Improved imaging-pathology correlation with MR imaging-derived, 3D-printed, patient-specific whole-mount molds of the prostate.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 44-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel N. Costa ◽  
Yonatan Chatzinoff ◽  
Niccolo M. Passoni ◽  
Payal Kapur ◽  
Claus G Roehrborn ◽  
...  

44 Background: A critical requirement for imaging-pathology correlation is adequate image registration. Since the prostate is deformable, sectioning the gland in a plane similar to imaging is challenging. To improve the in vivo imaging and ex vivo histology image registration, 3D-printed, patient-specific, MRI-derived molds (PSMs) for whole-mount processing have been proposed. This study compared the anatomical registration of preoperative MRI and prostate whole-mounts obtained with PSMs versus conventional whole-mount sectioning (WMS). Methods: Based on an a priori power analysis, 50 men who underwent 3T prostate MRI followed by radical prostatectomy were included. Two blinded and independent readers (R1, R2) outlined the contours of the gland and of the tumor in the MRI using regions of interest (ROIs). These were compared with the ROIs from the whole-mount histology, the reference standard, using PSMs in the study group (n=25) or conventional WMS in the control group (n=25). The spatial overlap across the MRI and histology data sets was calculated using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) for the prostate overall and tumor. Results were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: The MRI-histopathology anatomical registration for the prostate gland overall and the tumor were significantly superior with the use of PSMs than with the use of WMS for both readers (Table). Conclusions: The use of PSMs for prostate specimen whole-mount sectioning provides significantly superior anatomical registration of in vivo multiparametric MRI and ex vivo prostate whole-mounts than conventional WMS. The use of PSMs should facilitate the exchange of information across imaging and pathology required for research and patient care. [Table: see text]

