Potential Risk of Choline Alfoscerate on Isoflurane-Induced Toxicity in Primary Human Astrocytes.

Objective: Isoflurane, a widely used common inhalational anesthetic agent, can induce brain toxicity. The challenge lies in protecting neurologically compromised patients from neurotoxic anesthetics. Choline alfoscerate (L-α-Glycerophosphorylcholine, α-GPC) is recognized for its neuroprotective properties against oxidative stress and inflammation, but its optimal therapeutic window and indications are still under investigation.

Penetrative and Sustained Drug Delivery Using Injectable Hydrogel Nanocomposites for Postsurgical Brain Tumor Treatment.

Postsurgical treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) by systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy is often inefficient. Tumor cells infiltrating deeply into the brain parenchyma are significant obstacles to the eradication of GBM. Here, we present a potential solution to this challenge by introducing an injectable thermoresponsive hydrogel nanocomposite.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging features of a canine glioblastoma model.

Purpose: To assess glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) formation with similar imaging characteristics to human GBM using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an orthotopic xenograft canine GBM model.

Materials And Methods: The canine GBM cell line J3T1 was subcutaneously injected into 6-week-old female BALB/c nude mice to obtain tumour fragments. Tumour fragments were implanted into adult male mongrel dog brains through surgery.

Localized Delivery of Theranostic Nanoparticles and High-Energy Photons using Microneedles-on-Bioelectronics.

The low delivery efficiency of light-responsive theranostic nanoparticles (NPs) to target tumor sites, particularly to brain tumors due to the blood-brain barrier, has been a critical issue in NP-based cancer treatments. Furthermore, high-energy photons that can effectively activate theranostic NPs are hardly delivered to the target region due to the strong scattering of such photons while penetrating surrounding tissues. Here, a localized delivery method of theranostic NPs and high-energy photons to the target tumor using microneedles-on-bioelectronics is presented.

Flexible, sticky, and biodegradable wireless device for drug delivery to brain tumors.

Implantation of biodegradable wafers near the brain surgery site to deliver anti-cancer agents which target residual tumor cells by bypassing the blood-brain barrier has been a promising method for brain tumor treatment. However, further improvement in the prognosis is still necessary. We herein present novel materials and device technologies for drug delivery to brain tumors, i.

Decreased APE-1 by Nitroxoline Enhances Therapeutic Effect in a Temozolomide-resistant Glioblastoma: Correlation with Diffusion Weighted Imaging.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive human tumors with poor survival rates. The current standard treatment includes chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ), but acquisition of resistance is a persistent clinical problem limiting the successful treatment of GBM. The purpose of our study was to investigate therapeutic effects of nitroxoline (NTX) against TMZ-resistant GBM in vitro and in vivo in TMZ-resistant GBM-bearing mouse model, which was correlated with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

Increased Antiangiogenic Effect by Blocking CCL2-dependent Macrophages in a Rodent Glioblastoma Model: Correlation Study with Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast Perfusion MRI.

When glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, it commonly exhibits tumor progression due to the development of resistance, which results in a dismal survival rate. GBM tumors contain a large number of monocytes/macrophages, which have been shown to be resistant to the effects of bevacizumab. It has been reported that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote resistance to bevacizumab treatment.

Assessment of Early Therapeutic Response to Nitroxoline in Temozolomide-Resistant Glioblastoma by Amide Proton Transfer Imaging: A Preliminary Comparative Study with Diffusion-weighted Imaging.

Amide proton transfer (APT) imaging is a novel molecular MRI technique to detect endogenous mobile proteins and peptides through chemical exchange saturation transfer. In this preliminary study, the purpose was to evaluate the feasibility of APT imaging in monitoring the early therapeutic response to nitroxoline (NTX) in a temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) mouse model, which was compared with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Here, we prepared TMZ-resistant GBM mouse model (n = 12), which were treated with 100 mg/kg/day of NTX (n = 4) or TMZ (n = 4), or saline (n = 4) for 7 days for the evaluation of short-term treatment by using APT imaging and DWI sequentially.

