Peculiar Labial Duct in the Camel Philtrum: Structure and Feasible Functions

The philtrum is well known as a median groove within the upper lip of mammalian species. However, a peculiar serpentine duct was identified within the mucosal surface of the camel philtrum. To the best of the author’s knowledge, the available literature did not mention any information regarding the presence of a complete duct in such location. For these, this study was aimed to reveal the gross and microscopic structure as well as to discuss the possible functions of this labial duct in dromedary. Twenty snouts from 20 camel heads were used. The labial duct had unique morphological and microscopic structure. It was a median highly tortuous duct with proximal and distal segments connected to each other through a capillary portion. The latter revealed only at the microscopic level. The duct had two entrances, the proximal and distal papillae. Importantly, the microscopic studies revealed that it also had an olfactory portion. In conclusion, the labial duct in camels is a peculiar anatomical structure, which may function as an organ of alarm

Merkel-like basal cells in the nasal septal island of dromedaries: Ultrastructure and possible functions

Unlike other Merkel cell types, the morphology and functions of the Merkel-like basal cells remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ultrastructural features of Merkel-like basal cells in the nasal septal island (NSI) of dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) using transmission electron microscopy and to speculate their potential functions. Ten pairs of nasal septal islands obtained from ten heads of dromedary camels were used for the current study. Interestingly, these cells have been identified in the basal layer of the neuroepithelium of the dromedary nasal septal island near the sensory nerve endings. These cells were ovoid to elliptical in shape and rested on the basal lamina. Their surface had spine like cytoplasmic processes which interwined with the adjacent basal cells. Their nuclei were large lobulated with 2–3 deep notches. Moreover, numerous dense-core granules surrounded by electron-lucent halo were aggregated in the basal portion of the cells close to the nerve ending as well as melanin pigments in the apical portion. The ultrastructural characteristics of the Merkel-like basal cells of NSI were typical to those of Merkel cells, but with some morphological differences, including their location, cellular attachments, and connections to other structures. The potential functions were discussed in the light of the cellular context and architecture. The Merkel-like basal cells of the NSI neuroepithelium might play a role in nociception and magnetoreception in dromedaries

Supplementing the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with Amphora coffeaeformis nanoparticles (Am NPs) enhances the growth performance, redox status, digestion, immune responses, and defense against Aeromonas veronii

A frequent species of microalgae in alkaline brackish, marine, and freshwater is Amphora coffeaeformis. It has a high concentration of physiologically active chemicals with antibacterial, anti-obesity, and antioxidant properties, as well as pigments involved in photosynthetic respiration, including as carotenoids and chlorophyll, that are effective in a range of medical applications. The current study sought to determine the effects of varying dosages of Amphora coffeaeformis nanoparticles (Am-NPs) incorporated diet on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), which were weighted at 15±0.5 g and 9±0.5 cm in length, on growth performance, immunological, digestive enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant activities, as well as histological examination of the intestinal villi and resistance to Aeromonas veronii (A. veronii). Four experimental groups (each with 80 fish) were run in duplicate. For four weeks, Amphora nanoparticles (Am NPs) at 2.5, 5 and 7.5 g/kg diet were added to the following three groups, while the first additive-free basal diet functioned as the control group. After the feeding trial, fish were exposed to an infection of pathogenic bacteria (A. veronii) with 9×108 CFU/ml. Supplementing with (Am-NPs) during the experiment period, specifically 7.5 g/kg diet (P˂0.05), significantly improved the following: immunological parameters such as liver Nitric oxide (NO) and plasma IgM and IgG; biochemical parameters such as liver tissue alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransaminase, plasma lipase, and amylase; and growth performance (weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion rate, and length gain rate). The villus height, the villus height to crypt depth ratio and and the number of goblet cells were significantly (P<0.05) increase in the fish fed Am Nps especially at 7.5 g/ kg diet when compared with control group which had the lowest values. Additionally the supplemented groups showed a substantial (P<0.05) decrease in the crypt depth of the villus when compared to control group. Our results showed that the groups treated with Am-NPs had a relative percent survival (RPS) of 65-85% against the infection of pathogenic Aeromonas veronii bacteria, compared to a control group that had an RPS of 0%. In conclusion, Amphora coffeaeformis offers several advantages, the chief among them being that it is a significant food source. Additionally, it has a range of physiologically active substances with antibacterial, immunological, antioxidant, and biochemical properties that are used in numerous medicinal applications

Supplementing the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with Amphora coffeaeformis nanoparticles (Am NPs) enhances the growth performance, redox status, digestion, immune responses, and defense against Aeromonas veronii

A frequent species of microalgae in alkaline brackish, marine, and freshwater is Amphora coffeaeformis. It has a high concentration of physiologically active chemicals with antibacterial, anti-obesity, and antioxidant properties, as well as pigments involved in photosynthetic respiration, including as carotenoids and chlorophyll, that are effective in a range of medical applications. The current study sought to determine the effects of varying dosages of Amphora coffeaeformis nanoparticles (Am-NPs) incorporated diet on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), which were weighted at 15±0.5 g and 9±0.5 cm in length, on growth performance, immunological, digestive enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant activities, as well as histological examination of the intestinal villi and resistance to Aeromonas veronii (A. veronii). Four experimental groups (each with 80 fish) were run in duplicate. For four weeks, Amphora nanoparticles (Am NPs) at 2.5, 5 and 7.5 g/kg diet were added to the following three groups, while the first additive-free basal diet functioned as the control group. After the feeding trial, fish were exposed to an infection of pathogenic bacteria (A. veronii) with 9×108 CFU/ml. Supplementing with (Am-NPs) during the experiment period, specifically 7.5 g/kg diet (P˂0.05), significantly improved the following: immunological parameters such as liver Nitric oxide (NO) and plasma IgM and IgG; biochemical parameters such as liver tissue alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransaminase, plasma lipase, and amylase; and growth performance (weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion rate, and length gain rate). The villus height, the villus height to crypt depth ratio and and the number of goblet cells were significantly (P<0.05) increase in the fish fed Am Nps especially at 7.5 g/ kg diet when compared with control group which had the lowest values. Additionally the supplemented groups showed a substantial (P<0.05) decrease in the crypt depth of the villus when compared to control group. Our results showed that the groups treated with Am-NPs had a relative percent survival (RPS) of 65-85% against the infection of pathogenic Aeromonas veronii bacteria, compared to a control group that had an RPS of 0%. In conclusion, Amphora coffeaeformis offers several advantages, the chief among them being that it is a significant food source. Additionally, it has a range of physiologically active substances with antibacterial, immunological, antioxidant, and biochemical properties that are used in numerous medicinal applications