Estudo de pressão de poros a partir de dados de poços no Terciário da Bacia de Campos

O trabalho aqui apresentado teve como objetivo, avaliar o método de Eaton (1975) aplicado ao cálculo de pressão de poros das formações rochosas em subsuperfície, utilizando dados de perfis de poços no que diz respeito a porosidade, tais como, o Tempo de Transito da onda compressional, Resistividade, Densidade e Neutrão. Posteriormente foi avaliado o resultado alcançado por esta técnica e confrontado com o dado obtido pelo registro de pressão real da formação, adquirido pela ferramenta de perfilagem MDT. Distribuídos em 6 poços perfurados na porção sul da Bacia de Campos, o intervalo cronoestratigráfico estudado está compreendido no período geológico Terciário, e os registros de pressão real da formação foram adquiridos nos reservatórios turbidíticos da Formação Carapebus (Eoceno). Apesar de existir um mecanismo causador de anomalia de pressão na bacia (Desequilíbrio de Compactação Difícil migração dos fluidos ao longo do tempo geológico) devido ao forte aporte sedimentar sustentado pelo soerguimento da Serra do Mar no Eoceno, os resultados encontrados não apontaram qualquer tipo de alteração nas respostas dos perfis utilizados, onde a referência foi a assinatura do perfil sônico em um trend normal de compactação compreendido por rochas argilosas dentro do intervalo cronoestratigráfico estudado. O presente trabalho atesta que a boa calibração do trend de ompactação normal em rochas argilosas, juntamente com a similaridade entre o resultado obtido pelo cálculo da pressão de poros a partir do perfil sônico, e os valores reais registrados diretamente na formação, pela ferramenta de registro de pressões (MDT), comprovam a aplicabilidade do método de Eaton (1975) para o cálculo de geopressões a partir de um conjunto básico de perfis de poços tais como: Raios Gama, Resistividade, Velocidade Acústica, Densidade e Neutrão

Estudo do tempo de trânsito colônico em crianças e adolescentes com constipação intestinal crônica e disfunção do trato urinário inferior

A constipação intestinal e a disfunção do trato urinário inferior são condições associadas e bastante prevalentes na infância e adolescência. Existem múltiplas teorias para explicar essa associação, como: o efeito mecânico do reto cheio sobre a parede e o colo vesical; estimulo de reflexos sacrais a partir do reto distendido, e mais recentemente, a associação entre a bexiga e o reto no sistema nervoso central. Muitas destas crianças e adolescentes apresentam constipação refratária. Esse fato chama a atenção para a possibilidade de existência de uma desordem neuromuscular comum envolvendo o cólon e o trato urinário inferior. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o trânsito colônico de crianças e adolescentes com constipação crônica refratária e sintomas do trato urinário inferior. Foi realizado um estudo observacional com análise transversal, no qual foram incluídos 16 indivíduos com constipação refratária e sintomas do trato urinário inferior, com idades entre sete e 14 anos (média de idade de 9,67 anos). Os participantes foram avaliados utilizando anamnese padrão; exame físico; diário miccional e das evacuações; escala de Bristol; Disfunctional Voiding Scoring System com versão validada para o português; ultrassonografia renal, de vias urinárias e medida de diâmetro retal; urodinâmica, estudo de trânsito colônico com marcadores radiopacos e manometria anorretal. O estudo de trânsito foi normal em três (18,75%) crianças, dez (62,5%) apresentaram constipação de trânsito lento e três (18,75%) obstrução de via de saída. A avaliação urodinâmica estava alterada em 14 das 16 crianças estudadas: dez (76,9%) apresentaram hiperatividade detrusora associada à disfunção miccional, três (23,1%) hiperatividade vesical isolada e um (6,25%) disfunção miccional sem hiperatividade vesical. Ao compararmos constipação de trânsito lento e disfunção do trato urinário inferior, dez (100%) sujeitos com constipação de trânsito lento e três (50%) sem constipação de trânsito lento apresentavam hiperatividade vesical (p=0,036). Sete (70%) sujeitos com constipação de trânsito lento e quatro (66,7%) sem constipação de trânsito lento apresentavam disfunção miccional (p=0,65). Ao compararmos constipação de trânsito lento e a presença de incontinência urinária, esta estava presente em nove (90%) participantes com constipação de trânsito lento e em um (16,7%) sem constipação de trânsito lento (p = 0,008). Quanto à urgência urinária, estava presente em 10 (100%) e três (50%) respectivamente (p = 0,036). O escore do Disfunctional Voiding Scoring System variou de 6 a 21. O subgrupo com constipação de trânsito lento mostrou um escore de Disfunctional Voiding Scoring System significativamente maior que o subgrupo sem constipação de trânsito lento. O presente estudo demonstrou alta prevalência de constipação de trânsito lento em crianças e adolescentes com constipação refratária e sintomas do trato urinário inferior. Este estudo foi pioneiro em demonstrar a associação entre hiperatividade vesical e constipação de trânsito lento e coloca em voga a possibilidade de uma desordem neuromuscular comum, responsável pela dismotilidade vesical e colônica. Futuros estudos envolvendo a motilidade intestinal e vesical são necessários para melhor compreensão do tema e desenvolvimento de novas modalidades terapêuticas.

