Tissue Components Research Articles

CircRNA-mediated heterogeneous ceRNA regulation mechanism in periodontitis and peri-implantitis

BackgroundPerforming a comprehensive study on the differential expression of mRNAs, miRNAs, and circRNAs in the context of peri-implantitis and periodontitis has beneficial advantages to identify unique molecular signatures and pathways that may contribute to our understanding of these conditions.MethodsGingival tissues from healthy individuals and peri-implantitis and periodontitis patients were obtained to identify differential expression genes (DEG) by Illumina HiSeq 2500 instrument. Differential expression analysis was conducted using R statistical software, with significance set at P < 0.05 and fold greater than 2. Functional enrichment analysis of the DEGs was conducted using the Reactome, Gene ontology and KEGG databases.ResultsSignificant differences in mRNA, miRNA, and circRNA profiles were identified between healthy gingival tissues. The top DEGs comprising 6 circRNAs, 2 miRNAs, and 4 mRNAs were identified and the constructed ceRNA network, elucidates their involvement in key signaling pathways such as ErbB, Wnt, and mTOR, which are crucial for understanding the inflammatory progression of these conditions.ConclusionsThis study highlights a heterogeneous circRNA-mediated ceRNA regulatory mechanism in peri-implantitis and periodontitis, activating signaling pathways and regulating gene expression. Key findings including a detailed analysis of the transcriptional landscape and identification of unique molecular signatures, pathways and cellular components in gingival tissues, offering insights into the molecular differences between peri-implantitis and periodontitis. The study may contribute to the understanding of the pathological mechanisms of these diseases and may aid in the development of targeted therapies.

Self-assembled peptide-based nanofibers for cardiovascular tissue regeneration.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming millions of lives every year. Cardiac tissue engineering has emerged as a versatile option for repairing cardiac tissue and helping its regeneration. The use of nanomaterials, particularly nanofiber-based scaffolds combined with biomolecular cues like peptides, has significantly improved the compatibility and efficacy of the scaffolds for cardiac tissue regeneration. By utilising the self-assembly properties of peptides to create nanofiber scaffolds, we can achieve stability that closely mimics the natural components of cardiac tissue, making them perfect for cardiac tissue regeneration. In this review, we highlighted the dynamic process of self-assembly into nanofibers and the use of various self-assembled nanofibers for cardiovascular tissue regeneration, focusing on their roles in antithrombotic, angiogenic, differentiation, proliferation, and anti-atherosclerotic interventions.

The Impact of Gastric Leptin and Leptin Receptor Expression on Metabolic Outcomes Post Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Obesity is a growing global crisis, with predictions that nearly half of the world's population will be overweight or with severe obesity by 2030. Metabolic bariatric surgery, effective for those unable to lose weight through conventional methods, results in significant weight loss and alleviates associated medical problems. This study investigates changes in gastric leptin (LE) and leptin receptor (LER) expression following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and explores their metabolic contributions to surgical outcomes. Immunohistochemical staining for LE and LER was performed on gastric tissue biopsies from 54 patients pre- and post-LSG. Expression levels were scored for each epithelium and connective tissue component. Changes in these scores post-LSG were analyzed and correlated with body mass index (BMI), total weight loss (TWL), blood hemoglobin A1c, blood cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, and one-way ANOVA. Significant decreases in LE and LER receptor expression were observed post-LSG, correlating with reductions in BMI, blood hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. The mean BMI decreased from 46.82kg/m2 pre-surgery to 32.45kg/m2 at 1year post-surgery (p < 0.001). Hemoglobin A1c levels reduced from 7.8% to 5.9% (p < 0.001). Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels showed significant reductions, with cholesterol decreasing from 220mg/dL to 180mg/dL (p < 0.001) and triglycerides from 180mg/dL to 120mg/dL (p < 0.001). Pearson correlation coefficients demonstrated strong negative correlations between LE expression and BMI (r = -0.65, p < 0.001) and between LER expression and hemoglobin A1c (r = -0.60, p < 0.001). Beyond weight reduction, the decreased expression of gastric LE and LER post-LSG contributes metabolically to weight loss and improved associated metabolic parameters following the metabolic bariatric surgery.

Exploring optimal soil conditions for high-functional Oenanthe javanica (water dropwort) production.

Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC., also known as water dropwort, is an aquatic plant species native to various regions across Asia. Despite its numerous health-promoting effects, research on improving its quality remains limited. The present study aimed to identify the optimal soil conditions required for high-quality water dropwort production. Fifty crop and soil samples from South Korean farms were analyzed for their functional content, soil chemical properties and plant tissue components. The results indicated that crop samples with lower functional components had higher soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable cations than those with higher functional components. High-quality crop samples exhibited neutral soil pH and low EC values, suggesting better nutrient availability for crop growth and reduced salt stress as a result of mineral accumulation in soil. These findings suggest that soils affected by excessive salinity may create suboptimal soil conditions for water dropwort cultivation, potentially compromising crop quality. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Adipocyte-derived fatty acid uptake induces obesity-related breast cancer progression: a review.

Obesity is a metabolic disorder that occurs when excess energy taken into the body is stored as fat. It is known that this metabolic imbalance affects the development of other diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance, and diabetes. The main cellular component of adipose tissue is adipocytes, and the environmental interactions of adipocytes are important to study the mechanism of disorder formation. Breast tissue is rich in adipose tissue and obesity is known to be an important risk factor in the development of breast cancer. Altered adipogenesis and lipogenesis processes in adipocytes in breast tissue support tumor development through the transfer of fatty acids released from adipocytes. We believe that blending adipocyte biology with breast cancer development is important for investigating the mechanisms that regulate breast tumor malignant behavior and providing new targets for treatment. Fatty acids, which are an energy source for breast cancer cells, are discussed from molecular perspectives in this review.

Maintenance of Cardiac Microenvironmental Homeostasis: A Joint Battle of Multiple Cells.

Various cells such as cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells constitute integral components of cardiac tissue. The health and stability of cardiac ecosystem are ensured by the action of a certain type of cell and the intricate interactions between multiple cell types. The dysfunctional cells exert a profound impact on the development of cardiovascular diseases by involving in the pathological process. In this paper, we introduce the dynamic activity, cell surface markers as well as biological function of the various cells in the heart. Besides, we discuss the multiple signaling pathways involved in the cardiac injury including Hippo/YAP, TGF-β/Smads, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK signaling. The complexity of different cell types poses a great challenge to the disease treatment. By characterizing the roles of various cell types in cardiovascular diseases, we sought to discuss the potential strategies for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.

An improved dynamic metabolic model for application to biota

Any major nuclear facility must ensure the conservation of biodiversity regarding radiation protection of biota. A special concern is for tritium (3H) and radiocarbon (14C) transfer in wild mammals, birds and reptiles. Hydrogen and carbon are the main components of biological tissues and enter the life cycle. The present study improves the scientific bases of a previous model, analyses the uncertainty of input parameters and tests the model for a larger range of mammals and birds. The biological and metabolic half-times for organically bound tritium (OBT) and 14C are linked with energy metabolism and recent results are revised in relation with metabolic scaling. A large data base regarding basal metabolic rate (BMR), field metabolic rate (FMR), and organ mass is used for input information of the present model, which considers brain as a separate compartment. Metabolic energy partition in organs of active animal is defined and the factors affecting the metabolic rate are analysed. Body and ambient temperature, diet and habitat, and phylogeny are important factors considered in animal adaptation to environment. The available experimental data for carbon turnover rates in animals are analysed and it is observed that the experimental conditions are not appropriate for wild animals. The link between 13,14C and 134,137Cs turnover rate is analysed and the present metabolic approach is successfully tested for mammals and reptiles. Considering animal adaptation and the large data base for 134,137Cs, the radiological impact of accidental releases of 3H and 14C on biota can be pursued in the future research.

Kaixinsan regulates neuronal mitochondrial homeostasis to improve the cognitive function of Alzheimer's disease by activating CaMKKβ-AMPK-PGC-1α signaling axis

BackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease primarily characterized by cognitive impairments. With the intensification of population aging, AD has become a major health issue faced by the elderly. Kaixinsan, a classical traditional Chinese prescription consists of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey., Polygala tenuifolia Willd., Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf and Acori Tatarinowii rhizoma, is commonly used in clinical for treating memory decline. However, its mechanism remains unclear, which hinders its popularization and application. MethodMorris water maze (MWM) was performed to evaluate the effect of Kaixinsan on improving learning and memory ability in SAMP8 (senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8, an AD model mice) mice. Nissl staining, TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) and western blotting (Bax and Bcl-2) were used to confirm the effect of Kaixinsan on the neuronal structure and apoptosis of SAMP8 mice. ultra performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was performed to identify the distribution components of the brain tissue after receiving Kaixinsan extraction. Based on the identified brain distribution components, the mechanism of Kaixinsan improving the cognitive function was predicted by network pharmacology. Then, using HSP60 as mitochondrial marker and RBFOX3 as neuron marker, immunofluorescence co-localization was used to confirm the effect of Kaixinsan on neuronal mitochondria quantity in SAMP8 mice. Using western blotting to detect the expression of predicted proteins (AMPK, CaMKKβ, PGC-1α and HSP90) affecting mitochondrial homeostasis. To further confirm the mechanism of Kaixinsa. The authors replicated SH-SY5Y cell injury model induced by Amyloid β - protein fragment 25-35 (Aβ25-35) and compared the effects of serum containing Kaixinsan on apoptosis of injured SH-SY5Y cells (detected by flow cytometer) and the expression level of apoptosis-associated protein (Bax and Bcl-2) and mitochondrial homeostasis related proteins (AMPK, CaMKKβ, PGC-1α and HSP90), with or without the addition of CaMKKβ inhibitor (STO-609). ResultsThe results indicate that Kaixinsan can improve the cognitive function of SAMP8 mice, alleviate the hippocampal tissue lesions and inhibit neuron apoptosis. Seventeen brain distribution components of Kaixinsan were identified. Based on the brain distribution components of Kaixinsan, the results of network pharmacology suggest that Kaixinsan may regulate mitochondrial homeostasis through the CaMKKβ-AMPK-PGC-1α signaling axis. In vivo experiments, The authors observed that Kaixinsan could reverse neuronal mitochondrial loss in SAMP8 mice by upregulating CaMKKβ, AMPK, HSP90 and PGC-1α to promote mitochondrial biogenesis and increase the number of neuronal mitochondria. Additionally, the in vitro experiments demonstrated that Kaixinsan can inhibit apoptosis of Aβ25-35 injured SH-SY5Y cells and upregulate mitochondrial homeostasis-related proteins CaMKKβ, AMPK and PGC-1α. However, in addition to CaMKKβ inhibitors, the neuroprotective effect disappeared. ConclusionThe results indicate that Kaixinsan can improve the cognitive function of SAMP8 mice by regulating CaMKKβ-AMPK-PGC-1α signaling axis to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis and inhibit neuronal apoptosis.

Quantitative observation based on magnetic resonance imaging: the effects of marathon running on lumbar vertebrae, paraspinal muscles, and lumbar disc components.

Lumbar spine injuries and lumbar disc degeneration are common spinal health problems that seriously affect people's quality of life and efficiency at work. Marathon running enhances skeletal muscle strength and endurance, and promotes increased bone mineral density. This study aimed to investigate the effects of marathon running on the lumbar spine and surrounding tissue components. In total, 54 amateur marathon runners (age: 41.7±7.2 years), who were randomly recruited from an amateur marathon runners club in Hangzhou, and 30 healthy volunteer participants (age: 37.7±5.3 years) were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. The Dixon-volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE), T2* mapping, and conventional T2 sequences were used to evaluate the proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the vertebral bodies, and bilateral paraspinal muscles (PMs), as well as the T2 relaxation times of the intervertebral discs (IVDs). There were significant differences in the fat fraction (FF) of each vertebral segment between the marathon runners and healthy participants (P<0.05). There were also significant differences between the healthy participants and marathon runners in terms of the T2 relaxation times of the anterior nucleus pulposus (ANP) (41.28±14.36 vs. 38.04±13.12 ms; P=0.008), central nucleus pulposus (54.67±17.85 vs. 50.24±17.46 ms; P=0.003), and posterior annulus fibrosus (PAF) (25.80±7.67 vs. 22.63±6.88 ms; P<0.001). The CSA of the psoas major at the L3 (8.25±2.17 vs. 9.70±1.81 cm2, P=0.002), L4 (11.82±2.65 vs. 13.62±1.97 cm2, P<0.001), and L5 (12.59±2.47 vs. 14.25±2.38 cm2, P<0.001) levels and that of the erector spinae at the L2 (16.59±4.87 vs. 20.13±3.71 cm2, P<0.001), and L3 (18.04±4.63 vs. 21.65±3.38 cm2, P<0.001) levels were lower in the marathon runner group than the control group. The PDFF of the psoas major at all levels was significantly lower in the marathon runner group than the control group (P<0.001). Annulus fibrosus (AF) at the L4/5 (r=-0.342, P=0.011) and L5/S1 (r=-0.304, P=0.026) levels were negatively correlated with the monthly running distance. Additionally, the PDFF of the psoas major was weakly and negatively correlated with the monthly running distance at the L3 level (r=-0.396, P=0.003). Marathon running may benefit the structure of the lumbar spine in a number of ways, including by reducing the lumbar vertebral body and psoas major muscle FFs and by reducing lumbar disc degeneration. However, in terms of building muscle strength, marathon running should be combined with some intensity of resistance training to minimize muscle loss due to excessive aerobic exercise.

