X-ray scatter correction algorithm for cone beam CT imaging

Developing and optimizing an x-ray scatter control and reduction technique is one of the major challenges for cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) because CBCT will be much less immune to scatter than fan-beam CT. X-ray scatter reduces image contrast, increases image noise and introduces reconstruction error into CBCT. To reduce scatter interference, a practical algorithm that is based upon the beam stop array technique and image sequence processing has been developed on a flat panel detector-based CBCT prototype scanner. This paper presents a beam stop array-based scatter correction algorithm and the evaluation results through phantom studies. The results indicate that the beam stop array-based scatter correction algorithm is practical and effective to reduce and correct x-ray scatter for a CBCT imaging task.     

PEG-Hemoglobin as a resuscitation solution in the treatment of hypovolemic shock in the anesthetized rat

This study was designed to determine the advantages of using the hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, polyethylene glycol conjugated bovine hemoglobin (PEG-Hb), as an additive to Ringer's lactate solution (RLS) for the treatment of acute hemorrhage in anesthetized female rats. Different compositions of PEG-Hb and RLS were administered intravenously in a paradigm that provided 30 ml/kg of resuscitation fluid following an episode of 15 min of hypotension. Hypotension was achieved by the removal of blood (1 ml/min) from the femoral vein until the mean arterial pressure was lowered to or below 50 mmHg and subsequently maintained until resuscitation. Short-term cardiovascular assessment showed that resuscitation fluids containing PEG-Hb resulted in higher mean arterial pressure, aortic blood flow, renal blood flow, and less dramatic shifts in arterial base excess and respiratory blood gases than plain RLS. The long-term survival experiment showed lower lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels in most groups resuscitated with solutions containing PEG-Hb, but no differences in survival (100%) were observed. The data suggest that the addition of PEG-Hb to RLS improves its resuscitative effects. Specifically, a solution of 50% RLS:50% PEG-Hb appeared to have the most favorable cardiovascular and metabolic effects in this anesthetized rat hypovolemic shock resuscitation model. Presumably, the improved effects seen with the addition of PEG-Hb were due to its innate plasma expansion and oxygen-delivery capabilities.     

Camptothecin delivery systems: the utility of amino acid spacers for the conjugation of camptothecin with polyethylene glycol to create prodrugs

The primary purpose of this study was to screen individual amino acid spacers in polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated camptothecin for their impact on the conjugates' antitumor activity. Secondly, an active member of this series was used to assess the PEG-camptothecin conjugate's efficacy against a battery of solid tumor types. PEG-camptothecin is a novel water soluble transport form (macromolecular prodrug) of the naturally derived antitumor drug, 20-(S)-camptothecin (CPT). Rates of hydrolysis were studied in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and the plasma of both rats and humans. In vivo efficacy screens were performed against P388/0 murine leukemia and LS174T human colon solid tumor xenograft models. The results showed that while all the derivatives had considerable stability in PBS, their rates of hydrolysis varied in both rat and human plasma according to the amino acid spacer employed. Not surprisingly, changing the amino acid also affected in vivo toxicity and efficacy in the treatment of ascites and solid tumors. A representative of this amino acid series, PEG-alanine-CPT, which showed moderate activity in the solid tumor screen, was chosen for evaluation of efficacy across a wide range of solid tumor types and demonstrated significant antitumor activity (% T/C < 30%) in all tested xenograft models (colon, ovarian, mammary, lung, pancreatic and prostate). Therefore, this study showed that the use of specific amino acid spacers affected both the PEG-camptothecin conjugates' breakdown and biological activity. We anticipate that using these insights, this soluble macromolecular transport technology could be successfully employed with a number of antitumor drugs.     

Respiratory syncytial virus genotypes and disease severity among children in hospital

OBJECTIVES: To determine the spectrum of N and G genotypes of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causing respiratory tract infection and whether particular genotypes are associated with severity of infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) were obtained from 114 infants with acute respiratory tract infection due to RSV over two seasons. Viral mRNA was extracted from NPAs or cultured virus, reverse transcribed, and the cDNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using primers directed to parts of the N and G gene respectively. Amplicons were separately digested with four different restriction endonucleases for each gene. The fragments were separated by agarose gel, electrophoresis, and the electrophoretic patterns used to assign the various genotypes. Disease severity was assessed as very mild (upper respiratory tract signs only), mild (coryza and signs of lower respiratory tract infection), moderate (requiring nasogastric or intravenous fluids), and severe (requiring oxygen or ventilation). RESULTS: Five of the six known N genotypes were detected, but NP4 and NP2 were found most frequently. There was no association between N genotype and disease severity. Six G (SHL) genotypes were detected. Significantly (p = 0.04) more of the infants infected with the SHL2 genotype had severe or moderate disease. CONCLUSIONS: During the seasonal peaks of RSV respiratory tract infection at least 10 different RSV genotypes cocirculated. While there is no association between N genotypes and disease severity, infection with the SHL2 G genotype appears to result in moderate to severe disease.     

Effective drug delivery by PEGylated drug conjugates

The current review presents an update of drug delivery using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), that focuses on recent developments in both protein and organic drugs. Certainly the past 10 years has resulted in a renaissance of the field of PEG drug conjugates, initiated by the use of higher molecular weight PEGs (M(w)>20,000), especially 40,000 which is estimated to have a plasma circulating t(1/2) of approximately 10 h in mice. This recent resuscitation of small organic molecule delivery by high molecular weight PEG conjugates was founded on meaningful in vivo testing using established tumor models, and has led to a clinical candidate, PEG-camptothecin (PROTHECAN), an ester based prodrug currently in phase II trials. Additional applications of high molecular weight PEG prodrug strategies to amino containing drugs are presented: similar tripartate systems based on lower M(w) PEG and their use with proteins is expounded on. The modification of a benzyl elimination tripartate prodrug specific for mercaptans is presented, and its successful application to 6-mercaptopurine giving a water soluble formulation is discussed. Recent novel PEG oligonucleotides and immunoconjugates are also covered. Clinical results of FDA approved PEGylated proteins are also presented.     

国内真菌性角膜溃疡治疗进展

真菌性角膜角膜溃疡发病率逐年上升,目前主要采用抗真菌药物治疗、手术治疗、抗真菌药物联合手术治疗以及中西结合治疗,尚无特效的治疗方法。本文就治疗该病的最新进展进行了综述。