Tc-99m MIBI uptake and its relation to the proliferative potential of brain tumors

PURPOSE: Many studies have shown that the S-phase fraction is a reflection of the proliferation potential of tumors, and DNA aneuploidy is more common in malignant tumors. In this preliminary study, the authors assessed the Tc-99m MIBI uptake of brain tumors and its relation to tumor grade and DNA content of the tumor cells. METHODS: Ten patients (eight male, two female; mean age, 53.2 +/- 6.11 years) with untreated brain tumors were included in the study. SPECT imaging was performed 20 minutes after injection of 740 MBq (20 mCi) Tc-99m MIBI. A single detector camera with a low-energy high-resolution collimator was used for image acquisition. A region of interest was drawn in the tumor area under magnetic resonance guidance. A Tc-99m MIBI uptake index was computed as the mean tumor-to-background ratio. Flow cytometric analysis of fresh tumor tissue specimens was performed immediately. The percentages of cells in the G0/G1, S, and G2/M phases were determined for each patient. RESULTS: DNA aneuploidy was found in 4 (49%) patients, whereas diploidy was found in 6 (60%) patients. There was a significant positive correlation between the Tc-99m MIBI uptake and the percentage of the S-phase fraction of the cell cycle ( = 0.000, r = 0.95). The Tc-99m MIBI index was significantly greater in aneuploid tumors than in diploid tumors ( < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: High-grade brain tumors have increased Tc-99m MIBI uptake compared with that of low-grade tumors. Tc-99m MIBI uptake is correlated with the percentage of the S-phase fraction of the cell and the aneuploidy level of the brain tumor. This preliminary report suggests that Tc-99m MIBI imaging may be useful in the evaluation of the biologic characteristics of brain tumors.     

Elevated CK-MB mass and plasma brain-type natriuretic peptide concentrations following convulsive seizures in children and adolescents: Possible evidence of subtle cardiac dysfunction

Purpose:   To evaluate the presence of myocardial injury during convulsive seizures in children and adolescents by determining serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase-MB mass (CK-MB mass), and plasma brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP).
Methods:   Thirty-one children (20 boys; mean age, 6.6 ± 5.34 years) with convulsive seizures and 50 healthy children were enrolled. Serum cTnI, CK-MB mass, and plasma BNP concentrations were analyzed 12 h after the seizure and repeated 7 days thereafter in the patient group and obtained one time in the control group.
Results:   The difference between serum concentrations of cTnI obtained 12 h and 7 days after the seizure was not statistically significant. cTnI levels 12 h postictal and those in control subjects also were not significantly different. CK-MB mass and BNP at the 12th h were higher than those obtained on the 7th day (p  <  0 . 05 and p  <  0 . 001, respectively). Children with seizures had increased levels of CK-MB mass and BNP 12 h after seizure than control subjects (p  <  0 . 05 and p  <  0 . 001, respectively). The results of electrocardiography (ECG) recordings, which were obtained up to 30 min after seizure activity, were completely normal in patients with seizure.
Conclusion:   Normal cTnI levels are not indicative of overt myocardial necrosis in patients with seizures. However, markedly elevated BNP concentrations together with elevated CK-MB mass levels do suggest subtle cardiac dysfunction in patients with seizure, and further large-scale studies are warranted.     

Effects of quercetin and chrysin on 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The objective of current study is to investigate the effects of the administration of chrysin (CH) and quercetin (Q) on rat liver in which oxidative and histological damage had been induced by 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD). Rats were randomly divided into six equal groups. TCDD was orally administered at the dose of 2 μg/kg/week, and Q and CH were orally administered at the doses of 20 mg/kg day and 50 mg/kg/day, respectively, by gavages dissolved in corn oil. The liver samples to be analyzed for the determination of oxidative and histological alternations were taken from rats at 60 days. The results indicated that although 2,3,7,8‐TCDD significantly induced (P ≤ 0.01) lipid peroxidation (increase of MDA levels), it positively affected oxidant/antioxidant system (a decline in the levels of GSH, CAT, GSH‐Px, and CuZn‐SOD) in rats significantly. The histological changes observed in the liver correlated with the biochemical findings. However, these effects of TCDD on oxidative and histological changes were eliminated by Q and CH treatment. In conclusion, TCDD caused an adverse effect on rat's liver. When Q and CH were given together with TCDD, they prevented hepatotoxicty induced by TCDD. Thus, it is thought that Q and CH may be useful as a new category of anti‐TCDD toxicity agent. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2013.     

