Lymphatic vascular endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 immunoexpression in placenta of HIV infected pre-eclamptic women.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphangiogenesis is the formation of new vessels from pre-existing lymphatic vessels. Data on lymphangiogenesis in the placenta of HIV-infected pre-eclamptics are sparse and the findings are conflicting. The aim of this novel study was to evaluate LYVE-1 immunoexpression in the placenta of HIV infected normotensive versus pre-eclamptic women. METHODS: Placental tissue was obtained from normotensive and pre-eclamptic women stratified according to their HIV status. The pre-eclamptic group was divided into early (<34 weeks) and late (>34 weeks) onset. Immunohistochemistry utilized mouse anti-human LYVE-1 antibody and was morphometrically evaluated. RESULTS: LYVE-1 immunostaining was localized within endothelium of the arterial supply and venous drainage of both conducting and exchange villi as well as within medial cells of arteries. LYVE-1 immunostained macrophage-like cells were observed within the fetal and maternal circulation. LYVE-1 immunoexpression was higher (p=0.0001) in HIV positive cohort, regardless of pregnancy and villous type. Irrespective of HIV status and pregnancy type, LYVE-1 immunoexpression was significantly elevated in the conducting compared to the exchange villi (p=0.01). LYVE-1 immunoexpression was higher in N and LOPE compared to EOPE groups for both conducting and exchange villi types respectively (p=0.0001 and p=0.006). There is a decrease of LYVE-1 expression in EOPE+ (conducting villi) and EOPE- (exchange villi) compared to N and LOPE subgroups. CONCLUSION: This study provides a novel insight into an up-regulation of LYVE-1 expression in the fetal circulation of conducting and exchange villi of HIV-infected pre-eclamptics.

Morphological study of the effects of aqueous leaf extract of Xylopia aethiopica on the pancreas in diabetic rats.

To investigate the histological and immunohistochemical effects of aqueous leaf extract of Xylo- pia aethiopica on the pancreas in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, 30 adult Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n=10). Group A was the control (administered with equivalent vol- ume of citrate buffer), group B animals were made diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin dissolved in citrate buffer (65 mg/kg), group C animals were made diabetic as above and treated with 200mg/kg body weight of aqueous leave extract of Xylopia aethiop- ica for 25 days. Upon animal sacrifice, the pancreas were excised, fixed in 10% formol saline and processed for light microscopy and immunohistochemistry.. The results revealed destruc- tion of the islet cells in the untreated diabetic group as compared with the controls. The extract treated group was characterized by recovery/regenerative processes indicated by improvement in islet morphology. In untreated diabetic rats immunoreactive P-cells were sparse, at variance from the controls. The group treated with aqueous leaf extract of Xylopia aethiopica revealed more intense staining for insulin and significant (p<0.05) increase in the percentage of immuno- labelled surface area when compared with the untreated diabetic group, suggesting the ability of P-cells to secrete insulin in the extract treated rats. We conclude that the aqueous leaf extract of Xylopia aethiopica improves recovery process of P-cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and might become useful in the management of diabetes related complications.

Histopathological studies of acute and chronic effects of Calliandra portoricensis leaf extract on the stomach and pancreas of adult Swiss albino mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the consequence of oral administration of Calliandra portoricensis (C. portoricensis) leaf extract on the stomach and pancreas in Swiss albino mice. METHODS: Three groups of mice (B, C and D) were treated with 4 mg/kg of C. portoricensis extract. Group A was the control and received an equivalent volume of distilled water. Group B received C. portoricensis leaf extract for 7 days, Group C received C. portoricensis leaf extract for 14 days, and Group D received C. portoricensis leaf extract for 28 days. At different stages in the study, the mice were sacrificed and the stomach and pancreas were excised and fixed in 10% formol saline for histological analysis. RESULTS: The result showed a normal microstructural outline in groups B and C as compared with the control. However, animals in group D showed disorganization of the mucosa and discontinuation of epithelial lining of the stomach while the islets of Langerans in the pancreas were at various degree of degeneration as compared with the control mice. CONCLUSIONS: The present finding suggests that chronic administration (28 days as seen in this study) of C. portoricensis leaf extract may inhibit the proper function of the stomach and pancreas.

