Morpho-physiological mechanisms of two different quinoa ecotypes to resist salt stress.

BACKGROUND: Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a facultative halophyte showing various mechanisms of salt resistance among different ecotype cultivars. This study aimed to determine salt resistance limits for a Peruvian sea level ecotype "Hualhuas" and a Bolivian salar ecotype "Real" and elucidate individual mechanisms conferring differences in salt resistance between these cultivars. The plants were grown in sandy soil and irrigated with various saline solutions concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mM NaCl) under controlled conditions. RESULTS: High salinity treatment (500 mM NaCl) reduced the plant growth by 80% and 87% in Hualhuas and Real cultivars, respectively. EC50 (water salinity which reduces the maximum yield by 50%) was at a salinity of 300 mM NaCl for Hualhuas and between 100 and 200 mM NaCl for Real plants. Both cultivars were able to lower the osmotic potential of all organs due to substantial Na+ accumulation. However, Hualhuas plants exhibited distinctly lower Na+ contents and consequently a higher K+/Na+ ratio compared to Real plants, suggesting a more efficient control mechanism for Na+ loading and better K+ retention in Hualhuas plants. Net CO2 assimilation rates (Anet) were reduced, being only 22.4% and 36.2% of the control values in Hualhuas and Real, respectively, at the highest salt concentration. At this salinity level, Hualhuas plants showed lower stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rates (E), but higher photosynthetic water use efficiency (PWUE), indicative of an efficient control mechanism over the whole gas-exchange machinery. CONCLUSION: These results reveal that Hualhuas is a promising candidate in terms of salt resistance and biomass production compared to Real.

Morphological and radiological mapping of dental cusps in relation to spatial constraints on tooth shape of one humped camel (Camelus dromedarius).

A significant extent of researches in veterinary study have been focused on dental structure; however, there are scanty ones on the orientation and identification of their cusps. Therefore, the present article aimed to spot a light on arrangement pattern of dental cusps in the camel as a folivorous and graminivorous animal. This study was conducted on eight heads of adult, healthy camel of both sexes, collected from slaughter houses. To perform exact orientation of cusps of molar teeth, additional radiological and CT scans were performed on the mandible as a landmark that should facilitate the reading of cusps map. It was evident that, the cusps are arranged in crescentic appearance, seledontal form, with two cusps on each side, paracone and hypocone on the lingual surface and protocone and metacone on the vestibular aspect. Thus, camels cannot wear bite like equines, which would interfere with their constant chewing method. The camels' dental cusps provide some of the finest examples of convergent evolution, which offer insights both into correlates between form and function, and into how the ability of euthomorphic cusps in intrapability and stabilization of food items and its comminution between formidable cusps and occlusal spillway in between. Further studies should be done on the brachydontteeth and tropospheric cusps to fill the functional anatomy gap of teeth, in addition to diversity of cusps form. This study is considered a basic comparative anatomical study for normal healthy dentition and forensic practice, in addition to its importance in detection of local aspects of dental problems in camels.

Cationic cellulose nanocrystals as sustainable green material for multi biological applications via ξ potential.

The present study aims to disclose the activity of cationic cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a promising multifunctional green nanomaterial with applications in biological aspects. The basic reason behind multifunctional behavior is zeta potential and size distribution of nano biopolymers; exhibit a remarkable physical and biological activity compared to normal molecules.The preliminary characterized studied using absorption spectral analysis showed strong absorption peak indicating that spectrum curves can be screen by UV spectra at wavelength range 200-400nm. Ultrastructural studies (SEM-EDS and TEM), manifest that CNCs are elliptical particles in shape. Also, TEM show CNCs are the ideal illustration of zero-dimensional (0-D) NPs, less than 5.1 nm in diameter with Cationic charge and similar results in size distribution by TEM. Nonetheless, developed as antioxidant activity IC50 was 1467 ± 25.9 µg/mL, antimicrobial activity tested G-ve strains, but not affected on tested G+ve strains and tested fungi. Evaluating toxicity effect of cationic CNCs against human blood erythrocytes (RBCs) and Lymphocyte Proliferation and the end point evaluate by comet assay, which proven no cytotoxic effect. Also, a high dose 500 µg/mL of CNCs highly significant (p < 0.05) reduction in cell viability of Caco-2 cancer cells after 24 h. incubation time, whereas the IC50 was 1884 ± 19.46 µg/mL. Moreover, genotoxic assay indicates Caco-2 cells cause apoptosis with no fragmentation in DNA. Undoubtedly, the obtained results brought about by the interaction of layers carrying opposing charges. Additionally, there is a balance between hydrophilic contact and electrostatic attraction. That emphasizes how the cationic CNCs have excellent potential for use as antioxidants, antimicrobials, and anticancer agents.

