Novel and potential future therapeutic options in systemic autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune inflammation is caused by the loss of tolerance to specific self-antigens and can result in organ-specific or systemic disorders. Systemic autoimmune diseases affect a significant portion of the population with an increasing rate of incidence, which means that is essential to have effective therapies to control these chronic disorders. Unfortunately, several patients with systemic autoimmune diseases do not respond at all or just partially respond to available conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and targeted therapies. However, during the past few years, some new medications have been approved and can be used in real-life clinical settings. Meanwhile, several new candidates appeared and can offer promising novel treatment options in the future. Here, we summarize the newly available medications and the most encouraging drug candidates in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's disease, systemic sclerosis, systemic vasculitis, and autoimmune myositis.

The selective inhibition of the Syk tyrosine kinase ameliorates experimental autoimmune arthritis

Autoimmune arthritis - such as rheumatoid arthritis - affect a significant proportion of the population, which can cause everyday joint pain, decreased mobility and reduced quality of life. Despite having more and more therapeutic options available, there are still a lot of patients who cannot reach remission or low disease activity by current therapies. This causes an urgent need for the development of new treatment options. The Syk tyrosine kinase plays an essential role in B cell receptor, Fc receptor and integrin signaling. It has been shown that the hematopoietic cell-specific deletion of Syk resulted in a complete protection against autoantibody-induced experimental arthritis. This prompted us to test the effect of entospletinib, a second generation, Syk-selective inhibitor, which has a tolerable safety profile according to hematological clinical trials, in experimental autoimmune arthritis. We found that entospletinib dose-dependently decreased the macroscopic signs of joint inflammation, while it did not affect the health status of the animals. In line with these findings, local neutrophil accumulation and cytokine levels were reduced compared to the vehicle-treated group, while macrophage accumulation and synovial fibroblast numbers were not significantly altered. Meanwhile, entospletinib dose-dependently decreased the cell responses of immune complex- or integrin ligand-activated neutrophils. Overall, we found that selective Syk inhibition by entospletinib reduced the activity of autoantibody-induced experimental arthritis, which seems to be based mainly on the effect of the inhibitor on neutrophil functions. Our data raise the possibility that entospletinib could be a good drug candidate in the treatment of human autoimmune arthritis.

Neutrophil-Specific Syk Expression Is Crucial for Skin Disease in Experimental Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita

Autoantibodies against the dermal-epidermal junction component type VII collagen (C7) trigger skin disease in the inflammatory form of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. We have previously identified the Syk tyrosine kinase as a crucial participant in anti-C7 antibody-induced experimental epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. However, it is still unclear which cellular lineage needs to express Syk during the disease process. In this study, we show that the loss of Syk, specifically from neutrophils, results in complete protection from the anti-C7 antibody-initiated skin disease both macroscopically and microscopically. Mice with a neutrophil-specific Syk deletion had decreased neutrophil accumulation and abrogated CXCL2 and IL-1β levels in the skin upon anti-C7 treatment, whereas isolated Syk-deficient neutrophils had decreased superoxide release, cell spreading, and cytokine release on C7-anti-C7 immune complex surfaces. Entospletinib and lanraplenib, two second-generation Syk-specific inhibitors, effectively abrogated immune complex-induced responses of human neutrophils and decreased the anti-C7 antibody-initiated, neutrophil-mediated ex vivo dermal-epidermal separation in human skin samples. Taken together, these results point to a crucial role for Syk in neutrophils in the development and progression of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and suggest Syk inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy.

Upside down: dissecting impulsivity in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder through genotype-phenotype association analyses

Introduction

Better evaluation and understanding of the core symptoms have key importance both in clinical practice and the research of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One hallmark neurocognitive feature of ADHD is impaired inhibition, related to impulsivity. Given the high heritability of ADHD, the assessment of genetic background of impaired inhibition may contribute to our knowledge about the genetic background of the disorder.

Objectives

In our study we investigated whether different forms of impulsivity (attentive, motor, and nonplanning) and polymorphisms in genes of the noradrenergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic neurotransmission, i.e. dopamine transporter-1 (DAT1), cathecoloamin-O-metiltransferase (COMT), and serotonin receptor-1B (HTR1B genes show association.

Methods

208 aADHD patients diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria from a clinical sample and 142 individuals from a population sample who screened positive for aADHD were included in the study. DNA samples were genotyped for the HTR-1B gene rs1321041 and the COMT gene rs4680 SNPs, moreover the DAT-1 VNTR polymorphism. Dimensional variables for impulsivity were compared between genotypes with the Generalized Linear Model procedure corrected for sex and age, using the PLINK 1.9 statistical software.

Results

The 9 repeat polymorphism in DAT1 was associated with the severity of hyperactivity, moreover, all impulsivity factors. The A allele in COMT was associated with hyperactivity and better motor inhibition activity. In carriers of the G allele in HTR1B we detected significantly higher inattention scores and increased reaction time.

Conclusions

Our results support the putative role of the investigated genetic polymorphisms in the etiology of impulsivity. Nevertheless, these polymorphisms demonstrate a heterogeneous associations.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Comorbidity in borderline personality disorder and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the context of impulsivity and emotional dysregulation

Introduction

In a significant proportion of people diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (aADHD) comorbid mental disorders, such as mood, anxiety, personality and substance use disorders can be detected. BPD and aADHD present with a partial overlap in the clinical symptoms, including increased impulsivity levels and difficulty in emotional regulation. Higher impulsivity and emotional dysregulation (ED) can result in impaired global functioning or damaged social relationships.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the comorbid psychiatric diagnoses of the two patient groups, and explore the possible role of ED and impulsivity in the background of the different comorbid disorders.

Methods

Data about BPD (N=49) and aADHD (N=60) patients were analyzed based on the M.I.N.I. Plus 5.0 and SCID-5-PD structured clinical interviews. Participants were further investigated with online questionnaires: e.g. Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). For measuring the influence of impulsivity and ED in the development of comorbid disorders binary logistic regression was used.

Results

Our results showed comorbidity rates similar to previous findings in BPD patients, but lower rates were observed in aADHD. Elevated levels of ED increases the risk of suicidal ideation, mood, anxiety and eating disorders. Based on our data increased impulsivity can reduce the chance of comorbid anxiety disorders.

Conclusions

The results provide insight into the pattern of comorbid disorders, role of ED and impulsivity in people diagnosed with aADHD and BPD in Hungary. Understanding their underlying mechanisms helps to establish an accurate diagnosis, which affects treatment effectiveness.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Comparative analysis of impulsivity profiles in adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder

Introduction

High levels of impulsive behavior represent a core symptom of different psychiatric conditions, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), impulse control and conduct disorders, bulimia nervosa, substance use disorders, and other maladaptive behaviors. Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct, having at least three factors.

Objectives

Our aim was to describe the impulsivity profile in adult ADHD and BPD patients in comparison with a healthy control group, taking into consideration the different impulsivity factors.

Methods

aADHD (n=80) and BPD Patients (n=60) were recruited, based on the DSM-5 criteria. Control subjects (n=80) were screened using Derogatis Symptom Checklist (SCL-90). Comorbidities were assessed by structured clinical interviews. Participants were further investigated with online questionnaires including the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and neuropsychological tests, like Rogers’ decision-making test.

Results

Based ont the BIS-11 and DERS results, significantly higher levels of impulsivity (motor, attentional, non-planning) and difficulties in emotion regulation were present both in the aADHD and BPD groups, compared to the control group. Impulsivity factors were more characteristic to aADHD, emotion dysregulation was more specific to BPD. In the Rogers test, aADHD group was significantly slower in decision-making, while in BPD decision quality and risk-taking were affected.

Conclusions

Impulsivity profiles of the two disorders are different, which leads to the assumption of potentially altered pathway of developing impulsive behavior. As a neuropsychiatric condition, impulsivity in aADHD is related to neurobiological dysinhibition, in BPD impulsive behavior is attached to emotionally involving situations, and emotional dysregulation rooted in childhood adverse events.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Detailed analysis of left ventricular deformation in athletes doing high dynamic sports – a three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiographic study

Background

Physiologic remodeling due to repetitive overload induced by exercise training is a known feature in the athletes' heart including significant changes in left ventricular (LV) deformation mechanics. The aim of the present study was to investigate three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography- (3DSTE-)derived LV strains in elite athletes doing high dynamic sports with different grades of static components of their training.

