Functional sensory innervation remains one of the most unresolved challenges in skin tissue engineering and biofabrication. Progress has been achieved in recreating epidermal and dermal architecture, but most engineered skin substitutes fail to reproduce the complex neurocutaneous interactions required for sensation, neuroimmune communication, and tissue homeostasis. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of current strategies for engineering innervated skin constructs, with an emphasis on the convergent integration of biomaterials, sensory neurobiology, biofabrication technologies, multicellular co-culture systems, and functional validation methodologies. Additional focus is placed on the biological determinants governing sensory integration, including neuronal subtype specification, Schwann cell-mediated regulation, endogenous neurotrophic signalling, neurovascular coordination, and neuroimmune crosstalk. Emerging humanized platforms, including induced pluripotent stem cell-derived sensory neurons, organ-on-chip systems, and bioelectronic interfaces, are discussed in the context of translational relevance and disease modelling. Beyond conventional electrophysiological assessment, the review also examines neurochemical and modality-specific functional validation approaches, including neuropeptide release assays and receptor-targeted stimulation paradigms. A Minimum Functional Validation Framework is proposed to classify structural, functional, and translational benchmarks for engineered sensory skin systems. This review highlights the need to move from simple neurite incorporation toward the development of integrated neurocutaneous platforms that can reproduce higher-order sensory physiology for applications in regenerative medicine, drug screening, disease modelling, and neuroprosthetic engineering. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Restoration of sensory function remains a challenge in engineered and bioprinted skin with advances in tissue architecture and vascularization. This review evaluates current strategies for neural integration and highlights the persistent gap between structural innervation and functional sensory performance. We introduce a determinant-based framework encompassing cellular viability, spatial organization, molecular signalling, and functional activation, together with a Minimum Functional Validation Framework (MFVF) that differentiates structural neural presence from true sensory competence. By integrating biological, biomaterial, architectural, biochemical, and electroactive design strategies with standardized validation criteria, this review provides a roadmap for developing sensory-capable skin constructs. The framework supports improved experimental design, functional assessment, and translational advancement towards clinically meaningful sensory restoration.
For decades, theorizing in the cognitive sciences was dominated by the assumption that abstract concepts, lacking directly perceivable referents, can only be represented and processed through amodal or verbal linguistic representations. More recently, refined hybrid grounded cognition theories have successfully been applied to account for abstract concepts within a multiple representation framework. According to this perspective, the meaning of abstract concepts is constituted by representations distributed across various experiential modal brain systems, including sensory, motor, emotional, mentalizing, and social interaction networks. Representations in these modal systems are complemented by representations in language-related and amodal hub regions, depending on the specific semantic content of the concept. In this article, we first outline a multiple representation framework within a hybrid grounded cognition approach and then review neuroscientific evidence concerning the neural substrate of abstract concepts related to sensory-motor features, mental states and social constellations. These findings indicate that modal sensory-motor, mentalizing, and social interaction brain systems contribute to the processing of particular types of abstract concepts, alongside representations in amodal semantic hub regions and language areas. Moreover, this body of research demonstrates that different modal neural circuits are engaged as a function of a concept's specific semantic content, thereby highlighting the heterogeneity of abstract concepts. Future research should address outstanding questions, including the precise functional contributions of distinct neural circuits to the representation of abstract concepts and the evaluation of predicted patterns of impairment in neurological and psychiatric patient populations.
The antibacterial activities of numerous medium and long-chain unsaturated fatty acids are well documented. However, the natural short-chain unsaturated fatty acid, 4-pentenoic acid (C5:1 Δ4) has not been systematically evaluated for its antibacterial activity, mechanism of action, or application potential. This study investigated these to provide a basis for novel preservatives. 4-Pentenoic acid showed broad-spectrum activity against 21 strains of pathogenic bacteria, with MICs 1.5-3 mg/mL, MBCs 3-6 mg/mL, and low resistance risk. It disrupted bacterial membrane integrity, inhibited biofilm formation, and regulated the pdu, nar and RND efflux pump genes, thereby affecting bacterial metabolism and stress responses. Checkerboard broth microdilution susceptibility assays confirmed that the combination of 4-pentenoic acid with antibiotics (such as meropenem) exerted additive antibacterial effects. At effective antibacterial concentrations, oral administration of 4-pentenoic acid caused no observable toxicity. It can markedly inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in milk, beef, and peanut butter, while dosages close to the minimum inhibitory concentration exerted minimal adverse effects on the sensory properties and pH of these foods. In summary, this study provides theoretical and experimental basis for the development of new food preservatives and antibacterial agents.
