Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Wall Thickening (wall + thickening)
Kinds of Wall Thickening Selected AbstractsInduction of Cell Wall Thickening by the Antifungal Compound Dihydromaltophilin Disrupts Fungal Growth and is Mediated by Sphingolipid BiosynthesisTHE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009SHAOJIE LI ABSTRACT. Dihydromaltophilin (heat-stable antifungal factor [HSAF]) is an antifungal metabolite produced in Lysobacter enzymogenes biocontrol strain C3. This compound induces cell wall thickening in Aspergillus nidulans. Here we show that the cell wall thickening is a general response to HSAF in diverse fungal species. In the A. nidulans model, the thickened cell wall negatively affects hyphal growth. Growth of HSAF-pre-treated hyphae failed to resume at hyphal tips with thick cell wall and the actin cable could not re-polarize at the thickened region of the cell wall, even after the treated hyphae were transferred to drug-free medium. Moreover, HSAF-induced cell wall thickening is mediated by sphingolipid synthesis: HSAF failed to induce cell wall thickening in the absence of ceramide synthase BarA and the sphingolipid synthesis inhibitor myriocin was able to suppress HSAF-induced cell wall thickening. The thickened cell wall could be digested by chitinase suggesting that chitin contributes to the HSAF-induced thickening. Furthermore, HSAF treatment activated the transcription of two chitin synthase encoding genes chsB and chsC. [source] Localized wall thickening of the gallbladder mimicking a neoplasmDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 1 2004Katsumi Kimura Clinical diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis is made based on diffuse hyperechoic thickening of the gallbladder wall as shown by ultrasonographic examination. We herein report three cases of chronic cholecystitis showing localized hypoechoic thickening of the gallbladder wall that mimicked gallbladder cancer by ultrasonography. Histologically, hypertrophy of the muscularis propria was a common characteristic finding in these three patients. A smooth surface of the inner hypoechoic layer of the thickened wall was considered to be a reliable finding in the differential diagnosis between this type of chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder cancer. [source] Is Left Ventricular Diastolic Thickening Documented During Dobutamine and Pacing Stress Echocardiography Related to Myocardial Ischemia?ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2002An Animal Model Study Transient increase in diastolic wall thickness (pseudohypertrophy) during pacing stress echocardiography has been reported in normal myocardium. To evaluate the occurrence of pseudohypertrophy and to investigate the contribution of myocardial ischemia on its production during pacing and dobutamine stress echocardiography, we produced a physiologically significant coronary stenosis in 14 open chest dogs. The stenosis in the circumflex artery was measured by quantitative coronary angiography (range: 50% to 89% reduction in luminal diameter), and no resting segmental wallmotion abnormalities were observed by epicardial echocardiography (short-axis, papillary level). In each study, dobutamine (5,40 ,g/kg/min) and pacing (up to 260 beats/min) were performed randomly. Positivity of stress echocardiography tests was quantitatively determined by a significant (P < 0.05) reduction or failure to increase in absolute and percent systolic wall thickening in the myocardial area supplied by the stenotic artery as compared to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery-related areas. Diastolic wall thickness and left ventricular diastolic area were compared before and after each stress test in the circumflex and LAD artery-related regions. Pseudohypertrophy was observed in 57% and 86% of dogs for pacing and dobutamine, respectively, in the circumflex region, and in 50% and 64% in the LAD region. Despite its increased incidence in the circumflex region, the augmented diastolic wall thickness did not correlate with coronary stenosis severity or stress test positivity, but correlated inversely with changes in left ventricular diastolic area. In addition, it correlated directly with changes in heart rate only for pacing. In conclusion, pseudohypertrophy was a frequent finding during pacing and dobutamine stress echocardiography tests but was not related to myocardial ischemia in this animal model. [source] Regional distribution of collagen and haemosiderin in the lungs of horses with exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhageEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 6 2009F. J. Derksen Summary Reasons for performing study: Regional veno-occlusive remodelling of pulmonary veins in EIPH-affected horses, suggests that pulmonary veins may be central to pathogenesis. The current study quantified site-specific changes in vein walls, collagen and haemosiderin accumulation, and pleural vascular profiles in the lungs of horses suffering EIPH. Hypothesis: In the caudodorsal lung regions of EIPH-affected horses, there is veno-occlusive remodelling with haemosiderosis, angiogenesis and fibrosis of the interstitium, interlobular septa and pleura. Methods: Morphometric methods were used to analyse the distribution and accumulation of pulmonary collagen and haemosiderin, and to count pleural vascular profiles in the lungs of 5 EIPH-affected and 2 control horses. Results: Vein wall thickness was greatest in the dorsocaudal lung and significantly correlated with haemosiderin accumulation. Increased venous, interstitial, pleural and septal collagen; lung haemosiderin; and pleural vascular profiles occurred together and changes were most pronounced in the dorsocaudal lung. Further, haemosiderin accumulation colocalised with decreased pulmonary vein lumen size. Vein wall thickening, haemosiderin accumulation and histological score were highly correlated and these changes occurred only in the caudodorsal part of the lung. Conclusion: The colocalisation of these changes suggests that regional (caudodorsal) venous remodelling plays an important role in the pathogenesis of EIPH. Potential relevance: The results support the hypothesis that repeated bouts of venous hypertension during strenuous exercise cause regional vein wall remodelling and collagen accumulation, venous occlusion and pulmonary capillary hypertension. Subjected to these high pressures, there is capillary stress failure, bleeding, haemosiderin accumulation and, subsequently, lung fibrosis. [source] Pancreatico-duodenectomy for complicated groove pancreatitisHPB, Issue 3 2007SAKHAWAT H. RAHMAN Objectives. Groove pancreatitis (GP) describes a form of segmental pancreatitis, which affects the pancreatic head at the interface with the duodenum, and is frequently associated with ectopic pancreatic tissue in the duodenal wall. We present a