Three-dimensional Surface Renderings Research Articles

Comprehensive atlas of mitochondrial distribution and dynamics during oocyte maturation in mouse models

BackgroundOocytes, the largest cells in mammals, harbor numerous mitochondria within their cytoplasm. These highly dynamic organelles are crucial for providing energy resources and serving as central regulators during oogenesis. Mitochondrial dynamics ensure proper energy distribution for various cellular processes involved in oocyte maturation. Previous studies have used alterations in mitochondrial distribution as a biomarker to assess the oocyte health. However, there are discrepancies between studies regarding mitochondrial distribution profiles in healthy oocytes. Consequently, a comprehensive mitochondrial distribution profile in oocytes during maturation has not been fully characterized. Additionally, there is a lack of objective, quantitative methods to evaluate alterations in mitochondrial distribution profiles in oocytes.MethodsThis study aims to provide an in-depth overview of mitochondrial distribution profiles in mouse oocytes at different maturation stages: germinal vesicle (GV) stage, metaphase I (MI), and mature metaphase II (MII). Freshly collected mouse GV, MI and MII oocytes were stained with MitoTracker Red. Confocal microscopy was used to obtain images of mitochondrial distribution profiles in these oocytes. Using the Imaris software, we reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) surface renderings of each oocyte and quantitatively illustrated the mitochondrial distribution profiles.ResultsAt the GV stage, mitochondria in oocytes were evenly distributed throughout the ooplasm. As oocytes progressed to MI and MII stages, mitochondria aggregated and formed clusters, the mean size of mitochondrial clusters and the proportions of clustered mitochondria increased along with the maturation of oocytes.ConclusionsOur findings reveal that mitochondria in mouse oocytes are highly dynamic, undergoing significant reorganizations during oocyte maturation. We for the first time provided comprehensive mitochondrial distribution profiles in mouse oocytes at the GV, MI and MII stages. These mitochondrial distribution profiles were further quantitatively evaluated. Our methods provide an objective and standardized approach for evaluating alterations in mitochondrial dynamics, which can be used as biomarkers to monitor oocyte conditions during maturation.

Bifidobacterium longum BORI inhibits pain behavior and chondrocyte death, and attenuates osteoarthritis progression.

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is characterized by pain and cartilage damage; it usually exhibits gradual development. However, the pathogenesis of OA remains unclear. This study was undertaken to improve the understanding and treatment of OA. OA was induced in 7-week-old Wistar rats by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA); subsequently, the rats underwent oral administration of Bifidobacterium longum BORI (B. BORI). The effects of B. BORI were examined in chondrocytes and an MIA-induced OA rat model. In the rats, B. BORI-mediated effects on pain severity, cartilage destruction, and inflammation were recorded. Additional effects on mRNA and cytokine secretion were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Paw withdrawal threshold, paw withdrawal latency, and weight-bearing assessments revealed that pain severity in MIA-induced OA rats was decreased after B. BORI treatment. Histopathology analyses and three-dimensional surface renderings of rat femurs from micro-computed tomography images revealed cartilage protection and cartilage loss inhibition effects in B. BORI-treated OA rats. Immunohistochemical analyses of inflammatory cytokines and catabolic markers (e.g., matrix metalloproteinases) showed that the expression levels of both were reduced in tissue from B. BORI-treated OA rats. Furthermore, B. BORI treatment decreased the expression levels of the inflammatory cytokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and inflammatory gene factors (e.g., inflammatory cell death markers) in chondrocytes. The findings indicate that oral administration of B. BORI has therapeutic potential in terms of reducing pain, progression, and inflammation in OA.

Correlation and Agreement of Yttrium-90 Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography with Ex Vivo Radioembolization Microsphere Deposition in the Rabbit VX2 Liver Tumor Model

PurposeTo demonstrate a stronger correlation and agreement of yttrium-90 (90Y) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) measurements with explant liver tumor dosing compared with the standard model (SM) for radioembolization. Materials and MethodsHepatic VX2 tumors were implanted into New Zealand white rabbits, with growth confirmed by 7 T magnetic resonance imaging. Seventeen VX2 rabbits provided 33 analyzed tumors. Treatment volumes were calculated from manually drawn volumes of interest (VOI) with three-dimensional surface renderings. Radioembolization was performed with glass 90Y microspheres. PET/CT imaging was completed with scatter and attenuation correction. Three-dimensional ellipsoid VOI were drawn to encompass tumors on fused images. Tumors and livers were then explanted for inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-optical emission spectroscopy (OES) analysis of microsphere content. 90Y PET/CT and SM measurements were compared with reference standard ICP-OES measurements of tumor dosing with Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman analyses for agreement testing with and without adjustment for tumor necrosis. ResultsThe median infused activity was 33.3 MBq (range, 5.9–152.9). Tumor dose was significantly correlated with 90Y PET/CT measurements (r = 0.903, P < .001) and SM estimates (r = 0.607, P < .001). Bland-Altman analyses showed that the SM tended to underestimate the tumor dosing by a mean of −8.5 Gy (CI, −26.3–9.3), and the degree of underestimation increased to a mean of −18.3 Gy (CI, −38.5–1.9) after the adjustment for tumor necrosis. Conclusions90Y PET/CT estimates were strongly correlated and had better agreement with reference measurements of tumor dosing than SM estimates.

