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Introduction: Mucins are polydisperse molecules created to perform a variety of functions at the mucosal surface of the adult gastrointestinal tract. Two main groups of mucins could be identified: the membrane-associated mucins (MUC1, MUC4, MUC13, and MUC16), those bound to the apical plasma membrane of epithelial cells, and the secreted mucins (MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC5B, and MUC6), those secreted from the goblet cells. Little is known about the types and distribution patterns of mucins in prenatal life. Methods: We detected mucin-secreting cells in the developing rabbit esophagus though these cells are absent in the adult one. In order to identify the content and possible functions of these cells, we investigated the histochemical and immunohistochemical characteristics of their mucins. Results: Starting at 16th day of pregnancy, periodic acid Schiff (PAS), alcian blue (AB) pH (2.5), and PAS-AB combination intensely stained the mucous content, demonstrating both acidic and neutral mucopolysaccharides. Some blebs could be recognized on the free surface of the esophageal epithelium. Also, the mucous cells and some basal cells strongly immunoreacted with MUC1, but not MUC2, nor MUC5AC antibodies. Conclusion: Collectively, these data suggest that surface mucous cells are modified epithelial cells, not goblet cells, and may originate from the basal layer of the epithelial cells. A possible regulatory role for these MUC1-positive mucins in esophageal epithelial and mesenchymal cell differentiation and late organogenesis is suggested. However, future functional studies are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ocular diseases pose a significant health concern for donkeys. However, studies examining the microanatomy and cell populations of the donkey retina are scarce. The current study aimed to describe the vascular pattern of the donkey retina and document its cellular components. Methods: The donkey retina specimens were obtained from different retinal regions and prepared for semithin sectioning and immunohistochemistry. Results: The donkey has a paurangiotic retina in which retinal vessels are confined to a narrow area around the optic disc. Glial cells coexist with the blood vessels being very numerous in the vascular region and become scanty in the avascular ones. S-100-positive astrocytes could be observed in these avascular areas. Ganglion cells are organized in a single layer with the least population existing in the peripheral retina. Acidic fibroblast growth factor (AFGF) is immunoreactive in amacrine and ganglion cells. A subpopulation of amacrine cells reacted strongly to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and others reacted positively to S-100 protein. Ganglion cell nuclei exhibited a strong immunoreactivity to S-100 protein as well. Furthermore, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is used to identify Müller cells that extend their processes across the retina from the inner to the outer limiting membrane. Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings provide novel insights into the normal retinal organization. The donkey retina shows the characteristic expression of immunohistochemical markers for the major cell types. In addition, the distribution of glial cells is comparable between the vascular and avascular regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The retina consists of various cell types arranged in eight cell layers and two membranes that originate from the neuroectodermal cells. In this study, the timing of differentiation and distribution of the cellular components and the layers of the rabbit retina are investigated using light and electron microscopy and immunohistochemical techniques. There were 32 rabbit embryos and 12 rabbits used. The rabbit retina begins its prenatal development on the 10th day of gestation in the form of optic cup. The process of neuro‐ and gliogenesis occurs in several stages: In the first stage, the ganglionic cells are differentiated at the 15th day. The second stage includes the differentiation of Muller, amacrine, and cone cells on the 23rd day. The differentiation of bipolar, horizontal, and rod cells and formation of the inner segments of the photoreceptors consider the late stage that occurs by the 27th and 30th day of gestation. On the first week of age postnatally, the outer segments of the photoreceptors are developed. S100 protein is expressed by the Muller cells and its processes that traverse the retina from the outer to the inner limiting membranes. Calretinin is intensely labeled within the amacrine and displaced amacrine cells. Ganglionic cells exhibited moderate immunoreactivity for calretinin confined to their cytoplasm and dendrites. In conclusion, all stages of neuro‐ and gliogenesis of the rabbit retina occur during the embryonic period. Then, the retina continues its development postnatally by formation of the photoreceptor outer segments and all layers of the retina become established. Research Highlights: The aim of this study is to investigate the morphogenesis of the rabbit retina during pre‐ and postnatal life.The primordia of the retina could be observed in the form of the optic