Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 40, issue 1

Article Type: Abstract

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1049

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 1-17, 2008

Authors: Ji, Ho Seong | Lee, Sang Joon

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In vitro experiments to investigate the hematocrit effect on human blood flow in microcirculation were carried out using a micro-PIV technique. The micro-PIV system consisted of a 2 head Nd:YAG laser as a illumination light, a cooled CCD camera, a delay generator and a personal computer for control and data processing. Human blood with a hematocrit of 20, 30 and 40% was supplied into a microtube of 100 μm in diameter using a syringe pump. Fluorescent particles of 1.0 μm in mean diameter were seeded in the blood flow as tracers to measure instantaneous velocity fields by applying a cross-correlation …PIV algorithm. The mean velocity field information was obtained by ensemble averaging the instantaneous velocity field data obtained. The hemorheological characteristics related with the blood flow in the microtube were also evaluated as functions of flow rate and hematocrit using the PIV data. The blood flow has a cell-free layer near the tube wall and this layer's thickness is increased with the increasing flow speed due to the radial migration. As the hematocrit increases, the velocity profile starts acquiring non-Newtonian features under low flow rate conditions. The hemorheolgical characteristics were found to influence largely on the viscosity and shear rate of blood flow. Show more

Keywords: Hematocrit, blood flow, micro-circulation, micro-PIV, hemorheology, non-Newtonian

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1059

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 19-30, 2008

Authors: Lo Presti, Rosalia | Montana, Maria | Canino, Baldassare | Amodeo, Gabriella | Lucido, Daniela | Romano, Adele | Catania, Anna | Caimi, Gregorio

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In a group of young subjects with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (68 men and 7 women; mean age 39.6±5.7 years) we examined the plasma concentration of elastase, the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and the total antioxidant status (TAS) at the initial stage of AMI. In this group we found an increase of elastase (p<0.001) and TBARS (p<0.001) and a decrease of TAS (p<0.001). A statistical correlation was observed in the whole group of AMI patients between plasma elastase and TAS (p<0.01) and this correlation was more statistically significant in patients with more risk factors and not in those with more …involved vessels. Show more

Keywords: Juvenile myocardial infarction, plasma elastase, total antioxidant status

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1060

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 31-36, 2008

Authors: Hiebl, B. | Fuhrmann, R. | Costa, M.E.V. | Almeida, M.M. | Franke, R.P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this study we present a three-dimensional angiogenesis assay in vitro that allows the evaluation of the influence of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) based implants seeded with VEGF-A165 stimulated/activated human CD14+ monocytes on the attraction and migration of human micro vascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L). Primary HMEC of the capillary bed were cultured on an extracellular matrix generated by bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCEC). The HMEC layer was covered by an agarose gel, upon which a Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/CaP polymer with a Calcium-Phosphate (CaP) nanostructured surface was placed. This scaffold has already been shown to interact with endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells respectively …in vivo. It was seeded with angiogenically stimulated (VEGF-A165) human CD14+ monocytes, to get a monocyte/macrophage fraction, which can promote angiogenesis, tissue remodelling and tissue repair due to the secretion of growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and enzymes. The study demonstrated that this assay is suitable to test angiogenic effects by stimulated human CD14+ monocytes on human microvascular endothelial cells influenced by Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/CaP scaffolds with a nanostructured CaP surface. The assay can exclude effects on migration caused by gravity and also allows testing in a physiological environment on an extracellular matrix secreted by endothelial cells. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1061

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 37-50, 2008

Authors: Weskott, H.P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The article considers new and potential uses for contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in radiology. CEUS could become an early, sensitive and inexpensive tool for managing tumor ablation in patients in whom microvascular imaging adds diagnostic information, especially in inflammatory diseases. Its sensitivity in detecting focal liver lesions is comparable to that of other imaging modalities such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and it provides a high accuracy in lesion characterization. The main indications in renal diseases are characterization of complicated cysts, arterial infarction and masses in the collecting system and renal vein. As local ablation therapy gains clinical acceptance …in liver and recently in renal tumors, CEUS may play an important role in planning the procedure, needle navigation and the follow-up of these patients. In rheumatology, monitoring and optimizing the effectiveness of therapy may also become an important task for CEUS. In breast and prostate cancers, CEUS can add diagnostic value, especially in early detection of tumor recurrence. In lung disease, the technique has considerable potential for characterizing non-ventilated tissues and helping with interventional procedures. In vascular disease, CEUS is of value in arterial stenosis, but its greatest benefit may be in characterizing changes within the vessel wall. It also greatly increases the success rate of transcranial examinations. CEUS is expected to play a major role in detecting sentinel lymph nodes and estimating the tumor burden of involved lymphatic tissue. The possible indications and potential benefits of CEUS are numerous and have yet to be fully exploited. Show more

Keywords: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound, radiology

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1062

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 51-71, 2008

Authors: Boucher, John H. | Connes, Philippe

Article Type: Letter

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1118

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 73-75, 2008

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1147

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 77-77, 2008