Microcirculatory Blood Research Articles

Comparison of the effectiveness of drug therapy and non-drug technology of post-COVID rehabilitation of workers with intensive computer load

Currently, there is sufficient evidence of the importance and clinical effectiveness of non-drug therapy. The scientific discussion on the priority of the clinical application of pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of rehabilitation of patients with mononeuropathies has acquired particular importance against the background of neurological post-COVID complications in patients with COVID-19. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of drug therapy and non–drug technology of post-covid rehabilitation of workers with intensive computer workload based on the study of clinical and laboratory parameters. Scientists have conducted a survey of two groups of workers with intensive computer workload who underwent rehabilitation after COVID-19 with the use of drug therapy and non-drug technologies, including balneotherapy, drinking narcotherapy, aerosol inhalations, low-frequency magnetic therapy. The authors have evaluated the effectiveness of therapy based on the results of studies of asthenization, degree of fatigue, latent coronary insufficiency, the state of the blood microcirculation system, immune status, the state of the POL-AOSIS system and endogenous intoxication of patients. Asthenization, the degree of fatigue, and latent coronary insufficiency decreased in the majority of the examined patients after post-COVID non-drug measures. Whereas in patients of the drug group, a decrease in these indicators was noted in a small number of examined patients. The indicators of the immune status of patients after non-drug therapy returned to normal, after drug therapy they only approached the limits of the norm, but did not reach it. After the treatment, the indicators of lipid peroxidation in the group of patients undergoing post-COVID rehabilitation using non-drug technologies decreased more significantly than in the group receiving drug treatment. The content of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and ceruloplasmin and the fat-soluble antioxidant α-tocopherol after treatment increases in both groups, but in the group of drug treatment they do not reach the lower limit of the reference intervals. The decrease in the content of medium-molecular peptides is more pronounced when using non-drug technologies. The application of the proposed non-drug technology for the rehabilitation of patients with post-COVID syndrome who are subjected to intense computer loads during work showed a significantly more pronounced normalization of asthenization, fatigue, latent coronary insufficiency and the state of the blood microcirculation system, immune status, the state of the POL-AOSIS system and endogenous intoxication of patients. The data obtained indicate a high therapeutic effect of the use of non-drug technology. Limitations. The surveyed groups included only persons permanently registered in Kislovodsk. Ethics. The research was conducted in accordance with the principles of biomedical ethics and approved by the local Ethics Committee of the Izmerov Research Institute of Occupation Health, Moscow (Protocol No. 4 dated 04/14/2021). Each participant of the study submitted a voluntary written informed consent signed by him after explaining to him the potential risks and benefits.

Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizoma alleviates blood hyperviscosity induced by high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt diet via inhibition of gut-liver inflammatory activation and fibrinogen synthesis

Ethnopharmacological relevanceUnhealthy dietary patterns and lifestyle changes have been linked to increased blood viscosity, which is recognized as an important pathogenic factor in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The underlying mechanism may involve chronic inflammation resulting from intestinal barrier disruption induced by unhealthy diets. The rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (Called Baizhu in China), is a well-used “spleen-reinforcing” traditional Chinese medicinal herb used for thousands of years. Previous research has demonstrated its multiple gastrointestinal health benefits and its ability to regulate metabolic disorders. However, the effects of Baizhu on blood hyperviscosity induced by long-term unhealthy diets remain unclear. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate the effects of the aqueous extract of Baizhu on blood hyperviscosity induced by unhealthy diet and to explore the possible mechanisms. Materials and methodsThe blood hyperviscosity model in SD rats was established utilizing a high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt diet (HFSSD). Subsequently, the rats underwent a twelve-week intervention with varying doses of Baizhu and a positive control. To evaluate the efficacy of Baizhu on blood hyperviscosity in model rats, we measured behavioral index, hemorheological parameters, inflammatory cytokines, hematology, adhesion molecules, as well as biochemical indicators in serum and liver. We also assessed the pathological states of the colon and liver. Furthermore, Western blotting, ELISA, IHC, and qRT-PCR were used to determine the effect of Baizhu on the IL-6/STAT3/ESRRG signaling pathway and FIB synthesis. ResultsThe intervention of Baizhu showed evident attenuating effects on blood viscosity and microcirculation disorders, and exhibit the capacity to moderately modulate parameters including grip, autonomous activities, vertigo time, TC, TG, LDL-c, inflammatory factors, adhesion factors, hematological indicators, etc. At the same time, it reduces liver lipid droplet deposition, restores intestinal integrity, and lowers LPS level in the serum. Subsequent experimental results showed that Baizhu downregulated the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB in colon tissue, as well as the expression of IL-6, TLR4, p-JAK2, p-STAT3, and ESRRG in liver tissue. Finally, we also found that Baizhu could regulate the levels of FIB in plasma and liver. ConclusionBaizhu protects HFSSD-induced rats from blood hyperviscosity, likely through repairing the intestinal barrier and inhibiting LPS/TLR4-associated liver inflammatory activation, thus suppressing FIB synthesis through the downregulation of IL-6/STAT3/ESRRG pathway.