Radiogenomics Profiling for Glioblastoma-related Immune Cells Reveals CD49d Expression Correlation with MRI parameters and Prognosis.

Although there have been a plethora of radiogenomics studies related to glioblastoma (GBM), most of them only used genomic information from tumor cells. In this study, we used radiogenomics profiling to identify MRI-associated immune cell markers in GBM, which was also correlated with prognosis. Expression levels of immune cell markers were correlated with quantitative MRI parameters in a total of 60 GBM patients.

Modified Rat Hepatocellular Carcinoma Models Overexpressing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.

Purpose: To compare tumor vascularity in 4 types of rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) models: N1S1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-transfected N1S1 (VEGF-N1S1), McA-RH7777, and VEGF-transfected McA-RH7777 (VEGF-McA-RH777) tumors.

Materials And Methods: The N1S1 and McA-RH7777 cell lines were transfected with expression vectors containing cDNA for rat VEGF. Eighty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats (weight range, 400-450 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups (ie, 22 rats per model), and 4 types of tumor models were created by using the N1S1, VEGF-N1S1, McA-RH7777, and VEGF-McA-RH777 cell lines.

BCAT1 is a New MR Imaging-related Biomarker for Prognosis Prediction in IDH1-wildtype Glioblastoma Patients.

Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1)-wildtype glioblastoma (GBM) has found to be accompanied with increased expression of branched-chain amino acid trasaminase1 (BCAT1), which is associated with tumor growth and disease progression. In this retrospective study, quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blot were performed with GBM patient tissues to evaluate the BCAT1 level. Quantitative MR imaging parameters were evaluated from DSC perfusion imaging, DWI, contrast-enhanced T1WI and FLAIR imaging using a 3T MR scanner.

Glutaminase 2 expression is associated with regional heterogeneity of 5-aminolevulinic acid fluorescence in glioblastoma.

Fluorescence-guided surgery using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is now a widely-used modality for glioblastoma (GBM) treatment. However, intratumoral heterogeneity of fluorescence intensity may reflect different onco-metabolic programs. Here, we investigated the metabolic mechanism underlying the heterogeneity of 5-ALA fluorescence in GBM.

Continuous O-Evolving MnFeO Nanoparticle-Anchored Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Efficient Photodynamic Therapy in Hypoxic Cancer.

Therapeutic effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) are limited by cancer hypoxia because the PDT process is dependent on O concentration. Herein, we design biocompatible manganese ferrite nanoparticle-anchored mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MFMSNs) to overcome hypoxia, consequently enhancing the therapeutic efficiency of PDT. By exploiting the continuous O-evolving property of MnFeO nanoparticles through the Fenton reaction, MFMSNs relieve hypoxic condition using a small amount of nanoparticles and improve therapeutic outcomes of PDT for tumors in vivo.

Multifunctional nanoparticles as a tissue adhesive and an injectable marker for image-guided procedures.

Tissue adhesives have emerged as an alternative to sutures and staples for wound closure and reconnection of injured tissues after surgery or trauma. Owing to their convenience and effectiveness, these adhesives have received growing attention particularly in minimally invasive procedures. For safe and accurate applications, tissue adhesives should be detectable via clinical imaging modalities and be highly biocompatible for intracorporeal procedures.

Sorafenib and 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid-loaded imageable microspheres for transarterial embolization of a liver tumor.

Sorafenib (SOF; an angiogenesis inhibitor) and 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA; a contrast agent for computed tomography imaging)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres (MSs) were fabricated. Embolization, drug delivery, and tracing the distribution of MSs for liver cancer therapy were accomplished with the developed MSs after their intra-arterial (IA) administration. SOF/TIBA/PLGA MSs with 24.

Assessment of bevacizumab resistance increased by expression of BCAT1 in IDH1 wild-type glioblastoma: application of DSC perfusion MR imaging.

