In vivo imaging of beta-amyloid (A beta) peptide aggregates in the brain may lead to early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and monitoring of the progression and effectiveness of AD treatment. The purpose of this study was to develop novel amyloid imaging agents based on flavone as a core structure. ...

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that apolipoprotein E (apoE)(-/-)/low-density lipoprotein (LDL)(-/-) double knockout mice might develop vasa vasorum (VV) in association with advanced lesion formation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Aortas from apoE(-/-)/LDL(-/-) mice aged 16, 18, 20, or 80 weeks were infused in situ with Microfil, harvested, and scanned with micro-computed tomography (CT). ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid endarterectomy is currently guided by angiographic appearance on the assumption that the most stenotic lesion visible at angiography is likely to be the lesion from which future embolic events will arise. However, risk of plaque rupture, the most common cause of atherosclerosis-related thromboembolism, is dictated by ...

Oral administration of solid dosage forms is usually preferred in drug therapy. Conventional imaging methods are essential tools to investigate the in vivo performance of these formulations. The non-invasive technique of ac biosusceptometry has been introduced as an alternative in studies focusing on gastrointestinal motility and, more recently, to evaluate ...

The objective of the present study was to analyze and describe the phenotype of the antennal sensilla of Panstrongylus megistus, one of the epidemiologically most important species of triatomines in Brazil. Specimens from the Brazilian states of Goiás (GO), Minas Gerais (MG), and Rio Grande do Sul (RS) were compared, ...

This study reports the first direct, high-resolution physical and structural evidence of wall changes during hyphal tip growth, visualized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in Aspergillus nidulans. Images from AFM and cryo-scanning electron microscopy provided comparable information, but AFM was also able to image and physically probe living cells. AFM ...

We describe a 71-year-old woman who complained of a 1-year history of double vision when looking to the left, numbness over the right cheek, intermittent tinnitus, and gradually increasing unsteadiness when walking. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cholesterol granuloma at the right pyramidal apex anterior to the ...

Atheromatous carotid plaque rupture is responsible for the majority of ischaemic strokes in the developed world. Plaque rupture has been associated with plaque morphology, plaque components' properties, inflammation and local stress concentration. High resolution multi-spectral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has allowed the plaque components to be visualized in vivo. This ...

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether unstable carotid plaques, a known risk factor for cerebral emboli, are associated with cerebral white matter lesions. METHODS: Seventy-one symptomatic patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging prior to carotid endarterectomy for high grade carotid stenosis were included in this study. The ...

STUDY DESIGN: Resident's case problem. BACKGROUND: Vertigo and visual disturbances are common symptoms associated with vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI), but the physical examination procedures to verify the existence of VBI have not been validated in the literature. The objective of this resident's case problem is to demonstrate how a patient's complaint ...

BACKGROUND: Prompt detection of atherosclerosis (ATH) may profoundly impact therapy and patient outcome. During transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), subcostal views may suggest abdominal (ABD) aortic (AO) ATH, but this diagnosis may be inaccurate due to suboptimal images, which may in part relate to use of nonlinear probes. Therefore, we investigated the ...

A 67-year-old man, who had widespread and well-defined erythematous violaceous hyperkeratotic plaques on his skin, was diagnosed with borderline tuberculoid leprosy. The patient began treatment with clofazimine, rifampicin, and dapsone, but 15 days afterwards he complained of acral edema with godet sign. Magnetic resonance imaging was done, and the case ...

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Atherosclerosis and its related complications are the leading causes of death in the hemodialysis (HD) population. Aortic calcification index (ACI), intima-media thickness (IMT) in common carotid arteries, and electrocardiogram (ECG) are atherosclerotic parameters that are available in usual clinical outpatient settings. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 ...

PURPOSE: To determine the value of magnetization transfer (MT) imaging in the evaluation of acute plaques, which cause clinical findings in the brain magnetic resonance (MR) images of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, and its correlation with the clinical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis were ...

AIM: The purpose of this pilot study was to identify the subsurface enamel demineralising potential of two possible acidogenic lactose-based powders and their corresponding generic pump inhalers. METHODS: Ten healthy non-asthmatic adults participated in a 5- leg randomised crossover study including a 10% sucrose control. A twice-daily 400 microg dose ...

We provide evidence of rapid, recent environmental change in two lakes in the highlands of central Mexico. Multiple sediment cores were obtained from Lago de Zirahuén (Michoacán) and Laguna de Juanacatlán (Jalisco). Analysis of diatom assemblages, magnetic susceptibility, and metal concentrations was carried out, with the chronology provided by 210Pb ...

