Spatial Correlation Analysis of Isotropic Microvessels: Methodology and Application to Thyroid Capillaries

Abstract

The study of relations between structural organization and functions of microcirculatory networks is a major aim of modern microangiology. Such a structural aspect of microvessels (MVs) as their spatial arrangement has substantial influence on their transport and other functional properties. This paper describes a methodology of spatial correlation analysis for isotropic blood and lymphatic MVs which is based on a stereological estimator of the pair correlation function [g3D(r)] created recently by the authors for systems of elongated objects. The following main features of the methodology are presented: (i) interpretation of the shape of g3D(r) curves, (ii) their quantitative description by numerical parameters, and (iii) limitations of the method arising from statistical requirements to MVs under investigation. The methodology is considered in the light of multilevel sampling designs, which are typical for biomedical morphology. The estimator with its methodological framework is applied to perifollicular blood capillaries in the adult rat thyroid. Related methods for studying the spatial arrangement of MVs are thoroughly discussed in the paper.

Intravoxel partially coherent motion technique: Characterization of the anisotropy of skeletal muscle microvasculature

“…Depending on the targeted tissue, two basic categories of networks have been employed, one involving random isotropic orientation of capillaries (21), and another involving an anisotropic distribution of the microvessels (22,23). The distribution of microvessels in the thyroid gland, the adrenal medulla, the liver, the spleen, and many other organs can be considered isotropic to a good approximation (24). However, the distribution of microvessels in the skeletal muscles, the myocardium, the meninges, and the periosteum of tubular bones is anisotropic.…”

Detection and monitoring for cancer and abnormal vasculature by photoacoustic signal characterization of structural morphology

“…and micro-computed tomography (µCT) [61], power Doppler and contrast enhanced ultrasound methods [62], positron emission tomography (PET) [61], fluorescent imaging, confocal microscopy [63], and photoacoustic tomography [4,7]. Some ex-vivo methods for study and analysis include histological slides [14,64,65], and vascular casting [66].…”