Special Features in the Reproductive Anatomy, Physiology, and Behavior of Male Camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The peculiarities of anatomic and physiologic features of dromedary camels are elucidated in this review and compared with Bactrian, camels, and other species. Both dromedary and Bactrian camel scrotum varies in length from 10-20 cm and the testes are in the perineal region behind the thighs (like dogs) and weigh from 80-90 gm and length varies from 10-14 cm. Compared to ram and buck, camel epididymis has a higher weight (20-46 g) and has a unique structure called the intra-epithelial glands. Both dromedaries and Bactrian camels do not have seminal vesicles. Male camels have specialized secretory glands behind the ears known as poll glands that are bigger in the Bactrian camels compared to dromedary camels and similar glands are not seen in any of the other domestic species. Camels have a special reproductive behavior during the breeding season known as rut and include extrusion of the soft palate, copious froth from the mouth, gurgling sounds, splashing of urine, increased secretion from the poll glands and loss of appetite with considerable reduction in body weight. Such behaviors are not evidenced by any other domestic species including buffalo. Serum testosterone rises substantially in male camels during rut (2-42 ng/mL) compared to the non-rutting season (0.6-8 ng/mL) and the resultant increase in the size of the testes, number, and functionality of Leydig cells and secretion of poll glands. The serum thyroidal hormones also increase significantly during the rut season. It is concluded that male camels have some special anatomic and physiologic features of reproduction not observed in other domestic species.

The Potentiation of Anti-inflammatory Effect and INOS and COX-2 Gene Expression Inhibition by Rut in When Complexed with Cooper.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate both the antioxidant effect and antiinflammatory activity of a new transition metal coordinated rut in compound, Rutin-Cu2 complex. Study Design: Flavonoids have proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Moreover, recent researches demonstrate that the antioxidant activity of flavonoids is believed to increase when they are coordinated with transition metal ions. Our group has recently synthesized new compounds by the reaction of rut in (a flavonoid) with divalent metal salts (copper acetate, nickel acetate or iron sulfate), rendering new transitional metal coordinated rut in compounds, named R-Fe1 [(FeC27H32O21S)2], R-Cu2 [C31H32O18Cu.2H20] and R-Ni2 (C31H42O23Ni). In order to investigate the ability of these new compounds in modulating biological activity and to compare if metal coordinated rut in could increase anti-inflammatory activity of rut in alone, we used murine experimental model of peritonitis to measured cell migration and In vitro models of antioxidant activity to evaluate radical superoxide scavenging activity and of macrophage cell line culture to quantify nitric oxide production and iNOS and COX-2 gene expression. Methodology: To characterize physical-chemical the new generated compounds we used elemental analysis, FT-IR and UV/Vis. The antioxidant effect was evaluate by radical superoxide scavenging assay, using NBT methodology. The anti-inflammatory activity of the new compounds were investigated by peritonitis models induced by carrageenan (1%, 4h), bradikynin (10nmol/cavity, 1h), histamine (100μg/cavity, 1h), substance P (20nmol/cavity, 1,5h) and PGE2 (10nmol/cavity, 1h). Total and leucocytes subtypes numbers were evaluated in harvest cells from mice peritoneum after phlogistic agents administration, in controls groups (not treated or treated with dexamethasone or rut in alone) or tested groups (treated with metal coordinated compounds). RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with LPS on the absence or presence of rut in alone (0.01–90mMr), or Rutin-Cu2 complex (0.01–90mM). The production of NO was measured in culture supernatant after 24h of cell incubation, by Griess assay. And iNOS and COX-2 transcripts were quantified by real time PCR with SYBR GREEN, on cDNAs obtained after 24h of cell incubation, in a step one instrument (Applied bio systems). Results: Complex formation was also verified by 1H RNM, using DMSO-d6 as solvent. The proton signals from Hydroxyl groups 5-OH, 7-OH, 3’-OH and 4’-OH shifted to lower and broader frequencies in coordinated complex R-Fe1, R-Cu2 and R-Ni2, compared with signals from free rut in. The results showed that R-Cu2 complex presented a higher superoxide scavenging effect when compared with rut in alone (6.95% and 46.42%, at 10μM; and 51.80% and 71.32%, at 100μM, respectively). The results also showed that R-Cu2 inhibited significantly (P<0.05; ANOVA) cell migration (neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes) in peritonitis induced by carrageenan, bradikynin and PGE2, in mice, when compared to controls ones (without treatment or Ru alone treatment). Furthermore, rutin and R-Cu2 significantly (P<0.05, paired t test) inhibited iNOS and COX-2 gene expression in LPS-induced macrophage cells. Conclusions: Taken together, our results show for the first time that the R-Cu2 complex, a metal coordinated rut in compound, produces anti-inflammatory effects in mice, at least in part, by means of increasing the antioxidant activity and inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 gene expression. We suggest that cooper coordinated rut in compound can potentiates some biological properties of this flavonoid and could be more effective for therapeutic treatment of diseases related to oxidative stress.

Helicobacter Pylori Eradication Therapy in both Erosive and Non-erosive Gastritis — A Prospective Study.

Background: Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a recognized cause of peptic ulcer and gastritis. Persistence of infection is a definite risk factor for gastric malignancy. Healing of gastritis after eradication of H. pylori reduces the risks of peptic ulcer disease and gastric malignancy. Objectives: To find out the relationship of H. pylori with erosive and nonerosive gastritis, the effect of anti-H. pylori therapy and to compare the effects of anti-H. pylori therapy between two types of gastritis. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was done in the Gastroenterology department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from June 2008 to May 2009. One hundred eighty dyspeptic patients were enrolled for the study. Patients with gastritis diagnosed by endoscopy underwent rapid urease test (RUT). RUT positive patients were considered to have H. pylori infection and were treated with triple therapy (omeprazole, amoxycillin and metronidiazole) for 14 days. Treatment responses were assessed by clinical history and also by endoscopic biopsy and RUT. Results of endoscopic findings and RUT after treatment were compared with pretreatment status. Results: Seventy patients completed the treatment and finally could be assessed. Endoscopic findings of 70 patients revealed that 56 (80%) patients had erosive gastritis and 14 (20%) patients had nonerosive gastritis. After treatment, 47 (67.1%) lesions became normal, 16 (22.9%) remained erosive and 7 (10%) non-erosive as before. Out of 14 non-erosive diseases, 7 became normal, while out of 56 erosive diseases 40 became normal. The erosive group responded significantly better than the non-erosive group (c2=32.766, p<0.001). Fifty nine (84.3%) patients with gastritis showed negative urease test after treatment. Conclusion: Strong relation between H. pylori infection and gastritis was found. Majority were antral erosive gastritis. Erosive group responded better than non-erosive group.

Influence of buffer systems on Trichoderma reesei Rut C-30 morphology and cellulase production

The cellulase enzyme production is a key issue in the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials. Since fungal morphology influences the productivity of fungal fermentations, it is of major importance to well know the fungal behavior during culture for cellulase production. In this work, the influence of medium supplementation, with different buffer systems at two different concentrations and pH conditions, on the morphology of T. reesei Rut C-30 and cellulase production, was investigated. A medium without buffer was used as control. The results suggest that fungal morphology is significantly dependent on the addition of different buffer systems to the nutrient broth. The mycelial morphology shows a clear transition from clumped to pelleted forms in cultures with variation of buffer systems and concentration. The higher filter paper activity was obtained using 100 mM succinate buffer, at pH 4.8, in the medium supplementation, corresponding to a dispersed mycelial morphology.