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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Development of a Modular Tissue Phantom for Evaluating Vascular Access Devices

Central vascular access (CVA) may be critical for trauma care and stabilizing the casualty. However, it requires skilled personnel, often unavailable during remote medical situations and combat casualty care scenarios. Automated CVA medical devices have the potential to make life-saving therapeutics available in these resource-limited scenarios, but they must be properly designed. Unfortunately, currently available tissue phantoms are inadequate for this use, resulting in delayed product development. Here, we present a tissue phantom that is modular in design, allowing for adjustable flow rate, circulating fluid pressure, vessel diameter, and vessel positions. The phantom consists of a gelatin cast using a 3D-printed mold with inserts representing vessels and bone locations. These removable inserts allow for tubing insertion which can mimic normal and hypovolemic flow, as well as pressure and vessel diameters. Trauma to the vessel wall is assessed using quantification of leak rates from the tubing after removal from the model. Lastly, the phantom can be adjusted to swine or human anatomy, including modeling the entire neurovascular bundle. Overall, this model can better recreate severe hypovolemic trauma cases and subject variability than commercial CVA trainers and may potentially accelerate automated CVA device development.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Torque Teno Sus Virus 1: A Potential Surrogate Pathogen to Study Pig-Transmitted Transboundary Animal Diseases

Understanding the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) among wild pigs (Sus scrofa) will aid in preventing the introduction or containment of TADs among wild populations. Given the challenges associated with studying TADs in free-ranging populations, a surrogate pathogen system may predict how pathogens may circulate and be maintained within wild free-ranging swine populations, how they may spill over into domestic populations, and how management actions may impact transmission. We assessed the suitability of Torque teno sus virus 1 (TTSuV1) to serve as a surrogate pathogen for molecular epidemiological studies in wild pigs by investigating the prevalence, persistence, correlation with host health status and genetic variability at two study areas: Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch in Florida and Savannah River Site in South Carolina. We then conducted a molecular epidemiological case study within Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch site to determine how analysis of this pathogen could inform transmission dynamics of a directly transmitted virus. Prevalence was high in both study areas (40%, n = 190), and phylogenetic analyses revealed high levels of genetic variability within and between study areas. Our case study showed that pairwise host relatedness and geographic distance were highly correlated to pairwise viral genetic similarity. Molecular epidemiological analyses revealed a distinct pattern of direct transmission from pig to pig occurring within and between family groups. Our results suggest that TTSuV1 is highly suitable for molecular epidemiological analyses and will be useful for future studies of transmission dynamics in wild free-ranging pigs.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Structure and Antigenicity of the Porcine Astrovirus 4 Capsid Spike

Porcine astrovirus 4 (PoAstV4) has been recently associated with respiratory disease in pigs. In order to understand the scope of PoAstV4 infections and to support the development of a vaccine to combat PoAstV4 disease in pigs, we designed and produced a recombinant PoAstV4 capsid spike protein for use as an antigen in serological assays and for potential future use as a vaccine antigen. Structural prediction of the full-length PoAstV4 capsid protein guided the design of the recombinant PoAstV4 capsid spike domain expression plasmid. The recombinant PoAstV4 capsid spike was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified by affinity and size-exclusion chromatography, and its crystal structure was determined at 1.85 Å resolution, enabling structural comparisons to other animal and human astrovirus capsid spike structures. The recombinant PoAstV4 capsid spike protein was also used as an antigen for the successful development of a serological assay to detect PoAstV4 antibodies, demonstrating that the recombinant PoAstV4 capsid spike retains antigenic epitopes found on the native PoAstV4 capsid. These studies lay a foundation for seroprevalence studies and the development of a PoAstV4 vaccine for swine.

