Monitoring ferumoxide-labelled neural progenitor cells and lesion evolution by magnetic resonance imaging in a model of cell transplantation in cerebral ischaemia.

Efficacy of neural stem/progenitor cell (NPC) therapies after cerebral ischaemia could be better evaluated by monitoring in vivo migration and distribution of cells post-engraftment in parallel with analysis of lesion volume and functional recovery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is ideally placed to achieve this, but still poses several challenges. We show that combining the ferumoxide MRI contrast agent Endorem with protamine sulphate (FePro) improves iron oxide uptake in cells compared to Endorem alone and is non-toxic.

Coordination chemistry of amide-functionalised tetraazamacrocycles: structural, relaxometric and cytotoxicity studies.

Three different tetraazamacrocyclic ligands containing four amide substituents that feature groups (namely allyl, styryl and propargyl groups) suitable for polymerisation have been synthesised. Gadolinium(III) complexes of these three ligands have been prepared as potential monomers for the synthesis of polymeric MRI contrast agents. To assess the potential of these monomers as MRI contrast agents, their relaxation enhancement properties and cytotoxicity have been determined.

In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of endogenous neuroblasts labelled with a ferumoxide-polycation complex.

Neurogenesis occurs at the subependymal zone (SEZ) of the adult brain. Neural progenitor cells give rise to neuroblasts, which migrate to the olfactory bulb (OB) via the rostral migratory stream (RMS). Development of methods capable of labelling and tracking these cells in vivo would be of great benefit to the understanding of neuroblast migration away from the SEZ under normal and pathological conditions.

Expression of p53 and bcl-2 and response to preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus.

Aims: To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of p53 and bcl-2 proteins in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oesophagus and to assess whether expression of these oncoproteins can be used to stratify patients into groups with a favourable or unfavourable response to preoperative chemo/radiotherapy.

Methods: The initial diagnostic biopsy and the corresponding resected samples were obtained from 22 consecutive patients with SCC. All patients underwent preoperative chemo/radiotherapy.