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Ikenaga T, Kobayashi A, Takeuchi A, Uesugi K, Maezawa T, Shibata N, Sakamoto T, Sakamoto H. Volume X-Ray Micro-Computed Tomography Analysis of the Early Cephalized Central Nervous System in a Marine Flatworm, Stylochoplana pusilla. Zoolog Sci 2024; 41:281-289. [PMID: 38809867 DOI: 10.2108/zs230082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Platyhelminthes are a phylum of simple bilaterian invertebrates with prototypic body systems. Compared with non-bilaterians such as cnidarians, the bilaterians are likely to exhibit integrated free-moving behaviors, which require a concentrated nervous system "brain" rather than the distributed nervous system of radiatans. Marine flatworms have an early cephalized 'central' nervous system compared not only with non-bilaterians but also with parasitic flatworms or freshwater planarians. In this study, we used the marine flatworm Stylochoplana pusilla as an excellent model organism in Platyhelminthes because of the early cephalized central nervous system. Here, we investigated the three-dimensional structures of the flatworm central nervous system by the use of X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) in a synchrotron radiation facility. We found that the obtained tomographic images were sufficient to discriminate some characteristic structures of the nervous system, including nerve cords around the cephalic ganglion, mushroom body-like structures, and putative optic nerves forming an optic commissure-like structure. Through the micro-CT imaging, we could obtain undistorted serial section images, permitting us to visualize precise spatial relationships of neuronal subpopulations and nerve tracts. 3-D micro-CT is very effective in the volume analysis of the nervous system at the cellular level; the methodology is straightforward and could be applied to many other non-model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Ikenaga
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Aoshi Kobayashi
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
| | - Akihisa Takeuchi
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute/SPring-8, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Kentaro Uesugi
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute/SPring-8, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Takanobu Maezawa
- Department of Integrated Science and Technology, National Institute of Technology, Tsuyama College, Tsuyama, Okayama 708-8509, Japan
| | - Norito Shibata
- Department of Integrated Science and Technology, National Institute of Technology, Tsuyama College, Tsuyama, Okayama 708-8509, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Sakamoto
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Sakamoto
- Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan,
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Kita-ku, Tsushimanaka, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
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2
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Xiao K, Lv Y, Yu W, Yang J. Visualization of water transfer channel in sludge dewatering conditioned with skeleton builders by X-ray micro-computed tomography. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 355:141818. [PMID: 38548085 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Skeleton builders were normally deemed to improve the high porosity and newly-generated permeability of sludge cakes by building water transfer channel during high pressure filtration, thus enhancing sludge dewaterability. However, currently a direct visualization proof of water transfer channel was still lacking. This study provided the direct proof for visualizing water transfer channel in dewatered sludge cakes conditioned with a typical skeleton builder (i.e., phosphogypsum (PG)) by X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for the first time. After the addition of PG, the pixel value and image luminance increased significantly, indicating the presence of high density substances from both two-dimensional (2D) cross section and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction CT images. Moreover, the CT numbers showed strong and negative correlations with specific resistance to filtration (SRF) (R = - 0.99, p < 0.05), capillary suction time (CST) (regression coefficient (R) = - 0.87, probability (p) < 0.05), and water content of the dewatered sludge cake (R = - 0.99, p < 0.05), respectively. These results indicated that the X-ray micro-CT could be a potential technique for analyzing the water distribution in sludge samples conditioned with skeleton builders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keke Xiao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment, Disposal and Recycling, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China; Environmental Science and Engineering Program, Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 241 Daxue Road, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China
| | - Yang Lv
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China; Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, 8 Jiangwangmiao Street, Nanjing, Jiang Su, 210042, China
| | - Wenbo Yu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment, Disposal and Recycling, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Jiakuan Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment, Disposal and Recycling, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China; Hubei Water Quality Safety and Water Pollution Control Engineering Center, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China; State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China.
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Väänänen V, Christensen MM, Suhonen H, Jernvall J. Gene expression detection in developing mouse tissue using in situ hybridization and µCT imaging. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2301876120. [PMID: 37279266 PMCID: PMC10268296 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301876120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
High resolution and noninvasiveness have made soft-tissue X-ray microtomography (µCT) a widely applicable three-dimensional (3D) imaging method in studies of morphology and development. However, scarcity of molecular probes to visualize gene activity with µCT has remained a challenge. Here, we apply horseradish peroxidase-assisted reduction of silver and catalytic gold enhancement of the silver deposit to in situ hybridization in order to detect gene expression in developing tissues with µCT (here called GECT, gene expression CT). We show that GECT detects expression patterns of collagen type II alpha 1 and sonic hedgehog in developing mouse tissues comparably with an alkaline phosphatase-based detection method. After detection, expression patterns are visualized with laboratory µCT, demonstrating that GECT is compatible with varying levels of gene expression and varying sizes of expression regions. Additionally, we show that the method is compatible with prior phosphotungstic acid staining, a conventional contrast staining approach in µCT imaging of soft tissues. Overall, GECT is a method that can be integrated with existing laboratory routines to obtain spatially accurate 3D detection of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vilma Väänänen
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, HelsinkiFI-00014, Finland
| | - Mona M. Christensen
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, HelsinkiFI-00014, Finland
| | - Heikki Suhonen
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, HelsinkiFI-00014, Finland
| | - Jukka Jernvall
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, HelsinkiFI-00014, Finland
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, HelsinkiFI-00014, Finland
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4
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Zhang H, Dai H, Hao X, Wang Y, Xing C, Lu Q, Li J, Fu Y, Gao M, Chen Z, Cao Y, Zhu J. Airy-type X-ray states generated using 3/2 flat diffractive optics. OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 31:18063-18071. [PMID: 37381524 DOI: 10.1364/oe.492003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
X-rays have developed into an essential tool in variety of fields, such as biology, materials, chemistry, and physics etc. Numerous X-ray types, including the orbital angular momentum (OAM), the Laguerre-Gauss, and the Hermite-Gauss states, have been proposed. This greatly enhances the depth of application of X-ray. The X-ray states described above are mostly produced by binary amplitude diffraction elements. In light of this, this paper proposes a flat X-ray diffraction grating based on caustic theory to generate Airy-type X-ray. It is proved by the simulation of multislice method that the proposed grating can generate the Airy beam in the X-ray field. The results show that the generated beams have a secondary parabolic trajectory deflection with the propagation distance, which is consistent with the theory. Inspired by the success of Airy beam in light-sheet microscope, the Airy-type X-ray can be anticipated to enable novel image capability for bio or nanoscience.
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Liu H, Liu L, Tan J, Yan Y, Xue J. Definition of Pore Size in 3D‐Printed Porous Implants: A Review. CHEMBIOENG REVIEWS 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/cben.202200043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Liu
- University of South China Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School 69 Chuanshan Road 421001 Hengyang Hunan China
| | - Lu‐Lu Liu
- University of South China Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School 69 Chuanshan Road 421001 Hengyang Hunan China
| | - Jing‐Hua Tan
- University of South China Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School 69 Chuanshan Road 421001 Hengyang Hunan China
| | - Yi‐Guo Yan
- University of South China Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School 69 Chuanshan Road 421001 Hengyang Hunan China
| | - Jing‐Bo Xue
- University of South China Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School 69 Chuanshan Road 421001 Hengyang Hunan China
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6
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Jonsson T. Micro-CT and deep learning: Modern techniques and applications in insect morphology and neuroscience. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1016277. [PMID: 38469492 PMCID: PMC10926430 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1016277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Advances in modern imaging and computer technologies have led to a steady rise in the use of micro-computed tomography (µCT) in many biological areas. In zoological research, this fast and non-destructive method for producing high-resolution, two- and three-dimensional images is increasingly being used for the functional analysis of the external and internal anatomy of animals. µCT is hereby no longer limited to the analysis of specific biological tissues in a medical or preclinical context but can be combined with a variety of contrast agents to study form and function of all kinds of tissues and species, from mammals and reptiles to fish and microscopic invertebrates. Concurrently, advances in the field of artificial intelligence, especially in deep learning, have revolutionised computer vision and facilitated the automatic, fast and ever more accurate analysis of two- and three-dimensional image datasets. Here, I want to give a brief overview of both micro-computed tomography and deep learning and present their recent applications, especially within the field of insect science. Furthermore, the combination of both approaches to investigate neural tissues and the resulting potential for the analysis of insect sensory systems, from receptor structures via neuronal pathways to the brain, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorin Jonsson
- Institute of Biology, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Graz, Austria
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7
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Woźnica A, Karczewski J, Bernaś T, Świątek P, Drab M, Surma R, Krzyżowski M, Łozowski B, Gwiazda R, Libera M, Absalon D, Babczyńska A. The spatial structure (3D) and mechanical properties of the sponge Spongilla lacustris L. (Porifera: Spongillida) skeleton as a potential tensegral architecture. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2022.2105964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A. Woźnica
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Silesian Water Centre, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - J. Karczewski
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Silesian Water Centre, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - T. Bernaś
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - P. Świątek
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - M. Drab
- USI, Unit of Nanostructural Bio-Interactions, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - R. Surma
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Silesian Water Centre, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - M. Krzyżowski
