Prostate Gland in Human Foetuses: A Study of its Histogenesis

Background: To study the histogenesis of the prostate gland in human foetuses. ‘Prostates’ is a Greek word which literally means “one who stands before”, protector, guardian. It is important from a clinical point of view as it undergoes benign enlargement from the fifth decade, hence attracting the attention of males around this age and simultaneously the clinicians. Materials and Methods: 100 foetuses of different gestational ages ranging from 14 weeks (85 mm) to 40 weeks (440 mm), products of terminated pregnancies under Medical Termination of Pregnancy, MTP Act of India, 1971 and stillbirths were collected from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, RIMS, (Regional Institute of Medical Sciences), Imphal, Manipur and utilised for the present study with permission from the Institutional Ethical Committee. Results and Discussion: The first sign of differentiation is recognised as increased cellularity and denser mesenchymal cells. Cytoarchitecture at specific age period at different age groups are described. Conclusion: Cytoarchitecturally, differentiation of all the three components of the prostate gland was noted as the age changes. It is inferred that of the three components of the adult tissues, the glandular component is differentiated from the epithelial lining of the urethra. This further induces the early mesenchymal tissues to differentiate into muscles and fibrous components. And at term, it has all the three components of the adult tissues although it is not as mature as in adult.

Hepatotoxic Effect of Aqueous Extract of Parkia biglobosa Seeds on Adult Albino Wistar Rats

Background: Parkia biglobosa belongs to the plant family Fabaceae and is popularly known as the African locust bean tree is gotten from medium-sized, tree high (20-20 cm), whose leaves are edible and are used in many African local dishes. The phytochemical screening of the methanolic extracts of P. biglobosa revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, terpenes, and phenols, reducing sugars, sterols, flavonoids. Methods: 21 adult Wistar rats (100-120 g) were distributed into 3 groups (A, B and C) consisting of 7 in each. Group B and C were administered orally with aqueous seed extract of P. biglobosa at a dose of 300 mg/kgB wt and 500 mg/kg B wt, respectively for 30 days. Group A was normal control and received 300 mg/kgB wt of normal saline. After 30 days, the weights were recorded and the animals were sacrificed using cervical dislocation. The changes in body weight, liver histology and enzymes were evaluated. Results: This study shows a significant difference (p<0.01) in the body weight gain between animals in the low, high and control groups, respectively. Photomicrograph of the liver tissue from animals in low dose reveals a liver cytoarchitecture with mildly dilated sinusoids, while the liver tissue from animals high dose group revealed a portal tract with dilated sinusoids. Results from histochemical observation of the liver of the control group showed marked periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) staining on predominant hepatocytes but little or no staining of cytoplasm, the low dose reveals a mild PAS staining while that of high dose shows moderate staining on tissue degeneration. Serum chemistry revealed a significant increase (p<0.05) AST and ALT in the test groups when compared to control group. Conclusion: Results from this study shows that the aqueous extract of P. biglobosa at a dose of 500 mg/kgB wt over 30 days may have adversely affected the morphology of the liver with the increase in serum levels.

Cytoarchitecture of the medial nucleus of trapezoid body of three neotropical species of bats (Noctilio leporinus, Phyllostomus hastatus, and Carollia perspicillata) with different foraging behavior / Citoarquitetura do núcleo medial do corpo trapezoidal de três espécies neotropicais de morcegos (Noctilio leporinus, Phyllostomus hastatus e Carollia perspicillata) com diferentes comportamentos de forrageamento

