Integumentary Research Articles

Sun Exposure and Skin Health : A Comprehensive Review of Photoprotection and Sunscreen Efficacy In Preventing Skin Diseases

Skin is a thin layer of tissue forming the natural integumentary system of the body that acts as a barrier to protect it from exogenous and endogenous factors that induce undesirable biological responses in body. Among these risk factors skin damage triggered by solar ultraviolet radiation [UVR] is an escalating problem in dermatology with an increased incidence of acute and chronic cutaneous reactions. Sunburn is described as the erythematic acute cutaneous response in addition to increased melanin and apoptosis of keratinocytes to prevent skin carcinoma, solar UV damage leads to immunosuppressive skin diseases. Sunscreen is the most protective behaviour , these are products that are placed in contact with human skin with intention of absorbing, scattering, reflecting solar UV radiations. The frequency of use has increased remarkably due to greater awareness of skin damaging effects of skin exposure to sunlight. Sunscreen chemicals [UV Filters] are used not onlyto protect skin but also to prevent it from photo-degradation.

Medicinal Benefits of Frankincense: Future Approach to Effective Drug Design

Frankincense is obtained from the tree, which belongs to the Bowellia family. Frankincense is found in China, India, Middle-East Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and different parts of Africa. Incisions are given on the tree trunk to obtain the gum, which hardens to form frankincense. It has been used as a traditional medicine to treat diarrhea, infection, tuberculosis, asthma, arthritis, cancer, wounds, gingivitis, psoriasis, and other inflammatory conditions. Frankincense gum is used for its aromatic properties and fragrance. Frankincense contains essential oils, gum resins, alcohol, and water-soluble resins. The chemical compounds present in the natural product and their yield depend on various factors such as geographical location, the surface area of the wood, climatic conditions in which it is grown, the age of the tree, and the methods of collection. Among the active compounds, unique pentacyclic triterpene acids such as boswellic acid (BA) are present. The phytochemicals include β-boswellic acid, acetyl-β-boswellic acid (ABA), 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA), and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) form the major components. BA possesses anti-inflammatory action due to its control of cytokine production. The active compounds in frankincense act on 5-lipooxygenase and cyclooxygenase, thereby producing an anti-inflammatory effect. We discuss the role of frankincense on the integumentary, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, musculoskeletal, and immune systems with special emphasis on the molecular basis of action and signaling pathways. Recent approaches in therapeutics by designing new nanoformulations of frankincense may be beneficial for better drug delivery to the desired site, help in controlled release, increase solubility and bioavailability, and reduce toxicity.

First record of microplastic contamination in adult endemic amazonian anuran species

The microplastics (MPs), due to their high dispersion and bioaccumulation rates, have been identified in various animal groups, such as anuran amphibians during both larval and adult stages. However, current studies on adult anuran amphibians focus on assessing only one exposure route, the digestive system, while other routes remain underestimated. Therefore, this present study aimed to evaluate the degree of contamination in the digestive, respiratory, and integumentary systems, in situ, of two endemic Amazonian adult anuran species (Physalaemus ephippifer and Boana multifasciata). From this, we identified and characterized microplastic particles for each exposure route, assessed the effects of morphometric measures on the total MP contamination level and in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Additionally, we determined different contamination indices and how they vary according to species and systems. Based on our data, the digestive and integumentary exposure routes showed the highest contamination levels for both species. Additionally, variations in MP contamination levels indicated that P. ephippifer had a higher level of MP contamination. Thus, this study provides the first evidence of microplastic exposure through respiratory and integumentary routes in adult anurans in situ, and it is the first to identify MP contamination in terrestrial biomonitors in the Amazon.