Morphology and morphometry of the inner ear of the dromedary camel and their influence on the efficiency of hearing and equilibrium.

BACKGROUND: The inner ear morphology and size are linked to hearing and balance ability. The goal of this study was to determine the morphology and morphometrics of the dromedary camel's inner ear and how it influences hearing accommodation and equilibrium in the desert environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gross morphology, computed tomography images, and the endocast were used to show the inner ear morphology. A caliper and ImageJ software were used to take measurements on a plastic endocast. RESULTS: The presence of the subarcuate fossa, flat cochlea, radii curvature of the semicircular canals, particularly the lateral semicircular canal, orthogonality, and the union between the semicircular canals, along with slightly increased saccule and utricle size, maintains camel balance on sandy ground, even during heavy sandstorms. The cochlear basilar membrane length and cochlea radii ratio aided low-frequency hearing and perception over a wide octave range. CONCLUSION: The camel's cochlear characteristics revealed a lengthy basilar membrane, a high radii ratio, 3.0 cochlear canal turns, and a very broad cochlea. The orthogonality of the semicircular canals, the high curvature of the lateral semicircular canal, the presence of the subarcuate fossa, and the confluence between the lateral and posterior semicircular canal were particular specifications that allowed the inner ear of the camel to adapt to desert living.

Efficacy of oral agar in management of indirect hyperbilirubinemia in full-term neonates.

AIM: This prospective randomized case control study aimed to investigate effect of oral agar administration in reducing total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels in full-term neonates with jaundice in comparison with control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred sixty full-term neonates were enrolled with TSB 10-19 mg/dl at first week of age from Assiut University Children's Hospital. Neonates were divided according to TSB into outpatient group (n = 100) (TSB 10-15 mg/dl) and admitted group (n = 60) (TSB > 15-19 mg/dl). Outpatients group were subdivided into agar group received oral agar and control group received placebo. Admitted group were subdivided into agar group received oral agar plus phototherapy combination and control group received phototherapy alone. Neonates in the agar supplementation received oral agar 600 mg/kg/day dissolved in 10 ml distilled water twice daily till TSB decreased to 7 mg/dl. Daily weight, stool frequency and side effects of treatment were observed for each group. TSB was determined pretreatment then serially every 48 h until TSB level reaching ≤7 mg/dl. RESULTS: Agar fed was effective in lowering TSB in neonates with TSB 10-15 mg/dl. TSB percentage changes were not significantly lower in agar-fed newborn with TSB >15-19 mg/dl compared with control groups after 24 h and 7 days. Age fed shortened the time required to decrease TSB and increased stooling frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Oral agar supplemented feeding at 600 mg/kg/day is safe for full-term neonates and useful in decreasing TSB and phototherapy duration. The efficacy of phototherapy in decreasing TSB level in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia can be augmented with oral agar usage.

Histo-morphological comparison of the tongue between grainivorous and insectivorous birds / Comparación histo-morfológica de la lengua entre aves granívoras e insectívoras

