Search Results (146)

Background/Objectives: Blunt abdominal trauma is a frequent challenge in emergency medicine, but its diagnosis and treatment become significantly more complex when rare anatomical anomalies are present. Atypical anatomy may mask symptoms or mimic other acute abdominal conditions, causing delays in treatment. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on six rare anatomical anomalies and their impact on the consequences of blunt abdominal trauma. Methods: A Narrative literature review was undertaken, covering PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases, analysing publications from 1960 to 2025. Case reports and case series (91 patients in total) with confirmed organ damage following blunt trauma in the course of: duodenal diverticulum, Meckel’s diverticulum, splenic torsion, rupture or torsion of the accessory spleen, visceral inversion (situs inversus) and horseshoe kidney. Results: Demographic analysis revealed a predominance of perforations of the duodenal diverticulum in older women (mean age 62 years), while younger men predominated in all other groups. The clinical picture was often non-specific or misleading, especially in situs inversus, where the location of pain did not correlate with the typical topography of organs. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) has proved to be a key diagnostic tool, surpassing ultrasound/FAST scans due to its ability to provide precise anatomical imaging. Surgical treatment was predominant (100% in Meckel’s diverticulum, 95% in duodenal diverticulum), while conservative treatment was effective in horseshoe kidney injuries (94.8%). Mortality was highest in situs inversus (29%) and duodenal diverticulum perforation (20%). The vast majority of these fatal cases occurred in the era of modern computed tomography, suggesting that the therapeutic challenges stem directly from the specific nature of these anomalies, rather than from past diagnostic limitations. Conclusions: Anatomical anomalies significantly modulate the clinical manifestations of blunt abdominal trauma, increasing the risk of diagnostic errors. Early contrast-enhanced computed tomography and awareness of these rare pathologies are crucial for appropriate management and improved prognosis. Full article

Brassica rapa is widely cultivated in alpine and cold mountainous regions due to its strong cold tolerance. However, lodging severely limits its yield and quality. This study integrated agronomic traits, stem microstructure, and transcriptomic profiles to explore the mechanism of lodging resistance by comparing a resistant cultivar (Ganyou 3064, GY) and a susceptible cultivar (Tianyou 2022, TY) across four developmental stages (full flowering, final flowering, podding, and maturity). At the four growth stages, the stem breaking strength of GY was 1.71, 1.93, 1.88, and 1.88 times that of TY, respectively. Compared with TY, the gravity center height of GY was decreased by 25.04%, 16.6%, 11.18%, and 8.98% at these four stages, respectively. Similarly, the lodging index of GY was decreased by 65.94%, 55.08%, 56.06%, and 55.63% compared with TY, respectively. Biochemical and anatomical analyses revealed that compared with TY, the lignin content of GY increased by 1.93%, 2.7%, 3.05%, and 3.42% at the four stages, while the cellulose content increased by 92.75%, 45.32%, 44.4%, and 49.92%, respectively. Meanwhile, the epidermal thickness, cortical thickness, vascular bundle length, vascular bundle area, and vascular bundle density of GY were also significantly increased. Transcriptomic and KEGG pathway analyses revealed a predictive defense mechanism of GY. At the final flowering stage, GY showed pre-activation of hormone and MAPK signal transduction, as well as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis; it shifted to energy supply and sustained cell wall reinforcement at the podding stage. In addition, upregulated genes in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis (such as PAL3, CCoAOMT, and CAD9) indicated that enhanced stem lignification is a key molecular determinant of lodging resistance. In summary, GY enhances its lodging resistance through coordinated morphological and transcriptional regulation. This study is the first to integrate the lodging characteristics of Brassica rapa, offering valuable candidate genes and phenotypic markers for molecular breeding. Full article

