Assessing Lung Inflammation After Nanoparticle Inhalation Using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose Positron Emission Tomography Imaging

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-d-glucose ([¹⁸F]FDG) as a noninvasive strategy to assess the time course of inflammatory processes after inhalation of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in rats.

Procedures

Healthy, male Sprague–Dawley rats (n?=?30) were divided in two groups of 15 animals each. Animals from one group (n?=?15) were submitted to ZnO NPs inhalation in a chamber (10 nm to 4 μm particle size; maximum in number concentration, ～200 nm; concentration?=?245 mg/m³). Animals from the other group (n?=?15, sham group) were also exposed following the same procedure, but no NPs were introduced into the chamber. Six animals per group were submitted to [¹⁸F]FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) studies at days 1, 7, and 28 after exposition, and the [¹⁸F]FDG influx constant (K _i ) for the lungs was calculated using Patlak graphical analysis and an image derived blood input function. Nine animals per group were killed at 1, 7 and 28 days after exposure (n?=?3 per group and time point), and the lungs were harvested and submitted to immunohistochemical and histological analysis.

Results

Significantly higher mean whole-lung K _i values were obtained for animals exposed to NPs at days 1 and 7 after exposure (0.0045?±?0.0016 min^?1 and 0.0047?±?0.0015 min^?1, respectively) compared to controls (0.0024?±?0.0010 min^?1 and 0.0019?±?0.0011 min^?1 at 1 and 7 days, respectively). The K _i value for exposed animals dropped to 0.0023?±?0.0010 min^?1 at day 28. This value was not significantly different from the values obtained at 1, 7, and 28 days for the control group. Immunofluorescence staining on lung tissue slices from animals exposed to ZnO NPs showed an increase in CD11b reactivity at days 1 and 7, followed by a decrease in CD11b positive cells at 28 days. Hematoxylin–eosin staining showed histological alterations in the exposed lungs to ZnO NPs at days 1 and 7 that recovered at 28 days postexposure.

Conclusions

The [¹⁸F]FDG influx rate constant (K _i ) could be determined by PET using Patlak analysis and a corrected image derived input function. Higher K _i values were obtained for animals exposed to ZnO NPs at days 1 and 7 after exposition. These results were in good concordance with immunohistochemical assays performed on harvested tissue samples.     

Modelling aboveground biomass using MODIS FPAR/LAI data in alpine grasslands of the Northern Tibetan Plateau

Aboveground biomass (AGB) is a vital variable in global carbon cycling and plays important roles in ecosystem structure and function in grasslands. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Collection 6 leaf area index (LAI) and fractional photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by vegetation (FPAR) data were used to model AGB in alpine grasslands in the Northern Tibetan Plateau. MYD15A2H (derived from the Aqua MODIS with a temporal resolution of eight days) FPAR/LAI with lower RMSE values (<18 g m^?2) may have higher estimated accuracies than MOD15A2H (derived from the Terra MODIS with a temporal resolution of eight days), MCD15A2H (derived from the combination of Terra MODIS and Aqua MODIS with a temporal resolution of eight days) and MCD15A3H (derived from the combination of Terra MODIS and Aqua MODIS with a temporal resolution of four days) FPAR/LAI with higher RMSE values (>20 g m^?2). The RMSE values (11.42–13.27 g m^?2) in the open grazed areas were lower than those (17.46–17.56 g m^?2) in fenced areas for MYD15A2H. Therefore, the estimated accuracies of AGB may vary among the four MODIS FPAR/LAI products and land use types in alpine grasslands of the Northern Tibetan Plateau.     

