Trinta dias após a indução do diabetes, em aortas com endotélio (E+) de ratas diabéticas (DB), a Rmáx ao cloreto de potássio (KCl) foi reduzida e a resposta à noradrenalina (NA) foi semelhante as controles (CT). A retirada do endotélio (E-) potencializou a resposta ao KCl e NA, porém essa potencialização foi de menor magnitude em DB. A Rmáx à NA em aortas E+: não foi alterada após o seqüestro de ânion superóxido ou inibição da síntese de óxido nítrico (NO) em DB, nas CT esta resposta foi reduzida e aumentada, respectivamente, e foi reduzida apenas nas DB após o bloqueio dos receptores para endotelina (ET). A mobilização de cálcio (Ca2+) em resposta à NA foi reduzida em aorta E+ e E- de DB. Em aortas de ratas diabéticas, as alterações no aparato contrátil, como por exemplo. A redução da mobilização de Ca2+, podem ser responsáveis pela redução da resposta contrátil e a redução da modulação do NO sobre a resposta à NA ou o aumento da liberação de ET pelo endotélio podem ser os responsáveis pela manutenção da resposta à NA. / Thirty days after induction of diabetes, in aortas with endothelium (E+) of diabetic female rats (DB), the maximum response (Rmax) to potassium chloride (KCl) was reduced and the Rmax to noradrenaline (NE) was similar to controls (CT). The endothelium (E-) removal increased the response to KCl and NE, but this increase was of a lower magnitude in DB than in CT. In aortas E+, the Rmax to NA: was not altered by superoxide anion scavenger or nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibition in DB, whereas in CT this response is reduced or increased, respectively, and was reduced only in DB after endothelin (ET) receptor blockade. The mobilization of the calcium (Ca2+) in response to NE was reduced in aortas E+ and E- of the DB. In aortas of DB, the alterations in the contractile apparatus, for example, reduction of the Ca2+ mobilization may be responsible for the reduction of the vasoconstriction. The reduction of NO modulation upon the response to NE or the increase of the ET release can be the responsible for the maintenance of the contractile response to NE.

Doenças vasculares são um problema mundial, que representa 28% das mortes no mundo e 66% do total de doenças que acometem os brasileiros. Dessa forma, há um grande interesse em pesquisar formas de prevenção e tratamento dessas doenças. Algumas medidas são relevantes no auxílio de diagnóstico, tal como: tamanho médio dos ramos, diâmetro médio das seções transversais dos vasos e padrões de divisão de ramos. Calcular essas medidas de forma manual é uma tarefa demorada e trabalhosa. Assim, esta Tese tem como objetivo, propor um método computacional de rastreamento e extração de atributos em redes vasculares a partir de imagens 3D de angiografia por ressonância magnética e por tomografia computadorizada. Trata-se de uma abordagem de rastreamento e identificação de bifurcações que difere das técnicas anteriores, utilizando a Transformada de Hough para identificar o diâmetro do vaso em cortes transversais num dado ponto ao longo de um vaso sanguíneo. Mais detalhadamente, essa abordagem utiliza um campo vetorial advindo do cálculo de uma matriz formada por derivadas parciais de segunda ordem, obtida da intensidade luminosa da imagem, para identificar a direção de um ramo de vaso. Além disso, durante o processo de rastreamento de um ramo de vaso, são calculados vários descritores de forma com o objetivo de classificar regiões como pertencentes a uma bifurcação ou não. Em adição a estes descritores, desenvolvemos uma nova medida chamada de variância do raio que permite distinguir, bifurcações, não-bifurcações e segmentos de vaso com stents (aparelho metálico usado para aumentar o diâmetro dos vasos). Para a classificação de bifurcações, criamos a medida de bifurcação, que trata-se de uma combinação linear de todos os descritores de forma apresentados neste trabalho. Testes foram realizados para atestar a eficácia da abordagem proposta, utilizando tanto imagens sintéticas quantoimagens reais. Os resultados mostraram que o método é capaz de rastrear 91% de uma rede vascular sintética variando o ponto de inicialização e 76% variando o nível de ruído. Também foi observado por meio de testes que o método proposto consegue rastrear vasos e identificar bifurcações em imagens reais sem avaliação numérica. Essa abordagem permite a extração da relação hierárquica entre os ramos em uma rede vascular e a extração do padrão de divisão dos vasos, o que contribui sobremaneira para o estudo do comportamento do fenômeno da angiogênese e no auxílio no diagnóstico de anomalias vasculares. / Vascular diseases are a main health problem, representing 28% of deaths worldwide and 66% of all diseases affecting the Brazilian population. Thus, it is important that researches in prevention and treatment of this type of disease increase. Moreover, there are several demands, such as computational tools capable of analyzing and extracting attributes from non-invasive images. The scope of this work is the analysis and extraction of data from magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography angiography images by highlighting blood vessels. In this context, this thesis aims the development of a novel computational tracking and feature extraction method for vascular networks from 3D images. Our approach presents the following steps: First, identify the vessel cross-sections along it using the Hough transform. Then, compute a matrix composed of second order partial derivatives of image intensity to identify the direction of the vessel. Perform a feature analysis of the vessel contour to classify the bifurcation point, and finally, identify the direction of the new branch in a bifurcation point. The main contribution of this Thesis is the two new measures developed, called radius ratio and bifurcation measure, the radius ratio is capable to distinguish between a region with bifurcation, stents or without both of them. The bifurcation measure is a linear combination that allows to classify a region as bifurcation or not. Tests were performed in order to verify the proposed approach effectiveness, using both synthetic images and real images. The results showed the method is capable to track 91% of synthetic vascular networks varying the seed point and 76% varying the level of noise. Also, we performed tests in real images and by visual evaluation, we could observed that the proposed method was able to track vessels and identify bifurcations from different parts of the body. This approach allows to calculate, in the future, the density of bifurcations in a vascular network, the distance between them, the stenosis and aneurysms grading and characterize specific vessels. In addition, the vascular networks extraction allows the study of the angiogenesis phenomena and vascular anomalies.

Les perspectives d'évolution des techniques chirurgicales sont de plus en plus demandeuses de modèles permettant de prédire déplacements et contraintes au sein des tissus. De tels modèles permettent par exemple de mieux focaliser un traitement sur une zone de tissu affectée par une pathologie. L'un des principaux obstacles posés par la plupart des modèles existants adaptés à la description du comportement mécanique des tissus vivants concerne la difficulté de mesure de leurs paramètres. Il en résulte une difficulté à les déterminer, ainsi qu'à comprendre leur influence. L'adoption d'une modélisation multiéchelles permet d'apporter une réponse satisfaisante à ce problème. En effet, elle autorise la prise en compte et lacombinaison de phénomènes simples qui ont lieu à différentes échelles, et fait ainsi intervenir des paramètres physiques et mesurables. Dans l'étude proposée, nous nous focalisons sur le comportement mécanique des parois des veines en pont, qui peuvent parvenir à rupture lors d'un choc appliqué à la tête. Nous proposons pour commencer des observations par microscopie optique, microtomographie X et microscopie confocale biphotonique visant à caractériser la structure de la paroi vasculaire à différentes échelles. Un essai mécanique est combiné à l'une des observations. Nous proposons ensuite une nouvelle modélisation multiéchelles du comportement mécanique de cette paroi vasculaire. Cette modélisation combine des modèles simples à trois échelles et reproduit ainsi le comportement mécanique global de la paroi vasculaire. Pour finir, le modèle est intégré à une modélisation par éléments finis afin de permettre l'étude de géométries complexes. / Modeling the mechanical behavior of living tissues gets nowadays more and more importance. Indeed, mechanical models can be integrated within assisted surgery devices to help for example the surgeon to better focus on an area affected by pathology.One of the main drawbacks of existing numerical models for the mechanical behavior of living tissues concerns the difficulty to measure their parameters, which makes their determination difficult. Adopting a multiscale modeling approach seems to be an answer to this issue. It allows taking into account the global complexity of the behavior by considering simple phenomena that occur at each scale. By this way, the parameters of the model deal with physical characteristics and remain measurable.In the present study, we focus on the mechanical behavior of bridging vein walls. These veins can break when the head is submitted to a shock loading. We start by some experimental observations using optical microscopy, X-ray microtomography and multiphoton confocal microscopy. These observations allow getting a detailed knowledge about the vein wall constitution. Additionally a mechanical tensile test is combined with one of these observations. Then we propose a new multiscale approach for the description of the mechanical behavior of vessel walls. It combines simple models associated with three scales and describes in this way the overall mechanical behavior of the vein wall. The evolution of the material structure at different scales is taken into account and contributes to the global hyperelastic mechanical behavior of the tissue. Finally, our model is implemented in a finite element code in order to study complex geometries.

