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Dermatopathology (Basel, Switzerland) 2018Cutaneous cysts have been classified by dermatopathologists in many different ways. Here, we propose a novel classification of cutaneous adnexal cysts according to their... (Review)
Review
Cutaneous cysts have been classified by dermatopathologists in many different ways. Here, we propose a novel classification of cutaneous adnexal cysts according to their origin in the folliculosebaceous unit and the sweat glands. By examining the lining of the cystic structure, its origin can be easily identified. Epidermal cysts have an epithelial wall containing a granular layer with lamellar keratinization, indicating an infundibular origin. Tricholemmal cysts have an undulating epithelial wall with no granular layer and a compact keratinization, showing an isthmic origin. In steatocystoma, dermoid cyst, and folliculosebaceous hamartoma, the epithelial lining shows a crenulated appearance which is seen in the sebaceous duct. Hidrocystoma shows the characteristic cuboidal epithelial lining of sweat glands with decapitation secretion in its apocrine forms. The hair matrix cyst wall is composed of basaloid cells maturing to squamoid cells, as seen in the normal hair matrix and shadow cells in the lumen. Metabolizing acquired dioxin-induced skin hamartoma (MADISH) is a cystic lesion with lamellar keratinization, and no sebaceous glands. The classification proposed here aims to simplify the complexity of cutaneous adnexal cysts, and to facilitate a better understanding of the origin of cystic lesions of the skin.
PubMed: 29998103
DOI: 10.1159/000488585 -
European Review For Medical and... Jun 2022In this study, we sought to investigate the effects of energy drink supplementation and treadmill exercise on the levels of free radicals, antioxidants, Angtpl8,...
OBJECTIVE
In this study, we sought to investigate the effects of energy drink supplementation and treadmill exercise on the levels of free radicals, antioxidants, Angtpl8, Elabela, and lipid metabolism in rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 28 male Wistar albino rats (4 weeks old, 101.96 ± 9.75 g) were included in the study. The rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: control, exercise, supplement, and exercise+supplement groups. At the end of the study, the rats were decapitated, and blood samples were tested for levels of Angptl-8, ghrelin, leptin, irisin, SOD, CAT, TBARS, total oxidant status, and total antioxidant status using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Levels of blood lipids including triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C were studied using spectrophotometric method in an auto analyzer.
RESULTS
Statistical analysis showed statistical significance in TBARS, LDL-C, irisin, Angptl-8, and Elabela levels of the exercise group; SOD and HDL-C levels of the supplement+exercise group; and total cholesterol levels in the supplement group (p < 0.05). Although there were differences between the groups in leptin, ghrelin, and CAT levels, they were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
As a result, it can be argued that treadmill exercise is important in regulating lipid metabolism and stimulating peptide hormones and receptors. Furthermore, consuming energy drinks without performing exercise or physical activity increases fat stores, and such increases in the critical organs and tissues may pose a threat to the body.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Cholesterol, LDL; Energy Drinks; Fibronectins; Ghrelin; Leptin; Male; Peptide Hormones; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Superoxide Dismutase; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
PubMed: 35731075
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202206_28974 -
IEEE Transactions on Robotics : a... Feb 2022Accidental or deliberate disruption of the coordination function in a multi-agent system has been discussed and referred to in the social sciences literature as leader...
Accidental or deliberate disruption of the coordination function in a multi-agent system has been discussed and referred to in the social sciences literature as leader decapitation; this paper outlines a methodology for making multi-agent networks resilient to this type of failure, enabling a timely restoration of operation normalcy by leveraging machine learning techniques. The approach involves endowing the agents with a cascade of independent learning modules that enable them to discover over time their role in the overall system coordinating strategy, so that they are able to autonomously implement it when central coordination seizes to function. Through these machine learning algorithms, the agents incrementally identify the overall system's task specification and simultaneously optimize their strategy to serve the common goal.
PubMed: 38751944
DOI: 10.1109/TRO.2021.3108074 -
FASEB BioAdvances Feb 2023Excitability and contraction of cardiac muscle from brain-dead donors critically influence the success of heart transplantation. Membrane physiology, Ca-handling, and...
Excitability and contraction of cardiac muscle from brain-dead donors critically influence the success of heart transplantation. Membrane physiology, Ca-handling, and force production of cardiac muscle and the contractile properties of coronary arteries were studied in hearts of brain-dead pigs. Cardiac muscle and vascular function after 12 h brain death (decapitation between C2 and C3) were compared with properties of fresh tissue. In both isolated cardiomyocytes (whole-cell patch clamp) and trabecular muscle (conventional microelectrodes), action potential duration was shorter in brain dead, compared to controls. Cellular shortening and Ca transients were attenuated in the brain dead, and linked to lower mRNA expression of L-type calcium channels and a slightly lower I,, current, as well as to a lower expression of phospholamban. The current-voltage relationship and the current above the equilibrium potential of the inward K (I) channel were altered in the brain-dead group, associated with lower mRNA expression of the Kir2.2 channel. Delayed K currents were detected (I, I) and were not different between groups. The transient outward K current (I) was not observed in the pig heart. Coronary arteries exhibited increased contractility and sensitivity to the thromboxane analogue (U46619), and unaltered endothelial relaxation. In conclusion, brain death involves changes in cardiac cellular excitation which might lower contractility after transplantation. Changes in the inward rectifier K channel can be associated with an increased risk for arrhythmia. Increased reactivity of coronary arteries may lead to increased risk of vascular spasm, although endothelial relaxant function was well preserved.
