Some aspects of the craniofacial indices and macro neurometrics of the Nigerian local pig (Sus scrofa).

This study is about the craniofacial indices and neuromorphometrics of the Nigerian local pig and has been performed on twelve males and fourteen females of ages one and a half to two years. The average values obtained for the tongue length, tongue weight, rasp length, left pinna length, right pinna length, left pinna width, right pinna width, height of left external nares, height of right external nares and the rima oris length were 17 +/- 1.3 cm, 90 +/- 16 g, 4.6 +/- 0.58 cm, 13 +/- 1.3 cm, 13 +/- 1.3 cm, 8.7 +/- 1.5 cm, 8.7 +/- 1.4 cm, 0.98 +/- 0.12 cm, 0.96 +/- 0.13 cm and 19.51 +/- 2.89 cm respectively, while the mean brain weight, mean brain length, cerebrum and cerebellum lengths, brain and cerebellar heights were 84 +/- 12 g, 6.9 +/- 1.5 cm, 4.9 +/- 1.7 cm, 2.2 +/- 1.0 cm, 5.2 +/- 0.88 cm and 3.0 +/- 1.1 cm respectively. There was a negative correlation between the weight of the animal and the height of the cerebellum, the length of cerebrum and length of the cerebellum and between the weight of the head and height of the cerebellum. A positive correlation was however observed between the length of brain and the weight of brain, and between the length of the cerebrum and weight of brain. The cerebral length was statistically longer (P < 0.01) in the males than the females. The data obtained from this study will provide added information in the field of comparative anatomy and porcine neuroanatomy research.

Gross morphometric reduction of rats' cerebellum by gamma irradiation was mitigated by pretreatment with Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract.

The methanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina (M) or "bitter leaf" is known for its antioxidant activity, and antioxidants are noted to mitigate radiation damage in tissues. The aim of the present study was to observe the radioprotective effect of M on the cerebellum of gamma irradiated rats using alpha-tocopherol (TOCO) as a reference antioxidant. Forty-two male Wistar rats (n=42) weighing 200-240 g were taken for the study. The study comprised of seven groups, with each group comprising of six (n=6) rats i.e. control, M at 250, and 500 mg/kg/day, radiation only, radiation plus M at 250, and 500 mg/kg/day, and TOCO. After 14 days of treatment administered via oral gavage, rats were irradiated with a single dose of 2.0 Gy of gamma rays on the 15-th day and euthanized the next day. Rats cerebella were removed, fixed in 10% formalin saline, weighed and vernier caliper used to obtain cerebellar dimensions as follows: (i) maximum width, (ii) rostrocaudal dimension, and (iii) dorsoventral extent. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with post-test. Gamma radiation caused a statistically significant reduction of the relative weight of the rats' whole brain, relative weight of the cerebellum, the maximum width, rostrocaudal dimension, and dorsoventral extent of the cerebellum. However, pretreatment with M and TOCO significantly mitigated these effects. This study demonstrated that administration of M and TOCO before 2.0 Gy gamma irradiation reduced significantly the radiation induced gross morphometry changes in rats' cerebellum, suggesting that M may qualify for consideration as a medicinal radioprotector.

Some aspects of the neurocraniometry of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse).

Sixteen African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse), consisting of 8 male and 8 female rats, were used to determine neurocranial measurements of the skulls. The mean neurocranial volume was 5.06 + or - 0.05 mL, neurocranial length was 3.33 + or - 0.08 cm, and the neurocranial height and index were 1.39 + or - + or - 0.04 cm and 41.74%, respectively. The mean whole skull length and height were 6.32 + or - 0.06 cm and 2.98 + or - 0.05 cm, respectively. The skull without the mandible was 1.83 + or - 0.02 cm in height, and the skull index was 28.41 + or - 0.58. The height of the skull of the African giant was approximately half (47%) of the skull length. The mean height and width of the foramen magnum were 0.78 + or - + or - 0.01 cm and 0.96 + or - 0.02 cm, respectively, while the foramen index was below 100 at 81.46 + or - 1.42. Parameters for the whole skull height and foramen magnum width showed significant difference between both sexes at p < 0.05. The foramen magnum showed shape variations and there were multiple hypoglossal foramina in over 87% of the rats. This study, in conclusion, highlighted the possibility of the estimation of the brain density and the use of the African giant rat for cranial pressure experiments.

