Annona Muricata L. extract restores renal function, oxidative stress, immunohistochemical structure, and gene expression of TNF-α, IL-ß1, and CYP2E1 in the kidney of DMBA-intoxicated rats.

Introduction: 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA) is a harmful polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon derivative known for its cytotoxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic effects in mammals and other species. Annona muricata, L. (Graviola; GRV) is a tropical fruit tree traditionally well-documented for its various medicinal benefits. This investigation is the first report on the potential antioxidant and antinfammatory reno-protective impact of GRV against DMBA-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Methods: Forty male albino rats were allocated into four equal groups (n = 10). The 1st group served as the control, the 2nd group (GRV) was gastro-gavaged with GRV (200 mg/kg b.wt), the 3rd group (DMBA) was treated with a single dose of DMBA (15 mg/kg body weight), and the 4th group (DMBA + GRV) was gastro-gavaged with a single dose of DMBA, followed by GRV (200 mg/kg b.wt). The GRV administration was continued for 8 weeks. Results and Discussion: Results revealed a significant improvement in renal function, represented by a decrease in urea, creatinine, and uric acid (UA) in the DMBA + GRV group. The antioxidant potential of GRV was confirmed in the DMBA + GRV group by a significant decline in malondialdehyde (MDA) and a significant increase in catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S transferase (GST), and reduced glutathione (GSH) compared to DMBA-intoxicated rats; however, it was not identical to the control. Additionally, the antiinflammatory role of GRV was suggested by a significant decline in mRNA expression of cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily e, polypeptide 1 (CYP2E1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß) in the DMBA + GRV group. Moreover, GRV improved the histopathologic and immunohistochemical expression of TNF-α, CYP450, and IL1ß in DMBA-intoxicated kidney tissue. Conclusively, GRV is a natural medicinal product that can alleviate the renal injury resulting from environmental exposure to DMBA. The reno-protective effects of GRV may involve its anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidant properties, which are based on the presence of phytochemical compounds such as acetogenins, alkaloids, and flavonoids.

Ultrastructural adaptation of the oropharyngeal cavity of the Eurasian common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus chloropus): Specific adaptive dietary implications.

The present investigation represents the first morphological description of the oropharyngeal cavity of Eurasian common moorhen. Nine oropharyngeal cavities were examined grossly and by stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations. The tongue had a rounded apex with multiple acicular processes on its rostral and lateral borders. The dorsal lingual surface of the apex and body had a median sulcus. The papillary crest carried four caudally directed triangular conical papillae on its median part and four triangular conical papillae on each lateral part. The filiform papillary system; small papillae on apex and long papillae on the rostral part of the body while broad papillae on the caudal part of the body. The lingual root had a special appearance by presence of three areas: mucosal fossa, two lateral ridges, and rhomboidal elevated central part. The caudal border of the mound carried heart-shaped pharyngeal papillae that possessed three papillary rows. The palate had a median palatine ridge rostrally that surrounded by two lateral palatine ridges. The choanae had two equal parts: rostral tapering and wide caudal. The rostral tapering choanal part was surrounded by two longitudinal rows of caudally directed conical papillae, one on each side. There was a single transverse row of conical papillae on each side of the caudal part of the rostral tapering choanal part. The caudal wide choanal part did not encircle by any papillae. Our conclusion exhibited unique structural and functional specifications of the oropharyngeal cavity with the tongue that evident with nutritional behavior.

Snout cutis of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus, Linnaeus, 1758): Using light and transmission electron microscopy.

The current study was designed to give microscopic view on the snout skin of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) to clear its adaptations with the function of exploring for the food and pushing the objects. This study carried out on the snout skin of apparently healthy 1 year five pigs (Sus Scrofa) and examined under the light and transmission electron microscopy. Our results clarify that the snout skin cutis composed of the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis consisted of stratum corneum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale. The stratum corneum and the stratum spinosum appeared thicker than other parts. The dermis consisted of a reticular and a papillary dermis. For tightness junction between the dermis and the epidermis, the hemidesmosomes were observed, while the desmosomes were presented in abundant numbers at the level of stratum basale to ensure the adhesion between the keratinocytes. The merocrine sweat glands were observed in abundant numbers to provide the wetness of the snout to avoid its injury from friction during food exploring or pushing of the objects. We concluded that the adaptation of the snout skin with the environmental condition surrounding the studied domestic pig.