Morphogenesis and Organogenesis to Hatching of the Green Octopus, Octopus hubbsorum: A Species That Includes a Paralarval Stage in Its Life Cycle

This work describes the morphological changes during embryonic development and pre-hatching organ development of Octopus hubbsorum, a species with a paralarval phase in its life cycle. The morphogenesis of O. hubbsorum begins simultaneously with the first reversion, a typical characteristic of octopuses, along with the development of the embryonic shape and structure. However, this species hatches with only three well-developed suckers. Organogenesis starts after the first embryonic reversion, with the development of the eyes, optic lobes, digestive gland, arms, and mantle. The branchial and central hearts show optimal development before the second reversion. The ink sac develops in the late stages (after the second reversion), while the stomach and crop are evident only after hatching and continue to develop until the first feeding. Newly hatched organisms show a complete development of the nervous, respiratory, circulatory, and integumentary systems. During the paralarval phase, O. hubbsorum undergoes major morphological and physiological changes until it reaches the subadult phase and develops the reproductive organs. This study highlights important organogenic differences compared to species with planktonic and benthic hatchlings. Further studies are needed in species with different life strategies to expand our knowledge of the developmental biology of cephalopods.

Prognostic impact and correlation with disease activity of three‐dimensional oct biomarkers in vogt‐koyanagi‐harada patients

Aims/Purpose: Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada syndrome (VKH) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a chronic bilateral granulomatous panuveitis accompanied by extraocular manifestations, namely of the nervous, auditory, and integumentary systems. Retinal changes documented by optical coherence tomography (OCT) were found to have prognostic value, including detachments between retinal layers with fluid accumulation. The aim of this study was to estimate the total detachment volume (TDV) between retinal layers with fluid accumulation that characterizes the Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada syndrome.Methods: An OCT analysis framework was developed in Python which, after a parameter tuning process, automatically segments the 3D detachments between retinal layers and calculates the TDV. The pipeline processes each slice individually following a chain of image processing steps: image enhancement; binarization; size filter; and contour detection. To validate this strategy, this method was applied to one 3D OCT image of a patient with VKH, and the resulting masks were compared with the ground truth obtained after manual segmentation by an expert.Results: Our pipeline has revealed an Intersection of Union (IoU) score of 84%, demonstrating its ability to efficiently segment retinal detachments after a parameter tuning process. As a consequence of such capability, the relative deviation between the experimental and ground truth TDV was 8.3%.Conclusions: This semi‐automated approach offers a promising tool for clinicians to detect retinal changes in VKH patients. By enabling early and precise detection of fluid accumulation and retinal detachments, this method can enhance prognostic evaluations and potentially improve patient management and treatment outcomes. Future work should focus on validating this framework across a larger dataset and refining the processing pipeline to further improve segmentation accuracy and robustness.

Integumentary and musculoskeletal indications for surgery predominate in a 15-year study of search-and-rescue dogs.

Analyze data from a 15-year longitudinal study of search-and-rescue (SAR) dogs to determine the indications for surgery and evaluate whether the risk varied by breed, sex, neutering, or deployment status during 9/11. 150 SAR dogs: 95 dogs deployed to sites from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and 55 SAR dogs not deployed to these sites. Search-and-rescue dog handlers completed an annual health survey until the dog's death, or the handler withdrew from the study. The reported surgical events were categorized by body system and etiology. Incidence risk rates, with 95% CIs, were calculated for the most common surgical indications. Incidence rate ratios were calculated stratified by deployment status, sex, and breed, and significance was assessed. Over the study period, 103 surgical events were recorded in 67 of the 150 dogs (45%; 95% CI, 37% to 53%); 41 dogs had 1 event, 18 had 2 events, 6 had 3 events, and 2 had 4 events. Deployment status during 9/11, breed, sex, and neuter status were not significantly associated with the affected body system. The most affected body systems were the integumentary and musculoskeletal systems. The most common etiologies were trauma, neoplasia, inflammatory, and degenerative conditions. Search-and-rescue dogs experienced relatively routine or minor conditions despite the occupational hazards of their careers. Surgery will impact working dog health and performance. Preventive efforts to reduce and interventions to treat surgical conditions in SAR dogs should focus on the integumentary and musculoskeletal systems.