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Silesian Water Centre, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - B. Łozowski
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Silesian Water Centre, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - R. Gwiazda
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - M. Libera
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - D. Absalon
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Silesian Water Centre, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - A. Babczyńska
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Silesian Water Centre, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
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8
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Schwarzenberg FL, Schütz P, Hammel JU, Riedel M, Bartl J, Bordbari S, Frank SC, Walkenfort B, Busse M, Herzen J, Lohr C, Wülfing C, Henne S. Three-dimensional analyses of vascular network morphology in a murine lymph node by X-ray phase-contrast tomography with a 2D Talbot array. Front Immunol 2022; 13:947961. [PMID: 36524111 PMCID: PMC9745095 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.947961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
With growing molecular evidence for correlations between spatial arrangement of blood vasculature and fundamental immunological functions, carried out in distinct compartments of the subdivided lymph node, there is an urgent need for three-dimensional models that can link these aspects. We reconstructed such models at a 1.84 µm resolution by the means of X-ray phase-contrast imaging with a 2D Talbot array in a short time without any staining. In addition reconstructions are verified in immunohistochemistry staining as well as in ultrastructural analyses. While conventional illustrations of mammalian lymph nodes depict the hilus as a definite point of blood and lymphatic vessel entry and exit, our method revealed that multiple branches enter and emerge from an area that extends up to one third of the organ's surface. This could be a prerequisite for the drastic and location-dependent remodeling of vascularization, which is necessary for lymph node expansion during inflammation. Contrary to corrosion cast studies we identified B-cell follicles exhibiting a two times denser capillary network than the deep cortical units of the T-cell zone. In addition to our observation of high endothelial venules spatially surrounding the follicles, this suggests a direct connection between morphology and B-cell homing. Our findings will deepen the understanding of functional lymph node composition and lymphocyte migration on a fundamental basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian L. Schwarzenberg
- INI-Research, Group for Interdisciplinary Neurobiology and Immunology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paul Schütz
- INI-Research, Group for Interdisciplinary Neurobiology and Immunology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jörg U. Hammel
- Institute of Materials Physics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Mirko Riedel
- Institute of Materials Physics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany
- Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Jasmin Bartl
- INI-Research, Group for Interdisciplinary Neurobiology and Immunology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sharareh Bordbari
- INI-Research, Group for Interdisciplinary Neurobiology and Immunology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Svea-Celina Frank
- INI-Research, Group for Interdisciplinary Neurobiology and Immunology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Walkenfort
- Imaging Center Essen (IMCES), Electron Microscopy Unit (EMU), Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Madleen Busse
- Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Julia Herzen
- Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Christian Lohr
- Division of Neurophysiology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Clemens Wülfing
- INI-Research, Group for Interdisciplinary Neurobiology and Immunology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Henne
- INI-Research, Group for Interdisciplinary Neurobiology and Immunology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Guillen K, Comby PO, Salsac AV, Falvo N, Lenfant M, Oudot A, Sikner H, Dencausse A, Laveissiere E, Aho-Glele SL, Loffroy R. X-ray Microtomography to Assess Determinants of In Vivo N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate Glubran ®2 Polymerization: A Rabbit-Model Study. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2625. [PMID: 36289887 PMCID: PMC9599502 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Although introduced decades ago, few cyanoacrylate glues have been approved for endovascular use, despite evidence of their usefulness, notably for complex procedures suchas hemostatic embolization. Indications include massive bleeding requiring emergent hemostasis and prevention of severe bleeding during scheduled surgery to remove a hypervascular tumor. Adding radiopaque Lipiodol Ultra Fluid® (LUF) modulates glue polymerization and allows fluoroscopic guidance, but few comparative in vivo studies have assessed the impact of the resulting change in glue concentration or of other factors such as target-vessel blood flow. In a rabbit model, we used ex vivo X-ray microtomography to assess the results of in vivo renal-artery embolization by various mixtures of N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA), metacryloxysulfolane, and LUF. Overall, penetration to the superficial interlobular arteries was achieved in about two-thirds of cases and into the capillaries in nearly half the cases, while cast fragmentation was seen in slightly more than half the cases. Greater NBCA dilution and the blocked-blood-flow technique were independently associated with greater distality of penetration. Blocked-blood-flow injection was independently associated with absence of fragmentation, capillary penetration, a shorter cast-to-capsule distance, and higher cast attenuation. A larger mixture volume was independently associated with higher indexed cast ratio and deeper penetration. Finally, microtomography is an adapted tool to assess ex vivo distribution of glue cast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kévin Guillen
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Image-Guided Therapy Center, François-Mitterrand University Hospital, 14 Rue Paul Gaffarel, BP 77908, 21079 Dijon, France
- Imaging and Artificial Vision (ImViA) Laboratory-EA 7535, Bourgogne/Franche-Comté University, 9 Avenue Alain Savary, BP 47870, 21078 Dijon, France
| | - Pierre-Olivier Comby
- Imaging and Artificial Vision (ImViA) Laboratory-EA 7535, Bourgogne/Franche-Comté University, 9 Avenue Alain Savary, BP 47870, 21078 Dijon, France
- Department of Neuroradiology and Emergency Radiology, François-Mitterrand University Hospital, 14 Rue Paul Gaffarel, BP 77908, 21079 Dijon, France
| | - Anne-Virginie Salsac
- Biomechanics and Bioengineering Laboratory, UMR CNRS 7338, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, 60203 Compiègne, France
| | - Nicolas Falvo
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Image-Guided Therapy Center, François-Mitterrand University Hospital, 14 Rue Paul Gaffarel, BP 77908, 21079 Dijon, France
- Imaging and Artificial Vision (ImViA) Laboratory-EA 7535, Bourgogne/Franche-Comté University, 9 Avenue Alain Savary, BP 47870, 21078 Dijon, France
| | - Marc Lenfant
- Imaging and Artificial Vision (ImViA) Laboratory-EA 7535, Bourgogne/Franche-Comté University, 9 Avenue Alain Savary, BP 47870, 21078 Dijon, France
- Department of Neuroradiology and Emergency Radiology, François-Mitterrand University Hospital, 14 Rue Paul Gaffarel, BP 77908, 21079 Dijon, France
| | - Alexandra Oudot
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Plateforme d’Imagerie et de Radiothérapie Préclinique, Georges-François Leclerc Center, 1 Rue Professeur Marion, BP 77980, CEDEX, 21079 Dijon, France
| | - Hugo Sikner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Plateforme d’Imagerie et de Radiothérapie Préclinique, Georges-François Leclerc Center, 1 Rue Professeur Marion, BP 77980, CEDEX, 21079 Dijon, France
| | - Anne Dencausse
- R&D, Guerbet Research, CEDEX, 95943 Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle, France
| | | | - Serge Ludwig Aho-Glele
- Department of Epidemiology, Statistics and Clinical Research, François-Mitterrand University Hospital, 14 Rue Paul Gaffarel, BP 77908, 21079 Dijon, France
| | - Romaric Loffroy
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Image-Guided Therapy Center, François-Mitterrand University Hospital, 14 Rue Paul Gaffarel, BP 77908, 21079 Dijon, France
- Imaging and Artificial Vision (ImViA) Laboratory-EA 7535, Bourgogne/Franche-Comté University, 9 Avenue Alain Savary, BP 47870, 21078 Dijon, France
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dos Santos VRN, Motta JVDS, Frazão DR, Ferreira RDO, Souza-Monteiro D, Baia-da-Silva DC, Mendes PFS, Bittencourt LO, de Moura JDM, Lameira OA, Balbinot GDS, Collares FM, Rösing CK, Lima RR. Biological Activity of Copaiba in Damage to the Alveolar Bone in a Model of Periodontitis Induced in Rats. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196255. [PMID: 36234793 PMCID: PMC9572349 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have investigated the effects of natural products in the treatment of diseases. Traditional Amazonian populations commonly use copaiba due to its well-known anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and healing properties. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of systemic administration of copaiba oleoresin (Copaifera reticulata Ducke) on ligature-induced periodontitis in rats. To do so, 21 adult rats were divided into three groups (n = 7 each): a control group, ligature-induced periodontitis group, and ligature-induced periodontitis group treated with copaiba oleoresin (200 mg/kg/day). The ligature remained from day 0 to 14, and the copaiba oleoresin was administered via oral gavage during the last seven days. On day 14, the animals were euthanized, and mandibles were collected for histopathological evaluation and microcomputed tomography analysis. Our data showed that the administration of copaiba considerably reduced the inflammatory profile. Moreover, copaiba oleoresin limited alveolar bone loss, increased trabecular thickness and bone-to-tissue volume ratio, and decreased the number of trabeculae compared with those of the untreated experimental periodontitis group. Our findings provide pioneering evidence that supports the potential of copaiba oleoresin in reducing periodontitis-induced alveolar bone damage in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius Ruan Neves dos Santos
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - João Victor da Silva Motta
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Deborah Ribeiro Frazão
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Railson de Oliveira Ferreira
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Deiweson Souza-Monteiro
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Daiane Claydes Baia-da-Silva
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Paulo Fernando Santos Mendes
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Oliveira Bittencourt
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - João Daniel Mendonça de Moura
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Osmar Alves Lameira
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Gabriela de Souza Balbinot
- Dental Materials Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, RS, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Mezzomo Collares
- Dental Materials Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, RS, Brazil
| | - Cassiano Kuchenbecker Rösing
- Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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11
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Handschuh S, Glösmann M. Mouse embryo phenotyping using X-ray microCT. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:949184. [PMID: 36187491 PMCID: PMC9523164 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.949184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Microscopic X-ray computed tomography (microCT) is a structural ex vivo imaging technique providing genuine isotropic 3D images from biological samples at micron resolution. MicroCT imaging is non-destructive and combines well with other modalities such as light and electron microscopy in correlative imaging workflows. Protocols for staining embryos with X-ray dense contrast agents enable the acquisition of high-contrast and high-resolution datasets of whole embryos and specific organ systems. High sample throughput is achieved with dedicated setups. Consequently, microCT has gained enormous importance for both qualitative and quantitative phenotyping of mouse development. We here summarize state-of-the-art protocols of sample preparation and imaging procedures, showcase contemporary applications, and discuss possible pitfalls and sources for artefacts. In addition, we give an outlook on phenotyping workflows using microscopic dual energy CT (microDECT) and tissue-specific contrast agents.
