Regularized inversion of the Laplace transform for series of experiments.

Not only in low-field nuclear magnetic resonance, Laplace inversion is a relevant and challenging topic. Considerable conceptual and technical progress has been made, especially for the inversion of data encoding two decay dimensions. Distortion of spectra by overfitting of even moderate noise is counteracted requiring a priori smooth spectra. In this contribution, we treat the case of simple and fast one-dimensional decay experiments that are repeated many times in a series in order to study the evolution of a sample or process. Incorporating the a priori knowledge that also in the series dimension evolution should be smooth, peak position can be stabilized and resolution improved in the decay dimension. It is explained how the standard one-dimensional regularized Laplace inversion can be extended quite simply in order to include regularization in the series dimension. Obvious improvements compared with series of one-dimensional inversions are presented for simulated as well as experimental data. For the latter, comparison with multiexponential fitting is performed.

Structures of dolomite at ultrahigh pressure and their influence on the deep carbon cycle.

Carbon-bearing solids, fluids, and melts in the Earth's deep interior may play an important role in the long-term carbon cycle. Here we apply synchrotron X-ray single crystal micro-diffraction techniques to identify and characterize the high-pressure polymorphs of dolomite. Dolomite-II, observed above 17 GPa, is triclinic, and its structure is topologically related to CaCO(3)-II. It transforms above 35 GPa to dolomite-III, also triclinic, which features carbon in [3 + 1] coordination at the highest pressures investigated (60 GPa). The structure is therefore representative of an intermediate between the low-pressure carbonates and the predicted ultra-high pressure carbonates, with carbon in tetrahedral coordination. Dolomite-III does not decompose up to the melting point (2,600 K at 43 GPa) and its thermodynamic stability demonstrates that this complex phase can transport carbon to depths of at least up to 1,700 km. Dolomite-III, therefore, is a likely occurring phase in areas containing recycled crustal slabs, which are more oxidized and Ca-enriched than the primitive lower mantle. Indeed, these phases may play an important role as carbon carriers in the whole mantle carbon cycling. As such, they are expected to participate in the fundamental petrological processes which, through carbon-bearing fluids and carbonate melts, will return carbon back to the Earth's surface.

Storage diseases: diagnostic position.

Storage diseases are metabolic multiorgan conditions, which may be divided into lysosomal and nonlysosomal diseases. Disorders of the lysosomal type require electron microscopy for morphological diagnosis. It is the metabolic substrate that determines involvement of the cell type or organ in the individual storage disease, allowing extracerebral biopsies, for instance, in the neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (NCL). A hierarchy of tissues biopsied for diagnosis can be based on easy accessibility: blood lymphocytes, skin, conjunctiva, rectum, skeletal muscle. Lysosomal diseases are divided into vacuolar and nonvacuolar ones. NCL display variegated ultrastructural patterns. Drugs may induce lysosomal storage. Finally, polyglucosan body diseases require attention.

Long-Term Shrinkage Measurements on Large-Scale Specimens Exposed to Real Environmental Conditions.

This article presents an experimental testing campaign on large-scale concrete specimens with cross-sectional areas of up to 1 m2 and a specimen length of 3 m. The primary goal of the testing campaign was to study the shrinkage behaviour of large-scale specimens exposed to real environmental conditions. Large-scale prismatic concrete specimens were equipped with vibrating wire strain gauges to monitor the strain evolution inside the specimens. To analyse the shrinkage behaviour of the specimens, the thermal strain had to be deducted from the measured strain. To study the influence of seasonal environmental conditions, different specimen production dates (in summer and winter) were examined. The measured shrinkage strains of the large-scale specimens are compared with the results of shrinkage models developed by two engineering entities (fib (Fédération Internationale du Béton) and RILEM (International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction, Materials, Systems and Structures)). The comparison shows a poor agreement of the measurements with the models, even though the results from the model for small specimens tested in the laboratory under constant environmental condition agree well with the experimental results. This leads to the conclusion that the poor agreement between the measurements and the shrinkage models must be due to the seasonally changing environmental conditions. The comparison of the results from specimens with different production dates shows that different shrinkage behaviour occurs, especially in the first year of measurements.