Estudios osteométricos del cráneo de las cabras rojas de Sokoto (Capra hircus): implicaciones para la anestesia regional de la cabeza / Osteometric studies of the skull of red Sokoto (Maradi) goats (Capra hircus): implications for regional anaesthesia of the head

The study involved the measurements of some clinically important landmarks for regional anesthesia in the head of twenty five Red Sokoto goats. The length and maximum height of the mandibles were 12.7cm and 7.7cm respectively. The distance from the mandibular foramen to the base of the mandible was 3.0cm while the distance between the lateral alveolar root and mental foramen and from the facial tuberosity to the infra-orbital foramen was 1.8cm in both instances. The data was discussed with regard to its importance in proper tracking of some nerves in aid of regional anaesthetic procedures in the head of the Red Sokoto goat and was compared with our results reported for the West African Dwarf breed.

El estudio abarca las medidas de algunas líneas clínicamente importantes para la anestesia regional en las cabezas de 25 cabras rojas de Sokoto. La longitud y altura máxima de las mandíbulas fue de 12.7cm and 7.7cm, respectivamente. La distancia del foramen mandibular a la base de la mandíbula fue 3.Oran mientras que, la distancia entre la raíz alveolar lateral y el foramen mental y entre la tuberosidad facial y el foramen infraorbital fue 1.8cm, en ambas instancias. Los datos fueron discutidos con respecto a su importancia en el tratamiento apropiado de algunos nervios, en la ayuda de procedimientos anestésicos regionales en la cabeza de la cabra Roja de Sokoto. Estos resultados fueron comparados con los reportados por nosotros para la cabra enana del Oeste africano.

Curcuma longa extract as a histological dye for collagen fibres and red blood cells.

Crude ethanolic extract and column chromatographic fractions of the Allepey cultivar of Curcuma longa Roxb, commonly called turmeric (tumeric) in commerce, were used as a stain for tissue sections. Staining was carried out under basic, acidic and neutral media conditions. Inorganic and organic dissolution solvents were used. The stain was used as a counterstain after alum and iron haematoxylins. C. longa stained collagen fibres, cytoplasm, red blood cells and muscle cells yellow. It also stained in a fashion similar to eosin, except for its intense yellow colour. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation of the active column fraction revealed that it contained flavonoids, free anthraquinone and deoxy sugar. A cheap, natural dye can thus be obtained from C. longa.

Bilateral opening in the nasal bones of goats in Nigeria

The present study was performed to observe the morphological details of the skulls of the major goat breeds in Nigeria involving 28 Red Sokoto, 24 Sahel and 12 West African Dwarf goats. The study revealed the presence of a bilateral opening in the nasal bones of the skulls. This unique occurrence appeared in about 70 of the Red Sokoto, less than 10 of the West African Dwarf and did not occur in the Sahel goat skulls. It was suggested that the structure which displayed a high level of breed specificity may be contributing to the weakness of the nasal area of the face. This finding to the best of our knowledge is rarely described in the literature and will be important in breed identification of goats and can contribute to the migratory history of the species.

Gossypol toxicosis in the rat associated with protein malnutrition and experimental infection with Trypanosoma brucei.

The toxicity of gossypol, a compound occurring naturally in the cotton plant, was investigated in Trypanosoma brucei-infected, gossypol-treated rats, with and without protein malnutrition. The liver, heart, lungs, spleen and adrenal glands were enlarged in all gossypol-treated rats. Gossypol treatment or trypanosome infection, either alone or together, invariably caused significant reductions in the serum activity of creatine phosphokinase and amylase and in the serum concentration of cortisol. The serum biochemical changes, together with histopathological findings in various organs, indicated that the toxicity of gossypol and pathology of trypanosome infection, either alone or in concert, could be exacerbated by protein malnutrition. This finding suggests that the previously reported antiparasitic properties of gossypol may be of little ultimate benefit due to these serious side effects. The spleen in the protein-malnourished, trypanosome-infected and gossypol-treated animals exhibited only a slight decrease in the number of lymphatic nodules, but a marked cellular depletion, especially of cortical tissue, was observed in the thymus. These observations would seem to justify further study of the immune status of trypanosome-infected, gossypol-treated animals.

