Collagen and elastic fibers assessment of the human heart valves for age estimation in Thais using image analysis.

The study investigated the relationship between the histological compositions of the tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves, and age. All 85 fresh human hearts were obtained with an age range between 20 and 90 years. The central area of the valves was conducted to analyze the density of collagen and elastic fibers by using an image analysis program. Neural network function in MATLAB was used for classification data and accuracy test of the age predictive model. Overall, a gradual increase in the density of collagen and elastic fibers was demonstrated with age in all valve types. The pulmonary valve cusps had the least density of collagen and elastic contents, whereas the most dense of collagen was found in the mitral leaflets. A similarity was noted for the elastic fibers in the tricuspid, mitral, and aortic valves. The highest correlation between the collagen (r = 0.629) and elastic fibers (r = 0.713) and age was found in the noncoronary cusp of the aortic valve. The established predictive equations using collagen and elastic fibers in the noncoronary cusp provided the standard error of ± 14.0 and 12.5 years, respectively. A 60.9% of accuracy was found in all age groups using collagen, while accuracy in elastic fibers showed 70.0% in the classification process using the neural networks. The current study provided additional data regarding age-associated changes of collagen and elastic fibers in the human heart valves in Thais and the benefits and application in age forensic identification.

Relationship between histopathological findings of patients with dermatochalasis and vitamin D deficiency.

PURPOSE: To compare the histopathological findings of patients who had been diagnosed with dermatochalasis (DC) and had undergone upper eyelid blepharoplasty (ULB) as well as those of controls (C-Group) according to their serum vitamin D (SVD) levels. METHODS: The prospective study included 136 upper eyelid skin from 68 patients who underwent surgery for DC and 53 upper eyelid skin from 53 patients who underwent levator surgery with ULB. The DC Group was then divided into 3 subgroups according to the marginal reflex distance (MRD4). The lymphatic vessel (LV) count and diameter of the largest LV (DLLV) were recorded, the stromal collagen bed (SCB) was observed, and its depth was measured, the interfibrillar edema was examined, and the elastic fiber and macrophage counts and recorded, respectively, and then all of these were evaluated. The SVD levels were compared between the DC patients and the C-Group. RESULTS: In comparison to the C-Group, significant changes were seen in the dilated LV, DLLV, SCB depth, interfibrillar edema, elastic fiber density, and macrophage count in the DC sub-Groups (P < 0.001 for all). While no difference was found between DC sub-Group 1 (MRD4 > 4 mm) and the C-Group (P > 0.05), a significant difference was found between DC sub-Group 2 (MRD4 2-4 mm) and DC sub-Group 3 (MRD4 < 2 mm) for all of the parameters (P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was also found in the SVD levels between the DC sub-Group 1 and DC sub-Groups 2-3 (P < 0.017, P < 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, SVD level was significantly lower in DC group. Moreover, an increased LV count and diameter, decreased elastic fiber count, collagen fiber and stromal edema irregularity, and increased macrophage count were found to be associated with the SVD level.

Knitting Elastic Conductive Fibers of MXene/Natural Rubber for Multifunctional Wearable Sensors.

Wearable electronic sensors have recently attracted tremendous attention in applications such as personal health monitoring, human movement detection, and sensory skins as they offer a promising alternative to counterparts made from traditional metallic conductors and bulky metallic conductors. However, the real-world use of most wearable sensors is often hindered by their limited stretchability and sensitivity, and ultimately, their difficulty to integrate into textiles. To overcome these limitations, wearable sensors can incorporate flexible conductive fibers as electrically active components. In this study, we adopt a scalable wet-spinning approach to directly produce flexible and conductive fibers from aqueous mixtures of Ti3C2Tx MXene and natural rubber (NR). The electrical conductivity and stretchability of these fibers were tuned by varying their MXene loading, enabling knittability into textiles for wearable sensors. As individual filaments, these MXene/NR fibers exhibit suitable conductivity dependence on strain variations, making them ideal for motivating sensors. Meanwhile, textiles from knitted MXene/NR fibers demonstrate great stability as capacitive touch sensors. Collectively, we believe that these elastic and conductive MXene/NR-based fibers and textiles are promising candidates for wearable sensors and smart textiles.

Rosemary extract and rosmarinic acid accelerate elastic fiber formation by increasing the expression of elastic fiber components in dermal fibroblasts.

Ultraviolet (UV)-induced skin photoaging is caused by qualitative and quantitative degradation of dermal extracellular matrix components such as collagen and elastic fibers. Elastic fibers are important for maintaining cutaneous elasticity, despite their small amount in the skin. Previously, microfibril-associated protein 4 (MFAP-4), which is downregulated in photoaging dermis, has been found to be essential for elastic fiber formation by interaction with both fibrillin-1 and elastin, which are core components of elastic fiber. In addition, enhanced cutaneous MFAP-4 expression in a human skin-xenografted murine photoaging model protects against UV-induced photodamage accompanied by the prevention of elastic fiber degradation and aggravated elasticity. We therefore hypothesized that the upregulation of MFAP-4 in dermal fibroblasts may more efficiently accelerate elastic fiber formation. We screened botanical extracts for MFAP-4 expression-promoting activity in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). We found that rosemary extract markedly promotes early microfibril formation and mature elastic fiber formation along with a significant upregulation of not only MFAP-4 but also fibrillin-1 and elastin in NHDFs. Furthermore, rosmarinic acid, which is abundant in rosemary extract, accelerated elastic fiber formation via upregulation of transforming growth factor ß-1. This was achieved by the induction of cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation, demonstrating that rosmarinic acid represents one of the active ingredients in rosemary extract. Based on the findings in this study, we conclude that rosemary extract and rosmarinic acid represent promising materials that exert a preventive or ameliorative effect on skin photoaging by accelerating elastic fiber formation.

