Maternal Intake of Flaxseed During Lactation and Exercise Training Protect Against Salt Overload-Induced Aortic Remodeling in Adult Offspring

Abstract Background High dietary sodium intake can induce endothelial stiffness even without changes in blood pressure. Objectives To evaluate the effects of exercise training and chronic intake of sodium chloride solution on aortic morphology of male offspring of rat dams who consumed flaxseed during lactation. Methods Female rats were fed with a control diet or a flaxseed diet during lactation. At weaning, two male offspring of each rat dam were allocated into eight groups for 180 days: four groups received a control diet e four received a flaxseed diet, with /without exercise and with/without NaCl solution supply. Aorta was collected for histomorphometric analysis. The one-way analysis of variance was used and P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The chronic use of 1% NaCl solution led to changes in aortic histoarchitecture in the control group: increase in aortic intima-media thickness (10,4%, p<0.0001) and reduced number of elastic lamellae (-8,1%, p<0.0001). Groups of offspring of mother that consumed flaxseed during lactation, the chronic use of 1% NaCl alone did not lead to an increase in the aortic intima-media thickness. Exercise training of adult offspring increased aortic intima-media thickness (13.3%, p<0.0001), with preservation of elastic components and aortic flexibility. Conclusion Chronic salt overload caused adverse effects on the aorta of rats, and maternal consumption of the flaxseed diet during lactation protected against aortic remodeling. Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0

Structure and histophysiological considerations on the arterial wall of the dog / Estructura y aspectos histofisiológicos de la pared arterial del perro

This paper described the architecture of the dog aortic arterial wall focused in the ascendant; thoracic descendent, and abdominal parts of the aorta. Furthermore, in this study we analyzed the wall structure of the right external iliac artery and the left vertebral artery of dog aiming to compare their architectural patterns with the aortic wall mainly in abdominal aortic part, which was structured by a mixed muscular and connective matrix equilibrated elements. The variables analyzed were the thickness of each mural layer; the number of elastic lamellae, mainly localized into the medial layer structure, and the diameters of each aortic segment. The aortic structure showed a typical elastic pattern in the ascendant and descendant thoracic parts, but in its abdominal segment a lesser presence of elastic lamellae permitted to classify it with a mixed mural composition. The aortic segments mainly presented variable amounts of smooth muscle cells and connective matrix assuming a meshwork pattern. Furthermore, smooth muscle cells were seen intermingled with connective lamellae and fibers forming the complex meshwork related, which certainly helped to guarantee the aortic mural integrity during the aortic blood flow.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir la estructura histológica de la aorta del perro adulto, a través del análisis morfométrico. Fueron estudiados los tres segmentos de la aorta, ascendente y descendente torácicos, y el segmento abdominal inferior a los riñones. Esta última porción presentó un patrón estructural mixto, con tejido muscular liso y conectivo, con equilibrio entre las células musculares lisas y el componente mural tipo estroma, con elementos fibrosos y laminillas elásticas. En las otras partes de la aorta, se observó el clásico patrón elástico en la estructura mural, con una mayor proporción de los componentes activos (musculares lisos) que los pasivos, o sea, laminillas y fibras conectivas. El número de las laminillas elásticas fue decreciente desde la aorta ascendente en dirección a la parte abdominal de la aorta. Los diámetros de los tres segmentos tiñeron de manera similar. La comparación entre la estructura mural de la aorta y la histología de la arteria iliaca interna derecha y arteria subclavia izquierda, ambas musculares, fueron analizadas de manera objetiva, encontrando diferencias en el patrón mural aórtico, principalmente en el segmento aórtico terminal.

