Mimosa pudica Protects the Testes Against Cadmium-Induced Inflammation and Oligospermia: Potential Benefits in Treatment of Heavy Metal Toxicity

Cadmium is a known environmental and industrial pollutant with an enormous tissue disrupting potential. Mimosa pudica (M. pudica) is a creeping annual or perennial herb known to possess anti asthmatic, anti-epileptic, anti-tumour, anti-fertility, aphrodisiac, analgesic, anti-depressant, sedative, emetic properties and a strong radical scavenging activity. This research was aimed at investigating the ameliorative effects of M. pudica on cadmium-induced testicular damage in adult male Sprague Dawley rats. Twenty adult Sprague Dawley rats were employed in the study. They were divided into 4 groups (A–D) of 5 rats each, and toxicity was induced by administering 0.4?mg/ml cadmium chloride through drinking water to groups B–D for 21days. M. pudica extract was administered orally at 250 and 500?mg/kg to groups C and D. Animals in Groups C and D showed remarkable histological improvements in testicular tissue and markedly reduced damages when compared with group B.The active sperm motility of group B (6.00?±?1.00%) was significantly (p?=?0.0001) decreased compared to that of the groups A (15.00?±?0.00%)) and C (13.00?±?1.22%). Sperm count analysis of group B (1.36?±?0.28?×?10⁶/cc), C (4.18?±?0.81?×?10⁶/cc) and D (2.54?±?1.13?×?10⁶/cc) were significantly lower (p?=?<0.05) when compared with group A (12.78?±?0.92?×?10⁶/cc), respectively. Sperm morphology of group A (70.00?±?3.16%), B (66.00?±?2.50), C (74.00?±?2.45%) and D (64.00?±?2.45%) recorded no significant difference. This study demonstrates that M. pudica has potential protective and restorative properties on the histoarchitecture of the testes of cadmium-treated rats.     

Effects of aqueous garlic (Allium sativum) extract on testicular morphology and function in lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2)-treated albino rats

This study investigated the effects of aqueous garlic extract (Allium sativum) on testicular morphology and function in lead nitrate (Pb(NO₃)₂)-treated albino rats. Twenty four male albino rats, divided randomly into four groups of six rats per group, were used. Group A rats served as the control and received neither Pb(NO₃)₂ nor aqueous garlic extract (AGE) treatment. The treatments to the remaining three rat groups were as follows: group B, 300 mg/kg body weight of AGE; group C, 2 mg/kg body weight of Pb(NO₃)₂; and group D, 2 mg/kg body weight of Pb(NO₃)₂, and 300 mg/kg body weight of AGE 2 h later. Both the AGE and Pb(NO₃)₂ were orally given to these rats every 48 h for a period of 6 weeks. The testicular and epididymal (left and right sides) sperm reserves and the histomorphological features of the testes of the rats in the treatment groups were compared to the control rats. Results showed that testicular and epididymal sperm reserves were significantly (P?<?0.05) reduced in rats that received only Pb(NO₃)₂ treatment. AGE ameliorated the changes in testicular morphology and function associated with Pb(NO₃)₂ treatment in group D rats. Garlic in this study enhanced spermatogenesis as evidenced from the significant (P?<?0.05) increase in the epididymal (left and right sides) sperm reserves of the group B rats. This implies that garlic may serve as an agent that could be used in improving male fertility.     

Evaluation of sperm characteristics and plasma testosterone in the goldfish (Carassius auratus) during four consecutive seasons

