Connective Tissue Hyperplasia Research Articles

The Angiopoietin-like protein 4: a promising biomarker to distinguish brucella spondylitis from tuberculous spondylitis

ObjectiveThe Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL-4) has been proved to be a protein associated with multiple inflammatory responses. Nevertheless, whether it contributes to distinguishing brucella spondylitis (BS) from tuberculous spondylitis (TS) remains an open question. Our study aim is to explore the capability of the ANGPTL-4 to differentiating BS from TS.Materials and methodIn our study, 53 patients were screened out according to the criteria precisely in Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated of the First Hospital from 1 January, 2016, to 31 December, 2018. Their clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. All of them underwent pathological biopsy and magnetic resonance imaging examination. All the frozen tissue sections were stained for testing ANGPTL-4.ResultAmong the 53 patients, BS had 26 patients, and TS had 27 patients. There was no significant difference between the baseline (P = 0.682) between the two groups. The positive rate of ANGPTL-4 in TS patients (24/27, 88.89%) was higher than that in BS patients (17/26, 65.83%) (P < 0.05). The incidence of microangiopathy and fibrous connective tissue hyperplasia in patients with BS was distinctly higher than those in the TS (P = 0.001, P = 0.008, respectively). Patients of TS frequently presented more granuloma, caseous necrosis, epithelial-like reaction, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) than those of BS.ConclusionOur study provided novel insights into distinguishing BS from TS using the ANGPTL-4 combining with histopathology, which may become new supporting evidence.Key Points• Brucella spondylitis and tuberculous spondylitis are a significant public health concern and even have prolonged damage, contributing to severe health and economic outcomes in Xinjiang of China.• The granuloma, caseous necrosis, epithelioid reaction, microangiosis, and fibrous connective tissue of pathological tissue might play a critical significance for distinguishing brucella spondylitis from tuberculous spondylitis patients.• ANGPLT-4 may become new supporting evidence identify brucella spondylitis and tuberculous spondylitis which is implicated in inflammation angiogenesis-related disorders.

Effects of Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells on Coronary Artery Damage in Mice with Kawasaki Disease By High-Frequency Ultrasound

Objective: to use lactobacillus casein cell wall extract (LCWE) to induce Kawasaki disease (KD) mouse model, and analyse the process of coronary artery damage and effects of umbilical cord blood stem cells by high-frequency ultrasound in small animals. Methods: LCWE was prepared and 18 BALB/c pups were randomly divided into two groups: 15 in KD model group and 3 in the normal control group. KD model was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.5ml LCWE in the model group, and changes of the coronary artery were observed at 2d, 21d and 30d after the injection, respectively. From the 16th day of modeling, 300 μL PBS was injected intraperitoneally daily in the control group and model group. The hUC-MSCs 300 μL (105/mL) were intraperitoneally injected daily for 10 consecutive days in the stem cell group. The mice were sacrificed in batches on day 2, 15, 21 and 30, and the morphological changes of coronary arteries were observed by echocardiography and histopathology. Results: the change of coronary artery diameter could be accurately measured by high-frequency small animal ultrasound. At 21d, the coronary arteries of the model group were widened compared with those of the control group. At 30d, there was no significant difference between the model group and the previous model group. Histopathology showed slight swelling of the epicardium of aortic valve, mitral valve, right ventricle and atrium, scattered infiltration of a few neutrophils, dilatation of the coronary artery lumen, necrosis and disintegration of a small number of myocardial cells, and significant hyperplasia of local fibrous connective tissue accompanied by solid calcium salt deposits. After hUC-MSCs intervention treatment, B-ultrasound showed a decrease in the main coronary artery diameter, histopathology showed multiple lymphocytes, eosinophilic granulocytes, and mononuclear cell infiltration in the left atrial appendage of mice, and no obvious vascular inflammatory reaction or other obvious abnormalities were observed. Conclusion: high-frequency ultrasound can be used to clearly obtain the coronary artery image of KD mice and dynamically observe the evolution process of coronary artery diameter, which provides more diagnostic basis for the treatment of clinical KD. And hUC-MSCs intervention reduced the pathological lesion of coronary artery inflammation in mice compared with the model group.

