Tubular ectasia of the rete testis: a potential pitfall in scrotal imaging

Tubular ectasia of the rete testis (TERT) is a benign entity due to dilation of the tubules of the rete testis. Most of the time it is discovered incidentally on scrotal sonograms and may be misinterpreted as malignant. This article outlines the diagnostic criteria of TERT, its possible causes, its incidence and its potential evolution. Recognizing this entity owing to its characteristic clinical, sonographic and, if necessary, MRI features is important to avoid unnecessary surgery or biopsies. Received: 4 August 1998; Revised: 15 April 1999; Accepted: 19 April 1999     

Residual Infestation and Recolonization during Urban Triatoma infestans Bug Control Campaign,Peru

Chagas disease vector control campaigns are being conducted in Latin America, but little is known about medium-term or long-term effectiveness of these efforts, especially in urban areas. After analyzing entomologic data for 56,491 households during the treatment phase of a Triatoma infestans bug control campaign in Arequipa, Peru, during 2003–2011, we estimated that 97.1% of residual infestations are attributable to untreated households. Multivariate models for the surveillance phase of the campaign obtained during 2009–2012 confirm that nonparticipation in the initial treatment phase is a major risk factor (odds ratio [OR] 21.5, 95% CI 3.35–138). Infestation during surveillance also increased over time (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.15–2.09 per year). In addition, we observed a negative interaction between nonparticipation and time (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.53–0.99), suggesting that recolonization by vectors progressively dilutes risk associated with nonparticipation. Although the treatment phase was effective, recolonization in untreated households threatens the long-term success of vector control.     

Escaping from Flatland: Antimalarial Activity of sp3-Rich Bridged Pyrrolidine Derivatives

We utilized synthetic photochemistry to generate novel sp³-rich scaffolds and report the design, synthesis, and biological testing of a diverse series of amides based on the 1-(amino-methyl)-2-benzyl-2-aza-bicyclo[2.1.1]hexane scaffold. Preliminary antimalarial screening of the library provided promising compounds with activity in the 1–5 μM range with an enhanced hit rate. Further evaluation (solubility, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), and toxicity) of a selected compound (9) suggested that this series represents an excellent opportunity for further optimization with the framework offering multiple opportunities for the addition of uniquely vectorally positioned extra functionality.     

Effect of build orientation on the manufacturing process and the properties of stereolithographic dental ceramics for crown frameworks

Statement of problemStereolithography (SLA) ceramic crown frameworks are suitable for clinical use, but the impact of SLA build orientation has not been identified.PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of 3 build orientations on the physical and mechanical properties and the microstructure of SLA alumina dental ceramics.Material and methodsThe physical and mechanical properties and microstructures of 3 different oriented SLA alumina ceramics (ZX, ZY, and XY) were evaluated by visual observation, hydrostatic weighing (n=10/group), Weibull analyses (n=30/group), scanning electron microscopy, 3-point flexural strength (n=30/group), fracture toughness (indentation, single-edge-V-notched-beam) (n=4/group), and Vickers hardness (n=15/group) testing. The hydrostatic weighing, 3-point flexural strength, fracture toughness, and Vickers hardness testing data were statistically analyzed (α=.05).ResultsThe minimum resting period of slurries between the polymerization of 2 layers was shorter for the ZY- and ZX-oriented specimens and increased with the layer surface. The density and Vickers hardness of the SLA-manufactured specimens were similar for all groups (P>.05). The 95% confidence intervals of the Weibull moduli of the ZX- and ZY-oriented specimens were higher than that of the XY-oriented specimens, with no overlap fraction. The ZY-oriented specimens displayed significantly higher 3-point flexural strength (P<.05) and fracture toughness as evaluated by the single-edge-V-notched-beam method than the ZX-oriented specimens (P<.05). They also displayed significantly higher 3-point flexural strength than the XY-oriented specimens (P<.05). The microstructural analysis showed that the texturing was heterogeneous and that the major axis of the large grains of alumina ran parallel to the orientation of the layers.ConclusionsThe ZY orientation produced a reliable dental ceramic by SLA, with the shortest general manufacturing time and the highest mechanical strength when the layers were perpendicular to the test load surface.     

Role for FGFR2IIIb-mediated signals in controlling pancreatic endocrine progenitor cell proliferation

Pancreatic development is a classic example of epithelium-mesenchyme interaction. During embryonic life, signals from the mesenchyme control the proliferation of precursor cells within the pancreatic epithelium and their differentiation into endocrine or acinar cells. It has been shown that signals from the mesenchyme activate epithelial cell proliferation but repress development of the pancreatic epithelium into endocrine cells. Here, experiments with specific inhibitors established that mesenchymal effects on epithelial cell development depended on the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Then we demonstrated that these effects of the mesenchyme were mimicked by fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), a specific ligand of FGFR2IIIb, which is a tyrosine kinase receptor of the FGF-receptor family. When pancreatic epithelium expressing FGFR2IIIb was grown with FGF7, epithelial cell growth occurred in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas endocrine tissue development was repressed. The epithelial cells that proliferated in response to FGF7 were endocrine pancreatic precursor cells, as shown by their differentiation en masse into endocrine cells on FGF7 removal. Thus, efficient propagation of pancreatic progenitor cells can be achieved in vitro by exposure to FGF7, which does not affect their ability to differentiate en masse into endocrine cells on FGF7 removal.     

Automated synthesis of 68Ga/177Lu-PSMA on the Trasis miniAllinOne

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-based radioligands for positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) studies represent the gold standard for detection of recurrent prostate cancer (PCa). [⁶⁸Ga]PSMA-HBED-CC is a PET radiotracer suitable for detection of PCa, and its clinical use has become widespread over the last few years. In this contribution, we detail our GMP-compliant production of [⁶⁸Ga]PSMA-HBED-CC using the Trasis miniAllinOne radiosynthesizer and report synthetic and clinical data for the first 100 productions of 2019. Additionally, we detail our efforts towards a GMP-compliant production of the radiotherapeutic [¹⁷⁷Lu]PSMA-I&T using the same synthesis module. PSMA-based radioligand therapy (RLT) offers a possible future treatment in cases of metastatic castration-resistant PCa, and GMP-compliant routine production methods are therefore called for. This report highlights how PSMA-based agents for theranostic purposes can be conveniently produced at a single radiochemistry Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) site, thereby facilitating optimized detection and treatment of PCa.