Relationships between Osteopontin, Osteoprotegerin, and Other Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Calcifying Arteries.

Osteopontin (OPN) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are glycoproteins that participate in the regulation of tissue biomineralization. The aim of the project is to verify the hypothesis that the content of OPN and OPG in the aorta walls increases with the development of atherosclerosis and that these proteins are quantitatively related to the main proteins in the extracellular arteries matrix. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the OPN and OPG content in 101 aorta sections have been conducted. Additionally, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test has been performed to determine the collagen types I-IV and elastin content in the tissues. Correlations between the biochemical data and patients' age/sex, atherosclerosis stages, and calcification occurrences in the tissue have been established. We are the first to report correlations between OPN or OPG and various types of collagen and elastin content (OPG/type I collagen correlation: r = 0.37, p = 0.004; OPG/type II collagen: r = 0.34, p = 0.007; OPG/type III collagen: r = 0.39, p = 0.002, OPG/type IV collagen: r = 0.27, p = 0.03; OPG/elastin: r = 0.42, p = 0.001; OPN/collagen type I: r = 0.34, p = 0.007; OPN/collagen type II: r = 0.52, p = 0.000; OPN/elastin: r = 0.61, p = 0.001). OPN overexpression accompanies calcium deposit (CA) formation with the protein localized in the calcium deposit, whereas OPG is located outside the CA. Although OPN and OPG seem to play a similar function (inhibiting calcification), these glycoproteins have different tissue localizations and independent expression regulation. The independent expression regulation presumably depends on the factors responsible for stimulating the synthesis of collagens and elastin.

3D reconstruction of events: Search for a spatial correlation between injuries and the geometry of the body discovery site.

The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of analysing visual material in a 3D environment when examining spatial interrelations between the incident participants, tools, and space surrounding the incident site. Such analysis may provide information about the trauma mechanism, which may lead to the determination of probable events. This paper points to the potential of conducting research under 3D environment conditions on the example of a specific criminal incident-a suspected homicide. The aim of the study was to identify possible circumstances of the events with particular emphasis on the mechanism of death and the involvement of third parties. It was performed a comprehensive 3D reconstruction of the elements of the incident using different sources and forms of evidence, and consequently also different imaging, analysis, and synthesis technologies. The resulting 3D reconstruction and animation of the possible events serve to verify the investigative hypotheses. The paper combines a technical description of the research methodology with a forensic commentary, which ultimately creates an integral synthesis of the medicolegal assessment for trial purposes, while presenting the effectiveness of the research methods used. To sum up, the paper presents an experiment carried out under virtual conditions, impossible to execute under real conditions but critical for trial case analysis.

Methodology of generation of CFD meshes and 4D shape reconstruction of coronary arteries from patient-specific dynamic CT.

Due to the difficulties in retrieving both the time-dependent shapes of the vessels and the generation of numerical meshes for such cases, most of the simulations of blood flow in the cardiac arteries use static geometry. The article describes a methodology for generating a sequence of time-dependent 3D shapes based on images of different resolutions and qualities acquired from ECG-gated coronary artery CT angiography. The precision of the shape restoration method has been validated using an independent technique. The original proposed approach also generates for each of the retrieved vessel shapes a numerical mesh of the same topology (connectivity matrix), greatly simplifying the CFD blood flow simulations. This feature is of significant importance in practical CFD simulations, as it gives the possibility of using the mesh-morphing utility, minimizing the computation time and the need of interpolation between boundary meshes at subsequent time instants. The developed technique can be applied to generate numerical meshes in arteries and other organs whose shapes change over time. It is applicable to medical images produced by other than angio-CT modalities.

Association between Leukocyte Cell-Derived Chemotaxin 2 and Metabolic and Renal Diseases in a Geriatric Population: A Pilot Study.

LECT2 is not a routine diagnostic marker for any disease, but it has been associated with many pathologies, including systemic amyloidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and metabolic syndrome. With human aortic sections (n = 22) and sera from geriatric subjects (n = 79), we analyzed the relationships that could be observed between this protein and other parameters related to metabolic diseases. As a result, we observed a relatively high (r~0.8, p < 0.05) positive correlation between SRA and LECT2 and a negative correlation between EGFR and LECT2 (r~-0.4, p < 0.05). We observed LECT2 expression in macrophages, myocytes, and other aortic cells, with a tendency to be overexpressed in developed atherosclerotic plaques. We conclude that LECT2 exerts its chemotactic effects not only as a protein synthesized in the liver and secreted and circulating in the blood but also as a locally expressed protein within atherosclerotic plaque development. The LECT2-EGFR correlation suggests an association of this protein with loss of normal renal function. This fact can be associated with LECT2 amyloidosis, although it should be verified whether in the geriatric population there is indeed a widespread accumulation of LECT2 with the progression of aging or whether it is rather a marker of general deterioration of renal function.

