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Background: Changes in the skin structure, including the collagen and elastin content, have been reported with massive weight loss (MWL) following bariatric metabolic surgery (BMS) and have been correlated to a higher risk of complications after body-contouring surgery (BCS). This study aimed at comparing the histological characteristics of the skin of patients having surgical MWL (SMWL) post-BMS to those with non-surgical massive weight loss (NSMWL). Methods: This prospective study compared the epidermal thickness, and collagen and elastin fibers content in 80 skin biopsies obtained from BCS procedures performed to patients who experienced MWL defined more than 50% of excess weight loss (%EWL) either SMWL (40 biopsies) or NSMWL (40 biopsies). Twenty biopsies in each group were obtained from abdominoplasties and 20 from breast reductions. Epidermal thickness was measured in H&E-stained sections, collagen fibers were assessed using Masson trichrome-stained sections, and elastin fibers were assessed using Modified Verhoeff's stained sections. Image analysis software was used to calculate the fractions of collagen and elastin fibers. Results: This study included 77 patients, 38 SMWL patients, and 39 NSMWL patients. The SMWL group had a significantly higher age (p < 0.001), a longer time interval from intervention (p < 0.001), higher initial weight (p < 0.001), higher initial BMI (p < 0.001), lower current weight (p = 0.005), lower current BMI (p < 0.001), and significantly higher %EWL than NSMWL group (p < 0.001). No significant differences were detected between the two groups regarding complications after abdominoplasty (p = 1.000). The elastic fibers content in the dermis was significantly higher in the abdominal region of the NSMWL group than SMWL (p = 0.029). All other parameters showed non-significant differences between NSMWL and SMWL in the skin of abdomen and breast. Conclusion: The SMWL group had a significant reduction in elastic fiber content in the skin of the abdomen compared to the NSMWL group. The collagen content was equally reduced in both groups with non-significant differences in both breast and abdomen regions in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The economic condition, national economic significance and prospects for the development of sheep breeding in our country directly depend on the meat productivity of sheep. The purpose of our research was to study the qualitative indicators of sheepskins and the histological structure of the skin of Kalmyk fat-tailed rams and crossbreeds obtained on the basis of crossing of Kalmyk fat-tailed ewes with Dorper rams. The work was carried out in LLC “Agrofirma Aduchi”, Republic of Kalmykia. It was found that the coarser wool of the rams of group I was 4.7 microns or 12.9%, in contrast to the peers of group II. The control animals have 40 quality wool, and the experimental ones - 36, that is, the wool of hybrid young animals is thinner by two whole qualities, which is a very good indicator for the textile industry. The fineness of the awn was thicker in purebred rams by 8.5%, the fineness of transitional hair and fluff by 17.8%, in contrast to hybrid young. In the study of the histological parameters of the skin, it was revealed that the rams of group I had 352.57 µm thicker skin (14.52%) in comparison with their peers in group II. In this case, the thickness of the layers of the total thickness of the skin in animals of group I is: epidermis - 0.8%, pilar - 69.8%, reticular - 29.4%; Group II - epidermis - 1.2%, pilar - 60.5%, reticular - 38.3%. The densest epidermis was found in crossbred young animals of group II. Their superiority in this indicator over their peers in the control group was 6.12 microns or 27.7%. This is due to the fact that in animals of the meat direction, the epidermal part (flesh) is thicker. Crossbred rams have a larger area of sheepskins, the skin is more elastic, durable and less thick, such sheepskins are first-class raw materials for the industrial production of fur products. The density of the coat (the ratio of WF / PF) in crossbred rams is greater than that of purebred peers.

This study aimed to develop novel topical formulations based on a natural component (0.5% of Siberian pine essential oil) and to assess its wound-healing capacity through macroscopic, histopathological, and biochemical examination. The phytochemical profile of Pinus sibirica essential oil (PSEO) and rheological analysis and safety potential of formulations were determined. The wound-healing effect was evaluated on an excision wound model in diabetic Wistar albino rats randomly divided into the following groups topically treated with (1) untreated, (2) 1% silver sulfadiazine, (3) ointment base, (4) gel base, (5) PSEO ointment, and (6) PSEO gel. Formulations containing PSEO were stable and safe for skin application. Three weeks of treatment with both PSEO formulations (ointment and gel) led to a significant reduction in wound size (98.14% and 96.28%, respectively) and a remarkably higher level of total hydroxyproline content (9.69 µg/mg and 7.26 µg/mg dry tissue, respectively) relative to the control group (65.97%; 1.81 µg/mg dry tissue). These findings were in correlation with histopathological results. Topically applied PSEO formulations were associated with a significant reduction in most of the measured pro-oxidants and enhanced activity of the antioxidant defense system enzymes (p < 0.05). Our findings showed that gel and ointment with PSEO demonstrated significant wound-repairing capabilities in the excision wound model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The intrinsic differences of skin histology between the feather calamus and the surrounding outer follicle sheath and neighboring cutaneous tissues reflect their resistance to thermal denaturation and account for the defeathering effect by scalding in various breeds and ages of chickens. This study aimed to delineate the fundamental skin histology and its association with feathers in broilers and native Red-Feather (RF) chickens and further elucidate their thermal alterations in respect to the defeathering effect by scalding. Comparisons of skin thickness between fresh samples and those after dehydration and fixation, as well as their collagen contents and histological differences, suggested that RF chickens had a thicker dermal layer with more collagen deposition and compact architecture, particularly in the neck and abdominal skin, but a thinner hypodermal layer in the back, chest, and abdomen skin. Despite an adolescent age, RF chickens showed a shorter calamus depth of tail feathers but a larger calamus diameter of wing feathers. Within the feather follicle punch, a very intense follicle sheath layer with compact collagenous matrixes to fulfill the space next to the inner feather root sheath was observed in RF chickens. Under both soft and hard scalding, RF chickens showed a lower degree of denaturation on hip skins and were more resistant to structural disintegration, primarily within the epidermal and dermal layer. Accordingly, a much narrower gap space between the feather sheath and surrounding follicle sheath was observed, and the gap expansion was also resistant to thermal changes. These results suggest that the defeathering effect by scalding follows the intrinsic skin histologies in chickens of various breeds and ages, primarily depending on the interaction of the feather calamus with the surrounding follicle sheath and neighboring cutaneous tissues, reflecting their resistance to thermal denaturation, but is irrelevant