A study of frequency response in silicon heterojunction bipolar transistors with amorphous silicon emitters

A detailed physical model of amorphous silicon (aSi:H) is incorporated into a twodimensional device simulator to examine the frequency response limits of silicon heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT's) with aSi:H emitters. The cutoff frequency is severely limited by the transit time in the emitter space charge region, due to the low electron drift mobility in aSi:H, to 98 MHz which compares poorly with the 37 GHz obtained for a silicon homojunction bipolar transistor with the same device structure. The effects of the amorphous heteroemitter material parameters (doping, electron drift mobility, defect density and interface state density) on frequency response are then examined to find the requirements for an amorphous heteroemitter material such that the HBT has better frequency response than the equivalent homojunction bipolar transistor. We find that an electron drift mobility of at least 100 cnr'V"'"1 is required in the amorphous heteroemitter and at a heteroemitter drift mobility of 350 cm2 · V1· s1 and heteroemitter doping of 5×1017 cm3, a maximum cutoff frequency of 52 GHz can be expected. © 1996 IEEE.

Boat wakes and their influence on erosion in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, North Carolina

Boat wakes in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) of North Carolina occur in environments not normally subjected to (wind) wave events, making sections of AIWW potentially vulnerable to extreme wave events generated by boat wakes. The Snow’s Cut area that links the Cape Fear River to the AIWW is an area identified by the Wilmington District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as having significant erosion issues; it was hypothesized that this erosion could be being exacerbated by boat wakes. We compared the boat wakes for six combinations of boat length and speed with the top 5% wind events. We also computed the benthic shear stress associated with boat wakes and whether sediment would move (erode) under those conditions. Finally, we compared the transit time across Snow’s Cut for each speed. We focused on two size classes of V-hulled boats (7 and 16m) representative of AIWW traffic and on three boat speeds (3, 10 and 20 knots). We found that at 10 knots when the boat was plowing and not yet on plane, boat wake height and potential erosion was greatest. Wakes and forecast erosion were slightly mitigated at higher, planing speeds. Vessel speeds greater than 7 knots were forecast to generate wakes and sediment movement zones greatly exceeding that arising from natural wind events. We posit that vessels larger than 7m in length transiting Snow’s Cut (and likely many other fetch-restricted areas of the AIWW) frequently generate wakes of heights that result in sediment movement over large extents of the AIWW nearshore area, substantially in exceedance of natural wind wave events. If the speed, particularly of large V-hulled vessels (here represented by the 16m length class), were reduced to pre-plowing levels (~ 7 knots down from 20), transit times for Snow’s Cut would be increased approximately 10 minutes but based on our simulations would likely substantially reduce the creation of erosion-generating boat wakes. It is likely that boat wakes significantly exceed wind wave background for much of the AIWW and similar analyses may be useful in identifying management options.

How to achieve ultra high photoconductive gain for transparent oxide semiconductor image sensors

We present quantitative analysis of the ultra-high photoconductivity in amorphous oxide semiconductor (AOS) thin film transistors (TFTs), taking into account the sub-gap optical absorption in oxygen deficiency defects. We analyze the basis of photoconductivity in AOSs, explained in terms of the extended electron lifetime due to retarded recombination as a result of hole localization. Also, photoconductive gain in AOS photo-TFTs can be maximized by reducing the transit time associated with short channel lengths, making device scaling favourable for high sensitivity operation. © 2012 IEEE.