The overall objective of the study was to investigate changes in quantitative parameters of goldfish (Carassius auratus) semen, testosterone (T), and gonadosomatic index (GSI) during the four seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter). Simple environmental and hormonal treatments were used to induce out-of-season spawning in goldfish. The semen was taken from goldfish in different periods during the four seasons, and the characteristics of sperm and pH were analyzed. Plasma levels of T, GSI, and histological studies of the testes, as well as a range of indices of ovarian development, were measured. No significant differences were observed between volumes of semen which can be extracted per fish, in the four seasons (P?>?0.05). Significant differences were found between sperm motility at different seasons (P?<?0.05), as the maximum total duration of motility was observed in autumn (109.25?±?14.00 s). Sperm density showed a higher value during summer (57.30?±?10.41?spermatozoa (spz)?ml^?1) and winter (65.09?±?80.40 spz ml^?1) than values that were obtained from spring (48.00?±?7.08 spz ml^?1) and autumn (40.42?±?16.54?×?10⁹ spz ml^?1) (P?<?0.05). However, spermatocrit (in percent) was higher in winter (39.90?±?4.74) compared with other seasons (P?<?0.05). Values of pH were higher in autumn (7.87?±?0.05) and in winter (7.83?±?0.03) than values that were obtained from other seasons. The peaks of T and GSI during spermiation in spring (T, 21.08 ng/ml, and GSI?=?5.21 %) and in summer (T, 23.32 ng/ml, and GSI?=?6.10 %), when most gonadal development took place, were statistically significantly higher than the levels observed during autumn (T, 15.08 ng/ml, and GSI?=?3.21 %) and winter (T, 22.18 ng/ml, and GSI?=?2.78 %) (P?<?0.05). Our results provided the statistically significant evidence of seasonal variation in sperm characteristics, T and GSI, for goldfish. These findings may be used to: (1) optimize semen collection for hatchery production and (2) characterize the potential impact of seasons on sperm quality and plasma androgen levels.     

Hematological reference values of the snakes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oxyrhopus guibei</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenodon neuwiedii</Emphasis> (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

The aim of this study was to establish the reference range of hematological values for two species of Brazilian nonpoisonous snakes recently wild-caught and sent to the Butantan Institute. Blood samples were collected from the ventral caudal vein of 26 Oxyrhopus guibei (18 females and 8 males) and 19 Xenodon neuwiedii (nine females and ten males) snakes. Hematologic analyses were performed using manual standard methods and mean values (X ± SD) for O. guibei and X. neuwiedii were, respectively, red blood count ×10⁹/L (476.6?±?138.8 and 455.3?±?125.9); white blood count ×10⁹/L (4.8?±?2.1and 4.5?±?2.0); thrombocyte count ×10⁹/L (7.3?±?2.7 and 7.6?±?2.8); hematocrit % (24.3?±?6.0 and 23.8?±?6.7), hemoglobin g/dL (6.8?±?2.3 and 6.3?±?2.0); proerythrocyte ×10⁹/L (21.5?±?25.3 and 23.5?±?18.6); differential white blood cell count in ×10⁹/L: lymphocytes (1.8?±?0.7 and 1.7?±?1.0), azurophils (1.9?±?1.0 and 1.9?±?0.8), heterophils (0.8?±?0.9 and 0.6?±?0.4), and basophils (0.4?±?0.2 and 0.4?±?0.3). There were no significant differences in hematological parameters between the two species of snakes. Some hematological changes observed in both species are probably associated with factors that influence their physiological state such as stress of capture, seasonality, and diet among others. Intracellular parasites were not found in any of the specimens studied. These hematological results provide a reference range for adult snakes in the two species and are similar to those of previously studied snake species from other groups.     

Erythropoietic and spermatogenic effects of subchronic administration of methanolic leaf extract of Dracaena arborea in rats

This study investigated the erythropoietic and spermatogenic effects of subchronic administration of methanolic leaf extract of Dracaena arborea in rats. Acute toxicity was performed. A total of 120 male rats weighing 140?±?14.14 g were used for the subchronic study divided into four groups. The extract was administered using the oral route daily for 91 days at the following dosages: group A, normal saline 10 ml/kg body weight, bw (control group); group B, 50 mg/kg bw of the extract; group C, 100 mg/kg bw of the extract and group D 500 mg/kg bw of the extract. The parameters assessed to determine the effect of subchronic administration of the extract were: packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HC), red blood cell counts (RBC), testicular weight (TW) and epididymal sperm reserve (ESR). The mean HC of rats in group D was significantly higher (p?p?相似文献   

A low-virulence Eimeria intestinalis isolate from rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in China: molecular identification,pathogenicity, and immunogenicity

