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Frontiers in Cell and Developmental... 2023Ventral actin stress fibers (SFs) are a subset of actin SFs that begin and terminate at focal adhesion (FA) complexes. Ventral SFs can transmit forces from and to the...
Ventral actin stress fibers (SFs) are a subset of actin SFs that begin and terminate at focal adhesion (FA) complexes. Ventral SFs can transmit forces from and to the extracellular matrix and serve as a prominent mechanosensing and mechanotransduction machinery for cells. Therefore, quantitative analysis of ventral SFs can lead to deeper understanding of the dynamic mechanical interplay between cells and their extracellular matrix (mechanoreciprocity). However, the dynamic nature and organization of ventral SFs challenge their quantification, and current quantification tools mainly focus on all SFs present in cells and cannot discriminate between subsets. Here we present an image analysis-based computational toolbox, called SFAlab, to quantify the number of ventral SFs and the number of ventral SFs per FA, and provide spatial information about the locations of the identified ventral SFs. SFAlab is built as an all-in-one toolbox that besides analyzing ventral SFs also enables the identification and quantification of (the shape descriptors of) nuclei, cells, and FAs. We validated SFAlab for the quantification of ventral SFs in human fetal cardiac fibroblasts and demonstrated that SFAlab analysis i) yields accurate ventral SF detection in the presence of image imperfections often found in typical fluorescence microscopy images, and ii) is robust against user subjectivity and potential experimental artifacts. To demonstrate the usefulness of SFAlab in mechanobiology research, we modulated actin polymerization and showed that inhibition of Rho kinase led to a significant decrease in ventral SF formation and the number of ventral SFs per FA, shedding light on the importance of the RhoA pathway specifically in ventral SF formation. We present SFAlab as a powerful open source, easy to use image-based analytical tool to increase our understanding of mechanoreciprocity in adherent cells.
PubMed: 37779894
DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1267822 -
JNMA; Journal of the Nepal Medical... Feb 2024A Spigelian hernia is a hernia through the Spigelian fascia which are difficult to diagnose as they do not present with a subcutaneous swelling and can be dangerous as...
UNLABELLED
A Spigelian hernia is a hernia through the Spigelian fascia which are difficult to diagnose as they do not present with a subcutaneous swelling and can be dangerous as there is a high risk of incarceration. We report a case of a 51-year-old female who presented to our surgical unit with epigastric pain for 5 days. She was diagnosed with Spigelian hernia with esophagitis and antral gastritis with the help of a computed tomography scan and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The diagnosis was confirmed on diagnostic laparoscopy and transabdominal preperitoneal repair of the defect was performed using prolene mesh. Her post-operative period was uneventful. Spigelian hernias are rare and patients can present with atypical symptoms as in this case. Thus, imaging plays a vital role in diagnosis. Management is surgical and has good outcomes.
KEYWORDS
case reports; rectus abdominis; ventral hernia.
Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Hernia, Ventral; Laparoscopy; Fascia; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Abdominal Pain
PubMed: 38409978
DOI: 10.31729/jnma.8440 -
Frontiers in Neuroanatomy 2022Most of the studies on neurochemical mapping, connectivity, and physiology in the hypothalamic region were carried out in rats and under the columnar morphologic...
