Evaluation of the middle ear in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) by gross anatomy and cone-beam computed tomography

Background: The purpose of this study was to provide a description of gross middle ear morphology in water buffaloes, augmented with additional data on the osseous structures of middle ear derived from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: Skulls of 10 young adult male water buffaloes were used to examine their middle ears. Results: Anatomical features noted included the presence of tympanic cells in the tympanic bulla, the location of malleus head and neck, and all of incus in the dorsal epitympanic recess, the oval tympanic membrane, absence of a prominent notch on the articular surface of malleus, positional variations of the lateral process of malleus relative to the muscular process and muscular process relative to the rostral process of malleus, absence of complete coverage of the articular facet of malleus head by incus body, and presence of the lenticular process of incus. In CBCT images, the osseous part of external acoustic meatus, the petrous part of temporal bone and the details of the ossicles were seen, except for stapes. Conclusions: Although tympanic membrane, malleus and stapes of water buffaloes are similar to those of ox, the incus of water buffaloes is more similar to that of goats. The heaviest ossicles among the ruminants studied belonged to water buffaloes; the mean length of malleus head and neck, total length and width of incus body as well as length of stapes head were greatest in water buffaloes too. The auditory ossicles of water buffaloes show ‘transitional type’ morphological characteristics. These features suggest a relatively wide frequency range of hearing, but not one biased towards especially low or especially high frequencies

Height at the withers estimation in the horses based on the internal dimension of cranial cavity

The investigations were carried out on 17 modern half-breed horse skulls and their metacarpal and metatarsal bones. The basal length (BL), total length (TL), internal cranial cavity dimension and maximal length of metacarpus and metatarsus and maximal lateral length of metacarpus and metatarsus were measured according to Kiesewalter and von den Driesch. During height at the withers estimation, the Kiesewaler and Vitt methods were used. The Wyrost and Kucharczyk mathematical formula was modified for height at the withers calculation (Hestmd = 1.016 × D) in horses. All height at the withers estimation methods were statistically analysed and compared. The analysis of variance ANOVA proved the lack of significant difference between the investigated values. The results achieved using Wyrost and Kucharczyk modified method are strongly comparable to Kiesewalter methods results computed using the metacarpal and metatarsal bones measurements. The height at the withers calculated on the basis of TL slightly differs from 2 above-mentioned methods. The BL Vitt’s method was the least exact

Rabbit common calcanean tendon as an animal model: ultrasonographic anatomy and morphometry

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate usefulness of ultrasonography in assessment of rabbit common calcanean tendon, to describe its ultrasonographic anatomy and to perform morphometric analysis of this structure.   Materials and methods: Fifteen skeletally-matured New Zealand rabbits were used in the study. Ultrasonographic examinations of common calcanean tendon (CCT) were performed in longitudinal and transverse planes from caudal approach. Sagittal diameters of superficial digital flexor tendon and CCT were measured on longitudinal scans. Sagittal and transverse diameter, cross-sectional area and perimeter of the CCT were assessed on transverse scans. Statistical analysis was performed using StatisticaPL software (StatSoft®, Poland).   Results: In longitudinal images structure of CCT was clearly visualised. Its superficial hypoechoic part corresponds to superficial digital flexor tendon and deeper hyperechoic to gastrocnemius tendon. In transverse images cross-sectional area presented varied echotexture. Proximally, CCT was rounded in transverse section and became slightly wider and flattered distally. Statistical analysis showed no differences between results obtained from right and left hindlimb (p > 0.05). Measurements of sagittal diameter of CCT obtained in transverse planes were significantly higher than sagittal diameter measurements obtained in longitudinal plane in corresponding locations (p < 0.001). All performed measurements showed a growing trend with the increasing distance from the calcaneal tuber.   Conclusions: Ultrasonography is suitable technique for assessment of CCT in a rabbit model and provides satisfactory images for morphometrical evaluation.