Surgical resection remains a cornerstone in the multidisciplinary management of central nervous system (CNS) tumors, particularly diffuse gliomas. Traditionally, the role of surgery has been evaluated primarily through quantitative metrics such as extent of resection and its association with survival outcomes. However, despite maximal and radiologically complete resections, recurrence remains nearly universal in malignant CNS tumors, suggesting that surgical cytoreduction alone does not fully account for post-surgical disease dynamics. Emerging biological and molecular evidence indicates that surgery represents not merely a technical intervention, but a biologically active event that profoundly reshapes tumor evolution and treatment response. In this review, we propose a conceptual framework that redefines surgery as a key biological driver in CNS tumor progression. We synthesize evidence demonstrating that surgical trauma induces inflammation, hypoxia, vascular remodeling, immune modulation, and extracellular matrix reorganization, collectively reprogramming the residual tumor microenvironment. These changes create selective pressures that favor the survival and expansion of adaptive tumor cell subpopulations, including invasive and stem-like phenotypes. From an evolutionary perspective, surgical resection functions as an acute selective bottleneck acting on heterogeneous tumor ecosystems, contributing to clonal selection and molecular divergence at recurrence. We further examine the dissociation between surgical (anatomical) margins and molecular (biological) margins, highlighting how biologically active tumor cells infiltrate beyond radiologically defined boundaries. This discrepancy provides a biological explanation for marginal and distant recurrences and challenges anatomy-based paradigms of surgical completeness. Importantly, we discuss how surgery-induced biological changes influence postoperative radiotherapy and systemic therapies, affecting radiosensitivity, target delineation, and therapeutic vulnerability. Finally, we outline future directions toward surgery-integrated precision neuro-oncology, emphasizing the potential of spatial profiling, liquid biopsy, advanced imaging, and artificial intelligence to capture perioperative tumor evolution. By reframing surgery as a biological inflection point rather than a neutral prelude to adjuvant treatment, this review advocates for a dynamic, biology-driven continuum of care aimed at anticipating tumor adaptation and improving long-term disease control in CNS tumors. Full article

Background and Objectives: The management of periprosthetic tibial fractures distal to revision Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) presents a biomechanical challenge, often requiring extramedullary locking plates when long stems preclude nailing. While in femoral fractures the gap between the stem and plate is a well-documented stress riser, requiring implant overlap to prevent an inter-implant fracture, this specific biomechanical scenario has not been studied in the tibia, and it remains unclear if the femoral dogma of mandatory overlap applies to the straight, centrically loaded tibial anatomy. This study utilized Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to evaluate stress distribution in the tibial inter-implant gap. Materials and Methods: A comparative FEA was performed using a validated standardized tibia model simulating a healed distal fracture. Two cemented revision TKA constructs (50 mm and 80 mm stems) were modeled. These were paired with medial locking plates of varying lengths (10, 12, and 14 holes) to create different inter-implant distances. Eight distinct configurations, including non-plated controls, were subjected to physiological axial compression and three-point bending. Outcome measures included von Mises stress and total displacement. Results: The analysis revealed no significant stress concentration in the bone within the inter-implant zone across all plated models, regardless of the gap size. Instead, the addition of plates universally reduced bone stress compared to controls, effectively transferring load to the fixation hardware. Peak stresses were consistently observed in the proximal locking screws rather than the bone gap. The longest plates (14 holes) offered superior construct rigidity and stress distribution. Conclusions: Under the conditions evaluated in this preclinical finite element model, the tibia does not exhibit a biomechanical requirement for implant overlap to prevent stress risers. Our findings suggest that extramedullary fixation with the longest available anatomical locking plate represents a biomechanically plausible strategy for these fractures, even if an inter-implant gap remains. Full article

Accurate and real-time glottis localization is critical for ensuring intraoperative oxygenation and patient safety during nasotracheal intubation. However, representative foundation models exemplified by the Segment Anything Model exhibit notable limitations in medical applications, stemming from their rigid attention mechanisms, feature space misalignment, and insufficient generalization to complex glottal anatomies. To address these challenges, we propose Glottis-SAM, a lightweight and task-adaptive segmentation framework that integrates dynamic representation learning with multi-prior contextual modeling. Specifically, we introduce a hierarchical low-rank adaptation strategy that enables efficient fine-tuning of visual foundation models by preserving geometric priors while significantly reducing computational overhead. To further enhance semantic fusion and generalization, we design a feature aggregation module with dual-path dynamic feature pyramids, which enables complementary optimization from local textures to global semantic structures under varying anatomical conditions. Extensive experiments on three diverse datasets demonstrate that Glottis-SAM achieves state-of-the-art segmentation accuracy with 72.6% mDice, a compact 55.2 MB model size, and 44.3 FPS inference speed on clinical data. These results highlight the model’s robustness, efficiency, and potential for deployment in visual guidance systems for nasotracheal intubation. Full article