Successful regeneration after experimental stroke by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor is not further enhanced by constraint-induced movement therapy either in concurrent or in sequential combination therapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Both application of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) have been shown to improve outcome after experimental stroke. The aim of the present study was to determine whether concurrent or sequential combination of both therapies will further enhance therapeutic benefit and whether specific modifications in the abundance of various neurotransmitter receptors do occur. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to photothrombotic ischemia and assigned to the following treatment groups (n=20 each): (1) ischemic control (saline); (2) CIMT (CIMT between poststroke Days 2 and 11; (3) G-CSF (10 µg/kg G-CSF daily between poststroke Days 2 and 11; (4) combined concurrent group (CIMT plus 10 µg/kg G-CSF daily between poststroke Days 2 and 11; and (5) combined sequential group (CIMT between poststroke Days 2 and 11 and 10 µg/kg G-CSF daily between poststroke Days 12 and 21, respectively). Rats were functionally tested before and up to 4 weeks after ischemia. Quantitative receptor autography was performed for N-methyl-d-aspartate, AMPA, and GABA(A) receptors. RESULTS: Significant improvement of functional outcome was seen in all groups treated with G-CSF alone and in either combination with CIMT, whereas CIMT alone failed to enhance recovery. Infarct sizes and remaining cortical tissue did not differ in the various treatment groups. Failure of significant benefit in the CIMT group was associated with a shift toward inhibition in perilesional and remote cortical regions. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings disclose G-CSF as the major player for enhanced recovery after experimental stroke, preventing a shift toward inhibition as seen in the CIMT group.

In Situ Surface Temperature Measurement in a Conveyor Belt Furnace via Inline Infrared Thermography.

Measuring the surface temperature of objects that are processed in conveyor belt furnaces is an important tool in process control and quality assurance. Currently, the surface temperature of objects processed in conveyor belt furnaces is typically measured via thermocouples. However, infrared (IR) thermography presents multiple advantages compared to thermocouple measurements, as it is a contactless, real-time, and spatially resolved method. Here, as a representative proof-of-concept example, an inline thermography system is successfully installed into an IR lamp powered solar firing furnace, which is used for the contact firing process of industrial Si solar cells. This protocol describes how to install an IR camera into a conveyor belt furnace, conduct a customer correction of a factory calibrated IR camera, and perform the evaluation of spatial surface temperature distribution on a target object.

How much mutant protein is needed to cause a protein aggregate myopathy in vivo? Lessons from an exceptional desminopathy.

Myofibrillar myopathies are caused by mutations in desmin, alphaB-crystallin, myotilin, ZASP, and filamin C genes. Since the vast majority of myofibrillar myopathy causing mutations are heterozygous single amino acid substitutions or small in-frame deletions, the pathogenic role of mutant versus wild-type protein cannot be assessed in human skeletal muscle by standard immunodetection techniques. We report on an exceptional desminopathy due to a heterozygous c.735G>C mutation. Immunoblotting detected full-length 53 kDa desmin and a truncated 50 kDa variant in skeletal muscle from three affected patients of two different families. RT-PCR identified three desmin mRNA species encoding for wild-type and two mutant proteins, p.Glu245Asp and p.Asp214_Glu245del. Since previous functional studies on the p.Glu245Asp mutant showed biological properties identical to wild-type desmin, the truncated p.Asp214_Glu245del desmin is the disease-causing mutant. Semiquantitative RT-PCR established a fraction of the truncated desmin mRNA species in a range from 24% to 37%. Initial quantification of corresponding desmin proteins in the muscle biopsy of the index patient of one family indicated a fraction of only 10% of the truncated species. However, serial analyses of different sections from each muscle biopsy revealed a high intra- and interindividual variability of the truncated desmin protein level within a range from 5% to 43%. Desmin assembly studies in vitro have established clear-cut pathogenic ratios of mutant versus wild-type proteins. However, our findings point out a far more complex situation in human skeletal muscle. The heterogeneously distributed mutation load within and between individual specimens, which reflects local differences in the expression and/or turnover of the mutant protein in different areas containing multiple myonuclear domains, renders it impossible to define an exact pathogenic threshold of a specific mutant in vivo.

