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BackgroundPort-Wine Birthmarks (PWB) are congenital capillary malformations requiring multiple treatments. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a noninvasive imaging technique, characterizes vessels in cutaneous vascular lesions, including PWBs.ObjectiveTo assess variability in blood vessel characteristics within and between individual PWBs.MethodsOCT was used to measure blood vessel density (%) and modal vessel diameter (micrometers) at increments of 0.05 mm from the skin surface to a depth of 0.50 mm at several adjacent spots of single PWBs in this cross-sectional study. Average ratios of vessel density and diameter in affected to control skin were obtained for each PWB by averaging data for all spots within a lesion. Statistical analysis was performed with a linear mixed effects model using SPSS software (IBM Corporation).ResultsThere was great variability in vessel density and diameter within and between PWBs. Depths where average ratios of vessel density were consistently greater in affected to control skin were shallow, between 0.15 mm and 0.2 mm deep from the skin surface.LimitationsSmall sample size and device's inability to measure diameters smaller than 20 micrometers.ConclusionThere is variability in vessel density and diameter within and between PWBs. Individualized treatment planning guided by OCT mapping should be studied further.

Apolipoprotein AV (APOA5) deficiency causes hypertriglyceridemia in mice and humans. For years, the cause remained a mystery, but the mechanisms have now come into focus. Here, we review progress in defining APOA5s function in plasma triglyceride metabolism. Biochemical studies revealed that APOA5 binds to the angiopoietin-like protein 3/8 complex (ANGPTL3/8) and suppresses its ability to inhibit the activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Thus, APOA5 deficiency is accompanied by increased ANGPTL3/8 activity and lower levels of LPL activity. APOA5 deficiency also reduces amounts of LPL in capillaries of oxidative tissues (e.g., heart, brown adipose tissue). Cell culture experiments revealed the likely explanation: ANGPTL3/8 detaches LPL from its binding sites on the surface of cells, and that effect is blocked by APOA5. Both the low intracapillary LPL levels and the high plasma triglyceride levels in Apoa5-/- mice are normalized by recombinant APOA5. Carboxyl-terminal sequences in APOA5 are crucial for its function; a mutant APOA5 lacking 40-carboxyl-terminal residues cannot bind to ANGPTL3/8 and lacks the ability to change intracapillary LPL levels or plasma triglyceride levels in Apoa5-/- mice. Also, an antibody against the last 26 amino acids of APOA5 reduces intracapillary LPL levels and increases plasma triglyceride levels in wild-type mice. An inhibitory ANGPTL3/8-specific antibody functions as an APOA5-mimetic reagent, increasing intracapillary LPL levels and lowering plasma triglyceride levels in both Apoa5-/- and wild-type mice. That antibody is a potentially attractive strategy for treating elevated plasma lipid levels in human patients.

The topology of a polymer profoundly influences its behavior. However, its effect on imbibition dynamics remains poorly understood. In the present work, capillary filling (during imbibition and following full imbibition) of star polymer melts was investigated by molecular dynamics simulations with a coarse-grained model. The reversal of imbibition dynamics observed for linear-chain systems was also present for star polymers. Star polymers with short arms penetrate slower than the prediction of the Lucas–Washburn equation, while systems with long arms penetrate faster. The radius of gyration increases during confined flow, indicating the orientation and disentanglement of arms. In addition, the higher the functionality of the star polymer, the more entanglement points are retained. Besides, a stiff region near the core segments of the stars is observed, which increases in size with functionality. The proportion of different configurations of the arms (e.g., loops, trains, tails) changes dramatically with the arm length and degree of confinement but is only influenced by the functionality when the arms are short. Following full imbibition, the different decay rates of the self-correlation function of the core-to-end vector illustrate that arms take a longer time to reach the equilibrium state as the functionality, arm length, and degree of confinement increase, in agreement with recent experimental findings. Furthermore, the star topology induces a stronger effect of adsorption and friction, which becomes more pronounced with increasing functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article published in Brain Pathology discusses the decreased levels of claudin-5 in the microvasculature of patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The study aimed to investigate the role of claudin-5 in CAA-related ICH and found that claudin-5 expression was lower in CAA-ICH cases compared to CAA non-hemorrhagic cases and controls. The findings suggest that decreased claudin-5 levels may be linked to an increased risk of vessel rupture in patients with CAA. Further research is needed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying this association. [Extracted from the article]

This is the first study aimed to detect morphological abnormalities in vivo in the skin capillaries of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients (ALS). Videocapillaroscopy assessed subungueal capillaries in 28 ALS patients (cases) and 35 controls (p = 0.42). The mean age was 61.46 and 61.23 years, respectively (p > 0.99). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups regarding dominant hand, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, active smoker, and former smoker variables. 78.57% of cases had spinal onset and 21.43% bulbar. The median disease duration (time between the onset of symptoms and the date of videocapillarscopy) was 29.71 months. Dilated capillaries were detected in 17.8% of cases and 11.43% of controls (p = 0.49). The median of capillary diameter in cases was 10.15 µm and 8.72 µm in controls (p = 0.011). 35.71% of cases and 2.86% of controls had severe capillary tortuosities (p < 0.001). Ramified capillaries were observed in 46.43% of cases and 11.43% of controls (p < 0.002). Micro-hemorrhages were only observed in 10.71% of cases. No significant correlations were observed between disease duration and dilated capillaries, tortuosity, ramified capillaries, and micro-hemorrhages. The present in vivo study shows abnormalities in the skin capillaries of ALS patients that do not depend on disease duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nanoparticle (NP) protein corona significantly influences the outcome of nanomedicine. We present the first example of top-down proteomics (TDP) measurement of the protein corona using capillary isoelectric focusing-mass spectrometry, identifying seventy proteoforms of 16 cancer-related genes. This technique has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the protein corona and advance nanomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sessile drops are ubiquitous and important in technological applications. While dynamics of liquid drops have been studied under confinement, the possibility of creating sessile drops with reduced dimensionality has not been explored. Here, we demonstrate a quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) analogy for axisymmetric sessile three-dimensional (3D) drops. The Q2D drops are created by confining liquids between parallel vertical walls, forming low aspect ratio capillary bridges deformed by gravity. Stationary Q2D drops adopt projected shapes analogous to 3D sessile drops, ranging from circular drops to puddles. When moving, the Q2D drops exhibit capillary and fluid mechanical behaviours conceptually analogous to 3D drops, including impacts and sliding. The Q2D drops also exhibit more complex phenomena such as levitation, various instabilities and pattern formation when subjected to external electric, magnetic and flow fields. The 3D-Q2D analogy suggests that the diverse and often complicated phenomena observed in 3D drops can be studied in the simplified Q2D geometry. Additionally, the Q2D confinement analogy allows exploring phenomena arising from the reduced dimensionality and the altered boundary conditions. Axisymmetric sessile liquid drops are everywhere around us and important in numerous technological applications. Here the authors experimentally prepare quasi-two-dimensional sessile drops and show that they display many similar features as the traditional axisymmetric sessile drops, including analogous equilibrium shape, dynamics, and instabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature utilizes bottom‐up approaches to fabricate defined structures with highly complex, anisotropic and functional features. One prominent example is cacti spines, which exhibit a hierarchically structured conical morphology with a longitudinal microstructured surface. Here, a bottom‐up approach to fabricate supramolecular microstructured spines is presented by applying a self‐assembly protocol. Taking advantage of the capillary forces of vertically aligned polyamide microfibers acts as the structure‐directing substrate for site‐specific self‐assembly of a specific 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxamides from the solution. The morphology of the supramolecular spines covers several hierarchical levels, ultimately resulting in a conical shape with longitudinal self‐assembled microgrooves and a superhydrophilic surface. It is demonstrated that these hierarchical conical microstructures are able to transport water droplets unidirectionally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian mature teratomas frequently contain central nervous system (CNS) tissue that often exhibits a variety of neuropathologic alterations. The author systematically examined the changes seen in CNS tissue from a series of 251 cases of resected ovarian mature teratomas. A total of 101 (40.2%) samples contained CNS tissue in varying amounts. The principal pathologic findings in the CNS tissue from ovarian mature teratomas were as follows: (i) CNS tissue tended to form a relatively thin, undulating, plate‐like structure that comprised the walls or septa of cystic tumors; (ii) most neurons were small or medium sized, and no CD34‐positive “ramifying cells” were observed; (iii) cytoplasmic processes of some astrocytes closely surrounded the walls of capillaries, suggesting formation of a blood–brain barrier; (iv) some ependymal cells exhibited a columnar shape and showed a pseudostratified arrangement, and these cells extended thick basal cytoplasmic processes into the neuropil; (v) a few choroid plexus epithelial cells showed melanin deposition, tubular transformation, or oncocytic changes; (vi) hamartoma‐like hyperplasia of arachnoid cells was noted beneath skin tissue; (vii) some CNS tissue showed formation of cerebral cortical structures exhibiting “gyration” with incompletely layered structures, and disruption of the glia limitans with spillage of cortical tissue into the “subarachnoid” space was also observed; and (viii) in the well‐formed cerebellar cortex, dendrites of Purkinje cells exhibited varied dysmorphic changes. These neuropathologic observations should lead to a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of various lesions in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare AngioTool (AT) vascular parameters (VP) between MacTel2 eyes and normal eyes. Secondary outcome measures were to correlate VP with BCVA and to analyze VP between various grades of Simple MacTel Classification. Methods: This is a retrospective study. SD OCTA images of the superficial vascular complex (SVC) and deep capillary complex (DVC) were exported into Image J and AT. The explant area (EA), vessel area (VA), vessel percentage area (VPA), total number of junctions (TNJ), junction density (JD), total vessel length (TVL), average vessel length (AVL), total number of endpoints (TNE) and mean E lacunarity (MEL) were studied. Results: Group 1 had 120 MacTel2 eyes. Group 2 had 60 age-matched normal eyes. All VP were significantly different between the two groups except EA and TNE in both complexes. None of the VP had a correlation with BCVA. Interquadrant analysis (IQA) in SVC and DVC showed statistical significance in VPA, AVL and JD and in AVL, TNE, JD, VPA respectively. Post hoc analysis in SVC and DVC showed statistical significance in TNJ, JD, TVL and AVL between grade 1 and grade 3, and in VA, VPA, TNJ, JD, TVL and MEL between grade 0 and grade 3 respectively. Conclusion: VP were affected in MacTel2 eyes. VP did not correlate with BCVA. Occurrence of pigmentation is an important event in the progression of disease. AT may provide quantitative markers to measure disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we prove a Poincaré-type inequality for any set of finite perimeter which is stable with respect to the free energy among volume-preserving perturbation, provided that the Hausdorff dimension of its singular set is at most n - 3 . With this inequality, we classify all volume-constraint local energy-minimizing sets in a unit ball, a half-space or a wedge-shaped domain. In particular, we prove that the relative boundary of any energy-minimizing set is smooth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nailfold capillaroscopy is recommended to diagnose primary or secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). Capillaroscopy is normal in primary RP, which is the most frequent. Screening for RP capillary anomalies with nailfold dermoscopy has been promising. Objective: To determine whether normal nailfold dermoscopy—based on the absence of five criteria that define a sclerodermic pattern—is able to predict normal capillaroscopy with good positive‐predictive value (PPV). Methods: Prospective, 2‐phase (monocentre and multicentre) study on patients at first consultation for RP undergoing nailfold video capillaroscopy (NVC) and nailfold dermoscopy by two different 'blinded' trained observers, respectively, a vascular specialist and a dermatologist, not familiar with capillaroscopy. The five criteria noted were as follows: disorganization, megacapillaries, low capillary density, avascular areas and haemorrhages. Results: Based on 105 patients, the dermoscopy PPV for a normal NVC was 100% (p = 0.015), with 37.9% sensitivity, when no criterion was observed. Excluding haemorrhages, the PPV remained 100% (p < 0.0001), with sensitivity rising to 73.7% and 100% specificity. Conclusions: Normal nailfold dermoscopy with the absence of four easy‐to‐observe criteria predicts normal NVC with an excellent PPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate a parabolic–parabolic–elliptic system that