Multiomics unveils extracellular vesicle-driven mechanisms of endothelial communication in human carotid atherosclerosis.

Carotid atherosclerosis is orchestrated by cell-cell communication that drives progression along a clinical continuum (asymptomatic to symptomatic). Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived nanoparticles representing a new paradigm in cellular communication. Little is known about their biological cargo, cellular origin/destination, and functional roles in human atherosclerotic plaque.

Identification of Nanoparticle Properties for Optimal Drug Delivery across a Physiological Cell Barrier.

Nanoparticles (NPs) represent an attractive strategy to overcome difficulties associated with the delivery of therapeutics. Knowing the optimal properties of NPs to address these issues could allow for improved in vivo responses. This work investigated NPs prepared from 5 materials of 3 sizes and 3 concentrations applied to a cell barrier model.

A blood biomarker and clinical correlation cohort study protocol to diagnose sports-related concussion and monitor recovery in elite rugby.

Introduction: In professional rugby, sports-related concussion (SRC) remains the most frequent time loss injury. Therefore, accurately diagnosing SRC and monitoring player recovery, through a multi-modal assessment process, is critical to SRC management. In this protocol study, we aim to assess SRC over multiple time points post-injury to determine the value of multi-modal assessments to monitor player recovery.

The effect of serum starvation on tight junctional proteins and barrier formation in Caco-2 cells.

Assessing the ability of pharmaceutics to cross biological barriers and reach the site-of-action requires faithful representation of these barriers . Difficulties have arisen in replicating resistance . This paper investigated serum starvation as a method to increase Caco-2 barrier stability and resistance.

On the association between circulating biomarkers and atherosclerotic calcification in a cohort of arterial disease participants.

Background And Aims: Atherosclerotic calcification is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular disease. This study aims to determine whether circulating levels of a local/systemic calcification inhibitor or a marker of bone formation correlate with measures of coronary or extracoronary calcification.

Methods And Results: Clinical computed tomography (CT) was performed on 64 arterial disease participants undergoing carotid and lower extremity endarterectomy.

Bevel angle study of flexible hollow needle insertion into biological mimetic soft-gel: Simulation and experimental validation.

Background: A thorough understanding of cutting-edge geometry and cutting forces of hollow biopsy needles are required to optimise needle tip design to improve fine needle aspiration procedures.

Objectives: To incorporate the dynamics of needle motion in a model for flexible hollow bevel tipped needle insertion into a biological mimetic soft-gel using parameters obtained from experimental work. Additionally, the models will be verified against corresponding needle insertion experiments.

Correlating Ex Vivo Carotid Calcification Measurements With Cerebrovascular Symptoms: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Background And Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the ability of ex vivo derived Agatston, Volume, and Density-Volume calcium scores or calcium density measurements to differentiate between carotid plaques based on preoperative cerebrovascular symptomatology.

Methods: Thirty-eight carotid plaques were acquired from standard endarterectomy. Micro-computed tomography was performed on the ex vivo samples.

Comparative analysis of calcification parameters with Agatston Score approximations for ex vivo atherosclerotic lesions.

Background: The Agatston Calcium Score is a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events but it is unable to identify high-risk lesions. Recent research suggests that examining calcification phenotype could be more indicative of plaque stability.

Objective: To examine the Agatston score's ability to determine atherosclerotic calcification phenotype.

Relating the mechanical properties of atherosclerotic calcification to radiographic density: A nanoindentation approach.

Calcification morphology can determine atherosclerotic plaque stability and is associated with increased failures rates for endovascular interventions. Computational efforts have sought to elucidate the relationship between calcification and plaque rupture in addition to predicting tissue response during aggressive revascularisation techniques. However, calcified material properties are currently estimated and may not reflect real tissue conditions.