Expression and distribution of EPHA4 and Ephrin A3 in Aohan fine-wool sheep skin

The objective of this study was to identify the expression and distribution of EPHA4 and Ephrin A3 genes in the development and morphogenesis of hair follicles in fine-wool sheep. The results could lay a theoretical basis for understanding the molecular mechanism that regulates hair follicle development. The skin of Aohan fine-wool sheep at different developmental stages (embryonic day 90, E90d, and 120, E120d, and postnatal day 1, B1d, and 30, B30d) were selected. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to study the levels of mRNA and proteins, respectively. The RT-qPCR results showed that the mRNA expression level of EPHA4 at B1d was significantly lower than at E120d (p<0.01). The expression of Ephrin A3 at E120d was significantly higher than that at E90d and B1d (p<0.01). Immunohistochemical detection results showed that the level and localisation of EPHA4 and Ephrin A3 proteins had spatial and temporal specificity. EPHA4 expression in dermal papilla cells might be important for inducing Aohan fine-hair follicle regeneration and for controlling the properties of the hair. Ephrin A3 might play an important role in the redifferentiation of secondary hair follicles and might also be involved in the inhibition of apoptosis-related gene expression in hair follicles. The Ephrin A3 signalling pathway might accelerate the growth of fine-hair follicles and increase the density of hair follicles.

Dynamic pattern selection in polymorphic elastocapillarity

Drying of fine hair and fibers induces dramatic capillary-driven deformation, with important implications on natural phenomena and industrial processes. We recently observed peculiar self-assembly of hair bundles into various distinct...

A new species of Cerapus (Amphipoda: Senticaudata: Ischyroceridae) from Pulau Bum Bum, Sabah, Malaysia, with an identification key to Cerapus species

The first representative of the genus Cerapus in Malaysian waters, Cerapus bumbumiensis sp. nov. is described from specimens sampled from Pulau Bum Bum, Sabah (east Malaysia). The main identifying characteristics of this new amphipod species are: pereonites 1, 2 with constriction; male gnathopod 2 carpochelate, carpus large with long defining posterior tooth and well-developed anterodistal tooth; pereopod 6 coxa with fine hair/fringe setae ventrally; and telson with deep cleft. An updated identification key for the 23 known species in the genus is also presented.

An anatomical perspective: does the male greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) have a scrotum?

We evaluated the anatomy of the “scrotal” skin pouch in an attempt to answer the question of whether (or not) there exist true scrotum in the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus). The “scrotal” skin folds from ten (10) matured male cane rats were morphologically and morphometrically studied with samples routinely processed for histology. Grossly, the pouch has features like fine hair on thin skin and longitudinal raphae typical of scrotum in other species. The histoarchitecture of the “scrotal” skin in the cane rat follows the normal scrotal pattern and the arrangements of the cutaneous strata, hair follicles and glands were similar in animals with perineal staining and those without perineal stain. The cane rat scrotal skin, though different in conformation from the scrotum of other mammalian species, has all the properties of a true scrotum thereby establishing the presence of scrotum in the greater cane rat.Keywords: Scrotum, Greater cane rat, Skin Pouch, Perineal staining

A new Epeorus (Caucasiron) (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae) species from Turkey based on molecular and morphological evidence

Epeorus (Caucasiron) turcicus sp. nov. is described based on larvae from NE Turkey. The new species can be distinguished from other Caucasiron by a unique combination of several diagnostic characters: the presence of a rounded hypodermal medial femur spot, colouration of abdominal terga and sterna, narrow gill plate VII, fine hair-like setae on the surface of abdominal terga, and absence of postero-lateral projections on tergum X. In addition to morphological analysis, two single-locus analytical approaches are employed for delimiting the new species using COI sequences (Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery, ABGD; and General Mixed Yule Coalescent Model, GMYC). Both approaches unambiguously recognized E. (C.) turcicus sp. nov. as a distinct species. Our molecular dataset contains all Caucasiron species occurring in the Caucasus and the delimitation of individual species mostly follows the morphologically defined species. This study confirms the suitability of the GMYC approach for species delimitation within Caucasiron.

Craniofacial measures and minor physical anomalies in patients with schizophrenia in a cohort of Serbian population

Introduction/Objective. Craniofacial dysmorphology has been shown as the most prominent among physical anomalies in schizophrenia patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of craniofacial anomalies in Serbian schizophrenia patients. Methods. A list of 27 minor physical anomalies (modified Waldrop scale) and nine ratios of craniofacial measures was used to detect the presence of craniofacial dysmorphology in 126 schizophrenia patients and 124 healthy controls. Results. Compared to the healthy subjects, schizophrenia patients had significantly higher rates of the following minor physical anomalies: fine hair, two or more hair whorls, fused eyebrows, wide nose basis, low-seated ears, high steepled and high flat palate, and furrowed tongue (most prevalent were vertical fissures and diffusely distributed fissures) with significance of p ? 0.001. The best predicting parameters for distinguishing between schizophrenics and controls were the inner canthus distance, the outer canthus distance, hair whorls (all at level p = 0.000), and high steepled palate (p ? 0.001). Conclusion. The results of the present study confirm the neurodevelopmental concept of schizophrenia, being potentially useful for further psychiatric-anthropological research. Clinical significance is reflected in the possibility of monitoring the potential mental illness in childhood through potential ectodermal markers, as well as the possibility of their comparison with the psychological profile in early adolescence.

Study on Bleaching Properties of Dark Chicken Feather

Chicken feather have many excellent properties, unfortunately, the dark color affects its wide applications. In this study, the three stage bleaching process was used to bleach the dark chicken feather. The effects of the key chemicals on bleaching properties were discussed, and the change of the fine hair whiteness and strength before and after bleaching were investigated. It provides a sound theoretical basis for people understanding and studying the bleaching properties of chicken feather.

Preparation and Analyzing Character of Chitosan Block in Fluffy Meshwork Shape Formed from Chitosan Fine Hair

Depending on available theory and literature about chitosan (CS), the paper studied the method of preparation of CS block in fluffy meshwork shape with fine hair shape and analysis its structure to adapt to application for drug controlled-release material. Primarily, CS was extruded to fine fair fiber by spinning after preparing CS solution. CS Block with reticulate structure design were carried out in this experiment. This research will be showed how to choose appropriate molding process, through selecting CS solution concentration and extruding spinning to prepare pure CS fluffy network with fine hair. The CS reticulate body obtained showed good degradation characteristics in simulated body fluid (SBF). The change of morphology to describe its biological characteristics is not only related to material composition but also to the structure of the fluffy network which is mainly controlled by the molding process. Also, the microstructure, morphology and crystallinity of the net CS hydrogels were characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. This research should provide the theory basis and technical way to design and fabricate for CS as the carrier of the drug release.