Abnormal Shape Research Articles

Effect of Acute Toxicity of Commercial Organophosphate Insecticide Based on Chlorpyrifos on Fejervarya limnocharis Tadpoles (Anura: Dicroglossidae)

Organophosphate pesticides, especially chlorpyrifos, are one of the most widely used insecticides in agriculture, but their toxicity and potential sensitivity effects on Anura, especially Fejervarya limnocharis are still unknown. The purpose of this investigation is to study F. limnocharis (Anura: Dicroglossidae) tadpole sensitivity to lethal (survivability) and sublethal effects (morphological alterations and swimming activity) of chlorpyrifos in Dursban 200EC commercial formula under acute exposure. An acute toxicity test was carried out on ten tadpoles (Gosner 25) in each repetition. The sample was obtained from artificial reproduction by injecting the Trial Batch 2000 IU hCG by Kings Lab. The acute toxicity testing consisted of three replicates with a chlorpyrifos concentration of 0; 0.4; 0.8; 1; 2; 4; and 8 µg/L. Physico-chemical parameters, mortality, morphological, and swimming alterations of each concentration were observed at 24th, 48th, 72nd, and 96th hours. The LC50 of chlorpyrifos for F. limnocharis tadpoles was 2.86 µg/L. The percentage of survivability F. limnocharis tadpoles decreased after exposure to chlorpyrifos above 1µg/L, while morphological alterations were observed in 2 µg/L and 4 µg/L after 48th hours exposure, and the swimming alterations have occurred at 24th hours in 1; 2; 4 and 8 µg/L. Morphological alterations were observed including asymmetrical body shape, edema, and abnormal tail shape. Based on the LC50 value, commercial chlorpyrifos has high-level toxicity on F. limnocharis tadpoles.Keywords: Acute, Chlorpyrifos, Dursban 200 EC, Fejervarya limnocharis, Tadpoles

Identification of Anemia and Its Severity Level in a Peripheral Blood Smear Using 3-Tier Deep Neural Network

The automatic detection of blood cell elements for identifying morphological deformities is still a challenging research domain. It has a pivotal role in cognition and detecting the severity level of disease. Using a simple microscope, manual disease detection, and morphological disorders in blood cells is mostly time-consuming and erroneous. Due to the overlapped structure of RBCs, pathologists face challenges in differentiating between normal and abnormal cell shape and size precisely. Currently, convolutional neural network-based algorithms are effective tools for addressing this issue. Existing techniques fail to provide effective anemia detection, and severity level prediction due to RBCs’ dense and overlapped structure, non-availability of standard datasets related to blood diseases, and severity level detection techniques. This work proposed a three tier deep convolutional fused network (3-TierDCFNet) to extract optimum morphological features and identify anemic images to predict the severity of anemia. The proposed model comprises two modules: Module-I classifies the input image into two classes, i.e., Healthy and Anemic, while Module-II detects the anemia severity level and categorizes it into Mild or Chronic. After each tier’s training, a validation function is employed to reduce the inappropriate feature selection. To authenticate the proposed model for healthy, anemic RBC classification and anemia severity level detection, a state-of-the-art anemic and healthy RBC dataset was developed in collaboration with Shaukat Khanum Hospital and Research Center (SKMCH&RC), Pakistan. To evaluate the proposed model, the training, validation, and test accuracies were computed along with recall, F1-Score, and specificity. The global results reveal that the proposed model achieved 91.37%, 88.85%, and 86.06% training, validation, and test accuracies with 98.95%, 98.12%, and 98.12% recall F1-Score and specificity, respectively.

