Development of an automated production process of [64Cu][Cu (ATSM)] for positron emission tomography imaging and theranostic applications

Cyclotron-produced copper-64 radioisotope tracers offer the possibility to perform both diagnostic investigation by positron emission tomography (PET) and radiotherapy by a theranostic approach with bifunctional chelators. The versatile chemical properties of copper add to the importance of this isotope in medicinal investigation. [⁶⁴Cu][Cu (ATSM)] has shown to be a viable candidate for imaging of tumor hypoxia; a critical tumor microenvironment characteristic that typically signifies tumor progression and resistance to chemo-radiotherapy. Various production and radiosynthesis methods of [⁶⁴Cu][Cu (ATSM)] exist in labs, but usually involved non-standardized equipment with varying production qualities and may not be easily implemented in wider hospital settings. [⁶⁴Cu][Cu (ATSM)] was synthesized on a modified GE TRACERlab FXN automated synthesis module. End-of-synthesis (EOS) molar activity of [⁶⁴Cu][Cu (ATSM)] was 2.2–5.5 Ci/μmol (HPLC), 2.2–2.6 Ci/μmol (ATSM-titration), and 3.0–4.4 Ci/μmol (ICP-MS). Radiochemical purity was determined to be >99% based on radio-HPLC. The final product maintained radiochemical purity after 20 h. We demonstrated a simple and feasible process development and quality control protocols for automated cyclotron production and synthesis of [⁶⁴Cu][Cu (ATSM)] based on commercially distributed standardized synthesis modules suitable for PET imaging and theranostic studies.     

基于数据挖掘的国医大师刘祖贻治疗脑梗死恢复期方药规律研究

目的挖掘分析国医大师刘祖贻治疗脑梗死恢复期的处方用药规律,总结其学术思想。方法收集整理刘祖贻治疗脑梗死恢复期的病案处方,录入中医传承辅助平台软件中构建数据库,再使用该软件相关功能进行数据挖掘,分析处方中的组方用药规律。结果①共得处方147首,涉及药物179味,累计使用频次2 164次。②使用频次在20次及以上的药物,共有22味,其中前10味高频药物为黄芪、丹参、山楂、葛根、枸杞子、地龙、制何首乌、川芎、石菖蒲、淫羊藿。③黄芪用量从15 g至120 g均可见,最常用剂量为30 g,常用剂量范围主要集中于30～60 g。④药物功效分类排名靠前的为补虚药、活血化瘀药、平肝息风药等。⑤高频药组前5位为丹参-黄芪、黄芪-山楂、葛根-黄芪、葛根-丹参、丹参-山楂;关联度较高的药组有地龙-黄芪、葛根-地龙-黄芪、丹参-地龙-黄芪等。⑥通过聚类分析算法提取出核心组合12个,进而演化出潜在新方6首,如"白芍、威灵仙、桂枝、鸡血藤、白芥子""全蝎、菊花、蜈蚣、刺蒺藜"等。结论国医大师刘祖贻治疗脑梗死恢复期的用药以益气温阳、填精益髓、活血通络、息风化痰为主,重用黄芪,方以自拟芪仙通络方加减,体现出"气阳主用""脑髓阳生阴长"等学术思想。     

Hypocholesterolaemic mechanism of bitter melon aqueous extracts via inhibition of pancreatic cholesterol esterase and reduction of cholesterol micellar solubility

This study investigated the hypocholesterolaemic effects of bitter melon aqueous extracts (BMAE) in vitro, the inhibitory effects of BMAE on pancreatic cholesterol esterase (CEase) and incorporation of cholesterol into micelles were investigated. BMAE decreased the in vitro micellar solubility of cholesterol in a dose-dependent manner. The conformation of CEase was investigated by means of circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence. The result revealed the decrease of α-helix contents, increase of β-sheet and exposure of aromatic amino acid residuals. The incorporation of cholesterol into micelles was inhibited by BMAE. A complex was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which indicated interaction between cholesterol and BMAE. The result revealed that BMAE can play a role in decreased intestinal cholesterol absorption via inhibition of CEase, and of micelle formation.     

Instrument-based Tests for Measuring Anterior Chamber Cells in Uveitis: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Purpose

New instrument-based techniques for anterior chamber (AC) cell counting can offer automation and objectivity above clinician assessment. This review aims to identify such instruments and its correlation with clinician estimates.