cup. The ganglionic cells are the first cells to differentiate, while the photoreceptor cells are the last.S100 protein is expressed by the Muller cells and its processes. Calretinin is intensely labeled in the amacrine and displaced amacrine cells and moderately expressed in the cytoplasm and dendrites of ganglionic cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several morphogenetic sequences occur during esophageal development and birth defects occur due to defects in foregut morphogenesis. This work aimed to record the cellular events in the morphogenesis of rabbits' esophageal epithelium. On the 16th day of gestation, the esophageal epithelium varied from stratified ciliated columnar to stratified squamous type. The surface epithelium presented mucous cells with mucigen granules of various sizes occupying their supranuclear cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic vacuolation was evident in all layers of the esophageal epithelium at this age. On the 18th gestational day, some light cells could be detected in the middle portion of the epithelium, while others occupied the whole epithelial length. On the 21st day, mucous cells are more frequently observed at the apical esophageal part as well as at the surface epithelium. Numerous elongated dark cells could be distinguished embedded between the basal cells. On the 24th gestational day the number of the mucous cells reached its peak. Reaching the 30th gestational day, several lamellar bodies, a keratinized layer and mitotic divisions could be demonstrated, and the number of both mucous and dark cells was greatly decreased. Collectively, detection of surface mucous and dark cells together with the non‐cornified surface in some regions of the rabbit esophageal epithelium at the end of gestation ensure a postnatal development to reach the adult epithelium essential to sustain the passage of the harsh raw food. Future immunohistochemical studies are recommended to investigate the components of secretions in mucous cells and functional studies to highlight the dark cells significance. Research Highlights: Esophageal epithelium of fetal rabbit was analyzed by light and transmission microscopy.Surface epithelium presented mucous cells with mucigen granules of various sizes. They reached their maximum number on 24th day then decreased.On the 16th day, cytoplasmic vacuolation was evident in all epithelial layers.On the 21st day, numerous elongated dark cells could be distinguished embedded between the basal cells.Before birth, several lamellar bodies, a keratinized layer and mitotic divisions could be demonstrated, and the number of both mucous and dark cells was greatly decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microanatomy of the donkey eye is important to understand because pathological disorders affecting them are relatively common. The current study aimed to document the cellular components of donkey's retinae using light and electron microscopic studies. Ten donkey retinae were dissected and processed for semi-thin sections and electron microscopic studies. The photoreceptor layer was made up of the outer and inner segments of rods and cones. The outer segments were filled with invaginations of cell membranes that form stacks of membranous disks. Shed discs of photoreceptor outer segments could be seen in the photoreceptor layer as well as near the Müller cells. The inner segments of cones were conical in shape, while those of rods were slim rod-shaped. Both were filled with long thin mitochondria and free ribosomes. Three rows of photoreceptor cell nuclei made up the outer nuclear layer. The rod nuclei had more electron-dense chromatin than those of the cones. There were two rows of cell nuclei in the inner nuclear layer that represent the following four cell classes: horizontal cells, bipolar cells, amacrine cells, and Müller cells. Bipolar cells constitute the bulk of the inner nuclear layer. They were elongated in shape and had thick branched dendrites. Amacrine cells were in the inner face of the INL. It could be observed within IPL and known as displaced amacrine cells. Muller glial cells were irregular elongated in shape with many cytoplasmic processes. They were distributed in the INL among the bipolar cells. Müller cells were observed in the inner plexiform layer, the ganglion cell layer, and the nerve fiber layer. In conclusion, this study characterized the detailed cytological organization and ultrastructure of the healthy donkey retina. which maintains the fundamental laminar architecture characteristic of other mammalian retinas, and consists of 10 distinguishable layers. When compared to previously described retinal morphologies in domestic species, some distinctive characters were observed in donkey retinal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the development of the mucous preglottal salivary gland in Coturnix japonica (Japanese quail), morphological and histochemical studies were performed on 20 healthy Japanese quail embryos (aging from 10th to 17th incubation days) and 25 healthy quail chicks (aging from 0th to 60th days). The primordia of preglottal salivary gland were observed as an epithelial bud at the early embryonic stage, which then elongated and differentiated into secretory units by