R. F. Sis

Cemental Annulation as an Age Criterion in Forensic Dentistry

Intact teeth were obtained from three cadavers of known age 57, 67, and 76 years, respectively. Cross-sections 100-150 μm thick were taken from the roots using a diamond saw. Individual sections were stained, mounted on glass slides, and photographed on a light microscope. The usual number of years for the eruption of any particular tooth were added to the annulation count to determine the estimated age for that cadaver.

Ultrastructure of the hepatopancreas of the Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei (Crustacea: Decapoda)

Fourteen specimens of the hepatopancreas of the Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei , were prepared for examination with the transmission and scanning electron microscopes and with the light microscope. The histology and ultrastructure of this organ is similar to that seen in other Decapoda. At the ultrastructural level, it was observed that B-cells rupture at approximately the level of gap junctions located on the lateral plasma membranes of the cells, and discharge the contents of their large vacuoles into the intercellular space. This efflux of enzymatic material may be the mechanism by which cells are released from the wall of the tubule at the proximal end: the rupture and collapse of a B-cell may be analagous to the removal of the keystone which supports an arch. Deprived of support, and lacking structural adaptations for cohesion (there are no desmosomes or interdigitations in the epithelium) and with the intercellular material digested, the remaining intact cells collapse into the lumen of the tubule. The lysis of individual cells of all types - R-, F-, and B-cells - may contribute to the tubules’ total complement of digestive enzymes.

Blood chemistry of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) maintained in an indoor-outdoor environment: primate comparisons

Blood chemistry values were collected over a three-year period from at least 10 colony-born and 24 wild-born apparently normal common marmosets. BUN, SGOT, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric and glucose values were determined. A statistical comparison of baseline values was made between wild-born, colony-born, male and female marmosets. Also the same comparison was made between common marmosets and cotton-top tamarins, white lipped tamarins and human subjects.

Hematology of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

The hematology of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) was investigated to provide reference values for the normal animal. Red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, hemoglobins, mean cell volumes and differential white blood cell mean values were determined for Texas A&M colony-born animals and those obtained from the wild. The analyses were completed on 31 animals, three times each, for a total of 93 analyses, which included 16 colony-born and 15 wild-born marmosets. The hematological mean values found for marmosets were similar to those mean values reported for humans. The ranges for the hematology values were much narrower in the colony-born marmosets, and the average white blood cell count was significantly lower in these animals. This indicated that it is possible to produce and maintain a more uniform animal in the colony environment and, consequently, these animals are more suitable than wild-born animals for use as models for human research.

Carbohydrate tolerance, serum albumin and protein values of normal and “waster” marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

The major objective of this study was to establish standard glucose and lactose tolerance curves for the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). These data were utilized to establish criteria for detection of abnormal glucose tolerance and characterization of some aspects of the “marmoset wasting syndrome” which has been observed in this species. Glucose and lactose tolerance tests were performed on healthy animals and typical “marmoset wasters.” Eighteen normal animals were 18 to 36 months old and weighed 194–280 g. Six “wasters” were in the age range of 24 to 84 months and weighed 163–253 g. Seven experiments were carried out for each glucose tolerance test. In each trial it was observed that the serum glucose concentration (SGC) of the healthy animal after 90 min was two times higher than the pre-administration concentrations. The SGC returned to the pre-administration concentration within 150–300 min in animals administered glucose at dosages of 2 g/kg and 1 g/kg of body weight. However, at the dosage level of 5 g/kg body weight, the SGC of the animals tripled after 30 min and required 300 min to return to the pre-administration level. The 2 g/kg dosage level was chosen as typical. When similar experiments were conducted with animals identified as “chronic wasters,” all of the animals except one were observed to be inefficient in the absorption of glucose. When lactose was administered at a level of 4 g/kg, similar results were obtained.Normal and “waster” marmosets were also subjected to serum total protein, albumin and electrophoresis determinations in an effort to establish additional criteria that may be utilized in the identification of the “marmoset wasting” syndrome. Serum albumin was significantly higher in the “waster” marmosets 30 min following an oral administration of glucose than was observed in normal animals. Total protein values were not significantly lower in the “wasters” when subjected to the same tolerance test. The albumin level in normal animals was not affected by similar glucose tolerance tests. The electrophoretic patterns of serum protein for normal animals exhibited more bands than was observed in patterns of serum protein for “waster” marmosets. From these data, it seems logical that these diagnostic tests may be useful in developing a profile for the early detection of the “wasting” syndrome in marmosets.

Blood vitamin values of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

The blood vitamin analyses of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) were determined to provide baseline reference values for the normal animal. Ascorbic acid, riboflavin (erythrocyte glutathione reductase) [ECR], measurement, thiamin (erythrocyte transketolase) measurement and vitamin A (retinol) were determined for Texas A&M colony-born animals and those obtained from the wild. The analyses were completed on the animals, three times each, for a total of 93 analyses, which included 51 colony-born and 60 wild-born marmosets. A mean value of 0.98 mg/dl for ascorbic acid was found for the colony with a range from 0.06 to 4.1 mg/dl. The normal range for the marmosets appeared to be 0.5 to 1.5 mg/dl. The mean activity coefficient (AC) for the marmosets was 1.0 indicating that the animals had adequate riboflavin in the diet. The mean transketolase activities were (ribose remaining −30.1 IU/L) and (sedoheptulose appearance −7.9 IU/L). The mean and range for serum vitamin A (retinol) were 20.4 mg/dl and 6.96–57.44 mg/dl, respectively. None of the animals (colony-born or wild-born) exhibited any clinical signs of vitamin deficiencies as a result of being maintained in an indoor-outdoor environment over a three-year period.