Alpha-fetoprotein-targeted reporter gene expression imaging in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most common cancers in Eastern Asia, and its incidence is increasing globally. Numerous experimental models have been developed to better our understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of HCC and to evaluate novel therapeutic approaches. Molecular imaging is a convenient and up-to-date biomedical tool that enables the visualization, characterization and quantification of biologic processes in a living subject. Molecular imaging based on reporter gene expression, in particular, can elucidate tumor-specific events or processes by acquiring images of a reporter gene's expression driven by tumor-specific enhancers/promoters. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various experimental HCC mouse models and we present in vivo images of tumorspecific reporter gene expression driven by an alphafetoprotein(AFP) enhancer/promoter system in a mouse model of HCC. The current mouse models of HCC development are established by xenograft, carcinogen induction and genetic engineering, representing the spectrum of tumor-inducing factors and tumor locations. The imaging analysis approach of reporter genes driven by AFP enhancer/promoter is presented for these different HCC mouse models. Such molecular imaging can provide longitudinal information about carcinogenesis and tumor progression. We expect that clinical application of AFP-targeted reporter gene expression imaging systems will be useful for the detection of AFP-expressing HCC tumors and screening of increased/decreased AFP levels due to disease or drug treatment.

Cell-type continuous electromagnetic radiation system generating millimeter waves for active denial system applications

The cell-type continuous electromagnetic radiation system is a demonstration device capable of generating high-power millimeter electromagnetic waves of a specific wavelength and observing their effects on living organisms.It irradiates a biological sample placed in a 30×30×50 cm^(3)cell with electromagnetic waves in the 3.15-mm-wavelength region(with an output of≥1 W)and analyzes the temperature change of the sample.A vacuum electronic device-based coupled-cavity backward-wave oscillator converts the electron energy of the electron beam into radiofrequency(RF)energy and radiates it to the target through an antenna,increasing the temperature through the absorption of RF energy in the skin.The system causes pain and ultimately reduces combat power.A cell-type continuous electromagnetic radiation system consisting of four parts—an electromagnetic-wave generator,a highvoltage power supply,a test cell,and a system controller—generates an RF signal of≥1 W in a continuous waveform at a 95-GHz center frequency,as well as a chemical solution with a dielectric constant similar to that of the skin of a living organism.An increase of 5°C lasting approximately 10 s was confirmed through an experiment.

Sol-gel synthesis and characterization of hydroxyapatite nanorods

In the present study hydroxyapatite (HA) nano-hexagonal rods with 70-90 nm diameter and 400-500 nm length are synthesized using a simple sol-gel route with calcium nitrate and potassium dihydrogenphos-phate as calcium and phosphorus precursors respectively. Deionized water was used as a diluting media for HA sol preparation and ammonia was used to adjust the pH=9. After aging, the HA gel was dried at 60 ℃ and calcined at different temperatures ranging from 300 to 700 ℃. The dried and calcined powders were characterized for phase composition using X-ray diffractrometry, elemental dispersive X-ray and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Rietveld analysis showed the calcined HA powders of high purity with a hexagonal unit cell structure. Calcination yielded HA nanopowders of increased particle size and crystallinity with increase in temperature. The particle size and morphology was studied using transmission electron microscopy. The aspect ratio (length to diameter ratio) of HA nanorods was measured to be between 6 and 7.