Early Detection of Basal Cell Carcinoma of Skin From Medical History.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer, originating from basal cells in the skin's outer layer. It frequently arises from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. Although BCC rarely metastasizes, it can cause significant local tissue damage if left untreated. Early detection is essential to prevent extensive damage and potential disfigurement. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) currently remains uncertain about the benefits and potential harms of routine skin cancer screenings in asymptomatic individuals. This paper evaluates the accuracy of predicting BCC using patients' medical histories to address this uncertainty and support early detection efforts. We analyzed the medical histories of 405,608 patients, including 7733 with BCC. We categorized 25,154 diagnoses into 16 body systems based on the hierarchy in the Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) ontology. For each body system, we identified the most severe condition present. Logistic Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was then employed to predict BCC, using demographic information, body systems, and pairwise and triple combinations of body systems, as well as missing value indicators. The dataset was split into 90% for training and 10% for validation. Model performance was evaluated using McFadden's R2, Percentage Deviance Explained (PDE), and cross-validated with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Diagnoses related to the Integument system showed an 8-fold higher likelihood of being associated with BCC compared to diagnoses related to other systems. Older (age from 60 to 69) white individuals were more likely to receive a BCC diagnosis. After training the model, it achieved a McFadden's R2 of 0.286, an AUC of 0.912, and a PDE of 28.390%, reflecting a high level of explained variance and prediction accuracy. This study underscores the potential of LASSO Regression models to enhance early identification of BCC. Extant medical history of patients, available in electronic health records, can accurately predict the risk of BCC. Integrating such predictive models into clinical practice could significantly improve early detection and intervention.

Decoding the impact of ageing and environment stressors on skin cell communication.

The integumentary system serves as a crucial protective barrier and is subject to complex signaling pathways that regulate its physiological functions. As the body's first line of defense, the skin is continuously exposed to environmental stressors, necessitating a robust network of signaling molecules to maintain homeostasis. Considering the main cellular components to be keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts, and fibrous components, collagen of various types, this review explores the intricate signaling mechanisms that govern skin integrity, focusing on key pathways involved in impacts of ageing and environment factors on skin health. The role of growth factors, cytokines, hormones and other molecular mediators in these processes is examined. Specially for women, decrease of estrogen is determinant to alter signaling and to compromise skin structure, especially the dermis. Environmental factors, such as ultraviolet rays and pollution alongside the impact of ageing on signaling pathways, especially TGF-β and proteases (metalloproteinases and cathepsins). Furthermore, with advancing age, the skin's capacity to shelter microbiome challenges diminishes, leading to alterations in signal transduction and subsequent functional decline. Understanding these age-related changes is essential for developing targeted therapies aimed at enhancing skin health and resilience, but also offers a promising avenue for the treatment of skin disorders and the promotion of healthy ageing.

A Combination of Chemotherapy and Autogenous Vaccine for Control of Bovine Papillomatosis in Cattle

The present study was conducted during the period from July, 2023 to January, 2024. Two clinical cases of cattle were reported with cutaneous papillomas, one near right umbilical region and another over the right hind teat of cattle. Both the animals were treated with a protocol designed such that it can regulate the secondary bacterial infection, speedy recovery of integument system and enhance the immune response for complete regression of the warts. The innate immune responses of infected animals were augmented with inactivated pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) as autogenous vaccine candidate. The warts were surgically excised, triturated in sterile PBS, inactivated with 0.5% formaline and prepared the autogenous vaccine. The sterility test of vaccine revealed that the vaccine was free from bacterial and fungal contaminants. The chemotherapy includes the use of drugs Thuja ointment, Inj.Enrofloxacin, Inj.Avil and Inj.Anthiomaline. The dose of the vaccine was 1 ml 20 kg-1 b.wt. subcutaneously and given at weekly intervals for a period of 4 weeks. It was observed that the treatment protocol was successfully effective and regression of warts was noticed from 2nd week onwards. By end of 4th week a complete recovery of the wart infected area was noticed with a black scar left behind. The formalin inactivated autogenous vaccine was effective, and applied for control of bovine papillomavirus infection in cattle with combination of chemotherapeutic drugs resulted in early regression of warts.

