Development of Epidermoid Metaplasia of the Mucosa in Association with Esophageal Intramural Pseudodiverticulosis and Candidiasis

We report a case of epidermoid metaplasia of the esophageal mucosa that developed in a patient with a long history of esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis (EIPD) complicated by candidiasis. The patient, a 69-year-old man, had been treated for about 3 years for EIPD with candidiasis. After candidiasis improved, the development of epidermoid metaplasia of the esophageal mucosa was observed. It comprised longitudinally arranged, multiple, small, whitish flecks with a scaly appearance on the mucosa of the middle to lower esophagus, and pathological examination demonstrated several fine keratohyalin granules in superficial layers of the squamous epithelium. Six months later, candidiasis was almost cured, but these small flecks had slightly increased in size, and pathological examination demonstrated epidermoid metaplasia consisting of a thick, acellular keratin layer and well-developed granular layer beneath it. We considered that chronic candida esophagitis played the principal pathogenetic role in the development of epidermoid metaplasia. EIPD may have provided an environment suitable for the growth of fungi, and mucinous material contaminated by <i>Candida</i> and excreted from the orifices of EIPD may have irritated the mucosa and induced epidermoid metaplasia.

Comparison of Safety, Efficacy, and Cost-Effectiveness of Miconazole 2% Versus Sertaconazole 2% in the Treatment of Tinea Corporis: A Randomized Control Trial

Tineacorporis is a dermatophytic infection of the body, which involves the keratin layer of the skin. These lesions are present as an annular plaque with an advancing border along with central clearing. Miconazole, a topical antifungal drug and has good efficacy, in anti dermatophyte. Sertaconazole is a highly selective inhibitor of fungal cytochrome P-450 sterol C-14 α-demethylation via the inhibition of the enzyme cytochrome P450 14α-demethylase.It is claimed to be superior to other old topical imidazoles in tineacorporis. .The present study was aimed to compare the safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of topical antifungals, where we have compared Miconazole and Sertaconazole 2% creams in the treatment of fungal infection caused by tineacorporis, by assessing the ADR’s and therapeutic outcomes, using comparative, unicentered, randomized, non-blinded trial with 2 parallel treatment arms of one-month duration. In this study 106 patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups of Miconazole 2% cream and Sertaconazole 2% with 54 and 52 patients in each group respectively. Measurement is carried out at baseline, 1st, 2nd and 3rd follow-up for desired effects like itching, erythema, pain and lesions, physician’s global assessment (PGA), safety and cost-effectiveness. The results showed that sertaconazole 2% cream is efficacious and superior to Miconazole 2% cream in the improvement of clinical parameters and PGA. At the end of the follow-up phase, both groups of drugs are effective and well-tolerated in patients with no recurrence of tineacorporis. Effectiveness of SSertaconazole is early and superior with minor side effects. However, Miconazole is cost effective and safe.

Clinical and Histological Differences between Guided Tissue Regeneration with Acellular Dermal Matrix of Porcine Origin and Autologous Connective Tissue: An Animal Study

This research aims to evaluate the clinical and histological parametric differences concerning keratinized tissue that result from two regeneration techniques, the subepithelial autologous connective tissue graft (ACTG) and the acellular dermal matrix (MD) of porcine origin, performed on surgical beds on edentulous spaces in an animal model. The parameters of the MD and ACTG groups were compared with samples of the control group (CG) after 15, 45, and 90 days. Nine female white pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) were used, and each animal provided 20 study areas (12 MD and 8 ACTG). At 15 days, the keratin layer thickness in the MD group was greater than those of the ACTG (25.27 vs. 19.95 μm) and the CG (21.2 μm). After 45 days, the MD and ACTG thickness values decreased but were higher than the CG. At 90 days, MD (19.46 μm) obtained a value close to that of CG, and the ACTG decreased to CG (15.53 μm, p < 0.001). The use of an MD may be a viable alternative to the ACTG because of its ability to provide increased keratinized tissue in comparison to the ACTG.