Most of the studies on neurochemical mapping, connectivity, and physiology in the hypothalamic region were carried out in rats and under the columnar morphologic paradigm. According to the columnar model, the entire hypothalamic region lies ventrally within the diencephalon, which includes preoptic, anterior, tuberal, and mamillary anteroposterior regions, and sometimes identifying dorsal, intermediate, and ventral hypothalamic partitions. This model is weak in providing little or no experimentally corroborated causal explanation of such subdivisions. In contrast, the modern prosomeric model uses different axial assumptions based on the parallel courses of the brain floor, alar-basal boundary, and brain roof (all causally explained). This model also postulates that the hypothalamus and telencephalon jointly form the secondary prosencephalon, separately from and rostral to the diencephalon proper. The hypothalamus is divided into two neuromeric (transverse) parts called peduncular and terminal hypothalamus (PHy and THy). The classic anteroposterior (AP) divisions of the columnar hypothalamus are rather seen as dorsoventral subdivisions of the hypothalamic alar and basal plates. In this study, we offered a prosomeric immunohistochemical mapping in the rat of hypothalamic cells expressing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), which is the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of L-tyrosine to levodopa (L-DOPA) and a precursor of dopamine. This mapping was also combined with markers for diverse hypothalamic nuclei [agouti-related peptide (), arginine vasopressin (), cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (), corticotropin releasing Hormone (), melanin concentrating hormone (), neuropeptide Y (), oxytocin/neurophysin I (), proopiomelanocortin (), somatostatin (), tyrosine hidroxilase (), and thyrotropin releasing hormone ()]. TH-positive cells are particularly abundant within the periventricular stratum of the paraventricular and subparaventricular alar domains. In the tuberal region, most labeled cells are found in the acroterminal arcuate nucleus and in the terminal periventricular stratum. The dorsal retrotuberal region (PHy) contains the A13 cell group of TH-positive cells. In addition, some TH cells appear in the perimamillary and retromamillary regions. The prosomeric model proved useful for determining the precise location of TH-positive cells relative to possible origins of morphogenetic signals, thus aiding potential causal explanation of position-related specification of this hypothalamic cell type.
PubMed: 35601999
DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.868345 -
JSLS : Journal of the Society of... 2021The surgical approach for treating ventral hernia is still under debate, as well as the optimal devices to be used for such treatment. For small size defects, the...
INTRODUCTION
The surgical approach for treating ventral hernia is still under debate, as well as the optimal devices to be used for such treatment. For small size defects, the tendency is to use the open approach, due to the lower cost/efficiency ratio. However, for medium-size defects, even though costlier, laparoscopy provides better results. The present study analyzes the results of a simple and effective laparoscopic technique for mesh repairing of small and medium size ventral defects using Ventralex® ST patch.
METHOD
Between January 1, 2015 and January 31, 2020, 93 patients with ventral primary nonobstructive abdominal wall defects (up to 3 cm) treated laparoscopically using the intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair technique with Ventralex® patch (22 patients) and Ventralex® ST patch (71 patients). Results were prospectively analyzed based on postoperative complications, postoperative pain, recurrent hernia, and quality of life.
RESULTS
The technique was used in 60 patients with umbilical hernia (64.5%), 18 patients with juxta-umbilical hernia (19.3%), and 15 patients with epigastric hernia (16.1%). Out of these, 22 patients had nonreducible (nonobstructive) hernia. The median operating time was 55 minutes (range 40-80 min). Minor complications were recorded in 15 cases (16.1%). The mean hospitalization time was 1.24 days (range 1-2). After a median follow-up of 39 months (range 20-81), the recurrence rate was 11.1% and nil (p = 0.010), and other complaints were recorded in 11.1% and 3.3% of patients (p = 0.293), for Ventralex® patch and Ventralex® ST patch, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the use of Ventralex® ST patch for laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair of small and medium size ventral hernia is simpler and more cost-effective than standard laparoscopic patches, with superior results when compared to Ventralex® patch.
Topics: Abdominal Wall; Hernia, Umbilical; Hernia, Ventral; Herniorrhaphy; Humans; Laparoscopy; Quality of Life; Recurrence; Surgical Mesh
PubMed: 35087264
DOI: 10.4293/JSLS.2021.00071 -
Hernia : the Journal of Hernias and... Dec 2022Laparoscopic techniques have been used and refined in hernia surgery for several years. The aim of this study was to compare an established method such as laparoscopic...
A propensity-score matched analysis of ventral-TAPP vs. laparoscopic IPOM for small and mid-sized ventral hernias. Comparison of perioperative data, surgical outcome and cost-effectiveness.
PURPOSE
Laparoscopic techniques have been used and refined in hernia surgery for several years. The aim of this study was to compare an established method such as laparoscopic intra-peritoneal onlay mesh repair (lap. IPOM) with ventral Transabdominal Preperitoneal Patch Plasty (ventral-TAPP) in abdominal wall hernia repair.