Methods

The athlete group comprised 67 subjects (mean age: 23.6±6.4 years, 50 men). The following groups were created regarding their physical activity: Group C. I. (high dynamic/low static) (n=12, mean age: 23.1±4.0 years, Group C. II. (high dynamic/moderate static) (n=22, mean age: 24.8±7.8 years) and Group C. III. (high dynamic/high static) (n=33, mean age: 23.0±6.1 years). Their results were compared to 83 age- and gender-matched non-athletic healthy controls (mean age: 23.6±3.2 years, 50 men). All athletes and non-athletes underwent a complete two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography examination with 3DSTE.

Results

None of the healthy subjects or athletes had any known cardiovascular risk factors or received drugs and ECG showed no significant alterations. Athletes spent 10.8±3.3 years, 10.1±5.9 years and 6.9±4.2 years in elite sport in Groups C. I., C. II. and C. III., respectively. No significant differences could be seen in the ratio of athletes being in an actual race period between Groups C. I., C. II. and C. III. [n=3 (25%), n=11 (50%) and n=11 (32%), respectively]. Enlarged LV dimensions and thickened posterior wall and interventricular septum were found in all athletes compared to the non-athlete healthy control group by 2-dimensional echocardiography. Increased 3DSTE-derived LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes could be seen in all athletes, the largest values were seen in the C. III. group. Global LV-LS (−18.5±3.0% vs. −16.3±2.3%, p<0.05), LV-CS (−29.9±5.2% vs. −28.1±4.8%, p<0.05) and LV-AS (−43.7±5.4% vs. −40.9±4.8%, p<0.05) were increased as compared to those of non-athlete controls. All apical regional LV strains proved to be increased in all athletes with enhanced basal LS and midventricular LS, AS and 3DS. Global LV strains did not differ between the athlete groups based on static component of their training. No significant regional differences in LV strains could be detected between C. I., C. II. and C. III. groups (except in midventricular LV-LS).

Conclusions

Enhanced LV contractility represented by LV strains in longitudinal and circumferential directions could be demonstrated in elite athletes doing high dynamic sports, which does not depend on the grade of the static component of their training.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Comparison of electron backscatter and X-ray diffraction techniques for measuring dislocation density in Zircaloy-2

Two methods for measuring dislocation density were applied to a series of plastically deformed tensile samples of Zircaloy-2. Samples subjected to plastic strains ranging from 4 to 17% along a variety of loading paths were characterized using both electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and synchrotron X-ray line profile analysis (LPA). It was found that the EBSD-based method gave results which were similar in magnitude to those obtained by LPA and followed a similar trend with increasing plastic strain. The effects of microscope parameters and post-processing of the EBSD data on dislocation density measurements are also discussed. The typical method for estimating uncertainty in dislocation density measured via EBSD was shown to be overly conservative, and a more realistic method of determining uncertainty is presented as an alternative.

Is there a relationship between increased aortic stiffness and segmental left ventricular deformation in elite athletes? (Insights from the MAGYAR-Sport Study)

Introduction Myocardial contractility of the left ventricle (LV) is related to arterial distensibility. Sport activity is frequently associated with changes in both LV and arterial functions. This study aimed to find correlations between three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived segmental LV deformation parameters and echocardiographically assessed aortic stiffness index (ASI) in athletes. This study comprised 26 young elite athletes (mean age: 26.7 ± 8.4 years, nine men). Results Among segmental circumferential strains (CSs), only that of apical anterior (r = 0.40, p = 0.05), septal (r = 0.47, p = 0.01), inferior (r = 0.59, p = 0.001), lateral (r = 0.44, p < 0.05), and midventricular anteroseptal (r = 0.44, p < 0.05) segments correlated with ASI, whereas LV-CS of the midventricular anterior segment showed a correlation tendency. Only longitudinal strain of basal anteroseptal (r = -0.46, p < 0.05) and inferoseptal (r = -0.57, p < 0.01) segments showed correlations with ASI, whereas that of the basal anterior segment had only a tendency to correlate. Some segmental multidirectional strains also correlated with ASI. Conclusions Correlations could be demonstrated between increased aortic stiffness and circular function of the apical and midventricular LV fibers and longitudinal motion of the basal septum and LV anterior wall (part of LV outflow tract) in maintaining circulation in the elite athletes.

Development of the independent function of fetal thyroid glands in the dog in connection with iodothyronine concentrations in pregnant bitches, fetal fluids, and fetal serum

Thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃) concentrations in pregnant and nonpregnant bitches were measured. The allantoic and amniotic fluid samples were collected separately in the third week of pregnancy, and fetal blood samples were collected in the fourth week of pregnancy. There was no difference between T₄ results in the pregnant and nonpregnant animals, but the measured serum concentrations exceeded the healthy range for normal adults. Serum T₄ concentrations were lower in the fetus than those in adults (P < 0.01). Fetal T₄ concentrations continuously increased and reached 13.38 ± 6.19 nmol/L before birth. The fetal serum T₄ concentrations were lower than the T₄ concentrations in allantoic and amniotic fluid until the seventh week, and the fetal serum T₃ concentrations were lower than those in fetal fluids throughout the pregnancy (P < 0.01). Maximum T₃ concentrations in allantoic and amniotic fluid exceeded the concentrations in the fetal and maternal serum. It is conceivable that the considerable differences between maternal and fetal serum T₄ concentrations in healthy animals are explained by the T₄ impermeability of the placenta. Extremely high maternal T₄ (193.5 nmol/L) in 1 bitch was associated with T₄ concentrations under the detection limit in the fetal fluids and serum suggesting an inhibitory effect. The T₄ concentrations in all the fetal fluids and serum were under the detectable concentration that can be defined by 3.0 nmol/L in that bitch. We have demonstrated that fetal thyroid glands start functioning independently at the same time as thyroid cell formation in the dog, but the overproduction of maternal T₄ may have a suppressive effect on fetal iodothyronine production.

18th European Symposium on Radiopharmacy and Radiopharmaceuticals

OP03 Selective extraction of medically-related radionuclides from proton-irradiated thorium targets

V. Radchenko, J.W. Engle, C. Roy, J. Griswold, M.F. Nortier, E.R. Birnbaum, M. Brugh, S. Mirzadeh, K. D. John, M.E. Fassbender

OP04 Comparison of [68Ga]FSC(succ-RGD)3 and [68Ga]NODAGA-RGD for PET imaging of αvβ3 integrin expression

Chuangyan Zhai, Gerben M. Franssen, Milos Petrik, Peter Laverman, Clemens Decristoforo

OP05 A new NPY-Y1R targeting peptide for breast cancer PET imaging

Ait-Mohand Samia, Dumulon-Perreault Véronique, Guérin Brigitte

OP06 The influence of multivalency on CCK 2 receptor targeting

D. Summer, A. Kroess, C. Rangger, H. Haas, P. Laverman, F. Gerben, E. von Guggenberg, C.Decristoforo

OP07 SPECT Imaging of αvβ3 Expression by [99mTc(N)PNP43]- Bifunctional Chimeric RGD Peptide not Cross-Reacting with αvβ5

Cristina Bolzati, Nicola Salvarese, Fiorenzo Refosco, Laura Meléndez-Alafort, Debora Carpanese, Antonio Rosato, Michele Saviano, Annarita Del Gatto, Daniela Comegna, Laura Zaccaro

OP09 New dienophiles for the inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction and for pretargeted PET imaging

Emilie Billaud, Muneer Ahamed, Frederik Cleeren, Elnaz Shahbazali, Tim Noël, Volker Hessel, Alfons Verbruggen and Guy Bormans

OP10 New complexing agent for Al18F-labelling of heat-sensitive biomolecules: Synthesis and preclinical evaluation of Al18F-RESCA1-HAS

Cleeren F, Lecina J, Koole M, Verbruggen A and Bormans G

OP11 A novel versatile precursor efficient for F-18 radiolabelling via click-chemistry

B. Lugatoa, S. Stucchia, E.A. Turollaa, L. Giulianoa, S.Toddea, P. Ferraboschib

OP12 A general applicable method to quantify unidentified UV impurities in radiopharmaceuticals

R.P. Klok, M.P.J. Mooijer, N.H. Hendrikse, A.D. Windhorst

OP13 Development of [¹⁸F]Fluoro-C-glycosides to radiolabel peptides

Collet C., Petry N., Chrétien F., Karcher G., Pellegrini-Moïse N., Lamandé-Langle S.

