Anatomical Sciences Journal
Volume:11 Issue: 4, Autumn 2014

Nitric oxide (NO), as a free radical, involves in several physiologic functions in GI tract such as nerve impulse transmission and vascular tonicity regulation. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is the enzyme for the production of NO from L-Arginine which in turn inhibits by L-NGNitroarginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME). In the current work, we aimed to evaluate morphometric analysis of duodenum under exposure of L-Arginine and L-NAME in female Wistar rats. In this study, 5 groups (N=8) of 40 female rats (200-250 g, 8 weeks age) were chosen. Normal saline (2 mL/kg), L-Arginine (200 mg/kg), L-NAME (20 mg/kg) and L-Arginine+LNAME (with the same doses) were administered intraperitoneal — for 3 days. After 2 weeks, samples were collected, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and observed under light microscopy. Duodenal epithelial cell height and number, gland diameter, and submucosal and muscular thicknesses were measured using optical software and analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test using SPSS-16. P≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. There were no significant changes in mean variables compared to the control group. The results attested no noticeable changes in regard with the effects of L-arginine and L-NAME on duodenum parameters despite the major roles of NO in GI tract.

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique permits to monitor the development of the embryo in vivo without causing any developmental defects. Although increasing application of MRI imaging are predicted in veterinary sciences, there is little information available about MRI studies of avian embryos and their eggs. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the ostrich embryonic development in the first 18 days of incubation using the MRI technique. Fertilized and unfertilized ostrich eggs were incubated in standard condition. The eggs were removed from the incubator on days 2 to 18 post-incubation and exposed to 1.5 Tesla magnetic fields. The results showed that the structures of unfertilized eggs remained fairly constant over the 18 days of incubation but it was a significant change in fertilized eggs from 4th day. At early stages, the considerable structures of the eggs such as wight/yellow yolk, albumen, air cell, latebra and neck of the lateral were revealed very clearly but the embryo and blood vessels could not be visualized until the day 6 post-incubation. Some details, such as eyes and amniotic sac, were also seen on day 10 of development. At later stages, the spherical shape of the yolk becomes completely distorted, it was distributed across the middle of the egg and the yellow and white yolk layers were disappeared. Based on the findings, it is concluded that MRI is a suitable technique for following the development of a live ostrich embryo and its egg components at the first half of the incubation period.

Anthropometry (morphometry of the human) is measurement of linear and angular dimensions of the human body. Since the anthropometric parameters which are based on age, sex, geographical location and ethnic characteristics of the human species are different, therefore, anthropometric studies of population by age and sex should be done separately. In this study, anthropometric measurements lips and different patterns of lip line were studied in 133 males (4-40 years) with Persian ethnic who were living in Mashhad. These persons had no inflammation, herpes, malformations such as cleft lip, and surgery history in lib and jaw. Lip full-face photos were taken using a digital camera (Nikon, 12.3 Mega Pixels). Anthropometric measurements of mouth width (ch-ch); width of philtrum (cph-cph); height of the total lip ((ls-li;) the entire lip area (total area) were measured on computer by MIP software. Data were evaluated statistically using SPSS, polynomial regression and ANOVA models (P<0.001). There was a significant correlation between age and parameters of the mouth width, lips height to nose and total area of the lip. Conclussion: Considering significant relationship between the quantities investigated and age, we can use anthropometric data of lips in many fields including medical, criminal, etc. By comparing this study with other studies, it can be concluded that there is the most similarity in the size of lip of Persian men in Mashhad with men living in India. It is hoped that in the similar future studies, extensive statistical societies be prepared in each races of Turks, Baluchis, Kurds in order to complete anthropometric database of lip in Iranian Persian ethnics.

Cardiac glycosides such as digoxin or digitoxin are the natural products that are traditionally used to increase cardiac contractile force in patients with heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias. It has been shown that digoxin can directly inhibit the cell proliferation and lead to cell apoptosis. Present study was conducted to analyze the effect of digoxin in the cohorts of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) -based therapy. MSCs were cultured and treated with different concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 μM) of digoxin for 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours. MTT assay was performed to study cell viability and proliferation. After 24 and 48 hours, cell viability was significantly decreased in 20, 30 and 40 μM concentrations (P<0.05), but significant decline in cell viability was observed only in 40 μM after 12 hours (P<0.05). After 6 hours, cell viability of experimental groups had no significant differences toward control group (P>0.05). It is suggested that digoxin may lead to decline in cell survival ability and increase in cell apoptosis in a dose-time dependent pattern. It is recommended to consider application of glycosoids in concurrence with stem cell therapy.

To examine the effects of opium dependence and cigarette smoking on semen quality and sperm parameters, the semen quality of men who abuse opiates and/or smoke cigarettes was investigated in a retrospective study. Male partners of 1325 infertile couples attending the infertility clinic for intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure were divided into non-smoking non-opium (NS/NO), smoking and non-opium (S/NO), non-smoking and opium (NS/O), smoking and opium (S/O), and opium dependence regardless of smoking status (O/RS) groups. Two samples were collected from each subject and were analyzed in accordance to WHO criteria. Subjects in different groups were comparable regarding mean age, duration of abstinence, and familial history of infertility, whereas duration of infertility was longer in all groups than in NS/NO group (P<0.05). The volume of semen, liquefaction time and pH differed significantly between S/NO and NS/NO groups (P<0.05). In addition, more men in S/NO group were diagnosed to be teratozoospermic than other groups (P=0.018). Sperm progression was significantly lower in NS/O than in NS/NO group (P<0.05). These findings suggest that opium dependence and cigarette smoking alter semen and sperm production and quality differently.

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a new method that is able to provide three-dimensional images in radiology and is useful for dentomaxillofacial imaging. This study aimed to investigate the cases administrated CBCT by dentists of Kerman (2015 year). This cross-sectional study was conducted on dentists in Kerman. The data were gathered using standard research questionnaires containing 20 questions about the CBCT prescription and 10-question on diagnostic value of CBCT with intraoral radiographs and other information regarding the participants (age, sex, job, participate in the retraining of radiology, retraining courses, radiation protection). Data was analyzed by T test, regression and SPSS 18. Among 182 participants, 107 (52.26%) were male and the rest were female with an average age of 37.16±8.93 years. The mean score of the questions of CBCT was 75.75±3.43, and the diagnostic value of the study was 16.17±2.15. The value of questions was statistically significant between general practitioners and specialists (P=0.01). There was no difference between men and women in the administration of CBCT. The difference between male and female dentists for diagnostic value of CBCT and other X-ray was statistically significant (P=0.029). Between continuing medical education courses, retraining radiology, radiation protection programs, CBCT and diagnostic value with other radiological statistically significant correlation was observed. The results of this study showed that knowledge of dentists in the administration of CBCT and its diagnostic value with other X-rays was satisfactory.

Awareness of the presence of the accessory renal artery in kidney transplant, treatment of renal artery stenosis, clinical assessment of renal vascular hypertension, radiology and angiography interventions is very helpful. In 30% of cases the accessory renal artery is separated from the abdominal aorta and in most cases, this artery along with the main artery entered to the kidney through the hilum. This report is related to the accessory renal artery that was observed during dissection.

Vertebral artery is the first branch of subclavian artery. It merges with the same artery of the opposite side to form basilar artery and becomes one of the important source of blood supply to the brain. Variation in the origin of left vertebral artery was found in 65 year old female during magnetic resonance angiography of the neck vessels. It originated from aortic arch and was longer as compared with the right vertebral artery. Its further course was as usual. Awareness of such variations is important in supra-aortic vascular surgery and is clinically significant during diagnostic procedures like angiographi.