Morphometric brain changes during aging: Results from a Brazilian necropsy sample.

The present study aimed to establish the morphometric brain changes during aging in a necropsy series from Brazil and determine whether sexual dimorphisms interfere in these changes. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted at the São Paulo Autopsy Service in Brazil where, after informed consent, data was gathered from next of kin interview with reference to clinical status prior to death. Brain weight, volume and density measurements were taken and then adjusted for head circumference. Descriptive statistics and tests of hypothesis and correlations were applied, considering a p-value of 0.05. Results:414 subjects, mostly men (60.4%), with a mean age of 67.1 years, were included. The mean brain weight of the sample was 1219.2g±140.9and mean volume was 1217mL±152.3. The mean brain density of the sample was 1.0g/mL±0.09. Values differed between males and females in terms of weight and volume. Brain weight decreased during aging by about 45g per decade (r= -0.300; p<0.01) and volume by about 43mL (r= -0.278; p<0.00). Mean density of the sample was 1.0 g/mL in both genders. Conclusions:Brain weight and volume (with or without corrections) decreased during aging, and these reductions were more pronounced in women. Density remained unchanged for both genders. Further studies are needed to investigate factors associated to these reductions

Association between adiposity and systemic atherosclerosis: a protocol of a cross-sectional autopsy study.

IntroductionAdiposity has been associated with atherosclerosis in clinical studies. However, few autopsy studies have investigated this association, and they had only examined the coronary artery disease. Moreover, most studies had small sample sizes and were limited to middle-aged or young adults. Our aim is to investigate the association between adiposity and systemic atherosclerosis in an autopsy study.Methods and analysisA sample of 240 deceased with 30 years or more will be evaluated. The sample size was calculated using the lowest correlation coefficient found in previous studies (r=0.109), assuming a power of 90% and α=0.05. We will collect information about sociodemographics, frequency of previous contact of the deceased's next of kin and cardiovascular risk factors. We will measure neck, waist and hip circumferences, weight, height and abdominal subcutaneous tissue thickness, and then we will calculate the body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio and body shape index. We will also weigh the pericardial and abdominal visceral fat, the heart, and we will measure the left ventricular wall thickness. We will evaluate the presence of myocardial infarction, the degree of atherosclerosis in the aorta, carotid, coronary and cerebral arteries and plaque composition in carotid, coronary and cerebral arteries. For each individual, we will fix arterial and adipose tissue samples in 10% formalin and freeze another adipose tissue sample at -80°C for future studies.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Brazil. Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal

Morphometric brain changes during aging. Results from a Brazilian necropsy sample

The present study aimed to establish the morphometric brain changes during aging in a necropsy series from Brazil and determine whether sexual dimorphisms interfere in these changes. Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted at the São Paulo Autopsy Servicein Brazil where, after informed consent, data was gathered from next of kin interview withreference to clinical status prior to death. Brain weight, volume and density measurementswere taken and then adjusted for head circumference. Descriptive statistics and testsof hypothesis and correlations were applied, considering a p-value of 0.05. Results: 414subjects, mostly men (60.4%), with a mean age of 67.1 years, were included. The mean brain weight of the sample was 1219.2g±140.9 and mean volume was 1217mL±152.3. The mean brain density of the sample was 1.0g/mL±0.09. Values differed between males and females in terms of weight and volume. Brain weight decreased during aging by about 45g per decade (r= –0.300; p<0.01) and volume by about 43mL (r= –0.278; p<0.00). Meandensity of the sample was 1.0 g/mL in both genders. Conclusions: Brain weight and volume (with or without corrections) decreased during aging, and these reductions were more pronounced in women. Density remained unchanged for both genders. Further studies are needed to investigate factors associated to these reductions

Morphometric brain changes during aging: Results from a Brazilian necropsy sample

