Prospective,Randomized, Single Masked,Parallel Study Exploring the Effects of a Preservative-Free Ophthalmic Solution Containing Hyaluronic Acid 0.4% and Taurine 0.5% on the Ocular Surface of Glaucoma Patients Under Multiple Long-Term Topical Hypotensive Therapy

Introduction

To compare the effects of a preservative-free (PF) ophthalmic solution containing hyaluronic acid (HA) 0.4% and taurine (TAU) 0.5% with those of a PF ophthalmic solution containing HA 0.2% on ocular surface signs, symptoms, and morphological parameters in glaucoma patients under multiple long-term topical hypotensive therapy.

Methods

Eligible patients underwent evaluation of ocular surface parameters by ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and glaucoma symptom scale (GSS) questionnaires, breakup time test (BUT), Schirmer I test, corneal and conjunctival staining (Oxford scale), and conjunctival in vivo confocal microscopy (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph 3, Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany). After the baseline visit, patients were randomized to use a PF ophthalmic solution containing HA 0.4% and TAU 0.5%, QID, in both eyes (group 1) or to use a PF ophthalmic solution containing HA 0.2%, QID (group 2) in addition to the ongoing preserved hypotensive treatment. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 30 and 90 days.

Results

Thirty-nine eyes of 39 glaucoma patients were included in the study. At baseline, results of study tests of both groups were similar. After 90 days in group 1 the BUT (p?=?0.01), the Oxford score (p?=?0.03), the conjunctival goblet cells (CGC) density (p?=?0.0005) ,and the two questionnaires score significantly improved (OSDI, p?=?0.003; GSS, p?=?0.003) compared to baseline values, while in group 2 all these parameters did not differ from baseline (BUT, p?=?0.39; Oxford score, p?=?0.54; CGC density, p?=?0.33, OSDI p?=?0.65, GSS, p?=?0.25). The BUT and the CGC density were statistically different between groups both at 30 and 90 days (p?=?0.04 and p?=?0.04, respectively). The Schirmer I test did not statistically change after 90 days in both groups.

Conclusions

The PF ophthalmic solution with HA 0.4% and TAU 0.5% seems to improve CGC density and reduce signs and symptoms of dry eye in glaucoma patients under long-term multiple preserved hypotensive therapy.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03480295.

     

Effet des extraits de quelques plantes sur les bactéries pathogènes responsables de gastroentérites

Background

Phytochemicals are natural bioactive compounds that protect plants against the stress. These phytochemicals may also have other biological activities like, antibacterial activity.

Objective

The objective of this work is to study the antibacterial effect of aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts prepared from Thymus vulgaris, Aloysia triphylla, Pistacia lentiscus, Olea europaea leaves and Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds on some pathogenic bacteria responsible for gastroenteritis.

Result

The results obtained from the antibacterial effect showed a moderate activity against the strains studied with a diameters of inhibition zones ranging from 07.00 ± 0.8 to 16.00 ± 1.0 mm for aqueous extracts and vary between 07.00 ± 0.9 and 13.00 ± 1.0 mm for hydro-alcoholic extracts.

Conclusion

This study confirms the possibility of using these plants or components in the prevention of several diseases like, gastroenteritis.

     

Multimodality Imaging of Cancer Superoxide Anion Using the Small Molecule Coelenterazine

Purpose

We evaluated the small molecule coelenterazine as a potential reporter of cancer-associated superoxide anion in cell culture and in mice.

Procedures

The superoxide anion concentrations of various cancer cell lines were quantified by coelenterazine chemiluminescence in vitro. Coelenteramide fluorescence was detected via flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy. Coelenterazine was used for the in vivo detection of cancer-associated superoxide anion using the 4T1 breast adenocarcinoma mouse model.

Results

Various cell lines in culture demonstrated different superoxide anion concentrations, with a signal range of 3.15?±?0.06 to 11.80?±?0.24 times that of background. In addition to chemiluminescent detection of coelenterazine, we demonstrated fluorescent detection of coelenteramide within the cytoplasm of cells. 4T1 murine mammary adenocarcinoma tumors in mice demonstrated significantly higher 2.13?±?0.19-fold coelenterazine-based chemiluminescence than that of surrounding normal tissues.

