External Organs Research Articles

Chemosensory function of Varroa gnathosoma: transcriptomic and proteomic analyses.

In this study, we evaluated the role of the gnathosoma (mouthparts) in chemosensing of the most devastating honey bee parasite, Varroa destructor mite. Through transcriptomic analysis, we compared the expression of putative chemosensory genes between the body parts containing the main chemosensory organs (the forelegs), gnathosoma and the rest of the body devoid of these two body parts. Furthermore, we checked the presence of chemosensory-related transcripts in the proteome of the gnathosoma. Our comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed the presence of 83 transcripts with known characteristic conserved domains belonging to eight chemosensory gene families in the three Varroa transcriptomes. Among these transcripts, 11 were significantly upregulated in the mite's forelegs, compared to 8 and 10 in the gnathosoma and body devoid of both organs, respectively. Whilst the gnathosoma and the forelegs share similar expression of some putative lipid carrier proteins, membrane-bound receptors, and associated proteins, they also differ in the expression profiles of some transcripts belonging to these protein families. This suggests two functional chemosensory organs that may differ in their chemosensory function according to specific characteristics of compounds they detect. Moreover, the higher expression of some chemosensory transcripts in the body devoid of forelegs and gnathosoma compared to the gnathosoma alone, may suggest the presence of additional function of these transcripts or alternatively presence of additional external or internal chemosensory organs. Insights into the functional annotation of a highly expressed gustatory receptor present in both organs using RNA interference (RNAi) are also revealed.

Hybrid bionic control system for prostheses: a review

The legs and hands are the most susceptible to loss and this is due to the fact that they are prominent external organs in the human body. With increasing disasters, accidents, wars and diseases the loss of limbs is increasing, making the individual restricted in freedom and movement and pursuing to find alternatives to improve the individual's life is extremely important. Modern bionic prostheses are the best alternatives to replace amputated ones to perform both aesthetic and functional tasks. On this basis and by analyzing the most common and used methods in prosthetics management as the electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and functional near- infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) methods, knowing their advantages and disadvantages, comparing them and documenting their results from the outputs of literature and previous experimental studies, whether in individual use or hybrid use.In the light of these data, this article highlights the most common technologies and considers their superiority and insuperiority, which can be suitable for the formation of a hybrid bionic control system for prostheses or rehabilitation and restoration of lost functions. Based on the most important studies that have dealt with these technologies whereas individually or in their hybrid state. In addition, this article provides an encouraging outlook for those interested in scientific research to research, compare, identify and characterise superior hybrid systems related to exoskeletal control systems and in particular prostheses.

Advances in wearable electronics for monitoring human organs: Bridging external and internal health assessments

Devices used for diagnosing disease are often large, expensive, and require operation by trained professionals, which can result in delayed diagnosis and missed opportunities for timely treatment. However, wearable devices are being recognized as a new approach to overcoming these difficulties, as they are small, affordable, and easy to use. Recent advancements in wearable technology have made monitoring information possible from the surface of organs like the skin and eyes, enabling accurate diagnosis of the user's internal status. In this review, we categorize the body's organs into external (e.g., eyes, oral cavity, neck, and skin) and internal (e.g., heart, brain, lung, stomach, and bladder) organ systems and introduce recent developments in the materials and designs of wearable electronics, including electrochemical and electrophysiological sensors applied to each organ system. Further, we explore recent innovations in wearable electronics for monitoring of deep internal organs, such as the heart, brain, and nervous system, using ultrasound, electrical impedance tomography, and temporal interference stimulation. The review also addresses the current challenges in wearable technology and explores future directions to enhance the effectiveness and applicability of these devices in medical diagnostics. This paper establishes a framework for correlating the design and functionality of wearable electronics with the physiological characteristics and requirements of various organ systems.