Dong Yingying. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-125). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Declaration --- p.i / Acknowledgement --- p.ii / Publication list --- p.iii / Abstract (English) --- p.ix / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.xii / Abbreviations --- p.xiv / List of figures / tables --- p.xvi / Chapter Chapter 1. --- General Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- The role of endothelium in regulating vascular tone --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Nitric oxide (NO) --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Prostacyclin (PGI2) --- p.20 / Chapter 1.2 --- EDHF-mediated endothelial function in coronary circulation --- p.22 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Role of EDHF in coronary microarteries --- p.23 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Role of EDHF in cardiac veins --- p.24 / Chapter 1.3 --- Effect of ischemia-reperfusion on endothelial function in coronary circulation --- p.25 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Ischemia-reperfusion injury --- p.26 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Effect of ischemia-reperfusion on endothelial function in coronary microarteries --- p.28 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Effect of ischemia-reperfusion on endothelial function in cardiac veins --- p.29 / Chapter 1.4 --- Alteration of endothelial function during cardiac surgery / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Cardioplegia and organ preservation solutions --- p.31 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Combined effects of hypoxia-reoxygenation and ST solution on endothelial function in coronary microarteries/cardiac veins --- p.34 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- Effect of nicorandil on endothelial function --- p.34 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1 --- Isometric force study in micro arteries/veins --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Preparation of vessels --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.1.1 --- Preparation of porcine coronary microarteries --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.1.2 --- Preparation of porcine cardiac veins --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Technique of setting up --- p.39 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Mounting of microvessels --- p.39 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- Normalization procedure for microvessels --- p.39 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- EDHF-mediated vasorelaxation --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.3.1 --- Precontraction and stimuli of EDHF --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.3.2. --- “Truéحresponse of EDHF --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Data acquisition and analysis --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2 --- Hypoxia and reoxygenation --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Calibration of 02-special electrode --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Measurement of --- p.02 / Chapter 2.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4 --- Chemicals --- p.43 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- Hypoxia-Reoxygenation in Coronary Microarteries: Combined Effect with St Thomas Cardioplegia and Temperature on the Endothelium- derived Hyperpolarizing Factor and Protective Effect of Nicorandil --- p.44 / Chapter 3.1 --- Abstract --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2 --- Introduction --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3 --- Experimental design and analysis --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Vessel Preparation --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Normalization --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Hypoxia --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Effect of H-R on EDHF-mediated relaxation in coronary microarteries --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Combined effects ofH-R and ST solution on EDHF-mediated relaxation in coronary microarteries --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Effect of addition of nicorandil Krebs or ST solution under H-R on EDHF-mediated relaxation in coronary microarteries --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3.7 --- Data analysis --- p.50 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Resting force --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- U46619-induced contraction force --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Partial pressure of oxygen in hypoxia --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- EDHF-mediated relaxation in coronary microarteries --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.4.1 --- Effect of H-R --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.4.2 --- Combined effects ofH-R and ST solution on EDHF-mediated relaxation --- p.52 / Chapter 3.4.4.3 --- Effects of addition of nicorandil to Krebs or ST solution under H-R on EDHF-mediated relaxation --- p.52 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussion --- p.53 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- EDHF-mediated relaxation after exposure to H-R --- p.53 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- EDHF-mediated