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Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the effects of salt addition on the skin gene expression of Mucin, Antimicrobial peptides, cortisol, and glucose in Oreochromis niloticus after 5-hour transportation in water. Three groups were compared: Control, post-transport without salt (PT-S), and post-transport with 5 g salt-1(PT + S), with a stocking density of 28.6 gL-1, 20 fish for each experimental group. The results showed that the PT-S group had more significant changes in gene expression than the PT + S group, suggesting that salt alleviated the stress and immune responses of O. niloticus. The PT-S group had higher expression of mucin- 2(MUC + 2) (7.58 folds) and mucin-5AC (MUC5-AC) (6.29 folds) than the PT + S group (3.30 folds and 4.16 folds, respectively). The PT-S group also had lower expression of β-defensin-1 (Dβ1) (0.42 folds), β-defensin-2 (Dβ2) (0.29 folds), and Cath1 (0.16 folds) than the PT + S group (0.82 folds, 0.69 folds, and 0.75 folds, respectively). The skin morphology of the PT-S group revealed some white patches with no goblet cell openings, while the PT + S group had better preservation of skin features with some goblet cell openings and slight white patches. This study indicates that O. niloticus can benefit from sodium chloride during transportation, as it helps to reduce stress and inflammation, balance mineral levels, enhance health and immunity, and regulate mucous secretion.

ABSTRACT: Skin and hair coat play important functions in maintaining homeostasis and thermoregulation for cattle, which can affect all modes of heat loss. Our objective was to investigate the effect of hyperthermia experienced in utero during late gestation on postnatal hair length, skin properties, and thermoregulation. Pregnant dams were heat stressed (n = 41) or actively cooled (n = 41) for the last ∼56 d of gestation and gave birth to heifers that were in utero heat stressed (IUHT) or in utero cooled (IUCL), respectively. Hair samples and skin tissue biopsies were collected from neck and rump locations at birth (d 0), 1 wk after weaning (d 63), and at 12 mo. Hair samples were also obtained at 4 and 8 mo. Skin tissue was stained with hematoxylin and eosin to visualize morphology. Hair length (short and long hairs, undercoat and topcoat, respectively), stratum corneum (SC) area, SC thickness, epidermis thickness, sweat gland (SWT) number, SWT cross-sectional area, SWT average size, sebaceous gland (SEB) number, SEB cross-sectional area, SEB average size, and sweat gland depth were assessed. Respiration rate, skin temperature, sweating rate, and rectal temperature was measured weekly from d 7 to 63. Additionally, thermoregulatory patterns were measured every 4 h over a 36-h interval beginning 4 d after weaning. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS with a main effect of in utero treatment with location and time points analyzed separately. No difference in hair parameters were detected at d 0 or 12 mo. At d 63, IUHT heifers had longer average hair length (14.8 vs. 13.8 ± 0.2 mm, standard error), shorter undercoats (9.3 vs. 10.4 ± 0.3 mm), longer topcoats (19.6 vs. 17.1 ± 0.3 mm), and a greater difference between topcoat and undercoat (10.1 vs. 7.0 ± 0.4 mm). At 4 mo, IUHT heifers had longer average hair lengths (26.1 vs. 22.2 ± 1.0 mm) and longer topcoats (36.9 vs. 33.9 ± 1.1 mm), and at 8 mo, IUHT had longer average hair lengths (17.9 vs. 16.2 ± 0.6 mm), relative to IUCL. At d 0, IUHT heifers had more (13 vs. 9 ± 2 glands) but smaller average sized SEB (neck: 1,636 vs. 2,238 ± 243 µm2; rump: 2,100 vs. 3,352 ± 379 µm2) and reduced SC area (79,243 vs. 169,419 ± 13,071 µm2). At d 63, IUHT had fewer SEB (11 vs. 15 ± 2 glands), smaller SWT (0.16 vs. 0.23 ± 0.02 mm2), fewer SWT (16 vs. 23 ± 4 glands), and deeper SWT (0.5 vs. 0.4 ± 0.03 mm). At 12 mo, IUHT had greater distance from the skin surface to the most superficial SWT (0.016 vs. 0.015 ± 0.0004 mm), shorter distance to the deepest SWT (0.031 vs. 0.033 ± 0.001 mm), and smaller SWT (81.1 vs. 108.9 ± 10.8 µm2), relative to IUCL. When measured both weekly and hourly, IUHT heifers had higher rectal temperature and sweating rate. Overall, in utero hyperthermia triggers long-lasting hair and skin adaptations, possibly leading to differences in postnatal thermoregulation.

