A thermo-responsive polymer such as poly( N -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) was covalently grafted on the external surface of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) by means of microwave irradiation. This ...nanomaterial was used as a support and stabilizer for palladium nanoparticles. The obtained HNT–PNIPAAM/PdNPs was characterized by means of TGA, SEM, EDS and TEM analyses. The palladium content of the catalyst was estimated to be 0.4 wt%. The stability of the catalytic material at different temperatures (below and above the PNIPAAM lower critical solution temperature) was tested in the Suzuki reaction under microwave irradiation. In addition, TEM analysis after five consecutive runs was performed. The catalyst showed a good catalytic activity toward the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction between phenylboronic acid and several aryl halides in aqueous media under microwave irradiation and low palladium loading (0.016 mol%, 8 μg of Pd). Turnover numbers (TONs) and frequencies (TOFs) up to 6250 and 37 500 h −1 , respectively, were reached. The catalyst was easily separated from the reaction mixture by centrifugation and reused for five consecutive cycles with a small drop in its catalytic activity.
Introduction and Purpose: Conventional x-ray films and radiochromic films have inherent challenges for high precision radiotherapy dosimetry. Here we have investigated basic characteristics of ...optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of irradiated films containing carbon-doped aluminum oxide
(
Al
2
O
3
:
C
)
for dosimetry in therapeutic photon and electron beams. Materials and Methods: The OSL films consist of a polystyrene sheet, with a top layer of a mixture of single crystals of
Al
2
O
3
:
C
, ground into a powder, and a polyester base. The total thickness of the films is
0.3
mm
. Measurements have been performed in a water equivalent phantom, using 4, 6, 10, and
18
MV
photon beams, and
6
–
22
MeV
electron beams. The studies include assessment of the film response (acquired OSL signal/delivered dose) on delivered dose (linearity), dose rate
(
1
–
6
Gy
∕
min
)
, beam quality, field size and depth (
6
MV
, ranges
4
×
4
–
30
×
30
cm
2
,
d
max
−
35
cm
). Doses have been derived from ionization chamber measurements. OSL films have also been compared with conventional x-ray and GafChromic films for dosimetry outside the high dose area, with a high proportion of low dose scattered photons. In total, 787 OSL films have been irradiated. Results: Overall, the OSL response for electron beams was 3.6% lower than for photon beams. Differences between the various electron beam energies were not significant. The 6 and
18
MV
photon beams differed in response by 4%. No response dependencies on dose rate were observed. For the
6
MV
beam, the field size and depth dependencies of the OSL response were within
±
2.5
%
. The observed inter-film response variation for films irradiated with the same dose varied from 1% to 3.2%
(
1
SD
)
, depending on the measurement day. At a depth of
20
cm
,
5
cm
outside the
20
×
20
cm
2
6 and
18
MV
beams, an over response of 17% was observed. In contrast to GafChromic and conventional x-ray films, the response of the
Al
2
O
3
:
C
films is linear in the clinically relevant dose range
0
–
200
cGy
. Conclusions: Measurement of the OSL signal of irradiated films containing
Al
2
O
3
:
C
is a promising technique for film dosimetry in radiotherapy with no or small response variations with dose rate, beam quality, field size and depth, and a linear response from
0
to
200
cGy
.
•Percutaneous ablation of hypovascular hepatic tumours using arterial CT-portography is feasible.•Local recurrence rate after percutaneous ablation of hypovascular tumours using arterial ...CT-portography as imaging guidance is as low as 7%.•The ablation zone size is overestimated on arterial CT-portography by comparison with conventional CT and MRI.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of percutaneous ablation (PA) of obscure hypovascular liver tumors in challenging locations using arterial CT-portography (ACP) guidance.
A total of 26 patients with a total of 28 obscure, hypovascular malignant liver tumors were included. There were 18 men and 6 women with a mean age of 58±14 (SD) years (range: 37–75 years). The tumors had a mean diameter of 14±10 (SD) mm (range: 7–24mm) and were intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (4/28; 14%), liver metastases from colon cancer (18/28; 64%), corticosurrenaloma (3/28; 11%) or liver metastases from breast cancer (3/28; 11%). All tumors were in challenging locations including subcapsular (14/28; 50%), liver dome (9/28; 32%) or perihilar (5/28; 18%) locations. A total of 28 PA (12 radiofrequency ablations, 11 microwave ablations and 5 irreversible electroporations) procedures were performed under ACP guidance.