Developing a new endograft for the treatment of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms: definition and experimentation

OBJECTIVES: To analyze angiotomographic parameters of juxtarenal aneurysms to assess the applicability of an endograft model to patients and to create in vitro and in vivo models to assess the new endograft. METHODS: A total of 49 patients with juxtarenal aneurysms were submitted to angiotomographic evaluation, and parameters such as the aortic diameter, the length of the neck, and the angulations of the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery and renal arteries; the distances between them; and anatomic variations were analyzed. Based on these parameters, an endograft model was developed and tested in a newly created in vitro model of juxtarenal aneurysm. An experimental model of juxtarenal aneurysm was then established in six pigs weighing 50-60 kg to assess the new endograft model. RESULTS: The angiotomographic parameters of juxtarenal aneurysm measured in this study were similar to those reported in the literature and allowed the development of an endograft based on the hourglass concept, which was applicable to 85.8% of the patients. The in vitro model of juxtarenal aneurysm evidenced good radiopacity and functionality and permitted adjustments in the new device and technical improvements in the procedures for treating these aneurysms. In addition, the porcine model of juxtarenal aneurysm was successfully created in all six animals using a bovine pericardial patch, and use of the new endograft in three pilot procedures evidenced its feasibility. CONCLUSIONS: The Hourglass endograft was rendered applicable to treatment of the majority of patients with juxtarenal aneurysms simply by changing its diameter. Moreover, the new in vitro and in vivo models were shown to be effective for assessing both the presented endograft and experiments assessing the endovascular treatment of juxtarenal aneurysms. .

Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity as a Screen for Arterial Stiffness: A Comparison with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

PURPOSE: Despite technical simplicity and the low cost of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BA-PWV), its use has been hampered by a lack of data supporting its usefulness and reliability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of BA-PWV to measure aortic stiffness in comparison to using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 124 participants without cardiovascular risk factors volunteered for this study. BA-PWV was measured using a vascular testing device. On the same day, using CMR, cross-sectional areas for distensibility and average blood flow were measured at four aortic levels: the ascending, upper thoracic descending, lower thoracic descending, and abdominal aorta. RESULTS: Compared to PWV measured by CMR, BA-PWV values were significantly higher and the differences therein were similar in all age groups (all p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between BA-PWV and PWV by CMR (r=0.697, p<0.001). Both BA-PWV and PWV by CMR were significantly and positively associated with age (r=0.652 and 0.724, p<0.001). The reciprocal of aortic distensibility also demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation with BA-PWV (r=0.583 to 0.673, all p<0.001). CONCLUSION: BA-PWV was well correlated with central aortic PWV and distensibility, as measured by CMR, regardless of age and sex.

Aortic Pathologies and Pregnancy: A Special Focus on Connective Tissue Disorders.

Pregnancy represents a physiological status which, due to clear and typical hormonal and hemodynamic changes, is frequently accompanied by a high morbidity of aortic structures, in all of its segments. Such morbidity might become patent when a pregestational situation exists, especially with the mother suffering from connective tissue disorders. Nevertheless, morbid occurrences that will be met only during pregnancy are well known, with particular pathophysiological and etiological theories, as well as a diversity of treatments proposed in such an unusual setting. The authors discuss the main pathologies of aorta that are seen during pregnancy, from a theoretical point of view, and from a historical perspective as well. A special focus is made to the connective tissue disorders, and the theoretical considerations are illustrated with images of dissecting aneurysms of aorta.

Avaliação do posicionamento da aorta em pacientes com escoliose idiopática do adolescente / Evaluation of the positioning of the aorta in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis / Evaluación de la posición de la aorta en pacientes con escoliosis idiopática del adolescente