METHODS
Patient-related data of 180 laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs between June 2014 and August 2020 were extracted from our prospectively maintained database. Of these patients, 34 underwent ventral-TAPP and 146 lap. IPOM. After excluding hernias with a defect size > 5 cm and obtaining balanced groups with propensity-score matching, a comparative analysis was performed in terms perioperative data, surgical outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
RESULTS
Propensity-score matching suggested 27 patients in each of the two cohorts. The statistical evaluation showed that intake of opiates was significantly higher in the lap. IPOM group compared to ventral-TAPP patients (p = 0.001). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score after lap. IPOM repair was significantly higher at movement (p = 0.008) and at rest (p = 0.023). Also, maximum subjective pain during hospital stay was significantly higher in the lap. IPOM group compared to ventral-TAPP patients (p = 0.004). No hernia recurrence was detected in either group. The material costs of ventral-TAPP procedure (34.37 ± 0.47 €) were significantly lower than those of the lap. IPOM group (742.57 ± 128.44 € p = 0.001). The mean operation time was 65.19 ± 26.43 min in the lap. IPOM group and 58.65 ± 18.43 min in the ventral-TAPP cohort. Additionally, the length of hospital stay in the lap. IPOM cohort was significantly longer (p = 0.043).
CONCLUSION
Ventral-TAPP procedures represent an alternative technique to lap. IPOM repair to reduce the risk of complications related to intra-peritoneal position of mesh and fixating devices. In addition, our study showed that postoperative pain level, material costs and hospital stay of the ventral-TAPP cohort are significantly lower compared to lap. IPOM patients.
Topics: Humans; Herniorrhaphy; Surgical Mesh; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Hernia, Ventral; Laparoscopy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35320438
DOI: 10.1007/s10029-022-02586-x -
Fluids and Barriers of the CNS Jan 2023Detecting changes in pulsatile cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow may assist clinical management decisions, but spinal CSF flow is relatively understudied. Traumatic spinal...
BACKGROUND
Detecting changes in pulsatile cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow may assist clinical management decisions, but spinal CSF flow is relatively understudied. Traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCI) often cause spinal cord swelling and subarachnoid space (SAS) obstruction, potentially causing pulsatile CSF flow changes. Pigs are emerging as a favoured large animal SCI model; therefore, the aim of this study was to characterise CSF flow along the healthy pig spine.
METHODS
Phase-contrast magnetic resonance images (PC-MRI), retrospectively cardiac gated, were acquired for fourteen laterally recumbent, anaesthetised and ventilated, female domestic pigs (22-29 kg). Axial images were obtained at C2/C3, T8/T9, T11/T12 and L1/L2. Dorsal and ventral SAS regions of interest (ROI) were manually segmented. CSF flow and velocity were determined throughout a cardiac cycle. Linear mixed-effects models, with post-hoc comparisons, were used to identify differences in peak systolic/diastolic flow, and maximum velocity (cranial/caudal), across spinal levels and dorsal/ventral SAS. Velocity wave speed from C2/C3 to L1/L2 was calculated.
RESULTS
PC-MRI data were obtained for 11/14 animals. Pulsatile CSF flow was observed at all spinal levels. Peak systolic flow was greater at C2/C3 (dorsal: - 0.32 ± 0.14 mL/s, ventral: - 0.15 ± 0.13 mL/s) than T8/T9 dorsally (- 0.04 ± 0.03 mL/s; p < 0.001), but not different ventrally (- 0.08 ± 0.08 mL/s; p = 0.275), and no difference between thoracolumbar levels (p > 0.05). Peak diastolic flow was greater at C2/C3 (0.29 ± 0.08 mL/s) compared to T8/T9 (0.03 ± 0.03 mL/s, p < 0.001) dorsally, but not different ventrally (p = 1.000). Cranial and caudal maximum velocity at C2/C3 were greater than thoracolumbar levels dorsally (p < 0.001), and T8/T9 and L1/L2 ventrally (p = 0.022). Diastolic velocity wave speed was 1.41 ± 0.39 m/s dorsally and 1.22 ± 0.21 m/s ventrally, and systolic velocity wave speed was 1.02 ± 0.25 m/s dorsally and 0.91 ± 0.22 m/s ventrally.