The Meso-Papilionoideae clade comprises most papilionoid legumes and includes small clades with heterogeneous floral morphologies. Some species have a sessile ovary, while in others the gynoecium is elevated by a stalk called a stipe or gynophore. This study provides a qualitative and comparative morphological analysis of meso-papilionoid flowers, focusing on the anatomy, vascularization, and development of the ovary and gynophore. The objective is to unravel the ontogenic origin and anatomical nature of the gynophore in meso-papilionoid flowers. Floral buds at different developmental stages of seven meso-papilionoid species were examined using scanning electron microscopy and sectioned transversely and longitudinally for analysis under optical microscopy. The morphological variations in the examined flowers may represent evolutionary adaptations associated with their respective pollination syndromes. Ovary development follows a certain pattern among legumes, with limited variations, including the formation of a basal pedestal beneath the carpel suture in species bearing a gynophore. The gynophore is anatomically distinct from the ovary, exhibiting a stem-like nature, originating from the activity of an intercalary meristem on the basal pedestal of the ovary or receptacle. This qualitative anatomical approach represents a first step toward the homologation of gynophore types in Fabaceae, providing a basis for future quantitative and phylogenetic analyses. Full article

The response of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) to low oxygen availability in the soil and the possibility of recovery after stress relief are associated with the plasticity capacity of each genotype; however, studies evaluating the influence of rootstock on stress response are scarce. Thus, in the northern region of the state of Espírito Santo, municipality of São Mateus, the physiological, biochemical, and anatomical responses and recovery capacity of cocoa PS-1319 grafted onto the rootstocks TSH-1188, Cepec-2002, Pará, Esfip-02, and SJ-02 were evaluated under flooded conditions. The plants were subjected to flooding for 60 days, and their recovery capacity was assessed after this period. The gas exchange, relative chlorophyll content, stem and leaf anatomy, photosynthetic pigments, and carbohydrates were evaluated. All genotypes showed reductions in net photosynthetic assimilation, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate in the flooded environment compared to the non-flooded environment. All pigments were degraded, with average values of Chl a, Chl b, total Chl, and total carotenoids of 9.33, 10.418, 19.75, and 590.75 μg.mL⁻¹ in the non-flooded environment and 6.43, 7.69, 14.12, and 500.33 μg.mL⁻¹ in the flooded environment. The rootstocks Cepec-2002 and Esfip-02 showed the highest carotenoid accumulation, with 585.78 and 650.47 μg.mL⁻¹, respectively, when compared to SJ-02 (474.03 μg.mL⁻¹), Pará (491.58 μg.mL⁻¹), and TSH-1188 (525.86 491.58 μg.mL⁻¹). The Pará rootstock did not show differences in stomatal density between environments, with values of 32.25 in flooding, 34.83 in non-flooding, and 31.61 in recovery. During flooding, lenticels formed in all rootstocks. After recovery, all rootstocks normalized their gas exchange, carbohydrate levels, and anatomy, showing that the root system was able to re-establish its functions, making these rootstocks suitable for areas at risk of flooding. Full article

Background and Objectives: Corneal opacity is the fifth global cause of blindness and moderate-to-severe visual impairment due to scar tissue formation. The purpose of this study is to provide an integrated overview of the current state of corneal engineering strategies focused on the comparison with healthy corneas. It aims to identify engineering strategies that would result in functional corneas, providing real alternatives to donor corneal transplants. Materials and Methods: systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and according to the protocol with the ID: CRD420250654641 at the PROSPERO database. The focus question, prompted by considering the shortage of human corneal grafts, was: what is the performance of bioengineered corneal grafts in experimental animal models when compared with healthy eyes in the restoration of corneal anatomy and function? Results: Incorporating human corneal epithelial cells w/ or w/o human corneal stromal stem cells into a gelatin methacrylate and polyethylene glycol diacrylate matrix emerges as the leading option for epithelial layer regeneration. Human and bovine decellularized corneas, porcine corneal ECM in Gelatin methacrylate, dual layered collagen vitrigel and tissue-engineered human anterior hemi-corneas have shown promise for simultaneous regeneration of the corneal stromal and epithelial layers. Corneal stromal tissue regeneration could be positively impacted by transplantation with grafts derived from aligned self-lifting analogous tissue equivalents and collagen-based hydrogels. Finally, scaffolds of silk fibroin and human purified type I collagen represent promising approaches for corneal endothelial regeneration, though their effectiveness is contingent upon integration with endothelial cells. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the potential of tissue-engineered corneal substitutes as viable therapeutic options for corneal blindness and vision impairment. Assessing the optical and functional properties of the regenerated cornea should be a cornerstone in all studies aiming to evaluate their clinical effectiveness. Full article

