Topographical and temporal specificity of human intraoperative optical intrinsic signals.

The goal of this study was to determine the topographical and temporal specificity of neuronal and vascular responses using an intraoperative optical technique (iOIS). The face, thumb, index, and middle fingers were stimulated individually to obtain separate maps of cortical activation. Peak optical responses provided unique, non-overlapping cortical brain maps. Non-peak signals were more dispersed and produced overlapping responses from different digits. Peak iOIS responses colocalized with electrocortical stimulation mapping and evoked potentials. Temporally, we observed statistically significant specificity corresponding to sequential cortical activation during early optical signals (500-1750 ms), but later perfusion responses were non-specific. To our knowledge, this is the first report of either topographical specificity in overlapping spatial patterns, and/or temporal specificity in early perfusion profiles. These results therefore may have significant implications for other perfusion dependent functional imaging techniques.

Postmortem anatomy from cryosectioned whole human brain.

A system of histologic and digital processing protocols are presented for the acquisition of high-resolution digital imagery from postmortem cryosectioned whole human brain and head for computer-based 3-dimensional (3D) representation and visualization. We designed and evaluated several protocols for optimal preparation of frozen specimens including fixation, decalcification, cryoprotection, freezing and sectioning procedures. High-resolution (1024(2) pixel) serial images were captured directly from the cryoplaned blockface using an integrated color digital camera and fiber optic illumination system mounted over a modified cryomacrotome. Specimens frozen and sectioned with the cranium intact preserved brain spatial relationships and anatomic bony landmarks. Color preservation was superior in unfixed tissue heads were incompatible with decalcification and cryoprotection procedures and section collection from such specimens was complicated by bone fragmentation. Collection of 1024(2) images from whole brain resulted in a spatial resolution of 200 microns/pixel in a 1-3 Gbyte data space. Even higher 3D spatial resolution was possible by primary image capture of selected regions such as hippocampus or brain stem. Discrete registration errors were corrected using image processing strategies such as cross-correlative and other algorithmic approaches. Data sets were amenable to resampling in multiple planes as well as scaling and transpositioning into standard coordinate systems. These methods enable quantitative measurements for comparison between subjects and to published atlas data. These techniques allow visualization and measurement at resolutions far higher than those available through other imaging technologies and provide greatly enhanced contrast for delineation of neuroanatomic structures, pathways, and subregions.

Imaging optical reflectance in rodent barrel and forelimb sensory cortex.

Novel neuroimaging techniques are extending the scope for studying dynamic brain function. We have developed a system which enables the repeatable imaging of rapid function in rodent primary somatosensory cortex (S-I), based on activity-related changes in its optical reflectance (intrinsic signals). The S-I cortices of anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed. Images were acquired with a slow-scan, cooled, charge-coupled device camera (CCD) through filters at 550, 610, and 850 nm before, during, and after contralateral stimulation (vibrissal deflection or forepaw stimulation). Images were divided by prestimulus controls and then averaged across 9-27 trials to produce maps of stimulus-related reflectance change. Optical activity had magnitude 10(-3) of baseline reflectance and consistently comprised two distinct spatiotemporal components over cortex, depending on paradigm. The diffuse signal at 610 nm begins 0.5-1 s after stimulus onset and has a duration of 4-5 s. The second signal is macrovenous and is delayed by 1 s. Similar response patterns were observed at 550 and 850 nm. Evoked potentials, recorded at sites inside and outside the zone of optical activity, confirmed the functional nature of these signals. Using a CCD we have imaged functional reflectance changes over rodent S-I which commence, peak, and extinguish over a time scale of seconds. This optical activity is consistent with the etiologies of microvascular recruitment and chromophore redox change.

Thermodynamics of partitioning and efflux of phenothiazines from liposomes.

The partitioning of nine phenothiazines between dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) liposomes and 0.9% wt/vol saline at pH 6 has been studied both below and above the phase transition temperature (Tc) of the phospholipid. Higher partitioning was observed above Tc. Both the entropy and enthalpy of partitioning were positive below and above Tc, and a linear relationship between the entropy and enthalpy has been derived. In general, the partitioning and transport of alkylaminophenothiazines in DMPC liposomes over the temperature range of 5 to 40 degrees C is entropically controlled. The entropies and enthalpies of partitioning of various groups in the phenothiazine structure have been calculated. No relationship was found between particle size of the DMPC liposomes and the equilibrium partition coefficient at 25 degrees C. However, the particle size of liposomes did increase with increasing acyl chain length of the phospholipid. Using differential scanning calorimetry, the enthalpy and entropy of transition of the DMPC liposomes in the absence and presence of phenothiazines has been calculated. The temperature dependence of the first-order rate constant of trimeprazine tartrate transport in DMPC liposomes was investigated and was found to be maximum at the Tc of the phospholipid.

The interaction of mequitazine with phospholipid model membranes.

The effect of increasing concentrations of mequitazine, a quinuclidinylmethyl-phenothiazine, on the phase transition temperature (Tc), the broadening of the transition peak, the enthalpy and entropy of transition of dimyristoyl-, dipalmitoyl- and distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes was studied. Pest critical micelle concentrations of mequitazine (CMC = 5.23 X 10(-2) M), caused broadening of the transition peak and lowering of the Tc of pure liposomes. The ratio of peak heights from the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of egg phosphatidycholine liposomes was used as a criterion for assessing the interaction of the drug with phsopholipid membranes. Mequitazine interacts with both the polar head groups and hydrophobic membrane interior.

Plasma concentrations, bioavailability and dissolution of chlorpropamide.

The bioavailability of chlorpropamide from two new formulations (Melitase tablets) has been compared to that from a reference formulation which is currently in clinical use as a hypoglycaemic agent. In both rate and extent of bioavailability, all three formulations may be considered equivalent, providing allowances are made for differences in drug content. With 95% confidence, the mean bioavailability of chlorpropamide from the new formulations was within about 16% of the mean from the reference formulaion, and formulation-related differences were not statistically significant. Although all three formulations were shown to have similar dissolution profiles, dissolution of chlorpropamide was pH-dependent in vitro. Dissolution was almost complete during 30 min at pH 7.2, but only 40%-60% had dissolved during 90 min at pH 2.0. A peak mean concentration of 22.7 mug/ml was reached 3 h after administration of 2 x 100 mg tablets of the new formulation and peak mean concentrations of 26.8 mug/ml and 27.4 mug/ml were reached 3 h and 4 hours after administration of one 250 mg tablet of the new formulation and one 250 mg tablet of the reference formulation respectively. Formulation-related differences of mean plasma concentrations (after scaling for equal doses of 250mg) were not significant and each formulation provided similar plasma concentrations at corresponding times after administration. Statistically significant subject-related differences in all the parameters of bioavailability were shown by analyses of variance.