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o posicionamento da aorta em pacientes com escoliose. MÉTODOS: Foram realizados exames de imagem em pacientes ambulatoriais com escoliose idiopática do adolescente e em um grupo formado por pacientes hígidos, sendo analisados seis parâmetros: comprimento do corpo vertebral, largura, distância aorta-corpo, diâmetro da aorta, distância aorta-canal e ângulo corpo-aorta. RESULTADOS: As curvas variaram entre T3 e L2 com ângulos de Cobb de 46° e 114°. Pela classificação de Lenke os tipos 1AN e 1BN ocorreram em 20% dos casos, além de 1CN, 3BN, 3C+ com 13,3 % e 1B+, 3C- com 6,7 %. As vértebras próximas ao ápice da curva no grupo escoliose apresentam valores superiores às do grupo controle (em T8 com média de 86,93° no grupo escoliose e média 49,07 no grupo controle (p < 0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: Quanto mais próximo do ápice da deformidade, maior a póstero-lateralização da aorta.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the aorta positioning in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: We performed imaging studies on outpatients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and on a group of healthy patients, and analyzed six parameters: length of the vertebral body, width, aortic-body distance, aortic diameter, distance between spine channel and aorta and aortic-body angle. RESULTS: Curves ranged from T3 to L2 with Cobb angles from 46° to 114°. By Lenk's classification it was observed that types 1AN and 1BN occurred in 20% of cases, 1CN, 3BN, 3C+ in 13,3 % and 1B+, and 3C- in 6,7%. The nearest vertebrae of the apex of the curve in the scoliosis group present higher values than those of the control group (at T8 with a mean of 86.93° in the scoliosis group and average of 49.07° in the control group (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The nearer the apex of the deformity, the greater the lateralization and posteriorization of the aorta.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la posición de la aorta en pacientes con escoliosis idiopática. MÉTODOS: Se realizaron estudios de imagen en pacientes ambulatorios con escoliosis idiopática del adolescente y en un grupo de pacientes sanos, y se analizaron seis parámetros: longitud y anchura del cuerpo vertebral, distancia aorta-cuerpo, diámetro de la aorta, distancia orta-canal e ángulo cuerpo-aorta. RESULTADOS: Las curvas van desde T3 a L2 con ángulos de Cobb de 46° hasta 114°. En la clasificación de Lenk, los tipos 1AN 1BN ocurrieron en el 20% de los casos, 1CN, 3BN, 3C+ en 13,3%, 3C- y 1B+ en 6,7%. Las vértebras cerca del vértice de la curva en el grupo escoliosis tienen valores más altos que el grupo control (en T8 con una media de 86,93° en el grupo escoliosis y un promedio de 49,07° en el grupo control (p < 0,0001). CONCLUSIÓN: Cuanto más cerca del ápice de la deformidad, mayor es la lateralización y posteriorización de la aorta.

Descrição morfológica do diafragma do sagui-de-tufo-branco (Callithrix jacchus) / Morphological description of diaphragm of white-tufted-ear-marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

O músculo diafragma, encontrado apenas nos mamíferos, é o principal músculo no processo respiratório, servindo de fronteira entre as cavidades torácica e abdominal. Sua importância também ganha destaque em pesquisas realizadas no âmbito dos enxertos, empregando-se diversos tipos de membranas biológicas para o reparo de defeitos diafragmáticos, os quais podem gerar hérnias diafragmáticas. Apesar de muitos estudos já conduzidos para com os primatas não humanos, especialmente no que tange a espécie do novo mundo Callithrix jacchus (Sagui-de-tufo-branco), oriundo do nordeste brasileiro, as pesquisas envolvendo o uso do diafragma em tal espécie é inexistente. Deste modo objetivou-se caracterizar a morfologia e a biometria do diafragma na espécie Callithrix jacchus de ambos os sexos, analisando possíveis divergências estruturais entre machos e fêmeas. Para tal foram utilizados quatros animais, 2 machos e 2 fêmeas, adultos, que vieram a óbito por causas naturais, provenientes de um criadouro comercial. Após fixação em solução de formaldeído 10% os animais foram devidamente dissecados para fotodocumentação e em seguida o diafragma coletado para efetuação da biometria (comprimento e largura) com o uso de um paquímetro e para o processamento histológico por meio da coloração de hematoxilina-eosina e tricrômio de masson, da porção muscular. As mensurações feitas permitiram concluir que não houve diferenças signifcativas entre machos e femeas. A topografia e a presença de três aberturas (forame da veia cava caudal, hiato aórtico e esofágico) na extensão do diafragma corroboram com descrições na literatura classica para outros mamíferos. A presença de um centro tendíneo em "V" difere do encontrado para animais como o peixe-boi e porquinho-da-india, mas é similar ao encontrado para o gambá-de-orelhas-brancas e rato albino. No que diz respeito aos achados histológicos conclui-se que as fibras musculares estão dispostas de forma organizada, apresentam diâmetro grande e núcleos basais, tendo, portanto, características similares do músculo estriado esquelético tanto nos animais machos como nas fêmeas.

