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Static Magnetic Field (static + magnetic_field)
Selected AbstractsStrong Static Magnetic Field Stimulates Bone Formation to a Definite Orientation In Vitro and In Vivo,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 10 2002Hiroko Kotani Ph.D. Abstract The induction of bone formation to an intentional orientation is a potentially viable clinical treatment for bone disorders. Among the many chemical and physical factors, a static magnetic field (SMF) of tesla order can regulate the shapes of blood cells and matrix fibers. This study investigated the effects of a strong SMF (8 T) on bone formation in both in vivo and in vitro systems. After 60 h of exposure to the SMF, cultured mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were transformed to rodlike shapes and were orientated in the direction parallel to the magnetic field. Although this strong SMF exposure did not affect cell proliferation, it up-regulated cell differentiation and matrix synthesis as determined by ALP and alizarin red stainings, respectively. The SMF also stimulated ectopic bone formation in and around subcutaneously implanted bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 2-containing pellets in mice, in which the orientation of bone formation was parallel to the magnetic field. It is concluded that a strong SMF has the potency not only to stimulate bone formation, but also to regulate its orientation in both in vitro and in vivo models. This is the first study to show the regulation of the orientation of adherent cells by a magnetic field. We propose that the combination of a strong SMF and a potent osteogenic agent such as BMP possibly may lead to an effective treatment of bone fractures and defects. [source] Static Magnetic Fields Affect Capillary Flow of Red Blood Cells in Striated Skin MuscleMICROCIRCULATION, Issue 1 2008Gunnar Brix ABSTRACT Blood flowing in microvessels is one possible site of action of static magnetic fields (SMFs). We evaluated SMF effects on capillary flow of red blood cells (RBCs) in unanesthetized hamsters, using a skinfold chamber technique for intravital fluorescence microscopy. By this approach, capillary RBC velocities (vRBC), capillary diameters (D), arteriolar diameters (Dart), and functional vessel densities (FVD) were measured in striated skin muscle at different magnetic flux densities. Exposure above a threshold level of about 500 mT resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) reduction of vRBC in capillaries as compared to the baseline value. At the maximum field strength of 587 mT, vRBC was reduced by more than 40%. Flow reduction was reversible when the field strength was decreased below the threshold level. In contrast, mean values determined at different exposure levels for the parameters D, Dart, and FVD did not vary by more than 5%. Blood flow through capillary networks is affected by strong SMFs directed perpendicular to the vessels. Since the influence of SMFs on blood flow in microvessels directed parallel to the field as well as on collateral blood supply could not be studied, our findings should be carefully interpreted with respect to the setting of safety guidelines. [source] Effects of weak static magnetic fields on endothelial cellsBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 4 2010Carlos F. Martino Abstract Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have been used extensively in bone fracture repairs and wound healing. It is accepted that the induced electric field is the dose metric. The mechanisms of interaction between weak magnetic fields and biological systems present more ambiguity than that of PEMFs since weak electric currents induced by PEMFs are believed to mediate the healing process, which are absent in magnetic fields. The present study examines the response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells to weak static magnetic fields. We investigated proliferation, viability, and the expression of functional parameters such as eNOS, NO, and also gene expression of VEGF under the influence of different doses of weak magnetic fields. Applications of weak magnetic fields in tissue engineering are also discussed. Static magnetic fields may open new venues of research in the field of vascular therapies by promoting endothelial cell growth and by enhancing the healing response of the endothelium. Bioelectromagnetics 31:296,301, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Impact of magnetic field on the nucleation and morphology of calcium carbonate crystalsCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 8 2005K. V. Saban Abstract The influence of static magnetic field of strength 0.75 T on the nucleation of calcium carbonate crystals has been investigated. Particle size analysis shows that magnetic field can cause marked difference in distribution. One of the major impacts of magnetic exposure is the increase in number of the critical nuclei formed. Also, magnetic field promotes the formation of parallelepipedic calcite crystals and the dissolution of the smaller crystals by Ostwald ripening mechanism. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Recent developments in modelling of liquid phase electroepitaxy under applied magnetic fieldCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4-5 2005S. Dost Abstract Growth of single crystals under magnetic field is of interest for suppressing the adverse effect of natural convection and for better mixing in the liquid solution, which are the favorable conditions for prolonged growth and high quality crystals. In this short review article, recent developments in the modelling of electroepitaxy under magnetic field are presented. An application is given for the liquid phase electroepitaxial growth of GaAs bulk single crystals under a static magnetic field. Experimental results, that have shown that the growth rate under an applied static magnetic field is proportional to the applied magnetic field, and increases with the field intensity level, are predicted from the present model. The model also predicts growth interface shapes accurately. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Strong Static Magnetic Field Stimulates Bone Formation to a Definite Orientation In Vitro and In Vivo,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 10 2002Hiroko Kotani Ph.D. Abstract The induction of bone formation to an intentional orientation is a potentially viable clinical treatment for bone disorders. Among the many chemical and physical factors, a static magnetic field (SMF) of tesla order can regulate the shapes of blood cells and matrix fibers. This study investigated the effects of a strong SMF (8 T) on bone formation in both in vivo and in vitro systems. After 60 h of exposure to the SMF, cultured mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were transformed to rodlike shapes and were orientated in the direction parallel to the magnetic field. Although this strong SMF exposure did not affect cell proliferation, it up-regulated cell differentiation and matrix synthesis as determined by ALP and alizarin red stainings, respectively. The SMF also stimulated ectopic bone formation in and around subcutaneously implanted bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 2-containing pellets in mice, in which the orientation of bone formation was parallel to the magnetic field. It is concluded that a strong SMF has the potency not only to stimulate bone formation, but also to regulate its orientation in both in vitro and in vivo models. This is the first study to show the regulation of the orientation of adherent cells by a magnetic field. We propose that the combination of a strong SMF and a potent osteogenic agent such as BMP possibly may lead to an effective treatment of bone fractures and defects. [source] Biological dosimetry of magnetic resonance imaging,JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 5 2002Concepción Guisasola MD Abstract Purpose To check the bioeffects of the components of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI is based on an assumedly harmless interaction between certain nuclei in the body when placed in a strong magnetic field and radio wave fields. There are three key factors actuating on the examining body: a powerful static magnetic field (SMF), magnetic gradient fields (MGFs), and pulsed radiofrequency (RF) radiation. Materials and Methods In vitro cells (L-132 cells) were used as biosensors, and different cellular compounds were used as biomarkers (heat shock proteins [HSPs] and their messenger ribonucleic acids [mRNAs], calcium, and adenosine-3,,5,-cyclic monophosphate [cAMP]). The biosensors were placed in the bore of a 1.5-T MRI machine and the different electromagnetic fields were operated. Results HSPs and their mRNAs and cAMP did not respond to SMF, MGFs, or RF radiation. RF radiation increased cytosolic calcium concentration (18%, P < 0.05). Conclusion Although MRI procedures do not induce any cellular stress response, it may cause an unfathomable calcium increase in vitro. Although the in vitro experimental conditions are not totally comparable to clinical situations, the usefulness of the in vivo biological dosimetry, circulating leukocytes as biosensors, and HSPs and/or calcium as biomarkers is suggested. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2002;15:584,590. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Application of k -space energy spectrum analysis for inherent and dynamic B0 mapping and deblurring in spiral imagingMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 4 2010Trong-Kha Truong Abstract Spiral imaging is vulnerable to spatial and temporal variations of the amplitude of the static magnetic field (B0) caused by susceptibility effects, eddy currents, chemical shifts, subject motion, physiological noise, and system instabilities, resulting in image blurring. Here, a novel off-resonance correction method is proposed to address these issues. A k -space energy spectrum analysis algorithm is first applied to inherently and dynamically generate a B0 map from the k -space data at each time point, without requiring any additional data acquisition, pulse sequence modification, or phase unwrapping. A simulated phase evolution rewinding algorithm and an automatic residual deblurring algorithm are then used to correct for the blurring caused by both spatial and temporal B0 variations, resulting in a high spatial and temporal fidelity. This method is validated against conventional B0 mapping and deblurring methods, and its advantages for dynamic MRI applications are demonstrated in functional MRI studies. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] T2 relaxation reveals spatial collagen architecture in articular cartilage: A comparative quantitative MRI and polarized light microscopic studyMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 3 2001Miika T. Nieminen Abstract It has been suggested that orientational changes in the collagen network of articular cartilage account for the depthwise T2 anisotropy of MRI through the magic angle effect. To investigate the relationship between laminar T2 appearance and collagen organization (anisotropy), bovine osteochondral plugs (N = 9) were T2 mapped at 9.4T with cartilage surface normal to the static magnetic field. Collagen fibril arrangement of the same samples was studied with polarized light microscopy, a quantitative technique for probing collagen organization by analyzing its ability to rotate plane polarized light, i.e., birefringence (BF). Depthwise variation of safranin O-stained proteoglycans was monitored with digital densitometry. The spatially varying cartilage T2 followed the architectural arrangement of the collagen fibril network: a linear positive correlation between T2 and the reciprocal of BF was established in each sample, with r = 0.91 ± 0.02 (mean ± SEM, N = 9). The current results reveal the close connection between the laminar T2 structure and the collagen architecture in histologic zones. Magn Reson Med 46:487,493, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] PVLAS experiment: some astrophysical consequencesMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2007Yu. N. Gnedin ABSTRACT The birefringent effects of photon,pseudo-scalar boson (Goldstone) particle mixing in intergalactic magnetic field are calculated for cosmological objects. We use the recent results of PVLAS collaboration that reported recently the observation of a rotation of the polarization plane of light propagating through a transverse static magnetic field. Such result was interpreted as arising due to conversion of photon into pseudo-scalar with coupling strength ga,, 4 × 10,6 GeV,1. This result contradicts to data of stellar evolution that excluded standard axion model and seems to claim existence of supersymmetry (SUSY) pseudo-scalars. We estimate the intergalactic magnetic field magnitude as ,10,16 G based on Hatsemekers et al. observations of extreme-scale alignments of quasar polarization vectors. We analysed some additional results of astronomical observations that could be explained by axion interpretation of the PVLAS data: a sharp steepening of the quasi-stellar object (QSO) continuum shortward of ,1100 Å, observed circular polarization of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and QSOs, discrepancy between observed intrinsic polarization of stars in the Local Bubble and stellar spectral classification. The observed polarization of stars in the Local Bubble cannot be explained by interstellar origin. [source] Anisotropy of spin relaxation of water protons in cartilage and tendonNMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 3 2010Konstantin I. Momot Abstract Transverse spin relaxation rates of water protons in articular cartilage and tendon depend on the orientation of the tissue relative to the applied static magnetic field. This complicates the interpretation of magnetic resonance images of these tissues. At the same time, relaxation data can provide information about their organisation and microstructure. We present a theoretical analysis of the anisotropy of spin relaxation of water protons observed in fully hydrated cartilage. We demonstrate that the anisotropy of transverse relaxation is due almost entirely to intramolecular dipolar coupling modulated by a specific mode of slow molecular motion: the diffusion of water molecules in the hydration shell of a collagen fibre around the fibre, such that the molecular director remains perpendicular to the fibre. The theoretical anisotropy arising from this mechanism follows the ,magic-angle' dependence observed in magnetic-resonance measurements of cartilage and tendon and is in good agreement with the available experimental results. We discuss the implications of the theoretical findings for MRI of ordered collagenous tissues. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Multiphoton excitation of disc shaped quantum dot in presence of laser (THz) and magnetic field for bioimagingPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 4 2010Siddhartha Lahon Abstract Recently, multiphoton processes in nanostructures have attracted much attention for their promising applications, especially in growing field of bioimaging. Here we investigate the optical response of quantum disc (QD) in the presence of laser and a static magnetic field. Floquet theory is employed to solve the equation of motion for laser driven intraband transitions between the states of the conduction band. Several interesting features namely dynamic stark shift, power broadening, and hole burning on excited levels degeneracy breaking are observed with variation of electric and magnetic field strengths. Enhancement and power broadening observed for excited states probabilities with increase of external fields are directly linked to the emission spectra of QD and will be useful for making future bioimaging devices. [source] Structural consequences of hen egg-white lysozyme orthorhombic crystal growth in a high magnetic field: validation of X-ray diffraction intensity, conformational energy searching and quantitative analysis of B factors and mosaicityACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 3 2005Shinya Saijo A novel method has been developed to improve protein-crystal perfection during crystallization in a high magnetic field and structural studies have been undertaken. The three-dimensional structure of orthorhombic hen egg-white (HEW) lysozyme crystals grown in a homogeneous and static magnetic field of 10,T has been determined and refined to a resolution of 1.13,Å and an R factor of 17.0%. The 10,T crystals belonged to space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 56.54,(3), b = 73.86,(6), c = 30.50,(2),Å and one molecule per asymmetric unit. A comparison of the structures of the 0,T and 10,T crystals has been carried out. The magnitude of the structural changes, with