Distribution and neurochemical characteristic of the cardiac nerve structures in the heart of chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger Molina).

INTRODUCTION: The heart innervation is made up of plexo-ganglionic formation containing sympathetic, parasympathetic, and sensory components. We examined the distribution and neurochemical coding of the ganglia and nerve fibers in the chinchilla's heart. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The heart sections of 10 male and 10 female adult chinchillas were processed in accordance with the thiocholine method for acetylcholine esterase (AChE), and the SPG method for detecting the presence of adrenergic fibers was applied. The routine technique of immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with primary antibodies directed against ChAT, VAChT, DbH, TH, CART, NPY, VIP, GAL and SOM was used. The secondary antibodies were conjugated with Alexa Fluor 488 and Alexa Fluor 555 fluorophores. RESULTS: The epicardium contained ganglia and nerve fibers, the myocardium had a few ganglion neurocytes and nerve fibers, and the endocardium contained only nerve fibers. In the epicardium, AChE-positive fibers were more prevalent than SPG-positive fibers. All the ganglion cells were immunopositive for ChAT and VAChT. Some cells also had a positive reaction to DbH and TH. Fibers containing cholinergic and adrenergic markers were numerous, while many of them were ChAT/DbH- and VAChT/TH-positive. CART/NPY and CART/VIP, as well as CART and GAL, were observed to be colocalized in ganglion neurocytes, as well as in individual cells. The nerve fibers were found to contain all the neurotransmitters we tested for, as well as the following co-occurrences: ChAT/DbH, VAChT/TH, CART/NPY, CART/VIP, CART/GAL, and CART/SOM. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis of the neurochemical profile of the nerve structures in chinchilla's heart showed that, despite interspecies differences, the general pattern of the distribution of autonomic nervous system structures is similar to that of other mammals' species, including humans.

The role of selected environmental factors and the type of work performed on the development of urolithiasis - a review paper.

Urolithiasis is a disease of the genitourinary system, which is defined as the presence of urinary stones at any place in the urinary tract, resulting from the precipitation reaction of chemical compounds. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the important role of selected environmental factors (climate, ambient temperature) and the type of profession performed in the development of urolithiasis. In this field, the literature including original and review papers related to the epidemiology, pathogenesis and risk factors of urolithiasis was analyzed. The study used electronic databases such as Medline, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The prevalence of urolithiasis has increased in recent decades in both developed and developing countries. It is believed that this growing trend is associated with lifestyle changes such as the lack of physical activity, poor eating habits and global warming. Many factors are responsible for the formation of urinary stones. In literature, there is a division into individual and environmental factors. Today, external factors in the form of climate changes (global warming), geographical conditions and seasonal fluctuations, and the type of profession performed are becoming more and more important in the context of the occurrence of urinary stones. Currently, the presence of urolithiasis is becoming a significant problem all over the world and searching for causes is not easy, but particular attention should be paid to certain predispositions resulting from environmental factors, such as ambient temperature and the type of work performed. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(6):761-75.

Double Posterior Descending Artery Arising from a Right Coronary Artery.

This paper presents two cases of human hearts (a 75-year-old woman and an 88-year-old man) with double posterior descending arteries (PDA) of various sizes originating from the right coronary artery, mainly supplying the interventricular septum as well as the posterior walls of both heart ventricles in a different scope. In the analysis of the arterial vasculature, a range of aspects were considered, such as the point of exit of the right coronary artery, the course of the vessel, the range of the blood supply of the interventricular septum and both ventricles, as well as selected morphometric parameters that were simultaneously compared with one another. These atypical changes presented based on the example of the analyzed cases will certainly constitute a valuable source of information for cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists in planning operations.

Distribution of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin (GAL) in the pterygopalatine ganglion of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos f. domestica).

INTRODUCTION: Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin (GAL) act as neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Their presence has been found in different taxonomic groups, in particular in mammals. However, only few investigators have studied these neuropeptides in the class Aves (birds). The aim of the present study was to describe the distribution of CART, NPY and GAL in the pterygopalatine ganglion (PPG) of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos f. domestica). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiment was conducted on 16 one-year-old domestic ducks of the Pekin breed of both sexes (8 males and 8 females). Frozen sections of the PPG were subjected to immunofluorescence staining using primary mouse monoclonal antibodies directed against CART and GAL and rabbit polyclonal antibody directed against NPY. Secondary antibodies were conjugated with Cy3 and FITC fluorochromes. RESULTS: CART, NPY, and GAL were present in the PPG of the domestic duck. The highest immunoreactivity (IR) in the ganglionic cells was found for CART in the majority (83-85%) of neurons of both superior (SPPG) and inferior (IPPG) PPG. CART-IR was also found in small aggregations of neurons on the medial surface of the Harderian gland, and on the course of the palatine branch of the facial nerve. CART-IR was also observed in the nerve fibers of these neurons' aggregations; however, it was low in comparison to the immunoreactivity of the perikarya. Immunoreactivity of NPY was found in ganglionic neurons, but above all in numerous fibers of the SPPG and IPPG and within aggregations on the surface of the Harderian gland. NPY-IR cells were distributed irregularly over the cross-sections of the tested aggregations, and constituted from 36% to 43% of the SPPG and from 37% to 40% of the IPPG of all cross-sectioned neurons. GAL-immunoreactive perikarya, distributed irregularly across the sections, were observed in the SPPG, where they constituted 61-65%, and in the IPPG, where they made up 50-57% of all neurons. All immunoreactive neurons were characterized by immunopositive neuroplasm and immunonegative cell nuclei. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of CART, NPY, and GAL in the PPG of the domestic duck suggests that these peptides may contribute to the secretory innervation of the glands of the mucosa of the palate and nasal cavity, the Harderian gland, and the lacrimal gland.