Abstract The present study was taken to test the hypothesis that the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) of echolocating neotropical bats with different foraging behavior will exhibit morphological variations in relative size, degree of complexity and spatial distribution. The brains were collected from six male adult bats of each species: Noctilio leporinus (fish-eating), Phyllostomus hastatus (carnivorous/ omnivorous) and Carollia perspicillata (fruit-eating) and were double-embedded and transverse serial sections were cut and stained with cresyl fast violet. The results showed that the MNTB is well developed in all the bats in general and the mean length of the MNTB was 1160 ± 124 µm in N. leporinus, 400 ± 59 µm in P. hastatus and 320 ± 25µm in C. perspicillata. The body and brain weight do not reflect proportionately on the size of the MNTB in the present study. The hearing frequency spectrum did not covary with the size of the MNTB among the bats studied. The MNTB is clearly demarcated from the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body (VNTB) only in P. hastatus. The MNTB comprised mainly three types of cells in all three bats: dense-staining multipolar cells (12.5 µm and 25.0 µm diameter); light-staining multipolar cells measuring (12.5 µm and 25.0 µm diameter) and light-staining round cells (5.0 µm diameter). The large sized MNTB was observed in N. leporinus, which suggests that it relies heavily on echolocation whereas P. hastatus and C. perspicillata use echolocation as well but also rely on hearing, smell and vision.

Resumo O presente estudo foi realizado para testar a hipótese de que o núcleo medial do corpo trapezoide (MNTB) de morcegos neotropicais ecolocativos com comportamento forrageiro diferente apresenta variações morfológicas no tamanho relativo, grau de complexidade e distribuição espacial. Os cérebros foram coletados de seis morcegos machos adultos de cada espécie, Noctilio leporinus (comedor de peixe), Phyllostomus hastatus (carnívoro/onívoro) e Carollia perspicillata (comedor de frutas), e foram seccionados em série e seções seriais transversais duplas e coradas com cresil violeta. Os resultados mostraram que o MNTB é bem desenvolvido em todos os morcegos em geral e que o comprimento médio do MNTB foi de 1.160 ± 124 µm em N. leporinus, 400 ± 59 µm em P. hastatus e 320 ± 25 µm em C. perspicillata. O peso corporal e cerebral não reflete proporcionalmente o tamanho do MNTB no presente estudo. O espectro da frequência auditiva não covaria com o tamanho do MNTB entre os morcegos estudados. O MNTB é claramente demarcado do núcleo ventral do corpo trapezoidal (VNTB) apenas em P. hastatus. O MNTB compreendia principalmente três tipos de células nos três morcegos: células multipolares de coloração densa (12,5 µm e 25,0 µm de diâmetro), células multipolares de coloração clara (12,5 µm e 25,0 µm de diâmetro) e células redondas manchadas de luz (5,0 µm de diâmetro). O MNTB de grande porte foi observado em N. leporinus, o que sugere que ele depende muito da ecolocalização, enquanto P. hastatus e C. perspicillata também usam a ecolocalização, mas dependem da audição, olfato e visão.

Aqueous extract of sida acuta attenuates nicotine-induced cerebellar dysfunction in adult male rats

@#Sida acuta (SA) has a variety of traditional uses spanning from its fresh root that is chewed for the treatment of dysentery to hot aqueous extract of dried plant orally administered as diuretic. The aqueous extract of the plant has antimicrobial, antimalarial, analgesic and antiplasmodial effects. This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of the aqueous extract of the leaves of SA in nicotine-induced cereballar dysfunction. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly separated into the following groups: Vehicle (received distilled water), Nicotine-treated (NIC-treated; received 1.0mg of Nicotine per kg of body weight), SA-treated (received 500mg/kg of body weight of aqueous extract of SA) and NIC+ SA-treated (received 1.0mg of Nicotine and 500mg of SA per kg body weight). The treatment lasted for 28 days and the administration was done daily by oral gavage. The body weight change was monitored using standard animal weighing balance; biochemical assay and cerebellar tissue histology were performed as previously described. The results showed increase in body weight gain and disruption of cytoarchitecture of the cerebellum in nicotine-treated group compared with vehicle-treated group. These alterations of cerebellar morphology may be associated with increased oxidative stress. However, concomitant administration of aqueous extract of SA during treatment with nicotine attenuated cerebellar disruption. The result indicated that administration of aqueous extract of the leaves of SA during treatment with nicotine preserves cerebellar function.

