W84 (hexamethylene-bis-[dimethyl-(3-phthalimidopropyl)-ammonium bromide]) protects overadditively against an organophosphate-intoxication when applied in combination with atropine. Further experimental evidence led to the hypothesis that W84 exerted an allosteric effect on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. In order to investigate the action of W84 on the receptor level, binding studies with 3H-N-methylscopolamine were performed in homogenized and intact guinea-pig myocardium. For sake of comparison three bispyridinium oximes were included, i.e. Uno3 (trimethylene-bis-[4-hydroxyiminomethyl-pyridinium] dibromide mono-2,6-dichlorobenzylether), obidoxime, and TMB4. In cardiac membrane suspensions, all compounds inhibited 3H-NMS-binding after 2 hrs of incubation concentration-dependently by reducing its affinity, whereas leaving the number of binding sites unaltered. However, with increasing concentrations W84 suppressed 3H-NMS-binding less than expected for a competitive antagonist. Kinetic studies revealed that W84 did not only slow the association of 3H-NMS, but additionally retarded its dissociation over the entire range of concentrations that inhibited 3H-NMS-binding. At lmM, W84 augmented the half life time of the 3H-NMS-receptor complexes from a control value of 4 min to more than 120 min. The stabilization of the radioligand-receptor complexes is indicative of an allosteric effect of W84. Obidoxime, TMB4 and Uno3 at low concentrations acted like competitive inhibitors of 3H-NMS-binding. From 10(-5)M onwards, Uno3 retarded 3H-NMS-dissociation concentration-dependently. It is concluded that the effect of bisquaternary compounds on 3H-NMS-association and -dissociation is mediated via binding to two separate sites, i.e. the muscarinic receptor site and an allosteric effector site, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Irreversible electroporation and electrochemotherapy are 2 innovative electroporation-based minimally invasive therapies for the treatment of cancer. Combining nonthermal effects of irreversible electroporation with local application of chemotherapy, electrochemotherapy is an established treatment modality for skin malignancies. Since the application of electrochemotherapy in solid organs is a promising approach, this article describes a novel electrode configuration and field generating method. For the treatment of hepatic malignancies, the shape of the electric field should resemble a spherical 3-dimensional geometry around the target tissue inside the liver. To adapt the actual shape of the field, the probe is designed in computer-aided design with a live link to a computer simulation software: Changes in design can be revalued quickly, regarding different quality criteria for field strength inside and outside the tumor. To rate these criteria, a set of formulas with weighting coefficients has been included. As a result of this design process, a needle-shaped prototype applicator has been built, designed for an intracorporal electroporation-based treatment. It can be used as percutaneous, image-guided, minimally invasive treatment option for malignant liver tumors. The shaft of the probe is used as central electrode and fitted with additional 4 expandable electrodes. These satellite electrodes are hollow, thus serving as injectors for chemotherapeutic agents within the area of the electric field. This configuration can be used for electrochemotherapy as well as irreversible electroporation. By placing 5 electrodes with just one needle, the procedure duration as well as the radiation dose can be reduced tremendously. Additionally, the probe offers an option to adapt the field geometry to the tumor geometry by connecting the 5 electrodes to 5 individually chosen electric potentials: By fine-tuning the ablation zone via the potentials instead of adjusting the location of the electrode(s), the procedure duration as well as the radiation dose will decrease further.

Standard nitinol guide wires have to be considered unsafe for MR-guided interventions due to possible heating of electrical conducting structures in the MR environment. Passive visualization techniques allow MR-guided catheterization of small arteries like coronaries. However, there is the substantial disadvantage of obscuring the underlying anatomy of small vessels by the passive markers needed for real-time MR guidance.

The feasibility of applying Gd-DTPA as a contrast agent to demonstrate pulmonary ventilation in large animals has been described before. The results of this refined technique substantiate the potential of Gd-based ventilation MR imaging by improving aerosol distribution and shortening the nebulization duration in the healthy lung.

Rapid partial recanalization was achieved with relative ease of instrumentation. The technique is an extension of the commonly performed pigtail catheterization of the pulmonary arteries, which may increase its clinical acceptance.

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Catheter MR-guided percutaneous intramyocardial injection is feasible; after intramyocardial injection of gadodiamide at concentrations of 0.05 and 0.10 mmol/mL, T1 values decreased over the observation time.

The use of gadolinium for MR ventilation imaging is primarily hindered by its viscosity properties and thus, its capability of aerosolization. Of the five agents tested, the medium with the lowest viscosity at room temperature (gadoteridol) showed the most promising enhancement results. The results reaffirm the potential of gadolinium-based contrast agents as a pulmonary imaging alternative. With a reduction of ventilation duration down to ten minutes, the method appears tolerable in a clinical setting.