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Introduction: In myocardial perfusion imaging, reducing the number of photons in images of obese patients causes poor image quality. To solve this problem, we need to inject the tracer according to the patients' weight. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between myocardial photon counts with patients' weight, BMI, and gender. Materials and Methods: A total of 129 patients underwent myocardial perfusion imaging in a twoday stress-first protocol, but only rest images were included in this study. Multiplication factor was used to determine the amount of radiopharmaceutical activity injected into the patients. For evaluating the effect of gender, the photon counts of 22 female patients were also assessed when the breast tissue was pulled upward (Breast Up). The total myocardial detector counts in the raw images were calculated from the summation of 32 projections. A multiple linear regression test was used to simultaneously examine the effects of weight, BMI, and gender on photon counts. Results: There was no significant relationship between photon counts and patients' weight (p=0.129) and BMI (0.406), but gender had significant effects on photon counts, and myocardial detector counts were found to be higher in males (p=0.00). There was a statistically significant difference between the images of Breast Up and Non-Breast Up, and myocardial detector counts were higher in the Breast Up imaging method (p=0.00). Conclusion: Using the bodyweight formula, the image quality was comparable in obese and lean patients, but myocardial detector counts were lower in females, and this formula needs to be adjusted according to the patient's gender.

Purpose: According to the side effects of invasive cancer treatments, Sonodynamic Therapy (SDT) as a noninvasive method for breast adenocarcinoma was considered. Sonosensitizer agents’ encapsulation can improve the accumulation of these drugs in the tumor tissue and reduce treatment side effects. Hence, mice breast adenocarcinoma SDT with Hematoporphyrin (HP) and HP-encapsulated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (HP-MSNs) was carried out. Materials and Methods: 96 female breast adenocarcinoma grafted Balb/C mice were randomly divided into 16 groups (n = 6): control, sham, HP, HP-MSN, Ultrasound (US), SDT+HP, and SDT+HP-MSN groups. Sonosensitizer agents were injected intraperitoneally (2.5 or 5 mg/kg, 0.2 ml) 24h before an US radiation (1MHz, 1 or 2 W/cm2, 60 sec). The tumor growth parameters were evaluated 30 days after SDT. Results: The inhibition ratio was enhanced by 23, 18, 18, and 16% relative to the control group in HP-MSN (5 mg/kg), HP-MSN (2.5 mg/kg) HP (5 mg/kg) and US (2 W/cm2) groups, respectively, at 18 days after the injection time; whereas, the analysis of findings revealed an antitumor effect in SDT with HP-MSN groups. The Tumor Growth Inhibition (TGI) percentages were 45, 42, and 42% for the SDT (2 W/cm2) + HP-MSN (5 mg/kg), SDT (1 W/cm2) + HP-MSN (5 mg/kg), and SDT (2 W/cm2) + HP (2.5 mg/kg) groups, respectively, on the 18th day post-injection, and T2 and T5 times were higher than that of control and sham groups (P

Purpose: Numerous studies have described the effect of Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) in the promotion of Bone Marrow Stem Cell (BMSC) differentiation. We aimed to investigate the influence of frequency (10 and 100 Hz) and different pulse shapes (sine, rectangular, and triangular) of EMF on rats' BMSCs. Materials and Methods: The BMSCs in 6 groups were exposed to EMF for 1 h/ 7 days. The BMSCs viability was estimated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. The cresyl violet labeled the Nissl bodies, and the silver nitrate staining was done to evaluate the BMSCs nucleoli AgNORs. Results: The MTT test verified that EMF and pulse shape did not affect cell viability. In Nissl bodies staining most of the large neurons were related to the rectangular 10 Hz EMF group. The majority of the differentiated BMSCs were astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocyte in the triangular 100 Hz EMF group. Although the silver nitrate staining confirmed the effect of 10 Hz EMF, pulse shape alteration did not affect AgNOR parameters. In conclusion, we presented a low-magnetic flux density EMF (400 µT) to assess the responses of BMSCs nuclei. Conclusion: The findings showed that BMSCs differentiation was frequency-dependent. Further investigations are recommended for recognizing the function of EMF on BMSCs.

Poor outcomes of peripheral arterial disease stenting are often attributed to the inability of stents to accommodate the complex biomechanics of the flexed lower limb. Abrasion damage caused by rubbing of the stent against the artery wall during limb movement plays a significant role in reconstruction failure but has not been characterized. Our goals were to develop a method of assessing the abrasiveness of peripheral nitinol stents and apply it to several commercial devices. Misago, AbsolutePro, Innova, Zilver, SmartControl, SmartFlex, and Supera stents were deployed inside electrospun nanofibrillar tubes with femoropopliteal artery-mimicking mechanical properties and subjected to cyclic axial compression (25%), bending (90°), and torsion (26°/cm) equivalent to five life-years of severe limb flexions. Abrasion was assessed using an abrasion damage score (ADS, range 1-7) for each deformation mode. Misago produced the least abrasion and no stent fractures (ADS 3). Innova caused small abrasion under compression and torsion but large damage under bending (ADS 7). Supera performed well under bending and compression but caused damage under torsion (ADS 8). AbsolutePro produced significant abrasion under bending and compression but less damage under torsion (ADS 12). Zilver fractured under all three deformations and severely abraded the tube under bending and compression (ADS 15). SmartControl and SmartFlex fractured under all three deformations and produced significant abrasion due to strut penetration (ADS 20 and 21). ADS strongly correlated with clinical 12-month primary patency and target lesion revascularization rates, and the described method of assessing peripheral stent abrasiveness can guide device selection and development. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Poor outcomes of peripheral arterial disease stenting are related to the inability of stents to accommodate the complex biomechanics of the flexed lower limb. Abrasion damage caused by rubbing of the stent against the artery wall during limb movement plays a significant role in reconstruction failure but has not been characterized. Our study presents the first attempt at assessing peripheral stent abrasiveness, and the proposed method is applied to compare the abrasion damage caused by Misago, AbsolutePro, Innova, Zilver, SmartControl, SmartFlex, and Supera peripheral stents using artery-mimicking synthetic tubes and cyclic deformations equivalent to five life-years of severe limb flexions. The abrasion damage caused by stents strongly correlates with their clinical 12-month primary patency and target lesion revascularization rates, and the described methodology can be used as a cost-effective and controlled way of assessing stent performance, which can guide device selection and development.

We investigated the prevalence of vascular calcification in different zones of the aorta and pelvic arteries using computerized tomography angiography reconstructions and have applied machine learning to determine how calcification is affected by demographics, risk factors, and morphometry. The presented data can help identify patients at higher risk of developing vascular calcification that may lead to cardiovascular events.

Peripheral arterial disease differentially affects the superficial femoral (SFA) and the popliteal (PA) arteries, but their morphometric, structural, mechanical, and physiologic differences are poorly understood. SFAs and PAs from 125 human subjects (age 13–92, average 52±17 years) were compared in terms of radii, wall thickness, and opening angles. Structure and vascular disease were quantified using histology, mechanical properties were determined with planar biaxial extension, and constitutive modeling was used to calculate the physiologic stress-stretch state, elastic energy, and the circumferential physiologic stiffness. SFAs had larger radii than PAs, and both segments widened with age. Young SFAs were 5% thicker, but in old subjects the PAs were thicker. Circumferential (SFA: 96→193°, PA: 105→139°) and longitudinal (SFA: 139→306°, PA: 133→320°) opening angles increased with age in both segments. PAs were more diseased than SFAs and had 11% thicker intima. With age, intimal thickness increased 8.5-fold, but medial thickness remained unchanged (620μm) in both arteries. SFAs had 30% more elastin than the PAs, and their density decreased ~50% with age. SFAs were more compliant than PAs circumferentially, but there was no difference longitudinally. Physiologic circumferential stress and stiffness were 21% and 11% higher in the SFA than in the PA across all ages. The stored elastic energy decreased with age (SFA: 1.4→0.4kPa, PA: 2.5→0.3kPa). While the SFA and PA demonstrate appreciable differences, most of them are due to vascular disease. When pathology is the same, so are the mechanical properties, but not the physiologic characteristics that remain distinct due to geometrical differences.

Arterial mechanics plays an important role in vascular pathophysiology and repair, and advanced imaging can inform constitutive models of vascular behavior. We have measured the mechanical properties of 14 human superficial femoral arteries (SFAs) (age 12–70, mean 48±19 years) using planar biaxial extension, and determined the preferred collagen fiber direction and dispersion using multiphoton microscopy. The collagen fiber direction and dispersion were evaluated using second-harmonic generation imaging and modeled using bivariate von Mises distributions. The microstructures of elastin and collagen were assessed using two-photon fluorescence imaging and conventional bidirectional histology. The mechanical and structural data were used to describe the SFA mechanical behavior using two- and four-fiber family invariant-based constitutive models. Older SFAs were stiffer and mechanically more nonlinear than younger specimens. In the adventitia, collagen fibers were undulated and diagonally-oriented, while in the media, they were straight and circumferentially-oriented. The media was rich in collagen that surrounded the circumferentially-oriented smooth muscle cells, and the elastin was present primarily in the internal and external elastic laminae. Older SFAs had a more circumferential collagen fiber alignment, a decreased circumferential-radial fiber dispersion, but the same circumferential-longitudinal fiber dispersion as younger specimens. Both the two- and the four-fiber family constitutive models were able to capture the experimental data, and the fits were better for the four-fiber family formulation. Our data provide additional details on the SFA intramural structure and inform structurally-based constitutive models.