Virology↗
DOE OSTI2025

Vaccine Efficacy of a Replication-Competent Interferon-Expressing Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Virus Against NADC-34 Challenge

Background/Objectives: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) significantly impedes swine production due to rapid genetic variation and suppression of antiviral interferon (IFN) responses, leading to ineffective immunity. To address this, we developed IFNmix, a replication-competent PRRSV modified live vaccine (MLV) candidate co-expressing three Type I IFN subclasses (IFNα, IFNβ, IFNδ) to enhance antiviral immunity. Methods: In two independent in vivo experiments, we compared the protection of IFNmix and a commercial PRRSV MLV vaccine during challenge with a virulent PRRSV strain. Clinical signs, antibody and cytokine production, viral replication, and lung pathology in IFNmix-vaccinated pigs were compared to those of commercial PRRSV vaccines and controls. Results: Pigs vaccinated with IFNmix exhibited similar anti-PRRSV antibody development, serum viral loads, lung lesions, and cytokine responses post-challenge with the virulent NADC34 strain, with comparable or lower body temperatures and weight gain, to pigs vaccinated with the commercial vaccines. While IFNmix showed early viral load reduction compared to the commercial vaccine (Days 7–14 post-challenge), it demonstrated similar efficacy in controlling PRRSV replication and lung pathology. Conclusions: These findings suggest that IFNmix, by expressing multiple IFNs, can potentially enhance innate and adaptive immune responses, offering a promising approach to improving PRRSV vaccine efficacy. Further studies are needed to evaluate IFNmix against a broader range of PRRSV strains and to optimize its attenuation and immunogenicity.

Miller, Laura C. (ORCID:0000000289469416)↗
NASA NTRS2002

Pest Control on the "Fly"

FlyCracker(R), a non-toxic and environmentally safe pesticide, can be used to treat and control fly problems in closed environments such as milking sheds, cattle barns and hutches, equine stables, swine pens, poultry plants, food-packing plants, and even restaurants, as well as in some outdoor animal husbandry environments. The product can be applied safely in the presence of animals and humans, and was recently permitted for use on organic farms as livestock production aids. FlyCracker's carbohydrate technology kills fly larvae within 24 hours. By killing larvae before they reach the adult stages, FlyCracker eradicates another potential breeding population. Because the process is physical-not chemical-flies and other insects never develop resistance to the treatment, giving way to unlimited use of product, while still keeping the same powerful effect.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1987

Robotic Sow

In swine farming 15 to 25 percent of piglets die before weaning, and that poses a serious economic problem for hog producers. Sometimes a sow will accidentally crush her piglets or she will reject or abuse a piglet. Frequently a litter is oversized and the sow cannot accommodate all her piglets for nursing or is just unable to lactate due to physical disorders. Farmatic Inc.'s mechanical mother pig comes in two models, one with eight artificial nipples and another with 16. Shortly before feeding time the automated sow releases a prescribed amount of formula from a refrigerated compartment into a warming chamber, where milk is heated to the desired temperature. At feeding time a heat lamp simulating a sow's body warmth is automatically turned on and the machine emits rhythmic grunts like a mother pig summoning her piglets. As piglets scamper to their mechanical mother, a panel across the front opens to expose the row of nipples.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2000

Metabolic Adaptation to Muscle Ischemia

Although all tissues in the body can adapt to varying physiological/pathological conditions, muscle is the most adaptable. To understand the significance of cellular events and their role in controlling metabolic adaptations in complex physiological systems, it is necessary to link cellular and system levels by means of mechanistic computational models. The main objective of this work is to improve understanding of the regulation of energy metabolism during skeletal/cardiac muscle ischemia by combining in vivo experiments and quantitative models of metabolism. Our main focus is to investigate factors affecting lactate metabolism (e.g., NADH/NAD) and the inter-regulation between carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism during a reduction in regional blood flow. A mechanistic mathematical model of energy metabolism has been developed to link cellular metabolic processes and their control mechanisms to tissue (skeletal muscle) and organ (heart) physiological responses. We applied this model to simulate the relationship between tissue oxygenation, redox state, and lactate metabolism in skeletal muscle. The model was validated using human data from published occlusion studies. Currently, we are investigating the difference in the responses to sudden vs. gradual onset ischemia in swine by combining in vivo experimental studies with computational models of myocardial energy metabolism during normal and ischemic conditions.

