Site-Specific Labeling of F-18 Proteins Using a Supplemented Cell-Free Protein Synthesis System and O-2-[18F]Fluoroethyl-L-Tyrosine: [18F]FET-HER2 Affibody Molecule

Molecular Imaging and Biology - Although a preparation method for F-18-labeled proteins that used a cell-free translation system and 4-[18F]fluoro-L-proline instead of L-proline has been reported,...     

Small peripheral lung carcinomas with five-year post-surgical follow-up: assessment by semi-automated volumetric measurement of tumour size, CT value and growth rate on TSCT

Objectives  

To retrospectively assess the utility of semi-automated measurements by stratification of CT values of tumour size, CT value and doubling time (DT) using thin-section computed tomography (CT) images. The post-surgical outcomes of favourable and problematic tumours (more advanced p stage than IA, post-surgical recurrence or mortality from lung cancer) were compared using the measured values. The computed DTs were compared with manually measured values.     

Synthesis and evaluation of PET probes for the imaging of I2 imidazoline receptors in peripheral tissues

IntroductionTo explore the possible use of positron emission tomography (PET) probes for imaging of I₂-imidazoline receptors (I₂Rs) in peripheral tissues, we labeled two new I₂R ligands, 2-[2-(o-tolyl)vinyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole (K_i for I₂Rs, 3.7 nM) and 2-[2-(o-tolyl)ethyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole (K_i for I₂Rs, 1.7 nM) with ¹¹C ([¹¹C]metrazoline and [¹¹C]TEIMD), respectively, and evaluated these ligands and the recently developed I₂R ligand 2-[3-fluoro-[4-¹¹C]tolyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole ([¹¹C]FTIMD) by in vivo studies.Methods[¹¹C]Metrazoline and [¹¹C]TEIMD were prepared by a palladium-promoted cross-coupling reaction of the tributylstannyl precursor and [¹¹C]methyl iodide. Their biodistribution in mice was investigated by tissue dissection. In addition, PET scans and metabolite analysis were performed.Results[¹¹C]Metrazoline and [¹¹C]TEIMD were successfully synthesized with a suitable radioactivity for injection. In the liver and pancreas expressing I₂Rs, coinjection with the high-affinity I₂R ligand, BU224, induced a reduction in the radioactivity level at 30 min after injection of [¹¹C]metrazoline and [¹¹C]FTIMD. However, the radioactivity level after injection of [¹¹C]TEIMD was unchanged. In the PET study, coinjection with BU224 induced a decrease in the radioactivity level in the liver and pancreas after more than 15 min of injection of [¹¹C]metrazoline and [¹¹C]FTIMD as compared with the results obtained for controls. In metabolite analysis, coinjection with BU224 induced a significant reduction in the percentage of unchanged [¹¹C]metrazoline at 30 min after injection as compared with that in the control, although no significant difference was observed in the percentage of unchanged [¹¹C]FTIMD.Conclusion[¹¹C]Metrazoline may be a more useful PET probe than [¹¹C]FTIMD for imaging of I₂Rs in peripheral tissues.     

Reply to “Comment on Morii et al.: Surgical site infection in malignant soft tissue tumors”

We would like to thank the commentators for their interest in our recent publication, “Surgical site infection in malignant soft tissue tumors” [1]. Basically we agree with the comment that the quality of the hospital care control measures for the cases of patients with soft tissue sarcoma undergoing surgery should be re-evaluated and revised. We recognize the significance of the quality of the infection control measures at each hospital. In general, preoperative antibiotic administration before incision, appropriate antibiotic selection, appropriate hair removal and discontinuation of prophylactic antibiotics may be expected to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections [2–4]. Indeed at our institute, at present, most of the recommended measures for the care of patients with soft tissue sarcoma are undertaken.     

Predictive factors for colonic diverticular rebleeding: a retrospective analysis of the clinical and colonoscopic features of 111 patients

Background/Aims

Colonic diverticular bleeding can stop spontaneously or be stopped by endoscopic hemostasis. We analyzed the clinical and colonoscopic features of patients with colonic diverticular bleeding to establish the predictive factors for rebleeding.

Methods

A total of 111 patients (median age, 72 years) with colonic diverticular bleeding in Aso Iizuka Hospital between April 2007 and July 2010 were enrolled. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), comorbidity, medication, location of bleeding, colonoscopic findings and hemostatic methods were analyzed retrospectively from the hospital records.

