The amphibious teleost Giant mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri, Pallas 1770) inhabit
muddy plains and Asian mangrove forests. It spends more than 90% of its life outside of the
water, using its skin, gills, and buccal-pharyngeal cavity mucosa to breathe in oxygen from the
surrounding air. All vertebrates have been found to have mast cells (MCs), which are part of the
innate immune system. These cells are mostly found in the mucous membranes of the organs that
come in contact with the outside environment. According to their morphology, MCs have distinctive
cytoplasmic granules that are released during the degranulation process. Additionally, these cells
have antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that fight a variety of infections. Piscidins, hepcidins, defensins,
cathelicidins, and histonic peptides are examples of fish AMPs. Confocal microscopy was used in this
study to assess Piscidin1 expression in Giant Mudskipper branchial MCs. Our results demonstrated
the presence of MCs in the gills is highly positive for Piscidin1. Additionally, colocalized MCs labeled
with TLR2/5-HT and Piscidin1/5-HT supported our data. The expression of Piscidin1 in giant
mudskipper MCs highlights the involvement of this peptide in the orchestration of teleost immunity,
advancing the knowledge of the defense system of this fish.

This study was conducted on 16 adult specimens of molly fish (Poecilia sphenops) to investigate
ependymal cells (ECs) and their role in neurogenesis using ultrastructural examination and
immunohistochemistry. The ECs lined the ventral and lateral surfaces of the optic ventricle and their
processes extended through the tectal laminae and ended at the surface of the tectum as a subpial
end-foot. Two cell types of ECs were identified: cuboidal non-ciliated (5.68  0.84/100 m2) and
columnar ciliated (EC3.22  0.71/100 m2). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed two types of
GFAP immunoreactive cells: ECs and astrocytes. The ECs showed the expression of IL-1, APG5,
and Nfr2. Moreover, ECs showed immunostaining for myostatin, S100, and SOX9 in their cytoplasmic
processes. The proliferative activity of the neighboring stem cells was also distinct. The most
interesting finding in this study was the glia–neuron interaction, where the processes of ECs met the
progenitor neuronal cells in the ependymal area of the ventricular wall. These cells showed bundles
of intermediate filaments in their processes and basal poles and were connected by desmosomes,
followed by gap junctions. Many membrane-bounded vesicles could be demonstrated on the surface
of the ciliated ECs that contained neurosecretion. The abluminal and lateral cell surfaces of ECs
showed pinocytotic activities with many coated vesicles, while their apical cytoplasm contained
centrioles. The occurrence of stem cells in close position to the ECs, and the presence of bundles of
generating axons in direct contact with these stem cells indicate the role of ECs in neurogenesis. The
TEM results revealed the presence of neural stem cells in a close position to the ECs, in addition to
the presence of bundles of generating axons in direct contact with these stem cells. The present study
indicates the role of ECs in neurogenesis.

The immune system of a fish has cellular and molecular defense mechanisms that are
substantially retained throughout the evolution of vertebrates. The innate immune system provides
biological processes, such as phagocytosis and mechanical barriers, to implement an efficient defensive
response after exposure to chemical or biological contaminants, pollutants, and contact with
parasites, germs, and pathogens. Club cells (CCs) are widespread in the skin of Ostariophysi. After
a predator attack or exposure to toxins and parasites, these cells can produce alarming substances.
Given their effectiveness against viruses, parasites, and common skin lesions, recent studies have
suggested that CCs are a component of the immune system. This study aims to immunohistochemically
characterize the CCs for the first time in the skin of zebrafish, using mitogen-activated
protein kinase (MAPK) p38, Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, Piscidin1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase
(iNOS) peptides involved in the function of all types of vertebrate immune cells. According to our
analysis, the intermediate layer of the epidermis exhibited rounded, oval, and elongated CCs, with
central acidophilic cytoplasm and a spherical basophilic nucleus, that are positive to the antibodies
tested. Our results may confirm that CCs could be involved in the immune function, increasing our
knowledge of the immune system of teleosts.