Estimation of ground-level dry PM2.5 concentrations at 3 km resolution over Beijing using Geostationary Ocean Colour Imager

ABSTRACT

In this study, aerosol optical depth (AOD) and fine-mode fraction (FMF) with a 3 km resolution are retrieved from Geostationary Ocean Colour Imager (GOCI) data using a multi-temporal method. The retrieved results are input into a physical model for estimating the fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) based on instantaneous satellite-based measurements. The other two input parameters of the model are planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) and atmospheric relative humidity (RH), which are simulated by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and have the same spatial resolution as AOD and FMF. For better time-matching, the time of the simulated PBLH and RH is almost the same as that of the retrieved AOD and FMF, and is selected when uniform mixing of aerosols occurs within boundary layer in the afternoon. Finally, the ground-level dry PM_2.5 concentrations at a 3 km resolution are estimated over Beijing. The GOCI-estimated PM_2.5 results are validated by in situ measurements in the study area. The means of GOCI-estimated and in situ results are very close (131.2 μg m^?3 versus 123.0 μg m^?3) and the correlation coefficient is about 0.84 with a linear slope of 0.81 and intercept of 31.1 μg m^?3, which shows good performance of GOCI in air-quality monitoring.     

Effect of Organic Sources of Nutrients on Tuber Bulking Rate,Grades and Specific Gravity of Potato Tubers

A field experiment was conducted during 2008–2009 and 2009–2010 to investigate the effect of organic sources of nutrients on tuber bulking rate, grades and specific gravity of potato tubers. The experiment consisted 24 treatment combinations with 8 treatment in popcorn [control, recommended dose of fertilizers (N₁₂₀P₂₅K₃₅ kg ha^?1), farmyard manure equivalent to 120 kg N ha^?1, leaf compost equivalent to 120 kg N ha^?1, vermicompost equivalent to 120 kg N ha^?1, farmyard manure equivalent to 90 kg N ha^?1, leaf compost equivalent to 90 kg N ha^?1 vermicompost equivalent to 90 kg N ha^?1 in succeeding crop of potato, three treatments [control, farmyard manure equivalent to 60 kg N ha^?1 and farmyard manure equivalent to 90 kg N ha^?1] were superimposed on the different treatments of pop corn. It was found that the application of farmyard manure equivalent to120 kg N ha^?1 to pop corn and farmyard manure equivalent in 90 kg N ha^?1 in potato gave the highest values of tuber bulking rate, specific gravity, number of large–sized (A–grade) and medium–sized tubers (B–grade) and total tuber yield followed by vermicompost equivalent to to 120 kg N ha^?1. Farmyard manure equivalent to 90 kg N ha^?1 to potato also recorded the higher bulking rate, tuber yield, specific gravity and a number of large sized tubers (A– grade and B–grade) as compared to the farmyard manure equivalent to 60 kg N ha^?1. The available N, P, and K in soil also improved with the application of organic manures.     

Domestic timber harvesting affects wood quantities in Tasmanian dry eucalypt forests

Domestic fuelwood harvesters illegally reduced coarse (≥10-cm diameter) downed woody debris stocks in Tasmanian mature dry eucalypt forests, 27–34 m tall, by 96.9 m³ ha^?1 or 22.7 t ha^?1. There was no effect of domestic harvesting on quantities of dead trees or live trees. Few dead trees were encountered in natural (unharvested) sites. Domestic harvesters preferentially removed debris <70 cm in diameter, leaving domestically harvested sites with 40% less volume and biomass of downed woody debris than natural sites. Assuming domestic harvesting, at the measured intensity, extends 25 m into forests either side of the state forest road system that passes through the studied forest type, dead wood stocks in that forest type and tenure throughout the state have been reduced by 688?000 m³ or 161?000 t. Domestic harvesting potentially damages biodiversity values, diminishes habitat available for species dependent on fallen logs and reduces forest carbon stocks. Domestic harvesters are advised to obtain licences to collect fuelwood from areas with an appropriate forest practices plan.     