to the feathers per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin wound healing is a complex biochemical process of tissue repair and remodeling in response to injury. Currently, the drugs used to improve the healing process are inaccessible to the population, are costly, and have side effects, making the search for new treatment alternatives necessary. Propolis is a natural product produced by bees that is widely recognized and used in folk medicine for its multiple biomedical activities. However, therapeutic information regarding Mexican propolis is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the wound-healing effect of the Chihuahua ethanolic extract of propolis (ChEEP). Macroscopic and histological analyses were performed using a mouse wound-healing model. The topic acute toxicity assay showed that propolis at 10% w/v had no toxic effects. ChEEP has antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Moreover, it exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity evaluated through mouse ear edema induced by 12-O-tetradeca-noylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). A full-thickness incision lesion was created in mice and treated topically with 10% ChEEP. At Day 14 post-treatment, it was observed that propolis increased wound contraction and reduced healing time and wound length; furthermore, propolis increased the tensile strength of the wound, as determined with the tensiometric method, and promoted the formation of type I collagen at the site of injury, as evaluated with Herovici stain. These findings suggest that the topical administration of ChEEP can improve skin wound healing, probably due to the synergistic effect of its components, mainly polyphenols, in different steps of the wound-healing process. It should be noted this is the first time that the wound-healing activity of a Mexican propolis has been evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroscopical and histological analysis of the skin is fundamental in both human and veterinary forensic investigations. However, databases of differential skin histology of various animal species are rare. The aim of the present study is to identify species-specific differential histological features of the skin that could be used in forensic investigations including animal identification. For this purpose, skin specimens were collected from the neck region of various farm animals including buffalo, cow, camel, sheep, goat, dog, and donkey, and were processed for histological analysis. Our comparative analysis revealed specific histological features in the skin that could differentiate between the studied animal species. The epidermis layer of the skin was very thick in buffalo, intermediate in cow, sheep, goat, dog, and donkey, but very thin in camel. The papillomatous epidermis was very frequent in buffalo, but very rare in cow. In the dermis layer of the skin, four structures were located which showed differential features between the studied animal species: the papillary layer, which was thick in buffalo, camel, sheep, dog, and donkey but thin in cow and goat. The sweat glands, which were few in buffalo, cow, goat, and dog, but numerous and deeply located in the dermis of sheep; they were individually located in all studied animals except in camel and donkey they were arranged in clusters. The hair follicles were characteristic for the skin of sheep as they were present at two different levels in the dermis with simple and compound hair follicles. The sebaceous glands were large and multi-lobular in buffalo, but small and uni-lobular in cow and camel. The hypodermis layer of the skin was very thick in sheep and goat in contrast to all other analyzed animals. In conclusion, the present study provides comprehensive information on the differential histological features of the skin of seven different domestic animal species that could be used as a key in forensic investigations.

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Skin exposure to high-dose irradiation, as commonly practiced in radiotherapy, affects the different skin layers, causing dry and wet desquamation, hyperkeratosis fibrosis, hard to heal wounds and alopecia and damaged hair follicles. Fetal tissue mesenchymal stromal cells (f-hPSC) were isolated from excised human fetal placental tissue, based on their direct migration from the tissue samples to the tissue dish. The current study follows earlier reports on for the mitigation of acute radiation syndrome following whole body high-dose exposure with remotely injected f-hPSC. Both the head only and a back skin flap of mice were irradiated with 16 &18 Gy, respectively, by 6MeV clinical linear accelerator electron beam. In both locations, the irradiated skin areas developed early and late radiation induced skin damages, including cutaneous fibrosis, lesions, scaring and severe hair follicle loss and reduced hair pigmentation. Injection of 2 × 106 f-hPSC, 3 and 8 weeks following 16 Gy head irradiation, and 1 and 4 weeks following the 18 Gy back skin only irradiation, resulted in significantly faster healing of radiation induced damages, with reduction of wet desquamation as measured by surface moisture level and minor recovery of the skin viscoelasticity. Detailed histological morphometry showed a clear alleviation of radiation induced hyperkeratosis in f-hPSC treated mice, with significant regain of hair follicles density. Following 16 Gy head irradiation, the hair follicles density in the scalp skin was reduced significantly by almost a half relative to the controls. A nearly full recovery of hair density was found in the f-hPSC treated mice. In the 18 Gy irradiated back skin, the hair follicles density dropped in a late stage by ~70% relative to naïve controls. In irradiated f-hPSC treated mice, it was reduced by only ~30% and was significantly higher than the non-treated group. Our results suggest that local injections of xenogeneic f-hPSC could serve as a simple, safe and highly effective non-autologous pro-regenerative treatment for high-dose radiation induced skin insults. We expect that such treatment could also be applied for other irradiated organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop novel topical formulations based on a natural component (0.5% of Siberian pine essential oil) and to assess its wound-healing capacity through macroscopic, histopathological, and biochemical examination. The phytochemical profile of Pinus sibirica essential oil (PSEO) and rheological analysis and safety potential of formulations were determined. The wound-healing effect was evaluated on an excision wound model in diabetic Wistar albino rats randomly divided into the following groups topically treated with (1) untreated, (2) 1% silver sulfadiazine, (3) ointment base, (4) gel base, (5) PSEO ointment, and (6) PSEO gel. Formulations containing PSEO were stable and safe for skin application. Three weeks of treatment with both PSEO formulations (ointment and gel) led to a significant reduction in wound size (98.14% and 96.28%, respectively) and a remarkably higher level of total hydroxyproline content (9.69 µg/mg and 7.26 µg/mg dry tissue, respectively) relative to the control group (65.97%; 1.81 µg/mg dry tissue). These findings were in correlation with histopathological results. Topically applied PSEO formulations were associated with a significant reduction in most of the measured pro-oxidants and enhanced activity of the antioxidant defense system enzymes (p < 0.05). Our findings showed that gel and ointment with PSEO demonstrated significant wound-repairing capabilities in the excision wound model.