The microstructural effects of aqueous extract of Garcinia kola (Linn) on the hippocampus and cerebellum of malnourished mice.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the neuroprotective effects of aqueous extract of Garcinia kola on neurotoxin administered malnourished mice adopting histological procedure. METHODS: The study was carried out using thirty-two adult malnourished mice which were randomly assigned into four groups (n=8): A, B, C and D. Group A served as control, while the other groups served as the experimental groups. Animals in group A were fed malnourished diet ad libitum and given water liberally. Animals in group B were administered with 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) (neurotoxin) only at 20 mg/kg body weight, group C were given only Garcinia kola extracts, and group D were pre-treated with Garcinia kola extracts at 200 mg/kg for seven days prior to administration of neurotoxin at 20 mg/kg body weight. After three days of neurotoxins administration in the relevant groups, the brains were excised and fixed in formal calcium for histological processing. RESULTS: The study showed that hippocampal and cerebellar neurons of animals in group B exhibited some cellular degeneration and blood vessel blockage, which were not seen in groups A, C and D. Cresyl violet staining was least intense in group B than in groups A, C and D. Despite the fact that animals in group D has equal administration of 3-Nitropropionic acid concentration, there were no traces of neural degeneration as it was evidenced in group B. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that Garcinia kola has protective effects on the neurons of the hippocampus and cerebellum of malnourished mice.

Regenerative Potential of Aqueous Extract of Neem Azadirachta indica on the Stomach and Ileum Following Ethanol-induced Mucosa Lesion in Adult Wistar Rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine whether neem Azadirachta indica possesses regenerative potential on the stomach and ileum at 500 mg/kg dose given every 12 hours after mucosa lesion was brought by the administration of 1 ml of 50% ethanol for 21 consecutive days in adult Wistar rats. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats used in the study were divided into 3 groups: group A received oral normal saline and served as control; group B received 1.0 ml of 50% ethanol orally every 12 hours; and group C received neem extract (500 mg/kg) orally 12 hours after ethanol (50%, 1.0 ml) administration to verify its regenerative potential. The experiment lasted for 21 days after which the animals were sacrificed following chloroform inhalation and the stomach and ileum excised and processed for histological and morphometric examinations. RESULTS: Ethanol treated rats showed marked gross mucosal lesions in the stomach and ileum. Ulcerated mucosa with marked apoptotic bodies and destruction of glandular elements were evident in the animals (group B). Neem extract administered 12 hours after the ethanol administration showed regenerative potential against ethanol-induced mucosal damage. This was characterized by mild restoration of the ulcerated mucosa epithelium and reorganization of the cyto-architechtural outline in group C. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation suggests that neem extract has a regenerative potential and may be adopted in the management of gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcer.

A comparative histological study of the tongue of rat (Rattus norvegicus), bat (Eidolon helvum) and pangolin (Manis tricuspis) / Estudio histológico comparativo de la lengua de rata (Rattus norvegicus), murciélago (Eidolon helvum) y pangolín (Manis tricuspis)

This study assessed the micro anatomical differences in the tongue of rat, bat and pangolin with a view to establishing the functional anatomical differences of these mammalian tongues on their dietary pattern. Ten rats, ten bats and ten pangolins were used for this study. The animals were sacrificed and the tongue excised and processed for light microscopical study adopting the following stains: Haematoxylin Eosin, Verhoeff Gieson and Masson trichrome. The results showed non papillation of the keratinized stratified epithelium of pangolin tongue unlike the papillation seen in the tongue of the rat and bat. While the filiform papillation seen in the rat was bristle like, the filiform papillae in the bat were crown-like. There was also an unusual dense collagenous ring in the proximal portion of the pangolin tongue which was absent in other mammals. There were taste buds along the lateral walls of the vallate papillae in the distal portion of the tongue of rats and bats but none was found in the pangolins. In conclusion, the morphology of the tongues of these mammals showed a relationship between their feeding pattern and the adaptive changes in the microanatomy of their tongue.

