Major Regularities of Transformation of the Small Mammal Ovaries in Unfavourable Environmental Conditions: Ecological and Morphological Aspects

The aim of the study was to determine the patterns of structural and functional organization of the ovaries of female small mammals inhabiting technogenically altered ecosystems.Material and methods. We studied the ovaries of small mammal species belonging to the insectivore and rodent families (common shrew, field and pygmy wood mice, common and bank voles, mole vole, steppe pied) that live in anthropogenically altered ecosystems (zones of influence of ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy, as well as gas processing factory). The resulting material was processed using observational histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical and morphometric tests.Results. The results obtained demonstrated that in technogenically altered ecosystems the intensified reproduction results in a complex of morphofunctional reactive and adaptive changes in the ovaries of females of the studied species. The size of the ovaries was reduced; the area of the cortical substance was reduced. In the cortex, there was revealed a decrease in the number of follicles varying over a wide range - from a moderate decrease to their almost complete absence. There was found a decrease in the area of the vessels of the microvasculature; this was one of the major reasons for the increased follicular atresia. In follicles of various types, there was an increase in the proportion of cells expressing the proapoptotic protein P53. A decrease in the number of follicles resulted in the connective tissue overgrowth. The presence of cysts lined with epithelium of various heights was revealed in the cortex and medulla. Conclusion. The results obtained evidence that in technogenically altered ecosystems a decreased ovarian reserve is observed in the ovaries of female small mammals; it is associated with a more rapid depletion of the follicle reserve in the cortex due to both - intensification of reproduction and more rapid death of follicles in unfavourable environmental conditions.

Comparing the effects of surgical treatment and chemotherapy on the thymus structure in experimental breast cancer

Цель исследования - выявление структурных преобразований тимуса самок крыс Вистар при хирургическом лечении рака молочной железы и при химиотерапии. Методика. Рак молочной железы (РМЖ) индуцировали введением N-метил-N-нитрозомочевины 5 раз с интервалом 7 сут подкожно в область 2-й молочной железы справа. Оперативное лечение РМЖ проводили через 6 мес от момента индукции РМЖ. Курс химиотерапии проводили по схеме CMF. Гистологическое исследование тимуса и опухоли молочной железы проводили по стандартной методике. Методом точечного счёта производили морфометрию срезов и подсчет клеточных элементов в опухоли и структурно-функциональных зонах тимуса. Результаты. При РМЖ без лечения выявлены структурные признаки акцидентальной инволюции тимуса. После оперативного лечения РМЖ акцидентальная инволюция тимуса менее выражена по сравнению с химиотерапией. После оперативного лечения РМЖ, как и в группе РМЖ без лечения, в тимусе сохраняется уменьшение площади коркового вещества. По сравнению с РМЖ без лечения в тимусе уменьшалась площадь железистых эпителиальных образований, увеличилась плотность расположения клеточных элементов в корковом веществе. В структурных зонах тимуса увеличивалось количество макрофагов, снижалось количество клеток с пикнотичными ядрами. После химиотерапии, по сравнению с резекцией опухоли МЖ, в тимусе выявлены структурные признаки прогрессирования процесса инволюции. В тимусе уменьшена площадь соединительно-тканных элементов, снижено количество митозов в субкапсулярной зоне коркового вещества. Во всех исследуемых зонах увеличено количество клеток с пикнотичными ядрами и уменьшено число макрофагов. Заключение. После оперативного лечения РМЖ акцидентальная инволюция тимуса проявляется в менее выраженной форме, чем в группе с РМЖ без лечения. После химиотерапии РМЖ, по сравнению с оперативным лечением РМЖ, морфологические перестройки в тимусе свидетельствуют о снижении активности лимфоидного и эпителиального компонентов и увеличении числа гибнущих клеток. Aim. To identify structural changes in the thymus of female Wistar rats during surgical treatment of breast cancer or with chemotherapy. Methods. Breast cancer (BC) was induced by subcutaneous injection of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea into the second right breast 5 times at 7 day intervals. Resection of BC was performed 6 mos after BC induction, or chemotherapy was administered according to the CMF scheme. Histological examination of the thymus and breast tumor was performed according to a standard method. Morphometric study of sections and counting cell elements in the tumor and in structural and functional areas of the thymus were performed by point counting. Results. In untreated BC, structural signs of accidental thymus involution were evident. There was an increase in the area of connective tissue elements and of glandular epithelial tumors. After surgical treatment of BC, accidental thymus involution was less pronounced than after chemotherapy. Also after surgical treatment, as in the case of untreated BC, the thymus cortical substance remained decreased. Compared with untreated BC, the area of glandular epithelial tumors in the thymus decreased, and the density of cellular elements in the cortical substance increased. In the structural zones of the thymus, the number of macrophages increased, and the number of cells with pyknotic nuclei decreased. After chemotherapy, in comparison with surgical treatment, structural signs of involution of the thymus were evident. In the thymus, the area of connective tissue elements was reduced, and the number of mitotically dividing cells in the subcapsular zone of the cortical substance was reduced. In all the zones of the thymus, the number of cells with pyknotic nuclei increased, and the number of macrophages decreased. Conclusion. After surgical treatment of BC, accidental thymus involution was less pronounced than in the untreated group. After chemotherapy, compared with surgical treatment of BC, morphological changes in the thymus may indicate a decrease in the activity of the lymphoid and epithelial components and an increase in the number of dying cells.

