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Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2021In older mares, increasing collagen fibers (fibrosis) in the endometrium and oviduct predisposes to sub-fertility and infertility. In this study, (i) gene transcription...
In older mares, increasing collagen fibers (fibrosis) in the endometrium and oviduct predisposes to sub-fertility and infertility. In this study, (i) gene transcription of collagen (qPCR: ); (ii) total collagen protein (hydroxyproline); (iii) collagen distribution (Picrosirius red staining; polarized light microscopy); and (iv) microvascular density (Periodic acid-Schiff staining), were evaluated in mares' placenta, and related to mares age, and placenta and neonate weights. Samples were collected from the gravid horn, non-gravid horn, and body of the placenta from younger ( = 7), and older mares ( = 9) of different breeds. Transcripts of and , total collagen protein, chorionic plate connective tissue thickness, and microvascularization increased in the gravid horn of older mares' placentas, compared to the youngest ( < 0.05). Although in other species placenta fibrosis may indicate placental insufficiency and reduced neonate weight, this was not observed here. It appears that older fertile mares, with more parities, may develop a heavier, more vascularized functional placenta with more collagen, throughout a longer gestation, which enables the delivery of heavier foals. Thus, these features might represent morphological and physiological adaptations of older fertile mares' placentas to provide the appropriate nutrition to the equine fetus.
PubMed: 35059454
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.772658 -
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational... 2023Granulomatous rosacea (GR) is a rare inflammatory skin disease characterized by persistent, hard, yellow, brown, red, or flesh-colored papules, plaques, or nodules on...
Granulomatous rosacea (GR) is a rare inflammatory skin disease characterized by persistent, hard, yellow, brown, red, or flesh-colored papules, plaques, or nodules on the face. Limited data are available on patients treated for GR, with only case reports and case series published. Herein, we describe the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented to the hospital with persistent red to brown and pink patches on both cheeks accompanied by a burning sensation for one month. Histopathological examination of a cutaneous biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation in focal areas. Both acid-fast and Periodic acid-Schiff staining were negative. The patient was diagnosed with GR based on her clinical presentation and laboratory test results. She was treated with abrocitinib, a JAK-1 inhibitor, for 20 weeks. This resulted in substantial improvement in her rash and the associated burning sensation. Subsequent follow-up visits indicated no adverse effects or relapses. Additionally, a literature review was conducted to compare with the current case, which concluded that abrocitinib is a viable treatment option for GR, exhibiting a relatively high safety profile with minimal side effects.
PubMed: 38021428
DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S440138 -
Folia Morphologica 2021Acrylamide (ACR) has a wide range of uses. It possesses a renal impairment effect. The work aimed to study the possible protecting role of resveratrol (RVS) over the...
BACKGROUND
Acrylamide (ACR) has a wide range of uses. It possesses a renal impairment effect. The work aimed to study the possible protecting role of resveratrol (RVS) over the ACR-mediated renal impairment in rats. The suggested underlying mechanisms participating in such protection were investigated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty Sprague-Dawley adult albino rats were divided into three groups: control, ACR, and RVS. After 4 weeks, the kidney was removed and prepared for histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical studies. The activity of tissue oxidative (malondialdehyde [MDA]) and anti-oxidative (glutathione [GSH]) markers were assessed.
RESULTS
Acrylamide induced glomerular renal affection in the form of shrinkage and distortion of the glomeruli with wrinkling of their basement membranes and widening of the urinary spaces. Degenerative tubular changes were markedly present in the proximal convoluted tubules. The necrotic tubular cells exhibited cytoplasmic vacuolation with desquamated epithelial cells within the tubular lumen. ACR increases the deposition of collagen fibres in the basement membrane of the glomerular capillaries and induced thickening of the basement membranes of the renal corpuscles and renal tubules. The administration of RVS affords high protection to the kidney. The glomeruli and renal tubules were nearly normal. The content of collagen fibres and the periodic acid Schiff reaction of the basement membrane of the renal tubules were 70% and 19% lower linked to the ACR group. The creatinine and urea levels decreased by 51% and 47%. RVS induced such a protective role through its antioxidant effect as the MDA level decreased by 45%, while the GSH level increased by 83% compared with the ACR group.
