Synthesis of Ga-Labeled Biopolymer-based Nanoparticle Imaging Agents for Positron-emission Tomography.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to develop a folate receptor-targeted Ga-labeled agent for the detection of cancer cells in mouse models of ovarian cancer by dual positron-emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Moreover, we aimed to develop a controlled biopolymer-based chemistry that enables linking metal-binding (here Ga-68) chelators.

Materials And Methods: The nanoparticle (NP) agent was created by self-assembling of folic acid-modified polyglutamic acid and chelator-modified chitosan followed by radiolabeling with Ga (III) ions (Ga-NODAGA-FA).

First comparative results about the direct effect of traditional cigarette and e-cigarette smoking on lung alveolocapillary membrane using dynamic ventilation scintigraphy.

Introduction: Dynamic inhalation scintigraphy (DIS) with technetium-99m-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetate aerosol is a useful nuclear medicine procedure for staging and monitoring the damage of alveolocapillary membrane. The e-cigarette is a new popular smoking device producing vapor from the nicotine solution. Many studies have shown that e-cigarettes appear to be safer than smoking, but there are still debates to what extent e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking.

Characterization of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptor type I (LH-RH-I) as a potential molecular target in OCM-1 and OCM-3 human uveal melanoma cell lines.

Introduction: Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy with very poor prognosis. Conventional chemotherapy only rarely prolongs the survival, therefore patients require novel treatment modalities. The discovery of specific receptors for hypothalamic hormones on cancer cells has led to the development of radiolabeled and cytotoxic hormone analogs.

Effects of non-toxic zinc exposure on human epidermal keratinocytes.

Zinc is an essential microelement; its importance to the skin is highlighted by the severe skin symptoms in hereditary or acquired zinc deficiency, by the improvement of several skin conditions using systemic or topical zinc preparations and by the induced intracellular zinc release upon UVB exposure, which is the main harmful environmental factor to the skin. Understanding the molecular background of the role of zinc in skin may help gain insight into the pathology of skin disorders and provide evidence for the therapeutic usefulness of zinc supplementation. Herein, we studied the effects of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) exposure on the function of HaCaT keratinocytes, and the results showed that a non-toxic elevation in the concentration of extracellular zinc (100 μM) facilitated cell proliferation and induced significant alterations in the mRNA expression of NOTCH1, IL8, and cyclooxygenase-2.

Transfection of pseudouridine-modified mRNA encoding CPD-photolyase leads to repair of DNA damage in human keratinocytes: a new approach with future therapeutic potential.

UVB irradiation induces harmful photochemical reactions, including formation of Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimers (CPDs) in DNA. Accumulation of unrepaired CPD lesions causes inflammation, premature ageing and skin cancer. Photolyases are DNA repair enzymes that can rapidly restore DNA integrity in a light-dependent process called photoreactivation, but these enzymes are absent in humans.

Hypothermia translocates nitric oxide synthase from cytosol to membrane in snail neurons.

Neuronal nitric oxide (NO) levels are modulated through the control of catalytic activity of NO synthase (NOS). Although signals limiting excess NO synthesis are being extensively studied in the vertebrate nervous system, our knowledge is rather limited on the control of NOS in neurons of invertebrates. We have previously reported a transient inactivation of NOS in hibernating snails.

Lymphatic spread of mesenchymal renal tumor to metastatic parathymic lymph nodes in rat.

Rat mesenchymal renal tumor cells (NeDe) transplanted under the kidney capsule of F344 rats resulted in metastases in the parathymic lymph nodes. Tumor cells were isolated from these tumor-bearing lymph nodes and 106 cells were implanted under the kidney capsule. Tumor growth after this implantation could be traced within six days.

Gamma irradiation induced apoptotic changes in the chromatin structure of human erythroleukemia K562 cells.

Exponentially growing human erythroleukemia K562 cells were synchronized by centrifugal elutriation prior to and after Co60 gamma-irradiation (4 Gy). Forward scatter flow cytometry used for size analysis revealed the increase of an early apoptotic cell population ranging from lower (0.05 C-value) to higher DNA content (approximately 1 C) as the cells progressed through the S phase.