Three-Dimensional Brain Surface Rendering Imaging of Cortical Dysplasia

Purpose : The study was to evaluate the localization of the abnormal gyral and sulcal patterns obtained by means of brain surface rendering imaging. Materials and Methods : Nineteen patients with cortical dysplasia who underwent brain surface rendering MR imaging were included in this study. We acquired MP-RAGE sequence and created the 3-D surface rendering MR images by using . Anatomical locations and configurations of abnormal gyri and sulci were reviewed. Results : Abnormal gyral and sulcal patterns were seen 18 in 19 patients. The configuration and orientation of affected gyri and sulci were clearly evaluated in the brain surface rendering images. In a lissencephaly, the a cortex was not delineated and showed markedly thick and smooth gyral pattern. In a schizencephaly, there were wheel shaped broad gyral pattern around the cleft. In a hemimegalencephaly, an affected hemisphere were enlarged and displayed thick and wide gyral pattern. In CBPS, the insular cortex was exposed and the gyri of the lesion were thickened. In focal cortical dysplasia, there were irregular serrated or thick and enlarged gyri. Conclusion : Brain surface rendering MR imaging is useful for the evaluation of a detailed gyral pattern and accurate involvement site of abnormal gyri.

Integrated CT/Bronchoscopy in the Central Airways: Preliminary Results

Many imaging modalities and methodologies exist for evaluating the pulmonary airways. Individually, each modality provides insight to the state of the airways; however, alone they do not necessarily provide a comprehensive description. The goal of this work is to integrate complementary medical imaging datasets to form a synergistic description of the airways. Two digital bronchoscopic techniques were used to evaluate the pulmonary mucosa. A digital color bronchoscopic system was used to detect mucosal color alterations, and a fluorescence detection system was used to assess the microvasculature of the bronchial mucosa. Study participants were also imaged with a multidetector row computed tomographic (MDCT) scanner. Virtual bronchoscopic and image registration techniques were exploited to combine three-dimensional surface renderings, extracted from the MDCT data, together with the two-dimensional digital bronchoscopic images. Validation of the fusion process was performed on a rubber phantom of an adult airway with 4 embedded metal beads. The fusion of the MDCT extracted airway tree and the digital bronchoscopic datasets were presented for three study participants. In addition, the detected accuracy of the registration method to reliably align the MDCT and bronchoscopic image datasets was determined to be 1.98 mm in the phantom airway model. We have demonstrated that merging of three distinct digital datasets to provide a single synergistic description of the airways is possible. This is a pilot project in the field of eidomics, the process of combining digital image datasets and image-based processes together. We anticipate that in the future eidomics will provide a universal and predictive imaging language that will change health care delivery.

Multi-detector row CT colonography: effect of collimation, pitch, and orientation on polyp detection in a human colectomy specimen.

To investigate the effects of orientation, collimation, pitch, and tube current setting on polyp detection at multi-detector row computed tomographic (CT) colonography and to determine the optimal combination of scanning parameters for screening. A colectomy specimen containing 117 polyps of different sizes was insufflated and imaged with a multi-detector row CT scanner at various collimation (1.25 and 2.5 mm), pitch (3 and 6), and tube current (50, 100, and 150 mA) settings. Two-dimensional multiplanar reformatted images and three-dimensional endoluminal surface renderings from the 12 resultant data sets were examined by one observer for the presence and conspicuity of polyps. The results were analyzed with Poisson regression and logistic regression to determine the effects of scanning parameters and of specimen orientation on polyp detection. The percentage of polyps that were detected significantly increased when collimation (P =.008) and table feed (P =.03) were decreased. Increased tube current resulted in improved detection only of polyps with a diameter of less than 5 mm. Polyps of less than 5 mm were optimally depicted with a collimation of 1.25 mm, a pitch of 3, and a tube current setting of 150 mA; polyps with a diameter greater than 5 mm were adequately depicted with 1.25-mm collimation and with either pitch setting and any of the three tube current settings. Small polyps in the transverse segment (positioned at a 90 degrees angle to the z axis of scanning) were significantly less visible than those in parallel or oblique orientations (P <.001). The effective radiation dose, calculated with a Monte Carlo simulation, was 1.4-10.0 mSv. Detection of small polyps (<5 mm) with multi-detector row CT is highly dependent on collimation, pitch, and, to a lesser extent, tube current. Collimation of 1.25 mm, combined with pitch of 6 and tube current of 50 mA, provides for reliable detection of polyps 5 mm or larger while limiting the effective radiation dose. Polyps smaller than 5 mm, however, may be poorly depicted with use of these settings in the transverse colon.

