Transcatheter microembolization with ferropolysaccharide. A new approach to ferromagnetic embolization of tumors: preliminary report

A new embolic material has been devised to improve the therapeutic effect of ferromagnetic embolization upon tumors. Iron sponge microspheres (diameter 10-30 mu) were suspended in viscous, aqueous polysaccharide solution, dextran 40, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Ferro-polysaccharide, FPS). Transcatheter embolization with FPS was performed under external magnetic control (2,800 gauss) in dog kidneys and VX2 carcinomas of rabbits, causing widespread, intraparenchymal vascular occlusion of target vessels. Neither recanalization nor collateral circulation was found to the infarcted areas, and the embolized tumors had extensive necrosis with resultant tumor regression. No significant untoward reaction or other undesirable embolization was noted serologically or histologically, even after intravenous administration of FPS. Clinical application to two patients, one with a hepatoma and the other with a renal cell carcinoma, resulted in excellent tumor infarction with no significant side effects.

Erythrocyte changes in aqueous polyethylene glycol solutions containing sodium chloride

The behavior of rabbit erythrocytes in aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol 300 (I) and polyethylene glycol 400 (II) containing sodium chloride was investigated during 2-120 min incubation at 37 degrees. No hemolysis was found in I (0-10.1%) and II (0-12.9%) solutions in the presence of sodium chloride (0.45-1.35%), but prelytic potassium ion loss and changes in the appearance of the erythrocytes proceeded with the passage of time. The potassium ion loss increased with increasing concentration of polyethylene glycol and/or sodium chloride. The mean cellular volume of erythrocytes decreased temporarily (during the first 2 min) in both I (6.7%) and II (8.6%) solutions containing sodium chloride (0.68-1.35%), and then increased progressively to the same value as that determined by solution of sodium chloride at the same concentration but without polyethylene glycol (approximately 30 and 120 min in I and II solutions, respectively). Both I (10.1%) and II (12.9%) induced a stomatocytic transformation of erythrocytes, but at the higher concentrations (0.9-1.35%) of sodium chloride, II accelerated the progress of spontaneous transformation of erythrocytes, but at the higher concentrations (0.9-1.35%) of sodium chloride, II accelerated the progress of spontaneous transformation to echinocytes. The results indicate that these solutions were not isotonic with rabbit erythrocytes.

Reflection measurements at the interface between disk laser glass and edge cladding glass

Glass laser disks are usually coated with solder glass to decrease the reflectivity of spontaneous emission at the edge and to suppress parasitic oscillations. Reflections at the disk edge have been experimentally studied as a function of refractive index matching between disk laser glass and edge cladding glass, absorption by edge cladding glass, and scattering by bubbles in edge cladding glass. To reduce reflection, the number of bubbles must be decreased at the interface between disk and cladding and the absorption coefficient of cladding glass must be as high as possible.

Normal mercury level in human embryos and fetuses

The normal level of total mercury in human embryos and fetal organs (liver, kidney and cerebrum) was first indicated and it was shown that this metal is their constant component in the amount with an appreciable individual variability. As for the stage difference of the contents of the fetal organs, a significant decrease in the third-trimester liver compared to the second-trimester-liver was noted. The contents of the third-trimester liver and kidney were lower than the respective adult values. However, no significant difference of the levels was shown in the cerebrum throughout the period from fetal to adult stage, and this does not support the prevailing presumption that human fetal brain concentrates mercury. Little correlation between the mercury level in the maternal pubic hair and its level in the embryo was indicated.