An Eimeria intestinalis isolated from a rabbit in China was first identified by amplifying the 18S small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA gene. The size of the amplified fragment was 1521 bp. The 18S SSU RNA gene of the E. intestinalis isolate shared 99 % sequence identity with E. intestinalis isolates from France and the Czech Republic, with 100 and 96 % coverage, respectively. Then, the pathogenicity and immunogenicity of the E. intestinalis isolate were evaluated in specific pathogen free (SPF) rabbits. In the pathogenicity assay, SPF rabbits in four groups were infected with 5?×?10³, 5?×?10⁴, 5?×?10⁵, and 0 sporulated oocysts, respectively. Clinical signs including diarrhoea, constipation, loss of appetite, and reduction of body weight gain were observed in rabbits inoculated with 5?×?10⁴ and 5?×?10⁵ oocysts. And one rabbit (25 %) inoculated with 5?×?10⁵ oocysts died 15 days after the inoculation. In the immunogenicity assay, SPF rabbits in five groups (named B1, B2, B3, B4, and B5) were immunised with 5?×?10¹, 5?×?10², 5?×?10³, 0, and 0 sporulated oocysts, respectively. All rabbits but the B5 group were challenged with 1?×?10⁶ oocysts. After the challenge, no or slight clinical signs were seen in rabbits of the B2 and B3 groups. Compared with the control, a 69.6 and 84.5 % reduction of oocyst output was observed in the B2 and B3 groups, respectively. The body weight gain of the two groups was obviously higher than that of the challenge control group. All the results show that the E. intestinalis isolate has low virulence but immunogenicity in rabbit.     

Effect of experimental feeding of Codiaeum variegatum leaves on growth, hematology, gonadal, and extra-gonadal sperm reserves of adult albino rats

Twenty-four male adult albino rats, weighing between 130 and 239 g, were randomly divided into four groups of six rats per group (A to D). The rats were fed either normal pelleted commercial feed containing 14.5% crude protein alone (group A) or feed supplemented with pulverized dry leaves of Codiaeum variegatum (garden croton) at the levels of 0.25% (B), 0.5% (C), and 1.0% (D). All four groups of rats were fed for 12 weeks, during which period clean water was provided ad libitum. Every 2 weeks, body weights of individual rats were taken and blood collected for hematology (packed cell volume (PCV), total and differential leukocyte counts). Hemoglobin concentration was determined at 4-week intervals. At the end of the 12-week study period, all rats were sacrificed; testes and epididymes of individual rats were weighed separately to calculate the organosomatic index for both organs. Thereafter, testicular and epididymal sperm counts were performed. Supplementing rat feed with C. variegatum leaves in treated groups (B, C, and D) resulted in reduced weight gain such that by the 12th week of study, the mean body weight of group D rats was significantly lower than that of the unsupplemented control (group A) rats. The testicular and epididymal organosomatic index for the different treatment groups were not significantly (P?>?0. 05) different from the mean values for group A rats. The hematological evaluation of the rats showed that supplementation at any of the level used did not significantly (P?>?0. 05) alter the mean PCV values. The mean total leukocyte and the mean absolute neutrophil counts (by the fourth week) for the treated groups were significantly (P?<?0. 05) higher than the corresponding values for the control groups. Likewise, the mean hemoglobin concentration for the treated groups was only slightly lower than the mean values for the control group for the greater part of the study period. The mean testicular sperm counts for the treated rat groups were generally lower in a dose-dependent manner, but was not significantly different (P?>?0.05) from the mean values for the control group. On the other hand, the mean epididymal sperm counts for the treated rat groups were significantly (P?<?0. 05) lower than the mean values for the control in a dose-dependent pattern. This study has shown that feeding male rats in particular and probably other animals in general on the leaves of garden croton at a level as low as 0.25% level of supplementation has the tendency to stimulate the immune function of animals but could severely reduce the testicular and epididymal sperm reserve counts, thereby reducing the reproductive efficiency of male animals. These results recommend further studies in respect to the immunostimulating and spermatotoxic properties of the leaves of this plant.     

