Internal structure of magnetic endosomes

The internal structure of biological vesicles filled with magnetic nanoparticles is investigated using the following complementary analyses: electronic transmission microscopy, dynamic probing by magneto-optical birefringence and structural probing by Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS). These magnetic vesicles are magnetic endosomes obtained via a non-specific interaction between cells and anionic magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Thanks to a magnetic purification process, they are probed at two different stages of their formation within HeLa cells: (i) adsorption of nanoparticles onto the cellular membrane and (ii) their subsequent internalisation within endosomes. Differences in the microenvironment of the magnetic nanoparticles at those two different stages are highlighted here. The dynamics of magnetic nanoparticles adsorbed onto cellular membranes and confined within endosomes is respectively 3 and 5 orders of magnitude slower than for isolated magnetic nanoparticles in aqueous media. Interestingly, SANS experiments show that magnetic endosomes have an internal structure close to decorated vesicles, with magnetic nanoparticles locally decorating the endosome membrane, inside their inner-sphere. These results, important for future biomedical applications, suggest that multiple fusions of decorated vesicles are the biological processes underlying the endocytosis of that kind of nanometric materials.     

Using magnetic nanoparticles to manipulate biological objects

The use of magnetic nanoparticles （MNPs） for the manipulation of biological objects, including proteins, genes, cellular organelles, bacteria, cells, and organs, are reviewed. MNPs are popular candidates for controlling and probing biological objects with a magnetic force. In the past decade, progress in the synthesis and surface engineering of MNPs has further enhanced this popularity.     

Magnetic Field Effect in the Reaction of Recombination of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide Anion

Using a static magnetic field, we observed an important biological radical, nitric oxide, in solution by a spin-sensitive technique. Decomposition of 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) in aqueous solution produces a radical pair consisting of nitric oxide and the superoxide anion which recombine to form peroxynitrite. The creation of this radical pair provides a favorable setting for the observation of magnetic field effects. Magnetic field effect of (1.8 ± 0.5)% on the yield of recombination was observed in a relatively high field of 4.7 T over the sampling of 96 samples. The effect is limited by extremely fast relaxation of nitric oxide in liquids due to unquenched orbital angular momentum, and develops in f-pairs via the Δg mechanism. Magnetic field effect due to a radical pair involving nitric oxide in a biological system would require either rather strong magnetic fields in the tesla range or an internal enhancer of magnetic field.     

Application of computed tomography images in the evaluation of magnetic nanoparticles biodistribution

In this work we evaluate the effectiveness of computed tomography images as a tool to determine magnetic nanoparticle biodistribution over biological tissues. For this purpose, tomography images for magnetic nanoparticles, composed of Fe₃O₄, coated with 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), were generated at several material concentrations. The comparison of CT numbers, calculated from these images generated at clinical conditions, with typical CT numbers for biological tissues, shows that the detection of nanoparticle in most tissues is only possible for high material concentrations.     

Comparison of fast field-cycling magnetic resonance imaging methods and future perspectives

ABSTRACT

Fast field-cycling (FFC) nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry is a well-established method to determine the relaxation rates as a function of magnetic field strength. This so-called nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion gives insight into the underlying molecular dynamics of a wide range of complex systems and has gained interest especially in the characterisation of biological tissues and diseases. The combination of FFC techniques with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a high potential for new types of image contrast more specific to pathological molecular dynamics. This article reviews the progress in FFC-MRI over the last decade and gives an overview of the hardware systems currently in operation. We discuss limitations and error correction strategies specific to FFC-MRI such as field stability and homogeneity, signal-to-noise ratio, eddy currents and acquisition time. We also report potential applications with impact in biology and medicine. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future applications in transferring the underlying molecular dynamics into novel types of image contrast by exploiting the dispersive properties of biological tissue or MRI contrast agents.     

稳态强磁场的细胞生物学效应

随着科学技术的发展以及稳态强磁场在医疗诊断中的广泛应用,人们接触到1 T以上稳态强磁场的机会越来越多,稳态强磁场对人体健康的潜在影响也备受关注.虽然目前由于实验条件的限制,稳态强磁场对动物以及人体的研究报道依然有限,但是细胞作为生物体的基本单位,其研究相对较多.然而由于实验中磁场参数、细胞类型等各种因素的不同,使得稳态强磁场对细胞的影响在不同的研究中存在着差异.因此,本文不仅总结和分析了国内外1 T以上稳态强磁场细胞生物学效应的相关研究,包括细胞取向、增殖、微管和纺锤体等,而且对现有研究结果进行比较和概括,并对可能造成实验差异的因素进行分析,例如磁场强度和细胞类型等,从而为下一步研究稳态强磁场下的细胞生物学效应提供基础和依据.     