Conclusions

Collectively, our results indicate that coelenterazine can be used to assay superoxide anion concentrations in cultured cancer cells and in tumors growing in mice.

     

3D Boolean operations in virtual surgical planning

Purpose

Boolean operations in computer-aided design or computer graphics are a set of operations (e.g. intersection, union, subtraction) between two objects (e.g. a patient model and an implant model) that are important in performing accurate and reproducible virtual surgical planning. This requires accurate and robust techniques that can handle various types of data, such as a surface extracted from volumetric data, synthetic models, and 3D scan data.

Methods

This article compares the performance of the proposed method (Boolean operations by a robust, exact, and simple method between two colliding shells (BORES)) and an existing method based on the Visualization Toolkit (VTK).

Results

In all tests presented in this article, BORES could handle complex configurations as well as report impossible configurations of the input. In contrast, the VTK implementations were unstable, do not deal with singular edges and coplanar collisions, and have created several defects.

Conclusions

The proposed method of Boolean operations, BORES, is efficient and appropriate for virtual surgical planning. Moreover, it is simple and easy to implement. In future work, we will extend the proposed method to handle non-colliding components.

     

Bioluminescence Imaging of Colonization and Clearance Dynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella Suis</Emphasis> Vaccine Strain S2 in Mice and Guinea Pigs

Purpose

The goal of this study was to develop a plasmid-based lux bio-reporter for use to obtain in vivo images of Brucella suis vaccine strain 2 (B.suis S2) infection with high resolution and good definition.

Procedures

The pBBR-lux (pBBR1MCS-2-lxCDABE) plasmid that carries the luxCDABE operon was introduced into B. suis S2 by electroporation yielding B. suis S2-lux. The spatial and temporal transit of B. suis S2 in mice and guinea pigs was monitored by bioluminescence imaging.

Results

The plasmid pBBR-lux is stable in vivo and does not appear to impact the virulence or growth of bacteria. This sensitive luciferase reporter could represent B. suis S2 survival in real time. B. suis S2 mainly colonized the lungs, liver, spleen, and uterus in mice and guinea pigs as demonstrated by bioluminescence imaging.

Conclusion

The plasmid-based lux bioreporter strategy can be used to obtain high resolution in vivo images of B. suis S2 infection in mice and guinea pigs.

     

Reactive Oxygen Species Imaging in a Mouse Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Purpose

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important contributors to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, there are insufficient tools for their in vivo evaluation.

Procedures

To determine if a chemiluminescent ROS reporter, coelenterazine, would be a useful tool for the detection of immune cell activation, the macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) was treated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Additionally, coelenterazine was used to monitor the changes in ROS production over time in a mouse model of IBD.

Results

In vitro, coelenterazine enabled the dynamic monitoring of the RAW 264.7 cell oxidative burst. In vivo, there were early, preclinical, changes in the localization and magnitude of coelenterazine chemiluminescent foci.

Conclusions

Coelenterazine offers a high-throughput method for assessing immune cell activation in culture and provides a means for the in vivo detection and localization of ROS during IBD disease progression.

     

A randomized clinical comparison of OPTI-FREE EXPRESS and ReNu MultiPLUS multipurpose lens care solutions

Objective

To evaluate subjective symptoms and clinical signs of tolerability and comfort in silicone and non-silicone hydrogel contact lens (CL) wearers using two different multipurpose solution (MPS) CL care regimens.

Methods

This was a randomized, double-masked, contralateral, crossover, multicenter (n=9) study. One hundred and eleven subjects were enrolled in the study, and were randomly assigned either silicone hydrogel CLs or non-silicone hydrogel CLs. Before wear, the CLs were randomly conditioned for at least 10 hours in a multipurpose disinfection solution (MPDS) preserved with either: Regimen 1-polyquaternium-1 0.001% and myristamidopropyl dimethylamine 0.0005% (POLYQUAD® and ALDOX®, respectively; OPTIFREE EXPRESS® MPDS, Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX, USA); or Regimen 2-multipurpose solution preserved with polyhexamethylene biguanide 0.0001% (PHMB, ReNu MultiPLUS® MPS, Bausch &; Lomb, Rochester, NY, USA). The study had two in-office visits, 1 week apart. Subjects wore assigned CLs for approximately 4 hours at each visit. At each visit, subjects’ eyes were examined before CL insertion and at 2 hours and 4 hours after insertion. Corneal staining type and area, conjunctival staining, conjunctival injection, subjective symptoms (tolerability), and comfort were evaluated.