Cognitive functioning depends on the brain's ability to process sensory information and simultaneously integrate contextual feedback from higher-order regions like the prefrontal cortex (PFC). This requires the sensory cortex (SC) to handle both processes simultaneously. Some phase-coupled oscillator models propose that the scaffolding of neuronal communication occurs via oscillatory coupling of low-frequency oscillations. However, it is often neglected that processing this bidirectional input poses serious temporal constraints on the system. Specifically, is it possible for SC to be coupled to PFC, while at the same time being coupled to the sensory input? In this article, we describe the temporal constraints required to simultaneously process feedforward and feedback information through oscillatory coupling. We adopt a dynamical systems perspective to suggest mechanisms by which phase-coupled oscillator models can achieve optimal temporal dynamics for neural communication while accounting for these temporal constraints. Although initially counterintuitive, our proposed framework indicates that any viable solution of bidirectional phase-based coupling inherently relies on the feedforward scaffolding of neuronal communication. The mechanisms proposed here may generalize to other situations in which brain areas need to cope with bidirectional feedforward and feedback interactions while maintaining phase coupling.
Autistic people represent a substantial and probably under-recognised population within reproductive and maternity services. Maternity care nevertheless continues to rely on neurotypical assumptions about communication, sensory tolerance, pain expression, emotional display, and help-seeking. To map the scope, distribution, and thematic content of literature on autistic people's experiences and support needs across pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care, and infant feeding, and to identify implications for maternity service design and midwifery practice. A mapping review was conducted using a systematic literature search. The search returned 73 relevant records. After title and abstract screening and focused relevance assessment, 25 papers were included in the final evidence map. Studies were categorized by design, perinatal stage, and thematic focus, and were synthesised narratively. The final map comprised 7 reviews or evidence syntheses, 9 qualitative studies, 4 survey studies, 2 cohort or comparative quantitative studies, and 3 practice-focused or contextual papers. The literature clustered most significantly around pregnancy and childbirth. Across study designs, the most consistent findings concerned sensory overload, communication barriers, poor fit between autistic needs and routine maternity care, unmet support needs, and dissatisfaction with standard care environments. Evidence on clinical outcomes and midwives' own experiences remained limited. Avoidable distress commonly arises from the interaction between autistic sensory and communication needs and inflexible maternity systems. Accessible care requires predictable and multimodal communication, consent-based touch, sensory adjustment, continuity where possible, tailored postnatal and feeding support, and co-designed pathways. Research should now evaluate implementation, sustainability, and outcomes in routine maternity services with autistic people as partners.
Distinguishing objects from the background, a process known as Object Individuation (OI), is fundamental for us to interact with the environment and relies critically on location information across sensory modalities. Nonetheless, it remains unclear and contested in the literature whether the enumeration of tactile and visual events relies on the OI process (especially given spatial constraints), or if the representation of numerosity is governed by a modality-independent mechanism common to both visual and tactile systems. In this study, we used a cross-modal enumeration and a working memory dual-task paradigm to investigate whether OI processes in tactile and visual modalities draw upon a shared cognitive resource. We implemented two experiments. In Experiment 1, we combined a tactile working memory (WM) task with visual enumeration, and in Experiment 2, we used a visual WM task with tactile enumeration. Both experiments revealed that the task-irrelevant WM load significantly modulated subitizing performance (enumeration of small quantities) in the target modality. Under high WM load, participants showed increased error rates and reduced subitizing capacity compared to low load. This modulation is selective to the subitizing range and cannot be attributed to general dual-task costs, ruling out general dual-tasking effects. The data shows that visual and tactile working memory and enumeration ("subitizing") share a common OI process that operates on location, independent of the sensory modality. This finding is consistent with existent neuroimaging evidence that highlights the modality-shared role of frontoparietal brain regions (e.g., IPS, LPFC) in enumeration and working memory.
