Aim To describe architecture and expression of myosin isoforms of the human cremaster muscle (CM) and to individuate changes in clinically differentiated abnormalities of testicular descent: cryptorchidism or undescended testis (UDT) and retractile testis (RT). Background The CM is a nonsomitic striated muscle differentiating from mesenchyme of the gubernaculum testis. Morphofunctional and molecular peculiarities linked to its unique embryological origin are not yet completely defined. Its role in abnormalities of testicular descent is being investigated. Subjects and methods Biopsy samples were obtained from corrective surgery in cases of cryptorchidism, retractile testis, inguinal hernia, or hydrocele. Muscle specimens were processed for morphology, histochemistry, and immunohistology. Results and conclusions The CM differs from the skeletal muscles both for morphological and molecular characteristics. The presence of fascicles with different characterization and its myosinic pattern suggested that the CM could be included in the specialized muscle groups, such as the extrinsic ocular muscles (EOMs) and laryngeal and masticatory muscles. The embryological origin from the nonsomitic mesoderm is, also for the CM, the basis of distinct molecular pathways. In UDT, the histological alterations of CM are suggestive of denervation; the genitofemoral nerve and its molecular messengers directed to this muscle are likely defective. Compared with the other samples, RT has a distinct myosinic pattern; therefore, it has been considered a well-defined entity with respect to the other testicular descent abnormalities.

Clinically Differentiated Abnormalities of the Architecture and Expression of Myosin Isoforms of the Human Cremaster Muscle in Cryptorchidism and Retractile Testis.

BACKGROUND
Brown Buttabean Motivation (BBM) is an organization providing support for Pacific people and Indigenous Māori to manage their weight, mainly through community-based exercise sessions and social support. It was started by DL, a man of Samoan and Māori descent, following his personal weight loss journey from a peak weight of 210 kg to less than half that amount. DL is a charismatic leader with a high media profile who is successful in soliciting donations from corporations in money and kindness. Over time, BBM's activities have evolved to include healthy eating, food parcel provision, and other components of healthy living. A co-design team of university researchers and BBM staff are evaluating various components of the program and organization.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to build culturally centered system dynamics logic models to serve as the agreed theories of change for BBM and provide a basis for its ongoing effectiveness, sustainability, and continuous quality improvements.


METHODS
A systems science approach will clarify the purpose of BBM and identify the systemic processes needed to effectively and sustainably achieve the study's purpose. Cognitive mapping interviews with key stakeholders will produce maps of their conceptions of BBM's goals and related cause-and-effect processes. The themes arising from the analysis of these maps will provide the initial indicators of change to inform the questions for 2 series of group model building workshops. In these workshops, 2 groups (BBM staff and BBM members) will build qualitative systems models (casual loop diagrams), identifying feedback loops in the structures and processes of the BBM system that will enhance the program's effectiveness, sustainability, and quality improvement. The Pacific and Māori team members will ensure that workshop content, processes, and outputs are grounded in cultural approaches appropriate for the BBM community, with several Pacific and Māori frameworks informing the methods. These include the Samoan fa'afaletui research framework, which requires different perspectives to be woven together to create new knowledge, and kaupapa Māori-aligned research approaches, which create a culturally safe space to conduct research by, with, and for Māori. The Pacific fonofale and Māori te whare tapa whā holistic frameworks for interpreting people's dimensions of health and well-being will also inform this study.


RESULTS
Systems logic models will inform BBM's future developments as a sustainable organization and support its growth and development beyond its high dependence on DL's charismatic leadership.


CONCLUSIONS
This study will adopt a novel and innovative approach to co-designing culturally centered system dynamics logic models for BBM by using systems science methods embedded within Pacific and Māori worldviews and weaving together a number of frameworks and methodologies. These will form the theories of change to enhance BBM's effectiveness, sustainability, and continuous improvement.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN 12621-00093-1875; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=382320.


INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)
PRR1-10.2196/44229.

Building Culturally Centered System Dynamics Logic Models for the Brown Buttabean Motivation Organization: Protocol for a Systems Science Approach.

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The Cremaster in Undescended Testis.

Objectives The study aimed to investigate the expression of the integrin isoforms α7A and β1A, expressed by myogenic precursor cells, and α7B and β1D, expressed by mature muscle cells in the cremaster of patients affected by an undescended testis. Methods Fifteen samples of cremaster were obtained from patients undergoing surgery for an undescended testis. Thirty control specimens of cremaster were harvested from patients with congenital hydrocele or inguinal hernia. Immunofluorescent analysis was carried out using anti-α7A, β1A, α7B, and β1D integrin antibodies. Sections were observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results As compared with controls, a significant loss of a α7B (p = 0.0355) and β1D (p = 0.0069) integrins and a higher expression of α7A (p = 0.0003) and β1A (p = 0.0150) was detected in the cremaster of patients affected by an undescended testis. Conclusions Our data document a critical alteration of the cytoskeleton of cremasteric smooth muscle cells in patients with an undescended testis. This might explain the altered function in smooth muscle cells in cremaster implied during testicular descent. We therefore speculate that the postnatal splicing of α7A to α7B and of β1A to β1D integrins is delayed. This could account for the common clinical scenario of spontaneous descent of the testes in the first months of life.

Altered Integrins Expression of Patients Affected by Cryptorchidism.

Spontaneous transverse colon volvulus in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: An unreported complication

Corrigendum to “Spontaneous transverse colon volvulus in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: An unreported complication” [Radiol Case Rep 2023;18:1306–10]

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radcr.2023.03.027

Alessandro La Face

Papers

Altered Integrins Expression of Patients Affected by Cryptorchidism.

Spontaneous transverse colon volvulus in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: An unreported complication

Corrigendum to “Spontaneous transverse colon volvulus in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: An unreported complication” [Radiol Case Rep 2023;18:1306–10]

Spontaneous transverse colon volvulus in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: An unreported complication