SUMMARY: The study aimed to illustrate the influence of feeding habits in the anatomical feature and histological structure as well as some histochemical observations on the tongue of two species of birds which differ in their classification, activity and habitat as; The domestic pigeon, Grainivorous bird, and cattle egret, Insectivorous bird, using light and SEM studies. Results showed that the tongue of two species was differing in size, shape and structure. The tongue of pigeon appeared short and triangular; while in cattle egret was long lanceolate in shape with narrow tapering apex. Dorsal large conical lingual papillae presented between the body and the root of both tongue of the studied birds. They were arranged in form of U-letter in pigeon and in form of wide V-letter in cattle egret. Histologically, both dorsal and ventral lingual surfaces lined with keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which decreased in the thickness and the degree of keratinization toward the base. The dorsum of the apex of pigeon tongue showed desquamated epithelial cells with filiform papillae, these papillae not observed in the egret¢s tongue. The tongue of cattle egret contained longitudinal tendinous tissue as intra-lingual ligament appeared parallel and accompanied with skeletal muscle bundles and attached with entoglossal cartilage. It extended longitudinally from the root to the body of the egret's tongue. The salivary glands presented in the propria submucosal layer of the dorsal surface that extended laterally from apex to the root, while the ventral surface devoid from any glandular structures. The nature of lingual salivary glands showed variations in their histochemical observation to Alcian blue stain and PAS technique. It has been summarized that the morphological and histological variations of both tongues may be correlated to their feeding habits.

RESUMEN: La investigación tuvo como objetivo ilustrar mediante estudios de luz y SEM, la influencia de los hábitos alimentarios en la característica anatómica y estructura histológica, así como algunas observaciones histoquímicas en la lengua de dos especies de aves, que se diferencian en su clasificación, actividad y hábitat, como es la paloma doméstica, ave granívora y la garcilla bueyera, ave insectívora. De acuerdo a los resultados la lengua de las dos especies difería en tamaño, forma y estructura. La lengua de las palomas tenía una forma corta y triangular; mientras que en la garceta bueyera era de forma larga lanceolada con ápice estrecho y agusado. Grandes papilas dorsales linguales cónicas entre el cuerpo y la raíz de ambas lenguas estaban dispuestos en forma de letra U en paloma y en forma de letra V ancha en garza bueyera. Histológicamente, las superficies linguales dorsal y ventral estaban revestidas con epitelio escamoso estratificado queratinizado que disminuía en el grosor y el grado de queratinización hacia la base. El dorso del ápice de la lengua de la paloma mostró células epiteliales descamadas, estas papilas no se observaron en la lengua de la garceta. Se observó tejido tendinoso longitudinal en la lengua de la garceta bueyera, debido a que el ligamento intralingual aparecía en forma paralela y acompañado de haces de músculo esquelético y adherido con cartílago entogloso. Se extendía longitudinalmente entre la raíz hasta el cuerpo de la lengua de la garceta. Las glándulas salivales de la lengua estaban incrustadas en la capa submucosa propia de la superficie dorsal que se extendía lateralmente desde el ápice hasta la raíz, mientras que la superficie ventral carecía de estructuras glandulares. En las glándulas salivales linguales se observaron variaciones histoquímicas a la tinción con azul de Alcian y la técnica PAS. En conclusión, las variaciones morfológicas e histológicas de ambas lenguas pueden estar correlacionadas con sus hábitos alimentarios.

Quality Assessment, Functional Potentials, and Safety Evaluation of Stored Egyptian Honey as an Environmental Pollution Bioindicator.

