Nocardia masquerading as pulmonary malignancy in a patient with adult-onset immunodeficiency on F-FDG PET/CT.

A 77-year-old man with a history of left nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma and partial hepatectomy for cholangiocarcinoma underwent F-FDG PET/CT for assessment of an irregular lung lesion. FDG-PET demonstrated development of an intensely avid spiculated left lower lobe pulmonary lesion and intensely avid left pulmonary hilar nodes, raising suspicion for a malignancy. Eleven days following the PET study, the patient was admitted to hospital with an altered mental state.

Investigation on environmental factors contributing to bispecific antibody stability and the reversal of self-associated aggregates.

Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) hold promises for enhanced therapeutic potential surpassing that of their parental monoclonal antibodies. However, bsAbs pose great challenges in their manufacturing, and one of the common reasons is their susceptibility to aggregation. Building on previous studies demonstrating the functionality and potential manufacturability of Fab-scFv format bsAb, this investigation delved into the impact of environmental factors-such as pH, buffer types, ionic strength, protein concentrations, and temperatures-on its stability and the reversal of its self-associated aggregates.

Effects of molecule hydrophobicity and structural flexibility of appended bispecific antibody on Protein A chromatography.

Appended bispecific antibody (aBsAb) with two single chain variable fragments (scFv) linked at the c-terminus of its heavy chains is one of the promising formats in bispecific therapeutics. The presence of hydrophobic and flexible scFv fragments render aBsAb molecules higher molecule hydrophobicity and structural flexibility compared to monoclonal antibody (mAb), thus making its purification more challenging. We set out to investigate how the unique molecular properties of aBsAb affect its performance on Protein A chromatography.

Sonothrombolysis Before and After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Provides the Largest Myocardial Salvage in ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Sonothrombolysis is a therapeutic application of ultrasound with ultrasound contrast for patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Recent trials demonstrated that sonothrombolysis, delivered before and after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI), increases infarct vessel patency, improves microvascular flow, reduces infarct size, and improves ejection fraction. However, it is unclear whether pre-pPCI sonothrombolysis is essential for therapeutic benefit.

Restoring microvascular circulation with diagnostic ultrasound and contrast agent: rationale and design of the REDUCE trial.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of sonothrombolysis delivered pre and post primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) on infarct size assessed by cardiac MRI, in patients presenting with STEMI, when compared against sham procedure.

Background: More than a half of patients with successful pPCI have significant microvascular obstruction and residual infarction. Sonothrombolysis is a therapeutic use of ultrasound with contrast enhancement that may improve microcirculation and infarct size.

False-Positive Metastatic Bone Disease on FDG PET/CT Due to Multilevel Tophaceous Gout of the Spine.

A 74-year-old woman was referred for 18 F-FDG PET/CT for the evaluation of incidental CT finding of expansile destruction of left L4/5 facet joint with associated soft tissue mass concerning for a metastatic deposit. The FDG PET/CT revealed variable abnormally increased FDG activity involving multiple facet joints in all regions of the spine with corresponding expansile "punched-out" lytic lesions with sclerotic rims and overhanging margins on CT, raising the possibility of inflammatory polyarthropathy, including gout, as a differential diagnosis. Dual-energy CT of lumbar spine and CT-guided biopsy and culture of the left L4/5 facet joint demonstrated the presence of urate crystal deposition with no evidence of malignancy or infection, confirming the diagnosis of multilevel tophaceous gout of the spine.

Gastric Schwannoma Demonstrated on 18 F FDG PET/CT With Pathological Correlation.

A 66-year-old man with background hypertension and type 2 diabetes presented with 1 month history of epigastric pain for investigation. Abdominal CT and MRI identified round homogeneously enhancing mass arising from the lesser curvature of the stomach. On 18 F-FDG PET/CT, the gastric mass demonstrated intense FDG uptake (SUV max , 9.

Comparative spatial proteomics of Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes.

Plasmodium parasites contribute to one of the highest global infectious disease burdens. To achieve this success, the parasite has evolved a range of specialized subcellular compartments to extensively remodel the host cell for its survival. The information to fully understand these compartments is likely hidden in the so far poorly characterized Plasmodium species spatial proteome.

Intra-individual comparison of prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography versus bone scan in detecting skeletal metastasis at prostate cancer diagnosis.

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic performance and radiological staging impact of Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) compared to Tc whole-body bone scan (WBBS) for the detection of skeletal metastasis in the primary staging of prostate cancer (PCa).

Patients And Methods: A prospective institutional database was retrospectively examined for patients who underwent both PSMA PET and WBBS within a 1 week interval for PCa primary staging. Lesions were categorised as 'negative', 'equivocal', or 'definite' based on nuclear medicine physician interpretation.

Manufacturability and functionality assessment of different formats of T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies.

T-cell-engaging bispecific antibodies (T-bsAbs) are promising immunotherapies for cancer treatment due to their capability of redirecting T-cells toward destroying tumor cells. Numerous T-bsAb formats have been developed, each with advantages and disadvantages in terms of developability, immunogenicity, effector functions, and pharmacokinetics. Here, we systematically compared T-bsAbs produced using eight different formats, evaluating the effect of molecular design of T-bsAbs on their manufacturability and functionality.

Strategies to enhance immunomodulatory properties and reduce heterogeneity in mesenchymal stromal cells during ex vivo expansion.

