ABSTRACT
Aim: The present study aimed to determine the effect of height from ground on the colonization of carrion insect species.Methodology: Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) carcasses were positioned at two different heights with respect to ground level in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to determine populations of carrion insects at different decomposition stages. Steel cages were used to defiend the carcasses from flesh eating vertebrates without effecting surrounding environmental condition. Ambient temperatures and the patterns of insect succession were monitored at both heights Results: In total, 14 and 18 different carrion-associated taxa were collected at low and high sites, respectively. The primary and dominant necrophagous colonizer was the muscid dipteran Musca calleva (Walker) at low site and M. domestica (L.) at high site. The dominant beetle species at both sites was Dermestes maculatus (De Geer). The dominant ant species at low site were Cataglyphis holgerseni (Collingwood & Agosti) and Ca. savignyi (Dufour) and Camponotus sericeus (Fabricius) at high site. Interpretation: This research verified that the height of carrion in relation to ground level considerably affected the variety of insect species, particularly flies and beetles
ABSTRACT
Piroxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug widely used in rheumatic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate Piroxicam-induced histopathological changes in livers and kidneys of male albino mice.Methods: Animals were classified into a control group and 4 treated groups. Piroxicam was injected intraperitoneally using 0.3 mg/kg every day for four weeks. Each week a group of mice was sacrificed. Liver and kidneys were obtained for histological and histochemical examination. Animals were classified into a control group and 4 treated groups. Piroxicam was injected intraperitoneally using 0.3 mg/kg every day for four weeks. Each week a group of mice was sacrificed. Liver and kidneys were obtained for histological and histochemical examination.Results: Liver sections appeared with inflammatory cellular infiltration; vacuolated hepatocytes; dilated sinusoids; and increased number of Kupffer cells. Kidney sections appeared with some cellular inflammations. The glomeruli were shrunk resulting in widening of the urinary space. Oedema and vacuolations were noticed in the tubular cells. There was a positive correlation between these pathological changes and the increased treatment periods. Histochemical staining revealed that glycogen and protein contents had decreased in the hepatocytes. This depletion worsened gradually in liver cells after two; three; and four weeks. Similar depletion of the glycogen content was observed in kidney tissue. However; protein content appeared to be slightly decreased in the kidney tubules and glomeruli. Incensement of coarse chromatin in the nuclei of hepatocytes; Kupffer cells and most inflammatory cells were detected by Fuelgen method. Kidney tissues appeared with a severe decrease in coarse chromatin in the nuclei.Liver sections appeared with inflammatory cellular infiltration; vacuolated hepatocytes; dilated sinusoids; and increased number of Kupffer cells. Kidney sections appeared with some cellular inflammations. The glomeruli were shrunk resulting in widening of the urinary space. Oedema and vacuolations were noticed in the tubular cells. There was a positive correlation between these pathological changes and the increased treatment periods. Histochemical staining revealed that glycogen and protein contents had decreased in the hepatocytes. This depletion worsened gradually in liver cells after two; three; and four weeks. Similar depletion of the glycogen content was observed in kidney tissue. However; protein content appeared to be slightly decreased in the kidney tubules and glomeruli. Incensement of coarse chromatin in the nuclei of hepatocytes; Kupffer cells and most inflammatory cells were detected by Fuelgen method. Kidney tissues appeared with a severe decrease in coarse chromatin in the nuclei.Conclusion: Piroxicam has a time-dependent toxic effect on both liver and kidney tissues