Reduction In Blood Flow Velocity Research Articles

Morphophysiological Responses of the Goat Mammary Gland to Water Scarcity in Arid and Semi-Arid Environments: Are They Enough to Generate Adaptation to New Climatic Challenges?

Due to climate change, diverse territories of the planet will suffer from water restrictions. Goats are perceived as the most resilient ruminants in this scenario. So, various studies have focused on describing how a lower water intake influences milk production, especially in breeds adapted to desert environments. In water-stress situations, goats lose up to 32% of their body weight (BW), the rate of passage is reduced, and the digestibility of the feed increases. When goats consume water again, the rumen prevents hemolysis and osmotic shock from occurring. Regarding milk production, the response varies depending on the breed and the level of water restriction, maintaining the milk volume or reducing it by up to 41%. Systemically, it decreases the urinary volume and glomerular filtration rate, increasing blood osmolality and the vasopressin (ADH) concentration. Studies are scarce regarding changes in blood flow to the mammary gland, but there would be a reduction in blood flow velocity of up to 40% without changing blood pressure. New studies must be undertaken to determine which breeds or crosses are the best adapted to changing environmental conditions and to improve our understanding of the changes that occur at the morphophysiological level of the caprine mammary gland.

Extracellular matrix and vascular dynamics in the kidney of a murine model for Marfan syndrome.

Fibrillin-1 is a pivotal structural component of the kidney's glomerulus and peritubular tissue. Mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene result in Marfan syndrome (MFS), an autosomal dominant disease of the connective tissue. Although the kidney is not considered a classically affected organ in MFS, several case reports describe glomerular disease in patients. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the kidney in the mgΔlpn-mouse model of MFS. Affected animals presented a significant reduction of glomerulus, glomerulus-capillary, and urinary space, and a significant reduction of fibrillin-1 and fibronectin in the glomerulus. Transmission electron microscopy and 3D-ultrastructure analysis revealed decreased amounts of microfibrils which also appeared fragmented in the MFS mice. Increased collagen fibers types I and III, MMP-9, and α-actin were also observed in affected animals, suggesting a tissue-remodeling process in the kidney. Video microscopy analysis showed an increase of microvessel distribution coupled with reduction of blood-flow velocity, while ultrasound flow analysis revealed significantly lower blood flow in the kidney artery and vein of the MFS mice. The structural and hemodynamic changes of the kidney indicate the presence of kidney remodeling and vascular resistance in this MFS model. Both processes are associated with hypertension which is expected to worsen the cardiovascular phenotype in MFS.

Pyrrolopyrrole aza-BODIPY-based NIR-II fluorophores for in vivo dynamic vascular dysfunction visualization of vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy

Real-time monitoring vascular responses is crucial for evaluating the therapeutic effects of vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (V-PDT). Herein, we developed a highly-stable and bright aggregation induced emission (AIE) fluorophore (PTPE3 NP) for dynamic fluorescence (FL) imaging of vascular dysfunction beyond 1300 nm window during V-PDT. The superior brightness (ϵmaxΦf>1000 nm ≈ 180.05 M−1 cm−1) and high resolution of PTPE3 NP affords not only high-clarity images of whole-body and local vasculature (hindlimbs, mesentery, and tumor) but also high-speed video imaging for tracking blood circulation process. By virtue of the NPs’ prolonged blood circulation time (t1/2 ≈ 86.5 min) and excellent photo/chemical (pH, RONS) stability, mesenteric and tumor vascular dysfunction (thrombosis formation, vessel occlusion, and hemorrhage) can be successfully visualized during V-PDT by FL imaging for the first time. Furthermore, the reduction of blood flow velocity (BFV) can be monitored in real time for precisely evaluating efficacy of V-PDT. These provide a powerful approach for assessing vascular responses during V-PDT and promote the development of advanced fluorophores for biological imaging.

