Temperature-controlled power modulation compensates for heterogeneous nanoparticle distributions: a computational optimization analysis for magnetic hyperthermia

Purpose: To study, with computational models, the utility of power modulation to reduce tissue temperature heterogeneity for variable nanoparticle distributions in magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia.

Methods: Tumour and surrounding tissue were modeled by elliptical two- and three-dimensional computational phantoms having six different nanoparticle distributions. Nanoparticles were modeled as point heat sources having amplitude-dependent loss power. The total number of nanoparticles was fixed, and their spatial distribution and heat output were varied. Heat transfer was computed by solving the Pennes’ bioheat equation using finite element methods (FEM) with temperature-dependent blood perfusion. Local temperature was regulated using a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. Tissue temperature, thermal dose and tissue damage were calculated. The required minimum thermal dose delivered to the tumor was kept constant, and heating power was adjusted for comparison of both the heating methods.

Results: Modulated power heating produced lower and more homogeneous temperature distributions than did constant power heating for all studied nanoparticle distributions. For a concentrated nanoparticle distribution, located off-center within the tumor, the maximum temperatures inside the tumor were 16% lower for modulated power heating when compared to constant power heating. This resulted in less damage to surrounding normal tissue. Modulated power heating reached target thermal doses up to nine-fold more rapidly when compared to constant power heating.

Conclusions: Controlling the temperature at the tumor-healthy tissue boundary by modulating the heating power of magnetic nanoparticles demonstrably compensates for a variable nanoparticle distribution to deliver effective treatment.     

Design of an intravenous oxygenator

The aim of this study was to design a new intravenous blood–gas exchange device and to estimate the design characteristics of the device with a dimensionless function by using a substance that can be used instead of bovine blood. In addition, the characteristics of oxygen transfer were estimated using empirical formulas and the reliability of the equations was ascertained by comparing their output with an experiment performed using bovine blood. The dimensionless function was derived using distilled water and bovine blood to estimate the oxygen transfer rate. Using the derived equations, the calculated oxygen transfer rates for bovine blood and distilled water were similar for Reynolds numbers ranging from 0.7 to 7.0. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the oxygen transfer rate in bovine blood, which is a non-Newtonian fluid, using distilled water, which is a Newtonian fluid. Moreover, it was possible to verify the related equations because the oxygen transfer rate could be estimated using the derived equations, according to the diameters of the various device modules.     

MISE AU POINT D'UNE TECHNIQUE D'ADMINISTRATION IN VIVO DES VECTEURS GENETIQUES DANS LEMUSCLE CARDIAQUE

Objective In order to improve the in vivo gene transfer into the heart muscle, we have designed a ECG-synchronized microinjection system that allows sequential gene delivery to the myocardium.Methods A cannula was introduced into the right carotid artery of the Wistar rat under general anesthesia.With the ECG-synchronized injection during diastole, the genetic vector (Ad CMV lacZ ) infusion was performed with various concentrations( l07 ～ l010pfu ) and different frequency ( the ratio of heart beats per injection from 1: 1 to 4: 1 ). The hearts of the rats were removed after 7 days for histological examination. Results Best results were obtained with a total vector amount of l09 pfu and a good ratio 3: 1 between heart frequency and injection frequency. The transfection efficiency was increased by use of vasodilators and by an increase of vascular permeability. No signs of myocardial ischemia or ventricular arrythmia were observed. Conclusion We have established a novel and safe method for in vivo gene transfer into the heart. Transgene expression suggests that this method may be useful technique to study cardiac function of treat cardiac diseases by means of gene theratpy.     

On the origin of apparent low tissue signals in balanced SSFP.

Balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) has become increasingly important in clinical applications. Its signal properties have been investigated over several years by many groups, and various critical factors for bSSFP signal intensity and stability, such as off-resonances, flow, and eddy currents, have been identified. It is generally accepted that bSSFP signal intensity is a function of relaxation times, excitation angles, and spin densities only. While this is true for simple phantoms, it appears that signals from tissues are significantly less intense than predicted by theory. This work demonstrates that the molecular origin of this apparent signal reduction is due to on-resonance magnetization transfer (MT). High flip angles in combination with very short repetition times (TRs), as commonly used for bSSFP, lead to a considerable saturation in the fraction of macromolecular (MM) pool protons. As a result, bSSFP signal is strongly attenuated by up to a factor of 2 in the human brain compared to the signal expected from theory.     