First records of abnormal fishes in the Arctic and possible reasons of the anomalies

External anomalies in fish are diverse and include abnormal development of external organs (eyes, jaws, fins, etc.), deformity and curvature of the trunk, discoloration of the skin, reversal of the sides (in flounders) and others that reduce the survival of individuals with such disorders. Although they are not uncommon in nature, reports of fish anomalies in Arctic seas are extremely rare. There have been no published records of anomalous Bering flounder Hippoglossoides robustus or polar cod Boreogadus saida. We document here for the first time on albinism, ambicoloration, reversal of the sides, or curved spine in individuals of Bering flounder, as well as a specimen of polar cod with a vertebral deformity captured in the western Chukchi Sea. Photographs of both normal and abnormal individuals are provided. We hypothesize that of all the possible causes of the anomalies we have found, the most likely is the recent dramatic warming in the Arctic.

The axillary lymphoid organ - an external, experimentally accessible immune organ in the zebrafish.

Lymph nodes and other secondary lymphoid organs play critical roles in immune surveillance and immune activation in mammals, but the deep internal locations of these organs make it challenging to image and study them in living animals. Here, we describe a previously uncharacterized external immune organ in the zebrafish ideally suited for studying immune cell dynamics in vivo, the axillary lymphoid organ (ALO). This small, translucent organ has an outer cortex teeming with immune cells, an inner medulla with a mesh-like network of fibroblastic reticular cells along which immune cells migrate, and a network of lymphatic vessels draining to a large adjacent lymph sac. Noninvasive high-resolution imaging of transgenically marked immune cells can be carried out in the lobes of living animals, and the ALO is readily accessible to external treatment. This newly discovered tissue provides a superb model for dynamic live imaging of immune cells and their interaction with pathogens and surrounding tissues, including blood and lymphatic vessels.

Culture and health outcomes for a First Nation community

The main purpose of the article is to provide insights into the prevalence of internal and external organ illnesses in Brokenhead Ojibwa (Indigenous peoples of southern Canada and Midwestern USA) Nation, and their relationship with those cultural variables that the scholarly literature indicates as determinants of Indigenous health. The data were collected through a household survey. Both the descriptive results and correlation analysis indicate that hunting and trapping are negatively correlated with external organ illnesses. Likewise, education and income are negatively correlated with external and internal organ illness prevalence.

A comparative study on the protective effects of cuminaldehyde, thymoquinone, and gallic acid against carbon tetrachloride-induced pulmonary and renal toxicity in rats by affecting ROS and NF-κB signaling

CCl4 toxicity is a fatal condition that can cause numerous organ dysfunctions. We evaluated and compared the protective effects of cuminaldehyde (CuA), thymoquinone (TQ), and gallic acid (GA) on CCl4-induced pulmonary and renal toxicity in rats. The impacts of these compounds on CCl4-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and morphological alterations were examined. The results showed that the compounds under investigation prevented CCl4 from significantly increasing pulmonary and renal lipid peroxidation and NO levels, as well as massively depleting GSH levels and GPX and SOD activities. Moreover, they suppressed the CCl4-induced increase in mucus secretion in the lung and upregulated the gene expression of pulmonary and renal NF-ҡB, iNOS, TNF-α, and COX-2. The heatmap cluster plots showed that GA and TQ had better protective potencies than CuA. The external organ morphology, histopathological results, and chest X-ray analysis confirmed the toxicity of CCl4 and the protective influences of the tested compounds in both the lungs and kidneys of rats. These compounds displayed predicted competitive inhibitory effects on iNOS activity and may block the IL-13α2 receptor, as revealed by molecular docking analysis. Thus, CuA, TQ, and GA, particularly the latter two, are prospective protective compounds against the pulmonary and renal toxicity caused by CCl4.

