Publications by authors named "Tim Balcaen"
Biodegradable intravascular stents offer a promising alternative to permanent stents for treating atherosclerosis-related artery narrowing by potentially avoiding long-term complications. Identifying materials that degrade harmlessly and uniformly at a suitable rate is crucial. This study evaluated an advanced zinc alloy (Zn-Ag-Cu-Mn-Zr) alongside pure iron and pure zinc, using a simplified stent model of metallic wires implanted in the rat aorta.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFContrast-enhanced computed tomography offers a nondestructive approach to studying adipose tissue in 3D. Several contrast-enhancing staining agents (CESAs) have been explored, whereof osmium tetroxide (OsO) is the most popular nowadays. However, due to the toxicity and volatility of the conventional OsO, alternative CESAs with similar staining properties were desired.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe kidney's microstructure, which comprises a highly convoluted tubular and vascular network, can only be partially revealed using classical 2D histology. Considering that the kidney's microstructure is closely related to its function and is often affected by pathologies, there is a need for powerful and high-resolution 3D imaging techniques to visualize the microstructure. Here, we present how cryogenic contrast-enhanced microCT (cryo-CECT) allowed 3D visualization of glomeruli, tubuli, and vasculature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSkeletal development depends on coordinated angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Bone morphogenetic proteins direct bone formation in part by activating SMAD1/5 signaling in osteoblasts. However, the role of SMAD1/5 in skeletal endothelium is unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with subchondral bone changes, which is linked to abnormal strain distribution in the overlying articular cartilage. This highlights the importance of understanding mechanical interaction at the cartilage-bone interface. The aim of this study is to compare solutions of two contrast-enhancing staining agents (CESA) for combining high-resolution Contrast-Enhanced X-ray microfocus Computed Tomography (CECT) with Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) for full-field strain measurements at the cartilage-bone interface.
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- Obesity can harm bones and fat handling in both mice and people.
- Omega-3 fatty acids may help improve how the body manages sugar and supports healthy bones in those with obesity.
- A study found that mice on a high-fat diet supplemented with omega-3s had better bone health and less fat in their bones compared to those only on the high-fat diet.
To improve the current treatment for vascular diseases, such as vascular grafts, intravascular stents, and balloon angioplasty intervention, the evaluation of the native blood vessel microstructure in full 3D could be beneficial. For this purpose, we used contrast-enhanced X-ray microfocus computed tomography (CECT): a combination of X-ray microfocus computed tomography (microCT) and contrast-enhancing staining agents (CESAs) containing high atomic number elements. In this work, we performed a comparative study based on staining time and contrast-enhancement of 2 CESAs: Monolacunary and 1:2 Hafnium-substituted Wells-Dawson polyoxometalate (Mono-WD POM and Hf-WD POM, respectively) for imaging of the porcine aorta.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo improve our understanding of the brain microstructure, high-resolution 3D imaging is used to complement classical 2D histological assessment techniques. X-ray computed tomography allows high-resolution 3D imaging, but requires methods for enhancing contrast of soft tissues. Applying contrast-enhancing staining agents (CESAs) ameliorates the X-ray attenuating properties of soft tissue constituents and is referred to as contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).
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- - Cochlear implants help restore hearing loss by electrically stimulating the hearing nerve, but surgery can damage delicate inner ear structures, leading to further hearing issues, especially in noisy environments and with music appreciation.
- - Traditional imaging techniques to visualize the cochlea either damage the tissues or fail to provide clear 3D views, limiting understanding of its microanatomy.
- - This study introduces a new imaging method using a polyoxometalate staining agent (Hf-WD POM), which allows for non-destructive, high-resolution 3D imaging of cochlear structures, enabling better analysis and understanding of important surgical features and potential trauma.
Skeletal development depends on coordinated angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Bone morphogenetic proteins direct bone development by activating SMAD1/5 signaling in osteoblasts. However, the role of SMAD1/5 in skeletal endothelium is unknown.
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- * The study presents a new imaging technique called Cryogenic Contrast-Enhanced MicroCT (cryo-CECT), which uses a contrast agent and controlled freezing to create detailed 3D images of tissue structures, allowing for analysis of components like muscle and collagen fibers.
- * Cryo-CECT was successfully applied to analyze murine hearts under stress from surgery, providing insights into muscle fiber orientation, diameter, and fibrotic areas, indicating potential uses in both clinical situations and food preservation.
Article Synopsis
- Researchers studied a new drug called MSDC-0602K to see if it has fewer side effects on bones than older drugs known as TZDs, especially in obese mice.
- The results showed that MSDC-0602K helped maintain bone strength and quality better than the older drug.
- It also improved the growth of bone-making cells and reduced fat cell levels in the bones, meaning it could be a safer option for treating diabetes-related bone issues.