Cytoarchitecture of the medial nucleus of trapezoid body of three neotropical species of bats (Noctilio leporinus, Phyllostomus hastatus, and Carollia perspicillata) with different foraging behavior

Abstract The present study was taken to test the hypothesis that the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) of echolocating neotropical bats with different foraging behavior will exhibit morphological variations in relative size, degree of complexity and spatial distribution. The brains were collected from six male adult bats of each species: Noctilio leporinus (fish-eating), Phyllostomus hastatus (carnivorous/ omnivorous) and Carollia perspicillata (fruit-eating) and were double-embedded and transverse serial sections were cut and stained with cresyl fast violet. The results showed that the MNTB is well developed in all the bats in general and the mean length of the MNTB was 1160 ± 124 µm in N. leporinus, 400 ± 59 µm in P. hastatus and 320 ± 25µm in C. perspicillata. The body and brain weight do not reflect proportionately on the size of the MNTB in the present study. The hearing frequency spectrum did not covary with the size of the MNTB among the bats studied. The MNTB is clearly demarcated from the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body (VNTB) only in P. hastatus. The MNTB comprised mainly three types of cells in all three bats: dense-staining multipolar cells (12.5 µm and 25.0 µm diameter); light-staining multipolar cells measuring (12.5 µm and 25.0 µm diameter) and light-staining round cells (5.0 µm diameter). The large sized MNTB was observed in N. leporinus, which suggests that it relies heavily on echolocation whereas P. hastatus and C. perspicillata use echolocation as well but also rely on hearing, smell and vision.

Resumo O presente estudo foi realizado para testar a hipótese de que o núcleo medial do corpo trapezoide (MNTB) de morcegos neotropicais ecolocativos com comportamento forrageiro diferente apresenta variações morfológicas no tamanho relativo, grau de complexidade e distribuição espacial. Os cérebros foram coletados de seis morcegos machos adultos de cada espécie, Noctilio leporinus (comedor de peixe), Phyllostomus hastatus (carnívoro/onívoro) e Carollia perspicillata (comedor de frutas), e foram seccionados em série e seções seriais transversais duplas e coradas com cresil violeta. Os resultados mostraram que o MNTB é bem desenvolvido em todos os morcegos em geral e que o comprimento médio do MNTB foi de 1.160 ± 124 µm em N. leporinus, 400 ± 59 µm em P. hastatus e 320 ± 25 µm em C. perspicillata. O peso corporal e cerebral não reflete proporcionalmente o tamanho do MNTB no presente estudo. O espectro da frequência auditiva não covaria com o tamanho do MNTB entre os morcegos estudados. O MNTB é claramente demarcado do núcleo ventral do corpo trapezoidal (VNTB) apenas em P. hastatus. O MNTB compreendia principalmente três tipos de células nos três morcegos: células multipolares de coloração densa (12,5 µm e 25,0 µm de diâmetro), células multipolares de coloração clara (12,5 µm e 25,0 µm de diâmetro) e células redondas manchadas de luz (5,0 µm de diâmetro). O MNTB de grande porte foi observado em N. leporinus, o que sugere que ele depende muito da ecolocalização, enquanto P. hastatus e C. perspicillata também usam a ecolocalização, mas dependem da audição, olfato e visão.

Shift in cytoarchitecture of immunocytes of mudcrab exposed to arsenic.

Estuarine mudcrab, Scylla serrata is an economically important species and inhabitant of Sundarban ecosystem. This intertidal species is under constant exposure of diverse xenobiotics including toxic metalloid arsenic. Arsenic, being a major environmental contaminant of selected districts of the state of West Bengal poses a serious toxicological threat to this edible species. Toxicity of arsenic was investigated in the cytoarchitecture of hemocyte of S. serrata by exposing the animals to the sublethal concentrations of 1, 2 and 3 ppm sodium arsenite for a maximum period of 30 days in controlled laboratory conditions. Arsenic induced hemocytic disruption in relation to shape, size of cell and nuclear morphology is indicative to possible dysfunction of blood cell. Blood cells or hemocytes are reported as chief immunoeffector cells of invertebrates and are capable of performing multiple immunological functions including nonself adhesion, aggregation, phagocytosis and generation of cytotoxic agents. The toxic exposure may impaired or altered the innate immune response of hemocyte of the animal that may lead to decline of this economically important species in Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve. This study would help to be selected S. serrata as bioindicator species and also formulate sustainable strategy of conservation of this important species inhabiting the biologically unsafe habitat of Sundarbans.