Egyptian honeys are distinguished by their variety, properties, and therapeutic applications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the quality and the functional and safety characteristics of Egyptian honey as a sensitive environmental bioindicator collected from 9 different locations in Egypt that were exposed to various air pollution sources, either stationary, mobile, or area sources, and stored for 6 mo at ambient temperature (22 ± 2 °C) compared with Codex Alimentarius international standards. Physicochemical properties, sugar profile via high performance liquid chromatography, functional potentials (antioxidant and antimicrobial), and safety parameters (microbiological quality, aflatoxins, and heavy metal pollutants) were assessed. The results revealed that honey obtained from Shabshir Hessa, El Gharbia Governorate (GSH-1), showed the best quality with the highest monosaccharide and phenolic and flavonoid content (73.07%, 363.07, and 15.33 mg/g, respectively) and clear of biotic and abiotic contaminants, reflecting good hygienic, environmental conditions and apiarian practices. The other 8 honey samples reflected inferior quality in physicochemical parameters either of low monosaccharide content (40.46-50.25%), high hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) values as in Borg El-Arab Industrial Zone, Alexandria Governorate (BAI-9), and Nubaria Desert Road, Alexandria Governorate (NDR-4; 50.83 and 48.25 mg/kg), or of high acidity as in Agricultural Road, El Gharbia Governorate (GAR-3), and NDR-4 (74.72 and 68.47 mEq/kg) attributable to contaminated locations (fermentations) or thermal treatment (HMF). Furthermore, safety assessment revealed that coliform counts exceeded 2.5 log10 cfu/g in 6 samples-Chemicals Company, Kafr El Zayyat Governorate (KZC-2); GAR-3; NDR-4; Mansoura Fertilizer Talkha Company, Daqahlia Governorate (MFT-5); Gharbaniyat Cement Company, Beheira Governorate; and BAI-9-and the highest counts of yeast and molds in Abees Ceramic Company, Alexandria Governorate (3.72 log10 cfu/g), which was reflected in its total aflatoxins (679.83 µg/kg). Samples MFT-5; GAR-3; Kafr El-Sheikh Petroleum Company, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate; and KZC-2 exceeded the lead permissible limit (0.75, 0.61, 0.57, and 0.51 mg/kg, respectively) as a result of inferior hygienic quality and the negative effects of environmental pollutants. The results ring alarm bells about how we should take substantial steps toward stringent standards for quality control practices of honey production operations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1894-1907. © 2020 SETAC.

Hair histology as a tool for forensic identification of some domestic animal species.

Animal hair examination at a criminal scene may provide valuable information in forensic investigations. However, local reference databases for animal hair identification are rare. In the present study, we provide differential histological analysis of hair of some domestic animals in Upper Egypt. For this purpose, guard hair of large ruminants (buffalo, camel and cow), small ruminants (sheep and goat), equine (horse and donkey) and canine (dog and cat) were collected and comparative analysis was performed by light microscopy. Based on the hair cuticle scale pattern, type and diameter of the medulla, and the pigmentation, characteristic differential features of each animal species were identified. The cuticle scale pattern was imbricate in all tested animals except in donkey, in which coronal scales were identified. The cuticle scale margin type, shape and the distance in between were characteristic for each animal species. The hair medulla was continuous in most of the tested animal species with the exception of sheep, in which fragmental medulla was detected. The diameter of the hair medulla and the margins differ according to the animal species. Hair shaft pigmentation were not detected in all tested animals with the exception of camel and buffalo, in which granules and streak-like pigmentation were detected. In conclusion, the present study provides a first-step towards preparation of a complete local reference database for animal hair identification that can be used in forensic investigations.

Supplementation of Cerelac baby food with yeast-probiotic cocktail strains induces high potential for aflatoxin detoxification both in vitro and in vivo in mother and baby albino rats.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxins (AFs) are a group of toxic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic and carcinogenic fungal metabolites. Heat- and acid-treated yeasts, probiotic bacteria and their combination were used to remove AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 from human and animal food. RESULTS: The in vitro study revealed that the highest removal percentage of AFs in phosphate-buffered saline was recorded after 72 h with the yeast-probiotic coctile, reaching 95.59%. Therefore, this coctile was added to Cerelac contaminated with AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2, and the removal percentages were 8.17%, 36.12%, 44.75%, 64.72% and 93.21% after 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment, respectively. Cerelac yeast-probiotic coctile was administered to female rats and the results showed that all AFs (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) were detected in the serum of mother rats for both AF groups III and IV. On the other hand, AFM1 and AFM2 metabolites were not observed in mothers' sera but were detected in all infants of groups III and IV. Meanwhile, AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 were not observed in infants' sera. CONCLUSION: A mixture of yeast-probiotic coctile was successful in reducing the level of AF in rat sera and diminished the deleterious effect of AFs on animal health. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Retraction: Topography of Retinal Ganglion Cells in the Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius).

This article released online on July 30, 2014 as advance publication has been retracted by the Editorial Board of Journal of Veterinary Medical Science due to a violation of the journal's "Information for Authors".

Spatiotemporal distribution of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the developing mouse retina and optic nerve.

