Human Astrocytes Synchronize Neural Organoid Networks.

Biological neural networks exhibit synchronized activity within and across interconnected regions of the central nervous system. Understanding how these coordinated networks are established and maintained may reveal therapeutic targets for neurodegeneration and neuromodulation. Here, we tested the influence of astrocytes upon synchronous network activity using human pluripotent stem cell-derived bioengineered neural organoids.

A unique presentation of Crouzon-like syndrome: Complex craniosynostosis in the absence of genetic mutations or familial predisposition - A case report.

Background: Crouzon syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by premature fusion of skull sutures during skull development, resulting in various craniofacial abnormalities and complex craniosynostosis is a condition in which more than one such sutures of the skull fuse prematurely.

Case Description: Herein, we present a case of a 5-year-old male diagnosed with Crouzon-like syndrome and complex craniosynostosis involving multiple cranial sutures, including metopic, sagittal, coronal (right and left), and lambdoid sutures, and without any identifiable mutations on karyotyping. The patient underwent successful surgical intervention with a satisfactory outcome, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to prevent or minimize associated neurological manifestations and craniofacial abnormalities.

Distinct time courses and mechanics of right ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic stiffening in a male rat model of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Although pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to right ventricle (RV) hypertrophy and structural remodeling, the relative contributions of changes in myocardial geometric and mechanical properties to systolic and diastolic chamber dysfunction and their time courses remain unknown. Using measurements of RV hemodynamic and morphological changes over 10 wk in a male rat model of PAH and a mathematical model of RV mechanics, we discriminated the contributions of RV geometric remodeling and alterations of myocardial material properties to changes in systolic and diastolic chamber function. Significant and rapid RV hypertrophic wall thickening was sufficient to stabilize ejection fraction in response to increased pulmonary arterial pressure by without significant changes in systolic myofilament activation.

Methods for Quantifying Optic Disc Volume and Peripapillary Deflection Volume Using Radial Optical Coherence Tomography Scans and Association With Intracranial Pressure.

Papilledema and peripapillary deformation of Bruch's membrane (BM) are associated with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). We have developed a novel methodology to measure these parameters using a radial optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan pattern and apply this to test the hypothesis that ICP is associated with volumetric features of ophthalmic structures. 6-radial OCT B-scans centered over the optic nerve head were acquired in 17 subjects (30 eyes) before lumbar puncture with measurement of ICP (range: 10-55 cm HO).

Association Between Peripapillary Bruch's Membrane Shape and Intracranial Pressure: Effect of Image Acquisition Pattern and Image Analysis Method, a Preliminary Study.

High intracranial pressure (ICP) is associated with changes in peripapillary Bruch's membrane (pBM) shape on optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of the optic nerve head. It is not known if image acquisition pattern and analysis method impact this association. Cross sectional OCT scans of the optic nerve head were obtained at six angles using a radial scan pattern in 21 subjects immediately prior to ICP measurement via lumbar puncture.

Comparison of cross sectional optical coherence tomography images of elevated optic nerve heads across acquisition devices and scan protocols.

Background: Optic nerve head measurements extracted from optical coherence tomography (OCT) show promise for monitoring clinical conditions with elevated optic nerve heads. The aim of this study is to compare reliability within and between raters and between image acquisition devices of optic nerve measurements derived from OCT scans in eyes with varying degrees of optic nerve elevation.

Methods: Wide angle line scans and narrow angle radial scans through optic nerve heads were obtained using three spectral domain(SD) OCT devices on 5 subjects (6 swollen optic nerves, 4 normal optic nerves).