Labelling of granulocytes by phagocytic engulfment with 64Cu-labelled chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles.

Purpose: The aim of the present work was to perform the labelling of granulocytes by their engulfment with chitosan-coated magnetic (64)Cu nanoparticles (MNPs) in order to obtain a radiopharmaceutical suitable for dual imaging (PET-MRI) of inflammatory/infective diseases.

Procedures: Specimens of 5-20 mg MNPs were washed with saline-isotonic solution and recuperated by magnetic decantation; 15-58 μg Cu(2+) (CuCl(2)·H(2)O) in 50 μl of acidified (pH 5.5) saline solution was added to the MNPs re-suspended saline-isotonic solution; 10 mg MNPs was allowed to react with 16 μg (64)Cu [(64)Ni(p,n) at 12-9 MeV] followed by anion exchange chromatography with a specific activity of 56 MBq/μg.

Neonatal factors associated with HIV long term non-progressors in a cohort of vertically infected children in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ('Peixe' Project).

There are only scarce data on HIV progression in vertically infected children in developing countries. The aim of this study is to describe factors from neonatal period associated with long term non-progression (LTNP), in a Brazilian cohort. A cohort study, with data systematically collected from the 'Peixe' Cohort (cohort study of children conducted at the main HIV Pediatric Center in Rio de Janeiro, from 1996 to 2005).