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In a recent study, we evaluated the remedial properties of gold nanoparticles (gold NPs) green-formulated by Origanum majorana on spinal cord injury in rats. UV-Vis, FE-SEM, FT-IR, and TEM tests were applied to characterize the recent gold NPs. The IC50 values of O. majorana, gold NPs, and butylated hydroxytoluene were 382, 250, and 165 µg/mL, respectively, against DPPH. In in vivo tests, 40 male rats were grouped into four groups: the sham, intact, control, and gold NP (50 µg/kg) groups. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was done to test the lesions post-injury. To determine the neural conduction recovery, somatosensory evoked potential experiments were carried out. For determining the astrogliosis, the GFAP expression was evaluated. All rats were assessed for behavior outcomes using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores every week after spinal cord injury onset. The neuroprotective effects of gold NPs caused improvement in the spinal cord injury contusive model in Wistar rats. Delayed responses were reduced significantly and BBB scores were raised significantly in the gold NP group on sensory tests. The highest reduction in GFAP was evident in the gold NP group. The ventral motor neuron number raised significantly and cavity areas reduced significantly in the gold NP group. Electromyography findings indicated notable improvement of hindlimbs in the gold NP (50 µg/kg) group.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a medical concern that is accompanied by the rapid deterioration of kidney function. It can be triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of gram-negative bacteria as it activates a complicated immune response, resulting in widespread inflammation and potential organ dysfunction. Black seed oil (BSO) is rich in beneficial constituents and has been widely used owing to its nutritional advantages. Purpose: This research is aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of BSO and its nano-formulation on AKI induced by LPS. It also aimed to compare their anti-inflammatory activity with indomethacin, a known synthetic anti-inflammatory drug. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight mice were placed randomly into 8 groups. A single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 2.5 mg/kg B.W. of LPS was used to trigger inflammation, and pretreatment with BSO and its nano-formulation was at 0.2 mL/kg/day for 14 consecutive days. Indomethacin was used as a reference drug and its efficacy was tested alone or in combination with BSO at lower doses. Renal function was assessed using urea, creatinine, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). Also, oxidative and inflammatory markers were assessed by measuring levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4). Histopathological examination of the kidney tissues was also performed. Results: The study showed that BSO and its nano-formulation had anti-inflammatory effects comparable to or better than those of indomethacin. They greatly decreased the oxidative stress and inflammatory markers induced by LPS. Their protective effect against pathological alterations in kidney tissues was significantly noticed. Conclusion: BSO and its nano-formulation could be used as nephroprotective and anti-inflammatory supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work attempted to provide a comprehensive description of the morphoanatomical, histological, and ultrastructural characteristics of the tongue in the desert hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus), and to correlate lingual modifications to the feeding lifestyle. Five adult male hedgehogs were utilized in our investigation. The macroscopic observations revealed elongated, with a moderately pointed apex, tongue and the tongue dorsum lacks both lingual prominence and median sulcus. The main subdivisions of the tongue are radix linguae (root), corpus linguae (body), and apex linguae (apex). The tongue dorsum carries two types of mechanical (conical and filiform) and gustatory (fungiform and circumvallate) papillae. The lingual apex is characterized by the existence of a unique encapsulated muscular structure. Additionally, the lingual glands were interposed between the muscular strands and no lingual glands were detected on the lingual apex. The dorsal surface of the lingual apex exhibited the highest level of keratinization as revealed by histochemical staining while the root showed moderate staining. The topography of the tongue was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The obtained results are important to provide basic knowledge that can contribute to better understanding of the nourishment, feeding habits and behavior in this species. Furthermore, the addition of the newly investigated species may help us to determine the evolutionary relationships among species. Highlights: The present study introduces the first description of the anatomical and microanatomical characteristics and tongue modifications in accordance with feeding preferences in the desert hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus).P. aethiopicus tongue dorsum lacks lingual prominence and median sulcus and mechanical and gustatory papillae are distributed on the tongue dorsum.The tongue characteristics seem to be conserved among other members of the family Erinaceidae as the feeding habits are the same, but there are some species‐specific differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of the methanolic extract of Mesembryanthemum forsskalii fruits extract against the hepatotoxicity of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) in mice at two different doses (low; 100 mg/kg BW and high; 500 mg/kg BW). The obtained results showed that CCl4 injection significantly reduced the body weights of mice and increased the relative liver weight. Treatment with M. forsskalii extract after CCl4 injection restores the weights of mice to the normal range and reduced the relative weight of the liver. Mice that were injected with CCl4 exhibited elevation in the liver enzymes; aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), reduction in the cholesterol content, and altered the architecture of the hepatic cells. Animals treated with M. forsskalii extract at a low dose after CCl4 administration enhanced the liver functions as evidenced by histological examination and liver enzymes analysis. Immunohistochemical investigation showed that the administration of M. forsskalii extract at a low dose downregulated the expression pattern of P53 and upregulated the expression of Bcl-2 in liver tissue. In conclusion, our findings indicated that the methanolic extract of M. forsskalii at a low dose (100 mg/kg BW) attenuated the hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 through upregulation of Bcl-2 expression and restoring liver enzymes to their normal range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the major salivary glands in the southern white‐breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) histologically and histochemically. Five adult males were included in this study. The results showed that anatomically the shape of the parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands of the Erinaceus concolor was respectively almost pear, elliptical to pyramidal and oval. Histologically, the parotid gland had serous acini and secretory cells showed negative reaction