Results

One hundred and five subjects (210 eyes) completed the study. The total corneal staining score of area and type were statistically significantly less in Regimen 1 than in Regimen 2 (P<0.000001). The area of conjunctival staining was statistically significantly less in Regimen 1 than in Regimen 2 (P=0.03). No clinically significant hyperemia was observed for either regimen. Both tolerability (P=0.02) and patient preference (P=0.05) were in favor of Regimen 1.

Conclusions

Statistically significant clinical differences were evident between the two CL care regimens when used with silicone and non-silicone hydrogel CLs. OPTI-FREE EXPRESS MPDS users showed less corneal and conjunctival staining and reported greater comfort and tolerability to the CL/solution combination than ReNu MultiPLUS MPS users.

     

Predictive factors for polypharmacy among child and adolescent psychiatry inpatients

Background

Aim was to determine the predictive factors for polypharmacy among inpatient children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders.

Methods

Blinded, case-note review of children and adolescents with ICD 10 diagnosis of psychiatric disorders on psychotropic medication was conducted. Data on demography, illness, and treatment was analyzed with univariate and multivariate techniques.

Results

Proscribing non-pharmacological interventions (OR = 4.7) and pro re nata medication (OR = 3.3), increased the risk of polypharmacy. Prescribing physical restraint reduced the risk of receiving multiple medications (OR = 0.3).

Conclusion

Proscribing non-pharmacological interventions, pro re nata medication and physical restraints increased polypharmacy.

     

Multimodal Genetic Approach for Molecular Imaging of Vasculature in a Mouse Model of Melanoma

Purpose

In this study, we evaluated a genetic approach for in vivo multimodal molecular imaging of vasculature in a mouse model of melanoma.

Procedures

We used a novel transgenic mouse, Ts-Biotag, that genetically biotinylates vascular endothelial cells. After inoculating these mice with B16 melanoma cells, we selectively targeted endothelial cells with (strept)avidinated contrast agents to achieve multimodal contrast enhancement of Tie2-expressing blood vessels during tumor progression.

Results

This genetic targeting system provided selective labeling of tumor vasculature and showed in vivo binding of avidinated probes with high specificity and sensitivity using microscopy, near infrared, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. We further demonstrated the feasibility of conducting longitudinal three-dimensional (3D) targeted imaging studies to dynamically assess changes in vascular Tie2 from early to advanced tumor stages.

Conclusions

Our results validated the Ts-Biotag mouse as a multimodal targeted imaging system with the potential to provide spatio-temporal information about dynamic changes in vasculature during tumor progression.

     

Efficacy of topical azithromycin ophthalmic solution 1% in the treatment of posterior blepharitis

Introduction

Azithromycin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic with potent anti-inflammatory activities, has the potential to effectively treat blepharitis, an inflammatory disease of the eyelid with abnormal eyelid flora as an etiologic determinant. The present study compared the efficacy of topical azithromycin ophthalmic solution 1% (AzaSite®; Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc, NC, USA) combined with warm compresses (azithromycin group) to warm compresses alone (compress group) in patients with posterior blepharitis.

Methods

Twenty-one patients diagnosed with posterior blepharitis were randomized in an open-label study to receive either azithromycin plus warm compresses (10 patients), or compresses alone (11 patients). All patients were instructed to apply compresses to each eye for 5–10 minutes twice daily for 14 days. Each eye in the azithromycin group also received azithromycin solution (1 drop) twice daily for the first 2 days followed by once daily for the next 12 days. Patients were evaluated at study initiation (visit 1) and at end of treatment (visit 2) for the severity of five clinical signs: eyelid debris, eyelid redness, eyelid swelling, meibomian gland (MG) plugging, and the quality of MG secretion. At visit 2, patients also rated their degree of overall symptomatic relief.

