Collagen and elastic fibers assessment of the human heart valves for age estimation in Thais using image analysis.

The study investigated the relationship between the histological compositions of the tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves, and age. All 85 fresh human hearts were obtained with an age range between 20 and 90 years. The central area of the valves was conducted to analyze the density of collagen and elastic fibers by using an image analysis program. Neural network function in MATLAB was used for classification data and accuracy test of the age predictive model. Overall, a gradual increase in the density of collagen and elastic fibers was demonstrated with age in all valve types. The pulmonary valve cusps had the least density of collagen and elastic contents, whereas the most dense of collagen was found in the mitral leaflets. A similarity was noted for the elastic fibers in the tricuspid, mitral, and aortic valves. The highest correlation between the collagen (r = 0.629) and elastic fibers (r = 0.713) and age was found in the noncoronary cusp of the aortic valve. The established predictive equations using collagen and elastic fibers in the noncoronary cusp provided the standard error of ± 14.0 and 12.5 years, respectively. A 60.9% of accuracy was found in all age groups using collagen, while accuracy in elastic fibers showed 70.0% in the classification process using the neural networks. The current study provided additional data regarding age-associated changes of collagen and elastic fibers in the human heart valves in Thais and the benefits and application in age forensic identification.

Anatomical Study of Stabilizing Structures of the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Tendon Around the Wrist.

PURPOSE: The sixth dorsal extensor compartment is a relatively common site of stenosing tenosynovitis in the upper extremity, but the exact location of stenosis is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the detailed anatomy of structures surrounding the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon around the wrist. METHODS: Fifty fresh human cadaveric wrists were used for gross observation and morphology measurements of the sixth dorsal compartment and the ECU subsheath. An additional 13 wrists were used for histological examination. We evaluated the morphology of supporting structures in 3 regions: the ulnar groove (zone I), the ulnar styloid process (zone II), and the triquetrum (zone III). RESULTS: The fibro-osseous tunnel comprising the ulnar groove and the overlying subsheath (zone I) stabilized the ECU tendon, and the subsheath had thin membranous collagen fibers attached to the periosteum. We consistently found the distal extension of ECU subsheath (zone II), which connected the ulnar styloid process and the dorsal radioulnar ligament. Variations in the length of the distal extension increased with the forearm in pronation. Collagen fiber thickness around the ECU tendon in zone II was greater than that of zone I. In zone III, the overlying extensor retinaculum and septa, which were composed of thick circumferential collagen structures, supported the ECU tendon by attaching to the triquetrum on both sides of the ECU tendon. We found the presence of an ulnar septum of the sixth compartment attached to the triquetrum in 84% of dissected wrists. CONCLUSIONS: The ECU tendon was supported by the ECU subsheath, which had thin and elastic collagen fibers over the ulnar groove. Distal extension of the subsheath and surrounding radial and ulnar extensor retinaculum septa attached to the triquetrum provided thicker supporting structures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Stenosing ECU tenosynovitis may occur not only in the ulnar groove but also in the more distal ulnar styloid process and triquetrum areas.

The estimation of age from elastic fibers in the tunica media of the aortic wall in a thai population: a preliminary study using aorta image analysis.

Image analysis has an increasing role in the identification of individuals in forensic application. Beside the bones, microstructural of arteries can be used in age estimation study. Aorta is the largest elastic artery which consists of many elastic fibers. Elastin in arterial wall highly resist to chemical and physical influence. The purposes of the study were to quantify elastic fibers in tunica media in each location of the aorta and examine the correlation between elastic fibers and age by using image analysis program. A total of 36 human aortas were dissected in 4 locations. The aortas were obtained from cadavers with an age range of 20 to 90 years. Specimens were stained with Elastic Van Gieson staining. Histological images were investigated about elastic fibers using light microscope with cellSens program and aorta image analysis was used for the evaluation of data. The results showed that the mean percentage density of elastic fibers in the ascending aorta and the aortic arch increased. However, the mean percentage density of elastic fibers decreased in the 31 to 40 years age group in the thoracic aorta and the abdominal aorta and decreased in each location of aorta continuously until 81 to 90 years. The abdominal aorta showed the highest correlation with age (r=0.732) followed by the thoracic aorta, the aortic arch and the ascending aorta, respectively. Changes in the percentage density of elastic fibers in the tunica media of the aortic wall can be used to add information to age estimation for identification purposes.

