[(99m)Tc]Demotate 2 in the detection of sst(2)-positive tumours: a preclinical comparison with [(111)In]DOTA-tate.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate [(99m)Tc]Demotate 2 ([(99m)Tc-N(4) (0-1),Asp(0),Tyr(3)]octreotate) as a candidate for in vivo imaging of sst(2)-positive tumours and to compare it with [(111)In]DOTA-tate ([(111)In-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotate).

Methods: Labelling of Demotate 2 with (99m)Tc was performed at room temperature using SnCl(2) as reductant in the presence of citrate at alkaline pH. Radiochemical analysis involved ITLC and HPLC methods.

COX-1 and COX-2 contribute differentially to the LPS-induced release of PGE2 and TxA2 in liver macrophages.

LPS induces an immediate release of thromboxane TxA2 and a delayed release of PGE2. Dexamethasone suppresses the LPS-induced release of TxA2 and PGE2. In the first 8 h after LPS addition, the specific COX-2 inhibitor SC236 inhibits the PGE2 and TxA2 release by about 80% and 20%, whereas the release of PGE2 and TxA2 between 8 and 24 h is inhibited by about 40% and 35%, respectively.

[The life of human hair follicle revealed].

The human hair follicle is a unique appendage which results from epithelio-mesenchymal interactions initiated around the 3rd month of development. This appendage has a very complex structure, with a dermal compartment and an epithelial compartment. The dermal compartment comprises the connective tissue sheath and the dermal papilla, both of which are irrigated by microvessels.

Studies of the toxicological potential of tripeptides (L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline and L-isoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-proline): IX. Evaluation of the mutagenic potential of synthesized L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline in the Salmonella-Escherichia coli/microsome, incorporation assay.

The objective of this study was to assess the mutagenic potential of a synthesized tripeptide, L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline (VPP), to induce mutational changes in Salmonella typhimurium LT2 strains TA1535, TA1537, TA98, and TA100, and Escherichia coli strain WP2uvrA in the classical Ames test protocol. Bacteria were exposed to plate concentrations of VPP of 0, 156.2, 312.

Studies of the toxicological potential of tripeptides (L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline and L-isoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-proline): VIII. Assessment of cytotoxicity and clastogenicity of tripeptides-containing casein hydrolysate and Lactobacillus helveticus-fermented milk powders in Chinese hamster lung cells.

The objective of this chromosomal aberration test was to assess the mutagenic potential of tripeptides by determining their ability to induce chromosomal aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells. The test agents used in these experiments were (1) powdered casein hydrolysate (CH) and (2) powdered Lactobacillus helveticus-fermented milk (FM). Both test agents contain two tripeptides, L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline (VPP) and L-isoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-proline (IPP).

Studies of the toxicological potential of tripeptides (L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline and L-isoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-proline): VII. Micronucleus test of tripeptides-containing casein hydrolysate and Lactobacillus helveticus-fermented milk powders in rats and mice.

The objective of these in vivo experiments was to assess the mutagenic potential of tripeptides as reflected by the ability of the test compound to induce the formation of micronuclei in mouse polychromatic erythrocytes. The test agents used in these experiments were (1) powdered Aspergillus oryzae protease casein hydrolysate (CH) and (2) powdered Lactobacillus helveticus-fermented milk (FM). Both test agents contain two tripeptides, L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline (VPP) and L-isoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-proline (IPP).

Studies of the toxicological potential of tripeptides (L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline and L-isoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-proline): VI. Effects of Lactobacillus helveticus-fermented milk powder on fertility and reproductive performance of rats.

The objective of these studies was to assess the effects of the tripeptides, L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline (VPP) and L-isoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-proline (IPP), on reproductive capabilities of male and female rats. The specific goals of the experiments were (1) to determine the effects of orally administered tripeptides on (a) fertility and reproductive behavior in both sexes of rats, (b) embryo-fetal development in pregnant rats, and (c) pre- and postnatal development of rats exposed to tripeptides in utero and during lactation; and (2) to estimate the no-observable-adverse-effect doses of tripeptides in maternal and fetal rats. During the conduct of these classical segment I, II, and III studies, the test material was powdered Lactobacillus helveticus-fermented milk (FM), which contains the tripeptides, VPP and IPP.

Studies of the toxicological potential of tripeptides (L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline and L-isoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-proline): V. A 13-week toxicity study of tripeptides-containing casein hydrolysate in male and female rats.

The objective of this multiple-dose toxicity study was to assess the toxicological potential of two tripeptides, L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline (VPP) and L-isoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-proline (IPP), when administered once daily for 91 consecutive days to rats. The test article, powdered casein hydrolysate (CH) known to contain 0.6% VPP plus IPP, was prepared using Aspergillus oryzae protease.

Studies of the toxicological potential of tripeptides (L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline and L-isoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-proline): IV. Assessment of the repeated-dose toxicological potential of synthesized L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline in male and female rats and dogs.

The objective of these repeated-dose, 8-week studies was to assess the toxicological potential of a synthetic tripeptide, L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline (VPP), when administered to Charles River rats and Beagle dogs. Groups of 20 male and 20 female rats were fed powdered diets containing sufficient VPP to afford daily doses of 0, 2, 8, or 16 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day. Groups of five male and five female dogs were administered 0, 2, 8, or 16 mg/kg BW/day in hard gelatin capsules.

Studies of the toxicological potential of tripeptides (L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline and L-isoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-proline): III. Single- and/or repeated-dose toxicity of tripeptides-containing Lactobacillus helveticus-fermented milk powder and casein hydrolysate in rats.

