Carotid arterial plaque stress analysis using fluid-structure interactive simulation based on in-vivo magnetic resonance images of four patients.

The rupture of atherosclerotic plaques is known to be associated with the stresses that act on or within the arterial wall. The extreme wall tensile stress (WTS) is usually recognized as a primary trigger for the rupture of vulnerable plaque. The present study used the in-vivo high-resolution multi-spectral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for carotid arterial plaque morphology reconstruction.

[Study on the arc spectral information for welding quality diagnosis].

Through collecting the spectral signals of TIG and MIG welding arc with spectrometer, the arc light radiations were analyzed based on the basic theory of plasma physics. The radiation of welding arc distributes over a broad range of frequency, from infrared to ultraviolet. The arc spectrum is composed of line spectra and continuous spectra.

RNA interference against Biot2, a novel mouse testis-specific gene, inhibits the growth of tumor cells.

Biot2 is a novel murine testis-specific gene that was first identified using the SEREX technique, and named by our laboratory. Using conventional RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR, we tested the expression profile of Biot2 in normal tissues and various murine tumor cell lines. Using RNA interference, we studied the biological function of Biot2 in tumorigenesis.

Noninvasive imaging of atheromatous carotid plaques.

Atherothrombosis is a systemic disease of the arterial wall that affects the carotid, coronary, and peripheral vascular beds, and the aorta. This condition is associated with complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and peripheral vascular disease, which usually result from unstable atheromatous plaques. The study of atheromatous plaques can provide useful information about the natural history and progression of the disease, and aid in the selection of appropriate treatment.

Transmembrane helix of novel oncogene with kinase-domain (NOK) influences its oligomerization and limits the activation of RAS/MAPK signaling.

Ligand-dependent or independent oligomerization of receptor protein tyrosine kinase (RPTK) is often an essential step for receptor activation and intracellular signaling. The novel oncogene with kinase-domain (NOK) is a unique RPTK that almost completely lacks an ectodomain, expresses intracellularly and activates constitutively. However, it is unknown whether NOK can form oligomer or what function oligomerization would have.

In vivo non-invasive high resolution MR-based method for the determination of the elastic modulus of arterial vessels.

The mechanical properties of arterial walls have long been recognized to play an essential role in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Early detection of variations in the elastic modulus of arteries would help in monitoring patients at high cardiovascular risk stratifying them according to risk. An in vivo, non-invasive, high resolution MR-phase-contrast based method for the estimation of the time-dependent elastic modulus of healthy arteries was developed, validated in vitro by means of a thin walled silicon rubber tube integrated into an existing MR-compatible flow simulator and used on healthy volunteers.

Measurement of stenotic carotid arterial compliance with MRI.

Arterial compliance has been shown to correlate well with overall cardiovascular outcome and it may also be a potential risk factor for the development of atheromatous disease. This study assesses the utility of 2-D phase contrast Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging with intra-sequence blood pressure measurement to determine carotid compliance and distensibility. 20 patients underwent 2-D phase contrast MR imaging and also ultrasound-based wall tracking measurements.

The impact of wall shear stress and pressure drop on the stability of the atherosclerotic plaque.

Rupture of vulnerable atheromatous plaque in the carotid and coronary arteries often leads to stroke and heart attack respectively. The mechanism of blood flow and plaque rupture in stenotic arteries is still not fully understood. A three dimensional rigid wall model was solved under steady state conditions and unsteady conditions by assuming a time-varying inlet velocity profile to investigate the relative importance of axial forces and pressure drops in arteries with asymmetric stenosis.

Isolation and functional characterization of HvDREB1-a gene encoding a dehydration-responsive element binding protein in Hordeum vulgare.

A gene encoding Hordeum vulgare dehydration-responsive element binding protein 1 (HvDREB1), a member of the A-2 subgroup of the DREB subfamily, was isolated from barley seedlings. A subcellular localization assay revealed accumulation of HvDREB1 protein in the nucleus. As a trans-acting factor, HvDREB1 was able to bind to DRE/CRT elements and transactivate reporter gene expression in yeast cells.

Assessment of carotid plaque vulnerability using structural and geometrical determinants.

Background: Because many acute cerebral ischemic events are caused by rupture of vulnerable carotid atheroma and subsequent thrombosis, the present study used both idealized and patient-specific carotid atheromatous plaque models to evaluate the effect of structural determinants on stress distributions within plaque.

Methods And Results: Using a finite element method, structural analysis was performed using models derived from in vivo high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of carotid atheroma in 40 non-consecutive patients (20 symptomatic, 20 asymptomatic). Plaque components were modeled as hyper-elastic materials.

Correlation of carotid atheromatous plaque inflammation using USPIO-enhanced MR imaging with degree of luminal stenosis.

Background And Purpose: Inflammation is a recognized risk factor for the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. The study explores the relationship between the degree of Magnetic Resonance (MR)-defined inflammation using Ultra Small Super-Paramagnetic Iron Oxide (USPIO) particles and the severity of luminal stenosis in asymptomatic carotid plaques.

