Polystyrene microparticles can affect the health status of freshwater fish - Threat of oral microplastics intake.

Plastic waste pollution is considered one of the biggest problems facing our planet. The production and use of these materials has led to huge amounts of plastic waste entering the aquatic environment and affecting aquatic life. In our experiment, the effect of polystyrene microparticles (PS-MPs; 52.5 ± 11.5 µm) on individual juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was tested at three different dietary concentrations of 0.5, 2 and 5 % for six weeks. At the end of the experiment, various health parameters of exposed organisms were compared with the control group. The haematological profile revealed an immune response by a decrease in lymphocyte count with a concurrent increase in the number of neutrophil segments at the highest concentration of PS-MPs (5 %). Biochemical analysis showed significant reductions in plasma ammonia in all tested groups, which may be related to liver and gill damage, as determined by histopathological examination and analysis of inflammatory cytokines expression. In addition, liver damage can also cause a significant decrease in the plasma protein ceruloplasmin, which is synthesized in the liver. PS-MPs disrupted the antioxidant balance in the caudal kidney, gill and liver, with significant changes observed only at the highest concentration. In summary, PS-MPs negatively affect the health status of freshwater fish and represent a huge burden on aquatic ecosystems.

Light and scanning electron microscopy of the tongue of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis).

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that numerous reptile species are widely studied by the researchers, information describing the detailed structure of particular organs in many reptiles is missing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The tongue of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) was examined under the light and scanning electron microscope. It is divided into bifurcated apex, corpus and bifurcated radix. The tip of the lingual apex is devoid of lingual papillae. RESULTS: The remaining dorsal surface of the tongue bears either fused papillae in the form of caudally directed ridges or individual papillae represented by mu- shroom-like or semilunar prominences (lingual apex) or fish scale-like papillae (lingual corpus) and horizontally laid ridges extending in the form of lobulated prominences (lingual corpus, lingual radix). Regardless of the shape, lingual papillae contain numerous muscle fibres and they are all considered to be mechanical. The lingual epithelium changes from the simple squamous into stratified squamous in the caudal direction. No salivary glands or sensory structures were recognised. CONCLUSIONS: This description is to be used mainly for comparative studies. It could also help to understand how different lizards capture the pray.

Radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of craniofacial structures in pig.

The pig has recently become popular as a large animal experimental model in many fields of biomedical research. The aim of this study is to evaluate the basic anatomical structures in the head region of the pig to lay the groundwork for its practical clinical usage or pre-clinical research in the future. We used three different diagnostic imaging methods: radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The analysis showed that radiographic imaging is suitable only for general evaluation of the facial area of the pig skull. CT images showed excellent spatial definition of bony structures of the whole craniofacial area, and MRI images revealed fine soft tissue details. Radiography is preferentially suited to general assessment of bone structures of the facial skeleton; however, the thick layer of adipose tissue in the craniofacial region of the pig makes the imaging of some parts difficult or even impossible. CT is useful for revealing morphological details of mineralized tissues, whereas MRI is more suitable for soft tissue analysis and the detection of subtle pathologic changes in both bone and soft tissues. Therefore, before using pigs as an experimental model in craniofacial research, it is necessary to evaluate the suitability and disadvantages of potential imaging methods and how appropriate they are for accurate visualization of desired structures.

The pig as an experimental model for clinical craniofacial research.

The pig represents a useful, large experimental model for biomedical research. Recently, it has been used in different areas of biomedical research. The aim of this study was to review the basic anatomical structures of the head region in the pig in relation to their use in current research. Attention was focused on the areas that are frequently affected by pathological processes in humans: the oral cavity with teeth, salivary gland, orbit, nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, maxilla, mandible and temporomandibular joint. Not all of the structures have an equal morphology in the pig and human, and these morphological dissimilarities must be taken into account before choosing the pig as an experimental model for regenerative medicine.

Morphometric assessment of the canine hip joint using the acetabular angle of retrotorsion.

Morphometric assessment of the canine hip joint using acetabular angle of retrotorsion was used in this study. The aim of our study was to compare the acetabular angle of retrotorsion (AAR) with values of the Norberg angle (NA) and the hip score (HS) in the Leonberger dog breed and to determine the cut-off point of AAR that distinguish between normal and dysplastic hip status on the basis of Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) hip evaluation. Retrospective analysis of NA and AAR was measured from standard ventrodorsal pelvic radiographs with extended femurs in 387 Leonberger dogs (141 males and 246 females) from 18 to 63 months of age, which were then divided into five age-groups. Through analysis of these radiographs, it was determined that the cut-off point for NA was 105°, AAR was 15°, and the acetabular angle of retrotorsion was positively correlated with Norberg angle and negatively correlated with hip score. The results of our study indicate that the acetabular angle of retrotorsion may represent a reliable morphometric assessment tool in evaluating acetabular cup conformation, and values of AAR may help to assess the FCI grade of canine hip dysplasia.