Gross anatomy of the oropharyngeal cavity in the ostrich [Struthio camelus]

There are significant structural differences between the mouth and pharyngeal cavity of birds and mammals. It is usual to refer to a common oropharyngeal cavity of birds because the soft palate, which forms such an obvious delineation between the mouth and pharyngeal cavity, is absent. Six male adult ostriches were used to study the oropharyngeal cavity and its components including the beak, hard palate, pharynx, tongue and the larynx macroscopically. This study revealed that these components in ostrich have different features from other birds. In the ostrich, the beaks are spoon-shaped and the tongue is characterized by a short, broad and semicircular form. The hard palate is concave with a prominent median mucosal fold in its 2/3 rostral area and two oblique choanal slits in its caudal third area. The roof of pharynx presents infundibular slit in midline, a deep concave notch in caudal border and pharyngeal tonsils on its dorsal surface. The larynx protrudes from the floor of pharynx and consists of the unpaired cricoid cartilage and the paired arytenoid cartilages

Histomorphometric study of the spinal cord segments in the chick and adult male ostrich [Struthio camelus]

In this study, the vertical, transverse and oblique diameters of the spinal cord segments [C1, C6, C12, C18, T1, T4, L1, L4, L6 and L8] and the ratio of gray matter to white matter in chick [I month] and adult [18 months] male ostriches, each group consisted of 3 animals, were measured with standard micrometric method using 6 microm thick sections by light microscope. With advancement of age, the ratio of gray matter to white matter was reduced but the diameters of spinal cord segments were increased. Statistically, there were significant differences in parameters measured between the two age groups [P<0.05]

Histomorphometrical syudy of pancreas in Mehraban female sheep

In the present study, pancreas glands in Mehraban breed of female sheep were histomorphometrically studied in four different age groups included: fetus, newborn, sexually mature and old ages. The results of histomorphometrical analysis with regard to frequency and percentage of parenchymal and stromal structures such as, exocrine secretory units, secretory ducts, blood vessels, islets of Langerhans and stromal connective tissue showed that minimum and maximum percentages of structures within the whole gland belonged in fetal stage, to blood vessels and stromal connective tissue; newborn stage, to blood vessels and exocrine secretory units; in sexually mature, to islets of Langerhans and exocrine secretory units and in old stage, also to islets of Langerhans and exocrine secretoiy units, respectively. The diameter changes of islets of Langerhans in different age groups from minimum to maximum were included: fetus, old, sexually mature and newborn stages. In comparison between different age groups, the frequency of exocrine secretory units showed a significant increase from fetal stage to newborn, sexually mature and old stages [P<0.05]. On the other hand, there was a significant decrease in frequency of secretory ducts from fetal stage to newborn, sexually mature and old stages and there was also a significant decrease in frequency of blood vessels from fetal to newborn stage [P<0.05]. Significant decrease was also observed in frequency of islets of Langerhans from fetal and newborn stages to sexually mature and old stages. In comparison between groups, there was a significant increase in diameter of islets of Langerhans from fetal to newborn and sexually mature stages and decrease from newborn to sexually mature and old stages Our study revealed that, there was no significant difference in parenchymal and strotmal structures and diameter of islets of Langerhans between different parts of the gland in each age group. However, the above mentioned parameters often showed significant differences between different age groups. These differences were more prominent between fetal stage compared to the other age groups. Therefore, it can be concluded that structural changes of parenchyma and stroma of pancreas gland begin from prenatal period and will proportionally continue during the period of post-natal development

[Inhibitory Effects of Povidone-Iodine and Cetrimide-c Against Antibacterial Resistance Isolates of Escherichia coli and Enterococci]