Implanting recombinant cells encapsulated in alginate microcapsules to express therapeutic proteins has been proven effective in treating several mouse models of human diseases (neurological disorders, dwarfism, hemophilia, lysosomal storage disease, and cancer). In anticipation of clinical application, we have reported the synthesis and characterization of a magnetized ferrofluid alginate that ...

PURPOSE: To use diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to measure involvement of normal-appearing white matter (WM) immediately adjacent to multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques and thus redefine actual plaque size on diffusion-tensor images through comparison with T2-weighted images of equivalent areas in healthy volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Informed consent was not ...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Novel treatment modalities for cardiovascular prevention are emerging rapidly. Since it is virtually impossible to evaluate all these new compounds in long-term trials using clinical end points, there is an urgent need for validated surrogate markers of atherosclerosis to save both time and costs. Over the last ...

The concept of vulnerable plaque is well established with increasing evidence from clinical and basic research. The paradigm has shifted from focusing exclusively on the hemodynamic effects of plaque (ie, resulting lumenal stenosis alone as a predictor of stroke risk) to assessment of the structure and composition of plaque (eg, ...

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of image normalization on plaque classification and the risk of ipsilateral ischemic neurologic events in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. The first 1,115 patients recruited to the Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis and Risk of Stroke (ACSRS) study with a follow-up of ...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the antiplaque benefits of a 0.07% high bioavailable, alcohol-free cetylpyridium chloride (CPC) rinse used after toothbrushing versus toothbrushing alone. METHODS: A digital plaque image analysis technique was used to quantify in situ plaque formation in a subject population carrying out modified hygiene using standard fluoridated dentifrice or ...

The vast majority of acute coronary events are attributed to rupture or erosion of high-risk or vulnerable plaques. Novel imaging techniques are being actively sought that can detect quiescent vulnerable features within coronary plaque and thereby identify populations at risk, monitor plaque progression, and target therapy appropriately. Optical coherence tomography ...

OBJECTIVES: We sought to correlate findings obtained from a self-contained magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe with plaque morphology of ex vivo human aortas and coronary arteries. BACKGROUND: Early detection of thin-cap fibroatheromas (TCFAs) may allow for early preventive treatment of acute coronary syndromes. We developed an intravascular MRI catheter capable ...

We report the atomic-scale imaging with concurrent transport measurements of the breakdown of individual multiwall carbon nanotubes inside a transmission electron microscope equipped with a piezomanipulator. We found unexpectedly three distinct breakdown sequences: namely, from the outermost wall inward, from the innermost wall outward, and alternatively between the innermost and ...

High-resolution MRI methods have been used to evaluate carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque content. The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of high-resolution MRI in evaluation of the quantity and pattern of mineral deposition in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) specimens, with quantitative micro-CT as the gold standard. High-resolution MRI ...

PURPOSE: To test the image quality (ImQ) and interscan coverage of MRI for measuring carotid atherosclerosis across multiple centers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine subjects from five clinical sites (site 1: n=11; site 2: n=16; site 3: n=2; site 4: n=3; site 5: n=7) were imaged on GE 1.5T scanners using ...

Cervical carotid artery atherosclerotic disease is an important cause of thromboembolic stroke. Noninvasive imaging techniques have become preferred in initial diagnostic workup. We review the current approach to carotid imaging, and the clinical utility and limitations of carotid computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Future directions of ...

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that erythrocyte membranes from intraplaque hemorrhage into the necrotic core are a source of free cholesterol and may become a driving force in the progression of atherosclerosis. We have shown that MRI can accurately identify carotid intraplaque hemorrhage and precisely measure plaque volume. We tested the ...

Multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques and age related white matter lesions (WML) are of similar morphological appearance on T2 weighted MRI. Therefore their differentiation is sometimes crucial. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) adds metabolic information to conventional imaging and may help to distinguish inflammatory MS plaques from vascular related WML. This ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Besides the severity of carotid artery stenosis, atherosclerotic plaque composition is an important determinant of cerebral symptoms. We analyzed the relationship between the composition of the atherosclerotic plaque at the carotid artery bifurcation and ipsilateral ischemic cerebral lesions on MR imaging. METHODS: Forty-one patients with symptomatic carotid ...

OBJECTIVE: Cricothyroid space (CS) is one of the thinnest part in the framework of the larynx. The close relations of CS to the intralaryngeal subglottic area increase its anatomical importance. The aim of this study was to establish topographic distribution and the number of perforating vessels lying towards the intralaryngeal ...

A new fossil primate was found in the Pinturas Formation, south-western Patagonia, at the type locality of the rare Soriacebus ameghinorum. It is a mandibular fragment with two molars that strongly resemble those of S. ameghinorum in their high and closed trigonid, distal expansion of the talonid, small hypoconulid, buccal ...