This study developed an efficient strategy for identifying umami and umami-enhancing peptides from fermented soybean meal hydrolysates (FSMH) to support the high-value utilization of soybean byproducts. An integrated approach combining virtual screening, molecular docking, sensory validation, intracellular calcium mobilization assays, and molecular dynamics simulation was employed. Sixteen peptides were synthesized for sensory validation, confirming 15 umami peptides. LE, AE, GEDLMVQ, and FEEINKV exhibited the strongest enhancement in both monosodium glutamate and inosinate/disodium guanylate systems, with GEDLMVQ showing the lowest enhancement threshold (0.0079 mM). Fermentation significantly increased most umami peptide concentrations, peaking at 24 h. Molecular docking implicated T1R1-VFTD as the main binding domain, mediated primarily by hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic contacts, and van der Waals forces. Representative peptides induced TAS1R1-associated Ca2+ responses with distinct kinetics. Molecular dynamics simulations provided supportive structural information for interpreting peptide-receptor interactions. These findings support a feasible strategy for obtaining sustainable flavor enhancers from soybean byproducts.
Diplotaxis tenuifolia L. cv Dallas (rocket leaves) is one of the most widely consumed fresh-cut salad vegetables in Europe, especially in southern Italy, being appreciated for its pungent taste and health promoting phytochemicals. However, its short postharvest shelf-life is still a major drawback. In this study rocket plants were grown in pots using a soilless peat/perlite substrate (3:1, v/v) under glasshouse conditions and irrigated with nutrient solutions containing six nitrogen (NO3 - and NH4 +) concentrations (0.005-0.015 mol L-1) and the quality characteristics and shelf-life of rocket leaves were evaluated. Samples were kept at 5 °C in passive modified atmosphere packaging with clamshells in 99% relative humidity for 18 days. Quality parameters such as vitamin C, chlorophyll, firmness, microbial load (mesophilic aerobic bacteria, yeasts and moulds) and general sensory acceptability parameters were monitored at regular intervals. Degradation kinetics were explained by primary (first-order and lag-exponential) and secondary models and predicted sensory shelf-life at a threshold score value 3 for marketability. Results showed that low to moderate nitrogen levels had significantly higher vitamin C content and sensory quality. In contrast, greater nitrogen levels (> 0.013 mol L-1) promoted nutrient loss at faster rates and surpassed the European safety levels for nitrates. Shelf-life prediction models showed that they fit well (R2 > 0.90) and indicated a trade-off between quality preservation and nitrate safety. Moderate nitrogen fertilization (corresponding to 0.005-0.007 mol L-1) favoured both the quality retention and the compliance with the regulations, in favour of sustainable agricultural practices. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Consumer demand for beef products is driven by eating quality, affordability, and versatility. Creating value-added formulations that enhance nutritional density without compromising acceptability is a crucial part of product development. Organ meats are nutrient-dense beef byproducts that remain underutilized in U.S. food systems. Edible beef by-products contribute substantially to carcass value through domestic and export markets. Incorporating beef organs into ground beef blends may provide a value-added opportunity to enhance whole-animal utilization. Objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of beef heart, liver, or kidney at 15% inclusion on product quality and consumer acceptability of ground beef patties. Patties were formulated as control (no organ) or with heart, liver, or kidney and evaluated for cooking characteristics, instrumental color, objective tenderness, and consumer acceptance. Liver and kidney patties increased redness and chroma of raw and cooked patties (P < 0.0001). Moreover, liver and kidney patties reduced shear force and hardness compared to control and patties containing beef heart (P < 0.0001). Consumer panelists rated patties with kidney as juicier (P < 0.0001) and more tender (P = 0.0004). Sensory panelists scores report similar findings for control and heart patties for overall liking (P = 0.5208), appearance (P = 0.5823), aroma (P = 0.1756), and texture (P = 0.6387). A tendency (P = 0.0763) was observed for flavor with control and heart patties receiving higher flavor scores than the remaining treatments. Liver patties received the lowest scores for overall liking, flavor, and texture (P < 0.0001) compared to all other treatments. Results demonstrate that ground beef quality and consumer perception are influenced by organ type with beef heart maintaining characteristics like control patties. Among the organs evaluated, kidney inclusion provided the greatest improvements in juiciness and tenderness for beef patties but exhibited sensory challenges. Results indicate the need for further investigation to identify an optimal inclusion rate that maximizes eating quality and consumer acceptability. Formulation estimates suggest that replacing 15% of the beef trimmings with organ meat can reduce formulation cost while improving utilization of carcass components. Results suggest the potential for incorporating beef organs into ground beef as a value-added strategy to enhance sustainability and economic efficiency.
