Evaluation of sexual dimorphism of histochemical activity of phosphatases of the plantar glands of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)

The activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase in the eccrine and sebaceous glands of the skin of the soles of the paws of male and female Norway rats was studied by histochemiсal methods. Using the methods of qualimetric analysis, we presented a digitalized form of the enzyme activity, which made it possible to calculate sexual dimorphism indices, reflecting quantitative differences in the enzymatic activity of the skin glands in males and females of Norway rats. For acid phosphatase activity, the sexual dimorphism index was equal to 0.50 in the eccrine glands and equal to 0.33 in the sebaceous glands. For alkaline phosphatase activity, values of sexual dimorphism indices were equal to –0.25 and 0.33 correspondingly, and for adenosine triphosphatase values of sexual dimorphism indices were equal to –0.33 and 0.50. Digital analogues of the histoenzymatic activity of the skin glands were presented as coordinates in three-dimensional space. Using the methods of analytical geometry, we calculated the values of intersexual distances (1.73 for eccrine glands and 1.73 for sebaceous glands), reflecting the cumulative differences in the activity of three types of phosphatases, which can be considered as an integral indicator of sexual dimorphism. Histochemical activity entropy is significant in the eccrine glands. Male entropy value (0.842 bit) was less than female entropy value (0.915 bit), because total actual activity of the males’ phosphatases was greater (220% of 300%) than total actual activity of the females’ phosphatases (200% of 300%). High entropy level of phosphatase activity was typical for male sebaceous glands (0.998 bit), where the general level of enzymatic activity was significantly reduced (160% of 300%). Because of the highest total actual phosphatase activity of female sebaceous glands (220% of 300%), entropy value was the lowest (0.842 bit). The obtained results show not only sexual dimorphism by histochemical parameters but show different communicational levels of male and female Norway rats, taking into account the important role of the plantar glands as sources of chemical signals determining the character of marking behaviour

Analysis of LongTerm Results of 1500 Laparoscopic AntiReflux Procedures

Операцией выбора в лечении грыж пищеводного отверстия диафрагмы (ГПОД) является пластика пищеводного отверстия диафрагмы (ПОД) и фундопликация (ФП). Общий процент отличных и хороших отдаленных результатов по данным мировой литературы составляет 80–90%. В структуре неудовлетворительных результатов антирефлюксных операций ведущее место занимает рецидив грыжи с миграцией манжетки в полость средостения, нарушение целостности фундопликациолнной манжетки и стойкая дисфагия, связанная с пластикой ПОД и ФП. На основании двух мета-анализов, завершенных и опубликованных в 2010 году, многолетний спор сторонников ФП по Ниссену и по Тупе завершился выводом: контроль рефлюкса обе методики обеспечивают в одинаковой степени, явления дисфагии несколько чаще встречаются после фундопликации по Ниссену у пациентов с нарушениями перистальтики пищевода. Поэтому поиск наиболее актуальными задачами является разработка оптимальных методик пластики пищеводного отверстия диафрагмы для профилактики рецидивов и стойкой дисфагии. Целью данной работы был критический анализ отдаленных результатов различных методик лапароскопических антирефлюксных операций, основанный на большом клиническим материале.The choice of method of hiatal hernia repair is still controversial. The aim of the study was to compare different methods of repair and fundoplications based on the results of 1500 laparoscopic anti-reflux procedures. Recurrences in cruroraphy group (I) were in 10.2% of cases, with dysphagia rate of 5.3%. Recurrences in mesh repair group (II) were in 5% of cases, with dysphagia rate of 7.1%. The rates of dysphagia and reoperations were lower in composite mesh subgroup (original technique) than in polypropylene mesh subgroup. Modified Nissen fundoplication is better in terms of postoperative quality of life than conventioanl Nissen technique

АЛГОРИТМ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ СТАТИСТИЧЕСКИХ МЕТОДОВ ПРИ ИДЕНТИФИКАЦИИ ВОЛОС ПОДВИДОВ И ГИБРИДНЫХ ФОРМ ЛЕОПАРДА PANTHERA PARDUS