Factors contributing to telemedicine efficacy in pediatric urology

Despite swift implementation of telemedicine with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, there is a paucity of research on its use for management of pediatric urology patients. Specifically, there is limited knowledge and inconsistent data on the effectiveness of telemedicine for various pediatric urologic conditions. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of pediatric urological care provided via video visits (VVs) at a large tertiary care children's hospital. We performed a prospective assessment of pediatric urology patients younger than 21 years who had a VV between 5/18/2022 and 5/17/2023. New patients with a testicular diagnosis were not eligible for VVs. After entering the diagnosis and submitting billing using a modifier for telemedicine, clinicians were mandated to select whether the VV allowed for: complete case management (CCM), suboptimal case management (SCM), or incomplete case management (ICM) requiring an in-person visit. Case management categorizations were analyzed according to patient pathology, visit type (i.e., new or established), and patient-centered variables including age, sex, race, insurance type, need for an interpreter, and distress score [a proxy for socioeconomic status]. During the one-year period, there were 3267 telemedicine patients with a median age of 9 years (IQR 3-13) and 57.0% were male. Most VVs (89.3%) were established encounters. Almost 12% of telemedicine patients had external organ pathology (EOP, e.g., phimosis), 43.0% had internal organ pathology (IOP, e.g., hydronephrosis), and 45.1% had functional urological pathology (FUP, e.g., dysfunctional voiding). Clinicians deemed 96.9%, 2.7%, and 0.5% of VVs as having CCM, SCM or ICM, respectively. Telemedicine patients with IOP or FUP were more likely to have CCM, than those with EOP (98.5% and 97.8% vs 87.1%, p<0.0001). On multivariable analysis, patient age, pathology, and visit type were predictive of VV efficacy. Now that telemedicine use has slowed, it is necessary to evaluate and establish its optimal role in pediatric urology. Factors associated with VV efficacy included older patient age, internal organ or functional urological pathology, and established encounters. The long-term success of telemedicine requires suitable patient selection. Telemedicine is quite effective for the management of a wide variety of pediatric urology patients. Continued evaluation of telemedicine, including multi-institutional investigation and corroboration, is necessary for the development of evidence-based best practice guidelines regarding appropriate, safe, and effective integration of telemedicine that drives pediatric urological care forward to meet the demands of the future.

A single pair of pharyngeal neurons functions as a commander to reject high salt in Drosophila melanogaster.

Salt (NaCl), is an essential nutrient for survival, while excessive salt can be detrimental. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, internal taste organs in the pharynx are critical gatekeepers impacting the decision to accept or reject a food. Currently, our understanding of the mechanism through which pharyngeal gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) sense high salt are rudimentary. Here, we found that a member of the ionotropic receptor family, Ir60b, is expressed exclusively in a pair of GRNs activated by high salt. Using a two-way choice assay (DrosoX) to measure ingestion volume, we demonstrate that IR60b and two co-receptors IR25a and IR76b are required to prevent high salt consumption. Mutants lacking external taste organs but retaining the internal taste organs in the pharynx exhibit much higher salt avoidance than flies with all taste organs but missing the three IRs. Our findings highlight the vital role for IRs in a pharyngeal GRN to control ingestion of high salt.

A single pair of pharyngeal neurons functions as a commander to reject high salt in Drosophila melanogaster

Salt (NaCl), is an essential nutrient for survival, while excessive salt can be detrimental. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, internal taste organs in the pharynx are critical gatekeepers impacting the decision to accept or reject a food. Currently, our understanding of the mechanism through which pharyngeal gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) sense high salt are rudimentary. Here, we found that a member of the ionotropic receptor family, Ir60b, is expressed exclusively in a pair of GRNs activated by high salt. Using a two-way choice assay (DrosoX) to measure ingestion volume, we demonstrate that IR60b and two co-receptors IR25a and IR76b are required to prevent high salt consumption. Mutants lacking external taste organs but retaining the internal taste organs in the pharynx exhibit much higher salt avoidance than flies with all taste organs but missing the three IRs. Our findings highlight the vital role for IRs in a pharyngeal GRN to control ingestion of high salt.

Morphometric evaluation of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) and Culex quiquefasciatus (Say, 1823) (Diptera: Nematocera: Culicidae) of different metamorphosis stages

Morphometric comparison of Aedes. aegypti and Culex. quiquefasciatus larval instars and pupae were done through the measurements of total body length, length of head, thorax and abdomen as well as length and width of different external body parameters. From linear regression of the data from different larval instars showed that the important morphological features were the size of the head, thorax and abdomen of the Ae. Aegypti and Cx. Quinquefasciatus. They increased significantly with the advanced metamorphosis stages (p≤0.05). Size of the external larval organs viz. antennae, comb spine, siphon, anal papilla were also significantly (p≤0.05) increased during stages of metamorphosis. Bangladesh J. Zool. 51(3): 329-343, 2023

Successful surgical correction of caudal duplication syndrome in a dog.