Manifestações dermatológicas da Monkeypox

Objective: This study aimed to identify the primary mucocutaneous manifestations secondary toMonkeypox infection and determine the prevalence of coinfection with other sexually transmittedinfections (STIs). Methods: Searches were conducted in the PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, Cochrane Library, andVirtual Health Library databases using the descriptors “monkeypox,” “dermatological,” “dermatology,”“cutaneous,” “skin,” and “mucocutaneous,” combined with the Boolean operators “and” and “or.” All articles published between January 2017 and October 2022 that addressed mucocutaneous manifestations secondary to Monkeypox infection, regardless of language, wereincluded. Technical notes from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and World Health Organization recommendations were also incorporated. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of the studies. Data were independently evaluated by three reviewers. Exclusion criteria included the absence of photographic records of the lesions, lack of laboratory confirmation of infection, “letter to the editor” publications, duplicates, and articles primarily focused on systemic manifestations without association with the integumentary system. Results: A total of 22 publications were included in this study. The most frequently affected anatomical sites were the genital and perianal regions, though lesions were also reported on the torso, face, oropharynx, limbs, palms, and soles. There is a possibility that the infection may present nonspecifically as a maculopapular rash. Lesions are typically multiple, with either localized orwidespread distribution. In the latter case, the progression is centrifugal, beginning on the face.The most prevalent characteristic of the elementary lesion is central umbilication, which eventuallydevelops a crusted appearance. Umbilicated papules are often associated with pain, which gradually transitions to varying degrees of pruritus. Coinfection with HIV and other STIs was particularly notable among men who have sex with other men and/or have multiple partners and who use condoms inconsistently.Conclusions: Monkeypox can present with various cutaneous manifestations, none of which arepathognomonic of the disease. The chronological evolution of the elementary lesions (papule, vesicle,pustule, crust) is not always precise, with multiple stages potentially coexisting in the same area of the body. The primary behavioral factor associated with infection is unprotected sexual activity, especially among men who have sex with other men. Coinfections with HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and/or herpes were observed in the majority of cases.

Essential Competencies for Oncology in Physical Therapist Professional Education Programs: Results of a Mixed Methods Modified Delphi Study.

The objective was to establish consensus-based competencies for oncology within physical therapist professional education programs in the United States. A mixed-methods approach implementing a sequential exploratory design that included 3 phases was used to establish oncology competencies for physical therapist professional education programs. Participants in each phase were physical therapists representing diverse practice settings, experience levels, and geographical regions. Student physical therapists were included in phases 2 and 3. Three online focus groups were followed by an in-person group discussion to establish cancer-related themes, domains of practice, and competencies. Participants evaluated the competencies in a 3-round modified Delphi study for relevance and clarity. Each competency required 80% consensus using a Likert scale (1 = not at all relevant/clear, 5 = extremely relevant/clear). It was not accepted if a competency did not meet the 80% threshold by the end of round 3. Six domains of practice and 28 competencies were developed and evaluated. Within the 6 domains, 21 competencies were accepted: general cancer concepts (n = 4), musculoskeletal system (n = 3), neurologic system (n = 5), integumentary system (n = 2), cardiovascular and pulmonary system (n = 5), and involvement of multiple systems across the lifespan (n = 2). Along with the 21 competencies, participants also recommended 11 overarching oncology themes to incorporate into physical therapist professional education programs. Delivering cancer content using a body systems approach was recommended. As the number of survivors of cancer continues to grow, integration of these essential competencies within physical therapist professional education programs will improve the profession's capacity to provide quality care to meet the societal need of persons living with and beyond cancer. Academic and clinical educators should integrate these competencies to ensure that physical therapist professional education programs appropriately prepare physical therapists for providing care for persons living with and beyond cancer across the lifespan.

