13 research outputs found
Cryo-Imaging and Software Platform for Analysis of Molecular MR Imaging of Micrometastases
We created and evaluated a preclinical, multimodality imaging, and software platform to assess molecular imaging of small metastases. This included experimental methods (e.g., GFP-labeled tumor and high resolution multispectral cryo-imaging), nonrigid image registration, and interactive visualization of imaging agent targeting. We describe technological details earlier applied to GFP-labeled metastatic tumor targeting by molecular MR (CREKA-Gd) and red fluorescent (CREKA-Cy5) imaging agents. Optimized nonrigid cryo-MRI registration enabled nonambiguous association of MR signals to GFP tumors. Interactive visualization of out-of-RAM volumetric image data allowed one to zoom to a GFP-labeled micrometastasis, determine its anatomical location from color cryo-images, and establish the presence/absence of targeted CREKA-Gd and CREKA-Cy5. In a mouse with >160 GFP-labeled tumors, we determined that in the MR images every tumor in the lung >0.3 mm2 had visible signal and that some metastases as small as 0.1 mm2 were also visible. More tumors were visible in CREKA-Cy5 than in CREKA-Gd MRI. Tape transfer method and nonrigid registration allowed accurate (<11 μm error) registration of whole mouse histology to corresponding cryo-images. Histology showed inflammation and necrotic regions not labeled by imaging agents. This mouse-to-cells multiscale and multimodality platform should uniquely enable more informative and accurate studies of metastatic cancer imaging and therapy
Progress in Aluminum Electrolysis Control and Future Direction for Smart Aluminum Electrolysis Plant
Synthesis and Evaluation of a Nanoglobular Dendrimer 5-Aminosalicylic Acid Conjugate with a Hydrolyzable Schiff Base Spacer for Treating Retinal Degeneration
Biocompatible dendrimers with well-defined nanosizes are increasingly being used as carriers for drug delivery. 5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is an FDA approved therapeutic agent recently found effective in treating retinal degeneration of animal models. Here, a water-soluble dendrimer conjugate of 5-ASA (AGFB-ASA) was designed to treat such retinal degeneration. The drug was conjugated to a generation 2 (G(2)) lysine dendrimer with a silsesquioxane core (nanoglobule) by using a hydrolysable Schiff base spacer. Incubation of nanoglobular G(2) dendrimer conjugates containing a 4-formylbenzoate (FB) Schiff base spacer in pH 7.4 phosphate buffers at 37 °C gradually released 5-ASA. Drug release from the dendrimer conjugate was significantly slower than from the low molecular weight free Schiff base of 5-ASA (FB-ASA). 5-ASA release from the dendrimer conjugate was dependent on steric hindrance around the spacer. After intraperitoneal injection, the nanoglobular 5-ASA conjugate provided more effective 7-day protection against light-induced retinal degeneration at a reduced dose than free 5-ASA in Abca4(−/−)Rdh8(−/−) mice. The dendrimer 5-ASA conjugate with a degradable spacer could be a good candidate for controlled delivery of 5-ASA to the eye for treatment of retinal degeneration