Haematological reference ranges of cultured Clarias gariepinus in the Lower Benue River Basin,Nigeria

Blood samples were collected from 170 cultured African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) to establish haematological baseline values of this important tropical pisciculture fish species in the Guinea savannah agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The total red blood cell count and the total white blood cell count were obtained by haemocytometry, while the packed cell volume and haemoglobin were obtained by microhaematocrit and cyanomethmoglobin methods, respectively. The results obtained varied between gender and age and were as follows: total red blood cell count, 1.72?±?0.34?×?10⁶/mm³ in juveniles and 4.50?±?0.57?×?10⁶/mm³ in adults; total white blood cell count, 15.50?±?1.1510³/mm³in juvenile and 16.41?±?1.21?×?10³/mm³in adults; packed cell volume, 30.08?±?7.78 % in juveniles and 39.59?±?3.93 % in adults; haemoglobin, 9.43?±?3.45 g/dl in juveniles and 10.99?±?3.29 g/dl in the adults; mean corpuscular volume, 173.75?±?41.93 fl in juveniles and 87.01?±?14.37 fl in adults; mean corpuscular haemoglobin, 51.11?±?13.10 pg in the juveniles and 26.81?±?8.61 pg in the adults, while the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration values obtained are 32.61?±?10.42 g/dl in the juveniles and 33.80?±?10.0 g/dl in the adults.     

Developmental stages of Hepatozoon seurati (Laveran and Pettit 1911) comb. nov., a parasite of the corned viper Cerastes cerastes and the mosquito Culex pipiens from Egypt

Developmental stages of Hepatozoon seurati (Laveran and Pettit 1911) comb. nov. are described from the tissues of the corned viper Cerastes cerastes, and from the vector Culex pipiens. The parasite described in the present study is firstly recorded as Haemogregarina seurati (Laveran and Pettit 1911) in the same host. After demonstration of the sporogonous development in the mosquito vector (C. pipiens) which showed all characteristics of the genus Hepatozoon (large oocysts containing many sporocysts producing numerous sporozoites), the parasite should be transferred into the genus Hepatozoon. The infected erythrocytes measured 20?±?0.95?×?7.3?±?0.85 μm; while uninfected cells measured 13.3?±?1.04?×?7.5?±?0.16 μm. Hypertrophy and faintly stained cytoplasm are mostly occurred in infected erythrocytes. Blood stages of the parasite were found exclusively in the erythrocytes in two forms: (1) small trophozoites (10.0?±?0.52?×?3.0?±?0.4 μm) and (2) long (mature) sausage-shaped (16.5?±?1.5?×?3.5?±?0.4 μm). Merogony occurred in the endothelial cells of the blood capillaries of lung, liver, and spleen. Mature meronts was 27.6?±?0.7?×?17.5?±?0.5 μm in diameter and contained 20–35 merozoites (averaged in 26). These merozoites measured 16.5?±?1.5?×?3.5?±?0.4 μm. Syzygy and gamogony occurred in the mosquito myxocoel till the 5th day post-infection (p.i.) while sporogony took place after 15 days p.i. On the third day p.i., a large spherical macrogamete of 29.0?±?0.8?×?20.5?±?0.6 μm containing a distinct nucleus in association with a single microgamete were observed. The microgamete was pyriform measured 8?±?02 μm in length. It had a prominent nucleus and a long flagellum of at least 20.4?±?1.3 μm in length. Fertilization occurred on the 3rd to the 4th days p.i. and the formed zygote developed into an oocyst in which repeated mitotic divisions with centripetal invaginations occurred producing sporoblasts. After sporulation, each sporoblast termed as sporocyst, and contained 18 banana-shaped sporozoites measured 14.0?±?1.6?×?3.2?±?0.6 μm. Experimental transmission was successful by intraperitoneal inoculation of the infective stages (sporozoites) to uninfected vipers and led to the appearance of blood stages after 5–6 weeks.     

Impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on refractory thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic HCV awaiting antiviral therapy

The possibility of delaying treatment of HCV due to severe thrombocytopenia is challenging. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of active helicobacter infection as a claimed cause of thrombocytopenia in a cohort of Egyptian patients with chronic active HCV awaiting combined anti-viral therapy. The study included 400 chronic HCV patients with thrombocytopenia. Laboratory investigations included liver function tests, real time quantitative PCR, reticulocytic count, ESR, ANA, bone marrow aspiration, measurement of anti-helicobacter antibodies, and helicobacter stool antigen. Positive cases for active H. pylori were given the standard triple therapy for 2 weeks. Helicobacter stool antigen was detected 4 weeks after termination of therapy and the change in platelet count was detected 1 month after eradication. A total of 248 out of 281 seropositive patients for H. pylori (88.3 %) showed positive stool antigen (p?=?0.01). Eradication was achieved in 169 (68.1 %) patients with platelet mean count 114.9?±?18.8?×?10³/μl with highly significant statistical difference from pretreatment value (49.7?±?9.2?×?10³/μl, p?=?0.000). Seventy-nine patients were resistant to conventional triple therapy and given a 7-day course of moxifloxacin-based therapy; 61 patients responded (77.1 %) with mean platelet improvement from 76.4?±?17.4?×?10³/μl to 104.2?±?15.2?×?10³/μl (p?=?0.000). The non-responders showed no improvement in their platelet count (74.6?±?20.5 vs. 73.6?±?15.3?×?10³/ul, P?=?0.5). Eradication of active H. pylori in HCV augments platelet count and enhances the early start of antiviral therapy.     

Clinical, serological and histopathological signs of toxoplasmosis in broiler chickens (Gallus domesticus) after experimental infection

To identify the features of experimental toxoplasmosis in broiler chickens (Gallus domesticus), a total of 48 birds aged 25?days were randomly assigned to one of four groups of 12 birds each. Tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii were injected intraperitoneally at doses of 5?×?10⁵ (group A), 1?×?10⁶ (group B) and 1.5?×?10⁶ (group C), and chickens in group D were treated with an injection of saline only (control). Before and after experimental infection, serum samples from all chickens were tested for antibodies against T. gondii with the Sabin–Feldman reaction. After infection, the clinical signs in all the chickens were recorded daily, and blood smears were prepared to determine parasitemia. Paraffin-embedded tissue sections were used for semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the T. gondii B1 gene. Half of the chickens in each group were killed 25?days and half were killed 35?days after infection. All serum samples from chickens in groups A, B and C contained titers of T. gondii antibodies. However, there were no clinical signs suggesting toxoplasmosis. On day 15, the protozoan was observed in blood smears in groups A, B, and C. Analysis by PCR was negative. Microscopic lesions were observed in the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, kidney, spleen, skeletal muscle, proventriculus and lungs, but not in the eyes. Although chickens in group A were exposed to the lowest dose of T. gondii tachyzoites, lesions in this group were relatively more severe than those observed in groups B and C, which were exposed to higher doses of tachyzoites. Group B showed acute signs of toxoplasmosis with few microscopic lesions, whereas group C showed no lesions. Although no stages of the parasite were found in histopathological sections of skeletal muscle, the potential risks of infected chicken meat for public health cannot be disregarded.     

Effects of alcohol consumption on the haematology and testis of mice experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei

Forty 6-week-old inbred albino mice were used to study the effect of alcohol consumption on haematology and testis of mice experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei (T. b. brucei). The forty mice were divided into four groups of 10 mice each. Groups 1 and 3 mice received graded levels of ethanol at 10, 20 and 30 % (v/v) in water for 1 week, 2 weeks and the rest of the experimental period, respectively. At day 29 of the experiment, mice in groups 1 and 2 (non-alcohol exposed) were infected intraperitoneally with 1.0?×?10⁶ T. brucei in PBS-diluted blood. Group 4 mice served as control and were neither given alcohol nor infected with trypanosomes. The animals in all the groups were given water and commercial diet ad libitum. The alcohol-exposed infected mice had significantly (P?<?0.01) higher levels of parasitaemia than the non-alcohol-exposed infected group. The control group had significantly (P?<?0.01) higher body weights, packed cell volume, red blood cell, white blood cell counts and testicular sperm reserve than the other groups. These parameters were significantly (P?<?0.01) lowest in the alcohol-exposed infected group when compared with the other groups. Microscopically, degeneration and necrosis of spermatogenic cells were observed in seminiferous tubules of the testes of alcohol-exposed and T. brucei-infected mice. Sections of testes of the mice exposed to alcohol alone and non-alcohol-exposed T. brucei-infected mice had seminiferous tubules with poor development of spermatogenic cells. It was concluded that alcohol exposure markedly increased the deleterious effects of T. brucei considering the increases in the haematological values and various lesions produced in testes of the experimental mice.     