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 270-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holden H. Wu ◽  
Alan Priester ◽  
Pooria Khoshnoodi ◽  
Zhaohuan Zhang ◽  
Sepideh Shakeri ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
John Whitaker ◽  
Radhouene Neji ◽  
Nicholas Byrne ◽  
Esther Puyol-Antón ◽  
Rahul K. Mukherjee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Ex-vivo cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has played an important role in the validation of in-vivo CMR characterization of pathological processes. However, comparison between in-vivo and ex-vivo imaging remains challenging due to shape changes occurring between the two states, which may be non-uniform across the diseased heart. A novel two-step process to facilitate registration between ex-vivo and in-vivo CMR was developed and evaluated in a porcine model of chronic myocardial infarction (MI). Methods Seven weeks after ischemia-reperfusion MI, 12 swine underwent in-vivo CMR imaging with late gadolinium enhancement followed by ex-vivo CMR 1 week later. Five animals comprised the control group, in which ex-vivo imaging was undertaken without any support in the LV cavity, 7 animals comprised the experimental group, in which a two-step registration optimization process was undertaken. The first step involved a heart specific flexible 3D printed scaffold generated from in-vivo CMR, which was used to maintain left ventricular (LV) shape during ex-vivo imaging. In the second step, a non-rigid co-registration algorithm was applied to align in-vivo and ex-vivo data. Tissue dimension changes between in-vivo and ex-vivo imaging were compared between the experimental and control group. In the experimental group, tissue compartment volumes and thickness were compared between in-vivo and ex-vivo data before and after non-rigid registration. The effectiveness of the alignment was assessed quantitatively using the DICE similarity coefficient. Results LV cavity volume changed more in the control group (ratio of cavity volume between ex-vivo and in-vivo imaging in control and experimental group 0.14 vs 0.56, p < 0.0001) and there was a significantly greater change in the short axis dimensions in the control group (ratio of short axis dimensions in control and experimental group 0.38 vs 0.79, p < 0.001). In the experimental group, prior to non-rigid co-registration the LV cavity contracted isotropically in the ex-vivo condition by less than 20% in each dimension. There was a significant proportional change in tissue thickness in the healthy myocardium (change = 29 ± 21%), but not in dense scar (change = − 2 ± 2%, p = 0.034). Following the non-rigid co-registration step of the process, the DICE similarity coefficients for the myocardium, LV cavity and scar were 0.93 (±0.02), 0.89 (±0.01) and 0.77 (±0.07) respectively and the myocardial tissue and LV cavity volumes had a ratio of 1.03 and 1.00 respectively. Conclusions The pattern of the morphological changes seen between the in-vivo and the ex-vivo LV differs between scar and healthy myocardium. A 3D printed flexible scaffold based on the in-vivo shape of the LV cavity is an effective strategy to minimize morphological changes in the ex-vivo LV. The subsequent non-rigid registration step further improved the co-registration and local comparison between in-vivo and ex-vivo data.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (20) ◽  
pp. 4718
Author(s):  
Diana Florina Nica ◽  
Alin Gabriel Gabor ◽  
Virgil-Florin Duma ◽  
Vlad George Tudericiu ◽  
Anca Tudor ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the increased efficiency achieved by dental practitioners when carrying out an ex vivo training process on 3D-printed maxillaries before performing in vivo surgery. Materials and Methods: This developed ex vivo procedure comprises the following phases: (i) scanning the area of interest for surgery; (ii) obtaining a 3D virtual model of this area using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT); (iii) obtaining a 3D-printed model (based on the virtual one), on which (iv) the dental practitioner simulates/rehearses ex vivo (most of) the surgery protocol; (v) assess with a new CBCT the 3D model after simulation. The technical steps of sinus augmentation and implant insertion could be performed on the corresponding 3D-printed hemi-maxillaries prior to the real in vivo surgery. Two study groups were considered, with forty patients divided as follows: Group 1 comprises twenty patients on which the developed simulation and rehearsal procedure was applied; Group 2 is a control one which comprises twenty patients on which similar surgery was performed without this procedure (considered in order to compare operative times without and with rehearsals). Results: Following the ex vivo training/rehearsal, an optimal surgery protocol was developed for each considered case. The results of the surgery on patients were compared with the results obtained after rehearsals on 3D-printed models. The performed quantitative assessment proved that, using the proposed training procedure, the results of the in vivo surgery are not significantly different (p = 0.089) with regard to the ex vivo simulation for both the mezio-distal position of the implant and the distance from the ridge margin to sinus window. On the contrary, the operative time of Group 1 was reduced significantly (p = 0.001), with an average of 20% with regard to in vivo procedures performed without rehearsals (on the control Group 2). Conclusions: The study demonstrated that the use of 3D-printed models can be beneficial to dental surgeon practitioners, as well as to students who must be trained before performing clinical treatments.


Author(s):  
Hana M. Hammad ◽  
Amer Imraish ◽  
Maysa Al-Hussaini ◽  
Malek Zihlif ◽  
Amani A. Harb ◽  
...  

Objective: Achillea fragrantissima L. (Asteraceae) is a traditionally used medicinal herb in the rural communities of Jordan. Methods: The present study evaluated the efficacy of the ethanol extract of this species on angiogenesis in both, ex vivo using rat aortic ring assay and in vivo using rat excision wound model. Results: In concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/ml, the ethanol extract showed angiogenic stimulatory effect and significantly increased length of capillary protrusions around aorta rings of about 60% in comparison to those of untreated aorta rings. In MCF-7 cells, the ethanol extract of A. fragrantissima stimulates the production of VEGF in a dose-dependent manner. 1% and 5% of ethanol extract of A. fragrantissima containing vaseline based ointment was applied on rat excision wounds for six days and was found to be effective in wound healing and maturation of the scar. Both preparations resulted in better wound healing when compared to the untreated control group and vaseline-treated group. This effect was comparable to that induced by MEBO, the positive control. Conclusion: The results indicate that A. fragrantissima has a pro-angiogenic effect, which may act through the VEGF signaling pathway.