The diaphragm muscle found only in mammals is the main muscle in the respiratory process, serving as the border between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Its significance also is highlighted in research conducted with grafts using various types of biological membranes for the repair of diaphragmatic defects which may cause diaphragmatic hernias. In spite of many studies already conducted in non-human primates, especially in regard to the new world species Callithrix jacchus (white-tufted-ear-marmoset) from northeastern Brazil, research involving use of the diaphragm in such species is nonexistent. Thus, the objective was to characterize the morphology and biometry of the diaphragm in C. jacchus of both sexes, analyzing possible structural differences between males and females. To this end, we used four adult white-tufted-ear-marmosets from a commercial breeder, two males and two females that had died of natural causes. After fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution, the animals were dissected for photo documentation, the diaphragm was collected for biometrics (length and width) with a caliper, and for histological processing by hematoxylin-eosin and Trichrome Masson. The measurements showed that there were no significant differences between males and females. The topography and the presence of three openings (foramen vena cava, aortic et esophageal hiatus) in the extension of the diaphragm corroborate descriptions in classical literature for other mammals. Regarding the histological findings, it was concluded that the muscular fibers are arranged in an organized shape, with a large diameter and basal nuclei, and showed similar characteristics of skeletal muscle in males and females.

Evento adverso en el diagnóstico de disección aórtica torácica por T. A. C / Pitfalls in CT diagnosis of thoracic aortic dissection

Introducción: La disección de Aorta se produce cuando la pared aórtica enferma por degeneración de la capa media, se produce rotura de la íntima y separación de la capa media. Son factores etiológicos: hipertensión arterial, arteriosclerosis, asociación familiar, Sme. de Marfán, entre otros. Clínicamente pueden presentar dolor torácico, síncope, ACV, etc. Se sospecha en Rx de tórax, se confirma por TAC, RMN y Ecocardiograma (1,3,8,12). El hallazgo más frecuente en disecciones aórticas es un flap producido en la capa íntima de la pared aórtica que separa la luz verdadera de la falsa luz (10).

Introduction: Aortic dissection is a condition in which there is a tear of the intima and separation of the media layer of the sick aortic wall due to the degeneration of the latter. Etiology factors include: high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, relatives with a history of aortic dissection, Marfan syndrome, among others. Its clinical manifestation may include: thoracic pain, syncope, stroke, etc. It is suspected in chest X-ray and confirmed by CT scan, chest MRI and echocardiogram(1, 3, 8, 12). The most frequent finding in aortic dissections is an aortic wall intima flap separating the true lumen from the false lumen(10).

Multidetector computed tomographic angiography evaluation of micropig major systemic vessels for xenotransplantation

Due primarily to the increasing shortage of allogeneic donor organs, xenotransplantation has become the focus of a growing field of research. Currently, micropigs are the most suitable donor animal for humans. However, no standard method has been developed to evaluate the systemic vascular anatomy of micropigs and standard reference values to aid in the selection of normal healthy animals as potential organ donors are lacking. Using 64-channel multidetector row computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA), we evaluated morphological features of the major systemic vessels in micropigs and compared our results to published human data. The main vasculature of the animals was similar to that of humans, except for the iliac arterial system. However, diameters of the major systemic vessels were significantly different between micropigs and humans. Specifically, the diameter of the aortic arch, abdominal aorta, external iliac artery, and femoral artery, were measured as 1.50 +/- 0.07 cm, 0.85 +/- 0.06 cm, 0.52 +/- 0.05 cm, and 0.48 +/- 0.05 cm, respectively, in the micropigs. This MDCTA data for micropig major systemic vessels can be used as standard reference values for xenotransplantation studies. The use of 64-channel MDCTA enables accurate evaluation of the major systemic vasculature in micropigs.