Creating crime scene 3D model with body wear camera footage.

Aim: The aim of this study is to develop a methodology for creating 3D images of crime scenes based on footage from cameras used by emergency services. To accomplish this, a research experiment was conducted, which consisted of re-enactment of a crime scene and simulation of the actions of the emergency team. The experiment did not illustrate a real case. The scenario was developed and dedicated for the purpose of the research. Material and methods: The research material of this study consists of footage recorded in digital video format. The footage shows the course of a re-enacted intervention of emergency services at the crime scene. The re-enactment, which was a research experiment, was arranged under conditions close to real ones. The 3D model of the scene was created in three stages: video analysis and 3D reconstruction of the spatial position of the camera; 3D modelling of the figure of the participant with reconstruction of the position similar to the one in the recording; and 3D scanning of the scene of the simulated crime, assembly of individual elements, and scaling to real dimensions. Results: The result (a 3D model) was presented in the form of a set of images: horizontal projections, vertical sections, and isometric and perspective views of the model. Technical data of the research equipment as well as other relevant information was presented in tables and diagrams. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that graphic data obtained unintentionally and through alternative recording sources may significantly complement the data collected in the course of routine medico-legal and forensic activities. The use of cameras during the actions of rescue and emergency services allows us to obtain information of significant importance for medico-legal and forensic analyses. The footage from cameras of emergency services makes it possible to obtain a 3D image of the crime scene for further medico-legal and forensic analyses.

Impact of government policies on the COVID-19 pandemic unraveled by mathematical modelling.

Since the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, control policies and restrictions have been the hope for containing the rapid spread of the virus. However, the psychological and economic toll they take on society entails the necessity to develop an optimal control strategy. Assessment of the effectiveness of these interventions aided with mathematical modelling remains a non-trivial issue in terms of numerical conditioning due to the high number of parameters to estimate from a highly noisy dataset and significant correlations between policy timings. We propose a solution to the problem of parameter non-estimability utilizing data from a set of European countries. Treating a subset of parameters as common for all countries and the rest as country-specific, we construct a set of individualized models incorporating 13 different pandemic control measures, and estimate their parameters without prior assumptions. We demonstrate high predictive abilities of these models on an independent validation set and rank the policies by their effectiveness in reducing transmission rates. We show that raising awareness through information campaigns, providing income support, closing schools and workplaces, cancelling public events, and maintaining an open testing policy have the highest potential to mitigate the pandemic.

Non-parametric MRI Brain Atlas for the Polish Population.

Introduction: The application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to acquire detailed descriptions of the brain morphology in vivo is a driving force in brain mapping research. Most atlases are based on parametric statistics, however, the empirical results indicate that the population brain tissue distributions do not exhibit exactly a Gaussian shape. Our aim was to verify the population voxel-wise distribution of three main tissue classes: gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and to construct the brain templates for the Polish (Upper Silesian) healthy population with the associated non-parametric tissue probability maps (TPMs) taking into account the sex and age influence. Material and Methods: The voxel-wise distributions of these tissues were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The non-parametric atlases were generated from 96 brains of the ethnically homogeneous, neurologically healthy, and radiologically verified group examined in a 3-Tesla MRI system. The standard parametric tissue proportion maps were also calculated for the sake of comparison. The maps were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The volumetric results segmented with the parametric and non-parametric templates were also analyzed. Results: The results confirmed that in each brain structure (regardless of the studied sub-population) the data distribution is skewed and apparently not Gaussian. The determined non-parametric and parametric templates were statistically compared, and significant differences were found between the maps obtained using both measures (the maps of GM, WM, and CSF). The impacts of applying the parametric and non-parametric TPMs on the segmentation process were also compared. The GM volumes are significantly greater when using the non-parametric atlas in the segmentation procedure, while the CSF volumes are smaller. Discussion and Conclusion: To determine the population atlases the parametric measures are uncritically and widely used. However, our findings suggest that the mean and parametric measures of such skewed distribution may not be the most appropriate summary statistic to find the best spatial representations of the structures in a standard space. The non-parametric methodology is more relevant and universal than the parametric approach in constructing the MRI brain atlases.

