Imaging Artifacts of Liquid Embolic Agents on Conventional CT in an Experimental in Vitro Model

Abstract Background A major drawback of liquid embolic agents (LEAs) is the generation of imaging artifacts (IA), which may represent a crucial obstacle for the detection of periprocedural hemorrhage or subsequent radiosurgery of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). This study aimed to compare the IAs of Onyx, Squid and PHIL in a novel three-dimensional in vitro AVM model in conventional computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam CT (CBCT). Methods Tubes with different diameters were configured in a container resembling an AVM with an artificial nidus at its center. Subsequently, the AVM models were filled with Onyx 18, Squid 18, PHIL 25% or saline and inserted into an imaging phantom (n = 10/LEA). Afterwards CT and CBCT scans were acquired. The degree of IAs was graded quantitatively (Hounsfield units in a defined region of interest) and qualitatively (feasibility of defining the nidus)—Onyx vs. Squid vs. PHIL vs. saline, respectively. Results Quantitative density evaluation demonstrated more artifacts for Onyx compared to Squid and PHIL, e.g. 48.15 ± 14.32 HU for Onyx vs. 7.56 ± 1.34 HU for PHIL in CT (p < 0.001) and 41.88 ± 7.22 density units (DU) for Squid vs. 35.22 ± 5.84 DU for PHIL in CBCT (p = 0.044). Qualitative analysis showed less artifacts for PHIL compared to Onyx and Squid in both imaging modalities while there was no difference between Onyx and Squid regarding the definition of the nidus (p > 0.999). Conclusion In this novel three-dimensional in vitro AVM model, IAs were higher for the EVOH/tantalum-based LEAs Onyx and Squid compared to iodine-based PHIL. Onyx induced the highest degree of IAs with only minor differences to Squid.

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An in vitro model for investigation of vitamin A effects on wound healing

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000692 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Hoda Keshmiri Neghab ◽

Mohammad Hasan Soheilifar ◽

Gholamreza Esmaeeli Djavid

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Endothelial Cell ◽

Vitamin A ◽

In Vitro Model ◽

Cellular Proliferation ◽

Endothelial Cell Migration ◽

Normal Fibroblast ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Vitro Model

Abstract. Wound healing consists of a series of highly orderly overlapping processes characterized by hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Prolongation or interruption in each phase can lead to delayed wound healing or a non-healing chronic wound. Vitamin A is a crucial nutrient that is most beneficial for the health of the skin. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of vitamin A on regeneration, angiogenesis, and inflammation characteristics in an in vitro model system during wound healing. For this purpose, mouse skin normal fibroblast (L929), human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC), and monocyte/macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7) were considered to evaluate proliferation, angiogenesis, and anti-inﬂammatory responses, respectively. Vitamin A (0.1–5 μM) increased cellular proliferation of L929 and HUVEC (p < 0.05). Similarly, it stimulated angiogenesis by promoting endothelial cell migration up to approximately 4 fold and interestingly tube formation up to 8.5 fold (p < 0.01). Furthermore, vitamin A treatment was shown to decrease the level of nitric oxide production in a dose-dependent effect (p < 0.05), exhibiting the anti-inflammatory property of vitamin A in accelerating wound healing. These results may reveal the therapeutic potential of vitamin A in diabetic wound healing by stimulating regeneration, angiogenesis, and anti-inﬂammation responses.

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