Effects of Aging on the Immune and Periosteal Response to Fracture in Mice.

Aging predisposes individuals to reduced bone mass and fragility fractures, which are costly and linked to high mortality. Understanding how aging affects fracture healing is essential for developing therapies to enhance bone regeneration in older adults. During the inflammatory phase of fracture healing, immune cells are recruited to the injury site as periosteal skeletal stem/progenitor cells (pSSPCs) rapidly proliferate and differentiate into osteochondral lineages, allowing for fibrocartilaginous callus formation and complete bone healing.

Modulation of Notch signaling pathway in activated hepatic stellate cells does not ameliorate the outcome of liver fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride and DDC-feeding models.

Background: Recent research suggests a possible role of Notch signaling pathway in development of liver fibrosis, but exact cellular and molecular mechanisms are still not well defined. Methods: We modulated Notch signaling in activated hepatic stellate cells/myofibroblasts using the model of inducible activation or inhibition of Notch signaling selective for αSMA positive cells in murine models of toxic fibrosis induced by CCl4 and cholestatic fibrosis induced by DDC supplemented feeding.

Results: Our results confirm that Notch signaling pathway is activated in both CCL4 and DDC model of liver fibrosis and that αSMA positive myofibroblasts are of activated hepatic stellate cells origin.

Cytotoxicity assessment of HDPE microplastic on Tetrahymena thermophila (Protozoa, Ciliate): Assuring quality and FAIR data.

Microplastics is recognized as an emerging pollutant and adapting and harmonizing existing test methods is essential to advancing research. The aim of our work was to provide a case study on how to ensure quality and FAIR data in the assessment of microplastic hazards with the unicellular organism Tetrahymena thermophila (Protozoa, Ciliata). We selected high density polyethylene (HDPE) microplastics as a model material.

Rabies Vaccination for Sheep and Goats: Influence of Booster on Persistence of Antibody Response.

Infrequent rabies cases occur in Israel, endangering humans and animals. While dogs receive mandatory vaccinations, farm animals are vaccinated voluntarily. However, optimal vaccination protocol for small ruminants is lacking.