Image analysis of morphometric evaluation from the heart valves for age estimation in Thai population / Análisis de la evaluación morfométrica de las valvas cardíacas para la estimación de la edad en la población tailandesa

Determination of age represents one of the most important aspects in forensic identification. Through aging, changes can occur in morphological structures of the heart valves. The objective is to examine the relationship between the dimensions of the rigth atrioventricular (tricuspid), pulmonary, left atrioventricular (mitral), and aortic valves and age at death. Sixty fresh human hearts were obtained from Department of Anatomy and Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. The age of individuals was between 20-90 years. We investigated the morphometric parameters of the valves were taken including: valve circumference, length, the height and area of each leaflet. All parameters were measured by using specific image analysis software. The correlation test and predictive equation were established. The positive correlation between the circumference, area of posterior leaflet, height of anterior leaflet, and area of anterior leaflet of the rigth atrioventricular valve were found. The left atrioventricular valve showed correlation with age in circumference, length and area of posterior leaflet. For the pulmonary and aortic valves, there were correlated between circumference at sinotubular junction and leaflet sizes in almost leaflets. The circumference at sinotubular junction of the pulmonary valve was highest significantly correlation with age (r=0.693). The predictive equation was age = -3.659+0.652(Circumference at sinotubular junction of the pulmonary valve) with standard error of ± 14.7 years. Additional knowledge of morphometric features in human heart valves and its relationship with age could be used as age indicator in forensic field.

La determinación de la edad representa uno de los aspectos más importantes en la identificación forense. Pueden ocurrir cambios a través del envejecimiento, en las estructuras morfológicas de las válvulas cardíacas. El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar la relación entre las dimensiones de las valvas atrioventricular derecha (tricúspide), pulmonar, atrioventricular izquierda (mitral) y aórtica, y la edad en relación a la muerte. Se obtuvieron sesenta corazones humanos frescos del Departamento de Anatomía y el Departamento de Medicina Forense de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Chiang Mai, Tailandia. La edad de las personas fluctuaba entre los 20 y 90 años. Investigamos los parámetros morfométricos de las valvas analizadas, incluyendo: circunferencia de la valva, longitud, altura y área de cada valva. Todos los parámetros se midieron utilizando un software de análisis de imagen específico. Se estableció la prueba de correlación y la ecuación predictiva. Se encontró la correlación positiva entre la circunferencia, el área de la valvula posterior, la altura de la valvula anterior y el área de la valvula anterior de la valva atrioventricular derecha. La valva atrioventricular izquierda mostró correlación con la edad en la circunferencia, longitud y área de la valvula posterior. Para las valvas pulmonar y aórtica, se correlacionó entre la circunferencia en la unión sinotubular y el tamaño de las válvulas. La circunferencia en la unión sinotubular de la valva pulmonar fue la mayor correlación significativa con la edad (r = 0,693). La ecuación predictiva fue edad = -3,659 + 0,652 (circunferencia en la unión sinotubular de la valva pulmonar) con error estándar de ± 14,7 años. El conocimiento adicional de las características morfométricas en las valvas cardíacas humanas y su relación con la edad podría usarse como indicador de edad en el campo forense.

Morphology of the human aorta and age-related changes: anatomical facts.

Aorta is the largest artery in the human body. Its starting point is the aortic orifice of the aortic valve and it terminates at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. The main function of the aorta is to transport oxygenated blood to supply all the organs and cells. With advancing age, the structure and hence the function show progressive changes. Various changes in the aortic morphology include the luminal diameter of aorta, whole length of the aorta, thickness, the microstructural components also change, and these include collagen, elastin and smooth muscle cells. In addition, the dimensions of all segments of the aorta increase with age in both sexes. Since age is a major risk factor for degenerative change and diseases affecting the aorta, understanding the detailed anatomy of the aorta may provide essential information concerning the age-associated process of the aorta. Knowledge of the morphological changes in the aorta is also important for future clinical therapies pertaining to aortic disease. Additionally, the information regarding the structural changes with age may be applied for age determination. This review describes the overview of the anatomy of the aorta, age related changes in the morphology of the aorta and aortic diseases.