Organization of the innervation of the oesophagus and stomach in chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger, Molina)

 Using the histochemical and histological techniques the morphology and topography of the autonomic plexuses of the oesophagus and stomach in chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger) was investigated. AChE-positive and adrenergic structures in the myenteric and submucosal plexus were observed. According to the results the cholinergic structures were formed by the different in shape network meshes, various size of the neurons agglomerations and nerve fibres. Adrenergic fibres were found. Density of these structures varied in different parts of the investigated organs. This study is the first attempt to localize the intramural autonomic plexuses in this species.

e+ e- ---> pi+ pi- e+ e- : A Potential background for sigma (e+ e- ---> pi+ pi-) measurement via radiative return method

A Monte Carlo generator (EKHARA) has been constructed to simulate the reaction e+e− ! + −e+e− based on initial and final state emission of a e+e− pair from e+e− ! + − production diagram. A detailed study of the process, as a potential background for (e+e− ! + −) measurement via radiative return method, is presented for - and B-factory energies

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 µm to 260 x 520 µm) 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

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

Using the thiocholine method of Koelle and Friedenwald and histological techniques, the otic ganglion in Egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus, Desmarest) was studied. The ganglion was found to be a single oval cluster of neurocytes, situated at the medial and posterior surface of the mandibular nerve just above the maxillary artery. The ganglion is composed of typical ganglionic neurons in compact arrangement without a thick connective-tissue capsule

Susceptibility of lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to entomopathogenic fungi isolated from poultry houses litter and nearby soil

The lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus is present in great numbers in poultry houses. These insects are especially dangerous as a potential carriers of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. We explored the possibility of using local strains of entomopathogenic fungi isolated from litter and from soil to control lesser mealworm populations. Isolated fungi showed low pathogenicity to lesser mealworm beetles. Infection with a suspension at a concentration of 1 × 108 spores/ml resulted in only 4 Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato isolates showing the highest insect mortality in the range of 30–36%. Still lower pathogenicity was found in isolates of Beauveria bassiana, with only 4 isolates of B. bassiana causing a mortality of 17–26%. Isolates of Isaria fumosorosea and I. farinosa did not cause mortality in beetles that differed significantly from that in the control variant. The larvae were more susceptible to infection. Except for I. fumosorosea, all species caused 100% mortality in larvae. For further studies, the B. bassiana 3K isolate (from the litter) could be selected because of its high mortality (100%) and high larval infectivity (50% overgrown with mycelium)

Effect of aminoguanidine and albendazole on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity in T. spiralis-infected mice muscles

The aim of this study was to provide evidence for the expression of iNOS in the cells of inflammatory infiltrates around larvae in skeletal muscles of T. spiralis infected mice. The BALB/c mice (n=8) divided into subgroups, received either aminoguanidine (AMG) - a specific iNOS inhibitor or albendazole (ALB) - an antiparasitic drug of choice in trichinellosis treatment. Control animals (n=2 in each subgroup) were either uninfected and treated or uninfected and untreated. Frozen sections of hind leg muscles from mice sacrificed at various time intervals after infection were cut and subjected to immunohistochemistry, using monoclonal anti-iNOS antibody. The ALB-treated mice revealed stronger iNOS staining in the infiltrating cells around larvae than the infected and untreated animals. On the contrary, in the AMG-treated animals, the infiltrating cells did not show any specific iNOS reaction. These data confirm the specificity of iNOS staining in the cellular infiltrates around T. spiralis larvae and shed some light on the role of nitric oxide during ALB treatment in experimental trichinellosis

The use of cluster analysis for non-continuous variables in the assessment of dietary behaviours and physical activities in primary school children

Abstract Physical activity, along with proper nutrition, is a very important element in child development. Lack of everyday, regular physical activity among young people is a public health problem. The aim of the study was to use cluster analysis to assess the relationship between nutrition and physical activity levels of primary school children. The study included 682 students from randomly selected elementary schools and was performed using a proprietary questionnaire during the 2013/2014 school year. The questionnaire contained questions about eating habits and physical activity, as well as the socio-economic conditions of families. Clusters of students of similar dietary habits were identified using cluster analysis and subsequently compared in terms of physical activity level. We identified four clusters, characterized by relative internal homogeneity and at the same time variability between one another in terms of number of meals throughout the day and time of their consumption. The most important characteristic of Cluster 1 was eating four meals a day including breakfast, which is the most important meal of the day. The diets of children in Cluster 2 abounded with raw vegetables and fruits. Students in Cluster 3 were characterized by a regular and varied diet. The least appropriate behaviour in the field of nutrition was observed among students belonging to Cluster 4. Cluster analysis in the studied population allowed relationships between dietary habits and physical activity to be described. By using the UIAF indicator (Moderate to Intense Physical Activity), a statistically significant association between the eating habits of the children and their physical activity levels was observed. A sufficient level of physical activity was observed in most students belonging to Cluster 3, and high levels of physical activity were observed in a small percentage of children belonging Cluster 4. An average level of physical activity was observed in a high percentage of children belonging to Cluster 4. Low levels of physical activity were most frequently observed in Clusters 4 and 1 and least frequently observed in Cluster 3. All of the identified active forms of free-time activity were most commonly acknowledged in Cluster 3. The study supports a beneficial relationship between students’ eating behaviours and physical activity.</jats:p