The effects of protein malnutrition and experimental infection with Trypanosoma brucei on gossypol treatment in the rat: haematological and serum biochemical changes.

This study was designed to evaluate the interaction between protein malnutrition, gossypol treatment and blood parasitosis (Trypanosoma brucei) in the Wistar rat. Haematological and serum biochemical changes were evaluated in the rats, which were placed on two planes of nutrition--low protein (LP) and normal protein (NP)--and either treated with gossypol or infected with Trypanosoma brucei, or both. Higher parasitaemia occurred in gossypol-treated NP rats than in the corresponding LP group. Gossypol treatment and trypanosomal infection, either alone or in concert, caused an anaemia that was both macrocytic and hypochromic. Both treatments together also caused increases in serum alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase activities, which were accompanied by depressed serum albumin concentrations, suggestive of hepatic dysfunction in affected rats. These results suggest that, with adequate protein intake, the growth and infectivity of trypanosomes is not inhibited by gossypol but that protein malnutrition has a beneficial effect of reduced parasitaemia. Unfortunately, this beneficial effect is counteracted by gossypol enhancement of hepatic dysfunction caused by trypanosomes.

Ultrastructural Studies of Orf Virus Infection and Replication in Fetal Lamb Fibrocytes.

Résumé- Le cycle de réplication du virus de l'ecthyma contagieux a été identifié dans des études in vitro et un modèle hypothétique a été développé. Pendant la premiére phase, qui dure à peu près 5 heures, le virus pénètre la cellule par le biais d'un processus de phagocytose, et perd ses enveloppes. La phase d'éclipse, pendant laquelle le virus est apparemment intégréà l'ADN de l'hôte, dure environ 8 à 10 heures. Pendant la phase finale, les virions se développent dans des zones biens définies du viroplasme à partir desquelles les viriojns matures vont migrer jusqu'aux bords de la cellule. Là, ils sortent soit par exocytose, soit à l'intérieur de projections microvilleuses qui sont pincées à leur base, soit encore par désintégration de la cellule hôte. [Onwuka, S.K., Jenkinson, D. Mc, Inglis, L., Pow, I., GRAY, E.W., Reid, H.W. Ultrastructural studies of orf virus infection and replication in fetal lamb fibrocytes (Etudes ultrasturcturales de l'infection par le virus de l'ecthyma contagieux et de sa réplication dans les fibrocytes de foetus d'agneau). Resumen- Se identificó el ciclo de replicación del virus del ectima contagioso en estudios temporales in vitro y se desarroló un posible modelo experimental. Durante la primera fase, que dura unas 5 h, el virus penetra en la células por fagocitosis y se libera de la cubierta. La fase de "eclipse", con el virus presentándose como hebras de DNA, dura aproximadamente de 8 a 10 h. En la fase final los viriones se desarrollan dentro de zonas bien definidas en el viroplasma desde las cuales los viriones maduros migran hasta los limites celulares. A partir de alii parecen salir por exocitosis o en proyecciones de microvellosidades "pinzadas" hacia el exterior; también pueden ser liberados como consecuencia de la desintegración de la célula huésped. [Onwuka, S.K., Jenkinson, D. Mc, Inglis, L., Pow, I., GRAY, E.W., Reid, H.W. Ultrastructural studies of orf virus infection and replication in fetal lamb fibrocytes (Estudios ultraestructurales de la infección por el virus del ectima contagioso y replicación en fibrocitos fetales de carnero). Abstract- The cycle of replication of orf virus was identified in temporal in vitro studies and a putative model was developed. During the first phase, which lasts about 5 h, the virus enters the cells by a phagocytic process and uncoats. The "eclipse" phase, with the virus apparently present as strands of DNA, lasts for approximately the next 8-10 h. In the final phase virions develop within well-defined zones of viroplasm from which mature virions migrate to the margins of the cell. There they apparently exit either by exocytosis or within microvillous projections which are "pinched off"; they can also be released by disintegration of the host cell.