Hematology and plasma chemistry of wild Keeled Indian Mabuya, Eutropis carinata (Schneider 1801)

Hematology and plasma chemistry of the circulating blood of Eutropis carinata were studied during 2003 to 2008 and 2010 to 2011. Blood samples were taken from coccygeal and lower abdominal vein, and different blood parameters were measured for a population sample (15 males and 19 females) of the species, considering the sex of the lizards. Results revealed the erythrocytes' number and shape and the centrally located oval nucleus in both male and female lizards. Leukocytes were rounded, circular, or disk-shaped, and the mean size was larger in male than female lizards. The number of leukocytes was found to be maximum 1.74?×?10⁴ in both sexes, and mean values of differential leukocyte count were 13.33?±?4.51 and 15.66?±?4.04 % heterophils, 5.66?±?2.35 and 7.68?±?1.59 % eosinophils, 61.33?±?8.5 and 61.66?±?7.5 % lymphocytes, 3.66?±?1.52 and 2.33?±?1.27 % monocytes, and 5.31?±?2.45 and 5.24?±?1.19 % basophils in male and female lizards, respectively. Hemoglobin content of the lizard did not differ between the sexes. In terms of plasma chemistry, there was a significant difference in the mean value of protein and cholesterol contents between male (60.85?±?6.37 and 3.56?±?3.97 mg/ml) and female (102.46?±?5.26 and 2.48?±?2.91 mg/ml) lizards.     

Mobilization of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells with Standard- or Reduced-Dose Filgrastim after Vinorelbine in Multiple Myeloma Patients: A Randomized Prospective Single-Center Phase II Study

Vinorelbine combined with filgrastim at a dose of 10?µg/kg of body weight (BW) per day is a reliable and well-tolerated regimen for mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) in patients with multiple myeloma. This prospective, randomized, phase II study was initiated to assess the feasibility of a reduced filgrastim dosage. Vinorelbine was combined with either standard-dose filgrastim (10?µg/kg BW per day) or reduced-dose filgrastim (5?µg/kg BW per day). Leukapheresis sessions were planned to start at day 8 and were continued until the predefined target amount of 4?×?10⁶ HPCs/kg BW was collected. The study demonstrated the feasibility of vinorelbine combined with reduced daily filgrastim with a mean of 1.29 leukapheresis sessions necessary per patient (95% confidence interval, .95 to 1.7). All patients could start leukapheresis as planned at day 8, and the collection success rate was 100% for the whole patient collective after a maximum of 2 leukapheresis sessions. No statistically significant differences with regard to the amount of HPCs collected between the 2 groups were observed (P?=?.99). Accordingly, no differences were seen with regard to length of hospitalization for autotransplant (P?=?.34) and duration of neutrophil (P?=?.93) and platelet engraftment (P?=?.42). Patients receiving reduced-dose filgrastim reported significantly lower peak pain values in a numeric analogue scale (P?=?.01), and the costs were significantly lower than in patients undergoing standard-dose chemomobilization (P?=?.001). Vinorelbine 35?mg/m² plus filgrastim 5?µg/kg BW once per day until completion of HPC collection is feasible and appears to be advantageous with respect to the severity of pain intensity and treatment costs.     

