Percutaneous collagen induction (microneedling) for the management of non-atrophic scars: literature review.

Introduction: Percutaneous collagen induction (PCI) or needling techniques are increasingly popular in the reconstructive and aesthetic arena. The underlying mechanisms of action rest on producing a pattern of non-ablative and non-confluent puncture wound pattern to the dermis with a resulting regenerative effect to the skin. Methods: A detailed English literature review was conducted using PubMed Medline, Embase and Web of Science; the manuscripts were appraised and classified according to level of evidence as well risk of bias. Results are presented in descending order of evidence for non-atrophic scars. Discussion: On the basis of level 1 evidence currently available, the combination of needling and silicone gel can improve the short-term pliability, height and vascularity of hypertrophic and keloid scars. According to level 2 evidence, needling alongside spray keratinocytes can produce a statistically significant improvement to patient/observer scar ratings and improve pigmentation in hypopigmented burn scars at 12-month follow-up. Results from mixed cohort studies also point towards needling having a beneficial effect on fat graft retention. Level 3 data suggest that needling can render significant resurfacing effects to both mature and actively hypertrophic burn scars at 12-month follow-up based on objective scar scales; furthermore, favourable histological changes are seen, including better collagen alignment in the dermis and increased epidermal thickness. Conclusion: Needling techniques are promising adjuncts to non-atrophic scar management. Further research with long-term follow-up and comparative design protocols incorporating other resurfacing modalities is warranted before the exact value of needling is delineated in scar management protocols

The Role of Mesotocin on Social Bonding in Pinyon Jays

The neuropeptide oxytocin influences mammalian social bonding by facilitating the building and maintenance of parental, sexual, and same‐sex social relationships. However, we do not know whether the function of the avian homologue mesotocin is evolutionarily conserved across birds. While it does influence avian prosocial behavior, mesotocin\u27s role in avian social bonding remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether mesotocin regulates the formation and maintenance of same‐sex social bonding in pinyon jays (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus), a member of the crow family. We formed squads of four individually housed birds. In the first, “pair‐formation” phase of the experiment, we repeatedly placed pairs of birds from within the squad together in a cage for short periods of time. Prior to entering the cage, we intranasally administered one of three hormone solutions to both members of the pair: mesotocin, oxytocin antagonist, or saline. Pairs received repeated sessions with administration of the same hormone. In the second, “pair‐maintenance” phase of the experiment, all four members of the squad were placed together in a large cage, and no hormones were administered. For both phases, we measured the physical proximity between pairs as our proxy for social bonding. We found that, compared with saline, administering mesotocin or oxytocin antagonist did not result in different proximities in either the pair‐formation or pair‐maintenance phase of the experiment. Therefore, at the dosages and time frames used here, exogenously introduced mesotocin did not influence same‐sex social bond formation or maintenance. Like oxytocin in mammals, mesotocin regulates avian prosocial behavior; however, unlike oxytocin, we do not have evidence that mesotocin regulates social bonds in birds

Adelaide in-depth accident study 1975-1979. Part 5: Commercial vehicle accidents

This report deals with accidents involving trucks, vans, buses and multi-purpose vehicles, not all of which were being used as commercial vehicles. There were relatively few single vehicle accidents, apart from those involving pedestrians, and the reluctance of semitrailer drivers to brake hard at s~gnalisedin tersections and insecure loads of some heavy vehicles distinguished these accidents from those involving only passenger cars. All but one of the drivers of these commercial vehicles were males, most of whom were aged between 20 and 50 years. None of these drivers were affected by alcohol intoxication to a significant degree, nor was fatigue a factor in any of these accidents. Although none of the commercial vehicle occupants was severely injured, the provision and use of seat belts may have avoided many of the injuries which did occur. Some multi-purpose passenger vehicles are deficient, when compared to passenger cars, in terms of protecting their occupants from injury in a crash.A.J. Mclean, H.S. Aust, B.L. Sando

Reproductive non-seasonality in rhinoceroses: A review of the in-situ literature and birth records of ex-situ institutions

Mammals whose breeding activity is triggered by seasonal photoperiodic cues typically maintain seasonal reproduction in zoos, with births accumulating to various degrees in spring. For zoo-kept rhinoceroses, accumulation of births in autumn has been suggested, which would make this group unusual. We compare birthing (and hence conception) patterns of free-ranging rhinoceros populations from the scientific literature with those of the global zoo populations based on birth data available from Species360, to facilitate deductions on the cues that trigger rhinoceros reproduction. The patterns do not indicate a photoperiodic element in rhinoceros reproduction but suggest suppression of conception in free-ranging populations at times of resource scarcity. This is not evident in zoos. However, a slight accumulation of autumn births, due to a slight reduction in births in spring, is visible in the zoo populations. Given rhinoceros gestation periods, this is linked to reduced conceptions in November–December. The most parsimonious interpretation is management-related, as has been suggested (Roth 2006, Int. Zoo Yb. 40(1): 130–143): not all facilities are prepared to allow mating at times when outdoor husbandry is reduced due to weather restrictions. Given the long interbirth intervals of rhinoceroses, missed conception opportunities of 1–2 months are unlikely to affect population demographics. Nevertheless, detailed recording of approaches to facilitate mating during winter months by those zoos that achieve this may increase the general skill of rhinoceros management

