Distribution Of Blood Vessels Research Articles

Quantitative model for predicting lymph formation and muscle compressibility in skeletal muscle during contraction and stretch

Skeletal muscle is widely perceived as nearly incompressible despite the fact that blood and lymphatic vessels within the endomysial and perimysial spaces undergo significant changes in diameter and length during stretch and contraction. These fluid shifts between fascicle and interstitial compartments have proved extremely difficult to measure. In this paper, we propose a theoretical framework based on a space-filling hexagonal fascicle array to provide predictions of the displacement of blood and lymph into and out of the muscle's endomysium and perimysium during stretch and contraction. We also use this model to quantify the distribution of blood and initial lymphatic (IL) vessels within a fascicle and its perimysial space using data for the rat spinotrapezius muscle. On average, there are 11 muscle fibers, 0.4 arteriole/venule pairs, and 0.2 IL vessels per fascicle. The model predicts that the blood volume in the endomysial space increases 24% and decreases 22% for a 20% contraction and stretch, respectively. However, these significant changes in blood volume in the endomysium produce a change of only ∼2% in fascicle cross-sectional area. In contrast, the entire muscle deviates from isovolumetry by 7% and 6% for a 20% contraction and stretch, respectively, largely attributable to the significantly larger blood volume changes that occur in the perimysial space. This suggests that arcade blood vessels in the perimysial space provide the primary pumping action required for the filling and emptying of ILs during muscular contraction and stretch.

64Cu-DOTA-trastuzumab-PET imaging in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

10519 Background: Targeting of HER2 with trastuzumab (T) is a well-established strategy in the metastatic and adjuvant setting in HER2 positive breast cancer (HER2-BC). Although HER2 status is routinely determined using immunohistochemistry or fluorescence in situ hybridization, technical problem can arise when lesions are poorly accessible. HER2 expression can vary during the course of the disease, and there can be discordance in HER2 expression across tumor lesion even in the same patients. Noninvasive HER2 imaging is crucial needed to solve these problems. Previous imaging using 111In or 89Zn- trastuzumab produced high radiation exposure to patients by their long half life (=67.9and 78.4h) and low resolution image. Half life of 64Cu is 12.7h. We performed a feasibility study of the 64Cu-1, 4, 7, 10- tetraazacylododecane-N,N',N",N"'-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)-T to perform PET imaging in patients with HER2-BC. Methods: Patients with HER2-BC received 150 MBq of 64Cu-DOTA-T and underwent PET scan 1, 24 and 48h after the injection. Six patients were evaluated internal dosimetry by collecting radioactivity data of blood and normal tissue in each time point from PET study, and radiation exposure by collecting clothes, linen and urine to test feasibility for outpatients. Results: Fifteen patients who received T therapy were enrolled in the “first-in-human” trial. All patients had no severe toxicity. Radiation excretion evaluating clothes, linen were under background level. Radiation exposure of 64Cu-DOTA-T was equivalent to that of conventional 18F-FDG-PET. Distribution of liver, kidney, spleen, and blood vessel was 2-8 SUV, and uptake in other normal tissue was low. At visual examination, in two patients brain metastases were clearly visualized by 64Cu-DOTA-T-PET, suggesting that there are disruptions of the blood-brain barrier at the site of the brain metastases. The sternum bone metastasis was well visualized and quantitatively monitored according to the response by T. Primary breast cancers, lymph node metastases and lung metastases could also be visualized at the lesion indentified by CT. Conclusions: 64Cu-DOTA-T-PET was feasible test even for outpatient, and provides specific and high resolution image in HER2 positive lesion.