Contribution to the study of aortic mural structure of opossum (Didelphis albiventris) / Contribución al estudio de la estructura mural de la aorta del zorrillo (Didelphis albiventris)

Opossum is considered one of the most primitive mammals, with transition evolutive characteristics. In mammals, the aorta artery is referred as the main body blood vessel. The arteries wall structural organization follows a basic pattern, being contituted of three tunics: Intima, Median and Adventicial. After euthanasia, three samples of opossum had segments from the aorta artery ascendent, thoracic descending and abdominal descending portions removed, fixed in phormalin at 10 percent for 48 hours. Then, the material was washed in alcohol 70 percent several times, dehydrated in alcohois of growing concentrations, diafanized in xylol and included in "paraplast". Cuts with 5 to 7um of thickness were placed in histological laminae and submitted to color methods of Hematoxilin-Eosin, Masson, Mallory and Calleja Tricromics. It was observed that in the different portions ascendent, thoracic and abdominal descending of aorta, the intima tunic presents much thick, made up of a layer of smooth muscular cells and elastic fibers, forming a limiting internal elastic membrane. In the three portions studied, the median tunic was the most evident layer, constituted of colagen fibers, smooth muscular cells arranged in a circular manner and elastic fibers, showing a variation in the mural elements proportion. It was evidenced the presence of a external elastic lamina, marking the transition between the median and adventicial tunic, formed by elastic fibers condensation. The aortic adventicial tunic showed to be little organized, having in its structure predominantely colagen fibers beans with some isolated smooth muscular fibers or in small fascicules among a few elastic fibers.

El zorrillo es considerado uno de los mamíferos más primitivos, con transición de características evolutivas. En los mamíferos, la arteria aorta se refiere como el principal vaso sanguíneo del cuerpo. La organización estructural de la pared de las arterias sigue un patrón básico, siendo contituida por tres túnicas: íntima, media y adventicial. Después de la eutanasia, tres muestras de zorrillos fueron seccionadas desde las porciones de la arteria aorta ascendente, descendente torácica y abdominal descendente, removidas, y fijadas en formalina al 10 por ciento durante 48 horas. Luego, el material se lavó varias veces en el alcohol al 70 por ciento, deshidratados en alcoholes en concentraciones crecientes, diafanizadas en xilol y se incluyeron en paraplast. Cortes de 5 a 7 mm de espesor fueron colocados en láminas histológicas y sometidas a los métodos de tinción de Hematoxilina-Eosina, Masson, Mallory y tricrómico de Calleja. Se observó que en las diferentes porciones ascendente, torácica y abdominal descendente de la aorta, la túnica íntima se presentó mucho más gruesa, formada por una capa de células musculares lisas y fibras elásticas, formando una membrana limitante elástica interna. En las tres porciones estudiadas, la túnica media fue la capa más evidentes, constituida por fibras de colágeno, células musculares lisas dispuestas en forma circular y fibras elásticas, mostrando una variación en la proporción de elementos murales. Se evidenció la presencia de una lámina elástica externa, que marca la transición entre la túnica media y adventicia, formada la por condensación de las fibras elásticas. La túnica adventicia aórtica demostró ser poco organizada, presentando en su estructura predominantemente fibras de colágeno con algunas fibras musculares lisas aisladas o en pequeños fascículos entre unas pocas fibras elásticas.

The bicuspid aortic valve and its relation to aortic dilation

BACKGROUND: A bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common congenital heart disease, which affects 1-2 percent of the population. However, the relationship between BAVs and aortic dilation has not been sufficiently elucidated. METHODS: A total of 241 BAV patients who were referred to this hospital for cardiac surgey over a 4.75-year period were included in this study. In addition to the clinical characteristics of the included patients, the morphological features of the aortic valve and aorta, the length of the left main coronary artery, and the laboratory findings (the coagulation and hematological parameters as well as the total cholesterol concentration) were determined and compared with those of the tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) patients. RESULTS: The BAV patients were younger than the TAV patients for a valve surgery in the last 3 months of the study period. The BAV patients were predominantly male. Most of the BAVs that were surgically treated were stenotic, regurgitant, or combined, and only 19 (7.88 percent) were normally functioning valves. According to echocardiography or operative records, 148 (78.31 percent) were type A, 31 (16.40 percent) were type B, and 10 (5.29 percent) were type C. The left main coronary artery was much shorter in the BAV patients than it was in the TAV patients. There was no significant difference between BAV and TAV patients in the total cholesterol concentrations; whereas differences were noted between patients receiving lipid-lowering therapy and those not receiving lipid-lowering therapy. The dimensions of the aortic root, sinotubular junction, and ascending aorta were beyond normal limits, while they were significantly smaller in the BAV patients than in the TAV patients. They were also much smaller in patients receiving statin therapy than those not receiving statin therapy in both groups. Moreover, the aortic dilation in the BAV group was found to be significantly associated with patient age. CONCLUSIONS: ...