CONCLUSIONS
In anaesthetised and ventilated domestic pigs, spinal CSF has lower pulsatile flow and slower velocity wave propagation, compared to humans. This study provides baseline CSF flow at spinal levels relevant for future SCI research in this animal model.
Topics: Humans; Female; Swine; Animals; Retrospective Studies; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure; Spinal Cord; Sus scrofa; Cerebrospinal Fluid
PubMed: 36653870
DOI: 10.1186/s12987-022-00401-4 -
Frontiers in Neuroanatomy 2020The Subthalamic Nucleus (STh) is an oval-shaped diencephalic structure located ventrally to the thalamus, playing a fundamental role in the circuitry of the basal... (Review)
Review
The Subthalamic Nucleus (STh) is an oval-shaped diencephalic structure located ventrally to the thalamus, playing a fundamental role in the circuitry of the basal ganglia. In addition to being involved in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Huntington's and Parkinson's disease, the STh is one of the target nuclei for deep brain stimulation. However, most of the anatomical evidence available derives from non-human primate studies. In this review, we will present the topographical and morphological organization of the nucleus and its connections to structurally and functionally related regions of the basal ganglia circuitry. We will also highlight the importance of additional research in humans focused on validating STh connectivity, cytoarchitectural organization, and its functional subdivision.
PubMed: 32390807
DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.00013 -
Cells Jan 2022The ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) is a postnatal germinal niche. It holds a large population of neural stem cells (NSCs) that generate neurons and...
The ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) is a postnatal germinal niche. It holds a large population of neural stem cells (NSCs) that generate neurons and oligodendrocytes for the olfactory bulb and (primarily) the corpus callosum, respectively. These NSCs are heterogeneous and generate different types of neurons depending on their location. Positional identity among NSCs is thought to be controlled in part by intrinsic pathways. However, extrinsic cell signaling through the secreted ligand Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is essential for neurogenesis in both the dorsal and ventral V-SVZ. Here we used a genetic approach to investigate the role of the transcription factors GLI2 and GLI3 in the proliferation and cell fate of dorsal and ventral V-SVZ NSCs. We find that while GLI3 is expressed in stem cell cultures from both dorsal and ventral V-SVZ, the repressor form of GLI3 is more abundant in dorsal V-SVZ. Despite this high dorsal expression and the requirement for other Shh pathway members, GLI3 loss affects the generation of ventrally-, but not dorsally-derived olfactory interneurons in vivo and does not affect trilineage differentiation in vitro. However, loss of GLI3 in the adult dorsal V-SVZ in vivo results in decreased numbers of OLIG2-expressing progeny, indicating a role in gliogenesis.
Topics: Adult Stem Cells; Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cells, Cultured; Interneurons; Lateral Ventricles; Mice; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neural Stem Cells; Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2; Smoothened Receptor; Zinc Finger Protein Gli3
PubMed: 35053334
DOI: 10.3390/cells11020218 -
The Journal of Neuroscience : the... Feb 2021Mossy cells (MCs) of the dentate gyrus (DG) are a major group of excitatory hilar neurons that are important for regulating activity of dentate granule cells. MCs are...