Echolocation range of captive and free-ranging baiji (Lipotes vexillifer), finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides), and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

The interclick intervals of captive dolphins are known to be longer than the two-way transit time between the dolphin and a target. In the present study, the interclick intervals of free-ranging baiji, finless porpoises, and bottlenose dolphins in the wild and in captivity were compared. The click intervals in open waters ranged up to 100-200 ms, whereas the click intervals in captivity were in the order of 4-28 ms. Echolocation of free-ranging dolphins appears to adapt to various distance in navigation or ranging, sometimes up to 140 m. Additionally, the difference of waveform characteristics of clicks between species was recognized in the frequency of maximum energy and the click duration. (C) 1998 Acoustical Society of America. [S0001-4966(98)06609-0].

Characteristic analysis of the optical delay in frequency response of resonant cavity enhanced (RCE) photodetectors

With consideration of the modulation frequency of the input lightwave itself, we present a new model to calculate the quantum efficiency of RCE p-i-n photodetectors (PD) by superimposition of multiple reflected lightwaves. For the first time, the optical delay, another important factor limiting the electrical bandwidth of RCE p-i-n PD excluding the transit time of the carriers and RCd response of the photodetector, is analyzed and discussed in detail. The optical delay dominates the bandwidth of RCE p-i-n PD when its active layer is thinner than several 10 nm. These three limiting factors must be considered exactly for design of ultra-high-speed RCE p-i-n PD.

Voltammetric study of vitamin K-3 at interdigitated array microelectrodes

Cyclic voltammetry of Vitamin K-3 (V-K3) was measured with Pt disk electrode, platinum interdigitated array (Pt-IDA) and Au-IDA microelectrodes in single and dual modes. The effects of pH, scan rate and collector potential on the current of generator and collector were studied. The collection efficiency of V-K3 at IDA electrodes was measured. The linear ranges for current response as a function of V-K3 concentration were found to he 10 mu M-1 mM (i(g)) and 1 mu M - 1 mM (i(c)) for the generator and collector of the Pt-IDA electrode, respectively. The effects of waiting time, potential difference and pulse electrolysis time in differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) on the peak current of V-K3 were studied to get the optimal condition at 0.1 M Na2HPO4, pH 11.50 and 11.0 for Au-IDA and Pt-IDA, respectively.

AUV定位信号检测延时的蒙特卡洛模拟分析

在简要介绍AUV声学定位声纳接收机原理基础上,分析了CW脉冲信号在极性相关检测电路中的传输过程,建立了极性相关积分检测延时仿真分析模型。提出采用蒙特卡洛模拟方法获取检测延时的分布特征和统计参数的观点。实验结果表明蒙特卡洛模拟实验与硬件电路实验结果一致,对于解决随机性检测延时问题具有很强的能力。获得的结果可为AUV定位声纳检测门限的设定、声学测距和定位精度分析以及水声通信延时分析提供参考。

