Gonadal changes and serum steroid levels during the annual reproductive cycle of the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata Gould

The annual reproductive cycle of peal oyster Pinctada fucata was characteised by documenting gonadal development and changes in serum levels of estradiol-17b (E2), testosterone (T) and progesterone (P) in the wild bivalve caught in natural beds in the Persian Gulf throughout the year. Bivalve populations employed in this study spawn in June-July and November-December. The pearl oysters had group synchronous ovarian development with exogenous vitellogenesis during spring and summer for first spawning and during August-September for the second spawning. Serum E2 levels in the females increased rapidly from low values in May to peak in June and also in October coinciding with the time of spawning. Serum T levels in male and female exhibited a bimodal pattern. However in the male it increased during the early spermatogenesis. P was detected in both females and males. Its concentrations start to increase during the early gametogenesis and reaching to peak during the spawning season. The obtained results indicated that vitellogenesis and spermatogenesis in pearl oyster are not completed by the mi-summer and early winter

The role of CA1 α-adrenoceptor on scopolamine induced memory impairment in male rats

Introduction: Similarities in the memory impairment between Alzheimer patients and scopolamine treated animals have been reported. In the present study, the possible role of α-adrenergic receptors of the dorsal hippocampus on scopolamine state-dependent memory in adult male Wistar rats was evaluated. Methods: The animals were bilaterally implanted with chronic cannulae in the CA1 regions of the dorsal hippocampus, trained in a step-through type inhibitory avoidance task, and tested 24 h after training to measure step-through latency. Results: Post-training intra-CA1 administration of scopolamine (0.5 and 2μg/rat) dose-dependently reduced the step-through latency, showing an amnestic response. Amnesia produced by post-training scopolamine (2 μg/rat) was reversed by pre-test administration of the scopolamine (0.5 and 2 μg/rat) that is due to a state-dependent effect. Pre-test intra-CA1 injection of α1-adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine (0.25, 0.5 μg/rat) in the dose range that we used, could not affect memory impairment induced by post-training injection of scopolamine (2 μg/rat). However intra-CA1 pretest injection of α2-adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine (0.5 μg/rat) improved post-training scopolamine (2 μg/rat) intra-CA1 injection induced retrieval impairment. Furthermore, pre-test intra-CA1 microinjection of phenylephrine (0.25 and 0.5 μg/rat) or clonidine (0.25 and 0.5 μg/rat) with an ineffective dose of scopolamine (0.25 μg/rat), synergistically improved memory performance impaired by post-training scopolamine (2 μg/rat). Our results also showed that, pre-test injection of α1-receptor antagonist prazosin (1, 2 μg/rat) or α2-receptors antagonist yohimbine (1, 2 μg/rat) before effective dose of scopolamine (2 μg/rat) prevented the improvement of memory by pre-test scopolamine. Conclusion: These results suggest that α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors of the dorsal hippocampal CA1 region may play an important role in scopolamine-induced amnesia and scopolamine state-dependent memory

Role of Mas receptor antagonist (A779) in renal hemodynamics in condition of blocked angiotensin II receptors in rats

The vasodilatory effect of angiotensin 1–7 (Ang 1-7) is exerted in the vascular bed via Mas receptor (MasR) gender dependently. However, the crosstalk between MasR and angiotensin II (Ang II) types 1 and 2 receptors (AT1R and AT2R) may change some actions of Ang 1-7 in renal circulation. In this study by blocking AT1R and AT2R, the role of MasR in kidney hemodynamics was described. In anaesthetized male and female Wistar rats, the effects of saline as vehicle and MasR blockade (A779) were tested on mean arterial pressure (MAP), renal perfusion pressure (RPP), renal blood flow (RBF), and renal vascular resistance (RVR) when both AT1R and AT2R were blocked by losartan and PD123319, respectively. In male rats, when AT1R and AT2R were blocked, there was a tendency for the increase in RBF/wet kidney tissue weight (RBF/KW) to be elevated by A779 as compared with the vehicle (P=0.08), and this was not the case in female rats. The impact of MasR on renal hemodynamics appears not to be sexual dimorphism either when Ang II receptors were blocked. It seems that co-blockade of all AT1R, AT2R, and MasR may alter RBF/ KW in male more than in female rats. These findings support a crosstalk between MasR and Ang II receptors in renal circulation

Histological study on ovary of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the Gulf of Oman