Protective effect of Azadirachta indica extract against Eimeria papillata-induced coccidiosis

Coccidiosis in poultry is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria, which is responsible for worldwide economic losses. The methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves was used in vivo for its pharmacological, antioxidant, and anticoccidial properties. Four groups of mice were investigated. The first group was inoculated only with sterile saline and served as the control group. The second group was treated by oral gavage with neem extract (500 mg/kg) daily for 4 days. The third and fourth groups were infected with 10³ sporulated oocysts of Eimeria papillata. The fourth group was also treated once daily with neem extract for 4 days. Paraffin sections from the jejunum as well as jejunal homogenate were prepared for the histopathological and biochemical investigations, respectively. The data showed that mice infected with E. papillata revealed an output of 6.5?×?10⁵?±?29,753 oocysts per gram feces on day?4 postinoculation. This output is significantly decreased to 2.7?×?10⁵?±?37,341 oocysts in neem-treated mice. Infection with E. papillata induced marked histopathological alterations in the jejunum in the form of inflammation, vacuolation of the epithelium, and destruction of some villi. Also, the neem extract greatly diminished body weight loss of infected mice. Moreover, the number of goblet cells stained with Alcian blue within the infected villi was significantly lowered (P?≤?0.05). In addition, E. papillata enhanced lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide production in both serum and jejunum with concomitant reduction in glutathione. Neem induced marked improvements in all of the studied parameters as well as the histopathological features of the jejunum. Our study revealed that neem as a natural product has protective effects against E. papillata-induced coccidiosis.     

Achilles tendon loading during walking: application of a novel optic fiber technique

An optic fiber (Ø 0.5?mm) was utilized for the study of Achilles tendon forces (ATF) in eight volunteers who walked over a 10?m force platform at three speeds (1.1?±?0.1?m?×?s^?1, 1.5?±?0.1?m?×?s^?1 and 1.8?±?0.2?m?×?s^?1). The presented ATF-time curves showed great intersubject variation in magnitudes of the sudden release of force after initial contact and in the peak ATF's (1430?±?500?N). This intersubject variation in the peak force decreased only by 4% when cross-sectional area of the tendon was considered. Measured ground reaction forces and plantar pressures confirmed that the subjects walked quite normally during recordings. The peak ATF was found to be rather insensitive to speed in contrast to the rate of ATF development which increased 32% (?p?相似文献   

Developmental rates of immatures of three Chrysomya species (Diptera: Calliphoridae) under the effect of methylphenidate hydrochloride,phenobarbital, and methylphenidate hydrochloride associated with phenobarbital

Entomotoxicology is focused on obtaining data on necrophagous entomofauna, for criminal investigations purposes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of methylphenidate hydrochloride, phenobarbital, and their association on the developmental rate, larval and pupal survivorship, and the interval of emergence of adults of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), and Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Considering the therapeutic dose (TD) of methylphenidate hydrochloride (0.29 mg/Kg), the concentrations tested were 10× TD, 50× TD, and 100× TD. For phenobarbital, the concentrations used were 1× TD (=150 mg/Kg), 3.3× TD, and 6.7× TD. For the association of the drugs, the combinations used were 10× TD–methylphenidate hydrochloride plus 1× TD–phenobarbital, 50× TD–methylphenidate hydrochloride plus 3.3× TD–phenobarbital, and 100× TD–methylphenidate hydrochloride plus 6.7× TD–phenobarbital. The control group, without addition of drug, was maintained under the same conditions of temperature (25?±?1 °C), humidity (70?±?10 %), and photoperiod (12 h). Specimens of each group were weighed every 12 h until pupariation. The developmental rate of the three Chrysomya species immatures was monitored. For C. albiceps the developmental time was delayed in 24 h for methylphenidate hydrochloride group and in 12 h for the phenobarbital and the drugs association groups. The effect was observed only at specific ages for C. megacephala, without altering the developmental time. For C. putoria, the developmental time was delayed in 12 h for methylphenidate hydrochloride group and in 24 h for the phenobarbital and the drugs association groups. The emergence interval was similar among all experimental groups, but larval and pupal viabilities were affected in different ways.     