Altered amygdala shape trajectories and emotion recognition in youth at familial high risk of schizophrenia who develop psychosis

Relatives of individuals with schizophrenia have a higher risk of developing the illness compared to the general population. Thus, youth at familial high risk (FHR) offer a unique opportunity to identify neuroimaging-based endophenotypes of psychosis. Previous studies have identified lower amygdalo-hippocampal volume in FHR, as well as lower verbal memory and emotion recognition. However, whether these phenotypes increase the risk of transition to psychosis remains unclear. To determine if individuals who develop psychosis have abnormal neurodevelopmental trajectories of the amygdala and hippocampus, we investigated longitudinal changes of these structures in a unique cohort of 82 youth FHR and 56 healthy controls during a 3-year period. Ten individuals from the FHR group converted to psychosis. Longitudinal changes were compared using linear mixed-effects models. Group differences in verbal memory and emotion recognition performance at baseline were also analyzed. Surface-based morphometry measures revealed variation in amygdalar shape (concave shape of the right dorsomedial region) in those who converted to psychosis. Significantly lower emotion recognition performance at baseline was observed in converters. Percent trial-to-trial transfer on the verbal learning task was also significantly impaired in FHR, independently of the conversion status. Our results identify abnormal shape development trajectories in the dorsomedial amygdala and lower emotion recognition abilities as phenotypes of transition to psychosis. Our findings illustrate potential markers for early identification of psychosis, aiding prevention efforts in youth at risk of schizophrenia.

Mitochondrion Participated in Effect Mechanism of Manganese Poisoning on Heat Shock Protein and Ultrastructure of Testes in Chickens.

Manganese (Mn) poisoning can happen in the case of environmental pollution and occupational exposure. However, the underlying mechanisms of Mn-induced teste toxicity and whether mitochondrion and heat shock proteins (HSPs) are involved in toxic effect of Mn on chicken testes remain poorly understood. To investigate this, MnCl2·4H2O was administered in the diet (600, 900, and 1800mg/kg Mn) of chickens for 30, 60, and 90days. Electron microscopy and qPCR were performed. Results showed that Mn exposure suppressed dose- and time-dependently HSP40 and HSP60 mRNA levels, meanwhile increased does-dependently HSP27, HSP70, and HSP90 mRNA levels at all three time points under three Mn exposure concentrations. Furthermore, Mn treatment damaged myoid cells, spermatocytes, and Sertoli cells through electron microscopic observation, indicating that Mn treatment damaged chicken testes. In addition, abnormal shapes of mitochondria were found, and mitochondria displayed extensive vacuolation. The increase of HSP90 and HSP70 induced by Mn exposure inhibited HSP40 and stimulated HSP27, respectively, in chicken testes, which needs further to be explored. Taken together, our study suggested that there was toxic effect in excess Mn on chickens, and HSPs and mitochondria were involved in the mechanism of dose-dependent injury caused by Mn in chicken testes. This study provided new insights for Mn toxicity identification in animal husbandry production practice.

Interpreting Rheumatology Laboratory Tests

Interpreting Rheumatology Laboratory Tests

CROSS-SECTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF THE NON-TRAUMATIC ABNORMAL SHAPE OF POSTERIOR EYE GLOBE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING BRAIN IMAGING.

Introduction: Causes of abnormal shape of eye globe are axial myopia, staphyloma, coloboma, apparent enlargement of eye. The presence and types of staphyloma are determined by the entire eye shape in CT/MRI scans. To look for the shape of posterior eyeball in patients who come for brain imaging CT/MRI is useful in preventing the vision. Aim & Objectives: To study various types of posterior eye globe shapes using cross-sectional imaging (CT/MRI).Role of cross-sectional imaging (CT/MRI) in the prevention of vision loss. Material And Method: This is a cross-sectional observational study done in the department of radio-diagnosis, Pacic Institute of Medical Sciences, Udaipur from June 2021 to January 2022 (over the period of 6 months). This study included 2000 patients (age above 40 years) referred for cross-sectional brain imaging (CT/MRI) for various symptoms/abnormalities. In 50 patients, assessment for the posterior eye globe shape was performed. Axial lengths of orbits were also measured in all 50 patients. Results: Out of 50 patients, 23 patients had axial myopia, 15 patients had staphyloma,4 patients had coloboma,3 patients had apparent enlargement of eye ball ,3 patients had enlargement of eyeball due to glaucoma and 2 patients had irregularity in shape of eye globe due to secondary involvement by mucormycosis. Conclusion: Posterior enlargement of the eye globe is common in old age patient, and CT & MRI are useful modalities to diagnose various types of enlargement. In MRI, the sagittal and axial plane of T2WI are very useful for checking for eyeball size, shape, and pathology.

