Drug Development.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the formation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of tau aggregates. Research in animal models has generated hypotheses on the underlying mechanisms of the interaction between Aβ and tau pathology. In support of this interaction, results from clinical trials have shown that treatment with anti-Aβ monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) affects tau pathology.

Age-dependent ventilator-induced lung injury: Mathematical modeling, experimental data, and statistical analysis.

A variety of pulmonary insults can prompt the need for life-saving mechanical ventilation; however, misuse, prolonged use, or an excessive inflammatory response, can result in ventilator-induced lung injury. Past research has observed an increased instance of respiratory distress in older patients and differences in the inflammatory response. To address this, we performed high pressure ventilation on young (2-3 months) and old (20-25 months) mice for 2 hours and collected data for macrophage phenotypes and lung tissue integrity.

Agent-based vs. equation-based multi-scale modeling for macrophage polarization.

Macrophages show high plasticity and result in heterogenic subpopulations or polarized states identified by specific cellular markers. These immune cells are typically characterized as pro-inflammatory, or classically activated M1, and anti-inflammatory, or alternatively activated M2. However, a more precise definition places them along a spectrum of activation where they may exhibit a number of pro- or anti-inflammatory roles.

Mathematical modeling of ventilator-induced lung inflammation.

Despite the benefits of mechanical ventilators, prolonged or misuse of ventilators may lead to ventilation-associated/ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI). Lung insults, such as respiratory infections and lung injuries, can damage the pulmonary epithelium, with the most severe cases needing mechanical ventilation for effective breathing and survival. Damaged epithelial cells within the alveoli trigger a local immune response.

Mathematical modeling of ventilator-induced lung inflammation.

Respiratory infections, such as the novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) and other lung injuries, damage the pulmonary epithelium. In the most severe cases this leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Due to respiratory failure associated with ARDS, the clinical intervention is the use of mechanical ventilation.

Thyroid Autoimmunity: An Interplay of Factors.

Unlabelled: The literature on thyroid autoimmunity has identified many potential factors at play for the initiation and progression of autoimmune thyroid diseases. These factors include genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, some drugs, iodine and selenium, infection, molecular mimics, and immune system defects. The sheer number of feasible factors makes sorting out the necessary agents from the fellow travelers difficult.