Assessment of human adaptation processes of different age groups of the population depending on the state of urban ecosystems using blood microcirculation analysis by Laser Doppler Flowmetry.

Assessment of human adaptation processes of different age groups of the population depending on the state of urban ecosystems using blood microcirculation analysis by Laser Doppler Flowmetry.

From Brownian motion to virtual biopsy: a historical perspective from 40years of diffusion MRI.

Diffusion MRI was introduced in 1985, showing how the diffusive motion of molecules, especially water, could be spatially encoded with MRI to produce images revealing the underlying structure of biologic tissues at a microscopic scale. Diffusion is one of several Intravoxel Incoherent Motions (IVIM) accessible to MRI together with blood microcirculation. Diffusion imaging first revolutionized the management of acute cerebral ischemia by allowing diagnosis at an acute stage when therapies can still work, saving the outcomes of many patients. Since then, the field of diffusion imaging has expanded to the whole body, with broad applications in both clinical and research settings, providing insights into tissue integrity, structural and functional abnormalities from the hindered diffusive movement of water molecules in tissues. Diffusion imaging is particularly used to manage many neurologic disorders and in oncology for detecting and classifying cancer lesions, as well as monitoring treatment response at an early stage. The second major impact of diffusion imaging concerns the wiring of the brain (Diffusion Tensor Imaging, DTI), allowing to obtain from the anisotropic movement of water molecules in the brain white-matter images in 3 dimensions of the brain connections making up the Connectome. DTI has opened up new avenues of clinical diagnosis and research to investigate brain diseases, neurogenesis and aging, with a rapidly extending field of application in psychiatry, revealing how mental illnesses could be seen as Connectome spacetime disorders. Adding that water diffusion is closely associated to neuronal activity, as shown from diffusion fMRI, one may consider that diffusion MRI is ideally suited to investigate both brain structure and function. This article retraces the early days and milestones of diffusion MRI which spawned over 40years, showing how diffusion MRI emerged and expanded in the research and clinical fields, up to become a pillar of modern clinical imaging.

Effects of exogenous nitric oxide on blood microcirculation: experimental research of therapeutic effect

Effects of exogenous nitric oxide on blood microcirculation: experimental research of therapeutic effect

Blood microcirculation under conditions of a translational model of alcohol cardiomyopathy in rats

Blood microcirculation under conditions of a translational model of alcohol cardiomyopathy in rats

Analysis of phase shift between pulse oscillations of macro- and microvascular cerebral blood flow in patients with traumatic brain injury

