Deciphering Colorectal Cancer-Hepatocyte Interactions: A Multiomic Platform for Interrogation of Metabolic Crosstalk in the Liver-Tumor Microenvironment.

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, enabling tumor cells to adapt to and exploit their microenvironment for sustained growth. The liver is a common site of metastasis, but the interactions between tumor cells and hepatocytes remain poorly understood. In the context of liver metastasis, these interactions play a crucial role in promoting tumor survival and progression.

Age enterprising: "Old" age on the make in Ghana.

The Aging Enterprise was first coined by Carol Estes to critique the hegemony of a gerontological discourse and policy in the United States in the 1970s. These policy interventions seemed to be serving the needs of policy-makers and aging professionals, rather than those of older adults. More recently she wrote on how these interventions limited the possibilities of the gerontological imagination and focused attention on "old age" as a social problem.

Enhanced detection of surface deformations in LPBF using deep convolutional neural networks and transfer learning from a porosity model.

Our previous research papers have shown the potential of deep-learning models for real-time detection and control of porosity defects in 3D printing, specifically in the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process. Extending these models to identify other defects like surface deformation poses a challenge due to the scarcity of available data. This study introduces the use of Transfer Learning (TL) to train models on limited data for high accuracy in detecting surface deformations, marking the first attempt to apply a model trained on one defect type to another.

A Coalescing Filter for Liquid-Liquid Separation and Multistage Extraction in Continuous-Flow Chemistry.

Presented here is the design and performance of a coalescing liquid-liquid filter, based on low-cost and readily available meltblown nonwoven substrates for separation of immiscible phases. The performance of the coalescer was determined across three broad classes of fluid mixtures: (i) immiscible organic/aqueous systems, (ii) a surfactant laden organic/aqueous system with modification of the type of emulsion and interfacial surface tension through the addition of sodium chloride, and (iii) a water-acetone/toluene system. The first two classes demonstrated good performance of the equipment in effecting separation, including the separation of a complex emulsion system for which a membrane separator, operating through transport of a preferentially wetting fluid through the membrane, failed entirely.

Same size, same support, same spectator? Selective acetylene hydrogenation on supported Pd nanoparticles.

The selective hydrogenation of acetylene catalyzed by Pd nanoparticles is industrially used to increase the purity of ethylene. Despite the implementation of Pd based catalysts on an industrial scale, little is known about metal-support interactions on a fundamental level due to the complexity of these systems. In this study, the influence of metal-support interactions between Pd nanoparticles and two electronically modified a-SiO thin films on acetylene hydrogenation is investigated under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions.

An integrative biology approach to understanding keratinocyte collective migration as stimulated by bioglass.

A critical phase of wound healing is the coordinated movement of keratinocytes. To this end, bioglasses show promise in speeding healing in hard tissues and skin wounds. Studies suggest that bioglass materials may promote wound healing by inducing positive cell responses in proliferation, growth factor production, expression of angiogenic factors, and migration.

Ex vivo to in vivo model of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors for precision oncology.

Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are aggressive soft tissue sarcomas that often develop in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). To address the critical need for novel therapeutics in MPNST, we aimed to establish an ex vivo 3D platform that accurately captured the genomic diversity of MPNST and could be utilized in a medium-throughput manner for drug screening studies to be validated in vivo using patient-derived xenografts (PDX).

Methods: Genomic analysis was performed on all PDX-tumor pairs.

Determining Phase Separation Dynamics with an Automated Image Processing Algorithm.

The problems of extracting products efficiently from reaction workups are often overlooked. Issues such as emulsions and rag layer formation can cause long separation times and slow production, thus resulting in manufacturing inefficiencies. To better understand science within this area and to support process development, an image processing methodology has been developed that can automatically track the interface between liquid-liquid phases and provide a quantitative measure of the separation rate of two immiscible liquids.

A Layer-Wise Surface Deformation Defect Detection by Convolutional Neural Networks in Laser Powder-Bed Fusion Images.

Surface deformation is a multi-factor, laser powder-bed fusion (LPBF) defect that cannot be avoided entirely using current monitoring systems. Distortion and warping, if left unchecked, can compromise the mechanical and physical properties resulting in a build with an undesired geometry. Increasing dwell time, pre-heating the substrate, and selecting appropriate values for the printing parameters are common ways to combat surface deformation.

Determining the Agreement Between Common Measures Related to Vestibulo-ocular Reflex Function After a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Children and Adolescents.

Objective: To (1) determine the level of agreement between symptom provocation and performance-based tests of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function after pediatric mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and (2) describe the level of symptom provocation induced by a VOR task in individuals with and without cervical findings.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: This study was conducted at a tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Characterizing the evolution of oculomotor and vestibulo-ocular function over time in children and adolescents after a mild traumatic brain injury.

Background: Impairments to oculomotor (OM) and vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function following pediatric mTBI have been demonstrated but are poorly understood. Such impairments can be associated with more negative prognosis, affecting physical and mental wellbeing, emphasizing the need to more fully understand how these evolve.

Objectives: to determine i) the extent to which performance on clinical and computerized tests of OM and VOR function varies over time in children and adolescents at 21 days, 3-, and 6-months post-mTBI; ii) the proportion of children and adolescents with mTBI presenting with abnormal scores on these tests at each timepoint.