Effects of Resource Conservation Practices on Productivity,Profitability and Energy Budgeting in Maize–Wheat Cropping System of Indian Sub-Himalayas

Resource conservation issues have drawn the attention of scientists to devise innovative tillage and crop establishment techniques for higher productivity in small holder farming systems in the tropics but relatively less attention has been given in rainfed sloping lands of the Indian sub-Himalayan (sub-temperate) regions. To investigate these issues, an experiment was conducted on resource conservation practices under rainfed conditions for 5 years (June 2007–May 2012) at Dehradun, Uttarakhand in the Indian Himalayan region. Four treatments, 1. 100:60:40 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O + conventional tillage (CT) + chemical weeding + PANICUM vegetation strip (T₁); 2. FYM (5 t ha^?1) + minimum tillage (MT) + 1 weed mulch (30 DAS) @ 0.52 t ha^?1 + PALMAROSA vegetation strip (T₂); 3. FYM (5 t ha^?1) + vermi-compost (1.0 t ha^?1) + MT + 2 weed mulch (25 and 50 DAS) @ 1.47 t ha^?1 + PALMAROSA vegetation strip (T₃) and 4. FYM (5 t ha^?1) + vermi-compost (1.0 t ha^?1) + poultry manure (2.5 t ha^?1) + MT + 3 weed mulch (20, 40 and 60 DAS) @ 2.18 t ha^?1 + PALMAROSA vegetation strip (T₄). The results showed that resource conservation treatments (T₄, T₃ and T₂) had significant (P ≤ 0.05) multiple benefits as compared to traditional agriculture treatments (T₁). T₁ gives the highest yield of maize whereas T₄ gives highest yield of wheat. For the maize–wheat cropping system, mean wheat equivalent yield (WEY) was ~16 % higher in T₄ than T₁. Mean runoff was ~30 % lesser and mean soil loss was ~34 % lesser in T₄ as compared with T₁. Similarly, mean soil moisture conservation for rainfed wheat was ~31 % higher in T₄ than T₁. Mean carbon retention potential increased by ~53 % which subsequently increased mean soil quality index (SQI) by ~25 %. Mean energy productivity increased by ~70 % and mean energy intensiveness decreased by ~56 % in T₄ than T₁. Treatment T₁ (2,560 MJ^?1) emerged to be the most energy intensive system as compared to T₄ (1,113 MJ Rs.^?1). On an average, T₄ had 7 % higher net returns than T₁ and in terms of net returns per tonne of soil loss, T₄ was the best treatment (Rs. 4,907). Therefore, resource conservation system (PALMAROSA as a vegetation strip along with organic amendments, FYM, vermi-compost, poultry manure and weed mulch under minimum tillage) had significant positive impact on yield, resource conservation and energy saving and may be introduced as a substitute of conventional system in the Indian sub-Himalayas and under similar climatic and edaphic conditions.     

A radiolabeled nonapeptide probe targeting PC‐3 cells and bone metastases of prostate cancer in mice

Previous investigations showed that interleukin‐11 (IL‐11) and the IL‐11 receptor (IL‐11R) are correlated with regulation of tumor progression and may play significant roles in bone metastases. The nonapeptide structure c(CGRRAGGSC) is a phage‐display‐selected IL‐11 mimic that binds to IL‐11R. The aim of this study was to synthesize radiolabeled c(CGRRAGGSC) and to investigate the possible interaction between this radioactive probe and an IL‐11R‐positive bone metastasis model of PC‐3 prostate cancer. The molecular probe ^99mTc–DTPA–c(CGRRAGGSC) was radiolabeled with ^99mTc using the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) chelate. Counterstaining was performed with LSS670, a near‐infrared dye. The binding sites of the molecular probe in PC‐3 cells were observed under a fluorescence microscope. The binding characteristics of the labeled probe were analyzed using radioreceptor analysis. Single photon emission tomography imaging and biodistribution of the probe were investigated using xenografts of PC‐3 cells into tibias of nude mice. The labeled product, ^99mTc–DTPA–c(CGRRAGGSC), was obtained with high labeling efficiency, high radiochemical purity and good stability. The molecular probe was combined with the PC‐3 cell membrane and cytoplasm through fluorescence tracing. In the saturation and competitive inhibition experiments performed in vitro, the K_d value was 0.32 ± 0.02 n m and the B_max value was 754 ± 34 fmol mg^?1 pro. The probe exhibited a high tumor uptake in vivo. The radioactive molecular probe ^99mTc–DTPA–c(CGRRAGGSC) may be used as a specific molecular imaging agent for detecting IL‐11R overexpression in tumors and bone metastasis, such as prostate cancers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a pilot study of quantitative perfusion and diffusion-weighted breath-hold magnetic resonance imaging

