Effects of MRI on stemness properties of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), derived from various tissues, are served as a promising source of cells in clinic and regenerative medicine. Umbilical cord-Wharton's jelly (WJ-MSCs)-derived MSCs exhibit advantages over those from adult tissues, such as no ethical concerns, shorter population doubling time, broad differentiation potential, readily available non-invasive source, prolonged maintenance of stemness properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MRI (1.5 T, 10 min) on stemness gene expression patterns (OCT-4, SOX-2, NANOG) of WJ-MSCs. Additionally, we assessed cell viability, growth kinetics and apoptosis of WJ-MSCs after MRI treatment. The quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) data showed that transcript levels of SOX-2, NANOG in MRI-treated WJ-MSCs were increased 32- and 213-fold, respectively. MTT assay was performed at 24, 48, and 72 h post-treatment and the viability was not significantly different between the two groups. The doubling time of the MRI group was markedly higher than the control group. In addition, the colony formation ability of WJ-MSCs after MRI treatment significantly increased. Furthermore, no change in apoptosis was seen before or after MRI treatment. Our results suggest that the use of MRI can improve the quality of MSCs and enhance the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging without contrast significantly increased serum levels of IL-6, but not IL-10, IL-17A and TGF-ß.

Introduction: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging modality. However, the effects of MRI on the immune system in the in vivo conditions are yet to be clarified. In this study we explored the effects of routine brain MRI on the protein and mRNA peripheral blood levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-17A and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß).Material and methods: 40 subjects, who referred for brain MRI, were entered for evaluating effects of routine brain MRI on the protein and mRNA peripheral blood levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A and TGF-ß. Accordingly, peripheral blood were collected before and 3 hours after MRI from the participants. Protein levels of the cytokines were evaluated using ELISA. Also, mRNA levels were analyzed using Real-Time PCR techniques.Results: Brain MRI without contrast led to an increase in protein levels of IL-6 in the peripheral serum, but did not change protein and mRNA levels of IL-10, IL-17A and TGF-ß. IL-6 mRNA levels after MRI were higher in the participants with mild anxiety compared to those without anxiety.Conclusion: brain MRI without contrast can induce secretion of IL-6 and may be associated with its functions, such as development of plasma cells or induction of inflammation.

PATIENT DOSE SURVEY BASED ON SIZE-SPECIFIC DOSE ESTIMATE AND ACCEPTABLE QUALITY DOSE IN CHEST AND ABDOMEN/PELVIS CT EXAMINATIONS.

The practical aspects of two recently developed patient dose optimization methods in computed tomography (CT) examinations, size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) and acceptable quality dose (AQD), were verified for the chest and abdomen/pelvis examinations. A dose survey was performed in a CT institute by considering patients lateral diameter, weight and body mass index (BMI). The AQD tables for weight and BMI groups and SSDE threshold curves were obtained. The mean of volume CT dose index and dose length product for standard-size patients were compared with the national diagnostic reference levels (NDRLs) of Iran. The results show that patient doses are below the NDRLs. It is more reliable to report the AQDs based on SSDE and for BMI groups which can well take into account patient size in the dose optimization process. The SSDE threshold curves can be determined with more precision by including dose data of all possible sizes in the curves.

Evaluation of Respiratory Triggered Diffusion-Weighted MRI with Three b-Values Compared to ADC Map and Fast Spin Echo Heavily T2W in Differential Diagnosis of Hemangioma from Malignant Liver Lesions.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the ability of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with three different b-values compared to apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map and fast spin echo heavily T2 weighted (FSE-HT2W) in differential diagnosis of hemangioma from malignant liver lesions. METHODS: Fifty-four liver lesions in 20 patients (12 females and eight males: mean age of 52 ± 12.3 years) were examined in this study. FSE-HT2W with breath-hold technique and DWI using respiratory triggered with three different b-values (50,400 and 800 s/mm2) were performed on all patients. Mean ADC values were calculated from each lesion. Agreement levels of each sequence with standard of reference were compared by constructing the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve and calculation of the area under the ROC curve. RESULTS: ADC maps had the largest area under the ROC curve and also the most agreement with the standard of reference. DWI obtained with high b-value (b-800 s/mm2) and FSE-HT2W technique were ranked next, respectively. Hemangiomas had significantly higher ADC values than malignant liver lesions (P = .001). No significant differences were seen in gender, age, and lesion size between two lesion groups. CONCLUSIONS: ADC maps and DWI in high b-values are more successful than FSE-HT2W technique in differential diagnosis of hemangioma from malignant liver lesions.