Histological, histochemical and fine structure studies of the lacrimal gland and superficial gland of the third eyelid and their significance on the proper function of the eyeball in alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

The lacrimal gland (LG) and superficial gland of the third eyelid (SGTE) belong to accessory organs of the eye. The aim of the present studies was to evaluate the histological, histochemical and fine structure of the LG and SGTE obtained from 3 adult females and 2 adult males of alpaca (Vicugna pacos). The LG was situated in the dorsolateral angle of the orbit between the dorsal rectus and the lateral rectus muscles. The SGTE was located between the medial rectus muscle, the ventral rectus muscle and was partially covered by the ventral oblique muscle of the eyeball. There were no effect of gender on the morphometry of examined LG and SGTE. The third eyelid resembles an anchor in shape. During histological and ultrastructural analyses using light and transmission electron microscopy, it was established that the LG and SGTE are tubulo-acinar glands with mucoserous characters. The LG contains either lymphocytes or plasma cells, while SGTE had rare plasma cells and numerous lymphocytes in connective tissue. The cartilage of the third eyelid was composed of hyaline tissue. Numerous aggregations of lymphocytes as lymph nodules in bulbar surface of the third eyelid were observed. The LG and SGTE secretory cells exhibited a similar ultrastructure appearance in electron microscopic examination, with secretory cells tightly filled with intracytoplasmatic secretory granules and numerous clusters of mucus of different sizes which were observed in the peripheral cells compartment

Differential expression of α-synuclein splice variants in the brain of alcohol misusers: Influence of genotype

Background: Chronic alcohol misuse causes damage in the central nervous system that may lead to tolerance, craving and dependence. These behavioural changes are likely the result of cellular adaptations that include changes in gene expression. α-Synuclein is involved in the dopaminergic reward pathway, where it regulates dopamine synthesis and release. Previous studies have found that the gene for α-synuclein, SNCA, is differentially expressed in alcohol misusers. Methods: The present study measured the expression of three α-synuclein variants, SNCA-140, SNCA-112, and SNCA-115 in the prefrontal cortex of controls and alcohol misusers with and without cirrhosis of the liver. In addition, eight SNPs located in the 5'- and 3'-UTRs were genotyped in a Caucasian population of 125 controls and 115 alcohol misusers. Results: The expression of SNCA-140 and SNCA-112 was significantly lower in alcohol misusers with cirrhosis than in controls. However, SNCA-115 expression was significantly greater in alcohol misusers with cirrhosis than in controls. Allele and genotype frequencies differed significantly between alcohol misusers and controls for three SNPs, rs356221, rs356219 and rs2736995. Two SNPs, rs356221 and rs356219, were in high linkage disequilibrium. There was no increased risk of alcoholism associated with specific genotypes or haplotypes. Our results suggest that the rs356219/356221 G-A haplotype may decrease the chance of having an alcohol misuse phenotype. Conclusion: These findings suggest that alcohol misuse may alter the expression of the individual α-synuclein splice variants differently in human brain. There was no evidence of an effect of sequence variation on the expression of α-synuclein splice variants in this population

The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay for the study of human bone regeneration: a refinement animal model for tissue engineering.

Biomaterial development for tissue engineering applications is rapidly increasing but necessitates efficacy and safety testing prior to clinical application. Current in vitro and in vivo models hold a number of limitations, including expense, lack of correlation between animal models and human outcomes and the need to perform invasive procedures on animals; hence requiring new predictive screening methods. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) can be used as a bioreactor to culture and study the regeneration of human living bone. We extracted bone cylinders from human femoral heads, simulated an injury using a drill-hole defect, and implanted the bone on CAM or in vitro control-culture. Micro-computed tomography (?CT) was used to quantify the magnitude and location of bone volume changes followed by histological analyses to assess bone repair. CAM blood vessels were observed to infiltrate the human bone cylinder and maintain human cell viability. Histological evaluation revealed extensive extracellular matrix deposition in proximity to endochondral condensations (Sox9+) on the CAM-implanted bone cylinders, correlating with a significant increase in bone volume by ?CT analysis (p?<?0.01). This human-avian system offers a simple refinement model for animal research and a step towards a humanized in vivo model for tissue engineering

Forensic Engineering of Advanced Polymeric Materials. Part 1 –Degradation Studies of Polylactide Blends with Atactic Poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate] in Paraffin

The degradation of the advanced polymeric materials: blends of polylactide with poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate] was studied in paraffin (an ingredient used in cosmetics) and compared with the degradation of pure poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate]. The interaction between the polymeric materials studied and the paraffin was monitored during the degradation experiments, and the effects of this interaction were reported. Gel permeation chromatography, atomic force microscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis revealed that degradation of the investigated materials occurs in the presence of paraffin. In the blends, poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate] content was found to extend the disintegration time, and for the blends with good miscibility, reduced the degradation rate in the first step of degradation