relaxation after H-R in ST solution at different temperature --- p.54 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Effect of addition of nicorandil to Krebs or ST solution during H-R on EDHF-mediated relaxation --- p.55 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Clinical implications --- p.56 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- Hypoxia-Reoxygenation in Cardiac Microveins: Combined Effect with Cardioplegia and Temperature on the Endothelial Function --- p.68 / Chapter 4.1 --- Abstract --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2 --- Introduction --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3 --- Experimental design and analysis --- p.73 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Vessel Preparation --- p.73 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Normalization --- p.73 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Hypoxia --- p.73 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Effect of H-R on EDHF-mediated relaxation in cardiac micro veins --- p.74 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Combined effects of H-R and ST solution on EDHF-mediated relaxation in cardiac microveins --- p.74 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Data analysis --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Resting force --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- U46619-induced contraction force --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Partial pressure of oxygen in hypoxia --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- EDHF-mediated relaxation after H-R in Krebs solution at 37°C --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- EDHF-mediated relaxation after exposure to H-R in ST solution at different temperatures --- p.77 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussion --- p.78 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Effect of H-R on EDHF-mediated relaxation --- p.78 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Combined effects of H-R with ST solution on EDHF-mediated relaxation --- p.80 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Clinical implications / Chapter Chapter 5. --- General Discussion --- p.89 / Chapter 5.1 --- EDHF-mediated endothelial function in porcine coronary circulation --- p.89 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- EDHF in porcine coronary microarteries --- p.92 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- EDHF in porcine cardiac veins --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2 --- Alteration of EDHF-mediated function after exposure to H-R --- p.91 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- In coronary microarteries --- p.91 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- In cardiac veins --- p.92 / Chapter 5.3 --- Alteration of EDHF-mediated function after exposure to ST solution under H-R --- p.92 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- In coronary microarteries --- p.93 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- In cardiac veins --- p.93 / Chapter 5.4 --- EDHF-mediated function in nicorandil-supplemented ST solution under H-R in coronary microarteries --- p.93 / Chapter 5.5 --- Clinical implications / Chapter 5.5.1 --- H-R injury --- p.94 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- H-R injury and cardioplegic solution --- p.95 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Nicorandil-supplementation in cardioplegic solution --- p.95 / Chapter 5.6 --- Limitation of the study --- p.96 / Chapter 5.7 --- Future investigations --- p.96 / Chapter 5.8 --- Conclusions --- p.97 / References --- p.99

Wong Chi Ming. / "August 2004." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 182-215). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Background. Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by clustering of multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Diabetic albuminuria is associated with increased prevalence of both micro-vascular and macro-vascular complications. This thesis examined vascular function (Flow-mediated dilatation, FMD) in type 2 diabetic patients with particular emphasis on its relationships with nephropathy. Independent predictors for FMD in Chinese population using data from both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects as well as the predictive value of FMD on clinical endpoints and death in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy were examined. / Conclusions. In Chinese subjects with or without type 2 diabetes, hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridemia, smoking and albuminuria were independent predictors for FMD. Type 2 diabetic subjects with overt nephropathy had impaired endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent dilatation, suggesting vascular dysfunction beyond the endothelium. In agreement with studies from Caucasians, smoking was the most important determinant for vascular dysfunction in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients with overt nephropathy. Furthermore, FMD was predictive of new onset of cardiovascular events and related death in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients with overt nephropathy. / In diabetic patients with overt nephropathy, smoking (current and ex-smokers), waist