Ultra-structure of Ionocyte cells in gills of Silurus glanis of Mahabad Dam, Kordestan Province

Gills of catfish Silurus glanis (300 g weight) of Mahabad Dam (Iran) were examined for structural attributes in 2004. Immediately after catch, gills were removed and placed in Bouin and Glutaraldehyde for structural and microscopic examinations. For classical histological assessment, samples were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and examined under light microscope. For electron microscopy, cuts 90 nanometers each were prepared and stained with Uranyl Acetate and Lead Citrate, covered with silver, examined and photographed. We found the gill cells being composed of ionocyte alpha, beta, accessory, mucous, pillar and mosaic cells. The ionocytes were located at the base of the gill rakers and intra raker spaces. These structural attributes of ionocyte cells demonstrate their active role in osmotic regulation of catfish

Histopathological effects of mercuric chloride on kidney and intestine of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus fry

To study the effects of mercuric chloride on kidney and intestine tissue of Persian Sturgeon, Acipenser persicus fry, fish exposed freshwater contain 15 ppb of mercuric chloride and control group were kept in non polluted freshwater for 48 hours. Histological studies of the processed tissues showed marked histological alterations than the control group that exposed only to freshwater. The pathologic lesions of the kidney included severely epithelial cell necrosis, lesion of epithelial cells from the basement membrane in the proximal and distal tubules. Proximal tubule also showed inflammation and incorporation of brush borders. Decrease of lymphoid and hematopoietic tissue observed. Pathologic lesions of intestine tissue were showed the epithelial necrosis, shrinkages of secretory follicule, lesion of epithelial microvilli in intestine. Results showed that low concentration of mercuric chloride can pose undesirable alternation in Persian Sturgeon fry, an economic and endangered species of the Caspian Sea

Immunolocalization of Na+ K+-ATPase enzyme and gill chloride cells in fries of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus

Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus is a valuable species in the Caspian Sea ecosystem. For gill chloride cells localization, fish specimens 2-3 g were adapted to experimental conditions for 7 days. Gill histology was observed through light microscopy using Hematoxylin Fushin staining. Immunolocalization of gill Na^+, K^+ -ATPase was observed through fluorescent microscopy using mouse monoclonal antibody (IgG5) rinsed against Na+, K+ -ATPase. Chloride cells dimensions was observed using Image Tools software. Gill chloride cells that have high density of Na+ K+ -ATPase, were found on gill arch, gill septum, filament and lamellae. No chloride cells were observed on spiracular or opercular gills epithelium. Chloride cells were spherical to egg-shaped and showed immune-fluorescent activity on their baso-lateral sides. Results showed that in each square millimeter of gill epithelia, 289 chloride cells existed and the maximum number of these cells was found on filament, lamellae, base of the lamellae and on the inter-lamellar space. We also found that the number of these cells is significantly different in all branchial states. Persian sturgeon fry weighing 2-3 g have gill chloride cells where Na+ K+ -ATPase gene and their activity occurred. Because of their cellular transporters (like Na^+, K^+ -ATPase), these cells were the main sites of the ionic and osmotic regulation between the fish and the environment

S-system theory applied to array-based GNSS ionospheric sensing

The GPS carrier-phase and code data have proven to be valuable sources of measuring the Earth’s ionospheric total electron content (TEC). With the development of new GNSSs with multi frequency data, many more ionosphere-sensing combinations of different precision can be formed as input of ionospheric modelling. We present the general way of interpreting such combinations through an application of S-system theory and address how their precision propagates into that of the unbiased TEC solution. Presenting the data relevant to TEC determination, we propose the usage of an array of GNSS antennas to improve the TEC precision and to expedite the rather long observational time-span required for high-precision TEC determination

Branchial chamber structure and osmoregulatory function in the prawn, Palaemon elegans (Crustacea: Decapoda) from the Caspian Sea

The structure, ultrastructure and osmoregulatory function of the branchial chamber were investigated in Palaemon elegans (Rathke, 1837) by light microscope, electron microscope and immunohistochemistry methods, respectively. Each chamber possesses a branchiostegite, 3 epipodites and 8 phyllobranchiate gills. The lamellae are attached along the two outer surfaces of the triangular gill axis. Ultrastructurally, numerous ionocytes are present along the innerside of the branchiostegites and in the epipodites. A consistently high immunofluorescence of Na+, K+-ATPase was observed along the basolateral sides of these ionocytes. The gill lamellae are formed by a single axial epithelium made of H-shaped cells with thin lateral expansions and a basal lamina limiting hemolymph lacunae. A positive but weak fluorescence of the Na+, K+-ATPase was found in lacunae sides of the lamellae cells. These findings show that in P. elegans, the epipodites and the branchiostegites organs appear as the main site of osmoregulation and the gill lamellae are mainly devoted to respiration