A total of 67 needles mean: 2.5±1.5 (SD); range: 1–5 were inserted under ACP guidance, with a 100% technical success rate for PA. Median total effective dose was 26.5 mSv (IQR: 19.1, 32.2 mSv). Two complications were encountered (pneumothorax; one abscess both with full recovery), yielding a complication rate of 7%. No significant change in mean creatinine clearance was observed (80.5mL/min at baseline and 85.3mL/min at day 7; P=0.8). Post-treatment evaluation of the ablation zone was overestimated on ACP compared with conventional CT examination in 3/28 tumors (11%). After a median follow-up of 20 months (range: 12–35 months), local tumor progression was observed in 2/28 tumours (7%).
ACP guidance is feasible and allows safe and effective PA of obscure hypo-attenuating liver tumors in challenging locations without damaging the renal function and with acceptable radiation exposure. Post-treatment assessment should be performed using conventional CT or MRI to avoid size overestimation of the ablation zone.
Abstract Cystic pancreatic lesions vary from benign to malignant entities and are increasingly detected on cross-sectional imaging. Knowledge of the imaging appearances of cystic pancreatic lesions ...may help radiologists in their diagnostic reporting and management. In this review, we discuss the morphologic classification of these lesions based on a diagnostic algorithm as well as the management of these lesions.
Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare, autosomal recessive, neuromuscular disease caused by biallelic loss of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, resulting in motor neuron dysfunction. In this ...STR1VE-EU study, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of onasemnogene abeparvovec gene replacement therapy in infants with spinal muscular atrophy type 1, using broader eligibility criteria than those used in STR1VE-US.
STR1VE-EU was a multicentre, single-arm, single-dose, open-label phase 3 trial done at nine sites (hospitals and universities) in Italy (n=4), the UK (n=2), Belgium (n=2), and France (n=1). We enrolled patients younger than 6 months (180 days) with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 and the common biallelic pathogenic SMN1 exon 7–8 deletion or point mutations, and one or two copies of SMN2. Patients received a one-time intravenous infusion of onasemnogene abeparvovec (1·1 × 1014 vector genomes vg/kg). The outpatient follow-up consisted of assessments once per week starting at day 7 post-infusion for 4 weeks and then once per month until the end of the study (at age 18 months or early termination). The primary outcome was independent sitting for at least 10 s, as defined by the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study, at any visit up to the 18 months of age study visit, measured in the intention-to-treat population. Efficacy was compared with the Pediatric Neuromuscular Clinical Research (PNCR) natural history cohort. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03461289 (completed).
From Aug 16, 2018, to Sept 11, 2020, 41 patients with spinal muscular atrophy were assessed for eligibility. The median age at onasemnogene abeparvovec dosing was 4·1 months (IQR 3·0–5·2). 32 (97%) of 33 patients completed the study and were included in the ITT population (one patient was excluded despite completing the study because of dosing at 181 days). 14 (44%, 97·5% CI 26–100) of 32 patients achieved the primary endpoint of functional independent sitting for at least 10 s at any visit up to the 18 months of age study visit (vs 0 of 23 untreated patients in the PNCR cohort; p<0·0001). 31 (97%, 95% CI 91–100) of 32 patients in the ITT population survived free from permanent ventilatory support at 14 months compared with six (26%, 8–44) of 23 patients in the PNCR natural history cohort (p<0·0001). 32 (97%) of 33 patients had at least one adverse event and six (18%) had adverse events that were considered serious and related to onasemnogene abeparvovec. The most common adverse events were pyrexia (22 67% of 33), upper respiratory infection (11 33%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (nine 27%). One death, unrelated to the study drug, occurred from hypoxic-ischaemic brain damage because of a respiratory tract infection during the study.
STR1VE-EU showed efficacy of onasemnogene abeparvovec in infants with symptomatic spinal muscular atrophy type 1. No new safety signals were identified, but further studies are needed to show long-term safety. The benefit–risk profile of onasemnogene abeparvovec seems favourable for this patient population, including those with severe disease at baseline.
Novartis Gene Therapies.
Abstract We describe the main tools for MR assessment of the response of rectal cancer tumors after chemotherapy, before surgery. In locally advanced cases of rectal and lower rectal cancer, MR is ...useful in allowing the treatment strategy to be adjusted, enabling conservative surgery to be performed if the patient responds well. The different types of response (fibrous, desmoplastic and colloid), their appearances and difficulties in MR interpretation are described. We describe the features and performance of MR after neoadjuvant therapy for T and N staging, assessment of circumferential resection margin and diffusion weighted imaging. Quantitative (change in tumor volume) and qualitative (grade of tumor response) MR assessment can distinguish good responders from poor responders.
