Contralaterally transplanted human embryonic stem cell-derived neural precursor cells (ENStem-A) migrate and improve brain functions in stroke-damaged rats

The transplantation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) is known to be a promising approach to ameliorating behavioral deficits after stroke in a rodent model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Previous studies have shown that transplanted NPCs migrate toward the infarct region, survive and differentiate into mature neurons to some extent. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of NPC migration following transplantation into stroke animals have yet to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the fates of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived NPCs (ENStem-A) for 8 weeks following transplantation into the side contralateral to the infarct region using 7.0T animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). T2- and T2*-weighted MRI analyses indicated that the migrating cells were clearly detectable at the infarct boundary zone by 1 week, and the intensity of the MRI signals robustly increased within 4 weeks after transplantation. Afterwards, the signals were slightly increased or unchanged. At 8 weeks, we performed Prussian blue staining and immunohistochemical staining using human-specific markers, and found that high percentages of transplanted cells migrated to the infarct boundary. Most of these cells were CXCR4-positive. We also observed that the migrating cells expressed markers for various stages of neural differentiation, including Nestin, Tuj1, NeuN, TH, DARPP-32 and SV38, indicating that the transplanted cells may partially contribute to the reconstruction of the damaged neural tissues after stroke. Interestingly, we found that the extent of gliosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells) and apoptosis (TUNEL-positive cells) were significantly decreased in the cell-transplanted group, suggesting that hESC-NPCs have a positive role in reducing glia scar formation and cell death after stroke. No tumors formed in our study. We also performed various behavioral tests, including rotarod, stepping and modified neurological severity score tests, and found that the transplanted animals exhibited significant improvements in sensorimotor functions during the 8 weeks after transplantation. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that hESC-NPCs have the capacity to migrate to the infarct region, form neural tissues efficiently and contribute to behavioral recovery in a rodent model of ischemic stroke.     

Synthesis of gemini surfactants with twelve symmetric fluorine atoms and one singlet F MR signal as novel F MRI agents

A family of fluorinated gemini surfactants derived from perfluoropinacol has been synthesized as novel ¹⁹F magnetic resonance imaging (¹⁹F MRI) agents. These fluorinated surfactants with 12 symmetric fluorine atoms and one singlet ¹⁹F MR peak can be conveniently prepared from perfluoropinacol and oligo(ethylene glycols) on multi-gram scales. Solubility, hydrophilicity (log P), and critical micelle concentration (CMC) measurements of these fluorinated surfactants indicated that high aqueous solubility can be achieved by introducing oligo(ethylene glycols) with appropriate length into perfluoropinacol, i.e., manipulating the fluorine content (F%). One of these fluorinated surfactants with high aqueous solubility and excellent ¹⁹F MR properties has been identified by ¹⁹F MRI phantom experiments as a promising ¹⁹F MRI agent.     

Experimental shift allowance in the deconvolution of SIMS depth profiles

We study the deconvolution of the secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiles of silicon and gallium arsenide structures with doped thin layers. Special attention is paid to allowance for the instrumental shift of experimental SIMS depth profiles. This effect is taken into account by using Hofmann's mixing‐roughness‐information depth model to determine the depth resolution function. The ill‐posed inverse problem is solved in the Fourier space using the Tikhonov regularization method. The proposed deconvolution algorithm has been tested on various simulated and real structures. It is shown that the algorithm can improve the SIMS depth profiling relevancy and depth resolution. The implemented shift allowance method avoids significant systematic errors of determination of the near‐surface delta‐doped layer position. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An efficient synthesis of 3-(N-piperidinemethyl)-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-oxy-3-pyrroline,a promising radioprotector for cancer radiotherapy

Nitroxides can ameliorate the toxic effects of radiation during cancer therapy. Nitroxides are paramagnetic and can be used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) to monitor in vivo oxidative stress status. Compound 5 (3-(N-piperidinemethyl)-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-oxy-3-pyrroline) was found to be the most effective nitroxide radioprotector. An efficient synthesis for this promising radioprotector was developed.     

自组装多肽探针在磁共振成像中的应用

磁共振成像(MRI)是一种强大的非侵入式生物医学诊断技术. 临床上, MRI需要借助造影剂来提高成像质量, 从而提高诊断的准确性. 由于具有优越的信号放大能力和生物相容性, 自组装多肽探针可负载特定的MRI分子, 通过酶促自组装过程实现肿瘤靶向和特异性富集, 增强肿瘤病灶区MRI信号, 从而进一步提高MRI的准确性和灵敏度. 本综述总结了近年来多肽自组装探针在不同MRI模式( ¹H MRI, ¹⁹F MRI和双自旋核MRI)下的最新进展, 并展望了这类新型探针在MRI领域的应用前景.     