PubMed: 36816513
DOI: 10.1096/fba.2022-00104 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Overweight/obesity are metabolic disorder resulting from behavioral, environmental, and heritable causes. WHO estimates that 50% of adults and 30% of children and...
BACKGROUND
Overweight/obesity are metabolic disorder resulting from behavioral, environmental, and heritable causes. WHO estimates that 50% of adults and 30% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, and, in parallel, an ongoing decline in sperm quality and male fertility has been described. Numerous studies demonstrated the intimate association between overweight/obesity and reproductive dysfunction due to a highly intricate network of causes not yet completely understood. This study expands the knowledge on the impact of a short-term high-fat diet (st-HFD) on rat testicular activity, specifically on steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, focusing on the involved molecular mechanisms related to mitochondrial dynamics, blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity, and SIRT1/NRF2/MAPKs pathways.
METHODS
Ten adult Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups of five and treated with a standard diet or an HFD for five weeks. At the end of the treatment, rats were anesthetized and sacrificed by decapitation. Blood was collected for serum sex hormone assay; one testis was stored at -80ÅãC for western blot analysis, and the other, was fixed for histological and immunofluorescence analysis.
RESULTS
Five weeks of HFD results in reduced steroidogenesis, increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells, and altered spermatogenesis, as highlighted by reduced protein levels ofmeiotic and post-meiotic markers. Further, we evidenced the compromission of the BTB integrity, as revealed by the downregulation of structural proteins (N-Cadherin, ZO-1, occludin, connexin 43, and VANGL2) other than the phosphorylation of regulative kinases (Src and FAK). At the molecular level, the impairment of mitochondrial dynamics (fission, fusion, andbiogenesis), and the dysregulation of the SIRT1/NRF2/MAPKs signaling pathways, were evidenced. Interestingly, no change was observed in the levels of pro-inflammatory markers (TNFα, NF-kB, and IL-6).
CONCLUSIONS
The combined data led us to confirm that overweight is a less severe state than obesity. Furthermore, understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the association between metabolic disorders and male fertility could improve the possibility of identifying novel targets to prevent and treat fertility disorders related to overweight/obesity.
Topics: Humans; Child; Adolescent; Male; Rats; Animals; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Diet, High-Fat; Overweight; Blood-Testis Barrier; Sirtuin 1; Rats, Wistar; Semen; Obesity; MAP Kinase Signaling System
PubMed: 38027181
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1274035 -
Nature Communications Aug 2021The sperm head-to-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) ensures sperm head-tail integrity while defective HTCA causes acephalic spermatozoa, rendering males infertile. Here, we...
The sperm head-to-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) ensures sperm head-tail integrity while defective HTCA causes acephalic spermatozoa, rendering males infertile. Here, we show that CENTLEIN is indispensable for HTCA integrity and function, and that inactivation of CENTLEIN in mice leads to sperm decapitation and male sterility. We demonstrate that CENTLEIN directly interacts with both SUN5 and PMFBP1, two proteins localized in the HTCA and related with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. We find that the absence of Centlein sets SUN5 and PMFBP1 apart, the former close to the sperm head and the latter in the decapitated tail. We show that lack of Sun5 results in CENTLEIN and PMFBP1 left in the decapitated tail, while disruption of Pmfbp1 results in SUN5 and CENTLEIN left on the detached sperm head. These results demonstrate that CENTLEIN cooperating with SUN5 and PMFBP1 participates in the HTCA assembly and integration of sperm head to the tail, indicating that impairments of CENTLEIN might be associated with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome in humans.
Topics: Animals; Cell Cycle Proteins; Cells, Cultured; Cytoskeletal Proteins; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Membrane Proteins; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred DBA; Mice, Knockout; Mutation; Protein Binding; Sperm Head; Sperm Tail; Spermatozoa; Teratozoospermia; Mice
PubMed: 34389728
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25227-w -
Scientific Reports Feb 2022Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway is important in the process of inflammation and fibrosis. The adenosine...
Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway is important in the process of inflammation and fibrosis. The adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) enzyme can affect JAK/STAT pathway. Tofacitinib is a pan-JAK inhibitör. Metformin activates AMPK enzyme. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of tofacitinib and metformin on IL-17 and TGF-β cytokines, skin fibrosis and inflammation in mouse model of systemic sclerosis (SSc). 40 Balb/c female mice were divided into 4 groups: (control, sham (BLM), tofacitinib and metformin). The mice in the tofacitinib group received oral tofacitinib (20 mg/kg/daily) and mice in the metformin group received oral metformin (50 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. At the end of 4th week, all groups of mice were decapitated and tissue samples were taken for analysis. Histopathological analysis of skin tissue was performed, and mRNA expressions of collagen 3A, IL-17 and TGF-β were assessed by real-time PCR and ELISA. Repeated BLM injections had induced dermal fibrosis. Moreover, the tissue levels of collagen 3A, IL-17 and TGF-β were elevated in the BLM group. Tofacitinib and metformin mitigated dermal fibrosis. They reduced dermal thickness and tissue collagen 3A, IL-17 and TGF-β levels. Tofacitinib and metformin demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in the mouse model of SSc.