describes the initial stage of tumor-related angiogenesis, given by u t = Δ u - ∇ · (u ∇ v) + ξ ∇ · (u m ∇ w) + μ u (1 - u α) , v t = Δ v + χ ∇ · (v ∇ w) - v + u , 0 = Δ w - w + u. We demonstrate that the model possesses a global classical solutions for all suitably regular initial data and associated homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions. Additionally, when m=1, the asymptotic behavior can be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unfolding of fabric creases induced by humidity is an issue of the capillary forces driving the deformation of materials, related to the interactions of textiles with moisture. Most are about complex moisture transport dynamics in fibrous assemblies. However, the effect of humidity on the crease recovery course of fabric with multiscale structure is not clear. Therefore, the fabric crease unfolding over time in different humidities was explored. In this study, theoretical analysis based on Burger's viscoelasticity model and experiments on the crease recovery were conducted. Then the evaluation indices, that is, the crease recovery ratio ( R t ) and the recovery gradient ratio ( K t ), which were obtained from fitting coefficients and constructed in the form of the theoretical equation, were established. They were then combined with the fabric porosity (P) at yarn scale, to demonstrate the capillary forces driving the deformation of materials, that is, crease unfolding humidity-induced. The results show that the higher the R t or K t value, the greater capillary forces promoting the crease to recover under the same humidity changes. The smaller the P, the more easily the contacted structures move, and the crease recovers better. In conclusion, the deformations induced by capillary forces are studied in a form of a crease unfolding at a humidity change. The results obtained in this study lay a certain foundation for further research on the mechanism and theoretical model of the moisture on fabric crease recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Methods Results Conclusions This study aimed to examine the spatiotemporal coherence of capillary lumen fluctuations in relation to spatial variations in the pericyte lining in the cortex of anesthetized mice.Two‐photon microscopic angiography data (previously published) were reanalyzed, and spatial variations in capillary diameter fluctuations at rest and in capillary lining with vascular mural cells were measured along capillary centerlines.Relatively large diameters of the capillaries (5.5 μm) coincided with a dense pericyte lining, while small capillaries (4.3 μm) had a sparse pericyte lining. Temporal variations had a frequency of about 0.1 Hz with an amplitude of 0.5 μm, which were negatively correlated with pericyte lining density. Spatial frequency analysis further revealed a common pattern of spatial variations in capillary diameter and pericyte lining, but temporal variations differed. The temporal variations in capillary lumens were locally distinct from those in neighboring locations, suggesting intrinsic fluctuations independent of the pericyte lining.Capillary lumens in the brain exhibit slow microfluctuations that are independent of pericyte lining. These microfluctuations could affect the distribution of flowing blood cells and may be important for homogenizing their distribution in capillary networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We formulate a Neumann variational problem, which characterizes the capillary phenomena, and disLaplacian‐like operator defined bycuss the existence of nontrivial weak solutions. We get the results using sufficient hypotheses on the reaction term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the brain, a microvascular sensory web coordinates oxygen delivery to regions of neuronal activity. This involves a dense network of capillaries that send conductive signals upstream to feeding arterioles to promote vasodilation and blood flow. Although this process is critical to the metabolic supply of healthy brain tissue, it may also be a point of vulnerability in disease. Deterioration of capillary networks is a feature of many neurological disorders and injuries and how this web is engaged during vascular damage remains unknown. We performed in vivo two-photon microscopy on young adult mural cell reporter mice and induced focal capillary injuries using precise two-photon laser irradiation of single capillaries. We found that ~59% of the injuries resulted in regression of the capillary segment 7 to 14 d following injury, and the remaining repaired to reestablish blood flow within 7 d. Injuries that resulted in capillary regression induced sustained vasoconstriction in the upstream arteriole-capillary transition (ACT) zone at least 21 days postinjury in both awake and anesthetized mice. The degree of vasomotor dynamics was chronically attenuated in the ACT zone consequently reducing blood flow in the ACT zone and in secondary, uninjured downstream capillaries. These findings demonstrate how focal capillary injury and regression can impair the microvascular sensory web and contribute to cerebral hypoperfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Our study represents the first attempts to describe the ultrastructure features in addition to SEM‐EDX analysis of the pecten oculi of the nocturnal, visually active Eurasian stone‐curlew. The present study was carried out on 10 normal pecten oculi from the migrant Eurasian stone‐curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) that was captured from the Northern Egyptian coast, Edku Lake, Edku, Behera, Egypt. The intraocular folded quadrilateral fan black pecten oculi was observed on the posteroinferior wall of the eyeball. The pecten oculi had 18–20 pleats, with narrow spaces in‐between. Our SEM findings showed a tortuous, coiled pecteneal surface due to numerous blood capillaries. The apical part was oriented toward the ciliary body, but the basal part was derived from the retina, just behind the optic nerve. The outer pleat surfaces are covered by the vitreopecteneal limiting membrane, which carries numerous hyalocyte cells on the outer pleat surface. The transverse sections revealed numerous blood capillaries surrounded by numerous melanin granules. Each basal part was surrounded by a thin, elevated ridge. Our SEM‐EDX analysis revealed that carbon is the highest (half percent), oxygen represents about one‐third, and nitrogen is one‐fifth percent of all elements. The lowest elements are sulfate at the apical part and phosphorus in the middle and basal parts. In conclusion, our findings reveal that the number of pecteneal pleats is related to the nocturnal active visual pattern and the lifestyle of this migratory bird. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is currently considered the major cause of cognitive impairment in older adults. This explains the close attention to the issue of AD research. The pathomorphological basis of the disease is a neurodegenerative process, the early stages of which are formed in the hippocampus and the morphofunctionally deep parts of the temporal lobes of the brain closely related to it. Several hypotheses have been advanced concerning the causes of neurodegeneration: the amyloid hypothesis, the calcium homeostasis impairment hypothesis, the inflammatory hypothesis, and the prion hypothesis. However, these hypotheses cannot explain the early stages of the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease. This health problem requires further comprehensive study of available data, as well as additional investigations to determine the nature of such a process. In this review, the data on microcirculatory disorders in the capillaries of the hippocampus and mediobasal structures of the temporal lobes of the brain, which may be an initiating factor that triggers neurodegenerative events, are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is the primary diagnostic tool for the assessment of microcirculation in the pediatric population. Objective To define and standardize age-specific normal NVC patterns in healthy children and adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional observational multicentric study was conducted in 564 participants aged 5–17 years. Dino-Lite CapillaryScope 200 Pro Model MEDL4N Pro was performed at 200× magnification. Quantitative and qualitative NVC parameters were analysed separately for each age group and divided into four groups based on age categories. Results Of the 564 healthy participants, 54.9% were female. A total of 1184 images and 3384 capillaries were analysed. Positive correlations were observed between age and capillary density (P  < 0.001, R = 0.450, CI95% 0.398–0.503). There was also a positive correlation between age and arterial/venous, loop diameter and capillary length, whereas there was a weak negative correlation between intercapillary distance. However, no correlation was found between age and capillary width. In addition, capillary density was significantly lower in the 5–7 age group compared with the other patient groups. Arterial limb diameter was lower in the 5–7 age group, while venous limb diameter was significantly wider in the 15–17 age group compared with the other patient groups. Dilated capillaries (8.7%), capillary tortuosity (14.4%), crossed capillaries (43.1%), micro-haemorrhages (2.7%) and avascular area (4.8%) were present in all age groups. Excellent intra- and interobserver ICC values were obtained for all parameters. Conclusion These findings hold potential significance for future studies, aiding in the analysis and differentiation of children suspected of rheumatological diseases with potential microangiopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the existence of weak solutions of the system that describes the two‐phase two‐component fluid flow in porous media. Both two‐phase and possible one‐phase flow regions are taken into account. Our research is based on a global pressure, an artificial variable that allows us to partially decouple the original equations. As a second primary unknown for the system, we choose the gas pseudo‐pressure, a persistent variable which coincides with the gas pressure in the two‐phase regions while it does not have physical meaning in one‐phase flow regions, when only the liquid phase is present. This allows us to introduce an another persistent variable that is an artificial variable in one‐phase flow regions and a physical variable in two‐phase flow regions—the capillary pseudopressure. We rewrite the system's equations in a fully equivalent form in terms of the global pressure and the gas‐pseudo pressure. In order to prove the existence of weak solutions of obtained system, we also use the capillary pseudo‐pressure. By using it, we can decouple obtained equations on the discrete level. This allows us to derive the existence result for weak solutions in more tractable way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a multifactorial metabolic disorder associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Adipose capillary adipose endothelial cells (CaECs) plays a crucial role in lipid transport and storage. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying CaEC-adipocyte interaction and its impact on metabolic function. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) revealed an enrichment of fatty acid handling machinery in CaECs from high fat diet (HFD) mice, suggesting their specialized role in lipid metabolism. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed direct heterocellular contact between CaECs and adipocytes. To model this, we created an in vitro co-culture transwell system to model the heterocellular contact observed with TEM. Contact between ECs and adipocytes in vitro led to upregulation of fatty acid binding protein 4 in response to lipid stimulation, hinting intercellular signaling may be important between ECs and adipocytes. We mined our and others scRNAseq datasets to examine which connexins may be present in adipose capillaries and adipocytes and consistently identified connexin 43 (Cx43) in mouse and humans. Genetic deletion of endothelial Cx43 resulted in increased epididymal fat pad (eWAT) adiposity and dyslipidemia in HFD mice. Consistent with this observation, phosphorylation of Cx43 at serine 368, which closes gap junctions, was increased in HFD mice and lipid-treated ECs. Mice resistant to this post-translational modification, Cx43S368A, were placed on an HFD and were found to have reduced eWAT adiposity and improved lipid profiles. These findings suggest Cx43-mediated heterocellular communication as a possible regulatory mechanism of adipose tissue function. Graphical Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, the anti-gravity directional self-migration of droplets on an inclined surface driven by wettability gradient (ω) was investigated using a front-tracking method. A unified mechanical model of droplet motion on an inclined wettability gradient wall was derived, considering the driving force generated by ω ( F d ), gravity (G), and flow resistance ( F f ). The model demonstrates that ω , G , and inclination angle (α) are key parameters affecting droplet motion. By varying ω , Bond number (B o), and α , the droplet dynamic characteristics were analyzed, and a real-time Capillary number (C a) was introduced to measure the droplet migration speed. The results indicate that a larger ω generates a greater F d , leading to faster migration and more pronounced spreading. When the ratio of the channel width to the droplet diameter is 0.7, the droplet can cross three regions, obtaining double F d , and C a curve exhibits a bimodal structure. When the ratio of the channel width to the droplet diameter is 1.2, the droplet slides and spreads in the middle region without ω , resulting in a trimodal C a curve. A larger B o implies a stronger gravity effect, reducing the net driving force for upward migration and slowing the migration speed. At α = 30 ° and ω = 0.54 , B o reaches its critical value at 0.5, where G exceeds F d , causing the droplet to slide downward along the wall. α affects droplet motion by controlling the gravitational component along the wall ( G x ). A larger α results in a smaller net driving force for upward migration, reducing the migration speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited research has characterized the metabolic health benefits of bodyweight interval exercise (BWE) performed outside of a laboratory setting. Metabolic responses to exercise can also be influenced by meal timing around exercise, but the interactive effects of BWE and nutrition are unknown. This study investigated the effects of BWE performed in the fasted or fed state on postprandial glycemia, post-exercise fat oxidation and appetite perceptions. Twelve females (23 ± 2 years; 22 ± 2 kg/m2) underwent two virtually-monitored trials that involved completing BWE (10 × 1 min, 1 min recovery) 5 min before (FastEX) or beginning BWE 10 min after (FedEX) a standardized breakfast. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during exercise and capillary glucose concentrations were measured for 2 h postprandial. Following exercise, appetite perceptions were assessed and Lumen expired carbon dioxide percentage (L%CO2) was measured as an index of fat oxidation. Heart rate (85 ± 5%) and RPE (14 ± 2) did not differ between conditions (p > 0.05). Postprandial glucose mean (6.1 ± 0.6 vs. 6.8 ± 0.8 mmol/L, p = 0.03), peak (7.4 ± 1.2 vs. 8.5 ± 1.5 mmol/L, p = 0.01), and area under the curve (AUC) (758 ± 72 vs. 973 ± 82 mmol/L × 2 h, p = 0.004) were lower in FedEX versus FastEX. Appetite perceptions were lower in FedEX versus FastEX (−87.63 ± 58.51 vs. −42.06 ± 34.96 mm, p = 0.029). Post-exercise L%CO2 was transiently decreased 30 min post-exercise in both conditions (4.03 ± 0.38 vs. 4.29 ± 0.34%, p = 0.0023), reflective of increased fat oxidation following BWE. These findings demonstrate that BWE performed in the fed compared to the fasted state lowered postprandial glycemia and appetite perceptions in females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigate the water and chloride ion (Cl−) transport properties of aeolian sand mortar (ASM) in an unsaturated state. Capillary absorption tests were conducted on ASM with varying water-to-binder ratios and different concentrations of chloride salts in clear water solutions. The Cl− content at different depths in ASM was determined using layered drilling, powder extraction, and chemical titration. The relationship between water and Cl− transport properties under capillary absorption was examined. The results indicate that moisture serves as a transport medium for Cl− in mortar, but its transport depth is significantly smaller than that of water, revealing a non-synchronization between the two transports. The transmission depth and capillary absorption ratio of water in the mortar decrease with increasing initial saturation. A linear relationship between water and Cl− transport depths is observed within the first 7 days of capillary absorption. Beyond 7 days, the water transport rate gradually slows down, while Cl− continues to be transported due to the presence of an ion concentration gradient. As the initial saturation increases, the percentage of gel pores decreases, and the percentage of transition pores and capillary pores in the matrix increases. Finally, incorporating the theory of unsaturated capillary water absorption, we introduce Boltzmann variables and develop a predictive model for the relative water content distribution under capillary water absorption in ASM. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the widespread application of ASM, and the proposed research model offers new insights into the underground environment and the durability of concrete structures affected by moisture transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we synthesized and used a novel pillar[5]arene with two functionalizable rims (AP5A-C10-OAc) as stationary phase in gas chromatography (GC). The AP5A-C10-OAc column (0.25 mm, i.d.) showed a high column efficiency of 4107 plates/m and medium polarity. The AP5A-C10-OAc stationary phase possesses unique amphiphilic structure, including a π-electron rich cavity and two functionalized arms composed of five nonpolar alkyl chains and five polar ester chains, and showed good separation performance for diverse types of analytes and isomers (apolar/polar, aliphatic/aromatic). Particularly, the AP5A-C10-OAc phase showed high selectivity for the challenging isomers of chloronitrobenzenes, bromonitrobenzenes, benzenediols, and iodoanilines with distinct advantages if compared with the commercial polysiloxane column. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study was conducted to compare the satisfaction of patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus regarding blood glucose measurement based on the blood glucose measurement techniques (intravenous and capillary) used. Material and Method: A randomized controlled study was conducted with 110 patients with diabetes mellitus. Patients were randomized into the experimental group (n=55) and control group (n=55). Patient Information Form, Diabetes Fear of Injecting and Self-testing Questionnaire (D-FISQ), and Blood Glucose Measurement Patient Satisfaction Form were used in the study. The control group patients had their blood sugar measured using capillary blood from a finger prick. The experimental group patients had their blood glucose measured intravenously using venous blood, followed by capillary blood glucose measurement from a finger prick. Data analysis was conducted using chi-square test and independent t-test. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the satisfaction of diabetic patients with the blood glucose measurement technique between the use of venous blood and intravenous blood glucose measurement by finger prick (p<0.05). Conclusion: The measurement of blood glucose using venous blood obtained by an intravenous catheter positively affects patient satisfaction compared to the finger prick technique of measuring capillary blood glucose in patients with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research delves into a comprehensive investigation of a class of ℑ -Hilfer generalized fractional nonlinear equation originated from a capillarity phenomenon involving a logarithmic nonlinearity and Dirichlet boundary conditions. The nonlinearity of the problem, in general, do not satisfies the Ambrosetti-Rabinowitz type condition. Using critical point theorem with variational approach and the (S +) property of the operator, we establish the existence of positive solutions of our problem with respect to every positive parameter ξ in appropriate ℑ -fractional spaces. Our main results is novel and its investigation will enhance the scope of the literature on differential equation of ℑ -Hilfer fractional generalized capillary phenomenon with logarithmic nonlinearity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why apolipoprotein AV (APOA5) deficiency causes hypertriglyceridemia has remained unclear, but we have suspected that the underlying cause is reduced amounts of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in capillaries. By routine immunohistochemistry, we observed reduced LPL staining of heart and brown adipose tissue (BAT) capillaries in Apoa5-/- mice. Also, after an intravenous injection of LPL-, CD31-, and GPIHBP1-specific mAbs, the binding of LPL Abs to heart and BAT capillaries (relative to CD31 or GPIHBP1 Abs) was reduced in Apoa5-/- mice. LPL levels in the postheparin plasma were also lower in Apoa5-/- mice. We suspected that a recent biochemical observation - that APOA5 binds to the ANGPTL3/8 complex and suppresses its capacity to inhibit LPL catalytic activity - could be related to the low intracapillary LPL levels in Apoa5-/- mice. We showed that an ANGPTL3/8-specific mAb (IBA490) and APOA5 normalized plasma triglyceride (TG) levels and intracapillary LPL levels in Apoa5-/- mice. We also showed that ANGPTL3/8 detached LPL from heparan sulfate proteoglycans and GPIHBP1 on the surface of cells and that the LPL detachment was blocked by IBA490 and APOA5. Our studies explain the hypertriglyceridemia in Apoa5-/- mice and further illuminate the molecular mechanisms that regulate plasma TG metabolism.

Abstract This is the first study aimed to detect morphological abnormalities in vivo in the skin capillaries of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients (ALS). Videocapillaroscopy assessed subungueal capillaries in 28 ALS patients (cases) and 35 controls (p = 0.42). The mean age was 61.46 and 61.23 years, respectively (p > 0.99). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups regarding dominant hand, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, active smoker, and former smoker variables. 78.57% of cases had spinal onset and 21.43% bulbar. The median disease duration (time between the onset of symptoms and the date of videocapillarscopy) was 29.71 months. Dilated capillaries were detected in 17.8% of cases and 11.43% of controls (p = 0.49). The median of capillary diameter in cases was 10.15 µm and 8.72 µm in controls (p = 0.011). 35.71% of cases and 2.86% of controls had severe capillary tortuosities (p

Abstract Background Wound healing complications are a major challenge following the extended lateral approach in calcaneal fractures. Soft-tissue microcirculation plays an important role via the delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and the regulation of a local milieu. The aim of this clinical study was to examine the effect of intraoperative pneumatic tourniquet application on skin and subcutaneous microcirculation, and its impact on wound healing progression. Methods Patients with calcaneal fractures were randomly assigned to two groups defined by a surgery conducted either with use or without use of a tourniquet. Blood flow (BF [AU]), tissue oxygen saturation (SO 2 [%]) and the relative amount of haemoglobin (rHb[AU]) were intraoperatively measured at two depths (2 and 8 mm) non-invasively by spectrophotometry (Micro-Lightguide O2C ® , LEA Medizintechnik, Giessen, Germany). Time points were before and after inflation of the pneumatic tourniquet and also at the end of surgery before deflation. A linear mixed model (LMM) was fitted for statistical analysis. Results Thirty-four patients (3 women and 31 men) with 37 calcaneal fractures were included. In 22 of them, the surgery was conducted with a tourniquet and in the other 15 without its use. A significant decrease of microcirculation, characterized by decreases in blood flow (p = 0.011) and tissue oxygenation (p = 0.023) was measured in 8 mm depth after inflating the tourniquet. However, these changes did not influence the time of postoperative wound healing. Conclusion The use of a pneumatic tourniquet reduces deep microcirculation without affecting postoperative wound healing. Trial registration The study was registered in www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01264146).

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the enzyme that carries out the lipolytic processing of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), is synthesized by adipocytes and myocytes and secreted into the interstitial spaces. The LPL is then bound by GPIHBP1, a GPI-anchored protein of endothelial cells (ECs), and transported across ECs to the capillary lumen. The assumption has been that the LPL that is moved into capillaries remains attached to GPIHBP1 and that GPIHBP1 serves as a platform for TRL processing. In the current studies, we examined the validity of that assumption. We found that an LPL-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb), 88B8, which lacks the ability to detect GPIHBP1-bound LPL, binds avidly to LPL within capillaries. We further demonstrated, by confocal microscopy, immunogold electron microscopy, and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses, that the LPL detected by mAb 88B8 is located within the EC glycocalyx, distant from the GPIHBP1 on the EC plasma membrane. The LPL within the glycocalyx mediates the margination of TRLs along capillaries and is active in TRL processing, resulting in the delivery of lipoprotein-derived lipids to immediately adjacent parenchymal cells. Thus, the LPL that GPIHBP1 transports into capillaries can detach and move into the EC glycocalyx, where it functions in the intravascular processing of TRLs.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of magnification error and axial length (AL) on circumpapillary capillary density (cpCD) and circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (cpRNFLT) in healthy eyes. Seventy-two healthy eyes of 72 subjects with AL 24.7 ± 1.5 mm (range: 20.9–28.0 mm) were enrolled in this retrospective cross-sectional study and underwent optical coherence tomography angiography scanning. Magnification corrected measurement areas were obtained using AL upon which corrected cpCD, cpRNFLT values were determined. Relationships between AL and the percentage difference between corrected and uncorrected values (ΔcpCD, ΔcpRNFLT) as well as the effect of AL on magnification corrected cpCD, cpRNFLT were evaluated. ΔcpCD significantly increased with AL in the global, inferior nasal and superior nasal sectors (all p < 0.001). ΔcpRNFLT significantly increased with AL in global and all sectors (all p < 0.001) and the correlations were significantly stronger than that of ΔcpCD-AL in all sectors (all p < 0.001). Corrected cpCD did not associate with AL while corrected cpRNFLT demonstrated a significant positive association with AL in the global (p = 0.005) and temporal sector (p < 0.001). Magnification error led to a significant underestimation of cpCD in eyes with longer AL although its underestimation and the effect of AL was smaller in comparison to that of cpRNFLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Tau pathology disrupts cerebral blood supply and blood–brain barrier integrity. • Neurodegeneration and endothelial dysfunction worsen with microgliosis, astrogliosis. • The neurovascular unit is key in inflammation and neuronal excitotoxicity. • Heparan sulfate and LRP1 aid tau trafficking, causing mitochondrial dysfunction. • Toxic oligomers reduce synaptic plasticity and function in Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a fatal chronic neurodegenerative condition marked by a gradual decline in cognitive abilities and impaired vascular function within the central nervous system. This affliction initiates its insidious progression with the accumulation of two aberrant protein entities including Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. These chronic elements target distinct brain regions, steadily erasing the functionality of the hippocampus and triggering the erosion of memory and neuronal integrity. Several assumptions are anticipated for AD as genetic alterations, the occurrence of Aβ plaques, altered processing of amyloid precursor protein, mitochondrial damage, and discrepancy of neurotropic factors. In addition to Aβ oligomers, the deposition of tau hyper-phosphorylates also plays an indispensable part in AD etiology. The brain comprises a complex network of capillaries that is crucial for maintaining proper function. Tau is expressed in cerebral blood vessels, where it helps to regulate blood flow and sustain the blood–brain barrier's integrity. In AD, tau pathology can disrupt cerebral blood supply and deteriorate the BBB, leading to neuronal neurodegeneration. Neuroinflammation, deficits in the microvasculature and endothelial functions, and Aβ deposition are characteristically detected in the initial phases of AD. These variations trigger neuronal malfunction and cognitive impairment. Intracellular tau accumulation in microglia and astrocytes triggers deleterious effects on the integrity of endothelium and cerebral blood supply resulting in further advancement of the ailment and cerebral instability. In this review, we will discuss the impact of tau on neurovascular impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and the role of hyperphosphorylated tau in neuron excitotoxicity and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological assays involve the lysis of biological particles, enzyme reactions, and gene amplification, and require a certain amount of time for completion. Microfluidic chips are regarded as powerful devices for biological assays and in vitro diagnostics; however, they cannot achieve a high mixing efficiency, particularly in some time-consuming biological reactions. Herein, we introduce a microfluidic reverse-Tesla (reTesla) valve structure in which the fluid is affected by vortices and branch flow convergence, resulting in flow retardation and a high degree of mixing. The reTesla is passively operated by a microfluidic capillary force without any pumping facility. Compared with our previously developed micromixers, this innovative pumpless microfluidic chip exhibited high performance, with a mixing efficiency of more than 93%. The versatility of our reTesla chip will play a pivotal role in the study of various biological and chemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a 3D discrete‐continuum model to simulate blood pressure in large microvascular tissues in the absence of known capillary network architecture. Our hybrid approach combines a 1D Poiseuille flow description for large, discrete arteriolar and venular networks coupled to a continuum‐based Darcy model, point sources of flux, for transport in the capillary bed. We evaluate our hybrid approach using a vascular network imaged from the mouse brain medulla/pons using multi‐fluorescence high‐resolution episcopic microscopy (MF‐HREM). We use the fully‐resolved vascular network to predict the hydraulic conductivity of the capillary network and generate a fully‐discrete pressure solution to benchmark against. Our results demonstrate that the discrete‐continuum methodology is a computationally feasible and effective tool for predicting blood pressure in real‐world microvascular tissues when capillary microvessels are poorly defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the association between progressive peripapillary capillary vessel density (pcVD) reduction and the progression of visual field (VF) impairment in individuals with normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: The study enrolled 110 participants with one eye each, totalling 110 NTG eyes. VF defects were evaluated using standard automated perimetry mean deviation (MD), while pcVD measurements were obtained using optical coherence tomography angiography throughout the follow‐up period. Estimates of VF progression were determined by event‐based and trend‐based analyses. Fast VF progression was defined as an MD slope steeper than −0.5 dB/year, while the slow progression or stable VF was defined as an MD slope better or equal to −0.25 dB/year. Linear mixed‐effects models were employed to analyse the rates of change in pcVD reduction and VF MD decline over time. Additionally, univariable and multivariable linear models were used to examine the relationship between pcVD changes and VF loss rates in NTG. Results: Slow VF progression or stable VF was observed in 45% of subjects, while 25% had moderate progression and 30% showed fast progression. Patients with VF progression exhibited faster rate of pcVD reduction in peripapillary global region (−0.73 ± 0.40%/year vs. −0.56 ± 0.35%/year, p = 0.022). Moreover, this rate positively correlated with VF MD decline in NTG (estimate 0.278, 95% CI 0.122–0.433, p = 0.001). Conclusion: In individuals with NTG, faster VF progression was linked to a quicker reduction in pcVD, suggesting a positive correlation between pcVD decline and VF deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates how capillary red cell transit time significantly impacts exercise-induced pulmonary diffusion limitation, with increased pulmonary artery pressure and cardiac output contributing to decreased transit times. It also discusses the effects of ventilation–perfusion mismatch, changes in diffusing capacity (DL), and the role of increased cardiac output in impairing oxygen diffusion equilibrium during intense exercise.

This paper aims to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms that make it difficult to interpret the behavior of unsaturated soils using an effective stress principle. The main difficulty is that some deformed states of the unsaturated medium may not be statically admissible in saturated conditions. Therefore, we introduce the notions of total strain, which is measured at the boundary of the sample; effective strain, which is conjugated to the effective stress of the solid skeleton; and capillary strain, which results from the capillary forces. Recent results using the discrete element method prove that the effective strain can still be identified with the total strain in 'small' strains and at failure. Consequently, we propose to interpret the behavior of unsaturated soils on the basis of the principle of effective stress revisited with the theory of multiphase media and to identify the total and effective strain tensors in a first simplified approach. A conceptual experimental procedure is proposed to assess what we call the capillary tensor, using existing experimental devices. We propose certain hypotheses that allow engineers to numerically bound this capillary tensor at failure by knowing the total stress state measured at failure and the effective failure envelope in saturated conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intricate relationship between tubular injury and glomerular dysfunction in kidney diseases has been a subject of extensive research. While the impact of glomerular injury on downstream tubules has been well-studied, the reverse influence of tubular injury on the glomerulus remains less explored. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent advances in the field, focusing on key pathways and players implicated in the pathogenesis of tubular injury on glomerular dysfunction. Anatomical and physiological evidence supports the possibility of crosstalk from the tubule to the glomerulus, whereby various mechanisms contribute to glomerular injury following tubular injury. These mechanisms include tubular backleak, dysfunctional tubuloglomerular feedback, capillary rarefaction, atubular glomeruli, and the secretion of factors from damaged tubular epithelial cells. Clinical evidence further supports the association between even mild or recovered acute kidney injury and an increased risk of chronic kidney disease, including glomerular diseases. We also discuss potential therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating acute tubular injury, thereby reducing the detrimental effects on glomerular function. By unraveling the complex interplay from tubular injury to glomerular dysfunction, we aim to provide insights that can enhance clinical management strategies and improve outcomes for patients with kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oil/water transition zone, particularly pronounced in low-permeability formations with small pore diameters and high capillary pressure, contains a substantial portion of original oil in place. The capillary pressure curves provide essential data for the calculation of the original oil in place as well as the oilfield development simulation. However, the traditional single capillary pressure curve cannot provide enough information. To address this challenge, an experimental investigation was conducted to explore the capillary pressure diagrams within the oil/water transition zone of low-permeability reservoirs. The results shed light on the complex behavior of capillary pressure, the influence of initial water saturation, and the relationship between initial oil saturation and residual oil saturation. Incorporating the behavior of capillary pressure into reservoir simulation models can enhance reservoir characterization and improve the accuracy of oil production performance in low-permeability reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The velocity distribution of flow in an eccentric cylindrical annulus is determined in an attempt to investigate the vertical capillary rise in the channel. The critical values of the radii ratio and the eccentricity at which the capillary rise changes from oscillatory to monotone or vice versa are determined. For a particular aspect ratio, the rise becomes monotonic as the eccentricity increases. The oscillations are also dampened as the annulus becomes thinner. These critical values depend on Galileo and Bond numbers as well as the contact angle. The results reduce to the limiting cases of concentric and fully eccentric annuli. The critical values are also calculated for the special arrangements when the radii ratios are 1 and 0. The latter limit is in perfect agreement with the conditions found in the literature for the classical circular channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The lattice‐Boltzmann method (LBM) is becoming increasingly popular for simulating multi‐phase flows on the microscale because of its advantages in terms of computational efficiency. Many applications of the method are restricted to relatively simple geometries. When a more complex geometry is considered—circular and inclined microchannels—some important physical phenomena may not be accurately captured, especially at low capillary numbers. A Y‐Y micro‐fluidic channel, widely used for a range of applications, is an example of a more complex geometry. This work aims to capture the various flow phenomena, with an emphasis on parallel flow and leakage, using the Rothman–Keller (RK) model of the LBM. To this purpose, we modify the forcing term to implement the surface tension for use at low capillary numbers. We compare the simulation results of the RK model with and without the force modification with experiments, Volume of Fluid and the phase field method and observe that the modified forcing term is an improvement over the current RK model at low capillary numbers, and it also captures parallel flow and leakage more accurately than the other simulation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an iris‐mimicking polymeric microparticle with randomly generated silica film cracks to be utilized as a wet‐phase micro security taggant. The microparticles are designed to replicate the capillary patterns in the human iris, providing high data capacity and stability, making them ideal for authentication. Furthermore, the microparticles integrate a QR code within the pupillary zone of the iris, enabling pupillary authentication to enhance two‐factor identification and elevate overall security levels an unprecedented feature absent in conventional iris recognition systems. The resulting artificial iris‐mimicking microparticles have high coding efficiency and unique characteristics and can be authenticated in the wet phase, making them suitable for use as micro security taggants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the potential inaccuracies in measuring anemia prevalence rates using different methods for measuring hemoglobin concentration in blood samples. It highlights the concern that using portable hemoglobinometers like the HemoCue® 301 device or pooled capillary blood may lead to overestimation of anemia prevalence. The study found that hemoglobin concentrations measured with pooled capillary blood were consistently higher than those measured with venous blood, suggesting caution when comparing anemia prevalence rates across different methods. The authors recommend using venous blood samples and automated hematology analyzers as the most accurate method for measuring hemoglobin levels. Further research is needed to improve procedures for collecting pooled capillary blood. [Extracted from the article]

Optical detection is an indispensable part of microfluidic systems for nutrient determination in seawater. Coupling total internal reflection capillaries with microfluidic chips is a practical alternative to increase the optical path length for high-sensitivity and a low detection limit in colorimetric assays, which has not been applied in microfluidic devices for seawater nutrients. Here, we present an online microfluidic system which integrated a total internal reflection capillary made of Teflon AF 2400 for the high-sensitivity detection of nitrite and nitrate in seawater. The off-chip capillary lengthens the optical path without changing the internal flow path of the microfluidic chip, enhancing the sensitivity, reducing the detection limit and widening the dynamic range of the system, which significantly improves the performance of the microfluidic system based on wet-chemistry. The detection limit for nitrite is 0.0150 μM using an external 20 cm capillary and 0.0936 μM using an internal 5 cm absorption cell, providing an over 6-fold improvement. Laboratory analysis of surface seawater samples collected from the South China Sea with this system and a one-month online deployment of an autonomous analyzer developed based on this system at a station revealed correlations between the nitrite and nitrate with tide, salinity and chlorophyll over slight variations and narrow ranges, demonstrating the high-sensitivity of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]