Developing a digital informed consent app: opportunities and challenges of a new format to inform and obtain consent in public health research.

Background: Informed consent procedures for large population-based cohort studies should be comprehensive and easy-to-use. This is particularly challenging when participants from different socio-economic groups and multicultural ethnic backgrounds are involved. Recently, more and more studies have tried to use multimedia in informed consent procedures.

Ex Vivo Characterization of a Novel Iodine-123-Labelled Aminomethylchroman as a Potential Agonist Ligand for SPECT Imaging of Dopamine D2/3 Receptors.

For imaging of dopamine D2/3 receptors, agonist tracers are favoured over antagonists because they are more sensitive to detection of dopamine release and because they may selectively label the high-affinity receptor state. We have developed novel D2/3 receptor selective agonists that can be radiolabelled with [(123)I], which label is advantageous over most other labels, such as carbon-11, as it has a longer half-life. Particularly, we considered (R) N-[7-hydroxychroman-2-yl]-methyl 4-iodobenzyl amine (compound 1) as an attractive candidate for development as it shows high binding affinity to D2/3 receptors in vitro, and here we report on the characterization of this first [(123)I]-labelled D2/3 receptor agonist radiopharmaceutical intended for SPECT imaging.

Agonist signalling properties of radiotracers used for imaging of dopamine D2/3 receptors.

Background: Dopamine D2/3 receptor (D2/3R) agonist radiopharmaceuticals are considered superior to antagonists to detect dopamine release, e.g. induced by amphetamines.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel series of agonist compounds as potential radiopharmaceuticals for imaging dopamine D₂/₃ receptors in their high-affinity state.

Imaging of dopamine D2/3 receptors (D2/3R) can shed light on the nature of several neuropsychiatric disorders in which dysregulation of D2/3R signaling is involved. Agonist D2/3 tracers for PET/SPECT imaging are considered to be superior to antagonists because they are more sensitive to dopamine concentrations and may selectively label the high-affinity receptor state. Carbon-11-labeled D2/3R agonists have been developed, but these short-lived tracers can be used only in centers with a cyclotron.

A simple breath sampling method in intubated and mechanically ventilated critically ill patients.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath may serve as biomarkers of pulmonary infection or inflammation. We developed and validated a new breath sampling method for VOC analysis in ventilated patients. Breath was collected from the ventilatory circuit using cheap disposables.

Usability of digital media in patients with COPD: a pilot study.

Background: Digital media can be integrated in tele-monitoring solutions, serving as the main interface between the patient and the caregiver. Consequently, the selection of the most appropriate digital medium for the specified target group is critical to ensure compliance with the tele-monitoring system.

Objectives: This pilot study aims to gather insights from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on the ease-of-use, efficacy, effectiveness, and satisfaction of different types of digital media.

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel nortropane derivatives as potential radiotracers for muscarinic m(2) receptors.

Disturbances of the cerebral cholinergic neurotransmitter system are present in neurodegenerative disorders. SPECT or PET imaging, using radiotracers that selectively target muscarinic receptor subtypes, may be of value for in vivo evaluation of such conditions. 6β-acetoxynortropane, a potent muscarinic M(2) receptor agonist, has previously demonstrated nanomolar affinity and high selectivity for this receptor.

Synthesis and evaluation of iodinated TZTP-derivatives as potential radioligands for imaging of muscarinic M2 receptors with SPET.

A series of iodinated thiadiazolyltetrahydro-1-methyl-pyridine (TZTP) compounds was synthesized and evaluated in vitro and in vivo as potential radioligands for imaging of the muscarinic M2 receptor subtype with SPET. One of these compounds, 5-(E)-iodopentenylthio-TZTP, has high in vitro affinity (Ki = 4.9 nM) and moderate selectivity for the muscarinic M2 receptor subtype.

In vivo prediction of response to antiestrogen treatment in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Unlabelled: In metastatic breast cancer, the estrogen receptor (ER) is a well-known prognostic factor predictive of response to hormonal treatment in most, but not all, patients. Recently, a receptor-specific radioligand for in vivo imaging of the ER in breast cancer patients was developed: (123)I-labeled cis-11beta-methoxy-17alpha-iodovinyl-estradiol (Z-(123)I-MIVE). It showed high sensitivity and specificity for the in vivo detection of ER-positive breast cancer.