PurposeAfter a traumatic brain injury (TBI), monitoring of both macrovascular and microvascular blood circulation can potentially yield a better understanding of pathophysiology of potential secondary brain lesions. We investigated the changes in phase shift (PS) between cardiac-induced oscillations of cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured at macro (ultrasound Doppler) and microvascular (laser Doppler) level. Further we assessed the impact of intracranial pressure (ICP) on PS in TBI patients. A secondary aim was to compare PS to TCD-derived cerebral arterial time constant (τ), a parameter that reflects the circulatory transit time.MethodsTCD blood flow velocities (FV) in the middle cerebral artery, laser Doppler blood microcirculation flux (LDF), arterial blood pressure (ABP), and ICP were monitored in 29 consecutive patients with TBI. Eight patients were excluded because of poor-quality signals. For the remaining 21 patients (median age = 23 (Q1: 20–Q3: 33); men:16,) data were retrospectively analysed. PS between the fundamental harmonics of FV and LDF signals was determined using spectral analysis. τ was estimated as a product of cerebrovascular resistance and compliance, based on the mathematical transformation of FV and ABP, ICP pulse waveforms.ResultsPS was negative (median: −26 (Q1: −38–Q3: −15) degrees) indicating that pulse LDF at a heart rate frequency lagged behind TCD pulse. With rising mean ICP, PS became more negative (R = −0.51, p < 0.019) indicating that delay of LDF pulse increases. There was a significant correlation between PS and cerebrovascular time constant (R = −0.47, p = 0.03).ConclusionsPulse divergence between FV and LDF became greater with elevated ICP, likely reflecting prolonged circulatory travel time.

Pathogenetic role of a number of factors in the development and progression of preeclampsia with varying severity in pregnant women.

Context Preeclampsia is a common pregnancy complication, posing significant risks to both the mother and fetus. Predicting and determining the risks of this disease is crucial. Aims This research aims to understand the pathogenetic role of several factors in the development and progression of preeclampsia, particularly in relation to its severity in pregnant patients. Methods The study included 60 pregnant women diagnosed with either mild or severe preeclampsia and 40 healthy pregnant women for comparison. Blood plasma was analysed using biochemical methods, and blood microcirculation parameters were determined to identify homeostatic abnormalities in early preeclampsia. Key results A molecular genetic study revealed the frequency of the endothelial nitric oxide gene eNOSC774T . Homeostatic abnormalities were statistically correlated with polymorphic genotypes of the eNOSC774T gene. Conclusions The research found a correlation between the T774T eNOS genotype mutation and the severity of preeclampsia, alongside significant homeostasis abnormalities in patients. Implications The T774T mutant genotype of the eNOS gene and higher levels of lipid peroxidation products are strongly linked to the severity and progression of preeclampsia. This highlights a significant connection between genetic predisposition and biochemical abnormalities in the disease's development.

Particle-based modeling and GPU-accelerated simulation of cellular blood flow

Computational modeling and simulation of cellular blood flow is highly desired for understanding blood microcirculation and blood-related diseases such as thrombosis and tumor, but it remains a challenging task primarily because blood in microvessels should be described as a dense suspension of different types of deformable cells. The focus of the present work is on the development of a particle-based and GPU-accelerated numerical method that is able to quickly simulate the various behaviors of deformable cells in three-dimensional arbitrarily complex geometries. We employ a two-fluid model to describe blood flow, incorporating the deformation and aggregation of cells. A smoothed dissipative particle dynamics is used to solve the two-fluid model, and a discrete microstructure model is applied for the cell deformation, as well as a Morse potential model for the cell aggregation. The heterogeneous CPU-GPU environment is established, where each GPU thread is dedicated to a particle, and the CPU is mainly responsible for loading and exporting data. Five test cases are conducted against analytical theory, experimental data, and previous numerical results, for pure fluid, cell deformation, cell aggregation, cell suspension and the cellular flow in a complex network, respectively. It is shown that the methodology can accurately predict various behaviors of cells, and the GPU is well suited for particle-based modeling. Especially for cellular blood flow, where calculating cellular forces is a compute-intensive and time-consuming task, the GPU offers exceptional parallel capabilities, significantly enhancing the simulation efficiency. The speedup is about 3.5 times faster than the CPU parallelization with 96 cores for the pure fluid, and this acceleration nearly reaches 20 times when cells are included in the simulations. Particularly, the calculations for deformation and aggregation forces demonstrate a substantial speedup, achieving the improvements of up to 120 and 640 times, respectively, compared to their serial counterparts. The present methodology can effectively integrate various behaviors of cells, and has the potential in simulating very large microvascular networks at organ levels.