Migraine is a prevalent and disabling neurological disorder with multifactorial origins and complex clinical manifestations. While pharmacologic therapies remain the cornerstone of management, a growing body of evidence highlights the role of extracranial peripheral nerve compression as a significant contributor to migraine pathophysiology in selected patients. This recognition has expanded the therapeutic role of plastic surgery, offering anatomically targeted interventions that complement or surpass traditional medical approaches for refractory cases. From a plastic surgeon’s perspective, optimal migraine care begins with accurate identification of clinical patterns, trigger-site mapping, and the judicious use of diagnostic tools such as nerve blocks and botulinum toxin. Surgical decompression techniques, including endoscopic and open approaches, address compression of the supraorbital, supratrochlear, zygomaticotemporal, greater and lesser occipital, auriculotemporal, and intranasal contact-point trigger sites. Adjunctive strategies such as autologous fat grafting further enhance outcomes by providing neuroprotective cushioning and modulating local inflammation through adipose-derived stem cell activity. Recent advances, including neuromodulation technologies, next-generation biologics, and innovations in surgical visualization, underscore the ongoing shift toward precision-based, mechanism-driven therapy. As understanding of migraine heterogeneity deepens, the integration of surgical expertise with modern neuroscience offers a comprehensive and personalized therapeutic framework. Plastic surgeons, equipped with detailed knowledge of peripheral nerve anatomy and minimally invasive techniques, play an increasingly pivotal role in the multidisciplinary management of refractory migraine. Full article

Background/Objectives: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is the standard treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms, but the risk of endoleak compromises its effectiveness. Type IA endoleak, stemming from an inadequate proximal seal, is the most critical complication associated with the highest risk of rupture. Current preoperative planning relies on static anatomical measurements from computed tomography angiography that fail to predict seal failure due to dynamic biomechanical forces. This study aimed to retrospectively validate the predictive accuracy of a novel physics-informed digital twin and artificial intelligence (AI) model for predicting type IA endoleak risk compared to conventional static planning methods. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center proof-of-concept validation study involving 15 patients who underwent elective EVAR (5 with confirmed type IA endoleak and 10 without type IA endoleak). A patient-specific digital twin was created for each case to simulate stent-graft deployment and capture the dynamic biomechanical interaction with the aortic wall. A logistic regression AI model processed over 16,000 biomechanical measurements to generate a single, objective metric of the endoleak risk index (ERI). The predictive performance of the ERI (using a cutoff of 0.80) was assessed and compared against a 1:3 propensity score-matched conventional control group (n = 45) who received traditional anatomical-based planning. Results: The mean ERI was significantly higher in the endoleak-positive group (0.85 ± 0.10) compared to the endoleak-negative group (0.39 ± 0.11) (p = 0.011). The digital twin/AI model demonstrated superior predictive capability, achieving an overall accuracy of 80% (95% CI: 51.9–95.7) and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.58–0.99). Crucially, the model achieved a sensitivity of 100% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%, correctly identifying all high-risk cases and ruling out endoleak in all low-risk cases. In stark contrast, the matched conventional planning group achieved an overall accuracy of only 51.1% and an AUC of 0.54. Conclusion: This physics-informed digital twin and AI framework successfully validated its capability to accurately and objectively predict the risk of type IA endoleak following EVAR. The derived ERI offers a significant quantitative advantage over traditional static anatomical measurements, establishing it as a highly reliable safety tool (100% NPV) for ruling out endoleak risk. This technology represents a critical advancement toward personalized EVAR planning, enabling surgeons to proactively identify high-risk anatomies and adjust treatment strategies to minimize post-procedural complications. Further large-scale, multicenter prospective trials are necessary to confirm these findings and support clinical adoption. Full article

