We evaluated whether polyphenols compounds had preventive properties

against renal oxidative stress induced by doxorubicin. We present here an analytical and pharmacological study of the eastern Algerian propolis using Thin layer Chrommatography (TLC), Ultra Violet-High Phase Liquid Chromatography (UV-HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The pharmacological study was carried out in vivo on wistar rat pre-treated with propolis extract 100 mg/kg/day for 7 days. Doxorubicin at 10 mg/kg of body weight was administered intravenously on day 7th. Serum creatinine concentration, scavenging effect of flavonoids, lipid peroxydation (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) concentration were measured. Chemical analysis allowed identification and quantification of the phenolic compounds including pinostrombin chalcone(38.91%), galangin(18.95), naringenin(14.27%), tectochrysin(25.09%),

methoxychrysin(1.14%) and a prenylated coumarin compound suberosin VX-809 in vivo (1.65%). The total flavonoid concentration in the propolis extract determined by aluminum chloride colorimetric method was 370 mg (quercetin equivalents QE) /g dry weight of propolis extract (QE/g DWPE). Data suggest protective effects of an Algerian propolis extract against doxorubicin-induced oxidative stresses. It restored the renal functions and clearly reduced the toxic effect of the drug.”
“Background: MAPK inhibitor Intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) has recently been accepted as an important component of the malaria control strategy. Intermittent preventive treatment for children (IPTc) combined with timely treatment of malaria related febrile illness at home to reduce parasite prevalence and malaria morbidity in children aged between six and 60 months in a coastal community in Ghana.

This paper reports persistence of reduced parasitaemia two years into the intervention. The baseline and year-one-evaluation findings were published earlier.

Objective: The main objective in the second year was to demonstrate whether the selleck chemicals llc two interventions would further reduce parasite prevalence and malaria-related febrile illness in the study population.

Methods: This was an intervention study designed to compare baseline and evaluation findings without a control group. The study combined home-based delivery of intermittent preventive treatment for children (IPTc) aged 6 – 60 months and home treatment of suspected febrile malaria-related illness within 24 hours. All children aged 6 – 60 months received home-based delivery of intermittent preventive treatment using amodiaquine + artesunate, delivered at home by community assistants every four months (6 times in 24 months). Malaria parasite prevalence surveys were conducted before the first and after the third and sixth IPTc to the children. The evaluation surveys were done four months after the third and sixth IPTc was given.

Results: Parasite prevalence which reduced from 25% to 3.

Patients with diagnosed pheochromocytoma who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy were included. Patients with tumors smaller than 6 cm were compared with those presenting with tumors 6 cm or larger.

Results: One hundred fifty-seven patients underwent adrenalectomy, and there were 32

catecholamine-secreting tumors. Of the 33,7 were excluded from the study because of open surgery. Thus, 25 patients presented with 26 pheochromocytomas and underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Thirteen of the 25 patients (52%) were women. Mean age (+/- standard error of the mean) was 53 +/- 3 years. Mean tumor size was 5.2 +/- 0.5 cm, and 11 pheochromocytomas (42%) were 6 selleck chemical cm or. larger. Tumor size was significantly different between the large pheochromocytoma and the small pheochromocytoma groups (7.6 +/- 0.4 vs 3.6 +/- 0.4 cm, P<.001), but there was no significant difference in intraoperative complications, estimated blood loss, cancer diagnosis, or recurrence. The length of stay was comparable between the 2 cohorts, and there were no incidents of capsular invasion or adverse cardiovascular

events.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy of pheochromocytomas larger than 6 cm is feasible and safe with comparable results to those achieved with laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with smaller pheochromocytomas. (Endocr Pract. 2012;18:720-726)”
“B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a biomarker of cardiovascular disease that is common in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However,

