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As major somatic cells in the testis, Sertoli cell development is precisely regulated by numerous factors, and aberrant development of these cells is associated with male reproductive diseases. JNK signalling is evolutionarily conserved and involved in multiple critical biological processes. Here, we found that the double knockout of Jnk1 and Jnk2 resulted in aberrant localisation of Sertoli cells at early developmental stages, with most Sertoli cells being lost at later stages. Further studies revealed that the inactivation of JNK signalling caused polarity loss in Sertoli cells. In vitro‐cultured Jnk1/2‐DKO Sertoli cells exhibited a senescence‐associated phenotype. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that JNK signalling is likely involved in establishing Sertoli cell polarity by regulating the expression of TGF‐β2, mediated by c‐Jun. The senescence of Sertoli cells in JNKs‐deficient mice is caused by aberrant proteolysis of P27KIP1, mediated by c‐Myc. This study demonstrates the role of JNK signalling in Sertoli cell development and functional maintenance, which may also represent an aetiology of male infertility in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural activation increases blood flow locally. This vascular signal is used by functional imaging techniques to infer the location and strength of neural activity (1,2). However, the precise spatial scale over which neural and vascular signals are correlated is unknown. Furthermore, the relative role of synaptic and spiking activity in driving haemodynamic signals is controversial (3-9). Previous studies recorded local field potentials as a measure of synaptic activity together with spiking activity and low-resolution haemodynamic imaging. Here we used two-photon microscopy to measure sensory-evoked responses of individual blood vessels (dilation, blood velocity) while imaging synaptic and spiking activity in the surrounding tissue using fluorescent glutamate and calcium sensors. In cat primary visual cortex, where neurons are clustered by their preference for stimulus orientation, we discovered new maps for excitatory synaptic activity, which were organized similarly to those for spiking activity but were less selective for stimulus orientation and direction. We generated tuning curves for individual vessel responses for the first time and found that parenchymal vessels in cortical layer 2/3 were orientation selective. Neighbouring penetrating arterioles had different orientation preferences. Pial surface arteries in cats, as well as surface arteries and penetrating arterioles in rat visual cortex (where orientation maps do not exist (10)), responded to visual stimuli but had no orientation selectivity. We integrated synaptic or spiking responses around individual parenchymal vessels in cats and established that the vascular and neural responses had the same orientation preference. However, synaptic and spiking responses were more selective than vascular responses--vessels frequently responded robustly to stimuli that evoked little to no neural activity in the surrounding tissue. Thus, local neural and haemodynamic signals were partly decoupled. Together, these results indicate that intrinsic cortical properties, such as propagation of vascular dilation between neighbouring columns, need to be accounted for when decoding haemodynamic signals., To determine how neural activity leads to changes in cerebral blood flow, the haemodynamic responses of individual vessels need to be compared to neural activity in the surrounding tissue (11). [...]

Long segment trachea defects are repaired by tracheal substitution, while decellularized technology has been effectively employed to prepare tissue engineering trachea (TET). However, its clinical application is restricted by the long preparation cycle, while poor vascularization is associated with the transplantation failure. In the present study, we used sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) to develop a novel rapid decellularized tracheal preparation method, then constructed a TET with revascularization functions. Summarily, we decellularized rabbit trachea using various SLES concentrations. Results from histological analysis, immunohistochemical and DAPI staining, as well as DNA quantitative assay, revealed that 1–0.1% (v/v) SLES treatment not only entirely removed cellular components to reduce its immunogenicity, but also retained the tracheal matrix's gross structure. SEM images, safranine O-fast green staining, total collagen content assay and collagen II immunofluorescence revealed that low SLES concentrations preserved the bioactive components of the decellularized tracheal matrix. Next, we performed cytobiocompatible and cytotoxin assays to verify biocompatibility of the decellularized tracheal matrix, and is confirmed by the omentum transplantation of rats. Results from omentum transplantation revealed that the decellularized tracheal matrix had low immunogenicity and excellent biocompatibility. Its revascularization capacity was confirmed by histologic appearance and CD31 immunofluorescence. Based on these findings, we selected 0.1% (v/v) as the optimal SLES concentration for preparing a decellularized tracheal matrix. Next, we seeded allogeneic bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) onto the matrix to construct TET patches. In vivo tracheal defect reconstruction confirmed the biocompatibility and revascularization capacity of this novel TET, and the formation of a vascular network around the patch promoted submucosa and mucosa regeneration without significant stenosis, 4 weeks post-surgery. In conclusion, we used SLES to successfully develop a novel decellularized approach for the preparation of TET, which has low immunogenic and inflammatory responses, as well as excellent biocompatibility, and revascularization ability in vivo without additional exogenous cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To explore the clinical value of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technology combined with 3D printing in the treatment of pectus excavatum (PE). METHODS: The clinical data of 10 patients with PE in our department from June 2018 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent thin-layer computed tomography examination before the operation, and then 3D reconstruction was performed with Mimics 20.0 software. The radian and curvature of the pectus bar were designed according to the reconstructed images. Afterward, the images were imported into the light-curing 3D printer in STL format for slice printing. Hence that the personalized operation scheme, including the size of the pectus bar and the surgical approach, can be made according to the 3D printed model. The thoracoscopic-assisted Nuss operation was completed by bilateral incisions. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospitalization were counted and analyzed. The satisfaction of the surgery was evaluated according to the Haller index and the most posterior sternal compression sternovertebral distance. RESULTS: The surgeries were successfully completed in 10 patients without a transfer to open procedure. The average operation time was (56 ± 8.76) min, the intraoperative blood loss was (23.5 ± 11.07) mL, and the postoperative hospitalization was (7.2 ± 0.92) d. There were no serious complications or death during the perioperative period. Compared with the data before the operation, the most posterior sternal compression sternovertebral distance was larger, and the Haller index was lower, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 3D reconstruction technology combined with 3D printing, which can be used before operation, contributes to the operator performing thoracoscopic-assisted Nuss operation safely and effectively, which has productive clinical application value for the treatment of pectus excavatum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]