Produced from the parenchymatous tissue of the stem pith of Tetrapanax papyrifer, the material known as pith paper served as a distinctive support medium for Chinese export paintings during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it is commonly found in collections worldwide. Due to its inherently fragile structure, conservation interventions are often necessary. However, the material’s chemical composition and deterioration mechanisms remain poorly understood, which not only complicates treatment decisions but also undermines preventive conservation efforts. This study presents a systematic investigation into the anatomical structure and ageing behaviour of pith paper using a multi-analytical approach. Optical and scanning electron microscopy revealed a preserved honeycomb-like cellular architecture composed of thin-walled, entirely of non-lignified parenchyma cells, which contributes to the material’s mechanical fragility. Artificial ageing experiments showed a significant loss of flexibility, increased yellowing, and a decline in pH with ageing time. Infrared spectroscopy identified molecular changes consistent with cellulose chain scission, with decreases in O–H and C–O–C absorptions revealing acid-hydrolysis-driven breakdown, while colourimetry pointed to the formation of chromophoric degradation products. These findings offer a foundational understanding of pith paper’s vulnerabilities and provide essential insights for the development of informed conservation and storage strategies. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Adults suffering from cerebellar metastases are often at high risk for rapid deterioration of their neurological status because the posterior fossa has limited compliance and the location of these metastases are close to the brain stem and important cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathways. In this paper, we present a longitudinal, patient-centered report on the history of an elderly individual who suffered from cognitive comorbidities and experienced a sudden loss of function in her cerebellum. Our goal in reporting this case is to provide a comparison between the patient’s pre-operative and post-operative neurological examinations; the imaging studies she had before and after surgery; the surgical techniques utilized during her operation; and the outcome of her post-operative course in a way that will be helpful to other patients who have experienced a similar situation. Case Presentation: We report the case of an 80-year-old woman who initially presented with progressive ipsilateral limb-trunk ataxia, impaired smooth pursuit eye movement, and rebound nystagmus, but preserved pyramidal and sensory functions. Her quantitative bedside assessments included some of the components of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), and a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 3. These findings indicated dysfunction of the left neocerebellar hemisphere and possible dentate nucleus involvement. The patient’s magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results demonstrated an expansive mass with surrounding vasogenic edema and marked compression and narrowing of the exits of the fourth ventricle which placed the patient’s CSF pathways at significant risk of occlusion, while the aqueduct and inlets were patent. She then underwent a left lateral suboccipital craniectomy with controlled arachnoidal CSF release, preservation of venous drainage routes, subpial corticotomy oriented along the lines of the folia, stepwise internal debulking, and careful protection of the cerebellar peduncles and dentate nucleus. Dural reconstruction utilized a watertight pericranial graft to restore the cisternal compartments. Her post-operative intensive care unit (ICU) management emphasized optimal venous outflow, normoventilation, and early mobilization. Histopathology confirmed the presence of metastatic carcinoma, and staging suggested that the most likely source of the primary tumor was the lungs. Immediately post-operation, computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a smooth resection cavity with open foramina of Magendie and Luschka, intact contours of the brain stem, and no evidence of bleeding or hydrocephalus. The patient’s neurological deficits, including dysmetria, scanning dysarthria, and ataxic gait, improved gradually during the first 48 h post-operatively. Upon discharge, the patient demonstrated an improvement in her limb-kinetic subscore on the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and demonstrated independent ambulation. At two weeks post-operation, CT imaging revealed decreasing edema and stable cavity size, and the patient’s modified Rankin scale had improved from 3 upon admission to 1. There were no episodes of CSF leakage, wound complications, or new cranial nerve deficits. A transient post-operative psychotic episode that was likely secondary to her underlying Alzheimer’s disease was managed successfully with short-course pharmacotherapy. Conclusions: The current case study demonstrates the value of anatomy-based microsurgical planning, preservation of venous and CSF pathways, and targeted peri-operative management to facilitate rapid recovery of function in older adults who suffer from cerebellar metastasis and cognitive comorbidities. The case also demonstrates the importance of early multidisciplinary collaboration to allow for timely initiation of both adjuvant stereotactic radiosurgery and molecularly informed systemic therapy. Full article