Methods: Seventy-one patients with an asymptomatic carotid stenosis of > or = 40% underwent multi-sequence USPIO-enhanced MR imaging.

[Influence of implant-abutment connection mode on stress distribution in peri-implant bone].

Objective: To investigate the influence of butt joint connection and platform switching design of implant-abutment connection on the stress distribution in peri-implant bone.

Methods: Three-dimensional finite element models of implant-supported mandibular first molar with different implant-abutment connections were computed by COSMOSM 2.85.

Impact of calcification and intraluminal thrombus on the computed wall stresses of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: Increased biomechanical stresses within the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) wall contribute to its rupture. Calcification and intraluminal thrombus can be commonly found in AAAs, but the relationship between calcification/intraluminal thrombus and AAA wall stress is not completely described.

Methods: Patient-specific three-dimensional AAA geometries were reconstructed from computed tomographic images of 20 patients.

In vivo positive contrast IRON sequence and quantitative T(2)* measurement confirms inflammatory burden in a patient with asymptomatic carotid atheroma after USPIO-enhanced MR imaging.

The authors report an in vivo human examination of carotid atheroma by using the inversion-recovery ON resonance (IRON) sequence, which is able to produce positive contrast after the infusion of an ultrasmall super paramagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) contrast medium. This technique provides a method of potentially identifying inflammatory burden within carotid atheroma. This may be particularly useful in patients who currently do not meet criteria for intervention (ie, moderate symptomatic stenosis or <70% asymptomatic stenosis) to further risk-stratify this important patient cohort.

(Z)-Methyl 3-(4-ethoxy-anilino)but-2-enoate.

The title compound, C(13)H(17)NO(3), was synthesized from methyl 3-oxobutanoate and 4-ethoxy-benzenamine using a catalytic amount of InBr(3) under solvent-free conditions. The 3-amino-but-2-enoic acid methyl ester group is planar and forms a dihedral angle of 83.4 (1)° with the benzene ring.

Simulation of the interaction between blood flow and atherosclerotic plaque.

It has been well accepted that over 50% of cerebral ischemic events are the result of rupture of vulnerable carotid atheroma and subsequent thrombosis. Such strokes are potentially preventable by carotid interventions. Selection of patients for intervention is currently based on the severity of carotid luminal stenosis.

[The prosthodontic three-dimensional multimedia system developed for dental education and chairside communication].

Objective: To develop a three-dimensional multimedia system for enhancing the efficiency of dental education and chairside communication.

Methods: A set of three-dimensional digital models of normal teeth and jaws related to dental education in prosthodontics were acquired or established under Microsoft Windows. The three-dimensional models were re-edited and rendered with texture attached, producing a large number of three-dimensional pictures and short animated pictures.

[Clinical evaluation of ceramic and titanium abutment for implant-supported all-ceramic single crown].

Objective: To evaluate clinical performances of ceramic and titanium abutments for implant-supported all-ceramic single crown.

Methods: Nineteen patients with loss of maxillary anterior teeth were restored with implant-supported In-Ceramic all-ceramic single crowns. They were divided into two groups based on the type of abutment adopted, 8 in CerAdapt abutment group (group A) and 11 in TiAdapt abutment group (group B).

Identifying vulnerable carotid plaques in vivo using high resolution magnetic resonance imaging-based finite element analysis.

Object: Individuals with carotid atherosclerosis develop symptoms following rupture of vulnerable plaques. Biomechanical stresses within this plaque may increase vulnerability to rupture. In this report the authors describe the use of in vivo carotid plaque imaging and computational mechanics to document the magnitude and distribution of intrinsic plaque stresses.

Does calcium deposition play a role in the stability of atheroma? Location may be the key.

Background: Rupture of vulnerable atheromatous plaque in the carotid and coronary arteries often leads to stroke and heart attack respectively. The role of calcium deposition and its contribution to plaque stability is controversial. This study uses both an idealized and a patient-specific model to evaluate the effect of a calcium deposit on the stress distribution within an atheromatous plaque.

Correlation of macrophage location and plaque stress distribution using USPIO-enhanced MRI in a patient with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis: a new insight into risk stratification.

High resolution, USPIO-enhanced MR imaging can be used to identify inflamed atherosclerotic plaque. We report a case of a 79-year-old man with a symptomatic carotid stenosis of 82%. The plaque was retrieved for histology and finite element analysis (FEA) based on the preoperative MR imaging was used to predict maximal Von Mises stress on the plaque.

[PKS gene screening based on metagenome of Halichondria rugosa].

Metagenome DNA was extracted from Halichondria rugosa which was collected from South China Sea and kept in -4 degrees C. PKS gene fragment was amplified using PCR with KS domain primers in PKS gene. A DNA fragment about 671bp in length was obtained by PCR.