hip ratio (WHR) and serum creatinine were independent predictors for impaired FMD. The latter was predictive of advancement of IMT and was an independent predictor for new onset of combined cardiovascular diseases and related death after a follow up period of 42 months (log rank test=6.04, p=0.014 using Cox regression analysis) after controlling for all confounding factors. In addition, fasting total cholesterol and plasma glucose were predictive for all-cause mortality while serum creatinine predicted new onset of renal endpoint. In a subgroup analysis in diabetic patients with overt nephropathy, smokers who developed CVD or ESRD had greater diminution of FMD than those who did not develop clinical endpoints. / Methods and results. FMD was assessed using high-resolution ultrasound scan. In the cross-sectional study, the sample population was divided into four groups according to the presence or absence of type 2 diabetes and level of albuminuria. They included the non-diabetic group (N=52), diabetic group with normoalbuminuria (N=18), diabetic group with microalbuminuria (N=18) and diabetic group with overt nephropathy defined as macroalbuminuria and renal insufficiency (N=22). Compared to non-diabetic subjects, type 2 diabetic subjects with nephropathy had impaired FMD (4.54% +/- 2.25 vs. 2.50% +/- 2.31, p<0.05) and impaired GTN-dependent dilatation (GTND) (14.30% +/- 3.77 vs. 12.70% +/- 4.70, p<0.05). They also had reduced endothelium-dependent dilatation to endothelium-independent dilatation ratio when compared to non-diabetic subjects (0.19 +/- 0.17 vs. 0.32 +/- 0.15, p<0.05). These findings suggest that the impaired vascular dilatation was due to dysfunction of both endothelium and vascular smooth muscle cells. In the entire cohort, fasting plasma glucose, fasting triglyceride, smoking and albuminuria were independent predictors for FMD. / Lai Wai Keung Christopher. / "February 2006." / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-11, Section: B, page: 6298. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 202-252). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Interaction of fluid with elastic tube is complicated issue studied by many scientific departments around the world. Object of this thesis is to analyze simplified one-dimensional model. At the beginning, used balance equations and basics of hyper-elasticity are presented. Then we review three most common materials used for the description of blood vessels and other soft tissues. For these materials we introduce a method which we use to derive a relation between tube deformation and transmural pressure (i.e. difference between inner and outer pressure). In mathematical section we give brief review of theory of nonlinear hyperbolic equations and some relatively new results in the field of existence and uniqueness of a solution of one-dimensional hyperbolic system. The "building stone" of these results is a solution of the so-called Riemann problem. We use a method for finding exact solutions to the Riemann problem to analyze studied model of fluid-tube interaction and study dependence of the qualitative behavior of the solution on the material properties of the tube wall.

Vascular casts of three chondrichthian, one dipnoan, one chondrostean and 14 teleostean species were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy in order to give a qualitative and quantitative analysis of interarterial anastomoses (iaas) that indicate the presence (or absence) of a secondary vascular system (SVS). Anastomoses were found to originate from a variety of different primary blood vessels, many of which have not been previously identified as giving rise to secondary vessels. Segmental arteries derived from the dorsal aorta and supplying body musculature were major sites of origin of the SVS, although there was considerable variation in where, in the hierarchy of arterial branching, the anastomoses occurred. The degree of investment in a SVS was species specific, with more active species having a higher degree of secondary vascularisation. This difference was quantified using an absolute count of iaas between Anguilla reinhardtii and Trachinotus baillonii. A range of general features of the SVS is also described. No evidence of iaas was found on the coeliac, mesenteric or renal circulation in any species. Evidence of interarterial anastomoses were lacking in the dipnoan (Sarcopterygii) and chondrichthyan species examined, suggesting that a SVS is restricted to actinopterygian fishes. The presence and distribution of a secondary vascular system does not appear to be exclusively linked to phylogenetic position, but rather to the physiological adaptation of the species. Histological sections of primary segmental arteries and associated interarterial anastomoses and secondary vessels from the long-finned eel, Anguilla reinhardtii, were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. Secondary vessels were found to originate from the primary vasculature as depressions through the tunica intima and media, from where they ran perpendicularly to the adventitial layer, before coiling extensively. From here the anastomoses travelled a relatively linear path in the outer margin of the adventitia to re-anastomose with a secondary vessel running in parallel with the primary counterpart. Secondary vessels