Haestasaurus becklesii claims the crown as owner of the first non-avian dinosaur skin to ever be described. Using modern imaging approaches, and considering known fossil skin across the long-necked sauropod dinosaurs, an Early Jurassic origin of the papillae within their scales is suggested.

The efficacy of the long-acting drug of hyaluronidase (bovhyaluronidase azoximer, BHA) in acne and postacne patients has been studied. The main criteria for the efficacy of acne and post-acne therapy in the assessment by confocal laser scanning microscopy and laser Doppler flowmetry are proposed.Materials and methods. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, comparative in parallel groups. 90 patients aged 18 to 35 years (23.76 ± 4.59 years) with medium and severe acne and postacne were divided into 2 groups of 45 each by randomization (the first group received BHA 3000ME, the second — a placebo). There were two methods of administration of drug or placebo: intramuscular injection or ultraphoonophoresis. Evaluation of the skin was performed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in vivo (VivaScope®, NY, USA), microcirculation — by the laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) with the laser capillary blood flow analyzer (LAKK-01, Russia). The effectiveness was evaluated by the Qualitative scaring grading system and Goodman’s quantitative global acne scarring system.Results and conclusions: With the use of BHA 80 % of patients had an improvement, 8.89 % — a significant improvement, postoperative index was reduced from 14.27 ± 5.61 to 10.18 ± 4.63 points (p < 0.05). In the placebo group the reduction of indices is insignificant. The effectiveness of the use of BHA by the ultraphonophoresis was lower than by intramuscular injection. A significant change in the microcirculation index (flux) was established from 20.09 ± 1.74 PU (Perfusion Units) up to 15.2 ± 2,1 PU (p = 0,01). The normalization of the microcirculation was noted. According to the results of CLSM, among BHA patients were observed a significant decrease of severe fibrosis and inflammatory infiltration, the number of dilated vessels. In the placebo group signs persisted. Clinical and morphological monitoring showed the expediency, high efficiency and safety of BHA in the therapy of patients with medium and severe acne vulgaris and postacne.

This study was conducted to investigate the histological characteristic, type, and distribution of connective tissue in Sunda porcupine skin. The investigation was carried out in three adult of sunda porcupines at microscopic level using hematoxylin eosin, Masson thrichrome, Verhoeffs van Gieson, alcian blue pH 2.5 and periodic acid Schiff staining methods. Skin consists of epidermis, dermis hypodermis, and subcutaneous muscle. Quill follicles were the main and dominant structure as well as the specific characteristic on Sunda porcupine skin. The connective tissue was distributed well in basal membrane, dermis, quill follicle, and hypodermis with various intensity and density. The collagen was the main fiber found in the skin while the elastin fiber was not observed. The acid carbohydrate was found distributed well in the skin while the neutral carbohydrate was not detected in this study. In addition the fibers of connective tissue associated with the adipose tissue which found plentifully in quill follicles and hypodermis. The present results showed that the wide distribution of connective tissue might have an important role on the wound healing physiology of Sunda porcupine skin.

In the present study the effect of two levels of nitrate on the skin morphology and particularly on the number and diameter of skin mucous cells of sea bass were examined histologically. A softwarecontaining a visual basic script macro, that allowed quantification of skin parameters, was used to analyze the skin tissue sections. In total 45 sea bass (mean weight 155.6g±10.3g SD) were divided into 3 groups and placed into nine 100 litter tanks (3 replicates in each group). In the water of three tanks (Group A) nitrate was added toapproximate 100 ppm final concentration, in the next 3 tanks (Group B) nitrate was added to approximate 700 ppm final concentration, while the fish in the remaining 3 tanks (Group C) kept as controls. During the experimental period (48 hours) the tank water was constantly aerated. At the end of the experimental period 3 fish per tank (9 per group) were sampled and examined. The fish of the group that were maintained in the highest concentration of nitrate exhibited significantly (P0.05). The increased number of the mucus cells in the skin is probably the reaction of the fish to this stressful condition.