Morphological study on the human fetal coccygeal body

The coccygeal body is one of the least studied and most mysterious structures of the human body. The insufficient investigation of its morphology has provoked a lot of controversy, especially in relation to its function. It has been assumed to act as a gland similar to the carotid body, or as a part of chromaffin system, or even as a large variant of arteriovenous anastomotic glomus body [glomus coccygcus]. So, this study aimed to throw more light on its early [fetal] morphology that would enable a better understanding of its function. The specimens included 16 postmortem male fetuses [abortions] ranged between 16 weeks and full term. The coccyx with the pericoccygeal soft tissue were dissected [in block], divided into two symmetrical halves and processed for paraffin and semithin sections. The present examination showed a constant [anatomical] presence of the epithelioid cell clusters characteristic of the coccygeal body in all the examined ages. Two patterns of clusters could be distinguished: A more encountered capsulated cluster [coccygeal body] and a less encountered perivaseular clusters or cuffs that could be better termed [glonius coccygeus]. The clusters were mainly found precoccygcal, less commonly at the tip, or rarely posicoccygeal; accordingly, the term [pericoccygcal body] could be proposed. Special stains revealed the contractile nature of the epihelioid cells; while, no chromallin granules or nerve fibers could be detected. It was concluded that it could be assumed that there are two types of coccygeal bodies that might possess different functions. Moreover, pathologists should be aware of this normally present [anatomical] structure and not to be mistaken with the glomus tumor of coccyx

Corneal changes related to aging and diabetes mellitus in albino rat: a histological and an ultrastructural study

In this work, 30 male albino rats were used and divided into three equal groups, each consisted of ten rats. The fist group included 3-month old adult rats and served as a control, the rats of the second group included senile 18-month old rats, while the third group was composed of 3-month adult rats that rendered diabetic by single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan in a dose of 20 mg/100 g body weight. Then, the diabetic rats were sacrificed after three months. Specimens from the rat's cornea from the investigated groups were processed to paraffin sections and stained with either hematoxylin and eosin [Hx and E] or periodic acid Schiff [PAS]. The other specimens were prepared to be subjected to scanning electron microscopy. The rat's cornea of the control group was composed of the following layers from outside to inward: Epithelium, Bowman's membrane, substantia propria and Descemet's membrane with its endothelial lining. It was concluded that the diabetic state induced histological and ultrastructural changes in the rat's cornea that were similar to those of the senile cornea but more aggravated. Thus, these corneal changes could explain why some insulin- dependent diabetics need a continuous follow up examination of their eyes for the early detection of corneal complication, especially before any surgical procedures

Panax ginseng as a protective agent against gamma radiation induced genotoxicity in adult male ablino rats

This study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of the antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic Panax ginseng on the toxic effect of whole body gamma radiation in albino rats. A total of 105 adult male albino rats was divided into seven groups of 15 rats each. Groups I, II and III served as controls, group IV was exposed to whole body gamma radiation [7 grays], group V was given ginseng 100 mg/kg for a week, then exposed to gamma rays, group VI was exposed to gamma rays, followed by an administration of ginseng for a week and group VII was given ginseng for a week, then exposed to gamma rays, followed by ginseng administration for another week. Animals were sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd and 7th day post-irradiation where a chromosomal study of both bone marrow and spermatocytes was done. One testis and a part of the ileum were obtained from each sacrificed animal at the 7th day post-irradiation for a histological study