The often-perceived limitations of application of image analysis have for many years impeded the widespread application of such systems as first line characterisation tools. Image analysis has, however, undergone a notable resurgence in the pharmaceutical industry fuelled by developments system capabilities and the desire of scientists to characterize the morphological nature of their particles more adequately. The importance of particle shape as well as size is now widely acknowledged. With the increasing use of modelling and simulations, and ongoing developments though the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence, the utility of image analysis is increasing significantly driven by the richness of the data obtained. Such datasets provide means to circumvent the requirement to rely on less informative descriptors and enable the move towards the use of whole distributions. Combining the improved particle size and shape measurement and description with advances in modelling and simulations is enabling improved means to elucidate the link between particle and bulk powder properties. In addition to improved capabilities to describe input materials, approaches to characterize single components within multicomponent systems are providing scientists means to understand how their material may change during manufacture thus providing a means to link the behaviour of final dosage forms with the particle properties at the point of action. The aim is to provide an overview of image analysis and update readers with innovations and capabilities to other methods in the small molecule arena. We will also describe the use of AI for the improved analysis using image analysis.

Solution combustion procedure was used to create a succession of Na3LaxSm1 - x(PO4)2 (x = 0.01-0.15 mol) nanocrystals that generate a warm deep reddish light. Both HR-TEM and X-ray diffraction examinations were used to examine the morphology and crystalline phase analysis. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) approves the elemental examination. The luminescence spectrum exhibits a decent reddish-orange emission at 700 nm wavelength upon near-UV illumination, which aligns with the electronic transition 4G5/2 → 6H11/2. According to Dexter\'s idea, nearest neighbor interlinkages are responsible for the concentration quenching that occurs after the Sm3+ ion composition reaches 6 mol%. Additionally, a detailed evaluation of the radiative lifespan (0.7519 ms), quantum efficiency (77%), Non radiative rate (307.40), color temperature (3170 K), color purity (99.2%) and color coordinates (0.652, 0.338) was conducted. The optical characteristics that have been observed indicate that Sm3+ doped Na3La(PO4)2 phosphors could be a good option for improving WLED efficiency and color quality.

Accurate estimation of cryptogam biomass, encompassing bryophytes and lichens, is crucial for understanding their ecological significance. This estimation is conducted based on the strong correlations between mass and volume of cryptogams. However, mass-volume correlations vary among cryptogams because of their morphological differences. This problem can be solved using models that consider life forms that classify cryptogams based on morphological similarities. In this study, we investigated whether life form models improve cryptogam biomass estimation accuracy. The cryptogam mass-volume correlation of each life form was estimated using Bayesian linear models. The coefficients and intercepts of linear models differed between life forms, which was attributed to the morphological characteristics of each life form. Therefore, life form models can improve the accuracy of estimation models by incorporating morphological differences. However, taxonomic models that consider only the taxonomic difference (bryophytes vs lichens) demonstrated better overall estimation than the life form models, probably because of the ability of taxonomic models to capture systematic differences between bryophytes and lichens. Furthermore, these models may mitigate estimation errors related to morphological variations that cannot be adequately represented by life form types. Based on these results, we propose the appropriate use of estimation models.

The mechanisms of how long-term alcohol use can lead to persistent pain pathology are unclear. Understanding how earlier events of short-term alcohol use can lower the threshold of non-painful stimuli, described as allodynia could prove prudent to understand important initiating mechanisms. Previously, we observed that short-term low-dose alcohol intake induced female-specific allodynia and increased microglial activation in the spinal cord dorsal horn. Other literature describes how chronic ethanol exposure activates Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to initiate inflammatory responses. TLR4 is expressed on many cell types, and we aimed to investigate whether TLR4 on microglia is sufficient to potentiate allodynia during a short-term/low-dose alcohol paradigm. Our study used a novel genetic model where TLR4 expression is removed from the entire body by introducing a floxed transcriptional blocker (TLR4-null background (TLR4LoxTB)), then restricted to microglia by breeding TLR4LoxTB animals with Cx3CR1:CreERT2 animals. As previously reported, after 14 days of ethanol administration alone, we observed no increased pain behavior. However, we observed significant priming effects 3 h post intraplantar injection of a subthreshold dose of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in wild-type and microglia-TLR4 restricted female mice. We also observed a significant female-specific shift to pro-inflammatory phenotype and morphological changes in microglia of the lumbar dorsal horn. Investigations in pain priming-associated neuronal subtypes showed an increase of c-Fos and FosB activity in PKCγ interneurons in the dorsal horn of female mice directly corresponding to increased microglial activity. This study uncovers cell- and female-specific roles of TLR4 in sexual dimorphisms in pain induction among non-pathological drinkers.

Bacterial growth and division rely on intricate regulation of morphogenetic complexes to remodel the cell envelope without compromising envelope integrity. Significant progress has been made in recent years towards understanding the regulation of cell wall metabolic enzymes. However, other cell envelope components play a role in morphogenesis as well. A primary factor required to protect envelope integrity in low osmolarity environments is OpgH, the synthase of osmoregulated periplasmic glucans (OPGs). Here, we demonstrate that OpgH is essential in the α-proteobacterium Caulobacter crescentus. Unexpectedly, depletion of OpgH or attempted complementation with a catalytically dead OpgH variant results in striking asymmetric bulging and cell lysis. These shape defects are accompanied by reduced cell wall synthesis and mislocalization of morphogenetic complexes. Interestingly, overactivation of the CenKR two-component system that has been implicated in cell envelope stress homeostasis in α-proteobacteria phenocopies the morphogenetic defects associated with OpgH depletion. Each of these perturbations leads to an increase in the levels of the elongasome protein, MreB, and decreases in the levels of divisome proteins FtsZ and MipZ as well as OpgH, itself. Constitutive production of OpgH during CenKR overactivation prevents cell bulging, but cells still exhibit morphogenetic defects. We propose that OPG depletion activates CenKR, leading to changes in the expression of cell envelope-related genes, but that OPGs also exert CenKR-independent effects on morphogenesis. Our data establish a surprising function for an OpgH homolog in morphogenesis and reveal an essential role of OpgH in maintaining cell morphology in Caulobacter.IMPORTANCEBacteria must synthesize and fortify the cell envelope in a tightly regulated manner to orchestrate growth and adaptation. Osmoregulated periplasmic glucans (OPGs) are important, but poorly understood, constituents of Gram-negative cell envelopes that contribute to envelope integrity and protect against osmotic stress. Here, we determined that the OPG synthase OpgH plays a surprising, essential role in morphogenesis in Caulobacter crescentus. Loss of OpgH causes asymmetric cell bulging and lysis via misregulation of the localization and activity of morphogenetic complexes. Overactivation of the CenKR two-component system involved in envelope homeostasis phenocopies OpgH depletion, suggesting that depletion of OpgH activates CenKR. Because cell envelope integrity is critical for bacterial survival, understanding how OpgH activity contributes to morphogenesis and maintenance of envelope integrity could aid in the development of antibiotic therapies.

Bisphenol S (BPS) is widely used in the manufacture products and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The effect of the association between obesity and BPS on cardiac outcomes is still unknown. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into standard chow diet (SC; 15 kJ/g), standard chow diet + BPS (SCB), high-fat diet (HF; 21 kJ/g), and high-fat diet + BPS (HFB). Over 12 weeks, the groups were exposed to BPS through drinking water (dose: 25 μg/Kg/day) and/or a HF diet. We evaluated: body mass (BM), total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (SBP), left ventricle (LV) mass, and cardiac remodeling. In the SCB group, BM, total cholesterol, and SBP increase were augmented in relation to the SC group. In the HF and HFB groups, these parameters were higher than in the SC and SCB groups. Cardiac hypertrophy was evidenced by augmented LV mass and wall thickness, and ANP protein expression in all groups in comparison to the SC group. Only the HFB group had a thicker LV wall than SCB and HF groups, and increased cardiomyocyte area when compared with SC and SCB groups. Concerning cardiac fibrosis, SCB, HF, and HFB groups presented higher interstitial collagen area, TGFβ, and α-SMA protein expression than the SC group. Perivascular collagen area was increased only in the HF and HFB groups than SC group. Higher IL-6, TNFα, and CD11c protein expression in all groups than the SC group evidenced inflammation. All groups had elevated CD36 and PPARα protein expression in relation to the SC group, but only HF and HFB groups promoted cardiac steatosis with increased perilipin 5 protein expression than the SC group. BPS exposure alone promoted cardiac remodeling with pathological concentric hypertrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation. Diet-induced remodeling is aggravated when associated with BPS, with marked hypertrophy, alongside fibrosis, inflammation, and lipid accumulation.

This study explores the optimal morphology of photochemical hydrogen evolution catalysts in a one-dimensional system. Systematic engineering of metal tips on precisely defined CdSe@CdS dot-in-rods is conducted to exert control over morphology, composition, and both factors. The outcome yields an optimized configuration, a Au-Pt core-shell structure with a rough Pt surface (Au@r-Pt), which exhibits a remarkable fivefold increase in quantum efficiency, reaching 86% at 455 nm and superior hydrogen evolution rates under visible and AM1.5G irradiation conditions with prolonged stability. Kinetic investigations using photoelectrochemical and time-resolved measurements demonstrate a greater extent and extended lifetime of the charge-separated state on the tips as well as rapid water reduction kinetics on high-energy surfaces. This approach sheds light on the critical role of cocatalysts in hybrid photocatalytic systems for achieving high performance.

Nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions (NIVLs) are significant causes of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in the left lower limb and symptom recurrence following left lower limb varicose vein treatment. The goal of this study was to explore the haemodynamic and morphological characteristics of iliac veins in patients with NIVLs. Pressure at the caudal end of the stenotic left common iliac vein (LCIV) segment, local blood flow velocity, and time-averaged wall shear stress in the stenotic segment exhibited positive correlations with the clinical CVI classification (R = 0.92, p < 0.001; R = 0.94, p < 0.001; R = 0.87, p < 0.001), while the relative retention time showed a negative correlation (R = -0.94, p < 0.001). The pressure difference (∆P) between the two ends of the stenotic segment and the velocity difference (∆V) between the stenotic segment and the caudal end were positively correlated with the clinical classification (R = 0.92, p < 0.001; R = 0.9, p < 0.001). The cross-sectional area stenosis rate and length of the stenotic LCIV segment were positively correlated with the clinical classification (R = 0.93, p < 0.001; R = 0.63, p < 0.001). The results suggest that haemodynamic assessment of the iliac vein could effectively portray blood flow disturbances in stenotic segments of the LCIV, potentially reflecting the degree of iliac vein stenosis. Haemodynamic indicators are correlated with the severity of clinical CVI symptoms.

Several species of the worldwide distributed genus Calliphora Robineau-Desvoidy (Insecta, Diptera, Calliphoridae) are medically important vectors and agents of myiasis. Furthermore, these flies are relevant in forensics because they are found in corpses. Information regarding the taxonomy, bionomics and distribution of Calliphora species endemic to South America, including Calliphora lopesi Mello, is scarce. To expand knowledge on C. lopesi, this study presents descriptions of eggs, larvae, puparia and developmental data at 14, 17, 20, 23 and 26 ± 1°C for the first time. Adult flies were collected from the field and kept in the laboratory to obtain samples for morphological and biological studies. Immatures were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. To assess the growth rate, 10 specimens from each temperature group were randomly removed from the diet and weighed every 24 h from larval hatching until pupation. The minimum developmental threshold, thermal constant and linear development-rate equations were calculated for each stage. Considering weight gain records and survival rates, the optimum temperature for the development of C. lopesi ranges from 23 to 26°C. A key to third-instar larvae of known Neotropical species of Calliphora was also provided to assist in identification. The information provided in this study should be useful in expanding knowledge about Neotropical Calliphoridae species of forensic importance.
Várias espécies do gênero Calliphora Robineau‐Desvoidy (Insecta, Diptera, Calliphoridae), distribuídas mundialmente, são vetores e agentes causadoras de miíases clinicamente importantes. Além disso, tais moscas são relevantes no âmbito forense porque são encontradas em cadáveres. Informações sobre a taxonomia, bionomia e distribuição de espécies de Calliphora endêmicas da América do Sul, incluindo Calliphora lopesi Mello, ainda são escassas. Para ampliar o conhecimento sobre a espécie C. lopesi, este estudo apresenta pela primeira vez as descrições de ovos, larvas e pupários, assim como dados sobre o desenvolvimento de imaturos a 14, 17, 20, 23 e 26 ± 1°C. Moscas adultas foram coletadas no campo e mantidas em laboratório para obtenção de amostras para estudos morfológicos e biológicos. Os imaturos foram examinados utilizando microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura. Para avaliar a taxa de crescimento, 10 espécimes de cada grupo de temperatura foram retirados aleatoriamente do substrato em que se alimentavam e pesados a cada 24 horas, desde a eclosão das larvas até a pupariação. O limiar mínimo de desenvolvimento, a constante térmica e as equações lineares da taxa de desenvolvimento foram calculados para cada estágio. Levando em consideração os registros de ganho de peso e taxas de sobrevivência, a temperatura ótima para o desenvolvimento de C. lopesi varia de 23 a 26°C. Uma chave para larvas de terceiro estádio de espécies neotropicais conhecidas de Calliphora também está sendo disponibilizada para auxiliar na identificação. Espera‐se que as informações fornecidas neste estudo possam ser úteis para ampliar o conhecimento sobre espécies Neotropicais de Calliphoridae de importância forense.

Neurons contain three compartments, the soma, long axon, and dendrites, which have distinct energetic and biochemical requirements. Mitochondria feature in all compartments and regulate neuronal activity and survival, including energy generation and calcium buffering alongside other roles including proapoptotic signaling and steroid synthesis. Their dynamicity allows them to undergo constant fusion and fission events in response to the changing energy and biochemical requirements. These events, termed mitochondrial dynamics, impact their morphology and a variety of three-dimensional (3D) morphologies exist within the neuronal mitochondrial network. Distortions in the morphological profile alongside mitochondrial dysfunction may begin in the neuronal soma in ageing and common neurodegenerative disorders. However, 3D morphology cannot be comprehensively examined in flat, two-dimensional (2D) images. This highlights a need to segment mitochondria within volume data to provide a representative snapshot of the processes underpinning mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy within healthy and diseased neurons. The advent of automated high-resolution volumetric imaging methods such as Serial Block Face Scanning Electron Microscopy (SBF-SEM) as well as the range of image software packages allow this to be performed.We describe and evaluate a method for randomly sampling mitochondria and manually segmenting their whole morphologies within randomly generated regions of interest of the neuronal soma from SBF-SEM image stacks. These 3D reconstructions can then be used to generate quantitative data about mitochondrial and cellular morphologies. We further describe the use of a macro that automatically dissects the soma and localizes 3D mitochondria into the subregions created.