Search

A fibre optic multi-sensor has been developed for biomedical sensing applications using a tip coating solution sensitive to both oxygen and carbon dioxide. An oxygen sensitive phosphorescence quenching complex based on platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP) was combined with a carbon dioxide sensitive phosphorescence compound based on 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid trisodium salt (HPTS). When excited by blue light (470 nm), the resultant coating had two fluorescent peaks at 515 nm (green) and 645 nm (red) which responded to partial pressure of CO 2 and O 2 respectively. The sensor was tested in vitro and shown to be able to measure CO 2 and O 2 simultaneously and in real time, with calibration constants of 0.0384 kPa -1 and 0.309 kPa -1 respectively. The O 2 sensitive peak received some overlap from the 515 nm peak (0.38% of peak intensity) as well as some cross-sensitivity (maximum, 5.1 kPa pCO 2 gave a measurement equivalent to 0.43 kPa of O 2 , a ratio of 0.08 : 1). However, these effects can be subtracted from measurements and no significant cross-sensitivity or overlap was seen in CO 2 measurements from O 2 . This novel compound presents great potential for use in medical sensors and we expect it to be important to a wide range of future applications.

The development and bench testing of a fiber-optic oxygen sensor is described. The sensor is designed for measurement of tissue oxygen levels in the mucosa of the digestive tract. The materials and construction are optimized for insertion through the mouth for measurement in the lower esophagus. An oxygen-sensitive fluorescence-quenching film was applied as a solution of platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP) poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) and dichloromethane and dip coated onto the distal tip of the fiber. The sensor was tested by comparing relative fluorescence when immersed in liquid water at 37°C, at a range of partial pressures (0-101 kPa). Maximum relative fluorescence at most oxygen concentrations was seen when the PtOEP concentration was 0.1  g.L -1 , four layers of coating solution were applied, and a fiber core radius of 600 μm was selected, giving a Stern-Volmer constant of 0.129  kPa -1 . The performance of the sensor is suitable for many in vivo applications, particularly mucosal measurements. It has sufficient sensitivity, is sterilizable, and is sufficiently flexible and robust for insertion via the mouth without damage to the probe or risk of harm to the patient.

We present the results of a detailed analysis of the noise behavior of two CCD spectrometers in common use, an AvaSpec-3648 CCD UV spectrometer and an Ocean Optics S2000 Vis spectrometer. Light sources used include a deuterium UV/Vis lamp and UV and visible LEDs. Common noise phenomena include source fluctuation noise, photoresponse nonuniformity, dark current noise, fixed pattern noise, and read noise. These were identified and characterized by varying light source, spectrometer settings, or temperature. A number of noise-limiting techniques are proposed, demonstrating a best-case spectroscopic noise equivalent absorbance of 3.5×10(-4)  AU for the AvaSpec-3648 and 5.6×10(-4)  AU for the Ocean Optics S2000 over a 30 s integration period. These techniques can be used on other CCD spectrometers to optimize performance.

We present a new fiberoptic carbon dioxide sensor for transcutaneous and mucosa (indwelling) blood gas monitoring. The sensor is based on optical fluorescence of molecules sensitive to pH changes associated with dissolved CO2. A three layer chemical coating was dip-coated onto the distal tip of an optical fiber (600μm core radius). It contained the 50mg/ml `polym H7', a coating polymer bonded to a fluorescence indicator dye, along with 125mg/ml of the transfer agent tetraoctylammonium hydroxide (TONOH). Light from a blue (460 nm) LED was launched into the fiber to excite the sensing film. The sensing film fluoresced green (530 nm), the intensity of which decreased in the presence of CO2. The sensor was tested in vitro, finding a correlation between change in fluorescence (in AU) and aqueous CO2 concentration with a minimum detection threshold of 40%. The sensor is being developed for medical applications where its small size and ability to continuously monitor the partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2) will make it an extremely useful diagnostic tool.

History A previously healthy 23-year-old white man presented to the emergency department of our hospital with a 2-month history of dysarthria, progressively worsening vertigo, and difficulty walking. A diagnosis of retinitis pigementosa was made in this patient's childhood. He did not have any history of congenital syphilis. He did not have a history of nausea or vomiting, fever, weight loss, headache, photophobia, seizure, extremity weakness, or sensory disturbance. Physical examination revealed dysarthria, dysmetria, and ataxia. Kernig and Brudzinski signs were absent, and pathergy test results were negative. Laboratory evaluation revealed normal complete and differential blood counts and normal serum chemistry, including a normal serum angiotensin-converting enzyme level. Analysis of his serum was negative for antinuclear antibody (or ANA), cytoplasmic antineutrophil cvtoplasmic antibody (or cANCA), Sjögren syndrome antigens A and B (SS-A and SS-B, respectively), antitissue transglutaminase and antiendomysial antibodies, and paraneoplastic profile. Serum analysis was also negative for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2 RNA, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test, rapid plasma regain (RPR), and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed clear fluid, a normal glucose level (64 mg/dL [3.6 mmol/L]; normal range, 40-70 mg/dL [2.2-3.9 mmol/L]), an elevated protein level (97 mg/dL; normal range, 12-60 mg/dL), and an elevated white blood cell count (7/mm(3) [0.007 ×10(9)/L] in tube 1 and 17/mm(3) [0.017 × 10(9)/L] in tube 2) with 84% lymphocytes. CSF immunoglobulin G level was elevated (30.1 mg/dL; normal, <5.9 mg/dL); however, there were no oligoclonal bands. Gram staining, acid-fast staining, and lactic acid, cryptococcal antigen, histoplasma antigen, herpes simplex virus polymerase chain reaction, VDRL, and RPR test results for CSF were negative. CSF did not grow any bacteria, fungus, or acid-fast bacillus at culture. CSF flow cytometry did not reveal a monoclonal lymphoid population. Initial imaging included brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Computed tomography (CT) images of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis were normal (not shown). The patient's clinical symptoms and imaging findings responded to treatment with a high dose of oral steroids. However, the patient's symptoms exhibited clinical and radiologic progression after several attempts to taper the steroid dose.