Effect of short-term exposure to radio frequency emitted by base transceiver station (BTS) antenna on epididymal sperms

This study was conducted to assess the effect of short-term exposure to RF waves generated by BTS antenna on the viability and motility of stored sperm in different parts of the epididymis. One hundred testes from slaughtered bulls were collected and used for this study. The testes were divided into two groups, test and sham-exposed, each group, according to time of exposure to RF (1 to 5?h), was divided into five subgroups, ten in each group. After a defined time, the motility (tail of the epididymis) and viability of sperms (in three parts of the epididymis) were evaluated in both groups. In the head of the epididymis, the reduction of sperm viability observed in the test group was 13% (after 3?h), 18% (after 4?h) and 21% (after 5?h) compared to the sham-exposed group, which was statistically significant (P?<?0.05). In the test group, sperm viability was significantly reduced in the body and tail sections after 4 and 5?h compared to the sham-exposed group (P?<?0.05). After 3?h of exposure to RF, the percentage of progressive motility of sperm decreased (8.7%), while the percentage of slow progressive motility increased significantly (6.4%) after 4?h compared to the sham-exposed group (P?<?0.05). These results suggested that short-term exposure to RF generated by mobile BTS has a deleterious effect on the quality of epididymal sperm (viability and motility) and that this effect is more severe in the head section and increases with increased exposure time.     

Differences in clotting parameters between species for preclinical large animal studies of cardiovascular devices

Several species of domestic animals are used in preclinical studies evaluating the safety and feasibility of medical devices; however, the relevance of animal models to human health is often not clear. The purpose of this study was to compare the clotting parameters of animal models to determine which animals most adequately mimic human clotting parameters. The clotting parameters of the different species were assessed in whole blood by in vitro thromboelastography using the clotting activators, such as tissue factor (extrinsic clotting screening test, EXTEM^®) and partial thromboplastin phospholipid (intrinsic clotting screening test, IINTEM^®). The measurements were performed using normal blood samples from humans (n?=?13), calves (n?=?18), goats (n?=?56) and pigs (n?=?8). Extrinsic clotting time (CT) and the intrinsic CT were significantly prolonged in calves compared to humans (249.9?±?91.3 and 376.4?±?124.4 s vs. 63.5?±?11.8 and 192.5?±?29.0 s, respectively, p?<?0.01). The maximum clot firmness (MCF) in domestic animals (EXTEM^®: 77–87 mm, IINTEM^®: 66–78 mm) was significantly higher than that of humans (EXTEM^®: 59.1?±?6.0 mm, IINTEM^®: 58.8?±?1.5 mm, p?<?0.01), and calves and goats exhibited longer time to MCF (MCF-t) than did humans and pigs (p?<?0.01). Our results show that there are relevant differences in the four species’ extrinsic and intrinsic clotting parameters. These cross-comparisons indicate that it is necessary to clarify characteristics of clotting properties in preclinical animal studies.     

Modulation by 310-1310-1310-1stimulation of IgE-mediated14C-serotonin release from rat mast cells

The formaldehyde method was used to examine the effects of clonidine and methoxamine on IgE-mediated¹⁴C-serotonin release from rat mast cellsin vitro. Clonidine (10^?11?10^?8 M) caused dose-related enhancement of the mediator release 7min after the antigen challenge yohimbine (10^?6 M) blocked this enhancement by clonidine (10^?6 M), but prazosin (10^?6 M) did not. Methoxamine did not enhance this immunological release reaction at concentrations up to 10^?6 M. PGE₁ (2×10^?8?2×10^?5 M), isoproterenol (10^?10?10^?8 M), dopamine (4×10^?8?4×10^?8 M) and aminophylline (6×10^?6?6×10^?4 M) caused dose-related inhibition of this mediator release 1 min after antigen challenge. Clonidine (10^?13?10^?12 M), but not methoxamine (10^?8?10^?6 M), reversed dose-dependently this inhibition of mast cells by PGE₁ (2×10^?6 M), isoproterenol (10^?8 M), dopamine (4×10^?6 M); yohimbine (10^?8 M) antagonized this reversing action of clonidine (10^?12 M), but prazosin (10^?10 M) did not. Neither clonidine (10^?14?10^?11 M) nor methoxamine (10^?8?10^?6 M) reversed the inhibitory action of aminophylline (2×10^?4 M). These results suggest that clonidine enhances IgE-mediated¹⁴C-serotonin release from rat mast cells and also antagonizes the inhibition of mast cells by PGE₁, isoproterenol and dopamine, but not by aminophylline in this immunological reaction through α₂-adrenergic receptors, and that the inhibition of adenylate cyclase of mast cells is one of the biochemical actions of α₂-adrenergic mechanisms.