This study aimed to delineate the fundamental skin histology and its association with feathers in broilers and native Red-Feather (RF) chickens and further elucidate their thermal alterations in respect to the defeathering effect by scalding. Comparisons of skin thickness between fresh samples and those after dehydration and fixation, as well as their collagen contents and histological differences, suggested that RF chickens had a thicker dermal layer with more collagen deposition and compact architecture, particularly in the neck and abdominal skin, but a thinner hypodermal layer in the back, chest, and abdomen skin. Despite an adolescent age, RF chickens showed a shorter calamus depth of tail feathers but a larger calamus diameter of wing feathers. Within the feather follicle punch, a very intense follicle sheath layer with compact collagenous matrixes to fulfill the space next to the inner feather root sheath was observed in RF chickens. Under both soft and hard scalding, RF chickens showed a lower degree of denaturation on hip skins and were more resistant to structural disintegration, primarily within the epidermal and dermal layer. Accordingly, a much narrower gap space between the feather sheath and surrounding follicle sheath was observed, and the gap expansion was also resistant to thermal changes. These results suggest that the defeathering effect by scalding follows the intrinsic skin histologies in chickens of various breeds and ages, primarily depending on the interaction of the feather calamus with the surrounding follicle sheath and neighboring cutaneous tissues, reflecting their resistance to thermal denaturation, but is irrelevant to the feathers per se.

Skin wound healing is a complex biochemical process of tissue repair and remodeling in response to injury. Currently, the drugs used to improve the healing process are inaccessible to the population, are costly, and have side effects, making the search for new treatment alternatives necessary. Propolis is a natural product produced by bees that is widely recognized and used in folk medicine for its multiple biomedical activities. However, therapeutic information regarding Mexican propolis is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the wound-healing effect of the Chihuahua ethanolic extract of propolis (ChEEP). Macroscopic and histological analyses were performed using a mouse wound-healing model. The topic acute toxicity assay showed that propolis at 10% w/v had no toxic effects. ChEEP has antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Moreover, it exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity evaluated through mouse ear edema induced by 12-O-tetradeca-noylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). A full-thickness incision lesion was created in mice and treated topically with 10% ChEEP. At Day 14 post-treatment, it was observed that propolis increased wound contraction and reduced healing time and wound length; furthermore, propolis increased the tensile strength of the wound, as determined with the tensiometric method, and promoted the formation of type I collagen at the site of injury, as evaluated with Herovici stain. These findings suggest that the topical administration of ChEEP can improve skin wound healing, probably due to the synergistic effect of its components, mainly polyphenols, in different steps of the wound-healing process. It should be noted this is the first time that the wound-healing activity of a Mexican propolis has been evaluated.

The Korean freshwater goby, Rhinogobius brunneus, prefers shallow water bodies with pebble bottoms, which are easily exposed to air due to the lack of water in droughts or the decline of water level after rainfall. Histological studies using microscopic researches revealed its skin consisting of two large parts, the epidermis and dermis with modified vascularization and intraepithelial blood capillaries, considering such environmental habitat conditions. The epidermis (38.4–156.8 µm in thickness) is classified into three parts; the outermost surface layer contained: stratified squamous and polygonal cells, mucous cells, and taste buds. The middle layer includes stratified polygonal cells and finally, the stratum germinativum consisting of a single layer of stratified polygonal cells and intraepithelial blood capillaries. In particular, there are very interesting findings that a small number of blood capillaries are situated at the stratum germinativum of the epidermis and dermal vascularization develops at the stratum laxum of the dermis. Consequently, the presence of the intraepithelial and intradermal blood capillaries, abundant mucous cells, well-developed dermal vascularization, a thick epidermis, as well as the reduced diffusion distance in some skin regions may be considered useful histological evidence to support cutaneous respiration during hypoxic conditions in stagnant water or during the periodic dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin exposure to high-dose irradiation, as commonly practiced in radiotherapy, affects the different skin layers, causing dry and wet desquamation, hyperkeratosis fibrosis, hard to heal wounds and alopecia and damaged hair follicles. Fetal tissue mesenchymal stromal cells (f-hPSC) were isolated from excised human fetal placental tissue, based on their direct migration from the tissue samples to the tissue dish. The current study follows earlier reports on for the mitigation of acute radiation syndrome following whole body high-dose exposure with remotely injected f-hPSC. Both the head only and a back skin flap of mice were irradiated with 16 &18 Gy, respectively, by 6MeV clinical linear accelerator electron beam. In both locations, the irradiated skin areas developed early and late radiation induced skin damages, including cutaneous fibrosis, lesions, scaring and severe hair follicle loss and reduced hair pigmentation. Injection of 2 × 106 f-hPSC, 3 and 8 weeks following 16 Gy head irradiation, and 1 and 4 weeks following the 18 Gy back skin only irradiation, resulted in significantly faster healing of radiation induced damages, with reduction of wet desquamation as measured by surface moisture level and minor recovery of the skin viscoelasticity. Detailed histological morphometry showed a clear alleviation of radiation induced hyperkeratosis in f-hPSC treated mice, with significant regain of hair follicles density. Following 16 Gy head irradiation, the hair follicles density in the scalp skin was reduced significantly by almost a half relative to the controls. A nearly full recovery of hair density was found in the f-hPSC treated mice. In the 18 Gy irradiated back skin, the hair follicles density dropped in a late stage by ~70% relative to naïve controls. In irradiated f-hPSC treated mice, it was reduced by only ~30% and was significantly higher than the non-treated group. Our results suggest that local injections of xenogeneic f-hPSC could serve as a simple, safe and highly effective non-autologous pro-regenerative treatment for high-dose radiation induced skin insults. We expect that such treatment could also be applied for other irradiated organs.

