Albumin-Coated Single-Core Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Enhanced Molecular Magnetic Imaging (MRI/MPI)

Colloidal stability of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNP) in physiological environments is crucial for their (bio)medical application. MNP are potential contrast agents for different imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic particle imaging (MPI). Applied as a hybrid method (MRI/MPI), these are valuable tools for molecular imaging. Continuously synthesized and in-situ stabilized single-core MNP were further modified by albumin coating. Synthesizing and coating of MNP were carried out in aqueous media without using any organic solvent in a simple procedure. The additional steric stabilization with the biocompatible protein, namely bovine serum albumin (BSA), led to potential contrast agents suitable for multimodal (MRI/MPI) imaging. The colloidal stability of BSA-coated MNP was investigated in different sodium chloride concentrations (50 to 150 mM) in short- and long-term incubation (from two hours to one week) using physiochemical characterization techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for core size and differential centrifugal sedimentation (DCS) for hydrodynamic size. Magnetic characterization such as magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements confirmed the successful surface modification as well as exceptional colloidal stability of the relatively large single-core MNP. For comparison, two commercially available MNP systems were investigated, MNP-clusters, the former liver contrast agent (Resovist), and single-core MNP (SHP-30) manufactured by thermal decomposition. The tailored core size, colloidal stability in a physiological environment, and magnetic performance of our MNP indicate their ability to be used as molecular magnetic contrast agents for MPI and MRI.     

Biomedical Applications of Fluorescent and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Dual-Modality Probes

Molecular imaging plays a critical role in biomedical research. The combination of different modalities can generate complementary information and provide synergistic advantages over single modality alone. Noninvasive and nonradioactive fluorescent imaging (FI)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dualmodality probes fuse the high sensitivity of FI and the high temporal and spatial resolution and deep-tissue penetration of MRI, and their increasing applications have been reported in biomedical research and clinical practices, including cell labeling, enzyme activity measurement, tumor diagnosis and therapy, and anatomical localization and real-time assessment during surgery.     

Design of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles for Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI)

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a promising medical imaging technique producing quantitative images of the distribution of tracer materials (superparamagnetic nanoparticles) without interference from the anatomical background of the imaging objects (either phantoms or lab animals). Theoretically, the MPI platform can image with relatively high temporal and spatial resolution and sensitivity. In practice, the quality of the MPI images hinges on both the applied magnetic field and the properties of the tracer nanoparticles. Langevin theory can model the performance of superparamagnetic nanoparticles and predict the crucial influence of nanoparticle core size on the MPI signal. In addition, the core size distribution, anisotropy of the magnetic core and surface modification of the superparamagnetic nanoparticles also determine the spatial resolution and sensitivity of the MPI images. As a result, through rational design of superparamagnetic nanoparticles, the performance of MPI could be effectively optimized. In this review, the performance of superparamagnetic nanoparticles in MPI is investigated. Rational synthesis and modification of superparamagnetic nanoparticles are discussed and summarized. The potential medical application areas for MPI, including cardiovascular system, oncology, stem cell tracking and immune related imaging are also analyzed and forecasted.     

Recent research progress on the preparation and application of magnetic nanospheres

Magnetic nanospheres have numerous applications in biomedicine, biotechnology and wastewater treatment, due to their high surface area, tunable sphere size and superparamagnetic properties. Magnetic nanoparticles can be designed and endowed with optical, electronic and fluorescent properties, allowing a wide range of functionality. Multifunctional magnetic particles with heterodimer structures allow various kinds of target molecules to be attached onto their specific parts via affinity or coordinate bonding, etc. The abilities of these nanodevices, including the encapsulation of target molecules in magnetic hybrid nanostructures and easy magnetic separation in the presence of external magnetic fields, show much promise for magnetic imaging, magnetic separation and drug delivery. Consequently, magnetic particles offer excellent potential future uses in disease diagnosis, hyperthermia, immunoassays, electrochemical biosensors, contaminated water treatment and optical detection. In this article, we review the preparation and application of inorganic and organic magnetic composite spheres in the fields of magnetic separation, drug delivery, hyperthermia, magnetic resonance imaging, and others. The size, specific surface area, structure, magnetic properties and surface functional groups of nanospheres have a great influence on their effectiveness in these applications. The encapsulation of target molecules in magnetic hybrid nanostructures and their easy separation using an external magnetic field show promise for the fabrication of novel nanodevices for many applications. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Recent Advances in Metal-Based Magnetic Composites as High-Efficiency Candidates for Ultrasound-Assisted Effects in Cancer Therapy

