Cell Area Research Articles

Cost-Effective Bioimpedance Spectroscopy System for Monitoring Syncytialization In Vitro: Experimental and Numerical Validation of BeWo Cell Fusion

The placenta plays a critical role in nutrient and oxygen exchange during pregnancy, yet the effects of medicinal drugs on this selective barrier remain poorly understood. To overcome this, this study presents a cost-effective bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) system to assess tight junction integrity and monolayer formation in BeWo b30 cells, a widely used model of the multinucleated maternal–fetal exchange surface of the placental barrier. Cells were cultured on collagen-coated porous membranes and treated with forskolin to induce controlled syncytialization. Electrical impedance was measured using an entry level impedance analyzer, while immunofluorescence staining was used to confirm monolayer formation and syncytialization. The measurements and staining confirmed the formation of a confluent monolayer on day 4. In fact, the electrical resistance tripled for treated samples indicating a more electrically restrictive barrier. This resistance remained constant for treated samples reflecting the intact barrier’s integrity over the next 3 days. The measurements show that, on day 4, the electrical capacitance of the cells decreased for the treated samples as opposed to the untreated samples. This reflects that the surface area of the BeWo b30 cells decreased when the samples were treated with forskolin. Finally, a COMSOL model was developed to explore the effects of electrode positioning, depth, and distance on TEER measurements, explaining discrepancies in the literature. In fact, there was a substantial 97% and 39.4% difference in the obtained TEER values. This study demonstrates the AD2 device’s feasibility for monitoring placental barrier integrity and emphasizes the need for standardized setups for comparable results. The system can hence be used to analyze drug effects and nutrient transfer across the placental barrier.

Morphometric analysis of epithelium in oral submucous fibrosis using open-source software

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic oral mucosal disease characterized by progressive deposition of collagen in subepithelial connective tissue and epithelial atrophy. ImageJ is open-source software that aids researchers to visualize, inspect, quantify, and validate scientific image data. Objectives: To measure and compare the changes in epithelial thickness and cell morphology in OSMF in comparison with normal mucosa using computer-aided image analysis software. Materials and Methods: 15 OSMF and 10 cases of normal buccal mucosa were analyzed. Epithelial thickness and cell morphology of spinous cells of OSMF cases were quantified by ImageJ software and compared with that of normal tissue. Results: An increase in the cellular area of the spinous cells in OSMF compared to that of the normal tissue was observed. Conclusion: ImageJ represents a powerful tool that enhances the precision and efficiency of epithelial analysis in OSMF research compared to historical methods.

Gemcitabine-Loaded Microbeads for Transarterial Chemoembolization of Rabbit Renal Tumor Monitored by 18F-FDG Positron Emission Tomography/X-Ray Computed Tomography Imaging

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop the gemcitabine-loaded drug-eluting beads (G-DEBs) for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in rabbit renal tumors and to evaluate their antitumor effect using 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/X-ray computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). Methods: DEBs were prepared by polyvinyl alcohol-based macromer crosslinked with N-acryl tyrosine and N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide). Gemcitabine was loaded through ion change to obtain G-DEBs. Their particle size and drug release profile were characterized. VX2 tumors were implanted in the right kidney of rabbits to establish the renal tumor model. The tumor-bearing rabbits received pre-scan by 18F-FDG PET/CT, followed by targeted transarterial injection of G-DEBs under digital subtraction angiography (DSA) guidance. The rabbits received another 18F-FDG PET/CT scan 10 or 14 days after the treatment. The therapeutic effect was further validated by histopathological analysis of the dissected tumors. Results: The average particle size of the microspheres was 58.06 ± 0.50 µm, and the polydisperse index was 0.26 ± 0.002. The maximum loading rate of G-DEBs was 18.09 ± 0.35%, with almost 100% encapsulation efficiency. Within 24 h, GEM was eluted from G-DEBs rapidly and completely, and more than 20% was released in different media. DSA illustrated that G-DEBs were delivered to rabbit renal tumors. Compared with the untreated control group with increased tumor volume and intense 18F -FDG uptake, the G-DEBs group showed significant reductions in tumor volume and maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) 10 or 14 days after the treatment. Histopathological analysis confirmed that the proliferating area of tumor cells was significantly reduced in the G-DEBs group. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that G-DEBs are effective in TACE treatment of rabbit VX2 renal tumors, and 18F-FDG PET/CT provides a non-invasive imaging modality to monitor the antitumor effects of TACE in renal tumors.

