Identification of the allosteric P2X receptor antagonist [C]SMW139 as a PET tracer of microglial activation.

The P2X receptor plays a significant role in microglial activation, and as a potential drug target, the P2X receptor is also an interesting target in positron emission tomography. The current study aimed at the development and evaluation of a potent tracer targeting the P2X receptor, to which end four adamantanyl benzamide analogues with high affinity for the human P2X receptor were labelled with carbon-11. All four analogues could be obtained in excellent radiochemical yield and high radiochemical purity and molar activity, and all analogues entered the rat brain.

Novel molecular imaging ligands targeting matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 for imaging of unstable atherosclerotic plaques.

Molecular imaging of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may allow detection of atherosclerotic lesions vulnerable to rupture. In this study, we develop a novel radiolabelled compound that can target gelatinase MMP subtypes (MMP2/9) with high selectivity and inhibitory potency. Inhibitory potencies of several halogenated analogues of MMP subtype-selective inhibitors (N-benzenesulfonyliminodiacetyl monohydroxamates and N-halophenoxy-benzenesulfonyl iminodiacetyl monohydroxamates) were in the nanomolar range for MMP2/9.

Low-radio-frequency eclipses of the redback pulsar J2215+5135 observed in the image plane with LOFAR.

The eclipses of certain types of binary millisecond pulsars (i.e. 'black widows' and 'redbacks') are often studied using high-time-resolution, 'beamformed' radio observations.

Imaging of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and stroke: Recent developments in positron emission tomography.

Neuroinflammation is thought to play a pivotal role in many diseases affecting the brain, including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and stroke. Neuroinflammation is characterised predominantly by microglial activation, which can be visualised using positron emission tomography (PET). Traditionally, translocator protein 18kDa (TSPO) is the target for imaging of neuroinflammation using PET.

Has active immunization against gonadotrophin-releasing hormone any effect on testis innervation in the pig? An immunohistochemical study.

The innervation of porcine testes was studied in intact animals and in boars undergoing active immunization against gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by means of immunohistochemistry using antibodies to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (D beta H), vasoactive intestinal polypolypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5).