The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the mouse retina and optic nerve of the prenatal and postnatal mouse by immunohistochemistry. At embryonic day (E) 18, chondroitin-4-sulfate (C4S), chondroitin-6-sulfate (C6S) and biglycan were detected in the retina and optic nerve. However, aggrecan was seen in the retina but not in the optic nerve. At postnatal day (P) 7, aggrecan and biglycan were clearly observed in the optic nerve, inner nuclear layer and ganglion cell layer and diffuse in the outer retina. C4S diffusely distributed in the retina and optic nerve, but C6S was mainly confined to the photoreceptor layer and optic nerve sheath. At P42, biglycan showed diffuse distribution in the retina and optic nerve with intense staining in nerve-fiber rich layers. Aggrecan showed weak staining at the inner plexiform layer with higher density in the outer and inner nuclear layers, outer plexiform layer and ganglion cell layer. Both C4S and C6S were detected in the optic nerve and retina, but C6S showed strong immunostaining in the photoreceptor layer. The distributions of these proteoglycans with respect of time course during development of the retina and optic nerve suggest that they may have unique or overlapping roles in development and maintenance of the retina and optic nerve.

Expression of small leucine-rich proteoglycans in the developing retina and kainic acid-induced retinopathy in ICR mice.

The aim of this study was to determine the developmental changes of small leucine-rich proteoglycans (PGs), decorin, biglycan and fibromodulin, in ICR mouse retinas and to elucidate their role in the adult retina using kainic acid (KA)-induced retinal degeneration model. Retinas of prenatal, postnatal and adult mice were collected for histological and immunohistochemical staining to investigate the changes in distribution of these PGs. Decorin-and fibromodulin-immunostainings were diffusely distributed at prenatal and early postnatal stages and were stronger in the adult retina. However, biglycan was moderately distributed in the prenatal and early postnatal stages and was faint in the adult retina. Retinas were collected at 1, 3 and 7 days after intravitreal injection of KA. Retinas of KA injected eyes underwent shrinkage accompanied by serious damage in the inner layers. Decorin and fibromodulin were upregulated in the inner retinal layers of KA-injected eyes compared to the normal ones. Our results suggest that decorin and fibromodulin play key roles in retinal differentiation, and contribute to the retinal damage and repair process. However, biglycan may have no or only a limited role in the mouse retinal development or repair process.

Constitution of the ependyma in the chicken telencephalon.

The constitution of ependyma derived from the ventricular zone is different from that derived from other regions of the central nervous system. In the mammalian cerebrum, the ependyma is varied by the regions to cortex or basal ganglia (BG). In the avian telencephalon (Tc), previous studies about the constitution of the ependyma have not revealed clear findings. In the present study, we performed immunostaining of ependymal cells in the chicken Tc to confirm differences in the ependyma of various regions. As a result, 4 patterns of ependyma were defined in the outer side of the lateral ventricle. In the base of the lamina pallio-subpallialis (LPS), ependyma consisted of vimentin/glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) double-positive cells, whereas in the base of the lamina frontalis superior, it consisted primarily of vimentin-positive cells and a small number of vimentin/GFAP double-positive cells. With the exception of the above, the pallial ependyma was a single layer containing vimentin single-positive cells. Lastly, the ependyma of the BG was rich in vimentin single-positive cells. The constitutional differences of the ependyma of the pallium and BG concerned differences in ependymal morphology and cell characteristics. These finding suggest that the bounder between pallium and BG is LPS at the point of ependyma.

Distribution of astroglial lineage cells in developing chicken telencephalon from embryo to young chick.

The largest area of the avian telencephalon (Tc) is the subpallium [basal ganglia (BG)], and the pallium (cortex) is a narrow area located at the surface of the Tc. However, recent studies have proposed that most of the area of the avian Tc is the pallium, which corresponds to the cerebral cortex of mammals. This theory is based on neuronal elements with little regard to glial cells, which play important roles in neurogenesis. In the present study, we observed the distribution of glial cells using immunohistochemistry during maturation and discuss the division of the Tc by glial elements. In the early stage, the distribution and morphology of vimentin-positive radial glial cells were different between dorsal and ventral areas when they began to spread their processes toward the pia matter. During the development stage, vimentin-positive long processes divide the pallium and BG by the lamina pallio-subpallialis. Moreover, the pallium was divided into four regions by vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive elements in the later stage.