Ultrastructural characterization of the intestine of the Eurasian common moorhen using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy.

The present investigation focused on the morphological features of the intestine of Eurasian common moorhen by the aid of scanning electron microscopy and histological, morphometric, and statistical examinations. The intestinal villi were varied in shape along the intestinal tract; the duodenal villi were elongated and twisted, the jejunal villi were tongue-like, the ileal villi were cuboidal, and the cecal villi were tongue-like and finger-like at the base and body of the cecum. While at the apex of the cecum, it appeared as corrugated longitudinal folds and the rectal villi appeared as columns. The microvilli were present as projections on the surface of villi of the small intestine and the base of the cecum. While at the body and the apex of the cecum, the microvilli appeared as threads and as brush hairs on the rectal villi. The duodenal, jejunal, ileal, cecal, and rectal villi were lined by simple columnar epithelium with goblet cells. The submucosal layer of small intestine consisted of connective tissue fibers along the intestinal tract, but it was absent at the base of the cecum. The tunica musculosa consisted of single longitudinal layer of smooth muscle fibers in the duodenum and rectum. While in the jejunum, ileum, and cecum, it was composed of single circular layer of smooth muscle fibers. The thickness of the tunics differed among the intestinal parts.

Visual adaptation and retinal characterization of the Garganey (Anas querquedula): Histological and scanning electron microscope observations.

The present study was designed to provide a complete morphological description of the eye of the migratory Garganey duck (Anas querquedula) and its visual adaptation with the different surrounding environmental conditions during its migration journeys using a stereomicroscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and light microscope. The current work depends on six adult Garganey ducks that were captured from the area near and on the shores of Edku city. The obtained results revealed that the eye of the migratory Garganey duck has the features of both diurnal and nocturnal birds. The histological examination reveals that the pigmented epithelium of the retina has long prolongations filled with melanin. The cone is the dominant photoreceptor, but simple rods are present. The inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers are thick. SEM examination shows that the arrangement of the collagen fibrils on the external surface was reticular in shape. The radial folds present as pledged structures on the pigmented epithelium covered with circular structures. The main lens body has flat with hexagonal outlines fibers. The edges and surfaces of these hexagonal fibers were studded with protrusions or elevations (balls) and depressions (sockets). The sockets and balls were either rounded or ellipsoid in shape. The balls were more on the edges and the sockets on the surface. In conclusion, our findings indicated a higher degree of functional adaptation between the morphological structure of the eye and the surrounding environmental conditions.

A study of the shoulder and elbow joints of the donkey (Equus asinus) by gross anatomical dissection, radiography, computed tomography, and intra-articular injection.

Joint diseases often represent the major part of equine clinician's caseloads. The current study aimed to document the normal anatomy of the donkey shoulder and elbow joints using computed tomography, cadaver sections, and radiography. Seven adult donkeys were used in this study. The current study proved there were no pouches of the donkey shoulder joint. Communication between the joint capsule and bicipital bursa was observed only in two limbs of four used in the present work. The joint was without pericapsular ligaments. The glenohumeral ligament was identified by the thickening of the articular capsule cranially. The shoulder joint approach for intra-articular injection is located on the lateral aspect corresponding to the humerus greater tubercle. The elbow joint capsule is attached to the margins of the articular surfaces of the humerus, radius, and ulna bones. It was thick on the cranial surface of the joint but became thinner caudally. The joint capsule of the elbow joint formed a single pouch cranially and three pouches caudally. The joint had medial and lateral collateral ligaments. The current study recorded that the lateral collateral ligament of the donkey elbow joint was not divided as in the horse, only the medial collateral ligament was divided into two parts; the long cranial and short caudal part. Elbow joint approach for intra-articular injection was in the cranial pouch on the cranial border of the lateral collateral ligament. The data collected within this study will be useful as a normal reference for donkey practitioners.

Gill morphology of Bagrus bayad (Forskal, 1775) using scanning electron microscopy.