Results

Twenty patients completed the study. At visit 2, patients in the azithromycin group demonstrated significant improvements in MG plugging, MG secretions, and eyelid redness as compared with the compress group. In the azithromycin group, MG plugging resolved completely in three patients and MG secretion returned to normal in two patients; no such results were seen in the compress group. Furthermore, a higher percentage of patients in the azithromycin group rated overall symptomatic relief as excellent or good. Visual acuity measurements and biomicroscopic evaluation revealed no ocular safety issues.

Conclusion

Azithromycin ophthalmic solution in combination with warm compresses provided a significantly greater clinical benefit than warm compresses alone in treating the signs and symptoms of posterior blepharitis.

     

Long-term Efficacy of Safinamide on Parkinson’s Disease Chronic Pain

Introduction

Chronic pain is an important yet overlooked non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD), caused by an imbalance of the dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems. Safinamide has a multimodal mechanism of action, dopaminergic (reversible MAO-B inhibition) and non-dopaminergic (modulation of the abnormal glutamate release), that might be beneficial for both motor and non-motor symptoms.

Objectives

To investigate the long-term (2-year) efficacy of safinamide on PD chronic pain and to confirm the positive effects observed after 6 months of treatment.

Methods

This is a post hoc analysis of the data from the 2-year study 018, focused on the reduction of concomitant pain treatments and on the scores of pain-related items of the Parkinson’s disease quality of life questionnaire (PDQ-39).

Results

Safinamide, compared with placebo, significantly improved the PDQ-39 items 37 (“painful cramps or spasm,” p?=?0.0074) and 39 (“unpleasantly hot or cold,” p?=?0.0209) and significantly reduced the number of concomitant pain treatments by 26.2% (p?=?0.005). A significantly greater proportion of patients in the safinamide group was not using pain drugs after 2 years of treatment (p?=?0.0478).

Conclusions

The positive effects of safinamide on PD chronic pain were maintained in the long term. Further investigations are desirable to confirm their clinical relevance.

Funding

Zambon SpA.

     

Comparison of the Systemic and Local Pharmacokinetics of Clonidine Mucoadhesive Buccal Tablets with Reference Clonidine Oral Tablets in Healthy Volunteers: An Open-Label Randomised Cross-Over Trial

Introduction

The clonidine mucoadhesive buccal tablet (MBT) is a novel delivery system resulting in high and sustained concentrations of clonidine in the oral cavity. In a phase II clinical trial, clonidine MBT reduced the incidence of severe oral mucositis (OM) compared to placebo in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation. This study compared the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety and tolerability of clonidine MBT with a reference oral tablet (OT).

Methods

This was a randomised, three-period, single-dose crossover study in 36 healthy subjects aged 18–50 years. Eligibility was assessed within 14 days of the first dose. IMP was administered in the fasted state on day 1 of each treatment period. PK samples were collected up to 24 h (saliva)/96 h (blood) for measurement of the clonidine concentration. Safety and tolerability were evaluated at specified times throughout the study. A washout period of at least 7 days was observed between administrations.

Results

Clonidine MBT (50 and 100 µg) applied to the upper gum resulted in a dose-proportional increase in saliva (C _max and AUC_0–t ) and plasma (C_max and AUC_0–inf) clonidine levels. Clonidine MBT was considered to mimic a continuous release of clonidine in plasma, significantly decreasing the C _max and AUC and increasing the T _max when compared with the reference clonidine HCl tablets. Clonidine MBT exhibited high and prolonged concentrations in saliva where concentrations with the clonidine HCl tablet were negligible. Clonidine MBT exhibited a favourable safety profile with significantly fewer subjects reporting AEs (dry mouth and fatigue) and a reduction in blood pressure when compared to the reference clonidine HCl tablets.

Conclusion

Clonidine MBT is well tolerated and exhibits proportional saliva and plasma PK over the 50–100-µg dose level. The MBT results in higher saliva concentrations and lower systemic exposure than OT, which was associated with a trend towards fewer adverse events and less dry mouth, fatigue and hypotensive effect.

Funding

Onxeo SA.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02548806.

     

Effect of synbiotic therapy on the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia in critically ill patients: a randomised,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial

Objective

To investigate the effect of enteral Synbiotic 2000 FORTE^® (a mixture of lactic acid bacteria and fibre) on the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill patients.

Design

Prospective, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial.

Setting

Tertiary referral centre, general Adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Patients and participants

259 enterally fed patients requiring mechanical ventilation for 48 h or more were enrolled.