7045 A Rare Case of Lyme-Associated Thyroiditis in an Otherwise Healthy Patient

Abstract Disclosure: M. Windham: None. S.K. Majumdar: None. Introduction: Lyme disease, a common tick-borne illness, causes multiorgan inflammation and dysfunction. It commonly affects the musculoskeletal, neurologic, cardiovascular, and integumentary systems. The endocrine system is rarely involved. We report a case of Lyme-associated thyroiditis in an otherwise healthy 41-year-old man. Case: A 41-year-old man with a history of hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux and a known BRCA2 mutation presented to the emergency department due to one week of frequent palpitations, fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, and dry cough. Laboratory testing revealed thyrotoxicosis with an undetectable TSH (n 0.270—4.200 µIU/mL), FT4 of 7.04 ng/dL (n 0.80—1.70 ng/dL), and TT3 of 253 ng/dL (n 92.0—224 ng/dL). He denied any recent illnesses or pain in his thyroid. Further work up revealed negative TSI and TPO but did show an elevated high sensitivity CRP of 4.3 mg/L (n <1.0 mg/L) and a sedimentation rate of 33 mm/hr (n 0—20 mm/hr). A thyroid uptake and scan showed markedly decreased uptake suggestive of thyroiditis. The patient was started on a prednisone taper with improvement in his TFTs. At his follow up visit approximately one month later, he reported increasing stiffness in his bilateral jaw and continuing palpitations with movement despite near normalization in his FT4 and TT3, suggestive of possible underlying cardiac conduction defects. He did not recall a tick bite but lived in an area with endemic Lyme disease. Lyme antibodies were sent and returned with a positive Lyme IgG and an indeterminate Lyme IgM, which would be consistent with an active Lyme disease infection at the time of his initial presentation. Treatment for Lyme disease was prescribed. Conclusion: Between 1991 and 2021, the incidence of Lyme disease in the United States doubled due to the combined effects of climate change, increasing host species populations, and human encroachment on animal habitats. People who live in areas with endemic Lyme disease, such as the Northeast and upper Midwest regions of the United States, are at risk even if they do not recall a specific exposure. Although Lyme thyroiditis is extremely rare, its incidence is expected to increase as the overall incidence of Lyme disease increases. Therefore, it is important to consider Lyme disease in the differential when a patient from an endemic area presents with unexplained thyroiditis. Presentation: 6/2/2024

Being thin-skinned can still reduce damage from dynamic puncture.

The integumentary system in animals serves as an important line of defence against physiological and mechanical external forces. Over time, integuments have evolved layered structures (scales, cuticle and skin) with high toughness and strength to resist damage and prevent wound expansion. While previous studies have examined their defensive performance under low-rate conditions, the failure response and damage resistance of these thin layers under dynamic biological puncture remain underexplored. Here, we utilize a novel experimental framework to investigate the mechanics of dynamic puncture in both bilayer structures of synthetic tissue-mimicking composite materials and natural skin tissues. Our findings reveal the remarkable efficiency of a thin outer skin layer in reducing the overall extent of dynamic puncture damage. This enhanced damage resistance is governed by interlayer properties through puncture energetics and diminishes in strength at higher puncture rates due to rate-dependent effects in silicone tissue simulants. In addition, natural skin tissues exhibit unique material properties and failure behaviours, leading to superior damage reduction capability compared with synthetic counterparts. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the inherent biomechanical complexity of biological puncture systems with layered composite material structures. They lay the groundwork for future comparative studies and bio-inspired applications.

Antimicrobial Use in Cats in a University Veterinary Hospital in Central Italy: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Monitoring antimicrobial use is crucial for understanding current prescribing practices. Such information helps in establishing stewardship programs for effectively using antimicrobials and combating resistance to them. Objectives: This study describes how antimicrobials are prescribed at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Pisa and compares how the internal medicine and intensive care units differ in their usage of antimicrobials. Methods: The study involved cats that were presented in the units in 2021 and 2022. Antimicrobial prescriptions were obtained via the hospital's management software (OCIROE). Results: In a population of 1164 non-surgical cats with 397 antimicrobials prescribed, the most prescribed ones were amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in the internal medicine unit and ampicillin in the intensive care unit. Twenty-five percent of all antimicrobials were Highest-Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials or Antimicrobial Advice Ad Hoc Expert Group Category B. The oral route was the main route of administration in the internal medicine unit, while parenteral was the most common route used in the intensive care unit. Most antimicrobials were prescribed to treat pathologic conditions affecting the urinary (39%), gastroenteric (21%), respiratory (13%), and integumentary (12%) systems. A diagnosis, accurate dosage, and the use of species-approved medications were recorded in the antimicrobial prescriptions. However, only 11% of these prescriptions were supported by antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Conclusions: These results suggest room for improvement, particularly in increasing the use of antimicrobial susceptibility testing to ensure more targeted antimicrobial therapy. Given the importance of antimicrobial resistance and the One Health approach, the study also highlights the need to consider the broader impact of antimicrobial use in animals, including the potential contribution to resistance in bacteria that affect both animal and human health.