Characterization of hot deformation and microstructure evolution of a new metastable β titanium alloy

The hot deformation characteristics of as-forged Ti−3.5Al−5Mo−6V−3Cr−2Sn−0.5Fe−0.1B−0.1C alloy within a temperature range from 750 to 910 °C and a strain rate range from 0.001 to 1 s−1 were investigated by hot compression tests. The stress−strain curves show that the flow stress decreases with the increase of temperature and the decrease of strain rate. The microstructure is sensitive to deformation parameters. The dynamic recrystallization (DRX) grains appear while the temperature reaches 790 °C at a constant strain rate of 0.001 s−1 and strain rate is not higher than 0.1 s−1 at a constant temperature of 910 °C. The work-hardening rate θ is calculated and it is found that DRX prefers to happen at high temperature and low strain rate. The constitutive equation and processing map were obtained. The average activation energy of the alloy is 242.78 kJ/mol and there are few unstable regions on the processing map, which indicates excellent hot workability. At the strain rate of 0.1 s−1, the stress−strain curves show an abnormal shape where there are two stress peaks simultaneously. This can be attributed to the alternation of hardening effect, which results from the continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) and the rotation of DRX grains, and dynamic softening mechanism.

Combinations of plant essential oils and their major compositions inducing mortality and morphological abnormality of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus

Extensive uses of synthetic insecticides to control mosquito's populations have induced the insects to develop resistance against them, rendering them ineffective today. Moreover, they cause serious impacts on human health and the ecosystem. Therefore, safe and effective natural alternatives are needed. This study evaluated the larvicidal and pupicidal activities of essential oils (EOs) from Illicium verum and Zanthoxylum limonella and the major constituents against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes as well as recorded their morphological aberrations at death. The GC-MS analysis showed that trans-anethole was the major constituent of I. verum EO, and limonene was the major constituent of Z. limonella EO. Both were more effective against the larvae and pupae of Ae. aegypti than those of Ae. albopictus. A 2.5% I. verum EO + 2.5% trans-anethole combination showed the highest larvicidal and pupicidal effects against Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus with an LT50 ranging from 0.2-6.9 h. Between the two tested constituents, trans-anethole exhibited stronger larvicidal and pupicidal activities (LC50 ranging 2.4–3.4%) against the two tested mosquito species than d-limonene (LC50 ranging 2.5–3.7%). Most importantly, 5% trans-anethole, 5% d-limonene, and 2.5% I. verum EO + 2.5% trans-anethole were more effective (LT50 ranging 0.1–0.3 h) than 1% (w/w) temephos (LT50 ranging 2.9–3.1 h). Morphological aberrations at death observed were such as color pigment and thorax shape abnormalities. To conclude, trans-anethole, d-limonene, and a combination of I. verum EO + trans-anethole, are natural compounds that not only are as effective as temephos at the time of this study, but should be also be much safer to human health.

Suppression of Pepper Root Rot and Wilt Diseases Caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum.

