Contrast-Enhanced Micro–Computed Tomography for 3D Visualization and Quantification of Glycosaminoglycans in Different Cartilage Types

Cartilage ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 194760352110538
Author(s):  
Manuela A. Boos ◽  
Mark W. Grinstaff ◽  
Shireen R. Lamandé ◽  
Kathryn S. Stok
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
3D Visualization ◽  
Diffusion Kinetics ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Auricular Cartilage ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Safranin O ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Different Tissues

Objective To compare CA4+-enhanced micro–computed tomography (microCT) of bovine articular, meniscal, nasal, and auricular cartilage, each of which possesses a different extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and structure. Design The diffusion kinetics of CA4+ in different native cartilage types were assessed over 20 hours. The feasibility of CA4+-enhanced microCT to visualize and quantify glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in these different tissues was tested using safranin-O staining and 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue assay. Results The diffusion kinetics of CA4+ in auricular cartilage are significantly slower compared with all other cartilage types. Total GAG content per volume correlates to microCT attenuation with an R2 value of 0.79 for all cartilage types. Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced microCT images of spatial GAG distribution reflect safranin-O staining and highlight the differences in ECM structure, with heterogeneous regions with higher GAG concentrations highlighted by the contrast agent. Conclusions CA4+-enhanced microCT enables assessment of 3-dimensiona distribution and GAG content in different types of cartilage and has promise as an ex vivo diagnostic technique to monitor matrix development in different tissues over time as well as tissue-engineered constructs.

scholarly journals Combined visualization of echinoderm hard and soft parts using contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography

Zoosymposia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALEXANDER ZIEGLER
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
3D Visualization ◽  
Soft Part ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Ethanol Solution ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Soft Tissue Contrast ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Tissue Contrast

Recent studies have shown that micro-computed tomography (µCT) must be considered one of the most suitable techniques for the non-invasive, three-dimensional (3D) visualization of metazoan hard parts. In addition, µCT can also be used to visualize soft part anatomy non-destructively and in 3D. In order to achieve soft tissue contrast using µCT based on X-ray attenuation, fixed specimens must be immersed in staining solutions that include heavy metals such as silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), osmium (Os), lead (Pb), or tungsten (W). However, while contrast-enhancement has been successfully applied to specimens pertaining to various higher metazoan taxa, echinoderms have thus far not been analyzed using this approach. In order to demonstrate that this group of marine invertebrates is suitable for contrast-enhanced µCT as well, the present study provides results from an application of this technique to representative species from all five extant higher echinoderm taxa. To achieve soft part contrast, freshly fixed and museum specimens were immersed in an ethanol solution containing phosphotungstic acid and then scanned using a high-resolution desktop µCT system. The acquired datasets show that the combined visualization of echinoderm soft and hard parts can be readily accomplished using contrast-enhanced µCT in all extant echinoderm taxa. The results are compared with µCT data obtained using unstained specimens, with conventional histological sections, and with data previously acquired using magnetic resonance imaging, a technique known to provide excellent soft tissue contrast despite certain limitations. The suitability for 3D visualization and modeling of datasets gathered using contrast-enhanced µCT is illustrated and applications of this novel approach in echinoderm research are discussed.

scholarly journals Porcine Ex Vivo Liver Phantom for Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography

2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 586-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott M. Thompson ◽  
Juan C. Ramirez-Giraldo ◽  
Bruce Knudsen ◽  
Joseph P. Grande ◽  
Jodie A. Christner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Dynamic Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Enhanced Computed Tomography ◽  
Liver Phantom ◽  
Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography

scholarly journals Correlation of Micro-Computed Tomography Assessment of Valvular Mineralisation with Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Features of Calcific Aortic Valve Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Guillermo Solache-Berrocal ◽  
Ana María Barral-Varela ◽  
Sheila Areces-Rodríguez ◽  
Alejandro Junco-Vicente ◽  
Aitana Vallina-Álvarez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Macrophage Infiltration ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Calcific Aortic Valve Disease ◽  
Calcium Deposits

Aortic valve stenosis is a serious disease with increasing prevalence in developed countries. Research aimed at uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind its main cause, aortic valve calcification, is thus crucial for the development of future therapies. It is frequently difficult to measure the extent of mineralisation in soft tissues and some methods require the destruction of the sample. Micro-computed tomography (µCT), a non-destructive technique, was used to quantify the density and volume of calcium deposits on cusps from 57 explanted aortic valves. Conventional and immunostaining techniques were used to characterise valve tissue degeneration and the inflammatory and osteogenic stage with several markers. Although most of the analysed cusps came from severe stenosis patients, the µCT parameter bone volume/tissue volume ratio distinguished several degrees of mineralisation that correlated with the degree of structural change in the tissue and the amount of macrophage infiltration as determined by CD68 immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, exosomal markers CD63 and Alix co-localised with macrophage infiltration surrounding calcium deposits, suggesting that those vesicles could be produced at least in part by these immune cells. In conclusion, we have shown that the ex vivo assessment of aortic valve mineralisation with µCT reflects the molecular and cellular changes in pathological valves during progression towards stenosis. Thus, our results give additional validity to quantitative μCT as a convenient laboratory tool for basic research on this type of cardiovascular calcification.

scholarly journals Root Canal Morphology and Configuration of 118 Mandibular First Molars by Means of Micro–Computed Tomography: An Ex Vivo Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 610-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Gerhard Wolf ◽  
Frank Paqué ◽  
Maximilian Zeller ◽  
Brita Willershausen ◽  
Benjamín Briseño-Marroquín
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Root Canal ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Root Canal Morphology ◽  
Ex Vivo Study ◽  
Canal Morphology
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