Long non‑coding RNA NEAT1 promotes pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the microRNA‑455‑3p/SMAD3 axis.

Pulmonary fibrosis is an excessive repair response to tissue damage, triggering hyperplasia of fibrotic connective tissues; however, there is no effective treatment in a clinical setting. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the roles of long non-coding RNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) and microRNA-455-3p (miR-455-3p) were investigated in pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, the mRNA expression levels of NEAT1, miR-455-3p and SMAD3 in the HPAEpiC alveolar and BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cell lines were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, while the markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and collagen production were determined using western blot analysis. A wound healing assay was performed to evaluate the migratory ability of the HPAEpiC and BEAS-2B cell lines. The interactions between NEAT1 and miR-455-3p or SMAD3 and miR-455-3p were validated using a luciferase reporter gene assay. The results showed that the mRNA expression levels of NEAT1 and SMAD3 were upregulated in the TGF-β1-treated HPAEpiC and BEAS-2B cell lines, while the mRNA expression level of miR-455-3p was significantly decreased. In addition, silencing NEAT1 effectively alleviated the migratory ability, EMT and collagen generation of the epithelial cells. Following these experiments, NEAT1 was identified as a sponge for miR-455-3p, and SMAD3 was a target gene of miR-455-3p. NEAT1 downregulation or miR-455-3p mimic inhibited the migratory ability, EMT and collagen production of the epithelial cells; however, the effects were reversed by the overexpression of SMAD3. Furthermore, NEAT1 knockdown reduced the expression level of SMAD3 by increasing the expression level of miR-455-3p to further inhibit the migratory ability, EMT and collagen production of epithelial cells.

Distribution of arsenic species and pathological characteristics of tissues of the mice fed with arsenic-supplemented food simulating rice.

The exposure and harm of arsenic have attracted wide attention. Rice is an arsenic-rich crop. The purpose of this study was to learn the distribution of arsenic species and the pathological changes in tissues of mice exposed to arsenic-supplemented food simulating rice. Test groups of mice were orally exposed with prepared arsenic feeds supplemented with four arsenic species (arsenite iAsIII, arsenate iAsV, monomethylarsonate MMA, and dimethylarsinate DMA) at three doses (total As concentration: 0.91, 9.1 and 30 μg/g), which simulated the arsenic species ratio in rice. After 112 days, the concentrations of the arsenic species in the spleen, thymus, heart, skin and hair were detected, and histopathology of the spleen, heart and skin was observed. Each arsenic species was detected and their total concentration increased in a dose-dependent manner with a few exceptions. One interesting phenomenon is that ratio of the organic arsenic to inorganic arsenic also increased in a dose-dependent manner. For the other, the order of tissues from high to low arsenic concentration was the same in the medium- and high-dose groups. The histopathological sections of the spleen, heart and skin showed dose-dependent debilitating alterations in tissue architecture. Hyperplasia, hyaline degeneration and sclerosis of fibrous connective tissue occurred in the spleen. Myocardial cell atrophy and interstitial edema occurred in the heart. Hyperpigmentation, hyperkeratosis and atypia of basal cells occurred in the skin. In summary, the long-term intake of high arsenic rice has a health risk. Further studies are needed to assess it.

Management of oral mucosal irritational fibroma with laser therapy: A case report

Traumatic or irritational fibroma is a general benign exophytic tumor or neoplasm of fibrous connective tissue origin that can be considered a reactionary connective tissue hyperplasia in response to trauma and irritation. They are clinically marked by solid well-demarcated rounded, sessile, or pedunculated growths covered by normal mucosa and are a relatively uncommon lesion. Local trauma can generate ulceration of these lesions. They are usually seen on the buccal mucosa but can also occur at any intra-oral site. These lesions are more common in adults and can befall at any age. Simple, complete excision and removal of the cause of irritation are the preferred treatment. The use of lasers in different dental procedures has become very common. Lasers have obvious benefits for all the patients without administering anesthetic shots and that means less time spent in the dental chair. Procedures were performed more conservatively, with less trauma for patients. The excision of the fibroma with the diode laser is a safe, quick procedure, with minimum postoperative discomfort and complications. This paper reports the management of a fibroma in a 25-year-old male with a mass in the inner surface of left check with a 940 nm diode laser. Keywords: Irritational fibroma, Fibroepithelial hyperplasia, Diode LASER, Minimal bleeding, Improved healing.