Different postischemic protein expression of the GABA(A) receptor alpha2 subunit and the plasticity-associated protein MAP1B after treatment with BDNF versus G-CSF in the rat brain.

PURPOSE: Recent data indicate that both brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) exert substantial neuroregenerative effects and improve functional outcome after ischemic stroke. In the present study, we checked for potential differences in the postischemic modulation of various excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors as well as various marker molecules for structural plasticity by BDNF versus G-CSF. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to photothrombotic ischemia and subsequently treated with NaCl, BDNF or G-CSF, respectively. After 6 weeks, postischemic protein expression of the NR1, GluR1 and alpha2 subunit of the NMDA, AMPA and GABA(A) receptor, respectively, was semiquantitatively determined ipsi- and contralateral to the ischemic lesion. Structural plasticity was further analyzed immunohistochemically using antibodies against MAP1B, MAP2 and synaptophysin. RESULTS: Only BNDF caused a significantly reduced postischemic protein expression of the GABA(A) receptor alpha2 subunit and the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor in the hippocampus. Furthermore, BDNF compared to G-CSF increased MAP1B protein expression in the periischemic regenerative region. CONCLUSIONS: Although both BDNF and G-CSF have been shown to improve postischemic functional outcome to a similar extent, exogenous administration results in different underlying structural reorganization processes suggesting specific modulations of plasticity-associated events by these trophic factors.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor but not forced arm use improves long-term outcome after photothrombotic stroke and transiently upregulates binding densities of excitatory glutamate receptors in the rat brain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Both application of neurotrophic factors like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and constraint-induced movement therapy like forced arm use have been shown to potentially improve outcome after stroke. The aim of the present study was to check whether postischemic long-term outcome correlates to specific modifications in the abundance of various neurotransmitter receptors. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to photothrombotic ischemia and assigned to various treatment groups (n=5 each) with end points at 3 and 6 weeks: (1) ischemic control (saline); (2) BDNF (ischemia, 20 microg BDNF); (3) forced arm use (ischemia, saline, and ipsilateral plaster cast for 5 or 14 days for the 3- and 6-week groups, respectively); and (4) combined treatment (combi; ischemia, 20 microg BDNF, forced arm use). Animals received intravenous bolus infusions of saline or BDNF 1 hour 3 and 5 days after ischemia, respectively. A group of sham rats (n=2) served as a control. A battery of behavioral tests was performed before and up to 6 weeks after ischemia. Quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiography was performed on 12-microm-thick cryostat sections using [(3)H]MK-801, [(3)H]AMPA, and [(3)H]muscimol for labeling of NMDA, AMPA, and GABA(A) receptors, respectively. RESULTS: Best functional outcome was seen after BDNF treatment, whereas vice versa rats with forced arm use did worse in behavioral performance. Improved behavioral outcome was associated with increased perilesional binding densities of NMDA and AMPA receptors 3 weeks after stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that transient enhanced neurotransmission as reflected by increased ligand binding of NMDA and AMPA receptors may participate in successful postlesional reorganization processes.

Measurement uncertainty and temporal resolution of Doppler global velocimetry using laser frequency modulation.

A Doppler global velocimetry (DGV) measurement technique with a sinusoidal laser frequency modulation is presented for measuring velocity fields in fluid flows. A cesium absorption cell is used for the conversion of the Doppler shift frequency into a change in light intensity, which can be measured by a fiber coupled avalanche photo diode array. Because of a harmonic analysis of the detector element signals, no errors due to detector offset drifts occur and no reference detector array is necessary for measuring the scattered light power. Hence, large errors such as image misalignment errors and beam split errors are eliminated. Furthermore, the measurement system is also capable of achieving high measurement rates up to the modulation frequency (100 kHz) and thus opens new perspectives to multiple point investigations of instationary flows, e.g., for turbulence analysis. A fundamental measurement uncertainty analysis based on the theory of Cramér and Rao is given and validated by experimental results. The current relation between time resolution and measurement uncertainty, as well as further optimization strategies, are discussed.

Protein aggregate myopathies.