“Chasing Rainbows” Beyond Kaposi Sarcoma’s Dermoscopy: A Mini-Review

The dermoscopic rainbow pattern (RP), also known as polychromatic pattern, is characterized by a multicolored appearance, resulting from the dispersion of polarized light as it penetrates various tissue components. Its separation into different wavelengths occurs according to the physics principles of scattering, absorption, and interference of light, creating the optical effect of RP. Even though the RP is regarded as a highly specific dermoscopic indicator of Kaposi’s sarcoma, in the medical literature, it has also been documented as an atypical dermoscopic finding of other non-Kaposi skin entities. We aim to present two distinct cases—a pigmented basal cell carcinoma (pBCC) and an aneurysmatic dermatofibroma—that exhibited RP in dermoscopy and to conduct a thorough review of skin conditions that display RP, revealing any predisposing factors that could increase the likelihood of its occurrence in certain lesions. We identified 33 case reports and large-scale studies with diverse entities characterized by the presence of RP, including skin cancers (Merkel cell carcinoma, BCC, melanoma, etc.), adnexal tumors, special types of nevi (blue, deep penetrating), vascular lesions (acroangiodermatitis, strawberry angioma, angiokeratoma, aneurismatic dermatofibromas, etc.), granulation tissue, hypertrophic scars and fibrous lesions, skin infections (sporotrichosis and cutaneous leishmaniasis), and inflammatory dermatoses (lichen simplex and stasis dermatitis). According to our results, the majority of the lesions exhibiting the RP were located on the extremities. Identified precipitating factors included the nodular shape, lesion composition and vascularization, skin pigmentation, and lesions’ depth and thickness. These parameters lead to increased scattering and interference of light, producing a spectrum of colors that resemble a rainbow.

Refined speckle contrast estimation in OCT based on compensation of scattering-related distortions of speckle pattern parameters

Abstract Speckle contrast (SC) parameters in optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans are formed by the interplay of several factors—local level of optical wave backscattering by the material inhomogeneities, parameters of spatial distribution of the latter and the degree of cumulative optical wave attenuation during its fourth-and-back propagation. For the optical wavelengths used in OCT, this attenuation is usually dominated by the influence of scattering in the visualized turbid tissues rather than by absorption. For sufficiently high concentrations of scatterers (at least a few scatterers in the coherence volume) characterized by comparable scattering strengths and a fairly homogeneous distribution in space, the interference of locally scattered waves should be characterized by a Rayleigh distribution of speckle amplitudes, for which the local SC tends to 0.52. Equivalently, in terms of speckle intensities, the local SC tends to unity. Local spatial inhomogeneities or strongly uneven scattering strengths lead to the appearance of increased values of SC, which may serve as a diagnostic feature of some tissue components in OCT images. At the same time, in comparison to surface speckles formed by coherent-light scattering from rough surfaces, OCT-beam attenuation during its fourth-and-back propagation may introduce intensity inhomogeneities in OCT scans even for homogeneous tissue areas. This effect results in artefactual distortion of the visible SC in comparison with the above-mentioned expected value. Moreover, the presence of individual strong scatterers may additionally non-locally distort SC values due to the appearance of elongated shadows below such scatterers, which causes lateral inhomogeneities in OCT scans. Here, we propose a refined SC parameter, which is cleaned from distorting scattering-related effects in both axial and lateral directions. Depth-resolved estimation of the optical attenuation coefficient is used to restore attenuation-free OCT scans, for which the refined SC is estimated. The efficiency of the proposed approach is demonstrated using both digital OCT phantoms with highly controlled properties and experimental OCT data.