基于硼酸酯的19F磁共振分子探针的设计合成及活体深组织活性氧物种的激活响应成像

活性氧簇(ROS), 如过氧化氢, 在生物体内的各种生理和病理过程中发挥着重要作用. 生物体内活性氧簇水平的异常与多种疾病(炎症、 肿瘤和器官损伤等)密切相关, 使ROS监测成为研究和诊断这些疾病的重要工具. 目前, 实现活体内深组织中的活性氧簇成像仍然面临挑战. 本文设计并合成了一种响应型的¹⁹F磁共振成像(MRI)探针(Gd-DPBF), 并将其用于实现对活体内通用活性氧簇的检测和成像. 该探针由钆螯合物通过活性氧簇响应的芳香硼酸酯键与含氟砌块相连接构成. 体外和体内成像实验结果证实, 该探针可以实现在活体荷瘤小鼠中针对肿瘤中高表达的活性氧进行检测和成像, 展示了其在生物体内对活性氧簇相关生理过程进行深组织、 零生物背景成像方面的潜力.     

一类肝靶向含钆大环磁共振对比剂的设计、制备与性能表征

肝靶向磁共振对比剂有助于肝细胞癌的早期诊断, 目前临床使用的线性对比剂存在导致病人肾源性系统性纤维化和钆离子沉积的风险. 本工作设计制备了一类含有乙氧芳基或甲氧苯基亲脂性基团、以DOTA-酰肼(DOTA: 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecan-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid)为Gd³⁺离子螯合基团的大环类磁共振对比剂. 0.5 T磁场下测得其纵向弛豫率r₁值介于3.7~5.4 L•mmol^-1•s^-1, 优于临床使用对比剂Gd-DOTA, 弛豫率最高的为对比剂7h (Gd-DOTAH-EOPEI) (EOPEI: 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)ethanimine), 略高于临床使用肝靶向对比剂Gd-EOB-DTPA (EOB: ethoxybenzyl; DTPA: diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), 比我们前期制得的肝靶向磁共振对比剂5d提高了约15%. 动物活体体内肝靶向磁共振成像研究显示, 所制备对比剂7b、7g和7h具有作为肝靶向磁共振对比剂的应用潜力. 结合弛豫率和活体体内成像数据, 筛选出了先导化合物7h.     

MRI相关定量参数在肩峰下撞击综合征诊断中的价值及与肩关节功能、治疗效果的关系

为分析MRI相关定量参数对肩峰下撞击综合征(SIS)的诊断价值,本研究将56例SIS患者设为SIS组,同期56例健康体检者设为对照组,对比了两组对象的一般资料、肩关节功能评分(Constant评分)及MRI相关定量参数水平,探讨了MRI定量参数与Constant评分、SIS发病相关影响因素、治疗效果的关系及对SIS的诊断价值。结果显示SIS组Constant评分、最短肩肱间距低于对照组,肩峰指数、肩锁关节骨赘高度高于对照组,且SIS组治疗有效患者肩峰指数、肩锁关节骨赘高度低于无效患者,最短肩肱间距高于无效患者(P<0.05);SIS患者肩峰指数、肩锁关节骨赘高度与Constant评分呈负相关,而最短肩肱间距与其呈正相关(P<0.05);各MRI相关定量参数均为SIS发病的重要影响因素(P<0.05)。应用各MRI相关定量参数联合诊断SIS特异度为87.50%,敏感度为80.36%。由此可知MRI相关定量参数对SIS诊断价值较高,且与肩关节功能和治疗效果有关。     

A realization of digital wireless transmission for MRI signals based on 802.11b

In this paper, a digital wireless transmission system based on 802.11b standard for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) application is designed and built for the first time to eliminate the interference aroused by coil array cables. The analysis shows that the wireless receiver has a very high sensitivity to detect MRI signals. The modulation technique of differential quadrature phase shift keyed (DQPSK) can be applied to MRI data transmission with rate of 2 Mbps and bandwidth of 2 MHz. The bench test verifies that this wireless link has a dynamic range over 86 dB supporting up to 3 T MRI system data transmission. The 2D spin echo imaging of phantom is performed and the SNR of the image obtained by the wireless transmission can be comparable with that got by the coaxial cables.