Sex differences in skin microcirculatory vascular reactivity in experimental lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxinemia

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays a leading role in the development of a systemic inflammatory response and endogenous intoxication. However, the sex differences in the functional state of the microcirculatory bed in LPS-induced endotoxinemia have been poorly studied. Objective. To study the characteristics of skin microcirculatory vascular reactivity in experimental LPS-induced endotoxinemia in male and female rats. Material and methods. Modeling of endotoxinemia was performed by intraperitoneal injection of LPS of the cell wall of the bacterium Salmonella enterica to male and female Wistar stock rats. Two doses of LPS were used: 50 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg. We used laser Doppler flowmetry to evaluate skin perfusion before and after LPS injection, blood flow changes under test conditions with local contact hypothermia caused by a thermoelement. Results. 48 hours after LPS injection, a decrease in blood flow was observed, especially pronounced at a dose of LPS 50 mg/kg. During the test with local cooling of the skin, a change in the kinetics of the reaction was noted. Blood flow reduction was 75% (LPS 50 mg/kg) and 51% (LPS 10 mg/kg), statistically significantly different from the control groups. At the same time, the classic phenomenon of “cold vasodilation” observed in control rats was absent in all groups with the injection of LPS. Maximum perfusion after restoration of blood flow in females was achieved 3 times faster than in males (LPS 10 mg/kg). Conclusion. In experimental LPS-induced endotoxinemia, a dose-dependent decrease in skin perfusion was revealed. We obtained new data on the absence of pronounced “cold vasodilation” at local contact hypothermia. The results of the study indicate a violation of the mechanisms of neurogenic vasoconstriction and endothelium-dependent vasodilation, reflecting systemic disorders of microcirculation regulation. At the same time, the females showed a more positive dynamics of blood flow restoration in the test with local cooling of the skin, indicating a greater functional reserve and a more effective mechanism of autoregulation of the blood microcirculation system. A functional test with local contact cooling of the skin is highly informative for assessing vascular reactivity and preservation of the autoregulation mechanism of microcirculation in modeling endogenous intoxication

A multi-domain model for microcirculation in optic nerve: Blood flow and oxygen transport

Microcirculation of blood and transport of oxygen play important roles in the biological function of the optic nerve and its diseases. This work develops a multi-domain model for the optic nerve, that includes important biological structures and various physical mechanisms in blood flow and oxygen delivery. The two vascular networks are treated as five domains in the same geometric region, with various exchanges among them (such as Darcy’s law for fluid flow) and with the tissue domain (such as water leak, diffusion). The numerical results of the coupled model for a uniform case of vasculature distribution show mechanisms and scales consistent with literature and intuition. The effects of various important model parameters (relevant to pathological conditions) are investigated to provide insights into the possible implications. The vasculature distribution (resting volume fractions here) has significant impacts on the blood circulation and could lead to insufficient blood supply in certain local regions and thereby affect the delivery of oxygen. The water leak across the capillary wall will have nontrivial effects after the leak coefficients pass a threshold. The pulsatile arterial pressure leads to expected pulsatile patterns and stable spatial profiles, and the uniform case is almost the averaged version of pulsatile case. The effects of viscosity, the stiffness of blood vessel wall, oxygen demand, etc. have also been analyzed. The framework can be extended to include ionic transport or to study the retina when more biological structural information is available.

Disturbance in cerebral blood microcirculation and hypoxic-ischemic microenvironment are associated with the development of brain metastasis.