Pepper is vulnerable to soil-borne fungal pathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum. The potential of beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms to control R. solani and F. oxysporum f.sp. capsici was evaluated in pepper plants. Paenibacillus polymyxa and Trichoderma longibrachiatum were isolated from rhizospheric soil samples of healthy pepper plants. In vitro, both isolates caused clear reductions in the radial growth of root rot and wilt pathogens. Scanning electron microscopy displayed lysis and abnormal shape of the pathogens in dual cultures with P. polymyxa and T. longibrachiatum. The incidence and severity of root rot and wilt diseases were significantly reduced in pepper plants treated with the growth-promoting fungi (PGPF isolates; Fusarium equiseti GF19-1, Fusarium equiseti GF18-3, and Phoma sp. GS8-3), P. polymyxa, or T. longibrachiatum in comparison to the control. Moreover, the induction treatments led to increased pepper growth compared with their control. The defense related gene (CaPR4) expression was shown to be significantly higher in the treated plants than in the control plants. In conclusion, the antagonistic isolates (P. polymyxa and T. longibrachiatum) and PGPF isolates have a clear impact on the prevention of root rot and wilt diseases in pepper plants incited by R. solani and F. oxysporum f.sp. capsici. The expression of the CaPR4 gene added to the evidence that PGPF isolates generate systemic resistance to pathogen infections.

Thalamic Shape Abnormalities Differentially Relate to Cognitive Performance in Early-Onset and Adult-Onset Schizophrenia

Early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) shares many biological and clinical features with adult-onset schizophrenia (AOS), but may represent a unique subgroup with greater susceptibility for disease onset and worsened symptomatology and progression, which could potentially derive from exaggerated neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Neurobiological explanations of schizophrenia have emphasized the involvement of deep-brain structures, particularly alterations of the thalamus, which have been linked to core features of the disorder. The aim of this study was to compare thalamic shape abnormalities between EOS and AOS subjects and determine whether unique behavioral profiles related to these differences. It was hypothesized abnormal thalamic shape would be observed in anterior, mediodorsal and pulvinar regions in both schizophrenia groups relative to control subjects, but exacerbated in EOS. Magnetic resonance T1-weighted images were collected from adult individuals with EOS (n = 28), AOS (n = 33), and healthy control subjects (n = 60), as well as collection of clinical and cognitive measures. Large deformation high-dimensional brain mapping was used to obtain three-dimensional surfaces of the thalamus. General linear models were used to compare groups on surface shape features, and Pearson correlations were used to examine relationships between thalamic shape and behavioral measures. Results revealed both EOS and AOS groups demonstrated significant abnormal shape of anterior, lateral and pulvinar thalamic regions relative to CON (all p < 0.007). Relative to AOS, EOS exhibited exacerbated abnormalities in posterior lateral, mediodorsal and lateral geniculate thalamic regions (p = 0.003). Thalamic abnormalities related to worse episodic memory in EOS (p = 0.03) and worse working memory (p = 0.047) and executive functioning (p = 0003) in AOS. Overall, findings suggest thalamic abnormalities are a prominent feature in both early- and late-onset schizophrenia, but exaggerated in EOS and have different brain-behavior profiles for each. The persistence of these abnormalities in adult EOS patients suggests they may represent markers of disrupted neurodevelopment that uniquely relate to the clinical and cognitive aspects of the illness.

The Correlation Between the Sonographic Course of Transobturator Slings and Sling-Related Pain.

To determine whether transobturator slings follow a consistent path and whether there is an association between ultrasonographically visualized sling pattern or position with sling-related pain. This was a cross-sectional retrospective pilot study. We evaluated women who were presented to our clinic for pain or other urogynecologic symptoms following transobturator sling placement between 2009 and 2014. Patients had undergone a 3-dimensional endovaginal pelvic floor ultrasound, assessing minimal levator hiatus, antero-posterior diameter, left-right diameter, and the hiatal shape. The mesh patterns were categorized as seagull patterns (normal), lopsided, flat, and convoluted. A total of 68 cases were reviewed. Fifty patients reported pain, and 18 did not. There were wide variations in the course of the slings. The sling center- minimal levator hiatus position ranged 14.8 mm below and 17.9 mm above the minimal levator hiatus. The lateral arm insertion points ranged between 17.1 mm below and 16.6 mm above the minimal levator hiatus. The right arm insertion points ranged between 9.6 mm below and 18.8 mm above the minimal levator hiatus. Thirty-five of 68 (70%) patients with pain and 13 of 18 (72.2%) without had abnormal sling patterns. The abnormal sling shape was not correlated with pain (P=1). The levator shape trended toward a statistical significant correlation with sling shape abnormality (P=.084). This population of women with transobturator sling complications demonstrated wide variations in anatomic paths. Neither the abnormal sling shape nor the distance of the center of the tape from the minimal levator hiatus level were correlated with pain.