[ Rare Variation of Right Subclavian Artery Origin from Posterior Surface of Aortic Arch]

Several variations of aortic arch have been reported yet. In present study another variation of aoictic arch was reported. Right subclavian artery arises from posterior surface of the distal end of the aortic arch we present a variation of an aorticarch in which right subclavian artery arises from posterior surface of the distal end of the aortic arch and passing behind esophagus to reach right side of neck. Conclusion: Review of literature showed that regarding origin of the artery this variation was reported for tile first time by the authors It seems that the artery narrowed the position the esophagus However there were not any other sign of side effect on anatomical structure and of their blood supply

Histological study of the effects of extensive freeze injury on the rabbit aorta

Cryopreservation of blood vessels has become one of the key techniques to make up the limited sources of fresh blood vessels. But cryopreservation methods do not adequately preserve complex natural or engineered multicellular tisses. When lesions are produced by localized freezing of the aorta, necrosis is present throughout the full thickness of the tunica media of tunica media as well as in the endothelium. The response of the vessel wall varies according to the extent of endothelial denudation and the period of freeze injury. From this point of view, this study was designed to investigate the histological effects of extensive freeze injury on the rabbit aorta. The abdominal aorta of twenty-five adult male rabbits were used in this study. Five normal adult male rabbits were used as a control [group I]. The remaining twenty rabbit aorta were exposed to extensive freeze injury by a 12-mm aluminium bar, cooled down to the temperature of liquid nitrogen and placed on the exterior of the abdominal aorta [infrarenal segment] for I min. Freeze injury was done at 1, 3, 14 days and one month [5 rabbits / time point], corresponding to groups II, III, IV, V respectively, the aortae were excised, fixed by buffered formol saline 10%, paraffin sections were prepared and stained by haematoxylin and eosin [H. and E.] to demonestrate the general architecture of the aorta, orceinfor elastic fibers demonstration in the wall of the aorta and masson's trichrome to illustrate the collagen fibers and smooth muscle cells [SMC] in the whole aortic wall. Group II showed injured surface with desquamated denuded endothelium covered with blood elements in a single layer. The internal elastic fibers were damaged at injury site. Group III showed regenerating endothelium at the edge of the injury zone. Proliferating intimal cells was observed. Group IV showed thickened and elevated intima at the injury zone with migrating smooth muscle cells from the media to the intima. Smooth muscle cells populated the subendothelial space of the injured zone under the regenerated endothelium. Group V showed the tunica media had an area of smooth muscle cells destruction with cellular debris and homogenous smooth degeneration. The intima showed full restoration of endothelial monolayer in the zone of injury. After extensive freeze injury, complete re-endothelialization of the denuded surface and SMC regeneration in the subendothelial space occured, resulting in endothelial myointimal thickening. On the other hand, irreversible changes in the smooth muscle cells of the tunica media were noticed

Analise da arquitetura da aorta de pacientes hipertensos e normotensos / Texture analysis of the elastic fibers in aortas of normotensive and hypertensive patients

Fibras elásticas são componentes essenciais da aorta e remodelamento é acompanhado em muitas doenças e eventos que ameaçam a vida, como dissecção e rupturas. Fibras elásticas podem ser facilmente visualizadas quando coradas com H&E e examinadas por microscopia de fluorescência. Nosso objetivo foi criar um sistema de análise automática da textura das fibras elásticas comparando aorta de pacientes normotensos e hipertensos. O sistema de análise foi composto por Microscópio invertido Olympus IX-81 equipado com scanner FV 300 que utiliza laser FV-5 COMB2, utilizando laser de argônio a 488 nm, objetiva 40x usando óleo de imersão. A espessura da aorta varia de 2 a 3 mm, e a imagem completa foi composta por justaposição de imagens de 220x220 µm utilizando software Fluoview. Para análise foi utilizado o programa gliding box , que é uma caixa deslizadora de 128x128 pixels, que percorre a imagem da aorta pixel a pixel em toda sua extensão. Para análise computadorizada da textura foram utilizados programas computacionais (entropia, homogeneidade local e segundo momento angular derivado da matriz de co-ocorrência de Haralick). Foram calculados e plotados em diagramas resultados equivalentes à topografia histológica da imagem. Em cada caminho o gliding box percorreu entre 2000 e 3000 pixels da textura, revelando a topografia local e sua variação. Foi comparada a textura de fibras elásticas de cortes histológicos corados com HE de 24 pacientes normotensos e 30 hipertensos, adultos de ambos os sexos oriundos de autópsias realizadas no Depto de Anatomia Patológica. Para comparação entre textura e idade utilizou-se Correlação de Pearson, e a textura foi comparada entre os grupos com o auxílio do teste t. Resultados: Tanto nos pacientes normotensos como nos hipertensos não houve correlação entre: número de fibras elásticas ou distâncias entre elas, para as análises de Haralick e idade dos pacientes. No entanto, a entropia em...