Imaging findings in a case of primary intraosseous carcinoma arising from a mandibular cyst.

Primary intraosseous carcinoma not otherwise specified (PIOC NOS) is a rare tumor assumed to arise from the epithelium, such as odontogenic cysts or benign tumors. Its clinical and imaging diagnoses are often challenging, especially in the early stages, as it mimics jaw cysts and benign tumors, and no specific findings have been identified. This report presents the case of a 66-year-old male patient with mandibular PIOC, highlighting the imaging findings over time. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before symptom onset showed a cystic lesion in the right mandible with a soft tissue component. Both the fluid component and soft tissue exhibited low apparent diffusion coefficient values (1.0 × 10-3 mm2/s and 1.3 × 10-3 mm2/s, respectively). Subsequent MRI approximately 5months later during symptom onset showed a slight increase in the soft tissue component. Based on the clinical and imaging findings, ameloblastoma was suspected, prompting a biopsy for confirmation. However, the histopathological findings showed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). MRI performed approximately 1month later exhibited significant tumor growth and extension beyond the jawbone, consistent with a malignant tumor. Histopathological examination identified areas with a basal layer in a palisading arrangement, indicating a pre-existing odontogenic cyst, and showed a transition from epithelial dysplasia to SCC. In addition, carcinoma cell invasion and proliferation into the cyst were observed. Based on these findings, PIOC of the right mandible was determined to be the definitive diagnosis.

The effects of WWP1 overexpression on the golgi apparatus stress response and proteoglycan production in adipocytes

White adipocytes are a major component of white adipose tissue (WAT) and help to maintain systemic metabolic homeostasis by storing energy and secreting adipokines. In mice deficient in the protein WWP1 (WW domain-containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1), oxidative stress in adipocytes increases but insulin resistance induced by obesity improves. However, the specific roles of WWP1 in adipocytes remain unclear. Here, we show that in 3T3L1 adipocytes, WWP1 localized in the Golgi apparatus via its C2 domain, where it protected the Golgi apparatus from monensin-induced disruption. By contrast, WWP1 knockdown by short hairpin RNA failed to protect the Golgi apparatus and enhanced Golgi apparatus disruption by monensin. The Golgi apparatus acts as a central organelle to establish accurate protein glycosylation of proteoglycans containing glycosaminoglycans, including chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate (HS). WWP1 overexpression increased chondroitin sulfate and HS levels, whereas WWP1 knockdown decreased them. Furthermore, obesity-related increases in HS were prevented by WWP1 knockout in adipose tissue. In summary, our results demonstrate a novel role for WWP1 in maintaining Golgi apparatus morphology and proteoglycan synthesis in adipocytes.

A case of esophagogastric submucosal hematoma with hemorrhagic shock.

A 70-year-old woman had been taking steroids for granulomatosis with polyangiitis since the age of 60years and warfarin for deep vein thrombosis since the age of 63years. She was admitted to the emergency unit of our hospital in a shock vital with complaints of sudden onset of epigastralgia, nausea, and melena. Laboratory data revealed anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and coagulation disorders. Enhanced computed tomography demonstrated extravasation in the middle part of the gastric body in an extensive submucosal hematoma extending from the upper esophagus to the entire gastric body. Emergency esophagogastroduodenoscopy depicted a large submucosal hematoma and a large amount of fresh blood in the stomach; however, active bleeding was not identified. Two sessions of interventional radiology treatment in the emergency department, followed by an intensive care, successfully treated the patient without any complications. We report a unique case of a sudden-onset esophagogastric submucosal hematoma with hemorrhagic shock requiring an intensive care and interventional radiology treatment. In this case, the extensive warfarization and the fragility in vascular and connective tissue components in the submucosa due to the long-term steroid therapy and the granulomatosis with polyangiitis-related alteration might comprehensively cause severe esophagogastric submucosal hematoma even without any apparent triggers.