Radiolabeling of EGCG with <Superscript>131</Superscript>I and biodistribution in rats

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), is the most abundant and widely studied catechin in green tea (Camellia sinensis Theaceae). The inhibitory effects of EGCG and green tea extract on carcinogenesis in various organs in rodents have now been demonstrated over the past decade. The aim of study was to label EGCG with I-131, to determinate its structure and to evaluate its biodistribution in Wistar rats. Radiolabeling was carried out by direct electrophilic iodination method (iodogen) and yield was determined by radio thin layer chromatography (RTLC). Radiolabelling yield is determined as 89 ± 1.0%. Besides, determination of structure of iodinated molecule, serum stability, and partition coefficient experiments was performed. The structure analysis of synthesized cold ¹²⁷I-EGCG complex was assessed with LC–MS–MS and ¹H-NMR. ¹H-NMR and LC–MS–MS results of iodinated EGCG (¹²⁷I-EGCG) show that oxidize iodine reacts electrophilic with aromatic ring. Serum stability results showed that in vitro stability of ¹³¹I-EGCG was quite high. It is observed that labeling percentage decreased 83 ± 2% at 24th, Partition coefficient results show that the partition coefficient of EGCG was calculated as theoretical partition coefficient = 2.04 ± 0.42 and the experimental partition coefficient of ¹³¹I-EGCG was found as 1.46 ± 0.2. The biodistribution data shown that the maximum uptake of the radioiodinated EGCG was seen in lung and pancreas at 30 min. The blocking assay results indicated that the uptake of ¹³¹I-EGCG in lung was not significantly change (0.25, 0.23, and 0.22%ID/g at 30, 60, and 150 min, respectively). Biodistribution data showed no significant uptake in a specific organ of the rat. Hence radiolabeled EGCG is seen in some organs (lung, liver, pancreas, kidney, etc.).     

In vitro effect of levofloxacin and vancomycin combination against high level aminoglycoside-resistant enterococci

The in vitro effects of levofloxacin and vancomycin in combination were evaluated against high level aminoglycoside-resistant (HLAR) enterococci using chequerboard and time-kill curve techniques. We examined 28 strains of enterococci comprising 17 Enterococcus faecalis, 10 E. faecium and one E. durans. The combination of vancomycin and levofloxacin had indifferent activity against all isolates according to chequerboard microdilution method, but was synergistic for two isolates, one E. faecium and one E. faecalis, using the time-kill curve method. Both strains were levofloxacin resistant and had high level aminoglycoside resistance to gentamicin and streptomycin. Antagonism was not detected in any strain. The results of this study suggested that the combination of vancomycin with levofloxacin does not often show synergistic effect against high level aminoglycoside-resistant enterococci.     

Review for Disease of the Year: Varicella Zoster Virus-Induced Anterior Uveitis

Varicella zoster virus (VZV)-induced anterior uveitis (AU) may complicate the course of primary varicella infection typically seen in children. In adults, especially with advanced age, VZV AU is more commonly associated with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) with or without skin rash affecting the distribution of the ophthalmic nerve due to reactivation of the latent VZV in the trigeminal ganglion. While it is typically a mild self-limiting AU in primary infection, HZO AU is often accompanied by keratitis, may have a chronic recurrent course, and lead to sectoral iris atrophy, pupillary distortion, and ocular hypertension. Diagnosis is often clinical and proven by analysis of aqueous humor for viral genome or antiviral antibodies. Systemic antiviral agents and topical steroids are the mainstay of treatment. Visual prognosis is favorable with timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.     

The comparison of in the vitro effect of imipenem or meropenem combined with ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains

This study evaluated the in vitro effects of the combination of a carbapenem (imipenem or meropenem) with a quinolone (ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin) using a microbroth dilution chequerboard technique and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. The ciprofloxacin and meropenem combination was only synergistic against 2 strains (6.2%) and ciprofloxacin and imipenem against 1 strain (3.1%). Levofloxacin and imipenem or meropenem were not synergistic for against any strain. None of the combinations showed an antagonistic effect.     

Bilateral acute iris transillumination following a fumigation therapy: a village-based traditional method for the treatment of ophthalmomyiasis

Bilateral acute iris transillumination (BAIT) is a relatively new clinical entity characterized by bilateral acute loss of iris pigment epithelium, iris transillumination, pigment dispersion in the anterior chamber and atonic pupilla. We report herein a 50-year-old female who presented with bilateral ocular pain, severe photophobia and red eyes. One month ago, a fly hit her eye, and she instantly complained of a discomfort and sensation of a foreign body in both eyes. She used a fumigation therapy, a traditional method for the treatment of ophthalmomyiasis. During follow-up examinations, intraocular pressures increased over 40?mmHg bilaterally despite maximal medical therapy, which necessitated trabeculectomy surgery with mitomycin. This is a typical BAIT case with no antecedent fluoroquinolone use or viral disease, but a fumigation therapy. There might be a possible relationship between BAIT and traditional fumigation therapy or this association might be coincidental, both of which need further evaluation.     

Advances and potential new developments in imaging techniques for posterior uveitis Part 2: invasive imaging methods

The aim of this review was to identify the imaging methods at our disposal to optimally manage posterior uveitis at the present time. The focus was put on methods that have become available since the 1990s, some 30 years after fluorescein angiography had revolutionised imaging of posterior uveitis in particular imaging of the retinal vascular structures in the 1960s. We have focussed our review on precise imaging methods that have been standardised and validated and can be used universally thanks to commercially produced and available instruments for the diagnosis and follow-up of posterior uveitis. The second part of this imaging review will deal with invasive imaging methods and in particular ocular angiography.Subject terms: Uveal diseases, Medical imaging