Aortic mechanical and structural characteristics have profound effects on pathophysiology, but many aspects of physiologic stress-stretch state and intramural changes due to aging remain poorly understood in human tissues. While difficult to assess in vivo due to residual stresses and pre-stretch, physiologic stress-stretch characteristics can be calculated using experimentally-measured mechanical properties and constitutive modeling. Mechanical properties of 76 human descending thoracic aortas (TA) from 13 to 78-year-old donors (mean age 51±18 years) were measured using multi-ratio planar biaxial extension. Constitutive parameters were derived for aortas in 7 age groups, and the physiologic stress-stretch state was calculated. Intramural characteristics were quantified from histological images and related to aortic morphometry and mechanics. TA stiffness increased with age, and aortas became more nonlinear and anisotropic. Systolic and diastolic elastic energy available for pulsation decreased with age from 30 to 8 kPa and from 18 to 5 kPa, respectively. Cardiac cycle circumferential stretch dropped from 1.14 to 1.04, and circumferential and longitudinal physiologic stresses decreased with age from 90 to 72 kPa and from 90 to 17 kPa, respectively. Aortic wall thickness and radii increased with age, while the density of elastin in the tunica media decreased. The number of elastic lamellae and circumferential physiologic stress per lamellae unit remained constant with age at 102±10 and 0.85±0.04 kPa, respectively. Characterization of mechanical, physiological, and structural features in human aortas of different ages can help understand aortic pathology, inform the development of animal models that simulate human aging, and assist with designing devices for open and endovascular aortic repairs. Statement of significance This manuscript describes mechanical and structural changes occurring in human thoracic aortas with age, and presents material parameters for 4 commonly used constitutive models. Presented data can help better understand aortic pathology, inform the development of animal models that simulate human aging, and assist with designing devices for open and endovascular aortic repairs.

Background: The combination of sonodynamic and photodynamic therapy (SPDT) may be a new hopeful non-invasive method for cancer treatment, which incorporates a combination of low-intensity ultrasound, laser radiation, and a sensitizer agent. Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating the effects of hematoporphyrin (HP)-mediated SPDT (dual-frequency ultrasound and laser radiation) in the management of mice breast adenocarcinoma. Methods: One hundred and thirty-two female mice with implanted tumors were divided into 22 groups, including sham, laser, 4 groups of dual-frequency ultrasound/laser radiation, 8 groups of HP-mediated SPDT (2.5 and 5 mg/kg), and 8 groups of HP encapsulated in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HP-MSNs)-mediated SPDT. The sensitizer was administered by intraperitoneal injection and after a 24-hour delay, tumor grafted mice were treated with a combination of dual-frequency ultrasound and laser light. The tumor growth factors were used to assess the treatment outcome. Results: The results indicated that HP or HP-MSNs-mediated SPDT had a delaying tumor growth effect. In the groups treated with dual-frequency ultrasound and laser radiation, the maximum tumor growth inhibition (TGI) ratio was 47.5%, while the maximum TGI ratio in the SPDT groups was 61.6%. The time of T2 and T5 in the case of HP-MSNs-mediated SPDT groups was increased compared with sham and that of HP-mediated SPDT groups (P < 0.05). The inhibition ratio on tumor growth increased in all SPDT groups at 12 days after the treatment. Analysis of experimental data demonstrates that this increase was not declined and persisted over 30 days of treatment. The results indicated that SPDT is effective in relative tumor volume when compared with the sham group (339.1 ± 161 and 1510.8 ± 160, respectively). HP or HP-MSNs-mediated SPDT groups had Grade I (low), while others had Grade III (high) malignancy in the histological study of mice breast adenocarcinoma. Conclusions: The results revealed that when sensitized by dual-frequency SPDT, hematoporphyrin (with and without MSNs), has a promising effect at delaying tumor growth on mice breast cancer. Therefore, it can be appreciated that careful selection of the sensitizer with SPDT will play an eminent role in the success of cancer therapies.

Background Non-compressible hemorrhage is a leading cause of preventable death in civilian and military trauma populations. Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) is a promising method for controlling non-compressible hemorrhage, but safe balloon inflation parameters are not well defined. Our goal was to determine the balloon inflation parameters associated with benchtop flow occlusion and aortic/balloon rupture in ex vivo human aortas and test the hypothesis that optimal balloon inflation characteristics depend on systolic pressure and subject demographics. Methods Aortic occlusion parameters in human thoracic and abdominal aortas (TAs and AAs) from 79 tissue donors (median age 52 ± 18 years, range 13-75 years, 52 M, 27 F) were recorded under 100/40, 150/40, and 200/40 mmHg flow pressures for ER-REBOA and Coda balloons. Rupture tests were done with Coda balloons only without flow. Results In the TA, the average balloon inflation volumes and pressures resulting in 100/40 mmHg flow occlusion were 11.7 ± 3.8 ml and 174 ± 65 mmHg for the ER-REBOA, and 10.6 ± 4.3 ml and 94 ± 57 mmHg for the Coda balloons. In the AA, these values were 6.2 ± 2.6 ml and 110 ± 47 mmHg for the ER-REBOA, and 5.9 ± 2.2 ml and 71 ± 30 mmHg for the Coda. The average balloon inflation parameters associated with aortic/Coda balloon rupture were 39.1 ± 6.5 ml and 1284 ± 385 mmHg in the TA, and 27.7 ± 7.7 ml and 1410 ± 483 mmHg in the AA. Age, sex, and systolic pressure all had significant effects on balloon occlusion and rupture parameters. Conclusions Optimal balloon inflation parameters depend on anatomical, physiological, and demographic characteristics. Pressure-guided rather than volume-guided balloon inflation may reduce the risk of aortic rupture. These results can be used to help improve the safety of REBOA procedures and devices. Level of evidence Level II. Study type Therapeutic/Care Management.