The study was performed with an aim to investigate the efficiency of two treatment options in experimental nickel-induced contact dermatitis (CT), with either betamethasone or chitosan cross-linked nano-encapsulated betamethasone lanoline solutions (nano-betamethasone). Male Wistar rats were used. The differences were compared based on lesion visual appearance, skinfold thickness, white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), blood serum prooxidant-antioxidant balance (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS; supersoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, KAT), blood cytokine profile (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, and IL-4), and histological examination of affected skin. All animals treated with nickel sulfate developed CT and systemic inflammatory response on day 12, which only slightly lessened, if left untreated, on day 20. The therapeutic effectiveness of nano-betamethasone was significantly far superior (p < 0.01) compared to betamethasone. Specifically, the visual appearance of lesion severity of betamethasone vs. nano-betamethasone ± SD was 1.82 ± 0.18 vs. 1.17 ± 0.24 points, skinfold thickness—2.68 ± 0.12 vs. 2.12 ± 0.10 mm, ESR—6.38 ± 0.27 vs. 5.12 ± 0.20 mm/h, WBC—8.47 ± 0.28 vs. 7.17 ± 0.24 109/L, TBARS—1.09 ± 0.04 vs. 0.94 ± 0.02 µmol/L, SOD—3.38 ± 0.26 vs. 4.12 ± 0.18 r.u./L, KAT—11.54 ± 0.14 vs. 10.02 ± 0.19 mkatal/L, respectively. The nano-betamethasone formulation was also more effective (p < 0.01) in increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines level, IL-10 (8.96 ± 0.32 vs. 7.54 ± 0.52 pg/mL) and IL-4 (13.16 ± 0.45 vs. 11.43 ± 0.58 pg/mL); and decreasing in pro-inflammatory TNF-α (20.94 ± 2.30 vs. 26.98 ± 1.16 pg/mL) and IL-1β (19.35 ± 1.28 vs. 24.77 ± 1.75 pg/mL), respectively. These findings were also supported with histological examination. Nano-betamethasone may be considered as a more successful transcutaneous therapy for managing contact dermatitis compared to ointments consisting of betamethasone in traditional form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) are found throughout the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago. The present work was conducted on the fresh normal skin of 10 common opossums and aimed to provide morphometric data and a histological description of the skin in different regions of the body. In the examined regions, the skin presented a typical thin skin morphology, with numerous folds on the surface. The dermis–epidermis junction is smooth, without the occurrence of dermal papillae. The average thickness of the opossum epidermis was 19.5 µm. The cranial region of the back showed the greatest epidermal thickness, and together with the other areas of the back presented an epidermis 2–3 times thicker compared with the other areas examined. To further confirm that the skin changes in the opossum are age‐ or diet‐related, additional studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only recently histopathological studies of patients with dermatosis and concomitant SARS-Cov-2 viral infection were published. Seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic, more skin biopsies of COVID-19-positive patients are taking place. We examined the histological features of 30 skin biopsies from two groups of patients: Ten specimens of patients tested positive for COVID-19 with an active systemic infection and associated dermatosis. Twenty specimens were from patients not considered COVID-positive (due to PCR swab negativity or not tested at all) with cutaneous lesions either showing viral infection symptoms (fever, cough, ageusia and severe immunocompromised condition due to HIV infection and malignancies), or presented a high risk of being infected (such as cohabitation with COVID-19-positive parents and siblings with simultaneous chilblains). This study analyses the histological and immunohistochemical (SARS-CoV-2 2019-nCoV nucleocapsid antibody) characteristics of the two groups and identifies 4 histopathological patterns. The histopathological features of the two groups present similar features that may help to identify an ongoing COVID-19 infection even in asymptomatic carriers with dermatosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes (CD34+SCs/TCs) in pathologic skin, after briefly examining them in normal conditions. We confirm previous studies by other authors in the normal dermis regarding CD34+SC/TC characteristics and distribution around vessels, nerves and cutaneous annexes, highlighting their practical absence in the papillary dermis and presence in the bulge region of perifollicular groups of very small CD34+ stromal cells. In non-tumoral skin pathology, we studied examples of the principal histologic patterns in which CD34+SCs/TCs have (1) a fundamental pathophysiological role, including (a) fibrosing/sclerosing diseases, such as systemic sclerosis, with loss of CD34+SCs/TCs and presence of stromal cells co-expressing CD34 and αSMA, and (b) metabolic degenerative processes, including basophilic degeneration of collagen, with stromal cells/telocytes in close association with degenerative fibrils, and cutaneous myxoid cysts with spindle-shaped, stellate and bulky vacuolated CD34+ stromal cells, and (2) a secondary reactive role, encompassing dermatitis—e.g., interface (erythema multiforme), acantholytic (pemphigus, Hailey–Hailey disease), lichenoid (lichen planus), subepidermal vesicular (bullous pemphigoid), psoriasiform (psoriasis), granulomatous (granuloma annulare)—vasculitis (leukocytoclastic and lymphocytic vasculitis), folliculitis, perifolliculitis and inflammation of the sweat and sebaceous glands (perifolliculitis and rosacea) and infectious dermatitis (verruca vulgaris). In skin tumor and tumor-like conditions, we studied examples of those in which CD34+ stromal cells are (1) the neoplastic component (dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, sclerotic fibroma and solitary fibrous tumor), (2) a neoplastic component with varying presentation (fibroepithelial polyp and superficial myxofibrosarcoma) and (3) a reactive component in other tumor/tumor-like cell lines, such as those deriving from vessel periendothelial cells (myopericytoma), epithelial cells (trichoepithelioma, nevus sebaceous of Jadassohn and seborrheic keratosis), Merkel cells (Merkel cell carcinoma), melanocytes (dermal melanocytic nevi) and Schwann cells (neurofibroma and granular cell tumor).