Quadrupole magnetic field-flow fractionation: A novel technique for the characterization of magnetic nanoparticles

Quadrupole magnetic field-flow fractionation (MgFFF) is an analytical separation and characterization technique for nano- and micro-sized magnetic particles. It fractionates particles according to their content of magnetite or other magnetic material. The potential and versatility of MgFFF for separation and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles, such as those used for immunospecific labeling of biological cells for magnetic separation, is demonstrated. A broadly polydisperse sample of dextran-coated magnetite nanoparticles was eluted under programmed field decay conditions, and quantitative data concerning the distribution of magnetite content were determined from the elution profile using a data reduction method.     

Biological effects of magnetic fields: chronic exposure of the nematode Panagrellus redivivus

The Panagrellus redivivus bioassay, an established monitor of adverse toxic effects of different environments, has been used to study the biological effects of exposure to static and time-varying uniform and gradient magnetic fields, and to time-varying magnetic field gradients superimposed on a static uniform magnetic field of 2.35 Tesla. Temporally stationary magnetic fields have no effect on the fitness of the test animals. Time-varying magnetic fields cause some inhibition of growth and maturation in the test populations. The combination of pulsed magnetic field gradients in a static uniform magnetic field also has a small detrimental effect on the fitness of the test animals.     

Microimaging at 14 tesla using GESEPI for removal of magnetic susceptibility artifacts in T(2)(*)-weighted image contrast.

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), T(2)(*)-weighted contrast is significantly enhanced by extremely high magnetic field strength, offering broad potential applications. However, the T(2)(*)-weighted image contrast distortion and signal loss artifact arising from discontinuities of magnetic susceptibility within and around the sample are also increased, limiting utilization of high field systems for T(2)(*)-weighted contrast applications. Due to the B(0) dependence of the contrast distortions and signal losses, and the heterogeneity of magnetic susceptibility in biological samples, magnetic susceptibility artifacts worsen dramatically for in vivo microimaging at higher fields. Practical applications of T(2)(*)-sensitive techniques enhanced by higher magnetic fields are therefore challenged. This report shows that magnetic susceptibility artifacts dominate T(2)(*)-weighted image contrast at 14 T, and demonstrates that the GESEPI (gradient echo slice excitation profile imaging) technique effectively reduces or eliminates these artifacts at long TE in the highest field (14 T) currently available for (1)H imaging.     

结合位移变化的磁场测定装置的设计及应用

利用PASCO公司生产的磁场传感器与运动传感器,设计了结合位移变化的磁场测定装置,该装置中添加了自行设计的反射板,使该装置可以在一定距离范围内连续地实时地测量某一区域内的磁场分布情况,并成功将该套装置应用到红豆生长的磁场生物效应实验中。利用该装置测量了红豆生长培养槽中的磁场分布情况,并研究了红豆处于该种特定磁场环境中,从发芽到生长7天的植株生长情况,研究结果表明磁场场强处于1.5~2.5 Gs(约3~5倍地磁场强度)时,其磁场对红豆生长起到了促进的作用。     

“P” curves for micro-structural characterization of magnetic suspensions

The paper defines, describes, and presents the “P” curves for micro-structural characterization of the complex fluids, complex powders, and complex solid matrix, having magnetic properties. P curves are the first derivative (relative to the magnetic field strength) of the hysteresis curves relative to the saturation magnetization. They offer the possibility to investigate live biological materials without sample extraction.     

Preparation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles and their internalization into colon cancer cells

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) was conjugated with carboxymethyldextran (CMDx) coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles using carbodiimide chemistry to obtain magnetic nanoparticles that target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Epidermal growth factor modified magnetic nanoparticles were colloidally stable when suspended in biological buffers such as PBS and cell culture media. Both targeted and non-targeted nanoparticles were incubated with CaCo-2 cancer cells, known to overexpress EGFR. Nanoparticle localization within the cell was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy and light microscopy using Prussian blue stain. Results showed that targeted magnetic nanoparticles were rapidly accumulated in both flask-shaped small vesicles and large circular endocytic structures. Internalization patterns suggest that both clathrin-dependent and clathrin-independent receptors mediated endocytosis mechanisms are responsible for nanoparticle internalization.     

Synchronous ultrasonic Doppler imaging of magnetic microparticles in biological tissues

We considered applicability of acoustic imaging technology for the detection of magnetic microparticles and nanoparticles inside soft biological tissues. Such particles are widely used for magnetically targeted drug delivery and magnetic hyperthermia. We developed a new method of ultrasonic synchronous tissue Doppler imaging with magnetic modulation for in vitro and in vivo detection and visualization of magnetic ultradisperse objects in soft tissues. Prototype hardware with appropriate software was produced and the method was successfully tested on magnetic microparticles injected into an excised pig liver.     