Fingerprint ridges allow primates to regulate grip

Fingerprints are unique to primates and koalas but what advantages do these features of our hands and feet provide us compared with the smooth pads of carnivorans, e.g., feline or ursine species? It has been argued that the epidermal ridges on finger pads decrease friction when in contact with smooth surfaces, promote interlocking with rough surfaces, channel excess water, prevent blistering, and enhance tactile sensitivity. Here, we found that they were at the origin of a moisture-regulating mechanism, which ensures an optimal hydration of the keratin layer of the skin for maximizing the friction and reducing the probability of catastrophic slip due to the hydrodynamic formation of a fluid layer. When in contact with impermeable surfaces, the occlusion of the sweat from the pores in the ridges promotes plasticization of the skin, dramatically increasing friction. Occlusion and external moisture could cause an excess of water that would defeat the natural hydration balance. However, we have demonstrated using femtosecond laser-based polarization-tunable terahertz wave spectroscopic imaging and infrared optical coherence tomography that the moisture regulation may be explained by a combination of a microfluidic capillary evaporation mechanism and a sweat pore blocking mechanism. This results in maintaining an optimal amount of moisture in the furrows that maximizes the friction irrespective of whether a finger pad is initially wet or dry. Thus, abundant low-flow sweat glands and epidermal furrows have provided primates with the evolutionary advantage in dry and wet conditions of manipulative and locomotive abilities not available to other animals.

Influences of starter NDF level on growth performance and rumen development in lambs fed isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets

Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), as the main component of structural carbohydrate in forage, is a vital factor impacting the performance of young ruminants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of starter NDF level on the rumen fermentation and morphometrics of lambs fed isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. One hundred Hu sheep lambs (18 days of age and 6.1 ± 0.1 kg body weight [BW]) were randomly assigned to one of the four starter diets differing in their NDF levels on a dry matter (DM) basis: 1) diet with 14% NDF (NDF14), 2) diet with 18% NDF (NDF18), 3) diet with 22% NDF (NDF22), and 4) diet with 26% NDF (NDF26). Lambs were fed milk replacer with designed starters from 21 to 60 d of age and then transitioned to the same starter feed until 90 d of age. Six lambs from each treatment (close to the average BW of the corresponding treatment) were selected and slaughtered at 90 d of age for measuring rumen fermentation, anatomical development, and morphometric characteristics. Lambs receiving NDF22 and NDF26 starter diets had greater (P &lt; 0.05) intake of starter and total DM, and average daily gain during the overall period, thereby heavier (P &lt; 0.05) final weights at 90 d of age compared with those fed NDF14 starter diet. At 90 d of age, lambs fed NDF22 and NDF26 starters had higher rumen pH, followed by lower propionate, higher acetate concentrations (P &lt; 0.05), and a higher acetate-to-propionate ratio compared with those fed NDF14 and NDF18 starters (P &lt; 0.05). No significant differences of the full and empty weight of reticulorumen were observed among treatments; however, the reticulorumen weight expressed as a percentage of the complex stomach weight was lower (P &lt; 0.05) in lambs fed NDF22 and NDF26 starters compared with those fed NDF14 starter. Furthermore, NDF14 lambs had the thickest keratin layer and epithelium compared with those in the other treatments but showed the thinnest muscle layer (P &lt; 0.05). These results suggest that increasing starter NDF levels can ameliorate the rumen fermentation environment and alleviate hyperkeratosis and plaque formation in the rumen epithelium. In summary, including 22% and 26% NDF in the pelleted starter can improve the performance of lambs.

HISTOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF THE THORACIC AND ABDOMINAL REGION SKIN OF THE ETAWAH GOATS CROSS BREED

There have been studies of the histological structure of male and female goat skins. The histological structure and histomorphometry were taken from two region of skin, which is the thorax and abdomen. The Samples were collected from 2-3 years old Etawah goat, and than was stained using a HarrisHematoxilin Eosin method. The data were analysis based on the region and sex. The results showed that the histological structure of Etawah cross breed consists of three layers were epidermis, dermis, and hipodermis respectively. The epidermis composed by stratum corneum, granulosum, spinosum, and basal. We were found keratin layer on the surface of epidermis. The dermis consists of papillare and reticulare stratum. That was found many sebaceous glands, sudorifera gland, pili muscle, hair follicles, blood vessels, and collagen fibers. The hypodermis layers of Etawah cross breed females skin mostly consists of the fatty tissue, whereas in males we have found thick and horizontally arranged connective tissue. The skin layer on male Etawah cross breed, thorax region thicker than the abdomen. The region and sex may have an effect on the histology structure and histomorphometry of Etawah cross breed skin.

Microscopic Structure of the Epithelium Lining the Epiglottis in Wistar Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the type of the epithelium present on the epiglottis surface, through histological examination. The epithelium lining the pharyngeal side of epiglottis is keratinized stratified squamous. The thickness of the keratin layer is different from one subject to another. Usually the keratin layer extends to the apex of the epiglottis, but in some of the animals taken into study, the keratin layer extends to the apical third of the laryngeal side of epiglottis. The epithelium lining the laryngeal side is different. In most of the epiglottises examined, the surface is lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium in the apical third. The rest of the laryngeal side of the epiglottis is lined by respiratory epithelium type. In one subject, the entire laryngeal surface is lined by a non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Our study highlights that the pharyngeal side of epiglottis is lined by a keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, whereas on the laryngeal side, the epithelium in the apical third is non-keratinized stratified squamous and at the rest of the surface the epithelium is pseudostratified.

THE USE OF THE PAPANICOLAOU STAIN TO ROUTINE HISTOLOGICAL EXAMINATION: TEACHING THE BASIC MICROSCOPY OF SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Introduction: The understanding of microscopy classes is imperative to the student in human pathology. Objective: To prepare the student to observe and understand, through tinctorial recognition, the main histologic features of Papanicolaou-stained well-differentiated carcinomas. Methods: A selected case of a well-differentiated carcinoma of the tongue was used for a Papanicolaou stain. Results: The Papanicolaou-stained slides showed, basically, basal cells in a faint to a dark blue color. The stratum spinosum stained light pink to a faint blue-green and the keratin layer and the keratin pearls stained bright orange. The connective tissue stained light green. Conclusion: The use of Papanicolaou stain was found very convenient as the beginner in histopathology can perform a ready identification of the well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma aspects.

The influence of dihydroxyacetone (DHA) contained in the self-tanning lotions with human skin – spectroscopic and theoretical studies

The purpose of this study was to investigate selected properties of eight bronzers differing in consistency and dihydroxyacetone (DHA) content. The investigated bronzers were divided into three groups including: liquid sunless tanning products containing DHA level of about 15%, half-liquid self-tanners (spray or foam), and bronzers in the form of a cream. The products from the two latter groups contained about 5% DHA. This study inspected if self-tanners have the ability to absorb UV radiation. The aim of using infrared spectroscopy was to investigate the influence of self-tanners on skin moisture level. During the study, quantum-mechanical calculations were done. The calculations were related to computer-based modeling of DHA permeability through the beta-keratin layer of the skin. The calculations were also done to estimate hydrogen bond energy between chains of the beta-keratin as well as the surface of the crystallized beta-keratin surface. The results indicated that DHA absorbed UV-C radiation very strong, whereas UV-B radiation was absorbed to a lower degree. The least absorbancy was discovered in the UV-A range. Liquid and, partly, half-liquid self-tanners reduced skin moisture; however, products in the form of cream contained moisturizing substances that neutralize the negative effect of DHA on skin hydration. In silico studies indicated that DHA does not permeate through the beta-keratin layer of the skin. Potential reasons for this may be the large energy of hydrogen bonds and charged beta-keratin surface.