Ethnopharmacological survey of the therapeutic use of camel urine in the Guelmim-Oued Noun and Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra regions of Morocco

The therapeutic use of camel urine (CU) has shown an increasing trend in recent decades for treating diverse ailments and infections. An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted to collect and document the ethnomedicinal knowledge of local people in the Saharan region of Morocco, including the Laayoune Sakia El Hamra and Guelmim Oued Noun regions, regarding the traditional use of CU for treatment. Semi-structured interviews with 384 traditional practitioners, camel herders, and rural and urban dwellers were conducted from December 2022 to June 2023. The collected data covered diseases treated, CU quality attributes, modes of preparation, dosage, administration, treatment duration, and mild side effects. Quantitative data analysis was performed through the relative frequency of citations, informant consensus factor, informant agreement ratio, cultural importance index, and fidelity level. The results showed that CU was collected from virgin female camels (46.7 %) and pregnant camels (51.6 %) at different age stages (39.7 %) in both wet and dry seasons (57.5 %). For the treatment of the most common ailments (cancer, liver diseases, gastric ulcers, diabetes, and tuberculosis), accounting for 69 %, the recommended regimen involved orally consuming one teacup (69 %) of fresh urine (70.6 %) on an empty stomach (91.1 %) once a day (87.1 %) four days a week (56 %). In the case of integumentary system problems, applying one (13.2 %) to three teaspoons (17.8 %) topically (10.3 %) was also effective. Secondary effects occurred in 48 cases (13.8 %), including diarrhea (13 cases), nausea (11 cases), headache (7 cases), constipation (7 cases), and dry mouth (8 cases). The duration of these effects ranged from 2 to 3 h. The present survey indicates that CU is still used in traditional medicine by local inhabitants of the southern regions of Morocco to cure various human illnesses. The outlined findings strongly suggest the usefulness of CU as a valuable source of bioactive molecules for pharmaceutical, dermo-cosmeceutical applications, and developing innovative food supplements that promote significant job creation and entrepreneurial prospects.

Management of Sideline Medical Emergencies.

Sideline medical care is typically provided by musculoskeletal specialists and orthopaedic surgeons with varying levels of training and experience. While the most common sports injuries are often benign, the potential for catastrophic injury is omnipresent. Prompt recognition of sideline emergencies and expeditious medical management are necessary to minimize the risk of calamitous events. Paramount to successful sideline coverage are both preseason and game-day preparations. Because the skillset needed for the sideline physician may involve management of injuries not commonly seen in everyday clinical practice, sideline providers should review basic life support protocols, spine boarding, and equipment removal related to their sport(s) before the season begins. Before every game, the medical bag should be adequately stocked, location of the automatic external defibrillator/emergency medical services identified, and introductions to the trainers, coaches, and referees made. In addition to musculoskeletal injuries, the sideline orthopaedic surgeon must also be acquainted with the full spectrum of nonmusculoskeletal emergencies spanning the cardiopulmonary, central nervous, and integumentary systems. Familiarity with anaphylaxis as well as abdominal and neck trauma is also critical. Prompt identification of potential life-threatening conditions, carefully orchestrated treatment, and the athlete's subsequent disposition are essential for the team physician to provide quality care.

A REVIEW OF NEOPLASIA IN PROSIMIANS IN HUMAN CARE FROM 1995 TO 2022.