Protein aggregate myopathies (PAMs) based on the morphologic phenomenon of aggregation of proteins within muscle fibers may occur in children (selenoproteinopathies, actinopathies, and myosinopathies) or adults (certain myofibrillar myopathies and myosinopathies). They may be mutation related, which includes virtually all childhood forms but certain other forms as well, or sporadic, which are largely seen in adults. Their classification as myofibrillar or desmin-related myopathies, actinopathies, or myosinopathies is based on the identification of respective mutant proteins, most of them components of the sarcomeres. Recognition of PAM requires muscle biopsy and an extensive immunohistochemical and electron microscopic workup of the biopsied muscle tissue after which molecular analysis of morphologically ascertained proteins should ensue to permit recognition of individual entities and genetic counseling of patients and families. Because pathogenetic principles in PAMs are still incompletely known, causative therapy, at this time, is not available.

Sulphur Kß emission spectra reveal protonation states of aqueous sulfuric acid.

In this paper we report an X-ray emission study of bulk aqueous sulfuric acid. Throughout the range of molarities from 1 M to 18 M the sulfur Kß emission spectra from H2SO4 (aq) depend on the molar fractions and related deprotonation of H2SO4. We compare the experimental results with results from emission spectrum calculations based on atomic structures of single molecules and structures from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. We show that the S Kß emission spectrum is a sensitive probe of the protonation state of the acid molecules. Using non-negative matrix factorization we are able to extract the fractions of different protonation states in the spectra, and the results are in good agreement with the simulation for the higher part of the concentration range.

Minor inflammation after surgical evacuation compared with fibrinolytic therapy of experimental intracerebral hemorrhages.

OBJECTIVES: Toxic components released from the intracerebral blood clot, such as thrombin and hemoglobin, potentially trigger brain edema formation and therefore favor an early evacuation of the clot. Despite a significant reduction in hematoma size in our porcine model of hematoma induction by injecting autologous blood ICP-controlled into the right frontal white matter with subsequent fibrinolysis using recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and aspiration of the liquefied clot (n = 9), local rt-PA promoted delayed perihematomatous edema formation and invoked a substantial inflammatory reaction compared with controls (n = 11). METHODS: We therefore modified our formerly developed porcine model of intracerebral hemorrhage in removing the hematoma by open craniotomy and suction of the clot in seven animals. The residual hematoma size and extent of perifocal edema were evaluated over 10 days on planimetry of the MRI data, and correlated to the histopathological changes of edema and inflammation found at autopsy. RESULTS: The edema volume on day 4 was significantly less in the surgical group compared with the lysis group (p < 0.03). On day 10, however, the difference in edema size was not statistically significant compared with the lysis group (p < 0.07) and the control group (p < 0.09). The inflammatory response was minor compared with the lysis and control group. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, despite a significant reduction in hematoma size by surgical removal of the clot, only the inflammatory response, but not the extent of delayed edema can be positively influenced.

X-ray induced dimerization of cinnamic acid: Time-resolved inelastic X-ray scattering study.

A classic example of solid-state topochemical reactions is the ultraviolet-light induced photodimerization of α-trans-cinnamic acid (CA). Here, we report the first observation of an X-ray-induced dimerization of CA and monitor it in situ using nonresonant inelastic X-ray scattering spectroscopy (NRIXS). The time-evolution of the carbon core-electron excitation spectra shows the effects of two X-ray induced reactions: dimerization on a short time-scale and disintegration on a long time-scale. We used spectrum simulations of CA and its dimerization product, α-truxillic acid (TA), to gain insight into the dimerization effects. From the time-resolved spectra, we extracted component spectra and time-dependent weights corresponding to CA and TA. The results suggest that the X-ray induced dimerization proceeds homogeneously in contrast to the dimerization induced by ultraviolet light. We also utilized the ability of NRIXS for direct tomography with chemical-bond contrast to image the spatial progress of the reactions in the sample crystal. Our work paves the way for other time-resolved studies on chemical reactions using inelastic X-ray scattering.

Protonation Dynamics and Hydrogen Bonding in Aqueous Sulfuric Acid.