A Common Insecticide Induced-Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats: Significance for Humans and Implications for Nutritional Modulation of Insecticide Toxicity

Objective This study examined the levels of selected micronutrients and associated biochemical changes in rats exposed to Baygon® insecticide. Arsenic is a toxic metalloid commonly used in insecticides manufacture but unheralded. Methods Fifteen rats, divided into three equal groups: Group I (control); group II (administered 2.5 mg/kg sodium arsenite (SA) on alternate days for four weeks); group III (exposed to 14.0 mL Baygon® m−3 cage volume daily for four weeks). Serum levels of arsenic (As), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). Reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total protein (TP) were determined spectrophotometrically. Results Arsenic and Se levels were significantly raised in groups II and III compared with control (p < 0.05), unlike Zn levels that were significantly decreased in groups II and III (p < 0.05) in both. No significant change in the activity of GPx; though the activity increased in the group treated with SA, but decreased in the group treated with Baygon® compared to control (P < 0.05). Histology of the liver and lung was unaltered in control, but in contrast, the SA-treated group demonstrated moderate fibrous hyperplasia with prominent highly infiltrated portal area in the liver; while the lung revealed thickened alveolar walls from proliferated pneumocytes. In the Baygon®-treated group, there was mild hyperplasia of the fibrous connective tissue and congested prominent portal areas; while the lung exhibited severe thickened alveolar walls due to proliferated pneumocytes. Conclusion Exposure of rats to Baygon® elicited alteration of key trace elements involved in the antioxidant system, culminating in oxidative stress with attendant deleterious effects. One significance of this for humans is that it has great potentials for possible nutritional modulation of insecticide toxicity with micronutrients, especially with zinc, holding great promise in tropical developing countries.

Management of giant fibromatous epulis: a case report

Background: Epulis fibromatosa is a hyperplastic reaction of fibrous connective tissue due to chronic stimulation or irritation, such as sharp parts of the retained root. The mass was pedunculated, pale pink in color, solid consistency, the boundary was firm, and was not easy to bleed with no pain. Aim:Discuss the management of giant fibromatous epulis by excision. Case: A 49-years-old man came to Dental Hospital of Hasanuddin University, complained of gums that had enlarged and disturbed while chewing so that the patient had difficulty to close his mouth. The masses appeared since 3 years ago, initially small and gradually grew to the size 10x5x7 cm, solid consistency, well-defined, not easy to bleed, and not painful. The mass has been treated by excision and removal of tooth 37 in general anesthesia. Discussion: Patient was temporarily diagnosed with suspected fibromatous epulis and the presence of retained root, probably caused by chronic irritation from sharp parts of retained root. Fibrous connective tissue hyperplasia is a benign soft tissue tumor as the response to local irritants. Conclusion: The excision of fibromatous epulis was carried out to remove the mass and eliminating the predisposed factor.

Toxicological effect of zinc on liver of broiler chicks

BackgroundThe objective of this study is to examine the toxic effects of zinc on the liver of broiler chicks. For this purpose, twenty broiler chicks were taken for the experiment and their weight ranging from 35-45 g. They were divided into four groups: one control and three treated groups. All treated groups were supplemented with 300 mg/kgb.w (low dose, LD), 600 mg/kgb.w (intermediate dose, ID) and 900 mg/kgb.w. (high dose, HD) of Zinc and the control group was fed basal commercial starter diet for 21 days.ResultsNecrosis, liver cell hypertrophy, fuzzy liver cells and lymphocytic inflammation were found in birds exposed to the low and intermediate dose as compared to the controlled group. Broiler chicks exposed to high dose showed pronounced changes in the liver such as congestion of blood vessels, connective tissue hyperplasia, bile duct proliferation, dilation of sinusoids, damaged intercellular contacts between hepatocytes, liver cell hypertrophy and accumulation of inflammatory cellsConclusionAfter the careful analysis of the study, the results have been reported that if one can take zinc in higher amount as supplements or in their foods than it affects the normal structure of the liver and it will alter the functioning of the liver in both human and animals.