The objective of these studies was to assess the toxicological potential of orally administered tripeptides in rats. The studies employed powdered L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline (VPP)- and L-isoleucyl-L-prolyl-L-proline (IPP)-containing test articles, including (1) powdered Lactobacillus helveticus-fermented milk (FM), (2) pasteurized casein hydrolysate (CH) generated by Aspergillus oryzae protease, and (3) synthesized VPP. All test articles were administered by oral gavage to male and female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Studies of the toxicological potential of tripeptides (L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline and L-isoleucyl-L-prolyI-L-proline): II. Introduction.

The consumption of fermented milk to maintain good health, including the maintance of normal blood pressure, is an ancient tradition in a number of areas of the world (e.g., East Asia, France).

Anticancer activity of targeted proapoptotic peptides.

Unlabelled: Tumor-induced angiogenesis can be targeted by RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptides, which bind to alpha(v)beta(3)-receptors upregulated on angiogenic endothelial cells. RGD-containing peptides are capable of inducing apoptosis through direct activation of procaspase-3 to caspase-3 in cells. Additionally, tumor cells overexpressing somatostatin receptors can be targeted by somatostatin analogs.

Hair pigmentation: a research update.

Hair is a uniquely mammalian trait with important functions, most easily appreciated in furred mammals. Our skin and hair color contribute very significantly to our overall visual appearance by highlighting striking variations between human sub-groups. Although melanins, hemoglobins, and carotenoids define the color perceived at the skin surface, our hair color relies only on the presence or absence of different melanins.

Single-blind clinical trial of psychotherapy for treatment of psychogenic movement disorders.

Background: PMD are disabling, but lack any generally accepted treatment strategies.

Design/methods: Ten patients with PMD received treatment with Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Patients were assessed with psychiatric rating scales and the movement disorder was rated by a blinded rater with the Psychogenic Movement Disorder Rating Scale (PMDRS).

Megalin is essential for renal proximal tubule reabsorption of (111)In-DTPA-octreotide.

Unlabelled: Radiolabeled somatostatin analogs have been shown to be important radiopharmaceuticals for tumor diagnosis and radionuclide therapy. The kidney has appeared to be the critical organ during radionuclide therapy because of peptide reabsorption and retention in the proximal tubules after glomerular filtration. The molecular mechanism of renal reabsorption of these analogs has not been clarified.

Characterization of a possible amyloidogenic precursor in glutamine-repeat neurodegenerative diseases.

Several neurodegenerative diseases are linked to expanded repeats of glutamine residues, which lead to the formation of amyloid fibrils and neuronal death. The length of the repeats correlates with the onset of Huntington's disease, such that healthy individuals have <38 residues and individuals with >38 repeats exhibit symptoms. Because it is difficult to obtain atomic-resolution structural information for poly(l-glutamine) (polyQ) in aqueous solution experimentally, we performed molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the conformational behavior of this homopolymer.

Developmental outcomes after early or delayed insertion of tympanostomy tubes.

Background: To prevent later developmental impairments, myringotomy with the insertion of tympanostomy tubes has often been undertaken in young children who have persistent otitis media with effusion. We previously reported that prompt as compared with delayed insertion of tympanostomy tubes in children with persistent effusion who were younger than three years of age did not result in improved developmental outcomes at three or four years of age. However, the effect on the outcomes of school-age children is unknown.

[Jejunal perforation by a fish bone diagnosed by CT-Scan: report of two cases].

The authors relate two cases of peritonitis secondary to jejunal perforation by a fish bone. Clinically, the first patient presented signs and symptoms of acute diverticulitis and the second had signs of duodenal perforation. In both cases, the diagnosis was made by the CT-scan revealing a linear radio-opaque object suggestive of a fish bone perforating the jejunum.

111In-labelled somatostatin analogues in a rat tumour model: somatostatin receptor status and effects of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy.

Purpose: Peptide receptor scintigraphy with the radioactive somatostatin analogue 111In-DTPA-octreotide is a sensitive and specific technique to show in vivo the presence of somatostatin receptors on various tumours. Since 111In emits not only gamma rays but also therapeutic Auger and internal conversion electrons with a medium to short tissue penetration (0.02-10 microm and 200-550 microm, respectively), 111In-DTPA-octreotide is also being used for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT).

A microchip CD4 counting method for HIV monitoring in resource-poor settings.

Background: More than 35 million people in developing countries are living with HIV infection. An enormous global effort is now underway to bring antiretroviral treatment to at least 3 million of those infected. While drug prices have dropped considerably, the cost and technical complexity of laboratory tests essential for the management of HIV disease, such as CD4 cell counts, remain prohibitive.

Localisation and mechanism of renal retention of radiolabelled somatostatin analogues.

Purpose: Radiolabelled somatostatin analogues, such as octreotide and octreotate, are used for tumour scintigraphy and radionuclide therapy. The kidney is the most important critical organ during such therapy owing to the reabsorption and retention of radiolabelled peptides. The aim of this study was to investigate in a rat model both the localisation and the mechanism of renal uptake after intravenous injection of radiolabelled somatostatin analogues.

Clinical examination following preoperative chemoradiation for rectal cancer is not a reliable surrogate end point.

Purpose: Clinical assessment of rectal cancer response to preoperative combined-modality therapy (CMT) using digital rectal examination (DRE) has been proposed as a means of assessing efficacy of therapy. However, because the accuracy of this approach has not been established, we conducted a prospective analysis to determine the operating surgeon's ability to assess response using DRE.

Patients And Methods: Ninety-four prospectively accrued patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (T3/4 or N1) were evaluated with DRE and sigmoidoscopy in order to determine the following tumor characteristics: size, location, mobility, morphology, and circumference.