Reproductive characteristics of a precocious vaccine line (Rt3+15) of Eimeria tenella in embryonating chicken eggs

Coccidiosis of chickens, caused by species of Eimeria (Protozoa, Apicomplexa), is an intestinal disease of major economic importance worldwide. In the present study, the reproductive characteristics of a precocious line (designated E. tenella Rt3+15) from Australia were investigated in chicken embryos and the implications of the findings briefly discussed.     

腓浅神经浅支移植修复桡神经缺损

[目的]探讨腓浅神经浅支修复桡神经缺损的临床效果。[方法]对腓浅神经浅支与桡神经形态结构进行比较，并对腓浅神经浅支移植修复桡神经缺损性损伤5例进行临床分析。[结果]腓浅神经浅支与桡神经形态结构大体一致．5例病例平均随访11(8～26)个月．按文献标准评定，优3例，良2例。[结论]腓浅神经浅支可作为修复桡神经缺损理想的供体神经。     

胶原蛋白-明胶支架材料修复大鼠坐骨神经缺损的研究

目的制备胶原蛋白一明胶神经支架材料（CG材料）并研究其在修复大鼠10mm坐骨神经缺损实验中的疗效。方法以I型胶原蛋白、明胶通过冷冻干燥技术制备具有轴向微管结构的神经支架材料，用其桥接修复sD大鼠坐骨神经10mm缺损。术后16周分别行透射电镜，S-100、β-tubulin class Ⅲ、NFl60免疫荧光染色以及电生理检测，观察支架材料引导神经再生的疗效。结果制备的材料内部为孔径均匀且平行排列的微管结构，术后16周通过透射电镜和免疫荧光染色可见大量再生神经纤维，电生理检测神经传导速度及波幅接近自体神经移植。结论胶原蛋白一明胶支架材料能够有效的促进周围神经再生。     

转移因子口服液佐治小儿单纯性肾病综合征临床研究

目的：观察转移因子口服液佐治小儿单纯性肾病综合征的疗效。方法：将75例诊断为单纯性肾病综合征的患儿随机分为治疗组和对照组,对照组主要采用泼尼松口服治疗,治疗组另加用转移因子口服液治疗。观察两组的感染率、复发率及治疗前后血IgG、IgA水平。结果：治疗组的感染率和复发率明显较低;治疗后血IgG、IgA水平明显提高,与对照组比较差异明显（P〈0.01）。结论：转移因子口服液佐治小儿单纯性肾病综合征可以降低患者的感染率和复发率,提高血IgG和IgA水平,是治疗肾病综合征的有效方法之一。     

Synergistic effect of low dose Cyclosporine A and human interleukin 10 overexpression on acute rejection in rat lung allotransplantation

Objective: Electroporation mediated transfer of plasmid DNA into peripheral muscle results in high transfection efficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gene transfer of human IL-10 (hIL-10) into the tibialis anterior muscle (MTA) in combination with low dose Cyclosporine A (CsA) on acute rejection of lung allografts in the rat. Methods: Lung allotransplantation was performed from male BN donor to male Fisher F344 rats. Gene transfer was achieved by intramuscular injection into the MTA of the recipient followed by electroporation (4×20 ms impulses at 200 V/cm) 24 h prior to the transplantation. Group A (n=5) received CsA (2.5 mg/kg bw ip) for 5 days post-transplant and group B (n=5) 2.5 μg of PCIK hIL-10 (plasmid expression vector containing human CMV immediate early gene promoter and enhancer) and a low dose CsA (2.5 mg/kg bw i.p.). Graft function was assessed by blood gas at day 5 after exclusion of the native lung. Animals were sacrificed and blood was drawn to measure serum hIL-10 levels (ELISA) and tissue was sampled for histological grading of rejection. Results: Local expression of hIL-10 was confirmed at the mRNA level by in situ hybridization. All group A control animals showed severe signs of rejection. At day 5 all grafts in group B showed good gas exchange mean PaO2 233±123 mmHg, vs 44±8 mmHg in group A. Histological examination revealed moderate to severe rejection in all animals in group A (IIIB, ISHLT) in contrast to low moderate rejection in group B (II–IIIA). hIL-10 serum levels on day 5 were 14±7 pg/ml in group B vs. 0 in group A. Conclusions: Electroporation mediated hIL-10 overexpression in a peripheral muscle of the recipient in combination with low dose CsA reduces acute rejection in this model of rat lung allotransplantation.