Effect of electroacupuncture on tissue elasticity and expression of muscular MyoD and myogenin in rats with acute gastrocnemius contusion

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Ashi" acupoint and "Kunlun" (BL60) on elastic modulus, histopathological changes and expression of myogenic regulatory factors in gastrocnemius(GM) contusion rats, so as to explore the therapeutic effect of local acupoint selection and acupoint selection along channel. Male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control (n＝5), model (n＝15), Ashi-point (n＝15) and BL60 (n＝15) groups. The acute GM contusion model was established by striking (free falling) the GM with a homemade hitter. EA (0.5 to 1.0 mA, 2 Hz/10 Hz) was applied to Ashi-point (local focus) and BL60 for 30 min 24 h after muscle injury. The elasticity maximum (Emax) of gastrocnemius muscle was measured by using an ultrasonic device. Histopathological changes were observed after H．E. stain, and the number of Myogenic differentiation(MyoD)- and Myogenin (MyoG)-positive cells was detected by using immunohistochemistry. After mdeling, the Emax value of GM was significantly increased from the 3rd h to 7th day in comparison with pre- injury of muscle (P<0.05), and was markedly increased on the 3rd day and obviously lower on day 7 in the Ashi-point group than in the model group (P<0.05). The numbers of MyoD- and MyoG-positive cells of GM were significantly increased on day 7 in the model group than in the blank control group (P<0.05), and both further increased in Ashi-point on day 3 and 5, and MyoG-positive cells further increased in BL60 group on day 5 and in Ashi-point group on day 7 relevant to the model group(P<0.05). The therapeutic effect of EA-Ashi-point was apparently superior to that of BL60 in up-regulating Emax on day 3 and in up-regulating the number of MyoD-positive cells on day 3 and 5 (P<0.05). H．E. stain showed disordered arrangement of muscle fibers, infiltration of inflammatory cells, increase of intercellular space, and edema on day 3 after modeling (which was milder in the Ashi-point group); and gradual fusion and thickening of new born muscle fibers with obvious connective tissue hyperplasia converged to the lesioned region on day 7 in the model group (convergence of new born muscle cells to the lesion region in both EA groups, and more complete tissues in the Ashi-point group). EA of Ashi-point and BL60 can up-regulate the expression of myogenic regulatory factors MyoD and MyoG of GM tissue in GM contusion rats, which may contribute to its function in promoting recovery of muscle elasticity. The role of EA-Ashi-point is superior to that of EA-BL60.

Experimental study on the effect of green tea polyphenols combined with Mecobalamin on the repair of peripheral nerve injury

Objective To investigate the effect of green tea polyphenols combined with Mecobalamin on nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury and repair. Methods Sixty adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups, the experimental group and the control group, 30 rats in each group. Another 6 Wistar rats were taken as the blank control group. The experimental group was given green tea polyphenols 50 mg/(kg·d) and Mecobalamin 50 μ g/(kg·d) by gavage, while the control group was given Mecobalamin 50 μ g/(kg·d) by gavage for 2 weeks. Then the general condition, electrophysiological recovery, wet weight recovery rate of triceps surae muscle, the number of myelinated nerve fibers and the difference of histopathology were observed. Results The average nerve conduction velocity and myelinated nerve fiber count in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group at the 2nd, 4th and 6th week after operation (P 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the experimental group, the control group and the blank control group at the 12th week after operation (P>0.05). The recovery rate of wet weight of triceps surae muscle in experimental group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). In the experimental group, the regenerated myelinated nerve fibers were evenly distributed, arranged relatively orderly, with high density and less hyperplasia of connective tissue. Conclusion The green tea polyphenols may play an important role in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. Key words: Peripheral nerve; Nerve regeneration; Green tea polyphenols; Mecobalamin

Protective effects and mechanisms of Rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside on early kidney injury in db/db mice

The spontaneous db/db mice were used to elucidate the biological effects and mechanisms of Rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside (DHY) on kidney injury through biochemical indicators, kidney pathological section analysis, metabolic profiling, intestinal flora analysis and in vitro Human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cell model induced by high glucose. It was found that DHY can decrease the blood sugar level (insulin, INS; fasting blood glucose, FBG), blood lipid level (Total Cholesterol, T-CHO; Triglyceride, TG) significantly and improve kidney injury level (blood urea nitrogen, BUN; urine microalbumin, mALB; serum creatinine, Scr). It can also alleviate kidney tubular epithelial cell oedema and reduce interstitial connective tissue hyperplasia of the injury kidney induced by high glucose. 13 endogenous metabolites were identified in serum, which involved of ether lipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, glyoxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism. High glucose can also lead to the disorder of intestinal flora, especially Firmicutes and Bacteroides. Meanwhile, DHY also inhibited the expression of α-SMA, TGF- β1, Smad3 and Smad4 in the kidney tissues of db/db mice and HK-2 cells. To sum up, DHY may restore the dysfunctional intestinal flora to normal and regulate glycolipid level of db/db mice as well as TGF-β/Smad signalling pathway regulation to improve early kidney damage caused by diabetes.

A Clinical Study of the Intra-Neuroendoscopic Technique for the Treatment of Subacute-Chronic and Chronic Septal Subdural Hematoma.

Objective: The surgical technique, safety, efficacy, and clinical application value of the intra-neuroendoscopic technique (INET) for the treatment of subacute-chronic and chronic septal subdural hematoma was investigated based on the structure and pathological features of the hematoma wall, and the critical factors of hematoma growth and recurrence were determined, in order to provide reference for clinical drug treatment.Methods: This was non-randomized concurrent control study. A total of 94 patients who met the inclusion criteria were recruited between May 2015 and February 2019 and were divided into the INET treatment group (INET group, 45 cases) and the burr hole drainage (BHD) treatment group (control group, 49 cases). The hematoma fluid components and the morphological structure and pathological characteristics of the hematoma wall were analyzed, and the surgical duration, subdural drainage tube (SDT) placement duration, intracranial infection rate, Bender grade at the 1 month post-operative follow-up and hematoma recurrence rate within the 6 months of post-operative follow-up were compared between the two groups. A multiple logistic regression model was established to analyze the risk factors associated with recurrence within 6 months.Results: Intraoperative endoscopy showed that the adhesion bands that formed early in the hematoma cavity were strip-like and that those that formed late were lock-column-like. The hematoma cavity was divided into different-sized chambers with by these strips/columns. Pathological sections of cyst wall reveled angiogenesis inside the cyst and mucus-like changes, rupture and hemorrhage in the vascular wall. Obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous connective tissue hyperplasia were observed in the cyst wall. The osmotic pressure of the hematoma fluid was not significantly different from that of the peripheral venous blood [(296.7 ± 10.3) mOsm/kg vs. (291.5 ± 12.4) mOsm/kg, p = 0.68]. However, the D-dimer contents which reflect the severity of fibrinolysis in the hematoma and the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) were significantly higher in the hematoma fluid than in the peripheral venous blood. The surgery duration for the INET group was significantly longer than that for the control group [(60.4 ± 10.6) min vs. (44.1 ± 9.8) min, p = 0.00], but both the hematoma recurrence rate within 6 months of post-operative follow-up (4.4 vs. 24.5%, p = 0.00) and the SDT placement duration [(2.1 ± 0.6) d vs. (3.9 ± 0.7) d, p = 0.00] for the INET group were both lower than those for the control group. The intracranial infection rate did not differ significantly between the two groups (4.4 vs. 10.2%, p = 0.50). The overall effective rate of the Bender grade at 1 month of follow-up did not differ significantly between the two groups (95.6 vs. 87.8%, p = 0.32), but the proportion of patients who recovered to Bender grade 0 with no symptoms was significantly higher in the INET group than in the control group (86.7 vs. 67.3%, p = 0.03). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that INET surgery [odds ratio (OR) 3.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31–9.62, p = 0.02], age of 65 years or younger (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.05–2.87, p = 0.03) and unilateral subdural hematoma (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.05–3.41, p = 0.02) were independent factors that reduced the post-operative recurrence rate.Conclusion: The INET surgical plan based on the structure and pathological features of the subacute-chronic and chronic subdural hematoma wall can reduce the recurrence rate and improve the clinical prognosis.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02515903. Registered 5 August, 2015.

Experimental study on embolization of rabbit renal artery with gelatin sponge microspheres.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the degradation characteristics and embolic effect of gelatin microspheres (GMSs) produced domestically in China through an experimental study comparing the embolization of rabbit renal arteries using GMSs and tris-acryl microspheres. Sixteen healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. Group A was embolized with GMSs produced in China with a diameter of 150-200 μm (n = 8), and Group B was embolized with tris-acryl microspheres with a diameter of 100-200 μm (n = 8). The renal arteries were embolized through femoral artery puncture and catheterization. Renal artery angiography rechecks and hematoxylin and eosin staining of tissue sections were performed at 1 day, 4 days, 7 days, and 14 days after embolization, respectively, to observe vascular recanalization, degradation of microspheres, and embolic effect. Group A: Digital subtraction angiography showed complete recanalization at 14 days. The changes in embolic necrotic areas at different time points after embolization were similar in the two groups. At 4 days after embolization, changes in glomerular structure were observed in the kidney on the embolic side. At 7 days after embolization, atrophy, degeneration, and necrosis of the glomeruli, as well as degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration of the renal tubules, were observed in the kidney on the embolic side. At 14 days after embolization, extensive atrophy and hyalinization of the glomeruli were observed, and local renal tissue showed patchy fibrosis with calcification of internal tissue. Hyperplasia of fibrillar connective tissue was observed in the renal interstitium. The GMSs produced domestically in China can be completely degraded after embolizing blood vessels for 14 days. The GMSs are similar to tris-acryl microspheres in arterial embolization effect and are safe and effective.

Myopathy associated with anti-signal recognition peptide antibodies: Five case reports

Five patients with myopathy associated with anti-signal recognition peptide antibodies, admitted to our hospital from December 2015 to June 2018, were chosen in our study, and their clinical and pathological manifestations and treatments were retrospectively analyzed. Five patients showed subacute or chronic onset and proximal limb muscle weakness. Serum creatine kinase level was significantly elevated. Immunoblotting assay confirmed the positive anti-signal recognition particle antibody. EMG prompted myogenic damage. Pathological features included muscle degeneration, necrosis with regeneration, visible atrophy and hypertrophic of muscle fiber, connective tissue hyperplasia and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining showed necrotizing muscle fiber infiltrated with CD4-positive and CD8-positive lymphocytes and CD68-positive macrophages, and no CD20-positive lymphocytes and CD303-positive dendritic cells were observed. Two patients had expressed a bit of c5b-9 positive capillary. Anti-sarcoglycans staining, anti-dysferlin staining and dystrophin staining showed continuous strong positive expression. Follow-up study found that all patients were response to glucocorticoid, and a combination therapy of immunoglobulin and immunosuppression were necessary for some patients.

EXCISION OF A TRAUMATIC FIBROMA WITH DIODE LASER IN A PEDIATRIC PATIENT: CASE REPORT

Fibroma is currently considered the most common reactive hyperplasia of fibrous connective tissue in response to local trauma in the oral cavity. This case deals with the excision of a traumatic fibroma using diode laser (Epic X, wavelength of 940nm, continuous mode, 5W power), whose energy is absorbed by hemoglobin and melanin (chromophores) and is indicated in soft tissue surgeries, favoring coagulation. The results are consistent with the benefits demonstrated in the scientific literature: better visibility in the surgical act due to achieved hemostasis, excellent postoperative phase due to the absence of pain and inflammation, with no need for analgesic medication, no use of sutures, no scarring and no recurrence. It is a safe and fast procedure that also allows performing a histopathological study without altering the tissues to be examined. In the case presented here, the histopathological study confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of fibroma.