Intraepithelially entrapped blood vessels in oral carcinoma in-situ

It can be difficult to make a certain diagnosis in case of an oral borderline malignant lesion on hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections only. Furthermore, assessment of surgical margins of borderline lesions is difficult with the naked eye. We set out to determine the topographical distribution of capillary blood vessels within the epithelial zone and to assess its use as an aid for histopathological diagnosis and a framework for clinical assessment of lesional margins using optical techniques, such as narrow-band imaging (NBI) endoscopy. Capillary blood vessels entrapped in the epithelial compartment, which we have designated as intraepithelially entrapped blood vessels (IEBVs), were examined for their frequency, location, and shape in normal mucosa, dysplasia, and carcinoma in-situ (CIS) of the tongue using immunohistochemistry for CD31 and type IV collagen. When counted per unit length of epithelial surface, IEBVs increased in number significantly in CIS (5.6 ± 2.8), which was two times more than in normal (1.9 ± 1.6) and dysplastic (2.4 ± 1.5) epithelia. In addition, IEBVs in CIS had compressed shapes with occasional obstruction or collapse with hemorrhage and were arranged perpendicular to and extending up to the epithelial surface. These characteristic IEBVs in CIS were considered to be generated by complex expansion of rete ridges due to carcinoma cell proliferation within the limited epithelial space determined by the basement membrane. The recognition of IEBVs was helpful in the differential diagnosis of oral CIS, and the present data provide a valuable frame of reference for detecting oral CIS areas using such NBI-based optical devices.

Research for distribution of blood vessels in breast neoplasms with color Doppler flow imaging

Objective To explore the difference of normal breast artery feeding pattern between benign and malignant breast neoplasms with color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI).Methods CDFI were performed for 248 cases breast neoplasms confirmed by pathology.Spatial location were observed between normal breast arteries and breast neoplasms.The difference of breast artery feeding pattern was compared between benign and malignant breast neoplasms.Resnlts CDFI showed that penetrating vessels,branches of penetrating vessels,branches of direct vessels and central large vessels were characteristic breast cancer vascular distribution patterns,which were completely different from that of breast benign neoplasms.Conclusions The patterns of breast artery feeding breast cancer were different from that of breast benign neoplasms,that can identify both. Key words: Ultrasonography,Doppler,color ; Breast neoplasms ; Vascular distribution

Angiogenesis and Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Tumour Necrosis Factor-α and Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α in Canine Renal Cell Carcinoma

The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution and characteristics of microvessels in various histological types of canine renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The study compared microvessel density (MVD) and distribution of blood vessels according to histological type and evaluated the presence of angiogenesis-related proteins. Nine archival samples of canine RCC were studied. MVD was calculated as the mean number of blood vessels per mm(2). The diameter of blood vessels was calculated by determining either the length of the long axis of blood vessels (diameter(max)) or the mean distance from the centre of each blood vessel to the tunica adventia (diameter(mean)). A significant difference in MVD was evident between RCCs and normal kidneys (46.6 ± 28.0 versus 8.4 ± 2.2 microvessels/mm(2)). Diameter(max) in canine RCCs (34.1 ± 14.7 μm) was also significantly different from normal canine kidney (23.2 ± 3.4 μm). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was expressed by tumour cells and vascular endothelial cells and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression was observed in vascular endothelial cells in both neoplastic and normal kidney. Although VEGF is involved in angiogenesis and correlates with tumour stage of development, no correlation was found between VEGF expression and MVD. Tumour-associated macrophages expressing TNF-α and hypoxia inducible factor 1α were identified in peritumoural tissue and may play an important role in angiogenesis.

Label free in vivo laser speckle imaging of blood and lymph vessels

The peripheral lymphatic vascular system is a part of the immune body system comprising a complex network of lymph vessels and nodes that are flowing lymph toward the heart. Traditionally the imaging of lymphatic vessels is based on the conventional imaging modalities utilizing contrast fluorescence materials. Given the important role of the lymphatic system there is a critical need for the development of noninvasive imaging technologies for functional quantitative diagnosis of the lymph vessels and lymph flow without using foreign chemicals. We report a label free methodology for noninvasive in vivo imaging of blood and lymph vessels, using long-exposure laser speckle imaging approach. This approach entails great promise in the noninvasive studies of tissues blood and lymph vessels distribution in vivo.

