Epithelial outgrowth through mesenchymal rings drives lung alveologenesis.

Determining how alveoli are formed and maintained is critical to understanding lung organogenesis and regeneration after injury. To study the cellular dynamics of this critical stage of lung development, we have used scanned oblique-plane illumination microscopy of living lung slices to observe alveologenesis in real time at high resolution over several days. Contrary to the prevailing notion that alveologenesis occurs by airspace subdivision via ingrowing septa, we found that alveoli form by ballooning epithelial outgrowth supported by contracting mesenchymal ring structures.

Characterizing Variability in Non-Invasive Hydration Monitoring Using Raman Spectroscopy.

Significant dehydration can increase thermoregulatory and cardiovascular strain and impair physical and cognitive performance. Despite these negative effects, there are currently no objective, non-invasive tools to monitor systemic hydration. Raman spectroscopy is an optical modality with the potential to fill this gap because it is sensitive to water, provides results quickly, and can be applied non-invasively.

Regional differences in three-dimensional fiber organization, smooth muscle cell phenotype, and contractility in the pregnant mouse cervix.

The orientation and function of smooth muscle in the cervix may contribute to the important biomechanical properties that change during pregnancy. Thus, this study examined the three-dimensional structure, smooth muscle phenotype, and mechanical and contractile functions of the upper and lower cervix of nongravid (not pregnant) and gravid (pregnant) mice. In gravid cervix, we uncovered region-specific changes in the structure and organization of fiber tracts.

Evaluation of Minimum-to-Severe Global and Macrovesicular Steatosis in Human Liver Specimens: A Portable Ambient Light-Compatible Spectroscopic Probe.

Background And Aims: Hepatic steatosis (HS), particularly macrovesicular steatosis (MaS), influences transplant outcomes. Accurate assessment of MaS is crucial for graft selection. While traditional assessment methods have limitations, non-invasive spectroscopic techniques like Raman and reflectance spectroscopy offer promise.

Optical Fiber Probe with Integrated Micro-Optical Filter for Raman and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Sensing.

Optical fiber Raman and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) probes hold great promise for in vivo biosensing and in situ monitoring of hostile environments. However, the silica Raman scattering background generated within the optical fiber increases in proportion to the length of the fiber, and it can swamp the signal from the target analyte. While filtering can be applied at the distal end of the fiber, the use of bulk optical elements has limited probe miniaturization to a diameter of 600 µm, which in turn limits the potential applications.