To describe a case of caudal duplication successfully operated with long-term follow-up. A 12-week-old female Chihuahua mix. The dog of this report presented for evaluation of duplicate external organs, including 2 anuses, 2 vulvas, and 2 tails. The dog was clinically normal except for signs of cystitis. Contrast CT identified complete urogenital and anorectal duplication, characterized by duplication of the cecum, descending colon/rectum, urinary bladder, urethra, uterus, and ovaries, with left-sided rectovestibular fistula. Exploratory laparotomy was performed to remove the left cecum and colon, the left ureter was transected and implanted into the right urinary bladder, the left bladder and urethra were removed, and bilateral ovariohysterectomy removed 4 ovaries and 2 uteruses. Following abdominal closure, the left anus and vulva with remaining portions of distal rectum and urethra, respectively, were removed en bloc with both tails. Long-term follow-up at 5 years showed the dog to be clinically normal. Caudal duplication is extremely rare in veterinary medicine, and this report details successful surgical correction with good long-term follow-up.

Formulation and Antioxidant Activity Analysis of Jotang Herb (Acmella paniculata) Extract Mask Cream

Pollution in the environment can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can reduce the amount of antioxidants in the skin. Antioxidants are compounds that can inhibit oxidation reactions by binding to free radicals and reactive molecules. Herbaceous plant jotang (Acmella paniculata) has secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins, which can protect the internal and external organs of the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals on the skin. One of the treatment preparations used for the skin is a cream mask, as the use or application at the final level of skin care can improve cleanliness and health and stimulate and repair skin cells. This study aims to determine a formula that has a good antioxidant value using the DPPH method (2,2-diphenyl-1-pikrilhidrazyl). In this study, preparations were made with 3 formulas, namely Formula I (1% w/w), Formula II (10%w/w), and Formula 0 (Control). Evaluation of physical properties included organoleptic tests, homogeneity tests, spreadability tests, pH tests, viscosity tests, cream-type tests, and antioxidant tests. The result showed that the organoleptic test had a cream mask dosage in the form of semi-solid, distinctive jotang odor, light and dark green, had a homogeneous dosage form, spreadability around 5.1-5.7 with an average pH value of 6, had a good viscosity value and had a type of cream M/A and a high antioxidant value in formula II (10% w/w ) with an IC50 value of 21.959 μg/ml. Based on statistical tests, significant results were obtained of 0.000p (0.05) so that it can be interpreted that there was a significant difference in each concentration of jotang herb extract to the resulting IC50 value.

A survey of ecto and endoparasites of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) fingerlings in Midmar reservoir, Adwa, northern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Fishes are hosts to a range of taxonomically diverse parasites. This survey was intended to provide insight into the occurrence, distribution, prevalence, and intensity of parasites infesting the fingerlings of the tilapia, in Tigray. A total of 384 Oreochromis niloticus specimens were collected from Midmar consisting of 227 males and 157 females. External and internal organs were examined for parasite infection. Squash preparation of fish eyes was also examined to reveal the organisms through microscopic examination. The major groups of parasites were trematode, nematodes, protozoa and hirudinea. A total of 3762 genus Diplostomum were recorded affecting the health of 93% of fishes. Contracaecum species was the second most prevalent distributed majorly in the intestine (77.8%), pericardial cavity (19.1%), swim bladder (2.4%), gill (0.2%) and mouth (0.8%). The prevalence and mean intensity of Diplostomum spp., Contracaecum, Myxosporea, Clinostomum spp., Eustrongylides and Leeches was 93%(10.5), 62.2%(5.3), 39.3%(8.3), 2.1%(8.8),1.8%(5.7) and 1.6% (2.5), respectively. The mean temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH of the dam were 24.4°C, 7.55 mg/l, 849.5µs/cm, and 7.5, respectively. Therefore, responsible bodies in fisheries should perform a pre-stock assessment and provide fish farming extension services for optimum production and marketing of fish products with management and production enhancement methods.