Hydration of sulfuric acid plays a key role in new-particle formation in the atmosphere. It has been recently proposed that proton dynamics is crucial in the stabilization of these clusters. One key question is how water molecules mediate proton transfer from sulfuric acid, and hence how the deprotonation state of the acid molecule behaves as a function concentration. We address the proton transfer in aqueous sulfuric acid with O K edge and S L edge core-excitation spectra recorded using inelastic X-ray scattering and with ab initio molecular dynamics simulations in the concentration range of 0-18.0 M. Throughout this range, we quantify the acid-water interaction with atomic resolution. Our simulations show that the number of donated hydrogen bonds per Owater increases from 1.9 to 2.5 when concentration increases from 0 to 18.0 M, in agreement with a rapid disappearance of the pre-edge feature in the O K edge spectrum. The simulations also suggest that for 1.5 M sulfuric acid SO4(2-) is most abundant and that its concentration falls monotonously with increasing concentration. Moreover, the fraction of HSO4(-) peaks at ∼12 M.

Neuroprotection by hyperbaric oxygenation after experimental focal cerebral ischemia monitored by MRI.

BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) after focal cerebral ischemia reduces infarct size and improves outcome when applied early after stroke. Here, we evaluated effects of HBO on permanent focal cerebral ischemia and applied magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) monitoring to study lesion evolution. METHODS: Rats underwent permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Two hours later, animals were treated with HBO (100% O(2)/2 atm; n=17) for 1 hour or treated with room air (n=17). Animals underwent serial MRI studies (DWI, PI, T2) beginning 90 minutes after MCAO. Neuroscore was assessed (5-point rating scale). Animals were euthanized and brains were 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC)-stained for infarct volume calculation 120 hours after MCAO. Immunohistochemistry was performed with antibodies against c-FOS and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-modified proteins (HNE) to check for effects of oxidative stress caused by HBO treatment. RESULTS: HBO reduced infarct volume by 38% (P<0.001). As shown by MRI, neuroprotection began 5 hours after ischemia and remained effective for 5 days. The relative regional cerebral blood flow was not different between groups at 3.5 and 5 hours after occlusion. There was less neurological deficit in HBO-treated animals compared with controls (P<0.05). Lipid peroxidation of cerebral vessels after HBO treatment as measured by HNE staining and pattern of c-FOS induction were not significantly different between groups at 3.5 and 8 hours after ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: As monitored by MRI HBO treatment reversed ischemic lesion size between 3 and 5 hours after ischemia and achieved a long-lasting neuroprotective effect without significant oxidative damage.

The McGill Pain Questionnaire--German version. A study on cancer pain.

The McGill Pain Questionnaire, widely used in English-speaking countries, has been translated into German. The objective in translating the questionnaire was to produce a translation of the words while keeping the expression of the pain quality and intensity. The results of our present study with a German-speaking cancer pain population, concerning the choice of words and pain rating values, are comparable with those of similar English-speaking patients. The superiority of this multidimensional verbal questionnaire in analysis of pain qualities over unidimensional pain intensity scales was proved. The therapeutic effect of peridural opiate analgesia was measured in 30 patients with intractable cancer pain after they had completed the questionnaire. After 5 days of therapy, there was an average of 70% relief of the total pain experience, with best results obtained in patients with bone pain in the lumbo-sacral region.

Fruit juice consumption modulates antioxidative status, immune status and DNA damage.

Polyphenolic compounds exert a variety of physiological effects in vitro including antioxidative, immunomodulatory and antigenotoxic effects. In a randomized crossover study in healthy men on a low-polyphenol diet, we determined the effects of 2 polyphenol-rich juices (330 ml/d) supplemented for 2 weeks on bioavailability of polyphenols, markers of antioxidative and immune status, and reduction of DNA damage. Juices provided 236 mg (A) and 226 mg (B) polyphenols with cyanidin glycosides (A) and epigallocatechin gallate (B) as major polyphenolic ingredients. There was no accumulation of plasma polyphenols after two weeks of juice supplementation. In contrast, plasma malondialdehyde decreased with time during juice interventions. Moreover, juice consumption also increased lymphocyte proliferative responsiveness, with no difference between the two juices. Interleukin-2 secretion by activated lymphocytes and the lytic activity of natural killer cells were significantly increased by both juices. Juice intervention had no effect on single DNA strand breaks, but significantly reduced oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes. A time-delay was observed between the intake of fruit juice and the reduction of oxidative DNA damage and the increase in interleukin-2 secretion. We conclude that consumption of either juice enhanced antioxidant status, reduced oxidative DNA damage and stimulated immune cell functions. However, fruit juice consumption for 2 weeks did not result in elevated plasma polyphenols in subjects after overnight fasting. Further studies should focus on the time-delay between juice intake and changes in measured physiological functions, as well as on active polyphenolic metabolites mediating the observed effects.

