Investigation of the imaging characteristics of the ALBIRA II small animal PET system for 18F, 68Ga and 64Cu

Aim

In this study the performance characteristics of the Albira II PET sub-system and the response of the system for the following radionuclides ¹⁸F, ⁶⁸Ga and ⁶⁴Cu was analyzed.

Potential of adenovirus and baculovirus vectors for the delivery of shRNA against morbilliviruses

Morbilliviruses are important pathogens of humans, ruminants, carnivores and marine mammals. Although good vaccines inducing long-term immunity are available, recurrent outbreaks of measles, canine distemper and peste des petits ruminants (PPR) are observed. In control strategies, antivirals thus could be useful to confine virus spread and application of interfering RNAs is a promising approach, provided they can be delivered efficiently into the host cells. We have constructed recombinant adenovirus and baculovirus vectors expressing short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) against the PPR virus (PPRV) and compared them in vitro. It was found that both recombinant viruses inhibited PPRV replication with the baculovirus vector, which inhibited generation of infectious progeny by more than 2 log10 and the nucleoprotein expression of PPRV by 73%, being the more efficient. The results show that baculoviral shRNA-expressing vectors have the potential for therapeutic use against morbillivirus infections.     

Bridging two translation gaps: a new informatics research agenda for telemonitoring of chronic disease

Objective

To propose a research agenda that addresses technological and other knowledge gaps in developing telemonitoring solutions for patients with chronic diseases, with particular focus on detecting deterioration early enough to intervene effectively.

Design

A mixed methods approach incorporating literature review, key informant, and focus group interviews to gain an in-depth, multidisciplinary understanding of current approaches, and a roadmapping process to synthesise a research agenda.

Results

Counter to intuition, the research agenda for early detection of deterioration in patients with chronic diseases is not only primarily about advances in sensor technology but also much more about the problems of clinical specification, translation, and interfacing. The ultimate aim of telemonitoring is not fully agreed between the actors (patients, clinicians, technologists, and service providers). This leads to unresolved issues such as: (1) How are sensors used by patients as part of daily routines? (2) What are the indicators of early deterioration and how might they be used to trigger alerts? (3) How should alerts lead to appropriate levels of responses across different agencies and sectors?

Conclusion

Attempts to use telemonitoring to improve the care of patients with chronic diseases over the last two decades have so far failed to lead to systems that are embedded in routine clinical practice. Attempts at implementation have paid insufficient attention to understanding patient and clinical needs and the complex dynamics and accountabilities that arise at the level of service models. A suggested way ahead is to co-design technology and services collaboratively with all stakeholders.     

Photodynamic therapy vs radiofrequency ablation for Barrett’s dysplasia: Efficacy,safety and cost-comparison

AIM:To compare effectiveness,safety,and cost of photodynamic therapy(PDT)and radiofrequency ablation(RFA)in treatment of Barrett’s dysplasia(BD).METHODS:Consecutive case series of patients undergoing either PDT or RFA treatment at single center by a single investigator were compared.Thirty-three patients with high-grade dysplasia(HGD)had treatment with porfimer sodium photosensitzer and 630 nm laser(130 J/cm),with maximum of 3 treatment sessions.Fifty-three patients with BD(47 with low-grade dysplasia-LGD,6 with HGD)had step-wise circumferential and focal ablation using the HALO system with maximum of 4 treatment sessions.Both groups received proton pump inhibitors twice daily.Endoscopic biopsies were acquired at 2 and 12 mo after enrollment,with 4-quadrant biopsies every 1 cm of the original BE extent.A complete histological resolution response of BD(CR-D)was defined as all biopsies at the last endoscopy session negative for BD.Fisher’s exact test was used to assess differences between the two study groups for primary outcomes.For all outcomes,a two-sided P value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.RESULTS:Thirty(91%)PDT patients and 39(74%)RFA were men(P=0.05).The mean age was 70.7±12.2 and 65.4±12.7(P=0.10)year and mean length of BE was 5.4±3.2 cm and 5.7±3.2 cm(P=0.53)for PDT and RFA patients,respectively.The CR-D was(18/33)54.5%with PDT vs(47/53)88.7%with RFA(P=0.001).One patient with PDT had an esophageal perforation and was managed with non-surgical measures and no perforation was seen with RFA.PDT was five times more costly than RFA at our institution.The two groups were not randomized and had different BD grading are the limitations of the study.CONCLUSION:In our experience,RFA had higher rate of CR-D without any serious adverse events and was less costly than PDT for endoscopic treatment of BD.     