Results

The most common sites of bleeding were the ascending (39.6%) and sigmoid (29.7%) colon. Overt rebleeding occurred in 30 patients (27.0%). Spontaneous hemostasis was seen in 81 patients (73.0%), and endoscopic hemostatic treatment was performed in 30 patients. The BMI in the patients with colonic diverticular rebleeding was significantly higher than in patients without rebleeding. Colonoscopic findings of actively bleeding or nonbleeding visible vessels in the responsible diverticula were more frequent in the group with rebleeding.

Conclusions

A higher BMI and colonoscopic findings of actively bleeding or nonbleeding visible vessels can be used as predictive factors for colonic diverticular rebleeding. Patients with such findings should be carefully followed up after hemostasis of the initial colonic diverticular bleeding.     

The current strategy for managing pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an inherited autosomal dominant disease presenting with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs), parathyroid tumors, or pituitary tumors. Using the PubMed database, we reviewed the literature on information regarding the proper diagnosis and treatment of MEN1-associated pNET. Many cases of MEN1-associated pNET are functioning pNETs. Gastrinomas and insulinomas tend to occur frequently in the duodenum and pancreas, respectively. In addition to diagnostic imaging, the selective arterial secretagogue injection test (SASI test) is useful for localizing functioning pNET. The standard treatment is surgical resection. However, in the case of a functioning pNET, the tumor should first be accurately located using the SASI test before an appropriate surgical method is selected. In cases of a MEN1-associated non-functioning pNET that exceeds 2 cm in diameter, the incidence of distant metastasis is significantly increased, and surgery is recommended. In cases of unresectable pNET, a somatostatin analog has been shown to demonstrate antitumor effects and is considered to be a promising treatment. In addition, molecular-targeted drugs have recently been found to be effective in phase III clinical trials.     

Efficient palliative involved-field radiotherapy on highly progressive diffuse large B-cell primary gastric lymphoma with liver cirrhosis

We report the case of a 73-year-old woman having diffuse large B-cell primary gastric lymphoma with a cirrhotic liver caused by hepatitis C virus infection. She visited our hospital with symptoms of nausea and vomiting, which appeared to be caused by stenosis due to the tumor. Metastatic tumors were seen in the gastric and jugular lymph nodes. The clinical stage was IVB with a high risk of poor prognosis according to the international index. Because of poor hepatic reserve function, standard chemotherapy could not be administered. To maintain her quality of life, palliative involved-field radiotherapy was performed. The symptoms and tumor markers significantly improved, and computed tomography and endoscopy indicated the disappearance of the primary gastric tumor. Two months after radiotherapy and her return home, she died of pneumonia. Autopsy showed neither lymphoma cells nor stenosis of gastric lesion. The significant anti-tumor effect on primary tumor in our case suggests that the involved-field radiotherapy, although palliative, can be a therapeutic option for primary gastric lymphoma patients with various complications.     

Age-related effects of fasting on ketone body production during lipolysis in rats

Objective

The age-related effects of fasting on lipolysis, the production of ketone bodies, and plasma insulin levels were studied in male 3-, 8-, and 32-week-old Sprague–Dawley rats.

Methods

The rats were divided into fasting and control groups. The 3-, 8- and 32-week-old rats tolerated fasting for 2, 5, and 12 days, respectively.

Results

Fasting markedly reduced the weights of perirenal and periepididymal white adipose tissues in rats in the three age groups. The mean rates of reduction in both these adipose tissue weights during fasting periods were higher in the order of 3 > 8 > 32-week-old rats. Fasting transiently increased plasma free fatty acid (FFA), total ketone body, β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate concentrations in the rats in the three age groups. However, plasma FFA, total ketone body, β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate concentrations in the 3-week-old rats reached maximal peak within 2 days after the onset of fasting, although these concentrations in the 8- and 32-week-old rats took more than 2 days to reach the maximal peak. By contrast, the augmentation of plasma FFA, total ketone body, β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate concentrations in the rats in the three age groups had declined at the end of each experimental period. Thus, the capacity for fat mobilization was associated with tolerance to fasting. Plasma insulin concentrations in the rats in the three age groups were dramatically reduced during fasting periods, although basal levels of insulin were higher in the order of 32 > 8 > 3 week-old rats.

Conclusion

These results suggest that differences in fat metabolism patterns among rats in the three age groups during prolonged fasting were partly reflected the metabolic turnover rates, plasma insulin levels, and amounts of fat storage.