OBJECTIVE:PEGylated superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) is the most promising alternatives to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) in MRI. This paper is to explore the imaging effects of PEGylated SPIO, which is influenced by particle sizes and surface polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating, using as MRI contrast agents at different magnetic field intensities.METHODS:Firstly, nine PEGylated monocrystalline SPIO nanoparticles with different nanocrystal sizes and different molecular weights PEG coating were prepared, and then physical and biological properties were analyzed. Finally, MRI imaging in vivo was performed to observe the imaging performance.RESULTS:Nine PEGylated monocrystalline SPIO nanoparticles have good relaxivities, serum stability, and biosecurity. At the same time, they show different imaging characteristics at different magnetic field intensities. Eight-nanometer SPIO@PEG5k is an effective T 2 contrast agent at 3.0 T (r 2/r 1 = 14.0), is an ideal T 1-T 2 dual-mode contrast agent at 1.5 T (r 2/r 1 = 6.52), and is also an effective T 1 contrast agent at 0.5 T (r 2/r 1 = 2.49), while 4-nm SPIO@PEG5k is a T 1-T 2 dual-mode contrast agent at 3.0 T (r 2/r 1 = 5.24), and is a useful T 1 contrast agent at 0.5 T (r 2/r 1 = 1.74) and 1.5 T (r 2/r 1 = 2.85). MRI studies in vivo at 3.0 T further confirm that 4-nm SPIO@PEG5k displays excellent T 1-T 2 dual-mode contrast enhancement, whereas 8-nm SPIO@PEG5k only displays T 2 contrast enhancement.CONCLUSION:PEGylated SPIOs with different nanocrystal sizes and PEG coating can be used as T 1, T 2, or T 1-T 2 dual-mode contrast agents to meet the clinical demands of MRI at specific magnetic fields.

Background To evaluate the role of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the diagnosis of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) pneumonia and to provide experience in the early detection and diagnosis of 2019-nCoV pneumonia. Methods Seventy-two patients confirmed to be infected with 2019-nCoV from multiple medical centers in western China were retrospectively analyzed, including epidemiologic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and HRCT chest features. Results All patients had lung parenchymal abnormalities on HRCT scans, which were mostly multifocal in both lungs and asymmetric in all patients, and were mostly in the peripheral or subpleural lung regions in 52 patients (72.22%), in the central lung regions in 16 patients (22.22%), and in both lungs with “white lung” manifestations in 4 patients (5.56%). Subpleural multifocal consolidation was a predominant abnormality in 38 patients (52.78%). Ground-glass opacity was seen in 34 patients (47.22%). Interlobular septal thickening was found in 18 patients, 8 of whom had only generally mild thickening with no zonal predominance. Reticulation was seen in 8 patients (11.11%), and was mild and randomly distributed. In addition, both lungs of 28 patients had 2 or 3 CT imaging features. Out of these 72 patients, 36 were diagnosed as early stage, 32 patients as progressive stage, and 4 patient as severe stage pneumonia. Moreover, the diagnostic accuracy of HRCT features combined with epidemiological history was not significantly different from the detection of viral nucleic acid (all P >0.05). Conclusions The HRCT features of 2019-nCoV pneumonia are characteristic to a certain degree, which when combined with epidemiological history yield high clinical value in the early detection and diagnosis of 2019-nCoV pneumonia.

In this communication, a paramagnetic bifunctional manganese(ii) chelate ([Mn(Dopa-EDTA)](2-)) containing a catechol group is designed and synthesized. The catechol can bind iron ions on the surface of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanocrystals to form core-shell nanoparticles. Both 4 and 7 nm SPIO@[Mn(Dopa-EDTA)](2-) show good water solubility, single-crystal dispersion, and low cytotoxicity. The study of the interplay between the longitudinal and transverse relaxation revealed that 4 nm SPIO@[Mn(Dopa-EDTA)](2-) with lower r(2)/r(1)= 1.75 at 0.5 T tends to be a perfect T-1 contrast agent while 7 nm SPIO@[Mn(Dopa-EDTA)](2-) with a higher r(2)/r(1)= 15.0 at 3.0 T tends to be a T-2 contrast agent. Interestingly, 4 nm SPIO@[Mn(Dopa-EDTA)](2-) with an intermediate value of r(2)/r(1)= 5.26 at 3.0 T could act as T-1-T-2 dual-modal contrast agent. In vivo imaging with the 4 nm SPIO@[Mn(Dopa-EDTA)](2-)nanoparticle shows unique imaging features: (1) long-acting vascular imaging and different signal intensity changes between the liver parenchyma and blood vessels with the CEMRA sequence; (2) the synergistic contrast enhancement of hepatic imaging with the T1WI and T2WI sequence. In summary, these Fe/Mn hybrid core-shell nanoparticles, with their ease of synthesis, good biocompatibility, and synergistic contrast enhancement ability, may provide a useful method for tissue and vascular MR imaging.

目的:研究粒径对超顺磁性氧化铁(superparamagnetic iron oxide,SPIO)纳米颗粒T1和T2弛豫效能的影响,并选取超小粒径SPIO(ultra-small SPIO,USPIO)探究其作为磁共振T1-T2双增强对比剂在体内成像应用中的特点.方法:采用共沉淀法制备3种不同粒径的SPIO.测定样本基本理化性能和磁学特性,采用临床3.0T MRI成像仪,研究不同MRI序列下USPIO大鼠体内对比增强成像特点.结果:成功制备3种不同粒径的SPIO:[A:(14.14±4.94) nm;B:(28.30±7.65) nm;C:(93.81±33.01)nm],测得在不同磁场强度下的T1、T2弛豫效能.小粒径的SPIO纳米颗粒具有更低的r2/r1(0.5 T:2.14),是潜在的T1、T2双增强对比剂,且低磁场下具有更低的r2/r1,有利于T1增强显影.大鼠成像显示,USPIO在T2加权成像序列下能明显降低肝脏T2成像信号,在短TE的T1加权序列下能明显提高肝脏、心血管T1信号,具有较小分子对比剂更长的成像时间窗.结论:粒径是影响SPIO弛豫效能的重要参数,USPIO具有更低的rr2/R1比,是潜在的T1、T2双增强对比剂.

Magnetic hybrid nanogels composed of magnetic nanoparticles and polymer hydrogel matrix have drawn much attention because of their unique superparamagnetic properties and biocompatibility as biomaterials. In this study, a facile method was developed for the preparation of iron oxide nanoparticle-loaded magnetic dextran nanogel as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe. Water soluble superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals (Fe3O4) was pre-synthesized and physically doped into a Schiff base-containing dextran nanogel formed using W/O microemulsion as nanoreactor. Magnetic dextran nanogel (Fe3O4@Dex) with particle size of 300-1000 nm was obtained with multiple Fe3O4 nanoparticles randomly encapsulated in the hydrogel networks. Magnetization and T-2 relaxivity study shows that the resulted magnetic nanogel has similar superparamagneitc behaviors with single Fe3O4 nanocrystals, and relatively higher T-2 relaxivity (277.2 mM(Fe)(-1)center dot s(-1)) as MRI probe. Notably, Schiff base linkages and aldehyde groups on the dextran hydrogel matrix endow the magnetic nanogel with pH-sensitiveness and reactive groups for further modifications, which make the magnetic dextran nanogel a promising nanoplatform as MRI-guided drug delivery system with add environment-responsiveness. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.