The Neurotoxic Effects of Artemether on the Cytoarchitecture of the Trapezoid Nuclei of Adult Male Wistar Rats (Rattus novegicus) / Efectos Neurotóxicos del Artemeter sobre la Citoarquitectura del Núcleo Trapezoide en Ratas Machos Adultas Wistar (Rattus novegicus)

In Man, artemether is given at 160mg/kg/bodyweight for three days in the treatment of malarial. This study investigated the effects of corresponding 1.23/mg/kg/bodyweight of artemether for a period of seven days on the trapezoid nuclei and the behavioural functions on day 7 after drug administration in rats. This study observed no gross or morphological differences between the two groups of animals (control and experimental groups) on day 7 at the completion of experimental procedure. A significant statistical increase in average body weight was observed in the control groups C1 (which received only standard diet and water) and C2 (which received 1.23mg/kg/bodyweight of normal saline intramuscularly in addition to standard diet and water) from 140- + 19.65g on day 1 to 146 + 19.90g on Day 1 and 151 + 12.0g on Day 1 to 156.2 + 12.2g on Day 7 respectively. There was a non-statistically significant apparent reduction in body weight in the experimental group E, (which received intramuscular injection of 1.23mg/kg/bodyweight of artemether) from 160 + 9.0g on Day 1 to 157.4 + 8.0g on Day 7. The assessment of brainstem nuclei showed patchychromatic appearance of neurons of the trapezoid nuclei in the experimental group as against the normal vesicular appearance of neurons of the trapezoid nuclei in the Control Group C. The rats in the control groups CI and C2 displayed normal balance and co-ordination, while rats in the experimental group E, showed abnormalities of balance and co-ordination. Using t-test analysis technique at 95% confidence interval i.e t < 0.05 and P - value = 2.26, no significant difference was observed between the average brain weight in the control groups C1 and C2 and the experimental group E.

En el Hombre, el artemeter es dado en el tratamiento de la malaria en dosis de 160 mg/kg de peso, por tres días. Este estudio abordó los efectos de un tratamiento con artemeter, durante 7 días (en dosis de 1,23 mg/kg de peso) sobre el núcleo trapezoide de ratas y las funciones de conducta, en el día 7 después de la administración de la droga. No se observaron ni macro ni diferencias morfológicas entre dos grupos de animales (grupos control y experimental) en el día 7 de la completación del procedimiento. Un incremento estadísticamente significativo en el promedio del peso del cuerpo fue encontrado en el grupo control C1 (el que recibió solamente una dieta standard y agua) y C2 (que recibió 1,23 mg/kg de peso de solución salina intramuscular agregada a la dieta y al agua) que fue desde 140± 19,65 g y 146 ± 19,9 g en el día 1, respectivamente y de 151 ± 12 g y de 156,2 ± 12,2 g en el día 7, respectivamente. No hubo una reducción aparente estadísticamente significativa en el peso del cuerpo del grupo experimental (el cual recibió inyección intramuscular de 1,23 mg/kg de peso de artemeter), la que fue desde 160 ± 9 g en el día 1 y de 157,4 ± 8, en el día 7. La evaluación de núcleos del tronco encefálico mostró apariencia cromática irregular de las neuronas del núcleo trapezoide en el grupo experimental contrariamente a la apariencia vesicular normal de las neuronas de este núcleo en el grupo control. Las ratas de los grupos controles C1 y C2 presentaron un normal balanceo y coordinación, mientras que las ratas del grupo experimental, mostraron anormalidades de balanceo y coordinación. Usando el test t con 95% de intervalo de confianza, p 0,05 y con un valor p=2,26, no se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el promedio de los grupos C1 y C2 y del grupo experimental.