series of symptomatic patients with complicated GP who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, and review the diagnostic challenges, imaging modalities, pathological features and clinical outcome of this rare condition. Patients and methods. This was a prospective case base study of clinical, radiological and pathological data collected between the years 2000 and 2005 on patients diagnosed with severe GP , confirmed by histopathological examination following pancreaticoduodenectomy. Results. In total 11 patients were included, presenting with chronic abdominal pain (n= 11), gastric outlet obstruction (n= 5) and jaundice (n= 1). Exocrine dysfunction with associated weight loss (median > 9 kg) was present in 10 patients, and type 2 diabetes in 2 patients. Radiological imaging (CT/MRCP/EUS) provided complementary investigations and correlated well with classic histopathological findings (duodenal wall thickening, mucosal irregularity and Brunner's gland hyperplasia, duodenal wall cysts and pancreatic heterotropia). Following pancreaticoduodenectomy (median follow-up period 52 weeks) all patients experienced significant pain alleviation and weight gain (average 3 kg at 2 months). Conclusion. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is associated with significant improvements in weight gain and alleviates the chronic pain associated with severe GP. [source] Hypoxia stimulates the autocrine regulation of migration of vascular smooth muscle cells via HIF-1,-dependent expression of thrombospondin-1JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2008Mayuko Osada-Oka Abstract The migration of vascular smooth muscle cells from the media to intima and their subsequent proliferation are critical causes of arterial wall thickening. In atherosclerotic lesions increases in the thickness of the vascular wall and the impairment of oxygen diffusion capacity result in the development of hypoxic lesions. We investigated the effect of hypoxia on the migration of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMCs) via HIF-1,-dependent expression of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). When the cells were cultured under hypoxic conditions, mRNA and protein levels of TSP-1, and mRNA levels of integrin ,3 were increased with the increase in HIF-1, protein. DNA synthesis and migration of the cells were stimulated under the conditions, and a neutralizing anti-TSP-1 antibody apparently suppressed the migration, but not DNA synthesis. The migration was also inhibited by RGD peptide that binds to integrin ,3. Furthermore, the migration was completely suppressed in HIF-1,-knockdown cells exposed to hypoxia, while it was significantly enhanced in HIF-1,-overexpressing cells. These results suggest that the hypoxia induces the migration of CASMCs, and that the migration is elicited by TSP-1 of which induction is fully dependent on the stabilization of HIF-1,, in autocrine regulation. Thus we suggest that HIF-1, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 1918,1926, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Biliary fascioliasis: Sonographic appearance patternsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 1 2009Ahmet Yesildag Abstract Purpose. To describe the sonographic findings of biliary fascioliasis. Method. The study included 27 patients with fascioliasis and abdominal sonographic findings in biliary system. All diagnoses were confirmed via serologic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and 5 patients underwent cholecystectomy. Sonographic findings in the biliary system were defined as primary and secondary. Results. Primary findings included spontaneously moving echogenic structures, linear echoes, curvilinear echoes, oval-shaped echogenic structure, matted echogenic particle, echogenic particle adherent to the gallbladder wall, motionless freely floating round echogenic foci, and leaf-like echogenic structures. Secondary findings were dilatation or wall thickening of the biliary system. In the liver, multiple confluent subcapsular nodules were also noted on sonography and CT in 14 of 27 patients. Conclusion. Sonography can detect biliary system lesions in fascioliasis and can aid diagnosis of the disease. However, the radiologist should be familiar with the different sonographic appearances of biliary fascioliasis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009 [source] Intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in highway toll collectorsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 9 2006Besir Erdogmus Abstract Purpose. To assess the effects of exposure to exhaust particles on intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in highway toll collectors. Methods. Sixty-one highway toll collectors (HTCs) between 24 and 56 years of age (mean, 36.2 ± 7.3) and 48 controls between 24 and 64 years of age (mean, 42.6 ± 10.6) were evaluated with gray-scale sonography to measure intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA). Subgroups were categorized according to duration of exhaust exposure and further divided according to tobacco use. Results. CCA IMT was higher (0.8 ± 0.2 mm) in HTCs than in the control group (0.6 ± 0.1 mm; p < 0.001) and remained higher when subgroups with similar smoking habits were compared. In HTCs, IMT was greater when the number of years working in tollbooths was greater (p = 0.023). IMT was lower in HTCs with an exposure duration of <10 years compared with a duration of 10,20 years (p = 0.017) or >20 years (p value not significant). Conclusion. Air pollution has a widely acknowledged negative effect on humans. This study confirms that exposure to exhaust particles might cause wall thickening of carotid arteries. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2006 [source] Evaluation of preoperative sonography in acute cholecystitis to predict technical difficulties during laparoscopic cholecystectomyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 3 2004Kyung Soo Cho MD Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of preoperative sonography in predicting technical difficulties during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis. Methods Sonographic assessment of 14 parameters was performed in 55 patients during a 9-month period: volume of gallbladder (GB), thickness of GB wall, pattern of GB wall thickening, size of largest gallstone, gallstone mobility, adhesion of GB to its bed, fat plane between GB and hepatoduodenal ligament, free fluid in GB fossa, common bile duct (CBD) dilatation, CBD stone(s), color and power Doppler signals in GB wall, and increased color and power Doppler signals in adjacent liver. Each of the 5 operative steps of laparoscopic cholecystectomy was scored as being difficult (1) or not (0). The scores for each step were added to obtain the overall difficulty score (0,5). We evaluated prospectively whether there were significant associations