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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Optical anisotropy of collagen fibers of rat calcaneal tendons: An approach to spatially resolved supramolecular organization

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Author(s):
Vidal, Benedicto de Campos [1] ; Mello, Maria Luiza S. [1]
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Cell Biol, BR-13083863 Campinas, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: ACTA HISTOCHEMICA; v. 112, n. 1, p. 53-61, 2010.
Web of Science Citations: 47
Abstract

Optical anisotropic characteristics investigated by polarization microscopy have been valuable for the study of the oriented organization of collagen fibers in tendons. However, topographic differences in supramolecular organization of collagen fibers along extensive areas in tendons have not yet been described. Here, the statistical. variability of the oriented organization of collagen fibers along extensive areas (10(5)-10(6) mu m(2)) of 7-mu m thick unstained sections of rat calcaneal. tendons were studied by assessing their birefringence with polarization microscopy and image analysis, and the periodic frequency distribution in their birefringent images with the fast Fourier transform (FFT). Various levels of birefringence intensity were determined principally by image analysis procedures, and periodicity in the birefringent images was revealed by FFT line profile and spectrum image patterns. Present results support the idea of a helical distribution for collagen bundles along the tendon long axis, and of a statistical architecture for the rat calcaneal tendons in terms of variability in the oriented distribution of their collagen fibers. (C) 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 03/04597-0 - Molecular order and supramolecular organization of collagen bundles: differences in functionality, as a supposed effect of expression of pathogenesis, and methodological contribution
Grantee:Benedicto de Campos Vidal
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants