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.

A Contemporary View on the Anatomy of Parotid Gland

One of the up-to-date issues of contemporary medicine is the study of the features of individual anatomical structure variability of various organs. In recent years, the incidence of parotid gland diseases has been rising. This phenomenon can be associated with an absolute increase in this organ pathologies incidence as well as with the development of additional methods of examination and visualization of the gland. Most pathologies of major salivary glands, in particular the parotid gland, require surgical treatment. Knowledge of topographical relationship of the parotid gland with the adjacent vessels and nerve trunks is utterly necessary for planning and performing surgical interventions and reconstructive operations in the parotid region. According to the statistics, surgical interventions on the parotid gland take the leading place among the causes of damage to the facial nerve branches. This fact may also prove a large variation in the syntopy of the facial nerve and the parotid gland. The paper reviews the data of native and foreign literature on the anatomy of parotid gland and the place of radiation research methods in the study of its topographical and anatomical features. The analysis revealed a wide range of anatomical norm of parotid gland in many parameters, including shape, linear size, blood supply, and topographical features. The practice of using anthropometric studies aimed at structuring the existing knowledge and narrowing the borders of anatomical norm for various organs proved to be successful. However, in the pool of scientific papers, we have not found similar studies concerning parotid gland. The facts mentioned above make the background and justify further studies of parotid gland in the context of normal individual variability.

Correlation of Body Length and Certain Linear Parameters of the Tubular Bones of the Hand in Tajik Children and Adolescents

The intensifying integration processes between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan update creation of databases and development of regression models that allow determining the body length by individual bones in representatives of both genders of this ethnic group.The aim of the study was to verify application of regression equations to determine the body length in Tajik children and adolescents, aged 6–17, according to the linear parameters of the short tubular bones of the hand.Material and methods. There were performed osteometric studies of 251 X-ray images of the right hand to determine the body length of the examined individuals. Linear regression analysis was carried out to identify dependence of the body length on linear parameters of the short tubular bones of the hand. The quality of the regression was assessed through the coefficient of determination R2 and significance by the F-criterion. There were considered coefficients of determination higher than 0.8.Results. It was found that for boys the linear parameter of the length of the tubular bones of the hand was the best to predict the body length. When applying regression equations to determine the body length according to the length of the hand rays in boys, it was determined that the best results were obtained when applying a model developed for the bones of the 2nd and 4th hand rays. For Tajik girls, regression models that included parameters of the length and width of the tubular bones of the hand were more reliable. More reliable results for identifying the body length of Tajik children were obtained when regression models were developed separately for individuals of different genders.Conclusion. The results obtained demonstrated that osteometric parameters of the short tubular bones of the hand can be used to assess the body length of Tajik children and adolescents of both genders.

Comparative Immunohistochemical Characteristics of Thalamic Glioarchitectonics of Young and Senile Persons

The aim of the investigation was to establish morphological differences between the human thalamus in young and senile age by using an immunohistochemical marker – glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).Material and methods. The results of the sectional study of both thalami of 94 deceased of both sexes were analyzed. Depending on their age (young and senile), they were divided into two groups. The deceased had no history of diseases and injuries of the central and peripheral nervous system organs as well as alcohol and/or drug addiction, no macroscopic signs of brain tissue pathology were detected when material was taken for microscopic examination. Morphological characterization of thalamic tissue in both hemispheres of the large brain using hematoxylin and eosin staining was given. Immunohistochemical study of the samples used antibodies to GFAP.Results. Histological examination of the thalamus in both young and senile age revealed groups of irregularly arranged neuronal bodies with granular cytoplasm and swollen ectopic nuclei. When the immunohistochemical reaction was performed, the product of the reaction was distributed in the bodies and outgrowths of astrocytes. In young age, single bodies of fibrous astrocytes with a moderate number of poorly visualized outgrowths were found. At senile age, in addition to a statistically significant increase in the numerical density of fibrous astrocyte bodies (p<0.01), there is a clear increase in the number of their outgrowths.Conclusion. The results obtained provide a detailed insight into the morphological characteristics of the thalamic tissue of men and women at young and senile age. The use of antibodies to GFAP is a sensitive marker of age-related changes in thalamic cytoarchitectonics. The increase in the numerical density of astrocytes as well as the outgrowth of their processes allows a more precise understanding of age-related involution of nervous tissue, which will allow to use these data in future prospective basic research.

Somatotype as a Component of the Biological Determinant of Mental Health

The paper summarizes the results of the studies devoted to the impact of a person's constitutional features on his or her mental state. According to many anthropologists, human constitution is characterized not only by a specifics of metabolism level (muscle, fat and bone components of the body) and by a susceptibility to certain types of diseases, but also by psychophysiological features. Since biological health, including mental health, is generally determined by genetic and hereditary factors, the authors of the paper examine the possibility of considering the somatotype as a component of the biological determinant of mental health. To create the concept of a personalized approach that takes into account the relationship of somatotype and psychophysiological indicators in the educational process, the authors propose to conduct a study of the students' constitutional characteristics in combination with psychological testing.

The Macromicroscopic Anatomy and Microtopography of the Lower Jaw in Fetuses of 14–18 Weeks

In the article the features of anatomical structure and microtopography of the lower jaw of fetus at the age of 14–18 weeks were discussed. The relevance of the research is due to the prevalence of congenital pathology of the maxillofacial region, the possibilities of its early prenatal diagnosis and correction in connection with the development of fetal surgery.The aim of the research is to get new data of the macromicroscopic anatomy and microtopography of the lower jaw in fetuses of 14–18 weeks.Material and methods. The object of the research was the lower jaw of 40 male and female fetuses at the age of 14–18 weeks. The research was carried out using morphological methods and the method of ultrasound scanning. The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the lower jaw were studied.Results. The lower jaw of the fetus at the age of 14–18 weeks is already formed and has basic anatomical structures. The body, angle, ramus, condylar and coronoid processes, teeth anlages, which can be described on morphological preparations and studied using the method of ultrasound scanning, are defined in the lower jaw. In front of the lower jaw, soft tissues are located, their thickness varies from 2.1 to 3.9 mm. Behind the lower jaw, there is a slit space with a width of 0.3 to 1.5 mm, behind it the tongue and the oral part of the pharynx are situated. The latter has an irregular shape. In a fetus of 14-18 weeks, major salivary glands (parotid, sublingual and submandibular) are already formed and determined on different cuts. The length of the alveolar arch is 29.1±6.2 mm, the width of the lower jaw is 19.5±4.2 mm. At this time, the lower jaw can be presented by two anlages and a symphysis located along the median line. The symphysis on horizontal cut has a fusiform shape, it narrows to the outer and inner surfaces of the lower jaw. In the narrow part, its size varies from 0.1 to 0.4 mm, the extension in the central part is from 0.5 to 0.9 mm. In the lower jaw, the anlages of decidual teeth of an irregular shape are determined. The size of anlages varies from 1.3 to 2.3 mm, depending on the type of tooth. On some cuts under the anlage of primary tooth, it is possible to determine the anlage of permanent one. The significant bilateral and sex differences of human fetuses at the age of 14–18 weeks of intrauterine development were not revealed.Conclusion. The lower jaw of fetuses at the age of 14–18 weeks has all elements of the anatomical structure, with certain fetal features (incomplete accretion of the mandibular processes, anlages of decidual and permanent teeth, microtopographic relationships with adjacent anatomical structures). At this stage of development, there are no significant bilateral and sex differences. The use of various methodological approaches to the research of the qualitative and quantitative anatomy of the lower jaw makes it possible to detail and supplement the substantiation of approaches for fetal surgery.

Morphofunctional Changes in Peripheral Immune Organs in Space Flight and Weightlessness Modeling

Currently, there are many studies devoted to the problems of immunity in space flights. It has been proven that both short-term and long-term stay in space significantly reduces the immune function of the body. There are cases of the development of infectious diseases in astronauts during the flight, there is evidence of an increase in the activity of viruses and microorganisms that can affect the health of crew members. In the light of the upcoming expedition to Mars, it is especially important to study exactly what changes in the immune system can be triggered by prolonged stay in zero gravity and other factors of space flight and what preventive measures can help preserve the health of astronauts both during the flight itself and after its completion. The state of the immune system in space has been studied at various levels, from molecular to organ. There was a change in the morphological parameters of the immune system organs, violations of the ratio of their morpho-functional zones, and cellular composition. Various disorders in signaling pathways of differentiation, activation and death of immune system cells are shown. One of the most studied topics is the decrease in the activity of T-lymphocytes recorded by many researchers, however, even in this matter, the mechanisms of the violations occurring and their connection with the conditions of space flight have not been fully clarified. The relevance of methods for modeling microgravity conditions, such as various types of hanging, rotation on a clinostat, and immobilization is due both to their greater availability for research compared to space flights, and the importance of studying the role of various factors associated with flight in changes occurring in the human and animal bodies. This article presents an overview of publications devoted to a wide range of issues related to the state of the immune system in space flights and ground simulation conditions and attempts to combine the results of various levels of research – molecular, cellular and morphological.

