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Over the last several decades, numerous modifications and advancements have been made to design the optimal corneal biomatrix for corneal epithelial cell (CECs) or limbal epithelial stem cell (LESC) carriers. However, researchers have yet to discover the ideal optimization strategies for corneal biomatrix design and its effects on cultured CECs or LESCs. This review discusses and summarizes recent optimization strategies for developing an ideal collagen biomatrix and its interactions with CECs and LESCs. Using PRISMA guidelines, articles published from June 2012 to June 2022 were systematically searched using Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, PubMed, Wiley, and EBSCOhost databases. The literature search identified 444 potential relevant published articles, with 29 relevant articles selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria following screening and appraising processes. Physicochemical and biocompatibility (in vitro and in vivo) characterization methods are highlighted, which are inconsistent throughout various studies. Despite the variability in the methodology approach, it is postulated that the modification of the collagen biomatrix improves its mechanical and biocompatibility properties toward CECs and LESCs. All findings are discussed in this review, which provides a general view of recent trends in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the role of Gelam honey (GH) in accelerating reepithelialization of corneal abrasion. Corneal epithelial cells (CEC) isolated from New Zealand white rabbit corneas, were cultured and circular-shaped wounds were created onto them, representing the corneal abrasion model. These wounds were treated with basal (BM) and cornea media (CM) supplemented with GH. The percentage of wound closure was measured on day 0, 3, and 5. Expressions of cytokeratin 3 (CK3), cluster of differentiation 44 (CD 44), and connexin 43 (Cx43) were analyzed via qRT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. The results showed CEC cultured in GH-enriched media reepithelialized faster compared to control. Corneal abrasion treated with CM supplemented with GH closed completely on day 5. CK3, CD44, and Cx43 expressions correspond to the stages of reepithelialization. In conclusion, GH promotes the healing of the ex vivo corneal abrasion model. Further explorations of its potential as adjuvant therapy in treating corneal injuries are needed. Practical applications: Honey has been reported to have many medicinal properties including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and the ability to promote skin wound healing. However, the effects of honey on corneal wound healing have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of Gelam honey (GH), well-known local honey obtained from the beehive of Gelam trees (Melaleuca spp.), on the ex vivo corneal abrasion model via cell migration study and analysis of genes and proteins during corneal epithelial wound healing. GH has proven to have accelerated effects on the corneal epithelial cell migration during the closure of the ex vivo corneal abrasion wound model. The expressions of the genes and proteins of the corneal epithelial wound healing markers were in accordance with the stages of healing. Therefore, GH has the potential to be developed as adjuvant therapy in the form of GH-based eye drop in treating corneal injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The facial nerve divides within the parotid gland into upper temporozygomatic and lower cervicofacial branches. The two branches further subdivide and emerge from the parotid gland as five main branches. We observed a rare anomalous branching pattern of the facial nerve along with double parotid duct on the right side of a 50-year-old male cadaver. The two parotid ducts emerged at the level of the anterior border of parotid gland then united to form one single duct thereby opened into the oral cavity. The first duct (D1) emerged from the upper one third of the anterior border of the parotid gland and traversed horizontally for 9 mm to join the second duct. Knowledge of anomalous branching pattern of facial nerve and double parotid ducts may be beneficial for maxillofacial surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of Acacia honey (AH) on the migration, differentiation and healing properties of the cultured rabbit corneal fibroblasts. Methods: Stromal derived corneal fibroblasts from New Zealand White rabbit (n = 6) were isolated and cultured until passage 1. In vitro corneal ulcer was created using a 4 mm corneal trephine onto confluent cultures and treated with basal medium (FD), medium containing serum (FDS), with and without 0.025 % AH. Wound areas were recorded at day 0, 3 and 6 post wound creation. Genes and proteins associated with wound healing and differentiation such as aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), vimentin, alpha-smooth muscle actin (ct-SMA), collagen type I, lumican and matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP12) were evaluated using qRT-PCR and immunocytochemistry respectively. Results: Cells cultured with AH-enriched FDS media achieved complete wound closure at day 6 post wound creation. The cells cultured in AH-enriched FDS media increased the expression of vimentin, collagen type I and lumican genes and decreased the ALDH, ct-SMA and MMP12 gene expressions. Protein expression of ALDH, vimentin and ct-SMA were in accordance with the gene expression analyses. Conclusion: These results demonstrated AH accelerate corneal fibroblasts migration and differentiation of the in vitro corneal ulcer model while increasing