Examination of the Corneal Endothelium in Patients With Congenital Aniridia With a PAX6 Mutation Using In Vivo Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy.

In PAX6 syndrome, it is still not clear, whether prenatally, parallel to the iris tissue developmental anomaly, there is neural ectodermal, neural crest, or mesodermal cell deposition at the corneal endothelium, affecting endothelial structure and function. In addition, because of the postnatal corneal inflammation and commonly appearing secondary glaucoma, progressive endothelial changes are expected. Our purpose was to study the corneal endothelium in subjects with PAX6 aniridia, using in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy. Twenty-seven eyes of 16 subjects with congenital aniridia (age 28.25 ± 16.32 [11-59] years, 8 [50%] female) and 40 eyes of 26 healthy subjects (age 33.8 ± 15.2 [14-67] years, 17 [58.6%] females) were examined. Aniridia-associated keratopathy and iris malformation were graded, and means of endothelial cell density, cell area, cell diameter, spatial pattern of cell centroids (Clark-Evans index), polygonality, neighbor count, percentage of hexagonal cells, and endothelial deposit number were determined by in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy. Mean cell diameter and mean Clark-Evans index were significantly lower (P = 0.049; P = 0.008) in congenital aniridia eyes than in controls. There were hyperreflective endothelial deposits in congenital aniridia eyes but not in controls (P < 0.001). Only aniridia-associated keratopathy grade correlated positively with mean endothelial deposit number (P = 0.017). In congenital aniridia, the corneal endothelium might possess a slightly better quality and greater reserves than in healthy subjects. Corneal endothelial deposition seems to be independent from developmental abnormalities but may be related to up to date undescribed endothelial inflammatory or metabolic changes.

520 nm and 660 nm light-emitting diodes modulates pancreatic development and beta cell functions in zebrafish embryos.

Green and Red LEDs increase insulin production, but their comparative effects on pancreatic and beta cell development are unclear. Zebrafish embryos were divided into three groups: Control (n = 60), Green (G) (n = 60), and Red (R) (n = 60), then irradiated for three days (14 hours/day) with 0.5 W/cm2 G (λpeak = 520 nm, 180 mA) and R (λpeak = 660 nm, 210 mA). At the end of 72 h, pancreatic and beta cells, circadian rhythm, and oxidative stress gene were analyzed using RT-PCR. Malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione levels were also evaluated. In the Red group, pancreatic area increased by ~97.13% compared to the Control group and by approximately ~62.16% compared to the G group (both p < 0.0001), and no significant difference in beta cell area (p = 0.964). G group insulin expression increased 2.31-fold compared to R group (p < 0.0001). Red LED treatment increased MDA levels (p < 0.001), oxidative stress (fth1b, nqo1) (p < 0.0001), and per1b during the photophase (p < 0.0001) compared to G group. R LED treatment increases oxidative stress and disrupts circadian rhythm, leading to reduced insulin secretion. The positive effects of G LED treatment have potential for metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and pancreatic diseases.

Modulation of Biomaterial-Associated Fibrosis by Means of Combined Physicochemical Material Properties.

Biomaterial-associated fibrosis remains a significant challenge in medical implants. To optimize implant design, understanding the interplay between biomaterials and host cells during the foreign body response (FBR) is crucial. Material properties are known to influence cellular behavior and can be used to manipulate cell responses, but predicting the right combination for the desired outcomes is challenging. This study exploreshow combined physicochemical material properties impact early myofibroblast differentiation using the Biomaterial Advanced Cell Screening (BiomACS) technology, which assesseshundreds of combinations of surface topography, stiffness, and wettability in a single experiment. Normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) are screened for cell density, area, and myofibroblast markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen type I (COL1) after 24hand 7 days of culture, with or without transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). Results demonstrated that material properties influence fibroblast behavior after 7 days with TGF-β stimulation, with wettability emerging as the predominant factor, followed by stiffness. The study identified regions with increased cell adhesion while minimizing myofibroblast differentiation, offering the potential for implant surface optimization to prevent fibrosis. This research provides a powerful tool for cell-material studies andrepresents a critical step toward enhancing implant properties and reducing complications, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Updraft Width Modulates Ambient Atmospheric Controls on Convective Cloud Depth