MDS/AML with del5q: An acquired "laminopathy"?

In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Reilly etal. propose loss of LMNB1, the gene encoding lamin B1, often deleted in MDS/AML, as a novel genetic basis for the abnormal nuclear shape of neutrophils (known as acquired Pelger-Huët anomaly) and a cause of HSPC fate alterations promoting malignancy.

C. elegans BLMP-1 controls apical epidermal cell morphology by repressing expression of mannosyltransferase bus-8 and molting signal mlt-8

Skin epidermis secretes apical extracellular matrix (aECM) as a protective barrier from the external environment. The aECM is highly dynamic and constantly undergoes remodeling during animal development. How aECM dynamics is temporally regulated during development, and whether and how its mis-regulation may impact epidermal cell morphology or function remains to be fully elucidated. Here, we report that the conserved Zn-finger transcription factor BLMP-1/Blimp1, which regulates epidermal development in C. elegans, controls apical cell shape of the epidermis by downregulation of aECM remodeling. Loss of blmp-1 causes upregulation of genes essential for molting, including bus-8 and mlt-8, in adult, leading to an abnormal shape in the apical region of adult epidermal cells. The apical epidermal morphological defect is suppressed by reduction of bus-8 or mlt-8. BUS-8 is a key mannosyltransferase, which functions in glycosylation of N-linked glycoproteins; MLT-8 has a ganglioside GM2 lipid-binding domain and is implicated in signaling during molting, a process where the old cuticle is shed and synthesized anew. Overexpression of bus-8 or mlt-8 induces an apical epidermal cell defect as observed in blmp-1 mutants. MLT-8::GFP fusion protein is localized to lysosomes and secreted to aECM. BUS-8 is important for MLT-8 stability and lysosomal targeting, which may be regulated by BUS-8-mediated glycosylation of MLT-8 and function as a molting signaling cue in aECM remodeling. We propose that BLMP-1 represses MLT-8 expression and glycosylation in the epidermis to prevent inappropriate aECM remodeling, which is essential for maintenance of apical epidermal cell morphology during larva-to-adult transition.

Hif1\u03b1-dependent hypoxia signaling contributes to the survival of deep-layer neurons and cortex formation in a mouse model

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 α (Hif1α) plays a crucial role in brain development. To study the function of Hif1α in early brain development, we generated neuroepithelial cell-specific Hif1α-knockout mice. Hif1α-knockout mice died soon after birth; these mice exhibited an abnormal head shape, indicating the presence of brain defects. Morphological analysis revealed that Hif1α ablation reduced the overall size of the brain, especially affecting the telencephalon. Neuronal apoptosis predominantly occurred in deep-layer neurons, consequently the alignment of cortical layers was severely disorganized in Hif1α knockout mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Vegf signaling contributes to the survival of deep-layer neurons as a downstream effector of Hif1α-dependent hypoxia signaling. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that Hif1α plays a critical role in the early stages of telencephalon development.

Good patient satisfaction with low complications rate after trochleoplasty in patellofemoral instability.