The work under investigation is carried out to describe the gross morphology and ultrastructure of the gills of the species Bagrus bayad grossly and with the help of scanning electron microscopy. The current work carried on ten fresh adult Bagrus bayad. Bagrus bayad is a genus of the Bagridae family. Our results revealed that the operculum opened caudoventrally. The wide interbranchial septum consisted of four transverse raised areas on each side that connected by transverse lines caudal to the base of the tongue. The gill arch is divided into long ceratobranchial and the short epibranchial clearly and formed an angle between them in the first three gill arches but in the fourth-gill arch is not clear. The first two gill arches have only lateral rackers. The first arch carried well-developed long rackers while rackers on the following rows were short. The majority of gill rackers were short as an adaptation of the carnivorous feeding habit of the Bagrus bayad. The gill arch and rackers were covered by pavement cells with chloride and mucus cells. The pavement cell surface has numerous microridges giving them the fingerprint's appearance. The gill filament's length is nearly fixed along the entire gill arch. Along the gill arch, and the gill filament carried leaf-like gill lamellae. At higher magnification, the gill filament appeared covered by irregular polygonal cells that have concentric microridges.

Ultrastructural studies of the pecten oculi of the Garganey (Anas querquedula, Linnaeus 1758) and the Eurasian common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus chloropus, Linnaeus 1758).

The present study represents the first attempts to give a full anatomical comparison of the vascular pigmented pectin oculi of the diurnal activity Anas querquedula and Gallinula chloropus chloropus. For achievement of this work, 10 mature birds from each species were examined under stereo- and electron microscope. The pecten oculi of A. querquedula is triangular fan-like, while in Gallinula c. thin like-fold. In both examined birds, the pecten oculi located postero-anteriorly intraocular just adjacent to optic nerve disc and attached to the retina by its base, while the free apex projected into vitreous body. A. querquedula had 14-15 pleats, while Gallinula c. chloropus had 22-24 pleats. In A. querquedula, all pecten pleats connected to each other apically by a connecting bridge. The pecten oculi was plicated type in A. querquedula, but folded type in Gallinula c. chloropus. In A. querquedula, the external surface of the pleats head carried 8-10 transverse ridges, in addition to the external and lateral surface of the pleat body carried numerous round prominences that indicated the presence of numerous afferent and efferent vessels. In both examined birds, there is a retinal elevated fold situated parallel to the slightly elevated basal fold which is clear and thicker in A. querquedula than in Gallinula c. chloropus. In Gallinula c. chloropus, the transverse section shows that the pleats had numerous afferent and efferent vessels capillaries. Statistical analysis comparing the relative measurements of the pecten oculi in the two examined birds showed that there was a significant difference.

Cross-anatomical, radiographic and computed tomographic study of the stifle joint of donkeys (Equus africanus asinus).

The present investigation was conducted to provide a full anatomical description of the stifle joint of donkeys using 3D computed tomography imaging technique, in addition to the classic anatomical methods, such as radiography and cross-anatomical sectioning. The radiography and CT imaging of stifle joint were interpreted in comparison with cross-sectional anatomical sections. Volume-rendering reconstruction techniques (3D-CT) were used to describe the anatomical structure of stifle joint. The used twelve adult healthy donkeys were free from any musculoskeletal disorders. Four donkeys were used for the gross anatomical observations, four for CT and radiography and two live animals for determination the site of injections. The results of this study revealed that the complex stifle joint was formed from three joints: femorotibial, femoropatellar and proximal tibiofibular. The articular surfaces were described for each joint, and the synovial layer of the articular capsule formed three main joint sacs: femoropatellar, medial femorotibial and lateral femorotibial sacs. The ligaments of stifle joint were recorded, and meniscal ligaments included cranial and caudal ligaments of medial and lateral menisci and meniscofemoral ligament of lateral meniscus. The cruciate ligaments were also described and they included the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments, while the patellar ligament included the medial, middle and lateral patellar ligaments. The arterial supply and the site of injection of the stifle joint were described. In conclusion, the 3D reconstruction CT provided well-defined baseline reference image for the stifle joint of donkeys for anatomist, radiologist, surgeons and researchers.

Morphological features of the gastrointestinal tract of Garganey (Anas querquedula, Linnaeus 1758)-Oesophagus to coprodeum.

