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To cut the high mortality rate of malignant disease such as pancreatic cancer, development of newly diagnostic probes for early stage detection of tumor lesions is required. Multimodal imaging nanoprobes allowing targeted and real time functional/anatomical imaging of tumors meet the demands. For this purpose, a MRI/optical dual-modality probe based on biodegradable magnetic iron oxide nanoworms has been developed. The cross-linked surface of nanoworms were anchored to fluorescent dyes and to FITC.PTR86; a novel synthetic peptide with high affinity towards somatostatin receptors. Combination of various in vitro techniques including Prussian blue staining, fluorescent microscopy and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) have been performed to explore the interaction of developed nanoprobe with pancreatic tumor cell lines. Together with in vivo studies in a xenograft mouse model of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma and ex vivo investigations, the results show the efficient imaging and targeting of pancreatic tumors by our newly developed nanosystem using both MRI and optical imaging modalities.

This paper presents an innovative method for the treatment of refractory wounds, starting with a blood unit, that is based on a biological approach. Local wound repair is one of the major unresolved clinical problems. Age, infection, clinical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, cardiac, renal, lung and liver failure, malnutrition and immunological deficiencies are among the reasons for wound repair delay or failure. Many chronic ulcers resist conventional treatment and do not heal for months and years, thus causing substantial morbidity and even mortality. The method for macrophage suspension treatment consists of introducing into the wound live cells that play a major role in the process of wound healing. The suspension is prepared from a blood unit of a healthy donor in a cost-effective, closed, sterile system. In the process of preparation, the macrophages are activated by hypo-osmotic shock to enhance their various functions in wound repair. The cells are applied to the wound either by local injection or by direct deposition into the wound. In most cases (90%), only one treatment is sufficient. Since 1995, macrophage suspensions have been used successfully in more than 1000 patients in several hospitals in Israel, without any side effects. Our results show that the use of a macrophage suspension is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy that shortens the healing period, reduces risk of complications and morbidity and improves the quality of life for long-suffering patients. This treatment requires no hospitalization and can be given on an ambulatory basis.

Pulsed photothermic treatment (PTT) of pigmented B16 mice melanoma tumors was carried out using a Photodyne incoherent light delivery system. Tumor heating with average temperature of 41-44 degrees C was observed during broadband photoirradiation (600-800 nm) at light doses of 60-120 J/cm(2) delivered using 0.6 J/cm(2) pulses (2 ms) at 1 Hz repetition rate. Electron microscopy of tumor samples revealed pronounced structural changes in microvasculature and melanosomes. Pulsed PTT caused damage to endothelial cells and vascular walls, swelling of mitochondria and melanosomal disruption without nuclear alteration. Significant tumor response with necrosis formation followed by tumor regression was observed by a tumor growth study after PTT at 120 J/cm(2).

Thoughthe riskof magnetic resonanceimaging(MRI)inducedburns has been previously published, the overwhelmingnature of this injury combined with its preventable etiology,merit reiteration of the morbidity associated with the use ofnon-MR-compatible devices in MRI sessions. After describingthe patient details, we provide guidelines aimed at decreasingthe potential risk of burns during routine magnetic resonanceimaging.MRI scans expose the patient to electromagnetic (EM)radiation. The EM spectrum contains non-ionizing radiationwhichdoesnotcauseirreversiblecelldamage[1].Itis,however,capable of inducing thermal damage. Various devices wereshown to induce burns in MRI settings. The list includes smallcircularmetallicimplantsinrabbits[2],tattoos[3,4],deepbrainimplanted stimulators [5], halo pins [6], cylindrical and otherimplanted devices [7], EKG monitoring devices [8],andtransdermal patches [9]. Previous studies have shown thatsubstantial heating (with temperature elevation up to 63.1 8C)[10]can becausedbyaresonantconducting loopcoupledtoaninduced EM field [11]. This situation occurs when inductanceand capacitance are equal and opposite: a state which can besustainedbyaconductingwirewithinthemagneticfieldsofanactive MR session. It is further speculated that several wiresbundled together in a linear arrangement are also capable ofthermal damage through a similar mechanism [15].