Metal-based magnetic materials have been used in different fields due to their particular physical or chemical properties. The original magnetic properties can be influenced by the composition of constituent metals. As utilized in different application fields, such as imaging monitoring, thermal treatment, and combined integration in cancer therapies, fabricated metal-based magnetic materials can be doped with target metal elements in research. Furthermore, there is one possible new trend in human activities and basic cancer treatment. As has appeared in characterizations such as magnetic resonance, catalytic performance, thermal efficiency, etc., structural information about the real morphology, size distribution, and composition play important roles in its further applications. In cancer studies, metal-based magnetic materials are considered one appropriate material because of their ability to penetrate biological tissues, interact with cellular components, and induce noxious effects. The disruptions of cytoskeletons, membranes, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) further influence the efficiency of metal-based magnetic materials in related applications. While combining with cancer cells, these magnetic materials are not only applied in imaging monitoring focus areas but also could give the exact area information in the cure process while integrating ultrasound treatment. Here, we provide an overview of metal-based magnetic materials of various types and then their real applications in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) field and cancer cell treatments. We will demonstrate advancements in using ultrasound fields co-worked with MRI or ROS approaches. Besides iron oxides, there is a super-family of heterogeneous magnetic materials used as magnetic agents, imaging materials, catalytic candidates in cell signaling and tissue imaging, and the expression of cancer cells and their high sensitivity to chemical, thermal, and mechanical stimuli. On the other hand, the interactions between magnetic candidates and cancer tissues may be used in drug delivery systems. The materials’ surface structure characteristics are introduced as drug loading substrates as much as possible. We emphasize that further research is required to fully characterize the mechanisms of underlying ultrasounds induced together, and their appropriate relevance for materials toxicology and biomedical applications.     

Materials Characterization of Feraheme/Ferumoxytol and Preliminary Evaluation of Its Potential for Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia

Feraheme, is a recently FDA-cleared superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION)-based MRI contrast agent that is also employed in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. Feraheme nanoparticles have a hydrodynamic diameter of 30 nm and consist of iron oxide crystallites complexed with a low molecular weight, semi-synthetic carbohydrate. These features are attractive for other potential biomedical applications such as magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH), since the carboxylated polymer coating affords functionalization of the particle surface and the size allows for accumulation in highly vascularized tumors via the enhanced permeability and retention effect. This work presents morphological and magnetic characterization of Feraheme by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry. Additionally, the results of an initial evaluation of the suitability of Feraheme for MFH applications are described, and the data indicate the particles possess promising properties for this application.     

甲基化修饰对纤维素基磁性材料结构基元的磁性调控

目前市面上电磁功能纺织品的磁性大都来自于染色、涂覆、整理等过程中磁性微粒的额外添加,但上述方法赋予纺织品一定程度磁性的同时持久性较差。研究了纤维素基磁性材料结构基元纤维二糖分子的原始态和甲基化修饰态,意图得到本身固有磁性的纤维素纤维。具体地说,是将纤维二糖分子2号位碳原子上仲羟基的氢原子替换为甲基基团,得到甲基化修饰的纤维二糖分子。DFT表明,甲基化修饰使纤维二糖分子的能量基态由三重态转变为开壳层破损态单重态;同时,磁性耦合常数由原始态的1.23 cm~(-1)变为甲基化修饰态的-0.65 cm~(-1),正值变为负值也意味着体系从铁磁性到反铁磁性的磁性转变。经过甲基化修饰,该体系可作为构建具有长久磁性的新型磁性纤维材料的结构基元。     

超微颗粒的应用

与块状材料相比,超微颗粒具有一系列特殊的性质,从而在磁记录介质、催化、陶瓷、医学以及磁性液体等方面有着广泛的应用。本文将简述它在化学工业、电子工业以及医学领域中的应用。     

磁性液体在外施磁场下的方向性弱絮凝行为

磁性液体是一种高分子稳定胶体,实验观察发现磁性液体在外施磁场作用下,磁性颗粒沿着外磁场方向形成一定有序排列的球链簇,却又不是絮凝使胶体系统失稳,显示出与其它胶体系统的不同之处。在一般胶体系统中弱絮凝行为表现不明显,不引起重视,通过计算分析发现磁性液体在外加磁场下弱絮凝行为表现却异常明显,而且弱絮凝行为存在着方向性,又不使胶体系统失稳,与实验和实际应用相符。从而揭示了磁性液体在外施磁场作用下各向异性的机理,并且很好地解释了光波在在外施磁场作用下的磁性液体中会产生光的双折射效应等现象。     

Structural and magnetic behavior of zirconia-magnetic particles and zirconia-graphene composite ceramics

