Histological Examination Research Articles

Assessment of Pattern of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Oral Cavity

Objective: Cervical lymph node involvement is crucial for prognostic factor for oral squamous cell carcinomas, and understanding nodal metastasis pattern is essential for optimal neck dissection, oncological control, and minimizing morbidity. This study reviews nodal involvement and skip metastasis in 316 oral SCC patients to determine the extent of neck dissection. Methods: The retrospective study analysed 316 patients with oral cancer diagnosed between 2017 and 2020, including those with primary oral cavity cancer who underwent neck dissection. A comprehensive assessment of patient data was used to determine the extent and size of the lesion and lymph node involvement. Preoperative staging was confirmed using various imaging techniques, including OPG, CT MRI, and biopsies. Histological examination results were used to categorize carcinomas based on differentiation levels and to identify nodal involvement patterns. Results: The most common subsite for 316 patients was the tongue (62%), followed by the buccal mucosa (19%), lower alveolus (10.2%), hard palate (3.2%), retro molar trigone (2.8%), floor of the mouth (1.6%), upper alveolus (0.9%), and lower lip (0.3%). Nodal metastasis were more common in Levels II and Ib, with less involvement in Level III and beyond. Tumour with a DOI greater than 10 mm showed higher nodal metastasis frequency, with an increased occurrence in Levels IA, IB, II, III, and IV. Conclusion: Nodal metastasis in oral cancer are common in Levels II and Ib, with variations based on subsite. Alveolus and buccal mucosa malignancies involve fewer lymph nodes beyond Level III, while tongue malignancies show greater involvement in lower levels Level IV involvement is more frequent with greater DOI, and skip metastasis are rare.

Microalga Chlorella sp. biomass containing high lutein prevents light-induced photooxidation and retinal degeneration in mice

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is commonly associated with retinal degeneration. Carotenoids, particularly lutein, can protect against AMD. Chlorella sp. has been widely used as a dietary supplement and contained high levels of lutein. Chlorella sp. biomass ethanol extract containing high lutein concentrations (CEE) was tested for its retinoprotective effects in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and light exposure-induced retinal degeneration in mice. The inhibitory activity of CEE on photooxidation of Bis-retinoid N-retinyl-N-retinylidene ethanolamine (A2E) was assessed in ARPE-19 cells. Retinal degeneration was induced by the exposure to 5000 lx of white LED light for 3 h. For one week, CEE (10, 25 and 50 mg/kg) and lutein (25 mg/kg) were administered orally. A retinal electroretinography (ERG) and a histological examination were conducted. Furthermore, oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis were quantified in the retina. CEE and lutein inhibited the A2E photooxidation and oxidized A2E-induced RPE injury. The results of an in vivo experiment also demonstrate that CEE and lutein have powerful anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects on mice with light-induced retinal degeneration. There were fewer histological changes in the ONL layer in mice that were treated with CEE and lutein. CEE and lutein have both a- and b-wave amplitude increments in ERG analysis. The TUNEL-positive cells and 8-OHdG expression in the retinas were reduced by CEE and lutein. CEE may prevent retinal photoreceptors from light-induced structural and functional damage. The active ingredient, lutein, is responsible for this retinoprotective activity. CEE can provide the additional benefit in patients with retinal degenerative diseases.

Diagnostic cervical excision in patients with HPV positivity, cytological abnormalities- and preoperative cervical stenosis