Intervention

All patients were enterally fed as per a standard protocol and randomly assigned to receive either synbiotic 2000 FORTE^® (twice a day) or a cellulose-based placebo for a maximum of 28 days.

Measurements and results

Treatment group (n = 130) was well matched with placebo group (n = 129) for age (mean 49.5 and 50 years, respectively) and APACHE II score (median 17 for both). Oropharyngeal microbial flora and colonisation rates were unaffected by synbiotics. The overall incidence of VAP was lower than anticipated (11.2%) and no statistical difference was demonstrated between groups receiving synbiotic and placebo in the incidence of VAP (9 and 13%, P = 0.42), VAP rate per 1,000 ventilator days (13 and 14.6, P = 0.91) or hospital mortality (27 and 33%, P = 0.39), respectively.

Conclusions

Enteral administration of Synbiotic 2000 FORTE^® has no statistically significant impact on the incidence of VAP in critically ill patients.

     

Gallium-68 Complexes Conjugated to Pittsburgh Compound B: Radiolabeling and Biological Evaluation

Purpose

The aim of this work is to develop an efficient and fully automated radiosynthesis of three derivatives of the Pittsburgh compound B labeled with gallium-68 for the detection of amyloid plaques.

Procedures

The radiolabeling of the precursors and purification of the radiolabeled agents by high pressure liquid chromatography has been studied prior to their in vitro and in vivo evaluations.

Results

The complete process led, in 50 min, to pure Ga-68 products in a 12–38 % yield and with appreciable specific radioactivity (SRA, 85–168 GBq/μmol) which enabled us to demonstrate a considerable in vivo stability of the products. Unfortunately, this result was associated with a poor blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and a limited uptake of our compounds by amyloid deposits was observed by in vitro autoradiography.

Conclusion

Although we have not yet identified a compound able to significantly mark cerebral amyloidosis, this present investigation will likely contribute to the development of more successful Ga-68 radiotracers.

     

A Single-Dose,Crossover-Design Bioequivalence Study Comparing Two Nicotine Gum Formulations in Healthy Subjects

Introduction

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) benefits smokers who wish to quit; nicotine gum represents one NRT. New formulations of nicotine gum have been developed to consider consumer preferences and needs. A new mint-flavored nicotine gum with a different texture was developed that may provide a more appealing taste and chewing experience. This study evaluated this new nicotine gum (2 and 4 mg strengths) for bioequivalence versus the original flavor sugar-free nicotine gum at corresponding dosages.

Methods

All subjects randomized in this crossover study received a single dose of all treatments, i.e., 2 and 4 mg doses of test and reference gums, separated by 2–7 days of washout between treatments. Subjects’ maximal plasma nicotine concentration (C_max) and extent of nicotine absorption (AUC_0–t) following the administration of each treatment were calculated from plasma nicotine concentrations. Ratios of test/reference for C_max and AUC_0–t were calculated to evaluate bioequivalence between the two products.

Results

Both 2 and 4 mg doses of the new mint-flavored nicotine gum were bioequivalent to the dose-matched reference product as determined by the ratio of the geometric means and their 90% confidence intervals for C_max and AUC_0–t as well as secondary pharmacokinetic parameters. The safety profiles of the test and reference gums were similar; all treatments were well tolerated.

Conclusions

A new mint-flavored nicotine gum with modified taste and texture is bioequivalent to the original flavor sugar-free nicotine gum at both the 2 and 4 mg dosage strengths and has a similar safety profile.

Funding

GlaxoSmithKline.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01847443.

     

Detection of Brain Tumors and Systemic Metastases Using NanoLuc and Fluc for Dual Reporter Imaging

Purpose

Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a technique with a low background noise and high sensitivity which is widely used in mice models in oncology. We aimed to assess BLI efficiency of the new luciferase NanoLuc (Nluc) for glioblastoma cell lines and tumors, including for dual reporter applications of deep brain tumors and systemic metastasis when combined with firefly luciferase (Fluc).

Procedures

U87 cells were genetically modified for constitutive production of either Nluc, Fluc, or both and assayed for luciferase activity and BLI on cell lysates, living cells, subcutaneous tumors, brain tumors, and systemic metastases.

