Bladder neck contracture (BNC) is a fibrotic narrowing of the bladder outlet and a challenging complication after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Existing animal models often rely on extravesical ligation or chemical cauterization, which do not adequately reproduce the thermal injury-driven fibrosis that develops after endoscopic surgery and may show limited reproducibility. Here, we describe a rat model of bladder neck fibrosis induced by transvesical Holmium:YAG laser (Ho:YAG laser) ablation of the bladder neck. After a small lower midline laparotomy and cystotomy, a 200-µm Ho:YAG laser fiber is introduced into the bladder lumen under direct visualization. Laser energy is delivered in contact mode at 1.0 J and 10 Hz for 5 s per point at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions of the bladder neck, corresponding to 50 J per point and 100 J per animal. Four weeks later, treated animals develop gross bladder enlargement, bladder neck narrowing, bladder wall thickening, and histological evidence of fibrotic remodeling, including increased collagen deposition and increased collagen type I and III expression. This protocol provides a practical model that mimics localized thermal injury-induced scarring at the bladder outlet. Because female rats are used and functional urodynamic testing was not performed in the current study, the model is best suited for studying bladder neck fibrosis and structural remodeling rather than fully reproducing male post-prostatic-surgery BNC. The model may be useful for studying the fibrotic mechanisms of BNC and for preclinical evaluation of anti-fibrotic or reconstructive interventions.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic and progressive lung disease characterized by repetitive alveolar injury leading to parenchymal thickening, scarring, and respiratory impairment. Current rodent models, particularly those utilizing bleomycin (BLEO), have limited translational relevance to human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) due to anatomical differences such as the absence of respiratory bronchioles. To address this limitation, we developed a large-animal model of pulmonary fibrosis in ferrets, which possess respiratory bronchioles similar to those in humans. Three-month-old wild-type ferrets received intratracheal instillation of BLEO. Lungs were harvested 8 weeks post-treatment for micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histological evaluation. Owing to the limited spatial resolution of multidetector CT (MDCT) in visualizing the ferret small airways, excised lungs were imaged ex vivo using a micro-CT scanner at controlled airway pressures (0 cmH2O and 25 cmH2O) to simulate expiratory and inspiratory conditions. Micro-CT imaging revealed distinct structural differences between normal and BLEO-treated ferret lungs. Normal lungs displayed low attenuation and preserved architecture, whereas BLEO-treated lungs showed markedly increased attenuation consistent with fibrosis. Features characteristic of human fibrotic lung disease, including honeycombing with cystic spaces, thickened interlobular septa, and ground-glass opacities indicative of early fibrotic or inflammatory changes, were evident. Using quantitative micro-CT analysis, it was observed that airways in BLEO-treated ferret lungs exhibited significantly reduced radial expansion, longitudinal stretching, and volume change at both applied air pressures. Furthermore, generation-matched analysis revealed significant thickening of airway walls in regions with visually apparent fibrosis. Histological assessment, including Masson's trichrome staining, confirmed extensive collagen deposition and fibrosis. This study demonstrates that BLEO-treated ferrets develop radiologic, mechanical, and histopathologic features resembling human pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, micro-CT enables high-resolution assessment of fibrotic distribution, airway dynamics, and lung volume changes. These findings highlight the potential of the ferret as a translational model for studying PF pathogenesis and evaluating novel therapeutic strategies.

Isolated fallopian tube torsion (IFTT) is a rare form of adnexal torsion. A 2024 review described fewer than 150 cases over several decades. The clinical presentation of IFTT is highly variable and nonspecific, which may result in delayed diagnosis. Most patients present with acute unilateral abdominal pain with nausea and/or vomiting, while other patients may present with more gradual symptoms. Risk factors for IFTT include adnexal lesions, hydrosalpinx, previous pelvic surgery, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Ultrasound is particularly useful in identifying the imaging signs of IFTT, which include normal ovarian size and flow, a distended cylindrical structure that tapers to a "beak" adjacent to the ovary, thickened endosalpingeal folds resulting in a "cogwheel" appearance, and, lastly, a twisted vascular pedicle. We present an imaging-focused case in which the diagnosis of IFTT using ultrasound, following equivocal CT, resulted in prompt and confirmatory surgical management. Our goal is to raise awareness of IFTT as a possibility in females with abdominal pain and to discuss ultrasound characteristics that may increase clinical suspicion and diagnostic confidence. Prompt recognition and surgical management may prevent tubal necrosis and loss of fertility.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling and right heart dysfunction, driven largely by excessive proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). The PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways are key regulators of this aberrant proliferation. This study investigated whether Ganoderma lucidum spore powder (GLSP), a traditional Chinese medicine with cardiovascular protective effects, ameliorates PAH through modulation of these pathways. In vivo, GLSP administration to monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rats significantly reduced mean pulmonary arterial pressure and right ventricular systolic pressure, attenuated pulmonary vascular wall thickening and fibrosis, and improved right ventricular function, accompanied by suppression of PI3K/AKT and MAPK phosphorylation. In vitro, GLSP reversed PDGFBB-induced PASMC proliferation, migration, and activation of PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling. Network pharmacology and molecular docking further revealed that GLSP components stably bind to AKT1, SRC, PIK3CA, HSP90AA1, and ESR1-key nodes within these pathways. Our findings, from both in vivo and in vitro experiments, demonstrate that GLSP ameliorates MCT-induced PAH and pulmonary vascular remodeling by inhibiting aberrant PASMC proliferation and migration via suppression of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling axes, highlighting GLSP as a promising therapeutic candidate for PAH.