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12
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Relationship between physical changes in the coffee bean due to roasting profiles and the sensory attributes of the coffee beverage. Eur Food Res Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00217-022-04118-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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13
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Handschuh S, Okada CTC, Walter I, Aurich C, Glösmann M. An optimized workflow for
microCT
imaging of formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded (
FFPE
) early equine embryos. Anat Histol Embryol 2022; 51:611-623. [PMID: 35851500 PMCID: PMC9542120 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Here, we describe a workflow for high‐detail microCT imaging of formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) equine embryos recovered on Day 34 of pregnancy (E34), a period just before placenta formation. The presented imaging methods are suitable for large animals' embryos with intention to study morphological and developmental aspects, but more generally can be adopted for all kinds of FFPE tissue specimens. Microscopic 3D imaging techniques such as microCT are important tools for detecting and studying normal embryogenesis and developmental disorders. To date, microCT imaging of vertebrate embryos was mostly done on embryos that have been stained with an X‐ray dense contrast agent. Here, we describe an alternative imaging procedure that allows to visualize embryo morphology and organ development in unstained FFPE embryos. Two aspects are critical for high‐quality data acquisition: (i) a proper sample mounting leaving as little as possible paraffin around the sample and (ii) an image filtering pipeline that improves signal‐to‐noise ratio in these inherently low‐contrast data sets. The presented workflow allows overview imaging of the whole embryo proper and can be used for determination of organ volumes and development. Furthermore, we show that high‐resolution interior tomographies can provide virtual histology information from selected regions of interest. In addition, we demonstrate that microCT scanned embryos remain intact during the scanning procedure allowing for a subsequent investigation by routine histology and/or immunohistochemistry. This makes the presented workflow applicable also to archival paraffin‐embedded material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Handschuh
- VetCore Facility for Research/Imaging Unit University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Carolina T. C. Okada
- Platform Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer Department for Small Animals and Horses University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Ingrid Walter
- VetCore Facility for Research/VetBiobank University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Vienna Austria
- Institute of Morphology University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Christine Aurich
- Platform Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer Department for Small Animals and Horses University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Martin Glösmann
- VetCore Facility for Research/Imaging Unit University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Vienna Austria
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14
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Clear E, Grant RA, Carroll M, Brassey CA. A Review and Case Study of 3D Imaging Modalities for Female Amniote Reproductive Anatomy. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:icac027. [PMID: 35536568 PMCID: PMC10570564 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in non-invasive imaging methods have revitalised the field of comparative anatomy, and reproductive anatomy has been no exception. The reproductive systems of female amniotes present specific challenges, namely their often internal "hidden" anatomy. Quantifying female reproductive systems is crucial to recognising reproductive pathologies, monitoring menstrual cycles, and understanding copulatory mechanics. Here we conduct a review of the application of non-invasive imaging techniques to female amniote reproductive anatomy. We introduce the commonly used imaging modalities of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), highlighting their advantages and limitations when applied to female reproductive tissues, and make suggestions for future advances. We also include a case study of micro CT and MRI, along with their associated staining protocols, applied to cadavers of female adult stoats (Mustela erminea). In doing so, we will progress the discussion surrounding the imaging of female reproductive anatomy, whilst also impacting the fields of sexual selection research and comparative anatomy more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Clear
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester St, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
- Williamson Park Zoo, Quernmore Road, Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 1UX, UK
| | - Robyn A Grant
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester St, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
| | - Michael Carroll
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester St, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
| | - Charlotte A Brassey
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester St, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
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15
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Yi W, Mueller T, Rücklin M, Richardson MK. Developmental neuroanatomy of the rosy bitterling Rhodeus ocellatus (Teleostei: Cypriniformes)-A microCT study. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2132-2153. [PMID: 35470436 PMCID: PMC9245027 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Bitterlings are carp-like teleost fish (Cypriniformes: Acheilanathidae) known for their specialized brood parasitic lifestyle. Bitterling embryos, in fact, develop inside the gill chamber of their freshwater mussel hosts. However, little is known about how their parasitic lifestyle affects brain development in comparison to nonparasitic species. Here, we document the development of the brain of the rosy bitterling, Rhodeus ocellatus, at four embryonic stages of 165, 185, 210, 235 hours postfertilization (hpf) using micro-computed tomography (microCT). Focusing on developmental regionalization and brain ventricular organization, we relate the development of the brain divisions to those described for zebrafish using the prosomeric model as a reference paradigm. Segmentation and three-dimensional visualization of the ventricular system allowed us to identify changes in the longitudinal brain axis as a result of cephalic flexure during development. The results show that during early embryonic and larval development, histological differentiation, tissue boundaries, periventricular proliferation zones, and ventricular spaces are all detectable by microCT. The results of this study visualized with differential CT profiles are broadly consistent with comparable histological studies, and with the genoarchitecture of teleosts like the zebrafish. Compared to the zebrafish, our study identifies distinct developmental heterochronies in the rosy bitterling, such as a precocious development of the inferior lobe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Yi
- Institute of Biology, University of Leiden, Sylvius Laboratory, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Vertebrate Evolution, Development and Ecology, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas Mueller
- Vertebrate Evolution, Development and Ecology, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Martin Rücklin
- Institute of Biology, University of Leiden, Sylvius Laboratory, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Vertebrate Evolution, Development and Ecology, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Michael K Richardson
- Institute of Biology, University of Leiden, Sylvius Laboratory, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Vertebrate Evolution, Development and Ecology, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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16
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X-ray computed tomography, electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy of severed Zelkova serrata roots (Japanese elm tree). Micron 2022; 156:103231. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2022.103231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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17
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Alizadeh Sardroud H, Wanlin T, Chen X, Eames BF. Cartilage Tissue Engineering Approaches Need to Assess Fibrocartilage When Hydrogel Constructs Are Mechanically Loaded. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 9:787538. [PMID: 35096790 PMCID: PMC8790514 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.787538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondrocytes that are impregnated within hydrogel constructs sense applied mechanical force and can respond by expressing collagens, which are deposited into the extracellular matrix (ECM). The intention of most cartilage tissue engineering is to form hyaline cartilage, but if mechanical stimulation pushes the ratio of collagen type I (Col1) to collagen type II (Col2) in the ECM too high, then fibrocartilage can form instead. With a focus on Col1 and Col2 expression, the first part of this article reviews the latest studies on hyaline cartilage regeneration within hydrogel constructs that are subjected to compression forces (one of the major types of the forces within joints) in vitro. Since the mechanical loading conditions involving compression and other forces in joints are difficult to reproduce in vitro, implantation of hydrogel constructs in vivo is also reviewed, again with a focus on Col1 and Col2 production within the newly formed cartilage. Furthermore, mechanotransduction pathways that may be related to the expression of Col1 and Col2 within chondrocytes are reviewed and examined. Also, two recently-emerged, novel approaches of load-shielding and synchrotron radiation (SR)–based imaging techniques are discussed and highlighted for future applications to the regeneration of hyaline cartilage. Going forward, all cartilage tissue engineering experiments should assess thoroughly whether fibrocartilage or hyaline cartilage is formed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Alizadeh Sardroud
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- *Correspondence: Hamed Alizadeh Sardroud,
| | - Tasker Wanlin
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Xiongbiao Chen
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - B. Frank Eames
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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18
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Sahd L, Bennett NC, Kotzé SH. Hind foot drumming: Volumetric micro-computed tomography investigation of the hind limb musculature of three African mole-rat species (Bathyergidae). J Anat 2022; 240:23-33. [PMID: 34374084 PMCID: PMC8655198 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Several species of African mole-rats use seismic signalling by means of hind foot drumming for communication. The present study aimed to create three-dimensional reconstructions and compare volumetric measurements of 27 muscles of the hind limb of two drumming (Georychus capensis and Bathyergus suillus) and one non-drumming (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis) species of African mole-rats. Diffusible iodine contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography (diceCT) scans were performed on six specimens per species. Manual segmentation of the scans using VGMAX Studio imaging software allowed for individual muscles to be separated while automatically determining the volume of each muscle. The volume of the individual muscles was expressed as a percentage of the total hind limb volume and statistically compared between species. Subsequently, three-dimensional reconstructions of these muscles were created. Musculus gracilis anticus had a significantly larger percentage of the total hind limb muscle volume in both drumming species compared to the non-drumming C. h. natalensis. Furthermore, several hip and knee extensors, namely mm. gluteus superficialis, semimembranosus, gluteofemoralis, rectus femoris and vastus lateralis, had significantly larger muscle volume percentages in the two drumming species (G. capensis and B. suillus) compared to the non-drumming species. While not statistically significant, G. capensis had larger muscle volume percentages in several key hip and knee extensors compared to B. suillus. Additionally, G capensis had the largest summed percentage of the total hind limb volume in the hip flexor, hip extensor, knee extensor and ankle plantar flexor muscle groups in all the three species. This could be indicative of whole muscle hypertrophy in these muscles due to fast eccentric contractions that occur during hind foot drumming. However, significantly larger muscle volume percentages were observed in the scratch digging B. suillus compared to the other two chisel tooth digging species. Moreover, while not statistically significant, B. suillus had larger muscle volume percentages in several hip extensor and knee flexor muscles compared to G. capensis (except for m. vastus lateralis). These differences could be due to the large relative size of this species but could also be influenced by the scratch digging strategy employed by B. suillus. Therefore, while the action of hind foot drumming seems to influence certain key muscle volumes, digging strategy and body size may also play a role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Sahd
- Division of Clinical AnatomyDepartment of Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Medicine and Health SciencesStellenbosch UniversityCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Nigel C. Bennett
- Department of Zoology and EntomologyMammal Research InstituteUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Sanet H. Kotzé
- Division of Clinical AnatomyDepartment of Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Medicine and Health SciencesStellenbosch UniversityCape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Biomedical SciencesRoss University School of Veterinary MedicineBasseterreSt Kitts and Nevis
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19
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Jeong HY, Lee JH, Lee SY, Lee J, Cho SO. A Transparent Nano-Polycrystalline ZnWO 4 Thin-Film Scintillator for High-Resolution X-ray Imaging. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:33224-33230. [PMID: 34901674 PMCID: PMC8656202 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Facile approaches for creating thin-film scintillators with high spatial resolutions and variable shapes are required to broaden the applicability of high-resolution X-ray imaging. In this study, a transparent nano-polycrystalline ZnWO4 thin-film scintillator was fabricated by thermal evaporation for high-resolution X-ray imaging. The scintillator is composed of nano-sized grains smaller than the optical wavelength range to minimize optical scattering. The high transparency of the scintillators affords a sufficiently high spatial resolution to resolve the 2 μm line and space patterns when used in a high-resolution X-ray imaging system with an effective pixel size of 650 nm. The thermal evaporation method is a convenient approach for depositing thin and uniform films on complex substrates. ZnWO4 thin-film scintillators with various shapes, such as pixelated and curved, were fabricated via thermal evaporation. The results show that the transparent nano-polycrystalline ZnWO4 thin-film scintillator deposited through thermal evaporation has a potential for use in various high-resolution X-ray imaging applications.
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20
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Virtual histology of an entire mouse brain from formalin fixation to paraffin embedding. Part 1: Data acquisition, anatomical feature segmentation, tracking global volume and density changes. J Neurosci Methods 2021; 364:109354. [PMID: 34529981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Micrometer-resolution neuroimaging with gold-standard conventional histology requires tissue fixation and embedding. The exchange of solvents for the creation of sectionable paraffin blocks modifies tissue density and generates non-uniform brain shrinkage. NEW METHOD We employed synchrotron radiation-based X-ray microtomography for slicing- and label-free virtual histology of the mouse brain at different stages of the standard preparation protocol from formalin fixation via ascending ethanol solutions and xylene to paraffin embedding. Segmentation of anatomical regions allowed us to quantify non-uniform tissue shrinkage. Global and local changes in X-ray absorption gave insight into contrast enhancement for virtual histology. RESULTS The volume of the entire mouse brain was 60%, 56%, and 40% of that in formalin for, respectively, 100% ethanol, xylene, and paraffin. The volume changes of anatomical regions such as the hippocampus, anterior commissure, and ventricles differ from the global volume change. X-ray absorption of the full brain decreased, while local absorption differences increased, resulting in enhanced contrast for virtual histology. These trends were also observed with laboratory microtomography measurements. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Microtomography provided sub-10 μm spatial resolution with sufficient density resolution to resolve anatomical structures at each step of the embedding protocol. The spatial resolution of conventional computed tomography and magnetic resonance microscopy is an order of magnitude lower and both do not match the contrast of microtomography over the entire embedding protocol. Unlike feature-to-feature or total volume measurements, our approach allows for calculation of volume change based on segmentation. CONCLUSION We present isotropic micrometer-resolution imaging to quantify morphology and composition changes in a mouse brain during the standard histological preparation. The proposed method can be employed to identify the most appropriate embedding medium for anatomical feature visualization, to reveal the basis for the dramatic X-ray contrast enhancement observed in numerous embedded tissues, and to quantify morphological changes during tissue fixation and embedding.