to alcian blue (AB) (pH = 2.5) and negative response to aldehyde fuchsin (AF), methylene blue (MB) and PAS stains. The submandibular gland was a mixed gland of mucous and serous acini. The mucous acini were strongly positive for PAS, AB, MB and AF. However, serous acini were week for PAS and negative against AB, MB and AF stains. The sublingual gland was purely composed of mucous acini. The mucous acini of the sublingual gland were strongly positives for PAS, AB and MB methods. While their reaction to the AF staining was negative. In conclusion, the histological and histochemical observations of the major salivary glands of the southern white‐breasted hedgehog (E. concolor) indicated that these glands shown similarities and some special different histochemical features as compared to other mammalian species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work was designed to investigate the microscopic structure of the oesophagus in the southern white‐breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) using histochemical staining, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and stereological procedures. Four adult males were included in our study. Serial sections of the entire length of the oesophagus were stained with aldehyde fuchsin, alcian blue (pH 2.5), Periodic acid Schiff (PAS), and Masson's trichrome. Then, the total volume of the oesophagus, and the total volume of its different layers, were estimated using Cavalieri's principle. The oesophageal epithelium was a non‐keratinized stratified squamous type. Muscularis mucosa was present as a thick layer between lamina propria and submucosa and its thickness was increased toward the stomach. Tunica submucosa was a loose connective tissue containing an oesophageal gland with PAS‐positive and AB‐positive reactions throughout the submucosa and become denser toward the stomach. The tunica muscularis consisted of two distinct striated muscle layers, and its thickness was decreased toward the stomach. On SEM images, the cervical and thoracic oesophagus showed shallow folding, while the abdominal part had deeper folds. The present findings indicate that the histological properties of the oesophagus in southern white‐breasted hedgehogs have slight similarities with rodents and considering its epithelium, submucosal glands and tunica muscularis more resemble with dog oesophagus. The obtained results may be quite helpful to improve the current knowledge of the histophysiology of the hedgehog gastrointestinal tract as a member of eulipotyplan mammals and as a pet for biologists and veterinarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This correction notice addresses an error in Figure 5 of the original publication titled "Ameliorative Effect of Heat-Killed Lactobacillus plantarum L.137 and/or Aloe vera against Colitis in Mice." The incorrect image in subfigure 5E has been replaced with the correct image. The authors assure that this correction does not affect the scientific conclusions of the study. The corrected figure is provided in the notice. [Extracted from the article]

The current study was designed to give complete histo‐and immunohistochemical features of the parabronchial epithelium of domestic fowl's (Gallus gallus domesticus) lung with special reference to Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and mean transmission electron microscope (TEM) features. The lung exhibited variable‐sized atrial openings encircled by exchange tissue zones. The parabronchial atrial chambers appeared as ovoid and polygonal‐shaped that separated by the well‐developed interatrial septum. The deep atrial lumens had blood vessels pierced by openings that represent the infundibula. The parabronchial blood capillaries meshwork was branched and exhibited ovoid‐shaped air capillaries with numerous extravasated blood vessels. By TEM, there were several air capillaries and groups of squamous and endothelial respiratory cells and the squamous cells had oval nucleus with evenly distributed chromatin. The endothelial respiratory cells had few microvilli on their free surfaces. The parabronchial tubes opened into a group of widened atria that had smooth muscle bundles at the interatrial septa. The atrial chambers led to narrow infundibula. Moreover, the lining epithelium of parabronchi, atria, infundibula, and air capillaries was formed by simple squamous epithelium. Air capillary walls were lined by two types of respiratory cells (Types‐I and II). Collagen fibers were concentrated within the tunica externa layers of the parabronchial blood vessels as well as, they were observed in CT interparabronchial septa. Immunohistochemically, the elastin immunoreactivity was detected around the parabronchial blood vessels, at the base of each parabronchial atria, and in the area encircling the alveolar‐capillary walls. Our work concluded that there are a relation between the fowl's lifestyle and the surrounding environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current investigation was accomplished to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of White tea and Raspberry Ketone against toxicity induced by acrylamide in rats. Sixty adult male rats were divided randomly into group (I) control; group (II) rats received RK with dose (6 mg/kg/day); Group III: rats received 5 ml of WT extract/kg/day; Group IV rats received AA (5 mg/kg/day); Group V: rats administrated with both AA (5 mg/kg/day) and RK (6 mg/kg/day) and Group VI: rats administrated AA (5 mg/kg/day) and 5 ml of WT extract/kg/day. The biochemical assays exhibited a significant increase in serum levels of Adiponectin, AST, ALT, ALP of the group treated with acrylamide if compared to the control group and an improvement in their levels of groups V and VI. The histopathological and immunohistochemical findings confirm the biochemical observations. In conclusion, the present investigation proved that the supplementation of WT and RK enhanced the liver histology, immunohistochemistry and biochemistry against the oxidative stress induced by acrylamide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

he morphology and histology of the tongue in two adult Asian bears were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Four types of papillae; filiform, conical, fungiform and vallate were observed on the dorsaum lingua. Numerous filiform papillae were visible on the lingual apex and body, while, fungiform papillae were scattered among them. The discoid-shaped fungiform papillae were more densely on the lingual apex. The filiform papillae were extended to the lateral margin of the lingual body. They were transformed into the conical papillae on the caudal part of the lingual body and root. Totally, 14-16 of spheroid and oval vallate papillae at different sizes were present on the root of the tongue. The foliate papillae were absent. Histological sections showed that the conical papillae represented a flat pyramidal shape with several slender accessory processes. The tongue was covered by a keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. A dense connective tissue composed the lamina propria and thick masses of striated muscles constituted the bulk of the tongue. The lamina propria didn’t penetrate completely into the filiform papillae of the lateral margin. Numerous forms of lingual salivary glands with seromucous secrations were intermingled with the lingual muscles in the lingual root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]