Objectives: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are allotropes of carbon with a length-to-diameter ratio greater than 106 with the potential uses as medical diagnostic or therapeutic agents. In vitro studies have revealed that gadolinium (Gd) nanoparticle-catalyzed single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) possess superparamagnetic properties, which enable them to be used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our study synthesized Gd-CNT for use as MRI contrast agents. Methods: To reduce the toxicity and solubility of CNTs, it was functionalized, and after loading with Gd was coated with polyethylene glycols (PEG). We then synthesized different concentrations of Gdn3+@CNTs-PEG and Gadovist® to be evaluated as MRI contrast agents. Results: The analysis showed that the Gd concentration in Gadovist® was 12.18% higher than synthesized Gdn3+@CNTs-PEG, but the mean signal intensity of the Gdn3+@CNTs-PEG was approximately 3.3% times higher than Gadovist®. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that synthesized Gdn3+@CNTs-PEG has the potential to be used as an MRI contrast agent in vitro, but in vivo assessment is necessary to determine the bio-distribution, kinetic, and signal enhancement characteristics.

99mTc-MIBI is a radiopharmaceutical which has trend to accumulate in the heart, but its absorption in pulmonary system may alter heart accumulation and so affect the heart imaging. We aimed to assess the effects of cell phone EMF on lung accumulation of 99mTc-MIBI and oxidative stress. Male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into 12 groups: four for 99mTc and 99mTc-MIBI control, four for 99mTc 900 and 1800 MHz, four for 99mTc-MIBI 900 and 1800 MHz. After injection of radiopharmaceutical in rats’ tail vein, the animals were housed in standard cages for expose to 900 or 1800 MHz in time of 15 or 30 min. Activity of 99mTc and 99mTc-MIBI in the lungs was being assayed using a dose calibrator. Concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) was measured in serum. After 15 and 30 min EMF radiation, in both groups of 900 and 1800 MHz, lung specific activity was increased the same as control group; meanwhile, in 15 min 900 MHz group, there was a significant increase in lung-to-heart specific activity ratio compared to other groups. Data showed a permanent increase in 900 MHz group CAT activity. MDA level had not any significant changes. The use of cell phone EMF during the preparation and imaging process could increase absorption of radiopharmaceutical by the pulmonary system and may affect lung-to-heart specific activity ratio, so affect to correct diagnosis by the physician.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have self-renewal ability while maintaining the proliferation facility. The BMSCs reproducing ability could affect by electromagnetic fields (EMFs) as a physical inducing factor. We focused on the EMF (400 µT, 75 Hz) exposed multi-potential BMSCs which differentiated and successfully implanted in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of Parkinson's disease rat model. The purified BMSCs are exposed to sinusoidal and square waveform EMF (1 h/1 week or 7 h/1 day) then injected into the left SNpc of Parkinson's rats. To evaluate the morphology of EMF exposed BMSCs, the cresyl violet staining labeled the Nissl bodies. After evaluation of the rat's activity by behavioral tests (open-field and rotarod tests), the brains were obtained for the preparation of SNpc blocks and carry out the cresyl violet staining. Cell morphology proved most cell differentiation to neurons in the sinusoidal EMF groups. In the sinusoidal EMF exposure groups, large and small neurons were seen with apparent synapses. Although in the square EMF exposed groups some neurons were seen, most of the differentiated cells were astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocyte. The results confirmed an improvement in locomotors' activity of BMSC alone and sinusoidal EMF exposed groups. We presented a low-frequency EMF (75 Hz) to promote the capability of BMSC proliferation, differentiation to neurons and glial cells, and motor coordination activity in the treatment of hemiparkinsonian rats.

Background: Despite the benefits of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans in better tumor volume delineation, it can affect the accuracy of dose calculation in radiation therapy. This study examined this effect on a thorax phantom. Objectives: The influence of different variables including the concentrations of the Visipaque contrast media, tumor sizes, and CT scan energies on the dose measurement was examined. Methods: Transparent cylinders containing the contrast media were inserted in the lung area of the phantom and the CT scans were made. Non-enhanced CT scans were also acquired. Treatment planning using 2 opposite fields was performed on the CT scans and the doses were calculated in the treatment planning system. The results of the 2 sets of enhanced and non-enhanced CT scans were compared. Results: The correlation between concentration and the percentage of mean dose of the tumor volume was significant in 2 of the tumor sizes. The differences in the mean doses of the 2 plans were examined and more than 3% increase was observed in higher concentrations of the contrast media. Conclusions: According to this study, the suitable concentration of the contrast media administered and the CT scan energy should be considered. This would help to decrease the discrepancies between the calculated and delivered dose in radiotherapy treatments to a clinically acceptable level. The importance of time delays for CT scans after administration of the contrast media is emphasized.