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21
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García-Moreno F, Kamm PH, Neu TR, Bülk F, Noack MA, Wegener M, von der Eltz N, Schlepütz CM, Stampanoni M, Banhart J. Tomoscopy: Time-Resolved Tomography for Dynamic Processes in Materials. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2104659. [PMID: 34558111 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202104659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The structure and constitution of opaque materials can be studied with X-ray imaging methods such as 3D tomography. To observe the dynamic evolution of their structure and the distribution of constituents, for example, during processing, heating, mechanical loading, etc., 3D imaging has to be fast enough. In this paper, the recent developments of time-resolved X-ray tomography that have led to what one now calls "tomoscopy" are briefly reviewed A novel setup is presented and applied that pushes temporal resolution down to just 1 ms, that is, 1000 tomograms per second (tps) are acquired, while maintaining spatial resolutions of micrometers and running experiments for minutes without interruption. Applications recorded at different acquisition rates ranging from 50 to 1000 tps are presented. The authors observe and quantify the immiscible hypermonotectic reaction of AlBi10 (in wt%) alloy and dendrite evolution in AlGe10 (in wt%) casting alloy during fast solidification. The combustion process and the evolution of the constituents are analyzed in a burning sparkler. Finally, the authors follow the structure and density of two metal foams over a long period of time and derive details of bubble formation and bubble ageing including quantitative analyses of bubble parameters with millisecond temporal resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco García-Moreno
- Institute of Applied Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, Berlin, 14109, Germany
- Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | - Paul Hans Kamm
- Institute of Applied Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, Berlin, 14109, Germany
- Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | - Tillmann Robert Neu
- Institute of Applied Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, Berlin, 14109, Germany
- Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | - Felix Bülk
- Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | - Mike Andreas Noack
- Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | - Mareike Wegener
- Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | - Nadine von der Eltz
- Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | | | - Marco Stampanoni
- Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, Forschungsstr. 111, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Gloriastrasse 35, Zürich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - John Banhart
- Institute of Applied Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, Berlin, 14109, Germany
- Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, Berlin, 10623, Germany
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22
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O. J, Kwon HJ, Cho TH, Woo SH, Rhee YH, Yang HM. Micro-computed tomography with contrast enhancement: An excellent technique for soft tissue examination in humans. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254264. [PMID: 34242334 PMCID: PMC8270403 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Manual dissection and histologic examination are commonly used to investigate human structures, but there are limitations in the damage caused to delicate structures or the provision of limited information. Micro-computed tomography (microCT) enables a three-dimensional volume-rendered observation of the sample without destruction and deformation, but it can only visualize hard tissues in general. Therefore, contrast-enhancing agents are needed to help in visualizing soft tissue. This study aimed to introduce microCT with phosphotungstic acid preparation (PTA-microCT) by applying the method to different types of human tissue. Specimens from human cadavers were used to examine the orbicularis retaining ligament (ORL), nasolabial fold (NLF), and the calcaneal tunnel of the sole. Using PTA-microCT, relevant information of human structures was identified. In the ORL study, tiny and delicate ligamentous fibers were visualized in detail with multidirectional continuity. In the NLF study, complex structural formation consisting of various types of soft tissue were investigated comprehensively. In the calcaneal tunnel study, the space surrounded by diverse features and its inner vulnerable structures were examined without damage. Consequently, we successfully applied the PTA-microCT technique to the analysis of specific human soft tissue structures that are challenging to analyze by conventional methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jehoon O.
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Jin Kwon
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Hyeon Cho
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hoon Woo
- Beckman Laser Institute Korea, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Hee Rhee
- Beckman Laser Institute Korea, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hun-Mu Yang
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Surgical Anatomy Education Centre at the Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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23
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Busse M, Marciniszyn JP, Ferstl S, Kimm MA, Pfeiffer F, Gulder T. 3D-Non-destructive Imaging through Heavy-Metal Eosin Salt Contrast Agents. Chemistry 2021; 27:4561-4566. [PMID: 33300642 PMCID: PMC7986394 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202005203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Conventional histology is a destructive technique based on the evaluation of 2D slices of a 3D biopsy. By using 3D X‐ray histology these obstacles can be overcome, but their application is still restricted due to the inherently low attenuation properties of soft tissue. In order to solve this problem, the tissue can be stained before X‐ray computed tomography imaging (CT) to enhance the soft tissue X‐ray contrast. Evaluation of brominated fluorescein salts revealed a mutual influence of the number of bromine atoms and the cations applied on the achieved contrast enhancement. The dibromo fluorescein barium salt turned out to be the ideal X‐ray contrast agent, allowing for 3D imaging and subsequent complementing counterstaining applying standard histological techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madleen Busse
- Department of Physics and Munich School of BioEngineering, Technical University Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Jaroslaw P Marciniszyn
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center (CRC), Technical University Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Simone Ferstl
- Department of Physics and Munich School of BioEngineering, Technical University Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Melanie A Kimm
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Franz Pfeiffer
- Department of Physics and Munich School of BioEngineering, Technical University Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany.,Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Tanja Gulder
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center (CRC), Technical University Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany.,Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leipzig University, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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24
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Self TS, Ginn-Hedman AM, Newell-Fugate AE, Weeks BR, Heaps CL. Iodine-based contrast staining improves micro-computed tomography of atherosclerotic coronary arteries. MethodsX 2021; 8:101297. [PMID: 34434817 PMCID: PMC8374297 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2021.101297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
We sought to develop a reversible staining protocol using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) paired with a radiopaque contrast agent that allows for three-dimensional in situ visualization and characterization of atherosclerotic plaques. Atherosclerotic porcine coronary arteries were dissected from surrounding myocardium and incubated in iohexol at various concentrations and incubation times and then imaged using direct radiography. Line profiles were generated across the artery x-ray to determine effectiveness of the radiopaque contrast agent to penetrate the tissue. Our studies revealed that, to sufficiently delineate tissue constructs, the minimum effective iohexol concentration and incubation time were 240 mgI/mL for 1 hour. Among all groups, 24 hours of de-staining brought radiopacity back to control levels. After iohexol incubation, micro-CT was performed. Our findings demonstrate that extended staining times and a minimum iohexol concentration of 240 mgI/mL are required for effective tissue perfusion, which eliminates the diffusion distribution profile inherent to the ability of the contrast agent to traverse tissue layers.•Iohexol enhances ex vivo micro-CT imaging of atherosclerotic coronary arteries•Iohexol allows for improved tissue segmentation during micro-CT image analysis•Effectiveness of iohexol penetration of the tissue was dependent on concentration and duration of incubation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor S. Self
- Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Brad R. Weeks
- Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Cristine L. Heaps
- Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Michael E. DeBakey Institute for Comparative Cardiovascular Science and Biomedical Devices, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Strotton MC, Bodey AJ, Wanelik K, Hobbs C, Rau C, Bradbury EJ. The spatiotemporal spread of cervical spinal cord contusion injury pathology revealed by 3D in-line phase contrast synchrotron X-ray microtomography. Exp Neurol 2020; 336:113529. [PMID: 33220238 PMCID: PMC7840595 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Extensive structural changes occur within the spinal cord following traumatic injury. Acute tissue debris and necrotic tissue are broken down, proliferating local glia and infiltrating leukocytes remodel tissue biochemical and biophysical properties, and a chronic cavity surrounded by a scar forms at the injury epicentre. Serial-section 2D histology has traditionally assessed these features in experimental models of spinal cord injury (SCI) to measure the extent of tissue pathology and evaluate efficacy of novel therapies. However, this 2D snapshot approach overlooks slice intervening features, with accurate representation of tissue compromised by mechanical processing artefacts. 3D imaging avoids these caveats and allows full exploration of the injured tissue volume to characterise whole tissue pathology. Amongst 3D imaging modalities, Synchrotron Radiation X-ray microtomography (SRμCT) is advantageous for its speed, ability to cover large tissue volumes at high resolution, and need for minimal sample processing. Here we demonstrate how extended lengths of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) rat spinal cord can be completely imaged by SRμCT with micron resolution. Label-free contrast derived from X-ray phase interactions with low-density soft tissues, reveals spinal cord white matter, gray matter, tissue damage and vasculature, with tissue still viable for targeted 2D-histology after 3D imaging. We used SRμCT to quantify tissue pathology after a midline, cervical level (C6), 225 kDyne contusion injury over acute-to-chronic (24 h to 5 weeks) post injury time points. Quantification revealed acute tissue swelling prior to chronic atrophy across the whole imaged region (spanning 2 spinal segments above and below injury), along with rostro-caudal asymmetries in white and gray matter volume loss. 3D volumes revealed satellite damage in tissue far removed from the epicentre, and extensive rostro-caudal spread of damage through the base of the dorsal columns at 24 h post injury. This damage overlapped regions of vasogenic oedema, confirmed with subsequent histology. Tissue damage at later time points in border regions was most prominent in the dorsal columns, where it overlapped sites of damaged venous vasculature. Elaborating rostro-caudal and spatiotemporal asymmetries in reduced traumatic injury models centred on these regions may inform future treatments that seek to limit the spread of tissue pathology to these ‘at-risk’ regions. Whole rat spinal cord SRμCT tomograms (up to 20 mm length) with μm resolution Pathology of 3 SHAM and 24 acute-to-chronic C6 midline contusion SCIs quantified Rostro-caudal asymmetries in gray and white matter pathology progression Differences in ascending and descending dorsal column tract pathology Delayed rostral-caudal pathology associated with sites of venous vasculature
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Affiliation(s)
- Merrick C Strotton
- King's College London, Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK.
| | | | | | - Carl Hobbs
- King's College London, Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK.