The elastic fiber network is an essential component of the aorta. Its remodeling accompanies many diseases and may provoke life-threatening events, such as dissection or rupture. Elastic fibers can be easily demonstrated in eosin-stained histologic sections examined by fluorescence microscopy. The aim of our study was to create an automatic texture analysis system of the elastic fibers and to apply it in human aortas comparing normotensive and hypertensive patients. The analysis sytem was composed of an Olympus IX-81 inverted microscope, a FV300 scan head and a FV-5 COMB2 laser combiner. The fluorescence of the hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides was excited with the 488 nm line of an Argon laser using a 40x oil immersion objective. The Fluoview software was used to reconstruct the images. The full image of the whole sample (2 or 3mm long) was composed by several 220x220. Then a gliding box of 128x128 pixels was running in 1-pixel steps along a predefined axis parallel to the bottom line of the image. For every new box, computerized analysis of texture features (entropy, local homogeneity and the second angular moment derived from the gray-level co-occurrence matrix) were calculated and plotted in diagrams, where the position on the x-axis was equivalent to the topography in the histologic picture. In that way for each "run" of the gliding box about 2000 to 3000 values of a texture feature were obtained, thus revealing precisely its topographic postion and its variabilty. We compared the elastic fiber texture in routinely HE-stained histologic slides of the aorta ascendens in 24 normotensive and 30 hypertensive adult patients of both sexes and of similar age from our autopsy files. Pearson correlations were calculated between the texture...

Arquitetura da parede vascular de segmentos torácico e abdominais da aorta de macaco prego(Cebus apella / Architectural features of the aortic wall of Cebus apella monkey at the thoracic segment and at some abdominal segments: a light microscope study

O segmento torácico da aorta em macaco prego apresentou na túnica íntima uma lâmina elástica interna evidente, estando também presente em todos os segmentos aórticos abdominais analisados nesta espécie. A túnica média aórtica, ao nível torácico, mostrou uma quantidade média de 23,12 lâminas elásticas, tendo disposição circular e oblíqua em relação à luz vascular, e a túnica adventícia apareceu formada por fibras colágenas, dispostas irregularmente entre uma quantidade relativamente menor de fibras elásticas e de fibras musculares lisas. A túnica média do segmento abdominal aórtico, neste primata, observada ao nível supra-renal, apresentou em média 19,12 lâminas elásticas que apareceram relativamente desorganizadas e fragmentadas. Ao nível aórtico infra-renal, foram evidenciadas, na túnica média 11,75 lâminas elásticas, em média, e próximo da emissão das artérias ilíacas comuns a túnica média aórtica tinha cerca de 8,37 lâminas elásticas, asquais estavam entremeadas por fibras musculares lisas e por fibras colágenas que aparentavam aumentar a sua concentração próximo à adventícia. A lâmina elástica externa só foi visível no segmento abdominal aórtico mais distal, ou seja, próximo da emissão das artérias ilíacas comuns