a root-mean-square deviation value of 0.75,Å for the positions of all protein atoms, is similar to that observed when an identical protein structure is resolved in two different crystalline lattices. The structures remain similar, with the exception of a few residues e.g. Arg68, Arg73, Arg128 and Gln121. The shifts of the arginine residues result in very significant structural fluctuations, which can have large effects on a protein's crystallization properties. The high magnetic field contributed to an improvement in diffraction intensity by (i) the displacement of the charged side chains of Arg68 and Arg73 in the flexible loop and of Arg128 at the C-terminus and (ii) the removal of the alternate conformations of the charged side chains of Arg21, Lys97 or Arg114. The improvement in crystal perfection might arise from the magnetic effect on molecular orientation without structural change and differences in molecular interactions. X-ray diffraction and molecular-modelling studies of lysozyme crystals grown in a 10,T field have indicated that the field contributes to the stability of the dihedral angle. The average difference in conformational energy has a value of ,578,kJ,mol,1 per charged residue in favour of the crystal grown in the magnetic field. For most protein atoms, the average B factor in the 10,T crystal shows an improvement of 1.8,Å2 over that for the 0,T control; subsequently, the difference in diffraction intensity between the 10,T and 0,T crystals corresponds to an increase of 22.6% at the resolution limit. The mosaicity of the 10,T crystal was better than that of the 0,T crystal. More highly isotropic values of 0.0065, 0.0049 and 0.0048° were recorded along the a, b and c axes, respectively. Anisotropic mosaicity analysis indicated that crystal growth is most perfect in the direction that corresponds to the favoured growth direction of the crystal, and that the crystal grown in the magnetic field had domains that were three times the volume of those of the control crystal. Overall, the magnetic field has improved the quality of these crystals and the diffracted intensity has increased significantly with the magnetic field, leading to a higher resolution. [source] Exposure to inhomogeneous static magnetic field ceases mechanical allodynia in neuropathic pain in miceBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 6 2009Miklós Antal Abstract Magnetic therapy as a self-care intervention has led to the conduct of numerous human trials and animal experiments. Results concerning the analgesic efficacy of magnetic exposure, however, are inconsistent. By using a magnetic device generating an inhomogeneous static magnetic field (iSMF), here we studied how the whole-body exposure to iSMF may influence the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) of the hind paw in different stages of neuropathic pain evoked by partial ligation of the sciatic nerve in mice. It was found that iSMF exposure did not prevent the decrease of MWT in the first postoperative week. A 2-week long iSMF treatment that was started just after the nerve ligation elevated MWT values to a modest extent. However, the effectiveness of a daily exposure to iSMF was much more prominent when it was applied between postoperative days 15 and 28. In this case, MWT was already noticeably increased after the first treatment and it practically reached the control values by the end of the 2-week long exposure period. The results suggest that exposure to iSMF cannot prevent the development of mechanical allodynia, but can inhibit processes that maintain the increased sensitivity to mechanical stimuli in neuropathic pain. Bioelectromagnetics 30:438,445, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Real-time measurement of cytosolic free calcium concentration in DEM-treated HL-60 cells during static magnetic field exposure and activation by ATPBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 3 2009Camilla Rozanski Abstract This study investigated whether glutathione depletion affected the sensitivity of HL-60 cells to static magnetic fields. The effect of Diethylmaleate (DEM) on static magnetic field induced changes in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) was examined. Cells were loaded with a fluorescent dye and exposed to a uniform static magnetic field at a strength of 0 mT (sham) or 100 mT. [Ca2+]c was monitored during field and sham exposure using a ratiometric fluorescence spectroscopy system. Cells were activated by the addition of ATP. Metrics extracted from the [Ca2+]c time series included: average [Ca2+]c during the Pre-Field and Field Conditions, peak [Ca2+]c following ATP activation and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the peak ATP response. Comparison of each calcium metric between the sham and 100 mT experiments revealed the following results: average [Ca2+]c measured during the Field condition was 53,±,2 nM and 58,±,2 nM for sham and 100 mT groups, respectively. Average FWHM was 51,±,3 s and 54,±,3 s for sham and 100 mT groups, respectively. An effect of experimental order on the peak [Ca2+]c response to ATP in sham/sham experiments complicated the statistical analysis and did not allow pooling of the first and second order experiments. No statistically significant difference between the sham and 100 mT groups was observed for any of the calcium metrics. These data suggested that manipulation of free radical buffering capacity in HL-60 cells did not affect the sensitivity of the cells to a 100 mT static magnetic field. Bioelectromagnetics 30:213,221, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Dynamics of the ion cyclotron resonance