Hemodynamics and Tissue Temperature in Bone Union Area of Long Bones Primary Fractures and Refractures: <i>in vivo</i> Experiment

Background. Adequate blood flow in tissues during bone union is a factor that enables to achieve positive treatment results.
 Aim of study to study in vivo experiment the features of temperature response and blood flow in consolidation area of tibial primary fractures and refractures.
 Methods. A tibial fracture was simulated in rats and then immobilized with external fixator. In series 1 (n = 13) the fixation was kept until union. In series 2 (n = 18) a refracture was simulated 21 days after the surgery and refixed until union. The blood flow and tissue temperature were studied in the fracture area in normal conditions; 21 and 35 days after fracture or refracture; 28 days after the end of fixation.
 Results. The temperature and blood flow were of the same type, but of different intensity. Three types of reactions were identified: 1) reduced blood flow velocity and tissue temperature, signs of venous outflow difficulty; 2) increased blood flow, unchanged venous outflow, reduced tissue temperature; 3) slight blood flow decrease, increased venous outflow, slight tissue temperature increase. By the end of fixation (35 days) all parameters in series 1 returned to normal. 28 days after the end of fixation the tissue temperature and venous outflow returned to normal in series 2 animals with the first and the second types of hemodynamics, their blood flow velocity decreased. As for the third type, the tissue temperature returned to normal, the venous outflow and the blood flow velocity increased.
 Conclusion. In case of primary fractures, the blood flow and the tissue temperature normalized by the end of fixation. In case of refractures the changes persisted 1 month after the end of fixation.

QS16. The Effects of Variations in the Skin Surface Temperature on Capillary Blood Flow Using Video-capillaroscopy

Purpose: Video-capillaroscopy (VC) can be used to evaluate real-time flow of red blood cells in capillaries at a depth of 1-mm from the skin surface. Therefore, this device could be used in microsurgery to assess the perfusion of flaps, replanted fingers, skin grafts, and keloids. The details of capillary changes during skin cooling under VC observations are not known. By investigating the adaptations of capillaries after cooling using VC, we determined the effects of temperature on skin capillaries with those at room temperature, establishing temperature criteria for future VC applications. Therefore, we observed and compared VC findings on skin areas often used for flap harvest at a normal and lower body temperature. Methods: Twenty healthy Japanese adults were included. Skin capillaries were observed at the lateral thigh, forearm, mid-axillary line, abdomen, and fingertip using VC (GOKO Bscan-Z). Ice packs were used to lower the skin temperature to less than 35°C. The VC findings were recorded for three minutes before and after cooling. By means of the ImageJ software, we measured the total blood vessel area (pixels) as a percentage of the total area of the visual field (pixels). Also, we measured the blood flow velocity (μm/s) using GOKO-VIP software and the results for both temperatures (normal and after cooling) were then compared. Results: The average age and BMI were 37.5±9.72 years and 22.4±2.45 kg/m2 respectively. The mean arterial pressure was 89.4±3.1 mmHg. In accordance with the Fitzpatrick phenotype, eleven patients were type II, five were type III, and four were type IV. The average skin temperature before and after cooling were 36.4±0.2°C and 34.7±0.8°, respectively. The blood vessel areas were significantly different before and after cooling in all anatomical areas (p <.001). The average reduction rate of the vessel area after cooling was 63% for the thigh, 30% for the forearm, 43.3% for the mid-axillary line, 35% for the abdomen, and 65% for fingertips. The mean reduction rate of the vessel area was significantly different among anatomic regions (p <.001). The average blood flow velocities were significantly different before and after cooling in all anatomical areas (p <.001). The average blood flow velocity reduction rate after cooling was 75.7% for the thigh, 55.3% for the forearm, 68.9% for the mid-axillary line, 61.6% for the abdomen, and 79.2% for fingertips. The average blood flow velocity reduction rate after cooling was significantly different among anatomic regions (p <.001). Conclusion: Decrease in skin surface temperature resulted in capillary vasoconstriction and a decrease of capillary blood flow velocity in all areas. When VC is used for flap monitoring, it is important to keep the observation area warm since decreasing the temperature in the monitored area might result in the false diagnosis of arterial occlusion.

Endothelial Cell Phenotype, a Major Determinant of Venous Thrombo-Inflammation.