| | | | - Elizabeth J Bradbury
- King's College London, Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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26
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Massimi L, Meganck JA, Towns R, Olivo A, Endrizzi M. Evaluation of a compact multicontrast and multiresolution X-ray phase contrast edge illumination system for small animal imaging. Med Phys 2020; 48:376-386. [PMID: 33107980 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In this work the performance of a compact multiresolution and multicontrast x-ray phase system based on edge illumination is investigated. It has been designed for small animal imaging and with a limited footprint for ease of deployment in laboratories. METHODS The presented edge illumination system is based on a compact microfocus tungsten x-ray source combined with a flat panel detector. The source has a maximum output of 10 W when the minimum spot size of about 15 μm is used. The system has an overall length of 70 cm. A new double sample mask design, obtained by arranging both skipped and nonskipped configurations on the same structure, provides dual resolution capability. To test the system, we carried out computed tomography (CT) scans of a plastic phantom with different source settings using both single-image and multi-image acquisition schemes at different spatial resolutions. In addition, CT scans of an ex-vivo mouse specimen were acquired at the best identified working conditions to demonstrate the application of the presented system to small animal imaging. RESULTS We found this system delivers good image quality, allowing for an efficient material separation and improving detail visibility in small animals thanks to the higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of phase contrast with respect to conventional attenuation contrast. The system offers high versatility in terms of spatial resolution thanks to the double sample mask design integrated into a single scanner. The availability of both multi- and single-image acquisition schemes coupled with their dedicated retrieval algorithms, allows different working modes which can be selected based on user preference. Multi-image acquisition provides quantitative separation of the real and imaginary part of the refractive index, however, it requires a long scanning time. On the other hand, the single image approach delivers the best material separation and image quality at all the investigated source settings with a shorter scanning time but at the cost of quantitativeness. Finally, we also observed that the single image approach combined with a high-power x-ray source may result in a fast acquisition protocol compatible with in-vivo imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Massimi
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Jeffrey A Meganck
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,Research and Development, Life Sciences Technology, PerkinElmer, Hopkinton, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca Towns
- Biological Services, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Alessandro Olivo
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Marco Endrizzi
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
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Fidalgo G, Paiva K, Mendes G, Barcellos R, Colaço G, Sena G, Pickler A, Mota CL, Tromba G, Nogueira LP, Braz D, Silva HR, Colaço MV, Barroso RC. Synchrotron microtomography applied to the volumetric analysis of internal structures of Thoropa miliaris tadpoles. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18934. [PMID: 33144603 PMCID: PMC7641268 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75993-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphibians are models for studying applied ecological issues such as habitat loss, pollution, disease, and global climate change due to their sensitivity and vulnerability to changes in the environment. Developmental series of amphibians are informative about their biology, and X-ray based 3D reconstruction holds promise for quantifying morphological changes during growth—some with a direct impact on the possibility of an experimental investigation on several of the ecological topics listed above. However, 3D resolution and discrimination of their soft tissues have been difficult with traditional X-ray computed tomography, without time-consuming contrast staining. Tomographic data were initially performed (pre-processing and reconstruction) using the open-source software tool SYRMEP Tomo Project. Data processing and analysis of the reconstructed tomography volumes were conducted using the segmentation semi-automatic settings of the software Avizo Fire 8, which provide information about each investigated tissues, organs or bone elements. Hence, volumetric analyses were carried out to quantify the development of structures in different tadpole developmental stages. Our work shows that synchrotron X-ray microtomography using phase-contrast mode resolves the edges of the internal tissues (as well as overall tadpole morphology), facilitating the segmentation of the investigated tissues. Reconstruction algorithms and segmentation software played an important role in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of each target structure of the Thoropa miliaris tadpole at different stages of development, providing information on volume, shape and length. The use of the synchrotron X-ray microtomography setup of the SYRMEP beamline of Elettra Synchrotron, in phase-contrast mode, allows access to volumetric data for bone formation, eye development, nervous system and notochordal changes during the development (ontogeny) of tadpoles of a cycloramphid frog Thoropa miliaris. As key elements in the normal development of these and any other frog tadpole, the application of such a comparative ontogenetic study, may hold interest to researchers in experimental and environmental disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Fidalgo
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - K Paiva
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - G Mendes
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - R Barcellos
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - G Colaço
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - G Sena
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - A Pickler
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - C L Mota
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - G Tromba
- Elettra/Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.P.a., Trieste, Italy
| | - L P Nogueira
- Oral Research Laboratory, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - D Braz
- Nuclear Engineering Program/COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - H R Silva
- Laboratory of Herpetology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - M V Colaço
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - R C Barroso
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Self TS, Ginn-Hedman AM, Kaulfus CN, Newell-Fugate AE, Weeks BR, Heaps CL. Iodine-enhanced micro-computed tomography of atherosclerotic plaque morphology complements conventional histology. Atherosclerosis 2020; 313:43-49. [PMID: 33022583 PMCID: PMC7655693 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2020.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Visualization of arterial lesions in situ can enhance understanding of atherosclerosis progression and potentially improve experimental therapies. Conventional histology methods for assessing atherosclerotic lesions are robust but are destructive and may prevent further tissue analysis. The objective of the current study was to evaluate a novel, nondestructive method for visualization and characterization of atherosclerotic lesions as an alternative or complementary to routine histology. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) paired with an iodine-based radiopaque stain would effectively characterize atherosclerotic plaques in a manner comparable to routine histology while maintaining sample integrity and providing whole-volume data. METHODS We examined porcine coronary arteries with varying degrees of atherosclerosis, using micro-CT in the absence and presence of iohexol (240 mgI/ml). Following iohexol washout, routine histological assessment of the samples was performed with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome. RESULTS Iohexol staining generated soft tissue delineation and subsequent atherosclerotic plaque assessment via augmented radiopacity, permitting three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of these lesions, maintaining in situ architecture. Although plaque distribution and arterial wall tissue layers were discernible, micro-CT was incapable of discriminating cell types comprising the plaque. Calcium phosphate deposition was readily located and visualized in 3D space, independent of iohexol. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study establish micro-CT, combined with a diffusible radiopaque contrast agent, as a powerful imaging modality for visualizing in situ architecture of atherosclerotic plaques. Our findings demonstrate that micro-CT can be used to identify plaque distribution and calcium deposition complementary to routine histological analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor S Self
- Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Annie E Newell-Fugate
- Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Brad R Weeks
- Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Cristine L Heaps
- Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Michael E. DeBakey Institute for Comparative Cardiovascular Science and Biomedical Devices, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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Ruf M, Steeb H. An open, modular, and flexible micro X-ray computed tomography system for research. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2020; 91:113102. [PMID: 33261434 DOI: 10.1063/5.0019541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, a modular and open micro X-ray Computed Tomography (μXRCT) system is presented, which was set up during the last years at the Institute of Applied Mechanics (CE) of the University of Stuttgart and earlier at the Institute of Computational Engineering of Ruhr-University Bochum. The system is characterized by its intrinsic flexibility resulting from the modular and open design on each level and the opportunity to implement advanced experimental in situ setups. On the one hand, the presented work is intended to support researchers interested in setting up an experimental XRCT system for the microstructural characterization of materials. On the other hand, it aims to support scientists confronted with the decision to set up a system on their own or to buy a commercial scanner. In addition to the presentation of the various hardware components and the applied modular software concept, the technical opportunities of the open and modular hard- and software design are demonstrated by implementing a simple and reliable method for the compensation of bad detector pixels to enhance the raw data quality of the projections. A detailed investigation of the performance of the presented system with regard to the achievable spatial resolution is presented. XRCT datasets of three different applications are finally shown and discussed, demonstrating the wide scope of options of the presented system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Ruf
- University of Stuttgart, Institute of Applied Mechanics (CE), Pfaffenwaldring 7, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Holger Steeb
- University of Stuttgart, Institute of Applied Mechanics (CE), Pfaffenwaldring 7, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany
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30
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Fiorentino G, Parrilli A, Garagna S, Zuccotti M. Three-Dimensional Micro-Computed Tomography of the Adult Mouse Ovary. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:566152. [PMID: 33195196 PMCID: PMC7604317 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.566152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mouse ovary, folliculogenesis proceeds through eight main growth stages, from small primordial type 1 (T1) to fully grown antral T8 follicles. Most of our understanding of this process was obtained with approaches that disrupted the ovary three-dimensional (3D) integrity. Micro-Computed Tomography (microCT) allows the maintenance of the organ structure and a true in-silico 3D reconstruction, with cubic voxels and isotropic resolution, giving a precise spatial mapping of its functional units. Here, we developed a robust method that, by combining an optimized contrast procedure with microCT imaging of the tiny adult mouse ovary, allowed 3D mapping and counting of follicles, from pre-antral secondary T4 (53.2 ± 12.7 μm in diameter) to antral T8 (321.0 ± 21.3 μm) and corpora lutea, together with the major vasculature branches. Primordial and primary follicles (T1–T3) could not be observed. Our procedure highlighted, with unprecedent details, the main functional compartments of the growing follicle: granulosa, antrum, cumulus cells, zona pellucida, and oocyte with its nucleus. The results describe a homogeneous distribution of all follicle types between the ovary dorsal and ventral regions. Also, they show that each of the eight sectors, virtually segmented along the dorsal-ventral axis, houses an equal number of each follicle type. Altogether, these data suggest that follicle recruitment is homogeneously distributed all-over the ovarian surface. This topographic reconstruction builds sound bases for modeling follicles position and, prospectively, could contribute to our understanding of folliculogenesis dynamics, not only under normal conditions, but, importantly, during aging, in the presence of pathologies or after hormones or drugs administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Fiorentino
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Center for Health Technologies, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Annapaola Parrilli
- Center for X-ray Analytics, Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Garagna
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Center for Health Technologies, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zuccotti
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Center for Health Technologies, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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31
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Ondruš J, Hubatka F, Kulich P, Odehnalová N, Harabiš V, Hesko B, Sychra O, Široký P, Turánek J, Novobilský A. A novel approach to imaging engorged ticks: Micro-CT scanning of Ixodes ricinus fed on blood enriched with gold nanoparticles. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101559. [PMID: 33137638 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is an exceptional imaging modality which is limited in visualizing soft biological tissues that need pre-examination contrasting steps, which can cause serious deformation to sizeable specimens like engorged ticks. The aim of this study was to develop a new technique to bypass these limitations and allow the imaging of fed ticks in their natural state. To accomplish this, adult Ixodes ricinus females were allowed to engorge in vitro on blood supplemented with PEGylated gold nanoparticles (PEG-AuNPs). In total, 73/120 females divided into 6 groups engorged on blood enriched with 0.07-2.16 mg PEG-AuNPs per ml of blood. No toxic effect was observed for any of the tested groups compared to the control group, in which 12/20 females engorged on clear blood. The ticks were scanned on a Bruker micro-CT SkyScan 1276. The mean radiodensity of the examined ticks exceeded 0 Hounsfield Units only in the case of the two groups with the highest concentration. The best contrast was observed in ticks engorged on blood with the highest tested concentration of 2.16 mg/mL PEG-AuNPs. In these ticks, the midgut and rectal sac were clearly visible. Also, the midgut lumen volume was computed from segmented image data. The reduction in midgut volume was documented during the egg development process. According to this pilot study, micro-CT of ticks engorged on blood supplemented with contrasting agents in vitro may reveal additional information regarding the engorged ticks' anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Ondruš
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - František Hubatka
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Kulich
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Odehnalová
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vratislav Harabiš
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Brno University of Technology, 616 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Branislav Hesko
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Brno University of Technology, 616 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Oldřich Sychra
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Široký
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Turánek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Novobilský
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
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diceCT: A Valuable Technique to Study the Nervous System of Fish. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0076-20.2020. [PMID: 32471849 PMCID: PMC7642124 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0076-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Contrast-enhanced X-ray imaging provides a non-destructive and flexible approach to optimizing contrast in soft tissues, especially when incorporated with Lugol's solution (aqueous I2KI), a technique currently referred to as diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT). This stain exhibits high rates of penetration and results in excellent contrast between and within soft tissues, including the central nervous system. Here, we present a staining method for optimizing contrast in the brain of a cartilaginous fish, the brownbanded bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum, and a bony fish, the common goldfish, Carassius auratus, using diceCT. The aim of this optimization procedure is to provide suitable contrast between neural tissue and background tissue(s) of the head, thereby facilitating digital segmentation and volumetric analysis of the central nervous system. Both species were scanned before staining and were rescanned at time (T) intervals, either every 48 h (C. punctatum) or every 24 h (C. auratus), to assess stain penetration and contrast enhancement. To compare stain intensities, raw X-ray CT data were reconstructed using air and water calibration phantoms that were scanned under identical conditions to the samples. Optimal contrast across the brain was achieved at T = 240 h for C. punctatum and T = 96 h for C. auratus Higher resolution scans of the whole brain were obtained at the two optimized staining times for all the corresponding specimens. The use of diceCT provides a new and valuable tool for visualizing differences in the anatomic organization of both the central and peripheral nervous systems of fish.