Although experimental evidence indicates that mitochondrial collapse is a common effect of both Chagas disease and post-ischemic heart failure and that cardiac anatomy and function are partially restored by stem cell therapy, the responsible molecular mechanisms are still under debate. Gene expression data from our publicly accessible transcriptomic dataset obtained by profiling the left ventricle myocardia of mouse models of Chagas disease and post-ischemic heart failure were re-analyzed from the perspective of the Genomic Fabric Paradigm. In addition to the regulation of the gene expression levels, we determined the changes in the strength of the homeostatic control of transcript abundance and the remodeling of the gene networks responsible for the mitochondrial respiration. The analysis revealed that most of the mitochondrial genes assigned to the five complexes of the respiratory chain were significantly downregulated by both Chagas disease and ischemia but exhibited outstanding recovery of the normal expression levels following direct injection of bone-marrow-derived stem cells. However, instead of regaining the original expression control and gene networking, the treatment induced novel mitochondrial arrangements, suggesting that multiple transcriptomic topologies might be compatible with any given physiological or pathological state. This study confirmed several established mechanisms and identified novel gene expression signals, especially Cox4i2, Cox6b1, Cox7b, Ndufb11, and Tmem186, that warrant further investigations. Their broad rescue with cell therapy underscores mitochondria as a convergent, tractable target for cardiac repair. Full article

Adult neurogenesis is well established in canonical niches—the dentate gyrus and the subventricular zone, where aerobic exercise reliably enhances progenitor proliferation, survival, and synaptic integration via increased cerebral blood flow, neurotrophins (e.g., BDNF, IGF-1), neurotransmitter regulation, and reduced neuroinflammation. Nutraceuticals (e.g., polyphenols, omega-3, creatine, vitamins) further support neuroplasticity and neuronal survival through convergent trophic, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic pathways. By contrast, the hypothalamus, a metabolically pivotal, non-canonical niche, remains comparatively understudied. Here, we synthesize anatomical and functional features of hypothalamic neural stem cells, primarily tanycytes (α1, α2, β1, β2), which line the third ventricle and differentially contribute to neuronal activity regulation, metabolic signaling, and cerebrospinal fluid–portal vasculature coupling, thereby linking neurogenesis to endocrine control. Notably, tanycytes can form neurospheres in vitro, enabling mechanistic interrogation. Although evidence for adult hypothalamic neurogenesis in humans is debated due to methodological constraints, animal data suggest potential relevance to disorders characterized by neuronal loss, metabolic dysregulation, and impaired neuroendocrine function. We propose that an integrative framework is timely: exercise and diet likely interact in the hypothalamic niche through shared mediators (BDNF, IGF-1, CNTF, GPR40) and exercise-derived signals (e.g., lactate, IL-6) that may be complemented by defined nutraceuticals. Yet critical uncertainties persist, including the extent of bona fide hypothalamic neurogenesis, nucleus-specific responses (arcuate nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus), and the mechanistic integration of lifestyle signals in this region. To address these gaps, we outline actionable priorities: (i) single-cell and lineage-tracing studies of tanycyte subtypes under distinct training modalities (aerobic, high-intensity interval training, resistance); (ii) combinatorial interventions pairing structured exercise with nutraceuticals to test synergy on progenitor dynamics and inflammation; and (iii) multi-omics and translational studies to identify biomarkers and establish clinical relevance. Clarifying these interactions will determine whether lifestyle and supplementation strategies can synergistically modulate hypothalamic neurogenesis and inform therapies for neurological, neuropsychiatric, and metabolic disorders. Full article

The growing interest in improving the fertility-rate of livestock species, considering their high economic value, has prompted the development of new methodological approaches using male germline stem cells. Spermatogonial stem cells’ (SSCs) potential to self-renew and differentiate into mature spermatozoa holds promise for their transplantation into testicular tissue and use in new biotechnological methodologies. Moreover, SSCs’ ability to convey genetic information to the next generation is a property that could be exploited for gene targeting. The review provides an update on the main aspects of SSC biology, focusing on the genetic regulators of self-renewal and differentiation processes and different isolation methods. In addition, recent advancement in the cryopreservation of SSCs from domestic animals and their transplantation into recipients’ testes are also discussed. Finally, a section focused on canine SSCs (cSSCs), their biological aspects, and their potential clinical application in the field of reproduction is included. This represents an effective animal model for human reproduction, development, and disease, given that the reproductive anatomy and physiology of canine species and human are similar. We then report on the potential clinical transplantation of SSCs into recipient testicular tissue and suggest future topics to explore for significant advances in fertility preservation. Full article