Reduced blood flow velocity in the vein triggers inflammation and is associated with the release into the extracellular space of alarmins or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). These molecules include extracellular nucleic acids, extracellular purinergic nucleotides (ATP, ADP), cytokines and extracellular HMGB1. They are recognized as a danger signal by immune cells, platelets and endothelial cells. Hence, endothelial cells are capable of sensing environmental cues through a wide variety of receptors expressed at the plasma membrane. The endothelium is then responding by expressing pro-coagulant proteins, including tissue factor, and inflammatory molecules such as cytokines and chemokines involved in the recruitment and activation of platelets and leukocytes. This ultimately leads to thrombosis, which is an active pro-inflammatory process, tightly regulated, that needs to be properly resolved to avoid further vascular damages. These mechanisms are often dysregulated, which promote fibrinolysis defects, activation of the immune system and irreversible vascular damages further contributing to thrombotic and inflammatory processes. The concept of thrombo-inflammation is now widely used to describe the complex interactions between the coagulation and inflammation in various cardiovascular diseases. In endothelial cells, activating signals converge to multiple intracellular pathways leading to phenotypical changes turning them into inflammatory-like cells. Accumulating evidence suggest that endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) may be a major mechanism of endothelial dysfunction induced during inflammation and thrombosis. EndMT is a biological process where endothelial cells lose their endothelial characteristics and acquire mesenchymal markers and functions. Endothelial dysfunction might play a central role in orchestrating and amplifying thrombo-inflammation thought induction of EndMT processes. Mechanisms regulating endothelial dysfunction have been only partially uncovered in the context of thrombotic diseases. In the present review, we focus on the importance of the endothelial phenotype and discuss how endothelial plasticity may regulate the interplay between thrombosis and inflammation. We discuss how the endothelial cells are sensing and responding to environmental cues and contribute to thrombo-inflammation with a particular focus on venous thromboembolism (VTE). A better understanding of the precise mechanisms involved and the specific role of endothelial cells is needed to characterize VTE incidence and address the risk of recurrent VTE and its sequelae.

Use of 1000fps High Speed X-ray Angiography (HSAngio) to quantify differences in flow diversion effects of three stents with different coverage densities in a cerebral aneurysm invitro model.

High temporal resolution images acquired using 1000fps HSAngio can be used to visualize blood flow patterns and derive flow velocities during neurointerventional procedures. In this work we use this technology to quantify the changes in the blood flow velocities inside a cerebral aneurysm after treatment with three different stents with varying degrees of metal coverage density; stent A : <2%, stent B: 23% and stent C: 40%. A 3D printed in-vitro model of internal carotid artery aneurysm was connected to a flow loop (60% water, 40% glycerol solution used as circulation fluid, circulation flow rate 8 L/s). An automatic programmable injector (KD Scientific Legato 110) was used to inject iodine contrast agent at a rate of 88 mL/min in 3secs. 1000 fps HSAngio sequences of the contrast injection were acquired using an Aries single photon counting detector (Direct Conversion Inc., Stockholm). From these images blood flow velocities were calculated using an optical flow algorithm. As expected the biggest reduction in blood flow velocity inside the aneurysm was 32.4% after deployment of stent C. However, the velocity profile distribution indicated there was still a significant inflow jet into the aneurysm which could be caused by a endoluminal leak between the stent and the vessel wall. The average reduction was only 14% after placement of stent B and 3% after placement of stent A. Blood velocity distribution maps derived using 1000fps HSAngiography technology can be used to evaluate the quality of flow diversion within the aneurysm after placement of stent. Critical information such as endo luminal leakage which can cause treatment failure can also be detected.

The frequency of atrial infarction in patients with supraventricular arrhythmias.

Aim To evaluate the incidence of atrial infarction (AI) based on a retrospective review of 287 case reports of patients with supraventricular arrhythmia and a positive qualitative test for troponin I after pharmacological arrest of arrhythmia; to determine the target localization of lesions and diagnostic signs, that appear in acute ischemic atrial damage, by selective coronary angiography (CA).Material and methods A retrospective review was performed of 287 case reports of patients admitted to cardiology departments for atrial fibrillation paroxysm with narrow QRS complexes on electrocardiogram (ECG) from 2018 through 2020. At the prehospital stage, verapamil had been administered intravenously with no effect. In the hospital, the sinus rhythm was successfully restored pharmacologically in all patients. Then ECG, repeated qualitative determination of troponin I, echocardiography, and CA were performed.Results 77 (27 %) patients of the study group had AI signs; 27 (9.5 %) of these patients had confirmed AI, and 50 (17.5 %) patients had probable AI. The existence of acute ischemic injury was considered absolutely confirmed in the presence of a combination of ECG changes, positive markers of myocardial damage, and reduced blood flow velocity in the left atrial branch of the sinoatrial nodal artery as shown by CA; in the presence of only ECG and biochemical criteria, acute AI was considered probable. According to selective CA, coronary injuries requiring an intervention were absent, and signs of the above-mentioned artery thrombosis were not visualized. However, the blood flow velocity was reduced to the TIMI II level in 9.5 % of cases; other atrial branches had an extremely small diameter.Conclusion Atrial infarction needs to be excluded for patients with supraventricular arrhythmias, a characteristic clinical picture, and increased levels of myocardial injury enzymes.

A study on effect of diabetes mellitus and hypertension on ocular blood flow by colour doppler ultrasonography

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT) have been the two major medical and public health issues for over 40 years worldwide. Colour doppler imaging (CDI) is widely used to evaluate ocular circulation. It is non-invasive, safe, and useful tool, most commonly used to investigate circulatory parameters in retrobulbar blood vessels. The aim was to study ocular blood flow (OBF) velocity in the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA) and central retinal vein (CRV) in patients with DM and HT by CDI. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was done for 6 months (June 2021–November 2021) on 40 patients of age 40 years and above with DM and/or HT of a minimum 6 months duration. Retrobulbar circulation was assessed in all subjects bilaterally. Subjects were further divided into groups with or without retinopathy. Results: Of the total number of 40 participants, 26 (65%) were male, and 14 (35%) were female. 16 (40%) participants were diabetics, 8 (20%) were hypertensive, and 16 (40%) had both DM and HT. 57.5% were diagnosed with retinopathy changes. The mean values of the pulsatile index (PI) were: 1.23 in patients with DM, 1.30 in patients with HTN, and 1.33 in patients with DM and HTN. Conclusion: Our study showed reduced blood flow velocity and increased resistivity index (RI) in patients with DM and/or HT. Significant changes were noted in retrobulbar blood flow in patients with retinopathy. These results can potentially provide prognostic values in times to come regarding altered OBF even before retinopathy develops.

Concomitant administration of dantrolene and nimodipine significantly improves cerebral blood flow perfusion in a rat model of cerebral‐induced vasospasm

A cerebral vasospasm (CVSP) is a potent vasoconstriction of the cerebral vasculature, and the primary cause of morbidity and mortality following a hemorrhagic stroke. The middle cerebral artery (MCA) is one of the most common vessels affected by CVSPs. Experimental evidence shows that concomitant administration of dantrolene (a ryanodine receptor blocker) and nimodipine (a Ca+2 channel blocker) has synergistic effects in reducing vasospasms in aortic rings from Sprague Dawley rats. To determine if the effects observed in the systemic vasculature extend to the cerebral circulation, we investigated the effect of intravenous administration of dantrolene (2.5 mg/kg) and nimodipine (1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg) on MCA blood flow velocity (BFV). Using a PeriFlux 5000 Laser Doppler System, we measured BFV before and after administration of the drugs 7 days after induction of cerebral vasospasms in Sprague Dawley rats. A reduction in blood flow velocity indicates that vascular reactivity decreases and blood perfusion increases. Mean blood pressure (MBP) and heart rate (HR) were also measured. Individual administration of these drugs resulted in similar reductions in BFV (34% with dantrolene, n=6, p<0.05; 32% with nimodipine 2 mg/kg, n=6, p<0.05). Moreover, dantrolene combined with 1mg/kg of nimodipine decreased BFW by 48% (from 435.70 ± 21.50 to 284.30 ± 26.10 perfusion units, n=6, p<0.05). Similarly, dantrolene combined with 2 mg/kg of nimodipine, reduced BFW by 54% (from 536.00 ± 32.60 to 367.80 ± 40.90 perfusion units, n=6, p<0.05). Although when combined with 2 mg/kg of nimodipine, dantrolene significantly increases HR, the combination of dantrolene and 1mg/kg of nimodipine, did not alter MBP or HR. Thus, our results indicate that concurrent administration of 2.5 mg/kg dantrolene and 1 mg/kg nimodipine significantly reduce BFV in the MCA without altering systemic hemodynamic parameters. By reducing vascular reactivity synergistically, these drugs may improve cerebral blood perfusion. Therefore, adding dantrolene to current standard pharmacological therapies with calcium channel blockers (CCB) may allow a dosage reduction of CCB and minimize the systemic secondary effects of these drugs. Furthermore, if our findings with rats are applicable to humans, the combined use of dantrolene and nimodipine at optimal doses may be effective in reducing CVSPs.