effect on amino acids adsorbed at the interfacesBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 1 2006N. Comisso Abstract In this study we show a reproduction of the Zhadin experiment, which consists of the transient increase of the electrolytic current flow across an aqueous solution of L -arginine and L -glutamic acid induced by a proper low frequency alternating magnetic field superimposed to a static magnetic field of higher strength. We have identified the mechanisms that were at the origin of the so-far poor reproducibility of the above effect: the state of polarization of the electrode turned out to be a key parameter. The electrochemical investigation of the system shows that the observed phenomenon involves the transitory activation of the anode due to ion cyclotron frequency effect, followed again by anode passivation due to the adsorption of amino acid and its oxidation products. The likely occurrence of similar ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) phenomena at biological membranes, the implications on ion circulation in living matter, and the consequent biological impact of environmental magnetic fields are eventually discussed. Bioelectromagnetics 27:16,25, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Exposure to ELF magnetic field tuned to Zn inhibits growth of cancer cellsBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 8 2005Ruslan Sarimov Abstract The effects of ELF alternating magnetic fields tuned to Zn2+ on the growth of cancer cells with different status of p53 were investigated using a cell proliferation assay. Human cancer cells HeLa (cervix cancer, p53+/+), Saos-2 and Saos-2-His-273 (osteosarcoma, p53,/, and p53 His-273 mutant, respectively), H1299tTA and H1299tTA-His175 (lung carcinoma, p53,/, and p53 His-175 mutant), and normal human fibroblasts VH-10 (p53+/+) were used. Exposure parameters were calculated for the first harmonic of Zn2+ based either on the magnetic parametric resonance (MPR) model of Lednev or the ion parametric resonance (IPR) model of Blanchard and Blackman. ELF exposure was for 72 and 96 h. The vertical alternating field was 20 Hz at amplitudes of either 38.7 or 77.4 ,T (peaks, IPR or MPR, respectively). The vertical static magnetic field was 43 ,T, and the horizontal static magnetic field was zeroed. Treatments of cells with PRIMA-1 and ,-rays were used as positive controls. Growth inhibition was observed in cells after exposure to ELF at 38.7 ,T. Inhibition of HeLa, VH-10, and Saos-2-His-273 cells was statistically significant, P,=,0.0003, 0.02, and 0.006, respectively. No consistent ELF effects following exposure 77.4 ,T were seen. PRIMA-1 inhibited the growth of all cell lines with the strongest effect in mutant p53-carrying cell line H1299tTA-His175. The effects of ,-rays were relatively weak, suggesting that the cell proliferation assay under conditions employed in this study is not very sensitive to apoptosis. In conclusion, ELF under conditions of exposure tuned to Zn2+ according to the IPR model inhibited the growth of cancer and normal cells. No clear relationship of the observed growth inhibition to p53 status was found. Further experiments, using complementary techniques, are required to test whether p53 reactivation by ELF is feasible. Bioelectromagnetics 26: 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Long-term exposure of several marine benthic animals to static magnetic fieldsBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 7 2004R. Bochert Abstract Electrical currents in underwater sea cables could induce magnetic fields. The sea cables lie on or within the sea bottom and this is the living area for many invertebrate and vertebrate species. North Sea prawn Crangon crangon (Crustacea, Decapoda), round crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Crustacea, Brachyura), glacial relict isopod Saduria entomon (Crustacea, Isopoda), blue mussel Mytilus edulis (Bivalvia), and young flounder Plathichthys flesus (Pisces) were exposed to a static magnetic field (MF) of 3.7 mT for several weeks. The results showed no differences in survival between experimental and control animals. Mussels M. edulis were kept under static magnetic field conditions for 3 months during their reproductive period in spring. The determination of gonad index and condition index revealed no significant differences to the control group. Bioelectromagnetics 25:498,502, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] 0.2 T magnetic field inhibits angiogenesis in chick embryo chorioallantoic membraneBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 5 2004Marco Ruggiero Abstract Inhibition of angiogenesis is a major target in the fight against cancer and other diseases. Although the effects of static magnetic fields on cancer development and cell growth have been investigated, effects on angiogenesis have received no attention so far. In this study we report the effects on angiogenesis of exposure to 0.2 T static magnetic field. Angiogenesis was analyzed using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay. Exposure to 0.2 T static magnetic field was achieved by placing the eggs for 3 hr in the isocentre of the magnet of a sectorial magnetic resonance tomograph used in clinical practice. In sham exposed specimens treated with phosphate buffered saline (negative control), no significant vascular reaction was detectable; 3 hr exposure to 0.2 T static magnetic field did not affect the basal pattern of vascularization or chick embryo viability. Prostaglandin E1 and fetal calf serum elicited a strong angiogenic response in sham exposed eggs. This angiogenic response was