Objectives

The increase in pharmaceutical drug consumption and the presence of these drugs in the environment causes concern about their effects. Due to the prevalence of metformin in surface and waste waters, this study investigated its 7 day chronic toxicity. Typically, metformin is prescribed with other medications to control blood sugar levels and achieve healthy HbA1c (hemoglobin) levels for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

Accordingly, the effect of metformin on catfish (Clarias gariepinus) following exposure and post-exposure recovery was evaluated using blood indices as biomarkers for hematotoxicity, electrolytes imbalance, oxidative stress, and immunosuppression. The first group was a control group, the second group was exposed to 10 mg/L of metformin, and the third group was exposed to 50 mg/L of metformin for 7 days, followed by a 15-day recovery period. Hemotoxic effects of the …

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a progressive loss of renal function that lead to reduced sodium filtration and inappropriate suppression of tubular reabsorption that ultimately leads to volume expansion. The aim of this study was to study the efficacy of furosemide and tadalafil nanoforms compared to conventional forms against adenine-induced CRF rat-model. Addition of 0.75% adenine to the diet of rats for 4 weeks gained general acceptance as a model to study kidney damage as this intervention mimicked most of the structural and functional changes seen in human chronic kidney disease Urine analysis, histopathological changes and immunohistochemical expression of caspase-3 and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in renal tissues were performed. Our results showed that the combination of tadalafil and furosemide using conventional and nanoparticle formulations had better renoprotective effect than individual drugs. This was demonstrated by improvement of urinary, serum and renal tissue markers as indicative of organ damage. This was also reflected on the reduction of tubular expression of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Immunohistochemical studies showed that the deteriorated renal cellular changes indicated by increased expression of caspase-3 and IL-1β were greatly improved by the combined treatment particularly with the nanoforms. The nanoforms of both furosemide and tadalafil had greater renopreventive effects compared with conventional forms against adenine-induced CRF in rats.

Background:   The scope of using controlled intra-vaginal drug releasers (CIDR) in the camel industry was small relative to that of cow, sheep, and goat.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of intramuscular injection of AD3E (25 ml/400 kg) as a premedication protocol before CIDR treatment on ovarian hormones profile and calving rate in dromedary she-camels (Camelus dromedarius) through measuring concentrations of progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) before, during, and after CIDR use.
Methods: The study was conducted on she-camels (C. dromedarius) (n = 24) aged between 6 and 14 years. The animals were assigned into two equal groups: CIDR treated group (CIDRgr) and AD3E plus CIDR treated group (CIDR+gr).
Results: Except for hemoglobin, the clinical and hematological findings showed no remarkable change either within each independent group or between CIDRgr and CIDR+gr. Serum P4 and E2 concentrations differed significantly between the first 7 days (during CIDR use) and days from 9 to 15 (after CIDR use) in dromedary camels. Serum concentrations of P4 and E2 showed significant elevation at CIDR+gr at day 0 compared with CIDRgr. This significant increase in serum of P4 and E2 at CIDR+gr compared to those of CIDRgr was also observed either during CIDR use (days 3, 5, and 7) or after CIDR use (days 9, 11, 13, and 15). During CIDR use, serum concentrations of P4 were negatively correlated with those of E2 either in CIDRgr or CIDR+gr, however, they were positively correlated after CIDR removal either in CIDRgror CIDR+gr. Regarding the calving rate, it was highest in CIDR+gr whereas CIDRgr showed the lowest one.
Conclusion: It was concluded that the AD3E pretreatment protocol of she-camels before insertion of CIDR could be used successfully during the breeding season to improve fertility in she-camels whereas the serum ovarian hormones profile and calving rates were clearly changed due to pretreatment of she-camels with AD3E before CIDR insertion.
Keywords: Camel estrus synchronization, AD3E, CIDR, Calving rates, Ovarian hormones.