Brain metastases (BM) constitute an increasing challenge in oncology due to their impact on neurological function, limited treatment options, and poor prognosis. BM occur through extravasation of circulating tumor cells across the blood-brain barrier. However, the extravasation processes are still poorly understood. We here propose a brain colonization process which mimics infarction-like microenvironmental reactions, that is dependent on Angiopoietin (Ang-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In this study, intracardiac BM models were used, and cerebral blood microcirculation was monitored by 2-photon microscopy through a cranial window. BM formation was observed using cranial magnetic resonance, bioluminescent imaging, and post-mortem autopsy. Ang-2/VEGF targeting strategies and Ang-2 gain-of-function (GOF) mice were employed to interfere with BM formation. In addition, vascular and stromal factors as well as clinical outcome were analyzed in BM patients. Blood vessel occlusions by cancer cells were detected, accompanied by significant disturbances of cerebral blood microcirculation, and focal stroke-like histological signs. Cerebral endothelial cells showed an elevated Ang-2 expression both in mouse and human BM. Ang-2 GOF resulted in an increased BM burden. Combined anti-Ang-2/anti-VEGF therapy led to a decrease in brain metastasis size and number. Ang-2 expression in tumor vessels of established human brain metastases negatively correlated with survival. Our observations revealed a relationship between disturbance of cerebral blood microcirculation and brain metastasis formation. This suggests that vessel occlusion by tumor cells facilitates brain metastatic extravasation and seeding, while combined inhibition of microenvironmental effects of Ang-2 and VEGF prevent the outgrowth of macrometastases.

Anatomy of blood microcirculation in the pig epicardial ganglionated nerve plexus

Embolization of coronary arteries and their terminal arterioles causes ischemia of all tissues distributed within a cardiac wall including the intrinsic cardiac ganglionated nerve plexus (ICGP). The disturbed blood supply to the ICGP causes chronic sympathetic activation with succeeding atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. This study analyses the anatomy of microcirculation of epicardial nerves and ganglia using the hearts of 11 domestic pigs. Our findings demonstrate that thicker epicardial nerves are normally supplied with blood via 12 epineural arterioles penetrating the endoneurium regularly along a nerve, and forming an endoneurial capillary network, which drains the blood into the myocardial blood flow. The mean diameter of intraneural capillaries was 7.2 ± 0.2 µm, while the diameters of arterioles were 25.8 ± 0.7 μm and involved 45 endothelial cells accompanied by circular smooth muscle cells. Usually, two or three arterioles with a mean diameter of 28.9 ± 1.7 μm supplied blood to any epicardial ganglion, in which arterioles proceeded into a network of capillaries with a mean diameter of 6.9 ± 0.3 μm. Both the epicardial nerves and the ganglia distributed near the porta venarum of the heart had tiny arterioles that anastomosed blood vessels from the right and the left coronary arteries. The density of blood vessels in the epicardial nerves was significantly lesser compared with the ganglia. Our electron microscopic observations provided evidence that blood vessels of the pig epicardial nerves and ganglia may be considered as either arterioles or capillaries that have quantitative and qualitative differences comparing to the corresponding blood vessels in humans and, therefore, a pig should not be considered as an animal model of the first choice for further heart functional studies seeking to improve the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias via trans-coronary cardiac neuroablation. Structured abstractThis study details the anatomy of microcirculation of epicardial nerves and ganglia, from which intracardiac nerves and bundles of nerve fibers extend into all layers of the atrial and ventricular walls in the most popular animal model of experimental cardiology and cardiac surgery - the domestic pig. Our findings provided evidence that blood vessels of the pig epicardial nerves and ganglia may be considered as either arterioles or capillaries that have quantitative and qualitative differences comparing to the corresponding blood vessels in humans and, therefore, a pig should not be considered as an animal model of the first choice for further heart functional studies seeking to improve the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias via trans-coronary cardiac neuroablation.

An-Gong-Niu-Huang-Wan (AGNHW) regulates cerebral blood flow by improving hypoperfusion, cerebrovascular reactivity and microcirculation disturbances after stroke