significantly inhibited by 3 hr exposure to 0.2 T static magnetic field. These findings point to possible use of static magnetic field in inhibiting angiogenesis; this effect could be exploited for treatment of cancer and other diseases where excessive angiogenesis is involved. Bioelectromagnetics 25:390,396, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Static magnetic field measurements in residences in relation to resonance hypotheses of interactions between power-frequency magnetic fields and humansBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 5 2001W. T. Kaune Abstract Bowman et al. used epidemiologic data to test a model in which subjects were classified as being "in-resonance" or "not-in-resonance" for 60-Hz magnetic-field exposures depending on single static magnetic-field measurements at the centers of their bedrooms. A second paper by Swanson concluded that a single static magnetic-field measurement is insufficient to meaningfully characterize a residential environment. The main objective of this study was to investigate exposure-related questions raised by these two papers in two U.S. data sets, one containing single spot measurements of static magnetic fields at two locations in homes located in eight states, and the other repeated spot measurements (seven times during the course of one year) of the static magnetic fields at the centers of bedrooms and family rooms and on the surfaces of beds in 51 single-family homes in two metropolitan areas. Using Bowman's criterion, bedrooms were first classified as being in-resonance or not-in-resonance based on the average of repeated measurements of the static magnetic field measured on the bed where the presumed important exposure actually occurred. Bedrooms were then classified a second time using single spot measurements taken at the centers of bedrooms, centers of family rooms, or on the surfaces of beds, as would be done in the typical epidemiologic study. The kappa statistics characterizing the degree of concordance between the first (on-bed averages) and second (spot measurements) methods of assessing resonance status were 0.44, 0.33, and 0.67, respectively. This level of misclassification could significantly affect the results of studies involving the determination of resonance status. Bioelectromagnetics 22:294,305, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Surface-Functionalized Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles as Magnetic Delivery Vectors for CamptothecinCHEMMEDCHEM, Issue 6 2009Feride Cengelli Abstract Drug,nanoparticle conjugates: The anticancer drug camptothecin (CPT) was covalently linked at the surface of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIOs) via a linker, allowing drug release by cellular esterases. Nanoparticles were hierarchically built to achieve magnetically-enhanced drug delivery to human cancer cells and antiproliferative activity. The linking of therapeutic drugs to ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIOs) allowing intracellular release of the active drug via cell-specific mechanisms would achieve tumor-selective magnetically-enhanced drug delivery. To validate this concept, we covalently attached the anticancer drug camptothecin (CPT) to biocompatible USPIOs (iron oxide core, 9,10,nm; hydrodynamic diameter, 52,nm) coated with polyvinylalcohol/polyvinylamine (PVA/aminoPVA). A bifunctional, end-differentiated dicarboxylic acid linker allowed the attachment of CPT to the aminoPVA as a biologically labile ester substrate for cellular esterases at one end, and as an amide at the other end. These CPT,USPIO conjugates exhibited antiproliferative activity in,vitro against human melanoma cells. The intracellular localization of CPT,USPIOs was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (iron oxide core), suggesting localization in lipid vesicles, and by fluorescence microscopy (CPT). An external static magnetic field applied during exposure increased melanoma cell uptake of the CPT,USPIOs. [source] Fast-spin-echo imaging of inner fields-of-view with 2D-selective RF excitationsJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 6 2010Jürgen Finsterbusch PhD Abstract Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of two-dimensional selective radio frequency (2DRF) excitations for fast-spin-echo imaging of inner fields-of-view (FOVs) in order to shorten acquisitions times, decrease RF energy deposition, and reduce image blurring. Materials and Methods: Fast-spin-echo images (in-plane resolution 1.0 × 1.0 mm2 or 0.5 × 1.0 mm2) of inner FOVs (40 mm, 16 mm oversampling) were obtained in phantoms and healthy volunteers on a 3 T whole-body MR system using blipped-planar 2DRF excitations. Results: Positioning the unwanted side excitations in the blind spot between the image section and the slice stack to measure yields minimum 2DRF pulse durations (about 6 msec) that are compatible with typical echo spacings of fast-spin-echo acquisitions. For the inner FOVs, the number of echoes and refocusing RF pulses is considerably reduced which compared to a full FOV (182 mm) reduces the RF energy deposition by about a factor of three and shortens the acquisition time, e.g., from 39 seconds to 12 seconds for a turbo factor of 15 or from 900 msec to 280 msec for a single-shot acquisition, respectively. Furthermore, image blurring occurring for high turbo factors as in single-shot acquisitions is considerably reduced yielding effectively higher in-plane resolutions. Conclusion: Inner-FOV acquisitions using 2DRF excitations may help to shorten acquisitions times, ameliorate image blurring, and reduce specific absorption rate (SAR) limitations of fast-spin-echo (FSE) imaging, in particular at higher static magnetic fields. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;31:1530,1537. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Exposure, health complaints and cognitive performance among employees of an MRI scanners manufacturing departmentJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 2 2006Frank de Vocht MSc Abstract Purpose To assess sensory effects and other health complaints that are reported by system testers working near magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnets, realizing that it is believed that exposure up to 8 T is safe for humans. Materials and Methods Levels of exposure to static magnetic fields (SMFs), movement speed during exposure, health complaints, and cognitive performance among employees in an MRI-manufacturing department and at a reference department have been analyzed. Mercury concentrations in urine samples were determined to analyze whether they depend on exposure to SMFs. Results Average exposure of system testers was 25.9 mT/8 hours at a 1.0-T system and 40.4 mT/8 hours at a 1.5-T system. Vertigo, metallic taste, and concentration problems were more reported among workers of MRI-fabrication than in the reference department. Cognitive performance was tested outside the SMF, and no significant changes were detected. Conclusion This study suggests that any effects on cognitive functions are acute and transient and disappear rapidly after exposure has ended. All complaints, except for headaches, were more frequently reported by "fast movers" than by "slow movers," and depended on field strength and duration of exposure. Mercury-levels in urine were not affected. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The effects of 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging on early murine in-vitro embryo developmentJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 3 2001MMed (O&G), MRACOG, Stephen Chew MBBS Abstract Although no ionizing radiation is involved, patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are exposed to powerful static magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio-frequency fields that may be potentially damaging. Our study aims to document the effect of MRI imaging sequences on early murine embryo development (two-cell to blastocyst stage) in vitro. Two-cell murine embryos were exposed to various lengths of MRI using pulse sequences employed in present day clinical imaging. Early murine embryo development was documented in vitro, and blastocyst development rates were computed for both the control and exposed groups. There were no significant differences detected in the rate of blastocyst formation between the control groups and the embryos exposed to MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;13:417,420. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Static Magnetic Fields Affect Capillary Flow of Red Blood Cells in Striated Skin MuscleMICROCIRCULATION, Issue 1 2008Gunnar Brix ABSTRACT Blood flowing in microvessels is one possible site of action of static magnetic fields (SMFs). We evaluated SMF effects on capillary flow of red blood cells (RBCs) in unanesthetized hamsters, using a skinfold chamber technique for intravital fluorescence microscopy. By this approach, capillary RBC velocities (vRBC), capillary diameters (D), arteriolar diameters (Dart), and functional vessel densities (FVD) were measured in striated skin muscle at different magnetic flux densities. Exposure above a threshold level of about 500 mT resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) reduction of vRBC in capillaries as compared to the baseline value. At the maximum field strength of 587 mT, vRBC was reduced by more than 40%. Flow reduction was reversible when the field strength was decreased below the threshold level. In contrast, mean values determined at different exposure levels for the parameters D, Dart, and FVD did not vary by more than 5%. Blood flow through capillary networks is affected by strong SMFs directed perpendicular to the vessels. Since the influence of SMFs on blood flow in microvessels directed parallel to the field as well as on collateral blood supply could not be studied, our findings should be carefully interpreted with respect to the setting of safety guidelines. [source] Influence of Mobile Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Implanted PacemakersPACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1p2 2003RYOJI KISHI KISHI, R., et al.: Influence of Mobile Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Implanted Pacemakers.Purpose: Mobile magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems will be widely used in Japan. When traveling, mobile MRI generate alternating electromagnetic waves which may cause electromagnetic interference (EMI). This study was designed to determine whether this may influence the function of implanted pacemakers (PM). Methods and Results: The influence of the static magnetic fields was tested in the first method using a PM-human model (Phantom). Magnetic force was simultaneously measured. The PM was switched to the magnet mode within 90 cm from the vehicle, where the magnetic force was = 2 mT. In the second method, six phantoms were placed on the side of the road, facing in three different directions in X-Y-Z axis orientations, at 1.3 m and 2.0 m above the ground. The mobile MRI passed by at a distance of 1 m from the phantoms at the speed of 20 or 40 km/h. In these experiments, magnet mode switch of the PM was observed for 2 seconds when the vehicle passed close to the phantoms, though no electrical noise was recorded. Conclusion: Mobile MRI vehicles can switch a PM to magnet mode when the distance between patient and vehicle is <90 cm, regardless of whether the vehicle is moving or at a stop. Patients with implanted PM should not approach within <1 m of a mobile MRI. No other EMI-induced PM dysfunction was detected. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. II]:527,529) [source] Ginzburg,Landau equations and boundary conditions for superconductors in static magnetic fieldsANNALEN DER PHYSIK, Issue 5 2005J. Bünemann Abstract We derive the Ginzburg,Landau equations for superconductors in static magnetic fields. Instead of the square of the gauge-invariant gradient of the order-parameter wave function, we consider the quantum-mechanical expression for the kinetic energy in the Ginzburg,Landau energy functional. We introduce a new surface term in the free energy functional which results in the de Gennes interface conditions. The phenomenological Ginzburg,Landau theory thus contains three length scales which must be determined from microscopic theory: the Ginzburg,Landau coherence length, the London penetration depth, and the de Gennes length. [source] The role of the calmodulin-dependent pathway in static magnetic field-induced mechanotransduction,BIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 4 2010Jen-Chang Yang Abstract While the effects of static magnetic fields (SMFs) on osteoblastic differentiation are well demonstrated, the mechanotransduction pathways of SMFs are still unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the role of calmodulin in the biophysical effects of SMFs on osteoblastic cells. MG63 cells were exposed to a 0.4,T SMF. The expression of phosphodiesterase RNA in the cytoplasm was tested using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The differentiation of the cells was assessed by detecting changes in alkaline phosphatase activity. The role of calmodulin antagonist W-7 was used to evaluate alterations in osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation after the SMF simulations. Our results showed that SMF exposure increased alkaline phosphatase activity and phosphodiesterase 1C gene expression in MG63 cells. Addition of W-7 significantly inhibited the SMF-induced cellular response. We suggest that one possible mechanism by which SMFs affects osteoblastic maturation is through a calmodulin-dependent mechanotransduction pathway. Bioelectromagnetics 31:255,261, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effects of weak static magnetic fields on endothelial cellsBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 4 2010Carlos F. Martino Abstract Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have been used extensively in bone fracture repairs and wound healing. It is accepted that the induced electric field is the dose metric. The mechanisms of interaction between weak magnetic fields and biological systems present more ambiguity than that of PEMFs since weak electric currents induced by PEMFs are believed to mediate the healing process, which are absent in magnetic fields. The present study examines the response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells to weak static magnetic fields. We investigated proliferation, viability, and the expression of functional parameters such as eNOS, NO, and also gene expression of VEGF under the influence of different doses of weak magnetic fields. Applications of weak magnetic fields in tissue engineering are also discussed. Static magnetic fields may open new venues of research in the field of vascular therapies by promoting endothelial cell growth and by enhancing the healing response of the endothelium. Bioelectromagnetics 31:296,301, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Real-time measurement of cytosolic free calcium concentration in DEM-treated HL-60 cells during static magnetic field exposure and activation by ATPBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 3 2009Camilla Rozanski Abstract This study investigated whether glutathione depletion affected the sensitivity of HL-60 cells to static magnetic fields. The effect of Diethylmaleate (DEM) on static magnetic field induced changes in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) was examined. Cells were loaded with a fluorescent dye and exposed to a uniform static magnetic field at a strength of 0 mT (sham) or 100 mT. [Ca2+]c was monitored during field and sham exposure using a ratiometric fluorescence spectroscopy system. Cells were activated by the addition of ATP. Metrics extracted from the [Ca2+]c time series included: average [Ca2+]c during the Pre-Field and Field Conditions, peak [Ca2+]c following ATP activation and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the peak ATP response. Comparison of each calcium metric between the sham and 100 mT experiments revealed the following results: average [Ca2+]c measured during the Field condition was 53,±,2 nM and 58,±,2 nM for sham and 100 mT groups, respectively. Average FWHM was 51,±,3 s and 54,±,3 s for sham and 100 mT groups, respectively. An effect of experimental order on the peak [Ca2+]c response to ATP in sham/sham experiments complicated the statistical analysis and did not allow pooling of the first and second order experiments. No statistically significant difference between the sham and 100 mT groups was observed for any of the calcium metrics. These data suggested that manipulation of free radical buffering capacity in HL-60 cells did not affect the sensitivity of the cells to a 100 mT static magnetic field. Bioelectromagnetics 30:213,221, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||