Bioactive peptides generated from meat proteins, fermented meat products, and slaughter by-products have attracted increasing attention as functional molecules for improving meat quality and preservation. In meat systems, peptides can be produced through endogenous postmortem proteolysis, microbial fermentation, gastrointestinal digestion, or controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of underutilized animal by-products. These peptides are closely associated with key meat science endpoints, including postmortem tenderization, oxidative stability, color retention, flavor development, microbial inhibition, and the valorization of processing by-products. However, although high-resolution peptidomics has greatly expanded the identification of meat-derived peptide sequences, their translation into practical meat applications remains limited by matrix interactions, processing stability, sensory constraints, safety concerns, and insufficient validation in real meat systems. This review synthesizes recent advances in meat-related peptidomics and computational screening, including sequence-based prediction, machine learning, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, stability assessment, and safety-oriented filtering. Particular attention is given to how these approaches can prioritize peptides with antioxidant, antimicrobial, flavor-modulating, and preservation-related functions under meat-specific technological constraints. By integrating peptide generation pathways, mass spectrometry-based identification, in silico prioritization, and meat quality endpoints, this review proposes a stage-gated framework for translating meat-derived bioactive peptides from discovery to application. Future research should strengthen matrix-specific validation, standardized peptidomic reporting, and safety assessment to support the use of bioactive peptides in meat quality improvement, clean-label preservation, and circular utilization of meat industry by-products.
A sensory‑directed analytical workflow is introduced for the characterisation of extractable aroma‑active non‑intentionally added substances in post‑consumer recycled (PCR) plastic materials. Aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) was adapted for solid samples through stepwise reduction of sample mass, enabling determination of flavour dilution (FD) factors without altering injector split conditions or introducing solvent effects. The approach was tested using washed polyethylene fabric softener packaging, for which 30 odour‑active regions were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (HS‑SPME‑GC-MS-O), including two regions with FD > 2048. Application to recycled plastics revealed distinct aroma profiles across high‑density polyethylene (HDPE), low‑density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) pellets. GC-MS-O detected 28, 6 and 17 odour‑active regions in HDPE, LDPE and PP, respectively. Subsequent use of heart‑cut multidimensional GC (HS-SPME-MDGC-MS-O) resolved coeluted compounds and increased the number of detectable odorants to 36 in HDPE, 11 in LDPE and 21 in PP, with maximum FD factors of > 256, 2 and 8, respectively. Twenty‑five odorants in HDPE were positively identified using combined mass spectral matching, linear retention indices, and odour descriptors. The results demonstrate that integration of AEDA with MDGC-MS-O provides both enhanced chromatographic resolution and quantitative sensory prioritisation, offering a robust framework for assessing aroma‑active contaminants in recycled plastics intended for food‑contact and other high‑value applications.
Polyphenols are well recognized for their roles in wine color and mouthfeel, yet their comprehensive influence on aroma modulation remains poorly understood. Here, a dual-system approach was employed, combining a synthetic grape must fermentation model analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) with a wine matrix system analyzed by static headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SHS/GC-MS). During synthetic must fermentation, polyphenol supplementation enhanced fermentation kinetics without inhibiting yeast growth, and promoted the accumulation of fatty acid ethyl esters including ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, and ethyl decanoate. Within the wine matrix, polyphenols exerted structure-dependent effects on ester volatility, suppressing short-chain and acetate esters while enhancing the release of longer-chain ethyl esters. Sensory evaluation across both systems revealed a consistent shift toward a red wine-like aroma profile. These findings demonstrate that polyphenols dually modulate both biosynthetic accumulation and physicochemical release of fruity esters, collectively shaping red wine aroma typicity.
Primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) is a severe chronic pain disorder, yet whole-brain white matter microstructural alterations beyond the trigeminal nerve remain poorly understood, partly due to limitations of conventional diffusion tensor imaging in crossing fiber regions. We prospectively enrolled 57 patients with classical PTN and 29 age‑ and sex-matched healthy controls. Seventy-two whole‑brain white matter tracts were reconstructed using constrained spherical deconvolution and fixel-based analysis. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was compared between groups using permutation testing with false discovery rate correction. Additional analyses examined associations with clinical variables, surgical outcomes, and neurovascular conflict status. Six tracts showed significantly reduced FA in PTN patients compared to controls (all p < 0.05, FDR-corrected). All six belong to motor-related systems: right fronto-pontine tract, left corticospinal tract, and four striatal tracts (right striato-prefrontal, right striato-fronto-orbital, right striato-occipital, left striato-parietal). No significant correlations with pain severity or disease duration survived multiple comparisons. Microstructural white matter alterations in PTN are not limited to sensory trigeminal pathways but prominently involve motor-associated striato-cortical and corticofugal projection tracts, suggesting that motor system reorganization may be one of the core features of PTN pathophysiology.
Neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) is a rare degenerative corneal disease characterized by impaired corneal sensory innervation, which results in epithelial defects and the development of corneal ulcers. This condition frequently progresses to severe complications. Given the limited efficacy of conventional therapies, topical insulin eye drop treatment has emerged as a promising approach in NK management due to its distinctive mechanism and substantial effectiveness in promoting corneal healing. Extensive research has demonstrated that insulin plays a critical role in corneal tissue repair via multi-target and multi-pathway molecular mechanisms. The topical administration of insulin eye drops significantly accelerates the healing of refractory neurotrophic epithelial defects and corneal ulcers. Due to its high safety profile, ease of preparation, and remarkable therapeutic outcomes, insulin eye drops represent a valuable and reliable treatment option for patients with refractory corneal diseases. 神经营养性角膜病变（NK）是一种罕见的退行性角膜疾病，其特征是角膜感觉神经支配受损，导致上皮缺损和角膜溃疡的形成，常引发严重的并发症。由于传统疗法效果有限，近年来局部胰岛素滴眼液治疗因其促进角膜愈合的独特机制和显著疗效，成为NK治疗的研究热点。大量研究发现，胰岛素通过多靶点、多途径的分子机制参与角膜组织的修复过程，局部应用胰岛素滴眼液可显著促进难治性神经营养性上皮缺损及角膜溃疡的愈合。胰岛素滴眼液治疗NK以其安全性高、制备便捷及疗效显著的优势，为难治性角膜疾病患者提供了一种安全有效的治疗选择。.
High-pressure homogenization (HPH), including ultra-high-pressure homogenization (UHPH) as its higher pressure subset, has evolved from conventional size-reduction operations into versatile food-processing platforms for emulsification, preservation, biopolymer restructuring, and product-level functional design. In contrast to recent descriptive reviews that mainly summarize application categories, this review reframes HPH as a valve-scale energy-dissipation and thermo-fluidic transport process. Evidence published mainly from 2022 to 2026 indicates that HPH performance is governed less by nominal pressure alone than by the coupled effects of valve or chamber geometry, specific energy input, residence-time distribution, shear and extensional deformation, turbulence, cavitation, adiabatic heating, matrix composition, interfacial stabilization, and downstream cooling. Across emulsification, microbial and enzyme control, biopolymer nanodispersion, and texture modification, HPH is most effective when hydrodynamic stresses are matched with formulation capacity, microbial susceptibility, and matrix-specific rheology. The clearest translational value is observed in liquid and pumpable foods, where finer microstructures can improve physical stability, bioaccessibility, microbial control, gel or foam behavior, and sensory smoothness. However, these benefits often plateau or decline when viscosity limits stress transfer, interfacial coverage becomes insufficient, particulate loading disrupts valve flow, proteins reaggregate after mechanical unfolding, or cumulative heating narrows quality margins. Future progress will depend on predictive, application-specific process design supported by CFD-informed valve selection, energy-normalized reporting, thermal lethality assessment, equipment-wear management, regulatory validation, and pilot-scale economic comparison with high-shear mixing and thermal processing.