Novel core–shell magnetic nanogels synthesized in an emulsion-free aqueous system under UV irradiation for targeted radiopharmaceutical applications

Novel core–shell poly(acrylamide) magnetic nanogels with controllable particle size produced via a photochemical method in an emulsion-free aqueous system at room temperature have been developed for the first time. After Hoffmann elimination of carbonyl, nanogels with amino groups, or poly(acrylamide-vinyl amine) magnetic nanogels, were also obtained. Particle size, size distributions and zeta potential of the magnetic nanogels before and after Hoffmann elimination were measured by photo-correlation spectroscopy (PCS). The structure and morphology of the magnetic nanogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The higher dispersibility and stability of the magnetic nanogels suggest promising potential applications in targeted radiopharmaceuticals carriers for cancer therapy, and in biological and medical studies as well.     

基于超精细结构下的激光光泵铯磁力仪的理论研究

激光光泵碱金属磁力仪具有很高的灵敏度,测量范围可以从地球磁场到生物磁场。给出了铯（Cs）光泵磁力仪的理论分析和系统设计以及磁场梯度测量原理,铯原子能级在I—J耦合时形成超精细结构,在外磁场的作用下超精细结构进一步产生塞曼分裂形成塞曼子能级,利用激光泵浦和射频磁场能够使电子在超精细结构中进行能级跃迁,产生光磁双共振的结果,最终通过共振频率就能够达到精确测量外磁场的目的。     

Detection of magnetic nanoparticles with magnetoencephalography

Superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) have been widely utilized in biomedical applications due to their extremely high sensitivity to magnetic signals. The present study explores the feasibility of a new type of nanotechnology-based imaging method using standard clinical magnetoencephalographic (MEG) systems equipped with SQUID sensors. Previous studies have shown that biological targets labeled with non-toxic, magnetized nanoparticles can be imaged by measuring the magnetic field generated by these particles. In this work, we demonstrate that (1) the magnetic signals from certain nanoparticles can be detected without magnetization using standard clinical MEG, (2) for some types of nanoparticles, only bound particles produce detectable signals, and (3) the magnetic field of particles several hours after magnetization is significantly stronger than that of un-magnetized particles. These findings hold promise in facilitating the potential application of magnetic nanoparticles to in vivo tumor imaging. The minimum amount of nanoparticles that produce detectable signals is predicted by theoretical modeling and computer simulation.     

分子磁学--一个新兴的前沿研究领域

分子磁学是一个新兴的前尚交叉学科。文章简要介绍了该学科的主要研究内容,并对近年来发展最快的几个研究热点,即分子内磁耦合作用与分子磁工程、分子基铁磁体、单分子磁体、自旋转换配合物和生物体系内磁耦合作用,作一简要评述和展望。     

基于哈德曼编码的新型高分辨定域谱

核磁共振（NMR）技术作为一种非植入无损伤的检测技术,已经广泛应用于化学、生物和医学等领域.本文基于哈德曼（Hadamard）编码的分子间单量子相干（iSQC）技术提出了一种新的序列,首先从理论上对该序列进行了简要的分析并阐明其原理,然后用套管模型实验和脑模型实验验证该序列在不均匀磁场下准确定域和快速获取高分辨谱的能力.实验表明,该序列在不均匀磁场下可以快速获取高分辨定域谱,同时抑制溶剂峰信号,具备一定的应用价值.     

Preliminary investigations of magnetic osmometry

The theory and results of experiments in which an osmometer is placed in a magnetic field are presented. The pressure generated by an osmotic magnetic field of 7600 G is found to be 1.8 cm of H₂O for a 2.0 % w/w solution of bovine serum albumin. The possibility of utilizing this effect to study the magnetic properties of biological macromolecules and for more precise molecular weight determinations is discussed.     

Surface-modified magnetic nanoparticles with lecithin for applications in biomedicine

Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by thermal decomposition and adsorbed with lecithin by applying ultrasonication. The size and saturation magnetization changes of magnetic nanoparticles were observed with different lecithin concentration, and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and toxicity of magnetic fluid was investigated through a biological test. As the added lecithin concentration increased in a weight loss test by heating of magnetic particles, the thickness of lecithin-adsorption layer increased non-linearly, and the proper adsorption amount was observed in the lecithin concentration of 20% (w/v). The dispersibility and magnetic property of lecithin-adsorbed magnetic nanoparticles was the most excellent when the ultrasonic holding time was 1.5 h. Also, the maximum tolerated concentration with best cell viability was 32 μg/ml by in vitro test, and lecithin-adsorbed magnetic fluids showed the improved biocompatibility by 1.2 times compared with pure magnetite magnetic fluids.