CONCLUSIONS
Acrylamide causes structural and functional disorders of the kidney. It induces kidney damage through oxidative stress and apoptosis. With the use of RVS, normal kidney architecture was preserved with little structural changes. Adding, functional kidney test became normal. RVS exerts its protective effect through its anti-apoptotic and antioxidant features.
Topics: Acrylamide; Animals; Kidney; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Resveratrol
PubMed: 33169356
DOI: 10.5603/FM.a2020.0133 -
The American Journal of Pathology Jan 2023Convolutional neural network (CNN)-based image analysis applications in digital pathology (eg, tissue segmentation) require a large amount of annotated data and are...
Convolutional neural network (CNN)-based image analysis applications in digital pathology (eg, tissue segmentation) require a large amount of annotated data and are mostly trained and applicable on a single stain. Here, a novel concept based on stain augmentation is proposed to develop stain-independent CNNs requiring only one annotated stain. In this benchmark study on stain independence in digital pathology, this approach is comprehensively compared with state-of-the-art techniques including image registration and stain translation, and several modifications thereof. A previously developed CNN for segmentation of periodic acid-Schiff-stained kidney histology was used and applied to various immunohistochemical stainings. Stain augmentation showed very high performance in all evaluated stains and outperformed all other techniques in all structures and stains. Without the need for additional annotations, it enabled segmentation on immunohistochemical stainings with performance nearly comparable to that of the annotated periodic acid-Schiff stain and could further uphold performance on several held-out stains not seen during training. Herein, examples of how this framework can be applied for compartment-specific quantification of immunohistochemical stains for inflammation and fibrosis in animal models and patient biopsy specimens are presented. The results show that stain augmentation is a highly effective approach to enable stain-independent applications of deep-learning segmentation algorithms. This opens new possibilities for broad implementation in digital pathology.
Topics: Deep Learning; Coloring Agents; Periodic Acid; Neural Networks, Computer; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Kidney
PubMed: 36309103
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.09.011 -
Veterinary Pathology Jul 2021Malakoplakia in humans most often affects the urinary bladder and is characterized by inflammation with von Hansemann-type macrophages, with or without Michaelis-Gutmann...
Malakoplakia in humans most often affects the urinary bladder and is characterized by inflammation with von Hansemann-type macrophages, with or without Michaelis-Gutmann bodies, and is frequently associated with infection. We describe the microscopic features of malakoplakia in the urinary bladder of 4 puppies. In all cases, the lamina propria of the urinary bladder was markedly expanded by sheets of large, round to polygonal macrophages with intracytoplasmic, periodic acid-Schiff-positive granules and granular inclusions, and rare Prussian blue-positive inclusions. Macrophages were positive for CD18 and Iba1. In 2 cases, Michaelis-Gutmann bodies were detected with hematoxylin and eosin stain and were best demonstrated with von Kossa stain. infection was confirmed in 2 cases with bacterial culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Transmission electron microscopy of one case demonstrated macrophages with abundant lysosomes, phagolysosomes, and rod-shaped bacteria. Microscopic features were similar to human cases of malakoplakia. In dogs, the light microscopic characteristics of malakoplakia closely resemble granular cell tumors and histiocytic ulcerative colitis.
Topics: Animals; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Escherichia coli; Inclusion Bodies; Macrophages; Malacoplakia; Urinary Bladder
PubMed: 33888013
DOI: 10.1177/03009858211009779 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2022Baicalin is an active compound found in many natural herbs and has been used to treat intestinal disorders such as diarrhea and colon cancer. In this study, we used a...
OBJECTIVE
Baicalin is an active compound found in many natural herbs and has been used to treat intestinal disorders such as diarrhea and colon cancer. In this study, we used a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model to investigate baicalin's mechanisms in the treatment of colitis.