find more in children with CKD, the range and predictive power of BNP concentrations are not known. We aimed to determine the effect of HD on BNP, as well as the prognostic impact of BNP, in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) children undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Thirty-five children with chronic renal failure (16 boys age 12.1 +/- A 3.7 years) on maintenance HD were included. BNP level was measured, and Doppler echocardiography was performed 30 min before (pre-HD BNP) and 30 min after (post-HD BNP) HD in each patient. An adverse event was defined as all-cause death and heart failure hospitalization. The median pre-HD BNP, the post-HD BNP, and the change in BNP were, respectively, 240 pg/ml (72 to 3346), 318 pg/ml (79 to 3788), and 9 pg/ml (-442 to 1889). Pre-HD BNP concentration AZD4547 order was negatively correlated with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (r = -0.41, P = 0.018). During a mean follow-up of 39 +/- A 14 months, 6 patients died, and 3 were hospitalized for heart failure. Using univariate analysis, BNP before and after HD as well as Doppler tissue imaging velocities had a strong graded relationship with adverse events. Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that pre-HD body weight (P = 0.008), pre-HD BNP (P = 0.011), and post-HD BNP (P = 0.038) remained independent predictors of adverse outcome.

Some studies have shown that this technique is efficacious in preoperative assessment of relative depth of invasion; however, its ability to provide accurate measurements of tumor thickness remains unconfirmed.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the MRT67307 in vivo usefulness of preoperative MR-microscopy in determining tumor thickness and relative depth of invasion of malignant skin tumors.

Methods and MaterialsMagnetic resonance images of malignant skin tumors in seven female patients (six with basal cell carcinoma and one with malignant melanoma) were obtained using a 1.5 T system and a 47-mm or 23-mm microscopy coil. Tumors were then

excised, fixed, dehydrated, embedded, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. We then compared MR-microscopy and pathology values for thickness and relative depth of invasion of each tumor.

ResultsBoth techniques produced similar measurements of tumor thickness and relative depth of invasion.

ConclusionsMR-microscopy is very useful for accurate preoperative estimation of not only relative depth of invasion, but also thickness of malignant skin tumors.”
“Polyamine biosynthesis in plants differs from other eukaryotes because of the contribution of genes from the cyanobacterial ancestor of the chloroplast. Plants possess an additional biosynthetic route for putrescine formation from arginine, consisting of the enzymes

arginine decarboxylase, agmatine iminohydrolase and N-carbamoylputrescine amidohydrolase, derived from the cyanobacterial www.selleckchem.com/products/gm6001.html ancestor. They also synthesize an unusual tetraamine, thermospermine, that has important developmental roles and which is evolutionarily more ancient than spermine in plants and algae. Single-celled green algae have lost the arginine route and are dependent, like other eukaryotes, on putrescine biosynthesis from the ornithine. Some plants like

Arabidopsis thaliana and the moss Physcomitrella patens have lost ornithine decarboxylase and are thus dependent on the arginine route. With its dependence on the arginine route, and the pivotal role of thermospermine in growth and development, Arabidopsis represents the most www.selleckchem.com/products/MK-2206.html specifically plant mode of polyamine biosynthesis amongst eukaryotes. A number of plants and algae are also able to synthesize unusual polyamines such as norspermidine, norspermine and longer polyamines, and biosynthesis of these amines likely depends on novel aminopropyltransferases similar to thermospermine synthase, with relaxed substrate specificity. Plants have a rich repertoire of polyamine-based secondary metabolites, including alkaloids and hydroxycinnamic amides, and a number of polyamine-acylating enzymes have been recently characterised. With the genetic tools available for Arabidopsis and other model plants and algae, and the increasing capabilities of comparative genomics, the biological roles of polyamines can now be addressed across the plant evolutionary lineage.

Therefore, patients at risk of thromboembolic events must be identified, although

an evaluation of bleeding risk VE-821 in vitro should be part of the patient assessment before starting anticoagulation. (C) 2011 Sociedad Espanolade Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.”
“The role of the crosslinking agents was studied for a series of agarose-carbomer-based hydrogels, specifically developed for tissue engineering applications, and was quantified using the most typical polycondensation parameter; the ratio between the reacting moieties, i.e., hydroxyl (A) and carboxyl (B) groups. Because of the bonds among hydrophilic groups, as A/B ratio was increased, the gel network showed higher compactness and less ability to swell. The role of crosslinkers was also further analyzed using environmental scanning electron microscopy (E/SEM)