Relationship between calcification, atherosclerosis and matrix proteins in the human aorta.

INTRODUCTION: Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins have been associated with atherosclerotic complications, such as plaque rupture, calcification and aneurysm. It is not clear what role different types of collagen play in the pathomechanism of atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to analyze the content of elastin and major types of collagen in the aortic wall and how they associated are with course of atherosclerosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this work we present six biochemical parameters related to ECM proteins and collagen-specific amino acids (collagen type I, III, and IV, elastin, proline and hydroxyproline) analyzed in 106 patients' aortic wall specimens characterized by different degree of atherosclerosis. Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS), ELISA and immunohistochemical methods were used. The severity of atherosclerosis was assessed on the six-point scale of the American Heart Association, taking into account the number and location of foam cells, the presence of a fatty core, calcium deposits and other characteristic atherosclerotic features. RESULTS: The results show that there is a relationship between the content of collagen-specific amino acids and development of atherosclerosis. The degree of atherosclerotic lesions was negatively correlated with the content of proline, hydroxyproline and the ratio of these two amino acids. Calcium deposits and surrounding tissue were compared and it was demonstrated that the ratio of type I collagen to type III collagen was higher in the aortic tissue than in aortic calcification areas, while the ratio of collagen type III to elastin was smaller in the artery than in the calcium deposits. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that increase in collagen type III presence in the calcification matrix may stem from disorders in the structure of the type I and III collagen fibers. These anomalous fibers are likely to favor accumulation of the calcium salts, an important feature of the process of atheromatosis.

Whole Brain and Cranial Size Adjustments in Volumetric Brain Analyses of Sex- and Age-Related Trends.

Our goal was to determine the influence of sex, age and the head/brain size on the compartmental brain volumes in the radiologically verified healthy population (96 subjects; 54 women and 42 men) from the Upper Silesia region in Poland. The MRI examinations were done using 3T Philips Achieva with the same T1-weighted and T2-weighted protocols. The image segmentation procedures were performed with SPM (Statistical Parameter Mapping) and FSL-FIRST software. The volumes of 14 subcortical structures for the left and right hemispheres and 4 overall volumes were calculated. The General Linear Models (GLM) analysis was used with and without the Total Brain Volume (TBV) and Intracranial Volume (ICV) parameters as the covariates to study the regional vs. global brain atrophy. After the ICV/TBV adjustments, the majority of sex differences in the specific volumes of interest (VOIs) revealed to be linked to the difference in the head/brain size parameters. The analysis also confirmed the significant effect of the aging process on the brain loss. After the TBV adjustment, the age- and sex-related volumetric trends for the gray and white matter volumes were observed: the negative age dependence of the gray matter volume is more pronounced in the males, while in case of the white matter the positive age-related trend in the female group is weaker. The local losses of the left caudate nucleus and the right thalamus are more advanced than the global brain atrophy. Different head-size correction strategies are not interchangeable and may yield various volumetric results, but when used together, facilitate studies on the regional dependencies inherent to a healthy, but aging, brain.

Investigations of Human Fascia Lata Elemental Composition-the Effect of Different Preservation and Mineralisation Methods.

Influence of fixation medium and storage conditions as well as impact of sample mineralisation procedure on determination of minerals in human fascia lata was examined and discussed. Freezing and storage in 10% neutral buffered formalin solution and in 2.5% glutaraldehyde were used as the preservation methods of the samples. The concentrations of, both essential and toxic, elements were measured by ICP-OES method in fascia lata samples mineralised with concentrated nitric acid in a closed microwave system and in open vessels heated on a hot plate. Freezing was found as the best preserving method of fascia lata samples because of the number of elements determined and determination precision. The trace element (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Sr, Zn) concentrations obtained in samples decomposed using the conventional hot plate were different from analogous measurements in solutions obtained after application of closed vessels and microwave energy assistance. Differences between the mineral compositions of fascia samples variously preserved and mineralised were statistically evaluated and discussed. Interelement correlations were analysed taking into account an impact of various methods of sample conservation. Strong, positive association between element content was discovered for Cr-Ba, Mn-Ba, P-Ba, Sr-Ba, Sr-Ca, Zn-Ca, Mn-Cr, Pb-Cr, Sr-Cr, Mg-Fe, P-Fe, Pb-Ni, Ti-Ni and Sr-P pairs of elements.

