males and ERA females. At day 21, we evaluated renal function, determined the glomerular number by a maceration method and by morphometric analysis and evaluated possible structural renal alterations by three methods: 〈alpha〉-Smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunohistochemistry, Masson's trichrome and Sirius red staining. The pharmacological inhibition of Endothelin system with a dual ERA during the early postnatal period of the rat did not leads to renal damage in the kidneys of male and female rats. However, ERA administration decreased the number of glomeruli, the juxtamedullary filtration surface area and the glomerular filtration rate and increased the proteinuria. These effects could predispose to hypertension or renal diseases in the adulthood. On the other hand, these effects were more pronounced in male rats, suggesting that there are sex differences that could be greater later in life. These results provide evidence that Endothelin has an important role in rat renal postnatal development. However these results do not imply that the same could happen in humans, since human renal development is complete at birth.

Creatine Supplementation Induces Alteration in Cross-Sectional Area in Skeletal Muscle Fibers of Wistar Rats Under Swimming Training

PubMed Central

Santos, Fernando Farias Dos; Moura, José A. A.; Curi, Rui; Fernandes, Luiz C.

2002-01-01

Creatine has been shown to increase the total muscle mass. In this study, we investigated the effect of oral creatine monohydrate supplementation on cross-sectional area of type I, IIA and IIB fibers of gastrocnemius, extensor digitorum longus - EDL and soleus muscles from male Wistar rats subjected to swimming training for 33 days. Four groups were set up: sedentary with no supplementation (CON), sedentary with creatine supplementation (3.3 mg creatine per g chow) (CR), exercised with no supplementation (EX) and exercised with supplementation (CREX). The rats performed in a special swimming pool and swam five times a week for 1 hour each day, with a extra lead weight corresponding to 15% of their body weight. At the end of 33 days, skeletal muscles of the animals were dissected and the samples got immediately frozen using liquid nitrogen. Muscle samples were allocated to slices of 10 μm by a cryostat at -20°C, which was followed by histochemical analysis in order to identify fiber types of the muscles, and morphometrical analysis to calculate the muscle fiber areas. All groups gained body weight at the end of 33 days but there was no statistical difference among them. The EX and CREX rats had a larger food intake than the sedentary groups (CON and CR), and the CREX group had a larger food intake than CR rats. The cross-sectional area of type I and IIA fibers of the soleus muscle, type IIA and IIB fibers of EDL muscle and type IIA and IIB fibers of the white portion of gastrocnemius muscle were greater in the EX and CREX groups in comparison to sedentary rats. In addition, these fibers were greater in the CREX rats than in the EX group. There was no change in the cross sectional area of type I fibers in EDL muscle among all groups studied. Our results suggest that creatine supplementation enhances the exercise related muscle fiber hypertrophy in rodents. PMID:24701129

Chronic inhalation studies of two types of stone wool fibers in rats.

PubMed

Kamstrup, O; Ellehauge, A; Chevalier, J; Davis, J M; McConnell, E E; Thévenaz, P

2001-07-01

A summary is given of the pathology results after long-term inhalation in rats of insulation wool representing the new biosoluble types. The pathology results are compared with previously conducted long-term inhalation study with MMVF21 (traditional stone wool). The biosoluble fiber MMVF34/HT (HT) is characterized by a relatively high content of aluminum and a relatively low content of silica compared to the older MMVF21. HT has a high in vitro dissolution rate at pH 4.5, and a relatively low dissolution rate at pH 7.5. Male Fischer 344 rats were exposed at one exposure level of 30 mg/m(3) by nose-only inhalation of a well-characterized fiber test atmosphere. The fibers had been size selected to be largely rat respirable. The negative control group was exposed to filtered air. The exposure duration was 6 h/day, 5 days/wk for 104 wk, with a subsequent nonexposure period lasting until approximately 20% survival in the air control group. Interim sacrifices were performed at wk 13, 26, 52, 78, and 104 to monitor the progression of pulmonary change and fiber numbers. Effectively the main protocol for the previously conducted chronic study with MMVF21 was the same, except that there were three concentration levels (3, 16, and 30 mg/m(3)). In addition to the endpoints measured in the previous study, slides from both studies were evaluated for collagen deposition using a quantitative morphometric method. The results of the comparative study clearly showed a marked difference in the pulmonary pathogenicity of the MMVF21 and HT in terms of their fibrogenic potential. MMVF21 caused pulmonary fibrosis, but the HT fiber did not. The incidence of tumors for both the HT and the MMVF21 fiber was comparable to the control groups.

Trend-surface analysis of morphometric parameters: A case study in southeastern Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grohmann, Carlos Henrique

2005-10-01

Trend-surface analysis was carried out on data from morphometric parameters isobase and hydraulic gradient. The study area, located in the eastern border of Quadrilátero Ferrífero, southeastern Brazil, presents four main geomorphological units, one characterized by fluvial dissection, two of mountainous relief, with a scarp of hundreds of meters of fall between them, and a flat plateau in the central portion of the fluvially dissected terrains. Morphometric maps were evaluated in GRASS-GIS and statistics were made on R statistical language, using the spatial package. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was made to test the significance of each surface and the significance of increasing polynomial degree. The best results were achieved with sixth-order surface for isobase and second-order surface for hydraulic gradient. Shape and orientation of residual maps contours for selected trends were compared with structures inferred from several morphometric maps, and a good correlation is present.

Novel Automated Morphometric and Kinematic Handwriting Assessment: A Validity Study in Children with ASD and ADHD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dirlikov, Benjamin; Younes, Laurent; Nebel, Mary Beth; Martinelli, Mary Katherine; Tiedemann, Alyssa Nicole; Koch, Carolyn A.; Fiorilli, Diana; Bastian, Amy J.; Denckla, Martha Bridge; Miller, Michael I.; Mostofsky, Stewart H.

2017-01-01

This study presents construct validity for a novel automated morphometric and kinematic handwriting assessment, including (1) convergent validity, establishing reliability of automated measures with traditional manual-derived Minnesota Handwriting Assessment (MHA), and (2) discriminant validity, establishing that the automated methods distinguish…

The use of maxillary sinus dimensions in gender determination: a thin-slice multidetector computed tomography assisted morphometric study.

PubMed

Ekizoglu, Oguzhan; Inci, Ercan; Hocaoglu, Elif; Sayin, Ibrahim; Kayhan, Fatma Tulin; Can, Ismail Ozgur

2014-05-01

Gender determination is an important step in identification. For gender determination, anthropometric evaluation is one of the main forensic evaluations. In the present study, morphometric analysis of maxillary sinuses was performed to determine gender. For morphometric analysis, coronal and axial paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) scan with 1-mm slice thickness was used. For this study, 140 subjects (70 women and 70 men) were enrolled (age ranged between 18 and 63). The size of each subject's maxillary sinuses was measured in anteroposterior, transverse, cephalocaudal, and volume directions. In each measurement, the size of the maxillary sinus is significantly small in female gender (P < 0.001). When discrimination analysis was performed, the accuracy rate was detected as 80% for women and 74.3% for men with an overall rate of 77.15%. With the use of 1-mm slice thickness CT, morphometric analysis of maxillary sinuses will be helpful for gender determination.

CHARACTERISTICS OF RAT LIVER EXPOSED TO NANOPARTICLES OF LEAD COMPOUNDS.

PubMed

Omelchuk, S; Aleksijchuk, V; Sokurenko, L; Blagaia, A; Prudchenko, S

2016-12-01

In recent times, the lead becomes great importance in environmental pollution, including its nanoparticles. In the literature, there is little data on the changes in the liver after the exposure with lead nanoparticles. The purpose of this study was the identification and determination of macroscopic, microscopic, and biochemical changes of the structural elements of the rat's liver exposed to the action of lead compounds. The study was carried out on 60 male Wistar rats. The first and second groups of animals were intraperitoneally injected with colloidal solution of nanoparticles of Lead Sulfide size of 10 nm and 30 nm, and the third group was intraperitoneally injected with a solution of nitrate lead. Macroscopic, histological, histochemical, biochemical methods and gas chromatography were used to identify the changes of fatty acids metabolism. The experiment has found that body weights of animals in all tested groups were decreased after 6 weeks of lead nanoparticles injection, while relative liver weight was increased. Levels of total lipids and cholesterol, total protein and albumin in the blood serum in study groups have decreased, and the level of triglycerides and glucose have increased. Moderate dystrophic changes were observed in the histological examinations of the liver, and this was confirmed by morphometric and densitometric parameters. Changes of fatty acid composition of lipids of the liver exposed to nanoparticles were the result of increasing arachidonic fatty acid content and reduction of the stearic fatty acid content. Thus, it has been proven by the experiment that the effect of lead nanoparticles depends on their size.

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

PubMed

Sogut, Ibrahim; Uysal, Onur; Oglakci, Aysegul; Yucel, Ferruh; Kartkaya, Kazim; Kanbak, Gungor

2017-03-01

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.

Sodium hyaluronate accelerates the healing process in tooth sockets of rats.

PubMed

Mendes, Renato M; Silva, Gerluza A B; Lima, Miguel F; Calliari, Marcelo V; Almeida, Alvair P; Alves, José B; Ferreira, Anderson J

2008-12-01

In this study we evaluated the effects of sodium hyaluronate (HY) in the healing process of tooth sockets of rats. Immediately after the extraction of the upper first molars of male Holtzman rats, right sockets were treated with 1% HY gel (approximately 0.1 ml), while left sockets were used as control (blood clot). The animals were sacrificed at 2, 7, and 21 days after tooth extraction and upper maxillaries processed for histological and morphometric analysis of the apical and medium thirds of the sockets. Carbopol, an inert gel, was used to evaluate the mechanical effect of gel injection into sockets. Expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and osteopontin (OPN) was determined by immunohistochemistry at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 days after tooth extraction. Histological analysis showed that HY treatment induced earlier trabecular bone deposition resulting in a bone matrix more organized at 7 and 21 days after tooth extraction. Also, HY elicited significant increase in the amount of bone trabeculaes at 7 and 21 days after tooth extraction (percentage of trabecular bone area at 7 days: 13.21+/-4.66% vs. 2.58+/-1.36% in the apical third of control sockets) and in the vessels counting at 7 days. Conversely, the number of cell nuclei was decreased in HY-treated sockets. Additionally, expression of BMP-2 and OPN was enhanced in HY-treated sockets compared with control sockets. These findings suggest that HY accelerates the healing process in tooth sockets of rats stimulating the expression of osteogenic proteins.

Transplantation of bone marrow stem cells as well as mobilization by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor promotes recovery after spinal cord injury in rats.

PubMed

Urdzíková, Lucia; Jendelová, Pavla; Glogarová, Katerina; Burian, Martin; Hájek, Milan; Syková, Eva

2006-09-01

Emerging clinical studies of treating brain and spinal cord injury (SCI) with autologous adult stem cells led us to compare the effect of an intravenous injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), an injection of a freshly prepared mononuclear fraction of bone marrow cells (BMCs) or bone marrow cell mobilization induced by granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in rats with a balloon- induced spinal cord compression lesion. MSCs were isolated from rat bone marrow by their adherence to plastic, labeled with iron-oxide nanoparticles and expanded in vitro. Seven days after injury, rats received an intravenous injection of MSCs or BMCs or a subcutaneous injection of GCSF (from day 7 to 11 post-injury). Functional status was assessed weekly for 5 weeks after SCI, using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnehan (BBB) locomotor rating score and the plantar test. Animals with SCI treated with MSCs, BMCs, or G-CSF had higher BBB scores and better recovery of hind limb sensitivity than controls injected with saline. Morphometric measurements showed an increase in the spared white matter. MR images of the spinal cords were taken ex vivo 5 weeks after SCI using a Bruker 4.7-T spectrometer. The lesions populated by grafted MSCs appeared as dark hypointense areas. Histology confirmed a large number of iron-containing and PKH 26-positive cells in the lesion site. We conclude that treatment with three different bone marrow cell populations had a positive effect on behavioral outcome and histopathological assessment after SCI, which was most pronounced after MSC injection.

Geospatial tool-based morphometric analysis using SRTM data in Sarabanga Watershed, Cauvery River, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arulbalaji, P.; Gurugnanam, B.

2017-11-01

A morphometric analysis of Sarabanga watershed in Salem district has been chosen for the present study. Geospatial tools, such as remote sensing and GIS, are utilized for the extraction of river basin and its drainage networks. The Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM-30 m resolution) data have been used for morphometric analysis and evaluating various morphometric parameters. The morphometric parameters of Sarabanga watershed have been analyzed and evaluated by pioneer methods, such as Horton and Strahler. The dendritic type of drainage pattern is draining the Sarabanga watershed, which indicates that lithology and gentle slope category is controlling the study area. The Sarabanga watershed is covered an area of 1208 km2. The slope of the watershed is various from 10 to 40% and which is controlled by lithology of the watershed. The bifurcation ratio ranges from 3 to 4.66 indicating the influence of geological structure and suffered more structural disturbances. The form factor indicates elongated shape of the study area. The total stream length and area of watershed indicate that mean annual rainfall runoff is relatively moderate. The basin relief expressed that watershed has relatively high denudation rates. The drainage density of the watershed is low indicating that infiltration is more dominant. The ruggedness number shows the peak discharges that are likely to be relatively higher. The present study is very useful to plan the watershed management.

Morphometric Analysis of the Occipital Condyle and Its Surgical Importance

PubMed Central

Das, Sushant Swaroop; Vasudeva, Neelam

2016-01-01

Introduction The Occipital Condyle (OC) is an integral component of craniovertebral region which is predisposed to a wide array of traumatic, degenerative and neoplastic diseases. Frequent surgical interventions of OC are required for successful management of these conditions. Hence a meticulous anatomical knowledge of the OC is vital but variability in morphometric dimensions exist amongst different races and hinder the standardization of measurements. Aim The aim of this study was to present a morphometric reference database for OC of the Indian population and enable comparisons with other populations. Materials and Methods The study was performed on 228 OC of 114 adult human skulls. Linear measurements of the OC were taken with the help of digital Vernier’s Calliper and angular measurements were determined with software Image J. Statistical Analysis Mean and standard deviation of the morphometric parameters taken into account were analysed. The comparison of morphometric dimensions of the right and left sides was carried out using Student’s t-test and p-value was calculated. Results The morphometric analysis of the OC established that mean width was larger (12.97 mm) in Indians population when compared to other races. The anterior and posterior intercondylar distances as well as the distances between the tips of OC and opisthion and basion were observed to be shorter in Indians. We found a significant difference (p=0.01) among the distance between Posterior tip of Occipital Condyle (POC) and basion of the right and left sides. The sagittal condylar angle and sagittal intercondylar angle were found to be greater in our study when compared to other researchers. There existed a highly significant difference (p=0.001) between the sagittal condylar angles of the right and left sides. Conclusion The present morphometric study would be valuable for the successful instrumentation of the OC as wider and ventrally oriented OC as well as smaller intercondylar distances may pose challenge to the surgeons during condylectomy. The data of present study offer anatomical reference to the surgeons and would be helpful in designing implants for the OC. PMID:28050351

Experiment K-6-12. Morphometric studies of atrial or granules and hepatocytes. Part 1: Morphometric study of the liver; Part 2: The atrial granular accumulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kraft, L. M.; Keil, L. C.; Popova, I. A.

1990-01-01

The livers of flight, F, rats from the Cosmos 1887 mission were markedly paler and heavier than those of the synchronous, S, and vivarium, V, controls. In the F group, microscopic study revealed extensive hepatocytic intracytoplasmic vacuolization which was moderate in the S and minimal in the V groups. The vacuoles were not sudanophilic and therefore were regarded as glycogenic in origin. To obtain objective data concerning the extent of the vacuolization, livers were examined by computer assisted morphometry. Measurements of profile area and perimeter of the hepatocyte nuclei and vacuoles were evaluated according to stereological principles. Results indicated that the volume density of the nuclei was less in the F group than in the S(p equal less than 0.0002) and V(p equal less than 0.001) groups. Mean volume of individual nuclei did not differ. Volume density of the vacuoles was greater in the F than in the V group (p equal less than 0.02) while their mean diameter was less (p equal less than 0.05). To ascertain the relationship between increase in liver weight of the flight animals and the results of this study, an assumption was made that the specific gravity of the vacuolar contents was similar to the other extranuclear components of the hepatocyte. On that basis, calculations showed that the elevated vacuolar volume density in the flight group did not cause the increased liver weight in those animals, but that the non-nuclear, non-vacuolar parenchymal compartment did contribute significantly. Factors that may have played a causal role in liver weight and vacuolar compartment increases are discussed.

Effect of D-002 on gastric mucus composition in ethanol-induced ulcer.

PubMed

Carbajal, D; Molina, V; Noa, M; Valdés, S; Arruzazabala, M L; Aguilar, C; Más, R

2000-10-01

This study was designed to determine the effect of D-002, a natural product isolated and purified from beeswax (Apis mellifera), on gastric mucus composition on ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. The morphology of the lesions was analysed histologically, and morphometric analysis of gastric-gland content in total glycoprotein and sulphated macromolecules were done. Oral pretreatment with D-002 at 5 and 25 mgkg(-1)1 before oral administration of ethanol at 60%, produced a significant increase in the amount of gastric mucus and total protein. The histomorphometric evaluation of the gastric damage at the same doses showed a significant increase in neutral glycoproteins and sulfated macromolecules. It is concluded that enhancement of the quantity and quality of the mucus could partly explain the gastroprotective effect of D-002. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Morphometric Identification of Queens, Workers and Intermediates in In Vitro Reared Honey Bees (Apis mellifera).

PubMed

De Souza, Daiana A; Wang, Ying; Kaftanoglu, Osman; De Jong, David; Amdam, Gro V; Gonçalves, Lionel S; Francoy, Tiago M

2015-01-01

In vitro rearing is an important and useful tool for honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) studies. However, it often results in intercastes between queens and workers, which are normally are not seen in hive-reared bees, except when larvae older than three days are grafted for queen rearing. Morphological classification (queen versus worker or intercastes) of bees produced by this method can be subjective and generally depends on size differences. Here, we propose an alternative method for caste classification of female honey bees reared in vitro, based on weight at emergence, ovariole number, spermatheca size and size and shape, and features of the head, mandible and basitarsus. Morphological measurements were made with both traditional morphometric and geometric morphometrics techniques. The classifications were performed by principal component analysis, using naturally developed queens and workers as controls. First, the analysis included all the characters. Subsequently, a new analysis was made without the information about ovariole number and spermatheca size. Geometric morphometrics was less dependent on ovariole number and spermatheca information for caste and intercaste identification. This is useful, since acquiring information concerning these reproductive structures requires time-consuming dissection and they are not accessible when abdomens have been removed for molecular assays or in dried specimens. Additionally, geometric morphometrics divided intercastes into more discrete phenotype subsets. We conclude that morphometric geometrics are superior to traditional morphometrics techniques for identification and classification of honey bee castes and intermediates.

Morphometric Identification of Queens, Workers and Intermediates in In Vitro Reared Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)

PubMed Central

A. De Souza, Daiana; Wang, Ying; Kaftanoglu, Osman; De Jong, David; V. Amdam, Gro; S. Gonçalves, Lionel; M. Francoy, Tiago

2015-01-01

In vitro rearing is an important and useful tool for honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) studies. However, it often results in intercastes between queens and workers, which are normally are not seen in hive-reared bees, except when larvae older than three days are grafted for queen rearing. Morphological classification (queen versus worker or intercastes) of bees produced by this method can be subjective and generally depends on size differences. Here, we propose an alternative method for caste classification of female honey bees reared in vitro, based on weight at emergence, ovariole number, spermatheca size and size and shape, and features of the head, mandible and basitarsus. Morphological measurements were made with both traditional morphometric and geometric morphometrics techniques. The classifications were performed by principal component analysis, using naturally developed queens and workers as controls. First, the analysis included all the characters. Subsequently, a new analysis was made without the information about ovariole number and spermatheca size. Geometric morphometrics was less dependent on ovariole number and spermatheca information for caste and intercaste identification. This is useful, since acquiring information concerning these reproductive structures requires time-consuming dissection and they are not accessible when abdomens have been removed for molecular assays or in dried specimens. Additionally, geometric morphometrics divided intercastes into more discrete phenotype subsets. We conclude that morphometric geometrics are superior to traditional morphometrics techniques for identification and classification of honey bee castes and intermediates. PMID:25894528

Pathophysiology of infantile pulmonary arterial hypertension induced by monocrotaline.

PubMed

Dias-Neto, Marina; Luísa-Neves, Ana; Pinho, Sónia; Gonçalves, Nádia; Mendes, Maria; Eloy, Catarina; Lopes, José M; Gonçalves, Daniel; Ferreira-Pinto, Manuel; Leite-Moreira, Adelino F; Henriques-Coelho, Tiago

2015-06-01

Pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) presents certain specific features. In this specific age group, experimental models to study the pathophysiology of PAH are lacking. To characterize hemodynamic, morphometric, and histological progression as well as the expression of neurohumoral factors and regulators of cardiac transcription in an infantile model of PAH induced by monocrotaline (MCT), eight-day-old Wistar rats were randomly injected with MCT (30 mg/kg, sc, n = 95) or equal volume of saline solution (n = 92). Animals were instrumented for biventricular hemodynamic recording 7, 14, and 21 days after MCT, whereas samples were collected at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after MCT. Different time point postinjections were defined for further analysis. Hearts and lungs were collected for morphometric characterization, assessment of right- and left-ventricle (RV and LV) cardiomyocyte diameter and collagen type-I and type-III ratio, RV collagen volume fraction, and pulmonary vessels wall thickness. mRNA quantification was undertaken for brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and for cardiac transcription regulators (HOP and Islet1). Animals treated with MCT at the 8th day of life presented RV hypertrophy since day 14 after MCT injection. There were no differences on the RV collagen volume fraction or collagen type-I and type-III ratio. Pulmonary vascular remodelling and PAH were present on day 21, which were accompanied by an increased expression of BNP, ET-1, HOP, and Islet1. The infantile model of MCT-induced PAH can be useful for the study of its pathophysiology and to test new therapeutic targets in pediatric age group.

Dietary Ecology of Murinae (Muridae, Rodentia): A Geometric Morphometric Approach

PubMed Central

Gómez Cano, Ana Rosa; Hernández Fernández, Manuel; Álvarez-Sierra, M. Ángeles

2013-01-01

Murine rodents represent a highly diverse group, which displays great ecological versatility. In the present paper we analyse the relationship between dental morphology, on one hand, using geometric morphometrics based upon the outline of first upper molar and the dietary preference of extant murine genera, on the other. This ecomorphological study of extant murine rodents demonstrates that dietary groups can be distinguished with the use of a quantitative geometric morphometric approach based on first upper molar outline. A discriminant analysis of the geometric morphometric variables of the first upper molars enables us to infer the dietary preferences of extinct murine genera from the Iberian Peninsula. Most of the extinct genera were omnivore; only Stephanomys showed a pattern of dental morphology alike that of the herbivore genera. PMID:24236090

Effects of nutritional supplementation with l-arginine on repair of injuries due to muscle strain: experimental study on rats☆

PubMed Central

Couto, Lauren Izabel Medeiros; Wuicik, William Luiz; Kuhn, Ivan; Capriotti, Juan Rodolfo Vilela; Repka, João Carlos

2015-01-01

Objective To evaluate the influence of oral supplementation with arginine on regeneration of injuries due to straining of the anterior tibial muscle of rats. Methods Twenty-four Wistar rats of weight 492.5 ± 50.45 g were used. Injuries were induced through straining the anterior tibial muscles. The rats were separated into three groups of eight rats each. In the untreated group (UTG), after induction of injuries, the rats were observed for 24 h. In the simulation group (SG) and the arginine group (AG) respectively, the rats received isotonic saline solution and arginine solution via direct gavage, over a seven-day period. At the end of the period, blood samples were collected for serum evaluations of creatine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and C-reactive protein (CRP). The right and left anterior tibial muscles were resected for histopathological evaluations on the muscle injuries, investigating edema, hemorrhage and disorganization or morphometric alteration of the muscle fibers. The tissue repair was investigated in terms of proliferation of adipose tissue, angiogenesis and collagen fibers. The ANOVA and Student's t methods were used and p ≤ 0.05 was taken to be statistically significant. Results In the serum evaluations, the AG showed lower CK assay values and higher AST values. In the histopathological evaluation, the UTG presented edema and hemorrhage compatible with injuries due to strain; the SG presented edema and hemorrhage with proliferation of adipose tissue and collagen fibers; and the AG presented not only the findings of the SG but also, especially, intense angiogenesis. Conclusion Oral supplementation with arginine did not cause any significant metabolic alterations that would contraindicate its use and it induced angiogenesis during the repair of muscles injured due to strain. PMID:26401505

The Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway is activated in IgA nephropathy and rapamycin may represent a viable treatment option.

PubMed

Tian, Jihua; Wang, Yanhong; Guo, Haixiu; Li, Rongshan

2015-12-01

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most frequent forms of glomerulonephritis, and 20 to 40% of patients progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) within 20 years of disease onset. However, little is known about the molecular pathways involved in the altered physiology of mesangial cells during IgAN progression. This study was designed to explore the role of mTOR signaling and the potential of targeted rapamycin therapy in a rat model of IgAN. After establishing an IgA nephropathy model, the rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, control+rapamycin, IgAN and IgA+rapamycin. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine phospho-Akt, p70S6K and S6 protein levels. Coomassie Brilliant Blue was utilized to measure 24-h urinary protein levels. The biochemical parameters of the rats were analyzed with an autoanalyzer. To evaluate IgA deposition in the glomeruli, FITC-conjugated goat anti-rat IgA antibody was used for direct immunofluorescence. Cellular proliferation and the mesangial matrix in glomeruli were assayed via histological and morphometric procedures. Our results showed that p70S6K, S6 and Akt phosphorylation were significantly upregulated in IgAN rats, and rapamycin effectively inhibited p70S6K and S6 phosphorylation. A low dose of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin reduced proteinuria, inhibited IgA deposition, and protected kidney function in an IgAN rat model. Low-dose rapamycin treatment corresponded to significantly lower cellular proliferation rates and a decreased mesangial matrix in the glomeruli. In conclusion, the Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway was activated in IgAN, and our findings suggested that rapamycin may represent a viable option for the treatment of IgAN. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Intestinal morphology adjustments caused by dietary restriction improves the nutritional status during the aging process of rats.

PubMed

de Oliveira Belém, Mônica; Cirilo, Carla Possani; de Santi-Rampazzo, Ana Paula; Schoffen, João Paulo Ferreira; Comar, Jurandir Fernando; Natali, Maria Raquel Marçal; de Almeida Araújo, Eduardo José

2015-09-01

During the aging process, the body's systems change structurally and loss of function can occur. Ingesting a smaller amount of food has been considered a plausible proposal for increased longevity with the quality of life. However, the effects of dietary restriction (DR) during aging are still poorly understood, especially for organs of the digestive system. This study aimed to describe the body weight, oxidative status and possible morphological changes of the intestinal wall of rats submitted to DR during the aging process (7 to 18months old). Twelve 7-month-old male Wistar rats fed ad libitum since birth were assigned to two groups: control group (CG, n=6) fed ad libitum from 7 to 18months old; and dietary restriction group (DRG, n=6) fed 50% of the amount of chow consumed by the CG from 7 to 18months old. The body weight, feed and water intake were monitored throughout the experiment. Blood, periepididymal adipose tissue (PAT) and retroperitoneal adipose tissue (RAT), and the small intestine were collected at 18months old. The blood was collected to evaluate its components and oxidative status. Sections from the duodenum and ileum were stained with HE, PAS and AB pH2.5 for morphometric analyses of the intestinal wall components, and to count intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), goblet cells and cells in mitosis in the epithelium. DR rats showed a reduction in weight, naso-anal length, PAT, RAT and intestinal length; however, they consumed more water. Blood parameters indicate that the DR rats remained well nourished. In addition, they showed lower lipid peroxidation. Hypertrophy of the duodenal mucosa and atrophy of the ileal mucosa were observed. The number of goblet cells and IELs was reduced, but the mitotic index remained unaltered in both duodenum and ileum. In conclusion, 50% dietary restriction for rats from 7 to 18months old contributed to improving their nutritional parameters but, to achieve this, adjustments were required in the structure of the body weight and morphology of the small intestine. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of four morphometric definitions and a semiquantitative consensus reading for assessing prevalent vertebral fractures.

PubMed

Grados, F; Roux, C; de Vernejoul, M C; Utard, G; Sebert, J L; Fardellone, P

2001-01-01

The assessment of vertebral fracture in patients with osteoporosis by conventional radiography has been improved over the past 10 years using either the semiquantitative (SQ) method devised by Genant et al. or quantitative morphometry. However, there is still no internationally agreed definition for vertebral fracture and there have been few comparative studies between these different approaches. Our study assessed the reproducibility of the SQ method and of four commonly used morphometric algorithms (Melton's, Eastell's, Minne's and McCloskey's methods) for assessing prevalent vertebral fractures, and examined the agreement of each morphometric algorithm with a SQ consensus reading performed by three experts. With this consensus reading in place of a gold standard, we determined relative measures of sensitivity, specificity and optimal cutoff threshold for each morphometric algorithm. The study was conducted in 39 postmenopausal women who had at least one osteoporotic vertebral fracture. Normal values were derived from 84 healthy postmenopausal women with apparently normal vertebral bodies. Our results indicate that the concordance of SQ method was excellent (intraobserver agreement on serial radiographs = 96.4%, kappa = 0.91; agreement between individual readings and the consensus reading = 98%, kappa = 0.95). Three morphometric approaches demonstrated good intra- and interobserver concordance (Melton: intraobserver agreement on serial radiographs = 92.7%, kappa = 0.82, interobserver agreement = 91.1%, kappa = 0.79; Eastell: intraobserver agreement on serial radiographs = 87.6%, kappa = 0.66, interobserver agreement = 88.6%, kappa = 0.68; McCloskey: intraobserver agreement on serial radiographs = 91.5%, kappa = 0.72, interobserver agreement = 93.9%, kappa = 0.78). Except for McCloskey's method, the optimal cutoff thresholds defined in our study by highest kappa score or Youden index in comparison with the SQ consensus reading were near the cutoff thresholds that were arbitrarily fixed. The four morphometric algorithms provided a good agreement with the results of the SQ consensus reading, but the more complex algorithm did not provide better results and even if we adjusted the cutoff threshold, no morphometric algorithm agreed perfectly with the SQ consensus reading. We conclude that morphometric approaches currently used should not be employed alone to detect prevalent vertebral fractures in studies on osteoporosis, but should rather be used in combination with a visual assessment. The SQ approach that allows differential diagnosis of vertebral deformities and has demonstrated a better reproducibility can be employed alone when it is performed by experienced and well-trained readers.

A global distributed basin morphometric dataset

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Xinyi; Anagnostou, Emmanouil N.; Mei, Yiwen; Hong, Yang

2017-01-01

Basin morphometry is vital information for relating storms to hydrologic hazards, such as landslides and floods. In this paper we present the first comprehensive global dataset of distributed basin morphometry at 30 arc seconds resolution. The dataset includes nine prime morphometric variables; in addition we present formulas for generating twenty-one additional morphometric variables based on combination of the prime variables. The dataset can aid different applications including studies of land-atmosphere interaction, and modelling of floods and droughts for sustainable water management. The validity of the dataset has been consolidated by successfully repeating the Hack's law.

Morphometric variations of laelapine mite (Acari: Mesostigmata) populations infesting small mammals (Mammalia) in Brazil.

PubMed

Martins-Hatano, F; Gettinger, D; Manhães, M L; Bergallo, H G

2012-08-01

The goal of this study was to evaluate the morphometric variation of laelapine populations (Acari, Mesostigmata) associated with neotropical oryzomyine rodents at different geographic localities in Brazil. Three nominal mite species were selected for study, all infesting the pelage of small mammals at different localities in Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Bahia, and the Federal District, Brazil. To analyse morphometric characteristics, thirty-seven morphological characters distributed across the whole body of each specimen were measured. We use the Analysis of Principal Components, extracting the three first axes and projecting each mite in these axes. Major species level changes in the taxonomy of the host mammals allows an independent examination of morphometric variation of mites infesting a set of distinctly different host species at different geographic localities. Gigantolaelaps vitzthumi and Laelaps differens are associated with oryzomyine rodents of the genus Cerradomys, and consistently showed a tendency to cluster by host phylogeny. Laelaps manguinhosi associated with Nectomys rattus in central Brazil is morphometrically distinct from mites infesting N. squamipes in the coastal restingas of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. The results obtained here indicate that laelapine mite populations can vary among geographic areas and among phylogenetically related host species. Clearly, the study of these mites at the population level can be an important tool for clarifying the taxonomy of both mites and hosts.

Morphometrical study on senile larynx.

PubMed

Zieliński, R

2001-01-01

The aim of the study was a morphometrical macroscopic evaluation of senile larynges, according to its usefulness in ORL diagnostic and operational methods. Larynx preparations were taken from cadavers of both sexes, of age 65 and over, about 24 hours after death. Clinically important laryngeal diameters were collected using common morphometrical methods. A few body features were also being gathered. Computer statistical methods were used in data assessment, including basic statistics and linear correlations between diameters and between diameters and body features. The data presented in the study may be very helpful in evaluation of diagnostic methods. It may also help in selection of right operational tool' sizes, the most appropriate operational technique choice, preoperative preparations and designing and building virtual and plastic models for physicians' training.

Host-based identification is not supported by morphometrics in natural populations of Gyrodactylus salaris and G. thymalli (Platyhelminthes, Monogenea).

PubMed

Olstad, K; Shinn, A P; Bachmann, L; Bakke, T A

2007-12-01

Gyrodactylus salaris is a serious pest of wild pre-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Norway. The closely related G. thymalli, originally described from grayling (Thymallus thymallus), is assumed harmless to both grayling and salmon. The 2 species are difficult to distinguish using traditional, morphometric methods or molecular approaches. The aim of this study was to explore whether there is a consistent pattern of morphometrical variation between G. salaris and G. thymalli and to analyse the morphometric variation in the context of 'diagnostic realism' (in natural populations). Specimens from the type-material for the 2 species are also included. In total, 27 point-to-point measurements from the opisthaptoral hard parts were used and analysed by digital image processing and uni- and multivariate morphometry. All populations most closely resembled its respective type material, as expected from host species, with the exception of G. thymalli from the Norwegian river Trysilelva. We, therefore, did not find clear support in the morphometrical variation among G. salaris and G. thymalli for an a priori species delineation based on host. The present study also indicates an urgent need for more detailed knowledge on the influence of environmental factors on the phenotype of gyrodactylid populations.

Energy-related parameters and their association with age, gender, and morphometric measurements in healthy donkeys.

PubMed

Mendoza, F J; Estepa, J C; Gonzalez-De Cara, C A; Aguilera-Aguilera, R; Toribio, R E; Perez-Ecija, A

2015-05-01

Donkeys are commonly afflicted by endocrine and metabolic disturbances but few studies have investigated endocrine variables involved in energy regulation and their association with morphometric indices, age or gender in this species. Hemostatic and clinical differences have been demonstrated between horses and donkeys, so to consider both species as metabolically and endocrinologically similar could lead to misdiagnosis. In this study, plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides and endocrine factors involved in energy homeostasis (insulin, glucagon, leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin and insulin-like growth factor [IGF]-1) were measured and their association with morphometric variables (body condition score, neck scoring and body mass index), gender and age was determined in 62 healthy donkeys. In addition, a neck scoring system specific for donkeys was developed. Insulin, glucagon, leptin and IGF-1 concentrations were found to be similar between donkeys and other species, but adiponectin and active ghrelin were lower in donkeys than horses. Donkeys with larger neck scores and body mass indices had higher triglyceride, leptin and IGF-1 concentrations. A sexual dimorphism was observed on all morphometric measurements and plasma glucose concentrations independent of adiposity. Younger animals had lower morphometric measurements and triglyceride and leptin concentrations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

On the biology of Spiruroidea parasites of murine rodents on El Hierro (Canary Islands, Spain) with molecular characterization of Streptopharagus greenbergi Wertheim, 1993.

PubMed

Montoliu, Isabel; Sánchez, Santiago; Villa, Mercedes; Abreu-Acosta, Néstor; Martín-Alonso, Aarón; Fernández-Álvarez, Ángela; Foronda, Pilar

2013-09-01

This paper reports the role of darkling beetles Pimelia laevigata costipennis and Hegeter amaroides (Tenebrionidae) as intermediate hosts of spiruroid nematodes parasites of the black rat and house mouse of El Hierro (Canary Islands). Larvae of spiruroid species were found in the two tenebrionids (18.1% in P. l. costipennis, 7.8% in H. amaroides), Streptopharagus greenbergi being predominant in both (16.1% and 7.1%, respectively), ahead of Mastophorus muris and Gongylonema type larva. The larval stages of S. greenbergi are described for the first time, and adult worms were obtained experimentally from an infected laboratory rat, allowing the identification of the species. Morphometric measurements of experimental adults match those of adults detected in naturally infected rats on the island. Molecular data for S. greenbergi, and the ITS nucleotide sequence of the genus Streptopharagus are also provided for the first time. After the isolation of S. greenbergi DNA and amplification of the ITS region, the ITS1 of this spirocercid was sequenced and deposited in the GenBank database. Copyright © 2013 Académie des sciences. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Application of Basin Morphometry Laws in catchments of the south-western quadrangle of south-eastern Nigeria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aisuebeogun, A. O.; Ezekwe, I. C.

2013-09-01

The relationship between process and form has been at the core of research in fluvial geomorphology. Form-process relationships of a natural river basin are strongly influenced by its hydrologic and sedimentologic processes as basin morphometric properties of length, shape, and relief, change in response to various hydrologic stimuli from the environment, but usually in line with well established laws. In the four river basins (Orashi, Otamiri, Sombreiro, New Calabar) examined in this study, however, empirical evidence does not conform neatly with theoretical postulates. Remarkable variations are noted in the morphometric properties of the catchments, when compared with established morphometric laws. The most varied in conformity are the Orashi and New Calabar basins, although the Sombreiro and Otamiri catchments also show some level of variation. Prime explanation for the morphometric and topographic non-conformity is caused by the nature of surficial material and the profoundly shallow relief of much of the study area, especially the alluvial flood and deltaic plains to the south and south-west of the study area.

[Operational mechanism modification of bone mechanostat in an animal model of nutritional stress: effect of propranolol].

PubMed

Pintos, Patricia Mabel; Lezón, Christian Esteban; Bozzini, Clarisa; Friedman, Silvia María; Boyer, Patricia Mónica

2013-01-01

Propranolol (P) treatment exerts a preventive effect against the detrimental consequences to bone status in mildly chronically food-restricted growing rats (NGR) by an increment in cortical bone and by improving its spatial distribution. To study the effect of beta-blocker on operational mechanism of bone mechanostat in an animal model of nutritional stress. Weanling male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control (C), C + P (CP), NGR and NGR + P (NGRP). C and CP rats were fed freely with the standard diet. NGR and NGRP rats received, for 4 weeks, 80% of the amount of food consumed by C and CP respectively, the previous day, corrected by body weight. Propranolol (7 mg/kg/day) was injected ip 5 days per week, for four weeks in CP and NGRP rats. C and NGR received saline injections at an identical dosage regimen. Body weight and length were determined during the experimental period. Dietary intake was registered daily. Animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks of food restriction. Immediately, cuadriceps, femur and tibiae from each animal were dissected and weighed, and histomorphometric and mechanical studies were performed. Serum a-CTX, osteocalcin, intact PTH, calcium and phosphorous were determined. Body protein (% prot) was measured in all groups. Food restriction induced detrimental effects on body and femoral growth, load-bearing capacity (Wf), % prot and cuadriceps weight in NGR us. C (p < 0.01). beta-blocker did not modify anthropometric and bone morphometric parameters in NGRP and CP us. NGR and C, respectively (p > 0.05). However, Wf NGRP vs. NGR was significantly higher (p < 0.01). alpha-CTX was significantly higher in NGR vs. C (p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed in alpha-CTX levels between CP, NGRP and C (p > 0.05). Serum osteocalcin, intact PTH, calcium and phospho- rous showed no significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). These results suggest that modeling increase in bone mass and strength in NGRP rats could be due to an anticatabolic interaction of the beta-blocker propranolol on operational mechanism of bone mechanostat in an animal model of nutritional stress.

Therapeutic Potential of Date Palm Pollen for Testicular Dysfunction Induced by Thyroid Disorders in Male Rats.

PubMed

El-Kashlan, Akram M; Nooh, Mohammed M; Hassan, Wafaa A; Rizk, Sherine M

2015-01-01

Hyper- or hypothyroidism can impair testicular function leading to infertility. The present study was designed to examine the protective effect of date palm pollen (DPP) extract on thyroid disorder-induced testicular dysfunction. Rats were divided into six groups. Group I was normal control. Group II received oral DPP extract (150 mg kg(-1)), group III (hyperthyroid group) received intraperitoneal injection of L-thyroxine (L-T4, 300 μg kg(-1); i.p.), group IV received L-T4 plus DPP extract, group V (hypothyroid group) received propylthiouracil (PTU, 10 mg kg(-1); i.p.) and group VI received PTU plus DPP extract. All treatments were given every day for 56 days. L-T4 or PTU lowered genital sex organs weight, sperm count and motility, serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone (T), testicular function markers and activities of testicular 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD). Moreover, L-T4 or PTU increased estradiol (E2) serum level, testicular oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptotic markers. Morphometric and histopathologic studies backed these observations. Treatment with DPP extract prevented LT4- or PTU induced changes. In addition, supplementation of DPP extract to normal rats augmented sperm count and motility, serum levels of LH, T and E2 paralleled with increased activities of 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD as well as testicular antioxidant status. These results provide evidence that DPP extract may have potential protective effects on testicular dysfunction induced by altered thyroid hormones.

Coconut water alters maternal high fat diet induced changes in hormones and pup morphometry of Wistar rats.

PubMed

Kunle-Alabi, O T; Akindele, O O; Raji, Y

2015-06-01

Maternal high fat diet (HFD) during gestation adversely programmes foetal metabolism and cardiovascular function for the development of obesity and its related cardiovascular diseases in adult life. The hypolipidemic actions of coconut water (CW) in the presence of HFD have been reported. This study examined the effects of oral administration of CW on lipid panel, hormone profile, pup and placental morphometry of dams fed HFD during gestation. Twenty-four pregnant Wistar rats were assigned to four groups (n = 6) and treated daily from gestation day (GD) 1 to 21 as follows; Group 1: 1 ml/100g b.wt. distilled water; Group 2: 1ml/100g b.wt. CW; Group 3: HFD (70% standard rat feed plus 30% butter); Group 4: HFD + 1 ml/100g b.wt. CW. Animals were sacrificed on GD 21. Random blood glucose was measured using tail blood. Caesarean section was performed to remove the pups and their placentas which were immediately measured. Oxidative stress status of the placentas; serum lipid and hormone profiles of dams were assessed. HFD+CW resulted in significant (P < 0.05) reductions in pup weight and morphometric indices when compared with pups from HFD. These changes were accompanied by significant improvements in maternal serum lipid profile, alterations in hormone levels and higher placental lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that coconut water is protective against maternal high fat diet-induced changes. Further studies are on-going to determine the actions of coconut water of maternal high fat diet induced foetal programming of adult health.

Therapeutic Potential of Date Palm Pollen for Testicular Dysfunction Induced by Thyroid Disorders in Male Rats

PubMed Central

El-Kashlan, Akram M.; Nooh, Mohammed M.; Hassan, Wafaa A.; Rizk, Sherine M.

2015-01-01

Hyper- or hypothyroidism can impair testicular function leading to infertility. The present study was designed to examine the protective effect of date palm pollen (DPP) extract on thyroid disorder-induced testicular dysfunction. Rats were divided into six groups. Group I was normal control. Group II received oral DPP extract (150 mg kg-1), group III (hyperthyroid group) received intraperitoneal injection of L-thyroxine (L-T4, 300μg kg-1; i.p.), group IV received L-T4 plus DPP extract, group V (hypothyroid group) received propylthiouracil (PTU, 10 mg kg-1; i.p.) and group VI received PTU plus DPP extract. All treatments were given every day for 56 days. L-T4 or PTU lowered genital sex organs weight, sperm count and motility, serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone (T), testicular function markers and activities of testicular 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD). Moreover, L-T4 or PTU increased estradiol (E2) serum level, testicular oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptotic markers. Morphometric and histopathologic studies backed these observations. Treatment with DPP extract prevented LT4- or PTU induced changes. In addition, supplementation of DPP extract to normal rats augmented sperm count and motility, serum levels of LH, T and E2 paralleled with increased activities of 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD as well as testicular antioxidant status. These results provide evidence that DPP extract may have potential protective effects on testicular dysfunction induced by altered thyroid hormones. PMID:26425844

Effect of different doses of monosodium glutamate on the thyroid follicular cells of adult male albino rats: a histological study

PubMed Central

Khalaf, Hanaa A; Arafat, Eetmad A

2015-01-01

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a major flavor enhancer used as a food additive. The present study investigates the effects of different doses of MSG on the morphometric and histological changes of the thyroid gland. 28 male albino rats were used. The rats were divided into four groups: group I control, group II, III and IV treated with MSG (0.25 g/kg, 3 g/kg, 6 g/kg daily for one month) respectively. The thyroid glands were dissected out and prepared for light and electron microscopic examination. Light microscopic examination of thyroid gland of group II revealed increase in follicular epithelial height. Groups III & IV showed decrease in the follicular diameter and irregularity in the shape of some follicles with discontinuity of basement membrane. Follicular hyperplasia was detected in some follicles with appearance of multiple pyknotic nuclei in follicular and interfollicular cells and multiple exfoliated cells in the colloid. In addition, areas of loss of follicular pattern were appeared in group IV. Immunohistochemical examination of BCL2 immunoexpression of the thyroid glands of groups III & IV reveals weak positive reaction in the follicular cells cytoplasm. Ultrathin sections examination of groups III & IV revealed follicular cells with irregular hyperchromatic nuclei, marked dilatation of rER and increased lysosomes with areas of short or lost apical microvilli. In addition, vacuolation of mitochondria was detected in group IV. The results displayed that MSG even at low doses is capable of producing alterations in the body weights and thyroid tissue function and histology. PMID:26884820

Landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis of wing shape among certain species of Aedes mosquitoes in District Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India.