Stromal architecture directs early dissemination in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is an extremely metastatic and lethal disease. Here, in both murine and human PDA, we demonstrate that extracellular matrix architecture regulates cell extrusion and subsequent invasion from intact ductal structures through tumor-associated collagen signatures (TACS). This results in early dissemination from histologically premalignant lesions and continual invasion from well-differentiated disease, and it suggests TACS as a biomarker to aid in the pathologic assessment of early disease.

Evaluating the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review.

To identify the tests and tools used to evaluate vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in all age groups and across TBI severity. An electronic search was conducted to include relevant peer-reviewed literature published up to November 2019. Studies included those done with humans, of all ages, and had assessments of oculomotor and/or vestibulo-ocular function in TBI.

The lie of pandemic pivot and essential work.

My emotional responses to this moment include feelings of anger, hope, and déjà vu. Although the scope and scale of this pandemic is unprecedented in our lifetimes, what has been especially hard is not necessarily new - nor entirely unprecedented - and therefore unavoidable. In this essay, I reflect on what was avoidable and call for better response.

Vestibular-ocular reflex dysfunction following mild traumatic brain injury: A narrative review.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a prevalent injury which occurs across many populations, including children and adolescents, athletes, military personnel, and the elderly. mTBI can result in various subjective symptoms and clinical deficits, such as abnormalities to the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). Over 50% of individuals with mTBI are reported to have VOR abnormalities, which strongly contribute to feelings of dizziness and unsteadiness.

Increased diagnostic yield of routine multiplex PCR compared to clinician requested testing for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis.

Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection is the leading cause of non-viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) globally and is endemic in rural and remote Australia. However, current accurate prevalence data for TV in urban Australia are scarce as TV is not a notifiable infection outside of the Northern Territory (NT). This study evaluated Australian guidelines for TV testing and determined TV prevalence among patients at a large urban public hospital in Melbourne, Australia.

Microscale Collagen and Fibroblast Interactions Enhance Primary Human Hepatocyte Functions in Three-Dimensional Models.

Human liver models that are three-dimensional (3D) in architecture are indispensable for compound metabolism/toxicity screening, to model liver diseases for drug discovery, and for cell-based therapies; however, further development of such models is needed to maintain high levels of primary human hepatocyte (PHH) functions for weeks to months. Therefore, here we determined how microscale 3D collagen I presentation and fibroblast interaction affect the longevity of PHHs. High-throughput droplet microfluidics was utilized to generate reproducibly sized (∼300-μm diameter) microtissues containing PHHs encapsulated in collagen I ± supportive fibroblasts, namely, 3T3-J2 murine embryonic fibroblasts or primary human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs); self-assembled spheroids and bulk collagen gels (macrogels) containing PHHs served as controls.

Hydrogenation of small hydrocarbons on MgO supported Pd nanoparticles: The A-E-model expanded.

The hydrogenation of ethylene and acetylene was studied on a Pd/MgO/Mo(100) model system containing palladium particles with a narrow size distribution around Pd (Pd to Pd). Reactivity measurements were carried out in an ultrahigh vacuum chamber under isothermal conditions in the presence of deuterium. The catalyst system can readily hydrogenate both of these small molecules, and for acetylene, an alternative reaction network exists, in which it is trimerized to benzene.

Towards a generic method for ion chromatography/mass spectrometry of low-molecular-weight amines in pharmaceutical drug discovery and development.

Rationale: Low-molecular-weight amines are encountered in pharmaceutical analysis, e.g. as reactants in chemical syntheses, but are challenging to analyse using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS) due to their high polarity causing poor retention.

A survey of clinical laboratory instrument verification in the UK and New Zealand.

Background: Clinical laboratory instrument verification testing is often an accreditation requirement. However, it is not known what verification procedures are in routine use or how often the process identifies problems which need addressing prior to testing clinical samples.

Objective: To investigate which standards are currently being used for laboratory verification in UK and New Zealand (NZ) clinical laboratories and to help establish if the activity justifies the effort required.

A High-Throughput Workflow to Study Remodeling of Extracellular Matrix-Based Microtissues.

The described microtissue-microwell workflow is uniquely suited for high-throughput study of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels and demonstrates possibilities of studying progressive, heterogeneous diseases in a way that is meaningful for drug discovery and development. We outline several assays that can be utilized in studying tissue-level diseases and functions that involve cell-ECM interactions and ECM remodeling (e.g.

A high-throughput microtissue platform to probe endothelial function in vitro.

A critical role of vascular endothelium is as a semi-permeable barrier, dynamically regulating the flux of solutes between blood and the surrounding tissue. Existing platforms that quantify endothelial function in vitro are either significantly throughput limited or overlook physiologically relevant extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions and thus do not recapitulate in vivo function. Leveraging droplet microfluidics, we developed a scalable platform to measure endothelial function in nanoliter-volume, ECM-based microtissues.

Unpacking socio-economic risks for reading and academic self-concept in primary school: Differential effects and the role of the preschool home learning environment.

Background: Uncertainty remains concerning how children's reading and academic self-concept are related and how these are differentially affected by social disadvantage and home learning environments.

Aims: To contrast the impacts of early socio-economic risks and preschool home learning environments upon British children's reading abilities and academic self-concept between 7 and 10 years.

Sample: n = 3,172 British children aged 3-10 years and their families.