In myocardial perfusion imaging, reducing the number of photons in images of obese patients causes poor image quality. To solve this problem, we need to inject the tracer according to the patients' weight. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between myocardial photon counts with patients' weight, BMI, and gender.A total of 129 patients underwent myocardial perfusion imaging in a twoday stress-first protocol, but only rest images were included in this study. Multiplication factorimg src="/images/article-115470.png" /was used to determine the amount of radiopharmaceutical activity injected into the patients. For evaluating the effect of gender, the photon counts of 22 female patients were also assessed when the breast tissue was pulled upward (Breast Up). The total myocardial detector counts in the raw images were calculated from the summation of 32 projections. A multiple linear regression test was used to simultaneously examine the effects of weight, BMI, and gender on photon counts.There was no significant relationship between photon counts and patients' weight (p=0.129) and BMI (0.406), but gender had significant effects on photon counts, and myocardial detector counts were found to be higher in males (p=0.00). There was a statistically significant difference between the images of Breast Up and Non-Breast Up, and myocardial detector counts were higher in the Breast Up imaging method (p=0.00).Using the bodyweight formula, the image quality was comparable in obese and lean patients, but myocardial detector counts were lower in females, and this formula needs to be adjusted according to the patient's gender.

In myocardial gated SPECT imaging each cardiac cycle is divided into 8 or 16 temporal frames and the cause of the difference between 8 and 16 frames is not specified exactly. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of myocardial detector counts and gender on the difference between 8 and 16 frames and also to compare the LVEF obtained by 8 and 16 frames with echocardiography. The study population included 84 patients who underwent gated SPECT imaging. Left ventricular parameters were assessed on 8 and 16 frames gated SPECT. LVEF was also measured with two-dimensional echocardiography within 5-10 days after gated SPECT imaging. There was a good correlation between 8 and 16 frames for calculation of LVEF (p = 0.00, r = 0.860), EDV (p = 0.00, r = 0.965) and ESV (p = 0.00, r = 0.956) in all patients. But the difference between 8 and 16 frames for calculation of LVEF (p = 0.00), EDV (p = 0.014) and ESV (p = 0.00) was statistically significant. This difference was assessed separately in females, males, patients with high photon counts and patients with low photon counts and in all subgroups was statistically significant difference in the estimation of LVEF and ESV (p 0.05) but no significant difference in the estimation of EDV (p 0.05). Echocardiography resulted in smaller LVEF as compared to 8 and 16 frames gated SPECT studies and there was a significant difference between the two methods (p = 0.00). The myocardial detector counts and gender have no effect on the difference between 8 and 16 frames methods and the LVEF on echocardiography is smaller than the gated SPECT, but the 8-frame is closer to echocardiography.

Elastic and muscular arteries differ in structure, function, and mechanical properties, and may adapt differently to aging. We compared the descending thoracic aortas (TA) and the superficial femoral arteries (SFA) of 27 tissue donors (average 41±18 years, range 13-73 years) using planar biaxial testing, constitutive modeling, and bidirectional histology. Both TAs and SFAs increased in size with age, with the outer radius increasing more than the inner radius, but the TAs thickened 6-fold and widened 3-fold faster than the SFAs. The circumferential opening angle did not change in the TA, but increased 2.4-fold in the SFA. Young TAs were relatively isotropic, but the anisotropy increased with age due to longitudinal stiffening. SFAs were 51% more compliant longitudinally irrespective of age. Older TAs and SFAs were stiffer, but the SFA stiffened 5.6-fold faster circumferentially than the TA. Physiologic stresses decreased with age in both arteries, with greater changes occurring longitudinally. TAs had larger circumferential, but smaller longitudinal stresses than the SFAs, larger cardiac cycle stretch, 36% lower circumferential stiffness, and 8-fold more elastic energy available for pulsation. TAs contained elastin sheets separated by smooth muscle cells (SMCs), collagen, and glycosaminoglycans, while the SFAs had SMCs, collagen, and longitudinal elastic fibers. With age, densities of elastin and SMCs decreased, collagen remained constant due to medial thickening, and the glycosaminoglycans increased. Elastic and muscular arteries demonstrate different morphological, mechanical, physiologic, and structural characteristics and adapt differently to aging. While the aortas remodel to preserve the Windkessel function, the SFAs maintain higher longitudinal compliance.