Abstract The present study aimed to establish the morphometric brain changes during aging in a necropsy series from Brazil and determine whether sexual dimorphisms interfere in these changes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the São Paulo Autopsy Service in Brazil where, after informed consent, data was gathered from next of kin interview with reference to clinical status prior to death. Brain weight, volume and density measurements were taken and then adjusted for head circumference. Descriptive statistics and tests of hypothesis and correlations were applied, considering a p-value of 0.05. Results: 414 subjects, mostly men (60.4%), with a mean age of 67.1 years, were included. The mean brain weight of the sample was 1219.2g±140.9 and mean volume was 1217mL±152.3. The mean brain density of the sample was 1.0g/mL±0.09. Values differed between males and females in terms of weight and volume. Brain weight decreased during aging by about 45g per decade (r= -0.300; p<0.01) and volume by about 43mL (r= -0.278; p<0.00). Mean density of the sample was 1.0 g/mL in both genders. Conclusions: Brain weight and volume (with or without corrections) decreased during aging, and these reductions were more pronounced in women. Density remained unchanged for both genders. Further studies are needed to investigate factors associated to these reductions

Morphometric brain changes during aging: Results from a Brazilian necropsy sample.

The present study aimed to establish the morphometric brain changes during aging in a necropsy series from Brazil and determine whether sexual dimorphisms interfere in these changes.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at the São Paulo Autopsy Service in Brazil where, after informed consent, data was gathered from next of kin interview with reference to clinical status prior to death. Brain weight, volume and density measurements were taken and then adjusted for head circumference. Descriptive statistics and tests of hypothesis and correlations were applied, considering a p-value of 0.05.Results414 subjects, mostly men (60.4%), with a mean age of 67.1 years, were included. The mean brain weight of the sample was 1219.2g±140.9and mean volume was 1217mL±152.3. The mean brain density of the sample was 1.0g/mL±0.09. Values differed between males and females in terms of weight and volume. Brain weight decreased during aging by about 45g per decade (r= -0.300; p&lt;0.01) and volume by about 43mL (r= -0.278; p&lt;0.00). Mean density of the sample was 1.0 g/mL in both genders.ConclusionsBrain weight and volume (with or without corrections) decreased during aging, and these reductions were more pronounced in women. Density remained unchanged for both genders. Further studies are needed to investigate factors associated to these reductions

Macrophage Polarization in the Perivascular Fat Was Associated With Coronary Atherosclerosis

Background Inflammation of the perivascular adipose tissue (PvAT) may be related to atherosclerosis; however, the association of polarized macrophages in the pericoronary PvAT with measurements of atherosclerosis components in humans has not been fully investigated. Methods and Results Coronary arteries were dissected with surrounding PvAT. We evaluated the percentage of arterial obstruction, intima‐media thickness, fibrous cap thickness, plaque components, and the number of vasa vasorum. The number of proinflammatory (M1) and anti‐inflammatory (M2) macrophages in the periplaque and control PvAT were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical variables were used. In 319 segments from 82 individuals, we found a correlation of the M1/M2 macrophage density ratio with an increase in arterial obstruction ( P =0.02) and lipid content ( P =0.01), and a decrease in smooth muscle cells ( P =0.02). M1 and the ratio of M1/M2 macrophages were associated with an increased risk of thrombosis ( P =0.03). In plaques with thrombosis, M1 macrophages were correlated with a decrease in fibrous cap thickness ( P =0.006), an increase in lipid content ( P =0.008), and the number of vasa vasorum in the adventitia layer ( P =0.001). M2 macrophages were correlated with increased arterial obstruction ( P =0.01), calcification ( P =0.02), necrosis ( P =0.03) only in plaques without thrombosis, and decrease of the number of vasa vasorum in plaques with thrombosis ( P =0.003). Conclusions M1 macrophages in the periplaque PvAT were associated with a higher risk of coronary thrombosis and were correlated with histological components of plaque progression and destabilization. M2 macrophages were correlated with plaque size, calcification, necrotic content, and a decrease in the number of vasa vasorum in the adventitia layer. </jats:sec