OP14 A Microfluidic Approach for the 68Ga-labeling of PSMAHBED-CC and NODAGA-RGD

Sarah Pfaff, Cecile Philippe, Markus Mitterhauser, Marcus Hacker, Wolfgang Wadsak

OP16 Surprising reactivity of astatine in the nucleophilic substitution of aryliodonium salts: application to the radiolabeling of antibodies

François Guérard, Yong-Sok Lee, Sébastien Gouard, Kwamena Baidoo, Cyrille Alliot, Michel Chérel, Martin W. Brechbiel, Jean-François Gestin

OP17 ⁶⁴Cu-NOTA-pertuzumab F(ab')₂ fragments, a second-generation probe for PET imaging of the response of HER2-positive breast cancer to trastuzumab (Herceptin)

Lam K, Chan C, Reilly RM

OP18 Development of radiohalogenated analogues of a avb6-specific peptide for high LET particle emitter targeted radionuclide therapy of cancer

Salomé Paillas, John Marshall, Jean-Pierre Pouget, Jane Sosabowski

OP19 Ligand Specific Efficiency (LSE) as a guide in tracer optimization

Emmanuelle Briard, Yves P. Auberson, John Reilly, Mark Healy, David Sykes

OP23 The radiosynthesis of an 18F-labeled triglyceride, developed to visualize and quantify brown adipose tissue activity

Andreas Paulus, Wouter van Marken Lichtenbelt,Felix Mottaghy, Matthias Bauwens

OP24 Influence of the fluorescent dye on the tumor targeting properties of dual-labeled HBED-CC based PSMA inhibitors

Baranski, Ann-Christin, Schäfer, Martin, Bauder-Wüst, Ulrike, Haberkorn, Uwe, Eder, Matthias, Kopka, Klaus

OP25 [18F]MEL050 as a melanin PET tracer : fully automated radiosynthesis and evaluation for the detection of pigmented melanoma in mice pulmonary metastases

Chaussard M, Hosten B, Vignal N, Tsoupko-Sitnikov V, Hernio N, Hontonnou F, Merlet P, Poyet JL, Sarda-Mantel L, Rizzo-Padoin N

OP26 Design and Preclinical Evaluation of Novel Radiofluorinated PSMA Targeting Ligands Based on PSMA-617

J. Cardinale, M. Schäfer, M. Benešová, U. Bauder-Wüst, O. Seibert, F. Giesel, U. Haberkorn, M. Eder, K. Kopka

OP27 A novel radiolabeled peptide for PET imaging of prostate cancer: 64Cu-DOTHA2-PEG-RM26

Mansour Nematallah, Paquette Michel, Ait-Mohand Samia, Dumulon-Perreault Véronique, Lecomte Roger, Guérin Brigitte

OP29 Biodistribution of [¹⁸F]Amylovis®, a new radiotracer PET imaging of β-amyloid plaques

Fernandez-Maza L, Rivera-Marrero S, Prats Capote A, Parrado-Gallego A, Fernandez-Gomez I, Balcerzyk M, Sablon-Carrazana M, Perera-Pintado A, Merceron-Martinez D, Acosta-Medina E, Rodriguez-Tanty C

OP30 Synthesis and preclinical evaluation of [11C]-BA1 PET tracer for the imaging of CSF-1R

Bala Attili, Muneer Ahamed, Guy Bormans

OP31 In vivo imaging of the MCHR1 in the ventricular system via [18F]FE@SNAP

C. Philippe, M. Zeilinger, T. Scherer, C. Fürnsinn, M. Dumanic, W. Wadsak, M. Hacker, M. Mitterhauser

OP32 Synthesis of the first carbon-11 labelled P2Y12 receptor antagonist for imaging the anti-inflammatory phenotype of activated microglia

B. Janssen, D.J. Vugts, G.T. Molenaar, U. Funke, P.S. Kruijer, F. Dollé, G. Bormans, A.A. Lammertsma, A.D. Windhorst

OP33 Radiosynthesis of a selective HDAC6 inhibitor [11C]KB631 and in vitro and ex vivo evaluation

Koen Vermeulen, Muneer Ahamed, Michael Schnekenburger, Mathy Froeyen, Dag Erlend Olberg, Marc Diederich, Guy Bormansa

OP34 Improving metabolic stability of fluorine-18 labelled verapamil analogues

Raaphorst RM, Luurtsema G, Lammertsma AA, Elsinga PH, Windhorst AD

OP36 Development of a novel PET tracer for the activin receptor-like kinase 5

Lonneke Rotteveel, Uta Funke, Peter ten Dijke, Harm Jan Bogaard, Adriaan A. Lammertsma, Albert D. Windhorst

OP37 SPECT imaging and biodistribution studies of 111In-EGF-Au-PEG nanoparticles in vivo

Lei Song, Sarah Able, Nadia Falzone, Veerle Kersemans, Katherine Vallis

OP38 Melanoma targeting with [99mTc(N)(PNP3)]-labeled NAPamide derivatives: preliminary pharmacological studies

Davide Carta, Nicola Salvarese, Wiebke Sihver, Feng Gao, Hans Jürgen Pietzsch, Barbara Biondi, Paolo Ruzza, Fiorenzo Refosco, Cristina Bolzati

OP39 [⁶⁸Ga]NODAGA-RGD: cGMP synthesis and data from a phase I clinical study

Roland Haubner, Armin Finkensted, Armin Stegmair, Christine Rangger, Clemens Decristoforo, Heinz Zoller, Irene J. Virgolin

OP44 Implementation of a GMP-grade radiopharmacy facility in Maastricht

Ivo Pooters, Maartje Lotz, Roel Wierts, Felix Mottaghy, Matthias Bauwens

OP45 Setting up a GMP production of a new radiopharmaceutical

Forsback, Sarita, Bergman Jörgen, Kivelä Riikka

OP48 In vitro and in vivo evaluation of 68-gallium labeled Fe3O4-DPD nanoparticles as potential PET/MRI imaging agents

M. Karageorgou, M. Radović, C. Tsoukalas, B. Antic, M. Gazouli, M. Paravatou-Petsotas, S. Xanthopouls, M. Calamiotou, D. Stamopoulos, S. Vranješ-Durić, P. Bouziotis

OP49 Fast PET imaging of inflammation using 68Ga-citrate with Fe-containing salts of hydroxy acids

A. S. Lunev, A. A. Larenkov, K.A. Petrosova, O. E. Klementyeva, G. E. Kodina

PP01 Installation and validation of 11C-methionine synthesis

Kvernenes, O.H., Adamsen, T.C.H.

PP02 Fully automated synthesis of 68Ga-labelled peptides using the IBA Synthera® and Synthera® Extension modules

René Martin, Sebastian Weidlich, Anna-Maria Zerges, Cristiana Gameiro, Neva Lazarova, Marco Müllera

PP03 GMP compliant production of ¹⁵O-labeled water using IBA 18 MeV proton cyclotron

Gert Luurtsema, Michèl de Vries, Michel Ghyoot, Gina van der Woude, Rolf Zijlma, Rudi Dierckx, Hendrikus H. Boersma, Philip H. Elsinga

PP04 In vitro Nuclear Imaging Potential of New Subphthalocyanine and Zinc Phthalocyanine

Fatma Yurt Lambrecht, Ozge Er, Mine Ince, Cıgır Biray Avci, Cumhur Gunduz, Fatma Aslihan Sarı

PP05 Synthesis, Photodynamic Therapy Efficacy and Nuclear Imaging Potential of Zinc Phthalocyanines

Kasim Ocakoglu, Ozge Er, Onur Alp Ersoz, Fatma Yurt Lambrecht, Mine Ince, Cagla Kayabasi, Cumhur Gunduz

PP06 Radio-U(H)PLC – the Search on the Optimal Flow Cell for the γ-Detector

Torsten Kniess, Sebastian Meister, Steffen Fischer, Jörg Steinbach

PP07 Radiolabeling, characterization & biodistribution study of cysteine and its derivatives with Tc99m

