Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary cement embolism (PCE), a rare form of PE, typically arises from bone cement leakage, a recognized complicatio… Read More
Month: October 2025
A mediastinal eosinophilic adenoma misdiagnosed as an esophageal stromal tumor: A case report
Eosinophilic adenoma, a benign tumor characterized by eosinophilic cell proliferation, typically arises in endocrine organs such as the thyroid or parathyroid glands. Ectopic parathyroid eosinophilic adenoma i… Read More
Comparative analysis of biomechanical properties of grafts and intact tunica albuginea in experiment
Urologiia. 2025 Sep;(4):5-13.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Existing treatment methods for Peyronies Disease (PD) aim to restore the normal biomechanical functions of the tunica albuginea (TA); however, current data on biomechanical changes in PD, as well as on the biomechanical properties of native human TA, are extremely limited. The aim of our study was to evaluate the biomechanical properties of intact TA and the materials most commonly used for its replacement.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples of the TA were collected from 9 male cadavers aged 20 to 65 years. Rectangular sections of the TA were excised from the dorsal surface of the corpora cavernosa. Fixation of the specimens in formalin was not performed, as this could affect the biomechanical properties of the tissue. Prepared samples were divided into longitudinal and transverse fragments. Pericardial grafts (allograft from cadaveric pericardium; xenograft from bovine pericardium) were prepared similarly. The obtained tissue fragments were subjected to mechanical testing. All tensile tests were conducted using a single-column universal material testing machine, the TA.XTplus Texture Analyzer (Stable Micro Systems Ltd., UK). Interactive stress-strain curves were used for result analysis. The following parameters were determined: stress, strength, strain, sample thickness. The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis.
RESULTS: Analysis of the obtained data revealed that the stress and strength of longitudinal fragments of TA were statistically significantly higher (p=0,0004 and p=0,0008; Tukeys test) than those for the transverse fragments. This indicates that human TA is anisotropic. Correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between the patient age and the strength (r=-0,49; p<0,05; Spearmans rank correlation). Additionally, a negative correlation was found between the patients age and the thickness of their tunica albuginea (r=-0,56; p<0,05 according to Spearmans test). When comparing human TA with grafts from bovine and human pericardium, it was found that the strength and thickness calculated for human tunica albuginea were statistically significantly higher (p=0,0001; Tukeys test) than those for the grafts.
CONCLUSIONS: Human and bovine pericardium grafts significantly differ from healthy TA in terms of stress, elastic modulus, strength, and thickness, which may impact the outcomes of surgical treatment for patients with PD.
PMID:40937789
Prolonged intra-aortic balloon pump support successfully reversed severe pulmonary hypertension prior to heart transplantation
Heart transplantation remains the gold standard for the treatment of end-stage heart failure, but severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) poses a significant challenge due to the increased risk of complications aft… Read More
Prolonged intra-aortic balloon pump support successfully reversed severe pulmonary hypertension prior to heart transplantation
Heart transplantation remains the gold standard for the treatment of end-stage heart failure, but severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) poses a significant challenge due to the increased risk of complications aft… Read More
Simultaneous pulmonary and intracardiac bone cement embolism after vertebroplasty: a case report and literature review
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary cement embolism (PCE), a rare form of PE, typically arises from bone cement leakage, a recognized complicatio… Read More
Massive left atrial myxoma uncommon presentation in an aged Man, an educational case report and literature review
Cardiac myxomas are the most common primary tumors of the heart, although they remain rare overall, particularly in elderly male patients. Left atrial myxomas typically present with nonspecific constitutional … Read More
Symptomatic anomalous right coronary artery in mother and daughter, a case report
Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (AORCA) is a rare, typically asymptomatic congenital cardiac abnormality. Because there are only few reported of cases of familial AORCA, knowledge of its inherita… Read More
Global trends and research hotspots in transcatheter valve replacement for aortic regurgitation: a bibliometric and visualized analysis
Transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a pivotal intervention for aortic regurgitation(AR), garnering significant attention over the past two decades. Despite the proliferation of research in th… Read More
Serological Assessment of Alpha Galactosidase, N-Glycolylneuraminic Acid, and Histopathological Observations in Xenograft Recipients
Cureus. 2025 Aug 29;17(8):e91236. doi: 10.7759/cureus.91236. eCollection 2025 Aug.
ABSTRACT
Background and aims The alpha-galactosidase (αGal) epitope and the associated anti-Gal antibodies, along with the non-human sialic acid N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) and its corresponding anti-Neu5Gc antibodies, represent critical obstacles in the field of xenotransplantation. We present an evaluation of serological and histopathological data from patients who experienced immunological rejection after receiving decellularized xenografts. This study aims to analyze the long-term immune responses that occur following the implantation of these grafts, providing insights into the mechanisms driving rejection and their potential impact on transplant outcomes. Methods Decellularized xenografts, such as bovine pericardium and porcine pulmonary artery treated with a novel patented processing technique, were utilized in cardiovascular surgeries over the course of a decade. Serum samples from patients following xenotransplantation were examined for α-Gal and Neu5Gc titers after various follow-up periods. When explanted during later surgeries, the xenograft materials were assessed histologically using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), von Kossa, and Movat’s pentachrome staining. Immunohistochemical staining for von Willebrand Factor (vWF), alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), and B lymphocyte antigen CD19 was performed to evaluate endothelialization, calcification, fibrosis, and immune rejection. No healthy volunteers were enrolled as study participants. However, for the purpose of baseline serological comparison, serum samples from one healthy adult blood donor (33/M) were used as the standard. This donor had no history of xenograft implantation or known immune disorders. Results and conclusion Histological evaluation showed human cell infiltration within the decellularized xenograft scaffold, with evidence of reendothelialization on the luminal surface. The neointimal layer had variable thickness, with aligned collagen fibers. Early remodeling was indicated by minimal fibroblastic invasion and the presence of microcapillaries. von Kossa staining revealed insignificant calcium deposits, and immunohistochemistry showed minimal signs of immune rejection. Serological analysis of seven patients revealed varying responses to α-Gal and Neu5Gc. The patients had a mean age of 16.57 years (ranging from three to 52 years) and a mean follow-up period of 6.14 years (ranging from four to nine years) at the time of blood sampling. The study included four patients with bovine pericardium grafts, one with a bovine jugular vein graft, and two with porcine pulmonary artery grafts. Anti-αGal antibody levels were consistent across all patients, while two patients showed no anti-Neu5Gc antibodies. The remaining five patients exhibited titers with a high standard deviation. This in vitro evaluation indicates that decellularized xenografts processed using the patented technology provoke minimal tissue and immune responses, making them safe and durable options for cardiovascular remodeling surgeries.
PMID:40895658 | PMC:PMC12398327 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.91236