Promoting biological similarity by collagen microfibers in 3D colorectal cancer-stromal tissue: Replicating mechanical properties and cancer stem cell markers.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of cancer tissues is rich in dense collagen, contributing to the stiffening of these tissues. Increased stiffness has been reported to promote cancer cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and prevent drug delivery. Replicating the structure and mechanical properties of cancer tissue in vitro is essential for developing cancer treatment drugs that target these properties.

Effects of adaptive or fixed thresholds and different platforms on the assessment of plaque characteristics using coronary computed tomography angiography.

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is used to evaluate components of atherosclerosis. Either adaptive or diverse, fixed Hounsfield Units (HU) are used to define components such as low attenuation (LAP), mixed (MP) and calcified plaque (CP). Comparisons of different platforms and different thresholding approaches have not been extensively evaluated.

Measurement of Plaque Characteristics Using Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography: Achieving High Interobserver Performance.

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is used to assess plaque characteristics, remodelling, and progression and regression. Few papers address standard operating procedures that ensure achievement of high interobserver reproducibility. Moreover, assessment of coronary artery bypass grafts has not been reported.

Highly discriminatory typing method for Listeria monocytogenes using polymorphic tandem repeat regions.

Tandem repeats (TR), which are repetitive nucleotide sequences in DNA, are polymorphic both in repeat number and sequence. In this study, we developed a new typing method, multilocus TR sequence analysis (MLTSA), for the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes using sequence polymorphisms in three tandem repeat regions. The obtained dendrogram clustered L.

Redefining the normal angiogram using population-derived ranges for coronary size and shape: validation using intravascular ultrasound and applications in diverse patient cohorts.

Objectives: To develop a method for quantitating coronary angiographic abnormalities of segmental size and shape (tapering) in comparison to gender- and segment-specific, population derived, normal values.

Background: In the absence of obvious focal stenoses, remodeling renders the angiogram insensitive to the presence of atherosclerosis and invalidates use of a "normal reference segment" for calculation of percent diameter stenosis.

Methods: Equations were created for detection of size/shape abnormalities of coronary angiographic segments.

Validation of a new ultrasound method for the measurement of carotid artery intima medial thickness and plaque dimensions.

Background: Carotid ultrasound is an accepted method for the detection of subclinical atherosclerosis. Valid methods that allow quantitation of carotid atheroma burden may be useful for stratifying risk.

Objective: To validate the results of intima medial thickness (IMT) and plaque measurements using a newly created software algorithm by comparing them with those obtained using a previously validated method.

A comparison of quantitative coronary angiography systems using a unique set of in vivo coronary stenosis images.

Objective: To compare the accuracy and precision of measurements of minimum lumen diameter (MLD) among two existing, and one new, quantitative coronary angiography systems.

Materials And Methods: The analysis was performed using in vivo cinearteriograms of precisely drilled, radiolucent plastic beads that were inserted percutaneously into the coronary arteries of canines. The existing algorithms compared were the ArTrek and the Coronary Measurement System (CMS).

Calcium overload during reperfusion is accelerated in isolated hypertrophied rat hearts.

In this study, calcium overload during reperfusion and the severity of morphologically evident ischemic myocardial injury were compared in hypertrophied and normal hearts. Hypertrophied hearts isolated from rats where a clip had been placed on the proximal thoracic aorta for 6 weeks were compared to those from sham-operated rats in an isolated state perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 3% albumin, 1.2 mM palmitate and 11 mM glucose.

Regional myocardial capillary erythrocyte transit time in the normal resting heart.

A major determinant of oxygen transport to the myocardium is the time spent by the erythrocytes (red blood cells [RBCs]) traversing the microcirculation. Although it has been shown that the myocardium has regional differences in blood volume, blood flow, metabolism, and sensitivity to ischemic injury, the regional distribution of RBC transit times through the myocardial capillaries has not been previously measured. The present study was designed to measure the regional myocardial capillary RBC transit time by a new technique to determine whether there are regional differences in the capillary RBC transit time in the normal resting heart.