among the preoperative sonographic findings and the overall difficulty score, scores for each of the 5 operative steps, and operation time. Results The overall difficulty score was significantly associated with a GB volume of 50 cm3 or more, GB wall thickness of 3 mm or more, and presence of color Doppler signals in the GB wall. Increased GB volume also made dissection of adhesions from the GB and dissection of Calot's triangle more difficult. Extraction of the GB from the abdomen was more difficult with a thickened GB wall or adhesion of the GB to its bed. The presence of a CBD stone, dilatation of the CBD (, 8 mm), color Doppler signals in the GB wall, and increased power Doppler signals in the adjacent liver were significantly associated with increased operation time. Conclusions Based on our experience, preoperative determination of GB volume, GB wall thickness, and presence of color Doppler signals in the GB wall in patients with acute cholecystitis helps predict technical difficulties during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:115,122, 2004 [source] Endoscopic sonographic evaluation of the thickened gallbladder wall in patients with acute hepatitisJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 5 2003Moon Young Kim MD Abstract Purpose. Thickening of the gallbladder wall is often observed during abdominal sonographic examination in patients with acute hepatitis. However, there is rarely an opportunity for a histopathologic analysis of these structural changes. Endoscopic sonography (EUS) can accurately delineate the structure of the gallbladder wall and therefore may be useful for visualizing changes in the gallbladder wall in patients with acute hepatitis. Hence, we prospectively studied the ability of EUS to detect specific structural changes in the gallbladder wall in patients with acute hepatitis and examined the effect of high elevation of serum liver enzyme levels on the gallbladder wall. Methods. A study group of patients diagnosed with acute hepatitis who had gallbladder wall thickening and a control group of patients without acute hepatitis or gallbladder disease underwent EUS between May 1, 1999, and June 1, 2002. EUS was used to measure the thickness of the gallbladder wall and to visualize each of its layers. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of the patients with acute hepatitis were measured at the time of the EUS examination. Statistically significant differences were determined using an independent t test and the chi-squared test. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. The acute hepatitis group comprised 28 men and 24 women with a mean age of 40.8 years. The control group comprised 25 men and 25 women with a mean age of 45.1 years. The mean gallbladder wall thickness ± standard deviation in the acute hepatitis group (6.3 ± 2.6 mm) was significantly greater than that in the control group (1.6 ± 0.4 mm; p < 0.01). The mean thickness of the gallbladder wall for patients in whom both the AST and the ALT levels were 500 U/l or higher (7.0 ± 2.6 mm) was significantly greater than that for patients with levels below 500 U/l (5.4 ± 2.3 mm; p < 0.05). In the acute hepatitis group, EUS showed thickened, well-defined muscular and serosal layers of the gallbladder wall in 24 of the patients and a diffusely thickened gallbladder wall, in which each layer was ill defined, in the other 28 patients. The mean thickness of the gallbladder wall for patients with the pattern of ill-defined layers was significantly greater than that for the patients with the pattern of well-defined layers (p < 0.05). The pattern of ill-defined layers was more common among patients in whom the serum AST and ALT levels were at least 500 U/l than among patients with levels below 500 U/l (p < 0.05). Conclusions. We propose that gallbladder wall thickening in patients with acute hepatitis is associated with prominent changes in the muscular and serosal layers. Patients with highly elevated serum liver enzyme levels are more likely to have gallbladder wall thickening and disruption of planes between the muscular and serosal layers than are patients with normal liver enzyme levels. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 31:245,249, 2003 [source] Gallbladder wall thickening in mononucleosis syndromesJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 6 2001Kaoru Yamada MD Abstract Purpose We used sonography to measure gallbladder wall thickness in patients with mononucleosis syndromes and then evaluated laboratory data, spleen size, and clinical evolution to assess any relationship between gallbladder wall thickening (GBWT) and the severity of disease. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records, sonograms, and sonographic reports of 39 patients who were diagnosed with mononucleosis syndromes on the basis of fever, tonsillopharyngitis, cervical adenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphocytosis with atypical lymphocytes. All 39 were included in the study. The gallbladder wall thickness in each patient was sonographically determined. GBWT was defined as a wall thickness exceeding 3 mm. We assessed the laboratory data and clinical evolution in each patient, and the differences between patients with and without GBWT were statistically analyzed. Results Six patients (15%) had GBWT. The mean atypical lymphocyte count ± standard deviation (SD) in the patients with GBWT (1,830/,l ± 1,000/,l) was significantly higher than that in patients without GBWT (1,140/,l ± 660/,l; p < 0.05). The mean total serum protein and serum albumin levels in the patients with GBWT (6.6 mg/dl ± 0.7 mg/dl and 3.7 mg/dl ± 0.5 mg/dl, respectively) were significantly lower than those in patients without GBWT (7.3 mg/dl ± 0.4 mg/dl and 4.1 mg/dl ± 0.3 mg/dl, respectively; p < 0.05). The duration of hospitalization in the patients with GBWT (14 ± 8.5 days) was significantly higher than that in patients without GBWT (8 ± 3.5 days; p < 0.05). Conclusions GBWT in mononucleosis syndromes may be a sign of the severity of the illness and when present indicates the need to carefully monitor the clinical course. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 29:322,325, 2001. [source] Index of myocardial performance in patients with type 2 diabetes without hypertension and its relationship with clinical and echocardiographic parametersJOURNAL OF DIABETES, Issue 1 2009Hayrettin SAGLAM Abstract Background:, Diabetes mellitus affects the systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the index of myocardial performance (IMP), a new Doppler index, in asymptomatic, normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods:, The study population consisted of 40 asymptomatic normotensive patients with T2DM (22 women, 18 men; mean [±SD] age 49,±,7 years) and 20 healthy controls (13 women, seven men; mean age 45,±,4 years). M-Mode and two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography was performed in all subjects to calculate IMP. Venous blood samples were collected for analysis and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results:, In normotensive T2DM patients, the mitral E wave was decreased, whereas mitral A wave, mitral E/A ratio, and septal wall thickening were increased compared with values obtained for the control group. The IMP was higher in normotensive T2DM patients than in the control group (P = 0.004). There was a significant correlation between IMP and triglyceride (TG) levels (P,<,0.001), mitral E wave (P,<,0.001), mitral E/A ratio (P,<,0.001), ejection fraction (P = 0.001), fasting blood glucose (P =0.007), LV systolic dimension (P,<,0.001), duration of diabetes (P = 0.017), and BMI (P = 0.029). Stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that only TG levels (, = 0.355, t = 2.487, P = 0.017) and the mitral E/A ratio (, = ,0.384, t = ,2.690, P = 0.011) had an independent effect on IMP. Conclusion:, The results of the present study indicate that IMP is increased in normotensive T2DM patients. The findings suggest that increased IMP may be an early sign of diabetic cardiomyopathy in normotensive diabetic patients with preserved LV function. [source] Apparent wall thickening of cystic renal lesions on MRIJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 1 2008Vikas Gulani MD Abstract Purpose To show that cystic renal lesions that would otherwise meet criteria for simple cysts can demonstrate perceptible walls or increased wall thickness on MRI, sometimes causing these lesions to be "upgraded." It was hypothesized that thickening of cyst walls on MRI can be artifactual, due to data truncation, applied filtering, and low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Materials and Methods k-Space data for a 4-cm cyst were created in a 40-cm field of view (FOV) (512 × 512 matrix). Additional data sets were created using the central 512 × 256 and 512 × 128 points. Noise was simulated so that the cyst SNR was approximately 7, 14, and 20, respectively. Actual wall thickness was set at 0.25 mm, and cyst:wall signal at 1:4. An inverse two-dimensional (2D) fast Fourier transform (FFT) yielded simulated images. A Fermi filter was applied to reduce ringing. Images/projections were examined for wall thickening. Seven patients with initially thick-walled cysts on fat-saturated spoiled gradient-echo (FS-SPGR) images were scanned with increasing resolution (256 × 128 and 256 × 256; four patients were also scanned with 512 × 512). Average wall thickness at each resolution was compared using a two-tailed paired Student's t -test. Results Simulations showed apparent wall thickening at low resolution, improving with higher resolutions. Low SNR and application of the Fermi filter made it difficult to identify ringing as the cause of this thickening. The simulation results were confirmed on seven patients, whose cyst walls proved to be artifactually thickened (P < 0.01). Conclusion Thickening of cyst walls on MRI can be artifactual. Upon encountering thick-walled cystic renal lesions, high-resolution images can be acquired to exclude apparent thickening. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28103,110. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] MR colonography for the assessment of colonic anastomosesJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 1 2006Waleed Ajaj MD Abstract Purpose To assess colonic anastomoses in patients after surgical treatment by means of MR colonography (MRC) in comparison with conventional colonoscopy (CC). Materials and Methods A total of 39 patients who had previously undergone colonic resection and end-to-end-anastomosis were included in the study. MRI was based on a dark-lumen approach. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (T1w) three-dimensional (3D) images were collected following the rectal administration of water for colonic distension. The MRC data were evaluated by two radiologists. The criteria employed to evaluate the anastomoses included bowel wall thickening and increased contrast uptake in this region. Furthermore, all other colonic segments were assessed for the presence of pathologies. Results In 23 and 20 patients the anastomosis was rated to be normal by MRC and CC, respectively. In three patients CC revealed a slight inflammation of the anastomosis that was missed by MRI. A moderate stenosis of the anastomosis without inflammation was detected by MRC in five patients, which was confirmed by CC. In the remaining 11 patients a relevant pathology of the anastomosis was diagnosed by both MRC and CC. Recurrent tumor was diagnosed in two patients with a history of colorectal carcinoma. In the other nine patients inflammation of the anastomosis was seen in seven with Crohn's disease (CD) and two with ulcerative colitis. MRC did not yield any false-positive findings, resulting in an overall sensitivity/specificity for the assessment of the anastomosis of 84%/100%. Conclusion MRC represents a promising alternative to CC for the assessment of colonic anastomoses in patients with previous colonic resection. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Histological changes occurring after endoluminal ablation with two diode lasers (940 and 1319 nm) from acute changes to 4 monthsLASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 10 2008FACS, Ronald G. Bush MD Abstract Background Endovenous laser ablation of the saphenous vein was studied from a histologic analysis to establish changes that occur from time of injury to 4 months when the vein is difficult to visualize by ultrasound. Methods Twenty-four patients were examined after treatment with either a 1319 nm diode laser (Sciton, Palo Alto, CA) or a 940 nm diode (Dornier, Kennasaw, GA) 12 patients were randomly assigned to the 940 nm group and 12 patients to the 1319 nm group. Histologic evaluations were only done once per patient. All patients had symptomatic saphenous insufficiency with varicosities. All were in CEAP class 3 or 4. Sections of treated veins were submitted for evaluation after staining with hematoxylin,eosin. The evaluations were done acutely, at 1 and 4 months. Ultrasound findings were also evaluated and compared at the same intervals. Results Acutely, all examined veins revealed loss of intima. In the 1319 nm group numerous vacuoles were present in the subintimal layer. On gross exam at 1 month, both groups showed vein wall thickening, intraluminal thrombus and inflammatory changes. Histologic evaluation showed thrombus was present with many fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. At 4 months, collagen was the predominant histologic finding. However, the changes were less in regards to the injury response with the 1,319 nm group as manifested by less collagen deposition at 4 months. Conclusion This study demonstrates the cellular sequence that occurs after endovenous