Rabia Ashfaq, Saeed Iqbal, Atiq-ur-Rehman, Irfan ullah Khan

PP08 Radiolabelling of poly (lactic-co.glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles with 99mTC

R Iglesias-Jerez, Cayero-Otero, L. Martín-Banderas, A. Perera-Pintado, I. Borrego-Dorado

PP09 Development of [¹⁸F]PD-410 as a non-peptidic PET radiotracer for gastrin releasing peptide receptors

Ines Farinha-Antunes, Chantal Kwizera, Enza Lacivita, Ermelinda Lucente, Mauro Niso, Paola De Giorgio, Roberto Perrone, Nicola A. Colabufo, Philip H. Elsinga, Marcello Leopoldo

PP10 An improved nucleophilic synthesis of 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-(2-[18F]fluoroethoxy) benzothiazole ([18F]FEDMBT), potential diagnostic agent for breast cancer imaging by PET

V.V. Vaulina, O.S. Fedorova, V.V. Orlovskaja, С.L. Chen, G.Y. Li, F.C. Meng, R.S. Liu, H.E. Wang, R.N. Krasikova

PP11 Internal radiation dose assessment of radiopharmaceuticals prepared with accelerator-produced 99mTc

Laura Meléndez-Alafort, Mohamed Abozeid, Guillermina Ferro-Flores, Anna Negri, Michele Bello, Nikolay Uzunov, Martha Paiusco, Juan Esposito, Antonio Rosato

PP12 A specialized five-compartmental model software for pharmacokinetic parameters calculation

Laura Meléndez-Alafort, Cristina Bolzati, Guillermina Ferro-Flores, Nicola Salvarese, Debora Carpanese, Mohamed Abozeid, Antonio Rosato, Nikolay Uzunov

PP13 Molecular imaging of the pharmacokinetic behavior of low molecular weight ¹⁸F-labeled PEtOx in comparison to ⁸⁹Zr-labeled PEtOx

Palmieri L, Verbrugghen T, Glassner M, Hoogenboom R, Staelens S, Wyffels L

PP14 Towards nucleophilic synthesis of the α-[18F]fluoropropyl-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine

V. V. Orlovskaja, O. F. Kuznetsova, O. S. Fedorova, V. I. Maleev, Yu. N. Belokon, A. Geolchanyan, A. S. Saghyan, L. Mu, R. Schibli, S. M. Ametamey, R. N. Krasikova

PP15 A convenient one-pot synthesis of [18F]clofarabine

Revunov, Evgeny, Malmquist, Jonas, Johnström, Peter, Van Valkenburgh, Juno, Steele, Dalton, Halldin, Christer, Schou, Magnus

PP16 BODIPY-estradiol conjugates as multi-modality tumor imaging agents

Samira Osati,Michel Paquette,Simon Beaudoin,Hasrat Ali,Brigitte Guerin, Jeffrey V. Leyton, Johan E. van Lier

PP17 Easy and high yielding synthesis of 68Ga-labelled HBED-PSMA and DOTA-PSMA by using a Modular-Lab Eazy automatic synthesizer

Di Iorio V, Iori M, Donati C, Lanzetta V, Capponi PC, Rubagotti S, Dreger T, Kunkel F, Asti M

PP18 Synthesis and evaluation of fusarinine C-based octadentate bifunctional chelators for zirconium-89 labelling

Chuangyan Zhai, Christine Rangger, Dominik Summer, Hubertus Haas, Clemens Decristoforo

PP19 Fully automated production of [18F]NaF using a re-configuring FDG synthesis module.

Suphansa Kijprayoon, Ananya Ruangma, Suthatip Ngokpol, Samart Tuamputsha

PP20 Extension of the Carbon-11 Small Labeling Agents Toolbox and Conjugate Addition

Ulrike Filp, Anna Pees, Carlotta Taddei, Aleksandra Pekošak, Antony D. Gee, Alex J. Poot, Albert D. Windhorst

PP21 In vitro studies on BBB penetration of pramipexole encapsulated theranostic liposomes for the therapy of Parkinson’s disease

Mine Silindir Gunay, A. Yekta Ozer, Suna Erdogan, Ipek Baysal, Denis Guilloteau, Sylvie Chalon

PP22 Factors affecting tumor uptake of 99mTc-HYNIC-VEGF165

Filippo Galli, Marco Artico, Samanta Taurone, Enrica Bianchi, Bruce D. Weintraub, Mariusz Skudlinski, Alberto Signore

PP23 Rhenium-188: a suitable radioisotope for targeted radiotherapy

Nicolas Lepareur, Nicolas Noiret, François Hindré, Franck Lacœuille, Eric Benoist, Etienne Garin

PP24 Preparation of a broad palette of 68Ga radiopharmaceuticals for clinical applications

Trejo-Ballado F, Zamora-Romo E, Manrique-Arias JC, Gama-Romero HM, Contreras-Castañon G, Tecuapetla-Chantes RG, Avila-Rodriguez MA

PP25 68Ga-peptide preparation with the use of two 68Ge/68Ga-generators

H. Kvaternik, D. Hausberger, C. Zink, B. Rumpf, R. M. Aigner

PP26 Assay of HEPES in 68Ga-peptides by HPLC

H. Kvaternik, D. Hausberger, B. Rumpf, R. M. Aigner

PP27 Preparation, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a 99mTc(I)-Diethyl Ester (S,S)-Ethylenediamine- N,N´-DI-2-(3-Cyclohexyl) Propionic acid as a target-specific radiopharmaceutical

Drina Janković, Mladen Lakić, Aleksandar Savić, Slavica Ristić, Nadežda Nikolić, Aleksandar Vukadinović, Tibor J. Sabo, Sanja Vranješ-Đurić

PP28 90Y-labeled magnetite nanoparticles for possible application in cancer therapy

S. Vranješ-Đurić, M. Radović, D. Janković, N. Nikolić, G. F. Goya, P. Calatayud, V. Spasojević, B. Antić

PP29 Simplified automation of the GMP production of 68Ga-labelled peptides

David Goblet, Cristiana Gameiro, Neva Lazarova

PP30 Combining commercial production of multi-products in a GMP environment with Clinical & R&D activities

Cristiana Gameiro, Ian Oxley, Antero Abrunhosa, Vasko Kramer, Maria Vosjan, Arnold Spaans

PP31 ⁹⁹mTc(CO)3-labeling and Comparative In-Vivo Evaluation of Two Clicked cRGDfK Peptide Derivatives

Kusum Vats, Drishty Satpati, Haladhar D Sarma, Sharmila Banerjee

PP32 Application of AnaLig resin for 99mTc separation from molybdenum excess

Wojdowska W., Pawlak D.W., Parus L. J., Garnuszek P., Mikołajczak R.

PP33 Constraints for selection of suitable precursor for one-step automated synthesis of [18F]FECNT, the dopamine transporter ligand

Pijarowska-Kruszyna J, Jaron A, Kachniarz A, Malkowski B, Garnuszek P, Mikolajczak R

PP34 Gamma scintigraphy studies with 99mTc- amoxicillin sodium in bacterially infected and sterile inflamed rats

Derya Ilem-Ozdemir, Oya Caglayan-Orumlu, Makbule Asikoglu

PP35 Preparation of 99mTc- Amoxicillin Sodium Lyophilized Kit

Derya Ilem-Ozdemir, Oya Caglayan-Orumlu, Makbule Asikoglu

PP36 Outfits of Tracerlan FXC-PRO for 11C-Labeling

Arponen Eveliina, Helin Semi, Saarinen Timo, Vauhkala Simo, Kokkomäki Esa, Lehikoinen Pertti

PP37 Microfluidic synthesis of ω-[18F]fluoro-1-alkynes

Mariarosaria De Simone, Giancarlo Pascali, Ludovica Carzoli, Mauro Quaglierini, Mauro Telleschi, Piero A. Salvadori

PP38 Automated 18F-flumazenil production using chemically resistant disposable cassettes

Phoebe Lam, Martina Aistleitner, Reinhard Eichinger, Christoph Artner

PP39 The effect of the eluent solutions (TBAHCO3, Kryptand K2.2.2) on the radiochemical yields of 18F-Fluoromethylcholine

Surendra Nakka, Hemantha Kumara MC, Al-Qahtani Mohammed

PP40 [68Ga]Radiolabeling of short peptide that has a PET imaging potentials

Al-Qahtani, Mohammed, Al-Malki, Yousif

PP41 Is validation of radiochemical purity analysis in a public hospital in a developing country possible?