Morphofunctional Features of the Thyroid Mast Cell Histotopography under Motor Activity

Dysfunction and pathology of the thyroid gland (TG) are inextricably related to structural and functional changes in the organ. It is known that the stroma of the thyroid gland contains mast cells (MCs) participating in adaptation processes.The aim of research was to study morphofunctional changes in MCs in various topographic zones of the canine thyroid gland in normal conditions and under muscular loads that cause structural transformations of the organ.Material and methods. The study involved digitized cross-sections of the central part of the right thyroid lobe of male dogs, aged 1.5 to 2 years. The animals were divided into the control (n = 16) and experimental groups (n = 67); they received single and multiple starting, training, extreme dynamic muscular loads with the heart rate control. MCs were detected using azure-eosin staining. Based on the results of the qualitative analysis, the histoscore coefficient was calculated. In the ImageJ program, the area of MCs and their average optical density were measured relative to the geometric center of the section in the central, intermediate and peripheral zones.Results. Muscle loads during single and multiple trainings resulted in a stereotyped MC response: a decrease (p <0.008) in their number, cross-sectional area, average optical density, and histoscore coefficient. The duration and frequency of exposure formed a wide range of responses, up to atypical. Involvement of the central zone was detected in 100% of cases, intermediate in 2/3 of cases and peripheral in 50%.Conclusion. MCs provide integration in the central, intermediate and peripheral zones of the thyroid gland, and the magnitude and frequency of impacts determine the severity and specificity of their morphofunctional changes.

Effect of Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles on Liver Morphology of Rats in Parenteral Administration

The issue of the potential safety of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SDNPs) remains relevant. In this connection, in order to use the unique capabilities of silicon nanostructures for biomedical purposes, as well as to level their toxic effects, a detailed study of these nanoparticles interaction with cells and tissues in vivo is required.The aim of the research is to reveal morphofunctional changes in a rat's liver after a single parenteral administration of 12 nm silicon dioxide nanoparticles for the period of six months.Material and methods. Using general histological and immunohistochemical methods to study the rats' liver after a single parenteral administration of 1 ml of silicon dioxide nanoparticles at a dose of 7 mg/kg of body weight at a concentration of 2 mg/ml. The sections of the rats' liver were studied by general histological and immunohistochemical methods after injection of 1mL of a SDNPs saline suspension at a concentration of 2 mg/mL (7mg/kg of body weight). Control animals were injected with 1 ml of saline solution. The material was collected in 21 days, 2, 4 and 6 months months after the administration of the SDNPs and it was fixed in 10% neutral formaldehyde.Results. The formation of granulomas in the liver on the 21st day of the experiment and an increase in the number of Kupfer cells were revealed. However, by the 2nd month of the experiment, the number of granulomas significantly decreases compared to the 21st day of the experiment and continues to decrease in subsequent periods. The average size of granulomas decreases during the 2nd month of the experiment and does not change during the subsequent periods of the experiment. After 6 months of the experiment, the morphofunctional state of the liver is characterized by slightly pronounced aseptic inflammation.Conclusion. A single parenteral administration of silicon dioxide nanoparticles causes pronounced aseptic inflammation of the liver, decreasing by the 6th month of the experiment. Connective tissue remodeling in the liver is not observed at all periods of the experiment.

Morphological Changes in the Somatosensory Cortex of Guinea Pigs Following Simulation of the Abdominal Surgery Wound

The aim of research was to study the effect of the abdominal wall injuries and ascorbic acid (AA) on morphometric parameters of the somatosensory cortex.Material and methods. The density of the arrangement of neurons, sizes of nuclei and perikaryons of neurons, density and area of blood vessels in the somatosensory cortex were detected in guinea pigs after simulation of the abdominal wall injury. The process was accompanied by the parenteral administration of AA.Results. Simulation of the abdominal wall injury in guinea pigs resulted in a decreased thickness of the somatosensory cortex and a decreased density of neurons arrangement (on average by 32-37%). In 7 days after the operation, the exposed animals demonstrated a decreased density of blood vessels by 14–18%, the size of blood vessels also decreased by 27–46%; the fact evidencing a deterioration in the blood supply to the somatosensory cortex in the postoperative period. The effect of AA was mainly manifested in the increased size of the nuclei and perikaryons of neurons (by 20–40%); this evidencing activation of their metabolic activity. The most significant changes in the studied parameters were observed in the outer granular and, to a lesser extent, in the pyramidal and inner granular cytoarchitectonic layers.Conclusion. Experimental abdominal surgical interventions resulted in a decreased size and density of blood vessels in the somatosensory cortex. The results obtained can be used to develop methods of postoperative rehabilitation with the inclusion of drugs that improve blood supply and metabolism of the brain neurons. AA potentiates some of the effects of surgery on the somatosensory cortex; currently, there are no sufficient data to recommend it as a neuroprotective agent in the postoperative period.