Targeting pleuro-alveolar junctions reverses lung fibrosis in mice.

Lung fibrosis development utilizes alveolar macrophages, with mechanisms that are incompletely understood. Here, we fate map connective tissue during mouse lung fibrosis and observe disassembly and transfer of connective tissue macromolecules from pleuro-alveolar junctions (PAJs) into deep lung tissue, to activate fibroblasts and fibrosis. Disassembly and transfer of PAJ macromolecules into deep lung tissue occurs by alveolar macrophages, activating cysteine-type proteolysis on pleural mesothelium.

Swept-source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Active and Scarred Toxoplasmic Retinochoroiditis.

Purpose: To describe optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) findings in eyes with active and scarred toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.

Methods: OCTA scans in active (25 eyes) and scarred (17 eyes) retinochoroiditis were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: In active lesions, OCTA findings included a non-detectable flow signal area in retinal vascular plexuses and choriocapillaris in all 25 eyes (100%), an abnormal intraretinal vascular process in 2 eyes (8%), and an associated area of retinal flow deficit secondary to branch retinal artery occlusion in one eye (4%).

Protective effect of grape seed extract and orlistat co-treatment against stroke: Effect on oxidative stress and energy failure.

Ischemic stroke is a major health concern and a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Oxidative stress is an early event in the course of stroke inducing neuro-inflammation and cell death. Grape seed extract (GSE) is a natural phytochemical mixture exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.