Chronic dissection aneurysm of the aorta: clinical and pathologic study

An analysis of the clinical case of chronic dissection aortic aneurysm (DAA) in a 47-year-old man was conducted. Diagnosis of chronic DAA type A for Stanford is established at CT angiography of the thoracic and abdominal aorta with proven contrast enhancement. The operation of supracoronary prosthetics of the ascending department of the aorta was performed with full root method. During surgery, a chronic RAA of the ascending aorta with a diameter of about 5.5 cm was detected. The aorta was enlarged in the area of the root, whereas at the point of transition into the arc was of ordinary diameter. The aortic valve was three-lobed with signs of slight dilation of the fibrous ring. The ascending aorta was circularly mobilized and excised 1.0 cm above the coronary artery cells. The organized thrombus from the false lumen from the lateral wall of the ascending aorta (from the side of the superior vena cava) was removed. A proximal anastomosis was applied between the vascular prosthesis and the ascending aorta with a telescopic double continuous suture. Subsequently, a distal ascending aorta 1.5 cm below the shoulder-main trunk was dissected. Therefore, a distal anastomosis was applied between the distal ascending aorta and the vascular prosthesis with a telescopic double continuous suture. The postoperative period was satisfactory. On the 8th day of the postoperative period the patient was in a satisfactory condition discharged home.&#x0D; Pathomorphological examination of the operating material revealed segmental hyperplasia of the media with focal mucoid swelling, multiple cystic cavities, diffuse-focal fibrosis. The cavity of the dissection looked like a “two-stemmed” (two-channel) lumen, located on the border of adventitia and media, was filled with blood clots with the spread of hemorrhagic infiltration into the peri-adventitious fat. The new pseudocanal contained blood clots and fresh blood clots, and the old one was completely covered with endothelium with neointima formation. The aortic architecture is completely broken, the division into layers was absent. In the section of the irregular canal, the formation of a two-layer structure was observed – neointima, which differed from the intima of the true lumen of the aorta by the number of smooth muscle cells and heterogeneous accumulation of components of the extracellular matrix. In the middle layers, connective tissue remodeling of the aorta was detected in the form of chaotically located immature mesenchymal cells in combination with muscular and connective tissue hyperplasia, complete loss of elastic fibers, massive sclerosis of adventitia, and periadventitial layer. In sections of the aorta, out of stratification, its structure was preserved, there are signs of cystic medial necrosis.&#x0D; The revealed pathomorphological changes in the described case point to the processes of vascular remodeling, which explain the relative stability of DAA.

Tongsaimai reverses the hypertension and left ventricular remolding caused by abdominal aortic constriction in rats.

Treating ventricular remodeling continues to be a clinical challenge. Studies have shown that hypertension is one of the most common causes of ventricular remodeling, and is a major cause of cardiovascular risk in adults. Here, we report that Tongsaimai (TSM), a Chinese traditional medicine, could inhibit arterial pressure and left ventricular pressure to improve hemodynamic abnormalities in rats impaired by abdominal aortic constriction (AAC). Administration of TSM significantly reduced the heart mass index and the left ventricular mass index significantly in AAC rats. TSM could also markedly ameliorate cardiac collagen deposition and reduce the concentration of hydroxyproline in the heart of AAC rats. Moreover, TSM alleviated cardiac histomorphology injury resulting from AAC, including reducing cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrous connective tissue hyperplasia, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, replacement fibrosis and the disorders of myocardial myofibrils, intercalated discs, mitochondria and mitochondrial crista. In addition, the levels of transforming growth factor (TGF) - β and inflammation-related molecules including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), which were over-expressed with AAC, were decreased by STM. In conclusion, STM could reverse the hypertension and left ventricular remolding caused by abdominal aortic constriction in rats.

Role of the Notch Signaling Pathway in Fibrosis of Denervated Skeletal Muscle.

In order to investigate the role of the Notch signaling pathway in skeletal muscle fibrosis after nerve injury, 60 Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and divided randomly into a control and two experimental groups. Group A served as controls without any treatment. Rats in groups B were injected intraperitoneally with 0.2 mL PBS and those in group C were injected intraperitoneally with 0.2 mL PBS+100 μmol/L, 0.2 mL N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]- S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT, a gamma-secretase inhibitor that suppresses Notch signaling) respectively, on postoperative days 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 in a model of denervation-induced skeletal muscle fibrosis by right sciatic nerve transection. Five rats from each group were euthanized on postoperative days 1, 7, 14, and 28 to collect the right gastrocnemii, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry test, real-time PCR, and Western blotting were performed to assess connective tissue hyperplasia and fibroblast density as well as expression of Notch 1, Jagged 1, and Notch downstream molecules Hes 1 and collagen I (COL I) on day 28. There was no significant difference in HE-stained fibroblast density between group B and C on postoperative day 1. However, fibroblast density was significantly higher in group B than in group C on postoperative days 7, 14, and 28. Notch 1, Jagged 1, Hes 1, and COL I proteins in the gastrocnemius were expressed at very low levels in group A but at high levels in group B. Expression levels of these proteins were significantly lower in group C than in group B (P<0.05), but they were higher in group C than in group A (P<0.05) on postoperative day 28. We are led to conclude that locking the Notch signaling pathway inhibits fibrosis progression of denervated skeletal muscle. Thus, it may be a new approach for treatment of fibrosis of denervated skeletal muscle.