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X-ray microtomography is a novel method for accurate evaluation of small-bowel mucosal morphology and surface area. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13164. [PMID: 32753621 PMCID: PMC7403326 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69487-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The often poorly orientated small-bowel mucosal biopsies taken for the diagnostics of celiac disease and other intestinal disorders are prone to misinterpretation. Furthermore, conventional histopathology has suboptimal sensitivity for early histopathological changes observed in short-term challenge studies. X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) is a promising new method for accurate imaging of human-derived biological samples. Here, we report that micro-CT could be utilized to create virtual reconstructions of endoscopically obtained intestinal biopsies. The formed digital 3D images enabled selection of always optimal cutting angles for accurate measurement of the mucosal damage and revealed diagnostic lesions in cases interpreted as normal with conventional histomorphometry. We also demonstrate that computer-assisted point cloud analysis can be used to calculate biologically meaningful surface areas of the biopsies in different stages of mucosal damage with excellent replicability and correlation with other disease parameters. We expect the improved diagnostic accuracy and capability to measure the surface areas to provide a powerful tool for the diagnostics of intestinal diseases and for future clinical and pharmaceutical trials.
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Lee D, Kim J, Song E, Jeong JY, Jeon EC, Kim P, Lee W. Micromirror-Embedded Coverslip Assembly for Bidirectional Microscopic Imaging. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:mi11060582. [PMID: 32532128 PMCID: PMC7345240 DOI: 10.3390/mi11060582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
3D imaging of a biological sample provides information about cellular and subcellular structures that are important in cell biology and related diseases. However, most 3D imaging systems, such as confocal and tomographic microscopy systems, are complex and expensive. Here, we developed a quasi-3D imaging tool that is compatible with most conventional microscopes by integrating micromirrors and microchannel structures on coverslips to provide bidirectional imaging. Microfabricated micromirrors had a precisely 45° reflection angle and optically clean reflective surfaces with high reflectance over 95%. The micromirrors were embedded on coverslips that could be assembled as a microchannel structure. We demonstrated that this simple disposable device allows a conventional microscope to perform bidirectional imaging with simple control of a focal plane. Images of microbeads and cells under bright-field and fluorescent microscopy show that the device can provide a quick analysis of 3D information, such as 3D positions and subcellular structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongwoo Lee
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea; (D.L.); (J.K.); (E.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Jihye Kim
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea; (D.L.); (J.K.); (E.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Eunjoo Song
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea; (D.L.); (J.K.); (E.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Ji-Young Jeong
- Department of Nano Manufacturing Technology, Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM), Daejeon 34103, Korea;
| | - Eun-chae Jeon
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44776, Korea;
| | - Pilhan Kim
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea; (D.L.); (J.K.); (E.S.); (P.K.)
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Wonhee Lee
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea; (D.L.); (J.K.); (E.S.); (P.K.)
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Correspondence:
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35
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Eberspächer-Schweda MC, Schmitt K, Handschuh S, Fuchs-Baumgartinger A, Reiter AM. Diagnostic Yield of Micro-Computed Tomography (micro-CT) Versus Histopathology of a Canine Oral Fibrosarcoma. J Vet Dent 2020; 37:14-21. [PMID: 32484022 DOI: 10.1177/0898756420926519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging currently gains increased interest in human as well as veterinary medicine. The ability to image 3-dimensional (3D) biopsy specimens nondestructively down to 1 µm spatial resolution makes it a promising tool for microscopic tissue evaluation in addition to histopathology. Visualizing tumor margins and calculating tumor load on 3D reconstructions may also enhance oncological therapies. The objective of this study was to describe the workflow from tumor resection to histopathological diagnosis, using both routine hematoxylin-eosin (HE)-stained sections and micro-CT tomograms on a stage II oral fibrosarcoma in a 7-year-old Hovawart dog. The maxillectomy specimen was fixed with formalin and stained with an X-ray dense soft tissue contrast agent. Micro-CT imaging was done using an ex vivo specimen micro-CT device. Tumor margins could not be exactly determined on micro-CT tomograms due to limited image resolution and contrast. Histopathology was performed after washing out the contrast agent. It showed neoplastic cells infiltrating the surrounding tissue further than assumed from micro-CT images. A total tumor volume of 10.3 cm3 could be calculated based on correlating micro-CT tomograms with HE-stained sections. This correlative approach may be of particular interest for oncological therapy. More than that, micro-CT imaging technology supported histopathology by means of 3D orientation and selection of slices to be cut on determining tumor margins. In this clinical case report, micro-CT imaging did not provide unambiguous clinical evidence for oncological decision-making, but it showed potential to support histopathology and calculate tumor volume for further clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias C Eberspächer-Schweda
- Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service, Clinic of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kira Schmitt
- Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service, Clinic of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Handschuh
- VetCore Facility for Research Imaging Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Alexander M Reiter
- Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service, Section of Surgery, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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36
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Gabner S, Böck P, Fink D, Glösmann M, Handschuh S. The visible skeleton 2.0: phenotyping of cartilage and bone in fixed vertebrate embryos and foetuses based on X-ray microCT. Development 2020; 147:dev187633. [PMID: 32439754 DOI: 10.1242/dev.187633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
For decades, clearing and staining with Alcian Blue and Alizarin Red has been the gold standard to image vertebrate skeletal development. Here, we present an alternate approach to visualise bone and cartilage based on X-ray microCT imaging, which allows the collection of genuine 3D data of the entire developing skeleton at micron resolution. Our novel protocol is based on ethanol fixation and staining with Ruthenium Red, and efficiently contrasts cartilage matrix, as demonstrated in whole E16.5 mouse foetuses and limbs of E14 chicken embryos. Bone mineral is well preserved during staining, thus the entire embryonic skeleton can be imaged at high contrast. Differences in X-ray attenuation of ruthenium and calcium enable the spectral separation of cartilage matrix and bone by dual energy microCT (microDECT). Clearing of specimens is not required. The protocol is simple and reproducible. We demonstrate that cartilage contrast in E16.5 mouse foetuses is adequate for fast visual phenotyping. Morphometric skeletal parameters are easily extracted. We consider the presented workflow to be a powerful and versatile extension to the toolkit currently available for qualitative and quantitative phenotyping of vertebrate skeletal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Gabner
- Histology and Embryology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Böck
- Histology and Embryology, Department for Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dieter Fink
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Glösmann
- VetCore Facility for Research/Imaging Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Handschuh
- VetCore Facility for Research/Imaging Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
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37
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Bukreeva I, Asadchikov V, Buzmakov A, Chukalina M, Ingacheva A, Korolev NA, Bravin A, Mittone A, Biella GEM, Sierra A, Brun F, Massimi L, Fratini M, Cedola A. High resolution 3D visualization of the spinal cord in a post-mortem murine model. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 11:2235-2253. [PMID: 32341880 PMCID: PMC7173906 DOI: 10.1364/boe.386837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
A crucial issue in the development of therapies to treat pathologies of the central nervous system is represented by the availability of non-invasive methods to study the three-dimensional morphology of spinal cord, with a resolution able to characterize its complex vascular and neuronal organization. X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography enables a high-quality, 3D visualization of both the vascular and neuronal network simultaneously without the need of contrast agents, destructive sample preparations or sectioning. Until now, high resolution investigations of the post-mortem spinal cord in murine models have mostly been performed in spinal cords removed from the spinal canal. We present here post-mortem phase contrast micro-tomography images reconstructed using advanced computational tools to obtain high-resolution and high-contrast 3D images of the fixed spinal cord without removing the bones and preserving the richness of micro-details available when measuring exposed spinal cords. We believe that it represents a significant step toward the in-vivo application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Bukreeva
- Institute of Nanotechnology- CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Italy
- P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute, RAS, Leninsky pr., 53, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor Asadchikov
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS, Leninsky prosp., 59, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey Buzmakov
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS, Leninsky prosp., 59, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina Chukalina
- Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS, Leninsky prosp., 59, Moscow, Russia
- Intitute for Information Transmission Problems RAS, Bolshoi Karetny per, 9, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasya Ingacheva
- Intitute for Information Transmission Problems RAS, Bolshoi Karetny per, 9, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolay A. Korolev
- National Research Nuclear University /Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, Kashirskoye Highway, 31 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alberto Bravin
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble, France
| | - Alberto Mittone
- CELLS - ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, Carrer de la Llum, 2-26, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Alejandra Sierra
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Francesco Brun
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via A. Valerio, 6/1 Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Massimi
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Michela Fratini
- Institute of Nanotechnology- CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Italy
- Fondazione Santa Lucia I.R.C.C.S., Via Ardeatina 306, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessia Cedola
- Institute of Nanotechnology- CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Italy
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38
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Itokawa M, Oshima K, Arai M, Torii Y, Kushima I, Iritani S, Ozaki N, Saiga R, Mizutani R. Cutting-edge morphological studies of post-mortem brains of patients with schizophrenia and potential applications of X-ray nanotomography (nano-CT). Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020; 74:176-182. [PMID: 31725933 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Kraepelin expected that the neuropathological hallmark of schizophrenia would be identified when he proposed the concept of dementia praecox 120 years ago. Although a variety of neuropathological findings have been reported since then, a consensus regarding the pathology of schizophrenia has not been established. The discrepancies have mainly been ascribed to limitations in the disease definition of schizophrenia that accompanies etiological heterogeneity and to the incompleteness of the visualization methodology and technology for biochemical analyses. However, macroscopic structural changes in the schizophrenia brain, such as volumetric changes of brain regions, must entail structural changes to cells composing the brain. This paper overviews neuropathology of schizophrenia and also summarizes recent application of synchrotron radiation nanotomography (nano-CT) to schizophrenia brain tissues. Geometric parameters of neurites determined from the 3-D nano-CT images of brain tissues indicated that the curvature of neurites in schizophrenia cases is significantly higher than that of controls. The schizophrenia case with the highest curvature carried a frameshift mutation in the glyoxalase 1 gene and exhibited treatment resistance. Controversies in the neuropathology of schizophrenia are mainly due to the difficulty in reproducing histological findings reported for schizophrenia. Nano-CT visualization using synchrotron radiation and subsequent geometric analysis should shed light on this long-standing question about the neuropathology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanari Itokawa
- Schizophrenia Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenichi Oshima
- Schizophrenia Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Arai
- Schizophrenia Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yota Torii
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Itaru Kushima
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Medical Genomics Center, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shuji Iritani