东海陆架盆地西南部烟囱构造与油气运聚关系研究

In recent years, chimney structure has been proved one of important indicators and a useful guide to major petroleum fields exploration through their exploration history both at home and abroad. Chimney structure, which has been called "gas chimney" or "seismic chimney", is the special fluid-filled fracture swarm, which results from the boiling of active thermal fluid caused by abruptly decreasing of high pressure and high temperature in sedimentary layers of upper lithosphere. Chimney structure is well developed in continental shelf basin of East China Sea, which indicates the great perspectives of petroleum resources there. However, the chimney structure also complicated the petroleum accumulation. So the study of chimney structure on its formation, its effect on occurrence and distribution of petroleum fields is very important not only on theoretical, but also on its applied research. It is for the first time to make a clear definition of chimney structure in this paper, and the existence and practical meaning of chimney structure are illustrated. Firstly, on the viewpoint of exploration, this will amplify exploration area or field, not only in marine, but also on continent. Secondly, this is very important to step-by-step exploration and development of petroleum fields with overpressure. Thirdly, this will provide reference for the study on complex petroleum system with multi-sources, commingled sources and accumulation, multi-stage accumulations, and multi-suits petroleum system in the overlay basin. Fourthly, when the thermal fluid enters the oceanic shallow layer, it can help form gas hydrate under favorable low-temperature and high-pressure conditions. Meanwhile, the thermal fluid with its particular component and thermal content will affect the physical, chemical and ecological environments, which will help solving the problem of global resources and environment. Beginning from the regional tectonic evolution characteristics, this paper discussed the tectonic evolution history of the Taibei depression, then made an dynamical analysis of the tectonic-sedimentary evolution during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic for the East China Sea basin. A numerical model of the tectonic-thermal evolution of the basin via the Basin-Mod technique was carried out and the subsidence-buried history and thermal history of the Taibei depression were inverse calculated: it had undergone a early rapid rift and sag, then three times of uplift and erosion, and finally depressed and been buried. The Taibei depression contains a huge thick clastic sedimentary rock of marine facies, transitional facies and continental facies on the complex basement of ante-Jurassic. It is a part of the back-arc rifting basins occurred during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic. The author analyzed the diagenesis and thermal fluid evolution of this area via the observation of cathodoluminescence, scanning electron microscope and thin section, taking advantage of the evidences of magma activities, paleo-geothermics and structural movement, the author concluded that there were at least three tectonic-thermal events and three epochs of thermal-fluid activities; and the three epochs of thermal-fluid activities were directly relative to the first two tectonic-thermal events and were controlled by the generation and expulsion of hydrocarbon in the source rock simultaneously. Based on these, this paper established the corresponding model between the tectonic-thermal events and the thermal-fluid evolution of the Taibei Depression, which becomes the base for the study on the chimney structures. According to the analyses of the gas-isotope, LAM spectrum component of fluid inclusion, geneses of CO_2 components and geneses of hydrocarbon gases, the author preliminarily verified four sources of the thermal fluid in the Taibei Depression: ① dehydration of mud shale compaction, ② expulsion of hydrocarbon in the source rock; ③ CO_2 gas hydro-thermal decomposition of carbonatite; ④magma-derived thermal fluid including the mantle magma water and volatile components (such as H_2O, CO_2, H_2S, SO_2, N_2 and He etc.). On the basis of the vitrinite reflectance (Ro), homogenization temperature of fluid inclusion, interval transit time of major well-logging, mud density of the wells, measured pressure data and the results of previous studies, this paper analyzed the characteristics of the geothermal fields and geo-pressure fields for the various parts in this area, and discussed the transversal distribution of fluid pressure. The Taibei depression on the whole underwent a temperature-loss process from hot basin to cold basin; and locally high thermal anomalies occurred on the regional background of moderate thermal structure. The seal was primarily formed during the middle and late Paleocene. The overpressured system was formed during the middle and late Eocene. The formation of overpressured system in Lishui Sag underwent such an evolutionary process as "form-weaken-strengthen-weaken". Namely, it was formed during the middle and late Eocene, then was weakened in the Oligocene, even partly broken, then strengthened after the Miocene, and finally weakened. The existence of the thermal fluid rich in volatile gas is a physical foundation for the boiling of the fluid, and sharply pressure depletion was the major cause for the boiling of the fluid, which suggests that there exists the condition for thermal fluid to boil. According to the results of the photoelastic simulation and similarity physical experiments, the geological condition and the formation mechanism of chimnestructures are summarized: well compartment is the prerequisite for chimney formation; the boiling of active thermal fluid is the original physical condition for chimney formation; The local place with low stress by tension fault is easy for chimney formation; The way that thermal fluid migrates is one of the important factors which control the types of chimney structures. Based on where the thermal fluid come from and geometrical characteristics of the chimney structures, this paper classified the genetic types of chimney structures, and concluded that there existed three types and six subtypes chimney structures: organic chimney structures generated by the hydrocarbon-bearing thermal fluid in middle-shallow layers, inorganic and commingling-genetic chimney structures generated by thermal fluid in middle-deep layers. According to the seismic profiles interpretations, well logging response analysis and mineralogical and petrological characteristics in the study area, the author summarized the comprehensive identification marks for chimney structures. Especially the horizon velocity analysis method that is established in this paper and takes advantage of interval velocity anomaly is a semi-quantitative and reliable method of chimney structure s identification. It was pointed out in this paper that the occurrence of the chimney structures in the Taibei depression made the mechanism of accumulation complicated. The author provided proof of episodic accumulation of hydrocarbon in this area: The organic component in the boiling inclusion is the trail of petroleum migration, showing the causality between the boiling of thermal fluid and the chimney structures, meanwhile showing the paroxysmal accumulation is an important petroleum accumulation model. Based on the evolutionary characteristics of various types of chimney structures, this paper discussed their relationships with the migration-accumulation of petroleum respectively. At the same time, the author summarized the accumulating-dynamical models associated with chimney structures. The author analyzed such accumulation mechanisms as the facies state, direction, power of petroleum migration, the conditions of trap, the accumulation, leakage and reservation of petroleum, and the distribution rule of petroleum. The author also provides explanation for such practical problems the existence of a lot of mantle-derived CO_2, and its heterogeneous distribution on plane. By study on and recognition for chimney structure, the existence and distribution of much mantle-derived CO_2 found in this area are explained. Caused by tectonic thermal activities, the deep magma with much CO_2-bearing thermal fluid migrate upward along deep fault and chimney structures, which makes two wells within relatively short distance different gas composition, such as in well LF-1 and well LS36-1-1. Meanwhile, the author predicted the distribution of petroleum accumulation belt in middle-shallow layer for this area, pointed out the three favorable exploration areas in future, and provided the scientific and deciding references for future study on the commingling-genetic accumulation of petroleum in middle-deep layer and the new energy-gas hydrate.