Cabrera, Marco E.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Sanitary Waste Landfill Effects on an Invasive Wild Pig Population

Being opportunistic omnivores, wild pigs (Sus scrofa) readily feed on edible garbage. Given the presence of substantial volumes of edible food waste, large multi-county and regional municipal sanitary waste landfills constitute attractive forage resources for pigs, providing a year-round anthropogenic source of potentially high-quality forage. Our objective was to assess the effects that a large regional landfill has on the local pigs foraging in that facility's waste disposal cells. The landfill, located on the United States Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, USA, became operational in 1998 and pigs began foraging there in 2001. By 2009 >100 pigs/night were observed foraging in the landfill, suggesting landfill establishment may have important consequences for population dynamics, public safety, and disease transmission. We evaluated changes in body mass, fetal litter size, numbers of pigs removed, and wild pig-vehicle collisions (WPVCs) before (1980–2000) and after (2001–2019) pigs began foraging in the landfill on SRS. Body mass during the after period increased to a greater extent for pigs in the vicinity of the landfill compared to pigs on the rest of SRS. Fetal litter size increased for pigs in the vicinity of the landfill, whereas it remained unchanged on the rest of SRS. Our density surrogate (number of pigs harvested) increased around the landfill during the after period by 2.9 times, whereas on the rest of the site it only increased by 53%. No WPVCs occurred adjacent to the landfill before 2001, but WPVCs increased along the 2 major roads bordering the landfill after 2001. Effects of sanitary waste landfills on wild pig populations scavenging there can present unique challenges to population management, control, public safety, and disease transmission. Potential approaches to address these challenges could be exclusion fencing to prevent access to the landfill's waste disposal cells or enhanced placement of waste cell covers to reduce access.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Two Paclitaxel-Coated Balloons with Different Drug Load in a Short-Term Porcine Study

PurposeThe aim of the study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and tissue absorption of 2 paclitaxel (PTX) drug-coated balloons (DCB) using different drug loads in a porcine-injured iliac artery model.Materials and MethodsTwenty-eight pigs were randomized into 2 groups. In group B1, angioplasty was performed with a 1.0 µg/mm{sup 2} DCB with PTX and in group B3, with a 3.0 µg/mm{sup 2} DCB with PTX. An overstretched model of the iliac artery was used for angioplasty under fluoroscopy. Blood and vessel wall PTX were measured with liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry at 1, 5, 30 min, 1, 7, and 28 days. Remaining drug in the balloon was analyzed.ResultsMean PTX in blood was significantly higher in the group B3 0.269 ± 0.085 µg/ml compared with the B1 0.218 ± 0.085 µg/ml; p = 0.01. Peak blood PTX concentration was detected at 1 min, and PTX was undetectable 24 h post-angioplasty. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean arterial wall concentration from the treated iliac artery between group-B1 (15.24 ± 21.29 ng/mg) and B3 (15.68 ± 16.33 ng/mg), or in the PTX wall concentration measured at different time points. Mean remaining drug in assayed balloons was lower for group-B1 and represented 8 % of the initial dose.ConclusionsBlood PTX was higher when using 3.0 µg/mm{sup 2} DCB, with a peak drug concentration at 1-min, although the drug was undetectable at 24 h, independently of the loading dose. This study demonstrates no difference in arterial wall uptake of a low dose DCB (1.0 µg/mm{sup 2}), when compared to a common dose DCB (3.0 µg/mm{sup 2}) suggesting that the dose of drug in the DCB could be reduced obtaining a similar clinical effect.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Histological Comparison of Kidney Tissue Following Radioembolization with Yttrium-90 Resin Microspheres and Embolization with Bland Microspheres

BackgroundIntra-arterial brachytherapy with yttrium-90 ({sup 90}Y) resin microspheres (radioembolization) is a procedure to selectively deliver high-dose radiation to tumors. The purpose of this research was to compare the radioembolic effect of {sup 90}Y-radioembolization versus the embolic effect of bland microspheres in the porcine kidney model.MethodsIn each of six pigs, ~25–33 % of the kidney volume was embolized with {sup 90}Y resin microspheres and an equivalent number of bland microspheres in the contralateral kidney. Kidney volume was estimated visually from contrast-enhanced fluoroscopy imaging. Morphologic and histologic analysis was performed 8–9 weeks after the procedure to assess the locations of the microspheres and extent of tissue necrosis from {sup 90}Y-radioembolization and bland embolization. A semi-quantified evaluation of the non-acute peri-particle and perivascular tissue reaction was conducted. All guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.ResultsKidneys embolized with {sup 90}Y-radioembolization decreased in mass by 30–70 % versus the contralateral kidney embolized with bland microspheres. These kidneys showed significant necrosis/fibrosis, avascularization, and glomerular atrophy in the immediate vicinity of the {sup 90}Y resin microspheres. By contrast, glomerular changes were not observed, even with clusters of bland microspheres in afferent arterioles. Evidence of a foreign body reaction was recorded in some kidneys with bland microspheres, and subcapsular scarring/infarction only with the highest load (4.96 × 10{sup 6}) of bland microspheres.ConclusionThis study showed that radioembolization with {sup 90}Y resin microspheres produces localized necrosis/fibrosis and loss of kidney mass in a porcine kidney model. This result supports the study of {sup 90}Y resin microspheres for the localized treatment of kidney tumors.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Evaluating the Feasibility of Isolated Pancreatic Perfusion for Chemotherapy Using Computed Tomography: An Experimental Study in Pig Models