Results

In vitro, light production by Nluc activity is higher than Fluc. In vivo, Nluc allows for tumor detection including for deep brain tumors and systemic metastases.

Conclusions

Nluc appears to be a useful tool to combine with Fluc for dual imaging in vivo using bioluminescence, allowing for the detection of distinct events in deep tissues within the same organism.

     

Effects of a self-managed home-based walking intervention on psychosocial health outcomes for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a randomised controlled trial

Purpose

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a self-managed home-based moderate intensity walking intervention on psychosocial health outcomes among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

The randomised controlled trial compared a self-managed, home-based walking intervention to usual care alone among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Outcome measures included changes in self-report measures of anxiety, depression, fatigue, self-esteem, mood and physical activity. Fifty participants were randomised to either the intervention group (n?=?25), who received 12 weeks of moderate intensity walking, or the control group (n?=?25) mid-way through chemotherapy. Participants in the intervention group were provided with a pedometer and were asked to set goals and keep weekly diaries outlining the duration, intensity and exertion of their walking. Levels of psychosocial functioning and physical activity were assessed pre- and post-intervention in both groups.

Results

The intervention had positive effects on fatigue (F?=?5.77, p?=?0.02), self-esteem (F?=?8.93, p?≤?0.001), mood (F?=?4.73, p?=?0.03) and levels of physical activity (x ²?=?17.15, p?=?0.0011) but not anxiety (F?=?0.90, p?=?0.35) and depression (F?=?0.26, p?=?0.60) as assessed using the HADS. We found an 80 % adherence rate to completing the 12-week intervention and recording weekly logs.

Conclusion

This self-managed, home-based intervention was beneficial for improving psychosocial well-being and levels of physical activity among breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN50709297.

     

Erythropoietin and renin as biological markers in critically ill patients

Introduction

During sepsis the endocrine, immune and nervous systems elaborate a multitude of biological responses. Little is known regarding the mechanisms responsible for the final circulating erythropoietin (EPO) and renin levels in septic shock. The aim of the present study was to assess the role of EPO and renin as biological markers in patients with septic shock.

Methods

A total of 44 critically ill patients with septic shock were evaluated.

Results

Nonsurvivors had significantly higher serum EPO levels than did survivors on admission (median [minimum–maximum]; 61 [10–602] versus 20 [5–369]). A negative relationship between serum EPO and blood haemoglobin concentrations was observed in the survivor group (r = -0.61; P < 0.001). In contrast, in the nonsurvivors the serum EPO concentration was independent of the blood haemoglobin concentration. Furthermore, we observed significant relationships between EPO concentration and lactate (r = 0.5; P < 0.001), arterial oxygen tension/fractional inspired oxygen ratio (r = -0.41; P < 0.005), arterial pH (r = -0.58; P < 0.001) and renin concentration (r = 0.42; P < 0.005). With regard to renin concentration, significant correlations with lactate (r = 0.52; P < 0.001) and arterial pH (r = -0.33; P < 0.05) were observed.

Conclusion

Our findings show that EPO and renin concentrations increased in patients admitted to the intensive care unit with septic shock. Renin may be a significant mediator of EPO upregulation in patients with septic shock. Further studies regarding the regulation of EPO expression are clearly warranted.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis></Subscript> Regularization for Bioluminescence Tomography Based on the Split Bregman Method

Purpose

Bioluminescence tomography (BLT) is a promising in vivo optical imaging technique in preclinical research at cellular and molecular levels. The problem of BLT reconstruction is quite ill-posed and ill-conditioned. In order to achieve high accuracy and efficiency for its inverse reconstruction, we proposed a novel approach based on L _p regularization with the Split Bregman method.

Procedures

The diffusion equation was used as the forward model. Then, we defined the objective function of L _p regularization and developed a Split Bregman iteration algorithm to optimize this function. After that, we conducted numerical simulations and in vivo experiments to evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.

Results

The results of the simulations indicated that compared with the conjugate gradient and iterative shrinkage methods, the proposed method is more accurate and faster for multisource reconstructions. Furthermore, in vivo imaging suggested that it could clearly distinguish the viable and apoptotic tumor regions.

Conclusions

The Split Bregman iteration method is able to minimize the L _p regularization problem and achieve fast and accurate reconstruction in BLT.