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This study reports the development and evaluation of yttrium-90 (90Y) radiolabeled silica-coated iron oxide (SiO2-Fe3O4) resin microspheres for potential theranostic application in cancer radiation therapy. Iron oxide nanoparticles of average diameter 29.7 nm were synthesized via optimized co-precipitation and displayed superparamagnetic behavior ideal for MRI. Aminosilane surface functionalization enabled covalent conjugation of 1 mmol/g DTPA/DOTA chelators for labeling 2 mCi 90Y per 150 μg nanoparticles with 92 % efficiency when incubated for 45 mins at pH 5.5 and 50°C. In vitro stability assays in buffers and human serum showed excellent 90Y retention (>95 %) up to 48 hours. In vivo biodistribution in Wistar rats revealed extended nanoparticle circulation half-life of 5.2 hours and peak exposure of 22.4 %ID/g compared to rapid clearance of unconjugated 90Y chloride within 1 hour. Complete renal recovery by 72 hours and minimal bone accumulation (

Abstract Background The incidence and mortality of aortic dissection (AD) are increasing. In pathological studies, macrophages, T lymphocytes and dendritic cells were found in the tunica media of the aorta. Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene polymorphisms are associated with a high incidence of hypertension in Asian populations. However, there is no clear evidence of the relationship between ALDH2 and aortic dissection in Asians. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of aortic dissection in different ALDH2 genotypes and explore changes in the vasculature. Materials and methods Three-week-old male mice were administered freshly prepared β-aminopropionitrile solution dissolved in drinking water (1 g/kg/d) for 28 days to induce TAD. An animal ultrasound imaging system was used to observe the formation of arterial dissection and changes in cardiac function. Subsequently, mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation. The aortas were fixed for HE staining and EVG staining to observe aortic elastic fiber tears and pseudoluma formation under a microscope. Results Knockout of ALDH2 mitigated β-aminopropionitrile-induced TAD formation in animal studies. Ultrasound results showed that ALDH2 knockout reduced the degree of ascending aortic widening and the incidence of aortic dissection rupture. Pathological sections of multiple aortic segments showed that the protective effect of ALDH2 knockout was observed in not only the ascending aorta but also the aortic arch and descending aorta. The expression levels of genes related to NK CD56bright cells, Th17 cells, T cells and T helper cells were decreased in ALDH2 knockout mice treated with β-aminopropionitrile for 28 days. Conclusion ALDH2 knockout protects against aortic dissection by altering the inflammatory response and immune response and protecting elastic fibers.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous iron sucrose (IS) in the perioperative period of a second thoracotomy after open-heart surgery. Methods This study enrolled patients that underwent a second thoracotomy after previous open-heart surgery. Propensity-score matching was used to match patients that received oral iron therapy with those that received IS after admission. The baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, perioperative data and adverse outcomes were compared between these two matched groups. Results The study enrolled 447 patients: of these, 148 received oral iron therapy and effective dietary guidance; and 299 patients received 300 mg IS per week. After matching the propensity scores, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, sex, smoking history, incidence of major cardiac adverse events, Euro-score, time between the two thoracotomies, application of recombinant erythropoietin, haemoglobin (Hb) on admission and red blood cell (RBC) count on admission. The differences between the two groups after propensity-score matching in terms of the amount of RBC input and Hb after the operation were significant. Conclusion The administration of IS might be useful for improving postoperative Hb levels and reducing intraoperative RBC input in patients undergoing a second thoracotomy.