THE CYTOARCHITECTURE OF DORSAL COMMISSURE NUCLEUS OF THE SACRAL SPINAL CORD IN CAT / 解剖学报

The Nissl and Golgi staining methods and electron microscopy were u(?)o investigate the architecture of dorsal commissure nucleus (DCN) of the sacral spinal cord in cat. A morphologically specific nucleus could be identified in the medial part of the lamina Ⅵ of dorsal horn. The nucleus located beside the dorsal funiculus at the lumbar level and gradually moved toward the midline of the dorsal gray commissure in the ventromedial direction as the dorsal gray commissure enlarged at the segments S_(1-2) and two ellipsoid nuclei was formed at the two sides of the midline. A large triangular nucleus was gradually formed by fusion of the two nuclei at S_3-Co_1. Golgi stain positive neurons could be classified into three types: (1) small-triangular neurons (60%); (2) fusiform neurons (30%); (3) oval and irregular neurons (10%). The cell organells of most neurons were plentiful. The cell nucleus was irregular and often with deep invaginations. A large number of free ribosomes and saccules could be found in the canals formed by the nuclear invagination. There were axo-dentritic, axo-axonic, axo-somatic synaptic contacts in the DCN with percentages of 89%, 6%, and 5% respectively. The serial synapse, axo-spinous synapse and crest synapses could also be found.

THE CYTOARCHITECTONIC STRUCTURE OF LAMINA V OF MEDULLARY DORSAL HORN (TRIGEMINAL NUCLEUS CAUDALIS) IN THE CAT / 解剖学报

Using Nissl method, Kluver and Barrera method and rapid Golgi method, we found that there were large, medium and small-sized neurons in lamina V of medullary dorsal horn Of the cat, the medium-sized neurons were most numerous and the large-sized neurons were least in number. According to the dendritic branching pattern and the number of spines, the lamina Ⅴ neurons could be divided into two categories——the radiate neuron and bushy neuron. The former contained three subcategories: pyramidal, polygonal and bipolar neurons. Spiny and smooth types were found in pyramidal and polygonal neurons. Considering with the results of neurophysiologic research and intracellular injection of HRP by others, we presume that different types of neurons in lamina Ⅴ might also differ functionally. In addition, according to the results of transganglionic transport of HRP from the peripheral and retrograde transport of HRP from the thalamus, it was assumed that some neurons in lamina V received messages from the primary afferent in lamina Ⅴ, Ⅳ, and Ⅲ, and thence, transmitted them to the thalamus.

RESEARCH ON THE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE HIPPOCAMPUS—FORNIX—MAMILLOTHALAMIC SYSTEMS AND THE SPATIAL SEQUENTIAL STRUCTURE IN THE HIPPOCAMPUS OF THE RABBIT / 解剖学报

Nine adult rabbits, perfused with 10% formalin, were used in this experiment. Five of them were mounted on the stereotaxic apparatus according to the Sawyer's atlas. Brains were removed and made serial sections including thalamus and hippocampus. The neocortices of the other four rabbits were removed and the hippocampal formations were exposed. Serial sections of the hippocampus were made and stained alternately with Nissl's method and the silver impregnation method of Glees. The results could be summarized as follows.1. The hippocampus measured 28.00-36.00 mm in length, 6.00-8.50 mm in breadth and 2.68-3.39 mm in thickness. The total numbers of the pyramidal cells (CA_1-CA_4), the granular cells in the dentate gyrus and the basket cells were 7.36?10~6, 4.93?10~6, 2.40?10~5 respectively. The ratio of the total numbers among the pyramidal, granular and the basket cells was 30:20:1 approximately. The total number of the CA_1 pyramidal neurones was 4.11?10~6, and that of the CA_3 was 2.48?10~6. The ratio of the numbers of the CA_1 and CA_3 neurones was 1.66:1.2. The arrangements of the granular cells in the dentate gyrus and the apical dentrites of the CA_1 neurones were rather regular and possessed a typical array-like structure.3. The total numbers of the fibers in the column fornix (FN)and the mamillothalamic tract (MT) were 83700 and 58740 respectively. MT:FN=1:1.42. The total number of the neurones in the mamillary nucleus was 113500, and that of the anterior thalamic nucleus was 165600. The ratio of the neurones between these two nuclei was 1:1.46.According to the results mentioned above, the functional significance of the characteristic structure of the hippocampus was also discussed.