Se evaluó los aspectos micro-anatómicos de la lengua de la rata, murciélago y pangolín, con miras a establecer las diferencias funcionales anatómicas de las lenguas de estos mamíferos en su patrón alimentario. Diez ejemplares de cada animal se utilizaron para este estudio. Los animales fueron sacrificados y las lenguas fueron extirpadas y procesadas para el estudio microscópico de luz, usándose las tinciones: Hematoxilina Eosina, Verhoeff Gieson y tricrómico de Masson. Los resultados mostraron la no papilación del epitelio estratificado queratinizado de la lengua de pangolines a diferencia de la papilación vista en la lengua de la rata y del murciélago. Por otro lado, las papilas filiformes vistas en la rata se presentaban como puntas, siendo como coronas en el murciélago. También hubo un inusual anillo de colágeno denso en la porción proximal de la lengua de pangolines, estando ausente en los otros mamíferos. Se observaron botones gustativos a lo largo de las paredes laterales de las papilas caliciformes en la porción distal de la lengua de las ratas y los murciélagos, pero ninguno fue encontrado en la de los pangolines. En conclusión, la morfología de las lenguas de estos mamíferos mostró una relación entre su patrón de alimentación y los cambios de adaptación en la anatomía microscópica de la lengua.

Dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis in a Nigerian cadaver: a case report of rare anomaly / Dextrocardia y situs inversus totalis en un cadáver nigeriano: reporte de caso de una rara anomalía

This report describes an adult male cadaver with dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis in a Nigerian cadaver. The photographic illustrations revealed transposition of some of the visceral organs such that the stomach and spleen were located on the right and the liver and gall bladder on the left. Also, the left lung was tri-lobed while the right was uni-lobed. The heart was flattened and flipped to the right thus, transposing the great vessels. The report showed that dextrocardia and situs inversus exists amongst Nigerians and possibly Africans and therefore wish to recommend early medical examination since patients with this condition are unaware of their unusual anatomy until they seek medical attention for an unrelated condition. Early detection may lead to a successful surgical management and consequently offer a safer chance of survival.

Este reporte describe a un cadáver adulto nigeriano de sexo masculino con dextrocardia y situs inversus totalis. Las ilustraciones fotográficas revelaron transposición de algunas de las vísceras, como el estómago y el bazo que se encuentra en el derecho y el hígado y la vesícula biliar a la izquierda. Además, el pulmón izquierdo era tri-lobulado, mientras que el derecho uni-lobulado. El corazón fue aplanado y situado a la derecha, por consiguiente, transposicionando los grandes vasos. El reporte demostró que la dextrocardia y el situs inversus existen entre los nigerianos y, posiblemente, los africanos, por tanto, se recomienda un temprano examen médico, ya que pacientes con esta condición no son conscientes de su inusual anatomía hasta que acuden al médico por atención por una condición no relacionada. La detección temprana puede conducir a un éxito quirúrgico y, en consecuencia, ofrecer una segura oportunidad de sobrevivir.

Mixture of kerosene and xylene: a contribution to clearing agents / Mezcla de kerosene y xileno: una contribución a agentes de aclaramiento

The aim of this study was to substitute costly and hazardous compound- xylene, used as clearing agent, with less costly compounds (mixture of xylene and kerosene) having less toxicity and without compromising the cellular integrity and staining characteristics of the sections. Tissues (liver and kidney) obtained from a presumable healthy adult Wistar rat, were fixed in 10 percent formol saline, separated in to five groups (A, B, C, D and E) and processed for light microscopic study adopting H & E staining procedure. During the clearing section, groups A, B, C, D and E were respectively cleared in solvent 1 (xylene only), solvent 2 (70ml xylene : 30ml kerosene), solvent 3 (50ml xylene : 50ml kerosene), solvent 4 (30ml xylene : 70ml kerosene) and solvent 5 (kerosene only). Our result revealed that tissues in groups A, B and C were properly cleared without any morphological impairment. The staining characteristics were also observed to be very bright. Groups D and E however presented poor staining intensity with reduced cellular details. Semi-stained transparent patches were also noticed. It is inferred from the present investigation that a mixture of xylene and kerosene could be employed in the clearing of tissues only at the prescribed ratio i.e. solvent 2 and solvent 3 without posing any health risk or compromising the cellular integrity.