Purpose

To confirm the feasibility of breath-hold DCE-MRI and DWI at 3T to obtain the intra-abdominal quantitative physiologic parameters, K ^trans, k _ep, and ADC, in patients with untreated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas.

Methods

Diffusion-weighted single-shot echo-planar imaging (DW-SS-EPI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI were used for 16 patients with newly diagnosed biopsy-proven pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. K ^trans, k _ep, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of pancreatic tumors, non-tumor adjacent pancreatic parenchyma (NAP), liver metastases, and normal liver tissues were quantitated and statistically compared.

Results

Fourteen patients were able to adequately hold their breath for DCE-MRI, and 15 patients for DW-SS-EPI. Four patients had liver metastases within the 6 cm of Z axis coverage centered on the pancreatic primary tumors. K ^trans values (10^?3 min^?1) of primary pancreatic tumors, NAP, liver metastases, and normal liver tissues were 7.3 ± 4.2 (mean ± SD), 25.8 ± 14.9, 8.1 ± 5.9, and 45.1 ± 15.6, respectively, k _ep values (10^?2 min^?1) were 3.0 ± 0.9, 7.4 ± 3.1, 5.2 ± 2.0, and 12.1 ± 2.8, respectively, and ADC values (10^?3 mm²/s) were 1.3 ± 0.2, 1.6 ± 0.3, 1.1 ± 0.1, and 1.3 ± 0.1, respectively. K ^trans, k _ep, and ADC values of primary pancreatic tumors were significantly lower than those of NAP (p < 0.05), while K ^trans and k _ep values of liver metastases were significantly lower than those of normal liver tissues (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

3T breath-hold quantitative physiologic MRI is a feasible technique that can be applied to a majority of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinomas.     

Progression of diffuse myocardial fibrosis assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance T1 mapping

To evaluate long-term changes in diffuse myocardial fibrosis using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and T₁ mapping. Patients with chronic stable cardiomyopathy and stable clinical status (n = 52) underwent repeat CMR at a 6 month or greater follow up interval and had LGE and left ventricular (LV) T₁ mapping CMR. Diffuse myocardial fibrosis (excluding areas of focal myocardial scar) was assessed by post gadolinium myocardial T₁ times. Mean baseline age of 52 patients (66 % male) was 35 ± 19 years with a mean interval between CMR examinations of 2.0 ± 0.8 years. CMR parameters, including LV mass and ejection fraction, showed no change at follow-up CMR (p > 0.05). LVT₁ times (excluding focal scar) decreased over the study interval (from 468 ± 106 to 434 ± 82 ms, p = 0.049). 38 Patients had no visual LGE?, while 14 were LGE+. For LGE? patients, greater change in LV mass and end systolic volume index were associated with change in T₁ time (β = ?2.03 ms/g/m², p = 0.035 and β = 2.1 ms/mL/m², p = 0.029, respectively). For LGE+ patients, scar size was stable between CMR1 and CMR2 (10.7 ± 13.8 and 11.5 ± 13.9 g, respectively, p = 0.32). These results suggest that diffuse myocardial fibrosis, as assessed by T₁ mapping, progresses over time in patients with chronic stable cardiomyopathy.     

