Mechanism for polarisation of cardiac tissue at a sealed boundary

If current is flowing in cardiac tissue, and if the myocardial fibres approach a sealed boundary at an angle, then the tissue within a few length constants of the boundary is polarised. This polarisation occurs when the cardiac tissue has different anisotropy ratios in the intracellular and extracellular spaces. This new mechanism of tissue polarisation is demonstrated using a simple, analytical model, and it is shown quantitatively that this polarisation can be nearly as large as that occurring near an electrode.     

Neuroimaging for Lewy body disease: Is the in vivo molecular imaging of α-synuclein neuropathology required and feasible?

Alpha-synuclein aggregation is a neuropathological hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD), Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), collectively termed the α-synucleinopathies. Substantial advances in clinical criteria and neuroimaging technology over the last 20 years have allowed great strides in the detection and differential diagnosis of these disorders. Nevertheless, it is clear that whilst the array of different imaging modalities in clinical use allow for a robust diagnosis of α-synucleinopathy in comparison to healthy subjects, there is no clear diagnostic imaging marker that affords a reliable differential diagnosis between the different forms of Lewy body disease (LBD) or that could facilitate tracking of disease progression. This has led to a call for a biomarker based on the pathological hallmarks of these diseases, namely α-synuclein-positive Lewy bodies (LBs). This potentially may be advantageous in terms of early disease detection, but may also be leveraged into a potential marker of disease progression. We here aim to firstly review the current status of neuroimaging biomarkers in PD and related synucleinopathies. Secondly, we outline the rationale behind α-synuclein imaging as a potential novel biomarker as well as the potential benefits and limitations of this approach. Thirdly, we attempt to illustrate the likely technical hurdles to be overcome to permit successful in vivo imaging of α-synuclein pathology in the diseased brain. Our overriding aim is to provide a framework for discussion of how to address this major unmet clinical need.     

正常成人脑结构年龄相关性变化的扩散张量成像研究

目的应用扩散张量成像（diffusion tensor imaging，DTU定量测定正常成人脑的各向异性及平均扩散系数（average diffusion coefficient，DCavg）的变化，以反映脑显微结构随年龄增长的变化。方法对106例正常成人行DTI，测定脑不同解剖部位的部分各向异性（fraction alanisotropy，FA）、1-容积比（1-volumeratio，1-VR）、相对各向异性（relative anisotropy，RA）和DCavg，分别对各参数与年龄进行相关性分析，且进行各组间比较。结果胼胝体膝部（FA：r=-0．491，P=0．000；1-VR：r=-0．508，P=0．000，RA：r=-0．494，P=0．000；DCavg：r=0．263，P=0．006）、压部（FA：r=-0．569，P=0．000；1-VR：r=-0．531，P=0．000；RA：r=-0．535，P=0．000；DCavg：r=0．475，P=0．000）、半卵圆中心（FA：r=-0．562，P=0．000；1-VR：r=-0．588，P=0．000；RA：r=-0．561，P=0．000；DCavg：r=0．337，P=0．000）、丘脑（FA：r=-0．210，P=0．031；1-VR：r=-0．203，P=0．036：RA：r=-0．213，P=0．028；DCavg：r=0．354，P=0．000）等的FA、1-VR、RA与年龄呈负相关，其DCavg与年龄呈显著性正相关。而豆状核的FA、1-VR、RA及DCavg（FA：r=0．287，P=0．005；1-VR：r=0．290，P=0．003；RA：r=0．283，P=0．003；DCavg：r=0．325，P=0．001）均随年龄增长而增加。结论DTI可无创性反映随年龄的增长脑的显微结构发生的变化。     

Viscoelastic shear properties of the equine medial meniscus

Recent studies have shown that the meniscus is highly anisotropic in tension and that its compressive creep behavior can be modeled using biphasic theory. In this study, an alternative approach is used, where viscoelastic shear properties of the meniscal fibrocartilage are measured to determine the anisotropy and inhomogeneity of this tissue with respect to specimen location and fiber orientation. Medial menisci were obtained from eight skeletally-mature horses. Nine test specimens were taken from the circumferential midsubstance of each meniscus, at three circumferential and three axial positions. The magnitude of the complex shear modulus and the phase angle were determined for each specimen from 100-800 Hz, in 100 Hz increments. Data were gathered shearing parallel and perpendicular to the circumferentially-oriented fibers. The magnitude of the shear modulus and the phase angle were both found to be frequency dependent, anisotropic, and inhomogeneous. The magnitude of the shear modulus increased with frequency, and was greatest in specimens from the posterior superior region, shearing parallel to the fibers. The phase angle decreased slightly with frequency and was lowest in specimens from the midsubstance of the anterior region, shearing perpendicular to the fibers. Our data demonstrated that collagen fibers substantially stiffen the meniscus in the direction of its fibers and that the solid matrix of the meniscus, like articular cartilage, behaves largely as an elastic material.     

Anisotropic properties of human tibial cortical bone as measured by nanoindentation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of elastic anisotropy on nanoindentation measurements in human tibial cortical bone. Nanoindentation was conducted in 12 different directions in three principal planes for both osteonic and interstitial lamellae. The experimental indentation modulus was found to vary with indentation direction and showed obvious anisotropy (one-way analysis of variance test, P < 0.0001). Because experimental indentation modulus in a specific direction is determined by all of the elastic constants of cortical bone, a complex theoretical model is required to analyze the experimental results. A recently developed analysis of indentation for the properties of anisotropic materials was used to quantitatively predict indentation modulus by using the stiffness matrix of human tibial cortical bone, which was obtained from previous ultrasound studies. After allowing for the effects of specimen preparation (dehydrated specimens in nanoindentation tests vs. moist specimens in ultrasound tests) and the structural properties of bone (different microcomponents with different mechanical properties), there were no statistically significant differences between the corrected experimental indentation modulus (Mexp) values and corresponding predicted indentation modulus (Mpre) values (two-tailed unpaired t-test, P > 0.5). The variation of Mpre values was found to exhibit the same trends as the corrected Mexp data. These results show that the effects of anisotropy on nanoindentation measurements can be quantitatively evaluated.     

Effective Epicardial Resistance of Rabbit Ventricles

This study evaluated effective resistances on the ventricular surfaces of arterially-perfused rabbit hearts. Effective resistances were determined with a four-electrode array that was parallel or perpendicular to epicardial fibers. Resistance along or across epicardial fibers was determined by applying current to the epicardium with two parallel line electrodes and measuring potentials in the region between the electrodes. Computer simulations were performed to gain insight into the distribution of current in the ventricular wall. The effective resistances were not different along versus across fibers. Simulations showed that transmural rotation of fibers causes current to be distributed differently when the electrode is oriented perpendicular versus parallel to epicardial fibers. When the array is oriented so that epicardial current is across fibers, the fraction of current that flows transmurally and along the deeper fibers increases while the fraction of current that flows epicardially decreases. This introduces isotropy of the effective resistance. Thus, in contrast to isolated cardiac fibers, the ventricular epicardium exhibits isotropic effective resistance due to transmural rotation of fibers. The rotation and isotropic resistance may be important for cardiac electrical behavior and effects of electrical current in the ventricles. © 1999 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC99: 8719La, 8716Uv     

Effects of propafenone on anisotropic conduction properties within the three-dimensional structure of the canine ventricular wall

Background Structural complexities of the intact ventricular wall cause a very complex spread of activation. The effects of regional tissue damage and of antiarrhythmic drugs on directional differences in activation should help to further elucidate intramural conduction patterns. Methods and results In 10 healthy dogs and in 5 dogs with subacute anterior wall infarction, 6 parallel rows of 6 needle electrodes with 4 bipolar electrode pairs per needle were inserted into the left anterior ventricular wall. Using a computerized multiplexer-mapping system, the spread of activation in epi-, endo- and midmyocardial muscle layers and in the surviving epicardium, respectively, was reconstructed. Marked differences in conduction velocities relative to fiber orientation were evident in the surviving epicardium of infarcted hearts. Directional differences in conduction velocities, although less pronounced, were still preserved throughout the intact ventricular wall. Epicardial transverse conduction in intact hearts was significantly faster than transverse conduction in infarcted hearts (0.87 ± 0.11 m/s vs 0.68 ± 0.1 m/s). In normal hearts, propafenone (2 mg/kg) decreased conduction velocities primarily in longitudinal directions (−27 ± 10%), but also moderately in transverse directions (−13 ± 7%) of all muscle layers, with no significant effect on straight (−4 ± 8%), but on oblique transmural conduction (−33 ± 18%). In infarcted hearts propafenone decreased conduction particularly in longitudinal direction (−23 ± 14%) without affecting conduction transverse to the fiber orientation (+3 ± 6%). Conclusions Longitudinal intramural shortcircuits reduce directional differences in activation. Transmural infarction results in a loss of alternative intramural pathways, unmasking marked anisotrophy in the surviving epicardium. Conduction delay in intramural pathways explains the effects of propafenone on transverse and oblique transmural conduction. Primarily longitudinal conduction delay results in reduced tissue anisotropy. Received: 8 June 2000, Returned for revision: 4 July 2000, Revision received: 20 September 2000, Accepted: 9 October 2000     

猪胸主动脉血管各向异性力学性能的实验研究

目的 研究猪胸主动脉血管各向异性的力学特性。 方法 收集21条猪胸主动脉血管并分成3组。沿每条血管的轴向剖开并展成平面,以展开后血管的长方向（即血管轴向）0°为起始角,逆时针方向分别切取30°、 45°、 60°、90°、120°、 135°、 150°、180° 8个角度方向的样本。以1、5、10 mm/min的加载速率分别对3组样本进行单轴拉伸测试,以获得血管样本在8个不同方向及3种加载速率下的弹性模量和极限应力。 结果 不同角度样本的应力 应变曲线呈现出不同的黏弹性行为;随着样本角度的变化,从30°开始,弹性模量逐渐增大,到90°时弹性模量最大,然后逐渐减小,直到180°;极限应力与弹性模量的变化规律基本一致。不同加载速率对弹性模量和极限应力的结果具有明显的影响,但对血管的各向异性度影响较小。结论 猪主动脉血管呈现较强的各向异性,研究结果为有限元分析建模中材料属性的赋值提供参数参考,对理解血管生物力学特性具有重要的意义。     

首次发病未用药老年抑郁症患者脑白质完整性的弥散张量成像研究

目的 使用弥散张量成像探讨首次发病未用药老年抑郁症患者的脑白质完整性.方法 15例首次发病未用药的老年抑郁症患者和15例正常对照组接受脑弥散张量成像扫描,用基于体素的分析方法对脑内所有体素的各向异性分数(FA)逐一进行组间比较.结果 与正常对照组相比,首次发病未用药老年抑郁症患者左侧前扣带(丛集体积=106体素,t=3.21)、右侧前扣带(丛集体积=60体素,t=2.71)、右侧膝下扣带(丛集体积=63体素,t=3.37)、左侧脑干(丛集体积=62体素,t=3.25)白质FA值显著降低(检验水准为未校正的单侧P＜0.01,体素集阈值＞50体素).结论 老年抑郁症发病早期存在双侧前扣带及右侧膝下扣带白质完整性下降,经由该脑区的神经通路损害可能与老年抑郁症的病理机制有关.