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

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

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

Distribution of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin (GAL) in the pterygopalatine ganglion of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos f. domestica)

Introduction. Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin (GAL) act as neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Their presence has been found in different taxonomic groups, in particular in mammals. However, only few investigators have studied these neuropeptides in the class Aves (birds). The aim of the present study was to describe the distribution of CART, NPY and GAL in the pterygopalatine ganglion (PPG) of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos f. domestica). Material and methods. The experiment was conducted on 16 one-year-old domestic ducks of the Pekin breed of both sexes (8 males and 8 females). Frozen sections of the PPG were subjected to immunofluorescence staining using primary mouse monoclonal antibodies directed against CART and GAL and rabbit polyclonal antibody directed against NPY. Secondary antibodies were conjugated with Cy3 and FITC fluorochromes. Results. CART, NPY, and GAL were present in the PPG of the domestic duck. The highest immunoreactivity (IR) in the ganglionic cells was found for CART in the majority (83–85%) of neurons of both superior (SPPG) and inferior (IPPG) PPG. CART-IR was also found in small aggregations of neurons on the medial surface of the Harderian gland, and on the course of the palatine branch of the facial nerve. CART-IR was also observed in the nerve fibers of these neurons’ aggregations; however, it was low in comparison to the immunoreactivity of the perikarya. Immunoreactivity of NPY was found in ganglionic neurons, but above all in numerous fibers of the SPPG and IPPG and within aggregations on the surface of the Harderian gland. NPY-IR cells were distributed irregularly over the cross-sections of the tested aggregations, and constituted from 36% to 43% of the SPPG and from 37% to 40% of the IPPG of all cross-sectioned neurons. GAL-immunoreactive perikarya, distributed irregularly across the sections, were observed in the SPPG, where they constituted 61–65%, and in the IPPG, where they made up 50–57% of all neurons. All immunoreactive neurons were characterized by immunopositive neuroplasm and immunonegative cell nuclei. Conclusions. The presence of CART, NPY, and GAL in the PPG of the domestic duck suggests that these peptides may contribute to the secretory innervation of the glands of the mucosa of the palate and nasal cavity, the Harderian gland, and the lacrimal gland

Non-imidazole-based histamine H3 receptor antagonists with anticonvulsant activity in different seizure models in male adult rats

A series of twelve novel non-imidazole-based ligands (3-14) was developed and evaluated for its in vitro binding properties at the human histamine H3 receptor (hH3R). The novel ligands were investigated for their in vivo protective effects in different seizure models in male adult rats. Among the H3R ligands (3-14) tested, ligand 14 showed significant and dose-dependent reduction in the duration of tonic hind limb extension in maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizure model subsequent to acute systemic administration (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), whereas ligands 4, 6, and 7 without appreciable protection in MES model were most promising in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) model. Moreover, the protective effect observed for ligand 14 in MES model was lower than that observed for the reference drug phenytoin and was entirely abrogated when rats were co-administered with the brain-penetrant H1R antagonist pyrilamine (PYR) but not the brain-penetrant H2R antagonist zolantidine (ZOL), demonstrating that histaminergic neurotransmission by activation of postsynaptically located H1Rs seems to be involved in the protective action. On the contrary, PYR and ZOL failed to abrogate the full protection provided by 4 in PTZ model and the moderate protective effect by 14 in strychnine (STR) model. Moreover, the experimental and in silico estimation of properties such as metabolism was performed for five selected test compounds. Also, lipophilicity using planar reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography method was included for better understanding of the molecular properties of the tested compounds. Additionally, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination and toxicity parameters were evaluated for the most promising compounds 2, 4, 6, 7, and 14 utilizing in vitro methods. These interesting results highlight the potential of H3R ligands as new antiepileptic drugs or as adjuvants to available epilepsy medications

The role of selected environmental factors and the type of work performed on the development of urolithiasis – a review paper

Urolithiasis is a disease of the genitourinary system, which is defined as the presence of urinary stones at any place in the urinary tract, resulting from the precipitation reaction of chemical compounds. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the important role of selected environmental factors (climate, ambient temperature) and the type of profession performed in the development of urolithiasis. In this field, the literature including original and review papers related to the epidemiology, pathogenesis and risk factors of urolithiasis was analyzed. The study used electronic databases such as Medline, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The prevalence of urolithiasis has increased in recent decades in both developed and developing countries. It is believed that this growing trend is associated with lifestyle changes such as the lack of physical activity, poor eating habits and global warming. Many factors are responsible for the formation of urinary stones. In literature, there is a division into individual and environmental factors. Today, external factors in the form of climate changes (global warming), geographical conditions and seasonal fluctuations, and the type of profession performed are becoming more and more important in the context of the occurrence of urinary stones. Currently, the presence of urolithiasis is becoming a significant problem all over the world and searching for causes is not easy, but particular attention should be paid to certain predispositions resulting from environmental factors, such as ambient temperature and the type of work performed. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(6):761–7