El objetivo de este estudio fue el de sustituir el costoso y peligroso compuesto xileno, utilizado como agente de aclaramiento, por un compuesto menos costoso (mezcla de kerosene y xileno), con menor toxicidad y sin comprometer la integridad celular ni las características de tinción de las secciones. Los tejidos (hígado y riñon) fueron obtenidos a partir de una rata Wistar adulta presumiblemente sana, los que fueron fijados en solución de formalina salina al 10 por ciento, y separadas en cinco grupos (A, B, C, D y E) y tratadas para estudio con microscópico de luz, con tinción H & E. Durante el aclaramiento de las secciones histológicas, los grupos A, B, C, D y E, fueron, respectivamente, aclarados con el disolvente 1 (sólo xileno), solvente 2 (70ml de xileno: 30ml Kerosene), solvente 3 (50ml de xileno: 50ml Kerosene), solvente 4 (30ml xileno: 70ml kerosene) y solvente 5 (sólo el kerosene). Los resultados revelaron que los tejidos de los grupos A, B y C fueron aclarados correctamente sin alteraciones morfológicas. En la tinción también se observó como característica, ser muy brillante. Los grupos D y E, sin embargo presentaron una tinción de pobre intensidad con la reducción de los detalles celulares. Zonas con manchas semitransparentes también fueron observadas. Se infiere que una mezcla de xileno y kerosene podría ser empleado en el aclaramiento de los tejidos, sólo prescrito en la proporción del solvente 2 y 3, sin suponer ningún riesgo para la salud o comprometer la integridad celular.

Microanatomical effects of ethanolic extract of Cola nitida on the stomach mucosa of adult Wistar rats.

The study investigated the microanatomical effects of the extracts of Cola nitida on the stomach mucosa of adult male Wistar rats. Twenty adult male wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal groups of A, B, C and D (n = 5). Animals in experimental groups B, C and D were given 600 mg/kg body weight of crude extract of Cola nitida each by oral intubation for five, seven and nine consecutive days respectively, while group A (control) received equivalent volume of distilled water. Twenty four hrs after the last administration, the animals were sacrificed; tissues were harvested and fixed in 10% formol saline for histological analysis. The study revealed necrotized surface epithelium, degenerated gastric mucosa, and loss of glandular elements in the stomachs of experimental groups' vis-à-vis the control group. These observations were days-dependent; as those groups which received the extract for higher number of days were seen to be adversely affected. In conclusion, Cola nitida at 600 mg/kg body weight can cause gastric lesion in animals. This lesion may be pronounced if the administration continued for days. Cola nitida should, therefore, be taken with caution to avoid gastric complications.

Microstructural observations on nissl substances in the cerebellar cortex of adult wistar rats following quinine administration

Purpose: This study assessed some microstructural effects of quinine; commonly used in malaria chemotherapy; especially in chloroquine-resistant and cerebral malaria; on the Nissl substance in the cerebellar cortex of adult Wistar rats using microanatomical studies. Methods: Twenty seven adult male Wistar rats; weighing between 150g and 190g; were randomly separated into groups A; B and C (n=9). The rats in group A served as the control and received intramuscular injection of physiological saline. Group B rats were injected intramuscularly with liquid quinine; 16mg/kg body weight as a start dose; followed by 8mg/kg body weight 8 hourly for seven days. Group C rats received the same treatment as group B but were subjected to a withdrawal period of one week. Groups A and B rats were sacrificed at the end of the treatment while group C rats were sacrificed at the end of one week. The cerebellum of each rat was removed and fixed in 10formol saline for histological analysis. Results: The findings showed that the Nissl substances in the cerebellar cortex in control rats stained more intensely and distinctly compared with the less intense stain and degenerated Nissl substances in the treated rats.Conclusion: The observed degenerative changes in the Nissl substances in the cerebellar cortex of the treated rats may affect the synthesis of proteins in correlation with neuronal functions