MRI (T2 and rCBV) and histological (low-power vs higher magnifications) data are presented.

<p>The three histological areas used for the cell density evaluation reported above are, respectively, cerebral cortex, pyramidal layer of CA1 and hilus of the dentate gyrus.</p

Bar graphs for T2 ratio in different brain areas.

<p>T2 ratio was calculated dividing T2 values for each region of interest (ROI) for the baseline (muscle levels). Data were evaluated with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), following LSD post-hoc test, setting the significance at p<.05.</p

Bar graphs for rCBV values in the same brain areas that were identified for T2 analysis.

<p>Bar graphs for rCBV values in the same brain areas that were identified for T2 analysis.</p

Peak enhancement in control (A, C) and pilocarpine-treated animals (B, D).

<p>Compared to controls, in rats during SE, sub-granular layers showed a decreased contrast medium peak concentration (D, blue dots), indicating a relative ischemic core, whereas supra-granular layers were characterized by hyperemia (D, red dots). Overlay rTTP maps on source images showing a generalized increase in blood flow rate in pilocarpine-treated (B) versus control brain (A). These alterations in the cerebral cortex of pilocarpine-treated rats present a specific spatial distribution (supra- (red arrow) versus sub-granular layers (blue arrow)).</p

EM images in control animals and 2 h and 24 h after SE in both supergranular (A, A′, A″) and subgranular levels (B, B′, B″).

<p>Subgranular layers are characterized of profound tissue damage 2 h after SE (B′) whereas supergranular layers at this time point appear to be normal except for the perivascular edema (A′). Twenty-four h after SE pathological evidences are detectable in both areas (A″′, B″′).</p

Vascular casts revealed structural alterations in brain vessels 2 h after SE-onset.

<p>In the superficial, hyperperfused zone, veins were increased in diameter (B, E) whereas in the hypoperfused, edematous subgranular region, veins appeared collapsed (C, F).</p

Agrin expression in control (A) and pilocarpine-treated (B) animals.

<p>Increased agrin expression in the endothelial cells is evident in both superficial and deeper layers 2 h after SE-onset. This increase was more evident in the supergranular than in the subgranular layers. Localization of GFAP-like immunoreactivity revealed a selective increase in astrocytic GFAP expression in the less acutely damaged superficial layers (square).</p

MicroArray analysis of cortical sample from supragranular vs subgranular layers at different time-points.

<p>MicroArray analysis of cortical sample from supragranular vs subgranular layers at different time-points.</p

EGFR-Targeted Magnetic Nanovectors Recognize, <i>in Vivo</i>, Head and Neck Squamous Cells Carcinoma-Derived Tumors

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are a diverse group of tumors with high morbidity and mortality that have remained mostly unchanged over the past decades. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is often overexpressed and activated in these tumors and strongly contributes to their pathogenesis. Still, EGFR-targeted therapies such as monoclonal antibodies and kinase inhibitors have demonstrated only limited improvements in the clinical outcome of this disease. Here, we take advantage of the extraordinary affinity of EGF for its cognate receptor to specifically target magnetite-containing nanoparticles to HNSCC cells and mediate, <i>in vitro</i>, their cellular upload. On the basis of this, we show efficient accumulation, <i>in vivo</i>, of such nanoparticles in subcutaneous xenograft tumor tissues in sufficient amounts to be able to mediate visualization by magnetic resonance imaging. Overall, our EGF-coated nanosystem may warrant, in the near future, novel and very efficient theranostic approaches to HNSCC