This in vitro study evaluated the performance of 16-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the assessment of carotid plaque components, with histology as the gold standard. Twenty-one specimens (n=21) were scanned and reconstructed after optimization of the protocol. Three corresponding MDCT images and histologic sections were selected from each specimen. ...

PURPOSE: To compare atherosclerotic plaque uptake of a first (ferumoxtran-10) and second generation (ferumoxytol) ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) contrast agent with different pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: New Zealand White rabbits maintained on a high cholesterol/fat diet were subjected to balloon injury to the abdominal aorta. Ferumoxtran-10 or ferumoxytol ...

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of shear stress (SS) in plaque regression. BACKGROUND: A condition favorable to the development of atherosclerotic lesions is low oscillating SS. In the descending thoracic aorta, the relationship between plaque distribution and SS has never been characterized. The regression ...

BACKGROUND: Microvascular abnormalities (capillary elongation, widening and tortuosity) are a characteristic feature of psoriasis and form one of the pathological diagnostic criteria. These changes occur early in the progression of a psoriatic plaque, before there is clinical or histological evidence of epidermal hyperplasia. Treatment of psoriatic microvessels with a pulsed ...

Atherosclerotic lesion size in mice is routinely evaluated by morphometrical measurements on serial sections in order to obtain volume measurements. The technique of confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) makes it possible to optically scan and thereby evaluate a tissue sample. We here describe a method for measuring lesion volume in ...

The majority of acute ischemic events relating to atherosclerosis are caused by plaque rupture and ensuing thrombosis. The risk of plaque rupture is dictated in part by plaque morphology, which in turn is influenced by pathophysiologic mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level. Anatomic imaging modalities such as intravascular ultrasound, ...

Complications of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques (rupture, luminal and mural thrombosis, intraplaque hemorrhage, rapid progression to stenosis, spasm, and so forth) lead to heart attacks and strokes. It remains difficult to identify what plaques are vulnerable to these complications. Despite recent developments such as thermography, spectroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging, none ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The literature contains relatively few reports of distal embolism associated with intervention for intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Our purpose was to evaluate the frequency of thromboembolic events after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or stent placement in this setting by using diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging. METHODS: Between October 1999 and ...

Formation and accumulation of excess aggregates of beta-amyloid (Abeta) plaques in the brain are critical factors contributing to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is an urgent need for in vivo imaging agents that can specifically demonstrate the location and density of Abeta plaques in the brain. ...

PURPOSE: To prospectively determine, by using a stepwise logistic regression model, the optimal magnetic resonance (MR) weighting (ie, pulse sequence) combinations for plaque assessment and corresponding cutoff values of relative signal intensities (rSIs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval and patient consent were obtained. Eleven patients (seven men, four ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Small emboli arising from a friable plaque during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stent placement (CAS) constitute a potentially important cause of periprocedural ischemic complications. To evaluate the frequency and significance of cerebral ischemic lesions of embolic origin after CEA and CAS, we examined patients with ...

PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of a novel angled-bristled toothbrush in comparison with three established brushes. METHODS: The Oral-B CrossAction Vitalizer toothbrush was compared with two manual toothbrushes, the Oral-B CrossAction and Oral-B Advantage, and the battery-operated Crest SpinBrush Pro brush in three independent single-use, examiner-blind, crossover studies. ...

Due to a rapid improvement of the new generation submillimetre multislice CT-technology noninvasive tomographic imaging of the coronary vessel wall has become reality. First clinical studies have shown the ability in particular of 16-slice CT to determine plaque burden, plaque composition and compensatory vessel-wall remodelling. These novel findings already constitute ...

This study confirms the presence of iron, co-localized with Abeta plaques, in PS/APP mouse brain, using Perls' stain for Fe3+ supplemented by 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and Abeta immunohistochemistry in histological brains sections fixed with formalin or methacarn. In this study, the fixation process and the slice thickness did not interfere with ...

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in depicting posterior cul-de-sac obliteration in patients with endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was not required for this retrospective study, but informed consent was obtained from all patients. MR images obtained between January 1989 and December ...

Different classifications have been proposed in the literature for the characterization of atherosclerotic plaque morphology, resulting in considerable confusion. For example plaques containing medium of high level uniform echoes were classified as homogeneous by others and correspond closely to dense and calcified plaques, other types. This survey is to understand ...

This chapter reviews current MRI techniques to differentiate stable versus high risk atherosclerosis and discusses the development of non-invasive MR imaging techniques to characterize atherosclerotic plaques. Tissue specific MR signal features will be described according to histo-pathological evaluation standards and comprehensive imaging protocol for the identification of different lesion types ...