had a structure quite similar to that of primary vessels; they were lined by endothelial cells on a continuous basement membrane, surrounded by single layer of smooth muscle cells surrounding the vessel. Smooth muscle cells were also found in the vicinity of interarterial anastomoses in the adventitia, but these were more longitudinally orientated. The presence of smooth muscle cells on all aspects of the secondary circulation suggests that this vascular system is regulated in a similar manner as the primary vascular system. Because interarterial anastomoses are structurally integrated with the primary vessel from which they originate, it was anticipated that flow through secondary vessels would to some extent be affected by an increase in primary vascular tone. Immunohistochemical studies showed that primary segmental arteries displayed moderate immunoreactivity to antibodies against 5-hydroxytryptamine and substance P, while interarterial anastomoses and secondary vessels showed dense immunoreactivity. Secondary vessels were followed to the surface of the animal through consecutive sections, where they eventually give rise to capillary beds overlying the scales. Secondary capillary beds were found to supply chloride cells in the skin, suggesting that this vascular system may be involved in cutaneous ionic exchange. Branchial vascular casts from two species of Tetraodontiformes showed that the vessels previously reported as nutrient vessels are with certainty part of the secondary vascular system. In the three-barred porcupine fish, Dicotylichthys punctulatus, interarterial anastomoses originated at high densities from efferent filamental and the efferent branchial arteries, from where they formed progressively larger secondary vessels. Small branches of this vascular system entered the filament body, where it gave rise to numerous side-vessels along the way. Large secondary vessels running in parallel with the efferent branchial arteries were found to constitute an additional arterio-arterial pathway, in that they exited the branchial basket in company with the afferent mandibular artery, the carotid artery and the efferent branchial arteries, from where they gave rise to vascular beds immediately after exit. The secondary vessels in this species were not found to supply the filament musculature; rather this vascular system was supplied by a single vessel derived from the efferent branchial artery, running in parallel with the afferent branchial artery. Secondary vessels were not found on any branchial component in the banded toadfish, Marylina pleurosticta, but in all other aspects the branchial vascular anatomy was similar to that of D. punctulatus. It is proposed that four independent vascular pathways may be present in the teleostean gill. The blood volume and flow rates of the primary (PVS) and secondary vascular system (SVS) were examined in the catadromous euryhaline teleost Lates calcarifer in order to determine whether any of these parameters were subject to change in individuals acclimated to seawater, compared to a group acclimated to freshwater. There was no significant difference in any measured parameter for the two groups. The volumes of the SVS were 0.67 „b 0.13 and 0.76 „b 0.13 mL 100g-1 body mass for FW and SW acclimated animals respectively. This constituted approximately one-third of the total blood volume in both groups. Turnover times for the SVS ranged from 21.0 to 25.2 minutes, demonstrating in accordance with previous publications, that this system is considerably more dynamic than previously assumed.

Vascular casts of three chondrichthian, one dipnoan, one chondrostean and 14 teleostean species were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy in order to give a qualitative and quantitative analysis of interarterial anastomoses (iaas) that indicate the presence (or absence) of a secondary vascular system (SVS). Anastomoses were found to originate from a variety of different primary blood vessels, many of which have not been previously identified as giving rise to secondary vessels. Segmental arteries derived from the dorsal aorta and supplying body musculature were major sites of origin of the SVS, although there was considerable variation in where, in the hierarchy of arterial branching, the anastomoses occurred. The degree of investment in a SVS was species specific, with more active species having a higher degree of secondary vascularisation. This difference was quantified using an absolute count of iaas between Anguilla reinhardtii and Trachinotus baillonii. A range of general features of the SVS is also described. No evidence of iaas was found on the coeliac, mesenteric or renal circulation in any species. Evidence of interarterial anastomoses were lacking in the dipnoan (Sarcopterygii) and chondrichthyan species examined, suggesting that a SVS is restricted to actinopterygian fishes. The presence and distribution of a secondary vascular system does not appear to be exclusively linked to phylogenetic position, but rather to the physiological adaptation of the species. Histological sections of primary segmental arteries and associated interarterial anastomoses and secondary vessels from the long-finned eel, Anguilla reinhardtii, were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. Secondary vessels were found to originate