Fibrinolysis therapy achieved with tissue plasminogen activator and aspiration of the liquefied clot after experimental intracerebral hemorrhage: rapid reduction in hematoma volume but intensification of delayed edema formation.

OBJECT: Fibrinolysis therapy accomplished using tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and aspiration is considered to be a viable alternative to microsurgery and medical therapy for the treatment of deep-seated spontaneous intracerebral hematomas (SICHs). Tissue plasminogen activator is a mediator of thrombin- and ischemia-related delayed edema. Because both thrombin release and ischemia occur after SICH, the authors planned to investigate the effect of fibrinolytic therapy on hematoma and delayed edema volume. METHODS: A spherical hematoma was created in the frontal white matter of 18 pigs. In the tPA-treated group (nine pigs), a mean of 1.55 ml tPA was injected into the clot and the resulting liquefied blood was aspirated. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed on Days 0 (after surgery), 4, and 10, and the volumes of hematoma and edema were determined. In the animals not treated with tPA (untreated group; nine pigs), the volume of hematoma dropped from 1.43+/-0.42 ml on Day 0 to 0.85+/-0.28 ml on Day 10. In the tPA-treated group, the volume of hematoma was reduced from 1.51 +/- 0.28 ml on Day 0 to 0.52 +/- 0.39 ml on Day 10. In comparison with the untreated group, the reduction in hematoma volume was significantly accelerated (p = 0.02). In the untreated group, perihematomal edema increased from 0.32 +/- 0.61 ml to 1.73 +/- 0.73 ml on Day 4, before dropping to 1.17 +/- 0.92 ml on Day 10. In the tPA-treated group, the volume of the edema increased from 0.09 +/- 0.21 ml on Day 0 to 1.93 +/- 0.79 ml on Day 4, and further to 3.34 +/- 3.21 ml on Day 10. The increase in edema volume was significantly more pronounced in the tPA-treated group (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a significantly accelerated reduction in hematoma volume, the development of delayed perifocal edema was intensified by fibrinolytic therapy, which is probably related to the function of tPA as a mediator of edema formation after thrombin release and ischemia. Further experimental and clinical investigations are required to establish the future role of fibrinolysis in the management of SICH.

The long-term effect of recombinant tissue-plasminogen-activator (rt-PA) on edema formation in a large-animal model of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Hematoma puncture, fibrinolysis, and aspiration of the liquefied clot is a promising new treatment strategy for large intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH). Characteristics of the cellular injury and neuronal and glial cell death associated with ICH and the administration of fibrinolytic agents still need to be defined. We developed a porcine model to study the histopathological effects of recombinant tissue-Plasminogen-Activator (rt-PA) on perihematomatous cell integrity. In 20 pigs, lobar hematomas were induced by intracranial pressure (ICP)-controlled injections of 7.6 +/- 1.6 ml of autologous blood into the white matter of the right frontal hemisphere. In nine animals, the clots were lysed with rt-PA, thereby facilitating aspiration 2 h after hematoma induction. In 11 control pigs, the hematoma resorption followed its natural course. The rate of hematoma reduction and edema formation over 10 days was evaluated on planimetry of the MRI data and correlated to the histopathological changes found at autopsy. Although rt-PA significantly accelerated clot resolution compared to controls (p < 0.02), the increase of perihematomatous edema volume within 10 days was not significantly ameliorated in rt-PA-treated animals compared to controls on MRI. The extent of inflammatory infiltrates on histology was more pronounced in animals treated with rt-PA. In conclusion, despite significant reduction in the size of the hematoma clot liquefication with rt-PA and aspiration invokes a substantial inflammatory response when studied after 10 days and does not result in a reduction of the perihematomatous edema.