火成岩储层裂缝识别、预测理论与方法研究－以济阳坳陷火成岩油藏为例

Since 1970s, igneous reservoirs such as Shang741, Bin674 and Luol51 have been found in Jiyang depression, which are enrichment and heavy-producing. Showing good prospect of exploration and development, igneous reservoirs have been the main part of increasing reserves and production in Shengli oilfield. As fracture igneous reservoir being an extraordinary complex concealed reservoir and showing heavy heterogeneity in spatial distribution, the study of recognition, prediction, formation mechanism and the law of distribution of fracture is essential to develop the reservoir. Guided by multiple discipline theory such as sedimentology, geophysics, mineralogy, petroleum geology, structural geology and reservoir engineering, a set of theories and methods of recognition and prediction of fractured igneous rock reservoir are formed in this paper. Rock data, three-dimensional seismic data, log data, borehole log data, testing data and production data are combined in these methods by the means of computer. Based on the research of igneous rock petrography and reservoir formation mechanism, emphasized on the assessment and forecast of igneous rock reservoir, aimed at establishing a nonhomogeneity quantification model of fractured igneous rock reservoir, the creativity on the fracture recognition, prediction and formation mechanism are achieved. The research result is applied to Jiyang depression, suggestion of exploration and development for fractured igneous rock reservoir is supplied and some great achievement and favourable economic effect are achieved. The main achievements are gained as follows: 1. The main facies models of igneous rock reservoir in JiYang depression are summarized. Based on data and techniques of seism, well log and logging,started from the research of single well rock facies, proceeded by seismic and log facies research, from point to line and line to face, the regional igneous facies models are established. And hypabyssal intrusion allgovite facies model, explosion volcaniclastic rock facies model and overfall basaltic rocks facies model are the main facies models of igneous rock reservoir in JiYang depression. 2. Four nonhomogenous reservoir models of igneous reservoirs are established, which is the base of fracture prediction and recognition. According to characteristics of igneous petrology and spatial types of reservoir, igneous reservoirs of Jiyang depression are divided into four categories: fractured irruptive rock reservoir, fracture-pore thermocontact metamorphic rock and irruptive rock compound reservoir, pore volcanic debris cone reservoir and fracture-pore overfall basaltic rock reservoir. The spatial distribution of each model's reservoir has its features. And reservoirs can be divided into primary ones and secondary ones, whose mechanism of formation and laws of distribution are studied in this paper. 3. Eight geologic factors which dominate igneous reservoirs are presented. The eight geologic factors which dominates igneous reservoirs are igneous facies, epigenetic tectonics deformation, fracture motion, intensity of intrusive effect and adjoining-rock characters, thermo-contact metamorphic rock facies, specific volcano-tectonic position, magmatic cyclicity and epigenetic diagenetic evolution. The interaction of the eight factors forms the four types nonhomogenous reservoir models of igneous reservoirs in Jiyang depression. And igneous facies and fracture motion are the most important and primary factors. 4. Identification patterns of seismic, well log and logging facies of igneous rocks are established. Igneous rocks of Jiyang depression show typical reflecting features on seismic profile. Tabular reflection seismic facies, arc reflection seismic facies and hummocky or mushroom reflection seismic facies are the three main facies. Logging response features of basic basalt and diabase are shown as typical "three low and two high", which means low natural gamma value, low interval transit-time, low neutron porosity, high resistivity and high density. Volcaniclastic rocks show "two high and three low"-high neutron porosity, high interval transit-time, low density, low-resistance and low natural gamma value. Thermo-contact metamorphic rocks surrounding to diabase show "four high and two low" on log data, which is high natural gamma value, high self-potential anomaly, high neutron porosity, high interval transit-time and low density and low-resistance. Based on seismic, well log and logging data, spatial shape of Shang 741 igneous rock is described. 5. The methods of fracture prediction and recognition for fractured igneous reservoir are summarized. Adopting FMI image log and nuclear magnetic resonance log to quantitative analysis of fractured igneous reservoir and according to formation mechanism and shape of fracture, various fractures are recognized, such as high-angle fracture, low-angle fracture, vertical fracture, reticulated fracture, induced fracture, infilling fracture and corrosion vug. Shang 741 intrusive rock reservoir can be divided into pore-vug compound type, pore fracture type, micro-pore and micro-fracture type. Physical properties parameters of the reservoir are computed and single-well fracture model and reservoir parameters model are established. 6. Various comprehensive methods of fracture prediction and recognition for fractured igneous reservoir are put forward. Adopting three-element (igneous facies, fracture motion and rock bending) geologic comprehensive reservoir evaluation technique and deep-shallow unconventional laterolog constrained inversion technique, lateral prediction of fractured reservoir such as Shang 741 is taken and nonhomogeneity quantification models of reservoirs are established.