the genes and proteins associated with stromal wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acacia honey (AH) has been proven to improve skin wound healing, but its therapeutic effects on corneal epithelium has not been elucidated to date. This study aimed to investigate the effects of AH on cultured corneal epithelial cells (CEC) on in vitro corneal abrasion wound healing model. Six New Zealand white rabbits' CEC were isolated and cultured until passage 1. Circular wound area was created onto a confluent monolayer CEC using a corneal trephine which mimicked corneal abrasion and treated with 0.025% AH supplemented in basal medium (BM) and complete cornea medium (CCM). Wound healing was measured as the percentage of wound closure by the migration of CEC on day 0, day 3 and day 6, post wound creation. The morphological changes of CEC were assessed via phase contrast microscopy. Gene and protein expressions of cytokeratin (CK3), fibronectin and cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) in AH treated groups and control groups were determined by real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Results: Cultured CEC exhibited similar morphology of polygonal shaped cells in all culture media. CEC cultured in AH-supplemented media showed higher percentage of wound closure compared to the controls. Gene expression of CK3 increased in AH-supplemented groups throughout the study. Fibronectin expression was increased at the initial stage while CD44 expression was increased at day 3, post wound creation. The protein expression of CEC cultured in all media was in accordance to their respective gene expressions. Conclusion: Supplementation of AH in BM and CCM media accelerates CEC wound closure of the in vitro corneal abrasion model by increasing the expression of genes and proteins associated with CEC wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Acacia honey is a natural product which has proven to have therapeutic effects on skin wound healing, but its potential healing effects in corneal wound healing have not been studied. This study aimed to explore the effects of Acacia honey (AH) on corneal keratocytes morphology, proliferative capacity, cell cycle, gene and protein analyses. Keratocytes from the corneal stroma of six New Zealand white rabbits were isolated and cultured until passage 1. The optimal dose of AH in the basal medium (FD) and medium containing serum (FDS) for keratocytes proliferation was identified using MTT assay. The morphological changes, gene and protein expressions of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), marker for quiescent keratocytes and vimentin, marker for fibroblasts were detected using q-RTPCR and immunocytochemistry respectively. Flowcytometry was performed to evaluate the cell cycle analysis of corneal keratocytes. Results Cultured keratocytes supplemented with AH showed no morphological changes compared to control. Keratocytes cultured in FD and FDS media supplemented with 0.025% AH showed optimal proliferative potential compared with FD and FDS media, respectively. Gene expressions of ADLH and vimentin were increased in keratocytes cultured with AH enriched media. All proteins were expressed in keratocytes cultured in all media in accordance to the gene expression findings. No chromosomal changes were detected in keratocytes in AH enriched media. Conclusion Corneal keratocytes cultured in media supplemented with 0.025% AH showed an increase in proliferative capacity while retaining their morphology, gene and protein expressions with normal cell cycle. The results of the present study show promising role of AH role in accelerating the initial stage of corneal wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The classical arrangement of the structures at the hilum are renal vein, renal artery and the renal pelvis (i.e. ureter), from anterior to posterior direction. In routine anatomy teaching, this important relation is being taught to the undergraduate medical students. The anomalous arrangement of the renal vein, artery or the renal pelvis is uncommon and even standard anatomy textbooks do not highlight such facts. The aim of the study was to define the exact relation of the renal vein, artery and the pelvis in dissected cadaveric kidney specimens. Materials and methods: A total of 50 kidneys irrespective of sides were taken for a detailed study of the renal hilar structures. Results: Out of 50 specimens, only one left kidney exhibited anomalous arrangement of the structures at the hilum (2%). The renal artery was located anterior to the renal vein. At a distance of 0.8 cm from the hilum, the renal artery further divided into three accessory branches which entered the hilum. The renal vein was located posterior to the renal artery and was found to traverse a course between the upper two branches of the renal artery. Conclusion: Paucity of reports on the anomalous arrangement of renal hilar structures makes these findings significant. Knowledge of the topographical anatomy of the renal vein, artery and the pelvis at the hilum is important for surgeons performing renal transplants and radiologists interpreting angiograms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports an osteological study which discussed anatomical and radiological aspects of the presence of multiple sutural bones in a human dried skull. The study revealed presence of multiple sutural bones; majority of the sutural bones were located at an average distance of 2.5 cm above the tip of mastoid process. The presence of multiple sutural bones may mimic the appearance of fractures which may result in erroneous interpretation in routine roentgenographic studies.