BackgroundThe restoration of cerebrovascular regulation and improvement of cerebral blood flow in ischaemic regions are crucial for improving the clinical prognosis after stroke. An-Gong-Niu-Huang-Wan (AGNHW) is a famous traditional compound Chinese medicine that has been used for over 220 years to treat acute ischaemic stroke; however, its role in the regulation of cerebral blood flow is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the regulatory effect of AGNHW on cerebral blood flow and microcirculation after ischaemic stroke and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved.MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were subjected to distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO) and randomly assigned to the sham, MCAO, or AGNHW groups. AGNHW was administered intragastrically 1 h after dMCAO. The rotarod test was utilized to evaluate behavioural function; TTC was used to determine the infarct volume; and ischaemic injury was assessed by detecting brain levels of SOD, MDA and NO. Then, cortical perfusion and acetazolamide-induced cerebrovascular reactivity were assessed using laser speckle contrast imaging, and the velocity and flux of red blood cells in cortical capillaries were detected using two-photon laser scanning microscopy. In addition, we employed RNA-Seq to identify variations in gene expression profiles and assessed endothelium-dependent changes in microcirculatory dysfunction by measuring vasoactive mediator levels.ResultsAGNHW significantly increased cerebral blood flow, reduced the infarct volume, and promoted functional recovery after cerebral ischaemia. AGNHW increased the velocity and flux of red blood cells in capillaries and improved cerebrovascular reactivity in the ischaemic cortex. Furthermore, AGNHW regulated endothelium-dependent microcirculation, as evidenced by decreases in the expression of endothelins (Edn1, Edn3 and Ednrb) and the ratios of brain and serum TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α and ET-1/CGRP.ConclusionsAGNHW improved cerebral hypoperfusion, regulated cerebrovascular reactivity and attenuated microcirculatory dysfunction within the ischaemic cortex after stroke. This outstanding effect was achieved by modulating the expression of genes related to vascular endothelial cell function and regulating endothelium-dependent vasoactive mediators.

IMPROVEMENT OF CAPILLAROSCOPY METHOD FOR STUDYING HUMAN MICROCIRCULATION

The human circulatory system has historically captivated researchers in the field of medicine. Modern medicine, however, has moved beyond identifying a single crucial element, such as the heart or venous system, for maintaining blood flow. Instead, it emphasizes a more analytical approach, focusing on the interconnected functioning of all components within the system. The aim of this work is to analyze the existing methods of studying blood microcirculation and to improve the technology of capillaroscopy, technical means of raster microphotography to determine the physiological state and disorders of capillary circulation. To achieve this objective, we address the following tasks: analyzing existing non-invasive methods for studying the human vascular system; enhancing the optical capillaroscopy method through the utilization of modern high-resolution digital cameras, computer, and multimedia equipment, along with appropriate software for analyzing electronic images; developing a technological scheme and equipment design for digital microphotography of capillaries in the periungual region of the upper extremities; providing software solutions for registering and analyzing digital microphotographic images obtained through capillaroscopy; conducting experimental studies to explore the structure and properties of capillaries utilizing the developed technologies and equipment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables the comprehensive evaluation of both anatomical and functional aspects of blood flow. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) capitalizes on the distinction between the signal emitted by moving tissue (blood) and that of surrounding stationary tissue, facilitating the acquisition of vascular images without the need for radiopaque contrast agents. Ultrasonography integrates Doppler and conventional ultrasound techniques, providing physicians with insights into blood vessel structure and blood flow dynamics. Traditional ultrasound employs sound waves that are imperceptible to the human ear and bounce off blood vessels, while Doppler ultrasound measures the velocity of sound wave reflection from moving elements. Ophthalmoscopy constitutes a fundamental component of standard ophthalmological examinations, serving as a pivotal tool for diagnosing eye conditions and evaluating the condition of blood vessels. Additionally, ophthalmoscopy aids in diagnosing autoimmune disorders. Capillaroscopy enables comprehensive assessments of both systemic and regional microcirculation disorders, facilitating the characterization of tissue metabolism. Dysfunction in capillary function contributes to circulatory impairments, leading to blood stasis, metabolic irregularities, and compromised immunity, thereby exacerbating existing conditions and predisposing individuals to new diseases. Optical computerized capillaroscopy offers a non-invasive means of visualizing, examining, and archiving capillary images, enabling clinicians to make informed assessments regarding blood microcirculation. Experimental validation of the optimized hardware and software capillaroscopy system was conducted using nail bed capillaries of a patient with type II diabetes mellitus undergoing insulin therapy for 10 years. This study underscores the importance of refining and enhancing optical capillaroscopy methodologies by leveraging high-resolution camera sensors and modern computational tools for image processing.

