The cervical vertebras of the Carpathian bear

The atlas has a butterfly shape, presents an alary hole that is united with the vertebral hole through a wide alary trench. The transversal hole is found on the caudal edge of the wings of the atlas. The axis is particularized by the development of a spinal process, oblong anterior-posterior. The caudal edge of the spinal process is callous, provided with a deep muscular fosse delimited laterally by a bony crest. The dens, cylindrical process presents in front a plan surface cut oblique. The cervical vertebras III-VII are characterized by an elongation of transversal processes, ended with a well-defined tuberous tubercle

The morpho-functional peculiarities of the synsarcosis muscles in red squirrels

In terrestrial species, body propulsion is mostly performed via the pelvic limbs. In semiaquatic species, both pairs of limbs are used in swimming and diving, whereas in arboreal species, the pelvic limbs are used to maintain body stability. Thus, in squirrels, the synsarcosis muscles participate in body propulsion during climbing, as they have well-developed muscular bellies. Among these, the pectoral transverse muscle, which originates along the entire sternum and is inserted on the humeral crest, stands out for its width. The cervical parts of the trapezius and rhomboideus muscles are reduced and their thoracic parts more developed. As a result, muscles such as the occipitoscapularis or atlantoscapularis coordinate forelimb protraction and neck displacement. The serratus ventralis muscle is very well developed and clearly divided into cranial (cervical) and caudal (thoracic) parts; it produces a strong adduction of the thoracic limbs when the parts contract, and when they relax, a large abduction of the forelimbs is produced, enlarging the body size during jumping

Some arguments for and against animal experimentation - a literature review

Preclinical tests on animals are mandatory when new biomedical products are launched on the market, all of these having the main goal to improve the lives of humans, animals or to improve the environment. In this sense, it is necessary to identify or to create the ”animal model” that is as close as possible to the human physiology and psychology, taking in account that each species has its peculiarities that make it difficult or sometimes impossible to extrapolate the results from animal to human. However, some of human diseases have been cured just through research on animals so, this paper is bringing for and against arguments regarding animal experimentation. On the other hand, poor communication of research results, minimization of harm in favor of glorious benefits, underestimation of issues of experimental ethics are some of the most claimed subjects by people and researchers

Peculiarities of thorax intervertebral joints in muskrat (Ondatra zibethica)

The transverse process of thorax vertebra had a different conformation in the muskrat’s case. This process was completely formed in the first three and the last two thoracic vertebra (the lamina separated from the body is knitted with the one separated from the arch). Starting with the fourth vertebra until the eleventh one, the transverse process was incomplete. Between the two laminas, a deep incision was created. The lamina separated from the body was changed in an articulatory process, made up of two surfaces: a lateral (ventral) one, of articulation with the tubercle of the rib, and a medial (dorsal) one. The transverse incision was used for sliding like on a trochlea of the costal-transverse intraarticular ligament, which was specific to the muskrat, for the insertion in the back of the incision

Hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effect of acrylamide from potato chips in mice

Potato chips are considered to be potentially health risk products because they contain several substances with toxic potential effect upon various organs. These snacks contain acrylamide, a multi-organ carcinogenic effect substance and monosodium glutamate, used to improve the taste quality, but which has toxic effects upon several organs. In order to test the effect of potato chips diet upon different organs, two experiment were conducted. In an experiment were used adult mice aged between 4-6 months and in the other young mice of 17-20 days. They were fed for 60 days with potato chips representing 80% of the daily diet. In the first 30 days of experiment the adult mice gain weight, but at the end of the experiment they lost 10-15% from the initial weight measured at the beginning of the experiment. Histopathological modifications were noticed in internal organs of both young and adult mice. Liver presented changes in architecture, necrosis areas, hepatocytes with macrovesicular steatosis, and hydropic degeneration. Into the renal cortex, enlarged glomeruli, mesangial cell proliferation, and reduced urinary spaces were observed along with vascular congestion. Also, in the kidney were noticed renal tubules degeneration, narrow lumens and swelling epithelia. Degenerations were also present in most of intestinal tunics where villi fusion, villi atrophy, modifications in epithelia, in subepithelial connective tissue, and changes in smooth muscle fibers were observed

Mechanical Characterization and In Vitro Assay of Biocompatible Titanium Alloys

Metals that come into contact with the body can cause reactions in the body, so biomaterials must be tested to avoid side effects. Mo, Zr, and Ta are non-toxic elements; alloyed with titanium, they have very good biocompatibility properties and mechanical properties. The paper aims to study an original Ti20Mo7ZrxTa system (5, 10, 15 wt %) from a mechanical and in vitro biocompatibility point of view. Alloys were examined by optical microstructure, tensile strength, fractographic analysis, and in vitro assay. The obtained results indicate very good mechanical and biological properties, recommending them for future orthopedic medical applications