The intimal layer of the thoracic and abdominal aortic segments of Cebus apella monkey presented an evident inner elastic lamina. The medial layer of the thoracic aorta segment showed a basic lamellar elastic pattern having a medium average of 23.12 lamellae per analyzed cut sections, which appeared disposed circular and oblique relatively to the aortic lumen. The aortic adventitial layer, at this level, was formed mainly by collagen fibers, irregularly disposed between elastic fibers and smooth muscle cells. The aortic abdominal portion, in this monkey, at the suprarenal level presented a medium number of19.12 elastic lamellae which showed a relatively disorganized and broken up pattern. At the infrarenal level the aortic medium layer showed a medium average of 11.75 elastic lamellae and next to the emission of the internal iliac arteries it was found only a middle average of 8.37 elastic lamellae interming led with smooth muscle cells and collagen fibers whose concentration seemed to be increased next to the adventitial layer. The external elastic lamina was only present in the more distal aortic segment near to the emission of the internal iliac arteries

Study on cranial and caudal mesenteric arteries in opossum (Didelphis albiventris) / Estudio de las arterias mesentéricas craneal y caudal del zorrillo (Didelphis albiventris)

The objective of this study is to describe the cranial and caudal mesenteric arteries in 10 opossuns after Neoprene latex injection. The cranial mesenteric artery arises from the abdominal aorta, caudally to the celiac trunk, originating the caudal duodenal pancreatic artery, middle and right colic, jejunal and ileocecocolic arteries. The caudal mesenteric artery arises from the aorta, cranially to the external iliac arteries, originating the cranial rectal and left colic arteries.

El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las arterias mesentéricas craneal y caudal de 10 zorrillos después de la inyección de látex Neoprene. La arteria mesentérica craneal tiene origen en la aorta abdominal, caudalmente al tronco celíaco y da origen a las arterias: pacreáticoduodenal caudal, cólica media derecha, yeyunales e ileocecocólica. La arteria mesentérica caudal con origen en la aorta, cranealmente a las arterias ilíacas externas, da origen a las arterias rectal craneal y cólica izquierda.

Effect of concentration of contrast medium on coronary CT angiography.

OBJECTIVE: To compare concentration of contrast medium for vascular opacification at ascending aorta using retrospective reconstruction of coronary CT angiography. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Eighty-four patients undergoing coronary CT angiography with 16 multi-detector rows at Siriraj Hospital between September 2003 and July 2004 were included in this study. The patients were categorized into two groups. The first group was administrated with 350 mgl/ml contrast medium and the second group was administrated with 370 mgl/ml contrast medium. The total amount of contrast medium was about 140 ml (20 ml for timing bolus and 120 ml for CT angiography) in both groups. The CT density on peak contrast administration at ascending aorta was measured and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean density at ascending aorta in 350 mgl/ml and 370 mgl/ml were 362.96 HU (SD 67.53) and 354.44 (SD 59.39), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in mean density at the ascending aorta between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Administration of contrast medium with different concentrations of 350 or 370 mgl/ml showed no statistical difference on enhancement of the ascending aorta in coronary CT angiography (p < 0.05).

Quantitative Analysis of Aortic Atherosclerosis in Korean Female: A Necropsy Study

To assess the regional difference and influence of the biological variables on atherosclerosis in female, we analyzed 7 segments of aorta (2 ascending, 3 thoracic, and 2 abdominal) from 90 superficially healthy Korean women (39+/-14 yr of age) who died from external causes. Tissue specimens were macroscopically examined and histopathologically divided into 7 grades for scoring (ATHERO, from 0=intact, to 6=thrombi formation). Lumen diameter (LD), wall thickness (WT), intima thickness (INT), and media thickness (MED) were obtained by computed morphometry. Atherosclerosis was common in the distal infrarenal (C2), proximal thoracic (B1), and proximal ascending (A1) segments. Total 95.6% of all subjects had atherosclerosis of variable degree in one or more segments, but an aneurysmal change was not found. The number of atherosclerotic segments and atherosclerosis score in the 7 segments increased with aging. However, the body size did not affect the aortic size and ATHERO. With aging, LD and INT of the A1, B1 and C2 increased (p<.00001); WT of the B1 and C2 increased (p<.01); and MED of C2 decreased (p<.01). LD and WT of the B1 and C2 (p<.05), INT of the A1, B1 and C2 (p<.00001) increased, and MED of C2 decreased (p<.01) with ATHERO. These data suggest that age is simple but a reliable parameter for estimating the progression of atherosclerosis.