Aortic elastic fiber degeneration during acute type a aortic dissection and reverse aortic remodeling.

BACKGROUND: Progression of proximal or distal aortic dilatation is defined as reverse aortic remodeling after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) that may be dependent on aortic wall degeneration. METHODS: We investigated whether aortic wall degeneration is associated with reverse aortic remodeling leading to aortic reoperation after surgery for ATAAD. Altogether, 141 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for ATAAD at Tampere were evaluated. The resected ascending aortic wall at surgery was processed for 42 degenerative, atherosclerotic and inflammatory histological variables. Patients undergoing aortic reoperations (Redos) were compared with those without aortic reoperations (Controls) during a mean 4.9-year follow-up. RESULTS: Redos were younger than Controls (56 and 66 years, respectively, P < 0.001), and had less frequently previous cardiac surgery prior to ATAAD. Initial surgery encompassed replacement of the ascending aorta in the majority. There were 21 Redos in which one patient died during follow-up as compared with 51 deaths in Controls (log Rank P = 0.002). Histology of the aortic wall revealed increased elastic fiber fragmentation, loss, and disorganization in Redos as compared with Controls (2.1 ± 0.5 vs. 1.9 ± 0.5, Point score unit (PSU), P = 0.043 and 1.7 ± 0.8 vs. 1.2 ± 0.8, PSU, P = 0.016, respectively). Moderate atherosclerosis occurred less often in Redos vs. Controls (9.5% vs. 33%, PSU, P = 0.037, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: According to this exploratory study, histopathology reveals distinctive aortic wall degeneration during ATAAD. Reverse aortic remodeling after ATAAD is associated with the presence of ascending aortic wall elastic fiber fragmentation, loss and disorganization during ATAAD.

Water-Based Continuous Fabrication of Highly Elastic Electromagnetic Fibers.

Elastic electromagnetic fibers are promising building blocks for next-generation flexible electronics. However, fabrication of elastic fibers is still difficult and usually requires organic solvents or high temperatures, restricting their widespread applications. Furthermore, the continuous production of electromagnetic fibers has not been realized previously. In this study, we propose an ionic chelation strategy to continuously produce electromagnetic fibers with a magnetic liquid metal (MLM) as the core and elastic polyurethane as the sheath in water at room temperature. Sodium alginate (SA) has been introduced to rapidly chelate with calcium ions (Ca2+) in a coagulation bath to support the continuous spinning of waterborne polyurethane (WPU) as a sheath. Meanwhile, WPU-encapsulated MLM microparticles efficiently suppress the fluid instability of MLM for continuous extrusion as the core. The resultant fiber exhibits excellent mechanical performances (tensile strength and toughness up to 32 MPa and 124 MJ/m3, respectively), high conductive stability in large deformations (high conductivity of 7.6 × 104 S/m at 580% strain), and magnetoactive properties. The applications of this electromagnetic fiber have been demonstrated by conductance-stable wires, sensors, actuation, and electromagnetic interference shielding. This work offers a water-based molecular principle for efficient and green fabrication of multifunctional fibers and will inspire a series of applications.

Marine biodegradation of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate] elastic fibers in seawater: dependence of decomposition rate on highly ordered structure.

Here, we report the marine degradability of polymers with highly ordered structures in natural environmental water using microbial degradation and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) tests. Three types of elastic fibers (non-porous as-spun, non-porous drawn, and porous drawn) with different highly ordered structures were prepared using poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-16 mol%-4-hydroxybutyrate] [P(3HB-co-16 mol%-4HB)], a well-known polyhydroxyalkanoate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated that microorganisms attached to the fiber surface within several days of testing and degraded the fiber without causing physical disintegration. The results of BOD tests revealed that more than 80% of P(3HB-co-16 mol%-4HB) was degraded by microorganisms in the ocean. The plastisphere was composed of a wide variety of microorganisms, and the microorganisms accumulated on the fiber surfaces differed from those in the biofilms. The microbial degradation rate increased as the degree of molecular orientation and porosity of the fiber increased: as-spun fiber < non-porous drawn fiber < porous drawn fiber. The drawing process induced significant changes in the highly ordered structure of the fiber, such as molecular orientation and porosity, without affecting the crystallinity. The results of SEM observations and X-ray measurements indicated that drawing the fibers oriented the amorphous chains, which promoted enzymatic degradation by microorganisms.