Transcriptional impairment of β-catenin/E-cadherin complex is not associated with β-catenin mutations in colorectal carcinomas

We report the absence of β-catenin mutations in 63 sporadic colorectal carcinomas (SCRCs) with demonstrated decreased β-catenin and E-cadherin mRNA expression and E-cadherin protein expression in a subset of carcinomas examined, suggesting that β-catenin mutations are an extremely rare phenomenon in SCRCs and are not responsible for the transcriptional impairment of the β-catenin/E-cadherin adhesion complex observed in these tumours

Upregulation of p16INK4A and Bax in p53 wild/p53-overexpressing crypts in ulcerative colitis-associated tumours

In ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated tumours, p53 gene mutations and p53 protein overexpression are frequently found in early stages, but the two types of alteration do not always coincide. To clarify this discrepancy, p53 mutations and expression of p53-associated molecules were analysed in UC-associated dysplasias by a combination of microdissection, polymerase chain reaction-direct sequencing and immunohistochemistry at the single crypt level. Mismatch of p53 protein overexpression (+)/mutation (−) or p53 overexpression (−)/gene mutation (+) was found in nine crypts in regenerative mucosa (19 crypts), in 27 in low-grade dysplasia (41), in one in high-grade dysplasia (5) and in 12 in invasive carcinomas (17). Regarding these mismatched crypts of the first type, significant increase in p16INK4A and Bax expression was found. The Ki-67 labelling index was depressed in such p53-diffusely positive lesions with the wild-type p53 gene, compared to their p53-diffusely positive and mutant type counterparts. p16INK4A was upregulated indirectly as part of the negative feedback, and increase in Bax, directly controlled by wild-type p53, indicates upregulation of apoptosis. No significant relation with p53-related gene products was detected with the p53 protein overexpression (−)/p53 mutation (+) mismatch. Therefore, a tumorigenesis pathway independent of p53 dysfunction appears to exist in association with ulcerative colitis

Ultrahard carbon film from epitaxial two-layer graphene

Atomically thin graphene exhibits fascinating mechanical properties, although its hardness and transverse stiffness are inferior to those of diamond. To date, there hasn't been any practical demonstration of the transformation of multi-layer graphene into diamond-like ultra-hard structures. Here we show that at room temperature and after nano-indentation, two-layer graphene on SiC(0001) exhibits a transverse stiffness and hardness comparable to diamond, resisting to perforation with a diamond indenter, and showing a reversible drop in electrical conductivity upon indentation. Density functional theory calculations suggest that upon compression, the two-layer graphene film transforms into a diamond-like film, producing both elastic deformations and sp2-to-sp3 chemical changes. Experiments and calculations show that this reversible phase change is not observed for a single buffer layer on SiC or graphene films thicker than 3 to 5 layers. Indeed, calculations show that whereas in two-layer graphene layer-stacking configuration controls the conformation of the diamond-like film, in a multilayer film it hinders the phase transformation.Comment: Published online on Nature Nanotechnology on December 18, 201

Overexpression of CD97 in Intestinal Epithelial Cells of Transgenic Mice Attenuates Colitis by Strengthening Adherens Junctions

The adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor CD97 is present in normal colonic enterocytes but overexpressed in colorectal carcinoma. To investigate the function of CD97 in colorectal carcinogenesis, transgenic Tg(villin-CD97) mice overexpressing CD97 in enterocytes were generated and subjected to azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis-associated tumorigenesis. Unexpectedly, we found a CD97 cDNA copy number-dependent reduction of DSS-induced colitis in Tg compared to wild-type (WT) mice that was confirmed by applying a simple DSS protocol. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that overexpression of CD97 strengthened lateral cell-cell contacts between enterocytes, which, in contrast, were weakened in CD97 knockout (Ko) mice. Transepithelial resistance was not altered in Tg and Ko mice, indicating that tight junctions were not affected. In Tg murine and normal human colonic enterocytes as well as in colorectal cell lines CD97 was localized preferentially in E-cadherin-based adherens junctions. CD97 overexpression upregulated membrane-bound but not cytoplasmic or nuclear β-catenin and reduced phospho-β-catenin, labeled for degradation. This was associated with inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and activation of Akt. In summary, CD97 increases the structural integrity of enterocytic adherens junctions by increasing and stabilizing junctional β-catenin, thereby regulating intestinal epithelial strength and attenuating experimental colitis