Physiological Indices,Phenological Characteristics and Trait Evaluation of Canola Genotypes Response to Different Planting Dates

To manage planting date based on optimal compatibility to the environmental condition a split plot experiment based Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications was carried out. Four planting dates (November 6th and 21st, December 6th and 21st) in main plots and four genotypes (Hyola401, PP401, RGS003 and Option500) in subplots were studied. According to analysis of variance results, grain yield, yield components and biological yield were significantly affected by planting date, genotypes and interaction effect. The first planting date (November 6th) had maximum grain yield (2611.6 t ha^?1) and after it another planting date showed decrease in amount (13.74, 31.36 and 41.97 % respectively). First planting date was superior in physiological index as compared to the other planting dates. Hyola401 hybrid, due to the fact that it had a higher leaf area index (3.51), total dry matter (1248.91 g m^?2), crop growth rate (21 g m^?2 day^?1), net assimilation rate (7 g m^?2 day^?1), relative growth rate (0.064 g g^?1 day^?1) and maximum grain yield, was seen to be the most adaptable genotype. Hyola401 hybrid at first planting date germinated in shortest time (5.8 day) had the highest flowering duration (24.0 day) and long days to ripening (154.0 day). Finally according to the results of the present work, sowing of Hyola401 hybrid on 6th November was recommended as suitable planting date.     

Effect of Boron on the Contents of Chlorophyll,Carotenoid, Phenol and Soluble Leaf Protein in Mung Bean,Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek

Greenhouse experiments were carried out to study the effect of boron (B) on certain biochemical constituents considering mung bean, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek as an experimental crop. B as boric acid (H₃BO₃) was applied at the concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 μg B g^?1 soil. Lower applied doses of B up to 4 μg g^?1 resulted in an increase in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and decrease in stress indicators viz. total phenol content and soluble leaf protein content. Maximum increment in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents was observed at 4 μg g^?1 B concentrations, while at this concentration (4 μg g^?1) maximum decrease in total phenol content and soluble leaf protein content was observed. Reciprocal relationship between total chlorophyll contents and total phenol content was observed. Adverse effect on selected biochemical constituents beyond 4 μg g^?1 B concentrations reflected the importance of efficient and appropriate use of boron in agronomic practices for mung bean.     

Reproducibility of Static and Dynamic 18F-FDG, 18F-FLT, and 18F-FMISO MicroPET Studies in a Murine Model of HER2+ Breast Cancer

Purpose

The objective of this study is to determine the reproducibility of static 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-D-glucose (¹⁸F-FDG), 3′-deoxy-3′-[¹⁸F]fluorothymidine (¹⁸F-FLT), and [¹⁸F]-fluoromisonidazole (¹⁸F-FMISO) microPET measurements, as well as kinetic parameters returned from analyses of dynamic ¹⁸F-FLT and ¹⁸F-FMISO data.

Procedures

HER2+ xenografts were established in nude mice. Dynamic data were acquired for 60 min, followed by a repeat injection and second scan 6 h later. Reproducibility was assessed for the percent-injected dose per gram (%ID/g) for each radiotracer, and with kinetic parameters (K ₁ –k ₄ , K _i ) for ¹⁸F-FLT and ¹⁸F-FMISO.

Results

The value needed to reflect a change in tumor physiology is given by the 95 % confidence interval (CI), which is ±14, ±5, and ±6 % for ¹⁸F-FDG (n?=?12), ¹⁸F-FLT (n?=?11), and ¹⁸F-FMISO (n?=?11) %ID/g, respectively. V _d (=K ₁ /k ₂), k ₃, and K _FLT are the most reproducible ¹⁸F-FLT (n?=?9) kinetic parameters, with 95 % CIs of ±18, ±10, and ±18 %, respectively. V _d and K _FMISO are the most reproducible ¹⁸F-FMISO kinetic parameters (n?=?7) with 95 % CIs of ±16 and ±14 %, respectively.

Conclusions

Percent-injected dose per gram measurements are reproducible and appropriate for detecting treatment-induced changes. Kinetic parameters have larger threshold values, but are potentially sufficiently reproducible to detect treatment response.     