The present work was aimed to study the gastrointestinal tract in Garganey from the oesophagus to coprodeum by the aid of the gross morphology, scanning electron microscopy and histology. At the level of the thoracic inlet, the oesophagus had a thick part which had numerous tortuous longitudinal folds carried transverse folds on them. Histologically, the thick part had thick epithelium and appeared more folded with more and larger glands. The mucosa of the proventriculus had mucosal folds appeared as a leaf-like with rounded tips. The openings of the proventriculus glands were projected with papillae on the epithelial surface. The gizzard lined with horizontal layer of cuticle which sent vertical parts of cuticle. The duodenal villi were pentagonal in shape with sharply pointed tips, while the jejunal villi were triangular with rounded ends, and the ileal villi were wide and pentagonal in shape with pointed tips. The mucosa of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum was thrown into villi lined by simple columnar epithelium with goblet cells with difference in the form, length, density and number. The apical points of the duodenal and ileal villi appeared pointed, while the jejunal villi had rounded ends. The jejunal villi were longer and numerous than the duodenal villi, but the ileal villi appeared with different length and less numerous. The mucosa of the caecum had numerous mucous glands which surrounded by circular crypts. The rectal mucosa had longitudinal folds and semilunar and circular crypts. The mucosa of the coprodeum had longitudinal folds surrounded by crypts.

Surface ultrastructural descriptions of the oropharyngeal cavity of Anas querquedula.

The current work considers the first anatomical description of oropharyngeal cavity of Garganey, which was performed on eight heads with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The round apex of elongated tongue has anterior spatula-like named lingual nail. SEM of dorsal surface of lingual nail carry microtubercles and micropores on its rostral part, while its caudal part carry numerous microridges and micropores, while lateral apical surface only without lingual nail carrying filiform papillae, but its ventral surface carry exfoliated scales-like projections. Lateral lingual tip carries numerous laterally directed hairs-like structures. Rostral part of body carry region of small conical papillae in between them small hairs-like papillae on its lateral surface. Middle part of body carry lingual comb on its dorsal surface, while its lateral surfaces carry region of small conical papillae in between them hairs-like papillae in addition to filiform papillae, and large conical with small filiform papillae begin to appear laterally to the heads of lingual comb. Lateral surface of lingual prominence carry region of large conical and small filiform papillae on its rostral part, while its caudal part occupied by laterally situated spinated border from the root. Lingual root has two triangular smooth middle and spinated lateral and caudal. Laryngeal entrance divided into papillary and nonpapillary regions. Roof of oropharyngeal cavity divided into lamellar and papillary regions. Choanal cleft divided into rostral narrow » and wide caudal ¾ parts. In conclusion, feeding process depend on the filter feeding mechanism that performed by the help of lateral situated papillae with lingual prominence.

Gross morphology and scanning electron microscopy of the Bagrus Bayad (Forskal, 1775) oropharyngeal cavity with emphasis to teeth-food adaptation.

Bagrus Bayad (Forskal, 1775) is a bottom feeder fish feeds on different food items. Its oral cavity anatomy has many types of teeth adapted to the capacity and varieties of feeding. The aim of the present study was to use the gross anatomy and scanning electron microscopy to identify the anatomical characteristic, especially of the teeth and taste buds distributed on the roof and floor of the oropharyngeal cavity. The results clarified that Bagrus Bayad has two types of teeth; curved pointed and blunt teeth of different sizes. The teeth appeared on epithelial protrusions. The pharyngeal region had upper and lower pharyngeal teeth, the upper arranged into two oval prominences while the lower ones arranged into two triangular areas. The higher number of the pointed teeth is prove the carnivorous nature of the Bagrus Bayad. Three types of taste bud (I, II, & III) were found in the oropharyngeal cavity. The tongue present in the floor and free from teeth and characterized by the presence of taste bud type I and II. Many microridges of different arrangement observed on the surface epithelium of oropharyngeal cavity. The upper and lower valve characterized by the microridges, pores and taste buds. The knowledge of the nature of the oropharyngeal cavity of the Bagrus Bayad helps in identifying new and better methods for feeding in aquaculture.