Trochlear dysplasia has been recognized as the most common factor in patients with patellofemoral dislocation. Trochleoplasty is a surgical procedure whose primary goal is to modify the femoral trochlea's abnormal shape in patients suffering from patellar instability, requiring good surgical skills, correct indication, and accurate patient information. The review aims to describe preoperative planning, patient selection, most common surgical techniques, and clinical results of trochleoplasty in patellar instability in a reproducible manner. Trochleoplasty can be considered a general term to describe a group of different procedures that reduce trochlear dysplasia's impact on patellar instability, aiming to restore patella-trochlear congruency, remove the supratrochlear bump, allowed a new groove positioning and are generally associated with other procedures. Recent studies showed satisfactory long-term results with the restoration of patellar stability, improving radiological findings of patellofemoral instability. Trochleoplasty is a technically demanding technique, requiring careful patient selection, detailed knowledge, and surgical skills to avoid severe complications. Good patient satisfaction with a low risk of significant complications such as patellofemoral arthritis has been revealed. In conclusion, trochleoplasty should be systematically included in the treatment of patellar dislocation, if indicated. V.

ACETABULAR DYSPLASIA AND CAM MORPHOLOGY ARE FEATURES OF SEVERE HIP OSTEOARTHRITIS: FINDINGS FROM A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN UK BIOBANK

Purpose: Abnormalities in hip shape are thought to represent an important predisposing factor for the development of hip osteoarthritis (HOA). Whereas developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is linked to early onset HOA, more subtle changes in hip shape are also thought to contribute to HOA. These include cam and pincer type morphology, which are thought to lead to femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI), and acetabular dysplasia. We aimed to (i) evaluate relationships between radiographic hip shape derived from UK Biobank DXA images, and osteoarthritis based on definitions of varying severity and (ii) determine to what extent radiographic hip shape-HOA relationships are modified by alpha angle (AA) and lateral centre edge angle (LCEA), reflecting cam morphology and acetabular dysplasia, respectively.

Histomorphology of immunomodulation and PD1 expression in breast cancer tumor draining lymph nodes

Background: Metastasis in tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) is correlated with poor prognosis in breast cancers. It is associated with local immune suppression, which can be partly due to the higher expression of check point inhibitors in immune cells. The morphological manifestation of the underlying immunomodulation of TDLNs has been less investigated. Here, we present the histomorphological changes and PD1 expression pattern in metastatic and non-metastatic TDLNs in breast cancer patients. Methods: A total of 248 metastatic or non-metastatic TDLNs from 50 breast carcinoma samples were examined histologically and for PD1 expression in the present study. We assessed the immune response in these TDLNs as per histomorphological patterns on H&amp;E stained slides, categorizing them into lymphocyte predominance, germinal center predominance and an un-stimulated pattern. Anti-PD1 immunohistochemistry was performed on all lymph nodes. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 23 and P value &lt;0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The lymph node metastasis in breast carcinoma was significantly higher at younger age, patients with higher tumor grade and lympho-vascular invasion in the primary tumor. The metastatic lymph nodes showed significantly higher densities of germinal centers with abnormal shapes, as compared to non-metastatic ones. There was significantly higher expression of PD1 in the immune cells of metastatic TDLNs. Conclusion: The identification of PD1 immunohistochemical profile along with histological changes of TDLNs should therefore be considered as a possible prognostic and predictive marker for lymph node metastasis. The patients with higher densities of germinal center with abnormal shape and increased PD1 expression should benefit from immune-check point inhibitor therapy.

Infants With Torticollis Who Changed Head Presentation During A Physical Therapy Episode.

The purpose of this study is to describe infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) who changed head presentation during an episode of physical therapy. Data were extracted from electronic medical records between January 2015 and December 2018 to describe infants with CMT who changed presentation. Eighty-nine infants met criteria (predominantly male, non-Hispanic, White, with private insurance). Torticollis symptoms were noticed by 3 months in 90% of infants with a physical therapy examination before 6 months in 100% of infants. Most infants had early mild CMT with abnormal head shape and greater limitation in active cervical range of motion (ROM) than passive cervical ROM. Clinicians frequently recommended weekly physical therapy that included first- choice and supplemental interventions. Episodes of care averaged 7 visits over 64 days with 73% of infants meeting goals. Physical therapists should recognize that infants with CMT may change presentation but benefit from physical therapy to resolve symptoms.Digital Abstract available at: http://links.lww.com/PPT/A366.

