431 research outputs found
Image‐Guided Adaptive Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Overview and Experience
Image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been accepted as a novel treatment technique for cervical cancer. During the development of MRI-based IGABT, a very important concept called “High-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV)” was introduced. However, computed tomography (CT)-based IGABT is the most common modality in Japan
Evaluation of Antithrombogenicity and Hydrophilicity on Zein-SWCNT Electrospun Fibrous Nanocomposite Scaffolds
Design of blood compatible surfaces is required to minimize platelet surface interactions and increase the thromboresistance of foreign surfaces when they are used as biomaterials especially for artificial blood prostheses. In this study, single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and Zein fibrous nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning and evaluated its antithrombogenicity and hydrophilicity. The uniform and highly smooth nanofibers of Zein composited with different SWCNTs content (ranging from 0.2 wt% to 1 wt%) were successfully prepared by electrospinning method without the occurrence of bead defects. The resulting fiber diameters were in the range of 100–300 nm without any beads. Composite nanofibers with and without SWCNT were characterized through a variety of methods including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and tensile mechanical testing. The water uptake and retention ability of composite scaffolds decreased whereas thermal stability increased with an addition of SWCNTs. Hemolytic property and platelet adhesion ability of the nanocomposite (Zein-SWCNTs) were explored. These observations suggest that the novel Zein-SWCNTs composite scaffolds may possibly hold great promises as useful antithrombotic material and promising biomaterials for tissue engineering application
Primordial Magnetic Field from Gravitationally Coupled Electrodynamics in Bouncing Scenario
We in this paper study the generation of primordial magnetic field (PMF) in
the non-singular bouncing scenario, through the coupling of the electromagnetic
field to gravity. We adopt an electrodynamic model with a coupling coefficient
as a function of the scale factor , i.e. , with
and being constants. The result implies that in this mechanism,
the power spectrum of PMF today is always blue tilted on large scales from
Mpc to the Hubble length, and the observational constraints favor the
ekpyrotic-bounce scenario. Furthermore, the back reaction of the energy density
of PMF at the bouncing point yields theoretical constraints on the bouncing
model
Singlet oxygen -derived nerve growth factor exacerbates airway hyperresponsiveness in a mouse model of asthma with mixed inflammation
Background: Refractory asthma, which is caused by several factors including neutrophil infiltration is a serious complication of bronchial asthma. We previously reported that nerve growth factor (NGF) is involved in AHR. NGF-derived induction of hyperalgesia is dependent on neutrophils; however, this relationship remains unclear in respiratory disease. In this study, we examined the roles of neutrophils and NGF in refractory asthma.
Methods: Using intranasal house dust mite sensitization, we established a mouse model of asthma with mixed inflammation (Mix-in). AHR, NGF production and hyperinnervation of the lungs were examined with or without different inhibitory treatments. The levels of the singlet oxygen markers, 10- and 12-(Z,E)-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (HODE) in the lungs, were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. An in vitro experiment was also performed to evaluate the direct effect of singlet oxygen on NGF production.
Results: NGF production and hyperinnervation were higher in Mix-in mice than in conventional eosinophilic-asthmatic mice and were positively correlated with AHR. Asthmatic parameters were inhibited by NGF neutralizing Abs and myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibition. The 10- and 12-(Z,E)-HODEs levels were increased in the lungs and were positively correlated with MPO activity and NGF production. NGF was produced by bronchial epithelial cells in vitro upon stimulation with singlet oxygen.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that neutrophil MPO-derived singlet oxygen induces increased NGF production, leading to AHR and 10- and 12-(Z,E)-HODEs production. These findings may help to develop new therapies targeting this mechanism and to establish a new biomarker for non-type 2 and refractory asthma
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