Incorporating magnetic materials in ceramic matrices becomes an attractive topic due to its versatility and wide range of applications. Therefore, this work aims to produce zirconia-magnetic particles and zirconia-graphene composites, investigating their structural and magnetic properties. The ceramic composites were produced by the tape casting technique and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and magnetic measurements. The microstructural characterization showed monoclinic and tetragonal zirconia phases from the zirconia powder and the magnetite and hematite phases from the magnetic particles. Three peaks of characteristics known as band D, G, and 2D evidenced the presence of graphene. The morphology of the zirconia-magnetic particles and zirconia-graphene composites showed grains with irregular shapes and varying sizes; however, the zirconia-graphene composite showed the presence of pores and agglomerates due to the plasma heat-treatment process. The uniform dispersion of the elements in both ceramic composites confirmed the efficiency of the applied method. The magnetic characterizations of the green and sintered zirconia-magnetic particles and zirconia-graphene composites were studied in a wide range of magnetic fields and temperatures (5 to 300 K). Before sintering, the magnetite phase commanded the magnetic response of the zirconia-magnetic particles composite, showing a ferrimagnetic behavior, after sintering, the hematite phase content increased by approximately 27%, causing a change in the ferrimagnetic order to antiferromagnetic. It was found that the 1% graphene insertion in the zirconia ceramic composite was responsible for the ferromagnetic behavior of the sintered composite. Ceramic composites become future candidates for technological applications in spintronic devices and magnetic storage.     

Magnetic separations in biotechnology—a review

Magnetic separation technology has a broad range of potential applications in both small and large scale biotechnology. This review considers a selection of magnetic techniques and their possible uses.     

Magnetic Resonance Visualisation of Flow and Pore Structure in Packed Beds with Low Aspect Ratio

Different NMR techniques were combined to obtain the structure and velocity information for a systematic investigation of fixed beds with low aspect ratio (tube diameter to particle diamter, d_t/d_p) in the range 1.4 to 32. The structure of the void space was determined for a variety of packed beds of glass beads or regular and irregular porous pellets by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Based on the images the radial distribution of the voids within the bed was obtained. Ordering effects were found even for non‐spherical and polydisperse particles, and a maximum of the fluid density near the tube wall was confirmed for all pellet geometries and sizes. By combining MRI with velocity encoding, velocity profiles and distributions of flow velocity components of a single fluid phase through packed beds have been acquired. The radial velocity distribution follows an oscillatory pattern which largely reflects the ordering of the particles, which can be accessed from the density distribution of the interparticle fluid. Maximum velocities of up to four times the average value were found to occur near the tube wall. This wall effect was observed for all but the smallest particles, where the aspect ratio was d_t/d_p = 32. Moreover, a visualisation of flow pattern in the presence of packed particles was achieved by using a tagging technique, and the stationary flow field could be identified for an experimental time of several hours.     

Tumour Cell Labelling by Magnetic Nanoparticles with Determination of Intracellular Iron Content and Spatial Distribution of the Intracellular Iron

Magnetically labelled cells are used for in vivo cell tracking by MRI, used for the clinical translation of cell-base therapies. Studies involving magnetic labelled cells may include separation of labelled cells, targeted delivery and controlled release of drugs, contrast enhanced MRI and magnetic hyperthermia for the in situ ablation of tumours. Dextran-coated super-paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) ferumoxides are used clinically as an MR contrast agents primarily for hepatic imaging. The material is also widely used for in vitro cell labelling, as are other SPIO-based particles. Our results on the uptake by human cancer cell lines of ferumoxides indicate that electroporation in the presence of protamine sulphate (PS) results in rapid high uptake of SPIO nanoparticles (SPIONs) by parenchymal tumour cells without significant impairment of cell viability. Quantitative determination of cellular iron uptake performed by colorimetric assay is in agreement with data from the literature. These results on intracellular iron content together with the intracellular distribution of SPIONs by magnetic force microscopy (MFM) following in vitro uptake by parenchymal tumour cells confirm the potential of this technique for clinical tumour cell detection and destruction.     

溶剂蒸发法制备磁性微胶囊及其相关性能

将共沉淀法所得纳米OA-Fe3O4(油酸改性Fe3O4)分散于不同介质中形成磁流体作为芯材,以PMMA(聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯)作为壁材,采用溶剂蒸发法制备磁性微胶囊。对不同芯材及乳化剂进行筛选;考察乳化剂用量、m(芯材)∶m(壁材)及乳化转速对微胶囊制备的影响。通过XRD、FTIR、TEM、SEM、光学显微镜、VSM(振动样品磁强计)对纳米OA-Fe3O4和磁性微胶囊的有效成分、形貌、热性能、磁性能进行分析表征。结果表明,共沉淀法制备的纳米颗粒有效成分为Fe3O4,且可形成稳定磁流体。OA-Fe3O4粒径在3～15 nm,比饱和磁化强度为43.3 emu/g,具有顺磁性。以分散在n-C16H34的OA-Fe3O4磁流体为芯材,w〔SDS(十二烷基硫酸钠)〕=2%的水溶液为乳化剂,m(芯材)∶m(壁材)=5∶1,乳化转速800 r/min条件下可制得外形规整,壁厚1～2μm,且粒径集中于(10±2)μm的磁性微胶囊。该胶囊比饱和磁化强度为36.9 emu/g,具有良好的磁响应性。     

