Designating Vulnerability of Atherosclerotic Plaques

Microcalcification is an indication of vulnerability of plaques in humans. With conventional imaging modalities, screening of micrometer-sized structures in vivo with high spatial resolution has not been achieved. The goal of this study is to evaluate the potentials of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (TRFS), scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM), and photo-acoustic microscopy (PAM) in the determination of atherosclerotic plaques with microcalcifications and, therefore, the prospect of constructing a modality on a catheter system. The discrimination of microcalcifications within the fibrocalcific plaques and, therefore, the effectivity of these imaging techniques are discussed. The potential of quantum dots (QDs) in biological imaging is also elucidated since they attract great attention as contrast and therapeutic agents, owing unique properties including good light stability, low toxicity, strong fluorescence intensity, and changing emission wavelength with QD size, ranging from 10 to 100 Å in radius

Examination of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus in cervical and lumbar intervertebral disc herniation patients by scanning acoustic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy

Intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) is observed in humans as a result of the alteration of annulus fibrous (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue compositions in intervertebral discs. In this study, we studied the feasibility of scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) in characterizing the herniated segments of AF and NP tissues from male and female patients. SAM determined the acoustic property variations in AF and NP tissues by calculating the acoustic impedance values of samples of 15 patients. SEM obtained higher resolution images and EDS made elemental analysis of the specimen. Consequently, we suggest that these techniques have the potential to be combined for the investigation and removal of the disrupted AF and NP tissues with micrometer resolution in clinics

Determination of modifications in rat liver due to phthalate uptake by SAM, RS, and ICP-OES

The use of phthalates as plasticizers has been omnipresent, especially in cosmetics and food packaging, despite the proven effects on some organs of humans and animals. Therefore, alterations in living organisms due to phthalate exposure attract the attention of many scientists. Here, we demonstrate a mechanical and chemical investigation of the mentioned effects of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on rat liver by utilizing scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM), Raman spectroscopy (RS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for the first time in the literature, as far as we know. The combined analysis gives insights into the degree of modification in the tissue components and which chemicals lead to these modifications. Our study shows that the acoustic impedance values of tissues of DEHP and DBP delivered mother rats are higher than those of tissues of the control mother rat, while the acoustic impedance values of tissues of offspring rats of DEHP and DBP delivered mother rats do not differ significantly from those of tissues of the control offspring rats of the control mother rat. Besides, RS analysis shows how the incorporation of DEHP into liver tissues changes the configuration and conformation of lipids and fatty acids. ICP-OES results show increased element levels within the tissues of DEHP and DBP delivered rats. Therefore, we can say that phthalates cause modifications within the liver. This study is a preliminary effort to investigate tissues with a mechano-chemical probe