Motion-insensitive optical coherence tomography based micro-angiography

An improved image processing procedure for suppressing the phase noise due to a motion artifact acquired during optical coherence tomography scanning and effectively illustrating the blood vessel distribution in a living tissue is demonstrated. This new processing procedure and the widely used procedure for micro-angiography application are based on the selection of high-frequency components in the spatial-frequency spectrum of B-mode scanning (x-space), which are contributed from the image portions of moving objects. However, by switching the processing order between the x-space and k-space, the new processing procedure shows the superior function of effectively suppressing the phase noise due to a motion artifact. After the blood vessel positions are precisely acquired based on the new processing procedure, the projected blood flow speed can be more accurately calibrated based on a previously reported method. The demonstrated new procedure is useful for clinical micro-angiography application, in which a stepping motor of generating motion artifacts is usually used in the scanning probe.

Distribution and Permeability of Capillaries at the Skin of the Conception Vessel and the Governor Vessel in Healthy Rabbits

To investigate the distribution and permeability of blood vessels on the Conception Vessel and the Governor Vessel in the physiological state. Evans blue (EB) solution was injected into the marginal ear vein of healthy rabbits. Three hours after injection, the rabbits were sacrificed and the skin on the Conception Vessel and the Governor Vessel and the corresponding bilateral non-channels was collected. EB was extracted with 7:3 acetone: physiological saline, and the absorbance of EB at each skin tissue was measured with a spectrophotometer. The A value of EB absorbance at the Conception Vessel on the abdominal skin was lower than that of the corresponding bilateral non-channels with a statistically significant difference (P< 0.01). The A value of EB absorbance at the Governor Vessel on the back was higher than that of the corresponding bilateral non-channels (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the A value of EB absorbance between the bilateral non-channels of the abdomen and the back (P > 0.05). There were differences in capillary distribution and permeability between the Conception Vessel, the Governor Vessel and the corresponding bilateral non-meridians.

A prospective study of three diagnostic sonographic methods in differentiation between benign and malignant salivary gland tumours

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of three diagnostic sonographic methods, greyscale sonography (GSS), colour Doppler sonography (CDS) and spectral Doppler (SPD), in differentiating between benign and malignant salivary gland (SG) tumours. 44 patients with SG masses were examined using GSS, CDS and SPD. The morphological features of each tumour were evaluated using GSS, the distribution and number of detected blood vessels were assessed using CDS, and peak systolic velocity (PSV), resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were measured on SPD. All cases underwent excisional biopsy and a definite tissue diagnosis was obtained. Histopathological examination revealed that 28 of the 44 tumours were benign and 16 were malignant. GSS showed that malignant SG tumours had a significantly higher incidence of ill-defined borders and lymph node involvement than benign tumours, but there was no significant difference between benign and malignant SG tumours regarding echogenicity, homogeneity or sonographic shape. CDS demonstrated malignant tumours with significantly higher vascularity and a scattered distribution. Using SPD, malignant tumours had significantly higher PSV, RI and PI compared with benign tumours. RI values above 0.7, PI values above 1.2, PSV values above 44.3 cm s(-1), ill-defined borders, lymph node involvement, Grade 2 or 3 vascularity and hilar distribution of blood vessels should alert the clinician to suspect a malignant SG tumour. After consensus on the threshold values of PSV, RI and PI in differentiating benign from malignant SG tumours, these numbers should be incorporated into the software of ultrasound machines to guide the sonographer in his or her analysis.