PubMed

Mondal, Ritwik; Devi, N Pemola; Jauhari, R K

2015-06-01

Insect wing morphology has been used in many studies to describe variations among species and populations using traditional morphometrics, and more recently geometric morphometrics. A landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis of the wings of three species of Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae), viz. Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus and Ae. pseudotaeniatus, at District Dehradun was conducted belling on the fact that it can provide insight into the population structure, ecology and taxonomic identification. Adult Aedes mosquito specimens were randomly collected using aerial nets and morphologically examined and identified. The landmarks were identified on the basis of landmark based geometric morphometric analysis thin-plate spline (mainly the software tps-Util 1.28; tps-Dig 1.40; tps-Relw 1.53; and tps-Spline 1.20) and integrated morphometrics programme (mainly twogroup win8 and PCA win8) were utilized. In relative warp (RW) analysis, the first two RW of Ae. aegypti accounted for the highest value (95.82%), followed by Ae. pseudotaeniatus (90.89%), while the lowest (90.12%) being recorded for Ae. albopictus. The bending energies of Ae. aegypti and Ae. pseudotaeniatus were quite identical being 0.1882 and 0.1858 respectively, while Ae. albopictus recorded the highest value of 0.9774. The mean difference values of the distances among Aedes species performing Hotelling's T 2 test were significantly high, predicting major differences among the taxa. In PCA analysis, the horizontal and vertical axis summarized 52.41 and 23.30% of variances respectively. The centroid size exhibited significant differences among populations (non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test, H = 10.56, p < 0.01). It has been marked out that the geometric morphometrics utilizes powerful and comprehensive statistical procedures to analyze the shape differences of a morphological feature, assuming that the studied mosquitoes may represent different genotypes and probably come from one diverse gene pool.

Sensitivity of drainage morphometry based hydrological response (GIUH) of a river basin to the spatial resolution of DEM data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahoo, Ramendra; Jain, Vikrant

2018-02-01

Drainage network pattern and its associated morphometric ratios are some of the important plan form attributes of a drainage basin. Extraction of these attributes for any basin is usually done by spatial analysis of the elevation data of that basin. These planform attributes are further used as input data for studying numerous process-response interactions inside the physical premise of the basin. One of the important uses of the morphometric ratios is its usage in the derivation of hydrologic response of a basin using GIUH concept. Hence, accuracy of the basin hydrological response to any storm event depends upon the accuracy with which, the morphometric ratios can be estimated. This in turn, is affected by the spatial resolution of the source data, i.e. the digital elevation model (DEM). We have estimated the sensitivity of the morphometric ratios and the GIUH derived hydrograph parameters, to the resolution of source data using a 30 meter and a 90 meter DEM. The analysis has been carried out for 50 drainage basins in a mountainous catchment. A simple and comprehensive algorithm has been developed for estimation of the morphometric indices from a stream network. We have calculated all the morphometric parameters and the hydrograph parameters for each of these basins extracted from two different DEMs, with different spatial resolutions. Paired t-test and Sign test were used for the comparison. Our results didn't show any statistically significant difference among any of the parameters calculated from the two source data. Along with the comparative study, a first-hand empirical analysis about the frequency distribution of the morphometric and hydrologic response parameters has also been communicated. Further, a comparison with other hydrological models suggests that plan form morphometry based GIUH model is more consistent with resolution variability in comparison to topographic based hydrological model.

Structural MRI and Cognitive Correlates in Pest-control Personnel from Gulf War I

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

Medicine where they will be reconstructed for morphometric analyses by the study imaging expert, Dr. Killiany. All the images will be transferred to... geometric design; assess ability to organize and construct Raw Score...MRI and morphometric analysis of the images. The results of the current study will be able to compare whether brain imaging differences exist

Localization of nuclear subunits of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase by the immunocolloidal gold method

PubMed Central

1985-01-01

An immunocolloidal gold electron microscopy method is described allowing the ultrastructural localization and quantitation of the regulatory subunits RI and RII and the catalytic subunit C of cAMP- dependent protein kinase. Using a postembedding indirect immunogold labeling procedure that employs specific antisera, the catalytic and regulatory subunits were localized in electron-dense regions of the nucleus and in cytoplasmic areas with a minimum of nonspecific staining. Antigenic domains were localized in regions of the heterochromatin, nucleolus, interchromatin granules, and in the endoplasmic reticulum of different cell types, such as rat hepatocytes, ovarian granulosa cells, and spermatogonia, as well as cultured H4IIE hepatoma cells. Morphometric quantitation of the relative staining density of nuclear antigens indicated a marked modulation of the number of subunits per unit area under various physiologic conditions. For instance, following partial hepatectomy in rats, the staining density of the nuclear RI and C subunits was markedly increased 16 h after surgery. Glucagon treatment of rats increased the staining density of only the nuclear catalytic subunit. Dibutyryl cAMP treatment of H4IIE hepatoma cells led to a marked increase in the nuclear staining density of all three subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. These studies demonstrate that specific antisera against cAMP-dependent protein kinase subunits may be used in combination with immunogold electron microscopy to identify the ultrastructural location of the subunits and to provide a semi-quantitative estimate of their relative cellular density. PMID:2993318

Chronic hypervitaminosis D3 determines a decrease in C-cell numbers and calcitonin levels in rats.

PubMed

Martín-Lacave, I; Ramos, F; Utrilla, J C; Conde, E; Hevia, A; Fernández, R; Moreno, A M; Fernández-Santos, J M; Galera-Davidson, H

1998-02-01

Many papers have reported that chronic hypercalcemia induced either by large doses of vitamin D or by the administration of calcium or parathormone, produces hypertrophy and hyperplasia of C cells. However, more recent studies suggest that the effect of elevated calcium or 1.25(OH)2D3 concentration on the production of calcitonin may be more complex than previously suspected. To assess the validity of such a response an experimental model, where hypercalcemia was induced with vitamin D3 overdose, was designed. Male Wistar rats were administered vitamin D3 chronically (50,000 IU per 100 ml of drinking water with or without CaCl2). Serum calcium and calcitonin levels were determined. C cells were stained by immunohistochemistry using calcitonin and neuronal specific enolase (NSE) antibodies and their percentage was calculated by a morphometric analysis. We also investigated the ultrastructural characteristic of the C cells under experimental conditions. C cells did not have a proliferative response rather a decrease in their number was observed after 1 month of treatment with 25,000 IU of vitamin D3 (1.55 vs 2.43% in control animals) and 3 months with vitamin plus CaCl2 (2.27% vs 3.62% in control animals). In addition, no significant changes in serum calcitonin levels were observed during the experimental period. We conclude that rat C cells do not respond with hypertrophic and hyperplastic changes in a hypercalcemic state due to an intoxication with vitamin D3.

Behavior outcome after ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, with similar brain damage, in rats.

PubMed

Mestriner, Régis Gemerasca; Miguel, Patrícia Maidana; Bagatini, Pamela Brambilla; Saur, Lisiani; Boisserand, Lígia Simões Braga; Baptista, Pedro Porto Alegre; Xavier, Léder Leal; Netto, Carlos Alexandre

2013-05-01

Stroke causes disability and mortality worldwide and is divided into ischemic and hemorrhagic subtypes. Although clinical trials suggest distinct recovery profiles for ischemic and hemorrhagic events, this is not conclusive due to stroke heterogeneity. The aim of this study was to produce similar brain damage, using experimental models of ischemic (IS) and hemorrhagic (HS) stroke and evaluate the motor spontaneous recovery profile. We used 31 Wistar rats divided into the following groups: Sham (n=7), ischemic (IS) (n=12) or hemorrhagic (HS) (n=12). Brain ischemia or hemorrhage was induced by endotelin-1 (ET-1) and collagenase type IV-S (collagenase) microinjections, respectively. All groups were evaluated in the open field, cylinder and ladder walk behavioral tests at distinct time points as from baseline to 30 days post-surgery (30 PS). Histological and morphometric analyses were used to assess the volume of lost tissue and lesion length. Present results reveal that both forms of experimental stroke had a comparable long-term pattern of damage, since no differences were found in volume of tissue lost or lesion size 30 days after surgery. However, behavioral data showed that hemorrhagic rats were less impaired at skilled walking than ischemic ones at 15 and 30 days post-surgery. We suggest that experimentally comparable stroke design is useful because it reduces heterogeneity and facilitates the assessment of neurobiological differences related to stroke subtypes; and that spontaneous skilled walking recovery differs between experimental ischemic and hemorrhagic insults. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Morphometric information to reduce the semantic gap in the characterization of microscopic images of thyroid nodules.

PubMed

Macedo, Alessandra A; Pessotti, Hugo C; Almansa, Luciana F; Felipe, Joaquim C; Kimura, Edna T

2016-07-01

The analyses of several systems for medical-imaging processing typically support the extraction of image attributes, but do not comprise some information that characterizes images. For example, morphometry can be applied to find new information about the visual content of an image. The extension of information may result in knowledge. Subsequently, results of mappings can be applied to recognize exam patterns, thus improving the accuracy of image retrieval and allowing a better interpretation of exam results. Although successfully applied in breast lesion images, the morphometric approach is still poorly explored in thyroid lesions due to the high subjectivity thyroid examinations. This paper presents a theoretical-practical study, considering Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) and Morphometry, to reduce the semantic discontinuity between medical image features and human interpretation of image content. The proposed method aggregates the content of microscopic images characterized by morphometric information and other image attributes extracted by traditional object extraction algorithms. This method carries out segmentation, feature extraction, image labeling and classification. Morphometric analysis was included as an object extraction method in order to verify the improvement of its accuracy for automatic classification of microscopic images. To validate this proposal and verify the utility of morphometric information to characterize thyroid images, a CAD system was created to classify real thyroid image-exams into Papillary Cancer, Goiter and Non-Cancer. Results showed that morphometric information can improve the accuracy and precision of image retrieval and the interpretation of results in computer-aided diagnosis. For example, in the scenario where all the extractors are combined with the morphometric information, the CAD system had its best performance (70% of precision in Papillary cases). Results signalized a positive use of morphometric information from images to reduce semantic discontinuity between human interpretation and image characterization. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Glenoid fossa responses to mandibular lateral shift in growing rats.

PubMed

Liu, Chang; Kaneko, Sawa; Soma, Kunimichi

2007-07-01

To evaluate the morphological and histological responses of the glenoid fossa to mandibular lateral shift in growing rats. A resin plate was placed on the upper incisors of 4-week-old rats in the experimental groups to displace the mandible to the left during closure. The rats were killed after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The morphometric measurements were performed on dry skulls, and tissue blocks were processed for periodic acid and Schiff's reagent (PAS) staining to examine the new bone formation. Gross measurements showed asymmetry in both the position and size of the fossae between the two sides after 4 weeks of lateral shift. The glenoid fossa on the ipsilateral side was repositioned relatively backward, outward and upward compared with the contralateral side and control group, whereas the fossa on the contralateral side was relocated relatively forward and downward compared with the control group. The length of the fossa was smaller on the ipsilateral side than on contralateral side and control group. At 2 weeks, the amount of newly formed bone in the posterior region of the fossa was higher in the experimental group than the control group. It is suggested that the mandibular lateral shift causes asymmetry in the position and size of the glenoid fossa and that this phenomenon can be related to different bilateral directional new bone formation in the posterior region.

Long-term (postnatal day 70) outcome and safety of intratracheal transplantation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells in neonatal hyperoxic lung injury.

PubMed

Ahn, So Yoon; Chang, Yun Sil; Kim, Soo Yoon; Sung, Dong Kyung; Kim, Eun Sun; Rime, So Yub; Yu, Wook Joon; Choi, Soo Jin; Oh, Won Il; Park, Won Soon

2013-03-01

This study was performed to evaluate the long-term effects and safety of intratracheal (IT) transplantation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) in neonatal hyperoxic lung injury at postnatal day (P)70 in a rat model. Newborn Sprague Dawley rat pups were subjected to 14 days of hyperoxia (90% oxygen) within 10 hours after birth and allowed to recover at room air until sacrificed at P70. In the transplantation groups, hUCB-MSCs (5×10⁵) were administered intratracheally at P5. At P70, various organs including the heart, lung, liver, and spleen were histologically examined, and the harvested lungs were assessed for morphometric analyses of alveolarization. ED-1, von Willebrand factor, and human-specific nuclear mitotic apparatus protein (NuMA) staining in the lungs and the hematologic profile of blood were evaluated. Impaired alveolar and vascular growth, which evidenced by an increased mean linear intercept and decreased amount of von Willebrand factor, respectively, and the hyperoxia-induced inflammatory responses, as evidenced by inflammatory foci and ED-1 positive alveolar macrophages, were attenuated in the P70 rat lungs by IT transplantation of hUCB-MSCs. Although rare, donor cells with human specific NuMA staining were persistently present in the P70 rat lungs. There were no gross or microscopic abnormal findings in the heart, liver, or spleen, related to the MSCs transplantation. The protective and beneficial effects of IT transplantation of hUCB-MSCs in neonatal hyperoxic lung injuries were sustained for a prolonged recovery period without any long-term adverse effects up to P70.

Neuroprotective and Ameliorating Impacts of Omega-3 Against Aspartame-induced Neuronal and Astrocytic Degeneration.

PubMed

Ali, Eyad M T; Sonpol, Hany M A

2017-07-01

Aspartame (ASP) is one of the commonest artificial sweetener used all over the world and considered as an extremely risky compound and raises a lot of controversy. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate cellular damage of the anterior horn cells in the spinal cord of albino male rats and the possibility of hindering these changes by using omega-3 (OM3).Thirty seven adult male albino rats were divided into three groups: Control, ASP-treated and ASP + OM3-treated groups. Spinal cord sections were prepared and stained with Hx&E, caspase-3 and GFAP immunostaining. All data were morphometrically and statistically analyzed. In ASP-treated group, the cell body of some degenerated neurons was swollen and its cytoplasm was vacuolated. Their nuclei were eccentric and pyknotic. Moreover, other neurons were of a heterogeneous pattern in the form of cell body shrinkage, loss of Nissl substance, intensely stained eosinophilic cytoplasm and a small darkly stained nucleus that may eventually fragment. However, the cells were apparently normal in ASP+ OM3-treated group. Strong +ve caspase-3 stained neurons were detected in ASP-treated group. Furthermore, the immunoreaction was faint on treating the rats with both ASP and OM3. Few number of +ve GFAP- stained astrocytes were observed in ASP-treated rats. On the other hand, the immunoreactivity for GFAP was found to be intense in the ASP + OM3-treated group. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in the surface area percentage of the +ve GFAP-stained astrocytes of the ASP-treated group compared to the control and the ASP + OM3-treated groups. Anat Rec, 300:1290-1298, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The long-term effects of FSH and triiodothyronine administration during the pubertal period on Connexin 43 expression and spermatogenesis efficiency in adult rats.

PubMed

Marchlewska, Katarzyna; Slowikowska-Hilczer, Jolanta; Walczak-Jedrzejowska, Renata; Oszukowska, Elzbieta; Filipiak, Eliza; Kula, Krzysztof

2015-04-01

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and triiodothyronine (T3) are known regulatory factors of spermatogenesis initiation. Hyperstimulation of both hormones evokes regressional changes in connexin 43 expression and the seminiferous epithelium in young rats during testicular maturation. However, separate treatments with T3 reduce Sertoli cell number, which seems to be closely connected with the maturation of connexin 43 gap junctions. FSH elevates Sertoli cell number and function, but this effect may take place regardless of the presence of connexin 43-dependent intercellular communication. The aim of the study was to evaluate the later effects of such treatments. Newborn, male Wistar rats were divided randomly into experimental groups receiving daily subcutaneous injections of either 7.5 IU/animal FSH, or 100 mg/kg b.w. T3, or both substances or the same volume of vehicle (control group) until day 15 of life. The animals were sacrificed on day 50. Morphometric analysis and immunohistochemical reactions were performed using antibodies against Vimentin, Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen and Connexin 43 in the testis. Sertoli cell count, efficiency of spermatogenesis, and hormonal pattern were examined. Disturbances in the connexin 43 expression reduced the number of Sertoli cells, the efficiency of spermatogenesis and impaired endocrine function of testes in adult rats treated with FSH and T3 during puberty. Stimulation with FSH alone increased Sertoli cell number, but was associated with a negative effect on cell-to-cell connexin 43-dependent communication, with a consequential reduction of spermatogenesis efficiency. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 256-265, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of chronic treatment with valproate and oxcarbazepine on testicular development in rats.

PubMed

Cansu, Ali; Ekinci, Ozgür; Serdaroglu, Ayse; Gürgen, Seren Gulsen; Ekinci, Ozalp; Erdogan, Deniz; Coskun, Zafer Kutay; Tunc, Lutfi

2011-04-01

The aim of this study was to examine the potential effects of valproate (VPA) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) on testicular development in rats. Forty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of 14 rats each. Each group received the following via gavage over 90 days: group 1, tap water (control group); group 2, VPA (300mg/kg/day); group 3, OXC (100mg/kg/day). After sacrifice, body, testicular and epididymidis weights were measured. Testes were sampled, fixed and processed, and quantitative morphometric analysis of Sertoli cells, spermatocytes and spermatids was performed in stages II, V and XII by histopathological examination. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to transform growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and p53, and the apoptotic index was assessed using the TUNEL method. Testis and relative testis weights were significantly lower in the VPA group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Spermatogonia, pachytene spermatocyte and round spermatocyte numbers decreased in all stages in both the VPA and OXC groups compared to the control group, though this was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Apoptotic cell counts and p53 immunoreaction were significantly high and TGF-β1 expression was significantly lower in the VPA group compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). In the OXC group, p53 immunoreaction and TGF-β1 expression decreased compared to the control group, but this difference did not attain statistical significance (p>0.05). Our results show that VPA treatment from prepuberty to adulthood significantly negatively affects spermatogenesis, not only by reducing testicular weight, but also by increasing apoptotic death and p53 and decreasing TGF-β1 activation. OXC has a minimal side effect on testicular development. Copyright © 2010 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of the association of diabetes and pulmonary emphysema on cardiac structure and function in rats.

PubMed

Di Petta, Antonio; Simas, Rafael; Ferreira, Clebson L; Capelozzi, Vera L; Salemi, Vera M C; Moreira, Luiz F P; Sannomiya, Paulina

2015-10-01

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is often associated with chronic comorbid conditions of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the association of diabetes and pulmonary emphysema on cardiac structure and function in rats. Wistar rats were divided into control non-diabetic instilled with saline (CS) or elastase (CE), diabetic instilled with saline (DS) or elastase (DE), DE treated with insulin (DEI) groups and echocardiographic measurements, morphometric analyses of the heart and lungs, and survival analysis conducted 50 days after instillation. Diabetes mellitus was induced [alloxan, 42 mg/kg, intravenously (iv)] 10 days before the induction of emphysema (elastase, 0.25 IU/100 g). Rats were treated with NPH insulin (4 IU before elastase plus 2 IU/day, 50 days). Both CE and DE exhibited similar increases in mean alveolar diameter, which are positively correlated with increases in right ventricular (RV) wall thickness (P = 0.0022), cavity area (P = 0.0001) and cardiomyocyte thickness (P = 0.0001). Diabetic saline group demonstrated a reduction in left ventricular (LV) wall, interventricular (IV) septum, cardiomyocyte thickness and an increase in cavity area, associated with a reduction in LV fractional shortening (P < 0.05), and an increase in LViv relaxation time (P < 0.05). Survival rate decreased from 80% in DS group to 40% in DE group. In conclusion, alloxan diabetes did not affect RV hypertrophy secondary to chronic emphysema, even in the presence of insulin. Diabetes per se induced left ventricular dysfunction, which was less evident in the presence of RV hypertrophy. Survival rate was substantially reduced as a consequence, at least in part, of the coexistence of RV hypertrophy and diabetic cardiomyopathy. © 2015 The Authors. International Journal of Experimental Pathology © 2015 International Journal of Experimental Pathology.

High lenticular tolerance to ultraviolet radiation-B by pigmented guinea-pig; application of a safety limit strategy for UVR-induced cataract.

PubMed

Mody, Vino C; Kakar, Manoj; Söderberg, Per G; Löfgren, Stefan

2012-05-01

The purpose of this study was to determine a threshold measure, maximum tolerable dose (MTD), for avoidance of UVR-B-induced cataract in the pigmented guinea-pig. Thirty pupil-dilated anesthetized young female guinea-pigs, divided into five equal groups, received between 0 and 84.9 kJ/m(2) unilateral UVR-B. Lens extraction and in vitro lens photography occurred 24 hr after exposure. Measurement of intensity of lens light scattering served as quantifying tool for the degree of cataract. Data analysis included regression, using a second order polynomial model. The applied MTD concept was based on the UVR-B dose-response curve obtained for the pigmented guinea-pig. A smaller number of pigmented guinea-pigs, pigmented rats and albino rats underwent morphometric analysis of the anterior segment geometry. All eyes exposed to UVR-B developed cataract in the anterior subcapsular region. MTD for avoidance of UVR-B-induced cataract was 69.0 kJ/m(2) in the pigmented guinea-pig. Iris was considerably thicker in the guinea-pig than in the rats. Lens blockage by the dilated iris was lowest in the guinea-pig. Maximum tolerable dose for avoidance of UVR-B-induced cataract in the pigmented guinea-pig was 69.0 kJ/m(2), over 10-fold higher than the threshold 5 kJ/m(2) obtained by Pitts et al. in the pigmented rabbit. Maximum tolerable dose is an appropriate method for estimation of toxicity for UVR-B-induced cataract in the guinea-pig. The pigmented guinea-pig is significantly less sensitive to UVR-B exposure than the pigmented rabbit and pigmented rat. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Acta Ophthalmol.

Esculetin ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in high fat diet induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulation of FoxO1 mediated pathway.

PubMed

Pandey, Anuradha; Raj, Priyank; Goru, Santosh Kumar; Kadakol, Almesh; Malek, Vajir; Sharma, Nisha; Gaikwad, Anil Bhanudas

2017-08-01

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a chronic metabolic disorder is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrotic cascades. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of Esculetin, a well-known anti-oxidant on TGF-β1 mediated liver fibrosis and FoxO1 activity. A non-genetic murine model for NAFLD was developed by chronic high fat diet (HFD) (58% calories from fats) feeding in Wistar rats. The plasma biochemical parameters, liver function tests, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations were assessed. The alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and FoxO1 activity were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The aberrations in plasma parameters, liver functioning, morphometric and microscopic changes in liver structure of HFD fed rats were significantly improved by treatment with Esculetin. Liver fibrosis, identified in the form of collagen deposition and expression of fibrotic proteins like TGF-β1 and fibronectin was also markedly controlled by Esculetin. The expression of phospho-FoxO1 was found to be reduced in HFD fed rats' liver, showing an increase in activation of FoxO1 under insulin resistant and hyperglycemic states. Esculetin treatment could improve phospho-FoxO1 expression, thus showing its ability to act on Akt/PI3K/FoxO1 pathway. As per the previous studies, a potential therapy for NAFLD may be the one with multi-faceted actions on insulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis. This study demonstrates the efficiency of Esculetin in improving liver fibrosis in HFD induced NAFLD. Copyright © 2017 Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.

Comparison of imatinib, nilotinib and silymarin in the treatment of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic oxidative stress, injury and fibrosis.

PubMed

Shaker, Mohamed E; Zalata, Khaled R; Mehal, Wajahat Z; Shiha, Gamal E; Ibrahim, Tarek M

2011-04-15

Effective and well-tolerated anti-fibrotic drugs are currently lacking. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the potential anti-fibrotic effects of imatinib, nilotinib and silymarin on established hepatic fibrosis in the carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) rat model. Male Wistar rats received intraperitoneal injections of CCl(4) twice weekly for 8weeks, as well as daily intraperitoneal treatments of imatinib (10 and 20mg/kg), nilotinib (10 and 20mg/kg) and silymarin (100mg/kg) during the last 4weeks of CCl(4)-intoxication. At the end of the study, hepatic damage was evaluated by analysis of liver function tests and hepatic oxidative stress parameters. Hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by histopathology and morphometry, as well as collagen and 4-hydroxyproline contents. Nilotinib (20mg/kg) was the most effective treatment to counteract CCl(4)-induced hepatic injury as indicated by liver function tests and histopathology. Nilotinib (10mg/kg), nilotinib (20mg/kg) and silymarin (100mg/kg) treatments reduced the mean score of hepatic fibrosis by 31%, 68% and 47%, respectively, and hepatic collagen content by 47%, 49% and 18%, respectively in CCl(4)-treated rats. Hepatic morphometric evaluation and 4-hydroxyproline content revealed that CCl(4)-induced fibrosis was ameliorated significantly by nilotinib (20mg/kg) and imatinib (20mg/kg). Unlike nilotinib, imatinib (20mg/kg) showed some sort of hepatic injury evidenced by elevation of serum aminotransferases and total bilirubin levels, and hepatic total nitrate/nitrite content, as well as characteristic anisonucleosis visualized with the hematoxylin-eosin staining. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence that nilotinib exerts anti-fibrotic activity and suggests that it may be valuable in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in humans. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Conformation of phylogenetic relationship of Penaeidae shrimp based on morphometric and molecular investigations.

PubMed

Rajakumaran, P; Vaseeharan, B; Jayakumar, R; Chidambara, R

2014-01-01

Understanding of accurate phylogenetic relationship among Penaeidae shrimp is important for academic and fisheries industry. The Morphometric and Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used to make the phylogenetic relationsip among 13 Penaeidae shrimp. For morphometric analysis forty variables and total lengths of shrimp were measured for each species, and removed the effect of size variation. The size normalized values obtained was subjected to UPGMA (Unweighted Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) cluster analysis. For RAPD analysis, the four primers showed reliable differentiation between species, and used correlation coefficient between the DNA banding patterns of 13 Penaeidae species to construct UPGMA dendrogram. Phylogenetic relationship from morphometric and molecular analysis for Penaeidae species found to be congruent. We concluded that as the results from morphometry investigations concur with molecular one, phylogenetic relationship obtained for the studied Penaeidae are considered to be reliable.

Morphometric measurement of Schlemm's canal in normal human eye using anterior segment swept source optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Guohua; Wang, Fei; Li, Xiqi; Lu, Jing; Ding, Zhihua; Sun, Xinghuai; Jiang, Chunhui; Zhang, Yudong

2012-01-01

We have used anterior segment swept source optical coherence tomography to measure Schlemm's canal (SC) morphometric values in the living human eye. Fifty healthy volunteers with 100 normal eyes were measured in the nasal and temporal side. Comparison with the published SC morphometric values of histologic sections proves the reliability of our results. The statistical results show that there are no significant differences between nasal and temporal SC with respect to their diameter, perimeter, and area in our study (diameter: t=0.122, p=0.903; perimeter: t=-0.003, p=0.998; area: t=-1.169, p=0.244); further, no significant differences in SC morphometric values are found between oculus sinister and oculus dexter (diameter: t=0.943, p=0.35; perimeter: t=1.346, p=0.18; area: t=1.501, p=0.135).

A web-system of virtual morphometric globes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Florinsky, Igor; Garov, Andrei; Karachevtseva, Irina

2017-04-01

Virtual globes — programs implementing interactive three-dimensional (3D) models of planets — are increasingly used in geo- and planetary sciences. We develop a web-system of virtual morphometric globes. As the initial data, we used the following global digital elevation models (DEMs): (1) a DEM of the Earth extracted from SRTM30_PLUS database; (2) a DEM of Mars extracted from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) gridded data record archive; and (3) A DEM of the Moon extracted from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) gridded data record archive. From these DEMs, we derived global digital models of the following 16 local, nonlocal, and combined morphometric variables: horizontal curvature, vertical curvature, mean curvature, Gaussian curvature, minimal curvature, maximal curvature, unsphericity curvature, difference curvature, vertical excess curvature, horizontal excess curvature, ring curvature, accumulation curvature, catchment area, dispersive area, topographic index, and stream power index (definitions, formulae, and interpretations can be found elsewhere [1]). To calculate local morphometric variables, we applied a finite-difference method intended for spheroidal equal angular grids [1]. Digital models of a nonlocal and combined morphometric variables were derived by a method of Martz and de Jong adapted to spheroidal equal angular grids [1]. DEM processing was performed in the software LandLord [1]. The calculated morphometric models were integrated into the testing version of the system. The following main functions are implemented in the system: (1) selection of a celestial body; (2) selection of a morphometric variable; (3) 2D visualization of a calculated global morphometric model (a map in equirectangular projection); (4) 3D visualization of a calculated global morphometric model on the sphere surface (a globe by itself); (5) change of a globe scale (zooming); and (6) globe rotation by an arbitrary angle. The testing version of the system represents morphometric models with the resolution of 15'. In the final version of the system, we plan to implement a multiscale 3D visualization for models of 17 morphometric variables with the resolution from 15' to 30". The web-system of virtual morphometric globes is designed as a separate unit of a 3D web GIS for storage, processing, and access to planetary data [2], which is currently developed as an extension of an existing 2D web GIS (http://cartsrv.mexlab.ru/geoportal). Free, real-time web access to the system of virtual globes will be provided. The testing version of the system is available at: http://cartsrv.mexlab.ru/virtualglobe. The study is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, grant 15-07-02484. References 1. Florinsky, I.V., 2016. Digital Terrain Analysis in Soil Science and Geology. 2nd ed. Academic Press, Amsterdam, 486 p. 2. Garov, A.S., Karachevtseva, I.P., Matveev, E.V., Zubarev, A.E., and Florinsky, I.V., 2016. Development of a heterogenic distributed environment for spatial data processing using cloud technologies. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, 41(B4): 385-390.

Sperm subpopulations in avian species: a comparative study between the rooster (Gallus domesticus) and Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris).

PubMed

García-Herreros, Manuel

2016-01-01

The main aims of this research were to study possible differences in objective morphometric sperm characteristics, establish normative sperm morphometry standards, and evaluate the presumed different subpopulation distribution of avian spermatozoa from the rooster (Gallus domesticus ) and Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris ) as model avian species. Seventy-two ejaculates (36 per species studied) were obtained manually, following a training period involving gently combined dorso-abdominal and lumbo-sacral massage of the birds. Ejaculates were processed for volume, sperm concentration, viability, motility, and morphology. Moreover, samples were submitted for sperm morphometric assessment using objective Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis for Morphometry (CASA-Morph) methods, with sperm morphometric descriptors evaluated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and multivariate clustering analyses. There were several differences observed between the avian species in values obtained for ejaculate volume and sperm concentration (P < 0.001). Irrespective of species, PCA revealed two Principal Components (PCs) explaining more than 80% of the variance. In addition, the number of subpopulations differed with species (three and five subpopulations for rooster and Guinea fowl, respectively). Moreover, the distribution of the sperm subpopulations was found to be structurally different between species. In conclusion, our findings from using CASA-Morph methods indicate pronounced sperm morphometric variation between these two avian species. Because of the strong differences observed in morphometric parameter values and their subpopulation distribution, these results suggest that application of objective analytical methods such as CASA-Morph could substantially improve the reliability of comparative studies and help establish valid normative sperm morphological values for avian species.

Sperm subpopulations in avian species: a comparative study between the rooster (Gallus domesticus) and Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

PubMed Central

García-Herreros, Manuel

2016-01-01

The main aims of this research were to study possible differences in objective morphometric sperm characteristics, establish normative sperm morphometry standards, and evaluate the presumed different subpopulation distribution of avian spermatozoa from the rooster (Gallus domesticus) and Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) as model avian species. Seventy-two ejaculates (36 per species studied) were obtained manually, following a training period involving gently combined dorso-abdominal and lumbo-sacral massage of the birds. Ejaculates were processed for volume, sperm concentration, viability, motility, and morphology. Moreover, samples were submitted for sperm morphometric assessment using objective Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis for Morphometry (CASA-Morph) methods, with sperm morphometric descriptors evaluated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and multivariate clustering analyses. There were several differences observed between the avian species in values obtained for ejaculate volume and sperm concentration (P < 0.001). Irrespective of species, PCA revealed two Principal Components (PCs) explaining more than 80% of the variance. In addition, the number of subpopulations differed with species (three and five subpopulations for rooster and Guinea fowl, respectively). Moreover, the distribution of the sperm subpopulations was found to be structurally different between species. In conclusion, our findings from using CASA-Morph methods indicate pronounced sperm morphometric variation between these two avian species. Because of the strong differences observed in morphometric parameter values and their subpopulation distribution, these results suggest that application of objective analytical methods such as CASA-Morph could substantially improve the reliability of comparative studies and help establish valid normative sperm morphological values for avian species. PMID:27751988

Variability of morphometric parameters of human trabecular tissue from coxo-arthritis and osteoporotic samples.

PubMed

Marinozzi, Franco; Marinozzi, Andrea; Bini, Fabiano; Zuppante, Francesca; Pecci, Raffaella; Bedini, Rossella

2012-01-01

Morphometric and architectural bone parameters change in diseases such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. The mechanical strength of bone is primarily influenced by bone quantity and quality. Bone quality is defined by parameters such as trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, trabecular density and degree of anisotropy that describe the micro-architectural structure of bone. Recently, many studies have validated microtomography as a valuable investigative technique to assess bone morphometry, thanks to micro-CT non-destructive, non-invasive and reliability features, in comparison to traditional techniques such as histology. The aim of this study is the analysis by micro-computed tomography of six specimens, extracted from patients affected by osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, in order to observe the tridimensional structure and calculate several morphometric parameters.

Directional asymmetry of upper limbs in a medieval population from Poland: A combination of linear and geometric morphometrics.

PubMed

Kubicka, Anna Maria; Lubiatowski, Przemysław; Długosz, Jan Dawid; Romanowski, Leszek; Piontek, Janusz

2016-11-01

Degrees of upper-limb bilateral asymmetry reflect habitual behavior and activity levels throughout life in human populations. The shoulder joint facilitates a wide range of combined motions due to the simultaneous motion of all three bones: clavicle, scapula, and humerus. Accordingly, we used three-dimensional geometric morphometrics to analyze shape differences in the glenoid cavity and linear morphometrics to obtain the degree of directional asymmetry in a medieval population. To calculate directional asymmetry, clavicles, humeri, and scapulae from 100 individuals (50 females, 50 males) were measured. Landmarks and semilandmarks were placed within a three-dimensional reconstruction of the glenoid cavity for analysis of shape differences between sides of the body within sexes. Linear morphometrics showed significant directional asymmetry in both sexes in all bones. Geometric morphometrics revealed significant shape differences of the glenoid cavity between sides of the body in females but not in males. Both indicators of directional asymmetry (%DA and %AA) did not show significant differences between sexes. PLS analysis revealed a significant correlation between glenoid shape and two humeral head diameters only in females on the left side of the body. The studied population, perhaps due to a high level of activity, exhibited slightly greater upper-limb bone bilateral asymmetry than other agricultural populations. Results suggest that the upper limbs were involved in similar activity patterns in both sexes but were characterized by different habitual behaviors. To obtain comprehensive results, studies should be based on sophisticated methods such as geometric morphometrics as well as standard measurements. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:817-824, 2016. © 2016Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pavelka, M.; Gangl, A.

The involvement of microtubules in the transepithelial transport of exogenous lipid in intestinal absorptive cells has been suggested. Using electronmicroscopic, biochemical, and radiochemical methods, researchers have studied the effects of the antimicrotubular agent colchicine on the intestinal mucosa and on the intestinal transport of endogenous lipid of rats in the fasting state. After colchicine treatment, the concentration of triglycerides in intestinal mucosa of rats fasted for 24 h doubled, and electron microscopic studies showed a striking accumulation of lipid particles in absorptive epithelial cells of the tips of jejunal villi. These findings suggest that colchicine interferes with the intestinal transepithelialmore » transport of endogenous lipoproteins. Additional studies, using an intraduodenal pulse injection of (/sup 14/C)linoleic acid, showed that colchicine does not affect the uptake of fatty acids by intestinal mucosa. However, it had divergent effects on fatty acid esterification, enhancing their incorporation into triglycerides relative to phospholipids, and caused a significant accumulation of endogenous diglycerides, triglycerides, and cholesterol esters within the absorptive intestinal epithelium. Detailed ultrastructural and morphometric studies revealed a decrease of visible microtubules, and a displacement of the smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Furthermore, it is shown that after colchicine treatment, microvilli appear at the lateral plasma membrane of intestinal absorptive cells, a change not previously reported to our knowledge. Thus, our study shows that colchicine causes significant changes in enterocyte ultrastructure and colchicine perturbs the reesterification of absorbed endogenous fatty acids and their secretion in the form of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from the enterocyte.« less

Morphometric and landsliding analyses in chain domain: the Roccella basin, NE Sicily, Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rapisarda, Francesco

2009-10-01

The dynamic interaction of endogenic and exogenic processes in active geodynamic context leads to the deterioration of the physico-mechanical characteristics of the rocks, inducing slopes instability. In such context, the morphometric parameters and the analysis of landslide distribution contribute to appraise the evolutive state of hydrographic basins. The aim of the study is the morphometric characterization of the Roccella Torrent basin (Rtb) located in South Italy. Landsliding and tectonic structure dynamically interact with the drainage pattern that records these effects and permits the definition of the evolutive geomorphic stage of the basin. The Air Photograph Investigation and field surveys permitted to draw the main geomorphic features, the drainage pattern of the Rtb, to calculate the morphometric parameters and to delimit the landslides’ bodies. Detailed analysis about the landslide distribution within a test site 17 km2 wide were carried out to elaborate indicative indexes of the landslides type and to single out the lithotypes that are more involved in slope instability phenomena. The morphometric parameters indicate the rejuvenation state within the Rtb where the stream reaches show the effects of increased energy relief in agreement with the geological settings of this sector of the Apennine-Maghrebian Chain.

Establishment of a rat and guinea pig aortic interposition graft model reveals model-specific patterns of intimal hyperplasia.

PubMed

Gregory, Elaine K; Vercammen, Janet M; Flynn, Megan E; Kibbe, Melina R

2016-12-01

Although the aortic interposition bypass model has been widely used to evaluate biomaterials for bypass grafting, there is no comprehensive description of the procedure or of the distribution of intimal hyperplasia that results. The objectives of this study were to (1) review and summarize approaches of aortic interposition grafting in animal models, (2) determine the pertinent anatomy for this procedure, (3) validate this model in the rat and guinea pig, and (4) compare the distribution of intimal hyperplasia that develops in each species. A literature search was performed in PubMed from 1980 to the present to analyze the use of anesthesia, anticoagulation, antiplatelet agents, graft material, suture, and anastomotic techniques. Using 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats and Hartley guinea pigs, we established pertinent aortic anatomy, developed comparable models, and assessed complications for each model. At 30 days, the graft and associated aorta were explanted, intimal formation was assessed morphometrically, and cellularity was assessed via nuclear counting. We reviewed 30 articles and summarized the pertinent procedural findings. Upon establishing both animal models, key anatomic differences between the species that affect this model were noted. Guinea pigs have a much larger cecum, increased retroperitoneal fat, and lack the iliolumbar vessels compared with the rat. Surgical outcomes for the rat model included a 53% technical success rate and a 32% technical error rate. Surgical outcomes for the guinea pig model included a 69% technical success rate and a 31% technical error rate. These two species demonstrated unique distribution of intimal hyperplasia at 30 days. Intimal hyperplasia in the rat model was greatest at two areas, the proximal graft (5400 μm 2 ; P < .001) and distal graft (2800 μm 2 ; P < .04), whereas the guinea pig model developed similar intimal hyperplasia throughout the graft (4500-5100 μm 2 ; P < .01). In this report, we summarize the literature on the aortic interposition graft model, present a detailed description of the anatomy and aortic interposition graft procedure in the rat and guinea pig, and describe a unique distribution of intimal formation that results in both species. This information will be helpful when designing studies to evaluate novel graft materials in the future. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Structural MRI and Cognitive Correlates in Pest-Control Personnel from Gulf War I

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-01

Figure (ROCFT; Corwin & Blysma, 1993) Copying a complex geometric design; assess ability to organize and construct Raw Score...workstations at Boston University School of Medicine where they were reconstructed for morphometric analyses by the study imaging expert, Dr. Killiany...conventional structural MRI and morphometric analysis of K. Sullivan, Ph.D

Long-term penile morphometric alterations in patients treated with robot-assisted versus open radical prostatectomy.

PubMed

Capogrosso, P; Ventimiglia, E; Cazzaniga, W; Stabile, A; Pederzoli, F; Boeri, L; Gandaglia, G; Dehò, F; Briganti, A; Montorsi, F; Salonia, A

2018-01-01

Neglected side effects after radical prostatectomy have been previously reported. In this context, the prevalence of penile morphometric alterations has never been assessed in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy series. We aimed to assess prevalence of and predictors of penile morphometric alterations (i.e. penile shortening or penile morphometric deformation) at long-term follow-up in patients submitted to either robot-assisted (robot-assisted radical prostatectomy) or open radical prostatectomy. Sexually active patients after either robot-assisted radical prostatectomy or open radical prostatectomy prospectively completed a 28-item questionnaire, with sensitive issues regarding sexual function, namely orgasmic functioning, climacturia and changes in morphometric characteristics of the penis. Only patients with a post-operative follow-up ≥ 24 months were included. Patients submitted to either adjuvant or salvage therapies or those who refused to comprehensively complete the questionnaire were excluded from the analyses. A propensity-score matching analysis was implemented to control for baseline differences between groups. Logistic regression models tested potential predictors of penile morphometric alterations at long-term post-operative follow-up. Overall, 67 (50%) and 67 (50%) patients were included after open radical prostatectomy or robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, respectively. Self-rated post-operative penile shortening and penile morphometric deformation were reported by 75 (56%) and 29 (22.8%) patients, respectively. Rates of penile shortening and penile morphometric deformation were not different after open radical prostatectomy and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy [all p > 0.5]. At univariable analysis, self-reported penile morphometric alterations (either penile shortening or penile morphometric deformation) were significantly associated with baseline international index of erectile function-erectile function scores, body mass index, post-operative erectile function recovery, year of surgery and type of surgery (all p < 0.05). At multivariable analysis, robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was independently associated with a lower risk of post-operative penile morphometric alterations (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.16-0.93). Self-perceived penile morphometric alterations were reported in one of two patients after radical prostatectomy at long-term follow-up, with open surgery associated with a potential higher risk of this self-perception. © 2017 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.

Morphometric traits capture the climatically driven species turnover of 10 spruce taxa across China.

PubMed

Li, He; Wang, GuoHong; Zhang, Yun; Zhang, WeiKang

2016-02-01

This study explored the relative roles of climate and phylogenetic background in driving morphometric trait variation in 10 spruce taxa in China. The study further addressed the hypothesis that these variations are consistent with species turnover on climatic gradients. Nine morphometric traits of leaves, seed cones, and seeds for the 10 studied spruce taxa were measured at 504 sites. These data were analyzed in combination with species DNA sequences from NCBI GenBank. We detected the effects of phylogeny and climate through trait-variation-based K statistics and phylogenetic eigenvector regression (PVR) analyses. Multivariate analyses were performed to detect trait variation along climatic gradients with species replacement. The estimated K-values for the nine studied morphometric traits ranged from 0.19 to 0.68, and the studied environmental variables explained 39-83% of the total trait variation. Trait variation tended to be determined largely by a temperature gradient varying from wet-cool climates to dry-warm summers and, additionally, by a moisture gradient. As the climate became wetter and cooler, spruce species tended to be replaced by other spruces with smaller needle leaves and seeds but larger cones and seed scales. A regression analysis showed that spruce species tended to be successively replaced by other species, along the gradient, although the trends observed within species were not necessarily consistent with the overall trend. The climatically driven replacement of the spruces in question could be well indicated by the between-species variation in morphometric traits that carry lower phylogenetic signal. Between-species variation in these traits is driven primarily by climatic factors. These species demonstrate a narrower ecological amplitude in temperature but wider ranges on the moisture gradient.

Advances in the Study of the Middle Cranial Fossa through Cutting Edge Neuroimaging Techniques.

PubMed

Juanes Méndez, Juan A; Ruisoto, Pablo; Paniagua, Juan C; Prats, Alberto

2018-01-16

The objective of this paper is to present a morphometric study of the middle cranial fossa from the study of 87 patients using cutting edge multislice computed tomography scans (32 detectors) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The study presents a detailed anatomical-radiological and morphometric analysis of the middle cranial fossa as well as its neurovascular elements in normal conditions. The implications of this investigation in training and clinical contexts are discussed.

To 3D or Not to 3D, That Is the Question: Do 3D Surface Analyses Improve the Ecomorphological Power of the Distal Femur in Placental Mammals?

PubMed Central

Gould, Francois D. H.

2014-01-01

Improvements in three-dimensional imaging technologies have renewed interest in the study of functional and ecological morphology. Quantitative approaches to shape analysis are used increasingly to study form-function relationships. These methods are computationally intensive, technically demanding, and time-consuming, which may limit sampling potential. There have been few side-by-side comparisons of the effectiveness of such approaches relative to more traditional analyses using linear measurements and ratios. Morphological variation in the distal femur of mammals has been shown to reflect differences in locomotor modes across clades. Thus I tested whether a geometric morphometric analysis of surface shape was superior to a multivariate analysis of ratios for describing ecomorphological patterns in distal femoral variation. A sample of 164 mammalian specimens from 44 genera was assembled. Each genus was assigned to one of six locomotor categories. The same hypotheses were tested using two methods. Six linear measurements of the distal femur were taken with calipers, from which four ratios were calculated. A 3D model was generated with a laser scanner, and analyzed using three dimensional geometric morphometrics. Locomotor category significantly predicted variation in distal femoral morphology in both analyses. Effect size was larger in the geometric morphometric analysis than in the analysis of ratios. Ordination reveals a similar pattern with arboreal and cursorial taxa as extremes on a continuum of morphologies in both analyses. Discriminant functions calculated from the geometric morphometric analysis were more accurate than those calculated from ratios. Both analysis of ratios and geometric morphometric surface analysis reveal similar, biologically meaningful relationships between distal femoral shape and locomotor mode. The functional signal from the morphology is slightly higher in the geometric morphometric analysis. The practical costs of conducting these sorts of analyses should be weighed against potentially slight increases in power when designing protocols for ecomorphological studies. PMID:24633081

Surface morphology and morphometry of rat alveolar macrophages after ozone exposure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dormans, J.A.; Rombout, P.J.; van Loveren, H.

1990-09-01

As the ultrastructural data on the effects of ozone on pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) are lacking, transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy were performed on rat PAM present in alveolar lavages following exposure to ozone. Rats were continuously exposed for 7 d to ozone concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 1.50 mg/m3 for 7 d followed by a 5-d recovery period. Additionally, morphometry on lung sections was performed to quantitate PAM. In a second experiment rats were continuously exposed to 1.50 mg O3/m3 for 1, 3, 5, or 7 d. To study the influence of concurrent ozone exposure and lungmore » infection, due to Listeria monocytogenes, rats were exposed for 7 d to 1.50 mg O3/m3 after a Listeria infection. The surface area of lavaged control PAM was uniformly covered with ruffles as shown by SEM and TEM. Exposure to 0.5 mg ozone/m3 for 7 d resulted in cells partly covered with microvilli and blebs in addition to normal ruffles. The number of large size PAM increased with an increase in ozone concentration. After 1 d of exposure, normal-appearing as well as many small macrophages with ruffles and scattered lymphocytes were seen. Lavage samples taken after 5 or 7 d of exposure showed an identical cell composition to that taken after 3 d of exposure. After Listeria infection alone, lavage samples consisted of mainly lymphocytes and some macrophages. Small quantitative changes, such as an increase in the number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and large-size PAM, occurred in lavages after ozone exposure and infection with L. monocytogenes. Morphometric examination of lung sections revealed a concentration-related increase in the number of PAM, even in animals exposed to 0.25 mg ozone/m3 for 7 d. Centriacinar regions were more severely affected than other regions of lung tissue.« less

Exercise Training Attenuates Sympathetic Activity and Improves Morphometry of Splenic Arterioles in Spontaneously Hipertensive Rats.