Povidone Iodine and Cetrimide-c are important and valuable antiseptic compounds that have been used for many years, as disinfectant for wounds, burns, instruments and the environments such as surgical rooms in the hospitals. Recently, bacterial resistances to these antiseptics have been reported in multi-drugs resistance bacteria such as Enterococci, which are important causes of nosocomial infections. This study was done to confirm the antiseptic activity of these agents: In this study 5 isolates of Escherichia coli and 13 isolates of Enterococci being resistant or sensitive to at least 5 antibacterial agents, including vancomycin, isolated from urinary tract infections were used. The concentrations of 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20 and 1:100, of povidon Iodoine, and 1:200 and 1: 500 for cetrimide-c were used. Concentrations of 5x10[7] and 1x10[7] CFU/ml [Colony Forming Unit] of the bacteria were tested at room temperature in the presence of Povidone-Iodine and Cetrimide-c for 2, 10, 30 minutes. After treatment of the bacteria with antibacterial agents the bacteria were washed three times with phosphate buffer in order to remove the small amounts of antibacterial agents that were present in the inoculums used for bacterial growth. The results shows that in all cases the bacteria which were in contact with the antiseptic agents were unable to grow on solid media, whereas the control bacteria which were not in contact with the antibacterial agents had complete growth on the solid medium. Since resistance to the above mentioned antiseptics were not detected at different concentrations of antibacterial agents and the bacterial suspensions, these agents can still be used in the hospitals and other clinical centers for the disinfection of the skin and contaminated instruments. However continuous monitoring of the antiseptic activity of these compounds is recommended

Investigation on the morphologic and morphometric changes in perikaryon and nucleus of spinal neuron during prenatal and postnatal life of male dogs

To study the growth process of perikaryon and nucleus of spinal neurons, 15 domestic male dogs in 5 age groups including 42-day-old fetus, 52-day-old fetus, newborn 6-month-old and adult dogs were studied. After preparation of animals, the spinal cord was dissected and then the spinal segments were studied by light and electron microscopy. The results of the present study showed that the maximum diameter of perikaryon and nucleus in all age groups belonged to the eighth cervical segment and the minimum diameter of nucleus belonged to the first coccygeal segment in 42-day-old fetus, the seventh thoracic segment in 52-day-old fetus, first coccygeal segment in newborn and the fourth thoracic segment in 6-month-old and adult animals, respectively. The minimum diameter of perikaryon in all age groups belonged to the first coccygeal segment except in 42-day-old fetus, which was related to the fourth thoracic segment

Histomorphometrical study on pancreas in pre- and postnatal Mehraban male sheep

In the present study, different structures of the stroma and parenchyma of pancreas in Mehraban breed of male sheep were histomorphometrically studied. Animals were collected from different age groups including fetus, neonate, young and old adults. In each group, 3 animals and total of 12 animals were used. Histomorphometric studies consisted of the determination of volume density of stromal and parenchyma! structures and the percentages of islet cells in different age groups. The results indicated that volume density of endocrine portion and connective tissue elements of pancreas between fetus and neonate and also between neonate and adult were significantly different. There was an apparent significant difference in volume density of blood vessels between neonate and old adult. A significant difference was also seen in volume density of ducts in the right lobe of neonate pancreas compared to the left lobe and body of pancreas, but no significant differences were seen in the other age groups. There was a significant difference in the mean number of beta cells in old adult compared to others, which indicated that this endocrine cell increased at this age. The percentages of endocrine cells varied in different age groups, but the predominant cell type of islets was beta and then alpha cells. There was low number of delta cells. The highest percentages of beta, alpha and delta cells were found in neonate, young adult and fetus, respectively. The lowest percentages of these cells were observed in fetus, [neonate] and neonate, respectively

[Macroscopic, microscopic, and histochemical studies of major salivary glands of camel [Camelus Dromedarius]]

In this investigation, macroscopic, microscopic, and histochemical structures of major salivary glands in ten adult camels of both sexes were studied. Results of macroscopic observations indicate that parotid salivary gland of camel is similar to that of small ruminants with only difference in site of excretory orifice of its duct. Structure of submandibular salivary gland is similar to that of the cattle, but the course of the submandibular duct is like that of the sheep. Sublingual salivary gland has both, polystomatic and monostomatic parts, similar to that of other ruminants, but the excretory orifice of common duct formed by the sublingual and submandibular salivary gland is different compared to that of the other ruminants. Histological investigations revealed that the parotid salivary gland is compound tubulo-alveolar with serous nature. Submandibular gland is compound tubulo-acinar identified as a seromucous gland and sublingual gland is both tubulo-acinar and tubulo-alveolar in male and only tubulo-acinar in female. Seromucosal nature of sublingual gland has been proved in both sexes, but the serosal secretory units in male's gland are formed as the serosal islets. Results of histochemical studies indicate that submandibular and sublingual glands contain both neutral and acidic mucosubstances. On the other hands, parotid gland is generally negative for both substances