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

In Vivo Long-Term Magnetic Resonance Imaging Activity of Ferritin-Based Magnetic Nanoparticles versus a Standard Contrast Agent

New long-circulating maghemite nanoparticles of 4 and 6 nm, coated with an apoferritin protein capsid, exhibit useful properties to act as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. A full in vivo study of the so-called apomaghemites reveals that their long-term MRI properties are better than those of a standard superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) widely used in biomedical applications. The biodistribution of apomaghemites and standard SPIO was investigated by MRI in mice at two different concentrations, 6 and 2.5 mg of Fe·kg^–1, over 60 days. Significant differences are found at low dose (2.5 mg of Fe·kg^–1). Thus, whereas apomaghemites are active for MR bioimaging of liver for 45 days, standard SPIO is not effective beyond 7 days. On the basis of our data, we may concluded that apomaghemites can act as new long-term MRI liver contrast agents, allowing first the diagnosis of a liver pathology and then monitoring after treatment without the need for a second injection

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

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

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

Histological assessment.

<p>Islet stained by anti-insulin antibody (magenta) respectively one month (A) and six months (B) after transplantation. (C–D) Islet, in the centre of a liver lobule, in contact with a network of new capillaries, as suggested by a strong presence of GFP+ EPCs (yellow) and PECAM-1 (red), from a perilobular vein (*) for animals at 30 days from transplant. The 3D reconstruction (D), better explain the previous picture (C). The islet was shown in green, while the perilobular vein was red. Orange represented the capillary network, the magenta an arteriole and the EPCs were yellow. New formed vessel in the islets one month (E) and six months (F) after transplantation, white arrows indicated endothelial (red) GFP+ EPCs. The endothelial cells in E exhibit a higher shape of those in F.</p