Correlation between retrobulbar blood flow parameters and retinal nerve fiber, ganglion cell and inner plexus layer thickness in myopia.

To assess the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell and inner plexus layer (GCIPL) and blood flow parameters in retrobulbar vessels, and to analyze correlations between these parameters in myopes. The study included forty myopic and 20 healthy eyes. Standard eye examination was supplemented with OCT of the optic nerve and macula (GCIPL, RNFL, RNFL in each quadrant and rim area of the optic nerve) and color Doppler imaging of retrobulbar arteries [peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities, pulsatile index and resistance index (RI) in the ophthalmic (OA), central retinal (CRA), nasal posterior ciliary and temporal posterior ciliary arteries]. Significant correlations were found between blood flow parameters in the CRA, RNFL and GCIPL thickness, and axial length (AL) and spherical equivalent (SE). There were significant positive correlations between RNFL with PSV and EDV in the CRA and negative correlations between RNFL and RI in the CRA. GCIPL was positively correlated with PSV and EDV in the CRA. The decrease in RA was associated with reduced blood flow velocities in the CRA, TPCA and NPCA. The reduced retrobulbar blood flow in healthy young myopes is correlated with increasing AL and refractive value, and thinning of the RNFL and GCIPL. Reduction of the rim-area of the optic disc is associated with vascular and retinal circulatory disorders. These phenomena indicate the vascular basis of the described changes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which correlates ocular circulation with retinal structure.

Bisphenol S Induces Ectopic Angiogenesis in Embryos via VEGFR2 Signaling, Leading to Lipid Deposition in Blood Vessels of Larval Zebrafish

Bisphenol S (BPS), used as a bisphenol A substitute, has been detected in various environments. However, the safety of BPS is still unclear. Here, zebrafish embryos were exposed to BPS (0, 1, 10, and 100 μg/L) for 24, 48, 72, 96 h, and 15 days. BPS induced ectopic sprouting of budding blood vessels in embryos, but the blood flow velocity within these lesions was unchanged at 48 h. At 72 h postfertilization (hpf), by observing the subintestinal venous plexus responsible for yolk absorption, we found that VEGFR2 transduced an angiogenic signal and that the subsequent reduction in blood flow velocity inhibited yolk absorption. At 96 hpf, yolk consumption was still delayed because of the disturbed transportation route, resulting in transient extensive lipid retention in the blood vessels. After feeding, obvious atherogenic lipids were discovered in the blood vessels, especially in bends, bifurcations, and stenoses. This dynamic visualization of the pathogenesis demonstrates a plausible mechanistic link between BPS exposure-induced embryonic vessel overgrowth and an increased atherosclerosis risk.

Inferior vena cava revisited - Real-time flow MRI of respiratory maneuvers.