PubMed

Lemos, Marina de Paiva; Mota, Gustavo Ribeiro da; Marocolo, Moacir; Sordi, Carla Cristina de; Chriguer, Rosângela Soares; Barbosa Neto, Octávio

2018-03-01

Alterations in the structure of resistance vessels contribute to elevated systemic vascular resistance in hypertension and are linked to sympathetic hyperactivity and related lesions in target organs. To assess the effects of exercise training on hemodynamic and autonomic parameters, as well as splenic arteriolar damages in male Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR). Normotensive sedentary (WKYS) and trained (WKYT) rats, and hypertensive sedentary (SHRS) and trained (SHRT) rats were included in this study. After 9 weeks of experimental protocol (swimming training or sedentary control), arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded in freely moving rats. We assessed the autonomic control of the heart by sympathetic and vagal autonomic blockade. Morphometric analyses of arterioles were performed in spleen tissues. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. Resting bradycardia was observed in both trained groups (WKYT: 328.0 ± 7.3 bpm; SHRT: 337.0 ± 5.2 bpm) compared with their respective sedentary groups (WKYS: 353.2 ± 8.5 bpm; SHRS: 412.1 ± 10.4 bpm; p < 0.001). Exercise training attenuated mean AP only in SHRT (125.9 ± 6.2 mmHg) vs. SHRS (182.5 ± 4.2 mmHg, p < 0.001). The WKYT showed a higher vagal effect (∆HR: 79.0 ± 2.3 bpm) compared with WKYS (∆HR: 67.4 ± 1.7 bpm; p < 0.05). Chronic exercise decreased sympathetic effects on SHRT (∆HR: -62.8 ± 2.8 bpm) in comparison with SHRS (∆HR: -99.8 ± 9.2 bpm; p = 0.005). The wall thickness of splenic arterioles in SHR was reduced by training (332.1 ± 16.0 µm2 in SHRT vs. 502.7 ± 36.3 µm2 in SHRS; p < 0.05). Exercise training attenuates sympathetic activity and AP in SHR, which may be contributing to the morphological improvement of the splenic arterioles.

Morphometric and kinematic sperm subpopulations in split ejaculates of normozoospermic men

PubMed Central

Santolaria, Pilar; Soler, Carles; Recreo, Pilar; Carretero, Teresa; Bono, Araceli; Berné, José M; Yániz, Jesús L

2016-01-01

This study was designed to analyze the sperm kinematic and morphometric subpopulations in the different fractions of the ejaculate in normozoospermic men. Ejaculates from eight normozoospermic men were collected by masturbation in three fractions after 3–5 days of sexual abstinence. Analyses of sperm motility by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA-Mot), and of sperm morphometry by computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis (CASA-Morph) using fluorescence were performed. Clustering and discriminant procedures were performed to identify sperm subpopulations in the kinematic and morphometric data obtained. Clustering procedures resulted in the classification of spermatozoa into three kinematic subpopulations (slow with low ALH [35.6% of all motile spermatozoa], with circular trajectories [32.0%], and rapid with high ALH [32.4%]), and three morphometric subpopulations (large-round [33.9% of all spermatozoa], elongated [32.0%], and small [34.10%]). The distribution of kinematic sperm subpopulations was different among ejaculate fractions (P < 0.001), with higher percentages of spermatozoa exhibiting slow movements with low ALH in the second and third portions, and with a more homogeneous distribution of kinematic sperm subpopulations in the first portion. The distribution of morphometric sperm subpopulations was also different among ejaculate fractions (P < 0.001), with more elongated spermatozoa in the first, and of small spermatozoa in the third, portion. It is concluded that important variations in the distribution of kinematic and morphometric sperm subpopulations exist between ejaculate fractions, with possible functional implications. PMID:27624985

Retinal pigment epithelium, age-related macular degeneration and neurotrophic keratouveitis.

PubMed

Bianchi, Enrica; Scarinci, Fabio; Ripandelli, Guido; Feher, Janos; Pacella, Elena; Magliulo, Giuseppe; Gabrieli, Corrado Balacco; Plateroti, Rocco; Plateroti, Pasquale; Mignini, Fiorenzo; Artico, Marco

2013-01-01

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of impaired vision and blindness in the aging population. The aims of our studies were to identify qualitative and quantitative alterations in mitochondria in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from AMD patients and controls and to test the protective effects of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a known neurotrophic and antiangiogenic substance, against neurotrophic keratouveitis. Histopathological alterations were studied by means of morphometry, light and electron microscopy. Unexpectedly, morphometric data showed that the RPE alterations noted in AMD may also develop in normal aging, 10-15 years later than appearing in AMD patients. Reduced tear secretion, corneal ulceration and leukocytic infiltration were found in capsaicin (CAP)-treated rats, but this effect was significantly attenuated by PEDF. These findings suggest that PEDF accelerated the recovery of tear secretion and also prevented neurotrophic keratouveitis and vitreoretinal inflammation. PEDF may have a clinical application in inflammatory and neovascular diseases of the eye.

[Copper nanoparticles as modulators of apoptosis and structural changes in some organs].

PubMed

Sizova, E A; Miroshnikov, S A; Poliakova, V S; Lebedev, S V; Glushchenko, N N

2013-01-01

The effect of repeated intramuscular injection into the organism of copper nanoparticles (CNP) with the diameter of 103 nm on the index of cell readiness to apoptosis and the structure of liver, spleen, kidney, as well as sensomotor cerebral cortex, was studied in 78 male Wistar rats. CNP were injected once per week for 12 weeks. The organs were studied using histological, immunohistochemical and morphometric methods. It was found that after the injections, CNP were distributed into organs and tissues of animals causing structural changes that were specific for eaach tissue. Toxicity of CNP in respect to microgliocytes was demonstrated at a dose of 2 mg/kg, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity--at 6 mg/kg. The increase of CNP load on the organism up to toxic threshold (maximum tolerated dose) resulted in the appearance of signs of dystrophy and tissue necrosis. The data obtained suggest the application of an index of cell readiness to apoptosis, as assessed by caspase 3 expression, as a criterion for evaluation of CNP injection safety.

Melatonin and roentgen irradiation-induced acute radiation enteritis in Albino rats: an animal model.

PubMed

Hussein, Mahmoud R; Abu-Dief, Eman E; Kamel, Esam; Abou El-Ghait, Amal T; Abdulwahed, Saad Rezk; Ahmad, Mohamed H

2008-11-01

Roentgen irradiation can affect normal cells, especially the rapidly growing ones such as the mucosal epithelial cells of the small intestine. The small intestine is the most radiosensitive gastrointestinal organ and patients receiving radiotherapy directed to the abdomen or pelvis may develop radiation enteritis. Although roentgen rays are widely used for both imaging and therapeutic purposes, our knowledge about the morphological changes associated with radiation enteritis is lacking. This study tries to tests the hypothesis that "the intake of melatonin can minimize the morphological features of cell damage associated with radiation enteritis". We performed this investigation to test our hypothesis and to examine the possible radioprotective effects of melatonin in acute radiation enteritis. To achieve these goals, an animal model consisting of 60 Albino rats was established. The animals were divided into five groups: Group 1, non-irradiated; Group 2, X-ray irradiated (X-ray irradiation, 8 Grays); Group 3, X-ray irradiated-pretreated with solvent (ethanol and phosphate buffered saline); Group 4, non-irradiated-group treated with melatonin, and Group 5, X-ray irradiated-pretreated with melatonin. The small intestines were evaluated for gross (macroscopic), histological, morphometric (light microscopy), and ultrastructural changes (transmission electron microscopy). We found morphological variations among the non-irradiated-group, X-ray irradiated-group and X-ray irradiated-intestines of the animals pretreated with melatonin. The development of acute radiation enteritis in X-ray irradiated-group (Groups 2 and 3) was associated with symptoms of enteritis (diarrhea and abdominal distention) and histological features of mucosal injury (mucosal ulceration, necrosis of the epithelial cells). There was a significant reduction of the morphometric parameters (villous count, villous height, crypt height and villous/crypt height ratio). Moreover, the ultrastructural features of cell damage were evident including: apoptosis, lack of parallel arrangement of the microvilli, loss of the covering glycocalyx, desquamation of the microvilli, vacuolation of the apical parts of the cells, dilatation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and damage of the mitochondrial cristae. In the non-irradiated-group and in X-ray irradiated-intestines of the animals pretreated with melatonin (Group 5), these changes were absent and the intestinal mucosal structure was preserved. Administration of melatonin prior to irradiation can protect the intestine against X-rays destructive effects, i.e. radiation enteritis. The clinical applications of these observations await further studies.

GIS based quantitative morphometric analysis and its consequences: a case study from Shanur River Basin, Maharashtra India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pande, Chaitanya B.; Moharir, Kanak

2017-05-01

A morphometric analysis of Shanur basin has been carried out using geoprocessing techniques in GIS. These techniques are found relevant for the extraction of river basin and its drainage networks. The extracted drainage network was classified according to Strahler's system of classification and it reveals that the terrain exhibits dendritic to sub-dendritic drainage pattern. Hence, from the study, it is concluded that remote sensing data (SRTM-DEM data of 30 m resolution) coupled with geoprocessing techniques prove to be a competent tool used in morphometric analysis and evaluation of linear, slope, areal and relief aspects of morphometric parameters. The combined outcomes have established the topographical and even recent developmental situations in basin. It will also change the setup of the region. It therefore needs to analyze high level parameters of drainage and environment for suitable planning and management of water resource developmental plan and land resource development plan. The Shanur drainage basin is sprawled over an area of 281.33 km2. The slope of the basin varies from 1 to 10 %, and the slope variation is chiefly controlled by the local geology and erosion cycles. The main stream length ratio of the basin is 14.92 indicating that the study area is elongated with moderate relief and steep slopes. The morphometric parameters of the stream have been analyzed and calculated by applying standard methods and techniques viz. Horton (Trans Am Geophys Union 13:350-361, 1945), Miller (A quantitative geomorphologic study of drainage basin characteristics in the clinch mountain area, Virginia and Tennessee Columbia University, Department of Geology, Technical Report, No. 3, Contract N6 ONR 271-300, 1953), and Strahler (Handbook of applied hydrology, McGraw Hill Book Company, New York, 1964). GIS based on analysis of all morphometric parameters and the erosional development of the area by the streams has been progressed well beyond maturity and lithology is an influence in the drainage development. These studies are very useful for planning of rainwater harvesting and watershed management.

A morphometric study of the endocytosis of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase conjugates by retinal ganglion cells in the rat.

PubMed

Trojanowski, J Q; Gonatas, N K

1983-08-08

In order to elucidate the sequence for the intraneuronal translocation of ligands after internalization in vivo, the adsorptive endocytosis of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugates of the lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGHRP) by retinal ganglion cells of the rat was studied by ultrastructural morphometry after intravitreal injections of this probe. Retinas were harvested at post-injection survival times of 15 min to 7 days and processed for the electron microscopic visualization of WGHRP in subcellular organelles. The labeled organelles included vesicles, tubules, lysosomes and the cisterns and coated as well as uncoated vesicles of GERL (Golgi Apparatus-Endoplasmic-Reticulum-Lysosomes). For quantitation, labeled organelles were classed as vesicles, lysosomes and GERL. From 15 min to 3 h the number of labeled GERL and vesicles progressively increased to a maximum at 3 h and then declined to zero by 7 days. In contrast, the number of labeled lysosomes continued to increase beyond 3 h to reach a maximum at 24 h before declining to near zero by 7 days. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the adsorptive endocytosis of WGHRP entails the passage of the ligand through GERL prior to being deposited in lysosomes. They do not exclude the possibility that other endocytic pathways for WGHRP and possible WGHRP-membrane complexes may exist in retinal ganglion cells including a plasma membrane to lysosome route.

Effect of two medium chain triglycerides-supplemented diets on synaptic morphology in the cerebellar cortex of late-adult rats.

PubMed

Balietti, Marta; Fattoretti, Patrizia; Giorgetti, Belinda; Casoli, Tiziana; Di Stefano, Giuseppina; Platano, Daniela; Aicardi, Giorgio; Lattanzio, Fabrizia; Bertoni-Freddari, Carlo

2009-12-01

Ketogenic diets (KDs) have shown beneficial effects in experimental models of neurodegeneration, designating aged individuals as possible recipients. However, few studies have investigated their consequences on aging brain. Here, late-adult rats (19 months of age) were fed for 8 weeks with two medium chain triglycerides-supplemented diets (MCT-SDs) and the average area (S), numeric density (Nv(s)), and surface density (S(v)) of synapses, as well as the average volume (V), numeric density (Nv(m)), and volume density (V(v)) of synaptic mitochondria were evaluated in granule cell layer of the cerebellar cortex (GCL-CCx) by computer-assisted morphometric methods. MCT content was 10 or 20%. About 10%MCT-SD induced the early appearance of senescent patterns (decreased Nv(s) and Nv(m); increased V), whereas 20%MCT-SD caused no changes. Recently, we have shown that both MCT-SDs accelerate aging in the stratum moleculare of CA1 (SM CA1), but are "antiaging" in the outer molecular layer of dentate gyrus (OML DG). Since GCL-CCx is more vulnerable to age than OML DG but less than SM CA1, present and previous results suggest that the effects of MCT-SDs in the aging brain critically depend on neuronal vulnerability to age, besides MCT percentage.

Linear ordered collagen scaffolds loaded with collagen-binding basic fibroblast growth factor facilitate recovery of sciatic nerve injury in rats.

PubMed

Ma, Fukai; Xiao, Zhifeng; Chen, Bing; Hou, Xianglin; Dai, Jianwu; Xu, Ruxiang

2014-04-01

Natural biological functional scaffolds, consisting of biological materials filled with promoting elements, provide a promising strategy for the regeneration of peripheral nerve defects. Collagen conduits have been used widely due to their excellent biological properties. Linear ordered collagen scaffold (LOCS) fibers are good lumen fillers that can guide nerve regeneration in an ordered direction. In addition, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is important in the recovery of nerve injury. However, the traditional method for delivering bFGF to the lesion site has no long-term effect because of its short half-life and rapid diffusion. Therefore, we fused a specific collagen-binding domain (CBD) peptide to the N-terminal of native basic fibroblast growth factor (NAT-bFGF) to retain bFGF on the collagen scaffolds. In this study, a natural biological functional scaffold was constructed using collagen tubes filled with collagen-binding bFGF (CBD-bFGF)-loaded LOCS to promote regeneration in a 5-mm rat sciatic nerve transection model. Functional evaluation, histological investigation, and morphometric analysis indicated that the natural biological functional scaffold retained more bFGF at the injury site, guided axon growth, and promoted nerve regeneration as well as functional restoration.

Fish oil supplementation prevents diabetes-induced nerve conduction velocity and neuroanatomical changes in rats.

PubMed

Gerbi, A; Maixent, J M; Ansaldi, J L; Pierlovisi, M; Coste, T; Pelissier, J F; Vague, P; Raccah, D

1999-01-01

Diabetic neuropathy has been associated with a decrease in nerve conduction velocity, Na,K-ATPase activity and characteristic histological damage of the sciatic nerve. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of a dietary supplementation with fish oil [(n-3) fatty acids] on the sciatic nerve of diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by intravenous streptozotocin injection. Diabetic animals (n = 20) were fed a nonpurified diet supplemented with either olive oil (DO) or fish oil (DM), and control animals (n = 10) were fed a nonpurified diet supplemented with olive oil at a daily dose of 0.5 g/kg by gavage for 8 wk. Nerves were characterized by their conduction velocity, morphometric analysis and membrane Na, K-ATPase activity. Nerve conduction velocity, as well as Na,K-ATPase activity, was improved by fish oil treatment. A correlation was found between these two variables (R = 0.999, P < 0.05). Moreover, a preventive effect of fish oil was observed on nerve histological damage [endoneurial edema, axonal degeneration (by 10-15%) with demyelination]. Moreover, the normal bimodal distribution of the internal diameter of myelinated fibers was absent in the DO group and was restored in the DM group. These data suggest that fish oil therapy may be effective in the prevention of diabetic neuropathy.

Effect of fumonisin-containing diet on the myenteric plexus of the jejunum in rats.

PubMed

Sousa, Fernando Carlos; Schamber, Christiano Rodrigues; Amorin, Sandra Sheila Seron; Natali, Maria Raquel Marçal

2014-10-01

Fumonisins are mycotoxins that naturally occur as contaminants in grains that are destined for animal and human consumption. These mycotoxins cause hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, carcinogenic, teratogenic, immunotoxic, and neurotoxic effects in different intensities based on dose, time of exposure, and animal species. In the present study, male Wistar rats were fed between postnatal days 21 and 63 with diets that contained fumonisins B1+B2 at concentrations of 1 and 3mg/kg. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of fumonisins on food intake, growth, weight gain, serum activity of the alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes, and quantitative and morphometric parameters of myenteric neurons in the jejunum that are immunoreactive to HuC/D protein and neuronal nitric oxide synthase enzyme (nNOS). Diets that contained fumonisins did not significantly alter food intake or body and blood parameters. We did not observe significant differences in the neuronal density and proportion of nitrergic neurons but found a significant reduction of cell body areas in both neuronal populations. This study is the first to report the effects of fumonisins in the enteric nervous system. The possible mechanisms by which fumonisins impair neuronal development and the use of the enteric nervous system as a tool for the study of the neurotoxic effects of fumonisins are discussed. In conclusion, fumonisin-containing food negatively affected the growth of myenteric neurons. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Impact of Western and Mediterranean Diets and Vitamin D on Muscle Fibers of Sedentary Rats

PubMed Central

Purrello, Francesco

2018-01-01

Background: The metabolic syndrome is associated with sarcopenia. Decreased serum levels of Vitamin D (VitD) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and their mutual relationship were also reported. We aimed to evaluate whether different dietary profiles, containing or not VitD, may exert different effects on muscle molecular morphology. Methods: Twenty-eight male rats were fed for 10 weeks in order to detect early defects induced by different dietary regimens: regular diet (R); regular diet with vitamin D supplementation (R-DS) and regular diet with vitamin D restriction (R-DR); high-fat butter-based diets (HFB-DS and HFB-DR) with 41% energy from fat; high-fat extra-virgin olive oil-based diets (HFEVO-DS and HFEVO-DR) with 41% energy from fat. IL-1β, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)1, Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), and VitD-receptor (VDR) expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Muscle fiber perimeter was measured by histology and morphometric analysis. Results: The muscle fibers of the HEVO-DS rats were hypertrophic, comparable to those of the R-DS rats. An inverse correlation existed between the dietary fat content and the perimeter of the muscle fibers (p < 0.01). In the HFB-DR rats, the muscle fibers appeared hypotrophic with an increase of IL-1β and a dramatic decrease of IGF-1 expression. Conclusions: High-fat western diet could impair muscle metabolism and lay the ground for subsequent muscle damage. VitD associated with a Mediterranean diet showed trophic action on the muscle fibers. PMID:29462978

Further study on Physaloptera clausa Rudolphi, 1819 (Spirurida: Physalopteridae) from the Amur hedgehog Erinaceus amurensis Schrenk (Eulipotyphla: Erinaceidae).

PubMed

Chen, Hui-Xia; Ju, Hui-Dong; Li, Yang; Li, Liang

2017-12-20

In the present study, light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to further study the detailed morphology of Physaloptera clausa Rudolphi, 1819, based on the material collected from the Amur hedgehog E. amurensis Schrenk in China. The results revealed a few previously unreported morphological features and some morphological and morphometric variability between our specimens and the previous studies. The present supplementary morphological characters and morphometric data could help us to recognize this species more accurately.

Effects of continuous bisphenol A exposure from early gestation on 90 day old rat testes function and sperm molecular profiles: A CLARITY-BPA consortium study.

PubMed

Dere, Edward; Anderson, Linnea M; Huse, Susan M; Spade, Daniel J; McDonnell-Clark, Elizabeth; Madnick, Samantha J; Hall, Susan J; Camacho, Luísa; Lewis, Sherry M; Vanlandingham, Michelle M; Boekelheide, Kim

2018-05-15

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous industrial chemical that has been identified as an endocrine disrupting compound (EDC). There is growing concern that early life exposures to EDCs, such as BPA, can adversely affect the male reproductive tract and function. This study was conducted as part of the Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on BPA Toxicity (CLARITY-BPA) to further delineate the toxicities associated with continuous exposure to BPA from early gestation, and to comprehensively examine the elicited effects on testes and sperm. NCTR Sprague Dawley rat dams were gavaged from gestational day (GD) 6 until parturition, and their pups were directly gavaged daily from postnatal day (PND) 1 to 90 with BPA (2.5, 25, 250, 2500, 25,000, 250,000 μg/kg/d) or vehicle control. At PND 90, the testes and sperm were collected for evaluation. The testes were histologically evaluated for altered germ cell apoptosis, sperm production, and altered spermiation. RNA and DNA isolated from sperm were assessed for elicited changes in global mRNA transcript abundance and altered DNA methylation. Effects of BPA were observed in changes in body, testis and epididymis weights only at the highest administered dose of BPA of 250,000 μg/kg/d. Genome-wide transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses failed to detect robust alterations in sperm mRNA and DNA methylation levels. These data indicate that prolonged exposure starting in utero to BPA over a wide range of levels has little, if any, impact on the testes and sperm molecular profiles of 90 day old rats as assessed by the histopathologic, morphometric, and molecular endpoints evaluated. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Particulate matter neurotoxicity in culture is size-dependent.

PubMed

Gillespie, Patricia; Tajuba, Julianne; Lippmann, Morton; Chen, Lung-Chi; Veronesi, Bellina

2013-05-01

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution produces inflammatory damage to the cardiopulmonary system. This toxicity appears to be inversely related to the size of the PM particles, with the ultrafine particle being more inflammatory than larger sizes. Exposure to PM has more recently been associated with neurotoxicity. This study examines if the size-dependent toxicity reported in cardiopulmonary systems also occurs in neural targets. For this study, PM ambient air was collected over a 2 week period from Sterling Forest State Park (Tuxedo, New York) and its particulates sized as Accumulation Mode, Fine (AMF) (>0.18-1μm) or Ultrafine (UF) (<0.18μm) samples. Rat dopaminergic neurons (N27) were exposed to suspensions of each PM fraction (0, 12.5, 25, 50μm/ml) and cell loss (as measured by Hoechst nuclear stain) measured after 24h exposure. Neuronal loss occurred in response to all tested concentrations of UF (>12.5μg/ml) but was only significant at the highest concentration of AMF (50μg/ml). To examine if PM size-dependent neurotoxicity was retained in the presence of other cell types, dissociated brain cultures of embryonic rat striatum were exposed to AMF (80μg/ml) or UF (8.0μg/ml). After 24h exposure, a significant increase of reactive nitrogen species (nitrite) and morphology suggestive of apoptosis occurred in both treatment groups. However, morphometric analysis of neuron specific enolase staining indicated that only the UF exposure produced significant neuronal loss, relative to controls. Together, these data suggest that the inverse relationship between size and toxicity reported in cardiopulmonary systems occurs in cultures of isolated dopaminergic neurons and in primary cultures of the rat striatum. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of liposomes with polyisoprenoids, potential drug carriers, on the cardiovascular and excretory system in rats.

PubMed

Gawrys, Olga; Polkowska, Marta; Roszkowska-Chojecka, Malwina; Gawarecka, Katarzyna; Chojnacki, Tadeusz; Swiezewska, Ewa; Masnyk, Marek; Chmielewski, Marek; Rafałowska, Janina; Kompanowska-Jezierska, Elżbieta

2014-04-01

The unpredictable side effects of a majority currently used drugs are the substantial issue, in which patients and physicians are forced to deal with. Augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of drugs may prove more fruitful than searching for the new ones. Since recent studies show that new cationic derivatives of polyisoprenoid alcohols (APrens) might exhibit augmenting properties, we intend to use them as a component of liposomal drug carriers. In this study we investigate if these compounds do not per se cause untoward effects on the living organism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received for four weeks daily injections (0.5 ml sc) of liposomes built of dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), liposomes built of DOPE and APren-7 (ratio 10:1) or water solvent. Weekly, rats were observed in metabolic cages (24h); blood and urine were sampled for analysis; body weight (BW) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were determined. After chronic experiment, kidneys and heart were harvested for histological and morphometric analysis. The 4-week BW increments were in the range of 97 ± 4 to 102 ± 4%, intergroup differences were not significant. Microalbuminuria was the lowest in the group receiving liposomes with APren-7 (0.22 ± 0.03 mg/day). Water and food intake, plasma and urine parameters were similar in all groups. Newly designed liposomes containing APren-7 did not affect functions of the excretory and cardiovascular systems, and renal morphology; therefore we find them suitable as a component of liposomal drug carriers. Copyright © 2014 Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.

Effects of beta-adrenergic blockade on training-induced structural adaptations in rat left ventricle.

PubMed

Thomas, D P; McCormick, K M; Jenkins, R R

1988-01-01

The study was designed to evaluate the effects of eight weeks of exercise training or training-beta-adrenergic blockade combination on gross and microscopic alterations of rat cardiac muscle and microvascular bed. Rats were randomly assigned to either sedentary control (C), trained (T), metoprolol-trained (MT), or propranolol-trained (PT) groups. The training protocol involved treadmill running for 8 weeks at 0.5 ms-1, 20% grade. Earlier experiments by us showed this training protocol to be effective in producing significant changes in selected skeletal muscle enzyme activities in all trained groups. In the current study an absolute reduction in left ventricular (LV) weight was observed in the PT compared to the C group (0.91 +/- 0.02 vs. 1.04 +/- 0.04 g, P less than 0.05). LV weight in the T and MT groups was no different from C so that LV to BW ratio (mg.g-1) was significantly increased (P less than 0.05) due to a similar reduction in body weight (BW) in all three training groups. Morphometric analysis of LV myocardium revealed no significant differences in myocyte mean cross-sectional area (micron 2) in any of the groups (289 +/- 16-C, 332 +/- 20-T, 281 +/- 44-MT, and 273 +/- 12-PT). Capillary density independently calculated by light and electron microscopy was unchanged by training or training-beta-blockade combination. It was concluded that training of sufficient intensity and duration to produce skeletal muscle enzyme adaptations does not necessarily produce myocyte hypertrophy or alter LV capillarity. Additionally functioning beta-adrenergic receptors appear to play a role in both the central and peripheral adaptations to endurance exercise training.

The effect of Tributyltin on thyroid follicular cells of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of green tea: a toxicological, histological and biochemical study.

PubMed

Badr El Dine, Fatma M M; Nabil, Iman M; Dwedar, Fatma I

2017-01-01

Tributyltin is one of the important and wide-spread persistent organic contaminants that accumulate in the food chain. It is suspected to cause endocrine-disrupting effects in mammals, due in part to its possible transfer through marine food chains and to the consumption of contaminated seafood. Was to study the possible toxic effect of Tributyltin on thyroid follicular cells of adult male albino rats and to evaluate the possible protective role of green tea. Forty-five adult male albino rats were included and randomly divided into 3 equal groups: a control group (Group I); Group II: received tributyltin chloride (TBT) dissolved in corn oil orally in a dose of 5 mg/kg for 30 days. Group III: received tributyltin chloride in the same dose with concomitant oral administration of green tea extract for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were subjected to hormonal assay for T3, T4 and TSH levels. Malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione were assessed. The thyroid tissue was processed for histological and ultrastructure examination. The colloid area of thyroid follicles was evaluated morphometrically and statistically analyzed. A significant decrease in T3 and T4 levels and serum reduced glutathione in the group II when compared with the other groups. Furthermore, a significant increase in serum Malondialdehyde and TSH levels was recorded in group II treated group by comparison to the other two groups. Histopathological and ultrastructural changes of thyroid gland follicles were detected in tributyltin treated rats; the follicular cells appeared swollen and vacuolated. Epithelial stratification was noticed in some foci with excessive vacuolation of the colloid. Dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum filled with flocculent material and increased number of lysosomes were also detected together with variation in shape and size of the nuclei. A marked improvement in the histological features of thyroid follicles was noticed in group III. Tributyltin induces oxidative stress in rats as well as anti-thyroid effect. The green tea extract is useful in combating tissue injury that is a result of tributyltin toxicity.

Morphometric abnormalities of the lateral ventricles in methamphetamine-dependent subjects☆

PubMed Central

Jeong, Hyeonseok S.; Lee, Sunho; Yoon, Sujung; Jung, Jiyoung J.; Cho, Han Byul; Kim, Binna N.; Ma, Jiyoung; Ko, Eun; Im, Jooyeon Jamie; Ban, Soonhyun; Renshaw, Perry F.; Lyoo, In Kyoon

2017-01-01

Background The presence of morphometric abnormalities of the lateral ventricles, which can reflect focal or diffuse atrophic changes of nearby brain structures, is not well characterized in methamphetamine dependence. The current study was aimed to examine the size and shape alterations of the lateral ventricles in methamphetamine-dependent subjects. Methods High-resolution brain structural images were obtained from 37 methamphetamine-dependent subjects and 25 demographically matched healthy individuals. Using a combined volumetric and surface-based morphometric approach, the structural variability of the lateral ventricles, with respect to extent and location, was examined. Results Methamphetamine-dependent subjects had an enlarged right lateral ventricle compared with healthy individuals. Morphometric analysis revealed a region-specific pattern of lateral ventricular expansion associated with methamphetamine dependence, which was mainly distributed in the areas adjacent to the ventral striatum, medial prefrontal cortex, and thalamus. Conclusions Patterns of shape decomposition in the lateral ventricles may have relevance to the structural vulnerability of the prefrontal-ventral striatal-thalamic circuit to methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity. PMID:23769159

Wing morphometrics as a possible tool for the diagnosis of the Ceratitis fasciventris, C. anonae, C. rosa complex (Diptera, Tephritidae).

PubMed

Van Cann, Joannes; Virgilio, Massimiliano; Jordaens, Kurt; De Meyer, Marc

2015-01-01

Previous attempts to resolve the Ceratitis FAR complex (Ceratitis fasciventris, Ceratitis anonae, Ceratitis rosa, Diptera, Tephritidae) showed contrasting results and revealed the occurrence of five microsatellite genotypic clusters (A, F1, F2, R1, R2). In this paper we explore the potential of wing morphometrics for the diagnosis of FAR morphospecies and genotypic clusters. We considered a set of 227 specimens previously morphologically identified and genotyped at 16 microsatellite loci. Seventeen wing landmarks and 6 wing band areas were used for morphometric analyses. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance detected significant differences both across morphospecies and genotypic clusters (for both males and females). Unconstrained and constrained ordinations did not properly resolve groups corresponding to morphospecies or genotypic clusters. However, posterior group membership probabilities (PGMPs) of the Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC) allowed the consistent identification of a relevant proportion of specimens (but with performances differing across morphospecies and genotypic clusters). This study suggests that wing morphometrics and PGMPs might represent a possible tool for the diagnosis of species within the FAR complex. Here, we propose a tentative diagnostic method and provide a first reference library of morphometric measures that might be used for the identification of additional and unidentified FAR specimens.

The Effect of Maternal Thyroid Disorders (Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism) During Pregnancy and Lactation on Skin Development in Wistar Rat Newborns

PubMed Central

Amerion, Maryam; Tahajjodi, Somayye; Hushmand, Zahra; Mahdavi Shahri, Nasser; Nikravesh, Mohammad Reza; Jalali, Mahdi

2013-01-01

Objective(s): Previous studies have shown that thyroid hormones are necessary for normal development of many organs and because of the importance of skin as the largest and the most important organ in human body protection in spite of external environment, the study of thyroid hormones effects on skin development is considerable. In this survey we have tried to study the effects of maternal hypothyroidism on skin development in fetus during pregnancy and lactation by immunohistochemistry technique. Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into 4 groups, hypothyroids, hyperthyroids, hypothyroids are treated with levothyroxin and a control group. The rat mothers were exposed to PTU with 50 mg/lit dosage and levothyroxin with 1 mg/lit dosage and PTU and levothyroxin simultaneously and with the same dosage respectively in hypothyroid, hyperthyroid and treated hypothyroids with levothyroxin groups. After 14 days, blood sample was taken from mothers, and if thyroid hormones level had change well, mating was allowed. After pregnancy and delivery, 1th day dorsal skin (as the sample for pregnancy assay) and 10th day skin (as for lactation assay) was used for immunohystochemical and morphometric studies. Results: In this study it was observed that maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy and lactation causes significant increase in laminin expression, in most areas of skin, and maternal hyperthyroidism during pregnancy and lactation causes significant decrease in laminin expression. Also significant decrease was observed in hair follicles number and epidermis thickness in hypothyroidism groups. Conclusion: This study showed maternal hypothyroidism causes significant decrease in epidermis thickness and hair follicles number and it causes less hair in fetus. Also maternal hypothyroidism causes large changes in laminin expression in different parts of skin. At the same time,maternal hyperthyroidism causes opposite results. In fact, thyroid hormones regulate laminin expression negatively which means increase in thyroid hormone level, decreases laminin expression. So changes in thyroid hormones level can influence skin development significantly. PMID:23826487

The analysis of morphometric data on rocky mountain wolves and artic wolves using statistical method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ammar Shafi, Muhammad; Saifullah Rusiman, Mohd; Hamzah, Nor Shamsidah Amir; Nor, Maria Elena; Ahmad, Noor’ani; Azia Hazida Mohamad Azmi, Nur; Latip, Muhammad Faez Ab; Hilmi Azman, Ahmad

2018-04-01

Morphometrics is a quantitative analysis depending on the shape and size of several specimens. Morphometric quantitative analyses are commonly used to analyse fossil record, shape and size of specimens and others. The aim of the study is to find the differences between rocky mountain wolves and arctic wolves based on gender. The sample utilised secondary data which included seven variables as independent variables and two dependent variables. Statistical modelling was used in the analysis such was the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The results showed there exist differentiating results between arctic wolves and rocky mountain wolves based on independent factors and gender.

Effects of Tribulus terrestris on monosodium iodoacetate‑induced osteoarthritis pain in rats.

PubMed

Park, Young Jin; Cho, Young-Rak; Oh, Joa Sub; Ahn, Eun-Kyung

2017-10-01

Tribulus terrestris L. (T. terrestris) has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of diuretic, lithontriptic, edema and urinary infections. Previous studies have indicated that it is effective in improving inflammation by regulating tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF)‑α, interleukin (IL)‑6, IL‑10, nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase (COX)‑2. However, the effects and mechanism of action of T. terrestris on osteoarthritis (OA) remain unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the ethanolic extract of T. terrestris (ETT) in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)‑induced OA animal model. OA was induced in LEW/SSNHSD rats by intra‑articular injection of MIA. Morphometric changes and parameters of the tibial trabecular bone were determined using micro‑computed tomography. The molecular mechanisms of ETT in OA were investigated using reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and gelatin zymogram analysis. Treatment with ETT attenuated MIA‑induced OA, and this effect was mediated by the downregulation of NO synthase 2, COX‑2, TNF‑α and IL‑6. Furthermore, the ETT‑mediated attenuation of OA was also dependent on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases‑2 and ‑9. The results of the current study indicate that further evaluation of the mechanisms underlying the attenuation of MIA‑induced OA by ETT are required, and may support the development of ETT as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as OA.

Effects of Tribulus terrestris on monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis pain in rats

PubMed Central

Park, Young Jin; Cho, Young-Rak; Oh, Joa Sub; Ahn, Eun-Kyung

2017-01-01

Tribulus terrestris L. (T. terrestris) has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of diuretic, lithontriptic, edema and urinary infections. Previous studies have indicated that it is effective in improving inflammation by regulating tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. However, the effects and mechanism of action of T. terrestris on osteoarthritis (OA) remain unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the ethanolic extract of T. terrestris (ETT) in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA animal model. OA was induced in LEW/SSNHSD rats by intra-articular injection of MIA. Morphometric changes and parameters of the tibial trabecular bone were determined using micro-computed tomography. The molecular mechanisms of ETT in OA were investigated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and gelatin zymogram analysis. Treatment with ETT attenuated MIA-induced OA, and this effect was mediated by the downregulation of NO synthase 2, COX-2, TNF-α and IL-6. Furthermore, the ETT-mediated attenuation of OA was also dependent on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and −9. The results of the current study indicate that further evaluation of the mechanisms underlying the attenuation of MIA-induced OA by ETT are required, and may support the development of ETT as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as OA. PMID:28849084

Geometric morphometrics in primatology: craniofacial variation in Homo sapiens and Pan troglodytes.

PubMed

Lynch, J M; Wood, C G; Luboga, S A

1996-01-01

Traditionally, morphometric studies have relied on statistical analysis of distances, angles or ratios to investigate morphometric variation among taxa. Recently, geometric techniques have been developed for the direct analysis of landmark data. In this paper, we offer a summary (with examples) of three of these newer techniques, namely shape coordinate, thin-plate spline and relative warp analyses. Shape coordinate analysis detected significant craniofacial variation between 4 modern human populations, with African and Australian Aboriginal specimens being relatively prognathous compared with their Eurasian counterparts. In addition, the Australian specimens exhibited greater basicranial flexion than all other samples. The observed relationships between size and craniofacial shape were weak. The decomposition of shape variation into affine and non-affine components is illustrated via a thin-plate spline analysis of Homo and Pan cranial landmarks. We note differences between Homo and Pan in the degree of prognathism and basicranial flexion and the position and orientation of the foramen magnum. We compare these results with previous studies of these features in higher primates and discuss the utility of geometric morphometrics as a tool in primatology and physical anthropology. We conclude that many studies of morphological variation, both within and between taxa, would benefit from the graphical nature of these techniques.

Population studies of Glossina pallidipes in Ethiopia: emphasis on cuticular hydrocarbons and wing morphometric analysis.

PubMed

Getahun, M N; Cecchi, G; Seyoum, E

2014-10-01

Tsetse flies, like many insects, use pheromones for inter- and intra-specific communication. Several of their pheromones are cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) that are perceived by contact at close range. We hypothesized that for a successful implementation of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), along with proper identification of target area and target species, the target tsetse populations and the sterile flies must chemically communicate with each other. To study the population structuring of Glossina pallidipes in Ethiopia, CHCs were extracted and analyzed from three tsetse belts. As a comparative approach, wing morphometric analysis was performed. The analysis of the relative abundance of CHCs revealed that populations of G. pallidipes from the Rift Valley tsetse belt showed a distinct clustering compared to populations from the other two belts. The spatial pattern of CHC differences was complemented by the wing morphometric analysis. Our data suggest that CHCs of known biological and ecological role, when combined with wing morphometric data, will provide an alternative means for the study of population structuring of Glossina populations. This could aid the planning of area wide control strategies using SIT, which is dependent on sexual competence. Copyright © 2014 International Atomic Energy Agency 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

How effective are geometric morphometric techniques for assessing functional shape variation? An example from the great ape temporomandibular joint.

PubMed

Terhune, Claire E

2013-08-01

Functional shape analyses have long relied on the use of shape ratios to test biomechanical hypotheses. This method is powerful because of the ease with which results are interpreted, but these techniques fall short in quantifying complex morphologies that may not have a strong biomechanical foundation but may still be functionally informative. In contrast, geometric morphometric methods are continually being adopted for quantifying complex shapes, but they tend to prove inadequate in functional analyses because they have little foundation in an explicit biomechanical framework. The goal of this study was to evaluate the intersection of these two methods using the great ape temporomandibular joint as a case study. Three-dimensional coordinates of glenoid fossa and mandibular condyle shape were collected using a Microscribe digitizer. Linear distances extracted from these landmarks were analyzed using a series of one-way ANOVAs; further, the landmark configurations were analyzed using geometric morphometric techniques. Results suggest that the two methods are broadly similar, although the geometric morphometric data allow for the identification of shape differences among taxa that were not immediately apparent in the univariate analyses. Furthermore, this study suggests several new approaches for translating these shape data into a biomechanical context by adjusting the data using a biomechanically relevant variable. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of 5-Amyno-4-(1,3-benzothyazol-2-yn)-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrrol-3-one Intake on Digestive System in a Rat Model of Colon Cancer.

PubMed

Kuznietsova, Halyna M; Luzhenetska, Valentyna K; Kotlyar, Iryna P; Rybalchenko, Volodymyr K

2015-01-01

Pyrrol derivate 5-amyno-4-(1,3-benzothyazol-2-yn)-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrrol-3-one (D1) has shown antiproliferative activities in vitro, so investigation of the impact of D1 intake on gut organs in rats that experienced colon cancer seems to be necessary. D1 at the dose of 2.3 mg/kg was administered per os daily for 27 (from the 1st day of experiment) or 7 (from the 21st week of experiment) weeks to rats that experienced 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon cancer for 20 weeks. 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) was chosen as reference drug and was administered intraperitoneally weekly for 7 weeks (from the 21st week of experiment) at the dose of 45 mg/kg. Antitumor activity of D1 comparable with the 5FU one against DMH-induced colon cancer in rats was observed (decrease of tumor number and tumor total area up to 46%). D1 attenuated the inflammation of colon, gastric and jejunal mucosa, and the liver, caused by DMH, unlike 5FU, aggravating the latter. In addition, D1 partially normalized mucosa morphometric parameters suggesting its functional restore. D1 possesses, comparable with 5-fluorouracil antitumor efficacy, less damaging effects on the tissues beyond cancerous areas and contributes to partial morphological and functional gut organs recovery.

Thyroid hormone affects secretory activity and uncoupling protein-3 expression in rat harderian gland.

PubMed

Chieffi Baccari, Gabriella; Monteforte, Rossella; de Lange, Pieter; Raucci, Franca; Farina, Paola; Lanni, Antonia

2004-07-01

The effects of T(3) administration on the rat Harderian gland were examined at morphological, biochemical, and molecular levels. T(3) induced hypertrophy of the two cell types (A and B) present in the glandular epithelium. In type A cells, the hypertrophy was mainly due to an increase in the size of the lipid compartment. The acinar lumina were filled with lipoproteic substances, and the cells often showed an olocrine secretory pattern. In type B cells, the hypertrophy largely consisted of a marked proliferation of mitochondria endowed with tightly packed cristae, the mitochondrial number being nearly doubled (from 62 to 101/100 microm(2)). Although the average area of individual mitochondria decreased by about 50%, the total area of the mitochondrial compartment increased by about 80% (from 11 to 19/100 microm(2)). This could be ascribed to T(3)-induced mitochondrial proliferation. The morphological and morphometric data correlated well with our biochemical results, which indicated that mitochondrial respiratory activity is increased in hyperthyroid rats. T(3), by influencing the metabolic function of the mitochondrial compartment, induces lipogenesis and the release of secretory product by type A cells. Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 were expressed at both mRNA and protein levels in the euthyroid rat Harderian gland. T(3) treatment increased the mRNA levels of both uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) and UCP3, but the protein level only of UCP3. A possible role for these proteins in the Harderian gland is discussed.

Combining two potential causes of metalloproteinase secretion causes abdominal aortic aneurysms in rats: a new experimental model

PubMed Central

Mata, Karina M; Prudente, Paula S; Rocha, Fabio S; Prado, Cibele M; Floriano, Elaine M; Elias, Jorge; Rizzi, Elen; Gerlach, Raquel F; Rossi, Marcos A; Ramos, Simone G

2011-01-01

Progress in understanding the pathophysiology of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is dependent in part on the development and application of effective animal models that recapitulate key aspects of the disease. The objective was to produce an experimental model of AAA in rats by combining two potential causes of metalloproteinase (MMP) secretion: inflammation and turbulent blood flow. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided in four groups: Injury, Stenosis, Aneurysm and Control (40/group). The Injury group received a traumatic injury to the external aortic wall. The Stenosis group received an extrinsic stenosis at a corresponding location. The Aneurysm group received both the injury and stenosis simultaneously, and the Control group received a sham operation. Animals were euthanized at days 1, 3, 7 and 15. Aorta and/or aneurysms were collected and the fragments were fixed for morphologic, immunohistochemistry and morphometric analyses or frozen for MMP assays. AAAs had developed by day 3 in 60–70% of the animals, reaching an aortic dilatation ratio of more than 300%, exhibiting intense wall remodelling initiated at the adventitia and characterized by an obvious inflammatory infiltrate, mesenchymal proliferation, neoangiogenesis, elastin degradation and collagen deposition. Immunohistochemistry and zymography studies displayed significantly increased expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in aneurysm walls compared to other groups. The haemo-dynamic alterations caused by the stenosis may have provided additional contribution to the MMPs liberation. This new model illustrated that AAA can be multifactorial and confirmed the key roles of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in this dynamic remodelling process. PMID:21039990

Streptomycin and EDTA decrease the number of desmin-negative fibers following stretch injury.

PubMed

Willems, Mark E T; Stauber, William T

2005-09-01

Streptomycin and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) were used to examine the role of extracellular calcium in stretch-induced muscle injury. Streptomycin was injected in one group of rats, three times daily for 8 days (S, 300 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) intraperitoneally). In another group, EDTA was administered (150 mg.kg(-1) IP) 20 min before and 24 h after the injury protocol. Untreated rats (C) served as controls. Muscle injury was produced by 40 stretches of active dorsiflexor muscles by ankle rotation from 80 degrees to 130 degrees (velocity 1.75 rad.s(-1)). Ten minutes after the injury protocols, all animals lost the same amount of isometric force at both low and high stimulation frequencies (20 HZ; S, 56 +/- 6%; EDTA, 47 +/- 7%; C, 55 +/- 4%) and 120 HZ; S, 11 +/- 3%, EDTA, 13 +/- 3%; C, 11 +/- 3%). Tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were removed after 48 h for morphometric analysis. In both streptomycin-and EDTA-treated rats, the percent of injured (i.e., desmin-negative) myofibers in TA was reduced compared to untreated, injured muscles (S, 0.35 +/- 0.08%; EDTA, 0.64 +/- 0.19%; C, 1.81 +/- 0.43%). Thus, streptomycin and EDTA treatment did not alter the development of muscle weakness (i.e., isometric force deficit), but almost abolished the histopathologic changes. This study shows that the mechanisms for muscle weakness and histopathologic changes (inflammation) following repeated muscle strains can largely be dissociated from each other and helps explain why there is no correlation between isometric force deficits and the number of pathologic cells.

Effect of nebivolol treatment during pregnancy on the genital circulation, fetal growth and postnatal development in the Wistar rat.