In the present research which was done during the period of July 1997 to June 1998, histological studies on maturation stages of 40 yellowfin tuna specimen (Thunnus albacares) were conducted. It was concluded that the ovaries of this fish had the following characteristics; Germination disk were not present. There were no difference among anterior, posterior and middle parts of maturity stage of ovaries. All observed ovaries were asynchronous. The ovaries had five maturity stages which were as follow: a) Immature b) maturing c) Ripening d) Ripe e) Spent Average dimension of oocyte in different stage are as follow: Immature (40µ); Ripening (<60µ) and Ripe (<120µ)

Ecophysiological indicators of stress in female Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus

The study on the ecophysiological impacts of stress in female Persian sturgeon broodfishes revealed that the average cortisol level varried in all broodfish caught at the Sefidrud River (163.38±21.2ng mL-1), Sefidrud River estuary (260.27±19.7ng mL-1) and Gorganrud River estuary (179.38±20.8ng mL-1). The variations in serum glucose levels were 140.65±12.05mg dL-1, 144.44±5.9mg dL-1 and 126.24±11mg dL-1, respectively. The maximum level of cortisol (781 ng mL-1) and serum glucose (281 mg dL-1) were observed during the transport of broodfish from the capture stations to the hatcheries and the minimum level of cortisol (25.2 ng mL-1) and serum glucose (33 mg dL-1) were observed during the confinement of broodfishes in the breeding ponds. The rhythmic and significant variations of cortisol level during capture, handling, transport and confinement of female Persian sturgeon broodfish in all three regions can be regarded as a valuable indicator of stres

An assessment of haematological and serum biochemical indices in Salmo trutta caspius

Haematological and biochemical serum analyses were carried out in 131 fish specimens in three age and size groups including smolt, juvenile and breeder. Of these groups, smolt fish were 40 specimens in the average total length range 195.45±12.426mm and had an average weight of 84±15.5g, juvenile fish were 25 individuals and their average total length and weight were 267±20.877mm and 217.20±22.013g, respectively. The 41 breeder fish had an average total length of 578.24±68.487mm and an average weight of 1994.2±775.379g. Another 25 breeder fish were also sampled in the spawning season for blood biochemical analyses had an average total length range of 617±59.9mm and weighed on average 2227.5±647.5g each. Red blood cell counts were 866600 per mm super(3) and 1259400 per mm ^(3) in smolt and breeder fish respectively. The average hematocrit was 48.39% in smolt and 44.29% in breeder fish. The average hemoglobin was 8.85g/dl in smolt and 10.91g/dl in breeder fish. White blood cell count was 8781.58 per mm ^(3) in smolt and 5217.65 per mm ^(3) in breeder fish. Other measurements were as follows: Lymphocyte 90.57% in smolt and 73.22% in breeders, Neutrophil 5.12% in smolt and 16.92% in breeders, Monocyte 1.27% in smolt and 4.24% in breeders, and clotting time was 282.34 seconds in smolt and 291.47 seconds in breeder fish. We also measured MCV, MCH and MCHC in smolt and breeder fish along with biochemical parameters. The glucose level was 2.97mmol/1 in juvenile and 1.99mmol/1 in breeder fish. The cholesterol level was 4.26mmol/l in juvenile and 7.06mmol/1 in breeders. The triglyceride amount was 2.35mmol/l in juvenile and 2.47mmol/l in breeder specimens and the calcium level was 2.44 in juvenile and 2.61 mmol/1 in breeder fish

Involvement of dorsal hippocampal α-adrenergic receptors in the effect of scopolamine on memory retrieval in inhibitory avoidance task

The present study evaluated the possible role of α-adrenergic receptors of the dorsal hippocampus on scopolamine-induced amnesia and scopolamine state-dependent memory in adult male Wistar rats. The animals were bilaterally implanted with chronic cannulae in the CA1 regions of the dorsal hippocampus, trained in a step-through type inhibitory avoidance task, and tested 24. h after training to measure step-through latency. Results indicate that post-training or pre-test intra-CA1 administration of scopolamine (1 and 2μg/rat) dose-dependently reduced the step-through latency, showing an amnestic response. Amnesia produced by post-training scopolamine (2μg/rat) was reversed by pre-test administration of the scopolamine that is due to a state-dependent effect. Interestingly, pre-test intra-CA1 microinjection of α1-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine (1 and 2μg/rat) or α2-adrenergic agonist, clonidine improved post-training scopolamine (2μg/rat)-induced retrieval impairment. Furthermore, pre-test intra-CA1 microinjection of phenylephrine (0.25, 0.5 and 1 μg/rat) or clonidine (0.25, 0.5 and 1 μg/rat) with an ineffective dose of scopolamine (0.25 μg/rat), synergistically improved memory performance impaired by post-training scopolamine. On the other hand, pre-test injection of α1-receptors antagonist prazosin (1 and 2 μg/rat) or α2-receptors antagonist yohimbine (1 and 2 μg/rat) prevented the restoration of memory by pre-test scopolamine. It is important to note that pre-test intra-CA1 administration of the same doses of prazosin or yohimbine, alone did not affect memory retrieval. These results suggest that α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors of the dorsal hippocampal CA1 regions may play an important role in scopolamine-induced amnesia and scopolamine state-dependent memory. © 2010 Elsevier Inc