Recent MRI studies of blood flow in the inferior vena cava (IVC) resulted in findings which are inconsistent with earlier observations by invasive procedures - most likely because ECG-gated MRI techniques are unable to resolve dynamic adjustments due to respiration. The purpose of this work was to apply real-time phase-contrast MRI at 50 ms resolution to re-evaluate IVC flow in response to normal and deep breathing as well as breath holding and Valsalva maneuver (11 young healthy subjects). Real-time flow MRI relied on highly undersampled radial gradient-echo sequences and a model-based nonlinear inverse reconstruction. A frequency analysis of the predominant pulsatility classified IVC flow in individual subjects as "cardiac", "respiratory" or "mixed" type. Peak flow velocities during free breathing ranged from 30 to 58 cm s-1 , while flow rates varied from 15 to 37 ml s-1 . The subject-specific IVC flow pattern persists during deep breathing although the enhanced respiratory influence may shift subjects form "cardiac" to "mixed" or from "mixed" to "respiratory" type. Peak velocities increased relative to normal breathing but led to similar flow rates of 16 to 34 ml s-1 . Inspiration during deep breathing elicited brief periods of flow reversal in all subjects with mean peak velocities of -21 cm s-1 . The observation of only mildly flattened parabolic velocity distributions within the IVC indicated mostly laminar flow. Breath holding reduced blood flow velocities and rates by more than 40% on average, while Valsalva maneuvers completely abolished venous return. In conclusion, IVC blood flow is dominated by the acquired respiratory behavior of individual subjects and its pressure-induced alterations relative to cardiac pulsation. The responses to breath holding and Valsalva maneuver are in full agreement with previous invasive observations of reduced or even ceased flow, respectively.

Development of a Simple ImageJ-Based Method for Dynamic Blood Flow Tracking in Zebrafish Embryos and Its Application in Drug Toxicity Evaluation

This study aimed to develop a simple and cost-effective method to measure blood flow in zebrafish by using an image-based approach. Three days post fertilization (dpf) zebrafish embryos were mounted with methylcellulose and subjected to video recording for tracking blood flow under an inverted microscope equipped with a high-speed CCD camera. In addition, Hoffman lens was used to enhance the blood cell contrast. The red blood cell movement was tracked by using the TrackMate plug-in in the ImageJ image processing program. Moreover, Stack Difference and Time Series Analyzer plug-in were used to detect dynamic pixel changes over time to calculate the blood flow rate. In addition to blood flow velocity and heart rate, the effect of drug treatments on other cardiovascular function parameters, such as stroke volume and cardiac output remains to be explored. Therefore, by using this method, the potential side effects on the cardiovascular performance of ethyl 3-aminobenzoate methanesulfonate (MS222) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) were evaluated. MS222 is a common anesthetic, while IBMX is a naturally occurring methylxanthine. Compared to normal embryos, MS222- and IBMX-treated embryos had a reduced blood flow velocity by approximately 72% and 58%, respectively. This study showed that MS222 significantly decreased the heart rate, whereas IBMX increased the heart rate. Moreover, it also demonstrated that MS222 treatment reduced 50% of the stroke volume and cardiac output. While IBMX decreased the stroke volume only. The results are in line with previous studies that used expensive instruments and complicated software analysis to assess cardiovascular function. In conclusion, a simple and low-cost method can be used to study blood flow in zebrafish embryos for compound screening. Furthermore, it could provide a precise measurement of clinically relevant cardiac functions, specifically heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output.

Acute multiple cerebral infarction combined with cerebral microhemorrhage in Polycythemia vera: A case report.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is one of the rare causes of cerebrovascular disease, whose common manifestations in the nervous system are cerebral infarction and transient ischemic attack. A number of cases of PV patients with bleeding complicated with subdural hemorrhage or cerebral hemorrhage have been previously reported. However, sometimes PV patient with complicated cerebral hemorrhage and lower extremity venous thrombosis have been admitted to the People's Hospital of Liaoning Province. The present case study reports on a patient with acute multiple cerebral infarction with cerebral micro-hemorrhage associated with PV, who was not treated with anti-thrombosis treatment. After bloodletting treatment and hydroxyurea treatment, the patients condition was stable and they were discharged. A possible mechanism of infarction is that PV may cause abnormal proliferation of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in the circulation, resulting in an increase of blood viscosity and reduction of blood flow velocity. Platelet deficiency may cause abnormal blood coagulation function, which may be the reason for the blood and thrombotic diseases in patients with PV.

A preliminary study on predicting anastomotic occlusion in patients with cirrhosis underwent splenectomy combined with splenorenal shunt by ultrasonography

To predict anastomotic occlusion after splenectomy combined with splenorenal shunt surgery by ultrasound technique. Methods: To retrospectively analyze 53 cases of splenectomy combined with splenorenal shunt surgery. We divided these patients into 2 groups: a patency group (n=39) and an occlusion group (n=14), which were based on the results of splenorenal venous anastomotic stoma with spiral CT. The statistical methods were used to analyze the ultrasound detection indicators (the internal diameter, blood flow velocity, blood flow volume, thrombosis and blood flow direction of portal vein, splenic vein, and superior mesenteric vein) for those 2 groups, and then to figure out the predictive factors that affect splenorenal venous anastomotic stoma. Results: Compared with the patency group, there are significant broadening of the portal vein diameter, narrowing of the splenic vein diameter, reduction of the splenic vein blood flow velocity, reduction of splenic venous flow volume, splenic vein thrombosis formation and changes of the splenic vein blood flow direction (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasound indicators of portal vein diameter broadening, splenic vein diameter narrowing, splenic vein blood flow velocity reduction, splenic venous flow volume reduction, splenic vein thrombosis formation and change of splenic vein blood flow direction are influential factors for the splenorenal anastomotic occlusion in patients after splenectomy combined with splenorenal shunt surgery.

AGE-related reduction in blood flow velocity in middle cerebral arteries and the musculoskeletal system

AGE-related reduction in blood flow velocity in middle cerebral arteries and the musculoskeletal system

Age-Related Reduction in Blood Flow Velocity in the Middle Cerebral Arteries and the Musculoskeletal System

Age-Related Reduction in Blood Flow Velocity in the Middle Cerebral Arteries and the Musculoskeletal System

Multi-Velocity Encoding Four-Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Assessment of Chronic Aortic Dissection.

Background: Chronic descending thoracic aortic dissection (CDTAD) following surgical repair of ascending aortic dissection requires long-term imaging surveillance. We investigated four-dimensional (4D)-flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a novel multi-velocity encoding (multi-VENC) technique as an emerging clinical method enabling the dynamic quantification of blood volume and velocity throughout the cardiac cycle. Methods: Patients with CDTAD (n = 10; mean age, 55.1 years; standard deviation (SD) 10.8) and healthy volunteers (n = 9; mean age, 37.1 years; SD 11.4; p < 0.01) underwent 3T MRI, and standard views and 4D-flow data were obtained. Flow measurements were made in selected regions of interest within the ascending and descending thoracic aorta. Results: The overall flow profile at peak systole was reduced in the false lumen (FL) compared with the true lumen (TL) and normal aortas (p < 0.05 for velocity < 0.4 m/s). Peak systolic flow rate per aortic lumen area (mL/s/cm 2 ) was lower in the FL than in the TL (p < 0.05), and both rates were lower than that of control aortas (p < 0.05). Blood flow reversal was higher in the FL than in the TL throughout the descending aorta in CDTAD patients (p < 0.05). A derived pulsatility index was elevated in the TL compared with that in the FL in CDTAD patients. Generated pathline images demonstrated flow patterns in detail, including sites of communication between the true and FL. Conclusions: 4D-flow MRI revealed FL blood flow and reduced blood flow velocity and flow rate in the TL of CDTAD patients compared with normal aortas of healthy participants. Thus, multi-VENC 4D-flow MRI could serve as an adjunct in the long-term assessment of CDTAD following surgical repair of ascending aortic dissection.

Healthcare-Related Qigong for the Prevention of Lifestyle-Related Diseases

(1) Background: Qigong is a kind of traditional Chinese exercise combining breathing, movement, and meditation in order to keep fit for the purpose of preventing disease and prolonging life. (2) Methods: Within this short article some topics like clinical efficacy and mechanism of health-care Qigong, the impact on the respiratory function and on the cardiovascular function, the influence on the immune system, the impact on the emotional aspects and brain function research on Qigong will be discussed briefly. (3) Results: Light imagination during meditation showed a 22.2% increase of the mean blood flow velocity in the posterior cerebral artery and a mean reduction of blood flow velocity of 23.1% in the middle cerebral artery in a male Qigong master. (4) Conclusions: In summary, the clinical efficacy of Qigong cannot be denied. Health-care Qigong exercise may prevent diseases however more scientific studies with high quality are also needed.