PubMed

Altoama, Kassem; Yassine Mallem, Mohamed; Thorin, Chantal; Betti, Eric; Desfontis, Jean-Claude

2015-07-05

The aim of study was to evaluate the effects of nebivolol, a cardioselective beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocker of the third generation with vasodilatory properties, vs. bisoprolol on the genital circulation, uterine vasculature, fetal growth and postnatal development in pregnant Wistar rats. Non invasive measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and heart rate (HR), and invasive measurement of genital blood flow (GBF) were taken in pregnant rats, by tail cuff and transonic probe methods respectively, after an oral treatment by gastric gavage with nebivolol (8mg/kg/day) or bisoprolol (10mg/kg/day) from day 11 to day 18 of pregnancy. Other morphometrical and histological measurements were performed on the ovarian and uterine arteries to evaluate the effect of nebivolol on the uterine vasculature. Furthermore, postnatal mortality and pup growth were recorded. The data demonstrated that nebivolol (compared with bisoprolol) induced a significant decrease in SBP, HR and GBF while DBP remained unchanged. Moreover, nebivolol increased the diameter and the length of ovarian and uterine arteries and the number of uterine artery segmental branches. The results also showed that the body weight gain of newborns in the nebivolol group was significantly lower vs. bisoprolol and vs. control with a higher mortality rate. The nebivolol action is not only limited to its favorable hemodynamic effects represented by a decrease in blood pressure, but it also produces adverse effects on fetal growth and postnatal development that may limit its therapeutic use in females during pregnancy. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Toxicogenomic analysis of N-nitrosomorpholine induced changes in rat liver: Comparison of genomic and proteomic responses and anchoring to histopathological parameters

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oberemm, A., E-mail: axel.oberemm@bfr.bund.d; Ahr, H.-J.; Bannasch, P.

2009-12-01

A common animal model of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis was used to examine the utility of transcriptomic and proteomic data to identify early biomarkers related to chemically induced carcinogenesis. N-nitrosomorpholine, a frequently used genotoxic model carcinogen, was applied via drinking water at 120 mg/L to male Wistar rats for 7 weeks followed by an exposure-free period of 43 weeks. Seven specimens of each treatment group (untreated control and 120 mg/L N-nitrosomorpholine in drinking water) were sacrificed at nine time points during and after N-nitrosomorpholine treatment. Individual samples from the liver were prepared for histological and toxicogenomic analyses. For histological detection of preneoplasticmore » and neoplastic tissue areas, sections were stained using antibodies against the placental form of glutathione-S-transferase (GST-P). Gene and protein expression profiles of liver tissue homogenates were analyzed using RG-U34A Affymetrix rat gene chips and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis-based proteomics, respectively. In order to compare results obtained by histopathology, transcriptomics and proteomics, GST-P-stained liver sections were evaluated morphometrically, which revealed a parallel time course of the area fraction of preneoplastic lesions and gene plus protein expression patterns. On the transcriptional level, an increase of hepatic GST-P expression was detectable as early as 3 weeks after study onset. Comparing deregulated genes and proteins, eight species were identified which showed a corresponding expression profile on both expression levels. Functional analysis suggests that these genes and corresponding proteins may be useful as biomarkers of early hepatocarcinogenesis.« less

East Greenland and Barents Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus): adaptive variation between two populations using skull morphometrics as an indicator of environmental and genetic differences.

PubMed

Pertoldi, Cino; Sonne, Christian; Wiig, Øystein; Baagøe, Hans J; Loeschcke, Volker; Bechshøft, Thea Østergaard

2012-06-01

A morphometric study was conducted on four skull traits of 37 male and 18 female adult East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus) collected 1892-1968, and on 54 male and 44 female adult Barents Sea polar bears collected 1950-1969. The aim was to compare differences in size and shape of the bear skulls using a multivariate approach, characterizing the variation between the two populations using morphometric traits as an indicator of environmental and genetic differences. Mixture analysis testing for geographic differentiation within each population revealed three clusters for Barents Sea males and three clusters for Barents Sea females. East Greenland consisted of one female and one male cluster. A principal component analysis (PCA) conducted on the clusters defined by the mixture analysis, showed that East Greenland and Barents Sea polar bear populations overlapped to a large degree, especially with regards to females. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) showed no significant differences in morphometric means between the two populations, but differences were detected between clusters from each respective geographic locality. To estimate the importance of genetics and environment in the morphometric differences between the bears, a PCA was performed on the covariance matrix derived from the skull measurements. Skull trait size (PC1) explained approx. 80% of the morphometric variation, whereas shape (PC2) defined approx. 15%, indicating some genetic differentiation. Hence, both environmental and genetic factors seem to have contributed to the observed skull differences between the two populations. Overall, results indicate that many Barents Sea polar bears are morphometrically similar to the East Greenland ones, suggesting an exchange of individuals between the two populations. Furthermore, a subpopulation structure in the Barents Sea population was also indicated from the present analyses, which should be considered with regards to future management decisions. © 2012 The Authors.

Effects of Temperature, Photoperiod, and Rainfall on Morphometric Variation of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

PubMed

Paris, Thomson M; Allan, Sandra A; Hall, David G; Hentz, Matthew G; Croxton, Scott D; Ainpudi, Niharika; Stansly, Philip A

2017-02-01

Phenotypic plasticity provides a mechanism by which an organism can adapt to new or changing environments. Earlier studies have demonstrated the variability of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Asian citrus psyllid) population dynamics, but no analysis of morphological changes induced by seasonal or artificial laboratory-induced conditions has yet been documented. Such morphometric variation has been found to correspond in dispersal capabilities in several insect taxa. In this study, the effects of temperature and photoperiod on morphometric variation of D. citri were examined through laboratory rearing of psyllids under controlled temperatures (20 °C, 28 °C, and 30 °C) and under a short photoperiod of 10.5:13.5 (L:D) h and a long photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. Diaphorina citri were field-collected monthly from three citrus groves in Fort Pierce, Gainesville, and Immokalee, FL, to evaluate potential field-associated environmental effects. Both traditional and geometric morphometric data were used to analyze the correlation between environmental and morphometric variation. A strong correlation was found between temperature and shape change, with larger and broader wings at colder temperatures in the laboratory. Short day length resulted in shorter and narrower wings as well. From the field, temperature, rainfall, and photoperiod were moderately associated with shape parameters. Adult D. citri with blue/green abdomens collected in the laboratory and field studies were larger in size and shape than those with brown/gray abdomens. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America 2016. This work is written by US Government employees and is in the public domain in the US.

Bat Species Comparisons Based on External Morphology: A Test of Traditional versus Geometric Morphometric Approaches

PubMed Central

Schmieder, Daniela A.; Benítez, Hugo A.; Borissov, Ivailo M.; Fruciano, Carmelo

2015-01-01

External morphology is commonly used to identify bats as well as to investigate flight and foraging behavior, typically relying on simple length and area measures or ratios. However, geometric morphometrics is increasingly used in the biological sciences to analyse variation in shape and discriminate among species and populations. Here we compare the ability of traditional versus geometric morphometric methods in discriminating between closely related bat species – in this case European horseshoe bats (Rhinolophidae, Chiroptera) – based on morphology of the wing, body and tail. In addition to comparing morphometric methods, we used geometric morphometrics to detect interspecies differences as shape changes. Geometric morphometrics yielded improved species discrimination relative to traditional methods. The predicted shape for the variation along the between group principal components revealed that the largest differences between species lay in the extent to which the wing reaches in the direction of the head. This strong trend in interspecific shape variation is associated with size, which we interpret as an evolutionary allometry pattern. PMID:25965335

Modulatory Role of Sensory Innervation on Hair Follicle Stem Cell Progeny during Wound Healing of the Rat Skin

PubMed Central

Martínez-Martínez, Eduardo; Galván-Hernández, Claudio I.; Toscano-Márquez, Brenda; Gutiérrez-Ospina, Gabriel

2012-01-01

Background The bulge region of the hair follicle contains resident epithelial stem cells (SCs) that are activated and mobilized during hair growth and after epidermal wounding. However, little is known about the signals that modulate these processes. Clinical and experimental observations show that a reduced supply of sensory innervation is associated with delayed wound healing. Since axon terminals of sensory neurons are among the components of the bulge SC niche, we investigated whether these neurons are involved in the activation and mobilization of the hair stem cells during wound healing. Methodology/Principal Findings We used neonatal capsaicin treatment to reduce sensory terminals in the rat skin and performed morphometric analyses using design-based stereological methods. Epithelial proliferation was analyzed by quantifying the number of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled (BrdU+) nuclei in the epidermis and hair follicles. After wounding, the epidermis of capsaicin-treated rats presented fewer BrdU+ nuclei than in control rats. To assess SC progeny migration, we employed a double labeling protocol with iododeoxyuridine and chlorodeoxyuridine (IdU+/CldU+). The proportion of double-labeled cells was similar in the hair follicles of both groups at 32 h postwounding. IdU+/CldU+ cell proportion increased in the epidermis of control rats and decreased in treated rats at 61 h postwounding. The epidermal volume immunostained for keratin 6 was greater in treated rats at 61 h. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor immunoreactivity were both present in CD34+ and BrdU-retaining cells of the hair follicles. Conclusions/Significance Our results suggest that capsaicin denervation impairs SC progeny egress from the hair follicles, a circumstance associated with a greater epidermal activation. Altogether, these phenomena would explain the longer times for healing in denervated skin. Thus, sensory innervation may play a functional role in the modulation of hair SC physiology during wound healing. PMID:22574159

Modulatory role of sensory innervation on hair follicle stem cell progeny during wound healing of the rat skin.

PubMed

Martínez-Martínez, Eduardo; Galván-Hernández, Claudio I; Toscano-Márquez, Brenda; Gutiérrez-Ospina, Gabriel

2012-01-01

The bulge region of the hair follicle contains resident epithelial stem cells (SCs) that are activated and mobilized during hair growth and after epidermal wounding. However, little is known about the signals that modulate these processes. Clinical and experimental observations show that a reduced supply of sensory innervation is associated with delayed wound healing. Since axon terminals of sensory neurons are among the components of the bulge SC niche, we investigated whether these neurons are involved in the activation and mobilization of the hair stem cells during wound healing. We used neonatal capsaicin treatment to reduce sensory terminals in the rat skin and performed morphometric analyses using design-based stereological methods. Epithelial proliferation was analyzed by quantifying the number of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled (BrdU(+)) nuclei in the epidermis and hair follicles. After wounding, the epidermis of capsaicin-treated rats presented fewer BrdU(+) nuclei than in control rats. To assess SC progeny migration, we employed a double labeling protocol with iododeoxyuridine and chlorodeoxyuridine (IdU(+)/CldU(+)). The proportion of double-labeled cells was similar in the hair follicles of both groups at 32 h postwounding. IdU(+)/CldU(+) cell proportion increased in the epidermis of control rats and decreased in treated rats at 61 h postwounding. The epidermal volume immunostained for keratin 6 was greater in treated rats at 61 h. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor immunoreactivity were both present in CD34(+) and BrdU-retaining cells of the hair follicles. Our results suggest that capsaicin denervation impairs SC progeny egress from the hair follicles, a circumstance associated with a greater epidermal activation. Altogether, these phenomena would explain the longer times for healing in denervated skin. Thus, sensory innervation may play a functional role in the modulation of hair SC physiology during wound healing.

Oval Window Size and Shape: a Micro-CT Anatomical Study With Considerations for Stapes Surgery.

PubMed

Zdilla, Matthew J; Skrzat, Janusz; Kozerska, Magdalena; Leszczyński, Bartosz; Tarasiuk, Jacek; Wroński, Sebastian

2018-06-01

The oval window is an important structure with regard to stapes surgeries, including stapedotomy for the treatment of otosclerosis. Recent study of perioperative imaging of the oval window has revealed that oval window niche height can indicate both operative difficulty and subjective discomfort during otosclerosis surgery. With regard to shape, structures incorporated into the oval window niche, such as cartilage grafts, must be compatible with the shape of the oval window. Despite the clinical importance of the oval window, there is little information regarding its size and shape. This study assessed oval window size and shape via micro-computed tomography paired with modern morphometric methodology in the fetal, infant, child, and adult populations. Additionally, the study compared oval window size and shape between sexes and between left- and right-sided ears. No significant differences were found among traditional morphometric parameters among age groups, sides, or sexes. However, geometric morphometric methods revealed shape differences between age groups. Further, geometric morphometric methods provided the average oval window shape and most-likely shape variance. Beyond demonstrating oval window size and shape variation, the results of this report will aid in identifying patients among whom anatomical variation may contribute to surgical difficulty and surgeon discomfort, or otherwise warrant preoperative adaptations for the incorporation of materials into and around the oval window.

Optical fluorescence spectroscopy to detect hepatic necrosis after normothermic ischemia: animal model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romano, Renan A.; Vollet-Filho, Jose D.; Pratavieira, Sebastião.; Fernandez, Jorge L.; Kurachi, Cristina; Bagnato, Vanderlei S.; Castro-e-Silva, Orlando; Sankarankutty, Ajith K.

2015-06-01

Liver transplantation is a well-established treatment for liver failure. However, the success of the transplantation procedure depends on liver graft conditions. The tissue function evaluation during the several transplantation stages is relevant, in particular during the organ harvesting, when a decision is made concerning the viability of the graft. Optical fluorescence spectroscopy is a good option because it is a noninvasive and fast technique. A partial normothermic hepatic ischemia was performed in rat livers, with a vascular occlusion of both median and left lateral lobes, allowing circulation only for the right lateral lobe and the caudate lobe. Fluorescence spectra under excitation at 532 nm (doubled frequency Nd:YAG laser) were collected using a portable spectrometer (USB2000, Ocean Optics, USA). The fluorescence emission was collected before vascular occlusion, after ischemia, and 24 hours after reperfusion. A morphometric histology analysis was performed as the gold standard evaluation - liver samples were analyzed, and the percentage of necrotic tissue was obtained. The results showed that changes in the fluorescence emission after ischemia can be correlated with the amount of necrosis evaluated by a morphometric analysis, the Pearson correlation coefficient of the generated model was 0.90 and the root mean square error was around 20%. In this context, the laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy technique after normothermic ischemia showed to be a fast and efficient method to differentiate ischemic injury from viable tissues.

Lujiatun Psittacosaurids: Understanding Individual and Taphonomic Variation Using 3D Geometric Morphometrics

PubMed Central

Hedrick, Brandon P.; Dodson, Peter

2013-01-01

Psittacosaurus is one of the most abundant and speciose genera in the Dinosauria, with fifteen named species. The genus is geographically and temporally widespread with large sample sizes of several of the nominal species allowing detailed analysis of intra- and interspecific variation. We present a reanalysis of three separate, coeval species within the Psittacosauridae; P. lujiatunensis, P. major, and Hongshanosaurus houi from the Lujiatun beds of the Yixian Formation, northeastern China, using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics on a sample set of thirty skulls in combination with a reevaluation of the proposed character states for each species. Using these complementary methods, we show that individual and taphonomic variation are the joint causes of a large range of variation among the skulls when they are plotted in a morphospace. Our results demonstrate that there is only one species of Psittacosaurus within the Lujiatun beds and that the three nominal species represent different taphomorphotypes of P. lujiatunensis. The wide range of geometric morphometric variation in a single species of Psittacosaurus implies that the range of variation found in other dinosaurian groups may also be related to taphonomic distortion rather than interspecific variation. As the morphospace is driven primarily by variation resulting from taphonomic distortion, this study demonstrates that the geometric morphometric approach can only be used with great caution to delineate interspecific variation in Psittacosaurus and likely other dinosaur groups without a complementary evaluation of character states. This study presents the first application of 3D geometric morphometrics to the dinosaurian morphospace and the first attempt to quantify taphonomic variation in dinosaur skulls. PMID:23950887

Morphometric Atlas Selection for Automatic Brachial Plexus Segmentation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Van de Velde, Joris, E-mail: joris.vandevelde@ugent.be; Department of Radiotherapy, Ghent University, Ghent; Wouters, Johan

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of atlas selection based on different morphometric parameters, on the accuracy of automatic brachial plexus (BP) segmentation for radiation therapy planning. The segmentation accuracy was measured by comparing all of the generated automatic segmentations with anatomically validated gold standard atlases developed using cadavers. Methods and Materials: Twelve cadaver computed tomography (CT) atlases (3 males, 9 females; mean age: 73 years) were included in the study. One atlas was selected to serve as a patient, and the other 11 atlases were registered separately onto this “patient” using deformable image registration. Thismore » procedure was repeated for every atlas as a patient. Next, the Dice and Jaccard similarity indices and inclusion index were calculated for every registered BP with the original gold standard BP. In parallel, differences in several morphometric parameters that may influence the BP segmentation accuracy were measured for the different atlases. Specific brachial plexus-related CT-visible bony points were used to define the morphometric parameters. Subsequently, correlations between the similarity indices and morphometric parameters were calculated. Results: A clear negative correlation between difference in protraction-retraction distance and the similarity indices was observed (mean Pearson correlation coefficient = −0.546). All of the other investigated Pearson correlation coefficients were weak. Conclusions: Differences in the shoulder protraction-retraction position between the atlas and the patient during planning CT influence the BP autosegmentation accuracy. A greater difference in the protraction-retraction distance between the atlas and the patient reduces the accuracy of the BP automatic segmentation result.« less

One-carbon cycle support rescues sperm damage in experimentally induced varicocoele in rats.

PubMed

Mohammadi, Parisa; Hassani-Bafrani, Hassan; Tavalaee, Marziyeh; Dattilo, Maurizio; Nasr-Esfahani, Mohammad H

2018-05-11

To investigate whether micronutrients in support of the one-carbon cycle and glutathione synthesis are effective in improving sperm damage after surgical varicocoele induction in rats and whether any effect is achieved without a rebound reductive stress as seen with oral antioxidants. Surgical varicocoele was induced in adult male Wistar rats and resulted in significant damage to the testis and sperm cells measured at 2 and 4 months after surgery. At 2 months after surgery, rats received a 2-month oral supplementation in support of the one-carbon cycle containing B vitamins (B2, B3, B6, folic acid and B12), N-acetyl-cysteine, zinc, small amounts of vitamin E, and a natural source of betalains and quercetine (Condensyl ® ; Parthenogen SAGL, Lugano, Switzerland and Nurilia SARL, Lyon, France). One-carbon cycle supplementation, compared to untreated controls, significantly improved the morphometric characteristics of testis (P < 0.05), sperm concentration, motility and abnormal morphology (P < 0.001), sperm chromatin condensation (aniline blue staining, P < 0.05), sperm DNA damage (acridine orange staining, P < 0.05) and sperm lipid peroxidation (BODIPY C11, P < 0.001). The improvement in both nuclear condensation and DNA damage and the lack of excessive inhibition of lipid peroxidation confirmed that no reductive stress had occurred. Micronutrients in support of the one-carbon cycle are effective in the treatment of surgically induced varicocoele in rats, probably by activating natural antioxidant defences and epigenetics. These results support the idea that essential micronutrients including B vitamins may also have a positive influence in clinical varicocoele, which should be tested in prospective clinical trials. © 2018 The Authors BJU International © 2018 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Histomorphometry and expression of Cdc47 and caspase-3 in hyperthyroid rat uteri and placentas during gestation and postpartum associated with fetal development.

PubMed

Freitas, E S; Leite, E D; Souza, C A; Ocarino, N M; Ferreira, E; Cassali, G D; Gomes, M G; Serakides, R

2007-01-01

In two different experiments, the effects of hyperthyroidism on the histomorphometry and expression of Cdc47 and caspase-3 were evaluated in the uteri and placentas during gestation and postpartum. Fetal development was also evaluated during gestation. In the first experiment, 36 adult female Wistar rats were divided into two groups of 18 animals each: (1) hyperthyroid; and (2) euthyroid (control). Female rats were mated and killed at 7, 14 and 19 days of gestation. Uteri and placentas were weighed and subjected to histomorphometric and immunohistochemical evaluation to determine the expression of Cdc47 and caspase-3. Ovaries were also evaluated for weight and subjected to morphometric analysis. Fetuses were quantified and weighed individually. In the second experiment, 12 adult female Wistar rats were divided into two groups of six animals each: (1) hyperthyroid; and (2) euthyroid (control). Female rats were mated and killed 2 days postpartum. Uteri were evaluated in the same way as for the first experiment. Hyperthyroidism increased ovulation and conception rates without disturbing the size and viability of the fetuses. In the pregnant uteri, hyperthyroidism did not change the thickness of the layers or the expression of Cdc47 and caspase-3. However, in the placentas, hyperthyroidism increased the medium diameter of trophoblast cells, as well as the thickness and the expression of Cdc47 of spongiotrophoblast cells, at 14 days of gestation. During uterine involution, hyperthyroidism significantly increased the expression of Cdc47 and reduced the expression of caspase-3 in the uterine layers. In conclusion, hyperthyroidism increased the conception rate because of an ovulation gain, induced significant placental changes during pregnancy and, in the uterus, increased Cdc47 expression and decreased caspase-3 expression after parturition.

Allele-Specific Inhibition of Rhodopsin With an Antisense Oligonucleotide Slows Photoreceptor Cell Degeneration

PubMed Central

Murray, Susan F.; Jazayeri, Ali; Matthes, Michael T.; Yasumura, Douglas; Yang, Haidong; Peralta, Raechel; Watt, Andy; Freier, Sue; Hung, Gene; Adamson, Peter S.; Guo, Shuling; Monia, Brett P.; LaVail, Matthew M.; McCaleb, Michael L.

2015-01-01

Purpose To preserve photoreceptor cell structure and function in a rodent model of retinitis pigmentosa with P23H rhodopsin by selective inhibition of the mutant rhodopsin allele using a second generation antisense oligonucleotide (ASO). Methods Wild-type mice and rats were treated with ASO by intravitreal (IVT) injection and rhodopsin mRNA and protein expression were measured. Transgenic rats expressing the murine P23H rhodopsin gene (P23H transgenic rat Line 1) were administered either a mouse-specific P23H ASO or a control ASO. The contralateral eye was injected with PBS and used as a comparator control. Electroretinography (ERG) measurements and analyses of the retinal outer nuclear layer were conducted and correlated with rhodopsin mRNA levels. Results Rhodopsin mRNA and protein expression was reduced after a single ASO injection in wild-type mice with a rhodopsin-specific ASO. Transgenic rat eyes that express a murine P23H rhodopsin gene injected with a murine P23H ASO had a 181 ± 39% better maximum amplitude response (scotopic a-wave) as compared with contralateral PBS-injected eyes; the response in control ASO eyes was not significantly different from comparator contralateral eyes. Morphometric analysis of the outer nuclear layer showed a significantly thicker nuclear layer in eyes injected with murine P23H ASO (18%) versus contralateral PBS-injected eyes. Conclusions Allele-specific ASO-mediated knockdown of mutant P23H rhodopsin expression slowed the rate of photoreceptor degeneration and preserved the function of photoreceptor cells in eyes of the P23H rhodopsin transgenic rat. Our data indicate that ASO treatment is a potentially effective therapy for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa. PMID:26436889

Molecular Characterization of a Xiphinema hunaniense Population with Morphometric Data of all Four Juvenile Stages

PubMed Central

Wu, Y.; Zheng, J.; Robbins, R. T.

2007-01-01

A population of Xiphinema hunaniense Wang and Wu, 1992 with all four juvenile stages was found in the rhizosphere of Pinus sp. in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. Morphometrics of 18 females and 35 juveniles of this population are given herein. Detailed morphology and morphometrics of the four juvenile stages are provided. Further comparisons based on morphometrics of the population with previous studies of the females and the first-stage juveniles of X. hunaniense with X. radicicola are given, and morphological variation in X. hunaniense populations are discussed. A revised polytomous key code of Loof and Luc (1990) for X. hunaniense identification is provided, i.e., A1- B4- C4- D4/5- E1- F2(3)- G2- H2-I3- J4- K2- L1. In addition, the sequence of the D2 and D3 expansion region of the 28S rRNA gene was analyzed and compared with sequences of closely related species downloaded from the NCBI database. Cluster analysis of sequences confirmed and supported the species identifications. PMID:19259473

Morphological and Ecological Characterization of Steinernema feltiae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) Rioja Strain Isolated from Bibio hortulanus (Diptera: Bibionidae) in Spain.

PubMed

Campos-Herrera, R; Escuer, M; Robertson, L; Gutiérrez, C

2006-03-01

A new strain of Steinernema feltiae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) was isolated in La Rioja (Spain) from larvae of Bibio hortulanus (Diptera: Bibionidae). A comparative morphometric analysis of this new strain and four additional S. feltiae isolates was performed. Although significant differences in morphometric measurements were observed, PCR-RFLP profiles and sequence analysis of the ITS region of rDNA confirmed the identity of the new strain as A2 RFLP type of S. feltiae. A comparative morphometric study among nematodes from three hosts, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and B. hortulanus, was conducted. Ecological characterization of the Rioja isolate was performed in G. mellonella larvae. Larval mortality was 75.3 and 78.12% in penetration and sand column assays, respectively, and the percentage of penetrating infective juveniles was 12.0 and 2.8% in these assays. Larval mortality in the one-on-one bioassay was 4.2%, and in exposure-time bioassays, it was 50% at 11.25 hours. Relationships between morphometric characteristics and host mortality are discussed for this new strain of entomopathogenic nematode.

Comparison of imatinib, nilotinib and silymarin in the treatment of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic oxidative stress, injury and fibrosis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shaker, Mohamed E., E-mail: mshaker2222@yahoo.com; Zalata, Khaled R.; Mehal, Wajahat Z.

2011-04-15

Effective and well-tolerated anti-fibrotic drugs are currently lacking. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the potential anti-fibrotic effects of imatinib, nilotinib and silymarin on established hepatic fibrosis in the carbon tetrachloride (CCl{sub 4}) rat model. Male Wistar rats received intraperitoneal injections of CCl{sub 4} twice weekly for 8 weeks, as well as daily intraperitoneal treatments of imatinib (10 and 20 mg/kg), nilotinib (10 and 20 mg/kg) and silymarin (100 mg/kg) during the last 4 weeks of CCl{sub 4}-intoxication. At the end of the study, hepatic damage was evaluated by analysis of liver function tests and hepatic oxidative stressmore » parameters. Hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by histopathology and morphometry, as well as collagen and 4-hydroxyproline contents. Nilotinib (20 mg/kg) was the most effective treatment to counteract CCl{sub 4}-induced hepatic injury as indicated by liver function tests and histopathology. Nilotinib (10 mg/kg), nilotinib (20 mg/kg) and silymarin (100 mg/kg) treatments reduced the mean score of hepatic fibrosis by 31%, 68% and 47%, respectively, and hepatic collagen content by 47%, 49% and 18%, respectively in CCl{sub 4}-treated rats. Hepatic morphometric evaluation and 4-hydroxyproline content revealed that CCl{sub 4}-induced fibrosis was ameliorated significantly by nilotinib (20 mg/kg) and imatinib (20 mg/kg). Unlike nilotinib, imatinib (20 mg/kg) showed some sort of hepatic injury evidenced by elevation of serum aminotransferases and total bilirubin levels, and hepatic total nitrate/nitrite content, as well as characteristic anisonucleosis visualized with the hematoxylin-eosin staining. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence that nilotinib exerts anti-fibrotic activity and suggests that it may be valuable in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in humans. - Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Research Highlights: > The anti-fibrotic effects of imatinib, nilotinib and silymarin were compared. > These effects were evaluated on CCl{sub 4}-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. > Nilotinib was found to possess potent anti-fibrotic activity. > In addition, nilotinib did not show any signs of hepatotoxicity. > Thus, nilotinib may be valuable in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in humans.« less

Sustained inhibition of intimal thickening. In vitro and in vivo effects of polymeric beta-cyclodextrin sulfate.

PubMed Central

Bachinsky, W B; Barnathan, E S; Liu, H; Okada, S S; Kuo, A; Raghunath, P N; Muttreja, M; Caron, R J; Tomaszewski, J E; Golden, M A

1995-01-01

Intimal thickening after vascular injury may be modulated in part by heparin binding growth factors. We hypothesized that placement of a therapeutic polymer in the periadventitial space capable of tightly binding growth factors might alter the vascular response to injury. We first demonstrated that incubation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells with an insoluble, sulfated polymer of beta-cyclodextrin (P-CDS) was associated with a dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation induced by fetal calf serum, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), platelet-derived growth factor BB, or epidermal growth factor. Preincubation studies of P-CDS with FGF-2 revealed a very rapid removal of mitogenic activity. Using radiolabeled FGF-2 (0.25 microg/ml), we observed a very rapid association rate (0.34 +/- 0.07 min-1, n=4) and a very slow dissociation rate (3.3 +/- 0.2 X 10(-7) min-1) at 37 degrees C, suggesting a high affinity interaction. Using both Transwell and linear under-agarose assays, we demonstrated a significant inhibition of random migration (chemokinesis) by P-CDS. Unsulfated polymeric beta-cyclodextrin (P-CD) had little if any of these effects, suggesting that the high negative charge density of P-CDS was important for the effects. Finally, rats undergoing carotid artery balloon injury were randomized to treatment with periadventitial P-CDS or no treatment, and were killed at 4 (n=20), 14 (n=59), and 88 d (n=14). Morphometric analysis demonstrated significant and sustained inhibition of intimal thickening in P-CDS-treated rats at 14 (P < 0.01) and 88 d (P < 0.05) using absolute intimal area or intima/media area ratios. No inhibition was seen in a group of rats treated with P-CD. In P-CDS-treated rats, bromodeoxyuridine labeling studies revealed fewer labeled smooth muscle cells in the intima at 14 d (P=0.01), while staining with Evans blue revealed enhanced late endothelial cell regrowth. Thus, periadventitially applied sulfated beta-cyclodextrin polymer, which can tightly bind heparin binding growth factors, inhibits intimal thickening in vivo in a sustained fashion without using an additional delivery system. These studies suggest that cellular processes mediated by heparin binding growth factors may be modulated by P-CDS. Images PMID:8675622

Hydrological inferences through morphometric analysis of lower Kosi river basin of India for water resource management based on remote sensing data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rai, Praveen Kumar; Chandel, Rajeev Singh; Mishra, Varun Narayan; Singh, Prafull

2018-03-01

Satellite based remote sensing technology has proven to be an effectual tool in analysis of drainage networks, study of surface morphological features and their correlation with groundwater management prospect at basin level. The present study highlights the effectiveness and advantage of remote sensing and GIS-based analysis for quantitative and qualitative assessment of flood plain region of lower Kosi river basin based on morphometric analysis. In this study, ASTER DEM is used to extract the vital hydrological parameters of lower Kosi river basin in ARC GIS software. Morphometric parameters, e.g., stream order, stream length, bifurcation ratio, drainage density, drainage frequency, drainage texture, form factor, circularity ratio, elongation ratio, etc., have been calculated for the Kosi basin and their hydrological inferences were discussed. Most of the morphometric parameters such as bifurcation ratio, drainage density, drainage frequency, drainage texture concluded that basin has good prospect for water management program for various purposes and also generated data base that can provide scientific information for site selection of water-harvesting structures and flood management activities in the basin. Land use land cover (LULC) of the basin were also prepared from Landsat data of 2005, 2010 and 2015 to assess the change in dynamic of the basin and these layers are very noteworthy for further watershed prioritization.

Effects of Anethum graveolens L. (dill) on Oocyte and Fertility of Adult Female Rats

PubMed Central

Monsefi, Malihezaman; Ghasemi, Aazam; Alaee, Sanaz; Aliabadi, Elham

2015-01-01

Background Our previous studies revealed Anethum graveolens L. caused some changes in female reproductive system that induced infertility. Therefore, in this study, oocyte changes as one of probable reasons of infertility were investigated. Methods In this study, 59 adult female rats were divided into 3 groups of control, low dose (0.5 g/kg) and high dose (5 g/kg) of dill seed aqueous extract (LDE and HDE) treated groups that were gavaged with 1 ml of each dose for 10 days (2 estrous cycles). Vaginal smears were prepared daily. Oocytes of superovulated animals were extracted and their morphometrical changes were measured (n = 5). Oocyte cell membrane glycoconjugates were stained with UEA, PNA, and DBA-FITC lectins (n = 5). Ultrastructural studies of oocytes were performed using TEM (n = 5). The number, weight, and crown-rump length of newborns were examined in three groups after mating with untreated males (n = 5). Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results Results demonstrated that the duration of the estrous cycle, the diestrus phase and progesterone concentration in the experimental groups increased significantly compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Granulosa cells of corpus luteum in HDE-treated group were larger and clearer. The intensity reactions of galactose/Nacetylgalactoseamine terminal sugar of oocyte decreased insignificantly in experimental groups compared to the control group p > 0.05. Duration of mating to pregnancy increased and the weight and crown-rump length of newborns decreased in experimental groups significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusion Dill seed aqueous extract can induce infertility without any effect on oocyte structure. PMID:25717430

A critical review of neonicotinoid insecticides for developmental neurotoxicity

PubMed Central

Sheets, Larry P.; Li, Abby A.; Minnema, Daniel J.; Collier, Richard H.; Creek, Moire R.; Peffer, Richard C.

2016-01-01

Abstract A comprehensive review of published and previously unpublished studies was performed to evaluate the neonicotinoid insecticides for evidence of developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). These insecticides have favorable safety profiles, due to their preferential affinity for nicotinic receptor (nAChR) subtypes in insects, poor penetration of the mammalian blood–brain barrier, and low application rates. Nevertheless, examination of this issue is warranted, due to their insecticidal mode of action and potential exposure with agricultural and residential uses. This review identified in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiology studies in the literature and studies performed in rats in accordance with GLP standards and EPA guidelines with imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran, which are all the neonicotinoids currently registered in major markets. For the guideline-based studies, treatment was administered via the diet or gavage to primiparous female rats at three dose levels, plus a vehicle control (≥20/dose level), from gestation day 0 or 6 to lactation day 21. F1 males and females were evaluated using measures of motor activity, acoustic startle response, cognition, brain morphometry, and neuropathology. The principal effects in F1 animals were associated with decreased body weight (delayed sexual maturation, decreased brain weight, and morphometric measurements) and acute toxicity (decreased activity during exposure) at high doses, without neuropathology or impaired cognition. No common effects were identified among the neonicotinoids that were consistent with DNT or the neurodevelopmental effects associated with nicotine. Findings at high doses were associated with evidence of systemic toxicity, which indicates that these insecticides do not selectively affect the developing nervous system. PMID:26513508

A critical review of neonicotinoid insecticides for developmental neurotoxicity.

PubMed

Sheets, Larry P; Li, Abby A; Minnema, Daniel J; Collier, Richard H; Creek, Moire R; Peffer, Richard C

2016-02-01

A comprehensive review of published and previously unpublished studies was performed to evaluate the neonicotinoid insecticides for evidence of developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). These insecticides have favorable safety profiles, due to their preferential affinity for nicotinic receptor (nAChR) subtypes in insects, poor penetration of the mammalian blood-brain barrier, and low application rates. Nevertheless, examination of this issue is warranted, due to their insecticidal mode of action and potential exposure with agricultural and residential uses. This review identified in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiology studies in the literature and studies performed in rats in accordance with GLP standards and EPA guidelines with imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran, which are all the neonicotinoids currently registered in major markets. For the guideline-based studies, treatment was administered via the diet or gavage to primiparous female rats at three dose levels, plus a vehicle control (≥20/dose level), from gestation day 0 or 6 to lactation day 21. F1 males and females were evaluated using measures of motor activity, acoustic startle response, cognition, brain morphometry, and neuropathology. The principal effects in F1 animals were associated with decreased body weight (delayed sexual maturation, decreased brain weight, and morphometric measurements) and acute toxicity (decreased activity during exposure) at high doses, without neuropathology or impaired cognition. No common effects were identified among the neonicotinoids that were consistent with DNT or the neurodevelopmental effects associated with nicotine. Findings at high doses were associated with evidence of systemic toxicity, which indicates that these insecticides do not selectively affect the developing nervous system.

Cytological study of DNA content and nuclear morphometric analysis for aid in the diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia within oral leukoplakia.

PubMed

Yang, Xi; Xiao, Xuan; Wu, Wenyan; Shen, Xuemin; Zhou, Zengtong; Liu, Wei; Shi, Linjun

2017-09-01

To quantitatively examine the DNA content and nuclear morphometric status of oral leukoplakia (OL) and investigate its association with the degree of dysplasia in a cytologic study. Oral cytobrush biopsy was carried out to obtain exfoliative epithelial cells from lesions before scalpel biopsy at the same location in a blinded series of 70 patients with OL. Analysis of nuclear morphometry and DNA content status using image cytometry was performed with oral smears stained with the Feulgen-thionin method. Nuclear morphometric analysis revealed significant differences in DNA content amount, DNA index, nuclear area, nuclear radius, nuclear intensity, sphericity, entropy, and fractal dimension (all P < .01) between low-grade and high-grade dysplasia. DNA content analysis identified 34 patients with OL (48.6%) with DNA content abnormality. Nonhomogeneous lesion (P = .018) and high-grade dysplasia (P = .008) were significantly associated with abnormal DNA content. Importantly, the positive correlation between the degree of oral dysplasia and DNA content status was significant (P = .004, correlation coefficient = 0.342). Cytology analysis of DNA content and nuclear morphometric status using image cytometry may support their use as a screening and monitoring tool for OL progression. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Expression of mRNA and protein of p38, Osx, PI3K and Akt1 in rat bone with chronic fluorosis].

PubMed

Yu, Yan-ni; Yang, Dan; Zhu, Hai-zhen; Deng, Chao-nan; Guan, Zhi-zhong

2012-09-01

To investigate the expressions of mRNA and protein of p38, Osx, PI3K, Akt1 in the rats bone with chronic fluorosis. Dental fluorosis were observed and the fluoride contents in the urine and bone were detected by fluorin-ion selective electrode. The morphologic changes and ultrastructure of rats' bone were observed by light and electronic microscopy. The expressions of protein and mRNA of p38, Osx, PI3K and Akt1 were detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR, respectively. The contents of BALP and BGP in serum were detected by ELISA. The rates of dental fluorosis in the fluorosis rats were increased, and the fluoride contents in bone and urine of the fluorosis rats were increased compared to the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The bone trabeculae thickness and density and the thickness of bone cortex in fluorosis rats were remarkably increased, the space of bone trabeculae was reduced, and in accordance with the matching morphometrical indices, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05) as compared with the control rats. The contents of BALP [(54.61 ± 2.27) U/L] and BGP [(2.38 ± 0.16) µg/L]in the fluoride groups were higher than those in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Ultrastructurally, the broadening of the osseouslacuna was observed. The reduced protuberances of the osteocytes, the unclear organelle structure, pyknosis, karyotheca increasation and edged chromatin were also observed. Compared to the control group, the expressions of protein and its mRNA of p38, Osx, PI3K and Akt1 were higher in the fluorosis rats than those in the control rats, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There is no any expression of p38, Osx, PI3K and Akt1 in the osteocytes in fluorosis rats. The over-expression of p38, Osx, PI3K and Akt1 in bone tissue of fluorosis rats may relate to the accumulation of fluorine in the body. The bone injury mainly occur in the stage of the differentiation and proliferation. The upregulation of P38MARK signal path and PI3K/Akt1 signal path may be involved in the pathogenesis of bone injury caused by fluoride.

Dog sperm head morphometry: its diversity and evolution.

PubMed

Soler, Carles; Alambiaga, Ana; Martí, Maria A; García-Molina, Almudena; Valverde, Anthony; Contell, Jesús; Campos, Marcos

2017-01-01

Dogs have been under strong artificial selection as a consequence of their relationship with man. Differences between breeds are evident that could be reflected in seminal characteristics. The present study was to evaluate differences in sperm head morphometry between seven well-defined breeds of dog: the British Bulldog, Chihuahua, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Spanish Mastiff, Staffordshire Terrier, and Valencian Rat Hunting dog. Semen samples were obtained by masturbation and smears stained with Diff-Quik. Morphometric analysis (CASA-Morph) produced four size and four shape parameters. Length, Ellipticity, and Elongation showed higher differences between breeds. MANOVA revealed differences among all breeds. Considering the whole dataset, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that PC1 was related to head shape and PC2 to size. Procluster analysis showed the British Bulldog to be the most isolated breed, followed by the German Shepherd. The PCA breed by breed showed the Chihuahua, Labrador Retriever, Spanish Mastiff, and Staffordshire Terrier to have PC1 related to shape and PC2 to size, whereas the British Bulldog, Valencia Rat Hunting dog, and German Shepherd had PC1 related to size and PC2 to shape. The dendrogram for cluster groupings and the distance between them showed the British Bulldog to be separated from the rest of the breeds. Future work on dog semen must take into account the large differences in the breeds' sperm characteristics. The results provide a base for future work on phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of dogs, based on their seminal characteristics.

Dog sperm head morphometry: its diversity and evolution

PubMed Central

Soler, Carles; Alambiaga, Ana; Martí, Maria A; García-Molina, Almudena; Valverde, Anthony; Contell, Jesús; Campos, Marcos

2017-01-01

Dogs have been under strong artificial selection as a consequence of their relationship with man. Differences between breeds are evident that could be reflected in seminal characteristics. The present study was to evaluate differences in sperm head morphometry between seven well-defined breeds of dog: the British Bulldog, Chihuahua, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Spanish Mastiff, Staffordshire Terrier, and Valencian Rat Hunting dog. Semen samples were obtained by masturbation and smears stained with Diff-Quik. Morphometric analysis (CASA-Morph) produced four size and four shape parameters. Length, Ellipticity, and Elongation showed higher differences between breeds. MANOVA revealed differences among all breeds. Considering the whole dataset, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that PC1 was related to head shape and PC2 to size. Procluster analysis showed the British Bulldog to be the most isolated breed, followed by the German Shepherd. The PCA breed by breed showed the Chihuahua, Labrador Retriever, Spanish Mastiff, and Staffordshire Terrier to have PC1 related to shape and PC2 to size, whereas the British Bulldog, Valencia Rat Hunting dog, and German Shepherd had PC1 related to size and PC2 to shape. The dendrogram for cluster groupings and the distance between them showed the British Bulldog to be separated from the rest of the breeds. Future work on dog semen must take into account the large differences in the breeds’ sperm characteristics. The results provide a base for future work on phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of dogs, based on their seminal characteristics. PMID:27751991

Reviewing the upper Pleistocene human footprints from the 'Sala dei Misteri' in the Grotta della Bàsura (Toirano, northern Italy) cave: An integrated morphometric and morpho-classificatory approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paolo Citton; Romano, Marco; Salvador, Isabella; Avanzini, Marco

2017-08-01

About thirty human footprints made approximately 12,000 years B.P. inside the 'Sala dei Misteri' Cave of Básura near Toirano, Liguria, northern Italy, were studied by standard ichnological analysis. Eleven of the best-preserved tracks were examined further using morpho-classificatory and morphometric approaches, in order to estimate the minimum number of trackmakers; biometric measurements were also used to tentatively determine their physical characteristics (e.g., height and age). Results indicate at least three different producers, two youths and the third of tender age. Analysis of the data demonstrate the power of 3D, of landmark-based morphometrics, and the utility of methods of forensic anthropology in the determination of human footprints. The study of the number of trackmakers using the principal component analysis (PCA) on 'multi-trampling' surfaces could represent a model in the ichnological study of cave sites.

Carbamazepine-exposure during gestation and lactation affects pubertal onset and spermatic parameters in male pubertal offspring.

PubMed

Andretta, Rhayza Roberta; Okada, Fatima Kazue; Paccola, Camila Cicconi; Stumpp, Taiza; de Oliva, Samara Urban; Miraglia, Sandra M

2014-04-01

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an anti-epileptic drug that acts on Leydig cells, affecting steroidogenesis and causes fetal malformation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CBZ on male sexual maturation and other male parameters. Rat dams were treated with CBZ during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The anogenital distance (AGD) and the anogenital index (AGI) were obtained. Testicular descent and preputial separation were also evaluated. The offspring was euthanized at PND 41 and 63. The accessory glands were weighed and the testes were collected for histopathological, morphometric and sterological analyses. The numerical density of Leydig cells and hormone dosage were obtained. CBZ caused an increase of AGI and a delay of testicular descent and of preputial separation. CBZ also caused a decrease of testosterone level and of sperm count and an increase of abnormal sperm. These results indicate that CBZ delays puberty onset and affects steroidogenesis and sperm quality. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Anatomy and ultrasonography of the normal kidney in brown lemurs: Eulemur fulvus.

PubMed

Raharison, Fidiniaina; Mogicato, Giovanni; Sautet, Jean

2009-08-01

The purpose of this study is to describe the anatomy and obtain echographic measurements of normal kidneys in brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus). The anatomical findings show that brown lemur kidneys are comparable to those of rats except for an elongated papilla. The kidneys of 16 (7 females and 9 males) lemurs were examined with two-dimensional and power Doppler ultrasonography under general anesthesia. Morphometrically, the left and right kidney surface areas are comparable (3.29 and 3.51 cm(2)). Kidney area has a significant linear correlation with body weight. Echo-Doppler findings show that the mean renal arterial blood flow speeds for the left and right kidneys are comparable (0.70 and 0.73 m/s). However, flow speed is higher in the male (0.79 m/s) than in the female (0.60 m/s). The renal arterial diameters are between 1.0 and 1.8 mm. The fact that anesthesia can have hemodynamic effects on renal vasculature should be taken into consideration when assessing these echographic results.

Histological, morphometric, protein and gene expression analyses of rat retinas with ischaemia-reperfusion injury model treated with sildenafil citrate.

PubMed

Zanoni, Diogo S; Da Silva, Germana A; Ezra-Elia, Raaya; Carvalho, Márcio; Quitzan, Juliany G; Ofri, Ron; Laus, José L; Laufer-Amorim, Renee

2017-06-01

The aim of this study was to better understand the role of apoptosis in a retinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury model and to determine whether sildenafil citrate treatment can prevent retinal cell apoptosis. Thirty-six rats were divided into a control group (n = 6) and two experimentally induced ischaemia-reperfusion groups (7 and 21 days; n = 15 per group). The induced ischaemia-reperfusion groups were treated with sildenafil for 7 and 21 days (n = 10 per group), and 10 animals were treated with a placebo for the same period (n = 5 per group). Paracentesis of the anterior chamber was performed with a 30-G needle attached to a saline solution (0.9%) bag positioned at a height of 150 cm above the eye for 60 min. Intraocular pressure was measured by rebound tonometer (TonoVet ® ). The eyes were analysed by histology and morphometry, and by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR for expression of Caspase-7, Caspase-6, Caspase-9, Tnf-r2, Fas-l, Bcl-2 and Bax. Sildenafil-treated animals showed lower levels of histopathological changes (inflammatory, cellular and tissue) than their placebo-treated counterparts at both 7 and 21 days. The retinal ganglion cell layer (RGC) was preserved in the sildenafil groups (SG), with a cell count closer to control than in the placebo groups (PG). Caspase-7 expression was significantly higher in both treated groups at 7 days compared to controls. Gene expression levels in both treatment groups differed from the controls, but in SG Bax and Caspase-6 expression levels were similar to control animals. These results suggest that the main mechanism of retinal cell death in this model is apoptosis, as there is an increase in pro-apoptotic factors and decrease in the anti-apoptotic ones. Also, sildenafil seems to protect the retinal ganglion cell layer from apoptosis. Cell survival was evident in the histological and morphometric analyses, and sildenafil treatment had a protective effect in the apoptosis pathways, with gene expression levels in SG similar to the controls. © 2017 The Authors. International Journal of Experimental Pathology © 2017 International Journal of Experimental Pathology.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with photosensitizer in ethanol improves oxidative status and gingival collagen in a short-term in periodontitis.