AimThere is currently no protocol for classifying patients with HPV persistence and preoperative stenosis of the cervical canal. This has a significant impact on cytology results, colposcopy results and the possibility of obtaining reliable cervical histology outcomes. Our analysis clearly shows that colposcopy and cytology underestimate the histological results in patients with limited visibility due to the presence of a type 3 transformation zone (TZ). Our analysis revealed a significant discrepancy between the colposcopy and cytology results and the histological outcomes. Insufficient colposcopy led to the underdiagnosis of dysplastic lesions in patients with a type 3 TZ and cervical stenosis. In the case of repeated cytological abnormalities and inadequate colposcopy examination, it is crucial to perform a diagnostic conization to exclude high-grade dysplastic changes and cervical carcinoma.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 1,021 conizations performed in tertiary care hospital in Wolfsburg, Germany between 2014 and 2020. Of these surgical procedures, 89 were diagnostic conizations. In our analysis, we defined diagnostic conization as a procedure performed when there is HPV persistence and repeated cytologic abnormalities in combination with a type 3 TZ, and when it is not possible to retrieve a relevant cervical histology sample.ResultsIn this period, 8.7% of all conizations were diagnostic excisions. We found histological abnormalities in 48 of 89 patients (53.9%). The histological examination of the excised cone revealed high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN/HSIL) in 9 patients (10.1%) and CIN 2+ (HSIL) in 23 out of the 89 patients (25.8%). Two cases of early-stage cervical carcinoma (FIGO IA1 and FIGO IA2) were confirmed (2.3%).ConclusionPatients with cervical stenosis, high-risk HPV persistence and repeated cytological abnormalities are at high risk of undetected high-grade cervical dysplasia. Histologic confirmation must be ensured in this patient consultation and this can be achieved by performing diagnostic excisions.

Application of in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy in the diagnosis of Bowen's disease.

Bowen's disease (BD) is a relatively rare early-stage squamous cell carcinoma in situ, most commonly affecting the middle-aged and elderly, and occurring on the skin or mucous membranes of various parts of the body. Its onset is concealed, the course of the disease is chronic, and some patients have malignant tumors outside the skin; therefore, it is necessary to diagnose and evaluate the disease at an early stage. This study aimed to investigate the application of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in the diagnosis of BD. We performed RCM imaging on the lesion site and underwent skin biopsy for histological diagnosis of 92 patients initially diagnosed with BD in clinic. A retrospective analysis of the RCM result as well as the histological examination revealed that after analyzing RCM images, out of 92 biopsy lesions, 61 were diagnosed with BD, of which 54 were consistent with RCM diagnosis. Among the 59 cases diagnosed with BD by RCM, 54 cases were consistent with the histological diagnosis. Afterwards, we analyzed the RCM characteristics in patients with BD verified by biopsy, and compared the RCM images of two different lesions, classic Bowen's disease and pigmented Bowen's disease, and further summarized the key points of BD under RCM. Finally, we focused on the differential characteristics between BD and other skin diseases in RCM. RCM is of great value in the diagnosis of BD. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: A retrospective study of RCM and histological diagnosis in patients with clinical diagnosis of BD. Analyze the RCM characteristics of skin lesions verified by biopsy. RCM is of great value in the diagnosis and differentiation of BD.

Inhibition of CYP1A1 expression enhances diabetic wound healing by modulating inflammation and oxidative stress in a rat model

ObjectiveWound therapies utilizing gene delivery to the skin offer considerable promise owing to their localized treatment benefits and straightforward application. This study investigated the impact of skin electroporation of CYP1A1 shRNA lentiviral particles on diabetic wound healing in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat model. MethodsMale Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were made diabetic by injecting STZ and subsequently creating foot skin wounds. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal, diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), DFU + control shRNA (electroporation of control shRNA lentiviral particles), and DFU + CYP1A1 shRNA (electroporation of CYP1A1 shRNA lentiviral particles). Wound healing progress was monitored at multiple time points (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 days). On day 14, wound tissue specimens were collected for histological examination. Wound samples collected at days 7 and 14 were used for gene expression analysis via qRT-PCR, assessment of CYP1A1 protein levels using western blotting, and evaluation of oxidative stress markers. ResultsTreatment with CYP1A1 shRNA significantly enhanced diabetic wound healing rates compared to untreated controls over the observation period. Histological analysis revealed improved wound characteristics in the CYP1A1 shRNA-treated group, including enhanced epithelial regeneration, reduced inflammation, and increased collagen deposition, indicative of improved tissue repair. Furthermore, suppression of CYP1A1 corresponded with decreased expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6) and diminished oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase) within wound tissues. ConclusionTargeted suppression of CYP1A1 represents a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance diabetic wound healing by modulating inflammation and oxidative stress.