Frog skin is reported to have potential in medical application especially the granular gland on the skin producing secretion containing peptide. The objective of this paper was to examine the distribution and average size of granular glands in Odorrana hosii's skin. The skin histology was stained with Haematoxylin-Eosin to identify granular gland. Results revealed that the distributions of granular glands were statistically significantly different between six regions of the frog skin (F (5,234) =3.47, p=0.005) with dorsal central region of skin has the highest mean number of granular gland (2.22 ± 1.69). The average size of the granular glands was statistically significantly different between six skin regions (F (5,234)=4.04, p=0.012) with dorsal central region contained the biggest granular gland size (11.95 × 103 μm2). This study showed that the granular glands in O. hosii were significantly abundant in dorsal head region and the largest size was in the dorsal central region as compared to other regions of the skin. This implicates the dorsal head and central skin region can be used for peptides extraction due to the abundance and size of granular glands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin is the first protection barrier for the frog species that protect them from high temperature, chemical toxics, and over exposure to sunlight. Thus variation in skin characteristics might reflect their adaptation to environment. Since leaf litter frogs are facing threats of habitat fragmentation, we investigate the skin structure of the Bornean leaf litter horned frog Megophrys nasuta, from different body regions. Histological analysis of the frog skins and slide preparations using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining protocol were employed. Findings indicated that all body regions of M. nasuta skins have similar characteristics of the strata, epidermis and dermis layers. However, thickness of the epidermis layer and glands distribution varies between dorsal and ventral (areas that were first in contact with the environment) thus suggesting their adaptation strategy. The observed distributions of serous and mucous glands on different skin regions might also reflect the habit of this species in their natural habitat. These results may help in understanding the function of the skin structure to meet their ecological needs especially in the changing environment at fragmented area. The data should be extended and explored to study the effects of habitat fragmentation on the amphibians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to explore the potential of non-ionic surfactant based proniosomal gel (PNG) in improving the topical delivery of tazarotene by in vitro and in vivo studies. The PNG was prepared using coacervation phase separation method composed of span, stearylamine, cholesterol, and lecithin. The PNG demonstrated favorable vesicle size (3.26±0.22μm) and percent encapsulation efficiency (49.50±2.3%). The PNG was evaluated for viscosity which indicated that the ratio of span:cholesterol:stearylamine (64.5:30.5:5 mM) demonstrated no any fluctuations in viscosity. The scanning electron micrographs exhibited spherical vesicles with sharp boundaries. The in vitro drug release through cellulose membrane and rat's skin were found to be in the following order of the formulation code A2>A4>A3>A5 and A4>A2>A3>A5, respectively, which showed the prolonged release of entrapped tazarotene. Further, in vitro drug permeation and retention studies revealed that formulations A2 and A4 showed the higher percent of drug permeation whereas formulations A3 and A5 showed the higher percent of drug retention through rat's skin. Moreover, PNG A2 and A4 formulations demonstrated good stability characteristics at different temperature conditions. The stability in the presence of detergent revealed that no any abrupt change in turbidity. The skin irritation studies performed with formulations A2 and A4 showed no erythema compared with the plain PNG. The male Albino NMRI mice tail model was used to performed in vivo skin histological examination which revealed that an increase in the orthokeratosis strengthened. Thus, all the results concluded that surfactant, Span 60 based PNG formulations have shown a good ability to increase drug accumulation in the various skin layers and more potential carrier for topical delivery of tazarotene for an effective therapy of psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vicuña ( Vicugna vicugna ) is the smallest member of the Camelidae with one of the most valuable fibers in the world. However, little is known of the structural basis for this fiber or of the skin glands used in chemical communication in this species. The objective of this study was to examine the histological structure of the skin and hair follicles and the cutaneous glands. Skin samples from the fleece, belly and legs and glandular areas – metatarsal, caudal, anal and interdigital areas – were obtained from animals accidentally killed in captive captures at a government camelid ranch in Jujuy, Argentina. These samples were studied with histological techniques for light and electron microscopy to examine follicular structure and density in fleece compared to belly and leg areas. Glandular areas were similarly studied to determine type and density of skin glands. Compound hair follicles were found with an extremely high density of secondary hairs in relation to primary hairs (S:P ratio) in fleece (42 ± 2, mean ± standard error) and a significantly lesser density (p < 0.001) in belly and legs (12.0 ± 0.7). Follicle and hair diameters from the two areas were also significantly different with the fleece areas having smaller diameters. Secondary hair diameters in fleece were similar to previously published values (13.2 ± 0.3 μm). With respect to the glandular areas, the metatarsal glands had a striking appearance with an epithelium resembling a hollow honeycomb and a dermis showing a great deal of glandular tissue (simple tubular glands) with excretory ducts. Large sebaceous glands were found in the ventral region of the tail and eccrine sudoriferous glands in the interdigital region. The possible importance of these glands in chemical communication is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context:Skin is the target of both acute and chronic exposure to warfarin, coumarin anticoagulant. Single exposure of rat skin to this agent induces early (24 h following epicutaneous administration) local response which might be part of inflammatory/reparatory homeostatic program or introduction to pathological events in exposed skin. Objective: To examine time-dependent changes in skin of rats exposed to epicutaneously applied warfarin. Materials and methods: The effect of low (10 μg) and high (100 μg) doses of warfarin on histologically evident changes of epidermis (epidermal thickness) and dermis (numbers of mesenchymal cells and dermal capillaries), skin cell proliferative activity (Ki67+and PCNA+cells) and apoptotic (TUNEL+) and necrotic (ultra structural appearance) cells was examined one, three and seven days after the application. Results: Both warfarin doses affected the majority of skin cell activity, but with differential time-course of skin