The objective of this study was to evaluate if peritumoral (PT) perfusion parameters obtained from dynamic susceptibility weighted contrast enhanced perfusion MRI can predict overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Twenty-eight newly diagnosed GBM patients, who were treated with resection followed by concurrent chemoradiation and adjuvant chemotherapy, were included in this study. Evaluated perfusion parameters were pre- and post-treatment PT relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Proportional hazard analysis was used to assess the relationship OS, PFS and perfusion parameters. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and log-rank test were used to characterize and compare the patient groups with high and low perfusion parameter values in terms of OS and PFS. Pretreatment PT rCBV and rCBF were not associated with OS and PFS whereas there was statistically significant association of both posttreatment PT rCBV and rCBF with OS and posttreatment rCBV with PFS (association of PFS and posttreatment rCBF was not statistically significant). Neither the Kaplan-Meier survival estimates nor the log-rank test demonstrated any differences in OS between high and low pretreatment PT rCBV values and rCBF values; however, high and low post-treatment PT rCBV and rCBF values did demonstrate statistically significant difference in OS and PFS. Our study found posttreatment, not pretreatment, PT perfusion parameters can be used to predict OS and PFS in patients with newly diagnosed GBM.

Rationale: Tobacco smoke contains nicotine and many other compounds that act in concert on the brain reward system. Therefore, animal models are needed that allow the investigation of chronic exposure to the full spectrum of tobacco smoke constituents., Objectives: The aim of these studies was to investigate if exposure to tobacco smoke leads to nicotine dependence in rats., Methods: The intracranial self-stimulation procedure was used to assess the negative affective aspects of nicotine withdrawal. Somatic signs were recorded from a checklist of nicotine abstinence signs. Nicotine self-administration sessions were conducted to investigate if tobacco smoke exposure affects the motivation to self-administer nicotine. Nicotinic receptor autoradiography was used to investigate if exposure to tobacco smoke affects central alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and non-alpha7 nAChR levels (primarily alpha4beta2 nAChRs)., Results: The nAChR antagonist mecamylamine dose-dependently elevated the brain reward thresholds of the rats exposed to tobacco smoke and did not affect the brain reward thresholds of the untreated control rats. Furthermore, mecamylamine induced more somatic withdrawal signs in the smoke-exposed rats than in the control rats. Nicotine self-administration was decreased 1 day after the last tobacco smoke exposure sessions and was returned to control levels 5 days later. Tobacco smoke exposure increased the alpha7 nAChR density in the CA2/3 area and the stratum oriens and increased the non-alpha7 nAChR density in the dentate gyrus., Conclusion: Tobacco smoke exposure leads to nicotine dependence as indicated by precipitated affective and somatic withdrawal signs and induces an upregulation of nAChRs in the hippocampus.

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the safety/efficacy of alternative routes of vascular access (ARVA) for successful performance of interventions., Background: Complex interventional catheterizations may be required in children with limited vascular access, vascular constraints relative to size, and hemodynamic instability. Our approach has been to utilize ARVA in selected cases., Methods: ARVA pertains to any vessel excluding femoral, jugular/subclavian veins, or umbilical access. A retrospective review performed on patients with an intervention utilizing ARVA between August 1995 and January 2004 was performed. Patients were divided by clinical status: critically ill/emergent (A), elective cases (B). Procedural success was based on previously published criteria., Results: Sixty-four interventions were performed in 50 patients using 54 ARVA. ARVA utilized: radial (1), axillary (2), brachial (2), carotid arteries (25); brachial (2) hepatic (9) veins; and open chest/direct cardiac puncture (13). ARVA provided successful access to target lesions. Interventions included stents (30), valvuloplasty (16), angioplasty (14), and one each of vascular occlusion, septal occlusion, accessory pathway ablation, and septostomy. Group A patients were smaller (P < 0.0002) and younger (P < 0.004) than B. All open chest/direct cardiac and the majority (71%) of carotid arterial approaches were performed in group A. Fifty-six (88%) inteventions were successful with no difference between groups A (88%) and B (86%). There were two complications. Neither resulted in long-term sequelae., Conclusions: ARVA may provide a strategic advantage that may be safely applied to a variety of interventions regardless of patient size or degree of illness. These techniques may further extend the scope of successful interventions in children., (Copyright 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)