BCAT1 (branched-chain amino acid trasaminase1) expression is necessary for the progression of IDH1 wild-type (WT) glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which is known to be associated with aggressive tumors. The purpose of our study is to investigate the bevacizumab resistance increased by the expression of BCAT1 in IDH1 WT GBM in a rat model, which was evaluated using DSC perfusion MRI. BCAT1 sh#1 inhibits cell proliferation and limits cell migration potential in vitro.

Metabolomic analysis of percutaneous fine-needle aspiration specimens of thyroid nodules: Potential application for the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancer.

Thyroid nodules are a very common problem. Since malignant thyroid nodules should be treated surgically, preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancer is very crucial. Cytopathologic analysis of percutaneous fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens is the current gold standard for diagnosing thyroid nodules.

Electromechanical cardioplasty using a wrapped elasto-conductive epicardial mesh.

Heart failure remains a major public health concern with a 5-year mortality rate higher than that of most cancers. Myocardial disease in heart failure is frequently accompanied by impairment of the specialized electrical conduction system and myocardium. We introduce an epicardial mesh made of electrically conductive and mechanically elastic material, to resemble the innate cardiac tissue and confer cardiac conduction system function, to enable electromechanical cardioplasty.

A graphene-based electrochemical device with thermoresponsive microneedles for diabetes monitoring and therapy.

Owing to its high carrier mobility, conductivity, flexibility and optical transparency, graphene is a versatile material in micro- and macroelectronics. However, the low density of electrochemically active defects in graphene synthesized by chemical vapour deposition limits its application in biosensing. Here, we show that graphene doped with gold and combined with a gold mesh has improved electrochemical activity over bare graphene, sufficient to form a wearable patch for sweat-based diabetes monitoring and feedback therapy.

On the Utility of Short Echo Time (TE) Single Voxel 1H-MRS in Non-Invasive Detection of 2-Hydroxyglutarate (2HG); Challenges and Potential Improvement Illustrated with Animal Models Using MRUI and LCModel.

Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) are frequently found in brain tumors, and the resulting onco-metabolite, 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG), has been suggested to be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of the diseases. Indeed, recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of non-invasively detecting 2HG by using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Due to severe spectral overlaps of 2HG with its background metabolites and spectral baselines, however, the majority of those previous studies employed spectral editing methods with long echo times (TEs) instead of the most commonly used short TE approach with spectral fitting.

An endoscope with integrated transparent bioelectronics and theranostic nanoparticles for colon cancer treatment.

The gastrointestinal tract is a challenging anatomical target for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for bleeding, polyps and cancerous growths. Advanced endoscopes that combine imaging and therapies within the gastrointestinal tract provide an advantage over stand-alone diagnostic or therapeutic devices. However, current multimodal endoscopes lack the spatial resolution necessary to detect and treat small cancers and other abnormalities.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: Gadofluorine P and Gd-DOTA.

Aim: To investigate the performance of Gadofluorine P-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on the diagnosis of diabetes in a streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetic rat model.

Methods: Fischer 344 rats were treated with STZ. Rats not treated with STZ served as controls.

Mechanism for enhanced 5-aminolevulinic acid fluorescence in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutant malignant gliomas.

Fluorescence-guided surgery using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) has become the main treatment modality in malignant gliomas. However unlike glioblastomas, there are inconsistent result about fluorescence status in WHO grade III gliomas. Here, we show that mutational status of IDH1 is linked to 5-ALA fluorescence.

Bioresorbable Electronic Stent Integrated with Therapeutic Nanoparticles for Endovascular Diseases.

Implantable endovascular devices such as bare metal, drug eluting, and bioresorbable stents have transformed interventional care by providing continuous structural and mechanical support to many peripheral, neural, and coronary arteries affected by blockage. Although effective in achieving immediate restoration of blood flow, the long-term re-endothelialization and inflammation induced by mechanical stents are difficult to diagnose or treat. Here we present nanomaterial designs and integration strategies for the bioresorbable electronic stent with drug-infused functionalized nanoparticles to enable flow sensing, temperature monitoring, data storage, wireless power/data transmission, inflammation suppression, localized drug delivery, and hyperthermia therapy.