MALE-FEMALE DIFFERENCE IN CYTOARCHITECTURE OF THE SEXUALLY DIMORPHIC NUCLEUS OF THE PREOPTIC AREA IN RATS / 解剖学报

The cytoarchitecture of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area(SDN-POA)of male and female rats was studied with Nissl stain and rapid Golgimethod under light microscope.The results were as follows:1.The volume of theSDN-POA of the male was markedly 3.1 times larger than that of the female.2.In both sexes,the cell density of the SDN-POA significantly increased as comparedwith that of the surrounding,while the sexual difference of the cell density withinthe SDN-POA was not found.3.There was marked male-female difference in theneu(?)onal organization of the nucleus,in which the number of large cells was signi-ficantly greater in males than in females.4.In males,dendritic trees principallyoriented in dorsolateral,ventrolateral and medial directions.In contrast,dendritictrees in females mainly oriented in dorsal and ventromedial directions.5.The meantotal length of the dendritic tree was larger in males than in females and the dis-tribution of the dendritic tree showed sexual difference in the X axis but not in theY axis.6.The number of the dendritic spine was 2.1 times greater in females thanin males.

CONNECTION BETWEEN THE VENTROLATERAL SUPERFICIAL AREA OF THE MEDULLA WITH THE SPINAL CORD IN THE RABBIT / 解剖学报

Cytoarchitecture of the ventrolateral superficial area of the medulla was studied on normal rabbit Nissl sections.There was a superficial area of small and medium sized cells,mostly fusiform,lateral to the pyramid.In middle and upper parts of the medulla superficial cells were also found in less amount in more lateral regions. At the middle medullary level there was a band of cells about 300 ?m from the surface with medium sized ones as its most prominent elements. HRP or WGA-HRP was injected in 10 rabbits into the cervical,thoracic or lumbar spinal cord unilaterally and its connection with the ventrolateral superficial area of the medulla was traced.Labeled cells were found in all cases along the pyramid.The lateral part of the superficial area was less labeled.The medium sized cell band at the middle medulla was markedly labeled,especially in thoracic injec- tion cases.More labeled cells were found in cervical injection cases in an area ventromedial to the facial nucleus. Anterogradely labeled terminal arborizations were in general small in amount, somewhat more prominent in cervical cases. The relation between the ventrolateral superficial area and the chemosensitive area is disscussed.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CYTOARCHITECTURE OF THE HUMAN FETAL VISUAL CORTEX (AREA 17) PRIOR TO THE APPEARANCE OF SIX LAMINAE OF BRODMANN——A SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC (SEM) OBSERVATION / 解剖学报

Tissue was obtained from 14 aborted human fetuses, ranging from 13-32 weeks of gestation (wg). The crown-rump length (CR) ranged from 8.3-33 cm. Frontal sections of the specimens were prosessed for SEM and observation were focused on the areas adjacent to the middle part of the calcarine fissure.At 13 wg (CR 8.3 cm), the visual cortex (area 17) was composed of five zones: viz., the ventricular zone, the subventricular zone, the intermediate zone, the cortical plate and the marginal zone. These five zones showed a series of transformations with increasing age. 1) The ventricular zone became progressively thinner, mitotic activity of the ventrieular cells decreased progressively and finally the ventricular ceils differentiated into a single layer of ependymal cells. 2) The subventricular zone and the inter mediated zone were replaced by fiber bundles of white matter. 3) The cortical plate increased in width, exhibited the greatest growth rate, and became differentiated. At 21 wg (CR 20cm), the lower part of the cortical plate first gave rise to laminae VI and V. At 23 wg (CR 22cm), lamina Ⅳ was established in the middle part of cortical plate. At 26 wg (CR 25cm), laminae Ⅲ and Ⅱ could be identified in the upper part of cortical plate. 4) The marginal zone transformed into lamina Ⅰ at its original site.