epidermal and dermal cells state/activity. The occurrence of necrotic/apoptotic epidermal and dermal cells was noted the first day after the application and the activities which point to tissue reparation/remodeling were observed seven days after skin exposure to this agent. Discussion: The observed pattern of changes (early evidence of cell/tissue injury which was later followed by signs of cell activity characteristic for tissue reparation/remodeling) implied warfarin-induced toxicity in skin cells as stimulus for subsequent activities relevant for tissue homeostasis. Conclusion: The data presented provide new and additional information concerning skin responses to warfarin that gains access to this tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Skin integrity is recognized as of vital consideration for both animal welfare and final product quality of farmed fish. This study examines the effects of three different rearing temperatures (4, 10 and 16 °C) on the skin of healthy Atlantic salmon post-smolts. Changes in skin condition were assessed by the means of skin composition analyses, quantitative histology assessments and transcriptome analysis. Level of protein, vitamin C and vitamin E was significantly higher at 16 °C compared with 4 °C. Quantitative histology measurements showed that the epidermal thickness decreased from low to high temperature, whereas the epidermal area comprising mucous cells increased. The difference was only significant between 4 and 16 °C. Both high and low temperature exhibited significant changes in the skin transcriptome. A number of immune-related transcripts responded at both temperatures. Contrary to well-described immunosuppressive effects of low water temperature on systemic immunity, a subtle increase in skin-mediated immunity was observed, suggesting a pre-activation of the mucosal system at 4 °C. Upregulation of a number of heat-shock proteins correlating with a decrease in epidermal thickness suggested a stress response in the skin at high temperature. The results demonstrate distinctive temperature-related effects on the skin of Atlantic salmon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale, aim and objective To test feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of dermatologist's feedback based on digital images of skin lesions collected in Swiss primary care. Methods This was a process analysis of a randomized controlled trial, conducted in 2011/2012. 30 of 78 general practitioners ( GPs) were randomized to an intervention, which included dermatologist's feedback on digital images of skin lesions. Feedback was categorized into four categories: (1) no further investigation; (2) clinical observation; (3) biopsy; and (4) other. Histologic findings were allocated to the same categories. Feasibility was measured in the perspective of GPs concerning technical handling and of dermatologists as proportion of images usable for feedback. Diagnostic accuracy was measured as proportion of malignant histology of the first three feedback groups. No long-term data was collected. Results 981 images of skin lesions were collected, two were not eligible due to low quality of images. The majority of GPs (77.8%) reported no problem with the procedure. 207 images were in feedback category 1, 353 in 2, 360 in 3 and 59 in 4. A total of 236 histologic tests were collected. Three cases in category 1 indicated malignancy (1 melanoma). 201 of category 3 received a biopsy, where in 91 (45.3%) malignancy was confirmed. Conclusion Teledermatology with digital images taken in primary care was feasible from a GP and from a specialist perspective. However, diagnostic appropriateness regarding avoidance of specialist care and possible missed skin cancer raises concerns. These results therefore question a promotion of teledermatology in clinical routine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the ability of three intradermal delivery devices to administer an intended dose to pig skin in vivo and target that dose to the dermal rather than subcutaneous layers. The three devices were a standard hypodermic needle and syringe for the Mantoux technique, an adapter designed to facilitate proper hypodermic needle and syringe use, and a hollow microneedle. Reliability was determined as the percentage of the administered dose that entered the skin, as opposed to remaining in the device or on the skin surface. The intradermal adapter (97.6 ± 1.5 % delivered, mean ± standard deviation), Mantoux technique (95.4 ± 4.9 %), and hollow microneedle (94.9 ± 0.3 %) exhibited similar reliability. Accuracy was determined as the percentage of the dose that entered the skin that localized in the dermis. All three devices achieved similar accuracy: hollow microneedle (99 ± 12 % delivered to the dermis, median ± standard deviation), Mantoux technique (97 ± 16 %), and intradermal adapter (92 ± 21 %). We conclude that intradermal injection by all three methods studied provided reliable delivery to the skin and provided accurate localization of delivery within the dermis. Next-generation designs of these devices have now received clearance from the FDA and are used as medical products and/or in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroscopical and histological analysis of the skin is fundamental in both human and veterinary forensic investigations. However, databases of differential skin histology of various animal species are rare. The aim of the present study is to identify species-specific differential histological features of the skin that could be used in forensic investigations including animal identification. For this purpose, skin specimens were collected from the neck region of various farm animals including buffalo, cow, camel, sheep, goat, dog, and donkey, and were processed for histological analysis. Our comparative analysis revealed specific histological features in the skin that could differentiate between the studied animal species. The epidermis layer of the skin was very thick in buffalo, intermediate in cow, sheep, goat, dog, and donkey, but very thin in camel. The papillomatous epidermis was very frequent in buffalo, but very rare in cow. In the dermis layer of the skin, four structures were located which showed differential features between the studied animal species: the papillary layer , which was thick in buffalo, camel, sheep, dog, and donkey but thin in cow and goat. The sweat glands , which were few in buffalo, cow, goat, and dog, but numerous and deeply located in the dermis of sheep; they were individually located in all studied animals except in camel and donkey they were arranged in clusters. The hair follicles were characteristic for the skin of sheep as they were present at two different levels in the dermis with simple and compound hair follicles. The sebaceous glands were large and multi-lobular in buffalo, but small and uni-lobular in cow and camel. The hypodermis layer of the skin was very thick in sheep and goat in contrast to all other analyzed animals. In conclusion, the present study provides comprehensive information on the differential histological features of the skin of seven different domestic animal species that could be used as a key in forensic investigations., (Copyright © 2022 Mohammed et al.)