AbstractThe depth of convective clouds affects vertical transport of atmospheric constituents, influencing downstream weather and climate. Atmospheric controls on the maximum depth reached by moist convection are investigated with radar‐tracked convective cells tagged with sounding‐derived atmospheric parameters from a field campaign in central Argentina. Regression analyses show that narrow (&lt;12‐km diameter) and wide (&gt;16‐km diameter) cell depths respond to disparate factors, where cell areas are defined using composite reflectivity signatures. Undiluted lifted parcel indices including convective available potential energy (CAPE) and level of neutral buoyancy (LNB) are top predictors of wide cell maximum depth while mid‐tropospheric relative humidity is the top predictor of narrow cell maximum depth. Because narrow cells are more numerous than wide cells, the overall outcome of the full cell population does not strongly correlate with CAPE and LNB conditions. Tracked cells and atmospheric conditions in a simulation with 3‐km grid spacing covering the field campaign produce similar results to those observed. Narrow cells that are relatively deep have a cooler and moister mid‐troposphere with weaker free tropospheric subsidence, while relatively deep wide cells have much warmer and moister lower tropospheric conditions. These atmospheric differences are present 1 hr before cell initiation at both a fixed observing site and variable cell initiation locations. Simulated narrow cell maximum equivalent potential temperature decreases with height at a rate similar to the ambient vertical gradient, causing these cells to fall short of their LNB and supporting the view that entrainment‐driven dilution is a dominant control on their depth.

Bone tissue condition in early dates of restoration after thermic exposure

BACKGROUND: Thermoablation is a promising method for treating bone tumors. It is important to select the optimal mode (dose/time) of high-temperature exposure to fully realize the potential of this method.AIM: to study in vivo the reaction of rabbits’ bone tissue (BT) in the dynamics of early (3-7 days) recovery after local intraoperative hyperthermic ablation in the temperature range in the bone marrow canal of 55-60℃.METHODS: The study involved 6 mongrel rabbits aged 15 weeks, weighing 3-4 kg. The animals were derived from the experiment on the 3rd and 7th days after local thermoablation of the femoral diaphysis. Histological assay of BT included overall examination (HE staining), assessment of the area of immature BT (Mallory staining), optical density and area of osteoblasts and osteocytes (Einarson staining). Statistical data processing was performed in the R programming language.RESULTS: HE staining showed no signs of pathological changes after high-temperature exposure of BT. Mallory staining revealed no negative effects of local thermoablation on the intercellular bone matrix. Morphometric analysis showed an overshoot in the area of osteoblasts by the 7th day against the background of reduced synthetic activity starting from the 3rd day of the experiment. By the 3rd day, there is also a decrease in the area and optical density of osteocytes in the diaphyses of bones subjected to thermoablation. However, by the 7th day, the area of mature bone cells doesn`t differ from the corresponding value in the contralateral limb.CONCLUSION: Local intraoperative thermoablation of rabbit femoral diaphyses at an intramedullary temperature of 55-60℃ significantly reduces the optical density of osteoblasts and osteocytes in the dynamics of early (3-7 days) recovery after extreme exposure, which suggests a violation of metabolic processes and intracellular organelles (nucleus, ribosomes) of bone cells. At the same time, signs of remodeling of the damaged area were noted, presumably through the mechanism of osteoconduction of endosteal and periosteal cells from metaphyses that were not subjected to direct hyperthermia. The results obtained may be useful in thermoablation of BT tumors with the condition of higher sensitivity of malignant cells to heating.

Reaction-Diffusion and Crystallization Kinetics Modulation of Two-Step Deposited Tin-Based Perovskite Film via Reducing Atmosphere.