To review and synthesize current evidence regarding the importance of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in the assessment of choriocapillaris alterations and macular neovascularization (MNV) across the spectrum of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), focusing on disease progression and clinical implications. Selective review of the specialized literature, concentrating on both qualitative and quantitative OCTA analyses of the retinal and choroidal microvasculature in AMD. We focused on measures related to choriocapillaris flow deficits, the morphology and maturity of MNV, and their associations with structural changes like drusen, geographic atrophy, and exudative conditions. The review included findings from both spectral-domain and swept-source OCTA systems. OCTA enables non-invasive, depth-resolved visualization of choriocapillaris and MNV alterations throughout the progression of AMD. In the early and intermediate stages of AMD, localized choriocapillaris flow deficits are often observed beneath drusen and around lesion areas. In more advanced stages, there is significant choriocapillaris damage, especially near geographic atrophy and macular neovascularization. Quantitative OCTA biomarkers, such as density and flow deficit percentage, show strong correlations with disease stage, progression risk, and treatment response. Additionally, the maturity patterns of MNV identified through OCTA seem to affect the integrity of the surrounding choriocapillaris and the dynamics of atrophy. The reviewed studies support a close relationship between choriocapillaris dysfunction, the development of macular neovascularization, and the progression of AMD. These findings reinforce the concept that vascular alterations play a central role throughout the disease spectrum and highlight the potential of OCTA to provide biomarkers that may improve prognostic assessment and treatment monitoring. However, further standardization of imaging protocols and quantitative analysis methods is needed before these biomarkers can be fully integrated into routine clinical practice. OCTA has become a crucial imaging tool for understanding microvascular changes in AMD. The quantitative evaluation of the choriocapillaris and detailed analysis of MNV morphology offer important insights into disease mechanisms, progression risk, and treatment monitoring. Incorporating OCTA-derived biomarkers into routine clinical practice could improve personalized management strategies for patients across the spectrum of AMD.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate inter- and intra-device agreement of ciliary body (CB) biometric parameters measured by image-registered swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT; ANTERION, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM; Insight 100, ArcScan). Patients undergoing anterior segment imaging were prospectively enrolled. Horizontal scans were acquired under standardized illumination. One eye per participant was randomly selected for analysis. Maximum ciliary muscle thickness (CMTMAX), maximum CB thickness (CBTMAX), sulcus-to-sulcus (STS) distance, and scleral spur-to-scleral spur (SSS) distance were manually measured. Eyes with pupillary diameter differences ≥15% were excluded. Inter- and intra-device agreement were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), linear regression, and Bland-Altman analysis. Seventy-eight eyes from 78 subjects (mean age = 61.9 ± 12.6 years) were analyzed. Inter-device agreement was good to excellent (ICC = 0.60-0.85). Mean absolute inter-device differences were 57.6 ± 36.6 µm for CBTMAX, 40.6 ± 44.7 µm for CMTMAX, 0.28 ± 0.23 mm for SSS, and 0.18 ± 0.16 mm for STS; corresponding mean absolute relative inter-device differences were 4.8% for CBTMAX, 5.9% for CMTMAX, 1.5% for SSS, and 2.5% for STS. Greater baseline CBTMAX was the only factor consistently associated with inter-device differences in CBTMAX or CMTMAX (P < 0.001). Intra-device repeatability was excellent across all parameters for both systems (ICC = 0.78-0.90 for ANTERION and 0.80-0.94 for Insight). Image-registered AS-OCT and UBM provided largely concordant and highly repeatable CB measurements, although systematic inter-device differences across the two modalities suggest they cannot be considered fully interchangeable. Modern image-registered swept-source AS-OCT provides a viable, non-contact alternative to UBM for quantitative CB assessment.
