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Bats have the ability to fly without eye application in the darkness. In this study, we aimed to characterize the functional and structural acclimations of the lenses of two common bats with a various lifestyle in the Egyptian environment: the insectivorous bat (IB) (Pipistrellus kuhlii) and Egyptian fruit bat (FB) (Rousettus aegyptiacus). From each species, seven lenses were extracted from adult eyes. The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and light microscopic examination of the lens were carried out. FB lenses were made up primarily of fiber cells and sheets, which were encapsulated by a thin collagenous capsule and covered by single epithelial layer anteriorly. On the other hand, the IB lens had two poles and was visibly oval shaped. Both lenses had epithelial cells of the same cuboidal form that were subjected to continuous division and differentiation into new fiber cells at the center. SEM revealed that the normal FB lens had regularly organized shells of fiber cells of intact lens fibers which were connected by membrane interdigitations with different shapes mainly ball‐and‐socket junctions through the superficial cortical fiber cells. The IB lens was composed of parallel, evenly spaced fibers with various types of interdigitations between fibers that can be seen and increased close to the middle region revealing tiny bumps along the scrubby portions and sockets and balls in the center of the wide portions. Near the center of both lenses, there were large interlocking paddles with little and lengthy protrusions along their short sides. In conclusion, our study discovered several ultrastructural and structural variations among the investigated species. The detection of specialized membrane interdigitations with different shapes protruding from the lens fiber sheets is considered the most characteristic of the FB lens. Research Highlights: FB lens has more organized sheets of fibers parallel to each other than IB lens.Different shapes of interdigitations protruded from the FB lens have been detected.Interlocking paddles, balls, and sockets with tongue‐like fiber flabs are characteristic to FB lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the current study was to determine how the products QZ Toss and Biocure may affect the Nile tilapia's (Oreochromis niloticus) growth, and health feature. Six of the seven fish groups that received the QZ Toss for 35 days either on feed or in water were kept on a control diet. Growth and histopathological intestinal assessment significantly increased with the addition of oregano and/or probiotic mixture. Regardless of the amount of biocure and / or QZ TOSS utilized, the histological analysis showed that the groups treated with them both had better intestinal epithelial state than the other groups. Additionally, the length of the intestinal villi increased. Therefore, as an effective way to accomplish practical and sustainable fish production, we may advise adding Biocure to aqua-feed in addition to applying QZ Toss to feed and rearing water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to detect how different dietary fat sources (ghee, butter, and margarine) affected the lipid profile and testosterone level in male albino rats. For this purpose, four groups of 32 male albino rats were used. Group I was given a control diet (without the addition of any fat), Group II was given 20% ghee + 80% control diet, Group III was given 20% butter + 80% control diet, and Group IV was given 20% margarine + 80% control diet. After the end of the experiment, lipid profile and testosterone level were determined in serum. Also, testicular tissues were examined using hematoxylin-eosin staining. The results showed that the ghee group had a significant decrease in lipid profile and a significant increase in testosterone level compared with the control group. While in margarine group, there was a significant increase in lipid profile and a significant decrease in testosterone level as compared with control group. Butter group revealed non-significant increase in lipid profile while there was a significant decrease in testosterone level as compared with control group. Testes of rats received ghee showed normal architecture. On the other hand, butter group showed moderate vacuolation of the seminiferous tubules with a slight congestion of some blood vessels. Furthermore, margarine group had prominent vacuolation with great congestion of blood vessels. In conclusion, ghee is the best dietary fat followed by butter, while margarine is unhealthy fat source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deposition of extra cellular material is a feature of retinal ageing resulting in reduced outer retinal perfusion that can be associated with disease. This has been documented for Bruch's membrane (BM) and is elevated in mice that are complement factor H knock outs (Cfh-/-) and proposed as a model for macular degeneration. Here we ask if aged deposition occurs to the outer retinal blood supply before transmission across BM in 12 month old C57Bl and Cfh-/- mice and if differences exist at this level between these mice. We show arterial deposition of age related proteins complement component C3 with immunostaining and Western blot. Results showed deposition of C3 in all internal lamina of choroid blood vessels and three fragments were revealed from western blot which decrease significantly in Cfh-/- mice choroid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]