N Mambilima, SM Rubow

PP42 Improved automated radiosynthesis of [18F]FEPPA

N. Berroterán-Infante, M. Hacker, M. Mitterhauser, W. Wadsak

PP43 Synthesis and initial evaluation of Al18F-RESCA1-TATE for somatostatin receptor imaging with PET

Uta Funke, Frederik Cleeren, Joan Lecina, Rodrigo Gallardo, Alfons M. Verbruggen, Guy Bormans

PP44 Radiolabeling and SPECT/CT imaging of different polymer-decorated zein nanoparticles for oral administration

Rocío Ramos-Membrive, Ana Brotons, Gemma Quincoces, Laura Inchaurraga, Inés Luis de Redín, Verónica Morán, Berta García-García, Juan Manuel Irache, Iván Peñuelas

PP45 An analysis of the quality of 68Ga-DOTANOC radiolabelling over a 3 year period

Trabelsi, M., Cooper M.S.

PP46 In vivo biodistribution of adult human mesenchymal stem cells I (MSCS-ah) labeled with 99MTC-HMPAO administered via intravenous and intra-articular in animal model. Preliminary results

Alejandra Abella, Teodomiro Fuente, Antonio Jesús Montellano, Teresa Martínez, Ruben Rabadan, Luis Meseguer-Olmo

PP47 Synthesis of [¹⁸F]F-exendin-4 with high specific activity

Lehtiniemi P, Yim C, Mikkola K, Nuutila P, Solin O

PP48 Experimental radionuclide therapy with 177Lu-labelled cyclic minigastrin and human dosimetry estimations

von Guggenberg E, Rangger C, Mair C, Balogh L, Pöstényi Z, Pawlak D, Mikołajczak R

PP49 Synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals for cell radiolabelling using anion exchange column

Socan A, Kolenc Peitl P, Krošelj M, Rangger C, Decristoforo C

PP50 [68Ga]peptide production on commercial synthesiser mAIO

Collet C., Remy S., Didier R,Vergote T.,Karcher G., Véran N.

PP51 Dry kit formulation for efficient radiolabeling of 68Ga-PSMA

D. Pawlak, M. Maurin, P. Garnuszek, U. Karczmarczyk, R. Mikołajczak

PP52 Development of an experimental method using Cs-131 to evaluate radiobiological effects of internalized Auger-electron emitters

Pil Fredericia, Gregory Severin, Torsten Groesser, Ulli Köster, Mikael Jensen

PP53 Preclinical comparative evaluation of NOTA/NODAGA/DOTA CYCLO-RGD peptides labelled with Ga-68

R. Leonte, F. D. Puicea, A. Raicu, E. A. Min, R. Serban, G. Manda, D. Niculae

PP54 Synthesizer- and Kit-based preparation of prostate cancer imaging agent 68Ga-RM2

Marion Zerna, Hanno Schieferstein, Andre Müller, Mathias Berndt

PP55 Synthesis of pancreatic beta cell-specific [18F]fluoro-exendin-4 via strain-promoted aza-dibenzocyclooctyne/azide cycloaddition

Cheng-Bin Yim, Kirsi Mikkola, Pirjo Nuutila, Olof Solin

PP56 Automated systems for radiopharmacy

D. Seifert, J. Ráliš, O. Lebeda

PP57 Simple, suitable for everyday routine use quality control method to assess radionuclidic purity of cyclotron-produced 99mTc

Svetlana V. Selivanova, Helena Senta, Éric Lavallée, Lyne Caouette, Éric Turcotte, Roger Lecomte

PP58 Effective dose estimation using Monte Carlo simulation for patients undergoing radioiodine therapy

Marina Zdraveska Kochovska, Emilija Janjevik Ivanovska, Vesna Spasic Jokic

PP59 Chemical analysis of the rituximab radioimmunoconjugates in lyophilized formulations intended for oncological applications

Darinka Gjorgieva Ackova, Katarina Smilkov, Petre Makreski, Trajče Stafilov, Emilija Janevik-Ivanovska

PP61 The need and benefits of established radiopharmacy in developing African countries

Aschalew Alemu, Joel Munene Muchira, David Mwanza Wanjeh, Emilija Janevik-Ivanovska

PP62 University Master Program of Radiopharmacy – step forward for Good Radiopharmacy Education

Emilija Janevik-Ivanovska, Zoran Zdravev, Uday Bhonsle, Osso Júnior João Alberto, Adriano Duatti, Bistra Angelovska, Zdenka Stojanovska, Zorica Arsova Sarafinovska, Darko Bosnakovski, Darinka Gorgieva-Ackova, Katarina Smilkov, Elena Drakalska, Meera Venkatesh, Rubin Gulaboski

PP63 Synthesis and preclinical validations of a novel 18F-labelled RGD peptide prepared by ligation of a 2-cyanobenzothiazole with 1,2-aminothiol to image angiogenesis.

Didier J. Colin, James A. H. Inkster, Stéphane Germain, Yann Seimbille

Silica@zirconia@poly(malic acid) nanoparticles: promising nanocarriers for theranostic applications

Nanocarriers designed, synthesized and characterized for the targeted delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic ^99mTc to folate-overexpressing tumors.

Inherently fluorescent and porous zirconia colloids: preparation, characterization and drug adsorption studies

Adsorption of drug molecules onto the zirconia surface.

Magnetic anisotropy and chirality of frustrated Cr nanostructures on Au(1 1 1)

By using a fully relativistic embedded cluster Green's function technique we investigated the magnetic anisotropy properties of four different compact Cr trimers (equilateral triangles) and Cr mono-layers deposited on the Au(1 1 1) surface in both fcc and hcp stackings. For all trimers the magnetic ground state was found to be a frustrated 120° Néel configuration. Applying global spin rotations to the magnetic ground state, predictions of an appropriate second order spin Hamiltonian were reproduced with high accuracy by first principles calculations. For the Cr trimers with adjacent Au atoms in similar geometry, we obtained similar values for the in-plane and out-of-plane anisotropy parameters, however, the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interactions appeared to differ remarkably. For two kinds of trimers we found an unconventional magnetic ground state showing 90° in-the-plane rotation with respect to the high symmetry directions. Due to higher symmetry, the in-plane anisotropy term was missing for the mono-layers and distinctly different DM interactions were obtained for the different stackings. The chiral degeneracy of the Néel configurations was lifted by an energy less than 2 meV for the trimers, while this value increased up to about 15 meV per 3 Cr atoms for the hcp packed mono-layer.

Mutational spectrum of smith-lemli-opitz syndrome patients in hungary

Smith-Lemli-Opitz (SLO) syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by multiple congenital abnormalities and mental retardation. The condition is caused by the deficiency of 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7) which catalyzes the final step in cholesterol biosynthesis. Biochemical diagnosis is based on increased concentration of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) in the patient serum. Both life expectancy and quality of life are severely affected by the disease. The estimated prevalence of SLO syndrome ranges between 1:20,000 and 1:40,000 among Caucasians. Although the mutational spectrum of the disease is wide, approximately 10 mutations are responsible for more than 80% of the cases. These mutations show a large interethnic variability. There are no mutation distribution data from Hungary to date. Thirteen patients were diagnosed with SLO syndrome in our laboratory. As first-line tests, serum 7-DHC and total cholesterol were measured and, in positive cases, molecular genetic analysis of the DHCR7 gene was performed. Complete genetic background of the disease could be identified in 12 cases. In 1 case only 1 mutation was detected in a heterozygote form. One patient was homozygous for the common splice site mutation c.964-1G>C, while all other patients were compound heterozygotes. One novel missense mutation, c.374A>G (p.Tyr125Cys) was identified.

