Macrophages were utilized to evaluate differential immune responses due to variations in the AuNP-BC. Results AuNPs form distinct BCs based on physicochemical properties and the surrounding environment, with the obese BC containing more proteins and fewer lipids than the healthy BC. Differential macrophage inflammatory responses were observed based on AuNP properties and BC composition. Discussion and Conclusion Overall, these findings demonstrate that AuNP size and coating, as well as physiological environment, influence the protein and lipid composition of the BC, which impacts cellular responses following exposure. These findings demonstrate that incorporation of BCs representing distinct physiological conditions may enhance the translatability of nanosafety in vitro studies. Copyright 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.Introduction Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represent a promising cell source for the construction of organotypic culture models for chemical toxicity screening and characterization. Materials and Methods To characterize the effects of chemical exposure on the human neurovasculature, we constructed neurovascular unit (NVU) models consisting of endothelial cells (ECs) and astrocytes (ACs) derived from human-iPSCs, as well as human brain-derived pericytes (PCs). The cells were cocultured on synthetic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels that guided the self-assembly of capillary-like vascular networks. High-content epifluorescence microscopy evaluated dose-dependent changes to multiple aspects of NVU morphology. Results Cultured vascular networks underwent quantifiable morphological changes when incubated with vascular disrupting chemicals. The activity of predicted vascular disrupting chemicals from a panel of 38 compounds (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) was ranked based on morphological features detected in the NVU model. In addition, unique morphological neurovascular disruption signatures were detected per chemical. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/midostaurin-pkc412.html A comparison of PEG-based NVU and Matrigel™-based NVU models found greater sensitivity and consistency in chemical detection by the PEG-based NVU models. Discussion We suspect that specific morphological changes may be used for discerning adverse outcome pathways initiated by chemical exposure and rapid mechanistic characterization of chemical exposure to neurovascular function. Conclusion The use of human stem cell-derived vascular tissue and PEG hydrogels in the construction of NVU models leads to rapid detection of adverse chemical effects on neurovascular stability. The use of multiple cell types in coculture elucidates potential mechanisms of action by chemicals applied to the model. Copyright 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.Background To analyze the clinical results of an artificial neural network (ANN) that has been processed in order to improve the predictability of intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) implantation in keratoconus. Methods This retrospective, comparative, nonrandomized, pilot, clinical study included a cohort of 20 keratoconic eyes implanted with intracorneal ring segments KeraRing (Mediphacos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) using the ANN (ANN group) and 20 keratoconic eyes implanted with KeraRing using the manufacturer's nomograms (nomogram group). Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (visual acuity is expressed in decimal value and in LogMAR value in brackets), manifest refraction, corneal topography, tomography, aberrometry, pachymetry and volume analysis (Sirius System. CSO, Firenze, Italy) were performed during the preoperative visit; and the two groups, ANN group and nomogram group, did not differ significantly preoperatively in all of the parameters evaluated. These pry of keratoconus patients. ANN gives better results when compared with the manufacturer's nomograms in terms of better corrected vision and reduction of the coma-like aberrations. The constant inclusion of new cases will make the predictability of ANN increasingly better as the software finetunes its learning. © The Author(s) 2020.Telomerase activity contributes to cell immortalization by avoiding telomere shortening at each cell division; indeed, its catalytic subunit telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is overexpressed in many tumors, including human oral squamous cell carcinoma (hOSCC). In these tumors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a group of zinc-dependent endopeptidases involved in cell migration, contribute to invasive potential of cancer cells. A proportion of hOSCC is associated with infection by high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPVs), whose E6 oncogene enhances TERT and MMPs expression, thus promoting cancer progression. Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (FOSCC) is a malignant tumor with highly invasive phenotype; however, studies on telomerase activity, TERT, and MMPs expression are scarce. In this study, we demonstrate telomerase activity, expression of TERT, and its transcriptional activator cMyc along with expression of MMP-1, -2, and -9 in FOSCC-derived cell lines SCCF2 and SCCF3, suggesting a contribution by these pathways in cell immortalization and invasion in these tumors. Recent studies suggest that a sub-group of FOSCC as well as SCCF2 and SCCF3 are associated with Felis catus PV type-2 (FcaPV-2) infection. However, in this work, FcaPV-2 E6 gene knock-down caused no shift in either TERT, cMyc, or MMPs levels, suggesting that, unlike its human counterpart, the viral oncogene plays no role in their regulation. Copyright © 2020 Altamura, Martano, Licenziato, Maiolino and Borzacchiello.Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm) is the etiological agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), one of the major diseases affecting cattle in sub-Saharan Africa. Some evidences suggest that the immune system of the host (cattle) plays an important role in the pathogenic mechanism of CBPP, but the factors involved in the process remain largely unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the cell response of bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) after Mmm in vitro exposure using one step RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Data obtained indicate that gene and protein expression levels of some pro-inflammatory factors already change upon 30 min of PMNs exposure to Mmm. Of note, mRNA expression level in Mmm exposed PMNs increased in a time-dependent manner and for all time points investigated; targets expression was also detected by Western blotting in Mmm exposed PMNs only. These data demonstrate that when bovine PMN cells are triggered by Mmm, they undergo molecular changes, upregulating mRNA and protein expression of specific pro-inflammatory factors.