Cloning and paratope analysis of an antibody fragment, a rational approach for the design of a PAI-1 inhibitor

Summary. This study reports the cloning, characterization and paratope analysis of the plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) neutralizing single‐chain variable fragment 56A7C10 (scFv‐56A7C10). ScFv‐56A7C10‐wt exhibits a similar affinity (K_A = 1.01 ± 0.3 × 10⁹ m ^?1) and PAI‐1 inhibitory capacity (90 ± 6% PAI‐1 inhibition at a 16‐fold molar excess and IC₅₀ = 44 ± 14 ng mL^?1) as MA‐56A7C10 (K_A = 1.43 ± 0.4 × 10⁹ m ^?1, 90 ± 2% PAI‐1 inhibition at a 16‐fold molar excess and IC₅₀ = 122 ± 26 ng mL^?1). Subsequently, alanine scanning of the six complementarity determining regions (CDRs) was performed and the scFv‐56A7C10‐mutants (n = 26) were analyzed for their PAI‐1 binding and PAI‐1 inhibitory properties. Mutation of the residues Y32 and V33 in the CDR1 of the heavy chain (HCDR1) and the residues R98, H99, W100 or F100a (HCDR3) resulted in reduced PAI‐1 inhibitory capacities (IC₅₀ ≥ 418 ng mL^?1), confirmed by reduced affinities (14‐, 17‐, 7‐, 9‐ and 16‐fold reduced, respectively, vs. scFv‐56A7C10‐wt). In the light chain, mutation of the residues W50 (LCDR2), H91, Y92, D93, or W96 (LCDR3) resulted in reduced PAI‐1 inhibitory properties (IC₅₀ ≥ 160 ng mL^?1) and decreased affinities (i.e. 4‐, 9‐, 3‐, 3‐ and 2‐fold reduced affinity, respectively, vs. scFv‐56A7C10‐wt). Furthermore, an overlapping peptide scan confirmed the importance of the HCDR3 region. These data, combined with a three‐dimensional model of scFv‐56A7C10, reveal the molecular and structural properties of the paratope and contribute to the rational design of PAI‐1 neutralizing compounds.     

Less pronounced reverse left ventricular remodeling in patients with bicuspid aortic stenosis treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement compared to tricuspid aortic stenosis

To compare reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) between patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). We retrospectively reviewed data of patients with at least two serial echocardiographic follow-ups (1, 3, 6 months and 1 year) post-TAVR. A total of 116 patients were identified. BAV morphology was documented in 67 patients. LV mass index (LVMi) at baseline was not significantly different between the TAV and BAV group (178.0?±?6.9 vs. 166.3?±?6.4 g/m², P?=?0.14). Reverse LV remodeling was observed in both BAV and TAV patients, but the reduction of LVMi from baseline was significantly more pronounced in TAV patients compared with BAV patients from 6 months post-TAVR (??56.3?±?8.1 vs. ??30.0?±?4.7 g/m², P?<?0.01 at 6-month follow-up; ??60.6?±?7.6 vs. ??37.9?±?6.2 g/m², P?=?0.02 at 1-year follow-up). EDV value changes during follow-up were similar between patient with TAV and BAV. There were no significant differences in the proportions of patients with more than mild PVL or new permanent pacemaker between TAV and BAV morphology throughout the follow-up. Patients with bicuspid morphology might experience less pronounced reverse LV remodeling post-TAVR than patients with tricuspid morphology.     

Fully Automated Radiosynthesis of 2-[18F]Fludarabine for PET Imaging of Low-Grade Lymphoma

Purpose

An efficient and fully automated radiosynthesis of 2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-9-β-d-arabinofuranosyl-adenine (2-[¹⁸F]fludarabine, [¹⁸F]-5) based on a GE TRACERlab? FX-FN module has been developed.

Procedures

A 2-nitro purine derivative 3 was developed as precursor for labeling with fluorine-18. The radiosynthesis of [¹⁸F]-5 was performed in two steps in a single reactor with an intermediary purification on Sep-Pak® silica which involved the addition of a three-way valve on the original module. After hydrolysis, [¹⁸F]-5 was purified by semi-preparative high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a quality control was established.