Modulating the release of bioactive molecules of human mesenchymal stromal cell secretome: Heparinization of hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels

An amine derivative of hyaluronic acid (HA) was crosslinked to obtain a 3D dried sponge. The sponge was subsequently rehydrated using secretome from human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), resulting in the formation of a hydrogel. The release kinetics analysis demonstrated that the hydrogel effectively sustained secretome release, with 70% of the initially loaded wound-healing-associated cytokines being released over a 12-day period. Tuning the hydrogel properties through heparin crosslinking resulted in a biomaterial with a distinct mechanism of action. Specifically, the presence of heparin enhanced water uptake capacity of the hydrogel and increased its sensitivity to enzymatic degradation. Notably, the heparin crosslinking also led to a significant retention of cytokines within the hydrogel matrix. Overall, the secretome-rehydrated HA hydrogel holds promise as a versatile device for regenerative medicine applications: the non-heparinized hydrogel may function as a biomaterial with low reabsorption rates, sustaining the release of bioactive molecules contained in MSC secretome. In contrast, the heparinized hydrogel may serve as a depot of bioactive molecules with faster reabsorption rates. Given its patch-like characteristic, the HA-based hydrogel appears suitable as topical treatment for external organs, such as the skin.

Minding the gut: extending embodied cognition and perception to the gut complex.

Scientific and philosophical accounts of cognition and perception have traditionally focused on the brain and external sense organs. The extended view of embodied cognition suggests including other parts of the body in these processes. However, one organ has often been overlooked: the gut. Frequently conceptualized as merely a tube for digesting food, there is much more to the gut than meets the eye. Having its own enteric nervous system, sometimes referred to as the "second brain," the gut is also an immune organ and has a large surface area interacting with gut microbiota. The gut has been shown to play an important role in many physiological processes, and may arguably do so as well in perception and cognition. We argue that proposals of embodied perception and cognition should take into account the role of the "gut complex," which considers the enteric nervous, endocrine, immune, and microbiota systems as well as gut tissue and mucosal structures. The gut complex is an interface between bodily tissues and the "internalized external environment" of the gut lumen, involved in many aspects of organismic activity beyond food intake. We thus extend current embodiment theories and suggest a more inclusive account of how to "mind the gut" in studying cognitive processes.

Isolation and investigation of external reproduction tract mycoflora in healthy male cats.

Various infectious agents can infect the male reproductive system. The aims of this study were to provide current data on fungal and yeast flora of the external organs of reproductive system of male short hair cats including penis and prepuce. In total 28 samples were taken from external genital system of male stray cats using sterilised cotton swabs. Samples were taken based on the absence of any reproductive complications using physical examinations. The samples were transferred to sterilised Stuart transport media and were then incubated in the Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol at 32°C for 48h. The identification of fungi and yeasts was confirmed by germ tube formation test, CHROM agar, urease testing and Corn meal agar medium with Tween 80. Fungal agents were isolated from 7 (25%) out of 28 male stray cats. Fungal isolates were obtained from the penis and prepuce of 4 (36%) and 7 (100%) male cats, respectively. The most commonly recovered species samples were Candida krusei (3.75%) and Penicillum spp. (6.86%) from the penis and prepuce of the cats, respectively. The external organs of male reproduction of cats were infected with 2-4 different fungal agents. Only 5 (45%) cats were infected with one fungus; however, in 6 (55%) cats, mixed fungal infections were isolated. Cats 3-4 years old had the highest fungal contamination in the prepuce region (4/7), while the penis at this age had the least contamination (1/4). It is concluded that the external reproduction organs of male cats could be infected by different fungal agents.