The two-step deposition method effectively mitigates the efficiency decline observed in tin-based perovskite solar cells (TPVSCs) with increasing cell area, stemming from film in-homogeneity. However, the high solubility of SnI2 in the conventionally used solvent isopropyl alcohol, coupled with the absence of effective modulation of reaction-diffusion process, results in inadequate film coverage and conversion. In this study, we introduce formic acid as the second-step solvent and introduce dithiothreitol (DTT) to regulate reaction-diffusion/crystallization kinetics meticulously. Moreover, this research underscores a fundamental principle that the suitable binding energy ranging from -1.38 to -10.10 kcal/mol between ligands and Sn2+ significantly enhances the effectiveness of two-step crystallization control. Notably, a uniform perovskite film is achieved on large-scale substrate, and TPVSCs processed with DTT exhibit the highest efficiencies of 12.68% for 0.04 cm2 device and 11.30% for 1 cm2 device among tin-based perovskite devices in two-step sequential deposition method, even in the absence of dimethyl sulfoxide. This study lays the groundwork for the potential scale-up development of lead-free perovskite solar cells.

Reaction‐Diffusion and Crystallization Kinetics Modulation of Two‐Step Deposited Tin‐Based Perovskite Film via Reducing Atmosphere

The two‐step deposition method effectively mitigates the efficiency decline observed in tin‐based perovskite solar cells (TPVSCs) with increasing cell area, stemming from film in‐homogeneity. However, the high solubility of SnI2 in the conventionally used solvent isopropyl alcohol, coupled with the absence of effective modulation of reaction‐diffusion process, results in inadequate film coverage and conversion. In this study, we introduce formic acid as the second‐step solvent and introduce dithiothreitol (DTT) to regulate reaction‐diffusion/crystallization kinetics meticulously. Moreover, this research underscores a fundamental principle that the suitable binding energy ranging from ‐1.38 to ‐10.10 kcal/mol between ligands and Sn2+ significantly enhances the effectiveness of two‐step crystallization control. Notably, a uniform perovskite film is achieved on large‐scale substrate, and TPVSCs processed with DTT exhibit the highest efficiencies of 12.68% for 0.04 cm2 device and 11.30% for 1 cm2 device among tin‐based perovskite devices in two‐step sequential deposition method, even in the absence of dimethyl sulfoxide. This study lays the groundwork for the potential scale‐up development of lead‐free perovskite solar cells.

A re-optimized design of mesh-type transition zone for large-scale PEM fuel cells considering two-phase flow distribution

The flow distribution in the Flow Field Plate (FFP) has a significant impact on the performance and durability of large-scale Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Most of the existing studies focused only on gas-phase flow, while the actual cell operation is gas-liquid two-phase flow. In this study, numerical simulations of single- and two-phase flow distributions are performed for three-dimensional FFPs. The Coefficient of Variation (CV), defined as the ratio between the standard deviation and the mean of the velocities in channels, serves as the indicator of flow uniformity. Firstly, the differences between gas- and two-phase flow distribution characteristics of the FFP with the combined-mesh-type transition zone we previously constructed are elucidated. Secondly, a re-optimized layout with horizontal mesh apertures in the distribution zone and the addition of horizontal mesh in the collection zone is proposed. The design philosophy and methodology based on the coupled flow and resistance regulation mechanism are elucidated. The single- and two-phase CV values are further reduced by 41.25% and 6.05%, respectively. Thirdly the re-optimized structure is applied to different FFP geometries, including smaller development spaces and larger cell areas, where the superior effects on flow distribution are validated.

Boosting electricity generation associated with Saudi Arabi buildings using PCM and PV cells on walls and roof leading to a sustainable building

In Saudi Arabia, where the majority of regions receive a minimum incident shortwave solar energy exceeding 4 kWh/(m2.year), there is a high potential for electricity generation and simultaneously, a challenge in building cooling. In this study, by adding photovoltaic (PV) on the roof and wall, as well as using phase change material (PCM) inside the walls, electricity production and energy consumption of Saudi residential buildings were investigated. Taking into account the effects of radiation on vertical and horizontal envelopes as well as phase change in PCM, the energy equation was solved using DesignBuilder to specify hourly energy consumption and electricity generation. When installing PV cells at the optimal tilt, incoming radiation to the cells increases. However, creating shadows on subsequent rows of cells diminishes the effective PV surface area. Surprisingly, calculations revealed that if PV cells are installed at zero angle, owing to installing more PV cells, up to 31% extra electricity is produced than when installed at the optimal tilt. As a side effect, the cooling load decreases by 5.1% due to reduced radiation intensity on the roof. The orientation of the walls significantly impacts both phase change material (PCM) and PV-associated electricity generation. Placing PCM on the east wall optimizes its performance, while walls containing PV panels perform best when facing south. To further enhance cooling and reduce electricity demand, phase change material was incorporated into both the roof and wall, resulting in a 2% reduction in overall electricity demand. Notably, in eight major populated areas across Saudi Arabia, under the constraint of the constant PV cell area, installing PV cells on the roof proves three times more advantageous than placing them on the walls.

