BACKGROUND:Sensitivity of diagnoses differentiating smaller nodes of splenic metastasis (＜ 1 cm) from CT and MRI is poor. So whether superparamagnetic iron oxide can enhance magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of splenic VX2 tumor in rats need to be further studied.OBJECTTVE: To establish splenic VX2 tumor models, investigate MRI scanning combining with superparamagnetic iron oxide of specific reticuloendothelial system, and study the diagnostic significance of superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MR images on splenic metastases.DESIGN: Duplicated-measured animal study.SETTING: Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital of the Southern Medical University.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Medical Imaging Center (Military Key Laboratory), Nanfang Hospital of the Southern Medical University from May 2005 to March 2006. A total of 25 adult SD rats, of either gender, weighing 200-300 g, were selected in this study. The animal experiment had got confirmed consent from local ethic committee. All rats were randomly divided into tumor group (n =20) and blank control group (n =5).METHODS: Models of VX2 tumor in spleen were established successfully. The images obtained before and after administration of superparamagnetic iron oxide. T1-weighted image(T1WI) (450/12 ms) and T2-weighted image(T2WI)(4 000/128 ms) were used to scan sequences. The imaging parameters of various tissues were analyzed before and after superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MRI scanning. Rats in the blank control group were not used to establish models and the sequences were scanned as the same as those in the experimental group.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Signal characteristics of various tissues before and after before and after superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MRI scanning.RESULTS: Eight out of 20 rats died in the tumor group and other 12 and 5 rats in the control group were involved in the final analysis. MR scanning indicated that 8 rats in the tumor group had splenic VX2 tumor. ① On plain MR scanning T1-weighted splenic VX2 tumor showed hypointensity or isointensity which approximated to the signal intensity (SI) of splenic parenchyma. All lesions had been not displayed well. ② On superparamagnetic iron oxide enhancement T2WI sequence the SI of splenic parachyma decreased obviously with percentage of signal intensity loss (PSIL) was 56.11%,But the SI of tumor was not evidently change with PSlL was 1.90%. Nevertheless the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of normal splenic parenchyma around the lesions had obviously difference (P ＜ 0.001) comparatively. So the contrast between tumor and spleen increased, and tumor displayed more clear. Moreover the contrast-to-noise (CNR) between VX2 tumor and splenic parenchyma had an evidently difference with before and after admininstration of superparamagnetic iron oxide (P ＜ 0.001 ).CONCLUSION: On superparamagnetic iron oxide enhancement T1WI sequence the contrast of tumor-to-spleen is poor.So it is not good to characterize the lesions in spleen. On superparamagnetic iron oxide enhanced T2WI the contrast degree of lesions increased obviously. Consequently, superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced T2WI MRI scanning can improve the rate of detection and characterization in lesions of spleen.

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) formation on the surface of the degradable polyamides implant by a coating technology was studied. A suspension of HAP-glutin-acetic acid was prepared and brushed on the surface of the implant at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were employed to study the composition and the microstructure of the coating. The results obtained indicate that the main composition of coating is crystal HAP, its structural formula is Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2. So the coating has bioactivity. The coating has also small pores, which can stimulate bone regrowth and adsorption of other bioactive materials or mediine. This technology is an effective method to improve medical performance of the polyamides implant.
Bone Substitutes ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Durapatite ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Nylons ; Prostheses and Implants

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelium mitogen and angiogenic factor with strong potential during recovery from cerebral infarction (CI). Can such therapeutic effect be detected with magnetic resonance diffusion imaging?OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic efficacy of VEGF plasmid in treating focal cerebral infarction in a dog experimental model with the aid of diffusion- and hemodynamic-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),with the morphological results compared with those of immunohistochemical examination.DESIGN: Completely randomized controlled, double blind evaluation,analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, follow-up for 2 weeks.SETTING: Department of Medical Iconography, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University.MATERIALS: This study was carried out at the Department of Medical Iconography, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University,between April 2001 and March 2002. Totally 18 healthy adult dogs weighing 10-15 kg were randomly divided into control group and experiment group with half in each.METHODS: All dogs were subjected to femoral intubation and then made into CI model by the occlusion of middle cerebral artery with an embolus injected through the internal carotid artery. Dogs in control group were put to death at postoperative 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks with three at each time point, while four dogs in experiment group were put to death at postoperative 1 week and five at 2 weeks. Dogs in experiment group received microinjection of 0.5 mL fluid containing pcD2/hVEGF121 (500-600 μg)instantly after operation, which was replaced with physical saline of the same volume at the same time point in control group. Then they were subjected to MRI scanning once an hour for 4 times, with the sequence of T1WI, T2WI, 3D-TOFMRA, DWI and CET1WI, which was repeated at postoperative 24 hours, 3 days, 1 week and 2 weeks. Based on the MR images, pathological focuses were selected for morphological observation of cells with the aid of HE staining, and CD34 IHC staining was used for counting micrangium, as well as VEGF staining for VEGF positive cells.Then the apparent distribution coefficient (ADC) was calculated, and the differences between different time points and groups were analyzed by analysis of variance. The number of capillaries and VEGF positive cells of each high-power field was counted, with the results compared with those of MR scanning so as to explore the correlation between MR signal changes and IHC results.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① The number of capillaries and VEGF positive cells in each high-power field was counted at postoperative 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks; ② MR images of each group.RESULTS: Data of the 18 dogs entered the final analysis. ① Diffusionweighted imaging (DWI) showed higher signals at infarctional region at postoperative 1 hour, which became strengthened as time went by. ②ADC decreased to (5.61 ±1.39) mm2/s at postoperative 3-4 hours, about 43% lower than that of the opposite hemisphere [(9.85±2.04) mm2/s]. It resumed to (9.83±1.11) mm2/s, but was still lower than the normal level.③ The subsequent MR scanning proved that ADC ratio presented an increasing tendency in contrast with the decreasing tendency at super-acute stage. The increment was even more marked in control group and the difference was significant at postoperative 2 weeks (P=0.032, 0.006). ④ The number of capillary positive cells on the affected side in experiment group was significantly higher than that in control group at postoperative 2 weeks [(28.80±3.29)/field, (20.70±4.47)/field, (P ＜ 0.01)]. ⑤ The number of VEGF positive cells on the affected side in experiment group was significantly higher than that in control group at postoperative 1 and 2weeks [(64.20±9.40)/field, (51.90±5.74)/filed; (72.70±6.98)/filed,(58.40±6.35)/field, (P ＜ 0.01)].⑥ The results of MR scanning and IHC were subjected to correlation analysis and revealed that ADC ratio was closely correlated with the number of capillary positive cells, with Pearson correlation coefficient being 0.679 (P ＜ 0.01). Moreover, the number of capillaries and the number of VEGF positive cells were significantly correlated (r=0.668, P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION:Morphological observation and IHC revealed that both the local capillaries and VEGF protein content increased markedly in timedependant manner due to VEGF plasmid gene therapy.Meanwhile,the change of ADC ratio was found to be closely correlated with the number of VEGF positive cells and the number of capillaries.