The numerous factors regulate the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMMSC) self-renewal and differentiation response. We aimed to analyze the influence of electromagnetic field (EMF) as an external inducing factor on rat BMMSC differentiation and proliferation to neuron and astrocyte cells. BMMSCs extracted from the rats femurs and tibias and incubated in a cell-cultured CO2 incubator. After the third passages, the plates selected randomly and then divided into seven groups (Sham exposed, three groups of square, and three groups of sinusoidal waveform EMF (25, 50, and 75 Hz, 400 μT, 1 h/day). The BMMSCs exposed to EMF at the middle of a Helmholtz coil for 7 days. The viable cell counting and proliferation performed by the MTT test and BMMSC differentiation into the neuron and the astrocyte cell was studied by immunocytochemistry staining. The results confirmed BMMSC viability and proliferation rate reduction in sinusoidal 25 Hz, square 50 Hz and sinusoidal 75 Hz EMF groups compare to sham. The maximum BMMSC differentiation to neuron was considered in sinusoidal 50 Hz and 75 Hz EMF groups. The increase of BMMSC differentiation to astrocyte cell was frequency dependent and the most differentiation was shown in square 75 Hz, and sinusoidal 75 Hz EMF groups. In conclusion, the results suggest that both square and sinusoidal EMF could affect BMMSC development and differentiation to neuron and astrocyte cells. Further studies for the consequence of EMF with wider flux density and frequency on BMMSC are recommended.

Elastic and muscular arteries differ in structure, function, and mechanical properties, and may adapt differently to aging. We compared the descending thoracic aortas (TA) and the superficial femoral arteries (SFA) of 27 tissue donors (average 41±18 years, range 13-73 years) using multi-ratio planar biaxial testing, constitutive modeling, and bidirectional histology. Both TAs and SFAs increased in size with age, but the TAs thickened 6-fold and widened 3-fold faster than the SFAs. Both arteries remodeled outward and accumulated compressive radial strains. Circumferential opening angle did not change in the TA, but increased 2.4-fold in the SFA. Young TAs were relatively isotropic, but the anisotropy increased with age due to longitudinal stiffening. SFAs were 51% more compliant longitudinally irrespective of age. Older TAs and SFAs were stiffer, but the SFA stiffened 5.6-fold faster circumferentially than the TA. Physiologic stresses decreased with age in both arteries, with greater changes occurring longitudinally. TAs had larger circumferential, but smaller longitudinal stresses than the SFAs, larger cardiac cycle stretch, 36% lower circumferential stiffness, and 8-fold more elastic energy available for pulsation. TAs contained elastin sheets separated by smooth muscle cells (SMCs), collagen, and glycosaminoglycans, while the SFAs had SMCs, collagen, and longitudinal elastic fibers. With age, densities of elastin and SMCs decreased, collagen remained constant due to medial thickening, and the glycosaminoglycans increased. Elastic and muscular arteries demonstrate different morphological, mechanical, physiologic, and structural characteristics and adapt differently to aging. While the aortas remodel to preserve the Windkessel function, the SFAs maintain higher longitudinal compliance.

Background One of the most significant Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy treatment benefits is a high target to normal tissue dose ratio. To improve this advantage, an additional accessory such as a compensator is used to delivering doses. Compensator-based IMRT treatment is usually operated with an energy higher than 10 MV. Photoneutrons, which have high linear energy transfer and radiobiological effectiveness, are produced by colliding high-energy photon beams with linear accelerator structures, then they deliver the unwanted doses to patients and staff. Therefore, the neutron energy spectra should be determined in order to calculate and reduce the photoneutron risk. Objective: We have conducted a comprehensive and precise study on the influence of brass compensator thickness and field size on neutron contamination spectrum in an Elekta SL 75/25 medical linear accelerator with and without the flattening filter by Monte Carlo method. Materials and Methods: MCNPX MC Code version 2.6.0 was utilized to simulate the detailed geometry of Elekta SL 75/25 head components based on Linac’s manual. This code includes an important feature to simulate the photo-neutron interactions. Photoneutrons spectrum was calculated after the Linac output benchmarking based on tuning the primary electron beam. Results and Conclusion: Based on the Friedman and Wilcoxon nonparametric tests results (P

This study examined the effects of low frequency magnetic field (MF) on tolerance to analgesic effect of morphine in rats. Rats were made tolerant to morphine by injecting morphine (10 mg/kg, s) once daily for 8 consecutive days. Rats were simultaneously exposed to an MF (50 Hz at 1, 50, and 100 μT for 30 min) before, immediately, or 30 min after injection of morphine, and also exposed to a 0.5, 6, 12, and 30 Hz at 100 μT for 30 min before injection of morphine. The percentage of maximum possible effect of morphine (% MPE) was measured on the 1st, 4th, and 8th days by hot plate test. We observed that MF radiation (50 Hz at 1 µT and 30 Hz at 100 µT) immediately before and MF radiation (50 Hz at 100 µT) after morphine injection prevented the development of morphine tolerance compared to control. Also, we found that exposure to MF (50 Hz at 1, 50, and 100 µT) 30 min after injection of morphine failed to maintain the analgesic effect of morphine. Our results showed that exposure to low frequency electromagnetic field (30 and 50 Hz) immediately before or after the injection of morphine may be a potential method for treating the development of morphine tolerance in rats. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:618-625, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Patients diagnosed with dominant intraprostatic lesions (DIL) may need radiation doses over than 80 Gy. Dose-painting by contours (DPC) is a useful technique which helps the patients. Dose-painting approach need to be evaluated.To evaluate the DCP technique in the case of boosting the DILs by radiobiological parameters, tumor control probability (TCP), and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) via PET/CT images traced byIn this analytical study,The lowest volume in DILs belonged to the DIL1 extracted by the FCM method. According to dose-volume parameters of the rectum and bladder, by the increase in the PTV dose higher than 92 Gy, the amounts of rectum and bladder doses are increased. There was no difference between the TCPs of DILs at doses higher than 86 Gy and 100 Gy for ordinary and high clone density, respectively.Consequently, our dose-painting approach for DILs, extracted by the FCM method via PET/CT images, can reduce the total dose for prostate radiation with 100% tumor control and less normal tissue complications.