B Lymphocytes and Macrophages in the Perivascular Adipose Tissue Are Associated With Coronary Atherosclerosis: An Autopsy Study

Background Macrophages and T lymphocytes in the perivascular adipose tissue (Pv AT ) were previously linked to coronary artery disease. However, the role of these cells and B lymphocytes in the human Pv AT adjacent to unstable atherosclerotic plaques has not been investigated. Moreover, previous studies were inconclusive on whether Pv AT inflammation was restricted to the surroundings of the atheroma plaque. Methods and Results Coronary arteries were freshly dissected with the surrounding Pv AT . Atherosclerotic plaques were classified according to the internationally accepted anatomopathological criteria. Immune cells in the Pv AT were detected using immunohistochemistry and then quantified. We used linear and logistic regressions with robust standard errors, adjusted for possible confounding factors. In 246 atherosclerotic plaques (205 stable and 41 unstable plaques) from 82 participants (mean age=69.0±14.4 years; 50% men), the percentage of arterial obstruction was positively correlated with the densities of CD 68 + macrophages ( P =0.003) and CD 20 + B lymphocytes ( P =0.03) in the periplaque Pv AT . The number of cells was greater in the periplaque Pv AT than in the distal Pv AT (macrophages, P &lt;0.001; B lymphocytes, P =0.04). In addition, the density of macrophages in the periplaque Pv AT was greater in the presence of unstable plaques ( P =0.03) and was also greater near unstable plaques than in the distal Pv AT ( P =0.001). CD 3 + T lymphocytes were not associated with percentage of obstruction and stable/unstable plaque composition. Conclusions The density of CD 20 + B lymphocytes and CD 68 + macrophages in periplaque Pv AT was increased with plaque size, and the CD 68 + macrophages were greater near unstable atherosclerotic plaques than near stable lesions. This inflammation was more intense in the periplaque Pv AT than in the Pv AT distal to the atherosclerotic plaques. </jats:sec

B Lymphocytes and Macrophages in the Perivascular Adipose Tissue Are Associated With Coronary Atherosclerosis: An Autopsy Study

Background Macrophages and T lymphocytes in the perivascular adipose tissue (PvAT) were previously linked to coronary artery disease. However, the role of these cells and B lymphocytes in the human PvAT adjacent to unstable atherosclerotic plaques has not been investigated. Moreover, previous studies were inconclusive on whether PvAT inflammation was restricted to the surroundings of the atheroma plaque. Methods and Results Coronary arteries were freshly dissected with the surrounding PvAT. Atherosclerotic plaques were classified according to the internationally accepted anatomopathological criteria. Immune cells in the PvAT were detected using immunohistochemistry and then quantified. We used linear and logistic regressions with robust standard errors, adjusted for possible confounding factors. In 246 atherosclerotic plaques (205 stable and 41 unstable plaques) from 82 participants (mean age=69.0±14.4&nbsp;years; 50% men), the percentage of arterial obstruction was positively correlated with the densities of CD68+ macrophages (P=0.003) and CD20+ B lymphocytes (P=0.03) in the periplaque PvAT. The number of cells was greater in the periplaque PvAT than in the distal PvAT (macrophages, P&lt;0.001; B lymphocytes, P=0.04). In addition, the density of macrophages in the periplaque PvAT was greater in the presence of unstable plaques (P=0.03) and was also greater near unstable plaques than in the distal PvAT (P=0.001). CD3+ T lymphocytes were not associated with percentage of obstruction and stable/unstable plaque composition. Conclusions The density of CD20+ B lymphocytes and CD68+ macrophages in periplaque PvAT was increased with plaque size, and the CD68+ macrophages were greater near unstable atherosclerotic plaques than near stable lesions. This inflammation was more intense in the periplaque PvAT than in the PvAT distal to the atherosclerotic plaques