from the primary vasculature as depressions through the tunica intima and media, from where they ran perpendicularly to the adventitial layer, before coiling extensively. From here the anastomoses travelled a relatively linear path in the outer margin of the adventitia to re-anastomose with a secondary vessel running in parallel with the primary counterpart. Secondary vessels had a structure quite similar to that of primary vessels; they were lined by endothelial cells on a continuous basement membrane, surrounded by single layer of smooth muscle cells surrounding the vessel. Smooth muscle cells were also found in the vicinity of interarterial anastomoses in the adventitia, but these were more longitudinally orientated. The presence of smooth muscle cells on all aspects of the secondary circulation suggests that this vascular system is regulated in a similar manner as the primary vascular system. Because interarterial anastomoses are structurally integrated with the primary vessel from which they originate, it was anticipated that flow through secondary vessels would to some extent be affected by an increase in primary vascular tone. Immunohistochemical studies showed that primary segmental arteries displayed moderate immunoreactivity to antibodies against 5-hydroxytryptamine and substance P, while interarterial anastomoses and secondary vessels showed dense immunoreactivity. Secondary vessels were followed to the surface of the animal through consecutive sections, where they eventually give rise to capillary beds overlying the scales. Secondary capillary beds were found to supply chloride cells in the skin, suggesting that this vascular system may be involved in cutaneous ionic exchange. Branchial vascular casts from two species of Tetraodontiformes showed that the vessels previously reported as nutrient vessels are with certainty part of the secondary vascular system. In the three-barred porcupine fish, Dicotylichthys punctulatus, interarterial anastomoses originated at high densities from efferent filamental and the efferent branchial arteries, from where they formed progressively larger secondary vessels. Small branches of this vascular system entered the filament body, where it gave rise to numerous side-vessels along the way. Large secondary vessels running in parallel with the efferent branchial arteries were found to constitute an additional arterio-arterial pathway, in that they exited the branchial basket in company with the afferent mandibular artery, the carotid artery and the efferent branchial arteries, from where they gave rise to vascular beds immediately after exit. The secondary vessels in this species were not found to supply the filament musculature; rather this vascular system was supplied by a single vessel derived from the efferent branchial artery, running in parallel with the afferent branchial artery. Secondary vessels were not found on any branchial component in the banded toadfish, Marylina pleurosticta, but in all other aspects the branchial vascular anatomy was similar to that of D. punctulatus. It is proposed that four independent vascular pathways may be present in the teleostean gill. The blood volume and flow rates of the primary (PVS) and secondary vascular system (SVS) were examined in the catadromous euryhaline teleost Lates calcarifer in order to determine whether any of these parameters were subject to change in individuals acclimated to seawater, compared to a group acclimated to freshwater. There was no significant difference in any measured parameter for the two groups. The volumes of the SVS were 0.67 „b 0.13 and 0.76 „b 0.13 mL 100g-1 body mass for FW and SW acclimated animals respectively. This constituted approximately one-third of the total blood volume in both groups. Turnover times for the SVS ranged from 21.0 to 25.2 minutes, demonstrating in accordance with previous publications, that this system is considerably more dynamic than previously assumed.

For small diameter (<6 mm) blood vessel replacements, lack of collaterals and vascular disease preclude homografts; while synthetic analogs, ePTFE, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, and PET, polyethyleneterephathalate, are prone to acute thrombosis and restenosis. It is postulated that the hierarchical assembly of cell populated matrices fabricated from protein analogs provides a new design strategy for generating a structurally viable tissue engineered vascular graft. To this end, synthetic elastin and collagen fiber analogs offer a novel strategy for creating tissue engineered vascular grafts with mechanical and biological properties that match or exceed those of native vessels. This work details techniques developed for the fabrication of prosthetic vascular grafts from a series of extracellular matrix analogs composed of nanofibrous collagen matrices and elastin-mimetic proteins, with and without cells, and subsequent evaluation of their biocompatibility and mechanical properties. The work details the fabrication and mechanical analysis of vascular grafts made from aforementioned protein analogs. Subesequent studies detail seeding and proliferation of rodent mesenchymal stem cells on protein-based composites to recapitulate the media of native vasculature. Finally detailing in vivo biocompatibility and stability of tissue engineered vascular grafts.