Microscopic anatomy of the oesophagus in the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) a histochemical,stereological, and scanning electron microscope study

The present work was designed to investigate the microscopic structure of the oesophagus in the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) using histochemical staining, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and stereological procedures. Four adult males were included in our study. Serial sections of the entire length of the oesophagus were stained with aldehyde fuchsin, alcian blue (pH 2.5), Periodic acid Schiff (PAS), and Masson's trichrome. Then, the total volume of the oesophagus, and the total volume of its different layers, were estimated using Cavalieri's principle. The oesophageal epithelium was a non-keratinized stratified squamous type. Muscularis mucosa was present as a thick layer between lamina propria and submucosa and its thickness was increased toward the stomach. Tunica submucosa was a loose connective tissue containing an oesophageal gland with PAS-positive and AB-positive reactions throughout the submucosa and become denser toward the stomach. The tunica muscularis consisted of two distinct striated muscle layers, and its thickness was decreased toward the stomach. On SEM images, the cervical and thoracic oesophagus showed shallow folding, while the abdominal part had deeper folds. The present findings indicate that the histological properties of the oesophagus in southern white-breasted hedgehogs have slight similarities with rodents and considering its epithelium, submucosal glands and tunica muscularis more resemble with dog oesophagus. The obtained results may be quite helpful to improve the current knowledge of the histophysiology of the hedgehog gastrointestinal tract as a member of eulipotyplan mammals and as a pet for biologists and veterinarians.     

Applications of various stereological tools for estimation of biological tissues

To provide concise and brief important stereological application methods and techniques for estimating biological tissues. Stereology studies the quantity of biological tissue using little practice and the low price of counting and preparing tissue slices to obtain direct and accurate results. Since their establishment, the stereological techniques underwent much improvement, thus allowing more precise analysis of target structures using various approaches. Using stereological tools, advances in stereological techniques made the target tissues or organs represented by 2D instead of 3D dimensions. Process tools estimate volume, area and length. According to the exciting tissue and aims, the stereological tools perform differently. This review summarizes various stereological tools and techniques, providing brief information about the orientation method, slicer probe method, Delesse's principle, Cavalieri principle, disector, fractionator, nucleator, virtual cycloids and saucer, which are described in detail.     

Therapeutic trial of fluvastatin in a cell line xenograft model of canine mammary gland cancer

The Hippo signalling pathway is involved in breast cancer and canine mammary tumour (CMT). This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of fluvastatin on the Hippo pathway and its main effectors, YAP and TAZ, in vivo in a murine CMT cell line xenograft model. On treatment day 1, mice were divided into four groups: vehicle, fluvastatin, doxorubicin or a combination therapy. Tumour volumes were monitored with callipers and tissues harvested on day 28th of treatment. Histopathological examination of tumour tissues and major organs was performed as well as tumour evaluation of necrosis, apoptosis, cellular proliferation, expression of YAP, TAZ and the mRNA levels of four of their target genes (CTGF, CYR61, ANKRD1 and RHAMM2). Results showed a statistically significant variation in tumour volumes only for the combination therapy and final tumour weight only for the doxorubicin group compared to control. There was no significant difference in tumour necrosis, expression of CC3, ki-67, YAP and TAZ measured by immunohistochemistry and in the mRNA levels of the target genes. Unexpectedly, lung metastases were found in the control group (9) and not in the fluvastatin treated group (7). In addition, mass spectrometry-based quantification of fluvastatin reveals concentrations comparable to levels reported to exert therapeutic effects. This study shows that fluvastatin tumours concentration reached therapeutic levels without having an effect on the hippo pathway or various tumour parameters. Interestingly, only the control group had lung metastases. This study is the first to explore the repurposing of statins for cancer treatment in veterinary medicine.     

Interaction between chromaffin and sustentacular cells in adrenal medulla of viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus)

New evidence provides valuable information about the participation of sustentacular cells in chromaffin cell catecholamine secretion. In this process, calcium ions play an important role. It has been shown that there is an intense ionic traffic between both types of cells. Moreover, sustentacular cells take an active part in calcium metabolism, regulating levels of the ion and indirectly, the synthesis and release of catecholamines. This background information encouraged us to study the sustentacular population of Lagostomus adrenal medulla and its morphologic relationship with the chromaffin population. The animals were captured, transported to the animal facilities, anaesthetized and killed. The adrenal gland was processed by immunohistochemistry using antiserum against S-100 (subunit alpha and beta), a specific marker. Through the morphological and immunohistochemical study, it was found that there are sustentacular cells in deferent regions of adrenal medulla, mainly in the basal zone of chromaffin cells, which constitute the glomerular structure around blood capillaries. Cytoplasmic extentions of sustentacular cells penetrate into chromaffin cells and make contact with the basal membrane of the capillary endothelium. The relationship among chromaffin cells, capillaries and sustentacular cells suggests that they may intervene actively in the adrenal medulla metabolism.     