METHODS
3% DSS was administered through the drinking supply for 7 days to induce colitis followed by the administration of 5-aminosalicylic acid and baicalin at three different doses (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, W/W) for an additional 7 days. Body weight, stool consistency, and colon length were recorded. Colon tissue was stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to be used for histopathological scoring. Cytokine levels of the colon tissue and serum were evaluated using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. mRNA expression and protein levels of tight junctions (TJs) were detected with qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Goblet cells and the mucosal layer of the colon were visualized by Alcian Blue/periodic acid-Schiff (AB/PAS) staining. Mucin 2 (MUC2) was evaluated in both mRNA expression and protein levels. Nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 6 (NLRP6) inflammasomes were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.
RESULTS
Treatment with baicalin significantly relieved colitis as evidenced by reversing both weight loss and colon length shortening. In addition, baicalin inhibited inflammation by reducing proinflammatory cytokines and protected the intestinal barrier by upregulating tight junction proteins. Moreover, goblet cell count and intestinal mucosa thickness were both significantly increased after baicalin treatment. Giving baicalin could upregulate the expression of NLRP6 and interleukin (IL-18) both in mRNA and protein.
CONCLUSION
Baicalin ameliorates DSS-induced colitis by protecting goblet cells through activating NLRP6 inflammasomes.
PubMed: 36016685
DOI: 10.1155/2022/2818136 -
Genes Mar 2023Lafora disease (LD) is a progressive neurologic disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in or , leading to tissue accumulation of polyglucosan aggregates...
Lafora disease (LD) is a progressive neurologic disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in or , leading to tissue accumulation of polyglucosan aggregates termed Lafora bodies (LBs). This study aimed to characterize the retinal phenotype in mice by examining knockout (KO; ) and control (WT) littermates at two time points (10 and 14 months, respectively). In vivo exams included electroretinogram (ERG) testing, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retinal photography. Ex vivo retinal testing included Periodic acid Schiff Diastase (PASD) staining, followed by imaging to assess and quantify LB deposition. There was no significant difference in any dark-adapted or light-adapted ERG parameters between KO and WT mice. The total retinal thickness was comparable between the groups and the retinal appearance was normal in both groups. On PASD staining, LBs were observed in KO mice within the inner and outer plexiform layers and in the inner nuclear layer. The average number of LBs within the inner plexiform layer in KO mice were 1743 ± 533 and 2615 ± 915 per mm, at 10 and 14 months, respectively. This is the first study to characterize the retinal phenotype in an mouse model, demonstrating significant LB deposition in the bipolar cell nuclear layer and its synapses. This finding may be used to monitor the efficacy of experimental treatments in mouse models.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Lafora Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Retina; Myoclonic Epilepsies, Progressive; Electroretinography
PubMed: 37107612
DOI: 10.3390/genes14040854 -
Ophthalmology Science Jun 2021To evaluate PAX8 expression by immunohistochemistry in the normal pediatric and adult crystalline lens and to assess the usefulness of PAX8 immunohistochemical stain in...
PURPOSE
To evaluate PAX8 expression by immunohistochemistry in the normal pediatric and adult crystalline lens and to assess the usefulness of PAX8 immunohistochemical stain in the diagnosis of morphologically challenging lesions of lenticular origin.
DESIGN
Retrospective, observational case series.
PARTICIPANTS
Fourteen congenital and acquired lens-derived lesions and 10 control crystalline lenses.
METHODS
Hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff stains and an immunohistochemical panel of PAX8, vimentin, S100, smooth muscle actin, AE1/AE3, cytokeratin 7, and cytokeratin 5/6 antibodies were performed on all tissues.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Distribution of PAX8 expression in normal crystalline lens and in lens-derived lesions.