PubMed

Pillusky, Fernanda Maia; Barcelos, Raquel Cristine Silva; Vey, Luciana Taschetto; Barin, Luisa Machado; de Mello Palma, Victor; Maciel, Roberto Marinho; Kantorski, Karla Zanini; Bürger, Marilise Escobar; Danesi, Cristiane Cademartori

2017-09-01

This study evaluated the antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) effects using the methylene blue (MB) in ethanol 20% on systemic oxidative status and collagen content from gingiva of rats with periodontitis. Rats were divided into five experimental groups: NC (negative control; no periodontitis); PC (positive control; periodontitis without any treatment); SRP (periodontitis and scaling and root planing), aPDT I (periodontitis and SRP+aPDT+MB solubilized in water), and aPDT II (periodontitis and SRP+aPDT+MB solubilized in ethanol 20%). After 7days of removal of the ligature, the periodontal treatments were performed. At 7/15/30days, gingival tissue was removed for morphometric analysis. The erythrocytes were used to evaluate systemic oxidative status. PC group showed higher lipoperoxidation levels at 7/15/30days. aPDT indicated a protective influence in erythrocytes at 15days observed by the elevation in levels of systemic antioxidant defense. aPDT II group was the only one that restored the total collagen area in 15days, and recovered the type I collagen area at the same time point. aPDT as an adjunct to the SRP can induce the systemic protective response against oxidative stress periodontitis-induced and recover the gingival collagen, thus promoting the healing periodontal, particularly when the MB is dissolved in ethanol 20%. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Use of Propolis Hydroalcoholic Extract to Treat Colitis Experimentally Induced in Rats by 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid

PubMed Central

Gonçalves, Cely Cristina Martins; Hernandes, Luzmarina; Bersani-Amado, Ciomar Aparecida; Franco, Selma Lucy; Silva, Joaquim Felipe de Souza

2013-01-01

This study focused on the therapeutic effect of a propolis SLNC 106PI extract on experimental colitis. Wistar adult rats received 0.8 mL rectal dose of one of the following solutions: saline (group S), 20 mg TNBS in 50% ethanol (group TNBS), 20 mg TNBS in 50% ethanol and propolis extract in saline (group TNBS-P), propolis extract in saline (group SP), and 20 mg TNBS in 50% ethanol and 50 mg/kg mesalazine (group TNBS-M). The animals were euthanized 7 or 14 days after the colitis induction. Samples of the distal colon were harvested for the analysis of myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity and for morphometric analysis in paraffin-embedded histological sections with hematoxylin-eosin or histochemical staining. The animals treated with TNBS exhibited the typical clinical signs of colitis. Increased MPO activity confirmed the presence of inflammation. TNBS induced the development of megacolon, ulceration, transmural inflammatory infiltrate, and thickened bowel walls. Treatment with propolis moderately reduced the inflammatory response, decreased the number of cysts and abscesses, inhibited epithelial proliferation, and increased the number of goblet cells. The anti-inflammatory activity of the propolis SLNC 106 extract was confirmed by the reductions in both the inflammatory infiltrate and the number of cysts and abscesses in the colon mucosa. PMID:24101941

Discrete and morphometric traits reveal contrasting patterns and processes in the macroevolutionary history of a clade of scorpions.

PubMed

Mongiardino Koch, N; Ceccarelli, F S; Ojanguren-Affilastro, A A; Ramírez, M J

2017-04-01

Many palaeontological studies have investigated the evolution of entire body plans, generally relying on discrete character-taxon matrices. In contrast, macroevolutionary studies performed by neontologists have mostly focused on morphometric traits. Although these data types are very different, some studies have suggested that they capture common patterns. Nonetheless, the tests employed to support this claim have not explicitly incorporated a phylogenetic framework and may therefore be susceptible to confounding effects due to the presence of common phylogenetic structure. We address this question using the scorpion genus Brachistosternus Pocock 1893 as case study. We make use of a time-calibrated multilocus molecular phylogeny, and compile discrete and traditional morphometric data sets, both capturing the overall morphology of the organisms. We find that morphospaces derived from these matrices are significantly different, and that the degree of discordance cannot be replicated by simulations of random character evolution. Moreover, we find strong support for contrasting modes of evolution, with discrete characters being congruent with an 'early burst' scenario whereas morphometric traits suggest species-specific adaptations to have driven morphological evolution. The inferred macroevolutionary dynamics are therefore contingent on the choice of character type. Finally, we confirm that metrics of correlation fail to detect these profound differences given common phylogenetic structure in both data sets, and that methods incorporating a phylogenetic framework and accounting for expected covariance should be favoured. © 2017 European Society For Evolutionary Biology. Journal of Evolutionary Biology © 2017 European Society For Evolutionary Biology.

Sex estimation from sternal measurements using multidetector computed tomography.

PubMed

Ekizoglu, Oguzhan; Hocaoglu, Elif; Inci, Ercan; Bilgili, Mustafa Gokhan; Solmaz, Dilek; Erdil, Irem; Can, Ismail Ozgur

2014-12-01

We aimed to show the utility and reliability of sternal morphometric analysis for sex estimation.Sex estimation is a very important step in forensic identification. Skeletal surveys are main methods for sex estimation studies. Morphometric analysis of sternum may provide high accuracy rated data in sex discrimination. In this study, morphometric analysis of sternum was evaluated in 1 mm chest computed tomography scans for sex estimation. Four hundred forty 3 subjects (202 female, 241 male, mean age: 44 ± 8.1 [distribution: 30-60 year old]) were included the study. Manubrium length (ML), mesosternum length (2L), Sternebra 1 (S1W), and Sternebra 3 (S3W) width were measured and also sternal index (SI) was calculated. Differences between genders were evaluated by student t-test. Predictive factors of sex were determined by discrimination analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Male sternal measurement values are significantly higher than females (P < 0.001) while SI is significantly low in males (P < 0.001). In discrimination analysis, MSL has high accuracy rate with 80.2% in females and 80.9% in males. MSL also has the best sensitivity (75.9%) and specificity (87.6%) values. Accuracy rates were above 80% in 3 stepwise discrimination analysis for both sexes. Stepwise 1 (ML, MSL, S1W, S3W) has the highest accuracy rate in stepwise discrimination analysis with 86.1% in females and 83.8% in males. Our study showed that morphometric computed tomography analysis of sternum might provide important information for sex estimation.

Dimethylthiourea pretreatment inhibits endotoxin-induced compound exocytosis in goblet cells and plasma leakage of rat small intestine.

PubMed

Liu, Shang-Pin; Chang, Chien-Yu; Huang, Wen-Hung; Fu, Yaw-Syan; Chao, David; Huang, Hung-Tu

2010-01-01

Intravenous application of a high dose of endotoxin, also called lipopoly-saccharide (LPS), results in endotoxemia in animals, that induces production of cytokines and free radicals, systemic inflammation and mucin discharge from mucous tissues. The present study was to investigate (1) whether LPS application increased goblet cell secretion by compound exocytotic activity in mucosal villi and crypts of rat small intestine, and (2) whether hydroxyl radicals were involved in LPS-induced compound exocytosis in goblet cells and plasma leakage. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the numbers of goblet cells undergoing compound exocytosis (cavitated goblet cells) per mm(2) of ileal villus epithelium in rats 5 and 30 min after LPS (15 mg kg(-1)) were 693 +/- 196 (N = 6) and 547 +/- 213 (N = 6), respectively, which were 5.1 and 8.4 times (P < 0.05) the number of saline control. The percentage of villus cavitated goblet cell numbers, in both duodenum and ileum 5 min after LPS and in the ileum 30 min after LPS, increased significantly (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with dimethylthiourea (DMTU), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, decreased the number of cavitated goblet cells to saline control (P > 0.05). Morphometric analysis showed that the percentage of crypt epithelial area in the duodenum and ileum occupied by goblet cell mucin stores in the duodenum and ileum 30 min after LPS were 3.8 +/- 0.2% (N = 6) and 6.9 +/- 0.5 (N = 6), respectively reducing to one half the amount of control (P < 0.01). When DMTU was given prior to LPS the crypt goblet cell mucin stores and the amount of plasma leakage returned to the level of control. It is concluded that hydroxyl radicals were involved in the LPS-induced increase in compound exocytotic activity of goblet cells and the increase in plasma leakage during acute phases of inflammatory response in rat small intestine.

Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells attenuate hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal rats.

PubMed

Chang, Yun Sil; Oh, Wonil; Choi, Soo Jin; Sung, Dong Kyung; Kim, Soo Yoon; Choi, Eun Yang; Kang, Saem; Jin, Hye Jin; Yang, Yoon Sun; Park, Won Soon

2009-01-01

Recent evidence suggests mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can downmodulate bleomycin-induced lung injury, and umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a promising source for human MSCs. This study examined whether intratracheal or intraperitoneal transplantation of human UCB-derived MSCs can attenuate hyperoxia-induced lung injury in immunocompetent newborn rats. Wild-type Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly exposed to 95% oxygen or air from birth. In the transplantation groups, a single dose of PKH26-labeled human UCB-derived MSCs was administered either intratracheally (2 x 10(6) cells) or intraperitoneally (5 x 10(5) cells) at postnatal day (P) 5. At P14, the harvested lungs were examined for morphometric analyses of alveolarization and TUNEL staining, as well as the myeoloperoxidase activity, the level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta mRNA, alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) protein, and collagen levels. Differentiation of MSCs to the respiratory epithelium was also evaluated both in vitro before transplantation and in vivo after transplantation. Despite one fourth dosage of MSCs, significantly more PKH26-labeled donor cells were recovered with intratracheal administration than with intraperitoneal administration both during normoxia and hyperoxia. The hyperoxia-induced increase in the number of TUNEL-positive cells, myeloperoixdase activity, and the level of IL-6 mRNA were significantly attenuated with both intratracheal and intraperitoneal MSCs transplantation. However, the hyperoxia-induced impaired alveolarization and increased the level of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta mRNA, alpha-SMA protein, and collagen were significantly attenuated only with intratracheal MSCs transplantation. MSCs differentiated into respiratory epithelium in vitro and a few PKH26-positive donor cells were colocalized with pro surfactant protein C in the damaged lungs. In conclusion, intratracheal transplantation of human UCB-derived MSCs is more effective than intraperitoneal transplantation in attenuating the hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal rats.

A morphological and biochemical evaluation of the effects of quercetin on experimental sciatic nerve damage in rats.

PubMed

Türedi, Sibel; Yuluğ, Esin; Alver, Ahmet; Bodur, Akin; İnce, İmran

2018-04-01

The present study evaluated the neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of quercetin in a rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury using histopathological, morphometric and biochemical methods. A total of 48 male Sprague Dawley rats, aged 10-12 weeks old were randomly divided into eight groups, consisting of two sham groups (S-7, S-28), three quercetin-treated groups (Q-7, Q-28; 200 mg/kg/7 days), trauma (T-7, T-28; 1 min sciatic nerve crush injury) and three trauma+quercetin groups (T+Q-7, T+Q-28; trauma+quercetin 200 mg/kg/7 days). Rats were sacrificed on day 7 or 28. Oxidant-antioxidant biochemical parameters in nerve tissues from all groups were analyzed using histopathological staining with toluidine blue and Masson's trichrome. DNA fragmentations were identified using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling in cells from each tissue sample. Degeneration of the axons and myelin sheath, the breakdown of the concentric lamellar structure of the myelin sheath and axonal swelling were observed in groups T-7 and T-28. Myelin sheath thicknesses, nerve fiber diameters and the number of myelinated nerve fibers decreased, while the apoptotic index (AI) increased in the T-7 and T-28 groups. However, it was observed that nerve regeneration began in the T+Q-7 and T+Q-28 groups compared with the sham groups, together with the healing of cellular damage and axonal structure and a decrease in the AI. Malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activity did not differ significantly between the T-7 and S-7 groups. However, catalase activity significantly decreased in the T-28 group when compared with the sham 7 day group. Tissue malondialdehyde levels significantly increased, while serum catalase activity increased in the T+Q-7 group compared with the T-7 group. These results suggest that quercetin has beneficial effects on nerve regeneration and may shorten the healing period in crush-type sciatic nerve injuries.

Urotensin II modulates hepatic fibrosis and portal hemodynamic alterations in rats.

PubMed

Kemp, William; Kompa, Andrew; Phrommintikul, Arintaya; Herath, Chandana; Zhiyuan, Jia; Angus, Peter; McLean, Catriona; Roberts, Stuart; Krum, Henry

2009-10-01

The influence of circulating urotensin II (UII) on liver disease and portal hypertension is unknown. We aimed to evaluate whether UII executes a pathogenetic role in the development of hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension. UII was administered by continuous infusion over 4 wk in 20 healthy rats divided into three treatment groups, controls (saline, n = 7), low dose (UII, 1 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1), n = 8), and high dose (UII, 3 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1), n = 5). Hemodynamic parameters and morphometric quantification of fibrosis were assessed, and profibrotic cytokines and fibrosis markers were assayed in hepatic tissue. UII induced a significant dose-dependent increase in portal venous pressure (5.8 +/- 0.4, 6.4 +/- 0.3, and 7.6 +/- 0.7, respectively, P = 0.03). High-dose UII infusion was associated with an increase in hepatic transcript for transforming growth factor-beta (P < 0.05) and platelet-derived growth factor-beta (P = 0.06). Liver tissue hydroxyproline was elevated in the high-dose group (P < 0.05). No systemic hemodynamic alterations were noted. We concluded that UII infusion elevates portal pressure and induces hepatic fibrosis in normal rats. This response may be mediated via induction of fibrogenic cytokines. These findings have pathophysiological implications in human liver disease where increased plasma UII levels have been observed.

Reconstruction of peripheral nerves using acellular nerve grafts with implanted cultured Schwann cells.

PubMed

Frerichs, Onno; Fansa, Hisham; Schicht, Christoph; Wolf, Gerald; Schneider, Wolfgang; Keilhoff, Gerburg

2002-01-01

The bridging of nerve gaps is still one of the major problems in peripheral nerve surgery. The present experiment describes our attempt to engineer different biologic nerve grafts in a rat sciatic nerve model: cultured isogenic Schwann cells were implanted into 2-cm autologous acellular nerve grafts or autologous predegenerated nerve grafts. Autologous nerve grafts and predegenerated or acellular nerve grafts without implanted Schwann cells served as controls. The regenerated nerves were assessed histologically and morphometrically after 6 weeks. Predegenerated grafts showed results superior in regard to axon count and histologic appearance in comparison to standard grafts and acellular grafts. The acellular nerve grafts showed the worst histologic picture, but axon counts were in the range of standard grafts. The implantation of Schwann cells did not yield significant improvements in any group. In conclusion, the status of activation of Schwann cells and the stadium of Wallerian degeneration in a nerve graft might be key factors for regeneration, rather than total number of Schwann cells. Predegenerated nerve grafts are therefore superior to standard grafts in the rat model. Acellular grafts are able to bridge nerve gaps of up to 2 cm in the rat model, but even the addition of cultivated Schwann cells did not lead to results as good as in the group with autologous nerve grafts. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 22:311-315 2002

Fused Traditional and Geometric Morphometrics Demonstrate Pinniped Whisker Diversity

PubMed Central

Ginter, Carly C.; DeWitt, Thomas J.; Fish, Frank E.; Marshall, Christopher D.

2012-01-01

Vibrissae (whiskers) are important components of the mammalian tactile sensory system, and primarily function as detectors of vibrotactile information from the environment. Pinnipeds possess the largest vibrissae among mammals and their vibrissal hair shafts demonstrate a diversity of shapes. The vibrissae of most phocid seals exhibit a beaded morphology with repeating sequences of crests and troughs along their length. However, there are few detailed analyses of pinniped vibrissal morphology, and these are limited to a few species. Therefore, we comparatively characterized differences in vibrissal hair shaft morphologies among phocid species with a beaded profile, phocid species with a smooth profile, and otariids with a smooth profile using traditional and geometric morphometric methods. Traditional morphometric measurements (peak-to-peak distance, crest width, trough width and total length) were collected using digital photographs. Elliptic Fourier analysis (geometric morphometrics) was used to quantify the outlines of whole vibrissae. The traditional and geometric morphometric datasets were subsequently combined by mathematically scaling each to true rank, followed by a single eigendecomposition. Quadratic discriminant function analysis demonstrated that 79.3, 97.8 and 100% of individuals could be correctly classified to their species based on vibrissal shape variables in the traditional, geometric and combined morphometric analyses, respectively. Phocids with beaded vibrissae, phocids with smooth vibrissae, and otariids each occupied distinct morphospace in the geometric morphometric and combined data analyses. Otariids split into two groups in the geometric morphometric analysis and gray seals appeared intermediate between beaded- and smooth-whiskered species in the traditional and combined analyses. Vibrissal hair shafts modulate the transduction of environmental stimuli to the mechanoreceptors in the follicle-sinus complex (F-SC), which results in vibrotactile reception, but it is currently unclear how the diversity of shapes affects environmental signal modulation. PMID:22509310

Pathological alterations in liver injury following congestive heart failure induced by volume overload in rats

PubMed Central

Shaqura, Mohammed; Mohamed, Doaa M.; Aboryag, Noureddin B.; Bedewi, Lama; Dehe, Lukas; Treskatsch, Sascha; Shakibaei, Mehdi; Schäfer, Michael

2017-01-01

Heart failure has emerged as a disease with significant public health implications. Following progression of heart failure, heart and liver dysfunction are frequently combined in hospitalized patients leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Here, we investigated the underlying pathological alterations in liver injury following heart failure. Heart failure was induced using a modified infrarenal aortocaval fistula (ACF) in male Wistar rats. Sham operated and ACF rats were compared for their morphometric and hemodynamic data, for histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the liver as well as differences in the expression of apoptotic factors. ACF-induced heart failure is associated with light microscopic signs of apparent congestion of blood vessels, increased apoptosis and breakdown of hepatocytes and inflammatory cell inifltration were observed. The glycogen content depletion associated with the increased hepatic fibrosis, lipid globule formation was observed in ACF rats. Moreover, cytoplasmic organelles are no longer distinguishable in many ACF hepatocytes with degenerated fragmented rough endoplasmic reticulum, shrunken mitochondria and heavy cytoplasm vacuolization. ACF is associated with the upregulation of the hepatic TUNEL-positive cells and proapoptotic factor Bax protein concomitant with the mitochondrial leakage of cytochrome C into the cell cytoplasm and the transfer of activated caspase 3 from the cytoplasm into the nucleus indicating intrinsic apoptotic events. Taken together, the results demonstrate that ACF-induced congestive heart failure causes liver injury which results in hepatocellular apoptotic cell death mediated by the intrinsic pathway of mitochondrial cytochrome C leakage and subsequent transfer of activated caspase 3 into to the nucleus to initiate overt DNA fragmentation and cell death. PMID:28934226

Oil from pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seeds: evaluation of its functional properties on wound healing in rats.

PubMed

Bardaa, Sana; Ben Halima, Nihed; Aloui, Fatma; Ben Mansour, Riadh; Jabeur, Hazem; Bouaziz, Mohamed; Sahnoun, Zouheir

2016-04-11

Increasing natural drug demand for pharmaceutical uses has encouraged scientifics all over the world to explore medicinal plants recognized as efficient remedies. In this context, extracted oil from pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.) is an interesting target, as it is composed with prominent pharmacological properties to possible wound healing treatments. The composition and content of certain bioactive constituents of the cold pressed oil obtained from pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.) were analyzed and studied for their wound healing properties. Uniform wounds were induced on the dorsum of 18 rats, randomly divided into three groups. The wounds were photographed, and topically treated with saline solution (control group), 0.13 mg/mm(2) of a reference drug ("Cicaflora cream®"), and 0.52 μl/mm(2) of pumpkin's oil each 2 days until the first group is completely healing and so far biopsies were histologically assessed. The composition and content of tocopherols, fatty acids, and phytosterols were determined. The results showed an excellent quality of pumpkin oil with high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (Linoleic acid: 50.88 ± 0.106 g/100 g of total fatty acids), tocopherols (280 ppm) and sterols (2086.5 ± 19.092 ppm). High content of these bioactive components were in agreement with an efficient wound healing by the mean of an in vivo study. In fact, morphometric assessment and histological findings revealed healed biopsies from pumpkin oil treated group of rats, unlike untreated group, and a full re-epithelialization with reappearance of skin appendages and well organized collagen fibers without inflammatory cells. This study showed the significance of oil from pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.) as a promising drug to healing wounds in animal assays. As a whole, pumpkin's oil would be recommended in the nutritional and medicinal purposes.

Preimplantation of an immunoprotective device can lower the curative dose of islets to that of free islet transplantation: studies in a rodent model.

PubMed

Sörenby, Anne K; Kumagai-Braesch, Makiko; Sharma, Amit; Hultenby, Kjell R; Wernerson, Annika M; Tibell, Annika B

2008-07-27

Islet graft survival inside macroencapsulation devices is suboptimal. We hypothesized that induction of neovascularization by preimplantation of devices would improve the physiological conditions, thereby lowering the number of islets required for cure. Several rat islets were transplanted to TheraCyte immunoprotective devices implanted subcutaneously in diabetic athymic mice. Cure rates in the groups with preimplanted devices were significantly better than in those with freshly implanted devices (375 islets: 8/8 vs. 1/6, P=0.003; 125 islets: 6/6 vs. 0/7, P=0.001). Morphometric evaluations of the 125 islet groups showed higher fractional and absolute volumes of endocrine tissue in the group with preimplanted devices (P<0.001 and P=0.035, respectively). In the following dose titration study, using preimplanted devices, as low as 50 islets cured diabetic mice (100% cure, n=6). We conclude that preimplantation significantly lowers the curative dose of macroencapsulated islets to levels resembling those of free islets transplanted under the renal capsule.

Repeated social stress leads to contrasting patterns of structural plasticity in the amygdala and hippocampus.

PubMed

Patel, D; Anilkumar, S; Chattarji, S; Buwalda, B

2018-03-23

Previous studies have demonstrated that repeated immobilization and restraint stress cause contrasting patterns of dendritic reorganization as well as alterations in spine density in amygdalar and hippocampal neurons. Whether social and ethologically relevant stressors can induce similar patterns of morphological plasticity remains largely unexplored. Hence, we assessed the effects of repeated social defeat stress on neuronal morphology in basolateral amygdala (BLA), hippocampal CA1 and infralimbic medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Male Wistar rats experienced social defeat stress on 5 consecutive days during confrontation in the resident-intruder paradigm with larger and aggressive Wild-type Groningen rats. This resulted in clear social avoidance behavior one day after the last confrontation. To assess the morphological consequences of repeated social defeat, 2 weeks after the last defeat, animals were sacrificed and brains were stained using a Golgi-Cox procedure. Morphometric analyses revealed that, compared to controls, defeated Wistar rats showed apical dendritic decrease in spine density on CA1 but not BLA. Sholl analysis demonstrated a significant dendritic atrophy of CA1 basal dendrites in defeated animals. In contrast, basal dendrites of BLA pyramidal neurons exhibited enhanced dendritic arborization in defeated animals. Social stress failed to induce lasting structural changes in mPFC neurons. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that social defeat stress elicits divergent patterns of structural plasticity in the hippocampus versus amygdala, similar to what has previously been reported with repeated physical stressors. Therefore, brain region specific variations may be a universal feature of stress-induced plasticity that is shared by both physical and social stressors. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bergamot polyphenol fraction prevents nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via stimulation of lipophagy in cafeteria diet-induced rat model of metabolic syndrome.

PubMed

Parafati, Maddalena; Lascala, Antonella; Morittu, Valeria Maria; Trimboli, Francesca; Rizzuto, Antonia; Brunelli, Elvira; Coscarelli, Francesca; Costa, Nicola; Britti, Domenico; Ehrlich, James; Isidoro, Ciro; Mollace, Vincenzo; Janda, Elzbieta

2015-09-01

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in industrialized countries. Defective autophagy of lipid droplets (LDs) in hepatocytes, also known as lipophagy, has recently been identified as a possible pathophysiological mechanism of NAFLD. Experimental and epidemiological evidence suggests that dietary polyphenols may prevent NAFLD. To address this hypothesis and analyze the underlying mechanisms, we supplemented bergamot polyphenol fraction (BPF) to cafeteria (CAF) diet-fed rats, a good model for pediatric metabolic syndrome and NAFLD. BPF treatment (50 mg/kg/day supplemented with drinking water, 3 months) potently counteracted the pathogenic increase of serum triglycerides and had moderate effects on blood glucose and obesity in this animal model. Importantly, BPF strongly reduced hepatic steatosis as documented by a significant decrease in total lipid content (-41.3% ± 12% S.E.M.), ultrasound examination and histological analysis of liver sections. The morphometric analysis of oil-red stained sections confirmed a dramatic reduction in LDs parameters such as total LD area (48.5% ± 15% S.E.M.) in hepatocytes from CAF+BPF rats. BPF-treated livers showed increased levels of LC3 and Beclin 1 and reduction of SQSTM1/p62, suggesting autophagy stimulation. Consistent with BPF stimulation of lipophagy, higher levels of LC3II were found in the LD subcellular fractions of BPF-expose livers. This study demonstrates that the liver and its lipid metabolism are the main targets of bergamot flavonoids, supporting the concept that supplementation of BPF is an effective strategy to prevent NAFLD. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide on inhibition of post-ovariectomy osteopenia in rats.

PubMed

Tamjidipoor, Ahmad; Tavafi, Majid; Ahmadvand, Hasan

2013-01-01

There is increasing evidence that oxidative stress, due to estrogen deficiency, leads to osteopenia. In this study, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an antioxidant solvent, was used against post-ovariectomy osteopenia (PO) in rats. Forty female rats were divided into 5 groups randomly as follows: Sham, control group; OVX, ovariectomized group; DMSO1, ovariectomized injected DMSO (0.5 ml/kg/d ip); DMSO2, ovariectomized injected DMSO (1 ml/kg/day ip) and DMSO3, ovariectomized injected DMSO (2 ml/kg/d ip). DMSO therapy started 1 week after ovariectomy and continued for 13 weeks. After 13th weeks, sera were prepared, and then L4 vertebrae and right tibial bones rinsed in fixative. Serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin, pyridinoline, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were measured. Trabecular volume density, trabecular and cortex thickness were estimated. Osteoclast and osteoblast numbers were counted morphometrically. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and then post hoc Tukey test at p < 0.05. The increase of pyridinoline and decrease of BALP in DMSO injected groups were inhibited compared with OVX group (p < 0.05). In DMSO injected groups, decrease of bone density, trabecular volume density, thickness of trabecular and tibial cortex were inhibited compared with OVX group (p < 0.05). MDA decreased significantly in DMSO injected groups compared with OVX group. Osteoclast number decreased in DMSO injected groups compared with OVX group (p < 0.05). Osteoblast number did not show significant change in DMSO groups compared with OVX group. In conclusion, DMSO ameliorates PO through decrease of osteoclast number, osteoclast inhibition and osteoblast activation. These effects may probably be mediated via antioxidant property of DMSO.

Daikenchuto, a Kampo medicine, regulates intestinal fibrosis associated with decreasing expression of heat shock protein 47 and collagen content in a rat colitis model.

PubMed

Inoue, Ken; Naito, Yuji; Takagi, Tomohisa; Hayashi, Natsuko; Hirai, Yasuko; Mizushima, Katsura; Horie, Ryusuke; Fukumoto, Kohei; Yamada, Shinya; Harusato, Akihito; Hirata, Ikuhiro; Omatsu, Tatsushi; Yoshida, Naohisa; Uchiyama, Kazuhiko; Ishikawa, Takeshi; Handa, Osamu; Konishi, Hideyuki; Wakabayashi, Naoki; Yagi, Nobuaki; Ichikawa, Hiroshi; Kokura, Satoshi; Yoshikawa, Toshikazu

2011-01-01

Heat shock protein (HSP) 47 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of intestinal fibrosis. Daikenchuto (DKT), a traditional Japanese herbal (Kampo) medicine, has been reported to ameliorate intestinal inflammation. The aims of this study were to determine time-course profiles of several parameters of fibrosis in a rat model, to confirm the HSP47-expressing cells in the colon, and finally to evaluate DKT's effects on intestinal fibrosis. Colitis was induced in male Wistar rats weighing 200 g using an enema of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). HSP47 localization was determined by immunohistochemistry. Colonic inflammation and fibrosis were assessed by macroscopic, histological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical analyses. Colonic mRNA expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), HSP47, and collagen type I were assessed by real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DKT was administered orally once a day from 8 to 14 d after TNBS administration. The colon was removed on the 15th day. HSP47 immunoreactivity was coexpressed with α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells located in the subepithelial space. Intracolonic administration of TNBS resulted in grossly visible ulcers. Colonic inflammation persisted for 6 weeks, and fibrosis persisted for 4 weeks after cessation of TNBS treatment. The expression levels of mRNA and proteins for TGF-β1, HSP47, and collagen I were elevated in colonic mucosa treated with TNBS. These fibrosis markers indicated that DKT treatment significantly inhibited TNBS-induced fibrosis. These findings suggest that DKT reduces intestinal fibrosis associated with decreasing expression of HSP47 and collagen content in the intestine.

Maternal PUFA omega-3 supplementation prevents hyperoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in the offspring.

PubMed

Zhong, Ying; Catheline, Daniel; Houeijeh, Ali; Sharma, Dyuti; Du, Li-Zhong; Besengez, Capucine; Deruelle, Philippe; Legrand, Philippe; Storme, Laurent

2018-03-29

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) affect 16-25% of premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), contributing significantly to perinatal morbidity and mortality. Polyunsaturated fatty acids ω-3 (PUFA ω-3) can improve vascular remodeling, angiogenesis, and inflammation under pathophysiological conditions. However, the effects of PUFA ω-3 supplementation in BPD-associated PH are unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of PUFA ω-3 on pulmonary vascular remodeling, angiogenesis, and inflammatory response in a hyperoxia-induced rat model of PH. From embryonic day 15, pregnant Spague-Dawley rats were supplemented daily with PUFA ω-3, PUFA ω-6, or normal saline (0.2 ml/day). After birth, pups were pooled, assigned as 12 per litter, and randomly to either in air or continuous oxygen exposure (FiO2 = 85%) for 20 days, then sacrificed for pulmonary hemodynamic and morphometric analysis. We found that PUFA ω-3 supplementation improved survival, decreased right ventricular systolic pressure and RVH caused by hyperoxia, and significantly improved alveolarization, vascular remodeling, and vascular density. PUFA ω-3 supplementation produced a higher level of total ω-3 in lung tissue and breast milk, and was found reversing the reduced levels of VEGFA, VEGFR-2, ANGPT-1, TIE-2, eNOS, and NO concentrations in lung tissue, and the increased ANGPT-2 levels in hyperoxia-exposed rats. The beneficial effects of PUFA ω-3 in improving lung injuries were also associated with an inhibition of leukocyte infiltration, and reduced expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. These data indicated that maternal PUFA ω-3 supplementation strategies could effectively protect against infant PH induced by hyperoxia.

Role of adipose tissue derived stem cells differentiated into insulin producing cells in the treatment of type I diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Amer, Mona G; Embaby, Azza S; Karam, Rehab A; Amer, Marwa G

2018-05-15

Generation of new β cells is an important approach in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus (type 1 DM). Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) might be one of the best sources for cell replacement therapy for diabetes. Therefore, this work aimed to test the possible role of transplanted insulin-producing cells (IPCs) differentiated from ADSCs in treatment of streptozotocin (STZ) induced type I DM in rats. Type 1 DM was induced by single intra peritoneal injection with STZ (50 mg/kg BW). Half of the diabetic rats were left without treatment and the other half were injected with differentiated IPCs directly into the pancreas. ADSCs were harvested, cultured and identified by testing their phenotypes through flow cytometry. They were further subjected to differentiation into IPCs using differentiation medium. mRNA expression of pancreatic transcription factors (pdx1), insulin and glucose transporter-2 genes by real time PCR was done to detect the cellular differentiation and confirmed by stimulated insulin secretion. The pancreatic tissues from all groups were examined 2 months after IPC transplantation and were subjected to histological, Immunohistochemical and morphometric study. The differentiated IPCs showed significant expression of pancreatic β cell markers and insulin secretion in glucose dependent manner. Treatment with IPCs induced apparent regeneration, diffused proliferated islet cells and significant increase in C-peptide immune reaction. We concluded that transplantation of differentiated IPCs improved function and morphology of Islet cells in diabetic rats. Consequently, this therapy option may be a promising therapeutic approach to patient with type 1 DM if proven to be effective and safe. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Impact of local steroid or statin treatment of experimental temporomandibular joint arthritis on bone growth in young rats.

PubMed

Holwegner, Callista; Reinhardt, Adam L; Schmid, Marian J; Marx, David B; Reinhardt, Richard A

2015-01-01

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis in temporomandibular joints (TMJs) is often treated with intra-articular steroid injections, which can inhibit condylar growth. The purpose of this study was to compare simvastatin (a cholesterol-lowering drug that reduces TMJ inflammation) with the steroid triamcinolone hexacetonide in experimental TMJ arthritis. Joint inflammation was induced by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the TMJs of 40 growing Sprague Dawley rats; 4 other rats were left untreated. In the same intra-articular injection, one of the following was applied: (1) 0.5 mg of simvastatin in ethanol carrier, (2) ethanol carrier alone, (3) 0.15 mg of triamcinolone hexacetonide, (4) 0.5 mg of simvastatin and 0.15 mg of triamcinolone hexacetonide, or (5) nothing additional to the CFA. The animals were killed 28 days later, and their mandibles were evaluated morphometrically and with microcomputed tomography. The analysis showed that the TMJs subjected to CFA alone had decreased ramus height compared with those with no treatment (P <0.05). Groups that had injections containing the steroid overall had decreases in weight, ramus height, and bone surface density when compared with the CFA-alone group (P <0.0001). Groups that had injections containing simvastatin, however, had overall increases in weight (P <0.0001), ramus height (P <0.0001), condylar width (P <0.05), condylar bone surface density (P <0.05), and bone volume (P <0.0001) compared with the groups receiving the steroid injections, and they were not different from the healthy (no treatment) group. Treatment of experimentally induced arthritis in TMJs with intra-articular simvastatin preserved normal condylar bone growth. Copyright © 2015 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A morphometric comparison of the Namib and southwest Kalahari dunefields using ASTER GDEM data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, Kevin; Bullard, Joanna; Livingstone, Ian; Moran, Lisa

2015-12-01

The increased availability of digital elevation models and satellite image data enable testing of morphometric relationships between sand dune variables (dune height, spacing and equivalent sand thickness), which were originally established using limited field survey data. These long-established geomorphological hypotheses can now be tested against very much larger samples than were possible when available data were limited to what could be collected by field surveys alone. This project uses ASTER global digital elevation model (GDEM) data to compare morphometric relationships between sand dune variables in the southwest Kalahari dunefield to those of the Namib sand sea, to test whether the relationships found in an active sand sea (Namib) also hold for the fixed dune system of the nearby southwest Kalahari. The data show significant morphometric differences between the simple linear dunes of the Namib sand sea and the southwest Kalahari; the latter do not show the expected positive relationship between dune height and spacing. The southwest Kalahari dunes show a similar range of dune spacings, but they are less tall, on average, than the Namib sand sea dunes. There is a clear spatial pattern to these morphometric data; the tallest and most closely spaced dunes are towards the southeast of the Kalahari dunefield; and this is where the highest values of equivalent sand thickness result. We consider the possible reasons for the observed differences and highlight the need for more studies comparing sand seas and dunefields from different environmental settings.

Biomechanical properties of the mandible, as assessed by bending test, in rats fed a low-quality protein.

PubMed

Bozzini, Carlos E; Champin, Graciela M; Alippi, Rosa M; Bozzini, Clarisa

2013-04-01

The present study describes the effects of feeding growing rats with diets containing increasing concentrations of wheat gluten (a low quality protein, G) on both the morphometrical and the biomechanical properties of the mandible. Female rats were fed one of six diets containing different concentrations (5-30%) of G between the 30th and 90th days of life. Control rats were fed a diet containing 20% casein (C), which allows a normal growth and development of the bone. Mandibular growth was estimated directly on excised and cleaned bones by taking measurements between anatomical points. Mechanical properties of the right hemimandibles were determined by using a three-point bending mechanical test to obtain a load/deformation curve and estimate the structural properties of the bone. Bone material properties were calculated from structural and geometric properties. The left hemimandibles were ashed and the ash weight obtained. Calcium content was determined by atomic energy absorption. Results were summarised as means±SEM. Comparisons between parameters were performed by ANOVA and post-test. None of the G-fed groups could achieve a normal growth performance as compared to the C-fed control group. Like body size, age-related increments in mandibular weight, length, height and area (index of mandibular size) were negatively affected by the G diets, as was the posterior part of the bone (posterior to molar III). The cross-sectional geometry of the mandible (cross-sectional area and rectangular moment of inertia) as well as its structural properties (yielding load, fracture load, and stiffness) were also severely affected by the G diets. However, material properties (Young's modulus and maximum elastic stress) and calcium concentration in ashes and the degree of mineralisation were unaffected. The differences in strength and stiffness between treated and control rats seemed to be the result of an induced loss of gain in bone growth and mass, in the absence of changes in the quality of the bone mineralised material. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Coconut Oil Extract Mitigates Testicular Injury Following Adjuvant Treatment with Antiretroviral Drugs

PubMed Central

Ogedengbe, Oluwatosin O; Jegede, Ayoola I; Onanuga, Ismail O; Offor, Ugochukwu; Naidu, Edwin CS; Peter, Aniekan I; Azu, Onyemaechi O

2016-01-01

Increased access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has made the management of drug toxicities an increasingly crucial component of HIV. This study investigated the effects of adjuvant use of coconut oil and HAART on testicular morphology and seminal parameters in Sprague- Dawley rats. Twelve adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 153~169 g were distributed into four groups (A–D) and treated as follows: A served as control (distilled water); B (HAART cocktail- Zidovudine, Lamivudine and Nevirapine); C (HAART + Virgin coconut oil 10 mL/kg) and D (Virgin coconut oil 10 mL/kg). After 56 days of treatment, animals were killed and laparotomy to exercise the epididymis for seminal fluid analyses done whilst testicular tissues were processed for histomorphometric studies. Result showed a significant decline in sperm motility (P < 0.05) and count (P < 0.0001) in HAART-treated animals while there was insignificant changes in other parameters in groups C and D except count that was reduced (P < 0.0001) when compared with controls. Histomorphological studies showed HAART caused disorders in seminiferous tubular architecture with significant (P < 0.01) decline in epithelial height closely mirrored by extensive reticulin framework and positive PAS cells. Adjuvant Virgin coconut oil + HAART resulted in significant decrease in seminiferous tubular diameter (P < 0.05), but other morphometric and histological parameters were similar to control or Virgin coconut oil alone (which showed normal histoarchitecture levels). While derangements in testicular and seminal fluid parameters occurred following HAART, adjuvant treatment with Virgin coconut oil restored the distortions emanating thereof. PMID:27818734

Coconut Oil Extract Mitigates Testicular Injury Following Adjuvant Treatment with Antiretroviral Drugs.

PubMed

Ogedengbe, Oluwatosin O; Jegede, Ayoola I; Onanuga, Ismail O; Offor, Ugochukwu; Naidu, Edwin Cs; Peter, Aniekan I; Azu, Onyemaechi O

2016-10-01

Increased access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has made the management of drug toxicities an increasingly crucial component of HIV. This study investigated the effects of adjuvant use of coconut oil and HAART on testicular morphology and seminal parameters in Sprague- Dawley rats. Twelve adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 153~169 g were distributed into four groups (A-D) and treated as follows: A served as control (distilled water); B (HAART cocktail- Zidovudine, Lamivudine and Nevirapine); C (HAART + Virgin coconut oil 10 mL/kg) and D (Virgin coconut oil 10 mL/kg). After 56 days of treatment, animals were killed and laparotomy to exercise the epididymis for seminal fluid analyses done whilst testicular tissues were processed for histomorphometric studies. Result showed a significant decline in sperm motility ( P < 0.05) and count ( P < 0.0001) in HAART-treated animals while there was insignificant changes in other parameters in groups C and D except count that was reduced ( P < 0.0001) when compared with controls. Histomorphological studies showed HAART caused disorders in seminiferous tubular architecture with significant ( P < 0.01) decline in epithelial height closely mirrored by extensive reticulin framework and positive PAS cells. Adjuvant Virgin coconut oil + HAART resulted in significant decrease in seminiferous tubular diameter ( P < 0.05), but other morphometric and histological parameters were similar to control or Virgin coconut oil alone (which showed normal histoarchitecture levels). While derangements in testicular and seminal fluid parameters occurred following HAART, adjuvant treatment with Virgin coconut oil restored the distortions emanating thereof.

Standardized quassinoid-rich Eurycoma longifolia extract improved spermatogenesis and fertility in male rats via the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

PubMed

Low, Bin-Seng; Das, Prashanta Kumar; Chan, Kit-Lam

2013-02-13

Eurycoma longifolia Jack, a small Simaroubaceae tree, known locally as 'Tongkat Ali' is popularly used as a sexual tonic in traditional medicine for aphrodisiac activity and improvement of fertility and male libido. To investigate the effects of the standardized bioactive fraction of E. longifolia and its chemical constituents on the male fertility and the mechanisms of action involved. The powdered roots of E. longifolia were extracted separately with methanol and water. The organic extract upon further fractionation on HP 20 resin and elution with the methanol/water mixture afforded four fractions (F1-F4). These fractions, together with the crude aqueous (W) and organic extracts were standardized following their respective major quassinoid content and profile. The effects of the fractions on the rat spermatogenesis were compared with that of the aqueous extract (W) to determine the bioactive fraction. The effects of the bioactive fraction on the sperm count and quality, the histological morphometric changes on the spermatogenesis cycle, fertility and hormonal changes of plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen in the animals upon oral administration were determined. The effects of the bioactive quassinoids on the testosterone release from the isolated testicular interstitial cells rich in Leydig cells, were also described. The male rats orally administered with 25mg/kg of F2 and 250mg/kg of W, significantly increased the sperm concentration when compared with that of the control animals (P<0.05). High performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that 25mg/kg of F2 and 250mg/kg of W were almost similar in concentration of eurycomanone, the major and most potent quassinoid. Microscopic morphometrical analysis of the rat testis following treatment with F2, showed significant increase in the number of spermatocytes and round spermatids at Stage VII of the spermatogenesis cycle when compared to that of the control (P<0.05). The estimated spermatozoa production rate and the number of Leydig cells were also elevated (P<0.001). The fertility index, fecundity index and the pup litter size delivered from the females after mating with the males treated with F2 were increased. The plasma testosterone level of the animals given 25mg/kg of F2 orally was significantly different at day-26 (p<0.05) and day-52 (P<0.01) from those of control but was not different at day-104. The testicular testosterone also peaked in the animals treated with 25mg/kg F2 and was higher than that in the plasma. The plasma LH and FSH levels of the rats treated with 25mg/kg of F2 were higher than those of the control (P<0.001). In contrast, the plasma estrogen level was significantly lower than that of the untreated control. Amongst the isolated quassinoids of F2, eurycomanone and 13α(21)-dihydroeurycomaone significantly increased the testosterone level from the Leydig cells of the testicular interstitial cells cultured in vitro (P<0.05). The standardised extract F2 of E. longifolia and its major quassinoids especially eurycomanone improved the rat spermatogenesis by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and the potential efficacy may be worthy of further investigation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Morphometric evaluation of the knee in Chinese population reveals sexual dimorphism and age-related differences.

PubMed

Li, Ke; Cavaignac, Etienne; Xu, Wei; Cheng, Qiang; Telmon, Nobert; Huang, Wei

2018-02-20

Morphologic data of the knee is very important in the design of total knee prostheses. Generally, the designs of the total knee prostheses are based on the knee anatomy of Caucasian population. Moreover, in forensic medicine, a person's age and sex might be estimated by the shape of their knees. The aim of this study is to utilize three-dimensional morphometric analysis of the knee in Chinese population to reveal sexual dimorphism and age-related differences. Sexually dimorphic differences and age-related differences of the distal femur were studied by using geometric morphometric analysis of ten osteometric landmarks on three-dimensional reconstructions of 259 knees in Chinese population. General Procrustes analysis, PCA, and other discriminant analysis such as Mahalanobis and Goodall's F test were conducted for the knee to identify sexually dimorphism and age-related differences of the knee. The shape of distal femur between the male and female is significantly different. A difference between males and females in distal femur shape was identified by PCA; PC1 and PC2 accounted for 61.63% of the variance measured. The correct sex was assigned in 84.9% of cases by CVA, and the cross-validation revealed a 81.1% rate of correct sex estimation. The osteometric analysis also showed significant differences between the three age-related subgroups (< 40, 40-60, > 60 years, p < 0.005). This study showed both sex-related difference and age-related difference in the distal femur in Chinese population by 3D geometric morphometric analysis. Our bone measurements and geometric morphometric analysis suggest that population characteristics should be taken into account and may provide references for design of total knee prostheses in a Chinese population. Moreover, this reliable, accurate method could be used to perform diachronic and interethnic comparisons.

A Retrospective 2D Morphometric Analysis of Adult Female Chiari Type I Patients with Commonly Reported and Related Conditions

PubMed Central

Eppelheimer, Maggie S.; Houston, James R.; Bapuraj, Jayapalli R.; Labuda, Richard; Loth, Dorothy M.; Braun, Audrey M.; Allen, Natalie J.; Heidari Pahlavian, Soroush; Biswas, Dipankar; Urbizu, Aintzane; Martin, Bryn A.; Maher, Cormac O.; Allen, Philip A.; Loth, Francis

2018-01-01

Purpose: Researchers have sought to better understand Chiari type I malformation (CMI) through morphometric measurements beyond tonsillar position (TP). Soft tissue and bone structures within the brain and craniocervical junction have been shown to be different for CMI patients compared to healthy controls. Yet, several morphological characteristics have not been consistently associated with CMI. CMI is also associated with different prevalent conditions (PCs) such as syringomyelia, pseudotumor, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), scoliosis, and craniocervical instability. The goal of this study was two-fold: (1) to identify unique morphological characteristics of PCs, and (2) to better explain inconsistent results from case-control comparisons of CMI. Methods: Image, demographic, and PC information was obtained through the Chiari1000, a self-report web-accessed database. Twenty-eight morphometric measurements (MMs) were performed on the cranial MR images of 236 pre-surgery adult female CMI participants and 140 female healthy control participants. Custom software was used to measure 28 structures within the posterior cranial fossa (PCF) compartment, craniocervical junction, oral cavity, and intracranial area on midsagittal MR images for each participant. Results: Morphometric analysis of adult females indicated a smaller McRae line length in CMI participants with syringomyelia compared to those without syringomyelia. TP was reduced in CMI participants with EDS than those without EDS. Basion to posterior axial line was significantly longer in CMI participants with scoliosis compared to those without scoliosis. No additional MMs were found to differ between CMI participants with and without a specific PC. Four morphometric differences were found to be consistently different between CMI participants and healthy controls regardless of PC: larger TP and a smaller clivus length, fastigium, and corpus callosum height in CMI participants. Conclusion: Syringomyelia, EDS, and scoliosis were the only PCs that showed significant morphometric differences between CMI participants. Additionally, four midsagittal MR-based MMs were found to be significantly different between healthy controls and CMI participants regardless of the presence of one or more PCs. This study suggests that the prevalence of comorbid conditions are not strongly related to CMI morphology, and that inconsistent findings in the radiographic literature cannot be explained by varying prevalence of comorbid conditions in CMI study samples. PMID:29403363

Morphometric comparisons of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) populations from Iran, USA and Pakistan

PubMed Central

Lashkari, Mohammadreza; Hentz, Matthew G.