the end of this stage. In Japanese quails, the preglottal salivary gland was a mucous polystomatic tubuloalveolar unpaired gland composed of two lateral portions and a middle one embedded into the submucosa of the lingual root. The gland openings accompanied taste pore (8.17 μm) of taste buds associated salivary glands type; some skeletal muscle fibers embedded among secretory lobules extended from muscle cricohyoideus at 14th day‐old quail chick. Also, both herbts corpuscles and secretory motor plexus could be detected among secretory lobules. Based on our investigations, the development of the preglottal salivary gland could clearly be distinguished in the embryonic stage into pre bud and bud stages at 10th day old, cord and branching stages ended by cavitation at 11th day old, canalization stage at 13th day old, lobulation and secretory stages by the 17th day old. The secretory materials showed different histochemical reactions ended with highly alcinophilic mucous indicated highly sialomucin (acidic) content. Myoepithelial cells could be demonstrated at a 17‐day old quail embryo and thereafter surrounded the secretory endpieces of the preglottal salivary gland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects many individuals' issues beyond those which are medically treated. Objective: To study the impact of group therapy sessions on disease activity and functional abilities in RA patients. Methods: One hundred and two patients with RA were divided into two groups; group A included 52 RA patients receiving their regular medical care in addition to group therapy sessions (cases); and group B included 50 RA patients receiving their regular medical care only (controls). Demographic, clinical and serological data were prospectively evaluated. All patients were assessed by using the Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS28) and modified Health Assessment Questionnaire ‐ Disability Index (mHAQ‐DI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD) before, during and after group therapy sessions. Results: Group A showed a statistically significant improvement in DAS28 at the 3rd and 6th months (P < 0.01 and P < 0.04) respectively, significant improvement in mHAQ score at the 3rd and 6th months (P < 0.02 and P < 0.00) respectively, and significant improvement in HAD scale for depression and anxiety (P <0.001). In group A there was no significant correlation between DAS28 and both anxiety or depression (P = 0.6, r = 0.5 and P = 0.06, r = 0.06) respectively, but on correlating mHAQ to both anxiety and depression, there was a statistically significant positive correlation at 6 months (P = 0.01, r = 0.3 and P = 0.03, r = 0.3) respectively. Conclusion: Group therapy sessions improve disease outcome, functional disability and psychological well‐being in RA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the corneal changes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in vivo, using spectral domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).Methods: A case-control study was done on 43 RA patients and 40 controls. The disease activity score (DAS28-ESR) was calculated and all participants had lower tear meniscus, corneal thickness, and epithelial thickness evaluation using AS-OCT.Results: The lower tear meniscus height (LTMH) and the lower tear meniscus area (LTMA) were significantly lower in the RA patients than in controls (p < 0.001). RA patients also had a significantly thinner central corneal thickness (p = 0.02) and their epithelium was found to be thinner in the superotemporal peripheral sector.Conclusions: The LTMH and LTMA are significantly reduced in RA patients, despite the absence of clinical diagnosis of dry eye. RA patients have thinner corneal thickness and epithelial thickness than controls, which did not correlate with either disease duration or activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Hepatitis C virus ( HCV) is sialotropic. The pathogenesis of sicca manifestations in patients with chronic HCV infection is not fully understood. We aimed to detect changes in magnetic resonance sialography ( MRS) of HCV patients with and without vasculitis. Method We studied 32 HCV patients (19 female, mean age 48.8 ± 10.3 years) and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Half of the patients had vasculitis. Demographic, clinical and serological data were prospectively evaluated. In patients with vasculitis, the disease activity was assessed by the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score ( BVAS). MRS was performed on all patients and controls. Results Abnormal MRS was found in 25% of patients, (6/16 and 2/16 in patients with and without vasculitis, respectively). Among patients with vasculitis, those with abnormal MRS had longer disease duration, higher leukocytic and lymphocytic counts and more frequent cryoglobulinemia ( P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.008, respectively), while BVAS scores were not significantly different. Conclusion Among HCV patients with vasculitis, longer disease duration and cryoglobulinemia were associated with abnormal findings on MRS. To confirm our results, we propose larger-scale, multicentre studies with longer evaluation periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]