The study focused on the methodological aspect of applying multivariate statistics in the forensic biological analysis of mammalian hair, using samples from subspecies and hybrids of leopard.Работа посвящена методическому аспекту проведения биологической экспертизы волос млекопитающих на примере подвидов и гибридных форм леопарда с помощью методов многомерного статистического анализа

The role of proximal vagotomy at laparoscopic fundoplication according to Toupet

Залишається актуальним питання про спосіб фундоплікації при лапароскопічних антирефлюксних операціях. Метою даного дослідження є порівняння віддалених результатів фундоплікації за Тупе в чистому вигляді і доповненої селективною проксимальною ваготомією (СПВ). Із 1994 до 2010 року 203 пацієнтам були виконані лапароскопічні фундоплікації за Тупе. Хворих поділили на 3 зіставних групи залежно від клінічних характеристик пацієнтів. У пацієнтів, які мали явища шлункової гіперсекреції та індекс DeMeester >80, фундоплікація за Тупе доповнювалася СПВ (основна група). Віддалені результати, вивчені в середньому через 6 років після операції, показали, що частота симптомів гастроезофагеальної рефлюксної хвороби (ГЕРХ) була достовірно меншою в основній групі, якість життя за шкалою GERD-HRQL достовірно поліпшилась в основній групі більшою мірою, ніж у групах порівняння. Індекс DeMeester після операції також був достовірно меншим в основній групі, ніж у групах порівняння. При тяжкому перебігу ГЕРХ і поєднанні її зі шлунковою гіперсекрецією, якщо виконується фундоплікація за Тупе (при ризику розвитку дисфагії на тлі дискінезій стравоходу і при анатомічних особливостях дна шлунка та шлунково-селезінкової зв’язки, коли неможлива широка мобілізація дна шлунка для накладення циркулярної манжети), її доцільно доповнювати СПВ.The choice of method of fundoplication in laparoscopic antireflux surgery is still controversial. The aim of this prospective randomized study was to compare long-term results of laparoscopical classical Toupet fundoplication and Toupet fundoplication with highly selective vagotomy. From 1994 till 2010, 203 patients were operated using Toupet technique of fundoplication; 3 groups were compared. Basic group contained 71 patients which were operated using Toupet technique with HSV. Long-term results were studied with a mean follow-up period of 6 years. The Touped fundoplication with HSV were superior in terms of incidence of symptoms of GERD, quality of life by GERD-HRQL score, degree of esophagitis and DeMeested score. Combination of Toupet fundoplication with HSV is recommended for GERD patients with hypersecretion of stomach and heavy gastroesophageal reflux

Early Pleistocene enamel proteome from Dmanisi resolves Stephanorhinus phylogeny

The sequencing of ancient DNA has enabled the reconstruction of speciation, migration and admixture events for extinct taxa. However, the irreversible post-mortem degradation2 of ancient DNA has so far limited its recovery—outside permafrost areas—to specimens that are not older than approximately 0.5 million years (Myr). By contrast, tandem mass spectrometry has enabled the sequencing of approximately 1.5-Myr-old collagen type I, and suggested the presence of protein residues in fossils of the Cretaceous period—although with limited phylogenetic use. In the absence of molecular evidence, the speciation of several extinct species of the Early and Middle Pleistocene epoch remains contentious. Here we address the phylogenetic relationships of the Eurasian Rhinocerotidae of the Pleistocene epoch, using the proteome of dental enamel from a Stephanorhinus tooth that is approximately 1.77-Myr old, recovered from the archaeological site of Dmanisi (South Caucasus, Georgia). Molecular phylogenetic analyses place this Stephanorhinus as a sister group to the clade formed by the woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) and Merck’s rhinoceros (Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis). We show that Coelodonta evolved from an early Stephanorhinus lineage, and that this latter genus includes at least two distinct evolutionary lines. The genus Stephanorhinus is therefore currently paraphyletic, and its systematic revision is needed. We demonstrate that sequencing the proteome of Early Pleistocene dental enamel overcomes the limitations of phylogenetic inference based on ancient collagen or DNA. Our approach also provides additional information about the sex and taxonomic assignment of other specimens from Dmanisi. Our findings reveal that proteomic investigation of ancient dental enamel—which is the hardest tissue in vertebrates, and is highly abundant in the fossil record—can push the reconstruction of molecular evolution further back into the Early Pleistocene epoch, beyond the currently known limits of ancient DNA preservation

Can environment or allergy explain international variation in prevalence of wheeze in childhood?