This retrospective study of neoplasia in prosimians in human care reports histologically diagnosed cases from the archives of a nondomestic species pathology service between 1995 and 2022, primarily submitted from zoological institutions. To date, the only prior retrospective study of neoplasia in prosimians, published in 2009, was conducted with cases from a single institution specializing in prosimian noninvasive research and care. In the present study, a total of 153 neoplasms from 109 individuals were identified in the pathology service archives. The most commonly affected species belonged to the Lemuridae (92/109, 84.4%), particularly ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta; 55/109, 50.5%), black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata; 19/109, 17.4%), and red ruffed lemurs (Varecia rubra; 14/109, 12.8%). The digestive (49/153, 32.0%), reproductive (35/153, 22.9%), and integumentary (30/153, 19.6%) systems were most commonly affected. Hepatocellular neoplasia was the most common neoplasm overall (35/153, 22.9%), with a large proportion of hepatocellular carcinoma (23/35, 65.7%), suggesting a possible predisposition to this tumor in prosimians. The findings support aggressive behavior of these tumors in prosimians, and a majority (13/23, 56.5%) of cases had evidence of metastasis at the time of submission. Mammary neoplasia was also common (25/153, 16.3%) and predominantly malignant (18/25, 72.0%), in contrast with previous literature, although metastasis was uncommonly reported. The most common integumentary neoplasms were papillomas (12/30, 40.0%), and one report identified squamous cell carcinoma arising directly from a squamous papilloma. Several tumor types are reported herein for the first time in prosimian species, to the authors' knowledge. A literature review identifying additional cases reported since 2009 is also reported. This study contributes a large number of prosimian neoplasia cases to the existing literature to help determine trends in zoological collections and to inform captive prosimian health management.

Promising Support Coming from Nature: Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Castanea sativa Wood Distillate on Skin Cells.

Tissue homeostasis, function recovery, and protection mechanisms are boosted by the balanced and timely control of inflammation and oxidative stress. Nowadays, many natural products and bio-derivates exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, supporting medical care and tissue wellness against inflammation, oxidative stress, and inflammaging. Castanea sativa wood distillate (WD) is a bio-derivative used as a corroborant and biofertilizer in agriculture. Based on the safety profile of low concentrations of WD on human cells, the present study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of WD on different cell types in the integumentary system. Human keratinocytes, mucosal epithelium, dermal fibroblasts, and endothelial cells were exposed to WD, and the concentrations devoid of pro-apoptotic potential were profiled. Then, the effect of nontoxic doses of WD revealed an anti-inflammatory effect, observed through the immunodetection of prostanoid cascade markers in experimentally induced inflammation. A reduction in endothelial hyperpermeability was evidenced by the immunofluorescence analysis of cell-cell adhesion proteins, VE-cadherin and ZO-1. In addition, WD buffered the exogenously produced oxidative stress. On the whole, WD showed both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities on the various cell types, preserving endothelial barrier integrity. Overall, this study supports the involvement of this bio-derivative in novel exploitable fields, such as therapeutic dermatological applications for human and animal medical care.

Explicating the multifunctional roles of tocotrienol and squalene in promoting skin health.

The skin is the largest organ in the integumentary system, protecting against various external threats, including ultraviolet exposure, heat, infections, dehydration and mechanical injuries. Skin disorders can arise from various causes, including allergic reactions or breaches in the skin barrier, which allow microorganisms or chemicals to penetrate the sweat ducts. These conditions encompass a wide range of issues, including acne, xerosis (dry skin), fungal infections, atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis. Collectively, these ailments affect a significant portion of the global population, impacting approximately one-third of people worldwide. Additionally, oxidative stress induced by ageing and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays can manifest in visible alterations such as pigmentation, wrinkling and dehydration. Recent investigations have underscored the potential of natural antioxidant compounds in safeguarding skin health and combating ageing-related changes. Tocotrienols, a subgroup of vitamin E, have garnered significant attention owing to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Significant amounts of tocotrienols can be found in rice bran, olive, oats and hazelnuts. Similarly, squalene, predominantly sourced from fish liver oils such as those from sharks, has been used as an emollient in cosmetic formulations. This article offers a comprehensive review of existing literature elucidating the dermatological benefits associated with tocotrienols and squalene, emphasising their roles as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, skin barrier protection and facilitators of wound healing. Moreover, it sheds light on contemporary research findings suggesting these compounds' therapeutic promise in managing and ameliorating various skin conditions.

"Clinical Features of the Integumentary System in Persons Living in the Vicinity of Uranium Tailings in Mountain Conditions"

"Clinical Features of the Integumentary System in Persons Living in the Vicinity of Uranium Tailings in Mountain Conditions"