Linking a Gene Cluster to Atranorin, a Major Cortical Substance of Lichens, through Genetic Dereplication and Heterologous Expression

Lichens play significant roles in ecosystem function and comprise about 20% of all known fungi. Polyketide-derived natural products accumulate in the cortical and medullary layers of lichen thalli, some of which play key roles in protection from biotic and abiotic stresses (e.g., herbivore attacks and UV irradiation).

Immunuhistochemical features of the ovaries’ structure in case of fetuses with a gestational term of 21-28 weeks from mother, whose pregnancy was complicated by chronic infections of lower genital tracts

The following article presents results of the complex research on postulation of immunohistochemical features of the ovaries’ structure in case of fetuses with a gestational term of 21-28 weeks from mothers with HILGT comparing to ones in case of fetuses from mothers with a physiological pregnancy. The materials of the research are: 25 fetuses from mothers with HILGT as well as 25 fetuses from mothers with physiological pregnancy. All fetuses had died antenatally and inranatally, as a result of violation of uteroplacental and umbilical-uterine circulation. Research methods: macroscopic, organometric, histological, immunohistochemical, morphometric, statistical. The organometric method revealed a clear decrease of main indexes of the fetuses’ ovaries from mothers with a complicated pregnancy comparing to ones in case of organs of fetuses from healthy mothers. Morphometric method revealed a clear decrease of a relative volume of cortical substance as well as a clear increase of a relative volume of brain substance in the gonads of fetuses from the main group; as well as it showed a clear decrease of an index of follicular tissue’ relative volume, likewise a clear increase of an index of interstitial component relative volume.The staining by picrofuxin by van Gieson method revealed a massive growth of the connective tissue in all strucutral components of organs of fetuses from mothers with HILGT relatively to gonads of fetuses from healthy mothers. Using of MCAT to main types of collagens allowed to reveal a violation of maturation of main types of collagens in the structure of connective tissue of fetal gonads in the main group. In the follicular component of the fetuses’ ovaries in the main group are appearing mature, cystic-artretic and growing forms of follicles. Immunohistochemical method revealed an increased number of an apoptotically altered eggs in the ovaries of fetuses from mothers with HILGT comparing to one in organs of fetuses from mothers with physiological pregnancy. The peroxidase method revealed an increased endotheline-producing activity of the vascular component as arterial, like a venous type; likewise a clear decrease of the hormone-producing activity in the ovaries of fetuses from mothers with HILGT comparing to such indexes in fetal organs of fetuses from mothers with physiological pregnancy. The complex of changes in the ovaries of fetuses with a 21-28 weeks of gestational term, which was described, was formed under the influence of the chronic hypoxia, prolonged antigenic stimulation as well as hormonal violations in the mother-placenta-fetus system, which is a leading link of the infectious pathology’ pathogenesis. The aforementioned complex of the structural and functional changes in the ovaries of fetuses from mothers with HILGT in a gestational term of 21-28 weeks indicates violations in implementation and formation of the fetal gonads, as well as it could further lead to disorders of the germinal function in the female organism.