and rheological measurements. SEM analysis underlined the presence of different structures as well as the erosion due to the presence of cosolvents in hydrogel synthesis. Rheological measurements showed the dependence PD173074 cost of crossover strain value and yield stress upon the ratio of hydroxyl/carboxyl groups and, generally, a clear pseudoplastic behavior. Such detailed characterizations were essential to investigate the design of an optimized formulation capable of being a proper hosting environment for glial cells, which were here used as they are a promising cell type in several central nervous system repair strategies. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123: 2211-2221, 2012″
“Our previous studies repeatedly demonstrated that prenatal methamphetamine (MA) exposure alters seizure susceptibility in adult rats. Both the inhibitory GABA system and the excitatory NMDA system play a role in the effect of MA on epileptic seizures. On the basis of our previous behavioral results, the effect of cross-fostering on seizure susceptibility

in adult female rats was examined in the present study. Bicuculline Prexasertib molecular weight (GABA(A) receptor antagonist) and NMDA (NMDA receptor agonist) were used to induce seizures in adult female offspring exposed to MA in the prenatal and/or preweaning periods. Female dams were injected with MA (5 mg/kg daily) or physiological saline (S) for approximately 9 weeks [about 3 weeks prior to impregnation, for the entire gestation period (22 days), and in the preweaning period (21 days)]. Absolute controls (C) did not receive any injections. On postnatal day 1, pups were cross-fostered so that each mother received pups from all three treatments. Thus, nine groups (based on the prenatal and postnatal drug exposures) of adult female rats were tested in each seizure test: C/C, C/S, C/MA, S/C, S/S, S/MA, MA/C, MA/S, MA/MA.

The thermal-wave field of an inhomogeneous cylindrical sample irradiated with incident light of arbitrary angular and/or radial intensity

distribution was obtained using this theoretical model. Furthermore, experimental validation is also presented in the form of experimental results with steel cylinders of various diameters. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3595674]“
“Background: Group B streptococcal (GBS) meningitis is diagnosed less frequently than in the 1970s and 1980s. There are few contemporary data regarding outcomes from GBS meningitis and factors that might predict an adverse outcome.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation was conducted of term and near-term infants (>= 36 weeks’ gestation) with GBS meningitis hospitalized at Texas Children’s Hospital from 1998 to Prexasertib supplier 2006 to assess outcomes and to define features predictive of adverse outcomes.

Results:

Six infants had early-onset (<7 days) meningitis and 47 had late-onset (>= 7 days) GBS meningitis. Three infants died. Infants received broad-spectrum antibiotics initially and then penicillin (68%), ampicillin (28%), or cefotaxime (4%) for a mean of 21 (range, 15-44) days. Among survivors, 11 (22%) were neurologically impaired at hospital discharge with manifestations including persistent seizures (10), hypertonicity (9), and dysphagia (3). The 14 infants who died or had adverse outcomes at hospital discharge were more likely to present with BAY 73-4506 inhibitor FK228 seizures within hours of admission (P < 0.001), have coma or semicoma (P < 0.001), require pressor support (P = 0.001), and have an initial cerebrospinal fluid protein >= 300 mg/dL (P = 0.005) or glucose <20 mg/dL (P = 0.03) than were the 39 with infants with normal neurologic examinations. Seizures at admission remained a significant risk factor (P = 0.024) by multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

Despite advances in intensive care, 26% of term and near-term infants with GBS meningitis die or have neurologic impairment at hospital discharge. Additional strategies to prevent GBS meningitis are needed.”
“People with severe cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease with co-existent CF-associated liver disease (CFLD) are often excluded from consideration of sole lung transplantation, largely because of the concerns that they will subsequently develop hepatic decompensation. This retrospective cohort study aimed at determining whether patients with severe cirrhosis caused by CFLD have any differences in perioperative and relevant post-transplant outcomes compared to CF patients without CFLD when undergoing sole lung transplantation. Six patients with CFLD were matched with 18 CF patients without CFLD undergoing sole lung transplant at the same institution. There were no differences in total operative time or intra-operative requirements for cardiopulmonary bypass or blood products.

