Anatomical transverse magnetic resonance imaging study of ligaments in palmar surface of metacarpus in Miniature donkey: identification of a new ligament

Background: Palmar region of metacarpus in the horses and donkeys is an important region because of its tendons and ligaments which contribute to stay apparatus. This study was done on forelimbs of 6 healthy Miniature donkeys to detect the tendons, ligaments and their accessories on the palmar surface of metacarpus in this animal. Materials and methods: Based on that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a good technique to evaluate the soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments, palmar aspects of metacarpus in 6 euthanatised Miniature donkeys were prepared for anatomical and trans-sectional MRI studies to determine the tendons and ligaments in this region. Results: Suspensory ligament, deep digital flexor tendon and its inferior check ligament were similar to them in the horse. Superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in this animal had superior check ligament that was present before the carpal joint. On the other hand in the Miniature donkey there was a second accessory ligament for the SDFT that originated from the proximal of palmar surface of the large metacarpal bone which we named it second accessory ligament of SDFT. This ligament was determined in the MRI images too. Conclusions: It seems that this ligament helps the Miniature donkey to stay apparatus, supporting more weight and load for a longer period of time and distance which is a specific morphological feature in this animal.

Histomorphometric evaluation of tibial subchondral bone after moderate running in male and female Wistar rats

Background: Exercise has been shown to be beneficial to the skeleton, in both humans and animals. This study was done to test the sex-related difference in the risk of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint and also on the subchondral bone after moderate running exercise. Materials and methods: Forty male and female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four equal groups (2 male and 2 female groups) in the same condition. Ten animals of each sex were selected as control groups, while running exercises were performed in remaining 20 male and female rats, using a motor treadmill to motivate rats to run daily distances of 1 km at 5 days/week within 6 weeks. On day 43, all animals were sacrificed and the knee articular cartilage and also histomorphometric parameters of subchondral bone and mid shaft of tibia were evaluated. Results: Results showed mild OA in both male and female runner groups. Results in male runner rats were significantly lesser than that in female runners. On the other hand, the difference in female runner group showed significant changes in comparison with other groups in histomorphometric parameters in tibia. Conclusions: Obtained results showed that the development of knee OA and subchondral bone changes may be related to the sex differences. Although there was no synovitis in male runners, female runner group showed mild hyperaemia dropsy with a moderate synovitis in this region

Morphological variations of the vermiform appendix in Iranian cadavers: a study from developing countries

Background: The vermiform appendix is a worm-like tube containing a large amount of lymphoid follicles. In our knowledge, there is a little standard data about the vermiform appendix in Iranian population. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the normal appendix size in Iranian cadavers. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken between June 2014 and July 2015, in the autopsy laboratory, Legal Medicine Organisation, Razavi Khorasan province, Iran. A total of 693 cadavers with the mean age of 40.46 ± 20.99 years were divided into 10 groups. After writing down position of the appendix, the length, diameter and weight of the appendix were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: The mean values of the demographic characteristics included — age: 40.46 ± 20.99 years; weight: 63.47 ± 17.84 kg; height: 159.95 ± 28.23 cm. The mean values of the appendix length, diameter, weight and index in the cadavers were 8.52 ± 2.99 cm, 12.17 ± 4.53 mm, 6.43 ± 3.26 g and 0.013 ± 0.01, respectively. The most common position of the appendix was retrocaecal in 71.7% of cases. Significant correlations were evident between the value of demographic data and appendix size (p < 0.05). The diameter (p = 0.002) and index of the appendix (p = 0.003) showed significant difference between males and females. Conclusions: Having standard data on the vermiform appendix is useful for clinicians as well as anthropologists. The findings of the present study can provide information about morphologic variations of the appendix in Iranian population.  

Insights into hominid evolution from the gorilla genome sequence.

Gorillas are humans' closest living relatives after chimpanzees, and are of comparable importance for the study of human origins and evolution. Here we present the assembly and analysis of a genome sequence for the western lowland gorilla, and compare the whole genomes of all extant great ape genera. We propose a synthesis of genetic and fossil evidence consistent with placing the human-chimpanzee and human-chimpanzee-gorilla speciation events at approximately 6 and 10 million years ago. In 30% of the genome, gorilla is closer to human or chimpanzee than the latter are to each other; this is rarer around coding genes, indicating pervasive selection throughout great ape evolution, and has functional consequences in gene expression. A comparison of protein coding genes reveals approximately 500 genes showing accelerated evolution on each of the gorilla, human and chimpanzee lineages, and evidence for parallel acceleration, particularly of genes involved in hearing. We also compare the western and eastern gorilla species, estimating an average sequence divergence time 1.75 million years ago, but with evidence for more recent genetic exchange and a population bottleneck in the eastern species. The use of the genome sequence in these and future analyses will promote a deeper understanding of great ape biology and evolution

Comparison of Antinociceptive Effect of Viola Odorata with Carbamazepine in Animal Seizure Model

Background and Aim: Currently, various drugs are used to treat epilepsy and seizures, which in turn, have side effects and, in the long run, cause drug resistance. In traditional medicine, violet plant (Viola odorata) is recommended for the treatment of seizure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of violet flowers in animal models of seizure compared to carbamazepine. Methods: In the present experimental study, 40 rat mice were used in five groups of eight. Hydroalcoholic extract of violet flower was diluted with physiological serum. Experimental groups included: control group and four treatment groups receiving carbamazepine and extract of violet flowers at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg / kg by intraperitoneal method one hour before injection of pentylenetetrazole. Subsequently, non-response factors of the animal, duration of tonic seizure, clonic seizure, generalized seizure, total seizure and mortality rate was determined.&nbsp; Data were analyzed using multivariate and one-way ANOVA using statistical package for social sciences version 22 and chi-square test. Results: Violet flower extract at dose of 50 mg / kg was significantly different in the tonic-clonic stage and at the time of total seizure in the control group. However, there was a significant difference in the injections of 100 and 200 mg / kg in all stages with the control group (p <0.05). The mortality rate in the 200 mg / kg dose of vinegar extract was significantly lower than other experimental groups. Conclusion: The hydroalcoholic extract of violet flowers in at dose of 200 mg / kg was proposed as an effective and effective drug in the prevention of seizure in the animal model. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp