Image of the Week: Microscopic view of lung surfactant This microscopic image of lung surfactant, a lipid-protein material that reduces surface tension in the lung and aids in proper pulmonary function, could easily be mistaken for a whimsical textile print. A recent issue of Biomedical Beat provides more information about the fanciful designs represented in the image and how they may offer insights into developing new methods for drug delivery: Using microscopy techniques, the researchers captured a snapshot of the changes that occur (black) when surfactant molecules are stressed by carbon nanoparticles. The scientists found that if inhaled, carbon nanoparticles could influence the function of the main lipid component of surfactant. A likely gateway for nanoparticles to enter the body is through the lungs, so this and future studies may help scientists improve drug delivery methods. Photo by University of Kansas State
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Image of the Week: Microscopic view of lung surfactant

This microscopic image of lung surfactant, a lipid-protein material that reduces surface tension in the lung and aids in proper pulmonary function, could easily be mistaken for a whimsical textile print. A recent issue of Biomedical Beat provides more information about the fanciful designs represented in the image and how they may offer insights into developing new methods for drug delivery:

Using microscopy techniques, the researchers captured a snapshot of the changes that occur (black) when surfactant molecules are stressed by carbon nanoparticles. The scientists found that if inhaled, carbon nanoparticles could influence the function of the main lipid component of surfactant. A likely gateway for nanoparticles to enter the body is through the lungs, so this and future studies may help scientists improve drug delivery methods.

Photo by University of Kansas State

Purkinje neurons play an essential role in motor function. Here the Purkinje neurons reach their arbor-like dendrites into the molecular layer of the developing cerebellum of a mouse. The mostly green cells at the bottom left are cerebellar granule cells, which relay information from the nervous system to the Purkinje neurons.
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Purkinje neurons play an essential role in motor function. Here the Purkinje neurons reach their arbor-like dendrites into the molecular layer of the developing cerebellum of a mouse. The mostly green cells at the bottom left are cerebellar granule cells, which relay information from the nervous system to the Purkinje neurons.

Source: download.cell.com

Keloid Scars Scars are formed by the collagen produced by fibroblasts in the area of the injury. Initially scars may have a raised or bumpy appearance, but over time tend to diminish in size and flatten. Sometimes, however, fibroblasts do not cease to produce collagen at the proper time, and the resultant scar swells with the fibrous protein to unusual proportions. If this growth remains restricted to the original location of the wound then it is referred to as a hypertrophic scar, but if it extends past the boundaries of the injured area, then the overgrown scar is called a keloid.
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Keloid Scars

Scars are formed by the collagen produced by fibroblasts in the area of the injury. Initially scars may have a raised or bumpy appearance, but over time tend to diminish in size and flatten. Sometimes, however, fibroblasts do not cease to produce collagen at the proper time, and the resultant scar swells with the fibrous protein to unusual proportions. If this growth remains restricted to the original location of the wound then it is referred to as a hypertrophic scar, but if it extends past the boundaries of the injured area, then the overgrown scar is called a keloid.

Source: microscopyu.com

The Human Brain in cross section (near the midline) The following structures can be located here: Cerebellum, 4th ventricle, Superior colliculus, Inferior colliculus, Periaqueductal gray, Pons, Dorsal funiculus, MLF, Medial lemniscus, Red nucleus, Mammillary body, Pineal body, Posterior commissure, Anterior commissure, Thalamus, and Fornix.
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The Human Brain in cross section (near the midline)

The following structures can be located here:

Cerebellum, 4th ventricle, Superior colliculus, Inferior colliculus, Periaqueductal gray, Pons, Dorsal funiculus, MLF, Medial lemniscus, Red nucleus, Mammillary body, Pineal body, Posterior commissure, Anterior commissure, Thalamus, and Fornix.

Source: medicine.creighton.edu

Stem cells grow to become human neurons“In neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, selective loss of some 500,000 cells in critical brain regions can lead to devastating symptoms,” writes Dr. Ole Isacson, Director of the Neuroregeneration Laboratory at McLean Hospital.Our understanding of regeneration and plasticity in the mammalian nervous system has developed greatly through basic research following implantation of fetal stem or genetically engineered cells into the adult brain. While the adult brain previously was thought of as a non-regenerative system for pathway formation, recent studies show how dissociated primordial neurons and stem cells implanted into the adult central nervous system can grow to reconnect neuronal pathways and integrate in a molecular and physiological fashion.Neurodegenerative diseases have very few effective treatments, which is why the laboratory’s research team is working towards a new understanding of these diseases by studying the regenerative properties of stem cells.
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Stem cells grow to become human neurons

“In neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, selective loss of some 500,000 cells in critical brain regions can lead to devastating symptoms,” writes Dr. Ole Isacson, Director of the Neuroregeneration Laboratory at McLean Hospital.

Our understanding of regeneration and plasticity in the mammalian nervous system has developed greatly through basic research following implantation of fetal stem or genetically engineered cells into the adult brain. While the adult brain previously was thought of as a non-regenerative system for pathway formation, recent studies show how dissociated primordial neurons and stem cells implanted into the adult central nervous system can grow to reconnect neuronal pathways and integrate in a molecular and physiological fashion.

Neurodegenerative diseases have very few effective treatments, which is why the laboratory’s research team is working towards a new understanding of these diseases by studying the regenerative properties of stem cells.

Source: mclean.harvard.edu

What is coiling?

Dr. David Newell explains what endovascular coiling is. A catheter is delivered up throughout the arteries and the catheter is fed into the mouth of the aneurysm or the neck of the aneurysm. The coil is delivered and coils up inside the aneurysm. It is then detached and left behind. The idea is that it is packed so tightly that the blood cannot enter the aneurysm anymore and it eventually clots off and seals off.