Discrepancy of target sites between clinician and cytopathological reports in head neck fine needle aspiration: Did I miss the target or did the clinician mistake the organ site?

The diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of head and neck lesions is relatively high, but cytologic interpretation might be confusing if the sample is lacking typical cytologic features according to labeled site by physician. These errors may have an impact on pathology search engines, healthcare costs or even adverse outcomes. The cytology archive database of multiple institutions in southern Iran and Australia covering the period 2001–2011, were searched using keywords: salivary gland, head, neck, FNAC, and cytology. All the extracted reports were reviewed. The reports which showed discordance between the clinician’s impression of the organ involved and subsequent fine needle biopsy request, and the eventual cytological diagnosis were selected. The cytological diagnosis was confirmed by histology or cell block, with assistance from imaging, clinical outcome, physical examination, molecular studies, or microbiological culture. The total number of 10,200 head and neck superficial FNAC were included in the study, from which 48 cases showed discordance between the clinicians request and the actual site of pathology. Apart from the histopathology, the imaging, clinical history, physical examination, immunohistochemical study, microbiologic culture and molecular testing helped to finalize the target organ of pathology in 23, 6, 7, 8, 2, and 1 cases respectively. The commonest discrepancies were for FNAC of “salivary gland” [total: 20 with actual final pathology in: bone (7), soft tissue (5), lymph node (3), odontogenic (3) and skin (2)], “lymph node” [total: 12 with final pathology in: soft tissue (3), skin (3), bone (1) and brain (1)], “soft tissue” [total: 11 with final pathology in: bone (5), skin (2), salivary gland (1), and ocular region (1)] and “skin” [total: 5 with final pathology in: lymph node (2), bone (1), soft tissue (1) and salivary gland (1)]. The primary physician requesting FNAC of head and neck lesions are incorrect in their clinical impression of the actual site in nearly 0.5 percent of cases, due to the overlapping clinical and imaging findings or possibly due to inadequate history taking or physical examination

Hoe kleurenblind is Vrouwe Justitia?

Criminal Justice: Legitimacy, accountability, and effectivit

The Impact of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms on Outcomes in Patients with Diabetic Foot Infections

Background. Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are important diabetic foot infection (DFI) pathogens. This study evaluated the impact of DFIs associated with MDRO pathogens (DFI-MDRO) on clinical outcomes. Methods. Adults admitted to Detroit Medical Center from January 2012 to December 2015 with culture-positive DFI were included. Associations between outcomes and DFI-MDRO (evaluated as a single group that included methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA], vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Enterobacteriaceae resistant to third-generation cephalosporin [3GCR-EC], Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were analyzed. Outcomes included above- and below-knee lower extremity amputation (LEA), readmissions, and mortality within a year after DFI. A propensity score predicting the likelihood of having DFI-MDRO was computed by comparing patients with DFI-MDRO with patients with DFI with non-MDRO pathogens (DFI-non-MDRO). Using conditional logistic regression, DFI-MDRO was analyzed as an independent variable after patients in the MDRO and non-MDRO groups were matched by propensity score. Results. Six hundred forty-eight patients were included, with a mean age ± SD of 58.4 ± 13.7. Most patients in the cohort presented with chronic infection (75%). DFI-MDRO occurred in greater than one-half of the cohort (n = 364, 56%), and MRSA was the most common MDRO (n = 224, 62% of the DFI-MDRO group). In propensity-matched analyses, DFI-MDRO was not associated with 1-year LEA or readmissions, but was associated with recurrent DFI episodes (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.38–3.21). Conclusions. DFI-MDRO was associated with a 2-fold increased risk of recurrent DFI compared with patients with DFI-non-MDRO