Aflatoxin B[1]-induced kidney damage in rats

Aflatoxin B[1] [AFB[1]] is a widely distributed mycotoxin in nature. Several investigations have shown its biological effects on different organs and in different animal species. However, the effects of AFB[1] on the rat kidney have not been much elucidated histologically. This study aims to demonstrate the effects of AFB[1] contaminated diet on the rat kidney from the histological and morphometric aspects. Twelve mature albino rats were divided equally into a control group fed with usual diet and a treated group which was daily fed with diet contaminated with 20 mg AFB[1]/kg of body weight for 30 days. Semithin sections from renal cortex were stained with methylene blue and examined by light microscopy. Corpuscular changes were also detected morphometrically in terms of the ratio between the area of Bowman's capsule and the area of its contained glomerulus [B/G ratio]. The treated group showed a marked increase in body weight. Histologically, there was evidence of acute tubular necrosis and increase in urinary space. Morphometrically, there was a diffuse significant increase in the B/G ratio compared to the control. Gain in weight can be attributed to fluid retention that accompanies the ensuing renal damage. The dietary dose of AFB[1] [20 mg/kg of body weight] for 30 days was sufficient to produce acute tubular necrosis. The corpuscular changes indicated by the increase in the B/G ratio can be attributed to compensatory hypertrophy

Morphometry of the postnatal development of rat hippocampal capillaries

Although the anatomy of the adult mammalian hippocampus has been studied extensively, few reports have dealt with hippocampal cytogenesis and morphogenesis. Moreover, the capillary network, which is the functional component of the vascular bed in terms of tissue metabolic requirements has not been studied during postnatal development of the rat hippocampus. To follow the postnatal development of the capillaries in the rat hippocampal formation in view of the temporal variation in the development of its regions using morphometric parameters. A sample of 37 rats was used, quantitation of the capillaries in four hippocampal regions [subiculum, regio superior, regio inferior, and dentate gyrus] at different postnatal ages [P1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days] was performed using computer-aided morphometry of alkaline phosphatase positive capillary profiles. Capillary diameter, length/volume density, and intercapillary distance were measured on 30

m-thick frozen coronal sections after controlled fixation. There was a decrease in capillary diameter and in intercapillary distance, with a concomitant increase in capillary length density in all hippocampal regions at the second postnatal week [P10]. While the intercapillary distance was significantly reduced during the second postnatal week in all regions; however, its value during the first postnatal week was at its maximum in the dentate gyrus, minimum in the subiculum, and in between both in region superior and inferior. Capillary morphometric parameters were coincidental with the metabolic activity and volumetric growth during postnatal development. It appeared that [P10] was a decisive milestone in the growth of the hippocampal capillary network, at which capillary parameters indicated a significant increase in capillary sprouting and permeation. The repertoire of the changes in intercapillary distance was a replica of the volumetric proportional expansions of the hippocampal regions. The mean intercapillary distance was considered as the most sensitive microvascular parameter

E-learning: scope and implementation prospects in medical education in Iraq

With the advent of communication technology, the issue of e-learning has made its presence all over the world. Medical education. whether in basic medical sciences or in the clinical side has demonstrated its capacity of flexibility to cope with ever-changing educational methods. While internet pages are teaming with learning material in the medical field. complete programs for obtaining a degree of a practicing physician are at their infancy. It is likely that basic medical sciences will be a reasonable candidate for fully online learning, while face to face learning should still serve as an essential complement to e-learning in clinical practice. This editorial is intended to propagate the concept of e-learning in the medical field in Iraq in order to make academics well aware of its capabilities and the need of change towards web based educational material

Morphology of the foramen transversarium. A correlation with causative factors

Variations in the number and size of the foramina transversaria of cervical vertebrae are commonly observed during cross sectional imaging examinations. This study while designed to investigate the magnitude and types of such diversities of the normal morphology, attempts to associate variations to anatomical and developmental criteria. Thirty sets of dry cervical vertebrae belonging to adult subjects were selected randomly for this study. For each vertebra the foramen transversarium was examined for its number and area. There was no significant statistical difference between the area of the right and left foramina transversaria in all cervical vertebrae. C1 foramen transversarium was the largest while C7 foramen transversarium was the smallest. Accessory foramina transversaria were mostly observed in the lower cervical vertebrae [C5, C6 and C7] mostly in C6 [70% have accessory foramina]. The multiplicity of the foramina was a single vertebral feature rather than a general phenomenon in the same subject. It seems that many factors are involved in causing the morphological variations of the foramen transversarium including developmental factors, mechanical stress, the size, and/or the number of anatomical structures passing through