Nanofat is a relatively recent fat grafting technique obtained involving the mechanical emulsification of adipose tissue whose preparation is produced at the patient's bedside. Although it was initially reported to improve skin quality in intradermal applications, it is now increasingly used in regenerative medicine. However, the absence of standardized protocols and the diversity of commercial devices result in nanofat products of variable quality. This study presents the first comprehensive comparison of nanofat obtained from different commercially available preparation systems, combining both their technical performance and biological characterization. Lipoaspirates from five healthy donors were processed using eight commercially available devices for nanofat production using emulsification or micronization techniques. The technical parameters included preparation time, ease of preparation and injection, volumetric yield, and residual aqueous fraction. Biological analyses included stromal vascular fraction isolation with evaluation of cell viability, viable nucleated cell yield, immunophenotypic cell subtype characterization and clonogenic capacity. These parameters were compared using a scoring model that enabled inter-kit ranking, integrating both a technical performance score and a biological quality score. Additionally, nanofat-conditioned media were collected for extracellular vesicles (EVs) quantification and subtyping by flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy was performed to evaluate the preservation of mature adipocytes, capillary networks, and the extracellular matrix. All devices demonstrated satisfactory technical performance, with Puregraft Boost V2 and Emulsfat achieving the highest overall technical scores. Cell viability was consistently high, with median values above 85% across all devices. Adinizer provided the greatest proportion of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells and achieved the highest overall biological score. In contrast, Hy-Tissue Nanofat produced the lowest cell yields together with the highest leukocyte proportions. All nanofats contained clonogenic progenitors. Extracellular vesicles concentrations were comparable between devices, and were mainly influenced by donor variability, although Emulsfat was enriched in adipocyte-derived EVs. Microscopic analysis revealed preservation of adipocytes, vascular networks, and the extracellular matrix across devices, challenging the assumption that emulsification or micronization completely disrupts tissue architecture. Nanofat properties are strongly device dependent, with possible dissociation between technical ease and biological quality. This first comparative study highlights the need for standardized preparation methods and qualification criteria, and provides guidance for selecting devices aligned with specific clinical objectives to optimize regenerative outcomes.

Abstract This essay examines how Law and Society approaches have transformed historical analysis by reconceptualizing law as constitutive of social reality rather than as an isolated formal system. Tracing this methodological revolution from 1960s American legal history through scholars like J. Willard Hurst and Lawrence Friedman to 1990s legal consciousness studies by Patricia Ewick, Susan Silbey and Sally Engle Merry, the essay demonstrates how these frameworks reveal law as lived experience operating through documentary practices and administrative procedures rather than overt coercion. Through examples from British colonial Singapore and Hong Kong, the analysis shows how legal mechanisms normalized authority, how marginalized subjects strategically navigated plural legal systems and how legal transformations eventually became invisible within naturalized landscapes. Law and Society approaches provide historians with three crucial innovations: revealing agency through strategic legal engagement, reconceptualizing power as operating through capillary networks of documentation, and reframing historical transformation as gradual reconfiguration of legal categories that denaturalizes what appears inevitable.

Colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) poses a significant clinical challenge due to its poor prognosis and difficulty in distinguishing malignancy from inflammation with current imaging methods. This study aims to evaluate a multimodal endoscopic imaging system combining optical coherence tomography (OCT), ultrasonography (US), and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) to improve the detection of CAC. The proposed imaging system integrates OCT, US, with NIRF imaging enhanced through the administration of BSA-ICG nanocomplexes. The NIRF component enables visualization of capillary networks within the intestinal wall, while OCT and US assess morphological changes during CAC progression. The system applied in a CAC mice model to monitor both vascular and structural changes from inflammation to tumor formation. The system successfully detected early morphological and vascular changes associated with CAC, including alterations in capillary networks, tissue thickening, and tumor formation. Fluorescence imaging provided high-resolution visualization of the smallest capillaries in the colon, while OCT and US offered valuable insights into the progression from inflammation to malignancy. The system shows strong potential for early and accurate detection of CAC by simultaneously visualizing vascular and morphological changes in vivo. This approach enables dynamic monitoring of disease progression and offers valuable insights into the inflammatory mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis. This study presents an imaging technique that could improve early diagnosis of CAC, ultimately leading to better clinical outcomes. By enhancing our ability to detect tumor-related changes at an early stage, this multimodal system may help guide therapeutic interventions and improve patient management.

The renal glomerulus, a capillary network between two arterioles, is essential for urine production in mammals. While it partially regenerates after renal injury, its precise mechanisms remain unclear, and stereological studies on post-injury glomerular structural changes are limited. Therefore, this study aims to investigate three-dimensional glomerular alterations over time following ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in adult mouse kidneys. Synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography (SR-MCT) and immunohistochemical analyses were employed to visualize and quantify three-dimensional glomerular structures and nephron numbers from 1 to 21days post-IRI. A unique "twin glomeruli" structure, linked to three arterioles through an atypical "aefferent" arteriole, appeared between 3 and 21days post-IRI, peaked on day 9, and exhibited features distinct from both degenerating and developing glomeruli. SR-MCT revealed a time-dependent increase in nephron numbers between 1 and 21days post-IRI, while immunohistochemistry revealed significant elevated glomerular and tubular densities from days 9 to 21. These findings suggest that twin glomeruli are transient structures induced by IRI and may contribute to nephron expansion. This study challenges current understanding by demonstrating that twin glomeruli represent an atypical glomerular structure occurring during kidney repair and suggesting possible neonephrogenesis in the adult mouse kidney, a phenomenon previously considered impossible after birth. If similar results are observed in humans, it could lead to significant changes in the approaches and objectives for treating renal diseases. Additionally, a comprehensive investigation into the numerical response of glomerular counts to various stimuli could provide valuable insights into kidney regeneration and repair.

Implantation of human mesenchymal stromal cell pellet for therapeutic angiogenesis.

Orthopedic complications of sickle-cell disease in children.

Pro-angiogenic dual-crosslinked collagen bioinks for precise cell-laden DLP 3D printing and rapid vascularized diabetic wound repair.

Sympathetic nerves are key regulators of cardiac performance, yet their micro-anatomical relationship with the coronary microcirculation remains incompletely defined. Here, we identify a previously underappreciated cardiac NeuroVascular Unit (NVU), in which sympathetic fibers frequently lie in close anatomical apposition to capillary endothelial cells. Using confocal and ultrastructural imaging in mouse and human hearts, we demonstrate that a substantial fraction of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive processes aligns with the capillary network, suggesting a structural framework for local neurovascular communication. Cardiac aging was associated with fragmentation and rarefaction of sympathetic fibers, accompanied by cardiomyocyte atrophy and capillary remodeling characterized by increased vessel density and reduced caliber. Pharmacological sympathectomy in young mice reproduced these changes, establishing a causal link between sympathetic integrity, cardiomyocyte trophism, and microvascular organization. Control experiments excluded direct vascular toxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine, and combined adrenalectomy-sympathectomy confirmed that these effects were independent of circulating catecholamines. Analysis of transplanted human hearts - an established clinical model of abrupt cardiac denervation - revealed an early-established and persistent reduction in capillary diameter compared with controls, mirroring the phenotype observed in mice. Together, these findings define the cardiac NVU as a structural neurovascular interface integrating sympathetic, endothelial, and myocyte compartments, with potential functional implications. Recognition of this neurovascular architecture revises current paradigms of cardiac autonomic regulation and suggests new avenues for targeting microvascular-neuronal apposition in cardiac aging and transplantation.

An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is an abnormal connection between an artery and a vein, resulting in direct blood flow, bypassing the capillary network. Among the rarest forms is inferior mesenteric AVF, with fewer than 50 reported cases worldwide, according to recent studies. This vascular anomaly can be congenital, iatrogenic, traumatic, or idiopathic. Its clinical significance is associated with impaired intestinal hemodynamics - the development of ischemia, venous congestion, portal hypertension, and cardiac overload. This clinical observation describes a case of spontaneous inferior mesenteric AVF in a 72-year-old female patient with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity. Symptoms were limited to moderate lower abdominal pain without significant functional impairment. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed early enhancement of the inferior mesenteric vein in the arterial phase - a pathognomonic sign of arteriovenous bypass grafting. Given the patient’s age, comorbidities, and the absence of significant hemodynamic disturbances, a watchful waiting approach with dynamic monitoring of laboratory and instrumental studies was chosen. This case highlights the diagnostic value of CTA as the “gold standard” for mesenteric fistulas and demonstrates the need for an individualized approach to treatment. In patients with asymptomatic cases and high surgical risk, conservative management of inferior mesenteric AVFs is a reasonable and safe solution.

Objective: To explore a new classification method for adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG). Methods: This study consisted of an anatomical investigation and a retrospective case series. Twelve adult cadaveric specimens were included (8 males, 4 females), with a height of (166.9±11.7)cm (range:155 to 179 cm) and an age of (63.3±7.5) years (range: 56 to 72 years). Additionally, data from 20 patients who underwent radical three-incision total esophagectomy with proximal gastrectomy for middle/upper esophageal cancer at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital from March to June 2025 were analyzed (16 males, 4 females; aged (60.5±8.7) years(range: 50 to 71 years)). Pathological examination was performed on intact normal tissues from the esophagogastric junction. Results: Anatomical dissection revealed that the esophagogastric junction is a transitional structure with distinct anatomical landmarks and boundaries, enveloped by a unique sleeve-like membranous structure (Laimer's ligament), exhibiting specific histological features. Surgical specimens showed that the longitudinal veins of the lower esophagus branched gradually as they extended toward the stomach, forming a capillary network 1 to 2 cm above the dentate line before reconverging into thicker gastric mucosal veins approximately 1 cm below the dentate line. Histopathological examination further demonstrated that the transition from esophageal squamous epithelium to gastric columnar epithelium was not abrupt at the "Z-line" but exhibited overlapping, with gastric columnar epithelial cells migrating upward into the submucosa of the esophageal squamous epithelium for several millimeters. Based on anatomical findings and endoscopic landmarks, the Chinese classification of adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (CHAEG) was proposed. Tumors were categorized into three types according to their origin: (1) CHAEG-E (perforator zone type): endoscopic tumor origin at the perforator zone; (2) CHAEG-P (palisade zone type): endoscopic tumor origin at the palisade zone; (3) CHAEG-G (gastric zone type): endoscopic tumor origin at the gastric zone. Each type was further subdivided into six subtypes based on the extent of tumor invasion at the upper and lower poles. Conclusions: This study preliminarily proposes a novel classification method for AEG, which may help resolve controversies regarding the extent of upper and distal resection margins and lymphadenectomy during radical surgery. However, the clinical value of this classification requires further investigation.

This study investigated the combined influence of hydrothermal treatment and particle size on the techno-functional properties of defatted coconut residue (DCR) to optimize its use as a hydrocolloid fat replacer. A 3 × 2 factorial design evaluated boiling and autoclaving treatments in combination with coarse and fine milling. Fine particle fractions (boiling-fine [BF] and autoclaved-fine [AF]) were identified as optimal, exhibiting peak water-holding capacity (WHC) (10.95 g/g) and oil-holding capacity (4.57 g/g) due to maximized surface area and thermal unblocking of capillary networks. When incorporated into cookies, all DCR formulations qualified as "reduced-fat" (30% reduction) and "high-fiber" (6 g/100 g) products. Crucially, the extreme WHC of fine fractions induced severe water competition within the dough, leading to a direct inverse correlation with quality, characterized by a restricted spread ratio (6.9) and increased hardness (27 N). Furthermore, thermal leaching of Maillard precursors suppressed excessive browning, improving cookie color. While the BF fraction provided the best functional balance, future research should optimize dough moisture to mitigate the impact of high fiber hydration on texture. These findings demonstrate DCR's potential for agro-food valorization and improved human health.

Understanding the transport of nanoparticles within blood vessels and their distribution in tumor tissues is crucial for the successful implementation of nanotechnological strategies in clinical practice. Although numerous studies have examined nanoparticle transport in blood flow, none have comprehensively investigated all the sequential steps a nanoparticle must undergo prior to internalization by target cells. A computational framework was developed in COMSOL Multiphysics to simulate nanoparticle (NP) transport from systemic administration through to tumor cell internalization. The model integrates three coupled stages: (1) NP movement within a non-Newtonian blood flow; (2) trans-endothelial transport; and (3) NP motion within the tumor stroma, incorporating affinity forces to capture ligand-receptor interactions. The tumor geometry was reconstructed, including cancer cells and fibroblasts, to reproduce physiological porosity. Multiple case studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of particle density, injection velocity, and size on NP biodistribution. The computational model effectively simulates nanoparticle transport across all stages. Notably, it is the first model in the literature to incorporate the affinity of functionalized nanoparticles, which facilitates ligand-receptor interactions for targeted delivery. Simulation outcomes indicate that a low Stokes number is critical for ensuring a higher percentage of particles reach the end of the capillary network. Furthermore, surface modification of nanoparticles with ligands promotes more specific distribution within the stroma, reducing the percentage of nanoparticles that fail to reach target cells by approximately 50% CONCLUSIONS: A novel and comprehensive computational model has been developed to include the entire process of nanoparticle distribution following systemic administration, including specific recognition by cellular receptors.

Existing studies on the quantitative analysis of gas permeability in unsaturated dual-porosity media generally neglect the regulatory role of the solid–liquid contact angle of droplets on the interfacial geometric morphology, and have not established a quantitative correlation between contact angle parameters and permeability. Based on fractal theory, this paper constructs a theoretical model that cross-scale couples the dendritic branching network of matrix variable-section capillaries and fractured curved parallel plates. By introducing the influence mechanism of the contact angle on the equivalent height of droplets, the effective pore size distribution of the matrix-fracture systems in the unsaturated state is characterized. The study finds that gas permeability is positively correlated with the fractal dimension of fracture width and the fractal dimension of matrix pore size, and decreases with the increase of the tortuosity fractal dimension. In the wet state, the contact angle reduces the permeability by compressing the flow space compared with the dry state. The model is verified by numerical simulation results and experimental data, showing good consistency. It provides a new theoretical support considering interfacial geometric characteristics for gas transport in unsaturated porous media.

Uterine arteriovenous malformation secondary to cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy: a rare case report from Nepal

While transcranial neuroimaging of individual capillary function holds transformative potential for diagnostics, it has proven difficult to achieve. Superresolution ultrasound, while capable of achieving micron-scale resolution, relies on the accumulation of multiple microbubble events, a method inherently limited by the exceedingly low probability of observing such events within capillaries. We present single capillary reporters (SCaRe), a paradigm-shifting approach that utilizes the complete flow trajectory information extracted from individual microbubbles to directly image single capillaries. This method allows for transcranial reconstruction and functional assessment of deep capillary networks in the entire brain. We employed computational simulations and pathological neuroinflammation models to quantify and validate metrics such as capillary transit-time and capillary stalling. Importantly, we demonstrated SCaRe's ability to resolve immune responses to injury at the single capillary level, markedly broadening research avenues for exploring microvascular dysfunction across diverse neurological conditions.

Influence of leukocyte adhesion on partitioning of healthy and diabetic red blood cells at vascular bifurcations.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are abnormal connections between the pulmonary arteries and veins, bypassing the capillary network and exposing patients to serious complications such as stroke, brain abscess, and hemothorax. The estimated prevalence of PAVMs is approximately one in 2630 individuals, with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia accounting for over 80% of cases. PAVMs are classified as simple, complex, or diffuse based on their angioarchitecture. Diagnostic evaluation involves transthoracic contrast-enhanced echocardiography for screening, chest CT for confirmation, and pulmonary angiography primarily for guiding embolization. Endovascular embolization is the preferred treatment and is typically performed with vascular plugs, although coils may be required for small or tortuous vessels. Postprocedural follow-up with CT is essential to detect persistent or new PAVMs. During pregnancy, PAVMs may enlarge and rupture, significantly increasing complication risks and necessitating close monitoring and treatment. Persistent PAVMs can develop after treatment due to four distinct mechanisms of reopening, each requiring a tailored management approach. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of PAVM angioarchitecture, step-by-step embolization techniques, and a comparative analysis of embolization devices, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Additionally, the authors also discuss follow-up protocols and strategies for managing persistent PAVMs, emphasizing the importance of early detection and timely intervention in preventing severe and potentially life-threatening complications. ©RSNA, 2025 Supplemental material is available for this article.

Despite significant developments in endothelial-cell (EC) manipulation techniques, an in vitro model of a functional microvasculature with controlled local interconnectivity (<1 mm length scale) under well-defined global architecture (∼1 cm length scale) is still lacking. Here, we report the generation of such controlled multi-scale vascular networks via manipulation of tens of sprouting EC microcarriers. We exploit magnetic patterning to assemble superparamagnetic microbeads coated with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) into ordered arrays and establish effective growth rules governing the directionality of sprouting and the development of interconnections between the neighboring beads depending on the applied bead-bead spacing. The microcarrier-based approach offers a range of advantages over conventional EC-manipulation techniques including: (i) expedited sprouting, (ii) spatial control over the interconnections, (iii) reduction in cell consumption by even >100×, and (iv) a native high-throughput format. We co-develop a multiparametric morphometric analysis tool and demonstrate high-content assessment of drug-induced vascular remodeling in 3D tumor microenvironments. Overall, we propose a uniquely precise and standardized vascular tissue-engineering and imaging toolkit with applications, e.g., in angiogenesis/anastomosis research as well as high-throughput drug testing including personalized therapies.

The article was written as part of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan’s project AP 23486220, titled “Study of the important organ systems reactivity in the main commercial fish species of the Ile-Balkhash basin under anthropogenic load.” (2024-2026). The ecological condition of the Ili-Balkhash Basin raises serious concerns due to increasing anthropogenic pressure, accompanied by the influx of heavy metals, pesticides, and other organic pollutants into water bodies. Fish gills, as a highly sensitive organ of external respiration, serve as a reliable bioindicator of water toxicity. As part of this study, morphological and histological analyses of the gill apparatus were conducted on three commercially important fish species – Cyprinus carpio, Abramis brama, and Sander lucioperca — caught in different areas of the Ili-Balkhash Basin. In fish inhabiting zones with elevated pollutant concentrations, pronounced pathological changes in gill tissue were observed, including epithelial hyperplasia, lamellar fusion, destruction of the capillary network, and inflammatory infiltration. The severity of these alterations correlated with the level of aquatic pollution. Cyprinus carpio demonstrated the highest sensitivity to pollutants, whereas Sander lucioperca showed relative resistance. The findings indicate a significant impact of waterborne pollutants on the morphofunctional condition of the gill apparatus, and consequently, on the viability and productivity of fish populations. These results highlight the urgent need for regular ecological monitoring and the implementation of protective measures to preserve the aquatic ecosystem of the Ili-Balkhash Basin, safeguard biodiversity, and ensure sustainable fisheries. Keywords: Ili-Balkhash Basin, aquatic pollutants, gill pathologies, Cyprinus carpio, Abramis brama, Sander lucioperca, histomorphology.

Fish farming plays a significant role in ensuring the global food supply. For achieving maximum yields in the global production of edible fish products, aquaculture has become the most dynamically developing sector. Within this context, the cultivation of Clarias catfish (Clarias gariepinus) holds particular importance due to its biological advantages in terms of growth and development when compared to other artificially cultured fish species under aquaculture conditions. This article presents findings on the morphological structure of the respiratory organs (gills and lungs) of the Clarias catfish, obtained using macroscopic, morphometric, and statistical research methods. Observations revealed distinctive features in the structure of respiratory organs in air-breathing (bimodal) fish, of which the Clarias catfish is a representative. It was shown that during the phylogenetic development of air-breathing fish, modifications occur in their gas exchange and circulatory systems–specifically, the development of a double circulatory loop–like that observed in amphibians. In these animals, paired lungs form in addition to gills, enabling them to breathe atmospheric air. Thus, in the evolutionary development of the respiratory organs of air-breathing fish such as the Clarias catfish, structural adaptations are observed compared to fish that rely solely on gill respiration. These changes ensure efficient gas exchange between the animal’s body and the surrounding environment. Such adaptations are characterized by the improvement of respiratory structures typical of amphibians, in which paired lungs form alongside gills, allowing the organism to utilize atmospheric oxygen. In unfavorable aquatic conditions, Clarias catfish can migrate to alternative water bodies. In Clarias catfish, the gills are in the pharyngeal region on the gill arches, with two rows of gill filaments attached to their outer edges. A dense network of fine blood capillaries is found within these filaments. The lungs (right and left) of the Clarias catfish are composed of branched anatomical structures situated on the second and fourth gill arches. These are paired hollow sacs with alveolate walls, connected to the esophagus and adapted for aerial respiration. The lungs originate from the gill cavities and branches in a tree-like manner to form the parabrachial organ, which includes both the right and left lungs. Each lung comprises medial and lateral lobes. Morphologically, the lungs exhibit three surfaces: dorsal (facing the dorsal part of the trunk), ventral (facing the ventral side), and mediastinal (facing the midline). The lungs also possess distinct cranial, caudal, and lateral borders. According to the results of morphometric analysis, the absolute lung mass in Clarias catfish is 5.24 ± 0.09 g, and the relative lung mass is 0.33 ± 0.02 %. The absolute mass of the left lung is 2.52 ± 0.17 g (48.13 ± 2.71 %), while the right lung weighs 2.72 ± 0.16 g (51.87 ± 2.71 %). Among the lung lobes, the medial lobes are more developed, while the lateral lobes are less developed. Specifically, the absolute mass of the medial lobe of the left lung is 2.16 ± 0.12 g (41.46 ± 2.94 %), and the lateral lobe is 0.36 ± 0.11 g (6.68 ± 1.84 %). The absolute mass of the medial lobe of the right lung is 2.24 ± 0.11 g (42.83 ± 1.5 %), while the lateral lobe weighs 0.48 ± 0.1 g (9.03 ± 1.7 %). Based on linear measurements the length of the medial lobe of the right lung is 21.0 ± 0.78 mm, the width is 32.2 ± 1.0 mm, and the thickness is 12.8 ± 0.33 mm, the lateral lobe of the right lung measures 11.2 ± 0.25 mm in length, 17.5 ± 0.4 mm in width, and 6.0 ± 0.48 mm in thickness, the medial lobe of the left lung measures 20.2 ± 0.45 mm in length, 31.4 ± 0.63 mm in width, and 12.0 ± 0.6 mm in thickness, the lateral lobe of the left lung measures 10.9 ± 0.73 mm in length, 17.3 ± 0.68 mm in width, and 5.8 ± 0.35 mm in thickness. According to the lung development index (length-to-width ratio), which is 64 %, the lungs of the Clarias catfish are classified as the expanded-shortened type.