Fish gills, owing to their status as a multifunctional organ, have always fascinated researchers. In spite of the intense work done on the morphologic examination of gills, the organ is relatively under-used in health evaluation in fish. The existing literature on this topic is reviewed here. Our review summarises important diagnostic guidelines for the examination of gill structure and describes the morphological lesions that develop under the influence of different biological and physicochemical factors. The picture that should emerge is that of an organ that is extremely sensitive to all types of handling and unfavourable changes in the external and internal environments. We conclude that studying the morphology of the fish gills provides an opportunity to assess fish health status as well as information on possible health hazards coming from their environment.

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The liver and kidneys of broilers fed during the first two weeks of fattening a fodder containing the addition of 0.025% propolis and/or 0.5% pollen were examined macroscopically and microscopically. Additionally, the effects of these substances on the results of breeding and on pathomorphology of the liver and kidneys in the course of natural, asymptomatic infection with Salmonella Enteritidis were determined. The results demonstrated that propolis has protective effects on the liver of broiler chickens, reducing the intensity of regressive lesions. However, regarding supplementation of the diet with bee pollen, additional research on its effects in animals is needed.

The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme catalyses the first stage of biosynthesis of prostanoids, proteins that are implicated in various physiological and pathological processes in humans and animals. The expression of COX-2 increases significantly during pathological processes accompanied by inflammation, pain and fever. Overexpression of COX-2 was determined in tumour tissues, which suggests that this enzyme participates in oncogenesis. In this paper the topics discussed are mechanisms regulating COX-2 expression, COX isoforms, their role in the body and the oncogenic mechanisms triggered by the overexpression of COX-2, including inhibition of apoptosis, intensification of neoangiogenesis, increased metastatic capacity, and weakening of the immune system. The significance of and the mechanisms by which COX-2 participates in oncogenesis have been studied intensively in recent years. The results are highly promising, and they expand our understanding of the complex processes and changes at the molecular, cellular and tissue level that promote oncogenesis and cancer progression. Notwithstanding the knowledge already gleaned, many processes and mechanisms have not yet been elucidated in human medicine and, in particular, in veterinary medicine. Further research is required to develop effective tumour diagnostic methods and treatment procedures for humans and animals.

ABSTRACT:There is controversy regarding the causes of temporary cavity generation during gunshot wound formation. Analysis of gunshot wounds in hunted animals suggests that a bullet's frontal surface shape is the primary factor in forming a temporary pulsating cavity, and that cavity size is not directly affected by bullet velocity.