Single-shot quantitative phase microscopy: a multi-functional tool for cell analysis.

This study showcases the multifunctionality of a single-shot quantitative phase microscopy (QPM) system for comprehensive cell analysis. The system captures four high-contrast images in one shot, enabling tasks like cell segmentation, measuring cell confluence, and estimating cell mass. We demonstrate the usability of the QPM system in routine biological workflows, showing how its integration with computational algorithms enables automated, precise analysis, achieving accuracy scores between 85% and 97% across samples with varying cell densities, even those with low signal-to-noise ratios.

Inflammatory Mediators in Atherosclerotic Vascular Remodeling.

Atherosclerotic vascular disease remains the most common cause of ischemia, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Vascular function is determined by structural and functional properties of the arterial vessel wall, which consists of three layers, namely the adventitia, media, and intima. Key cells in shaping the vascular wall architecture and warranting proper vessel function are vascular smooth muscle cells in the arterial media and endothelial cells lining the intima.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Affecting Cardiovascular Health in Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are web-like structures of decondensed extracellular chromatin fibers and neutrophil granule proteins released by neutrophils. NETs participate in host immune defense by entrapping pathogens. They are pro-inflammatory in function, and they act as an initiator of vascular coagulopathies by providing a platform for the attachment of various coagulatory proteins.

Inflammatory Chemokines in Atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a long-term, chronic inflammatory disease of the vessel wall leading to the formation of occlusive or rupture-prone lesions in large arteries. Complications of atherosclerosis can become severe and lead to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) with lethal consequences. During the last three decades, chemokines and their receptors earned great attention in the research of atherosclerosis as they play a key role in development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions.

Development of neuroendocrine components of the thyroid axis in the direct-developing frog Eleutherodactylus coqui: formation of the median eminence and onset of pituitary TSH production.

Direct-developing frogs lack, wholly or in part, a wide range of larval features found in metamorphosing species and form adult-specific features precociously, during embryogenesis. Most information on thyroid regulation of direct development relies on hormone manipulations; the ontogeny of many thyroid axis components has not been fully described. This analysis examines differentiation of the median eminence of the hypothalamus and production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) by the pituitary of the direct-developing frog Eleutherodactylus coqui.