Evaluation of immunotoxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles on coelomocytes of Eisenia fetida

Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) have gained considerable attention due to their diverse applications in various fields. However, concerns about their potential toxic effects on the environment and living organisms have also emerged. In this study, we synthesized and characterized Fe3O4 NPs and assessed their immunotoxicity on the coelomocytes of Eisenia fetida. The Fe3O4 NPs were synthesized using a co-precipitation method, and their physicochemical properties were determined using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The synthesized Fe3O4 NPs exhibited a uniform size distribution with spherical morphology and the phase purity was confirmed from XRD analysis. To evaluate the immunotoxicity of Fe3O4 NPs, Eisenia fetida coelomocytes were exposed to various concentrations of Fe3O4 NPs for 14 days. Furthermore, we analyzed the impact of Fe3O4 NPs on the biochemical parameters, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), acid phosphatase (APs), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total protein content (TPC), as well as conducted a histological examination. Biochemical analysis revealed significant alterations in the activity levels of SOD, CAT, APs, ALP, and TPC in the coelomocytes, indicating immune system dysregulation upon exposure to Fe3O4 NPs. Moreover, histological examination demonstrated structural changes, suggesting cellular damage caused by Fe3O4 NPs. These findings provide valuable insights into the immunotoxic effects of Fe3O4 NPs on Eisenia fetida and underscore the need for further investigation into the potential environmental impact of nanoparticles.

The Study of Correlation between Symptoms of Gastritis and Endoscopic Biopsy.

Gastritis is a very common disorder that is widely distributed worldwide, representing one of the most prevalent pathological entities in gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy. This study aims to analyse the correlation between the endoscopic findings and the symptoms of gastritis. Upper gastro-intestinal (UGI) endoscopy is a widely used investigation for a variety of UGI symptoms namely dysphagia, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, etc., and when combined with biopsy, its diagnostic accuracy get increased manifold. This is a study with 70 patients with symptoms of gastritis underwent UGI endoscopy and biopsy included in study. Biopsy was taken from gastric/duodenal mucosa and was sent for histopathology examination. Data of patient's age, gender, food habits, oral hygiene, etc., were then taken into consideration and findings of UGI endoscopy were correlated with these data and also correlated with histopathological report. Gastritis significantly affects the lifestyle of the majority of our participants as out of 70, 65 (95%) had gastritis in our study. Helicobacter pylori was present among 41.5 % of study participants. Other less common findings were esophagitis in 20 % and duodenitis in 7% of study participants. The mean age of participants were 46.76 ± 16.25 years. Histopathology plays a major role in diagnosing H. pylori infection. So, histological examination as an adjunct to UGI endoscopy should be considered as best diagnostic tool rather than UGI endoscopy alone or clinical examination or radiological examination alone. It helps to treat the gastritis patients by diagnosing the underlying cause and management accordingly.

Dietary Moringa oleifera mitigates Fluconazole-Induced immunological and spleen-histological alterations in Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Fluconazole (FCZ), an antifungal from the azole family, causes several detrimental effects in fish. In recent times, there has been a notable surge in interest regarding the utilization of Moringa oleifera (Mo) as a dietary antioxidant. This research aimed to evaluate the potential protective effects of dietary Moringa oleifera (MO) against the adverse impacts of fluconazole in the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). The fish were allocated into four groups as follows: a control group fed a basal diet, an FCZ - exposed (200 ng/L) fed basal diet, 1% MO fed through basal diet, and an FCZ-exposed (200 ng/L) and 1% MO fed through basal diet fed group. The results showed that FCZ exposure decreased superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and acetylcholine esterase levels. On the other hand, FCZ exposure increased malonaldehyde and cortisol levels as compared to control (P < 0.05). FCZ caused immunosuppressive effects in C. gariepinus as revealed by lower immunity indices (lysozyme and phagocytic activity and immunoglobulin level) and increased cytokine levels (IL-6 IL-1β). Histological examination of the spleen from fish exposed to FCZ showed several splenic changes. We conclude that dietary MO supplementation has the potential to alleviate the oxidative stress, restore immune response balance, and mitigate histological damage induced by FCZ exposure, thus positioning MO as an immunostimulant in C. gariepinus when administered alongside FCZ.