Histomorphometry of the vesicourethral

To evaluate the elastic system fibers in the vesicourethral junction of wistar rats at different ages, histological and histomorphometric studies were conducted. The histology study of the elastic system fibers for selective staining methods showed the presence of three types of elastic fibers. In all age groups studied, histology study satisfactorily showed the structurals differences between the mature elastic fibers, elaunin and oxytalan fibers, which were located among the intercellular spaces of the muscular layer as well as between collagen fibers. Histomorphometric studies have revealed that with the advanced age, there is a decrease in the linear density of the mature elastic and oxytalan fibers, while the linear density of elaunin fibers has increased. Thus, it could be inferred that in the vesicourethral junction of old animals, there is a fall in the elasticity, elastic recoil and anchorage properties due a loss of elastin and microfibrils, but they are compensated by the elaunin fibers, since they show intermediate characteristics between mature elastic fibers and oxytalan fibers. It could be concluded that the aging process of the elastic fibers in the vesicourethral junction does not contribute alone and directly in the urinary incontinence state, but it compensates and gives muscular support, mainly due to the increase of the elaunin fibers, what makes the elastic system in the vesicourethral junction responsible for the maintenance of the urinary continence.

Estudo do laser Erbium Glass fracionado não ablativo no tratamento do fotoenvelhecimento cutâneo: avaliação clínica, histopatológica, microscopia eletrônica e imuno-histoquímica / Study of Erbium Glass Laser Fractional non-ablative treatment of photoaging: clinical evaluation, histophatology, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry

Introdução: Os lasers fracionados não ablativos são efetivamente utilizados no rejuvenescimento da pele. As novas tecnologias a laser permitem uma remodelação dérmica seletiva, sem ablação da epiderme. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia do laser Erbium Glass (Sellas Evo) fracionado não ablativo 1550nm no rejuvenescimento facial através do estudo da quantificação histomorfométrica de fibras colágenas e elásticas, a expressão da molécula de adesão intercelular 1 (ICAM-1) por imuno-histoquímica , a análise das fases do ciclo celular, o potencial elétrico da membrana mitocondrial, a expressão de interleucina-1 (IL-1), o marcador celular endotelial CD34, o receptor do fator transformador de crescimento beta (TGF-beta), atividade da caspase-3 por citometria de fluxo e as alterações ultraestruturais na pele por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, 4 meses após o tratamento com laser. Materiais e Métodos: Quinze indivíduos (média de 56,4 anos, fototipo II-IV), com fotoenvelhecimento cutâneo na face fizeram 3 tratamentos com laser Erbium Glass fracionado não ablativo 1550nm usando uma fluência de 70 mJ e uma densidade de 100 cm2. Foram avaliados biópsias na região pré-auricular em 15 pacientes no início e 4 semanas após o tratamento final. Os níveis de expressão dos receptores e a atividade do potencial elétrico mitocondrial foram analisados na suspensão de células da derme obtida a partir da digestão por colagenase. A avaliação clínica e fotográfica foi analisada quatro semanas após o final do tratamento. Resultados: Após 4 meses do início do tratamento foi observada melhora clínica moderada, com uma média de satisfação de 8,8, as fibras de colágeno aumentaram em 6,68%, as fibras elásticas mostraram uma diminuição de 12,85%, o ICAM-1 aumentou 4,47% significativamente na área dos vasos. Houve aumento significativo dos níveis de expressão do receptor de IL-1 e TGF-beta após o tratamento com laser Erbium Glass...

Background: Non-ablative fractional lasers have been effectively used in skin rejuvenation. The new laser technologies allow selective dermal remodeling without ablation of the epidermal surface. Objectives: to evaluate the efficacy of the 1550nm Erbium Glass Laser (Sellas Evo) for facial rejuvenation through study of the histomorphometric quantification of colagen and elastic fibers; the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) by immnohistochemistry; and analysis of the cell cycle phases, the electrical potential of the mitochondrial membrane and the expression of interleukin 1 (IL-1), the endothelial cell marker CD34 and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) receptors, caspase-3 activity by flow cytometry and the ultrastructural changes in the skin by scanning electron microscopy 4 months after the laser treatment. Materials and methods: fifteen subjects (mean age 56,4 skin typoes II-IV) with photodamage on the face and wrinkles had 3 treatments with the 1550 nm Erbium Glass Laser using a fluence of 70 mJ and a density of 100 cm2. Pre-auricular biopsies from 15 subjects were evaluated at baseline and 4 weeks after the final treatment. Receptor expression levels and the presence of potentially functional mitochondria were analyzed in a cell suspension obtained from collagenase digestion of the skin. Data from the photo assessments and the subjects' self-assessed improvements were analyzed 4 weeks after the final treatment.Results: Four months after the last treatmenbt application, clinical improvement was observed, with an average satgisfation score of 8.8, corresponding to moderate improvement. After 4 months of treatment, collagen fibers had increased up to 6.68%, while the average proportion of collagen fibers in the dermis, the elastic fibers, showed a 12.85% decrease of ICAM-1 and a mean increase in vessel area of 4.47%...