2021 ◽  
pp. 155633162199633
Author(s):  
Mehran Ashouri-Sanjani ◽  
Shima Mohammadi-Moghadam ◽  
Parisa Azimi ◽  
Navid Arjmand

Background: Pedicle screw (PS) placement has been widely used in fusion surgeries on the thoracic spine. Achieving cost-effective yet accurate placements through nonradiation techniques remains challenging. Questions/Purposes: Novel noncovering lock-mechanism bilateral vertebra-specific drill guides for PS placement were designed/fabricated, and their accuracy for both nondeformed and deformed thoracic spines was tested. Methods: One nondeformed and 1 severe scoliosis human thoracic spine underwent computed tomographic (CT) scanning, and 2 identical proportions of each were 3-dimensional (3D) printed. Pedicle-specific optimal (no perforation) drilling trajectories were determined on the CT images based on the entry point/orientation/diameter/length of each PS. Vertebra-specific templates were designed and 3D printed, assuring minimal yet firm contacts with the vertebrae through a noncovering lock mechanism. One model of each patient was drilled using the freehand and one using the template guides (96 pedicle drillings). Postoperative CT scans from the models with the inserted PSs were obtained and superimposed on the preoperative planned models to evaluate deviations of the PSs. Results: All templates fitted their corresponding vertebra during the simulated operations. As compared with the freehand approach, PS placement deviations from their preplanned positions were significantly reduced: for the nonscoliosis model, from 2.4 to 0.9 mm for the entry point, 5.0° to 3.3° for the transverse plane angle, 7.1° to 2.2° for the sagittal plane angle, and 8.5° to 4.1° for the 3D angle, improving the success rate from 71.7% to 93.5%. Conclusions: These guides are valuable, as the accurate PS trajectory could be customized preoperatively to match the patients’ unique anatomy. In vivo studies will be required to validate this approach.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew H Park ◽  
Annabel Imbrie-moore ◽  
Yuanjia Zhu ◽  
Hanjay Wang ◽  
Michael J Paulsen ◽  
...  

Introduction: Advances in ex vivo heart simulation have enabled the study of valvular biomechanics, disease pathologies, and repair strategies. However, these simulators test the valves in isolation, which does not fully replicate in vivo physiology. We hypothesize that by engineering a simulator that preserves the aortomitral junction, we can better recreate pathophysiologies such as systolic anterior motion (SAM). Here, we present a new heart simulator that preserves and manipulates the native aortomitral physiology. Methods: Our simulator is comprised of three subsystems: the ventricular chamber, atrial chamber, and aortic chamber (Fig A, B). The heart is excised at the apex to preserve the papillary muscles, and the left ventricle, atrial cuff, and aorta are fixed to their respective chambers via hemostatic suturing to 3D-printed elastomeric rings. The chambers are equipped with pressure and flow sensors, and a linear piston pump generates physiologic pressures and flows. The atrial and aortic chambers are mounted on 5-degree-of-freedom arms. To demonstrate system function, we manipulated the aortomitral angle and measured aortic cardiac output. Results: In our testing, we evaluated two unique configurations of an explanted porcine heart, of which the aortomitral angles spanned the SAM predictive risk threshold of <120° (Fig C, D). From the flow readings, we measured a 36% reduction in aortic cardiac output upon decreasing the aortomitral angle by 25°. Conclusions: This work highlights the design and development of an ex vivo heart simulator capable of modeling native aortomitral physiology. Our results point to a clear direction for future experimentation, particularly evaluating the biomechanical changes of the heart based on the aortomitral angle. Future work will utilize this platform to create new models and repair techniques to ultimately improve clinical care of valvular pathologies.


2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gentian Lluri ◽  
Xiaoqian Liu ◽  
Atsushi N