The conclusion is that there are no reliable data indicating that administration of vaccines containing thimerosal is a primary cause of autism. However, one cannot rule out the possibility that the

individual gene profile and/or gene-environment interactions may play a role in modulating the response to acquired risk by modifying the individual susceptibility.”
“This study validated the use of mutant prevention concentration (MPC) and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) modeling approach for optimization of dose regimen of enrofloxacin to contain the emergence of Pasteurella multocida resistance. The PK and Selleck FRAX597 PD characteristics of enrofloxacin were investigated in buffalo calves after intramuscular administration at a dose rate of 12 mg/kg. The concentration of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in serum were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The serum peak concentration (C-max),

terminal half-life (t(1/2)K(10)), volume of distribution (Vd((area))/F) and mean residence time (MRT) of enrofloxacin were 1.89 +/- 0.35 mu g/ml, 5.14 +/- 0.66 h, 5.59 +/- 0.99 l/kg/h and 8.52 +/- 1.29 h, respectively. The percent metabolite conversion ratio of ciprofloxacin to enrofloxacin was 79. The binding of enrofloxacin to plasma proteins was 11%. The MIC, MBC and MPC for enrofloxacin against P. multocida were 0.05, 0.06 mu g/ml and 1.50 mu g/ml. In vitro and ex-vivo bactericidal activity of enrofloxacin was concentration dependent. Modeling of

ex-vivo growth inhibition data to the sigmoid E-max equation provided AUC(24h)/MIC see more values to produce bacteriostatic (19 h), bactericidal (43 h) and bacterial eradication (64 h). PK-PD data in conjunction with MPC and MIC90, data predicted dosage schedules for enrofloxacin that may achieve optimum efficacy in respect of bacteriological and clinical cure and minimize the risk of emergence of resistance. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“We present the results of a study on the morphology and magnetic properties of size-selected Ni nanoparticles films grown on Si/SiO(x) substrates. The films were produced by deposition SIS3 cost of preformed Ni nanoparticles, using a gas aggregation nanocluster source and an electric quadrupole mass filter. The diameter d of the produced particles ranged between 3 and 10 nm. The morphology of the films, with average thickness t varying from t=0.5 up to t=7 nm, was studied with atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, combining in this way information about height and lateral topography. We observed the presence of some small aggregates made of two or three particles at the early stage of film formation, probably due to some degree of cluster diffusion on the substrate, and particle average flattening. For increasing values of t, large agglomerates are formed in the films, resulting in a porous structure.

After controlling for inclusion and exclusion criteria and assigning levels of evidence, 19 clinical studies were fully reviewed including those for demineralized bone matrix, recombinant human

bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2), beta-tricalcium phosphate, and calcium sulfate.

Results. The most extensively studied of the lumbar fusion extenders is beta-tricalcium phosphate, especially with regard to its use in adolescent scoliosis correction. The use of rhBMP-2 and demineralized bone matrix is supported only by two and three clinical studies, respectively. Calcium sulfate and other miscellaneous extenders are not conclusively or consistently supported by available clinical studies.

Conclusion. Calcium phosphate is the most supported of the lumbar fusion extenders. rhBMP-2 and demineralized bone matrix are supported by smaller bodies of evidence. These formulations are supported learn more by these initial studies but in some cases need to be better examined with regard to side effect profiles.”
“Immunological responses in human intestinal allografts are poorly understood and accurate diagnosis of acute cellular rejection remains

difficult. Here, human intestinal allografts were analyzed by multi-color quantitative fluorescent immunohistochemical morphometry this website in order to monitor the clinical course of rejection. Morphometry gave two-dimensional plots based on size and circularity, and identified phenotypes of individual cells infiltrating the allograft by fluorescent staining. Using this method, invariant TCRVa24+ NKT (iNKT) cells were observed in the intestinal allograft during rejection. Because these were not identified in the normal donor intestine before surgery, this finding was