Results

The labeling precursor 3 was obtained in 45 % overall yield. Nucleophilic substitution with K¹⁸F/K_2.2.2 afforded protected 2-[¹⁸F]fludarabine ([¹⁸F]-4) in 73?±?4 % , radiochemical yield (decay corrected to the end of bombardment (EOB)) and based on the initial [¹⁸F]F^? activity. An aqueous ammonia/methanol solution was used for the deprotection reaction and gave the desired [¹⁸F]-5 in 67?±?3 % yield after 20 min at 70 °C based on HPLC profile.

Conclusions

The process afforded pure 2-[¹⁸F]fludarabine in 48?±?3 % yield (decay corrected to the EOB) in 85 min, with a specific activity of 310?±?72 GBq/μmol at the end of synthesis (EOS) and a radiochemical purity up to 99 %.     

Agronomic Performance and Nutrient Accumulation Behaviour in Groundnut-Cluster Bean Cropping System as Influenced by Irrigation Water Salinity

Varied levels of salinity in irrigation water remained a serious issue to shrink agricultural productivity in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Groundnut, being a prominent crop in this zone, suffered to quite an extent due to induced salinity. In the present study, the authors have simulated a field condition where four different saline water of EC_iw of 0.5, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 dS m^?1 were used for irrigation in groundnut (rainy/kharif)–cluster bean (summer) rotation. Both the crops were assessed by their respective growth and yield traits. A marked decrease was observed in seedling emergence, plant height, root length and pod yield at highest salinity, EC_iw 6.0 dS m^?1 whereas the same trend was noticed for plant height, dry weight of plant and final plant stand for cluster bean in the next season. However, pod yield of both the crops did not decrease up to EC_iw 2.0 dS m^?1. The ionic imbalance in different plant parts is another major impact of salinity. Na showed enhanced accumulation in plant parts where groundnut roots accumulated 42.0 and 75.4 % higher than shoots and kernels, respectively at highest EC_iw; while other nutrients (N, P, Ca, K) showed a declining effect with increasing salinity.     

Primary Production in River Birupa, India

Seasonal changes of primary production in relation to water temperature, secchi transparency and rainfall were measured from January 2009 to December 2010 by using light-and-dark bottle technique at three different sampling sites along the course of river Birupa between 20°36^′57^″ north latitude and 86°24^′29^″ east longitude of Odisha, India. The Gross Primary Production (GPP) and Net Primary Production (NPP) were least during monsoon (August) and attained peak during summer (April) at all stations except GPP during March at station 3. Community Respiration (CR) was minimum from February to April and maximum from October to January among the stations. GPP and NPP were significantly correlated,both temporally and spatially,with water temperature, secchi transparency and rainfall. Annual GPP was maximum at station 2 and minimum at station 3. Annual GPP for both the years was found to be 1.364 gC m^?2 day^?1 or 497.86 gC m^?2 year^?1 in river Birupa. This value was compared to some other temperate and tropical rivers.     

Validation of sentinel-2 leaf area index (LAI) product derived from SNAP toolbox and its comparison with global LAI products in an African semi-arid agricultural landscape

ABSTRACT

This study validated SNAP-derived LAI from Sentinel-2 and its consistency with existing global LAI products. The validation and inter-comparison experiments were performed on two processing levels, i.e., Top-of-Atmosphere and Bottom-of-Atmosphere reflectances and two spatial resolutions, i.e., 10 m, and 20 m. These were chosen to determine their effect on retrieved LAI accuracy and consistency. The results showed moderate R ², i.e., ~0.6 to ~0.7 between SNAP-derived LAI and in-situ LAI, but with high errors, i.e., RMSE, BIAS, and MAE >2 m² m^–2 with marked differences between processing levels and insignificant differences between spatial resolutions. In contrast, inter-comparison of SNAP-derived LAI with MODIS and Proba-V LAI products revealed moderate to high consistencies, i.e., R ² of ~0.55 and ~0.8 respectively, and RMSE of ~0.5 m² m^–2 and ~0.6 m² m^–2, respectively. The results in this study have implications for future use of SNAP-derived LAI from Sentinel-2 in agricultural landscapes, suggesting its global applicability that is essential for large-scale agricultural monitoring. However, enormous errors in characterizing field-level LAI variability indicate that SNAP-derived LAI is not suitable for precision farming. In fact, from the study, the need for further improvement of LAI retrieval arises, especially to support farm-level agricultural management decisions.     