Dendritic Macromolecules: A Fourth Major Class of Polymer Architecture – New Properties Driven by Architecture

This new architectural class of macromolecules has received substantial attention during the past decade. Three dendritic subclasses, which include (a) random hyperbranched (i.e., one-pot ABx, polymerizations), (b) dendritic grafted (i.e., Combburst® polymers) and (c) regular dendrons/dendrimers (e.g., Starburst® dendrimers) have been synthesized and characterized at a well-defined level in our laboratory. It is clear that their precisely controlled, nanoscale dimensions and architecture play critical roles in influencing physical properties and performance characteristics. Furthermore, these parameters have also distinguished dendrimers as fundamental modules for many nanotechnology applications, as well as for the construction of a new class of larger nanoscale entities which we have termed core-shell tecto(dendrimers). This account will overview these activities and focus on certain unique de Gennes dense packing (or congestion phenomena) and nanoscale container properties that have emerged from this novel architecture.

Dendrimer-Metal Nanocomposites

Dendrimer metal nanocomposites are novel hybride materials that display unique physical and chemical properties as a consequence of the atomic/molecular level dispersion of inorganic and organic molecules. In their synthesis, dendrimers are used as templates to pre-organize metal ions followed by an in-situ reduction, which will immobilize and stabilize atomic domains of the reaction product(s). Size, shape, size distribution and surface functionality of these nanocomposites are determined and controlled by the dendritic macromolecules and may also be influenced by the encapsulated compounds. Solubility of these molecular nanocomposites is controlled by the polymer. Thus, it is possible to solubilize conventionally insoluble inorganic compounds in water or other solvents using dendritic hosts. Conceptually, these materials have enormous potential for applications such as catalysts or molecular devices.

In this work, surface-modified poly(amido-amine) dendrimers were used to prepare {Cu(0)-PAMAM}, {Ag(0)-PAMAM} and {Au(0)-PAMAM} dendrimer-metal nanocomposites containing stable and solvent soluble zero valence metals. Characterization of the resulting nanocomposites has been carried out by TEM, UV-visible spectroscopy, and scattering techniques. Depending on the chemistry of ion preorganization in the dendrimer, internal (“I”), external (“E”) and mixed (“M”) type nanocomposite structures could be identified according to the varying location of the actual metal content.

The effect of structural differences was found to be reflected in the optical properties of the nanocomposites.

Characterization of Dendrimer-Based Nanocomposites by Saxs and Sans

Dendritic polymers have been used as soluble templates/unimolecular reactors from which nano-clusters of inorganic compounds were synthesized. These organic/inorganic, dendrimerbased hybrid species or “nanocomposites” display unusual properties, i.e., their solubility is deterrnined by the properties of the dendrimer molecules. Since it has been established that there is no covalent bond between the dendrimer host and the inorganic guest, these observations suggest that the guests are physically and spatially restricted by the dendrimer shell. However, this structure has not been verified. In this investigation a preliminary understanding of the physical structure of these dendrimer-based nanocomposites was sought. A model system of PAMAM dendrimer-copper sulfide nanocomposites was studied in various stages of its formation using a combination of small angle X-ray and neutron scattering experiments. The results suggest that little perturbation of the dendritic species occurs on complexation, but indicate that a secondary supermolecular aggregation phenomena occurs within nanocomposite solutions.

Autochthonous Dirofilaria immitis infection in a ferret with aberrant larval migration in Europe

A two-year-old male ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented to the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, for investigation of somnolence. Following unsuccessful therapeutic attempts, the ferret was euthanased and a male Dirofilaria immitis worm was found in the pulmonary artery and a female D. immitis specimen in the subdural space of the cranial cavity. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first European record of D. immitis infection in a ferret, and the first case in which aberrant larval migration and consequent central nervous system signs were observed in a ferret in the course of D. immitis infection.

Follicular development and plasma concentrations of LH and prolactin in anestrous female dogs treated with the dopamine agonist cabergoline

The effect of a daily administration of a dopamine agonist (cabergoline, 5 microg/kg) for 4 weeks, starting about 95 days after the end of estrus on follicular development and its relationship with LH and prolactin secretion has been investigated in two groups of anestrous bitches (Beagles and Greyhounds). Pro-estrus was detected in 80% (8/10) of beagles and 50% (3/6) of treated greyhounds. The mean inter-estrus interval of treated animals was 132+/-5.0 and 169+/-7.0 days for beagles and greyhounds, respectively, and in both this differed significantly from the cycle preceding treatment (192+/-9.0 and 198+/-12.0 days) and from that in untreated bitches (194+/-11.0 and 196+/-11.0 days for beagles and greyhounds, respectively (all comparisons at P<0.001). The interval from the beginning of treatment to pro-estrus in responding animals was 13.3+/-1.90 days in beagles and 20.3+/-1.70 days in greyhounds. Cabergoline increased (P<0.001) the length of pro-estrus (10.6+/-0.50 and 11.7+/-0.50 days) in the treated estrus cycle compared to the previous estrus cycle (8.4+/-0.30 and 8.8+/-0.40 days for in beagles and greyhound, respectively). Ovarian enlargement and follicle development was detected by ultrasound in 90% of treated beagles and in 83% of greyhound between the second and third weeks of treatment, but only 80% of beagles and 66% of treated greyhound displayed pro-estrus and estrus. In the treated bitches, mean plasma LH increased (P<0.001) before pro-estrus. There was high variability in mean plasma prolactin levels between animals. These data indicate that the administration of the dopamine agonist cabergoline to anestrous bitches increases mean LH plasma levels and induces follicular development shortly before pro-estrus but this activity is not always followed by pro-estrus and estrus. Finally, prolactin per se does not have a prominent role in the control of folliculogenesis in the bitch.

Immunohistochemical Detection of Progesterone and Cellular Proliferation in Canine Mammary Tumours

Immunohistochemical expression of progesterone and the cellular proliferation marker Ki-67 was assessed in formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded samples from 43 canine mammary tumours. Benign tumours showed high surface membrane progesterone expression (mean 196.42+/-25.91 positively labelled cells per 500 tumour cells) and low cellular proliferation (52.14+/-16.73 positively labelled cells per 500 tumour cells), whilst malignant tumours had low progesterone expression (68.19+/-17.53 positively labelled cells per 500 tumour cells) and higher cellular proliferation (141.72+/-23.65 positively labelled cells per 500 tumour cells), the difference being statistically significant (P<0.005) in both cases. These findings suggest that the majority of progesterone receptors in canine mammary tumour tissue are not associated with bound progesterone. The progression towards malignancy in spontaneously arising canine mammary tumours therefore appears to be associated with a decrease in steroid hormone dependency. Progesterone expression was also noted in the cytoplasm of tumour cells where it may be associated with a cellular repair mechanism. This hypothesis is supported by the finding of significantly higher progesterone content in the cytoplasm of benign tumour cells.

Evaluation of rat and rabbit sera lipoproteins in experimentally induced hyperlipidemia by analytical ultracentrifugation

Animals of various species are widely used as models with which to study atherosclerosis and the lipoprotein metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the lipoprotein profiles in Wistar rats and New Zealand white rabbits with experimentally induced hyperlipidemia by means of ultracentrifugation. The Schlieren curves were utilized to compare suckling and adult rat sera to determine whether aging causes alterations in lipoprotein profiles. A striking feature of the data is the high concentration of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), (>5.2 mmol/l cholesterol) in the 2-week old rat serum pool which was greatly decreased in the 3-weeks rat serum pool (<1.3 mmol/l cholesterol). Additional experiments were performed to permit a direct comparison of the amounts of lipoprotein present in rat sera in experimental hyperlipidemia post-Triton WR 1339 administration. Rapid changes in concentrations in very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), LDL and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) were observed after Triton injection. The administration of Triton WR 1339 to fasted rats resulted in an elevation of serum cholesterol levels. Triton physically alters VLDL, rendering them refractive to the action of lipolytic enzymes in the blood and tissues, preventing or delaying their removal from the blood. Whereas the VLDL concentration was increased markedly, those of LDL and HDL were decreased at 20 h after Triton treatment. Rabbits were fed a diet containing 2% cholesterol for 60 days to develop hyperlipidemia and atheromatous aortic plaques. A combination of preparative and analytical ultracentrifugation was used to investigate of LDL aliquots, to prepare radioactive-labeled lipoproteins and to study induced hyperlipidemia in rabbits. Analytical ultracentrifugation was applied to investigate the LDL flotation peaks before and after cholesterol feeding of rabbits. Modified forms of LDL were detected in the plasma of rabbits with experimentally induced atherosclerosis. ApoB-containing particles, migrating as LDL, intermediate density lipoproteins and VLDL were the most abundant lipoproteins. Gamma camera in vivo scintigraphy on rabbits with radiolabeled lipoproteins revealed visible signals corresponding to atherosclerotic plaques of the aorta and carotid arteries.