Difference in intraosseous blood vessel volume and number in osteoporotic model mice induced by spinal cord injury and sciatic nerve resection

In the present study, we examined intraosseous blood vessel parameters of the tibial metaphysis in mice using microcomputed tomography (µCT) to investigate the relationship between post-nerve-injury osteoporosis and local intraosseous blood vessel volume and number. Mice were randomly divided into groups receiving spinal cord injury (SCI), sciatic nerve resection group (NX), or intact controls (30 mice/group). Four weeks after surgery, mice were perfused with silicone and the distribution of intraosseous blood vessels analyzed by μCT. The bone density, μCT microstructure, biomechanical properties, and the immunohistochemical and biochemical indicators of angiogenesis were also measured. The SCI group showed significantly reduced tibial metaphysis bone density, μCT bone microstructure, tibial biomechanical properties, indicators of angiogenesis, and intraosseous blood vessel parameters compared to the NX group. Furthermore, the spinal cord-injured mice exhibited significantly decreased intraosseous blood vessel volume and number during the development of osteoporosis. In conclusion, these data suggest that decreased intraosseous blood vessel volume and number may play an important role in the development of post-nerve-injury osteoporosis.

Combined Blockade of VEGFR-3 and VLA-1 Markedly Promotes High-Risk Corneal Transplant Survival

PURPOSE. High-risk corneal transplantation refers to grafting performed on inflamed and highly vascularized host beds. It represents a clinical dilemma because the rejection rate can be as high as 90%, irrespective of current treatment modalities. This study was conducted to investigate whether combined blockade of VEGFR-3 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3) and VLA-1 (very late antigen-1) promotes high-risk transplant survival and how it correlates with corneal lymphangiogenesis and hemangiogenesis before and after transplantation. METHODS. High-risk corneal transplantation was performed between normal C57BL/6 (donor) and inflamed BALB/c (recipient) mice. The recipients were randomized to receive intraperitoneal injections of VEGFR-3 and VLA-1-neutralizing antibodies or their controls twice a week for up to 8 weeks after transplantation. Corneal grafts were evaluated by ophthalmic slit-lamp biomicroscopy and analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Additionally, whole-mount corneas before and after transplantation were examined by immunofluorescent microscopic assays, and the correlation between lymphatic or blood vessel distribution and transplant outcome was analyzed. RESULTS. The combined blockade markedly promotes 90% survival of high-risk transplants. This strategy specifically modified host beds by selective inhibition of lymphangiogenesis but not hemangiogenesis. A strong correlation was also identified between high-risk transplant rejection and severe lymphatic invasion reaching the donor-graft border. CONCLUSIONS. These novel findings not only provide a new and potentially powerful strategy to promote high-risk transplant survival, they also confirm a critical role of high-degree lymphangiogenesis in mediating high-risk transplant rejection. Results from this study may also shed new light on our understanding and management of other lymphatic- and immune-related diseases in general.

Accelerating Vascularization in Polycaprolactone Scaffolds by Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Vascularization is a major challenge in tissue engineering. The purpose of this study is to expedite the formation of blood vessels in porous polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds by the delivery of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). To establish a pro-angiogenic and pro-vasculogenic microenvironment, we employed EPCs seeded in PCL scaffold with surface-immobilized heparin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). EPCs seeded on scaffolds with VEGF exhibited phosphorylation of the receptor. After 7 days of subcutaneous implantation in immunodeficient mice, heparin-immobilized PCL scaffolds with VEGF induced significantly high density of blood vessel formation. The anastomosis of EPC-derived vessels with the host circulatory system was evident by the presence of murine erythrocytes in the lumen of human-CD31 positive vessels. A more uniform distribution of blood vessels was achieved within 2-mm thick scaffolds by seeding an optimal density of EPCs. The seeding of a higher density of EPC resulted in an increase in apoptosis and a concomitant decline in blood vessel formation at the scaffold's inner core. When co-seeded with other cells, the EPCs maintained the ability to accelerate vessel formation. The excessive expansion of EPCs in vitro was associated with a decline in their in vivo vasculogenic potential. EPCs accelerated the vascularization of heparin-immobilized PCL scaffolds in the presence of VEGF.

