Development and antitumor activity of a BCL-2 targeted single-stranded DNA oligonucleotide.

PNT100 is a 24-base, chemically unmodified DNA oligonucleotide sequence that is complementary to a region upstream of the BCL-2 gene. Exposure of tumor cells to PNT100 results in suppression of proliferation and cell death by a process called DNA interference. PNT2258 is PNT100 that is encapsulated in protective amphoteric liposomes developed to efficiently encapsulate the PNT100 oligonucleotide, provide enhanced serum stability, optimized pharmacokinetic properties and antitumor activity of the nanoparticle both in vivo and in vitro.

Amphoteric liposomes enable systemic antigen-presenting cell-directed delivery of CD40 antisense and are therapeutically effective in experimental arthritis.

Objective: Mediation of RNA interference by oligonucleotides constitutes a powerful approach for the silencing of genes involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disease, but in vivo application of this technique requires effective delivery to immune cells and/or sites of inflammation. The aim of the present study was to develop a new carrier system to mediate systemic administration of oligonucleotides to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joints, and to develop an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based approach to interfere with CD40-CD154 interactions in an experimental model of RA.

Methods: A novel liposomal carrier with amphoteric properties, termed Nov038, was developed and assessed for its ability to systemically deliver an ASO directed against CD40 (CD40-ASO).

Early intestinal changes following abdominal radiotherapy comparison of endpoints.

Purpose: To compare tests for intestinal function with clinical scores after abdominal irradiation.

Patients And Methods: At the Department of Radiotherapy, Erfurt, Germany, intestinal changes were studied in 91 patients receiving abdominal radiotherapy between 1992 and 1996. Conventional fractionation (1.

Effect of dose and dose-distribution in damage to the kidney following abdominal radiotherapy.

Purpose: To define the effects of abdominal radiotherapy on the kidney with regard to dose-distribution parameters.

Materials And Methods: Ninety-one patients with abdominal radiotherapy were included in the study, and the minimum follow-up was 1 year. Conventional fractionation, 5 x 1.

[Functional esophageal scintigraphy (99mTc-DTPA)1.2. Presentation of a method for diagnosis of effective deglutition in patients with oral and hypopharyngeal tumors].

Background: Today more than 60% of 65-year-olds complain of dysphagia or odynophagia. The aim of this study was to use esophageal scintigraphy as a means of estimating quantitative, reproducible, and comparable parameters of the swallowing ability in patients with tumors of the oropharynx and hypopharynx before and after surgery. Another group of patients suffering from larynx tumors was also examined prior to and following laryngectomy.

Long-term experience with an ultrapure individual dialysis fluid with a batch type machine.

Background: This paper discusses long-term experience with a specific type of dialysis equipment which has been used more than 15 years without variation. The system was designed to allow easy individualization of dialysis fluid composition and to deliver dialysate of the highest hygienic quality.

Methods: Data from 399 patients covering the period from 1971 onwards were analysed retrospectively.

[Radiation effects in the left kidney after irradiation of the spleen].

Background: An important component of treatment of malignant lymphoma is the radiotherapy. If the spleen has to be included in the irradiation field, the left kidney has to be considered as a risk organ.

Patients And Method: In 25 patients, splenic pedicle or spleen was included in the irradiation field.

[Doppler ultrasound studies of long-term follow-up of children with hemolytic-uremic syndrome].

Aim: In the present study, we compared the diagnostic value of Doppler sonography with "B-Imaging" in the acute and chronical period of the HUS in children.

Method: For this, we analysed the Doppler sonographic measurement (Acuson-128) from 3 patients in the acute stage of the disease and 14 patients after approximately 5 years. All patients examined in the chronic stage of the disease had been treated by peritoneal dialysis in the acute stage.

Platelet Survival in Healthy Volunteers After Storage with N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine.

The sulphhydryl group containing drug N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (MPG) was tested as a cytoprotective substance for storage of human platelets for transfusion. Autologous platelets stored for 48 h at 21 ± 1°C in the absence (control-platelets) or in the presence (MPG-platelets) of MPG, respectively, were labelled with Indium-III oxine and retransfused into the healthy donors. Significantly higher survival and a higher spleen/liver-ratio were obtained using stored MPG-platelets compared to stored control-platelets.

[Case reports of the Kümmel-Verneuil syndrome].

The significance of the complex clinical-radiological diagnosis is demonstrated in three cases of the Kümmel-Verneuil syndrome, the bone scintigraphy allows the demonstration and localisation of the bone process, but in respect to the differential diagnosis the results are unspecific. The CT allows an early and sure demonstration of the intravertebral vacuum phenomenon. In patients with nonspecific vertebral fractures the quantitative determination of the mineral content of the vertebral bones is indicated.

[The evaluation of the adhesive properties of dental materials by using radioactive-labelled bacteria].

Dental materials with different surfaces were incubated with 111In-oxine-labelled bacteria Streptococcus mutans 20 min respectively 2 h, 6 h and 24 h. To determine the amount of the bacteria accumulated on the specimens we measured the radioactivity with a scintillation counter. The same measuring was done after decontamination by the help of ultrasonication.

[Urokinetography in the diagnosis and follow-up of obstructive uropathy in children].

With regard to different paediatric urological diseases nuclear-medical urokinetography using the tracer 99m-Tc-DTPA can identify typical functional patterns. By means of 261 investigations on 240 children, retroperistaltic waves, initial pyeloureteral and the final ureterovesical conus, dysperistaltic waves and interrupting empty strips with lacing, constrictive peristalsis can be shown in comparison with the normal anterograde "stair" pattern. Moreover, UKG as a functional method makes it possible to control the therapeutic success of antibiotics in urinary inflammations, the situation after stone discharges and application of vegetative systemic drugs.

99mTc-labelling of leucocytes with 99mTc-DPO: a complex developed for myocardial imaging.

The lipophilic 99mTc-DPO complex, developed as a myocardial imaging radiopharmaceutical, was used to label leucocytes. After an incubation of 0.1 ml 99mTc-DPO (8 micrograms DMPE*2HCl) with mixed leucocytes in plasma, the labelling efficiency was over 70%.

[Nuclear medicine diagnosis in venous diseases of the extremities].

The 125I fibrinogen test and radionuclide venography have so far been the two standard methods of thrombosis diagnosis via nuclear medicine. Both methods have been developed further as a result of scientific and technical advances in recent years. Direct visualisation of thrombi with the help of 111indium thrombocytes is becoming increasingly important.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (dilatation) of carotid, vertebral, and innominate artery stenoses.

Over a period of 5 years, 51 stenoses of brachiocephalic arteries were successfully dilated, and one subclavian occlusion recanalized in 42 patients. Among 24 patients there were 21 stenoses of the internal carotid artery, two stenoses of the common carotid artery, two stenoses of the innominate artery, five stenoses at the origin of the vertebral artery, and four stenoses of the subclavian artery. There were 17 patients who had stenoses of the subclavian artery.

[111Indium-thrombocyte scintigraphy and percutaneous transluminal dilatation (angioplasty) of supra-aortic vascular stenoses. A new method for deciding therapy and for follow-up control].

Scintigraphy with 111indium-marked autologous platelets has been used during percutaneous transluminal dilatation of supra-aortic arterial stenoses; there were 14 successful dilatations and one attempted dilatation. The material consisted of nine stenoses of the internal carotid artery, two stenoses at the origin of the vertebral artery and four stenoses of the first part of the left subclavian artery. Deposition of thrombi could be demonstrated by scintigraphy, both before and after catheter dilatation.