considered to be a signature of acute cellular rejection of the intestinal allograft. Infiltrating iNKT cells released IL-4 and IL-5, Th2-related cytokines that antagonize the Th1 responses that induce acute cellular rejection. Histological observation suggested eosinophilic enteritis in the mucosa with elevation of IL-4 and IL-5. In conclusion, iNKT Z-VAD-FMK price cells were recruited to the intestine; however, because higher levels of IL-4 and IL-5 may contribute to eosinophilic enteritis, timely steroid administration is recommended for allograft injury due to enteritis, as well as acute cellular rejection.”
“C1-C2 instability or painful osteoarthritis are recognised indications for posterior atlanto-axial fixation. In the traditional trans-articular C1-C2 screw fixation, up to 20% of patients cannot have safe placement of bilateral screws in the event of a medially located vertebral artery and a straight screw trajectory in the sagittal plane. The more recently developed C1-C2 fixation technique with individual C1 lateral mass screws and converging C2 pars screws can be employed in case of a medially located vertebral artery and has comparable biomechanical strength.

However, therapy 1 resulted in reduced beta 2-microglobulin clearance (0.74 mL/min vs 0.89 mL/min with selleck kinase inhibitor standard therapy). Compared with therapy 1, therapy 2 improved UF and NaR (1062 mL vs 1034 mL and 99 mmol vs 96 mmol); however, that improvement is likely not clinically significant. Therapy 2 also resulted in a higher Kt/V (2.07 vs 1.72), but at the expense of higher glucose absorption (difference: 42 g). The UF and NaR were highest with a long icodextrin-containing daytime dwell either preceded by a short optimized dwell (1426 mL and 155 mmol) or without

such a dwell (1327 mL and 148 mmol).

Conclusions: The 3-pore model predictions revealed that patient-specific optimal dwell times and regimens with a longer day dwell might provide improved UF and NaR options in APD patients click here with a variety of peritoneal membrane transport characteristics. In patients without access

to icodextrin, therapy 1 might enhance UF and NaR and provide a short-term option to increase fluid removal. Although that approach may offer clinicians a therapeutic option for the overhydrated patient who requires increased UF in the short term, APD prescriptions including icodextrin provide a means to augment sodium and fluid removal. Data from clinical trials are needed to confirm the predictions from this study.”
“Reggianito is a typical variety of grana-type hard cheese produced in Argentina. It is the most exported and due to its organoleptic characteristics is very appreciated by the consumers. GW4869 The objective of this study was to characterise the global composition, lipolysis, proteolysis and volatile compound profiles of commercial Reggianito cheeses from different dairy plants.

Statistical differences (P <= 0.05) in some physicochemical parameters, nitrogen fractions and FFA levels among commercial brands were detected. The volatile profiles were studied by SPME-GC-MS/FID. A total of 53 compounds were identified, the majority belonging to the groups of ketones, alcohols, acids, esters

and aldehydes. All these compounds have been reported in Italian grana-type cheeses. Visualization of the analytical results was performed by principal component analysis. This analysis clustered cheese samples according to dairy plants. This fact could be, among other factors, consequences of differences in technologies and ripening time of different manufacturers. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Intravenous immune globulin (IVIg) use for labeled and unlabeled indications has grown in the last years. Aim of this study was to evaluate the IVIg usage profile for neurological inpatients in a single academic medical centre, over a long period of time. We retrospectively reviewed all approved IVIg transfusions for neurological disorders at Careggi Hospital from 2003 to 2006.

Results: Pulmonary function tests were similar in both groups on baseline. After 1 year of treatment, FVC% was comparable between CYC groups (p = 0.72) and in CYC + PRED (p = 0.40). Three years after the end of treatment, FVC% values (p = 0.39 in group CYC and p = 0.61 in CYC + PRED and Selleckchem LOXO-101 p = 0.22 in CYC + PRED) and DLCO-Hb (p = 0.54 in CYC

and p = 0.28 in CYC + PRED) were similar compared to 1 year of treatment. We observed a reduction of the MRSS in the CYC + PRED group after 1 year of treatment (p = 0.02); although after 3 years, MRSS values remained stable in both groups. Conclusions: CYC was effective to stabilize lung function parameters in NSIP lung pattern of SSc disease for 3 years after the end of a 1-year therapy.”
“In this work, the in-fiber shock propagation in Dyneema (R) has been studied such that the shock propagated along the axis of one of the fiber directions. A fast moving precursor wave was detected that corresponded to the elastic wave velocity of the fibers suggesting that the fibers themselves were acting as wave guides. Further, it was noticed that above a threshold shock stress of ca. 3.5 GPa, this wave was