PurposePercutaneous isolated pancreatic perfusion (PIPP) is performed along with interventional radiology techniques to obtain high drug concentration by occluding the arterial inlet and venous outlet of the pancreas. The experimental study aimed to evaluate the contrast distribution in PIPP under different flow rates with or without anterior mesenteric artery (AMA) occlusion.Materials and MethodsThis study was approved by a local animal experiment ethics committee. Nine pigs were divided into Groups 1, 2, and 3, by infusion rates of 12, 24, and 36 mL/min. Groups 4 and 5 (3 pigs each) and Group 6 (2 pigs) underwent PIPP at the same respective infusion rates with and without AMA occlusion. Computed tomography (CT) arteriography was performed during PIPP with nonionic contrast media. The enhanced volume was calculated by adding the enhanced area in each slice using 1.25-mm axial images. The percent enhanced volume to the whole pancreas (%eV) was used to simulate drug distribution; the result was compared among groups.ResultsWithout AMA occlusion, a larger %eV was obtained with high infusion rates (P = 0.039). The median %eV in Groups 1, 2, and 3 were 57.7, 74.2, and 90.5%, respectively. With AMA occlusion, CT demonstrated duodenal enhancement at an infusion rate of 36 mL/min, and the median %eV in Groups 4, 5, and 6 were 92.8, 95.4, and 98.5%, respectively. A significantly larger %eV was obtained after AMA occlusion (P = 0.031).ConclusionA higher infusion rate or AMA occlusion increases the enhanced volume in PIPP in pig models. Level of evidence: No level of evidence.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Feasibility of Helical I-125 Seed Implant in the Portal Vein

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of helical iodine-125 (I-125) seed portal vein implantation. Materials and Methods: Helical I-125 seed implants were placed into the portal vein of healthy pigs through the transjugular (n = 3) or percutaneous transhepatic (n = 3) route. Six pigs received follow-up at 9 weeks after implantation. Blood tests were performed preimplantation, and at 1 and 9 weeks after implantation. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and single-photon emission computed tomography combined with CT (SPECT-CT) were acquired after implantation. Post-implantation CT was imported to the treatment planning system (TPS) for dose verification. At 9 weeks after implantation, another CT was performed before histopathological examination. Results: All implantations were successful, and the helical implants were fixed to the portal vein. CT showed no implant migration or portal vein thrombosis. The average dose to 90% of the target volume calculated from TPS was 68.4 Gy. SPECT-CT revealed an irregular isodose around the implant, in which the hottest spot was near the central portal vein lumen. All pigs were in good condition at the 9-week follow-up. Histopathology studies confirmed no portal vein thrombosis. Pigs showed no signs of bleeding, necrosis, or perforation of the peripheral tissue or organs. Intimal hyperplasia was observed at the two ends of the implant. A mild inflammatory response was detected in the bile duct and adjacent liver tissues, yet there was no apparent inflammation of the hepatic arteries. Conclusion: The helical I-125 seed implants can be inserted into the portal veins of healthy pigs.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Development of Repeatable Microcatheter Access Port for Intra-arterial Therapy of Liver Cancer