Mossy cells (MCs) of the dentate gyrus (DG) are a major group of excitatory hilar neurons that are important for regulating activity of dentate granule cells. MCs are particularly intriguing because of their extensive longitudinal connections within the DG. It has generally been assumed that MCs in the dorsal and ventral DG have similar patterns of termination in the inner one-third of the dentate molecular layer. Here, we demonstrate that axonal projections of MCs in these two regions are considerably different. MCs in dorsal and ventral regions were labeled selectively with Cre-dependent eYFP or mCherry, using two transgenic mouse lines (including both sexes) that express Cre-recombinase in MCs. At four to six weeks following unilateral labeling of MCs in the ventral DG, a dense band of fibers was present in the inner one-fourth of the molecular layer and extended bilaterally throughout the rostral-caudal extent of the DG, replicating the expected distribution of MC axons. In contrast, following labeling of MCs in the dorsal DG, the projections were more diffusely distributed. At the level of transfection, fibers were present in the inner molecular layer, but they progressively expanded into the middle molecular layer and, most ventrally, formed a distinct band in this region. Optical stimulation of these caudal fibers expressing ChR2 demonstrated robust EPSCs in ipsilateral granule cells and enhanced the effects of perforant path stimulation in the ventral DG. These findings suggest that MCs in the dorsal and ventral DG differ in the distribution of their axonal projections and possibly their function. Mossy cells (MCs), a major cell type in the hilus of the dentate gyrus (DG), are unique in providing extensive longitudinal and commissural projections throughout the DG. Although it has been assumed that all MCs have similar patterns of termination in the inner molecular layer of the DG, we discovered that the axonal projections of dorsal and ventral MCs differ. While ventral MC projections exhibit the classical pattern, with dense innervation in the inner molecular layer, dorsal MCs have a more diffuse distribution and expand into the middle molecular layer where they overlap and interact with innervation from the perforant path. These distinct locations and patterns of axonal projections suggest that dorsal and ventral MCs may have different functional roles.
Topics: Animals; Axons; Dentate Gyrus; Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials; Female; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Mossy Fibers, Hippocampal; Optogenetics
PubMed: 33268544
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2455-20.2020 -
International Wound Journal May 2023Repair of large midline ventral hernias still represents a challenge for general surgeons. As obesity is a key factor of this type of hernias, usually the patients are...
Repair of large midline ventral hernias still represents a challenge for general surgeons. As obesity is a key factor of this type of hernias, usually the patients are presented with abdominal wall laxity, excess skin and subcutaneous fat. Combined procedures has evolved over the last six decades to repair the hernias and to improve the shape of the abdomen, but was associated with high rate of wound complications. The components separation technique for ventral hernia repair was introduced in 1990 by Ramirez et al to avoid mesh repair was associated with a high rate of success. Until recently, the convenience of simultaneously performing ventral hernia repair and abdominal contouring surgery remains controversial. The aim of this study is to present our experience in the integration of the anterior component separation technique for repair of midline wide ventral defects, with the lipoabdominoplasty in selected patients with high body mass index, to achieve a functional abdominal wall repair and to provide a better aesthetic outcome. In this prospective case-control study, 15 adult female multiparous women, all were overweight and obese, presented with midline ventral hernias and abdominal deformity was operated upon where a comprehensive technique in the form of herniorapphy, anterior component separation technique and lipoabdominoplasty were performed. The patients were followed up for 3-6 months period to monitor incidence of complications, hernia recurrence and to assess the aesthetic outcome. All the 15 patients were overweight and obese with BMI ranged between 26.5 and 39.6 kg/m . The mean operative time was 184 ± 28.8 minutes (range 150-240 minutes). The mean postoperative length of hospital stay was 3 days ranging from 1 to 5 days. In addition to the hernia, all the patients suffered from diastasis of recti ranged from 9 to 15 cm in the transverse dimension. No mortality or major complications encountered, no hernia recurrence, only minor complications occurred in four patients (26.8%). Two patients developed seroma which resolved by aspiration, one patient suffered wound infection with partial loss of the umbilicus and one developed superficial skin necrosis at the central area of the flaps which healed uneventfully by secondary intention. All the patients were satisfied with the cosmetic outcome. In conclusion, this comprehensive approach is effective technique for reconstruction of large midline ventral defects and provide a good aesthetic appearance of the anterior and lateral abdomen in appropriately selected obese patients.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Hernia, Ventral; Abdominal Muscles; Herniorrhaphy; Overweight; Case-Control Studies; Abdominoplasty; Obesity
PubMed: 36695339
DOI: 10.1111/iwj.14011