Supercritical Fluid Technology-Based Trans-Resveratrol SLN for Long Circulation and Improved Radioprotection

Purpose

To alleviate the harmful effects of radiations during occupational radiology, radiotherapy and diagnosis, radioprotective system with lower toxicity and extended activity is imperative. Trans-resveratrol (RVL) acts through free radical scavenging/antioxidant mechanism to mitigate the radiation-induced damage. But, its poor solubility and fast metabolism impede its efficacy. Thus, encapsulation of RVL into long circulating solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) is aimed.

Method

Supercritical CO₂ solution of RVL, Gelucire®50/02 and Gelucire®50/13 SLN, was rapidly expanded into aqueous phase containing Tween 80, sonicated and lyophilized to get SLN. Particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), entrapment efficiency (%EE), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), drug release, in vivo pharmacokinetics, antioxidant assays, radiation-induced lipid peroxidation and plasmid DNA relaxation assays were studied. Stability studies were performed to analyze drug degradation and shelf life.

Results

Optimized formulation (F9) had %yield, particle size, PDI, %EE and %drug release (after 72 h) of 68.48?±?5.73 %, 276.7?±?5.33 nm, 0.18?±?0.032, 62.66?±?4.52 % and 70.05?±?3.003 %, respectively. Electron microscopy revealed nearly spherical particles, while DSC and XRD showed reduced crystalline peaks. F9 showed higher AUC and sustained release of RVL in rats (i.v. bolus) and increased antioxidant activities and radioprotection as compared to RVL solution. Shelf life of >2 years was predicted for F9 (at 8 °C).

Conclusion

Results are encouraging to use F9 for radiation exposure prophylaxis.

     

Correlation of intragraft blood flow with characteristics of stenoses found during diagnostic fistulography

PURPOSE: To determine if intragraft blood flow measurements correlate with the anatomical characteristics of stenoses found during diagnostic fistulography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This investigation was a retrospective review of 40 patients with decreased intragraft blood flow (<600 mL/min) in patent polytetrafluoroethylene hemodialysis grafts who underwent diagnostic fistulography and angioplasty. Intragraft blood flow was measured with the ultrasonic dilution technique. The fistulogram images were reviewed and the anatomic characteristics of all stenoses were measured and recorded. These characteristics were correlated with the intragraft blood flow values. RESULTS: The mean intragraft blood flow was 476 mL/min (range, 270-600 mL/min). Fistulography revealed a total of 71 stenoses and all 40 patients had at least one lesion with > 50% stenosis. There was no correlation between the intragraft blood flow and the location, length, or number of stenoses. There was a moderate inverse correlation between the intragraft blood flow and the degree of stenosis (P =.08). Fifty-nine stenoses were treated with angioplasty. The mean postangioplasty blood flow was 796 mL/min (range, 470-1565 mL/min). The mean change in blood flow after angioplasty was 311 mL/min (range, 15-1154 mL/min) There was no association between the change in blood flow after angioplasty and the number, length, or degree of residual stenosis. CONCLUSION: Intragraft blood flow < 600 mL/min is an excellent predictor of the presence of at least one significant (>/=50%) stenosis. There was an inverse correlation between intragraft blood flow and the degree of stenosis. There was no association between the intragraft blood flow and the location, length, or number of stenosis.     

Preparation of in situ-forming ophthalmic gels of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis: in vitro and in vivo studies

Sol-to-gel systems of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride were prepared utilizing the phase transition properties of hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose K 15 M grade (HPMC) and carbopol 934. The sol-to-gel systems were sterilized by gamma radiation and/or filtration. The sol-to-gel systems were evaluated for rheological characteristics, in vitro release behavior, microbial efficacy, in vivo release behavior, and efficacy against induced bacterial conjunctivitis in rabbits' eyes. Concentration in aqueous humor was determined and stability studies were carried out as per the ICH guidelines. The system passed the test for sterility. The sol-to-gel system exhibited a zero-order drug release pattern over 24 h in in vitro release studies. The drug was active against selected microorganisms in microbial efficacy studies. Better improvement in artificially induced bacterial conjunctivitis in rabbits' eyes was observed in animals treated with the sol-to-gel system compared with marketed eye drops. Drug concentration in aqueous humor was greater than the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC 90) against selected microorganisms. The shelf-life of the product was >2 years.