2015-01-01

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), vector of citrus greening disease pathogen, Huanglongbing (HLB), is considered the most serious pest of citrus in the world. Prior molecular based studies have hypothesized a link between the D. citri in Iran and the USA (Florida). The purpose of this study was to collect morphometric data from D. citri populations from Iran (mtCOI haplotype-1), Florida (mtCOI haplotype-1), and Pakistan (mtCOI haplotype-6), to determine whether different mtCOI haplotypes have a relationship to a specific morphometric variation. 240 samples from 6 ACP populations (Iran—Jiroft, Chabahar; Florida—Ft. Pierce, Palm Beach Gardens, Port St. Lucie; and Pakistan—Punjab) were collected for comparison. Measurements of 20 morphological characters were selected, measured and analysed using ANOVA and MANOVA. The results indicate differences among the 6 ACP populations (Wilks’ lambda = 0.0376, F = 7.29, P < 0.0001). The body length (BL), circumanal ring length (CL), antenna length (AL), forewing length (WL) and Rs vein length of forewing (RL) were the most important characters separating the populations. The cluster analysis showed that the Iran and Florida populations are distinct from each other but separate from the Pakistan population. Thus, three subgroups can be morphologically discriminated within D. citri species in this study, (1) Iran, (2) USA (Florida) and (3) Pakistan population. Morphometric comparisons provided further resolution to the mtCOI haplotypes and distinguished the Florida and Iranian populations. PMID:26038715

Morphometric comparisons of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) populations from Iran, USA and Pakistan.

PubMed

Lashkari, Mohammadreza; Hentz, Matthew G; Boykin, Laura M

2015-01-01

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), vector of citrus greening disease pathogen, Huanglongbing (HLB), is considered the most serious pest of citrus in the world. Prior molecular based studies have hypothesized a link between the D. citri in Iran and the USA (Florida). The purpose of this study was to collect morphometric data from D. citri populations from Iran (mtCOI haplotype-1), Florida (mtCOI haplotype-1), and Pakistan (mtCOI haplotype-6), to determine whether different mtCOI haplotypes have a relationship to a specific morphometric variation. 240 samples from 6 ACP populations (Iran-Jiroft, Chabahar; Florida-Ft. Pierce, Palm Beach Gardens, Port St. Lucie; and Pakistan-Punjab) were collected for comparison. Measurements of 20 morphological characters were selected, measured and analysed using ANOVA and MANOVA. The results indicate differences among the 6 ACP populations (Wilks' lambda = 0.0376, F = 7.29, P < 0.0001). The body length (BL), circumanal ring length (CL), antenna length (AL), forewing length (WL) and Rs vein length of forewing (RL) were the most important characters separating the populations. The cluster analysis showed that the Iran and Florida populations are distinct from each other but separate from the Pakistan population. Thus, three subgroups can be morphologically discriminated within D. citri species in this study, (1) Iran, (2) USA (Florida) and (3) Pakistan population. Morphometric comparisons provided further resolution to the mtCOI haplotypes and distinguished the Florida and Iranian populations.

Pelvic Floor Morphometric Differences in Elderly Women with or without Urinary Incontinence.

PubMed

Fradet, Sarah; Morin, Mélanie; Kruger, Jennifer; Dumoulin, Chantale

2018-01-01

Purpose: Urinary incontinence (UI) affects as many as 50% of women aged 60 years and older, but UI pathophysiology, specifically in elderly women, remains unclear. A better understanding of morphometric differences between continent and urinary incontinent elderly women is needed to improve the effectiveness of conservative treatment approaches. We hypothesized that morphometric differences in the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) among elderly women with and without UI could be observed using three- and four-dimensional (3D/4D) transperineal ultrasound (TPU) imaging. Method: A total of 40 elderly women (20 women with and 20 women without UI), with a mean age of 67.10 (SD 4.94) years, participated in the study. This was a case-control study in which TPU images were taken under three conditions: rest, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and Valsalva. Independent t -tests were conducted to compare measurements between the groups. Results: The study revealed statistically significant differences between the groups. At rest, the levator hiatal area and transverse diameter were bigger, and the PFM position was lower in the incontinent group. During MVC, all axial plane parameters were bigger in the incontinent group. In the sagittal plane, PFM position was again lower in the incontinent group. During Valsalva, the anorectal angle was wider in the women with incontinence. Conclusion: PFM morphometric differences were present and were observed using 3D/4D TPU imaging in elderly women with and without UI.

Fabrication of Trabecular Bone-Templated Tissue-Engineered Constructs by 3D Inkjet Printing.

PubMed

Vanderburgh, Joseph P; Fernando, Shanik J; Merkel, Alyssa R; Sterling, Julie A; Guelcher, Scott A

2017-11-01

3D printing enables the creation of scaffolds with precisely controlled morphometric properties for multiple tissue types, including musculoskeletal tissues such as cartilage and bone. Computed tomography (CT) imaging has been combined with 3D printing to fabricate anatomically scaled patient-specific scaffolds for bone regeneration. However, anatomically scaled scaffolds typically lack sufficient resolution to recapitulate the <100 micrometer-scale trabecular architecture essential for investigating the cellular response to the morphometric properties of bone. In this study, it is hypothesized that the architecture of trabecular bone regulates osteoblast differentiation and mineralization. To test this hypothesis, human bone-templated 3D constructs are fabricated via a new micro-CT/3D inkjet printing process. It is shown that this process reproducibly fabricates bone-templated constructs that recapitulate the anatomic site-specific morphometric properties of trabecular bone. A significant correlation is observed between the structure model index (a morphometric parameter related to surface curvature) and the degree of mineralization of human mesenchymal stem cells, with more concave surfaces promoting more extensive osteoblast differentiation and mineralization compared to predominately convex surfaces. These findings highlight the significant effects of trabecular architecture on osteoblast function. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Morphometric and functional abnormalities of kidneys in the progeny of mice fed chocolate during pregnancy and lactation.

PubMed

Patera, Janusz; Chorostowska-Wynimko, Joanna; Słodkowska, Janina; Borowska, Adamina; Skopiński, Piotr; Sommer, Ewa; Wasiutyński, Aleksander; Skopińska-Rózewska, Ewa

2006-01-01

Even most commonly consumed beverages like tea, coffee, chocolate and cocoa contain methylxanthines, biogenic amines and polyphenols, among them catechins, that exhibit significant biological activity and might profoundly affect the organism homeostasis. We have previously shown that 400 mg of bitter chocolate or 6 mg of theobromine added to the daily diet of pregnant and afterwards lactating mice affected embryonic angiogenesis and caused bone mineralization disturbances as well as limb shortening in 4-weeks old offspring. The aim of the present study was the morphometric and functional evaluation of kidneys in the 4-weeks old progeny mice fed according to the protocol mentioned above. Progeny from the mice fed chocolate presented considerable morphometric abnormalities in the kidney structure, with the lower number of glomeruli per mm2 and their increased diameter. Moreover, higher serum creatinine concentration was observed in that group of offspring. No morphometric or functional irregularities were found in the progeny of mice fed theobromine. Abnormalities demonstrated in the offspring of mice fed chocolate are not related to its theobromine content. Consequently, identification of active compound(s) responsible for the observed effects is of vital importance.

Taxonomy and phenotypic relationships of the Anastrepha fraterculus complex in the Mesoamerican and Pacific Neotropical dominions (Diptera, Tephritidae)

PubMed Central

Hernández-Ortiz, Vicente; Canal, Nelson A.; Salas, Juan O. Tigrero; Ruíz-Hurtado, Freddy M.; Dzul-Cauich, José F.

2015-01-01

Abstract Previous morphometric studies based on linear measurements of female structures of the aculeus, mesonotum, and wing revealed the existence of seven morphotypes within the Anastrepha fraterculus cryptic species complex along the Neotropical Region. The current research followed linear and geometric morphometric approaches in 40 population samples of the nominal species Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) spread throughout the Meso-American and Pacific Neotropical dominions (including Mexico, Central America, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru). The goals were to explore the phenotypic relationships of the morphotypes in these biogeographical areas; evaluate the reliability of procedures used for delimitation of morphotypes; and describe their current distribution. Findings determined that morphotypes previously recognized via the linear morphometrics were also supported by geometric morphometrics of the wing shape. In addition, we found an eighth morphotype inhabiting the highlands of Ecuador and Peru. Morphotypes are related into three natural phenotypic groups nominated as Mesoamerican-Caribbean lineage, Andean lineage, and Brazilian lineage. The hypothesis that lineages are not directly related to each other is discussed, supported by their large morphological divergence and endemicity in these three well-defined biogeographic areas. In addition, this hypothesis of the non-monophyly of the Anastrepha fraterculus complex is also supported by evidence from other authors based on molecular studies and the strong reproductive isolation between morphs from different lineages. PMID:26798256

Correlation between three-dimensional power Doppler and morphometric measurement of endometrial vascularity at the time of embryo implantation in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaoyan; Saravelos, Sotirios H; Liu, Yingyu; Huang, Jin; Wang, Chi Chiu; Li, Tin Chiu

2017-06-01

Power Doppler in combination with three-dimensional (3D-PD) ultrasonography has been used as a noninvasive tool to evaluate the vascularity. However, it is unclear whether 3D-PD can accurately reflect endometrial vascularization and replace the invasive endometrial biopsy. This study aims to investigate the correlation between 3D-PD and micro vessel morphometric measurement of endometrial vascularity. Twenty-five women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage were recruited for 3D-PD and endometrial biopsy on precisely day LH + 7. Immunohistochemistry using vWF was employed to identify micro vessels in endometrial biopsy specimens followed by the use of morphometric technique to measure the mean vessel diameter and volume fractions. The vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) assessed by 3D-PD were calculated for both the endometrial and sub-endometrial regions. There were no significant correlations between any of the ultrasonographic measurements (endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, endometrial VI/FI/VFI, sub-endometrial volume, sub-endometrial VI/FI/VFI) and morphometric features (number of micro vessel, mean diameter of micro vessel and volume fraction measurement of vessel). This study indicates that endometrial vascularity assessed by 3D-PD could not be used to reflect changes in micro vessels of the endometrium at the time of embryo implantation in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage.

Mid-Frequency Sonar Interactions with Beaked Whales

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-30

Beaked Whale, was not completed. However, several other goals were achieved, including synthesis of a morphometric model of a beaked whale. This and work...induced acoustic fields inside beaked whales and other marine mammals. Another high-level goal was to acquire new high-resolution morphometric and...range 1-10 kHz; collecting high-resolution morphometric data through computerized tomography (CT) scans on marine mammal specimens, and constructing

Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Solid Breast Lesions Using an Ultrasonic Multi-Feature Analysis Procedure

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

areas. We quantified morphometric features by geometric and fractal analysis of traced lesion boundaries. Although no single parameter can reliably...These include acoustic descriptors (“echogenicity,” “heterogeneity,” “shadowing”) and morphometric descriptors (“area,” “aspect ratio,” “border...quantitative descriptors; some morphometric features (such as border irregularity) also were particularly effective in lesion classification. Our

Characterization and Biomimcry of Avian Nanostructured Tissues

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-19

keratin cortex (Maia et al. 2011) at the outer edge of barbs from TEM images. Geometric morphometrics of barb shape Digitized images of the barb thin...morphological measurements (all P > 0.05; Figure 4C; Table S2). Gloss and Barb Geometric Morphometrics Matte and glossy barbs differed significantly in...barbs and lack of multiple, clear anatomically homologous features, traditional landmark based morphometric techniques (Bookstein, 1982) would be

Mission Connect Mild TBI Translational Research Consortium

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-01

year 2 and 3 annual progress report we completed the morphometric and the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in cortical impact injury with and without...and morphometric measures. Response to EAB feedback: No concerns were expressed by the External Advisory Board about the MRI core. Manuscript...automatic analysis of morphometry, DTI, and MTR for both humans and rodents.  Completed morphometric and DTI analysis in traumatically injured animals

Improving the precision of our ecosystem calipers: a modified morphometric technique for estimating marine mammal mass and body composition.

PubMed

Shero, Michelle R; Pearson, Linnea E; Costa, Daniel P; Burns, Jennifer M

2014-01-01

Mass and body composition are indices of overall animal health and energetic balance and are often used as indicators of resource availability in the environment. This study used morphometric models and isotopic dilution techniques, two commonly used methods in the marine mammal field, to assess body composition of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii, N = 111). Findings indicated that traditional morphometric models that use a series of circular, truncated cones to calculate marine mammal blubber volume and mass overestimated the animal's measured body mass by 26.9±1.5% SE. However, we developed a new morphometric model that uses elliptical truncated cones, and estimates mass with only -2.8±1.7% error (N = 10). Because this elliptical truncated cone model can estimate body mass without the need for additional correction factors, it has the potential to be a broadly applicable method in marine mammal species. While using elliptical truncated cones yielded significantly smaller blubber mass estimates than circular cones (10.2±0.8% difference; or 3.5±0.3% total body mass), both truncated cone models significantly underestimated total body lipid content as compared to isotopic dilution results, suggesting that animals have substantial internal lipid stores (N = 76). Multiple linear regressions were used to determine the minimum number of morphometric measurements needed to reliably estimate animal mass and body composition so that future animal handling times could be reduced. Reduced models estimated body mass and lipid mass with reasonable accuracy using fewer than five morphometric measurements (root-mean-square-error: 4.91% for body mass, 10.90% for lipid mass, and 10.43% for % lipid). This indicates that when test datasets are available to create calibration coefficients, regression models also offer a way to improve body mass and condition estimates in situations where animal handling times must be short and efficient.

Sex Estimation From Sternal Measurements Using Multidetector Computed Tomography

PubMed Central

Ekizoglu, Oguzhan; Hocaoglu, Elif; Inci, Ercan; Bilgili, Mustafa Gokhan; Solmaz, Dilek; Erdil, Irem; Can, Ismail Ozgur

2014-01-01

Abstract We aimed to show the utility and reliability of sternal morphometric analysis for sex estimation. Sex estimation is a very important step in forensic identification. Skeletal surveys are main methods for sex estimation studies. Morphometric analysis of sternum may provide high accuracy rated data in sex discrimination. In this study, morphometric analysis of sternum was evaluated in 1 mm chest computed tomography scans for sex estimation. Four hundred forty 3 subjects (202 female, 241 male, mean age: 44 ± 8.1 [distribution: 30–60 year old]) were included the study. Manubrium length (ML), mesosternum length (2L), Sternebra 1 (S1W), and Sternebra 3 (S3W) width were measured and also sternal index (SI) was calculated. Differences between genders were evaluated by student t-test. Predictive factors of sex were determined by discrimination analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Male sternal measurement values are significantly higher than females (P < 0.001) while SI is significantly low in males (P < 0.001). In discrimination analysis, MSL has high accuracy rate with 80.2% in females and 80.9% in males. MSL also has the best sensitivity (75.9%) and specificity (87.6%) values. Accuracy rates were above 80% in 3 stepwise discrimination analysis for both sexes. Stepwise 1 (ML, MSL, S1W, S3W) has the highest accuracy rate in stepwise discrimination analysis with 86.1% in females and 83.8% in males. Our study showed that morphometric computed tomography analysis of sternum might provide important information for sex estimation. PMID:25501090

Automated Image Analysis of Lung Branching Morphogenesis from Microscopic Images of Fetal Rat Explants

PubMed Central

Rodrigues, Pedro L.; Rodrigues, Nuno F.; Duque, Duarte; Granja, Sara; Correia-Pinto, Jorge; Vilaça, João L.

2014-01-01

Background. Regulating mechanisms of branching morphogenesis of fetal lung rat explants have been an essential tool for molecular research. This work presents a new methodology to accurately quantify the epithelial, outer contour, and peripheral airway buds of lung explants during cellular development from microscopic images. Methods. The outer contour was defined using an adaptive and multiscale threshold algorithm whose level was automatically calculated based on an entropy maximization criterion. The inner lung epithelium was defined by a clustering procedure that groups small image regions according to the minimum description length principle and local statistical properties. Finally, the number of peripheral buds was counted as the skeleton branched ends from a skeletonized image of the lung inner epithelia. Results. The time for lung branching morphometric analysis was reduced in 98% in contrast to the manual method. Best results were obtained in the first two days of cellular development, with lesser standard deviations. Nonsignificant differences were found between the automatic and manual results in all culture days. Conclusions. The proposed method introduces a series of advantages related to its intuitive use and accuracy, making the technique suitable to images with different lighting characteristics and allowing a reliable comparison between different researchers. PMID:25250057

Acute carbon tetrachloride feeding induces damage of large but not small cholangiocytes from BDL rat liver.

PubMed

LeSage, G D; Glaser, S S; Marucci, L; Benedetti, A; Phinizy, J L; Rodgers, R; Caligiuri, A; Papa, E; Tretjak, Z; Jezequel, A M; Holcomb, L A; Alpini, G

1999-05-01

Bile duct damage and/or loss is limited to a range of duct sizes in cholangiopathies. We tested the hypothesis that CCl4 damages only large ducts. CCl4 or mineral oil was given to bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats, and 1, 2, and 7 days later small and large cholangiocytes were purified and evaluated for apoptosis, proliferation, and secretion. In situ, we measured apoptosis by morphometric and TUNEL analysis and the number of small and large ducts by morphometry. Two days after CCl4 administration, we found an increased number of small ducts and reduced number of large ducts. In vitro apoptosis was observed only in large cholangiocytes, and this was accompanied by loss of proliferation and secretion in large cholangiocytes and loss of choleretic effect of secretin. Small cholangiocytes de novo express the secretin receptor gene and secretin-induced cAMP response. Consistent with damage of large ducts, we detected cytochrome P-4502E1 (which CCl4 converts to its radicals) only in large cholangiocytes. CCl4 induces selective apoptosis of large ducts associated with loss of large cholangiocyte proliferation and secretion.

Mid-Frequency Sonar Interactions With Beaked Whales

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-30

to acquire new high-resolution morphometric and physical-property data on beaked whales for use in the model. It is hoped that the availability of such... morphometric and physical-property data on beaked whales for use in the model. It is hoped that the availability of such a system, together with high-quality... morphometric data through computerized tomography (CT) scans on marine mammal carcasses, and constructing finite-element models of the anatomy

Experimental sharp force injuries to ribs: Multimodal morphological and geometric morphometric analyses using micro-CT, macro photography and SEM.

PubMed

Komo, Larissa; Grassberger, Martin

2018-07-01

Tool marks on bones induced by knife blades can be analysed morphometrically in order to enable an allocation of the suspected "inflicting weapon" to the particular morphology of the bone lesions. Until now, geometric morphometrics has not been used to analyse the morphology of knife lesions on fleshed bones in detail. By using twelve experimental knives and a drop weight tower, stab/cut injuries were inflicted on untreated pig ribs. The morphology of the experimentally produced lesions was subsequently recorded with three imaging techniques (μCT, macro photography and SEM) and analysed with different morphometric software (Amira, tps and Morpheus). Based on the measured distances between the walls of the kerf marks, which corresponded to the thickness of the blade, one could conclude to the respective blade thickness with a deviation of max. ±0.35mm and match the injuries to the knives. With subsequent reanalysis after maceration, an average shrinkage factor up to 8.6% was observed. Among the three imaging techniques used in this study, μCT was the most accurate and efficient technique, particularly because it represented the only non-destructive modality to document injuries without maceration, even though μCT is more expensive and time-consuming as well as less accessible than a macro SLR-camera or a SEM. For optimal characterizations of the blades' and kerfs' shapes the software tps proofed to be the best choice. Accordingly, geometric morphometrics could serve as a tool in forensic investigations concerning kerf marks. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spermiogram and sperm head morphometry assessed by multivariate cluster analysis results during adolescence (12-18 years) and the effect of varicocele

PubMed Central

Vásquez, Fernando; Soler, Carles; Camps, Patricia; Valverde, Anthony; García-Molina, Almudena

2016-01-01

This work evaluates sperm head morphometric characteristics in adolescents from 12 to 18 years of age, and the effect of varicocele. Volunteers between 150 and 224 months of age (mean 191, n = 87), who had reached oigarche by 12 years old, were recruited in the area of Barranquilla, Colombia. Morphometric analysis of sperm heads was performed with principal component (PC) and discriminant analysis. Combining seminal fluid and sperm parameters provided five PCs: two related to sperm morphometry, one to sperm motility, and two to seminal fluid components. Discriminant analysis on the morphometric results of varicocele and nonvaricocele groups did not provide a useful classification matrix. Of the semen-related PCs, the most explanatory (40%) was related to sperm motility. Two PCs, including sperm head elongation and size, were sufficient to evaluate sperm morphometric characteristics. Most of the morphometric variables were correlated with age, with an increase in size and decrease in the elongation of the sperm head. For head size, the entire sperm population could be divided into two morphometric subpopulations, SP1 and SP2, which did not change during adolescence. In general, for varicocele individuals, SP1 had larger and more elongated sperm heads than SP2, which had smaller and more elongated heads than in nonvaricocele men. In summary, sperm head morphometry assessed by CASA-Morph and multivariate cluster analysis provides a better comprehension of the ejaculate structure and possibly sperm function. Morphometric analysis provides much more information than data obtained from conventional semen analysis. PMID:27751986

Morphometric changes of Triatoma flavida Neiva, 1911 (Hemiptera:Triatominae) in the transition from sylvatic to laboratory conditions.

PubMed

Rodríguez Rodríguez, Jinnay; Fuentes González, Omar; Nodarse, Jorge Fraga; Monzote Fidalgo, Lianet; Dujardin, Jean-Pierre

2007-01-01

The one-generational metric changes occurring in Triatoma flavida (Hemiptera: Triatominae) when carried from its wild habitat (caves) to laboratory, were examined using traditional morphometric techniques. As for other species of Triatoma, Rhodnius or Panstrongylus studied in similar conditions, a significant reduction of head, thorax and wing size was observed. Sexual dimorphism of the wings, while present in the wild sample, was not detected anymore in the laboratory individuals. Biological significance and epidemiological importance are discussed.

Proteomic analysis of liver in rats chronically exposed to fluoride.

PubMed

Pereira, Heloísa Aparecida Barbosa da Silva; Leite, Aline de Lima; Charone, Senda; Lobo, Janete Gualiume Vaz Madureira; Cestari, Tania Mary; Peres-Buzalaf, Camila; Buzalaf, Marília Afonso Rabelo

2013-01-01

Fluoride (F) is a potent anti-cariogenic element, but when ingestion is excessive, systemic toxicity may be observed. This can occur as acute or chronic responses, depending on both the amount of F and the time of exposure. The present study identified the profile of protein expression possibly associated with F-induced chronic hepatotoxicity. Weanling male Wistar rats (three-weeks old) were divided into three groups and treated with drinking water containing 0, 5 or 50 mg/L F for 60 days (n=6/group). At this time point, serum and livers were collected for F analysis, which was done using the ion-sensitive electrode, after hexamethyldisiloxane-facilitated diffusion. Livers were also submitted to histological and proteomic analyses (2D-PAGE followed by LC-MS/MS). Western blotting was done for confirmation of the proteomic data A dose-response was observed in serum F levels. In the livers, F levels were significantly increased in the 50 mg/L F group compared to groups treated with 0 and 5 mg/L F. Liver morphometric analysis did not reveal alterations in the cellular structures and lipid droplets were present in all groups. Proteomic quantitative intensity analysis detected 33, 44, and 29 spots differentially expressed in the comparisons between control vs. 5 mg/L F, control vs. 50 mg/L F, and 5 mg/L vs. 50 mg/L F, respectively. From these, 92 proteins were successfully identified. In addition, 18, 1, and 5 protein spots were shown to be exclusive in control, 5, and 50 mg/L F, respectively. Most of proteins were related to metabolic process and pronounced alterations were seen for the high-F level group. In F-treated rats, changes in the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and GRP-78 expression may account for the F-induced toxicity in the liver. This can contribute to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatoxicity induced by F, by indicating key-proteins that should be better addressed in future studies.

Extensive impact of saturated fatty acids on metabolic and cardiovascular profile in rats with diet-induced obesity: a canonical analysis.

PubMed

Oliveira Junior, Silvio A; Padovani, Carlos R; Rodrigues, Sergio A; Silva, Nilza R; Martinez, Paula F; Campos, Dijon Hs; Okoshi, Marina P; Okoshi, Katashi; Dal-Pai, Maeli; Cicogna, Antonio C

2013-04-15

Although hypercaloric interventions are associated with nutritional, endocrine, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders in obesity experiments, a rational distinction between the effects of excess adiposity and the individual roles of dietary macronutrients in relation to these disturbances has not previously been studied. This investigation analyzed the correlation between ingested macronutrients (including sucrose and saturated and unsaturated fatty acids) plus body adiposity and metabolic, hormonal, and cardiovascular effects in rats with diet-induced obesity. Normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats were submitted to Control (CD; 3.2 Kcal/g) and Hypercaloric (HD; 4.6 Kcal/g) diets for 20 weeks followed by nutritional evaluation involving body weight and adiposity measurement. Metabolic and hormonal parameters included glycemia, insulin, insulin resistance, and leptin. Cardiovascular analysis included systolic blood pressure profile, echocardiography, morphometric study of myocardial morphology, and myosin heavy chain (MHC) protein expression. Canonical correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between dietary macronutrients plus adiposity and metabolic, hormonal, and cardiovascular parameters. Although final group body weights did not differ, HD presented higher adiposity than CD. Diet induced hyperglycemia while insulin and leptin levels remained unchanged. In a cardiovascular context, systolic blood pressure increased with time only in HD. Additionally, in vivo echocardiography revealed cardiac hypertrophy and improved systolic performance in HD compared to CD; and while cardiomyocyte size was unchanged by diet, nuclear volume and collagen interstitial fraction both increased in HD. Also HD exhibited higher relative β-MHC content and β/α-MHC ratio than their Control counterparts. Importantly, body adiposity was weakly associated with cardiovascular effects, as saturated fatty acid intake was directly associated with most cardiac remodeling measurements while unsaturated lipid consumption was inversely correlated with these effects. Hypercaloric diet was associated with glycemic metabolism and systolic blood pressure disorders and cardiac remodeling. These effects directly and inversely correlated with saturated and unsaturated lipid consumption, respectively.

Vitamin E supplementation ameliorates aflatoxin B1-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

PubMed

Abdel-Hamid, Ahmed A M; Firgany, Alaa El-Din L

2015-10-01

Fungal toxins in nutrition can cause organ dysfunction or even failure. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced renal impairment is not sufficiently studied regarding its extent and prevention. The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of AFB1 on renal cortical tissue and whether its possible harmful effect could be prevented by the conventional economical antioxidant, vitamin E. Forty rats were divided into four groups; I-IV. Group I represented the control while the others received vitamin E (Vit E), AFB1 and AFB1+Vit E, respectively. Renal cortex specimens were taken from each group after 25 days. Then, specimens were prepared for histological study by hematoxlyin and eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome, caspase-3 as well as for ultrastructural examination and oxidative stress parameters evaluation. Data were morphometrically and statistically analyzed. In AFB1-treated group, focal tubulo-interstitial affection in the form of tubular cytoplasmic vacuolation, mitochondrial disruption, numerous lysosomes, marked increase in collagen deposition and in caspase-3 expression were observed. Glomerular impairment in the form of fusion of podocytes enlarged foot processes and thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) with loss of its trilaminar appearance were detected. In the group treated by AFB1+Vit E, there were minimal affection of the histological structure of the renal cortex as well as significant increase in the anti-oxidative parameters which were significantly decreased in the AFB1-treated group. Therefore, Vit E could be considered in wide experimental studies to be a first choice antioxidant of high cost-effectiveness in prevention of fungal toxins pro-oxidant-induced renal impairment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Morphometrics applied to medical entomology.

PubMed

Dujardin, Jean-Pierre

2008-12-01

Morphometrics underwent a revolution more than one decade ago. In the modern morphometrics, the estimate of size is now contained in a single variable reflecting variation in many directions, as many as there are landmarks under study, and shape is defined as their relative positions after correcting for size, position and orientation. With these informative data, and the corresponding software freely available to conduct complex analyses, significant biological and epidemiological features can be quantified more accurately. We discuss the evolutionary significance of the environmental impact on metric variability, mentioning the importance of concepts like genetic assimilation, genetic accommodation, and epigenetics. We provide examples of measuring the effect of selection on metric variation by comparing (unpublished) Qst values with corresponding (published) Fst. The primary needs of medical entomologists are to distinguish species, especially cryptic species, and to detect them where they are not expected. We explain how geometric morphometrics could apply to these questions, and where there are deficiencies preventing the approach from being utilized at its maximum potential. Medical entomologists in connection with control programs aim to identify isolated populations where the risk of reinfestation after treatment would be low ("biogeographical islands"). Identifying them can be obtained from estimating the number of migrants per generation. Direct assessment of movement remains the most valid approach, but it scores active movement only. Genetic methods estimating gene flow levels among interbreeding populations are commonly used, but gene flow does not necessarily mean the current flow of migrants. Methods using the morphometric variation are neither suited to evaluate gene flow, nor are they adapted to estimate the flow of migrants. They may provide, however, the information needed to create a preliminary map pointing to relevant areas where one could invest in using molecular machinery. In case of reinfesting specimens after treatment, the question relates to the likely source of reinfesting specimens: are they a residual sample not affected by the control measures, or are they individuals migrating from surrounding, untreated foci? We explain why the morphometric approach may be adapted to answer such question. Thus, we describe the differences between estimating the flow of migrants and identifying the source of reinfestation after treatment: although morphometrics is not suited to deal with the former, it may be an appropriate tool to address the latter.

Object-based classification of global undersea topography and geomorphological features from the SRTM30_PLUS data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dekavalla, Maria; Argialas, Demetre

2017-07-01

The analysis of undersea topography and geomorphological features provides necessary information to related disciplines and many applications. The development of an automated knowledge-based classification approach of undersea topography and geomorphological features is challenging due to their multi-scale nature. The aim of the study is to develop and evaluate an automated knowledge-based OBIA approach to: i) decompose the global undersea topography to multi-scale regions of distinct morphometric properties, and ii) assign the derived regions to characteristic geomorphological features. First, the global undersea topography was decomposed through the SRTM30_PLUS bathymetry data to the so-called morphometric objects of discrete morphometric properties and spatial scales defined by data-driven methods (local variance graphs and nested means) and multi-scale analysis. The derived morphometric objects were combined with additional relative topographic position information computed with a self-adaptive pattern recognition method (geomorphons), and auxiliary data and were assigned to characteristic undersea geomorphological feature classes through a knowledge base, developed from standard definitions. The decomposition of the SRTM30_PLUS data to morphometric objects was considered successful for the requirements of maximizing intra-object and inter-object heterogeneity, based on the near zero values of the Moran's I and the low values of the weighted variance index. The knowledge-based classification approach was tested for its transferability in six case studies of various tectonic settings and achieved the efficient extraction of 11 undersea geomorphological feature classes. The classification results for the six case studies were compared with the digital global seafloor geomorphic features map (GSFM). The 11 undersea feature classes and their producer's accuracies in respect to the GSFM relevant areas were Basin (95%), Continental Shelf (94.9%), Trough (88.4%), Plateau (78.9%), Continental Slope (76.4%), Trench (71.2%), Abyssal Hill (62.9%), Abyssal Plain (62.4%), Ridge (49.8%), Seamount (48.8%) and Continental Rise (25.4%). The knowledge-based OBIA classification approach was considered transferable since the percentages of spatial and thematic agreement between the most of the classified undersea feature classes and the GSFM exhibited low deviations across the six case studies.

Cryptic Species or Inadequate Taxonomy? Implementation of 2D Geometric Morphometrics Based on Integumental Organs as Landmarks for Delimitation and Description of Copepod Taxa.

PubMed

Karanovic, Tomislav; Djurakic, Marko; Eberhard, Stefan M

2016-03-01

Discovery of cryptic species using molecular tools has become common in many animal groups but it is rarely accompanied by morphological revision, creating ongoing problems in taxonomy and conservation. In copepods, cryptic species have been discovered in most groups where fast-evolving molecular markers were employed. In this study at Yeelirrie in Western Australia we investigate a subterranean species complex belonging to the harpacticoid genus Schizopera Sars, 1905, using both the barcoding mitochondrial COI gene and landmark-based two-dimensional geometric morphometrics. Integumental organs (sensilla and pores) are used as landmarks for the first time in any crustacean group. Complete congruence between DNA-based species delimitation and relative position of integumental organs in two independent morphological structures suggests the existence of three distinct evolutionary units. We describe two of them as new species, employing a condensed taxonomic format appropriate for cryptic species. We argue that many supposedly cryptic species might not be cryptic if researchers focus on analyzing morphological structures with multivariate tools that explicitly take into account geometry of the phenotype. A perceived supremacy of molecular methods in detecting cryptic species is in our view a consequence of disparity of investment and unexploited recent advancements in morphometrics among taxonomists. Our study shows that morphometric data alone could be used to find diagnostic morphological traits and gives hope to anyone studying small animals with a hard integument or shell, especially opening the door to assessing fossil diversity and rich museum collections. We expect that simultaneous use of molecular tools with geometry-oriented morphometrics may yield faster formal description of species. Decrypted species in this study are a good example for urgency of formal descriptions, as they display short-range endemism in small groundwater calcrete aquifers in a paleochannel, where their conservation may be threatened by proposed mining. ©The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press, on behalf of the Society of Systematic Biologists. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

The effect of morphometric atlas selection on multi-atlas-based automatic brachial plexus segmentation.

PubMed

Van de Velde, Joris; Wouters, Johan; Vercauteren, Tom; De Gersem, Werner; Achten, Eric; De Neve, Wilfried; Van Hoof, Tom

2015-12-23

The present study aimed to measure the effect of a morphometric atlas selection strategy on the accuracy of multi-atlas-based BP autosegmentation using the commercially available software package ADMIRE® and to determine the optimal number of selected atlases to use. Autosegmentation accuracy was measured by comparing all generated automatic BP segmentations with anatomically validated gold standard segmentations that were developed using cadavers. Twelve cadaver computed tomography (CT) atlases were included in the study. One atlas was selected as a patient in ADMIRE®, and multi-atlas-based BP autosegmentation was first performed with a group of morphometrically preselected atlases. In this group, the atlases were selected on the basis of similarity in the shoulder protraction position with the patient. The number of selected atlases used started at two and increased up to eight. Subsequently, a group of randomly chosen, non-selected atlases were taken. In this second group, every possible combination of 2 to 8 random atlases was used for multi-atlas-based BP autosegmentation. For both groups, the average Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), Jaccard index (JI) and Inclusion index (INI) were calculated, measuring the similarity of the generated automatic BP segmentations and the gold standard segmentation. Similarity indices of both groups were compared using an independent sample t-test, and the optimal number of selected atlases was investigated using an equivalence trial. For each number of atlases, average similarity indices of the morphometrically selected atlas group were significantly higher than the random group (p < 0,05). In this study, the highest similarity indices were achieved using multi-atlas autosegmentation with 6 selected atlases (average DSC = 0,598; average JI = 0,434; average INI = 0,733). Morphometric atlas selection on the basis of the protraction position of the patient significantly improves multi-atlas-based BP autosegmentation accuracy. In this study, the optimal number of selected atlases used was six, but for definitive conclusions about the optimal number of atlases and to improve the autosegmentation accuracy for clinical use, more atlases need to be included.

Scaling mimesis: Morphometric and ecomorphological similarities in three sympatric plant-mimetic fish of the family Carangidae (Teleostei).

PubMed

Queiroz, Alexya Cunha de; Vallinoto, Marcelo; Sakai, Yoichi; Giarrizzo, Tommaso; Barros, Breno

2018-01-01

The mimetic juveniles of a number of carangid fish species resemble plant parts floating near the water surface, such as leaves, seeds and other plant debris. The present study is the first to verify the morphological similarities and ecomorphological relationships between three carangids (Oligoplites saurus, Oligoplites palometa and Trachinotus falcatus) and their associated plant models. Behavioral observations were conducted in the estuary of Curuçá River, in northeastern Pará (Brazil) between August 2015 and July 2016. Individual fishes and associated floating objects (models) were sampled for comparative analysis using both geometric and morphometric approaches. While the mimetic fish and their models retain their own distinct, intrinsic morphological features, a high degree of morphological similarity was found between each fish species and its model. The morphometric analyses revealed a general tendency of isometric development in all three fish species, probably related to their pelagic habitats, during all ontogenetic stages.

Micro-evolutionary implications of allozymic and morphometric variations in sealworms Pseudoterranova sp. (Ascaridoidea: Anisakidae) among sympatric hosts from the southeastern Pacific Ocean.

PubMed

George-Nascimento, M; Llanos, A

1995-10-01

We found significant morphometric and electrophoretic differences between sealworm larvae collected from four sympatric fish host species off the central coast of Chile. The South American sea lion, Otaria byronia, is a suitable host and most likely the only definitive host species in the study area. Morphological patterns of caudal papillae in adult males collected from sea lions and electrophoretic evidence from larvae and adults substantiate our conclusion that they belong to just one, new species yet to be described. The genetic and morphometric differences found between sealworm larvae from sympatric fish hosts may be due to selective pressures arising from the internal environment of the intermediate hosts, although they may serve only for passing sequential filters along the life cycle. The discussion deals with the roles that definitive and intermediate hosts may play in the micro-evolutionary processes of sealworms.

The spinning apparatus of webspinners – functional-morphology, morphometrics and spinning behaviour

PubMed Central

Büsse, Sebastian; Hörnschemeyer, Thomas; Hohu, Kyle; McMillan, David; Edgerly, Janice S.

2015-01-01

Webspinners (Insecta: Embioptera) have a distinctly unique behaviour with related morphological characteristics. Producing silk with the basitarsomeres of their forelegs plays a crucial role in the lives of these insects – providing shelter and protection. The correlation between body size, morphology and morphometrics of the spinning apparatus and the spinning behaviour of Embioptera was investigated for seven species using state-of-the-art methodology for behavioural as well as for morphological approaches. Independent contrast analysis revealed correlations between morphometric characters and body size. Larger webspinners in this study have glands with greater reservoir volume, but in proportionally smaller tarsi relative to body size than in the smaller species. Furthermore, we present a detailed description and review of the spinning apparatus in Embioptera in comparison to other arthropods and substantiate the possible homology of the embiopteran silk glands to class III dermal silk glands of insects. PMID:25950122

Role of Minerogenic Particles in Light Scattering in Lakes and a River in Central New York

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-10

calibration protocol. Corrections for differences in the ten samples for both elemental and morphometric pure-water absorption and attenuation due to tem...PA’>, (6) Morphometric characterization of particles by SAX is based on a "rotating chord" algorithm, which pro- where N,,, is the number of...to characterize individual minerogenic par- nous versus autochthonous) is essential information ticles both compositionally and morphometrically for

Inhalation exposure to ethylene induces eosinophilic rhinitis and nasal epithelial remodeling in Fischer 344 rats.

PubMed

Brandenberger, Christina; Hotchkiss, Jon A; Krieger, Shannon M; Pottenger, Lynn H; Harkema, Jack R

2015-11-05

This study investigated the time- and concentration-dependent effects of inhaled ethylene on eosinophilic rhinitis and nasal epithelial remodeling in Fisher 344 rats exposed to 0, 10, 50, 300, or 10,000 ppm ethylene, 6 h/day, 5 days/week for up to 4 weeks. Morphometric quantitation of eosinophilic inflammation and mucous cell metaplasia/hyperplasia (MCM) and nasal mucosal gene expression were evaluated at anatomic sites previously shown to undergo ethylene-induced epithelial remodeling. Serum levels of total IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a were measured to determine if ethylene exposure increased the expression of Th2-associated (IgE and IgG1) relative to Th1-associated (IgG2a) antibody isotypes. Rats exposed to 0 or 10,000 ppm for 1, 3, 5, 10, or 20 days were analyzed to assess the temporal pattern of ethylene-induced alterations in nasal epithelial cell proliferation, morphology and gene expression. Rats exposed to 0, 10, 50, 300, and 10,000 ppm ethylene for 20 days were analyzed to assess concentration-dependent effects on lesion development. Additional rats exposed 4 weeks to 0, 300, or 10,000 ppm ethylene were held for 13 weeks post-exposure to examine the persistence of ethylene-induced mucosal alterations. The data indicate that cell death and reparative cell proliferation were not a part of the pathogenesis of ethylene-induced nasal lesions. Enhanced gene expression of Th2 cytokines (e.g., IL-5, IL-13) and chitinase (YM1/2) in the nasal mucosa was much greater than that of Th1 cytokines (e.g., IFNγ) after ethylene exposure. A significant increase in MCM was measured after 5 days of exposure to 10,000 ppm ethylene and after 20 days of exposure 10 ppm ethylene. Ethylene-induced MCM was reversible after cessation of exposure. No increase in total serum IgE, IgG1 or IgG2a was measured in any ethylene-exposed group. These data do not support involvement of an immune-mediated allergic mechanism in the pathogenesis of ethylene-induced nasal lesions in rats. Repeated inhalation of ethylene can induce a local Th2-mediated response in the nasal mucosa of rats, however the mechanisms which induce nasal inflammatory and epithelial responses are yet to be determined. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hydrogen ameliorates pulmonary hypertension in rats by anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

PubMed

Kishimoto, Yasuaki; Kato, Taichi; Ito, Mikako; Azuma, Yoshiteru; Fukasawa, Yoshie; Ohno, Kinji; Kojima, Seiji

2015-09-01

The pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves reactive oxygen species and inflammation. Beneficial effects of molecular hydrogen, which exerts both anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, have been reported for various pathologic conditions. We therefore hypothesized that molecular hydrogen would improve monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH in rats. Nineteen male Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight: 200-300 g) were divided into groups, receiving: (1) MCT + hydrogen-saturated water (group H); (2) MCT + dehydrogenized water (group M); or (3) saline + dehydrogenized water (group C). Sixteen days after substance administration, we evaluated hemodynamics, harvested the lungs and heart, and performed morphometric analysis of the pulmonary vasculature. Macrophage infiltration, antiproliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)-positive cells, and expressions of phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 (STAT3) and nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) were evaluated immunohistochemically. Stromal cell-derived factor-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expressions were evaluated by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was significantly exacerbated in group M compared to group C, but was significantly improved in group H. Vascular density was significantly reduced in group M, but not in group H. Adventitial macrophages, antiproliferating cell nuclear antigen - and 8-OHdG-positive cells, and stromal cell-derived factor-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expressions were significantly increased in group M, but improved in group H. Expressions of phosphorylated STAT3 and NFAT were up-regulated in group M, but improved in group H. Molecular hydrogen ameliorates MCT-induced PAH in rats by suppressing macrophage accumulation, reducing oxidative stress and modulating the STAT3/NFAT axis. Copyright © 2015 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of Mucuna pruriens on oxidative stress mediated damage in aged rat sperm.

PubMed

Suresh, Sekar; Prithiviraj, Elumalai; Prakash, Seppan

2010-02-01

Mucuna pruriens Linn., a leguminous plant, has been recognized as an aphrodisiac and spermatogenic agent. Protective efficacy of M. pruriens on reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced pathophysiological alterations in structural and functional integrity of epididymal sperm in aged Wister albino rat was analysed. Animals were grouped as groups I, II, III and IV, i.e. young (control), aged, aged treated with ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg b.w.) of M. pruriens and young rats treated with M. pruriens, respectively. At the end of the experimental period, i.e. after 60 days animals were sacrificed, epididymal sperm were collected and subjected to count, viability, motility, morphology and morphometric analysis. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, ROS, lipid peroxidation (LPO), DNA damage, chromosomal integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential were estimated. Results obtained from the aged animals showed significant reduction in sperm count, viability and motility, increased morphological damage and an increase in the number of sperm with cytoplasmic remnant, and these alterations were significantly reversed in M. pruriens treated group. Significant increase in LPO, HO and H(2)O(2) production and significant decline in the levels of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were observed in the aged animals. Supplementation of M. pruriens significantly reduced ROS and LPO production and significant increase in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels. There were significant DNA damage, loss of chromosomal integrity and increase in mitochondrial membrane permeability in aged rat sperm. This was significantly reduced in group III. Present observation indicates the antioxidant enhancing property, free radical quenching ability and spermatogenic efficacy of the M. pruriens. Collectively, sperm damage in ageing was significantly reduced by quenching ROS, improving antioxidant defence system and mitochondrial function.

Adipogenic Signaling in Rat White Adipose Tissue: Modulation by Aging and Calorie Restriction

PubMed Central

Zhu, Min; Lee, Garrick D.; Ding, Liusong; Hu, Jingping; Qiu, Guang; de Cabo, Rafa; Bernier, Michel; Ingram, Donald K.; Zou, Sige

2007-01-01

Alterations in adipogenesis could have significant impact on several aging processes. We previously reported that calorie restriction (CR) in rats significantly increases the level of circulating adiponectin, a distinctive marker of differentiated adipocytes, leading to a concerted modulation in the expression of key transcription target genes and, as a result, to increased fatty acid oxidation and reduced deleterious lipid accumulation in other tissues. These findings led us to investigate further the effects of aging on adipocytes and to determine how CR modulates adipogenic signaling in vivo. CR for 2 and 25 months, significantly increased the expression of PPARγ, C/EBPβ and Cdk-4, and partially attenuated age-related decline in C/EBPα expression relative to rats fed ad libitum (AL). As a result, adiponectin was upregulated at both mRNA and protein levels, resulting in activation of target genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and fatty acid synthesis, and greater responsiveness of adipose tissue to insulin. Moreover, CR significantly decreased the ratio of C/EBPß isoforms LAP/LIP, suggesting the suppression of gene transcription associated with terminal differentiation while facilitating preadipocytes proliferation. Morphometric analysis revealed a greater number of small adipocytes in CR relative to AL feeding. Immunostaining confirmed that small adipocytes were more strongly positive for adiponectin than the large ones. Overall these results suggest that CR increased the expression of adipogenic factors, and maintained the differentiated state of adipocytes, which is critically important for adiponectin biosynthesis and insulin sensitivity. PMID:17624709

Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 reduces age-related alterations in the ultrastructure of the lacrimal gland

PubMed Central

Bakeeva, Lora E.; Eldarov, Chupalav M.; Vangely, Irina M.; Kolosova, Nataliya G.; Vays, Valeriya B.

