Dimensions, mass and volume of the liver of turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans WIED, 1839)

Turtles are the oldest representatives of the class Reptilia, as they appeared on earth about 340 million years ago. Currently, there is little more than 200 species, varying greatly between sizes and natural environment. The Trachemys scripta elegans, belonging to the suborder Cryptodira and family Emydidae, comes from the Mississippi Valley in the United States of America. This study aimed to determine the size, mass and volume of the liver of Turtle T. scripta elegans (WIED, 1839) correlating the hepatic data with body biometrics and gender. The liver is across the middle third of the coelomic cavity, with two lobes, right and left, taking the carapace and the dorsal vertebrae, and the plastron, ventral. Furthermore, we observed that the organ has reddish-brown color, but in the case of males, were slightly pale, yellowish-brown all over its surface. The gallbladder was present on the rear-end face of the organ. In females, most of the variables (mass, volume and dimensions) established correlations, demonstrating the interdependence of physical biometric parameters and liver of the turtle Trachemys scripta elegans. However, in males, few variables were correlated, i.e. the parameters are developed independently. It follows therefore that only in female Trachemys scripta elegans, the values of hepatic biometry are proportional to the values somatometric, i.e. the larger the animal, the bigger the liver.

Dimensions, mass and volume of the turtles kidneys(Trachemys scripta elegans WIED, 1839)

The Trachemys scripta elegans turtle species, which was described by WIED, in 1839, it belongs to the suborderCryptodira and the Emydidae family, it came up from the Mississippi Valley, United States of America. Itis probably the most widespread reptile species worldwide. This study aims to determine the dimensions(thickness, length and width), the mass and volume of their kidneys and establish a correlation betweenbiometric parameters of the left and right kidneys, and those with biometrics body. The kidneys are locatedin the caudal portion of the coelomic cavity, parallel to the vertebral column, and disposed dorsally on thesyntopic organs to them, adhered to the carapace, after the bridge, in close proximity to the oviduct, in females,and testicles, in males. They also have elongated morphology craniocaudalis, rough aspect and brownish. Inliterature, there is no data concerning to the dimensions, mass and volume of the turtles kidneys, specificallyeither the Trachemys scripta elegans species, and this is the first study determining such parameters. For mostindividuals, the variables (mass, volume and size) established correlations, it demonstrates the interdependenceof biometric parameters and renal body of the turtle. And even where there was no correlation, the valueswere very close to the limit set by statistical analysis (-r- > 0.5). Similarly, we observed a significant correlationbetween the parameters of contralateral and intersex kidneys. So it follows thefore that the biometrical renalvalues of Trachemys scripta elegans is proportional to the somatometric.

Dimensions of the cranium and of the cranial cavity andintracranial volume in goats (Capra hircus LINNAEUS, 1758)

The aim of this project is to determine the dimensions of the cranium and the cranial cavity and the intracranialvolume in goats, using 64 adults. The dimensions of the cranium and cranial cavity were measured throughmetric tape and paquimeter, considering the intervals of the largest distances. To determine the intracranialvolume, balloons of latex were introduced in the cranial cavity, through the magnum foramen, later on, filledwith water that was transferred for graduate test tube. The average and the standard deviation of length, widthand height of the cranium, in millimeters, were respectively: 218.01 ± 6.96, 120.17 ± 10.01 and 108.14 ± 4.46.The average and the standard deviation of length, width, height, in millimeters, and of the volume of thecranial cavity, in cubic centimeters, were respectively: 109.31 ± 7.25, 61.36 ± 4.51, 63.85 ± 2.88 and119.31 ± 12.21. It was observed that, the width of the cranium possesses positive significant correlationswith the length (r = 0.6865), with the height (r = 0.5644) and with the intracranial volume (r = 0.5436).They were still established, positive significant correlations among the height of the cranial cavity, with thelength (r = 0.5682) and with the intracranial volume (r = 0.5473). Differences were evidenced between malesand females, in relation to the dimensions of the cranium and cranial cavity. There wasn’t difference of theintracranial volume in function of the sex of the goats.

Histological analysis of orthodontic root resorption in rats treated with the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib.

INTRODUCTION: It has been reported that anti-inflammatory drugs used for treatment of pain and discomfort related to orthodontic treatment could slow down tooth movement. However, the effect of these drugs on orthodontic root resorption is not well understood. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib offers some protection against orthodontically induced root resorption. DESIGN: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Groups I and II were treated with saline and celecoxib (10 mg / kg), respectively for 3 days. Groups III and IV were treated with saline and celecoxib for 14 days. The upper left first molars of all rats were moved mesially for 14 days with 50 g of force. An area including the disto-apical aspect of the mesial root of the first molar was processed for histological and histochemical techniques with tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). OUTCOME MEASURE: The degree of root resorption was measured using an image analysis system with a grid-sheet superimposed in the root were resorption lacunae were counted. The number of TRAP-positive cells on the tooth root surface defined as odontoclasts were also evaluated. RESULTS: The results revealed that there were no significant differences in the degree of root resorption and in the number of odontoclasts on the root between the four groups studied. CONCLUSION: The short and long-term celecoxib administration did not suppress the root resorption in case of experimental orthodontic force application.

Sturge-Weber syndrome in a 6-year-old girl.

Sturge-Weber syndrome is a congenital disorder characterized by vascular facial birthmarks and neurological abnormalities. Oral cavity involvement may occur, and the extent of the vascular abnormality may vary considerably. The present authors report the case of a 6-year-old girl with Sturge-Weber syndrome, focusing on the clinical and radiographic features. Her dental management involved a multidisciplinary team and included orthodontic treatment using removable appliances.