not discernable. This shock stress corresponded with the stress at which shock-induced melt would be expected to occur suggesting that melting inhibited the fibers’ ability to act as wave guides. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3622294]“
“The Etomoxir main TNF-alpha inhibitor purpose of this work was the characterization of Cabrito Transmontana goat kid carcass and meat, which is a Protected Origin Designation product. The effects of sex and

carcass weight were studied. Sensory attributes of toughness, juiciness, flavor intensity, flavor quality, odor intensity, fiber presence (stringy), sweet intensity, and overall acceptability were evaluated in 60 males and females allocated to 3 carcass weight groups: 4, 6, and 8 kg. Sensory quality of meat was evaluated by a trained taste panel of 11 experts in 5 sessions. Generalized Procrustes analysis was performed, and 93% of total variability was explained by the 2 first factors (axes). Correlation between sensory traits and factors 1 and 2 allowed the factors to be renamed as toughness/aroma and juiciness/acceptability, respectively. Procrustes analysis indicated that a sex effect was detected by experts. Meat from males presented greater juiciness, flavor quality, and general acceptability than did meat from females. Cabrito Transmontano Protected Origin Designation includes animals from 4 to 9 kg of carcass weight. However, differences among them can be important, because the taste panel found differences between animals from distinct carcass weight ranges. Lighter weight carcasses were considered more tender with less flavor and odor intensity than heavier carcasses.”
“Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease (CD), is a substantial publicden. health concern in Latin America. Laboratory mice inoculated with T.

03] and ‘number of HIV/AIDS patients’ (IRR = 1.30; 95% CI 1.02-1.66; P < 0.001).

Conclusions Since 1991, there has been increasing epidemiological research productivity in

WHO/AFRO that is associated with the number of epidemiology programmes and burden of HIV/AIDS cases. More capacity Selleck SNX-5422 building and training initiatives in epidemiology are required to promote research and address the public health challenges facing the continent.”
“OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of two second-generation ablation techniques, bipolar radiofrequency impedance-controlled endometrial ablation and hydrothermablation, in the treatment of menorrhagia.

METHODS: This study was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial, which took place in a large teaching hospital in The Netherlands with 500 beds. Women with menorrhagia were randomly Bcl-2 inhibitor allocated to bipolar radiofrequency ablation (bipolar group) and hydrothermablation (hydrotherm group). At follow-up, both women and observers remained unaware of the type of treatment that had been performed. The primary outcome was amenorrhea. Secondary outcome measures

were patient satisfaction and reintervention.

RESULTS: We included 160 women in the study, of which 82 were allocated to the bipolar group and 78 to the hydrotherm group. No complications occurred in either of the treatment groups. After 12 months, 87% (65 of 75) of the patients in the bipolar group were completely satisfied with the result of the treatment compared with 68% (48 of 71) in the hydrotherm group (relative risk 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.6). The amenorrhea rates were 47% (35 of 75) in the bipolar group and 24% (17 of 71) in the hydrotherm group (relative risk 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.1). The relative risks for a reintervention in the bipolar group compared with the hydrotherm group was 0.29 (95% CI 0.12-0.67), whereas for hysterectomy, this was 0.49 (95% CI 0.15-1.5).

CONCLUSION: In the treatment of menorrhagia,

bipolar radiofrequency endometrial ablation system is superior to hydrothermablation. (Obstet Gynecol 2010;116:819-26)”
“Background: Accurate interpretations DMH1 clinical trial of cardiac functions require precise structural models of the myocardium, but the latter is not available always and for all species. Although scaling or substitution of myocardial fiber information from alternate species has been used in cardiac functional modeling, the validity of such practice has not been tested.

Methods: Fixed mouse (n = 10), rabbit (n = 6), and sheep (n = 5) hearts underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The myocardial structures in terms of the left ventricular fiber orientation helix angle index were quantitatively compared between the mouse rabbit and sheep hearts.

Results: The results show that significant fiber structural differences exist between any two of the three species.