Evaluation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for predicting tumor grade in small (≤4 cm) clear cell renal cell carcinoma: Qualitative and quantitative analysis.

The study aimed to evaluate the utility of qualitative and quantitative analysis employing contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in predicting the WHO/ISUP grade of small (≤4 cm) clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCCs). Patients with small ccRCCs, confirmed by histological examination, underwent preoperative CEUS and were classified into low- (grade I/II) and high-grade (grade III/IV) groups. Qualitative and quantitative assessments of CEUS were conducted and compared between the two groups. Diagnostic performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. A total of 72 patients were diagnosed with small ccRCCs, comprising 23 individuals in the high-grade group and 49 in the low-grade group. The low-grade group exhibited a significantly greater percentage of hyper-enhancement compared to the high-grade group (79.6% VS 39.1%, P < 0.05). The low-grade group showed significantly higher relative index values for peak enhancement, wash-in area under the curve, wash-in rate, wash-in perfusion index, and wash-out rate compared to the high-grade group (all P < 0.05). The AUC values for qualitative and quantitative parameters in predicting the WHO/ISUP grade of small ccRCCs ranged from 0.676 to 0.756. Both qualitative and quantitative CEUS analysis could help to distinguish the high- from low-grade small ccRCCs.

Role of vimentin in the morphogenesis of endometrial decidualization during pregnancy with IVF methods

BACKGROUND: Early reproductive loss is a complex problem, the solution of which requires a systematic approach to the study of the morphogenesis of gravid transformation. Violations of the morphofunctional characteristics of the endometrium are associated with chronic endometritis, which entails implantation pathology and the development of pregnancy, while formulating indications for the use of IVF methods. Chronic endometritis disrupts the differentiation of stromal cells and intermediate filaments with subsequent pathology of decidualization and gravid transformation. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate vimentin expression in decidual cells of the gravid endometrium in an undeveloped first-trimester pregnancy after IVF, depending on its transformation in patients with chronic endometritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Histological and immunohistochemical studies were performed on 40 samples of abortion material with normal chorionic villi karyotype from a non-developing pregnancy after IVF in patients with chronic endometritis and 15 samples of abortion material from a progressive pregnancy, surgically terminated at the woman’s request at similar terms. Two groups were formed — I group with a full-fledged gravid transformation in a non-developing pregnancy after IVF (n = 20) and II group with an incomplete gravid transformation in a non-developing pregnancy after IVF (n = 20). Histological examination was performed according to the standard procedure. Immunohistochemical study was performed using a one-step protocol with antigen unmasking. Primary monoclonal antibodies to vimentin (Clon V9, Diagnostic BioSystems Inc., Spain) were used at a 1 : 1000 dilution. Vimentin expression was evaluated in the compact layer of the gravid endometrium. RESULTS: A full-fledged gravid transformation of the endometrial stroma in the abortion material in study group I and the control group was represented by mature deciduocytes of the epithelioid type, round or polygonal in shape, with a light vesicular nucleus. With an incomplete gravid transformation, the compact layer of the gravid endometrium was represented by fibroblasts with varying degrees of cytoplasmic development, from mild changes to the formation of pre-decidual and immature decidual cells. A decrease in vimentin expression was verified in the gravid endometrium after IVF compared to the control group. In case of an incomplete gravid transformation, a decrease in vimentin expression was also verified compared to the control group and study group I. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of chronic endometritis in patients with infertility and chronic endometritis not only causes pathology of the original endometrium, but also disrupts decidualization, leading to reproductive loss with normal embryo karyotype.