Abstract 3865: Regional and temporal variations in gene expression and vasculature during retinoblastoma tumorigenesis and its impact on ocular treatment

Abstract Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate the hypothesis that LHBETATAG retinoblastoma tumors exhibit regional and temporal variations in gene expression and vascular development in retinoblastoma. Methods: To evaluate intratumoral gene expression, LHBETATAG mice aged 12, 16, and 20 weeks were euthanized (n=9). Specimens were taken from 5 tumor areas (apex, anterior lateral, center, base, and posterior lateral). Samples were hybridized with an Affymetrix GeneChip Mouse Gene ST 1.0 arrays. To examine the spatial distribution of new and mature blood vessels, immunohistochemical analyses were conducted on enucleated human (n=10) and LHBETATAG retinal tumors from 16-week-old mice (n=11). Results: There were significant temporal differences in gene expression for LHBETATAG retinoblastoma tumors (p&amp;lt;10-8). Genes were identified with a greater than 2.5-fold difference in expression across the three time points with variation in expression depending on region. At p&amp;lt;0.01 and log2 fold change &amp;gt; 2.5 there were significant changes in gene expression for 190 genes apically, 84 genes anterolaterally, 126 genes posteriorly, 56 genes centrally, and 134 genes at the base. Differentially expressed genes were analyzed with significant involvement in angiogenesis (p&amp;lt;10-40, 4 pathways), hypoxia (p&amp;lt;10-7, 140 pathways), and cellular metabolism (p&amp;lt;10-8). Additionally, there were significant spatial changes in the distribution of blood vessels in human and LHBETATAG retinal tumors (p&amp;lt;0.01), which correlated with the gene expression related to angiogenesis. The density of new blood vessels was higher in the periphery of the tumor than in the center (p=0.021) in human retinoblastoma tumors. This finding was mostly attributed to the distribution of large-caliber vessels (i.e., new blood vessels were higher in the periphery for large [p=0.050]- and medium [p=0.032]-caliber vessels; and mature vessels were higher in the center for large-caliber vessels [p=0.032]). In this small series, vessel maturation did not correlate with risk for metastasis. Similar results were observed in LHBETATAG retinal tumors. The percentage of large-caliber new blood vessels was higher in the periphery than in the center (p=0.038). Conclusions: There are significant temporal and regional variations in the gene expression and vasculature of retinoblastoma. Differentially expressed genes overlap with angiogenesis, hypoxia, and cellular metabolism. There is a heterogeneous vessel population in advanced retinoblastoma disease. These findings provide further understanding of the mechanisms involved in tumor progression, and emphasize that tumor biopsies cannot be used for prognostication secondary to tumor regionalization. Finally, optimally-timed adjuvant therapies that target critical components of identified pathways may potentially enhance retinoblastoma tumor control. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3865. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3865

Transport of paraquat and mexiletine from the blood into the rat intestinal lumen and peritoneal cavity.

Transport of paraquat and mexiletine from the blood into the intestinal lumen and the peritoneal cavity was examined after their intravenous administration (paraquat: 20 mg kg-1, mexiletine: 10 mg kg-1) to rats. The average amounts of paraquat transferred into the intestinal lumen and the peritoneal cavity were 1.39 and 22.8% of the dose in 120 min, respectively. The average amounts of mexiletine transferred into the intestinal lumen and the peritoneal cavity were 6.1 and 2.5% of the dose in 120 min, respectively. The transfer rate of 3H2O into the peritoneal cavity after intravenous administration (1.85 MBq) was greater than that into the intestinal lumen. In view of the hydrophilic nature of paraquat cation, a solvent drag effect due to movement of water might contribute to transport of paraquat from the blood to the peritoneal cavity. Differences in transport behaviour across the two membranes could be due to differences in the geometrical factors such as the surface area and the distribution of blood vessels. Differences might also be due to differences in physicochemistry and pharmacological effects of both substances.