Supraarticular, supramastoid and suprameatal crests on the outer surface of the temporal bone and the relation between them.

Supraarticular, supramastoid and suprameatal crests on the outer surface of the squamous part of the temporal bone are of clinical importance as they are accepted as landmarks for some surgical approaches relating to the temporomandibular joint, the middle cranial fossa and mastoid air cells, respectively. Because of the surgical importance of the crests, their incidence and the relations between them were studied on a total of 442 (250 male, 192 female) dry skulls. In addition, three-dimensional (3D) surface renderings of the squamous part of the temporal bone were created from routine axial computed tomographic (CT) images in four cadaver specimens to demonstrate the surface anatomy. Suprameatal crests were observed commonly as a trace type on the male dry skulls (51.2%), though no such crest was seen on most of the female skulls (54.4%). Supramastoid crests were commonly observed as a small crest on male dry skulls (46.6%), but as a trace type on female dry skulls (52.05%). Supraarticular crests were commonly seen as a trace type on both male (58.6%) and female (70.6%) dry skulls. In the light of the above data, it can be concluded that the crests on the male dry skulls were stronger than those on the female skulls. The angles between the crests were also examined. It was observed that the angle between the supraarticular and supramastoid crests was larger in male dry skulls compared with the female dry skulls. On the other hand, no gender difference was observed when the angle between the suprameatal and supraarticular crests was examined.

Mapping of functional organization in human visual cortex: electrical cortical stimulation.

To investigate the pattern of functional organization in the human visual cortex through electrical cortical stimulation. Electrical cortical stimulation was applied to the occipital cortex and adjacent cortices using subdural grid electrodes in 23 epilepsy patients. Diverse visual responses were recorded. These responses were divided into different categories according to the specific response modalities, such as form, color, and motion. Form visual responses were further subdivided into simple, intermediate, and complex responses. The cortical localization of subdural electrodes was identified using MRI-CT coregistration. The cortical distribution of different visual responses was projected into three-dimensional surface renderings of the brain. The distribution and frequency of subdural electrodes showing different visual responses were quantified by calculating the percentage of the number of electrodes showing one specific type of visual response at the corresponding anatomic region to the total number of electrodes in all brain regions that produced the same response. Simple form responses were obtained mostly at the occipital pole and the inferior occipital gyrus (47.4%) and the striate cortex (42.4%). Intermediate form responses occurred mainly on the peristriate cortex (52.5%) and the lateral occipital (28.0%) and fusiform gyri (19.5%). Complex forms were produced by stimulation of the basal temporo-occipital region (57.6%) and the lateral temporal or lateral temporo-occipital junctional region (42.4%). Color responses occurred on the basal occipital area, mostly at the fusiform (40.0%) and lingual gyri (36.0%). Moving sensations were evoked by stimulation of the basal temporo-occipital (28.4%) and the mesial parieto-occipital or temporo-parieto-occipital junctional regions (23.9%). Different modalities of vision, such as form, color, and moving sensation, appeared to be distributed and organized in different areas of the human visual cortex.