Asthma prevalence in children varies substantially around the world, but the contribution of known risk factors to this international variation is uncertain. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Two studied 8–12 year old children in 30 centres worldwide with parent-completed symptom and risk factor questionnaires and aeroallergen skin prick testing. We used multilevel logistic regression modelling to investigate the effect of adjustment for individual and ecological risk factors on the between-centre variation in prevalence of recent wheeze. Adjustment for single individual-level risk factors changed the centre-level variation from a reduction of up to 8.4% (and 8.5% for atopy) to an increase of up to 6.8%. Modelling the 11 most influential environmental factors among all children simultaneously, the centre-level variation changed little overall (2.4% increase). Modelling only factors that decreased the variance, the 6 most influential factors (synthetic and feather quilt, mother’s smoking, heating stoves, dampness and foam pillows) in combination resulted in a 21% reduction in variance. Ecological (centre-level) risk factors generally explained higher proportions of the variation than did individual risk factors. Single environmental factors and aeroallergen sensitisation measured at the individual (child) level did not explain much of the between-centre variation in wheeze prevalence

Data on the angular parameters of curvature of ostrich feather

This investigation was aimed at the morphometric study of primary flight feather of adult male ostrich Struthio camelus Linnaeus, 1758 (Struthioniformes). We found the angle of curvature and the curvature coefficient of the shaft and the tip of white feather of ostrich.THIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

S. Spitz nevus – Clinical, Dermatoscopic and Histological Features Correlation – Cases Report

Introduction. S. Spitz nevus is a benign melanocytic neoplasm composed from spindled or epitheloid new melanocytes mostly appearing in the pediatric age and described previously as juvenile melanoma. In accordance with the literature the majority of cases are observed in the first two decades of life mainly in fair-skinned persons representing about 1.0 % of all childhood melanocytic nevi. The S. Spitz nevus was first described in 1948 by Sophie Spitz as benign juvenile melanoma with good prognosis but histological resemblance with melanoma and bears her name. It may mimic melanoma at clinical, derma­toscopic and histopathological levels being today the subject of discussion and one of the most difficult questions among the pigmented lesions both for dermatologists and morphologists. As a result, there are contradictions regarding the appropriate therapy and prognosis. The aim of the study. To describe the correlations between the clinical, dermatoscopic and pathomorphological features of S. Spitz nevi in three clinical cases. Materials and methods. The content analysis, bibliosemantic method of studying the actual scientific researches concerning non-invasive methods of S. Spitz nevus evaluation were used. The study was carried out in the following scientific databases: PubMed-NCBI, Medline, Cochranel Library, EMBASE, ReseachGate by keywords: S. Spitz nevus, dermatoscopy, correlation with morphological examination. Three clinical cases were described. Digital dermatoscopic images were captured using Dermatoscope (DermLite DL3) mounted on the digital camera Galaxy S-4 Samsung Corporation) using the ultrasound gel for imersion dermatoscopy. All images were evaluated in accordance with algorithm of H. Kittler. Results. Dermatoscopy is the appropriate and helpful method for diagnosing S. Spitz nevus, but together with this the histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations are still needed to rule out malignancy, especially for uncommon or atypical dermatoscopic patterns. S. Spitz nevus clinically is presented as a solitary, pink, red or brown papule most commonly located on the face or extremities and characterized by an initially rapid growth. The other clinical characteristic feature is size, thus they are usually less than 1.0 cm in diameter, larger size is considered as abnormal. They may be pigmented when colours ranging from tan to dark brown or even black, but typically they are from pink to red because of limited melanin content and increased vascularity. Clinically the most often features are symmetry, smooth, dome-shaped and hairless surface, and well-demarcated borders. Both genders are equally affected. However, because of few specific clinical features, it is often difficult to make a correct diagnosis of S. Spitz nevus with naked eyes, sometimes it is clinically mistaken with other skin tumors such as hemangioma, verruca vulgaris, dermatofibroma, etc. Dermatoscopy became very helpful in S. Spitz nevus diagnosis accuracy and its most typical variants determining. The management of S. Spitz nevus is still controversial. According to dermatoscopic morphology of S. Spitz nevi and management guidelines by 2017 British Association of Dermatologists, surgical excision should be reserved for suspicious lesions in children at 12 years of age and older and for all suspicious neoplasm with an atypical pattern when malignant melanoma cannot be excluded in children of all ages. Clinical and dermatoscopic follow-up should be continued until these neoplasms maintain the typical features of common nevi or disappear. In this report we discuss 3 different cases of S. Spitz nevi. The patients were at the age of 7 to 11 years old, had unremarkable medical histories and rapid growth of elements in the last period. Conclusions. There are many contradictions in the diagnosis and management of S. Spitz nevus due to its peculiar clinical, dermatoscopic and histomorphological features. Dermatoscopy has emerged as an important tool in the evaluation of patients with such lesions, but it is still necessary to perform a biopsy or excision for cases with suspicious clinical manifestations or atypical dermatoscopic patterns. As well the short-term follow-up is helpful and should be continued until these neoplasms maintain the typical features of common nevi or disappear