Landslide Susceptibility Zonation Mapping Using Machine Learning Algorithms and Statistical Prediction at Hunza Watershed Basin, Pakistan

The mountainous region of the Hunza River watershed basin, especially along the Karakorum highway, and also known as a third pole for the high accumulation of glaciers, which leads to huge devastating landslides occurring every year. Landslide susceptibility mapping was carried out using two deep machine learning techniques (DeeplabV3+ &amp; universal network U-Net) and two statistical models (Intuitionistic Fuzzy divergence IF-D &amp; Frequency ratio FR). The landslide susceptibility mapping is conducted using landslide inventory data and twelve conditional factors. The landslide susceptibility maps obtained from the two statistical models were compared with those generated by two deep machine learning models based on prediction accuracy measures, such as the Area Under the Curve (AUC) and Seed Cell Area Index (SCAI). The Success Rate Curve (SRC) was obtained using the training dataset, and the AUC values for the four models were as follows: 76.9% for IF-D, 76.9% for FR, 80.4% for DeeplabV3+, and 76.3% for U-Net. In terms of the Prediction Rate Curve (PRC) obtained from the validation dataset, the AUC values were found to be 80.8% for IF-D, 80.8% for FR, 81% for DeeplabV3+, and 77.8% for U-Net. To assess the classification ability of the models, the Seed Cell Area Index (SCAI) test was conducted. The results indicated that the SCAI (D-value) was 7.3 for U-Net, 10 for DeeplabV3+, 7.6 for IF-D, and 9.1 for FR. Overall, the findings revealed that DeeplabV3+ exhibited the highest prediction accuracy and classification ability, making it the most suitable choice for landslide susceptibility mapping in the relevant study area.

Unveiling the ecological dominance of button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) through microstructural and functional traits modifications across heterogenic environmental conditions

BackgroundThe button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) is regarded as a peripheral species within mangrove communities. This particular species has the ability to thrive in regions that are arid or semiarid, where there is limited availability of nutrients. This study provides evidence of the ecological dominance of Conocarpus erectus across various habitats, highlighting its adaptability and success throughout the country of Pakistan. We collected twelve populations from four distinct ecological regions, including artificial forest plantations, agricultural fields, roadsides, and wastelands, offering a comprehensive assessment of C. erectus adaptability across diverse environmental contexts.ResultsForest plantation populations exhibited impressive shoot growth and moderate root lengths, with plants generally tall and well-weighted. Physiologically, they had moderate chlorophyll content and low carotenoid levels, with a balanced chlorophyll a/b ratio, indicating stable photosynthetic activity. Anatomically, these populations had thicker epidermal and cortical root layers but smaller vascular bundles and phloem regions. Stem and leaf structures were generally moderate in size, with thicker midribs and cortical layers in the leaves. Agricultural field populations showed robust shoot and root systems with balanced fresh and dry biomass. They exhibited high chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, indicating strong photosynthetic capacity. Root and stem anatomy revealed larger root areas, thicker cortex, and wide vascular bundles, reflecting enhanced structural development. Leaves from these populations had moderate midrib and cortical thickness, with larger stomatal areas, promoting efficient gas exchange. Roadside populations displayed deeper roots and reduced biomass production. These populations adapted to environmental stress through leaf expansion, with high leaf numbers and areas. Physiologically, populations had high chlorophyll content, with a high chlorophyll a/b ratio. Root and stem anatomy showed compact structures with smaller vascular bundles, indicating adaptation to harsher conditions. Leaf anatomy was moderate, with smaller vascular bundles and reduced water transport capacity. Wasteland populations exhibited poor growth and high shoot biomass despite small leaves. Physiologically, these populations had the highest total soluble protein and proline contents, reflecting stress adaptation. Anatomically, root and stem structures were variable, with some populations showing reduced cortical cell areas and smaller vascular bundles, indicating limited resource transport. Leaf structures had thicker lamina, thinner epidermal layers, and lower stomatal densities, reflecting adaptation to nutrient-poor soils.ConclusionThis study reveals the adaptability and thriving potential of Conocarpus erectus across varied habitats, providing key insights into its resilience and survival strategies. Understanding these adaptive traits can support habitat restoration, conservation planning, and improve species management in diverse environmental conditions, especially in response to climate change and habitat degradation.