Clinical and morphological analysis of splenic neoplasms

The relevance of this study arises from the pressing need for a deeper investigation into the morphological aspects of identifying focal and localised lesions in the spleen. The spleen performs several vital functions, including immune, haematological, storage, metabolic, haemostatic, hormonal, and antiblastic roles, among others. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics of splenic tumour lesions and their structural changes, as well as to identify the macroscopic appearance of the organ post-splenectomy. In diagnosing splenic diseases, a key instrumental method was employed – ultrasound examination with Doppler imaging – which enabled comprehensive investigation, analysis, and characterisation of parenchymal pathologies. Animals underwent clinical examinations during routine health checks or upon presentation of symptoms. When a splenic neoplasm was detected, surgical treatment was carried out, specifically through an open laparotomy and splenectomy. The surgery was performed under combined general anaesthesia (using both non-inhalational and inhalational anaesthetics). The intraoperatively collected material from the affected organ was subjected to histological examination. It was found that the pathomorphosis of splenic lesions varies, and the author's pathological and histological studies highlight the key morphological characteristics of the neoplasms. Accordingly, any splenic neoplasm can pose a life-threatening condition for several reasons: organ rupture and haemorrhage, organ torsion, and malignancy, among others. The findings are crucial for verifying splenic pathology, enabling the establishment of a definitive clinical diagnosis, facilitating treatment of the animal, and extending its lifespan. The practical significance of the results lies in identifying the need for comprehensive clinical and morphological investigations in diagnosing splenic diseases, as well as examining histological preparations for cellular and tissue changes. In veterinary medicine, the method of surgical treatment for splenic lesions in animals may be a subject of debate. In contrast, in human medicine, established protocols exist for performing organ-destructive operations such as splenectomy (by open or laparoscopic approach), organ-preserving procedures like splenic resection or splenectomy with autotransplantation of splenic tissue into the greater omentum (by open or laparoscopic approach), and percutaneous punctures for splenic cysts

Effects of Hermetia illucens larvae meal and astaxanthin on intestinal histology and expression of tight junction proteins in weaned piglets.

The weaning phase in piglets causes significant physiological stress, disrupts intestinal integrity and reduces productivity, necessitating strategies to improve intestinal health and nutrient absorption. While current research highlights the role of diet in mitigating these adverse effects, identifying effective dietary supplements remains a challenge. This study evaluated the effects of Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal and astaxanthin (AST) on the intestinal histology of weaned piglets. In a controlled experiment, 48 weaned piglets were divided into six groups and received varying levels of HI larval meal (2.5% and 5%) and AST in their diets. The methodology involved comprehensive histological examinations of the small intestine, assessing absorption area, villi elongation, crypt depth, goblet cells, enterocytes and expression of ileal tight junction (TJ) proteins. The study found that HI larval meal significantly improved nutrient absorption in the jejunum and ileum (p < 0.001), thereby enhancing feed conversion. AST supplementation increased the number of enterocytes (p < 0.001). Both HI larval meal and AST positively affected intestinal morphology and function, increasing muscularis muscle mass and villi elongation (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). The 2.5% HI meal improved the villi length to crypt depth ratio and slightly increased the goblet cell count (both p < 0.05). Ki-67 antibody analysis showed increased cell proliferation in the duodenal and jejunal crypts, particularly with the 2.5% HI meal (p < 0.001). Insect meal did not affect TJ protein expression, indicating that it had no effect on intestinal permeability. These findings suggest that HI larval meal and AST can enhance the intestinal wellness and productivity of weaned piglets.

Optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) represents a novel technique for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an inflammatory vascular disease in which prompt and accurate diagnosis is critical. The efficacy of temporal artery biopsy (TAB) is limited by 'skip' lesions and a delay in histological analysis. This first-in-man ex-vivo study aims to assess the accuracy of optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) in diagnosing GCA. 29 TAB samples of patients with suspected GCA were submerged in 0.9% sodium chloride and an OFDI catheter was passed through the lumen to create cross-sectional images prior to histological analysis. The specimens were then preserved in formalin for histological examination. Mean intimal thickness (MIT) on OFDI was measured, and the presence of both multinucleate giant cells (MNGCs) and fragmentation of the internal elastic lamina (FIEL) was assessed and compared with histology, used as the diagnostic gold standard. MIT in patients with/without histological evidence of GCA was 0.425 mm (±0.43) and 0.13 mm (±0.06) respectively compared with 0.215 mm (±0.09) and 0.135 mm (±0.07) on OFDI. MIT measured by OFDI was significantly higher in patients with histologically diagnosed arteritis compared to those without (p = 0.0195). For detecting FIEL and MNGCs, OFDI had a sensitivity of 75% and 28.6% and a specificity of 100% and 77.3% respectively. Applying diagnostic criteria of MIT > 0.20 mm, or the presence of MNGCs or FIEL, the sensitivity of detecting histological arteritis using OFDI was 91.4% and the specificity 94.1%. OFDI provided rapid imaging of TAB specimens achieving a diagnostic accuracy comparable to histological examination. In-vivo imaging may allow imaging of a longer arterial section.

Active fraction of Polyrhachis vicina (Rogers) inhibits osteoclastogenesis by targeting Trim38 mediated proteasomal degradation of TRAF6

BackgroundReactive Oxygen Species (ROS) is a key factor in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis (OP) primarily characterized by excessive osteoclast activity. Active fraction of Polyrhachis vicina Rogers (AFPR) exerts antioxidant effects and possesses extensive promising therapeutic effects in various conditions, however, its function in osteoclastogenesis and OP is unknown. PurposeThe aim of this study is to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of AFPR in OP. Study design and methodsCCK8 assay was used to evaluate the cell viability under AFPR treatment. TRAcP staining, podosome belts staining and bone resorption were used to test the effect of AFPR on osteoclastogenesis. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the effect of AFPR on ROS production. si-RNA transfection, coimmunoprecipitation and Western-blot were used to clarify the underlying mechanisms. Further, an ovariectomy (OVX) -induced OP mice model was used to identify the effect of AFPR on bone loss using Micro-CT scanning and histological examination. ResultsIn the present study, AFPR inhibited osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption induced by nuclear factor-κB receptor activator (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) in dose-/ time-dependent with no cytotoxicity. Meanwhile, AFPR decreased RANKL-mediated ROS levels and enhanced ROS scavenging enzymes. Mechanistically, AFPR promoted proteasomal degradation of TRAF6 by significantly upregulating its K48-linked ubiquitination, subsequently inhibiting NFATc1 activity. We further observed that tripartite motif protein 38 (TRIM38) could mediate the ubiquitination of TRAF6 in response to RANKL. Moreover, TRIM38 could negatively regulate the RANKL pathway by binding to TRAF6 and promoting K48-linked polyubiquitination. In addition, TRIM38 deficiency rescued the inhibition of AFPR on ROS and NFATc1 activity and osteoclastogenesis. In line with these results, AFPR reduced OP caused by OVX through ameliorating osteoclastogenesis. ConclusionAFPR alleviates ovariectomized-induced bone loss via suppressing ROS and NFATc1 by targeting Trim38 mediated proteasomal degradation of TRAF6. The research offers innovative perspectives on AFPR's suppressive impact in vivo OVX mouse model and in vitro, and clarifies the fundamental mechanism.

Impact of Single Blast Exposure on Neuronal Damage and Protein Levels in the Rat Brain at Varying Pressures

Abstract Introduction Brain injuries from blasts are increasingly common in both civilian and war settings. The impact of blast injuries at different pressure levels remains unclear, and their long-term effects are not well understood. This study investigates how varying blast pressures affect the rat brain over time. Materials and Methods Forty adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups of 10. Three groups were exposed to blasts, while one served as a control and was only subjected to blast sounds. Each group received a single blast at different pressures, followed by neuropsychological tests. After 28 and 84 days, the rats were sacrificed to measure tau protein and acetylcholine esterase levels and to conduct histological examinations of brain tissues. Results A single blast exposure did not significantly impact visuospatial memory or recall. Despite the lack of noticeable cognitive deficits, histopathological and biochemical analyses revealed reduced tau protein levels, indicating ongoing neuronal damage. Conclusion While a single blast did not significantly impair visuospatial memory or recall in this rat model, there were decreases in tau protein and acetylcholine esterase levels, along with histological signs of neuronal damage.