Cranial morphology of Balkan and West Asian livestock guardian dogs

Several large “shepherd” or livestock guardian dog (LGD) breeds were historically selectively bred to protect sheep and goat flocks in the Balkans, Anatolia, and the Caucasus regions. Although these breeds exhibit similar behavior, their morphology is different. Yet, the fine characterization of the phenotypic differences remains to be analyzed. The aim of this study is to characterize cranial morphology in the specific Balkan and West Asian LGD breeds. We use a 3D geometric morphometric in order to assess morphological differences regarding both shape and size between LGD breeds and compare this phenotypic diversity to close relative wild canids. Our results indicate that Balkan and Anatolian LGDs form a distinct cluster within a relatively large dog cranial size and shape diversity. Most LGDs display a cranial morphology that could be described as intermediate to the mastiff breeds and large herding dogs, except for the Romanian Mioritic shepherd which has a more brachycephalic cranium strongly resembling the bully-type dog cranial morphotype. Although often considered to represent an ancient type of dog, the Balkan–West Asian LGDs are clearly distinguishable from wolves, dingoes, and most other primitive and spitz-type dogs and this group displays a surprising cranial diversity

Design, synthesis, and preliminary evaluation for Ti-Mo-Zr-Ta-Si alloys for potential implant applications

Considering the future trends of biomaterials, current studies are focused on the corrosion resistance and the mechanical properties of new materials that need to be considered in the process of strengthening alloys with additive non-toxic elements. Many kinds of titanium alloys with different biocompatible elements (Mo, Si, Zr, etc.,) have been recently developed for their similar properties with human bone. Four new different alloys were obtained and investigated regarding their microstructure, mechanical, chemical, and biological behavior (in vitro and in vivo evaluation), the alloys are as follows: Ti15Mo7Zr15Ta, Ti15Mo7Zr15Ta0.5Si, Ti15Mo7Zr15Ta0.75Si, and Ti15Mo7Zr15Ta1Si. There were changes with the addition of the silicon element such as the hardness and the modulus of elasticity increased. An MTT assay confirmed the in vitro cytocompatibility of the prepared alloys

Cortisol and Oxytocin Could Predict Covert Aggression in Some Psychotic Patients

Background: The covert or indirect type of aggression has a risk of converting in violent acts and, considering that, it is very important to identify it in order to apply effective preventive measures. In cases of psychotic patients, the risk of becoming violent is harder to predict, as even neuter stimuli may be perceived as threat and trigger aggression. Treating all the psychiatric patients as potential aggressive subjects is not the best preventive measure as only a few of them are aggressive and this measure may further enhance the stigma on mentally ill patients. There is a current need for better understanding of covert aggression and to find objective measures, such as biological markers, that could be indicative of potential violent behavior. In this work, we try to investigate the role of cortisol and oxytocin as potential biomarkers of aggression in patients with psychosis. Material and Methods: We analyzed the level of peripheral oxytocin (pg/mL) and cortisol level (ng/mL) in 28 psychotic patients (they were not on psychotropic treatment at the moment of admission and those with substance abuse or personality disorder were excluded from the study) and correlated it with the intensity of aggression reported by the patient (overt and covert type) using the Overt Covert Aggression Inventory and the level of observed aggression of the patient in the past 7 days (rated by the health care provider) using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale. Results: We found that psychotic patients with a higher level of covert aggression had a lower level of cortisol (61.05 ± 8.04 ng/mL vs. 216.33 ± 12.6.9 ng/mL, p ˂ 0.01) and a higher level of oxytocin (102.87 ± 39.26 vs. 70.01 ± 25.07, p = 0.01) when compared with patients with a lower level of covert aggression. Furthermore, we observed significant negative correlation between cortisol and covert aggression (r = −0.676, p < 0.001) and between oxytocin and covert type of aggression (r = 0.382, p = 0.04). Moreover, we found that a lower level of cortisol together with a higher level of oxytocin are significant predictors of a style of internalized manifestation of aggression, with the predictive model explaining 55% of the variant of the internalized manifestation of aggression (F (2.25) = 17.6, p < 0.001, β = 0.35, R2 = 55.2). We did not find significant correlations between cortisol and overt aggression, and neither between oxytocin and overt aggression. Positive correlations were also found between the overt type of self-reported aggression and overt aggression reported by the rater (r = 0.459, p = 0.01). Conclusions: The importance of a predictive model in understanding covert aggression is imperative and the results of our study show that oxytocin and cortisol warrant to be further investigated in establishing a definitive predictive model for covert aggression

Research Regarding Correlation between the Assured Health State for Laying Hens and Their Productivity

Predictions show the possibility of banning birds’ rearing in batteries. From this reason, we aimed to study the welfare conditions assured to birds accommodated in lofts in comparison with those reared in improved batteries. The research targeted ISA Brown hybrids monitored over a period of 25–55 weeks. The batches were represented by birds that were differently reared in halls provided with lofts compared to with improved batteries. The research was carried out in real production conditions. Biochemical indicators were determined, using a BA 400 analyzer produced by BioSystems, as well as quantitative ones using specific formulas based on productions, consumptions, and batch outputs. A cumulated production of 199.24 eggs/week/head was realized in the loft, versus 199.98 in the battery, at a mean laying intensity of 91.82% and 92.17%. Batch output was 4.14% (loft) and 2.98% (battery). Mean consumption registered a level of 122.20 g m.f./head/day for birds in the loft and 115.87 g for the ones from the battery, and feed conversion index was 133.09 g m.f./egg, compared to 125.69. The aviary system ensures optimal conditions to express the birds’ natural behaviors, with a positive impact on the metabolic functions, resulting in a good state of health and high productive levels, comparable to those of birds exploited in batteries