Therapies using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to treat immune and inflammatory conditions are now at an exciting stage of development, with many MSC-based products progressing to phase II and III clinical trials. However, a major bottleneck in the clinical translation of allogeneic MSC therapies is the variable immunomodulatory properties of MSC products due to differences in their tissue source, donor heterogeneity and processes involved in manufacturing and banking. This variable functionality of MSC products likely contributes to the substantial inconsistency observed in the clinical outcomes of phase III trials of MSC therapies; several trials have failed to reach the primary efficacy endpoint.

A multi-modality medical imaging head and neck phantom: Part 2. Medical imaging.

The head and neck phantom discussed in an accompanying paper (part 1), is imaged with MRI, X-ray CT, PET and ultrasound. MRI scans show a distinct image contrast between the brain compartment and other anatomical regions of the head. The silicone matrix that was used to create a porous brain compartment has a relatively high proton density and a spin-spin relaxation time (T) that is long enough to provide an MRI signal.

A multi-modality medical imaging head and neck phantom: Part 1. Design and fabrication.

A novel anthropomorphic head and neck phantom which features the emulation of blood flow and perfusion is proposed. The phantom is helpful in both education and research and contains major blood vessels and a porous silicone elastomer brain compartment with microvascular capillary flow. The porous brain compartment is fabricated by use of a novel cast-moulding-dissolution technique.

False-Positive F-FDG PET/CT Uptake in Unilateral Lactation.

A 31-year-old woman (7 months postpartum and lactating) with multiple sclerotic bone lesions was referred for an F-FDG PET/CT scan for characterization. The scan demonstrated unilateral diffuse intense FDG uptake corresponding to dense soft tissue in the right breast, likely related to secretory hyperplasia. On further questioning, it was made apparent that she had only been breastfeeding from the right breast.

68Ga-Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Solitary Base of Skull Prostate Adenocarcinoma Metastasis.

A 74-year-old man with prostate adenocarcinoma (Gleason 7) was referred for Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA-HBED-CC) PET/CT scan for staging. Findings confirmed the prostate malignancy and demonstrated a solitary metastasis in the left skull base, with no evidence of regional or distant metastasis elsewhere. Solitary base of the skull metastasis may be subtle and easily overlooked, highlighting the need for thorough evaluation of the region.

Solitary 68Ga-PSMA-Avid Proximal Tibial Prostatic Adenocarcinoma Metastasis Mimicking Enthesopathy.

A 76-year-old man with previously treated prostatic adenocarcinoma (Gleason 8) was referred for a Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT scan due to a rising serum PSA level. An intensely PSMA-avid focus was demonstrated in the left proximal tibia with no evidence of local recurrence or metastatic disease elsewhere. This was diagnosed and managed as enthesopathy.

Rapid activation of distinct members of multigene families in Plasmodium spp.

The genomes of Plasmodium spp. encode a number of different multigene families that are thought to play a critical role for survival. However, with the exception of the P.

A prospective, matched comparison of ultra-low and standard-dose computed tomography for assessment of renal colic.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultra-low-dose computed tomography (ULDCT) compared with standard-dose CT (SDCT) in the evaluation of patients with clinically suspected renal colic, in addition to secondary features (hydroureteronephrosis, perinephric stranding) and additional pathological entities (renal masses).

Patients And Methods: A prospective, comparative cohort study was conducted amongst patients presenting to the emergency department with signs and symptoms suggestive of renal or ureteric colic. Patients underwent both SDCT and ULDCT.

Immunomic Identification of Malaria Antigens Associated With Protection in Mice.

Efforts to develop vaccines against malaria represent a major research target. The observations that 1) sterile protection can be obtained when the host is exposed to live parasites and 2) the immunity against blood stage parasite is principally mediated by protective antibodies suggest that a protective vaccine is feasible. However, only a small number of proteins have been investigated so far and most of the proteome has yet to be explored.

68Ga-DOTATATE Uptake in Solitary Pancreatic Metastasis From Clear Cell Renal Cancer.

A 64-year-old man with a lesion of the pancreatic tail was referred for Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging. His medical history included previous metastatic clear cell renal cell cancer. Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT demonstrated increased DOTATATE uptake (SUVmax 10.

Pancreatic Cancer Complicated by Pancreatitis Demonstrated on FDG PET/CT.

A 73-year-old man was referred for F-FDG PET/CT study for staging of biopsy-proven pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The scan demonstrated focal intense FDG uptake in the pancreatic head, localizing the primary tumor. Additional moderate diffuse uptake was seen throughout the pancreas, suggestive of acute pancreatitis.

Polyostotic Fibrous Dysplasia in McCune-Albright Syndrome Demonstrated on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT.

A 33-year-old woman with McCune-Albright syndrome was referred for a Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT study for evaluation and staging of a biopsy-proven pancreatic tail neuroendocrine tumor. The scan demonstrated intense focal octreopeptide uptake corresponding to the known neuroendocrine tumor at the pancreatic tail/splenic hilum. There was no evidence of octreopeptide-avid metastases.

Non-Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen-Avid Metastatic Lung Nodule From Primary Prostatic Adenocarcinoma.

Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT is increasingly used to evaluate recurrent prostatic malignancy due to its high specificity. A 56-year-old man with previous history of treated prostate cancer 4 years earlier presented with rising prostate-specific antigen level and underwent Ga-PSMA PET/CT, which demonstrated an enlarging pulmonary nodule without PSMA avidity. The pulmonary nodule, however, showed moderate uptake on a corresponding FDG PET/CT study, suspicious of primary lung malignancy.