Histopathological effects and toxicity of atrazine herbicide in Caspian kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum, fry

This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of atrazine herbicide on the fry of Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum, Kamensky, 1901). First the 96-h LC50 of the fry were exposed to atrazine at the concentration of 24.95 ppm was determined. Then the toxicity of this herbicide on Caspian kutum fry exposed to the concentration of 12.47ppm (1/2 LC50), for four days was measured and compared with a control group. Comparison of the length, weight and condition factor showed no significant differences between atrazine exposed and control group. The concentration of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl- in the whole body of fry in control and atrazine exposure groups were as the following order: Ca2+>K+>Na+>Cl->Mg2+ and Ca2+>Na+>K+>Mg2+>Cl-, respectively. Results showed that the concentration of all these ions were higher in atrazine exposure group than control group, except for Cl-, and the only significant differences was found in Na+ concentration. Major histopathological effects of atrazine on the gills were hyperplasia and thickening of the filaments, separation of the pavement cells of the lamellae epithelium from the pillar cells and swelling of the epithelial cells. Results of the present study showed that atrazine could affect the ion composition of the body, and caused major damages in gill epithelium even at sublethal concentration and acute exposure, but had no effects on the growth parameters

Improved Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Hepatocyte-like Cells using FGF4 and IGF-1 in 3D Culture

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells (UCMSCs) are considered as an excellent candidate for cell therapy to treat end-stage liver disease. Fibroblast Growth Factor-4 (FGF4), Hepatocyte Growth Factor, and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 are some of the critical cytokines involved in liver development and regeneration. To evaluate the differentiation potency of cells into hepatocyte-like cells we used these cytokines. UCMSCs were isolated from Wharton's jelly of fullterm infants. The cells were characterized as MSCs by flow-cytometry and their multilineage differentiation capacity. Then, UCMSCs were cultured in 3D collagen scaffold and hepatogenic media with or without FGF4 for 21 days and the data were compared to control. The expression of liver specific genes was evaluated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. These cells expressed MSC markers and could differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes. A non–significant higher level of liver specific genes, such as cytokeratin-18 and 19, alpha-fetoprotein and albumin, and also a significant higher level of CYP2B6 expressed by UCMSCs in hepatogenic medium containing FGF4 compared with control. In some specimens, cytokeratin-19-positive cells surrounded a luminal space within collagen scaffolds. Liver-specific marker expression was increased by pre-exposing the cells to FGF4 before treating with IGF-1 and HGF in 3D collagen scaffold. Abbreviations: UCMSCs: Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells; FGF4: Fibroblast Growth Factor 4; HGF: Hepatocyte Growth Factor; IGF-1: Insulin-like Growth Factor-1; MSCs: Mesenchymal Stem Cells; ICG: Indocyanine green; PAS: periodic acid Schiff; CK-18: cytokeratin-18; CK-19: Cytokeratin-19; AFP: alpha-fetoprotein; G6P: glucose 6 phosphatase; PEPCK: phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase; TAT: tyrosine amino transferase; FBS: Fetal Bovine Serum; OSM: oncostatin M; RT-PCR: Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction; PBS: Phosphate-Buffered Saline; Hep- Par1: Hepatocyte paraffin 1; DAB: Diaminobenzidine; CYP2B6: Cytochrome P450 2B6

The Association of Vitamin D Levels and Dental Caries in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Most research examining vitamin D and dental caries focuses on children and younger adults. This study investigated the association between vitamin D levels and dental caries in older adults using data from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2016

Investigation on Salmo trutta caspius intestinal variations on different levels of dietary nucleotide

The effect of specific nutrients on Salmo trutta caspius intestinal variation are practically unknown. The purpose of this work was to study the effects of different levels (0, 0.25 and 0.5%) of dietary nucleotide that added in control meal, on several segment of intestinal structure of Caspian salmon juvenile with average001/0± 26/12 g weight (average length 11/1±0/002). This trial was achieved in fiber glass 300 liter fresh water tank with 35 fish in each one. Fish cultured in 8 weeks and experiment has done on fish with average 26 g weight. 6 fish from each treatment captured, sacrificed and immediately gastro intestinal tract fixed by immersion into Bouin solution for histology. Then histological sections of 4 mm obtained, stained with Hematoxiline-Fushin and investigated. Results indicate that in duodenum nucleotide has a significantly (P<0.05) effects on villi length, thickness of muscle and sub mucosa. These treatments have been showed maximum of villi length and tickness of muscle. Similar results have been showed in ileum and jejunum. In this segments nucleotide have a significantly (P<0.05) effects on maturation and growth of villi length, muscle and submucosa