Induction of proinflammatory cytokines and caspase-1 by leptin in monocyte/macrophages from holstein cows

The proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) containing both monocyte/macrophages and T lymphocytes increased after treatment with T-cell mitogen (concanavalin A: Con A). PBMC treated with either leptin alone or combination of leptin and ConA showed enhanced proliferative activity by 10-40%, compared with those treated with ConA alone. In contrast, isolated T lymphocytes treated with leptin and ConA showed lowered proliferative activity than the ConA-treated alone, indicating that leptin induced production of some cytokines from monocyte/macrophages, that subsequently resulted in enhancement of T lymphocytes proliferation in PBMC. Among the cytokines examined, monocyte/monocytes constitutively expressed interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-12p35, IL-18 mRNA, and faintly expressed tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-12p40 mRNA. Leptin treatment augmented the monocyte/macrophages mRNA expression of only TNF-alpha and IL-12p40 to comparable levels of cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, leptin treatment increased monocyte/macrophages production of IL-1beta as well as TNF-alpha, and induced the mRNA expression of caspase-1, which is shown to mediate the conversion of latent pro-IL-1beta and pro-IL-18 to active forms. These results suggest that leptin directly acts on monocyte/macrophages to produce factors that induce T lymphocytes proliferation such as IL-12p35/p40 complex through IL-12p40 induction and IL-1beta/IL-18 production through caspase-1 induction.     

Characterization and photodegradation mechanism of three Algerian wood species

Aging is the irreversible change of mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of materials; the main objective of this work was to study the photochemical degradation and structural changes of three major Algerian wood species. For this, we evaluated the photodegradation mechanism for Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster), zeen oak (Quercus canariensis), and afares oak (Quercus afares) by accelerated aging in a Xenon test chamber. Degradation of the samples was established by an initial color change (after 30 h exposure), followed by roughening and cracking (120 h exposure) as translated by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The discoloration of irradiated wood samples was primarily related to the decomposition of lignin which is the key structure in wood photodegradation. As expected, a decrease in mechanical properties was observed; for all samples, the modulus of elasticity decreased after aging, indicating that the wood specimens loss some of their stiffness.     

Improving productivity and nutrients uptake of wheat plants using Moringa oleifera leaf extract in sandy soil

A field experiment was conducted on a sandy soil at Salhia El-Gdida, Al Sharqia government, Egypt, to study the effect of Moringa leaf extract on yield and nutrient uptake of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum cv.). Foliar spraying of Moringa leaf extract was done at 40, 70, and 90 days after planting at a rate of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%. Treatments of Moringa extract significantly increased straw and grain yield, biological yield, 1000 grain weight, yield efficiency, protein content, and nutrient uptake as compared to untreated plants in the both seasons. The highest values of straw and grain yield, quality yield, and nutrient uptake by plants were obtained with 4% of Moringa extract, while the lowest values were obtained with untreated plants. Also, the highest percentage increase in grain yield of 71% and 88% was recorded from the treatment 4% of Moringa extract in first and second seasons, respectively.     

Salicylic acid improves the antioxidant ability against arsenic-induced oxidative stress in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seedling

The present study investigated the potential role of external salicylic acid (SA) in alleviating Arsenic (As) toxicity in sunflower leaves. The exposure of plants to 10 µM As inhibited biomass production and intensively increased the accumulation of As in both roots and leaves. The levels of some important parameters associated with oxidative stress, namely lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production were increased. SA application alleviated the negative effect of As on growth and led to decrease in oxidative injuries. Furthermore, SA application led to higher activity of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione peroxidase, and concomitantly decreased superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase activities. As important antioxidants, ascorbate and glutathione contents in sunflower leaves exposed to As were significantly decreased by SA treatment. These results reveal that SA is more effective in alleviating As toxicity at higher concentrations than that at lower concentrations.