Purpose: To develop an implantable port in which a microcatheter can be inserted for a combination therapy of repeated transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) for advanced liver cancer. Materials and Methods: The design of a currently used implantable port was modified. A funnel part was constructed in the port. The septum was punctured by a 20-gauge indwelling needle, and 2.0-Fr non-tapered microcatheter was inserted into the port. In the in vitro studies, the advance of a microcatheter out of the funnel part was evaluated via seven different septum puncture sites. A 5-Fr indwelling catheter connected to the port was placed in a vascular model, and a microcatheter catheterization was evaluated. In an in vivo study, the port–catheter system was implanted in the hepatic artery in a pig. A microcatheter was percutaneously inserted through the port into the hepatic arterial branches, and embolization was performed. Results: In the in vitro studies, the microcatheter was smoothly advanced out of the port and catheterizations into the hepatic arteries were successful via all septum puncture sites. In the in vivo study, repeated selective embolization through the port was successfully conducted on 7, 14 and 21 days after the implantation. Conclusion: The developed implantable port can be used for repeated catheter insertion into the hepatic artery. The combination of repeated TACE and HAIC could be possible using this device.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2019

The Accumulation and Effects of Liposomal Doxorubicin in Tissues Treated by Radiofrequency Ablation and Irreversible Electroporation in Liver: In Vivo Experimental Study on Porcine Models

Purpose: To compare the accumulation and effect of liposomal doxorubicin in liver tissue treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) in in vivo porcine models. Materials and Methods: Sixteen RFA and 16 IRE procedures were performed in healthy liver of two groups of three pigs. Multi-tined RFA parameters included: 100 W, target temperature 105°C for 7 min. 100 IRE pulses were delivered using two monopolar electrodes at 2250 V, 1 Hz, for 100 µsec. For each group, two pigs received 50 mg liposomal doxorubicin (0.5 mg/kg) as a drip infusion during ablation procedure, with one pig serving as control. Samples were harvested from the central and peripheral zones of the ablation at 24 and 72 h. Immunohistochemical analysis to evaluate the degree of cellular stress, DNA damage, and degree of apoptosis was performed. These and the ablation sizes were compared. Doxorubicin concentrations were also analyzed using fluorescence photometry of homogenized tissue. Results: RFA treatment zones created with concomitant administration of doxorubicin at 24 h were significantly larger than controls (2.5 ± 0.3 cm vs. 2.2 ± 0.2 cm; p = 0.04). By contrast, IRE treatment zones were negatively influenced by chemotherapy (2.2 ± 0.4 cm vs. 2.6 ± 0.4 cm; p = 0.05). At 24 h, doxorubicin concentrations in peripheral and central zones of RFA were significantly increased in comparison with untreated parenchyma (0.431 ± 0.078 µg/g and 0.314 ± 0.055 µg/g vs. 0.18 ± 0.012 µg/g; p < 0.05). Doxorubicin concentrations in IRE zones were not significantly different from untreated liver (0.191 ± 0.049 µg/g and 0.210 ± 0.049 µg/g vs. 0.18 ± 0.012 µg/g). Conclusions: Whereas there is an increased accumulation of periprocedural doxorubicin and an associated increase in ablation zone following RFA, a contrary effect is noted with IRE. These discrepant findings suggest that different mechanisms and synergies will need to be considered in order to select optimal adjuvants for different classes of ablation devices.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2019

The Novel X-Ray Visible Zein-Based Non-adhesive Precipitating Liquid Embolic HEI{sub E1-2017}: An Exploratory Study

Purpose: To investigate the novel zein-based non-adhesive precipitating liquid embolic HEI{sub E1-2017}. Materials and Methods: Zein-based liquid embolics are an own class of embolization material. In this study, HEI{sub E1-2017}, a novel zein-based liquid embolic, was investigated. Visibility was assessed in vitro in CT and MRI phantoms, embolization characteristics were assessed in vivo in the kidneys of 12 pigs. Components of HEI{sub E1-2017} were zein as occlusion material, ethanol as solvent, and iodized oil as radiopaque material. HEI{sub E1-2017} was used in pure (HEI-PURE) and manually modified (HEI-MOD) form and compared with 6% ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). Different radiological methods (CT, MRI, DSA, cone-beam CT, and micro-CT) and histopathologic analyses were applied to compare visibility and vascular occlusion patterns. Results: In CT phantoms, all embolics were definitely visible as hyperdense materials. In MRI phantoms, signal-to-noise ratio was highest for HEI-PURE, followed by HEI-MOD and EVOH. In all kidneys, embolization procedures were technically successful and without complications. In DSA, all embolics were definitely visible during and after embolization. Only EVOH caused substantial artifacts in cone-beam CT and CT. In micro-CT and histopathology, HEI-PURE showed a homogeneous occlusion from segmental arteries to glomerular capillaries. HEI-MOD demonstrated the deepest vascular penetration (up to the level of peritubular capillaries), but with an inhomogeneous distribution. For EVOH, there was inhomogeneous vascular occlusion from segmental arteries to glomerular capillaries. Conclusion: HEI{sub E1-2017} is a promising novel zein-based liquid embolic. Further preclinical and clinical studies with higher case numbers and long-term follow-up are needed to further assess the value of this embolic material.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2019