- Department of Psychiatry, Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Rino Saiga
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Japan
| | - Ryuta Mizutani
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Japan
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Dębski T, Kurzyk A, Ostrowska B, Wysocki J, Jaroszewicz J, Święszkowski W, Pojda Z. Scaffold vascularization method using an adipose-derived stem cell (ASC)-seeded scaffold prefabricated with a flow-through pedicle. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:34. [PMID: 31973733 PMCID: PMC6979360 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1535-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Vascularization is important for the clinical application of tissue engineered products. Both adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and surgical prefabrication can be used to induce angiogenesis in scaffolds. Our aim was to compare the angiogenic potential of ASC-seeded scaffolds combined with scaffold prefabrication with that of non-seeded, non-prefabricated scaffolds. Methods For prefabrication, functional blood vessels were introduced into the scaffold using a flow-through pedicle system. ASCs were isolated from rat fat deposits. Three-dimensional-printed cylindrical poly-ε-caprolactone scaffolds were fabricated by fused deposition modelling. Three groups, each containing six rats, were investigated by using non-seeded, ASC-seeded, and osteogenic induced ASC-seeded scaffolds. In each group, one rat was implanted with two scaffolds in the inguinal region. On the right side, a scaffold was implanted subcutaneously around the inferior epigastric vessels (classic prefabrication group). On the left side, the inferior epigastric vessels were placed inside the prefabricated scaffold in the flow-through pedicle system (flow-through prefabrication group). The vessel density and vascular architecture were examined histopathologically and by μCT imaging, respectively, at 2 months after implantation. Results The mean vessel densities were 10- and 5-fold higher in the ASC-seeded and osteogenic induced ASC-seeded scaffolds with flow-through prefabrication, respectively, than in the non-seeded classic prefabricated group (p < 0.001). μCT imaging revealed functional vessels within the scaffold. Conclusion ASC-seeded scaffolds with prefabrication showed significantly improved scaffold vasculogenesis and could be useful for application to tissue engineering products in the clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Dębski
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Maria Sklodowska Curie Institute - Oncology Center, Roentgena 5, 02-781, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Agata Kurzyk
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Maria Sklodowska Curie Institute - Oncology Center, Roentgena 5, 02-781, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Ostrowska
- Materials Design Division, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Woloska 141, 02-507, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Juliusz Wysocki
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Maria Sklodowska Curie Institute - Oncology Center, Roentgena 5, 02-781, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jakub Jaroszewicz
- Materials Design Division, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Woloska 141, 02-507, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Święszkowski
- Materials Design Division, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Woloska 141, 02-507, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zygmunt Pojda
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Maria Sklodowska Curie Institute - Oncology Center, Roentgena 5, 02-781, Warsaw, Poland
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40
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Bhartiya A, Madi K, Disney CM, Courtois L, Jupe A, Zhang F, Bodey AJ, Lee P, Rau C, Robinson IK, Yusuf M. Phase-contrast 3D tomography of HeLa cells grown in PLLA polymer electrospun scaffolds using synchrotron X-rays. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2020; 27:158-163. [PMID: 31868748 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577519015583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Advanced imaging is useful for understanding the three-dimensional (3D) growth of cells. X-ray tomography serves as a powerful noninvasive, nondestructive technique that can fulfill these purposes by providing information about cell growth within 3D platforms. There are a limited number of studies taking advantage of synchrotron X-rays, which provides a large field of view and suitable resolution to image cells within specific biomaterials. In this study, X-ray synchrotron radiation microtomography at Diamond Light Source and advanced image processing were used to investigate cellular infiltration of HeLa cells within poly L-lactide (PLLA) scaffolds. This study demonstrates that synchrotron X-rays using phase contrast is a useful method to understand the 3D growth of cells in PLLA electrospun scaffolds. Two different fiber diameter (2 and 4 µm) scaffolds with different pore sizes, grown over 2, 5 and 8 days in vitro, were examined for infiltration and cell connectivity. After performing visualization by segmentation of the cells from the fibers, the results clearly show deeper cell growth and higher cellular interconnectivity in the 4 µm fiber diameter scaffold. This indicates the potential for using such 3D technology to study cell-scaffold interactions for future medical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bhartiya
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London WC1H 0AH, UK
| | - K Madi
- 3DMagination Ltd, Atlas Building, Fermi Avenue, Harwell, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
| | - C M Disney
- School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - L Courtois
- 3DMagination Ltd, Atlas Building, Fermi Avenue, Harwell, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
| | - A Jupe
- Department of Applied Computing, The University of Buckingham, UK
| | - F Zhang
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London WC1H 0AH, UK
| | - A J Bodey
- Diamond Light Source, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, UK
| | - P Lee
- Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - C Rau
- Diamond Light Source, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, UK
| | - I K Robinson
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London WC1H 0AH, UK
| | - M Yusuf
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London WC1H 0AH, UK
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41
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Clark JN, Garbout A, Ferreira SA, Javaheri B, Pitsillides AA, Rankin SM, Jeffers JRT, Hansen U. Propagation phase-contrast micro-computed tomography allows laboratory-based three-dimensional imaging of articular cartilage down to the cellular level. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2020; 28:102-111. [PMID: 31678663 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE High-resolution non-invasive three-dimensional (3D) imaging of chondrocytes in articular cartilage remains elusive. The aim of this study was to explore whether laboratory micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) permits imaging cells within articular cartilage. DESIGN Bovine osteochondral plugs were prepared four ways: in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or 70% ethanol (EtOH), both with or without phosphotungstic acid (PTA) staining. Specimens were imaged with micro-CT following two protocols: 1) absorption contrast (AC) imaging 2) propagation phase-contrast (PPC) imaging. All samples were scanned in liquid. The contrast to noise ratio (C/N) of cellular features quantified scan quality and were statistically analysed. Cellular features resolved by micro-CT were validated by standard histology. RESULTS The highest quality images were obtained using propagation phase-contrast imaging and PTA-staining in 70% EtOH. Cellular features were also visualised when stained in PBS and unstained in EtOH. Under all conditions PPC resulted in greater contrast than AC (p < 0.0001 to p = 0.038). Simultaneous imaging of cartilage and subchondral bone did not impede image quality. Corresponding features were located in both histology and micro-CT and followed the same distribution with similar density and roundness values. CONCLUSIONS Three-dimensional visualisation and quantification of the chondrocyte population within articular cartilage can be achieved across a field of view of several millimetres using laboratory-based micro-CT. The ability to map chondrocytes in 3D opens possibilities for research in fields from skeletal development through to medical device design and treatment of cartilage degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Clark
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - A Garbout
- Imaging and Analysis Centre, Natural History Museum London, London, UK.
| | - S A Ferreira
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - B Javaheri
- Skeletal Biology Group, Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, UK.
| | - A A Pitsillides
- Skeletal Biology Group, Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, UK.
| | - S M Rankin
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - J R T Jeffers
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - U Hansen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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42
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Ortega-Gil A, Vaquero JJ, Gonzalez-Arjona M, Rullas J, Muñoz-Barrutia A. X-ray-based virtual slicing of TB-infected lungs. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19404. [PMID: 31852973 PMCID: PMC6920455 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55986-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hollow organs such as the lungs pose a considerable challenge for post-mortem imaging in preclinical research owing to their extremely low contrast and high structural complexity. The aim of our study was to enhance the contrast of tuberculosis lesions for their stratification by 3D x-ray-based virtual slicing. Organ samples were taken from five control and five tuberculosis-infected mice. Micro-Computed Tomography (CT) scans of the subjects were acquired in vivo (without contrast agent) and post-mortem (with contrast agent). The proposed contrast-enhancing technique consists of x-ray contrast agent uptake (silver nitrate and iodine) by immersion. To create the histology ground-truth, the CT scan of the paraffin block guided the sectioning towards specific planes of interest. The digitalized histological slides reveal the presence, extent, and appearance of the contrast agents in lung structures and organized aggregates of immune cells. These findings correlate with the contrast-enhanced micro-CT slice. The abnormal densities in the lungs due to tuberculosis disease are concentrated in the right tail of the lung intensity histograms. The increase in the width of the right tail (~376%) indicates a contrast enhancement of the details of the abnormal densities. Postmortem contrast agents enhance the x-ray attenuation in tuberculosis lesions to allow 3D visualization by polychromatic x-ray CT, providing an advantageous tool for virtual slicing of whole lungs. The proposed contrast-enhancing technique combined with computational methods and the diverse micro-CT modalities will open the doors to the stratification of lesion types associated with infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ortega-Gil
- Departamento de Bioingeniería e Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Diseases of the Developing World, Infectious Diseases-Centre for Excellence in Drug Discovery (ID CEDD), GlaxoSmithKline, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan José Vaquero
- Departamento de Bioingeniería e Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Joaquín Rullas
- Diseases of the Developing World, Infectious Diseases-Centre for Excellence in Drug Discovery (ID CEDD), GlaxoSmithKline, Madrid, Spain
| | - Arrate Muñoz-Barrutia
- Departamento de Bioingeniería e Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain.
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Bani Hassan E, Ghasem-Zadeh A, Imani M, Kutaiba N, Wright DK, Sepehrizadeh T, Duque G. Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue Quantification by Imaging. Curr Osteoporos Rep 2019; 17:416-428. [PMID: 31713178 DOI: 10.1007/s11914-019-00539-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The significance and roles of marrow adipose tissue (MAT) are increasingly known, and it is no more considered a passive fat storage but a tissue with significant paracrine and endocrine activities that can cause lipotoxicity and inflammation. RECENT FINDINGS Changes in the MAT volume and fatty acid composition appear to drive bone and hematopoietic marrow deterioration, and studying it may open new horizons to predict bone fragility and anemia development. MAT has the potential to negatively impact bone volume and strength through several mechanisms that are partially described by inflammaging and lipotoxicity terminology. Evidence indicates paramount importance of MAT in age-associated decline of bone and red marrow structure and function. Currently, MAT measurement is being tested and validated by several techniques. However, purpose-specific adaptation of existing imaging technologies and, more importantly, development of new modalities to quantitatively measure MAT are yet to be done.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebrahim Bani Hassan
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), The University of Melbourne and Western Health, St. Albans, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine-Western Health, The University of Melbourne, St. Albans, VIC, Australia
| | - Ali Ghasem-Zadeh
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), The University of Melbourne and Western Health, St. Albans, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine and Endocrinology, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mahdi Imani
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), The University of Melbourne and Western Health, St. Albans, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine-Western Health, The University of Melbourne, St. Albans, VIC, Australia
| | - Numan Kutaiba
- Austin Health, Department of Radiology, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - David K Wright
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tara Sepehrizadeh
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Gustavo Duque
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), The University of Melbourne and Western Health, St. Albans, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Medicine-Western Health, The University of Melbourne, St. Albans, VIC, Australia.
