Variations of the axillary artery and its branches are quite common. Some variations are clinically significant and having knowledge of them can be useful for the prevention of diagnostic errors during surgical interventions in the axillary fossa. Classically, the third part of the axillary artery presents three branches—the subscapular, the anterior, and the posterior circumflex humeral arteries. The subscapular artery is divided into the circumflex scapular and the thoracodorsal arteries. Our work presents a previously undescribed branching pattern of the right subscapular artery. It branched into the thoracodorsal, the circumflex scapular, the profunda brachii, and the anterior and posterior circumflex humeral arteries. The profunda brachii artery was 0.4 cm in diameter and ran inferiorly to the humeromuscular canal. No branches of the profunda brachii artery were found in the superior part of the arm before entering the humeromuscular canal. No variations in the other parts of the right axillary artery and of the left axillary artery were discovered. The described branching pattern of the subscapular artery can be important and essential for surgeons and radiologists.

Introduction: Evaluation of anti-inflammatory action of Codelac® Broncho with Thymus Serpyllum (elixir) in comparison with Fenspiride was carried out on the model of acute carrageenan inflammation of the paws in rats. Materials and methods: Edema was caused by subplantar injection of 0.1 ml of 1% λ- carrageenan gel into the hind paw. The severity of edema was assessed by using 37140 plethysmometer (UGO BASILE, Italy). The measurements were performed before edema induction and 1, 2, 4, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours afterwards. Anti-inflammatory activity of the drugs was also evaluated based on the analysis of rats’ blood, C-reactive protein concentration and histological examination results. Results and discussion: A decrease in the paw volume increment was revealed in the group with the studied drug in comparison with the group with the carrageenan edema model (control) 4, 12, 24 hours after injection of carrageenan (p<0.05). As a result of plethysmometry, a more pronounced anti-inflammatory effect of the studied drug than that of Fenspiride was revealed. There was a significant decrease in the levels of leukocytes (p<0.05), lymphocytes (p<0.05), monocytes (p<0.05) and neutrophils (p<0.05) in the group with the studied drug compared to those the the control 48 hours after the initiation of edema, while in the group with Fenspiride, there was only a decrease in the levels of leukocytes (p<0.05) and lymphocytes (p<0.05). There were no differences in the concentration of C-reactive protein between the groups. Conclusion: The obtained data indicate a more pronounced anti-inflammatory activity of Codelac® Broncho with Thymus Serpyllum in comparison with Fenspiride, on the model of acute carrageenan inflammation of the paw in rats.

The correction of free radical oxidation processes is one of the most promising strategies of neuroprotection in acute cerebrovascular disorders.The aim of the study is an experimental study of the neuroprotective effects of 3-hydroxypyridine and erythropoietin derivatives, as well as their combined use.Materials and methods. The study was performed on 109 male Wistar rats. The neuroprotective effect of the substances was studied on a hemorrhagic stroke model. The study drugs were administered to the animals intraperitoneally. Carbamylated darbepoetin was administered three times in advance at the dose of 100 µg/kg within intervals of 3 days, the last injection took place 1 hour before the operation (the total dose was 300 mg/kg). Etoxidol was administered once 1 hour before the surgery at the dose of 50 mg/kg. The survival rate, behavioral features and the state of the animals on the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th days were recorded, and the morphological assessment of the brain was carried out.Results. The investigated substances had a positive effect on both the survival rate of the animals during the first day and on the 14th day. The best survival rates on the 14th day were recorded in the group of a combined use of ethoxydol and carbamylated darbepoetin (75%). Thus, in this group of rats, a faster recovery of neurological disorders was already distinguished from the first day on. By the 7th day, more than 50% of the rats receiving the combination of the studied drugs, had had a slight neurological deficit (up to 3 points on the McGrow scale); by the 14th day there had been only minor changes in the neurological status in the rats of this group. A pronounced neuroprotective effect of the combination of 3-hydroxypyridine and erythropoietin derivatives has been confirmed by a histological examination of brain slices – a more rapid decrease in the size of perifocal edema and microcirculation disorders, less damage to neurons and glial elements, and faster processes of resorption and organization of hemorrhage. A macroscopic examination of the brain sections stained with triphenyltetrazolium chloride of the dying rats, showed that perifocal necrosis had been the main cause of high mortality in the control group after the 3rd day.Conclusion. As a result of the experiment, the nephroprotective effect of the studied derivatives of 3-hydroxypyridine and erythropoietin has been proved. Moreover, the combination of these drugs has shown a greater neuroprotective activity than their isolated use. The additive effect of these drugs was due to their action mechanism resulting from the synergism of various structures and components of the cells.

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Introduction. Sodium benzoate is widely used in both food and pharmaceutical industries. There is evidence of its adverse health effects; However, the effect of sodium benzoate on the ultrastructure of thyroid gland cells is currently not well understood. Materials and methods. The animals were divided into two groups: the group 1 was injected with 1 ml of sodium benzoate solution at a dosage of 1000 mg/kg/body weight intragastrically for 60 days, and the group 2 served as a control. Samples of thyroid gland after tissue processingwere examined under an electron microscope. Results. In the experimental group, it was found that thyrocytes had a cubic, less often flat shape, an expanded rough endoplasmic reticulum with single accumulations in the cavities of fibrous structures, significant lumps of heterochromatin under the nuclear membrane with uneven contours of the latter, an electron-dense mitochondrial matrix. Conclusion. The above changes indicate the effect of sodium benzoate administration both locally (through damage to the DNA of the nucleus and mitochondria) and at the systemic level (through a decrease in leptin levels and, as a consequence, the effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis).