Characterization of a Miniature Electron Energy Analyzer for Scanning Electron Microscopes

We report the design and experimental characterisation of a miniature detector for the scanning electron microscope based on the Bessel Box (BB) electron energy analyser which has a simple cylindrical geometry. We report on the simulation and operation of a prototype BB. The energy resolution of a single BB has been numerically calculated and experimentally characterised to be < 1%. This miniature electron detector is designed to be used close to the sample, alleviating the effects of the ambient electrostatic and magnetic fields

Nuclear factor-kappa B affects tumor progression in a mouse model of malignant pleural effusion

We developed a novel mouse model of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) by injecting Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells directly into the pleural space of syngeneic C57B/6 mice. The pleural effusions in this model share common cellular and biochemical features with human MPEs. Implantation and growth of pleural tumors triggers a host inflammatory response characterized by a mixed inflammatory cell influx into the pleural fluid. LLC cells exhibited high basal nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B activity in vitro and in vivo, which we used to drive expression of a NF-kappa B-dependent green fluorescent protein-firefly luciferase fusion reporter construct. NF-kappa B-dependent reporter expression allowed intravital tracing of pleural tumors. Inhibition of NF-kappa B in LLC cells did not affect cell viability in culture; however, injection of LLC cells expressing a dominant NF-kappa B inhibitor resulted in decreased tumor burden, decreased pleural effusion volume, and decreased pleural effusion TNF-alpha levels. These studies indicate that tumor NF-kappa B activity regulates pleural tumor progression. This reproducible model of MPE can be used to further study the influence of specific host and tumor factors on the pathogenesis of MIRE and evaluate new therapeutic strategies