IMPACT OF QUERCETIN ON PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MANDIBULAR BONE IN RATS FOLLOWING ITS FRACTURE UNDER CHRONIC ALCOHOL INTOXICATION

This study aims at investigating the impact of water-soluble form of quercetin on the pathomorphological characteristics of the mandibular bone in rats following its incomplete fracture under chronic alcohol intoxication was investigated. Fourteen white male Wistar rats weighing 190-240 g were randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 comprised rats with incomplete mandibular fractures under chronic alcohol intoxication; animals in Group 2 received daily intraperitoneal injections of water-soluble quercetin (corvitin) in a dose of 10 mg/kg of quercetin for 14 days following the injury induction. It has been shown that chronic alcohol intoxication hinders reparative regeneration of bone tissue after an incomplete mandibular fracture, and is accompanied by a decrease in the relative amount of reticulofibrous bone tissue and fibroblastic cellular elements at the injury site, especially mature fibroblasts, as well as by delayed maturation of granulation tissue. Under experimental conditions, quercetin administration significantly contributed to normalizing the regenerative process by the 14th day of the posttraumatic period. This normalization was evidenced by increased relative amounts of reticulofibrous bone tissue, prevalence of fibroblastic cells in granulation tissue, and accelerated formation of the regenerate blood microcirculatory channel.

Microcirculation indicators in children with bronchial asthma

In pediatric practice, non-invasive methods are relevant that allow one to study the state of blood microflow. One such method is laser Doppler flowmetry.Purpose. To evaluate the state of blood microcirculation in children with bronchial asthma by laser Doppler flowmetry during periods of exacerbation and remission of the disease.Material and methods. 40 healthy children aged 9–17 years (13.7 ± 1.8) were examined, which made up the control group. The main group of the examined were children with moderate and severe bronchial asthma (n=60) during the period of exacerbation (n=29) and remission (n=31) of similar age. To diagnose the general condition, the microcirculation of blood used a system of portable blood microcirculation LAZMA PF. From the LAZMA PF analyzers, a distributed system consisting of four devices was organized: two analyzers for simultaneous research on the 3rd finger of the hands and on the 1st toes. The record of indicators from 4 analyzers was carried out simultaneously in the position of the subject sitting for 10 minutes.Results. When studying the indicator of the microcirculatory-tissue system in children with bronchial asthma of moderate and severe severity who are in remission, we did not reveal significant differences from the indicators in healthy children. When assessing active regulation mechanisms affecting the state of microcirculation, a reliable decrease in the amplitudes of vibrations of endothelial regulation in patients with bronchial asthma compared to healthy children (p&lt;0.05) was revealed. When comparing passive oscillations of blood flow in patients with bronchial asthma, a significant decrease in the amplitudes of oscillations in the cardiac range was revealed in comparison with the control group (p&lt;0.05). Scope of results: medicine, pediatrics, therapy, pulmonology, allergology.Conclusion. The laser Doppler flowmetry can be used as an additional criterion for the diagnosis and control of the therapy of bronchial asthma in children.

Fusion of full-field optical angiography images via gradient feature detection

Full-field optical angiography (FFOA)—a real-time non-invasive imaging technique for extracting biological blood microcirculation information—contributes to an in-depth understanding of the functional and pathological changes of biological tissues. However, owing to the limitation of the depth-of-field (DOF) of optical lenses, existing FFOA imaging methods cannot capture an image containing every blood-flow information. To address this problem, this study develops a long-DOF full-field optical angiography imaging system and proposes a novel multi-focus image fusion scheme to expand the DOF. First, FFOA images with different focal lengths are acquired by the absorption intensity fluctuation modulation effect. Second, an image fusion scheme based on gradient feature detection in a nonsubsampled contourlet transform domain is developed to capture focus features from FFOA images and synthesize an all-focused image. Specifically, FFOA images are decomposed by NSCT into coefficients and low-frequency difference images; thereafter, two gradient feature detection-based fusion rules are used to select the pre-fused coefficients. The experimental results of both phantom and animal cases show that the proposed fusion method can effectively extend the DOF and address practical FFOA image defocusing problems. The fused FFOA image can provide a more comprehensive description of blood information than a single FFOA image.