A well-designed assessment has beneficial impacts on students' learning and competency attainment. Failure in obtaining psychomotor learning competency, lack of understanding of assessment principles among instructors, unoptimized information and technology facilities, and difficulties in ensuring the integrity of online examination are among the threats to validity of online anatomy assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the validity of anatomy assessment during the pandemic, it is important to adopt several educational principles into the assessment design. We solidify the input discussed in the Malaysian Anatomical Association webinar 2021, on the challenges of anatomy online assessment and proposed six solutions to the challenges, namely adopting the programmatic assessment design, conducting small group in-person high stake examination, modifying assessment policy, utilizing question bank software, upgrading ICT facilities, and offering the ICT training to the students and instructors. It is envisioned that anatomy assessment are future ready are adaptive to change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Platelet plays an important role during wound healing as it is rich in growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor. It was observed that Cord Blood-Platelet Lysate (CB-PL), harvested from human umbilical cord blood, has similar efficacy to Peripheral Blood-Platelet Lysate (PB-PL) in initiating the cell growth and differentiation which makes it a unique alternative to implementing in oral ulceration healing. This research study compares the effectiveness of cord blood platelet lysate gel (CB-PLG) and peripheral blood-platelet lysate gel (PB-PLG) in promoting the healing of oral ulcers. Methods: Normal oral mucosal fibroblasts were taken during minor oral surgery procedures and underwent a cell culture process. Cord blood was collected through the in utero method, while the peripheral blood was collected from the healthy donors. The blood underwent double centrifugation to obtain the platelet-rich plasma and was analysed for platelet count. The platelet was subjected to three freeze and thaw cycles to produce PL. In order to determine the optimal concentration of CB-PLG and PB-PLG, Alamar Blue Assay was used to examine the cell proliferation of human oral mucosal fibroblasts. Subsequently, a real-time polymerase chain reaction determined the vimentin gene expression in the fibroblasts of CB-PLG and PB-PLG groups. Conclusion: It is postulated that CB-PL is as effective as PB-PL and can be used as an alternative to promote the healing of oral ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Corneal transplantation is a recognized surgical treatment in treating patients with corneal disorders, but unfortunately, the shortage of tissue donors remained a critical problem that limited corneal transplantation surgery. The shelf electrochemically compacted ovine tendon collagen type 1 (OTC-1) hydrogel in combination with corneal epithelial cells (CECs) represents a paradigm shift to overcome the shortage of donated corneas. This study aims to evaluate the cytocompatibility of cultivated CECs with OTC-1 hydrogel. This knowledge will address tissue shortage or delay in corneal perforation treatment. Methods: Collagen type 1 was extracted from the ovine's tendon by using an acid-based extraction method. This OTC-1 hydrogel was divided into 4 groups: traditional collagen hydrogel and electrochemical compacted collagen hydrogel by using dielectrophoresis (DEP) technology (Each group consists of without crosslinking and with genipin and quercetin crosslinking). The physicochemical and mechanical of OTC-1 hydrogel was evaluated (chemical compound, percentage of available elements, purity, topography and mechanical testing of OTC-1 hydrogel). Then, the isolated CECs passage 2 were seeded on OTC-1 hydrogel at a density of 10, 000 cells/cm2. The vitro-cellular viability of CECs was evaluated (CECs attachment rate, proliferation rate, viability, morphology and CECs growth profile on OTC-1 hydrogel). Microscopic observation of corneal like structure in the 3D model was also evaluated (immunocytochemical analysis and histology analysis). Results: The electrochemically compacted OTC-1 hydrogel crosslinked with genipin and quercetin have suitable physicochemical properties to support the attachment, viability, and proliferation of CECs. Conclusion: The electrochemically compacted OTC-1 hydrogel crosslinked with genipin and quercetin has suitable physicochemical properties and is more compatible with CECs than traditional OTC-1 hydrogel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the potential bene ts of Gelam honey (GH) in promoting proliferation of ex vivo cor- neal epithelial cells (CECs) and its effects on the phenotypical features., Materials and Methods: Corneal epithelial cells were isolated from the corneas of rabbits (n = 6). The optimal dose of GH for CEC proliferation in both basal medium (BM) and cornea medium (CM) was determined via MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethyl thiazolyl-2]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bro- mide) assay. Morphology, gene and protein expressions, and cell cycle analysis of CECs were evaluated via phase contrast microscopy, real- time polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemistry, and ow cytom- etry, respectively., Results: Corneal epithelial cells cultured in 0.0015% GH-supplemented media (BM + 0.0015% GH; CM + 0.0015% GH) demonstrated optimal proliferative capacity with normal polygonal- shaped morphology. Gelam honey potentiates cytokeratin 3 (CK3) gene expression in accordance with the cytoplasmic CK3 protein expression while retaining normal cell cycle of CECs., Conclusion: Culture media treated with 0.0015% GH increased CEC proliferation while preserving its phenotypical features. This study demonstrated the potential devel- opment of GH-based topical treatment for super cial corneal injury.