An in vivo fluorescence monitoring and photodynamic therapy (PDT) study was performed using the new photosensitizer lutetium texaphyrin (Lu-Tex). This photosensitizer is water soluble and has the additional advantage of strong absorption near 730 nm. C26 colon carcinoma was transplanted in the foot of BALB/c mice. In vivo fluorescence spectroscopy was applied to study Lu-Tex tissue distribution kinetics. For this purpose, fluorescence intensity both in the foot with the tumor and in the normal foot was measured in vivo by the laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) system. For PDT, both feet of the mice were irradiated simultaneously with the use of a new high intensity pulsed light delivery system, the Photodyne. The results of the LIF measurements showed that the maximal fluorescence intensity ratio between the normal and tumor bearing foot (FIR) was observed 24–48 h after the agent injection. Photoirradiation with doses from 90 to 240 J cm −2 (0.6 J cm −2 per 2 ms pulse, 1 Hz) 24 h after injection of Lu-Tex at a dose of 10 mg kg −1 caused significant tumor necrosis and delay in the tumor growth rate. The antitumor effect was enhanced with increasing light doses. Normal tissue response to PDT with Lu-Tex was determined as the damage index of the normal foot, which was irradiated simultaneously with the tumor bearing foot. The normal tissue response after PDT with Lu-Tex was compared with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) induced protoporphyrin IX (PP), chlorin e 6 (Chl) and Photofrin (PII) at the same values of antitumor effect. The results showed that at 50, 80 and 100% inhibition of tumor growth the orders of the values of normal foot damage indexes were as follows: ALA > Lu-Tex ≥ PII > Chl, PII > ALA > Lu-Tex > Chl and PII > Lu-Tex > ALA > Chl respectively.

Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) application in three different creams was carried out on mice bearing subcutaneously transplanted C26 colon carcinoma. The creams contained (a) 20% ALA alone, (b) ALA with 2% dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and (c) ALA, DMSO and 2% edetic acid disodium salt (EDTA). Protoporphyrin IX (PP) production in the tumour and in the skin overlying the tumour was studied by two methods: laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and chemical extraction. The kinetics of PP production in the skin and in the tumour, as studied by the LIF method, was similar for all three cream preparations. The PP fluorescence intensity in the tissues reached its maximum 4-6 h after application of the creams. Quantitative analysis showed that the PP concentration after treatment was more pronounced in the skin than in the tumour. The efficiency of porphyrin production in the skin by the creams used was in the following order: ALA-DMSO-EDTA > ALA-DMSO > ALA. In the tumour the enhancing effect of DMSO and EDTA on PP accumulation induced by ALA was observed mainly in the upper 2 mm section. However, the concentration of PP in the tumour was found to be approximately the same for ALA-DMSO and ALA-DMSO-EDTA cream combinations. The possible mechanisms of the effect of DMSO and EDTA are discussed.

patient ranged from 0.5cm to 2.6 cm, with a median of 1.6 cm. This difference was not related to patient’s AP and right-left dimensions. The lateral distances from the anterior midline are: 3.5 ,-0.4; 2.9 ,-0.4; 2.5 ,-0.4; 2.9 ,-2.7;, and 2.7 ,-0.7 cm, at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th intercostal spaces respectively. Although the IM lateral positions varied from patient to patient, they were relatively consistent in respect to the lateral border of sternum, all located maximally less than 1 cm laterally at 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th intercostal spaces, and 0.5 cm medially of the 1st intercostal space. Distances from the most lateral border of AXN and the most medial border of HH were -2.1 ,-1.3, 0.7 ,-0.5, and 2.9 ,-1.5 cm at levels of HH head, coracoid process and lateral end of clavicle respectively (negative value indicates overlapping). AXN frequently overlapped HH anteriorly when the arm was angled more than 90 degree, but did not when the arm is placed 90 degree or less. The gantry angle of the SCV port also effected HH sparing. The larger the angle, the less HH could be spared. DVHs of IMC, AXN, and HH at different conventional beam settings were also analyzed and showed significant variation of node coverage and HH sparing.

An unusual complication using an inflatable silicon implant for removing postburn scarred tissue of the neck and face is described. The appearance of a fibrotic band along the inflating tube caused neck contracture. The purpose of this article is to present this uncommon complication and to emphasize the technical error when using the tissue expander in the neck region.