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In this study, polarization second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging is used and data analysis is developed to gain contrast and to discriminate with pixel resolution, in the same image, SHG source architectures. We use mammalian tissue in which both skeletal muscle and fibrilar collagen can be found. The images are fitted point by point using an algorithm based on a biophysical model, where the coefficient of determination is utilized as a filtering mechanism. For the whole image we retrieve for every pixel, the effective orientation, θe, of the SHG active structures. As a result a new image is formed which its contrast depends on the values of θe. Collagen presented in the forward direction for a predefined region of interest (ROI), peak distribution of angles θe centered in the region of ∼45°, while muscle in the region of ∼65°. Consequently, collagen and muscle are represented in different colors in the same image. Thus, here we show that it is possible to gain contrast and to discriminate between collagen and muscle without the use of any exogenous labeling or any co-localization with fluorescence imaging. © 2009 SPIE-OSA. ; This work is supported by the Generalitat de Catalunya and by the Spanish government grant TEC2006-12654 SICO. Authors also acknowledge The Centre Innovacio i Desenvolupament Empresarial-CIDEM (RDITSCON07-1-0006), Grupo Ferrer and the European Regional Development Fund. This research has been partially supported by Fundació Cellex Barcelona. ; Peer Reviewed

[EN] Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) and premature birth are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular diseases throughout adulthood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of these factors in ventricular electrical remodeling in preadolescents. Electrocardiography was performed in a cohort of 33-IUGR, 32-preterm with appropriate weight and 60 controls. Depolarization and repolarization processes were studied by means of the surface ECG, including loops and angles corresponding to QRS and T-waves. The angles between the dominant vector of QRS and the frontal plane XY were different among the study groups: controls [20.03 degrees(10.11 degrees-28.64 degrees)], preterm [25.48 degrees(19.79 degrees-33.56 degrees)], and IUGR [27.77 degrees(16.59 degrees-33.23 degrees)]. When compared to controls, IUGR subjects also presented wider angles between the difference of QRS and T-wave dominant vectors and the XY-plane [5.28 degrees +/- 12.15 degrees vs 0.49 degrees +/- 14.15 degrees, p 0.05] while preterm ones showed smaller frontal QRS-T angle [4.68 degrees(2.20 degrees-12.89 degrees) vs 6.57 degrees(2.72 degrees-11.31 degrees), p 0.05]. Thus, electrical remodeling is present in IUGR and preterm preadolescents, and might predispose them to cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. Follow-up studies are warranted. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. ; N.Ortigosa acknowledgesthe support fromGeneralitatValenciana under grants PrometeoII/2013/013, ACOMP/2015/186, and MINECO under grant MTM2013-43540-P. This project has also been partially funded by TEC2013-42140-R and TIN2014-53567-R from CICYT, by Grupo Consolidado BSICoS from DGA (Aragon) and European Social Fund, the Erasmus + Program of the European Union (Framework Agreement number: 2013-0040), the South -Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, the Bergesen foundation and grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grant numbers PI12/00801 and PI14/00226); Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (grant number SAF2012-37196), cofinanced by the ...

Objective: There is a need for standardized reference values for cardiac dimensions in prenatal life. The objective of the present study was to construct nomograms for fetal cardiac dimensions using a well-defined echocardiographic methodology in a low-risk population. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study including 602 low-risk singleton pregnancies undergoing a standardized fetal echocardiography to accurately assess fetal cardiac, ventricular, and atrial dimensions. Parametric regressions were tested to model each measurement against gestational age from 18 to 41 weeks of gestation. Results: Nomograms were constructed for fetal cardiac dimensions (transverse and longitudinal diameters and areas) of the whole heart, atria, and ventricles, as well as myocardial wall thicknesses. All dimensions showed a progressive increase with gestational age. The best model for most parameters was a second-degree linear polynomial. Fetal cardiac, ventricular, and atrial diameters and areas were successfully obtained in 98.6% of the fetuses, while myocardial wall thicknesses could be obtained in 96.5% of the population. The results showed excellent interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC > 0.811 and ICC > 0.957, respectively). Conclusions: We provide standardized and comprehensively evaluated reference values for fetal cardiac morphometric parameters across gestation in a low-risk population. These no mograms would enable the early identification of different patterns of fetal cardiac remodeling. ; European Union (EU) 2013-0040 La Caixa Foundation LCF/PR/GN14/10270005 Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI14/00226 INT16/00168 PI17/00675 PI15/00263 PI15/00130 Cerebra Foundation for the Brain Injured Child (Carmarthen, Wales, UK) AGAUR 2017 SGR grant 1531 Ajut Josep Font (Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Spain) Agencia de Gestio D'Ajuts Universitaris de Recerca Agaur (AGAUR) 2016FI_B01184