In Vivo Feasibility of Arterial Embolization with Permanent and Absorbable Suture: The FAIR-Embo Concept

Purpose: Arterial embolization has been shown to be effective and safe for the management of bleeding, especially for postpartum and pelvic traumatic bleeding. We propose to evaluate the proof of concept of feasibility and effectiveness of arterial embolization with absorbable and non-absorbable sutures in a porcine model. Materials and Methods: In the acute setting (n = 1), several different arteries (mesenteric, splenic, pharyngeal, kidney) were embolized using non-absorbable sutures (NAS): Mersutures™ braided sutures (polyethylene terephthalate). In the chronic setting (n = 3), only lower pole renal arteries were embolized. On the right side, NAS was used, whereas on the left side embolization was realized with absorbable suture (AS): Vicryl{sup ®} braided suture (polyglactin 910). The chronic group was followed for 3 months. The pigs received contrast-enhanced CT the day before embolization (D-1), after the embolization (D0), at 1 month and 3 months after embolization (M1 and M3); digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was done at D0 and M3 and histological analysis at M3. Results: All vascular targets were effectively embolized without any pre- or postoperative complications. Both DSAs and CTs at M3 showed a 100% recanalization rate for the AS embolization and a partial reversal rate for the NAS embolization. A renal hypotrophy in the embolized region was observed during both the M1 and M3 scans for both sutures (AS and NAS) with a clear hypotrophy for the NAS embolized kidney. Conclusion: Embolization by AS and NAS (FAIR-Embo) is a feasible and effective treatment which opens up the possibility of global use of this inexpensive and widely available embolization agent.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Toward Transpulmonary Chemoembolization with Degradable Starch Microspheres: Systematic Analysis of Local and Systemic Effects in a Porcine Model

Purpose: To investigate local and systemic effects of transpulmonary chemoembolization (TPCE) with degradable starch microspheres (DSM) and doxorubicin. The long-term goal is to establish DSM-TPCE as a treatment option for pulmonary malignancies. Materials and Methods: Nine pigs underwent TPCE of either the right or left lower lobe pulmonary artery (LLPA) and bland embolization (TPE) of the contralateral LLPA. Before the procedures, macroaggregated albumin (MAA) particles were injected into both LLPAs, to exclude systemic shunting. Pulmonary arterial pressure, heart rate and oxygenation were recorded immediately before and at 1, 3, 5 and 10 min after treatment. To investigate possible nontarget embolization, animals underwent cerebral MRI (cMRI). We killed the animals after a contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) and performed a pathologic examination at 12 h (3), 24 h (3) and 72 h (3) after treatment. Results: All experiments were technically successful. Mean injected DSM dose until stasis was similar in TPCE and TPE (4.3 ± 1.4 vs. 4.0 ± 1.4 mL). Pulmonary arterial pressure increased significantly 3 min after treatment (TPE: 17 ± 5 vs. 27 ± 7 mmHg; TPCE: 22 ± 6 vs. 36 ± 8 mmHg). No significant changes in heart rate or peripheral oxygenation levels occurred. We observed no evidence of structural lung damage or permanent perfusion disruption on CT. MAA test injection and cMRI revealed no shunting or nontarget embolization. The pathologic assessment revealed nonspecific local inflammation of the lung parenchyma. Conclusion: In this large-animal model, TPCE and TPE appear feasible and safe. We observed a mild increase in pulmonary arterial pressure. Nontarget embolization did not occur. TPCE, as well as TPE, did not cause structural damage to the normal lung parenchyma.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