Immunomorphological rationale for the use of beekeeping products to improve the productivity of quails

The effectiveness and high degree of biological effect of dead bees extract in medium doses on the nature and degree of morphofunctional rearrangements in the immunocompetent structures of the central and peripheral immune organs and immunocytological reactions in them have been established. A scientifically based scheme for the use of dead bees extract is proposed to improve the livability of livestock, increase live weight and improve the biochemical indicators of the quality of quail meat. Dead bees extract in low and especially in medium doses increase the production of the red bone marrow cells of the granular germ of white blood cells by 22,2 and 25,6 %, lymphoid cells by 4,7 and 6,9 %, erythroid germ by 2,3 and 11,0 %. Under the action of dead bees extract in the Fabricius bag quail strengthens the processes of maturation and differentiation of B-lymphocytes, which is manifested by extension immunocompetent cortical area in the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups (30 and 60 days of experiment by 10,4 and 22,1 % and 12,3 and 24,3 %, respectively), a reduction in brain area. The increase in the weight of the Fabricius bag (despite its general involution) in the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups on 30 and 60 days was 1,24 and 1,47, 2,59 and 3,0 times, respectively. In the thymus of quails under the influence of low and medium doses of dead bees extract the intensifi cation of maturation and differentiation of T-lymphocytes, resulting in the expansion of the cortical substance on 30, 60 and 90 days of 1,55 and 1,62, 1,42 and 1,73, 1,61 and 1,95 times, respectively, against the background of the depletion of brain matter, in excess of the thymus weight (with its expressed total involution) by 1,32 and 1,42, by 1,38 and 1,5, by 1,24 and 1,34 times, respectively. Dead bees extract activates the processes of antibody formation, increasing the immunological activity of the spleen in the form of expansion of the area of lymph nodes without light centers in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th experimental groups by 1,39, 1,83 and 1,5 times, respectively, and with light centers by 1,57, 1,79 and 1,19 times (B-zone). It increases the area of the perivascular lymphoid coupling (T-zone) by 1,5, 1,8 and 1,28 times, respectively, activates immunocytological reactions, increases the weight of the spleen of quails. The live weight of the males of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th experimental groups exceeded the control by 27,6, 31,8 and 18,9 g, and the females by 17,6, 27,7 and 9,9 g, respectively. The livability of livestock in the control group was 78,0 %, in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th experimental groups 89,0, 95,0 and 85,0 %, respectively.

Characteristic of Connective Tissue Fibers and Myofibroblasts Interstitium of the Kidneys in Rats Offspring Born to Females with Experimental Metabolic Syndrome

According to a number of studies, it is known that a woman's diet during pregnancy may be one of factors in the violation of nephrogenesis. Obesity in pregnancy may increase markers of fibrosis and the accumulation of extracellular matrix in the kidneys. The purpose of the study is to investigate the dynamics of the content of collagen fibers and myofibroblasts in the cortical and medulla of the kidneys of rat offspring. Materials and methods. The research was based according to the international bioethical regulations, 120 albino rats were involved in the study. The first group is experimental (MC-1): rats born to females with an experimental metabolic syndrome and after the start of self-feeding received a high-calorie diet up to 120 days of age. The second group is experimental (MC-2): rats that were obtained from females with an experimental metabolic syndrome, but after switching to self-feeding received a standard diet. The third group is a control group of rats with a standard diet and water regime ad libitum. Mason-tricolor histochemical staining was used to determine collagen fibers, and immunohistochemical reaction using mouse Smooth Muscle Actin monoclonal antibodies (αSMA) was used to detect myofibroblasts. Results and discussion. It was found that the content of collagen fibers in the kidneys of the studied groups gradually increases with increasing of observation period, reaching maximum values on the 120th day of the study, with a statistically significant predominance of values in animals of group MC-1 over control animals in cortical and cerebral matter. Also, control and experimental groups are characterized by a gradual increase in the relative area occupied by αSMA+ cells from the total area of the organ, with maximum values at the end of the study. At the same time, there was a statistically significant predominance of the experimental groups MC-1 and MC-2 in the cortical substance in comparison with control animals. Conclusion. The gradual growth of collagen fibers in the cortical and cerebral substance is probably associated with an increase in the content of αSMA+ myofibroblasts, which according to research are markers of fibrosis