Pinus koraiensis needle or cone extracts alleviate atopic dermatitis symptoms by regulating immunity and suppressing inflammation in HaCaT cells and Nc/Nga mice.

Pinus koraiensis needles (PKN) and cones (PKC) have been shown to protect against inflammation and pathogenic bacteria. We investigated the efficacies and action mechanisms of topical applications of 1,3-butylene glycol (BG) extracts and oral administration of their water extracts on atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms. After exposing HaCaT cells and Nc/Nga mice dorsal skins to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to induce atopic dermatitis models, they were topically applied BG (AD-control), 30% PKNX, or 30% PKCX to the skin lesions and fed water extracts (0.5%) in high-fat diets for 5weeks. Normal-control mice had no DNCB exposure. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), IL-4, and TNF-α levels and gene expressions of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-γ in the dorsal skin and HaCaT cells were measured. The AD-control mice elevated TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA levels in HaCaT cells. Both extracts attenuated clinical AD symptoms in AD-induced Nc/Nga mice: PKNX improved hemorrhage, erythema, and lichenification of dorsal skin better than PKCX while both similarly alleviated erythema, edema, excoriation, and itching behavior. PKCX reduced IgE contents and increased filaggrin mRNA expression better than PKNX, but PKNX reduced lipid peroxides and mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-4 in the dorsal skin. In the histological analysis of the dorsal skin, the administration of both extracts significantly decreased mast cell numbers, immune cell infiltration, gaps between the epidermis and dermis, and abnormal cell and nucleus shapes. In conclusion, both PKCX and PKNX treatment alleviated the DNCB-induced clinical symptoms of AD by alleviating immune-related symptoms and inflammation in partially different pathways. Therefore, PKNX and PKCX may be effective for AD therapy. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is related to an overly activated immune response, and it has steadily increased last 3 decades. However, no optimal sustainable treatments are available. Pinus koraiensis needles and cones extracts have been used for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial treatment. The present study demonstrated that their intake and topical administration onto the AD lesion alleviated clinical AD symptoms associated with reduced proinflammatory cytokines, mast cell numbers, and immune cell infiltrates to maintain dermal structure with maintaining filaggrin expression in AD-induced HaCaT cells and Nc/Nga mice. These results suggested that Pinus koraiensis needles and cones extracts can be developed and applied as beneficial alternative therapies for AD.

Dental Abnormalities in Immature Dogs with a History of Mandibular Fractures.

This study was performed to report the dental abnormalities encountered in immature dogs with a history of mandibular fracture. Dogs were included in the study if mandibular fractures were diagnosed by means of oral examination and diagnostic imaging, they were treated with non-invasive or minimally invasive methods, and there was a follow-up examination of at least 90 days after the initial presentation with the last follow-up visit occurring at 6 months of age or older. Eleven dogs met the inclusion criteria. Dental abnormalities occurred exclusively in those dogs that had sustained fracture of the mandibular body or fracture at the transition of mandibular body and mandibular ramus. A high number of developing permanent teeth located in or near the mandibular fracture were affected (73.5%). The most common dental abnormalities were failure of eruption or partial eruption (29.0%), resorption (22.6%), abnormal shape (19.4%), and enamel hypoplasia (16.1%). The majority of deciduous teeth (64.3%) in or near the mandibular fracture exfoliated uneventfully. Ten out of 11 dogs needed a surgical procedure to treat dental abnormalities after mandibular fracture healing. The development of the tooth germs located in or near a mandibular fracture is frequently affected. Radiographic evaluation of the area of trauma is recommended until eruption and full development of the teeth are completed.