The content of collagen type II in human arteries is correlated with the stage of atherosclerosis and calcification foci.

OBJECTIVE: The signature processes during atherosclerosis development are arterial calcification and accumulation in the arterial walls of proteins that are specific to bone and cartilage, e.g., collagen type II. The purpose of this study was to characterize localization of collagen type II and quantify its content in human arteries. RESULTS: The study was conducted on sections of thoracic and abdominal aortas (n=97) subjected to histological evaluation and classified into six grades according to the Stary scale of the atherosclerosis severity. Three types of samples were distinguished from the group of arteries: (1) without macroscopically visible calcifications, (2) with macroscopically visible calcifications dispersed within the arterial wall, and (3) calcium deposits isolated from the walls tested with respect to the segment of the artery from which they had originated. The results demonstrate that both cholesterol and collagen type II content are significantly higher in samples with calcification, whereas collagen type II is localized mainly in the tissue around the calcium deposit. A positive correlation has been shown between the levels of collagen type II and cholesterol (r=0.57, P<.05). A similar trend was observed with respect to the grade of atherosclerosis (r=0.43, P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: The amount of collagen type II is higher in the tissue around the calcium deposit. The correlation was observed between the quantityof collagen type II, the grade of atherosclerosis, and cholesterol.

Telocytes of Fascial Structures.

Currently, the exact role of telocytes within fascial structures is unknown. The morphology, distribution and behaviour of fascial telocytes as well as the mutual relationship between telocytes and other cellular fascia constituents should be definitely a subject of further studies. It will contribute to better understanding of the role of the fascial system in health and diseases, may shed light on the regeneration potential of these tissues and may help to find targets for future treatments for locomotor disorders, including fascial diseases. Last but not least, confirmation of the presence of telocytes within fascia may contribute to optimise the use of fascia as a graft material.

Morphological features of fascia lata in relation to fascia diseases.

Fascia lata is an important element of the fascial system, which forms the continuum of connective tissue throughout the body. This deep fascia envelops the entire thigh and hip area and its main function is to transmit mechanical forces generated by the musculoskeletal system of the lower extremities. Fascia lata is also known as a useful and easily harvested graft material. Despite its crucial role in lower extremity biomechanics and wide-ranging applications in plastic and reconstructive surgery, both the structure of fascia lata and particularly the cells populating this tissue are relatively unexplored and therefore poorly understood. The aim of this study was to characterize the main cell populations encountered within human fascia lata and to try to understand their role in health and diseases. Pathologically unchanged human fascia lata was obtained post mortem from adult males. The specimens were analyzed under light, electron, and confocal microscopy. On the basis of different visualization techniques, we were able to characterize in detail the cells populating human fascia lata. The main cells found were fibroblasts, fibrocytes, mast cells, cells showing myoid differentiation, nerve cells, and most interestingly, telocytes. Our results supplement the formerly inadequate information in the literature regarding the cellular components of deep fascial structure, may contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of fascial disorders and improve fascia lata application as a graft material.

Influence of selective digestion of elastin and collagen on mechanical properties of human aortas.

PURPOSE: There are two families of fibres taking part in the process of mechanical loads transfer, i.e. elastin and collagen fibres. Their number, spatial arrangement and specific properties determine the capacity of a blood vessels to resist mechanical loads resulting from the impact of blood on vessel walls. The purpose of the present paper is to define the load-bearing capacities of elastin and collagen scaffolds equivalent to natural fibre arrangements of human aorta and produced by selective digestion. METHODS: Samples of thoracic human aortas were digested by using phosphate buffer of trypsin at pH 8.0 for 22 hours in order to degrade elastin and by autoclaving followed by incubation in 90% formic acid for 22 hours. The efficacy of digestion was assessed immunohistochemically. Mechanical properties of pre-stretched native and digested samples were determined by uniaxial tensile test. RESULTS: Samples subjected to autoclaving have been successfully deprived of both types of collagen and elastin has been intact. Treatment with trypsin caused a removal of elastin and the presence of type I and IV collagen was demonstrated. Digestion of aortic samples either by formic acid or trypsin has resulted significantly decreasing mechanical properties in comparison with native samples. CONCLUSIONS: Collagen and elastin scaffold-like stuctures have been effectively produced by selective digestion of thoracic human aorta and their contribution to the load-bearing process was evaluated. Isolated collagen network are more durable and stiffer and less deformable than elastin network, hence are responsible for load-bearing process at higher strain since the range of working of elastin is at lower strain values.