ESTRADIOL IMPACTS MÜLLER GLIA AND ENDOTHELIAL CELL RESPONSES IN HYPERGLYCEMIC MICROENVIRONMENTS WITH ADVANCED GLYCATION END PRODUCTS

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss in working adults, with disproportionate impact on women with lowered estrogen. Sex hormones and their receptors are significant to neuroprotection of the inner blood-retinal barrier (iBRB), a tissue that regulates transport across the neuroretina and vasculature. Moreover, high glucose levels in diabetes lead to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which promote inflammation and iBRB breakdown to result in vision loss. This study examined the effects of supplemental estradiol on cell reactivity and cell barrier resistance within an in vitro model of hyperglycemia. Changes in morphology and expression of reactive oxygen species were examined when cells were exposed to a hyperglycemic medium containing AGEs, with and without supplemental estradiol. Cell morphology was assessed via changes in cell area and cell shape index, while intracellular ROS levels were measured using a ROS-sensitive dye. In addition, trans endothelial resistance (TEER) assays were used to measure changes in cell barrier function in response to hyperglycemic conditions, with and without supplemental estradiol. Results show that ROS levels in Müller glia in hyperglycemic conditions significantly decreased in response to supplemental estradiol. The estradiol further increased the resistivity of Müller glia and endothelial cell barriers cultured in high glucose and AGEs. This project illustrates the restorative effects of estradiol in collective responses of cell barriers formed by endothelial cells and Müller glia.

A novel 3D opto-electro-thermal coupling numerical model for photovoltaic/thermal systems

Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems offer a promising solution for enhancing energy conversion performance by capturing waste heat and reducing the operating temperature of photovoltaic cells. The performance of these PV/T systems could be further optimized by numerical simulation. However, currently reported PV/T models utilize simplified models and and fail to consider the electro-thermal coupling in local areas of solar cells, thereby inadequately representing the underlying physical mechanisms. To address this issue, a novel opto-electro-thermal coupling numerical model of perovskite PV/T systems based on drift–diffusion equations is developed in this work. This model enables the investigation of the energy conversion mechanism of optical, electrical and thermal energy at grid cell level. Building on the developed model, the energy conversion performance at system level under various operational conditions is analyzed via a modified weighted total efficiency evaluation indicator. The results indicate that: the total efficiency is significantly compromised by elevated environmental temperature, with an efficiency loss of 8.45 % observed when the temperature increases by 40 °C. Meanwhile, as irradiation intensity rises, the efficiency gained from utilizing waste heat would become increasingly significant in PV/T systems. More importantly, the optimal flow rate for various irradiation intensities is also derived. This work could offer theoretical guidance for investigating more comprehensive energy conversion mechanisms and optimizing energy conversion performance for PV/T systems.

Histopathological evidence of cellular alterations in the dentate gyrus is associated with aberrant RB1CC1-ATG16L1 expression in the hippocampus among older adults with chronic schizophrenia: A pilot post-mortem study

BackgroundRecent evidence brings autophagy, and specifically the RB1CC1 gene into sharp focus as aetiologically relevant to Schizophrenia. Our understanding of whether and how these genetic signatures translate to cellular functions remains limited. Material and methodsPost-mortem study of 10 individuals with Schizophrenia and 18 individuals without any neurological/psychiatric disorder, matched for age, sex, post-mortem-interval, pH and BRAAK score. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, 6 μm sections cut through segments of the anterior, middle and posterior left or right hippocampus were examined for histopathological differences and immunohistochemical expression of RB1CC1 and ATG16L1 proteins. ResultsDentate gyrus (DG) granule cells area (p = 0.005) and circularity (p = 0.012) were significantly lower among Schizophrenia vs. controls. Antipsychotics were associated with lower circularity (p = 0.007). RB1CC1 and ATG16L1 immunoexpression were positively correlated (p < 0.001) and significantly lower in the CA1 (p = 0.047, p = 0.005, respectively). RB1CC1 immunoexpression was significantly higher in the DG among Schizophrenia vs. controls (p = 0.047,). The latter was more pronounced among donors treated with antipsychotics. Lower ATG16L1 CA1 immunoreactivity was correlated with lower granule cell area (p < 0.001). ConclusionsFor the first time, we present histopathological evidence of morphological alterations in the DG of the human brain in Schizophrenia. We propose that these changes indicate DG developmental arrest, which is associated with diminished RB1CC1-ATG16L1-mediated autophagy initiation in the CA1. We suggest that this is a pathological process, whereas RB1CC1-ATG16L1 upregulation in the DG, and possibly in the CA4, may represent a compensatory/restorative mechanism. Antipsychotics may upregulate RB1CC1-ATG16L1 autophagy initiation. Larger studies are required to validate these findings and explore clinical correlations.