RESULTS
Records search identified 10 normal pediatric and adult crystalline lenses, 1 phakomatous choristoma, 1 Peters anomaly with adherent leukoma, 1 lens capsule with congenital pyramidal cataract formation, 2 lenses with anterior and posterior subcapsular cataract formation, 3 postsurgical cataractous lenses (Soemmerring ring cataract and capsular fibrosis), and 6 retrocorneal membranes that incorporated various components of metaplastic corneal endothelium, metaplastic lens epithelium, corneal stroma, and epithelial downgrowth. Strong nuclear PAX8 expression was observed in the lens epithelium and in the equatorial lens bow of normal pediatric and adult lenses. Nuclear PAX8 expression also was observed in the lesions that retained some of the epithelial morphologic features, such as phakomatous choristoma, adherent leukoma, congenital pyramidal cataract, and components of intraocular membranes with lens epithelial differentiation. PAX8 expression was lost in lens epithelial lesions that had undergone mesenchymal transition, such as anterior subcapsular cataract and capsular fibrosis.
CONCLUSIONS
PAX8 antibody may be a useful adjunct to the immunohistochemical panels in morphologically challenging lens epithelial-derived lesions that retain epithelial morphologic features. PAX8 is not useful in the diagnosis of lens-derived lesions that feature epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
PubMed: 36249298
DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2021.100024 -
Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic... Jul 2022A 10-y-old, castrated male Boxer dog that was born and had lived in Missouri without any travel history to other states, except for a few trips to Kansas, was presented...
A 10-y-old, castrated male Boxer dog that was born and had lived in Missouri without any travel history to other states, except for a few trips to Kansas, was presented with a distended abdomen and declined health. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a large hepatic mass, and the dog was euthanized. A postmortem examination revealed that the left liver lobes were largely replaced by a white-to-tan multilobular mass with a cobblestone surface. The lesion also involved the diaphragm. Histologically, hepatic architecture was effaced by large areas of necrosis with numerous, ≤0.2-cm, cystic structures that stained positively with periodic acid-Schiff stain and contained calcareous corpuscles. Gross and microscopic hepatic lesions were compatible with alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by . PCR examination confirmed , and results from genotyping were consistent with the E4 haplotype. To our knowledge, this is only the second canine AE case and the third pet dog that has been confirmed to be infected by in the contiguous United States. is a serious health risk for both pet dogs and humans.
Topics: Animals; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Echinococcosis; Echinococcus multilocularis; Male; Missouri
PubMed: 35678137
DOI: 10.1177/10406387221104754 -
F1000Research 2022In routine histopathology, 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF) is the choice fixative. However, formalin is a human carcinogen, so there is a necessity for a safer...
In routine histopathology, 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF) is the choice fixative. However, formalin is a human carcinogen, so there is a necessity for a safer alternative. To the best of our knowledge, neutral honey, not natural or artificial honey, has not been tested to fix histological samples. This study determined the effectiveness of neutral buffered honey and other types of fixatives to fix histological tissues. The study was conducted between July 2019 and August 2020 at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. Sections from three rat livers, kidneys, and stomach tissues were fixed with 10% NBF, neutral buffered Sumer honey, neutral buffered date honey, formalin, Sumer honey, date honey, alcoholic formalin, alcoholic Sumer honey, and alcoholic date honey for 24 hours. Samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), special stains, and vimentin methods. Three expert biomedical scientists then evaluated the fixed and stained samples for the quality of all sections. The fixation ability of the different honey solutions was then compared to 10% NBF and the utility was determined using nuclear and cytoplasmic criteria, specificity, and intensity. H&E showed adequate staining in all groups compared to 10% NBF. The specificity and intensity of all groups for the Periodic acid-Schiff method were identical to 10% NBF except for Sumer honey and alcoholic date honey. Vimentin showed comparable findings with 10% NBF as there were no significant differences. The findings of this study encourage the use of honey, including neutral, as a possible safe substitute fixative for formalin, however, further experiments on larger specimens should be conducted.
Topics: Animals; Rats; Humans; Fixatives; Vimentin; Honey; Formaldehyde; Carcinogens; Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
PubMed: 38433997
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.122598.3