Utility of fat-free adipose tissue correction formula for tracking body composition changes with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Fat loss is often the target of weight loss interventions; however, preservation of lean soft tissue (LST) may be more important for health and weight maintenance. Though some LST loss may be inevitable when tracking body composition changes using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), correcting for the fat-free component of adipose tissue (FFAT) in DXA-derived LST (DXALST) has been proposed. This analysis sought to evaluate differences between DXALST and FFAT-corrected LST (FFATLST) amongst varied populations and interventions to understand application of the correction formula on LST outcomes. 226 subjects were analyzed across five prior studies. Three studies evaluated combined nutrition and exercise (high-intensity interval training [HIIT] or high-intensity resistance training [HIRT]) interventions, including HIIT + HIRT with pre- and post-nutrient timing (HIITRT), HIIT + essential amino acids (HIITAA), and HIRT + protein (HIRTPRO). Remaining studies evaluated HIIT (HIITOW) and protein following bariatric surgery (BARPRO). Pre and post total body DXA scans were used to measure DXALST, body mass, and fat mass (FM). The correction formula was applied to calculate FFATLST. Paired sample t-tests were used to evaluate differences between DXALST and FFATLST change scores (Δ) across all subjects, within each study and intervention. Significant differences between ΔDXALST and ΔFFATLST were observed for BARPRO (mean difference [MD; ΔDXALST-ΔFFATLST] ± standard error [SE]: -3.5 ± 1.2 kg, p < 0.001), as well as HIRTPRO (-0.1 ± 0.2 kg, p = 0.004). When evaluating LST, the FFAT correction may be specifically applicable to cases of significant weight loss (>10% of original weight) or body recomposition (≥2% FM loss and ≥2% LST gain).

STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF NANOSIZED BARIUM TITANATE IN CUBIC SYNGONY ON HEMOCOMPATIBILITY AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES

The development of the field of application of ceramic nanomaterials for medicine has recently been of significant interest. These include nanodispersed barium titanate powders, which exhibit antimicrobial and antifungal activity. They are considered as carriers of drugs, as well as biocompatible components of bone tissue. The search for new opportunities to realize the potential of nanodispersed barium titanate in biomedicine is an urgent task. The paper presents a method for the synthesis of nanosized barium titanate powder obtained by heat treatment at 800 °C in an air environment of sol-gel synthesis products. The resulting nanomaterial has a crystalline structure with cubic structure. According to electron microscopy, the powder particles are characterized by a polydisperse composition and are partially agglomerated. The results of energy dispersive analysis of the samples are presented. The particle size in the dispersion ranges from 50 nm to 250 nm, and the Scherrer crystallite size is 3.85 nm. The degree of hemolysis was assessed in vitro using fresh donor blood in the presence and absence of barium titanate nanoparticles. The hemolytic effect of barium titanate (&gt;5%) manifests itself at a high concentration of powder (450 µl/ml) in the blood, which indicates the biocompatibility of nano-sized BaTiO3 up to the specified concentration. The effect of BaTiO3 concentration on free radical oxidation of lipids and antioxidant activity in blood serum was analyzed using the method of induced chemiluminescence. It has been established that at a concentration of 200 µl/ml BaTiO3 exhibits antioxidant activity, and at 400 µl/ml it has the ability to activate free radical oxidation of blood serum lipids. For citation: Ivanov K.V., Filimonova Yu. A., Agafonov A.V., Nazarov S.B. Study of the effect of nanosized barium titanate in cubic syngony on hemocompatibility and antioxidant properties. ChemChemTech [Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved. Khim. Khim. Tekhnol.]. 2024. V. 67. N 12. P. 6-14. DOI: 10.6060/ivkkt.20246712.7077.

Coexistence of complete intestinal tract, prostatic tissue, prostatic urethra and bladder structure in ovarian mature cystic teratoma: a case report.

Mature cystic teratomas (MCTs) of the ovary comprise tissues from all three germ layers. The coexistence of the complete intestinal tract, prostatic tissue, and bladder component within the same ovarian MCT is unprecedented. Here, we report the diagnosis and management of such a rare case. A 26-year-old woman presented with a right ovarian mass, which was later confirmed as an MCT by histopathological examination. The patient underwent a successful laparoscopic cystectomy with no evidence of malignancy or postoperative complications. Histological examination revealed that this MCT contained the complete organ structures including a lower intestinal tract and male genital tract with prostate, urethra, and bladder components, which is unusual. This case underscores the importance of understanding the pathogenesis of extensive organogenesis in MCTs and raises questions about the differentiation processes leading to such unique presentations.