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Lesciotto KM, Motch Perrine SM, Kawasaki M, Stecko T, Ryan TM, Kawasaki K, Richtsmeier JT. Phosphotungstic acid-enhanced microCT: Optimized protocols for embryonic and early postnatal mice. Dev Dyn 2019; 249:573-585. [PMID: 31736206 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the need for descriptive and increasingly mechanistic morphological analyses, contrast-enhanced microcomputed tomography (microCT) represents perhaps the best method for visualizing 3D biological soft tissues in situ. Although staining protocols using phosphotungstic acid (PTA) have been published with beautiful visualizations of soft tissue structures, these protocols are often aimed at highly specific research questions and are applicable to a limited set of model organisms, specimen ages, or tissue types. We provide detailed protocols for micro-level visualization of soft tissue structures in mice at several embryonic and early postnatal ages using PTA-enhanced microCT. RESULTS Our protocols produce microCT scans that enable visualization and quantitative analyses of whole organisms, individual tissues, and organ systems while preserving 3D morphology and relationships with surrounding structures, with minimal soft tissue shrinkage. Of particular note, both internal and external features of the murine heart, lungs, and liver, as well as embryonic cartilage, are captured at high resolution. CONCLUSION These protocols have broad applicability to mouse models for a variety of diseases and conditions. Minor experimentation in the staining duration can expand this protocol to additional age groups, permitting ontogenetic studies of internal organs and soft tissue structures within their 3D in situ position.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate M Lesciotto
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Susan M Motch Perrine
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Mizuho Kawasaki
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Timothy Stecko
- Center for Quantitative Imaging, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Timothy M Ryan
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Kazuhiko Kawasaki
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Joan T Richtsmeier
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
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Yapuncich GS, Kemp AD, Griffith DM, Gladman JT, Ehmke E, Boyer DM. A digital collection of rare and endangered lemurs and other primates from the Duke Lemur Center. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219411. [PMID: 31770383 PMCID: PMC6879151 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Scientific study of lemurs, a group of primates found only on Madagascar, is crucial for understanding primate evolution. Unfortunately, lemurs are among the most endangered animals in the world, so there is a strong impetus to maximize as much scientific data as possible from available physical specimens. MicroCT scanning efforts at Duke University have resulted in scans of more than 100 strepsirrhine cadavers representing 18 species from the Duke Lemur Center. An error study of the microCT scanner recovered less than 0.3% error at multiple resolution levels. Scans include specimen overviews and focused, high-resolution selections of complex anatomical regions (e.g., cranium, hands, feet). Scans have been uploaded to MorphoSource, an online digital repository for 3D data. As captive (but free ranging) individuals, these specimens have a wealth of associated information that is largely unavailable for wild populations, including detailed life history data. This digital collection maximizes the information obtained from rare and endangered animals with minimal degradation of the original specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel S. Yapuncich
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Addison D. Kemp
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Anthropology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Darbi M. Griffith
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Justin T. Gladman
- Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility (SMIF), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Erin Ehmke
- Duke Lemur Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Doug M. Boyer
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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Dias CSB, Neto DPA, Baraldi GL, Fonseca MDC. Comparative analysis of sample preparation protocols of soft biological tissues for morphometric studies using synchrotron-based X-ray microtomography. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2019; 26:2013-2023. [PMID: 31721746 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577519011299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The spread of microtomography as a tool for visualization of soft tissues has had a significant impact on a better understanding of complex biological systems. This technique allows a detailed three-dimensional quantitative view of the specimen to be obtained, correlating its morphological organization with its function, providing valuable insights on the functionality of the tissue. Regularly overlooked, but of great importance, proper sample mounting and preparation are fundamental for achieving the highest possible image quality even for the high-resolution imaging systems currently under development. Here, a quantitative analysis compares some of the most common sample-mounting strategies used for synchrotron-based X-ray microtomography of soft tissues: alcoholic-immersion, paraffin-embedding and critical-point drying. These three distinct sample-mounting strategies were performed on the same specimen in order to investigate their impact on sample morphology regardless of individual sample variation. In that sense, the alcoholic-immersion strategy, although causing less shrinkage to the tissue, proved to be the most unsuitable approach for a high-throughput high-resolution imaging experiment due to sample drifting. Also, critical-point drying may present some interesting advantages regarding image quality but is also incompatible with a high-throughput experiment. Lastly, paraffin-embedding is shown to be the most suitable strategy for current soft tissue microtomography experiments. Such detailed analysis of biological sample-mounting strategies for synchrotron-based X-ray microtomography are expected to offer valuable insights on the best approach for using this technique for 3D imaging of soft tissues and following morphometric analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Sato Baraldi Dias
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Giuseppe Maximo Scolfaro 10000, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Dionísio Pedro Amorim Neto
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Giuseppe Maximo Scolfaro 10000, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Giovanni Lenzi Baraldi
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Giuseppe Maximo Scolfaro 10000, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Matheus de Castro Fonseca
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Giuseppe Maximo Scolfaro 10000, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
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Sakurai Y, Ikeda Y. Development of a contrast-enhanced micro computed tomography protocol for the oval squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana) brain. Microsc Res Tech 2019; 82:1941-1952. [PMID: 31411804 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Coleoid cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish, and octopus) have a well-developed and complex central nervous system. Its absolute size is the largest among invertebrates, and the brain-to-body mass ratio is larger than that of fish and reptiles and equivalent to that of birds and mammals. Although a number of histological studies have been conducted on the brains of cephalopods, most of them used a light microscope or an electron microscope, which show the microstructure of the brain, but often cannot image the whole brain instantaneously. Of late, micro computed tomography (CT) has gained popularity for imaging animal brains because it allows for noninvasive three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and preprocessing that are not cumbersome. To perform micro-CT on cephalopod brains, we first tested conditions suitable for preprocessing, paying special attention to staining conditions that would provide high contrast images. Four agents, iodine in 99.5% ethanol, iodine potassium iodide in water (IKI), phosphotungstic acid in 70% ethanol, and nonionic iodinated contrast agent in water, were tested at various concentrations and durations on brain of juvenile oval squid. To evaluate the quality of staining, we calculated the contrast ratio of the two-dimensional (2D) images and compared 3D segmentation of the best and worst 2D images. We concluded that 3% IKI staining for 7 days was the best combination to enhance the images contrast of the oval squid brain, in which each brain lobe was clearly detected and 3D segmentation of the whole brain was possible. The wider applicability of this preprocessing method for micro-CT of the brains of other cephalopods is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuma Sakurai
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Ikeda
- Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Marine Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
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48
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Katsamenis OL, Olding M, Warner JA, Chatelet DS, Jones MG, Sgalla G, Smit B, Larkin OJ, Haig I, Richeldi L, Sinclair I, Lackie PM, Schneider P. X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography for Nondestructive Three-Dimensional (3D) X-ray Histology. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2019; 189:1608-1620. [PMID: 31125553 PMCID: PMC6680277 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Historically, micro-computed tomography (μCT) has been considered unsuitable for histologic analysis of unstained formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded soft tissue biopsy specimens because of a lack of image contrast between the tissue and the paraffin. However, we recently demonstrated that μCT can successfully resolve microstructural detail in routinely prepared tissue specimens. Herein, we illustrate how μCT imaging of standard formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens can be seamlessly integrated into conventional histology workflows, enabling nondestructive three-dimensional (3D) X-ray histology, the use and benefits of which we showcase for the exemplar of human lung biopsy specimens. This technology advancement was achieved through manufacturing a first-of-kind μCT scanner for X-ray histology and developing optimized imaging protocols, which do not require any additional sample preparation. 3D X-ray histology allows for nondestructive 3D imaging of tissue microstructure, resolving structural connectivity and heterogeneity of complex tissue networks, such as the vascular network or the respiratory tract. We also demonstrate that 3D X-ray histology can yield consistent and reproducible image quality, enabling quantitative assessment of a tissue's 3D microstructures, which is inaccessible to conventional two-dimensional histology. Being nondestructive, the technique does not interfere with histology workflows, permitting subsequent tissue characterization by means of conventional light microscopy-based histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. 3D X-ray histology can be readily applied to a plethora of archival materials, yielding unprecedented opportunities in diagnosis and research of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orestis L Katsamenis
- μ-VIS X-ray Imaging Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
| | - Michael Olding
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Jane A Warner
- School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - David S Chatelet
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Mark G Jones
- School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Respiratory Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Giacomo Sgalla
- National Institute for Health Research Respiratory Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Bennie Smit
- Nikon X-Tek Systems Ltd., Tring, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ian Haig
- Nikon X-Tek Systems Ltd., Tring, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Richeldi
- National Institute for Health Research Respiratory Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Sinclair
- μ-VIS X-ray Imaging Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Engineering Materials Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Peter M Lackie
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Philipp Schneider
- μ-VIS X-ray Imaging Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Bioengineering Science Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
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49
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Friedrichsdorf SP, Arana-Chavez VE, Cattaneo PM, Spin-Neto R, Dominguez GC. Effect of the software binning and averaging data during microcomputed tomography image acquisition. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10562. [PMID: 31332205 PMCID: PMC6646350 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46530-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study describes the effect of the software binning and data averaging during micro CT volume acquisition, on the assessment of root resorption volumes. The mesial roots (n = 9), after orthodontic tooth movement during 14 days, were scanned, using a micro CT system (9 µm/pixel). All roots were reconstructed and the volumes of the resorption lacunae evaluated. The height and width of the pixels vary according to the parameters (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9) used during the scan. In the root #1 the mean volumes of resorption were similar in A4 and A7; in the root #2 there was no similarity in the mean volumes of resorption in any of the parameters; in root #3 only A4 presented mean volume different from zero (3.05 × 10°). In the root #5, the A1 and A7 presented similar mean volumes and in the A6 and A9 presented near mean volumes. In the root #9 the A1, A4, and A7 presented similar mean volumes and A6 and A9 also had similar mean volumes. Significant difference was detected in the volume of resorption among the roots #2, #5 and #9 (p = 0.04). When analyzing delicate structures such as the roots of rats’ molars, the variation of such parameters will significantly influence the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Peixe Friedrichsdorf
- Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Victor Elias Arana-Chavez
- Department of Biomaterials and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paolo Maria Cattaneo
- Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, Section of Orthodontics, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Rubens Spin-Neto
- Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, Section for Oral Radiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Gladys Cristina Dominguez
- Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
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50
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Reunamo A, Hannula M, Hyttinen J. Augmenting Soft Tissue Contrast Using Edge-Enhancing Phase-Imaging Techniques in X-Ray Microtomography. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2019; 2019:4867-4870. [PMID: 31946951 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2019.8857017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Conventional X-ray imaging is based on the attenuation of X-rays and the technique provides sufficient contrast when the difference between attenuation coefficients of neighboring structures is sufficient. A promising imaging possibility on a μCT is the use of phase information of an X-ray beam to generate an image of the sample. This is known as phase-contrast imaging. Propagation-based phase imaging sets the least amount of requirements on the imaging setup - lateral coherence for the X-ray source and a movable detector and source. The Zeiss Xradia MicroXCT-400 at our laboratory provides this possibility. Therefore, the phase-contrast imaging protocol, which provides an edge-enhancement effect, on the μCT device was optimized using thin polylactic acid fibers in order to enhance the visibility of low density samples. The optimization consisted of source and detector distance variation measurements. To demonstrate the contrast enhancement results, the optimization was applied to two types of collagen samples embedded in air, ethanol, and water.The results showed enhanced contrast for the edge-enhanced phase-contrast images compared to absorption images. Most importantly, the results indicated that the source does not need to placed at the negative limit to obtain useful phase information. Additionally, the visibility increases with increasing sample-to-detector distance. Finally, significantly enhanced contrast was obtained for the collagen sample embedded in water using phase-imaging techniques. The technique is limited due to the focal spot size and voltage of the X-ray source. The phase-imaging technique has the possibility to enhance contrast of low density samples and to reveal structures that cannot be seen using other imaging techniques.
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