Dynamic Changes in MMP1 and TIMP1 in the Antifibrotic Process of Dahuang Zhechong Pill in Rats with Liver Fibrosis

AbstractOn the basis of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)induced liver fibrosis in rats, this study aims to investigate the dynamic changes in matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) in the antifibrotic process of Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DHZCP). A total of 50 male Sprague Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks, were randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group, the model group (the group treated with CCl4), and the treatment group (the group treated with CCl4 and DHZCP). Rats were sacrificed at Weeks 4 and 8. Liver tissues were separated for RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, and histological staining were conducted to confirm the gene expression and pathological change in liver tissues. Compared with control group, rats in model group showed poor mental state and slow weight gain. The liver tissues of the rats in the model group exhibited a damaged hepatic lobule structure, fibrous connective tissue hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltration among the hyperplastic tissues. DHZCP could significantly improve the appearance of rats and alleviate CCl4-induced fibrosis. Compared to model group, 798 differentially expressed mRNAs were found in the treatment group, of which 120 were up-regulated and 678 were down-regulated. Differentially expressed mRNAs between the CCl4-induced group and the DHZCP-treated group were mainly focused on the following KEGG pathways: focal adhesion, phagosome, tight junction, and ECM–receptor interactions. Relative to those in the control group, MMP1 was downregulated, whereas, TIMP1 and Col1A1 were upregulated in the CCl4-induced group at Weeks 4 and 8. DHZCP could reverse MMP1, TIMP1, and Col1A1 expression.DHZCP protects against liver injury and exerts an antifibrotic effect on liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 in rats. Its mechanism may be related to the upregulation of MMP1, downregulation of TIMP1, and promotion of collagen degradation.

Patho-epidemiological and molecular diagnosis of swine brucellosis in Punjab

Brucellosis is one of the major reproductive tract diseases of swine and causes a huge economic loss to pig farmers. In this study, serological, gross pathological, histopathological, immunohistochemical and Polymerase Chain Reaction technique(s) have been applied for diagnosis of brucellosis in pig. Seroprevalence studies showed prevalence of brucellosis to be 16.7% by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and 12.5% by competitive ELISA(c-ELISA). In this study, comparison was done between RBPT and c-ELISA for serological diagnosis of brucellosis which revealed substantial degree of agreement (Kappa= 0.676, 95% CI= 0.372-0.826) between two tests. Histopathological examination revealed focal to diffuse mixed infiltration of neutrophils or lymphocytesin the fetal organs like lung especially in bronchi and interstitial septa. Lesions in the placenta were characterized by diffuse lympho-mononuclear cell infiltration. Histopathological changes in female reproductive tracts were characterized by cellular infiltration of the endometrial stroma, endometrial glands and hyperplasia of periglandular connective tissue. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining revealed intracytoplasmic immunostaining of Brucella in bronchial epithelial cells of lung, endothelial cells in spleen, hepatocytes of liver, cells within the lymph node, kidney of fetus and placenta. In addition, positive immunostaining to Brucella was also seen in lamina propria cells of uterus. By PCR, eight out of 34 samples (2 from stomach contents, 2 from placental cotyledons and 4 from pooled tissue(s) produced 193 bpsized ampliconspecific for Brucella genus. In the present study, PCR and IHC provide a reliable test for the diagnosis of brucellosis in abortion cases on aborted fetal tissue and placental cotyledons. However, serology is important for detection of Brucella positive animal in a farm .