Comparison of intestinal and peritoneal dialysis of theophylline and phenobarbitone in rats

Intestinal dialysis of drugs by oral administration of activated charcoal has been compared with peritoneal dialysis in rats. The average amounts of theophylline transported over 120 min into the intestinal lumen and the peritoneal cavity were 15.7 and 16.5% of the intravenous dose (10 mg kg-1), respectively, showing no significant difference, whereas the amount of the same intravenous dose of phenobarbitone transported from the blood into the intestinal lumen (7.8%) was significantly smaller than that entering the peritoneal cavity (12.5%). The net water flux showed that secretion predominated in the peritoneal transport whilst absorption predominated in the intestinal transport for both drugs. However, the net water flux in the intestinal lumen after intravenous theophylline (as aminophylline) was significantly smaller than that following phenobarbitone. The differences in transport across the two membranes could be due to differences in the intrinsic properties of the could be due to differences in the intrinsic properties of the membranes, such as the surface area, the thickness of the membrane and the distribution of blood vessels. Differences could also be due to differences in the pharmacological effects of the drugs.

222 PROMOTION OF LIVER CARCINOGENESIS BY HEPATITIS C VIRUS THROUGH ENHANCED C-MYC EXPRESSION, LEADING TO DNA DAMAGE AND OXIDATIVE STRESS

in pathologic angiogenesis and its inhibition does not affect healthy organs. To see whether PLGF plays a role in the development of HCC, we measured PLGF-serum levels in HCC and cirrhotic patients. To assess if PlGF inhibition could influence HCC-progression, PlGF knock out mice (PLGF−/−) were treated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and compared to wild type (WT) mice at several time points. Methods: Serum was collected from HCC-patients (n = 15), cirrhotic patients (n = 17) and healthy patients (n = 10) and analysed using the R&D PlGF ELISA kit. HCC-patients and cirrhotic patients were matched according to gender, etiology and age. 5-week-old male mice (PlGF −/− and WT) received intraperitoneal injections once a week with DEN (35mg/kg bodyweight), which gives rise to HCC after 25W. Mice were sacrificied after 20W, 25W and 30W of DEN administration. Results: Serum levels of PlGF were significantly increased in patients with cirrhosis (P < 0.05) and HCC (P < 0.01) compared to healthy serum. In addition, HCC-patients had higher serum levels of PlGF compared to cirrhotic patients without HCC (P < 0.05). PlGF inhibition significantly improved survival in mice with HCC (p < 0.05) and PlGF−/− had a significant lower tumour burden than WTs at 25W (P < 0.001) and 30W (P < 0.05). These tumours were less vascularised (P < 0.05) and had a more uniform blood vessel distribution (P < 0.001). Furthermore, tumour environment was characterised by less activated HSC (P < 0.05) and less macrophages (P < 0.05). Discussion: The expression levels of PlGF in human patients confirm the importance of PlGF in the hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, inhibition of PlGF in a knock out model has a positive effect on survival in mice with HCC, it decreases tumour burden, restrains angiogenesis and reduces hepatic inflammation. Thus, inhibition of PlGF might serve as a promising treatment in HCC patients.

Angioplasmocellular hyperplasia: A clinicopathologic study of 10 patients

Angioplasmocellular hyperplasia is rarely reported. The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze the clinicopathologic features of angioplasmocellular hyperplasia. The records of 10 patients (mean age, 45 years; range, 17 to 71 years) with characteristic histologic features of angioplasmocellular hyperplasia were reviewed and the histopathologic findings, clinical features, and medical histories analyzed. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens were examined by immunohistochemical staining. The most common clinical appearance was a single nodule with an erythematous rim. Histologically, the inflammatory infiltrate comprised mainly polyclonal plasma cells. There was vascular proliferation of capillaries and venules with varying numbers of plump endothelial cells. There were no definite predisposing factors. The number of cases was limited and all patients were Asian. Angioplasmocellular hyperplasia had a distinct clinical appearance characterized by its inflammatory rim. The nature of the infiltrating cells and distribution of blood vessels indicates that it is a form of reactive plasmocytic inflammatory vascular hyperplasia.