Examination of testicular veins in children with varicocele

BACKGROUND: Diagnostics and management of varicocele in children, adolescents and males are issues of annual discussions in the professional community, yet the debates still continue. Pathophysiological changes in the testicular veins in children with varicocele are dubious and require further in-depth fundamental researches. AIM: To study the difference in ultrastructural organization of testicular veins in boys with varicocele depending on the malformation degree. METHODS: In the present study, the authors examined the ultrastructure of 58 bioptats taken from spermatic veins during surgeries in adolescent boys aged 11–17 with varicocele of degree II and III. RESULTS: A comparative analysis of ultrastructural changes in the spermatic veins revealed that signs of endotheliocyte destruction of varying degree are met in 86% of biopsy samples in Group I and in 100% in Group II. Electron microscopy allowed to examine the muscular component of testicular veins in varicocele, as well as to examine the structure of connective tissue component in the venous wall, basing on an anatomical-functional paradigm of the connective tissue as the main "building brick" of organ and system structures. CONCLUSION: Ultrastructural changes in the testicular vein wall were revealed in children with varicocele, what indicates the presence of congenital malformation in this wall and of accompanied endothelial dysfunction. Foldings of the vascular wall with hollows and pockets, connective tissue loosening and separation of fibers, endothelium destruction and detachment were equally met in boys and adolescents with varicocele of degree II and III.

A Rare Case of Osteoblastoma of the Sacrum

Osteoblastoma (OB) is a rare bone tumor. It is classified as benign and represents about 1% of all bone neoplasms. While it typically occurs in the axial skeleton, sacral involvement is extremely rare. Despite its non-malignant nature, OB can be locally aggressive and may lead to considerable morbidity if not addressed in a timely manner. This report discusses a unique case of sacral, focusing on the clinical, radiological, and surgical features.A 14-year-old male patient reported experiencing increasing pain in his left lower limb and lumbosacral region for two years. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbosacral area identified a mass measuring 50x43 mm on the left side of the sacrum in T2-weighted images. Further evaluation with a positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) scan indicated a destructive bone lesion in the left sacrum, measuring 43x40 mm, with a soft tissue component and increased fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake (standardized uptake value maximum: 11). The patient underwent surgical excision by a neurosurgery team, and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of OB.Although OB is a benign tumor, its location can cause significant symptoms, particularly in rare areas like the sacrum. Diagnostic imaging modalities such as MRI and PET/CT are crucial for identifying the tumor and planning surgical intervention. The elevated FDG uptake observed on PET/CT indicated a metabolically active lesion, reinforcing the need for surgical treatment.Sacral OB is an exceptionally rare entity. This case underscores the need to include OB in the differential diagnosis of sacral lesions and illustrates the value of imaging in facilitating accurate diagnosis and management. Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment, offering good clinical outcomes.

An outcome-defining role for the triple-helical domain in regulating collagen-I assembly

Collagens are the foundational component of diverse tissues, including skin, bone, cartilage, and basement membranes, and are the most abundant protein class in animals. The fibrillar collagens are large, complex, multidomain proteins, all containing the characteristic triple helix motif. The most prevalent collagens are heterotrimeric, meaning that cells express at least two distinctive procollagen polypeptides that must assemble into specific heterotrimer compositions. The molecular mechanisms ensuring correct heterotrimeric assemblies are poorly understood - even for the most common collagen, type-I. The longstanding paradigm is that assembly is controlled entirely by the ~30 kDa globular C-propeptide (C-Pro) domain. Still, this dominating model for procollagen assembly has left many questions unanswered. Here, we show that the C-Pro paradigm is incomplete. In addition to the critical role of the C-Pro domain in templating assembly, we find that the amino acid sequence near the C terminus of procollagen's triple-helical domain plays an essential role in defining procollagen assembly outcomes. These sequences near the C terminus of the triple-helical domain encode conformationally stabilizing features that ensure only desirable C-Pro-mediated trimeric templates are committed to irreversible triple-helix folding. Incorrect C-Pro trimer assemblies avoid commitment to triple-helix formation thanks to destabilizing features in the amino acid sequences of their triple helix. Incorrect C-Pro assemblies are consequently able to dissociate and search for new binding partners. These findings provide a distinctive perspective on the mechanism of procollagen assembly, revealing the molecular basis by which incorrect homotrimer assemblies are avoided and setting the stage for a deeper understanding of the biogenesis of this ubiquitous protein.