Morphometry of choroid plexus epithelial cells in neurodegenerative diseases.

The choroid plexus not only secretes the majority of cerebrospinal fluid but also controls the circadian rhythm, which can be impaired in the presence of neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, many studies have reported the contribution of choroid plexus abnormalities to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks were obtained from the lateral ventricles of the brains of four subjects with AD, four with vascular dementia, four with Parkinson's disease, three with multiple system atrophy, and five control patients with unremarkable neuropathological findings. They were sectioned and routinely stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Morphological analysis of epithelial cells in 10 high-power fields or a total area per case was conducted using digital images. There were no significant changes in any of the measurements: epithelial cell area, long and short axes, and ratio of the epithelial cell area to total stained area among the five groups. However, a simple linear regression analysis of epithelial cells in 20 patients showed that age was significantly correlated with the cell area, long axis, and short axis but not ratio. There were no effects of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or calcification in the stroma on the measurements. These findings indicate that age was associated with the cell area and size in choroid plexus epithelial cells, whereas no significant changes in any epithelial cell measurements were present in neurodegenerative diseases.

Planar network statistics for two-dimensional rupturing foams.

We conduct experiments on a class of two-dimensional semiwet foams generated through compressing a three-dimensional soap foam between two glass plates. To induce a spatially uniform rupturing process on foam boundaries, an additional plate is heated and placed on top of the unheated plates. For 30 separate foam samples, we record network statistics related to cell side numbers and areas as the foam coarsens over a half-minute. We find that the Aboav law and a quadratic Lewis Law, two commonly used relations between network topology and geometry, hold well for preheated foams. To track how well these laws are maintained as the foam ages, we introduce metrics for measuring a foam's disorder over time and build simple autonomous models for these metrics. While the quadratic Lewis Law is found to hold well throughout the rupture process, the Aboav law breaks down rapidly when the Gini coefficient, used for measuring disparity of cell areas, is approximately 0.8.

Methylglyoxal impairs human dermal fibroblast survival and migration by altering RAGE-hTERT mRNA expression in vitro

Fibroblasts are native residents in dermal layer of human skin which are important for dermal regeneration and essential during cutaneous wound healing by releasing inflammatory markers and actively migrate to close an open wound. Premature skin ageing due to methylglyoxal (MGO) has recently caught the attention considering its potential to accelerate the emergence of skin ageing signs, however previous studies were only focused in primary neonatal dermal fibroblast and NIH3t3 fibroblast cell line. Therefore, thorough investigation is required to study the impact of MGO on primary human dermal fibroblast isolated from adult subject (HDFa). In our experiments, short exposure of MGO was observed to induced significant reductions in cell viability at concentrations of 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, and 17.5 mM (p < 0.005) after 3 hours of treatment. The cellular death of HDFa at 10, 12.5 and 15 mM of MGO were also marked by increased in intracellular ROS level, indicating the involvement of oxidative stress-induced death in these cells. We also observed enlarge scratch areas of cells exposed with 7.5 and 10 mM MGO compared to control after 26 hours, thereby suggesting a decline in cell migration and viability in this group. We propose the increased ROS as the consequence of AGE-RAGE activation which was marked by significant elevation of RAGE mRNA on cells exposed to 10 mM MGO. Our data also suggest the occurrence of DNA damage events via ROS-induced oxidation or mediated by decline in hTERT mRNA expression.