Beyond life: Exploring hemodynamic patterns in postmortem mice brains.

We utilize Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) for visualizing cerebral blood flow in mice during and post-cardiac arrest. Analyzing LSCI images, we noted temporal blood flow variations across the brain surface for hours postmortem. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis depicted blood flow and microcirculation decay post-death. Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) identified potential cerebral hemodynamic synchronization patterns. Additionally, non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) with four components segmented LSCI images, revealing structural subcomponent alterations over time. This integrated approach of LSCI, FFT, CWT, and NMF offers a comprehensive tool for studying cerebral blood flow dynamics, metaphorically capturing the 'end of the tunnel' experience. Results showed primary postmortem hemodynamic activity in the olfactory bulbs, followed by blood microflow relocations between somatosensory and visual cortical regions via the superior sagittal sinus. This method opens new avenues for exploring these phenomena, potentially linking neuroscientific insights with mysteries surrounding consciousness and perception at life's end.

Development of a biotechnical system for intraoperative diagnosis of perfusion and metabolic parameters of biological tissues during minimally invasive surgical interventions

The development of modern technologies, tendencies to reduce traumatization and extent of surgical interventions have created conditions for intensive implementation and widespread use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS). For all their advantages, MIS interventions have a number of peculiarities, primarily related to limited access to the organ. This drives the need to improve and expand the range of technologies used in MIS to provide additional diagnostic information about the functional state of biological tissues. The indications for MIS interventions are very broad, but from the pathophysiological point of view, many diseases, syndromes and conditions can be described in terms of unified disorders of perfusion and metabolic parameters of biological tissues. There is no alternative to optical diagnostic methods for the determination of perfusion and metabolic parameters of biological tissues in vivo, thus making it possible to obtain additional diagnostic information in MIS practice. In particular, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is used to measure the absorption and scattering properties of optically inhomogeneous media, such as biological tissues, and to estimate their structural and biochemical properties. Fluorescence spectroscopy is based on the registration of the autofluorescence of biological tissues when excited by optical radiation. Most endogenous fluorophores are related to the structure or to various metabolic processes responsible for the functional state of biological tissues. The main method of studying blood microcirculation is laser Doppler flowmetry – a technology based on the analysis of laser radiation reflected from the surface layer of biological tissues. Another method for assessing perfusion disorders in clinical medicine is laser speckle contrast imaging, which is based on the registration of a random interference pattern that is formed on a camera detector when an object is illuminated by coherent laser radiation. The aim of the study is to develop a biotechnical system (BTS) for intraoperative diagnostics of perfusion and metabolic parameters of biological tissues during MIS interventions based on optical diagnostic methods, which enables surgeons to obtain additional diagnostic information about the state of operated organs and tissues in real time. To achieve this goal, the possibility of assessing perfusion and metabolic disorders of biological tissues using optical diagnostic methods was scientifically substantiated. A formalized scheme of BTS for intraoperative diagnostics of perfusion and metabolic parameters of biological tissues was developed. Fiber optic probes of different designs compatible with instruments for MIS interventions were described. An example of the implementation of intraoperative optical diagnostics in gynecology based on the developed BTS is presented. A study of changes in the perfusion and metabolic characteristics of the myometrium, myoma, and pseudocapsule during myomectomy is described. It is shown that the pseudocapsule is better supplied with blood than the myoma and the myometrium, confirming the data that this structure is a vascular capsule that surrounds and nourishes the myoma. The use of modern methods of optical diagnostics based on the analysis of the interaction of optical radiation with biological tissues, together with the integration of optical technologies into modern surgical equipment, is the next technological innovation in the era of MIS development. The proposed and described methodology of building BTS of intraoperative diagnostics of perfusion and metabolic parameters of biological tissues is the basis for creating new-generation medical systems, which provide the possibility of obtaining reliable diagnostic data in conditions of limited access to biological tissues associated with the specifics of MIS interventions and allow to improve the quality and safety of surgical care.