Histological Changes of Linear Scleroderma “en Coup de Sabre”

Introduction. Scleroderma is a chronic disease of unknown aetiology characterized by skin fibrosis and is divided into two clinical entities: localized scleroderma and systemic sclerosis. But the localized scleroderma is not accompanied by Raynaud’s phenomenon, acrosclerosis and internal organ involvement and the life prognosis of patients with localized scleroderma is good. Scleroderma “en coup de sabre” (ECDS) is considered a linear localized form of scleroderma or morphoea. It usually involves, unilaterally, the frontoparietal area, but may extend downwards to the face. Most cases begin before 10 years of age. The aim of our study was to investigate the histological characteristics and their clinical association in ECDS. Materials and methods. The present study was carried out at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology in Tbilisi State Medical University. 11 patients (2 men and 9 women) with lesions clinically and histologically diagnosed as ECDS were retrospectively included. Patients who were treated with immunomodulating agents, including systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressants before presentation, or patients complicated with Parry – Romberg syndrome were excluded from the study. All patients were subjected to: history taking including: age, sex, duration of the disease, family history; clinical examination; skin biopsy – evaluated for epidermal atrophy, spongiosis, vacuolar degeneration of basal cell layer, satellite cell necrosis, basal pigmentation, melanin incontinence, perivascular infiltrate, perineural infiltrate, periappendageal infiltrate, vacuolar changes of follicular epithelium and dermal fibrosis. Results. All ECDS patients demonstrated epidermal lymphocytic infiltrate, tagging of lymphocytes along the dermo-epidermal junction and vacuolar changes, regardless of disease duration, clinical presentation and the intensity of perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate. Furthermore, when we defined patients with disease duration of < 3 years and of ≥ 6 years, respectively, the degrees of perivascular and/or peri-appendageal infiltrate and vacuolar changes of follicular epithelium were much greater, whereas epidermal atrophy was less frequently seen, in early ECDS patients than in late ECDS patients. The intensity of interface dermatitis in epidermis was comparable between early and late ECDS lesions. Also it’s important to mention, that in our study in early stage localized scleroderma the characteristic histological finding is not only perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate. Vacuolar changes in epidermis is also a common histological feature in the sites of damaged skin of ECDS patients and vacuolar changes in follicular epithelium and peri-appendageal infiltrate serve as a histological marker of early and active ECDS lesions in addition to perivascular infiltrate. Conclusions. Although the pathogenesis of localized scleroderma still remains unknown, the present observation and received results are useful to determine the activity of skin lesions in ECDS and provide us a new clue to further understand the pathogenesis of this disorder