Relationship between Water Quality Parameters and Parasite Infestation in Farmed Oreochromis niloticus in Selected Rift Valley Counties, Kenya

Globally, parasitic infections hinder aquaculture productivity and sustainability. Improper water quality parameters reduce fish immunity, make them susceptible to parasites, and enhance parasitic proliferation in culture systems. Subsequently, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of ecto‐ and endo‐parasite infesting Oreochromis niloticus in varying water quality in aquaculture systems in Kericho, Bomet, and Nakuru counties. A total of 220 Oreochromis niloticus samples were captured from 11 liner ponds, eight earthen ponds, two concrete ponds, and one plastic tank from 22 farms in the three counties. External and internal organs were examined for parasite infestation. Skin scrapings and squash preparation of fish eyes were also examined to reveal the organisms through microscopic examination. A Pearson’s correlation analysis between physicochemical parameters and parasitic prevalence was used to determine the strength and direction of correlation coefficients with significance at 95%. Overall parasitic prevalence infestation was 39.6% (87/220). Ten parasite genera were recovered, with Dactylogyrus species dominating overall at 15.9% (35/220), followed by Trichodina spp. (7.7%; 17/220). Epistylis species had the highest mean intensity of 12.8 ± 35.7 (total number of Epistylis parasites (141)/total of infested fish (11)). Earthen ponds had a significantly higher (36.2%, 29/80) prevalence of Dactylogyrus sp. than liner ponds (3.6%, 4/110) (p &lt; 0.001). Dissolved oxygen levels were 16.9 ± 0.7 mgL−1 in Bomet, 14.9 ± 0.3 mgL−1 in Kericho, and 12.5 ± 0.5 mgL−1 in Nakuru which were above desirable range for fish culture. The electrical conductivity in Bomet was 76 ± 5 µS/cm and Kericho 52 ± 4 µS/cm below the desirable range. Temperature, pH, phosphate, nitrates, and nitrites were within the desirable limit for fish farming. Electrical conductivity and pH had positive correlation of 1 and 0.97, respectively, with the prevalence of Acanthocephalus, Euclinostomum, and Trichodina species. Temperature and nitrate positively correlated between 0.80–0.89 and 0.90–0.99, respectively, with the prevalence of Dactylogyrus, Riboscyphidia, Epistylis, Camallanus, and Paracamallanus species. The study demonstrates that water quality significantly influences parasitic prevalence in aquaculture systems. Therefore, it is crucial for farmers to monitor water quality parameters to mitigate parasitic infestations.

Determination of Nurse’s Attitude and Practices about Gynaecological Examination at Tertiary Health Care Hospital

Gynaecological examination on a regular basis is a vital component of any woman's health. The gynaecologist will examine the breasts, the internal and external reproductive organs, and any associated conditions. Nurses are crucial, especially prior to this examination. They should explain the procedure to the females and how it is carried out, as well as provide any additional preparation instructions that may be needed. Objective: To determine the nurse’s attitude and practices regarding gynaecological examination. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at tertiary health care sector. A convenient sampling technique was used to recruit the study participants in OBS/Gynae unit of the hospital. The sample size for this study was 90 and data collected from nurses of age 22 to 45 years and willing to participate. Data were collected through adopted questionnaires. The data were analysed through SPSS-24.0. Results: Majority of the nurses have uncertain attitude about the best timing of gynaecological examination (82%), spread of infection during this procedure (75%) and early detection of cancer (78%). Moreover, nurses did not take complete history of the females (83%) and had not used understandable language (88%). More than 70% nurses are incompetent in their practices during gynaecological examination. Conclusions: The current study concludes that majority nurses have negative attitude and incompetent practices towards gynaecological examination. Therefore, educational workshop and training should be arranged to promote positively and enhance the practices of nursing during gynaecological examination.

The central regulatory circuit in the gene network controlling the morphogenesis of Drosophila mechanoreceptors: an &lt;i&gt;in silico&lt;/i&gt; analysis

The central regulatory circuit in the gene network controlling the morphogenesis of Drosophila mechanoreceptors: an &lt;i&gt;in silico&lt;/i&gt; analysis