To characterize the trace element composition of feline corneal sequestra (FCS) and provide insights into their pathophysiology. FCS samples were collected from 11 eyes of 9 cats following keratectomy and compared with corneal samples from four clinically normal control cats euthanized for reasons unrelated to the study. Excised corneal tissues were immediately frozen at -80°C and analyzed using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) with a 1.7 MV Pelletron accelerator to determine relative elemental abundance. Trace element levels between groups were compared using Mann-Whitney tests, and results were expressed as peak area units. Affected cats were predominantly brachycephalic or predisposed breeds, including Sphynx, Persian, and British Shorthair. Lesions measured 1-8 mm in diameter and involved approximately 20%-70% stromal depth. Across all samples, sulfur demonstrated the highest elemental signal, followed by phosphorus, potassium, chloride, sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and bromine. Iron (median ± SEM: 751 ± 336 vs. 0 ± 0; p = 0.047) and bromine (110 ± 50 vs. 0 ± 0; p = 0.004) were consistently detected in sequestral tissue but were absent in control corneas. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups for sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, or zinc. Feline corneal sequestra exhibited a distinct elemental profile characterized by the detection of iron and bromine, which were not detected in the normal corneal samples analyzed. These findings demonstrate measurable differences in trace element composition between sequestral and healthy corneas and provide novel insights into the biochemical characteristics of this disease.
The magnitude and axis of surgically induced astigmatism depend on the sclera-corneal tunnel dimensions. Often, the incision depth is subjective, and standardization is rarely emphasized. This study attempts to evaluate a fixed scleral incision depth of 350 µm at 1-week post-op. The aim is to determine the SIA vector and centroid using the Pythagorean theorem and keratometric measurements. This study was conducted from January to July 2025 and recruited 42 patients at a tertiary health institution. All patients received scleral incisions to a depth of 350 µm after preoperative auto-keratometry measurements. Preoperative astigmatism was classified into WTR, ATR, and oblique types. The overall mean age was 67.14 (± 9.23) years, with 27 (64.29%) males and 15 (35.71%) females. A positive correlation (r = 0.93, 0.69) was found for pre- and post-operative keratometry. T-test for pre- and post-operative vertical keratometry revealed statistical significance (p < 0.0009). The mean SIA magnitude and axis were 2.05 (± 1.75) D and 77.94º (± 59.68º), respectively. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed statistical significance for SIA magnitude (p=0.0003). The centroid was at 22.3º. A 28.57% conversion rate from ATR to WTR was observed, with 71.43% remaining unchanged postoperatively. High prediction accuracy was observed for preoperative horizontal and vertical keratometry (R2 values of 0.93 and 0.74, respectively). This work adds a unique dimension to the literature by explicitly linking a fixed tunnel depth to the SIA vector and keratometric prediction. These results provide a platform for future research exploring scleral incision depth as a determinant of astigmatic outcomes. This study finds a statistically significant difference in vertical keratometry with moderate SIA magnitude. Astigmatic axis transition was unchanged in most patients, likely due to a standardized scleral incision depth. Centroid demonstrated a minimal SIA magnitude on horizontal keratometry. An excellent postoperative keratometry prediction was determined.
Keratoconus (KC) is a multifactorial corneal degenerative disorder characterized by reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) and cellular content. This study investigates the role and mechanism of cellular communication network factor 1 (CCN1) in KC progression. The expression of CCN1 was first examined in clinical samples using Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. A CCN1 overexpression cell model (OE CCN1) was then established by transfecting primary corneal stromal cells with CCN1 OE plasmids, and RNA sequencing was performed to identify downstream molecular pathways regulated by CCN1. Subsequently, multiple methodologies, including SA‑β‑Gal staining, enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), qRT‑PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were used to systematically evaluate the role of CCN1 in KC samples and corneal stromal cells. CCN1 expression was significantly elevated in patients with KC. CCN1 OE markedly upregulated senescence and inflammatory pathways, increased expression of γH2AX, p16, p21, p53, and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) molecules. Additionally, CCN1 led to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, enhanced apoptosis, lysosomal dysfunction, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) OE, collectively contributing to ECM remodeling. CCN1 plays a critical role in promoting corneal degeneration in KC and may serve as a potential therapeutic target to halt or slow disease progression.