Topics: Animals; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Fibrosis; Metformin; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Piperidines; Pyrimidines; Scleroderma, Systemic; Skin
PubMed: 35169250
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06581-1 -
Cureus Jan 2023Since the development of the infamous guillotine in the French Revolution, physicians have debated how long consciousness persists in decapitated heads. Fueled by... (Review)
Review
Since the development of the infamous guillotine in the French Revolution, physicians have debated how long consciousness persists in decapitated heads. Fueled by anecdotes of severed heads that blink, blush, and appear to retain intelligence, numerous experiments have investigated this macabre subject for nearly 250 years. In this paper, we examine the evidence, both historical and modern, and ultimately conclude that, while the truth may never be fully known, all evidence appears to indicate that loss of consciousness appears to occur within seconds of decapitation. The rumors that circulated through the European consciousness during the Terror of the French Revolution appear to be just that - curious urban legends from an awed and terrified public.
PubMed: 36819446
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.33830 -
Radiography (London, England : 1995) Oct 2023The porcine model shows structural features comparable to that of humans and are routinely used within research, due to the ethical, legal, and practical use of...
INTRODUCTION
The porcine model shows structural features comparable to that of humans and are routinely used within research, due to the ethical, legal, and practical use of post-mortem human samples. Methods for obtaining high quality and comparable reference data using standardised acquisition protocols are essential.
METHODS
The decapitated heads of three adult white sows were subjected to radiographic imaging before and after cranial trauma (9 mm, Heckler and Koch MP5). Digital radiographs were generated using a Siemens MULTIX TOP system with an Agfa digital detector, with foam blocks and sandbags as ancillary equipment. An iterative approach was adopted by the authors to generate reproducible radiographic views from two perpendicular angles. Specimens were kept at 5 °C and wrapped in polythene bags to reduce the impact of putrefaction.
RESULTS
Standardised head radiography technique was developed for superior-inferior and lateral views demonstrating porcine anatomy. Key parameters included: automatic exposure control for tube current (∼4 mAs), tube voltage of 73 kVp, 100 cm source to image receptor distance, and an anti-scatter grid. Slight variances in specimen morphology, developmental status, and soft tissue changes did not affect imaging outcomes.
CONCLUSION
The technique and positioning proposed in this study allows for the acquisition of high quality and reproducible radiographic images for comparable ballistic research datasets. Specimen positioning and centring of the primary beam may be applied across porcine breeds, although individual radiographic parameters may differ according to equipment specifications and specimen size.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Development of a reproducible radiographic technique of porcine heads in forensic and veterinary research.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Swine; Animals; Female; Radiographic Image Enhancement; Phantoms, Imaging; Radiography
PubMed: 37595528
DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2023.08.001 -
Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia :... Feb 2022Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drug that is commonly used in cancer treatment. A major side effect limiting the clinical use of DOX is...
INTRODUCTION
Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drug that is commonly used in cancer treatment. A major side effect limiting the clinical use of DOX is cardiotoxicity due to oxidative injury. Nigella sativa (NS) is an annual flowering plant with antioxidant properties. Its seeds contain several bioactive constituents such as saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, thymoquinone, dithymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, and thymol. In this study, we investigated the effect of NS extract on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.
METHODS
The experimental study animals consisted of 28 male Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 300 and 400 g. Four study groups each of seven rats were defined: controls; NS extract; DOX; and DOX+NS. Control and DOX rats received standard food, while each rat in the NS and DOX+NS groups also received 100 mg/kg NS extract orally. At day 28 of follow-up, rats in the DOX groups were administered a single 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal dose of DOX, while rats in the control and NS groups received a single 10 mg/kg dose of physiological saline solution. All animals were monitored for 35 days. On day 35, the rats were decapitated and serum and cardiac tissue samples were obtained. Troponin and NT-proBNP levels were measured in blood sera, while malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total oxidative stress (TOS) levels were quantified in sera and tissue samples. Histological alterations that were assessed in cardiac tissue included myocyte disarray, small vessel disease, myocyte hypertrophy, and fibrosis.
RESULTS
The DOX group had significantly higher NT-proBNP, TOS, and MDA, with greater histopathological derangement. TAC was significantly elevated in the DOX+NS group, which also exhibited significantly lower troponin, TOS, and MDA, as well as significantly higher TAC compared to the DOX group. Histopathological examination showed that the significant structural derangement observed in DOX rats was markedly and significantly reduced in DOX+NS rats.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that NS extract may prevent DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and thus represents a promising cardioprotective agent.
PubMed: 36062712
DOI: 10.1016/j.repc.2020.12.015