Objective: We examined whether the hematopoietic cells induce the coronary artery formation using genetically modified mouse models of hematopoietic ablation in vivo and ex vivo . Methods: As a model of for hematopoietic cell deficient animals, we used Runx1 (a transcription factor required for definitive hematopoiesis) knockout embryos and Vav1-cre; R26-DTA embryos, which ablates 2/3 of CD45+ hematopoietic cells. The coronary growth and the hematopoietic cells were evaluated in whole-mount, section and ex vivo explant culture. Results: The developing coronary endothelial cells form blood-island-like structure at around E12.5 in the subepicardial region. Interestingly, however, the histological analyses suggest that the first Ter119+ and CD45+ blood cells appear in the subendocardial area at E10.5, even before the formation of coronary channels. These initial hematopoietic cells in the heart are not likely derived from the epicardium, as the sorted epicardial cells yielded no hematopoietic cell in colony formation assay. These observations raised a question whether these heart-resident hematopoietic cells rather play an inductive role during coronary formation. To examine this possibility, we analyzed two hematopoietic ablation models. Both Runx1 knockout embryos and Vav1-cre; R26-DTA embryos revealed disorganized, hypoplastic microvasculature of coronary vessels on section and whole-mount stainings. Furthermore, coronary explant experiments showed that the mouse heart explants from Runx1 knockout embryos and Vav1-cre; R26-DTA embryos exhibited impaired coronary formation ex vivo. Conclusion: Hematopoietic cells are not merely transported via coronary vessels, but substantially involved in the induction of the coronary vessels during cardiogenesis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 035010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluca Cidonio ◽  
Michael Glinka ◽  
Yang-Hee Kim ◽  
Janos M Kanczler ◽  
Stuart A Lanham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Bridoux ◽  
Sara Neyt ◽  
Pieterjan Debie ◽  
Benedicte Descamps ◽  
Nick Devoogdt ◽  
...  

Since atherosclerotic plaques are small and sparse, their non-invasive detection via PET imaging requires both highly specific radiotracers as well as imaging systems with high sensitivity and resolution. This study aimed to assess the targeting and biodistribution of a novel fluorine-18 anti-VCAM-1 Nanobody (Nb), and to investigate whether sub-millimetre resolution PET imaging could improve detectability of plaques in mice. The anti-VCAM-1 Nb functionalised with the novel restrained complexing agent (RESCA) chelator was labelled with [18F]AlF with a high radiochemical yield (>75%) and radiochemical purity (>99%). Subsequently, [18F]AlF(RESCA)-cAbVCAM1-5 was injected in ApoE−/− mice, or co-injected with excess of unlabelled Nb (control group). Mice were imaged sequentially using a cross-over design on two different commercially available PET/CT systems and finally sacrificed for ex vivo analysis. Both the PET/CT images and ex vivo data showed specific uptake of [18F]AlF(RESCA)-cAbVCAM1-5 in atherosclerotic lesions. Non-specific bone uptake was also noticeable, most probably due to in vivo defluorination. Image analysis yielded higher target-to-heart and target-to-brain ratios with the β-CUBE (MOLECUBES) PET scanner, demonstrating that preclinical detection of atherosclerotic lesions could be improved using the latest PET technology.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3566
Author(s):  
Federica Gaiani ◽  
Sara Graziano ◽  
Fatma Boukid ◽  
Barbara Prandi ◽  
Lorena Bottarelli ◽  
...  

The reasons behind the increasing prevalence of celiac disease (CD) worldwide are still not fully understood. This study adopted a multilevel approach (in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo) to assess the potential of gluten from different wheat varieties in triggering CD. Peptides triggering CD were identified and quantified in mixtures generated from simulated gastrointestinal digestion of wheat varieties (n = 82). Multivariate statistics enabled the discrimination of varieties generating low impact on CD (e.g., Saragolla) and high impact (e.g., Cappelli). Enrolled subjects (n = 46) were: 19 healthy subjects included in the control group; 27 celiac patients enrolled for the in vivo phase. Celiacs were divided into a gluten-free diet group (CD-GFD), and a GFD with Saragolla-based pasta group (CD-Sar). The diet was followed for 3 months. Data were compared between CD-Sar and CD-GFD before and after the experimental diet, demonstrating a limited ability of Saragolla to trigger immunity, although not comparable to a GFD. Ex vivo studies showed that Saragolla and Cappelli activated immune responses, although with great variability among patients. The diverse potential of durum wheat varieties in triggering CD immune response was demonstrated. Saragolla is not indicated for celiacs, yet it has a limited potential to trigger adverse immune response.


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