A detailed systematic anatomical study of monocephalic conjoined symmetric twin lambs

A case of conjoined twins with monocephalus, thoracopagus, partial abdominopagus, tetrabrachius and tetrascelus in lambs complicated with several defects of skeletal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and urogenital systems is reported. The twins were dead and delivered by cesarean section. This case report highlights the detailed anatomical study of defects in different systems due to an abnormal birth defect.Keywords: Monocephalus, Sheep, Tetrabrachius, Tetrascelus, Thoracopagu

The architecture of the middle ear in the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes Javanicus)

The small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) is native to the Middle East, Iran and much of southern Asia. For this study the middle ears of a total of 6 adult small Indian mongooses, both fresh and museum samples were explored by using of dissection and plain radiography. On the one hand, at least in some species of the mongoose vocalisations and hearings play a critical role in coordinating behaviours. On the other hand, the ear region has provided useful character relevant for mammalian phylogeny. So, the aim of the present study is a brief discussion of the various anatomic particularities of the middle ear based on a combination of existing data and the results of the authors’ study in the small Indian mongoose

The Effect of Ceramic Membranes’ Structure on the Oil and Ions Removal in Pre-Treatment of the Desalter Unit Wastewater

This is the final version. Available on open access from MDPI via the DOI in this recordSalts, organic materials, and hazardous materials can be found regularly in the effluent from a desalter unit of crude oil. These materials should be separated from the wastewater. Four kinds of inexpensive and innovative ceramic microfiltration membranes (mullite, mullite-alumina (MA 50%), mullite-alumina-zeolite (MAZ 20%), and mullite-zeolite (MZ 40%)) were synthesized in this research using locally available inexpensive raw materials such as kaolin clay, natural zeolite, and alpha-alumina powders. Analyses carried out on the membranes include XRD, SEM, void fraction, the average diameter of the pores, and the ability to withstand mechanical stress. Effluent from the desalter unit was synthesized in the laboratory using the salts most present in the desalter wastewater (NaCl, MgCl2, and CaCl2) and crude oil. This synthesized wastewater was treated with prepared ceramic membranes. It was discovered that different salt concentrations (0, 5000, 25,000, 50,000, 75,000, and 100,000 mg L−1) affected the permeate flux (PF), oil rejection, and ion rejection by the membrane. Results showed that in a lower concentration of salts (5000 and 25,000 mg L−1), PF of all types of ceramic membranes was increased significantly, while in the higher concentration, PF declined due to polarization concentration and high fouling effects. Oil and ion rejection was increased slightly by increasing salt dosage in wastewater due to higher ionic strength. Monovalent (Na+) and multivalent (Ca2+ and Mg2+) ion rejection was reported about 5 to 13%, and 23 to 40% respectively. Oil rejection varied from 96.2 to 99.2%. View Full-Tex

The Impact of Sex, Circadian Disruption, and the Clock\u3csup\u3e∆19/∆19\u3c/sup\u3e Genotype on Alcohol Drinking in Mice

Shift work is associated with increased alcohol drinking, more so in males than females, and is thought to be a coping mechanism for disrupted sleep cycles. However, little is presently known about the causal influence of circadian rhythm disruptions on sex differences in alcohol consumption. In this study, we disrupted circadian rhythms in female and male mice using both environmental (i.e., shifting diurnal cycles) and genetic (i.e., Clock∆19/∆19 mutation) manipulations, and measured changes in alcohol consumption and preference using a two-bottle choice paradigm. Alcohol consumption and preference, as well as food and water consumption, total caloric intake, and weight were assessed in adult female and male Clock∆19/∆19 mutant mice or wild-type (WT) litter-mates, housed under a 12-hour:12-hour light:dark (L:D) cycle or a shortened 10-hour:10-hour L:D cycle. Female WT mice (under both light cycles) increased their alcohol consumption and preference over time, a pattern not observed in male WT mice. Compared to WT mice, Clock∆19/∆19 mice displayed increased alcohol consumption and preference. Sex differences were not apparent in Clock∆19/∆19 mice, with or without shifting diurnal cycles. In conclusion, sex differences in alcohol consumption patterns are evident and increase with prolonged access to alcohol. Disrupting circadian rhythms by mutating the Clock gene greatly increases alcohol consumption and abolishes sex differences present in WT animals

Potential of indigenous microbes as helping agents for phyto-restoration of a Pb-contaminated soil

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of heavy metal tolerant soil microbes inoculation on growth and metal uptake of pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum, couch grass,Triticum repens and alfalfa,Medicago sativa in a soil spiked (and subsequently aged) with increasing concentrations of Pb. A soil sample (soil 1) was spiked with increasing (0 to 1500 mg/kg) concentrations of Pb and incubated for a seven months period. Another soil sample with a historical background of metal contamination (soil 2), having heavy metals-resistant microbial communities, also was taken and used as inocula. The plants were grown in pots containing contaminated soils. At the end of growth period, plants shoots were harvested, washed, oven-dried, ground and analyzed for Pb. The results showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in plants yield by increasing soil Pb concentration and inoculation of stress-adapted microbes further increased this reduction. This could be attributed to the increased access of plants to the relatively immobile Pb existed in the studied calcareous soil as well as to more metal contaminant absorption caused by soil microbial activity. In general, introduction of the microbes also resulted in lower Pb uptake by the studied plants