2016-01-01

Dry eye syndrome is an eye disorder affecting many people at an old age. Because dry eye syndrome is accelerated by aging, a useful approach to the prevention of this syndrome may be an intervention into the aging process. Previously, we showed that the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 delays manifestations of aging and inhibits the development of age-related diseases including dry eye syndrome. Nevertheless, the link between SkQ1's effects and its suppression of age-related changes in the lacrimal gland remains unclear. Here we demonstrated that dietary supplementation with SkQ1 (250 nmol/[kg body weight] daily) starting at age 1.5 months significantly alleviated the pathological changes in lacrimal glands of Wistar rats by age 24 months. By this age, lacrimal glands underwent dramatic deterioration of the ultrastructure that was indicative of irreversible disturbances in these glands' functioning. In contrast, in SkQ1-treated rats, the ultrastructure of the lacrimal gland was similar to that in much younger rats. Morphometric analysis of electron-microscopic specimens of lacrimal glands revealed the presence of numerous secretory granules in acinar cells and a significant increase in the number of operating intercalary ducts. Our results confirm that dietary supplementation with SkQ1 is a promising approach to healthy ageing and to prevention of aberrations in the lacrimal gland that underlie dry eye syndrome. PMID:27852065

Essential role of hippocampal noradrenaline in the regulation of spatial working memory and TDP-43 tissue pathology.

PubMed

Pintus, Roberta; Riggi, Margherita; Cannarozzo, Cecilia; Valeri, Andrea; de Leo, Gioacchino; Romano, Maurizio; Gulino, Rosario; Leanza, Giampiero

2018-05-01

Extensive loss of noradrenaline-containing neurons and fibers is a nearly invariant feature of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, the exact noradrenergic contribution to cognitive and histopathological changes in AD is still unclear. Here, this issue was addressed following selective lesioning and intrahippocampal implantation of embryonic noradrenergic progenitors in developing rats. Starting from about 3 months and up to 12 months post-surgery, animals underwent behavioral tests to evaluate sensory-motor, as well as spatial learning and memory, followed by post-mortem morphometric analyses. At 9 months, Control, Lesioned and Lesion + Transplant animals exhibited equally efficient sensory-motor and reference memory performance. Interestingly, working memory abilities were seen severely impaired in Lesion-only rats and fully recovered in Transplanted rats, and appeared partly lost again 2 months after ablation of the implanted neuroblasts. Morphological analyses confirmed the almost total lesion-induced noradrenergic neuronal and terminal fiber loss, the near-normal reinnervation of the hippocampus promoted by the transplants, and its complete removal by the second lesion. Notably, the noradrenergic-rich transplants normalized also the nuclear expression of the transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in various hippocampal subregions, whose cytoplasmic (i.e., pathological) occurrence appeared dramatically increased as a result of the lesions. Thus, integrity of ascending noradrenergic inputs to the hippocampus may be required for the regulation of specific aspects of learning and memory and to prevent TDP-43 tissue pathology. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Vitamin B12 deficiency: Characterization of psychometrics and MRI morphometrics.

PubMed

Hsu, Yen-Hsuan; Huang, Ching-Feng; Lo, Chung-Ping; Wang, Tzu-Lan; Tu, Min-Chien

2016-01-01

Vitamin B12 is essential for the integrity of the central nervous system. However, performances in different cognitive domains relevant to vitamin B12 deficiency remain to be detailed. To date, there have been limited studies that examined the relationships between cognitions and structural neuroimaging in a single cohort of low-vitamin B12 status. The present study aimed to depict psychometrics and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) morphometrics among patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, and to examine their inter-relations. We compared 34 consecutive patients with vitamin B12 deficiency (serum level ≤ 250 pg/ml) to 34 demographically matched controls by their cognitive performances and morphometric indices of brain MRI. The correlations between psychometrics and morphometrics were analyzed. The vitamin B12 deficiency group had lower scores than the controls on total scores of Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) (both P < 0.05), language (P < 0.01), orientation (P < 0.01), and mental manipulation (P < 0.05). The patients also showed a greater frontal horn ratio than the controls (P < 0.05). Bicaudate ratio, fronto-occipital ratio, uncotemporal index, and normalized interuncal distance all showed a strong correlation with the total score of MMSE and CASI (all P < 0.01). Among these psychometric and morphometric indices, pronounced correlations between bicaudate ratio and long-term memory, mental manipulation, orientation, language, and verbal fluency were noted (all P < 0.01). Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with a global cognition decline with language, orientation, and mental manipulation selectively impaired. Preferential atrophy in frontal regions is the main neuroimaging feature. Although the frontal ratio highlights the relevant atrophy among patients, the bicaudate ratio might be the best index on the basis of its strong association with global cognition and related cognitive domains, implying dysfunction of fronto-subcortical circuits as the fundamental pathogenesis related to vitamin B12 deficiency.

Anthropometric Measurements Usage in Medical Sciences

PubMed Central

Utkualp, Nevin; Ercan, Ilker

2015-01-01

Morphometry is introduced as quantitative approach to seek information concerning variations and changes in the forms of organisms that described the relationship between the human body and disease. Scientists of all civilization, who existed until today, examined the human body using anthropometric methods. For these reasons, anthropometric data are used in many contexts to screen for or monitor disease. Anthropometry, a branch of morphometry, is the study of the size and shape of the components of biological forms and their variations in populations. Morphometrics can also be defined as the quantitative analysis of biological forms. The field has developed rapidly over the last two decades to the extent that we now distinguish between traditional morphometrics and the more recent geometric morphometrics. Advances in imaging technology have resulted in the protection of a greater amount of morphological information and have permitted the analysis of this information. The oldest and most commonly used of these methods is radiography. With developments in this area, CT and MRI have also been started to be used in screening of the internal organs. Morphometric measurements that are used in medicine, are widely used in the diagnosis and the follow-up and the treatment of the disease, today. In addition, in cosmetology use of these new measurements is increasing every day. PMID:26413519

Malignant Transformation of Rat Kidney Induced by Environmental Substances and Estrogen

PubMed Central

Alfaro-Lira, Susana; Pizarro-Ortiz, María; Calaf, Gloria M.

2012-01-01

The use of organophosphorous insecticides in agricultural environments and in urban settings has increased significantly. The aim of the present study was to analyze morphological alterations induced by malathion and 17β-estradiol (estrogen) in rat kidney tissues. There were four groups of animals: control, malathion, estrogen and combination of both substances. The animals were injected for five days and sacrificed 30, 124 and 240 days after treatments. Kidney tissues were analyzed for histomorphological and immunocytochemical alterations. Morphometric analysis indicated that malathion plus estrogen-treated animals showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher grade of glomerular hypertrophy, signs of tubular damage, atypical proliferation in cortical and hilium zone than malathion or estrogen alone-treated and control animals after 240 days. Results indicated that MFG, ER-α, ER-β, PgR, CYP1A1, Neu/ErbB2, PCNA, vimentin and Thrombospondin 1 (THB) protein expression was increased in convoluted tubules of animals treated with combination of malathion and estrogen after 240 days of 5 day treatment. Malignant proliferation was observed in the hilium zone. In summary, the combination of malathion and estrogen induced pathological lesions in glomeruli, convoluted tubules, atypical cell proliferation and malignant proliferation in hilium zone and immunocytochemical alterations in comparison to control animals or animals treated with either substance alone. It can be concluded that an increased risk of kidney malignant transformation can be induced by exposure to environmental and endogenous substances. PMID:22754462

A Cell-Adhesive Plasma Polymerized Allylamine Coating Reduces the In Vivo Inflammatory Response Induced by Ti6Al4V Modified with Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation of Copper

PubMed Central

Walschus, Uwe; Hoene, Andreas; Patrzyk, Maciej; Lucke, Silke; Finke, Birgit; Polak, Martin; Lukowski, Gerold; Bader, Rainer; Zietz, Carmen; Podbielski, Andreas; Nebe, J. Barbara; Schlosser, Michael

2017-01-01

Copper (Cu) could be suitable to create anti-infective implants based on Titanium (Ti), for example by incorporating Cu into the implant surface using plasma immersion ion implantation (Cu-PIII). The cytotoxicity of Cu might be circumvented by an additional cell-adhesive plasma polymerized allylamine film (PPAAm). Thus, this study aimed to examine in vivo local inflammatory reactions for Ti6Al4V implants treated with Cu-PIII (Ti-Cu), alone or with an additional PPAAm film (Ti-Cu-PPAAm), compared to untreated implants (Ti). Successful Cu-PIII and PPAAm treatment was confirmed with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Storage of Ti-Cu and Ti-Cu-PPAAm samples in double-distilled water for five days revealed a reduction of Cu release by PPAAm. Subsequently, Ti, Ti-Cu and Ti-Cu-PPAAm samples were simultaneously implanted into the neck musculature of 24 rats. After 7, 14 and 56 days, peri-implant tissue was retrieved from 8 rats/day for morphometric immunohistochemistry of different inflammatory cells. On day 56, Ti-Cu induced significantly stronger reactions compared to Ti (tissue macrophages, antigen-presenting cells, T lymphocytes) and to Ti-Cu-PPAAm (tissue macrophages, T lymphocytes, mast cells). The response for Ti-Cu-PPAAm was comparable with Ti. In conclusion, PPAAm reduced the inflammatory reactions caused by Cu-PIII. Combining both plasma processes could be useful to create antibacterial and tissue compatible Ti-based implants. PMID:28726761

[Some morphometric parameters of nucleoli and nuclei in invasive ductal breast carcinomas in women].

PubMed

Karpinska-Kaczmarczyk, Katarzyna

2009-01-01

The purpose of this study was to correlate seven morphometric parameters of nucleoli and nuclei of invasive ductal cancer cells with some clinico-pathological factors such as age, tumor size, axillary lymph node status, MIB-1 proliferation index, and estrogen receptor expression in tumor cells. Methyl green-pyronin Y (MG-PY) was used for simultaneous staining of nuclei and nucleoli in histological sections of 150 invasive ductal breast carcinomas. Next, morphometric parameters of nucleoli and nuclei of tumor cells were measured with computerized image analysis. Nuclear area and number of nucleoli in breast tumor cells were greater in younger axillary node-negative patients. The number of nucleoli and nucleolar shape polymorphism were reduced in tumors measuring 20 mm or less or with lower histological grade. Nuclear area, nucleolar number, and nucleolar polymorphism in carcinomas with low proliferation index and estrogen receptor expression were smaller than in carcinomas with high proliferation index and no estrogen receptor expression. Nucleolar area in primary tumors without axillary node involvement was greater than in tumors with more than three axillary nodes positive. MG-PY selectively and simultaneously stains nucleoli and nuclei of tumor cells enabling standardized and reproducible examination of these structures with computerized image analysis. Univariate statistical analysis disclosed that some morphometric parameters of nucleoli and nuclei of tumor cells correlated with several established clinico-pathological prognostic factors. Therefore, the prognostic significance of these parameters should be studied in a larger group of patients with invasive ductal breast carcinomas.

Genetic evidence and new morphometric data as essential tools to identify the Patagonian seahorse Hippocampus patagonicus (Pisces, Syngnathidae).

PubMed

González, R; Dinghi, P; Corio, C; Medina, A; Maggioni, M; Storero, L; Gosztonyi, A

2014-02-01

A genetic study to support morphometric analyses was used to improve the description and validate the Patagonian seahorse Hippocampus patagonicus (Syngnathidae) on the basis of a large number of specimens collected in the type locality (San Antonio Bay, Patagonia, Argentina). DNA sequence data (from the cytochrome b region of the mitochondrial genome) were used to differentiate this species from its relatives cited for the west Atlantic Ocean. Both phylogenetic and genetic distance analyses supported the hypothesis that H. patagonicus is a species clearly differentiated from others, in agreement with morphometric studies. Hippocampus patagonicus can be distinguished from Hippocampus erectus by the combination of the following morphometric characteristics: (1) in both sexes and all sizes of H. patagonicus, the snout length is always less than the postorbital length, whereas the snout length of H. erectus is not shorter than the postorbital length in the largest specimens; (2) in both sexes of H. patagonicus, the trunk length:total length (LTr :LT ) is lower than in H. erectus (in female H. patagonicus: 0·27-0·39, H. erectus: 0·36-0·40 and in male H. patagonicus: 0·24-0·34, H. erectus: 0·33-0·43) and (3) in both sexes, tail length:total length (LTa :LT ) in H. patagonicus is larger than in H. erectus (0·61-0·78 v. 0·54-0·64). © 2014 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

Morphometric discrimination of two sympatric sibling species in the Palaearctic region, Culicoides obsoletus Meigen and C. scoticus Downes & Kettle (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), vectors of bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses.

PubMed

Kluiters, G; Pagès, N; Carpenter, S; Gardès, L; Guis, H; Baylis, M; Garros, C

2016-05-04

Some Palaearctic biting midge species (subgenus Avaritia) have been implicated as vectors of bluetongue virus in northern Europe. Separation of two species (C. obsoletus and C. scoticus) is considered difficult morphologically and, often, these female specimens are grouped in entomological studies. However, species-specific identification is desirable to understand their life history characteristics, assess their roles in disease transmission or measure their abundance during arboviral outbreaks. This study aims to investigate whether morphometric identification techniques can be applied to female C. obsoletus and C. scoticus individuals trapped at different geographical regions and time periods during the vector season. C. obsoletus and C. scoticus were collected using light-suction traps from the UK, France and Spain, with two geographical locations sampled per country. A total of 759 C. obsoletus/C. scoticus individuals were identified using a molecular assay based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. Fifteen morphometric measurements were taken from the head, wings and abdomen of slide-mounted specimens, and ratios calculated between these measurements. Multivariate analyses explored whether a combination of morphometric variables could lead to accurate species identification. Finally, Culicoides spp. collected in France at the start, middle and end of the adult vector season were compared, to determine whether seasonal variation exists in any of the morphometric measurements. The principal component analyses revealed that abdominal characteristics: length and width of the smaller and larger spermathecae, and the length of the chitinous plates and width between them, are the most reliable morphometric characteristics to differentiate between the species. Seasonal variation in the size of each species was observed for head and wing measurements, but not abdominal measurements. Geographical variation in the size of Culicoides spp. was also observed and is likely to be related to temperature at the trapping sites, with smaller individuals trapped at more southern latitudes. Our results suggest that female C. obsoletus and C. scoticus individuals can be separated under a stereomicroscope using abdominal measurements. Although we show the length and width of the spermathecae can be used to differentiate between the species, this can be time-consuming, so we recommend undertaking this using standardized subsampling of catches.

Sperm kinematic, head morphometric and kinetic-morphometric subpopulations in the blue fox (Alopex lagopus).

PubMed

Soler, Carles; Contell, Jesús; Bori, Lorena; Sancho, María; García-Molina, Almudena; Valverde, Anthony; Segarvall, Jan

2017-01-01

This work provides information on the blue fox ejaculated sperm quality needed for seminal dose calculations. Twenty semen samples, obtained by masturbation, were analyzed for kinematic and morphometric parameters by using CASA-Mot and CASA-Morph system and principal component (PC) analysis. For motility, eight kinematic parameters were evaluated, which were reduced to PC1, related to linear variables, and PC2, related to oscillatory movement. The whole population was divided into three independent subpopulations: SP1, fast cells with linear movement; SP2, slow cells and nonoscillatory motility; and SP3, medium speed cells and oscillatory movement. In almost all cases, the subpopulation distribution by animal was significantly different. Head morphology analysis generated four size and four shape parameters, which were reduced to PC1, related to size, and PC2, related to shape of the cells. Three morphometric subpopulations existed: SP1: large oval cells; SP2: medium size elongated cells; and SP3: small and short cells. The subpopulation distribution differed between animals. Combining the kinematic and morphometric datasets produced PC1, related to morphometric parameters, and PC2, related to kinematics, which generated four sperm subpopulations - SP1: high oscillatory motility, large and short heads; SP2: medium velocity with small and short heads; SP3: slow motion small and elongated cells; and SP4: high linear speed and large elongated cells. Subpopulation distribution was different in all animals. The establishment of sperm subpopulations from kinematic, morphometric, and combined variables not only improves the well-defined fox semen characteristics and offers a good conceptual basis for fertility and sperm preservation techniques in this species, but also opens the door to use this approach in other species, included humans.

Sperm kinematic, head morphometric and kinetic-morphometric subpopulations in the blue fox (Alopex lagopus)

PubMed Central

Soler, Carles; Contell, Jesús; Bori, Lorena; Sancho, María; García-Molina, Almudena; Valverde, Anthony; Segarvall, Jan

2017-01-01

This work provides information on the blue fox ejaculated sperm quality needed for seminal dose calculations. Twenty semen samples, obtained by masturbation, were analyzed for kinematic and morphometric parameters by using CASA-Mot and CASA-Morph system and principal component (PC) analysis. For motility, eight kinematic parameters were evaluated, which were reduced to PC1, related to linear variables, and PC2, related to oscillatory movement. The whole population was divided into three independent subpopulations: SP1, fast cells with linear movement; SP2, slow cells and nonoscillatory motility; and SP3, medium speed cells and oscillatory movement. In almost all cases, the subpopulation distribution by animal was significantly different. Head morphology analysis generated four size and four shape parameters, which were reduced to PC1, related to size, and PC2, related to shape of the cells. Three morphometric subpopulations existed: SP1: large oval cells; SP2: medium size elongated cells; and SP3: small and short cells. The subpopulation distribution differed between animals. Combining the kinematic and morphometric datasets produced PC1, related to morphometric parameters, and PC2, related to kinematics, which generated four sperm subpopulations – SP1: high oscillatory motility, large and short heads; SP2: medium velocity with small and short heads; SP3: slow motion small and elongated cells; and SP4: high linear speed and large elongated cells. Subpopulation distribution was different in all animals. The establishment of sperm subpopulations from kinematic, morphometric, and combined variables not only improves the well-defined fox semen characteristics and offers a good conceptual basis for fertility and sperm preservation techniques in this species, but also opens the door to use this approach in other species, included humans. PMID:27751987

Morphometric analysis of the Marmara Sea river basins, Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elbaşı, Emre; Ozdemir, Hasan

2014-05-01

The drainage basin, the fundamental unit of the fluvial landscape, has been focus of research aimed at understanding the geometric characteristics of the master channel and its tributary network. This geometry is referred to as the basin morphometry and is nicely reviewed by Abrahams (1984). A great amount of research has focused on geometric characteristic of drainage basins, including the topology of the stream networks, and quantitative description of drainage texture, pattern, shape, and relief characteristics. Evaluation of morphometric parameters necessitates the analysis of various drainage parameters such as ordering of the various streams, measurement of basin area and perimeter, length of drainage channels, drainage density (Dd), stream frequency (Fs), bifurcation ratio (Rb), texture ratio (T), basin relief (Bh), Ruggedness number (Rn), time of concentration (Tc), hypsometric curve and integral (Hc and Hi) (Horton, 1932, Schumn, 1956, Strahler, 1957; Verstappen 1983; Keller and Pinter, 2002; Ozdemir and Bird, 2009). These morphometric parameters have generally been used to predict flood peaks, to assess sediment yield, and to estimate erosion rates in the basins. River basins of the Marmara Sea, has an area of approximately 40,000 sqkm, are the most important basins in Turkey based on their dense populations, industry and transportation systems. The primary aim of this study is to determine and analyse of morphometric characteristics of the Marmara Sea river basins using 10 m resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and to evaluate of the results. For these purposes, digital 10 m contour maps scaled 1:25000 and geological maps scaled 1:100000 were used as the main data sources in the study. 10 m resolution DEM data were created using the contour maps and then drainage networks and their watersheds were extracted using D8 pour point model. Finally, linear, areal and relief morphometries were applied to the river basins using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This study shows that morphometric analysis of the basins in regional level are very important to understand general morphological characteristics of the basins. In this case, tectonic and lithological conditions of the basins have greatly affected the morphometric characteristics of the north and south basins of the Marmara Sea. References Abrahams, AD. 1984. Channel Networks: A Geomorphological Perspective. Water Resources Research, Volume 20, Issue 2, pages 161-188. Horton, R.E. 1932. Drainage basin characteristics. Trans Am Geophys Union 13:350-361. Keller, E.A., Pinter, N. 2002. Active Tectonics Earthquakes, Uplift, and Landscape, Second Edition, Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Ozdemir H., Bird D. 2009. Evaluation of morphometric parameters of drainage networks derived from topographic maps and DEM in point of floods, Environmental Geology, vol.56, pp.1405-1415. Schumm, S.A. 1956. Evolution of drainage systems and slopes in badlands at Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Geol Soc Am Bull 67:597-646. Strahler, A.N. 1957. Quantitative geomorphology of drainage and channel networks. In: Chow YT (ed) Handbook of appliecl hydrology. Me Graw Hill Book Company, New York. Verstappen, H.Th. 1983. Applied geomorphology. ITC, Enschede.

Morphometric discrimination of early life stage Lampetra tridentata and L richardsoni (Petromyzonidae) from the Columbia river basin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Meeuwig, M.H.; Bayer, J.M.; Reiche, R.A.

2006-01-01

The effectiveness of morphometric and meristic characteristics for taxonomic discrimination of Lampetra tridentata and L. richardsoni (Petromyzonidae) during embryological, prolarval, and early larval stages (i.e., age class 1) were examined. Mean chorion diameter increased with time from fertilization to hatch and was significantly greater for L. tridentata than for L. richardsoni at 1, 8, and 15 days postfertilization. Lampetra tridentata larvae had significantly more trunk myomeres than L. richardsoni; however, trunk myomere numbers were highly variable within species and deviated from previously published data. Multivariate examinations of prolarval and larval L. tridentata (7.2-11.0 mm; standard length) and L. richardsoni (6.6-10.8 mm) were conducted based on standard length and truss element lengths established from eight homologous landmarks. Principal components analysis indicated allometric relationships among the morphometric characteristics examined. Changes in body shape were indicated by groupings of morphometric characteristics associated with body regions (e.g., oral hood, branchial region, trunk region, and tail region). Discriminant function analysis using morphometric characteristics was successful in classifying a large proportion (>94.7%) of the lampreys sampled. 

Inversion of Crater Morphometric Data to Gain Insight on the Cratering Process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herrick, Robert R.; Lyons, Suzane N.

1998-01-01

In recent years, morphometric data for Venus and several outer planet satellites have been collected, so we now have observational data of complex Craters formed in a large range of target properties. We present general inversion techniques that can utilize the morphometric data to quantitatively test various models of complex crater formation. The morphometric data we use in this paper are depth of a complex crater, the diameter at which the depth-diameter ratio changes, and onset diameters for central peaks, terraces, and peak rings. We tested the roles of impactor velocities and hydrostatic pressure vs. crustal strength, and we tested the specific models of acoustic fluidization (Melosh, 1982) and nonproportional growth (Schultz, 1988). Neither the acoustic fluidization model nor the nonproportional growth in their published formulations are able to successfully reproduce the data. No dependence on impactor velocity is evident from our inversions. Most of the morphometric data is consistent with a linear dependence on the ratio of crustal strength to hydrostatic pressure on a planet, or the factor c/pg.

Effects of Starvation in Rock Bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus and Olive Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

PubMed Central

Park, In-Seok; Gil, Hyun Woo; Yoo, Gwang Yeol; Oh, Ji Su

2015-01-01

We assessed the effects of various dietary conditions on the growth, phenotypic traits, and morphometric dimensions of rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus and on the morphometric dimensions of sectioned olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Rock bream in the fed group increased in body weight, standard length, and condition factor, but these parameters decreased significantly for fish in the starved group (P < 0.05). The head connection dimensions of fish in the fed group decreased, while for starved fish there was increase in external morphometric dimensions (P < 0.05). In both species, sectioned morphometric analysis revealed that fish in the fed group had a larger body circumference and cross-cut sectional area, and greater cross-cut section height, relative to the starved group (P < 0.05). PMID:27004266

Linear versus geometric morphometric approaches for the analysis of head shape dimorphism in lizards.

PubMed

Fabre, Anne-Claire; Cornette, Raphäel; Huyghe, Katleen; Andrade, Denis V; Herrel, Anthony

2014-09-01

Differences between the sexes may arise because of differences in reproductive strategy, with females investing more in traits related to reproductive output and males investing more in traits related to resource holding capacity and territory defence. Sexual dimorphism is widespread in lizards and in many species males and females also differ in head shape. Males typically have bigger heads than females resulting in intersexual differences in bite force. Whereas most studies documenting differences in head dimensions between sexes use linear dimensions, the use of geometric morphometrics has been advocated as more appropriate to characterize such differences. This method may allow the characterization of local shape differences that may have functional consequences, and provides unbiased indicators of shape. Here, we explore whether the two approaches provide similar results in an analyses of head shape in Tupinambis merianae. The Argentine black and white tegu differs dramatically in body size, head size, and bite force between the sexes. However, whether the intersexual differences in bite force are simply the result of differences in head size or whether more subtle modifications (e.g., in muscle insertion areas) are involved remains currently unknown. Based on the crania and mandibles of 19 lizards with known bite force, we show intersexual differences in the shape of the cranium and mandible using both linear and geometric morphometric approaches. Although both types of analyses showed generally similar results for the mandible, this was not the case for the cranium. Geometric morphometric approaches provided better insights into the underlying functional relationships between the cranium and the jaw musculature, as illustrated by shape differences in muscle insertion areas not detected using linear morphometric data. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Morphometric magnetic resonance imaging and genetic testing in cerebellar abiotrophy in Arabian horses

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) is a rare but significant disease in Arabian horses caused by progressive death of the Purkinje cells resulting in cerebellar ataxia characterized by a typical head tremor, jerky head movements and lack of menace response. The specific role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to support clinical diagnosis has been discussed. However, as yet MR imaging has only been described in one equine CA case. The role of MR morphometry in this regard is currently unknown. Due to the hereditary nature of the disease, genetic testing can support the diagnosis of CA. Therefore, the objective of this study was to perform MR morphometric analysis and genetic testing in four CA-affected Arabian horses and one German Riding Pony with purebred Arabian bloodlines in the third generation. Results CA was diagnosed pathohistologically in the five affected horses (2 months - 3 years) supported by clinical signs, necropsy, and genetic testing which confirmed the TOE1:g.2171G>A SNP genotype A/A in all CA-affected horses. On MR images morphometric analysis of the relative cerebellar size and relative cerebellar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space were compared to control images of 15 unaffected horses. It was demonstrated that in MR morphometric analyses, CA affected horses displayed a relatively smaller cerebellum compared to the entire brain mass than control animals (P = 0.0088). The relative cerebellar CSF space was larger in affected horses (P = 0.0017). Using a cut off value of 11.0% for relative cerebellar CSF space, the parameter differentiated between CA-affected horses and controls with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 93.3%. Conclusions In conclusion, morphometric MRI and genetic analysis could be helpful to support the diagnosis of CA in vivo. PMID:23702154

Aneurysms of the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation: comparison of the morphometric features.

PubMed

Tykocki, Tomasz; Kostkiewicz, Bogusław

2014-09-01

Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) located in the posterior circulation are considered to have higher annual bleed rates than those in the anterior circulation. The aim of the study was to compare the morphometric factors differentiating between IAs located in the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation. A total number of 254 IAs diagnosed between 2009 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients qualified for diagnostic, three-dimensional rotational angiography. IAs were assigned to either the anterior or posterior cerebral circulation subsets for the analysis. Means were compared with a t-test. The univariate and stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to determine the predictors of morphometric differences between the groups. For the defined predictors, ROC (receiver-operating characteristic) curves and interactive dot diagrams were calculated with the cutoff values of the morphometric factors. The number of anterior cerebral circulation IAs was 179 (70.5 %); 141 (55.5 %) aneurysms were ruptured. Significant differences between anterior and posterior circulation IAs were found for: the parent artery size (5.08 ± 1.8 mm vs. 3.95 ± 1.5 mm; p < 0.05), size ratio (2.22 ± 0.9 vs. 3.19 ± 1.8; p < 0.045) and aspect ratio (AR) (1.91 ± 0.8 vs. 2.75 ± 1.8; p = 0.02). Predicting factors differentiating anterior and posterior circulation IAs were: the AR (OR = 2.20; 95 % CI 1.80-270; Is 270 correct or should it be 2.70 and parent artery size (OR = 0.44; 95 % CI 0.38-0.54). The cutoff point in the ROC curve was 2.185 for the AR and 4.89 mm for parent artery size. Aspect ratio and parent artery size were found to be predictive morphometric factors in differentiating between anterior and posterior cerebral IAs.

Maturation capacity, morphology and morphometric assessment of human immature oocytes after vitrification and in-vitro maturation

PubMed Central

Nazari, Saeedeh; Khalili, Mohammad Ali; Esmaielzadeh, Forouzan; Mohsenzadeh, Mehdi

2011-01-01

Background: In general, 15% of oocytes collected in ART cycles are immature. These oocytes may be cryopreserved further for use in in-vitro maturation (IVM) program. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine maturation capacity, morphometric parameters and morphology of human immature oocytes in both fresh IVM (fIVM) and vitrified-IVM (vIVM) oocytes. Materials and Methods: 93 women who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation for ART were included. The immature oocytes (n=203) were divided into two groups: the first group (n=101) directly matured in vitro; and the second group (n=102) first vitrified, then matured in vitro. All oocytes underwent IVM in Ham’s F10 supplemented with LH+FSH and human follicular fluid. After 48h of incubation, the oocyte maturation rates, as well as morphometric and morphologic characteristics were assessed using cornus imaging and were compared. Results: Oocyte maturation rates were reduced in vIVM, (40.4%), in comparison with fIVM (59.4%, p<0.001). Following morphometric assessment, there was no difference in the mean oocyte diameters (µm) between fIVM and vIVM, 156.3±6.8 and 154.07±9.9, respectively. Other parameters of perimeters, egg areas, as well as oocyte and ooplasm volumes were similar in two groups. In addition, more morphologic abnormalities, such as, vacuole, and dark oocyte were observed in vIVM oocytes. Conclusion: fIVM was more successful than vIVM groups. No statistical differences were noticed in morphometry assessment in two groups. This suggests that morphometric parameters can not be applied as prognosis factor in oocyte maturation outcome in IVM program. PMID:26396566

Improvement of functional recovery of transected peripheral nerve by means of chitosan grafts filled with vitamin E, pyrroloquinoline quinone and their combination.

PubMed

Azizi, Asghar; Azizi, Saeed; Heshmatian, Behnam; Amini, Keyvan

2014-01-01

Effects of vitamin E and pyrroloquinoline quinone on peripheral nerve regeneration were studied using a rat sciatic nerve transection model. Ninety male healthy White Wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups (n = 15), randomly: Sham-operation (SHAM), transected control (TC), chitosan conduit (Chit) and three treatment groups (Vit E, PQQ and PQQ + Vit E). In SHAM group after anesthesia, left sciatic nerve was exposed through a gluteal muscle incision and after homeostasis muscle was sutured. In Chit group left sciatic nerve was exposed the same way and transected proximal to tibio-peroneal bifurcation leaving a 10-mm gap. Proximal and distal stumps were each inserted into a chitosan tube. In treatment groups the tube was implanted the same way and filled with Vit E, PQQ and PQQ + Vit E. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups of six animals each and were studied 4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery. Functional and electrophysiological studies, and gastrocnemius muscle mass measurement confirmed faster and better recovery of regenerated axons in Vit E + PQQ combination compared to Vit E or PQQ solely (P < 0.05). Morphometric indices of regenerated fibers showed number and diameter of the myelinated fibers in PQQ + Vit E was significantly higher than in other treatment groups. In immunohistochemistry, location of reactions to S-100 in PQQ + Vit E was clearly more positive than in other treatment groups. Response to PQQ + Vit E treatment demonstrates that it influences and improves functional recovery of peripheral nerve regeneration. Copyright © 2013 Surgical Associates Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Morphometric features of the structure of the central nucleus of the amygdala in men and women].

PubMed

Antyukhov, A D

2015-01-01

To identify the interhemispheric asymmetry in the structure of the central nucleus of the amygdala in men and women. Morphometric features of the structure of neurons of the central nucleus amygdala complex were studied in histological sections of the brain of 6 men and 6 women (24 hemispheres), aged 19 to 55 years, with no lifetime diagnosis of mental or neurological disease. The value of the profile fields of neurons of the central nucleus amygdala complex in the left and right hemispheres of the brain were investigated. In women, the average value of neurons in the left hemisphere was somewhat greater than in the right hemisphere, while in men this value was greater in the right hemisphere. The interhemispheric morphometric differences were not significant regardless of gender. In addition, the quantity of relevant fields of neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala in women was significantly larger than that of men in both hemispheres. The authors attempted to associate the results obtained in the study with emotional perception in men and women.

Automated Morphological and Morphometric Analysis of Mass Spectrometry Imaging Data: Application to Biomarker Discovery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Picard de Muller, Gaël; Ait-Belkacem, Rima; Bonnel, David; Longuespée, Rémi; Stauber, Jonathan

2017-12-01

Mass spectrometry imaging datasets are mostly analyzed in terms of average intensity in regions of interest. However, biological tissues have different morphologies with several sizes, shapes, and structures. The important biological information, contained in this highly heterogeneous cellular organization, could be hidden by analyzing the average intensities. Finding an analytical process of morphology would help to find such information, describe tissue model, and support identification of biomarkers. This study describes an informatics approach for the extraction and identification of mass spectrometry image features and its application to sample analysis and modeling. For the proof of concept, two different tissue types (healthy kidney and CT-26 xenograft tumor tissues) were imaged and analyzed. A mouse kidney model and tumor model were generated using morphometric - number of objects and total surface - information. The morphometric information was used to identify m/z that have a heterogeneous distribution. It seems to be a worthwhile pursuit as clonal heterogeneity in a tumor is of clinical relevance. This study provides a new approach to find biomarker or support tissue classification with more information. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Phenotypes of intermediate forms of Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica in buffaloes from Central Punjab, Pakistan.

PubMed

Afshan, K; Valero, M A; Qayyum, M; Peixoto, R V; Magraner, A; Mas-Coma, S

2014-12-01

Fascioliasis is an important food-borne parasitic disease caused by the two trematode species, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. The phenotypic features of fasciolid adults and eggs infecting buffaloes inhabiting the Central Punjab area, Pakistan, have been studied to characterize fasciolid populations involved. Morphometric analyses were made with a computer image analysis system (CIAS) applied on the basis of standardized measurements. Since it is the first study of this kind undertaken in Pakistan, the results are compared to pure fasciolid populations: (a) F. hepatica from the European Mediterranean area; and (b) F. gigantica from Burkina Faso; i.e. geographical areas where both species do not co-exist. Only parasites obtained from bovines were used. The multivariate analysis showed that the characteristics, including egg morphometrics, of fasciolids from Central Punjab, Pakistan, are between F. hepatica and F. gigantica standard populations. Similarly, the morphometric measurements of fasciolid eggs from Central Punjab are also between F. hepatica and F. gigantica standard populations. These results demonstrate the existence of fasciolid intermediate forms in endemic areas in Pakistan.

Morphometric classification of Spanish thoroughbred stallion sperm heads.

PubMed

Hidalgo, Manuel; Rodríguez, Inmaculada; Dorado, Jesús; Soler, Carles

2008-01-30

This work used semen samples collected from 12 stallions and assessed for sperm morphometry by the Sperm Class Analyzer (SCA) computer-assisted system. A discriminant analysis was performed on the morphometric data from that sperm to obtain a classification matrix for sperm head shape. Thereafter, we defined six types of sperm head shape. Classification of sperm head by this method obtained a globally correct assignment of 90.1%. Moreover, significant differences (p<0.05) were found between animals for all the sperm head morphometric parameters assessed.

Structural parameters of collagen nerve grafts influence peripheral nerve regeneration.

PubMed

Stang, Felix; Fansa, Hisham; Wolf, Gerald; Reppin, Michael; Keilhoff, Gerburg

2005-06-01

Large nerve defects require nerve grafts to allow regeneration. To avoid donor nerve problems the concept of tissue engineering was introduced into nerve surgery. However, non-neuronal grafts support axonal regeneration only to a certain extent. They lack viable Schwann cells which provide neurotrophic and neurotopic factors and guide the sprouting nerve. This experimental study used the rat sciatic nerve to bridge 2 cm nerve gaps with collagen (type I/III) tubes. The tubes were different in their physical structure (hollow versus inner collagen skeleton, different inner diameters). To improve regeneration Schwann cells were implanted. After 8 weeks the regeneration process was monitored clinically, histologically and morphometrically. Autologous nerve grafts and collagen tubes without Schwann cells served as control. In all parameters autologous nerve grafts showed best regeneration. Nerve regeneration in a noteworthy quality was also seen with hollow collagen tubes and tubes with reduced lumen, both filled with Schwann cells. The inner skeleton, however, impaired nerve regeneration independent of whether Schwann cells were added or not. This indicates that not only viable Schwann cells are an imperative prerequisite but also structural parameters determine peripheral nerve regeneration.

A herpes simplex viral vector expressing green fluorescent protein can be used to visualize morphological changes in high-density neuronal culture

PubMed Central

Falk, Torsten; Strazdas, Lori A.; Borders, Rebecca S.; Kilani, Ramsey K.; Yool, Andrea J.

2010-01-01

High-density cultures of mammalian neurons offer a model system for studies of brain development, but the morphological features of individual neurons is difficult to ascertain. We show that a herpes virus vector expressing a bioluminescent protein allows detailed morphometric analyses of living neurons in complex culture environments. Expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was constitutively driven in neurons using the herpes simplex virus amplicon system. This system allowed us to make novel observations regarding development in high-density cultures from rat hippocampus and cerebellum. After the phase of initial neurite outgrowth, maturing neurons continue to show rapid remodeling of the neurite branches (0.79 ± 0.11 μm/h per neurite; mean ± SEM, n=8), and displacement of the soma within the neurite arbor (1.35 ± 0.74 μm/h). These results demonstrate that a substantial capacity for morphological plasticity persists in maturing mammalian CNS neurons after cessation of net neurite outgrowth in early development. PMID:20811504

Morphometric variations in gametocytes of Hepatozoon canis from naturally infected dogs.

PubMed

Eljadar, Mohamed S M; Singla, L D; Mustafa, Radya A A; Uppal, S K

2013-04-01

This study presents the morphometric characteristic of canine haemoprotozoan, Hepatozoon canis, using software DP2-BSW (OLYMPUS). The gametocytes of H. canis found inside the neutrophils were characteristic in shape and size and varied from 9.50 to 11.80 μm × 5.10-6.00 μm. Parasitaemia ranged from 1.00 to 39.00 %. Few gametocytes without nuclei and of abnormal shapes were also observed. The results were compared with the measurements done by using ocular micrometer.

Morphologic and morphometric studies of impact craters in the northern plains of Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barlow, N. G.

1993-01-01

Fresh impact craters in the northern plains of Mars display a variety of morphologic and morphometric properties. Ejecta morphologies range from radial to fluidized, interior features include central peaks and central pits, fluidized morphologies display a range of sinuosities, and depth-diameter ratios are being measured to determine regional variations. Studies of the martian northern plains over the past five years have concentrated in three areas: (1) determining correlations of ejecta morphologies with crater diameter, latitude, and underlying terrain; (2) determining variations in fluidized ejecta blanket sinuosity across the planet; and (3) measurement of depth-diameter ratios and determination of regional variations in this ratio.

Evaluating morphometric body mass prediction equations with a juvenile human test sample: accuracy and applicability to small-bodied hominins.

PubMed

Walker, Christopher S; Yapuncich, Gabriel S; Sridhar, Shilpa; Cameron, Noël; Churchill, Steven E

2018-02-01

Body mass is an ecologically and biomechanically important variable in the study of hominin biology. Regression equations derived from recent human samples allow for the reasonable prediction of body mass of later, more human-like, and generally larger hominins from hip joint dimensions, but potential differences in hip biomechanics across hominin taxa render their use questionable with some earlier taxa (i.e., Australopithecus spp.). Morphometric prediction equations using stature and bi-iliac breadth avoid this problem, but their applicability to early hominins, some of which differ in both size and proportions from modern adult humans, has not been demonstrated. Here we use mean stature, bi-iliac breadth, and body mass from a global sample of human juveniles ranging in age from 6 to 12 years (n = 530 age- and sex-specific group annual means from 33 countries/regions) to evaluate the accuracy of several published morphometric prediction equations when applied to small humans. Though the body proportions of modern human juveniles likely differ from those of small-bodied early hominins, human juveniles (like fossil hominins) often differ in size and proportions from adult human reference samples and, accordingly, serve as a useful model for assessing the robustness of morphometric prediction equations. Morphometric equations based on adults systematically underpredict body mass in the youngest age groups and moderately overpredict body mass in the older groups, which fall in the body size range of adult Australopithecus (∼26-46 kg). Differences in body proportions, notably the ratio of lower limb length to stature, influence predictive accuracy. Ontogenetic changes in these body proportions likely influence the shift in prediction error (from under- to overprediction). However, because morphometric equations are reasonably accurate when applied to this juvenile test sample, we argue these equations may be used to predict body mass in small-bodied hominins, despite the potential for some error induced by differing body proportions and/or extrapolation beyond the original reference sample range. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficacy and safety of once-yearly zoledronic acid in Japanese patients with primary osteoporosis: two-year results from a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study (ZOledroNate treatment in Efficacy to osteoporosis; ZONE study).

PubMed

Nakamura, T; Fukunaga, M; Nakano, T; Kishimoto, H; Ito, M; Hagino, H; Sone, T; Taguchi, A; Tanaka, S; Ohashi, M; Ota, Y; Shiraki, M

2017-01-01

In a 2-year randomized, placebo-controlled study of 665 Japanese patients with primary osteoporosis, once-yearly administration of zoledronic acid (5 mg) reduced the risk of new morphometric vertebral fractures. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of once-yearly intravenous infusion of ZOL in Japanese patients with primary osteoporosis. This was a two-year multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group comparative study (ZONE Study). Subjects were 665 Japanese patients between the ages of 65 and 89 years who had prevalent vertebral fracture. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive once-yearly intravenous infusion of 5 mg of ZOL or placebo at baseline and 12 months. The 2-year incidence of new morphometric vertebral fracture was 3.0 % (10/330 subjects) in the ZOL group and 8.9 % (29/327) in the placebo group (p = 0.0016). The 24-month cumulative incidence of new morphometric vertebral fracture was 3.3 % in the ZOL group versus 9.7 % in the placebo group (log-rank test: p = 0.0029; hazard ratio: 0.35; 95 % confidence interval: 0.17-0.72). The cumulative incidence of any clinical fracture, clinical vertebral fracture, and non-vertebral fracture was significantly reduced in the ZOL group by 54, 70, and 45 %, respectively, compared to the placebo group. At 24 months, ZOL administration increased bone mineral density in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip (t test: p < 0.0001). No new adverse events or osteonecrosis of the jaw were observed in this study. Once-yearly administration of ZOL 5 mg to Japanese patients with primary osteoporosis reduced the risk of new morphometric vertebral fractures and was found to be safe.

Comparative Tissue Stainability of Lawsonia inermis (Henna) and Eosin as Counterstains to Hematoxylin in Brain Tissues.

PubMed

Alawa, Judith N; Gideon, Gbenga O; Adetiba, Bamidele; Alawa, Clement B

2015-04-01

We hyposthesized that henna staining could provide an alternative to eosin when used as a counterstain to hematoxylin for understanding basic neurohistological principles. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the suitability of henna as counterstain to hematoxylin for the demonstration of the layer stratification and cellular distribution in the brain tissue. Henna stained nervous tissue by reacting with the basic elements in proteins via its amino groups. It stained the neuropil and connective tissue membranes brown and effectively outlined the perikarya of neurons with no visible nuclei demonstrating that it is an acidic dye. Henna as a counterstain to hematoxylin demonstrated reliability as a new neurohistological stain. It facilitated identification of cortical layer stratification and cellular distribution in brain tissue sections from Wistar rats. This was comparable to standard hematoxylin and eosin staining as morphological and morphometrical analyses of stained cells did not show significant differences in size or number. This study presents a method for staining with henna and demonstrates that although henna and eosin belong to different dye groups (anthraquinone and xanthenes, respectively) based on their chromophores, they share similar staining techniques and thus could be used interchangeably in neurohistology.

Procrustes-based geometric morphometrics on MRI images: An example of inter-operator bias in 3D landmarks and its impact on big datasets.

PubMed

Daboul, Amro; Ivanovska, Tatyana; Bülow, Robin; Biffar, Reiner; Cardini, Andrea

2018-01-01

Using 3D anatomical landmarks from adult human head MRIs, we assessed the magnitude of inter-operator differences in Procrustes-based geometric morphometric analyses. An in depth analysis of both absolute and relative error was performed in a subsample of individuals with replicated digitization by three different operators. The effect of inter-operator differences was also explored in a large sample of more than 900 individuals. Although absolute error was not unusual for MRI measurements, including bone landmarks, shape was particularly affected by differences among operators, with up to more than 30% of sample variation accounted for by this type of error. The magnitude of the bias was such that it dominated the main pattern of bone and total (all landmarks included) shape variation, largely surpassing the effect of sex differences between hundreds of men and women. In contrast, however, we found higher reproducibility in soft-tissue nasal landmarks, despite relatively larger errors in estimates of nasal size. Our study exemplifies the assessment of measurement error using geometric morphometrics on landmarks from MRIs and stresses the importance of relating it to total sample variance within the specific methodological framework being used. In summary, precise landmarks may not necessarily imply negligible errors, especially in shape data; indeed, size and shape may be differentially impacted by measurement error and different types of landmarks may have relatively larger or smaller errors. Importantly, and consistently with other recent studies using geometric morphometrics on digital images (which, however, were not specific to MRI data), this study showed that inter-operator biases can be a major source of error in the analysis of large samples, as those that are becoming increasingly common in the 'era of big data'.