Respiratory movement and the motion range of the diaphragm can affect the quality and quantity of prostate images.This study aimed to investigate the magnitude of respiratory-induced errors to determine Dominant Intra- prostatic Lesions (DILs) in positron emission tomography (PET) images.In this simulation study, we employed the 4D NURBS-based cardiac-torso (4D-NCAT) phantom with a realistic breathing model to simulate the respiratory cycles of a patient to assess the displacement, volume, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVRespiration in a diaphragm motion resulted in the maximum superior-inferior displacement of 3.9 and 6.1 mm, and the diaphragm motion amplitudes of 20 and 35 mm. In a no-motion image, the volume measurement of DILs had the smallest percentage of errors. Compared with the no-motion method, the percentages of errors in the average method in 20 and 35 mm- diaphragm motion were 25% and 105%, respectively. The motion effect was significantly reduced in terms of the values of SUVThe respiratory movement errors in quantification and delineation of DILs were highly dependent on the range of motion, while the average method was not suitable to precisely delineate DILs in PET/CT in the dose-painting technique.

Background: Ionizing radia�on irradiated from iodine-131 can induce DNA damage and cell death. The cellular DNA damage is the cause of muta�on and cancer. The micronucleus assay in polychroma�c erythrocytes was applied to assess the radio-protec�ve effect of Turmeric extract on genotoxic poten�al of iodine therapy. Materials and Methods: Thirty six male albino rats were randomly divided in six groups. A single dose (200 or 500 mg/kg) of Turmeric extract was injected to the rats 30 min before iodine therapy. Iodine-131 (5.55 MBq) was administrated intra peritoneal to the experimental animals. The percentage of micronuclei in PCE, NCE and ra�o of PCE / (PCE + NCE) was determined 48 h a6er iodine injec�on for each experimental group to assess iodine-131 radia�on effects with or without Turmeric extract. Results: Iodine therapy showed a significant increase in the number of micronucleus forma�on. The animals treated with different doses of Turmeric extract + iodine showed a significant reduc�on in the frequency of micronucleus compared to the animals treated with iodine-131 alone. Both doses of Turmeric extract had the same effect when injected 30 min prior to iodine therapy. Conclusion: Our results indicate protec�ve effect of Turmeric extract against gene�c damages induced by iodine-131 administra�on. Keywords: Turmeric, iodine-131, micronucleus.

Planar biaxial testing is commonly used to characterize the mechanical properties of arteries, but stresses associated with specimen flattening during this test are unknown. We quantified flattening effects in human femoropopliteal arteries (FPAs) of different ages and determined how they affect the calculated arterial physiologic stress–stretch state. Human FPAs from 472 tissue donors (age 12–82 years, mean 53 ± 16 years) were tested using planar biaxial extension, and morphometric and mechanical characteristics were used to assess the flattening effects. Constitutive parameters for the invariant-based model were adjusted to account for specimen flattening and used to calculate the physiologic stresses, stretches, axial force, circumferential stiffness, and stored energy for the FPAs in seven age groups. Flattened specimens were overall 12 ± 4% stiffer longitudinally and 19 ± 11% stiffer circumferentially when biaxially tested. Differences between the stress–stretch curves adjusted and non-adjusted for the effects of flattening were relatively constant across all age groups longitudinally, but increased with age circumferentially. In all age groups, these differences were smaller than the intersubject variability. Physiologic stresses, stretches, axial force, circumferential stiffness, and stored energy were all qualitatively and quantitatively similar when calculated with and without the flattening effects. Stresses, stretches, axial force, and stored energy reduced with age, but circumferential stiffness remained relatively constant between 25 and 65 years of age suggesting a homeostatic target of 0.75 ± 0.02 MPa. Flattening effects associated with planar biaxial testing are smaller than the intersubject variability and have little influence on the calculated physiologic stress–stretch state of human FPAs.