Peculiarities of the effects of a high-calorie diet on the structural components of the lymph nodes and under melatonin correction

Obesity is a chronic recurrent disease that is manifested by excess accumulation of adipose tissue and is a consequence of an imbalance in energy utilization and consumption in persons with or without hereditary predisposition. The purpose of the study is to study the morphometric and histological changes of the parenchyma of the lymph nodes of rats in experimental obesity and under the conditions of melatonin correction. The study was performed on 66 white rats of reproductive age. Microanatomy of the structural components of lymph nodes of white rats under physiological norms was examined in 10 intact animals. Experimental animals were divided into 4 groups. Eight weeks after the experimental animals were on a high calorie diet (HCD), there was a significant decrease in the relative area of the cortical substance in the parenchyma of the lymph nodes of white rats of males and females by 10.3% and 8.3%, respectively, and an increase in the relative area of the medullary substance by 16.1% and 13.2%, respectively, compared to an intact group of animals. The relative area of the cortical substance in the parenchyma of the lymph nodes of white rats, which were for two weeks on HCD, then six weeks on HCD and melatonin, exceeds the parameters of the intact group of animals by only 3.2% in males and 3.5% in females. The relative area of the medullary substance is less than that of the intact group of animals by 5.0% in males and 5.5% in females. Under the conditions of melatonin correction it is found that the germinal centers of the secondary lymph nodes in the cortical substance are slightly increased. Trabecules extending from the capsule are clearly expressed and thickened, while arteries and arterioles show thickened walls and are full-blooded. Moreover, the veins are enlarged and full-blooded.

On the casuistry of progressive paralysis (several cases with acute and prolonged course)

28 / VII. The patient died at 6.30 am. Opening 28 / VII. Great emaciation; stiffness is poorly expressed; on the sacrum and on the right trochanter bedsores. The bones of the cranial vault are thickened, diple is almost absent. Dura mater is spliced ​​in some places with the inner surface of the vault and with the pia mater. The last one is thickened, cloudy (milky stripes), it is removed from the surface of the brain with great difficulty. Brain weight 1397.0; its substance is edematous; the cortical substance is anemic, atrophied; the lateral ventricles are dilated with a large amount of serous fluid. In the internal organs, except for the expansion of the lower lobes of both lungs, no pathological changes were noted.

MORPHOMETRIC AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC CHANGES OF STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF LYMPH NODES DURING CORRECTION OF THE ACTION OF SODIUM GLUTAMATE WITH ORLISTAT

The aim: To study morphometric and electron microscopic changes in the parenchyma of rat lymph nodes under the action of sodium glutamate and its correction by orlistat. Materials and methods: The article presents and analyzes the data of an experimental study conducted on 66 white male rats and females of reproductive age. Experimental animals are divided into 4 groups. Results: After six weeks of exposure to monosodium glutamate, there was a significant decrease in the relative area of the cortical substance in the lymph nodes of white male and female rats by 11.95% and 9.31% and, respectively, an increase in the relative area of the medullary substance by 18.76% and 14.7% in compared with an intact group of animals. After six weeks of sodium glutamate and the next six weeks of the standard diet of vivarium and orlistat, the relative area of the cortical substance in the lymph node parenchyma was 2.55% and 0.38% more than the parameters of the intact group of animals, respectively. Accordingly, the relative area of the medullary substance decreased and was 4.01% and 0.59% less compared to the intact group of animals. Conclusions: Electron microscopic examination showed that monosodium glutamate causes changes in the parenchyma of the lymph nodes as in a high-calorie diet. The introduction of orlistat (xenical) leads to a partial restoration of the structural organization, and hence the function of this organ.