Procrustes-based geometric morphometrics on MRI images: An example of inter-operator bias in 3D landmarks and its impact on big datasets

PubMed Central

Ivanovska, Tatyana; Bülow, Robin; Biffar, Reiner; Cardini, Andrea

2018-01-01

Using 3D anatomical landmarks from adult human head MRIs, we assessed the magnitude of inter-operator differences in Procrustes-based geometric morphometric analyses. An in depth analysis of both absolute and relative error was performed in a subsample of individuals with replicated digitization by three different operators. The effect of inter-operator differences was also explored in a large sample of more than 900 individuals. Although absolute error was not unusual for MRI measurements, including bone landmarks, shape was particularly affected by differences among operators, with up to more than 30% of sample variation accounted for by this type of error. The magnitude of the bias was such that it dominated the main pattern of bone and total (all landmarks included) shape variation, largely surpassing the effect of sex differences between hundreds of men and women. In contrast, however, we found higher reproducibility in soft-tissue nasal landmarks, despite relatively larger errors in estimates of nasal size. Our study exemplifies the assessment of measurement error using geometric morphometrics on landmarks from MRIs and stresses the importance of relating it to total sample variance within the specific methodological framework being used. In summary, precise landmarks may not necessarily imply negligible errors, especially in shape data; indeed, size and shape may be differentially impacted by measurement error and different types of landmarks may have relatively larger or smaller errors. Importantly, and consistently with other recent studies using geometric morphometrics on digital images (which, however, were not specific to MRI data), this study showed that inter-operator biases can be a major source of error in the analysis of large samples, as those that are becoming increasingly common in the 'era of big data'. PMID:29787586

High prevalence of morphometric vertebral deformities in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

PubMed

Heijckmann, Anna Caroline; Huijberts, Maya S P; Schoon, Erik J; Geusens, Piet; de Vries, Jolanda; Menheere, Paul P C A; van der Veer, Eveline; Wolffenbuttel, Bruce H R; Stockbrugger, Reinhold W; Dumitrescu, Bianca; Nieuwenhuijzen Kruseman, Arie C

2008-08-01

Earlier studies have documented that the prevalence of decreased bone mineral density (BMD) is elevated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of vertebral deformities in inflammatory bowel disease patients and their relation with BMD and bone turnover. One hundred and nine patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 72 with ulcerative colitis (UC) (age 44.5+/-14.2 years) were studied. BMD of the hip (by dual X-ray absorptiometry) was measured and a lateral single energy densitometry of the spine for assessment of vertebral deformities was performed. Serum markers of bone resorption (carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen) and formation (procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide) were measured, and determinants of prevalent vertebral deformities were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Vertebral deformities were found in 25% of both CD and UC patients. Comparing patients with and without vertebral deformities, no significant difference was found between Z-scores and T-scores of BMD, or levels of serum carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen and serum procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide. Using logistic regression analysis the only determinant of any morphometric vertebral deformity was sex. The presence of multiple vertebral deformities was associated with older age and glucocorticoid use. The prevalence of morphometric vertebral deformities is high in CD and UC. Male sex, but neither disease activity, bone turnover markers, clinical risk factors, nor BMD predicted their presence. The determinants for having more than one vertebral deformity were age and glucocorticoid use. This implies that in addition to screening for low BMD, morphometric assessment of vertebral deformities is warranted in CD and UC.

Persistence of neoangiogenesis and cardiomyocyte divisions in right ventricular myocardium of rats born and raised in hypoxic conditions.

PubMed

Moravec, Mireille; Turek, Zdenek; Moravec, Josef

2002-03-01

Effects of chronic hypoxia on capillary and myocyte growth were examined in rats born and raised in a low pressure chamber (equivalent of 3500 m a.s.l.). The animals were sacrificed at the age of 3 months and their hearts were used to study right ventricular growth and vascularization. The results of our cytological and morphometric analysis suggest the persistence of capillary neogenesis in this particular model of cardiac hypertrophy. Under the optical microscope, we observed significant changes in capillary spatial patterns such as the presence of sinusoids and irregular capillary sprouts. This resulted in a significant shortening of the effective diffusion distance and in a slight decrease in the calculated diameter of the Krogh cylinder. Concomitant to the remodeling of the terminal capillary network, the right ventricular myocardium of hypoxic rats exhibited peculiar changes in myocyte cytology. The principal alteration consisted in the ectopic subsarcolemmal location of some of muscle cell nuclei which appeared enlarged and rounded, sometimes irregularly folded. At the E. M. level, they presented chromatine condensation, nucleolemmal folding and, occasionally, nuclear splitting. Irregular chromatin densifications at the equatorial position were also encountered but we never observed nucleolemmal dissolution or typical metaphase plaques which excludes the presence of mitotic division. Some of the marginalized nuclei were progressively excluded from original binucleate cells into small cytoplasmic processes that invaded the adjacent neo-formed pericapillar spaces and gave rise to small well-organized cardiomyocytes. This apparent fragmentation of cardiomyocytes may evoke the description of the apoptotic process which is believed to be stimulated in hypoxic tissues. However, we could not confirm that myocyte fragmentation that we describe is followed by shrinkage necrosis or by any mobilization of adjacent resident cells. Nuclear exclusions into pericapillary myocyte sprouts may, therefore, reflect amitotic divisions of polyploid cardiomyocytes which contribute to the persistence of hyperplasic growth in right ventricular myocardium in hearts of rats exposed to chronic hypoxia during their early postnatal life. Par analogie with our data, it can be expected that an appropriate stimulation of angiogenesis in hearts of adult animals attenuates some of cytological and functional drawbacks that accompany hypertrophic cardiomyopathies of other etiologies.

An insight into morphometric descriptors of cell shape that pertain to regenerative medicine.

PubMed

Lobo, Joana; See, Eugene Yong-Shun; Biggs, Manus; Pandit, Abhay

2016-07-01

Cellular morphology has recently been indicated as a powerful indicator of cellular function. The analysis of cell shape has evolved from rudimentary forms of microscopic visual inspection to more advanced methodologies that utilize high-resolution microscopy coupled with sophisticated computer hardware and software for data analysis. Despite this progress, there is still a lack of standardization in quantification of morphometric parameters. In addition, uncertainty remains as to which methodologies and parameters of cell morphology will yield meaningful data, which methods should be utilized to categorize cell shape, and the extent of reliability of measurements and the interpretation of the resulting analysis. A large range of descriptors has been employed to objectively assess the cellular morphology in two-dimensional and three-dimensional domains. Intuitively, simple and applicable morphometric descriptors are preferable and standardized protocols for cell shape analysis can be achieved with the help of computerized tools. In this review, cellular morphology is discussed as a descriptor of cellular function and the current morphometric parameters that are used quantitatively in two- and three-dimensional environments are described. Furthermore, the current problems associated with these morphometric measurements are addressed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Morphometric and molecular analyses of the sand fly species Lutzomyia shannoni (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) collected from seven different geographical areas in the southeastern United States.

PubMed

Florin, David A; Davies, Stephen J; Olsen, Cara; Lawyer, Phillip; Lipnick, Robert; Schultz, George; Rowton, Edgar; Wilkerson, Richard; Keep, Lisa

2011-03-01

A morphometric and molecular study of adult male and female Lutzomyia shannoni (Dyar 1929) collected at seven different locations within the southeastern United States was conducted to assess the degree of divergence between the grouped specimens from each location. The collection locations were as follows: Fort Bragg, NC; Fort Campbell, KY; Fort Rucker, AL; Ossabaw Island, GA; Patuxent National Wildlife Research Refuge, MD; Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, FL; and Baton Rouge, LA. Forty males and forty females from each location were analyzed morphometrically from 54 and 49 character measurements, respectively. In addition, the molecular markers consisting of the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (from 105 sand flies: 15 specimens/collection site) and the partial internal transcribed spacer 2 (from 42 sand flies: six specimens/collection site) were compared. Multivariate analyses indicate that the low degree of variation between the grouped specimens from each collection site prevents the separation of any collection site into an entity that could be interpreted as a distinct population. The molecular analyses were in concordance with the morphometric study as no collection location grouped into a separate population based on the two partial markers. The grouped specimens from each collection site appear to be within the normal variance of the species, indicating a single population in the southeast United States. It is recommended that additional character analyses of L. shannoni based on more molecular markers, behavioral, ecological, and physiological characteristics, be conducted before ruling out the possibility of populations or a cryptic species complex within the southeastern United States.

PFOS, PFNA, and PFOA Sub-Lethal Exposure to Embryonic Zebrafish Have Different Toxicity Profiles in Terms of Morphometrics, Behavior and Gene Expression

PubMed Central

Jantzen, Carrie E.; Annunziato, Kate A.; Bugel, Sean M.; Cooper, Keith R.

2016-01-01

Polyfluorinated compounds (PFC) are a class of anthropogenic, persistent and toxic chemicals. PFCs are detected worldwide and consist of fluorinated carbon chains of varying length, terminal groups, and industrial uses. Previous zebrafish studies in the literature as well as our own studies have shown that exposure to these chemicals at a low range of concentrations (0.02 µM – 2.0 µM; 20–2000 ppb) resulted in chemical specific developmental defects and reduced post hatch survival. It was hypothesized that sub-lethal embryonic exposure to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) would result in different responses with regard to morphometric, behavior, and gene expression in both yolk sac fry and larval zebrafish. Zebrafish were exposed to PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA (0.02, 0.2, 2.0 µM) for the first five days post fertilization (dpf) and analyzed for morphometrics (5 dpf, 14 dpf), targeted gene expression (5 dpf, 14 dpf), and locomotive behavior (14 dpf). All three PFCs commonly resulted in a decrease in total body length, increased tfc3a (muscle development) expression and decreased ap1s (protein transport) expression at 5dpf, and hyperactive locomotor activity 14 dpf. All other endpoints measured at both life-stage time points varied between each of the PFCs. PFOS, PFNA, and PFOA exposure resulted in significantly altered responses in terms of morphometric, locomotion, and gene expression endpoints, which could be manifested in field exposed teleosts. PMID:27058923

Geometric morphometrics as a tool for improving the comparative study of behavioural postures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fureix, Carole; Hausberger, Martine; Seneque, Emilie; Morisset, Stéphane; Baylac, Michel; Cornette, Raphaël; Biquand, Véronique; Deleporte, Pierre

2011-07-01

Describing postures has always been a central concern when studying behaviour. However, attempts to compare postures objectively at phylogenetical, populational, inter- or intra-individual levels generally either rely upon a few key elements or remain highly subjective. Here, we propose a novel approach, based on well-established geometric morphometrics, to describe and to analyse postures globally (i.e. considering the animal's body posture in its entirety rather than focusing only on a few salient elements, such as head or tail position). Geometric morphometrics is concerned with describing and comparing variation and changes in the form (size and shape) of organisms using the coordinates of a series of homologous landmarks (i.e. positioned in relation to skeletal or muscular cues that are the same for different species for every variety of form and function and that have derived from a common ancestor, i.e. they have a common evolutionary ancestry, e.g. neck, wings, flipper/hand). We applied this approach to horses, using global postures (1) to characterise behaviours that correspond to different arousal levels, (2) to test potential impact of environmental changes on postures. Our application of geometric morphometrics to horse postures showed that this method can be used to characterise behavioural categories, to evaluate the impact of environmental factors (here human actions) and to compare individuals and groups. Beyond its application to horses, this promising approach could be applied to all questions involving the analysis of postures (evolution of displays, expression of emotions, stress and welfare, behavioural repertoires…) and could lead to a whole new line of research.

Comprehensive evolutionary analysis of the Anthroherpon radiation (Coleoptera, Leiodidae, Leptodirini).

PubMed

Njunjić, Iva; Perrard, Adrien; Hendriks, Kasper; Schilthuizen, Menno; Perreau, Michel; Merckx, Vincent; Baylac, Michel; Deharveng, Louis

2018-01-01

The genus Anthroherpon Reitter, 1889 exhibits the most pronounced troglomorphic characters among Coleoptera, and represents one of the most spectacular radiations of subterranean beetles. However, radiation, diversification, and biogeography of this genus have never been studied in a phylogenetic context. This study provides a comprehensive evolutionary analysis of the Anthroherpon radiation, using a dated molecular phylogeny as a framework for understanding Anthroherpon diversification, reconstructing the ancestral range, and exploring troglomorphic diversity. Based on 16 species and 22 subspecies, i.e. the majority of Anthroherpon diversity, we reconstructed the phylogeny using Bayesian analysis of six loci, both mitochondrial and nuclear, comprising a total of 4143 nucleotides. In parallel, a morphometric analysis was carried out with 79 landmarks on the body that were subjected to geometric morphometrics. We optimized morphometric features to phylogeny, in order to recognize the way troglomorphy was expressed in different clades of the tree, and did character evolution analyses. Finally, we reconstructed the ancestral range of the genus using BioGeoBEARS. Besides further elucidating the suprageneric classification of the East-Mediterranean Leptodirini, our main findings also show that Anthroherpon dates back to the Early Miocene (ca. 22 MYA) and that the genus diversified entirely underground. Biogeographic reconstruction of the ancestral range shows the origin of the genus in the area comprising three high mountains in western Montenegro, which is in the accordance with the available data on the paleogeography of the Balkan Peninsula. Character evolution analysis indicates that troglomorphic morphometric traits in Anthroherpon mostly evolve neutrally but may diverge adaptively under syntopic competition.

[Differentiation by geometric morphometrics among 11 Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) in Colombia].

PubMed

Calle, David Alonso; Quiñones, Martha Lucía; Erazo, Holmes Francisco; Jaramillo, Nicolás

2008-09-01

The correct identification of the Anopheles species of the subgenus Nyssorhynchus is important because this subgenus includes the main malaria vectors in Colombia. This information is necessary for focusing a malaria control program. Geometric morphometrics were used to evaluate morphometric variation of 11 species of subgenus Nyssorhynchus present in Colombia and to distinguish females of each species. Materials and methods. The specimens were obtained from series and family broods from females collected with protected human hosts as attractants. The field collected specimens and their progeny were identified at each of the associated stages by conventional keys. For some species, wild females were used. Landmarks were selected on wings from digital pictures from 336 individuals, and digitized with coordinates. The coordinate matrix was processed by generalized Procrustes analysis which generated size and shape variables, free of non-biological variation. Size and shape variables were analyzed by univariate and multivariate statistics. The subdivision of subgenus Nyssorhynchus in sections is not correlated with wing shape. Discriminant analyses correctly classified 97% of females in the section Albimanus and 86% in the section Argyritarsis. In addition, these methodologies allowed the correct identification of 3 sympatric species from Putumayo which have been difficult to identify in the adult female stage. The geometric morphometrics were demonstrated to be a very useful tool as an adjunct to taxonomy of females the use of this method is recommended in studies of the subgenus Nyssorhynchus in Colombia.

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

PubMed

Sumruayphol, Suchada; Apiwathnasorn, Chamnarn; Ruangsittichai, Jiraporn; Sriwichai, Patchara; Attrapadung, Siriluck; Samung, Yudthana; Dujardin, Jean-Pierre

2016-07-01

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. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Virtual Assessment of Sex: Linear and Angular Traits of the Mandibular Ramus Using Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography.

PubMed

Inci, Ercan; Ekizoglu, Oguzhan; Turkay, Rustu; Aksoy, Sema; Can, Ismail Ozgur; Solmaz, Dilek; Sayin, Ibrahim

2016-10-01

Morphometric analysis of the mandibular ramus (MR) provides highly accurate data to discriminate sex. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the utility and accuracy of MR morphometric analysis for sex identification in a Turkish population.Four hundred fifteen Turkish patients (18-60 y; 201 male and 214 female) who had previously had multidetector computed tomography scans of the cranium were included in the study. Multidetector computed tomography images were obtained using three-dimensional reconstructions and a volume-rendering technique, and 8 linear and 3 angular values were measured. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate discriminant analyses were performed, and the accuracy rates for determining sex were calculated.Mandibular ramus values produced high accuracy rates of 51% to 95.6%. Upper ramus vertical height had the highest rate at 95.6%, and bivariate analysis showed 89.7% to 98.6% accuracy rates with the highest ratios of mandibular flexure upper border and maximum ramus breadth. Stepwise discrimination analysis gave a 99% accuracy rate for all MR variables.Our study showed that the MR, in particular morphometric measures of the upper part of the ramus, can provide valuable data to determine sex in a Turkish population. The method combines both anthropological and radiologic studies.

Sex determination from the frontal bone: a geometric morphometric study.

PubMed

Perlaza, Néstor A

2014-09-01

Sex estimation in human skeletal remains when using the cranium through traditional methods is a fundamental pillar in human identification; however, it may be possible to incur in a margin of error due because of the state of preservation in incomplete or fragmented remains. The aim of this investigation was sex estimation through the geometric morphometric analysis of the frontal bone. The sample employed 60 lateral radiographs of adult subjects of both sexes (30 males and 30 females), aged between 18 and 40 years, with mean age for males of 28 ± 4 and 30 ± 6 years for females. Thin-plate splines evidenced strong expansion of the glabellar region in males and contraction in females. No significant differences were found between sexes with respect to size. The findings suggest differences in shape and size in the glabellar region, besides reaffirming the use of geometric morphometrics as a quantitative method in sex estimation. © 2014 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Dysmorphometrics: the modelling of morphological abnormalities.

PubMed

Claes, Peter; Daniels, Katleen; Walters, Mark; Clement, John; Vandermeulen, Dirk; Suetens, Paul

2012-02-06

The study of typical morphological variations using quantitative, morphometric descriptors has always interested biologists in general. However, unusual examples of form, such as abnormalities are often encountered in biomedical sciences. Despite the long history of morphometrics, the means to identify and quantify such unusual form differences remains limited. A theoretical concept, called dysmorphometrics, is introduced augmenting current geometric morphometrics with a focus on identifying and modelling form abnormalities. Dysmorphometrics applies the paradigm of detecting form differences as outliers compared to an appropriate norm. To achieve this, the likelihood formulation of landmark superimpositions is extended with outlier processes explicitly introducing a latent variable coding for abnormalities. A tractable solution to this augmented superimposition problem is obtained using Expectation-Maximization. The topography of detected abnormalities is encoded in a dysmorphogram. We demonstrate the use of dysmorphometrics to measure abrupt changes in time, asymmetry and discordancy in a set of human faces presenting with facial abnormalities. The results clearly illustrate the unique power to reveal unusual form differences given only normative data with clear applications in both biomedical practice & research.

Scaling mimesis: Morphometric and ecomorphological similarities in three sympatric plant-mimetic fish of the family Carangidae (Teleostei)

PubMed Central

de Queiroz, Alexya Cunha; Vallinoto, Marcelo; Sakai, Yoichi; Giarrizzo, Tommaso

2018-01-01

The mimetic juveniles of a number of carangid fish species resemble plant parts floating near the water surface, such as leaves, seeds and other plant debris. The present study is the first to verify the morphological similarities and ecomorphological relationships between three carangids (Oligoplites saurus, Oligoplites palometa and Trachinotus falcatus) and their associated plant models. Behavioral observations were conducted in the estuary of Curuçá River, in northeastern Pará (Brazil) between August 2015 and July 2016. Individual fishes and associated floating objects (models) were sampled for comparative analysis using both geometric and morphometric approaches. While the mimetic fish and their models retain their own distinct, intrinsic morphological features, a high degree of morphological similarity was found between each fish species and its model. The morphometric analyses revealed a general tendency of isometric development in all three fish species, probably related to their pelagic habitats, during all ontogenetic stages. PMID:29558476

Morphometric Variation on the Cypress Aphid Cinara cupressi (Buckton) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Associated to Urban Trees.

PubMed

Ruiz, C; Lanfranco, D; Carrillo, R; Parra, L

2014-06-01

Cinara cupressi (Buckton) is an important aphid pest of the Cupressaceae family, originally reported in Chile in 2003. Since then, it has spread over 4,000 km, contributing to conservation issues, mostly associated with native and urban trees of the Cupressaceae. In the present work, the morphometric variation of C. cupressi was examined to determine if the species present in Chile corresponds to a specific entity, and to identify variations among specimens from different localities in the study area. Colonies were collected from urban trees from northern, central, and southern Chile. Morphometric data for 14 characters in aphids from 63 localities in all the distribution ranges were measured and analyzed by multivariate analysis. Results showed that the species present in Chile corresponds to C. cupressi like a single specific entity, showing no morphological variation across the regions sampled. Our data will be discussed within the context of correct taxonomic identification for the implementation of effective biological control strategies.

Morphometric study of third-instar larvae from five morphotypes of the Anastrepha fraterculus cryptic species complex (Diptera, Tephritidae)

PubMed Central

Canal, Nelson A.; Hernández-Ortiz, Vicente; Salas, Juan O. Tigrero; Selivon, Denise

2015-01-01

Abstract The occurrence of cryptic species among economically important fruit flies strongly affects the development of management tactics for these pests. Tools for studying cryptic species not only facilitate evolutionary and systematic studies, but they also provide support for fruit fly management and quarantine activities. Previous studies have shown that the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus, is a complex of cryptic species, but few studies have been performed on the morphology of its immature stages. An analysis of mandible shape and linear morphometric variability was applied to third-instar larvae of five morphotypes of the Anastrepha fraterculus complex: Mexican, Andean, Ecuadorian, Peruvian and Brazilian-1. Outline geometric morphometry was used to study the mouth hook shape and linear morphometry analysis was performed using 24 linear measurements of the body, cephalopharyngeal skeleton, mouth hook and hypopharyngeal sclerite. Different morphotypes were grouped accurately using canonical discriminant analyses of both the geometric and linear morphometry. The shape of the mandible differed among the morphotypes, and the anterior spiracle length, number of tubules of the anterior spiracle, length and height of the mouth hook and length of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton were the most significant variables in the linear morphometric analysis. Third-instar larvae provide useful characters for studies of cryptic species in the Anastrepha fraterculus complex. PMID:26798253

Structural alterations in rat myocardium induced by chronic l-arginine and l-NAME supplementation.

PubMed

Hmaid, Amal Abdussalam Ali A; Markelic, Milica; Otasevic, Vesna; Masovic, Sava; Jankovic, Aleksandra; Korac, Bato; Korac, Aleksandra

2018-03-01

Structural changes affecting cardiomyocyte function may contribute to the pathophysiological remodeling underlying cardiac function impairment. Recent reports have shown that endogenous nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in this process. In order to examine the role of NO in cardiomyocyte remodeling, male rats were acclimated to room temperature (22 ± 1 °C) or cold (4 ± 1 °C) and treated with 2.25% l-arginine·HCl or 0.01% l-NAME (N ω -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester)·HCl for 45 days. Untreated groups served as controls. Right heart ventricles were routinely prepared for light microscopic examination. Stereological estimations of volume densities of cardiomyocytes, surrounding blood vessels and connective tissue, as well as the morphometric measurements of cardiomyocyte diameters were performed. Tissue sections were also analyzed for structural alterations. We observed that both l-arginine and l-NAME supplementation induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, regardless of ambient temperature. However, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was associated with fibrosis and extra collagen deposition only in the l-NAME treated group. Taken together, our results suggest that NO has a modulatory role in right heart ventricle remodeling by coordinating hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes and fibrous tissue preventing cardiac fibrosis.

Astragali radix: could it be an adjuvant for oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy?

PubMed Central

Di Cesare Mannelli, Lorenzo; Pacini, Alessandra; Micheli, Laura; Femia, Angelo Pietro; Maresca, Mario; Zanardelli, Matteo; Vannacci, Alfredo; Gallo, Eugenia; Bilia, Anna Rita; Caderni, Giovanna; Firenzuoli, Fabio; Mugelli, Alessandro; Ghelardini, Carla

2017-01-01

Neurotoxicity is a major side effect of platinum derivatives both during and after treatment. In the absence of effective pharmacological compounds, the opportunity to identify safe adjuvant treatments among medicinal plants seems appropriate. Astragali radix is an adaptogenic herbal product recently analyzed in platinum-treated cancer patients. With the aim of evaluating the anti-neuropathic profile of Astragali radix, a previously characterized aqueous (Aqu) and two hydroalcoholic (20%HA and 50%HA) extracts were tested in a rat model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy. Repeated administrations significantly reduced oxaliplatin-dependent hypersensitivity with 50%HA, the most effective, fully preventing mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. Ex vivo, 50%HA reduced morphometric and molecular alterations induced by oxaliplatin in peripheral nerve and dorsal-root-ganglia. In the spinal cord and in brain areas, 50%HA significantly decreased activation of microglia and astrocytes. Furthermore, 50%HA prevented the nephro- and hepato-toxicity induced by the anticancer drug. The protective effect of 50%HA did not alter oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis in colon tumors of Pirc rats, an Apc-driven model of colon carcinogenesis. The hydroalcoholic extract (50%HA) of Astragali radix relieves pain and promotes the rescue mechanisms that protect nervous tissue from the damages triggering chronic pain. A safe profile strongly suggests the usefulness of this natural product in oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy. PMID:28186109

Bridging extra large defects of peripheral nerves: possibilities and limitations of alternative biological grafts from acellular muscle and Schwann cells.

PubMed

Keilhoff, Gerburg; Prätsch, Florian; Wolf, Gerald; Fansa, Hisham

2005-01-01

Defects of peripheral nerves are bridged with autologous nerve grafts. Tissue-engineered nerve grafts offer a laboratory-based alternative to overcome limited donor nerve availability. Our objective was to evaluate whether a graft made from acellular muscle enriched with cultivated Schwann cells can bridge extra large gaps where conventional conduits usually fail. Our well-established rat sciatic nerve model was used with an increased gap length of 50 mm. The conduits consisted of freeze-thawed or chemically extracted homologous acellular rat rectus muscles and implanted Schwann cells. Autologous nerve grafts were used for control purposes. Biocompatibility of the grafts was demonstrated by Schwann cell settlement, revascularization, and macrophage recruitment. After 12 weeks regeneration was assessed clinically, histologically, and morphometrically. The control group showed superior results regarding axon counts, histologic appearance, and functional recovery compared with the muscle grafts. The chemically extracted conduits completely failed to support nerve regeneration. They were not stable enough to bridge longer nerve gaps with an expanded regeneration time. On the basis of morphological parameters freeze-thawed muscle grafts were, however, able to support peripheral nerve regeneration even over the extralong distance of 50 mm, and therefore are of potential benefit for new therapeutic strategies.

Malignant Brenner tumor. A histologic, morphometrical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study.

PubMed

Seldenrijk, C A; Willig, A P; Baak, J P; Kühnel, R; Rao, B R; Burger, C W; van der Harten, J J; Dijkhuizen, G H; Meijer, C J

1986-08-01

The histologic, morphometric, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of a malignant Brenner tumor in a postmenopausal women presenting with vaginal bleeding is described. A comparison with transitional cell carcinomas is made, and the use of morphometry in grading the urothelial-like epithelium in malignant Brenner tumors is suggested. High preoperative urinary estrogen, low serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and histologically confirmed atypical endometrial hyperplasia suggested a hyperestrogenism. The reduction in urinary estrogen and the increase in serum LH and FSH after tumor removal and the presence of aromatase activity detected in tumor microsomes confirmed that the tumor was synthesizing estrogen. Estrogen receptors were undetectable both by biochemical and histochemical analysis in the tumor.

a Morphometric Analysis of HYLARANA SIGNATA Group (previously Known as RANA SIGNATA and RANA PICTURATA) of Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zainudin, Ramlah; Sazali, Siti Nurlydia

A study on morphometrical variations of Malaysian Hylarana signata group was conducted to reveal the morphological relationships within the species group. Twenty-seven morphological characters from 18 individuals of H. signata and H. picturata were measured and recorded. The numerical data were analysed using Discriminant Function Analysis in SPSS program version 16.0 and UPGMA Cluster Analysis in Minitab program version 14.0. The results show the complexity clustering between the examined species that might be due to ancient polymorphism of the lineages or cryptic species within the group. Hence, further study should include more representatives in order to fully elucidate the morphological relationships of H. signata group.

Effect of D-tagatose on liver weight and glycogen content of rats.

PubMed

Bär, A; Lina, B A; de Groot, D M; de Bie, B; Appel, M J

1999-04-01

D-tagatose is an incompletely absorbed ketohexose (stereoisomer of D-fructose) which has potential as an energy-reduced alternative sweetener. In an earlier 90-day toxicity study, rats fed diets with 10, 15 and 20% D-tagatose exhibited increased liver weights, but no histopathological alterations. To determine whether there might be any toxicological relevance to this effect, three studies were conducted in male, adult Sprague-Dawley rats. In the first study, four groups received Purina diet (group A), Purina diet with 20% D-tagatose (group B), SDS diet (group C), or SDS diet with 20% D-tagatose (group D). For groups A and B, the 28-day treatment period was followed by a 14-day recovery period (Purina diet). Food remained available to all animals until the time of sacrifice. Groups of 10 rats were killed on days 14 (groups A and B), 28 (groups A-D), and 42 (groups A and B). Body weights, as well as weights of wet and lyophilized livers, were determined. The lyophilized livers collected on day 28 from groups A and B were analyzed for protein, total lipid, glycogen, DNA, and residual moisture. By day 14, relative wet liver weights had increased by 23% in group B. On day 28, the increase was 38% in group B and 44% in group D. At the end of the recovery period, the increase had diminished to 14% in group B. On day 28, liver glycogen content (in %) was significantly increased, and liver protein, lipid, and DNA contents were significantly decreased in group B compared to group A. Total amounts per liver of protein, total lipid, glycogen, and DNA were significantly increased. In the second study, four groups of 20 rats each received SDS diet with 0, 5, 10, and 20% D-tagatose for 29-31 days. The food was available until the time of sacrifice. At termination, plasma was obtained from 10 rats/group for clinicochemical analyses. Five rats/group were subjected to whole-body perfusion, followed by processing of livers for qualitative and quantitative electron microscopic examination. Livers of 6 rats/group were analyzed for acyl-CoA oxidase and laurate 12-hydroxylase (cytochrome P450 4A1) activity, DNA synthesis (Ki-67 index), and number of nuclei per unit area of tissue. Liver weights were significantly increased in linear relation to the D-tagatose intake. Plasma transaminases (but not glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase) were increased in the high-dose group. Except for glycogen accumulation, no ultrastructural changes were seen on electron microscopic examination of livers of the control and high-dose groups. Morphometric analysis confirmed the increase of glycogen and the absence of alterations of endoplasmatic reticulum, mitochondria, and Golgi apparatus. The Ki-67 index did not differ between the groups. A dose-related decrease of the number of nuclei per unit area signified some hepatocellular hypertrophy. Acyl-CoA oxidase and CYP4A1 activity were significantly increased in the mid- and high-dose groups, but these increases were small and not accompanied by electron-microscopic evidence of peroxisome proliferation. In the third study, four groups received SDS diet (groups A and C) or SDS diet with 5% D-tagatose (groups B and D). All animals were killed on day 28. Groups A and B were fasted for 24 h before sacrifice; groups C and D had food available until sacrifice. Liver weights and liver composition were measured as in Study 1. Relative wet and dry liver weights were increased in response to the treatment in rats killed under the fed condition, but not in rats killed under the fasted condition. The livers of the treated rats (group D) had an increased glycogen content in comparison to the controls (group C). Taken together, these results demonstrate that D-tagatose at dietary levels of 5-20% increases liver glycogen deposition and relative liver weights in nonfasting rats. In fasted rats the 5% dose level is the no-effect level. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Metyrapone Alleviates Deleterious Effects of Maternal Food Restriction on Lung Development and Growth of Rat Offspring

PubMed Central

Paek, David S.; Sakurai, Reiko; Saraswat, Aditi; Li, Yishi; Khorram, Omid; Torday, John S.

2015-01-01

Maternal food restriction (MFR) causes intrauterine growth restriction, a known risk factor for developing chronic lung disease. However, it is unknown whether this negative outcome is gender specific or preventable by blocking the MFR-induced hyperglucocorticoidism. Using a well-established rat model, we used metyrapone (MTP), an inhibitor of glucocorticoid synthesis, to study the MFR-induced lung changes on postnatal day (p) 21 in a gender-specific manner. From embryonic day 10 until delivery, pregnant dams were fed either an ad libitum diet or a 50% caloric restricted diet with or without MTP supplementation. Postnatally, the offspring were fed ad libitum from healthy dams until p21. Morphometric, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis of the lungs demonstrated that MTP mitigated the MFR-mediated decrease in alveolar count, decrease in adipogenic protein peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, increase in myogenic proteins (fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin, and calponin), increase in Wnt signaling intermediates (lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 and β-catenin), and increase in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) levels. The MFR-induced lung phenotype and the effects of MTP were similar in both genders. To elucidate the mechanism of MFR-induced shift of the adipogenic-to-myogenic phenotype, lung fibroblasts were used to independently study the effects of (1) nutrient restriction and (2) excess steroid exposure. Nutrient deprivation increased myogenic proteins, Wnt signaling intermediates, and GR, all changes blocked by protein supplementation. MTP also blocked, likely by normalizing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate levels, the corticosterone-induced increase in myogenic proteins, but had no effect on GR levels. In summary, protein restriction and increased glucocorticoid levels appear to be the key players in MFR-induced lung disease, affecting both genders. PMID:24916330

Metyrapone alleviates deleterious effects of maternal food restriction on lung development and growth of rat offspring.

PubMed

Paek, David S; Sakurai, Reiko; Saraswat, Aditi; Li, Yishi; Khorram, Omid; Torday, John S; Rehan, Virender K

2015-02-01

Maternal food restriction (MFR) causes intrauterine growth restriction, a known risk factor for developing chronic lung disease. However, it is unknown whether this negative outcome is gender specific or preventable by blocking the MFR-induced hyperglucocorticoidism. Using a well-established rat model, we used metyrapone (MTP), an inhibitor of glucocorticoid synthesis, to study the MFR-induced lung changes on postnatal day (p) 21 in a gender-specific manner. From embryonic day 10 until delivery, pregnant dams were fed either an ad libitum diet or a 50% caloric restricted diet with or without MTP supplementation. Postnatally, the offspring were fed ad libitum from healthy dams until p21. Morphometric, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis of the lungs demonstrated that MTP mitigated the MFR-mediated decrease in alveolar count, decrease in adipogenic protein peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, increase in myogenic proteins (fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin, and calponin), increase in Wnt signaling intermediates (lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 and β-catenin), and increase in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) levels. The MFR-induced lung phenotype and the effects of MTP were similar in both genders. To elucidate the mechanism of MFR-induced shift of the adipogenic-to-myogenic phenotype, lung fibroblasts were used to independently study the effects of (1) nutrient restriction and (2) excess steroid exposure. Nutrient deprivation increased myogenic proteins, Wnt signaling intermediates, and GR, all changes blocked by protein supplementation. MTP also blocked, likely by normalizing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate levels, the corticosterone-induced increase in myogenic proteins, but had no effect on GR levels. In summary, protein restriction and increased glucocorticoid levels appear to be the key players in MFR-induced lung disease, affecting both genders. © The Author(s) 2014.

Effects of acidic fibroblast growth factor on cholinergic neurons of nucleus basalis magnocellularis and in a spatial memory task following cortical devascularization.

PubMed

Figueiredo, B C; Piccardo, P; Maysinger, D; Clarke, P B; Cuello, A C

1993-10-01

The ability of acidic fibroblast growth factor to elicit a trophic response in the nervous system of the rat was tested in vitro and in vivo. Treatment of cultured septal cells with acidic fibroblast growth factor resulted in an elongation of glial processes as assessed by immunostaining for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Increased choline acetyltransferase was also observed. The responses to acidic fibroblast growth factor in vivo were studied in rats trained in a spatial memory task, using the Morris water maze. Randomly selected animals were subjected to unilateral cortical devascularization. This lesion results in partial unilateral infarction of the neocortex, and in retrograde degeneration of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis. Animals were tested post-lesion for memory retention and were then killed for morphological studies. Intracerebroventricular administration of acidic fibroblast growth factor (0.6 microgram/h for seven days starting at surgery) prevented the lesion-induced impairment in this test, and reduced the nucleus basalis magnocellularis cholinergic degeneration, as assessed by morphometric choline acetyltransferase-like immunoreactivity and radioenzymatic assay for choline acetyltransferase activity. The preservation of the phenotype of injured cholinergic neurons of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis by acidic fibroblast growth factor was indicated by the maintenance of the cross-sectional area of cell bodies and mean length of neuritic processes one month after surgery. The effect of acidic fibroblast growth factor in non-cholinergic cells remains to be investigated. It is suggested that acidic fibroblast growth factor may alleviate the lesion-induced deficit in the memory retention task by preventing disruption of functional connections between nucleus basalis magnocellularis and intact cortical areas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pyridoindole antioxidant-induced preservation of rat hippocampal pyramidal cell number linked with reduction of oxidative stress yet without influence on cognitive deterioration in Alzheimer-like neurodegeneration.

PubMed

Gasparova, Zdenka; Stara, Veronika; Janega, Pavol; Navarova, Jana; Sedlackova, Natalia; Mach, Mojmir; Ujhazy, Eduard

2014-01-01

The idea of antioxidant therapy attenuating Alzheimer disease (AD) neuropathology starts to be attractive. Animal models are often used in these studies. An AD-like model of trimethyltin (TMT)-induced neurodegeneration, targeting the hippocampus, involves neuronal cell death and cognitive impairment. Effect of the pyridoindole SMe1EC2 (3×50 mg/kg) and vitamin C (3×50mg/kg) was analyzed in the model of TMT-induced (8 mg/kg) neurodegeneration. The study was focused on the effect of the antioxidants tested on learning performance in the Morris water maze (MWM) on days 21-25 after TMT administration, on biochemical variables - malondyaldehyde (MDA) and lysosomal enzyme NAGA in brain cortex and blood serum, and on pyramidal cell number in the CA1 area of the hippocampus on day 31 after TMT administration in adult male Wistar rats (n=32). Critical deterioration of learning performance was observed due to the TMT administration in the MWM. Further, apparent reduction of pyramidal cell number to 21% in the CA1 area of the hippocampus, increased MDA and NAGA activity in serum and increased NAGA activity in the cortex were determined contrary to controls. In serum, an increase of MDA level was prevented by both antioxidants tested without any effect on NAGA activity. SMe1EC2 apparently preserved pyramidal cell viability in the CA1 area. Both substances tested failed to ameliorate the detrimental effect of TMT on spatial memory. The biochemical and morphometrical findings suggest that reduction of oxidative stress may play a role in AD-like neurodegeneration. Different doses and timing of SMe1EC2 administration might bring improvement in next learning performance.

[Mesenteric flow in an experimental model of ischaemia-reperfusion in rats].

PubMed

Cáceres, F; Castañon, M; Lerena, J; Cusi, V; Badosa, J; Morales, L

2014-03-01

Maintained acute occlusion followed by reperfusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in a few hours can trigger irreversible bowel damage. The aim of the study was to determine the changes in mesenteric flow measured by colour Doppler Ultrasound and correlating with histological lesions in an experimental model of ischaemia-reperfusion. Three groups of Sprague-Dawley 17 day-old rats were studied (control, ischemia and reperfusion). The model used was ischaemia-reperfusion over the SMA. Intra-abdominal ultrasound was then performed. The parameters recorded were: Maximum systolic velocity (MSV), pulsatility index (PI), resistance (RI) and systole-diastole (S/D). The histological variables were: intestinal lesion (Wallace/Keenan-Chiu scale), morphometrics (mean villus height [MVH]), and goblet cells. The Spearman (rs) correlation was used. The MSV in the reperfusion group was 74.3 cm/s, the PI 7.33 and S/D 25.75 in the SMA, which were higher than the controls (41.35 cm/s; 3.12 and 12.45, respectively). A direct association (P<.01) was found between MSV, PI and S/D regarding: Wallace/Kennan scoring system (rs = 0.655; rs = 0.593; rs = 0.63) and the Chiu (rs = 0.569; rs = 0.522; rs = 0.47). While the correlation was the reverse (P<.01) when associated with the MVH (rs = -0,495; rs = -0,452; rs = -0,459) and goblet cells of the colon (rs = -0,525; rs = -0,45; rs = -0,518). The reperfusion phase increased mesenteric flow expressed by the MSV and PI and could significantly predict the potential bowel damage at macroscopic and microscopic level. Copyright © 2013 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Differentiation of anchoring junctions in tracheal basal cells in the growing rat.

PubMed

Evans, M J; Cox, R A; Burke, A S; Moller, P C

1992-02-01

A function of airway basal cells is to attach ciliated and nonciliated columnar cells to the basal lamina. The significance of the basal cell in attachment is related to the height of the columnar epithelium. In taller epithelia, basal cells are more numerous and differentiated with respect to anchoring junctional adhesion mechanisms (desmosomes, hemidesmosomes, and the cytoskeleton) than in shorter epithelia. In this study, we determined if basal cell anchoring junctional adhesion mechanisms differentiated during growth of the airway. Tracheas from five 3-day-old, five 30-day-old, and five 90-day-old rats were prepared for electron microscopy and morphometrically studied by standard techniques. The circumference of the trachea increased from 2.5 +/- 0.2 to 7.5 +/- 0.4 mm during growth. The height of the columnar cell increased from 13.4 +/- 1.5 to 24.6 +/- 3.9 microns, and the number of basal cells per millimeter increased from 3.2 +/- 0.7 to 9.6 +/- 1.8 during growth. The number of desmosomes per basal cell profile increased significantly from 1.5 +/- 0.1 to 2.1 +/- 0.1, as did keratin filament volume density from 0.046 +/- 0.05 to 0.098 +/- 0.032. The amount of hemidesmosome attachment per basal cell did not increase significantly during growth of the airway. These data demonstrate that as tracheas grow in circumference, the columnar cells increase in height, basal cells increase in number, and anchoring junctional adhesion mechanisms differentiate in the basal cells. These changes are closely related to the height of the epithelium and result in maintaining a constant amount of attachment between the columnar epithelium and the basal lamina as the epithelium increases in height.

MORPHOMETRIC EVIDENCE FOR NUTRITIONAL STRESS IN ENGLISH SOLE

EPA Science Inventory

We present an application of the powerful thin plate spline method of morphometric analysis to demonstrate its utility for detecting environmental stress in an estuarine flatfish. Juvenile English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) were captured from Yaquina Bay, Oregon, photographed w...

Combined treatment with melatonin and insulin improves glycemic control, white adipose tissue metabolism and reproductive axis of diabetic male rats.

PubMed

Oliveira, Ariclecio Cunha de; Andreotti, Sandra; Sertie, Rogério António Laurato; Campana, Amanda Baron; de Proença, André Ricardo Gomes; Vasconcelos, Renata Prado; Oliveira, Keciany Alves de; Coelho-de-Souza, Andrelina Noronha; Donato-Junior, José; Lima, Fábio Bessa

2018-04-15

Melatonin treatment has been reported to be capable of ameliorating metabolic diabetes-related abnormalities but also to cause hypogonadism in rats. We investigated whether the combined treatment with melatonin and insulin can improve insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes during neonatal period and the repercussion of this treatment on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. At the fourth week of age, diabetic animals started an 8-wk treatment with only melatonin (0.2 mg/kg body weight) added to drinking water at night or associated with insulin (NHP, 1.5 U/100 g/day) or only insulin. Animals were then euthanized, and the subcutaneous (SC), epididymal (EP), and retroperitoneal (RP) fat pads were excised, weighed and processed for adipocyte isolation for morphometric analysis as well as for measuring glucose uptake, oxidation, and incorporation of glucose into lipids. Hypothalamus was collected for gene expression and blood samples were collected for biochemical assays. The treatment with melatonin plus insulin (MI) was capable of maintaining glycemic control. In epididymal (EP) and subcutaneous (SC) adipocytes, the melatonin plus insulin (MI) treatment group recovered the insulin responsiveness. In the hypothalamus, melatonin treatment alone promoted a significant reduction in kisspeptin-1, neurokinin B and androgen receptor mRNA levels, in relation to control group. Combined treatment with melatonin and insulin promoted a better glycemic control, improving insulin sensitivity in white adipose tissue (WAT). Indeed, melatonin treatment reduced hypothalamic genes related to reproductive function. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Effects of telmisartan and losartan on irradiated testes.

PubMed

da Silva Mansano, Naira; Jorge, Isabela Fernandes; Chies, Agnaldo Bruno; Viani, Gustavo Arruda; Spadella, Maria Angélica

2018-02-01

To analyze the effects of radiation on the reproductive tissue of male Wistar rats and to evaluate whether treatment with the Ang II AT1 receptor antagonists telmisartan and losartan mitigate the dysfunctions resulting from this exposure. Rats were randomly divided into groups: Control, Irradiated, Telmisartan, Losartan, Irradiated+Telmisartan, and Irradiated+Losartan. Single dose of 5Gy was administered directly into the scrotum, followed by treatment with telmisartan (12mg/kg/day) or losartan (34mg/kg/two times/day) for 60days. Testicular function parameters were evaluated from spermatozoa of the vas deferens. Testes were processed for histopathological and morphometric-stereological analysis. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry was evaluated. Radiation significantly reduced sperm motility, concentration, vitality, and increased the number of abnormal spermatozoa. Telmisartan and losartan did not significantly prevent these radiation-induced disorders. Seminiferous tubules were atrophied in both untreated and treated irradiated testes, and exhibited vacuoles, increased interstitial tissue and high number of blood vessels. However, several seminiferous tubules in recuperation were founded among damaged tubules in the testes of treated animals. The PCNA immunohistochemistry confirmed these outcomes. PCNA-positive cells were detected in dividing spermatogonia and spermatocytes from irradiated telmisartan and losartan treated rats whereas in the only-irradiated group, PCNA staining was observed in the nuclei of only the surviving spermatogonia. Under these experimental conditions, the testicular function parameters showed that radiation produced marked damage that was not reversed by treatments. However, gonadal restructuring and recovery of spermatogenesis in treated animals may to reflect attenuation of radiation-induced damages and potential start of recovery. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nandrolone decanoate induces cardiac and renal remodeling in female rats, without modification in physiological parameters: The role of ANP system.

PubMed

Brasil, Girlandia Alexandre; Lima, Ewelyne Miranda de; Nascimento, Andrews Marques do; Caliman, Izabela Facco; Medeiros, Ana Raquel Santos de; Silva, Mauro Sérgio Batista; Abreu, Gláucia Rodrigues de; Reis, Adelina Martha dos; Andrade, Tadeu Uggere de; Bissoli, Nazaré Souza

2015-09-15

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are misused, including women, but little is known about the cardiovascular effects of these drugs on females. Evaluated the effects of nandrolone decanoate (ND), physical exercise and estrogen deficiency on female rats. Female Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups: S and OVX: (SHAM: sham surgery; OVX: ovariectomy, vehicle), SE and OVXE (resistance exercise 5 times a week, vehicle), SD and OVXD (treated with ND, 20 mg/kg/week for 4 weeks); SDE and OVXDE. Treatments were initiated 21 days after surgery. The Bezold–Jarisch reflex was assessed by Phenylbiguanide administration. The right atrium, kidney, and serum were collected for molecular analyses by RT-PCR of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), A-type natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-A) and NPR-C. ELISA assay to estradiol and testosterone concentrations. The gastrocnemius muscle, heart and kidney weights/tibia length were measured.Morphometric analysis of heart was made (H/E) and collagen content of heart and kidney were evaluated using Pirossirius Red. ND treatment increased ANP expression on atrium and decreased NPR-A expression in kidney. Physical exercise and ovariectomy did not alter this parameter. NPR-C level was reduced in the SDE and OVXDE. Renal and cardiac hypertrophy was observed after ND treatment, with collagen deposition. Plasma estrogen concentrations were reduced and serum testosterone concentrations were increased after ND treatment. ANP has an important role in modulating the cardiovascular effects of ND in females. Thismodulating may have occurred by the increasing ANP expression, reducing NPR-A and NPR-C expression levels, and changing sex hormone levels.