Objectives Despite two decades of using mobile phone, the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation remain controversial. The study was conducted to determine the effect of mobile phone waves on anxiety-like behaviors in male rats. Methods A total number of 80 male naive rats were, randomly, divided into eight groups (Control, 900, 1 800, and 2 100 MHz exposure). The acute and chronic effects of mobile phone radiation on the anxiety profile was compared considering a 45-min session and seven sessions of radiation (45 min/day) using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) in rats. The number of rats entering the open and closed arms and their duration of stay in each of the arms were assessed. To estimate the oxidative stress, Superoxide Dismutase level in the blood serum was evaluated. Results The results obtained in the EPM showed no significant differences among the groups after acute exposure to mobile phone radiation (P > 0.05). No significant differences were observed among the groups in terms of their serum superoxide dismutase level (P > 0.05). Conclusions Short time mobile phone radiation had no effect on anxiety-like behaviors and serum enzyme activity; this may be due to low tissue irritation during acute exposure to mobile phone waves.

This study was designed to examine the effect of voluntary exercise on hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in morphine-dependent rats. The rats were randomly distributed into the saline–sedentary (Sal/Sed), the dependent–sedentary, the saline–exercise (Sal/Exc), and the dependent–exercise (D/Exc) groups. The Sal/Exc and the D/Exc groups were allowed to freely exercise in a running wheel for 10 days. The Sal/Sed and the morphine–sedentary groups were kept sedentary for the same extent of time. Morphine (10 mg/kg) was injected bi-daily (12 h interval) during 10 days of voluntary exercise. On day 11, 2 h after the morphine injection, the in vivo LTP in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus was examined. The theta frequency primed bursts were delivered to the perforant path for induction of LTP. Population spike (PS) amplitude and the field excitatory post-synaptic potentials (fEPSP) slope were measured as indices of increase in synaptic efficacy. Chronic morphine increased the mean basal EPSP, and augmented PS–LTP. Exercise significantly increased the mean baseline EPSP and PS responses, and augmented PS–LTP in both saline and morphine-treated groups. Moreover, the increase of PS–LTP in the morphine–exercise group was greater (22.5%), but not statistically significant, than that of the Sal/Exc group. These results may imply an additive effect between exercise and morphine on mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. Such an interaction between exercise and chronic morphine may influence cognitive functions in opiate addicts.

The electromagnetic frequencies that induced normally in human body, comprise from the action potentials of nerves, heart tissue and skeletal muscles, were categorized in the range of extremely low frequencies. With increase in developed devices that produced or induced electromagnetic fields, human anxiety about effects of these fields on normal or abnormal body cell proliferation was increased. Experiments provided on cells and tissues indicated that electromagnetic fields at different strengths and frequencies had altered effects on cell proliferation and differentiation. Thus, this systematic review analyzed different findings and focused on extremely low frequency electromagnetic field effects on cell proliferation. The observations reinforced pulsed extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in frequencies between 15-60 Hz had more effects on cell proliferation and less effect on cell differentiation. This effect was related to multi- session irradiation or cells long term exposure. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields can use as a safe stimulator for cell proliferation and repair of tissue damages

This study examined the effects of low frequency magnetic field (MF) on tolerance to analgesic effect of morphine in rats. Rats were made tolerant to morphine by injecting morphine (10 mg/kg, s) once daily for 8 consecutive days. Rats were simultaneously exposed to an MF (50 Hz at 1, 50, and 100 μT for 30 min) before, immediately, or 30 min after injection of morphine, and also exposed to a 0.5, 6, 12, and 30 Hz at 100 μT for 30 min before injection of morphine. The percentage of maximum possible effect of morphine (% MPE) was measured on the 1st, 4th, and 8th days by hot plate test. We observed that MF radiation (50 Hz at 1 µT and 30 Hz at 100 µT) immediately before and MF radiation (50 Hz at 100 µT) after morphine injection prevented the development of morphine tolerance compared to control. Also, we found that exposure to MF (50 Hz at 1, 50, and 100 µT) 30 min after injection of morphine failed to maintain the analgesic effect of morphine. Our results showed that exposure to low frequency electromagnetic field (30 and 50 Hz) immediately before or after the injection of morphine may be a potential method for treating the development of morphine tolerance in rats. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:618-625, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Introduction: Although past research has suggested that acute exposure to the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELFEFs) can impair cognitive functions, data on chronic exposure remained scare. Only a few studies investigated the effects of chronic ELFEFs on cognitive functions, but the results are controversial. Thus, the aim of the present study was to study whether chronic exposure to ELFEFs can affect cognitive functions and anxiety-like behaviors in rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five male Wistar were divided into control and exposed (10 or 100 uT). Exposed rats were continuously exposed to a 50 Hz magnetic field of 10 or 100 µT for four weeks. Then, cognitive functions of all rats were tested in the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tasks. Also, anxiety-related behaviors of all rats were examined in the elevated- plus maze and light-dark box. Results: No significant differences were found between control and exposed in learning acquisition, memory retention and anxiety-related behaviors. Conclusion: Our results showed that chronic exposure to ELFEFs neither change cognitive functions nor anxiety-related behaviors in rats.