Diffusive Capture of Magnetic Particles by an Assemblage of Random Cylindrical Collectors

Abstract

We develop an effective medium model describing the capture of ultra-fine magnetic particles (diameter much less than 1 µm) by an assemblage of parallel magnetic cylinders, randomly distributed in static fluid. The continuity equation describing the dynamics of concentration is solved numerically to obtain the concentration in various regions around the collector. The concentration contours are generated and the saturation, accumulation, and depletion regions are indicated. The effect of varying collector packing fractions appears significantly in regions close to the outer boundary of the representative cell where the build-up features of ultra-fine particles near the collector surface are similar for packing fractions in range 5–10%.     

表面活性剂影响磁粉共凝聚F46乳液的研究

使用十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)、烷基酚聚氧乙烯醚(NP)和辛基酚类聚氧乙烯醚(S-13)3种不同表面活性剂乳化铁硅铬磁粉,通过共凝聚方法制备四氟乙烯与六氟丙烯共聚物(F46)包覆乳化后磁粉(F46/铁硅铬磁粉)的复合材料。通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)表征共凝聚粒子的形貌,通过热重分析仪(TG)测试共凝聚粒子的热稳定性,通过矢量网络分析仪(VNA)测定样品的磁介性能。结果表明:在共凝聚过程中,阳离子型表面活性剂CTAB不仅对铁硅铬磁粉进行乳化,利于磁粉分散,而且在整个共凝聚体系起到破乳作用。采用CTAB乳化磁粉的共凝聚反应,出现凝胶的时间为第12 min,整个共凝聚过程耗时33 min,相比于其他共凝聚反应,缩短了反应时间;且加入质量分数10%乳化剂的磁粉剩余质量分数为0.59%,磁粉残余量最低。F46/铁硅铬磁粉复合材料的磁导率在18.00 GHz下还能保持在1.10左右,介电常数在1.00~18.00 GHz范围内稳定在2.30以下,F46/铁硅铬磁粉复合材料的磁介性能有所改善。     

鲕状赤铁矿磁化焙烧-磁选过程研究

以鄂西某鲕状赤铁矿为研究对象,考察了焙烧时间对其磁化焙烧与磁选过程、相态转化及焙烧变化规律的影响. 结果表明,含铁鲕粒多数由赤铁矿内核与致密同心外壳及其中间夹带的脉石矿物构成;含铁(TFe) 49.02%的鲕状赤铁矿在800℃下磁化焙烧60 min后再用磁选管分选,获得含铁56.34%、铁回收率为88.05%的较好结果,焙烧时间对磁化焙烧影响显著. 磁化焙烧过程仅改变铁相,而鲕粒结构未变;磁化还原由表及里受扩散作用控制,还原程度随焙烧时间延长逐步增加. 800℃下焙烧时间小于30 min时,极少过还原生成FeO,之后则有少量FeO生成,较少形成Fe2SiO4;含磷与含硅矿物均有相变,但转变时间不同.     

Magnetic effects in particle adhesion. Part II. The influence of particle composition and size on deposition in a magnetic field

The effects of a magnetic field on the deposition of particles of various compositions, sizes, shapes (spherical and rod-like) on steel beads of different kinds and sizes in an aqueous environment are described. In the systems studied, the particles and the collector bear a negative charge. If both interacting bodies have a sufficiently high magnetic moment, the magnetic force causes an enhancement in the particle attachment. The process is very sensitive to the size of the depositing solids; larger particles adhere much faster. Interpretation of the results is based on the shape of the total interaction energy function consisting of electrostatic, dispersion, and magnetic contributions. The major influence of the magnetic field is in the formation of a deep secondary minimum in which the particles, moving toward the surface, are accumulated. The magnetic force enhances the flux of these particles and deepens the minimum, causing an increase in the retention efficiency.     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chemical Engineering: Basics and Practical Aspects

The huge potential of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly exploited in chemical engineering. However, optimal use of this rather complex method requires some background knowledge. In this paper, first the basic principles are presented in a form dedicated to readers with an engineering formation. Subsequently, practical aspects such as resolution in space and time are discussed. Emphasis is put on established methods implemented on standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hardware, as mainly used in the research presented in this issue.     

2001～2002年磁记录材料及应用新进展

从 1999年开始每年撰写国内外磁记录材料及其应用的新进展。这里论述 2 0 0 1～ 2 0 0 2年的新进展 ,内容包括 :(1)垂直磁记录 ;(2 )平行磁记录 ;(3)多层膜巨磁电阻材料 ;(4 )磁层间的相互作用对磁记录介质的影响 ;(5 )纳米膜磁记录材料。