ablation. Fibroblast infiltration is a result of the injury response which leads to negative modeling of the thrombus and eventual collagen deposition. Replacement of the thrombus with collagen is necessary for eventual long-term success. Lasers Surg. Med. 40:676,679, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The morphogenesis of lobed plant cells in the mesophyll and epidermis: organization and distinct roles of cortical microtubules and actin filamentsNEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 3 2005Emmanuel Panteris Summary The morphogenesis of lobed plant cells has been considered to be controlled by microtubule (MT) and/or actin filament (AF) organization. In this article, a comprehensive mechanism is proposed, in which distinct roles are played by these cytoskeletal components. First, cortical MT bundles and, in the case of pavement cells, radial MT arrays combined with MT bundles determine the deposition of local cell wall thickenings, the cellulose microfibrils of which copy the orientation of underlying MTs. Cell growth is thus locally prevented and, consequently, lobes and constrictions are formed. Arch-like tangential expansion is locally imposed at the external periclinal wall of pavement cells by the radial arrangement of cellulose microfibrils at every wall thickening. Whenever further elongation of the original cell lobes occurs, AF patches assemble at the tips of growing lobes. Intercellular space formation is promoted or prevented by the opposite or alternate, respectively, arrangement of cortical MT arrays between neighboring cells. The genes that are possibly involved in the molecular regulation of the above morphogenetic procedure by MT and AF array organization are reviewed. [source] Retrospective review of children presenting with non cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: HRCT features and clinical relationships,PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 2 2003E.A. Edwards FRACP Abstract Non cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis in children presents with a spectrum of disease severity. Our aims were to document the extent and severity of disease in children with non-CF bronchiectasis, to review the inter- and intraobserver agreement for the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features examined, and to assess correlations between HRCT features and clinical measures of severity. We performed a retrospective review of 56 children from the Starship Children's Hospital. HRCT scans were scored by a modified Bhalla system, and the chest X-rays using the Brasfield score. Scores were correlated with demographics, number of hospitalizations, disease duration, pulmonary function, clinical examination, and chronic sputum infection. The bronchiectasis seen was widespread and severe, particularly in Maori and Pacific Island children. The kappa coefficient for intraobserver agreement was better than that for interobserver agreement. Comparisons between HRCT scan and lung function parameters showed that the strongest relationships were between forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and forced expiratory flow between 25,75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25,75) with the extent of bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening, and air trapping. Children with digital clubbing and chest deformity showed significantly higher scores for extent of bronchiectasis, bronchial wall dilatation and thickness, and overall computed tomography (CT) score. No relationship was demonstrated between chronic sputum infection and CT score. The HRCT score demonstrated a stronger correlation between the extent and severity of bronchiectasis, and spirometry values, than the chest X-ray score. In conclusion, pediatric non-CF bronchiectasis in Auckland is extensive and severe. The good intraobserver ratings mean that consistency of scoring is possible on repeated scans. This study cannot comment on the relationships of CT and less severe disease. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:87,93. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Changes in mesophyll anatomy and sink,source relationships during leaf development in Quercus glauca, an evergreen tree showing delayed leaf greeningPLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 5 2003S.-I. MIYAZAWA ABSTRACT Changes in mesophyll anatomy, gas exchange, and the amounts of nitrogen and cell wall constituents including cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin during leaf development were studied in an evergreen broad-leaved tree, Quercus glauca, and in an annual herb, Phaseolus vulgaris. The number of chloroplasts per whole leaf in P. vulgaris increased and attained the maximal level around 10 d before full leaf area expansion (FLE), whereas it continued to increase even after FLE in Q. glauca. The increase in the number of palisade tissue cells per whole leaf continued until a few days before FLE in Q. glauca, but it had almost ceased by 10 d before FLE in P. vulgaris. The radius and height of palisade tissue cells in Q. glauca, attained their maximal levels at around FLE whereas the thickness of the mesophyll cell wall and concentrations of the cell wall constituents increased markedly after FLE. These results clearly indicated that, in Q. glauca, chloroplast development proceeded in parallel with the cell wall thickening well after completion of the mesophyll cell division and cell enlargement. The sink,source transition, defined to be the time when the increase in daily carbon exchange rate exceeds the daily increase in leaf carbon content, occurred before FLE in P. vulgaris but after FLE in Q. glauca. During leaf area expansion, the maximum daily increase in nitrogen content on a whole leaf basis (the maximum leaf areas were corrected to be identical for these species) in Q. glauca was similar to that in P. vulgaris. In Q. glauca, however, more than 70% of nitrogen in the mature leaf was invested during its sink phase, whereas in P. vulgaris it was 50%. These results suggest that Q. glauca invests nitrogen for cell division for a considerable period and for chloroplast development during the later stages. We conclude that the competition for nitrogen between cell division and chloroplast development in the area of expanding leaves can explain different greening patterns among plant species. [source] Induction of Cell Wall Thickening by the Antifungal Compound Dihydromaltophilin Disrupts Fungal Growth and is Mediated by Sphingolipid BiosynthesisTHE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009SHAOJIE LI ABSTRACT. Dihydromaltophilin (heat-stable antifungal factor [HSAF]) is an antifungal metabolite produced in Lysobacter enzymogenes biocontrol strain C3. This compound induces cell wall thickening in Aspergillus nidulans. Here we show that the cell wall thickening is a general response to HSAF