Concurrent tissue oxymetry and blood flowmetry to assess the effect of drugs on cerebral oxygen metabolism

An Oxylite/LDF system (Oxford Optronix, UK) driven by a sensor made of optical fibres for the tissue oxygen tension (pO2) and for the Laser Doppler Blood Flow (BF) was implemented. This has allowed pO2 and BF real time measurements in discrete brain areas of anaesthetised rats that were then challenged with exogenous oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The results gathered were compared with data obtained following treatment with drugs that have excitatory influence upon the brain activity such as amphetamine or with a central nervous system (CNS) depressant such as CI-966. Altogether these experiments support the methodology for in vivo investigation of pharmacological effects on cerebral oxygen metabolism and could provide new understandings on the effects of psychostimulants and anticonvulsants on selected brain regions.

Electromagnetic–Acoustic Sensing for Biomedical Applications

This paper reviews the theories and applications of electromagnetic–acoustic (EMA) techniques (covering light-induced photoacoustic, microwave-induced thermoacoustic, magnetic-modulated thermoacoustic, and X-ray-induced thermoacoustic) belonging to the more general area of electromagnetic (EM) hybrid techniques. The theories cover excitation of high-power EM field (laser, microwave, magnetic field, and X-ray) and subsequent acoustic wave generation. The applications of EMA methods include structural imaging, blood flowmetry, thermometry, dosimetry for radiation therapy, hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SO2) sensing, fingerprint imaging and sensing, glucose sensing, pH sensing, etc. Several other EM-related acoustic methods, including magnetoacoustic, magnetomotive ultrasound, and magnetomotive photoacoustic are also described. It is believed that EMA has great potential in both pre-clinical research and medical practice.