Ground-based detection of thermal emission from the exoplanet WASP-19b

We present an occultation of the newly discovered hot Jupiter system WASP-19, observed with the High Acuity Wide-field K-band Imager instrument on the VLT, in order to measure thermal emission from the planet's dayside at ~2µm. The light curve was analysed using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo method to find the eclipse depth and the central transit time. The transit depth was found to be 0.366 +/- 0.072 per cent, corresponding to a brightness temperature of 2540 +/- 180 K. This is significantly higher than the calculated (zero-albedo) equilibrium temperature and indicates that the planet shows poor redistribution of heat to the night side, consistent with models of highly irradiated planets. Further observations are needed to confirm the existence of a temperature inversion and possibly molecular emission lines. The central eclipse time was found to be consistent with a circular orbit.

Orbital period variations of hot Jupiters caused by the Applegate effect

Several authors have shown that precise measurements of transit time variations of exoplanets can be sensitive to other planetary bodies, such as exo-moons. In addition, the transit timing variations of the exoplanets closest to their host stars can provide tests of tidal dissipation theory. These studies, however, have not considered the effect of the host star. There is a large body of observational evidence that eclipse times of binary stars can vary dramatically due to variations in the quadrupole moment of the stars driven by stellar activity. In this paper, we investigate and estimate the likely impact such variations have on the transit times of exoplanets. We find in several cases that such variations should be detectable. In particular, the estimated period changes for WASP-18b are of the same order as those expected for tidal dissipation, even for relatively low values of the tidal dissipation parameter. The transit time variations caused by the Applegate mechanism are also of the correct magnitude and occur on time-scales such that they may be confused with variations caused by light-travel time effects due to the presence of a Jupiter-like second planet. Finally, we suggest that transiting exoplanet systems may provide a clean route (compared to binaries) to constraining the type of dynamo operating in the host star.

On the universality of a one-dimensional model of a rice pile

A one-dimensional model of a rice pile is numerically studied for different driving mechanisms and different levels of medium disorder. The universality of the scaling exponents for the transit time distribution and avalanche size distribution is discussed. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Intracoronary Delivery of Human Mesenchymal/Stromal Stem Cells: Insights from Coronary Microcirculation Invasive Assessment in a Swine Model

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells have unique properties favorable to their use in clinical practice and have been studied for cardiac repair. However, these cells are larger than coronary microvessels and there is controversy about the risk of embolization and microinfarctions, which could jeopardize the safety and efficacy of intracoronary route for their delivery. The index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) is an invasive method for quantitatively assessing the coronary microcirculation status. OBJECTIVES: To examine heart microcirculation after intracoronary injection of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells with the index of microcirculatory resistance. METHODS: Healthy swine were randomized to receive by intracoronary route either 30x106 MSC or the same solution with no cells (1% human albumin/PBS) (placebo). Blinded operators took coronary pressure and flow measurements, prior to intracoronary infusion and at 5 and 30 minutes post-delivery. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) and the IMR were compared between groups. RESULTS: CFR and IMR were done with a variance within the 3 transit time measurements of 6% at rest and 11% at maximal hyperemia. After intracoronary infusion there were no significant differences in CFR. The IMR was significantly higher in MSC-injected animals (at 30 minutes, 14.2U vs. 8.8U, p = 0.02) and intragroup analysis showed a significant increase of 112% from baseline to 30 minutes after cell infusion, although no electrocardiographic changes or clinical deterioration were noted. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study provides definitive evidence of microcirculatory disruption upon intracoronary administration of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, in a large animal model closely resembling human cardiac physiology, function and anatomy.