A thermo-responsive polymer such as poly(
N
-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) was covalently grafted on the external surface of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) by means of microwave irradiation. This ...nanomaterial was used as a support and stabilizer for palladium nanoparticles. The obtained HNT-PNIPAAM/PdNPs was characterized by means of TGA, SEM, EDS and TEM analyses. The palladium content of the catalyst was estimated to be 0.4 wt%. The stability of the catalytic material at different temperatures (below and above the PNIPAAM lower critical solution temperature) was tested in the Suzuki reaction under microwave irradiation. In addition, TEM analysis after five consecutive runs was performed. The catalyst showed a good catalytic activity toward the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction between phenylboronic acid and several aryl halides in aqueous media under microwave irradiation and low palladium loading (0.016 mol%, 8 μg of Pd). Turnover numbers (TONs) and frequencies (TOFs) up to 6250 and 37 500 h
−1
, respectively, were reached. The catalyst was easily separated from the reaction mixture by centrifugation and reused for five consecutive cycles with a small drop in its catalytic activity.
A thermo-responsive polymer (PNIPAAM) was covalently grafted on the external surface of halloysite nanotubes and used as support for palladium nanoparticles for application as catalyst in Suzuki cross coupling in water under microwave irradiation.
Use of magnetic resonance imaging for monitoring the salting process of meat products Fantazzini, P.; Garavaglia, C. (Bologna Univ. (Italy). Dip. di Fisica); Bortolotti, V.; Gombia, M.; Schembri, P. (Bologna Univ. (Italy). Dip. di Ingegneria Chimica, Mineraria e delle Tecnologie Ambientali); Virgili, R. (Stazione Sperimentale per l'Industria delle Conserve Alimentari (SSICA), Parma (Italy)); Soresi Bordini, C. (Centro Ricerche Produzioni Animali (CRPA), Reggio Emilia Italy)
Industria Conserve (Italy),
(Jul-Sep 2004), Letnik:
79, Številka:
3
Journal Article
The phenomena which most affect salting of meat products are well-known and are mainly connected with drying and salt diffusion processes; nonetheless, the result of this processing stage is ...subjected to a variability which is not easy to predict and control. The procedures used at present to monitor salting involve sample destruction and require times which are too long for production needs. In the present work it is shown that Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be effectively used to visualize non destructively and non invasively the salting process in any sections inside the samples. The method goes beyond the simple qualitative visualization because, for each section of the sample and in any point of the section, it is possible to obtain quantitative information on the progress of salting, thanks to the correlation between the values of suitable MRI parameters and the ones of salt and moisture percentages measured using traditional methods
I fenomeni che maggiormente influiscono sulla salagione dei prodotti carnei sono noti e riconducibili essenzialmente a processi di asciugamento e di diffusione del sale; nonostante ciò, l'esito di questa fase di lavorazione è soggetto a una variabilità non facilmente prevedibile e controllabile. I procedimenti attualmente impiegati per il controllo della salagione comportano la distruzione del campione e richiedono tempi troppo lunghi rispetto alle esigenze di produzione. In questo studio si mostra che la Tomografia a Risonanza Magnetica (MRI) può essere efficacemente impiegata per visualizzare in modo non distruttivo e non invasivo il processo di salagione in sezioni qualunque all'interno del campione. Il metodo va al di là della semplice visualizzazione qualitativa; infatti, per ciascuna sezione del campione e in qualunque punto della sezione, è possibile ottenere informazioni quantitative sul procedere della salagione, grazie alla correlazione individuata tra i valori di opportuni parametri MRI e quelli delle percentuali di sale e umidità misurate con metodi tradizionali
The movement of key transition metal ions is recognized to be of critical importance in the interaction between macrophages and intracellular pathogens. The present study investigated the role of ...copper in mouse macrophage responses to Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium. The copper chelator BCS (bathocuproinedisulfonic acid, disodium salt) increased intracellular survival of S. Typhimurium within primary mouse BMM (bone-marrow-derived macrophages) at 24 h post-infection, implying that copper contributed to effective host defence against this pathogen. Infection of BMM with S. Typhimurium or treatment with the TLR (Toll-like receptor) 4 ligand LPS (lipopolysaccharide) induced the expression of several genes encoding proteins involved in copper transport Ctr (copper transporter) 1, Ctr2 and Atp7a (copper-transporting ATPase 1), as well as the multi-copper oxidase Cp (caeruloplasmin). Both LPS and infection with S. Typhimurium triggered copper accumulation within punctate intracellular vesicles (copper 'hot spots') in BMM as indicated by the fluorescent reporter CS1 (copper sensor 1). These copper hot spots peaked in their accumulation at approximately 18 h post-stimulation and were dependent on copper uptake into cells. Localization studies indicated that the copper hot spots were in discrete vesicles distinct from Salmonella containing vacuoles and lysosomes. We propose that copper hot spot formation contributes to antimicrobial responses against professional intracellular bacterial pathogens.
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