Side Effects of Anthracycline Chemotherapy on the Heart of Laboratory Animals

Anthracycline is one of the chemical drugs commonly used worldwide for the treatment of various types of cancer. The high doses of it cause unwanted toxic side effects on the tissues. Our study designed to demonstrated the physiological and histopathological effect of the drug on the heart organ of experimental animals. For this purpose, twenty adults male rats were used in this study and were divided into four main groups. Control group, Azoxymethane treated group, Azoxymethane qrand anthracycline treated group, and anthracycline treated group only. Blood of the experimented animals was collected in order to measure biochemical parameters such as glutathione, lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde, peroxynitrite, Creatinine Kinase, C-reactive protein Creatine kinase –myocardial band, and Myoglobin concentrations. In this study a significant increase and decrease was observed in biochemical parameters. Histological examination on the heart shown that rats treated with AOM have been revealed only hypertrophy of cardiac muscles, while other groups were observed hypertrophy of cardiac muscles furthermore. Aorta in AOM group have been revealed Adverse histological changes and transformation in the thickness aortic wall layers. The tissue sections of the groups treated with Anthracyclin showed a negative effect on the aortic wall layers, the endothelial layer and the middle layer, as well as the outer layer in the sections prepared from these groups.

Bone Fracture Healing under the Intervention of a Stretchable Ultrasound Array.

Ultrasound treatment has been recognized as an effective and noninvasive approach to promote fracture healing. However, traditional rigid ultrasound probe is bulky, requiring cumbersome manual operations and inducing unfavorable side effects when functioning, which precludes the wide application of ultrasound in bone fracture healing. Here, we report a stretchable ultrasound array for bone fracture healing, which features high-performance 1-3 piezoelectric composites as transducers, stretchable multilayered serpentine metal films in a bridge-island pattern as electrical interconnects, soft elastomeric membranes as encapsulations, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with low curing agent ratio as adhesive layers. The resulting ultrasound array offers the benefits of large stretchability for easy skin integration and effective affecting region for simple skin alignment with good electromechanical performance. Experimental investigations of the stretchable ultrasound array on the delayed union model in femoral shafts of rats show that the callus growth is more active in the second week of treatment and the fracture site is completely osseous healed in the sixth week of treatment. Various bone quality indicators (e.g., bone modulus, bone mineral density, bone tissue/total tissue volume, and trabecular bone thickness) could be enhanced with the intervention of a stretchable ultrasound array. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations indicate that ultrasound promotes osteoblast differentiation, bone formation, and remodeling by promoting the expression of osteopontin (OPN) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). This work provides an effective tool for bone fracture healing in a simple and convenient manner and creates engineering opportunities for applying ultrasound in medical applications.

From Adenoma to Carcinoma: the Unexpected Evolution of an Apparently Stable Adrenal Lesion.

There is a lack of solid long-term evidence with respect to the management over time of adrenal incidentalomas that miss clearly benign radiological features. We present the case of a 75-year-old man with a non-secreting adrenal mass, apparently stable in size (14 mm) and unchanged in features for 2 years, but subsequently diagnosed as adrenal carcinoma. The patient was referred to Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda in August 2022 due to the presence of a large lesion in the left adrenal site. In 2017, a 14 mm, 20 HU, round, regular-edged lesion was detected at a CT scan without contrast medium. Over the next two years, the patient was re-evaluated every 6 months with follow-up CT scans with no apparent densitometric or dimensional changes in the known lesion. In September 2022, 3 years after the last CT scan, the patient was hospitalised for pneumonia. An abdominal CT scan acquired during the hospitalisation showed an increase of the lesion to 14.5x10x12 cm. The patient subsequently underwent open nephrosurrenectomy, and histological examination confirmed the presence of an adrenal carcinoma (proliferation index 5%, Weiss score 7). No adjuvant therapy was administered, and the last CT scan in December 2022 was negative for the recurrence of the disease. Adrenal carcinoma usually presents as a clearly malignant lesion with rapid growth and a marked tendency to metastasise. This case highlights how an adrenal adenoma with indeterminate features is worthy of follow-up over time despite its apparent dimensional and radiological stability [1].