Survival of Chondrocytes in Rabbit Septal Cartilage After Electromechanical Reshaping

Electromechanical reshaping (EMR) has been recently described as an alternative method for reshaping facial cartilage without the need for incisions or sutures. This study focuses on determining the short- and long-term viability of chondrocytes following EMR in cartilage grafts maintained in tissue culture. Flat rabbit nasal septal cartilage specimens were bent into semi-cylindrical shapes by an aluminum jig while a constant electric voltage was applied across the concave and convex surfaces. After EMR, specimens were maintained in culture media for 64 days. Over this time period, specimens were serially biopsied and then stained with a fluorescent live–dead assay system and imaged using laser scanning confocal microscopy. In addition, the fraction of viable chondrocytes was measured, correlated with voltage, voltage application time, electric field configuration, and examined serially. The fraction of viable chondrocytes decreased with voltage and application time. High local electric field intensity and proximity to the positive electrode also focally reduced chondrocyte viability. The density of viable chondrocytes decreased over time and reached a steady state after 2–4 weeks. Viable cells were concentrated within the central region of the specimen. Approximately 20% of original chondrocytes remained viable after reshaping with optimal voltage and application time parameters and compared favorably with conventional surgical shape change techniques such as morselization

Naked Singularity Formation In f(R) Gravity

We study the gravitational collapse of a star with barotropic equation of state $p=w\rho$ in the context of $f({\mathcal R})$ theories of gravity. Utilizing the metric formalism, we rewrite the field equations as those of Brans-Dicke theory with vanishing coupling parameter. By choosing the functionality of Ricci scalar as $f({\mathcal R})=\alpha{\mathcal R}^{m}$, we show that for an appropriate initial value of the energy density, if $\alpha$ and $m$ satisfy certain conditions, the resulting singularity would be naked, violating the cosmic censorship conjecture. These conditions are the ratio of the mass function to the area radius of the collapsing ball, negativity of the effective pressure, and the time behavior of the Kretschmann scalar. Also, as long as parameter $\alpha$ obeys certain conditions, the satisfaction of the weak energy condition is guaranteed by the collapsing configuration.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, to appear in GR

Improvements in vascular health by a low-fat diet, but not a high-fat diet, are mediated by changes in adipocyte biology

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Low-fat (LF) and high-fat (HF) weight loss diets improve brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in obese individuals, although results are conflicting. Moreover, the role that adipose tissue plays in mediating these diet-related effects are unknown.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>This study examined how modulations in FMD by HF and LF diets relate to changes in adipocyte parameters.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>Obese subjects (n = 17) were randomized to a HF diet (60% kcal as fat) or a LF diet (25% kcal as fat) for 6 weeks. Both groups were restricted by 25% of energy needs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Body weight decreased (<it>P <</it>0.05) in both groups (HF: -6.6 ± 0.5 kg, LF: -4.7 ± 0.6 kg). Fat mass and waist circumference were reduced (<it>P <</it>0.05) in the LF group only (-4.4 ± 0.3 kg; -3.6 ± 0.8 cm, respectively). FMD improved (<it>P <</it>0.05) in the LF group (7.4 ± 0.8% to 9.8 ± 0.8; 32% increase) and was impaired in the HF group (8.5 ± 0.6% to 6.9 ± 0.7; 19% reduction). Increases in plasma adiponectin (<it>P <</it>0.05, 16 ± 5%), and decreases in resistin (<it>P <</it>0.05, -26 ± 11%), were shown by the LF diet only. Greater decreases in leptin were observed with LF (-48 ± 9%) versus HF (-28 ± 12%) (<it>P <</it>0.05, diet × time). Increased FMD by the LF diet was associated with increased adiponectin, and decreased fat mass, waist circumference, leptin, and resistin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Beneficial modulations in vascular health by LF diets may be mediated by improvements in adipocyte parameters.</p

Oral Treatment with γ-Aminobutyric Acid Improves Glucose Tolerance and Insulin Sensitivity by Inhibiting Inflammation in High Fat Diet-Fed Mice

Adipocyte and β-cell dysfunction and macrophage-related chronic inflammation are critical for the development of obesity-related insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which can be negatively regulated by Tregs. Our previous studies and those of others have shown that activation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors inhibits inflammation in mice. However, whether GABA could modulate high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance has not been explored. Here, we show that although oral treatment with GABA does not affect water and food consumption it inhibits the HFD-induced gain in body weights in C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, oral treatment with GABA significantly reduced the concentrations of fasting blood glucose, and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in the HFD-fed mice. More importantly, after the onset of obesity and T2DM, oral treatment with GABA inhibited the continual HFD-induced gain in body weights, reduced the concentrations of fasting blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in mice. In addition, oral treatment with GABA reduced the epididymal fat mass, adipocyte size, and the frequency of macrophage infiltrates in the adipose tissues of HFD-fed mice. Notably, oral treatment with GABA significantly increased the frequency of CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs in mice. Collectively, our data indicated that activation of peripheral GABA receptors inhibited the HFD-induced glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and obesity by inhibiting obesity-related inflammation and up-regulating Treg responses in vivo. Given that GABA is safe for human consumption, activators of GABA receptors may be valuable for the prevention of obesity and intervention of T2DM in the clinic