Gender-Wise histological differences in the human upper lip

Introduction: Knowledge of morphometry of lip lining help in deciding the best site for choosing graft for its better uptake during several dermal grafting procedures following craniofacial cancers or cosmetic procedures. It also proves useful in dermatopharmacokinetics, in which we monitor the effect of drugs acting on connective tissue by translabial route and lip augmentation surgeries (esthetic surgery) where care is to be given for dermal fillers not to be injected into the muscle core of lip. Materials and Methods: Ten human male cadavers and 10 human female cadavers were procured. The rectangle‑shaped skin specimen (1 cm × 1 cm) through the upper lip was stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain. A total of 40 slides were prepared. Readings were obtained with the help of CATCAM E series HD cameras which was installed in light microscope. Results: The mean value of thickness of skin (epidermis + dermis) of the lip was 664.72 μm among males while 769.20 μm among females. Conclusion: The epithelium of females is marginally thicker than males. Edp: sc (epidermis/stratum corneum) ratio can suggest that giving drugs through translabial route will be easy in females as compared to males in the upper lip as the stratum corneum is the main barrier in drug transfusion and its absorption secondary to epidermis as a whole. The number of rete pegs per field at the dermoepidermal junction was higher in males which ensures more stability of skin of male lips compared to females

Development of lipoxygenase-3 free Indian soybean using gene-mutation based molecular markers

Lipoxygenase (LOX) isozymes free soybean is critical for soy products with reduced off-flavour. In order to develope Lox3 free soybean, routine visual/spectrophotometric methods are performed on half seed for identification and egregation of null Lox3 plants from the population. They are cumbersome in distinguishing heterozygotes from homozygotes, involve the risk of damaging the embryo and delay the development of finished products by one generation. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and sequence tagged sites (STS) markers designed previously from the mutation in Lx3 gene of a triple-null Canadian soybean genotype OX948 could identify seedlings carrying null allele of Lx3 in a population derived from OX948. In the present investigation, the utility of these molecular markers in F2 population derived from a cross between Lox3-null donor genotype PI205085 and Indian soybean cultivar JS335 (Lox3+ve) has been validated. STS marker distinguished the homozygous dominant (Lx3Lx3), homozygous recessive (lx3lx3) and heterozygous (Lx3lx3) plants by generating PCR fragments of 476 bp, 396 bp and both the amplicons, respectively. SNP marker generated amplicon (296 bp) only in null allele carrying plants (Lx3lx3/lx3lx3) plants, and did not amplify homozygous dominant (Lx3Lx3). Using SNP marker, the target plants carrying null allele of Lx3 in F2 population were advanced to F6 generation. Finally, STS marker was employed to identify only homozygous recessive plants (lx3lx3). This resulted in the development of Lox3 free soybean genotypes, which can be used for development of double null (lx1lx1lx3lx3/lx2lx2lx3lx3) or triple null lipoxygenase (lx1lx1lx2lx2lx3lx3) soybean.

Gender Differences in the Microanatomy of Skin of Palm in Humans

Knowledge of basic elements provides opportunity to make clear vision of structure of any organ. It is well known that accurate values of thickness of epidermis of skin and its variation with body site, age and sex are important in the fields of medical and biological research. The variations in skin reaction to certain stimuli could be due to biological factors such as the epidermal thickness, dermal thickness, distribution of epidermal appendages etc. Methods: Skin was procured from palm of six freshly embalmed human cadavers. Out of these three were males and three were females. Age of the male and female cadavers ranged between 60 to 70years (mean age 67years). Skin samples measuring 1cm (L) X 0.5cm (B) were taken from center of palm. Tissue was preserved in 10% formaldehyde for 48 hours. Fixed tissue specimens were dehydrated through increasing concentrations (30%, 50%, 70%, 90% and absolute) of ethanol. After clearing the tissue in xylene, embedding was done in paraffin wax. 5 µm thick sections were cut using rotary microtome. Whole thickness of tissue was sectioned. Haematoxylin[Harris’s] and Eosin stained section was observed for 3 different fields thus for each cadaver 27 observations were obtained. Results: In females thickness of epidermis(Edp) of were observed 404.43±23.41µm,thickness of stratum corneum (330±32.83µm),layers of stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum were 4 and 3 respectively, number of rete pegs (7.52±0.94), depth of rete pegs (195.78±18.05µm), thickness of papillary dermis and reticular dermis were(135.92±13.230µm) and (386.10±8.24µm) respectively. Whereas In males thickness of epidermis(Edp) of were observed (296.63±107.03µm),thickness of stratum corneum were (112.20±63.92µm),layers of stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum were 2, number of rete pegs 16.15±3.71, depth of rete pegs (104.56±15.28µm), thicknesss of papillary dermis and reticular dermis were(142.63±40.84µm) and (483.27±116.43µm) respectively. Conclusion: Despite of the fact that subjects from both sexes belonged to the same age group, clear and statistically significant histological differences were observed in the skin of palm. Females showed thicker epidermis as well as stratum corneum but thinner dermis in comparison to males. Males had more number of rete pegs but these are shallower than females.