Mutation spectrum of type I glycogen storage disease in Hungary

We performed mutation analysis in 12 Hungarian type I glycogen storage disease (GSD I) patients in order to determine the mutation spectrum. All patients were clinically classified as GSD Ia. Nine patients carried biallelic G6PC mutations (p.Q27fsX35, p.D38V, p.W70X, p.K76N, p.W77R, p.R83C, p.E110Q, p.G222R), with E110Q reported only in Hungary. However, three patients displayed two common G6PT1 (SLC37A4) mutations (p.L348fsX400, p.C183R) which were originally described in association with GSD Inon-a. Review of the literature and our data show that G6PT1 mutations are not associated with neutropenia and related clinical findings in approximately 10% of these cases. Homozygosity for the truncating G6PT1 mutation p.L348fsX400 can be observed with and without neutropenia, indicating that one or more modifiers of the action of G6PT1 exist. Our data are suitable to provide DNA-based and thus noninvasive confirmation of diagnosis in Hungarian patients with this disorder.

Preparation and investigation of 99m technetium-labeled low-density lipoproteins in rabbits with experimentally induced hypercholesterolemia

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were radiolabeled in atherosclerosis studies. The aim was to investigate the biodistribution and uptake of 99mTc-labeled LDL by atherosclerotic plaques in experimentally induced hyperlipidemia. Rabbits were fed a diet containing 2% cholesterol for 60 days to develop hyperlipidemia and atheromatous aortic plaques. A combination of preparative and analytical ultracentrifugation was used to investigate human LDL aliquots, to prepare radioactive-labeled lipoproteins and in rabbits with induced hyperlipidemia. Preparative density gradient centrifugation was applied for the simultaneous isolation of the major lipoprotein density classes, which form discrete bands of lipoproteins in the preparative tubes. The cholesterol and protein levels in the lipoprotein fractions were determined. LDL was subsequently dialysed against physiological solution and sterilized and apolipoprotein fragments and aggregates were eliminated by passage through a 0.22-micron filter. LDL was radiolabeled with 99mTc by using sodium dithionite as a reducing agent. Radiochemical purity and in vitro stability were controlled by paper chromatography in acetone. The labelling efficiency was 85-90% for human LDL. Two months after the start of cholesterol feeding, the total cholesterol in the blood serum had increased approximately 33-fold in comparison with the basal cholesterol content of hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Investigation of LDL was performed by Schlieren analysis after adjustment of the density of serum and underlayering by salt solution in a spinning ultracentrifugation capillary band-forming cell. Quantitative results were obtained by measuring the Schlieren areas between the sample curves and the reference baseline curve by means of computerized numerical and graphic techniques. In this manner we measured the concentrations of human LDL and analyzed rabbit LDL levels in induced hyperlipidemia. Gamma scintillation camera scanning of the rabbits was performed. Overnight fasted rabbits were injected in the marginal ear vein with 99mTc-labeled human LDL (4-10 mCi, 0.5-1.5 mg protein). The initial scintigram showing a typical blood-pool scan, gradually changing with time to an image of specific organ uptake of radioactivity by the liver, kidneys and brain and in the bladder. Gamma camera in vivo scintigraphy on rabbits revealed visible signals corresponding to atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta and carotid arteries. Our results show that 99mTc-LDL can be used to assess the organ distribution pattern of LDL in the rabbit, and to detect and localize areas of arterial atherosclerotic lesions.

Effect of anticoagulants and sampling time on results of progesterone determination in canine blood samples

The concentration of plasma progesterone was measured by ELISA, in serum and samples prepared with three different anticoagulant agents - namely ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), heparine and sodium fluoride oxalate potassium(NaFK). Forty clinically healthy bitches were selected based on the signs of pro-oestrus or oestrus. Values of progesterone concentration were significantly higher in serum than in EDTA-plasma (p < 0.0005); heparin-plasma (p < 0.05) and NaFK-plasma (p < 0.005). During pro-oestrus and oestrus until the time of ovulation, progesterone exhibited a conspicuous and statistically verified diurnal pattern (p < 0.05), its serum concentration being higher during 6.00-7.00 p.m. than 8.00-9.00 a.m. By the time of ovulation tendency of higher p.m. progesterone level reverses and from this point on the a.m. progesterone concentration is higher. The results of these experiments indicate that the concentration of canine progesterone assayed with ELISA may be affected by the time of collection and the method of preservation used.

Comparative endocrinology of the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein

Emerging early in chordate evolution, the IGF-regulatory axis diverged from an insulin-like predecessor into a vertebrate regulatory system specializing in cell growth activation and allied anabolic functions. Essential to the divergence of the IGF and insulin systems was an early presence of soluble IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), which bind IGF peptides at much higher affinity than that of the insulin receptor but at comparable affinities to that of the IGF receptor. IGFBPs have no homology with IGF receptors. Instead, IGFBPs are a derived group of proteins within a superfamily of cysteine-rich growth factors, whose members are found throughout the animal taxa. While blocking IGF actions through the insulin receptor is a fundamental role, IGFBPs evolved within the vertebrate line into centralized, 'integrators' of the endocrine growth-regulatory apparatus. IGFBPs have substantial influences on the distribution and bioavailability of IGF peptides in the cellular and physiological environments, but they have a variety of other properties. The six principal mammalian IGFBPs exhibit an array of specialized properties that appear to be derived from a complex evolutionary history (including cell membrane association, interaction with proteins that post-translationally modify them, direct IGF-independent effects on cells, and others) and they are regulated by a diversity of 'outside' factors (e.g. other hormones, metabolic status, stress). Thus, IGFBPs are multifunctional integrators having diverse physiological 'agendas'. Much less is known about IGFBPs and their properties in the other vertebrate taxa. Increasingly, however, it is being recognized that they play equally important endocrine roles, in both conserved and non-conserved ways, when compared with those currently defined in mammals. This review highlights selected 'comparative aspects' in current IGFBP research, in an attempt to view this essential group of endocrine regulators from a wider, biological perspective.

Comparison of echocardiography and gated equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography in the measurements of left ventricular systolic function parameters in healthy dogs

Left ventricular systolic function was assessed in 12 healthy dogs with equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography. The results of the analysis were compared to traditional echocardiographic measurements. Left ventricular internal dimensions and volume were measured at the time of end-systole and end-diastole. Ejection fraction--one of the most informative parameters of cardiac function--was calculated in each animal. Values (e.g. EDD, ESD, EDV, ESV) measured by the scintigraphic method were significantly (Student's t-test, p < 0.05) higher than the data obtained by echocardiography. Ejection fraction (EF) was the only parameter that did not differ significantly when comparing the two imaging techniques. The difference between the results of parallel measurements was in inverse ratio to the size of the heart.

Oncological scintigraphy in dogs with 99mTechnetium MIBI and DMSA(V)--two case reports

Oncological scintigraphy is described in two dogs with malignant lymphoma and malignant schwannoma, respectively. The distribution of the radiopharmaceuticals could be visualized for the purpose of detection of neoplasia and eventual metastases, and to evaluate the effectivity of therapy. It is concluded that 99mTechnetium MIBI and 99mTc DMSA (V) scintigraphy is useful for the detection of soft tissue malignancy in dogs.

[Renal candidiasis following treatment of infantile osteomyelitis]

Systemic candidiasis with renal complications is a rather rare phenomenon in young infants. Authors report on a 4.5 month-old baby (preterm) who, during an antibiotic therapy of wide spectrum--because of osteomyelitis--acquired a mycotic infection causing bilateral pyelon and pyeloureteral obstruction. In addition to systemic antimycotic therapy surgical intervention was needed to eliminate the mycotic bezoar.

Diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs as compared to human diagnostic methods: a review

Spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism is a common and well-recognised endocrine disorder occurring in dogs. The biochemical diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism rests on the documentation of excessive glucocorticoid levels or metabolites in urine or blood. The diagnosis of canine hyperadrenocorticism is historically developed from human methods and based on non-dynamic and dynamic tests and visualisation. In some cases the different ranges of endocrine parameters or metabolites necessitate the modification of human protocols. Elevation of the activity of alkaline phosphatase (AP) and its heat-resistant isoenzyme (SIAP) induced by endogenous or exogenous glucocorticoid excess raise the suspicion of hyperadrenocorticism. Cortisol values in morning urine are related to creatinine concentrations to correct for differences in urine concentration. Theoretically, the administration of dexamethasone (DX) at a relatively low dose (0.01 mg/kg of body weight) can inhibit the pituitary secretion of ACTH and, in turn, decrease endogenous cortisol secretion for as long as 24 to 48 h. Therefore, DX administration to dogs with a functioning adrenocortical tumour would not affect the plasma cortisol concentration at any time following its administration. The high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (HDDS) is based on the observation that the function of adrenocortical tumours is independent of pituitary ACTH and they completely suppress ACTH secretion; therefore, regardless of its dose, dexamethasone is never able to suppress cortisol secretion. HDDS can be combined with the measurement of urinary cortisol/creatinine (c/c) ratio from morning urine samples on three consecutive days. In case of non-suppressible urinary c/c ratio one has to speculate on differentiating adrenal tumour (AT) from non-suppressible pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) due to a pituitary tumour arising from the intermediate lobe. Radiocholesterol scintigraphy is a less frequently used technique in the diagnosis of canine Cushing's syndrome (CCS); however, it has the same advantages in the localisation and characterisation of adrenocortical diseases as in humans.

Thyroid volumetric measurement and quantitative thyroid scintigraphy in dogs

Thyroid volumetric measurement combined with quantitative 99mTc-per-technetate thyroid scintigraphy was performed in 62 clinical canine patients having suspected thyroid abnormalities. Euthyroid dogs (n = 22) had a total thyroid size of 3.60 +/- 1.36 cm3, the thyroid/salivary gland region of interest (ROI) ratio was 2.01 +/- 0.55, the thyroid/background ROI ratio was 3.86 +/- 0.90, and 20-min thyroid radioactivity uptake was 1.17 +/- 0.71% of the injected dose (I. D.). By Student's unpaired test, thyroid size of the hypothyroid group (n = 36) was not statistically different from that of the euthyroid dogs, but all other quantitative data (e.g., thyroid/salivary gland ROI ratio = 1.08 +/- 0.56, thyroid/background ROI ratio = 2.32 +/- 0.70, and 20-min thyroid radioactivity uptake = 0.34 +/- 0.22% of the I. D.) were significantly (p < 0.001) lower in hypothyroid than in euthyroid dogs. Evaluating the above-listed quantitative data of separated thyroid lobes by Student's paired test, there was no significant difference between the left and the right lobe either in the euthyroid or in the hypothyroid group.

Clinical renal allograft transplantation in a Dalmatian dog: case report

A case of successful renal allograft transplantation performed in a two-year-old female Dalmatian dog suffering from end-stage chronic renal failure is reported. A one-year-old male German shepherd with severely injured spinal cord was used as kidney donor. Simultaneous kidney allograft transplantation combined with hypothermic initial perfusion as graft conservation was done, placing the donor kidney into the right iliac fossa of the recipient. The immunosuppression protocol consisted of prednisolone and azathioprine. Regular physical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and scintigraphic examinations were used for assessing both the morphology and the function of the allograft. After a two-week period of hospitalisation the patient was discharged in a remarkably improving condition. The recipient died on postoperative day 45 of respiratory insufficiency resulting from secondary pneumonia and pulmonary oedema. Neither macroscopic nor microscopic abnormalities of the allograft were revealed by necropsy.

[Evaluation of a complex trace element composition and bioutilization using isotope technics and total body measurement]

Modified mineral and trace element solutions were prepared containing Zn-65, Co-57, Mn-54, Fe-59, Mo-99 and Ni-63 isotopes which were physico-chemically identical to the original solution. Bioutilization examinations were carried out on animals receiving their normal feeding, after p. os application of complex trace element composition (CTEC) namely whole-body retention studies, bioassays, scintigraphic and excretion examinations in altogether 180 Wistar rats, 6 Beagle and 2 mongrel dogs using whole body counter, gamma and beta counters, gamma camera and metabolic cages. Extremely high whole body retention was measured in case of iron (8-30%), high utilizations in case of zinc (4-5%), cobalt (4-6%), molybdenum (3-4%) and manganese (2-4%) and a lower value in case of nickel. Bioassay and scintigraphic evaluations showed marked liver-, kidney-, and muscle and moderated blood uptakes. The way of excretion was mainly (more than 90%) via the faeces in case of zinc, manganese, iron and nickel, although cobalt excreted in 8% and molybdenum in 52% via the urinary tract. Our results show, that isotope technique combined with whole body counting and excretion studies in an available method for trace element bioutilization studies.

Principles of renal transplantation in the dog: A review

The practically relevant body of knowledge available on renal transplantation in the dog is reviewed. A review of the history of renal transplantation is followed by a detailed description of the immunological fundamentals of transplantation, with especial regard to the structures directing rejection, the significance of D-LA-typing and the MLR test serving for their determination, and the possible methods of nonspecific and specific immunosuppression. The most important criteria of recipient and donor selection are presented, together with the main aspects and medicinal protocol of prednisolone-azathioprine and prednisolone-cyclosporin A immunosuppression within the framework of preparation for the surgical intervention. Among the surgical aspects of renal transplantation, first the recommended anaesthetic techniques are outlined, then the three stages of the surgical procedure, i.e. donor nephrectomy, renal perfusion and renal grafting, are described in detail. The last chapter of the article presents the physical, laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods of rejection diagnosis, with special regard to their practical importance and different roles played in signalling the rejection.

[Familial hyperinsulinism]

The authors present the case history of a 2 year old child suffering from nesidioblastosis. Severe non-ketotic symptomatic hypoglycaemia developed within the first hour of birth. Diagnosis of nesidioblastosis was confirmed by high insulin concentration accompanying hypoglycaemia, the increase in blood glucose level after glucagon administration and the stabilization of blood glucose level by continuous high rate glucose infusion. Normal blood glucose concentration was achieved by combined medical treatment (diazoxide, chlorothiazide and prednisolone) and the administration of starch. The authors present by familial form of the disease with autosomal recessive inheritance pattern and stress the significance of the intrauterine diagnosis. They summarize the main diagnostic and therapeutical management of the disease with special emphasize of the early intervention in order to prevent severe brain damage.

Simultaneous determination of tacrine and 1-hydroxy-, 2-hydroxy-, and 4-hydroxytacrine in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

An analytical method was developed for the simultaneous reversed-phase (cyano) high-performance liquid chromatographic determination with fluorescence detection of tacrine and 1-hydroxy-, 2-hydroxy-, and 4-hydroxytacrine in human plasma. Alkalinized human plasma samples were extracted with a mixture of chloroform/l-propanol (90:10, v/v). Extraction recoveries generally ranged from 68% to 83% for all four compounds and did not appear to be concentration dependent over the range examined. Calibration curves were constructed over the following ranges: 0.5-30.0 ng/mL for tacrine (THA) and 4-hydroxytacrine (4-OH-THA), 1.0-30.0 ng/mL for 2-hydroxytacrine (2-OH-THA), and 0.925-46.2 ng/mL for 1-hydroxytacrine (1-OH-THA). The intra- and interassay precision (RSD) for the quality control specimens analyzed during validation were < or = 11.8% and < or = 9.28%, respectively. The intra- and interassay accuracy (RE) for the quality control specimens analyzed during validation ranged from 14.1% to -7.5% and 12.1% to -3.33%, respectively, for all four compounds. The limit of quantitation was estimated as the level of the lowest concentration in the calibration curve for each compound based on acceptable interassay precision and accuracy statistics generated at this concentration. The sensitivity of the method was adequate for the determination of THA, 1-OH-THA, 2-OH-THA, and 4-OH-THA following oral administration of Cognex (40 mg single dose) to normal volunteers.