Comparing individual-based models of collective cell motion in a benchmark flow geometry.

Collectively coordinated cell migration plays a role in tissue embryogenesis, cancer, homeostasis and healing. To study these processes, different cell-based modelling approaches have been developed, ranging from lattice-based cellular automata to lattice-free models that treat cells as point-like particles or extended detailed cell shape contours. In the spirit of what Osborne [, 2017, , 1-34] did for cellular tissue structure simulation models, we here compare five simulation models of collective cell migration, chosen to be representatives in increasing order of included detail.

Single-neuron dynamical effects of dendritic pruning implicated in aging and neurodegeneration: towards a measure of neuronal reserve.

Aging is a main risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease. It is often accompanied by reduced cognitive functions, gray-matter volume, and dendritic integrity. Although age-related brain structural changes have been observed across multiple scales, their functional implications remain largely unknown.

Spatially resolved dendritic integration: towards a functional classification of neurons.

The vast tree-like dendritic structure of neurons allows them to receive and integrate input from many neurons. A wide variety of neuronal morphologies exist, however, their role in dendritic integration, and how it shapes the response of the neuron, is not yet fully understood. Here, we study the evolution and interactions of dendritic spikes in excitable neurons with complex real branch structures.

Differential patterns of spinal cord pathology induced by MP4, MOG peptide 35-55, and PLP peptide 178-191 in C57BL/6 mice.

In this study we demonstrate that experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by the MBP-PLP fusion protein MP4, MOG peptide 35-55, or PLP peptide 178-191 in C57BL/6 mice, respectively, displays distinct features of CNS pathology. Major differences between the three models resided in (i) the region-/tract-specificity and disseminated nature of spinal cord degeneration, (ii) the extent and kinetics of demyelination, and (iii) the involvement of motoneurons in the disease. In contrast, axonal damage was present in all models and to a similar extent, proposing this feature as a possible morphological correlate for the comparable chronic clinical course of the disease induced by the three antigens.

Approach to validating an opsonophagocytic assay for Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) polysaccharide serotype-specific antibodies that have opsonophagocytic activity are considered a primary mechanism of host defense against pneumococcal disease. In vitro opsonophagocytic assays (OPAs) with antibody and complement to mediate opsonophagocytic killing of bacteria have been designed and developed as an adjunct to the standardized serum immunoglobulin G antipneumococcal capsular polysaccharide enzyme immunoassay to assess the effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccines. OPA presents challenges for assay standardization and assay precision due to the multiple biologically active and labile components involved in the assay, including human polymorphonuclear leukocytes or cultured effector cells, bacteria, and complement.