This retrospective follow-on study reviewed 25 consecutive patients with genetically confirmed choroideremia who were treated with subretinal AAV2-CAG-REP1 in dose-escalation gene therapy clinical trials conducted at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University Eye Hospital Tübingen. Six patients in Oxford received 10[10] vector genomes in 100 µL, while a further 19 patients across both centers received 10[11] vector genomes in 100 µL. Although the primary safety outcomes of both investigator-led academic studies have previously been reported, retinal imaging changes were observed during follow-up, prompting a more detailed characterization of these findings. Twelve of 25 treated eyes developed imaging features consistent with perivascular astrocytic gliosis during follow-up, representing 48% of the cohort. All affected eyes had received the higher dose, accounting for 12 of 19 eyes treated with 10[11] vector genomes. No patients receiving the lower dose (1.0 × 10[10] vector genomes) developed this phenotype. The lesions followed the major vascular arcades toward the optic disc, and optical coherence tomography demonstrated inner retinal thickening with a fine, granular hyperreflective texture, without intraretinal cysts. Longitudinal imaging showed no progressive expansion of the involved regions. Clinically, the findings were silent: no patient reported uveitic symptoms, ocular examinations were largely quiet, and no peripheral cellular immune responses were detected in patients with available assays. Perivascular astrocytic gliosis therefore appears to be a common, clinically silent, nonprogressive, and noninflammatory retinal response after subretinal AAV2-CAG-REP1 gene therapy for choroideremia at a dose of 10[11] vector genomes, which is generally accepted as the therapeutic human dose for targeting photoreceptors. We hypothesize that local REP1 overexpression in perivascular astrocytes suppresses FOXO3-mediated apoptosis and engages EGFR/STAT3 signaling, driving benign perivascular astrocytic accumulation analogous to retinal astrocytic hamartomas seen in phacomatoses. Gene therapy involving ubiquitous promoters may have unexpected effects, and while benign, may not be predicted.

Psyllium husk gel (PHG) is a soluble dietary fiber with well-documented health benefits, yet its application in whole wheat products is constrained by complex interactions with the gluten network. This study investigated the effects of PHG at 0%, 2%, 8%, and 14% on the phase mass and protein redistribution, microstructure, thermal properties, and steamed bread quality of whole wheat dough. PHG reduced the aqueous phase mass after ultracentrifugation and reallocated proteins predominantly to the water-insoluble fraction, while non-protein substances shifted to the water-soluble fraction associated with insoluble matter. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that PHG transformed the dough from discrete starch granules into continuous aggregates with enhanced granule coverage, and X-ray micro-computed tomography further quantified that PHG increased mean gas cell wall thickness by 3.2%-43.1%, with uniform thickening achieved only at 8% addition. At 14%, PHG disrupted thickness uniformity and reduced the optimal thermal stability observed at 8%, as evidenced by a 28.6% higher tan δ at 60°C and a 15.8% lower residual weight at 350°C. Nevertheless, both 8% and 14% PHG still maintained favorable crumb cellular structure, characterized by higher junction numbers and increased cell wall thickness relative to the control, which resulted in higher springiness even after 7 days of short-term storage. These findings clarify how PHG redistributes dough components and reinforces gas cell walls, and provide a practical basis for improving the quality and storage stability of high-fiber whole wheat steamed bread.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder that requires objective and repeatable assessment of both tissue structure and disease activity for proper management of the disease. Multimodal endoscopy combining optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescence imaging offers complementary structural and functional contrast for this purpose. However, conventional double-clad fiber catheters often suffer from multipath interference artifacts that degrade structural image fidelity. Here, we present a fully integrated dual-modality endoscopic system enabling artifact-suppressed OCT alongside high-sensitivity fluorescence imaging. We utilized this system to longitudinally monitor the progression of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice in vivo. The imaging results revealed distinct stage-specific biomarkers, where acute inflammation was characterized by profound vascular permeability, while the chronic phase was distinguished by persistent thickening of the muscularis layer. An exploratory random forest classifier trained on these extracted features achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 96.7% in distinguishing different colitis states, with feature importance analysis confirming the synergistic value of combining both the structural and fluorescence information. This work establishes a robust multimodal endoscopic platform for non-invasive, longitudinal quantification of inflammatory burden in preclinical models, with potential applications in diagnostic imaging and treatment monitoring of gastrointestinal diseases.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation induces oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to skin damage and related disorders. Tinospora cordifolia, a medicinal plant rich in bioactive phytoconstituents with reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, was used in this study to develop bovine serum albumin (BSA)-based hydrogels encapsulating aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of T. cordifolia. The protective effects of these hydrogels were evaluated against UVB-induced skin inflammation in golden hamsters. The formulations were characterized using rheology, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess physicochemical properties. Rheological analysis confirmed the hydrogel's viscoelastic nature. FTIR spectra showed successful encapsulation of the extract, indicated by interactions of characteristic functional groups. SEM imaging revealed a porous network structure of the hydrogel, indicating successful formation of the BSA-based matrix. Biological efficacy was assessed by measuring skin edema, antioxidant activity (SOD and catalase), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). Histology showed reduced epidermal thickening, inflammation, and tissue damage in treated skin. The hydrogels significantly reduced UVB-induced edema, increased antioxidant enzyme levels, and decreased cytokine levels. Western blot analysis showed downregulation of NF-κB, COX-2, and p53, and upregulation of Bcl-2. These findings suggest that T. cordifolia-loaded hydrogels offer a promising natural formulation for alleviating UVB-induced skin inflammation and oxidative damage.