Aim: To find the effects of a combination of 2 widely used contraceptives, ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate (ECPA), on skin and sebaceous gland morphology and dermal vascularity of mice. Materials and methods: Female mice were divided into groups: treatment with ECPA for 1 month (T) and its control (C); and cessation of treatment for an additional month (recovery, R) and its control (CR). Body weight, skin histology and morphometry, and vaginal smears were performed and analyzed. Results: In the T and R groups, there was a significant increase in epidermal and dermal thickness and dermal vascularity. In group T, the number and size of sebaceous glands (SGs) decreased. In group R, all features of SGs were similar to those of group C. Estrous cycle was arrested at the diestrus stage in group T, but regained its regular pattern in group R. Conclusion: A decrease in the number and size of SGs explains the mechanism through which ECPA acts. The increase in skin thickness and vascularity explains the enhancement of shape and texture induced by these hormones. The contraceptive effects of ECPA are confirmed. Changes are reversible after cessation of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Object: The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) mobile-universal-surface-explorer (MOUSE) was evaluated in a pilot study to determine its ability to detect physiological changes in human skin caused by physical or pharmacological interventions. Materials and methods: The left lower arm skin thicknesses of ten male subjects were measured five times using a Profile NMR-MOUSE (H, 19 MHz) before and after a venous occlusion manoeuvre. In five of the subjects, the T relaxation times were derived from a bi-exponential fitting and were determined in the dermis and subcutis before and after applying a salve containing capsaicin. Results: The dermis (including the epidermis) showed rather homogeneous signal amplitudes. The subcutis was characterised by higher and more variable amplitudes. The full-skin thickness values were affirmed by ultrasound imaging. The NMR profiles did not show significant skin swelling due to venous occlusion. In the dermis, capsaicin caused significant ( p < 0.05) decreases in both components of T (100 ± 19 ms-19 ± 10 ms; 9.5 ± 0.5 ms-7.2 ± 1.6 ms). In the subcutis, the T was not affected. Conclusion: In principle, NMR-MOUSE profiles are capable of detecting skin structure. However, precise measurements are jeopardised by poor reproducibility, long acquisition times, and incompatibility between the geometries of the sensitive area of the instrument and the non-planar structure of the skin. In the dermis, T contrast could be used to detect the changes in tissue composition caused by inflammatory reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demonstration of the presence of lead residues deriving from gunshot in skin and underlying tissues is essential for the correct forensic analysis of numerous legal cases. Optical microscopy remains the fastest, cheapest diagnostic technique, even though its sensitivity and specificity are poor because of the scarce quantity of histological tissue that can be examined and possible environmental lead pollution. To confirm the presence of lead from gunshot residues, we applied to histological sections of human skin a technique proposed by Owens and George in 1991 for macroscopic detection of lead on the clothing of shooting victims, involving a reaction with sodium rhodizonate and subsequent confirmation by color change on application of HCl. Our results demonstrate the technical possibility of using this macroscopic technique even on histological samples and support the need for further studies on a larger series of cases correlated with the type of ammunition and firing distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physiological effects of short-term starvation on some haematological, biochemical and non-specific immune response parameters together with the histological structure of the skin, were investigated in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla. Blood haemoglobin and haematocrit, serum glucose and cortisol, hemolysins, haemagglutinins, and lysozyme in the plasma, kidney and epidermal extract, were measured in fish after 31, 42 and 58 days of starvation, and compared to those of fed fish. Starvation did not affect haemoglobin and haematocrit values, while an increase in glucose and cortisol levels was found in starved eels by day 42. Haemolytic and haemagglutinating activities decreased in starved eels. On the other hand, starvation caused an increase in the lysozyme content in the epidermal extracts, while no significant variations were observed in kidney and plasma. On the whole, no major changes in metabolic, haematological and non-specific immune parameters were observed when short-term (less than 2 months) starvation was applied to the European eel, suggesting an adaptive response to starvation, rather than a typical alarm–stress response, allowing this species to withstand food deprivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study sought to determine if microdermabrasion can selectively remove stratum corneum to increase skin permeability. Although, microdermabrasion has been used for cosmetic treatment of skin for decades, no study has assessed the detailed effects of microdermabrasion conditions on the degree of skin tissue removal. Therefore, we histologically characterized the skin of rhesus macaques and human volunteers after microdermabrasion at different conditions. Using mobile tip microdermabrasion, an increase in the number of treatment passes led to greater tissue removal ranging from minimal effects to extensive damage to deeper layers of the skin. Of note, these data showed for the first time that at moderate microdermabrasion conditions selective yet full-thickness removal of stratum corneum could be achieved with little damage to deeper skin tissues. In the stationary mode of microdermabrasion, selective stratum corneum removal was not observed, but micro-blisters could be seen. Similar tissue removal trends were observed in human volunteers. As proof of concept for drug delivery applications, a model fluorescent drug (fluorescein) was delivered through microdermabraded skin and antibodies were generated against vaccinia virus after its topical application in monkeys. In conclusion, microdermabrasion can selectively remove full-thickness stratum corneum with little damage to deeper tissues and thereby increase