Phenolsulphotransferase in human tissue: Radiochemical enzymatic assay and biochemical properties

Phenolsulphotransferase (EC 2.8.2.1) (PST) is an important catecholamine and drug metabolizing enzyme. Optimal conditions have been determined for the accurate measurement of PST activity in the human platelet, human renal cortex, and human jejunum with a radiochemical microassay. 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and ³⁵S?3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (³⁵S-PAPS) were the substrates for the reaction. The apparent Michaelis-Menten (K_m) values for MHPG with platelet, renal cortex, and jejunum were 1.09, 0.46 and 1.16 mmol/l, respectively. Apparent K_m values for PAPS in the same tissues were 0.14, 0.13 and 0.21 μmol/l. The pH optimum of the reaction in all three tissues was approximately 6.2-6.8 with three different buffer systems. The coefficients of variation for the assay of platelet, renal cortex, and jejunal activities were 6.2%, 3.4% and 4.4%, respectively. Mean platelet PST activity in blood samples from 75 randomly selected adult subjects was 5.0 ± 1.72 nmol of MHPG sulfate formed per hour per mg of platelet protein (8.3 × 10^?5 ± 2.9 × 10^?5μmol · min^?1 · mg^?1, mean ± S.D.). There was a 5-fold intersubject variation in platelet PST activity within two standard deviations of the mean value. Experiments in which partially purified human erythrocyte PST was added to platelet, kidney and gut homogenates under these assay conditions provided evidence that endogenous PST inhibitors did not affect the observed enzyme activity.     

Dynamic changes in aortic impedance after transcatheter aortic valve replacement and its impact on exploratory outcome

Valvulo-arterial impedance (Zva) has been shown to predict worse outcome in medically managed aortic stenosis (AS) patients. We aimed to investigate the association between Zva and left ventricular (LV) adaptation and to explore the predictive value of Zva for cardiac functional recovery and outcome after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We prospectively enrolled 128 patients with AS who underwent TAVR. Zva was calculated as: (systolic blood pressure?+?mean transaortic gradient)/stroke volume index). Echocardiographic assessment occurred at baseline, 1-month and 1-year after TAVR. The primary endpoints were to investigate associations between Zva and global longitudinal strain (GLS) at baseline as well as GLS change after TAVR. The secondary was to compare all-cause mortality after TAVR between patients with pre-defined Zva (=5 mmHg m²/ml), stroke volume index (=35 ml/m²), and GLS (=?15%) cutoffs. The mean GLS was reduced (?13.0?±?3.2%). The mean Zva was 5.2?±?1.6 mmHg*m²/ml with 55% of values ≥5.0 mmHg*m²/ml, considered to be abnormally high. Higher Zva correlated with worse GLS (r?=??0.33, p?<?0.001). After TAVR, Zva decreased significantly (5.1?±?1.6 vs. 4.5?±?1.6 mmHg*m²/ml, p?=?0.001). A reduction of Zva at 1-month was associated with GLS improvement at 1-month (r?=??0.31, p?=?0.001) and at 1-year (r?=??0.36 and p?=?0.001). By Kaplan–Meier analysis, patients with higher Zva at baseline had higher mortality (Log-rank p?=?0.046), while stroke volume index and GLS did not differentiate outcome (Log-rank p?=?0.09 and 0.25, respectively). As a conclusion, Zva is correlated with GLS in AS as well as GLS improvement after TAVR. Furthermore, a high baseline Zva may have an additional impact to traditional parameters on predicting worse mortality after TAVR.