Myocardial remodeling in wistar rats with renal dysfunction fed a high-salt diet

BACKGROUND. Dietary adjustment is an important point in the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, at present, the effect of a diet with a high NaCl content on the state of the cardiovascular system in patients with early stages of CKD has not been sufficiently studied.The AIM: to evaluate blood pressure levels and changes in the myocardium of Wistar rats with early stage renal dysfunction fed a high-salt diet for a long time.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on male Wistar rats. The control group consisted of sham-operated animals (LO-group), receiving a standard diet (0.34 % NaCl), the second – rats subjected to resection of ¾ of the kidney parenchyma, receiving a standard diet (NE-group), the third – rats, subjected to ¾ NE, receiving high sodium diet (4 % NaCl, NE+HSD). After 4 months, the rats were assessed for blood pressure (BP), levels of urea, creatinine, sodium in the blood serum, daily diuresis, albumin content in the urine, myocardial mass index (IMM) and left ventricular myocardial mass index (IMLV), and a histological examination of the myocardium was performed.RESULTS: In rats with kidney dysfunction, an increase in blood pressure was detected, most pronounced in the NE+HSD group. In rats of this group, albumin excretion, connective tissue volume, arterial diameter, thickness of the adventitia and media of myocardial vessels increased relative to the indicators of rats with NE receiving a standard diet. IMLV in NE+HSD rats was higher by 16.4 %, and IMM by 10.9 % than in animals with NE on a standard diet. The groups with NE did not differ from each other in the content of urea and creatinine in the blood serum, although these indicators were higher than in LO animals. There were no differences between groups in serum sodium levels.CONCLUSION: Prolonged consumption of a diet with a high content of table salt contributes to the development of the initial stages of CKD in Wistar rats, promotes blood pressure growth and myocardial remodeling, manifested primarily in the progression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis.

The Gut Microbial Lipid Metabolite 14(15)-EpETE Inhibits Substance P Release by Targeting GCG/PKA Signaling to Relieve Cisplatin-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Rats.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a debilitating side effect related to activation of substance P (SP). SP activation can result from dysregulation of the gut-brain axis, and also from activation of protein kinase A signaling (PKA) signaling. In this study, we connected these factors in an attempt to unveil the mechanisms underlying CINV and develop new therapeutic strategies. Female rats were injected with cisplatin (Cis) to induce pica. Fecal samples were collected before/after injection, and subjected to lipid metabolomics analysis. In another portion of pica rats, the PKA inhibitor KT5720 was applied to investigate the involvement of PKA signaling in CINV, while fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was implemented to verify the therapeutic effect of the lipid metabolite 14(15)-EpETE. Pica symptoms were recorded, followed by ileal histological examination. The targeting relationship between 14(15)-EpETE and glucagon was determined by bioinformatics. SP and glucagon/PKA signaling in rat ileum, serum, and/or brain substantia nigra were detected by immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and/or western blot. The results showed a significantly lower level of 14(15)-EpETE in rat feces after Cis injection. KT5720 treatment alleviated Cis-induced pica symptoms, ileal injury, SP content increase in the ileum, serum, and brain substantia nigra, and ileal PKA activation in rats. The ileal level of glucagon was elevated by Cis in rats. FMT exerted an effect similar to that of KT5720 treatment, relieving the Cis-induced changes, including ileal glucagon/PKA activation in rats. Our findings demonstrate that FMT restores 14(15)-EpETE production, which inhibits SP release by targeting GCG/PKA signaling, ultimately mitigating CINV.