Morphology and Topography of the Celiac Plexus in Degu (Octodon Degus).

Here, we investigate the morphology and topography of the celiac plexus components in degu (Octodon degus). The study was performed using six adult individuals of both sexes. Macromorphological observations were performed using a derivative of the thiocholine method specially adapted for this study type (Gienc, 1977). The classical H&E technique was used for analysis of the cytoarchitectonic of the ganglion, and the AChE (Karnovsky and Roots, 1964) and SPG (De la Torre, 1980) techniques to observe cholinergic and adrenergic activity. The celiac plexus of degu is located on the ventral and lateral surface of the abdominal aorta, at the level where the celiac artery separates from the aorta. This structure consists of two large and two smaller aggregations of neurocytes connected with postganglionic fibers. Histochemical investigations have demonstrated the mainly cholinergic characteristic of the intraganglionic and postganglionic fibers of the celiac plexus, while the adrenergic fibers accompanied only the blood vessels and neurocytes revealed differentiation of adrenergic activity. Histological analysis revealed that neurocytes occupied about half of the cross-section area, with the nerve fibers, connective tissue, and blood vessels forming the remaining part. Ganglionic cells were oval, and usually contained a single nucleus, although two nuclei were sometimes observed.

Anatomical and histological data on the ciliary ganglion in the Egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus Desmarest).

The morphology and topography of the ciliary ganglion in the Egyptian spiny mouse were studied with use of histochemical and histological techniques. The ciliary ganglion of the Egyptian spiny mouse consisted of between 3 and 4 agglomerations of nerve cells. The largest was situated at the point where the ventral branch of the oculomotor nerve divides into two branches. The next two smaller aggregations were located on the superior and lateral surfaces of the optic nerve where it crossed the oculomotor nerve. From the main agglomerations of neurocytes arose between 3 and 4 intensively stained postganglionic cholinergic fibres. These followed the optic nerve to the eyeball. On the cross-sections of these bundles small agglomerations of neurocytes were observed. These decreased in size to only 2 or 3 cells towards the sclera. The ganglionic neurocytes in the largest ganglion varied from 15 to 30 microm in diameter. They were distributed uniformly over the whole surface of the sections. All the ganglia had connective capsules.

A comparative study on the morphology and topography of the ciliary ganglion in midday gerbil (Meriones meridianus) and turtle (Agrionemys horsfieldii).

The morphology and topography of the ciliary ganglia in the midday gerbil and turtle were studied with use of histochemical and histological techniques. The ciliary ganglion of the midday gerbil consisted of two cell agglomerations: the main ganglion and the accessory ganglion. The main ganglion was situated in the orbit and usually closely attached to the nerve for the inferior oblique muscle. The short ciliary nerves arose from the superior end of the main ganglion and reached the orbit. The accessory ciliary ganglion was smaller than the main ganglion. Usually it was attached to short ciliary nerves. The ganglionic neurocytes, 25.97 microm in diameter, were distributed regularly over the entire surface of the main ganglion. They typically had a single clear nucleus. The ciliary ganglion in the turtle formed a characteristic triangular structure on the inferior branch of the oculomotor nerve. The histological examination showed a small number of nerve cells in comparison to the nerve fibres. The neurocytes were placed mainly in the nasal part of ganglion and they had an irregular arrangement. The average diameter of neurons was 23.55 microm. Significant differences in density of ganglionic components in both species were observed. In midday gerbil the cells were densely packed and took up about 80% of a cross-section, while, in the turtle, neurocytes were located mainly in the surface part of ganglion.

The AChE-positive ganglia in the trachea and bronchi of the cat.

The tracheal and bronchial parasympathetic ganglia in the cat were studied using the histochemical-tiocholine method of Koelle and Friedenwald and histological techniques. Intensively stained AChE-positive nerve structures, i.e., ganglia and nerve fibres on the wall of the trachea and bronchi, were observed. The ganglia were situated mainly on the dorso-lateral surface of these organs, but they were also present on the ventral surface. The largest ganglia were found in the vicinity of the vagus nerve branches and on the surface of the tracheal smooth muscle. Numerous ganglia (95-210) of different sizes (40 x 230 microm to 260 x 520 microm) and shapes (spindle, longitudinal, oval, elliptical and multiform) were interconnected by nerve fibres and formed a dense ganglionated plexus. The ganglia forming this nerve structure were located mainly on the level of intercartilaginous spaces. They received the nerve branches from the cervical and the upper thoracic branches of vagus nerve and cervical and upper thoracic segments of the sympathetic trunk. Similar AChE-positive ganglionated plexus containing 28-33 ganglia connected by nerve fibres was observed on the posterior wall of the bronchi. Histological investigations confirmed the presence of fascicles of nerve fibers and nerve cells aggregations in the external membrane of the trachea and bronchi. The ganglia consisted of 2-25 cells on the cross-section. They were located mainly on the level of intercartilaginous spaces and contained (except ganglionic neurocytes, nerve fibres) satellite cells and small blood vessels. All the ganglia had thin connective capsule.

Morphology, topography and cytoarchitectonics of the pterygopalatine ganglion in Egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus, Desmarest).

Using the thiocholine method of Koelle and Friedenwald and histological techniques the pterygopalatine ganglion in Egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus, Desmarest) was studied. The ganglion was found to be a single irregular cluster of neurocytes, situated on the medial surface of the maxillary nerve. The ganglion is composed of oval, elliptical and sometimes fusiform ganglionic neurones in compact arrangement without a thick connective-tissue capsule.