skin permeability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Though knowledge regarding the biology and morphology of lion tamarins is scarce in the literature, it is very important for their conservation. This paper focuses on the anatomical and histological aspects of the glands involved in the scent-marking behavior of lion tamarins. It examines the histological aspects of sternal and suprapubic skin sections of specimens that were preserved in formaldehyde and were the property of the Rio de Janeiro Primatology Center Museum. Eighteen specimens from three lion tamarin (Leontopithecus sp.) species (L. rosalia, L. chrysomelas, and L. chrysopygus) were analyzed. Both sexes were represented, and macroscopic hypertrophy was quantified by direct observation of the tegument on the sternal area and classified as discrete, moderate, or accentuated for each specimen. The skin of both sexes had a high degree of histological resemblance to that of other primates, including humans. The epidermis presented stratified squamous keratinous epithelia, with a few cellular layers and dermis with cutaneous appendages (i.e., hair follicles and both sebaceous and sweat glands). The dermal papillae were short, and the sebaceous and apocrine sweat glands resembled those of humans. These glands were present in the dermis of the analyzed skin fragments of both sternal and suprapubic regions in great numbers. Furthermore, we were able to establish a relationship between the macroscopic appearance of the sternal tegument and the degree of microscopic gland hyperplasia. Am. J. Primatol. 68:1–7, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Structural investigation of tissue biopsies requires the coupling of optimal structural sample preservation with detailed information collected at the light and electron microscopic level. Unfortunately, although cryo-immobilization by high-pressure freezing provides the best structural preservation, it is used routinely only for electron microscopic (EM) investigations, whereas for light microscopy chemical fixation protocols have been established. These chemically invasive fixation protocols have the drawback of introducing unpredictable fixation artefacts. Therefore, comparative histopathological (i.e. light microscopic) and ultrastructural (i.e. EM) results are usually obtained from parallel samples that have not been prepared identically and never by examining exactly the same features in exactly the same, optimally preserved sample. Finally, finding an area of interest for EM investigation within a complex tissue is like searching for a needle in a haystack. To overcome these handicaps, we modified the well-established freeze-substitution technique (FS) to allow us to investigate resin-embedded cryo-immobilized tissue by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) prior to EM examination. Thus (1) selected cells throughout the whole tissue block can be depicted by CLSM and subsequently (2) selectively prepared by targeted sectioning for follow-up investigation of the identical structure by transmission electron microscopy. This is facilitated by the addition of specific fluorescent dyes during the first FS exchange step. Selective binding properties of various dyes to different cellular structures allow a direct histological description of the tissue at the light microscope level. After embedding and preparation of a blockface, the specimen can first be examined by CLSM. For areas of interest, the depth in the resin block is determined followed by removal of the tissue lying above. Then, the cell layer can be cut into a series of ultrathin sections and examined by EM for determination of the subcellular and nanostructural organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes (CD34+SCs/TCs) in pathologic skin, after briefly examining them in normal conditions. We confirm previous studies by other authors in the normal dermis regarding CD34+SC/TC characteristics and distribution around vessels, nerves and cutaneous annexes, highlighting their practical absence in the papillary dermis and presence in the bulge region of perifollicular groups of very small CD34+ stromal cells. In non-tumoral skin pathology, we studied examples of the principal histologic patterns in which CD34+SCs/TCs have (1) a fundamental pathophysiological role, including (a) fibrosing/sclerosing diseases, such as systemic sclerosis, with loss of CD34+SCs/TCs and presence of stromal cells co-expressing CD34 and αSMA, and (b) metabolic degenerative processes, including basophilic degeneration of collagen, with stromal cells/telocytes in close association with degenerative fibrils, and cutaneous myxoid cysts with spindle-shaped, stellate and bulky vacuolated CD34+ stromal cells, and (2) a secondary reactive role, encompassing dermatitis—e.g., interface (erythema multiforme), acantholytic (pemphigus, Hailey–Hailey disease), lichenoid (lichen planus), subepidermal vesicular (bullous pemphigoid), psoriasiform (psoriasis), granulomatous (granuloma annulare)—vasculitis (leukocytoclastic and lymphocytic vasculitis), folliculitis, perifolliculitis and inflammation of the sweat and sebaceous glands (perifolliculitis and rosacea) and infectious dermatitis (verruca vulgaris). In skin tumor and tumor-like conditions, we studied examples of those in which CD34+ stromal cells are (1) the neoplastic component (dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, sclerotic fibroma and solitary fibrous tumor), (2) a neoplastic component with varying presentation (fibroepithelial polyp and superficial myxofibrosarcoma) and (3) a reactive component in other tumor/tumor-like cell lines, such as those deriving from vessel periendothelial cells (myopericytoma), epithelial cells (trichoepithelioma, nevus sebaceous of Jadassohn and seborrheic keratosis), Merkel cells (Merkel cell carcinoma), melanocytes (dermal melanocytic nevi) and Schwann cells (neurofibroma and granular cell tumor). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most effective treatment for morbid obesity has demonstrated to be bariatric surgery. Despite enormous benefits, skin tissue aberrations are inevitable consequences. Our study was focused on micro- and macroscopic modifications in patients who had previously undergone gastric bypass. These preliminary data suggest that tissue alterations, partly responsible for high wound complications rate, may differ among patients undergoing both different and same weight loss procedures. Level of Evidence V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]