Three-Dimensional Surface Rendering Image of Cerebral Cortical Disease

Purpose: To describe the abnormal gyral and sulcal patterns obtained by means of three-dimensional (3-D) surface-rendering MR imaging in patients with cerebral cortical disease. Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients with cerebral cortical disease [M:F=9:4, aged 8 -55 (median, 26.6) years] underwent 3-D surface-rendering MR imaging. Seven had cortical dysplasia and six showed gyral atropic change, conditions which in all cases were pathologically confirmed. All were the subject of conventional brain MRI imaging studies using the MP-RAGE (magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo) sequence, and the resulting 3-D data sets were processed on a commercially available workstation. Abnormal gyral and suleal configurations were reviewed. Results: Abnormal gyral and sulcal patterns were seen in all patients. In eight cases these involved the frontal lobe, in three the parietal lobe, and in two the sylvian fissure. In four patients with cortical dysplasia, conventional MR imaging revealed no cortical abnormality, but 3-D surface-rendering MRI indicated that the configuration and orientation of affected gyri and sulci were abnormal. In nine patients in whom an abnormal gyral pattern was revealed by conventional MRI, 3-D surface imaging confirmed the presence of a thick and en-larged gyrus, or that the configuration of affected gyri was atrophic and abnormal. Conclusion: In patients with cerebral cortical disease, 3-D surface-rendering MR imaging detects a high rate of abnormal gyral and sulcal patterns.

Neuropsychological correlates of MRI temporal lobe abnormalities in schizophrenia

The authors evaluated the neuropsychological correlates of temporal lobe abnormalities in schizophrenic patients. Fifteen schizophrenic patients underwent assessment of memory, by the Wechsler Memory Scale--Revised, and abstraction/categorization, by the similarities subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale--Revised and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Neuropsychological tests of motor and constructional functions were used as control tasks. The patients also underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in which new neuroimaging techniques were used to derive measurements of volume and three-dimensional surface renderings of temporal lobe structures. Spearman rank-order correlations indicated significant associations between poor scores on tests of verbal memory, abstraction, and categorization and reduced volume in temporal lobe structures, including the parahippocampal gyrus and posterior superior temporal gyrus (left and right). By contrast, performance on tests of visual memory and on control tasks was not correlated with MRI temporal lobe abnormalities. These findings suggest a significant but modest relation between reduced volume in specific temporal lobe regions and neuropsychological deficits in abstraction, categorization, and verbal memory, all of which may reflect a dysfunctional semantic system in schizophrenia.

Three-dimensional surface rendering in MRI morphometry: a study of the planum temporale.

The emergence of methodologies for accurately rendering cortical surfaces suggests possible quantitative applications of surface rendering to morphometry of the cerebral cortex. We examined this novel use of surface renderings in a study of the planum temporale, a neuroanatomical structure exhibiting well-documented normal asymmetry previously visible only in postmortem studies. With the aid of three-dimensional renderings of the supratemporal cortex, the area of the planum temporal was analyzed in the volume MRIs of seven normal, strongly right-handed males. In comparison with areas derived from conventional measurements of serial MRI sections, planum temporale areas derived from supratemporal surface renderings offered far greater interrater reliability, and presumably improved validity as reflected by more consistent evidence of the anticipated planum asymmetry. Morphometry of the supratemporal cortex is enhanced by the use of three-dimensional surface renderings. Application of surface-rendering techniques to morphometry of other cortical regions is discussed.

Temporal bone: three-dimensional CT. Part I. Normal anatomy, techniques, and limitations.

Three-dimensional (3D) surface renderings of the temporal bone were created from routine axial computed tomographic (CT) images in 15 subjects and in cadaver specimens. The displayed anatomy was correlated with these specimens, as well as with images from the routine study. Six sets of viewing angles were derived for optimal display of surgically important surface landmarks, such as the suprameatal triangle and supramastoid crest. The 3D CT images were found to be of excellent quality and permitted a global view of the temporal bone surface anatomy. Bone depletion artifacts ("pseudoforamina") posed a potentially serious problem in evaluating the tegmen and wall of the sigmoid sulcus, being present in eight of 20 cases. Three-dimensional CT may be a useful adjunct to routine temporal bone imaging.

Temporal bone: three-dimensional CT. Part II. Pathologic alterations.

Three-dimensional (3D) surface renderings were obtained from routine axial computed tomographic (CT) images in 15 patients with a variety of complex temporal bone abnormalities. The 3D CT reformations served as an adjunct to conventional sectional CT examination. While no diagnosis was substantially changed because of the 3D CT images, they did provide a more global perspective in cases of large tumors and fractures and at the postmastoidectomy site. Three-dimensional CT surface reformations are now practical and may be potentially useful for visualizing temporal bone lesions characterized by complex destructive change.

Three-dimensional surface rendering of nasal anatomy from computed tomographic data.

This article investigates the potential of using three-dimensional surface-rendered computed tomographic reconstructions for demonstrating normal and pathologic intranasal anatomy. Three-dimensional surface renderings of the intranasal structures were generated in 38 patients from coronal high-resolution computed tomographic images. Because of the complex anatomy, three-dimensional images were believed to be useful for surgical planning. There may be a correlation between the appearance of the uncinate process and severity of inflammatory sinus disease.