Emu Model of Full-Range Femoral Head Osteonecrosis Induced Focally by an Alternating Freezing and Heating Insult

The emu, a large bipedal bird with hip joint biomechanics similar to humans, was used to establish an experimental model of femoral head osteonecrosis and subsequent femoral head collapse. Focal lesions were induced in 20 adult male emus using an alternating liquid nitrogen freezing and radiofrequency heating insult. At 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks post-surgery, hip magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. Before the emus were sacrificed, barium sulphate was infused to the lower extremity to study blood vessel distribution patterns. Femoral samples were scanned by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and evaluated histologically. Hip MRI showed changes from broad oedema to femoral head collapse. Emus developed a crippled gait from post-operative week 6. Micro-CT scans and histology showed human-like osteonecrotic changes with an impaired local blood supply. The protocol resulted in consistent full-range osteonecrosis of the femoral head that may serve as a model for testing potential treatments.

Evaluation of oral submucous fibrosis using ultrasonographic technique: A new diagnostic tool

The aim of this study is to evaluate oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) by clinical and histopathological examination, and compare the results with those from ultrasonographic technique. 30 clinically diagnosed OSMF patients were subjected to both ultrasonographic and histopathological evaluation before treatment. Later, only ultrasonographical examination was done during 4 th and 8 th week of treatment. Prognosis of the lesion for the treatment was evaluated. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) of blood in the lesional area was statistically analyzed. 10 normal individuals without any mucosal lesions were considered as the control group. In normal individuals, ultrasonography delineates normal mucosa with uniform fine mottled appearance with interspersed hypoechoic areas. Color Doppler and spectral Doppler depicts uniform distribution of blood vessels and normal peak systolic velocity of blood respectively. All OSMF patients were diagnosed upon clinical and histopathological examination. Clinical examination revealed 14 individuals with unilateral palpable fibrotic bands and 16 individuals with bilateral fibrotic bands whereas, ultrasonographic evaluation revealed 6 individuals with unilateral fibrotic bands and 24 individuals were with bilateral fibrotic bands, which was statistically significant. Ultrasonography demonstrated number, length and thickness of the fibrotic bands. Color Doppler and spectral Doppler showed decreased vascularity and PSV in lesional area. Prognosis evaluation revealed 25 cases of good prognosis and 5 cases were showed poor prognosis. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test revealed no significant difference of PSV was seen in poor prognosis patients. Ultrasonography is a non-invasive diagnostic tool for OSMF. It could be a better diagnostic tool compared to clinical and histopathological examination.

Role of growth factors in the development of lymphangiogenesis driven by inflammatory bowel disease

Studies on angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis have gained special relevance in research into factors potentially influencing the pathogenesis and course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The results of the few existing studies on the distribution and density of lymphatic vessels and blood vessels in the context of IBD are controversial. Studies using the specific lymphatic marker podoplanin have revealed a significantly large number of lymphatic vessels in the colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease (compared to patients with normal mucosa), whereas other authors have found no significant differences. However, the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tyrosine-kinase receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) in the onset of IBD has not been analyzed. In recent years new biochemical, molecular, and immunohistochemical studies indicate that several families of growth factors, such as the VEGF family and their receptors, fibroblast growth factor-2, platelet-derived growth factor-BB, hepatocyte growth factor, the angiopoietin system, and integrins may play an important role in the onset of IBD. To date, no comparative studies have analyzed these growth factors and specific lymphatic markers. We examine how growth factors are involved in the development of pathological lymphangiogenesis in patients with IBD and determine whether they play a crucial role in disease exacerbation.