Electron microscopy of human fascia lata: focus on telocytes.

From the histological point of view, fascia lata is a dense connective tissue. Although extracellular matrix is certainly the most predominant fascia's feature, there are also several cell populations encountered within this structure. The aim of this study was to describe the existence and characteristics of fascia lata cell populations viewed through a transmission electron microscope. Special emphasis was placed on telocytes as a particular interstitial cell type, recently discovered in a wide variety of tissues and organs such as the heart, skeletal muscles, skin, gastrointestinal tract, uterus and urinary system. The conducted study confirmed the existence of a telocyte population in fascia lata samples. Those cells fulfil main morphological criteria of telocytes, namely, the presence of very long, thin cell processes (telopodes) extending from a relatively small cell body. Aside from telocytes, we have found fibroblasts, mast cells and cells with features of myofibroblastic differentiation. This is the first time it has been shown that telocytes exist in human fascia. Currently, the exact role of those cells within the fascia is unknown and definitely deserves further attention. One can speculate that fascia lata telocytes likewise telocytes in other organs may be involved in regeneration, homeostasis and intracellular signalling.

Crime event 3D reconstruction based on incomplete or fragmentary evidence material--case report.

Using our own experience in 3D analysis, the authors will demonstrate the possibilities of 3D crime scene and event reconstruction in cases where originally collected material evidence is largely insufficient. The necessity to repeat forensic evaluation is often down to the emergence of new facts in the course of case proceedings. Even in cases when a crime scene and its surroundings have undergone partial or complete transformation, with regard to elements significant to the course of the case, or when the scene was not satisfactorily secured, it is still possible to reconstruct it in a 3D environment based on the originally-collected, even incomplete, material evidence. In particular cases when no image of the crime scene is available, its partial or even full reconstruction is still potentially feasible. Credibility of evidence for such reconstruction can still satisfy the evidence requirements in court. Reconstruction of the missing elements of the crime scene is still possible with the use of information obtained from current publicly available databases. In the study, we demonstrate that these can include Google Maps(®*), Google Street View(®*) and available construction and architecture archives.

Mineral composition of human fascia lata.

The mineral composition of pathologically unchanged human fascia lata was examined here using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) method for the first time. The total concentrations of Ag, Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, Ti, V and Zn were simultaneously measured in the tissue secured during autopsy. The age-related changes and between-gender differences in mineral composition of the examined tissue were investigated and discussed.

Chemical composition of human and canine fascia lata.

The fascial system is an integral part of the musculoskeletal system. It is a three-dimensional network of connective tissue spreading ubiquitously throughout the body, surrounding muscles, bones, internal organs, nerves, vessels, and other structures. The basic biophysical properties of the fascial system are determined by its structure and chemical composition. This study aimed to determine the elemental composition of pathologically unchanged fascia lata of the thigh, collected during autopsies on humans and dogs. The wide spectrum of elements analysed included both macro and micro elements. The analyses were conducted using scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EDS). Concentrations of the following macro and micro elements were determined: C, N, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Fe Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn. The obtained results showed significant differences between human and canine fascia lata regarding the content of most of the examined elements (p < 0.05), except for N. These data may in future provide a starting point for the establishment of reference values for the content of various elements in normal fascial tissue and may also serve to verify the usefulness of experimental animal material as a substitute for human tissue.

Fatal methanol poisoning complicated with acute coronary syndrome--a case report.

Acute methanol poisoning may cause heart dysfunction accompanied by various electrocardiographic abnormalities. In such cases heart damage is usually secondary to metabolic acidosis and reversible. In this paper the case of fatal methanol poisoning complicated with acute coronary syndrome in a 52-year-old alcohol abuser is presented. The main cause of the myocardial ischaemia was the subtotal stenosis of the anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery, whereas metabolic disorders in the course of methanol poisoning probably intensified the ischaemia in the area supplied by that artery.