Background: The use of microscopic computed tomography to assess the key functional parameters of systolic emptying or diastolic filling in small animals has not been previously reported. The aim of the study was to test whether microscopic computed tomography can assess the dynamics of both left ventricle and right ventricle (RV) diastolic filling and systolic emptying in an experimental model of pulmonary arterial hypertension Methods and Results: The Wistar-Kyoto rats were injected subcutaneously with the VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)-receptor inhibitor SU5416 (20 mg/kg body weight) and were then exposed to chronic hypoxia (10% oxygen) for 21 days (SU5416-hypoxia) followed by normoxia for an additional 2 weeks. Thereafter, multiphase cine cardiac images were acquired using a microscopic computed tomography scanner in conjunction with a blood-pool iodinated contrast agent. Examination of the 3-dimensional images of SU5416-hypoxia rats confirmed the presence of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. Functional parameters that describe the dynamics of ventricular systolic ejection and diastolic filling were calculated. RV peak ejection rate was significantly decreased ( P <0.03) in SU5416-hypoxia rats compared with controls. RV peak filling rate had a significant decrease compared with controls ( P <0.03), particularly in the early phase of diastole ( P <0.03). This was accompanied by increased time to peak filling rate ( P <0.03) and total filling time ( P <0.06). Spearman analysis between microscopic computed tomography RV diastolic indices and invasively derived RV end-diastolic pressure indicated excellent correlation. Conclusions: We developed a method that allows rapid and accurate assessment of cardiac functional indices and that paves the way for more extensive preclinical cardiovascular research.

Background. Skin temperature is an important indicator of the functional status of the body. Infrared thermal images of the body surface or its separate parts could be the indicator of body composition and, probably, the criterion of the functional activity of muscles. Objectives. This study aims to find a correlation between the average values of skin temperature in different parts of the body and the components of body composition in young women with low values of adipose tissue (FAT % = 20.73±5.50; BMI = 20.23±2.44). Methods. The study involved 69 healthy women aged 18-20 (BMI = 20.23±2.44). Participants were subjected to a 15-minute temperature adaptation in the room with a temperature of 22-24°С and humidity of 45-50%. We measured body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis and taking eight photos of different body areas with the help of the thermal infrared camera. Results. Correlation analysis allowed us to reveal temperature correlations with BMI and FAT%. The most significant values were registered between FAT% and t mean (r=-0.36), FAT% and t shin BL (r=-0.39), FAT% and t shin BR (r=-0.38). Conclusion. To forecast FAT% for this sample, the skin temperature of the shin is the most informative parameter (decrease by 1% results in the increase in FAT% by 1-1.5%). Moreover, we made a hypothesis that the differences between t mean of shins and hips indicate the postural balance: t shin mean ˃ t hip mean is responsible for the shin strategy; t shin mean ˂ t hip mean indicates the hip strategy.

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