The Indiana University School of Medicine has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of medical research. A team of scientists has developed a revolutionary new imaging technique that allows for the visualization of bone marrow in mouse models with unprecedented clarity and precision. This breakthrough could have far-reaching implications for the development of new treatments and therapies for conditions affecting bone marrow, such as cancers, autoimmune diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders.

The new method utilizes the multiplex imaging tool Phenocycler 2.0, which enables researchers to visualize a record number of cellular markers within intact bone marrow tissue from mice. This is a significant advancement over traditional methods like flow cytometry, which requires disrupting complex tissues to study and quantify cell populations, and standard fluorescence imaging, which is limited to detecting only three cellular markers at a time.

“We are thrilled to have made this breakthrough,” said Sonali Karnik, PhD, assistant research professor of orthopedic surgery at the IU School of Medicine and co-lead author of the study. “Bone marrow is a complex tissue that plays an essential role in blood and immune cell formation, and housing valuable stem cells. Our new imaging approach offers a unique tool for a variety of research applications.”
The IU Cooperative Center of Excellence in Hematology team successfully applied the Phenocycler 2.0 tool to mouse bone marrow, expanding its capabilities beyond organs like the spleen and kidney. This technique has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of diseases affecting bone marrow and enable researchers to develop more effective treatments.

“The use of mouse models is widespread in studying human diseases,” said Reuben Kapur, PhD, a co-senior author on the study and director of the IU School of Medicine’s Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research. “This technique offers a promising new method for investigating conditions like autoimmune diseases, leukemia, and other disorders involving bone marrow.”
The IU Innovation and Commercialization Office has filed a provisional patent for the new imaging methodology, and the team is now working to expand the marker panel to include additional features such as bone, nerves, muscle, and more immune and signaling cell types.

This research was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, and its findings were recently published in Leukemia. The development of this revolutionary imaging technique has the potential to transform our understanding of bone marrow and lead to breakthroughs in treating conditions affecting it.

The Hidden Cost of High-Support Bras: How Excessive Bounce Reduction May Affect Spinal Health

Research from the University of Portsmouth has revealed that high-support bras designed to reduce breast bounce during exercise may have an unintended consequence on spinal health. The study, published in the European Journal of Sport Science, suggests that achieving 100% bounce reduction could lead to increased loading on the spine, elevating the risk of lumbar back pain.

Dr. Chris Mills and his team from the University’s School of Psychology, Sport, and Health Sciences used advanced tools to investigate the effects of breast movement on spinal rotational forces. They employed a first-of-its-kind whole-body female-specific musculoskeletal model to examine how varying levels of breast support influenced torso motion, breast forces, and spinal moments during running.

The findings showed that while sports bras are essential for reducing breast pain during exercise, excessive bounce reduction may unintentionally increase loading on the spine. Simulated conditions revealed that bras eliminating breast movement led to higher spinal moments, which could elevate the risk of lumbar back pain.

According to Dr. Mills, “While a supportive sports bra is crucial for exercise comfort, excessive bounce reduction may place additional strain on spinal muscles, increasing the risk of back pain.” The study highlights the need for bra manufacturers to consider the unseen musculoskeletal impacts on the human body in their designs.

Professor Wakefield-Scurr, often referred to as the ‘Bra Professor,’ emphasized that striving for maximum bounce reduction may inadvertently pose challenges to spinal health during activities like running. “As sports bras evolve, this study challenges industry leaders to innovate designs that balance comfort, breast support, and holistic health, ensuring that bounce reduction doesn’t come at a cost to spinal health.”

The creation of a subject-specific female musculoskeletal model enabled researchers to gain a detailed understanding and approximation of changes in spinal moments, following simulated changes in breast motion during running. This model could become a useful tool in predicting appropriate and personalized rehabilitation recommendations, which could help ease the loading on the spine after breast surgeries.

In conclusion, the study suggests that finding an optimal balance between bounce reduction and spinal health is crucial for designing effective sports bras. As the bra industry continues to evolve, it’s essential to consider the musculoskeletal impacts of high-support bras on spinal health, ensuring that comfort and performance don’t come at a cost to overall well-being.

The presence of titanium micro-particles in the oral mucosa around dental implants is more common than previously thought, according to a new study from the University of Gothenburg. The research, which analyzed tissue samples from 21 patients with multiple adjacent implants, found that titanium particles were consistently present at all examined implants – even those without signs of inflammation.

While there is no reason for concern, the findings suggest that more knowledge is needed to understand what happens to these micro-particles over time. “Titanium is a well-studied material that has been used for decades,” says Tord Berglundh, senior professor of periodontology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. “It’s biocompatible and safe, but our findings show that we need to better understand what happens to the micro-particles over time.”

The study identified 14 genes that may be affected by these particles, particularly those related to inflammation and wound healing. The researchers suspect that titanium particles are released during the surgical installation procedure and may influence the local immune response.

Peri-implantitis is a microbial biofilm-associated inflammatory disease around dental implants, with features similar to those of periodontitis around teeth. The inflammatory process is complex, and the resulting destruction of supporting bone in peri-implantitis may lead to loss of the implant.

The study’s findings highlight the importance of continued research into the effects of titanium particles on the human body. As more people opt for dental implants, understanding the long-term consequences of these procedures is crucial for ensuring patient safety and well-being.

In conclusion, while the presence of titanium micro-particles around dental implants may seem alarming, the researchers stress that there is no reason for concern. However, further investigation into the effects of these particles on the human body is necessary to ensure the continued safety and efficacy of dental implant procedures.