Deployment of gene specific marker in development of kunitz trypsin inhibitor free soybean genotypes.

Genetic elimination of kunitz trypsin inhibitor in soybean seed would obviate the need for boiling required to inactivate the antinutritional factor and therefore economize the soy processing. PI542044, the source of null variant of kunitz trypsin inhibitor gene is being used in the development of kunitz trypsin inhibitor free soybean genotypes in India. Gene specific marker can expedite the genetic elimination of this undesirable trait from popular soybean genotypes. In the present study, we tested the DNA amplification of soybean genotype PI542044 and kunitz trypsin inhibitor null lines derived from this genotype with a gene specific primer developed from the null variant of PI157740. The amplicons so obtained corresponded to the absence of kunitz trypsin inhibitor protein band on 10% polyacrylamide gel. The gene specific marker also amplified the null allele of template DNA of F1, BC1F1 and BC2F1 plants developed during marker assisted introgression of null allele of kunitz trypsin inhibitor into elite soybean cultivar JS97-52. The results presented show the utility of this gene specific marker developed from null allele of kunitz trypsin inhibitor for identification of kunitz trypsin inhibitor free genotypes developed from PI542044, the only source of null variant available in India.

Coracoclavicular and costoclavicular joints at a common juncture: a rare phenomenon / Articulaciones coracoclavicular y costoclavicular en una unión común: un raro fenómeno

Movements at the human shoulder girdle are the result of complex interplay of glenohumeral, acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular and scapulothoracic articulations. Clavicle apart from articulating with the scapula and sternum is also connected with first rib by costoclavicular ligament and with coracoid process by coracoclavicular ligament. At times the area of attachment of these ligaments on clavicle, first rib and scapula show faceted apophysis suggesting the presence of additional diarthrodial articulations. Costoclavicular joint exists between clavicle and first rib and coracoclavicular joint between clavicle and coracoids process. Both these joints are described in the literature, but the concurrent occurrence of them in the same bone has not been reported yet. We found two clavicles, one of right and other of left side, both of them showed faceted apophysis for costoclavicular and coracoclavicular joint simultaneously, which is rare phenomenon.

Los movimientos de la cintura escapular humana son el resultado de la interacción compleja de las articulaciones glenohumeral, acromioclavicular, esternoclavicular y escapulotorácica. La clavícula, aparte de la articulación con la escápula y el esternón también está conectada con la primera costilla por el ligamento costoclavicular y con el proceso coracoides por el ligamento coracoclavicular. A veces la zona de unión de estos ligamentos de la clavícula, la primera costilla y la escápula muestran procesos facetarios que sugieren la presencia de nuevas articulaciones diartrodiales. La articulación costoclavicular existe entre la primera costilla y la clavícula y la articulación coracoclavicular entre la clavícula y proceso coracoides. Ambas articulaciones están descritas en la literatura, pero la aparición simultánea de ellas en el mismo hueso no se ha informado aún. Se encontraron dos clavículas, uno del lado derecho y otra del lado izquierdo, las dos presentaron procesos facetarios para las articulaciones costoclavicular y coracoclavicular simultáneamente, lo cual es un fenómeno raro.