in diverse fungal species. In the A. nidulans model, the thickened cell wall negatively affects hyphal growth. Growth of HSAF-pre-treated hyphae failed to resume at hyphal tips with thick cell wall and the actin cable could not re-polarize at the thickened region of the cell wall, even after the treated hyphae were transferred to drug-free medium. Moreover, HSAF-induced cell wall thickening is mediated by sphingolipid synthesis: HSAF failed to induce cell wall thickening in the absence of ceramide synthase BarA and the sphingolipid synthesis inhibitor myriocin was able to suppress HSAF-induced cell wall thickening. The thickened cell wall could be digested by chitinase suggesting that chitin contributes to the HSAF-induced thickening. Furthermore, HSAF treatment activated the transcription of two chitin synthase encoding genes chsB and chsC. [source] ANAC012, a member of the plant-specific NAC transcription factor family, negatively regulates xylary fiber development in Arabidopsis thalianaTHE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 6 2007Jae-Heung Ko Summary Vascular plants evolved to have xylem that provides physical support for their growing body and serves as a conduit for water and nutrient transport. In a previous study, we used comparative-transcriptome analyses to select a group of genes that were upregulated in xylem of Arabidopsis plants undergoing secondary growth. Subsequent analyses identified a plant-specific NAC-domain transcription factor gene (ANAC012) as a candidate for genetic regulation of xylem formation. Promoter-GUS analyses showed that ANAC012 expression was preferentially localized in the (pro)cambium region of inflorescence stem and root. Using yeast transactivation analyses, we confirmed the function of ANAC012 as a transcriptional activator, and identified an activation domain in the C terminus. Ectopic overexpression of ANAC012 in Arabidopsis (35S::ANAC012 plants) dramatically suppressed secondary wall deposition in the xylary fiber and slightly increased cell-wall thickness in the xylem vessels. Cellulose compositions of the cell wall were decreased in the inflorescent stems and roots of 35S::ANAC012 plants, probably resulting from defects in xylary fiber formation. Our data suggest that ANAC012 may act as a negative regulator of secondary wall thickening in xylary fibers. [source] Cell wall biochemistry and biomechanics of harvested white asparagus shoots as affected by temperatureANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2008W.B. Herppich Abstract The effects of temperature on the dynamics of changes in shoot mechanical properties, cell wall components, relevant soluble sugars and respiration activity of harvested white asparagus spears were investigated during a 7-day storage period. All functional cell wall components of asparagus spears increased closely temperature dependent. The content of soluble glucose declined with a similar temporal dynamics and to a comparable degree, indicating a major carbon flow of this storage sugar into cell walls (60,70%). Irrespective of temperature, the contents of stored soluble fructose and sucrose remained more or less constant. Lower temperatures reduced cell wall development but do not significantly affect the relative carbon flow from storage sugars into cell walls or maintenance respiration. Compared with cell walls, maintenance respiration is by far the smaller carbon sink in stored asparagus spears. Temperature differentially affects the absolute amount and the relative contribution of the different cell wall components and the temporal dynamics of changes in structural carbohydrate and lignin content. At higher temperatures, secondary cell wall thickening resulted mainly from a large increase in cellulose content. The pronounced increase in the fractions of cellulose and especially lignin may stress the important role of lignin in cell wall strengthening. While the fraction of cell wall proteins decreased, those of hemicellulose and the pectic components were not influenced. [source] Integrated cardiac and vascular assessment in Takayasu arteritis by cardiovascular magnetic resonanceARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 11 2009Niall G. Keenan Objective This study was undertaken to evaluate the value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the assessment of patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA). Methods Sixteen patients with TA and 2 populations comprising 110 normal volunteers were prospectively recruited. All patients with TA underwent a CMR protocol including measurement of carotid artery wall volume, assessment of left ventricular (LV) volumes and function, and late gadolinium enhancement for the detection of myocardial scarring. Results Carotid artery wall volume, total vessel volume, and the wall:outer wall ratio were elevated in TA patients compared with controls (wall volume 1,045 mm3 in TA patients versus 640 mm3 in controls, P < 0.001; total vessel volume 2,268 mm3 in TA patients versus 2,037 mm3 in controls, P < 0.05; wall:outer wall ratio 48% in TA patients versus 32% in controls, P < 0.001). The lumen volume was reduced in TA (1,224 mm3 versus 1,398 mm3 in controls, P < 0.05). In TA, LV function was more dynamic, with reduced end-systolic volume (mean ± 95% confidence interval ejection fraction 74 ± 3% versus 67 ± 1% in controls, P < 0.001; LV end-systolic volume 19 ± 4 ml/m2 versus 25 ± 1 ml/m2 in controls, P < 0.001). Myocardial late gadolinium enhancement was present in 4 (27%) of 15 patients, indicating previously unrecognized myocardial damage. Conclusion Our findings indicate that an integrated method of cardiovascular assessment by CMR in TA not only provides good delineation of vessel wall thickening, but has also demonstrated dynamic ventricular function, myocardial scarring, and silent myocardial infarction. CMR has benefits compared with other approaches for the assessment and followup of patients with TA, and has potential to identify patients most at risk of complications, allowing early preventative therapy. [source] Is 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scanning a reliable way to assess disease activity in takayasu arteritis?ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 4 2009Laurent Arnaud Objective 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose,positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scanning has been proposed as a new way of assessing disease activity in Takayasu arteritis (TA), but previous studies have used the nonvalidated National Institutes of Health (NIH) global activity criteria, and thus might be biased. This study was undertaken to determine the value of PET scanning for assessment of disease activity in TA, by comparing PET scan data with clinical, biologic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data assessed separately. Methods Twenty-eight patients with TA (according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria) underwent a total of 40 PET scans. Images were reviewed by 2 pairs of independent nuclear medicine physicians and assessed for pattern and intensity of vascular uptake. TA activity data were obtained within 15 days of the PET scans. Results PET scanning revealed abnormal vascular uptake in 47% of the 40 examinations. The uptake intensity grade was 0 in 7 scans, grade 1 in 7 scans, grade 2 in 13 scans, and grade 3 in 13 scans. Morphologic analysis was conducted by grading the pattern of the vascular uptake as diffuse (73%), segmental (20%), or focal (13%). There was a trend toward an association between clinically active disease and the semiquantitative assessment of FDG uptake (P = 0.08). We found no statistical association between levels of acute-phase reactants and intensity of uptake. There was no significant association between the semiquantitative assessment of FDG uptake and the presence of vascular wall thickening (P = 0.23), gadolinium uptake (P = 0.73), or the presence of vascular wall edema (P = 0.56). Conclusion Our findings indicate that there is no association between FDG vascular uptake intensity and clinical, biologic, or MRI assessment of disease activity. Previous studies using the nonvalidated NIH global activity criteria are likely biased. [source] Inflammation and bone resorption as independent factors of accelerated arterial wall thickening in patients with rheumatoid arthritisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 11 2003Mayumi Nagata-Sakurai Objective We recently reported that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients had increased intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA). The present longitudinal study was performed to determine whether the change in arterial thickness was accelerated in RA patients and to determine which factor was important in the progression of arterial wall changes. Methods We studied 62 female RA patients with stable disease activity and 63 healthy female controls. IMT of the CCA was measured twice by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. The second examination was performed 18,36 months after the first, and changes were expressed as millimeters of increase per year. Baseline examinations included blood markers of inflammation and urinary calcium excretion (expressed as the calcium-to-creatinine ratio). Results RA patients showed a significantly greater increase in IMT of the CCA compared with controls. In univariate analyses of the RA patient data, the C-reactive protein (CRP) level correlated with the increase in CCA IMT. Other markers of inflammation (the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and white blood cell and platelet counts) also showed significant positive associations with the annual increase in CCA IMT in multiple regression models when adjusted for age, smoking status, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol level. The urinary calcium-to-creatinine ratio was also significantly associated with an increase in CCA IMT. Moreover, both the CRP level and the urinary calcium-to-creatinine ratio were significantly and independently associated with the increase in IMT of the CCA. Conclusion Patients with RA have a higher rate of increase in thickening of the arterial wall. Inflammation and calcium mobilization are factors closely associated with the accelerated arterial wall changes. [source] Increased thickness of the arterial intima-media detected by ultrasonography in patients with rheumatoid arthritisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 6 2002Yasuro Kumeda Objective To determine whether arterial wall thickening is advanced in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared with healthy controls by measuring the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid and femoral arteries, and to evaluate the factors associated with arterial IMT in patients with RA. Methods We studied 138 RA patients and 94 healthy controls (matched for age, sex, and other major risk factors for atherosclerosis). IMT was measured on digitized still images of the common carotid and femoral arteries obtained by high-resolution ultrasonography (10-MHz in-line Sectascanner). Laboratory variables relevant to RA activity were measured by routine methods. The degree of RA progression was assessed by scoring (Larsen method) metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints on hand radiographs. Activities of daily living were determined by a modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (M-HAQ) score, and physical activity levels were assessed by ultrasound measurement of the calcaneus (expressed as the osteo-sono assessment index [OSI] Z score). Results Common carotid and femoral artery IMTs were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in RA patients (mean ± SD 0.641 ± 0.127 and 0.632 ± 0.125 mm, respectively) compared with controls (0.576 ± 0.115 and 0.593 ± 0.141 mm, respectively). Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant association between RA and the common carotid artery IMT. Moreover, the common carotid artery IMT in RA patients was positively associated with disease duration, the MCP joint Larsen score, and the M-HAQ score, and was negatively associated with the calcaneus OSI Z score. No significant association was found between corticosteroid treatment and common carotid artery IMT. Conclusion RA patients exhibited greater thickness of the common carotid and femoral arteries than healthy controls. The duration and severity of RA and decreased activities of daily living, but not corticosteroid treatment, were independently associated with the increased arterial wall thickness. [source] Heart rate reduction by inhibition of If or by ,-blockade has different effects on postsystolic wall thickeningBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 3 2007L Lucats Background and purpose: Postsystolic wall thickening (PSWT) is part of thickening that occurs after end-systole and represents wasted effort as it does not contribute to ejection. The effects of antianginal drugs on PSWT remain to be established. We compared the effects on PSWT of two agents that reduce heart rate, the ,-blocker atenolol and the selective inhibitor of If current, ivabradine. Experimental approach: Six dogs were prepared to measure wall thickening by sonomicrometry in the conscious state, at rest and during exercise, after administration of saline, atenolol (1mg.kg -1) or ivabradine (1mg.kg -1). Key results: Atenolol and ivabradine similarly reduced heart rate vs saline at rest (about 10-20%) and during exercise (about 30%). Atenolol but not ivabradine decreased dP/dtmax. Concomitantly, PSWT increased with atenolol vs saline at rest (0.35±0.07 vs 0.21±0.03mm, respectively) and during exercise (0.30±0.04 vs 0.15±0.04mm, respectively). In contrast, ivabradine did not alter PSWT. Importantly, atenolol but not ivabradine increased the ratio of postsystolic to systolic wall thickening by 80±23%. This enhanced thickening during diastole with atenolol was accompanied by impeded isovolumic relaxation of the left ventricle, as illustrated by the significant correlation between the isovolumic relaxation time constant , and the postsystolic to systolic wall thickening ratio. None of these effects of atenolol were abolished when heart rate was controlled with atrial pacing. Conclusion and implications: For a similar heart rate reduction at rest and during exercise, ivabradine, but not atenolol, did not alter PSWT and preserved the part of thickening contributing to ejection. British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 335,341. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706996 [source] Phenotyping the Right Ventricle in Patients with Pulmonary HypertensionCLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2009M.S., Marc A. Simon M.D. Abstract Right ventricular (RV) failure is associated with poor outcomes in pulmonary hypertension (PH). We sought to phenotype the RV in PH patients with compensated and decompensated RV function by quantifying regional and global RV structural and functional changes. Twenty-two patients (age 51 ± 11, 14 females, mean pulmonary artery (PA) pressure range 13,79 mmHg) underwent right heart catheterization, echocardiography, and ECG-gated multislice computed tomography of the chest. Patients were divided into three groups: Normal, PH with hemodynamically compensated, and decompensated RV function (PH-C and PH-D, respectively). RV wall thickness (WT) was measured at end-diastole (ED) and end-systole (ES) in three regions: infundibulum, lateral free wall, and inferior free wall. Globally, RV volumes progressively increased from Normal to PH-C to PH-D and RV ejection fraction decreased. Regionally, WT increased and fractional wall thickening (FWT) decreased in a spatially heterogeneous manner. Infundibular wall stress was elevated and FWT was lower regardless of the status of global RV function. In PH, there are significant phenotypic abnormalities in the RV even in the absence of overt hemodynamic RV decompensation. Regional changes in RV structure and function may be early markers of patients at risk for developing RV failure. [source] Detection of Phytoplasma Infection in Rose, with Degeneration SymptomsJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2001M. Kami In 1998 a severe disease was observed on rose cvs. ,Patina', ,Papillon' and ,Mercedes' cultivated in a commercial greenhouse in Poland. The symptoms included stunted growth, bud proliferation, leaf malformation and deficiency of flower buds. Sporadically some plants yielded flower buds transformed into big-bud structures and degenerated flowers. The presence of phytoplasma in roses with severe symptoms as well as in recovered plants and Catharanthus roseus experimentally infected by grafting and via dodder was demonstrated by nested polymerase chain reaction assay with primers pair R16F2/R2 or R16F1/R0 and R16(I)F1/R1 amplifying phytoplasma 16S rDNA fragment. The polymerase chain reaction products (1.1 kb) used for restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis after digestion with endonuclease enzymes AluI and MseI produced the same restriction profiles for all samples. The restriction profiles of phytoplasma DNA from these plants corresponded to those of an aster yellows phytoplasma reference strain. Electron microscope examination of the ultra-thin sections of the stem showed wall thickenings of many sieve tubes of the diseased roses and single phytoplasma cells within a sieve element of the phloem of experimentally infected periwinkles. This paper is the first report on aster yellows phytoplasma in rose identified at a molecular level. Detektion einer Phytoplasma-Infektion bei Rosen mit Degenerationserscheinungen Im Jahr 1998 wurde eine schwere Krankheit bei Rosen der Sorten ,Patina', ,Papillon' und ,Mercedes' festgestellt, die in einem polnischen Gewächshaus für kommerzielle Zwecke kultiviert wurden. Zu den Symptomen gehörten Kümmerwuchs, durchwachsene Knospen, Blattmißbildungen und ein Mangel an Blütenknospen. Einige wenige Pflanzen trugen übergroße Blütenknospen, die degenerierte Blüten hervorbrachten. Die Anwesenheit von Phytoplasmen in Rosen mit starken Symptomen, in erholten Pflanzen und in Catharanthus roseus, der durch Pfropfen und durch Teufelszwirn (Cuscuta) experimentell infiziert worden war, wurde mittels einer genesteten Polymerase-Kettenreaktion mit den Primerpaaren R16F2/R2 oder R16F1/R0 und R16(1)F1/R1 zur Amplifikation des Phytoplasma-16S rDNA-Fragments demonstriert. Die für die Analyse der Restriktionsfragmentlängenpolymorphismen nach Verdau mit den Endonucleasen AluI und MseI verwendeten PCR-Produkte (1,1 kb) produzierten bei allen Proben die gleichen Restriktionsprofile. Die Restriktionsprofile der Phytoplasma-DNA aus diesen Pflanzen entsprachen denjenigen eines Typenstamms eines Asternvergilbung auslösenden Phytoplasmas. Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen ultradünner Schnitte des Stamms zeigten Wandverdickungen bei zahlreichen Siebröhren der erkrankten Rosen und einzelne Phytoplasmazellen innerhalb eines Siebelements des Phloems experimentell infizierter Immergrün-Pflanzen. Dies ist der erste Bericht über ein auf molekularer Ebene identifiziertes Asternvergilbungs-Phytoplasma bei Rosen. [source] The morphogenesis of lobed plant cells in the mesophyll and epidermis: organization and distinct roles of cortical microtubules and actin filamentsNEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 3 2005Emmanuel Panteris Summary The morphogenesis of lobed plant cells has been considered to be controlled by microtubule (MT) and/or actin filament (AF) organization. In this article, a comprehensive mechanism is proposed, in which distinct roles are played by these cytoskeletal components. First, cortical MT bundles and, in the case of pavement cells, radial MT arrays combined with MT bundles determine the deposition of local cell wall thickenings, the cellulose microfibrils of which copy the orientation of underlying MTs. Cell growth is thus locally prevented and, consequently, lobes and constrictions are formed. Arch-like tangential expansion is locally imposed at the external periclinal wall of pavement cells by the radial arrangement of cellulose microfibrils at every wall thickening. Whenever further elongation of the original cell lobes occurs, AF patches assemble at the tips of growing lobes. Intercellular space formation is promoted or prevented by the opposite or alternate, respectively, arrangement of cortical MT arrays between neighboring cells. The genes that are possibly involved in the molecular regulation of the above morphogenetic procedure by MT and AF array organization are reviewed. [source] | |||||||||||||